31 December 2015.
Because of the Christmas holidays, the films have been piling up – so the reviews will have to be short. There are a variety of films – so you’ll need to know which to run to, and which ones to miss. Have a GREAT 2016 – hopefully a kinder, gentler year, if possible. And let the good films take you away from it all – it’s called la-la land !
THE PROPHET ***1/2
This beautifully animated film is based on the Lebanese philosopher Khalil Gibran’s beloved book of the same name. It has been the lengthy project of actress/producer Salma Hayek (herself Lebanese/Mexican) who brought together such talented animated artists as Roger Allers as director (of “The Lion King” fame), and nine others to interpret the various chapters of the book on such subjects as Love, Marriage and Children.
Not an easy task to visualise the deep thoughts and poetic writings of Gibran, but Hayek and Co. have managed to produce a masterwork through the sweet story of a precocious girl and an imprisoned thinker while interweaving the different chapters of the book into a coherent work of art. This is both an important and entertaining film for the whole family.
LEGEND ***1/2
This true story of the infamous English criminal gang run by a pair of ruthless twins during the 1960s is an ultra-violent tale highlighted by the brilliant acting of Tom Hardy (“Locke”, “Mad Max”), portraying both the twins. Reggie Kray was the normal one of the two, whereas Ronnie was a certified psychopath who had to be kept on drugs to calm his violent, outrageous bouts. Writer/director Brian Helgeland of the excellent “42” and “A Knight’s Tale” has breathed a strange tenderness into this intriguing cat-and-mouse tale of evil power and mayhem, but the kudos have to go to Hardy for a tour-de-force portrayal that should be compensated with multiple awards. If the Baftas and Oscars ignore his incredible dual role of good and evil, there is no justice…
To Miss…
BY THE SEA (Vue sur mer) –
This awful movie, written and directed by and starring Angelina Jolie Pitt and her husband Brad Pitt, is my pick for the WORST FILM OF THE YEAR. Sorry, Angelina, but your excruciatingly dull and embarrassing tale of marital misery is of zero interest.
Maybe the subject was too-close-for-comfort, for she has directed some good films before this, as her last one, “Unbroken”.
Didn’t they have friends who could have told them NOT to show this to anyone?! Ouch!
Superb **** Very Good *** Good ** Mediocre * Miserable – no stars
By Neptune
Neptune Ravar Ingwersen reviews film extensively for publications in Switzerland. She views 4 to 8 films a week and her aim is to sort the wheat from the chaff for readers.
Neptune at the 2015 Locarno film festival in Switzerland
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