Quick Reference list – Easy Print. (UK Dates)
Films up to the 16th January on local release.
NOSFERATU (1st Jan)
The film stars Bill Skarsgård as the titular character and Nicholas Hoult and Lily-Rose Depp as the married Hutter couple, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney in supporting roles with Willem Dafoe as Professor Von Franz – Vampire hunter.
Stellar cast and the ever watchable Skarsgard. MUST SEE
WE LIVE IN TIME ( 1st Jan)
A romantic comedy-drama film directed by John Crowley and written by Nick Payne. It follows the relationship of a couple (Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh) over the course of a decade. The film uses nonlinear narrative. Mixed reviews have slowed the films performance but it has great performances from Pugh and Garfield. The narrative jumps around a lot and can be a little annoying. The script needs more humour to really fit in the romantic comedy genre and it feels more like a drama with occassional humour.
However, there is still a lot going for it and is Recommended.
NICKEL BOYS (3rd Jan)
Directed by RaMell Ross, who co-wrote the screenplay with Joslyn Barnes, and stars Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson, alongside Hamish Linklater, Fred Hechinger, Daveed Diggs, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. The story follows two African-American boys, Elwood and Turner, who are sent to an abusive reform school in 1960s Florida. The film is inspired by the Dozier School for Boys, a now-closed Florida reform school notorious for its abusive treatment of students.
Shot in a first-person point-of-view, filming took place in Louisiana in late 2022. Hard hitting drama, very interesting based on a true story. Recommended.
A REAL PAIN (8th Jan)
A 2024 buddy comedy-drama film written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg.[7] An international co-production between Poland and the United States, it stars Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin as two mismatched Jewish American cousins who travel to Poland in an attempt to honor their late grandmother. Emphasis on drama with some comedic moments. Excellent performances, especially from Culkin. Recommended.
MARIA (10th Jan)
A biographical psychological drama film directed by Pablo Larraín, written by Steven Knight, and is an international co-production between Italy, Germany, and the United States. The film stars Angelina Jolie as opera singer Maria Callas, and follows the seven days before her death in 1977 Paris as she reflects on her life and career. It also stars Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, Stephen Ashfield, Valeria Golino, and Kodi Smit-McPhee in supporting roles. It is the third film in Larraín’s trilogy of important 20th-century women, following Jackie (2016) and Spencer (2021). A beautiful performance by Angelina Jolie and some sumptuous set pieces. As with his other biopics, it has a tragic feel throughout which may not allow it to reach its full highs.
STILL AT THE CINEMA
MUFASS: THE LION KING
Sometime after Simba becomes King of the Pride Lands,[b] he and Nala have a daughter named Kiara and are expecting another cub. They leave for an oasis where Nala can give birth, while Simba asks Timon and Pumbaa to watch over Kiara. Rafiki soon visits them and decides to share the story about her grandfather Mufasa and his treacherous younger brother Scar, with Timon and Pumbaa providing color commentary in between.
The dynamic between Mufassa and Scar is very interesting to see and the film has plenty of action.
The animals are realistic though the score doesnt have as many hits as the original Lion King.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3
Based on the video game series. The third in the Sonic film series, it was directed by Jeff Fowler and written by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington. Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, and Idris Elba reprise their roles, with Keanu Reeves joining the cast. In the film, Sonic, Tails and Knuckles face Shadow the Hedgehog (Reeves), who allies with the mad scientists Ivo and Gerald Robotnik in pursuit of revenge against humanity. The best of the Sonic series with Carrey recapturing his magic of earlier times. Not to mention the beloved Keanu Reeves joining the cast.
Recommended.
BETTER MAN
Better Man is a 2024 biographical musical film co-written, produced and directed by Michael Gracey, about the life of British pop singer Robbie Williams. Williams is portrayed as an anthropomorphic chimpanzee with CGI, performed by Jonno Davies using motion capture, and voiced by both Williams and Davies. Steve Pemberton, Kate Mulvany, Alison Steadman, and Damon Herriman also star. Truly an original film. My 15 year old raved that it is the best film ever. See and then watch again. MUST SEE
