New Releases 18/07/13

New in cinemas this week, and it is a strong one, are Before Midnight, Only God Forgives, This is the End and The Conjuring.

Before Midnight - The anticipated sequel to Before Sunrise (1995) and Before Sunset (2004), set nine years later. Like its predecessors, the film was directed by Richard Linklater, who shares screenplay credit with both stars Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, who make their return as Jesse and Celine.

Only God Forgives - Julian (Ryan Gosling), a respected figure in the criminal underworld of Bangkok, runs a Thai boxing club and smuggling ring with his brother Billy. Billy is suddenly murdered and their crime lord matriarch, Crystal (Kristin Scott Thomas) arrives from London to bring back the body. When Jenna forces Julian to settle the score with his brother's killers, Julian finds himself in the ultimate showdown.

This is the End - Follows six friends - Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson and James Franco - trapped at Franco's house after a series of strange and catastrophic events devastate Los Angeles. As the world unravels outside, dwindling supplies and cabin fever threaten to tear apart the friendships inside. Eventually, they are forced to leave the house, facing their fate and the true meaning of friendship and redemption. Link to Sam McCosh's review at An Online Universe.

The Conjuring - Before there was Amityville, there was Harrisville. "The Conjuring" tells the true story of Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga), world renowned paranormal investigators, who were called to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in a secluded farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful demonic entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most horrifying case of their lives. Link to Nick Brodie's review at Graffiti With Punctuation.

Weekly Recommendation: A very strong week. Not everyone has reacted positively to Nicolas Winding Refn's latest as I, but for the stylistic artistry and the textured atmosphere created, it is one you shouldn't miss. Before Midnight comes recommended for obvious reasons. Simply, it is every bit as incredible as the preceding pair and the conclusion (?) to one of the greatest trilogies ever created. I have also heard little but high praise for This is the End, which on premise alone had me sold. An Only God Forgives/The Conjuring double and you may never sleep again.