Some good current and future films that support various curriculum areas….
Hunger Games 2: catching fire
Critics say it is far superior to the first – a darker, more mature film. Katniss and Peeta are targeted by the Capitol after a rebellion in Panem. Director: Francis Lawrence. Stars Jennifer Lawrence. The finale will be in 2 parts – Nov 2014 and Nov 2015. Out now. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1951264/ Review: http://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/film-review-the-hunger-games-catching-fire-1200820552/#
Blackfish
Documentary and psychological thriller about the consequences of keeping wild animals in captivity – a powerful and moving film that examines the case of Tilikum the killer whale at SeaWorld, who has been involved in 3 deaths since his capture in 1983. The film presents a solid case for the end of animal exploitation. Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite. Out now. http://www.sbs.com.au/films/movie/14822/blackfish http://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/155585/blackfish
Mr Pip
Based on the acclaimed novel by Lloyd Jones. Director: Andrew Adamson. Stars Hugh Laurie. Music by Tim Finn. Set in Bougainville in the late 1980s during the dispute between PNG separatists and foreign mining interests. A white man reluctantly accepts the role of community schoolteacher, where much of his curriculum is centred on reading aloud from the novel Great Expectations. The power of its prose has fateful implications for the future of all on the island. “A song of praise for the power (and danger) of literature” – Susan Wyndham, SMH. Out now. http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/review/movie/mr-pip-20131104-2wxia.html The book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/543873.Mister_Pip
Ender’s game
Based on the acclaimed novel by Orson Scott Card. Director: Gavin Hood. Stars Harrison Ford and Asa Butterfield. A young boy is recruited by a military academy to help save the human race. I saw the film this week – it was quite powerful with lots of themes to discuss – suitable for age 10+ and high school. Opens 5 Dec. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1731141/
The hobbit: the desolation of Smaug
The 2nd instalment in The hobbit trilogy. Director: Peter Jackson. Stars Martin Freeman. Bilbo, Gandalf and the dwarves continue their quest to reclaim their homeland from Smaug the dragon. They should be all right though, they seem indestructible! Opens 26 Dec. http://www.thehobbitblog.com/
Saving Mr Banks
Director: John Lee Hancock. Stars Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks. A behind-the-scenes look at the making of Disney’s 1964 film Mary Poppins, revealing the tension between author P.L Travers and Walt Disney, and their differing views on how the novel should be interpreted. Opens 26 Dec. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2140373/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
In 2014 and later…
Mandela: long walk to freedom
Based on the autobiography of Nelson Mandela. Chronicles Mandela’s life from his childhood to his election as president of South Africa. Director: Justin Chadwick. Stars Idris Elba. This will be a powerful and informative film – the trailer looks great. It received an unprecedented 8 minute standing ovation at the Toronto Film Festival. Opens Jan 2014. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2304771/ http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/05/showbiz/mandela-movie-long-walk-freedom/index.html
12 years a slave
Based on the 1853 book by Solomon Northup and his fight for survival, dignity and freedom. As a free black man from upstate New York, he was abducted in 1841 and sold into slavery in southern USA. After 12 years, he was freed after official intervention and related his story, which was then published. Director: Steve McQueen. Stars: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt. Musical score: Hans Zimmer. Opens 30 Jan. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2024544/
Review – “An essential look at man’s inhumanity to man”: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/12-years-slave-movie-review-article-1.1488866
Book – public domain, free online, including audiobook: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Years_a_Slave
Divergent
Based on the popular sci-fi novel by Veronica Roth, part of a trilogy. In post-apocalyptic Chicago, people are divided into 5 factions based on their personalities & virtues. A young woman discovers that she is Divergent and does not fit into any one faction. Can she stop the sinister plot brewing in this “perfect” society? Director: Neil Burger. Stars Shailene Woodley and Kate Winslet. Opens 20 March. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1840309/
I, Frankenstein
Based on the graphic novel by Kevin Grevioux. Frankenstein’s creature, an intelligent evolved man (?!), is caught up in the modern world in a centuries old war between 2 immortal clans. Written & directed by Stuart Beattie. Stars Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy. Opens 27 Feb. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1418377/
Maleficent
Dark fantasy – the tale of Sleeping Beauty, told from the perspective of the evil sorceress Maleficent. Why did she put the curse on Princess Aurora? Director: Robert Stromberg. Stars Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning. Opens June 2014. http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/first-look-angelina-jolie-as-maleficent-in-reworking-of-sleeping-beauty-myth-20131113-2xgkp.html
The giver
Based on the dystopian novel by Lois Lowry, winner of the 1994 Newbery Medal. In a seemingly perfect society without conflict or suffering, a young boy is chosen to be the Receiver of Memory and to learn from an elderly man – The Giver. As he learns the truth about his world’s past, he discovers the power of knowledge and faces difficult choices about his future. Director: Phillip Noyce. Stars Jeff Bridges, Katie Holmes, Meryl Streep. Opens late 2014. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435651/
The book: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Giver
Interstellar
Based on the theories of physicist Kip Thorne – a new intriguing sci-fi film co-written by Christopher & Jonathan Nolan. Director: Christopher Nolan. Stars: Matt Damon, Michael Caine, Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway. A group of explorers travel through a wormhole and alternate dimensions, to the furthest reaches of our scientific understanding. Yay more Timey Wimey stuff! Opens Nov 2014. http://www.interstellar-movie.com/ http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=38606
Into the woods
Musical fantasy film based on the Broadway musical. In the world of Grimm’s fairy tales, a witch decides to teach important lessons to various fairy tale characters. Director: Rob Marshall. Stars Meryl Streep as the witch; Johnny Depp as the Big Bad Wolf, Emily Blunt as The Baker’s Wife. Opens Dec 2014.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Woods_(film)
Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day
Based on the classic 1972 book by Judith Viorst. 11 year old Alexander experiences the most terrible day of his life but eventually learns that he is not alone. Stars Steve Carrell and Jennifer Garner. Opens Oct 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_and_the_Terrible,_Horrible,_No_Good,_Very_Bad_Day_(film)
Paddington
Live action film based on the books by Michael Bond about the lovable young bear from Peru who travels to London in search of a home and is adopted by the Brown family. Director: Paul King. Stars Colin Firth (as the voice of Paddington), Peter Capaldi, Julie Walters, Matt Lucas, Jim Broadbent and Nicole Kidman as an evil taxidermist. Opens Dec 2014. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1109624/ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/nicole-kidman-grins-and-bears-her-evil-role-in-the-paddington-bear-movie/story-fni0cx12-1226753784881