At The Flix with @Timmy666
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Greetings movie buffs!
It’s continuing to hot up in awards season as we head towards the BAFTAs and the Oscars. The Globes have been and gone and no one film was dominant for any one film, even if 12 Years A Slave walked away with the big Best Film prize.
Whilst this is a relatively quiet week in terms of new mainstream releases in Birmingham, this is still an interesting week’s movie choices, and the return of Scorsese is always something to be excited about.
Already a winner at the Golden Globes this week, we welcome the return of Scorsese collaborating again with DiCaprio in telling the story of Jordan Belfort, a drug infused, materialistic, womanising Wall Street businessman, the film’s lead and anti-hero.
It has been mentioned by critics and commentators alike that is just brilliant to see Marty continuing to produce works of such edge, verve and extremity.
His films are often dark, violent and uncompromising but filmography proves his pioneering ability to turn his hand to many different genres. With The Wolf of Wall Street, the dark uncompromising side remains ever-present but in the form of comedy. No stone is left unturned in a film where the moral or rather immoral of this story is how money corrupts. Terence Winter‘s screenplay is a fictional account of Belford, and it has been commented by critics that the film doesn’t let up for any one of its three hours.
With a support cast including Jonah Hill as Belfort’s drug-filled sidekick, I hope the film is matched by the drive and continuation of a most brilliant cinematic relationship between Scorsese and DiCaprio. I’m looking forward to seeing this one.
Devil’s Due (15)
The Devil’s Due yet, are we due, and do we deserve this devil? The plot, for what it’s worth, involves newlyweds expectant of a new baby – and things begin to go somewhat awry. Cue strange diabolical behaviours!
The film has many of the elements which have adorned the modern horror scene, notably the use of ‘live’/found footage details but the plot sounds like a modern twist on Rosemary’s Baby.
Frankly if the film has an ounce of the fear and terror that Rosemary’s Baby has, then it might be onto something.
In the meantime, if you do decide to go and see it, expect contortions, conjurings, strange scary stuff – basically stuff of the ‘devil’ or by the numbers horror conventions depending on their deployment and the quality of plot/script/characterisation etc, etc, etc.
PS. Oh, and did I tell you they’re doing a remake of Rosemary’s Baby? Well, yes, they are, as a tv mini-series starting Zoe Saldana.
La Belle et La Bete (PG)
Want a definite telling of Beauty of the Beast? Running at the mac for a few days from Sunday, you simply must check out Jean Cocteau‘s 1947 telling of the classic fairy tale including a memorable musical score by Georges Auric. Cocteau was a cinematic poet in the truest sense – this film connects deeper than many! This is not Disney – it deals more with the human condition and with feelings of fear, wanting, love and the joys of life. A visual and aural treat.
Departure Lounge: More Canals than Venice + Q&A (23 Jan)
Showing at the mac on Thursday 23rd January, More Canals than Venice is described as a “high octane film containing 100 facts about Birmingham.” I’m curious to see it to see how filmmaker Steve Rainbow has fulfilled his mission to challenge stereotypes about our great city. The film’s title alone is the director’s little nod to one of those stereotypes and to proving there’s more to that too! I hope the film gets more screenings and a bigger audience across the city and beyond. In the meantime, get yourselves to the mac for this showing.
Those looking for more classic cinema offerings, The Crescent Theatre continue to show some fantastic ‘cult’ moves. Ahead of the Coen brothers’ new film Inside Llewyn Davis, go and see their amazing movie, Fargo, which put death and dark matter into comedy in a way which makes cinema so worthwhile, and in a way which only the Coen brothers at their best, can do!! Joyous!
Advance note …. get in whilst you can, Urban Coffee Company are bringing back their wonderful film night. For £15, you get a meal, drink and film … usually all of high quality. In this case, married with a showing of the classic Ealing comedy, Kind Hearts and Coronets.
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Ok, that’s it from me but before I go, my big question this week is…. what’s your favourite Scorsese film (my vote is a tie between Taxi Driver or Goodfellas)? Indeed, what do you think is Scorsese’s most under appreciated film (my vote would go to Casino)?
If you have issue with any of the above or just want to ask me a question, please don’t hesitate to tweet me @timmy666. Cheerio one and all! Till next week.
