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This fictionalised account of what the then Princess
Elizabeth and her younger sister Princess Margaret got
up to when they joined in the wild celebrations in London
on VE night (May 8, 1945) is a joy. Although based on
fact – the two did go out incognito that evening – the plot
is largely made up and, at times, a trifle far-fetched. But
it zips along at a marvellous pace, is devoid of cynicism,
and includes a nice dollop of romantic comedy. Bel
Powley as the fun-loving Margaret and Sarah Gadon as
the more responsible Elizabeth capture the essence of
their real-life counterparts down to their unique cut-class English accents,
and succeed in making them likeable and sympathetic. A must for fans of
the Royal Family, who will revel in seeing a different side to the Queen,
but also for anyone who enjoys a rather spiffing and uplifting film.
Princesses hit the town
A ROYAL NIGHT OUT
As the Hulk, Mark Ruffalo only
had anger management issues to
deal with. In writer-director Maya
Forbes's autobiographical indie
drama, he's a manic-depressive
family man (or "bipolar bear")
who's recovering from a major
breakdown. When his wife (Zoe
Saldana) decides to pursue a
business degree, Ruffalo becomes
a stay-at-home dad to their two
daughters. The sense of routine
and responsibility could benefit his
condition, but domestic chaos will
inevitably ensue. Part coming-of-
age tale, part mental illness movie,
Infinitely Polar Bear deftly balances
the humour and heartbreak thanks
to Forbes's personal connection
with the material.
INFINITELY POLAR
BEAR
Release Date:
23/09/15
Format:
The latest from the great Paul
Thomas Anderson is one of
those gonzo movies like Fear
and Loathing in Las Vegas whose
success or failure depends on
the state of mind you're in when
you watch it. Joaquin Phoenix
is perfectly cast as perpetually
stoned private investigator Doc
Sportello, who navigates the dope
haze of 1970s California in the
search for a missing ex-girlfriend.
Anderson's neo-noir epic is more
a series of interconnected events
and encounters with oddball
characters – including the scene-
stealing Josh Brolin and Martin
Short – than a coherent narrative.
However, Anderson fans will need
no prompting to check it out.
INHERENT VICE
Release Date:
16/09/15
Format:
Release Date: 23/09/15 Format:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button ended up being
written by Nicholas Sparks, it might turn out something
e this. Blake Lively plays the titular character, a woman
rn at the beginning of 20th Century who is doomed
remain 29 forever after suffering a freakish car crash.
y changing her identity every 10 years or so, she
anages to keep her condition secret, but when wealthy
ilanthropist Ellis (Michiel Huisman) falls for her, one
her past lives finally catches up with her. The former
Gossip Girl excels as the elegant but melancholic heroine
and there is fine support from the likes of Harrison Ford and Ellen
Burstyn, who plays her now pension-aged daughter! Director Lee Toland
Krieger’s sober but graceful direction keeps this magical tale nicely
grounded, but there’s still plenty teary moments, too.
Forever young
AGE OF ADALINE
Although the names have been
changed, this drama is based on
the real-life murder of English
student Meredith Kercher in
Italy in 2007. It doesn’t dwell on
the crime though, but on the
media circus that surrounded the
trial, conviction and subsequent
acquittal of Meredith’s US
housemate Amanda Knox of the
killing. Daniel Brühl stars as a
washed-up filmmaker struggling
to find an angle for a serious
movie about the tragedy; Kate
Beckinsale is the seasoned
journalist unaffected by what she
reports, while Cara Delevingne is
an upbeat student, whose sunny
attitude is a breath of fresh air in
a dark, thought-provoking film.
THE FACE OF AN
ANGEL
Release Date:
10/09/15
Format:
Australian director Robert
Connolly, who usually helms
serious fare like The Bank and
Balibo, takes a detour into family-
friendly entertainment with this
whimsical and – dare we say
– uplifting kids' film set in the
competitive world of paper plane
making. Yes, there is such a thing.
Likeable Ed Oxenbould plays a
12 year old living in the outback,
whose prowess in the art of paper
aviation sees him bound first for
the Aussie championships, then
to Japan for the international
competition. With a quality cast
onboard and a message about the
importance of family and standing
up to bullies, Paper Planes makes
for perfect family viewing.
PAPER PLANES
Release Date:
02/09/15
Format:
Release Date: 09/09/15 Format:
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42 SEPTEMBER 2015