Film No. 90 (2017) The Boers At The End Of The World November 19th.

Film No. 90 (2017) November 19th.  5:10 PM Redmond Theatre, Ocean Reef.

"There's only about 45 people who speak Afrikaans and those who speak really good Afrikaans .... may only be 10". (A 4th generation descendant talks about the disappearing language of the community).

This earthy documentary told in clear High Def colour takes us to a world rich with history. During the Boer War in the early nineteen hundreds a community of Afrikaans families sailed across the Atlantic to Patagonia, Argentina to escape the violence. 116 years on there is a hankering from the descendants, particularly in the form of patriarch Ty Dickason (82), to return to their home land to re-connect. The Afrikaans dialect still spoken in their small community remains intact but it slowly dies with each new generation. Will Ty, who has never flown on a plane, get his wish to return to his roots? History told through the eyes of characters as earthy and hardened as the Patagonian rock and dust they live on. 10GUMS.      

Film No. 89 (2017) Liewe Kersfeesvader (Dear Santa Klaus) November 18th.

Film No. 89 (2017) November 18th.  8:10 PM Redmond Theatre, Ocean Reef.

"Hello, my name is Nonnie and my father is a lunatic". (Nonnie quietly prays during a sacred moment).

A richly themed modern day Christmas musing told through the eyes of Nonnie, a teenage beauty queen, about to embark on a family odyssey brought about by the sudden departure of her mother from the bosom of the family. Mila Guy as Nonnie brings a mesmerising quality to the screen with a combination of poise and beauty. Nonnie is the rock on which her dad, Herman (Morne Visser) who thinks he's Father Christmas and her fun-loving brother can lean, only they don't know it. Discounting the elongated ending this South African festive tale is a rare gem with an ample heart. Look out for Mila Guy on the world stage in coming years. 9GUMS.      

Film No. 88 (2017) The Florida Project November 18th.

Film No. 88 (2017) November 18th.  11.00 PM LUNA PALACE,  Leederville. 

"These are the rooms we are not supposed to go in, but let's go in anyway". (Moonie cheekily introduces a new member of her gang to her motel world, the mauve coloured, Magic Castle).

A film depicting how life really is for young Moonie (Brooklynn Prince) and her seemingly adolescent mum Hally (Bria Vinaite) as they eke out an existence in a mauve coloured, $39 a night, motel complex in Tampa, Florida. The irony is, Disney World and the remnants of the GFC exist in abundance within running distance for an innocent 6 year old. Realism, especially from Moonie and her small fiends is rarely depicted with such conviction and power. New comers to the screen, Prince and Vinaite are exceptional as the small family we bleed for. Then there is Willem Dafoe as Bobby who has heart, but he's torn between compassion and keeping his job as a lowly motel manager. His performance may earn an Oscar nomination. Don't miss this, but only if you're looking for a warts and all experience. 11GUMS.     

Film No. 87 (2017) Durban Poison November 17th.

Film No. 87 (2017) November 17th.  7:10 PM Redmond Theatre, Ocean Reef.

"So what do you think happens to people when they die anyway?". (Pieter asks the new love in his life Charmaine, in their early days of unbridled lust).

A nasty little trip down memory lane for those who remember a couple of lost, insecure renegades caught up in a violent drug hazed road trip across the South African countryside. Charmaine Phillips (Cara Roberts) and Pieter Grundlingh (Brandon Auret) take us via flashback through their 80's rampage and the journey is not uplifting in any way. Cara Roberts is key to this fractured love story, we're never sure if she's being truthful in her reminiscences. The film is earthy and roughly cut, but that's the essence of Durban Poison. It just misses the mark. 6GUMS.

Film No. 86 (2017) Only The Brave November 16th.

Film No. 86 (2017) November 16th.  6:45 PM Greater Union Event Cinema,  Innaloo.

"I want you all to breathe in this beautiful vista because once you're hotshots you're never going to be able to look into the wild like this again. (Eric Marsh delivers his message to the newbies in his crew as he  seeks to change their status).

This is typical of the type of tribute film with a Trump endorsed stamp all over it. This is not a criticism, just an observation based on all the facts now out in the public domain post the events this story is based around. Only The Brave follows the trials and tribulations of Eric Marsh's, Granite Mountain Hot Shots, in the lead up to the eventual climax in the fortunes of 20 brave men and their families. There are moments of bravado, boys own adventure, love, overcoming adversity, recognizing ones own frailties and those of others then finally compassion of the highest order. The sum of it's parts adds up to competent film making but it does try a little hard, a bit like Donald himself. A worthy tribute never the less. 8GUMS.    

Film No. 85 (2017) Blade Runner 2049 November 12th.

Film No. 85 (2017) November 12th.  2:45 PM Greater Union Event Cinema,  Innaloo.

"We could keep it at this or we could have a drink". (Deckard lightens the atmosphere minutes after meeting K).

Sequel can be a dirty word when it comes to films that are best described as iconic. Ridley Scott's original Blade Runner (what ever cut) is a classic. Because of the sausage factory like reproduction of films now, Blade Runner 2049 will likely not fall into the classic mold but it's a worthy nominee. The slow burning intrigue which is polarising critics and audiences alike maintains the continuity in art and style with the original and it's from here my love for 2049 emanates. Gosling is the new Deckard, playing K. His cool exterior while all the world disintegrates around him gives Ford a run for his money. Then as the poster suggests, they meet and the 2049 twist satisfies. 11GUMS.     

Film No. 84 (2017) School Life November 8th.

Film No. 84 (2017) November 8th.  6.40 PM LUNA PALACE,  Leederville. 

"It's up to you what you think you can learn. All of you are in charge of your own lives". (The Headmaster of Headfort School impresses upon his students a philosophy always included in his introductory speech).

While nothing about Headford School, an hour's drive from Dublin, gives the impression it is an expensive, highly prestigious, U.K. boarding school, the sorts of good young people it produces would suggest otherwise. The corner stones of this riveting real life drama are career teachers John and Amanda Leydon. Both are in their 60's and totally devoted to the children. Scene after scene is played out demonstrating the unique brand of connection they make with each child. It's often said the happier the child in their junior years, the happier that person will be in life. I wouldn't mind betting, thanks to people like John and Amanda, a vast majority of those who started life at Headword would be enjoying their life.  11GUMS.   

Film No. 83 (2017) On Chesil Beach November 5th.

Film No. 83 (2017) November 5th.  1.40 PM  LUNA SX, Fremantle.

"I can always love you, and I want to be with you for the rest of my life, I will understand." (Florence lays it on the line to Edward on Chesil Beach).

Ian McEwan takes screenplay control of his own novel in a beautifully crafted love story. Florence (Saoirse Ronan) and Edward (Billy Howle) are newly married and hours into their honeymoon set in the traditional suite of a beachside hotel. Their love for one another is obvious. As the camera moves in to capture each reflective thought, we cut to a flashback which slowly unveils the reason for their devotion to one another. Then there is a moment when their lives take a significant shift, yet the moment, on the surface, seems insignificant. It's likely rivers run deep as we reflect on Florence's past and ultimately there's an unfortunate price to pay. It could be said, they don't make old fashioned love stories like On Chesil Beach anymore! 10GUMS.    

Film No. 82 (2017) Jigsaw October 30th.

Film No. 82 (2017) October 30th.  6:45 PM Greater Union Event Cinema,  Innaloo.

"Salvation can be yours, with the offering of your blood will set you free, I want to play a game.". (The voice of malice in Jigsaw's opening scene).

The franchise is back. Jigsaw carries on from the previous 7 Saw films. I'm not a Saw devotee, the original is my one and only other experience so how do I best judge this cruel adventure into torture porn? I don't, I talk to the real Saw champions and ask their impressions. The overwhelming view was that Jigsaw lacked any semblance of freshness both from a narrative and effects POV. The finale was predictable except perhaps for the eventual survivor. A yawn for most it would seem. However I am impressed with these vehicle features which give body mutilation effects artists new challenges in what could become a dying art form (no pun intended).  5GUMS.   

Film No. 81 (2017) The Bookshop October 28th.

Film No. 81 (2017) October 28th.  4.10 PM  LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge

"Leave her alone, the woman has done nothing to you." (Mr Brandish pleads with Violet to let Florence run her bookshop in peace).

A rumination of a film set around the quintessential English coastal village of Hardborough. Florence Green (Emily Mortimer) works to overcome grief by risking all she has to establish a bookshop in a town bereft of recreational readers. If that doesn't sound too dramatic then you're right. It's the goodness in Florence and the pride with which she carries herself through the adversity of her meetings with a mean minded bank manager and a killjoy town snob, Violet Gamart (Patricia Clarkson) that gives the film charm. Bill Nighy does what Bill does best and teams with child actor Honor Kneafsey to reinforce the goodness in Florence. Spanish director Coixel brings a beautiful uniqueness to a quirky British setting without a whiff of predictability.  10GUMS.    

Film No. 80 (2017) Three Summers October 26th.

Film No. 80 (2017) October 26th.  7.00 PM GRAND CINEMAS Como.

"Do, do, do you want me to take you down?". (Overly officious security guard Linda warns a young girl against trying to pass her, simply to visit the bathroom).

Light, frothy, harmless and overly preachy best describes this Ben Elton (Black Adder) feature. Unfortunately the cumbersome moral messages (Aboriginal land rights and Immigration) impede the real strengths (scenes where dialogue driven character development are on show) in Three Summers. The story of young love between a sweet couple (Rebecca Breeds and Nicholas Boshier) blooms over 3 Summers at a Folk Festival in rural Western Australia. The rest plays out like a series of skits highlighting a handful of sweet, well meaning characters. Harmless fun and importantly, Elton earnestly contributes to W.A.'s gradually maturing film industry. 6GUMS.      

Film No. 79 (2017) The Midwife October 21s.

Film No. 79 (2017) October 22nd.  4.30 PM LUNA WINDSOR Nedlands.

"I thought you were a Hungarian princess with Russian blood". (Claire reveals to her estranged step mother  early in their reunion after a prolonged separation).

What a fine way to team the two great Catherine's (Frot and Deneuve), telling a not unexpected story of women restoring a relationship once fractured. Claire (Frot) is the midwife dealing with a health system hell bent on saving money through technology and a once, much loved step-mother, Beatrice (Deneuve) suddenly seeking to rekindle the same devotion afforded to her 30 years prior. Does it work? Is the feel good premise telegraphed? Are we in awe of the work of these two talented actors? Does the ending give off a real world experience? Yes, yes, yes and yes on all counts.  9GUMS.