WIDOWS
The illustrious career of the innovative artist turned filmmaker Steve McQueen that began with HUNGER, SHAME and 12 YEARS A SLAVE continues with this enjoyable heist thriller which was chosen as the Opening Gala of the recent London Film Festival. It is based on the ground breaking UK television series by Linda La Plante which led to two sequels and is now adapted by GONE GIRL writer Gillian Lynn who transfers the action to Chicago. She tells the story of a group of women forced by circumstances to resort to crime following their husbands’ sudden deaths in a heist gone terribly wrong. Now the group led by Veronica (Viola Davis) the loving wife of Harry Rawlings (Liam Neeson) assembles two other widows, whom has never met before but have also sunk deeply into debt and blackmailed by a vicious gang to pay or else. They have no alternative but to attempt to complete their husbands’ unfinished business in a dangerous mission…
It is a thrilling adventure superbly acted by a stellar cast led by the terrific Viola Davis, as the sensitive soul still grieving for her husband’s death but determined to carry on his plans for another heist. Michelle Rodriguez and Elizabeth Debicki are also excellent as the other two widows who join her for this tense thriller that will keep you engaged till the final credits.
WILDLIFE
Paul Dano’s assured directorial debut graced with sensitive performances won him a First Feature Competition Nomination at the recent London Film Festival. The intelligent screenplay co-written by Dano with Zoe Kazan is based on Richard Ford’s book which takes place in 1960 and follows the story of Jeanette and Jerry Brinson (Carey Mulligan & Jake Gyllenhaal) and their teenage son Joe (Ed Oxenbould). They have recently moved to Great Falls Montana and appear to be the perfect American family until Jerry is fired from his job at a golf club. When he is offered his job back Jerry out of pride refuses to accept and takes a job as a firefighter instead in the nearby mountains where a raging fire escalates uncontrollably…
Carrey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal are as solid as ever but the real revelation is Ed Oxenbould as the young protagonist. The action is seen through his young, innocent eyes as he witness the disintegration of his parents’ marriage.
A heartfelt and deeply moving film very much worth seeing!
OVERLORD
This is practically a B movie with big production values where Julius Avery’s bravura direction injects some needed energy to a tired genre. We have seen this kind of war movie turned into horror many times especially with the OUTPOST series and their zombie Nazis.
A group of American paratroopers are dropped on a small French village by the sea on the eve of D-Day but their assignment to destroy a radio transmitter on top of a church tower turns into a living nightmare when they discover a secret Nazi lab underneath the cemetery…
The opening is truly spectacular on the plane before the landing with outstanding use of Atmos surround system. Jovan Adepo made an impression in FENCES and he now gets to play the leading role of Boyce one of the paratroopers determined to find more about the ghastly experiments carried out by the horrid Nazis.
Adepo delivers a truthful performance despite the stereotypical acting that surrounds him especially by the OTT Nazis. Overall, OVERLORD delivers thanks to impressive production values and excellent use of sound – so try and see this on the bigger screen possible if you can.
WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOUR?
The subject of this wonderful documentary is Fred Rogers, the much beloved producer, writer and puppeteer of the popular sixties and seventies American children television show “Mister Rogers’ Neighbourhood”. He is a national institution in the States but hardly known in this country so thankfully this tremendous film will bring this radical and ground-breaking entertainer to prominence worldwide.
Director Morgan Neville won an Academy Award for TWENTY FEET FROM STARDOM and here again he demonstrates his skill and sensitivity to great effect in his compelling storytelling.
An illuminating film about a positive force in society unlike any other very much needed to be seen particularly now, during the current cynical times that with live in!
THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD
This remarkable film from Peter Jackson was one of the highlights of the recent London Film Festival where it received a much publicised Royal Gala which I was lucky to attend.
In order to commemorate the centenary of World War One Peter Jackson was assigned with hours of archive material from the war by the Imperial War museum and the result is a truly compelling cinematic experience. Jackson not only restored the archive footage but turned it into colour and in 3D with newly recorded mix of sound effects and additional dialogue.
This has to be the definite film about the trenches – the horror, the squalid conditions living amongst rats and dead bodies everywhere but also the humour and optimism of the soldiers told with dignity and grace!
THE BROS: AFTER THE SCREAMING STOPS
This fascinating documentary also screened at the London Film Festival explores the highs and lows of the “Bros” phenomenon, the popular boy band one of the biggest in the eighties.
Twin brothers Matt and Luke Goss talk passionately about their careers from the early days growing up in Kennington and their much publicised split before their eagerly awaited re-union 28 years later. The camera becomes a fly on the wall attending rehearsals and witnessing their endless fiery arguments.
The title of this honest and occasionally funny film about two totally different personalities comes from a television interview with Terry Wogan at the height of their career. You don’t have to be a fan of “The Bros” to enjoy this!
HOPE AND ANCHOR
The Spanish director Carlos Marques-Marcet of 10.000 KM, seen at the London Film Festival a few years ago, sets the action of his latest film (now available on DVD from Network Releasing) exclusively in London. He tells the story of Kat (Oona Chaplin) and Eva (Natalia Tena) two free spirited young women living on a boat and very much in love with each other. The serene environment and calm waters of the canal are disturbed when Eva’s Spanish friend Roger (David Verdaguer) pays them an unexpected visit and his presence soon brings out Kat’s desire to have a baby…
It is a strong film thanks to the striking performances by the three protagonists complimented by a valuable contribution from Geraldine Chaplin as Kat’s eccentric mother.
One for the collection!
