FILM OF THE WEEK
THE GODFATHER CODA: THE DEATH OF MICHAEL CORLEONE
Francis Ford Coppola’s last chapter of his remarkable trilogy, originally known as THE GODFATHER PART III, is given a new lease of life and a new title – back to the one he originally envisaged along with his writer Mario Puzo. This version has a new beginning as well as ending and is newly re-edited with restored picture and sound.
THE GODFATHER PART III was released in 1990 to a hostile reception especially for casting his daughter Sofia as a last-minute replacement to Winona Rider, but seeing this trimmed version, it is clear that Sofia’s freshness and innocence add to the story. She plays Maria, daughter of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), who falls in love with her cousin Vincent Mancini (Andy Garcia), the illegitimate son of Sonny (James Caan from the first film). The time is the late seventies, and the Corleone family is now facing new enemies as well as new business dealings with the Vatican….
The acting is superb – Pacino is as powerful as ever while Andy Garcia’s grand entrance makes him the natural choice to be the successor of the family dynasty. Talia Shire and Diane Keaton return in style while newcomers Eli Wallach and Raf Vallone make a fine contribution. A monumental, neglected masterpiece ready to be rediscovered!
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
I remember seeing Peter Duncan, the highly watchable “Blue Peter” presenter, playing “Barnum” at the London Palladium some years ago. Since then, his name has been associated with Christmas pantos across the country, but now since he is unable to perform live on stage because of the pandemic, Duncan has decided to bring his usual family pantomime to the screen. It is written and directed by Duncan with much enthusiasm and energy and is filmed in his own garden with old friends and associates, including Ian Talbot, who also co-directs. Duncan also plays the Dame, mother of Jack (Sam Ebenezer), a flamboyant and bigger than life character to say the least.
An enjoyable film that will put a smile on your face with up-to-date references about the current climate and ideal entertainment for the whole family!
SPACE DOGS RETURN TO EARTH
This likable Russian animation feature is the third in the series and as the title suggests the heroic space dogs Belka and Strelka are now assigned back to earth in order to save the planet. A dangerous whirlpool appears out of the blue in the Atlantic Ocean, near Cuba to be exact, and the daring duo soon realise that something fishy is happening deep underwater…
Inna Evlannikova, the director of all three in this franchise, delivers another fun adventure and introduces some new colourful characters. The voice work may not be always up to scratch but still this is solid family entertainment.
COCOON
A terrific coming of age story from Germany about two sisters during a hot summer in Berlin. 14-year-old Nora is experiencing her first sexual awakening while her older sister Jule is busy getting drunk and dating boys along with her best friend Aylin …
This compelling film marks the assured debut from writer/director Leonie Krippendorff and is the perfect antidote to all those predictable Hollywood teenage angst comedies coated with saccharine.
A GIRL FROM MOGADISHU
The inspirational story of activist Ifrah Ahmed is brought vividly to the screen by Irish filmmaker Mary McGuckian. The action begins in Somalia in 2006, where a young Ifrah (Aja Naomi King) manages to escape the brutal war that devastates her country and boards a plane hoping to join her relatives in Minnesota. But her trafficker (Barkhad Abdi) abandons her in Ireland instead, where Ifrah claims asylum and subsequently becomes a passionate campaigner against Female Genital Mutilation…
It is a powerful film beautifully filmed and exquisitely performed by Naomi King whose luminous presence lights up the screen.
MURDER ME MONSTER
A highly original horror/fantasy thriller from Argentina about the brutal killing of a decapitated woman in a remote area near the Andes mountains. But when police officer Cruz (Victor Lopez) begins to investigate this bizarre case he soon finds himself sinking deeper into a fantastical world of monsters and more inexplicable killings…
Alejandro Fadel’s compelling film demands attention from its very first sequence with the headless woman and does not let go till the final moments.
ONE WAY TO MOSCOW: This uplifting film from Switzerland is based on true events and takes place during October 1889 just before the fall of the Berlin wall. It is the time of communist paranoia and in Zurich a cop goes undercover posing as an extra in a stage production of “Twelfth Night” in order to spy on those involved. A dark comedy and a celebration of the arts beautifully directed and expertly acted by a strong ensemble.
LOST AT CHRISTMAS: Ryan Hendrick expands his PERFECTLY STRANGERS short into a full feature, which tells the story of two strangers stranded in the Scottish Highlands on Christmas Eve. The strangers have no choice but to join forces in order to reach Glasgow for Christmas. It is an affable film with likable performances but is predictable, feels overextended and lacks in pace.
WE ARE THE GEORDIES: The third documentary this month celebrating football – it is Newcastle United’s turn and its loyal fans, who are the real stars. This enjoyable film follows a group of supporters as they travel across the country in order to watch their team play, while the team’s popular manager Rafael Benitez is determined to lead Newcastle United back into the premier league…A real treat for the fans!
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: Charles Dickens’ novel has been adapted for the stage and screen on numerous occasions but never like this. A mixture of styles, a sort of dance performance accompanied by the voices of celebrated actors including Simon Russell Beale as Scrooge and Leslie Caron as the voice of The Ghost of Christmas Past. The result is a mish mash of ideas, more like a Russian salad, sounding more like a radio play rather than a film.
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