STRANGE MAGIC
When youre as powerful a man as George Lucas is, you can act on any foolish whim you want, even creating an animated version of A Midsummer Nights Dream with moon-faced fairies. Essentially a gnome asks a sugar plum fairy (Kristin Chenowith, naturally) to brew up a love potion for him, which eventually ends in a lot of singing and dancing to overused pop hits in an enchanted forest. Awful in every way, and maybe even demented no child should have to sit through this, and any adult that would choose to do so must be away with the fairies. Director: Gary Rydstrom Starring: Alan Cummings, Evan Rachel Wood, Elijah Kelley, Meredith Anne Bull Theatrical release: 17 August 2015 Ken McIntyre
THE TREATMENT
Belgian entry in the burgeoning Nordic noir cycle, The Treatment takes on the much-exploited theme of child sexual abuse and works some repellently original twists on it. Director Hans Herbots film, adapted from a novel by Brit author Mo Hayder, shifts the action from London to Antwerp and follows senior cop Nick (Geert Van Rampelberg) on the trail of a serial paedophile with an exceptionally sadistic streak. A few too many stylistic clichs of the genre no one ever switches on a light when they can wave a torch around but the plots grippingly sinister enough to keep us compelled. Director: Hans Herbots Starring: Geert Van Rampelberg, Ina Geerts Theatrical release: 21 August 2015 Philip Kemp
LOOKING FOR LOVE
Following 2011 music doc The Story Of Lovers Rock, director Menelik Shabazzs exploration of black Britain continues with this delve into the world of dating. Between the frank group discussions, intimate one-on-ones and poetry recitals, Shabazz tackles everything from friends with benefits to, briefly, domestic violence. Its creakily low-budget but alternately amusing (comedian Andi Osho) and intense (psychologist Dr Umar Johnson); Shabazzs doc makes some pertinent points about modern-day relationships and overflows with warmth. Director: Menelik Shabazz Starring: Dr Ulmar Johnson, Jackie Holder, Dr Dwight Turner, Susan Quilliam, Theatrical release: 21 August 2015 Josh Winning
PRESSURE
After patchy young-perps prison drama Offender, Brit director Ron Scalpellos claustrophobic follow-up neglects the thing confined dramas need most: character. Youd call it the underwater Gravity, if that wasnt overselling. Danny Huston, Matthew Goode, Joe Cole and Alan McKenna play saturation divers whose bell becomes detached from its support vessel on a job. Cut adrift, the seamen the kid, the drinker, etc. panic and squabble. The cast try hard, but contrived scripting sinks all efforts: the deepest thing here is Hustons 600ft-below baritone. Director: Ron Scalpello Starring: Danny Huston, Matthew Goode, Joe Cole, Alan McKenna, Daisy Lowe Theatrical release: 21 August 2015 Kevin Harley
THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM
South Africa s landscapes are lensed for maximum splendour in this coming-of-age drama, which weaves together themes of family, home and spirituality. Following the death of his estranged father, Atang (Zenzo Ngqobe) travels from the slums of Johannesburg to bury him in the remote village where he grew up, an act that forces him to confront his own memories, his fathers legacy and his childhood friend. While touching on mystical traditions, the film is a refreshingly modern take on the hardships of life in the country, a rich, complex debut by filmmaker Andrew Mudge. Director: Andrew Mudge Starring: Zenzo Ngqobe, Nozipho Nkelemba, Jerry Mofokeng, Lebohang Ntsane Theatrical release: 21 August 2015 Matt Looker
