What To Watch (27th Match)

Feverishly anticipating a climactic friday evening to end your working week? Stuck in fusty, moss-sodden offices/libraries creaking at the underbelly of your consciousness?

The olive branch? A preview of the week's most poignant of offerings...

Two Lovers (dir. Gray)

O joyous spectacle!

Well well well, what have we here? This is what seems to be Joaquin Phoenix's final performance before he delves into a romping hip hop career. Bizarrely, this seems to be acclaimed as one of Mr Phoenix's finest roles to date making this sudden acting/rhyming juxtaposition that much more baffling. Of course he could just be leading us all on (see the odd Letterman 'performance' to judge it yourself).

Gwynnie Paltrow doesn't seem to care too much for a concerted attack on the film lover's psyche these days also. So a romantic drama starring the two walkabout stars may provide an isolated opportunity to see either on screen for a long time. Will it actually be any good? I doubt it, but then i'm a colossal pessimist when it comes to romantic dramadies so don't let my lingering nature dissaude you.

The Damned United (dir. Hooper)

This Peter Morgan adaptation of the novel of the same name marks an interesting shift in scenery for the writer having translated many larger than life characters to their on screen incarnations. Generally speaking, hagiographies don't flutter my ruffles, however Brian Clough/Michael Sheen do. Of course, with such well respected credits the football aspect is less of a focus than that of the flawed genius central to the project. With reviews ranging from good to very good, United should be the highlight of the weekend.

Genova (dir. Winterbottom)

Seriously, the only reason to mention this film apart from directing Colin Firth lovers in it's direction is the fact that Genova is brought to us by the director of A Mighty Heart and A Cock And Bull Story. Both very good genre films well worth a watch. Apart from that well...im searching with great difficulty to be honest!

The story revolves around a man who moves his two daughters to Genova, Italy after their mother dies. Of course, Colin Firth plays that man. The film also stars Catherine Keener (a perennial favourite of mine) and Hope Davis, so the credentials are for all to see. Who knows it may float your boat if you give it a punt!

Enjoy!