US Releases

Drive Angry 3D

Studios – Millennium Films, Nu Image Films, Saturn Films

(Previous Film: The Mechanic, The Expendables, The Sorcerer's Apprentice)

Director - Patrick Lussier (Previous Film: My Bloody Valentine)

In a nutshell....

Milton is a vengeful father who has broken out of hell, to hunt down the men who killed his daughter and kidnapped his grand daughter. The Accountant, a supernatural operative of Satan, has been sent to bring Milton back to hell. Whether Milton succeeds or gets chased down by the Accountant forms the crux of the film.

Nicolas Cage has been doing a lot of fantasy stuff in recent times and most of them have been average but entertaining. Drive Angry also seems to belong to those pool of films he's done. It's fully loaded with action and car chase sequences, and a bit of humour here and there. The trailer's impressive, and with a worldwide release, the film will see a great opening especially because it is shot in 3D, which the trailer and poster boast about. A 3D treat awaits for all Cage fans.

Runtime - 104 mins

Genre - Action/Fantasy/Comedy

Rated - R

Principal Cast

Nicolas Cage – Milton (Last seen in: Season Of The Witch)

Amber Heard - Piper (Last seen in: The Ward)

William Fichtner. - Ronald Wilkes (Last seen in: Date Night)

Principal Crew

Todd Farmer, Patrick Lussier - Writers

Brian Pearson - Directors of Photography

Devin Lussier, Patrick Lussier - Editors
Michael Wandmacher - Music Director

Film’s USP

Shot in 3D

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2-hiHUh4UQ

Anticipation Rating - 3.5/5

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Hall Pass

Studios – Conundrum Entertainment, New Line Cinema (Previous Film: The Heartbreak Kid, The Rite),

Director - Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly (Previous Film: The Heartbreak Kid)

In a nutshell....

Rick is a married man but does often like to admire other beautiful women, sometimes even in the presence of his wife, Grace. Thus, Grace gives him a Hall Pass: A week off from marriage to do whatever you want without consequences.... As the definition suggests, Rick does get a week off to do whatever he desires. He is joined by his best pal, Fred. They set out to woo women and enjoy the week they got. But things get crazy when Grace, and Fred's wife, Maggie, also start engaging in extra marital activities.

This film's gonna be a laugh riot, no doubts about that. With super comedies like There's Something About Mary and Dumb and Dumber to their credit, the Farrelly brothers have another funny treat for us with Owen Wilson as the icing on the dessert. A unique story, which is funny and entertaining, and some seriously funny acting, this film will definitely do wonders at the box office and sure has to be the pick of the week. Wives never make the mistake of giving a Hall Pass to your husbands. ;)

Runtime - 105 mins

Genre - Comedy

Rated - R

Principal Cast

Owen Wilson – Rick (Last seen in: Little Fockers)

Jason Sudeikis - Fred (Last seen in: Going The Distance)

Christina Applegate - Grace (Last seen in: Going The Distance)

Jenna Fischer - Maggie (Last seen in: Solitary Man)

Principal Crew

Pete Jones, Kevin Barnett, Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly - Writers

Matthew Leonetti - Directors of Photography

Sam Seig - Editor
Manish Raval, Tom Wolfe - Music Supervisors

Film’s USP

Unique story + The Farrelly brothers + Owen Wilson

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF9CPtD_UsI

Anticipation Rating - 4/5

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Of Gods And Men (Des Hommes Et Des Dieux)

Studios – Armada Productions (Debut) Why Not Productions, France 3 Cinema

(Previous Film: White Material, Outside The Law)

Director - Xavier Beauvois (Previous Film: Le Petit Lieutenant)

In a nutshell....

8 French Christian monks living within a Muslim community in Algeria have to decide whether to leave or stay as a group of fundamentalist terrorists threaten to attack the region.

Winner of the Grand Prix at Cannes, and France's official entry for the Academy Awards, 2011, for the Best Foreign Language Film, Of Gods And Men is a powerful drama about heroism, choices that one has to make, and belief. Based on a true story, this film needs no proof of excellence as it's been a prime attraction in the festival circuit and has been liked by one and all. Certainly a must watch if you enjoy the off beat, indie, low budget type of films.

Runtime - 105 mins

Genre - Comedy

Rated - R

Principal Cast

Lambert Wilson – Christian (Last seen in: Babylon A.D.)

Michael Lonsdale - Luc (Last seen in: Agora)

Olivier Rabourdin - Christophe (Last seen in: Taken)

Principal Crew

Etienne Comar, Xavier Beauvois - Writers

Caroline Champatier - Director of Photography

Marie-Julie Maille - Editor

Film’s USP

Well received in the festival circuit

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xG3F-GUbnw&feature=related

Anticipation Rating - 3.5/5

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The Grace Card

Studios – Graceworks Pictures (Debut)

Director - David G. Evans (Debut)

In a nutshell....

Bill McDonald loses his son in an accident which makes him a bitter man, who doesn't live like a normal man, loses interest in family and his police job, and most importantly is angry with God. Mac's rage stonewalls his career in the police department and the situation becomes combustible as he has a new partner, Sam Wright, who is a rising star in the police department, a part-time pastor and a family loving man. Times change thanks to God's grace if you wish that to happen. Can they bury their differences and rebuild their friendship? Can they offer the Grace Card?

The Grace Card is a story that seems to have a philosophical tone and shows things in a good light. When we lose hope we get a chance to seek redemption and that is what this film's about. With all due respect, I think it's the lack of a star cast and a bigshot director that might just let this film down as it may lack subtlety and the kind of emotions you expect to see from a film like this. However, we've always seen surprises springing up especially in this industry, and as this film suggests, we should no lose hope and expect it to do well.

Runtime - 105 mins

Genre - Drama

Rated - PG-13

Principal Cast

Michael Joiner – Bill 'Mac' McDonald (Last seen in: Listen To Me)

Mike Higgenbottom - Sam Wright (Debut)

Louis Gossett Jr. - George Wright (Last seen in: Why Did I Get Married Too?)

Principal Crew

Howard Klausner - Writer

John Paul Clark - Directors of Photography

Film’s USP

Philosophical drama

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvbwb87FDic

Anticipation Rating - 3/5

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Heartbeats (Les Amours Imaginaires)

Studios – Alliance Atlantis Vivafilm (US Debut), Mifilifilms {Previous Film: I Killed My Mother)

Director - Xavier Dolan (Previous Film: I Killed My Mother)

In a nutshell....

Heartbeats is a film about three close friends who are involved in a love triangle.

Another French film that has done well on the festival circuit, Heartbeats is about youth, love, infatuation, friendship, proposals, rejections, gay friends and most importantly a love triangle. From the trailer it seems this film is very cinematic with perfect frames, slow and soothing music, a lot of art exudes from the moving images. Should attract the young audiences of New York, which is the only place where this film is releasing.

Runtime - 95 mins

Genre - Drama/Romance

Rated - Unknown

Principal Cast

Xavier Dolan – Francis (Last seen in: I Killed My Mother)

Monia Chokri - Marie (US Theatrical Debut)

Niels Schneider - Nicolas (Last seen in: I Killed My Mother)

Principal Crew

Xavier Dolan - Writer

Stephanie Anne Weber Biron - Director of Photography

Film’s USP

Produced, Written, Directed and Acted by the 21 year old, Xavier Dolan

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gCPIof4kNQ

Anticipation Rating - 3.5/5