No. 112 (2018) Normandie Nue (Normandy Nude) Dec 19th.

Film No 112 (2018) Dec. 19th.  1.10PM  LUNA SX Fremantle . 

"We didn't elect you to undress us" (Local grouch and  chemist lets mayor Georges know his thoughts on the photographic concept).

For those who loved Calendar Girls (U.K. 2003), Normandie Nue could very well be just "the ticket". It's light, comic in places (less than the trailer depicted) and altogether feel goodish. Using the idea of a french rural community doing it tough and the concept of raising morale, profile and eventually finances by photographing the populous naked in a field, Normandie Nue comes to life. The problem for me is that N.N. is just silly; so while mayor Georges (Francios Cluzet) is the nub by which all the characters are developed, there is a lack of chemistry between them. A naive butcher not wanting his voluptuous wife to bare all was comic in nature, at first, then suddenly he's wielding a sharp knife. Just one example of the silliness that blanketed this light, french caper comedy, or is it a drama? I'm still not sure. 7GUMS.             

        

No. 111 (2018) The Favourite Dec 15th.

Film No 111 (2018) Dec. 15th.  10:30 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"If you do not go I will start kicking you and I will not stop." (Lady Sarah unleashes the inevitable ultimatum to Abigail as her jealousy boils over).

Director Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster) is at his creative best and worst in this take on an aspect to the unfortunate Queen Anne's reign during the early 1700's. Put simply, Anne (Olivia Coleman) is powerful but decrepit and lacking in intelligence and fortitude. Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz), is at her side, always, for many good reasons (some surprising) but deep down it's the power she enjoys. Enter Abigail (Emma Stone) who begins at the palace as a kitchen hand but sees an opportunity to be adored by The Queen. Lanthimos has sculptured his most accessible film yet this time using using a rich blend of sharp tongued dialogue and all encompassing (fish-eye lens) visuals. My criticism lies in the film's length. A tighter 95 minute cut may have sharpened the ending. I need a second viewing which perhaps will verify this triviality. The Favourite has turned out to be just that for punters this cinematic year. 10GUMS.
        

  

No. 110 (2018) Eighth Grade Dec 13th.

Film No 110 (2018) Dec. 13th.  6:45 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"By the way, I like your shirt a lot, it's so cool" (Kayla decides to stray from her own advice about being herself and clumsily compliment a couple of the "in crowd").

Well might you think another coming of age film will battle to hold your attention. Eighth Grade is anything but another coming of age feature, let me tell you. Elsie Fisher as Kayla Day makes her audience feel as awkward and uncomfortable as Kayla herself is. In the main it is done without a cinematic coming of age cliche in sight. There is no complicated back story to give us insight into the highlight of Eighth Grade, which is the connection between Kayla and her daggy dad, Mark Day (Josh Hamilton). They have a genuinely warm, loving and affirming relationship. Director and stand-up comedian Bo Burnham is known for his sometimes dark edged work, Eighth Grade is simply edgy. I hope adolescents who enjoy a cinematic outing with their folks, flock to this little adventure into uncomfortableness, it's a gem. 10GUMS.        

No. 108 (2018) Vice Dec 8th.

Film No 108 (2018) Dec. 8th.  11:00 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"So what do you say? I want you to be my big pea. I want you, you're my vice." (Senator George W. Bush tries to convince Cheney to become his running mate for the 2000 elections).

Christian Bale plays once powerful vice president to George W. Bush, Dick Cheney in this smart re-enactment of recent history. Adam Mckay (The Big Short), does an incredible job of recreating the dissemination of power in the U.S. and the influence Cheney had during a couple of eras of Republican rule (mainly the Bush eras). As a viewer it's hard not to admire Cheney's climb to success but this depiction of the driven republican (the over reaction to 9/11 and the lives sacrificed) will soon reshape our views. The real magic of Vice comes via characters played by Steve Carell (Donald Rumsfeld), Sam Rockwell (George W. Bush) and Amy Adams (Lyn Cheney). Imitation of real people, of the highest profile, by actors of similar standing can turn a film into high farce. Vice nails it possibly even better than The Big Short did. Adam McKay has a talent for retelling contemporary history, all be it with a slightly leftish view. 9GUMS.      

No. 104 (2018) Instant Family Nov 21st.

Film No. 104 (2018) November 21st.  6:45 PM EVENT Cinemas Innaloo.                        

"You're just another white lady who wants to adopt charity orphans to make yourself feel good about yourselves; pretend mom!!" (One of the many shouting matches which punctuate the tumultuous Ellie and Lizzy relationship).

A crowd pleaser of a film is Instant Family. Paramount has taken the risk of going big budget, placing big stars like Wahlberg and Byrne together using the heartfelt theme of foster parenting as their vehicle for success. The script gives Pete and Ellie (Wahlberg and Byrne) plenty of room to generate chemistry as they toy with dysfunctional family pressures and a plan for their future, a future inclusive of a family. There is always a chance these big budget films become flippant and silly in dealing with serious themes, Instant Family strikes a good balance. The ride through the fostering process is informative so with the help of Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro as the commonsensical mentors, the right buttons get pushed. This film will no doubt give fostering a shot in the arm. Hopefully the right people become inspired. 9GUMS.

      

No. 109 (2018) Bohemian Rhapsody Dec 9th.

Film No. 109 (2018) December 9th.  4:40 PM EVENT Cinemas Innaloo.                        

"Good thoughts, good words, good deeds. Just like you taught me, papa. (Freddy hugs his father before making his way to Queen's Live Aid performance).

An excellent, colour by numbers, collective of Queen; more specifically Freddy Mercury, and the roots of their unique sound. And boy, does the sound of Queen spark those, 'where was I then?' thoughts as Bohemian Rhapsody, Killer Queen, Someone to Love, etc inundate your senses. Rami Malek is the real show stealer. He works Freddy with the compassion Mercury obviously deserved, with all his bravado and insecurities perfectly weighted. The creative kernels behind the sounds we all know keep our attention but the show stopper to B R is the 20 minute reenactment of Queen's Live Aid performance at Wembley Stadium. The brilliance of this stanza had the hairs on the back of my neck brisling. R.I.P. Freddy M. 9GUMS.

             

No. 106 (2018) Widows Dec 5th.

Film No 106 (2018) Dec. 5th.  6.30PM  PALACE CINEMAS Raine Square,  Perth City . 

"Because it's about my life it's the reason it becomes yours." (The threat issued by Jamal which pushes Veronica to the brink).

Widows is slick, tense and hardly puts a foot wrong, but like a meal of tasty fast food, there is something unsatisfying about it. Linda La Plante's novel about the widows of 4 bank robbers seeking retribution for the deaths of their husbands' takes the form of a 135 minute cinema experience. The six part T.V. series (1983) took the U.K. by storm, so this 2018 version is good business by ever expanding production company Regency. Widows had made its money back within 2 weeks of release. If you like your crime flick to have a sharp script (Gillian Flynn and Steve McQueeen), dark but rich images, sexy undertones (Elizabeth Debicki), sudden, unexpected violence and with a twist or two, then Widows works. But, for me, a fancy burger in a sweet bun only satisfies to the point where I scrunch the wrapper and place it in the bin. 7GUMS.   

No. 107 (2018) Roma Dec 6th.

Film No 107 (2018) Dec. 6th.  7.00PM  PALACE CINEMAS Paradiso,  Northbridge . 

"Of course not Cleo. We love you."(Cleo receives the response from Sofia she'd craved for after asking if the family was going to sack her).

Alfonso Guaron (Gravity, Children of Men) creates his first masterpiece. Roma is stunningly prophetic, depicting love and compassion in such simple terms. Guaron has tried to capture a slice (one year) of his childhood in Roma during the early seventies, through the eyes of the family maid, Cleo (Yalitza Aparico). The black and white images, shot in wide-screen, flow from one steady pan-shot to another as firstly the family and then Cleo are cast aside by men with neither care nor conscience. Why do we become so invested in Cleo and her adopted family? It's the magic of great filmmaking, and you'll know the magic I speak of when the hospital and beach scenes unfold before you. You'll be emotionally stretching out to help in any way possible. Loveless blew me away in early 2018; Roma trumps Loveless. Within a month people will be watching Roma on Netfilx, that's a shame, because the cinema is the place to see it. 12GUMS.

    

   

No. 105 (2018) Sorry To Bother You Nov 24th.

Film No 105 (2018) Nov. 24th.  10:45 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"Here, I'll give you a tip. You want to make some money here? Then you need to use your white voice" (Langston gives Cassius some advice on how to make the type of money Cassius is hoping for).

Now here is a film with something to say. Sorry To Bother You gives the themes of equal opportunity, work-place rights, corporate tyranny and ones right to simply live a decent life an airing. I've heard it said that in case he didn't get to make another film, director Boots Riley has tried to spill all that has been on his mind over the duration of his creative life. Cassius Green(Lakeith Stanfield)lives with girlfriend Detroit (Tessa Thompson) in his uncles garage. He can't pay rent and has no prospects. A career in tele-marketing offers a vehicle to earning an income. Adopting a white man's voice to nail a deal is the first clue to where this story is headed. Corporate U.S.A. will reward Cassius whose moral compass will be tested. I can't help but think of the themes of Terry Gilliam's Brazil when watching STBY. It's worth a look. 8GUMS.