04.24.08
Weekend Attractions (25 – 27 April ‘08)
Films opening in South Africa this {long} weekend
I’m Not There
Visionary Velvet Goldmine and Far from Heaven director Todd Haynes returns to the big screen with a film produced by long-time champion of independent filmmakers, Christine Vachon that is as groundbreaking and revolutionary, or so I have heard.
On screen, the lives and music of Bob Dylan are unfurled and played out by a series of actors – ranging from Hollywood stars to complete unknowns – all portraying the singer himself at different times and in the various guises of his life so far. I have only seen Cate Blanchett’s performance, which is amazing, and have waited long enough to see the film in its entirety, because I am as big a Bob Dylan fan as anyone else is. By far the, I am assuming here, best film of the weekend.
Nim’s Island
This childish-looking adventure comedy from Jennifer Flackett and Mark Levin the writers of Madelaine, and Stephen Jones the producer of Superman Returns and Fool’s Gold sees a young girl whose paradise home is under threat turn to her literary hero to come and save the day.
Untraceable
From Primal Fear and Fallen director Greg Hoblit comes this thriller starring Diane Lane as a Federal agent intent on stopping the murderous rampage of a demented serial killer.
FBI Special Agent Jennifer Marsh (Lane) works for the specialised Cybercrime unit of the bureau which deals with internet related criminal activities, and who is brought in to investigate the most baffling and menacing case of her life.
Dan in Real Life
Dan Burns (Steve Carell) is a single father and newspaper journalist who always seems to be doling out wisdom to others via his advice column Dan in Real Life, but who could seriously do with a shot of it himself.
Dan is a great father who has dedicated his life to his 3 girls, but they’re growing so fast that he finds he often overprotects them excessively which leads to a number of hilariously embarrassing moments. He spends so much time and energy on the girls and other people that he ends up neglecting his own needs.
All that changes, however, when Dan meets a beautiful stranger called Marie (Juliette Binoche) at a local bookstore. Posing as a sales clerk in order to get close enough to talk to her, Dan manages to exchange phone numbers with her even though she makes it plain that she is not available, having just entered a relationship with someone else. (read my review)
Run Fatboy, Run
David Schwimmer (Friends) directs this Sarah Curtis (Mansfield Park) and Robert Jones (Dirty Pretty Things) produced comedy about a man who is prepared to go to great lengths to get a second chance with the woman he loves. I have heard it is pretty enjoyable, hoping to give it a try indeed.
First Sunday
Playwright David Talbert produces writes and directs his own work in this urban crime comedy. The story follows what happens when two bumbling small-time crooks find that they need to come up with some quick cash and the lengths they will go to in order to acquire it.
Ice Cube stars as Durell and Tracy Morgan stars as LeeJohn, best friends and partners in petty crime in LA who tend to mess things up as opposed to getting busy making themselves rich. {sounds damn awful}.
More Than Just a Game
From South African producer Anant Singh comes this inspirational drama that received its world premiere at the 2010 World Cup preliminary draw in Durban in late 2007. The film has a universal message, which shows the role football played in the history of this country and what football can achieve – dignity and equality. It also highlights the value of the human spirit. YAY {sargasm}.
Tashan
One of the most anticipated {Bollywood} movies of the year, Tashan promises oodles of ishtyle and substance. Starring Aksahy Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Anil Kapoor, Tashan tells the story of four unique people on a fateful journey that will alter the course of their lives.
To Book:
Nu Metro or Ster Kinekor
Taxi To The Dark Side
The Oscar winning documentary is appreatnly screening on SABC 2 on Sunday the 26th, at 9PM, so check it out, I will post a review of it soon {it has taken long enough, I saw it last September at the Encounters festival}. It is brilliant, trust me.
Miranda Wilding said,
April 24, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Oh…INT ain’t that revolutionary. TRUST ME, baby boy.
But if you liked Ms. Blanchett, then I think you’ll like the rest of the movie.
‘Twas a big washout for me…
J.D. said,
April 24, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Can’t wait to read your review for I’m Not There, Nick. ‘Cuz I respect your opinion an insane amount and I’m pissed off that I still have to wait over a week and a half for it’s R1 DVD release and would be glad to passive-aggressively quiet that through your writing. :)
Nick Plowman said,
April 24, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Miranda…..that is not good to hear….well…..I loved Blanchett…..who knows….I hope I enjoy it….
lol, thanks J.D……a week and a half, lol….that is not such a long wait! It may take me that long to write a review….what if I find it too hard to write a review? I will do one just for you ;)
Daniel said,
April 25, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I think you’ll be enraptured by I’m Not There, despite dear Ms. Wilding’s misgivings about it. If I know your taste, I think you’ll enjoy it. I’d like to see if you took anything more than I did from Fatboy, as well.
I would love to see More Than Just a Game, assuming it’s not melodramatic. I’m really excited for the ‘10 World Cup. Maybe I’ll plan a trip and we can go to a movie together, if you’re still there, and if I win the lottery by that time.
Tashan also sounds interesting, if only because I don’t see enough Bollywood films.
Nick Plowman said,
April 25, 2008 at 3:51 pm
I have a feeling I will love it, and I respect Miranda’s opinion very much, but I think we could end up with different views about it. I do not know yet, but either way, I cannot wait to see it.
I really am only seeing Fatboy because a friend of mine said it was not that bad, else I would probably miss it.
I might see More Than Just a Game, if I have nothing else to do, from the reviews, it sucks, but whatever. Maybe.
If you ever come to SA, beit for the World Cup or not, I would love to be your tour guide to all the {I bet laughable} cinemas in my area. I plan on NOT being here, but who knows.
I do not think I have ever sat through an ENTIRE Bollywood film before, which is mean, but I dislike them very much.
marc james said,
April 25, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I thought UNTRACEABLE was awesome.
Diane Lane was superb and the film was very “SE7EN”-esque.
It was very intense and powerful with a real gritty and atmospheric sense of dread. Pretty darn effective and effecting torture and death scenes too. A good quality thriller. Recommended.
Nick Plowman said,
April 25, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Now you are just making me feel bad, I just completed a review of Untraceable which I was forced to see with friends, and I hated it.
Perhaps it is just not for me?
Miranda Wilding said,
April 26, 2008 at 4:25 pm
I didn’t see Untraceable so I can’t judge. But don’t you dare feel bad, you little sweetheart.
I don’t mean or want to dump all over someone that I don’t even know, but Mr. James (in his post above) is the only person that I know that had anything positive to say about this film. It’s getting skewered right across the board wherever it plays. Most people thought it was godawful. MUCH worse than just plain bad. Exploitative, poorly made, creepy, a waste of Ms. Lane’s talent etc. is what I keep hearing.
I have no opinion not having seen it. But I think you’re on very solid ground, honey…
Nick Plowman said,
April 26, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Aw, thanks Miranda.
It is funny that Mr. James commented as I was done writing my review, so it was weird to have someone vouch for the film when I had just ripped it apart.
I hope you never forge a solid opinion on it, I hope you stay away from it forever; no doubt you have far too much self-respect to sit through it anyway!