UK Releases

Thor

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

Director - Kenneth Branagh (Previous Film: Sleuth)

In a nutshell....

Thor is a powerful but arrogant God from Asgard. He is cast out of the realm and sent to earth to live with humans. He soon becomes the their defender and saviour.

So now we meet the second hero from the Avengers. This mighty God is one of the best Avengers, and perhaps the only one to have such supernatural powers. Chris Hemsworth's casting was a huge doubt in my mind but ever since I watched the trailer it just disappeared. I'm excited to watch this one especially because Thor is a multidimensional character and somebody with the experience and the goodness of Kenneth Branagh will know how to deal with it. The 3D will add to the whole experience and this film will do wonders on the box office especially because it leads to Avengers.

Runtime - 114 mins

Genre - Action/Adventure/Drama

Rated - 12A

Principal Cast

Chris Hemworth - Thor (Last seen in: A Perfect Getaway)

Natalie Portman – Jane Foster (Last seen in: Your Highness)

Anthony Hopkins - Odin (Last seen in: The Rite)

Tom Hiddleston - Abhay (Last seen in: Archipelago)

Principal Crew

Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, Don Payne, Mark Protosevich, J. Michael Straczynski, Stan Lee (book), Larry Lieber (book), Jack Kirby (book) - Writers

Haris Zambarloukos - Director of Photography

Paul Rubell - Editor

Patrick Doyle - Music Director

Film’s USP

Leads to the Avengers

Anticipation Level - POTW (Pick Of The Week)

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Insidious

Studio – FilmDistrict (Previous Film: Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark)

Director - James Wan (Previous Film: Death Sentence)

In a nutshell....

A young family discovers that the body of their comatose child attracts evil entities while the boy's mind is trapped in a dark realm known as The Further.

I have to admit that this is one of the best horror film trailers I've watched in recent times. A film, especially a horror, has to work well audio-visually, and I think Isidious's technical team has done a great job. The sound design in the trailer is spectacular. Most importantly it looks seriously well made, and I'm glad that it's not bloody and gory like most other recent horrors that have resorted to such theatrics to grab attention. Besides, it comes from the makers of Paranormal Activity, one of the most successful horror films of the last decade. James Wan has an eye for horror which he proved with Saw and that's why I have good expectations from Insidious. This film has done very well with the American audiences and I expect it to have the same run at the UK box office.

Runtime - 102 mins

Genre - Fantasy/Horror/Thriller

Rated - 15

Principal Cast

Ty Simpkins – Dalton Lambert (Last seen in: The Next Three Days)

Rose Byrne - Renai Lambert (Last seen in: Get Him To The Greek)

Patrick Wilson - Josh Lambert (Last seen in: Morning Glory)

Barbara Hershey - Lorraine Lambert (Last seen in: The Incredible Hulk)

Principal Crew

Leigh Whannell - Writer

David Brewer, John Leonetti - Directors of Photography

Kirk Morri, James Wan - Editors

Joseph Bishara - Music Director

Film’s USP

James Wan

Anticipation Level - Second Choice

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Cedar Rapids

Studios – Ad Hominem Enterprises (Previous Film: The Savages)

Director - Miguel Arteta (Previous Film: Youth In Revolt)

In a nutshell....

Tim Lippe, 34, has been living in Brown Valley, Wisconsin all his life, and pre-engaged to his 7th grade teacher, Vanderhei. He sells insurance for a living and gets a first chance to visit a metropolis, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he is supposed to save his company at an insurance convention. Not accustomed to the modern world, Tim is now smitten with a Nebraskan insurance agent, Joan, and in awe with his room-mates Wilkes and Zeigler.

Official selection at the Sundance Film Festival, Cedar Rapids seems to be humourous and efficient. Ed Helms looks the perfect nerd, and the ensemble too seems great. With a decent record of comedies backing the cast and the director, as well as the involvement of Fox Searchlight, this film sure should be a fun experience and worth a watch. It had a limited release in the US and it did very well there.

Runtime - 86 mins

Genre - Comedy

Rated - 15

Principal Cast

Ed Helms – Tim Lippe (Last seen in: The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard)

John C. Reilly - Dean Ziegler (Last seen in: The Extra Man)

Isiah Whitlock Jr. - Ronald Wilkes (Last seen in: Main Street)

Anne Heche - Joan Ostrowski-Fox (Last seen in: The Other Guys)

Sigourney Weaver - Macy Vandehei (Last seen in: You Again)

Principal Crew

Phil Johnston - Writer

Chuy Chavez - Directors of Photography

Eric Kissack - Editor
Christophe Beck - Music Director

Film’s USP

Unique story

Anticipation Level - Second Choice