Author: James Partridge

Cinema Release Round-Up: 17 December

Posted by | Dec 17, 2015 |

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is finally here! And the force is strong with this one – so strong in fact that no other film dare compete. If you’d like to see the best trailer one last time, check it out here… . Opening today: . STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS……FILM OF THE WEEK USA | 135 minutes | Adventure, Sci-fi Director: J.J. Abrams (Star Trek, Super 8) Cast: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Andy Serkis, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow, Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Gwendoline Christie The spoiler free official synopsis: “A continuation of the saga created by George Lucas set thirty years after Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.” Star Wars fans across the globe can share a collective sigh of relief – J.J.’s delivered! Distributor: Walt Disney...

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Cinema Release Round-Up: 29 October

Posted by | Oct 29, 2015 |

We’re spoiled for choice this week. For your consideration, we have: a gripping tale of eviction set during the global financial crisis, a dark Australian comedy about a vengeful dressmaker, a creepy horror in which a powerful spirit terrifies some Kiwi ghost hunters, a new Bill Murray comedy from legendary director Barry Levinson, and a Highlander-esque witch hunting yarn starring Vin Diesel. Check ’em all out here… . Opening today: . 99 HOMES……FILM OF THE WEEK USA | 112 minutes | Drama Director: Ramin Bahrani (Goodbye Solo, Man Push Cart, Chop Shop) Cast: Andrew Garfield, Michael Shannon, Laura Dern, Tim Guinee, J.D. Evermore, Jordyn McDempsey After being evicted from their home, a family’s father – desperate for cash – becomes the reluctant employee of the ruthless real estate broker who kicked them out. Inspired by true events – making this even more frightening – 99 Homes is gripping watch. Distributor: Madman . ROCK THE KASBAH USA | 106 minutes | Comedy Director: Barry Levinson (Wag the Dog, Sleepers, Toys) Cast: Bill Murray, Zooey Deschanel, Kate Hudson, Bruce Willis, Danny McBride, Scott Caan When Richie takes his last remaining client on a USO tour of Afghanistan, she gets cold feet and leaves him penniless and without his passport in Kabul. Trying to find his way home, he discovers a young girl with an extraordinary voice. Critics have not been kind. Time...

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Cinema Release Round-Up: 8 October

Posted by | Oct 8, 2015 |

For your entertainment this week: Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger, the infamous criminal who ruled the mean streets of South Boston; plus Drew Barrymore and Toni Collette as besties whose friendship is tested in a time of crisis. Which will you choose? Check out both trailers after the jump. . Opening today: . BLACK MASS……FILM OF THE WEEK USA | 122 minutes | Action, Drama, Biography Director: Scott Cooper (Out of the Furnace, Crazy Heart) Cast: Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson, Juno Temple, Jesse Plemons The true story of Whitey Bulger, the brother of a state senator and the most infamous violent criminal in the history of South Boston, who became an FBI informant to take down a Mafia family invading his turf. From the trailer, this looks gripping  – a great role for Depp. But can it deliver us a gangster flick that will be placed on a shelf next to the likes of Goodfellas and Heat? Distributor: Roadshow Distribution . MISS YOU ALREADY UK | 112 minutes | Comedy, Drama, Romance Director: Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen, Twilight) Cast: Drew Barrymore, Toni Collette, Dominic Cooper, Charlotte Hope, Jacqueline Bisset, Paddy Considine, Anjli Mohindra, Honor Kneafsey Two life-long best friends whose relationship is put to the test when one starts a family and the other battles illness. Barrymore and Collette should elevate this film above what has...

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Cinema Release Round-Up: 13 August

Posted by | Aug 13, 2015 |

Five films to choose from this week: Guy Ritchie’s take on a classic TV series, a new Judd Apatow comedy, doco recognition of an unsung Hollywood legend, a Ben Kingsley and Patricia Clarkson comedy, and the nineteenth (yes, nineteenth!) Dragon Ball Z movie. Check out all the trailers here… . Opening today: . WOMEN HE’S UNDRESSED……FILM OF THE WEEK Australia | 100 minutes | Documentary Director: Gillian Armstrong (Little Women, Oscar and Lucinda, Charlotte Gray) Featuring: Darren Gilshenan, Deborah Kennedy, Louis Alexander, Nathaniel Middleton Oscar-winning Orry Kelly was a Hollywood legend, his costume designs adored by cinema’s greatest leading ladies – but in his home country of Australia his achievements remained unknown…until now. Great to recognise a man who’s costumes created some of cinema’s most magical moments. Can’t wait to see this. Distributor: Rialto Distribution . THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. USA | 116 minutes | Action, Comedy Director: Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes, Snatch, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) Cast: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, Hugh Grant The classic 60’s TV series gets the Guy Ritchie treatment. CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB agent Illya Kuryakin are forced to team up to stop a mysterious international criminal irgani Lovin’ the style. Hopefully there’s some substance. Distributor: Roadshow Distribution . TRAINWRECK USA | 125 minutes | Comedy, Romance Director: Judd Apatow (This Is 40, Knocked Up, The...

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Cinema Release Round-Up: 6 August

Posted by | Aug 6, 2015 |

The Amy Winehouse doco that wowed audiences at Cannes and NZIFF hits screens across the country this week; while the Hollywood blockbuster Fantastic Four reboot tries to steal the limelight. Check out trailers for the two films here. . Opening today: . AMY……FILM OF THE WEEK UK | 128 minutes | Documentary, Music Director: Asif Kapadia (Senna, The Warrior) Featuring: Amy Winehouse From the team behind acclaimed documentary Senna, comes this insightful and moving portrait of one of Britain’s great music icons. Saw Amy at Cannes and was completely moved by it – much like I was with Senna. Distributor: eOne . FANTASTIC FOUR USA | 100 minutes | Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Director: Josh Trank (Chronicle) Cast: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Bell, Toby Kebbell, Reg E. Cathey, Tim Blake Nelson Four young outsiders teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy. A trouble production has (apparently) lead to one giant mess of a film…but I’m still keen to see it. Distributor: 20th Century...

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