Movie Reviews – July 2010
When You’re Strange: A Film About The Doors
Out: 3nd July
When You’re Strange uncovers historic and previously unseen footage of the illustrious rock quartet and provides new insight into the revolutionary impact of the Doors’ music and legacy. Directed by award-winning writer/director Tom DiCillo and narrated by Johnny Depp, the documentary is a riveting account of the band’s history. The film reveals an intimate perspective on the creative chemistry between drummer John Densmore, guitarist Robby Krieger, keyboardist Ray Manzarek and singer Jim Morrison — four brilliant artists who made The Doors one of America’s most iconic and influential rock bands. For Doors lovers and the uninitiated, this is a chance to see what made Jim Morrison so alluring to both men and women.
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Out: 9th July
The movie phenomenon is back for a third instalment of hot hunks and damsel in distress. In Twilight’s saga Eclipse, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death.
Inception
Out: 16th July
Maverick director Chris Nolan (The Dark Knight) returns with an original film concept. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction: stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb’s rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible-inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse; their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming. A mind-bending thriller that will have you riveted to your seat.
Toy Story 3
Out: 19th July
Woody, Buzz and the whole gang are back. As their owner Andy prepares to depart for college, his loyal toys find themselves in daycare where untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice. So, it’s all for one and one for all as they join Barbie’s counterpart Ken, a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants and a pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear to plan their great escape.
Splice
Out: 23rd July
Clive (Adrien Brody) and Elsa (Sarah Polley) are young, brilliant and ambitious. The new animal species they engineered have made them rebel superstars of the scientific world. In secret, they introduce human DNA into the experiment. The result is something that is greater than the sum of its parts: a female animal-human hybrid that may be a step up on the evolutionary ladder. Clive and Elsa think they may have designed the perfect organism, until she makes a final shocking metamorphosis that could destroy them… into a deadly creature. A classic horror premise that delivers all the shocks and thrills you would hope for.
The A-Team
Out: 23rd July
The classic 80’s TV show comes to the big screen after many years in development. The A-Team follows the exciting and daring exploits of a colourful team of former Special Forces soldiers who were set up for a crime they did not commit. Going “rogue,” they utilize their unique talents to try and clear their names and find the true culprit. Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper (The Hangover), mixed martial arts champ Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, and “District 9” star Sharlto Copley, are The A-Team. Full of fast-paced action scenes.
Gainsbourg
Out: 23rd July
From visionary graphic artist and director Joann Sfar comes a completely original take on one of France’s greatest musical mavericks, the illustrious and infamous Serge Gainsbourg. Gainsbourg is an enchanting glimpse at his early life, growing up in 1940s Nazi-occupied Paris, and through his successful song-writing years in the 1960s until his death in 1991. Taking the best from La Vie En Rose and Amelie, Gainsbourg is a critically acclaimed biopic that offers some cultural respite amongst the summer Hollywood blockbusters currently on release. For those not familiar with the rebel Gainsbourg you will be converted into a fan by the end of this film.
FILM BUZZ
Sam Raimi (Spider-Man 1,2&3) will direct a sequel to Wizard Of Oz titled Oz, the Great and Powerful for Walt Disney Pictures with the current expectation for Robert Downey Jr. to play the wizard.
The future of The Hobbit adaptation takes another blow as Guillermo del Toro has dropped off the project and will no longer direct, but will remain as a credited screenwriter. Fingers crossed Peter Jackson may come back and direct.
James McAvoy will star in Matthew Vaughn’s X-Men: First Class, the prequel film charting the beginning of the X-Men saga. McAvoy steps into shoes that have previously been filled by Patrick Stewart in the first three X-Men films and it should be interesting to see McAvoy as a bald-headed telepath.
Gary Oldman will be one of the voices in sequel Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom along with Michelle Yeoh, Jean Claude Van Damme who will join original cast Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu and David Cross. Oldman voices the character of Lord Shen (a peacock), the film’s formidable new villain.
James Franco will star in Rises of the Apes, the prequel to Planet of the Apes is set in present day San Francisco and deals with the aftermath of man’s experiments with genetic engineering that lead to the development of intelligence in apes and the onset of a war for supremacy. Franco will play a driven scientist who becomes a crucial figure in the war between humans and apes.
Leonardo DiCaprio has been recruited by Clint Eastwood to play former head of the FBI
J. Edgar Hoover. The script is by ‘Milk’ writer and openly out Dustin Lance Black.