Mostly British Film Festival

Route Irish

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:50:11 +0000

This taut political thriller from master filmmaker Ken Loach (“My Name is Joe,” “Bread and Roses”) makes a pertinent anti-war statement around the politics of the professional mercenary. When a British private security contractor in Iraq learns his best mate died on Route Irish–the treacherous stretch of road between the Baghdad airport and the Green Zone– in a mission gone terribly wrong, he rejects the official explanation for the death and becomes determined to uncover the truth. Along with its politics, the film is a deeply personal study of the guilt of a survivor who wonders why his friend died instead of him.
(UK 2010, 109 minutes)

A Passionate Woman

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:49:34 +0000

A heart-felt drama about an ordinary wife and mother who, on the day of her son’s marriage, looks back on the biggest secret of her life and its consequences. For those who like romances this film will sweep you away. It’s a combination “Bridges of Madison County” and “Brief Encounter.” Co-director Kay Mellor, one of Britain’s leading TV writers, found inspiration for this compelling story from her own mother’s hidden past. Set in Leeds in the North of England between the 1950s and 1980s, this story has been a play and a hit BBC mini-series.
(UK 2010, 90 minutes)

London Boulevard

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:29:53 +0000

A delicious example of neo noir, incorporating elements of classic noir complete with gritty streets and a femme fatale who could prove toxic. Though shot in color (which has a warming effect) “London Boulevard” was obviously inspired by the black and white “Sunset Boulevard.” It is a story of an ex con (Colin Farrell) hoping for a fresh start as a bodyguard for a famous actress (Keira Knightley), who is forced to live like a recluse to escape the paparazzi. Director William Monahan, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of “The Departed,” captures the mean streets of London rarely seen by tourists. Monahan also brings out the tough guy in Ray Winstone, David Thewlis and Ben Chaplin. Warning: Strong language. (UK 2011, 103 minutes)

A Lonely Place to Die

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:26:59 +0000

Set in the breathtaking Scottish Highlands, this action thriller follows a group of mountaineers who discover a Serbian girl trapped in an underground vault. She soon reveals herself to be the kidnapped daughter of a Balkan war criminal. From here a fast moving plot unfolds with unpredictable twists and turns and a climax that will unnerve you. A pitch perfect cast, including Melissa George (“30 Days of Night”) as one of the climbers, brings the complicated script to life. The incredible scenery becomes another character in the film.
(UK 2011, 99 minutes)

Sensation

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:25:59 +0000

This dark, touching sex comedy from Irish writer-director Tom Hall follows a young Irish farmer who finds himself with some cash after his father dies and he can sell the livestock from the family farm. A social misfit, he uses the money to go online and winds up chatting with a New Zealander who goes by Kiwi Courtney. They arrange to meet and she immediately hits him up for money to start a house of prostitution right there in farm country. He agrees to fund it and for a while they are in the money. Slowly, his feelings for her come out. The catchy soundtrack is from John Carney of “Once.”
(Ireland 2010, 107 minutes)

Fire in Babylon

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:24:45 +0000

This fascinating documentary illustrates the remarkable rise of the West Indian cricket team of the 1970s and ’80s. West India managed to assemble a formidable team of batting and bowling strength that dominated world cricket competition for almost 20 years. The story is made even more remarkable considering cricket was traditionally the domain of the British Empire, a gentleman’s past time. There is dramatic footage depicting some of the greatest moments in the sport along with in depth interviews with key players. The great pride the team represented in the West Indies shines through.
(UK 2010, 87 minutes)

Albatross

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:22:47 +0000

Jones appears in this drama as the bookworm daughter of a couple who own a B & B on the Isle of Man. The setting allows for many shots of the stunning coastline as well as the stunning co-stars. Jones plays opposite Jessica Brown Findlay as an unsettled teen who works at the B & B as a chambermaid. When she sleeps with her new friend’s father, all hell breaks loose at the family’s inn. Jones shines in what is basically a supporting role. Julia Ormond appears as her mother and Sebastian Koch is the straying father.
(UK 2011, 90 minutes)

Chalet Girl

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:21:20 +0000

Felicity Jones stars as a teenage champion skateboarder who switches to snowboarding after landing a catering job in an exclusive chalet in the Alps. Not only do the competitions promise some much needed prize money but the camaraderie helps her to relate to posh people in the chalets. Brooke Shields and Bill Nighy play one superrich couple. To prepare for her part, Jones underwent two months of snowboarding training and worked incognito in a chalet where her chores included scrubbing toilets.
(UK 2011, 96 minutes)

Felicity Jones:
Felicity Jones is Hollywood’s new It Girl– even though she’s as British as her Queen. She’s acted since she was 11 but only caught the eye of audiences in this country in “Like Crazy,” in which she plays a Brit attending college in the States who falls for an American. She won the prize for Breakthrough Performance at Sundance and in a few heady months was named the new face of Dolce & Gabbana, Warren Beatty’s co-star in a biopic about Howard Hughes and Ralph Fiennes’ in “The Invisible Woman.” She has the title role of Charles Dickens’ mistress. Here are a couple films she made before hitting big.

The Great White Silence

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:18:28 +0000

The British Film Institute has recently restored this 1924 documentary about the British Antarctic Expedition of 1910 led by Captain Scott, and its ill-fated attempt to be the first team to reach the South Pole. A silent film, it features beautiful original cinematography by director Herbert Ponting and haunting new music by Simon Fisher Turner.
(UK 1924, 108 Minutes)

Performance

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:17:13 +0000

Take a trip back to London in the Swinging ’60s complete with sex and drugs and rock’n'roll. The film, which marked the directorial debut of Nicholas Roeg, initially received lukewarm critical reviews but has over the ensuing years gained a justified status as a cult classic. The plot focuses on the confluence of two cultures: the underworld violence of East End gangsters and the Bohemian world of a reclusive disillusioned rock superstar played by Mick Jagger. Roeg effectively uses jump cuts, point of view shifts and seamless switches between fantasy and reality. The film includes what could be the world’s first music video.
(UK 1970, 105 minutes)