Archive
WOLFWALKERS – Bruno Coulais
Original Review by Jonathan Broxton
Wolfwalkers is the latest film from Irish feature animation studio Cartoon Saloon and their lead director Tomm Moore; their previous efforts include 2009’s The Book of Kells, 2014’s Song of the Sea, and 2017’s The Breadwinner, all of which were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It’s an ethereal, fantastical adventure steeped in Irish folklore set in the 16th century, and follows the story of a young apprentice hunter named Robyn Goodfellowe, who journeys to Ireland with her father to cull the last wolf pack on the island. While exploring the forest, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl named Mebh MacTíre, who is a member of a mysterious tribe rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves by night. As their friendship develops, Mebh convinces Robyn to help her search for her missing mother, and before long Robyn is drawn into the enchanted world of the Wolfwalkers. The film features the voice talent of child actresses Honor Kneafsey and Evan Whittaker, alongside Sean Bean as Robyn’s father, and singer-songwriter Maria Doyle Kennedy as Mebh’s mother. It received a great deal of critical acclaim following its premiere at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival, and looks set to earn Moore and his team a fourth consecutive Oscar nomination. Read more…
CORALINE – Bruno Coulais
Original Review by Jonathan Broxton
Coraline is the latest film from Henry Selick, the man who actually directed Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Like its illustrious predecessor, Coraline is a stop-motion animation, several years in the making, and is based on a story by acclaimed fantasy author Neil Gaiman. The film follows the adventures of a young girl – the eponymous Coraline – who, after discovering a secret passage in the wall of her parents’ new apartment, finds a magical, mysterious – and occasionally quite frightening – alternate universe where cats can talk, everyone has buttons for eyes, and she has a whole set of ‘other’ parents, who want to Coraline to stay in ‘Other World’ forever. The film features the voice talents of Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French and Keith David, and has an original score by French composer Bruno Coulais. Read more…
THE CHORUS (LES CHORISTES) – Bruno Coulais
Original Review by Peter Simons
France’s submission for this year’s Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars, The Chorus (Les Choristes) tells the somber story of music teacher Clement Mathieu (Gerard Jugnot) accepting a position at a remote school for difficult students. While the school’s headmaster believes in strict discipline and runs the place like a prison, the new teacher believes that a little love and goodwill can go a long way. As Mathieu succeeds in bringing his deviant pupils together in a choir, they discover a hidden talent within themselves. Read more…
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