Film Fan Fridays for Friday February 11, 2011

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday February 11, 2011! Another week chock full of releases, nine to choose from to be exact ranging from limited release documentaries to 3D animated and concert films with a few more choices in the in between.

In limited release this week we have four releases to choose from started with 2-time Oscar nominee Biutiful which is up for best foreign language film as well as an acting nod for Javier Bardem. We also have the Ed Helms comedy Cedar Rapids, which I am a little surprized to see only in limited release. We have two Canadian films out this week including Canada's Top ten 2010 selection and the one I really want to see, Modra from director Ingrid Veninger (Only) and Unauthorized: The Harvey Weinstein Project a documentary on Miramax founder Harvey Weinstein.

In wide release this week we have five films opening wide including the sword & sandals epic The Eagle starring Channing Tatum & Jamie Bell, and it's based on the book The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff. We have two 3D releases including the sweet animated romance Gnomeo & Juliet which is a re-visioning of Romeo & Juliet but with gnomes, and it's quite delightful. Our second 3D is the concert documentary Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. I only just ran across the film From Prada to Nada which although very superficial concept of riches to rags, looks like it's really funny and the obligatory romantic comedy for Valentine's weekend release is Just Go With It which is a bit of an odd one considering it stars Adam Sandler as a man who fakes being married to pick up women. Yeah, I'd go with Gnomeo & Juliet if you are looking for a romantic pick this weekend.

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Special Screenings

Unauthorized: The Harvey Weinstein Project will have an in-person appearance on February 11 form director Barry Avrich to discuss the film. See more info here.

Grace, Milly, Lucy... Child Soldiers Documentary from director Raymonde Provencher screens at The Royal on February 12, 2011

Kuroneko / Black Cat (1968) Japanese supernatural/horror/revenge-y flick that looks freaking amazing has a one week run at The Bloor. From writer/director Kaneto Shindô and starring Kichiemon Nakamura, Nobuko Otowa and Kiwako Taichi. Check out the trailer here.

Back to the 80's at TIFF Lightbox continues and this weeks 80s selection is: Time Bandits playing Saturday February 13, 2011 at 2pm.

Friday February 11, 2011 Releases

Biutiful
Dir: Alejandro González Iñárritu (Babel, 21 Grams, Amores perros)
Cast: Javier Bardem, Maricel Álvarez, Hanaa Bouchaib, Guillermo Estrella, Eduard Fernández
Mexico/Spain
Limited Release
Official Film Site & Trailer, IMDb Page

Cedar Rapids
Dir: Miguel Arteta (Youth in Revolt, The Good Girl)
Cast: Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Root, Kurtwood Smith, Alia Shawkat
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Eagle
Dir: Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland, State of Play, Touching the Void)
Cast: Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland, Mark Strong
USA/UK
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

From Prada to Nada
Dir: Angel Gracia - feature film directorial debut
Cast: Camilla Belle, Alexa Vega, Adriana Barraza, Kuno Becker, Wilmer Valderrama
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Gnomeo & Juliet
Dir: Kelly Asbury (Shrek 2, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron)
Voices: James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Michael Caine, Jason Statham, Maggie Smith, Julie Walters, Patrick Stewart
UK/USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Just Go With It
Dir: Dennis Dugan (Grown Ups, You Don't Mess with the Zohan, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry)
Cast: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, Brooklyn Decker, Bailee Madison
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Justin Bieber: Never Say Never
Dir: Jon Chu (Step Up 3D, Step Up 2: The Streets, When the Kids Are Away)
Concert Documentary
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Modra
Writer/Dir: Ingrid Veninger (Only)
Cast: Mathieu Chesneau, Branislav Dugovic, Cyril Dugovic, Imrich Dugovic, Jan Dugovic
Canada/Slovakia
Limited Release
Official Film Site & Trailer, IMDb Page

Unauthorized: The Harvey Weinstein Project
Writer/Dir: Barry Avrich (An Unlikely Obsession, Amerika Idol)
Documentary
Canada
Limited Release
No Official Film Site or Trailer found, Info at TIFF Website, IMDb Page

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of February 11, 2011**