Author: James Partridge

Cinema Release Round-Up: 25 June

Posted by | Jun 25, 2015 |

A very animated scrap for top spot this week. We haven’t seen The Minions, but the smart and utterly charming Inside Out is our pick to take out it out. Adorable animation isn’t the only offering this week, so check out the rest of the films after the jump. . Opening today: . INSIDE OUT……FILM OF THE WEEK USA | 102 minutes | Animation, Family Director: Pete Docter (Up, Monsters, Inc.) Cast: Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Bill Hader, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Kaitlyn Dias, Diane Lane, Kyle MacLachlan After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest home and moved to San Francisco, her emotions – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness – conflict on how best to navigate her new life. Was very fortunate to see this Pixar delight at Cannes. A stunning return to form. Distributor: Walt Disney Studios . ALEX OF VENICE USA | 86 minutes | Drama Director: Chris Messina (debut feature) Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Don Johnson, Chris Messina, Derek Luke, Julianna Guill, Skylar Gaertner A workaholic attorney is forced to reinvent her life after her husband suddenly leaves. I’m hoping the strong cast can elevate this above humdrum. Distributor: Unknown . FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD USA, UK | 118 minutes | Drama, Romance Director: Thomas Vinterberg (The Hunt, Submarino, Festen) Cast: Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Sheen, Juno Temple, Tom Sturridge, Jessica Barden...

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Cinema Release Round-Up: 18 June

Posted by | Jun 18, 2015 |

Comedy-dramas rule the box office this week, with contributions from around the world. But it’s the 1960s, Beatles-inspired Spanish entry, Living is Easy with Eyes Closed, that gets my vote. Check all this week’s new releases here. . Opening today: . LIVING IS EASY WITH EYES CLOSED……FILM OF THE WEEK Spain | 105 minutes | Comedy, Drama Director: David Trueba (Soldiers of Salamina, The Good Life) Cast: Eduardo Antuna, Celia Bermejo, Francesc Colomer, Javier Camara, Natalia de Molina, Rogelio Fernandez, Ramon Fontsere, Ariadna Gil In Spain in 1966, an English teacher picks up two runaway hitchhikers on his quest to meet John Lennon. Seen it. Loved it. Well worth your money. Distributor: Palace Films . 5 FLIGHTS UP USA | minutes | Comedy, Drama Director: Richard Loncraine (Firewall/em>, Wimbledon) Cast: Morgan Freeman, Diane Keaton, Carrie Preston, Claire van der Boom, Cynthia Nixon Over one crazy weekend a long-time married couple discover that finding a new apartment is not about winding down but starting a new adventure. Looks charming enough. Freeman and Keaton will be great. Distributor: Universal . MAN UP UK | 88 minutes | Comedy, Romance Director: Ben Palmer (The Inbetweeners Movie) Cast: Simon Pegg, Lake Bell, Olivia Williams, Ken Stott, Rory Kinnear A single woman who’s mistaken for a stranger’s blind date, leads to her finding the perfect boyfriend. Seen it. Becomes a bit cliched at times,...

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Cinema Release Round-Up: 11 June

Posted by | Jun 11, 2015 |

Jurassic World stomps into cinemas this week, but it’s a Spanish thriller that’s caught our attention. Check out all this week’s releases here. . Opening today: . MARSHLAND……FILM OF THE WEEK Spain | 105 minutes | Drama, Thriller Director: Alberto Rodríguez (Grupo 7) Cast: Javier Gutiérrez, Raúl Arévalo, María Varod, Perico Cervantes, Jesús Ortiz, Jesús Carroza, Salva Reina, Antonio de la Torre Two homicide detectives, who appear to be poles apart, must settle their differences and bring the murderer to justice before more young women lose their lives. Looks gripping. Count me in. Distributor: Vendetta . HOT PURSUIT USA | 87 minutes | Comedy Director: Anne Fletcher (The Guilt Trip, The Proposal, 27 Dresses) Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara, Michael Mosley, Jodi Lyn Brockton, John Carroll Lynch, Richard T. Jones An uptight and by-the-book cop tries to protect the outgoing widow of a drug boss, as they race through Texas pursued by crooked cops and murderous gunmen. Definitely not for me, but fans of Fletcher’s other work should get some laughs. Distributor: Roadshow Films . JURASSIC WORLD USA | 124 minutes | Action, Sci-Fi Director: Colin Trevorrow (Safety Not Guaranteed) Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D’Onofrio, Jake Johnson, Nick Robinson, Ty Simpkins, BD Wong, Irrfan Khan, Brian Tee, Omar Sy Twenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park, Isla Nublar now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme...

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Cannes 2015 Review: Love

Posted by | Jun 4, 2015 |

Synopsis January the 1st, early morning. The telephone rings. Murphy wakes up next to his young wife and 2-year-old child. He listens to his voicemail: Electra’s mother, sick with worry, wants to know whether he has heard from her daughter. Electra’s been missing for a long time. She’s afraid something really bad has happened to her. Over the course of a long rainy day, Murphy finds himself alone in his apartment, reminiscing about the greatest love affair of his life, his two years with Electra. A burning passion full of promises, games, excesses and mistakes… Thought Aside from some exceptionally good looking leads, Love is almost the opposite of Palme d’Or winning Blue is the Warmest Colour – which was well scripted, superbly acted and the sex scenes served the story. Rating...

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Cinema Release Round-Up: 4 June

Posted by | Jun 4, 2015 |

As a big fan of the show Entourage, my FOTW choice has more than a little bias to it. Cameron Crowe‘s Aloha and the Zaza Urushadze‘s Tangerines should be given due consideration – particularly the latter, which looks pretty damn good. . Opening today: . ENTOURAGE……FILM OF THE WEEK USA | 104 minutes | Comedy Director: Doug Ellin (TV’s Entourage) Cast: Jeremy Piven, Adrian Grenier, Kevin Dillon, Mark Wahlberg, Kevin Connolly, Jerry Ferrara, Haley Joel Osment, Billy Bob Thornton, Gary Busey, Richard Schiff, Rex Lee, Alice Eve + a million celebrity cameos. Movie star Vincent Chase, together with his boys, E, Turtle and Johnny, are back…and back in business with super agent-turned-studio head Ari Gold. Some of their ambitions have changed, but the bond between them remains strong as they navigate the capricious and often cutthroat world of Hollywood. Will be very interested to see how the continuation of the story works as a movie, but I’m sure I’ll love it anyway – he says blindly. Distributor: Warner Brothers . ALOHA USA | minutes | Comedy, Drama, Romance Director: Cameron Crowe (Vanilla Sky, Almost Famous, Jerry Maguire) Cast: Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, Bill Murray, Ivana Milicevic, John Krasinski, Jay Baruchel, Alec Baldwin, Danny McBride A celebrated military contractor returns to the site of his greatest career triumphs and re-connects with a long-ago love while unexpectedly falling for...

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