No. 26 (2019) Pet Sematary. March 25th.

Film No 26 (2019) March 25th.  7:00 PM  GRAND CINEMA Cygnet Como. 

"There's something up there. Something that dates way back. Those woods belong to something else. (Jud talks with Louis as they walk towards that dark corner of the woods).

Surely a Stephen King story is both the easiest and most difficult tale to adapt to the screen. Easy because the tense story is already created, difficult because making your audience scared, really scared right on cue takes skill. The screenplay for Pet Sematary (1989) was written by King himself and surprisingly only gained moderate reviews. Pet Sematary (2019) is getting a warmer reception but surely not for any new and original tension building techniques. The Creed (Jason Clarke and Amy Seimetz) family are looking for a tree change but once only daughter Ellie (Jete Laurence), strays into the dark wooded "backyard" we know something unpleasant is imminent. King's narrative maintains the theme of exploring the depth to which human grief can cloud decision making, only with a major character shuffle. The pet cat, Church, plays his role and becomes the motley moggie King created. It's a colour by numbers version, but every colour is perfectly shaded and within the lines. Oh, and there's a big, big sequel set-up to conclude matters. One for the genre devotees. 8GUMS.     

        

No. 25 (2019) mid90s. March 18th.

Film No 25 (2019) March 18th.  6:45 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

"You're so cute, you're at that age before guys become dicks". (Estee seduces Stevie in another of his rapid transition into adolescence).

There has always been something expansive and surprising about Jonah Hill's acting range. After mid90's I'm convinced he is a filmmaker with a similar range. mid90s, like Eighth Grade, captures the anxiety of wanting, then doing all within one's power, to belong. Perhaps one of human nature's most widely experienced anxieties. Enter Stevie (Sunny Suljic) a young man hemmed in by brother Ian (Lucas Hedges) and single mum Dabney (Kath Waterson) and in a hurry to fast forward to adolescence. He eyes off the group of his choice in a skateboard shop. The mixture of easy language (improvised at times) mixed with subtle dramas relating to territory, and ranking in the group, makes for 95 minutes of fresh cinema. Some of the skating is thrilling. Ray (Na-kel Smith) holds the key to some of those thrills and the film's deeper philosophies. Families prone to taking a risk in their love for cine art should take a risk with mid90's. 9GUMS.

      

No. 24 (2019) The Trouble With You (En Liberte). French Film Fest. March 17th.

Film No 24 (2019) March 17th.  3.45PM  PALACE CINEMAS Raine Square,  Perth City . 

"I'll just get some cigarettes, I'll be five minutes" (Antione interrupts an intimate moment with Agnes to fulfill a craving, leading to a moment of hilarity).

Another original, lively example of French cine art. Original to the point that it layers fantasy with slap-stick comedy in a way I've not seen in a while. En Liberte tells the story of newly widowed Lt Yvonne Santi (Adele Haenel) coming to terms with the death of husband Capt. Jean Santi (Vincent Elbaz) a hero in the eyes of all. However Yvonne finds otherwise; an innocent man, Antoine (Pio Marmai) has served years in prison due to the corrupt behaviour of Jean. See, it doesn't give off the feel of a comedy does it? That's were the fantasy comes in. From the opening scene (repeated in varying versions of "truth" throughout) the fairy story that is En Liberte is revealed. Some of the visual humour is laugh out loud funny but as a complete feature film there is something slightly unsatisfying. The love story doesn't work for starters. Then while aiming for more laughs some of the scenes try too hard and thus become silly. Audrey Tautou's Agnes is never fully developed but she is a delight as always. I do however like a film with genuinely hilarious moments, En Liberte. 8GUMS.

   

No. 23 (2019) Destroyer. March 16th.

Film No 23 (2019) March 16th.  11:15 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

"I didn't want you to be like me. I'm mad, I'm still fucking mad, it's burned a circuit in my brain. (Erin tries to make peace with daughter Shelby).

If told Nicole Kidman plays an emotionally wrecked cop (Erin Bell) whose soul has been laid bare through her professional dedication to a grimy  undercover operation, you may be sceptical; I was. I needn't have been, Kidman, while spasmodically melodramatic, steers this puzzle of a thriller most competently. Kidman shows a pure range in the flashback scenes which makes her the right choice for this role. A twenties something Erin fills our screen legitimately with vitality and energy, and parallels present day Erin chillingly. There are holes in this film, but the satisfaction of placing a small puzzle piece in precisely the right place, is the satisfaction that is Destroyer (not sure about the title). And, of course, the Kidman effect. 9GUMS.

          

No. 22 (2019) Revenge. March 10th.

Film No 22 (2019) March 10th.  8:15 PM Private Preview Screening @ Home via Vimeo link . 

"Why must women always have to put up a fight?".(Richard stares threateningly into the eyes of Jen as blood and sweat drips from his brow).

Don't you just love it, Revenge. It's a word in cinema terms that screams out for someone to pay a price. In this French/Belgium production viewers need to be warned that Revenge plays out as a super/hero fantasy (with gore, lots of gore) and you bet; there are prices, let me repeat prices to pay. Matilda Lutz plays Jen the beautiful blonde bombshell accompanying family man Richard (Kevin Janzzen) on a hunting trip. Jen is there as his "play thing" but the mood changes when his buddies Stan and Dimitri arrive. Revenge is a B Grade gore fest but the lovers of this genre will rejoice. It's rich colour hues (deep blue and reds) tantalize and the make-up special effects (Laetifia Quilley) will have you squirming uncontrollably. The fear of stepping on glass may become your phobia after Revenge.  This is not a genre I love but devotees are going to have a contrary view. Oh, and if you are OCD about cleaning, give Revenge a wide berth. 8GUMS.

 

        

No. 21 (2019) Capernaum (Chaos). March 9th.

Film No 21 (2019) March 9th.  4:45 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

The english translation for the film's title Capernaum is CHAOS. (Perhaps there won't be a better definition of the term than is depicted here).  

You may never meet a braver more admired 12 year old than Zain in all your life time excursions to the cinema, that is if you do indeed decide to take on the challenge that is Capernaum. This award winning tribute to all the disaffected people (but mainly children) who are born into a life they did not ask for, then proceed to bravely meet one seemingly insurmountable challenge after another is a triumph. Zain (Zain Al Rafeea) is our hero here. He lives with his family in Beirut with parents who don't care - because they can't care. He runs away to try to make a better life  for himself, only to be challenged again, but this time in a way that has us barracking and weeping for him. He is tested beyond his years (the child he cares for is adorable), he makes a stand beyond his years, way, way beyond his years and all for what? Director/Writer Nadine Lakabi has made a film using locals. The six month shoot must be a story in itself as her cast must have battled with the challenges within their own lives while also committing to this artwork. Capernaum is groundbreaking. If everyone living a first world life saw it, then perhaps real compassion among "The Lucky" would truly grow and comments like "I don't know if I needed that" coming from the 3rd row back as the screen goes to black would be rephrased as, "What can I do to help". 11GUMS.

    

No. 20 (2019) Premieres Vacances (Our Happy Holiday). March 7th.

Film No 20 (2019) March 7th.  1:15 PM Private Preview Screening @ Home via Vimeo link . 

"What did I expect, coming away with a girl I hardly know?".(Ben speaks his mind after a key beachside altercation).

Marion (Camille Chamoux) and Ben (Jonathon Cohen) are not representative of your typical Tinder date here. It's the type of romantic comedy French cinema is so adept at. A couple hook up, enjoy each other in every way, then test the chemistry with a holiday; a holiday with its beginnings on the underwhelming Bulgarian coast. The thing about Premieres is that we know where it's going. The premise is that opposites attract, they have their tussles over issues of opinion, values, and status along the way and these eventually come to a head. The leads are loveable enough (in particular Chamoux) so we're happy to ride almost every bump. Excepting for a couple of silly scenes (a particularly ridiculous pool scene), Premieres is an indulgence of little substance but plenty of heart. The French have so mastered this type of light entertainment. 8GUMS.  

    

No. 19 (2019) Hotel Mumbai. March 1st.

Film No 19 (2019) March 1st.  10:45 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

"I have been here thirty five years, this is my home". (The response from a humble footman when asked if there are employees keen to leave through a back entrance).

Knowing the death-toll of this dastardly act of terrorism means your cinematic experience on deciding to attend Hotel Mumbai is going to be excruciating at times. This was a terrorist attack of the most frightening kind. Hide and seek, knowing that if found the consequence would be both brutal and likely fatal. Co Writer and director Anthony Maras has devised a thoroughly tense depiction of this 2008 drama. The real importance of H.M. is that it pays tribute to the bravery shown by the dedicated employees. Arjun (Dev Patel) and Hermant (Anupam Kher) represent the many loyal, humble heroes who lived in the slums close by, earned a pittance at H.M. then risked everything to save the guests they served. Hotel Mumbai is equivalent to taking a stomach punch but you appreciate why. It's tense but far from fun! 8GUMS.

     

No. 18 (2019) Fighting With My Family. Feb 27th.

Film No. 18 (2018) February 27th.  6:40 PM EVENT Cinemas Innaloo.                        

"Do you know what it's like to want one thing in life and then your own sister takes it away from you." (Zak pleased his case for coach to re-consider hoping to be selected to try-out in the U.S. big league).

If you've never heard the real life story of Saraya-Jade Bevis AKA Paige of WWE wrestling fame then resist Google and go see Wrestling With My Family. This engaging, heartfelt comedy, takes us on the real life (with fairytale short cuts) ride of Saraya-Jade as she, with the help of her wrestling family, stretches (literally) to reach a dream. The script in the hands of Stephen Merchant (Extras, Life's Too Short) begins with a series of belly laughs before being bogged down in predictable sentimentality to finally rise again into a rowdy, raucous, rollicking, fist pumping yarn. The Rock (Producer) is not as pivotal as the poster would suggest but money talks so The Rock does as he wishes. "A comedy about a family that fights a little differently" is a promo catch-phrase that sums WWMF perfectly. It's a crowd pleaser; so much so, I predict small wrestling associations world wide are about to be inundated with new members.  P.S. Stay for the credits. 9GUMS.

      

No. 16 (2019) The Guilty. Feb 23rd.

Film No 16 (2019) Feb. 23rd.  10:45 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

"Does the person you are with know you have called us?". (Asger shapes his questions so the answers won't raise suspicion of the person Iben is with).

In the vain of Locke (2013), The Guilty takes us on an 88 minute real-time, fly on the wall, journey with the very complicated Asger Holm (Jakob Cedergren) sitting, under sufferance, in the Copenhagen police emergency call centre. The power of imagination can be forgotten in modern day film making but not in The Guilty. We begin our journey with Asger, there's something on his mind, he receives a distress call; suddenly he's a pivotal player in a kidnapping. From the outset we make similar assumptions to Asger in our interpretation of what's happened. The voices, brilliantly mixed, give us a picture of the melstrom swirling through the ears of Asger. Every minute that passes, every tight close-up, every subtle pause in conversation, The Guilty is not everything it seems. Could this 88 minute interlude into Asger's already complicated life represent a point at which the recalibration of his moral compass is inevitable? Will we ever know? 10GUMS.