Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (15)
HH
Dir: Timur Bekmambetov
With: Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Rufus Sewell
Running time: 105 minutes
RUSSIAN director Timur Bekmambetov shot to fame with the stylish vampire flick Night Watch, and takes on bloodsuckers again with Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, albeit with diminishing returns. The film re-imagines history by having one of America's most revered figures transformed into an axe-wielding vampire slayer whose political rise was shaped by his battle with the undead. Early on, this provides absurd fun backed by OTT visuals and a likeable Benjamin Walker as Abe, below. But anaemic supporting characters, self-serious patriotism and the sense that the director is repeating old tricks mean the novelty soon wears thin. Reviewed by Rob Carnevale
The Man with the Jazz Guitar (U)
HHHH
Dir: Marc Mason
Running time: 115 minutes
THE life of Ken Sykora, jazz guitarist and broadcasting legend, is celebrated in Marc Mason's well-crafted documentary. Following Sykora from his success with Little Black Dog to his ownership of a hotel in Colintraive, Sykora's children and friends pay tribute to a dad, husband and colleague. There's a lot of love and talent to pack in here. The music is appropriately terrific.
Glasgow Film Theatre, June 27-28
The Five-Year Engagement (15)
HHH
Dir: Nicholas Stoller
With: Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Rhys Ifans
Running time: 154 minutes
STARTING at the point where most rom-coms end, with a proposal, The Five-Year Engagement regularly subverts expectations, often enjoyably so. Co-written by Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller, of Forgetting Sarah Marshall/The Muppets fame, this finds Segel and Emily Blunt playing a couple whose attempts to get married are continually thwarted. Some of the ensuing comedy feels stretched over the bloated two-hour-plus running time, but Segel and Blunt are engaging. What's more, the film strives to be emotionally true and you'll squirm as well as laugh. Reviewed by Rob Carnevale
Sing Your Song (12A)
HHH
Dir: Susanne Rostock
Running time: 104 minutes
BETWEEN singing, acting and social activism, Harry Belafonte has lived a life and a half. Much of it is set out here in Susanne Rostock's fascinating documentary. The early civil rights period can't help but be more fascinating than others, but Belafonte isn't giving up the fight against injustice just yet.
Glasgow Film Theatre, June 26-28
Lay The Favourite (15)
HHH
Dir: Stephen Frears
With: Rebecca Hall, Bruce Willis
Running time: 94 minutes
THIS starry hit-and-miss comedy-drama is based on the memoirs of Beth Raymer, a former stripper who found fortune, romance and danger by moving to Vegas and becoming involved in bookkeeping. It boasts good performances from Bruce Willis and Vince Vaughn as rival bookies but asks viewers to accept characters who don't warrant much sympathy. Reviewed by Rob Carnevale
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