Reviews

Finding Nemo

Just the most delightful Pixar movie yet, as Albert Brooks' worrisome clown fish Marlin travels half way round the world in search of missing son Nemo, aided by Ellen DeGeneres' scatty Dory. Tightly written, warm-hearted but never sentimental, and graced by a series of perfectly judged celebrity cameos headed by Eric Bana's vegetarian shark. Superb.

Adua And Company

Four former prostitutes set themselves up in the restaurant business in Italian director Antonio Petrangeli's vintage 1961 prize-winner, which stars Simone Signoret and Marcello Mastroianni. The tone wavers between bittersweet comedy and stark social commentary, with sumptuous monochrome shots of handsome Roman vistas, plus two ravishingly beautiful stars looking furrowed and soulful as middle age looms. With its downbeat note of gritty realism, Adua And Company is classy and compelling Euro-drama.

Bob Dylan

"Through the camera of Bob Dylan's drummer, Mickey Jones," the opening credits promise. Yes, Jones was there. But the problem is he was more interested in filming hotels and tourist haunts than chronicling Dylan's progress. Then, when it came to the incendiary shows, he was to be found behind drum kit rather than camera. Not much Bob, then. But Dylanologists will still be fascinated by Jones' eyewitness account as he talks us through the electrifying events all over again.

To Rococo Rot – Hotel Morgen

Elegant seventh album from German post-rock/electronic trio

Eagles Of Death Metal – Peace Love Death Metal

Devil-worshipping southern boogie, courtesy of Josh Homme

Ssh! Art In Progress

First CD release for forgotten '71 psych-folk masterpiece from short-lived Aussie group

The Butterfly Effect

Half-baked time travel tale gets lost

Schindler’s List Special Edition

It'll forever remain one of the great, blessed blips of cinema history. Flashy populist Spielberg crafted in '93 the definitive Holocaust portrayal. He educated and disturbed while avoiding exploitation. Scale and intimacy were balanced, the intensity was just the right side of too much. Austrian businessman Schindler (Liam Neeson) bribes the SS and saves over a thousand Jews from death. It's the many who didn't make the list you think about. Ralph Fiennes is a mesmerising bully.

Cypher

Futuristic tale of corporate industrial espionage from Cube director Vincenzo Natali, with Jeremy Northam convincing as a nerdy salesman drawn into a world of brainwashing and betrayal who ends up questioning his own identity while falling for mysterious temptress Lucy Liu. It's Phil Dick meets Alias, but enjoyably undemanding.

Pretenders

A close-to-classic 'intimate' set, filmed in the mid-'90s at London's Jacob St Studios. Chrissie Hynde and trusted band, assisted by a string quartet, loll luxuriously through such sultry charmers as "Kid","Private Life" and "Lovers Of Today", while Damon Albarn trots on as guest star to tinkle the ivories. There's also a stab at Radiohead's "Creep", with Hynde in sublime voice. A rock icon who's also one of the great white soul singers.
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