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The Boat That Rocked: DIRECTED BY RICHARD Curtis (of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones’s Diary and Love Actually fame)...

this promising, ensemble comic caper features Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Emma Thompson, Nick Frost and Kenneth Branagh.

Set in Britain, in 1966, when the jazz-favouring BBC was the only UK licensed radio broadcaster (and audaciously played only two hours worth of rock music a day), a band of controversial, ‘rogue’ DJs launched their non-stop rock music-playing, pirate station, Radio Rock, off a boat in international waters.

Unfortunately for Curtis, most critics have panned the film as disappointing and “too long to sustain interest”. But audiences have reviewed it as a fun watch.

Trivia

The story line of this film, though claimed to be fictional, bears resemblances to that of Radio Haruki, New Zealand’s first private commercial radio station that specialises in classic rock.

Richard Curtis was invited on BBC for an interview where he denied claims that the movie was a true account of what happened in the time of UK offshore broadcasting.

Hannah Montana: The Movie

DISNEY CHANNEL’S POPULAR, teen sitcom, Hannah Montana, has been transformed into this family-friendly, musical comedy by Peter Chelsom. The screen adaptation stars Miley Cyrus, her real-life father, and renowned country singer, Billy Ray Cyrus, Emily Osment, Mitchell Musso and Lucas Till.

As Miley Stewart’s alter ego, Hannah Montana, starts to overshadow her normal life, her father urges her to take a trip to their obscure hometown of Crowley Corners, Tennessee. As she learns to deal with the simple life, trouble brews in the form of an eager member of the paparazzi attempting to unveil her secret identity.

Early reviews claim that though the movie is filled with wholesome goodness, the plot is predictable and the film is a nightmare for unfortunate adults unwittingly tricked into chaperoning.

Trivia

The film features cameos by singers Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift, who also lend their vocals to the soundtrack. Also featured are two songs by Steve Rushton.

This movie marks Disney Channel’s third series-turned-into-film ventures. The other two were, The Lizzie McGuire Movie and Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour.

The Last House on the Left

THIS WEEK’S HORROR flick, directed by Dennis Iladis, is a contemporary remake of the 1972 classic. Starring Tony Goldwyn, Monica Potter, Garret Dillahunt and Sara Paxton, this film has been produced by original creator, Wes Craven (also maker of the cult classic, A Nightmare on Elm Street and the landmark Scream trilogy) and Sean Cunningham (director of Friday the 13^th).

This feature follows a gang of psychopathic fugitives as they seek temporary shelter in a family vacation home. However, unbeknownst to them, their refuge belongs to the parents of one of their female victims. In an act of retribution, the family inflicts gruesome torture on the group.

Critical response to this film has been dismal. Rolling Stone termed it as a ‘crapathon’, but some bloggers claim in their online reviews that The Last House on the Left is a ‘popcorn flick’.

Trivia

Iladis was picked to direct the film out of a hundred other possible candidates. His maiden venture, Hardcore was the influencing factor. The film also proved pivotal in convincing a rather reluctant Goldwyn to act in this remake. Incidentally, the 1972 original was a re-imagining of Ingmar Bergman’s 1960 film, Jungfrukallan (The Virgin Spring).

davina@khaleejtimes.com