[FILM]
It’s 1970 and Larry ‘Doc’ Sportello is investigating the disappearance of a former girlfriend, but the drug-fuelled detective is on the hunt for a real killer.
Directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams Starring Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit and Jamie Chung From the team behind Frozen and Wreck-It Ralph comes an action-packed animation about an inflatable robot and child prodigy, Hiro Hamada. An unusual yet comedic adventure about a band of high-tech heroes, dubbed Big Hero 6, that’s perfect for family members of all ages, so settle down together to enjoy this adventure.
image © warner brothers
30 January BIG HERO 6
inherent vice
review
A Most Violent Year Bethan Rees admires the subtlety of J.C. Chandor’s latest picture
image © Icon Film Distribution
I
t’s the winter of 1981 in New York; hands rub together furiously and breath can be seen misting in the air as business negotiations are taken care of. Not only chilling in temperature, the year was statistically the most dangerous in the city, and director and writer J.C. Chandor revisits this turbulent period in his latest picture A Most Violent Year. The story follows the life of Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac), who is attempting to capitalise on the American Dream with his heatingoil business along with his gorgeous, sassy wife Anna ( Jessica Chastain), who is a backroom, corner store gangster’s daughterturned-caring mother. The film illustrates how rampant corruption threatens their future, as well as the future of their business as Morales’ oil trucks are hijacked by anonymous gunmen. It’s easy to imagine Morales as a Tony Soprano-esque character, riddled with illegal dealings, scheming and fighting to stay afloat, but he’s actually a well-to-do, self-made businessman who’s just trying to make an honest living. Stress levels are high for him, though, since the Assistant District Attorney is breathing down his neck and slowly building a case against him. The subtlety of the ‘80s setting is admirable; there’s not a legwarmer or Rubik’s Cube in sight, which gives it a considered feel. Instead, the characters wear the finest fashions; a timber wolfgrey, belted trench for her, and a charcoal,
a most violent year
double-breasted suit and camel overcoat for him; the epitome of cleverly stated wealth. This attention to detail means it’s not a garish, over-the-top picture that uses the setting’s era too much, but rather a believable and gripping piece of fiction. This film has all the makings of a gangster movie; the famous Brooklyn backdrop, an intense, terrifying car chase that is shot in a style that is consistent with the rest of the film (no CGI or tacky gimmicks) and briefcases full of money. The only thing missing is the gangsters themselves.
The result is a back-of-the-neck-prickling, well-crafted drama that’s as thrilling as it is well-made. The glacé cherry on the cake with this film is its leading man. A brooding, impressively perfect Isaac delivers a performance that will increase your heart rate and keep your eyes fixed firmly on the screen. A Most Violent Year will be released on 23 January. rating
13