STACK Nov #133

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en Kingsley plays a dying billionaire who attempts to
rolong his life through a clandestine process known
s 'shedding', in which his consciousness is transferred
to a genetically engineered body (Ryan Reynolds). Of
ourse there are side effects, but as long as he takes
is anti-rejection drugs he can enjoy a new life as a
hirtysomething. But before long he's overcome by
trange visions that lead him to a Missouri farmhouse,
nd a startling revelation. You can guess where the plot
is heading after about 30 minutes but it's still a cool idea,
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.
Immortality has a price.
SELF/LESS
Release Date: 25/11/15 Format:
With James Wan defecting to the action genre to helm
Fast & Furious 7, Insidious co-creator Leigh Whannell
takes the reins for the third chapter of their post-Saw
horror franchise. Chapter 3 actually takes things back to
the beginning, with a prequel that introduces medium
Elise Rainier, played by the fabulous Lin Shaye. As the
reluctant psychic enlisted to contact the deceased
mother of high school kid Stefanie Scott, Shaye goes
for broke; moving her centre stage was a stroke of
genius and reason enough to check out Insidious
Chapter 3. Whannell and buddy Angus Sampson are also back as
ghostbusters Specs and Tucker, and the former’s familiarity with the
material allows him to expand the series’ mythology, while retaining all
the requisite jumps and spooky apparitions we’ve come to expect.
Going Further.
INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3
Release Date: 26/11/15 Format:
homas Hardy's classic romance gets a visually
avishing makeover that's less ponderous than
he 1967 version starring Julie Christie and largely
aithful to the book. Carey Mulligan is nicely cast as
he plucky and independent Bathsheba Everdene
no relation to Katniss), who having inherited a
ural estate receives marriage proposals from three
opeful suitors. In line for her hand are a hunky
hepherd (Matthias Schoenaerts), a sabre-swinging
soldier (Tom Sturridge), and her bachelor neighbour
(Michael Sheen). Set against 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.
She shall astonish you all.
FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD
Release Date: 11/11/15 Format:
's disquieting that the notorious 1978 rape-revenge
assic has now become a franchise, but fortunately this
test entry eschews the grim formula established by
e earlier films. This time Jennifer Hills (Sarah Butler)
the traumatised protagonist of the 2010 remake – is
e predator, using a therapy group for rape victims to
rget male aggressors, upon whom she dispenses
er own brand of justice. The gruelling violence against
omen that is the series' staple has been replaced here
with the trashy vibe of '80s urban revenge thrillers like
Savage Streets, and it's impossible to take any of it seriously. That's
not to say the kills aren't eye-wateringly graphic (don't ask where that
metal pipe is going!), and the jury's still out on what kind of female
empowerment message this film thinks it's sending to women.
Revenge is a bitch.
I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE 3: VENGEANCE IS MINE
Release Date: 04/11/15 Format:
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052 NOVEMBER 2015