» Now showing: Cinema this week
The Dark Knight (12A)
Dir: Christopher Nolan
The only real contender for Indy’s crown of most anticipated blockbuster this year is, of course, the return of Mr Bruce Wayne, A.K.A Batman. Christopher Nolan returns to helm the sequel to his stunning super-hero reboot Batman Begins with Heath Ledger creeping out Christian Bale, in the role he’ll be remembered for as none other than Batman’s arch-nemesis The Joker.
A stellar cast bolsters proceedings with Michael Caine as butler Alfred, Aaron Eckhart as conflicted D.A Harvey Dent, Gary Oldman as Chief Gordon and Maggie Gyllenhaal as love interest Rachel Dawes. Ledger’s tipped for an Oscar for his haunting turn in the role rumoured to have pushed him over the edge before his tragic demise, so expect queues around the block for this classy comic-book adaptation.
Showing at Odeon and Cineworld.
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (12A)
Dir: Guillermo Del Toro
Mike Mignola’s cult comic book anti-hero makes a welcome return to the big screen. Looking to continue the trend of big-budget super-folk blockbusters getting better by the second film, The Golden Army pits Big Red (Ron Perlman), Liz (Selma Blair) and Abe Sapien (Pan’s Labyrinth’s Doug Jones) against a whole horde of mythical beasties.
With the huge success of Mexican director Del Toro’s fantasy horror Pan’s Labyrinth, he’s been given free reign for his impressively out-there imagination to run wild. Del Toro’s set to direct the eagerly anticipated film versions of The Hobbit, so catch an early glimpse here of his take on mythology.
Showing at Odeon, Cineworld, Duke of York’s
Kung Fu Panda (PG)
Dir: Mark Osborne, John Stevenson
When clumsy panda Po (Jack Black) appears to have all the markings of ‘The Chosen One’, the Kung Fu masters must train him before it is too late. Dustin Hoffman plays Po’s reluctant teacher, Angelina Jolie as Master Tigress and Jackie Chan as Master Monkey. While probably nowhere near the league of Wall-E, this CGI animation is still lushly-presented and witty.
Showing at Odeon
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (12A)
Dir: Rob Cohen
It might be argued that what with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’s long-awaited emergence, the time’s just right for another installment of this Indy-esque series. Brendan Fraser returns as adventurer Rick O’Connell, as does John Hannah as his cliché bumbling Brit brother-in-law. however, original director Stephen Sommers has jumped ship, replaced strangely by the director of The Fast and the Furious, and the action’s transported to China. Martial arts king Jet Li replaces Arnold Vosloo’s Egyptian baddie as ancient Chinese Emperor Qin, set on ruining the O’Connell family’s holiday.
Showing at Odeon and Cineworld
Wall*E (U)
Dir: Andrew Stanton
Pixar hit paydirt again with this lovingly rendered cross between 70s eco-sci-fi Silent Running and E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial. The CGI animation giants could have easily opted for another re-run of the cutesy Toy Story formula, but instead go for this admittedly still cutesy, but ultimately meditative love story. Ben Burtt voices the titular cleaning robot (though there’s barely a word) charged with sorting out a polluted Earth after humanity’s jumped ship.
Showing at Odeon and Cineworld
Wild Child (12A)
Dir: Nick Moore
Julia Roberts’ niece Emma continues on her path toward the kind of megastardom of Auntie Julia with this teen-chick-flick. Seemingly a cross between the caustic Mean Girls and schmaltzy Princess Diaries, Roberts plays Yank brat Poppy, who is sent by her despairing father (Aidan Quinn) to a posh British girls’ school. Needless to say there’ll be sub-Friends stereotyping galore in this bubblegum rites-de-passage comedy.
Showing at Odeon, Cineworld and Worthing
