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Win Avatar and Alvin and theChipmunks 2 merchandise
THELOVELYBONES
The sTory of A life AndeveryThing ThAT CAme AfTer...
BIGSCREENMAGAZINE>>
the film magazine feATures > reviews > previews > The besT in loCAl CinemA > loCAl live musiC And enTerTAinmenT >
FREE pleAse TAKe A Copy
December 09 > January 10 www.cornwallbigscreen.co.uk
17
>>
WHAT’S ONDECEMBER > JANUARY
THE ROAD
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
THE BOOK OF ELI
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 post-
apocalyptic 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
FILm info
cOnTEnT icons
release date
>>>
10
FILm credits
Director John Hillcoat
Starring Viggo
Mortensen, Guy Pearce,
Robert Duvall,
Charlize Theron
8th January
FILm info
cOnTEnT icons
release date
>>>
10
FILm credits
15th January
Directors Albert Hughes,
Allen Hughes
Starring Denzel
Washington, Gary
Oldman, Michael
Gambon, Mila Kunis
20
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WHAT’S ON DECEMBER > JANUARY
44 INCH CHEST
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
FIlm info
CoNTENT icons
release date
15th January
>>>
10
FIlm credits
Director Jason Reitman
Starring George
Clooney, Anna Kendrick,
Vera Farmiga,
Jason Bateman
UP IN THE AIR
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 info
CoNTENT icons
release date
>>>
10
FIlm credits
Director Malcom Venville
Starring Ray Winstone,
Ian McShane, John
Hurt, Tom Wilkinson,
Stephen Dillane
22nd January
October > November 09 www.cornwallbigscreen.co.uk
5thAnniversary
issue
BIGSCREENMAGAZINE>>
the film mAgAzine features > reviews > previews > the best in local cinema > local live music and entertainment >
FREE please taKe a copY
MooNRelease date 16th novemberDirector Duncan JonesStarring Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey, Dominique mcelligottalthough James cameron’s avatar
may well serve to buck the trend
on its release, much of recent
science fiction movie making has
seen computer-generated imagery
taking precedence over storytelling.
thankfully, first time director
duncan Jones is driven here by the
limitations of a low budget rather
than the studio pressures of the
blockbuster, and resorts to ingenuity
over pixel power. model makers
take the place of number crunchers
in this production, a decision which
lends solidity to the effects shots
and draws an aesthetic parallel
with such giants of the genre as
2001: a space odyssey, star wars
and bladerunner. this retrofitted
innovation also extends to the
narrative, which is informed by
classical themes of identity and loss
rather than guns and gadgets. sam
rockwell carries the film through a
stand out performance, while Jones
successfully avoids the pastiche
which sank boyle’s sunshine,
keeping his many references less
overt and placing the story front
and centre. Kingsley marshall
AWAYdAYsRelease date 28th SeptemberDirector Pat holdenStarring nicky Bell, Stephen graham, liam Boylethe movie adaptation of Kevin
sampson’s novel brings the grit
of birkenhead to the cinema
screen with some style. unlike
its forebears, the violence of the
period’s football casuals plays
second fiddle to something much
richer. the pack, a group of likely
lads who prowl for battles at the
away games of tranmere rovers,
exists in stark contrast to the grey
streets of 1970s’ britain. though
the subplot of emergent sexuality
is overstated, both this and the
ritualised aggression of the matches
is arguably much less important
than the sense of belonging
provided by the group - fashion
offering a much-needed counter to
the day to day drudgery of their work
and locale. comparisons have been
made to sean meadows’ paean to
punk this is england, but holden’s
film operates more in the spirit of
anton corbijn’s control where this
generation, far from the metropolitan
boltholes of punk, have found their
own means of expression amongst
the bleakness of the period. these
themes are reflected in a superb
soundtrack, populated by the bleak
electronica of cabaret voltaire,
uitravox and the ubiquitous Joy
division. Kingsley marshall
RUssell BRANd: scANdAloUsRelease date 9th novemberStarring Russell Brandbrand’s stand up comedy has
long revolved around the forensic
analysis of his many misadventures,
with 2008 having provided ample
material for this latest tour, which
was filmed at the 02 arena in the
spring. the presenter’s dalliance
into the minefield of presidential
politics caused controversy at
mtv’s annual video music awards,
causing him to flee the us with the
intention of lying low. this soon
backfired when a misjudged song
and dance with Jonathan ross
inadvertently ignited the bbc’s
biggest controversy since the
death of david Kelly. a whooping
crowd lap up brand’s post mortem
of both these events, embellished
with a slew of stories mined from
the minutiae of a wide-eyed (and
often crotch led) engagement with
celebrity culture. the laughs come
both in his mannerisms - an
english gent exasperated at the
rest of the world - and his honesty,
where a detailed account of an
unfortunate encounter with acting
royalty helen mirren typically
tumbles into a whirlpool of
misfortune. Kingsley marshall
iP MANRelease date 26th OctoberDirector Wilson YipStarring Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Siu-Wong fan, Ka tung lambruce lee is one of the most
important men in martial arts
cinema - ask anyone with even
a passing interest. without the
tutelage of master ip, however,
lee’s brand of martial arts cinema
would never have been seen. this
biopic isn’t as violent as the kung-
fu flicks that he inspired; instead it
successfully manages to draw focus
on the emotional strain the chinese
citizens suffered under Japanese
internment during the sino-
Japanese war. but when there is
fighting, the choreography - which
won awards at the hong Kong film
awards - is sensational and creates
breathtaking bone breaking to rival
a tony Jaa film. it is by no means
perfect, but for fans who want to
gain an insight into martial arts
history, it’s essential. Chris Upton
looKiNG FoR eRicRelease date 12th OctoberDirector Ken loachStarring Steve evets, eric Cantona, Stephanie Bishop, gerard Kearnsfootball fanatic postman steve
evet is at the brink of insanity, his
life slowly descending into chaos.
his first wife, who he walked out on
many years ago, still haunts him; his
second wife has walked out, leaving
behind two stepsons who are out
of control, and, for no good reason,
there’s a cement mixer in his front
garden. despite the support of his
friends, evet continues to sink into
depression and, at his weakest
moment, he considers committing
suicide. however, before the deed
is done, evet starts to hallucinate
and before his very eyes appears
his hero: the suave, philosophical
and footballing genius that is eric
cantona. with the help of cantona,
evet grows in confidence and
begins to conquer his problems
through inspirational advice such as
“he who is afraid to throw the dice,
will never throw a six.” priceless. James Wright
24
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DVD REVIEWS october > november
DVDreVieWs
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....
MR t’sRAtiNG
DVD releases
>>>
october aNd NoveMber 09
october 12th coraline
19th x-men origins: wolverine
last house on the left
the age of stupid
the uninvited
blood: the last vampire
26th monsters vs aliens
drag me to hell
obsessed
November2nd public enemies
last chance harvey
9th brüno
night at the museum:
battle of the smithsonian
16th star trek xi
23rd terminator: salvation
ice age 3: dawn
of the dinosaurs
coco before chanel
my sister’s Keeper
30th transformers:
revenge of the fallen
the proposal
26
>>
FIlM SHORTS october > november
GloRioUs 39 Release date 20th novemberDirector Stephen PoliakoffStarring Romola garai, Bill nighy, Julie Christie, David tennant, Christopher leehaving made his name helming big
budget television dramas, stephen
poliakoff’s big screen return brings
with it a plethora of thespian talent.
hopping back and forth between
present day london and an idyllic
countryside setting in 1939, the
story sees high society girl, anne,
discover mysterious recordings
pertaining to britain’s relationship
with nazi Germany. betrayed
and pursued, her secret could
change the course of world history.
meanwhile, our country stands on
the brink of war as hitler’s march
continues. with an awe-inspiring
cast, a veteran director and glossy
production, this unsettling dissection
of pre-war society represents uK
cinema at its best. Chris Wasey
NAtiVitY Release date 4th DecemberDirector Debbie isittStarring ashley Jensen, martin freeman, marc Wootton, alan Carrunderachieving primary school
teacher paul maddens has been
charged with the biggest challenge
of his life: overseeing the school
nativity play. competing against
local private school rivals in a bid
to be named the best production
in town, the stakes are raised
when maddens idly boasts to
his archrival that his ex-girlfriend
Jennifer, a hollywood producer, is
coming to see his show with a view
to turning it into a film. what he
omits to mention is that he has not
spoken to her in years and, with
his eccentric assistant fuelling his
white lie, maddens finds himself
amidst a whirlwind of quarreling
parents and over-excited children
hungry for fame. James Wright
PlANet 51Release date: 4th DecemberDirector Jorge Blanco Starring Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Justin long, gary Oldman, John Cleese take a dash of american
suburban innocence, a sprinkle
of 1950s paranoia, and another
solar system as a setting - and
there you have the concept
behind planet 51. captain charles
‘chuck’ baker is the astronaut
who lands on planet 51 and
claims it in the name of earth,
only to be met with an already
civilised world not entirely
dissimilar to our own. chuck
must navigate his way through
the strange landscape to escape
capture by the anti-alien army
and find his way back home.
boasting an all-star voice cast,
expect lots of pop-culture
references in the name of
comedy. gavin embley
deAd MAN RUNNiNGRelease date 30th OctoberDirector alex De RakoffStarring monet mazur, 50 Cent, Danny Dyer, Brenda Blethynwhen the recession starts hitting
the criminal underworld, new York
gangster and loan shark mr. thigo
decides to make an example out
of ex-con nick Kane by giving him
24 hours to raise the £100,000
he owes or become a dead man
running. in order to raise the
money, Kane embroils best friend
bing and girlfriend frankie in his
mission, which takes them from
the dog tracks of east london
to the underground drug scene
of rural manchester. with his
wheelchair-bound mother being
held at gunpoint by thigo, Kane
tries every scam in the book to
save their skin. edge of the seat
stuff. James Wright
tRiANGleRelease date 16th OctoberDirector Christopher Smith Starring melissa george, holly marie Combs, Rachael Carpani, emma lungok, so triangle isn’t the catchiest
title ever. but with christopher
smith - who directed creep (2004)
and severance (2006) - taking the
writing and directing credits and
ex-home and away star melissa
George in the lead role, this creepy
thriller has potential written all over
it. when Jess and a group of friends
set off on a yachting trip, a freak
storm leaves them stranded out
at sea - that is, until a mysterious
ship appears out of nowhere. with
no sign of life on board and an
uncanny feeling that she has been
on the ship before, Jess soon
comes face to face with the ship’s
sole occupant. Justin Vingoe
FilM sHoRts a round up of the movies due to hit the biG screen
tRiangle
glORiOUS 39