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This week, there are SIX new films out for you to choose from, led by Shoplifters (aka Manbiki kazoku). Here are the titles, with more info below:
- Shoplifters (aka Manbiki kazoku)
The Girl in the Spider’s Web
Assassination Nation
Nobody’s Fool
Robin Hood 2018
Nativity Rocks!.
Shoplifters (aka Manbiki kazoku)
Shoplifters centres around a Japanese couple, stuck with part-time jobs and, hence, inadequate incomes, avail themselves of the fruits of shoplifting to make ends meet. They are not alone in this behaviour. The younger and the older of the household are in on the act.
The unusual routine is about to change from care-free and matter-of-fact to something more dramatic, however, as the couple open their doors to a beleaguered teenager. The reasons for the family and friends’ habit and their motivations come under the microscope.
All of writer/director Hirokazu Koreeda, Kiki Kirin (above), and Franky Lily brought us the wonderful Like Father, Like Son, with Ms Kirin also being fantastic in Sweet Bean, and I’m so sad to learn that she passed away on September 15th this year, after suffering terminal bre -ast can -cer, and stopping her treatment last year. I hope this film marks as a fitting tribute to her.
Also stars: Katayama Moemi, Ikematsu Sôsuke, Andô Sakura
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Hit!
The Girl in the Spider’s Web sees the return of young computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Claire Foy) and journalist Mikael Blomkvist, finding themselves caught in a web of spies, cybercriminals and corrupt government officials.
It looks good from the trailer, but since Steig Larsson is no longer with us, I hope they don’t piss on his legacy. And before I read the synopsis I thought, why isn’t Noomi Rapace still doing the role? She’s more than capable.
But, the word ‘young’. Yes, it’s a prequel. Hmm… That’s where Hollywood go when they run out of ideas.
However, clearly, Hollywood are skipping the real sequels from the first book in their remakes, since no-one cared about further films… which makes you wonder why this one got the green light.
Director: Fede Alvarez (Don’t Breathe, Evil Dead 2013)
Also stars: Sylvia Hoeks, Lakeith Stanfield, Stephen Merchant, Vicky Krieps, Cameron Britton, Mikael Persbrandt, Sverrir Gudnason, Volker Bruch, Claes Bang
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Hit!
Assassination Nation has seen its first teaser released, but it’s very brief, and just confirms the premise: This is a thousand percent a true story about how the quiet, all-American town of Salem absolutely lost its mind.
So, is this a remake of Salem’s Lot, or an extension of that, or a sequel, prequel, or what? It looks okay, either way.
Note: This trailer is a Red Band trailer, so includes violence and fruity language.
Writer/Director: Sam Levinson
Stars: Odessa Young, Hari Nef, Suki Waterhouse, Abra, Colman Domingo, Joel McHale, Anika Noni Rose, Bella Thorne, Maude Apatow and Bill Skarsgård (Deadpool 2)
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Hit!
Nobody’s Fool centres around a woman who gets released from prison and reunites with her sister, who discovers she is in an online relationship with a man that may be “catfishing” her. Or is he genuine? Who cares since, sadly, this is yet another piece of junk from Tyler Perry, and another film with a black woman with an attitude. That trope has been so done to death.
In the mum role, Whoopi Goldberg clearly needs the money, these days.
Be “Nobody’s Fool” and give this a wide berth when it’s released today.
Writer/Director: Tyler Perry
Also stars: Missi Pyle, Tiffany Haddish, Courtney Henggeler, Tika Sumpter, Omari Hardwick, Amber Riley
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Miss!
Robin Hood 2018
Yes, Robin Hood is back once again like the renegade master, and in the guise of Taron Egerton, he straps on his bow and arrow, jumps and twists and turns in slow-motion, so… it’s Kingsman: The Robin Hood Years, and I’m just surprised that Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman weren’t involved again. However, while I’m not sold on this, once again, I’ll be in the wrong because it’ll make a ton of cash.
Yes, the enemy of the Sheriff of Nottingham is returning to cinemas yet again, and for the first time since Ridley Scott’s 2010 movie which I couldn’t get a handle on, although in the last 3 decades, the one the stands out most, for many reasons, is the 1991 entry from Kevin Costner, and not the one with Patrick Bergin from that same year.
A little bit about Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, to date, it’s the most rewatchable of the recent films and I remember when it came out in the cinema in the UK, it was badly censored to get a PG, since 12-rated films couldn’t allow kids under 12 like they can now, so violence in the opening scene was cut, and Christian Slater’s f-word line changed to “Blow me! They made it!” as Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman were catapulted over a wall, but back to the forthcoming movie…
This new movie is directed by Otto Bathurst (Peaky Blinders, Black Mirror: The National Anthem), with Taron Egerton in the lead role, plus Jamie Foxx as Little John, Jamie Dornan as Will Scarlet, Eve Hewson as Maid Marian, and Tim Minchin as Friar Tuck. The cast also includes Paul Anderson as Guy of Gisborne, and Ben Mendelsohn as the Sheriff of Nottingham. The screenplay comes from Joby Harold, who brought us King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Miss!
Nativity Rocks!
The staff and students from St Bernadette’s Primary School in Coventry audition for a place in a rock musical competition. I’ve not seen this, but I’m quite sure that the one thing it does NOT do… is rock.
Writer/Director: Debbie Isitt
Stars: Simon Lipkin, Daniel Boys, Craig Revel Horwood… yes, Craig Revel Horwood
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.