FILM SPOTTING: March 2009 in Polish cinemas
{FILM SPOTTING}
March has me very confused as to what to see :] There’s nothing that has me seriously excited, but an abundance of things that I wouldn’t mind seeing. I rather think this means that I’m not going to see even half of what’s in this post ;-P
Watchmen (USA, 2009)
Polish Distributor: United International Pictures Sp z o.o. (6th March 2009)
Release Date (worldwide): 4th March 2009
Runtime: 163′
Director: Zack Snyder
Cast: Billy Crudup (and a whole lot of other people that I don’t know :])
Production House: Warner Bros. Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Legendary Pictures, Lawrence Gordon Productions, DC Comics
Plot: (from imdb)
When an ex-superhero is murdered, a vigilante named Rorschach begins an investigation into the murder, which begins to lead to a much more terrifying conclusion.
Trailer
The sceptical part of me thinks that…
…this might be a boring Hollywood special effects kind of film.
The excited part of me thinks that…
…it might not be that boring ;) Actually something that rather attracts me to it is the director. It’s the same guy who did 300, which I’m quite annoyed I missed when it was in cinemas - I somehow don’t think seeing on TV will be quite the same. It had one of the aesthetically most spectacular trailers I’ve ever seen and the Watchmen trailer looks very impressive that way too. So I’m sort of curious about what this guy is bringing into Hollywood.
The other thing is that the plot sounds ridiculous in a way that might actually appeal to me ;)
So Kin, if you’re reading - I think I’d quite like to come with you if you’re going :)
Coraline (USA, 2009)
Polish Distributor: United International Pictures Sp z o.o. (13th March 2009)
Release Date (worldwide): 6th February 2009
Runtime: 100′
Director: Henry Selick
Production House: Laika Entertainment, Pandemonium
Plot: (from imdb)
A young girl walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life…
Trailer
The sceptical part of me thinks that…
…this is animation and I’m animation illiterate :] And also it’ll probably only be in cinemas with some sort of annoying Polish dubbing.
The excited part of me thinks that…
…I liked the trailer and find the buttons for eyes idea totally creepy and so maybe I should just go and see it ;)
The Reader (USA/Germany, 2008)
Polish Distributor: Kino Świat (13th March 2009)
Release Date (worldwide): 10th December 2008
Runtime: 124′
Director: Stephen Daldry
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Kate Winslet
Production House: Mirage Enterprises, Neunte Babelsberg Film, The Weinstein Company
Plot: (from imdb)
Post-WWII Germany: Nearly a decade after his affair with an older woman came to a mysterious end, law student Michael Berg re-encounters his former lover as she defends herself in a war-crime trial.
Trailer
The sceptical part of me thinks that…
…it’ll have that fake, superficial kind of layer that most Hollywood productions depicting any sort of historical events have. Plus it should be in German not English ;-P
The excited part of me thinks that…
…I can’t miss a part by Kate Winslet that has had this much attention and she looks spectacular on the trailer besides :) And Ralph Fiennes is a nice bonus too ;)
Brick Lane (UK/India, 2007)
Polish Distributor: Vivarto (20th March 2009)
Release Date (worldwide): 31st August 2007
Runtime: 102′
Director: Sarah Gavron
Production House: Film4, Ingenious Film Partners, Ruby Films, Seven Seas Productions, UK Film Council
Plot: (from imdb)
A young Bangladeshi woman, Nazneem, arrives in 1980s London, leaving behind her beloved sister and home, for an arranged marriage and a new life. Trapped within the four walls of her flat in East London, and in a loveless marriage with the middle aged Chanu, she fears her soul is quietly dying. Her sister Hasina, meanwhile, continues to live a carefree life back in Bangladesh, stumbling from one adventure to the next. Nazneen struggles to accept her lifestyle, and keeps her head down in spite of life’s blows, but she soon discovers that life cannot be avoided - and is forced to confront it the day that the hotheaded young Karim comes knocking at her door.
Trailer
The sceptical part of me thinks that…
…it might have a lot of stereotypes - quite a few reviews seem to suggest that. Also I’m worried it’ll be very slow.
The excited part of me thinks that…
…we don’t get many of these kinds of films in Polish cinemas and I should watch them when the opportunity is there ;-P Besides, the themes in this film are totally what I like - I just haven’t seen or read anything about this film that would convince me that it’s good :]
Brideshead Revisited (UK, 2008)
Polish Distributor: Gutek Film (20th March 2009)
Release Date (worldwide): 25th July 2008
Runtime: 133′
Director: Julian Jarrold
Cast: Matthew Goode, Ben Whishaw, Emma Thompson, Michael Gambon
Production House: 2 Entertain, BBC Films, Ecosse Films, HanWay Films, Screen Yorkshire, UK Film Council
Plot: (from imdb)
Based on Evelyn Waugh’s 1945 classic British novel, Brideshead Revisited is a poignant story of forbidden love and the loss of innocence set in England prior to the Second World War.
Trailer
The sceptical part of me thinks that…
…the trailer looks far from enticing :]
The excited part of me thinks that…
…the trailer might be misleading. If the film really was what the trailer suggests it is then I doubt Gutek Film would be distributing. The cast and theme on the other hand is quite appealing to me *grin*
The Wrestler (USA/France, 2008)
Polish Distributor: SPInka (20th March 2009)
Release Date (worldwide): 5th September 2008
Runtime: 111′
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Cast: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei
Production House: Wild Bunch, Protozoa Pictures, Saturn Films, Sessions Payroll Management
Plot: (from imdb)
A faded professional wrestler must retire, but finds his quest for a new life outside the ring a dispiriting struggle.
Trailer
The sceptical part of me thinks that…
…the trailer is a bit off-putting. Also I have mixed feelings about Darren Aronofsky - I mean I loved Pi, hated Requiem for a Dream and did not see The Fountain ;)
The excited part of me thinks that…
…there must be some reason for this film getting so many awards ;)
Blindness (Canada/Brazil/Japan, 2008)
Polish Distributor: Best Film (27th March 2009)
Release Date (worldwide): 14th May 2008
Runtime: 121′
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Cast: Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Gael Garcia Bernal
Production House: Rhombus Media, O2 Filmes, Bee Vine Pictures, Alliance Films, Ancine, Asmik Ace Entertainment, BNDES, Corus Entertainment, Fox Filmes do Brasil, GAGA Communications
Plot: (from imdb)
When a big city has a mysterious outbreak of blindness, the victims are quarantined by the government in a hospital without any medical care, treatment or hygiene. Among the first people affected by the so called “white blindness” are an ophthalmologist and his reluctant health wife that has not lost her sight but stays with him to help him in the difficult moment. The place immediately crowds and a group of criminals takes the power, demanding jewels and electronics first and sex later for the limited ratio of food they control.
Trailer
The sceptical part of me thinks that…
…it could be a crappy horror/thriller kind of film. That’s what I thought it was based on the trailer and plot, however…
The excited part of me thinks that…
…the combination of actors and director makes it unlikely that this is a standard commercial film. None of them are known for these kinds of movies - on the contrary, they all seem to pick films which are concentrated more on human drama. The combination of countries behind this film is also pretty weird. And from what I can make out of the film’s certification and how it is being reviewed it sounds like a film full of sexual violence which I never would have guessed based on the trailer lol
The reviews on imdb are pretty bizarre also. Sounds a bit like a film that got a different audience than it was meant for. Reviews are on both extremes - from one star to ten stars. Below are some quotes from the imdb reviews to give you an idea:
This movie is dirty to watch and will leave you feeling dirty. In a very adult, intelligent, thought-provoking manner.
This one is for ‘hardcore’ movie fans - don’t watch it if you’re depressed or sad. And it offers the viewers very little in the way of comfort. However, it’s so well-executed and disturbing, that you can’t help but agree that their goal was reached. Unfortunately, the marketing and the names involved with ‘Blindness’ misled many viewers who otherwise would never dream of watching this.
Man on Wire (UK/USA, 2008)
Polish Distributor: Best Film (27th March 2009)
Release Date (worldwide): 22nd January 2008
Runtime: 94′
Director: James Marsh
Production House: Discovery Films, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Red Box Films, UK Film Council, Wall to Wall
Plot: (from imdb)
A look at tightrope walker Philippe Petit’s daring, but illegal, high-wire routine performed between New York City’s World Trade Center’s twin towers in 1974, what some consider, “the artistic crime of the century.”
Trailer
The sceptical part of me thinks that…
…I’m not *that* interested in the subject matter.
The excited part of me thinks that…
…there must be a reason why this documentary has been winning so many awards…
