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UK Cinema Releases: Friday 24th April 2009

UK Cinema Releases 24-04-09

NATIONAL RELEASES

State Of Play (Universal): Based on the BBC mini-series of the same title, the action has been relocated to Washington DC, where two investigative reporters (Russell Crowe and Rachel McAdams) in Washington uncover murky goings on when a congressman (Ben Affleck) becomes involved in a scandal involving infidelity and murder. Although there are a few problems in compressing the excellence of the original series into a 2 hour film, director Kevin McDonald does largely deliver the goods and has crafted a highly watchable thriller with a fine (if underused) supporting cast including Helen MirrenJason BatemanRobin Wright Penn and Jeff Daniels [Empire Leicester Sq. & Nationwide / Cert 12A]

Observe And Report (Warner Bros): A dark comedy vehicle for Seth Rogen which sees him play a mall security guard who has to deal with a mysterious flasher who has started to ruin every one’s shopping experience. Directed by Jody Hill, who made The Foot Fist Way, it deserves credit for trying to do something different but ends up as a strange, unfunny mess. The set-pieces never catch fire and the whole thing is riddled with a cheap hatred for its one- dimesional caricatures. A decent supporting cast including Anna FarisRay Liotta and Michael Peña is largely wasted, with the exception of Danny McBride as a ‘Caucasian Crackhead’. [Vue West End & Nationwide / Cert 15]

Outlander (Momentum Pictures): A period sci-fi film (how about that for a hybrid genre?) set during the reign of the Vikings which sees a man from a far-off world (Jim Caviezel) crash land on Earth with an alien predator known as the Moorwen. Directed by Howard McCain, it co-stars Sophia MylesJack HustonRon Perlman and John Hurt. [Odeons Greenwich, Whiteleys, Vues Islington, West End & Nationwide / Cert 15]

The Uninvited (Paramount): Yet another US remake of an Asian horror film, the story is about a woman (Emily Browning) who returns home to her sister after a spell in a mental hospital, though her recovery is jeopardized thanks to her cruel stepmother, aloof father and the presence of a ghost in their home. Directed by Charles Guard and Thomas Guard, it also stars Emily BrowningArielle KebbelElizabeth Banks and David Strathairn. [Nationwide / Cert 15]

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IN SELECTED RELEASE

UK Selected Releases 24-04-09

Encounters At The End Of The World (Revolver Entertainment): The latest film from Werner Herzog is a remarkable documentary which sees the German director and cinematographer Peter Zeitlinger go to Antarctica to meet people who live and work there. It is almost an antidote to March of the Penguins, with some marvellous observations and meditations set alongside some fascinating footage of the continent at the bottom of the world. [Odeon Covent Gdn, Phoenix, Renoir & Key Cities / Cert 15]

Shifty (Metrodome): A new British film about a young drug dealer (Riz Ahmed) in a town just outside London who sees his life spiral out of control when his best friend (Daniel Mays) returns home. Directed by Eran Creevy and co-starring Jason Flemyng and Francesca Annis, it was funded by Film London’s Microwave scheme and shot in just 18 days. [Cineworld Haymarket, Curzon Soho & Nationwide / Cert 15]

* Listen to my interview with Eran Creevy and Daniel Mays *

FAQ About Time Travel (Lionsgate UK): A new British comedy about three men trying to navigate a time-travel conundrum. Directed by Gareth Carrivick from a script by Jamie Mathieson, it stars Anna FarisChris O’DowdMarc Wootton and Dean Lennox Kelly. [Vue West End & Key Cities / Cert 15]

From Russia With Love (Park Circus): The second James Bond with Sean Connery as the 007, gets a re-release by Park Circus. Directed by Terence Young it is based on the 1957 novel by Ian Fleming and sees Bond sent to assist in the defection of Corporal Tatiana Romanova in Turkey, where SPECTRE plans to avenge the killing of Dr. No. [BFI Southbank & Nationwide / Cert PG]

The Grocer’s Son (ICA Films): A French film about a young man returning to his home village, only to come into conflict with his brother and father. Directed by Eric Guirado and starring Nicolas Cazalé and Clotilde Hesme. [ICA Cinema, Odeon Panton St., & Key Cities / Cert 12A]

City Rats (Revolver Entertainment): Another British film with Danny Dyer    (shall I stop now?) which explores different characters in London, Tamer Hassan and Susan Lynch. [Apollo Piccadilly / Cert 18]

Check out the UK cinema releases for April 2009
Our latest DVD picks (W/C Monday 20th April)