Movie Madness

Leicester Square and the surrounding area will be overflowing with movie madness for the next fortnight as the 42nd London film festival kicks off in the capital. Hollywood magic mingles with Cool Britannia and Eastern promise in all manner of forms - from short cuts and epics to animation and classics. There will be premieres and exclusive screenings popping up all over, plus a chance to rub shoulders with the stars at open interviews, masterclasses and the like. Opening up the proceedings there's an offering from the British stable, Little Voice - the movie adaptation of Jim Cartwright's award-winning play. Boasting the talents of Ewan McGregor , Ab Fab's Jane Horrocks and Michael Caine it spins the tale of a gifted mimic (Horrocks) who's getting ripped off by her promoter (Caine) while McGregor provides her with some love interest as a telephone repairman. And in the Hollywood corner comes Bulworth - the festival's grand finale - which stars Warren Beatty as a slimy and corrupt Californian senator who, just days before an election, falls in love and unearths his true political voice as a rapping, radical populist. In between these gems there's a chance to catch more than 200 movies so the law of averages dictates that there's bound to be something out there which takes your fancy. If not, sod ya. This year's festival has been slimmed down by three days but the number of venues around the capital has expanded to 14. A selection of features will also travel to various provincial cities after the close. The London Film Festival runs from 5-19 November. For full details ring 0891 232 030.