8/3/2019 Film Review - November 2009

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Film Favourites from All Star Filmsby Thom Goddard

There is an inevitability about November. Winter is just round the corner, Christmas shoppingbegins earlier each year and film releases come in two distinct categories: Oscar hunters andChristmas cash-ins. Although that means great films for anyone hitting the local cinema. Enjoy!

Released: 4th November - A Christmas Carol 3D - 3 starsThe classic Dickens tale is told in beautiful 3D animation as Ebenezer Scrooge, voiced by JimCarrey, is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come to take him on aneye-opening journey. Writer-director Robert Zemeckis created the animated hits The PolarExpress and Beowulf, and if you have seen those films that tells you all you need to knowabout this movie. Stunning visuals but nothing new.

6th November - The Men Who Stare At Goats - 5 starsThis is one of the greatest film debuts as first-time director Grant Heslov creates a hilarious,heart-warming movie for all to enjoy. The story follows a journalist who goes to Iraq and meets a"psychic" US soldier who takes him on an adventure of discovery. Starring Ewen McGregor,

George Clooney and Kevin Spacey, this film is funny, intriguing, clever, fast-paced, emotionaland inspirational.

13th November - Amelia - 3 starUnashamedly begging for an Oscar nomination is a look at the life of legendary American pilotAmelia Earhart, who disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 in an attempt tomake a flight around the world. Hillary Swank is good as Earhart, and well supported by RichardGere and Christopher Eccleston, but this is a formulaic bio-pic looking to win awards instead ofentertaining audiences.

20th November - The Informant! - 4 starsA true story involving international corporate conspiracies, corruption, deception and betrayal is

used by director Steven Soderbergh to create a thoroughly entertaining, often very funny,movie. Matt Damon is brilliant playing the corporate executive-turned-FBI informant who isdesperate to be a James Bond-like complete hero but ends up finding out he is merely human.

DVDs to pleaseThere is an inevitability about this months DVD and Blu-Ray as some of the biggest films of the

year to the shelves so you can give them as presents. Young children will love the colourful and

entertaining Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (23rd November on Blu-Ray rrp: 28.99 and

DVD rrp: 19.99). Dont miss the still stunning after 70 years Disney classic Snow White and

the Seven Dwarfs (9th November on Blu-Ray rrp: 23.99 and DVD rrp: 19.99). For the adults,

Star Trek (16th November on Blu-Ray rrp: 29.99 and DVD rrp: 17.99) is excellent while

Terminator Salvation (23rd November on Blu-Ray rrp: 24.99 and DVD rrp: 19.99 and) is justfor fans of the series.