Five - count them, FIVE! - films released this weekend that I actually would like to see. They are...Appaloosa - Ed Harris' western opened in the States to mixed reviews, but it has lots of positive things going for it including Ed Harris, and Viggo Mortensen (last years movieyears winner for me.)
Redbelt - a new David Mamet film starring a whole host of decent actors. Mamet's films are characterised by ensemble casts and snappy dialogue, and this looks no different. If it can match the unheralded near brilliance of something like Spartan (which no one saw but was great anyway) then it'll be well worth spending 2 hours with.
Righteous Kill - which I kinda know will be pretty rubbish but it stars Pacino and De Niro so you have to watch it anyway, not that either have done anything worth watching for years...
Taken - a child kidnapping thriller distinguished by an excellent trailer in which Liam Neeson speaks to his daughter's captors for practically the whole running time. The director's last feature (District B13) was very very good, Neeson looks on great form in the trailers and everything about this looks pretty slick. It might be just as dumb as 90% of other thrillers but something tells me this'll be highly enjoyable.
and a film that has come from off the radar to one of my most anticipated of the year...
I Loved You So Long - a French drama that has landed to rave reviews for the film itself, but particularly for star Kristin Scott Thomas who just happens to be one of the best actresses around. 3 movieyears nominations from me for Four Weddings..., The English Patient and Gosford Park - is another on the horizon? She was wonderful in a small role in last year's French smash Tell No One. I am eagerly awaiting this one.
