If you’re heading to the cinema this weekend, these are your new choices.
Iron Man 3:
Screening in converted 3D and 2D is this superhero flick – one of the most highly anticipated of 2013. Shane (Lethal Weapon, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) Black takes over writing and directing duties for this third installment in the hit film franchise, based on the Marvel comic character. Taking its cue from the Extremis story arc, Iron Man 3 sees Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) face the genetically enhanced forces of a terrorist mastermind known as The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley). Also with Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce and Rebecca Hall.
Having opened on this week’s Public Holiday Wednesday, Iron Man 3 has already broken South African box office records. It has accomplished the same internationally, while racking up an aggregated Rotten Tomatoes review score of (currently) 78% Fresh. You can read Kervyn’s review here, but in summary, expect inventive action scenes, great dialogue but a bit of a rushed, jumbled plot.
This Is 40:
This standalone comedy sequel to Knocked Up – also written and directed by Judd Apatow – focuses on the married couple played by Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann, and the various issues facing their relationship as they enter their forties. Also with Jason Segel, Melissa McCarthy, Megan Fox, Albert Brooks and John Lithgow.
Evidently, This Is 40 is a mixed bag. Critics have praised the film for its all-round great performances and moments of genuine, smart perceptiveness. However, with a running time over 130 minutes long, there’s a lot that is rather self-indulgent and unnecessary.
Promised Land:
This drama centres on the controversial topic of fracking, with Matt Damon and Frances McDormand playing 2 oil company employees dispatched to a struggling farming community to snatch up their mineral rights. Of course, our hero soon develops a crisis of conscience about destroying the farmers’ way of life. Directed by Gus “Good Will Hunting” Van Sant.
Promised Land is apparently quite watchable, benefiting from likeable characters and performances. It’s just a bit too leisurely and gentle, as opposed to dramatically hard-hitting. And you can see where it’s going right from the outset.
Lien se Lankstaanskoene:
In terms of South African movies out this week, there’s this Afrikaans-language drama based on a novel commonly prescribed in high schools. Carmen Pretorius, Franci Swanepoel and Elize Cawood star in this tale of a pretty teenager who turns to begging to support her dysfunctional family. Sounds like a barrel of laughs.
For the record, I’d love to put up a promotional image from the film, but there’s nothing available online, just as there are no reviews of the film. Sterling job, local filmmakers.
Last Updated: May 3, 2013
