Film Reviews

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG

Sonic, the adorable alien hedgehog began life as a videogame franchise before he landed on earth for this enjoyable live-action adventure. Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) is the world’s fastest hedgehog, who develops an unlikely friendship with Tom Wachowski (James Marsden), an affable Montana cop, especially after the evil megalomaniac Dr Ivo Robotnik (Jim Carrey) begins a vicious hunt in order to capture the blue alien…

It is a fun movie which marks an impressive full length feature film debut from Jeff Fowler, who effortlessly mixes the striking CGI presence of the blue hedgehog with live action in which he naturally fits in along with his human actors. It is great to see the wonderfully bigger than life Jim Carrey back on the big screen after a long absence. His mad persona captures perfectly the unhinged personality of his Dr Robotnik.

Sonic shares a lovely chemistry with Marsden, the charming cop who agrees to take his new friend to San Francisco in search of Sonic’s lost magic rings. The film then suddenly changes gear and becomes a buddy road movie- a journey of discovery. There is also a fun subplot with Tom’s lovely wife Maddie (Tika Sumpter) and her African/American family.

Big screen entertainment for everybody!

 

EMMA

Jane Austen’s beloved novel has been adapted for the stage and screen on numerous occasions and most memorably in 1996 with Gwyneth Paltrow as the eponymous heroine and in 1995 with the Beverly Hills high school comedy CLUELESS. Emma (now played by rising star Anya Taylor-Joy) can’t help meddling in other people’s affairs and believes it is her duty to find a match for the gullible Harriet Smith (Mia Goth)…

Autumn de Wilde’s lukewarm adaptation fails to catch fire especially in the early scenes where the tone of the film relies heavily on manipulative music. It is an uneven film is almost every department and is difficult to care much about the characters’ predicament. We only have sympathy for Mia Goth’s vulnerable presence and the less said about Josh O’Connor’s awkwardly misjudged performance as Mr Elton, the curate, the better.

 

JIHAD JANE

Ciaran Cassidy’s fascinating documentary follows the story of two American women, who got arrested for terrorism in Waterford, Ireland in March, 2010.

It is an enlightening film about the dangers of online radicalisation as Collen LaRose, who named herself “Jihad Jane” explains after she first became intrigued by Islam following a casual sex encounter in Amsterdam. She was groomed on the internet and was on her way to Sweden to kill a Swedish cartoonist when she was arrested in Ireland. The other woman Jamie Paulin Ramirez was also recruited on the internet and here she tells her own story with valuable contribution from her mother and young son.

An important film for our times!

 

A PARIS EDUCATION

Writer/ director Jean-Paul Civeyrac tells the story of Etienne (Andradic Manet) an aspiring young filmmaker who leaves behind his life and girlfriend in Lyon for Paris. He is passionate about his studies at the Sorbonne and he quickly makes a new circle of friends…

Civeyrac’s impressive film, complimented by a striking back and white photography, captures perfectly the spirit of student life. It is an intelligent film about movies, philosophy and even though it is set in the present it has a nostalgic and lovely feel about the past.

Worth seeking out!

 

SPYCIES

This bright and breezy animated feature from China and France takes place in a world where animals are running the show especially when it comes to espionage. Special agent Vladimir is at the top of his game until a dangerous mission demotes him back to basics. He is paired with Hector, an inexperienced rookie to guard a top secret cargo which needless to say soon gets stolen by a gang of mysterious intruders…

It is well designed with colourful characters and a strong environmental message. Its main premise brings to mind ZOOTROPOLIS but not as memorable.

 

FANDO Y LIS

The restoration of Alejandro Jodorowski’s trilogy of sixties and seventies classics concludes with his daring adaptation of Fernando Arrabal’s surrealistic play made in 1968. It is a match made in heaven – Jodorowski exploits Arrabal’s disturbing tale and goes even further.

The story of Fando and his paraplegic lover Lis on a quest to reach the magical city of Tar is imaginatively shot in black and white highlighting perfectly Jodorowsky’s dark vision.

 

GHOST

Jerry Zucker’s timeless love story is celebrating its 30th anniversary with screenings just in time for Valentine’s Day. The story of Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) and Molly (Demi Moore), a loving couple whose happiness is cut short after Sam’s seemingly random killing by a street thug. But Sam’s spirit remains close to Molly and tries everything in his power to protect her from danger…

This terrific supernatural thriller was one of the biggest hits of the year and a worthy Oscar winner for Whoopi Goldberg’s hysterically funny medium.

 

WHEN LAMBS BECOME LIONS

John Kasbe’s powerful documentary takes place in the Kenyan bush and follows the story of two men struggling to survive against the odds in a hostile environment. One is a small-time ivory dealer whose trade is in danger while his younger cousin works as a wildlife ranger who hasn’t been paid for months. Both face a huge dilemma but the real tragedy here is that the elephants are beginning to face extinction by the increasing numbers of poachers.