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UK Cinema Releases: Friday 19th September 2008

NATIONAL RELEASES

Tropic Thunder (Paramount): With an impressive US gross already in the bag, a high profile London premiere this week and a distinct lack of direct competition, Paramount have every right to be bullish about this Hollywood satire taking the UK Number 1 slot. Ben Stiller directs and stars alongside Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. as a group of prima donna actors making a Vietnam War film who annoy their director (Steve Coogan) so much that he abandons them in the jungle amidst a real war zone. Although not quite as hilarious as it might have been, there are a lot of good laughs to be had and Downey Jnr is remarkable as a white method actor playing a black character. [Cert 15 / Nationwide]

Linha De Passe (Pathe): The latest film from director Walter Salles (who’s previous films include Central Station and The Motorcycle Diaries) is the tale of four poverty-stricken brothers who live in a favela neighborhood in São Paulo. Although not quite as good as his previous work it is still an absorbing slice of modern Brazilian life. It premiered at Cannes back in May to generally positive reviews and SandraCorveloni scooped the Best Actress award. Pathe will be hoping the arthouse crowd turn out in force for one of South America’s best directors. [Cert 15 / Key Cities]

Listen to our interview with Walter  Salles about Linha De Passe *

Then She Found Me (Chelsea Films): Helen Hunt directs and stars in this tale of a New York teacher (Hunt) who hits a midlife crisis when her husband (Matthew Broderick) leaves, her adoptive mother dies, her biological mother (Bette Midler) turns up unexpected and she begins a relationship with the father (Colin Firth) of one of her students. Although this low budget comedy/drama didn’t exactly make waves at the US box office, it may hit the sweet spot for female uadiences who don’t want to see Mamma Mia for the 8thtime. [Cert 15 / Key Cities]

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IN SELECTED RELEASE

The Chaser (Metrodome): A Korean crime drama directed by Hong-jin Na about a detective turned pimp in financial trouble as several of his girls have recently disappeared without clearing their debts. [Cert 18 / C’World Shaftesbury Ave, Vues Islington, Shepherds Bush & Key Cities]

The Wave (Momentum): This German drama explores a high school teacher’s unusual experiment to demonstrate to his students what life is like under a dictatorship spins horribly out of control.  It proved a big hit in Germany earlier this year. [Cert 15 / C’World Fulham Rd, Odeon Covent Gdn, Ritzy, P’House Greenwich & Key Cities]

Unrelated (New Wave Films): A woman escaping an unhappy marriage takes refuge with a friend’s family on holiday, where events force her to confront the reality of never having her own children. Directed by Joanna Hogg. [Cert 15 / Key Cities – Click here for a full list of cinemas showing it]

Live! (Lionsgate UK): A mockumentary following an ambitious TV network executive (Eva Mendes) trying to produce a controversial reality show where contestants play Russian Roulette. [Cert 15 / Showing at Empire Leicester Square in London]

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (Manga Entertainment): The 2006 Japanese animated film which is an adaptation of a Japanese novel written by Yasutaka Tsutsui. [Showing the ICA Cinema in London]

Love Letters and Live Wires: Highlights from the GPO Film Unit (bfi Distribution): Programme showcasing the sheer range of films made in the 1930s by the General Post Office Film Unit, from quintessential documentary to avant-garde animation and even musical comedy. [Cert U / BFI Southbank & Key Cities]

Saas Bahu Aur Sensex (Warner Bros): A Bollywood film set against the backdrop of the money markets  and the masala and kitty parties of modern day Mumbai. [Selected cinemas Nationwide]

Zombie Strippers (Sony Pictures): A comedy horror film, written and directed by Jay Lee, starring Robert EnglundJenna Jameson, and Tito Ortiz [Cert 18 / Prince Charles Cinema in London only]

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If you have any questions about this week’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
Check out the DVD releases for this week (W/C Monday 15th September)