film
by Keiron Self
THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG ***
AMERICAN HUSTLE ****
Dir: Peter Jackson (12A, 130 mins)
Hey it’s Christmas time, and so prepare for another return to Middle Earth in the
somewhat ludicrously extended version of JRR Tolkien’s slim novel The Hobbit.
An Unexpected Journey was handsomely mounted with a couple of bravura set
pieces, especially Bilbo’s encounter with Gollum, and strong performances but
it’s meandering structure, although great for Middle Earth fans, is not so much
fun for people who don’t want to hear dwarves singing. The Desolation Of Smaug
finally reveals the greedy dragon with his slippery Benedict Cumberbatch voice
as he clashes with Sherlock co-star Martin Freeman, whose likeable every-hobbit
anchors the bombast and the spectacle. The mission to reclaim a Dwarvish
treasure remains, with Richard Armitage’s Thorin at its head. There’s also extra
Welsh spice in the shape of Luke Evans doing his Ponty accent as Bard The
Bowman. Director Jackson’s intent to provide a full picture of Tolkein’s world is
admirable but the many and numerous battles have become wearing and it’s hard
to put a fresh edge on the fantastical proceedings. Well crafted and often exciting,
this won’t leave fans of the Rings disappointed, but others may feel that this
trilogy is starting to flog a dead orc. Opens Dec 13
Dir: David O.Russell (15, 129 mins)
It’s the 70s! Paunchy, combover conman Irving Rosenfeld, played by a defiantly
‘I am not Batman’ Christian Bale, and his seductive partner Amy Adams find
themselves working for the FBI in this Scorsese-esque romp. Forced into working
for a maverick FBI agent, played by a superbly permed Bradley Cooper, Bale
and Adams are caught up within the criminal world of Jersey mafiosi and the
machinations of Jeremy Renner’s political mover and shaker. Added to the mix is
Jennifer Lawrence as Bale’s manic depressive alcoholic wife, a loose cannon who
could upset any deal brokered by Bale and Adams. Based on a real life series of
events, the ABSCAM sting used by the FBI to bring down corrupt politicians, this
reeks of explosive quality. Directed and co-written by Silver Lining Playbook and
The Fighter director David O. Russell and featuring many of his recent regular
cast, American Hustle is classy, gripping stuff. The period detail is spot on, the
actors are all at the top of the game and the subject matter is juicy if somewhat
familiar. Russell tells his tale well via kinetic camera moves, pounding music and
gripping performances, mixing humour with tragedy. Prepare to have your balls
busted. Opens Dec 20
12 YEARS A SLAVE ****
THE HARRY HILL MOVIE ***
INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS ****
Dir: Steve McQueen (15, 134 mins)
Compelling, passionate and intelligent, director Steve
McQueen’s third film tackles the subject of slavery in
America head on with devastating dramatic results.
Based on the true story of a free black American, Solomon
Northup, who was kidnapped and forced into bondage
from 1841 to 1853. Separated from his wife and children,
he attempts to prove his credentials as a free man, but in a
pre-Civil war America he is witness to countless atrocities
and finds himself moved from owner to owner. From
Benedict Cumberbatch and Bryan Batt who are slightly
more progressive than his final master, a chilling Michael
Fassbender who thinks nothing of having his slaves beaten
to death. Chiwetel Ejiofor is electrifying as Northup, full of
dignity and a desire to ‘live’ rather than survive. Harrowing,
brutal and unafraid to confront the true ugliness of racism,
McQueen’s film is a tough watch but a gripping one, most
crucially shining a light on a terrible part of human history.
Superb. Opens January 10
Dir: Steve Bendelack (12A, 90 mins)
So, what’s better? Harry Hill’s burp on the telly or a
feature length movie? There’s only one way to find out...
Harry Hill’s brand of surreal end of the pier anarchy
makes it to the big screen in this very unlikely cinematic
outing. The plot, such as it is, involves a road trip taking
the big collared bald comedian to Blackpool with his
Nan, the forever game Julie Walters, as his hamster has
only a week to live. Along the way they meet Harry’s evil
twin Otto, machine gun wielding chickens, unnecessary
musical interludes, Matt Lucas and Simon Bird. This will
not be a run of the mill adventure, it could either be a
hideous mess or an extension of Hill’s loveable buffoonery
and avant garde weirdness that somehow became a
Saturday night TV staple. Director Bendelack has form
with the League of Gentlemen and its cinematic offshoot
but this looks to be shameless, nonsensical family fare.
FIGHT!!!!! Opens Dec 20
Dir: The Coen Brothers (15, 105 mins)
The Coens return to music in this absorbing glimpse
into the life of a folk musician in 1961’s Greenwich
Village scene. Oscar Isaac plays the titular Davis, a
depressed singer who lost his partner due to suicide and
is struggling on, penniless. Should he try and further
his musical career or give it all up for a place in the
merchant marine? His new album, Inside Llewyn Davis,
lies in unsold heaps in his agents’ office, his relationship
with a folk duo Carey Mulligan and Justin Timberlake
(sporting cable knit jumper and comedy beard) is fraught
and there is nothing to keep him in New York. He heads
for an audition in Chicago with egotistical jazz musician
John Goodman and Adam Driver’s would be folk star
with career altering results. The music is superb, Isaac
is soulful, there are plenty of laughs and a deep vein
of melancholy in this astute meditative glimpse of the
tortured artist. Opens Jan 24
ALSO RELEASED: KILL YOUR DARLINGS (15) Harry Potter does the beat poets in this tale of Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs. Dane De Haan shines amidst the period detail
and Daniel Radcliffe’s hair in a solid biopic. ALL IS LOST (12A) Superb ‘one man against the elements’ sailing drama as battered veteran Robert Redford gets stuck in a monstrous storm. Gripping.
THE RAILWAY MAN (12A) Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman star in this true story about Eric Lomax, a POW forced to work on the Thai/Burma Death Railway who seeks out his torturers years later.