Beauty and The Beast (2017)
Genre: Fantasy
Certification: TBA
Duration: 129 minutes
Directed by: Bill Condon
Starring: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad, Kevin Kline, Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci
KRS Releasing Ltd
The much-hyped film adaptation of Disney’s 1991 animated film, itself an adaptation of the popular fairy tale, is hitting the big screen this week.
The film features an ensemble cast of Hollywood A-listers, led by British former Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, who plays the part of Belle, and Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens as the Beast.
The story tells how the bright and beautiful Belle is taken prisoner by a hideous beast in his castle. Despite her precarious situation, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff, including a teapot, a candelabra and a mantle clock, and ultimately learns to see beneath the Beast’s exterior.
Among the cast, Kevin Kline stars as Maurice, Belle’s eccentric and noble father; Luke Evans stars as the story’s villain, Gaston; Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, who was cursed into a candelabra; Stanley Tucci as the court’s composer who was cursed into a harpsichord; and Emma Thompson as Mrs Potts, the kitchen’s head of staff who was cursed into a teapot.
New 3D imagery enhances the visuals in the film, which stays true to the original music while updating the score with several new songs. The 1991 title song was this time recorded as a duet by Ariana Grande and John Legend.
The film has received mostly positive reviews, showing the fairy tale’s everlasting magic. Nick de Semlyen of Empire wrote: “Those who predicted this wouldn’t hold a talking candle to the animated original will be pleasantly surprised. The tale may be as old as time but it’s retold with freshness, brio and flair.”
A.O. Scott of The New York Times agreed. He said: “It looks good, moves gracefully and leaves a clean and invigorating aftertaste. I almost didn’t recognise the flavour: I think the name for it is joy.”
Critics also had words of praise for Watson, describing her as an “ideal Belle”.
The film, produced on a $160 million budget, is being released internationally on Friday. Its release in Malaysia has, however, been shelved even though film censors have approved it with a minor cut involving a “gay moment”. This revolves around manservant LeFou (Josh Gad), who plays the sidekick to Gaston, and who is confused about his sexuality.
Beauty and the Beast will premiere in local cinemas on Saturday.
Ratings
IMDB: 6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 72%
Empire: 4 stars
Get Out (2017)
Genre: Comedy horror
Certification: 15
Duration: 104 minutes
Directed by: Jordan Peele
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener, Marcus Henderson, Betty Gabriel
KRS Releasing Ltd
Daniel Kaluuya is in for some nasty surprises in Get Out.The new comedy horror film is written, produced and directed by Jordan Peele, who is mostly known for his Comedy Central sketch series Key & Peele and for his recurring role in the first season of the FX anthology series Fargo.
The story follows a couple, Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and his girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams), who have reached the meet-the-parents milestone of dating. She invites him for a weekend getaway with her parents Missy (Catherine Keener) and Dean (Bradley Whitford).
At first, Chris reads the family’s overly accommodating behaviour as nervous attempts to deal with their daughter’s interracial relationship, but as the weekend progresses, a series of increasingly disturbing discoveries lead him to discover unimaginable truths.
Peele’s directorial debut has certainly convinced critics. Peter Debruge of Variety wrote: “Blending race-savvy satire with horror to especially potent effect, this bombshell social critique from first-time director Jordan Peele proves positively fearless.”
Manohla Dargis of The New York Times called it “An exhilaratingly smart and scary freak out about a black man in a white nightmare.
Jeffrey M. Anderson of Common Sense Media was no less enthused: “More than just a standard-issue thriller, this brutal, smart movie is impeccably made, as well as surprising, shocking, and funny, while also offering a compassionate, thoughtful look at race.”
The $4.5 million budget film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was released in the US on February 24, has so far garnered $111 million worldwide. It will be released in Malta on Friday.
Ratings
IMDB: 8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 99%
Empire Magazine: N/A
A Cure For Wellness (2016)
Genre: Horror
Certification: 18
Duration: 102 minutes
Directed by: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Dane DeHaan, Jason Isaacs, Mia Goth, Ivo Nandi, Adrian Schiller, Celia Imrie
KRS Releasing Ltd
Dane DeHaan lives a nightmare in A Cure for Wellness.US director Gore Verbinski, known for films such as Pirates of the Caribbean, The Ring and Rango, returns with a psychological horror thriller.
The film revolves around an ambitious young executive (Dane DeHaan) who is sent to retrieve his company’s CEO from an idyllic but mysterious “wellness centre” at a remote location in the Swiss Alps.
He soon suspects that the spa’s miraculous treatments are not what they seem. When he begins to unravel its terrifying secrets, he finds himself diagnosed with the same curious illness that keeps all the guests there longing for the cure. His own sanity is tested.
The film received mixed reviews, with critics lauding Verbinski’s vision but not the plot.
Wendy Ide of The Guardian, in fact, commented: “While weirdly impressive, Gore Verbinski’s sanatorium shocker runs more on atmosphere than logic.”
Phil De Semlyen of Empire was on the same wavelength. He wrote: “A high-altitude horror – think a Bram Stoker reworking of The Shining or Shutter Highland – of real craft. Ultimately, though, the plot turns out to be thinner than the air.”
The film, which cost about $40 million to produce, bombed at the box office, earning only $19.9 million since its release in February.
Ratings
IMDB: 6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 40%
Empire Magazine: 3 stars