Annabelle: Creation (2017)
Genre: Horror
Director: David F. Sandberg
Starring: Stephanie Sigman, Miranda Otto, Lulu Wilson, Anthony LaPaglia
Duration: 109 minutes
Class: 15
KRS Releasing Ltd

David F. Sandberg directs the prequel to 2014’s film Annabelle, which is the fourth film in The Conjuring film series.

The demonic doll is as frightening as ever in Annabelle: Creation.

The plot revolves around former toymaker Sam Mullins  (Anthony LaPaglia) and his wife Esther (Miranda Otto) who lost their seven-year-old daughter Annabelle in a tragic car accident years earlier.

Now they are more than happy to welcome a nun (Stephanie Sigman) and six orphaned girls into their California farmhouse but terror soon strikes when one of the girls finds a seemingly innocent doll that seems to have a life of its own.

The film, which follows a long line of horror films surrounding dolls, received very good reviews. Critics showered the director with praise for bringing a new twist to the genre and for providing the Conjuring spin-off with a chilling backstory for the demonic doll.

Justin Lowe of The Hollywood Reporter called the film “wickedly effective” and said: “David F. Sandberg demonstrates a deft affinity for the elaboration of horror conventions, as well as the expansion of the Conjur-ing universe.”

Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood wrote “they finally get it right for this living doll” but others were not as convinced such as Helen O’Hara of Time Out.

She wrote: “Annabelle: Creation is well performed, but the rhythm of the scares feels slightly off. Characters scream when they should be quiet and whimper when they should be hollering their heads off.”

Overall reviewers were however impressed with the critics’ consensus on Rotten Tomatoes reading: “Annabelle: Creation adds another strong chapter to the Conjuring franchise – and offers further proof that freaky-looking dolls remain reliably terrifying.”

The film is being released internationally, including Malta, on Friday.

Ratings
IMDB: 7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
Empire: N/A

Valerian and the CIty of a Thousand Planets (2017)
Genre: Sci-fi
Director: Luc Besson
Starring: Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevigne, Clive Owen, Rihanna, Ethan Hawke, Herbie Hancock
Duration: 137 minutes
Class: 12A
KRS Releasing Ltd

The English-language French film, written and directed by Luc Besson, is based on the French science-fiction comics series Valérian and Laureline. It is set in the 28th century, when special operatives Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevigne) work together to maintain order throughout the human territories.

Under assignment from the minister of defence, the duo embarks on a mission to Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis where diverse species gather to share knowledge and culture.

Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevigne embark on a thrilling adventure in a futuristic world in Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.

When a dark force threatens the peaceful city, Valerian and Laureline must race against time toidentify the menace that also jeopardises the future of the universe.

The most expensive European and independent film ever made with a production budget of $209 million, received mixed reviews.

Critics generally panned the plot and writing but praised the visuals.

A.O. Scott of the New York Times wrote: “The film feels as if it were made up on the spot, by someone so delighted by the gaudy genre packaging at his disposal that he lost track of what was supposed to be inside.”

Dan Jolin of Empire magazine wrote: “A wildly ambitious space opera but also a self-indulgent narrative morass. Sometimes, it seems, creativity can benefit from a few limitations.”

The film, released on July 21 in the US,  has so far grossed $87 million worldwide.

Ratings
IMDB: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 51%
Empire: 2 stars

Jonas Kaufmann: My Italy (2017)
Genre: Documentary
Directors: Andy Sommer, Anca-Monica Pandelea-Ossenberg
Starring: Jonas Kaufmann
Duration: 115 minutes
Class: U
KRS Releasing Ltd

German operatic tenor Jonas Kaufmann presents his personal tribute to Italy and its culture where the influence and beauty of opera goes beyond the walls of the theatre.

Jonas Kaufmann performing at La Scala theatre in Milan.

Kaufmann is best known for his performances in spinto roles such as Don José in Carmen, Cavaradossi in Tosca and the title role in Don Carlos. He is also an accomplished lieder singer.

However, in this combination of road movie and concert, he does not perform opera works only. Apart from works by Ruggero Leoncavallo and Pietro Mascagni, he interprets pieces by  Enrico Caruso, Lucio Dalla and Nino Rota, among other composers.

The concert was recorded at the Teatro Carignano in Turin in June 2016. The Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI accompanies the star under the baton of  Jochen Rieder.  Among others, Kaufmann sings popular songs like Torna a Surriento,  Parla più piano (The Godfather theme), Caruso and Il canto.