Out this week (12/06/09)

This is a really tough week for making recommendations. Honestly there's nothing in it for the top three films. I suppose you'll have to make a choice about whether you want a film about drunken stag nights in Las Vegas, halucinations about sage footballers, Chinese history lessons or social commentary about the state of the class wars in the UK. In the end I'm going to have to recommend Red Cliff, the trailer is suitably stunning and who honestly doesn't love a good mix of battle scenes with the sort of step back love scenes you get in Chinese films.



Doghouse

Mmm, Danny Dyer is back. But assuming he keeps his clothes on there is little reason to fork out on this Brit horror - a sort of Lesbian Vampire Killers redux with less laughs and zombies. Of course if he strips off and goes gay to avoid the rampaging locals (with co-stars Noel Clarke and Stephen Graham?) I'll be first in the queue. Someone get me a review. *Breaking news, one of the other main characters is gay, but not Dyer's role. Apparently he almost went for it, though. So gay brother in City Rats, gay friend here, is he trying to tell us something?

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



The Hangover

Taking just shy of $45m in it's opening weekend in the States, this is proving to be the breakout comedy of 2009. Three virtually unknown actors wake up following the stag night to end all stag nights to find they've lost the groom and gained a tiger and a baby. Hijinks ensue as they try to sort everything out in the 12 hour deadline before the wedding.

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


Last House on the Left

Tired looking retread of seminal 70's video nasty. Only probably less nasty and more gorey, and very likely with less alusions to the government and the direction of societal forces. (I may not be a fan of Wes Craven, but at least he understood allegory.)

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


Looking for Eric

Ken Loach, purveyour of gritty realism, directs a light-hearted look at a postman who imagines former Manchester United player Eric Cantona whenever he's feeling in the dumps. Cannes was positive, bit it looks like forgettable fare at best.

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


New Town Killers

I'm thinking the story of 2 Investment Bankers who pay a kid from the council estates to run away from them whilst they try to kill him is a satire on the state of the British Class system and the collapse of morals in the financial sector. If so, this could be brilliant, if not, I expect it's rubbish. Anyone seen it?

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


Red Cliff

John Woo directs the most expensive Chinese film ever made, basically re-enacting one of the most important battles towards the crumbling of the Han Dynasty. Lots of familiar faces and beautiful kung fu work should make this an incredible experience for those willing to commit to the 2.5 hour running time.

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


Soi Cowboy

A true international collaboration. British writer-director, Thai set story and Danish leading man. It's essentially a love story between a rich, insecure European and a pregnant ex-prostitute.

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

Shadows in the Sun

I'm a week late with this minor release from Artificial Eye. It's a low key drama, set in Norfolk, about a mysterious loner who helps a family rediscover their affection for each other. James Wilby and Jean Simmons headline.

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