FILM OF THE WEEK
FRANKENSTEIN in IMAX
There have been many adaptations of Mary Shelley’ s classic gothic novel throughout the years but Guillermo del Toro’s magnificent version is the most strikingly beautiful of them all, but the funniest is still Mel Brook’s YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN.
Del Toro’s operatic adaptation of Shelley’s “Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus” boasts the most stunning set designs, costumes, locations and music ever witnessed on the giant IMAX screen and is an experience to be treasured. The story of Victor Frankenstein is told from a young age just before his mother’s death during the birth of his younger brother which has a major impact on his life. Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) grows to be an obsessive scientist and is determined to conquer death, and he meticulously creates his monster (Jacob Elordi), but like a Greek tragedy it inevitably leads to disaster…
It is a long but a mesmerising experience and it is worth seeing on the largest screen possible. Elordi, following impressive roles in PRISCILLA and SALTBURN, cements his reputation as one of the most exciting young actors working in cinema today. He is a giant of a man, and his striking looks are put to great effect here. The eclectic cast also includes the excellent Mia Goth who doubles up as Victor’s mother and as Elizabeth the woman of Victor’s dreams and his brother William’s fiancée.
An epic of our times expertly told by the Mexican master with breathtaking sequences that also echo his own Oscar winning THE SHAPE OF WATER.
ROOFMAN
Channing Tatum delivers his best performance to date under Derek Cianfrance’s flawless direction. This delicious crime comedy is based on a true story where Tatum plays Jeffrey Manchester, a family man in North Carolina who resorts to crime so he can provide for his three young children.
The time is 2004 and Jeffrey begins to rob fast food restaurants by entering through their roofs during the night and he soon becomes known by the media as the ROOFMAN. But when the police try to truck him down Jeffrey hides out in a toy store…
It is directed with sensitivity and wit by Cianfrance, the celebrated filmmaker behind THE SOUND OF METAL, BLUE VALENTINE and THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS, who elicits a tremendous performance by Tatum, as the loving father prepared to risk everything for his children. He is well supported by Kirsten Dunst as Leigh, the deeply religious single mother of two teenage girls, who works at the store and finds love in the most unexpected of places. Peter Dinklage is also terrific as Mitch, the humourlessly blinkered toy store manager. Hugely entertaining!
BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER
Edward Berger, the award-winning German director of ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT and CONCLAVE, brings to the screen another remarkable adaptation. It is based on Lawrence Osborne’s novel and scripted by Rowan Joffe, who follows the story of Lord Doyle (Colin Farrell), a notorious gambler in Macau. He spends his days and nights in casinos drinking heavily and gambling away his last pennies while struggling to pay his increasing debts. He is followed by private investigator Cynthia Blithe (Tilda Swinton), but his life almost miraculously takes an unexpected turn when he meets the mysterious casino employee Dao Ming (Fala Chen)…
Farrell is excellent as the flawed protagonist under Berger’s immaculate direction. It is slick and stylish and is worth seeing just for Farrell’s remarkable portrayal alone.
LE QUAI DES BRUMES (PORT OF SHADOWS)
Marcel Carne’s lyrical masterpiece is beautifully restored in a sparkling new 4K restoration and begs to be seen. It was made in 1938 and was one of the first film noir productions to hit the screen while its poetic realism paved the way to the French New Wave.
Jean Gabin plays Jean, a deserter from the Colonial Army, who arrives at the port of Le Havre hoping to get on a ship and travel as far away as possible. But before that he meets Nelly (Michelle Morgan), a young woman also trapped in her own world. It is love at first sight and they both long to escape their own predicament and run away from the fog and the shadows…
It is a hauntingly beautiful film superbly directed by Carne and expertly scripted by Jacques Prevert. The chemistry between Gabin and Morgan is unsurpassed while the striking black and white cinematography of Eugene Schufftan and Alexander Trauner’s elegant set designs compliment perfectly the mood of the piece. (Bly-Ray and DVD from StudioCanal)
TRON: ARES in IMAX
The original TRON made in 1982 was way ahead of its time featuring groundbreaking CGI and visual effects. It told the story of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), the creator of the grid who subsequently disappeared into the world of computer programs. Now a new sophisticated program named Ares (Jared Leto) is sent from the digital into the real world on a dangerous mission…
It is a sequel to TRON: LEGACY which was made in 2010 and is again directed by Joachim Ronning, who has assembled a strong ensemble cast that includes Greta Lee as Eve Kim and Evan Peters as Julian Sallinger the grandson of Edward Dillinger – played by David Warner in the original. Jared Leto takes himself far too seriously and makes his Ares unmemorable while his feeble attempts on comedy falls flat. Still, it is a visual treat especially if experienced on the giant IMAX screen.
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