09.11.08
Weekend Attractions (12 – 14 September ‘08)
- Taken. French Cinematographer Pierre Morel’s (Transporter, 1 & 2, War) high-octane film follows an ex-CIA “Preventer”, played by Liam Neeson who is faced with recovering his daughter (Maggie Grace) after she is kidnapped by sex-traffickers in Paris. He sets out to find her, much action probably takes place, and all I am hoping for is a different take or perspective on a genre I usually have no interest in.
- The Elite Squad (Trope de Elite). “The Elite Squad” is an intense but ultimately mediocre look at Rio de Janeiro’s notorious favelas, the volatile slums on the edge of the city. The film is set in 1997 and presents an intimate glimpse at the city’s vast and intricate web of corruption. It is definitely worth checking out on a weekend with few releases, and my review will be up later today or tomorrow. I keep putting it off for no reason. I guess the film didn’t grab me like I had hoped it would.It’s all in the execution.
- Sea Monsters 3D. Sea Monsters 3D weaves together a series of digs from around the globe in a story about scientists working as prehistoric detectives to answer questions about this ancient and mysterious ocean world. Viewers accompany modern and historical palaeontologists to remote locations as they excavate the remains of some of the most awe-inspiring creatures of all time, and tog. If that’s your kinda thing.
- Out in Africa Film Festival. See: “XXY,” “Where The World Mine,” “For the Bible Tells Me So,” ” The Bubble” and “Shelter.”
- Taiwanese Film Festival, if you can call it that, with six films screening for free at Cinema Nouveau in Rosebank this weekend, hopefully I am going to check out “God Man Dog” and “Spider Lilies.”
To Book: Nu Metro or Ster Kinekor
GoshWatcher said,
September 11, 2008 at 7:59 pm
You get Taken??? We only get that in Jan next year. I also really want to see Elite Squad, and those Taiwanese films sound interesting, enjoy!
Kerry said,
September 11, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Yeah, Elite Squad is mediocre but it is entertaining, I’ll give it that.
Taken sounds meh, look forward to you telling me otherwise though.
J.D. said,
September 11, 2008 at 8:12 pm
I’m so sorry, Nick. *hug*
Dave said,
September 11, 2008 at 8:14 pm
I’ve seen none of those Nick….and I ditto JDs sentiment, I’m still here at TIFF.
Justin said,
September 11, 2008 at 8:18 pm
I am seeing Taken and Elite, nothing else, might hit that Taiwanese fest but it is doubtful, I got a ton of work to catch up on this weekend. Im sick of these shitty weekends though, unless they give me more time to do other things besides watching films…but who wants that?!
Sam Juliano said,
September 11, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Stateside, its BURN AFTER READING, and perhaps a few others, like AUGUST EVENING for example. I am tempted to see something tonite, if I can pull it off. As far as TAKEN goes, I don’t know what to say at this point.
Justin said,
September 12, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Just saw Elite Squad, and I totally get what you are saying about it being mediocre. Look forward to your review, no pressure.
Izaac said,
September 12, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Taken is actually a really decent, solid movie. See it.
Nat said,
September 12, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I am so excited for this years Out in Africa! Hope to see you there.
Gonzalo said,
September 12, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Trope de Elite, how can you say it is mediocre? Are you blind?
I want to see Taken.
Nick Plowman said,
September 12, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Just, I was hoping you’d find something to like more in it that I did not, damn. Gonzalo, how can I say it is mediocre? I simply type m-e-d-i-o-c-r-e on the keyboard and press enter. Kidding…I just didn’t think it was that interesting, but it was solid, entertaining cinema, I’ll give it that.
Nat, I’m not sure that I’ll attend seeing as I have already seen all the films showing, but you never know. Enjoy it though!
Gonzalo said,
September 13, 2008 at 10:18 am
Yeah well, looking forward to see how you handle your review, when will it be up?
Nick Plowman said,
September 13, 2008 at 10:20 am
I’m done with it, just letting it cool off a bit before I post it.