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Inspired by the Church’s use of filming techniques, and aided by ex-members of the organization Theroux uses actors to replay some incidents people claim they experienced as members in an attempt to better understand the way it operates. In a bizarre twist, it becomes clear that the Church is also making a film about Louis Theroux. Suffused with a good dose of humor and moments worthy of a Hollywood script, MY SCIENTOLOGY MOVIE is stranger than fiction.
An aspiring young actress (Lily Collins) and her ambitious young driver (Alden Ehrenreich) struggle hopefully with the absurd eccentricities of the wildly unpredictable billionaire (Warren Beatty) whom they work for.
It’s Hollywood, 1958. Small town beauty queen and devout Baptist virgin Marla Mabrey (Collins), under contract to the infamous Howard Hughes (Beatty), arrives in Los Angeles. At the airport, she meets her driver Frank Forbes (Ehrenreich), who is engaged to be married to his 7th grade sweetheart and is a deeply religious Methodist. Their instant attraction not only puts their religious convictions to the test, but also defies Hughes’ #1 rule: no employee is allowed to have any relationship whatsoever with a contract actress. Hughes’ behaviour intersects with Marla and Frank in very separate and unexpected ways, and as they are drawn deeper into his bizarre world, their values are challenged and their lives are changed.
Embark on a journey into the iconic past with Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders -available on Blu-ray and DVD November 7 and Digital Download from October 24 starring the legendary Adam West (Batman), Burt Ward (Robin) and Julie Newmar (Catwoman).
It’s back to the 1960s as Batman and Robin spring into action when Gotham City is threatened by Batman’s most-evil opponents – Penguin, The Joker, Riddler and Catwoman. The four Super-Villains have combined their wicked talents to hatch a plot so nefarious that the Dynamic Duo will need to go to outer space (and back) to foil their arch enemies and restore order in Gotham City.
HIDDEN FIGURES is the incredible untold story of Katherine Johnson (TarajiP. Henson), Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (JanelleMonae)—brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanised the world. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big.
Directed by Ted Melfi
Starring TarajiP. Henson, Octavia Spencer, JanelleMonáe, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, Glen Powell and Kevin Costner
Synopsis: Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt are two passengers onboard a spaceship transporting them to a new life on another planet. The trip takes a deadly turn when their hibernation pods mysteriously wake them 90 years before they reach their destination. As Jim and Aurora try to unravel the mystery behind the malfunction, they begin to fall for each other, unable to deny their intense attraction... only to be threatened by the imminent collapse of the ship and the discovery of the truth behind why they woke up.
Cast:
Jennifer Lawrence
Chris Pratt
Michael Sheen
Laurence Fishburne
Andy Garcia
EQUALS takes place in a colourless, post-apocalyptic society - known as The Collective - where its inhabitants have been genetically modified between conception and birth to be "emotion-free.” Consequently, emotion, love, and sex have been outlawed.
Silas (Nicholas Hoult), an illustrator in The Collective, mysteriously starts experiencing feelings and realises he has become afflicted with "Switched-On-Syndrome." As Silas is grappling with his new, undisclosed condition, he finds himself drawn to Nia (Kristen Stewart), a fiction writer, who he soon discovers is also emotionally alive, and also hiding the condition.
EQUALS stars Kristen Stuart, Nicholas Hoult, Bel Powley and Guy Pearce and is directed by Drake Doremus.
Director: Travis Knight
Cast: Charlize Theron, Art Parkinson, Matthew McConaughey and Ralph Fiennes
What’s it all about?
Kubo (Parkinson) a young boy must locate a magical suit of armour worn by his late father in order to defeat a vengeful spirit of the past.
What are my thoughts?
“If you must blink, do it now” - Kubo
So far this year, animated movies for me have been somewhat hit and miss. It started strong with Kung Fu Panda 3 and the equally excellent Zootropolis (Zootopia). Then things took a nose dive with The Angry Birds and very disappointingly The Secret Life of Pets. Things recitified themselves with Finding Dory. With Kubo and the Two Strings I am very happy to report that upward trend is continuing as an animated movie yet again blows away many of it’s live action counterparts.
Kubo and the Two Strings is an utterly absorbing, heart wrenchingly unforgettable movie. Kubo is a boy who is looking after his frail mother, he's free though to go to the local village in the day to entertain the villagers with origami fuelled animated stories powered by the magic of his musical instrument. However, by nightfall he must return to their rather spectacularly located home near the coast. However one night, he does not return in time unleashing evil spirits that a hell bent on his destruction. Fortunately the magic of his family summon two animals - Monkey (Charlize Theron), and Beetle (Matthew McConaughey) to protect him on his quest.
The animation of Kubo and the Two Strings is stunning. The movie is produced by Laika, known for their stop-motion animation features such Coraline, ParaNorman and The Boxtrolls. Having not seen any of these movies, I must admit it took me a while to get used to the stop-motion nature of the animation having been spoilt on Pixar movies. However once the story starts to click into place and the adventure begins I just became lost in the story. Also, going one further than the animation itself, the way the whole world is realised is beautifully executed and entrancing.
Kubo is also not a movie that exists purely for its set pieces (Which when done are organic and exciting) it's more about story and heart.
The voice work as well is top notch. Huge credit firstly must go to Art Parkinson who provides the voice of Kubo himself. Charlize Theron is excellent as Monkey, the animal with a hard exterior but a warm heart. Matthew McConaughey though for me was the show stealer as Beetle. Think Buzz Lightyear meets A Bugs Life. He had the movies best lines, he was genuinely funny and a brilliant creation. Ralph Fiennes is also perfectly cast as Moon King the evil spirit on Kubo’s tail.
As for the script it is well written. Early on in the movie (Before Monkey and Beetle show up) the script is peppered with humour, but when the central trio start their quest the writing really clicks.
The movie itself although marketed to kids, is really for older children (11-12 plus). Younger children will probably be scared by some of the visuals and the themes of the movie are generally for an older child/adult audience. The Sisters (Of Kubo’s mom) voiced by Rooney Mara being one such example. They are very creepy. Women with emotionless porcelain masks with huge witch hats eerily floating in pursuit of Kubo. (Very similar to the V for Vendetta look).
Before I wrap up my review, I must make special mention of Dario Marianelli, the movies composer. The score and music is superb and really adds to the spectacle of the movie.
Kubo and the Two Strings is not for everyone and it’s certainly in the category of movies that pass many people by. However if you are looking for an animated movie that is unlike any other, then you will not be disappointed.
Kubo and the Two Strings is now on general release in the UK.
Director: David Mackenzie
Cast: Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Jeff Bridges, Gil Birmingham and Dale Dickney
What's it all about?
A divorced dad and his ex-con brother resort to a desperate scheme in order to save their family’s farm in West Texas.
What are my thoughts?
Every now and again you get a movie that critics and audiences don’t like. Then you get movies that both parties warm to, but occasionally you get movies that hit that sweet spot and equally impress both. Hell or High Water is one such movie, and rightly so.
Re-teaming Pine and Foster after the solidly old fashioned but ultimately lacklustre The Finest Hours earlier this year, Hell or High Water is an absorbing crime heist drama that washes away the “meh” summer season to great effect. The Autumn movies season has arrived with aplomb.
Front and centre is Chris Pine and Ben Foster. Firstly, let’s take Pine. I really like his take on Captain Kirk, but this movie allows the actor to breath as well – an actor. He is scruffy, unshaven and sports a Texan drawl. His beloved Pine Nuts (His fan club) will be in for a shock. He is a world away from the clean cut hero type roles we have been fed thus far. It proves that post Trek, Pine has a fine career ahead of him. As for Ben Foster, who I last saw terribly miscast as Medivh in Warcraft is also firing on all cylinders. He nails his slightly unhinged ex-con role to a tee. Both actors deserve to at least get nominated come awards season next year.
The relationship between the two brothers is clearly one that exists on a knifes edge. They clearly have a deep love for each other but at the same time, have very different ways of going about things. Chris Pine’s character is more level headed and wants to get the same rewards as his brother, but wants to go about things with a more considered approach. Whereas Foster’s character is hot headed and volatile, leaving to many moments of friction between the brothers.
On their tail is Jeff Bridges as State Trooper Marcus Hamilton who's one step away from retirement. He’s seen it all and done it all, and is cynical as hell. He’s like the Dude from The Big Lebowski 18 years on. He is superb and I wouldn't be surprised that there is Oscar buzz surrounding his portrayal. Bridges is partnered with Gill Birmingham who plays Alberto Parker. The chemistry and banter between the duo is superb and at times very funny and just highlights the high level of dialogue this movie has to offer.
The movie features great direction, pacing and writing. The movie cleverly weaves the story of the brothers with that of Jeff Bridges and his partner. Yes, it’s a classic cat and mouse “cops and robbers” tale, but the way the tension is ramped up throughout the movie is superbly done. The central tales aside HoHW also offers an clever insight into people's loathing for banks and how many people see them as the robbers.
The film also makes great use of tracking shots and draw dropping vistas. Hell or High Water also has a great country and western rock themed soundtrack. Another neat touch as well was the use of signs that the brothers see when driving through towns. Signs that had messages that were relevant to their quest such as “Get Rich Quick!”, “Instant Cash!” And perhaps for the most ominous for them “For Sale”.
Finally, the movie is also very cleverly titled. It derives from both meanings of the phrase “come hell or high water”. Firstly meaning “do whatever needs to be done, not matter what it takes” but also it refers to the “hell or high water clause” which is a clause in a contract, usually a lease which provides that the payments must continue irrespective of the difficulties incurred in making those payments.
I cannot recommend Hell or High Water highly enough. If you have become disillusioned after the summer season or are just in the need of seeing a bloody good movie, then look no further than Hell or High Water, I promised - you won't feel robbed.
Hell or High Water is released in the UK September 9th.
Hell or High Water Movie Review By Carleton Rutter
