UK Releases

Tangled

Studios – Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures (Previous Releases: Princess And The Frog, Toy Story 3)
Directors - Nathan Greno, Byron Howard (Previous Works: Debut, Bolt)

In a nutshell....

Baby Princess, Rapunzel is kidnapped by Mother Gothel when she learns about the healing powers of a magical flower which have been growing in Rapunzel's golden hair. To stay young Rapunzel is kept hidden in a tower from where she watches floating lights on each birthday. Rapunzel's a young girl now and her hair is 70 ft. long. One day, a bandit by the name of Flynn Ryder tries to sneak into the tower and is held captive by Rapunzel who lets him go only after striking a deal that he shall show her the world and also lead her to the place from where the floating lights come. Rapunzel is about to have the most fascinating journey of life.

Based on the tale that we used to hear back in our childhood days, Tangled is sure going to be a treat for those who miss their childhood, to those who've forgotten but wish to relive and to those who are in their childhood today. Disney always manages to woo the young audiences and this time around even more is expected as I've heard splendid responses from the film's US release. Besides, it is in 3D which shall add to the experience. This is a must watch, not only for the young kids but also for their families.

Runtime - 100 mins

Genre - Animation/Comedy

Rated - PG

Principal Cast

Mandy Moore – Rapunzel (Last heard in: Dr. Dolittle 2)

Zachary Levi – Flynn Rider (Theatrical Voiceover Debut)
Donna Murphy – Mother Gothel (Theatrical Voiceover Debut - India)
Ron Perlman - Andi Garcia (Theatrical Voiceover Debut - India)

Principal Crew

Dan Fogelman - Writer

Steve Goldberg - Visual Effects Supervisor
Tim Mertens – Editor
Alan Meken - Music Director

Film’s USP

Rapunzel in 3D

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyOyBVXDJ9Q

Anticipation Rating - 4/5

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The Mechanic

Studios – Millennium films, Nu image Entertainment (Previous Releases: Double Identity, Day Of The Dead)

Director - Simon West (Previous Work: When A Stranger Calls)

In a nutshell....

Arthur Bishop is an elite assassin whose talent lies in cleanly eliminating targets by detaching himself from the victim. But when his mentor and friend, Harry, is killed, Bishop takes it as a personal loss and begins working on vengeance. Harry's son, Steve, also seeks vengeance, and an alliance with Arthur, who would also teach him his trade. Arthur cannot say 'no' to Harry's son and thus takes Steve under his wing. Together they form a deadly partnership but they face deceptions on their way to vengeance.

Jason Statham is almost the new name for action. The lean, mean Brit is getting better with all his action films and sure looks deadlier in this one. The storyline isn't unique but is interesting, and the action sequences do seem to take your breath away. Besides, the film is opening in the US and UK which means this film's going to see a great opening. I think The Mechanic is bound to be a hit.

Runtime - 92 mins

Genre - Action/Drama/Thriller

Rated - 15

Principal Cast

Jason Statham – Arthur Bishop (Last seen in: The Expendables)

Ben Foster – Steve McKenna (Last seen in: Pandorum)
Donald Sutherland – Harry McKenna (Last seen in: Fool's Gold)

Tony Goldwyn - Dean (Last seen in: The Last House On The Left)

Principal Crew

Richard Wenk, Lewis John Carlino - Writers

Eric Schmidt - Director of Photography
T.G. Herrington, Todd E. Miller – Editors
Mark Isham - Music Director

Film’s USP

Action with Jason Statham

Trailer

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

Anticipation Rating - 3.5/5

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Hereafter

Studios – Amblin Entertainment, The Kennedy Marshall Company, Malpaso Productions

(Previous Releases: Letters From Iwo Jima, The Last Airbender, Invictus)
Director - Clint Eastwood (Previous Work: Invictus)

In a nutshell....

Hereafter is a drama centred around mortality and how it haunts 3 people in different ways. George, a blue collared American, has a special connection to the afterlife. Marie, a French journalist has a near death experience which shakes her reality. Marcus, a schoolboy from London, loses somebody closest to him because of which he seeks answers. Each of them set on a path to search for answers as their paths intersect.

Well one obviously expects a lot from a Clint Eastwood film and this one isn't an exception, especially when you consider the presence of Matt Damon. It was a treat when the last time the two had come together in Invictus. Hereafter deals with knowing what awaits after death which is an interesting subject especially when you 're not dealing with horror. The trailer had some good moments and my eyes lit up when I saw the Tsunami coming. The film released in the US last year and got decent reviews. Therefore I have hopes from this one and think it wouldn't disappoint.

Runtime - 129 mins

Genre - Drama/Fantasy

Rated - 12A

Principal Cast

Matt Damon – George Lonegan (Last seen in: Green Zone)

Bryce Dallas Howard – Melanie (Last seen in: Eclipse)
Cecile De France – Marie LeLay (Last seen in: L'incstict de mort)

George/Frankie McLaren - Jason/Marcus (Debut)

Principal Crew

Peter Morgan - Writer

Tom Stern - Director of Photography
Joel Cox, Gary Roach – Editors
Clint Eastwood - Music Director

Film’s USP

Clint Eastwood + Matt Damon

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFBXzWTL9N4

Anticipation Rating - 3.5/5

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Biutiful

Studios – Menageatorz, Mod Producciones, Ikiru Films (Previous Releases: Debut, Agora, Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer)

Director - Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Previous Work: Babel)

In a nutshell....

Uxbal is a tragic hero and a father of two, who is connected to the afterlife on the road to redemption. He struggles with a tainted reality and a fate that works against him in order to forgive, for love, and forever.

I've already watched this 'biutiful' film at the Mumbai Film Festival and therefore it'd be more like a review if I go on to write about it. So I guess I'd just say that this film is more for the festival audiences who relish the cinematic visions of serious filmmakers, and isn't at all entertaining; but then again what can you expect from the master, Inarritu, whose film people watched sitting in the aisle after waiting for an hour in the queue outside the cinema hall at the Mumbai Film Festival. Bardem's won the Best Actor award at Cannes for this one which isn't a surprise at all.

Runtime - 147 mins

Genre - Drama

Rated - 18

Principal Cast

Javier Bardem – Uxbal (Last seen in: Eat Pray Love)

Marciel Alvarez – Marambra (Debut)
Hanaa Bouchaib – Ana (Debut)

Principal Crew

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Armando Bo, Nicolas Giacobone - Writers

Rodrigo Prieto - Director of Photography
Stephen Mirrione - Editor
Gustavo Santaolalla - Music Director

Film’s USP

Inarritu + Bardem

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUuoYhgaQG4

Anticipation Rating - 4/5

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How Do You Know

Studios – Columbia Pictures Corporation, Road Rebel, Gracie Films (Previous Releases: The Damned United, Vampires Suck, The Simpsons Movie)

Director - James L. Brooks (Previous Work: Spanglish)

In a nutshell....

Lisa, a sportswoman, is trying to evaluate her life after she is dumped by the USA softball team because she is past her prime. As she is trying to recover from this emotional blow, she comes across her ex boyfriend George, who is a corporate guy in crisis. A love triangle develops between the two and Lisa's current boyfriend, Matty, who is a baseball player. The eventual question is How Do You Know when you are in love?

With such big names in the cast and a director who has won an Oscar, you'd imagine this one to be a great film with loads of emotions flowing around. However, this doesn't seem to be the case especially after I read the US reviews and saw the box office collections. I know going by the reviews is the worst way of judgement but then they've been quite overwhelming. I'd have had other ideas about the film had it not released in the US but right now I feel it's not the best choice for the weekend.

Runtime - 121 mins

Genre - Comedy/Drama/Romance

Rated - 12A

Principal Cast

Reese Witherspoon – Lisa (Last seen in: Four Christmases)

Owen Wilson – Matty (Last seen in: Llittle Fockers)
Paul Rudd – George (Last seen in: Dinner For Schmucks)

Jack Nicholson - Charles (Last seen in: The Bucket List)

Principal Crew

Richard Wenk, Lewis John Carlino - Writers

Janusz Kaminski - Director of Photography
Richard Marks, Tracey Wadmore-Smith - Editors
Hans Zimmer - Music Director

Film’s USP

Impressive star cast

Trailer

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

Anticipation Rating - 2.5/5

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Barney's Version

Studio – Serendipity Point Films, Fandango (Previous Release: You Might As Well Live, La Passione)
Director - Richard J. Lewis (Debut)

In a nutshell....

Barney Panofsky, a 65 year old rude, blunt and foul mouthed television producer, reflects on his life's successes, gaffes and failures. The film is adapted from a book of the same name.

Paul Giamatti is the heart and soul of this film and I think he's going to be awesome as it already can be seen from the trailers. This is a character driven film and it should do well at the box office as it has already done well in the festival circuit.

Runtime - 132 mins

Genre - Drama

Rated - 18

Principal Cast

Paul Giamatti – Barney Panofsky (Last seen in: The Last Station)

Jake Hoffman – Michael Panofsky (Last seen in: Click)
Rosamund Pike – Miriam Grant Panofsky (Last seen in: Made In Dagenham)

Principal Crew

Michael Konyves - Writer

Guy Dufaux - Director of Photography
Susan Shipton – Editor
Pasquale Catalano - Music Director

Film’s USP

Probably first of its kind from our own industry.

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsfjXNMQt8I

Anticipation Rating - 4/5