STACK J#165 Jul 2018

DVD & BD REVIEWS

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Canines in exile, Wes Anderson style. ISLE OF DOGS

Be a warrior. A WRINKLE IN TIME

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Release Date: 18/07/18

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Release Date: 04/07/18

Dogs are known for their unwavering loyalty, but as Wes Anderson’s second animated tale illustrates, their owners echo that devotion. Isle of Dogs is the tale of a boy named Atari, his dog Spots, and a whole lot of politics – ancient cat and dog politics. Set in the near future, a dog flu virus has broken out in Japan’s Megasaki City, and although a cure is close, its cat-leaning mayor banishes all dogs to the city’s tip, Trash Island – including the trusty companion belonging to his orphaned nephew, Atari. The

For the last four years, Meg Murray (Storm Reid) and her brother Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe) have struggled with the sudden disappearance of their scientist father (Chris Pine). That is until, just as suddenly, three women named Mrs Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon), Mrs Who (Mindy Kaling) and Mrs Which (Oprah Winfrey) enter their lives, inviting them on an adventure to save their father – one which will take them far beyond the known universe. With the help of

boy isn’t going to stand for this, however, and pilfers a plane to fly off and rescue his beloved pooch. Stop-motion animated with character oozing from every frame, and voiced by a star-laden cast of Wes Anderson regulars, Isle of Dogs possesses a unique charm and has a lot of love to give. Maybe that’s why the title is a homophone – “I love dogs”? AF (See page 32)

their parent's space-travelling technique called "tessering", and Meg’s classmate Calvin (Australian Levi Miller), they discover the power of the light, the temptation of the darkness, and the strength of their faults. With an all-star cast and dazzling visual effects, this colourful adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's novel will delight children and adults alike. SB

MIDNIGHT SUN

SHERLOCK GNOMES

EARLY MAN

RANDOM ENCOUNTERS

Release Date: 18/07/18 Format:

Release Date: 11/07/18 Format:

Release Date: 04/07/18 Format:

Release Date: 04/07/18 Format:

If Nicholas Sparks decided to write a Young Adult romance, it might look a bit like Midnight Sun . It's actually based on a 2006 Japanese

Gnomeo, Juliet and all their plaster pals have undergone an inverted tree change and headed for a small back garden in London. But foul things are afoot, as garden gnomes citywide are being nabbed from their leafy domains. Is this the work of the dreaded pie mascot, Moriarty? Luckily Sherlock Gnomes and his trusty associate Dr. Watson are on the case, armed with killer deductive skills – and more gnome puns than any one film should probably try to cram in. It’s hardly Shakespeare – or, indeed, Arthur Conan Doyle – but it is fluffy family fare that also serves as a fabbo Elton John greatest hits compilation. AF

Soccer – or football, if you prefer – was first played in 1863, right? Pah, what would Wikipedia know? Aardman set the story straight – it was invented and played by cavemen! When young Dug (Eddie Redmayne) makes a wager with imperious imbecile Lord Nooth (Tom Hiddleston), it’s Stone vs. Bronze in a soccer match for the Ages. Aardman are master storytellers with a flair for puns, Monty Python - esque madness, nods to classic commentary, and dad jokes you can’t help but giggle (or at least groan) at. Early Man has all of the above. The stop-motion animation delights, the underdog story pulls the right strings, and kids and adults alike will have a ball. AF

Some five years before she tied the knot with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle appeared in this romantic comedy as an online dating whiz who attempts to help her roommate find Mr Right, all the while delivering some cracking one-liners. (She also starred in Suits , which is reviewed on page 39 – it's a Markle month, indeed!) This skeleton in the royal closet has been duly exhumed following the wedding of the century, and while Her Majesty is unlikely to be amused by some of the risque scenarios Meghan finds herself in, devotees of the new Duchess of Sussex will find plenty to enjoy. AC

film and casts Patrick 'son of Arnold' Schwarzenegger and

Bella Thorne as the young couple whose budding romance faces obstacles, not least the latter's rare medical condition. She suffers from xeroderma pigmentosum, a skin disorder that makes exposure to direct sunlight deadly, necessitating indoor or nocturnal hook-ups with her new beau. Featuring attractive leads and an honest, heartwarming approach, Midnight Sun keeps the pathos mostly in check; the target audience are well served with lots of dreamy moments in this teen Love Story . AC (See page 34)

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JULY 2018

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