HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE ****
THE COUNSELLOR ****
Dir: Francis Lawrence (12A, 146 mins)
Suzanne Collins’ dystopian teen epic was a massive hit when it hit the cinemas,
sensitively treated by director Gary Ross and with a superb Jennifer Lawrence as
it’s heroine, Katniss Everdeen. Since the first film came out and became a mega
blockbuster and expectations have become stratospheric for this sequel. Katniss
has become a symbol of revolution after defying meglomaniacal Donald Sutherland’s
President Snow and his grip on the Districts is being challenged. To quell the
potential revolt, Snow threatens those closest to Katniss with death unless she takes
part in another Hunger Games which will pit winners from previous years against
one another. The stakes have been raised and romantically matters are getting
awkward as Josh Hutcherson’s Peeta and Liam Hemsworth’s Gale b oth compete for
Katniss’ affections. All as she attempts to deal with her status as a symbol of hope
for the downtrodden. Not so many kids killing each other this time as the former
winners differ in age, but the games still promise plenty of tense violence. This time
they are set on an apparent tropical paradise that is just as deadly as its forest
predecessor. Hopefully with Jennifer Lawrence on board the odds will be ever in this
sequel’s favour..... Opens Nov 21
Dir: Ridley Scott (15, 111 mins)
The latest from Ridley Scott boasts the first original screenplay from novelist
Cormac McCarthy, author of The Road, No Country For Old Men and All The
Pretty Horses. There’s also an all star eclectic cast which Michael Fassbender
heads as an arrogant Counsellor getting mixed up with Mexican drug cartels in a
bid to make a fast buck but reaping dire, violent rewards. The Counsellor’s life, his
relationship with loved one Penelope Cruz and reputation descend Faustian style
as events conspire against him, deals go bad and people get killed. Despite the
warnings of womanising middleman Brad Pitt, events tighten around Fassbender
like a vice, making for gripping viewing. Cameron Diaz replete with gold tooth and
leopard tattoo is a revelation as a flinty seductress, Javier Bardem has crazy hair
as usual as another erratic drug dealer and there’s a host of quality cameos from
the likes of Breaking Bad’s Dean Norris, Rosie Perez and Goran Visnjic. Scott
directs with his usual visual style, but also lets McCarthy’s crackling dialogue do
the work. A dark thriller that unsettles thanks to its committed cast, this should
put Fassbender right on top of the A-list and is another triumph for Ridley Scott.
Opens Nov 15
DON JON ****
THE FAMILY ***
BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOUR ****
Dir: Joseph Gordon-Levitt (15, 90 mins)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt who used to be a geeky kid in rather
good sci-fi sitcom Third Rock From The Sun is certainly
all grown up now. Following some canny film choices,
Brick, Looper, Dark Knight Rises, he now has the chops
to write, direct and act in his own film, and he does them
all very well too. He plays Jon, a vain porn addict who
will shag every night if he can, or even better just warm
up his Mac for some one-handed love. This suits him
fine until he meets Scarlett Johansson’s Barbara, who
certainly does not stint on the sexiness here, but she
won’t consummate their relationship until he’s met her
friends, parents and taken a night class to help him get to
university. The ‘Don’s’ attempts to change form the heart
of the comedy here, Levitt and Johansson fizz and bicker
and kiss superbly, and the film has something to say
about porn addiction and indeed Johansson’s character’s
celebrity addiction. A thoroughly enjoyable filthy romcom.
Opens Nov 15
Dir: Luc Besson (15, 111 mins)
A mob comedy drama with Gallic flavour as Luc Besson
takes time out of producing action schlock and gets back to
directing in a diverting if derivative crime escapade. Robert
De Niro plays former wise guy Giovanni Manzoni who, after
spilling the beans on his outfit, is sent to France with his
family under the witness protection scheme. Old habits
die hard however and De Niro and his family deal with
their new French neighbours with mob justice. Michelle
Pfeiffer, superb as De Niro’s wife, torches supermarkets
who sneer at her Yankiness, daughter Dianna Agron brings
her fisticuffs to bear on a French suitor out for date rape
and son John D’Leo deals with school bullies via extortion.
They are of course being chased by some murderous
gang members from back home and exasperated G-man
Tommy Lee Jones has to keep them out of trouble. Whilst
borrowing heavily from De Niro’s back catalogue, there’s
even an in-joke about Goodfellas; this is still good Cosa
Nostra fun. Opens Nov 22
Dir: Abdellatif Kechiche (18, 179 mins)
A love story full of passion, explicit sex and heart,
magnificently acted by Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea
Seydoux, that walked off with the Palme D’Or in Cannes.
Based on a French graphic novel by Julie Maroh, director
Kechickhe and co-writer Ghalya Lacroix have turned the
source material into a raw, intimate but also epic tale of
the minutiae of first love. Adele (Excharchopolous) is a
literature student who, following a brief fling with a male
classmate becomes drawn to Lea Seydoux’s blue-haired
Emma. She is older, worldlier and often difficult. The
film follows the pair through naturalistic conversations
as they face insults over their sexuality, but it’s never an
issue film. It’s about the depths of love, which director
Kechiche emphasises through long takes of overlapping
dialogue and explicit unsimulated sex. The running time
will deter the average pervert, but this is far more than a
collection of sex scenes, it’s a frank, heartrending tale of
love with an outstanding central duo. Opens Nov 15
as a solo sailing trip goes wrong and he’s left battling the elements. Tense and wet. A MOST WANTED MAN (15) Another John Le Carre adaptation with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Rachel McAdams on chilly
and timely spy duties. CLOSED CIRCUIT (15) Legal thriller with ex lovers Rebecca Hall and Eric Bana having to work on the same defence team in a terrorism trial. There may be kissing. THE NECESSARY
DEATH OF CHARLEY COUNTRYMAN (15) Shia La Boeuf is at last paired up with Harry Potter’s Ron, Rupert Grint, in this gangster mash up with the occasional bout of oddness. Also starring Evan Rachel Wood.