Movie of the Week – The Red Shoes
Playing all week at the Irish Film Institute is a restored version of Powell and Pressburger’s 1948 masterpiece The Red Shoes. Following Moira Shearer’s ballerina as she becomes a sensation, the film combines vivid colours and outrageous camerawork to create one of cinema’s great spectacles.
Scrooge
On Saturday and Sunday at the IFI you can catch a couple of black and white Christmas classics – 1951’s Scrooge, with the great Alastair Sim in the title role, and 1947’s Miracle on 34th Street.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Though at time of writing I’ve yet to see it, the big, and really the only, new release this week is of course Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Early reviews have been positive but it’s a must see regardless.
There won’t be a cinema roundup next week but I’ve seen both the Stephen’s Day releases, and unfortunately can’t recommend either.
Daddy’s Home
Daddy’s Home sees Will Ferrell’s stepdad go to war with his kids’ returning natural father (Mark Wahlberg). Laughs are thin and the movie is absolutely shameless in its blatant product placement.
In the Heart of the Sea
From the usually reliable Ron Howard, In the Heart of the Sea is a disappointing telling of the true story that inspired Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. Too much CG and poor characterisation sink what could have been a future Sunday afternoon classic.
Finally, here are my top 10 2015 releases. Most are available on Netflix, DVD etc so hunt them down.
10. Force Majeure
8. Taxi Tehran
7. The Visit
6. Slow West
5. Spring
4. Tangerine
3. It Follows
1. Mommy
Movie of the Year – Mommy
Have a great Christmas and catch up on the movies you might have missed this year. See you in 2016 for another year at the movies!
By Eric Hillis of themoviewaffler.com
