Cinemas - starting this week - 18/4/08

Apr 18 2008 by Michael Green, Flintshire Chronicle

FOOL’S GOLD (12A) (All major cinemas)

THERE is no denying that Matthew McConaughey is a talented and charismatic actor who also happens to look good when he takes his shirt off.

But by all accounts, his role in this under-cooked romantic adventure ignores the talent and charisma to provide him with the chance merely to show off his third great characteristic.

Which is a pity because the film re-teams him with the increasingly impressive Kate Hudson with whom he sparked admirably in the under-rated rom com How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days.

This time, they play an estranged couple – he is an under-funded treasure hunter, she is a brainy historian who has taken a job on a billionaire’s yacht to fund her divorce from him.

When McConaughey believes he has tracked down the location of a legendary Spanish galleon loaded with gold, he needs funding and that’s where Hudson’s new employer Donald Sutherland comes in.

When they eventually set off on their quest, a lot happens that is supposed to be exciting. But it all has unfortunate echoes of the star’s previous foray into action-adventure – the inexpressibly awful Sahara.

STAR RATING: **

STREET KINGS (15) (All major cinemas)

KEANU Reeves tries to do the gritty cop drama thing with decidedly mixed results in this adaptation of a James Ellroy story about corrupt officers working the Los Angeles beat.

Reeves’ character arrives on screen having suffered the tragedy of losing his wife and eventually ends up accused of murdering his partner - something which leads on to him discovering just how dirty his fellow cops can be.

Mind you, considering the opening action set-up has our hero breaking every rule in the book to get the job done, he’s not far from crossing the corruption line himself.

The film moves at an insanely manic pace with most performances fitting in with that style - apart from Reeves, of course, who gives us the same kind of schtick we’ve been getting since Speed.

STAR RATING: **

FLASHBACKS OF A FOOL (15) (All major cinemas)

DANIEL Craig lends his star power to a smaller, more personal project ahead of his return to the 007 franchise later in the year.

He plays a washed up former Hollywood star whose career nosedive prompts him to reflect on what brought him to the position he is in now.

This leads, as the title suggests, to a series of flashbacks to his formative years which sees his character played by young Harry Eden.

An impressive supporting cast features the likes of Olivia Williams, Keeley Hawes, Mark Strong, Clare Forlani and Jodhi May.

STAR RATING: ***

IN BRUGES (18) (All major cinemas)

COLIN Farrell and Brendan Gleason make a winning team as a pair of hitmen sent by their boss to cool off in Belgium after their last job goes tragically awry.

The film is at its best when simply allowing these two richly drawn characters to explore the historic city, Gleason lapping up every nook and cranny, Farrell moaning about it not being as good as Dublin.

Eventually, a plot kicks in which is never quite as satisfying but this remains a promising directorial debut by renowned Irish playwright Martin McDonagh who is drawing favourable comparisons with David Mamet.

STAR RATING: ***

HAPPY-GO-LUCKY (15) (All major cinemas)

MIKE Leigh’s wry humour was all but forgotten with his acclaimed but bleak Vera Drake four years ago but now he has produced arguably his brightest, bubbliest and most delightful comedy.

It’s all due to his creation of the central character of Poppy, superbly played by former bit part player in Leigh’s repertory company, Sally Hawkins, elevated to leading lady status here.

Poppy is an irrepressibly cheerful teacher who is such an unflappable optimist you can imagine she could really get on your nerves after prolonged exposure. That never really happens here as she encounters the usual immensely varied collection of individuals one has come to expect from this most rewarding of British directors.

STAR RATING: ***

FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL (15) (All major cinemas; Wednesday and Thursday previews)

SUPERBAD and Knocked Up maker Judd Apatow produced this comedy which will appeal to the same crowd and tells the tale of a young man headed for Hawaii to forget his ex-girlfriend, only for her to turn up with new boyfriend in tow - none other than our own Russell Brand! Previews take place ahead of next Friday’s release.

THE EYE (15) (All major cinemas; Thursday previews)

JESSICA Alba takes on the risky challenge of trying to prove she can carry a movie on her own in this belated Hollywood remake of yet another Japanese horror hit. Thursday previews take place ahead of next Friday’s release.

THREE AND OUT (15) (All major cinemas; Thursday previews)

BIZARRE British black comedy staring Mackenzie Crook as a train driver who accidentally kills someone on the track twice in a few days and learns if he kills three in less than a month, he is out of a job but £10,000 better off! Imelda Staunton and new Bond girl Gemma Arterton also crop up. Previews take place ahead of next Friday’s release.