www.list.co.uk/film
Films screening this fortnight are listed below with certificate, star rating, credits, brief review and venue details. Film index compiled by Paul Dale
all Indicates Listpicks entry
Abba The Movie (L') .0. ( Lasse Halstrorn. Sweden/Australia. 1977) 95min. Made at the height of their popularity. the wafer thin plotline consists of the four Swedes being pursued across Oz by a Sydney journalist. Features a brief. heartstopping appearance by Lou from Neighbours as their bodyguard. No. it really does. (‘flll’ii'Ul'lll Renfrett' Street. Glasgow: ('ineii'orld Edinburgh. Edinburglt.
Alvin and the Chipmunks (ti)
ooo (Tim Hill. US. 2007) Jason Lee. David Cross. Cameron Richardson. 91min. LikeabIe pre-school comedy featuring a bunch of pint sized chipmunk pop stars and their long-suffering human guardian (Lee). Empire ('lydebank. ('lydelmnk: ('ineworld Edinburgh. Edinburgh.
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging ( l 2A) 0.. ((iurindcr Chadha. LS. 2008) Georgia (iroome. Aaron Johnson. Alan Davies. I00min. After the disappointing Bride and I’rejudiee. writer/director Chadha takes a step into younger territory with this adaptation of two of Louise Rennison's books. The film lacks the sharp wit of slick American comedies such as Clueless and Mean Girls. but earns points for featuring actresses. including lead (iroome. who really are the age of the characters they‘re playing. General release. Asterix at the Olympic Games
( I2A) O. (Frederic I-‘orestierfl‘homas Langmann. France/(iermany/Spain. 2008) Clovis Comillac. (ierard Depardieu. Alain Delon. I l6min. This film wrestles unsuccessfully with the problems of bringing the comic book humour established by Rene (ioscinny and Albert L'derzo to life. Computer-enhanced visuals of Asterix and ()bclix smashing up the Greek stadium under the nose of Julius Caesar (a slumming Delon) have the correct anarchic style. but fashioning a plot about magic potions to mirror modern steroid use cheapens the well-loved characters involved. Innocuotis fare. ('ineii‘orld Parkhead. Glasgow:
Before I Forget ( l8) (Jacques Nolot. France. 2007) Jacques Nolot. Jean-Pol Dubois. Marc Rioufol. 108min. (iay gigolo Pierre (Nolot) is left destitute when his wealthy benefactor of 30 years dies. Suffering from poverty. loneliness and writer's block. the 58-year-old struggles to cope in this dry portrait of self-discovery. Part of the London Lesbian 8; Gay Film Festival ()1) Tour. I'illnhottse. Edinburgh. Before the Rains (12A) eeo (Santosh Sivan. US/India. 2007) Linus Roache. Rahul Bose. Nandita Das. 98min. ldealistic spice farmer Henry (Roache) has an ill-advised affair with his housemaid (Das) and when the pair are discovered. a tragic chain of events is set in motion. Set in l930s southern India and anticipating the end of the Raj less than 20 years later. this metaphor-laden drama uses a tale of doomed inter-racial romance to address the inherent failings of British colonialism. I'ilmhouse. Edinburgh.
Blade Runner: The Final Cut ( )5) O... (Ridley Scott. L'S. I982) Harrison Ford. Sean Young. Rutger Hauer. l l2min. Fifteen years on from the I992 Director's Cut. Scott has had another bash at his sci-Ii opus which pitted Deckard (Ford) against a slew of replicants. Now a more linear. voiccover-free film noir. for once a great film has been made better thanks to advances in special effects technology and thoughtful rethinking. Glasgow I-‘i/rri Theatre. Glasgow.
Cass (I8) 0... (Jon S Baird. CK. 2008) Nonso Anozie. Nathalie Press. Leo Gregory. 108mm. Detailing the shenanigans of West Ham‘s notorious Inter City Crew (ICF) during the 'Ihatcher years. (‘ass stands alongside Alan Clarke's hitherto untouchable hooligan yarn The Firm. at the top of the filrnrnaking table. Based on the true story of Cass Pennant. the most
prominent black football hooligan to be accepted by white working class yobs as one of their own. ('ass tells an eminently cinematic storyline. .S'howease Cinema. ('oatbridge. Glasgow. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (PG) 0. (Andrew Adarnson. IIK/L‘S. 2008) Liam Neeson. Tilda Swinton. Ben Bames. 143mm. In the second instalment of the Namia films. the Pevensie children are summoned back to Narnia for a slick. fast-paced romp through dark woods. underground caverns and fierce battles. With a simplistic plot. and Caspian (Banies) reduced to a pretty face. Disney may have finally brought Namia to the big screen. but for a real journey of the imagination. stick to the books. Selected release.
The Dark Knight ( 12A) 0000
(Christopher Nolan. CS. 2008) Christian Bale. Ileath Ledger. Maggie Gyllenhaal. I52min. Nolan's revamp of the superhero franchise reaches its apotheosis with this sequel to Batman Begins. a supremely well-imagined. perfectly executed film that combines blockbuster spectacle with indie cinema cool and smarts. Psychotic. chaos-loving clown The Joker (Ledger) is introduced as the dark knight's ultimate nemesis and a thrilling battle slowly terrorises the populace of (iolham. General release. Death Defying Acts ( IZA) 00 (Gillian Armstrong. L'K/Australia. 2007) Catherine Zeta-Jones. Guy Pearce. Timothy Spall. 97min. See review. page 20. ('ineworld Kerr/rew Street. Glasgow.
Derek (I8) (Isaac Julien. IYK. 2008)
76min. Documenting the life and work of artist and filmmaker Derek Jarrnan. Julien's considered use of unseen interviews. out-takes and family home movies aptly draws in even those unfamiliar with Jarman‘s work. Part of the London Lesbian & (iay Film Festival ()n Tour. I’ilrnhouse. Edinburgh.
Elegy ( l5) 0... (Isabel Coixct.
CS. 2008) Ben Kingsley. Penelope Cruz. Dennis Hopper. l l2min. See review.
pa ’e 23. Seleeted release. :12 Elite Squad (Tropa d’Elite) (18) 0... (Jose Padilha. Brazil. 2007) Wagner Moura. Andre Ramiro. Caio Junqueira. I I-fmin. See interview. page 21 and review. page 23. Glasgow l-‘ilrn Theatre. Glasgow; ('arneo. Edinburgh. Female Agents ( )5) see (Jean- Paul Salome. France. 2008) Sophie Marceau. Julie Depardieu. Marie (iillain. I 17min. Allegedly based on a true story: in spring 19-1-1 Churchill oversees a suicidal sabotage and rescue mission by female members of the French Resistance - a showgirl ((iillain). an explosives expert (I)eborah Francois). a prostitute (Depardieu). a radio operator (Maya Sansa) and their leader (Marceau). Salome is an arch stylist and copyist but beyond the handful of great performances this feels like another po-faced TV mini series: interesting but pedestrian. ('arrieo. Edinburgh. Film Discussion GroupMeet up with film writer Iiddie Harrison and lots of other film buffs to swap opinions and perceptions of both art house and big blockbuster recent releases. Held on the second \‘v'ednesday of every month. Glasgow I-‘ilrrr Theatre. Glasgow: The Fox and the Child ([7) cos (Luc Jacquet. France. 2007) Voice of Kate Winslet. Bertille Noel-aneau. Thomas Lalibertc. 92min. See review. page 22. General release. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly ( IS) 00000 (Sergio Leone. Italy. 1968) Clint Iiastwotxl. Lee Van ('Ieef. lili Wallach. 180mm. During the American Civil War. a trio of mean gringos squabble over hidden loot. Most people remember the Morricone score from this Leone extravaganza. but the degree of directorial stylisation (just count the number of times extreme close-ups fill the screen) make it a remarkable effort all round. Third and last of the Dollars trilogy starring liastwoml. Eilrrrhouse. Edinburgh. Hancock ( l2A) .0. (Peter Berg. LS. 2008) Will Smith. (‘harlize Theron. Jason Baternan. 92min. Smith plays a nihilistic superhero who has fallen out of
favour with the public. Due to this scenario. Harteoek dangerously flirts with the status of one-joke film. Amazingly. though. Ilancock is then rescued (both as a character and as a film) by PR executive Ray limbrey (Baternan). who believes he can turn Hancock‘s public image from zero to hero. Selected release. Happy-Go-Lucky ( I5 ) 0000 (Mike Leigh. UK. 2008) Sally Hawkins. Alexis Zegerman. Andrea Riseborough. I 18min. Leigh retums with a familiar. yet reassuringly different film. an affectionate portrait of carefree 30-something Londoner Poppy (Hawkins) and the minutiae of her everyday life. About everything and nothing. the downtime and the uptirne. this is life-affirming stuff. Glasgow l-‘ilrn Theatre. Glasgow:
Horton Hears a Who! (l') .00 (Jimmy Hayward. Steve Martino. (IS. 2008) Voices of Jim Carrey. Steve Carell. 86min. Animators Blue Sky take a break from their ongoing lee Age franchise to colourfully realise the universe of Dr SeUss' text. Both Carrey and Carrell are allowed full rein for their brand of vocal mugging as co-directors Hayward and Martino skilfully guide Horton towards a comforting moral about size not being all that important. Cineworld I’arkhead. Glasgow; Cineworld Edinburgh. Edinburgh.
Ice Age 2: The Meltdown (L’)
0.. (Carlos Saldanha. LS. 2006) Voices of Ray Romano. John Leguizamo. Denis Leary. Seann William Scott. 90min. Iinjoyable follow-up to the Canadian 2002 animated feature. Larry Sanders and Sirnpsons scribe Jon Vitti picks up the writing reins with aplornb as Manfred. Sid and Diego face their biggest challenge to date » the end of the Ice Age. Empire
( ’l_vdebank. Clvdebank.
Indy 0 The Hill (Ii) (. Various) 75min. Shedding light on Glasgow‘s low budget film scene. (iilmorchill will play host to a selection of locally made shorts. The programme includes films by Michael Callaghan. Christopher linglese. Ryan Hendrick and Josep Baixauli. Gilrriorehill G/2. Glasgow:
Journey to The Center of The Earth (PG) .0. (Iiric Brevig. LS. 2008) Brendan Fraser. Josh Hutcherson. Anita Briern. 92min. linjoyably silly adventure based on the classic Jules Verne novel starring Fraser (The Mummy) as a science professor whose renegade theories are held in contempt by the academic community. ()n an expedition in Iceland. he stumbles upon a discovery that is to be the beginning of his joumey deep beneath the Iiarth's surface. Selected release.
Jules et Jim (PG) ooooo (Francois Truffaut. France. 1962) Jeanne Moreau. ()skar Werner. Henri Serre. 105mm. French New Wave filmmaker 'I'ruffaut‘s third film. made in 1062. was undoubtedly his masterpiece and released on a lovely new print still speaks to a contemporary consciousness. Set in the I‘)l()s and 20s it is the story of a freewheeling love triangle between alpha female Catherine (Moreau). Austrian Jules (Werner) and Frenchman Jim (Serrc). Cameo. Edinburgh.
Kung Fu Panda (PG) coo (Mark ()sborne. John Stevenson. L'SA. 2008) Voices of Jack Black. Jackie Chan. Angelina Jolie. 91min. ()verweight panda Po (Black) joins his heroes. the Fierce Five. in a butt-kicking adventure when the valley of peace is threatened with the return of bad kung fti master. Tai Lung (McShane). This is Dreamworks-does-manga animation. overlaid with an Iiastem version of the fated place-in-the-universe style philosophy originally trademarked in The Lion King. General release.
Kuselan (PG) (P Vasu. India. 2008) Rajnikanth. Nayantara. Meena. 158min. The powerful bond of friendship formed in childhood is endangered when one of them becomes a local media star. Bi-Iingual Tamil and Teluga remake of very popular Malayalam movie. Kadha Parayurnlml. ('irtewor/d Kerr/reii' Street. Glasgow.
Lou Beed’s Berlin (12A) 000
(Julian Schnabel. L'S/L'K. 2007) Lou Reed. Antony Hegarty. limmanuelle Seigner. 85min. Schnabel‘s concert film documents
Lou Reed‘s recent live performance of his classic album Berlin. 33 years after it was first released. Filmed at St Ann‘s Warehouse in New York. and featuring Antony Hegarty (of Antony and the Johnsons). Glasgow- Eilrn Theatre. Glasgow; I-‘ilrnhouse. Edinburgh.
The Love Guru (12A) so (Marco Schnabel. 2008) Mike Myers. Jessica Alba. Justin Timberlake. 86min. Myers presents another ‘funny foreigncr’ persona with Guru Pitka portrayed as a vainglorious figure obsessed with besting real life rival Deepak Chopra in the popularity stakes. Challenged to calm the turbulent love life of ice hockey star Darren (Maldo). Guru's antics present a patchy selection of playground double entendres unlikely to kick-start another franchise. General release.
Machuca (15 ) 0000 (Andres Wood. Chile/Spain/France/LTK. 2004) Matias Quer. Ariel Mateluna. Manuella Martelli. 120mm. Santiago. I973 and Chile is about to lose its democracy. Socialist President Salvador Allende has been in power for three short years and the CS is getting worried that it might have another renegade communist country on its doorstep. As Henry Kissinger is freeing up US cash and military to enable right wing General Pinochet to stage a coup. schoolboy Gonzalo lnfante (Matias Quer) has troubles of his own. His mother is having an affair with sortie aged millionaire and he is the only one who knows about it. plus the posh school he goes to is peopled by snobs and bullies. Then one day Pedro Machuca (Mateluna). a boy from the slums. walks into his life. Installed in the school with a bunch of other ragged trousered gypos by the school‘s Marxist leaning priest and headmaster. Machuca and his sister Silvana (Manuella Martelli) quickly become Pedro's conscience. but history is soon to overtake them all. Warm. thought provoking social drama. Part of Latin American Cinema Course. Glasgow Iii/m Theatre. Glasgow.
Falkirk Council
Falkirk Town Hall
Archive screening: Housewives’
Choice
Sun 10th August 7:30pm
In Bruges (18)
Mon 11th August 7:30pm Wed 13th August 7:30pm
Masterclass: Sim Evan-Jones (Editor ‘Shrek’ & ‘Namia’)
Sat 23rd August 7:30pm
Tickets and further information from The Steeple Box Office or on
the door from FTH Cinema
0 1 324 506850
744 Aug 2008 me us? 25