The Last Station

The Last Station starring Christopher Plummer, Helen Mirren, Paul Giamatti and James McAvoy.

The movie is based on the last months of Leo Tolstoy’s life and inspired by the novel written by Jay Parini. The all star cast is directed by Michael Hoffman and provides an intriguing yet not so academic portrait of Tolstoy’s relationship with his family and the movement that he created in Russia during the time of the Tsar. Leo Tolstoy died at the age of 82 very publicly at Atapovo train station in Southern Russia in 1910, which happened to be the end station on the line. This is the inspiration behind the novel and movie title.

The main issue surrounding Tolstoy’s death is the struggle between his wife Sofya (Helen Mirren) and Vladimir Chertkov (Paul Giamatti) a disciple of Tolstoy. Both characters are battling for the rights to the money from the book ‘War and Peace’. Whilst Vladimir wants to supposedly use the money from the book rights to advance the cause of the Tolstoy movement and spread the message of universal love and passive resistance to violence. Sofya however is rightfully suspicious of Vladimir’s intentions and wants to keep the money from the book rights within the family. The struggle between these two characters is recorded by Valentin (James McAvoy) Tolstoy’s new secretary. The film is well acted by the all star cast and is worth a look.

Cannes Film Festival 2010 Line-Up Announced

Cannes Film Festival 2010 line-up announced last Friday (15th April)

Cannes Festival 2010 will feature a number of big names in world cinema including films from Riddley Scott, Takeshi Kitano, Godard, Leigh and many many more….

Tim Burton has been announced festival president for 2010, a decision which critics highlight indicates a populist move for the festival, considering the main stream nature of Burton’s profile and films.

The festival this year will open with Riddley Scott’s ‘Robbin Hood’ featuring Russel Crowe and Kate Blanchett. This film is out of competition for the festival, however, likely to make an exciting start to the event. Another film out of competition, but appearing in the festival is Woody Allen’s ‘You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger’ featuring Anthony Hopkins and Naomi Watts.

The 'Prawn' Mothership in District 9

District 9  movie review of great Sci-Fi epic though using mock-documentary style

The science fiction thriller based in South Africa in 1982 is based on a short film ‘Alive in Joburg’, Directed by Neil Blomkamp and produced by Sharlto Copley. The film touches on a number of themes close to South Africa including apartheid and social segregation with regard to the Aliens who are stranded in South Africa.

District 9 successfully places a new spin on ‘Alien’ genre films. We’ve had ‘Men in Black’, ‘Independence Day’, ‘Alien’ and ‘Independence Day’, but for me these films always lacked a certain element of authenticity and were always too over Hollywoodised. The mock-documentary style really helps give the film an edgier touch which helps it seem all the more realistic.

Peter Jackson and Neil Blomkamp manages to create a new spin by adapting to the current trend of using a faux-documentary style to re-tell the build up to the main event. This is primarily explored by using interviews with people close to the protagonist Wikus van de Merwe (Sharlto Copley) and documentray footage pieced together in the build to the relocation of the aliens. Sharlto Copley has hinted his desire to make a second film, however, in terms of exploring a potential prequel to the original film. Lets keep our fingers crossed.

Eric Cantona in 'Looking for Eric' beside classic poster

Looking for Eric is one of those special films that perfectly captures modern working life in Manchester and the magic of Manchester United for its fans

Films based around football have never had the best reputation within the world of cinema. However, this is not so much film about football. It is more a film about how football represents an arena of joy, sorrow and comfort for fans.Particularly how Eric Cantona, even though he retired in 1997 still hold a special place in the hearts of Manchester United fans old and new.

‘Looking For Eric‘ revolves around the imaginary relationship between a postman going through a very difficult time in his life and ex-Manchester United player Eric Cantona. The film brought a real smile to my face and contained some great footage of Eric Cantona’s goals and the magic that he helped create on the field

It was indeed very nostalgic to see this film as I could really relate to the magic of Manchester United in the 90′s and the special atmosphere it created for fans. The film also captures the politics involved in Manchester United today and the corporate greed that consumes the club and excludes ‘the working man’. The postman uses Eric Cantona as a source of inspiration to find himself and win back his life that is spiraling out of control.

I won’t spoil how the film finishes for those that have not seen it yet, but I would definitely recommend it. Particularly for those people that don’t watch football as I believe it would help them understand what football means for so many people in Manchester.