FILM LISTINGS
[ film review ]
The Bowden Dynasty A special presentation
of a documentary about the life and career of Bobby Bowden, former football coach of the Florida State Seminoles. Sunday, 6 pm; multiple locations; $15; fathomevents.com. Carousel A special screening of the Rodgers
& Hammerstein musical film for its 60th anniversary. Sunday, 2 & 7 pm; multiple locations; $13.31; fathomevents.com. Cult Classics: Blazing Saddles Mel Brooks’
comedy about a black sheriff (Cleavon Little) and his drunk gunfighter friend (Gene Wilder). Doesn’t exactly hold up. Tuesday, 9:30 pm; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; $8; 407-629-0054; enzian.org. FilmSlam Monthly showcase of the best in local independent film. Vote for each month’s winner. Sunday, 1 pm; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; $8; 407-629-0054; enzian.org. Jackie An intimate portrait of Jackie Kennedy, played by Natalie Portman, in the days immediately after her husband was assassinated. Through Thursday; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; $11; 407-629-0054; enzian.org. PHOTO COURTESY OF FOCUS FEATURES
Living Room Screening – Shorts Program A unique screening series featuring a collection of short independent films which become the catalyst for conversation. Saturday, 4 pm; Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts, 1905 Kentucky Ave., Winter Park; $10; 518328-4773; bluebambooartcenter.com.
the ambiguity of good and evil.) The film’s weaknesses lie in its performances, pacing and the sense that Bayona, who is Spanish, can’t quite capture the story’s peculiarly English sensibility. Still, Bayona shows immense talent, especially in his use of imagery and art direction, compared to Weaver, who is miscast. Lacking leavened with modern truths the requisite English air and vocal pattern (though her basic sounds are OK), she is also physically wrong for the grandmomother (Sigourney Weaver). So it’s not therly part. (Replace her with Judi Dench surprising that this emotionally frustrated or Fionnula Flanagan, and you’d really yet visually creative English lad concocts a have a film!) Kebbell is also unimpressive, fantastical character. Or perhaps it’s not so but, thankfully, Neeson, Jones and Lewis MacDougall (Conor) are much concoction as mystiasked to do most of the cal intervention. A MONSTER CALLS heavy lifting, and they are Director J.A. Bayona has opens Friday, Jan. 6 all up to the task, especialdealt with loss and grief in ly Jones, who is becoming mother-son relationships an acting powerhouse. before, in The Orphanage (And watch carefully for and The Impossible. A a brief appearance by Monster Calls is not quite as strong as those, but it’s close – and Geraldine Chaplin.) The film has some scary moments befitjust as deep. Particularly memorable is the way Bayona and writer Patrick Ness ting its mature themes. One would expect (who based the screenplay on his 2011 no less from the director of The Orphanage. novel) balance fantasy and reality while But if Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth blending traditional fables with modern was a fairy tale strictly for adults, A Monster truths. The merger of animation styles is Calls is one that both adults and brave chileven more impressive, with CGI work- dren over, say, 10 years of age should see, ing alongside traditional 2-D watercolors, despite the PG-13 rating. Most movie creatures are better left the latter being used to bring alive two of the three fables that the giant imparts to alone. But this is one monster’s call you Conor. (Those fables tackle topics rang- should answer. ing from adhering to one’s principles to film@orlandoweekly.com
FAIRY TALES FOR GROWN-UPS A Monster Calls is a dark fable BY CAMERON MEIE R
I
n the past 12 months, we’ve seen two memorable movie monsters. The first, the Big Friendly Giant (The BFG), lives up to his name. If you can look past his grotesque features and uncouth fellow feefi-fo-fummers, he’s a big sweetie. The same can’t be said for the eponymous star of A Monster Calls. No, this is a giant straight out of a child’s nightmares, carrying an adult-oriented message. Voiced by Liam Neeson, this CGI monster has come to visit 13-year-old Conor O’Malley not to comfort or provide escapist amusement, but to both challenge him and help him overcome the perceived monster inside himself. He’s also come to heal, which is appropriate considering he’s birthed from the branches of a sacred yew tree. Conor – “too old to be a kid [and] too young to be a man” – is struggling to cope with the serious illness of his mother (Felicity Jones). He doesn’t get much emotional support from his largely absent father (Toby Kebbell), and he detests his grand-
One Piece Film: Gold Japanese animated
film about pirates, mercenaries and millionaires vying for treasure in a lawless city of entertainment. Tuesday, 7:30 pm; multiple locations; $13.31; fathomevents.com. Princess Mononoke 20th Anniversary Special pre-
sentation of Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved animated film about a feral princess torn between nature and civilization. Subtitled Thursday, dubbed Monday. Thursday, 7 pm, Monday, 7 pm; multiple locations; $13.31; fathomevents.com.
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The Pursuit of Happyness Will Smith plays a homeless single dad trying to jumpstart his career. Friday, 11 am; Orlando Public Library, 101 E. Central Blvd.; free; 407-835-7323; ocls.info. Trail Running Film Festival A three-hour
selection of some the best films from the Trail Running Film Festival in Seattle. Wednesday, 6 pm; The Abbey, 100 S. Eola Drive; $20; 404-695-5800; trailfilmfest.com. Uncomfortable Brunch Presents: Requiem for a Dream Darren Aronofsky’s depressing drama
about drug addiction, paired with a delicious brunch buffet. Sunday, 1 pm; Will’s Pub, 1042 N. Mills Ave.; $10-$12; uncomfortablebrunch.com. ●
JAN. 4-10, 2017
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