releasing this week: Dinner for Schmucks and The Last Exorcism
No CommentLoads of films came out on Friday. 10 at my count and undoubtedly there’ll be extra ones showing in the IFI and elsewhere. So I’d better just get to it.
The first film I’ve chosen to highlight this week is… Dinner for Schmucks from Jay Roach, director of the Austin Powers films. He’s also directed Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers
I can’t say that his CV particular fills me with excitment but the ones I’ve seen are enjoyable enough films. They certainly don’t put me off seeing this film. The reason I do want to see it, is that it stars Steve Carell and Paul Rudd. I’m a big fan of The US Office and Paul Rudd is just a funny guy, I’ve liked him in everything I’ve seen him in, from Friends to last year’s I Love You, Man.
It’s actually a remake of a 1998 French film called Le Dîner de Cons; the basic premise of the film is that these people have a party and each person has to bring the biggest idiot they know. For a laugh presumably. There’s probably a bit more to it than that but it’s the gist of it.
I’m thinking it could be a good laugh. Hopefully it’s a good laugh. I do wonder how slapstick they’re going to go with it. I guess I’ll have to wait and see.
Unsurprisingly to regular readers, I’d imagine, is the second film I’m highlighting this week, The Last Exorcism.
I love horror films, but as I’ve mentioned before, loving horror films means that you tend to go to all the ones that are on, and often times this can mean that you end up watching all sorts of crap.
I’m fairly hopeful that The Last Exorcism isn’t crap. Course I’m always hopeful that the latest horror film I’m going to see isn’t crap, but the reason I’ve slightly more hope with this one is that I’m finding the ads for this one really creepy. They kept showing them in the middle of the night on the various digital channels I watch and I kept having to look away. So that’s a good sign right?
Hopefully.
I haven’t seen loads of exorcism films, the last one I saw was The Exorcism of Emily Rose back in 2005. I did not like that film. I definitely this one ain’t anything like that.
Anyway, as the title would suggest, this one is about a minister who’s decided to let a film crew film his last exorcism. So I guess that means documentary stylee. Looking forward to it.
Other films this week…
Jonah Hex – This film’s been mauled both at the box office and by the critics… but it’s written by the guys who did Crank and Crank: High Voltage so err… I might like it. They didn’t direct Jonah Hex though so perhaps it’s just that an outside director isn’t capable of understanding their vision…
The Switch – One of the bigger films out this week, romantic comedy starring Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman. Apparently it’s reasonably decent but I’ve my doubts as to whether I’ll be seeing it.
Now we get to the smaller films, all of these are only in 1 or 2 screens around the place.
Certified Copy – French drama by Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami starring Juliette Binoche. While on a book tour, an English writer meets a French woman who runs a gallery specialising in antiques. I’m not entirely sure what ensues but the Guardian made it sound really interesting. Could be worth a look.
22 Bullets – Belgian gangster/revenge film. The 22 bullets referring to the 22 bullets the main man’s former friend left in him. I hope that’s not a spoiler. Stars Jean Reno and is apparently based on a true story.
Soulboy – British film, set in the 1970’s and referring to the Soulboy youth subculture that grew out the Mod culture. Coming of age comedy/drama. Pat Shortt’s in it.
Why Did I Get Married Too? – Tyler Perry follows up to 2007 comedy Why Did I Get Married?
Bonded By Blood – Film charting the rise of drug dealers, Tony Tucker, Patrick Tate and Craig Rolfe, also know as The Essex Boys. Their careers culminated in their being killed in a Range Rover in Essex in 1995. Apparently there’s a lot of swearing in. Like, enough to be notable.
Black Dynamite – Send up of the old 1970s Blaxploitation films. When his brother is killed by a mysterious organisation, former CIA agent and Vietnam veteran, Black Dynamite, vows to clean up the streets. Definitely want to see this one. Only playing in The Screen on D’Olier Street.
Dinner for Schmucks, The Last Exorcism, Black Dynamite, The Switch, Jonah Hex, Bonded By Blood, Certified Copy, 22 Bullets, Why Did I Get Married Too? and Soulboy are all in cinemas now. And have been since Friday 3rd September.
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