At The Flix with @Timmy666
Hello one and all.
Welcome to this week’s mix of cinematic frivolity known as #AtTheFlix with me @timmy666.
There’s a real variety to this week’s films so without further ado, let’s dive in!
Maps to the Stars (18)
A welcome return to the big screen for David Cronenberg and who better for a satire, albeit a darkly humorous and graphic satire and critique on Hollywood society, than Cronenburg. Bruce Wagner‘s script acts as an ideal vehicle for him. The film is a tour into the heart of a Hollywood family chasing celebrity, one another and the relentless ghosts of their pasts.
Cronenburg will always scrape beyond at the surface in all manner of human manifestations. He doesn’t shy away from showing things in an extreme way and in itself that’s a critique of where the ‘system’ wouldn’t!
He understands the dynamics of cinema. He knows there’s always more lurking underneath than meets the eye.
To round this off, the cast includes Robert Pattinson, Mia Wasikowska and an award-winning performance from Julianne Moore.
This film carries an 18 rating and therein lies the hint – this is a film to see, to embrace and be recoiled at in equal measure.
Essential viewing. Challenging cinema.
What We Did On Our Holiday (12A)
Following somewhat in the blueprint of Outnumbered, Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin make their big screen debut of a family (including Rosamund Pike and David Tennant as the parentst) travelling to Scotland for Doug’s father Gordie’s (Billy Connolly) birthday party.
The reviews have clearly indicated is that the film is not the film its trailer makes it out to be. There’s a ‘twist’ which stands out from the Outnumbered influence and lends itself some real cinematic sensibility.
Another film to look forward to this week.
The Equalizer (15)
Based somewhat loosely on the iconic Edward Woodward 80s series of the same name, Denzel Washington plays Robert McCall, a man trying to put his past behind him, who becomes embroiled in a plot involving a young girl and confronting a group of Russian mafia types.
Antoine Fuqua‘s film reprises classic 70s thriller conventions of justice and helping the helpless. In fact, parallels are to be drawn to last week’s A Walk Among The Tombstones as both nod towards Death Wish and other such films.
Unlike the Woodward character, whose standpoint was to turn to violence only as last ressort, this is a film in which the audience plays along with Denzel Washington’s multiple means of disposing of criminals.
I Origins (15)
Opening on limited release, this film got a wind in its sails in part as a result of great reaction at the likes of Sundance and other film festivals. Mike Cahill’s film follows a molecular biologist and his laboratory partner who uncover evidence that may fundamentally change society as we know it.
It’s great to see this getting some traction including into a multiplex such as Cineworld, a film with a genuine indie sensibility and fearless attitude about science vs spirituality, about ideas and about challenging the audience in both the issues it deals with and the way in which it is filmed.
Elsewhere, Spandau Ballet fans have the opportunity to see a preview of their new documentary next Tuesday, Soul Boys of the Western World, as well as I live Q&A and performance by satellite. As for the film, George Hencken‘s biopic wisely lets Martin and Gary Kemp, Tony Hadley and the rest of the band directly recount their rise from working-class Islington roots to the excesses of “champagne, cocaine and adrenalin” which preceded, if not ultimately caused, their demise in 1990.
That’s it from me. Have a great week ahead at the cinema and please do let know what you think about the releases this week by dropping a tweet to me at @timmy666.
Until the same time next week ….
