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FILM: Death at a Funeral? It was more like death in the audience
You have to wonder what was running through Neil LaBute’s mind when he decided to direct a remake of an at best mediocre British film, which was only released three years ago. Alas, here we are with Death at a Funeral 2.0: the really boring American version.
Serkis act sparks controversy
A new biopic of the iconic disabled musician Ian Dury has landed Andy Serkis with the kind of mixed reception that often greeted the movie’s subject and his work. Paul Carter reports
Not in the frame
From Jamie Foxx’s portrayal of a schizophrenic homeless man in Hollywood’s awards season favourite The Soloist to Sam Worthington’s paraplegic ex-Marine in James Cameron’s blockbuster Avatar, disability has been represented by some of the most influential director-actor combinations of the year. But, says Cathy Reay, directors continue to favour non-disabled actors
Mat's kickin' in flid flick
Mat Fraser is powerful and ultimately empowered in his latest movie role, pitting his martial arts skill against gangland’s worst
Special People
The lives of young disabled people are a subject that is rarely depicted. So when a film comes along that tries to explore this topic, your hopes are raised...
The Diving Bell and The Butterfly
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, directed by the artist Julian Schnabel, is the story of Jean Bauby, the editor of Elle magazine who had a massive stroke that left him with locked-in syndrome. He is fully aware of what is happening but is unable to communicate the experience. He feels stuck in a diving bell yet within lies a butterfly waiting to emerge, hence the title. Matthieu Amalric plays Bauby with great sensitivity.
Control: Film review
Music biopics follow a standard pattern: young, fresh-faced talented lad meets others, they start a band, and are ignored by the mainstream as they enviously watch those who have made it. Then they get their big break, followed by fame, money and audiences full of groupies, as wives watch in pain. Then the quarrels. The drugs. The break-ups.
The Lookout: Film review
This is a film that wants to be two different films at once. Is it a gory horror by numbers film for the mall generation or is it something more, an examination of the effects of disability on the youth of middle America?