YOUR GUIDE TO THIS WEEK’S NEW CINEMA RELEASES
There are a couple of good choices for movies this week — and none you need to avoid (unless you don’t like vulgarity — see below)! TOP PICK Top pick this week is a South Korean action horror thriller called TRAIN TO BUSAN. While a zombie-virus breaks out in South Korea, a couple of passengers struggle to survive on the train from Seoul to Busan. There’s nothing like a good zombie movie! Screen International says that, ‘Although it lacks the layers evident in Yeon’s acclaimed animations (including the thematically-linked Seoul Station), this is still an entertaining ride, as well as providing political commentary when it overtly references the Korean government’s response to the MERS virus alongside commenting on the country’s class system.’ I’m going to check it out! People **** ◉ Critics ***1/2 OTHERS TO SEE LOUDER THAN BOMBS is about the fractious family of a father and his two sons who confront their different feelings and memories of their deceased wife and mother, a famed war photographer. For Slant Magazine’s Jesse Cataldo, ‘Louder Than Bombs is a parable that takes depression seriously as a condition and a state of being.’ Sounds interesting. People ***1/2 ◉ Critics ***1/2 When I saw the trailer for SAUSAGE PARTY, I wondered whether it would be worth seeing (given that Seth Rogen is involved) but it is getting mainly positive reviews from the critics. Wait for it… it’s an animated film about a sausage that strives to discover the truth about his existence. The Film Stage describes ‘Sausage Party [as] a mixed bag of comedy, but when it finally has the gusto to ratchet things up on a visual level, the surrealistic vulgarity is something to be appreciated, even if you may feel assaulted once the lights come up.’ Note the word vulgarity in that description. It’s a Seth Rogen vehicle, so that should give you an idea. People ***1/2 ◉ Critics ***1/2 MAYBE/MAYBE NOT When three overworked and under-appreciated moms are pushed beyond their limits, they ditch their conventional responsibilities for a jolt of long overdue freedom, fun, and comedic self-indulgence. That’s BAD MOMS. According to the Guardian’s Jordan Hoffman, ‘There aren’t too many weird or original moments in Bad Moms…but Lucas and Moore, who wrote the script for The Hangover, know how to clear the stage for talented performers that can spin gold from next to nothing.’ I liked it and I’ll post my review shortly. People ***1/2 ◉ Critics *** ◉ Me **** I don’t know much about DOWN UNDER other than it’s a black comedy set during the aftermath of the Cronulla riots (an actual historical event that occurred in Australia). It is the story of two carloads of hotheads from both sides of the fight destined to collide. People **** I happened to be in Melbourne recently and caught a screening of TRUMAN before it opened here in my home town this week. It’s a Spanish movie in which Julián receives an unexpected visit from his friend Tomás, who lives in Canada. The two men, accompanied by Julián’s faithful dog, Truman, share emotional and surprising moments prompted by Julián’s complicated situation. I really like this humorous, yet profound, story and will post my review for you shortly. People ***1/2 ◉ Me **** That’s it for this week. See you at the movies! <NOTE> Movie summaries are adaptations of movie summary on IMDB. Opinions are mine unless credited. People and critics scores are a rough idea of how movies are currently being rated on the “average”. These updates are written from an Australian perspective so openings of the movies in cinemas may vary in other parts of the world.