Director Jeff Nichols is firmly on the way to establishing himself as one of the most exciting filmmakers working in America today. After his previous and shamefully overlooked Take Shelter (2011) this month sees the release of his new drama Mud. Set in the deep south of rural America the plot spans around two impressive young performances from newcomers Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland and a close to career best turn from Matthew McConaughey. The atmospheric scenery and tense relationships make for terrific encounters between everyone featured in this outstanding ensemble. It is an absolute triumph for Nichols, a superb piece of storytelling that deserves not only to reach a larger audience after its theatrical run, but also come award season in a month or two.
One of the finest suspense films to come out of Hollywood for years is this month’s Captain Phillips, based on the true story of freight ship captain Rich Phillips who alongside his crew came under a pirate hijacking outside the coast of Somalia in 2009. Director Paul Greengrass re-invented the genre of realistic action thrillers with his two Bourne films, and this time around he makes even more out of a limited backdrop and storyline. Featuring another award worthy performance from Tom Hanks (his final scenes will tear your heart apart) and an ensemble of unknown young Africans it is one of the most truthful and compellingly played out dramas of this past year.
After his first trip outside native Britain with Scott Pilgrim vs the World in 2010, Edgar Wright now returns to his home turf for The World’s End, the third chapter of his Cornetto trilogy. Co-written by and starring a Simon Pegg on top form (arguably his finest work of the trilogy) and an outstanding comedy ensemble featuring Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine and Eddie Marsan. Both stylistic and comedy wise this is familiar stuff that fits in well alongside its two previous chapters, but Wright takes even more risks this time around challenging his audience to come along for the ride. It does not come without its flaws, but as far as laugh-out-loud comedies go this is easily one of the finest of the year.
ESSENTIAL LISTENING THIS OCTOBER:
After a seven year hiatus it was no surprise that the return of Justin Timberlake the musician would be a popular one with both critics and audiences. The 20/20 Experience released earlier this year was a delicious collection of pop music with a modern and stylistic approach that made for terrific company this past summer. This month sees the announced second part of the album surface under the modest name The 20/20 Experience 2 of 2. Timberlake in a recent interview teasingly called the second outing “a little more slutty” than its prequel and he is not really wrong. Where the first release was a more determined and mindful record set to re-establish him as a musician this goes all the way to ensure everyone what they already should know, that there is only one Justin, and that is a superstar.
Despite having been formed in 2006 and releasing their sixth album this month, White Denim has gone by unnoticed by this writer. Thankfully their brand new record Corsicana Lemonade has changed all that. An album a year is an impressive achievement for any band, and to keep improving upon each release an even greater one, particularly in the modern music industry. Their new album offers a wide range of exemplary rock tunes, with clear inspirations from both modern and classic punk. The album is put together perfectly with a great amount of energy and precision throughout. The band’s impressive catalogue allows for many new encounters, and their newest record serves as a terrific introduction.
After the enormous success of their third album The Suburbs (2010) which finally accompanied their critical acclaim and Grammy Awards with sales figures Arcade Fire are now looking to take their game even further. And with their fourth and most ambitious record yet they succeed with Reflektor. They are still highly recognizable but with a lavish and fully packed double album they are certainly putting a lot of eggs in their basket. Their raw elements of alternative rock are mixed with both a soft punk rhythm and traces of 80’s disco. The album should almost come with a guide book to achieve its full effect, but however you decide to take it in, there is an absurd amount of quality and enjoyment to be found. At this moment, there is nothing quite like Arcade Fire out there.
The title track also offers a terrific video from acclaimed director Anton Corbijn.
