NATIONAL RELEASES
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (20th Century Fox): A prequel to the X-Men films which traces the back story to Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and his involvement in the Weapon X program. Directed by Gavin Hood (who made Tsotsi and Rendition) it co-stars Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston and Lynn Collins, but for various reasons is something of a mess. Despite the film’s problems, Fox will expect a huge worldwide opening although it may tail off when bad word of mouth spreads and Star Trek opens next week. [Vue West End & Nationwide / Cert 12A]
Hannah Montana The Movie (Walt Disney): The film adaptation of the teen sitcom Hannah Montana stars Miley Cyrus as Miley Stewart (and her alter-ego Hannah Montana) who’s life is becoming out of control, to the point where her dad, Robby Stewart (Billy Ray Cyrus) takes her back home to Tennessee. Disney can expect the tweens to lap this up although questions may be asked if counter-programming it against Wolverine was the right move. [Vue West End & Nationwide / Cert U]
Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past (Entertainment): A romantic comedy that offers a new take on Charles Dickens‘ A Christmas Carol which sees Matthew McConaughey play a womaniser haunted by past girlfriends. Directed by Mark Waters, it stars Emma Stone and Jennifer Garner. More counter-programming against Wolverine, Entertainment can expect female audiences to be interested but the lack of awareness for this film seems ominous for its long-term box office. [Vue West End & Nationwide / Cert 12A]
[ad]
IN SELECTED RELEASE
Is Anybody There? (Optimum Releasing): A British drama about a young boy (Bill Milner) who lives at an old people’s home run by his parents (David Morrissey and Anne-Marie Duff), who strikes up a friendship with an elderly magician (Michael Caine). [Clapham P’House, Curzon Mayfair, Screen on Baker Street & Nationwide / Cert 12A]
Funuke: Show Some Love, You Losers! (Third Window Films): Japanese film about the relationship between three siblings after their patents die in a road accident. [ICA Cinema / Cert 15]
Helen (New Wave Films): The story of a young woman poised on the brink of adult life directed by Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor. [Apollo Piccadilly Circus, Curzon Soho & Key Cities / Cert PG]
The End (Kaleidoscope Entertainment): A documentary by Nicola Collins about East End gangsters. [London & Key Cities]
Kal Kisne Dekha (Adlabs Films): A Bollywood film directed by Vivek Sharma and starring newcomers Jackky Bhagnani and Vaishali Desai. [C’Worlds Feltham, Ilford, Wandsworth, Wood Green & selected Key Cities]
[ad]
> Our latest DVD picks (W/C Monday 27th April)