Why You Should Go To The Cinema This Winter
Winter in Perth. It’s
sometimes rainy, mostly temperamental. It never makes its mind up about whether
it wants to rain or not. As a result, this can make it difficult to plan things
when you want to have some fun.
Well, this cold/warm/rainy/dry winter, go to the movies.
Why? Well, apart from getting $8 movie tickets on a Monday as a student (or $9 Tuesday to Thursday), there are a tonne of great movies being released over the next few months. I’ll give you a quick summary.
The Hangover: Part III
Sure, these movies aren’t for everyone, and Part II was a slightly racist copy of the first, but I’ll be damned if the first one wasn’t a great movie. Part III sees the gang return to Vegas, where (surprise!) someone goes missing. It may have been done twice already, but from the trailers it seems to promise laughs. In cinemas May 23.
The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is the great American novel being brought to life in this remake/adaption by Baz Luhrmann. After the Australia! fiasco, Baz will be looking to impress, and while the film has received mixed reviews overseas (The OK Gatsby anyone?), it still warrants a viewing. Leo Di Caprio is on a hot streak right now, and his rendition of Gatsby should warrant a watch alone. In cinemas May 30.
Fast and Furious 6
Yes, they’re making another one, but that’s because of how great 2011’s Fast Five was. This sequel promises cars, guns, and Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and The motherflippin’ Rock on the same screen. In cinemas June 6.
Now You See Me
Now You See Me is an original film, about a group of magicians who pull of heists and give the money away, like a magical 21st century Robin Hood. Don’t let that terrible summary turn you away though, because it has a stellar cast. Jessie Eisenberg (of Zombieland and Social Network fame), Woody Harrelson, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Mark Ruffalo (don’t make him angry) and Isla Fisher star in the film that may struggle to live up to the hype it’s generated online. In cinemas June 6.
After Earth
A post-apocalyptic thriller, starring father and son team Will and Jaden Smith. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan (adingdong), could this be the movie that returns to him some respect after The Last Airbender? We can only hope! In cinemas June 13.
The Internship
A new comedy starring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn! In this movie, they play two unemployed salesmen who (somehow) get an internship at Google. Cue wacky hijinks as the middle-aged men play catch-up with the technological world. In cinemas June 13.
World War Z
World Was Z (for zombies) is an adaption of the book of the same name written by Max Brooks (Mel’s son), and is somewhat Brad Pitt’s lovechild. He pushed for it to be made, he is producing it, and stars in it. Unfortunately WWZ has been plagued with delays, budget blowouts, and the studio bought in the man who ruined Prometheus, Damon Lindelof. Unknown expections. In cinemas June 20.
Monsters University
In this prequel to the beloved Pixar film Monsters Inc, Sulley and Mike return in the movie showing their college life! Promises nostalgia, and kid friendly fun. In cinemas June 20.
Despicable Me 2
The sequel to the surprise hit of 2010, Despicable Me, the lovely anti-villain Gru returns with his minions to face a competitor to his threat to world peace. In cinemas June 20.
Man of Steel
Finally, DC try to hit back against the monster that is the Marvel cinematic universe. Man of Steel promises a slightly grittier look at the world of Superman a Nolan’s Batman universe (he is a producer for MOS after all). Directed by Zak Snyder, of Watchmen and 300, it stars Henry Cavill as the man himself, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, and Russel Crowe as Jor-El. If the trailers are anything to go by, it looks fantastic. In cinemas June 27.
This Is The End
Seth Rogen and James Franco star in this ensemble comedy of celebrities playing themselves during the apocalypse. Included is the whole Apatow actor universe, as well as delightful cameos (shown in trailers) by a tonne of other celebrities. Looks to be hilarious, and kinda fresh. In cinemas July 4.
Kick-Ass 2
The sequel to the 2010 movie where an 11-year-old girl drops the C-bomb. The first movie was written at the same time as the graphic novel, and the second follows suit, with a much darker plotline. Gone is Red Mist, born is The Motherfucker. Dark comedy/superhero action, it’s almost guaranteed to be a cult hit, and with Jim Carrey and Donald Faison supporting (among others), I’m really excited. In cinemas July 4.
Pacific Rim
Pacific Rim is a robot vs. aliens action epic. Directed by Guillmero Del Toro (of Pan’s Labyrinth and Hellboy), it looks like a great movie. Would you want to see a movie where a giant robot smashes an alien in the face with a container ship? Yes. Yes you would. In cinemas July 11.
RED 2
Another surprise hit of 2010 was RED, the action has-been film with a comedic element. RED 2 is the sequel. Starring Bruce Willis, Anthony Hopkins, Mary-Louise Parker, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich and Catherine Zeta-Jones, if it can pull it off again, it should be a fun movie. In cinemas August 1.
Elysium
Set in 2154 on a ruined earth, this sci-fi film starring Matt Damon looks killer. In a one-man taking on The Man scenario, it also stars Jodie Foster and Shartlo Copley (District 9). Niell Blomkamp directs Elysium, and if District 9 is anything to go by (it is), he knows how to build a sci-fi universe. Looking forward to this one. In cinemas August 15.
Honourable Mention: The World’s End
The World’s End is the final Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost movie in The Cornetto Trilogy (Google it). With the hits Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz under their belt, this is a comedic, genre-crossing masterpiece that we’ve been waiting seven years for. It doesn’t get released in Australia 'til October (wah), but is released in the UK and the USA in July and August.
So there you are! Plenty to watch this winter! Get down to the movies, smuggle in some maltesers, and indulge in a little cinematic pleasure.
Samuel Montgomery
