UK Releases

Rio

Studio – Twentieth Century Fox Animation (Previous Film: Horton Hears A Who!)

Director - Carlos Saldanha (Previous Film: Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs)

In a nutshell....

Blu is one of the rare species of a spix Macaw, who resides at a bookstore in Minnesota. He is the last male of his kind, and when scientists find out that another Macaw, Jewel, was spotted in South America and is a female, they send Blu to Rio De Janeiro to meet her. As he learns to confront his fear of flying in order to win her heart, they get kidnapped by poachers to sell them for a fortune. After they escape, they try to avoid the thieves with the help of others.

Two names, Twentieth Century Fox Animation and Carlos Saldanha, mean this film will be nothing less than very good. With such a strong track record of successes by both, the makers and the director, Rio certainly promises to be a fun ride. The story is unique, and the cast behind the microphones is awesome. Besides, watching it in 3D will add great value to the entire experience. I can't wait for it to tickle my funny bone, and bank this film to do wonders at the box office.

Runtime - 96 mins

Genre - Animation/Adventure/Comedy

Rated - U

Principal Cast

Jesse Eisenberg – Blu (Voiceover Debut)

Anne Hathaway - Jewel (Last heard in: Hoodwinked)

Jamie Foxx - Nico (Voiceover Debut)

Will I Am - Pedro (Last heard in: Arthur And The Revenge Of Maltazard)

Principal Crew

Don Rhymer - Writer

Renato Falcao - Director of Photography

John Powell - Music Director

Film’s USP

Story + Cast

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_8Pf8klXDU

Anticipation Rating - POTW (Pick Of The Week)

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Tomorrow, When The War Began

Studio – Paramount Pictures (Previous Film: No Strings Attached)

Director - Stuart Beattie (Debut)

In a nutshell....

Seven teenage Australian teenage friends from a small town go on a camping trip to be with nature. They see military aircrafts fly overhead. Unaware that their country was invaded by another country, they return home, but on their way they realise that their country is at war. They band together to fight for their country without any training.

Based on the best selling novel of the same name, Tomorrow, When The War Began's trailer reminded me of Brazil, the film. This film released in Australia last September, and did a fair job. Although it did not live upto the expectations of the fans of the novel but it was liked by many because of the ensemble cast. The debutant director's vision was appreciated but it was felt that he could've done a better job. I think because of the mixed reviews from Australian media and audiences, it will have an average run on the box office.

Runtime - 103 mins

Genre - Adventure/Action/Drama

Rated - 12A

Principal Cast

Caitlin Stasey – Ellie Linton (Debut)

Rachel Hurd-Wood - Corrie Mackenzie (Last seen in: Solomon Kane)

Lincoln Lewis - Kevin Holmes (Last seen in: Aquamarine)

Principal Crew

Stuart Beattie, John Marsden (Novel) - Writers

Ben Nott - Director of Photography

Marcus D'Arcy - Editor

Reinhold Heil, Johnny Klimek - Music Directors

Film’s USP

Based on a successful novel

Trailer

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

Anticipation Rating - Wait For The Reviews

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Mars Needs Moms

Studio – Walt Disney Pictures (Previous Film: Indiana Jones And The Temple Of The Forbidden Eye)

Director - Simon Wells (Previous Film: The Time Machine)

In a nutshell....

Martians want to take away Milo's mother as they want to take away her mom-ness for their own young. After she is taken away, Milo realises the importance of his mother in his life and plans to rescue her from Mars. With the help of a tech-savvy underground earthman, Gribble, his bionic pet named Two-Cat, and a rebellious martian girl Ki, Milo sets out on a mission to defeat the alien nation leader, Supervisor, and get his mother back.

Mars Needs Moms is a completely different take on aliens and without doubt promises to be good. First, it's got a very unique story which focuses on the love for mothers. Second, it's live action animation in digital 3D. And Third, it's a comedy. In short it promises to be a blockbuster. Mars Needs Moms will pull the crowds to the theatres because of it's unique storyline, which I keep stressing, is the most essential quality that a film should try to have, and then it's a family film with a deeper meaning. Besides it comes from Simon Wells who's been great at animation. But having said all of this, it didn't do quite well in the US which is why I think it might not have a great time even on the UK box office.

Runtime - 88 mins

Genre - Animation/Adventure/Comdey

Rated - PG

Principal Cast

Seth Green – Milo (Last seen in: Old Dogs)

Dan Fogler - Gribble (Last seen in: Take Me Home Tonight)

Joan Cusack - Mom (Last seen in: My Sister's Keeper)

Mindy Sterling - The Supervisor (Last seen in: Extreme Movie)

Principal Crew

Simon Wells, Wendy Wells, Berkeley Breathed (book) - Writers

Robert Presley - Director of Photography

Wayne Wahrman - Editor
John Powell - Music Director

Film’s USP

Unique Story

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aS5W___Ezk

Anticipation Level - Second Choice

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The Roommate

Studios – Vertigo Entertainment, Screen Gems (Previous Film: How To Train Your Dragon, Country Strong)

Director - Christian E. Christiansen (US Debut)

In a nutshell....

College student Sara is excited to start a new college life, and is assigned a dorm with a new room-mate, Rebecca. Both the girls bond well and develop a nice friendship. On a trip to Rebecca's home, Sara learns about Rebecca's peculiar condition from her mother. Rebecca's feelings get stronger for Sara and she starts killing those whom she feels as a possible threat to Sara and her friendship. Thus she controls Sara's life.

The Roommate looks like one of those cheap films that you and I would rather feel pity for than fully enjoy, simply because such films spoil the story by having cheesy inputs. I am not trying to write it off, but on the face of it it seems so. With this one, I'd have hoped I was wrong but the US critics and film goers felt worse than I have assumed.

Runtime - 91 mins

Genre - Thriller/Drama

Rated - 15

Principal Cast

Minka Kelly – Sara Matthews (Last seen in: The Kingdom)

Leighton Meester – Rebecca (Last seen in: Country Strong)
Cam Gigandet – Stephen (Last seen in: Burlesque)

Principal Cast

Sonny Mallhi - Writer

Phil Parmet - Director of Photography
Randy Bricker - Editor
John Frizzell - Music Director

Film’s USP

Warns you about a scary room-mate (Couldn't think of anything else)

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FldQayi1FI

Anticipation Level - Won't Even Suggest It To My Enemies