Cinema

Directed by Ron Clements & John Musker

It is always a pleasure to see a Disney cartoon that really works and in fact takes you back to the good old days of Jungle Book and Lady and the Tramp etc, so why is this? I would cite three reasons, the studio has returned to the old format of hand drawing the characters rather than digital thus reverting back to the tried and tested.

Secondly, it has a really good script with wonderful characters including a jazz playing trumpeter, who’s an alligator, called Louis and his pal a Creole speaking firefly. Third it has a great musical score by Rand Newman.

Set in New Orleans in the jazz age, the tale is about a young lady who wants to own her place. A special restaurant, she and a real prince get turned into frogs and cross paths with evil before all is resolved.

Do let your kids drag you to see it, you won’t regret it.

4 stars

Cinema

Directed by Joe Johnston

When I think of films like this my memory drums up black and white images, in what we used to call ‘BUG HUTCHES’ which were tiny cinemas only fit for fleas and bugs. Us post war lads in bombed site London would laugh and thrill to the antics of Bela Lugosi or Lon Chaney in these places.

So this latest revival of the genre, starring Benicio Del Toro as the hairy one howling at the moon is a little amusing. However, there are those of you out there who may think otherwise.

Beset with problems from the get go – one director left and another came in, Del Toro is a Victorian gent who comes to the eerie house which is close by to gypsy folk and low and behold he gets the curse and the dodgy hairstyle to match.

Detective Abberline (Hugo Weaving) and ‘Sigmund Freud’ (Antony Sher) have a hammy old time trying to catch the hairy one. Its ok, but not a classic like the 1941 movie it emulates.

2 stars

Cinema

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Now and again, a film comes along that gives you hope. Not just because that’s part of its overall message – which it is – but also because someone has bothered to make it in the first place. That person is the one and only Clint Eastwood, who has produced and directed it.

Released to coincide with the anniversary of President Mandela’s release from prison on South Africa’s Robin Island, as a common terrorist to his becoming the country’s number one man. This movie for me is a triumph.

As Mandela (Morgan Freeman) copes with bringing the nation together both black and white. He decides to use the rugby team, long a symbol of the Afrikaans.

The Springboks stay together and keep their colours of green and gold much to the shock of his fellow Black South African’s. He encourages their captain François Pienaar (Matt Damon) to take the team out into the small townships to encourage support and fellowship leading up to a great win in the World Cup.

Freeman is magnificent and Damon superb.

4 stars

Cinema

Directed by Scott Cooper

I have to say in all sincerity that I, as both a country music fan and long time supporter of Jeff Bridges work, looked forward to seeing this. Bad boy (Jeff) is an old country star whose light has dimmed a little and the drink has taken its toll.

He’s encouraged to write new material by his agent and also old pal Robert Duvall. However, he seems content to wallow in small bars and bowling alleys in the desert.

Vocalising in true whisky sodden style until he gives an interview to Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaall) for whom he falls heavily.

He battles with the booze and opening shows for Tommy Sweet (Colin Farrell) but somehow comes through. Will he win the Oscar? Jeff I mean.

Well it would be nice – but at times I fear he phoned his performance in – there’s a lot of mumbling going on. So to be honest, I’ve seen him do better.

It’s okay, the music is good but Oscars…no not really.

2 stars

Cinema

Directed by Tom Ford

Colin Firth has already received the ‘Best Actor Award’ at the BAFTA’s for his role as a homosexual teacher in this film.

It’s the early sixties in California’s LA with a back draft of the cold war and Cuban crisis being evident.

Basically George (Firth) is coming to terms with the accidental death of his partner in a car crash.

Struggling to cope he mildly flirts with a student and spends a fun loving evening with his English buddy (Julianne Moore) who has long hoped for more in their relationship than he can give.

Frankly, their scene together was for me the only highlight in what is mainly a dull and lack-lustre film.

2 stars

Cinema

Directed by Peter Jackson

Directed by the ‘Rings’ king Peter Jackson, this adaptation of Alice Sebolds chiller thriller is intriguing and treads a strange path.

Set in 1970s suburban Philadelphia, it reveals that Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan) vanishes whilst in the clutches of the eerie neighbour (Stanley Tucci), therefore she is murdered but only the audience know this.

An investigation follows with no conclusion, but we have the voice and spiritual presence of Susie who is in limbo guiding her desperate father (Mark Wahlberg) to unravel the truth.

Long before we get there we have the joys of Susan Sarandon as earthy grandma looking after the Salmon household badly.  Plus the cat and mouse game between Susie’s sister Lindsey and the neighbour.

There are many strands to this absorbing tale and if you’re someone who loves thought-provoking material, then it’s for you. The detective (Michael Imperioli) of Sopranos fame involving a dolls house is one that will stick in my mind…Scary!

3 stars