Out This Week (12/03/10)

Only 5 films out this week. But what a selection of 5 films. Even the one I'm least likely to support would be a contender for being the film of the week in a normal period. I would even go as far to say if I had a lot more money and a lot more time I'd be camping out at the cinema this weekend in order to see all 5 of them. Nevertheless a choice has to be made and, perhaps inevitably, my film of the week is Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island.



The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

It is extremely rare for a foreign language film to pick up 5 blobs on the excitometer so listen up. This is the first part of the cinematic adaptation of Steig Larsson's acclaimed thriller trilogy, which sees washed up journo working with enigmatic hacker to solve a 40 year old disappearance. The visuals look breathtaking and it's getting fantastic reviews. Worth a watch.

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



Green Zone

Matt Damon is a bomb hunter sent into Iraq following the 2003 invasion to hunt for WMD, the lack of evidence found leads him to investigate a shadowy conspiracy which bureaucrat Greg Kinnear may just want covered up. This could be the unofficial Bourne 4 due to the reteaming of Damon with Paul Greengrass, as well as a repeat of the techniques and feel to those film. Amy Ryan, Jason Isaacs and Brendan Gleeson co-star.

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

Hachi: A Dog's Story

If you can buy Richard gere as a maths professor then you can probably also believe the central conceit of this loyal doggie tale. Lasse Hallstrom directs a film designed purely to have you reach for the tissues when the later montages kick in.

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

The Kreutzner Sonata

Danny Huston, who I persoanlly beleive is one of the most underrated actors of his generation, reteams with Ivansetc director Bernard Rose for another modern re-telling of a Tolstoy classic. As with all the works of the Russian great it concerns failed ambitions and covert affairs, but given the female lead is a pianist (and the title is also a major clue) there will be some stunning music. Danny's sister Anjelica gets a supporting role.

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

Shutter Island

Scorsese's true pulp movie (based on the very pulpy Dennis Lehane novel) has divided critics, with many saying great directors should only concentrate on making great films and not the disposable trash like this. I am still on the edge of my seat with anticipation. After all who else can ratchet up so much tension with an acute camera angle and gothic score. Leonardo DiCaprio leads an all-star cast.

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