Author: James Partridge

Cinema Release Round-Up: 19 December

Posted by | Dec 19, 2013 |

Ron Burgundy is the only one brave enough to challenge The Hobbit for the top spot this week. Will he and his perfectly fashioned hair succeed? . Opening today: . ARCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES……FILM OF THE WEEK USA | 119 minutes | Comedy Director: Adam McKay (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, The Other Guys, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby) Cast: Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Christina Applegate, David Koechner, Kristen Wiig, Tina Fey, James Marsden, Jim Carrey, Harrison Ford, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen, Fred Willard, Kirsten Dunst, Liam Neeson, Nicole Kidman, Kanye West, Josh Lawson Legendary presenter Ron Burgundy hits rock bottom [or: but, when an opportunity presents itself, etc.] and must reassemble ‘the team’ in order to regain his former glory, after an opportunity on a 24-hour-news channel presents itself. But if we know Ron, he won’t make it easy for himself…or anyone else. Prepare to laugh long and hard – this looks every bit as good as the original. Distributor: Paramount . Opening tomorrow: . Dhoom 3 India | 172 minutes | Action, Thriller Director: Vijay Krishna Acharya (Tashan) Cast: Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif, Tabrett Bethell, Abhishek Bachchan The third instalment of the Hindi buddy-cop action thriller series. Haven’t seen the first two, but this looks fun. . Burgundy vs. Smaug. Who’s gonna...

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Cinema Release Round-Up: 12 December

Posted by | Dec 12, 2013 |

“Come now, don’t be shy. Step into the light.” Smaug descends on our cinemas this week. But there’s also a tricksy little indie film competing for our attention. . Opening today: . THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG……FILM OF THE WEEK New Zealand |161 minutes | Action, Adventure, Fanstasy Director: Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong, Bad Taste) Cast: Martin Freeman, Benedict Cumberbatch, LRichard Armitage, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Manu Bennett, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Aidan Turner, Luke Evans, Billy Connolly, Stephen Fry, Ian Holm, Graham McTavish, Dean O’Gorman, James Nesbitt, Sylvester McCoy, Ken Stott, Conan Stevens, William Kircher, Peter Hambleton, Mikael Persbrandt, Adam Brown, Jed Brophy, Stephen Hunter, John Callen, Mark Hadlow, John Bell, and Jeffrey Thomas The second film in The Hobbit trilogy sees Bilbo and the Dwarves reach The Lonely Mountain and the lost kingdom of Erebor. But if they are to reclaim their homeland, there’s the small matter of defeating a large and decidedly mean dragon. Doh! Are Jackson and Co. back on point? Smaug looks pretty stupendous. Distributor: Warner Brothers/Roadshow . BECOMING TRAVIATA France | 112 minutes | Documentaries Director: Philippe Béziat (debut feature) Featuring: Natalie Dessay, Jean-François Sivadier, Louis Langrée, Charles Castronovo, Ludovic Tézier, Adelina Scarabelli A behind-the-scenes doco following a challenging production of Verdi’s opera La Traviata at the Aix-en-Provence festival in France. A must for opera fans. Distributor:...

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‘Shopping’ bags Moas galore at the New Zealand Film Awards

Posted by | Dec 11, 2013 |

Shopping, the 1980s coming-of-age dram shot on the Kapiti Coast, took home a trolley-full of Moas last night (seven, to be precise) at the Rialto Channel New Zealand Film Awards. Wins included Best Film, Director (Louis Sutherland and Mark Albiston), Screenplay and Supporting Actor for 9-year-old Julian Dennison – “Flying my fly” is one of my favourite lines ever. 750+ guests enjoyed a feast of film, food and booze – double the size of last year’s “unofficial” event. Once again Ant Timpson and Hugh Sundae deserve a standing ovation for their work to create an event that truly celebrates our industry and talent. An industry in crisis? Not on last night’s evidence. It was great to see Andrew Adamson, Taika Waititi, Temuera Morrison and Rena Owen present awards – Stan Walker’s diabolically unrehearsed effort being the only bum note. Other big winners on the night were: Mr. Pip which took four awards including Best Actor (Hugh Laurie) and Best Actress (Xzannjah), Crackheads which won Best Self-Funded Film, Gardening with Soul (Best Documentary), and Here Be Monsters (Best Short Film). Directing legend Geoff Murphy was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Congrats to all the winner and nominees. It was a fab night and great to hang out with some many incredibly talented Kiwis. 2014 is shaping up nicely – hopefully my hangover will have gone by then. . Here’s...

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Cinema Release Round-Up: 5 December

Posted by | Dec 5, 2013 |

“I’m Alan Partridge!” Well, I’m actually James Partridge, but my namesake makes his feature film debut this week. If Steve Coogan’s hilarious comic creation isn’t your bag, there’s six other films to choose from, including Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 and Ender’s Game. Back of the net! . Opening today: . ALAN PARTRIDGE: ALPHA PAPA……FILM OF THE WEEK UK | 90 minutes | Comedy Director: Declan Lowney (TV – Father Ted, TV – Little Britain) Cast: Steve Coogan, Colm Meaney, Sean Pertwee, Anna Maxwell Martin, Jessica Knappett, Darren Boyd, Monica Dolan, Simon Delaney When Norfolk Digital is held hostage by a disgruntled former DJ, there’s only one man who can save the day…Alan Partridge. God help them all. Steve Coogan’s best-loved character at his very best. “Welcome to Big School”. Distributor: StudioCanal . CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 USA | 95 minutes | Animation, Comedy, Family Directors: Cody Cameron (Open Season 3), Kris Pearn (debut feature) Cast: Bill Hader, Will Forte, Anna Faris, Neil Patrick Harris, Andy Samberg, Terry Crews, James Caan, Kristen Schaal, After discovering his food machine has survived and is now creating food animals – including tacodiles, shrimpanzees and hippotatomuses – Inventor Flint Lockwood (and friends) must embark on “dangerously delicious mission” to save the world again. It may not reach the dizzy heights of the original, but this sequel looks chock...

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‘Salomé’ script taking shape as novel sales help raise funds

Posted by | Dec 4, 2013 |

One of the New Zealand films we are following with interest is the sci-fi fantasy reimagining of Salomé, from Jade Valor. Jade’s dream of restoring the innocence of this iconic biblical character is moving forward, with script rewrites underway off the back of the novel published in August – working alongside New Zealand-based script consultant Steve Barr. However, this epic vision needs your support if it’s to make it to our screens. You can purchase your copy of the novel here – it’s a great read. If you’d like to go into the chance to win a printed or e-book copy, Jade is running a competition on the Salomé Facebook Page – comp closes tomorrow night. In Salomé “two light-beings on their cosmic journey find themselves drawn to the bright blue planet Earth, little do they know what consequences their presence in that world will bring. He – becomes Elijah, the Prophet who must wait 3,000 years for his Beloved that their mission may be realized. She – is Earth’s last hope: Salomé – cosmic Dancer, Bringer of Peace – born the princess of the Middle Eastern domain of Doreh, niece of its power-hungry Archlord. Awakened to her destiny, Salomé must renounce life as a princess to challenge her tyrant uncle and the ten Magnates who threaten to subjugate not only this world, but also the mystical Homeworld from whence...

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