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LOVELY BONES The sTory of A life And everyThing ThAT CAme AfTer...
Win Avatar and Alvin and the Chipmunks 2 merchandise
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BIGSCREENMAGAZINE Roll cRedits and the awards go to editor Rebecca Matthews Deputy editor
WTW Cinemas bringing the world of
Hannah May ad sales Brendan Sleeman Design More White Space 07775255132
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Contributors Jessica Mayne, Kingsley Marshall, Cheyenne Hill, Joe Cole,
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Plaza Tr uro 01872 272894
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8 it’s that time again. Yes folks, Oscars season is just around the corner - cue a truckload of the year’s most thoughtstirring, emotionally charged and downright inspired films as the great and the good of the film industry turn out in their bid to raise the bar of modern cinema. James Cameron is one of the seminal filmmakers with a hotly anticipated release at his filmic fingertips. avatar promises to take us into new and mesmerising realms of cinematic technology in his action-packed sci-fi epic. from space-age fantasy to Victorian london, guy Ritchie’s Sherlock holmes is shaping up to be a must-see during the downtime between Christmas and new Year. With
the magnificent Robert Downey Jr. as the legendary detective, it’s a rather fabulous reason to dodge the turkey sarnies and morecambe and Wise repeats. i was one of the lucky few to catch a sneak preview of Peter Jackson’s the lovely Bones recently. the man himself, screen goddess Susan Sarandon and screen goddess-in-themaking Saoirse Ronan were present and correct to promote one of 2010’s most original and highly anticipated flicks. and, as if this veritable feast of film wasn’t enough, we have some avatar and alvin and the Chipmunks merchandise up for grabs. See page 9. hop on board. it’s going to be a corker. Rebecca matthews
www.cornwallbigscreen.co.uk
12
20
SheRlOCk hOlmeS
INDEX
>> >
Champion’s Yard,
Locally ........................................... 04 What’s the Buzz? ........................... 09 Invictus .......................................... 10 Avatar ............................................ 11 Sherlock Holmes .............................12 Profile: Guy Ritchie .........................13 It’s Complicated................................ 14 St Trinian’s 2: The Legend ................. Of Fritton’s Gold .............................. 14 Cornwall Film Festival...................... 15 Edge of Darkness ............................. 16 Nowhere Boy .................................... 16 The Book Of Eli / The Road ............ 17 The Lovely Bones ............................. 18 44 Inch Chest / Up In The Air ......... 20 Precious / Brothers .......................... 21 The Boys Are Back........................... 22 All About Steve ................................. 22 Did You Hear About The Morgans? ..23 Post Grad .......................................... 23 DVD Reviews ................................. 24 Film Shor ts .................................... 26 More Film Shor ts ........................... 28
44 inCh CheSt
© Verve Publishing. All rights reserved. Nothing in this magazine may be published without written permission. While reasonable steps are taken to check the accuracy of the content within this publication, Verve Publishing cannot take responsibility for any mistakes or omissions or the views of our contributors or advertisers. All views expressed in Big Screen are not necessarily those of Verve Publishing.
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locally
Locally Events, promotions and news from across Cornwall
Gylly beach Café, bar and Restaurant FALMOUTH 01326 312884 www.gyLLybeAcH.cOM
Princess Pavilion
Locally Events, promotions and news from across Cornwall
FALMOUTH 01326 211222 www.princesspAviLiOn.cO.Uk
Miracle Theatre Company presents The Revenge of Rumpelstiltskin wednesdAy 23 deceMber - wednesdAy 30 deceMber
8 With something for every palate, Gylly Beach Café’s repertoire of food and live entertainment will see you through every season in style. From a chilled out coffee and cake to a three-course evening meal, whatever the time of day and mood, there will be a menu and ambience to suit. On Wednesday nights in December and on Thursday nights from January from 6pm, you can indulge with their generous two-for-one offer from the main extensive special menu. Bag a curry and a pint for a mere £5 on Sundays from 6pm and while away the evening courtesy of one of the many live local bands that will provide free beats for all. The Gylly Beach ethos is one of environmental conscientiousness whereby recycling and sourcing local produce is a standard practice, ensuring that the taste and feel-good factors are in full force. And, with the stunning doorstep locale of blue flag sands and adjoining green flag gardens, it’s the ideal hang out for beach days and rainy days.
(excLUding 24, 25, 26 deceMber) evening sHOws - dOOr 7pM sHOw 7.30pM, MATinee sHOws - dOOr 2pM sHOw 2.30pM. TickeTs £10 / £8 cOncessiOns / £30 FAMiLy TickeT
8 The return of Rumpel looks set to be an unforgettable fairytale promising festive, family fun. In this unique sequel to the original tale, the hero returns to rival the handsome prince of the Golden Halls in order to win the affections of Princess Tootabel. With mechanical swans, frightening fairies and more magic than ever before, plus comedic and musical mayhem this spellbinding pantomime will transport the entire family into new realms of theatrical entertainment. 8 7 December: The Saw Doctors, 9 December: Gallows, 13 December: The Salvation Army, 16 December: Hawkwind with Arthur Brown, 23 December: Miracle Theatre’s Rumpelstiltskin, 30 January: ZU2 with UK Pink Floyd, 4 February: Steve Knightley, 6 February: Earth, Health and Mystic Fayre, 12 February: Xavier Rudd
CHRISTMAS COMES BUT
Mon 8 - Sat 13th Feb
ONCE A YEAR...
THE 39 STEPS Laurence Olivier Award 2007. 2 Tony Awards 2008 “Dizzyingly entertaining” The Telegraph “A joyous version of the Hitchcock classic” Sunday Times
12-13 March Dance Consortium presents
DANZA CONTEMPORANEA DE CUBA From the heat of Cuba comes the heart of dance “Some of the best dancers I have ever danced with” Carlos Acosta FREE POST SHOW TALK: FRI 12TH
10-15 May
CALENDAR GIRLS The global phenomenon comes to Cornwall “I laughed and I cried and then I rejoiced” Baroness Betty Boothroyd
Thurs 7 Jan
Sun 24 Jan
JOHNNY COWLING
DARKE NIGHTS
Comedian, Singer and Entertainer Fri 8 – Sat 9 Jan
THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS
Part of the Darke Visions Festival (LP) Mon 25 Jan
DARKE VISIONS SHOWCASE
Wed 13 – Sat 16 Jan
Performed and produced by young people from across Cornwall (LP)
ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS
Tues 26 Jan
Brand new X travaganza
With Lee Memphis King Tues 19 Jan
NEVER SAY RABBIT IN A BOAT Rehearsed reading of Nick Darke Play Thurs 21 Jan
RICK WAKEMAN
LP - Local Production
STAR CAST TO BE ANNOUNCED
KIDZ 4 CORNWALL A music, song and dance extravaganza Weds 27 Jan
PAUL CARRACK Singer/songwriter Thurs 28 Jan
SYD LAWRENCE ORCHESTRA
Musical, funny and grumpy!
Best of the Big Bands
Fri 22 – Sat 23 Jan
GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE
BRENDAN COLE Live and Unjudged
www.hallforcornwall.co.uk ................................... BOX . . . . . . .OFFICE . . . . . . . . . .01872 . . . . . . . . .262466 .........
BACK QUAY | TRURO | CORNWALL | TR1 2LL The Hall for Cornwall Trust is a charity promoting the arts & education.
Experience our sparkling Christmas festival which this year includes a winter wonderland of festive treats from Cornish choirs, to lantern processions, Christmas decoration-making workshops to delicious festive food and drink. You may even see Father Christmas who will be popping in from time to time! Our full Christmas offer runs until 3 January but the rink will remain open until 21 February. For details of opening times, prices and special events or to book your skate visit our website or call us on 01726 811972.
Kids go FREE! Between 2 Nov - 12 Feb we’re offering free admission for kids under 18 and in full time education. Offer does not apply to school or non-school groups e.g. Brownies & Scouts.
Visit our website for more details
www.edenproject.com Registered charity no. 1093070
*Terms & conditions apply
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locally
DECEMBER > JANUARY
Locally Events, promotions and news from across Cornwall
Eden Project .EDENpRoJECt.CoM St AUStEll 01726 811911 www , n Island’s Lone Droscher-Nielson 8 8 December: Talk by Oranguta r mbe Nove 2 , Gifts of 2 November - 12 February: A Time 2010: Exhibition: 21 February: Ice Skating, Until April ony Eyton RA Anth by Pit Clay ish Evolution of a Corn
KRIS GAYLE
Chapel Street Brasserie pENzANCE 01736 350222 www.ChApElStBRASSERiE.CoM
Our Present To You - Dine With Us 8 Savour the culinary delights from Chapel St Brasserie’s moreish menu between 2nd January and 28th February 2010 after 7pm and get 20% off your food bill. Excluding drinks and the 13-14 February Valentine’s period, this fantastic offer will provide you with top-tasting fare at cut-price rates, which will certainly cheer your spirits and belly in the post-Christmas slump. 13 December: Kris Gayle & John Knight, 20 December: Johanna Graham Trio, 27 December: Danu Fox
Locally Events, promotions and news from across Cornwall
Atlantic Inn poRthlEvEN, hElStoN 01326 562439 www.thEAtlANtiCiNN.Co.Uk
8 Real ales, home-cooked food, regular entertainment and panoramic views over Mounts Bay - The Atlantic Inn is a veritable all-round appetite server. With Monday’s quiz night, Tuesday’s curry nights, darts matches on Wednesdays and Fridays, not to mention live music most Saturday evenings, a variety of belly and music fills awaits you at Porthleven’s family-run traditional free house. Visit the website for latest events updates.
Hall for Cornwall tRURo 01872 262466 www.hAllfoRCoRNwAll.Co.Uk
Thank You For The Music fRiDAY 29 JANUARY 7.30pM tiCkEtS: £18.50, £16
8 Oh Mamma Mia! Not only does this show blast you with a bevy of Abba gold, it also treats you to a tally of Bee Gees hits. This double whammy musical medley of classic tracks will set you stomping on a sing-along storm of smashes such as Dancing Queen, Waterloo, Night Fever and Stayin’ Alive. Relive the ultimate disco pop era with this super-charged live show and feel the frenzy in your feet. A crowd-pleasing extravaganza, whatever your generation, is guaranteed. 8 11 December - 3 January: Jack and the Beanstalk, 7 January: Johnny Cowling, 8 - 9 January: The Circus of Horrors, 13 - 16 January: Elvis on Tour, 19 January: Never Say Rabbit in A Boat, 21 January: An Evening with Rick Wakeman, 22 - 23 January: Brendan Cole - Live and Unjudged, 24 January: Darke Nights, 25 January: Darke Visions, 26 January: Kidz 4 Cornwall, 27 January: Paul Carrack, 28 January: The Best of the Big Bands, 29 January: Thank You For The Music, 30 January: All Star Wrestling, 3 February: Tom Paxton, 4 February: Johann Strauss Gala, 5 February: Stephen K Amos, 6 February: Fairport Convention, 8 - 13 February: The 39 Steps
LIVE MUSIC Wednesday 16 December
HAWKWIND with ARTHUR BROWN
HAPPY
NEW YEAR
Spectacular psychedelic Christmas show
Weds 23 - Weds 30 December
THE REVENGE OF RUMPELSTILTSKIN Miracle Theatre Company’s alternative Panto Saturday 30 January
ZU2 with UK PINK FLOYD
Hear Joshua Tree and Dark Side of The Moon live & complete Thursday 4 February
STEVE KNIGHTLEY
Solo Tour with special guest, Jenna Saturday 6 - Sunday 7 February
EARTH, HEALTH & MYSTIC FAYRE Mind, body & spirit event Friday 12 February
XAVIER RUDD
Australian multi instrumentalist Tuesday 16 - Saturday 20 February
DICK WHITTINGTON
Family Panto - Bray Theatre Co. Friday 26 February
LOS CAMPESINOS
Brilliant pop indie punksters
PLUS: + THE AUTOMATIC + LETZ ZEP + THE RAT PACK VEGAS SPECTACULAR + HAYSEED DIXIE + MUTTON ‘Freshly Dressed’! + THE PURPLE PROJECT with THE ZZ TOPS + NEW MODEL ARMY + FALMOUTH SPRING FLOWER SHOW
PRINCESS PAVILION MELVILL ROAD, FALMOUTH TR11 4AR
Tickets & Full Details - See Website
www.princesspavilion.co.uk
Locals for Half Price is Back! 4 January - 12 February Our locals offer returns after Christmas, if you live in Devon or Cornwall and visit between 4 January and 12 February you can come in for half price! That works out at £8 for adults, £5.50 for seniors and of course kids come inf FREE thoughout a Time of Gifts when in a family group. Please remember that you’ll need to bring proof of residence in Devon or Cornwall and some photo ID to be admitted with this offer.
Kids go FREE!
4 January – 12 February Children under 18 in full time education get FREE entry throughout A Time of Gifts when visiting as part of a family group. They can also get an Annual Pass for just £2.
Annual entry
Don’t forget your Locals offer ticket can also bring you admission for a whole year! Follow instructions when you book online or ask at Ticketing!
Coming next...
13 – 21 February This February half term as well as skating, we’ll have animation workshops with members of the team from Aardman, the creative geniuses behind Shaun the Sheep! We anticipate that the workshops will be very popular so recommend booking in advance. For details visit our website.
tickets from
Box Office 01326 211222 (9am-1pm) + The Poly, Falmouth 0 132 6 2 123 00 + Hall For Cornwall + seetickets.com
Visit our website for more details
www.edenproject.com Registered charity no. 1093070
*Terms & conditions apply
gylly beach café • on gyllyngvase beach • cliff road falmouth • 01326 312884 • www.gyllybeach.com
>> DECEMBER > JANUARY
WHAT’S THe buzz?
Johnny depp
Rebecca Matthews serves up a feast of film news GIVE ME AN ARRRRR! 8 Pirates fans, prepare to chink those tankards of rum and ‘arrr’ in glee - for it looks like the fourth instalment in the Pirates of the Caribbean series is going ahead. Very little information has been disclosed as of yet, but we do know the action fest will be entitled Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Rob Marshall of Nine and Chicago fame will be taking over directorial duties from Gore Verbinski. And Johnny Depp will reportedly be paid £33 million to reprise the infamous role of Captain Jack Sparrow, making him the highest earning actor in Hollywood. Early buzz suggests it will be a more character-driven picture, which will quite possibly see Geoffrey Rush return as Captain Barbossa, though Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley are unlikely to appear. Whether Marshall will treat us to some Captain Jack tap dancing interludes remains to be seen. Here’s hoping.
SHADOW CHASERS 8 Can’t get enough of Twilight? Devouring every second of True Blood? If you still haven’t had your fill of vampire-themed drama, then you’ll be positively salivating at the news that the king of the gothic and lord of the surreal himself, Tim Burton, will be getting stuck into developing Dark Shadows once he’s done in Wonderland. Based on the cult ‘60s supernatural TV show, the
WIn AVATAR MeRChAndISe!
TIM bURTon
gothic soap opera features all your favourite horror staples, from vampires and ghosts to zombies and werewolves. Watch this space, fang fans. In other Burton news, Alice in Wonderland be hitting cinema screens on 5th March.
CORNISH FILM CHALLENGE 8 Fancy yourself as the Cornish Spielberg? Then the Govyn Kernewek competition is for you. Annually launched at the Cornwall Film Festival, the Govyn Kernewek is a £5,000 commission to make a short film. The catch? Your film must substantially feature the Kernewek language. The suggested title for 2010’s film is ‘Yn Termyn Eus Passyes’ (Once Upon A Time…) and entries must be submitted by 31st January 2010. If you’ve only got the ending, beginning or middle of an idea then grab a few mates to develop it; submitting work as a team is allowed and may take the pressure off too. Go to http:// cornwallfilmfestival.com/govyn-kernewek for more information.
8 If you’re chomping at the bit to hop on board James Cameron’s groundbreaking 3d sci-fi epic, Avatar, you might quite like these uber-cool prizes. each set includes shot glasses, a notepad and pen, decorating kit, mouse mat, glow T-shirt and messenger bag. To be in with a chance, simply send an email to info@cornwallmoviemagic. co.uk marked Avatar. WIn ALVIn And The ChIpMUnKS 2 MeRChAndISe! yes folks, the inimitable Alvin, Simon and Theodore are back for more musical high jinks and a giant dose of inter-band rivalry in ‘The Squeakquel’. Celebrate the release by getting your mitts on our munk-tastic sets of goodies, which include character shoelaces, an Alvin plush, inflatable guitar, ipod hoodie, fridge magnets, a character watch, mini recorder microphone, drawstring bag and stationery set. To be in with a chance, simply send an email to info@cornwallmoviemagic.co.uk marked Alvin and the Chipmunks.
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WHAT’S ON
the latest films coming to your local cinema use the icons as your guide to film content fantaSy Crime mind-bending you’re adventure nicked
mUSiC singing and notes
family keep the kids happy
SCary reach for the cushion
HIS PEOPLE NEEDED A LEADER. HE GAvE THEM A CHAMPION INVICTUS
release date
>> >
8Two years before becoming the president of South Africa, equal rights activist Nelson Mandela appeared as a Soweto teacher in Spike Lee’s biopic, Malcolm X. It may seem unusual that a man of such political significance would join the likes of Denzel Washington and Angela Bassett on the big screen, but it was a clever and bold move on the part of Mandela, and a testament to the influencing power of cinema. He will no doubt be fascinated to see how Morgan Freeman (Se7en, The Shawshank Redemption) portrays him in this film. Based on John Carlin’s book, Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation, Invictus is the true story of the politician’s involvement in the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was hosted by South Africa. The film is set during the first term of his presidency, just after the end of apartheid, in a country still ravaged by violence and segregation. Mandela sees the sporting event as an opportunity to unite his people and goes about convincing the team captain, Francois Pienaar (Damon), that the underdogs can and must win for the sake of South Africa. Faced with such fantastically high stakes, Pienaar must undertake the almost impossible task of bringing this dream to fruition. Invictus opens on the same weekend as the Six Nations Championship, making it the perfect film to get you in the rugby mood. With very little competition, it should easily become the best film ever made about the game. Furthermore, with Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino) in the director’s chair, you can expect the shots on the pitch to be gritty and authentic. Off the field, Freeman will undoubtedly command the action with a performance he has been building up to his whole career. Joe Cole
5th February
10
FIlm info
FIlm credits
Director Clint Eastwood Starring Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Scott Eastwood CoNTeNT icons
SCi-fi space and robots
violent blood and guts galore
ComeDy a laugh a minute
romantiC slushy love and kissing
aCtion more thrills than Rambo
Drama emotion and excitement
>> DECEMBER > JANUARY
WHAT’S ON
AVATAR
release date
>> >
8 Veteran filmmaker James Cameron is famed for his explosive and visually stimulating blockbusters. From Terminator to Aliens, Cameron has blasted through cinemas, leaving a trail of action sci-fi classics in his wake. Not one to rest on his laurels, Cameron is upping his game once again with Avatar. Using state of the art photorealistic Cgi and also promising a revolutionary 3D experience, Avatar is set to be a dazzling film and a groundbreaking evolution in cinema technology. Taking motion capture advancements made in the development of characters like gollum (Lord of the Rings), Davy Jones (Pirates of the Caribbean) and King Kong, Avatar creates a cast of believable digital characters. This isn’t to say that it’s all flashy effects and 3D aliens. There is a story at the heart of Avatar and at the centre of that story is Jake sully (Worthington), a marine who is paralysed from the waist down. Chosen to participate in the Avatar Program, Jake is taken to the world of Pandora where human corporate forces are encroaching on the land of the indigenous Na’vi in search of rare minerals. Living in a state of equilibrium with their environment, the Na’vi are three metres tall, blue skinned, technologically primitive and very much unwilling to part with their homes. The Program involves transferring Jake’s mind into an ‘Avatar’: a genetically engineered Na’vi body that enables him to infiltrate the indigenous community. But as Jake learns more about the Na’vi, he begins to sympathise with their cause and, before long, he decides that it is one worth fighting for. it is during this revelation that he begins to fall for the Na’vi woman, Neytiri. Conceived by Cameron over a decade ago, Avatar represents a long held dream for the director. Featuring romance, action, potentially peerless visuals and a moving plot, this 21st century Pocahontas should certainly be worth the wait. Kit Goodliffe
17th December
09
Film info
Film credits
Director James Cameron Starring sam Worthington, Zoe saldana, sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriquez, giovanni Ribisi conTenT icons
A MEsMERisiNg JoURNEY BEgiNs hERE
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WHAT’S ON
DECEMBER > JANUARY
ThE oRigiNAl CApED CRUsADER
release date
>> >
26th December
09
FiLM info
FiLM credits
Director: guy Ritchie Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude law, Rachel McAdams, Mark strong, Kelly Reilly COntEnt icons
SHERLOCK HOLMES 8 his last directorial outing, RocknRolla, received somewhat mixed reviews, and guy Ritchie’s hopes are pinned on winning audiences and critics over with the upcoming release of sherlock holmes. This re-telling of sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved creation has all the potential for Ritchie to surprise viewers with a new direction for his talents, appealing to perhaps his broadest audience yet. his notable balance of humour and violence, as well as high-speed action sequences, is certain to be present, and, word has it, a more authentic take on holmes than we have seen in the past - with a lot of flashy camera work and fist fights, of course. starring Robert Downey Jr. as the titular
character and Jude law as his loyal assistant Dr. Watson, this new spin on the deerstalkerwearing detective (though his fashion sense has been somewhat refreshed) is based on a graphic novel by lionel Wigram, which claims to focus on holmes’ bare-knuckle, martial arts fighting abilities to apprehend the baddies rather than his intellect alone. A sinister plot is underway to destroy Britain by a madman named lord Blackwood (strong), who will, in place of holmes’ nemesis professor Moriarty, act as an amalgamation of adversaries from the novels. And while the story itself has been written for the film, it is within the world holmes’ fans will recognise and can be pieced together as a combination of the original stories.
holmes’ love interest comes in the form of irene Adler, played by Rachel McAdams, and Kelly Reilly plays Mary Morstan, Watson’s flame, who becomes a source of jealousy for holmes that threatens to disrupt their bohemian bachelor-pad lifestyle. While Ritchie’s holmes may have more sword fighting and boxing than pipe smoking and pontificating, a fast-talking indiana Jones-style adventure might be just the thing for creating a whole new generation of Doyle fans. Blending heart-pounding action with the quip-trading duo’s comedic timing should make this an interesting foray into Victorian london and away from the gangster genre for Ritchie. Cheyenne Hill
>> december > January
rit chi e
PROFILE
guy
8
his debut was the third highest grossing film in uk cinema history, but when lock, stock and two smoking barrels director Guy ritchie married madonna in 2000, things went pear shaped. thrust into the shadow of the pop queen, his career took an inadvertent backseat. there was just enough time for brad pitt and stephen Graham to hop on board for snatch, lock, stock’s hit follow-up, before ritchie hit a five-year drought. he played executive producer to mean machine in 2001 but remaking any acclaimed hard-nut is a feat - made worse if your main star is one trick pony Vinnie Jones. the film raked in an average £97 million but critics struggled to formulate one good sentence about it. the rumour mill claimed madge suppressed his creative drive, and he hardly helped matters by oddly re-focusing his career on promoting her. the press presented him as nothing more than madge’s toy boy, shuffling around after his famous wife, attending her premieres and even directing a music video showing her physically hitting out at men in ‘What it feels like for a Girl’. insert your own joke here. casting her as the central role in his 2002 effort swept away was a fatal blow for his credibility and the film itself was a critical and commercial disaster. the film industry also deemed it inexcusable and ritchie was subsequently awarded a razzie award for worst director. he was disregarded professionally for the subsequent years and slipped further into the world of heat magazine, kabbalah, and dinner parties with Gwynnie, chris martin and a lot of oddly named children. aware of the publicity his marriage received he even joked, “i can understand that the whole world is interested in my wife. that’s even why i married her.” ritchie has never matched the critical success lock, stock and snatch received. although 2005’s revolver starred ritchie regular Jason statham and went in at number two at the box office, the press largely ignored it. released in 2008, rocknrolla boasted an all-star cast but it didn’t blip on the industry radar and also failed in the us. it’s the imminent release of sherlock holmes, however, that has got everyone talking about Guy ritchie the director; and we can safely say that, along with madonna herself, ‘swept away’ is buried in the past. it’s the first period picture ritchie has directed and the most commercial picture he’s done since snatch. the plot of this adventure-mystery sees holmes and accomplice Watson unravelling a secret conspiracy to tear down britain. ritchie has aspired to stay true to author arthur conan doyle’s characters, as well as introduce a psychological element to the narrative, revealing that although holmes’ brilliance will feed into the action, “the film will also show his intellect was as much of a curse as it was a blessing.” as one of the most highly anticipated flicks this winter, sherlock holmes might well strike gold. ritchie has a lot at stake; sure, the industry can forgive and forget past blunders. but only the once, mind.
PROFILE
ELEMENTARY, MY DEAR RITCHIE Will the release of sherlock holmes see Guy ritchie hailed as the comeback kinG? Jessica mayne ponders the rise and fall of the director’s career
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WHAT’S ON
DECEMBER > JANUARY
IT’S COMPLICATED
release date
>> >
8 I bet you never thought you’d see a film with a Facebook status as its title. It’s Complicated is very much a modern romantic comedy from Nancy Meyers, the woman behind such films as Father of the Bride, What Women Want and The Holiday. And it stars the reigning queen of cinema, the absolutely fabulous Meryl Streep. What’s not to love? Plus, any guys dragged along by their girlfriends can be safe in the knowledge that Meyers is a master of balancing heart-warming romance with quick wit. Streep plays Jane, a smart, successful independent woman with three grown up children and an amicable relationship with her ex-husband Jake (Baldwin). Things heat up between the pair when they attend their son’s college graduation: as Jake has re-married, Jane suddenly finds herself in the role of the other woman. Throw in Steve Martin’s architect, Adam, and you have one very messy love triangle. Following the biggest film in the history of UK cinema (Mamma Mia! in case you didn’t know) and 15 Oscar nods including two wins, Streep has proved she can do no wrong. Long may she reign. Emma Farley
8th January
10
FILM INFO
FILM cREDITS
Director Nancy Meyers Starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin, John Krasinski CONTENT IcONS
ST TRINIAN’S 2: THE LEGEND OF FRITTON’S GOLD
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8 Those St Trinian’s tinkers return for the sequel, St Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold and directing duo Oliver Parker and Barnaby Thompson return for more boarding school mayhem. The school faces money troubles once again so the girls step up and go in search of the legendary ‘Fritton’s Gold’; however, the evil Lord Pomfey (Tennant) and his woman-hating secret society, the AD1, are just paces behind them. In the first script, St Trinian’s was described as ‘like Hogwarts for psychos’ and that’s why we loved it. As well as boasting a slicker soundtrack, expect more anarchy, more bitching and more laughs in the sequel. Sexy Russell Brand may have jumped off the St Trinian’s wagon but Girls Aloud’s Sarah Harding has jumped on to play saucy Roxy. Colin Firth’s stuffy education minister returns, and Rupert Everett’s Miss Fritton is more eccentric than ever. There are more energetic group sequences this time round, and the mass dance in London’s Liverpool Street Station will have you swinging your hips along in the cinema aisles. Bring on another St Trinian’s and go for the trilogy I say! Jessica Mayne
18th December
09
FILM INFO
FILM cREDITS
Director Oliver Parker, Barnaby Thompson Starring Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, David Tennant, Gemma Arterton, Sarah Harding CONTENT IcONS
>> DECEMBER > JANUARY
IT’S LIKE CANNES… BUT WITH PASTIES! 8 The recent Cornwall Film Festival delivered another jam packed and textured programme. In recent years, CFF guests have included trail blazing director Andrea Arnold, critic Mark Kermode and Frank Skinner. Yet the micro budget for CFF 2009, held in November, forced the organisers to really knock it up a gear and utilise every possible resource in order to avoid disappointing. Though they couldn’t blag a throng of celebrities to pose around the bar, the films on offer more than made up for it. The most popular screening was, unsurprisingly, the new George Clooney and Ewan McGregor film The Men Who Stare at Goats, which gave CFF its Saturday night premiere. Glorious 39 also had its first screening in the South West. Starring Bill Nighy and Julie Christie, it’s definitely one to check out if wartime dramas are your cup of chard. Andrea Arnold’s hugely popular Brit grit teen flick Fish Tank was a sell out and you can catch it on DVD from the 25th January. Although Goats and climate change documentary The Age Of Stupid secured the top ticket sales of the weekend, the work of local filmmakers was equally embraced. As festival director Donna Anton reflects, ‘The Cornish documentary Diary of a Disgraced Soldier, which we presented on two screens,
also brought in an enthusiastic audience and got loads of publicity - certainly exciting proof that films made in Cornwall can be of high quality in terms of content and production values.’ Newly appointed CFF director Donna actually grew up in Chicago but proves she’s firmly pulled on a Team Kernow shirt. And, as the Cornish community nurtures and supports its pocket of talented filmmakers, the more the big kids get involved. Executives from the UK Film Council and the BFI took part in panel discussions and extremely approachable they were too, as the festival’s cosy vibe seemed to prevail. Of course, CFF will never rival Cannes but at least you don’t have to sharpen your elbows to get to the guests you want to talk to. Every submission cannot make the final line-up of course but a reel of shorts entitled ‘Best of the Rest’ played on continual loop in one of the smaller screens. CFF has always cherished its relationship with University College Falmouth and while film students dominated the student categories, UCF tutor and filmmaker Mark Jenkin won Best Film overall for Aurora’s Kiss. The event, however, is not just an arena for those with film-shaped aspirations. The Cornwall Film Festival is famously non-elitist, and a weekend for everyone to get involved with.
To find out more visit www.cornwallfilmfestival.com
FEATURE
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JESSICA MAyNE rEvIEWS THE CoUNTy’S ANNUAL CELEBrATIoN of fILM ANd fILMMAKINg, CorNWALL fILM fESTIvAL roSEMAry
MArCELLo, MArCELLo
dIAry of A dISgrACEd SoLdIEr
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WHAT’S ON
DECEMBER > JANUARY
eDGe oF DARKneSS
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8 He’s back. If the prospect of Mel isn’t pull enough, then perhaps the premise will be. As a high octane thriller with bestselling bite, seat edges will no doubt be worn as the gritty murder mystery unravels with pace, punch and action aplenty. Government collusion, corporate corruption, political activism and secret lives aren’t new ideas, but here they are tied together by an acclaimed actor renowned for his hard-hitting characterisation and plot driving force. When homicide detective Thomas Craven (Gibson) investigates his daughter’s doorstep murder, the emphasis soon shifts from his work to her mysterious other life that reveals a series of threats and revelations most notably in the shady guise of government operative Darius Jedburgh (Winstone), who is dispatched to ‘clean up’ the evidence, to whatever bloody or violent end. Gibson is again at hand to transform the tale of terror into a touching meditation of personal transformation and redemption. That he achieves an empathetic edge amongst the spitting fury and gun-toting interrogations is testament to his continued - and here renewed Hollywood heavyweight status. Hannah May
29th January
10
Film info
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Director Martin Campbell Starring Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Shawn Roberts content icons
noWHeRe BoY
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8 John Lennon is undoubtedly one of the biggest musical legends of all time: his life during and after the Beatles has become nothing less than public property. Yet what of his existence prior to the famous four? Nowhere Boy charts the untold adolescent years and musical emergence of Lennon (Johnson), portraying the experiences that would shape his remarkable future. His relationships with two women are key to Lennon’s story: his mother Julia (Duff), who gave him up as a child, and his aunt Mimi (Scott-Thomas), who raised him. Utterly different to her disapproving sister, Julia features strongly as the musical force in the family, nurturing her son’s talent and attempting to overcome the barriers between them. A more familiar character is that of a young Paul McCartney (Sangster), who met his future bandmate at the age of 15 and was present at his first fledgling attempts at songwriting and performing. The life of Lennon is a daunting topic to tackle, but as the first real depiction of his childhood - and the directorial debut of Sam Taylor-Woods - Nowhere Boy is certain to become a seasonal must-see. Megan Westley
26th December
09
Film info
Film credits
Director Sam Taylor-Wood Starring Aaron Johnson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Thomas Sangster, Anne-Marie Duff content icons
>> DECEMBER > JANUARY
WHAT’S ON
THE BOOK OF ELI
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8 As the international economic downturn rumbles on and natural disasters happen left right and centre, it appears audiences just can’t get enough of postapocalyptic tales. The latest directors to step up to the plate and tackle the end of the world extravaganza are the Hughes brothers, made famous for their 1993 urban drama Menace II Society, as well as 2001’s From Hell. The brothers’ latest outing sees a lone hero, Eli (Washington), fighting his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind. Sword fighting and gunning down anyone who stands in his way, Eli eventually meets his match in Carnegie (Oldman), a dictator of a small, makeshift town who wants to take possession of the book. The two impressive trailers suggest that The Book Of Eli will utilise a Mad Max style storyline, coupled with similar visuals from the impressive Fallout computer games, to create an explosive action adventure that will not only captivate audiences but blow them away. James Wright
15th January
10
FILm info
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Directors Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes Starring Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Michael Gambon, Mila Kunis cOnTEnT icons
THE ROAD
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8th January
10
FILm info
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Director John Hillcoat Starring Viggo Mortensen, Guy Pearce, Robert Duvall, Charlize Theron cOnTEnT icons
8 Known for his dark, gritty and unflinching subject matter, Cormac McCarthy’s work was always going to be high on Hollywood’s list to adapt for the big screen. Following the success of the Coen brothers’ adaptation of No Country For Old Men, McCarthy’s 2006 novel The Road is his latest work to receive the big screen treatment, bringing his harrowing vision of the future to cinemas this January. The Road follows the journey of an unnamed father and son across a post-apocalyptic landscape following an unexplained cataclysmic event. Civilisation has been destroyed, along with almost all life on Earth. As they make their way towards the coast in search of food and shelter, they find themselves in sinister encounters with cannibals and other desperate gangs of survivors. And in a world where it’s every man for himself, it’s kill or be killed. The film is a dark and haunting affair helmed by John Hillcoat, director of The Proposition; with a sterling cast including the likes of Viggo Mortensen, Guy Pearce and Robert Duvall, The Road promises to be a gripping and unforgettable cinematic experience. Paul Weedon
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FEATURE
DECEMBER > JANUARY
OUT OF THIS WORLD It was a bestselling novel, but will The Lovely Bones make an Oscar-winning film? Jessica Mayne gives the low down on one of 2010’s truly unique releases
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A film adaptation of Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones, with its subject matter of rape and murder, didn’t seem a natural choice for DreamWorks, a company affiliated primarily with animation and whose biggest hit to date is the Shrek series. However, like the book, Peter Jackson’s forthcoming film is set to defy expectation - and it might just replicate its success. Anticipation for The Lovely Bones has snowballed as the release date has thrice been postponed. Astonishingly, production actually began back in October 2007. A break ensued; Spielberg hopped on board as executive producer, the cast got starrier and rumours surfaced about internal conflict and control. But one thing was certain: this celebrated novel had to be handled with care. The book was inspired by Sebold’s mission to find a fresh literary perspective point to draw on her own rape experiences - and the result “profoundly affected” Jackson. This intense emotional impact, combined with its refusal to be pigeonholed, made for a difficult adaptation, as Jackson admits, “I was faced with the problem of how to retain the soul of the book.”
After being coaxed into a den by a neighbour, 14-year-old protagonist Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan) is brutally raped and killed. Susie then finds herself in ‘the in-between’, a realm between earth and heaven that allows her to look down on her family as their grief unravels. She urges the family to deliver the justice required for her to rest in peace and her father (Mark Wahlberg) and sister Lindsey (Rose McIver) grow increasingly obsessed with finding the killer. When the cops ignore their suspicions directed at local oddball George Harvey (Stanley Tucci), they take the law into their own hands. Susie reveals her frustration, “My father had the pieces but he couldn’t make them fit.” After concealing his tracks, psychopath Harvey is ready to attack again, and this time he sets his sights on Lindsey. A half thriller half fantasy, Jackson describes the movie, as, “uplifting because of the narrator’s sense of humour, and there was a difference between its tone and subject matter”. Susie employs pragmatism in death but without ever excusing her killer’s actions, and she manages to humanise him in an attempt to move towards healing herself. There was allegedly some debate over how ‘the in-between’ - an integral visual motif
throughout the film - should be portrayed. Jackson’s perception prevailed and he filmed the fantastical sequences in his native New Zealand. The film’s initial theme of rape and death may seem incongruous in the DreamWorks sphere but Jackson was keen to explore the uplifting quality of Susie’s emancipative journey and set a dreamlike tone. At times, her death itself is presented as a positive
experience as she narrates, “I wasn’t gone - I was alive in my own perfect world.” Eluding the label of a murder film or disturbing family drama, Jackson explains, “Susie is on this incredible adventure into the world of the afterlife, where the rules of our world no longer apply.” Often, the surreal sequences of Susie monitoring her family’s progress from above are bleached out, and perhaps this is an obvious choice.
>> DECEMBER > JANUARY
FEATURE
Jackson was aware in production of his wide audience demographic. Taking the mainstream route, the film’s aesthetic had to be universally engaging; any low-fi black and white dream montages found in indie flicks were out of the question. In recent years, Jackson’s career has resided with budgetdefying blockbusters, like King Kong and The Lord of The Rings trilogy but The Lovely Bones has got people drawing comparisons with his lesser-known earlier work like Heavenly Creatures (1994). Given the sheer scale of some of his previous projects, Jackson’s claim that “The Lovely Bones has been my biggest challenge yet” is rather astonishing. Though complex, the challenge of this smaller, more drama based project was a prospect the director relished, commenting, “It was good to try something different.” As Jackson returns to Tolkien territory with work on the second script for The Hobbit, go see what you make of this unique diversion for his directorial talent. The Lovely Bones is released on 25th January
The verdict As the credits rolled at the end of The Lovely Bones, I found myself somewhat unprepared to slip back into the real world after such an absorbing examination of life, death and what lies beyond. Yes, the subject matter of Sebold’s book is both dark and difficult and, wisely, Jackson echoes the masterstroke of the book - he manages to address its grim essence without slipping into a hopelessly sombre tone. Sorry true crime fans: this film isn’t about murder. The Lovely Bones is about the bond of family, human mortality, the survival of the human spirit and the afterlife, with a smattering of teenage romance thrown in for good measure. And, despite Jackson’s technical wizardry and mesmerising visuals, the fantastically dreamy depiction of ‘the in-between’, the nostalgic evoking of the bell-bottoms, David Cassidy posters and helmet hair dos of the ‘70s and the heart-shattering tension of the grittiest scenes, the key to the film’s impact is thanks to a show-stealing performance from Saoirse Ronan. The Irish-born
l
starlet is truly enchanting as a teenage girl, nursing her first crush, as a victim of murder coming to terms with her own death and as the film’s narrator, sharing despair, humour and unbridled enthusiasm in turn as she explores her ‘perfect world’. Susan Sarandon provides an amusing interlude as Susie’s hard-drinking, chain-smoking grandmother, who emerges as the unlikely glue that holds the grieving Salmon family together, while Stanley Tucci offers an eerie and quietly malevolent performance as unhinged murderer, George Harvey. Whether it sweeps the board at the Oscars or slips beneath the radar for its blockbuster-defying subject matter is immaterial. At times blood-chillingly tense and dreamily uplifting, The Lovely Bones is a transfixing meditation on love, loss and the tenuous grip we have on life that will echo in your consciousness long after you return to your real world. Rebecca Matthews
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DECEMBER > JANUARY
8 A film likely to offend those with delicate sensibilities, this is the second screenplay from Sexy Beast writers Louis Mellis and David Scinto. An honorary follow up to that 2001 cult hit, 44 Inch Chest welcomes producers Richard Brown and Steve Golin (Babel, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), further adding to the gritty pedigree. Car salesman Colin Diamond (Winstone) is left devastated when his wife informs him that she is leaving him for another man, a French waiter referred to only as ‘Loverboy’. After beating more information out of her, Colin gathers a group of middle aged and somewhat unhinged friends, and attempts to salvage his self-esteem by kidnapping Loverboy. Although predominantly theatrical in staging, cinematic flair is offered through jumbled chronology and surreal, almost whimsical, flashback sequences. Radiating quiet menace, Beast had its bunny, and Chest has Samson and Delilah. Otherwise, this is a dialogue driven picture, and the ensemble group brazenly chews the scenery with their expletive ridden banter. While much of the running time is spent locked inside the house, the atmosphere grows more claustrophobic as the four letter words are spat with increasingly poetic conviction. Chris Wasey
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44 INCH CHEST
22nd January
10
FIlm info
FIlm credits
Director Malcom Venville Starring Ray Winstone, Ian McShane, John Hurt, Tom Wilkinson, Stephen Dillane CoNTENT icons
UP IN THE AIR release date
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15th January
10
FIlm info 8 Jason Reitman, the director of Thank You For Smoking and cult classic Juno, is at it again with his latest off beat comedy drama, based on the 2001 novel of the same name by Walter Kim. The film stars George Clooney as Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizing expert who lives out of a suitcase as he travels around America firing people on behalf of corporations - and he is loving every second of it. However, on the cusp of ten million frequent flyer miles, Ryan’s own job comes under threat when his boss hires arrogant young Natalie (Kendrick), who develops a method of video conferencing that will allow companies to fire people without ever having to leave the office. Determined to show Natalie the error of her ways, Ryan takes her on one of his cross-country firing adventures. However, while Natalie starts to realise the disheartening realities of her profession, Ryan begins to see the downfalls of his way of life - just after he’s met Alex (Farmiga) the frequent-traveller woman of his dreams. James Wright
FIlm credits
Director Jason Reitman Starring George Clooney, Anna Kendrick, Vera Farmiga, Jason Bateman CoNTENT icons
>> DECEMBER > JANUARY
WHAT’S ON
PREciOUS
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8 Directed by Lee Daniels (Monster’s Ball) and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire is a critically acclaimed and award-winning drama, focusing on a 16-year-old schoolgirl who is pregnant with her second child. Abused by her mother both mentally and physically, and raped by her father, Claireece ‘Precious’ Jones (Sidibe) fights to find new strength with the help of her teachers. Already receiving overwhelming response at film festivals around the world, earning a host of awards and Oscars buzz, this has not only been praised for its powerful and harrowing style of storytelling, but also for its electric performances. As Precious, Sidibe makes a remarkable debut, with support from pop sensation Mariah Carey making an exceptional turn as Mrs Weiss, Precious’s social worker. Thought provoking, emotional and captivating, this drama takes you on a heartfelt journey through the eyes of a young girl struggling with a rough deal in life. With some of the year’s most memorable performances, this is one drama that is sure to resonate in your mind long after you leave the cinema. David Scarborough
29th January
10
Film info
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Director Lee Daniels Starring Gabourey Sidibe, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey cOnTEnT icons
BROTHERS
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22nd January
10
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Director Jim Sheridan Starring Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman, Bailee Madison cOnTEnT icons
8 Six-time Oscar nominated director Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot) brings some Hollywood star power to his remake of Denmark’s 2005 Sundance darling, Brothers. Switching the action to the US, the film focuses on the lives of one Irish-American family, dissecting the impact the Iraq war is truly having on thousands of similar homes across the nation. When decorated Marine Capt. Sam Cahill (Maguire) goes missing overseas, his wife Grace (Portman) is left alone with their two young daughters, Isabelle and Maggie. As Grace and the girls struggle to deal with their sudden loss, his younger brother Tommy (Gyllenhaal) moves into the household to take care of the family, as well as make up for his reckless past as a drifter and criminal. With the absence of her husband weighing heavily on Grace, and with Tommy’s growing attachment to her and the children, the two embark on a forbidden relationship. However, the comfort they find in each other is soon destroyed when Sam unexpectedly returns alive from the war. Sam Walker-Smart
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WHAT’S ON
DECEMBER > JANUARY
THE BOYS ARE BAcK
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8 From the producers of the globally acclaimed weepy Billy Elliot, and the director of the Oscarwinning Shine, comes a tale of inspiration, which is guaranteed to drain your tear ducts. Set in the stunning scenery of South Australia, Oscar-nominated Clive Owen plays Joe Warr, a wisecracking sports writer who finds himself facing up to single parenthood after the tragic death of his wife. This will undoubtedly create unmeasured pathos as we get carried along a deeply moving story tracing the importance of that ever-pivotal father figure. Its creators have a background in creating uplifting journeys of character and soul, and The Boys Are Back is guaranteed to be another emotional rollercoaster. With the only words of child-rearing philosophy that he knows, Joe Warr takes a “just say yes” approach: a message that will touch the hearts of anybody who’s ever encountered such a challenge. Inspired by a true story, The Boys Are Back isn’t just about a family crisis: it is a humorous and honest account of single fatherhood, which traces the unavoidable grace of everyday life. Matt Brigden
22nd January
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FiLm info
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Director Scott Hicks Starring Clive Owen, Laura Fraser, Emma Booth, George MacKay cOnTEnT icons
ALL ABOUT STEVE
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8 There’s something inherently lovable about Sandra Bullock. Even when she’s playing an undercover FBI agent, she is still unbelievably likable - more so I imagine than most of the FBI’s staff. All About Steve then, is the perfect vehicle for her wonderfully charming brand of onscreen ditzyness. After a blind date, Mary Horowitz finds herself chasing the affections of Bradley Cooper’s CNN cameraman, the titular Steve. Unfortunately, she hasn’t been to the cinema of late and she fails to read the signs that he’s just not that into her. Determined to capture his heart, a chase ensures across the country. When Steve finally realises he has mutual feelings for Mary, after his series of rejections, it may well be too late. From the team who made Miss Congeniality, this promises to be a similarly fun romantic comedy, with enough pratfalls and misunderstandings to keep everyone laughing throughout. Most of the laughs come from Thomas Haden Church’s news reporter, the sarcastic funny man to lovelorn Steve; Bradley Cooper plays a great romantic lead and Sandra Bullock is certain to charm you, even if she can’t charm her man. Chris Upton
15th January
10
FiLm info
FiLm credits
Director Phil Traill Starring Sandra Bullock, Bradley Cooper, Thomas Haden Church, Ken Jeong cOnTEnT icons
>> DECEMBER > JANUARY
WHAT’S ON
DiD YOU HeAR ABOUT THe mORGAnS?
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8 Bumbling Hugh Grant and sassy Sarah Jessica Parker may seem like an odd pairing but it serves to enrich the slapstick streak in new rom-com Did You Hear About The Morgans? A fish-out-of-water premise is always effective in paving the way for misfortune montages, and this is no exception. Plus, doesn’t everyone love to see Hugh Grant in a sticky situation? Paul and Meryl Morgan might have successful and wealthy lifestyles, but they live them entirely separately: the only thing they share is their crumbling marriage. When Paul takes Meryl to dinner to suggest marriage counselling, they witness a murder on the walk home. With their lives in danger, the Feds force the reluctant couple into a witness protection programme and they find themselves in Wyoming, hence the tagline ‘We’re not in Manhattan anymore’. Funnily enough, Wyoming represents what Kansas once was: a collection of wood cabins in the middle of the country, full of locals clad with cowboy hats and shotguns. Suddenly exposed to a simple and slow paced lifestyle, will the briefcase and Blackberry-less Morgans reignite their romance? Make a bet now. You know the answer. Jessica Mayne
1st January
10
Film info
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Director Marc Lawrence Starring Hugh Grant, Sarah Jessica Parker, Mary Steenburgen, Elisabeth Moss cOnTenT icons
POST GRAD
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1st January
10
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Director Vicky Jenson Starring Alexis Bledel, Zach Gilford, Michael Keaton, Jane Lynch cOnTenT icons
8 With unemployment rates soaring and the emergence of a so-called ‘lost generation’ as a result of the economic downturn, this film could not have come at a better time. As an increasing number of 20-somethings are thrust out of education and into the ‘real world’, Post Grad is Hollywood’s humorous insight into how to cope with this often stress-filled, emotional period. When Ryden Malby (Bledel) graduates from college, she is forced to move back in with her eccentric family while she attempts to find a job, a boyfriend, and a vague idea of the direction her life is headed. Alexis Bledel, who shot to fame in long-running American series Gilmore Girls, is a familiar face, whose experiences in life, love and luck will be almost too close for comfort for some members of the audience. Director Vicky Jenson has a penchant for storylines involving dysfunctional families; 2003’s Family Tree also effectively mixes oddball humour with heart-warming moments with which the audience can identify. At face value, Post Grad is a fluffy, sugar-coated coming-of-age comedy, but Jenson has made a film with a deeper level of social commentary than you might expect. Beth Dearden
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DVD REVIEWS
MR T’S RATING
DECEMBER > JANUARY
DVD REVIEWS
1 I ain’t gettin’ on no plane fool!................................................ 2 Quit your jibber jabber............................................................. 3 I’m teachin’ fools some basic rules........................................ 4 It takes a smart guy to play dumb.......................................... 5 I believe in the golden rule - the man with the gold rules....
ANTICHRIST
Release date 1st February Director Sam Mendes Starring John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Jeff Daniels, Maggie Gyllenhaal Having tackled the hidden horrors of the suburbs in Revolutionary Road, Sam Mendes turns his attention to the smug and self-helped satisfaction of Generation Y. Well educated, creative and comfortable in their longterm relationship, Verona and Burt make for unlikely central characters of an indiewood movie, which more usually trade on non-conformity. With Verona’s parent’s having long since passed away and Burt’s mom and pop having abandoned the pair for Belgium, the imminent arrival of a baby causes the couple to reflect on their own lives and location. What follows is a road trip in search of somewhere to start their parenthood anew, this episodic misadventure carrying them through a nightmarish America, where friends - drunk, deranged or depressed - hide their flaws behind a false front of happiness, and are duly judged through the protagonist’s lens of cutesy simplicity. Despite strong central performances and an impressive supporting cast who do their best with the caricatures they are given, the film makes for an uncomfortable muddle of comedy and social satire. Vendela Vida and Dave Eggers appear unsure as to what their script is, an uncertainty that Mendes carries into his visually flat direction with the uneven result a hateful commentary on contemporary US society. Belgium, anyone?
Release date 11th January Director Lars von Trier Starring Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg While Lars von Trier’s most recent The Boss of it All extrapolated cinematic madness from the self-preferentiality of office culture, so Antichrist draws true horror from all that can go wrong in the human psyche. There is no boogieman at work here though - Jigsaw, Jason or Freddie are replaced by a fairly normal couple who find themselves in abnormal circumstances brought about through love, death and grief. Reportedly an exercise to escape his own depression, von Trier’s screenplay is a brutal dismissal of therapy, though it has been its misogyny which has drawn most critical ire as Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg’s He and She disappear down a rabbit hole of madness and despair. The bizarre blend of nature, high drama and the surreal is brought to life by astonishing performances from the leads together with Anthony Dod Mantle’s cinematography, which brings the richness of a Goya painting to the screen. It may not be for everybody, but Antichrist is a breathtaking, visceral and cinematic experience.
Kingsley Marshall
Kingsley Marshall
A PERFECT GETAWAY Release date 18th January Director David Twohy Starring Timothy Olphant, Milla Jovovich, Steve Zahn, Kiele Sanchez Prepare to be kept on your toes as you follow young newlywed couple Cliff and Cydney on their death-defying honeymoon in Hawaii in this palm-sweater of
a thriller. The duo embarks on a wild hike to the most remote and dangerous beaches; en route, they hear of the local murder of another newlywed couple by a male and female killing pair. Playing out like an elaborate and adventurous round of ‘guess who?’, they encounter other suspicious couples, thus heightening their paranoia that is nicely juxtaposed by the tropical backdrop and romantic set up. Tensions build and truths are revealed in shock waves as the tempo and passions fire up in a cleverer-than-you-first-think homicidal rampage. Well acted and directed with enough bursts of not-too-American comedic relief before the concluding drama and violence unfolds, this thriller may have slipped innocuously under the critical radar, but is definitely worth a watch. Hannah May
remain a shadowy force, feared by all and discussed in hushed whispers. Insight is left to the contestants, who share lofty but ultimately half-hearted hopes of change, and the fans of the show, which appear to unite the country’s geographically and tribally disparate population. A grandfather describes the liberal nature of the country prior to the arrival of the Taliban, while a TV repair man describes how he operated secretly from the back of a grocery shop during their reign. Afghanistan remains a place of divides however and, as its inhabitants attempt to claw back some sense of identity from the rubble and carcasses of tanks left by countless invaders, women dancing on the show provokes moral outrage, where elimination from the competition carriers a sinister connotation. Kingsley Marshall
AFGHAN STAR Release date 25th January Director Havana Marking Starring Habib Amiri, Setara Hussainzada, Rafi Naabzada, Lima Sahar Havana Marking’s documentary is an enlightening affair. Ostensibly, this film is about a low budget X Factor that delivers popular culture to the jerry rigged television aerials that embellish the buildings of a crumbling Afghanistan. Marking’s camera joins the fray in the final rounds of the competition that drew thousands of hopefuls to its early staging, and focuses on a handful of contestants- Hamee, Rafi, Lima and Setara - who hope to overcome tribal differences in order to become 2007’s Afghan Star. The Taliban had banned television, music and dancing during their governance and, though no longer in power, they
DVD RElEaSES december 09 and january 10
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AWAY WE GO
December 7th The Hangover Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Inglourious Basterds G.I. Joe Bandslam 28th The Final Destination District 9 The Hurt Locker January 4th The Cove 11th The Taking of Pelham 123 Sorority Row 18th Dorian Gray 500 Days of Summer Creation Gamer 25th Fish Tank
Truro and Penwith College The Big Picture Abby Blackman, A level Film Studies student, celebrates director Joe Wright’s Atonement (2007) Based on the much loved novel by Ian McEwan, Atonement is one of my favourite films. I am also a fan of the director Joe Wright, whose Pride and Prejudice (2005) also starred Keira Knightley. One of the things I love about Joe Wright’s directing is that he stays true to the book, even taking lines of dialogue straight from the page to film. Beginning in 1935, Cecilia (Keira Knightley) and Robbie (James McAvoy) fall in love but their love is ruined by Cecilia’s 13 year old sister Briony, who accuses Robbie of a crime he did not commit. Released after two years in prison, Robbie is sent to northern France as a private in the army. While Cecilia and Robbie are forever trying to find each other and rediscover the love that Briony’s lie had separated, Briony spends her later years trying to atone for the harm she caused. One particular sequence I love is entitled on the DVD “The Evacuation of Dunkirk”. Robbie and two other soldiers have just arrived at Dunkirk from where the remnants of the British Expeditionary Force are to be evacuated. However, they soon discover that they are not going anywhere soon. Joe Wright’s use of music in this sequence reflects the true horror of war and the different effects it has on the soldiers. The scene begins with the camera following Robbie as he runs up the sand dunes towards the beach. He stops abruptly at the top of dunes while the camera slowly moves up and over him to a long shot of the beach where thousands of soldiers are lined up or setting up camp. Then follows a close up reaction shot of Robbie’s disbelief, at that moment one of his companions runs up and says, “It’s like something from the Bible”.
A long steadicam shot starts as Robbie walks towards us and we see horses being shot. The music slowly comes in and as Robbie walks on we hear diegetic sounds of gun shots, fires burning, men shouting, praying and fighting, all of which contrast with the violins of the non-diegetic music which is both quiet and soothing, yet together with the unsettling sounds of war, Joe Wright has grasped the audience and made them feel for the people on screen. The camera overtakes Robbie so that now we are seeing the world through his eyes. We hear men singing a hymn - Beauty and The Beast – in the distance which joins with the violins and the noise of war, until we see the men singing on a stage that faces the beach. As we get close their voices and expressions seem like they’re pleading, even praying. It is deeply moving and has been achieved in one long unedited shot. The crowds of soldiers all wear similar dull brown uniforms, yet each man is distinctive with his individual wounds, and this really brings to life what they have been through and what wearing that uniform means. Otherwise the dominant colour is grey; grey smoke covering a grey sky and the grey bombed rubble everywhere, making everything seem dull and depressing. There is one moment of bright colour when Robbie passes a merrygo-round, brilliant with gold and reds, but with soldiers occupying the little carriages meant for children. Nothing is how it should be. There shouldn’t be wounded soldiers stranded in France, nor should there be dull skies or smoke in summer or full grown men on a children’s merrygo-round on a Dunkirk beach. Joe Wright has captured the audience throughout, making the war scenes as deeply emotional as the love story. Atonement is a film that never fails to affect me very deeply.
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>> 26
film SHORTS
DECEMBER > JANUARY
FILm SHORTS A ROUND UP OF THE MOVIES DUE TO HIT THE BIg SCREEN
ASTRO BOY
NINJA ASSASSIN
ASTRO BOY Release date 5th February Director David Bowers Starring Nicolas Cage, Freddy Highmore, Kristen Bell, Samuel L. Jackson For those who like their animation action-packed or just plain wacky, Astro Boy is coming at you this February. When a scientist’s young son dies, he secretly creates a powerful robot child to replace him; however the robot uses its incredible powers to become a world famous superhero, and faces his biggest challenge when an alien race threatens Earth. Based on the seminal manga comic of the same name and animated in epic 3D, this movie looks set to be one of the first big hitters’ of 2010. Do yourself a favour and check it out before it blasts off. Daniel Cadwallader
CARRIERS Release date 11th December Director Alex Pastor, David Pastor Starring Christopher Meloni,
Piper Perabo, Chris Pine, Emily VanCamp, Lou Taylor Pucci Hollywood had a premonition about hysteria induced by infection. Before flu of bird or swine, we had 28 Days Later and Cabin Fever. Now, as H1N1 sees a winter resurgence, Carriers ups the ante with an absolute pandemic, transferred not just through biting or blood, but via any physical contact. Four teenagers, including brothers Danny and Brian (Chris ‘new Kirk’ Pine), attempt to flee town and escape to a distant beach. Betrayed by other survivors on the road, and soon facing the need to betray each other, this is a gritty horror full of genuine malice and ‘throw your popcorn’ scares. Chris Wasey
SEX AND DRUGS AND ROCK AND ROLL Release date 8th January Director Mat Whitecross Starring Andy Serkis, Naomie Harris, Ray Winstone, Olivia Williams, Noel Clarke
The British music scene is a tumultuous affair. Decades of ecstasy, angst and troubled prodigies have so often made us the western world’s cultural spearhead. Following the critical acclaim of Control, this dark biopic of British punk legend, Ian Dury, takes a similar tact. With 2010 marking a decade since cancer took his life, the film charts Dury’s early polio diagnosis, his rise to band front man and ultimate influence on the 1970s’ musical landscape. Snarled lyrics and quiet self-destruction, with added levity offered by the wealth of contemporary British talent, Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll is a potent cocktail. Chris Wasey
THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG Release date 29th January Director Ron Clements, John Musker Starring Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, Jennifer Cody
Walt Disney. Animation. Musical. Comedy. What more could a picture provide? Once again flipping traditional tales on their backs in a wrestling match of reinvention, another fairytale is here modernised for the next generation’s delight. However, there’s a retro element in play for the young moviegoer, as the screenwriters have returned to hand-drawn animation methods of production, which is nostalgically refreshing. The scaffold of the story remains, whereby a beautiful girl called Tiana kisses a frog prince in the exotic and fantastic realms of… New Orleans? The adventure is set against a musical medley courtesy of Oscar winning composer Randy Jackson (Toys, Monsters Inc.) for a stellar soundtrack. Hannah May
NINJA ASSASSIN Release date: 8th January Director: James McTeigue Starring: Sung Kang, Rain, Naomie Harris, Randall Duk Kim, Ben Miles, Yuki Iwamoto Fans of both American and Korean martial arts movies, rejoice. McTeigue (V for Vendetta) teams up with the Wachowski Brothers once again to offer a stomach churning mix of live action and computer effects. Ninja Assassin promises the brutal close quarters combat of Old Boy with the exaggerated swordplay and big budget gore of Tarantino’s Kill Bill. Raizo finds himself pitted against former brothers from the Ozunu clan when he tries to protect beautiful target, Mika Corette, from a painful dismemberment. Unashamedly style over substance, Ninja Assassin offers blood soaked, gratuitous carnage and severed limbs strewn with reckless abandon. Chris Wasey
WOULD YOU STILL BE OVER THE LIMIT ? After a night out drinking you could still be over the legal alcohol limit and unfit to drive the following morning. A drink driving conviction leads to an automatic disqualification of your licence for a minimum of 12 months. For more information contact Cornwall Council Road Safety T: 0300 1234 222 E: roadsafety@cornwall.gov.uk W: www.cornwall.gov.uk/roadsafety
>> 28
film SHORTS
december > JAnuArY
Film SHORTS A round up of the movies due to hit the big screen
ARmORED Release date 22nd January Director Nimród Antal Starring Columbus Short, Matt Dillon, Jean Reno, Laurence Fishburne from first time screenwriter James v. simpson and upcoming director nimród Antal (next seen directing a new predator movie) comes a thrilling new heist drama starring matt dillon (crash), Jean reno (Leon) and Laurence fishburne (the matrix trilogy). ty hackett gets entangled in a $42million heist orchestrated by his fellow guards at an armoured truck company. conflict flares when things get out of hand and a cop (heroes’ milo ventimiglia) gets shot, and hackett is forced to fight back against his friends. What follows is an explosive, tense and actionpacked stand off which is sure to leave audiences breathless. David Scarborough
ARMoReD
HOODWiNKED TOO! HOOD VS. EVil
SPReAD
SPREAD
AlViN AND THE CHiPmUNKS 2: THE SQUEAKQUEl
Release date 29th January Director Mike Disa Starring Hayden Panettiere, Glenn Close, Patrick Warburton, Joan Cusack giving traditional fairytale characters a modern makeover is not a new cinematic phenomenon. A tally of flicks has toyed with them (brothers grimm, shrek) not to mention this one’s original predecessor, hoodwinked. but what contemporises them is the sharp storyboarding, animated artistry and musical montages. plus, of course, they all receive the hollywood treatment via the voices of various A-listers. teen heroine red riding hood is called from her covert training with the rather rap-sounding sisters of the hood to team up with Wolf and unravel the strange disappearance of hansel and gretel. fun frolics for all.
Release date 1st January Director David Mackenzie Starring Ashton Kutcher, Anne Heche, Margarita Levieva, Sebastian Stan A single word summarises the centre of this story (unless your unfortunate mind automatically pictures margarine) - sex. the male lead, nikki, is played by ladies’ man Ashton Kutcher who - whatever end of the opinion poll you’re on - harbours a distinct draw. nikki sleeps his way into the rich lifestyles of beautiful women all over LA, but when this rampant sexualite invites a waitress to his present conquest’s house, complications arise when she assumes it’s his - especially since they’re both players of the same game. Will it turn rom-com in a love-over-money conundrum or will random hanky panky rule the day? Ashton has the answer…
Release date 21st December Director Betty Thomas Starring Justin Long, Anna Faris, Jason Lee, Matthew Gray Gubler Apparently, it’s time to get munked. in this, pop sensations Alvin, simon and theodore return to the big screen for the sing-off of their lives. under the eye of dave seville’s nephew toby, they return to school where they are charged with the task of saving its music programme by netting the battle of the bands’ $25,000 winnings. sounds like a plan. but when arch nemeses arise in the form of female counterparts, the chipettes (brittany, eleanor and Jeanette), their musical wits are pitted against each other, tugging both musical and heart strings in the process.
Hannah May
Hannah May
A PROPHET
Hannah May
Release date 22nd January Director Jacques Audiard Starring Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Adel Bencherif, Hichem Yacoubi, Reda Kateb Winning both the grand prix award at the 2009 cannes film festival and best film at the recent London film festival, Jacques Audiard’s beautifully executed slice of french crime cinema finally gets a full release. When young Arab malik is sent to prison for six years, he soon falls in with notorious kingpin césar Luciani, committing a bloody murder on his behalf and becoming his lieutenant in the process. As he garners increased power and respect within the prison walls, malik conducts some business of his own, but life for the 19-year-old suddenly becomes far more dangerous. Sam Walker-Smart
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October ‘09 / Inside Cornwall / proof no 4 / created Wednesday 9 September
COMING TO THE BIG SCREEN IN 29th January
The Lovely Bones
19th February
Shutter Island
5th March
Alice In Wonderland
23rd July
Clash Of The Titans
30th July
How To Train Your Dragon
The A Team Little Fockers
4th August
Cats & Dogs: The Revenge Of Kitty Galore
Nanny McPhee 2 31st March
Toy Story 3 In Digital 3D in selected cinemas
In Digital 3D in selected cinemas
26th March
2010
6th August
In Digital 3D in selected cinemas
Step Up 3 In Digital 3D in selected cinemas
30th April
Iron Man 2
13th August
14th May
Robin Hood
19th November Harry Potter -
28th May
Sex And The City 2
Deathly Hallows 1
9th July
Shrek Forever After
10th December The Chronicles Of
16th July
Inception
The Twilight Saga’s Eclipse
Narnia: The Voyage
Karate Kid
Of The Dawn Treader
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