There are two types of tower block in the east end of London, architecturally symbolising a polarisation that Mark Gillis proves to be all too aware of in Sink, his feature debut. On one side of the Thames are those sleek, glass bastions of capitalism that make up Canary Wharf; on the other, the concrete block epitomes of sixties social welfare. Naturally – in the tradition of Tony Richardson, Karel Reisz and Ken Loach – the hero of this socially aware, albeit morally ambitious, feature belongs to the latter.
From the studio that brought you an endless stream of Lego movies comes another franchise in the making. If this unremarkable animation is little more than distraction cinema for tots, it should at least leave audiences with a pleasing desire to be that little bit more inquisitive.
For his directorial debut, actor Bradley Cooper has resurrected that classic melodrama A Star is Born for its third remake. As before, this is the story of a talented woman, young but no longer fresh faced, whose aspirations of success are finally enabled by an older, troubled man. Why this gender complex tale of love and loss is so often returned to by filmmakers is not entirely clear. Perhaps, they see their own lives reflected in those of the dreamer and her weary counterpart? Perhaps, it is the opportunity the to reflect the romantic and heartbreaking reality of contemporary celebrity? Regardless, this is a gorgeous continuation to the lineage.
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