IN BRUGES

Crime thriller

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Colin Farrell: Ray, a hit-man from Dublin
Brendan Gleeson: his older partner-in-crime Ken
Thekla Reuten: innkeeper Marie
Clémence Poésy: Chloë, working with a movie company
Jordan Prentice: the dwarf Jimmy
Ralph Fiennes: the big boss Harry

REVIEW
Generally there is not a lot of humour associated with crime thrillers, which makes this movie so unusual. Interspersed with some rather smart dialog are a number of good one-liners and a few rather comical situations.

Another thing that sets this one apart is the pace: pretty nearly everything evolves slowly without undue haste, quite unlike most films of this sort that are generally frantic non-stop action.

As an added bonus, the acting throughout is top notch and the charming city of Bruges makes for a lovely backdrop to the entire affair.

CLASSIFICATION
for strong bloody violence, pervasive language, and some drug use.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY
Ken takes several swigs from his beer and the level is below some writing that encircles the glass. Ray enters and sits down on the stool beside him but now Ken’s beer is back to the level it was after the first gulp.

Ken and Ray arrive together on the train platform. The digital clock behind them shows the time to be 11:45. Ray gets on the train and they chat for a couple of minutes at most then the train pulls out of the station. The round clock at the end of the platform reads 12:00, about 10 minutes earlier than it should be.

MUMMIES: SECRETS OF THE PHARAOHS

Documentary

PRINCIPAL PARTICIPANTS
Egyptologist Dr. Bob Brier
DNA researcher Dr. Angelique Corthals

REVIEW
IMAX presentations frequently rely upon stunning visuals and keep any serious comment to the minimum. In this case the narration is informative and appropriate although we are left hanging about the discovery of a cure for malaria. Perhaps the subject of another IMAX movie to come?

For some there are moments when it is necessary to look away as the camera lingers on the 3,000 year-old mummies. But hopefully not for too long because making use of impressive CGI we get to see how the Egyptians built their monuments first hand. Truly amazing.

CLASSIFICATION

LONDON TO BRIGHTON

Crime thriller

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Lorraine Stanley: street prostitute Kelly
Georgia Groome: 12-year-old Joanne
Johnny Harris: Kelly's pimp Derek
Sam Spruell: mobster Stuart Allen
Alexander Morton: his wealthy father Duncan

REVIEW
Too often the technique of flashback is overused and serves only to confuse the issue. Such is not the case with this gritty movie about some very unsavoury characters. Shot in washed-out, grainy, muted colours that perfectly match the dark, dirty seamy side of life. We are spared the actual event but the after effects of whatever brutal action took place are very evident. And it ain’t pretty.

With tight editing, excellent performances and fast paced action it sure holds your attention. Not a feel-good movie but one you’re not soon to forget.

CLASSIFICATION
for scenes of sex, nudity, graphic violence, profanity, drug use and underage smoking.

WILD WEST COMEDY SHOW

Documentary

PRINCIPAL PARTICIPANTS
Vince Vaughn, organizer and show emcee
The four stand-up comedians:
Ahmed Ahmed, John Caparulo, Bret Ernst and Sebasrian Maniscalco

REVIEW
If you can hang in long enough to get past the opening silly improv comedy routine the rest of the movie is quiet entertaining. Most road trip movies are just that: tagging along watching the scenery go by while a group travels from one place to another doing their thing. This one is different in the sense the group members provide an assessment of their act and other uniquely personal thoughts. Few of us have any idea of the difficulties a comedian encounters not just performing every night for 30 nights but the insecurities they face.

Offsetting that of course are snippets from their on-stage acts, which provide enough hilarity to keep things on an even keel.

CLASSIFICATION
for pervasive language and some sex-related humor.

HOW SHE MOVE

Drama

BACKGROUND
African American step-dancing is a form of percussive dance in which the participant's entire body is used as an instrument to produce complex rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps, spoken word, and hand claps. It is rooted within the competitive schoolyard song and dance rituals practised by historically African American fraternities and sororities, beginning in the mid-1900’s. It's aggressive, assertive style of dance emphasises beat over all else and actively resists the graceful or the traditionally beautiful.

Though stepping may be done by an individual, it is generally performed by groups of three or more, often in arrangements that resemble military formations. Stepping draws upon elements of gymnastics, tap dance, march, African and Caribbean dance. Stepping includes semi-dangerous stunts as a part of individual routines such as backward flips. Some forms of stepping make use of props such as canes, rhythm sticks and/or fire and blindfolds.

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Rutina Wesley: Raya, 20-year-old boarding school student
Dwain Murphy: Bishop, leader of the all-male step troupe
Tre Armstrong: Michelle, leader of the Fem Phatal Dancers

REVIEW
Despite the poorly written script it is fairly easy to figure out this “coming of age/overcome all adversity-type” movie just from the gist of it. Most of the dialog is peppered with unfamiliar teenage street slang and spoken with heavy immigrant accents but enough snippets of dialog can be understood to follow the story.

All the principal actors are unknowns but there really is not much asked of them other than to just be themselves. That they do well enough. The more demanding aspect of their performance is the actual dancing which they do superbly.

CLASSIFICATION
for some drug content, suggestive material and language.

THE RAPE OF EUROPA

Documentary
With English subtitles as required

REVIEW
There has been any number of stories and movies about the systematic pillaging of art treasures by the Nazis during WWII. But none have presented it as clearly and truthfully as this film making use of original filmstock (as opposed to the grainy ones generally presented) and insightful narration by Joan Allen, an acknowledged expert in the field.

Interviews by some of those who were affected by this plundering also provide little known information about what else the Nazis were up to. Riveting stuff.

CLASSIFICATION


P.S.
In ancient Greek mythology Europa was a Phoenician princess abducted by the god Zeus and taken to the island of Crete. By 500 B.C. Europa had transitioned from being the name of someone to that of a geographical designation, which by then had been expanded to encompass the region to the north of mainland Greece, the area known today as Europe.

STARTING OUT IN THE EVENING

Drama

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Frank Langella: 70-year-old novelist Leonard Schiller
Lauren Ambrose: 25-year-old graduate student Heather Wolfe
Lili Taylor: Ariel, Leonard's 39-year-old daughter
Adrian Lester: Ariel’s ex-boyfriend Casey

REVIEW
There are few movies geared to the mature audience, relying on a well-written intelligent script to carry the story. As behooves any film about developing relationships it evolves at a measured pace, not to the point it is boring but to give adequate time for serious reflection.

Although all four principal actors do a fine job, that of Frank Langella really stands out. His non-verbal communication is almost as powerful as what is being said.

CLASSIFICATION
for sexual content, language and brief nudity.