STACK #156 Oct 2017

CINEMA REVIEWS

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IT

ALSO SCREENING IN OCTOBER

RELEASED: Sept 7 DIRECTOR: Andy Muschietti CAST: Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Lieberher, Finn Wolfhard RATING: MA15+

IT happens!

The 1990 mini-series combined both timeframes of Stephen King's massive novel, but this big screen version is part one of a two-part film – the first chapter focusing on the six teenaged misfits known as the Losers Club, and their confrontation with the ultimate evil in the form of Pennywise the clown (Bill Skarsgård). The movie immediately announces its intention to deliver a darker take on IT than the tele-version, and also shifts the action from the late ’50s setting of the novel to 1989, which works in its favour; not only does it invite allusions to Stranger Things (whose viewers are the target audience), it also evokes the small

town ambience of ’80s films like Gremlins (a poster of which cameos on a bedroom wall) and an era when kids looked things up in a library and spent time outdoors during summer vacation, riding bikes and swimming – or fighting an evil clown. Any adaptation of IT succeeds on the strength of its young ensemble cast – the kids here have a great rapport – and of course its monster. Where Tim Curry brought a touch of Frankenfurter to Pennywise, Skarsgård’s portrayal is far more impish and malevolent, befitting King’s creation. However, as in the mini- series, with no real sense of the ancient and eternal evil that IT represents (as depicted in the novel), Pennywise is ultimately reduced to a boogeyman in greasepaint, despite stellar work from Skarsgård. Favouring atmosphere over cheap jump scares, and with Skarsgård besting Curry as Pennywise, the film has the edge over the mini-series’ Losers segment, but is never really as scary as it should be. It actually works best as a Stand by Me -like tale of adolescent bonding, bullying, and innocence lost – with a killer clown. Scott Hocking with him – they’re all secret ninjas. Garmadon’s most seriously mounted threat yet upon Ninjago City sees our six ninjas – under the much-needed tutelage of the sage- like Master Wu (Jackie Chan) – having to bring their A-game (and seriously awesome mechs) in order to save their city from a new, wholly bigger (and fluffier) adversary. Will they win out? Will Lloyd and his father reconcile? And will we find out what on Earth a green ninja’s power actually is? The story oozes with ’80s movie stylings from the likes of Gremlins , The Princess Bride and The Karate Kid , colliding with pretty much every martial arts movie ever. The fight moves were even animated based on those of Jackie Chan’s legendary stunt crew! While nothing original story-wise, the action, gags and great visuals (including, appropriately, real world elements) see The LEGO Ninjago Movie making it three-for-three for the big LEGO flicks. If you were into the first two but have your doubts here, don’t. Go ninja, go Ninjago! Amy Flower

Round three for Thor has a bit of a Guardians of the Galaxy vibe about it – no surprise given the director is Taika Waititi. This time the mighty Asgardian superhero has been imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his trusty hammer, and must race back to his homeland to prevent its destruction by the evil Hera (Cate Blanchett). But first he must survive a gladiatorial contest that pits him against an old Avengers pal. Get ready to Ragnarok on Oct 26. THOR: RAGNAROK

THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE

GEOSTORM

Earth has fallen and it's up to Gerard Butler to repair a satellite network that controls the climate before the planet freezes over. Directed by disaster specialist Dean Devlin ( ID4, The Day After Tomorrow ). There's a storm coming on Oct 19 .

RELEASED: Sept 21 DIRECTORS: Charlie Bean, Paul Fisher, Bob Logan CAST: Dave Franco, Justin Theroux RATING: G

Four-armed is forewarned?

Teenager Lloyd (Dave Franco) has father issues. After all, his dad is the Worst Guy Ever. He’s Garmadon (Justin Theroux), he’s evil, he has four arms, he loves himself and the only contact he’s had with his son since about birth was an inadvertent butt dial. Oh, he also tries to destroy Lloyd’s home, Ninjago City, at every opportunity. He sucks. So does Lloyd’s school life, as everybody knows who his daddy is and freaks out at his very presence. It isn’t entirely hopeless though, for Lloyd has five friends who share a big bond

HAPPY DEATH DAY

Scream meets Groundhog Day when college student Tree Gelbman (Jessica Rothe) continually relives the date of her murder until she can discover the identity of her killer. Oct 12 .

Michael Fassbender stars as a detective on the trail of an elusive serial killer in this chilling Nordic-noir thriller based on the novel by Jo Nesbø ( Headhunters ). Let it snow on Oct 19 . THE SNOWMAN

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OCTOBER 2017

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