In another heroic attempt to keep things fresh blog-wise, this is a monthly feature in which I'll take a little peek at some of the films that are coming to a cinema near you in the next few weeks...
2nd February 2011
★ David Russell's The Fighter is imminent. Released today (2nd Feb), the biopic of boxer "Irish" Mickey Ward (Mark Wahlberg) has been nominated for 7 Oscars. These include Best Supporting Actor (Christian Bale) and two Best Supporting Actress (Amy Adams, Melissa Leo) nominations. The film itself is a story of conflict, addiction and family loyalty, and has been praised for its depth as well as its boxing scenes.
In my book, Bale's main competition for his first Oscar should be the excellent Geoffrey Rush for The King's Speech, while I have an inkling that Hailee Steinfeld from True Grit may thwart Adams and Leo's bid for the latter award.
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| Everyone knew it would be a wrong move to laugh at Mickey's sweat patches. |
4th February 2011
★ James Cameron lends his name to another 3D spectacular as a producer on Sanctum. The film is a cave-diving drama, based on real events, that seems designed to once again show off the merits of Cameron's 3D film-making technology. Worth a watch for some nice camerawork and a rare experience of 3D done properly I imagine. If that sounds like your scene, then take the plunge this Friday.
★ Nicole Kidman is in the running for the Best Leading Actress Oscar for John Cameron Mitchell's Rabbit Hole. The film, adapted from a play (by David Lindsay-Abaire), is an exploration how a married couple's lives diverge after the tragic death of their young son. Co-starring Aaron Eckhart, it is an unconventional look at grief that combines poignancy, pain and even humour as the couple deal with their tragedy in very different ways. It presents itself as a very different film, for filmgoers tired of the harrowing sentimental nature of similar titles.
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| He had forgotten the potter's wheel, she was angry. |
★ A reimagining of the 1947 film Brighton Rock stars Sam Riley as Pinkie, the character first played by Richard Attenbrough in John Boulting's original. Re-set in the 1960s by director Rowan Joffe, it benefits from impressive cinematography and lighting and also stars Dame Helen Mirren, John Hurt and Andy Serkis.
11th February 2011
★ Much-anticipated Coen Brothers Western True Grit is set to strongly compete at the Academy Awards with 10 nominations. Adapted from the original Charles Portis novel as opposed to the 1969 Henry Hathaway film, the Coens are reunited with Jeff Bridges as he plays iconic U.S. Marshal 'Rooster' Cogburn. Cinematic debutant Hailee Steinfeld plays the role of Mattie Ross, a girl determined to track down her father's killer (Josh Brolin). Enlisting the help of Cogburn and Texas Ranger LaBeouf (Matt Damon), she sets out to capture the murderer. Fans have always been keen to see the Coens direct a period Western, especially after the success of No Country For Old Men. Expect complete atmospheric immersion and a compelling story.
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★ Undoubtedly the strangest release of the month is The Beaver, Jodie Foster's film about a businessman who suffers from depression and begins using a beaver hand-puppet as his means of communication. Mel Gibson plays the lead, with Foster in a supporting role in her third directorial effort. As Jim Carrey and Steve Carell were both on board at various stages of development, Gibson's performance will certainly be a matter of interest. Expect a heartwarming angle amongst the oddball scenes.
14th February 2011
★ 'Cornetto Trilogy' duo Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are back with Paul, a comedy about two British sci-fi geeks who encounter the eponymous wise-cracking alien (Seth Rogen) when they go on a road trip through New Mexico. No sign of Edgar Wright on this one, as Superbad director Greg Mottola takes the helm. A very strong comic contingent includes Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader and Joe Lo Truglio; Jason Bateman and Sigourney Weaver are also involved. Its success probably hinges mainly on the dynamic between this very American comedy film and its British stars.
23rd February 2011 |
| "KEVIN!" |
★ Comparisons with the Twilight saga come very easily when considering D.J. Caruso's adaptation of I Am Number Four. Mysterious young man with mysterious abilities arrives in town and meets girl who doesn't feel like she belongs. They fall in love, yada yada yada. D.J. Caruso comes off two consecutive Shia LaBeouf averagefests to direct, Alex Pettyfer (from disappointing Horowitz adaptation, Stormbreaker) plays the lead, Dianna Agron (Glee) is the love interest and Timothy Olyphant (Die Hard 4.0 and *sigh* Hitman) fills the role of Pettyfer's guardian. Could be decent, probably won't be.
25th February 2011
★ Ivan Reitman is the man who directed Ghostbusters (I, II and next year III) and Stripes. He also helmed My Super Ex-Girlfriend, Twins (and Junior) and Kindergarten Cop. Based on this history, it is difficult to know what to expect from his romantic comedy No Strings Attached. Looking to the cast, Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman are the couple who's physical relationship inevitably evolves into something more meaningful. Putting aside my own general distate for Kutcher, this comes across as an intentionally awkward rom-com with an experienced director that will no doubt be the backdrop for countless cinema dates in late February.
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| "I'm such a big fan. I thought you were amazing in Star Wars!" |
If You Only See Three...
✔ The Fighter
✔ True Grit
✔ Paul (for a bit of light relief after all that intensity and action)
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