03.19.08
Weekend Attractions (20 – 24 March ‘08)
The Diving Bell and The Butterfly
Seeing as though Friday 21st March is a public holiday in South Africa, tomorrow, Thursday, is considered the weekend. How cool is that? Thursday is also the day my school breaks up and I am on school holidays until April 14th. That is quite a bit of time that I plan to dedicated to film, mostly. This weekend sees the opening of a film that I loved, I saw it thanks to Ryan Adams. The Diving Bell and The Butterfly is sure to be the art-house hit of the next few weeks, and it is deserved. It is brilliant. Also opening are a few money makers and adventure filled films, so without further adieu…
Films opening in South Africa this weekend:
The Diving Bell and The Butterfly
In December 1995, Jean-Dominique Bauby suffered a stroke that left his entire body paralysed, with the exception of this left eyelid. Before his accident, he was an accomplished editor of the French Elle-magazine and was living the high life. He is told that he now suffers from “Locked in syndrome” which means he cannot move or speak, he is trapped in his own body. But he can still think and use his imagination, and learns to communicate with his left eyelid. While in the hospital, Bauby wrote “bedridden travel notes” which were published ten days before his death. He wrote this book, “The Diving Bell and The Butterfly” or “Le Scaphandre et le Papillon”, with which he signalled for the letter he wished to use. It took an extreme amount of courage and dedication to write it, and the book became a world-wide success. It took a great tragedy in his life to discover the things that were most important to him, and this same tragedy tuned him into an artist. The films screenplay was written by South African-born Ronald Harwood, who won an Oscar for his work for “The Pianist”. It is directed by Julian Schnabel whose direction added something unique and moving to the film, and I urge you to discover this truly inspiring work-of-art for yourself
The Spiderwick Chronicles
Peculiar things start to happen the moment the Grace family (Jared, his twin brother Simon, sister Mallory and their mother) leave New York and move into the secluded, old, run-down Spiderwick-Estate owned by their great uncle Arthur Spiderwick. Unable to explain the strange disappearances and accidents that seem to be happening on a daily basis, Jared, Simon and Mallory investigate what is really going on. They uncover the fantastic truth of Spiderwick Estate and find themselves pulled into an alternate world full of faeries and other creatures that inhabit it.
This one seems to be the hit of the week, and from what I have heard, it is pretty good.
10,000 B.C
Acclaimed action adventure director Roland Emmerich (The Day after Tommrow and Independence Day) has created what some believe to be an epic. But most believe it to be a piece of crap. “10,000 B.C.” centers on a young hunter who embarks on a journey through uncharted territory to secure the future of his dying tribe. In the process, he saves the one he loves. Whatever.
The Game Plan
This film tells the story of rugged superstar quarterback Joe Kingman (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) whose Boston-based team is chasing a championship. A ’serial bachelor’, Kingman is living the ultimate fantasy: he’s rich, famous and the life of the party.
His playboy world crashes down when he discovers a 7-year-old daughter he never knew he had, the product of a fling he had many years ago. Now, during the most important time in his career, he must figure out how to juggle his parties, practices and dates with the newfound ballet classes, bedtime stories and dolls that come with his daughter.
It does look mediocre, but could be a good one to take the kids to. Who knows, it may be enjoyable.
Race
Ranvir and Rajiv are half brothers who own a huge stud farm in Durban, South Africa. They breed horses on their huge ranch house and are the biggest bookies in the horse racing circuit.
An affair starts between the Rajiv’s wife and Ranvir. When Rajivstarts suspecting his wife, all hell breaks loose. A murder is committed, a contract killing is issued, double crossings become the order of the day, betrayals are executed at the blink of an eye, and a point comes where you cannot pick the good from the bad, the evil from the righteous and the tame from the wild.
Right. Okay. If you say so.
Don’t forget the Grace is Gone screening at Hyde Park on Sunday, the 23rd and 17:00. For more info on it, click here.
Horton Hears A Who
Only at Nu Metro cinema’s, the film opens nationwide on Monday the 24th, which is yet another public holiday. For more information, click here.
To Book/Inquiries:
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ROCK!!!
What will you be seeing this weekend?
Brian Tristam Williams said,
March 19, 2008 at 11:33 am
Thanks for the Grace Is Gone reminder. Will we see you there? :-)
Nick Plowman said,
March 19, 2008 at 11:44 am
It’s all good. You might, depends on whether or not my friends feel like going to the movies on Easter Sunday…..I want to go. I really do.
Daniel said,
March 19, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Wow, a vacation at the movies – for a month!? Good for you as you’re still getting some of the solid releases over there, like Diving Bell.
soundtrackgeek said,
March 19, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Interesting line up. Got the soundtrack for “Horton Hears a Who” and I’ll put up a review on that this week. I still haven’t gotten around to watching The Spiderwick Chronicles, might give that a viewing soon.
Nick Plowman said,
March 19, 2008 at 4:02 pm
@ Daniel, that is the plan – movies, movies, and just for variety, I will see more movies. Besides Diving Bell, I will also be seeing Shine A Light, I’m Not There, Grace is Gone, Be Kind Rewind, God Grew Tired of Us, and a few more. That is the plan. I would also like to rent/buy tons of DVDs.
@ soundtrackgeek, I look forward to reading your review of Horton’s soundtrack, I will probably see it on 24 March. If and when you see Spiderwick, I would love to hear your thoughts.
striderdemme said,
March 19, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I really enjoyed The Spiderwick Chronicles. Much more than I had anticipated.
Nick Plowman said,
March 19, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I am hoping to have the same experience with it as well. I am not really expecting much, but I hope it is enjoyable. The s.effects look meticulous. I am not a fan of Freddie Highmore {the main kid}, not sure what his name is!
Nayana Anthony said,
March 19, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Diving Bell was my absolute favorite movie of 2007. Utterly heartbreaking and beautiful. I so look forward to your review.
Matthew Lucas said,
March 20, 2008 at 3:30 am
I like Freddie Highmore, but wish he would branch out and play different types of characters, as up till now they have all been essentially the same.
In “Spiderwick” he finally does. :-)
Nick Plowman said,
March 20, 2008 at 4:18 am
I loved it too Nayana, probably the most beautiful film I have seen from 2007, visually and emotionally. One of my faves of the year without a doubt.
I am glad to hear that he branches out, it is about time, and who knows, I may just change my opinion on him after I see the film.
Jack said,
March 20, 2008 at 8:52 am
Hey Nick,
How are you managing to see “Be Kind Rewind”? Is there a preview on the go somewhere?
Great site, by the way.
Nick Plowman said,
March 20, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Hey Jack,
There is a press-screening, but not a preview. It sucks, but I may be able to get in. Be Kind Rewind was supposed to be released on April the 11th, but now the date is 16th May. So depressing.
And thanks ;)
Jack said,
March 20, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Sorry to have to depress you more, Nick, but I think it’s now been pushed back to June. It will probably be available on R1 DVD before then.
Nick Plowman said,
March 21, 2008 at 7:29 am
The original press screening that I could have gone to was back in Feb, but I had to pass because of school. You can imagine how hard I am kicking myself now.
Do you know what is even more depressing for me? The fact that I’m Not There has been pushed to April now. It was originally set for release on 14 March. Why do the cinema chains mess us around? They do not take their customer’s very seriously. It pisses me off a lot.
Jack said,
March 21, 2008 at 9:22 am
I think it’s down to availability of prints and the various costs involved and whatnot and etc. Who knows. It’s extremely aggravating, that’s for sure.
How do you manage to get into press screenings, Nick? Is it because you review movies for this website? Or is it because you know someone that knows someone etc? Is there a divide locally between the print critics and the online critics?
Nick Plowman said,
March 21, 2008 at 11:53 am
I know I should not assume that the cinema chains simply don’t give a crap, I know there are bigger things that should be taken into account in terms of when films are released. Just plain annoying.
It is because I review movies for my blog. When I asked the PR managers of both Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro if they would allow me to attend the press screenings and that I have a film blog, I don’t think they were sure exactly how to handle the situation, so they caved and let me into the “press” circle. I am far from being a legit. critic anyway.
I don’t really know a single online critic from SA. I wish I did though. I don’t even take half the print critics seriously anyway, only a select few actually write anything that is fit to print. I think the whole online world of film love is only beginning to take off in SA, but I am sure, in time, there could be a divide between online and print critics. I hope I am wrong.
By the way, where in SA are you?
Jack said,
March 21, 2008 at 10:26 pm
I’m right here in the smog with you.
Nick Plowman said,
March 22, 2008 at 8:06 am
That’s awesome, not many South Africas visit my blog. If they do, they don’t comment. I sure am glad to have you ;)
Alison Flynn said,
March 23, 2008 at 4:53 am
I’m sure you know this, having seen my millions of comments about it, but The Diving Bell and the Butterfly was my #1 favorite film of 2007. I loved it. It was beautiful and heartbreaking and uplifting. I’m glad that you liked it, too. :)
I haven’t seen Spiderwick Chronicles yet. I’m kind of tired of Freddie Highmore, as talented as he is, so it wasn’t anywhere the top of my list of things to see. Besides, I’m still catching up on some of the 2007 international films that didn’t make it here until 2008. Just saw The Counterfeiters today, finally.
Anyway, enjoy your vacation!
Nick Plowman said,
March 23, 2008 at 7:10 am
Hey Hey Ally!
Well, once I let in sink in a little more, it could very well be my #1 as well. It is quite possibly the most beautiful film I have ever seen.
I am so with you on Freddie, but there is more to Spiderwick than him, great acting across the board and amazing effects, but I would not see it if there was something better to see, like The Counterfeiters.
I saw it at a festival-type thing earlier in the year, and it was really good. What did you think of it?
Alison Flynn said,
March 24, 2008 at 12:10 am
I just saw The Counterfeiters yesterday finally. It was a really well-done film. The story was involving (it’s based on actual events) and there were some interesting themes that were explored. And I really liked the background music. :)
Nick Plowman said,
March 24, 2008 at 6:15 am
I agree, it was well-done, and far more interesting than I expected it to be. It is the only foreign language film, besides Beaufort, that I have seen and so far, I think it deserved Best Foreign Language film. I cannot wait to see The Bands Visit though.