237. Di Di Hollywood; movie review

DI DI HOLLYWOOD
Cert 15
96 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language, sex and hard drug use

Why, after it was released six years ago, am I reviewing Bigas Luna's Di Di Hollywood and claiming that it is on the current UK roster?
Well, largely because my bible, www,filmdates.co.uk, stated that it was being shown at the Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle and this was its first big screen outing in the UK.
Frankly, I wish it hadn't been.
What begins as a relatively interesting premise (down-at-heel Spanish girl makes it big in Los Angeles) turns abruptly into soft porn.
Elsa Pataky plays a naive young woman who loses all her money within days of following her dream to work in the United States.
Then she falls for a line from a fella who tells her he can help her make it as an actress.
Inevitably, that 'relationship' breaks down but, undaunted, Diana becomes Di Di by agreeing to do whatever it takes to reach the top. And by anything, I mean anything!
Di Di Hollywood is another low budget film which has far too many scenes.
I could not work out whether this was an attempt to be ambitious or just to cover the flat acting of its cast. But the result was that it jumps around at a greater speed than our heroine leaps into beds.
Indeed, the only reason that I could imagine anyone watching this movie was to see the very attractive Miss Pataky in the all-together.
If that level of soft porn is your bag then this could be the movie for you. Personally, I was open-mouthed at its crassness.


Reasons to watch: a potentially interesting rags to riches story
Reasons to avoid: flicks all over the place and eventually becomes a soft porn movie

Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: yes
Overall rating: 3/10

236. Race; movie review

RACE
Cert PG
135 mins
BBFC advice: Contains infrequent racist language, mild bad language, sex references, violence

Two years ago I took my son to watch a football match at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin and as we supped our beer and ate our bratwurst I reflected on its remarkable history.
Nowadays, it is very much a modern sporting venue which continues to host the highest quality events but there are still reminders of the past, both in the walk to the ground and surrounding it.
Just outside of the nearby tube station is an entrance with the familiar five rings and there are numerous plaques which hark back to 1936.
In was then, in the full glare of the Nazi elite, that Jesse (I never knew that this was a combo of his initials J.C) Owens became the first athlete in history to claim four gold medals.
Owens 'achievement was all the more astonishing because it came despite lukewarm backing from his own American team and because it so clearly demonstrated the flaws in the racist policies of the Nazis.
In Stephen Hopkins' film, Race, Owens is played by the little-known Canadian actor Stephan James.
I felt the role probably needed someone with a greater screen presence because Race, while engaging enough, doesn't have quite the spark I expected from such an inspiring story.
The movie follows Owens' life and career from college athletics to Berlin and, briefly, beyond.
It highlights the racism he faced at almost every juncture and the brilliance of his maverick coach, Larry Snyder, played with a splendid straight bat by Jason Sudeikis,
Meanwhile Jeremy Irons and William Hurt are among those who cross swords in the political arena (there was a loud lobby for the USA to boycott the 1936 Games).
It all adds up to compelling movie which was good but not excellent.

Reasons to watch: an inspirational true story
Reasons to avoid: lacks the passion I expected

Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 7/10

Star tweet

Stephan James ‏@realstephj  Feb 18Manhattan, NY

Big Shoutout to the beautiful cast of #RACEmovie Its been a long time coming, happy that we can…

235. Holding The Man; movie review

HOLDING THE MAN
Cert 15
128 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong sex, drug misuse, strong language

I have seen many films which depict the decimation of the gay community by Aids but few are as moving as Holding The Man.
Being a straight man and married for 28 years, it is impossible for me to comment on the authenticity of Neil Armfield's adaptation of Timothy Conigrave's book
But my heart did reach out to those who must have watched loved ones die in front of their eyes.
Gay campaigner Conigrave, played here by Ryan Corr, wrote passionately about his life with John Caleo (Craig Scott) and the hurdles they faced in an Australian society which was far from as open as it is nowadays.
It stretches from Tim's first crush on super sportsman John, to them falling in love, through the turmoil at home and elsewhere, to gay rights campaigning and, finally, to the ghastly battle with Aids.
The pair are portrayed as very different characters - John determined but less keen to rock society's boat while Tim blusters on, careless as to whom he upsets.
I have to admit I found the latter character wearing - even when it is obvious that a situation demands tact, he deliberately avoids using any.
Tim's parents, played by Guy Pearce and Kerry Fox, embrace his sexuality but John's, particularly his father (Anthony LaPaglia) find their relationship much more difficult.
The latter is painted as an unfeeling bigot but, as a father myself, I couldn't help wondering how I would feel about a one of my children bringing home someone as bullish as Tim.
Then, having been brought up as conservatives, they had to confront a lifestyle which, ultimately, they saw as being responsible for their son's death at a very young age.
But Holding The Man is not aimed at me. It has gained much acclaim for being a realistic view of the flowering of a gay relationship and the horrors of Aids.
I would imagine both are correct and the devastating hospital scenes will live long in my memory because, having seen death close up, I can vouch for their heartbreaking accuracy.

Reasons to watch: very moving true story
Reasons to avoid: one of the central characters is VERY irritating

Laughs: a couple of chuckles
Jumps: none
Vomit: yes
Nudity: yes
Overall rating: 7/10

Star tweet

Leon Lopez ‏@leonlopez  May 19

I saw @mrtommymurphy #HoldingTheMan at @PoutFest yesterday! Pleeeease go see it! It's #breathtakingly #Heartbreaking such a beautiful film!

234. Love Me Tomorrow; movie review

LOVE ME TOMORROW
Cert 12A
128 mins
BBFC advice: Contains infrequent strong language, moderate sex references

A day trip to Birmingham to meet friends meant that we made a quick detour to Star City's Vue Cinema for the screening of a Filipino rom com.
And I was left wondering whether I should have been worried at how much Mrs W enjoyed Gino Santos's Love Me Tomorrow.
This is definitely a movie for the (older?) ladies with lots of beautiful people and the main subject being a 50-something woman who attracts a much younger fella (I wondered whether Mrs W was getting ideas).
The movie's scenario centres on a a widow (Dawn Zulueta) who is pining all the more because her children have grown up and left home.
She reluctantly agrees to go to a nightclub where a 30-something DJ (Piolo Pascual) falls in love at first sight and pursues her until she finally agrees to go on a date with him.
The complications of their subsequent match-up are that his former lover (Coleen Garcia) is still infatuated and the widow has two children who she dare not tell about the new fella in her life because he is not much older than them.
Most of the gags in this rom com are based around the age difference and the misunderstandings which it prompts.
The flaw is that Zulueta is a very beautiful 47-year-old and is trying to make out she is a frumpy 50-something. Frankly, she scarcely looks older than Pascual.
In addition, I felt the movie was stretched. It lasts for more than two hours and could easily have been condensed into 90 minutes.
But it was light and engaging watching and certainly the predominantly female audience was lapping it up. And, as said, Mrs W gave it her approval - so its target audience went away happy and couldn't have cared what I thought.

Reasons to watch: a decent cougar romance
Reasons to avoid; half an hour too long

Laughs: a couple of chuckles
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: one
Overall rating: 6/10

Star tweet

Gino M. Santos ‏@ginomsantos  Jun 19

I'm in Federal Cinema right now watching #LoveMeTomorrow in Malaysia KL! This is surreal watching my film in another country

233. Versus: The Life And Films Of Ken Loach; movie review

VERSUS: THE LIFE AND FILMS OF KEN LOACH
Cert 12A
93 mins
BBFC advice: Contains infrequent strong language

A couple of weeks ago was the 80th birthday of one of the most well-known figures in the British movie industry.
And yet the story of Ken Loach, the man who brought us Cathy Come Home, Kes and The Wind That Shakes The Barley is certainly not one of unfettered success.
Loach’s left-wing politics have often led to him being at odds with the establishment – particularly the BBC.
His big and small screen work will always be remembered for its social conscience but film and TV companies have not always been keen to broadcast it.
In fact, as this documentary by Louise Ormond reveals, he had to dance with his perceived devil and make adverts after a particularly fallow period.
Loach and his contemporaries and collaborators give revealing interviews about his life and career and its highs and lows.
The film also goes behind the scenes of his ‘break-out of retirement’ movie I, Daniel Blake.
Loach is not everyone’s darling but he comes across as both sincere and engaging and no-one can doubt that he is a director who brings commitment and imagination.
This documentary examines film-making technique alongside the chronicle of his life.
It is a well-pitched reflection of a man who has been a hero to many and a thorn in the side of some.

Reasons to watch: delves deep into the world of one of Britain's best directors
Reasons to avoid: a eulogy rather than warts and all

Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 8/10

 Star tweet

1. 0 retweets0 likes

    

    

    
2. Rob Kirtley ‏@6soundmint6  15h15 hours ago

   On the set of 'I Daniel Blake' from the film 'Versus - The Life & Films Of Ken Loach'

   

232. Misconduct; movie review

MISCONDUCT
Cert 15
103 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language, sex references, violence

Anthony Hopkins and Al Pacino in a Wall Street thriller? How could Misconduct possibly fail?
Sadly, Shintaro Shimosawa's movie does not add to to the pedigree of the great names on its cast list. It just does not have enough spark to make it memorable.
The movie centres on a very ambitious young lawyer (Josh Duhamel) who sees the chance of making lots of cash and a name for himself by undoing one of the most powerful money men in America (Hopkins).
However, the latter did not get where he is today by falling for sucker punches from the inexperienced.
And so, it becomes a battle between the unscrupulous and the even more unscrupulous with neither side caring much about any human collateral damage.
For example, Duhamel's character becomes embroiled with a dastardly plan by his ex-girlfriend (Malin Akerman) to frame his target.
Inevitably, this has fall-out for his own supposedly solid relationship with his wife (Alice Eve).
But conscience is kept very much separate from career in Misconduct with all sides striving for power and revenge whatever the cost.
Sadly, however, despite the sum of the expensive parts, isn't as good as it should be.
Hopkins and Pacino become shadows of roles they have played in previous films and the complex plot ties itself into knots.
The result is a movie which has been shown at very few screens before becoming available on demand.

Reasons to watch: its high quality cast
Reasons to avoid: just doesn't have the spark to make it memorable

Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: yes
Overall rating: 5/10

Star tweet

Josh Duhamel ‏@joshduhamel  Jan 29

It was incredible working with the great Anthony Hopkins. Catch us in #MisconductMovie on Feb 5th.

231. Hamish; movie review

HAMISH
Cert PG
88 mins
BBFC advice: Contains mild bad language, sex references

Why is Hamish Henderson so beloved in Scotland?
Is it because of his folk songs, his poetry, his empathy with the people, his wartime heroism or just because he lived life to its fullest.
I suspect a combination of these and many other factors made Henderson a figure to whom Scots still raise a 'wee dram'.
During his documentary, Hamish, Robbie Fraser chronicles the life of a man who just could not be pinned down.
I knew nothing of Henderson before watching Fraser's film and, at first, I did feel a little bit like a gatecrasher at a celebration party.
Henderson was brought up by his mother to speak Gaelic, won a place at Cambridge and went on to oversee the surrender of the Italian army in the Second World War.
But he was a pacifist and Marxist at heart, spent much time with gypsies and went on to campaign for nuclear disarmament among other causes.
He was regarded as the founder of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and, to this day, his ballad Freedom Come Aa' Ye' is one of the most celebrated songs in Scotland.
This film includes footage of Henderson down the years and interviews with those who knew him best from his wife and children to those who played with him on the folk scene.
Contributions are in Gaelic, reflecting his deep Scottish heritage, and English.
It is a love letter to a man who is still so fondly regarded more than a decade after his death that his memory can prompt both a smile and a tear.

Reasons to watch: digs deep into traditional Scotland
Reasons to avoid: feels a little as if the viewer is gatecrashing a party

Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 7/10

Star tweet

mark cousinsVerified account ‏@markcousinsfilm  Jun 8

Great to see so many @Filmhouse on this sunny afternoon for Hamish Henderson doc.

230. The Trust; movie review

THE TRUST
Cert 15
90 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language, violence, sex, drug use

It seems to me that Elijah Wood is still trying to find his niche since starring in Lord Of The Rings.
Critics would have you believe that he might have found it in Alex and Benjamin Brewer's The Trust but I am afraid I cannot agree.
The Trust is a confused movie about cops who go bad in the pursuit of a drugs inquiry.
It is the misfortune of a initially clean officer (Wood) to partner with an unhinged one (Nicolas Cage).
There has been much talk of this being Cage's best performance in years. Let's face it, there isn't much competition.
But I found The Trust baffling and merely a vehicle for Cage to indulge himself in the type of bonkers character which has become his trademark.
I was interested that it boasted Jerry Lewis (yes, THE Jerry Lewis) among its headline cast. However, sadly, despite much excitement in the film's publicity material, you would miss him if you blinked too long.
By its finale, The Trust had turned itself into so many knots I was past caring and it seems that the paying public and the film distributors agree - The Trust only had limited screenings in the UK and even they didn't last very long.
Meanwhile, Wood is left still trying to find that post-Shire big break.

Reasons to watch: off the wall corrupt cop movie
Reasons to avoid: really doesn't make too much sense

Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: yes
Overall rating: 4/10

Star tweet

braxton pope ‏@braxtonpope  May 13

the trust @nytimes critic's pick - check it out as opens today. nick cage, @elijahwood, @skyferreira & jerry lewis:

229. The Measure Of A Man (La loi du marché); movie review

THE MEASURE OF A MAN (LA LOI DU MARCHE)
Cert PG
91 mins
BBFC advice: Contains mild bad language, suicide reference

Apologies, apologies, apologies.
The team which handles the publicity for New Wave Films are among several who kindly sent me access to their releases over the past month only to find that the reviews are very late.
Today I am out of excuses. I finally left my job on Friday after a couple of months of counting down and now here I am, the master of my own destiny.
It is kismet, therefore, that one of the first reviews in the mass catch-up should be Stéphane Brizé's The Measure Of A Man.
This is the simple story of a middle-aged factory worker (Vincent Lindon) who finds himself struggling to find a new job after his company closes down.
Brize's film explores the problems associated with sudden loss of income and forcing those without jobs to go on programmes which are designed to fit all and actually fit none.
The consequence is that Lindon's character is forced to take a job in which stretches his conscience.
Some might say movies such as The Measure Of A Man are light to the point of frippery but, while it is true there is little action, it really did make me think deeply about society's divisions.
Lindon gives a performance of understated realism as a man who finds society's odds increasingly stacked against him.
I can't imagine anyone who would not empathise.

Reasons to watch: a realistic reflection of today's working class
Reasons to avoid: if you are looking for action this is not the place

Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 6/10

228: X-Men - Apocalyspe; movie review

X-MEN - APOCALYPSE
Cert 12A
144 mins
BBFC advice: Contains moderate violence, threat, bloody images, infrequent strong language

After the dreadful Batman v Superman, the disappointing Captain America - Civil War, 2016 has finally spawned a memorable superhero movie.
Bryan Singer’s film has an extraordinarily high body count and moments of bad language which will annoy some parents but it is still a winner, in my view.
This is largely because it stands on its own rather than requiring the audience to trawl its memory for reference points.
Background to its characters is carved out through flashbacks which are woven seamlessly into the narrative.
Essentially, X-Men - Apocalypse is an old-fashioned story of good versus evil.
The later is personified by an Egyptian ‘God’ (Oscar Isaac) who is brought back to life after 3,500 years and threatens to bring the destruction to all but his followers.
He enlists the help of Magneto (Michael Fassbender) who had been enjoying a low-profile life with a wife and daughter until tragedy strikes.
Up against them are the young X-Men, led by Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Raven (Jennifer Lawrence).
Of course, special effects are the signature of superhero movies and that is very much the case here but the quality cast also makes its mark, particularly Isaac who makes a surprisingly impressive villain.

Reasons to watch: a super hero film which stands on its own
Reasons to avoid: parents might be put off by the bad language and high body count

Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 8.5/10

Star tweet

Bryan Singer ‏@BryanSinger  Apr 14

Finishing up the score today with Composer/editor #johnottman #XMEN #XMenApocalypse

227. Street Dance Family; movie review

STREET DANCE FAMILY
Cert 12A
88 mins
BBFC advice: Contains infrequent strong language

My daughter's dance career ended before she was three years old. Her debut ballet performance stopped before it started because she simply wouldn't go on stage despite parental cajoling.
Therefore, we never had the chance to experience dance of the intense level of competition seen in Debbie Shuter and Adam Tysoe's fascinating documentary.
Street Dance Family follows Entity Allstars, an under-16 'crew' who hail from Barking in east London and have the dizzy aspiration to be world champions of their art (or is it sport?).
This is a classic story of adversity. Children from humble backgrounds, led by a fiercely ant-establishment coach, working incredibly hard to achieve their dreams.
And it is very much a fly-on-the-wall doc from inside the Entity camp because its director is a mother of one of the children.
Its shows how gangly teenagers are trained to be brilliant dancers who can pull off breathtaking routines with split-second choreography.
Responsible for this is the eccentric Tashan Muir, a coach who speaks in bizarre cliches and yet motivates the children to produce dance of the highest standard.
Meanwhile, he is also a man is not prepared to face parental dissent (take note Roy Hodgson as how he drops his best dancer before a world championship final just because of a tete-a-tete with his dad).
And he is forever on a collision course with those who run street dance events (there is one clash with the 'head' of UK street dance, Derek Povey, which is memorable as it is toe-curling).
But most of all, fans of Entity will marvel at the quality of the dance work. It is truly remarkable as are every one of the children in the group.

Tickets are available for STREETDANCE FAMILY only in selected cinemas from 27 May. You must book in advance to secure your screening. To find your local screening or request one in your area, visit www.streetdancefamilymovie.com

Reasons to watch: if you are into the street dance culture
Reasons to avoid: for outsiders it needs more street dance context

Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 7/10

Star tweet

1. 2 retweets5 likes
2. Entity Allstars ‏@Entity_Allstars  May 26

   FROM @BGT to the BIG SCREEN!!!! @Stdancefamily

   

1. 
   

226. Dedemin Fisi; movie review

DEDEMIN FISI
Cert 12A
105 mins
BBFC advice: Contains infrequent moderate bad language

Do Turkish families really scream and shout as much as they do in big screen comedies?
And do they pull as many funny faces and do all families include someone with a haircut even crazier than Donald Trump's?
I have been watching Turkish comedies for the past six years of the everyfilm experience and these are the hallmarks of all those I can remember.
Oh, yes, and pretty women being married to the ugliest of men. How does that work?
Anyway, I caught up with Dedemin Fisi on itunes after being unable to get down to London when it was on its cinema run there.
And I was rather pleased that I only spent £3.99 and a couple of hours at home rather than dedicating a whole day to tracking it down.
In short, Meltem Bozoflu's picture didn't float my boat. The jokes were overplayed and the screeching became unbearable.
The storyline surrounds a fractured family who come together when their hospitalised patriarch is on a life-support machine.
They begin jostling for position over an inheritance which revolves around a booming shop, property and some picturesque but apparently worthless groves.
Of course, while each of the male members of the family try to out-manoeuve each other in order to get what they perceive as the best deal, their wives are the real power base.
And there are a host of set pieces, including an impromptu camping trip, which spawn slapstick.
Having watched Turkish comedies with native speakers in cinemas on many occasions, I have little doubt that Dedemin Fisi will have had the locals giggling madly.
I am afraid that it had me reaching for ear defenders,

Reasons to watch: if you are into Turkish slapstick comedy
Reasons to avoid: so much screaming and shouting

Laughs: a couple of chuckles for me
Jumps: none
Vomit: yes
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 4/10

225. The Daughter; movie review

THE DAUGHTER
Cert 15
95 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language, sex

Simon Stone's The Daughter has markedly divided audiences with some raving about its qualities and others complaining that it meanders too much.
I find myself straddling these points of view. For the first 30 minutes, the camera lingers so long that the film drifts into the surreal. However, its final half hour is both stirring and memorable.
Paul Schneider plays Christian who returns to a recession-hit logging town for the wedding of his father Henry (Geoffrey Rush) to the much younger Anna (Anna Torv).
The already tense atmosphere in the town is about to explode as Christian threatens to reveal secrets of the past which could wreck the lives of his best friend, Oliver (Ewen Leslie), the latter's wife, Charlotte (Miranda Otto), and daughter, Hedwig (Odessa Young).
The Daughter is well acted by its Australian cast which also includes the excellent Sam Neill and I was gripped by its ending which packs a host of twists.
However, most of its characters are appalling - from the obnoxious drunken Christian, through the bombastic Henry to the headstrong Hedwig.
And I wasn't sure that an Ibsen 19th century play made a comfortable translation to modern-day Australia. The stilted language was particularly off-putting.
However, it does have its merits.

Reasons to watch: stirring final half hour
Reasons to avoid: its rather surreal opening 30 minutes

Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: yes
Nudity: brief bare bum
Overall rating: 6/10

Star tweet

Anthony AlbaneseVerified account ‏@AlboMP  Mar 26

.#TheDaughter is great Australian cinema - riveting story, beautifully filmed and extraordinary performances-Odessa Young stands out

224. The Other Side Of The Door; movie review

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR
Cert 15
94 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong supernatural threat, bloody violence

Is it enough that a horror film succeeds in making its audience jump or does it need to have a credible storyline to earn acclaim?
I mulled over this conundrum as I was deciding upon the marks out of ten I was going to award Johannes Roberts' The Other Side Of The Door.
This was because the director's use of sound twice prompted involuntary leaps from my seat but I thought its plot was bonkers.
In addition, its script was overloaded with cliches and was delivered without conviction by its cast.
Sarah Wayne Callies plays Maria who has set up home with her antiques expert husband (Jeremy Sisto) in India.
Sadly, their hopes for an idyllic life turn to tragedy when her car crashes into a river and their son (Logan Creran) is killed.
In bereavement, Maria becomes depressed and desperate - so, out of pity, her housekeeper (Suchitra Pillai-Malik) tells her off a remote temple in which the band between death and life is at its thinnest.
There, according to Indian legend, can be a last conversation with the dead through a door which must not, under any circumstance, be opened.
And guess what? Yes, Maria takes no heed of this dire warning and all hell breaks loose and the movie becomes dafter and dafter and dafter.
I long to watch a horror movie which is aimed at adults rather than 15-year-olds but I presume that they are both difficult to make and are not as easy to translate into box office bucks.
So, as long as the teenagers keep going to the cinema to watch them, the big studios will keep turning out the tripe.

Reasons to watch: it does make the audience jump
Reasons to avoid: its storyline is too daft to be believable

Laughs: none
Jumps: two
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 4/10

Star tweet

Alexandre Aja ‏@AlexandreAja  26 Nov 2015

I'm excited to team up with 20th Century Fox again to bring you a fresh supernatural horror! Join me on The Other...