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36 DECEMBER 2014 JB Hi-Fi
visit REVIEWS DVD&BD
Cliff Curtis first came to prominence with his role as
Bully in Once Were Warriors and there are certainly
echoes of that Kiwi classic in this moving drama. Curtis
plays Genesis Potini, a brilliant chess champion who
has been in and out of mental institutions because of
a bipolar disorder. Determined not to go back into care,
he sets out to teach a group of disaffected Gisborne
youth the joys of chess, promising that he will lead
the newly-christened Eastern Knights to the national
championships. But when his nephew (James Rolleston)
also joins the club, Gen finds himself on a collision course with his
brother (Wayne Hapi), who is preparing his son for his initiation into the
gangs. Despite the occasionally bleak subject matter, the blunt humour,
naturalistic performances and inspirational themes make this a rewarding
– and ultimately uplifting – drama.
Knight moves
THE DARK HORSE
From Peter Jackson‘s early splatter fests to Black Sheep,
Kiwi directors have long shown a knack for mixing horror
with humour. And this year, we’ve hit the jackpot twice:
the just-released mockumentary What We Do In the
Shadows has deservedly garnered a lot of attention
here and abroad, but director Gerald Johnstone’s debut
feature is also set to become a firm cult favourite among
the horror fraternity. The premise is ingenious: stroppy
Morgana O’Reilly is forced to return to her family home
after being sentenced to home detention for her role in
a comically inept ATM robbery. She begins to suspect that something
sinister is also hiding in the house – unfortunately, if she leaves the
property, she will end up in prison. Johnston serves up a winning mix of
frights, dark humour and inspired slapstick, while the performances are
first rate, too. Put it on your Christmas wishlist immediately.
When home detention goes horribly wrong
HOUSEBOUND
Although we’ll still see him inThe Hunger Games:
Mockingjay – Part 1 & 2, this spy thriller features
the last lead performance by the late, great Philip
Seymour Hoffman. And it’s a fitting farewell; Hoffman
is excellent as a German spymaster keeping tabs on
a Chechen immigrant who has arrived in Hamburg’s
Islamic community to claim an inheritance. Suspecting
that the money will be used to finance terror, Hoffman
enlists the help of the man’s lawyer (Rachel McAdams)
and banker (Willem Dafoe) to uncover the truth. A
Most Wanted Man is based on a novel by John le Carré (Tinker Tailor
Soldier Spy), which means a complex plot, international intrigue,
covert surveillance, and morally ambiguous characters. A topical and
timely thriller recommended for fans of TV’s Homeland .
Banker. Lawyer. Refugee. Spy
A MOST WANTED MAN
If you want a movie that will fry your brain, look no
further than the latest offering from the Spierig Brothers.
Having already given us a novel take on zombies
(Undead, 2003) and vampires (Daybreakers, 2010), the
Brisbane twins turn their talents to time travel with
Predestination, a mind-bending thriller based on a Robert
A. Heinlein short story. The less you know about what
temporal agent Ethan Hawke discovers in his attempt to
stop the notorious “Fizzle Bomber” from striking again,
the better. But be prepared for one of the most inventive,
cerebrally challenging and paradox-laden time travel films since Looper.
The production design has a Dark City vibe mixed with a funky ‘70s
aesthetic, and rising star Sarah Snook is an absolute knockout as a pivotal
character who is recruited by Hawke. Enough said. Now go check it out!
Time after time
PREDESTINATION
Format: Release Date: 10/12/14 Format: Release Date: 03/12/14
Format: Release Date:31/12/14 Format: Release Date: 24/12/14
THRILLER
NZ