Weekly Review Round Up 26th December 2012.

THIS WEEK'S PREVIEWS

 

It is a smorgasbord this week in film.  So many films opening this week and in the next two weeks you are spoiled for choice.  Perth film-lovers, don't forget there are some fabulous outdoor cinemas open at the moment. I will post another blog with links to all of them shortly. 

What should you spend your precious dollars on when visiting the cinema? What needs popcorn to enjoy?  And what needs waiting until DVD?

If you have seen any of these or want to see them and have a comment please feel free to share. We love hearing from our readers.

 

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ★★★★★

(My movie Pick of the week)

Opens in Australia: 26^th December 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

This film has turned a non-Lord of the Rings fan into a fan.  Now I will have to go back and watch the LOTR trilogy as I only watched the first one and thought not for me.  Somehow in the past decade I’ve gone Hobbit.  The mixed reviews are thanks to the first forty-five minutes of character building which is slow but have faith it is worth the wait once the adventure gets going.  For my full review CLICK HERE.

STUDIO BLURB

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey follows title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever... Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths ofguile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ...a simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know. -- (C) Warner Bros.

Life of Pi ★★★★

Opens in Australia: 22^nd November 2012
Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

This is a beautiful, spell-binding film.  I found it breathtaking and absorbing.  Yet, the hubby found it annoying and couldn’t say why but basically did not enjoy. And my girlfriend found it boring.  So, go figure.  I think most people would enjoy the mystical, parable presentation on a very popular book.  Quite an incredible story.

 

STUDIO BLURB

Director Ang Lee creates a groundbreaking movie event about a young man who survives a disaster at sea and is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an amazing and unexpected connection with another survivor...a fearsome Bengal tiger. -- (C) Official Site

Shadow Dancer ★★★

Opens in Perth Australia: Somerville 8pm 24, 26–30 December,
Joondalup Pines 1–6 January, 8pm

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

I found this dragged a lot.  I’ve always thought that the IRA and their fight against England was about a passionate people fighting for what they believed.  However, this film seemed to lack that passion.  It has been described by other reviewers as a nail-biter.  So perhaps it is a subjective nail-biter.  The performances were solid but it has been done better I think.

STUDIO BLURB

           During an aborted bomb attempt in London, Collette falls into the hands of an MI5 officer, Mac, who offers her a deal: turn informant or go to prison. Fearing for her son's welfare, she returns to Belfast where betraying family and beliefs she becomes a reluctant mole for British intelligence. As suspicion of Collette mounts and Mac takes increasing risks to protect her, both feel the net closing in.

Jack Reacher ★★^½

Opens in Australia: 3^rd January 2013

Other Countries: Release Information

 OUR THOUGHTS

This seemed overly clichéd and Tom Cruise is well, Tom Cruise, as usual.  For some reason I didn’t buy the whole thing.  Rosumand Pike seemed to phoning it in as the defense lawyer.  It felt like I’d just seen this before in so many films this year.  If you want a crime thriller then you will enjoy it.  However, if you’ve seen all the episodes of Law and Order, like me, then you will probably guess most of the twists.

STUDIO BLURB

Six shots. Five dead. One heartland city thrown into a state of terror. But within hours the cops have it solved: a slam-dunk case. Except for one thing. The accused man says: You got the wrong guy. Then he says: Get Reacher for me. And sure enough, ex-military investigator Jack Reacher is coming. He knows this shooter-a trained military sniper who never should have missed a shot. Reacher is certain something is not right-and soon the slam-dunk case explodes. Now Reacher is teamed with a beautiful young defense lawyer, moving closer to the unseen enemy who is pulling the strings. Reacher knows that no two opponents are created equal. This one has come to the heartland from his own kind of hell. And Reacher knows that the only way to take him down is to match his ruthlessness and cunning-and then beat him shot for shot. -- (C) Official Site

Wreck it Ralph ★★★★

Opens in Australia: 26^th December 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

 OUR THOUGHTS

I just loved this film.  It’s incredibly inventive and filled with amusing banter and beautiful colour.  This is my pick of the kid’s movie for the Christmas break. Disney just knows how to make a solid animation with a great story and memorable characters.  All video game addicts, this is your movie.

STUDIO BLURB

Ralph (John C. Reilly) is tired of being overshadowed by Fix-It Felix (Jack McBrayer), the "good guy" star of their game who always gets to save the day. But after decades doing the same thing and seeing all the glory go to Felix, Ralph decides he's tired of playing the role of a bad guy. He takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on a game-hopping journey across the arcade through every generation of video games to prove he's got what it takes to be a hero. On his quest, he meets the tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun (Jane Lynch) from the first-person action game Hero's Duty. But it's the feisty misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) from the candy-coated cart racing game, Sugar Rush, whose world is threatened when Ralph accidentally unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens the entire arcade. Will Ralph realize his dream and save the day before it's too late? -- (C) Disney

 Les Miserables ★★

Opens in Australia: 26^th December 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

 

OUR THOUGHTS

I have waited for months to see this film.  And I was so disappointed.  Its two hours and thirty-seven minutes and I felt every one of them.  They sing almost every word and that was a bore because it extended the time with tuneless words.  Russell Crowe just can’t sing and after awhile I was wondering how I felt about Hugh Jackman’s voice.  There were just too many close-ups for entire songs and not enough variety of movement.  However, again many critics enjoyed it.  I will say I preferred the previous 1998 film with Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush.  And I have seen the stage musical three times, (once in London) and loved it each time.  Tom Hooper’s version sadly just left me miserable and aching to leave.

STUDIO BLURB

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption-a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Jackman plays ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe) after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever. In December 2012, the world's longest-running musical brings its power to the big screen in Tom Hooper's sweeping and spectacular interpretation of Victor Hugo's epic tale. -- (C) Universal

Parental Guidance ★★★^½

Opens in Australia: 26^th December 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

This movie had our whole family laughing uproariously from the ten-year-old to twelve-year-old, their cousin to my sister-in-law.  However, the critics haven’t been laughing and I am not in agreement with them.  Parental Guidance reminds me of the comedies we used to be served that have now been replaced by the un-funny swearing and sex-filled romantic comedies.  Billy Crystal and Bette Midler are simply wonderful and have fabulous chemistry.   I love how the helicopter parents are the bad guys.  I highly recommend this for the whole family. We loved it.

STUDIO BLURB

Old school grandfather Artie (Billy Crystal), who is accustomed to calling the shots, meets his match when he and his eager-to-please wife Diane (Bette Midler) agree to babysit their three grandkids when their type-A helicopter parents (Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott) go away for work. But when 21st century problems collide with Artie and Diane's old school methods of tough rules, lots of love and old-fashioned games, it's learning to bend - and not holding your ground - that binds a family together.

 

What have you seen this week? Did you find our comments helpful or do you disagree? Share your thoughts with us.

 

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ★★★★

THE ADVENTURE OVERFLOWETHS

Australia: 26th December, 2012; USA 14th December UK 13th December
Other Countries: Release Dates

 

Its two hours and forty-sixminutes and, I suspect, therein lays the mixed reviews.  It’s a matter of patience.  My ten year old harsh critic commented positively on the slow beginning, filled with—perish the indulgence—character building, “It’s a three hour film they needed the time to warm up the story.”

Once warmed up though it takes off like a bat troll out of hell. And whether you are a LORD OF THE RINGS fan or, like me (having always thought the films were slightly geeky) not seen all the previous trilogy, this film will thrill both parties.

As the first feature film to utilize state-of-the-art digital cameras to record the action in 3D at 48 frames per second (fps) releasing in High Frame Rate 3D (HFR 3D), Director Peter Jackson has taken a leap into a new cinematic visual experience.  In some action sequences it truly felt like a roller-coaster ride with the crisp beautiful images.  And wait for the fabulous scene where Bilbo Baggins meets the big-eyed neurotic Gollum (Andy Serkis). It looks so real it is hard to believe there isn’t an agent out there for Gollum and mystical creatures.  As most of the trolls and orcs are English accented I imagined them at the pub moaning how the Troll and Magical Creatures Acting Union needed to strike during the next filming to negotiate more gold rings and quality rat meat.

Calling this film an epic adventure is akin to calling Mount Everest just a mountain.  Even the production notes for the film run to eighty-six pages.  But it’s the story that is enthralling, and it begins with elderly hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm) recounting to his nephew Frodo  (Elijah Wood) an adventure, sixty years prior. It began with Wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) arriving at his door followed by thirteen dwarves invading his home and wolfing down his food as they plan how best to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome Dragon Smaug who has settled in nicely with all their gold.

Young Bilbo (Martin Freeman) is not an adventurous hobbit, personifying the average guy who doesn’t rush out with sword in hand the minute he hears there’s a troll about or fling himself hairy-footed into danger for fun.  Overcoming his trepidation, he joins the dwarves led by legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) whose Father had once been King of the dwarves until slain by an Orc war-chief.  Their plan is to return to Erebor believing that the dragon may have left. 

Along the way they face one daring encounter after another with all manner of magical creatures: Orcs, Trolls, Elves and more; all in incredible Middle Earth settings, brought to life convincingly by a team of roughly 350 people at Weta Digital.

Stone Street Studios, Peter Jackson’s production facilities in Miramar, New Zealand, has nearly tripled in size and capabilities since the days when he and his team made THE LORD OF THE RINGS Trilogy in a converted paint factory. Building the world of THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY took up the whole of the eight-acre site, encompassing six stages, including the two state-of-the-art stages built specifically for the new Trilogy. It would also involve the construction of nearly 100 sets, the fabrication of thousands of pieces of clothing, prosthetics, wigs, props, and weapons, and take the company from the soundstages in Miramar off to spectacular landscapes across both islands of NewZealand.
 

 

Jackson tells more of a story than was written in Tolkien’s beloved book which has been in print constantly for seventy-five years. The story has been fleshed out from the appendices of the final volume of The Lord of the Rings. “The Hobbit was almost a lifetime’s work for Tolkien,” Jackson attests.  “And a lot of the ideas he had for fleshing out the story—the environment and the politics of the time—are all there.  What became clear to us is that the story has the ability to expand yet still be The Hobbit that everybody knows and loves. So that's what we did, using his notes very much as our blueprint.”

Whether Peter Jackson has overstepped the boundaries with this much loved book will be judged at the box-office.  It wasn’t a film I looked forward to seeing and yet I find myself now counted amongst the fandom of Middle Earth.   It may be a slow warm up but once its boiling most will find that Jackson’s THE HOBBIT has a plot that overflows in an exhilarating way.
 

 

Star of RED DOG dies

KOKO DIES

KOKO, the canine star of the hit Australian film RED DOG, passed away peacefully today.

In early 2012 KOKO was diagnosed with congestive heart disease, a common affliction in dogs. He received early and immediate treatment to improve his quality of life but has sadly succumbed to the disease.

RED DOG producer and owner of KOKO, Nelson Woss, said that he was devastated to have lost his best mate.

“Through the making of RED DOG, KOKO became Australia’s favourite dog. He certainly changed my life forever. I will miss his companionship, his remarkable outgoing, friendly nature and the many long walks that we enjoyed together in Perth and around the country. His incredible journey has come to an end," Mr Woss said.

Based on the best-selling novel of the same title by Louis de Bernières, RED DOG tells the true tale of the charismatic dog who roamed the Western Australian outback in the 1970s. Even with a Hollywood cast, including Josh Lucas (Sweet Home Alabama) and Rachael Taylor (Transformers), KOKO shone as the star of the film and became beloved by fans in Australia and throughout the world. RED DOG grossed more than $21Million at the Australian box office, making it the 8^th highest grossing Australian film of all time. The film is the third biggest selling DVD of all time in Australia behind Avatar (#1) and Finding Nemo (#2).

Mr. Woss and KOKO toured Australia to promote the film’s cinematic release in August 2011. KOKO visited animal shelters, met with fans and local communities, winning people’s hearts wherever he travelled. KOKO’s hard work and charisma helped to build buzz for the film and likely contributed to its huge box office success.   

 

 

KOKO before RED DOG

KOKO was born on 9 April 2005 to breeders Carol and Len Hobday from Klassikelp Australian Kelpies. Initially trained as a show dog, KOKO won Best Exhibiting Group, Working Dogs in January 2006.  Carol Hobday noted at the time that it was quite unique for a dog so young to win in that group.

Trainer Luke Hura was tasked with finding the canine star for RED DOG and in 2009 he approached Carol and Len with an interest in KOKO. Luke and RED DOG director Kriv Stenders auditioned KOKO and immediately found him to be an outgoing dog with a beautiful temperament and star quality. Carol and Len agreed to part with their beloved dog for the movie, but they did not want to lose him permanently.

 

Filming of RED DOG

KOKO began training with Mr. Hura at age six and learned more than 50 commands for the movie. The filming of RED DOG was KOKO’s chance to shine and he demonstrated a strong work ethic but often showed a fierce independence and spirit akin to the real RED DOG. KOKO formed a great friendship with all of the RED DOG cast and crew.

At the conclusion of filming, it was obvious to Carol and Len Hobday that Nelson and KOKO had formed a very special bond. The Hobday’s agreed to let Nelson keep KOKO and did not accept any payment.

 

KOKO’s retirement

Following the film’s publicity tour, KOKO was retired to a life of long walks, good food and lots of pats. During this time, KOKO would only make public appearances where there was a significant donation made to either the Shenton Park Dog Refuge or the RSPCA. KOKO was often recognized on the streets of Perth and was always happy to meet his fans.  KOKO was especially close and protective of Mr Woss's 3-year old daughter Zella.

 

In 2012 KOKO was awarded Best Dog in a Foreign Film at the inaugural Golden Collar Awards in Los Angeles. In a 2012 book by author Lee Tate he was listed as one of 101 amazing Western Australian characters alongside esteemed icons such as Tim Winton and C.Y. O’Connor.  A portrait of KOKO by Adam Cullen received a special commendation at the 2012 Archibald prize.

Mr. Woss said that having a kelpie in your life is a great joy but urged families with children to carefully consider any decision to own a kelpie, as the breed requires a lot of exercise and mental stimulation.

Mr. Woss is not available for further comment but suggests that anyone who would like to remember or honour KOKO can do so by making a donation or pledge in KOKO’s name to the Shenton Park Dog Refuge.

 

 

The Good, The Bad and the Finales

Overview of film in 2012

By the end of this week, I will have seen 134 films on screen this year. I worked hard for that number and ate a LOT of popcorn.  The year of the good, the bad and the finales is the best way to describe Cinema for 2012. Whilst film reviewing is somewhat subjective, a film should always be judged on how close it comes to achieving entertainment nirvana for its intended audience.
 

 

There is one film this year that hit—no smashed—the mark in achieving that. It won’t win the Oscar but certainly ‘Marvel’s The Avengers’ delivered not only box-office gold (with a box-office worldwide gross of nearly one and half billion) but it won hands down as the most anticipated film of the year.  In the capable hands of director and screenwriter, Joss Whedon, it was a fun, wild ride.

Then we had the ‘Finales’. The final to Director Chris Nolan’s ‘The Dark Night’ series, ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, was a roller-coaster ride in pacing but arguably a very fine film and a fitting conclusion to the series—though the door does seem ever so slightly ajar for a follow-on film.

What will we do now that the Twilight Saga series is finally done with Bella and Edward and daughter Renesmee, living happily ever after ‘Forever’—their words not mine?  Perhaps the studio will resurrect the franchise with Renesmee starring in her own sequel. Why walk away when there are so many Twi-hard fans still eager to hand over their money?

We are also bidding goodbye to the ‘Men in Black’ series in fitting style with all questions answered in a zippy, fun film that, thanks to its belated finale, ten years after Number Two and fifteen since the original, meant that we could take our kids and share our original love for K and J and all the letters that we have come to treasure.

Just as we mourn the endings, we can also celebrate a very positive beginning of another popular young adult crossover film adaption with ‘The Hunger Games’. This film delivered thanks mostly to the enormous talent of Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen.

For those who were missing their local Spidey super-hero, Sony Pictures kindly rebooted that franchise with well-chosen leads in Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man.’ Apparently there was an untold story they missed in the other three. But that only took up the first thirty minutes. The rest was same ol’.  But a same ol’ Spiderman is better than most. And this film was far more enjoyable than the gritty and violent ‘Dredd 3D’, a rehash of 1995 Stallone’s Judge Dredd. The original 1990 Schwarzenegger ‘Total Recall’ was just too good for this year’s remake to replace our memories of Arnie shooting Sharon Stone as his wife and uttering, “Consider that a divorce.”

Film studios are not ones for quitting when something is still working. We saw the next installments of popular franchises with ‘Ice Age 4’, ‘Paranormal Activity4’, ‘Madagascar 3’ and ‘Taken 2’, and the twenty-third Bond film, the thrilling ‘Skyfall’.
 

We all know 3D doesn’t make a huge difference except to your pocket but it became a great excuse for studios to drag out a few oldies and give them another twirl. Some cinema patrons may see it as a cynical cash-grab but perhaps think of it as an opportunity to again enjoy real classics on the big screen.  ‘Titanic 3D’ was every bit as epic as its first voyage. ‘Star Wars Episode 1 3D’ was really showing its age but Disney gave us wonderful treats with ‘Beauty and the Beast 3D’ and ‘Finding Nemo 3D’ with ‘Monsters Inc 3D’ scheduled for end of this year to welcome in the new prequel ‘Monsters University’.

Finally, for your viewing pleasure presenting my Best of 2012, in no particular order. Click on the title to read the review.  Leave a comment and let me know the movies you loved in 2012.

The Good…

John Carter3D—box-office disaster but a great film that suffered from the worst marketing ever.

21 JumpStreet—same address, but an hilarious renovation on the hit TV series.

Woman inBlack—Hammer Films old-fashioned haunting horror just how we love it.

Argo—Ben Affleck directed action film that had our stomachs churning with the tension.

Skyfall—nobody does it better than Bond. Possibly the best Bond yet.

Frankenweenie—Tim Burton’s stop-motion homage to the horror film. Critics loved it.

TheAvengers—the most fun you can have at the cinema. Number 2 not until 2015.

TheSessions—a small, poignant film but one that will have you choking back the tears.

Chronicle—another found footage teenage alien film but brilliantly executed.

SevenPsychopaths—a crazy, black comedy that left us worshipping Christopher Walken.

And the Bad…
 

Taken 2—ridiculous script, over-acted cash grab. Shame studios. Shame.

The Master—I know it has Oscar buzz but it’s boring & self-absorbed.
 

Mental—the worst film I have seen in decades. Not funny. Embarrassing. Director & Script Writer P.J. Hogan do not collect $200.

Three Stooges—they are turning in their graves.  Who do I punch or poke for this one?

The Darkest Hour—film’s darkest two hours. An awful script with awful actors. Read a funny review on it.
 

Once Upon a Time in Anatolia—once upon a time I fell asleep.

Snow White & the Huntsman—I really object to the over-hype of this lost opportunity. Read my funny take—Once Upon A Time in a Production Office.

What To Expect When You’re Expecting—what to expect when you can’t write a funny script.

Dark Shadows—no, no, what did you do to our favourite campy TV show Mr. Burton?

The Lucky One—anyone who saw this felt very UN-lucky.

 

Quentin Tarantino heading to Sydney

QUENTIN IS COMING TO OZ!

Sony Pictures Releasing is thrilled to announce that Academy Award®-winner Quentin Tarantino will visit Sydney next month to attend the Premiere of his critically acclaimed new film Django Unchained. The Premiere will be held on the evening of Monday, January 21^st at the State Theatre, Sydney.

Stephen Basil-Jones, EVP of Sony Pictures Australia says, “Quentin loves Australia and we’re so pleased he’s making the trip, especially as he’ll be heading our way in the middle of the U.S. Awards season where Django is featuring heavily. The film is extraordinary and we’re honoured to have him present it in Sydney.”

 

Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained is set in the South two years before the Civil War. Academy Award®-winner Jamie Foxx as Django, a slave whose brutal history with his former owners lands him face-to-face with German-born bounty hunter Dr. King Schultz (Academy Award®-winner Christoph Waltz).  Schultz is on the trail of the murderous Brittle brothers, and only Django can lead him to his bounty.  The unorthodox Schultz acquires Django with a promise to free him upon the capture of the Brittles – dead or alive.

With an all star cast including Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonard DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, John Jarratt, Don Johnson, Walton Goggins and Jonah Hill, Django Unchained will release in Australian cinemas on January 24, 2013.

 

 

Weekly Review Round Up 7th December 2012

THIS WEEK'S PREVIEWS

What should you spend your precious dollars on when visiting the cinema? What needs popcorn to enjoy?  And what needs waiting until DVD?

If you have seen any of these or want to see them and have a comment please feel free to share. We love hearing from our readers.

 

Skyfall ★★★★^½  (My movie Pick of the week)

Opens in Australia: 22nd November 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

 

OUR THOUGHTS

It’s broken the box-office records and some say it is the best Bond yet.  It certainly has one of the best opening chase sequences we’ve seen in a Bond and there its all gone retro this time.  After twenty-three films and fifty years Bond is still thrilling audiences.  For my full review Click Here 

STUDIO BLURB

In Skyfall, Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost. -- (C) Official Site

 

Pitch Perfect ★★★^½

Opens in Australia: 5^th December 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

Anna Kendrick is becoming quite the ‘It’ girl. There is something very intelligent about her on-screen personas.  Australian actress, Rebel Wilson has a pivotal comedic role in this too.  It is clear the Americans have fallen in love with her Australian-ness.  So far, I’ve only seen her in one role with an American accent (Bachelorettes).  The music is great and there is fun galore in the college acapella competition arena.  There’s a song mash-up at the end that is utterly brilliant and will have you humming your way from the theatre.  After many seasons of the polished GLEE it does feel a little seen-it-all-before. Still very enjoyable though.

STUDIO BLURB

Beca (Anna Kendrick) is that girl who'd rather listen to what's coming out of her headphones than what's coming out of you. Arriving at her new college, she finds herself not right for any clique but somehow is muscled into one that she never would have picked on her own: alongside mean girls, sweet girls and weird girls whose only thing in common is how good they sound when they sing together, in the new out-loud comedy Pitch Perfect. When Beca takes this acoustic singing group out of their world of traditional arrangements and perfect harmonies into all-new mash-ups, they fight to climb their way to the top of the cutthroat world of college a cappella. This could wind up either the coolest thing they'll ever do or the most insane, and it will probably be a little of both. -- (C) Universal

Celeste & Jesse Forever  ★★★^½

Opens in Australia: 29^th November 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

The two leads Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg are adorable and annoying, equally.  And I think that was the point.  It’s probably about fifteen minutes too long.  However, there are some solid laughs and crazy moments.  It’s another one of those Hollywood versions of rmodern omance with the swearing and sex-talk in every scene. But there is a little more truth in this one than the last swag I’ve endured.  A girl’s film for sure.

STUDIO BLURB

          Celeste (Rashida Jones) and Jesse (Andy Samberg) met in high school, married young and are growing apart. Now thirty, Celeste is the driven owner of her own media consulting firm, Jesse is once again unemployed and in no particular rush to do anything with his life. Celeste is convinced that divorcing Jesse is the right thing to do -- she is on her way up, he is on his way nowhere, and if they do it now instead of later, they can remain supportive friends. Jesse passively accepts this transition into friendship, even though he is still in love with her. As the reality of their separation sets in, Celeste slowly and painfully realizes she has been cavalier about their relationship, and her decision, which once seemed mature and progressive, now seems impulsive and selfish. But her timing with Jesse is less than fortuitous... -- (C) Sony Classics

Rise of the Guardians ★★★^½

Opens in Australia: 13th December 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

 OUR THOUGHTS

It’s a beautiful looking film and the concept of the fabled characters, Santa, Jack Frost, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and Sandman working together as the guardians of children’s well-being is a great concept. In a country like Australia where, for the most part, snow is a concept and not a reality, the character of Jack Frost is a little lost.  I found myself having to explain him to the children—and my husband.  However, as a family film for the holidays it’s reasonable fare.  Warning, if you’re kids are a little sensitive, there are some dark themes with the bogey man that may disturb. 

STUDIO BLURB

Rise of the Guardians is an epic adventure that tells the story of a group of heroes - each with extraordinary abilities. When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world. -- (C) Official Site

 

The Intouchables ★★★★

Opens in Australia: 25th October 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

 

Everyone was saying go see it.  So even though I missed the preview I made a special trek with hubby in tow to catch it.  And it was worth it.  Even in the first five minutes you know that you are in for a treat.  It’s very American for a French film and, therefore, very accessible for anyone who enjoys an uplifting non-preachy story.  It screams: life, live it, no matter what.  I will simply say (if you can find it still playing)... Go. See. It.  

STUDIO BLURB

An irreverent, uplifting comedy about friendship, trust and human possibility, The Intouchables has broken box office records in its native France and across Europe. Based on a true story of friendship between a handicap millionaire (Francois Cluzet) and his street smart ex-con caretaker (Omar Sy), The Intouchables depicts an unlikely camaraderie rooted in honesty and humor between two individuals who, on the surface, would seem to have nothing in common. -- (C) Weinstein

 

What have you seen this week? Did you find our comments helpful or do you disagree? Share your thoughts with us.