Plenty to be apathetic about this week. Beavers, lanterns and teachers galore! Fair warning, I’m feeling particularly cynical today.
The Messenger
Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson are a pair of soldiers tasked with informing the families of soldiers who have died in Iraq. Plot comes in the form of Foster getting all involved with a widow. Angst to the max.
Green Lantern
With a lame sounding oath, Ryan Reynolds brings us a mostly CGI performance as some superhero we don’t really get this side of the Atlantic. There’s a point when it’s not enough to have a superhero in your film. Bored now.
Bad Teacher
Cameron Diaz is a bad teacher. Could easily call this Bad Actress and be done with it. TAKE THAT DIAZ!
The Beaver
Jodie Foster makes a huge mistake in casting the world’s most hated actor as the lead in an already tricky to sell film. We’re supposed to find heart in this film about a man talking in a cockney accent through a hand puppet, but from the reviews this seems unlikely.
Life in a Day
On 24th July 2010 people all over the world filmed their day so that Kevin Macdonald could edit it into a film. Bound to be pretty incoherent but probably pretty moving too. Why not?
Potiche (limited release)
Frenchy comedy starring Catherine Deneuve and Gerard Depardieu that has been ruined by an Orange advert. Why not broaden your cinematic pallet? Green Lantern can wait.
Stake Land (limited release)
A horror with some positive buzz for a change, as America falls to a vampire epidemic our young hero must make it to safety in Canada.
Putty Hill (limited release)
“A young man’s untimely death unites a fractured family and their community through shared memory and loss.” A release limited mostly to the ICA should tell you all you need to know. Expect lingering wide shots and a gratingly slow pace.
Swinging with the Finkels (limited release)
British comedy with an eclectic global cast explores the world of swinging. Martin Freeman may be on a career high but this film is not the reason why.
The Round Up (limited release)
Set in 1942 this international film calls itself a faithful retelling of the 1942 “Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup”. Perhaps a good pairing for The Beaver in an anti-Semite double bill?
Born to Be Wild (limited release)
Only at the IMAX this 40 minute documentary is… about animals?
Mild Concern 