This next fortnight is bursting with excellent film releases. With Oscar contenders in the mix, it is going to be hard to choose what to see first…
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Shutter Island
Released on the 18th February, Shutter Island sees the re-teaming of Leonardo DiCaprio and director Martin Scorsese. Based on a Dennis Lehane novel set in the 1950s, the film also stars Mark Ruffalo, Michelle Williams and Ben Kingsley. DiCaprio and Ruffalo play U.S. Marshals sent to investigate the disappearance of a patient from Boston’s Shutter Island Ashecliffe Hospital. This mystery thriller was picked by Trespass reviewer, Sean Rom as one of his most anticipated films of 2010.
Crazy Heart
Released on the 18th February, Crazy Heart has already won star Jeff Bridges a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild award. Bridges’ character Bad Blake is an aging country singer who is slowly killing himself with alcohol. Maggie Gyllenhaal plays the younger love interest and Colin Farrell appears as Tommy Sweet, the rising star of the country scene. This directorial debut from Scott Cooper has been nominated for 3 Oscars.
The Hurt Locker
Released on the 18th February, The Hurt Locker, has taken some time to make it to our shores. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow (Near Dark, Point Break), the film is up for 9 Oscars, including Best Film, Best Director (only the 4th female director ever to be nominated) and Best Actor. Set in contemporary Iraq, the film follows a U.S. military bomb disposal unit as they count down the days left on their tour. Starring Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Guy Pearce and Ralph Fiennes, the film has been praised as one of the most successful depictions of war in Post- 9/11 cinema.
A Single Man
Released on the 25th February, A Single Man is the directorial debut from American fashion designer Tom Ford. Adapted from Christopher Isherwood’s novel about love and loneliness, the film follows a day in the life of an English Professor, George (Colin Firth) who is living in LA, and grieving the sudden death of his partner, Jim (Matthew Goode). Also starring Julianne Moore and Nicholas Hoult, the film has had a successful turn on the festival circuit culminating in BAFTA and Oscar nominations.
