Sunday, March 23, 2014

Film Review Roundup 23rd March 2014


This is a filler week of films, while everyone waits for Captain America: The Winter Soldier’s release. Cuban Fury is your pick if you must see a new release. I missed the other opener, Pompeii, but from what I hear I didn’t miss much.

(My movie Pick of the week)

CUBAN FURY ✪✪✪ ½

Opens in Australia: 20th March 2014
USA: May 2014    UK: 14th February 2014 
Other Countries:          Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

It’s sweet, funny and filled with overweight jokes, which I kind of feel are somewhat politically incorrect, but the English seem okay with it. Chris O’Dowd is so off his traditional sweetheart role in playing Nick Frost’s character’s obnoxious boss, it’s fun just watching him.

The plot is a mix between the Australian classic Strictly Ballroom, Billy Elliot, and, would you believe, the series The Office. I enjoyed the silliness, even though it’s a by-the-numbers romance. There is a surprise cameo by another great English comedian that will give you a laugh. I was also left thinking I really should join a salsa class. It looks like amazing fun and great exercise. My feet couldn’t stop tapping the whole way through the film.

STUDIO BLURB
In 1987 a thirteen-year-old natural born dancer with fire in his heels and snakes in his hips is working himself up to explode all over the UK Junior Salsa Championships. But then: a freakish bullying incident on the mean streets of London robs him of his confidence, and our young hero finds his life diverted down a very different path. Twenty-two-years later, an adult Bruce Garrett (Nick Frost) finds himself out-of-shape and unloved - trapped in a downward spiral of self-pity, repression and Nando's take-outs. Only Julia (Rashida Jones), his smart, funny, gorgeous new American boss, gives him reason to live. But she's untouchable; out of his league. Luckily for him, she also has a secret passion. Thus, Bruce is once again brought face-to-face with the darkest and most powerful of his inner demons. Somehow, someway, Bruce must learn how to unshackle his dancing beast, regain his long lost fury and claim the love of his life...and he's going to do it all On The Dance Floor... (c) eOne

Ride Along ✪✪✪ 

Other Countries:         
Opens in Australia: 20th March 2014
USA: 17th January 2014    UK: 28th February 2014
Other Countries:          Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS
There’s a few laugh out loud moments in this “non-buddy” buddy comedy. In fact, I did laugh more than I expected. The positives are that there isn’t the usual swearing that you get in every comedy these days. Thank you for that. The negatives are that we’ve seen this all before in so many other cop films. Tough guy + newbie = sight gags, jokes and then at the end the newbie softens up the tough guy when he inadvertently saves the day. Think a not-so-clever Rush Hour. If there is nothing else you fancy for a ride, then I say hop on board. It’s okay for a date night. 
   
STUDIO BLURB
When a fast-talking guy joins his girlfriend's brother-a hot-tempered cop-to patrol the streets of Atlanta, he gets entangled in the officer's latest case. Now, in order to prove that he deserves his future bride, he must survive the most insane 24 hours of his life. For the past two years, high-school security guard Ben (Hart) has been trying to show decorated APD detective James (Cube) that he's more than just a video-game junkie who's unworthy of James' sister, Angela (Tika Sumpter). When Ben finally gets accepted into the academy, he thinks he's earned the seasoned policeman's respect and asks for his blessing to marry Angela. Knowing that a ride along will demonstrate if Ben has what it takes to take care of his sister, James invites him on a shift designed to scare the hell out of the trainee. But when the wild night leads them to the most notorious criminal in the city, James will find that his new partner's rapid-fire mouth is just as dangerous as the bullets speeding at it.. (C) Universal

I, Frankenstein

Opens in Australia: 20th March 2014
USA: 24th January 2014    UK: 29th March 2014 
Other Countries:          Release Information

It’s an average adventure, fantasy mash up. I’m not sure if it’s as much a monster as the critics are saying. I didn’t yawn at least. The trailers for it certainly give you a pretty good idea of what you are in for and it’s from the creators of Underworld.  So you have been warned. 

A couple of the gargoyles are pretty cute. And even when Bill Nighy is woefully miscast I still enjoy watching him. If you miss it, don’t worry about it.

STUDIO BLURB
Set in a dystopic present where vigilant gargoyles and ferocious demons rage in a battle for ultimate power, Victor Frankenstein's creation Adam (Aaron Eckhart) finds himself caught in the middle as both sides race to discover the secret to his immortality. From the creators of the hit supernatural saga, UNDERWORLD, comes the action thriller I, FRANKENSTEIN, written for the screen and directed by Stuart Beattie based on the graphic novel "I, Frankenstein" by Kevin Grevioux, and brought  to life by a cast that includes Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahovski, Miranda Otto, Jai Courtney, Socratis Otto, Mahesh Jadu, Caitlin Stasey and Aden Young as Victor Frankenstein. (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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