Flying drunk with Denzel
Denzel Washington stars in 'Flight' as an airline pilot who is hailed a hero after making a physics-defying crash landing that saves most of his passengers and avoids killing people on the ground.
But then he’s in trouble when it’s revealed he’d been drinking before he climbed into the cockpit.
Nominated for two Oscars – best actor for Washington and original screenplay – “Flight” marks the triumphant return to live action by “Castaway” and “Forrest Gump” director Robert Zemeckis. Until recently the “Back to the Future” helmer had fallen down the rabbit hole of experimental motion-capture animation with such movies as “The Polar Express” and “A Christmas Carol”. His sleight of hand in using visual effects still dazzles with the thrilling depiction of the plane crash and subsequent recreation of the disaster scene.
But more than a special-effects movie, “Flight” is a study of Denzel’s troubled alcoholic character. And the Thai censors felt the depictions of drugs, alcohol and nudity were so strong, they thought it best to give “Flight” the 20- rating. So just like at the airport, you’ll have to show your ID to board this plane.
Also opening
l “Silver Linings Playbook” – After opening last week in a sneak-preview run, writer-director David O Russell’s Oscar-nominated romantic comedy moves to a wider release this week. The story involves a young man (Bradley Cooper) who is released from a psychiatric facility. He’s back living with his put-upon parents (Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver). He wants to win back his wife, but she’s put a restraining order on him. He then meets a young woman (Jennifer Lawrence) who’s had a breakdown following the death of her husband. She offers to help him win back his wife if he’ll enter a dance competition with her. Cooper, De Niro, Weaver and Lawrence are all nominated for Academy Awards – the first time since 1981’s “Reds” that all four acting categories are covered by one film. It’s nominated for eight Oscars in all, including Best Picture and Best Director. It’s also won lots of other awards, including a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award for Lawrence and a Bafta for Russell’s screenplay. The Oscar race for Best Actress pretty much comes down to Lawrence and 85-year-old Emmanuelle Riva from “Amour”.
l “Snitch” – Here’s one of those rare occurrences of a movie starring action hero Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson that isn’t a sequel or part of a franchise. In “Snitch”, the former pro wrestler is a father whose teenage son is jailed on drug charges. To clear his son’s name, dear old dad agrees to go undercover for the Drug Enforcement Agency and take down the criminals who set his son up. Susan Sarandon, Barry Pepper, Benjamin Bratt and Michael Kenneth Williams also star.
l “Beautiful Creatures” – Geared to satisfy “Twilight” fans left high and dry by the end of that franchise, this soapy supernatural Southern Gothic story is about mysterious star-crossed lovers (Alden Ehrenreich and Alice Englert) in a small town. Together they uncover dark secrets about their immaculately costumed families. Jeremy Irons, Viola Davis, Emmy Rossum and Emma Thompson also star.
Also showing
l German Film Week – Continuing with screenings at 7 nightly at Paragon Cineplex, tonight’s feature is “Berlin is in Germany”, about an East German convict who is released from prison to a newly reunified country. Tomorrow, it’s the comedy “Whisky with Vodka”, about a hard-drinking actor. The fest closes on Sunday with a live-action TV-movie retelling of the story of Rapunzel. Tickets are free – |follow the instructions at www.Goethe.de/bangkok to get them.
Take note
The Clap! French Film Festival, which wrapped up on Wednesday, seemed to be a big success, judging from the near-capacity crowds at “The Rabbi’s Cat”, “Polisse” and other films.
If you missed it or couldn’t get tickets, don’t worry – at least three of the eight titles will get a general release in Bangkok cinemas.
Michael Haneke’s bleak Oscar-nominated elder-care drama “Amour”, which closed the festival, is set to bow next week.
The romantic comedy “Happiness Never Comes Alone” (“Un bonheur n’arrive jamais seu”) starring Sophie Marceau is due on April 11, and the gritty crime drama “Polisse”, covering a Paris police Child Protection Unit, is set for April 25 at the Apex cinemas in Siam Square.
