Films opening in Australian cinemas this week:
TRACKS
Biography; rated M; opening March 6
Based on the true story of Robyn Davidson, who in 1977 trekked 2700km from Alice Springs to the western coast of Australia with four camels and her dog. Mia Wasikowska stars as the young traveller, while Adam Driver (from TV series Girls) plays National Geographic photographer Rick Smolan, who documented parts of her trip. Directed by John Curran (Stone, The Painted Veil).
300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE
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Action/drama; rated MA15+; opening March 6
Australian actor Sullivan Stapleton (Animal Kingdom) stars as Greek general Themistokles, head of of Athens' fleet, who attempts to unite all of Greece and lead the charge against mortal-turned-god Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his Persian army. Based on Frank Miller's latest graphic novel Xerxes, it also stars David Wenham and Eva Green and is directed by Noam Murro.
ALL IS LOST
Action; rated M; opening March 6
Robert Redford stars as a man deep into a solo journey in the Indian Ocean, who awakens to find his 39-foot yacht has collided with a floating shipping container and is taking on water fast. With his navigation equipment and radio damaged, he sails unknowingly into a dangerous storm. Despite his efforts and mariner's intuition, the determined voyager soon finds himself facing his own mortality. Written and directed by J.C. Chandor (Margin Call).
VAMPIRE ACADEMY
Fantasy/comedy; rated M; opening March 6
Based on the first in Richelle Mead's bestselling book series and directed by Mark Waters (Mean Girls), this stars Aussie Lucy Fry as teenage vampire Lissa Dragomir, who's a Moroi - a peaceful, mortal vampire. Her best friend Rose (Zoey Deutch) is a Dhampir, a half-human/vampire guardian, assigned with protecting her from the dangerous, bloodthirsty Strigoi vampires. After running away, the pair are forced to return to Vampire Academy, but they have a feeling the school holds more danger inside the walls than out.
