24 — WEST BEDS BULLETIN NOVEMBER 2014
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also more than fitting that cinematographer Dick Pope works hard to create scenes that reflect the spirit of Turner’s landscape paintings, whether on land or at sea. ★★★★✩
DVDS Guardians of the Galaxy Chris Pratt • Zoe Saldana • Dave Bautista ON SALE: 24 November
The Imitation Game Benedict Cumberbatch • Keira Knightley • Matthew Goode IN CINEMAS: 14 November Benedict Cumberbatch portrays Alan Turing in this bittersweet World War II code breaking drama. The historical biopic follows Turing’s efforts – as leader of a group of young mathematicians – to crack the Enigma code, used by the German war machine to issue orders to its forces, but it’s the heart-breaking personal cost endured by the troubled mathematical genius that forms an unpleasant subtext. Despite his work at Bletchley Park having been credited with shortening the war by at least a couple of years, Turing was later sentenced to chemical castration for engaging in a homosexual relationship, leading to his eventual suicide in 1954. So while it’s great that the film celebrates Turing’s invaluable work during WWII, it’s also shocking that anyone – not least a war hero – could be subjected to such bigotry in the post-war years. Sadly, Turing could never talk about his work at Bletchley, as it was subject to the Official Secrets Act, and his codebreaking efforts only came to light many years after his death. Cumberbatch is already being tipped for an Oscar for his performance as the code-breaking genius, while he’s ably supported by an ensemble cast that includes Mark Strong, Keira Knightley and Matthew Goode. ★★★★★
Mr. Turner Timothy Spall • Paul Jesson • Dorothy Atkinson IN CINEMAS: Now Timothy Spall is on top form as eccentric British painter J. M. W. Turner (1775-1851) in Mike Leigh’s film about the inspirational artist. Picking up the award for Best Actor at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Spall portrays Turner as an inarticulate and bumbling figure with an appalling lack of social graces, but also someone who went to great lengths for his art – even going so far as strapping himself to the mast of a ship to experience a storm at sea. For an artist commonly known as ‘the painter of light’, it’s
EDITORIAL: pat@rosettapublishing.com
One of Marvel Comics’ best kept secrets, the Guardians Of The Galaxy might not have the immediate cinematic appeal of Spider-Man or Iron Man, but thanks to some savvy marketing, a cracking script and a brilliant ensemble cast, the movie turned out to be the surprise hit of the summer. Following the adventures of a bunch of galactic misfits, including their wise-cracking leader Peter Quill aka Star-Lord (played by Chris Pratt), plus a gun-toting raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and a talking tree (mumbled by Vin Diesel), the film’s mix of sci-fi, comedy and action elements works a treat. The rag-tag team is thrown together when Quill steals a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan The Accuser (Lee Pace), who wants to use the device for his own dastardly scheme. It’s about as slender a plot device as you’d find in a comic book – which we guess is the point ! ★★★★✩
Dawn of Planet of the Apes Andy Serkis • Gary Oldman • Keri Russell ON SALE: 24 November Set more than a decade after the events of the last film, Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes sees Andy Serkis reprise his role as genetically-altered super chimp, Caesar, as war erupts between humans and apes. A viral apocalypse has killed off most of the human race, with survivors banding together in destroyed cities, while a growing ape community goes from strength to strength. The spark for conflict is provided by none other than Gary Oldman, taking on the role of Drefus, a human leader who blames the apes for the death of his family. New director Matt Reeves certainly delivers an action-packed sequel to the 2011 reboot, but it’s difficult to tell which side you’ll be cheering for by the end of the film. ★★★★✩
ALBUMS No One Is Lost by Stars ON SALE: Now Canadian indie pop stalwarts Stars are back with their seventh studio album, combining a more dance-oriented sound with lyrics that
dwell on the harsher realities of life. It might be the end of the world as we know it, but the five-piece band from Montreal won’t go down without a fight, or a smile on their faces, while the see-saw vocals of Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan are as lush, crisp and ethereal as they’ve ever been. Standouts include the choral melody that weaves its way through ‘Trap Door’, while disco-tinged opener ‘From The Night’ and the anthemic title track will have you on your feet and heading for the dance floor. ★★★★★
GAMES Bayonetta 2 Format: Wii U ON SALE: Now Bayonetta is widely regarded as one of the greatest third-person action games ever made, so it’s testament to the team behind this utterly bonkers sequel that it trumps its predecessor in almost every area. Once again, the titular Umbra Witch becomes embroiled in an apocalyptic punch-up between the forces of Heaven and Hell, obliterating all-comers with a riotous array of kicks, punches, dodges, twirls, jumps, slashes and poses. Whether battling angels on top of a fighter-jet, slaying a dragon while perched precariously on the side of a skyscraper, or fighting your way through the bowels of a gigantic demon, the game unfolds at a frantic pace. There’s also an allnew two-player online co-op mode where you and a friend can team up and play through various scenes from the main campaign, placing bets on who will bag the most points. ★★★★✩
BOOKS The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History by Boris Johnson ON SALE: Now When he’s not bossing London as the city’s elected mayor, or making a fool of himself in another carefully orchestrated publicity stunt, Boris Johnson fancies himself as a bit of a writer. As a former editor of The Spectator and a regular columnist for The Daily Telegraph, it seems like he’s rather good at it too, so now he’s written an illuminating portrait of Winston Churchill. Marking the 50th anniversary of Churchill’s death, Johnson explores the singular brilliance of Britain’s greatest wartime leader, and a man of pivotal importance to the history of the 20th century. The Churchill Factor is an engrossing read, too, not least for busting some myths about the hard-drinking aristocrat who had to be ordered by the King to stay out of action on D-Day. It’s probably the best thing Johnson has ever written and is a page-turner from start to finish. ★★★★★