NATIONAL RELEASES

Avengers Assemble (Disney): The eagerly anticipated blockbuster brings together the super hero team of Marvel Comics characters. Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Hulk and others are united on the screen or the first time. Directed Joss Whedon, it stars Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Tom Hiddleston and Jeremy Renner [Nationwide / 15]

ALSO OUT

Damsels In Distress (Sony Pictures): A group of style-obsessed college girls take in a new student and teach her their misguided ways of helping people at their grungy university. Directed by Whit Stillman, it stars Greta Gerwig, Carrie MacLemore, Aubrey Plaza and Adam Brody. [Key cities / 12A]

Albert Nobbs (E1 Films): Drama set in late 19th century Ireland, about a woman posing as a man so she can work as a butler in an exclusive Dublin hotel, Albert meets a handsome painter and looks to escape the lie she has been living. Directed by Rodrigo Garcia, it stars Glenn Close, Janet McTeer, Mia Wasikowska, Aaron Johnson, and Brendan Gleeson. [Key cities / 15]

Being Elmo (Dogwoof): Documentary about Kevin Clash, the man behind Elmo of Sesame Street, as he chases and ultimately achieves his childhood dream of working with master puppeteer Jim Henson. Directed by Constance Marks, it features Kevin Clash, Frank Oz, Rosie O’Donnell and Whoopi Goldberg. [Key cities / U]

Buck (Revolver): The story of the American cowboy and real life ‘horse whisperer’ who travels the US for nine grueling months a year, helping horses with people problems. Directed by Cindy Meehl, it features Buck Brannaman and Robert Redford. [Key cities / PG]

The Monk (Metrodome): Drama about a 17th-century Spanish monk (Vincent Cassell) and his descent into evil. Directed by Dominik Moll. [Selected cities / 15]

Outside Bet (The Works): British period piece set in the 1980s directed by Sacha Bennett and starring Bob Hoskins, Jenny Agutter, Adam Deacon and Emily Atack. [Key cities / 12A]

Strippers Vs Werewolves (Kaleidoscope Entertainment): Another British film whose title is perhaps self-explanatory. Directed by Jonathan Sothcott, it stars Adele Silva, Robert Englund, Billy Murray, Martin Kemp, Ali Bastian and Steven Berkoff. [Key cities / 15]

> Get local cinema showtimes at Google Movies or FindAnyFilm
> Recent UK DVD & Blu-ray releases

DVD & BLU-RAY PICKS

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Sony Pictures Home Ent.): David Fincher brings his full digital armoury to Stieg Larsson‘s bestseller and the result is a masterful adaptation hampered only by the limitations of the source material. [Buy the Blu-ray or DVD]

Dracula (Universal): The classic 1931 adaptation of Bram Stoker‘s novel directed by Tod Browning, starring Bela Lugosi as arguably the most iconic version of the famous vampire. Digitally restored as part of Universal’s 100th anniversary celebrations.  [Buy the Blu-ray]

Lifeboat (Eureka): Another vintage dual DVD & Blu-ray release from the Masters of Cinema collection, this 1941 drama from Alfred Hitchcock sees American and British civilians stuck in a lifeboat in the North Atlantic. Like Rope (1948), Dial M for Murder (1954), and Rear Window (1954) it sees the director explore a limited setting. Stars Tallulah Bankhead, William Bendix, Heather Angel and Hume Cronyn. [Buy the dual edition DVD/Blu-ray]

Il Boom (Studiocanal): 1963 comedy by Vittorio de Sica set amidst the backdrop of the post-war Italian economic miracle which transformed the country in the span of a decade, from the late 1950s to the onset of the 1970s. It stars Alberto Sordi and Gianna Maria Canale. [Buy the DVD]

ALSO OUT

Apollo 13 (Universal Pictures) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Back to the Future (Universal Pictures) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Bad Cop (Anchor Bay Entertainment UK) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Being Human: Series 4 (2 Entertain) [Blu-ray / Box Set]
Despair (Park Circus) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Despicable Me (Universal Pictures) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Fury (Revolver Entertainment) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Gladiator (Universal Pictures) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Hirokin – The Last Samurai (Signature) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Jurassic Park (Universal Pictures) [Blu-ray / Normal]
King Kong (Universal Pictures) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Mamma Mia! (Universal Pictures) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Nanny McPhee (Universal Pictures) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Paul (Universal Pictures) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Sansho Dayu/Gion Bayashi (Eureka) [Blu-ray with DVD]
Shaun of the Dead (Universal Pictures) [Blu-ray / Normal]
The Blues Brothers (Universal Pictures) [Blu-ray / Normal]
The Bourne Ultimatum (Universal Pictures) [Blu-ray / Normal]
The Lady (EV) [Blu-ray / Normal]
The Mummy (Universal Pictures) [Blu-ray / Normal]
The Son of No One (Lionsgate UK) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Ugetsu Monogatari/Oyu-sama (Eureka) [Blu-ray with DVD]

> Recent DVD & Blu-ray picks
> The Best DVD and Blu-ray releases of 2011

NATIONAL RELEASES

Gone (Entertainment): Thriller about a woman (Amanda Seyfried) who is convinced that the serial killer who kidnapped her two years ago is the same man responsible for kidnapping her sister. Directed by Amanda Fuller, it co-stars Jennifer Carpenter and Wes Bentley.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (Lionsgate UK): The story of a fisheries scientist (Ewan MacGregor) approached by a consultant (Emily Blunt) to a Yemeni sheikh (Amr Waked) with a scheme involving salmon. Directed by Lasse Hallstrom, it co-stars Kristin Scott Thomas, Catherine Steadman and Tom Mison. [Nationwide / 12A]

Lockout (Entertainment): Sci-fi actioner about a man (Guy Pearce) who is wrongly convicted of spying against the U.S. but is offered his freedom if he can rescue the president’s daughter (Maggie Grace) from an outer space prison taken over by violent inmates. Directed by Heitor Dhalia. [Nationwide / 15]

ALSO OUT

Marley (Universal): Kevin Macdonald’s documentary about the life and career of reggae legend Bob Marley. With contributions from his family members, former collaborators and Chris Blackwell. [Selected cinemas / 15]

Elles (Artificial Eye): A well-off Parisian journalist investigates the lives of two student prostitutes for a magazine article and is forced to confront her own sexual fears and desires. Directed by Malgoska Szumowska, it co-stars Anais Demoustier and Joanna Kulig. [Select cinemas / 18]

Fury (Revolver): Crime drama about a veteran grifter (Samuel L Jackson) trying to go straight, but who is sucked back in by the son of his former partner looking for vengeance for his dad’s death. Directed by David Weaver, it co-stars Luke Kirby, Ruth Negga and Tom Wilkinson [Select cinemas / 18]

Elfie Hopkins (Kaleidoscope): An aspiring teen detective stumbles into her first real case, when investigating the mysterious new family in her neighborhood. Directed by Ryan Andrews, it stars Jaime Winstone, Ray Winstone, Aneurin Barnard, Rupert Evans, Kimberley Nixon and Kate Magowan. [Selected cinemas / 15]

> Get local cinema showtimes at Google Movies or FindAnyFilm
> Recent UK DVD & Blu-ray releases

DVD & BLU-RAY PICKS

Naqoyqatsi (Miramax): Godfrey Reggio’s third and final film in his Qatsi trilogy, which previously consisted of Koyaanisqatsi (1983) and Powaqqatsi (1988), explores the concept of ‘life as war’. This was highly apt as on its release in 2002, the world had recently plunged into conflict. As before, the music of Philip Glass provides a haunting backdrop to images of the world. [Buy on DVD or Blu-ray from Amazon UK]

Bad Lieutenant (Fabulous Films): Harvey Keitel gave one of his greatest performances in Abel Ferrara’s intense drama about a corrupt New York cop. Playing like a darker version of Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets (1973), it came out the same year as Reservoir Dogs (1992) and like Tarantino’s film is a bold, dark work that lingers long in the memory. [Buy on DVD or Blu-ray from Amazon UK]

Last Tango In Paris (20th Fox Home Entertainment): Bernardo Bertolucci’s erotic drama about an ageing American widower (Marlon Brando) who has an affair with a younger Parisian woman (Maria Schneider) scandalised audiences in its day but seems relatively tame today. Chiefly notable now for Brando’s performance and Vittorio Storaro‘s visuals. [Buy the DVD or Blu-ray from Amazon UK]

ALSO OUT

54 (Miramax) [Blu-ray / Normal]
A Midnight Clear (Second Sight) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Battle Royale (Arrow Video) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Dream House (Warner Home Video) [Blu-ray / Normal / Triple Play]
Earthflight (Acorn Media UK) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Griff the Invisible (Matchbox Films) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Recoil (Entertainment One) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Rob Roy (MGM Home Entertainment) [Blu-ray / Normal]
The Accidental Spy (Miramax) [Blu-ray / Normal]
The Ledge (Universal Pictures) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Thor – The Hammer of the Gods (KSM) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Titanic (ITV DVD) [Blu-ray / Normal]
West Is West (The Movie Partnership) [Blu-ray / Normal]

> Recent DVD & Blu-ray picks
> The Best DVD and Blu-ray releases of 2011

NATIONAL RELEASES

Battleship (Universal): Aliens arrive on Earth to build a power source in the ocean when they come in contact with a navy fleet. Directed by Peter Berg, it stars Taylor Kitsch, Tom Arnold, Alexander Skarsgard, Jaqueline Fernandes and Rhianna. [Nationwide / 12A]

The Cabin in the Woods (Lionsgate UK): A group of friends at a cabin retreat scratch the surface of something so massive and horrific that they can only begin to fathom it as time quickly runs out. Directed by Drew Goddard, it stars Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford, Kristen Connolly and Jesse Williams. [Nationwide / 15]

ALSO OUT

Delicacy (Studiocanal): A French woman (Audrey Tautou) mourning over the death of her husband three years prior is courted by a Swedish co-worker. Directed by David Foenkinos and Stephane Foenkinos. [Selected cinemas / 15]

Gospel of Us (Soda Pictures): Filmed version of the Passion player spread over several days at venues in and around Port Talbot. Directed by Dave McKean, it stars Michael Sheen, Di Botcher, Francine Morgan and John-Paul Macleod. [Selected cinemas]

> Get local cinema showtimes at Google Movies or FindAnyFilm
> Recent UK DVD & Blu-ray releases

DVD & BLU-RAY PICKS

Die Hard Quadrilogy (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment): Blu-ray box set featuring all four films, including a plentiful of extras such as director commentaries, various features and killer sound. [Buy on Blu-ray or DVD from Amazon UK]

Las Acacias (Verve Pictures): Drama about a long distance truck driver (German de Silva) who agrees to drive a woman (Hebe Duarte) and her 5 month old child from Paraguay to Buenos Aires. A road movie which explores solitude, loss and the unlikely bonds which can form between strangers. [Buy on Blu-ray or DVD from Amazon UK]

ALSO OUT

Cowboys and Aliens (Paramount Home Entertainment) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Dragon Eyes (G2 Pictures) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Lipstick and Bullets (Renderyard) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Mother and Child (Verve Pictures) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Switch (Anchor Bay Entertainment UK) [Blu-ray / Normal]
Texas Killing Fields (EV) [Blu-ray / Normal]
The Howling – Reborn (Anchor Bay Entertainment UK) (Blu-ray / Normal)

> Recent DVD & Blu-ray picks
> The Best DVD and Blu-ray releases of 2011

Christopher Nolan’s debut film is #14 in our Film Notes series.

For newcomers, this series of posts involves me watching a different film every day for a month, with the following rules:

• It must be a film I have already seen.
• I must make notes whilst I’m watching it.
• Pauses are allowed but the viewing must all be one session.
• It can’t be a current cinema release.

Hopefully it will capture my instant thoughts about a movie, providing a snapshot of my film diet for 30 days and some interesting links to the film in question.

Here are my notes on Following (1998) which I watched on DVD on Friday 6th April.

• The debut film of Christopher Nolan that he made for just £6,000
• Originally conceived as ‘no budget’ movie, it is just 78 minutes long
• Idea of the narrative was to not just tell a story chronologically but to construct a modular narrative that consists of three sections that pull at one another
• The plot is about a young writer in London who starts following random strangers but when he comes across a burglar named Cobb, he gradually becomes sucked into a web of deception.
• We absorb the story of the film in the fractured, fragmented way we do in real life.
• Shot in and around London – principally Central London, Southwark and Highgate
• Bolex wind up camera used to shoot Central London scenes at the beginning
• There is a shot of Hungerford Bridge by Charing Cross Station
• Nolan used a lot of natural light and real locations that he was able to get some kind of access to.
• Although he often only had a day’s notice to shoot scenes on location, his actors had done 6 months rehearsal so they could adapt pretty easily to most situations
• They shot without permits using real locations, which often included flats belonging to friends or family.
• Did they use Framestore CFC as the location for the cafe?
• Producer Emma Thomas can be seen in the background of the cafe scene.
• Nolan got the idea for the film when he lived in Central London and constructed a story around the idea of focusing on one person in the crowd.
• The story explores the barriers we put up by virtue of having to live in a city. In a sense it covers similar themes to
• TAXI DRIVER (1976) and CROCODILE DUNDEE (1986).
• Note that the burglar character is called Cobb – also the name of Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in INCEPTION (2010).
• The other influence on the script was when Nolan’s flat was burgled in the early 90s and he realised that it wasn’t the lock on the door keeping them out but social convention.
• Police told Nolan after his robbery that thieves often steal a bag during the robbery to their things in. He worked this into the script.
• All the flats belonged to relatives or friends.
• Shooting on rooftops is a handy way of getting a landscape view of city without permits.
• Nightclub scenes shot at a bar called Detroit in Covent Garden.
• Only had 3 or 4 lights to use in the nightclub – although it was “murderous” lighting job, it would have been harder to do in colour.
• Note that make-up gets less severe as the film progresses
• The Batman logo is on the door of the flat they rob!
• Theobald’s physical appearance is a signifier of where the plot and narrative is at.
• Nolan used an ARRI BL camera to shoot
• The film plays very different on subsequent viewings – even then Nolan was very interested in the narrative possibilities of cinema.
• Cobb knows the hidden side of London, which is what Nolan used for the locations.
• Fractured narrative recalls Nic Roeg’s BAD TIMING (1980)
• The guy who has his skull smashed looks a lot like Harry Potter
• It would be interesting to know what system Nolan edited this on. It was just as digital, non-linear systems were becoming mainstream.
• Black and white lighting is used to very good effect – gives it a film noir vibe
• Typewriter and Minolta camera Theobald uses are actually Nolan’s.
• Dialogue is a bit on the nose in parts but given the unusual structure that’s perhaps intentional.
• Lucy Russell’s line on the intercom was ADR’d by Emma Thomas at the last minute as they needed it for the sound mix the next day.
• The rooftop fight sequence posed a problem for post-synching as most no-budget films can’t really afford it.
• Nolan got around this by maintaining the rough, unpolished vibe of the piece. The sound mix works within the world of the film.
• You can see the seeds of MEMENTO (2000) in this film: haunted protagonist, fractured narrative, people deceiving each other and rug being pulled out from the audience
• Director’s uncle John Nolan is the policeman questioning Theobald at the beginning and end.
• Note the pacing and editing as the film reaches its climax.
• Final shot of the film was done at waist height so no-one could look into the camera (although if you look carefully somebody does for a split second).
• The film was written and designed for the budget it was shot on – it made very good use of it’s limitations.
• Is this the lowest budget feature film of all time?
• It premièred at the San Francisco Film Festival in 1998 and Nolan got an agent and attention from other festivals including Slamdance, Amsterdam and Toronto.
• He began principal photography on MEMENTO (2000) in September 1999 and it later had its world première at Venice in September 2000.

NATIONAL RELEASES

Titanic 3D (20th Century Fox): Re-release of the 1998 blockbuster starring Kate Winslet & Leonardo DiCaprio. Directed by James Cameron, it has been digitally restored frame-by-frame and post-converted into 3D. [Saturation / 12A]

Mirror Mirror (Studiocanal): Modern take on the Snow White tale with the traditional story jettisoned in favor of an edgy and modern tale. After her evil stepmother (Julia Robert) kills her father and destroys the kingdom, Snow White (Lily Collins) bands together with a gang of seven quarrelsome dwarfs to reclaim what is rightly hers. Directed by Tarsem Singh, it co-stars Armie Hammer, Sean Bean and Nathan Lane. [Nationwide / PG]

The Cold Light Of Day (E1 Films): Thriller about a young Wall Street trader (Henry Cavill) whose family is kidnapped on holiday to Spain and he’s left with only hours to find them and uncover a government conspiracy and the connection between their disappearance and his father’s secrets. Directed by Mabrouk El Mechri, it co-stars Bruce Willis and Sigourney Weaver. [Nationwide / 12A]

ALSO OUT

Headhunters (Momentum): Norwegian thriller about an art thief who gets dragged into a game of corporate cat-and-mouse. Directed by Morten Tyldum, it stars Aksel Hennie, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Synnove Macody Lund. [Key Cities / 15]

Le Havre (Artificial Eye): When an African boy arrives by cargo ship in the port city of Le Havre, an aging shoe shiner takes pity on the child and welcomes him into his home. Directed by Aki Kaurismaki, it stars Andre Wilms, Kati Outinen, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Blondin Miguel, Elina Salo and Evelyne Didi. [Key cities / PG]

This Must Be The Place (Trinity Filmed Entertainment): A bored, retired rock star (Sean Penn) sets out to find his father’s executioner, an ex-Nazi war criminal who is a refugee in the U.S. Directed by Paolo Sorrentino, it co-stars Frances McDormand, Judd Hirsch, Harry Dean Stanton, Eve Hewson and David Byrne. [Key cities / 15]

La Grande Illusion (Studiocanal): Re-release of Jean Renoir’s anti-war classic starring Pierre Fresnay, Erich von Stroheim, Jean Gabin and Dita Parlo. [Key cities / U]

> Get local cinema showtimes at Google Movies or FindAnyFilm
> Recent UK DVD & Blu-ray releases

SPOILER ALERT: Plot details will be revealed!

Sylvain Chomet’s delightful animated film is Number 13 in my Film Notes series.

For those unfamiliar, this series of posts involves me watching a film every day for 30 days, with the following rules:

• It must be a film I have already seen.
• I must make notes whilst I’m watching it.
• Pauses are allowed but the viewing must all be one session.
• It can’t be a current cinema release.

It will hopefully capture my instant thoughts about a movie provide a snapshot of my film diet for 30 days and curate interesting links to the film in question.

Here are my notes on The Triplets of Belleville (2003) which I watched on DVD on Wednesday 4th April.

N.B. For some reason it was released in the UK as Belleville Rendez-vous but it seems the title has now realigned with the rest of the world.

• I first saw this at 20th Century Fox in London during July 2003
• It is still a film I return to and marvel at for it’s incredible surreal charm.
• This was Chomet’s first feature and an international co-production between companies in France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Canada.
• The ‘period’ opening is very well done, establishing the notion of the Triplets as famous singers (even though they are very much supporting characters)
• This is a film I often recommend to people if they are bored of mainstream animation and want something a bit different and unusual.
• It combines the imaginative panache of SPIRITED AWAY (2001) with the wordless charm of THE ARTIST (2011)
• I actually want to live in Madame Souza’s house with a dog like Bruno.
• Sound is vital in lending the slightly surreal animation a sense of realism. Especially since there is virtually no dialogue.
• The emotional distance between the young boy and his grandma is well established.
• Touching scene when we see the boy’s parents – presumably Souza’s son/daughter?
• Great touch that Bruno goes crazy at the passing trains – clearly this was written by dog owners.
• The use of a Hoover, whisk and mower for a cycling warm down is hilarious
• Interesting circular shot as Souza puts the model wheel on the model Eiffel tower
• Absence of dialogue makes us focus on the nuances of character
• Interesting choice of shots when we see Champion from above and when Souza reflects on the photos before turning the lights off
• Love the way Bruno jumps on the bed the way big dogs actually do.
• Bruno’s dream sequences are genius.
• Souza’s whistle is another good example of sound in the film (Foley is actually
• The gangsters bodies have an interesting geometric shape – note that all characters in this are distinctive but have key differences
• The kidnap of Champion happens slowly – in a lot of movies they happen in a flash
• The pedalo sequence is unexpectedly moving
• Belleville is a cross between Tim Burton’s Gotham in BATMAN (1989) and the environments of Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s THE CITY OF LOST CHILDREN (1995)
• Hamburger restaurant scene seems to be some kind of commentary on American obesity and capitalism
• In the triplets apartment even the Oscars are overweight (the film was nominated for Best Animated film)
• The fishing for frogs scene is an instant classic
• Transitions between scenes are worth keeping an eye on – note how frog spawn becomes the moon
• Why does one of the Triplets stop Souza from doing the hoovering and reading the paper? (Maybe the latter is a stage prop?)
• I love the fact that the sisters all watch TV together in bed
• What exactly is going on with the kidnapped cyclists? Contraband electricity?
• Residents of the nightclub seem suitably grotesque.
• I read once that despite eating fattier food, rates of obesity in France are much lower than the US. Why? Healthier ingredients and smaller portions.
• Like the visual image of gangsters in pairs
• The betting scene reminds me of THE DEER HUNTER (1978) – it also appears to be some kind of commentary on the film technique of rear-projection
• The framing, composition and overall visual storytelling are excellent.
• Almost every scene is punctuated with a surreal, inventive humour.
• Theatre scene reminds me of INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (2009)
• Note the yellow headlights on the gangster’s cars.
• I like the fact that one of the ‘vehicles’ during the climax is effectively a portable cinema.
• Nice payoff with Bruno barking at the train on the level crossing
• It just struck me that the gangsters all look like Neville Thurlbeck
• What other film ends up with four old women and a dog being chased by gangsters in a car chase?
• Chomet’s follow up film would be the equally marvellous THE ILLUSIONIST (2010)

Jeff Desom has constructed an ingenious timelapse video using footage from Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window (1954).

It plays chronologically but the effect is quite startling, especially if you are a fan of the film (I’d place it amongst his very finest).

More information on how it was made is here: http://jeffdesom.com/hitch/

The music used is Hungarian Dance No. 5, composed by Johannes Brahms (arranged by Hugo Winterhalter).

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> Rear Window at the IMDb