Jan 13 2009
What To See This Weekend (01/16)
If between reading about Oscar prediction and Golden Globe “controversies” you have some time to catch a film here is what is happening this week.
PICK OF THE WEEK:
Chandni Chowk to China
dir. Nikhil Advani
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Chia Hui Liu
This film looks hilarious. Almost like a Stephen Chow film, but…more odd? I’t sbeing billed as the first Bollywood Kung-Fu comedy. How can you argue with that?
Notorious
dir. George Tillman Jr.
Starring: Jamal Woolard, Anthony Mackie, Derek Luke
This is definitely a film that, prior to the deluge of reviews, can go either way. The topic is certainly saturated; it’s a great story, a potentially great movie. But can Jamal Woolard really evoke Biggie? Jeffery Wright evoked Muddy Waters without looking a thing like him in the recent Cadillac Records, so there is hope. And there is sure to be a pretty decent soundtrack.
My Bloody Valentine 3-D
dir. Patrick Lussier
Starring: Jensen Ackles, Jaime King, Kerr Smith
The new slew of 3-D films continues to shit out of Hollywood. What should expect? Not much. Maybe some entertaining visuals, but the substance is most certainly going to be very thin.
Hotel For Dogs
dir. Thor Freudenthal
Starring: Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Lisa Kudrow
Oh god, is Lisa Kudrow still making films? Hasn’t she been in a lot of “dog” themed movies already? I believe the thematic meat of this film is really that Dreamworks is desperate and will make about anything right now. Kids, if you’ve ever wanted to write a film, now is the time.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
dir. Steve Carr
Starring: Kevin James, Keir O’Donnell
Kevin James. Where I come from you might get hit for calling someone that. When was the last time Happy Madison put out a good film? This looks terrible. Like a bad Hot Fuzz.
Last Chance Harvey
dir. Joel Hopkins
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson
Remember when Dustin Hoffman used to make great films, every time? I do. (sniff) I do.
Cherry Blossoms
dir. Doris Dörrie
Starring: Elmar Wepper, Hannelore Elsner
Not finding a translated trailer. Report from the festivals: This is a great, heartbreaking film. See it.
Serbis
dir. Brillante Mendoza
Starring: Gina Pareño, Jaclyn Jose
A Filipino film that generated a lot of controversy at this year’s Cannes. This is a film that I will be at this week.
Top Ten:
1. Gran Torino
2. Bride Wars
3. The Unborn
4. Marley & Me
5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
6. Bedtime Stories
7. Valkyrie
8. Yes Man
9. Not Easily Broken
10. Seven Pounds
