At The Flix with @Timmy666
Ho ho ho! Tis the season to be cinema going and in this edition of At The Flix, we cover films coming up in Birmingham over the festive period. Will it be tinseltastic or burnt sprouts at the cinema?
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (15)
Many years after the original, and no doubt in response to the fanbase that has grown from it, Ron Burgundy and his gang return for a quote-a-second, over-the-top comedy look at media, this time into the 1980s and the world of 24 hour news. The original was much more a series of sketches with a very loose of plot woven around it. Of course, the comedy element is definitely in the eye of the beholder. With the improvisational talents of Steve Carell and Paul Rudd, expect the unexpected, to be offended and laugh at things you really shouldn’t.
I admit to being ambivalent about the film. I’m not party to the ‘Legend’ tag and the humour from the original was very hit and miss, and often more the latter! I don’t expect this to be different.
The film is going be a huge success and if you love the original, you’re probably going to love this even more.
American Hustle (15)
This is the new film from the excellent David O’Russell combining talents from his recent films and looking like an entertaining film focussing on late 70s untrustworthy crooks and corrupt politicians – although with a twist, as Russell’s character aren’t atypical bad people.
The cast is A-list central with Messrs Bale, Cooper, Adams and Lawrence. Oscar winners aplenty. I hope it will be fizzing with sharp dialogue, wit and lots of great music and tonnes of 70s referencing.
Crucially, the film looks like a lot of fun and not serious – which I hope is carried through. One to look forward to over the festive period.
The Harry Hill Movie (PG)
Harry Hill on the big screen doing Harry Hill type stuff there is though some plot allegedly. Hill finds out that his beloved hamster Abu has only one week to live. The two embark on a road trip from London to Blackpool … as you do! Julie Walters appears as a petrol drinking nan and there are cameos aplenty.
With veteran British comedy director Steve Bendelack behind the camera, here’s hoping that Harry Hill’s bonkers comedy translates to the silver screen well.
The return of Keanu Reeves is a sort of fantasy martial arts film weaving all sorts of Japanese influences and starring Reeves himself as a nomadic warrior who joins a team of 47 outcast samurai seeking vengeance for the death of their master to restore honour.
I have read relatively little about this film in the build up to its release other than its relative tanking elsewhere and a troubled production. Reeves has been out of the limelight for a few years now and certainly not been anything big budget since The Day the Earth Stool Still, which was a flop as well!
As for Christmas films, I believe everywhere has shown or is showing It’s A Wonderful Life. Elsewhere, there are showings of Mary Poppins, The Great Escape, Home Alone and Home Alone 2 at The Electric. The mac is also showing Mary Poppins on Sunday and Monday. By the time you read this, a showing of The Muppets Christmas Carol may have been and gone (Friday 20 at 10.30am). There are showings of Die Hard (my favourite Christmas film) and Arthur Christmas at Vue Star City on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. At the Odeon Broadway, there are showings of Nativity 2 (a few notches down from the first lovely Nativity film),
Ok, that’s enough from me. Have a great Christmas. Watch out for a top 10 of the year next week. Shock, horror!
Until then, yippee-ki-yay! Ho, ho, ho!
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