Thursday, October 25, 2012

Weekly Review Round Up 26th October 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.
 


Argo ★★★★1/2
Opens in Australia: 25th October 2012
Other Countries: Release Information
OUR THOUGHTS

Wow, this is a wild ride. In the climax of the movie you will not breathe, your stomach will churn and you will be whispering, ‘Hurry, hurry,’ under your breath. One of the best movies I have seen in ages and every critic I spoke to at the preview agreed. It’s very close to being perfect. Ben Affleck stars and also directs and he is becoming a director you can trust. He has a great visual eye and avoids the navel gazing that causes so many films to drag. What should you see on a date night? See this. I can almost guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
 
STUDIO BLURB
Based on true events, Argo chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis-the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades. On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, a CIA "exfiltration" specialist named Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) comes up with a risky plan to get them safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies. -- (C) Warner Bros.

 
Savages ★★★1/2
Opens in Australia: 18th October 2012
Other Countries: Release Information
 
 
OUR THOUGHTS 
I know I shouldn’t like this film.  It’s a bit patchy and uneven in tempo, most reviewers didn’t love it, and it has a plausibility factor of two out of ten.  Yet, I have a soft spot for Oliver Stone; he answers to no-one.  And the actors in this are having a good time of it and why can’t a woman run a drug cartel and still baby her daughter?  So I gave it the thumbs up.  Read the full review here…. Savages Full Review 
 
STUDIO BLURB
Laguna Beach entrepreneurs Ben (Johnson), a peaceful and charitable Buddhist, and his closest friend Chon (Kitsch), a former Navy SEAL and ex-mercenary, run a lucrative, homegrown industry-raising some of the best marijuana ever developed. They also share a one-of-a-kind love with the extraordinary beauty Ophelia (Lively). Life is idyllic in their Southern California town...until the Mexican Baja Cartel decides to move in and demands that the trio partners with them. When the merciless head of the BC, Elena (Hayek), and her brutal enforcer, Lado (Del Toro), underestimate the unbreakable bond among these three friends, Ben and Chon-with the reluctant, slippery assistance of a dirty DEA agent (Travolta)-wage a seemingly unwinnable war against the cartel. -- (C) Universal
 
 
Paranormal Activity 4 ★★★1/2
Opens in Australia: 18th October 2012
Other Countries: Release Information
 
 
OUR THOUGHTS 
Having seen numbers one and two, I made a decision to skip three.  Once you have seen one you have seen them all.  Yet, this one was a bit of a surprise.  I’m going out on a limb here but I think it’s the best of the series.  The scares come from the jump-out-and-startle-you kind of shocks but it is also quite a creepy little number.  Warning: there is a bath scene that will disturb many parents.  My friend was moaning, ‘Oh no, no,’ at that part and his wife tells me he was freaked out when he got home and had a very restless night. This is definitely not one for the kiddies.  It will cost you a fortune in electricity as they demand to only sleep with the lights on.  Read the full review here... Paranormal Activity 4 full review
 
STUDIO BLURB
The fourth instalment in the popular horror franchise. (and if you have never heard about the franchise, where have you been?  Hiding under a video camera?)
 
Frankenweenie ★★★★★
Opens in Australia: 25th October 2012
Other Countries: Release Information
 
 
OUR THOUGHTS
 
I loved every second of this movie.  It’s my pick as animation of the year.  However, I fear that the black and white and ‘weirdo’ look of the stop-animation characters will turn off cinema-goers.  If you love movies it is a must-see.  It's one of the rare flicks I am seeing twice.  The first time I spent the whole movie marvelling at its magnificence. The next time I want to just enjoy and immerse myself in Tim Burton’s genius.  After the dastardly dreadful ‘Dark Shadows’, he is back at the top of his game.  For the full review … Frankenweenie Review
 
STUDIO BLURB
From creative genius Tim Burton comes Frankenweenie, a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life-with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor's fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new "leash on life" can be monstrous. A stop-motion animated film, Frankenweenie is filmed in black and white and rendered in 3D, which will elevate the classic style to a whole new experience. -- (C) Disney
 
 
Dredd 3D ★★★1/2
Opens in Australia: 25th October 2012
Other Countries: Release Information
 
 
OUR THOUGHTS
Girls, this is a boy’s movie.  If they want to take you to it on a date gently suggest maybe they should have a boy’s night out.  My hubby thoroughly enjoyed it but I was bored.  Skinned bodies hurled from seventy-five floors up, close-ups of bullets shooting through someone’s cheek or eyeball, and dozens and dozens of people shot to death just isn’t my cup of tea.   It is testosterone city and the demographic at which is aimed will thoroughly enjoy it.  Special kudos goes to Lena Headey as Ma-Ma the bad-ass drug queen.  She plays evil like nobody else and I love her in ‘Game of Thrones’.
 
STUDIO BLURB
The future America is an irradiated waste land. On its East Coast, running from Boston to Washington DC, lies Mega City One- a vast, violent metropolis where criminals rule the chaotic streets. The only force of order lies with the urban cops called "Judges" who possess the combined powers of judge, jury and instant executioner. Known and feared throughout the city, Dredd (Karl Urban) is the ultimate Judge, challenged with ridding the city of its latest scourge - a dangerous drug epidemic that has users of "Slo-Mo" experiencing reality at a fraction of its normal speed. -- (C) Lionsgate
 
 
 
What have you seen this week? Did you find our comments helpful or do you disagree? Share your thoughts with us.

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