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Early January tends to bring a series of films which are either potential award winners, or films that they’re trying to dump. This week’s batch are Bounty Killer, Delivery Man, The Railway Man and 12 Years a Slave.
Bounty Killer
Bounty killers compete for body count, fame and a fat stack of cash. They’re ending the plague of corporate greed and providing the survivors of the apocalypse with retribution. This is the age of the Bounty Killer!
Starring ex-Corrie star Matthew Marsden, Kristanna Loken, Christian Pitre, Gary Busey and Beverly D’Angelo, this looks like it’ll be a cracking 90 minutes of action and comedy and definitely is the one to watch. Which makes it a shame that it’s only getting a limited release. It’s certainly not getting a showing at any Odeon cinema, sadly.
It came out in the US in September, so it should at least be available to import on DVD and Blu-ray.
Hit or Miss? Verdict: If you can find somewhere to see it, it’s a Hit!
Delivery Man
An affable underachiever finds out he’s fathered 533 children through anonymous donations to a fertility clinic 20 years ago. Now he must decide whether or not to come forward when 142 of them file a lawsuit to reveal his identity.
Starring Vince Vaughn, Chris Pratt and Simon Delaney, VV finally gives up his endless slacker roles in favour of a… well, a slacker that’s a Dad-type of role. Equally dreadful.
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Miss!
The Railway Man
Eric Lomax was one of thousands of Allied prisoners of war forced to work on the construction of the Thai/Burma railway during WW2. His experiences, after the secret radio he built to bring news and hope to his colleagues was discovered, left him traumatised and shut off from the world. Years later, he met Patti, a beautiful woman, on a train and fell in love. Patti was determined to rid Eric of his demons. Discovering that the young Japanese officer who haunted her husband was still alive, she faced a terrible decision. Should Eric be given a chance to confront his tormentor? Would she stand by him, whatever he did?
Starring Colin Firth in the lead role, plus Nicole Kidman, Hiroyuki Sanada, Stellan Skarsgård and Jeremy Irvine, this seems to have potential at first, but the trailer really does give away too much and it feels like the film will take forever to get anywhere.
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Heading for a Miss!
12 Years a Slave
Based on an incredible true story of one man’s fight for survival and freedom. In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender), as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt) will forever alter his life.
Also starring Dwight Henry, Dickie Gravois, Bryan Batt, Ashley Dyke and Kelsey Scott, this is the kind of Oscar-nominated film that the critics go mad for but which just does not grab me whatsoever.
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Miss!
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.