Another great week for moviegoers thanks to a fresh batch of not-to-be-missed new releases ready to spoil for choice both mainstream and arthouse audiences. Among them, the one we liked the most -by a very narrow margin- is young Greek director Giorgios Lanthimos’ third feature ‘Alps’★★★★ . The follow-up to his Oscar nominated “Dogtooth” preserves all the elements that made its predecessor such an international success, establishing Lanthimos as one of the most unique voices in contemporary European cinema. ‘Alps’ is the name of a group comprised of four peculiar characters: the paramedic who manages it; a nurse; a gymnast and her coach. Altogether they offer bereaved families a service to replace their lost ones for some time, making their suffering more bearable. Trouble arises as one of them becomes too emotionally involved. A reflection on the ways we deal with death; ‘Alps’ is another impressive piece of work reminiscent on his minimalism of some Dogma films such as Lars Von Triers ‘The Idiots’.
And if Greece gets the gold, the USA and Great Britain share the silver. The latter with one of the most accomplished debuts of the year and the former thanks to what’s already been hailed as the film to beat at this year’s Oscar race, “Argo” ★★★★. Based on true events whose documents were recently declassified by the CIA, Ben Affleck’s excellent third feature takes us back to the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979, when the American Embassy was raided and their delegates kidnapped in the midst of a popular revolutionary upsurge. A few managed to leave and hide in the Canadian ambassador’s home. Knowing their lives were endangered, the US government faked the shooting of a Hollywood sci-fi film as a cover-up for their rescue operation. Perfectly recreating the times, this gripping thriller nicely tones down towards comedy whenever the action moves from Iran to the rushed preparation of the fictitious Sci-Fi production. Affleck’s flawless directorial career to date is already earning him comparisons to Clint Eastwood, both having proved to be much better behind the camera.
On British shores, ‘My Brother The Devil’ ★★★★ takes a look at the relationship between two young siblings of Egyptian descent, growing up in one of Hackney’s rough council states. It successfully transcends the drugs and gang clichés of the genre by throwing in the sexual identity issues of his main character, whose life as part of a gang of dealers leads to an escalating feud with a rival gang. Keeping an eye on his family, he tries to delay his impressionable younger sibling to join in that violence-ridden world. Sally El Hosaini gets superb performances from its two lead actors, supported by La Haine’s star Saïd Taghmaoui and backed by a cast of mostly non-professional neighbours, whom opened the doors to their homes adding a feel of authenticity to this complex and beautifully observed debut that’s piling up awards in festivals around the globe.
Other excellent new releases are ‘The Sapphires’,a crowd pleasing comedy with Chris O’Down as the improvised manager of an aboriginal Aussie girl band embarking on a tour to entertain the US troops in Vietnam; or Romanian auteur Christi Puiu as impressive as overlong new feature ‘Aurora’.
Check our Top 20 recommended films here.
| 1-ALPS ★★★★ Giorgios Lanthimos (NEW) The follow-up to The Oscar nominated “Dogtooth” preserves all the elements that made of its predecessor such an international success. A group of four peculiar characters offers bereaved families the service to replace their lost one for some time, making their suffering more bearable. Trouble would arise when one of them becomes too emotionally involved. This reflection on the ways we deal with death doesn't disappoint, establishing young Greek director Lanthimos as one of the most unique voices in contemporary European cinema. |
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| 2-ARGO ★★★★ Ben Affleck (NEW) The current frontrunner in this year’s Oscar race, Ben Affleck’s excellent third feature takes us back to Iran in the late 70’s, when the American Embassy was raided and their delegates kidnapped in the midst of a popular revolutionary upsurge. Working against the clock and knowing their lives were endangered, the US government faked the shooting of a Hollywood sci-fi film as a cover-up for their rescue operation. Perfectly capturing the vibe of those times, this gripping thriller nicely tones down to lighter comedy whenever the action moves from the events in Iran to the rushed preparation of that Sci-Fi production. |
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| 3-MY BROTHER THE DEVIL ★★★★ Sally El Hosaini (NEW) Arguably the best British debut of the year; this look at the relationship between two young siblings of Egyptian descent growing up in one of Hackney’s rough council states successfully transcends the drugs and gang clichés of the genre by throwing in the sexual identity issues of his main character, whose life as part of a gang of dealers leads to an escalating feud with a rival gang. Superb performances from its two lead actors, supported by La Haine’s star Saïd Taghmaoui and backed by a cast of mostly non-professional neighbours whom opened the doors to their homes adding a feel of authenticity to this complex and beautifully observed debut that’s piling up awards around the globe. |
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| 4-THE MASTER ★★★★½ Paul Thomas Anderson Another portentous recreation of American history, loosely based in the origins of L Ron Hubbard’s Scientology, told through the relationship of two opposite characters: a traumatized WWII ex-sailor - superb physical performance by Joaquin Phoenix- drifting from job to job until he meets the leader of a new cult – Hoffman, who also nails his role’s mix of grandeur and doubtful hoax - claiming to relieve all mental afflictions, being welcomed as a perfect case to put teachings into practice. Raising many questions about the mutually feeding nature of master and disciple; one of the most thought- provoking works of 2012. |
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| 5-THE SAPPHIRES ★★★½ Wayne Blair (NEW) One of the nicest crowd-pleasers in recent memories, this musical comedy set in Australia during the 60s sees Chris O’Down charming audiences once more as the improvised manager of an aboriginal girl group who, overcoming social prejudice and the opposition of their family, embark on a tour around Vietnam to entertain US troops. A soundtrack of popular soul classics, well rendered by the four female stars, perfectly captures the vibe in a story that pulls all the right strings for universal appeal. |
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| 6-RUST & BONE ★★★★ Jacques Audiard A free adaptation of Craig Davidson's short stories which enables Audiard to keep on exploring the marginal worlds in our society, this time through the brutal love story of a security guard trying to get out of a rough patch in life by reviving his career as a fighter, with the whale trainer in a sea world resort who loses both legs during an accident at work shortly after they met. The sleazy underworld of illegal combats, next to the depressing one of hospitals and coping with disability add a terrible dose of realism to the couple’s against the odds loving bond, brought to life by Marion Cotillard and Matthias Schoenarts’ deeply affecting performances. |
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| 7-BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD ★★★★★ Benh Zeitlin A masterclass in magical realism, since it conquered Sundance the buzz surrounding this superb debut hasn’t ceased to grow. The post-Katrina nightmare narrated through the lively imagination of a 5 year-old kid, mixing fairytale and reality while trying to make sense of the terrible events. Non-professional actors Dwight Henry and Ouvenzhané Willis form one of the most touching father-daughter relationships in recent memory. Already a critical favourite, Oscar nominations await. |
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| 8-ELENA ★★★★ Andrei Zvyagintsev After nearly two years gathering international awards across the festival circuit; many of them for her impressive lead star Nadezhda Markina, the third film in this promising Russian auteur’s career offers a bleak glimpse of Russia’s new class structure through the story of a nurse who marries the millionaire she’s been caring for, while her relatives constantly take advantage of her new privileged position. The film slides from social commentary to noir when her husband announces his intentions to alter his will in his daughter’s favour. Gripping, fascinating and very recommendable. |
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| 9-AURORA ★★★½ Christi Puiu (NEW) “The Death Of Mr. Lazarescu” single-handedly boosted the interest of the whole world in Romanian cinema; opening the door for a number of new talents. Puiu has taken its time to follow it up with another dark comedy about the alienating nature of our contemporary existence in which he also stars. It monitors with painstakingly slow detail every step of his lead character's everyday life, as he gets progressively upset by the absurdity of it all. Formally remarkable, it also seems more concern with impressing critics than to show any regard for its potential audience, Its plot only becoming apparent in the last one of three long hours, testing the patience of the viewer who only then gets rewarded. |
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| 10-SISTER ★★★★ Ursula Meier The follow-up of Meier’s critically acclaimed ‘Home’ is an accomplished foray into the Dardenne Brothers’ brand of social realism that focuses on two young siblings living with no parents in the vicinity of a mountain resort. The younger kid makes a living by stealing ski equipment and progessively resorts to wittier tactics to make ends meet; he supports her older sister who’s seems to be in a state of careless immaturity, failing to acknowledge the dramatic circumstances they both are enduring. A touching story widely enhanced by a superb European cast featuring rising star Léa Seydoux and the always excellent Gillian Anderson. |
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| 11-CALL ME KUCHU ★★★★ Katherine Fairfax Wright & Malika Zouhali-Worrall This extraordinary documentary raises awareness about Uganda’s draconian anti-gay laws while paying tribute to the awe-inspiring life of the country’s first openly gay activist, David Kato, killed victim of the growing prejudice. Despite the terrible events depicted, it preserves an uplifting, life-affirming tone due to the warmth of his small LGBT community fighting for their right to be who they are, in the midst of widespread rejection fuelled by religious and political hatred. A moving reminder of the world's ongoing battle against homophobic discrimination. |
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| 12-FRANKENWEENIE ★★★★ Tim Burton The king of goth in a welcome return to form, remaking one of his early shorts. Shot in 3D and gorgeous black and white Frankenweenie’s stop-motion animated marvel serves as a tribute to the horror genre as a whole setting Mary Shelley’s creation in contemporary America. No one like Burton knows how to dig the dark side in everyday life out. This tale of solitary kid who finds the way to bring his pet dog back to life and the chaos that ensues when other kids discover his formula is no exception. |
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| 13-IT ALWAYS RAINS ON SUNDAY ★★★★★ Robert Hamer The gem of a new BFI season dedicated to the much loved Ealing film studio’s output; split between its popular, comedy side and the darker, lesser-known dramatic one to which this 1947 classic belongs. An accomplished exploration of British post-war life, set in working class Bethnal Green, sprinkled with cheeky Eastender's sense of humour. Its main storyline focuses on a housewife whose established family life is jeopardised when former lover escapes from jail and comes back to her for help; but rather a choral work, the plot gets enriched by a wide number of characters whose lives exemplify the hardships of that era. |
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| 14-ROOM 237 ★★★ / THE SHINING ★★★★★ Rodney Ascher/Stanley Kubrick Did Kubrick direct the shooting of the fake landing on the moon? Was ‘The Shining’ packed with subliminal messages to condemn mankind’s endless self-destroying ability? Those are some of the, rather far-fetched, theories depicted with mind-blowing detail in this entertaining documentary collecting some of the conspiracy theories that surrounded both the director's life and his horror masterpiece. Timely, the analysed classic gets also re-release with a new version featuring twenty minutes never before seen in UK screens. Together, they make a perfect double-bill for this Halloween. |
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| 15-SKYFALL ★★★★ Sam Mendes The most famous agent on her majesty’s secret service celebrates his 50th birthday in style. Director Sam Mendes has managed to preserve every one of Bond’s most distinctive features while adding layers of depth to the main characters, allowing Craig, Dench and Fiennes far more room to boast their fine acting. However, it’s Javier Badem’s high camp baddie the one who steals the show. 007 followers are already raving about it. Everyone else should take advantage of this occasion to reconnect with the best franchise British cinema has given to the world. |
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| 16-ON THE ROAD ★★★★ Walter Salles More than half a decade since the novel that defined the Beat Generation saw the light of day, the director of other high profile adaptation, ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’, finally got the go ahead and brought the cream of Today’s young actors on board. Many are praising how faithful to Kerouac’s original spirit it is on its depiction of a young writer and his charismatic friend hitting the road on a sex, drugs and jazz-infused search for inspiring vital experiences; others dismissed it as overlong, misogynous and failing to excite. The result of revisiting such an influential work was always going to be hugely divisive. Worth finding out why! |
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| 17-HOLY MOTORS ★★★★★ Leos Carax Visionary, Genius or just plain bonkers, this personal tribute to cinema by cult French auteur Carax is the first true masterpiece 2012 has delivered. Criminally left empty-handed at Cannes, its many episodes see Denis Lavant being driven around Paris in a mysterious limo to a series of different assignments. Mr. Oscar, his character, jumps from finance investor to street beggar; from crime to motion capture; Eva Mendes to Kylie in a mind-blowing genre hopping ride referencing many significant landmarks in the history of film. |
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| 18-BARBARA ★★★★ Christian Petzold One of the Berlinale’s winners and Germany’s submission to the foreign language Oscar, the best reviewed German movie since ‘The Lives of others’ shares the common subject of how police oppression invaded the sphere of citizens’s privacy under the communist rule in East Germany. Nina Hoss collected raves for her performance as the doctor who finds herself banished from Berlin and relocated in a remote Northern town hospital. |
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| 19-KEEP THE LIGHTS ON ★★★ Ira Sachs Another of the titles currently making waves across the festival circuit, Ira Sachs describes the ups and downs in the ten year relationship of a gay couple formed by a New York based, Danish born documentary film maker and an erratically behaved young lawyer, whose drug and sex additions come in the way of their partnership. Enhanced by a selection of Arthur Russell’s finest songs and packed with nicely observed, heartfelt intimate moments; both lovers, though, feel terribly self-absorbed and their characters rather one-dimensional, which ultimately makes it difficult to care for their fate. |
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| 20-RUBY SPARKS ★★★½ Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris The follow-up of ‘Little Miss Daisy’ is another intelligent comedy, inspired by the myth of Pygmalion and not miles away from Woody Allen’s territory. The tale of acclaimed young writer falling in love with his creation after finding she’s become real and the neurotic re-writing of her character when relationship troubles arise is a total delight. Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan, who’s also responsible for the screenplay, lead a star-studded ensemble, including a rare appearance by 70’s icon Elliott Gould as the author’s psychologist giving advice on how to cope with such an unusual partnership. |
