Film No. 39 (2017) Don't Tell. May 30th.

Film No. 39 (2017) May 30th.  4.50 PM Greater Union Event Cinema,  Innaloo.

"Kevin was extremely popular with the girls, unfortunately some of them have powerful imaginations" (Former head of Toowoomba Prep school describes his and the Anglican diocese version of events in 1990).

Quality performances and a courtroom drama using the actual transcripts bolsters Don't Tell, a devastatingly important Australian story. Lyndal (Sara West) is broken but very brave as she takes on the Anglican diocese, desperate to repair the wrongs committed against her by a teacher at her Toowoomba boarding school in the early nineties. Solicitor (Aden Young) and Barrister (Jack Thompson) team up to become the rocks Lyndal nervously places her faith in. One review I read described Don't Tell as a film all Australian parents should see; I'd go as far as to expand the audience to all parents. 10GUMS.    

Film No. 38 (2017) 20th Century Women. May 27th.

Film No. 38 (2017) May 27th.  11.00 PM LUNA PALACE, Leederville.

"We've always believed that the life we set down for our kids will be better than our own" (A quote from Jimmy Carter's CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE speech in July 1979, a key scene in the film).

This brilliant coming of age drama depicts unconventional, loveable characters and the influence they have on the most grounded character of all, Jamie, (Lucas Jade Zumann) in 70's Santa Barbara, California.  Dorothea Fields (Annette Bening), an older mum works to give Jamie the best platform for life she believes there can be. Lodger Abbie (Greta Gerwid) and insecure neighbour Julie (Elle Fanning) give depth to a clever script. Bening deserved oscar recognition (if only as a nominee) for this thoughtfully, wise film. Warmth Amongst Others ..... now there's a better title. 10GUMS.    

Film No. 37 (2017) Churchill May 24th.

Film No. 37 (2017) May 24th.  6.30 PM LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge.

"The invasion of France must be stopped!" (States Churchill ... to which Ike responds "No, it is you who needs to be stopped").

For anyone under the impression Churchill was the architect of D Day June 6th 1944 then this might be the film to offer an alternative view. The fearless British leader of legendary status had become a shadow of his bulldog self by the time Ike and Monty were ready to launch one of the greatest offences in wartime history. This rendition of one specific period in Winston's celebrated career is brilliantly acted by Brian Cox but it leaves a little to be desired as an example of successful cinema. One gets the impression we are the audience for a play shot on film. Churchill has an abundance of quality performances; Miranda Richardson as wife Clementine is all class. 7GUMS.   

Film No. 36 (2017) I am Heath Ledger. May 21st.

Film No. 36 (2017) May 21st.  11.00 PM LUNA PALACE, Leederville.

"He was the most alive human being. If it wasn't on the edge then he wasn't interested"(Friend and mentor musician Ben Harper describes Ledger).

The prodigious talent that was Heath Ledger (1979 - 2008) is on display for all to see in this insightful documentary. Ledger was always headed for greatness in an amazingly seamless way, accumulating lovers and friends along the way because of his wonderfully warm nature. Ledger's mates Naomi Watts, Ben Mendelsohn, Emile Hirsch and Ang Lee give great legitimacy to his back story. I walked away with a better understanding as to why, sadly, Ledger died by accident, leaving us and taking his talent with him; talents that were prodigious. 9GUMS.  

Film No. 35 (2017) The Hounds of Love. May 19th.

Film No. 35 (2017) May 19th.  6.30 PM LUNA PALACE, Leederville.

"You're going to write a letter to your parents, you've met a bloke and he's bought you a ticket to Adelaide" (Evelyn instructs Vicki what she needs to do to divert suspicion over her disappearance).

It's not often the sensation of wanting to walk out of a film is for reasons other than its inadequacies. Hounds of Love rubbed on my senses like a pair of stiff new shoes rubbed on the heels of my feet recently. Our foray into a modest suburban house during a long hot Western Australian summer in the late eighties takes us through a nightmare most of us have only ever read about; the nightmare of being kidnapped and held against ones will. This taut disturbing drama is made more taut by a memorable performance from Emma Booth as an obsessed lover with little self esteem. If you don't like brutally confronting cinema, Hounds of Love won't be for you. 10GUMS.  

Film No. 34 (2017) The Tip of the Iceberg. May 16th.

Film No. 34 (2017) May 16th  6.30 PM LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge.

"People don't commit suicide in this building, they commit suicide, period" (A manager answers Sofia's question about the prevalence of employees committing suicide while working on The Iceberg Project).

Sofia (Maribel Verdu) is appointed to conduct an internal enquiry into a spate of suicides in a division of the Multi-National company she works for. This sometimes surreal walk through a snapshot of Spain's GFC is slightly underwelming but never the less mesmerising. Verdu is excellent as the clean cut single minded executive, hell bent on finding truth in the maze of a male dominated culture. The GFC struck Spain with dire consequences, it continues to suffer those consequences. Iceberg gives us a sociological insight into one corporate condition. Only a few thrills for a film described as a thriller. 7GUMS.       

Film No. 33 (2017) John Wick Chapter 2. May 15th.

Film No. 33 (2017) May 15th.  6.45 PM Greater Union Event Cinema,  Innaloo.

"I'll kill them, I'll kill them all" (John Wick's catch cry continues into Chapter 2).

The legend continues. The body count mounts. John Wick, better known as The Boogeyman to his adversaries is back. He has a new dog and  retirement lasts just one throw of a stick on his front lawn until he's back working, if somewhat reluctantly. The cartoon characterisation is slick and has the precision of a well rehearsed ballet, especially the rhythmic shooting scenes. Every stanza has its own moves. Those who loved Wick 1 are going to salivate at Wick Mark II. 8GUMS.

Film No. 32 (2017) Wilson. May 13th.

Film No. 32 (2017) May 13th.  11.00 AM LUNA PALACE, Leederville.

"It's like the ultimate argument, it says no I don't want your job, I want to destroy your entire society" (Wilson discusses his theory on a tattoo on a fellow in-mate with that in-mate).

It's rare to feel the need to walk out on a film mid screening. Wilson, unfortunately, gave me that urge. Harrelson is Wilson, an ageing grump with a strangely optimistic disposition. There is an original quality about Wilson but a character who's a cross between Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and Norman Wisdom (Norman Pitkin) is a bridge too far. Wilson contains a chuckle or two in the first half then a cringe or two in the second half. Laura Dern (Pippi) playing Wilson's ex is completely out of place and looks ill at ease in her role; embarrassingly so. The sum of Wilson's parts amounts to a misfire. 3GUMS.    

Film No. 31 (2017) The Sense of an Ending May 8th.

Film No. 31 (2017) May 8th.  6.30 PM LUNA WINDSOR Nedlands.

"What you end up remembering isn't exactly what you witnessed."(Tony reflects on the repercussions of his past with ex-wife Margaret).

This screen version of the Julian Barnes, Booker Prize winning novel translates beautifully to the big screen. The literary minority may disagree simply because the richness of Barnes's prose could only be captured on a page but given that it allows a vast majority of people the chance to taste his deep thought, it's worth this translation. In the hands of Ritesh Batra (The Lunchbox) semi-retired Tony (Jim Broadbent) is sent a legal letter which triggers memories of a dark moment in his past. Clever flashback sequences, a stellar cast and a subtle brooding storyline are bound to trigger personal memories of regret in the predominantly "baby boomer" audience set. British to the core and jolly well done. 9GUMS.     

Film No. 30 (2017) Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer. May 6th.

Film No. 30 (2017) May 6th.  10.30 AM LUNA PALACE, Leederville.

"You're like a drowning man waving at an ocean liner" (Norman's nephew describes his uncle's behaviour ungraciously back to his uncle).

If, like me, you've had reservations about Richard Gere's range as an actor then Norman is the film to quash those doubts. Norman: The Moderate Rise etc is a clever, thought provoking small film with big ideas. Norman (Gere) brings to the screen no past only a future. We don't even hang out with him at home. Norman basically lives a fake life desperate to make deals to help a nephew (Michael Sheen) who humours him. Norman finally meets a deputy minister (Lior Ashkenazi) of the Israeli government, thus he moderately rises. What happens to Norman next is surprising both for Norman and his audience. The irony of Norman's behaviour is both original and real. Gere's performance is worthy of an award or three. 10GUMS.

Film No. 29 (2017) Viceroy House May 1st.

Film No. 29 (2017) May 1st.  6.30 PM LUNA WINDSOR Nedlands.

"You're giving the nation back to its people, how bad can it be? So let's not make a mess of it".(Lady Mountbatten reassures her husband the simplicity of the task ahead).

  

There are conflicting historical renditions of the effectiveness of Lord (Hugh Bonneville) and Lady Mountbatten's (Gillian Anderson) Indian legacy when it came to Britain's hand over to India of independence. Viceroy's House gives a version which paints Lord Louis and Lady Edwina as good people who only had the best interests of a divided nation at heart. The costume drama is lavish with stiff upper lip performances of the highest order from the Lord and Lady. The indigenous love story woven into the narrative is flimsy but adds a human touch. Oh, and there's twist, old Winston C sticks his beak in to set The Lord back on his heels. 8GUMS.  

Film No. 28 (2017) The Zookeeper's Wife April 28th.

Film No. 28 (2017) April 28th.  6.30 PM LUNA WINDSOR Nedlands.

"Maybe that's why I like animals so much. You look in their eyes, you know exactly what's in their hearts".(Antonina talks from the heart as tensions rise in the once thriving Warsaw zoo).
  

Although told with a touch of "The Hollywoods", the story of Antonina (Jessica Chasten) and Jan Zabinski (Johan Heldenbergh) is as heroic a tale about their commitment to saving the lives of Jews in Poland during WWII as Oskar Schindler's (Schindler's List) was. The empathetic animal scenes and lavish images of the Warsaw zoo give the film a powerful beginning point before the gradual tensions brought on by the German invasion brings forth the real human drama. Any well made film depicting great deeds done by good people thus activating a ripple effect for years to come is a film worth viewing. The Zookeepers Wife is just such a film. 9GUMS.