This week brings us a pretty good selection of films. At least good enough to tide us over until Batman Begins opens next week. Let's see what the big screen gods are offering this week.
The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl in 3D. Robert Rodriguez's next film is another family film and his second 3-D release. It revolves around a boy who tells stories of a boy who lives with the sharks and a girl who is literally hot, no one believes his tales, until the duo show up in seek of his help to save their home. It may be interesting, but I am not terribly interested in wearing the red and blue glasses.
High Tension. Originally titled Haute Tension in it's native France, and Switchblade Romance in England, this horror film finally makes it's way to the States. I am very much looking forward to it, I have heard it is a pretty hardcore horror flick. Sadly I also have heard that it had to undergo a little trimming to obtain an R rating, avoiding the NC-17. I have not heard, however, if it is subtitled or dubbed, I did read once that it was a combination. I hope it's subbed.
The Honeymooners. What can I say? I have seen a few trailers, and I am less than impressed. I like Cedric, not so much Mike Epps. I have no problems with the idea of remaking old films and television shows and the like, but I also expect that a little respect be shown. And sadly, I really don't get the impression that there is much respect here, I hope I'm wrong. It just does not look all that good to me.
Mr & Mrs. Smith. This looks like a lot of fun. It looks like an outlandish over the top actioner. On top of that it looks to rely more on practical effects than CG, and that is a relief. I believe that this is another adaptation of the story that Alfred Hitchcock brought to the big screen in a film having the same name. This was directed by Doug Liman, who last directed the excellent The Bourne Identity. I just hope that the movie can outlast the Pitt/Jolie tabloid saga.
Article comments
1 - visualsimplicity
Bride and Prejudice is pretty entertaining, but a forewarning, the musical aspects of the movie are pretty awful. It was a subbed movie, but the singing parts are still dubbed and dubbed so horribly, I was cringing.
Oh and odd, I just mentioned Aishwarya Rai in the 5 On-Screen beauties post. She has incredible eyes. (Are they green or blue or a combination of both depending on the lighting?)
2 - Chris Beaumont
dubbed? That's awful. It should have been entirely subbed.
3 - sp
you forgot what is likely the best new release this week: "Howl's Moving Castle" from Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli
4 - Phillip Winn
Howl's Moving Castle is definitely on my must-watch list!
5 - visualsimplicity
Oh wait, I had a temporary lapse of memory, the movie is actually filmed in english, so it's not subbed or dubbed at all (except for the singing because the actors/actresses don't actually sing their parts--which was what made it so awful because the lip synching was so off).
6 - Chris Beaumont
Phillip, I hope it comes near me.
Unfortunately I don't cover all the new film releases, just those that open in my area, hopefully I will get to write about Howl when it goes wide.
7 - Phillip Winn
My bad, Chris. I forgot it wasn't in wide release yet. I'm not even sure it's showing near me yet!
My wife wants to see the Smiths, but the reviews aren't coming in very pretty...
8 - Chris Beaumont
I saw the Smiths yesterday and had an absolute blast!
I think Howl only opened on a 40 screens or so...
9 - The Theory
can't wait to see the new Miyazaki... lately I've been on a Studio Ghibli DVD buying binge and picked up Porco Rosso, The Cat Returns, and Nausicca: Valley of the WInd. They're all excellent. Disney should make it a priority to import as many Ghibli films as possible... it's kind of silly to make The Cat Returns available, yet not the movie that preluded it.
10 - Phillip Winn
I don't think my wife would be deterred by the bad reviews anyway, so I'm pretty sure we'll see it soon. But I'm catching Batman Begins on Wednesday, so it'll have to be before or after that. :-)
TT, for some reason I find myself enchanted by Castle In The Sky, another Miyazaki film. Highly recommended.
11 - Phillip Winn
Sorry, Chris, we're getting slightly off-track from your post. But hey, Mr. & Mrs. Smith still looks interesting!
12 - The Theory
Yeah, Castle in the Sky is on my to-do list... as is Kiki's Delivry Service (which, if memory serves correct, is not a Miyazaki film, but a Studio Ghilbli project).
And, I want to see Mr. & Mrs. Smith... I thought the basic plot seems enjoyable and expect the execution was decent.
I just wish Angelina Jolie wasn't in it. I'm not a fan of hers...
13 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Theorey, Miyazaki did indeed direct Kiki's Delivery Service, and what a glorious picture it is. You'll be aware that the english dub feautres nothing less than the beautiful tones of Kirsten Dunst, who is, indeed, known as Kiki to fans, friends and lovers.
Castle In The Sky has been on my DVD shelf for somethin' close to a year, an i still haven't watched it. how the hell did that happen???
14 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
and chris, JSA is the only Chan Wook-Park flick i ain't seen, although it's just been released here on DVD. i hope to see it sometime soon too.
And Haute Tension is nothing less than atrocious.
15 - Chris Beaumont
Positive talk about film of any sort is worth it, Phillip! I don't mind the sidetrack.
I want to write up Smith this weekend, I really enjoyed it. I am not a big fan of Jolie, but this is probably the best she's looked and more than holds her own.
I just got back from JSA, wonderful! even better on the big screen!
16 - The Theory
so of these Disney Studio Ghilbli releases, is the only one that ISN'T Miyazaki "The Cat Returns"? I was thinking there was another-- but I must be wrong.
17 - Chris Beaumont
That is correct, Theory.
18 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Theory, Grave Of The Fireflies may be included in that. i can't remember who distributes it in the US. but it's not Miyazaki, although it is indeed one of the very finest animated films of all ever.
19 - Phillip Winn
Grave of the Fireflies is definitely worth watching, but not if you're already depressed and have something sharp nearby.
20 - The Theory
Yeah, I've heard that it is one of the best animes... but i have avoided it for the reason PW outlined above. haha.