The tastes of all cinema goers are catered for this week, with a cheesy anime remake, Blood: The Last Vampire and an entertaining comedy The Ugly Truth also opening.
Blood: The Last Vampire
Lesbian subtexts, katana-wielding schoolgirls, sailor outfits and a nonsensical plot prove that this film is little more than a Japanophile’s wet dream. A government-sanctioned demon hunter (played by emotionless newcomer Gianna Jun) runs around an army base stylishly slicing up vampires and other oddities while we’re forced to endure some pointless backstory in between decapitations. Sounds like a typical horror-action hybrid but, unfortunately for action lovers past their teens, the film’s fight scenes are often difficult to follow, with conspicuous edits preventing the audience from ever seeing any physical contact between the heroine and her countless enemies. A few nice visuals and some creative costume design appear outside of the (almost) endless combat, but they can’t save the film from its sub-par acting talent and weak script. Even the most die-hard lovers of the original anime will be disappointed. — Shain Germaner
The Ugly Truth
Abby Richter (Katherine Heigl) is a headstrong morning-show TV producer who is yanked down to reality when she is forced to contend with misogynist Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler), who claims to know the truth about men, women and relationships. With his new show, The Ugly Truth, Mike puts Abby’s ideas about finding the perfect man into perspective. Their relationship evolves into a cat-and-mouse game that will have you chuckling in your seat or just sighing at the cheesy, toe-curling moments. Director Robert Luketic gives this romantic comedy tongue-in-cheek dialogue and, as with his previous hits (Bringing Down the House and Legally Blonde), he’s done well here. — Tania Pehl