Brooklyn born and raised Jewish kid paralysed with polio as a child, Doc Pomus reinvented himself first as a blues player, and then as a songwriter, responsible for some of the greatest of the early rock and roll era. His life and incredible talent is showcased in the documentary Viva Las Vegas: The Improbable Rock ‘n’ Roll Life of Doc Pomus, which just happens to be one of my picks for the week.
Brooklyn born and raised Jewish kid paralysed with polio as a child, Doc Pomus reinvented himself first as a blues player, and then as a songwriter, responsible for some of the greatest of the early rock and roll era. His life and incredible talent is showcased in the documentary Viva Las Vegas: The Improbable Rock ‘n’ Roll Life of Doc Pomus, which just happens to be one of my picks for the week.
Jappeloup (2013)
Starring: Daniel Auteuil, Guillaume Canet and Marina Hands
Directed by: Christian Duguay
Screening: Rialto World, Monday 7th July, 8.30pm
Exhilarating show jumping footage and picturesque shots of the French countryside come together in this film that’s part sports drama, part family drama. Written by and staring French heartthrob Gullaume Canet, Jappeloup tells the story of two outsiders, a self centered show jumper called Pierre Durand and a horse too small and feisty to be deemed a champion called Jappeloup, who overcome their shortcomings to become Olympic Champions. Canet doesn’t make his character a terribly sympathetic character, he comes across as a spoilt brat for the majority of the film, but his four legged co-star happily takes up the reigns as the films hero, and Jappeloup has the requisite amount of tension and emotion to be classed as an uplifting sports film.
Viva Las Vegas: The Improbable Rock ‘n’ Roll Life of Doc Pomus
Starring: Dr. John, Ben E. King, Joan Osborne & Shawn Colvin
Directed by: William Hechter
Screening: Rialto Documentary, Thursday 10th July, 8.30pm
Once upon a time before we all got on our high horses about reality TV singing shows ‘manufacturing singers’ that was how the music industry worked. Record companies would select groups and individuals depending on their vocal ability, looks and charisma, and put them to work with the best songwriters, arrangers and producers around to create top ten hits. One of those songwriters was the infamous Doc Promus, known to his parents as Jerome Felder, who is responsible for such hits as Save the Last Dance for Me, This Magic Moment, and Viva Las Vegas. A larger than life, complex and compassionate character, this documentary follows Doc Promus’ colourful life in chronological order, until his death in 2011. Music fans will enjoy this.
Super
Starring: Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler and Kevin Bacon
Directed by: James Gunn
Screening: Rialto Selection, Saturday 12th July, 8.30pm
If you enjoyed Kick-Ass, then you might enjoy this wacky and subversive black comedy about a really average guy whose decides to become a superhero by badly stitching together a suit and using a wrench as a weapon. This DIY superhero called Crimson Bolt might not look like much, but he starts making quite a name for himself around town beating up street criminals, but his real mission is to win back his wife (Tyler), an ex-addict, who left him for a drug dealer (Bacon). It’s both funny and violent with a cast filled with familiar faces and a rather bleak outcome – depending on your state of mind, you’ll either find it darkly amusing or depressing.