The Easter season seems somewhat bereft of what I'd term as "soppy family entertainment" although a) I may well have overlooked everything and b) this is a good thing. There is 'Titanic 3D' (6 April) and Rihanna's "star" turn in the explosions frenzy that is 'Battleship' (11 April) but I'm not yet convinced by either. Instead, five films follow that are genuinely worth investigating. Not always for the most positive of reasons.
'Headhunters' (6 April)
Jo Nesbo is one of the most popular contemporary Scandinavian writers around, capitalising on the popularity of Steig Larsson. Nesbo is now following in the footsteps of 'The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo' with an adaptation of 'Headhunters' (click to read spoiler-free review). Lauren FG and I saw this thriller at the London Film Festival and enjoyed its slick mix of comedy, action and drama. The hunter becomes the hunted.
'This Must Be The Place' (6 April)
Sean Penn channelling Robert Smith of The Cure, in a film inspired by the Talking Heads - what's not to love? It even features David Byrne! Sure, the film's plot a bit convoluted - about finding oneself, and finding someone else (oddly reminiscent of 'The Debt') but there is an underlying charm.
'The Cabin In The Woods' (13 April)
Another film I watched with Lauren FG, albeit much more recently. Co-written by Joss Whedon and 'Cloverfield' scribe Drew Goddard, this film is a ridiculous take on the horror genre. The last ten minutes are just totally insane. The less you know, the better really so I would try to avoid even watching the trailer. If curiosity gets the better of you, we have a review of 'The Cabin In The Woods' here, including a trailer.
'Being Elmo' (27 April)
After the success of 'The Muppets, this is an ideal time for 'Being Elmo' to succeed. Unveiling the man behind the iconic Elmo character, this looks set to be one of the year's most heartwarming offerings. Considering how much I dislike the character itself, it's a triumph of marketing and film-making that I actually am really rather looking forward to this documentary. Follow your dreams.
'Avengers Assemble' (26 April)
I must admit I'm not massively looking forward to the forthcoming Avengers superhero(es) movie. All the more so as it has a bit of a stupid title in the UK. 'Iron Man 2' suffered tremendously trying to shoehorn characters and plot in to set up this film, and I foresee a lack of pay-off. Admittedly, the return of Loki (Tom Hiddleston) from the impressive 'Thor' movie, presents a strong villain. But the dominant feeling is one of too many competing characters. Could be messy, could be great.
'Breathing' (20 April)
I saw director Karl Markovics' (best known for his role in 'The Counterfeiters') debut feature at last year's London Film Festival, where I called this a "ponderous yet immersive Austrian character piece exploring the past and present of a juvenile offender". An intriguing film, which will no doubt pass under the radar but well worth watching.
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