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058 AUGUST 2015 JB Hi-Fi
pposites attract and two worlds collide in the latest
aptation from prolific (and formulaic) romance specialist
cholas Sparks (The Notebook, Dear John, et al). Cowboy
ott (son of Clint) Eastwood falls for college senior and
t gallery intern-in-waiting Britt Robertson, they have lots
sex, and she worries about him sustaining a serious
ad injury from too much bull-riding. When the pair
scue Alan Alda from a car wreck, Robertson helps him
cover in hospital by reading aloud love letters from his
late wife; suddenly we're back in the past and the film
offers two romantic tales for the price of one, cross-cutting between the
timelines and setting up an unlikely twist ending of M. Night Shyamalan
proportions. Clocking in at over two hours, The Long Ride delivers on its
title, but it's a ride Sparks devotees will be more than happy to take.
Love letters but no notebook.
THE LONGEST RIDE
A mercenary’s last assassination
in the Congo forces him into
leaving not only the country,
but also the woman he loves.
Upon returning, it’s soon clear
he himself is the new target.
A formulaic 'hunter becomes
the hunted' thriller that fancies
itself as a political actioner,
The Gunman boasts a heavy
duty cast, including Sean Penn
in a constant state of poised
concentration. Much attention is
given to methodical approaches
to the art of killing, and Penn
excels in us believing him – so
too the casting of Ray Winstone
as a crusty confidante, and the
gritty ‘put-em down fast’ attitude
to action, a la Bourne.
THE GUNMAN
Release Date:
20/08/15
Format:
It’s almost obligatory for comedy
stars to bemoan the fact they
are not taken seriously, but Chris
Rock brings enough mocking self-
humour to the subject to ensure
that his latest film (he also writes
and directs) avoids most of the
usual clichés. Rock plays Andre
Allen, a stand-up comic who has
found Hollywood fame playing
a cop in bear suit, but has just
made his first serious drama about
a Haitian slave uprising. Rosario
Dawson is equally good as the
journalist he reluctantly agrees
to spend a day with to promote
the film, while cameos from the
likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Cedric The
Entertainer, Tracy Morgan and
Adam Sandler add to the fun.
TOP FIVE
Release Date:
29/07/15
Format:
Release Date: 26/08/15 Format:
cently retrenched underwater salvage expert Jude Law
arns of the location of a sunken Russian submarine full
Nazi gold, and assembles a British and Russian team to
get it. Their U-boat is as antiquated as the 70-year-old
reck they're searching for, and the language barrier and
utual distrust between the crew results in a pressure
oker environment that can only lead to disaster. Part sub-
ovie, part treasure hunt adventure, Black Sea is a thrilling
ample of both genres. There's allusions to Alistair
MacLean, The Hunt for Red October and even Aliens (a
slimy corporate type with a hidden agenda is also onboard), and Cold War
tensions are invoked within a contemporary setting. Law is great as the
salty commander and backed up by a fine supporting cast including Ben
Mendelsohn, Scoot McNairy and Grigoriy Dobrygin. Recommended.
Gold rush.
BLACK SEA
He might be headlining the second
series of True Detective, but Vince
Vaughn is back in his old comedy
stomping ground in Unfinished
Business. Having started his own
company and hired old timer Tom
Wilkinson and clueless youngster
Dave Franco, Vaughn and co.
head for Berlin to close a major
deal with Nick Frost and James
Marsden. But things naturally get
out of control following a boozy
night out showing their clients
a good time. The quality cast
assembled for this below-the-belt
comedy allows many of the gags
to pay off better than they should;
where else can you see Wilkinson
pulling a bong or Franco used as a
human dartboard?
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS
Release Date:
12/08/15
Format:
This man vs. nature flick isn't as
much fun as its 1976 antecedent
Grizzly, but it does serve up a name
cast (James Marsden, Thomas Jane,
Billy Bob Thornton, Piper Perabo,
Scott Glenn) as potential prey for
a (mostly) real bear in the Alaskan
wilderness; production values are
slick and locations spectacular.
Marsden and Jane play estranged
brothers who attempt to reconcile
their differences whilst being stalked
by the belligerent bear, who's
turned nasty in response to man's
treatment of its environment. Given
everyone is such a lousy shot,
the beast's rampage continues
unhindered for much of the film's
running time. And did we mention
it's grisly as well as grizzly?
INTO THE
GRIZZLY MAZE
Release Date:
05/08/15
Format:
Release Date: 12/08/15 Format:
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