With the summer over, Hollywood eases up on the CGI laden blockbusters and lets a little more esoteric fare drift onto the big screen. However, just before it does, check out your local multiplex for District 9 which will end the season with a bang. Produced by Peter Lord Of The Rings Jackson, the film follows an alien race stranded on Earth who are swiftly locked away by the government. One man vows to help them escape in a film that’s heavy on the action but makes some strong points about the nature of racism and human nature. Also be on the look out for Adventureland, the latest film from the director of Superbad. Whilst these kind of comedies tend to divide audiences, director Greg Mottola has proved that he can make the best of an almost unknown cast to raise a smile. Of course, if you fancy something a little bit more serious, then The Soloist – based on the true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a musician who becomes schizophrenic and homeless – may prove more up your street. With some heavyweight acting promised from the likes of Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr, this balances social issues with some meaty drama.
As usual, both the Hyde Park Picture House and National Media Museum are providing some gems during their respective programmes. The Cannes success Fish Tank (showing at the NMM this month, and HPPH during October) is an astonishing British film from director Andrea Arnold. Whilst the story – about a 16 year old girl living on a council estate – screams ‘typical British film’ this is in fact brave and bold filmmaking that everyone should watch as soon as they can. Not only is Arnold’s direction strong and assured, the central performance from newcomer Katie Jarvis has justifiably been praised by all and sundry. Make the time to see this to remind yourself just how good and powerful British filmmaking can be. Speaking of powerful, the controversial Antichrist also turns up. Lars Von Trier’s story of the disintegrating relationship of a grieving couple is either bravura filmmaking or deliberate and tiresome audience baiting depending on you point of view. Whichever it is (and I fall firmly in the former category) this will prove hard going for many (it’s a relentless and harsh piece of work) but it’s ability to shock, in an era when many audiences can be jaded, is still a testament to the power that cinema still has. Other films to look out for include both parts of the Mersrine duo (Killer Instinct and Public Enemy Number 1), which are slick and stylish French gangster thrillers with Vincent Cassel, Pedro Almodovar’s latest film Broken Embraces, the intriguing sci-fi thriller Moon and White Lightnin’ an uncompromising biopic of the singer Jesco White. Oh, and there’s a chance to see Ghostbusters on the big screen as well.
I’d also like to recommend that everyone goes to see A Poet Goes North, a recently discovered 1968 BBC documentary which sees Sir John Betjemen visit Leeds. It’s a remarkable historical document that shows how much the city has changed over the years (and, in some scenes, how much it hasn’t) with the chance to see what landmarks such as The Town Hall, The Whitelocks and Leeds City Train Station all looked like in the late 60s. With Betjemen is an engaging guide who – despite a slight air of snobbishness – seems to genuinely enjoy his time in the city. What’s more, the screening is free so there’s really no excuse for not seeing this unique slice of history.
Check local listings for release dates of all the films mentioned above.
Fancy winning a copy of The Damned United on DVD? Then check out Laurence’s review here
Laurence Boyce is a film journalist based in Leeds. If you have any film related items, email him on [email protected]