No. 17 (2018) Human Flow February 23rd.

Film No 17 (2018) February 23rd.  10:45 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"65 million people have been displaced and have sought refuge in other countries since World War II. Of that, it is unknown how many million lost their lives while trying". (A statistic shown on-screen during the screening).

I live in Australia. I had no say in being born into a life of freedom and choice. I walked from Human Flow thanking my lucky stars. Chinese film maker Ai Weiwei has created a film aiming to instil a sense of compassion into everyone blessed with a life beyond the imagination of the very many helpless subjects who star in Human Flow. Weiwei takes us on a journey to most corners of the globe. His gentle handling of desperate people via drones, HD lenses and unsteady phone cam angles adds depth and dimension to the compassion he shares. His group discussion with the Palestinian women imprisoned in their own country on the Gaza Strip is a highlight. Wouldn't it be great if all the world watched Human Flow thus triggering an outpouring of compassion whereby every country shared the acceptance load? 10GUMS.       

  

No. 16 (2018) Film Stars Don't Die In Liverpool February 19th.

Film No. 16 (2018) February 19th.  6.30 PM  LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge

"What sort of person hangs out in a joint where you're labelled on a lamp shade anyway?" (Gloria sums up her impressions of the cafe Peter takes her to on their first date).

Annette Benning, surprise, surprise steals the show here as Gloria Grahame, the slightly unhinged screen siren from the 40's and 50's. Taking nothing away from author Peter Turner's (look out for his cameo late in the film) portrayal by Jamie Bell it is Benning who fills the screen in mesmerizing fashion. While slightly over long, the film transitions between time phases with no confusion, which adds subtle dimensions to this unique love story. A love story depicting a couple with a significant age difference has to gain our trust, Film Stars has us believing, then reaching for The Google app once the titles roll. All hail Benning though, with the only surprise being Grahame has an Oscar and Benning doesn't. A pity this can't be rectified at this year's ceremony. 9GUMS.   

No. 15 (2018) The Mercy February 15th.

Film No. 15 (2018) February 15th.  6.30 PM  LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge

"Alone on a boat for 9 months, you're either drunk or mad!" (Friend Ian sums up his impressions of Donald's aim to sail around the globe).

The mystery surrounding Donald Crowhurst's disappearance on the Atlantic while endeavoring to sail single-handedly around the world in 1968/69 is re-told in the steady hands of Firth and Weisz. This version gives us a chance to get inside the head of Crowhurst based on his logs and diaries which were found completely intact on the abandoned vessel in 1969 in the southern Atlantic. Did this seemingly sane inventor lose all sense of reality on the high seas?, did he simply fall overboard? or was his pride for family and face so strong he found it impossible to return home? The Mercy is a slightly uneven take on a man who dominated headlines, world wide, for eight months in the late sixties. It works and the gentle beauty Weisz gives Clare Crowhurst leaves one wondering how this devoted wife coped while protecting herself and her children from the weight of rumour and innuendo as time passed. 8GUMS.    

No. 14 (2018) A Fantastic Woman February 10th.

Film No 14 (2018) February 10th.  10:45 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"You won't go to the funeral or the wake, is that clear." (The first of many orders barked by Sonia at Marina after the death of ex-husband Orlando).

Marina Vidal played by the multi-talented Daniela Vega captures our admiration early on in A Fantastic Woman. She loves Orlando (Francisco Reyes) an older man with a complicated life. She has recently moved into his apartment in downtown Santiago, their love for one another is genuine and passionate however at the peak of their devotion Orlando's life is taken suddenly by an aneurysm . Vega, herself a highly respected Chilean transgender actor and model, plays a transgender singer here, yearning to grieve but stifled at every turn by a family (Orlando's) hellbent on wishing her away at the wave of a hand. Vega dignifies Maria with such uniqueness A Fantastic Woman is a raw gem of a film. Chile could well be in raptures during this year's Oscars. It's favoured to take out best Foreign Feature.  10GUMS.         

No. 13 (2018) God's Own Country February 7th.

Film No. 13 (2018) February 7th.  8.00 PM  PIAF Film Festival, The Pines Joondalup.

"It's beautiful here, but lonely; no?". (Gheorghe talks to Johnny about life on a farm in Yorkshire).

This powerful, earthy love story opens our eyes to a workspace where one persons feeling of loneliness and inevitable hopelessness can change in an instant when the company of another is unexpectedly, extremely comforting. Is God's Own Country a comment on the Brexit situation in the U.K.? A resourceful Rumanian farm-hand arrives one Spring in cool Yorkshire to assist Johnny Saxby with the day to day chores on the family farm. Johnny is a binge drinking, loyal son and grandson to Martin, recently crippled by a stroke (Ian Hart) and Deirdre (Gemma Jones). Johnny is in need of a saviour. Gheorghe (Alec Secareanu) is every bit the breath of warm air needed by this sad family. Director Francis Lee breaks from the shackles of safe T.V. drama to deliver a powerful but risky film. An award winner deserving of every accolade. 10GUMS.  

No. 12 (2018) Finding Your Feet February 5th.

Film No 12 (2018) February 5th.  6:30 PM  LUNA PALACE Windsor, Nedlands . 

"I divorced him on religious grounds. He thought he was god and I didn't" (Jackie (Joanna Lumley) reports on the outcome of the most recent of her five marriages).

If the truth be known, the distributors of Finding Your Feet wanted a Christmas release but were not prepared to take the risk. Their decision might just add a little extra to their box office receipts. 

The unoriginality of its script and predictability of its plot may have played against Finding Your Feet in trying to attract the older generation away from the alternative, taking grandchildren to Paddington 2. Given this, and the fact the trailer gives up the best one-liners, FYF is a sweet, slightly funny, sad at times, safe U.K. dramedy for the mature set. British stalwarts Staunton, Spall, Imrie and Lumley are the reasons this film will have a following. 7GUMS.      

No. 11 (2018) Lady Bird February 3rd.

Film No 11 (2018) February 3rd.  10:45 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"You both have such strong personalities." (Larry McPherson explains in warm terms to his daughter why she is often butting heads with her mum).

Coming of age films are a risky business for film makers. There are so many but the really outstanding ones are few and far between. So first-time director Greta Gerwig dips her toe in the whirlpool and gets it right first time with Lady Bird. Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson is a final year high school student from Sacramento (importantly) with attitude and, luckily for us, mesmerising charisma. The trailers would suggest the key moments in Lady Bird revolve around mum (Laurie Metcalfe) and daughter banter but for me the most telling scenes are with dad (Tracy Letts). No spoilers from me here. Gerwig has captured a difficult genre partly because she's an expert actor where timing, charm and charisma are key. At last a 90 minute film, cut to perfection and hardly a wasted moment. Bingo! 11GUMS.   

No. 10 (2018) Phantom Thread January 27th.

Film No. 10 (2018) January 29th.  6:45 PM Greater Union Event Cinema,  Innaloo. 

"Reynolds has made my dreams come true and I have given him what he deserves most in return. Every piece of me." (Alama voices her appreciation for the new life Reynolds Woodcock has bestowed upon her).

Wes Anderson excels as a film maker with range, depth and perception. Phantom Thread could be the torchbearer for that brilliance. Daniel Day Lewis meticulously brings women's fashion genius Reynolds Woodcock to life a very delicate way. The film is less about fashion and more about love, mystery and the lessons even a man like Woodcock can learn in life. Vicky Krieps as Alama and Lesley Manville as Woodcock's overseer and sister Cyril help bring 1950's London to life in a manner Hitchcock would be proud of. Love for a difficult man can be tamed and Alama has a plan. The sadness in Phantom Thread is the fact that with it, Day Lewis has taken his final bow. I hope, like many, our man is having second thoughts, but if not, don't miss this mysterious, potboiler of a film even if just for Daniel's final bow. 10GUMS.  

No. 9 (2018) Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri January 27th.

Film No. 9 (2018) January 27th.  4:30 PM Greater Union Event Cinema,  Innaloo. 

"You know, if you hadn't stopped coming to church, you'd have a little more understanding of people's feelings." (Father Montgomery visits Mildred's house to offer some advice after the artwork on the billboards is completed).

The Golden Globes (Best Drama) have already rewarded Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri(TBOEM) which is not to be sneezed at. Frances McDormond is tipped to win Best Lead in a Female role at The Oscars, so there is lots to like about this highly entertaining film. So why do I think it's a good film but not an award winning film? Martin McDonagh has a reputation for devising and directing sharp, clever, funny dialogue. In Bruges rates as a black comedy of epic proportions. TBOEM seems to want to be taken more seriously, or does it? An example being, bad guy Dixon (Sam Rothwell) changes his demeanour suddenly and far too conveniently, for this highly entertaining film to be taken as seriously as McDonagh would like. I think I expected more but got a bloody good film anyway. TBOEM won't disappoint. 9GUMS.   

No. 8 (2018) Swinging Safari January 26th.

Film No. 8 (2018) January 26th.  1:05 PM  GRAND CINEMAS Armadale . 

"Our parents did the best they could with the bent tools they were handed." (Jeff Marsh gives his theory as to why he is who he is).

Stephen Elliott (Director) and Lizzy Gardener (Costume Designer)have much to get off their chests in this part fact, part fairy tale adventure into their adolescent past in suburban Australian in the 1970's. As a member of this exact demographic, I loved every one- liner, jumpsuit and Tupperware served savoury dish on display.  Their self indulgence was my self indulgence but I'm not sure how the rest of the world's cinema going public will react. The plot is simple, three families have fun in the sun, the sand and the sunken lounge room and the kids are left to their own devises as their parents experiment with promiscuity. So, other than a whale being washed up on the local beach, there's not a lot of drama, just a series of scenes through Elliott's reflective lens. If you are Australian and born in the 50's or 60's don't miss it. 8GUMS.