Surprisingly not presented by a well-known animation company, Rango shows that its independent flourish of originality is on a par with the big studio contenders. Possibly the best animation this year so far, Rango is a little bit of what you know muddled up with the enigmatic. A creation to be proud of, it’s surely a work worth the box office success it’s receiving.
BY LAURA SHEARER
This could be the most important film of the Harry Potter franchise. Leaving behind the happy confines of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, our indefatigable trio are on the run to save Mr Potter’s life.
BY LAURA SHEARER
The QFT screening of ‘Tamara Drew’ saw nearly every seat filled with great expectations, and afterwards attendees were treated to a conversation with Derry/Londonderry’s finest Bronagh Gallagher. Led by BBC TV favourite Maggie Taggart, Bronagh was more than delighted to discuss her past roles, her acting career highs and lows and answer questions from the audience.
BY LAURA SHEARER
The loved by many, little known by many more, graphic novel ‘Tamara Drew’ is brought to life with the lovely Gemma Arterton in the role of the title character. The story comes from a Guardian newspaper strip and so the film contains a more intellectual angle of comedy than normal. Based in a small town in the English countryside it’s very easy to see it’s critical relation to the beloved radio programme ‘The Archers’, and as a fellow critic recently commented, it’s like that but with sex and violence. In other words, ‘Tamara Drew’ is a really absorbing melodrama with lots of gossip factor, and that’s what the original comic intended.
BY LAURA SHEARER
From the trailers and teasers online you think you know exactly what you’re paying to see. That sort of B-movie popular in the 90s, with more gore and carefree nudity thrown in, the sheer audacity of Piranha is reeling in audiences worldwide.
BY LAURA SHEARER
As the closing film for this year’s Cannes Film Festival, ‘Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky’ received lots of attention and thankfully lives up to the hype. Anna Mouglalis is a familiar face, the muse of Karl Lagerfield and model of Chanel campaigns, and thus suitably plays Chanel. Based on a novel by a school teacher, this steamy affair finds itself placed just after Audrey Tatou’s memorable performance in ‘Coco Before Chanel’ on the biographical timeline. Two huge artistic icons, of fashion and music, they are a fascinating couple. Their likeminded passions make this film feel like more of an exposé of their lives. It’s a wondrous joy for fans of dark romances and of the pair of characters.
BY LAURA SHEARER
This summer saw a full length feature version of the cult classic TV series The A-Team come to every screen in tune with Hollywood. With such a following of those who have watched and grown up watching, it was hard to imagine how director Joe Carnahan ( ‘Smokin’ Aces’) could do fans the justice they deserved. Fortunately, due to an amazing cast of leading actors, no-one will feel they’ve been robbed by ticket prices.
BY LAURA SHEARER