training of mixed race children into white culture is hidden beneath its story of human struggle and endurance. Noyce forgives all. liven Branagh's Mr Neville. who we first encounter explaining the blame senti- fascist eugenics that motivate him. is seen as not so niticli evil as profoundly wrong- headed. The children are the natural stars. with performances perfectly measured to their ages and situations. (‘ameo. Edinburgh.
Ratcatcher ( )5) moo (Lynne Ramsay. l'K. 1999) William liadie. Tommy Flanagan. Mandy Matthews. 93min. Seen through the eyes of twelve-year-old James (iillespie. a sensitive boy haunted by the drowning of a neighbour's son. Run-airlin- paints a bleakly realistic picture (if (ilasgow family life. Ramsay uses meticulous framing. unusual camera angles and atmospheric images to capture the subtle textures of everyday life. as well as complex inner feelings. (il’l‘. (ilasgow.
Roger and Me ( 15) um (Michael Moore. LS. 1989) Michael Moore. Roger Smith. 90min. Alternately hilarioUs and saddening portrait of the disastrous effects of widespread unemployment on Moore‘s home town of Hint. Montana. A former journalist. Moore sold his house and auctioned its contents to tnake this ntovie. An unexpected hit in the States this docu- comedy follows the trail of his camera as he gleans comments from all manner of folk and sets ()ff in search (if Roger Smith. the head (if (ieneral Motors. who closed down their Hint factory with the loss of 30,000 jobs. (TA. (ilasgow.
The Santa Clause 2 (ti) 0.
(Michael Lenibeck. l'SA. 2002) Tim Allen. Elizabeth Mitchell. Judge Reinhold. 104mm. Did we really need a Santa Clause sequel‘.’ Apparently so. as Santa has to liiid a wife before (‘hristmas or else he loses his job. Selected release.
0 Spider ( 15) secs (David (‘ronenburg. (‘anada/t'K. 2002) Ralph Fiennes, Miranda Richardson. Gabriel Byrne. 98min. Almost certainly his best film since Naked ].llll(‘/t (likewise a previously thought unlilmable novel). (‘ronenberg has taken Patrick Mc(}rath‘s evocative second novel and presented it on screen with clarity and maturity. Spider. aka Dennis (‘legg (Fiennes - a revelation). is art itching disease of a man. Shuflling from his boarding house in London's iiast lind to the endless terraces of early ()0s and back again. he is a man hunting for the source of the madness that kept him locked tip from childhood until thrown onto the streets under a ('are in the (‘ommunity-type programme. A bewildering autistic scream into the darkness. See feature and review. Selected release.
Star Trek X: Nemesis ( 12A) 00. (Stuart Baird. l'S. 2002) Patrick Stewart. Tom llardy. Brent Spinner. 1 16min. in this latest warp factor adventure. rumoured to be the last to feature the Next (ieneration cast. the bare bones of an adventure to do the linterprise crew proud are there. The script by John l.ogan (the ()scar-wining writer of Gladiator) employs the kind of classical storytelling devices that lifted the original television series above the level (if mere space soap opera. Drawing on the (ireek tragedy ()nli'pus Rut. l.ogan's script has ('aptain Jean-l.uc Picard (Stewart) face his ultimate nemesis: a younger version of himself who turns otit to be a clone engineered by the Roman-like warrior race the Romluans. l7nfortunately. this interesting set-up builds to nothing more than an extended climax involving a dog fight in space. Tltere might be plenty of in jokes for the fans and an open ending that‘s sequel friendly. btit as a piece of cinema spectacle. .Vt'nu'sis disappoints. (ieneral release.
Strictly Ballroom (P( i ) 0... (Ba/ l.uhrmann. Australia. I991 ) Paul Mercurio. Tara Moricc. Bill llunter. 9-1min. Dancelioor hopeful Scott Hastings incurs the wrath of the Australian Dance l-‘ederation by using his own steps in competition. loses his partner and his friends, htit finds love and artistic integrity with the local wallflower. The ultimate
feelgood movie. it is crammed with colour. glitter. music and spectacle. (ii-"T. (ilasgow'. Sweet Home Alabama ( 12A)
0.. (Andy Tcnnant. IS. 2002) Reese Witherspoon. Josh l.ucas. ('andice Bergen. l08min. It's a magical day in Manhattan for Melanie ('ariiiichael. her fashion designers career path is paved and the mayor's son has jtist proposed marriage. Btit before she can experience the sweet smell ()l~ success. she iiitist first return home to Alabama to divorce her childhood sweetheart. Will Melanie go for a great guy or the right guy'.’ linjoyable to watch Witherspoon alternately playing bitchy and adorable. and a good supporting cast lends weight to the action and the somewhat predictable twists. (ieneral release.
Sweet Sixteen ( 18) .000 (Ken l.oach. t'K. 2002) Martin (‘onipstoiL William Ruane. (iary .\lc(’ormack. lllomin. ('heeky west coast Scotland tied Liam ((‘ompstom is awaiting his mother's release from prison. Pa’s not around. so Liam. determined to give his ma a new home and a better life. begitis dealing drugs. l.oach‘s no frills working method sits well with screenwriter Paul I.averty's straightforward storytelling. which prioritises character development over fancy plotting. In his first screen role (ireenock local (’oiiipston excels as the tough kid with a tender heart. and it's his performance which lifts the film. imbuing it with both warmth and humour and countering the balance between worthy polemic and highly watchable drama. Selected release.
Take Care of my Cat ( IS) 0000 (Jae—liun Jeong. Korea. 2002) Lee Yo-won. ()k Ji-young. Bae Doo-na. l 12min. An assured and endearing ensemble drama debut from Jae-eun. Set in the port city of Inchon. its characters are a group of young women from a variety of backgrounds. who are attempting to make the awkward transition from school to adult life aitd who are taking it in turns to look after a stray cat. Rather than concentrating on the romantic attachments and dilemmas of the girls. the film explores their shifting friendships with
one another. their professional aspirations and uncertainties and their troubled home- lives. A generous. wistful and impressively acted film. (ii’l‘. (ilasgow.
Through the Window (Atraves de Janela) ( lb‘) (l.ui/a Aviedo. Brazil. 1999) 82min. This teitse film noir from one of Brazil‘s most promising female filmmakers concerns a devoted mother and her son who attempts to escape the ties that bind. (il’l’. (ilasgow.
The Tigger Movie (t') 000. (Jun l‘alkenstein. IS. 2000) 77min. Identical in many ways to 1977‘s The Many Adventures of iii/titre the Pool). this new yarn based on A.A. Milnc's characters finds Pooh. Piglet. Tigger et al still living a charmed life of tea parties and afternoon naps. Only this time. the wee stripy fella's decided being one (if a kind isn't quite as cool as he'd first thought and so a literal quest for the Tigger Family Tree ensues. A happy ending eventually makes its presence felt. because even Tigger is smart enough to recognise that with friends like Pooh. Piglet. Roo and liey'ore. who needs family‘.’ MacRobert. Stirling. The Tin Drum (18).... (V'nlker Schlondorff. W. 1979) David Bennent. Mario Adorf. ('harles A/navotir. 14 l min. ('ompelling screen version of the (iunter (irass novel about a young boy who refuses to grow tip as the Nazis rise to power in (iermany. (ii-T. (ilasgow.
To the Left of the Father (Lavoura Arcaica) ( 18) (l.uis [5 ('arvalho. Brazil. 2001 ) l7lmin. Subversive reworking of the parable of the prodigal son in which a family of immigrants are divided between those who sit on the right and those \vho sit on the left of the father. (il’l'. (ilasgow. The Transporter ( l5) 0.. ((‘ory Yuei). France. 2003) Jason Statham. Slit) ()i. Matt Schul/e. 92min. l-‘rank Martin’s an ex- British military man. now retired to the sotith of France w here he earns a very nice living transporting dodgy goods for dodgy crooks. no questions asked. Btit when Martin (Statham) breaks his third golden rule and opens a package containing beautiful (’hinese woman l,ai (Qi). he lands himself in
Gabriel Byrne regrets signing on to the Ghost Ship
listings Film
the shit with gangsters operating an illegal immigrant/slave trade business. What follows is a series of ridiculous action set-pieces: Martin kickboxing a dozen opponents in an oil slick. deflecting a missile with a breakfast tray. etc. Stathant looks at home with the action and director Yuen makes full use of his day job as a martial arts movie choreographer. The 'I'rmtspurim"s stupid and formulaic. but does deliver the goods. See review. (ieneral release.
The miracle ( 12A) (Kevin Donovan. IS. 2002) Jackie ('han. Jennifer l.ove Hewitt. Jason lsaacs. 98min. (‘han does James Bond. Starting out as a lowly chauffeur for millionaire lsaacs. (‘han swiftly graduates to international superspy status when his boss is injured in a car accident and the martial arts comic accidentally tries on his suit. which turns otit to be bursting at the seams with gadgets. Thereafter. ('han teams up with Hewitt's novice spy girl to crack a crime ring intent of world domination. etc. (ieneral release.
28 Days Later ( 18) .00 (Danny Boyle. t7K. 2002) (‘illian Murphy. Naomi Harris. ('hristopher iiccleston. 1 13min. The latest project from the filmmakers who brought ’I'ruinspurring to the big screen (here collaborating with The Beach author Alex (iarland. opens with smite rather careless animal rights activists who unwittingly unleash a ‘rage virus' on the British populace. Twenty eight days later. cycle courier Jim (Murphy) wakes tip from a coma to find the streets of London eerily deserted. That is until the ‘infected' start chasing him. Shot entirely on digital video. this post-apocalyptic chiller looks fantastic. But despite some genuinely terrifying scenes. the script lacks coherent development and the dialogue ain't exactly Shakespeare. (.‘(‘A. (ilasgow.
The War Bride ( l5) .. (Lyndon ('hubbuck. ('anada/l'K. 2001) Anna l’riel. Brenda l-‘ricker. Molly Parker. l08min. London during the Blitz. Two high-spirited beautiful girls fall in love with two ('anadian soldiers and promptly marry them. l.in (liriel) gets tip the dtiff and has a baby girl. Life is hard. Then the pair get transjmrtation notices to stay in (‘anada with their sweetheart's families. whilst the boys are away fighting. The film is basically Lily‘s struggle against adversary. a cheeky (‘ockney with a heart of gold bringing her ‘city ways to simple country folk'. liriel plays the part faultlessly; it's just that the script is bloody awful. Ster ('entury. Edinburgh.
XXX ( 12A) 0. (Rob ('ohen. ('5. 2002) Vin Diesel. Samuel 1. Jackson. Asia Argento. l24min. Diesel. the gruff baldie star of The Fast and the Furious- plays Xander Cage. an adrenaline junkie who thinks he‘s an anarchist btit probably can't even spell the word. When he gets into trouble with the law he is given a chance by NSA Agent (iibbons (Jackson) to wipe the slate clean by going on an undercover mission after some nasty terrorists in Prague. (‘ue endless action sequences. which. though well executed. drag on interminably'. This doesn't even have the requisite catchphrases or sassy lines that one has come to expect from this lowest common denominator genre. Gl’l". (ilasgow. Y Tu Mama Tambien (And Your Mother Too) ( 18) O... (Alfonso (‘uaroiL Mexico. 200] ) (iael (iarcia Beriial. Diego l.una. Maribel Verdti. l05ntin. In this upbeat. raunchy road movie Jtilio (Benial) and childhood friend Tenoch (l.una) convince gorgeous older Spanish woman l.uisa (Verdti) to join them on the road to an unspoilt beach known as ‘llcaveii‘s Mouth'. The horny boys' plan is to get into l.uisa's pants. which. as it turns otit. she is quite happy with. ()f course. when l.uisa sleeps first with Diego and then Jtilio. the emotionally immature boys fall out. and it‘s left to their more experienced partner to teach them something about love. The cast give (‘uaron flawless performances. while the director and his co-writer brother (‘arlos ensure the drama is at once tender and boisterous. feelgood and ftill of pathos. and wholly free of cliche. lidinburgh l‘ilm (iuild. lidinburgh.
iii—(it) Jan 2003 THE LIST 33