Dope (15)
four stars
Dir: Rick Famuyiwa
With: Shameik Moore, Kiersey Clemons
Runtime: 103 minutes
BEING a black kid from a tough Los Angeles suburb, Malcolm (Shameik Moore) is caught in the middle of what he wants (to go to Harvard), and what society seems to expect of him (a troubled life). Time to show he is no dope, but how? With a whipsmart script and a star-making turn from Moore, Rick Fumuyiwa’s coming of age comedy was a deserved hit at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
L’Eclisse (PG)
four stars
Dir: Michelangelo Antonioni
With: Monica Vitti, Alain Delon
Runtime: 126 minutes
AH, Monica Vitti, Alain Delon, falling in love, perhaps, in Rome 1962 - how cool can one film be? Though Michelangelo Antonioni’s drama shows its age in places - it is hard to see some scenes here appearing in a picture today - his meditation on love and life is a treat for the senses.
Filmhouse, Edinburgh, September 4-10; Filmhouse, Aberdeen, September 25-October 1; Cameo, September 27; GFT, September 18-20; Eden Court, Inverness, September 25-26
How to Change the World (15)
four stars
Dir: Jerry Rothwell
Runtime: 110 minutes
JERRY Rothwell’s engrossing documentary charts the beginnings of Greenpeace from a basement meeting in Vancouver in 1971 to a world straddling campaigning organisation. Based on the writings of founding member Bob Hunter, Rothwell’s film wisely does not shy away from the downs of starting a political movement. The early years footage of the eco-warriors disrupting whale hunting and seal culling is terrific (if distressing). Don’t mess with hippies.
Glasgow Film Theatre; Cameo, Edinburgh; DCA, Dundee, September 9, 19.45, plus Q&A; Filmhouse, Edinburgh, from September 25
American Ultra (15)
two stars
Dir: Nima Nourizadeh
With: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart
Runtime: 96 minutes
A SLACKER comedy, a Kick-Ass style fantasy, an homage to the Bourne Identity - Nima Nourizadeh’s actioner is all over the shop, mostly to irritating effect. Jesse Eisenberg plays Mike, a stoner who cannot quite believe he has landed such a great girlfriend as Phoebe (Kristen Stewart). There are a lot more surprises in store as Mike’s past catches up with his present. Not as clever or funny as everyone involved clearly thinks.
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