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- Popi on Around the home with Shannon Lush Hi ShannonHow do I remove nail polish from carpet.CheersPopi more
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New release movie reviews - 17 April
BATTLESHIP *** (131 minutes) M
It's important in life not to expect much more than empty spectacle from any $200 million visual-effects movie based on a Hasbro toy, and Battleship faithfully fulfills those low expectations admirably and noisily. As a US navy admiral, Liam Neeson leads a cast of over-acting young actors who lock horns with an alien invasion force that has splashed down near Hawaii. Clearly taking his cue from Michael Bay's Transformers films (also based on Hasbro toys), director Peter Berg (Hancock; Friday Night Lights) stages the explosion-crammed action on an impressively grand scale, though a few more jokes would have helped move things along. Made with the full co-operation of the US Department of Defense, the film celebrates the old-school glory of American firepower and the veterans of Pearl Harbor. There's also a treat in store for those who stick around till the very end of the credits.
THE DEEP BLUE SEA *** (99 minutes) M
In the dank, poorly-lit gloom of post-war Britain Hester Collyer, a beautiful but anguished middle-aged woman (intensely played by Rachel Weisz), tries extricating herself from a dead-end marriage to a much older man by starting an affair with a Battle of Britain hero (Tom Hiddleston, so good in War Horse and Midnight in Paris). Based on the 1955 play by Terence Rattigan (Goodbye Mr Chips; Separate Tables; The Winslow Boy) and filled with pregnant pauses, the mood never gets above sombre, a signature of British social-realist director Terence Davies. Though too little is done to hide the film's theatrical origins, the acting is very strong, with Simon Russell Beale a standout as Hester's blameless, cuckolded husband. Fans of well-staged heartbreak will love this film.
THE LUCKY ONE ***1/2 (101 minutes) M
If you're after a high-quality weepie, this superbly crafted romantic melodrama from director Scott Hicks (Shine; The Boys Are Back) and novelist Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook; Dear Johny) will drain your tear ducts. Deep in an Iraq combat zone, the life of a US marine (Zac Efron) is saved when he is distracted by a lost photo he finds in the rubble of a young woman (Taylor Schilling). Consumed with curiosity when he returns home, he locates her and begins working at her dog kennel company without letting on why he's there. Yes, it's mushy, predictable and full of cornball drama - but what matters is that it's done with such conviction. Veteran Blythe Danner (Gwyneth Paltrow's mum) is terrific as the young woman's sparky mother; Efron puts in his best movie performance yet; and special mention goes to Jay R. Ferguson who has the toughest gig as the villain of the piece. Starts Thursday.
