Out this week (16/01/2009)

There are 10 films out this week, but there's no real competition to my recommendation of The Wrestler. I doubt it needs any introduction from me, containing as it does one of the most hyped performances of he last 5 years - the return of Mickey Rourke. If this doesn't appeal then you could try A Christmas Tale (highly regarded French film) or Will Smith saving lives in Seven Pounds.

Beverley Hills Chihuahua

Can you imagine the pitch meeting for this film. A talking pampered chihuahua needs to get back to LA from Mexico. And someone paid for it. Saying that it has made lots of cash so someone must like it.

Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○



Boogie

Romanian film about a man relaxing for one last weekend of drink, drugs and prostitutes before returning to his wife and son to be a devoted husband and father. Bleakish.

Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○

Chandni Chowk to China

The first Bollywood film to include kung fu moves, plot based on a simple case of mistaken identity. Can't find any reviews on the net so difficult to get excited.

Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○

A Christmas Tale

Arnaud Desplechin's dramedy about a family christmas stars Catherine Deneuve (still looking gorgeous even when ravaged by cancer) and Matthieu Amalric. Expect long hidden secrets to be unveiled and differing tones throughout the film.

Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○

Clubbed

Based on a true story about a factory worker who becomes a bouncer in a hard-as-nails rave scene and writes a book about his experiences. Filmed not far from where I live.

Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○

Hansel and Gretel

Korean take of classic Grimm fairytale. Ptobably doesn't end happily.

Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○

My Bloody Valentine - 3D

People who like to watch horror films where picks fly our of the screen at you will no doubt want to watch this horror with picks flying out of the screen.

Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○

Seven Pounds

Box office behemoth Will Smith rejoins Gabriele Muccino (Pursuit of Happyness) for tale of remdemption and loss. Pretty lukewarm reviews but it's Will Smith and I feel I ought to keep him as the worlds box office champ.

Watch the trailer:



Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○

Villu

A brutal Bollywood movie with Joeseph Vijay and Nayanthara about revenge and murder. The poster, which someone doesn't reflect this plot at all, can be found here. Nice shirt.

Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○

The Wrestler

Masterly directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei in career rejuvenating roles this is the sort of film that must be seen.

Watch the trailer:



Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●●●●○