No. 40 (2019) Campeones "Champions". April 24th.

Film No. 40 (2019) April 24th.  6:45 PM  PALACE CINEMAS  Northbridge. 

"I wouldn't like to have a son like us either. But I would like to have a father like you." (Marco receives a startlingly heartfelt statement from Marin; a statement key to Marco making a decision about his future with wife Sonia).

An uneven but wonderfully thoughtful comedy. I say thoughtful because Campeones is, at times, purposely  politically incorrect, but director Javier Fesser has us laughing with, not at, our star performers from the outset. So, while disgraced (forced community service), big time, basketball coach Marco (Javier Gutierrez) glues this motley crew together to form a reasonably competitive team Fesser gives us time to become friends with each of the nine combatants. A balance of back story, Marco's neglected love-life,  subtle camera work, and the detail of each players unique personality culminate in an ending we know is coming. Campeones does not try to reinvent the "feel good" wheel but it does enhance it. The story has taken liberties, but the legend does come from an actual team. The actors (basketballers) are first time performers and all have faced real-life difficulties. It's worth sitting through the titles so you get another intimate tribute for each of the actors. Spanish audiences have flocked to Campeones. It's meagre budget ($4.5M) has earned nearly five times that worldwide in the last year. This is surely what feel-good cinema is all about. 9GUMS.

               

No. 39 (2019) Back Of The Net. April 17th.

Film No 39 (2019) April 17th.  7:35 PM Private Preview Screening @ Home via Vimeo link . 

"You don't belong here; you're terrible at soccer, so why don't you just do everyone a favour and go home?" (Edie, Cory's key adversary lays it on the line).

With women's sport gaining the international profile it has long deserved, here is a simple, feel-good feature film to warm the hearts of cinema goers. Back Of The Net does not try to be anything it is not, it has a Disney feel hence U.S. teenage star Sofia Wylie of the Andi Mack (Disney Channel) series plays Cory an accidental soccer star in this clean-cut Australian production. Through an odd quirk of fate, science nerd Cory flies to Australia to study oceanic phenomena, but gets on the wrong transfer bus on exiting Sydney airport. Her new destiny is a soccer academy in the regions. Now's the time to let the fantasy that is Back Of The Net wash over you. Cory has no option but to grin and bear her new plight. Making friends and proving herself, learning key life lessons while taking risks and helping others along the way form the foundation for this narrative. And yes there is a winner take all game to climax our hero's journey. Sport loving juniors will love this 90 minute dramedy. 8GUMS.

    

No. 38 (2019) Todos lo saben, "Everybody Knows" April 20th.

Film No 38 (2019) April 20th.  11:00 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

"It's not a stranger who has done this". (Paco decides on the most obvious deduction he can make about the abduction).

This Spanish mystery has done great business in every corner of the globe. A second cut would make this puzzle piece tauter without doubt but it's easy to figure why it has drawn an audience. Iranian Asghar Farhadi (A Separation) directs his first internationally acclaimed cast including real life couple Penelope Cruz (Laura) and Javier Barden (Paco). While Laura and Paco are not a couple here, everybody (their village) knows they were once lovers. The repercussions of their past actions form the body of this mysterious tale steeped in themes of family, jealousy and most of all, greed. The real skill of Farhadi is the uneasy intimacy he brings to the family set pieces. This kidnap drama has an undertow of unrevealed secrets. Farhadi has us sitting uneasily within the confines of those settings. It's a tribute to his talent. I'm sure he'd rebuff my assertion that Everybody Knows needs a tighter cut. Nevertheless I'm a fan. 9GUMS.

          

     

No. 37 (2019) Gloria Bell. April 18th.

Film No 37 (2019) April. 18th.  6:30 PM  LUNA PALACE Windsor,  Nedlands . 

"I know, you tell me the same thing every ten years". (Gloria responds to her mother's assertion that life disappears in a trice).

The original Spanish feature simply titled Gloria (2013) was a hoot, so I had my reservations sitting through this, a U.S., remake. Well, Gloria Bell matches the original most wholeheartedly. Given her production involvement, Julianne Moore  gets an opportunity to fulfill an ambition to play a character written to give her complete flight to display her abilities as a thoroughly accomplished actor. Gloria (Moore), divorced for twelve years and still single,(discounting the odd one night stand) has a passion for dancing in clubs after dark. She meets a complicated man, Arnold (John Turtorro). Gloria steals his heart, but, I reiterate, Arnold is complicated. Gloria hopes more than thinks she has found some grounding. Moore gives Gloria a free spiritedness that has us willing her to gain emotional fulfillment. This is no Hollywood fairytale, just a slice of a good person's life. The ending has divided audiences, but for me, it's real and perfect. 10GUMS.

No. 35 (2019) Woman at War. April 15th.

Film No 35 (2019) April 15th.  6:45 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

"We are the last generation that can stop the war against the earth". (Hanna expounds just one view as part of one of her speeches to the masses).

A quirkier little Icelandic morality tale I'm yet to see. But don't let the word quirky get in the way of being also thoroughly entertaining and engaging. Sometimes a poster is enough to prick one's interest, and one depicting the image of an archer taking aim at high tensile power lines certainly had my attention. Halla (Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir) is an unabated ecoterrorist but we are on her side from the outset, and it's the little things which capture our hearts. She is at one with the harsh but beautiful countryside. The soundtrack is superb and presented with such originality it's nearly a show stealer. Then there is the emotional twist which proves how huge the size of the heart of Woman At War is. 101 Reykjavik is my only other foray into Icelandic cinema and I enjoyed that tender, emotional drama. I'm a fan, their approach to serious material is both intriguing and original. Woman At War is all of that.  10GUMS.  

 

     

No. 36 (2019) Long Shot. April 16th.

Film No. 36 (2018) April 16th.  6:45 PM EVENT CINEMAS Innaloo.                        

"Nobody wants to follow me around the world and then want to know if I have five minutes to be affectionate." (Secretary of State Charlotte Field explains the reason for her current dating situation).

Yet another take on Notting Hill, Pretty Woman, and maybe a little of Shrek. But don't get me wrong, Long Shot does have a unique quality which suddenly catches us with a belly laugh or two via the script. So the fairy tale goes like this, the beautiful Secretary of State, Charlotte Field (Theron), is advised by her egocentric president that he wants to pursue a career in acting (gives him a higher profile) and he would therefore endorse her for election as President in 2020. It's all her dreams come true, but before that happens, we need to accompany her on a road trip (world tour) to sell her three point environmental initiative to the world. To do that she needs to choose a speech writer, a writer to give her ideals some punch! Enter ugly duckling Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogan) and, small world moment; Charlotte was Fred's babysitter, and boy, did he have the hots for her. It's a long shot that he'll ever be able to hook up with the Sec of State but gee - did Will woo Anna Scott in Notting Hill? Silly, funny at times, likable enough but the F*ck's and Mother F's as punctuation for a majority of the script wear thin. Enjoyable but like heavily packaged fast-food, easily forgotten. 8GUMS.

          

No. 33 (2019) Celeste. April 13th.

Film No 33 (2019) April 13th.  11:00 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

"He wasn't perfect Jack but he loved us and he didn't run when things got tough". (Cel describes her husband to his son Jack, in an emotional outburst).

The beauty of northern Queensland (Paronella Park) stars in this slightly elongated story of Jack (Thomas Cocquerel) and Celeste (Rahda Mitchell). The sheer tranquility of the backdrop adds to the stewing story surrounding the relationship these two characters have. There are side stories and flashbacks which battle to legitimise the reasons they care for each other. Or maybe it's just that Cocquerel looks the part but can't pull off a quality performance. Mitchell, and Nadine Garner as Grace, Celeste's closests companion, are terrific and give a slightly clunky script more bite. Celeste is an emotional mystery piece, with a couple of twists, all shot in a setting which steals the show. Plenty to like - but not quite there!! 7GUMS.   

     

No. 34 (2019) Las Ninas Bien "The Good Girls". April 12th.

Film No 34 (2019) April 12th.  7:35 PM Private Preview Screening @ Home via Vimeo link . 

"It's my birthday. I'm wearing the ivory dress I bought in New York".(Sophia describes the most important thing on her mind, at the time, to her girl friends).

This rather sad tale of Sophia's (llsa Sallas) fall from a privileged life in Mexican society won't appeal to most people. It is slow, brooding and forces home the point that entitlement based on wealth can be but a temporary experience. Sophia is a young mother and the wife of a business wannabe, Fernando (Flavio Medina). She doesn't gain one iota of satisfaction from her lively and likable children. She gains her gratification from shopping, playing tennis, and attending lavish social gatherings. Her "friends" sincerity is as brittle  as a taco shell. It's all a facade and a game. So when the money gradually diminishes, how will she cope knowing her social standing is washing away? Las Ninas, set in the eighties, reminds me of The House of Mirth, Terence Davies' lavish costume drama. In it, Gillian Anderson's, Lily Bart has her social standing whisked from under her. Sophia however is far less likeable than Lily. An interesting Mexican saga but only for cinema goers with specific tastes, or a fan of Sallas, it is most definitely her film.  8GUMS.

           

No. 32 (2019) Ola No de Crimenes "Crime Wave". April 9th.

Film No. 32 (2019) April 9th.  6:45 PM  PALACE CINEMAS  Northbridge. 

"Give me a single piece of truth, that all this is true." (Leyre's parish priest is sceptical of her story but maybe, deep down, knows this might have been coming from one of his regular parishioners).

This film with Pink Pantheresque opening titles will lead you down corridors of morality, violence and forbidden love, at a surprising pace. And while the sum of its parts doesn't always work, Ola de Crimenes, is an entertainment package which makes one wonder how 100 minutes could have evaporated so quickly. Maribel Verdu carries this silly tale as divorcee Leyre, by its digital coat-tails. It all begins at the end as we meet a black-eyed Leyre sporting bandages and a dodgy shoulder, while looking through the standard confessional barrier at her parish priest. Yes, okay, the priest is reluctant to listen, but must. After all, the story won't be told if he doesn't. So on the whole, you've seen it all before but the colour, vibrancy and scenes of redemption will have you hooked (in the main). If you've loved the work of Verdu from Y T Mama Tambien (2000) to Happy 140 (2015) then this is a must as she continues to test her range. A rollicking ride. 8GUMS.    

No. 31 (2019) Photo de Famille "Family Photo". April 2nd.

Film No 31 (2019) April. 6th.  1.10PM  PALACE CINEMAS Raine Square,  Perth City . 

"I'm not good with children. I know I screwed up with the kids." (Pierre confesses, with a fraction of regret, an aspect to his behavior from his past).

A film which translates well for many middle aged, middle class families. It's a story about siblings with reasonably strong bonds but with insecurities and unfinished business to attend to. de Famille brings together siblings Gabriel (Vanessa Paradis), Elsa (Camille Cottin) and Mao (Pierre Deladonchamps) at the funeral of their grandfather. Mother Claudine (Chantal Lauby) and father Pierre (Jean-Pierre Bacri) separated when the siblings were young, so while there is a heavy handedness about the depiction of their life's challenges, there is a warmth in the unique connections they have with one another. The "glue" to their shared childhood, Granny (Claudette Walker); is now in a late stage of dementia. She used to take them on holiday, each summer, to the country; sleepy Saint Julien. It becomes a catalyst for a clunky but tasteful conclusion. Cat Stevens, "Baby, Baby it's a Wild World", adds perfect spice to the concluding scene... then inevitably the rolling titles. 8GUMS.

       

No. 30 (2019) Pupille "In Safe Hands". April 2nd.

Film No 30 (2019) April 2nd.  1:30 PM  PALACE VERONA, Paddington  Sydney. 

"I don't find kids for hurting parents. I find the best possible parents for kids in difficulty". (Case worker Lydie explains her underlying philosophy in her professional role).

Pupille (English title: In Safe Hands) is a film of exquisite quality. Described as a comment on real life social humanization in civilized France, the film deals with fostering, specifically following the early life of one cute, cute infant, Theo. Theo is delivered into the world by a mother very definitely not ready to care for him. Jean (Gilles Lellouche) is paid by the state to bring security to Theo's life, while a foster family is decided upon. Karine (Sandrine Kiberlain) is a case-worker assigned to Theo's care. Alice (Elodie Bouchez) wants to be a parent and fostering is her only chance. And so Pupille brings its characters together with a touch so deft we are all invested in the safe-hands Theo passes through before finally finding what we believe to be true love and care. It all sounds so saccharine, but it's not,  the French government might do well to fund such films. Messages, like this, depicted as pure art, leave positive impressions about a civilised way of life. 10GUMS.

       

No. 29 (2019) Paddleton. April 1st.

Film No. 29 (2019) April 1st.  7.35 PM  NETFLIX,  Sitting Room,  Kensington,  Sydney.

"So my statement is, what Michael has is incurable, that's my statement". (Andy shapes a statement to try to comprehend what his friend Michael has been diagnosed with).

This, made for Netflix, dramedy gives the Duplass brothers, Mark and Jay (Blue Jay, Safety Not Guaranteed), another opportunity to create human drama in their unique, script focussed way. Paddleton is a game devised by friends Michael (Mark Duplass) and Andy (Ray Romano) where, using rackets, they bounce a rubber ball off a defunct Drive-In screen hoping to land it in a 44 gallon drum. It's a comment on both the simplicity and strength of a couple of loners who have found friendship via their neighbourhood. Michael is diagnosed with an aggressive stomach cancer and so their strong bond is reinforced, then stretched well beyond the realms of the simplistic game they created together. Romano and Duplass, like their unique game, are convincing. This is a heartfelt, weekend couch watch, with a cancer theme that may cause distress to some viewers. 8GUMS.

     

No. 28 (2019) Claire Darling. April 1st.

Film No 28 (2019) April 1st.  1:45 PM  PALACE VERONA, Paddington  Sydney. 

"How are you? Are you well? Am I a grandma? (Claire rattles off, erratically, a series of questions as she suddenly realised it is daughter Marie standing in front of her).

Catherine Deneuve takes on another made for Deneuve project. La Derniere Folie Claire Darling challenges Deneuve to convince us of her character's ailing mind. Darling is in the early stages of dementia, so given her complicated life as the wife of a successful local mine owner, her erratic behaviour is a shock for family and friends alike. The film opens with Claire, being helped by young men, clearing her house. She's put everything up for sale; garage sale style. We're talking valuable items of art, furniture, ornaments. Something is oddly awry with Claire's demeanor. She's convinced it's her last day. Slowly, and I mean slowly, flashbacks reveal parts of the puzzle that is the sum of Claire's contemporary existence. Her daughter Marie (Chiara Mastroianni) is essential to laying pieces to the puzzle as well, but it just screams "here, look we've found another way to show off France's cine icon, Cath Deneuve". It will have it's fans, I'm not one.  6GUMS.

       

No. 27 (2019) Won't You Be My Neighbour. March 31st.

Film No 27 (2019) March 31st.  3:00 PM  GOLDENAGE INDEPENDENT, Surry Hills  Sydney. 

"The greatest thing that we can do is to help somebody to know that they're loved and that they are capable of loving". (Fred voices one of the underwriting philosophies of his children's legendary program, Mr Roger's Neighbourhood).

Voted by many U.S. film critics as their most loved feature documentary of 2018. To view this biographical film on the working life of T.V. presenter Fred Rogers one might not be surprised. Fred Rogers was the epitome of genuine kindness to two generations of American children from the 60's to the 80's. 'Mr Roger's Neighbourhood' took on themes of love, death and everything in between with such gentleness, when things "hit the fan" from 9/11 on, critics were blaming Rogers for creating a soft generation. The Morgan Neville (20 Feet From Stardom) creation captures the essence of Roger's unique public broadcasting philosophies. So many scenes are captivating but one in particular profiles Rogers, without an ounce of ego, convincing a senate committee judge that $20 million dollars need not be cut from the P.B. budget. He is nervous, he is genuinely quietly passionate but ultimately extremely convincing. In a world where compassion is exemplified by a leader hell bent on building a wall, W.Y.B.M.N. is both riveting, relevant and left hardly a dry eye in the house. 10GUMS.