Another week, another seven dollars. A few films from some well known directors , others from those unknown. Hit the jump to check out the wide spread of films releasing in theaters this week...
Scream 4
Directed by: Wes Craven
Written by: Kevin Williamson
Length: 1 hr 51 mins
Rated: R
Cast: Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Anna Paquin, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Kristen Bell
Synopsis:
Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott, who has put herself back together thanks in part to her writing, is visited by the Ghostface Killer. (IMDb)
Believe it or not, I actually have a desire to see this movie. Now, it's no 'Christopher Nolan, burning for two-years' desire, but still, for a person of my 'pickieness', to actually want to see what could potentially be an awful film must mean something. With a cast of bombshells (Bell, Roberts, Panettiere, Campbell, Paquin, Cox (in that order)), I'm sure that Scream 4 won't ruin the first three films, which were easily (debatably) some of the most important horror films of all time. From the looks of it, the latest film in the Scream franchise won't fail; it has the gore, suspense, horror, and thrills you've been waiting for.
Rio
Directed by: Carlos Saldanha
Written by: Carlos Saldanha & Don Rhymer
Length: 1 hr 36 mins
Rated: G
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, George Lopez, Jane Lynch, Jamie Foxx, Leslie Mann
Synopsis:
When Blu, a domesticated macaw from small-town Minnesota, meets the fiercely independent Jewel, he takes off on an adventure to Rio de Janeiro with this bird of his dreams. (IMDb)
Pass.
The Conspirator
Directed by: Robert Redford
Written by: James D. Soloman, Gregory Bernstien
Length: 2 hrs 3 mins
Rated: PG-13
Cast: Robin Wright, James McAvoy, Evan Rachel Wood, Kevin Kline, Alexis Bledel, Justin Long, Tom Wilkinson, Norman Reedus, James Badge Dale
Mary Surratt is the lone female charged as a co-conspirator in the assassination trial of Abraham Lincoln. As the whole nation turns against her, she is forced to rely on her reluctant lawyer to uncover the truth and save her life. (Rotten Tomatoes)
I don't think Robert Redford can pull it off. From the looks of it, the costumes and sets don't look quite convincing enough. I look for some sense of reality with my historical dramas, and seeing James McAvoy (he was the half-goat in Narnia, remember?) in this doesn't score any points on my board. Two more bombshells though (Bledel and Wood), but looks don't count in this one.
Henry's Crime
Directed by: Malcom Venville
Written by: Sacha Gervasi, David N. White, Stephen HamelLength: 1 hr 48 mins
Rated: R
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Vera Farmiga, James Caan
Synopsis:
Released from prison for a crime he didn't commit, an ex-con targets the same bank he was sent away for robbing.
Anyone but Keanu and I might go for it. Could give some solid ironic situations, guaranteeing a laugh or two, but I don't expect anything groundbreaking to be coming out of this one. Just another film to fill the void of limited release theaters around the country. I'd keep looking if I were you.
Armadillo
Directed by: Janus Metz Pedersen
Written by: Kasper Torsting
Length: 1 hr 45 mins
Rated: Unrated
In February 2009 a group of Danish soldiers accompanied by documentary filmmaker Janus Metz arrived at Armadillo, an army base in the southern Afghan province of Helmand. Metz and cameraman Lars Skree spent six months following the lives of young soldiers situated less than a kilometer away from Taliban positions. The outcome of their work is a gripping and highly authentic war drama that was justly awarded the Grand Prix de la Semaine de la Critique at this year's Cannes film festival. But it also provoked furious debate in Denmark concerning the controversial behavior of certain Danish soldiers during a shootout with Taliban fighters. The filmmakers repeatedly risked their lives shooting this tense, brilliantly edited, and visually sophisticated probe into the psychology of young men in the midst of a senseless war whose victims are primarily local villagers. Yet more disturbing than scenes in which Taliban bullets whiz past their cameras is the footage of the young soldiers as each tries, in his own way, to come to terms with putting his life constantly on the line. (IMDb)Long enough synopsis IMDb? After watching Restrepo (about American Soldiers), I am completely convinced I need to watch Armadillo if just to compare and contrast it in a Danish light (I'm a quarter Danish, so that may have something to do with the spark in my interest). I'm expecting a much more experimental, much less documentary style here though, so comparing the films to each other would be unwise. And it looks like Armadillo is leaning much more towards the political doc, so beware. Almost any combat documentary is a solid choice, it's always good to separate the real from the not-even-close.
Conclusion:
Only three options. Scream 4, The Conspirator, or Armadillo. Have a girl/boy-friend you want to take to a movie? Scream 4. Easy thrills guaranteed. Girls have the whole getting scared thing to enjoy (Guys: any time is a good time for the yawn-arm-around-the-girl move while watching this one). Guys, the cast of ladies is immense. Just bring a girl to justify yourself being in the theater. But I'm sure it'll give entertainment for either sex either way. Have no one to take to a movie? The Conspirator. Although it's historical authenticity could falter, I'm sure it'll be a solid film with decent acting and plenty of drama. Live somewhere awesome? Armadillo. Like I said before, beware of the political aspect if you're not into that stuff. And being borderline experimental, be sure you know what you're getting yourself into.
Watch responsibly.
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