Source Code - One of my most eagerly anticipated films of the year. Around the middle of every year there is usually one stand-out blockbuster. The Dark Knight, Inglourious Basterds and Inception spring to mind recently. This year it could be Source Code, an suspense thriller directed by Duncan Jones, whose debut film, Moon (my review) was fantastic. When decorated soldier Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes up in the body of an unknown man, he discovers he's part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. In an assignment unlike any he's never known, he learns he's part of a government experiment called the "Source Code", a program that enables him to cross over into another man's identity in the last 8 minutes of his life. With a second, much larger target threatening to kill millions in downtown Chicago, Colter re-lives the incident over and over, gathering clues each time, until he can solve the mystery of who is behind the bombs and prevent the attack. Along with Gyllenhaal, the film stars Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga and Jeffrey Wright. Sitting on 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Something Borrowed - Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin) is a talented attorney at a top New York law firm, a generous and loyal friend and still single, as her engaged best friend Darcy (Kate Hudson) is constantly reminding her. But after celebrating her 30th birthday, perpetual good girl Rachel unexpectedly ends up in the arms of the guy she's had a crush on since law school, Dex (Colin Egglesfield)...who just happens to be Darcy's fiance. Dear god! It also stars John Krasinski from The Office.
Mad Bastards - An Australian film written and directed by Brendan Fletcher, who utilises the rugged Australian outback to tell his tale and uses mostly non-actors. TJ's quest to find the son he's never known takes him on a journey across the remote and stunning kimberley landscape. On the road, TJ questions his life of violence and meets a host of amazing characters who open up a way of life infused with music and community.
Babies - Directed by award-winning filmmaker Thomas Balmes, from an original idea by producer Alain Chabat, Babies simultaneously follows four babies from around the world - from birth to first steps. As a documentary that re-defines the nonfiction art form, Babies joyfully captures on film the earliest stages of the journey of humanity that are at once unique and universal to us all.
La Rafle. [The Round Up] - Roselyne Bosch's film played at the French Film Festival earlier in the year. It is a faithful retelling of the 1942 "Vel d'Hiv Roundup" and the events surrounding it. It does star Jean Reno and Melanie Laurent, which certainly adds some appeal, but this will have a very limited release.
The Human Resources Manager - A dramedy centred on the HR manager of Israel's largest industrial bakery, who sets out to save the reputation of his business and prevent the publication of a defamatory article. Directed by Eran Riklis, it was Israel's official entry for the 2011 Academy Awards Best Foreign Film Category.
Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs Evil - From the same team behind Hoodwinked (which no-one saw), the comedic portrayal of the fairy tale Red Riding Hood, comes the animated sequel in 3D. Words can't describe how bad this looks. While the original might have had some zany, cartoon antics, I doubt it warranted a sequel.
Weekly Recommendation: Source Code
I want to see SOURCE CODE so much! I've just got to grease up to the parents and see who wants to take me. I've had enough of being without Vera Farmiga!
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