Reel magic: UAE's latest cinema releases

Cinderella

We were all ready to pan this seemingly cynical live-action remake of the 1950 animated classic Cinderella, but having a peek at the trailer, it actually looks pretty good. Since the year 2000 there have actually been 13 re-workings of the age-old tale, but this is certainly the most high-profile. Cate Blanchett stars as the Wicked Stepmother and Helena Bonham Carter plays the Fairy Godmother (which probably means Johnny Depp is the pumpkin or something).

Aside from those two leading ladies and a few cameos, everyone else is pretty much unknown – great to see in this age of ‘star’-carried films. The story looks very by-the-numbers although too much deviation from the fairy tale may have done it damage as this movie is all about bringing the magic to life using believable special effects helmed by director Kenneth Branagh. And in that respect it is a tremendous success. The plot will not throw up any surprises, but just how far you become immersed in what’s onscreen will take you aback.

Imdb.com gives this 7.8 and rottentomatoes has it at 90%.

Before I Go To Sleep

The more astute cinephiles, or anyone who watches MBC2 on a Thursday afternoon, may look at Before I Go To Sleep’s synopsis and, aptly, have a vague memory they’ve seen it somewhere before. Nicole Kidman goes to sleep every night and each morning cannot remember the events of the day before leading to relationship trouble with partner Colin Firth. Substitute in Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler and you’ve got yourself dopey rom-com 50 First Dates. However this offering from the two Oscar-winners is a little more raw.

‘Rawer than Rob Schneider dragging the equal rights movement back 50 years with his portrayal of a native Hawaiian?!’ you shout. Yes, much more. Trouble is it doesn’t look very interesting. Kidman’s condition is a result of an attempt on her life. Doctor Mark Strong is convinced she will be able to remember whodunit if he takes her back to all the locations in which it occurred. That’s about it.

Rottentomatoes gives this 36% and Imdb.com has it at 6.2.

Run All Night

Liam Neeson used to have a very particular set of skills. Those included accepting a serious, enlightening role – Oscar Schindler or Dr. Alfred Kinsey, for example – and doing a mighty fine job putting their stories up on screen. These days however, and this makes him a nightmare for people like us, if there is a mildly psychopathic, ageing action hero part to be had, he will look for it, he find it and he will do it.

The only thing the Taken trilogy successfully took, was a load of money and Run All Night is a calculated attempt to cash in on its success. It looks pretty much the same.

A gun-toting, fist-fighting 60-something dad kills his son’s assailant who happens to be the son of underworld boss and friend Ed Harris. A cordial meeting (which could have been done over the phone, but oh wait… yeah…Taken) takes place where Harris informs Neeson the debt must be settled. Neeson’s son, daughter-in-law and grandchild are in danger and must ‘run all night’ to escape Harris’ goon. Dross.

Surprisingly Imdb.com has this at 7.3 and rottentomatoes gives it 63%.