Out This Week (19/02/10)

I'm a little ashamed about this week's releases. Not that the releases themselves have shamed me, but that the excitometer numbers are a little high. You see although part of it is based on what I think about the trailers and the concept equally a large part is defined by reviews, cast, off-screen talent and awards buzz. So there are three films getting high scores this week, and I have to admit it's mainly due to the oscar noms. So ignoring them I'd probably recommend Samantha Morton's foster drama The Unloved (although it was screened on Channel 4 last year so I'm not sure why it's getting a cinema release. Regardless, mathematically the film of the week is The Lovely Bones.



Closed Book

Tom Conti is a blind art historian, Daryl Hannah his mysterious assistant helping him with one last book. There are secrets galore in this murky thriller, but aside from the money shot of Conti with just empty eye sockets there's little to recommend it.

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



Crazy Heart

This is the film that will bring Jeff Bridges his fully deserved Oscar. Naturally this film would have normally faded away over time, but for this reason only it will stay in the history books. I'm sure Jeff's performance as a washed-up country singer hitting the bottom of his bottle and rock bottom of his life is worthy, however...

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

Headless Woman

The third feature from acclaimed Argentinian director Lucretia Martel follows a middle class mother of three who begins to lose her sanity after running over a neighbours dog.

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

The Last Station

Based on the final days of Leo Tolstoy's life, apparently the vast majority of the screenplay is based on the diaries that most of the characters are keeping. In that respect it's as close to the truth about what happened as can be made about events that took place 100 years ago.

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

The Lovely Bones

Peter Jackson's adapatation of the Alice Sebold novel. The novel has a wistful attitude to death which may have been lost in translation but Jackson's always a fascintaing director, even when he mis-fires - as this might be - it's worth taking a look at.

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

Solomon Kane

Puritan adventure (now's there's a combination you don't hear everyday) as 16th century soldier James Purefoy battles ancient demons and shadowy sects to save Rachel Hurd-Wood (and his soul, apparently). Expect much blood-letting and faux-important speeches. Max von Sydow and Pete Postlethwaite lead the supporting cast.

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

The Unloved

First shown on TV last year, Samantha Morton's disection of the foster care system, with all it's failures on display, gets a belateded cinematic release. Morton writes from the heart, having spent much of her childhood in care and the deeply unsettling child's view of situations they cannot understand or control is hugely affecting.

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