Getting the goat (Out this week - 27/05/11)

Another quiet week for cinematic releases. I'm not completely sure why the number of films has slowed during the summer, I suspect it's got something to do with major chains being unwilling to risk revenues by offering suitable counter programming. Anyway there's a Thai based sequel that will clear up at the box office, although frankly that looks the least inspiring of the releases. Film of the week, which is a close run thing this week, goes to
Quattro Volte.



Le Quattro Volte

I don't know how to explain this low key European feature about the idivisibility of animal, vegetable and mineral. Virtually dialogue free it's a sublime celebration of the circle of life in rural Calabria. With rampaging goats.

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



Heartbeats

Canadian love triangle from Xavier Dolan, also starring as one of two students fighting over a male stranger. The trailer is beautiful and artsy which should guarantee a decent art-house run for the bisexual drama.

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

Angels of Evil

With hand held true-life European gangsters being in vogue - see Mesrine and Carlos over the last year - it's hardly a surprise to see this French/Italian co-production trying to get in on the same act. Unfortunately Michele Placido's view of Vallenzasca appears to be more respectful of it's subject and less concerned with the socio-political context than it's closest relatives.

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

Diary of a Wimpey Kid: Rodrick Rules

Sequel to the surprise 2010 hit, which in itself amazingly managed to take the box office number one slot when it opened stateside, offers more of the same as the titular wimpy kid, based on Jeff Kinney's comic novels, must learn how to make life easier from his clued in older brother.

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

Hangover Part II

Totally unnecessary sequel to the bachelor party comedy that created careers for Zach Galifianikis and Bradley Cooper. Predictably they awake with no knowledge of the extraordinary bender from the night before with monkeys, tattoos and shaven heads all clues to what happened. Paul Giamatti is among the cameos this time around.

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