The great Britflick is back!
Europe,Film,celebrity news
the queen
Since the \'90s, umpteen British films have tried to be the new \'Four Weddings\'/\'Full Monty\'/\'Lock Stock\', and most have failed – some quite spectacularly. But with 14 major Oscar nominations for homegrown movies, the tide is turning in our favour. We celebrate the return of the great Britflick with a look at recent and upcoming faves – and a sly look at what turns those glossy Hollywood heads...
The Queen (2006)
Helen Mirren,Film,celebrity news
Helen Mirren as the Queen
Stars: Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell
Awards: Two Golden Globes; five Oscar nominations
The idea: Looks at the relationship between the Queen and Tony B after Diana\'s death.
The result: A modern classic: curtain-twitchingly fascinating and unexpectedly funny.
Britflick credentials: Helen Mirren; American actor James Cromwell playing a Brit; scenes at No 10
Children Of Men (Sept 2006)
Michael Caine,Film,celebrity news,clive owen
children of men 240x370
Stars: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Awards: Two Venice Film Festival awards; three Oscar nominations.
The idea: In the future, a potential apocalypse brought about by mass infertility. A woman\'s pregnant - Clive Owen has to protect her.
The result: A mesmerising vision of the future with knock-out performances and gripping chases through London.
Britflick credentials: Posh Brit male lead; American actress in key role (Julianne Moore); veteran actor in tragicomic role (Michael Caine); copious London scenes
Borat (Nov 2006)
Borat Sagdiyev,Film,celebrity news
Borat 240x370
Stars: Sacha Baron-Cohen
Awards: One Golden Globe; one Oscar nomination
The idea: Brit comedian pretends to be a naïve TV presenter from Kazakhstan, to hilarious effect.
The result: Devastatingly funny, this comedy works harder than anything Hollywood\'s come up with for years.
Britflick credentials: John Cleese making racist comments; American love interest (Pamela Anderson); risqué humour and humorous look at race relations
Mischief Night (Nov 2006)
Film,celebrity news
mischief night 240x370
Stars: Ramon Tikaram, Kelli Hollis
The idea: Drug dealers and well-meaners go head to head in urban Leeds when youngsters cross the racial divide. And have a lot of fun in the process.
The result: Like a movie version of \'Shameless\', this playful mix of grit and humour does northern comedy-drama proud.
Britflick credentials: Humorous study of race relations; lots of swearing and drugs; grimy urban setting; mouthy northern kids
Starter For Ten (Nov 2006)
James McAvoy,Film,celebrity news
starter-for-ten 240x370
Stars: James McAvoy, Alice Eve, Rebecca Hall
The idea: A small town boy heads off to study in the big city and find girls, parties and, er, \'University Challenge\'.
The result: A sharp, funny and credible British comedy with bags of nostalgia and a great performance from the lovely McAvoy.
Britflick credentials: Cute, clever but awkward male lead; a posh male rival; popular comedy actor in cameo role (Catherine Tate); numerous references to the much-loved British television show
Miss Potter (Jan 2007)
Renee Zellweger,Film,Ewan McGregor,celebrity news
miss potter
Stars: Renée Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson
The idea: An affectionate portrayal of one of Britain\'s best-loved children\'s authors, Beatrix Potter.
The result: A confident, cosy period tear-jerker that you can settle down to with a hanky - and very possibly your mum.
Britflick credentials: Famous American actor playing a Brit; Ewan McGregor as a bumbling suitor; rolling British countryside; repressed Victorian society; huge, grand mansions with servants
Venus (Jan 2007)
Film,celebrity news
venus 240x370
Stars: Peter O\'Toole, Leslie Phillips, Vanessa Redgrave, Jodie Whittaker
Awards: British Independent Film Festival award; one Oscar nomination
The idea: Two ancient actors knock about London looking for something to do - one finds it in the shape of young chav Jessie.
The result: A funny, moving study of old age, that proves there\'s life in the old dogs yet. Wonderful observational comedy.
Britflick credentials: Veteran British actors; grimy urban setting; mouthy northern teenager; sprightly old folk who drink a lot; copious London scenes
Notes On A Scandal (Feb 2007)
cate Blanchett,Judi dench,Film,celebrity news
notes-on-a-scandal 240x370
Stars: Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett
Awards: BAFTA-nominated; four Oscar nominations
The idea: A schoolteacher becomes obsessed with a new colleague, and uses a secret to subtly manipulative ends.
The result: An enormously witty character study with plenty of thrills and moral dilemmas to chew on. Breathtaking performances.
Britflick credentials: Judi Dench; Aussie actress playing a Brit; meddling old spinster; posh co-star (Bill Nighy); risqué plot line
Hot Fuzz (March 2007)
simon pegg,Film,celebrity news
hot-fuzz 240x370
Stars: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Timothy Dalton
The idea: The \'Shaun of the Dead\' guys do small-town British cop comedy, with Pegg playing a big city hotshot who cleans up in a seemingly sleepy village.
The result: A cute buddy movie that spoofs Hollywood action flicks in a rural setting – to very amusing effect.
Britflick credentials: Popular UK comedians; rolling countryside; posh co-star (Bill Nighy); dimwit farmers; ale-drinking; fat cops
Sparkle (release date to be confirmed)
Film,celebrity news
stockard channing 240x370
Stars: Shaun Evans, Bob Hoskins, Stockard Channing
The idea: A Liverpool lad comes to London to make his fortune, and winds up in the bed of an older woman. Complications ensue...
The result: Some genuinely fresh, funny lines of dialogue and a winning performance from Bob Hoskins as an endearing loner.
Britflick credentials: Bob Hoskins; American actress in lead role; copious London scenes; flamboyant gay cameo from popular TV figure (Anthony Head)
Sparkle (release date to be confirmed)
sparkle,release,date,confirmed
A scanner darkly 240x370
If this has put you in the mood for a good film? Why not check out our DVD reviews of
A Scanner Darkly and
Lady in the Water. Or perhaps you\'d like to listen to the soundtrack of one of the greatest films ever...
The Sound of Music
Also look out for...
Europe,Film,celebrity news
this_is_england 240x370
This Is England (April)
28 Weeks Later (May)
Atonement (September)
Stardust (October)
And avoid at all costs:
The Truth About Love (Feb)
