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Toff Tips |
If you want to go to the cinema on your own - or, with friends, of course - then see my recommendations below.
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Some films are hard to watch. MONSTER (cert.
18 1hr. 39mins.) is a harrowing tale, basically true, of a woman
serial killer of 7 men, only one of which might be called justified.
Portraying Aileen Wuornos, however, is Charlize Theron, an actress
of not inconsiderable beauty and intelligence. Her interpretation
of the real life Aileen is remarkable. Yes, make-up has assisted
the look but the acting is very powerful and first time director,
Patty Jenkins, displays real talent. The always riveting Christina
Ricci also gives a believable performance as Aileen's lesbian lover.
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In answer to questions at the Press conference I attended, Charlize said she felt incredibly lucky and priveleged to get such a role and to work with such a gifted director. She said that she knew she would walk away challenged and changed. Aileen wrote letters to a friend from Death Row for 12 years and these helped Charlize to discover physical as well as mental attributes. When questioned about accepting the Oscar, Charlize admitted to not being a good public speaker in very large groups, but was most grateful for having been given this person to portray after 10 years in the film business portraying stereotypical women
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CAPTURING THE FRIEDMANS (cert. 15 1 hr. 37 mins.) is also a true story - this
time a documentary. In spite of an over indulgence for recording all
events on their home-movie camera, the Friedmans were an apparently
normal middle-class family living in the affluent New York suburb
of Great Neck. One Thanksgiving police officers, who have intercepted
a pornography delivery, rush into the house, accusing Arnold Friedman
and his youngest son Jesse of hundreds of shocking crimes against
young boys. |
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The disintegration of the whole family is shown through exerpts from the films and interviews with Elaine Friedman and two of the three sons. It is unusual to have a film that does not come down one way or another as to the innocence or otherwise of Arnold and Jesse, both of whom pleaded guilty finally in order to try and reduce their sentences, but always maintained their innocence. A quick mention of BLIND FLIGHT (cert.
15 1hr 38 mins.), another film based on a true story and, like the
others, sometimes difficult to watch. It's the story of the capture
and incarceration of Brian Keenan (Ian Hart) and John McCarthy (Linus
Roache) in Beirut for over four years. The hostages, so different
in character, form a close friendship, which helps them survive the
long, terrible years. Excellently acted, the film is well directed
by John Furse (making his feature film debut) like a series of chamber
orchestra pieces.
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Also released are two films aimed at either end of
the age spectrum . SCOOBY-DOO 2 Monsters Unleashed (cert.
PG 1 hr. 39 mins.) In this the gang - Velma (Linda Cardellini), Fred
(Freddie Prinze Jr.), Daphne (Sarah Michelle Gellar) Shaggy ( Matthew
Lillard) and, of course, Scooby-Doo - are in danger of losing their
reputation when an anonymous masked villain wrecks mayhem on the Coolsville
with a monster machine that re-creates classic Mystery Inc. foes like
the Pterodactyl Ghost, the Black Knight Ghost, Captain Cutler's Ghost
and the 10,000 Volt Ghost. What can I say about it? Well, it's only
really suitable for young children (and my 5 ½ year old grandchild
agrees that younger than his age might find the film too frightening),
and perhaps not TOO boring for their parents or grandparents! |
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And for the mature adult there is THE PASSION
OF THE CHRIST (cert. 18 2 hrs. 6 mins.) . A film about the
last twelve hours of Jesus of Nazareth's life, you will need a strong
stomach to take the oceans of blood that Mel Gibson revels in as
Jesus is tortured and in agony virtually the whole time. Apparently
it is not a very accurate rendition of the four Biblical Gospels
on which it is based, in spite of the use of Aramaic and Latin - with
English sub-titles. Who will the film appeal to? I would guess those
passionately interested in Christ or lovers of horror films.
Some films are hard to watch. MONSTER (cert. 18
1 hr. 39mins.) is a harrowing tale, basically true, of a woman serial
killer of seven men, only one of which might be called justified.
Portraying Aileen Wuornos, however, is Charlize Theron, an actress
of not inconsiderable beauty and intelligence. Her interpretation
of the real life Aileen is remarkable. Yes, make-up has assisted the
look but the acting is very powerful and first time director, Patty
Jenkins, displays real talent. The always riveting Christina Ricci
also gives a believable performance as Aileen's lesbian lover
In answer to questions at the Press conference I attended, Charlize said she felt incredibly lucky and priveleged to get such a role and to work with such a gifted director. She said that she knew she would walk away challenged and changed. Aileen wrote letters to a friend from Death Row for 12 years and these helped Charlize to discover physical as well as mental attributes. When questioned about accepting the Oscar, Charlize admitted to not being a good public speaker in very large groups, but was most grateful for having been given this person to portray after 10 years in the film business portraying stereotypical women.
It's certainly worth looking further afield to find where this film is showing. Highly recommended but challenging.
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A TRIP TO THE THEATRE
APRIL/MAY 2004
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Similar to The Buddy Holly Story, in
that it tells the story of a young singer, using music from the 50s,
and yet different in that the musical, JAILHOUSE ROCK-THE
MUSICAL at the Piccadilly Theatre is a show based on a film
rather than the life story of a singer. However, there are so many
similarities to Elvis Presley's own life that the audience looks for
an Elvis type performer: unfortunately, while Mario Kombou has a really
good singing voice, he shows none of Elvis' zest for living and somewhat
lacks personality. There is a terrific performance by the black actor,
Gilz Terera, who dances, sings and acts with all the pzazz lacking
in the main character. The audience appeared to be having a great
time, particularly at the end when Kombou, as Vince, comes to the
front of the stage and gets all of us joining in with the singing!
Carlie Newman |
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Previous Reviews |
February/March
December/January
October/November
August/September |
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