Onegin PG
Directed by Martha Fiennes Starring Ralph Fiennes, Liv Tyler, Lena Headey, Martin Donovan, Harriet Walter, Irene Worth
Something of a family affair, this new British version of Alexander Pushkin's novel, Evgeny Onegin, has Ralph Fiennes in the title role, his brother Magnus composing the score, and sister Martha directing. All three acquit themselves rather well, particularly Martha, who brings a highly individual visual sensibility to Pushkin's tale of thwarted love among the Russian aristocracy in the early 19th century. The tragedy is played out against bleakly beautiful landscapes and in the chilly mansions of St Petersburg, all of them shot in muted, washed-out colours. The austere style, economical editing and strong acting mark Fiennes out as a director of considerable talent.
Mifune 18
Directed by Soren Kragh-Jacobsen Starring Iben Hjejle, Anders W. Berthelsen, Jesper Asholt, Emil Tarding, Anders Howe
The third Danish film to be produced under the Spartan strictures of the Dogme 95 movement, but far less interesting than its predecessors, Festen and The Idiots. Kragh-Jacobsen comes from an older generation than his Dogme peers, and it shows in the sentimental predictability of his story of two disfunctional brothers whose life is changed by the arrival of a new housekeeper. Cliches abound and the trappings of Dogme-style are employed more as decoration than anything else.
Mystery Men PG
Directed by Kinka Usher Starring Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, Janeane Garofalo, Lena Olin, William H. Macy, Geoffrey Rush, Paul Reubens, Tom Waits, Eddie Izzard
The impressive cast can't rescue this disastrous attempt at a superhero spoof, with Stiller leading a bunch of wannabe no-hopers on their quest to become saviours of Champion City. Somewhere in this mess of a movie there's a good idea.
