May Film Highlights

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The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009) Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist, Sven-Bertil Taube. Dir: Niels Arden Oplev.

A disgraced investigative journalist is hired to solve a decades old disappearance, but finds help from a troubled young researcher. Moody, stylish and totally engrossing. The absorbing atmosphere and fascinating characters turn out to be more absorbing than a very interesting mystery. The best and darkest thriller for some years.

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Stardust (2007) Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfieffer, Robert De Niro. Dir: Matthew Vaughn.

A boy tries to fetch a fallen star to impress his love, but enters a fantasy world where sinister others seek it too. A colourful fantasy romp with an all star cast who for the most part don’t overdo it. Not especially original, but a lot of fun nevetheless.

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An Education (2009) Carey Mulligan, Peter Skarsgard, Alfred Molina, Olivia Williams, Rosamund Pike. Dir: Lone Scherfig

A potential Oxford student discovers there’s more to life than study when she meets an older sophisticate. Charming coming of age tale, where the only way to learn’s the hard way. It’s beautifully written and wonderfully performed by Mulligan, Skasguard and the rest on the ensemble. A sweet melancholy delight.

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King of Comedy (1983) Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, Sandra Bernhard, Diahnne Abbott. Dir: Martin Scorsese.

An obsessive wannabee comic tries to befriend a chat show host to launch his career, but when that fails, kidnaps him. De Niro is at his best when playing the unbalanced, and he’s especially good beside a marvellously restrained Lewis. A wickedly funny look at the unjust nature of fame.

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Corridors of Blood (1958) Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee, Betta St. John, Finlay Currie, Francis Matthews. Dir: Robert Day

A Victorian Doctor trying to create a full anaesthetic becomes addicted to his experiments. A refreshingly different horror/thriller variation. Great later role for Karloff who puts in a sensitive performance as a good man who inadvertently becomes an addict and allows himself to be exploited by evil men.

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