WONDER WOMAN 1984 in IMAX
Patty Jenkins’ epic adventure looks superb on the giant IMAX screen while Gal Gadot is as magnetic as ever in the role of a DC Superhero. Their first collaboration in 2017 was one of the biggest successes of the year and now in this eagerly awaited sequel, Wonder Woman is ready to take on even more challenges including new super villains as well as lure audiences back into the cinemas during the pandemic.
In the original film, the Amazonian Diana discovers her superpowers and becomes Wonder Woman during World War I. As the title suggests, the time now is 1984 – Diana is an archaeologist at the Smithsonian Museum and is determined to solve the mystery behind an ancient rock which like Aladdin’s magic lamb can grant any wish. Unfortunately, the rock falls into the hands of megalomaniac Max Lord (Pablo Pascal) who not only desires but demands world domination…
The brilliant opening sequence with a young Diana entering an Amazonian contest sets up the stage in the most spectacular fashion. Then the greedy eighties enter where, the designs as well as costumes visually resemble something out of BACK TO THE FUTURE or perhaps those early SUPERMAN movies with Christopher Reeve. But when the action moves to Egypt the wonders of Wonder Woman tear up the screen in breath-taking set pieces.
The luminous Gadot leads a splendid cast that includes the terrific Kirstin Wiig. Give yourself a treat and see it on the biggest screen possible if you can!
LET HIM GO
It is good to see the wonderful Diane Lane in another satisfying role – the driving force in this engaging film written and directed by Thomas Bazucha. The action is set in the fifties and the story unfolds like a western – Margaret Blackledge lives a happy existence with her husband George Blackledge (Kevin Costner) on their Montana ranch until their son dies in a riding accident. Things get even worse when their son’s widow marries a brutal and abusive man, who one day moves unexpectedly to Dakota taking along with him his new wife and their grandson…
A beautiful film, perhaps a bit sentimental at times, but overall an enjoyable film with strong performances. Leslie Manville makes a fine contribution as the vilest matriarch since Jacki Weaver’s amazing turn in ANIMAL KINGDOM.
COME AWAY
A disappointing film from Brenda Chapman, who fails to inject any magic into an intriguing premise. Peter (Jordan A. Nash) and his sister Alice (Keira Chansa) live in a country cottage with their parents Jack (David Oyelowo) and Rose (Angelina Jolie). They are carefree children until their oldest brother dies in a tragic accident, which prompts them to enter a world of fantasy and imagination…
The integrated casting works well in this prequel to Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland, but the slow pacing threatens to sink the project.
AMERICAN UTOPIA
I loved this brilliant concert movie when I first saw it at this year’s London Film Festival and on a second viewing, I loved it even more. David Byrne, the former Talking Heads frontman, and his incredible band, give a spectacular live show at the Hudson Theatre on Broadway. A grey stage without any props, a group of singers, dancers and musicians all dressed in grey suits, including the remarkable Byrne, who sings many favourites including “Everybody’s Coming to My House” and “Road to Nowhere”, to an ecstatic audience. “Most of us are immigrants,” Byrne proudly says, “and we couldn’t do it without them.”
A slick and stylish film directed with much gusto by Spike Lee.
BREATHLESS
Jean Luc-Godard’s remarkable debut made in 1960 is rightly regarded as one of the most influential films ever made. Godard breaks away from all cinematic traditions telling the story of Michel Poiccard (Jean-Paul Belmondo), a petty criminal, who finds himself on the run after he kills a policeman. Still, he returns to Paris and hides in his American girlfriend Patricia’s (Jean Seberg) apartment…
The winning chemistry between Seberg and Belmondo is made in heaven. A movie classic stunningly restored as fresh and relevant as ever!
FAREWELL AMOR
I saw this sensitive film written and directed by Ekwa Msangi at the recent London Film Festival. Her assured debut tells the story of Walter (Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine), an Angolan immigrant, who after 17 years is reunited with his family in America. When he encounters his wife and daughter at the airport is like meeting strangers and their co-existence in his one-bedroom apartment becomes even more awkward…
Msangi creates fully fleshed characters which are expertly performed by a highly watchable cast. (MUBI)
IL MIO CORPO: This poetic Italian film takes place in Sicily and follows the seemingly unconnected stories of Stanley, a Nigerian refugee working in a local church and Oscar, a young teenage boy longing to escape the harsh reality of his life where he is forced by his father to collect scrap metal from rubbish dumps. A masterly crafted film exquisitely photographed on the beautiful yet harsh Sicilian landscape. (Curzon)
SILENT NIGHT: If you are expecting a cuddly film about Christmas you are in for a big surprise. A violent gangster movie written and directed by Will Thorne, who tells the story of Mark (Bradley Taylor) a South London hitman recently released from prison. He struggles to keep away from crime but in vain…It is an assured feature film debut with strong performances but curiously it is difficult to care much about its characters.
ANYTHING FOR JACKSON: A creepy horror from Canadian first-time filmmaker Justin G. Dyck, who tells the story of an elderly couple hoping to perform a “Reverse Exorcism” on a pregnant woman they kidnapped… The beginning is tight and atmospheric but as the story develops it loses the plot and its grip. (Shudder)
ISHIRO HONDA DOUBLE BILL: Two Japanese sci-fi adventures, made in the late fifties by the director of the original GODZILLA and MOTHRA. They boast strong production values, great designs and are visually miles ahead of Hollywood B-movies of the same period. In THE H-MAN, like THE BLOB, a mysterious radioactive liquid begins to melt people into nothingness whereas In BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE the Japanese lead the way in a Star Wars spectacular against alien forces. A must for sci-fi fans! (Blu-ray from Eureka)
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