Author: James Partridge

Cinema Release Round-Up: 31 October

Posted by | Oct 31, 2013 |

Only two films out this week. The God of Thunder commands many screens. Thor: The Dark World……FILM OF THE WEEK USA | 112 minutes | Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Director: Alan Taylor (TV’s Game of Thrones, Palookaville) Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Kat Dennings, Stellan Skarsgård, Rene Russo, Idris Elba, Ray Stevenson, Christopher Eccleston, Zachary Levi, Chris O’Dowd Our favourite hammer-wielding Marvelite must save the nine realms from an ancient evil –while mending fences with his half-brother Loki and girlfriend Jane. Talk about a triple threat! This is one of those rarities: a sequel that’s superior to the original. Distributor: Disney . Inch’Allah Canada, France | 102 minutes | Drama, War Director: Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette (Le ring) Cast: Evelyne Brochu, Sabrina Ouazani, Sivan Levy, Yousef Sweid A Canadian doctor working in a Palestinian refugee camp in the West Bank, but living in Israel,gets caught up in the conflict – testing her sympathies, loyalties and friendships. Looks like a gripping and challenging watch. Distributor: Vendetta . Which side are you...

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Cinema Release Round-Up: 24 October

Posted by | Oct 24, 2013 |

Some brilliant films out this week – but it’s hard to go past the documentary about a humble bee-keeping Kiwi who became the first person to reach the highest point on Earth. . BEYOND THE EDGE……FILM OF THE WEEK New Zealand | 93 minutes | Adventure, Documentary, Drama Director: Leanne Pooley (The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls) Cast: Chad Moffitt, Sonam Sherpa Documenting New Zealand icon Sir Edmund Hillary’s climb to the world’s highest summit, Mt Everest – the first man to ever do so. “We knocked the bastard off”…and how! Saw this at its New Zealand premiere and it’s a film all Kiwis should see. Stunning, exhilarating, enlightening. Distributor: Rialto Distribution . ABOUT TIME UK | 123 minutes | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance Director: Richard Curtis (The Boat That Rocked, Love Actually) Cast: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Tom Hollander, Lydia Wilson, Lindsay Duncan A young man discovers he can travel through time and uses this gift in the pursuit of love. Easy for some! It wouldn’t be a time travel romance without Rachel McAdams. Looks like Richard Curtis has another hit on his hands. Distributor: Paramount Pictures . CAPTAIN PHILLIPS USA | 134 minutes | Action, Drama Director: Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Ultimatum, United 93) Cast: Tom Hanks, Catherine Keener, Michael Chernus, Max Martini, Christopher Stadulis Real-life tale of a cargo ship captain trying to save his...

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Cinema Release Round-Up: 17 October

Posted by | Oct 17, 2013 |

So many films. So much drama. How would you like yours: French, Australian, British or American? . CAMILLE CLAUDEL 1915……FILM OF THE WEEK France | 95 minutes | Biography, Drama Director: Bruno Dumont (Flanders, Twentynine Palms) Cast: Juliette Binoche, Jean-Luc Vincent, Robert Leroy, Emmanuel Kauffman, Marion Keller, Armelle Leroy-Rolland Turn-of-the-20th-century biopic in which famed French sculptress Claudel attempts to win her freedom from the asylum her young brother placed her in – what a nice chap! Strong reviews and the brilliant Juliette Binoche make this a ‘must see’. http://youtu.be/UsB9QoMgr0I Distributor: Rialto Distribution . PRISONERS USA | 153 minutes | Drama, Thriller Director: Denis Villeneuve (Incendies) Cast: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo A desperate father takes measures into his own hands after his daughter is kidnapped and the chief suspect is let go. The great cast should ensure this is a cut above your average thriller. Distributor: Roadshow Distribution . AUSTENLAND UK | 97 minutes | Comedy, Romance Director: Jerusha Hess (debut feature) Cast: Keri Russell, JJ Feild, Jennifer Coolidge, Jane Seymour, Bret McKenzie, Georgia King, Ricky Whittle A Jane Austen-obsessed 30-something American decides to meet her Mr Darcy at Austenland, an immersive Jane Austen experience on a majestic English estate. Not sure what Austen would have made of all this, but it looks a fun night out for rom com...

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Cinema Release Round-Up: 10 October

Posted by | Oct 12, 2013 |

If you believe the hype, this week’s crop of films is somewhat underwhelming. However there’s enough variety here to something to enjoy: a throw-back to 80’s action, Princess Di’s final years, B-boys battling it out, a trippy Metallica flick, and Machete killing more bad guys with his machete…and other assorted weapons. . Opening today: . 2 GUNS……FILM OF THE WEEK USA | 109 minutes | Action, Drama Director: Baltasar Kormákur (Contraband, The Deep) Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Denzel Washington, James Marsden, Paula Patton, Bill Paxton, Edward James Olmos, Christopher Matthew Cook, Evie Thompson Disowned by their respective agencies after a botched attempt to infiltrate a Mexican drug cartel, two undercover operatives must team up to take down the bad guys – if they don’t kill each other first. Unlikely to be more than a good old school action romp but, hey, it’s been a while since we had a decent one of those. Great cast and the trailer shows promise. Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing . BATTLE OF THE YEAR USA | 110 minutes | Drama, Sport Director: Benson Lee (Planet B-boy) Cast: Josh Peck, Josh Holloway, Chris Brown, Laz Alonso, Caity Lotz, Terrence Jenkins, Weronika Rosati, Luis Rosado A hip hop mogul and former B-boy enlists a champion basketball coach to help the US B-boy team win Battle of the Year (“the Olympics of breakdancing”) – a title they’ve not...

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Cinema Release Round-Up: 3 October

Posted by | Oct 3, 2013 |

On offer at the movies this week: a harrowing misadventure in space, a right Dickens of a tale, and a bunch of blokes who still won’t grow up – like most of us guys. Our FOTW goes to a film so tense…it’ll suck the air right out of the cinema. . Opening today: . GRAVITY……FILM OF THE WEEK USA | 91 minutes | Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller Director: Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men) Cast: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Eric Michels, Basher Savage, Paul Sharma Two astronauts are stranded in space when their shuttle is destroyed by space junk. Their only hope for survival…head further into the darkness. Sensational trailers. Huge buzz. 5-star reviews. I know that can mean very little…but I have to say I’m excited. Distributor: Roadshow Distribution . GROWN UPS 2 USA | 98 minutes | Comedy Director: Dennis Dugan (Happy Gilmore, Grown Ups) Cast: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Steve Buscemi, Salma Hayek, Maya Rudolph, Andy Samberg, Taylor Lautner, Maria Bello Adam Sandler and pals attempt to rekindle their childhood…again. Was one time one too many? We find out today. Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing . MR PIP Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand | 115 minutes | Drama, War Director: Andrew Adamson (Shrek, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe) Cast: Hugh Laurie, Kerry Fox, Eka Darville, Florence Korokoro, Xzannjah,...

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