In order to remind us that she can do more than just stare wistfully at vampires and werewolves, Kristen Stewart has been using her downtime between shooting the drawn out Twilight Saga to shoot a series of independent films.
In order to remind us that she can do more than just stare wistfully at vampires and werewolves, Kristen Stewart has been using her downtime between shooting the drawn out Twilight Saga to shoot a series of independent films.
First there was the quirky teen comedy Adventureland staring The Social Network’s Jesse Eisenberg in 2008, followed by two films that show a tougher, more spunky side to this actress; The Runaways and Welcome to the Rileys which screens in our Rialto Official Selection this Saturday 18th at 8.30pm.
Welcome to the Rileys is a low key drama about Doug and Lois Riley, a couple struggling to cope with the loss of their only child in a car accident. Since the accident Lois (Melissa Leo) has withdrawn from the world and refuses to leave the house, even to get the mail, and Doug (James Gandolfini) has found comfort in the arms of a waitress from the local pancake restaurant. In New Orleans at a work conference, Doug befriends an underage runaway and stripper called Allison (Stewart), and sets out to save her, and himself in the process.
This is British director Jake Scott’s (son of Ridley) second feature film, and it’s far removed from his work as a celebrated music video director. It’s a pretty downbeat exploration of how debilitating and illogical grief can be, and a few more laughs would have been appreciated. I only say this because the scenes with humour in them, such as Lois trying to work out how to use the electronic car seats in their new Cadillac, are hilarious.
I’m getting lots of great comments from folks about the music documentaries and shows we’re playing on Rialto this month. Don’t forget that Later With Jools Holland is playing every Wednesday evening at 8.30pm and this week features performances from The Strokes, Wild Beasts and The Charlie Haden Quartet.
And, if you’re a funk fan, then don’t miss Thunder Soul (Thursday 16th February, 8.30pm), a documentary about the Kashmere High School Stage Band that turned national school band competitions on their head in the 70s with their heady mix of funk and soul. It’s a film about the power of music to transform lives, and features some of the most impressive afro’s I’ve seen in a while.
I’ve also got four copies of Jo Nesbo’s Norwegian thriller Headhunters to give away, along with four double passes to the film which kicks off in cinemas on March 4th. All you have to do to win is leave a comment here on the blog, and you are in the draw.