STACK #157 Nov 2017

DVD&BD REVIEWS

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Fight like your world depends on it. AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL: TRUTH TO POWER

Anime for everyone. YOUR NAME

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Release Date: 15/11/17

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Release Date: 08/11/17

In the devastating wake of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, Al Gore's warning that 'storms get stronger and more destructible' is a prescient contrast to the denials emanating from the current White House. Gore, a joint recepient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, is showing no sign of stopping – in fact, he's doubling down as an environmental campaigner. Where the 2006 Oscar-winning original was based on a series of slides Gore developed, this follow-up chronicles his tireless mission, from fortifying the commitments of global leaders, to training grassroots

Mitsuha is a small-town girl with great expectations placed upon her, being the mayor’s daughter. Taki, on the other hand, is a city boy who juggles school by day and restaurant work by night. Mitsuha yearns to live like Taki, in the bustling city, and one night she makes a wish that will have life-changing consequences for them both – literally. Having switched bodies, these two strangers must now work out how their lives are interwoven and what it means for their future, and their past. Your Name is the highest-grossing

campaigners. For someone who has borne his share of monumental setbacks (the controversial 2000 election loss to George W. Bush comes to mind), Gore is the reslilient and inspiring central figure of this unexpectedly gripping documentary, which is both concerning and optimistic. AC

anime worldwide to date, and you'll understand why. The visuals are unparalleled, with the visionary Makoto Shinkai’s artistry shining through. There's a lot to be learned about empathy, consequence, and the passage of time from this truly breathtaking film. AK (see page 22)

THE WALL

THE BIG SICK

A MONSTER CALLS

CONOR McGREGOR: NOTORIOUS

Release Date: 08/11/17 Format:

Release Date: 01/11/17 Format:

Release Date: 08/11/17 Format:

Release Date: 15/11/17 Format:

This compact and tense two- hander might be a war movie but it more properly belongs in the psychological thriller category alongside Phone Booth and Buried . A pair of US soldiers (Aaron Taylor-Johnson and John Cena) on a lengthy stakeout in Iraq are targeted by an enemy sniper, and a crumbling stone wall becomes the only refuge from the would-be assassin’s bullets. Directed by Doug Liman, this economical exercise in suspense quickly turns into a war of words between the marksman and his prey, which Taylor-Johnson fights with dusty desperation, steely resolve, and a barrage of expletives. SH

Real-life couple Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon’s relationship is the basis of this Judd Apatow produced rom-com. The pair didn’t just co-write the script, they put their own painful- funny true romance up there on the screen for all to see. When Pakistani Kumail (playing himself) begins dating white girl Emily (played by Zoe Kazan), there’s a catch. His culture embraces arranged marriages and he’s worried his parents will disown him. And when Emily becomes seriously ill, their two worlds will collide... One of the most honest and wholesome comedies to come along in a while, The Big Sick is a must-see. AK

A 12-year-old boy struggling to come to terms with the impending death of his cancer- stricken mother is visited by a monster – a giant walking, talking yew tree (a spectacular CGI creation with the sonorous voice of Liam Neeson) whose bark is worse than its bite. This mega-Groot, or arthouse Ent, becomes a benevolent companion, telling him three fables and demanding the boy provide a fourth in return – which must be the truth. There are shades of Pan’s Labyrinth in this affecting mix of terminal illness drama and fantasy, which fans of Guillermo del Toro and Tim Burton will appreciate. SH

Captivating and polarising fans in the MMA world, the always outspoken Conor McGregor has managed a rapid ascension to international sports superstar, earning him the hugely hyped fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. earlier this year. Combining incredible technique and flamboyance, his exciting fighting style is easy to appreciate (even if you're not into MMA), as is his personal story of triumph over adversity. Adopting a fly-on-the-wall style and framed by character-filled gyms, this documentary is an insightful and intimate portrait of McGregor's struggle and grit. In a word, a knockout. AC

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