Out this week (03/04/09)

There's a big bun fight at the cinema this weekend between two films both with the potnetial to be massive hits. And there's little else in the way of counter-programming. Like all cinephiles I will have to decide on which side of the fence I belong, and fight for one of these films to be victorious. With that in mind I'm selcting Monsters vs. Aliens as the film of the week.

The Boat that Rocked

Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral) writes and directs this light hearted romp set on a 1960's pirate radio ship. With every film Curtis makes he seems to slip further away from his best work. Shame because it's a nice looking cast.

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


Cherry Blossoms

Well reviewed German film about an older couple looking back at the life they had and the lives they had hoped to live against the backdrop of terminal illness and self sacrifice.

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

8 x 10 Tasveer

Akshay Kumar may have had Bollywood biggest export so far this year with the Indian chop-socky Chandhi Chowk to China, but he faced a critical drubbing from the fans for not giving them what they like. Hopefully this story of a man able to go back in time to investigate his fathers disappearance will help restore his glory.

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

I can't think Straight/The World Unseen

It may seem strange bunching these 2 films together however I have done it for a reason. Both films concern cross cultural lesbian romances against disapproving backdrops (arranged marriages in London and South Africa's apartheid system respectively), they're opening at the close of the London Lesbian and Gay Film festival outside of the festival circuit, but most intriguingly they both are directed by Shamin Sarif and star Lisa Ray (Water) and Sheetal Sheth as the lovers. Strange, non?

Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●○○○○ (Combined score - intrigued rather than excited)

Monsters vs Aliens

Doesn't the title say it all? Dreamworks animation with Reese Witherspoon as a 49ft radioactive woman and Seth Rogen as a blob of goo. Bizarre, but fantastic concept. If I had kids I'd be right there with them. As it is I'll be washing my hair.

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

Shortkut

A youthful and heart-warming slice-of-life comedy about the trials and tribulations of the two con artists.

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