No. 15 (2019) John McEnroe: The Realm of Perfection. Feb 21st.

Film No 15 (2019) Feb. 21st.  8:00 AM  LUNA OUTDOOR Leederville. 

"The image we have of ourselves is rarely the image others have of us". (An introductory statement made in the narration to exemplify images of McEnroe arguing with a court referee).

Now here this a sports film offering up a new experience. It's like no other sporting documentary I've ever seen and it won't be to everyone's liking, I'm certain of that. During the period of McEnroe's domination of world tennis (1983 - 85), film shot at high speed (extreme slow motion) while he competed at numerous French Open events became a tool for demonstration purposes, to highlight his great technical skill. French film director Julien Faraut unearthed the archival footage in the hope of bringing off an art piece paralleling the mastery of McEnroe with  classic cinema. A deep and admirable aim but boring subject matter in this case. Some time into the editing process it would seem Faraut decided that the film should focus on an event, the epic final of 1984. McEnroe remains predominantly in the lense but the drama of his tense struggle with Ivan Lendl is epic. The film, quite suddenly, is captivating. The Realm of Perfection is the ultimate miss and then hit documentary. I think I'm glad I saw it. 7GUMS.

      

No. 17 (2019) Stan and Ollie. Feb 25th.

Film No 17 (2019) Feb. 25th.  3.50PM  PALACE CINEMAS Raine Square,  Perth City . 

"You don't still carry that around do you? Because I went ahead and did a picture with someone else sixteen years ago?" (Ollie asks his partner why such a long face in a key scene).

If ever a pair of comedians deserved to be immortalized on the big screen for the decent gentlemen and performers they were, then Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy surely stand at the front of the line. This decent and highly  entertaining tribute film, Stan and Ollie, definitely does these world renowned comic genius' proud. Made to appeal to the older demographic, Stan (Steve Coogan) and Ollie (John C. Reilly) simply gives a snapshot of their final tour; a series of slightly demeaning performances in 2nd rate theatres and halls across England and Ireland in 1953. But it's the performances of Coogan, Reilly and wives, played by Nina Arianda and Shirley Henderson respectively that gives this modest film an almighty lift. Arianda (Master of None) in particular is strong, self assured and has great comic timing. Maybe the real story of Stan and Ollie is in the true love each found later in life as their careers faded. 9GUMS.         

  

No. 14 (2019) The Front Runner. Feb 19th.

Film No 14 (2019) Feb. 19th.  9:15 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

"This campaign is about the future not rumours, not sleaze, and I care about the sanctity of this process, WHETHER YOU DO OR NOT". (Gary Hart addresses the press in the days immediately after the story broke of his alleged meetings with Donna Rice).

This insightful film throws light on why the U.S. media and public have gone so lightly on Clinton and Trump in terms of their moral codes of behaviour, with particular reference to their philandering as elected politicians. Gary Hart was the front runner as the Democratic candidate in the lead up to the 1988 election. Many believed he was the President in waiting, if not for an incident on a party boat off Miami, where he met Donna Rice and began an alleged affair. Hugh Jackman plays Hart as professionally as Hart himself carried out his duties as a budding, charismatic presidential candidate. The box office is treating Front Runner as old news which is a shame because this watershed moment in U.S. politics quite possibly saved Clinton's skin and certainly allowed Trump to literally prosper. The Front Runner is as thorough as it is enlightening and will have you shaking your head as to the triviality of his alleged, I repeat, alleged, behaviour in the light of events in U.S. political history post Gary Hart. 9GUMS.

         

      

No. 13 (2019) Arctic. Feb 8th.

Film No 13 (2019) Feb. 8th.  10:15 PM Private Preview Screening @ Home via Vimeo link . 

"This is not on the map. It's not on the map".(Overgard looks above then back to his map as he meets yet another life threatening challenge on his trek to escape death).

Mads Mikkelsen does what Robert Redford did in All Is Lost (2013) only Mads is stranded on the Arctic ice. Mikkelsen is a star in the mould of Jackman, there seems no acting challenge he can't master. We meet Overgard (Mikkelsen) on the ice, scratching the finishing touches into the ice of a call for help which will hopefully be spotted from above. Ov is alone, his plight is obvious. The remnants of his plane have been home for him for weeks. Does he stay, using the ingenious resources he's created in the hope he'll be rescued? Or does he trek out into the unknown? Then something happens, saving another life forces his hand. A couple of polar bear scenes keep Mads, and indeed us, on edge. Done well, this "man against the elements" genre is a winner. Arctic nearly matches All Is Lost for tension, but not quite. Mikkelsen fans are going to revel in his latest challenge.   8GUMS.   

        

No. 12 (2019) Grans (Border). Feb 7th.

Film No 12 (2019) Feb. 7th.  6:30 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

"As a child I thought I was special, but then I grew up and realized I was a strange human being with a chromosome flaw". (Tina explains to Vore, her new friend, about her feelings for herself at an earlier age).

Border boosted Sweden's film profile at Cannes last year, winning the Un Certain Regard award. An award established to reward original cinema. Border is certainly refreshingly original. Mary Shelly's Frankenstein first explored the deep themes of beauty within the grotesque and Border plays with those themes and laces the plot with Nordic mythologies. Tina (Eva Melander) knows she is different but has fitted into society using her refined instincts as a Border/Customs official. Tina can smell evil, guilt and fear within people as they pass. She becomes compromised when "one of her own" comes into her life at the border. Yore (Eero Millonoff), will test Tina emotionally, to her limits. Could this be the breaking point in her confused existence? Border is a very dark contemporary fable. Like Tina, I felt, smelt and lathered myself in the experience. This film won't be everyone's cup of dark, rich broth!  9GUMS. 

      

No. 11 (2019) The Mule. Feb 4th.

Film No. 11 (2019) Feb. 4th.  1.30PM  HOYTS MILLENIUM  Fremantle.

"Pecans, I'm delivering pecans to my niece; she makes the worst Pecan Pie I've ever tasted, I feel sorry for her husband." (Earl is pulled over by a state patrol officer and responds to the officer's question about his cargo).

How does Clint do what he does? He directs this engaging small tale and if that's not enough he plays the lead as well! The Mule has many similarities to Gran Torino (2008), only this time Clint (Earl Stone) has significant family ties and is less grumpy. The Mule is based on an article published in The New York Times relating to an octogenarian WW2 vet Leo Sharp after he was apprehended (2011) "muling" drugs across borders for the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. Screen-writer Nick Schenk (Gran Torino) has a great feel for Eastwood's more laconic, even improvisational ways. There are legitimate laugh out loud moments. Earl's attitude to family and the changes in that attitude as the film unfolds also gives The Mule a clear path to its conclusion. I had a great time with The Mule and so did the ever-green Eastwood. Clint just keeps on giving, he's not only a Hollywood legend, he is a living wonder !! 9GUMS.

          

No. 9 (2019) Mary Queen of Scots. Jan 28th.

Film No 9 (2019) Jan. 28th.  10.00AM  UNITED CINEMAS Rockingham . 

"Your beauty, your bravery your gifts are your downfall." (Elizabeth 1 speaks her mind to her cousin Mary at their famous and most significant meeting).

Who better to take us on a journey of British historical significance depicting two feisty monarchs than two of modern cinema's leading cutting edge actors, the two R's, Ronan and Robbie. It must be said that it's more Ronan's show than Robbie's. The title insists on this. Mary (Ronan) returns from France determined to lead the Catholics via a program of reunification with her anglican cousin Queen Elizabeth. The film, using dark icy rich tones, tells a version not necessarily told in history books but what is unashamedly clear is that sixteenth century Scotland and England, while ruled by women, were very definitely manipulated by men. David Tennant (John Knox), Guy Pearce (William Cecil) and James McArdle (half brother to Mary, James Earl of Moray) give full repertoires' of their talents. Those familiar with their history will know Mary and Elizabeth rarely had face to face contact. This version concurs. There's lots to research after the film's titles roll. The film never explores Elizabeth's true feelings for her cousin and why Mary's life was ultimately cut short. Don't watch this film looking for a joyous, relaxing two hours. 8GUMS.

        

No. 10 (2019) If Beale Street Could Talk. Feb 2nd.

Film No 10 (2019) Feb. 2nd.  10:45 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"Love brought you here. If you trusted love this far, trust it all the way". (Sharon reassures Tish that she should have no regrets for her feelings for Fonny).

Barry Jenkins has adapted James Baldwin's novel with great compassion and intelligence. It's possibly more meticulous from a production POV than Moonlight. The story is simply the tale of two young black Americans Tish (Kiki Layne) and Fonny (Stevan James) who find one another, fall deeply in love and passionately consummate their feelings for one another within days. Meanwhile an unfortunate incident leaves Fonny with no control over his destiny and wrongfully imprisoned. Tish is pregnant, and with the support of her loving family does all that's possible to get Fonny released. Jenkins unravels that narrative using clever, never confusing, time transitions and lingering close-ups to emphasis the ache in the collective hearts of our heroes. Some have called Beale Street "too slow", in my opinion they are missing the point. It's a powerhouse of a film 10GUMS.            

   

No. 8 (2019) Free Solo. Jan 27th.

Film No 8 (2019) Jan. 27th.  10.00PM  PALACE CINEMAS Raine Square,  Perth City . 

"I might change my mind, but, like now, I'd choose climbing over a relationship." (Alex outlines to his loving girlfriend Sanni how he honestly feels at that moment).

As a gimmick to promote the cinema experience that is Free Solo I'm surprised we weren't issued with a small "Free Solo" hand-towel. This was of course an afterthought considering how clammy my palms became while enduring the final moments of this thoroughly engaging doco. Alex Honnold is a different "kind a cat". I don't use the term cat lightly when describing Alex. Film makers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin have captured more than just a freak of nature (Honnold) achieving the impossible, they also reveal themselves as participants to a likely death. The strongest themes come via Alex's relationships with new love Sanni and climbing mentor Tom Caldwell. The power of these connections are a major reason for those cold clammy palms prevalent in that excruciating but exhilarating final 15 minutes. 11GUMS.