This Week In Cinemas – September 12th 2013
Posted by Daniel Mann
Hello fellow Maniacs, Dan here. Rejoice, its finally Hump Day. How has the week treated you so far? What films did you venture out to see last weekend? Feel free to tell us in the comments box below. Me you ask? Well I’m in the final stages of preparing to set course for Tokyo Japan. But before I bid you all adieu, I shall leave you our fine readers with yet another instalment of ‘This Week In Cinemas’. Your one and only stop for the weekly round up of everything that is about to hit Cinemas in Australia.
FYI, we’re going to tweak the column just a little bit. I feel it’s a little unfair for me to recommend or advise against a movie when there is a good chance that as of the time of writing I haven’t seen the movie in question yet. So wave goodbye to the ‘See it or Wait till DVD’ blurb and say hello to ‘Dan’s Take’. Which is almost the same thing. It’s just me giving my humble opinion on said film from what I know beforehand. Also, remember to click on the title of the Movie if you are interested in seeing a trailer for said film. Anyways, enjoy this week’s instalment of ‘This Week in Cinemas’.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Director: Robert Schwentke
Release Status: Wide
A recently slain cop joins a team of undead police officers working for the Rest in Peace Department and tries to find the man who murdered him.
Dan’s Take: Every time I see a trailer for R.I.P.D I can’t help but think that it looks like a Poor Man’s MEN IN BLACK. With that said, there is one ace up its sleeve that could make R.I.P.D worthwhile; the ace being the involvement of Jeff Bridges. I love Jeff Bridges; who doesn’t love ‘The Dude’? I also like Ryan Reynolds. I think that pairing has certain potential for comedic charm. But you can’t deny the overwhelmingly lacklustre critical reception R.I.P.D garnered upon its North American release. I love you Jeff Bridges. I’m hoping you can provide a few laughs here and there. But for now, my gut is saying Wait till DVD on this one. Just not feeling it at all.
RIDDICK Director: David Twhoy
Release Status: Wide
Left for dead on a sun-scorched planet, Riddick finds himself up against an alien race of predators. Activating an emergency beacon alerts two ships: one carrying a new breed of mercenary, the other captained by a man from Riddick's past.
Dan’s Take: When you saw PITCH BLACK for the first time, did you ever think that there would be two spin off features derived from Vin Diesel’s character Riddick? I didn’t see it at the time. I really enjoyed PITCH BLACK and was excited for the first spin off. Imagine my shock to find the first spin off -- THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK -- to be a piece of shit that’s only saving grace was the minor potential it had written all over it. You know there are problems when the Videogame tie-in is infinitely better then the film itself. Okay, maybe I’m being a little too harsh but if I had to be honest? I found THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK to be quite a disappointment and I still feel that way about it to this day.
I’m sincerely hoping that the old saying ‘Third Time’s a Charm’ turns out to be true for RIDDICK. Vin’s been on a bit of a roll lately. The recent FAST AND FURIOUS sequels have been spectacularly enjoyable as of late. He has elevated back to being noteworthy after going through what was a slump career wise. I for one am really rooting for this. I do want RIDDICK to genuinely surprise me.
Director: Michel Gondry Release Status: Limited
A woman suffers from an unusual illness caused by a flower growing in her lungs.
Dan’s Take: I adored ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. But I can’t say that I’ve found anything else Michel Gondry has directed since then to live up to it. THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP came close. But then he went and directed the Seth Rogen vehicle THE GREEN HORNET. Which, if I had to be honest, I did not hate as much as everyone else seemed to rather I was just indifferent to it. Still, I kind of want to see MOOD INDIGO. Alas, I know I’m not going to get the chance to see it before I fly out this Saturday. If someone does see it then please, by all means, let us know your take in the comment box below or drop us a line on the Facebook page.
Director: Woody Allen
Release Status: Limited
A New York socialite, deeply troubled and in denial, arrives in San Francisco to impose upon her sister. She looks a million, but isn't bringing money, peace, or love...
Dan’s Take: What do you know, it’s Woodsy Allen’s latest. Insert the obligatory Woody Allen impersonation here. What more do I need to say then this. It’s Woody Allen; if you’re a fan…then you know you’re going to see this and you don’t need me to recommend it. If not? Then you’re going to steer clear as usual. If you’re someone who is in-between the love him or hate him status? Then you’re going to look at what the critics say before hand. I’ll end up seeing it eventually, but obviously not this weekend.
THE SMURFS 2
Director: Raja Gosnell
Release Status: Wide
The Smurfs team up with their human friends to rescue Smurfette, who has been kidnapped by Gargamel since she knows a secret spell that can turn the evil sorcerer's newest creation - creatures called the Naughties - into real Smurfs.
Dan’s Take: Show of hands; who is double taking right now? Who is thinking ‘why the hell is this on this list?’ Well I did say that I would cover everything that was released weekly. For better or worse. Okay, admittedly this is not going to appeal to our core audience. Still, there is no denying that it’s out this week. I’m sure three-year-old kids will have a Smurfin’ great time with it while their parents will be driven nuts with that bloody obnoxious overly cheery Smurfin’ theme song. Okay, okay I’m not going to bash what is essentially a film for infants. I’m not that heinous. But I foresee a lot of bored parents this weekend.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And that’s going to do it for another week. As I mentioned earlier, I won’t be here next week to write this up. Instead I’ll be roaming around Tokyo on vacation. But I’ll definitely be on the Facebook page posting photos and, hopefully, some video of my experiences throughout the week. So keep an eye on the Facebook Page all week long.
I also have a review in the works for the South Korean anthology film Doomsday Book. So check back soon for that. Until next time we meet, it’s Sayonara from me to you.
----------------------------------------------
