This week’s cinema highlights - 13.03.09

Mar 13 2009 by Kathryn Carr, Southport Visiter

THIS week everyone’s favourite Friend Jennifer Aniston makes a welcome return to our screens in the hilarious canine rom-com, Marley and Me.

Vue Cinema will also take part in the ‘People’s Premiere’ of The Age of Stupid, starring Pete Postlethwaite. Part drama, part documentary, the fascinating film explores the terrifying consequences of climate change.

Meanwhile Emily Blunt stars in The Young Victoria, and animated adventure Bolt continues to keep kids entertained.

Marley and Me (PG) New release

Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston star in this family comedy, based on the bestselling autobiography by John Grogan. Soon after they are married, John and Jenny Grogan adopt an adorably naughty golden labrador puppy. Despite his wayward behaviour, the pooch remains with them through the years as they raise children, move home, change jobs and experience the ups and downs of family life.

Running time: 2hr 15

The Age of Stupid (12A) New release

Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite (In The Name of the Father, Brassed Off) stars as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking back at “archive” footage from 2007 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance?

Running time: 2hrs 45

Watchmen (18)

From the legendary graphic novel by Alan Moore comes the most anticipated film of the year. The story takes place in a parallel world, where Russia and the US are poised on the brink of nuclear Armageddon. The Watchmen are a group of retired superheroes who begin to suspect that a mysterious enemy is killing off their members one by one. It’s down to masked psychopath Rorschach to uncover the mystery, and reveal a plot that will shake the entire world to its foundations…

Running time: 3hrs

The Young Victoria (PG)

French-Canadian director Jean-Marc Vallée helms this lavish film adaptation of a script by Oscar-winning Brit writer Julian Fellowes about the early life of Queen Victoria, here played by up-and-coming actress, Emily Blunt. Following her early life as a cloistered teen surrounded by a retinue of servants and advisors all looking to influence and subvert her, the film then traces her development into the longest reigning British monarch.

Running time: 2hrs 5

Gran Torino (15)

Walt Kowalski is a widower, a grumpy, tough-minded, unhappy old man who can’t get along with either his kids or his neighbours, a Korean War veteran whose prize possession is a 1973 Gran Torino he keeps in top condition. When his neighbour Tao, a young teenager, tries to steal his Gran Torino, Kowalski sets out to reform the youth. Drawn against his will into the life of Tao’s family, Kowalski is soon taking steps to protect them from the gangs that ruin their neighbourhood.

Running time: 2hr 15

The International (15)

In The International, Interpol Agent Louis Salinger and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman are determined to bring to justice one of the world’s most powerful banks. Uncovering illegal activities including money laundering, arms trading, and the destabilisation of governments, Salinger and Whitman’s investigation takes them from Berlin to Milan to New York and to Istanbul. Finding themselves in a high-stakes chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk as the bank will stop at nothing - even murder - to continue financing terror and war.

Running time: 2hr 15