Set in a future world where overpopulation is the main concern, a class of students are captured by their government, sent to an island and forced to kill each other to survive.
This is not the Hunger Games. This is far more grown up and far less forgiving. There’s no beautiful scenery or costumes, this is not Young Adult fiction. This film may not be for the faint hearted but is definitely worth watching.
Opening Title: Children believe what we tell them. They have complete faith in us. They believe that a rose plucked from a garden can plunge a family into conflict. They believe that the hands of a human beast will smoke when he slays a victim, and that this will cause the beast shame when a young maiden takes up residence in his home. They believe a thousand other simple things. I ask of you a little of this childlike simplicity, and, to bring us luck, let me speak four truly magic words, childhood’s open sesame: “Once upon a time…”
Between 1899 and 1913 it had been adapted five times, but Cocteau was the first to make a feature out of it.
Josette Day (Les Parents Terribles) and Jean Marais (Orpheus) star as Belle who sacrifices her freedom for that of her father and the Beast who keeps her locked up in his neglected but magical castle.
This film is sublime in ways that I cannot even begin to do justice to in words. It captures the heart of the fairytale; the humour, the romance, the sinister undercurrent and above all the beauty which is so tantalising and keeps us wanting more. Perhaps unsurprisingly based on his work here, cinematographer Henri Alekan went on to be nominated for an Oscar for his work on Roman Holiday (1953).
Initially, writer and director Cocteau and Alekan clashed over the visual aspects of the film. Cocteau favoured a hard-edged style while Alekan preferred soft-focus. As director, Cocteau had the final say and after a rough first couple of days Alekan came around to his way of thinking. The look and feel of the film is heavily influenced by the work of Gustave Doré and his illustrations of the nineteenth century French edition of Don Quixote (see right).
To play the part of the Beast, Marais spent five hours getting into his outfit every morning which included being covered in animal hair and wearing fangs that could not be removed until the end of the days shoot. This meant that he could not eat anything more than mulch during the day to avoid damaging the fangs. Marais had quite strong opinions on what the Beast should look like. Supporting Beaumont’s original story, he felt that the Beast should have a head that resembled a stag, with antlers, to draw upon the image of Cernunnos, the Celtic stag-headed god of the woods. However, as with Alekan, Cocteau’s vision won out and the image of the Beast as he is now recognised in Disney’s version was born.
Beauty and the Beast and Belle et la Bete
I know I have already used the words beautiful and magical to describe this film, but it really is. If you haven’t seen it, you absolutely must! I saw it for the first time at Bath Film Festival and was completely moved.
In case you still had doubts, here is the trailer:
McMurphy (Nicholson) pleads insanity rather than face his prison sentence thinking it will be the easier option. He is mistaken.
Louise Fletcher won an Oscar for her portrayal of the terrifying Nurse Ratchet; Nicholson nabbed one for Best Actor; Milos Foreman won Best Director: Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman were awarded Best Screenplay for their adaptation; and with the help of the marvellous cast (Danny Devito, Christopher Lloyd) ensured the Best Picture win.
Ethan (Mark Duplass) and Sophie (Elisabeth Moss) seek marriage counselling from a therapist (Ted Danson) who recommends a romantic weekend away to help fix the holes in their relationship.
Debut feature film from director Charlie McDowell (Danson’s stepson) and screenwriter Justin Lader, it was more devised than written. Almost all of the dialogue was improvised around the storyline and for the more complicated scenes Lader would write a few pages as a guide the night before.
Donna (Jenny Slate) is a stand-up comedian coping with a nasty break up when she meets Max (Jack Lacy) and has a one night stand that changes her life and forces her to confront adult life.
Written and directed by Gillian Robespierre, based on her short of the same name, there is a distinct voice running throughout that, while it may not be to everyone’s taste, I cannot wait to hear more from.
Nina (Juliet Stevenson) and Jamie (Alan Rickman) are in love, completely and utterly. When Jamie dies, Nina expects to be haunted by him, but perhaps not literally.
Written and directed by Oscar winning Anthony Minghella (The English Patient, The Talented Mr Ripley), this is one of those films that will stick with you. Minghella wrote the film specifically for Stevenson and there is no doubt without her and Rickman’s tremendous performances there would not be a film.
Three young girls in 1980s Stockholm join forces against their school, their parents and The Man to create their own punk band. Who cares if they can play their instruments or not? It’s about more than the music.
This film, as the trailer (below) says, is “for anyone who’s ever been 13”, full of anarchy, chaos and humour. It’s written and directed by Lukas Moodysson, based on his wife Coco’s comic book.
It is a guaranteed feel-good film that will leave you feeling empowered and wishing for youth.
A truly wonderful film that speaks to the heart of anyone who’s ever pretended to be an adult.
Frances (Greta Gerwig) is an awkward twenty-something living in New York, surrounded by people who seem to have their life together but never seeming to manage it herself.
Co- written by Gerwig and director Noah Baumbach (The Squid & The Whale, screenplay of Fantastic Mr Fox), the feature was shot entirely in black and white. Combined with the light-hearted soundtrack, it gives the whole film a quirky feel completely in keeping with the main character’s eccentricities. Funny, sweet and genuinely moving, it’s fantastic!
Paul (Guillaume Gouix) is a mute. Living with his two over-bearing aunts, it is not until an accidental meeting with Mme Proust (Anne Le Ny) that takes him on a psychedelic psychological journey through his repressed childhood.
Written and directed by Sylvain Chomet (Belleville Rendezvous, The Illusionist), this is his foray into live-action, bringing all the creative visuals he is known for to a new medium. It is full of the charm, wit and philosophy you would expect, with such beautiful scene composition you cannot help but feel transported.
Winner of three Oscars, including Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for Matthew McConaughey and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for Jared Leto (who I did not recognise until the end credits), and nominated for three more (including the illusive Best Picture) this is certainly worth a watch.
Following the life of Ron Woodroof (McConaughey), a homophobic electrician who contracts HIV in 1985 and finds himself supporting the “faggots” he has been so disgusted by in order to get the drugs he needs.
Jean-Marc Vallée’s direction gives the drama a well delivered personal touch.
cinemescope 