This week's film releases

Apr 17 2009 by Kathryn Carr, Southport Visiter

THE Easter holiday weather may leave something to be desired, but that gives you all the more excuse to sit back and enjoy this week’s batch of big screen releases.

Perpetual supporting actor Paul Rudd finally gets a long-overdue starring role in riotous feel-good comedy, I Love You Man, while indestructible hitman Chev Chelios returns in Crank 2: High Voltage. Elsewhere, High School Musical heartthrob Zac Efron goes back to school in age swap comedy 17 Again.

I LOVE YOU MAN (15) New release

Peter Klaven is a successful real estate agent who, upon getting engaged to the woman of his dreams, Zooey, discovers that he has no male friend close enough to serve as his Best Man. He then embarks on a series of bizarre and awkward “man-dates”, before meeting Sydney Fife, a charming, opinionated man with whom he instantly bonds. But the closer the two men get, the more Peter's relationship with Zooey suffers, ultimately forcing him to choose between his fiancee and his new found “bro”, in a story that comically explores what it truly means to be a friend.

Running time: 2hrs 5mins

CRANK 2: HIGH VOLTAGE (18) New release

The first ‘Crank’ movie, saw Jason Statham poisoned then forced to keep his adrenalin up to stay alive, This time, Chev is in a spot of bother with a Chinese gangster, who has removed his heart and has replaced with a mechanical one that needs to be jolted with an electric charge to stay pumping.

Running time: 2hrs

IRON MAIDEN: FLIGHT 666 (15) New release

Feature length documentary about Iron Maiden’s legendary ‘Somewhere Back in Time’ tour.

Running time: 1hr 55

RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (PG)

For years, stories have circulated about a secret place in the middle of the Nevada desert, known for unexplained phenomena and strange sightings. It is called Witch Mountain, and when a Las Vegas cab driver finds two teens with supernatural powers in his cab, he suddenly finds himself in the middle of an adventure he can't explain. When they discover that the only chance to save the world lies in unravelling the secrets of Witch Mountain, the race begins, as the government, mobsters and even extraterrestrials try to stop them.

Running time: 2hrs

FAST AND FURIOUS (12A)

Vin Diesel and Paul Walker reteam for the ultimate chapter of the franchise built on speed, Fast and Furious. Heading back to the streets where it all began, they rejoin Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster to blast muscle, tuner and exotic cars across Los Angeles and floor through the Mexican desert in the new high-octane action-thriller.

Running time: 2hrs 10mins