THE MAURITANIAN
Kevin Macdonald began his remarkable career making award winning documentaries, such as ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER and TOUCHING THE VOID, before he made an effortless leap into directing feature films – mostly based on true stories like THE LAST KING OF ENGLAND. His latest is based on the New York Times memoir “Guantanamo Diary” by Mahamedou Ould Slahi which tells his story after he is captured and imprisoned without charge or trial by the U.S Government for years. But just when Slahi is about to sink into the abyss of despair, he sees a light at the end of the tunnel when defence attorney Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster) and her associate Teri Duncan (Shailene Woodley) decide to take his case to court seeking justice…
This is undoubtedly one of the most powerful and moving films I have seen in a long time. Tahar Rahim is phenomenal as the dignified protagonist who never loses hope despite his circumstances. Jodie Foster is also outstanding as the no nonsense attorney and veteran activist who first stood up against U.S policy during Vietnam. Foster delivers one of best performances in ages and is a worthy winner for the Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actress.
Highly Recommended!
MINARI
This beautiful film written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung is based on his own experiences when he was boy in the eighties.
A Korean/American family moves to a remote Arkansas farm in search of the America Dream. The children easily adapt to this new environment while the parents struggle to make ends meet by working in a chicken factory. And things take an unexpected turn when the eccentric grandmother arrives on the scene…
The themes of this sensitive film are universal, and everyone will to identify with this family’s quest for happiness. The performances are delightful and little Alan Kim steals every scene he is in. It is this year’s underdog at the Oscars and deserves to win every award going.
TOM & JERRY THE MOVIE
The legendary rivalry between Tom & Jerry continues for this big screen adventure where the animated animals blend their lives in live action sequences with the humans. One day Jerry moves into New York City’s most luxurious hotel which is preparing for a big celebrity wedding. Meanwhile Tom is hired by a newly appointed wedding planner (Chloe Grace Moretz) to catch the mischievous mouse before he ruins everything…
It is a fun premise and unsurprisingly the animated sequences between Tom & Jerry are much more successful than the live action ones. Not as funny as it should be but still, an enjoyable family film ideal for younger children.
MADE IN ITALY
James D’Arcy, the elegant actor from last week’s SIX MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT, makes an assured feature film debut as writer/director. He tells the story of Jack (Micheál Richardson), a young man in need of cash to buy his wife’s London art gallery following his divorce. His only way out is to sell a country house in Tuscany co-owned with his artist father Robert (Liam Neeson). But when they travel to Italy Jack is in for a big shock – the beautiful house originally owned by his late mother is left in a terrible condition…
A touching film beautifully acted by real life father and son who sadly shared a similar tragedy when their beloved Natasha Richardson died in an accident a few years ago.
A perfect blend of comedy and pathos – a true cathartic experience!
THE DRIFTERS
This marks Benjamin Bond’s impressive directorial debut which tells the story of Fanny (Lucie Bourdeu), a French waitress and Koffee (Jonathan Ajayi), an African migrant. These two free spirited individuals form a bond following their role-playing scene at an English learning class in London. They decide to escape from their asphyxiated life in the big city for a change of scene by the sea…
The film works thanks to the winning chemistry between its two charismatic leads, who deliver engaging and unpretentious performances. A lot of fresh talent here worth discovering!
THE NIGHT
The opening sequence of this atmospheric horror where a group of Iranian Americans are enjoying a dinner party recalls the main premise of the recent Israeli American comedy HAPPY TIMES. But once the young couple leave the party with their baby the film changes gear and it becomes truly creepy especially after they decide to spend the night in a mysterious hotel…
Director Kourosh Ahari keeps the suspense and the madness going particularly when the couple begin to be tormented by ghosts of the past. A fine addition to the haunted house genre with some genuine chilling moments.
MEMORIES OF MY FATHER: Fernando Trueba, the director of the Oscar winning BELLE EPOQUE, brings to the screen Abad Faciolince’s book which tells the story of Colombian human rights activist Hector Abad Gomez. An ambitious project with superb production values filmed in black and white and in colour for the flashback sequences.
HE DREAMS OF GIANTS: The passion and determination of Terry Gilliam to bring Cervantes’ DON QUIXOTE to the screen first began in the eighties. Twenty years later in 2000 Gilliam began shooting in Spain but the film stopped production following a series of disasters which were documented in Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe’s film LOST IN LA MANCHA. Their new documentary follows Gilliam as he tries one last time to resurrect his beloved project with a new cast…Essential for any movie lover or potential filmmakers.
TINA: This terrific documentary celebrates the life and career of the remarkable Tina Turner and is perfectly complimented by rare archive material. Tina talks openly about the years of abuse by her husband Ike and subsequently how she managed to reinvent herself. Her story was made into the powerful 1993 film WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT starring Angela Bassett, one of the many contributors, also including Oprah Winfrey.
NEMESIS: This mediocre British gangster movie follows the story of John Morgan (Billy Murray), a hideous criminal whose return to London sparks a series of vengeful acts amongst his friends and enemies… An overfamiliar premise where the actors struggle with thin dialogue packed with every cliché in the book. Give this a miss!
Any feedback is welcome: georgesavvides@hotmail.co.uk
