James Absolon explains how this Pope-themed film, despite its risky premise, works
Alex Pollard reviews Hollywood's biopic of the controversial Margaret Thatcher
(500) Days of Summer Released: 2nd September
Joseph Gordon-Levitt continues to defy his child-star status and remains within the indie film industry, his latest being this kooky love story in which he stars opposite queen of kook, Zooey Deschanel. Gordon-Levitt plays Tom, a guy who falls in love with Deschanel’s character Summer only to discover that she doesn’t believe in love. After they break up, he begins to recount the 500 days of their relationship (hence the title) to his friends to try to figure out what went wrong.
The comedy is, to use that favourite indie phrase, ‘off beat’, and the love story belies the typical romantic schmaltz. Gordon-Levitt looks to give an impressive performance (as always), and Deschanel does her usual cute-and-yet-slightly-odd shtick, but this seems like it will be another alternative romantic comedy for those who like fare such as Garden State. And that’s high praise.
Dorian Gray Released: 6th September
Adapted from Oscar Wilde's classic and much-treasured novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, this big screen version boasts some impressive British acting talent, including Rebecca Hall, and Colin Firth as a suitably sly Lord Wotton, Dorian's friend and confidante. The title role is bravely taken on by Ben Barnes, previously seen as Prince Caspian in the second Narnia film, as we follow the story of a young man who sells his soul to the devil to remain forever youthful, with only his portrait revealing the toll his depravities were taking on his appearance.
Barnes certainly has the looks, but will he have the acting chops to bring to life one of the twentieth century's most notable literary creations? From the trailers it seems that he will be able to hold his own. However the trailer also seems to suggest that they've amped up the action to truly horrify the audience; one wonders if this is really necessary, as it was Wilde's majestic language that originally sent the shivers down the spine.
The Soloist Released: 25th September
Based on a true story, The Soloist stars Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx as an LA journalist and a schizophrenic, homeless musician with a remarkable talent, respectively. Steve Lopez (Downey Jr.) is struggling for a story when he meets Nathaniel Ayers (Foxx), and attempts to help him while writing a series of articles about the unfortunate musician.
This should feature prominently when Oscar® time comes around, mainly for the two lead performances. One wouldn’t expect anything less from two previous Oscar® winners, and despite being released in April in the U.S., hopefully the judges memories will be jogged by two heavyweight acting talents in an emotional, true story, directed by Joe Wright, the man behind Atonement and Pride and Prejudice. Oscar® just loves that stuff.
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