STACK NZ Nov #68

DVD & BD

REVIEWS

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Immortality has a price SELF/LESS

Green teens PAPER TOWNS

Release Date: 25/11/15

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Release Date: 25/11/15

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Ben Kingsley plays a dying billionaire who attempts to prolong his life through a clandestine process known as 'shedding', in which his consciousness is transferred into a genetically engineered body (Ryan Reynolds). Of course there are side effects, but as long as he takes his anti-rejection drugs he can enjoy a new life as a thirtysomething. But before long he's overcome by strange visions that lead him to a Missouri farmhouse, and a startling revelation. You can guess where the plot is heading after about 30 minutes but it's still a cool idea,

Although based on a novel from The Fault In Our Stars author John Green, this charming teen flick is actually closer in spirit to the films of John Hughes than the weepy romance of his mega-selling Young Adult hit. Nat Wolff, who appeared in the film adaptation of TFIOS , plays Quentin, a shy and nerdish teen who has had a long-time crush on his childhood best pal, Margo (Cara Delevingne), now the quintessential school rebel. One night, she unexpectedly lures him out for anarchic evening of mischief and mayhem, leading him to believe that their

even if it has been used before in the 1966 thriller Seconds . Reynolds has done the body swap scenario before (with Jason Bateman in The Change- Up ), only this time you don't really get a sense that it's actually Kingsley's character who's operating through him – it's just Ryan being Ryan.

old friendship might be heading in an exciting new direction. However, the next day she vanishes, leaving Quentin – with the help of his pals and Margo’s best friend Lacey (Halston Sage) – to try and piece together the clues to where she has gone. A warm and sensitive coming-of-age treat.

She shall astonish you all FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD

Play God EX MACHINA

Release Date: 11/11/15

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Release Date: 04/11/15

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Thomas Hardy's classic romance gets a visually ravishing makeover that's less ponderous than the 1967 version starring Julie Christie and largely faithful to the book. Carey Mulligan is nicely cast as the plucky and independent Bathsheba Everdene (no relation to Katniss), who having inherited a rural estate receives marriage proposals from three hopeful suitors. In line for her hand are a hunky shepherd (Matthias Schoenaerts), a sabre-swinging soldier (Tom Sturridge), and her bachelor neighbour (Michael Sheen). Set against

Screenwriter Alex Garland ( 28 Days Later , Sunshine ) makes his directing debut with this creepy and timely look at the creation of Artificial Intelligence. A computer whiz (Domhnall Gleeson) wins a competition to assist a search engine billionaire (Oscar Isaac) at his remote research facility – his task is to determine whether or not a robotic creation named Ava (Alicia Vikander) has developed true consciousness. Cautionary tales about the rise of AI are a sci-fi staple, from Skynet to android boys, but Ex Machina is the first one that utilises the

the backdrop of rural Dorset, this pastoral period drama is anchored by a headstrong heroine in a field of her own, literally and figuratively – determined to marry for love alone in an era where matters of class dictate otherwise.

internet age and our online behaviour to provide a chillingly plausible explanation of how it might be achieved. Garland has created a philosophical and thought-provoking minor classic that questions what it means to be human. Highly recommended.

NOVEMBER 2015

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