No. 7 (2018) The Darkest Hour January 23rd.

Film No. 7 (2018) January 23rd.  11.00 PM  LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge

"He mobilized the English language and sent it into battle" (Viscount Halifax comments to collegues after listening to Churchill's "On The Beaches" speech to parliament).

This acting masterclass by Gary Oldman gives an insight into the man, the legend, the enigma known by all as Winston Churchill. It is set after he becomes Prime Minister and during the key days and hours leading to the end of The Battle of France. The magic of Oldman takes greater hold with every scene that passes. Brian Cox (Churchill) gave a passable impression of the great man last year; Oldman's Churchill is far superior and may well be remembered as his greatest performance. How truly vulnerable was Winston in those hours when thousands of his bravest man were trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk? How seriously did he consider immersing himself in peace negotiations during those days in May 1940? How fond did King George become of Churchill? All these questions are answered with great legitimacy, I wonder if the same believably would have been garnered without the brilliant Oldman in the great man's shoes. 10GUMS.       

No. 6 (2018) Call Me By Your Name January 21st.

Film No. 6 (2018) January 21st.  10:40 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"Nature has cunning ways of finding our weakest spot." (Elio's father offers some warm words to his heartbroken son).

This highly acclaimed film deserves its accolades. Call Me By Your Name is a coming of age love story of beauty and eventual heartbreak. The test for viewers may be one's moral stance (age related) once the bond is consummated between Elio (Timothee Chalamet) and Oliver (Armie Hammer). Perhaps the magic of the film is the pure beauty director Guadagnino weaves gradually through each erotically charged scene. The regions of Northern Italy are beautifully filmed to tantalize our senses and give the full experience. The final touching scenes are both revealing and heartbreaking. The minutes we spend with Elio and his dad (Michael Stuhlbarg) while they talk in such compassionate terms are mesmerizing. Tissues may be needed for the single camera shot that lingers as the titles roll. A film of beauty is Call Me By Your Name. 10GUMS.        

No. 5 (2018) The Shape of Water January 20th.

Film No. 5 (2018) January 20th.  6:40 PM Greater Union Event Cinema,  Innaloo (Gold Class). 

"Perhaps I should just warn you about the tale of love and loss and the monster who tried to destroy it all." (Elisa listens to a warning from her friend Giles (Richard Jenkins) after her extraordinary commitment to the amphibian).

A morality tale, set in the past, with a fantastic story of love shared between the unloved. A plain but still beautiful mute, Elisa (Sally Hawkins), is a cleaner for a corporation more secretive than the CIA. Agent Strickland (Michael Shannon) is the real monster here as the family man who will stop at nothing to see his captive amphibian beast (Doug Jones) is slashed, poked, prodded and electrocuted at will. The irony is, Strickland has no idea of the amphibian's powers and how they could be useful to him. This beautiful cinematic take on Frankenstein ranks director del Toro  (Pan's Labyrinth) with the best. Hawkins is pure both inside and out. A costume fantasy for lovers of most genres, but leave the kids with a babysitter. 10GUMS.     

No. 4 (2018) Sweet Country January 18th.

Film No. 4 (2018) January 18th.  6:45 PM Greater Union Event Cinema,  Innaloo. 

"We're all equal here, we're all equal."We're all equal in the eyes of the lord." (Land owner Fred Smith reinforces his beliefs after witnessing an unsavoury incident).

Warwick Thornton (Sampson and Delilah) returns to the screen with a western set against the harsh beauty of outback Australia in a tale from it's dark past. The backdrop and star of Sweet Country is the landscape. Hamilton Morris is also brilliant as aboriginal farm hand Sam Kelly; a man of few words but who protects his family with passion in the full knowledge it could mean he pays the ultimate price. The story is based on a true series of circumstances which, importantly, are depicted to prick our combined consciences'. Thornton is an important voice in depicting Australians, black and white, no matter the time. This earthy, sumptuous drama, while slightly heavy handed at times, is art worth experiencing. Acting stalwarts Brown, Neill and Day are also worth the price of a ticket. 9GUMS.         

                                            

No. 3 (2018) The Post January 14th.

Film No. 3 (2018) January 14th  7.10 PM FENWICK 3 Cinemas Esperance.

"To make this decision to risk her fortune and the company that's been her life, well I think that's brave." (Toni Bradlee makes a point to her husband Ben about the risks his boss would be taking).

The Post is an important story as part of the fabric of what we now know as the catastrophe of The Vietnam War. In the hands of Spielberg we get a clinical costume drama which, importantly, gives the opportunity for viewers other than film buffs to experience the power of democracy when an ultimate truth must be revealed. Kay Graham (Meryl Streep) owns The Washington Post, she is just about to go public with the company, so does she follow her heart or her head when it comes to allowing editor Bradlee (Hanks) to publish on matters of immense public interest? For me, the real hero is whistleblower Ellsberg (The American's Matthew Rhys), a yesteryear Julian Assange. The Post will, once again, have you googling names like Graham, Ellsberg and Bradlee but more importantly may have you seeking All The President's Men, a far superior film. Spielberg is pointed in his choice of final scene here. 9GUMS.         

No. 2 (2018) All The Money In The World January 4th.

Film No. 2 (2018) January 4th  3.05PM Hoyts Millennium Fremantle.

"Everything has its price. The great struggle in life is coming to grips with what that price is." (J.P. Getty philosophises with his confidant Fletcher Chase as he contemplates his grandson's kidnapping).

There are many legendary stories about the past deeds of the once richest man in the world, J.Paul Getty. The story of his reaction to the kidnapping of his grandson in 1973 is interpreted here by Ridley Scott in a tight, edgy film. A film which has had its own challenges over recent months (Kevin Spacey being the original Getty). So why did old man J. Paul refuse to pay the ransom money for a loved relative? Michelle Williams is the bright light here as the steadfast mother of the young John Paul. Christopher Plummer gives old J.P. a brooding look and his scenes with Williams bring the best out in both. You'll be googling the name Getty once the titles roll. 9GUMS.    

No. 1 (2018) Pecking Order January 3rd.

Film No. 1 (2018) January 3rd.  8.00 PM  PIAF Film Festival, The Pines Joondalup.

"I just love winning. You're the centre of attention. It's awesome". (Young Rhys Lilley explains the reason he loves entering his chickens in championships).

This New Zealand documentary is captivating from the opening scene where we meet central character Doug Bain just after he washes one of his chickens prior to placing a blow dryer in front of it's cage. The problem is film maker Slovko Martinov (Propaganda) walked into a drama he wasn't planning on, and for me he couldn't seem to make up his mind which theme to focus on; the politics of The Christ Church Poultry Club or the competitive natures of the poultry lovers as they prepared to display their birds for the sheer prestige of being the best. Pecking Order is thoroughly entertaining and a good lesson in "fly on the wall" sociological observation. Could Doug become one of the best remembered villains of the 2017/18 film season? I think not but he's a crotchety old bugger. 7GUMS.