Rogue One , Ballerina : the movies to see during the Christmas holidays

Animated Movie, family comedy, science fiction blockbusters and art films, Christmas celebrations offer a wide range to project around 2017.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. We waited a little unless theEpisode VII. The cast was less prestigious. As for the young director, Gareth Edwards, at age 41, he was only two films to counter:MonstersandGodzilla. This is probably why the surprise is total. Leaving the room after 2:13 War stars clanking, one is tempted to admit that we would like to keep long the little stars we have in the eyes. Gareth Edwards managed the orbiting ofRogue One. The story hangs directly to one of the episodes only mentioned in theEpisode IV(released in 1977). Everyone remembers the image at the beginning ofStar Wars: A New Hope. A white corridor, a princess with macaroons hiding something in a little droid. Luke Skywalker, Ben Kenobi, R2-D2 and C-3PO would constantly transmitting to the rebellion that famous secret plans for the Death Star. So the subject ofRogue One: tell us the legend of all those anonymous heroes, underground fighters, who gave their lives so that Luke can shoot two missiles at the heart of this weapon of mass destruction, this “killer planet “and do explode into millions of pieces. For this, the writers start from scratch. They set up a heroin heavy liabilities. Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones, charismatic) will do everything to clear the honor of his family. Rogue Oneis a real war movie. It contains the code. A resistance group on a crusade to steal the plans of a terrible weapon … the nose and beard of the Empire andDarth Vader. We find the spirit of origin. There is a bit ofDirty Dozen, a pinch ofGuns of Navarone, but above all a great return to the spirit blowing in theEpisode IV. We understandwhy George Lucas liked this episodewithout reservation. The Wild of the suicide commando worth a visit. It’s a bit long to implement, but the Force is there, especially during the final, which proves anthology. As for the return of Vader, is truly impressive. In short,Rogue Oneis a breakthrough film, along with a Christmas movie dreamed, intense, exciting, radical, which in no way plays the nostalgia card. But, on the contrary, brings a new stone to the buildingStar Wars.

The girl without hands. A hungry and greedy miller sells his daughter to the devil. Protected by its purity, she escapes after having their hands cut off, prelude of a long journey. This Grimm tale, Sébastien Laudenbach is handcrafted animated film, fully painted on paper. It is far from clear line, the image is never finished. She continues to transform, as the polymorph devil. It seems to flow with good fluidity, as the goddess of the river. Eschewing the animation standards, cruel and poetic tale.

Ballerina. Eric Warin and Eric tell Summer how to Disney adventures Felicie, an orphan with big eyes who dreams of being a dancer at the Paris Opera. Dubbed byCamille Cottin, heroin, which should naturally show courage, accompanied by a childhood friend, a clumsy inventor style Gearloose (malik bentalha). Winks at Barbie, Cinderella or Cruella dotting this film which restores perfectly the Paris of the nineteenth century. At adviser from 7 years.

Personal Shopper. Olivier Assayasfinds Kristen Stewart, who already fascinated in his previous film, Sils Maria , to make him live a strange adventure. While earning a living as a “personal shopper”, responsible for composing the wardrobe of a celebrity, Maureen, lonely young American, remains haunted by the disappearance of his twin brother. It is the portrait of an absent woman, filled also visited by ghosts. It receives mysterious SMS, is interested in figures of spiritualism, is invaded by the invisible world. It’s sometimes overly sophisticated but elegant. Best Director Award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Manchester by the Sea. Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is caretaker in Boston. In bars, it causes fights, more to take blows to give. His dull life is disrupted by the death of his brother. He became the guardian of his nephew Patrick (Lucas Hedges). By flashbacks and dropper, we understand the reasons for the suffering of Lee. Kenneth Lonergandoes not stage an ordinary redemption, not here. But orchestra, without pathos and masterfully, the need for consolation wounded men. We do not see that will compete with Casey Affleck for the Oscar for best actor. The best American film of the year, if not the best, period.

Cigarettes and hot chocolate. A family comedy, afeel good movieof Sophie Reine which features a single father raising his two young daughters. Truly, he is doing quite badly as well, to the point that forces him to pass a course of parental responsibility. “I am less flexible with my children in the film,” saysGustave Kervern, confusing natural skin in this doting father. Editor on films Bezançon, Sophie Reine sign a tasty first feature film carried by promising young shoots, Heloise Dugas and Fanie Zanini. And Camille Cottin in unexpected social worker, but very convincing.

December 21

Creek, Green Pre and Sweet Face. With neon colors and kitsch comedy Eastern, Egyptian directorYousry Nasrallahdepicts a turbulent peasant wedding which tells a lot about the situation in his country. Power relationships, loyalty and betrayal, greed and lust, treated with earthy vitality to Boccaccio. A deliciously critical vision.

Assassin’s Creed. The adaptation by AustralianJustin Kurzelvideo game from UbisoftAssassin’s Creedwas enough to delight. Marion Cotillard,Jeremy IronsandMichael Fassbenderwere an attractive cast. Upon arrival, this blockbuster is not as convincing as expected. The characters lack flesh. The plot ends up being a smoker. The hero who keeps reliving the adventures of his ancestor part of a mysterious secret society circular. Kurzel, which claims to make this tangled plot a Shakespearean tragedy, is tripping over his filmic device. Too many effects sleeves, too fumaroles, too much ego …

Paterson. Bus driver 23 in Paterson (NJ) Paterson (Adam Driver), thirties, has a regular life like clockwork. While his wife (Golshifteh Farahani) continues to redecorate their apartment, he sees her breaks to write poems. Jim Jarmusch magnifies the daily life of a couple. He deserved a Golden Palm at Cannes where it was introduced this year.

Memory. Isabelle Huppertin 1970 forgotten singer charmed the youngKevin Azaïs(Fighters)on camera Belgian Bavo Defurne. In competition at the Angoulême Film Festival, this social tragicomedy manages to make credible a romantic relationship between two lonely beings. Achieving licked and music of Pink Martini give thanks to two great actors.
December 28

Hedi, a wind of freedom. For his first feature film, Mohamed Ben Attia hits hard telling a story of emancipation in Tunisia shortly after the Arab Spring. Commercial, caught in the net of a traditional education, promised a bride of his environment, Hedi discovers love. His life is turned upside down.