Friday 15 July 2011

Bring me Harry Potter (Out this week - 15/07/11)

Let's not pretend anything here. There is only one movie that's even vaguely hitting the headlines this week and as much as I'd like to support the Spanish prison dramas or independent grindhouse spin-offs there's no denying the pull of J K Rowling's literary behemoth. So it is with no shock the runs like a gay film of the week is the final battle between good and evil, it's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow Part II.



Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow Part II

As the British film industry grinds to a halt following the closure of the Potter franchise (although you have to wonder if the Potterverse project will lead to some future spin-offs) lets look forward to seeing the lengthy awards calibre supporting cast list (in this film there are 19 acting nominations, 4 wins, from 7 performers - see the labels below - and how many casts can claim that?) doing more serious work over the next couple of years.

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



Cell 211

Popular Spanish thriller following a rookie prison screw on his first day who gets caught a riot and becomes chummy with the criminal leading the revolt, and finds his loyalties deeply questioned. The US remake is already being written.

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


Bal (Honey)

The third in a loose trilogy of films focussing on the lives of working class Turks from Semih Kaplanoglu. Naturalistic and unsentimental the movie reflects a way of life slowly coming to an end.

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


Hobo with a Shotgun

The second fake trailer from Tarantino and Rodriguez's Grindhouse experiment to be made into a full scale movie looks more promising than Machete in that it keeps it's lo-fi premise and ultra-violent concept and save Rutger Hauer as our shotgun wielding hero doesn't overfill the cast with unnecessary cameos. That said it may not be to everyone's taste.

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


Treacle Jr.

Independent British movie starring the ubiquitous Aiden Gillen (honestly he seems to be everywhere over here at the moment) and Tom Fisher as two middle aged men unable to conform within modern society, it might be an interesting dissection of modern attitudes to mental health but the trailer isn't making that too clear.

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


Zindagi Na Milenge Dobara

Possible the only Bollywood release this week - I say possible as the twice delayed Deiva Thirumagal is also supposedly hitting cinemas this weekend - is a drama about three friends turning their fantasy vacation into reality following one of them getting engaged. No, I don't understand how that serves as a plot synopsis either.

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


2 comments:

Alex Constantin said...

I'm kinda curious about the final HP, even though I'm not a (big) fan. I just LOVE Ralph Fiennes in this, so underrated.

if this would've had the critical support LOTR had, it would sure be a contender for a nomination like Ian McKellen was.

Runs Like A Gay said...

I'm not so sure, as it took four films for Voldemort to appear and then it was a minor role in the next movies, more of a threat than a character. I agree he does a good job but it's not enough to get a nomination due to being too late in the series.

By the way have you heard Ralph Fiennes obviously isn't too enamoured with the franchise, as evidenced in his recent interview on BBC Radio 5.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/kermode

It's about 14 minutes into the 08 July Tree of Life episode.