Title: Hunky Dory Director: Marc Evans Starring: Minnie Driver, Aneurin Barnard, Danielle Branch, Robert Pugh, Haydn Gwynne, Aled Pugh, Kimberley Nixon, Tom Harries, Steve Speirs, George McKay Indie import “Hunky Dory,” starring Minnie Driver, may have been initially conceived before the hit small screen show “Glee,” but it suffers mightily in comparison to the pop cultural shadow of that series, playing like a mash-up of it and a decidedly retro version of “High School Musical,” as filtered through the gauzy lens of underclass-artistic-exuberance that’s plagued a certain subset of comedic-leaning British offerings ever since “Billy Elliot.” Set in blue-collar South Wales in 1976, musical dramedy “Hunky Dory” (a nod to [ Read More ]
The post Hunky Dory Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Hunky Dory Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 4/8/2013
- by bsimon
- ShockYa
It’s the summer of 1976, and between a conservative school administration and an unrelenting drought, things are beyond dry for Wales’ scrappier teens. It’s little wonder that they flock to the more permissive Miss Mae (Minnie Driver) and her glam-rock interpretation of Shakespeare’s "The Tempest" for the school play. Alas, "Hunky Dory" primarily concerns itself with familiar extracurricular woes and offers up much ado about nothing instead of a more rollicking or romantic coming-of-age story. Each protagonist has their healthy amount of burdens. Mae has to contend with a “small delegation” of disgruntled faculty; to hear it from one, “self-expression doesn’t butter any parsnips” (She is just as puzzled by the remark as we are.) There’s nice guy Davy (Aneurin Barnard) harboring a crush on the play’s co-lead, Stella (Danielle Branch); bullied Kenny (Darren Evans) giving into the peer pressures of his skinhead brethren; and...
- 3/21/2013
- by William Goss
- The Playlist
Satisfactory Endeavor: Evans’ Latest Enjoyable Fluff
Welsh director Marc Evans explores 1970’s rural Wales with his latest film, Hunky Dory, following his 2010 film Patagonia. While Evans is somewhat of a genre jumper, oscillating between thrillers like My Little Eye and Trauma to indie drama like 2006’s Snowcake, his films don’t quite seem to bear a directorial signature. His latest, which is a sort of coming of age story about a group of high school students staging an ambitious musical that, on one hand feels much more sincere than any number of similar American examples (yes, like Glee), lacks any sort of real depth. As its title implies, everything seems to be moving along quite alright, which perhaps is only evidence that Evans’ film isn’t trying to be anything more than it simply is, a kindhearted film about a friendly, progressive minded teacher helping kids explore emotions through art.
Welsh director Marc Evans explores 1970’s rural Wales with his latest film, Hunky Dory, following his 2010 film Patagonia. While Evans is somewhat of a genre jumper, oscillating between thrillers like My Little Eye and Trauma to indie drama like 2006’s Snowcake, his films don’t quite seem to bear a directorial signature. His latest, which is a sort of coming of age story about a group of high school students staging an ambitious musical that, on one hand feels much more sincere than any number of similar American examples (yes, like Glee), lacks any sort of real depth. As its title implies, everything seems to be moving along quite alright, which perhaps is only evidence that Evans’ film isn’t trying to be anything more than it simply is, a kindhearted film about a friendly, progressive minded teacher helping kids explore emotions through art.
- 3/21/2013
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
It’s the summer of 1976, and between a conservative school administration and an unrelenting drought, things are beyond dry for Wales’ scrappier teens. It’s little wonder that they flock to the more permissive Miss Mae (Minnie Driver) and her glam-rock interpretation of Shakespeare’s "The Tempest" for the school play. Alas, "Hunky Dory" primarily concerns itself with familiar extracurricular woes and offers up much ado about nothing instead of a more rollicking or romantic coming-of-age story.
Each protagonist has their healthy amount of burdens. Mae has to contend with a “small delegation” of disgruntled faculty; to hear it from one, “self-expression doesn’t butter any parsnips” (She is just as puzzled by the remark as we are.) There’s nice guy Davy (Aneurin Barnard) harboring a crush on the play’s co-lead, Stella (Danielle Branch); bullied Kenny (Darren Evans) giving into the peer pressures of his skinhead brethren; and...
Each protagonist has their healthy amount of burdens. Mae has to contend with a “small delegation” of disgruntled faculty; to hear it from one, “self-expression doesn’t butter any parsnips” (She is just as puzzled by the remark as we are.) There’s nice guy Davy (Aneurin Barnard) harboring a crush on the play’s co-lead, Stella (Danielle Branch); bullied Kenny (Darren Evans) giving into the peer pressures of his skinhead brethren; and...
- 3/11/2012
- by William Goss
- The Playlist
The Josef Fritzl affair and similar cases of horrendous incarceration revealed in its wake have now produced a sizable body of documentaries, feature films and fiction too, of which Michael is a minor, rather puzzling addition. The 40-year-old Austrian film-maker Markus Schleinzer, whose first feature film this is, has worked as a casting director on over 60 films, among them Michael Haneke's The Piano Teacher, Time of the Wolf and, most significantly, The White Ribbon, on which he coached the child actors.
The eponymous Michael (Michael Fuith) is a 35-year-old minor official with an Austrian insurance company, who keeps the 10-year-old Wolfgang (David Rauchenberger) a prisoner in the soundproofed basement of his suburban home. Michael is a bespectacled, nondescript loner with a brother and sister both married with children. He largely keeps to himself, rejecting the advances of a female colleague, whom he physically throws out of his house when she intrudes.
The eponymous Michael (Michael Fuith) is a 35-year-old minor official with an Austrian insurance company, who keeps the 10-year-old Wolfgang (David Rauchenberger) a prisoner in the soundproofed basement of his suburban home. Michael is a bespectacled, nondescript loner with a brother and sister both married with children. He largely keeps to himself, rejecting the advances of a female colleague, whom he physically throws out of his house when she intrudes.
- 3/4/2012
- by Philip French
- The Guardian - Film News
Michael (18)
(Markus Schleinzer) Michael Fuith, David Rauchenberger, Gisella Salcher. 96 mins
The daily routine of an Austrian paedophile who keeps a young boy locked in his cellar was hardly something anyone was queuing up to see, but this challenges us, and itself, to take a look. At the same time, it thankfully averts its gaze from scenes of actual abuse. There are keen observations on parenting, privacy, power relations and more, but the flat, factual approach verges on dull, and the absence of empathy ultimately just leaves you feeling grubby. So get in line for the grimmest movie of the year!
This Means War (12A)
(McG, 2012, Us) Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, Reese Witherspoon. 98 mins
Two suspiciously close CIA buddies fall out when they discover they're dating the same woman – cue the misuse of government equipment and their own combat skills for one-upmanship. The romcom high concept is novel for a good reason: it's completely ridiculous.
(Markus Schleinzer) Michael Fuith, David Rauchenberger, Gisella Salcher. 96 mins
The daily routine of an Austrian paedophile who keeps a young boy locked in his cellar was hardly something anyone was queuing up to see, but this challenges us, and itself, to take a look. At the same time, it thankfully averts its gaze from scenes of actual abuse. There are keen observations on parenting, privacy, power relations and more, but the flat, factual approach verges on dull, and the absence of empathy ultimately just leaves you feeling grubby. So get in line for the grimmest movie of the year!
This Means War (12A)
(McG, 2012, Us) Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, Reese Witherspoon. 98 mins
Two suspiciously close CIA buddies fall out when they discover they're dating the same woman – cue the misuse of government equipment and their own combat skills for one-upmanship. The romcom high concept is novel for a good reason: it's completely ridiculous.
- 3/3/2012
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
Last week, I got to chat with Director Marc Evans for his new movie, Hunky Dory which comes out this Friday 2nd March. It stars Minnie Driver (who we also got to chat with – look out for that interview tomorrow), Aneurin Barnard, Danielle Branch, Robert Pugh, Haydn Gwynne and Steve Speirs. The movie is about a drama teacher named Vivienne (Driver) at a high school in Swansea who sets about putting on a rock ‘n’ roll version of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, during the hottest UK summer on record in 1976.
If you’re a fan of Grease, High School Musical or Glee, then you should definitely check it out. I like the movie a little more than Lisa who’s review is live here. During the interview with Marc, we find out where the story came from, if it was inspired by TV shows like Glee and what it was...
If you’re a fan of Grease, High School Musical or Glee, then you should definitely check it out. I like the movie a little more than Lisa who’s review is live here. During the interview with Marc, we find out where the story came from, if it was inspired by TV shows like Glee and what it was...
- 2/29/2012
- by David Sztypuljak
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Welsh director Marc Evans (Patagonia, My Little Eye) returns with a nostalgic take on growing up in small-town Wales in 1976 in the midst of the summer heat and raging hormones.
Schooldays films are ten-a-penny and ever enticing as we get to reminisce at a safe distance at the thrills and fears of our teenage years. Indeed, what this promises is a healthy inject of 1970s glam rock for David Bowie fans – much like a 70s Glee. For admirers of the ever-fearless Minnie Driver, the actress plays an attractive, inspirational drama teacher who (surprise, surprise) stirs more than a few notes. However, aside from a noteworthy performance from swooning, rising star Aneurin Barnard as well, that’s pretty much all Hunky Dory has to offer. It’s surprisingly forgetful for the most part.
In the sweltering summer heat of 1976, keen drama teacher Vivienne (Driver) fights general teenage apathy and frayed tempers to put on an end-of-year,...
Schooldays films are ten-a-penny and ever enticing as we get to reminisce at a safe distance at the thrills and fears of our teenage years. Indeed, what this promises is a healthy inject of 1970s glam rock for David Bowie fans – much like a 70s Glee. For admirers of the ever-fearless Minnie Driver, the actress plays an attractive, inspirational drama teacher who (surprise, surprise) stirs more than a few notes. However, aside from a noteworthy performance from swooning, rising star Aneurin Barnard as well, that’s pretty much all Hunky Dory has to offer. It’s surprisingly forgetful for the most part.
In the sweltering summer heat of 1976, keen drama teacher Vivienne (Driver) fights general teenage apathy and frayed tempers to put on an end-of-year,...
- 2/28/2012
- by Lisa Giles-Keddie
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
A musical feature film set in Wales, Hunky Dory was a long time coming as it struggled for funding, with open castings held for 16 to 20 year old singers in London, Manchester and Swansea back in 2009.
Filming wrapped in September 2010 and the film is finally getting its UK release in cinemas on March 2nd.
The film stars Hollywood actress Minnie Driver, whose father originally hails from Swansea, alongside an ensemble of young British talent including Aneurin Barnard (represented by Ken McReddie Associates), winner of the 2010 Olivier award for best actor in a musical for the West End musical Spring Awakening, newcomer Danielle Branch (represented by Regan Rimmer), with Fresh Meat star Kimberley Nixon (also Ken McReddie), and George Mackay (soon to be seen in upcoming feature Private Peaceful).
Hunky Dory is an engaging British twist on the heartache and heartbreak of putting on a show. In the sweltering summer of 1976 in Swansea,...
Filming wrapped in September 2010 and the film is finally getting its UK release in cinemas on March 2nd.
The film stars Hollywood actress Minnie Driver, whose father originally hails from Swansea, alongside an ensemble of young British talent including Aneurin Barnard (represented by Ken McReddie Associates), winner of the 2010 Olivier award for best actor in a musical for the West End musical Spring Awakening, newcomer Danielle Branch (represented by Regan Rimmer), with Fresh Meat star Kimberley Nixon (also Ken McReddie), and George Mackay (soon to be seen in upcoming feature Private Peaceful).
Hunky Dory is an engaging British twist on the heartache and heartbreak of putting on a show. In the sweltering summer of 1976 in Swansea,...
- 2/18/2012
- by noreply@blogger.com (ScreenTerrier)
- ScreenTerrier
Sound On Sight will once again be covering the SXSW Film Festival this year, making it our second time attending. 130 feature films will screen at the Austin, Texas fest taking place March 9-17, including 65 World Premieres, 17 North American Premieres and 10 U.S. Premieres. As previously announced, Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon’s The Cabin in the Woods will have the honours of opening the festival, and now they have released the full list of films – and it’s looking pretty amazing. Enjoy!
Narrative Feature Competition
This year’s 8 films were selected from 1,112 submissions. Each film is a World Premiere. Films screening in Narrative Feature Competition are:
Booster
Director/Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin
When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted.
Cast: Nico Stone, Adam DuPaul, Seymour Cassel, Kristin Dougherty, Brian McGrail (World Premiere)
Eden
Director: Megan Griffiths,...
Narrative Feature Competition
This year’s 8 films were selected from 1,112 submissions. Each film is a World Premiere. Films screening in Narrative Feature Competition are:
Booster
Director/Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin
When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted.
Cast: Nico Stone, Adam DuPaul, Seymour Cassel, Kristin Dougherty, Brian McGrail (World Premiere)
Eden
Director: Megan Griffiths,...
- 2/3/2012
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Iggy Pop and Debbie Harry, shot by Bob Gruen in 1977
Rock 'N' Roll Exposed: The Photography of Bob Gruen
screens as part of 24 Beats per Second
SXSW Film has just announced its features lineup for the 2012 edition, running March 9 through 17. We already knew that the Opening Night Film would be Drew Goddard's The Cabin in the Woods. For its Closing Night Film, the festival will host the world premiere of of Emmett Malloy’s documentary Big Easy Express (more below). The lineup, with descriptions from the festival:
Narrative Feature Competition
Booster
Director/Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin. When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted. Cast: Nico Stone, Adam DuPaul, Seymour Cassel, Kristin Dougherty, Brian McGrail. (World Premiere)
Eden
Director: Megan Griffiths, Screenwriters: Richard B. Phillips, Megan Griffiths, Story by: Richard B. Phillips & Chong Kim.
Rock 'N' Roll Exposed: The Photography of Bob Gruen
screens as part of 24 Beats per Second
SXSW Film has just announced its features lineup for the 2012 edition, running March 9 through 17. We already knew that the Opening Night Film would be Drew Goddard's The Cabin in the Woods. For its Closing Night Film, the festival will host the world premiere of of Emmett Malloy’s documentary Big Easy Express (more below). The lineup, with descriptions from the festival:
Narrative Feature Competition
Booster
Director/Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin. When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted. Cast: Nico Stone, Adam DuPaul, Seymour Cassel, Kristin Dougherty, Brian McGrail. (World Premiere)
Eden
Director: Megan Griffiths, Screenwriters: Richard B. Phillips, Megan Griffiths, Story by: Richard B. Phillips & Chong Kim.
- 2/1/2012
- MUBI
With Sundance 2012 Film Festival over, the next big one on the horizon is South by Southwest, which we’ll be heavily covering. The biggest chunk of the line-up has been announced today, which has some great premieres including 21 Jump Street, Tiff and Sundance hit The Raid, Will Ferrell‘s Casa de mi Padre, the documentary Girl Model (which we liked at Tiff), as well as the next from Broken Lizard, The Babymakers. There are many other promising titles included and you can see them all below. Check back for our coverage for the fest, kicking off March 9th.
Narrative Feature Competition
This year’s 8 films were selected from 1,112 submissions. Each film is a World Premiere. Films screening in Narrative Feature Competition are:
Booster
Director/Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin
When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted.
Narrative Feature Competition
This year’s 8 films were selected from 1,112 submissions. Each film is a World Premiere. Films screening in Narrative Feature Competition are:
Booster
Director/Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin
When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted.
- 2/1/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
South by Southwest, the annual festival held in Austin, TX, has just released its 2012 film lineup. Headliners include Joss Whedon's anticipated horror flick, "The Cabin in the Woods," (previously announced), '80s reboot "21 Jump Street" and black comedy "Killer Joe." Also on the list are "The Babymakers" starring Paul Schneider and Olivia Munn, and "Small Apartments" with the surprising trio of Billy Crystal, James Caan and Johnny Knoxville. You can check out the rest of the bigger headliners and feature films below. For the full list, head to SXSW.com. Headliners 21 Jump Street Directed by: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, Screenplay by: Michael Bacall, Story by: Michael Bacall & Jonah Hill Police officers Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) get sent back to high school as undercover cops in the action-comedy 21 Jump Street. Cast: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Brie Larson, Dave Franco, Rob Riggle, with Ice Cube (World Premiere) Big Easy...
- 2/1/2012
- by Alex Suskind
- Moviefone
Attendees of South by Southwest 2012 are in for a treat. 130 feature films will screen at the Austin, Texas festival taking place March 9-17. Among them are 65 World Premieres, 17 North American Premieres and 10 U.S. Premieres. The organization already announced [1] Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon's The Cabin in the Woods would open the festival (the movie is phenomenal [2]) and today the majority of the remaining line up has been revealed. One of the highlights is the unbelievably smart and hilarious 21 Jump Street, directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller. Both of those are World Premieres. Other highlights include The Hunter, Killer Joe, The Babymakers, frankie goes boom, God Bless America, The Imposter, The Raid, Bernie and Casa de mi Padre just to name a few. After the jump, read descriptions of all the films that have been announced so far. Before I copy and paste the rest of the list, a few minor notes.
- 2/1/2012
- by Germain Lussier
- Slash Film
You might not believe us without watching the trailer yourself, but Minnie Driver does an exceptionally good Welsh accent in her upcoming role in feel-good coming of age film Hunky Dory.Set in 1970s Swansea, it tells the tale of drama teacher Viv (Driver) as she tries to ger her students into sing, dance and act their way through an Elo and Bowie-inspired musical version of The Tempest.A large, relatively unknown ensemble cast of young actors fill the ranks, lead by shy Davey (Ironclad's Aneurin Barnard) and "town bike" Stella (Danielle Branch), creating what looks to be a happy-go-lucky tale of young love, sun-drenched summers and Bowie's musical genius.Take a look at the trailer yourself and let us know what you think - do we have another Billy Elliot on our hands? It's definitely not a Sex Lives Of The Potato Men... Plus, can you believe how good Minnie's accent is?...
- 1/30/2012
- EmpireOnline
Hunky Dory
Director: Marc Evans
Writer: Laurence Coriat
If Marc Evans’ Hunky Dory is anything to go by, the long hot summer of 1976 was a lot more exciting in South Wales than in North London. My memories are mainly of drought warnings, parched lawns and Bjorn Borg winning Wimbledon. But this movie about a school production of The Tempest throws in everything from lazy afternoons at the lido, to skinheads and a spot of arson. In between there’s an awful lot of Minnie Driver. Hunky Dory has its heart in the right place, but does outstay its welcome by a good 20 minutes.
Driver plays Viv May, the inspirational and aspirational drama teacher at a Swansea secondary school. A former actress, her ambitions have now turned to staging a musical that blends Bowie and the Bard. With her Pre-Raphaelite locks, diaphanous frocks and progressive attitudes, Viv makes enemies in the staff room.
Director: Marc Evans
Writer: Laurence Coriat
If Marc Evans’ Hunky Dory is anything to go by, the long hot summer of 1976 was a lot more exciting in South Wales than in North London. My memories are mainly of drought warnings, parched lawns and Bjorn Borg winning Wimbledon. But this movie about a school production of The Tempest throws in everything from lazy afternoons at the lido, to skinheads and a spot of arson. In between there’s an awful lot of Minnie Driver. Hunky Dory has its heart in the right place, but does outstay its welcome by a good 20 minutes.
Driver plays Viv May, the inspirational and aspirational drama teacher at a Swansea secondary school. A former actress, her ambitions have now turned to staging a musical that blends Bowie and the Bard. With her Pre-Raphaelite locks, diaphanous frocks and progressive attitudes, Viv makes enemies in the staff room.
- 10/26/2011
- by Susannah
- SoundOnSight
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