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Reviews
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Marley (Documentary)
Everybody knows the name Bob Marley; many knew him as the reggae legend, musician or poet others had known him as a mythical leader, preacher and Rastafarian icon. But until now no one had come quite so close to discovering him as a man, a father, lover and leader. ‘Marley’ the documentary see’s Kevin Macdonald the critically acclaimed … read more»
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Black Gold
What are you supposed to do when you and your brother have been living with the Emir of Hobeika (Antonio Banderas) for the last 15 years as a peace-keeping measure, and he starts a war with your real dad, The Sultan of Salmaah (Mark Strong) in early 20th century Arabia? This is the problem faced by young, bookish Auda (Tahar Rahim), as the … read more»
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Rampart
Directed by Oren Moverman, Rampart is a corrupt-cop drama, starring Woody Harrelson as Dave Brown, a man whose violent policing methods on the streets of L.A are a generation out-of-date. He is having to face the realisation that he is unable to do as he pleases without fear of reprisal. The first thing to note about Dave Brown is his cop … read more»
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Surviving Life
Release Date: 2nd December Director Jan Svankmajer is best known as an avant-garde, independent short-film maker, who works with a variety of mixed media. With Surviving Life, he has made a film that embodies these values, but at the same time isn’t so out there and experimental as to alienate anyone unfamiliar with his work. In fact, … read more»
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Breaking Dawn Part 1
As any Twilight fan will know Breaking Dawn, the last book in Stephenie Meyer’s ultra successful franchise, is where it all gets a bit more grown up. Gone are the days of poignant stares, teen melodrama and jealousy ridden love triangles and in is the serious stuff. The bits we’ve all been waiting for. Marriage. Sex. Teen pregnancy and a … read more»
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LFF: Strawberry Fields
It’s summer, somewhere idyllic in the English countryside and Gillian has decided, rather on a whim it seems, to get a job as a strawberry picker. She turns up at a strawberry farm, gets herself a job, gets herself a caravan to stay in, and soon becomes the object of affection for a ruggedly handsome strawberry picker named Kev. Romance … read more»
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LFF : The Ides of March
The Ides of March stars Ryan Gosling in what I can only possibly hope is the prequel to this year’s earlier hit, Drive. I jest, but the angry descent of Stephen Meyers (Gosling) from optimistic idealist to brooding blackmailer is a lovely display of Gosling’s talents. We are reminded, of course, of Shakespeare Julie Caesar, where Caesar is … read more»
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LFF: Superheroes
Every once in a while you watch something that makes you feel a little better about humanity in general. Superheroes is neither bird, nor plane, nor speeding bullet, but a documentary featuring people who dress like comic-book crime fighters and go out on the streets where they live, and try to make them streets a better or safer place for … read more»
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LFF: Chicken With Plums
Prior to Chicken With Plums, the directors Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Paronnaud were best known for the wonderful 2007 animated feature Persepolis, set in Iran. We are taken back to Iran again, more specifically to Tehran in 1958, and to the life of melancholic violinist Nasser-Ali. Mathieu Amalric (The Diving Bell and The Butterfly) plays the … read more»
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LFF : Coriolanus
Coriolanus is an impressive directorial debut by Ralph Fiennes. In many ways, he’s played it safe: taken a Shakespeare play he’s already performed on stage in and transported it to a modern setting. ‘A place calling itself Rome,’ we are told. The only thing Roman here are the intricacies of the original play, which are faithfully … read more»
