June Film Highlights

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Radio On (1979) David Beames, Sandy Ratcliff, Lisa Kreuzer, David Beames, Sting. Dir: Christopher Petit.

A DJ drives from London to Bristol to discover why his brother killed himself. Rare, and bleak, British road movie that lingers on the already crumbling signs of modernity across isolating landscapes. Fascinating snap-shot of dark times, with a brilliantly employed soundtrack, its blank joylessness is intriguing, though not endearing.


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Cosmopolis (2012) Robert Pattinson, Paul Giamatti, Samantha Morton, Sarah Gadon, Kevin Durand, Mathieu Amalric, Juliette Binoche. Dir: David Cronenberg.

A super-rich businessman sits in his limo in traffic, meeting many colourful characters on the way. Exploration of the dark consequences of our lust for wealth. This disquieting satire is often witty, insightful and funny. But gets quite tedious; Pattinson’s detached persona and the bitty story depriving it of drama.


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Pack Up Your Troubles (1933) Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Don Dillaway, Jacquie Lyn, Mary Carr, James Finlayson. Dir: George Marshall, Raymond McCarey.

Stan & Ollie search for a war orphaned girl’s family, one of hundreds of Smiths. Their second feature still shows unease with a full narrative – takes a while to get to the main set-up. But things take off when the girl appears and them protecting her brings welcome emotional investment.


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Prometheus (2012) Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba, Logan Marshall-Green, Charlize Theron. Dir: Ridley Scott.

Scientists travel to a faraway world to search for mankind’s origins. Intelligent blockbusters are rare, and a prequel that lays new ground unheard of. But for a film about creation, there’s little contemplation. Action’s prioritised, with dramatic and thematic development cut. Does leave you with much to mull over though.


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Carancho (2010) Ricardo Darín, Martina Gusmán, Carlos Weber, José Luis Arias, Fabio Ronzano. Dir: Pablo Trapero.

A doctor falls in love with an ambulance chasing lawyer, but without realising how dark his world is. Excellent Argentinian crime thriller, with the tropes of film noir but without glamour, and intended to highlight a troubling phenomenon. Gripping and uncompromising, with Darin and Gusman excelling as damaged, compromised people.


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Plague of the Zombies (1966) André Morell, Diane Clare, Brook Williams, Jacqueline Pearce, John Carson. Dir: John Gilling.

Mysterious deaths and missing bodies lead a rational doctor to suspect a supernatural cause. One of Hammer’s most polished productions, directed with a good sense of timing and atmosphere, with well utilised music and a fairly intelligent script. It’s just a shame that the climax falls a bit flat.


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Iron Sky (2012) Udo Kier, Julia Dietze, Christopher Kirby, Götz Otto, Peta Sergeant, Stephanie Paul. Dir: Timo Vuorensola.

US astronauts discover Nazis living on the moon, and preparing for invasion. Goofy fun, but the inexperience of its crew holds it back. Direction lacks timing, tone’s a bit off, it’s cheesily soundtracked, and Bush/Palin gags are outdated. But does look terrific, and there’s some good laughs along the way.


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