Coming Soon

Pineapple Express
From the team of Superbad comes Pineapple Express, a film packed full of Judd Apatow’s regular crew. Perpetual stoner, Dale Denton (Seth Rogen) witnesses a murder by a corrupt cop whilst getting high. As the highly unique blend of pot may be able to be traced back to him, Dale and his dealer, Saul (James Franco), must go on the run. Somehow director David Gordon Green seems to have successfully merged two very different and distinct genres (action with stoner comedy) in Pineapple Express. The film seems to be packed with Apatow (who is given credit for the story) regulars, so fans of comedies like Superbad, Knocked Up and Forgetting Sarah Marshall will surely get a kick out of Pineapple Express.
My verdict: As a huge fan of Freaks and Geeks, I would go purely to see Rogen and Franco’s hilarious, natural stoner banter that originated on the show.

Released: 7/8.2008



Son of Rambow
During the early 80s, two English schoolboys decide to make their own action film, after being inspired by seeing Rambo: First Blood. The boys, Lee and Will, are from two different circles (and Will being a Bretheren, is banned from watching any kind of film or television) come together over their film project, Son of Rambow. The ‘sequel’ is complete with some awesome, homemade stunts that only kids (or Jackasses) would try and attempt. As the pair starts allowing others to appear in their film, trying to keep the project under wraps becomes increasingly difficult and causes friction between the filmmakers.
My verdict: As someone guilty of trying to remake films in their backyard with a friend (Blair Witch Project in my case though), Son of Rambow seems to perfectly capture that experience. It looks to have the right balance of fun and whimsy, as well as more adult issues and a coming of age, presented in a fresh way.

Released: 28/8/2008



The Strangers
Supposedly “based on true events”, The Strangers is set around a seemingly random break-in which causes a couple (Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman) to fear for their lives. From the trailer, it seems quite slow but I’d be interested to see how they manage to sustain a feature film around such a simple concept. One of the masked attackers, when asked as to why they are terrorising this particular couple, responds with “because you were home”, and the plausibility of this, did manage to shake me.
My verdict: Could go either way – the apparently simple plot could work incredibly well, or fall flat. The film’s release has been twice delayed though, which to me is slightly worrying.

Released: 14/8/2008



Tropic Thunder
Apocalypse Now meets Zoolander. In Tropic Thunder, a film crew accidentally incites combat, whilst trying to make “the greatest war movie ever”. With an impressive comedic cast of Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Jay Baruchel, and Steve Coogan, Tropic Thunder is very promising. Special mention must also go to Robert Downey Jr, who is almost unrecognisable (see if you can pick him in the trailer). If the trailer is anything to go by, the film has the potential to be one of the top-grossing comedies of the year.
My verdict: With a great cast, and Stiller directing, Tropic Thunder could be comedy gold. Plus any film with knife-wielding Asian baby assassins gets bonus points in my book.

Released: 21/8/2008



The Wackness
It’s 1994 in New York City, and Luke (Josh Peck) is a teenager drug dealer, also trying to ‘deal’ with life and growing up. The film stars Juno’s Leah Thirlby, Mary-Kate Olsen and Ben Kingsley. It’s hard to get much from the trailer, except that The Wackness will have an amazing soundtrack and how the hell did Josh Peck get so thin? Creepy. Luke’s response when asked if he was still a virgin: “I’ve just never officially had sex” got a laugh though.
My verdict: Despite its incredibly short and obscure trailer, I would recommend heading down to your local independent cinema to check it out.

Released: TBA



Zombie Strippers
A science project with a deadly virus gets out of control in Nebraska, and manages to attack a local strip club. The title pretty much explains the resulting situation and as the trailer suggests “every man’s fantasy [becomes] their worst nightmare”. Starring porn darling Jenna Jameson and horror icon Robert Englund (Freddie Kreuger), Zombie Strippers was released to straight-to-DVD in the United States, if that’s anything to go by. If you like films that are ‘so-bad-they’re-good’, maybe Zombie Strippers would be worth your time.
My verdict: For die-hard fans of B-grade horror/C-grade acting only. Otherwise, wait for DVD.

Released: 14/8/2008



By Steph