Film No. 78 (2017) Brad's Status October 21st.

Film No. 78 (2017) October 21st.  11.00 AM LUNA PALACE,  Leederville.  

"Dad I'm about to go to my interview, is this s good time to be jumping all over me?". (A precise question asked by Troy of Brad, who is dealing with his own stresses).

Could this be the most insightful look into the contemporary midlife crisis offered up so often at the cinema these days? Maybe! Stiller as Brad is serviceable as the reflective middle-class dad massaging son Troy into a future he so aspired to. Stiller grounds the film but it's the understated performance of Austin Abrams as Troy which elevates this film to a higher level. Abrams reacts convincingly to  his father's paranoia. Without this performance Brad's Status may have become a Stiller driven (voice over included) cliched shouting match. As it is, Brad and Troy surprise us in this light road trip. 9GUMS. 

Film No. 77 (2017) Loving Vincent October 19th.

Film No. 77 (2017) October 19th.  6.30 PM LUNA WINDSOR Nedlands.

"How does a man go from calm to suicidal in six weeks, that's the question". (One of Van Gough's confidants talks of his reclusive friend months after his death).

A huge must see for those who adore new cinema experiences. This posthumous delve into the mystery surrounding the suicide of one of histories most celebrated painters reincarnates his unique art style on most frames of this highly imaginative film. Perhaps the mystery surrounding his death is overly dramatised in the possible conspiracy theories at hand but the texture and style is mesmerising. Hopefully a "making of documentary" was shot at the same time, because it too would be worth watching. An amazing celebration of art. 10GUMS. 

Film No. 76 (2017) The Snowman October 18th.

Film No. 76 (2017) October 18th.  6:30 PM Greater Union Event Cinema,  Innaloo.

"He's been watching us the whole time, building snowmen, cutting things up into little pieces, he's tormenting us". (Harry Hole sums up The Snowman to his superior).

Most boxes are ticked in this retell of the very popular Joe Nesbo yarn; except the box marked rivetingly tense. Fassbender does a great job as the brooding Harry Hole, a partially broken man who has a nose for solving crime in this frozen world. The scenery and pure white landscape works and the sharp rapid fire editing gives the film a rhythm to match Nesbo's style. So what's wrong? It tries too hard, that's what, then a scene early in the film telegraphs who the killer is. It's a B grade thriller of reasonable calibre. Easy watching on a streaming network in a month or so I reckon.  6GUMS.    

Film No. 75 (2017) The Only Living Boy In New York October 15th.

Film No. 75 (2017) October 15th.  6.30 PM LUNA PALACE,  Leederville.  

"New York's most vibrant neighbour at the moment is Philadelphia, it's true". (Thomas makes relevant dinner party chat to impress his folks).

Here is a reasonably well written drama depicting the comfortably stationed middle class of New York and their emotional trials and tribulations. Unfortunately not even the oily voice over of Jeff Bridges or the beauty of Kate Beckinsale could make this Living Boy thrive. The one love connection of any substance is revealed too late to rescue the film from mediocrity. The script does have substance, but director Webb (500 Days of Summer) marginally fails, unfortunately, to legitimise that quality. Cynthia Nixon as our living boy's mother Judith would have made a better vehicle as opposed to Beckinsale's Johanna. Bridges is sure to attract an audience and he's at the centre of the film's twist. 6GUMS.     

Film No. 74 (2017) Brigsby Bear October 14th.

Film No. 74 (2017) October 14th.  11.00 AM LUNA PALACE,  Leederville.  

"Everybody says they can help me but no one can find me the next episode of Brigsby" (James comments in frustration not long after being infiltrated back into the world).

An unpretentiously feel-good film with shades of Be Kind Rewind, Being There and Forrest Gump all wrapped around a Bear. Imagine a baby is snatched from its family as an infant only to be brought up by a couple of eccentrics who write, shoot and produce a TV program, Brigsby Bear, exclusively for their "adopted" child. It's mostly all he knows, suddenly he is reunited with his legitimate family and filtered back into the real world, aged in his 20's. James Pope (Kyle Mooney) has much to learn. But most of all he is legitimately likeable, his fantasy bear takes his new found family and friends (not to mention us) on a marvellously uncomplicated journey. 9GUMS  

Film No. 73 (2017) Breathe October 9th.

Film No. 73 (2017) October 9th.  6.30 PM  LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge.

"No one with your husband's disability exists outside a hospital anywhere in the world." (The words of Robin's doctor which only causes the Cavendish's the harden further their resolve to bring an independence to Robin's life).

Ever wondered how the profoundly disabled gained mechanisms of technology to bring a mobility to their ; mobility which brings unimagined excitement to their existence? Breathe, based on actual events, takes us into the lives of Robin and Diana Cavendish, a never say no English couple who face up to an adversity one couldn't wish upon ones worst enemy. An undying love for one another and a erudite friendship circle gives Breathe real oxygen. Garfield as Robin is the equal to Eddie Redmayne's recent Oscar gong as Hawking. 9GUMS.   

Film No. 72 (2017) Troppo Napoletano (From Naples With Love) October 9th.

Film No. 72 (2017) October 9th.  9.30 AM  LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge.

"He's not mentally ill. He's a boy from Napoletano!" (Gennaro's psychologist gives a quick prognosis to Serena and her extended, very extended, family).

An extremely entertaining example of big screen Italian family fun. Troppo does everything that has been done before when it comes to juvenile matchmaking of the parental variety and then some. The cast, the coastline, the colour (and the cast again) make this a celebration of mad cap European Cinema. The back story behind Gennaro's move into teenhood as an outsider is the glue which secures the narrative but it's the chemistry that comes from having Serena Rossi as his mom which gives the film a stamp of class. Rossi's Spanish Lady dance is a show stopper. 9GUMS.  

Film No. 71 (2017) The Lost City of Z October 4th.

Film No. 71 (2017) October 4th.  3.30 PM  FENWICK 3 Cimenas  Esperance.

 

"Their civilisation may well predate our own." (Percy shouts an answer to the masses in answer to the scoffing  from the pews of a parliamentary inquisition).

The legend of Percy Fawcett is worth retelling, and needs to be told well. The Lost City of Z ticks both boxes with engaging intelligence. Many historians regard Fawcett as one of our bravest explorers. Initially co-opted to map unexplored Amazonia in South America by The World Geographic Society in 1905, Fawcett (Charlie Hunnan) along with Henry Costin (Robert Pattinson) became convinced that they could find the relics of a civilisation of high sophistication during their travels. For those whos best cinema experiences come from historical costume dramas, don't miss this lavish work. In fact any lover of excellent cinema will get a thrill from Fawcett's exploits. 10GUMS.    

Film No. 70 (2017) L'Estate Addosso (Summertime) September 26th.

Film No. 70 (2017) September 27th.  6.00 PM  LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge.

"She basically just called us fags." (Frederico interprets Jules' Italian impressions of her new friends to partner Matt).

An Italian coming of age film told mainly in English. Teenage friends Paul (Joseph Haro) and Jules (Jessica Rothe) travel to San Fransisco for a Summer vacation. Their hosts, Matt and Frederico, (a gay couple live a free-wheeling life in the sun and fresh air) take our teenagers on a journey, if somewhat disjointedly, of self discovery which affects all who sail on this rainbow coloured vessel. A trip to Cuba is thrown in quite suddenly which will deservedly help tourism in that frail nation. Does Paul really come of age and get the girl (Jules)? Nearly!  7GUMS.     

Film No. 69 (2017) Tommy's Honour September 26th.

Film No. 69 (2017) September 26th.  6.00 PM  LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge.

"You're a hero to this town but a gentleman you'll never be." (Club captain Alexander Boothy complements young Tommy after yet another of his Open victories in typical class encrusted fashion).

A film made mainly for golf fanatics to honour the memory of the two Tommys'. Tommy Morris, senior and junior, (Peter Mullan and Jack Lowden) are bought to life as a celluloid monument to honour their contribution to one of the world's most celebrated international games. Recreating sporting stories can be fraught with credibility dangers and Tommy's Honour has more highs than lows as it skims the surface of the golfers swing and spends time on love, life and the human spirit. Mullan returns to his Scottish roots and revels as the rock on which the foundation of golf lies. The motivation to read a little more of the Morris's legend after exiting the cinema will take hold. 8GUMS.