Incredibles 2 (PG) ****
Dir: Brad Bird
Voices: Holly Hunter, Samuel L Jackson
Runtime: 111 minutes
IT has been an incredible 14 years since Pixar’s family of superheroes made their screen debut. A lot of time to make up, and director Brad Bird loses no time in getting down to business with an all-action opening sequence. Superheroes have been outlawed due to the chaos they have caused in the past, but one tech entrepreneur has a cunning plan to make them popular again - with mum, aka Elastigirl (Holly Hunter), leading the way. Bird’s role reversal script is timely, and while the amount of crash-bang-wallop fighting becomes a bore, there are plenty of delightful moments, with Jack-Jack the baby stealing the show.
On general release July 13
Calibre (15) ****
Dir: Matt Palmer
With: Jack Lowden, Martin McCann
Runtime: 101 minutes
WRITER-director Matt Palmer delivers a wickedly moreish slice of noir delight in this Highlands-set thriller. Pals Vaughn and Marcus (Jack Lowden, Martin McCann) set off for a weekend hunting trip as a last hurrah for father-to-be Vaughn. But best laid plans and all that mean the boys’ mini break soon turns into a hot and cold running nightmare. The Scotland depicted here is more reminiscent of the badlands encountered in Deliverance, which probably won’t please VisitScotland but does make for a cracking thriller. Mention in despatches for Tony Curran, turning in another terrific performance as the wise head of a village in decline.
Netflix Original, showing from June 29
The Negotiator (15) ***
Dir: Brad Anderson
With: Jon Hamm, Rosamund Pike
Runtime: 109 minutes
JON Hamm has not had the kind of movie career his brilliant stint as Don Draper in Mad Men merited. That could be about to change, starting with this political thriller. Hamm plays Mason Skiles, a washed up diplomat pressed into service again in 1982 Beirut after a CIA man is taken hostage. Skiles is uniquely placed to help, but he’s a broken man and his US government babysitters, including Rosamund Pike, wonder if he is up to the job. With a script by Bourne and Michael Clayton writer Tony Gilroy, The Negotiator nails the feel of the chaotic times, even if the tale becomes so twisty and complicated one feels the need of a pencil and paper to keep track. Hamm, though, doesn’t put a foot wrong.
June 28, 20.30, Filmhouse; June 30, 18.00, Odeon
Ideal Home (15) ***
Dir: Andrew Fleming
With: Steve Coogan, Paul Rudd
Runtime: 91 minutes
STEVE Coogan and Paul Rudd playing gay men of a certain age who suddenly find out one of them has a grandson. Andrew Fleming’s comedy could have been a pile up of Three Men and a Baby style cliches. At certain times the film duly looks like it is about to go over the top, largely due to Coogan’s performance as celebrity chef Erasmus Brumble. Thank goodness for Rudd, then, who keeps the story grounded as the partner who never wanted children until one walked into his life. A nice but slight watch with a cuddly message about going with life’s ebbs and flows.
Today [Monday], 20.40, Odeon
The Eyes of Orson Welles (15) ****
Dir: Mark Cousins
Runtime: 110 minutes
MARK Cousins’ documentary, which made a splash at Cannes, starts with the filmmaker taking possession of a box of Orson Welles’ drawings. Welles sketched and painted for 60 years, and Cousins has a notion that this work will cast fresh light on the great man’s career. With the help of clips from the films, interviews, and a meeting with Welles’ daughter Beatrice, Cousins proves his case convincingly, along the way telling Welles’ story once more. Wise, funny, charming, this is a love letter from the heart and a must see for aficionados, of Cousins as much as Welles.
Today [Monday], 18.00, Filmhouse
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