Tag: uk cinema releases

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 23rd March 2012

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 23/03/2012

NATIONAL RELEASES

The Hunger Games (Lionsgate): Adapted from the series of bestselling books where a young girl (Jennifer Lawrence) joins a survival contest in order to save her community in a dystopian future. Directed by Gary Ross, it co-stars Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks and Woody Harrelson. Set to be the first blockbuster of 2012, the built-in fanbase and brilliant marketing campaign could see it net a $125m opening weekend. [Nationwide / 12A]

Act of Valor (Momentum): A Navy Seal squad goes on a covert mission to recover a kidnapped CIA agent, and in the process, takes down a complex web of terrorist cells determined to strike America at all costs. Directed by Josh Trank, and Alexander Asefa, the main selling point here is that it features real Navy Seals: Roselyn Sanchez, Mike McCoy, Charles Chiyangwa and Megan Hilty. [Nationwide / 15]

Wild Bill (The Works): Set in East London, the story revolves around Bill Hayward (Charlie Creed-Miles), a prisoner of eight years out on parole. Returning home, he finds his 15 and 11 year old sons, Dean (Will Poulter) and Jimmy (Sammy Williams) abandoned by their mother and living alone. Directed by Dexter Fletcher. [Nationwide / 15]

ALSO OUT

The Kid With A Bike (Artificial Eye): The latest film from the Dardennes Brothers is the story of a young boy abandoned by his father and left in a state-run youth institution. In a random act of kindness, the town hairdresser agrees to foster him on weekends. Stars Thomas Doret and Cécile De France. [Selected cinemas / 12A]

> Get local cinema showtimes at Google Movies or FindAnyFilm
> Recent UK DVD & Blu-ray releases

Tags act of valor, the hunger games, uk cinema releases, wild bill

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 25th March 2011

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 25/03/2011

NATIONAL RELEASES

Limitless (Paramount/Momentum): A struggling writer (Bradley Cooper) discovers a top-secret drug which bestows him with super human abilities. As his usage begins to change his life, he begins to discover the drug’s shadowy origins. Directed by Neil Burger and co-starring Abbie Cornish and Robert De Niro, this has a promising first third but soon dissolves into a formulaic thriller. [Nationwide / 15] [Reviews] [Trailer]

The Eagle (Universal): In Roman-ruled Britain, a young Roman soldier endeavors to honor his father’s memory by finding his lost legion’s golden emblem. Directed by Kevin MacDonald and starring Jamie Bell and Channing Tatum. [Nationwide / 12A] [Reviews] [Trailer]

Country Strong (Sony Pictures): A fallen country star (Gwyneth Paltrow) strives to revive her career with some help from her husband (Tim McGraw), a young songwriter (Garrett Hedlund) and an emerging country artist (Leighton Meester). Directed by Shana Feste. [Nationwide / 12A] [Reviews] [Trailer]

Faster (Sony Pictures): An ex-convict (Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson) seeks revenge for his brother’s death in this revenge thriller, co-starring Billy Bob Thornton, Oliver Jackson-Cohen and directed by George Tillman Jr. [Nationwide / 15] [Reviews] [Trailer]

A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures (Optimum Releasing): A sea turtle who was hatched in 1959 spends the next 50 years traveling the world while it is being changed by global warming. Directed by Ben Stassen, it stars Melanie Griffith and Isabelle Fuhrman. [Nationwide / U] [Reviews] [Trailer]

ALSO OUT

Cave of Forgotten Dreams (Picturehouse): Werner Herzog’s latest documentary sees the German director gain access to film inside the Chauvet caves France, capturing the oldest known pictorial creations of humankind in their astonishing natural setting. [Selected cinemas / U] [Read our full review here] [Reviews] [Trailer]

Wake Wood (Vertigo Films): Irish horror film about the parents of a girl killed by a savage dog who are granted the opportunity to spend three days with their deceased daughter. [Selected cinemas / 18] [Reviews] [Trailer]

Toast (Momentum Pictures): Drama based on the memoirs of food writer Nigel Slater, which first premièred on BBC1 around Christmas. [Selected cinemas / PG] [Trailer]

> Get local cinema showtimes at Google Movies or FindAnyFilm
> UK DVD & Blu-ray releases for Monday 21st March 2011, including The Kids Are Alright and Out of Sight

Tags cave of forgotten dreams, country strong, limitless, the eagle, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 14th January 2011

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 14/01/2011

NATIONAL RELEASES

The Green Hornet (Sony Pictures): This story featuring the masked vigilante, who previously appeared in radio serials, comic books and a TV series, updates the action to modern day Los Angeles. When Britt Reid (Seth Rogen), inherits his father’s media empire, he decides to turn his life around and become a crime fighter with the help of a mysterious employee named Kato (Jay Chou).

After recruiting a new secretary (Cameron Diaz), Britt (aka The Green Hornet) takes on a Russian crime boss (Christoph Waltz) who is controlling the city’s underworld operations.

Unlike more recent superhero adaptations, the tone here is closer to an irreverent 1980s action-comedy, with the script by Rogen and Evan Goldberg showing glimpses of their work on Superbad (2007) and Pineapple Express (2008). There are some amusing moments, mainly between Rogen and Chou as they get to know each other, but mostly this is formulaic stuff.

One dimensional characters, explosions, Matrix-style fight sequences and a general feel of creative auto-pilot make you wonder if Michel Gondry actually directed this.

This is getting a major release, so it will be very interesting to see how it fares against The King’s Speech and 127 Hours as they enter their second weeks. Bad word of mouth could be a problem for a comedy like this but the action could be a pull for undemanding audiences. [Read the full review here] [Nationwide / 12A]

Conviction (20th Century Fox): A legal drama based on the real life case of Betty Anne Waters (HIlary Swank), an unemployed single mother who exonerated her wrongfully convicted brother (Sam Rockwell) of murder over the course of two decades.

Directed by Tony Goldwyn, the case makes for a potentially gripping film which is never quite realised. Although the performances are solid (especially Swank and Rockwell), it is hampered by too many cliches and the pedestrian direction which gives it a TV-movie vibe. [Nationwide / 15]

Henry’s Crime (Entertainment Film Distributors): This offbeat romantic comedy is an unambitious man named Henry (Keanu Reeves), who has his dull routine change when he stumbles across an armed robbery crime scene and is mistaken by police for one of the robbers and thrown into jail.

There he shares a cell with career criminal Max (James Caan), who becomes a mentor of sorts and on his release, Henry joins forces with Max to commit the crime for which he figures he has already done the time, and becomes romantically entangled with local TV presenter (Vera Farmiga), who literally runs into him at the crime scene. [Nationwide / 15]

ALSO OUT

Blue Valentine (Optimum Releasing): The changes in a long-term relationship are examined with rare intimacy in this second feature from writer-director Derek Cianfrance. Over the course of several years we see how a young couple, Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams), fall in and out of love over a number of years.

Juxtaposing their initial, youthful courtship (shot on super 16mm) with their marital struggles (filmed on the Red One digital camera), it employs clever framing along side the contrasting visual palettes to convey how their lives have changed.

The narrative and visual design is impressive, conveying the passage of time and providing a highly effective counterpoint for the two stages of their relationship.

Already acclaimed after a buzz-fuelled run on the festival circuit, it looks likely to snag Oscar nominations for Gosling and Williams. Although a tough watch in places, it feels like a breath of fresh air in the current climate for movies. Highly recommended. [Selected cinemas nationwide / 15]

Brotherhood (Kaleidoscope): Directed by Will Canon, this US thriller uses college initiation ceremonies as the backdrop to explore who a group of students spiral out of control. [/ 15]

Travellers (High Fliers): A Deliverance-style British thriller about a group of guys from the city who venture into the countryside only to be terrorised by Irish travellers. Directed by Kris McManus. [Selected cinemas / 18]

Yamla Pagla Deewana (Eros International): Bollywood comedy-drama film directed by Samir Karnik, starring Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, and Bobby Deol in the lead roles. [Acton Vue, Feltham Cineworld, Harrow Vue, Trocadero & Key Cities]

> Get local cinema showtimes at Google Movies or FindAnyFilm
> UK DVD & Blu-ray releases for Monday 10th January 2011, including Catfish and I’m Still Here

Tags blue valentine, conviction, the green hornet, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 19th November 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 19/11/2010

NATIONAL RELEASES

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part I (Warner Bros.): The penultimate film in the Harry Potter series arrives in cinemas on the usual tidal wave of hype. Given the length of the final book, Warner Bros made the necessary (and profitable) decision to split them into two films.

In this film, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) leave Hogwarts and – following clues left by the late Dumbledore – go in search of artifacts known as Horcruxes which will help them kill Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), whilst avoiding the clutches of his followers.

Darker in tone than the previous films, the standout sequences involve some old fashioned trickery: a Mission Impossible-style break-in to the Ministry of Magic provides laughs and tension through clever use of actors and sound, whilst old-school animation powers a striking episode explaining the Deathly Hallows of the title.

The huge fanbase and family audiences around the world are going to lap this up and there is no doubt that another Potter-fuelled box office bonanza of around £60m is on the cards, even though the climactic Part 2 next summer will probably be the bigger hit. [Empire Leicester Square, Vue West End & Nationwide / 12A]

* Read my full review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One by clicking here *

ALSO OUT

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (New Wave Films): The winner of this year’s Palme D’Or at Cannes is the story of the last days in the life of its title character. He then experiences his past lives along with the ghost of his dead wife and his lost son who has returned in a non-human form. Directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, it was loved by some – but not all – critics at Cannes. [Key Cities / 12A]

Broken Sun (Metrodome Distribution): A drama about a World War One veteran who encounters an escaped Japanese POW on his farm in rural Australia in 1944. Directed by Brad Haynes, it stars Rudi Baker, Galvin Scott Davis and Kuni Hashimoto. [Selected Key Cities / 15]

Chico And Rita (CinemaNX): A British/Spanish animated feature from directors Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal, which is the story of love and heartbreak, set against backdrops of Havana, New York, Las Vegas, Hollywood and Paris in the late 1940s and early ’50s. [Picturehouse Clapham, Gate, Greenwich, Ritzy & Key Cities / 15]

Dream Home (Network Releasing): A Hong Kong horror film about a desperate telesales agent who goes to extreme lengths to get a flashy apartment. Directed by Ho-Cheung Pang and Pang Ho-Cheung, it stars Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Eason Chan, Josie Ho and Michelle Ye. [Cineworld Shaftesbury Ave., Showcase Newham, Vue Shepherds Bush & Key Cities / 18]

Fathers Of Girls (Soda Pictures): A British drama starring Ray Winstone as a provincial solicitor who struggles to cope after his wife dies and his daughter leaves home for college. Co-written and co-directed by Ethem Cetintas and Karl Howman. [Empire Leicester Square, Genesis Mile End & Key Cities / 15]

Peeping Tom: 50th Anniversary (Optimum Releasing): Michael Powell’s classic 1960 film about a creepy photographer has been digitally restored for a 50th anniversary release at UK cinemas and on Blu-ray. [Curzon Mayfair & Key Cities / 15]

Robinson In Ruins (bfi Distribution): Narrated by Vanessa Redgrave, this documentary by Patrick Keiller is a sequel to Keiller’s previous films, London (1994) and Robinson in Space (1997). It explores the journey of the fictional titular character around the south of England. [BFI Southbank & Key Cities / U]

> Find out what films are showing in your area with Google Movies or Find Any Film
> All the UK cinema releases for November 2010
> UK DVD and Blu-ray Releases for Monday 15th November 2010

Tags harry potter and the deathly hallows part one, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 5th November 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 05/11/2010

NATIONAL RELEASES

Due Date (Warner Bros.): The latest comedy from director Todd Phillips is about an odd couple travelling across the US: a highly strung expectant father to be (Robert Downey Jnr) and an aspiring actor (Zach Galifianakis) find themselves on a cross country road trip so the former can see his child’s birth.

It bears more than a few similarities to Philips last film (The Hangover) although after a week in the US doesn’t seem like it will be as successful. Reviews have been mixed-to-good so far in the US after one week, although the wide release over here will make it an attractive alternative for male and females not keen on the gross-out humour of Jackass. [Nationwide / 15]

Jackass 3D (Paramount): The latest instalment of the Jackass franchise has been resurrected with Jonny Knoxville and his cohorts performing all manner of pranks for 3D cameras.

As with the first two films, it is a hit and miss affair depending on the particular stunt. Some are funny (especially the ones that make use of the 3D perspective) whilst others are deliberately grotesque.

Like Knoxville, it has noticeably aged and the sound of the Jackass gang laughing at their own stunts grates with repetition. But it has some funny moments and arrives after a stunning opening weekend in the US two weeks ago, earning over $50 million.

Although the closing credits have an elegiac feel, Paramount will probably be keen to milk this insanely profitable franchise further. It opens on a competitive weekend here in the UK but I suspect this will be the film of choice for males aged 16-34. [Vue West End & Nationwide / 18]

Let Me In (Paramount/Icon): The US remake of the 2008 Swedish vampire film is not only surprisingly good, it is actually on par with the original and in some ways improves on it.

Relocated to New Mexico in the early 1980s, it is the story of a lonely young boy (Kodi-Smit McPhee) and his relationship with a mysterious girl (Chloe Grace Moretz) who has moved in next door with an older guardian (Richard Jenkins).

Director Matt Reeves (who made Cloverfield) has wisely stayed faithful to the source material, which includes the 2008 film and the original novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist.

From the opening sequence, a convincing sense of time and place is established and Michael Giacchino’s wonderfully creepy score sustains an ominous mood throughout.

Shooting mostly on location, Reeves and cinematographer Greig Fraser have crafted their own visual style which keeps things atmospheric and murky, whilst the performances all around are excellent.

Despite the quality on display, this has bombed at the US box office (perhaps a victim of distribution and marketing support) but should find a much more appreciative audience over time. [Odeon West End & Nationwide / 12A]

* Read our full review of Let Me In here *

ALSO OUT

Another Year (Momentum Pictures): The latest film from Mike Leigh is one of his very best, a pitch-perfect ensemble piece revolving around the friends and family of an ageing married couple.

Nearing retirement age, Tom (Jim Broadbent) and Gerri (Ruth Sheen) live in North London and seem genuinely happy as they work, tend to their allotment and play host to an array of characters who come in and out of their lives.

These include: their son Joe (Oliver Maltman), who is still close to them; Mary (Lesley Manville), a needy divorcee with relationship problems; Ken (Peter Wight), an old friend with a taste for food and alcohol; and Katie (Karina Fernandez), a therapist who forms a relationship with Joe.

Each section of the film is titled with a season and as they change, so do the characters to varying degrees as they deal with the stuff of life: love, death, humour, despair, loneliness and friendship.

It follows the familiar Leigh formula of finding drama in lives of distinctive characters in a particular setting and relies heavily on the actors to make it work.

The good news is that nearly all the cast bring something distinctive to their roles, creating a rich tapestry of emotions and memorable situations, with Manville especially outstanding.

Buoyed by great buzz on the festival circuit and glowing reviews, this will dominate the art house box office this week and may do decent multiplex business amongst more discerning audiences. [Cineworld Haymarket, Curzon Soho, Everyman, Screen On Baker St. & Nationwide / 12A]

* Read our full review of Another Year here *

Mammoth (Soda Pictures): Swedish director Lucas Moodysson returns with a drama about a successful New York couple (Gael García Bernal and Michelle Williams) struggling to maintain a long distance relationship. Tepid reactions from the festival circuit mean this will probably come and go, despite the notable lead actors and director. [Odeon Panton Street & Key Cities / 15]

Fit (Peccadillo Pictures): A drama about ‘gay and straight millennials’ directed by Rikki Beadle Blair. [Shortwave, Tricycle & Key Cities]

Golmaal 3 (Eros): A Hindi comedy directed by Rohit Shetty, which is the sequel to Golmaal Returns. [C’Worlds Feltham, Ilford, Wood Green, Vue Acton & Key Cities / 12A]

Red & White (Kaleidoscope Entertainment): A war film about Indonesia’s history and the country’s struggle for independence, directed by Yadi Sugandi and starring Doni Alamsyah, Joe Sims and Lukman Sardi. [Key Cities / 15]

> Find out what films are showing in your area with Google Movies
> UK DVD and Blu-ray Releases for Monday 1st November 2010

Tags another year, due date, jackass 3D, let me in, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: November 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 02/11/2010

FRIDAY 5th NOVEMBER

Another Year (12A) / Momentum Pictures [Cineworld Haymarket, Curzon Soho, Everyman, Screen On Baker St. & N’wide]
Due Date (15) / Warner Bros. [Nationwide]
Fit / Peccadillo Pictures [Shortwave, Tricycle & Key Cities]
Golmaal 3 (Eros) [C’Worlds Feltham, Ilford, Wood Green, Vue Acton & Key Cities]
Jackass 3D (18) / Paramount [Vue West End & Nationwide]
Let Me In (12A) / Paramount/Icon [Odeon West End & Nationwide]
Mammoth (15) / Soda Pictures [Odeon Panton Street & Key Cities]
Red & White (Kaleidoscope Entertainment) [Key Cities]

FRIDAY 12th NOVEMBER

Aftershock / Metrodome Distribution [Apollo Piccadilly Circus]
brilliantlove / Soda Pictures [Curzon Renoir & Key Cities]
A Day In the Life – Four Portraits Of Post-War Britain (U) / bfi Distribution [BFI Southbank & Key Cities]
The Edge Of Dreaming / Cinefile
Into Eternity / Dogwoof [ICA Cinema & Key Cities]
My Afternoons With Margueritte (15) / Picturehouse Entertainment [Cine Lumiere, Curzon Mayfair, Everyman, Gate & Nationwide]
Skyline / Paramount/Momentum [Cineworld Shaftesbury Ave., Vue West End & Nationwide]
We Are What We Are (15) / Artificial Eye [Curzon Soho, Odeon Covent Gdn., Screen On The Green, Vue Islington & Nationwide]
You Again (U) / Walt Disney [Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide]

FRIDAY 19th NOVEMBER

Adrift (12A) / Revolver Entertainment [Key Cities]
Broken Sun (15) / Metrodome Distribution [Selected Key Cities]
Chico And Rita (15) / CinemaNX [Picurehouse Clapham, Gate, Greenwich, Ritzy & Key Cities]
Dream Home (18) / Network Releasing [Cineworld Shaftesbury Ave., Showcase Newham, Vue Shepherds Bush & Key Cities]
Fathers Of Girls / Soda Pictures [Empire Leicester Square, Genesis Mile End & Key Cities]
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part I (12A) / Warner Bros. [Empire Leicester Square, Vue West End & Nationwide]
Peeping Tom: 50th Anniversary (15) / Optimum Releasing [Curzon Mayfair & Key Cities]
Robinson In Ruins (U) / bfi Distribution [BFI Southbank & Key Cities]
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (12A) / New Wave Films [Key Cities]

FRIDAY 26th NOVEMBER

Unstoppable (12A) / 20th Century Fox [Vue West End & Nationwide]
The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest (15) / Momentum Pictures
The American (15) / Universal [Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide]
Break Ke Baad / Reliance Big Entertainment [Cineworlds Feltham, Ilford, Wandsworth, Woodgreen & Nationwide]
Leap Year / Axiom Films [Key Cities]
London Boulevard / Entertainment [Nationwide]
Machete (18) / Sony Pictures [Nationwide]
An Ordinary Execution / Arrow Films [Cine Lumiere, Clapham Picturehouse & Nationwide]
The Scar Crow (18) / Metrodome Distribution [Selected Key Cities]
Tere Ishq Nachaya / Eros [Cineworlds Feltham, Ilford, Wood Green & Key Cities]
Waiting For Superman (PG) / Paramount/Vantage [Curzon Soho & Picturehouse Clapham]

> Get local cinema listings at Google Movies
> UK Cinema Releases for 2010

Tags due date, harry potter and the deathly hallows part one, jackass 3D, let me in, the american, uk cinema releases, unstopppable

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 29th October 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 29/10/2010

NATIONAL RELEASES

Saw (3D) (Lionsgate UK): The seventh part of the Saw franchise arrives for its now customary Halloween slot. The story for this instalment involves the battle over Jigsaw‘s ‘brutal legacy’, a group of survivors, and a self-help guru. All in 3D.

Directed by Kevin Greutert, it stars Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor and even has a returning part for Cary Elwes, who featured in the original film (how long ago that seems). The big questions for this Saw film will be: are audiences burnt out on their yearly dose of torture porn? Will 3D have a positive or negative impact on the box office? I suspect it will do well and that the franchise will be rebooted in some bizarre way because this film series is a cash machine for Lionsgate. [Vue West End & Nationwide / 18]

Burke & Hare (Entertainment): A black comedy about the 19th century grave robbers (played by Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis) who sold bodies to an Edinburgh medical school.

Directed by John Landis, it co-stars Tom Wilkinson, Ronnie Corbett and Tim Curry. Although the period detail is well realised, everyone involved is let down by a poor script, which makes for some awkwardly unfunny sequences, and some dodgy accents which become distracting. The pull of Pegg (a genuine star in the UK) might attract audiences but negative critical buzz and word-of-mouth is likely to hamper the film’s prospects. [Nationwide / 15]

The Kids Are All Right (Universal): A comedy-drama about the complications that ensue when a Los Angeles lesbian couple (Annette Bening and Julianne Moore) discover their two teenage kids (Mia Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson) have got in touch with their biological father (Mark Ruffalo) it causes various complications.

The third film from writer-director Lisa Cholodenko is a delight: funny, moving and featuring some stellar acting from all concerned. Bening, Moore and Ruffalo are all outstanding whilst Wasikowska and Hutcherson are equally affecting in less showy roles.

Since debuting at Sundance back in January, it has basked in richly deserved critical acclaim for painting a warm and deeply human portrait of family relationships. Word of mouth will be very strong amongst upscale audiences and the likelihood of Oscar nominations will help spread the buzz when the film eventually hits the home market. [Cineworld Haymarket, Curzon Soho, Odeon Covent Gdn. & Nationwide / 15]

* Read my LFF review of The Kids Are Alright here *

ALSO OUT

Involuntary (Trinity Filmed Entertainment): A Swedish ensemble drama exploring various characters including a man who likes to play salacious pranks; a school teacher and two girls who like pose for photos. Directed by Ruben Östlund , it stars Villmar Björkman, Linnea Cart-Lamy, Leif Edlund and Sara Eriksson [Key Cities / 15]

The Hunter (Artificial Eye): An Iranian drama about a factory worker (Rafi Pitts) who ends up on the run in a nearby forest after something goes wrong. Directed by Pitts, it also stars Ali Nicksaulat, Hassan Ghalenoi, Malek Jahan Khazai and Mitra Hajjar. [Curzon Renoir, Ritzy & Key Cities / 15]

It Happened One Night (Park Circus): Reissue of the Frank Capra film about a pampered socialite (Claudette Colbert) who falls in love with a roguish reporter (Clark Gable). [BFI Southbank & Key Cities]

Forbidden (Park Circus): Another Capra reissue, this is the 1932 melodrama starring Barbara Stanwyck as a librarian who falls for a married man (Adolphe Menjou), with serious consequences. [BFI Southbank & Key Cities]

Out Of The Ashes (Independent Cinema Office): Documentary about the Afghan cricket team and their rise from refugees to the World Cup. Directed by Tim Albone and Lucy Martens. [ICA Cinema & Nationwide]

Spiderhole (Soda Pictures): A British horror film about four students who end up having problems in a seemingly deserted house in London. [Empire Leicester Square & Key Cities]

This Prison Where I Live (Dogwoof): A documentary about the imprisoned Burmese comedian Zarganar, who was imprisoned in 2008 for 35 years after complaining about the government’s response to cyclone Nargis. [Ritzy Picturehouse]

> Find out what films are showing in your area with Google Movies
> UK DVD and Blu-ray Releases for Monday 25th October 2010

Tags burke and hare, involuntary, saw 3D, the kids are alright, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 15th October 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 15/10/2010

NATIONAL RELEASES

The Social Network (Sony Pictures): David Fincher’s latest film is an absorbing drama about the battles amongst the founders of social networking website Facebook.

It begins with Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) getting dumped by a girl (Rooney Mara) which prompts him to hack in to the campus computer network as revenge, whilst blogging about his reasons for doing so.

This brings him to the attention of Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (played by Armie Hammer) and Divya Narendra (Max Minghella), who approach him with the idea of a social network site, but Zuckerberg opts to create his own version with the help of his friend Eduardo Severin (Andrew Garfield).

Originally called TheFacebook it is an instant success at Harvard and campuses across the US, which leads Zuckerberg to California where entrepreneur and Napster co-founder Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) helps him approach investors.

The narrative is intercut with flashforwards to various legal depositions, in which characters explain the conflicts which would later arise, with the Winklevoss twins and Narenda claiming Zuckerberg stole their idea, whilst Severin (who initially bankrolled the site) falls out with Zuckerberg over Parker’s influence.

This might not initially sound like the most exciting or dynamic material for a film, but with an A-list roster of talent behind the camera – director Fincher, screenwriter Aaron Sorkin and producer Scott Rudin – the end result is a stimulating tale of human relationships gone wrong and a wonderfully crafted production.

It has already got rave reviews in the US and a wave of Oscar buzz, which is richly deserved as it is one of the best films to come out this year. Sony will be hoping there is enough buzz and anticipation to fend off competition from Despicable Me but this is likely to draw audiences over the coming weeks. [Nationwide / 12A]

*Read my full review here*

Despicable Me (Universal): An animated film about a supervillain named Gru (Steve Carell) who tries to use three orphans girls as pawns for a grand scheme, only to find that their innocence changes him.

Featuring the voices of Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, and Miranda Cosgrove it was a big success in the US earlier this summer, scoring solid reviews in the process and marks the first CGI feature produced by Universal. [Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide / Scotland from October 11th]

Vampires Suck (20th Century Fox): A parody of the Twilight series from the people who brought us comedies such as Date Movie, Epic Movie, Meet the Spartans, and Disaster Movie.

The critical revulsion that greeted this film in the US will likely be repeated over here. [Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide / 12A]

ALSO OUT

Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow (Artificial Eye): A documentary about artist Anselm Kiefer’s studio in Barjac in France, where he bought a derelict silk factory and transformed it into an existing artistic centre. Directed by Sophie Fiennes. [Cine Lumiere, Gate & selected Key Cities / U]

Aakrosh (Eros): Action-thriller film directed by Priyadarshan and starring Ajay Devgn, Akshaye Khanna, Bipasha Basu, Paresh Rawal and Reema Sen. [Cineworlds Feltham, Ilford, Shaftesbury Ave., Wood Green & Key Cities]

Knock Out (Eros): A Bollywood film – that may or may not be a remake of Phone Booth – directed by Mani Shankar, and stars Sanjay Dutt, Irfan Khan and Kangna Ranaut. [Cineworlds Feltham, Greenwich 02, Ilford, Wood Green & Key Cities]

> UK DVD and Blu-ray picks for this week including The Exorcist and The Evil Dead
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags despicable me, the social network, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: October 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 03/10/2010

FRIDAY 1st OCTOBER

Back To The Future (R/I) / Universal
Bella / Kaleidoscope Entertainment
Collapse / Dogwoof
Made In Dagenham (15) / Paramount
Police, Adjective / Artificial Eye
The Secret Of Kells (PG) / Optimum Releasing
Takers (12A) / Sony Pictures

WEDNESDAY 6th OCTOBER

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps / 20th Century Fox

FRIDAY 8th OCTOBER

Involuntary (15) / Trinity Filmed Entertainment
Jackboots In Whitehall / Vertigo Films
The Life And Death Of Charlie St. Cloud (12A) / Universal
Life As We Know It / Warner Bros.
Mr Nice (18) / E1 Entertainment
New York, I Love You / The Works
Restrepo / Dogwoof
A Town Called Panic / Optimum Releasing

FRIDAY 15th OCTOBER

Despicable Me (U) (3D) / Universal
London Boulevard / Entertainment
Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow / Artificial Eye
The Social Network / Sony Pictures
Vampires Suck / 20th Century Fox

WEDNESDAY 20th OCTOBER

Alpha & Omega / Lionsgate UK

FRIDAY 22nd OCTOBER

Africa United / Warner Bros/Pathe
The Arbor / Verve Pictures
Carlos (15) / Optimum Releasing
Easy A (15) / Sony Pictures
Legend Of The Guardians 3D (previously Guardians Of Ga’hoole) / Warner Bros.
Mary & Max / Soda Pictures
Ramona And Beezus (U) / 20th Century Fox
Red / E1 Entertainment
Sequel To Paranormal Activity / Paramount

FRIDAY 29th OCTOBER

Burke And Hare / Entertainment
Enemies Of The People (D) / Dogwoof
Forbidden (R/I) / Park Circus
The Hunter (15) / Artificial Eye
It Happened One Night (R/I) / Park Circus
The Kids Are All Right (15) / Universal
Peeping Tom: 50th Anniversary / Optimum Releasing
Saw VII (3D) / Lionsgate UK

Keep a look out every Friday for a breakdown of the weekly releases with more detail on each film.

> Get local showtimes via Google Movies (just enter your local postcode)
> Find out about films showing near you via Find Any Film

Tags uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 24th September 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 24/09/2010

NATIONAL RELEASES

The Town (Warner Bros.): Ben Affleck’s second film as director is a satisfyingly lean crime drama about bank robbers, set in the Charlestown district of Boston. Adapted from Chuck Hogan’s novel ‘Prince of Thieves’, Affleck plays the leader of a gang who play cat and mouse with a local FBI agent (Jon Hamm) keen to bring his crew to justice.

After a heist goes slightly wrong, they fear that a hostage (Rebecca Hall) may have recognised one of them behind their masks. To complicate matters further, Affleck’s character soon falls for her which creates tensions with his fellow gang member and friend (Jeremy Renner).

Whilst not as strong as Affleck’s directorial debut, the quietly brilliant Gone Baby Gone (2007), it establishes him as a confident storyteller who can evoke a strong sense of place (most of it was shot on location in Boston) and a very capable director of actors.

After screening at festivals in Venice and Toronto, it built up momentum and topped the US box office last weekend, scoring great reviews in to the bargain. British critics will probably be cooler on it, but audiences may be keener as word of mouth spreads. Warner Bros may be quietly confident that this could do better than expected and give Eat Pray Love a run for its money. [Nationwide / 15] *Read a longer review here *

Eat Pray Love (Sony Pictures): Adapted from the best selling memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert about a woman (Julia Roberts) who reboots her life by going on a journey around the world, which takes her to Italy, India and Indonesia. Along the way she meets various people, eats food, prays and falls in love (as the title might suggest).

Directed by Ryan Murphy (who is also the creator of Glee), it co-stars Javier Bardem, James Franco, Viola Davis and Richard Jenkins. Aimed firmly at the female cinemagoer, it opened to mixed reviews and respectable box office in the US last month. Sony will be expecting this to top the box office this weekend although it will face competition from The Town. [Nationwide / PG]

The Hole (Entertainment One UK): A thriller about a family who discover a mysterious hole in the basement of their house, which appears to be a scary bottomless pit.

Directed by Joe Dante, this is the director’s first film since Looney Tunes: Back In Action (2003) and stars Teri Polo, Chris Massoglia and Haley Bennett.

This is a rare thing these days, a family-orientated suspense film that touches on the horror genre, with nods to Stephen King and The Twilight Zone. Whether the 3D will help or hinder its box office chances is an open question and the absence of stars might also be a drawback. [Vue West End & Nationwide / 12A]

ALSO OUT

Enter the Void (Trinity Filmed Entertainment): The first film from Gaspar Noé since the controversial Irreversible (2002) is a strange and hypnotic set in contemporary Tokyo. When a young American drug dealer (Nathaniel Brown) is killed he becomes a disembodied soul, observing his sister (Paz de la Huerta) and other acquaintances like a ghost.

Ambitious and technically dazzling, it is ultimately a disjointed exploration of life after death. Although at times grandiose and clumsy, generally the level of craft here is something to behold and the sheer visceral assault on the senses is unlike anything in recent memory.

It has had a troubled journey to the screen, with various cuts shown to different festivals over the last year, suggesting even Noé might have got lost inside the material. It will be strictly for arthouse audiences – and will probably divide even them – but still features some of the most interesting cinema you will see this year. [Curzon Soho & Key Cities / 18] * Read a longer review here *

World’s Greatest Dad (The Works): A black comedy about a teacher (Robin Williams) who is also a struggling writer and frustrated father to his teenage son (Daryl Sabara).

When something drastic happens, he finds himself as an unlikely celebrity and gets the attention he always craved. Although the poster might suggest a much more commercial film, this is actually a genuine independent that screened to considerable acclaim back at Sundance in 2009.

Directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, the presence of Williams in the lead role is initially misleading as this is a darkly funny and subversive film, which will probably get a more appreciative audience over time. [Odeon Covent Garden & Key Cities / 15]

Frozen (Momentum Pictures): A horror about college students who encounter some problems at a ski resort. Directed by Adam Green, it stars Emma Bell and Shawn Ashmore. [Empire Leicester Square, Ritzy Brixton, Screen on the Green & Key Cities / 15]

Peepli Live (Artificial Eye): A Hindi satire about farmers’ suicides and the subsequent media and political response starring Omkar Das Manikpuri and written and directed by Anusha Rizvi. [Curzon Renoir, Empire West End, Genesis Mile End & Nationwide / 15]

True Legend (Optimum Releasing): A Chinese-Hong Kong martial arts film about a Qing dynasty general (Man Cheuk Chiu) who retires in order to pursue his dream of a family and his own martial arts school. Directed by Yuen Woo-Ping, it also stars Vincent Zhao, Zhou Xun, and Michelle Yeoh. [Curzon Soho & Nationwide / 15]

The Wildest Dream (Serengeti Ent/National Geographic): A documentary which intersects the stories of George Mallory, the first man to attempt a summit of Mount Everest, and Conrad Anker, the mountaineer who finds Mallory’s frozen remains 75 years later. Directed by Anthony Geffen. [Apollo Piccadilly Circus, BFI IMAX & Nationwide / PG]

Budrus (Dogwoof): Drama about a Palestinian leader who unites Fatah, Hamas and Israelis in an unarmed movement to save his village from destruction. Directed by Julia Bacha. [Empire West Gate, Clapham Picturehouse & Key Cities / 15]

Confucius (CineAsia): A Chinese biographical film directed by Hu Mei, starring Chow Yun-fat as the famous Chinese philosopher. [Key Cities / 15]

Dragon Hunters (Stealth Media): An animated film about two dragon hunters, directed by Guillaume Ivernel and Arthur Qwak. [Selected Key Cities / PG]

From Here To Eternity (Park Circus): A re-release for the 1953 World War II drama, based on the novel by James Jones, which explores the troubles of soldiers in Hawaii before Pearl Harbour. Directed by Fred Zinnemann, it stars Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Frank Sinatra, Ernest Borgnine, Deborah Kerr and Donna Reed. [BFI Southbank & Key Cities/ PG]

> UK DVD and Blu-ray picks for this week including The World at War and The Ghost
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags eat pray love, enter the void, the hole, the town, uk cinema releases, world's greatest dad

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 20th August 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 20/08/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

Salt (Sony Pictures): A spy thriller about a CIA agent named Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) who is forced to go on the run after being accused of working for the Russians. Directed by Philip Noyce (Patriot Games, The Quiet American), it co-stars Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Although this was a project for Tom Cruise it underwent rewrites to fit Jolie. What seemed to be a familiar set-up for a spy thriller got a timely bout of publicity when actual Russian spies were arrested on the eve of the film’s release in America.

Reviews were mixed in the US and it also suffered from opening seven days after Inception, which had a better than expected 2nd week at the American box office. However, the star power of Jolie and generic action elements will probably see it do well internationally. [Nationwide / 12A]

The Expendables (Lionsgate UK): An action movie teaming up various stars of the last 30 years (Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li, Jason Statham), the plot involves a group of mercenaries who are hired to overthrow a drug running operation in South America.

Featuring cameos (Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger) and plenty of old school action, it is designed to appeal to those who grew up watching Rambo movies and the generations since that know about them second hand.

Although this stormed to the top of the US box office last weekend, it is a sloppily directed mess that has little real charm or invention. For all its old school appeal, it features a lot of CGI effects which augment the explosions and violence.

It has surfed an impressive wave of publicity, but this is a film that might even send Stallone fans running back to their Rambo box sets. [Odeon Leicester Square & Nationwide / 15]

* Read my longer thoughts on The Expendables here *

Marmaduke (20th Century Fox): A live-action adaptation of Brad Anderson’s comic strip about a Great Dane named Marmaduke (voiced by Owen Wilson).

Directed Tom Dey, this might rank as a career low for Owen Wilson and Kiefer Sutherland, especially given the disastrous US reviews. [Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide / U]

Piranha 3D (Entertainment): A horror remake of Joe Dante’s 1978 film about killer fish on the loose. Set in a sleepy lake during the Spring tourist season, an underwater earthquake unleashes ancient Piranha with a taste for humans.

Directed by Alexandre Aja, this features a better-then-expected ensemble cast including Adam Scott, Elisabeth Shue, Richard Dreyfuss, Christopher Lloyd, Ving Rhames and er… Kelly Brook.

This is looking to repeat the late summer box office success of last year’s The Final Destination, it might pull in a sizeable audience looking for some knowing 3D gore. [Vue West End & Nationwide / 18]

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ALSO OUT

The Illusionist (Warner Bros / Pathe): Director Sylvian Chomet’s follow up to The Triplettes of Belleville is based on an unproduced script by Jacques Tati and is about a struggling illusionist in 1950s Scotland who meets a young lady convinced he is a real magician.

It opened the Edinburgh Film Festival back in June to warm reviews and could be a sleeper art house success if audiences embrace Chomet’s quirky style. [Key Cities / PG]

The Human Centipede (Bounty Films): A Dutch horror film written and directed by Tom Six about a deranged doctor who kidnaps three tourists and joins them surgically, in order to form a ‘human centipede’. [Nationwide / 18]

Mother (ICO/ Optimum Releasing): A Korean drama from director Joon-ho Bong about an unnamed widow (Kim Hye-ja) living alone with her only son, in a small town. [ICA Cinema, Ritzy & selected Key Cities / 15]

Pianomania (More2Screen): A documentary about a piano tuner for Steinway & Sons, directed by Robert Cibis and Lilian Franck. [Clapham P’house, Stratford P’house, Greenwich P’house & Key Cities]

> UK DVD and Blu-ray picks for this week including Ingmar Bergman’s The Faith Trilogy and Clint Eastwood’s Director’s Collection
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags marmaduke, salt, the expendables, the illusionist, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 23rd July 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 23/07/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

Toy Story 3 (Walt Disney): The third installment of the hugely successful Pixar franchise sees the toys (voiced by a cast including Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack) confronted with a problem. Their owner Andy is no longer a child and when he goes off to college, they are supposed to be put in to the attic. But a misunderstanding sees them end up somewhere else.

With new characters voiced by Ned Beatty, Whoopi Goldberg and Michael Keaton this sequel has been in the works for a long time. The delay was mainly down to the friction between former Disney chief Michael Eisner and Pixar but when these problems were resolved with the new regime under Bob Eiger – which saw the 2006 merger of the two companies – the film was back on track.

Directed by Lee Unkrich, co-director of Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc and Finding Nemo, this looks set to be another huge success for Pixar. Like the previous Toy Story films it has managed to combine critical plaudits with an inbuilt appeal to audiences of all ages. [Nationwide / U]

Splice (Optimum Releasing): This sci-fi horror concerns two scientists (Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley) in the near future who experiment with human DNA for a large corporation, only to slowly realise that they have made a mistake.

Directed by Vincenzo Natali, still best known for the 1997 film Cube, it got a proper wide release in the US from Warner Bros last month, despite being filmed on a lower-than-normal budget. The visual effects are solid but the major problem is that it is too derivative, especially of David Cronenberg’s The Fly, and doesn’t really add anything to the crowded horror sub-genre which depicts science gone wrong. [Vue West End & Nationwide / 15]

The Rebound (Paramount/Momentum): A romantic comedy about a recent divorcee (Catherine Zeta-Jones) who starts a relationship with a younger man (Justin Bartha) she has employed as a home help.

Directed by Bart Freundlich, this seems like token summer counter-programming for female audiences who don’t fancy seeing the big summer blockbusters. [Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide / 15]

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ALSO OUT

Baaria (E1 Entertainment): Director Giuseppe Tornatore (best know as the director of Cinema Paradiso) returns with a film about his childhood growing up in Sicily. [Odeon Covent Garden & Key Cities / 15]

City Island (Anchor Bay Films): A low budget US indie about a dysfunctional family in the Bronx, headed up by a prison guard father (Andy Garcia) who secretly yearns to be an actor. Julianna Margulies and Emily Mortimer co-star and Raymond De Felitta directs. [Key Cities / 12A]

Ivul (Artificial Eye): A semi-autobiographical film from director Andrew Kotting about a young man (Jean-Luc Bideau) coming of age in a manor house in France with a Franco-Russian father. Jacob Auzanneau and Aurélia Petit co-star. [Curzon Renoir & Selected Key Cities / 15]

Jasper, Penguin Explorer (Soda Pictures): Directed by Eckart Fingberg and Kay Delventhal, this German animated film is about a penguin (voiced by Rick Adams) who thinks another world exists beyond the ice caps of the South Pole.

Khatta Meetha (Eros): A Bollywood remake of the 1989 Malayalam film, Vellanakalude Nadu, starring Akshay Kumar as a construction contractor. [C’Worlds Feltham, Shaftesbury Ave., Wood Green, Vue Acton & Key Cities]

My Night With Maud (bfi Distribution): A reissue of Eric Rohmer’s 1969 film about the relationship between a Catholic and a Marxist and a freethinker named Maud. [BFI Southbank, Curzon Soho & Key Cities / PG]

> DVD and Blu-ray releases for this week including The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Tokyo Story
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags splice, toy story 3, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 16th July 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 16/07/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

Inception (Warner Bros.): The first blockbuster to come out at UK cinemas since the World Cup ended is this insanely ambitious sci-fi actioner from director Christopher Nolan. The story revolves around a gang of hi-tech thieves led by international fugitive Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), who steals highly valuable information from people’s dreams. After a job on a Japanese businessman (Ken Watanabe) goes wrong, he is faced with the daunting challenge of ‘inception’: instead of stealing information, he must secretly plant some inside the mind of an important businessman (Cillian Murphy).

Assembling a team of experts (which includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page and Tom Hardy) who can help him execute the mission, he must also deal with his own troubled past, which endangers his ability to do the job at hand. The scale and ambition of this film is something to behold as Nolan returns to the narrative puzzles of previous films like Memento (2000) and The Prestige (2006) but does so on the scale of his recent Batman films (certainly this would never have got made if The Dark Knight wasn’t such a huge success).

This is a challenging film and many audiences might be put off by the way the story switches between the real world and the shifting dreamscapes of different characters. Having seen it twice now, the pieces do fit together, although at times you feel like you are struggling to remember a dream just by following the action on screen.

DiCaprio is solid in the lead role and his team have also been well cast: Joseph Gordon Levitt is a charming point man; Ellen Page nicely combines innocence and gravity as the rookie ‘dream architect’; Tom Hardy relishes his part as a forgerer; Ken Watanabe is a pleasingly enigmatic boss figure; Cillian Murphy conveys surprising depth as the rich mark and Michael Caine hits the spot in a smaller than usual part.

As you would expect for a Nolan film, it is a technical masterclass: the production design by Guy Hendrix Dyas makes stunning use of several real world locations; Wally Pfister’s cinematography captures intense emotions and epic action beautifully; the visual effects by Double Negative and Plowman Craven are so good they never feel like conventional CGI; there are some highly imaginative sets overseen by special effects supervisor Chris Corbould, especially one amazing sequence involving a hotel; and editor Lee Smith manages to warp time and space brilliantly throughout.

Warner Bros have spent a lot of money on this and must be a little nervous as to how audiences are going to react. It is a dense film which may put off viewers not willing to enter the maze Nolan has constructed. On the other hand there is pently of action and spectacle here and it may be a film that people will want to debate and experience a second time. It will have a big opening but there is a question over its longer term box office prospects. [Vue West End & Nationwide / 12A]

* Read my full thoughts on Inception here *

The Concert (Optimum Releasing): A French comedy about a former conductor (Aleksei Guskov) who, after being fired from the renowned Bolshoi Orchestra during the the communist era, sees a shot at redemption when he learns that they will be playing at a theatre in Paris. He recruits a young violinist (Melanie Laurent) to accompany his old musicians and hopes to stage a new concert with them.

Directed by Radu Mihaileanu, the score was composed by Armand Amar and the music on the soundtrack features works by Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Mozart and Khachaturian. Optimum will be hoping that arthouse audiences not interested in Inception will be interested in seeing a more accessible, feelgood European film. [Curzons Mayfair, Soho & Key Cities / 15]

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ALSO OUT

Bluebeard (New Wave Films): Based on the dark fairytale by Charles Perrault, about a young bride married to a murderous aristocrat, this film version also adds another narrative layer with with two present-day girls reading the story in an old book, which they have found in an attic.

Directed by Catherine Breillat, it stars Lola Créton as Marie-Catherine, the teen bride, whilst Dominique Thomas is Bluebeard. This faces arthouse competition from The Concert, and New Wave Films will be hoping fans more discerning fans of French cinema will turn out for this one. [Key Cities]

Mega Piranha (Metrodome Distribution): More exploitation nonsense from the studio that gave us Mega Shark, with the main selling point being that it stars 80s pop singer Tiffany. Referred to as some as a mockbuster, this will get a DVD release next month. [Apollo Piccadilly Circus & selected Key Cities]

Rapt (Artificial Eye): A French drama about a rich industrialist (Yvan Attal) who is kidnapped and held hostage is the latest film from director Lucas Belvaux. [Curzon Soho & selected Key Cities / 15]

Rough Aunties (ICA Cinema): A documentary of from director Kim Longinotto about child abuse in South Africa. [ICA Cinema]

> DVD and Blu-ray releases for this week including Green Zone and Bubba Ho-Tep
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags bluebeard, inception, the concert, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 4th June 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 04/06/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

She’s Out Of My League (Paramount): A romantic comedy about a dweeby airport worker (Jay Baruchel) who forms an unlikely relationship with a glamourous event organiser (Alice Eve).

Mixed reviews and box office in the US might mean limited box office prospects for this comedy, which is being released in a period where the big studios are doing their best to avoid the World Cup. [Vue West End, Nationwide / 15]

4.3.2.1 (The Works): Writer, director and actor Noel Clarke tries to broaden his appeal from the Kidulthood films with this heist tale set in the US and UK.

Starring Clarke, Emma Roberts, Tamsin Egerton, Mandy Patinkin and Kevin Smith (as himself), it could tap into the audiences that made Kidulthood and Adulthood successes here in the UK. [Odeon West End & Nationwide / 15]

Death At A Funeral (Sony Pictures): The US remake of the 2007 British comedy about a day in the life of an American family as they gather for a funeral.

Directed by Neil LaBute and featuring an ensemble cast including Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, Zoe Saldana, James Marsden, Danny Glover and Luke Wilson. The mixed reviews and the fact that this is being release in the pre-World Cup dead zone suggests that problems may be afoot. [Nationwide / 15]

ALSO OUT

The Killer Inside Me (Icon): Adapated from Jim Thompson’s 1952 novel about a deputy sheriff (Casey Affleck) in Texas, who is secretly a depraved sociopath, which has severe consequences for the people in his private life.

Directed by Michael Winterbottom and co-starring Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson, the film arrives on a wave of controversy due to the graphic violence towards women that has upset audiences at Sundance, Berlin and various critics. Icon will be glad it has got so much publicity here in the UK, although the tough material may put off art-house audiences. [Cineworld Haymarket, Curzon Soho, Odeon Covent Gdn. & Nationwide / 18]

The Brothers Bloom (Optimum Releasing): Despite screening at festivals in 2008, this quirky comedy caper is about two con-artist brothers (Mark Ruffalo and Adrien Brody) who try to rob a rich heiress (Rachel Weisz). Directed by Rian Johnson (who made Brich in 2005), it is a disappointing film given the talent involved and its box office prospects seem reduced from the poor buzz and reviews. [Curzon Soho & Nationwide / 12A]

Bear (Metrodome Distribution): A thriller about a grizzly bear spoiling a holiday trip into the woods. Directed by John Rebel, it stars Katie Lowes and Patrick Scott Lewis.

Girl On The Train (Soda Pictures): A French drama about a young woman who claims she was the target of an anti-Semetic attack, causing a media sensation. Directed by Andre Techine, it stars Emilie Dequenne. [Key Cities]

Kicks (New Wave Films): A British film about an introverted Liverpudlian teenager (Kerrie Hayes) and an aspirant WAG (Nichola Burley) who bond over a footballer they love. [Odeon Covent Garden & Key Cities / 15]

Shrink (Lionsgate UK): A US indie drama about a shrink (Kevin Spacey) who treats members of the entertainment industry in Hollywood. Directed by Jonas Pate, from a script by Thomas Moffett. [Apollo Piccadilly Circus / 15]

Videocracy (Dogwoof): Documentary about the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his effect on his country’s media and democracy. [Odeon Panton Street & Key Cities]

> DVD and Blu-ray Picks for Monday 31st May including The Book of Eli and The Damned United
> UK cinema releases for June 2010
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags 4.3.2.1, death at a funeral, she's out of my league, the killer inside me, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: June 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 01/06/2010

WEDNESDAY 2nd JUNE 2010

4.3.2.1 (15) The Works / Odeon West End & Nationwide
Death At A Funeral (15) / Sony Pictures / Nationwide

FRIDAY 4th JUNE 2010

Bear (15) / Metrodome Distribution
The Brothers Bloom (12A) / Optimum Releasing / Curzon Soho & Nationwide
Girl On The Train (TBC) / Soda Pictures / Key Cities
Kicks (15) / New Wave Films / Odeon Covent Garden & Key Cities
The Killer Inside Me (18) / Icon / Cineworld Haymarket, Curzon Soho, Odeon Covent Gdn. & Nationwide
She’s Out Of My League (15) / Paramount / Vue West End, Nationwide
Shrink (15) / Lionsgate UK / Apollo Piccadilly Circus
Videocracy / Dogwoof / Odeon Panton Street & Key Cities

MONDAY 7th JUNE 2010

Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage (Arts Alliance) / Nationwide (One Night Only)

WEDNESDAY 9th JUNE 2010

Brooklyn’s Finest (18) / Momentum Pictures / Nationwide
Letters To Juliet (PG) / E1 Entertainment / Cineworld Shaftesbury Ave., Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide

FRIDAY 11th JUNE 2010

Black Death (15) / Revolver Entertainment / Key Cities
Bronco Bullfrog (15) (R/I) / bfi Distribution / BFI Southbank & Key Cities
Greenberg (15) / Universal / Curzon Soho & Nationwide
H2Oil / Dogwoof / Vues Finchley Rd, Fulham, Islington, Westfield & Key Cities
Shed Your Tears And Walk Away (ICO/Bungalow Town) / ICA Cinema / Selected Key Cities
Women Without Men (15) / Artificial Eye / Curzon Renoir

FRIDAY 18th JUNE 2010

Ajami (Vertigo Films) / Odeon Covent Garden & Key Cities
Hierro (12A) / Optimum Releasing / Curzon Soho & Key Cities
Journey To Mecca (PG) / SK Films / BFI Imax Waterloo
Killers (12A) / Lionsgate UK / Cineworld Shaftesbury Ave., Vue West End & N’wide
MacGruber (15) / Universal / Vue West End & Nationwide
Our Family Wedding (12A) / 20th Century Fox / Vue West End & Nationwide
Please Give (15) / Sony Pictures / Nationwide
Raavan / Reliance Big Entertainment / C’Worlds Feltham, Ilford, Wandsworth, Wood Green & Nationwide
Rashomon (12A) (R/I) / bfi Distribution / BFI Southbank & Key Cities
Trash Humpers / Warp Films/Alcove Entertainment ICA Cinema
Wild Grass / New Wave Films / Curzon Renoir & Key Cities
Wild Target / Entertainment / Nationwide

FRIDAY 25th JUNE 2010

Breathless: 50th Anniversary (R/I) / Optimum Releasing / Curzon Soho & Key Cities
The Collector (18) / Icon
Get Him To The Greek (15) / Universal / Nationwide
Good Hair (12A) / Icon / The Ritzy
Tetro (15) / Soda Pictures
Villa Amalia / Peccadillo Pictures / Cine Lumiere, Shortwave Cinema & Nationwide
Whatever Works (12A) / Warner Bros.
When In Rome (PG) / Walt Disney / Vue West End & Nationwide

Keep a look out every Friday for a breakdown of the weekly releases with more detail on each film.

If you have any questions about this month’s cinema releases or any upcoming titles then just email me or leave a comment below.

> Get local showtimes via Google Movies (just enter your local postcode)
> Find out about films showing near you via Find Any Film

Tags uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 21st May 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 21/05/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

Prince Of Persia (Walt Disney): The latest big budget extravaganza from Jerry Bruckheimer is an adaptation of the 2003 computer game and the story follows an urchin (Jake Gyllenhaal) in the 6th century Persian Empire who is adopted by the king as his heir. He then teams up with a Princess (Gemma Arterton) to stop a villainous nobleman (Ben Kingsley) from stealing a dagger which allows the user to alter time.

Disney don’t actually make that many live action films anymore but Jerry Bruckheimer made billions for the studio with the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise so they have entrusted him and director Mike Newell to bring this action-adventure to the screen. Like a lot of big summer films it has opened in Europe early to avoid the World Cup and despite poor reviews will hope to appeal to less-than-discerning family audiences. [Odeon Leicester Square & Nationwide 12A]

Streetdance (Vertigo Films): A British film hoping to cash in on the trend for 3D films is about street dancers and ballet dance students who are forced to perform together in preparation of a street dance championship.

Shot in 3D, the cast includes the dance acts Diversity and Flawless (who came to fame on the TV show Britain’s Got Talent) and the soundtrack features N-Dubz, Tinie Tempah, Lightbulb Thieves, Chipmunk, and Cheryl Cole. A co-production by Vertigo Films, BBC Films and the UK Film Council, it is getting an unusually wide release for a British film and the backers will hope the 3D factor will boost audiences and profits. British film companies will no doubt be keeping an eye on this as a test of how live action 3D films can fare at UK cinemas. [C’World Shaftesbury Ave., Odeon Tottenham Ct. Rd., Vue West End & N’wide / PG]

Cop Out (Warner Bros.): Kevin Smith’s latest comedy is about two mismatched New York cops (Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan) on the trail of a stolen baseball card, who find themselves up against a merciless, memorabilia-obsessed gangster.

A critical and commercial disappointment in the US, this was not a film that Smith wrote and working at a major studio seemed like an uncomfortable experience. The ongoing grumbles on Twitter about the critical reaction was perhaps a sign that this film would not rank among his best. [Nationwide / 15]

ALSO OUT

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (Lionsgate UK): When the remake of Abel Ferrara’s gritty 1994 cop drama was announced with Werner Herzog directing Nicolas Cage in the title role, it sounded like madness. Reset to New Orleans, it is indeed a mad concoction, but also an inspired black comedy with a memorable performance from Cage.

Set in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, it follows the increasingly bizarre life of a corrupt, drug addled cop who steals from clubbers, cuts deals with gangsters and has visions of iguanas. Herzog throws in a lot of his usual obsessions (especially animals) and sails very close to utter nonsense, but this is actually surreal, inspired lunacy that will become a late night cult favourite for years to come. [Curzon Soho, Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide / 18]

Heartless (Lionsgate UK): A drama about a young man (Jim Sturgess) born with a large heart-shaped birthmark on his face, who discovers that there are demons on the streets of East London. Directed by Philip Ridley, it co-stars Timothy Spall and Noel Clarke [Apollo Piccadilly Circus, Genesis & Key Cities / 18]

Paradise (ICA Cinema): Director Michael Almereyda makes a ‘home movie’ that he describes as “a description of the world we inherit, fumble around in, and grow into.” [ICA Cinema]

Kites (Reliance Big Entertainment): A Bollywood film directed by Anurag Basu starring Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori. [C’Worlds Feltham, Haymarket, Shaftesbury Ave., Ilford, Wandsworth, Wood Green & N’wide]

Pimp (Revolver): A british film starring Danny Dyer. Haven’t we had enough of these? [Key Cities / 18]

> DVD and Blu-ray Picks for Monday 17th May including Minority Report and The Road
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, prince of persia, street dance 3d, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 14th May 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 14/05/2010

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Robin Hood (Universal): The second big release of the summer season sees Ridley Scott reunite with Russell Crowe for a revised take on the Robin Hood story. Set in the 12th century, Robin Hood sees an archer named Robin Longstride (Crowe) returning to England from the Crusades with a small band of followers, after King Richard the Lionheart (Danny Huston) has been killed in battle. After a chance encounter with a fallen knight named Sir Robin Locksley, Robin returns to Nottingham and discovers the oppression of the villagers by the Sheriff of Nottingham (Matthew Macfadyen) and the danger posed to the newly crowned King John (Oscar Isaac) from a suspiciously bi-lingual nobleman (Mark Strong).

Different from previous feature films about Robin Hood (The Adventures of Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves) this version has a wider historical scope that is more embedded in the intrigue of the time and has a lavish attention to period detail, even if historians will have a field day picking out inconsistencies and inaccuracies. As you might expect from a Scott production, the technical contributions are generally excellent: but there isn’t much redistribution of wealth going on here as the film is basically an extended origin story. Universal have spent a lot of money making this film and despite a big launch at Cannes this week, the mixed reviews and old fashioned feel of the film may result in relatively disappointing box office. [Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide/ 12A]

* Read my full thoughts on Robin Hood here *

ALSO OUT

American: The Bill Hicks Story (Verve Pictures): A documentary about the US comedian Bill Hicks, who broke through in the early 1990s before dying at the age of 32 in 1994. A brilliantly perceptive and angry voice against the darker side of American culture, he went on to achieve an enduring posthumous status. Directors Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas using a lot of unseen footage of Hicks in performance and an innovative animated approach that weaves in audio and filmed interviews with his family, friends and colleagues. [Curzon Soho, Greenwich P’House, Odeon Covent Gdn., Ritzy & Key Cities / 15]

Lebanon (Metrodome Distribution): Another Israeli film to deal with the haunting legacy of the first Lebanon War is this claustrophobic drama set inside a tank. Directed by Samuel Maoz, it achieved acclaim on the festival circuit last year, winning the Golden Lion at Venice, and is effective at depicting the tension and paranoia of warfare. That said, the central concept wears off around the hour mark and it lacks the power and style of others films to deal with this material such as Beaufort and Waltz with Bashir. [Coronet, Curzon Soho, Everyman, Ritzy & Key Cities / 15]

Vincere (Artificial Eye): An Italian drama based on the life of Ida Delser, the one time mistress of Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini. [Chelsea Cinema, Curzons Mayfair, Wimbledon, Renoir & Key Cities / 15]

Eyes Wide Open (Peccadillo Pictures): An Israeli drama about a married, Orthodox Jewish father of four (Zohar Strauss) who falls in love with a twenty two year old male student (Ran Danker). Directed by Haim Tabakman. [Apollo Piccadilly Circus, Odeon Panton Street & Key Cities]

Pandora And The Flying Dutchman (Park Circus): A reissue for this 1951 British film starring Ava Gardner and James Mason as an unlikely couple who come together in unusual circumstances. [BFI Southbank & Key Cities / PG]

Petropolis (Dogwoof): A timely release for this short (43 minutes) documentary about the oil business, directed by Peter Mettler. [ICA Cinema]

Triomf (Contemporary Films): A drama about a dysfunctional family in South Africa set on the eve of the historic 1994 elections. Directed by Michael Raeburn and starring Pam Andrews, Obed Baloi and Vanessa Cooke. [Curzon Wimbledon & Ritzy Picturehouse]

> DVD and Blu-ray Picks for Monday 10th May including Doctor Zhivago, Where the Wild Things Are and A Scanner Darkly
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags american: the bill hicks story, robin hood, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 30th April 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 30/04/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

Iron Man 2 (Paramount): The hotly anticipated sequel to the 2008 blockbuster is all set to rule the UK box office this weekend as it kicks off the summer season. Interestingly it opens here a week before the US, which suggests Paramount are keen to build buzz in international markets before it opens in the States. The story sees billionaire inventor Tony Stark aka Iron Man (Robert Downey Jnr) reaping the acclaim as an all-American hero who has “successfully privatised world peace” due to his fantastical suit. Problems begin when the US military and a rival defence contractor (Sam Rockwell) want access to his technology; a mysterious Russian inventor (Mickey Rourke) is hell bent on revenge; and Stark faces a major health from wearing the Iron Man suit.

The elements that made the first film such a success (Downey Jnr’s lead performance, the chemistry between characters) are stretched to unfortunate lengths as too many supporting characters from the wider Marvel universe are introduced (including Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L Jackson). It is still entertaining – and is a guaranteed hit – but Marvel and director Jon Favreau may regret the S.H.I.E.L.D plot elements in anticipation of the upcoming Avengers movie. [Odeon Leicester Square & Nationwide / 12A]

The Last Song (Walt Disney): A drama centered on a rebellious girl (Miley Cyrus) who is sent to a Southern beach town for the summer to stay with her father (Greg Kinnear), where they start to reconnect with one another through their mutual love of music.

Developed alongside the Nicholas Sparks novel by the same name, this looks like another attempt by Disney to make Miley Cyrus into a leading lady. The US reviews suggest this might be a trickier task than expected. [Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide / PG]

Gentlemen Broncos (20th Century Fox): A comedy about an aspiring fantasy writer (Michael Angarano) who has an idea stolen by an acclaimed novelist (Jemaine Clement) is under pressure to come up with a hit book.

Directed by Jared Hess (who made the breakthrough indie hit Napoleon Dynamite) this is something of a curiosity. Its release was delayed and when it did open in the US a few months ago was utterly savaged by critics, which makes its commercial prospects here fairly limited. [Ritzy & selected Key Cities / 12A]

A Disappearance Of Alice Creed (CinemaNX Distribution): A low budget British film about the kidnapping of a young woman (Gemma Arterton) by two ex-convicts (Martin Compston and Eddie Marsan).

Written and directed by J Blakeson it was shot in the Isle of Man (a popular location for production because of its generous tax breaks) and it screened at the London Toronto Film Festivals last year. Given the better than average names for a film of this size and a decent marketing effort, this could attract a reasonable audience who don’t fancy seeing Iron Man 2. [Vue West End & Nationwide / 15]

ALSO OUT

Erasing David (Picturehouse Cinemas): A documentary from director David Bond that explores the amount of personal information being gathered by various organisations in modern society. [Gate Notting Hill, Picturehouse Stratford, Ritzy & Nationwide]

24 City (New Wave Films): A hybrid drama-documentary from director Jia Zhang-ke about the changes in modern Chinese society as it undergoes its current economic miracle. [ICA Cinema & Key Cities / U]

A Boy Called Dad (Kaleidoscope Entertainment): A British film directed by Brian Percival about an absent father (Ian Hart) who returns to his family just as his 14-year-old sone has himself become a father. [Apollo Piccadilly Circus, Vue Shepherds Bush & Key Cities / 15]

Cleo From 5 To 7 (bfi Distribution): A BFI reissue for Agnès Varda’s 1961 film about a singer (Corinne Marchand) who befriends a young soldier (Antoine Bourseiller) about to ship out to Algeria. [BFI Southbank & Key Cities]

Housefull (Eros): A Bollywood film directed by Sajid Khan about ‘the world’s unluckiest man’ starring Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone [C’Worlds Ilford, Shaftesbury Ave., Odeon Greenwich, Vue Acton & N’wide]

The Milk Of Sorrow (Dogwoof): The winner of the Golden Bear in Berlin last year, deals the fears of abused women during Peru’s recent history. [Odeon Panton Street & selected Key Cities / 12A]

Revanche (Artificial Eye): An Austrian film about a man (Johannes Krisch) deadened by thoughts of revenge in the wake of a crime that was to grant him and his girlfriend a new life. Written and directed by Götz Spielmann. [Curzon Renoir & selected Key Cities / 15]

Valhalla Rising (Vertigo Films): Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, this historical drama is set in 1000 AD and follows a Norse warrior named One-Eye (Mads Mikkelsen) and a boy named Are as they travel with a band of Vikings in pursuit of a Crusade. [Apollo Piccadilly Circus, Ritzy & Key Cites / 15]

> DVD and Blu-ray Picks for Monday 26th April including Avatar and Mad Men Season 3
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags iron man 2, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 23rd April 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 23/04/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

Date Night (20th Century Fox): Mainstream comedy about a married couple (Steve Carell and Tina Fey) who attempt to spice up their relationship with an evening at a restaurant only to find themselves mistaken for someone else.

Mark Wahlberg and James Franco co-stars and it is directed by Shaun Levy who made Night at the Museum and Cheaper By the Dozen. Fox can expect decent business (the basic concept has an in built appeal to males and females) but the whole thing smells as a bit beneath the level Fey and Carell normally operate. [Vue West End & Nationwide / 15]

It’s A Wonderful Afterlife (Icon): A British comedy the centres on an Indian mother who takes her obsession with marriage into the world of serial murder.

Starring Sanjeev Bhaskar, Steve Morphew and Sally Hawkins, it was directed by Gurinder Chadha and Icon will be hoping to replicate the success of Bend It Like Beckham. [Vue West End & Nationwide / 12A]

Centurion (Warner Bros/Pathe): A period action drama about the ill-fated Ninth Legion of Roman soldiers marching north to Scotland to wipe out the Picts and their leader.

Starring Dominic West, Michael Fassbender and Olga Kurylenko it is directed by Neil Marshall (Doomsday, The Descent) and might attract viewers looking for a cross between Gladiator and Dog Soldiers. [Nationwide / 15]

Extract (Paramount): A US comedy from director Mike Judge about the owner of an Extract plant (Jason Bateman) who tries to contend with myriad personal and professional problems, such as his potentially unfaithful wife (Kristen Wiig) and employees who want to take advantage of him.

Although this has been sitting on the shelf for a long time, it could find an appreciative cult audience like Judge’s last film Idiocracy. [Nationwide / 15]

Agora (Paramount): Historical drama about Hypatia (Rachel Weisz), a female philosopher in Roman Egypt, who falls in love with her slave (Max Minghella).

Directed by Alejandro Amenábar, it explores how the astronomer-philosopher came into conflict with the Christian leaders of Alexandria. Although it premiered at Cannes last year to decent reviews, the fact that it has taken so long to reach UK screens suggests decent box office could be limited. [Nationwide / 12A]

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ALSO OUT

Cherrybomb (Blue Dolphin): Drama starring Rupert Grint in which three teenagers go on a wild weekend of drink, drugs, shop-lifting and stealing cars. [Empire Leicester Square & Key Cities / 15]

The Calling (Guerilla Films): British drama set in a convent starring Brenda Blethyn, Rita Tushingham, Susannah York, and Amanda Donohoe. [Gate Notting Hill, Picturehouse Greenwich & Key Cities / 12A]

Dance With Me (Orev): British drama about a middle-class couple (Adam Napier and Johanne Murdock) having a spot of bother. [Apollo Piccadilly Circus & Key Cities / 15]

Dogtooth (Verve Pictures): An acclaimed drama directed by Yorgos Lanthimos about a highly unusual family whose children are shielded from the outside world. It won the Prix Un Certain Regard at last year’s Cannes Film Festival. [Gate, Odeon Covent Garden, Renoir, Ritzy & Key Cities / 18]

The Joneses (E1 Entertainment): A comedy starring David Duchovny and Demi as part of a fictitious family who pretend to be real as part of a marketing experiment. [Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide / 15]

La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet (Soda Pictures): A behind-the-scenes documentary about an opera directed by Frederick Wiseman. [Curzons Mayfair, Richmond, Wimbledon, P’House Greenwich & Key Cities / 15]

Life During Wartime (Artificial Eye): The latest film from director Todd Solondz which is an unofficial sequel sequel to his classic 1998 film Happiness, using different actors to play the same characters. [Curzon Soho, The Gate, Renoir, Ritzy & Key Cities / 15]

The Sky Crawlers (Manga Entertainment): A Japanese anime film directed by Mamoru Oshii adaptated from Hiroshi Mori‘s novel of the same name. [ICA Cinema / 15]

Vote Afghanistan! (Channel 4 International): A documentary that follows three of Afghnistan’s presidential candidates in the run-up to last year’s disastrous elections. [ICA Cinema]

> DVD and Blu-ray Picks for Monday 19th April including The Last Emperor and Inland Empire
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags agora, centurion, date night, extract, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 16th April 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 16/04/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

Dear John (Paramount/Momentum): A romantic drama about a US soldier (Channing Tatum) who falls for a conservative college student (Amanda Seyfried) while he’s home on leave. Directed by Lasse Hallstrom (yes, the man who once made My Life as a Dog) this is aimed squarely at female audiences who lapped up The Notebook on DVD, and as such it could do reasonable business. Random fact: this was the film that ended Avatar’s long run at the top of the US box office. [Odeon Leicester Square & Nationwide / 12A]

Cemetery Junction (Sony Pictures): The latest project from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant is a coming of age tale set in Reading during the 1970s that involves three men working at an insurance company: Freddie (Christian Cooke); Bruce (Tom Hughes) and Snork (Jack Doolan). Loosely based on Gervais’ own background, he’ll be hoping that the more introspective tone won’t put off audiences expecting to see the David Brent dance for the 76th time. [Nationwide / 15]

The Ghost (Optimum Releasing): Based on the novel by Robert Harris about a a journalist (Ewan McGregor) who is hired to write the memoirs of a former UK Prime Minister (Pierce Brosnan), who may or may not have sinister motives. Directed by Roman Polanski, who has had an eventful year to say the least, it premièred to generally warm reviews and will undoubtedly intrigue upscale audiences, especially as the PM character is unofficially based on Tony Blair. [Odeon Leicester Square, Tricycle Kilburn & Nationwide / 15]

Repo Men (Universal): A sci-fi thriller set in the near future when artificial organs can be bought on credit, the story centres on a repo man (Jude Law) who struggles to meet the payments on his heart and has to go on the run. Directed by Miguel Sapochnik, this got scathing reviews in the US and makes you wonder what happened to Jude Law’s career. [Vue West End & Nationwide / 18]

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ALSO OUT

Boogie Woogie (Vertigo Films): A comedy of manners set against the backdrop of contemporary London and the international art scene, starring Amanda Seyfried, Gillian Anderson, Stellan Skarsgård, Christopher Lee and Joanna Lumley. [Apollo Piccadilly Circus, Coronet Notting Hill & Key Cities / 15]

City Of Life And Death (High Fliers Films): A Chinese film which dramatises the Nanking Massacre of 1937. Directed by Lu Chuan and starring Liu Ye and Gao Yuanyuan. [Curzon Mayfair, Gate & City Screen / 15]

Crying With Laughter (Britfilms Distn.): First-time feature from director Justin Molotnikov set in Edinburgh about a comedian (Stephen McCole) and a fan (Malcolm Shields) who wants him to attend a ‘reunion’. [Apollo Piccadilly & Key Cities / 15]

The Heavy (Parkland Pictures): A gangster thriller about a hard man (Gary Stretch) recently released from prison who is upset with his politician brother (Adrian Paul). [Key Cities / 18]

Give Me Your Hand (Peccadillo Pictures): A road movie from French director Pascal-Alex Vincent, about teenage twins hitch-hiking across France to attend the funeral of their mother. [Cine Lumiere, Shortwave Cinema & Key Cities]

The Manchurian Candidate (Park Circus): A re-release for the classic 1962 conspiracy thriller starring Frank Sinatra and Laurence Harvey. [BFI Southbank & Key Cities / 12A]

The Market (The Works International): A low budget British film about a Turkish salesman from director Ben Hopkins. [BFI Southbank & Rich Mix / 12A]

Beeswax (ICA Cinema): Another blast of Mumblecore (hopefully the last) which sees two sisters in their mid-30s go in and out of jobs in Austin, Texas. [ICA Cinema]

Bananas!* (Dogwoof): A documentary from Swedish director Fredrik Gertten about a raft of class-action lawsuits taken out against the Dole Food Company, which has used controversial chemicals on their banana plantations in Nicaragua. [ICA Cinema & Key Cities]

Paathshaala (Eros): Bollywood film set in an Indian school starring Shahid Kapoor, Ayesha Takia, Ali Haji and Nana Patekar and directed by Milind Ukey.

> DVD and Blu-ray Picks for Monday 12th April including The Bicycle Thieves, Henri-George Clouzot’s Inferno and Wonders of the Solar System
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags cemetery junction, dear john, repo men, the ghost, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 9th April 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 09/04/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

Shelter (Icon): A psychological thriller about a doctor (Julianne Moore) specialising in multiple personality disorders who comes across a particularly troubling and potentially dangerous patient (Jonathan Rhys Meyers).

Directed by Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein, this arrives in the UK with zero buzz and – despite the presence of a genuinely great actress in Moore – seems likely to die quietly at the cinema before an afterlife on DVD and TV. [Nationwide / 15]

Whip It (Lionsgate UK): The directorial debut of Drew Barrymore stars stars Ellen Page as a teenager who throws in her small town beauty pageant crown for the world of roller derby.

Marcia Gay Harden plays Bliss’ disapproving mother, while Barrymore, Kristen Wiig and Juliette Lewis play roller-derby stars. The main challenge for this film is the US-centric subject matter but it could appeal to a female-skewing audience looking for something different. [Nationwide / 12A]

ALSO OUT

The Infidel (Revolver Entertainment): A comedy about a Muslim (Omid Djalili) who discovers he is actually Jewish, written by David Baddiel and directed by Josh Appignanesi. [Key Cities / 15]

I Am Love (Metrodome Distribution): Tilda Swinton stars in this Italian family drama directed by Luca Guadagnino, a Russian-born woman who has married into a wealthy Milan family. [Chelsea Cinema, Curzons Mayfair & Soho, Richmond / 15]

I Know You Know (Network Releasing): A drama about a young boy who suspects his dad (Robert Carlyle) might be working undercover for MI6 [Apollo Piccadilly Circus & Key Cities / 15]

No Greater Love (Soda Pictures) A documentary about a Carmelite convent in London, directed by Michael Whyte. [Gate Notting Hill & Key Cities]

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> DVD and Blu-ray Picks for Monday 5th April including Day of the Dead, Delicatessen, Funny Games US and George Carlin
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags shelter, uk cinema releases, whip it

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 2nd April 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 02/04/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

Clash Of The Titans (Warner Bros.): A big budget remake of the 1981 film, loosely based on the Greek myth of Perseus (Sam Worthington), who ventures on a dangerous mission to defeat the evil god Hades (Ralph Fiennes), before he can seize power from the all powerful Zeus (Liam Neeson) enslave earth. Directed by Louis Leterrier, it features lots of battles against creatures and demons and has been converted to 3D quite recently although it was shot on regular 2D cameras. Warner Bros will expect bad reviews but given the massive marketing push can expect a decent opening weekend before bad word of mouth spreads. [Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide / 12A]

How To Train Your Dragon (Paramount): The latest film from DreamWorks Animation is based on the 2003 book and is the mythical story of a young Viking named Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) who learns how to fight the dragons that plague his village by befriending and taming a smaller one. Featuring the voices of Gerard Butler, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Craig Ferguson, and David Tennant. Directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, the writing and visuals are very solid, whilst the 3D (especially in the flying sequences) achieves a pleasing sense of exhilaration. Decent reviews plus the Easter holiday weekend will mean a high family turnout and it will be a major surprise if this doesn’t take the number one spot. [Vue West End & Nationwide / PG]

Kick-Ass (Universal): Perhaps the most interesting release of the week is this post-modern superhero film based on the comic book by Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr. It tells the story of teenager (Aaron Johnson) who decides to become a super-hero named Kick-Ass after purchasing a costume (even though he has no powers or training) and soon finds himself involved with a local gangster (Mark Strong); his son (Christopher Mintz-Plasse); and a highly trained father and daughter vigilante duo (Nicolas Cage and Chloe Moretz). Directed by Matthew Vaughn, produced by Brad Pitt, and written by Vaughn and Jane Goldman, the film was independently financed – at a budget of $28 million dollars – and gleefully subverts the superhero genre whilst also paying homage to it. Internet fanboys will lap this up but whether it can break through to a mainstream audience is a big question. The violence (although comic in tone) and fruity language will likely alienate older audiences, but if it can hold its own in a very competitive weekend then it could turn out to be very profitable indeed. [Vue West End & Nationwide / 15] (Previews 26-28 March)

ALSO OUT

The Railway Children: 40th Anniversary (Optimum): A re-release for this charming 1970 adaptation of E Nesbit’s enduring tale of three children (Jenny Agutter, Gary Warren and Sally Thomsett) ho move to a Yorkshire village and become entranced by the local railway line and make friends with the locals (such as Bernard Cribbins and William Mervyn). Written and directed by Lionel Jeffries, it is being presented on a newly restored digital print. [Key Cities / U]

* Listen to my interview with Jenny Agutter about The Railway Children *

Psycho (Universal): A re-release for the classic thriller from Alfred Hitchcock about a woman (Janet Leigh) who ends up at an isolated motel run by the enigmatic Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) [BFI Southbank & Key Cities / 15]

City Of War: The Story Of John Rabe (Metrodome Distribution): A drama starring Steve Buscemi in the real-life tale of a German businessman who saved more than 200,000 Chinese during the Nanjing massacre in 1937-38. [Empire Leicester Square / 15]

Double Take (Soda Pictures): A film by director Johan Grimonprez that uses footage of Alfred Hitchcock from 1962 and 1980 to paint a surreal picture of his life. [BFI Southbank, Curzons Mayfair, Wimbledon & Key Cities]

Kakera – A Piece Of Our Life (Third Window Films): A Japanese drama from director Momoko Andô about a college student, her boyfriend and medical artist who makes prosthetic body parts. [ICA Cinema]

Remember Me (E1 Entertainment): A romantic drama about two lovers (Robert Pattinson and Emilie de Ravin) in New York on the eve of the 9/11 attacks. [Odeon West End & Nationwide / 12A]

Samson & Delilah (Trinity Filmed Entertainment): Australian film about a couple living in a remote community in the Central Australian desert. [Apollo Piccadilly Circus, Barbican, Empire Leic Sq., Renoir, Tricycle & Key Cities / 12A]

> DVD and Blu-ray Picks for Monday 29th March including 2012, Stargate, The Informant! and Homicide
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags clash of the titans, how to train your dragon, kick-ass, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 26th March 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 26/03/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

The Blind Side (Warner Bros.): Sandra Bullock won her first Oscar for her role in this true life drama based on Michael Lewis’ best-seller The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game. Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) is a troubled teenager living on the streets when he is taken in by a conservative suburban family, led by the feisty Leigh Anne Tuohy (Bullock), who help him mature into a talented NFL player.

Directed by John Lee Hancock (The Rookie) it is an uplifting tale with Bullock on solid form, although it at times it struggles to avoid sports-movie clichés and overachieved in getting nominated for Best Picture. Warner Bros will be expecting a decent bounce from the Oscar win but US sports films usually struggle to do serious business in Europe. [Odeon West End & Nationwide / 12A]

Nanny Mcphee & The Big Bang (Universal): The sequel to the 2005 fantasy film sees Emma Thompson reprise the title role as the nanny tames an unruly household and seems to change as the children start behaving themselves.

In this film a mother (Maggie Gyllenhaal) has to deal with her tempestuous offspring, an up-to-no-good brother-in-law (Rhys Ifans) and an absent husband (Ewan McGregor), who’s away fighting in World War II. Like the first film, it has a certain goofy charm but lacks a real spark of magic even though Universal will be expecting solid business from mostly family audiences. [Odeon West End & Nationwide / U]

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ALSO OUT

Perrier’s Bounty (Optimum Releasing): An Irish crime thriller about a loser (Cillian Murphy) who owes a €1,000 to a loan shark (Brendan Gleeson). A decent supporting cast includes Jim Broadbent and Jodie Whittaker, although this looks like it is going to struggle to make an impact at the multiplexes. [Cineworld Haymarket, Vue Fulham & Nationwide / 15]

Lourdes (Artificial Eye): A drama about a wheelchair-bound woman (Sylvie Testud) who travels to the Catholic shrine of Lourdes, directed by Jessica Hausner. [Chelsea Cinema, Curzons Richmond & Soho, Renoir & Key Cities / U]

In The Land Of The Free (Mob Film Co/Roddick Foundation): A documentary about the imprisonment of Herman Wallace, Albert Woodfox and Robert King, three black men from rural Louisiana who were held in solitary confinement in the biggest prison in the U.S., an 18,000-acre former slave plantation known as Angola. [Apollo Piccadilly Circus, Ritzy & Key Cities / 15]

Lion’s Den (Axiom Films): An Argentinian drama, directed by Pablo Trapero, about a pregnant student (Martina Gusman) sent to a special prison to await trial for a suspected murder. [Curzon Soho, Odeon Panton St. & Key Cities]

Nightwatching (Axiom Films): Martin Freeman stars as Rembrandt in Peter Greenaway’s exploration of the painter’s great work, The Night Watch. [ICA Cinema & Key Cities]

No One Knows About Persian Cats (Network Releasing): A docu-drama about a group of twentysomething Iranian rock musicians trying to get permission to play a gig in London. [Cine Lumiere, Curzon Soho, Gate, Ritzy & Key Cities / 12A]

Shank (Revolver Entertainment): Another British crime drama about unruly teenagers. [Nationwide / 15]

Storm (Soda Pictures): A drama about a war crimes trial at The Hague focusing on a prosecutor (Kerry Fox) and the Serbian commander who may be responsible for murder in the former Yugoslavia. [Key Cities / 15]

> DVD and Blu-ray Picks for Monday 22nd March including Dumbo, Twin Peaks and Fish Tank
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags nanny mcphee and the big bang, perrier's bounty, the blind side, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 19th March 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 19/03/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

The Bounty Hunter (Sony Pictures): A romantic comedy about a struggling bounty hunter (Gerard Butler) who find out that his bail-jumping ex-wife (Jennifer Aniston) is his next target.

Directed by Andy Tennant (Hitch), this looks like it is going to get slaughtered by critics and yet still making a decent chunk of money at the box office from undemanding audiences. [Nationwide / 12A]

Old Dogs (Walt Disney): The sequel to the godawful Wild Hogs is about two friends and business partners (John Travolta and Robin Williams) who find their lives turned upside down when strange circumstances lead to them being placed in the care of 7-year-old twins.

It hasn’t been as successful as the first film in the US and has also received “extremely negative reviews” according to Wikipedia. Which means it’s probably crap. [Nationwide / PG]

I Love You Philip Morris (E1 Entertainment): A comedy-drama film based on the life events of con artist and multiple prison escapee Steven Jay Russell (Jim Carrey) who falls in love with his cell mate Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor) whilst in prison.

After Morris is released from prison, Russell escapes from prison four times in order to be reunited with Morris. After difficulty finding a US distributor, probably due to its homosexual content, the film was re-edited and has taken a while to reach UK cinemas after playing at Sundance in January 2009. [Vue West End & Nationwide / 15]

My Last Five Girlfriends (Paramount): A British romantic comedy (alarm bells are already ringing) based on Alain De Botton’s book, Essays In Love, which sees a guy (Brendan Patricks) quiz his last five girlfriends to find out what went wrong in order to figure out how to find love. [Nationwide / 12A]

The Spy Next Door (Paramount/Momentum): A family friendly action caper about a mild-mannered babysitter (Jackie Chan) who has to fend off secret agents after one of the kids he’s looking after inadvertently downloads a secret code. [Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide / PG]

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ALSO OUT

Staten Island (Warner Bros.): A crime drama written and directed by James DeMonaco about a Staten Island mob boss Parmie (Vincent D’Onofrio) who is robbed by a septic tank cleaner (Ethan Hawke).

The Scouting Book for Boys (Pathe): A boy (Thomas Turgoose) and a girl (Holly Grainge) growing up on a Norfolk caravan park come up with a plan to stay together when her mother loses custody of her. [Curzon Soho & selected Key Cities / 15]

Dirty Oil (Dogwoof): A documentary from director Leslie Iwerks that explores how the bulk of America’s oil supply comes from Canada – specifically northern Alberta – and the effects it has on the local environment. [Odeon Panton Street & Nationwide / U]

Happy Ever Afters (Verve Pictures): Another British romantic comedy (that’s two in one week) about two weddings that have their receptions in the same hotel on the same day. Sally Hawkins stars alongside Tom Riley. [15]

> DVD and Blu-ray Picks for Monday 15th March including A Serious Man, Johnny Mad Dog and The White Ribbon
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags i love you philip morris, old dogs, the bounty hunter, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 12th March 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 12/03/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

Green Zone (Universal): The latest thriller from director Paul Greengrass is set in post-invasion Iraq during 2003 and follows a US officer (Matt Damon) assigned to hunt down the Weapons of Mass Destruction the Bush administration believed Saddam Hussein had hidden. As the weapons fail to turn up he begins to suspect something is wrong and doubt the premise upon which the war was fought.

In his search he comes across the newly arrived US Administrator of Iraq (Greg Kinnear); a CIA agent (Brendan Gleeson); a Wall Street Journal reporter (Amy Ryan); a local Iraqi (Khalid Abdalla); and a special forces Major (Jason Isaacs). Although a pulsating and technically brilliant thriller, the political subtext of the film is somewhat undermined by changing of names and details for legal reasons. [Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide / 15] (Previews from March 10th)

* Read my full thoughts on Green Zone here *

Shutter Island (Paramount): Director Martin Scorcese follows The Departed (2006) with an adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s 2003 novel about a US Marshall (Leonardo DiCaprio) sent to investigate strange goings on at a secure psychiatric hospital off the coast of Massachusetts. Haunted by his past, he finds it difficult to trust the chief psychiatrist (Ben Kingsley) and slowly begins to suspect that something is afoot.

Although the performances are all solid and the technical aspects first rate, the underlying premise of the story feels an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Appropriately it references Hitchcock a lot (especially Vertigo), but never reaches the heights of Scorcese’s finest work, even if that is far better than most living directors. [Vue West End & Nationwide / 15]

Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (Entertainment): A US remake of the Japanese film Hachikō Monogatari directed by Lasse Hallström (who also made My Life As A Dog) starring Richard Gere as a college professor who has a special bond with an abandoned dog he takes into his home.

It went straight to DVD in the US but UK distributor Entertainment will be hoping that dog lovers and those looking for lighter fare this week will check it out. [Nationwide / U]

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ALSO OUT

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Momentum Pictures): Based on the first of a series of best-selling Swedish novels by the late Stieg Larsson, this sees a journalist (Michael Nyqvist) and a teenage hacker (Noomi Rapace) team up to solve a suspected murder, which could be part of a wider conspiracy.

The books have become a sensation around the globe, selling over 21 million copies worldwide. The fact that the film is in Swedish, will inevitably mean reduced earnings but could still do decent arthouse and crossover business for Momentum. The inevitable Hollywood remake is already in the works and that probably will make more of an impact at the global box office. [Curzon Mayfair, Vue West End & Nationwide / 18]

The Kreutzer Sonata (Axiom Films): Following on from ivansxtc (2002) director Bernard Rose has done another re-imagining of a Tolstoy story exploring the darker side of Hollywood. The second of a planned trilogy, this sees a wealthy philanthropist (Danny Huston), who meets a beautiful and talented pianist (Elisabeth Röhm). [Key Cities / 18] (Scotland from March 26th)

The Ape (ICA Films): A Swedish noir film about an unsympathetic man who wakes up in a bathroom covered in blood and slowly realise what horrific circumstances brought him there. [ICA Cinema]

Under Great White Northern Lights (More2Screen): A concert film featuring The White Stripes. [Key Cities]

> DVD and Blu-ray Picks for Monday 8th March including An Education, Bright Star, Toy Story 1 & 2 and Afterschool
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags green zone, shutter island, the girl with the dragon tattoo, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 5th March 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 05/03/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

Alice In Wonderland (Walt Disney): Tim Burton’s adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s famous children’s stories conflates the two books Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.

Alice (Mia Wasikowska) ventures into a fantastical world where she meets various characters including Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), the Knave of Hearts (Crispin Glover), the White Queen (Anne Hathaway), the Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry) and the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen) and also has to slay a beast called the Jabberwock.

Although a big budget studio production, it is a major disappointment for a variety of reasons although that won’t stop British audiences from powering it to a healthy opening weekend despite mixed reviews. [Odeon Leicester Square & Nationwide / PG]

Legion (Sony Pictures): A fantasy-horror about a group of strangers stranded in a remote diner in the Southwest who unwittingly become humanity’s last line of defense a terrifying biblical apocalypse descends upon the world. [Nationwide / 15]

Chloe (Optimum Releasing): A remake of the 2003 French film Nathalie… about a doctor (Julianne Moore) who hires an escort (Amanda Seyfried) to seduce her husband (Liam Neeson) whom she suspects of cheating, which leads to unforeseen consequences. [Odeon Covent Garden, Showcases Bluewater, Newham & Nationwide / 15]

Case 39 (Paramount): A horror about a social worker (Renee Zellweger) who fights to save a girl from her abusive parents, only to discover that the situation is more dangerous than she thought. [Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide / 15]

Ondine (Paramount): The latest film from director Neil Jordan about an Irish fisherman (Colin Farrell) who discovers a woman (Alicja Bachleda) in his fishing net who he believes to be a mermaid. [Nationwide/ 12A]

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ALSO OUT

1234 (Soda Pictures): British film about a wannabe musician and his band members trying to make it big. [Key Cities]

Exit Through The Gift Shop (Revolver Entertainment): A faux documentary about guerilla street artist Banksy and his collaborators. [Clapham Picturehouse, Curzon Soho, Everyman, Gate & Key Cities / 15]

Father Of My Children (Artificial Eye): A French film about a family who’s life is turned upside down when the father, a film producer, faces a crisis. [Curzons Mayfair & Richmond, Odeon Swiss Cottage, Renoir & Key Cities / 12A]

Motherhood (Metrodome Distribution): A comedy starring Uma Thurman, Anthony Edwards and Minnie Driver, set in New York’s West Village, about the dilemmas of motherhood. [Apollo Piccadilly Circus / 15]

The Shouting Men (Kaleidoscope Entertainment): Low budget British comedy about a bunch of Gillingham football supporters as they head north towards Newcastle. [Key Cities / 15]

> DVD and Blu-ray Picks for Monday 1st March including Fantastic Mr Fox, Dawn of the Dead and Jacob’s Ladder
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags alice in wonderland, chloe, legion, ondine, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 26th February 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 26/02/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

Everybody’s Fine (Walt Disney): A comedy about a widower (Robert De Niro) setting off on an impromptu trip ride to reunite with each of his grown children.

Arriving from the States with decidedly mixed reviews and tepid box office, this looks to be another sad chapter in the decline of DeNiro from the greatest actor of his generation to a goofy comedy uncle. Another irony of this film is the title – as one of the last films to be produced by Miramax before Disney effectively shut the studio down, everyone was decidedly not fine. [Cineworld Shaftesbury Ave., & Nationwide / 12A]

Extraordinary Measures (Sony Pictures): A drama about a biotechnology executive (Brendan Fraser) whose two young children are afflicted with Pompe disease (acid maltase deficiency) and the research scientist (Harrison Ford) who might have a cure for their rare genetic disorder.

The first film from the newly formed CBS Films (released in the UK by Sony) was a critical and commercial bomb, with some critics saying it sidestepped the glaring issue of medical costs in the US. [Nationwide / PG]

From Paris With Love (Warner Bros.): A thriller set in Paris, involving a young employee in the office of the US Ambassador (Jonathan Rhys-Myers) who hooks up with an American spy (John Travolta) looking to stop a terrorist attack in the city.

Directed by Pierre Morel (who had an unexpected hit last year with Taken) and produced by Luc Besson, it seems likely to have the same formula of mindless action, cheesy dialogue and decent box office. [Nationwide / 15]

Leap Year (Optimum Releasing): A romantic comedy about an American woman (Amy Adams) who travels to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend only to fall for an earthy local (Matthew Goode).

The above trailer is one of the most hideous in recent memory and it looks like all concerned (especially director Anand Tucker, who recently directed the third part of The Red Riding Trilogy) are doing this for commercial rather than creative reasons. Hollywood films set in Ireland usually contain the following cliches: Celtic flutes all over the soundtrack; earthy-but-charming locals who drink Guinness and red headed girls who are persuaded to dance in a pub. This looks like it could tick all those boxes. [Odeon Covent Garden, Vue West End & Nationwide / PG]

The Crazies (Paramount/Momentum): A remake of George A Romero’s 1973 horror about a town which goes crazy (or should that be crazie?) after the water supply has been poisoned by an unknown toxin.

Starring Timothy Olyphant and Radha Mitchell, it looks like it will attract poor reviews but decent initial box office. [Vues Finchley Rd, Fulham Broadway, Cineworld Shaftesbury Ave., & Nationwide / 15]

Capitalism: A Love Story (Paramount/Momentum): The latest documentary from Michael Moore examines the effect of corporate dominance on the everyday lives of Americans, especially in the light of the recent global economic meltdown.

Although the buzz on this film was mixed when it premiered at Venice and Toronto back in the Autumn, it is a more thoughtful film than some critics have given it credit for. The title is misleading as it’s more of a critique against the winner-takes-all capitalism ushered in by the Reagan administration and how the policies under Clinton and Bush have contributed to the current financial crisis. There are some sequences that drag a little, but for the most part it is a thought provoking examination of how we’ve got to where we are as a society. Strangely, it could actually win Moore audiences amongst the right-wing ‘Teabaggers‘ as well as his core liberal audience as his criticisms of the TARP scheme chime in with theirs. [Curzon Soho & Key Cities / PG]

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ALSO OUT

Micmacs (E1 Entertainment): The latest film from Jean Pierre-Jeunet is a charming and highly inventive caper about a man (Dany Boon) who hooks up with an eccentric group of activists in order to get revenge on two unscrupulous arms dealers.

Despie being a fixture on the festival circuit, I’m surprised there isn’t more buzz about this film because it is one of the most inventive and pleasurable I’ve seen in the last year. It bears more similarities to Jeunet’s earlier work like Delicatessen and The City of Lost Children, but also manages to mix in a powerful social message without being preachy. The technical aspects of the film are a treat to watch and most of the actors (including Jeunet regulars like Dominique Pinon) are excellent in roles which require a great deal of physicality, sometime reminiscent of a Buster Keaton comedy. [C’World Haymarket, Curzons Mayfair, Soho & Nationwide / 12A]

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Park Circus): A BFI reissue for one of the most overrated comedies of all time. [BFI Southbank & Key Cities/ 12A]

Freestyle (Revolver Entertainment): A British film about a poor basketball player (Arinze Kene) who falls for rich girl (Lucy Stanhope) when he coaches her in the art of freestyle (basketball set to music). [London & Key Cities / 12A]

She, A Chinese (Optimum Releasing): Directed by London-based Chinese novelist Xiaolu Guofrom her own book, it is the tale of a young woman (Lu Huang), who travels from a remote Chinese village to London, finding that the West is a tougher place than she expected. [ICA Cinema]

Karthik Calling Karthik (Eros); A Bollywood film about a loser whose life is changed with a phone call.

> DVD and Blu-ray Picks for Monday 22nd February including Wings of Desire and M
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags capitalism: a love story, Everybody's Fine, Extraordinary Measures, From Paris With Love, Leap Year, Micmacs, The Crazies, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 19th February 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 19/02/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

The Lovely Bones (Paramount): The adaptation of Alice Sebold’s unlikely bestseller is a major disappointment which flounders between CGI fantasy and awkward murder mystery. Set in Norristown, Pennsylvania in 1973, the story is about a young girl (Saoirse Ronan) who is raped and murdered by a neighbour (Stanley Tucci) and then watches the effects of her death on her parents (Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz) and other people she has left behind.

When director Peter Jackson was first attached to this project (originally developed by Film4 in the UK) it seemed like he would be returning to the mix of real life horror and fantasy that made Heavenly Creatures (1994) so powerful. Alas, that wasn’t to be and it seems like Jackson and regular scriptwriters Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens had a hard time dialling down the emotion from their more recent big budget work (The Lord of the Rings, King Kong). Despite a stellar cast, the characters feel wildly overwrought and the ‘in-between world’ is essentially one empty CGI workout after another, with little emotion or genuine link to the drama.

Ronan and Tucci actually do very well in trying circumstances – they are easily the best thing about the film – but it is sad to see actors like Wahlberg, Weisz and Sarandon wasted on wafer thin roles. One can only assume that the tricky nature of the book led Jackson into a creative vortex he couldn’t ultimately get out of, but whatever the reason it ranks as one of the most disappointing films of the year given all the talent involved. Paramount held this back for several months because they felt it could be an Oscar front-runner, but its chances died when people finally got to see it. It might still do OK business given the fan base of the book, but this is only likely to be remembered as a creative misfire. [Vue West End & Nationwide / 12A]

The Last Station (Optimum Releasing): A historical drama that portrays Russian author Leo Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer) and his struggle to balance fame and wealth towards the end of his life and the effects this has on his wife (Helen Mirren) and community of followers (including James McAvoy and Paul Giamatti).

Directed by Michael Hoffman, this is exactly the kind of period Oscar-bait that ageing Academy members drool over: distinguished actors, a historical-literary subject matter and a period setting. But it feels wildly out of date, something which Miramax might have put out in the late 90s, and is actually tedious to watch. Part of the problem is the cosy complacency of the script which doesn’t allow for anything other than the most cursory and clichéd look at Tolstoy’s life and ideas. The embarrassing dialogue he has given great actors (Mirren has two cringe-inducing scenes). Another problem in this post-Downfall age is the difficulty to suspend disbelief for the English accents in period Russia, which just make it feel like a stodgy BBC literary adaptation from the 1970s. [Picturehouse Clapham, The Gate & Nationwide / 15]

Crazy Heart (20th Century Fox): This drama about a veteran country singer (Jeff Bridges) who finds love and redemption is a charming and easygoing tale that seems likely to win Bridges his first Oscar.

On the face of it, this appears a well worn kind of film. For example, it bears remarkable similarities last year’s The Wrestler, but manages to become something more than the sum of its parts. When we first meet Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges), he seems like just another washed up country singer, touring the backwaters of the US country circuit.

But as the story progresses, we meet characters who affect him in different ways: a journalist (Maggie Gyllenhaal, in her best role in some time) who he falls for; a former protege turned superstar singer (Colin Farrell) and an old bar owning friend (Robert Duvall).

Writer-director Scott Cooper manages to juggle familiar themes of redemption and loss, whilst avoiding contrived twists and sentimental claptrap. Bad’s alcoholism, regret and attempts to establish a lasting relationship are just the simple struggles of life. By presenting them with little fuss, they gain a power and richness some filmmakers might have missed.

The music by T-Bone Burnett adds a wonderful musical texture to the drama and Bridges does an excellent job in performing them convincingly. Of course, the central talking point for most audiences will be his captivating central performance. It distills everything great about his distinguished career into one role: his easy charm, screen presence and intense like-ability are delivered here in one neat and memorable role.

This is a film with mostly good people. The ‘villains’, if one can call them that, are simply the grinding challenges of everyday existence. Much of the pleasure comes from seeing how the characters deal with what we all face: old age, disappointment and our own nagging doubts. [Vue West End / Nationwide from March 5th / 15]

Solomon Kane (Entertainment): Based on the character created by Robert E. Howard in 1928, this stars James Purefoy in the title role as a 16th century soldier who must fights demons and seek redemption or have his soul damned to Hell. [Nationwide / 15]

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ALSO OUT

A Closed Book (Eyeline Ent/Atlantic Film): Chilean director Raoul Ruiz is behind this story about a blind art critic (Tom Conti) and his personal assistant (Daryl Hannah). [Selected cinemas / 15]

The Headless Woman (New Wave Films): An acclaimed Argentinian film directed by Luis César Amadori and starring Niní Marshall. [Key Cities / 12A]

The Unloved (ICA Films): Samantha Morton’s directorial debut feature is drama about a young girl growing up in a children’s home. [ICA Cinema & Selected Key Cities]

Celine: Through The Eyes Of The World (Sony Pictures): Yes, a live concert film of Celine Dion is being unleashed at cinemas up and down the land. Christ. [Selected Cinemas Nationwide / PG]

> DVD and Blu-ray Picks for Monday 15th February including Up, The Go-Between and The Ladykillers
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags crazy heart, the last station, the lovely bones, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 12th February 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 12/02/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

The Wolfman (Universal): A remake of the 1941 classic horror film of the same name, starring Benicio del Toro as an actor who returns to his English ancestral home owned by his father (Anthony Hopkins), only to come under the curse of a werewolf.

Directed by Joe Johnston, it co-stars Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving and has seemingly had its own curse: original director Mark Romanek left over creative differences; the script bears all the hallmarks of being rewritten extensively and the release has been put back a couple of times.

After the fiasco of Van Helsing, the 2004 release which made a mockery of the classic Universal horror characters, one might have hoped that the studio would get it right this time. Despite the excellent cast and impressive make-up effects by Rick Baker (famous for American Werewolf in London), the narrative is rushed and it feels like a classic case of too many cooks spoiling the broth.

The English locations are shot with a dull, misty gloom; the gore looks like it has been inserted in at later edit to appeal to teenage horror fanboys; too many comic Northern accents and an unforgivable finale where you cannot distinguish between two key characters.

The presence of ace editors Mark Goldblatt and Walter Murch would suggest that they were hired to re-edit the film into something coherent and respectable, but is a project with deep underlying script and directorial problems.

Universal have spent a fair amount marketing this, so they can expect decent business this weekend in the US and UK, but once word of mouth spreads and people read the mixed reviews, it will die a swift death. [Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide / 15]

Valentine’s Day (Warner Bros.): A patchwork romantic comedy about intertwining couples and singles in Los Angeles who break-up and make-up based on the pressures and expectations of Valentine’s Day.

An all star ensemble cast includes Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Garner, Patrick Dempsey, Shirley MacLaine, Taylor Lautner, Taylor Swift, Jessica Biel, Jamie Foxx, Anne Hathaway and Topher Grace. Clearly aimed at less-than-discerning female audiences, it basically looks like this year’s He’s Just Not That Into You. Poor reviews will not stop the target audience from rushing to this like crack-heads sprinting to their dealers. [Nationwide / 12A]

Ponyo (Optimum Releasing): The latest animated film from Studio Ghibli, written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki is a tale of a goldfish named Ponyo who befriends a five-year-old human boy and wants to become a human girl.

A huge hit in Japan, it has garnered awards and critical acclaim and should do reasonable business before discovering a wider audience on DVD and Blu-ray.[Vue West End & Nationwide / U]

A Single Man (Icon): An adaptation of the novel by Christopher Isherwood, which explores a day in the life of an English college professor (Colin Firth) in Southern California in 1962.

The directorial debut of fashion designer Tom Ford is a tasteful and well acted affair with a nuanced and moving central performance by Firth and some fine supporting turns from Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult and Matthew Goode. The production design and period detail are first rate and it depicts the ideas of the book with considerable skill and grace.

There are some drawbacks: a significant plot change is misguided and some of the visuals are a little too mannered, but generally it is a classy affair and finally allows Firth to show audiences what he can do in a lead role. Icon will expect decent arthouse business on the back of critical acclaim and Firth’s Oscar and BAFTA nomination. [Curzons Mayfair, Soho & Nationwide trailer / 12A]

Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief (20th Century Fox): Chris Columbus directs this adaptation of the first novel in the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series by Rick Riordan, which stars Logan Lerman in the title role alongside Brandon T. Jackson, Rosario Dawson, Steve Coogan, Uma Thurman, Catherine Keener, Sean Bean and Pierce Brosnan.

This looks like a shameless Harry Potter clone (Columbus directed the first two Potter films) but it may get family audiences interested, despite the average reviews. [Vue West End & Nationwide / PG]

Battle For Terra (The Works): This 2007 film (yes, three years old) originally called Terra, is a 2007 CGI animated film redone in 3D about a peaceful alien planet facing destruction from colonization by the displaced remainder of the human race.

Directed by Aristomenis Tsirbas, it features the voices of Brian Cox, Luke Wilson, Amanda Peet, Dennis Quaid and Justin Long. [Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide / PG]

ALSO OUT

Food, Inc (Dogwoof): A documentary directed by Robert Kenner about the agricultural food production in the US, which explores how meat and vegetables produced by this system are less-than-healthy and environmentally-harmful.

Narrated by Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser, it has garnered decent reviews and could make an art-house impact although it might depend heavily on word of mouth. [Curzon Soho, Odeon Panton St., Ritzy & Nationwide / PG]

My Name Is Khan (20th Century Fox): A Bollywood film directed by Karan Johar, with starring Shahrukh Khan and Kajol about a Muslim with Asberger’s Syndrome who emigrates to the United States. [Cineworld Shaftesbury Ave & Nationwide / 12A]

Takeshis’ (Artificial Eye): A 2005 (yes, that’s five years old!) Japanese film directed, written, edited by, and starring Takeshi Kitano in a self-reflexive film about himself. [Curzon Renoir / 15]

Winter In Wartime (Kaleidoscope Entertainment): An adaptation of the novel by Jan Terlouw about a boy who tries to help the resistance during World War II by helping an English pilot stay out of German hands. [Key Cities / 12A]

Anonyma: A Woman In Berlin (Metrodome Distribution): A drama about a woman who tries to survive the invasion of Berlin by the Soviet troops during the last days of World War II. [ICA Cinema]

Beyond The Pole (Shooting Pictures): A documentary film crew follows the first carbon neutral, organic, vegetarian expedition ever to attempt the North Pole. [ICA Cinema / Key Cities from March)

Letter From An Unknown Woman (bfi Distribution): A reissue of the 1948 Max Ophüls film about based on the novella by Stefan Zweig, starring Joan Fontaine, Louis Jourdan, Mady Christians and Marcel Journet. [BFI Southbank, Everyman Hampstead & Key Cities]

Pretty Woman (Park Circus): A reissue for Garry Marshall’s 1990 romantic comedy about an LA hooker (Julia Roberts) who falls for a millionaire businessman (Richard Gere). [Cineworld Haymarket & Nationwide / 15]

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> DVD and Blu-ray Picks for Monday 8th February including Adventureland, Mystic River and Paper Heart
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags a single man, food inc, ponyo, the wolfman, uk cinema releases, valentines day

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 5th February 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 05/02/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

Invictus (Warner Bros.): Clint Eastwood’s latest film is based on the true story of how Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) used the 1995 Rugby World Cup to unite South Africa in a moment of sporting solidarity with the help of national team captain Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon).

Although this was touted as a likely awards season contender, the expected nominations (apart from two acting nods for Freeman and Damon) have failed to materialise, mainly because it isn’t quite up to the high standards of Eastwood’s best work behind the camera.

That said, the two leads are convincing and there is a pleasing directness to the material which gives it an undeniable punch. Although it can’t resist obligatory sporting clichés (slow motion being a major culprit), the central drama is well handled and the technical work behind the camera is what we’ve come to expect from latter day Eastwood films. [Nationwide / 12A]

Astro Boy (E1 Entertainment): A CGI animated film about a young robot (voiced by Freddie Highmore) with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist in the image of the son he has lost.

Based on the long running Japanese series, it features a decent voice cast including Kristen Bell, Nathan Lane, Eugene Levy, Bill Nighy, Donald Sutherland and Nicolas Cage. The middling reviews in the US and poor box office performance suggest that it won’t set UK cinemas alight. [Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide (Previews 30/31st Jan)

Youth In Revolt (Paramount/Momentum): An adaptation of C.D. Payne’s epistolary novel starring Michael Cera as a teenager who sets his sights on a local girl (Portia Doubleday) and creates an alter ego to win her over.

Directed by Miguel Arteta, it co-stars Jonathan B. Wright, Steve Buscemi, Zach Galifianakis and Ray Liotta. Positive reviews from the US would suggest that it’s weak box office performance has more to do with the woes of The Weinstein Company than the quality of the film. Fans of Michael Cera and hip teen audiences may be the target audience. [Vues Fulham Broadway, Islington, West End & Nationwide / 15]

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ALSO OUT

Malice In Wonderland (Kaleidoscope Entertainment): A modern take on the fairytale, set in the North East of England. [Key Cities / 15]

Tony (Revolver Entertainment): A low budget British film about a serial killer getting a limited theatrical release before being released on DVD this Monday. [London & Key Cities / 18]

The Island (Artificial Eye): A drama set in a small Russian Orthodox monastery about an unusual man who people believe has the power to heal, exorcise demons and foretell the future. [Curzon Renoir & Selected Key Cities from 19th Feb]

Holy Water (Kaleidoscope/Centurion ): British comedy about a once a thriving spa town that is livened up after a stash of Viagra is hidden down its famous Holy Well. [Key Cities / 18]

> DVD and Blu-ray Picks for Monday 1st February including Broken Embraces and Sin Nombre
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags astro boy, invictus, uk cinema releases, youth in revolt

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 29th January 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 29/01/2010

Edge of Darkness (Icon): Mel Gibson returns with his first leading role in several years in this adaptation of the BBC TV series of the same name. He plays a Boston homicide detective who uncovers a shadowy political conspiracy after his activist daughter (Bojana Novakovic) is killed.

Directed by Martin Campbell, who also made the original series, it co-stars Ray Winstone and Danny Huston. Although a functional thriller, it compresses six episodes of television into a two hour film and loses a lot in translation despite the best efforts of all concerned. [Nationwide / 15]

Precious: A Novel by Sapphire (Icon): An adaptation of the 1992 novel Push by Sapphire which depicts the struggles of an obese, illiterate teenage girl (Gabourey Sidibe) as she dreams of a better life away from her abusive mother (Mo’Nique) in Harlem circa 1987.

Since premièring at Sundance last year, this has been a hit on the festival circuit and is a shoo-in for BAFTA and Oscar nominations, with Monique odds on to win the Best Supporting Actress. Directed by Lee Daniels, it contains some excellent performances, especially Sidibe and Monique although parts of it don’t work, especially the fantasy sequences. [Selected cinemas Nationwide / 15]

The Princess and the Frog (Walt Disney): Disney return to hand drawn animation with this loose adaptation of E. D. Baker’s novel The Frog Princess, which itself was inspired by the Grimm fairy tale “The Frog Prince”. The story involves a young girl named Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) who lives in New Orleans’ French Quarter during the Jazz Age and a prince (Bruno Campos) under a curse.

Directed by John Musker and Ron Clements (who made The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules, and Treasure Planet), it features songs and score by Randy Newman and the voices of Anika Noni Rose, Oprah Winfrey and Keith David. [Empire Leicester Square & West End / U] * Nationwide from 5th February *

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ALSO OUT

Breathless (Terracotta Distribution): A South Korean gangster film directed by Yang Ik-Joon, who also stars as a bitter and abusive debt collector. [ICA Cinema & Key Cities]

Adoration (New Wave Films): A belated UK release for this 2008 Canadian drama from director Atom Egoyan about a high school student who weaves his family history into a news story involving terrorism. [Key Cities / 15]

Late Autumn (bfi Distribution): A BFI reissue for this 1960 drama directed by Yasujiro Ozu which stars Setsuko Hara and Chishu Ryu in the tale of three older men who help the widow of a late friend to marry off her daughter. [BFI Southbank & Key Cities / PG]

Our Beloved Month Of August (Cine Lumiere): A Portuguese comedy directed by Miguel Gomes, set against the backdrop of the Pardieiros dance-music festival. [Cine Lumiere / 12A]

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> Check out all the UK cinema releases for January 2010
> DVD and Blu-ray Picks for Monday 25th January including Magnolia and Fish Tank
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags edge of darkness, precious, the princess and the frog, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 22nd January 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 22/01/2010

NATIONAL RELEASES

Ninja Assassin (Warner Bros.): A martial arts action-adventure film directed by James McTeigue and starring Rain as one of the world’s deadliest Special Forces Ninja assassins.

The film was produced by Joel Silver and the Wachowski brothers and judging from the negative reviews doesn’t appear to be in any danger of winning awards or reshaping the landscape of 21st century cinema. [Nationwide /18]

Armored (Sony): An action film about a guard for an armored truck company who is coerced by his veteran coworkers to steal a truck containing $10 million.

Directed by Nimród Antal, it stars Matt Dillon, Jean Reno and Laurence Fishburne and it would appear to be a genre film that Sony hope will appeal to undemanding audiences. [Nationwide / 12A]

Brothers (Lionsgate UK): An drama starring Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal as two brothers involved in a love triangle with one of their wives (Natalie Portman) after one of them returns from military service in Afghanistan.

Directed by Jim Sheridan, the film is based on Susanne Bier‘s 2004 Danish film Brothers (Brødre) which takes place in Afghanistan and Denmark. Both films take inspiration from Homer‘s epic poem The Odyssey. [Nationwide / 15]

The Boys Are Back (Walt Disney): An adaptation of Simon Carr’s serio-comic novel “The Boys Are Back in Town” which sees Clive Owen play a sports writer becomes a single parent in tragic circumstances while struggling to raise his two sons.

Directed by Scott Hicks, tepid word of mouth mean that this is likely to come and go at cinemas very quickly. [Vue West End & Nationwide]

Toy Story 2 3D (Walt Disney): A reissues in 3D for the 2000 Pixar sequel to Toy Story, in anticipation of the third part which is out this summer. [Nationwide / U]

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ALSO OUT

A Prophet (Optimum): A scintillating French crime drama directed by Jacques Audiard about a young Arab prisoner (Tahar Rahim) who gradually learns how power inside works thanks to a crime boss (Niels Arestrup) who runs an empire from his cell.

Superbly written and directed, it contains two terrific lead performances and a raft of classic scenes which linger in the memory. Since premièring at Cannes back in May it has rightly attracted a wave of critical acclaim on the festival circuit and is probably one of the best films of its kind in years. [Curzon Soho, Odeon Covent Gdn., & Nationwide / 18]

Blur: No Distance Left To Run (Arts Alliance): A documentary about the British rock band Blur, which follows the band during their 2009 reunion and tour, and also includes unseen archive footage and interviews. [London & Nationwide]

Burlesque Undressed (More2Screen): A documentary about ‘the art’ of stripping produced by its subject, Kelly Fletcher, aka Immodesty Blaize. [Empire Leicester Square, Odeon Covent Garden & Key Cities / 15]

Veer (Eros): A Bollywood epic directed by Anil Sharma, set in 1825 when the British were ruling India, starring Salman Khan, Mithun Chakraborty, Sohail Khan and Jackie Shroff. [C’Worlds Feltham, Ilford, Shaftesbury Ave., Odeon G’wich & Nationwide]

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> Check out all the UK cinema releases for January 2010
> DVD and Blu-ray Picks for Monday 18th January including Dr Strangelove and (500) Days of Summer
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags a prophet, armored, brothers, the boys are back, toy story 2 3D, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 15th January 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 15/01/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

Up In The Air (Paramount): A comedy-drama about a corporate downsizer (George Clooney) who spends his life flying around the US firing people in a smooth and efficient manner. Free of human relationships, he has become attached to frequent flyer miles, a commitment-free relationship with a fellow air mile addict (Vera Farmiga) and the buzz of living out of a suitcase. But when his boss (Jason Bateman) partners him with a new recruit (Anna Kendrick) who advocates firing people via video-link, things begin to change.

Directed by Jason Reitman, it is a smart, funny and thoughtful adaptation of Walter Kim’s 2001 novel that explores the current recession, relationships and travel. Intelligently written and slickly directed, it features a marvellous central performance from Clooney, who peppers his role with just the right amounts of charm, wit and emotion. Farmiga and Kendrick also provide excellent support and it will be a strong contender at this year’s Oscars. Paramount can expect solid business after positive word of mouth. [Nationwide / 15]

* Read my full review here and listen to my interview with Anna Kenrick *

The Book of Eli (Entertainment): A post-apocalyptic drama in which a lone man (Denzel Washington) fights his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind. Directed by The Hughes Brothers, this is their first film since From Hell (2001) and looks like The Road meets Man on Fire.

The buzz on this one isn’t great and a decent opening might be followed by a swift tail off in interest. [Nationwide / 15]

44 Inch Chest (Momentum Pictures): A British drama about a jealous husband (Ray Winstone) who plots the kidnapping of his wife’s lover with the intention of restoring his wounded ego.

An impressive UK cast, plus a script by the writers of Sexy Beast (although not, significantly, the director Jonathan Glazer) could see this do moderate business although – like a lot of British films – it has the whiff of something made for TV. [Nationwide / 15]

All About Steve (20th Century Fox): A romantic comedy about an eccentric crossword puzzler (Sandra Bullock) who, convinced that a CNN cameraman (Bradley Cooper) is her true love, trails him as he travels all over the country.

After some of the worst reviews in living memory for a mainstream release, Fox appear to be giving this one a quiet death by dumping it in early January. [Nationwide / 12A]

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ALSO OUT

Still Walking (New Wave Films): A Japanese drama about a retired doctor (Yoshio Harada) who lives by the seaside with his elderly wife hosting a visit for his two grownup, married children. Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda.

Crude (Dogwoof): A documentary directed by Joe Berlinger following the progress of a $27 billion case against the Chevron Corporation, a case also known as the “Amazon Chernobyl”.

> Check out all the UK cinema releases for January 2010
> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies

Tags 44 inch chest, all about steve, the book of eli, uk cinema releases, up in the air

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 14/01/2010

Here is the schedule for UK cinema releases in 2010.

The information is subject to change but hopefully this will be a useful guide to what’s out in the coming months.

The format is the film’s title in bold, followed by the certificate, distributor and then the cinema release it will get.

N.B. As a lot of these haven’t been certified by the BBFC yet, ‘TBC’ denotes that it is To Be Certified, whilst D denotes that it will be screened via digital projection at certain cinemas.

JANUARY 2010

FRIDAY 1st JANUARY

Did You Hear About The Morgans? (PG) / Sony Pictures
Post Grad (12A) / 20th Century Fox
Spread (15) / Optimum
I’m Gonna Explode (15) / Artificial Eye
Tokyo Story (U) (R/I) / BFI

TUESDAY 5th JANUARY

It Might Get Loud (PG) / Blue Dolphin

FRIDAY 8th JANUARY

Daybreakers (15) / Lionsgate UK
Exam (15) / Hazeldine Films/Miracle
It’s Complicated (15) / Universal
Mugabe and the White African / Dogwoof
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (15) / Entertainment
The Road (15) / Icon

FRIDAY 15th JANUARY

44 Inch Chest (18) / Momentum Pictures
All About Steve (12A) / 20th Century Fox
Crude / Dogwoof
The Book of Eli (15) / Entertainment
Up In The Air (15) / Paramount
Still Walking (U) / New Wave Films

FRIDAY 22nd JANUARY

A Prophet (18) / Optimum
Armored (12A) / Sony
Brothers (15) / Lionsgate UK
The Boys Are Back (12A) / Walt Disney
Toy Story 2 3D (U) / Walt Disney
Blur: No Distance Left To Run / Arts Alliance
Burlesque Undressed (15) / More2Screen
Ninja Assassin (18) / Warner Bros.
Veer / Eros

FRIDAY 29th JANUARY

Adoration (15) / New Wave Films
Edge of Darkness / Icon
Precious: A Novel by Sapphire (15) / Icon
The Princess And The Frog (U) / Walt Disney
Breathless / Terracotta Distribution
Late Autumn (PG) / bfi Distribution

FEBRUARY 2010

FRIDAY 5th FEBRUARY

Astro Boy (PG) (D) / E1 Entertainment / Empire Leicester Square & Natiowide (Previews 30/31 Jan)
Holy Water (D) / Kaleidoscope/Centurion / Key Cities
Invictus (12A) / Warner Bros. / Nationwide
The Island / Artificial Eye / Curzon Renoir & selected Key Cities (fm 19 Feb)
Oil City Confidential (15) (D) / Arts Alliance / London & Nationwide (Previews 2 Feb)
Tony (18) / Revolver Entertainment / London & Key Cities
Youth In Revolt (15) / Paramount/Momentum / Vues Fulham Broadway, Islington, West End & Nationwide
Malice In Wonderland / Kaleidoscope Entertainment (Key Cities)

FRIDAY 12th FEBRUARY

Anonyma: A Woman In Berlin / Metrodome
Battle For Terra (3D) / The Works / Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide
Beyond The Pole (D) / Shooting Pictures / ICA Cinema (Key Cities from March TBC)
Food, Inc / Dogwoof
Letter From An Unknown Woman (R/I) (U) / bfi Distribution / BFI Southbank, Everyman Hampstead & Key Cities
Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief / 20th Century Fox
Ponyo (U) / Optimum Releasing
Pretty Woman (R/I)(15) / Park Circus / Cineworld Haymarket & Nationwide
A Single Man (12A) / Icon
Takeshis / Artificial Eye / Curzon Renoir
Valentine’s Day / Warner Bros.
Winter In Wartime (D) / Kaleidoscope Entertainment / Key Cities
The Wolfman / Universal

FRIDAY 19th FEBRUARY

A Closed Book (15) / Eyeline Ent/ Atlantic Film
Black Death / Revolver Entertainment
Crazy Heart (15) / 20th Century Fox
Everybody’s Fine / Walt Disney / West End (Nationwide from 26 Feb)
The Headless Woman / New Wave Films
The Last Station (15) / Optimum Releasing
The Lovely Bones (12A) (D) / Paramount / Odeon Leicester Square & Nationwide
Solomon Kane / Entertainment
The Unloved / ICA Films / ICA Cinema & selected Key Cities

FRIDAY 26th FEBRUARY

Capitalism: A Love Story (12A) / Paramount
The Crazies / Paramount/Momentum
Extraordinary Measures (PG) / Sony Pictures
Freestyle / Revolver Entertainment
From Paris With Love / Warner Bros.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (R/I) Park Circus / BFI Southbank & Key Cities
Leap Year (PG) / Optimum Releasing
Micmacs (12A) (D) / E1 Entertainment / Cineworld Haymarket, Curzons Mayfair, Soho & Nationwide
Milenge Milenge / Eros
A Chinese She / Optimum Releasing

MARCH 2010

FRIDAY 5th MARCH

Alice In Wonderland In (3D) & IMAX / Walt Disney
Case 39 (15) / Paramount / Nationwide
Chloe / Optimum Releasing
Father Of My Children / Artificial Eye
Legion / Sony Pictures
Motherhood (15) / Metrodome
Ondine / Paramount
The Shouting Men (D) / Kaleidoscope Entertainment Key Cities

FRIDAY 12th MARCH

The Blind Side (12A) / Warner Bros.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo / Momentum Pictures
Green Zone / Universal
The Kreutzer Sonata / Axiom Films / Key Cities
Shutter Island / Paramount

WEDNESDAY 17th MARCH

The Bounty Hunter / Sony Pictures
I Love You Phillip Morris / E1 Entertainment

FRIDAY 19th MARCH

Dirty Oil (D) / Dogwoof / Key Cities
The Ghost / Optimum Releasing
My Last Five Girlfriends / Paramount
Old Dogs (PG) / Walt Disney
The Scouting Book For Boys / WarnerBros/Pathe
Valhalla Rising / Vertigo Films

FRIDAY 26th MARCH

Clash Of The Titans / Warner Bros.
Extract / Paramount
Lion’s Den / Axiom Films / Key Cities
Nanny Mcphee 2 / Universal
No One Knows About Persian Cats / Network Releasing / Curzon Soho & Key Cities
Perrier’s Bounty (15) / Optimum Releasing
Shank / Revolver Entertainment

WEDNESDAY 31ST MARCH

How To Train Your Dragon 3D / Paramount

APRIL 2010

FRIDAY 2nd APRIL

City Of War / Metrodome
Double Take / Soda Pictures
Kick-Ass / Universal
L’Affaire Farewell / The Works
Lourdes / Artificial Eye
Paathshala / Eros
Psycho (R/I) / Universal
Remember Me / E1 Entertainment
Samson & Delilah / Trinity Filmed Entertainment
The Spy Next Door / Momentum Pictures

FRIDAY 9th APRIL

Date Night / 20th Century Fox
I Am Love / Metrodome
I Know You Know / Network Releasing / Apollo Piccadilly Circus & Key Cities (Previews fm 5 Apl)
Shelter / Icon
Whip It! / Lionsgate UK

FRIDAY 16TH APRIL

Alpha And Omega / Lionsgate UK
Boogie Woogie / Vertigo Films
City Of Life And Death (D) / High Fliers Films / Curzon Mayfair, Gate & Key Cities
Cop Out / Warner Bros.
Dear John / Paramount/Momentum
Kicks / New Wave Films
The Losers / Optimum Releasing
Mardi Gras / Sony Pictures
New York, I Love You / The Works
Cemetery Junction / Sony Pictures

FRIDAY 23rd APRIL

Centurion / Warner Bros/Pathe
Dogtooth (18) / Verve Pictures
Housefull / Eros
The Infidel / Revolver Entertainment
It’s A Wonderful Afterlife / Icon
La Danse / Soda Pictures
Life During Wartime / Artificial Eye
Repo Men / Universal

FRIDAY 30th APRIL

The Disappearance Of Alice Creed (18) / CinemaNX Distribution / Nationwide
Greenberg / Universal
Iron Man 2 / Paramount
John Rabe / Metrodome
The Last Song / Walt Disney
Vincere / Artificial Eye

MAY 2010

FRIDAY 7th MAY

The Back-Up Plan / Sony Pictures
The Bad Lieutenant / Lionsgate UK
Furry Vengeance / E1 Entertainment
Gentlemen Broncos / 20th Century Fox
Nightmare On Elm Street / Warner Bros.
The Rebound (15) / Paramount/Momentum

FRIDAY 14th MAY

Last Night / Walt Disney
Revanche / Artificial Eye
Robin Hood / Universal

FRIDAY 21st MAY

Hippie Hippie Shake / Universal
The Killer Inside Me / Icon
Lebanon / Metrodome
Letters To Juliet / E1 Entertainment
Prince Of Persia / Walt Disney
Streetdance (3D) / Vertigo Films

FRIDAY 28th MAY

The Happiest Girl In The World / Soda Pictures
Rec 2 / E1 Entertainment
Sex And The City 2 / Warner Bros.
The Tooth Fairy / 20th Century Fox

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JUNE 2010

WEDNESDAY 2nd JUNE

4.3.2.1 (15) / The Works
Death At A Funeral (15) / Sony Pictures

FRIDAY 4th JUNE

Bear (15) / Metrodome Distribution
The Brothers Bloom (12A) / Optimum Releasing
Girl On The Train / Soda Pictures
Kicks (15) / New Wave Films
The Killer Inside Me (18) / Icon
She’s Out Of My League (15) / Paramount
Shrink (15) / Lionsgate UK
Videocracy (15) / Dogwoof

MONDAY 7th JUNE

Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage (15) / Arts Alliance

WEDNESDAY 9th JUNE

Brooklyn’s Finest (18) / Momentum Pictures
Letters To Juliet (PG) / E1 Entertainment

FRIDAY 11th JUNE

Black Death (15) / Revolver Entertainment
Bronco Bullfrog (15) (R/I) / bfi Distribution
Greenberg (15) / Universal
H2Oil (12A) / Dogwoof
Shed Your Tears And Walk Away / ICO/Bungalow Town
Women Without Men (15) / Artificial Eye

FRIDAY 18th JUNE

Ajami (15) / Vertigo Films
Hierro (12A) / Optimum Releasing
Journey To Mecca (PG) / SK Films
Killers (12A) / Lionsgate UK
MacGruber (15) / Universal
Our Family Wedding (12A) / 20th Century Fox

Please Give (15) / Sony Pictures
Raavan (12A) / Ayngaran
Rashomon (12A) (R/I) / bfi Distribution
Trash Humpers / Warp Films/Alcove Entertainment
Wild Grass / New Wave Films
Wild Target (12A) / Entertainment

FRIDAY 25th JUNE

Breathless: 50th Anniversary (PG)(R/I) / Optimum Releasing
The Collector (18) / Icon
Get Him To The Greek (15) / Universal
Good Hair (12A) / Icon
Tetro (15) / Soda Pictures
Villa Amalia (PG) / Peccadillo Pictures
Whatever Works (12A) / Warner Bros.
When In Rome (PG) / Walt Disney

JULY 2010

FRIDAY 2nd JULY

The Ballroom (15) / Matchbox Films
Crimefighters / Picturehouse Cinemas
Gay Sex In The 70’s (18) / Peccadillo Pictures
Heartbreaker (15) / Revolver Entertainment
I Hate Luv Stories / UTV M.PIC
Lymelife (15) / Network Releasing
Shrek Forever After (U) (3D) / Paramount
Skeletons (D) / Soda Pictures
When You’re Strange: A Film About The Doors (15) / The Works
White Material (15) / Artificial Eye

THURSDAY 8th JULY

Predators (15) / 20th Century Fox

FRIDAY 9th JULY

The 7th Dimension (15) / Kaleidoscope Entertainment
Frownland / ICA Cinema
Gangster’s Paradise: Jerusalema (15) / Anchor Bay Films
Leaving (15) / Metrodome Distribution
London River (12A) / Trinity Filmed Entertainment
Milenge Milenge / Eros
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse / E1 Entertainment
Went The Day Well (PG)(R/I) / bfi Distribution

FRIDAY 16th JULY

Bluebeard / New Wave Films
The Concert (15) / Optimum Releasing
Inception (12A) / Warner Bros.
Mega Piranha (15) / Metrodome Distribution
Mel Karade Rabba / B4U
Rapt (15) / Artificial Eye
Rough Aunties / ICA Cinema

MONDAY 19th JULY

Toy Story 3 (U) / Walt Disney

FRIDAY 23rd JULY

Baaria (15) / E1 Entertainment
City Island (12A) / Anchor Bay Films
Ivul (15) / Artificial Eye
Khatta Meetha / Eros
My Night With Maud (R/I) / bfi Distribution
The Rebound (15) / Paramount/Momentum
Splice (15) / Optimum Releasing

WEDNESDAY 28th JULY

The A-Team (12A) / 20th Century Fox
Karate Kid (PG) / Sony Pictures

FRIDAY 30th JULY

Beautiful Kate (15) / Matchbox Films
Down Terrace (15) / Metrodome Distribution
Frontier Blues (12A) / Artificial Eye
Gainsbourg (15) / Optimum Releasing
Once Upon A Time In Mumbai / B4U
Separado! / Soda Pictures
South Of The Border (15) / Dogwoof

AUGUST 2010

WEDNESDAY4th AUGUST

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore (U) / Warner Bros.

FRIDAY 6th AUGUST

Aisha / DI5
Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky (15) / Soda Pictures
Eccentricities Of A Blonde-Haired Girl (U) / New Wave Films
Knight & Day (12A) / 20th Century Fox
Step Up 3D (12A) / Universal
Undertow (15) / Axiom Films

WEDNESDAY 11th AUGUST

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (PG) / Walt Disney

FRIDAY 13th AUGUST

Black Dynamite (15) / Icon
The Final (18) / Chelsea Films
Five Easy Pieces (15) (R/I) / Park Circus
The Last Airbender (PG) (3D) / Paramount
Le Refuge (15) / Artificial Eye
The Secret In Their Eyes (18) / Metrodome Distribution
Tinkerbell & The Great Fairy Rescue (U) / Walt Disney

WEDNESDAY 18th AUGUST

Marmaduke (U) / 20th Century Fox

THURSDAY 19th AUGUST

The Expendables (15) / Lionsgate UK

FRIDAY 20th AUGUST

The Human Centipede (First Sequence) (18) / Bounty Films
The Illusionist (PG) / Warmer Bros/Pathe
Mother (15) / ICO/ Optimum Releasing
Pianomania / More2Screen
Piranha (3D) (18) / Entertainment
Salt (12A) / Sony Pictures

WEDNESDAY 25th AUGUST

Diary Of A Wimpy Kid (PG) / 20th Century Fox
Grown Ups (12A) / Sony Pictures
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (12A) / Universal

FRIDAY 27th AUGUST

Avatar (Special Edition) (3D) / 20th Century Fox
Dog Pound (18) / Optimum Releasing
The Girl Who Played With Fire (15) / Momentum Pictures
The Last Seven (18) / Metrodome Distribution
The Leopard (R/I) / bfi Distribution
The Maid (15) / Artificial Eye
Wah Do Dem (15) / Picturehouse

SEPTEMBER 2010

WEDNESDAY 1st SEPTEMBER

Perestroika / ICA Cinema
The Switch (12A) / Lionsgate UK

FRIDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER

22 Bullets (18) / Anchor Bay UK
Bonded By Blood / Revolver Entertainment
Certified Copy (12A) / Artificial Eye
Cherry Tree Lane (18) / Metrodome Distribution
Dinner For Schmucks (12A) / Paramount
Jonah Hex (15) / Warner Bros.
The Last Exorcism (15) / Optimum Releasing
No Impact Man (15) / Dogwoof
SoulBoy / Soda Pictures
Splintered (18) / Kaleidoscope Entertainment
Why Did I Get Married Too? (12A) / Lionsgate UK

FRIDAY 10th SEPTEMBER

Alamar / New Wave Films
Cyrus (15) / 20th Century Fox
Dabangg / Eros
Going The Distance (15) / Warner Bros.
Metropolis (PG) (R/I) / Eureka Entertainment
My Son, My Son, What Have You Done / Scanbox Entertainment
Resident Evil: Afterlife (3D) / Sony Pictures
The Runaways (15) / E1 Entertainment
Tamara Drewe (15) / Momentum Pictures

WEDNESDAY 15th SEPTEMBER

Night Of The Demons / Kaleidoscope Entertainment

FRIDAY 17th SEPTEMBER

Devil / Universal
F / Optimum Releasing
Grease Sing-A-Long (PG) (R/I) / Paramount
The Horde / Momentum Pictures
Ik Kudi Panjab Di / Kornerstone Films Ltd
Just Wright (PG) / 20th Century Fox
The Kid / Revolver Entertainment
The Other Guys (12A) / Sony Pictures
Release / Parasol Pictures
Winter’s Bone (15) / Artificial Eye

WEDNESDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER

The Hole (3D) / E1 Entertainment

FRIDAY 24th SEPTEMBER

Anjaana Anjaani / Eros
Budrus / Dogwoof
Eat, Pray, Love (PG) / Sony Pictures
Enter The Void (18) / Trinity Filmed Entertainment
From Here To Eternity (R/I) / Park Circus
Frozen (15) / Momentum Pictures
Peepli Live (15) / Artificial Eye
The Town (15) / Warner Bros.
The Wildest Dream (PG) / Serengeti Ent/National Geographic
World’s Greatest Dad / The Works

WEDNESDAY 29th SEPTEMBER

Buried / Icon

OCTOBER 2010

FRIDAY 1st OCTOBER

WEDNESDAY 6th OCTOBER

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps / 20th Century Fox

FRIDAY 8th OCTOBER

FRIDAY 15th OCTOBER

WEDNESDAY 20th OCTOBER

Alpha & Omega / Lionsgate UK

FRIDAY 22nd OCTOBER

FRIDAY 29th OCTOBER

FRIDAY 5th NOVEMBER

FRIDAY 12th NOVEMBER

Aftershock / Metrodome Distribution [Apollo Piccadilly Circus]
brilliantlove / Soda Pictures [Curzon Renoir & Key Cities]
A Day In the Life – Four Portraits Of Post-War Britain (U) / bfi Distribution [BFI Southbank & Key Cities]
The Edge Of Dreaming / Cinefile
Into Eternity / Dogwoof (ICA Cinema & Key Cities)
My Afternoons With Margueritte (15) / Picturehouse Entertainment [Cine Lumiere, Curzon Mayfair, Everyman, Gate & Nationwide]
Skyline / Paramount/Momentum [Cineworld Shaftesbury Ave., Vue West End & Nationwide]
We Are What We Are (15) / Artificial Eye [Curzon Soho, Odeon Covent Gdn., Screen On The Green, Vue Islington & Nationwide]
You Again (U) / Walt Disney [Empire Leicester Square & Nationwide]

FRIDAY 19th NOVEMBER

FRIDAY 26th NOVEMBER

DECEMBER 2010

FRIDAY 3rd DECEMBER

A Christmas Tale – Rare Exports / Icon
Megamind (formerly Master Mind) / Paramount
Of Gods And Men / Artificial Eye
The Warrior’s Way / Entertainment

FRIDAY 10th DECEMBER

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader / 20th Century Fox
On Tour / Artificial Eye
Secretariat / Walt Disney
The Shop Around The Corner (R/I) / bfi Distribution

FRIDAY 17th DECEMBER

Animals United (3D) / Entertainment
Burlesque / Sony Pictures
Toonpur Ka Superhero / Eros
Tron: Legacy (3D & IMAX) / Walt Disney

WEDNESDAY 22nd DECEMBER

Gulliver’s Travels / 20th Century Fox
Little Fockers / Paramount

WEDNESDAY 29th DECEMBER

Love And Other Drugs / 20th Century Fox

FRIDAY 31st DECEMBER

The Big Sleep (R/I) / bfi Distribution

Tags 2010, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 8th January 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 08/01/2010

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NATIONAL RELEASES

It’s Complicated (Universal): A romantic comedy in which a self-reliant divorcée (Meryl Streep) with three grown children ends up in a romantic triangle with her ex-husband (Alec Baldwin) and an architect (Steve Martin).

Directed by Nancy Meyers (The Holiday, Something’s Gotta Give) it is aimed squarely at the female market and Streep has even been pushed for some OScar and BAFTA consideration. Universal will expect healthy business from the expected audiences although adverse weather conditions could impact the box office. [Odeon West End & Nationwide / 15]

The Road (Icon): The film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s devastating 2006 novel depicts the journey of a father (Viggo Mortensen) and son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) as they struggle to stay alive in an America which has descended into savagery after an unspecified environmental and social collapse.

Given that the story involves suicide, cannibalism and humans acting like savages you have to give credit to director John Hillcoat (who made the wonderfully gritty Australian western The Proposition in 2005) and screenwriter Joe Penhall (author of the acclaimed play Blue/Orange) for properly translating the horrors and emotions of the novel into a film. Icon will be another UK film distributor cursing the weather and the bleak subject matter is another challenge that has dogged this film. That said, it is based on a major bestseller and is a timely and moving drama. [Vue West End & Nationwide / 15]

* Listen to our interview with Joe Penhall about adapting The Road *

Daybreakers (Lionsgate): A sci-fi horror set in the year 2017, after a plague has transformed nearly all humans into vampires. Faced with a dwindling blood supply, the fractured dominant race plots their survival whilst a researcher (Ethan Hawke) works with a covert band of vampires on a way to save humankind.

Directed by Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig, it co-stars Willem Dafoe and Sam Neill. Although DVD is probably where this will make its real cash, the concept could see it do reasonable theatrical business. [Vue West End & Nationwide/ 15]

Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (Entertainment): A music biopic of Ian Dury starring Andy Serkis in the lead role which follows Dury’s rise to fame and documents his personal battle with polio.

The title of the film is derived from the classic 1977 hit, “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll” and although word of mouth on this hasn’t been stellar, it could appeal to a certain audience (i.e. readers of Mojo and Uncut). [Nationwide / 15]

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ALSO OUT

It Might Get Loud (Blue Dolphin): A documentary by Davis Guggenheim which explores the history of the electric guitar, focusing on the careers and styles of Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White. [Odeon Panton St. & Nationwide / PG]

Exam (Hazeldine Films/Miracle): A British horror film about eight talented candidates for a job interview at a mysterious corporation who have 80 minutes to answer one simple question with three rules. [Key Cities / 15]

Mugabe and the White African (Dogwoof): Documentary directed by Lucy Bailey and Andrew Thompson that explores a white Zimbabwean family’s stand against Robert Mugabe’s land reform campaign. [ICA Cinema & selected Key Cities]

Treeless Mountain (Soda Pictures): Korean film from director Kim So Yong about two young sisters sisters who have to live with their aunt and grandmother after their mother leaves them. [Renoir & Key Cities / 15]

Fireball (Premiere Films): Bollywood film directed by Thanakorn Pongsuwan and starring Preeti Baraneean [Key Cities]

Mitti (Eros): Bollywood film of which there is little information to be found via Google. [Cineworlds Feltham, Ilford & Key Cities / 12A]

> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies
> UK DVD & Blu-ray picks including District 9 and The Hurt Locker

Tags daybreakers, it's complicated, sex and drugs and rock and roll, the road, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 1st January 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 01/01/2010

NATIONAL RELEASES

Did You Hear About The Morgans? (Sony): A romantic comedy about an estranged couple (Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker) who witness a murder in New York and get relocated to small-town Wyoming as part of a witness-protection program.

Directed by Marc Lawrence, this looks to be in the mould of his previous collaborations with Grant (Two Weeks Notice, Music and Lyrics), which basically means it’s aimed at less-than-discerning female audiences. The negative reviews and poor US box office suggest that it will not be regarded as one of the defining films of the new decade. [Nationwide / Cert 12A]

Post Grad (20th Century Fox): A comedy about a college graduate (Alexis Bledel) who has to move back in with her family, while she attempts to find a job and the right guy.

Directed by Vicky Jenson, it co-stars Carol Burnett, Zach Gilford, Michael Keaton, Jane Lynch, and Rodrigo Santoro. It bombed in the US and received fairly negative reviews which is why Fox is probably releasing it now whilst people are watching films like Avatar, Sherlock Holmes and Alvin and the Chipmunks 2. [Nationwide / Cert 12A]

Spread (Optimum Releasing): A sex comedy starring Aston Kutcher as a serial womaniser who screws around a lot in LA. Directed byDavid Mackenzie, it co-stars Anne Heche and Margarita Levieva.

It died a box office death in the US last August (grossing just over $250,000) which suggests that Kutcher’s four million-plus followers on Twitter didn’t make the trip to see it. [Odeon Covent Gdn., Vue West End & Nationwide / Cert 15]

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ALSO OUT

I’m Gonna Explode (Artificial Eye): A Mexican film about teenage angst which sees a young man (Juan Pablo de Santiago) go on a road trip with an equally rebellious girl (Maria Deschamps). Directed by Gerardo Naranjo, it could do respectable arthouse business if word of mouth gets around. [Renoir & Key Cities / Cert 15]

> Get local cinema showtimes for your area via Google Movies
> UK DVD & Blu-ray picks for this week including District 9 and The Hurt Locker

Tags did you hear about the morgans?, i'm gonna explode, post grad, spread, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: January 2010

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 01/01/2010

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FRIDAY 1st JANUARY

Did You Hear About The Morgans? (PG) / Sony Pictures
Post Grad (12A) / 20th Century Fox
Spread (15) / Optimum
I’m Gonna Explode (15) / Artificial Eye
Tokyo Story (U) (R/I) / BFI

TUESDAY 5th JANUARY

It Might Get Loud (PG) / Blue Dolphin

FRIDAY 8th JANUARY

FRIDAY 15th JANUARY

FRIDAY 22nd JANUARY

FRIDAY 29th JANUARY

Keep a look out every Friday for a breakdown of the weekly releases with more detail on each film.

If you have any questions about this month’s cinema releases or any upcoming titles then just email me or leave a comment below.

> Get local showtimes via Google Movies (just enter your local postcode)
> Find out about films showing near you at MyFilms

Tags a prophet, it's complicated, january 2010, precious, the road, uk cinema releases, up in the air

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 4th December 2009

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 04/12/2009

NATIONAL RELEASES

Me and Orson Welles (cinemaNX Distibution): A period drama set in 1937 about a teenager (Zac Efron) who joins the Mercury Theatre production of “Julius Ceasar” directed by a young Orson Welles (Christian McKay). Directed by Richard Linklater and co-starring Claire Danes, it was shot in the Isle of Man back in the spring of 2008 and lingered on the shelf after failing to get a distributor at various festivals. However, production company CinemaNX have decided to release it themselves (a rarity for a national release) sharing print and ad costs with Vue Entertainment. It could do decent business given Efron’s appeal to teen audiences and the critical plaudits lavished on McKay’s portrayal of Welles. [Nationwide / PG]

The Box (Icon): Director Richard Kelly returns from the disastrous Southland Tales with this tale of a suburban couple (James Marsden and Cameron Diaz) who receive a box as a gift and then are told by a mysterious stranger (Frank Langella) that if they press the button on it, they will get $1 million. The catch is that someone, somewhere in the world will die as a result. After some decidedly mixed reviews, this seems likely to meet the fate of Kelly’s last film rather than his first, 2001’s Donnie Darko. [Nationwide / 15]

The Descent: Part 2 (Warner Bros/Pathe): The sequel to the 2005 horror film, sees the sole survivor (Shauna McDonald) emerge from the Appalachian cave system where she encountered unspeakable terrors. Directed by Jon Harris, it co-stars Natalie Jackson Mendoza, Krysten Cummings, Joshua Dallas. [Nationwide / 18]

Planet 51 (Entertainment): Another 3D animated film hits UK multiplexes and this one involves the inhabitants of Planet 51, who live in fear of alien invasion, which is realised when an astronaut arrives from Earth. Directed by Jorge Blanco and Javier Abad, it features the voices of Dwayne Johnson, Sean William Scott, Jessica Biel and Justin Long. [Nationwide / PG]

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IN LIMITED RELEASE

Cracks (Optimum Releasing): A look at the lives and relationships among girls at an elite British boarding school starring Eva Green and directed by Jordan Scott. [ C’Worlds Chelsea & Haymarket, Odeon Wimbledon & Selected Cinemas nationwide / 15]

Departures (Arrow Films): A newly unemployed cellist takes a job preparing the dead for funerals in this Japanese film which won the Best Foreign Film Oscar earlier this year. [Odeon Covent Gdn, Renoir & Key Cities from 8 Jan 2010 / 12A]

Disgrace (ICA Films): Based on the novel by J.M. Coetzee this adaptation is the story of a Cape Town professor (John Malkovich) who moves to the Eastern Cape after an affair with a student, where he gets caught up in a mess of post-apartheid politics. [ICA Cinema and selected cities / 15]

The Girlfriend Experience (Revolver Entertainment): An experimental drama about a high-end Manhattan call girl (played by Sasha Grey), set in the autumn of 2008. Directed by Steven Soderbergh with his low budget hat on [Selected UK cities / 15].

The Merry Gentleman (The Works): A drama about a woman (Kelly Macdonald) who leaves an abusive relationship to begin a new life in a new city, where she forms a relationship with a suicidal hit man (Michael Keaton, who also directs) and an alcoholic detective (Tom Bastounes). [Cineworld Shaftesbury Avenue & Key Cities / 15]

> Get local cinema show times for your area via Google Movies
> UK cinema releases for December 2009
> UK DVD & Blu-ray picks for this week including Including Life and The Miners’ Campaign Tapes (W/C Monday 30th November 2009)

Tags orson welles and me, planet 51, the box, the descent part 2, uk cinema releases

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: December 2009

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 01/12/2009

FRIDAY 4th DECEMBER

The Box (12A)/ Icon
Cracks (15) / Optimum Releasing
Me and Orson Welles (12A) / CinemaNX Distribution
The Descent: Part 2 (18) / Warner Bros/Pathe
The Girlfriend Experience (15) / Revolver
The Merry Gentleman (15) / The Works
Planet 51 (U) / Entertainment

FRIDAY 11th DECEMBER

Carriers (15) / Paramount
The Red Shoes (R/I) / Park Circus / Selected Key Cities
The Step Father (15) / Sony Pictures
Unmade Beds (15) / Soda Pictures
Where The Wild Things Are (PG) / Warner Bros.

FRIDAY 18th DECEMBER

Avatar / 20th Century Fox
St. Trinians 2 / Entertainment
Nine (Entertainment)

MONDAY 21st DECEMBER

Alvin And The Chipmunks 2 / Fox

FRIDAY 25th DECEMBER

Dogging: A Love Story / Vertigo Films
Nowhere Boy / Icon

SATURDAY 26th DECEMBER

Sherlock Holmes / Warner Bros.

> Get local showtimes via Google Movies (just enter your postcode)
> Find out about films showing near you at MyFilms

Tags alvin and the chimpmunks, avatar, me and orson welles, nine, sherlock holmes, uk cinema releases, where the wild things

Cinema

UK Cinema Releases: Friday 27th November 2009

Post author By Ambrose Heron
Post date 27/11/2009

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NATIONAL RELEASES

Paranormal Activity (Icon): The ultra low budget horror sensation about a couple who are haunted by a ghost opened early on Wednesday and UK distributor Icon will be hoping for a repeat of its extraordinary US success.

Read about how it became a phenomenon here and check out my longer thoughts here. [Nationwide / Cert 15]

Law Abiding Citizen (Momentum Pictures): An everyday guy (Gerard Butler) decides to take justice into his own hands after a plea bargain sets his family’s killers free.

His target is the district attorney (Jamie Foxx) who orchestrated the deal. This looks like an update on Death Wish …with Gerard Butler. [Nationwide / Cert 18]

Nativity! (E1 Films): Martin Freeman (the former Office star currently appearing in those annoying anti-piracy ads) plays a school teacher putting on a nativity play.

Directed by Debbie Isitt, it is a British comedy and co-stars Alan Carr – two things which don’t bode well. [Nationwide /Cert PG]

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IN LIMITED RELEASE

Bunny and the Bull (Optimum): Another British comedy (two in one week!) and this involves a man (Edward Hogg) who takes an imaginary road trip inside his apartment, based on mementos and memories of a European trek from years before.

From the makers of TV comedy The Mighty Boosh. [ Chelsea Cinema, Curzon Soho & Nationwide / Cert 15]

Seraphine (Metrodome): A biopic starring Yolande Moreau as the French painter Séraphine Louis, directed by Martin Provost.

It recently won the 2009 Cesar Award for Best Film. [Coronet, Curzons Renoir & Richmond, Odeon Panton St & Key Cities / Cert PG]

> Get local cinema show times for your area via Google Movies
> UK DVD & Blu-ray picks for this week including Fight Club and The Sopranos Season 1 (W/C Monday 23rd November 2009)

Tags law abiding citizen, nativity!, paranormal activity, uk cinema releases