ALICE IN WONDERLAND (USA 2010, 108 MINS, PG)
Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Crispin Glover, Matt Lucas, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen, Alan Rickman, Barbara Windsor, Timothy Spall & others in a stunning, new film directed by Tim Burton.
You’ve got a very important date!
There is a place.  Like no place on earth.  A land full of wonder, mystery & danger!  Some say to survive it: you need to be as mad as a hatter.
“It’s difficult to think of a more inspired match than seasoned maverick Tim Burton (Hollywood’s own Mad Hatter) working his skewed magic on Lewis Carroll’s revered 19th century surreal fantasy.  Burton, following 20-odd screen adaptations over 100 years, cleverly simplifies the plot to produce an unsettling fantasy, touching on morality, madness & mentalist catering – the Mad Hatter’s tea party - & using state-of-the-art technology, part live action & part animation, sublimely reworks Lewis Carroll’s literary yarn into a dark tale of good versus evil.  An utterly beguiling time will be had by all.  Don’t be late.” SKY.COM

PRECIOUS: Based on the novel PUSH by Sapphire (USA 2009, 109 MINS, 0-16LV)    Nominated for 6 Oscars!
Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Gabourey Sidibe, Lenny Kravitz & others in a film produced by Oprah Winfrey & Tyler Perry & directed by Lee Daniels.
“Raw, vibrant & resoundingly hopeful, this movie is at heart the story of a young woman determined to better herself despite overwhelming obstacles set against her.  Set in Harlem in 1987, & narrated with sometimes hilarious wit, the effect of the film is an electric encounter with the highs & lows of life.  Newcomer Gabourey Sidibe as Precious is simply unforgettable.” TORONTO INT. FILM FEST
“… a rare blend of pure entertainment & dark social commentary … shockingly raw, surprisingly irreverent & absolutely unforgettable.”
LOS ANGELES TIMES
“Leaves you moved like no film in years, & then lifts you up in ways you don’t see coming … the movie has a spirit that soars… an emotional powerhouse, a triumph of bruising humour & bracing hope, that deserves its place among the year’s best films.” ROLLING STONE
“Amazing … a triumph of a film.” SAN FRANCISO CHRONICLE
“Stirring, compelling, & boasting revelatory performances … exceptional on every level.” SKY.COM
“ Masterful.” HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
“ Envelope-pushing … drew tears & standing ovations at the Sundance Film Festival.” NEW YORK POST

A SINGLE MAN (USA 2009, 110 MINS, 0-16)
Colin Firth (nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor in this role), Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode, Nicholas Hoult & others in an acclaimed film, based on the book by Christopher Isherwood, & written & directed by Tom Ford.
“The journey of fashion icon Tom Ford & this his rave debut film may illustrate his fascination with beauty, but also demonstrates a talent for storytelling & a fearlessness at tackling some of life’s bigger issues.  This adaptation of the 1964 novel by Christopher Isherwood, about a gay British college professor in Los Angeles coping with the death of his partner, is both stylistically assured & quietly moving.  It also represents a quantum leap for Colin Firth, who gives his most nuanced, compelling performance to date in the lead role.  Julianne Moore lends worthy support to Firth … an evocative film which turns a single man’s single day into a spiritual journey from despair to transfiguration.”
“AWARDS COUNTDOWN, BEST PICTURE, SCREEN INT., UK
“Fashion designer Tom Ford gets it spectacularly right first time round … intelligent, reflective … assured & stylish.” SCREEN INT., UK
“Sterling performances …” VARIETY, USA
"Cool, elegant & often deeply moving ... beautifully acted." 4* Barry Ronge

THE ROAD (USA 2009, 111 MINS, 0-16V)
“One of the Year’s Bolder Artistic Visions!”
Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Robert Duvall, Guy Pearce & others in a film based on the best-selling novel by Cormac McCarthy (of No Country for Old Men fame), & directed by John Hillcoat.
“Along a dusty grey horizon, a father & son slowly plod.  They push a shopping cart filled with their scant, grime-covered possessions – all that they have are a few tattered rags, a gun with two bullets & an unflagging love for one another.  A corrosive adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, The Road is spare on detail but epic in its implications.  We witness only the aftermath of a wholesale cataclysm, relayed with chilling realism.  A relentless journey of survival.”
TORONTO INT. FILM FEST. ✍ “It stirs the soul.” CAPE ARGUS
“Heartbreaking … an almost unbearably sad film, beautifully arranged & powerfully acted.” SCREEN INT., UK

BRIGHT STAR (UK/AUSTRALIA 2009, 119 MINS, PG)
Nominated for an Oscar for Costume Design!
Abbie Cornish, Ben Whishaw, Paul Schneider, Kerry Fox & others in a film written & directed by Jane Campion (of Sweetie, An Angel at my Table, The Piano & other acclaim).
“A bold retelling of the love affair between the poet John Keats & his neighbour Fanny Brawne.  As their relationship progresses, it becomes achingly clear that their love for another will never be an untroubled path to happiness.  Campion weaves Keat’s exquisite verse into the budding affair between the two young lovers.  Bright Star is a beautifully crafted testament not only to a momentous love but to the life force that both Keats & Brawne brought to the world.”
 TORONTO INT. FILM FEST   “Stunning.” DAILY MAIL (UK)
“An exquisite piece of film-making.” 5* THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
“Beautifully crafted … immensely moving.” SCREEN INT., UK

AN EDUCATION (UK 2009, 100 MINS, 0-13M)
Nominated for 3 Oscars!
Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Rosamund Pike, Dominic Cooper, Olivia Williams, Emma Thompson & Carey Mulligan in a multi-award-winning film, with a screenplay by Nick Hornby, & directed by Lone Scherfig (of Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself fame)
✍ “An Education is a moving film set against the stifling backdrop of post-war, pre-Paul McCartney England.  The script by Nick Hornby (author of High Fidelity & About a Boy) is clever & nuanced, with a keen awareness of life’s little absurdities.  Both a powerful coming-of-age story & a portrait of a culture on the threshold of change.”
TORONTO INT. FILM FEST
“A celebration of intellectual curiosity & personal adventure
through a portrait of a 16-year-old English girl’s questionable romance with a man twice her age … a wonderful film.  Carey Mulligan shines in a captivating performance.” VARIETY, USA
“Invariably funny & inexpressibly moving … magical.”
5* CAPE TIMES

SHERLOCK HOLMES (USA 2009, 125 MINS, 0-13V)
Nominated for 2 Oscars!
Winner of the Golden Globe for Best Actor!
Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, Kelly Reilly, James Fox & others in an entertaining & sophisticated new breed of film directed by Guy Ritchie (of Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels).  Camerawork by Philippe Rousselot. 
Music by Hans Zimmer.
Nothing escapes him.  A battle of wits & brawn.
“Macho Sherlock is not so elementary … it’s period, intelligent & big.” WASHINGTON POST
“A bizarrely offbeat vision of Holmes … the cast camps it up enjoyably, the sets are good to look at & the plot rattles along at a decent pace. Fun.” M & G.  
“Guy Ritchie has updated the quintessential detective story into a bromance with a dark Victorian twist.  Plenty of modernly choreographed action sequences & a grimy London dominate the spectacle.” CAPE ARGUS
“Die humor is slim, die verhaal uiters vermaaklik.” 4* DIE BURGE

UP IN THE AIR (USA 2009, 111 MINS, 0-13L)
Nominated for 6 Oscars!
From the director of Thank you for Smoking & Juno!
Winner of The Golden Globe for Best Adapted Screenplay!
George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman & others in a romantic comedy drama, based on the novel by Walter Kirn, & written & directed by Jason Reitman.
The story of a man ready to make a connection.
“Up in the Air offers darkly humorous insights into corporate America & male mid-life crisis.  Smart, sexy & very funny, the film is exquisitely timed & perfectly captures the zeitgeist of America’s current social & economic turmoil.” TORONTO INT. FILM FEST ‘09
“A smart & poignant romantic comedy … anchored by a strong performance from George Clooney, director Jason Reitman’s most mature film soars.” SCREEN INT., UK
“Clooney flies first class … slickly engaging, sparkling.”
VARIETY, USA    
“Smart, edgy.” ROGER EBERT
“Funny, poignant film.” LOS ANGELES TIMES
“The best & boldest American comedy of the year – Bravo! “ ROLLING STONE  
“An adult American comedy.” TIME OUT
“Brilliant … wit & humanity … one of the year’s sharpest scripts & an exceptional ensemble cast.” USA TODAY
"Scintillating." Barry Ronge
"Get ready to soar." 4* Cape Times

INVICTUS (USA 2009, 133 MINS, PGL)
Nominated for 2 Oscars!
Morgan Freeman (as Nelson Mandela), Matt Damon (as Francois Pienaar), Adjoa Andoh, Tony Kgoroge, Patrick Mofokeng & others in a historical drama, with a screenplay by Anthony Peckham, based on the novel Playing the Enemy by John Carlin, & directed by Clint Eastwood.
His people needed a leader.  He gave them a champion.
“Both a rousing sports movie & a testament to the nobility of Nelson Mandela, the crowd-pleasing Invictus , told with humour & humanity, is another strong entry in Clint Eastwood’s fast-growing body of work.  Boasting a finely controlled central performance from Morgan Freeman as Mandela, the film details how South Africa’s first black president used the 1995 Rugby World Cup to unite the black & white populations in his country.  Brilliantly shot by Tom Stern, it will move the hardest of audiences.” SCREEN INTERNATIONAL, UK

LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (SWEDEN 2008, 114 MINS, 0-16VLN)
The multi-award-winning cult film hit based on the bestselling novel.
Kare Hedebrant, Lina Leanderson, Per Ragnar & others in a chilling fairytale, based on the novel by John Ajvide Lindquist, & directed by Tomas Alfredson.
Don’t mess with Oskar he has a vampire girlfriend.
An unique coming-of-age movie, darkly atmospheric, brilliantly original, both horrifying & tender, violent & highly romantic.
✍ “A masterpiece.” MOVIE REVIEWS
“At once a devastating, curiously uplifting inhuman drama & superbly crafted genre exercise … see it.” 5* EMPIRE
✍ “As delicate, haunting & poetic a film as you’re ever bound to see.” GUILLERMO DEL TORO (Director of Pan’s Labyrinth)
✍ “Beautiful.” 5* NEW YORK TIMES    “Mezmerizing.” NEWSWEEK
✍ “Romantic, horror-fantasy will click with cult & arthouse audiences … horrific & heart-warming.” VARIETY, USA
"Excellent." M&G
"Brilliant ... subtle, beautiful & incredibly intelligent." 4* Cape Argus