The Swedish tackle a new sort of "Forrest Gump", in a darkly comic adaptation of "The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Dissapeared", from the internationally best-selling novel by Jonas Jonasson. Written by Scott Gentry.

"The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared"(15)
Directed by: Felix Herngren.
Starring: Robert Gustafsson, Iwar Wiklander, David Wiberg, Mia Skäringer, Jens Hultén, Alan Ford and Bianca Cruzeiro.
Rated: 15 for containing strong language and infrequent strong violence.
Running time: 114 minutes. 
Language: Swedish, with English subtitles. 
Out in UK cinemas from the 4th of July, 2014. 

Swedish cinema is most definitely on the rise; with recent releases such as "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" (2009) (and its many sequels) and the adaptation of Jo Nesbo's "Headhunters" (2011), its only fair to say that the quality and quantity of the Swedish film industry is currently of a particularly high standard. Now, the Swede's have opted for an unlikely adaptation, in the form of Jonas Jonasson's Python-esque comedy, "The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out Of the Window and Disappeared". 

Its title may be a mouthful, but this wildly amusing film follows the story of Allan Karlsson (Gustafsson), an elderly fellow who is about to celebrate his 100th birthday, in his nursing home. However, upon hearing the sound of firecrackers outside of his bedroom window, his passion for explosions is reignited; eventually deciding to escape, he sets out on a trip involving a gang of dim-witted bikers, a rather large elephant and a cruel British crime lord (Ford), whilst recounting his life, which constantly revolves around dynamite. 

Despite its totally madcap plot, Herngren's third directorial feature is solid entertainment, mainly due to the hilarious script from himself, Hans Ingemansson and Jonas Jonasson who mix humour with emotional scenes, which are often reminiscent of films such as "Fargo", "Seven Psychopaths" and perhaps Guy Ritchie's "Snatch". Like "Forrest Gump", "The 100-Year-Old Man" is interesting in terms of its many situations in which Allan finds himself in; whether he's aiding J. Robert Oppenheimer in the Manhattan Project or blowing up bridges in the Spanish civil war, Allan is constantly contributing to some of history's most famous events and it's absolutely hilarious. 

The performances from the eccentric cast are uniformly excellent, managing to capture the comedic elements and the emotional sensibilities perfectly. In particular, Gustafsson steals every scene he is in, proving his title of "the funniest man in Sweden". Herngren's ambitious production also includes some excellent cinematography by Göran Hallberg, which rivals many other productions released so far this year.

Verdict

Herngren's film is a quirky and darkly comedic tale, which serves as perfect cinematic escapism in a season where sequels and blockbusters run riot.

7.5 Stars out of 10

Written by Scott Gentry.

Film Rating Key

1-2 stars out of ten = Awful.

3-4 stars out of ten = Average.

5-6 stars out of ten = Good.

7-8 stars out of ten = Excellent.

9-10 stars out of ten = Amazing.

Full of heart, wit and style, Jean-Pierre Jeunet's latest cinematic endeavour is a wonderful return to English-language cinema. Written by Scott Gentry.

"The Young And Prodigious T.S. Spivet" (12A)

Directed by: Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

Starring: Kyle Catlett, Helena Bonham Carter, Callum Keith Rennie, and Judy Davis. 

Rated: 12A for containing infrequent strong language. 

Running time: 105 minutes.

Out now in UK cinemas. 

It's been twelve years since Jean-Pierre Jeunet's masterpiece "Amélie" and nearly seventeen since his Hollywood debut and ultimate failure, "Alien Resurrection", but the famed French director has finally returned to independent American cinema, with "The Young And Prodigious T.S. Spivet". 

Kyle Catlett as T.S. Spivet, in "The Young And Prodigious T.S. Spivet". 

A wonderful and fairly odd film, "T.S. Spivet" follows the story of our titular character (T.S. Spivet are the initials for Tecumseh Sparrow Spivet), a child genius, who after discovering he has won a prestigious award from the Smithsonian museum for creating the perpetual motion machine, sets out on his journey across America in order to accept his award, whilst coming to terms with an event which has affected his life. 

The film's plot is most definitely fitting for the French auteur, his style literally pouring out of the ambitious adaptation (of "The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet", written by Reif Larsen), which is evident in the form of intriguing 3D effects that add a certain charm to the film. Normally, 3D is most definitely not acceptable in my eyes, especially not (shudder) post conversion 3D, but the effects are captivating and help to develop the story and perhaps benefit the audience, by exploring the wonderful mind of T.S.
  

Kyle Catlett and Helena Bonham-Carter
star in "The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet".

The film is certainly reminiscent of the style of "Amélie", but it doesn't quite live up to the previous nature of his other work. However, this isn't a large problem, as this isn't a film that is trying to recreate the style of "Amélie" in an American setting, it's a film, which is aiming to be witty and different. 

Central to Jeunet's style, the characters are played by cast members who are able to develop performances from an often-demanding script. Yet less demanding in the case of "T.S. Spivet", the film is nevertheless carried in it's subject matter, by the young actor Catlett, (at the time of filming) a newcomer who is undeniably talented, dealing with a dramatic scene, in which he confronts a shocking event which took place earlier in his life.

Niamh Wilson, Helena Bonham Carter and Callum Keith Rennie
star in "The Young And Prodigious T.S. Spivet".

Apart from the main star, the supporting cast are all as talented and charming as Catlett, in particular Bonham-Carter, as T.S's mother, providing a slightly unhinged performance as an entomologist, who cannot be left around toasters (she literally destroys them!). Keith-Rennie (often known for portraying villains and the Cylon agent, Leoben Conoy, from "Battlestar Galactica") is slightly reserved as T.S.'s father, a man who could easily be mistaken for a cowboy, yet contributes an appreciated performance. 

Verdict

Calm and gentle fun from France's most distinctive filmmaker, which might not be his most appreciated piece, yet still impresses visually and in relation to an exemplary cast of actors. A 3D Blu-Ray purchase may be required... 

7.5 Stars out of 10

- Written by Scott Gentry. 

Film Rating Key

1-2 stars out of ten = Awful.

3-4 stars out of ten = Average.

5-6 stars out of ten = Good.

7-8 stars out of ten = Excellent.

9-10 stars out of ten = Amazing.

Exclusive: Studiocanal releases two new images of the marmalade loving bear, in "Paddington".

"Paddington" (TBC)
Directed by: Paul King.
Starring: Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Peter Capaldi, Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth as the voice of Paddington.
Rated: TBC.
Running time: TBC.
Out in UK cinemas from the 28th of November, 2014.

Adapted from the books of Michael bond, this ambitious adaptation follows the story of a bear who after growing up in the heart of the Peruvian jungle with his aunt named Lucy, is sent to England in search of a better life, when his home is destroyed in an earthquake. Upon arriving in England he soon meets the acquaintance of the Brown family, who offer the young bear a place to live, whilst he searches for an explorer who influenced his aunt, many years ago.  

Courtesy of Studiocanal, here are two new images featuring the marmalade addicted bear himself...

Impressed or not? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below! 

The first images from Dreamworks Pictures "Penguins Of Madagascar" are released, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch's new character!

"The Penguins Of Madagascar" (TBC)
Directed by: Eric Darnell and Simon J. Smith.
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Peter Stormare, John Malkovich and Ken Jeong.
Rated: TBC.
Running time: TBC.
Out in UK cinemas this December. 

Deriving from the popular "Madagascar" film series, the fan-favourite penguins have most recently spawned their own television show and are now returning to the big screen, in their first full-length feature, "The Penguins Of Madagascar"; released in UK cinemas this December. Below are three, first look images from the film, containing Benedict Cumberbatch's character in the form of a wolf, who is also a secret agent...

What are your opinions of the new images? Let us know, below!

Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are back to wreak havoc, in Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s “22 Jump Street”.

"22 Jump Street" (15)
Directed by: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.
Starring: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Peter Stormare, Ice Cube, Amber Stevens and Nick Offerman. 
Rated: 15 for containing frequent strong language, strong sex references and violence.
Running time: 112 minutes.
Out now in UK cinemas. 

After cracking the case of a lifetime, officers Scmidt (Hill) and Jenko (Tatum) are back on the streets to investigate a villainous drug smuggler, known only as Ghost (Stormare). The investigation however, proves to be unsuccessful and as their Deputy Chief Hardy (Offerman) puts it ever so bluntly, "just go back and do the same s**t you did last time. Then everyone's happy", the pair soon act upon the chief's stern warning, and return to undercover assignments. This time the pair are placed amongst a university, in order to stop a new drug named "WhyPhy" (it's pronounced like Wi-Fi), from going viral. 

The film which "Bad Boys 2"
wishes it was...Jonah Hill
and Channing Tatum star in
a still from"22 Jump Street."

It's worth remembering that "21 Jump Street" was a film that wasn't expected to perform well in terms of critical and commercial success, however the film exceeded all expectations, proving to become a sure-fire hit, with a relatively small budget of $42 million. Sequels are normally bigger in terms of budget, cast and plot and this is no exception with "22 Jump Street", which had a budget of $70 million, proving that with every sequel, the budget increases dramatically, which is also evident in James Bobin's "Muppets Most Wanted", released earlier this year. 

In spite of budget increases, sequels can become however too ambitious for their own good. But thankfully, this isn't the case with "22 Jump Street". Instead this is a sequel which continues to deliver quirky and off-beat sensibilities like its predecessor, which is mainly due to the inspired writing of Michael Bacall, Oren Uziel and Rodney Rothman, a trio of screenwriters, who are ambitious in their comedic style. The film's style and script is often reminiscent of "Scott Pilgrim V.s The World", (a film which Bacall also helped write, alongside Edgar Wright), which proves the comedic style is one that works extremely well on screen. 

The direction is also well organised by the duo Lord and Miller, a pair of directors who met in Dartmouth College and proceeded to direct films such as 2009's "Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs", "21 Jump Street" and "The Lego Movie, all of which opened to critical acclaim. Having shown their ability for mixing comedy and riotous action, the two use their creative input to once again create a bizarre comedy, which is as zany as the first. 

Perhaps cinema's funniest comic duo?
Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum star in
a still from "22 Jump Street". 

If not the funniest script this year, “22 Jump Street” is completed in its excellence by the pairing of Hill and Tatum. The two actors, possibly providing the most homo erotic bromance ever seen on screen, undeniably contributing exceptional comic performances, confirming their ability to act in an all manner of roles; Hill was electrifying in "The Wolf Of Wall Street" and Tatum has reportedly provided a career best performance, in Bennett Miller's "Foxcatcher".  

Verdict

Quite possibly the funniest film of the year so far; Lord and Miller's sequel is pure delight, with whip-smart comedy and a bone-achingly funny end credits sequence. "23 Jump Street"? Yes please. 

8.5 Stars out of 10

Written by Scott Gentry

Film Rating Key

1-2 stars out of ten = Awful.

3-4 stars out of ten = Average.

5-6 stars out of ten = Good.

7-8 stars out of ten = Excellent.

9-10 stars out of ten = Amazing.

A Million Ways To Die In The West -- Jon Petre

In recent years, the Western genre seems to be trying to make a comeback--what with Cowboys and Aliens in 2011, The Lone Ranger last year, and Django Unchained before that--not to mention the (thankfully still!) upcoming The Hateful Eight--and A Million Ways was a humorous send-up of the genre, in the spirit of Blazing Saddles. I for one embrace both the re-emergence of the genre, and its parodies. Though it wasn't as funny or entertaining as Ted, A Million Ways To Die In The West was still a decent comedy.

Seth MacFarlane plays a sheepish (I think the pun was intended) farmer of sheep, who avidly hates just about every aspect of life on the 1800's frontier. His girlfriend Louise (Amanda Seyfried)  has just broken up with him, and he is suitably depressed--with both her and his life--until the arrival of Anna (Charlize Theron), who vows to help him get back with Lousie by making her jealous, culminating in a shoot-out with Lousie's new boyfriend, Foy (Neil Patrick Harris)...

Alright, so the plot's formulaic, and it wasn't nearly as interesting as the plot of Ted (not that Ted's plot was spectacular; it was just different) nor was it as sharply-cut, but that didn't take from the humour. I think Seth was going for something more like Blazing Saddles, or Airplane in the film--sure, it's a bit stupid (actually, very stupid in places) but that's on purpose. If anything, it allows the comedy more freedom; they can reference things that, if it were more serious, would ruin it--like a cameo from Doc Brown, or Django. So, if you go to see this, bear that in mind. If you're expecting something, well, more serious, this is Seth MacFarlane.

Who would trust a mustache like that?

There was, surprisingly, quite a large variety of humour; ranging from crude fart jokes to gags about how the value of money has changed ("Take your hat off, boy--that's a dollar!"). Many comedies these days seem to pander to the lowest common denominator (cough cough, Adam Sandler, cough cough) and while A Million Ways to Die in the West does do this with the fart jokes and the poop gags, it blends it very effectively with more niche humour--for example, the mustache song. It wasn't brilliant everywhere, but where it worked, it worked well. I feel myself saying that quite often nowadays.

However, Neil Patrick Harris and Liam Niesson were barely in it. I couldn't help but feel that there should've been more character involvement and development for both of them, especially Liam Niesson; he only made a proper appearance at the beginning and the end. But supporting characters like Edward and Ruth (Giovanni Ribisi, Sarah Silverman) saved the plot from being solely about Albert (Seth) and Anna, which seems to be more and more common with Hollywood nepotism on the rise.

The weak plot and the slightly chaotic humour stop A Million Ways to Die in the West from going anywhere near a five, and it is very different from Ted; although ridiculous elements are carried over. It's more a case of whether you like Seth MacFarlane or not with this one. Still, I personally find his style hilarious, and so I'm going to give A Million Ways to Die in the West a four of five. A low four, mind.

4/5

Written By Jon Petre