STACK #186 Apr 2020

FILM REVIEWS

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Criminal. Class. THE GENTLEMEN

Ride together. Die together. BAD BOYS FOR LIFE

Release Date: 22/04/20

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Release Date: 29/04/20

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Guy Ritchie’s excellent new crime flick recaptures the anarchic energy of his early films Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch , and it’s arguably his finest work to date. The story revolves around a private exchange between the mysterious and cocky Fletcher (Hugh Grant) and the sophisticated Raymond (Charlie Hunnam). Fletcher spins a persuasive yarn about an American drug lord (Matthew McConaughey), who’s looking to sell his multi-billion dollar marijuana empire. The sale attracts interest from various criminals and

Martin Lawrence and Will Smith return as bad boy cops Marcus Burnett and Mike Lowrey in what is arguably the best installment of the franchise to date. They’re a little greyer and wider, but also wiser and more symbiotic than ever. Kicking off with a familiar car chase, our two renegades bound back onto the screen as though no time at all has passed. But their world gets a whole lot darker when a vengeful Romanian crime boss plots a string of assassinations against the authorities – and

sets off a chain of events that sees Ritchie’s trademark style kicked into overdrive. To reveal any more would spoil the fun. The Gentlemen is a violent, crass and masterfully orchestrated opera of criminal mischief from a veteran filmmaker back at the top of his game. GC

Lowrey is on her list. Fans of the first two films will welcome the Bad Boys’ return and won’t be disappointed. With a new ultra-violent tone, and the benefit of wisdom, Bad Boys for Life subverts its own genre and arrives locked and loaded, and full of surprises. GC

We could all use a little kindness. A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

Based on a real scandal. bombshell

Release Date: 29/04/20

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Release Date: 22/04/20

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Fred Rogers was a US children’s TV presenter whose program, Mister Rogers’ Neighbourhood , educated kids and shaped young minds for over 30 years. His message was always one of love, with early childhood development his life’s work. A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood is set towards the latter part of Mister Rogers’ career, utilising the perspective of journalist Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys) to encapsulate the essence of Rogers’ work, as well as the part Rogers played in Vogel

Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie headline this biographical drama that reveals the toxic bloke culture scandal at Fox News, and the women who brought down the infamous man who created it, Roger Ailes. More a straightforward “this is how it was” exposé than a satirical observation like Vice , those who follow world events will already know much of the story presented here. In director Jay Roach’s hands it makes for a fast-paced overview of what went down, as well as a sometimes insightful

overcoming his personal demons. Tom Hanks steps into Fred Rogers’ shoes (and sneakers) very comfortably, taking on the nuances and character traits with ease, while Rhys is equally excellent and the real lead of this sincere and heartwarming film. GC (See page 26)

take on both gender and workplace politics. The supporting cast has been masterfully filled by a selection of great character actors including Allison Janney, Kate McKinnon, Connie Britton and Mark Duplass. And Malcolm McDowell as Rupert Murdoch is also quite the sight. AF (See page 12)

34 APRIL 2020

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