Out this week (05/03/10)

As film fans we face a common dichotomy with regards to the quality of films. On the one hand we hope for many high quality productions to entice us at the cinema, on the other there's only so much money you can spend. Which is why it's an awful shame when more that 1 decent-looking project is released in the same week. However a decision must be made on the film that most looks best, and I have chosen Ondine.



Alice in Wonderland

For a short while I was beginning to wonder if we were going to get a chance to see Tim Burton's Alice remake in the UK. Disney's headlining grabbing tousle with the major cinema chains about the release window almost meant this would have a limited UK release. Eventually the major chains bowed down under commercial pressure, so I should be poppoing out one evening next week.

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



Angardi Theru

The trailer for this Tamil production looks both cheaply produced and confusing. I suspect it's an unhappy love story about a couple working in an opprsive factory setting. If anyone knows better please let me know.

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

Atithe Tum Kab Jaoge

Hindi comedy in the vein of You, Me and Dupree where a distant relative arrives unannounced at the house of surburban couple Ajay Devgan and Konkona Sen, and then never leaves. The trailer has a whole section devoted to fart gags so don't expect this to change comedy forever.

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

Case 39

Renee Zellweger is a social worker whose charge turns out to be more dangerous than the family she's "saved" her from. Horror movie that's been delayed more times than I can remember and probably best avoided.

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

Chloe

Suspecting husband Liam Neeson of a clandestine affair Julianne Moore hires high-class prostitue Chloe (Amanda Seyfried) to meet up with him and see if he goes for her knowing she's available. Sexual boundaries get pushed in Atom Egoyan's latest thriller.

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

Father of my Children

French film that covers twin subjects of grief and financial failure when a producer sees his latest project, along with his personal accounts crumble away. Loosely based on a true story.

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

Legion

My first one blob film of 2010. Congratulations. If the thought of Paul Bettany facing off against the hordes of angels send by God to wipe out humanity excites you, then I envy you completely.

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

Motherhood

Love poem to modern motherhood with Uma Thurman in the lead role as a stay-at-home Mum in New York with adorable but quirky kids. I expect this has an audience, and the trailer looks unoffensive. Bonus points for having Jodie Foster in a cameo.

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

Ondine

Colin Farrell catches a Polish girl who could be on the run from smugglers, or who could be a mermaid in Neil Jordan's supernaturally tinged drama. It missed an audience at last years Toronto festival, but hopefully it will be worth spending a little time with.

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

1234

Low key british film about the forming of an indie band and a tentative romance within the band's membership. It's refusal to glorify the music business (or demonise it) as well as embracing the mundanity of call centre jobs taken to finance dreams has won a lot of praise among critics. Should be qworth catching.

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

The Shouting Men

Somehow Gillingham football club are drawn against premiership team Newcastle United in the FA Cup Quarter final. The result may be obvious, but this film is about the journey of a few eccentric fans. And is probably the worse for it.

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

And a couple of films I missed on their 12 February release:

Eamon

Irish drama focussing on a boy with behavoural difficulties and his struggling parents during a half-term week to the beach.

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

Recap Ivedik 3

Third movie in popular Turkish series. Doesn't look like they're getting any better from looking at the comment pages on imdb.

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