US Releases

Rango

Production Cos. – DW Films, Industrial Light & Magic, GK Films, Nickelodeon Films, Blind Wink (Debut)

(Previous Film: No Strings Attached, Work In Progress, The Tourist, The Last Airbender)

Director - Gore Verbinski (Previous Film: Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End)

In a nutshell....

Rango is a pet chameleon who ends up in a Western town called Dirt. Rango has always thought of himself like a hero and also struts about the town dressed sheriff like. But the good ones have been sent to the grave by the local bandits and Rango's life is also in threat as the goons want him dead. Thus Rango is put in a situation which he always dreamed of but never really knew how to face it. Will he survive?

Well a Johnny Depp film is always interesting, especially his look and his charisma on screen. But this time it's about his voice, and just like in Corpse Bride, I think Rango will be very interesting. It is the first time we'll see a chameleon as the protagonist which is certainly imaginative and unique. Besides, one can always expect fireworks when Gore Verbinski directs a film. I believe this one's going to do a superbly on the box office and will also win the hearts of all young kids. Should be the pick of the week.

Runtime - 107 mins

Genre - Animation/Action/Adventure

Rated - PG

Principal Cast

Johnny Depp – Rango (Last heard in: Corpse Bride)

Bill Nighy - Sajid Khan (Last heard in: The Little Fox 2)

Isla Fisher - Beans (Last heard in: Horton Hears A Who)

Abigail Breslin - Priscilla (Last seen in: Air Buddies)

Timothy Olyphant - Rattlesnake Jake (Animation Voiceover Debut)

Principal Crew

John Logan, Gore Verbinski, James Ward Byrkit - Writers

Tim Alexander - Visual Effects Supervisor

Craig Wood - Editor
Hans Zimmer - Music Director

Film’s USP

Johnny Depp as Rango

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-OOfW6wWyQ

Anticipation Rating - 4/5

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The Adjustment Bureau

Production Cos. – Universal Pictures, Media Rights Capital (Previous Film: Sanctum, Devil,)

Electric Shepherd Productions (Debut), Gambit Pictures (Debut)

Director - George Nolfi (Debut)

In a nutshell....

David Norris, an ambitious politician, falls for a contemporary ballet dancer, Elise Sellas. Mysterious men conspire to keep the lovers apart, and over time, David learns that those men belong to the Adjustment Bureau and are agents of Fate. Now David has to make a choice of letting Elise go or accept a pre determined path.

The trailer of this film is very engaging, which is why I believe that this can be one of the best films of this year. Besides, when you've got Damon at your disposal, you can be very sure of the film to be a huge success. I know this is George Nolfi's debut film but as a writer he's been magnificent and so I expect the same or perhaps even more from him in this film. As far as the performances are concerned, one can always be sure that Damon will do his utter best. The Adjustment Bureau is another contender to be the pick of the week.

Runtime - Unknown

Genre - Romance/Thriller

Rated - PG-13

Principal Cast

Matt Damon – David Norris (Last seen in: True Grit)

Emily Blunt - Elise Sellas (Last seen in: Gulliver's Travels)

Anthony Mackie - Harry Mitchell (Last seen in: Louis)

Principal Crew

George Nolfi, Phillip K. Dick (short story - Adjustment Team) - Writers

John Toll - Director of Photography

Jay Rabinowitz - Editor
Thomas Newman - Music Director

Film’s USP

The duo of Matt Damon and the writer of Ocean's Twelve and Bourne Ultimatum

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZJ0TP4nTaE

Anticipation Rating - 4/5

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Take Me Home Tonight

Production Cos. – Imagine Entertainment, Internationale Filmproduktion Blackbird Dritte

(Previous Film: The Dilemma, Sherlock Holmes)

Director - Michael Dowse (US Theatrical Debut)

In a nutshell....

In 1988, Matt Franklin, an intelligent MIT graduate gives up his well paid job and works as video clerk because he is fed up with the materialism that surrounds him. His best friend Barry, and sister Kyle, join him to go to a party for which Tori Frederking, an old friend whom he is now interested in, invites Matt. The night gets crazy and funny as things go haywire and funny.

When I saw the poster of this film it made me think it's another stupid candy floss film but when I read about it and watched the trailers I was like now I really wish to watch this one. It's funny, different and the most of the story happens on one night. Topher Grace has done some comedy before but with this one it seems he'll go one step up. It'd be interesting to see how Dowse's film is received by the US audiences. I really expect it to do well on the box office.

Runtime - Unknown

Genre - Comedy/Drama

Rated - R

Principal Cast

Topher Grace – Matt Franklin (Last seen in: Predators)

Anna Faris - Wendy Franklin (Last seen in: Yogi Bear)

Dan Fogler - Barry Nathan (Last seen in: Love Happens)

Teresa Palmer - Tori Frederking (Last seen in: I Am Number Four)

Principal Crew

Jackie Filgo, Geoff Filgo, Topher Grace, Gordon Kaywin - Writers

Terry Stacey - Director of Photography

Lee Haxall - Editor
Trevor Horn - Music Director

Film’s USP

The style of comedy

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsSNCmGUK2I

Anticipation Rating - 3.5/5

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Beastly

Production Cos. – CBS Films (Previous Film: Faster), Storefront Films (Debut)

Director - Daniel Barnz (Previous Film: Phoebe In Wonderland)

In a nutshell....

A contemporary take on one of the most famous stories of all time, 'Beauty And The Beast', Beastly is about a young guy from New York who is transformed into a hideous monster in order to find true love.

Alex Pettyfer did a decent job in I Am Number Four and having another release in a span of two weeks will give his growing number of fans a chance to watch him in a different avatar, quite literally. The trio of Pettyfer, Hudgens and Olsen will be the most important thing that shall draw the audiences to the film theatres as all 3 have been, or are, heartthrobs, and thus they perfectly fit into this contemporary take on Beauty And The Beast. But this is also the very reason why I doubt this film might tumble down, as it seems it lacks substance and may depend only on the popular cast to pull it off. Thus the fate of this film is very unclear. Although I must admit that the Beastly look is quite well done.

Runtime - Unknown

Genre - Fantasy/Drama/Romance

Rated - PG-13

Principal Cast

Alex Pettyfer – Kyle (Last seen in: I Am Number Four)

Vanessa Anne Hudgens - Lindy (Last seen in: Bandslam)

Mary Kate Olsen - Kendra (Last seen in: The Wackness)

Principal Crew

Daniel Barnz, Alex Flinn (novel) - Writers

Mandy Walker - Director of Photography

Todd E. Miller, Thomas J. Nordberg - Editors
Marcelo Zarvos - Music Director

Film’s USP

Cast + Contemporary version of Beauty And The Beast

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Neo6W1f7hyY

Anticipation Rating - 3/5

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Happythankyoumoreplease

Production Cos. – Paperstreet Films (Previous Film: Repo Chick), Tom Sawyer Entertainment (Debut)

Director - Josh Radnor (Debut)

In a nutshell....

Happythankyoumoreplease is the story of six New Yorkers who are tested by love, friendship and growing up. Sam Wexler, a writer, finds a young abandoned boy on the subway and decides to take him home which sparks a complicated but rewarding friendship. Sam's life revolves around his friends - Annie, whose self image keeps her from commitment; Charlie and Marie Catherine, a couple whose possible move to Los Angeles puts their relationship to test; and Mississippi, a cabaret singer who catches Sam's eye.

Winner of the audience choice award for the best dramatic film at the Sundance Film Festival, 2010, Happythankyoumoreplease is about love, life, happiness, appreciation and relationships. It has a feel good factor about it, and although it doesn't have a totally different story, it does seem to be done differently. It's a great talent to write, direct and act in the same film, which Josh Radnor has done really well according to the festival goers. Having won the audience choice award does guarantee that this one isn't a film just for the festivals, it's got more to it.

Runtime - 100 mins

Genre - Comedy/Drama

Rated - R

Principal Cast

Josh Radnor – Sam Wexler (Last seen in: Not Another Teen Movie)

Malin Akerman - Annie (Last seen in: Couples Retreat)

Kate Mara - Mississippi (Last seen in: It's Complicated)

Zoe Kazan - Mary Katherine (Last seen in: The Wackness)

Pablo Schreiber - Charlie (Last seen in: Nights In Rodanthe)

Tony Hale - Sam (Last seen in: The Informant!)

Principal Crew

Josh Radnor - Writer

Seamus Tierney - Director of Photography

Michael R. Miller - Editor
Jaymay - Music Director

Film’s USP

Title

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG3qBqtX50o

Anticipation Rating - 3.5/5

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Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives

Production Cos. – Illuminations Films (US Theatrical Debut), Kick The Machine (US Theatrical Debut)

Director - Apichatpong Weerasethakul (US Theatrical Debut)

In a nutshell....

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives is about Uncle Boonmee's last days of life. Together with the ghost of his dead wife, a dead dead son who has returned in a non-human form, and a few other loved ones, Boonmee explores his past lives a he contemplates the reason for his illness, and his present bad condition.

Well this film is typically what good festival films are like and has done awesomely on the festival circuit. But the most interesting thing about it is the story, which is not only unique but also eerie. The performances, especially that of Sanapat Saisaymar as Uncle Boonmee has been adored by the festival audiences. I'd love to watch it for it's uniqueness. The things that can go against its success in terms of audience turn out is the Thai language and the slow pace of the film.

Runtime - 114 mins

Genre - Comedy/Fantasy/Drama/

Rated - Unknown

Principal Cast

Sanapat Saisaymar – Boonmee (US Theatrical Debut)

Sakda Kaewbuadee - Tong (Debut)

Matthieu Ly - Farmer (Debut)

Principal Crew

Apichatpong Weerasethakul - Writer

Yukontorn Mingmongkon, Sayombhu Mukdeeprom - Directors of Photography

Lee Chatametikool - Editor

Film’s USP

Unique Story

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T6UVHa-HwU

Anticipation Rating - 3.5/5

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Red State

Production Co. – The Harvey Boys (Debut)

Director - Kevin Smith (Previous Film: Cop Out)

In a nutshell....

A group of teens receive an online invitation from an older woman for group sex, which they accept. But their fantasies takes a dark turn when they encounter a fundamentalist group with a sinister agenda.

Red State doesn't seem stereotypical in any way like most other horror films do especially because it's got a different story. I keep insisting on having good, different stories because that's the most essential thing for a film to do well. This film also looks technically well done especially with the use of the camera. This is Kevin Smith's first attempt at horror but it looks as though somebody more experienced at this genre has made this film, which is quite impressive. I just hope that this one doesn't turn out to be a damp squib.

Runtime - Unknown

Genre - Horror/Thriller

Rated - Unknown

Principal Cast

Michael Parks – Abin Cooper (Last seen in: Not Another Teen Movie)

Melissa Leo - Sara (Last seen in: Couples Retreat)

John Goodman - Joseph Kennan (Last seen in: It's Complicated)

Principal Crew

Kevin Smith - Writer

David Klein - Director of Photography

Kevin Smith - Editor

Film’s USP

Kevin Smith's first attempt at Horror

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exm22OReBmA

Anticipation Rating - 3/5