Must See Movies: Funny People (15) ***; The Hurt locker (15) ****

Sep 3 2009

Funny People (15) Why we are excited: Funny People is a coming of comedy-drama about an embittered man gifted a second chance at life.

Plot: Stand-up comic turned film actor George Simmons (Adam Sandler) has a string of box-office successes to his name. George soon finds out he has a rare form of leukaemia. When the doctors tell George that his body has miraculously defeated the disease, he is faced with exciting choices about the path of his life, and they all lead to old flame Laura who is now happily settled with a macho Australian husband.

The Hurt Locker (15) Why we are excited: Film is a gripping portrait of courage and carelessness under fire, anchored by strong performances from the leads as three different faces of the modern US military.

Plot: The Hurt Locker sees the soldiers of Bravo Company count down the 38 days left on their current rotation. Staff Sergeant William James ( Jeremy Renner) is the new-boy of Bravo Company, taking charge of sergeant JT Sanborn and specialist Owen Eldridge on the streets of Baghdad. James's gung-ho, fatalistic approach to his job creates friction with his subordinates.

When one such action has predictably fatal consequences, James is finally compelled to face up to the repercussions of his decisions.