Weekly Film Review Round Up 13th October 2013

THIS WEEK'S PREVIEWS

Reviewed this week.  2 Guns’ is a story  elevated by the actors.  I can never not like Denzil in anything. He is just too good.  Then there is the woeful Diana which I think is asking a lot expecting you to pay for what is really a midday movie. If you are in Australia and want to have a little fun, check out the Italian Film Festival running across the country.  It’s just started in Perth at Luna Cinemas.  Ciao for this week.

(My movie Pick of the week)
2 Guns ★★★ ½ 
Opens in Australia: 10^th October, 2013
Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

Anything with Denzil Washington and Mark Wahlberg is always reasonable. Here they play pretty much to their usual type. Denzil is the wise, cool dude, and Wahlberg the smart aleck, careless sidekick. The beginning was a tad confusing but once the twist is revealed, about thirty minutes in it is quite fun. There is a horrible scene with chickens.  If you like animals, close your eyes.

The film is reasonable fare and there are no plodding scenes, but having just discovered Breaking Bad, I am catching up on obsessed with it at the moment, and every drug-dealing story pales next to it.  I think the name, 2 Guns needs a little work, too.

STUDIO BLURB

Academy Award® winner Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg lead an all-star cast in 2 Guns, an explosive action film that tracks two operatives from competing bureaus who are forced on the run together.  But there is a big problem with their unique alliance: Neither knows that the other is an undercover federal agent.   

For the past 12 months, DEA agent Bobby Trench (Washington) and U.S. naval intelligence officer Marcus Stigman (Wahlberg) have been reluctantly attached at the hip.  Working undercover as members of a narcotics syndicate, each man distrusts his partner as much as the criminals they have both been tasked to take down.

When their attempt to infiltrate a Mexican drug cartel and recover millions goes haywire, Trench and Stigman are suddenly disavowed by their superiors.  Now that everyone wants them in jail or in the ground, the only person they can count on is the other.  Unfortunately for their pursuers, when good guys spend years pretending to be bad, they pick up a few tricks along the way.

Diana ★ ½ 
Opens in Australia: 10^th October, 2013
Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

Oh its horrible. Really ridiculously bad, just the like the hairdos of Naomi Watts as Diana.  Supposedly they gave her a prosthetic nose, but I don't think she looks anything like her.  She's the wrong shape, doesn't sound like her and her hair just looks like a bad wig.  Considering this affair was concealed pretty much from most people, its a real fictional account.  Don't waste your dollars.  You will actually see better on the free-to-air. Only watch if you enjoy Mills and Boone and Danielle Steele dramatizations. And I use the word drama very loosely here.

STUDIO BLURB

DIANA is a compelling portrait of Diana, Princess of Wales during the final two years of her life. The film stars British-born Academy Award (R) nominated actress Naomi Watts (J. EDGAR, FAIR GAME, 21 GRAMS) who assumes the leading role of the eponymous and iconic princess. Naveen Andrews, best known for his roles in THE ENGLISH PATIENT and the hit television series LOST, co-stars as Dr. Hasnat Khan. Fellow Brits Douglas Hodge, Geraldine James, Charles Edwards and Juliet Stevenson round out the  supporting cast. (c) Official Facebook

Honey ★★★½
Australian Lavazza Italian Film Festival

(Festival: 2^nd – 22^nd October­­­—varies in your state)

Visit Lavazza Italian Film Festival Website for info on the Festival
Perth Festival: Screening details: Click here
Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

Honey is a controversial film in its topic matter. Dealing with euthanasia, it is not an easy film to watch. Although, those who brave it will be rewarded with thought provoking arguments. Is euthanasia for mental illness justifiable? As one of the characters poses the question: Just because you can’t see the illness, is it not still an illness? 

It’s well-rounded and beautifully filmed and directed. Not for everyone but definitely a conversation starter.

STUDIO BLURB

Irene, nicknamed 'Honey', has devote herself to people looking for help, and tries to alleviate their suffering even when they make extreme decisions. One day she meets Grimaldi and his invisible malaise. An official selection of Un Certain Regard at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, Honey has been applauded for Golino’s stylish direction and Trinca’s breakout performance, making this multilayered and beautifully nuanced film an unmissable festival highlight.

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