STACK #143 Sept 2016

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CINEMA REVIEWS

DAVID BRENT: LIFE ON THE ROAD

ALSO SCREENING IN SEPTEMBER

RELEASED: Now Showing DIRECTOR: Ricky Gervais CAST: Ricky Gervais, Jo Hartley, Doc Brown RATING: MA15+

A legend in his own mind.

It's been 13 years since we last caught up with David Brent, star of the BBC mockumentary series The Office . Ricky Gervais's excruciating comic creation has since fallen to the bottom of the corporate ladder following redundancy from Wernham Hogg, where he was top dog. Now he's a tampon sales rep chasing big dreams as a rock star. Cashing in his pension funds and taking unpaid leave, Brent hits the road with band Foregone Conclusion for a tour that will hopefully end with a recording contract, and needless to say it's a foregone conclusion that

the cringe factor will be dialled up to eleven. The world has become more politically correct but Brent hasn't, belting out songs like "Don't Make Fun of the Disabled" and "Native American" to the disbelief of a scant audience and the contempt of his bandmates. Fans of The Office will know exactly what to expect, but should note that this is strictly the David Brent show – don't expect to catch up with Tim, Gareth and Dawn. We do meet his new workmates at Lavichem, however, including kindred spirit Nigel (Tom Bennett), who manages to register in a film that's a showcase for Gervais, as does Doc Brown as the open-mike rapper whose promising career Brent has hijacked for his own delusional ends. Once again, the awkward humour comes less from Brent's abrasive persona than others reactions to it, as captured with candid precision by a documentary film crew. It's funny, squirm- inducing stuff, although a last minute segue into sentiment is unnecessary – we pity Brent already. Scott Hocking

Director Antoine Fuqua ( Training Day ) brings his flair for gritty action to the wild, wild west in this remake of John Sturges' 1960 classic. Denzel Washington leads the eponymous band of outlaws (including Chris Pratt and Ethan Hawke), who've been hired to take down a corrupt industrialist who plans to plunder the town of Rose Krick. Bullets will fly on Sept 29 . THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

FURTHER VIEWING: The Office (UK): Season 1–3

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

What do your pets get up to after you've left for work? The answer can be found in what promises to be the cutest and funniest animated feature of the year – and it doesn't involve pining at the front door until you return. Find out on Sept 8 . THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS

RELEASED: Now Showing DIRECTOR: Travis Knight CAST: Charlize Theron, Art Parkinson, Ralph Fiennes RATING: PG

More magic from Laika.

A supernatural instrument, talking animals and creepy aunts galore - Kubo slices in as the fourth addition to Laika Entertainment’s animated line- up, following Coraline and ParaNorman , and it's another gorgeously peculiar tale. Young Kubo (Art Parkinson) spends his days using his magical shamisen and origami to bring extraordinary stories to life in his small town. Much to the dismay of the story-devoted townsfolk, he never seems to provide an ending. But when he accidentally summons a vengeful spirit from the heavens, Kubo begins to live out the tales himself. Armed only with his mystical instrument, Kubo

and his allies – the protectively cynical Monkey (Charlize Theron) and the fearless yet childish Beetle (Matthew McConaughey) – embark on a journey to collect the three parts of his late father’s mystical armour, in order to defeat the spirit and the monsters that stand in his path. Kubo blows its Laika predecessors out of the water in terms of beauty. Stop-motion is a charming medium that the studio has dominated since 2009, and once again it creates a magnificent world to explore. But unfortunately many of the jokes don't quite land with an older audience, being predominantly aimed at kids. However, the film is not short of heartfelt moments. A surprising highlight comes in the form of the Sisters, voiced by Rooney Mara. If you're looking for some of that trademark Coraline creepiness, this is where you’ll find it – her spine-chilling laugh alone will haunt your dreams. Aside from the mildly flat jokes and generally predictable plot points, this is as magically charming as Laika's previous offerings, with the divine music of the shamisen bound to lift your spirits. Savannah Douglas

Originally called The Woods , until a surprise title change revealed it to be a sequel to the found-footage horror hit. With Adam Wingard ( You're Next ) directing, this could be scary stuff. Witching begins on Sept 15 . BLAIR WITCH

SNOWDEN

Oliver Stone's latest concerns the whistleblower who leaked classified documents on illegal surveillance practices by the NSA. Perfect material for a director who favours controversial figures and issues. Secrets revealed on Sept 22 .

FURTHER VIEWING: Coraline

SEPTEMBER 2016

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