Author: James Partridge

Cinema Release Round-Up: 30 July

Posted by | Jul 30, 2015 |

Ethan Hunt is back…again. But that’s a good thing, as the Mission: Impossible franchise goes from strength to strength. Plenty of other films on offer this week too, including the new Woody Allen comedy, a monsterous family adventure flick from China and a WWII drama starring Michelle Williams. Check them all out after the jump. . Opening today: . MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – ROGUE NATION……FILM OF THE WEEK USA | 131 minutes | Action, Thriller Director: Christopher McQuarrie (Jack Reacher) Cast: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Alec Baldwin, Ving Rhames, Sean Harris, America Olivo Ethan and Co. take on their most impossible mission yet: eradicating the Syndicate, an international rogue organization, as highly skilled as they are, committed to destroying the IMF. This will deliver exactly what it says on the tin. Perfect ‘leave your brain at the door’ entertainment. Distributor: Paramount . IRRATIONAL MAN USA | 96 minutes | Comedy, Drama, Romance Director: Woody Allen (Annie Hall, Blue Jasmine, Midnight in Paris, Manhattan) Cast: Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix, Parker Posey, Jamie Blackley, Ethan Phillips A tormented philosophy professor finds a will to live when he commits an existential act. Was lucky enough to see this at Cannes. It’s good…but definitely not Woody’s best. Distributor: eOne . MONSTER HUNT China | 117 minutes | Fantasy Director: Raman Hui (Shrek the Third) Cast: Eric Tsang, Wallace Chung, Baihe...

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Cinema Release Round-Up: 23 July

Posted by | Jul 23, 2015 |

Sir Ian McKellen as Sherlock Holmes! That alone makes Mr. Holmes our FOTW. But there’s plenty more on offer: the spine-chilling horror The Gallows and thrill-a-minute indie The Guest, to name but two. Check out all this week’s cinematic delights right here… . Opening today: . MR. HOLMES……FILM OF THE WEEK UK, USA | 104 minutes | Drama, Mystery Director: Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, The Fifth Estate, Gods and Monsters) Cast: Ian McKellen, Milo Parker, Laura Linney, Hattie Morahan, Patrick Kennedy, Hiroyuki Sanada The great detective’s memory is fading, but a 50-year-old case still troubles him. Residing in a Sussex village post-WWII, Mr. Holmes investigates the mystery with the fragments of memory he has left. I can’t wait to see McKellen play Holmes! Distributor: . SELFLESS USA | 117 minutes | Sci-Fi, Thriller Director: Tarsem Singh (Mirror Mirror, Immortals) Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Ben Kingsley, Natalie Martinez, Matthew Goode, Michelle Dockery A dying man undergoes a radical medical procedure transferring his consciousness into a healthy man’s body and uncovers the mystery of the body’s origin. I like the premise but the trailer left me a little cold. Still hoping this is good though – Reynolds has made some good choices these past few years. Distributor: Roadshow Films . THE GALLOWS USA | 81 minutes | Horror, Thriller Directors: Travis Cluff (Gold Fools), Chris Lofing (debut feature) Cast: Cassidy Gifford, Pfeifer Brown,...

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Cinema Release Round-Up: 16 July

Posted by | Jul 16, 2015 |

Good things come in small packages…but are we talking about the latest marvel hero or the little indie flick that could? Check out this week’s three new releases after the jump. . Opening today: . ANT-MAN……FILM OF THE WEEK USA, UK | 117 minutes | Action, Sci-Fi Director: Peyton Reed (Yes Man, The Break-Up, Bring It On) Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Hayley Atwell, Judy Greer, Corey Stoll, Michael Douglas, Michael Peña, Bobby Cannavale Master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. I’m expecting this to be a fun ride – nothing more, nothing less. Distributor: Marvel . NORTHERN LIMIT LINE Korea | 130 minutes | Drama Director: Kim Hak-Soon Cast: Lee Chung-ah, Jin Goo, Kim Moo-Yeol, Lee Wan, Lee Hyun Woo Based on the true incident “Second Battle of Yeonpyeong” that occurred on June 29, 2002 when a North Korean patrol boat crossed into South Korean waters and launched a surprise attack on a South Korean patrol boat named Chamsuri 357. I’m a sucker for this type of battle flick, although it does look overly sentimental. Distributor: Unknown . PAPER TOWNS USA | 109 minutes | Drama, Mystery, Romance Director: Jake Schreier (Robot & Frank) Cast: Cara Delevingne, Nat Wolff, Cara Buono, Halston Sage, Austin Abrams,...

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Cinema Release Round-Up: 9 July

Posted by | Jul 9, 2015 |

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines (again)…Magic Mike’s back in town. Here are all this week’s new releases and trailers. . Opening today: . MAGIC MIKE XXL……FILM OF THE WEEK USA | 115 minutes | Comedy, Drama Director: Gregory Jacobs (Wind Chill, Criminal) Cast: Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodríguez, Gabriel Iglesias, Andie MacDowell, Amber Heard, Jada Pinkett Smith, Elizabeth Banks, Donald Glover Three years after retiring, “Magic Mike” Lane reunites most of his old gang – with the exception of Dallas – for one final explosive performance. From reports, better than the original – which was a great film. Distributor: Roadshow Films . MADAME BOVERY Germany, Belgium, USA | 118 minutes | Drama Director: Sophie Barthes (Cold Souls) Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Ezra Miller, Laura Carmichael, Logan Marshall-Green, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Paul Giamatti, Rhys Ifans, Morfydd Clark, Richard Cordery The beautiful wife of a small-town doctor engages in extramarital love affairs in an attempt to advance her social status. Not my cup of tea, but fans should appreciate this new adaptation. Distributor: Unknown . MET OPERA: CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA / PAGLIACCI USA | 200 minutes | Live Performance Conductor: Fabio Luisi Cast: The Metropolitan Opera company Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci – performed as part of the New York Metropolitan Opera’s 2014-2015 season. Two for the price of one! Distributor: Rialto Distribution...

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Cinema Release Round-Up: 1 July

Posted by | Jul 1, 2015 |

This week: two blockbusters, one indie and a live performance. Despite the media hype surrounding Ted 2 and Terminator: Genisys, our pick for FOTW is the creepy British drama The Falling. Check out all the films and trailers after the jump. . Opening today: . NT LIVE: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE UK | 146 minutes | Live Performance Director: Ivo Van Hove Cast: Mark Strong, The National Theatre In Brooklyn, longshoreman Eddie Carbone welcomes his Sicilian cousins to the land of freedom. But when one of them falls for his beautiful niece, they both discover that freedom comes at a price. Will be great to see the brilliant Mark Strong on stage. Distributor: Rialto Distrbution . TERMINATOR: GENISYS USA | 126 minutes | Action, Sci-Fi Director: Alan Taylor (Thor: The Dark World, Palookaville) Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emila Clarke, Jason Clarke, Jai Courtney, Matt Smith, Aaron V. Williamson, J.K. Simmons, Byung-hun Lee, Dayo Okeniyi When John Connor sends Kyle Reese back to 1984 to protect Sarah Connor, an unexpected turn of events creates a fractured timeline. Too much given away in the trailers. Go in as clean as you can. Distributor: Paramount Pictures . Opening tomorrow: . THE FALLING…..FILM OF THE WEEK UK | 102 minutes | Drama Director: Carol Morley (Dreams of a Life) Cast: Maxine Peake, Maisie Williams, Florence Pugh, Anna Burnett, Greta Scacchi It’s 1969 at...

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