TOY STORY 4

The original TOY STORY made in 1995 changed the face of animation and put Pixar on the map as one of the most exciting and innovative animation companies in the world. All the regulars including Woody (Tom Hanks), Bo (Annie Potts) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) are back now, but find themselves neglected by Bonnie who inherits Andy’s old toys. Andy is now a grown up while little Bonnie is more interested in Forky (Tony Hale), a new toy she makes herself from an old plastic fork at her nursery. Forky believes he is “trash” instead of a toy and keeps on disappearing especially during a road trip excursion with the family. It is now up to Woody to find Forky and teach him the values of being a toy…

It is a charming film thanks to a witty script and Josh Cooley’s sharp direction. As an actor Cooley voiced several Disney film including UP and INSIDE OUT before his impressive directorial debut. It is good to see the adorable characters treading familiar ground but overall it is the newcomers that leave more of a lasting impression. Forky is lovable but it is Duke Kaboom (Keanu Reeves), an Evel Knievel kind of motor bike stunt man from Canada “ Yes I Canada” that almost steals the show.

See it but make sure you stay till the very end of the closing credits!

 

THE FLOOD

This deeply moving film is superbly directed by Anthony Woodley and eloquently written by Helen Kingston. She tells the story of Haile (Ivanno Jeremiah), an asylum seeker in the UK following a horrendous journey from Africa across Europe before he reaches the chaos of the Calais jungle. His fate is now in the hands of Wendy (Leane Heady), a tough immigration officer, expert in deporting people back to their country. Kingston’s brilliant screenplay focuses on the clinical interview – inhumane cold blooded interrogation – before we get to know Haile’s story through a series of flashbacks.

It is a clever device only giving information little by little and always unpredictable. The acting is of the highest order – Heady delivers a career best performance while rising star Jeremiah is a dignified presence bringing most truthfully the plight of many refugees and asylum seekers.

It needs to be seen by everybody especially by the harsh politicians and heartless bureaucrats at the home office!

 

BRIGHBURN

David Yarovesky’s superior horror sci-fi fantasy takes the Superman legend and turns it on its head with this sinister story of a child from another world who is lovingly brought up by childless couple Tori (Elizabeth Banks) and Kyle Brayer (David Denman). But when Brandon (Jackson A. Dunn) grows up to be twelve he begins to use his increasing superpowers for evil instead of making good…

It is an enjoyable horror, atmospherically directed and well-acted by a strong cast. Banks is suitably distraught as the loving mother, mostly in denial about her son’s horrific actions. But it is newcomer Dunn, as the young protagonist, who like Damien in THE OMEN franchise, delivers the most memorable performance.

 

DIVISION 19

  1. A. Halewood’s impressive futuristic adventure closed last year’s Sci-Fi London Festival and it finally receives a very welcome release.

The time is 2039 and the world has sunk into chaos: jails are overflowing and the government has allowed its citizens to monitor the prisoners whose actions are streamed live…

It is an ambitious project with a distinct look and striking set pieces. The plot may be occasionally confusing but overall this is an exciting adventure worth seeing on the big screen.

 

THE CAPTOR

Ethan Hawke continues his collaboration with his BORN TO BE BLUE director Robert Budreau in this bizarre heist story based on true events.

The time is 1973 and the place Stockholm, Sweden. Lars Nystrom (Hawke) dressed in a cowboy hat and a wig walks in a bank with a machine gun and demands the release of his friend Gummar (Mark Strong) from prison, otherwise he will shoot the two bank workers he is taken as hostages…

It is a familiar premise most memorably from DOG DAY AFTERNOON but still very enjoyable thanks to engaging performances and strong production values.

 

Also out this week:

AMIN:

If you expect to see a film about the notorious African dictator you will be deeply disappointed. However if you want to see a film about a dignified African man who works as a builder in a Paris suburb you are in for a treat. Amin (Moustapha Mbengue) shares his life in the harsh city with other immigrants but misses his home, his wife and three children, to whom he sends money whenever he can. But when he meets Gabrielle (Emmanuelle Devos), the French woman whose house Amin is hired to renovate, things take an unexpected turn. Phillippe Faucon’s sensitive film boasts memorable performances by both protagonists and is very much worth discovering.

A SEASON IN FRANCE:

You wait for ages for decent films about asylum seekers and refugees but like London buses you get three at the same time as all these films are released now in order to coincide with Refugee Week UK. Mahamat – Saleh Haroun’s heart-breaking drama follows the story of college professor Abbas (Eriq Ebouaney) who after he loses his wife during the civil war in his Central African country seeks asylum with his two children in France…The story is topical and urgent and the actors shine under Haroun’s masterly and totally unsentimental direction.

MARI:

Georgia Parris’ assured feature film debut tells the story of professional dancer and choreographer Charlotte (Bobbi Jene Smith), who interrupts her intense rehearsals for a new show after she receives a call from her family that her beloved grandmother Mari is close to death…It is a bleak subject but thankfully there are some inventive dance sequences that come as a breath of fresh air and lighten up the action. But having an American character in the strong presence of Jene Smith, who comes to England to see her very British mother and sister, is not entirely persuasive.

George Savvides

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