MOVIES THIS WEEK (JULY 6-13)

Well this week is the 4th-of-July/Harry-potter-Anticipation week and therefore all interesting releases are halted. We are left with a bunch of blockbusters to savor with butter and coke. However, there are many alternatives to this : foremost, the fantasia festival (see previous posts) is rockin in town. Also, the Cinema du Parc is offering interesting thematic groupings (also in previous posts) and there are a couple indie releases that could satisfy some....

I will go, however, to the dark side (which I love) and recommend my favorite blockbusters for the week.

Biggest release this week is the very long-anticipated Transformers Movie. Basically, any fan of the comics, cartoons or action figures should check this out. Reviews are generally ok, and action movie fans shouldn't be disappointed. To me, it seems more aimed at teenagers, considering the film's casting and the feel of the trailer. But everyone has a child - and a teenager- in him. So don't snob this ! (I will though because I just don't care enough hehe)

Next off is License to Wed, a comedy (!) featuring Robin Williams. It's been a while since one of these came out. Mr Williams got us accustomed to his dark side these last few years but he's back with full-fledged, exaggerated comedy. The premise of this film is rather amusing : Before getting married, a couple (Mandy Morre and John Krasinki from The Office) has to pass a priest's crash course (including abstinence and proving your love in objectionable ways hehe). This seems like a fun film, a light comedy for the weekend.

First off, the fourth Die Hard is here and breaking all the rules (as action movies should). So is Sicko, creating controversy all over, and generating a lot of "do we trust michael moore?" debates....

On a more independent side, two movies are making a premiere this week. You Kill Me, which features a serial killer gone morgue-worker... Could be funny. Philip Baker hall is in it so it can't be that bad ;)
Another indie release is the French Bled Number One where an Algerian prisoner in france gets released and sent back to his country. A story about finding yourself through your roots and making the balance with modernity. Could be interesting actually.

For crazy fans like me, don't forget that Harry Potter comes out Wednesday ! (not friday). So start lining up and brace yourself for a hogwarts craziness before the book release next week.... Keep note that for crazier potter fans, the film will play premiere on tuesday evening. Check the Scotia Bank Theatre for more info (god how I hate that new name!)



All showtimes at cinemamontreal.com

Movies this week (June 30- July 6) (updated)

Well, this week is certainly one to watch in movies. Two big productions worth checking out and a great foreign gem.

Starting off with Michael Moore's new film, Sicko. that takes a hit at the health system in the states. It is said to be controversial, not particularly democrat (as his previous movies where) and extremely funny. Seems to me like a typical Moore Movie and I'm in !

Also out is the new Pixar effort, Ratatouille. Featuring a talking mouse that gives cooking instructions to a french rookie chef, can anything really go wrong ? Plus, pixar hasn't released a bad movie EVER ! which is enough for me to check this one out. Just saw the movie and all I can say is that Pixar managed once again to top themselves and deliver a movie that is so visually stunning and whose story is so compelling that we wonder why we still watch live action films....

Lastly, on a more indie note, La Raison du plus faible, a Belgian film is out at the Ex-centris and is definetly worth checking out. I saw the film recently and I found it extremely realistic and well paced. The characters are so interesting and layered that you don't get bored for a second in the film. The tension builds naturally and leads to a very grandiose conclusion....

Other films out : Live free or Die Hard (aka die hard 4), Evening (star-studded indie drama), eagle vs. Shark, L'homme de Cuivre, Nitro (Quebec made action film)

All showtimes at cinemamontreal.com