15 April 2016. THE JUNGLE BOOK **** We are all more or less familiar with this adventure tale about a little boy growing up in the jungle amongst wild animals, either through the original classic by Rudyard Kipling, its various apparitions as comics, or the unforgettable Disney animated film of 1967. This sumptuous live-action version […]
Film: Truth – how two top TV journalists had their careers destroyed
8 April 2016. TRUTH *** Let’s be honest – it’s the strong acting of Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford, and the rest of the accomplished cast, that makes this film especially worthwhile. But its recounting of the true incident in 2004 that cost the careers of two top television journalists in the U.S. is also […]
Film: Kung fu Panda 3 – about everyone finding their own best self
1 April 2016. Not the greatest week dear cinephiles, but a fine one for your kids with the Panda film, which you will also enjoy. 1 to see, 2 to skip. KUNG FU PANDA 3 *** What a delight to see an animated film for children that has fun and action but also an underlying […]
Film: A perfect day – a droll look at the absurdity of war
A PERFECT DAY ***1/2 The multi-awarded Spanish director Fernando Leon de Aranoa – of such socially-conscious yet personal films as “Les Lundi au Soleil” and “Princesas” – has come up with another winner. This time he’s gone international, taking a droll, almost sarcastic look at the consequences and absurdity of war, somewhere in the Balkans […]
Film: the mum and her little boy who live in a single room
11 March 2016. ROOM **** This film, that spends half of its time in the confines of one room with just a mother and her little boy, yet remains powerful and touching, is a masterwork. Based on the novel by Emma Donoghue, it’s a riveting tale directed by Lenny Abrahamson, with amazing portrayals by little Jacob […]
Film: Zoolander 2 – stars making fools of themselves
4 March 2016. ZOOLANDER 2 *** I reluctantly went to see this film to be able to warn you against it. I had heard the worst about it. Ben Stiller is a mediocre actor (unlike his talented parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara) with a one-expression face and a knack for making garbage hits that have […]
Film: Spotlight – exposing a coverup of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.
26 February 2016. SPOTLIGHT **** Whatever your background, belief or religion, you will be shaken by this gripping, true account of tenacious newspaper reporting. It’s about the Boston Globe revealing in 2001-2002 the extent of the decades-long coverup of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Countless priests in the Boston area were molesting innocent children and […]
Film pick: Chocolat – the true story of a black circus performer in 1800s France
12 February 2016. CHOCOLAT **1/2 (vo French) This bittersweet tale is based on the true story of a black circus performer in the France of the late 1800s. It features Omar Sy of “Les Intouchables”, and James Thierree, a grandson of Charlie Chaplin who has an uncanny resemblance to the famed comic. Actor/director Roschdy Zem has […]
Film review: The Revenant – a must despite very difficult to watch violence
THE REVENANT *** (vo English) Here is another tale of nature, but this one is about the incredible endurance and survival instincts of one man in a mercilessly harsh environment. Viciously mauled by a massive bear, betrayed by his companions and left for dead, he then becomes hell bent on revenge. Brilliantly filmed by the […]
Film review: The Danish girl – a story of a man turning into a woman
22 January 2016. THE DANISH GIRL **** (vo English) “What did I do to deserve such love?” – that is the refrain that threads through this story about a couple going through the turmoils of the husband feeling entrapped in his male body. It all starts off as a sort of forbidden game between two […]
