STACK NZ Sep #66

DVD & BD

REVIEWS

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Princesses hit the town A ROYAL NIGHT OUT

Forever young AGE OF ADALINE

Release Date: 23/09/15

Release Date: 09/09/15

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This fictionalised account of what the then Princess Elizabeth and her younger sister Princess Margaret got up to when they joined in the wild celebrations in London on VE night (May 8, 1945) is a joy. Although based on fact – the two did go out incognito that evening – the plot is largely made up and, at times, a trifle far-fetched. But it zips along at a marvellous pace, is devoid of cynicism, and includes a nice dollop of romantic comedy. Bel Powley as the fun-loving Margaret and Sarah Gadon as the more responsible Elizabeth capture the essence of

If The Curious Case of Benjamin Button ended up being rewritten by Nicholas Sparks, it might turn out something like this. Blake Lively plays the titular character, a woman born at the beginning of 20th Century who is doomed to remain 29 forever after suffering a freakish car crash. By changing her identity every 10 years or so, she manages to keep her condition secret, but when wealthy philanthropist Ellis (Michiel Huisman) falls for her, one of her past lives finally catches up with her. The former Gossip Girl excels as the elegant but melancholic heroine

their real-life counterparts down to their unique cut-class English accents, and succeed in making them likeable and sympathetic. A must for fans of the Royal Family, who will revel in seeing a different side to the Queen, but also for anyone who enjoys a rather spiffing and uplifting film.

and there is fine support from the likes of Harrison Ford and Ellen Burstyn, who plays her now pension-aged daughter! Director Lee Toland Krieger’s sober but graceful direction keeps this magical tale nicely grounded, but there’s still plenty teary moments, too.

INFINITELY POLAR BEAR

INHERENT VICE

THE FACE OF AN ANGEL

PAPER PLANES

Release Date: 23/09/15 Format:

Release Date: 16/09/15 Format:

Release Date: 10/09/15 Format:

Release Date: 02/09/15 Format:

As the Hulk, Mark Ruffalo only had anger management issues to deal with. In writer-director Maya Forbes's autobiographical indie drama, he's a manic-depressive family man (or "bipolar bear") who's recovering from a major breakdown. When his wife (Zoe Saldana) decides to pursue a business degree, Ruffalo becomes a stay-at-home dad to their two daughters. The sense of routine and responsibility could benefit his condition, but domestic chaos will inevitably ensue. Part coming-of- age tale, part mental illness movie, Infinitely Polar Bear deftly balances the humour and heartbreak thanks to Forbes's personal connection with the material.

The latest from the great Paul Thomas Anderson is one of those gonzo movies like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas whose success or failure depends on the state of mind you're in when you watch it. Joaquin Phoenix is perfectly cast as perpetually stoned private investigator Doc Sportello, who navigates the dope haze of 1970s California in the search for a missing ex-girlfriend. Anderson's neo-noir epic is more a series of interconnected events and encounters with oddball characters – including the scene- stealing Josh Brolin and Martin Short – than a coherent narrative. However, Anderson fans will need no prompting to check it out.

Although the names have been changed, this drama is based on the real-life murder of English student Meredith Kercher in Italy in 2007. It doesn’t dwell on the crime though, but on the media circus that surrounded the trial, conviction and subsequent acquittal of Meredith’s US housemate Amanda Knox of the killing. Daniel Brühl stars as a washed-up filmmaker struggling to find an angle for a serious movie about the tragedy; Kate Beckinsale is the seasoned journalist unaffected by what she reports, while Cara Delevingne is an upbeat student, whose sunny attitude is a breath of fresh air in a dark, thought-provoking film.

Australian director Robert Connolly, who usually helms serious fare like The Bank and Balibo , takes a detour into family- friendly entertainment with this whimsical and – dare we say – uplifting kids' film set in the competitive world of paper plane making. Yes, there is such a thing. Likeable Ed Oxenbould plays a 12 year old living in the outback, whose prowess in the art of paper aviation sees him bound first for the Aussie championships, then to Japan for the international competition. With a quality cast onboard and a message about the importance of family and standing up to bullies, Paper Planes makes for perfect family viewing.

SEPTEMBER 2015

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