4 The Week

1. Some Think Old

Fantastic Planet (1973) 

Our exploration of the Fantastic Planet takes us into an immersive and surreal utopia inhabited and ruled by Blue skinned Draags, a species of extreme vastness, exhibited mostly by their gargantuan size which is a hundred times that of a human. Beyond the imposing stature the Draags existence is that of ostensible peace, enhanced by a fascinatingly fantastical combination of extensive technological and theological orientation. Beating beneath the paradisaical surface is a savage heart, Oms (Humans) are a primitive and tribal race, used as part domesticated pet by the dominant Draags, but viewed with vermin like disgust also. On the Fantastic Planet humans are relegated to living within the bushy terrain of the wild with early civil structures of religion, laws and hierarchy. The narrative centres around the relationship between Tiwa a young Draag and a recently orphaned and adopted pet Om Terr. Terr longs to escape into the wild and be among the his own race, and when he succeeds he finds his domesticated conditioning troublesome when integrating with his own kind.With animation that is both grim and psychedelic in look, director Rene Laloux finds the perfect balance to portray a cleverly satirised social experiment. By looking into humanities face of the future what is reflected is its past, and within its past he envisages an alternative reality still bearing the hall marks mans angry existence and vague purpose.

8/10 

2. Some Think New

Rio (2011)

 
Director: Carlos Saldanha 

Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Leslie Mann and George Lopez
  

Rio starts off with honourable intentions, we learn the story of the genuinely endangered Spix Macaw (or Blue Macaw). Blu (Eisenberg) is the home reared flightless Macaw with an adhesive companion Linda (Mann) for an owner. The two share a somewhat reclusive existence in snowy climbs of Minnesota. When jetting off to Rio De Janiero Linda and Blu meet female Macaw Jewel (Hathaway) in an effort to have the two mate in the name of conservation , however obstacles arise through the pairs odd couple detractions, bungling kidnappers and our feathered friends becoming lost in the labyrinthine Favela's of Rio. Vibrant colourisation and occasional outbreaks of song helps capture of the cities beauty and buzz of its carnival spirit, which undoubtedly drives the movie especially through its best bits.  However Rio fails with an unremarkable dialogue which lacks the charm and humour of its Ice Age stable mates, whereupon a muddled sense of self-discovery exhibited by the lead characters dilutes the initial good will of the opening moments of the film.

6/10 

3. Some Think To Borrow

The Lost City (2005)

Director: Andy Garcia

Stars: Andy Garcia, Inés Sastre, Dustin Hoffman and Bill Murray
 

Andy Garcia directs and stars in this story of a family torn apart by the differences in political and social ideologies of three brothers in 50’s Cuba. The backdrop is of a transitional nation absorbing the bloodshed of Cuban Revolution. Showcasing the countries beauty and cultural verve, Havanna is Garcia's “Lost City” painted as buzzing cauldron of Latin sounds, arts and life. Fico (Garcia) is the Nightclub owner transfixed by his love of music but burdened by his role of peace keeping big brother to both Uber-Socialist Ricardo and democratic Luis who fighting at opposite ends of Cuba’s bloodied political spectrum. Garcia engineers an on screen performance that is heroic and romantic as anything he has ever done, Fico stands up to the upheavals of change brought by the revolution as well as falling in love amidst tragedies and heartache. Behind the camera it is as if Garcia an Havanna native uprooted as a young child is rediscovering all of his own and the cities lost possibilities. The direction has an undying devotion to the Lost City but it has an eye for the poison that flows within its blood such as Jewish gangster Meyer Lanksy (Dustin Hoffman) and the detailing of the  oppressive incoming rule. In addition to Garcia’s personal affections there are other virtues at hand, the tale is written with a classic feel of Corleone-esque family dynamics and themes offering a transcendent quality that could work against almost any landscape - even a factually shaky historical foundation manages to be insightful and balanced without feeling like a schemed or contrived piece of anti Castro propaganda. 

An endearing journey.

9/10 

4. Some Think Due 

The Tree of Life (2011) 

Release: May 4th 2011
Director: Terrence Malick
Stars:  Sean Penn and Brad Pitt

Synopsis: The story centers around a family with three boys in the 1950s. The eldest son witnesses the loss of innocence 

Why get excited: Some people are prolific film makers and some people aren't, Terrence Malick unless he gets busy in his later years will have be considered in the latter category. In a career that began nearly 40 years ago Malick has directed five films in that time. The good news is however that the trend so far seems to be quality over quantity, of his previous works his debut Badlands (1973) and war epic The Thin Red Line (1998) are both highly revered pieces of work and The Tree Of Life promises much of the same. To add to the anticipation Brad Pitt and Sean Penn are the formidable headline cast pairing in their first ever on screen collaboration.