Another week ahead and another offering of new releases to tempt your cinema going dollar. In this weeks new releases, we have three sports orientated movies (two fact and one fiction), and a good old slice of WWII going nostalgia backed up by a massive ensemble cast. To me it seems like a week for the lads visiting the local multiplex on a night out taking in real life competitive drama on the world stage, a slice of extreme escapism, and a bunch of old codgers trying to save a bunch of old relics. What ever you decide to go and see this week - enjoy!
GENERATION IRON - brought to you by the man who brought us 'PUMPING IRON' which helped catapult Arnold Schwarzenegger into the public eye in the late 70's, this is an updated telling of the 2012 Mr. Olympia contest. Featuring seven of the worlds top body builders all competing for the ultimate title (which Schwarzenegger won a record seven times) this is an insight into an industry and a competition that we would rarely gain entry too. Compelling if this 'pumps your iron', it could be a fascinating story of what drives these men to exercise their bodies, hone their muscles and sculpt their physique in the way that they do . . . or, it could be one major yawn fest! Only you can decide - featuring appearances from Arnold Schwarzenegger and his good friend Lou Ferrigno (the original 'THE HULK' from that late's 70's TV show), and narrated by 'THE WRESTLER' himself and former boxer, Micky Rourke.
THE ARMSTRONG LIE - originally set out to be a documentary film charting the 2009 comeback of Lance Armstrong in to the world of competitive cycling having been crowned so many times at the pinnacle of his riding career, this had to be shelved when the wheels fell off Armstrong's cycling career and indeed his life! Alex Gibney was commissioned to make the film which he subsequently picked up again, but with a different focus after Armstrong fessed-up to years of doping abuse. Featuring new interviews with Armstrong himself as well as lawyers, family, friends, and teammates it remains to be seen if this answers more questions than it asks, or the other way around, and what really in the final analysis motivated Armstrong to so vehemently deceive the world for so long thinking he could get away with it?
NEED FOR SPEED - this of sorts could be deemed a sports movie albeit a fictionalised one of road racing, super fast cars, extreme speeds, elaborate car chases, car wrecks, carnage and plenty of car candy! Aaron Paul stars as an underground street racer who serves two years jail time for a framed up manslaughter charge, and upon release seeks to exact some revenge. Needless to say this involves a race against time, very expensive sports cars, plenty of thrills and spills and high octane action. Of note is that this is Directed by Scott Waugh a former stuntman himself and a eye therefore for detail and realism. As such, there are no CGI effects in this film to enhance the visual spectacle - the racing, the chases, the smash-ups are real and intended to play homage to the classic films of the genre from the 60's and 70's that would include 'VANISHING POINT' and 'BULLITT' and a whole boot load of others! For this reason it's probably worth the price of entry, and I'm sure you'll be joining the queue behind a long line of 17 year olds looking for the testosterone fuelled adrenaline hit they need every so often! Enjoy the white knuckle ride!
THE MONUMENTS MEN - Directed by George Clooney, written by George Clooney, and starring George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Hugh Bonneville ('Downton Abbey') and Cate Blanchett this is a WWII tale of a band of like minded art purists sent behind enemy lines to save and preserve Europe's cultural heritage from the hands of Hitler and his Nazi's. With such a huge cast, a story based on reality, high production values (from what I've seen) this should be hitting every high note imaginable . . . but will it? This could all add up to style over substance in the final analysis, and although we pretty much know how it all ends, the cast alone should be the draw card to ensure bums get planted on cinema seats in the coming weeks. George Clooney has proven himself many times over in front and behind the camera - let's see if he can do it again with this offering!
If you see any of these, or those still doing the rounds and out on general release, enjoy the experience, and share your feedback - I'd like to hear from you.
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
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