Friday, November 16, 2012

Weekly Review Round Up 16th November 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.

 

Robot & Frank ★★★★
(My movie Pick of the week)

Opens in Australia: 15th November 2012
Other Countries: Release Information

 
OUR THOUGHTS

This film is divine.  And I know the robot doesn’t look hi-tech but that is the charm of the film.  Christopher D. Ford’s screenplay and Jake Schreier direction are simple but powerful.  First and foremost it’s a great story with wonderful humour and I could kiss Frank Langella for being so wonderful ( I know he is always wonderful).  I expected to like this but not love it the way I did. The whole family enjoyed it as well.  As the cranky husband—he’s cranky cause he’s dragged to so many previews—said on the way out, ‘That’s all you want from a movie, a good story that makes you laugh, makes you think and entertains you for a couple of hours.’ Touché, to that I say.   

STUDIO BLURB

Set in the near future, Frank, a retired cat burglar, has two grown kids who are concerned he can no longer live alone. They are tempted to place him in a nursing home until Frank's son chooses a different option: against the old man's wishes, he buys Frank a walking, talking humanoid robot programmed to improve his physical and mental health. What follows is an often hilarious and somewhat heartbreaking story about finding friends and family in the most unexpected places. -- (C) Samuel Goldwyn


The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 ½

Opens in Australia: 15th November 2012
Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

First up, I just want to say please if you are a Twihard go and see this. It has everything that you love about the books and films; the Lautner shirtless shots, Bella and Edward groping each other, montages with a music track and a not too awful fight scene. We need you to go in droves and fill the coffers of the film studio so they can continue to make movies that are not so mainstream.

However, for those who appreciate the art of cinema this is one of the worst things I have ever seen. It felt like a bunch of film students had got together and made an assignment video on their iPads. Since Director Bill Condon has made some fabulous films in the past I can only think there were too many fingers in the pie. The long, lingering soap-opera shots& the deathly slow pace, along with Michael Sheen’s bizarre performance as leader of the Voltari gave it a real amateur hour feel. I know every reviewer is breathing a sigh of relief that it is finally over but you do know that Stephenie Meyer’s wrote another side-story book about a Twilight character entitled, ‘The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner’, don’t you? So, how long before the studio decides they need another coffer boost. I say, 2014, after The Host next year. Anyone want to make a bet?

STUDIO BLURB

The astonishing conclusion to the series, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2, illuminates the secrets and mysteries of this spellbinding romantic epic that has entranced millions. -- (C) Official Site


Two Days in New York ★★½

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


OUR THOUGHTS

I don’t understand why they made this movie.  It just doesn’t have much going on.  There is so much to play with in a story with cross-cultural and language misunderstandings that it could have been really funny.  But it’s only a little bit funny and mostly blah.  Chris Rock’s monologues are not that amusing even though he is quite a funny guy.  It’s a poor effort at a Woody Allen style of comedy and commentary but I would rather re-watch HANNAH AND HER SISTERS instead of sitting through this.  Nothing new here so I wouldn’t bother with this one, even on DVD.   

STUDIO BLURB

Hip talk-radio host and journalist Mingus (Chris Rock) and his French photographer girlfriend, Marion (Julie Delpy), live cozily in a New York apartment with their cat and two young children from previous relationships. But when Marion's jolly father (played by Delpy's real-life dad, Albert Delpy), her oversexed sister, and her sister's outrageous boyfriend unceremoniously descend upon them for an overseas visit, it initiates two unforgettable days of family mayhem. The visitors push every button in the couple's relationship, truly putting it to the test. How will the couple fare. . . when the French come to New York? -- (C) Magnolia



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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