OMAR:
Big one. Since I wouldn’t want to go making assumptions about this, well, at least publicly, here’s Jonathan Romney’s Guardian review ripped in full: This is a subtle political film: one that fully dramatises a situation and lets us think out its contradictions for ourselves. Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad made a mark in 2006 with his Paradise Now, a deeply provocative drama about suicide bombers. In a similar but somewhat more thrilleresque vein comes Omar, about a young man caught between love and his commitment to the Palestinian cause. Adam Bakri plays the hero, a young militant who goes on a mission with his two best friends, gets captured by Israeli intelligence, and realises that compromise and subterfuge may be the only way to win Nadia (Lubany), his friend’s sister, whom he intends to marry. As the intrigue tightens, so do the visuals – a leitmotif, in the film’s many chase sequences, has Omar racing between walls that seem to be forever closing in on him. Sharply and sensitively acted, largely by newcomers, vibrantly shot by Ehab Assal (lots of Middle Eastern shades of terracotta and orange) and very briskly edited, Omar has the intimacy of a star-crossed romance and the political and moral complexity of a le Carré story. It’s a lean, controlled film and most compelling.”
THE YOUNG AND PRODIGIOUS T.S. SPIVET:
Cutesy adventure from the director of Amélie, which I don’t think he’ll ever – can’t (without cute taking a pejorative turn) – out-cute. At least not with Helena Bonham Carter trying to out-weird everyone, ‘n’ stinking up the frame.
BLOOD TIES:
A good week for thrillers – this is one of three that I actually intend to watch. *That doesn’t happen often.* Here we have a glossy evocation of dirty NYC circa ’74, albeit with the filth peeled back and a respectable French director (Guillaume Canet) reigning it in. There’s potential.
DEVIL’S KNOT:
If, like no one in particular, you’ve an abstract need for Colin Firth, a love – pure and simple – for Reese Witherspoon, piqued interest in Atom Egoyan and straight fascination with the West Memphis Three, it would appear the stars have aligned and dropped a perfectly serviceable thriller on you in the form of Devil’s Knot. Thing is, I hear it sucks; its apparent shortcomings being contrasted with the accomplished documentaries (we’ve got them at the shop) about the same event. Still, I think those aforementioned elements are solid enough to deliver at least a few flashes of excitement, and at worst (by which I mean best) some juicy ‘based on a true story’ schlock!
JOE:
Ooo, something with meat on its bones. From patchy-cum-punchy director David Gordon Green, with a ‘kin titanic looking performance from Cage. Good trailer, well reviewed – worth a punt (with a pint). REST IN POWER, Gary Poulter.
MR PEABODY AND MR SHERMAN:
Featuring the music of Peter Andre.
ALSO OUT THIS WEEK:
SPACE STATION 76:
BARBECUE:
A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST:
24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY:
***
Posted by William Goodey
Video City: An actual shop 