Alison Rowat
Exodus: Gods and Kings (3D) (12A)
three stars
Dir: Ridley Scott
With: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton
Runtime: 150 minutes
BETWEEN the rampant consumerism and the endless face-stuffing, God can struggle to get a look in at this time of the year. It is doubtful to what extent Ridley Scott will change that with his epically long, but not quite epic enough, biblical drama. It is 1300 BCE and Moses (Christian Bale) is the right hand man of King Ramses. There is much unhappiness among the Hebrew slaves, but what this has to do with Moses has not yet become clear. Scott wisely reduces the story to a tale of two warring men, one of whom takes on the mantle of a revolutionary leader, and he shows his blockbuster chops with many a scene showing the wonders and horrors of ancient times. The sights are marvellous - the plagues especially - but somehow one is left feeling underwhelmed and, with a running time of two and a half hours, exhausted. Despite the bewildering range of accents being used and the industrial quantities of pan stick and eyeliner deployed, all concerned, Bale to the fore, take their duties very seriously. With biblical epics, Old Testament ones especially, there is such a thing as too much restraint.
Annie (PG)
two stars
Dir: Will Gluck
With: Quvenzhane Wallis, Jamie Foxx
Runtime: 118 minutes
NOT to be confused with the 1982 version, or the 1989 film, or the stage plays, Will Gluck's attempt at bringing the story of little orphan Annie into the modern era hits more than a few bum notes. Here, the Daddy Warbucks character has become a mobile phone mogul running to be mayor of New York. At first, Annie (Quvenzhane Wallis) is a mere photo opportunity for Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx), but what are the odds the loveable little singing poppet will make him see the error of his workaholic ways? The only good turn here comes from Foxx, who sends the quality levels soaring whenever he appears. It is not just the story that has been given a makeover, the songs have been put through the mixer too. Bet your bottom dollar on two things: the sun will come out tomorrow, and fans of the original will not be clasping this version to their collective bosom.
Big Eyes (12A)
three stars
Dir: Tim Burton
With: Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz
Runtime: 106 minutes
THE amazing but true story of the American artist Margaret Keane is told by Tim Burton in smart, satisfying piece that is as much a look at the art business as it is the biopic of a painter. When we first meet Margaret (Amy Adams), she is single mother on her uppers. Marriage to fellow artist and publicity maestro Walter (Christoph Waltz) offers a way of bringing her paintings of big-eyed children to the world, but as she soon discovers, life around Walter is never quite that simple. Burton cannot quite decide how bright he wants his comedic and dramatic colours to be, with the result that the picture has some jarring shifts in tone. Otherwise, Waltz is clearly having a ball and Adams is terrific as the shy artist struggling to find her voice.
Guys and Dolls (R/I) (U)
five stars
Dir: Joseph L Mankiewicz
With: Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra
Runtime: 143 minutes
JOSEPH L Mankiewicz's musical comedy tale of daytime gals and night-time guys is the latest to receive the loving attention of film restorers. Based on two Damon Runyon stories and first released in 1955, the action is set in New York, where dice game organiser Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra) is playing cat and mouse with his fiancee of 14 years (Vivian Blaine) and the local constabulary. Seeking cash to hire a venue, he bets gambler supreme Sky Masterson (Marlon Brando) that he cannot take the buttoned up lady from the Save A Soul mission (Jean Simmons) to dinner in Havana. Cue sublime music, whipsmart dialogue, dance numbers to beat the band, a ferociously charismatic Sinatra and a frankly gorgeous Brando. A modern day remake is rumoured, but give yourself a Christmas treat and see the original on the big screen.
Glasgow Film Theatre, December 29-30; DCA, Dundee, January 3; Filmhouse Belmont, January 25-26
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