No. 25 (2018) Early Man March 24th

Film No. 25 (2018) March 22nd.  2:30 PM EVENT Cinemas Innaloo. 

"You better go easy on the potato juice before you get .... chip faced." (A typical Dug comment in the lead up to the big game).

I love the works of Aardman especially when Nick Park is in control, thus my bias towards any new feature film from their stable will be obvious. With an aim to being more even handed about my review I invited a 12, a 10 and a 7 year old to a showing of Early Man so I might sit and observe the reactions of those who will be most entertained by E.M. The verdict; thumbs up on all counts. "It was fun, really fun" was the comment from the seven year old. The honesty of the young when it comes to cinema is most often uninhibited. For me, I think the simplicity of the storyline (the lower class winning a contest against all odds to gain back what is rightfully theirs) with a blend of sophisticated humour and uniquely brilliant stop-motion animation adds up to a fun 85 minutes. I predict mums, dads, grandparents alike will jostle for the right to host the kids to Early Man, maybe they'll compromise; they'll all go! 10GUMS. 
  

No. 24 (2018) The Endless March 19th

Film No. 24 (2018) March 19th.  6:30 PM LUNA Paradiso Northbridge. 

"They're all like in their forties, they just look young." (Jason describes the people of this Alien Cult to younger brother Aaron).

This puzzle of a horror, thriller film will have you thinking for days afterwards. That is, if the puzzle intrigues you in the first place. The idea of people trapped in uniquely different loops of time needs skilled attention to detail in blending the concepts seamlessly through 110 minutes of cinema story telling. Especially considering the audience will be exclaiming What The F*ck! for the first 65% of the time. Its worth holding tight because most will be revealed. Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead play the leads (brothers Justin and Aaron) but also co-write and direct. It's raw, low budget creative film-making. They may have earned a chance to work with a bigger budget next time; so long as their creative licence is not restricted. 9GUMS.   

     

No. 23 (2018) The Death of Stalin March 17th

Film No 23 (2018) March 17th.  10:45 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"Shoot her before you shoot him, but make sure he sees it". (A typical instruction issued by Stalin once the lists of his targets were released).

This dark but extremely funny film is a credit to the stable who brought to the small screen, In The Loop. Cutting close to the political bone is their speciality, so taking on the theme of Stalin's demise and all the panic which set in during the days following is no surprise. The film recreates the timeline of events with some accuracy, the cleverness is layered in the script. Stalin's lieutenants including Beria, Malenkov and Molotov needed to find the words while bumbling ahead picking up the pieces of a cruel dictatorship. The dialogue is sharp, mostly absurd but quite possibly on the mark considering the cruel insanity of Stalin's reign. The funniest film of 2017/17 so far. 10GUMS. 

         

No. 22 (2018) Foxtrot March 13th.

Film No. 22 (2018) March 13th.  7.30 PM  PIAF Film Festival, The Pines Joondalup.

"Did you know the Foxtrot is a dance?". (A most profound observation spoken to reveal the true irony of Foxtrot the movie).

This Israeli mini masterpiece is a film described by writer Paul Auster as "The Music of Chance". To describe the film would do no justice to its poetic rhythm. If you are a parent, the themes will have you reflecting on experiences of sliding door moments and how things might have been if contrary decisions had been made. Chances are (there I go again), you won't be anywhere near a cinema displaying a Foxtrot poster. The deal with this emotional essay on the lottery of life in a war torn country separated from civil justice and order is, it's no formulaic blockbuster. This is not for the six film a year drifter, it's for the cinematic connoisseur keen to drink in a concept and to dwell on its themes for days. 11GUMS.

No. 21 (2018) Game Night March 10th.

Film No. 21 (2018) March 10th.  4:40 PM Greater Union Event Cinema,  Innaloo. 

"I've always enjoyed the camaraderie of good friends competing in games of chance and skill." (Neighbour Gary explains his love of Game Night in the hope his neighbours might consider him as a guest at event).

Best described as a ridiculous piece of entertainment, Game Night partially lives up to the hype it has generated. Bateman and McAdams play happy couples as Max and Annie in the suburbs, where a cracking good night revolves around playing old fashioned board games with friends. How could this be padded out for 100 minutes and still be entertaining? The twist is Max's brother, the flashy Brooks, wants to join in, but on his terms. But who is Brooks really and why is the fake "kidnapping" so violent and real? The players have chemistry and the script is engaging with flashes of hilarity. But like a franchised, sweet tasting burger, it's soon forgotten, that is until Warner Bros releases Game Night 2 in 18 months time. 8GUMS.   

No. 20 (2018) Mary Magdalene March 8th.

Film No. 20 (2018) March 8th.  6:45 PM Greater Union Event Cinema,  Innaloo. 

"If there's a demon in me then it has always been there." (Mary talks to Jesus in response to just one of the labels placed up her by others).

Yet another version of the greatest story ever told, this time from the unique P.O.V. of the great man's only female follower, Mary Magdalene. The legend that Mary was a prostitute came from the mouth of Pope Gregory. The film understands why this label was a badge Mary had to wear, but it dispels that myth. Strong minded, independent women were often derided, mainly by men, because "they didn't know their place". Mara (Mary) dominates every shot while quietly seeking meaning from her life with the help of Jesus (Joaquin Phoenix). She is convincing as her inner strength and conviction builds. M.M. is a meditative experience, told in a linear, one dimensional manner. An Easter release is the perfect time for this spiritual contemplation. 7GUMS.     

No. 19 (2018) I, Tonya March 4th.

Film No 19 (2018) March 4th.  8:00 PM  LUNA PALACE (Outdoor) Leederville . 

"You fuck dumb, you don't marry dumb". (LaVona issues a little more unsolicited advice to her daughter on her wedding day; perhaps more insightful than her daughter realised at the time).

A slick, cleverly devised movie (a portion told from transcripts of interviews) about the most hated woman in the world during the year of 1994, skater Tonya Harding. I've heard it said Nancy Kerrigan deserved the honour of a movie, after all she was the athlete most wronged. Not for me. Margo Robbie (Tonya), Allison Janney (mum, LaVona) and Sebastian Stan (husband Jeff) take us by the throat and tells us how it was. It's not pretty and Tonya deserved a speck of what she got (a life ban from professional skating), but Robbie is very compelling and there's never a pause to ask for sympathy. If Janney's LaVona doesn't have mothers inhaling in disbelief then she needs to hand back her Oscar. Then finally, once your throat is released and the titles descend, don't miss the famous archival footage of Harding's first triple axel x 2 performance in 1991, it's stunning! 11GUMS.     

No. 18 (2018) See You Up There (Au revoir la-haul) February 26th.

Film No. 18 (2018) February 26th.  6.30 PM  LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge

"You survive four years of war, even with that face your father will be pleased". (Albert talks optimistically to his friend and saviour Edouard, by his bedside).

This stylish French fairytale told with such colour, texture and nuance is all class. But it could have been oh so much better with a cut and trim. Two hours to convey a simple morality tale cries out for a 95 minute treatment. Psychopathic war general Henri (Laurent Lafitte) sparks a battle in the trenches in 1918 which brings our heroes Albert (Albert Dupontel) and Edouard (Nahuel Perez Biscayart) to saving each other from certain death in a 2 minute period. Edouard learns to live a creative life thus hiding his physical disfigurement while Albert devotes his life to repatriation and righting the wrongs of their past. Lafitte plays the cad to perfection. Au Revoir La-Haut is a feast in the realms of Jeunet's Micmacs and Amelie. 9GUMS.