FROZEN 2
The original made in 2013 was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen” and proved to be one of the most unexpected hits of recent years. It is no surprise that this animated feature also became a huge Broadway musical and is now heading towards London’s West End for an early February opening.
It brings back its many lovable characters and begins with the two little princesses Elsa and Anna at the time when they were still little girls. Their father tells them a magical story about an enchanted forest that had a huge influence on his life which now seems to becoming a reality. Meanwhile, Queen Elsa (Kristin Bell) is determined to use her powers and find out the secret behind this magical place…
It is a mystery why it has taken so long for the sequel to come to life especially for such a thin plot. But still there is plenty to enjoy here – more songs perhaps not in the league of “Let It Go” but many likable action sequences!
JUDY & PUNCH
This terrific Australian film was one of the highlights of the recent London Film Festival. The famous 16th century puppet show is brought vividly to life by writer/director Mirrah Faulkes but with a twist.
The action takes place at Seaside, a rural town miles away from the coast where Judy (Mia Wasikowska) and Punch (Damon Herriman) are struggling to give a new lease of life to their tired marionette show especially now that Judy is busy looking after their baby while Punch continues to get paralytically drunk. She is definitely the brains behind the show but things take an unexpected turn following a series of tragic events…
It is a remarkable directorial debut from Faulkes who manages to blend perfectly the humour with splashes of violence to a great effect. She elicits tremendous performances from her cast – Wasikowska makes a feisty and thoroughly modern Judy while Herriman is perfectly vile as the violent and utterly reckless Punch.
HARRIET
Kasi Lemmons’ important film was a late addition to last month’s London Film Festival. The true story of Harriet Tubman (Cynthia Erivo), who is born into slavery but manages to escape from the South to Philadelphia. But still Harriet as a free woman, repeats the hazardous journey back to Confederate States over 13 times in order to help more than 70 people escape before the Civil War…
Erivo delivers a tremendous performance as Harriet, whose name has become synonymous with freedom during the dark years of slavery. An epic film strongly and passionately directed worth seeing on the big screen!
PERMISSION
A powerful film with a burning issue superbly directed and acted. The story, based on true events, focuses on Afrooz, the captain of Iran’s women’s futsal National Team. She is thrilled when her team is invited to represent her country in the women’s Asia Cup Final but her joy is cut short when she is stopped at Tehran airport by the authorities because her husband has banned her from exiting the country…
Soheil Beiraghi is a new voice in Iranian cinema and his work should be celebrated!
I LOST MY BODY
Guillaume Laurent’s eccentric novel “Happy Hand” is turned into one of the most original and beautifully designed animated films of the year. The action follows the story of a severed hand which escapes from a Parisian laboratory and begins a long search in order to find its body. Meanwhile, a pizza boy called Naoufel falls for librarian Gabrielle during his first delivery…
An unpredictable, charming and daring film with remarkable set pieces. Heart-warming and utterly unique!
LA BELLE EPOQUE
Nicolas Bedos’ highly original French comedy boasts a terrific performance from Daniel Auteil, as Victor, a middle aged man at the end of his marriage, who finds a way to relive his youth during the seventies after he meets Antoine (Guillaume Canet), the creator of a re-enactment service…
It brings to mind Yorgos Lanthimos’ ALPS but without its bizarre and surrealistic humour. Here the wonderful ensemble of actors relish the witty dialogue!
Also out this week:
THEM THAT FOLLOW:
A cross between a religious drama and intense horror – the story follows a group of religious fanatics deep in Appalachia who are willing to handle poisonous snakes in order to prove their faith. But like the followers of Jehovah this obscure sect of Pentecost refuse to give treatment to a young man after he is bitten by a snake. Superbly made but deeply unpleasant with a strong ensemble cast that includes Olivia Colman and Alice Englert.
TOMMY:
Time for celebration – Ken Russell’s 1975 ground-breaking rock opera of The Who’s amazing album is back in cinemas. Ann Margret plays the mother of Tommy (Roger Daltrey), the deaf and dump boy who becomes a “pinball wizard”. A truly cinematic experience to be treasured with striking cameos from Elton John, Paul Nicolas and Jack Nicholson. Awesome!
GREENER GRASS: The winning partnership of Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe arrives like a breath air. It is written and directed by these gifted ladies, who also play the leading roles. A surrealistic tale of a group of competitive suburban mothers which plays like an acid satire on THE STEPFORD WIVES. Things spiral totally out of control when one mother gives her baby daughter to her friend just to be polite…Funny and highly original!
BLUE STORY: Rapman’s distinct visual style and highly energetic direction are to be admired in this tragic crime story of two young friends who become rivals in a brutal gangland war in London. However, he needs more time to flesh out his characters and make the plot more fluid. Still, an impressive writing and directorial debut!
HEIMAT IS A SPACE IN TIME: The idea of watching a four hour black and white German film with subtitles and a continuous voiceover bringing to life letters, diaries and other personal documents tracing the life of a family over several generations may not sound such an exciting prospect. However, a mesmerising and deeply rewarding experience!
HERE FOR LIFE: A successful collaboration between film-maker Andrea Luka Zimmerman and theatre practitioner Adrian Jackson, the founder of Cardboard Citizens. Mixing documentary, poetry and fiction they tell the story of ten Londoners who come together on a makeshift stage struggling to keep old communities alive.
THE AMBER LIGHT: Adam Park’s fascinating documentary follows spirits writer Dave Bloom on a journey through lesser-known parts of Scotland examining the roots of whisky and its significance. Bloom visits many distilleries discovering its secrets and enjoying this special drink which is an integral part of Scottish culture.
