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incompetent cop duo is a good move on director McKay’s part. While it doesn’t hit the mark of previous Ferrell/McKay success story (Anchorman), their chemistry works its low-brow magic to provide a sense of fun much needed in wannabe blockbusters. Selected release. Out of the Ashes (e) ●●●●● (Lucy Martens/Timothy Albone, UK, 2010) Taj Malik Aleem, Nawruz Mangal, Karim Sediq, Ahmad Shah, Hasti Gul Abed. 96min. See Also Released, page 43. Filmhouse, Edinburgh. Paranormal Activity 2 (15) ●●●●● (Tod Williams, US, 2010) Katie Featherston, Gabriel Johnson. 91min. A prequel to the ‘found footage’ horror phenomenon of 2009. This time a family set up surveillance equipment after what appears to be a break- in, but slowly realise something far nastier is lurking in the shadows. A wonderfully restrained and genuinely creepy modern ghost story. That they managed the trick twice is a miracle. General release. Peepli Live (15) ●●●●● (Anusha Rizvi, India, 2010) Omkar Das Manikpuri, Raghubir Yadav, Shalini Vatsa. 107min. Satire from India in which the farmers in a small village have become so desperate that they’re considering suicide, just for the payout it will offer their families. Glasgow Film Theatre. Peppa Pig: Mr Potato Comes to Town & Other Stories (U) (Mark Baker, UK, Various)Everyone’s favourite cartoon pig goes on a series of adventures sure to delight little ones. Cameo, Edinburgh.
✽✽ La Petite Chambre (15) (Stéphanie Chuat/Véronique Reymond,
Switzerland/Luxembourg, 2010) Florence Loiret Caille, Michel Bouquet, Eric Caravaca. 97min. Subtle drama about the relationship of a private nurse and an elderly man. Part of French Film Festival. See Festival Focus, page 41. Filmhouse, Edinburgh. Plein Soleil (15) ●●●●● (Rene Clement, France, 1960) Alain Delon, Maurice Ronet, Marie Laforet. 118min. Clement’s lushly filmed reworking of a Patricia Highsmith story hooks viewers into its skewed moral universe. Ripley (Delon) nurses a grudge against a friend with girl trouble and hatches a plan to kill him on a yachting trip. The film – clumsy in places, over-long in others – becomes an absorbing exercise in careful plotting and spooky emotional manoeuvring. Filmhouse, Edinburgh. Police, Adjective (12A) ●●●●● (Corneliu Porumboiu, Romania, 2009) Dragos Bucur, Vlad Ivanov, Irina Saulescu. 114min. Deliberately-paced police procedural anti-thriller from Romanian writer-director Corneliu Porumboiu, following undercover cop Cristi (Bucur) as he questions the wisdom of attempting to charge and convict a teenager for dope- smoking. A clever and deceptively simple interrogation into the nature of authoritarianism, language and power in small-town Romania 20 years after the revolution. Cameo, Edinburgh. The Princess and the Frog (U) ●●●●● (Ron Clements/John Musker, US, 2010) Voices of Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David. 97min. Set in 1920s Louisiana and featuring Disney’s first African-American Princess, this culturally important, beautiful and evocative (of a New Orleans that no longer exists) film may not have the standout musical numbers of some of its stablemates but is an old fashioned treat all the same. Cineworld Parkhead, Glasgow; Cineworld Fountainpark, Edinburgh. The Quiet Man (U) ●●●●● (John Ford, US, 1952) John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Victor McLaglan. 120min. An immigrant boxer returns to County Galway in Ford’s nostalgic romantic comedy. Oirish stereotyping aplenty in this charming romantic comedy. St Bride’s Centre, Edinburgh. Radfahrer (E) (Marc Thümmler, Germany, 2008) 28min. Short film about the GDR photographer Harald Hauswald and the STASI’s surveillance of his life. CCA, Glasgow.
Ramona & Beezus (U) ●●●●● (Elizabeth Allen, US, 2010) Joey King, Selena Gomez, John Corbett. 103min. Overlong and insubstantial tale of sisterly mischief adapted from the best–selling children’s books by Beverly Cleary, starring newcomer King as scampstrel Ramona Quimby, who puts her chaos-causing talents to good use when her family’s home comes under threat of repossession. Selected release. RED (12A) ●●●●● (Robert Schwentke, US, 2010) Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren. 111min. Action romcom adapted from Warren Ellis’ graphic novel as a bunch of old duffers (Willis, Freeman, John Malkovich, Mirren and Brian Cox) are called back from retirement (RED stands for Retired Extremely Dangerous) for one last mission. The first-rate cast lends this hodgepodge of clichés more class than it deserves. General release. Regeneration (15) ●●●●● (Gillies Mackinnon, UK/Canada, 1997) Jonathan Pryce, James Wilby, Jonny Lee Miller. 113min. Faithful to Pat Barker’s source novel, Mackinnon’s film touches on trench life during World War I, but is mostly confined to within the walls of Edinburgh’s Craiglockhart Hospital, where psychiatrist Dr Rivers (Pryce) nurses the shell-shocked back to mental fitness. It’s a sober, mournful work, and most of the fireworks comes from the actors, all of whom excel. Part of Poetry & Motion. Filmhouse, Edinburgh.
✽✽ Regrets (15) (Cédric Kahn, France, 2009) Yvan Attal, Valeria Bruni
Tedeschi. 104min. Forty-something Mathieu returns home to tend to his comatose mother, but soon runs into his first love, Maya. Part of French Film Festival. See Festival Focus, page 41. Glasgow Film Theatre. Robert Frost: A Lover’s Quarrel with the World (PG) (Shirley Clarke, US, 1963) 55min. Compelling portrait of the American poet, including footage of Frost reciting his own work. Part of Poetry & Motion. Filmhouse, Edinburgh.
✽✽ The Round Up (15) (Roselyne Bosch, France, 2010) Jean Reno,
Mélanie Laurent, Gad Elmaleh. 115min. Based on true events from the summer of 1942, the films tells the story of French police who acted as Nazi accomplices and rounded up Jews living in Paris, sending 13,000 to Auschwitz to die. Part of French Film Festival. See Festival Focus, page 41. Glasgow Film Theatre. The Royal Tenenbaums (15) ●●●●● (Wes Anderson, US, 2002) Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Gwyneth Paltrow. 110min. The Tenenbaums are no ordinary family. Descended from a long line of overachievers, these New York geniuses are now in stultifying decline. Odd tale of an awkward family and its members’ impossible magnetic attraction to each other. Sloans, Glasgow. Salt (12A) ●●●●● (Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, US, 2010) Phillip Noyce. 100min. Dubbed ‘Bourne with boobs’ but a mere faded facsimile of that groundbreaking franchise, this chase thriller stars Jolie on proficient, humourless, butt-kicking form as CIA agent/possible Russian mole Evelyn Salt. It’s all competently enough done, but bland in the extreme. Empire, Clydebank. Saw 3D (18) (Kevin Greutert, US, 2010) Tobin Bell, Cary Elwes, Costas Mandylor. 89min. The seventh and supposedly final installment of the series that defined ‘torture porn’. Expect blood, guts and more intricate terror traps as Jigsaw (Bell) reeks his final revenge from beyond the grave in goretastic 3D. General release. The Secret of Kells (PG) ●●●●● (Tomm Moore/Nora Twomey, Ireland/France/Belgium, 2009) Voices of Evan McGuire, Christen Mooney, Brendan Gleeson, Mick Lally. 78min. Luscious and old-fashioned independent 2D animation inspired by Irish medieval manuscript The Book of Kells telling the story of Brendan (McGuire), a young monk whose remote community lives under threat of Viking invasion and his dangerous mission to the dark forest where he befriends amiable sprite Aisling (Mooney). Cameo, Edinburgh.
Shorts for Wee Ones (U) (Various) 70min. A collection of short films from around the world aimed at young children, often with bright visuals and minimal dialogue. Ages 2–6. Hippodrome, Bo’ness. Shrek Forever After 2D (PG) ●●●●● (Mike Mitchell, US, 2010) Voices: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz. 93min. A fourth and final instalment, rebooting the flagging franchise with a new alternate-reality twist which sees Shrek escape fatherhood for a one-day return to his batchelor years. A warmed- over sequel that lazily re-configures familiar elements to mildly pleasing effect. Vue Ocean, Edinburgh. Sing it Loud: A Showcase of New Voices in Scottish Film (E) (UK, Various) 120min. Meet the new generation of Scottish filmmakers at this special screening as part the IETM Biannual Plenary Meeting. Glasgow Film Theatre. Sleepless in Seattle (PG) ●●●●● (Nora Ephron, US, 1993) Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks. 105min. One of the most warm- hearted romantic comedies to emerge from Hollywood in years, again proving the talent of Nora Ephron, who wrote When Harry Met Sally. Newspaper reporter Ryan hears a radio talk show which features recently widowed architect Hanks. She’s sure they are made for each other, but the whole of the United States lies between them. Eastwood Park Theatre, Glasgow. The Social Network (12A) ●●●●● (David Fincher, US, 2010) Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake. 120min. Dramatisation of the story behind the founding of the world’s most ubiquitous stalking vehicle, starring Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg, the Harvard nerd who may or may not have backstabbed his way into becoming a billionaire. An interesting examination of the nature of modern friendship and the emotional cost of enormous financial success. General release. Solitary Man (15) ●●●●● (Brian Koppelman/David Levien, US, 2009) Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon, Danny DeVito. 86min. Douglas plays a car magnate seemingly on a destructive mission to ruin both his personal and professional life. Brunton Theatre, Edinburgh. Summer (15) ●●●●● (Kenny Glenaan, UK, 2008) Robert Carlyle, Steve Evets, Rachel Blake. 82min. Shaun (Carlyle) looks after wheelchair bound Daz (Evets) in an impoverished ex-mining community in Derbyshire. Daz is mouthy, bitter and demanding while Shaun is silent, subservient and guilt-ridden – they clearly share past secrets. When Daz’s health deteriorates, Shaun is forced to confront his past and his future with Daz’s troubled son Daniel (Socha) and old girlfriend Katy (Blake). A grim but humourous portrait of platonic friendship. Filmhouse, Edinburgh. The Tale of Cinema (15) (Hong Sangsoo, South Korea, 2005) Kim Sangkyung, Uhm Jiwon, Lee Giwu. 89min. A former couple decides to give it another go, with disastrous consequences. Part of Hong Sangsoo season. Filmhouse, Edinburgh. There Will Be Blood (15) ●●●●● (Paul Thomas Anderson, US, 2007) Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Kevin J O’Connor. 158min. Silver prospector Daniel Plainview (Day-Lewis) and his adopted son move to the impoverished evangelically centred town of New Boston and finds himself in a battle of wits against sleazy child preacher Eli Sunday (Dano) over oil, ethics and the American Dream. Utterly riveting and with Day Lewis playing a wonderful part with a poisonous zeal, Anderson finally returns to Punch Drunk Love form. Filmhouse, Edinburgh. 3D Mania (U) (Various, US, 2010) 45min. 3D experiences including thriller rides and exciting scenes from theme park films. IMAX Theatre, Glasgow. Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue (U) ●●●●● (Bradley Raymond, USA, 2010) Voices of Michael Sheen, Lucy Liu, Mae Whitman. 76min. Tinkerbell teams up with a rival to keep a secret from humans. Further adventures of the
INDEX Film
mischievous fairy for the little ones. Empire, Clydebank; Vue Ocean, Edinburgh. Tooth Fairy (PG) ●●●●● (Michael Lembeck, US, 2010) Dwayne Johnson, Ashley Judd. 101min. Leaden fantasy in which The Rock plays a a cynical ice- hockey player who is whisked to Fairyland when he cruelly disabuses a toddler of the notion that the tooth fairy exists, and is sentenced to a punishment of two weeks hard graft as a fairy. Vue Ocean, Edinburgh. The Town (15) ●●●●● (Ben Affleck, US, 2010) Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm. 124min. Affleck takes on another Boston crime novel for his second feature, in which he plays criminal gang leader Doug MacRay whose friendship with volatile sidekick Jem (Jeremy Renner) is tested to the limit when MacRay falls for an employee of the bank they’ve robbed. Conventional plotting and a clichéd ending pull down a decent directorial effort. Cineworld Renfrew Street, Glasgow; Vue Ocean, Edinburgh. Toy Story 3 2D (U) ●●●●● (Lee Unkrich, USA, 2010) Voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack. 108min. Andy has grown up and is on the way to college, so everyone’s favourite toys are packed off to Sunnyside day-care centre. After a whirlwind of close-cut situations, the film manages to retain its good humour and pathos long enough to bring all the characters safely to a satisfying resolution. Selected release. The Turning Gate (15) (Hong Sangsoo, South Korea, 2002) Kim Sangkyung, Yea Jiwon, Choo Sangmee. 115min. The story of an out-of-work actor’s delusions and confusions in the world of love. Part of Hong Sangsoo season. Filmhouse, Edinburgh. Umm Kulthum – A Voice Like Egypt (PG) (Michal Goldman, Egypt, 1996) Voices of Virginia Danielson, Om Koultoum, Omar Sharif. 67min. A documentary, narrated by Sharif, about Egyptian singer Ummm Kulthum, who is a singing legend in the Arab world. This film shows her life story through interviews, live performances and the Egyptian public’s reaction to her. Filmhouse, Edinburgh. Under Milk Wood (12A) ●●●●● (Andrew Sinclair, UK, 1972) Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Peter O’Toole. 92min. A faithful film adaptation of the poem by Dylan Thomas detailing the lives of the residents of a strange Welsh village. Part of Poetry & Motion. Filmhouse, Edinburgh. Under the Sea 3D (U) (Howard Hall, UK, 2009) Jim Carrey. 65min. Carrey narrates an underwater 3D look at the impact of global warming upon the diverse coastal regions of Southern Australia, New Guinea and the Indo-Pacific areas. IMAX Theatre, Glasgow. Vampires Suck (12A) ●●●●● (Jason Friedberg/Aaron Seltzer, US, 2010) Jenn Proske, Matt Lanter, Chris Riggi. 82min. Tedious spoof of vampire-themed movies (particularly the Twilight saga) from the one trick ponies who gave us the Scary Movie films, Date Movie, Epic Movie, Disaster Movie and Meet The Spartans. The hammy look-alikes include Jenn Proske and Matt Lanter. General release. The Vanishing of the Bees (U) (George Langworthy/Maryam Henein, UK, 2009) 97min. Documentary narrated by Emilia Fox on the worrying decline in honey bee numbers and the possible implications for our lives. Filmhouse, Edinburgh. Walk the Line (12A) ●●●●● (James Mangold, US, 2005) Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick. 136min. Likeable Johnny Cash biopic which follows the man in black’s quest for June Carter’s heart. Golden Globe winners Phoenix and Witherspoon (Carter) are hugely engaging: she as the impish Southern lady and he as the brooding inappropriate suitor. Walk the Line explains how the pair’s love which went unfulfilled – as they were still married to different people – while telling of their eventual uniting and Johnny beating his addiction to amphetamines. St Bride’s Centre, Edinburgh. 4–18 Nov 2010 THE LIST 47