releasing this week: The Expendables and Piranha 3D

Whereas last week there was sfa to go and see, this week we’re spoilt for choice. There’s at least 4 films I want to see this week. If I tried to highlight them all it would take too long (and I’m already two days late posting this) so I’d better just get to it. Here goes.

First up, if you haven’t heard of this film yet then shame on you. The biggest film of the week, The Expendables.

I have to admit, I stepped up to the hype for this a little late. I heard about it a good few months back but I didn’t really think that much about it. I didn’t like the look of the poster, thought it looked a bit serious and I kept getting it mixed up with The Losers, which I thought looked a bit crap. To be perfectly honest I thought it was going to be just another one of those little crappy action films you see popping up all the time. As a result I missed the fact that Stallone was directing it and that it has the best cast of action legends EVER.

Course when I realised that I was fully on board. I’m a little ashamed that I made those assumptions about it really… but come on! The title isn’t up to much really and the teaser poster didn’t exactly grab the eye. Really! What was a supposed to think?

Fast forward to today (or rather the other day, since I’m late with this) and The Expendables is upon us. Stallone, Statham, Li, Lundgren? What’s not to get excited about? Ok, Statham is the new kids on the block here but as far as I’m concerned, those Crank films are legendary. Sure some people don’t like them, but those people are wrong.

Now let’s be honest. I’m sure The Expendables isn’t going to be the most intelligent movie in cinemas at the moment… but what I’m hoping is that, with that much muscle on show, it’s going to be the most action packed and hopefully the most fun. Lordi knows action needs it after that mess that was The A-Team.

Oh btw, for those of you who’ve been wonder what Cordelia’s been up to, she’s in this…!

Now, Piranha 3D, on the other hand, I heard about ages ago but I’ve been dying to see it ever since.

Savage prehistoric killer fish. Of course I’m going to see this film. I honestly can’t think of one reason I wouldn’t see this film. The build up to this one has been pretty good too, over the last few months they’ve been releasing tantalisingly gory photos, had NSFW fake website and the director, Alexandre Aja (of Switchblade Romance fame) decided to tell us all that they used 80,000 gallons of fake blood making Piranha. I don’t know how that compares to other films but… it sounds like a lot. It’s a lot right? I think it’s a lot. There’s gonna be a lot of blood in this film. So like I said, why wouldn’t I see this film?

For those wondering about the plot, basically, a whole load of piranhas attack a load of spring break revellers, and Kelly Brook. I assume she’s not meant to be on spring break from college as well… It’s a simple concept, basically a b-movie slasher with killer fish instead of, well, a slasher. I’m off to it this evening so I’ll let yis know how it is on the twitter later.

Other films releasing this week…

Salt – Action spy thriller starring Angelina Jolie. Jolie plays Evelyn Salt, a spy on the run after being accused of being a KGB double agent. I’ve heard good stuff about this one. I like Jolie and I think she makes a very credible action star so I think this could be one to watch as well. It’s on my list anyway but since the list for this week is fairly long, I’m not sure when I’m going to get a chance to see it. Maybe if it’s still around in a few weeks.

Marmaduke – Family comedy based on the dog-centric comic strip of the same name by Brad Anderson. A nice family moves to a new neighbourhood with their loveable, large and boisterous Great Dane.

The Illusionist – New animated drama from the director of the Oscar-nominated Les Triplettes de Belleville. When a stage performer, one of a dying breed in a world of rock stars, find himself on the fringes of entertainment, he decides he needs to step back to a simpler world. He is living a quiet understated life… till he meets one ardent fan. Looks beautiful.

Mother (Madeo) – I first came across this film when it was featured in the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival earlier this year; in fact I did a little feature on the Korean films which were at the festival. Unfortunately, even though I was dying to see it, I managed to miss it. I was delighted when I heard it was getting a general release. Delighted.

It’s by Bong Joon-ho the director of monster movie, The Host, but more importantly the director of Memories of Murder. If you haven’t seen it I highly recommend it. This is a murder mystery film. I tried to describe in that feature I linked to earlier but I made it sound crap, so I’m not going to bother this time. Basically all you need to know is, it’s a Korean murder mystery. Kind of, I guess. Go see it. Showing exclusively in the IFI.

The Expendables, Piranha, Salt, The Illusionist, Marmaduke and Mother are all in cinemas from Friday 20th August 2010.