Les Invisibles
Tom Jones
Several elderly homosexual men and women speak frankly about their pioneering lives, their fearless decision to live openly in France at a time when society rejected them.
The lives of elderly gay men and women are rarely depicted, (hence the title) and unfortunately this film fails to provide any new light on the subject. For the most part, the interviewees look directly at the camera and tell the stories of their pasts, stories we have kind of heard before. The moments where we do get a glimpse of their lives today are compelling, but are cut too short. It's a gay old world - emphasis on the old.
- Genre » Documentary
- Release » Limited 06 Mar 2013
- Festival » French Film Festival 2013
Neighbouring Sounds
Tom Jones
Life in a middle-class neighborhood in present day Recife, Brazil, takes an unexpected turn after the arrival of an independent private security firm.
In Brazil, Moses must've had nine commandments. Love thy neighbour, clearly the exception. In this place even your own family can't be trusted to rip you off, or in one case, rip your hair out. This unique film provides a window, albeit barred and wired with security, to a world where the threat of violence is a constant and where silence is not golden, but met with fear. Cleverly shot, with an incredible soundtrack, it's a trip worth taking.
- Genre » Drama Thriller
- Release » Limited 10 Oct 2012
- Festival » London Film Festival 2012
Dead Europe
Tom Jones
A photographer transporting his father's ashes learns of something sinister from his family's past.
Despite compelling performances and powerful depictions of Europe, it is hard to ignore some very lazy script development. The central conflict, which successfully sustains intrigue for most of the film, is resolved in the most underwhelming way; a character is literally introduced to provide all the answers. How this character knows everything is never addressed and the central character’s response is even more ridiculous. You just found out some of your relatives committed atrocities, any questions? Apparently not.
- Genre » Drama
- Release » Limited 01 Nov 2012
- Festival » London Film Festival 2012
Looper
Tom Jones
In 2072, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent 30 years into the past, where a hired gun awaits.
What would you do if you met yourself 30 years from now? Would you hug and tell yourself how healthy you look? This time travel film is far from some ploy to sell you life insurance. The characters are trying to kill their future selves, in a roundabout way. It is seriously cool. The plot is unpredictable for the entirety and the characters are as disturbing as they are likeable. Prepare yourself for hours of post film analysis. It's a ride
Hotel Transylvania
Tom Jones
Dracula, who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, goes into overprotective mode when a boy discovers the resort and falls for the count's teen-aged daughter.
Depicting Dracula, Frankenstein, the big bad wolf and all the other legends as suffering from the same dilemmas and stresses as humans, was obviously designed to offer greater perspective to the intended audience. Unfortunately these characters are likely to keep children awake at night. Despite all their human charm and sense of humour, they are still scary, particularly to look at. Undeniably, this film is entertaining, but parental guidance is necessary. It is the mash, it is the monster mash.
Your Sister's Sister
Tom Jones
Iris invites her friend Jack to stay at her family's island getaway after the death of his brother. At their remote cabin, Jack's drunken encounter with Hannah, Iris' sister, kicks off a revealing stretch of days.
'Written and directed by…' is the first credit. Ironic considering this film seems to be stripped of all script and direction. Applying their craft in the purest form, the cast improvise each scene and create a compelling and honest story of love and relationships. This style may turn some off. The dialogue and scenes lack the structure we are more accustomed to. But, like a woman removing all make-up, at first it may seem different, but its true beauty lies beneath.
Bernie
Tom Jones
In small-town Texas, the local mortician strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow, though when he kills her, he goes to great lengths to create the illusion that she's alive.
Bernie is just like that 'uncle' you suspect is using his goodness to suppress a dirty secret or fetish. You can't help but like him, but at the same time you're wondering if he's wearing lingerie under his suit. This mockumentary style tale is as much about the unlikeliest of friendships, as it is about the inhabitants of the deep south and their strict moral code. It’s their commentary as the events unfold that provide much of the comedy. So entertain'n you could butter my butt and call me a biscuit.
Romantics Anonymous
Tom Jones
What happens when a man and a woman share a common passion? They fall in love.
This film is an endearing story of a chocolatier and her boss, both of them as hopeless as they are romantic. Set against the backdrop of a chocolate factory, in the city of love, this tasteful portrayal of boy meets girl will be the topic of conversation at all nursing home water-coolers. Even the sex scene is appropriately edited for its intended audience. The real charm of this film is found in the refreshing and smart slapstick comedy. A tasty delight.
The Lucky One
Tom Jones
A Marine travels to North Carolina after serving three tours in Iraq and searches for the unknown woman he believes was his good luck charm during the war.
If you start to notice more and more photos of women popping up in obscure places, this film is to blame. It gives single women hope that a man could be out there trying to find them right at this minute. Some may call it stalking, but apparently if he's incredibly good looking and has a pet dog it's not weird at all. This film ticks all women's boxes. It is romantic and sad at the same time. If this is what you're looking for, you're in luck.
The Raid
Tom Jones
A SWAT team becomes trapped in a tenement run by a ruthless mobster and his army of killers and thugs.
'This film contains scenes of violence' is an understatement when it comes to "The Raid". It's all violence, with a handful of scenes to remind you that there is a point to this mortal combat, even if that point is going to be forgotten as soon as the credits role. Surprisingly, the acting in these scenes is seriously impressive and actually heightens the reality and terror of the situation. But it's the fight scenes which will draw the crowd, and they are as ridiculous as they are entertaining. Finish him!
A Little Bit of Heaven
Tom Jones
A guarded woman finds out she's dying of cancer, but when she meets her match, the threat of falling in love is scarier than death.
This film is the most superficial and farcical depiction of a woman battling cancer ever to grace our screens. It goes so far the wrong way (think puns about colon cancer) that anyone who has experienced or been affected by the disease is likely to be offended by the way the subject is treated. The acting is of a quality you'd expect from a high school drama class and the script is terrible; heaven is a white cloud. Hard to like, even a little bit.
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Tom Jones
A nine-year-old amateur inventor, Francophile, and pacifist searches New York City for the lock that matches a mysterious key left behind by his father, who died in the World Trade Center.
The centre of the world and its inhabitants, as seen and experienced through the eyes and mind of a young boy, are dynamically depicted in this film about loss and the journey one takes to feel found. The central plotline struggles to sustain your interest for the entirety and the loose ends could be tied quicker, but the moments where life and all its eccentricities are pulled back to a very literal and innocent place are quite compelling. All in all, extremely heartfelt, incredibly nice.
Shame
Tom Jones
In New York City, a man's carefully cultivated private life, which allows him to indulge his sexual addiction, is disrupted when his sister arrives unannounced for an indefinite stay.
It's ironic, a movie with a one-worded title conjures up so many more. To name but just a few, "Shame" is explicit, dark, confronting, honest and in every essence of the word, brilliant. Everything, absolutely everything, about the central character and his lifestyle is exposed, and yet at the same time the audience is denied a lot of context surrounding who, what and why for the film's entirety. However this conflict, along with everything else, simply works. In one word... shameless.
Man on a Ledge
Tom Jones
As a police psychologist works to talk down an ex-con who is threatening to jump from a Manhattan hotel rooftop, the biggest diamond heist ever committed is in motion.
Any film that starts with a car chase in a cemetery is bound to be good. "Man on Ledge" is packed with non-stop drama, suspense, action and characters. There are so many players in this game, each with their own rising stakes, and the way the multiple stories unfold simultaneously, with not a minute of screen time wasted, is incredibly smart and highly entertaining. Don’t let the title deceive you, the plot is a lot thicker and will keep you on the ledge of your seat.
The Darkest Hour
Tom Jones
In Moscow, five young people lead the charge against an alien race who have attacked Earth via our power supply.
What this film lacks in originality, it makes up for in its effects. The cinematography is seriously cool, particularly the large-scale depictions of Moscow as a ghost town, which will have you wondering 'how'd they do that?' The acting falls a bit on the melodramatic side and you kind of wish the invisible threat, which they are all running from, was more frightening. For a big budget, end of the world flick this does not fail to capture you for a darkest hour (and a half).