The school holidays are upon us once again, the outdoor temperatures have become decidedly chillier, sport is off for the duration of the break and only the die-hards are out in the surf! That said, there is still plenty of opportunity to settle down in a warm movie theatre and catch those films still doing the rounds that have been Previewed previously, as well as checking out another raft of new offerings to entice you out on a cold Winter's afternoon or evening. This week there are six new movies that again offer something for everyone. Of course for holiday season we have a colourful animated sequel set somewhere in Brazil for the younger ones amongst us (no FIFA references here though!); there is a bio-pic of a 60's iconic band that everyone has heard about and may have seen already in the stage adaptation of their story; there is a documentary made by a couple of well known magicians trying to solve some historical magic of their own; a French cycling fanatic going large in the biggest two wheeled peddle power cross-country race in the known universe; an Aussie teenage coming of age tale as the lives of four kids on the edge of adulthood become intertwined; and a revenge film pointed squarely at the misgivings of the Catholic Church from within a small Irish community.
Truly a global feel to this weeks latest releases taking us from South America to North America to Ireland to France, to our own backyard here in Australia and a few other stop-offs along the way! Get out and see something on the big screen, and then drop me a line and let me know your thoughts!
CALVARY (Rated MA15+) - Brendan Gleeson stars here as Father James Lavelle, a Catholic Priest in the small Irish community in County Sligo. Taking confessional one fine day he learns that one of his flock has decided to kill him one week from now. And so is set in motion a cat and mouse game as Father James seeks to uncover the would-be killer, save himself, and the name of his Church which the majority of his congregation seem to have lost faith in and would all have some reason in turning against it, and the Priest. This is Gleeson's second pairing with Director and Screenwriter John Michael McDonagh after 2011's excellent
'The Guard'. Again as with that film the subject matter may be considered confronting, the writing solid, the dialogue sharp, the comedy black, and the performances in fine form from Gleeson especially and a very capable cast including Chris O'Dowd, Dylan Moran, Domhnall Gleeson and Kelly Reilly (playing Father James grown and troubled daughter). A must-see, and if you liked
'The Guard' then this is sure to please.
JERSEY BOYS (Rated M) - Clint Eastwood has once again got his Director's hat on and has taken the stage adaptation of this Frankie Valli and his 60's music sensation band 'The Four Seasons', and given it the big screen treatment. Using big screen unknown but stage renowned acting and singing talent for the lead role especially from the 'Jersey Boys' theatre production, Eastwood has crafted the story based around the kids early lives, their break through into music and eventual stardom and the gambling, the debts, the differences in musical and creative opinion, the Mafioso threats, divided families and such melodrama to add weight to the musical numbers that you will instantly recognise, and tap your feet to. Starring John Lloyd Young (Frankie Valli), Vincent Piazza (Tommy DeVito), Michael Lomenda (Nick Massi) and Bob Gaudio (Erich Bergen) with always dependable Christopher Walken supporting, this is likely to please those fans of The Four Seasons and the musical bio-pic genre.
GALORE (Rated MA15+) - this is an Aussie coming of age drama film set amid the backdrop of the Canberra bush fires in 2003. Four young lives on the cusp of adulthood become interwoven as Billie (Ashleigh Cummings) and best mate Laura (Lily Sullivan) share their innermost secrets . . . except one, and that is Billie's secret longing for Laura's boyfriend Danny (Toby Wallace). When Billie's mother takes in troubled teen Isaac (Aliki Matangi) this stranger impacts upon the careful balance of the three teen lives causing more disruption and uncertainty. With bush fires ranging and inching ever closer the four immerse themselves in each other, their teen angst, parties, alcohol, love, lust and desire with consequences that could change their delicate lives forever.
TOUR DE FORCE (Rated M) - manic cycling family man Francois (Clovis Cornillac) decides to join up with the Tour de France while in a drunken stupor commiserating the loss of his family after they walk out on him because of his two wheel pedal powering obsession! In no time at all he has recruited a Manager, a crew to provide road support en-route, and a surrogate 'family' to cheer him on his way. Needless to say all goes well and he quickly acquires a cult following in the media, but along this journey of discovery through the mountains and meadows all cannot be so well, and various predictable plot contrivances will doubtless conspire to deliver humour, emotion, awakening and redemption from the Peloton, his disjointed family status and his all enveloping obsession.
TIM'S VERMEER (Rated M) - this is an historical journey attempting to uncover the reasons why Dutch Master painter of the 17th Century, Johannes Vermeer, was able to paint his famed artworks (Girl with the Pearl Earring amongst others) with almost a photo-realism . . . two hundred years or so before the invention of the camera! The guys behind this quest are the renowned magician double act Penn & Teller, with Teller taking the Directing credit behind the camera, and partner Penn Jillette taking a Producing, Writing and Narrative credit in front of the camera. But it is wealthy inventor Tim Jenison, who is seeking to uncover the truth behind this centuries old puzzle to prove that Vermeer did in fact use various optical devices to create his stunning imagery on canvas. Looking to clarify the lines between art, science and obsession this documentary film charts an eight year work that takes in the painters place of work in Holland, a meeting with famed British painter David Hockney and to the Royal Household at Buckingham Palace to view one of the Queen's Vermeer artworks in her own collection. This film is likely to fascinate or frustrate, and will not be for everyone, but, you'll need to see the film to learn what is ultimately uncovered and the conclusions drawn.
RIO 2 (Rated G) - following hot on the heels of the 2011 animated hit, comes the sequel of various tropical brightly feathered family and friends this time transporting them to the deepest darkest Amazon, where they have been transplanted from colourful, exciting, energetic Rio de Janiero. Featuring the voice talents of Anne Hathaway, Bruno Mars, Jamie Foxx, Jessie Eisenberg and Andy Garcia amongst others the same avian characters are back but in new surroundings discovering long lost in-laws and overcoming the challenges that ensue when you rock-up suddenly unannounced! Along the way there are dazzling musical routines, chases through the undergrowth and above the forest canopies, and various pratfalls to be expected when you drop a crew in unfamiliar territory and out of their comfort zone. Visually colourful and dazzling as the first film was, this is sure to please the younger audience with what it is!
Six offerings to entertain and possibly educate, and amuse in one way or another. Enjoy your cinematic experience(s) this coming week, and when you're done . . . tell a friend, and this Blog!
Movies - see as many as you can!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
I took my young lad to see 'RIO' in eye popping all colourful 3D this afternoon with a bunch of mates on his Birthday. This animated feature film was made for US$90M and grossed US$484M worldwide and naturally gave rise to a sequel in 2014 called aptly 'Rio 2' which cost US$103M and brought home US$500M and was Written and Directed by the same guy on both occasions - Carlos Saldanha. The film scored an Oscar nomination and won three awards all up and was nominated a further 28 times.
Linda is now all grown up and owns a book store and Blu is her domesticated, intelligent and faithful loving loyal, and flightless, companion. By chance the bookshop is visited by Tulio (Rodrigo Santoro), a Brazilian Ornithologist who claims that Blu is the last male of his species, and that back home in Rio de Janiero he has a female named Jewel (Anne Hathaway) ready to boogie!
Along the way Blu meets up with Red-crested Cardinal named Pedro (Will.I.Am) and a Yellow Canary called Nico (Jamie Foxx). Not before long though the two Macaws are captured by smugglers ready to sell Blu & Jewel on the black market. What follows is a game of hide & seek as Blu & Jewel get locked up, get rescued, escape, fall in love, thwart another bird napping at the hands of a horde of pesky villainous Marmosets, escape again, get into a heated argument and go their separate ways, release a bunch of other captured birds, take down a plane, learn to fly and live happily ever after!
