Adaptations of massively popular contemporary novels are dubious prospects as evidenced by the dreary film version of The Da Vinci Code. So it was with some trepidation I settled in for Ang Lee’s movie version of Yann Martel’s biblically themed adventure novel Life of Pi. I hadn’t read the novel but from the trailer I feared its story of one
Read moreQuartet like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is one of those rare films aimed primarily at audiences aged over 60. Unfortunately this film has neither the astute eye for character nor the clever, endearing script of Marigold. As a very British film with no American cast members, Quartet is a surprising directorial debut for Dustin Hoffman. Set in an opulent
Read moreThe British black comedy Sightseers is one of the strangest and funniest films of the year. Part road trip, part serial killer film and part twisted romance, the film somehow manages to successfully mix brutal murders with quirky and endearing comedy. Sightseers stars Alice Low and Steve Oram (who also wrote the script) as two oddball Brits, Tina and Chris
Read moreFor those who have seen the “qatsi” films Koyaanisqatsi and Powaqqatsi, Samsara will be pretty familiar. The film is essentially, an hallucinogenic document of the world and its people conveyed through images of the vast chugging machinery of civilization and nature all backed by new-age ambient music. The film comes from Ron Fricke who gave us the similar Baraka in
Read moreBUILT FOR SPEED, PLAYLIST, 4th JANUARY 2013 1. THE VACCINES – No hope. 2. WILD FLAG – Romance. 3. THE MUFFS – Every single thing. 4. ABBE MAY – Design desire. (Aus) 5. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN – American Land. 6. HOODOO GURUS – Less than a feeling. (Aus) 7. THE KILLERS – Runaways 8. THE BEATLES – While my guitar gently
Read moreAs Shrek did with nursery rhymes and Who framed Roger Rabbit did with iconic cartoons, Wreck it Ralph creates a fantasy world meta movie out of arcade video games. The film takes the now familiar idea that once the humans aren’t looking, the imaginary characters of this fantasy world come to life and interact with each other. Here the title
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