Film No. 68 (2017) Final Portrait September 18th.

Film No. 68 (2017) September 18th.  6.30 PM LUNA WINDSOR Nedlands.

"If it doesn't turn out any good, I'll have to give up. Don't laugh!". (Giacometti exhales a stream of consciousness to his subject James Lord,  who happens to scoff).

A simple story about a legendary, eccentric artist (Giacometti) who flatters a young critic into posing, in his Paris studio, as the subject of another of his famous portraits. No surprise then that Geoffrey Rush plays the artist as only Geoffrey can. The key to the excellence of Stanley Tucci's project is the style of the film which captures the essence of "a man in a mess" (Giacometti). Most of the shoot is based around the artist's studio, which becomes a character in itself. James Lord (Arnie Hammer) poses for longer than the 3 hours promised, a lot longer. Giacometti has been a pet project of Tucci's for ages, so much so he had earlier lined up Colin Firth (Giacometti) and Ryan Reynolds (Lord) as first choice players. My guess is Rush and Hammer pleased him no end. 9GUMS.  

Film No. 67 (2017) Beatriz at Dinner September 16th.

Film No. 67 (2017) September 16th.  11.00 AM LUNA PALACE,  Leederville.  

"It's not as if we are beheading people or blowing up babies" (Republican wife Jeana justifies their behaviour in general).

Another addition to the contemporary morality tale this time highlighting the post Trump era. Beatriz (Salma Hayek), for many, would profile as the perfect dinner guest. She's beautiful, intelligent, sensitive and cares for the sick. But what if, by chance, she sits at a dinner table with Republicans who care mostly about money and themselves? there's even a Donald Trump type character  in the form of John Lithgow displaying classic trade mark psychopathic tendencies right down to the scene where he proudly displays a photograph of a protected beast he'd shot. The final 10 minutes squeezes air from this thought provoking film. Beatriz is good, I was hoping for greatness. 9GUMS.     

Film No. 66 (2017) It September 14th.

Film No. 66 (2017) September 14th.  6:30 PM Greater Union Event Cinema,  Innaloo.

"Cause when you're alone as a kid the monsters see you as weaker, you don't even know they're getting closer". (Voice over of Ben in the promo trailer).

The classic Stephen King novel IT gets a lavish make over for the screen. The issue for me is, what is the essence of IT? Is it made in the mould of Stand By Me (coming of age) or Halloween (slasher horror)? King's novel told the story of a community trapped in a trance while coming to terms with its children going missing. His imaginative writing captivated his readers as only King can. This cinematic interpretation leaves little to the imagination then tries too hard to shock. The young cast along with Bill Skarsgard's Pennywise captures humour, dare and expectation exquisitely however. The box office so far would suggest my criticisms are unfounded. Follow the queues and make up your own mind. 6GUMS.    

Film No. 65 (2017) Victoria and Abdul September 4th.

Film No. 65 (2017) September 4th.  6.30 AM LUNA WINDSOR, Nedlands.  

"What ever you do, you must not look at her." (Abdul is given strict instruction prior to his visit to the queen).

It's hard to believe Judy Dench will, one day, no longer be with us to continue to present interpretations of Queen Victoria. Judy returns, brilliantly again, as QV, 20 years on from her work with Billy Connolly in Mrs Brown but this time without the romance. Abdul (Ali Fazal) is an Indian servant sent to England on a mission who becomes a friend and teacher to QV because he can't do as he's told. There's a simple life lesson, formed from the relationship, in most scenes. It's light, convincing and pleasant, another perfect addition to the slightly quirky, lavish costume drama genre so popular with a vast majority of cinema goers today. 8GUMS.    

Film No. 64 (2017) Patti Cake$ September 2nd.

Film No. 64 (2017) September 2nd.  11.00 AM LUNA PALACE, Leederville.  

"You don't have a musical bone in your body, you sure as hell can't sing, what sort of music are we talking here?" (Barb, Patti's mother, is keen to learn more about her daughter's ambitions for super stardom).

A chick flick with balls and a huge heart is Patti Cake$. Aussie Danielle Macdonald plays Patti, a playful girl with an ample bosom and a power of energy and ambition. She's a rapper of unique talent so this original rags to possible riches tale unfolds without sugar coating. But it's the way Patti, a young lady of substance, juggles life that is most intriguing. Her caring nature brings out the best in all those she cares for. Gran, Mother, fellow rapper Jheri and eventual lover Bob reap the benefits of her presence. Lovers of good fringe film making will fall for Patti and all that she dreams of. 10GUMS.    

Film No. 63 (2017) Killing Ground August 31st.

Film No. 63 (2017) September 1st.  6.30 PM LUNA PALACE, Leederville.  

"Killing Ground has balls. I can't say I've seen anything this brutal presented so elegantly" (Promotional blurb first seen during the film's launch at Sundance).

Here is a nasty little independent thriller set in the Australian bushland. Be warned, it's unsettling because that is Killing Ground's purpose. First time film maker Damian Power has a future in making tense cinema. His use of different time phases focusing around an idyllic campsite never has us confused once the rhythm of tension via the smart script takes hold. Aaron Pederson (German) takes a break from good guy roles. The risk he takes pays off, he's a major reason why audiences will be unsettled. The toughest little toddler you'll ever witness on screen nearly steals the show and keeps us guessing.  10GUMS. 

Film No. 62 (2017) Indivisibili. August 28th.

Film No. 62 (2017) August 28th.  6.30 PM  LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge.

"I knew the time would come when they'd ask questions." (Titti, the girl's mother, outlines the inevitable to her husband).

A sad and at times tragic morality tale from the grimy Italian south coast. Dasy and Viola (Angela and Marianna Fontana) are teenage sisters quite literally joined at the hip. The girls sing like angels and form the backbone of their bullying father's entertainment business. The film captures our heroes at a time of conflicting needs in life. Viola is tempted on two fronts and at the same time is hell bent on gaining her independance. Indivisibili is an excellent social metaphor depicting innocence and beauty in a harsh landscape unfortunately the film's final 20 minutes weighs heavily on the previous eighty five.  7GUMS.  

Film No. 61 (2017) Wind River. August 25.

Film No. 61 (2017) August 25th.  6.30 PM  LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge.

"This isn't a land of back-up, Jane, this is a land of you're on your own." (Ben outlines to FBI agent Banner the reality of a potentially dangerous moment in law enforcement).

A film based on true events. A violent, taut murder mystery wound up like the cold, windswept real life indigenous communities of Wyoming depicted on-screen. Renner (Cory) a hunter carrying a world of hurt and a wet behind the ears Olsen (FBI agent Banner) bring legitimate characters to the snow. Writer/Director Taylor Sheridan wrote Hell or High Water, another character driven thriller from the southern plains. This time he writes and directs to make a point about life in a region where lawlessness is sometimes the norm. Renner is as comfortable in his role here as a wrap around quilt on a freezing night. 9GUMS.       

Film No. 60 (2017) The Lovers. August 21st.

Film No. 60 (2017) August 21st.  6.30 PM  LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge.

"I can't stop thinking about you. Any chance we can find some time during the day?" (Michael sneaks a call in to wife Mary after their isolated night of passion).

Debra Winger (Mary) plays out the reality of marriage 35 years after being swept off her feet in the fairy tale that was An Officer and a Gentleman. Mary and Michael (Tracy Letts) are married and live a life of lies under the same roof. Both have lovers unbeknownst to each other and time is ticking as the relevant partners have become impatient for commitment from our central characters. Dialogue driven with tension and humour we are drawn into the lives of these emotionally tired characters; then suddenly there is a catch. The Lovers is a stylish comment on relationships, baby boomers and life that passes us by before we know it. 9GUMS.