James Absolon explains how this Pope-themed film, despite its risky premise, works
Alex Pollard reviews Hollywood's biopic of the controversial Margaret Thatcher
- James Bond 23 finally has a release date of October 26th 2012, so we have until then to look forward to Sam Mendes’s treatment of the old Bond legend.
- Paul Thomas Anderson’s (There Will be Blood, Magnolia, Boogie Nights) exciting and controversial new film The Master, surrounding the creation of a new Scientology-like religion after the end of the Second World War, has some exciting new casting. It stars Anderson regular Philip Seymour Hoffman as the titular character alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams in what based on the director’s previous work will be rather special.
- Martin Scorsese has just announced his new project, a biopic focused around the stormy and tempestuous relationship surrounding Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor during which led to two separate marriages. Unfortunately, no information is currently available as to when this might turn up.
- The hotly anticipated Hobbit films finally have official titles, namely The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which we can expect on December 14th 2012 and its successor The Hobbit: There and Back Again a year later on December 13th 2013. Hopefully these release dates will not be put back and we’ll finally get to return to Middle Earth.
This Saturday on Film 4 there is a double bill of brilliant and controversial films in the form of Park Chan-wook’s exquisite Lady Vengeance at 23:35 and Abel Ferrara’s brilliant drug-addled Bad Lieutenant at 01:55. On Monday meanwhile there is a chance to see the magical Edward Scissorhands at 18:55 and later the wonderful Australian claymation Mary and Max, a brilliantly honest, funny and deeply touching film. On BBC4 there is also a chance to see acclaimed biopic Gods and Monsters at 22:00 which charts the trials and tribulations of legendary director James Whale as portrayed by Ian McKellen.
- X-Men: First Class
Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass, Layer Cake) takes command of Marvel’s mighty mutant franchise with this prequel that sees Professor X (James McAvoy) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender) create the X Men to defeat the evil hellfire club who are intent on starting a nuclear war. An above average superhero fun that has received some well-deserved positive reviews.
- Senna
Acclaimed documentary following the life of the titular Formula 1 legend, looking at his obsession with the sport that dominated his life. Created using almost entirely archive footage, this is apparently a fascinating look at a man and his strange, almost spiritual connection to his sport and his life, achieving great praise from both fans of the sport and those who could not care less about it.
- Prom
Sweet and fluffy Disney film about the joy of high school proms told through the power of interconnecting stories, which is apparently about as tedious as it sounds.
- Last Night
Two couples find themselves severely tempted during time apart, but will they give in and ruin their relationships or stay together? A note exactly romantic drama starring Keira Knightley, Eva Mendes and Sam Worthington that failed to engage or tempt many critics into giving it a positive review.
- Screwed
This gritty British prison drama based upon the prison experiences of guard Ronnie Thompson and the pressures he experienced there from both the convicts and fellow employees. Unfortunately, a rather good performance by Noel Clarke has not been enough to elevate the film to any real critical praise.
- Mammuth
French road movie and comedy starring Gerard Depardieu as a man nicknamed Mammuth who rides around France to gain signatures to help his wife. Has received good but not great press.
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