DVD reviews

HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU
Romantic comedy. 2009. 124 min. With Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, DREW BARRYMORE, Scarlett Johansson, KEVIN CONNOLLY, Jennifer Connelly and Ginnifer Goodwin. Director: Ken Kwapis. 13LS.
Rating: 3/5
Reviewer: Kim Van Reizig

Based on the book of the same name this film digresses from the usual unrealistic romcom formula and, for a change, we’re shown what happens in real romances. It follows nine separate stories involving a group of thirtysomethings with troubled love-lives. At the centre is Gigi (Goodwin), a happy-go-lucky woman who’s desperate to be liked by someone - anyone! When her dates end with no follow-up she’s forced to accept that sometimes when you’re in love, “he’s just not that into you”.

Then there’s the philandering married guy, the serial internet dater, the one waiting for a marriage proposal and the arrogant heartbreaker who falls in love for the first time.

It’s a comedy in which you really have to search for the laughs but being able to relate to the awkward situations the characters find themselves in makes the film worth watching. Add to that a stellar cast and you have a good night in.

ROLE MODELS
Comedy. 2008. 96 min. With Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott and Christopher Mintz-Plasse. Director: David Wain. 16LN.
Ratting: 4/5
Reviewer: Willem Möller

Danny (Rudd) and Wheeler (Scott) are losers working at a dead-end job promoting an energy drink. When they trash their company’s truck they’re ordered to do community service mentoring troubled kids.

They’re not the kind of role models you’d wish on anyone though, and their charges - a foul-mouthed little boy and teenage Augie who’s lost in a fantasy world (Mintz-Plasse, Superbad’s McLovin) - aren’t exactly easy fare. And when they’re all sucked into Augie’s medieval play-battles, complete with hysterical fake deaths, things get truly silly.

It’s never quite clear why some comedies simply get it right but this one does. The medieval world threatening to take over proceedings is inspired genius and with some of the nuttiest yet totally believable characters in a long time this is a hoot from start to finish. Special features: lots, all of them very funny.

Game of the week: Lips

XBOX360. 2008. 12+
Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Jeremy Petersen

Winter is here and the thought of going out to a popular hangout or parties is enough to send chills down your spine. So why not organise a wear-your-PJs karaoke evening in the comfort of your own home?

Toss a few mics around and see how quickly everyone forgets the cold weather outside. You’ll soon be belting out hits such as Alicia Keys’ No One, Irreplaceable by Beyoncé and Duffy’s Mercy. Lips is bound to make staying in worthwhile!

Anton Yelchin: leader of the resistance

He has to be the luckiest guy in Hollywood. Why? Because he has landed starring roles in two of the year’s biggest flicks - Star Trek and Terminator Salvation - and he’s just 20.

Anton Yelchin is super-stoked to be in the two blockbusters - but he has his feet firmly on the ground. “I got really lucky and I’m very happy to do them but I look at it as getting better each time,” he says.

In Terminator Salvation he plays Kyle Reese, an angry teen destined to become the father of John Connor, leader of the resistance. In Star Trek he plays Russian officer Pavel Chekov. “The sets were different but I had a great time working on both.”

Anton was born in Russia. When he was six months old his parents, who were professional ice-skaters, moved to America. His first acting gigs started rolling in when he was 12 and included small roles in TV series such as Huff and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

Movie-wise he has racked up impressive credits, among them Charlie Bartlett, Alpha Dog and Hearts in Atlantis - for which he won best performance in a feature film for a leading young actor at the 2002 Young Artist Awards.

Terminator Salvation, which has just opened in SA, is the fourth film in the Terminator series. It stars Christian Bale as John Connor and Sam Worthington as Wright, a cyborg who believes he’s human. Set in 2018 it’s both a prequel and a sequel to the other Terminator movies.

This year’s Star Trek is the 11th film based on the franchise and features the main characters of the original TV series. The movie follows the crew of the Starship Enterprise as they trek across the galaxy at warp speed and fight off evil.

“It would be nice to live off the land and fix cars,” Yelchin says. Yeah, right! After these two films it will be virtually impossible for him to stay out of the limelight.

It seems there’s no stopping him now. He’s due to appear in New York, I Love You, alongside a star-studded cast including Shia LaBeouf and Blake Lively, and Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, due out later this year.

WIN
Tell us who your favourite celeb is and you could win one of two hampers, including Terminator action figures courtesy of Prima Toys. SMS the word TERMINATOR followed by your comments, name and address to 34923 before by 5 pm on 18 June. Each SMS costs R2.

3OH!3 on our radar

Picture: The guys of 3OH!3, Sean Foreman - vocals (left) and Nathaniel Motte - programming, vocals

We can’t get enough of hot new hip-hop duo 3OH!3 and their hit single Don’t Trust Me. Find out more about this crazy electronica outfit from the States - and listen out for their next bangin’ tune, Starstrukk.

*Their name is a play on 303, the dialling code of Denver where they grew up. They met at the University of Colorado. “We were heavily into the underground hip-hop scene and bonded over our love for music,” Nathaniel says.

*Their 2007 self-titled debut album was considered a major flop but their second one, Want, released last year, gained them instant stardom.

*They recently opened a Snoop Dogg concert in the USA and their single Don’t Trust Me is climbing local and international radio charts.

*3OH!3 are well known for using skits and wearing costumes at live gigs.

CD reviews and music downloads

21ST CENTURY BREAKDOWN by Green Day
Rating: 5/5
Reviewer: Alet van Zyl
Green Day’s eighth album is more than 18 songs, one after the other; it’s a rock musical of a young couple in modern-day America. Best tracks: 21st Century Breakdown, Viva la Gloria and 21 Guns. Though their album American Idiot was pretty impressive this work might be their best yet. Worth the four-year wait.

LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD by Laura Izibor
Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Gilda van Schalkwyk
The 20-year-old Irish singer’s debut album has attracted attention. The track Shine was released as a digital download and used in a movie and a TV sitcom. It’s an amazing song and her voice is powerfully soulful. Other good songs are the emotionally delivered If Tonight Is My Last, Mmm and The Worst Is Over. A wonderful neo-soul album.

SLIPWAY FIRES by Razorlight
Rating: 3/5
Reviewer: Franco Ferrarese
The guys have taken a distinctly new direction on their third album, meaning well but falling short of their original indie fervour. There’s a heavy yet melodic overtone throughout the album that will keep you hooked. Although ardent fans might hate the album there are a few brilliant tracks, including 60 Thompson and The House. Listen with an open mind - there’s plenty to enjoy.

DOWNLOAD OF THE WEEK
Use Somebody by Kings of Leon (picknplay.co.za)
After their first red-hot single, Sex on Fire, there’s no stopping these US rockers. The track Use Somebody off their latest album, Only by the Night, is one of the best rock songs ever produced. Lead singer Caleb Followill’s powerful voice will have you spellbound from the first note. (See YOU, 11 June, for all the latest news on this fabulous foursome.)

DVD reviews

ROCKnROLLA
Crime thriller. 2008. 109 min. With GERARD BUTLER, Thandie Newton and IDRIS ELBA. Director: Guy Ritchie. 16LV.
Rating: 3/5
Reviewer: Willem Möller

When a Russian billionaire calls in a sleazy crime kingpin to help him set up a dodgy London property deal it isn’t long before a whole bunch of no-goods - including a crooked but beautiful female accountant, a gay thug and a drug-addled rock star - get the smell of untold riches. But when a priceless painting goes missing and millions of euros are stolen it’s clear this story with no good guys in it isn’t going to have a happy ending.

Before becoming more famous as Madonna’s ex Guy Ritchie made his name as the British Quentin Tarantino with fast-paced thrillers laced with comedy, sleazy characters, multiple storylines and cool dialogue. But whereas those films offered a fresh twist on the crime caper formula RocknRolla is merely more of the same. It’s entertaining and worth catching for some great performances but it’s nothing you haven’t seen before.

VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
Romance/drama. 2008. 92 min. With Scarlett Johansson, Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem. 16S.
Rating: 3/5
Reviewer: Este Langeveldt

Two friends, Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Johansson), go on holiday to Barcelona, Spain. They couldn’t be more different - Vicky is engaged and conventional whereas Cristina isn’t sure what she wants from life but knows it includes adventure.

While dining in Barcelona they meet artist Juan (Bardem) who invites them away for a weekend in Oviedo hoping to persuade them to sleep with him.

Vicky is outraged but Cristina is intrigued - and so begins a tale told with lots of witty dialogue and interesting twists.

Juan Antonio’s ex-wife (Cruz) comes into the picture and makes this an unconventional love story - but a beautiful one all the same.

BAKUGAN: BATTLE BRAWLERS
Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Jared Orlin
Anime. 2009. 111 min. PG.

This Japanese animated movie is set in an alternative realm where metallic cards fall from the sky, providing keys to a new dimension where battles take place using the cards’ hidden warriors.

The main character is Dan Kuso, an arrogant teen who dreams of being top in the strategy game Bakugan. The thorn in his side is masked villain Masquerade who tries to send other players to a kind of purgatory from which they can’t return.

This DVD features the first five episodes and is a huge hit. It may be a bit too violent for younger viewers though.

Game of the week: Family Ski

WII. 2009. A.
Rating: 3/5
Reviewer: Sandy Cook

Strap on your skis and hit the slopes at the Happy Ski Resort. Beginners learn the basic moves, from freestyle and braking to tricky turns. Mosey around chatting to fellow skiers, enjoy views from the ski-lift and take on the snowy challenges. Advanced players can do nifty air tricks and navigate the meaner courses. The game supports the Wii Balance Board but it’s not essential. Parental supervision for young children is necessary because a lot of on-screen reading is required. Energetic and addictive.