releasing this week: A Nightmare on Elm Street and Hot Tub Time Machine
3 CommentsVery sorry for how late this is, I’m a disgrace I know. As it happens I got held up by going to too many movies last week, two of which came out on Friday – A Nightmare on Elm Street and Hot Tub Time Machine. Happily, I enjoyed them both so guess what I’m highlighting this week…
So… A Nightmare on Elm Street. First film in one of the most esteemed horror film franchises.
Being a horror fan I, of course, approve of Nightmare. This one is a bit different from the others though, in one very important way. Robert Englund is not playing Freddy. Instead we have Jackie Earle Haley. I don’t really know him as a actor but he was good in Watchmen so I think it only fair he be given a chance. Besides, Robert seems to be happy with him and if Robert’s happy then fair enough.
This is the 9th film in the Nightmare series and while I’m a bit apprehensive over the idea of a reboot, I will always think it’s a good idea to go to take a visit to Elm Street. I just hope it doesn’t go down the route that last year’s reboot of Friday the 13th. I did not like that film. I did not like it at all.
Course I’ve already seen this new Nightmare on Elm Street so you’ll have to keep an eye out for my review to know what I really thought of it.
With a name like Hot Tub Time Machine, how could you not want to go? Best title since Snakes on a Plane. Not half as much buzz though. I’d heard nothing in particular about this film till the ads aired on TV. Course once I saw them I knew I had to go.
Basically the idea is that there’s a hot tub that’s…. wait for it…. a time machine. See how that works?
This particular time machine brings four fellas back to the ’80s. Obviously the funniest decade. Well maybe not in Ireland but in general it’s always a good place for a comedy. How many comedies have you seen set in the ’20s? If I said any more I’d be giving it away but all you really need to know is that’s it a big stupid comedy and the cinemas have been a bit light on male comedies this year. Kick-Ass was funny but it was mainly an action flick I think.
If you don’t mind suspending a bit of disbelief then you should really give it a go.
Other films out this week…
The Back Up Plan – Jennifer Lopez and Alex O’Loughlin star in this romantic comedy about um… a man and a woman who meet in amusing circumstances. Funnily enough I was just watching an episode of Criminal Minds with Alex O’Loughlin in it. I guess The Back Up Plan probably won’t end the same way.
Four Lions – This is Chris Morris’s feature film directorial debut. That’s right, the Chris Morris of Brass Eye and The Day Today. If you haven’t seen those TV shows you really should. Err… provided you’re not easily offended. In Four Lions Morris has decided to take on the topic of Islamic Jihadi terrorism. Undoubtedly one to see, provided you aren’t easily offended. Very limited release though. IFI, Temple Bar, Lighthouse, Smithfield and Vue, Liffey Valley only.
Furry Vengeance – Family comedy starring Brendan Fraser. Now I like Brendan Fraser… but he doesn’t tend to do himself any favours with the comedies he picks. You’d never know though, it might be alright. Course the US Box Office begs to differ… but sure, what do they know?
The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call – New Orleans – Now I’m very interested in this film. If Nicolas Cage weren’t in it I’d be making it a priority to see it. On the other hand Werner Herzog is directing it and I just noticed that Xzibit is in it. What a legend. Maybe I will bump it up the priority list a little…
In case you’re wondering what Bad Lieutenant is about though, I gather it’s some kind of crime drama set in post-Katrina* New Orleans.
A Room and a Half – A somewhat fictionalised story of the Russian poet Josef Brodsky, who was expelled from Russia in 1972 and went on to become a naturalised American citizen. Limited release – IFI / Lighthouse only.
All these films opened in Ireland on Friday 7th May 2010.
* Can you believe it’s been almost 5 years? Then again before you know it there will be kids in secondary school who weren’t alive when September 11th happened… time moves quickly.
In general I agree with you on Nic Cage.
Unless you’re a cinematic masochist, he is generally a good reason to avoid a film.
However, Kick-Ass was an exception and so is Bad Lieutenant.
He’s as delightfully bonkers as the film is, and even though at times you’re not quite sure exactly what’s going on, you definitely want to keep watching.
Expect normal unwatchability to return with Ghost Rider 2 and National Treasure 3, but for now, he’s well worth a look.
I agree that Hot Tub Time Machine was great. Some stretching of your imagination is required (some scenes aren’t that believable!!!) when watching. The funniest film of 2010 so far (along with Date Night) for me!
Enjoyed Hot Tub Time Machine too:) It was all a bit insane, but the great cast managed to pull it off, including some hilarious one-liners.
I think I probably will go see Bad Lieutenant, I’m not a fan of Cage either, he drives me crazy and not in a good way. But it looks kind of interesting, so will probably pop along out of curiosity.