STACK #158 Dec 2017

CINEMA REVIEWS

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THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER

ALSO SCREENING IN DECEMBER

RELEASED: Nov 16 DIRECTOR: Yorgos Lanthimos CAST: Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Barry Keoghan RATING: MA15+

A bizarre and brilliant arthouse nightmare.

Those who've seen the The Lobster and/or Dogtooth will know that Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos is the heir apparent to David Lynch and Luis Buñuel in his ability to make the absurd feel disconcerting. And on the strength of his new film, The Killing of a Sacred Deer , he’s learned a few tricks from Kubrick as well. Colin Farrell plays cardiologist Steven Murphy, whose wife (Nicole Kidman at her frosty best) and children are unaware of his association with an intense 16-year-old boy named Martin (Barry Keoghan). Although not sexual, the relationship

between the two is disturbing, and when the true nature of their bond is revealed, it will have a devastating impact on Steven’s family. It’s best to go into this film with minimal knowledge of the plot, however those familiar with the Greek tragedy of Iphigenia will recognise the significance of the title. Lanthimos’s trademark use of stilted dialogue, deadpan performances and frank sexuality conjure a mounting sense of unease that often teeters into black comedy. The film is also pure cinema – the camera fixed and observing from above, gliding down hospital corridors in a long tracking shot, or transforming ordinary settings into something grandiose or alien. Discordant music punctuates the proceedings, inviting comparisons to Under the Skin and Eyes Wide Shut , which also share the cold and formal style favoured by Lanthimos. A meditation on guilt, atonement and sacrifice, this bizarre and brilliant nightmare will restore your faith in filmmaking as an art form and leave you grateful there are directors like Yorgos Lanthimos out there to counter Hollywood’s generic output. Scott Hocking family move away from the chaos of London to the countryside, where Milne can focus on his writing. Those familiar with Milne and his Winnie the Pooh books will already know that he goes on to become a highly successful author of fiction, and his son (upon whom the Pooh stories are based) an instant celebrity. Goodbye Christopher Robin is a number of films in one. A commentary on post-traumatic stress disorder, as suffered by Milne following his time in the war; a look at the auxiliary of combat; and a biopic of the famous – and apparently quite dysfunctional – family. Combined, these elements provide a backstory to the books that so many have loved throughout their lives. Neither Milne, his wife, nor his son come across as particularly likeable (possibly thanks to the consummate performances from everyone, especially Robbie), but that's far from the point; the film is about embracing your childhood, because before you know it, it'll be all over. Alesha Kolbe

A new Star Wars movie is now a fixture of the December cinema calendar, and this year sees the next episode in the post- Return of the Jedi trilogy launched by The Force Awakens in 2015. That makes it even more of a must-see, especially with writer-director Rian Johnson revealing he's taken the saga in new and unexpected directions. Will The Last Jedi be The Empire Strikes Back of this new trilogy? Find out on Dec 14. (See page 22) STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI

GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN

James Franco plays auteur Tommy Wiseau in this hilarious look at the making of The Room – widely hailed as one of the worst films ever made, and a late night cult movie sensation because of that. Enter this oddball visionary's world on Dec 7 . THE DISASTER ARTIST

RELEASED: Nov 23 DIRECTOR: Simon Curtis CAST: Domhnall Gleeson, Margot Robbie, Alex Lawther RATING: PG

When a famous playwright and author returns from the 'war to end all wars' minus his fervour, it's up to his wife to restore his passion for life. A. A. Milne (Domhnall Gleeson) does nothing but wonder why nobody is talking about the war that decimated the nation's men, and is therefore no longer writing the wonderful, happy works he is best known for. As such, his wife Daphne (Margot Robbie) decides a child will cure his woes, and Christopher Robin (Will Tilson) is born. Milne is always busy with work, and a nanny (Kelly Macdonald) is hired to care for their son. The pair become nigh inseparable, and the How much can a famous child bear?

John Cena takes the bull by the horns as the animated beast of the title, who attempts to return home with the help of a misfit bunch of animal pals. Meet this gentle giant on Dec 14 . FERDINAND

PADDINGTON 2

Britain's beloved bear is back for seconds (and still kind of creepy looking) in this bigger and better sequel. One of the top picks for the holidays, Paddington returns on Dec 21 .

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DECEMBER 2017

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