What's On: Screen previews

ROM COM
Gigantic (15)
3/5

So indie it squeaks, Gigantic, is a sweet and kooky little rom-com that features a couple of towering performances (if only because they are the creations of bulkmeisters John Goodman and Ed Asner).

However, those two veterans are not the subject of Matt Astelton's wry little-film-that-could.

Instead unassuming Brian Weathersby is centrestage. This diffident 20-something is played by Paul Dano, best known for his turn in There Will Be Blood. In his low-key way he wants us to know what he's about despite being drowned out by a large, loud family and executing a soul-destroying job selling mattresses.

For reasons that are not entirely clear he wants to adopt a Chinese baby and, pursing this quest, stumbles upon fellow misfit Harriet "Happy" Lolly (Zooey Deschanel).

Their aforementioned fathers cast large shadows and, in struggling to find themselves and each other, Brian and Happy zig-zag awkwardly towards fulfillment with the usual quirks and diversions - including a homeless man with murderous intent who may or may not be a metaphor.

These are predictable yet likable, although failing to add up to anything much. However, the film is greater than the sum of its parts.

SCI FI
Transformers 2: Revenge Of The Fallen
3/5

Transformers 2: Revenge Of The Fallen is, of course, bonkers. But no-one does bonkers with panache, vision and elan more than Michael Bay who picks up the broken toys of the first film and reassembles them into all sorts of shapes and critters for this second, more ambitious outing.

This will mean something to someone - "Decepticon forces return to Earth on a mission to take Sam Witwicky prisoner, after the young hero learns the truth about the ancient origins of the Transformers. Joining the mission to protect humankind is Optimus Prime, who forms an alliance with international armies for a second epic battle."

BIOPIC
Telstar (15)
3/5

Con O'Neil turns in a strong performance as conflicted and violent music producer Joe Meek, considered to be Britain's Phil Spector (right down to the horrendous penchant for self-destruction).

Writer-director Nick Moran's pacy biopic ropes together a strong cast including Kevin Spacey, Ralf Little, Pam Ferris and, er, James Corden to tell a tale of rock 'n' roll genius and excess that produced both the iconic single Telstar as well as a descent into chaos and madness.

Moran maintains an energetic pace that sometimes sacrifices clarity for frenzy but this is a solid piece of work with Con O'Neil entertainingly anguished and eccentric.