Four releases out this week, one is an oddity from the 1960's, other is an edited version of a religious film, plus two bug national releases.
Hostage. Bruce Willis is back on the big screen in what looks to be a generic actioner. One can hope that it will rise above the trappings of the genre and surprise us. Willis is generally a safe bet on the big screen, so I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. It was directed by Florent Emilio Siri in his first shot at a big budget film, his past work includes video for a pair of Splinter Cell games.
Robots. The next animated film to hit the screens is upon as, and it brings the voice talent of Robin Williams back to the big screen. I actually have no idea what tale it spins, but I am impressed by what I have seen in the commercials, and it has gotten good early word, which gives me hope of the quality of the film. Looking forward to it!
The Passion Re-Cut. Mel Gibson is attempting to broaden the audience base for his version of the Passion story. He edited about 5-6 minutes of the most extreme violence and blood in an attempt to garner a PG-13 rating, when it was still given an R, he has decided to release it unrated. Not sure how well this will do, could be interesting. The fact that he is releasing it without an MPAA stamp on it is limiting the release as many chains will not screen unrated material, which is ridiculous to me, a lot of good films are passed by due to this type of practice.
Masculine/Feminine. I saw the trailer for this last week when I saw Head On, and it looks completely bizarre. It is from French director Jean-Luc Godard and it is a comedy concerning attitudes towards love and relationships. It looks strange enough for me to like.
Enjoy your week at the cinema!
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Article comments
1 - Aaman
Robots is top of the list for this weekend.
Mel shows that commercialism trumps any semblance of piety
A few other good films opening this week:
"The Upside Of Anger"
"Millions"
and my local independents (one with the interesting name of Rosebud) - Sideways, Born Into Brothels, Playtime(1967)
2 - Eric Olsen
thanks Chris! I can't believe how much TV advertising Robots has done - they'd better explode out of the box to pay for it all
3 - Aaman
Every Robin Williams appearance on a talkshow, tiresome as it is, is a shill for this movie, too - for free
4 - Chris Beaumont
Thanks Aaman. I only list those that are opening near me. Millions looks good, I think it is coming my way in April.
Sideways and Brothels are both great, see them if you haven't!
Robots will not only be top 10, but undoubtedly number 1. My parents are going this afternoon and they rarely go to the cinema.
5 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
so... passion will be one of the only unrated versions to have LESS gore than you saw in the theatres?? (first time, obviously) This is very bizarre.
6 - Chris Beaumont
Strange indeed, and I can't think of another time this has happened.
7 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
and to be honest, even removing a couple shots of a nail stuck in the side of a jaw etc, i don't think it'll do a whole lot to change the tone of the flick. I still don't think it'd be suitable for the young 'uns.
It's like when the BBFC over here in the United UK were wondering what the hell to do with Texas Chain Saw Massacre. They couldn't really CUT anything, since it didn't make any difference. The tone of the thing was still relentless.
I think the same applies to The Passion. it's incredibly opressive from the off, incredibly unsettling. I odn't think a couple minutes here and there of spraying gore is gonna make a damn bit of difference.
Mind you, if he cut that horrible, horrible CGI ending, i'd be all the supportive in the world.
And by the way, The Passion is one of my favourite flicks, so don't be thinking i find it repulsive or anything daft. I jsut don't see how it could possibly be anything other than an adult film.
I'd much sooner show the 13-year-olds Last Temptation Of Christ. Funny how most "righteous" folks would have it the other way round. Making them think would be awful. Scaring the fuck out of em is the way to go.
8 - Aaman
I heard S&M Magazine is not going to feature the new version in its' "Best Violent Flicks Ever" ;)
9 - Chris Beaumont
I agree Duke, I can't see them making it kid safe, or the movie would be maybe 10 minutesd long! Passion was my pick for best of '04.
I'm not sure I would have a kid watch either, I'd have to be sure the kid had a level head going on, but they are both very good films.
10 - Eric Berlin
It's amazing that people will go see a movie like Hostage. How many times have we all seen this movie? How many times have we all seen this movie, with Bruce Willis as star?
Was just thinking the other day, as I watched the original Die Hard (which still looks pretty fresh: a fun thrill ride and seriously good action flick): what happened to the fun-loving, snarky, hipster, wiseguy Bruce Willis of Moonlighting and Die Hard the 1st?
It's been 10 years now of the morose, superserious routine, which has been boring post-12 Monkeys (which I love despite a so-so Willis).
11 - Chris Beaumont
Well I always thought the Die Hard formula was a good one, and the right star/director can give it life, but it has become more or less rote with everyone just biting off the previous rather than taking the formula and twisting it up.
There's always the Willie of The Whole Nine/Ten Yards, but granted it's been awhile. I am seriously looking forward to Willis and Sin City.
12 - Eric Berlin
I thought Willis was the same morose guy in the Whole Nine Yards, with a slight menace. His comedic skills have gone kaput, I'm afraid.
13 - Aaman
and then: Free Willie
14 - Phillip Winn
Yeah, but you've never seen this movie with Bruce Willis' real-life daughter playing a lead role! And that's the draw -- see if Rumor can act.
15 - Triniman
Rumor can't act, IMHO. Or, at least, she wasn't given much of a chance to prove her skills in the dud that is Hostage.
My local movie bulletin board has a lively thread going on about the Passion Recut that some of you might find interesting.
http://yakbak.winnipegmovies.com/viewtopic.php?p=5073#5073