FILM OF THE WEEK

POOR THINGS

Another brilliant film from Yorgos Lanthimos, the celebrated Greek director who first came to international prominence back in 2009 with DOGTOOTH. This eccentric film was also an integral part in creating the “Greek Weird Wave” which gave “permission” to many young filmmakers to explore their wild imaginations. Now, Lanthimos is reunited with one of THE FAVOURITE leading ladies – Emma Stone, who plays Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by a Frankenstein type of scientist Dr, Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe)…
The story is adapted from the novel by Scottish writer Alasdair Gray, and the brilliant screenplay is co-written by Gray with Tony MacNamara. It was one of the highlights from the recent London Film Festival and unless you have read the novel, this is the kind of movie that the less one knows about the strange setting and bizarre development of the plot, the better.
Stone is magnificent as Bella, the childlike heroine who can switch moods, reactions and attitudes in a split second. She is powerful and funny and is well supported by a strong cast – Dafoe is at his eccentric best as the mad scientist and so is Mark Ruffalo as Duncan Wedderburn, the corrupt lawyer, who sweeps Bella off her feet before he takes her on an unpredictable world. But it is Lanthimos’ assured direction and the spectacular designs that make this such a cinematic delight. There will be Oscars!

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SHERE HITE

Another brilliant documentary from Nicole Newnham, the acclaimed director of the powerful CRIP CAMP. Here she paints a fine portrait on the life and career of feminist sex researcher Shere Hite. In 1976 her groundbreaking “The Hite Report” became an international phenomenon in its aim to liberate women and talks openly about female pleasure and orgasm. This daring project, where she interviewed thousands of women, is still one of the best-selling books of all time. The film is narrated by Dakota Johnson and is perfectly complimented by rare archive material of Hite, as she talks without any hesitation about her experiences, her life and aspirations, before and after she became an iconic figure. She was a popular model whose striking looks were used in various commercials during the sixties and seventies, even for a James Bond poster. But it was not only her writing that caused controversy amongst the establishment and its patriarchal society – it was also her ability to challenge her critics most eloquently.
An important film that needs to be seen!

THE GOLDFINGER

Felix Chong, the co-writer of INFERNAL AFFAIRS, is reunited with his leading actors Tony Leung and Andy Lau for this latest Hong Kong crime epic. Now, Chong not only writes but also directs this story, which is set during the 1980’s and is inspired by true events.
Cheng Yi-yan (Tony Leung) is the ambitious chairman of Carmen Enterprises – a multi-billion-dollar company in Hong Kong, but its meteoric rise and subsequent fall from grace prompts an anti-corruption investigation led by Senior Principal Investigator Lau Kai Yuen (Andy Lau). Thus, the battle, which lasts over 15 years, begins…
Martin Scorsese remade INFERNAL AFFAIRS as THE DEPARTED and now it is Chong’s turn to borrow from Scorsese particularly from THE WOLF OF WALL STREET. It is an intriguing premise and it’s all fascinating stuff especially because it happened. The project boasts strong production values but the overly complex plot and long running time get in the way.

RUSTIN

Colman Domingo excels as the eponymous hero in George C. Wolfe’s powerful drama, which is based on true events. Bayard Rustin was a fearless activist during the Civil Rights Movement – an openly gay black man who faced not only homophobia but also extreme racism. He always challenged authority and his dedicated work alongside Martin Luther King (Aml Ameen) made a huge impact on the Civil Rights Movement. His name should be celebrated and remembered for being instrumental in organising the inspirational 1963 March on Washington…
The film is given more credibility by being produced by the Obamas and by being directed by Wolfe – fresh from the huge success of MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM. It is worth seeing just for Domingo’s dignified performance alone. (Netflix)

CATS IN THE MUSEUM

This pleasing Russian animated feature follows the story of Vincent, a ginger cat and Maurice, a smart mouse, who after hiding inside an old harpsichord are miraculously rescued from a flood by a group of sailors and sent to the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. The artwork of the Museum is protected by a group of cats, especially now that the Mona Lisa is about to arrive at the Hermitage…
A colourful adventure with fun characters ideal for smaller children, who won’t be bothered by the mediocre dubbing.

PUNCH

New Zealand filmmaker Welby Ings tells the story of Jim (Jordan Oosterhof), an aspiring 17-year-old boxer, who is training under the eagle eyes of his alcoholic father Stan (Tim Roth). One day while Jim is training by the coast, he comes across Whetu (Conan Hayes), a flamboyant Maori teenager. At first Jim is hostile and wants nothing to do with this openly gay teenager until he is attacked by jelly fish in the water…
It is a beautifully observed and developed story and is assuredly directly by Ings, who elicits winning performances from his two protagonists. Tim Roth’s strong presence adds gravitas to the project.

TOTEM

Lila Aviles, the acclaimed Mexican director of THE CHAMBERMAID brings to the screen another compelling film. This time she focuses her story on 7-year-old Sol, over the course of one long day. She is at her grandfather’s house for her sick father’s surprise birthday party, where the whole family and old friends are expected to attend…
Aviles is that rare breed of young directors who can draw naturalistically real performances from her cast, as if they are part of a documentary. It is a riveting film from start to finish about the joys of life as well as the sadness that lays hidden beneath the surface of it all.

A GOOD PERSON

Writer/director Zach Braff tells the story of Allison (Florence Pugh), a young woman, whose life is turned upside down following a tragic accident. She begins a descent into hell with addiction and with no hope of recovery until her path crosses with Daniel (Morgan Freeman), the father of the man she was supposed to marry…
It is not all doom and gloom as this premise suggests but a compelling film about grief thanks to Braff’s sharp writing and unsentimental direction. The performances are outstanding – Pugh delivers another luminous performance strongly supported by the solid presence of Freeman. (Sky TV)

ANGELHEADED HIPSTER: THE SONGS OF MARC BOLAN AND T. REX

This enjoyable documentary examines the fascination with the music and lyrics of the hugely influential Marc Bolan and T. Rex. Despite his untimely death in 1977 at the age of 29, Bolan’s songs along with his group T. Rex are as relevant today as when they were first released. Bolan was a pioneer not only of glam rock but also punk, post punk, new wave, and alternative rock. Many artists including Nick Cave along with Elton John and Ringo Starr sing their praises for Bolan’s unique talent and the interviews are perfectly complimented by some rare archive material.
A treat for music lovers!