ENGLISH MOVIES THIS WEEK – THINGS TO DO IN GENEVA

GENEVA ENGLISH CINEMA ROUND-UP

by Sarah Scaddan

Highlights of English language films showing in Geneva this week.

SING-A-LONG-ABLE-ROMP – Rocketman

Rocketman is an epic musical fantasy about the story of Elton John’s breakthrough years. The film follows the fantastical journey of transformation from shy piano prodigy Reginald Dwight into international superstar Elton John. This story is set to Elton John’s hit songs and performed by Taron Egerton. Overflowing with wit, energy, charm, candour and shameless exuberance. One to see and enjoy.

Showing at Arena Cinémas, Pathé Balexert, Cinérama Empire, Pathé Archamps

GODZILLA II – King of the Monsters

Godzilla II follows the efforts of crypto-zoological agency Monarch as it faces a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla. When these ancient super-species – thought to be mere myths – rise again, they all vie for supremacy, leaving humanity’s very existence hanging in the balance.

Showing at Arena Cinémas, Pathé Balexert, Pathé Archamps, Cinéma Voltaire

X-MAN – Dark Pheonix

The X-Men face their most formidable and powerful foe: one of their own. During a rescue mission in space, Jean Grey is hit by a mysterious cosmic force and once she returns home, it becomes clear that this force has made infinitely more powerful, and far more unstable. Wrestling with this entity inside her, Jean unleashes her powers in ways she can neither comprehend nor contain.

Showing at Pathé Archamps

NOTHING NEW TO SEE HERE – Aladdin

You know the story: kindhearted street urchin and a power-hungry crook vie for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true. This version is definitely not a whole new world but some great performances (especially Will Smith as genie) combined with a little Disney magic result in a fun family film.

Showing at Pathé Balexert, Arena Cinémas, Ciné 17, Cinéma Voltaire, Pathé Archamps

JOHN WICK: Chapter 3 – Parabellum

Legendary hit man John Wick finds himself stripped of the organization’s protective services. Now stuck with a $14 million bounty on his head, Wick must fight his way through the streets of New York as he becomes the target of the world’s most ruthless killers. TOTALLY over the top but offers neatly choreographed violence if that is your thing.

Showing at Pathé Balexert, Arena Cinémas, Pathé Archamps

THE UNDEAD HAVE NEVER SEEMED SO COOL – The Dead Don’t Die

The greatest zombie cast ever disassembled starring Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Tilda Swinton, Chloë Sevigny, Steve Buscemi, Danny Glover, Caleb Landry Jones, Rosie Perez, Iggy Pop, Sara Driver, RZA, Selena Gomez, Carol Kane, Austin Butler, Luka Sabbat and Tom Waits.

Showing at Ciné 17, Cinéma La Patio, Pathé Archamps, Pathé Balexert, Cinéma Voltaire.

DELVING INTO A PRIVATE LIFE – Becoming Astrid

Teenaged Astrid Lindren, who later went on to write the Pippi Longstocking series, leads a carefree but conservative life in rural Sweden. During an internship at a local newspaper she has an affair with married editor and subsequently flees to Copenhagen to secretly give birth to a son. Astrid uses her imagination and flair for storytelling to connect with her son and emerges with from this situation with the strength that forms the foundation to beloved body of work. A tender and courageous story with brilliant performances. However I read an interview with her daughter that said Lindren would have hated this film and this time in her life should be private. Eek. I feel like I have been caught snooping.

Showing at Cinéma Bio

PARTY ON – Gloria Bell

Gloria (Julianne Moore) is a free-spirited divorcée who spends her days at a strait-laced office job and her nights on the dance floor, joyfully letting loose at clubs around Los Angeles. On a night out, she finds herself thrust into an unexpected new romance, filled with both the joys of budding love and the complications of dating, identity and family. Julianne Moore is terrific in this. A movie that says the stories of average women deserve to be told.

Showing at Cinérama Empire, Pathé Archamps

THIS GENERATION’S HITCHCOCK – US

Haunted by an unresolved trauma from her past and compounded by a string of eerie coincidences, Adelaide is increasingly certain that something bad is going to befall her family. After a day out, they return home to find four figures holding hands stand in the driveway. They’re terrifying opponents are doppelgängers of themselves. The violence, the tears, the screams, the jump scares are all familiar, but still done in a fresh way. Jordan Peele is this generations Hitchcock. One to watch (through your fingers).

Showing at Cinérama Empire

THE CONCLUSION – Avengers Endgame

This conclusion is a big deal for Avengers fans, as big as the final series of Game of Thrones. The Avengers take a final stand against Thanos, the evil demigod who decimated the planet and the universe in Marvel Studios’ conclusion to 22 films. 22 films! Adrift in space with no food or water, Tony Stark sends a message to Pepper Potts as his oxygen supply starts to dwindle. Meanwhile, the remaining Avengers figure out a way to bring back their vanquished allies for an epic showdown with Thanos. An hour too long but some very funny moments and great action.

Showing at Pathé Balexert.

POKÉMON: Detective Pikachu

Ace detective Harry Goodman goes mysteriously missing, prompting his 21-year-old son Tim to find out what happened. Aiding in the investigation is Harry’s former Pokémon partner, Detective Pikachu. Tim and Pikachu join forces chasing clues together through the streets of Ryme City – a sprawling, modern metropolis where humans and Pokémon live side by side.

Showing at Ciné 17, Pathé Balexert

OLD-FASHIONED HOLLYWOOD STORYTELLING – The Old Man and the Gun

The Old Man and the Gun is based on the true story of Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford), from his audacious escape from San Quentin at the age of 70 to an unprecedented string of heists that confounded authorities. In pursuit are detective John Hunt (Casey Affleck), who becomes captivated with Forrest’s commitment, and a woman (Sissy Spacek), who loves him in spite of his chosen profession. A simple and easygoing joy which could serve as an ode to Robert Redford’s career, he went into retirement after making this film.

Showing at Cinérama Empire.

Showing at Ciné 17, Pathé Balexert

THE DARK DAYS OF VINCENT VAN GOGH – At Eternity’s Gate

Led by mesmerizing work from Willem Dafoe in the main role, At Eternity’s Gate imagines Vincent Van Gogh’s troubled final-days. It’s not a biography, instead is based on letters, hearsay, fact and presumption. The pace of the film is slow and melancholic, but Willem Dafoe totally nails it.

Showing at Cinéma Bio.

WHY WOULD ANYONE DO THIS? – Free Solo

Professional rock climber Alex Honnold attempts the first free solo climb of famed El Capitan’s 900-metre vertical rock face at Yosemite National Park. Although a documentary, Free Solo is also an edge-of-your seat thriller, an inspiring portrait of an athlete and a visually impressive film. An inspirational watch but I can’t help thinking: why would anybody do this?

Showing at Le Scala

MULTI AWARD-WINNING – Green Book

When Tony Lip (Mortensen), a bouncer from an Italian-American neighborhood in the Bronx, is hired to drive Dr. Don Shirley (Ali), a world-class Black pianist, on a concert tour from Manhattan to the Deep South, they must rely on “The Green Book” to guide them to the few establishments that were then safe for African-Americans. Confronted with racism, danger-as well as unexpected humanity and humor-they are forced to set aside differences to survive and thrive on the journey of a lifetime. Green Book recently won three Golden Globes including best motion picture.

Showing at Cinérama Empire, Le Scala, Cinelux.