releasing this week: Youth in Revolt & The Princess and the Frog

There’s actually quite a few films coming out this week so it’s a bit hard to just pick two… I’ve done it though! This week’s picks are Youth In Revolt and The Princess and the Frog

The Princess and the Frog is Disney’s latest animated tale. I haven’t seen it myself but a few people I know went along to the Irish premiere and I gather that it’s great. Apparently it really harkens back to the old style Disney storytelling and really is a beautiful tale. Some have commented that it’s a little scary for kids but personally… I think kids should be scared on occasion! It’s good for them! Then again, I don’t have kids…

The reason I decided to highlight this film over others is really that it’s notable for two reasons. Firstly, lately everyone who makes kids animations seems to be into CGI and 3D, for this film Disney has decided to go back to their traditional animation techniques. I think that’s nice to see. Secondly, it’s the first time Disney has had an African-American princess. Now I’m not a member of the PC brigade but I do think that there’s lots of little girls (and perhaps boys, I don’t know) who dream of being their favourite Disney princess so I, for one, am glad there’s an African-American one up there now.

I’m sure there’s some internet debate somewhere that’ll tell you all about how this view is somehow racist or sexist or something but to be honest, I don’t give a damn.

Youth In Revolt stars everybody’s favourite good boy Michael Cera. Aww, isn’t he nice. I’m sure there’s a fair chance that this will be like most other comedies that Cera is in – funny, quirky, sweet etc. – but that’s not a bad thing, I like his films. Plus I did laugh out loud at this trailer so that’s always a good sign. Oh also Zack Galifianakis and Justin Long are in it. I’ve always found them very funny in supporting roles, remember Long in Zack and Miri Make a Porno? Very funny.

Youth in Revolt is based on a character from the novels by C.D. Payne. Wikipedia describes him as an author of absurdist fiction… sounds like find. I don’t actually know anything about these novels, having just heard of them now, but from the trailer there seems to be some kind of a Tyler Durden thing going on with Cera’s character. Maybe this is something from the books.

If you haven’t heard of the film or haven’t made up your mind yet, have a look at the trailer anyway. I thought it was funny I hope you will too. You can see it on apple.com/trailers, I recommend the second trailer.

Other films coming to Irish cinemas this week are:
Astro Boy – animated kids sci-fi action film following the adventures of a robot boy in a futuristic city.
Invictus – Clint Eastwood-directed story of how Nelson Mandela set out to unite his country behind their rugby team when South Africa hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup
Eamon – an Irish comedy centre about a family on holiday with their slightly dysfunctional child. Only playing in the IFI in Temple Bar, Dublin.
Mugabe and the White African – BAFTA nominated documentary about one of the few remaining white farmers in Zimbabwe who took a legal challenge against Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe.

Youth In Revolt, The Princess & The Frog, Invictus, Astro Boy, Eamon and Mugabe and the White African are all in Irish cinemas from Friday 5th February 2010.