Film No. 27 (2017) T2 Trainspotting April 20th.

Film No. 27 (2017) April 20th.  9.20 PM LUNA PALACE, Leederville. 

"You're an addict. You're addicted. Just be addicted to something else". (Renton tries to convince Spud he has a skill, it just needs to be re-aligned).

Danny Boyle, like Renton (Ewan McGregor), is back and there is still a price to pay for the characters he created 21 years ago. T2 is an excellent follow up to T1 but I'm not sure that my enjoyment wasn't accentuated by a re-viewing of the original 48 hours prior to the second. The reboot gave me a fresh insight. So what's the real reason Renton returns to face his "mates"? Has Begbie (Robert Carlyle) mellowed with age? Is Spud (Ewan Bremner) better balanced in life after finding his share? Does Simon (Johnny Lee Miller) have new and dangerous business interests? Boyle answers these queries in a balanced, thoughtful manner. 9GUMS.    

Film No. 26 (2017) The Salesman April 16th.

Film No. 26 (2017) April 16th.  7.30 PM THE PINES Outdoor Cinema Joondalup.

"What am I supposed to do?" (Emad is desperate to understand why his wife Rana just wants him to move on).

Here's another thought provoking cinematic contribution from bold Iranian film-maker, Asghan Farhadi. With not quite the power of A Separation it is however just as tautly made. Emad (Shahab Hosseini) is a teacher of substance who is emotionally tested as a husband when a series of events lead to an incident that compromises, in his eyes, his masculinity. Emad's wife Rana (Taraneh Alidoosti) is central to the emotional discourse they must resolve. At the same time they spend their leisure time playing husband and wife in an amateur performance of Death of a Salesman. This is a quality, emotive and most of all a thoughtful film. 10GUMS. 

Film No. 25 (2017) Their Finest April 12th.

Film No. 25 (2017) April 12th.  6.30 PM LUNA WINDSOR Nedlands.

"People like film, the story's a structure and when things turn bad it's still part of a plan, there's a point to it". (Buckley lectures Catrin about the relevance of making a film to boost the moral of people, the words turn out to be very poignant indeed).

Even the poster for Their Finest has the Union Jack as part of its design. There is nothing more British than this film about the making of a war-time picture to boost the morale of its red, white and blue patriots. Ironically enough, the release of Their Finest came not long after Brexit. The film is poignant, sweet, sad, funny, sumptuous and most of all clever. Arterton as the heroine with nine lives and Nighy the vain ageing studio star, work the well crafted dialogue with precision. A perfect matinee movie about the origins of matinee film making. 10GUMS.   

Film No. 24 (2017) The Fate of The Furious April 11th.

Film No. 24 (2017) April 12th.  6.30 PM Greater Union Event Cinema, Innaloo.

"She's the very definition of high tech terrorism" (The description expressed by a government representative to describe Cipher played by a very mean looking Charlize Theron).

As I'm not the Fast and Furious type and seeing this was my first taste of the franchise, I thought I'd ask a welded on devotee to give me an insight into the mayhem I'd just witnessed. "This was the best, man! It doesn't get any crazier than this and to have someone as gorgeous as Charlize as the bad dude is really cool," was the response. It's definitely the closest live action film not categorised as animation I've ever seen. Not being aware of some of the back story was restrictive but then again I'm not a devotee. So, devotee = 10GUMS. Me = 2GUMS.   

Film No. 23 (2017) Get Out April 5th.

Film No. 23 (2017) April 5th.  6.30 PM Greater Union Event Cinema, Innaloo.

"Mum and Dad, my black boyfriend will be coming up this weekend. I don't want you to be shocked, but he's a black man" (Rose mockingly paraphrases a conversation she might have with her parents prior to taking Chris home for the weekend).

When an invite to a preview arrives for a movie still a month out from release (Australia) there is a good chance the film is creating a buzz. In the case of Get Out that was precisely the noise coming from the U.S. after the $35M weekend release in late February. And yes, it does deserve the attention, it is an entertaining potboiler of a film. Like a jigsaw you'll be placing pieces together for days after. Most of all, it blends comedy with the ridiculous then seamlessly gives a positive spin on racism; an issue that continues to dog Americans. 10GUMS.     

Film No. 22 (2017) Frantz April 3rd.

Film No. 22 (2017) April 3rd.  6.30 PM LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge.

"Frantz never told me about you" (Anna talks about her fiancé with the mysterious Andrien).

This beautifully shot post WWI drama gives us a character of wonderful depth, Anna (Paula Beer). The film balances grief, with mystery then finally heartbreak and while Anna suffers all of these elements her resilience and her martyrdom earns her our admiration an admiration she deserves. Beer is brilliant as she takes us to a time when war shattered so many lives. She gives us insight and although the visuals (namely b/w blending to colour) are sometimes confusing, her plight, as she meets a stranger who holds a secret is compelling. 10GUMS. 

Film No. 21 (2017) Berlin Syndrome April 1st.

Film No. 21 (2017) April 1st.  10.45 AM LUNA PALACE, Leederville. 

"Open the door!" (The ironic call from Andi in a concluding scene).

A taut psychological thriller held back by it length, due mainly to repetition syndrome. Director Cate Shortland thrives in another 'couple' film where there is a price to pay for the attraction. Aussie traveler Clare (Teresa Palmer), is alone in Berlin, she falls for local Andi (Max Riemelt) who is not quite what he seems. 'Not quite' is an understatement. Clare's nightmare is our nightmare because of Shortland's atmospheric visuals but a repetitive slow-motion theme crept in. A re-cut taking 20 minutes from the film would have helped. A handsome film with flashes of genius. 8GUMS.   

Film No. 20 (2017) Dance Academy: The Movie March 29th.

Film No. 20 (2017) March 29th.  6.30 PM Greater Union Event Cinema, Innaloo.

"No one takes eighteen months off and expects to get into The National Dance Academy" (Tara Webster is reminded of just one obstacle in her way on the comeback trail).

Don't miss Dance Academy: The Movie if you have a son or daughter with a keen interest in contemporary dance. The film is choc full of nice clean cut characters with good intentions, dreams to fulfil and friends to embrace. The highlight of the film is it's exceptional dance sequences but it could have been so much better. We're never quite sure which relationship to focus on as the film builds its way to a happy and fulfilling conclusion. Finally we have a teen drama trying for a wider audience and like a tasty meal with too many sauces, it's never totally satisfying. 7GUMS.