Film No. 22 (2024) April 10th. 6:30 PM EVENT CINEMAS, Cine 16 Vmax, Innaloo.
"I want people to hear my voice and forget their troubles for just five minutes"" (One of Amy's many thoughtful, philosophical quotes inviting people to love her music).
NOMINEE: Most Anticipated film (Sam Taylor-Johnson) BBFF.
How successful has Sam Taylor-Johnson been in capturing an Amy Winehouse story, through the eyes of Amy, in BACK TO BLACK? Very successful, it is the strength of the film, no doubt. Marisa Abela is the reason Taylor-Johnson (NOWHERE BOY) has achieved her objective.
Amy Winehouse was a home loving, uncomplicated daughter, granddaughter and lover who simply thrived in her humble, London (Camden) life. She sang from her heart, with a voice of velvet. The world loved her. An addictive personality and a destructive love life, paralleled with new found fame, weighed on Amy. She was a mere twenty seven when she left our world without meaning to.
There are no actual Amy vocals on this unique soundtrack. This may be a turnoff to those expecting a "cover film" especially in the knowledge the film is full of the music of (not by) Winehouse. Marisa Abela brings us Amy with a real legitimacy. Taylor-Johnson is compassionate and true to Amy's legacy. Amy would be chuffed! 9GUMS.
Film No. 21 (2024) March 30th. 11:15 AM LUNA LEEDERVILLE, Cine 5, Leederville.
"It's such a perfect day. I'm glad I spent it with you." (The tones of Lou Reed echo through the meditative mind of Hirayama as he goes about his day).
WINNER: Best Actor in a lead role. (Koji Yakusho) Cannes FF 2023. WINNER: Prize of the Ecumenical Jury (Wim Wenders) Cannes FF 2023.
Can a film of such simplicity, hang all of its artistic integrity on the lead performance? Definitely not all, but in the case of PERFECT DAYS, the performance of Yoki Yakusho leaves us with a lasting love of a gentle man.
Try telling a friend you've just seen a wonderful film about the gentle, fulfilling life of a Tokyo toilet cleaner and see how much traction you get. Then mention it will take 124 minutes to deeply appreciate our hero. On face value it's not an easy sell, but don't give up. Films like PERFECT DAYS reminds us why film is so important and why watching can lead us to enjoy new dimensions in understanding the world we live in. Hirayama (Yakusho) is a good man who explores hi-tech Tokyo through, sound, touch, smell and simple observations. His 20 year old flip phone and out dated flash camera say it all.
The fact that Wim Wenders (PARIS TEXAS) is German and shoots this small masterpiece in Tokyo has no bearing on cultural interpretation. Any hi-tech city could form the back drop to this story. Wenders' real masterstroke was casting Yakusho as his lead. 11GUMS.
Film No. 20 (2024) March 24th. 1:15 PM LUNA WINDSOR, Cine 1, Nedlands.
"We worked with each other for over 20 years. I read the recipe, and she worked magic on the stove" (Bodin describes how he built a bond with Eugenie which went beyond food).
NOMINEE: Critics Choice Award; (Anh Hung Tran) The Best Foreign Language Film.
Is the opening scene of THE TASTE OF THINGS (T T O T) the most thorough and mouth watering single shot sequence, depicting food preparation, ever filmed? Possibly. It is worth the price of entry to experience this sequence!
T T O T is a beautiful French costume drama (1885) about the love two gastronomes have for food, and the love that has marinated between them for 20 years as they combine to create amazing food in a kitchen more akin to an artists studio. Juliette Binoche plays Eugenie, the live in cook for Dodin (BenoitMagimel). The recipe for their tender love story unfolds as unforgettably as the flavours that linger with each dish they prepare. But Dodin must move quickly to consummate their union.
Vietnamese/French director Tran Anh Hung (NORWEGIAN WOOD) has created images of food preparation most deliciously. The oh so marination of this love story, sumptuously complements every dish made. The images are astounding. Eat before you watch!! 10GUMS.
Film No. 19 (2024) March 19th. 6:30 PM LUNA LEEDERVILLE, Cine 1, Leederville.
"Think about becoming a big star. White people will be wanting your autograph." (Seydo wants friend Moussa to focus on the big picture as to why they need to head to Europe).
NOMINEE: Best International Feature (Matteo Garrone) The Oscars 2024.
Is this the sort of film that should be shown to teenage boys who are about to embark on their own coming of age adventures? Why not! It wouldn't do any harm. It might get a conversion or two started.
The Senegalese boys Seydou (Seydo Starr) and Moussa (Moustapha Fall) live full, happy, third world lives in Dakar. They are friends with a love of creating their own music and they harbour dreams of making it big in The West. They have hard earned money saved, and a burning will to flee to Europe. So they do. IO CAPITANO is their epic tale of ambition, love, resilience, pain, fear, dishonesty, loyalty, friendship, achievement and finally becoming men. This is one epic journey with a smattering of delusional wonderment. I liked IO CAPITANO, a lot.
Director Matteo Garrone's is not trying to make a compassionate plea on behalf of refugees fleeing repression. This is a coming of age tale, with the only Hollywood trope being how much of a superhero Seydou will become in our eyes by the final close-up! 10GUMS.
Film No. 18 (2024) March 17th. 10:30 AM LUNA LEEDERVILLE, Cine 8, Leederville.
"I'm like the character of Rose in Titanic. She tells her story with the help of actors. So I am Rose." (The actor playing daughter Rahma tries to explain her plight).
WINNER: The Golden Eye (Kaouther Ben Hania) Cannes FF 2023. NOMINEE: Best Feature Documentary (Kaouther Ben Hania) The Academy.
Have we ever seen a documentary where re-enactment becomes the mode of narrative to try and seek the truth? Yes, there have been many, but I'm not sure I have seen a more intimate example than FOUR DAUGHTERS (F D).
Olfa Hamrouni, a divorced Tunisian woman made headlines 8 years ago when two of her four daughters became disengaged from the unique family bond they had forged, and then one, then the other, disappeared. They turned up as fighters for Islamic State in Syria. It broke the hearts of Olfa and the young sisters they left behind. The mystery behind their defection not only shocked those close to them, but much of the western world. F D goes a way to uncover some answers, but we are still left with many questions.
Director K Ben Hania employs two actors to replace the sisters. Scenes are played out with the help and permission of Olfa, Eya and Tayssir, in the hope of uncovering some truth. It is a unique take. It's a unique film; experimental by nature. Documentary aficionados are going to take to F D.9GUMS.
Film No. 17 (2024) March 9th. 11:00 AM LUNA LEEDERVILLE, Cine 1, Leederville.
"Rose Gooding, "allegedly" harassed a pretty, young, Christian woman" (The judge announces a description of an incident that occurred between Edith and Rose).
What was the best choice, when it came to casting, in this outrageous comedy? Olivia Colman as Edith Swann or Jessie Buckley playing Rose Gooding? Neither! Both are great, but newcomer Anjana Vasan (as Police Officer Gladys Moss) steals the show.
The Ealing comedy trope, meets Guy Ritchie, meets Agatha Christie could be a description of what WICKED LITTLE LETTERS (W L L) brings to the screen here. The silliness of the script is surprising when we learn the story is based around an actual Littlehampton feud from the early twenties. Truth being stranger than fiction, is indeed true here. Director Thea Sharrock (ME BEFORE YOU) and first time feature writer, Jonny Sweet blaspheme their way to cheap laughs using modern slang in this 1920's setting.
The theme bubbling away at the base of this handsome production, is the strong will of formerly repressed women, post WW I. Gladys Moss pushes aside the cliched males surrounding her to form her own posse to solve this puzzle. You'll fall in love with Vasan as Moss. 8GUMS.
Film No. 16 (2024) March 2nd. 11:00 AM LUNA LEEDERVILLE, Cine 1, Leederville.
"Yeah, I've never been anywhere but here" (Lou confesses some of her limitations to new love, Daisy).
NOMINEE: Best Feature (Rose Glass) Berlin FF 2024.
Is LOVE LIES BLEEDING (L L B) so unique in its B Grade skin, there are few films it could easily be compared with? Possibly, nothing comes to mind immediately.
The outlandishness of yet another sexy, queer romp in L L B brings to mind the recent DRIVE AWAY DOLLS, but they are very different films. Kirsten Stewart (Lou) gets the chance to dive back into aspects of her THE RUNAWAYS (2010) mould. She is wonderfully magnetic here but Anna Barryshnikov playing Lou's love interest, Daisy, is equally as mesmerising. Ed Harris (Lou Sr) is the B Grade essential ingredient, much like flour is to bread. And then there is the chaotic, surprising, concluding turn of events. It detracts for some, it seems, but not for me.
LOVE LIES BLEEDING is arthouse, B Grade, high velocity entertainment. This type of film is rarely made these days. For those of us who saw SAINT MAUD, (2019) it should have alerted us that Rose Glass is a seriously good film-maker. 10GUMS.
