Out this week (31/07/09)

This July has been a fantastic month for films, with some superb and provocative titles seeing the inside of cinemas. It's a shame therefore that the last week is - well, not bad but underwhelming. There are a few wide releases that will no doubt do well financially but little to really spark any creative interest. I'm picking Coco Before Chanel as the film of the week mainly because of the pretty dresses, and because I quite like Audrey Tatou.



Coco Before Chanel

Needless to say the main reason for seeing this, the first of two Coco Chanel biopics due to come out this year, is to see the early designs mocked up and being worn. Not to mention Audrey Tatou and Alessandro Nivola are quite pretty to look at, too.

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



Crossing Over

Originally part of my top 20 for 2009 the reviews and comments about the Harrison Ford starring immigration film hasn't been good. Might still see it, but won't be travelling far for the opportunity.

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

G-Force

Inexplicably this mish mash of animatronic guinea pigs, with a sideline of CIA operations and Bill Nighy planning to take over the world knocked Harry Potter 6 off the box office number 1 in the States. Will it do the same over here? Probably not - there's a lot of competition this week.

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

Land of the Lost

Although to describe this Will Ferrell turkey as competition seems very generous. All the reviews say the film struggles to find the right tone - too raunchy for children, too cheesy for adults and perhaps too reverential of it's source for everyone. Better luck next time Anna Friel.

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

Love Aaj Kal

Imagine a world where Romeo and Juliet decided that, perhaps the parent's objections were quite reasonable and they shouldn't marry/enter into a double suicide pact. That seems to be the gist of this UK set Bollywood film as the star-crossed lovers agree that fighting against the system isn't worth it. Sounds flat to me.

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

Mad, Sad and Bad

Luton-set film about the unique perspective of ethnically diverse brothers and sisters in a multi-racial community. That's right, it's set in Luton. I knew you'd be interested in that.

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

Rumba

Written, directed and starring a trio of French film makes, who tend to only work together and cast the same people. About a couple of teachers who long to rumba together. Trailer contained one very funny joke.

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

Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

Completely unnecessary remake of the week. With John Travolta, looking like a Village People reject (not good when the papers are full of repeated rumours about his sexuality), hijacking a train which slubby Denzel Washington just wants to ensure runs on time. Tony Scott's kinetic, jittery direction just about relieves the film of any tension or excitement. Thanks for that.

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