Thursday, February 3, 2011

Releases 03/02

Opening in Australian cinemas this week are the 3D action film Sanctum, from executive producer James Cameron, a well titled film called Faster, starring Dwaye 'The Rock' Johnson, Tamara Drewe from director Stephen Frears, and the Paul Haggis/Russell Crowe collaboration, The Next Three Days. 

Sanctum follows a team of underwater cave divers on a treacherous expedition to the most beautiful but least accessible cave system on Earth. Stars Richard Roxburgh and Ioan Gruffudd. Very poorly received, with key criticisms to the diabolical script and awful performances. Faster is about a man (Johnson) who seeks to avenge the death of his brother during a bank robbery that led to his 10-year imprisonment. Sounds like every other action film. Ever! Tamara Drewe, which stars Gemma Arterton, is the best received of the weeks releases (sitting on 66% at Rotten Tomatoes), and is based on Posy Simmonds' beloved graphic novel. The Next Three Days is the new film by Paul Haggis (director of Crash). Russell Crowe stars as a man whose life is turned upside when his wife is arrested for a murder she says she didn't commit. Years later, he is struggling to cope with his life and learns that she is suicidal, so he schemes an elaborate plot to break his wife out of prison. Seems to be tense, and exciting, but implausible. May be worth a look, but currently splitting critics with a 50% RT rating.

Based on this lineup I think I'll wait until Monday and check out an advanced screening of Danny Boyle's 127 Hours, set for release in Australia next Thursday. Happy viewing!

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