DVD OF THE MONTH 12 YEARS A SLAVE
You know, us humans are capable of some pretty awful things. Luckily, though, we’ve
got Hollywood, like some wise matriarch, to sagely show us the error of our ways when we need it. I’m ashamed to say that until I’d seen ‘Schindler’s List’ I had no idea what a nasty business that holocaust was, and now, at last, slavery has come in for a right telling-off. Some will say it’s political correctness gone mad, but we need films like McQueen’s masterpiece. Without it we’d still think owning people was OK. And apparently it’s not. Obviously, ’12 years…’ is the best film ever made. To think otherwise would be racist. But just HOW is it so good? Well, as
MAYFILM RELEASES
02 May PompeiiEruption movie starring John Snow as a gladiator racing against time, and lava, to grab Emily Browning and look meaningfully into her eyes. Presumably before then raping her horribly and throwing her into the fiery pit as gladiators were wont. No?
07 May SabotageArnie stars in a better-than-average action thriller directed by David Ayer (End of Watch). With more than its fair share of plot, and a decent cast as well including Terence Howard and Sam Worthington, this gives you more than you expect.
16 May In SecretDrama set in 1860s Paris about a young repressed girl trapped into marriage with her sickly cousin. Starring GILF of the year Jessica Lange, Draco Malfoy, one of the Olsen twins and Gareth from the office. If it’s your thing, it’s brilliant.
22 May Edge of TomorrowTom Cruise stars in another one of those sci-fi action films that he’s proven to be rather good at. Tis one’s got it all; a time loop in an alien battle, Doug Liman (Te Bourne Identity) directing, it’s even got Bill Paxton. Basically, this looks well good! Smiley
MAY DVD ROUNDUP
05 May 30 Rock (Season 7)Tis is the last season of the consistently great comedy- writing-comedy. Sad though that may be, all seven seasons were peerless. Beautifully crafted, warm, and snappier than George Michael’s front bumper.
12 May Te Trip to ItalyMichael Winterbottom loosely directs a largely improvising Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon in this coming-of-middle-age, gastro-comic odyssey. Belly laughs are plentiful, but its dark heart and post-modern flavour make it a rich dish.
19 May Te Wolf of Wall Street I tell you what: when Scorsese is good, fuck me he’s good. If he’s having fun, we’re all having fun, and for my money Marty hasn’t had this much fun in years. Tere’s something unbridled about this debauched, deregulated and DiCaprioed immorality tale. Tere’s no role-models here, but the joy pisses from every frame.
26 May Inside Llewyn Davis I love the Coen brothers, seriously. Tey’re the Beatles of film-makers, but without the crap stuff. Every work is a joy, and every work has its own tone. ‘Fargo’, ‘Lebowski’, ‘Oh, Brother’, ‘Miller’s Crossing’, ‘No Country…’, ‘Barton Fink’, ‘True Grit’. Tis is another one. Watch it. Jay Freeman
a white middle-class liberal apologist who feels that slavery was not just bad, it was REALLY bad, it’s comforting to have my opinions fed back to me without having to worry about a sad ending. I mean, it’s called ’12 years a Slave’. I’d ‘ve been uncomfortable watching a film called ‘Always a Slave’ or ‘Te Nice Man Died in Slavery’ or ‘Te Color Purple,’ but the fact that the plot of the film was neatly laid out for me before I’d even bought my nachos saved me a lot of worry. Also, the suffering is unflinchingly realistic which made me feel as bad as I deserve. But our hero is emancipated by a handsome white man, so we’re all winners in the end. Tanks Hollywood! You’ve solved racism. Again. Now do war and we can all go home. Jay Freeman
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