STACK NZ March 2017 Issue 82

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ften the perceptions of wartime heroism can vary greatly
rom the realities, and it’s a theme that’s explored by Ang
ee in this adaptation of Ben Fountain’s satirical novel of
he same name. A war correspondent catches baby-faced
aq war army specialist Billy Lynn (Joe Alwyn) on camera,
isking his life to drag his wounded sergeant to safety. The
ootage goes viral back home, unleashing a maelstrom of
ationalistic fervour that culminates in Billy and his unit
uddies riding in a stretch Hummer to be a part of the
half-time show at the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving game
– complete with added Destiny’s Child. They ride with a film producer,
are wined and dined by the Cowboys’ boss (Steve Martin), and winked at
by cheerleaders. But the OTT production triggers memories and more in
squad members – after all, war is hardly mere half-time entertainment. AF
A reluctant hero.
BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK
Release Date: 08/03/17 Format:
It’s dynamic! It’s thrill a minute! It’s... chess! Well, we
tried. Sure, it may not be the greatest spectator sport,
but chess is a marvel of strategy, and a game that most
anybody can have a go at but which few truly master. In
classic Disney style, Queen of Katwe is based on a true
tale, in this case that of Phiona Mutesi, a chess prodigy
from the slums of Uganda. Taken under the wing of a
chess-loving missionary at the age of 10, Phiona shows
an uncanny fervour and aptitude for the game. Being
a Disney adaptation you may expect Phiona’s first
tournament to be the crescendo of the story, but instead we’re privy
to several of her years, as she dreams of a better life... A collision of
Slumdog Millionaire and Searching for Bobby Fischer, director Mira Nair
(Monsoon Wedding) gives real good feel-good. AF
An unlikely champion.
QUEEN OF KATWE
Release Date: 08/03/17 Format:
Back in 2003, Billy Bob Thornton really put the ‘ho’ into
the Chrissie season as the hard drinking, foul-mouthed
(well, foul everything, really) Willie Soke. Despite being
a shell of a man, he found some redemption in a story
that managed to combine the sleaziest of humour with
genuine witty subversion and a surprising amount of
heart. Billy Bob aims to recreate that Christmas miracle
in this sequel, which sees Thurman Merman (aka ‘The
Kid’) grown up yet still wide-eyed and clueless, plus
the return of Willie’s little ‘friend’ Marcus and the arrival
of his mother, Sunny (Kathy Bates). In true Soke style, Willie, Marcus
and ‘Mom’ plan a heist on a kids’ charity – and also in true Soke style,
things go horribly awry... Another relentless gag-fest, Billy Bob’s bleary
and world-weary Santa remains the highlight of this anti-festive gift. AF
Wilder. Drunker. Badder.
BAD SANTA 2
Release Date: 24/03/17 Format:
We usually encounter various levels of bureaucracy daily.
But the circuitous inefficiency that unemployed 59-year-old
carpenter Daniel Blake (stand-up comedian Dave Johns) –
only out of work on doctor’s orders due to a recent heart
attack – encounters from Britain’s Jobcentre beggars belief.
It’s the first time in his life that he’s required government
assistance, yet he’s engulfed by a relentlessly frustrating
stream of petty officialdom overload. He finds some sanity
in father figure duty for a young single mother and her two
kids who are in a similar situation, but ultimately how far
can a system that’s supposed to assist when needed push a man, when
they appear to want to do anything but help? Worship-worthy cinematic
curmudgeon Ken Loach nabbed the Cannes Palme d’Or for this bleak yet
brilliantly witty and sadly relevant flick. He bloody well deserved it. AF
Welfare woes.
I, DANIEL BLAKE
Release Date: 22/03/17 Format:
30 MARCH 2017
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