04.03.08
Weekend Attractions (4 – 6 April ‘08)
A documentary outshines the rest this weekend & it isn’t Shine A Light
{Not for everyone anyway}
Well, well, well. The Mid-Season Suckfest is beginning. Tons of the most random releases, filled with almost-blockbusters and 2007-leftovers {in this weekend’s case 2006-leftovers} and an ambitious South African release or two. I have a feeling. Indifference. You would think seeing bad movies would give a person more to talk about, more to “critique,” well not in my neighbourhood. I want the good stuff. This week is not so bad though.
Films opening in South Africa this weekend:
1. God Grew Tired of Us
Winner of both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, ”God Grew Tired of Us” explores the indomitable spirit of three “Lost Boys” from the Sudan who leave their homeland, triumph over seemingly insurmountable adversities and move to America, where they build active and fulfilling new lives but remain deeply committed to helping the friends and family they have left behind. I think it is the pick of the week, not usual for a documentary, but I mean if the trailer can make a person “almost” cry, I have a lot of patience for films like this one. Go see it, please.
Director: Christopher Dillon Quinn
Cast: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan – narrated by Nicole Kidman
Age Restriction: PG
Running Time: 89 minutes
2. Confessions of a Gambler
Why would I care about a gambler confessing? Usually confessions are only helpful for those who do the confessing. Well, this confession comes from Abeeda, a pious Muslim woman, who also happens to be a gambling addict. She is one of those robed women who “when you pass me on the street, you won’t even glance my way.” The film is based on the 2004 Sunday Times Literary award and the Herman Charles Bosman Award winning novel by Rayda Jacobs who also stars as the lead character, Abeeda. The film has also just premiered at the Dubai International Film Festival. Is it wrong that I am not interested in this South African film at all?
Director: Rayda Jacobs, Amanda Lane
Cast: Rayda Jacobs, Rautiz Jenkins, Aqueel Khan, Reza Kippie
Age Restriction: 13 L
Running Time: 87 minutes
3. Planet Terror
This nonstop action-horror hybrid was originally released to great acclaim in the US as part of Dusk til Dawn and Sin City producer/director Robert Rodriguez’s and Kill Bill director Quentin Tarantino’s ambitious Grindhouse double bill of retro B-movies. I never saw Death Proof, it opened in one theatre and I couldn’t make it. Too bad. I guess that is what DVDs are for.
Director Rodriguez’s film details the violent struggle that takes place between a ravenous army of zombie-like humanoids who have taken control of the planet and the remaining survivors who refuse to go down without a fight. I guess this film is a safe bet. If you like this sort of thing.
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Cast: Rose McGowan, Quinton Tarantino, Josh Brolin, Freddy Rodriguez, and um, Fergie?
Age Restriction: 16 LV
Running Time: 99 minutes.
4. Scoop
This one confuses me. It was released in the US a while, and I mean a while ago, and it is only reaching SA shores now. Can it be all that good? I have heard that it is not, but every man or woman for themselves.
In this romantic comedy penned, directed by and starring Woody Allen, We meet Sondra Pransky (Johansson), an American journalism student who believes that she’s uncovered the story of a lifetime whilst on a trip to London.
Director: Woody Allen
Cast: Woody Allen, Scarlett Johansson, Ian McShane, Hugh Jackman, Romola Garai
Age Restriction: All Ages
Running Time: 95 minutes
5. Vantage Point
No, no, no. Why do they make films like this? Why do talented actors and actresses star in films like this?!
Neal Moritz, producer of such Hollywood blockbusters as I Am Legend, xXx: State of the Union and Fast and the Furious – working alongside Omagh director Pete Travis – returns to the screen with this classy, action-packed thriller. Employing the classic multi-perspective storytelling device originated by Kurosawa in Rashomon, Vantage Point tells the story of eight strangers, each with a view-point of a significant, potentially world changing event, and how each of their perspectives melt together to tell the one true story of the incident. No, just no.
Director: Pete Travis
Cast: William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Matthew Fox, Forrest Whitaker and Dennis Quaid
Age Restriction: 13 V
Running Time: 88 minutes
6. Shine A Light
If you live in Kwazulu-Natal and can get to Gateway, you can see Shine A Light this weekend. Everyone else has to wait until April 18th. {I guess this is a limited release}
Martin Scorsese’s {who just happens to be my newest MySpace friend, along with ten thousand other film freaks} concert documentary ”Shine A Light” shows the world the Rolling Stones as they’ve never been seen before. Filmed at the famed Beacon Theater in New York City in fall 2006, Scorsese assembled a legendary team of cinematographers to capture the raw energy of the legendary band. I am so in, hopefully I can see it on Friday as well. Hopefully.
7. Dan In Real Life
As I mentioned yesterday, the Barry Ronge/Nu Metro preview will be held at Hyde Park Shopping Centre on Sunday at 17:00. Be there, if have nothing else to do. I am.
To Book:
Ster Kinekor/Nu Metro
8. If you are J.D. then your only goal is to see “Thirteen” this weekend. And Leatherheads comes second. Okay?
What are you seeing ? Where ever you may be.
Miranda Wilding said,
April 3, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Hey, Nick.
It is my considered opinion (and only mine, of course) that Scoop is a complete dud. Not only do I own a sizable portion of Woody’s filmography but I’ve seen EVERYTHING he’s ever directed. (Except, apparently, for Cassandra’s Dream.)
Woody has made some extraordinary comedies over the years. Some of them will stand the test of time and people will be talking about them many years from now. Scoop will not be one of them.
Woody’s direction and his acting are wildly off. This is not one of Scarlett’s finest moments onscreen. Unfortunately, her character is a complete idiot. She and Woody team up to investigate some strange goings on. In real life, Scarlett’s complete lack of common sense would have landed her in serious hot water within a very short time. There is some really fine talent in this one. But it’s entirely wasted. The revealing of events (it’s supposedly a comedy/mystery but it’s totally unfunny and about as mysterious as an eye infection) is a complete cop out. Then something really strange (and abrupt) happens right at the end.
This is for hard core Woody fans only. I’d advise almost everyone that, if they are genuinely compelled to see it, that they’d be better off renting the DVD.
You are correct, Nicky boy. It’s bad. Save your money for something worthwhile.
Nick Plowman said,
April 3, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Hey!
I am sad to say that I do not think I will be seeing this at the cinema, that is for sure. I will wait for DVD. I too am a hardcore Woody fan, I have not seen EVERYTHING, but I have seen some gems {Annie Hall, Hannah and her Sisters, Bullets over Broadway, Manhattan, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Mighty Aphrodite to name my faves.
The trailer for Scoop did not grab me and I did not like it at all.
I will catch up with other things, I guess. Thanks for the heads up, I will not be wasting my money after all.
Evan Derrick said,
April 3, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I love documentaries – haven’t seen “God Grew Tired of Us,” but I’ll have to go searching for it.
I actually enjoyed “Vantage Point,” Nick. It all boils down to whether or not you find the ‘rewinds’ tedious, but I got into it enough – it worked as a guilty pleasure (I need some of those every now and then).
“Planet Terror” could also fall into the guilty pleasure category, although I couldn’t shake the feeling after seeing it that the money could have better been spent on, I dunno, feeding starving orphans or something.
And as for recent Woody Allen, you MUST see “Match Point,” which is a phenomenal film. Just amazing.
This weekend, I’ll probably take in “4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days,” since I can’t muster the enthusiasm to see the Stones doc. U2? Yes. Stones? No. Does that mean I have no respect for the past?
Nick Plowman said,
April 3, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I just don’t think I would enjoy Vantage Point much, maybe. Not too sure, I just have a feeling.
I have seen Match Point, and I thought it was very good indeed, have it on DVD too.
I have seen U23D and I loved it, and I am hopeful for Shine A Light, it all boils down to your fandom, how much you like the Stones, and I love them to bits.
I wish I was seeing “4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days” I really, really do. Hope you enjoy it!
Matthew Lucas said,
April 3, 2008 at 4:27 pm
GOD GREW TIRED OF US is a great documentary that everyone should see. PLANET TERROR was a lot of fun, the best half of GRINDHOUSE, IMO.
I thought VANTAGE POINT was a mess that got even more laughable as it went along. You know something is wrong when a cast like that all seem to be phoning it in.
J.D. said,
April 3, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Planet Terror is incredibly awesome, dude. Let me say it, I wanna say it!
MACHINE GUN LEG!!!!!
Ahem.
And Scoop was good. Nothing really note-worthy, but it’s not bad by any means, IMO.
And don’t worry Nicky boy, I’ll get to it. ;)
Nick Plowman said,
April 3, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Matt and J.D. I guess then I might have to make an effort to see Planet Terror then!
I will not be seeing Vantage Point, but maybe Scoop. Depends on stuff.
I hope u do J.D. I really do!
Caitlin said,
April 3, 2008 at 8:26 pm
I guess then I might have to make an effort to see Planet Terror then!
Thirding Planet Terror. Ohhhhh, I love that movie so much! It’s sad to say that yes, it is a better movie than Death Proof, but I think it’s because Tarantino and Rodriguez really worked together on Planet Terror and it was Tarantino only on Death Proof.
Nick Plowman said,
April 3, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Well, with your recommendation as well, I would be a fool to miss it!!!
Daniel said,
April 4, 2008 at 3:23 am
God Grew Tired of Us really is well made, but it’s so similar to PBS’ The Lost Boys of Sudan from 2003 that I get the two confused. It’s literally the exact same story. Anyway, still important. If you have bleeding heart like me, you might also want to check out last year’s War Dance and The Devil Came on Horseback, both focused on Africa.
Paul said,
April 4, 2008 at 8:14 am
I really enjoyed Planet Terror, but to say it’s better than Death Proof is crazy talk.
Nick Plowman said,
April 4, 2008 at 8:52 am
lol I have not seen PBS’ Lost Boys of Sudan so I would have nothing to compare it with.
I very much have a bleeding heart and I have seen War Dance which was good and I will get out The Devil Came on Horseback as soon as possible.
lol Paul, now I am even more confused. Some say Planet Terror, some say Death Proof….SA should have just done it like in the US and played them together, Grindhouse! That would have been better.