Elysium - In the year 2154, two classes of people exist: the very wealthy, who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined Earth. The people of Earth are desperate to escape the planet's crime and poverty, and they critically need the state-of-the-art medical care available on Elysium - but some in Elysium will stop at nothing to enforce anti-immigration laws and preserve their citizens' luxurious lifestyle. The only man with the chance bring equality to these worlds is Max (Matt Damon), an ordinary guy in desperate need to get to Elysium. With his life hanging in the balance, he reluctantly takes on a dangerous mission - one that pits him against Elysium's Secretary Delacourt (Jodie Foster) and her hard-line forces - but if he succeeds, he could save not only his own life, but millions of people on Earth as well. Written and directed by Neill Blomkamp (District 9).
We're the Millers - David Burke (Jason Sudeikis) is a small-time pot dealer whose clientele includes chefs and soccer moms. Preferring to keep a low profile for obvious reasons, he learns the hard way that no good deed goes unpunished when he tries to help out some local teens and winds up getting jumped by a trio of gutter punks. Stealing his stash and his cash, they leave him in major debt to his supplier, Brad (Ed Helms). In order to wipe the slate clean - and maintain a clean bill of health - David must now become a big-time drug smuggler by bringing Brad's latest shipment in from Mexico. Twisting the arms of his neighbors, cynical stripper Rose (Jennifer Aniston) and wannabe customer Kenny (Will Poulter), and the tatted-and-pierced streetwise teen Casey (Emma Roberts), he devises a foolproof plan. One fake wife, two pretend kids and a huge, shiny RV later, the "Millers" are headed south of the border for a Fourth of July weekend.
Frances Ha - Frances (Greta Gerwig) lives in New York, but she doesn't really have an apartment. Frances is an apprentice for a dance company, but she's not really a dancer. Frances has a best friend named Sophie, but they aren't really speaking anymore. Frances throws herself headlong into her dreams, even as their possible reality dwindles. Frances wants so much more than she has but lives her life with unaccountable joy and lightness. Frances Ha is a modern comic fable that explores New York, friendship, class, ambition, failure, and redemption. Directed by Noah Baumbach (Greenberg, The Squid and the Whale).
Red Obsession - Narrated by Russell Crowe, the film takes us on an extraordinary journey from Bordeaux to Beijing, from the passion and art of the vineyard to the notorious counterfeit wine markets of the Far East and into the homes of billionaire collectors. Red Obsession explores the unlikely love affair between the traditional West and the seductive but unpredictable East. The demand is unprecedented, but the product is finite and this new client wants it all. Will the China market be the bubble that never bursts or the biggest threat to Bordeaux's centuries old reputation? - Review by Damian Straker at Impulse Gamer.
Weekly Recommendation - I am very much looking forward to both 'Elysium' and 'Red Obsession' this week - thoughts to come in a couple of days. The former hasn't received the same acclaim as 'District 9', which is a little disappointing to hear. It will be hard to top the wonderful 'Frances Ha' this week, though. I was quite surprised by 'We're the Millers', it was consistently entertaining throughout and the cast (led by Sudeikis) did a fine job elevating this familiar material.
That's easy. Frances Ha which I think is Noah Baumbach's best film to date.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen The Squid and the Whale, which most claim to be his best.
DeleteBut I liked Greenberg a lot, so this was a great follow-up. He works well with Greta.