list.co.uk/fi lm
That’s My Boy (15) (Sean Anders, US, 2012) Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Leighton Meester. 116min. Sandler plays an irresponsible man child who appears unannounced on the eve of his son’s wedding, after a period of estrangement. General release from Fri 7 Sep. The Watch (15) ● Schaffer, US, 2012) Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill. 101min. When a colleague is mysteriously killed, suburban Costco manager Evan (Stiller) cobbles a bunch of misfits (Hill, Vaughn, Ayoade) into a neighbourhood watch. A slavishly formulaic crowd-pleaser that works thanks to an uproarious script and an on-form ensemble. See review page 54. General release from Wed 29 Aug. (Akiva
STILL SHOWING
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry (15) (Alison Klayman, US, 2012) Danqing Chen, Ying Gao, Changwei Gu. 91min. Documentary from Bejing-based journalist and filmmaker Klayman following the work of the Chinese artist and social activist. Cameo, Edinburgh; Filmhouse, Edinburgh; Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee. The Amazing Spider-Man (12A) (Marc Webb, US, 2012)
Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans. 136min. Director Webb and star Garfield breathe new life into this Marvel favourite. Cineworld Fountainpark, Edinburgh; Cineworld Renfrew Street, Glasgow; Showcase Cinema Paisley, Paisley. The Angels’ Share (15) ● (Ken Loach, UK/France, 2012) Roger Allam, John Henshaw, Daniel Portman. 101min. Wish-fulfillment fancy about an ex-con who becomes a whisky expert. Master of state-of-the nation urban grit Loach is straining so hard to be accessible here, but it feels forced and condescending. Cineworld Renfrew Street, Glasgow. The Bourne Legacy (12A) ● (Tony Gilroy, US, 2012) Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton. 134min. Writer/director Gilroy weaves a slick, sophisticated and impressive survival tale around familiar events and characters; Renner’s stunts are jaw-dropping. General release. Brave (PG) ● Brenda Chapman, US, 2012) Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson. 100min. A rebellious Scottish princess unleashes a curse on her fairytale kingdom. The kick-ass tomboyishness of Merida and luscious landscapes make up for a wavering story. General release. The Dark Knight Rises (12A) (Mark Andrews,
(Christopher Nolan, US, 2012)
(David Bowers, US/ Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway. 164min. Eight years after The Dark Knight, Batman (Bale) is in exile, wanted for the death of an attorney. Emotional, epic and set to be the blockbuster of the year. General release. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (U) ● Canada, 2012) Zachary Gordon, Robert Capron, Devon Bostick. 93min. Wimpy Kid Greg’s (Zachary Gordon) plans go wrong when his dad suggests he get a summer job rather than pining after love-interest Holly. Low key, wholesome family fun. General release. Dr Seuss’ The Lorax (U) ● (Chris Renaud, Kyle Balda, US, 2012) Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Danny DeVito. 86min. Beautifully-designed 3D animation and uniquely odd Seussian characters are undermined by the script, which buries Dr Seuss’s sharp tale in a mish-mash of satire and sentiment. Selected release. Ek Tha Tiger (12A) (Kabir Khan, India/Ireland/US, 2012) Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Lisa Byrne. 132min. Globe trotting romantic thriller set in the world of espionage. Cineworld Fountainpark,
Hitchcock’s Titanic
INDEX Film
The Bo’Ness Hippodrome i rst opened its doors just four weeks before the Titanic set forth on its fated voyage. One hundred years later, to mark both the cinema’s centenary and the sinking of the luxury liner, the venue presents the story of one of the most intriguing unrealised i lm projects: Alfred Hitchcock’s Titanic. Film historian Charles Barr presents an illustrated talk about the project, shedding light on what was meant to be the director’s i rst Hollywood assignment. ■ Hitchcock’s Titanic, Hippodrome, Bo’Ness, Sat 1 Sep.
Edinburgh; Cineworld Renfrew Street, Glasgow; Odeon at the Quay, Glasgow. The Expendables 2 (15) (Simon West, US, 2012) Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li. 102min. Some of Hollywood’s biggest action heroes unite in this sequel to the 2010 film, as Mr Church (Bruce Willis) rounds up the team for an easy job. General release. The Forgiveness of Blood (12A)
(Joshua Marston, USA/Albania/
Denmark/Italy, 2011) Tristan Halilaj, Sindi Lacej, Refet Abazi. 109min. A student Nik becomes the target of a blood feud after his father murders a neighbour. The tension between tradition and progress in modern Albania is expertly portrayed by strong performances from the cast. Cameo, Edinburgh; Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow; Filmhouse, Edinburgh; Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee. Ice Age: Continental Drift (U) ● (Steve Martino, Mike Thurmeier, US, 2012) Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo. 92min. The crew are still struggling to avoid extinction in the fourth instalment from the franchise. Polished animation but with an unoriginal script and banal characterisation. Selected release. Jackpot (Arme Riddere) (15)
(Magnus Martens, Norway, 2011) Kyrre Hellum, Henrik Mestad, Marie Blokhus. 85min. Black comedy in which a syndicate of workers at a Norwegian factory win big on the pools. Not a game-changer, but still a sprightly low-budget film that will appeal to fans of the Nordic crime genre. Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow; Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee; Cameo, Edinburgh. Magic Mike (15) ● Soderbergh, US, 2012) Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Olivia Munn. 110min. Portrayed as boisterous soft porn for the hen night market, this comedy from Soderbergh in which a young stripper is shown the ropes by a more experienced colleague is an insightful and smart exploration of male friendship. Showcase Cinema Glasgow, Glasgow. Searching for Sugar Man (12A) (Steven
(Malik Bendjelloul, Sweden/ UK, 2012) 86min. Two men investigate the fate of 1970s South African music star Rodriguez; heart-warming but not sugar-coated. Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow; Hippodrome, Bo’ness. Silent Souls (Ovsyanki) (15)
(Aleksei Fedorchenko, Russia,
2010) Yuliya Aug, Larisa Damaskina, Olga Dobrina. 77min. Along with a companion, a man embarks on a journey to cremate his dead wife on the riverbank where they spent their honeymoon. Beguiling, dreamy and mystifying. Filmhouse, Edinburgh, Mon 27–Thu 30 Aug. A Simple Life (Tao jie) (PG)
(Ann Hui, Hong Kong, 2011) Andy Lau, Deannie Yip, Lawrence Ah Mon. 118min. Jackie Chan’s former collaborator Sammo Hung appears in this Hong Kong family drama. Cameo, Edinburgh; Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow; Filmhouse, Edinburgh. Sound of My Voice (15) ● (Zal Batmanglij, US, 2011) Christopher Denham, Nicole Vicius, Brit Marling. 85min. A chilling, no frills B movie about an alleged time traveller from the future, in which the solutions only lead to more questions. Filmhouse, Edinburgh, Fri 31 Aug–Mon 3 Sep. Step Up 4: Miami Heat (PG) (Scott Speer, US, 2012)
Kathryn McCormick, Ryan Guzman, Stephen Boss. 99min. Bad boy and Daddy’s girl bond over a shared love of dance. If as much attention was paid to story and character as it was to dance choreography this might be worth shouting about. General release. Take This Waltz (15) ● (Sarah Polley, Canada/Spain/Japan, 2011) Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Sarah Silverman. 116min. This comedy drama follows happily married Margot (Williams), who falls for an artist neighbour. At times contrived but impressive individual performances, especially from Williams, helps along the drama and emotion. Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee; Cameo, Edinburgh; Cineworld Renfrew Street, Glasgow.
(Seth MacFarlane, Ted (15) ● US, 2012) Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Seth MacFarlane. 106min. A grown man lives with a potty-mouthed teddy bear who came to life as the result of a childhood wish. Resolutely filthy but loveable bromance. General release. 360 (15) ● (Fernando Meirelles, UK/Austria/France/Brazil, 2011) Rachel Weisz, Jude Law, Anthony Hopkins. 110min. City of God co-director Meirelles unites with The Queen writer Peter Morgan for this romantic thriller inspired by Arthur Schnitzler’s La Ronde. Despite an impressive cast the multiple plots mean there is little depth. Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee. The Three Stooges (PG) (Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly, US, 2012) Sean Hayes, Chris Diamantopoulos, Will Sasso. 91min. Directed by the Farrelly brothers (Dumb and Dumber), this comedy follows three friends raised in an orphanage as they try to save their childhood home from closure. General release. Undefeated (12A) ● Lindsay, TJ Martin, US, 2011) Bill Courtney, OC Brown, Montrail ‘Money’ Brown. 113min. Oscar-winning documentary about inspirational volunteer soccer coach Bill Courtney. A true story given the Hollywood treatment, but still worthy of screen- time. macrobert, Stirling, Tue 28–Thu 30 Aug; Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee, Sun 9 Sep. The Wedding Video (15) (Nigel Cole, UK, 2012) Robert Webb, Lucy Punch, Rufus Hound. 93min. Webb stars in another wedding movie as a groom whose best man takes it upon himself to create a video of his nuptials. General release. Woman in a Dressing Gown (PG)
(Daniel
(J Lee Thompson, UK, 1957) Yvonne Mitchell, Anthony Quayle, Sylvia Syms. 93min. A housewife discovers that her husband has become infatuated with his secretary; elegant, adult cinema with a fierce punch. Cameo, Edinburgh; Filmhouse, Edinburgh; Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee.
23 Aug–20 Sep 2012 THE LIST 57