THIS WEEK'S PREVIEWS
Some good films to choose from this week, and all of them with mixed
reviews I am afraid. So it’s up to you
whether you trust the critics. Poor old Mortal Instruments really took a caning
with 12% rating at Rotten Tomatoes Website, but it’s not aimed at middle-aged
reviewers. I’ve taken a tempered view of it. Stoker and What Maisie Knew
are very good indie flicks. Jobs
proves Ashton Kutcher can act or at least walk like Steve Jobs. And number two in a fun franchise is here
with Red 2.
(My movie Pick of the week)
Stoker★★★★
Opens
in Australia: 29thth August, 2013
Perth, Australia: See at Luna Cinemas
Other
Countries: Release Information
OUR
THOUGHTS
We have here a very
good, very creepy psychological thriller. Mia
Wasikowska is captivating to watch, and Nicole Kidman always does a good woman on
the edge. This is Korean director Park Chan-Wook’s first English language
film. It’s interesting to learn that he
actually doesn't speak English and required a translator. Since this film has three Australian actors,
(also Jackie Weaver), and English lead in Matthew Goode (and a Korean
director), I just wonder if there are any Americans still working in Hollywood?
STUDIO BLURB
When India Stoker (Mia Wasikowska) loses her
beloved father and best friend Richard (Dermot Mulroney) in a tragic auto
accident on her 18th birthday, her quiet life on the family’s
secluded estate is suddenly shattered. Exquisitely sensitive, India’s exhibits
an impassive demeanor which masks the deep feelings and heightened senses that
only her father understood. Thus acclaimed Korean filmmaker Park Chan-Wook’s
(OLDBOY, LADY VENGEANCE, SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGEANCE) first English-language
psychological thriller STOKER comes to life.
India finds herself drawn to her father’s long-lost
brother, Charlie (Matthew Goode), who unexpectedly arrives for the funeral and
decides to stay on with her and her emotionally unstable mother, Evie (Nicole
Kidman). While India initially mistrusts her charming but mysterious uncle, he
fascinates her as well, and she begins to realize how much they have in common.
As Charlie reveals himself to her little by little,
India becomes increasingly infatuated with her charismatic relative and comes
to realize that his arrival is no coincidence. With her uncle to guide her, she
is about to fulfill her unusual destiny.
Jobs
★★★★
Opens
in Australia: 29th August 2013
Other
Countries: Release Information
Perth, Australia: See at Luna Cinemas
OUR
THOUGHTS
Ashton Kutcher gives a fine portrayal of Steve Jobs in this biopic.
Say what? Let me repeat that in case you
thought you read wrong. Ashton Kutcher
can actually act!
A few of the complaints may be that Jobs is portrayed as a real
arrogant a-hole but I’ve read a few of the books on him, and it appears that
really is him. In his defence, if you
are going to change the way the whole world operates you probably will, and
should be allowed, to behave however you like.
Don’t be waiting through the whole film for the story of the
development of the iPod. It only tells
the story leading up to the launch of the iMac.
But we mostly all know the iPod story by now don’t we? (We’ve Googled it on our smart phones.) However, it is still fascinating and
well-paced and did I mention Ashton Kutcher does a good job?
STUDIO BLURB
It only takes
one person to start a revolution. This is the extraordinary story of Steve
Jobs, the original innovator and ground-breaking entrepreneur who let nothing
stand in the way of greatness. The film tells the epic and turbulent story of
Jobs as he blazed a trail that changed technology -- and the world - forever.
(c) Official Site
Red 2
★★★½
Opens
in Australia: 29th August 2013
Other
Countries: Release Information
OUR
THOUGHTS
I couldn’t wait to see this
film. Our family really enjoyed the 2011
Red. And I know the critics didn’t like it but we still had fun. Helen Mirren and John Malkovich play it up so
well. It’s a popcorn film and it does
what it’s meant to do. Perhaps not as witty as the original Red, but we knew what
to expect this time around. Die Hard and Bruce Willis fans I notice there is
another Die Hard film slated for 2015, Die Hardest. I hope they
leave the Red franchise at two. We don’t need a Red Redder or a Red
Reddest. It would be enough to turn you pink.
STUDIO BLURB
In Red 2, the high-octane
action-comedy sequel to the worldwide hit RED, the team of “Retired, Extremely
Dangerous” CIA operatives are reunited as they use their old-school style to
take on a new set of enemies across Europe.
Retired black ops CIA agent Frank
Moses (Willis) reunites his unlikely team of elite operatives – including
former colleague Marvin (Malkovich), ever deadly sharp-shooter Victoria
(Mirren) and Frank’s beloved Sarah (Parker) – for a global quest to track down
a missing portable nuclear device. To succeed, they’ll need to survive an
army of relentless assasins, ruthless terrorists and power-crazed government
officials in a mission that takes them to London, Paris and Moscow.
Mortal Instruments: The City of Bones
★★★½ for fans
★★ if you are over 15
Opens
in Australia: 22nd August 2013
Other
Countries: Release Information
OUR
THOUGHTS
This film is an adaptation of a
young adult series of books which were originally written as Harry Potter fan
fiction (the author took the H.P. characters and made up her own story with
them) which, when it became successful the character’s names were changed. The
first half of it has a very Harry Potter feel until it comes horribly unstuck
at a love scene. There were many groans
and much laughter in the audience from this point on. However, my 13 year-old-son really enjoyed
it. And I actually think kids between 10
and 15 will enjoy which is a good thing because there is not much for them at
the cinema these days. If you are over
that age or have never heard of Mortal Instruments I fear this one is
not for you.
STUDIO BLURB
Lily Collins
stars as a young girl whose life is upended when she realizes that she's part
of a long line of demon-slayers in this Screen Gems adaptation of Cassandra
Clare's first book in her series of best-selling novels. Lena Headey and
Jonathan Rhys Meyers head up the rest of the starring cast.
What Maisie Knew
★★★
Opens
in Australia: 29th August 2013
Other
Countries: Release Information
Perth, Australia: See at Luna Cinemas
OUR
THOUGHTS
This is from the producers of 2010 top notch indie release The Kids are Alright. What
Maisie Knew is a pretty tough film to watch with two narcissistic parents
ignoring this beautiful innocent child.
By the end of the film you will want to punch something. I attended the preview with my cousin who
works in education. Her first words after the film had ended, were that, sadly, she’d
seen similar in real life. And that just made me even angrier. Onata Aprile, the
little actress playing Maisie, is extraordinary. How gorgeous is she in this
poster? Caution: this film is still
haunting me days later.
STUDIO BLURB
A contemporary reimagining of Henry James' novel, WHAT MAISIE KNEW
tells the story of a captivating little girl's struggle for grace in the midst
of her parents' bitter custody battle. Told through the eyes of the title's
heroine, Maisie navigates this ever-widening turmoil with a six-year-olds
innocence, charm and generosity of spirit.
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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