London Film Festival 2001

Picks from the RLFF 2001 (7-16th Nov).

Monsters Inc
The latest animated feature from Pixar, the team behind Toy Story 1 and 2, features some wonderful woolly and zany monsters. The stability of the monsters' secret parallel universe, which runs on the energy of earthly screams, is threatened by the unexpected arrival of a little girl called Boo. Billy Crystal, John Goodman, and Mary Gibbs are among those providing voices.

Sat 17 Nov 18.00 - Odeon West End 2
Sun 18 Nov 14.00 - National Film Theatre 1

The Son's Room (La stanza del figlio)
Sure to be on most critics RLFF hitlist after it won the top prize at Cannes this year, the Palme d'Or, Italian writer/director/star Nanni Moretti's film looks at the impact of an unexpected death in the family. A moving portrait of love, loss and regret.

Sat 17 Nov 20.30 - Odeon West End 2
Mon 19 Nov 13.00 - Odeon West End 2

Mulholland Drive
David Lynch is at his weirdest in this new noirish thriller set in Hollywood. People will say he's just gone too far, but fans will find plenty to salivate over in this luscious and sexy feature even if they don't know what the hell is going on.

Sun 18 Nov 20.30 - Odeon West End
2 Tue 20 Nov 15.00 - Odeon West End 2

Hi, Tereska
Here's a nice antidote to all those pimply Hollywood teen movies about getting laid for the first time - a rites-of-passage story, about a shy, working glass Polish girl, it is both amusingly observed and startingly bleak, in the great tradition of Eastern European cinema. It's even in black-and-white.

Thu 8 Nov 16.00 - National Film Theatre 2
Thu 8 Nov 20.30 - National Film Theatre 2

Last Orders
You can't get closer to home than this London-set drama. An adaptation of Graham Swift's Booker Prize winning novel, it follows a group of old codgers as they set off to dispose of a dead friend's ashes at sea. There's gentle humour and emotions as they relive old rivalries and experiences from the last 40 years. The ensemble cast includes Michael Caine, Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren.

Sat 10 Nov 20.30 - Odeon West End 2
Mon 12 Nov 15.30 - Odeon West End 2

Cool and Crazy (Heftig & Begeistre)
"The Norwegian Buena Vista Social Club" was how the publicity dubbed it, and many who have seen it say it lives up to the comparison. An uplifting documentary about a small fishing community, ravaged by ill economic winds and harsh winters. Against this backdrop the ageing male choir, who find solace by a spot of singing in the snow storm, offer a strange kind of heroism.

Fri 9 Nov 16.00 - National Film Theatre 2
Fri 9 Nov 20.30 - National Film Theatre 2

Tape
Don't be be put off by the low production values of Richard (Slackers) Linklater's surprisingly absorbing pyschochological drama starring Ethan Hawke. The film was shot all on one location with only three actors (Robert Sean Leonard and Uma Thurman are other two) and on videotape - although the latter fact has nothing to do with the title.

Thu 15 Nov 21.00 - Odeon West End 1
Fri 16 Nov 13.30 - Odeon West End 1

In the Bedroom
A favourite on the festival circuit already, this powerful tale is best viewed with as little knowledge of the film as possible. Director Todd Field's quiet and deliberately paced narrative is expertly handled.

Fri 9 Nov 15.15 - Odeon West End 2
Sat 10 Nov 17.45 - Odeon West End 2

The Lawless Heart
There's a strong air of authenticity in writer-directors Neil Hunter and Tom Hunsinger's engaging tale of three very different relationships. A fine cast which includes Bill Nighy, Clementine Celane and Douglas Henshall, makes this one to catch.

Thu 8 Nov 18.30 - Curzon Mayfair

Strictly Sinatra
A comedy drama about a pub crooner in Glasgow who is adopted by the Mob.

Thu 8 Nov 16.00 - Odeon West End 1
Thu 8 Nov 20.30 - Odeon West End 1

Metropolis
Considering that this was made in 1927 Fritz Lang's seminal silent opus is breathtaking in its scope. An industrial, big-brother-style sci-fi of extravagant proportions, the film failed at the box office in its day - it was before its time - but still captivates modern audiences. This new, painstakingly restored version promises to be even better than any version that preceeded it.

Sat 17 Nov 13.00 - National Film Theatre 1

And the others... Let's face it, film-going is a subjective experience. These didn't knock us out but they may do more for you.

Bandits
The Bank
Demons
The Heist
The Legend of Teddy Edwards
Serendipity
The Sleepy Time Gal
Sisters
Teenage Hooker Became Killing Machine in Daehakno
Waking Life
The Warrior