A MOST WANTED MAN
When a half-Chechen, half-Russian, brutally tortured immigrant turns up in Hamburg’s Islamic community, laying claim to his father’s ill gotten fortune, both German and US security agencies take a close interest: as the clock ticks down and the stakes rise, the race is on to establish this most wanted man’s true identity – oppressed victim or destruction-bent extremist?
Starring the excellent and dearly departed Philip Seymour Hoffman in his last leading role before his untimely death, William Dafoe, Rachel McAdams and Robin Wright, this British spy thriller will keep you on the edge of your seats throughout. A truly intelligent, thoroughly enjoyable film, a most wanted man slowly builds the tension leaving you wanting more. Hoffman makes this film one not to miss and shows exactly why he was the best actor of our generation.
See if you liked: Tinker, Tailor Soldier Spy, The Constant Gardner.
PRIDE
Set in the summer of 1984 – Margaret Thatcher is in power and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is on strike. At the Gay Pride March in London, a group of gay and lesbian activists decides to raise money to support the families of the striking miners. But there is a problem. The Union seems embarrassed to receive their support, but the activists are not deterred. They decide to ignore the Union and go direct to the miners. They identify a mining village in deepest Wales and set off in a mini bus to make their donation in person. And so begins the extraordinary story of two seemingly alien communities who form a surprising and ultimately triumphant partnership.
Pride is another good ol’ British comedy that will warm the cockles of your heart. Whilst touching on true story of the hardship Thatcher brought to the hard working mine working communities of Britain you can’t help but smile at the fight and Pride shown on screen as this one community slowly opens up to the another as they make this fight, sticking two fingers up at the tyrannical Iron Lady. With a cast of great British comedy actors in Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton and Paddy Considine, this film fully embraces its principles, charming you into hearing its message.
See if you liked: The Full Monty, Made In Dagenham
THE BOXTROLLS
The Boxtrolls are a community of quirky, mischievous creatures. Having lovingly raised an orphaned human boy named Eggs (Isaac Hempstead Wright) in the amazing cavernous home they’ve built beneath the streets of Cheesebridge. When the town’s villain, Archibald Snatcher (Ben Kingsley), comes up with a plot to get rid of the Boxtrolls, Eggs decides to venture above ground, “into the light,” where he meets and teams up with fabulously feisty Winnifred (Elle Fanning). Together, they devise a daring plan to save Eggs’ family.
A fantasy comedy based on the novel Here Be Monsters and starring the voices of Simon Pegg, Toni Collette, Nick Frost and many other names we all know you’d hope this was one animation to deliver a bit more than a mediocre story. I hate to disappoint you but it has absolutely zero charm which will just bore the pants of you.
See if you liked: Monsters Inc, Ratatouille
MY PICK OF THE WEEK: A MOST WANTED MAN…. OBVIOUSLY.
