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Sometimes it’s the people no one imagines anything of,
ho do the things no one can imagine.” One such person
Alan Turing, the irascible genius and mathematician who
layed a pivotal role in the Allies’ defeat of the Third Reich
uring World War II. Played by Benedict Cumberbatch (with
ore than a hint of his Sherlock TV persona), Turing is one
f a number of math and chess experts assembled by the
ritish government to break the German’s unbreakable
nigma code – a seemingly impossible task given the
omplexity of the Nazi ciphers. With the support of Churchill
and the only female member of the group (Keira Knightley), Turing sets
about constructing a cumbersome codebreaking contraption that proves to
be the forerunner of the modern computer. Far from a stuffy period drama,
The Imitation Game is compelling, (code)cracking entertainment.
Cracking the code
THE IMITATION GAME
Release Date: 06/05/14 Format:
fter two decades of badgering by fans, Jim Carrey, Jeff
aniels and the Farrelly Brothers have finally given them
ant they want – a sequel to the 1994 smash Dumb &
umber. So, better late than never? Well, sort of. This
elated follow-up does remain faithful to the original’s
mpant stupidity, cringe-inducing and gross-out humour,
ith Carrey and Daniels proving that with age does not
lways come wisdom. And there are ample laughs to be
ad throughout, even if a lot of them are from recycled
kes. Harry (Daniels) needs a kidney transplant from a
living relative, so the pair hit the road in their dogmobile in the hope of
reuniting him with his long lost daughter, who in turn becomes the love
interest of Lloyd (Carrey). It may not be the comedy masterpiece that fans
have waited 20 years to see, but it’s still funnier than the 2003 prequel.
Older but not wiser
DUMB & DUMBER TO
Release Date: 06/05/14 Format:
th a massive box office hit and a movie that the U.S gun
by would love, Clint Eastwood’s biopic on Navy SEAL
ris Kyle, the most lethal marksman in US military history
th over 160 confirmed kills, is both a powerful war film
d an affecting character study. American Sniper shares
uch in common with The Hurt Locker in confronting the
otional fallout experienced by individuals in sustained
mbat situations. Each tour of duty in the Iraqi war zone
es its toll on Kyle, leaving him haunted and unable to
connect with family and civilian life. Bradley Cooper is
fantastic as Kyle: his Oscar-nominated performance is the heart and soul of
this film. And Eastwood – a war movie veteran both before and behind the
camera – deftly alternates between the explosive action sequences and
the quieter moments on the homefront.
In the line of fire TV hacks take on President Kim
AMERICAN SNIPER
Release Date: 27/05/15 Format:
now, everyone should that this is the irreverent comedy
at left North Korea distinctly unamused and Sony reeling
ter confidential emails were hacked in retaliation. So was
worth all that fuss? Probably not. If it hadn’t attracted
e wrath of North Korea, this would have probably sailed
as one of Seth Rogen and James Franco slighter
forts – it’s fun but not quite in the same league as
eir in-joke-ridden apocalypse comedy This Is The End.
anco is the host of a tabloid TV news show, Rogen his
producer, who together land an exclusive interview with
North Korean President Kim (Randall Park). The pair are co-opted by the
CIA to assassinate him, but the mission is blown off course when Franco
becomes best buddies with the dictator, who turns out to be a big Katy
Perry fan. Daftly entertaining but as far as satires go, it’s pretty toothless.
THE INTERVIEW
Release Date: 06/05/14 Format:
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