Reviews

DOCUMENTARY MAD HOT BALLROOM (U) 105min 0.”

PS 150. PS 115 and PS 112 are three different schools in New York City. The eleven year old kids who are in these respective school‘s ballroom dancing classes are about to go head to head in a big dancing competition and it's going to be a matter of life and death. no in fact its more important than that. Marilyn Agrelo and Amy Sewell's wildly emotive. beautifully structured documentary is indeed succour for the soul. This energised low fi hybrid of Steve James' Hoop Dreams and Jeffrey Blitz's Spellbound so fully

THEATRICAL ADAPTATION THE LIBERTINE (18) 114min 0.0

embraces the quirky half formed world of these miniature urbanites that as a viewer it is virtually impossible not to be dragged in or to take sides. With its sly meditations on the trophy culture. race and class divides and death of manners Mad Hot Ballroom is incredibly special and highly recommended. (Paul Dale)

I Selected release from Fri 25 Nov. See preview, page 42.

THRILLER FLIGHTPLAN (12A) 98min 0.

You are flying the body of your dead husband back home with yOur young daughter. At 37.000 feet you suddenly realise that yOur child is missrng but nobody remembers seeing her. so you begin to get a bit hysterical. Luckily you are a plane designer and truly believe that yetir daughter is on board and you will stop at nothing to find her. Have you lost your mind?

Welcome to another 'woman and child in danger' thriller from Jodie Foster's undenNhelming middle career. Directed by Robert Tattoo Schwentke and co-written by Billy Shattered Glass

When Ubu Roi re-emerges on the Scottish stage, you know that philosophically, politically and religiously - we are in deep shit. You see, the thing about libertine creations is that through their very dissolution, their lack of moral restraint and their defiance of religious precepts they are confronting a chaotic, corrupt and generally morally bankrupt state or society (and having one hell of a lot of fun while doing it). It was in such a world that poet, playwright and debaucher Lord Rochester (Johnny Depp) lived. The English Civil War is over but Charles II (John Malkovich) is barely holding his kingdom together and everyone from Parliament to the French wants a piece of him. The high living king, however, is more interested in the progressions of the Restoration. Rochester is something of a pet project for Charles. He wants him to be the Shakespeare to his Elizabeth but Rochester has more disgraceful plans.

Adapted for screen by Stephen Jeffreys from his own well-respected play, The Libertine is a welcome elucidation on the hedonistic life and times of the man who was possibly the first rock’n’roller. Rochester was, depending on your value system, either a genius or a wanker, and is played by Depp with fearless abandon. It is through Depp and Malkovich’s performances and Michael Nyman’s score that this film really finds its heart. After a fantastic opening sequence and an impressive first half the original idea of creating a film as randomly abusive and venereal as Rochester’s work is abandoned in favour of something that resembles a bad copy of Frear’s Stage Beauty (it seems that, among other things, Rochester invented the rhythm method through his affair with actress Elizabeth Barry, portrayed here by the capable Samantha Morton). The Libertine is a misjudged hymn to Rochester’s erudition and awareness of his place and influence in time. As the man pointed out: ‘Any exponent of change in life will come at your own expense.’ (Paul Dale)

I General release from Fri 78 Nov.

Ray. this twisty turny paranOia chiller is the lady‘s first English language film since Fincher's 2002 hostage thriller Panic Room.

A minimal credit sequence and a slow. tenderly detailed and beautifully paced first half gives way to something else altogether. What begins to emerge after she has run around screaming a few times is a McGuffin-heavy. mildly dull episode of The Twilight Zone. which manages against all the odds to waste the talents of Foster and the usually very reliable Peter Sarsgaard. That said. Alexander Hammond's production design is very impressive. Watch Otto Prerninger's brilliant 1965 film Bunny Lake is Missng. It has the same plot and it's loads better. (Paul Dale)

I General release from Fri 25 Nov.

FANTASY, BLOCKBUSTER HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE (12A) 157min 00

The Harry Potter film franchise got a welcome boost with last year's highly cinematic third instalment. The Prisoner of Azkaban, directed by Mexican whi/ Alfonso Cuarbn. Unfortunately. the fOurth film is a clunky adaptation directed with no flare whatsoever by British hack Mike Newell.

Trimmed down to focus on the book's TriWizard Tournament. which marks the return of evil mastermind Lord Voldernort (Ralph Fiennes). this is an arse-assaulting 157 minutes long. Drawn out and meandering. it's a meSSy mix of coming-of-age drama (no kissing yet. though). gladiatorial sports quest and thriller.

The ageing of the prinCipal characters. Harry, Hermione and Ron. makes for an amusing diversion. and Daniel Radcliffe. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are by now at home in their roles. But some of the returning adult cast Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid, Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall - are looking lacklustre. perhaps because their characters have little to do. Scots actress Katie Leung is cute as Harry's wannabe-girlfriend. while Brendan Gleeson and Davrd Tennant chew the scenery with fresh relish as dark arts master ‘Mad Eye' Moody and naughty Barty Crouch Jr.

Overall. though, HP! is a return to bad form, and the sag in the series' middle. (Miles Fielder)

I General release from Fri 18 Nov.

Film

Rough Cuts

Film news and giveaways for beautiful cineaste types

I Don’t miss A Night With Irvine Welsh and His Favourite Films at the Filmhouse on Tuesday 13 December, 7pm—8.30pm. Edinburgh’s own spiky chronicler will be showing clips from his chosen films. The evening will be hosted by Mark Cousins and will be in aid of SKAMM (Scottish Kids are Making Movies). Tickets cost £15(£12). Contact 0131 228 2688/www.filmhousecinema.com for details.

I If you are interested in documentary filmmaking y0u really need to check out Channel 4’s excellent broadband channel www.channel4.com/fourdocs. You can feature your very own four- minute documentary, receive invaluable advice from renowned experts and watch interviews. classic films, unique footage and much more on here.

I Screendaze is a new initiative for 15-19-year-olds, which allows them to come to the Glasgow Film Theatre at 1.30pm on Saturdays and watch a film for free. Then, if they wish they can log on to www.5creendaze.com and review or rate the film, or suggest which movies they would like the GFT to screen in the future. The next screening is The League of Gentlemen ’5 Apocalypse on Saturday 19 November and then Run Lola Run on Saturday 26 November. 0141 332 8128 www.gft.org.uk

WIN BAD SANTA DVDS

Here's a film that's definitely not for all the family this Christmas. The l rst is gmng away five copies of the hilarious black comedy, Bad Santa. This eagerly awaited DVD features a never before seen leaturette. brilliant outtakes and

deleted scenes. To enter simply send us an email marked 'BAD SAN TA to promotioris;a;|ist.co.uk or on a postmrd to The List. 1-) High Street. Edinburgh, EH1 lTE by no later than 139 November 200;"). Please include a daytime telephone number and postal address.

1/ Nov 1 Del: 9001') THE LIST 43