STACK NZ Mar #60

44 / 58

44 MARCH 2015 JB Hi-Fi
Also released...
KILL THE MESSENGER
This taut and factual conspiracy thriller evokes All the President's
Men in its treatment of a major US scandal and its repercussions. In
1996, investigative journalist Gary Webb (a terrific Jeremy Renner)
committed career suicide when he exposed the CIA's role in assisting
Nicaraguan rebels to smuggle drugs into the US. His story still
resonates, given current issues involving whistleblowers and freedom
of speech. OUT: 11/03/15
Olive kitteridge
In between big budget serials such as Game Of Thrones , HBO also
finds time for some small-scale mini-series, and this melancholic,
but mordantly funny, family drama is one of its best yet. Frances
McDormand is superb as the titular character, a grumpy small-town
teacher who does not suffer fools gladly, and she is more than matched
by a terrific supporting cast, which includes Richard Jenkins as her
long-suffering husband and Bill Murray as an equally misanthropic
neighbour. One of the best TV dramas of the year. OUT: 04/03/15
MY OLD LADY
This slight but engaging comedy drama finds Kevin Kline arriving in
Paris looking to sell the luxurious flat that belonged to his late father.
Unfortunately, he has also inherited some tenants, the flat’s original
owner Maggie Smith and her daughter Kristin Scott Thomas, who
under an archaic French law cannot be turfed out. Although she is not
particularly convincing as a French pensioner, Smith and her talented
co-stars still lift this out of the ordinary. OUT: 18/03/15
Jimi: All By My Side
Originally set for release last month, this stylish biopic of the
legendary guitarist doesn’t feature any of Hendrix’s original music.
However, director John Ridley turns that into a positive, offering
up instead a dreamy, impressionistic account of a crucial year in
Hendrix’s life when he moved to London to launch his career. André
Benjamin perfectly captures the guitarist's laidback charisma and
feline grace, making this a must for music buffs. OUT: 12/03/15
TUSK
There's a hint of The Human Centipede in Kevin Smith's new film, a
horror-comedy-cum-monster-movie about a podcaster (Justin Long)
who gets turned into a walrus by an insane old geezer (Michael
Parks). What transpires is ridiculous, disturbing, grotesque and
hilarious (often all at the same time), and easily ranks amongst his
best work outside the View Askewniverse. OUT: 11/03/15
CUM
lan Clarke's controversial 1979 drama is not just a classic British
rison film, it's one of the most confronting and harrowing trips
ehind bars you'll ever take. Following his assault on an officer,
ay Winstone is sent to a borstal for young offenders, where
e suffers abuse from the wardens and fellow prisoners before
inally ascending to the top of the inmate hierarchy. As bleak and
rutal as its title suggests. OUT: 12/03/15
ke cops. Real trouble. Yep, we've been here before,
t New Girl stars Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans
bring enough of their TV chemistry to the big screen to
ke this a fun ride. Mistaken for real police while on their
y to a fancy dress party, slacker Johnson and struggling
eo games designer Wayans Jr discover that they are
ated with a lot more respect when in uniform. A patrol
purchased on eBay completes the masquerade, but
ngs start getting out of hand when they decide to
some real police work and attract the attention of a
Russian mobster (James D’Arcy from the second season of Broadchurch).
It ain’t exactly subtle, but the duo’s madcap shenanigans provide plenty
of irreverent laughs. And make sure you stick around for the gags and
outtakes that play out over the closing credits.
The dim blue line
LET'S BE COPS
Release Date: 11/03/15 Format:
rector Shawn Levy is best known for knockabout
medies like Cheaper By The Dozen and the Night At The
useum series, but his latest is a much more grown-up
fair. It’s an ensemble piece, which finds a dysfunctional
mily reluctantly honouring the patriarch’s dying wish
sitting shiva, a Jewish tradition which requires the
mediate family to mourn together under the same
of for a week. The starry cast is headed up by Jason
teman, who has been down in the dumps since splitting
with his unfaithful wife, but is soon reconnecting with his
old school flame Rose Byrne. Other familiar faces include Tina Fey and
Adam Driver as his siblings, Connie Britton as the latter’s new girlfriend,
and Timothy Olyphant as their neighbour, while Jane Fonda has a ball as the
overbearing mother, complete with new surgically enhanced cleavage.
All in the family
THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU
Release Date: 04/03/15 Format:
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