I was once like you are Now (Out this week - 13/05/11)

Bonus points for anyone who can tell me what song the title is from and how it relates to two of this weeks films. It's a really odd week, sandwiched in the middle of the early onslaught of blockbusters there's very few bog explosions and superheroes to actually draw us into multiplexes this week. Even the highly acclaimed and eagerly awaited Attack the Block looks more like a niche product than a bona fide chart topper. Nevertheless there are some exciting prospects to be had out there, including film of week A Screaming Man.



A Screaming Man

Intense and satisfying Palme d'Or nominee from last years Cannes festival following the changing fortunes of a father and son who work on a hotel pool projected against the backdrop of the civil war in Chad. Youssouf Djaoro as the titular parent figure displays all the emotion internally in challenging and powerful performance.

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Attack the Block

Exciting looking trailer for Joe Cornish's Aliens vs. Hoodies feature, produced by the team behind Shaun of the Dead - with an added Nick Frost cameo. It's had great notcies on the festival circuit, even taking into account the U.S. audience wanting subtitles, and no doubt it has a cult future ahead of it.

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Love Like Poison

Beguiling debut feature from Katell Quillevere, taking it's original French title from a Serge Gainsbourgh song Un Poison Violent. The film focuses on 14 year-old Anna as she prepares for her confirmation into the Catholic church, deals with her parents separation and begins to experience sexual desire. Typical French movie, then.

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Red Hill

Ozploitation that mixes the obvious ingredients of pshychotic outback communities, an Aboriginal with almost supernatural survival skills and a father-to-be fresh from "Home & Away". It won't win any awards but you know exactly what you're going to get.

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The Way

Emilio Estevez directs his father Martin Sheen for the second time in this moving look at grief and how fathers relate to their sons, as Sheen sr takes a pilgramge along the Way of St. James following his wastrel sons demise in an attempt. For 2 hours and 8 minutes watch him walk, chat with stranger, and find a new appreciation of life.

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Amreeka

The U.S. immigrant experience (for a middle class West Bank family in rural Illinois) gets dissected in this American/Canadian co-production, although it seems to avoid the biting satire and preaching liberalism you may expect from the premise.

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Love U... Mr. Kalakaar

Hindi Movie with more than usually insipid plot description about a cartoonist who derives his inspiration from emotional responses to the sky, a spider's web or a scrap of paper and a female accountant. Not for the faint hearted.

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Seniors

Our second Bollywood entry, this time in Malayamlan, concerns four 30 somethings who decide to return to university for a post-graduate Philosophy course, and for the opportunity to really turn their comfortable lives upside down.

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Risen

Somewhat unnecessary boxing drama about 1968 World Feather weight champion Howard Winstone who took the title in spite of being really rather nice and having a unusual fighting style. Shane Ritchie and John Noble are the big names in the cast list which kind of tells you what you're up against in this lightweight Brit film.

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Take Me Home Tonight

Totally unnecessary 80's throwback starring rolled-jacket-sleeved Topher Grace (32) as he gatecrashes to college parties in order to woo big haired Teresa Plamer (25). The on the nose soundtrack is probably the only plus.

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