Tonight is the launch night of this year’s BFI London Film Festival. Tom Hanks and director Paul Greengrass will hit the red carpet for their opening gala film Captain Phillips. But there are other interesting films on at this year’s festival. Some highlights include:
Afternoon Delight
If you fancy a little indie gem, this could be the delight you’re looking for.
All is Lost
Life of Pi without Richard Parker, Cast Away without Wilson, 127 Hours without chopping an arm off. A sound designer’s dream, a yachtsman’s nightmare.
Kill Your Darlings
Daniel Radcliffe is Alan Ginsberg as we follow the entangled group of young writers, full of promise and insecurity, to a messy climax on a dark night that has somehow not overshadowed the careers and legacies of a Beat Generation.
Locke
Locke is a ship-in-a-bottle film with Tom Hardy at the helm of not only the wheel of a car, but the entire film’s premise.
Parkland
Parkland revisits the story of JFK’s assassination, but rather than focusing on the conspiracy or the politics, it focuses on the people surrounding the event and how it affects them each personally.
Philomena
Judi Dench and her twinkly eyes star in Philomena, a film based on a true story about forgiveness versus cynicism.
The Punk Singer
This film is for the fans of Riot Grrrl founder / Bikini Kill and Le Tigre frontwoman Kathleen Hanna. It’s good to have her back on the music scene and on screen in this revealing, touching and inspiring documentary.
Tom à la ferme
The audience is held captive alongside Tom as this film is gripping yet frustrating, and can also stray into dangerous unempathetic territory. Even so, Xavier Dolan is one to watch.
Under the Skin
A beautiful ambient thriller that has elements of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Tree of Life, AI and The Man Who Fell To Earth. One must go into it with an open mind and find meaning rather than be spoonfed. For mature audiences only.
The Zero Theorem
Terry Gilliam doing Terry Gilliam things. Must be a Terry Gilliam fan or don’t bother.