No. 55. (2019) Parasite June 22nd.

Film No 55 (2019) June 22nd.  11:00 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

"I just think that architecture affects the mood in which people can think and then reflect on their lives". (Joon-ho Bong talks to journalists about the "vehicles" he uses in his films to help him tell stories).

Palme d'Or winner, Parasite, is more than simply the  winner of a major film award, it also wins the hearts and minds of the international viewing public as a film written and directed with power and purpose. Joon-ho Bong used an out of control train as his vehicle in expressing a view on social hierarchy in Snowpiercer. In Parasite Joon focuses on family and architecture as his foundation for expression. Ke-taek (Kang-ho Song) and his family are dirt poor, so to gain leverage in their lives they hoodwink a young, wealthy family (Park) into employing each and every one of them. The catch being, the Parks' have no idea that they are related. The old fashioned quietness of the film with its slow pans and melodic soundtrack gives Parasite texture, colour, body and ultimately power. Fans of Joon (The Host, Okja) will not need convincing. Film goers who love  quality in storytelling, where the brain is allowed to roam, feeling out new horizons in intellectual nourishment, need to see Parasite.   11GUMS.

             

No. 54 (2019) Under The Silver Lake June 15th.

Film No 54 (2019) June 15th.  10:00 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

"Our world is filled with codes, subliminal messages from Silver Lake to the Hollywood Hills". (Another piece of advice issued to Sam as he scrambles to uncover the mystery of the disappearing Sarah).

This surreal mystery feature will have you less on the edge of you seat than questioning the fact that although your seat might feel like a seat it may be a representation of something else. Not even I know what I mean, but this is the state of mind writer/director David Robert Mitchell has left me in after spending 2 hours enveloped in UTSL. Andrew Garfield plays a late twenties slacker, Sam, obsessed with glossy 50's cinema and the beauty of the female form. So when the object of his desires Sarah (Riley Keough), Marilyn Monroe beauty spot and all, fleetingly fulfills all his awkward desires, then disappears as suddenly as she appeared, Sam is convinced he's embroiled in a Hitchcockian mystery. A mystery, maybe only he or Cary Grant could solve. Mitchell then takes Sam on a surreal headf*ck of an adventure which may or may not be in the real world. Sorry if all this is confusing; I was confused by Sam's journey thus the film's narrative is never satisfying, but the visuals particularly each headf*ck moment are worth indulging in. Cinematographer Michael Gioulakis is the likely star of this dreamscape production. Silver Lake is impossible to recommend but there are mesmerising moments. Oh, and if you aspire to be a cinematographer of note, then don't miss it. 7GUMS.

     

No. 53 (2019) Rocketman June 14th.

Film No. 53 (2019) June 14th.  6:40 PM EVENT CINEMAS Gold Class Innaloo.                        

"You gotta kill the person you were born to be to be the person you want to be" (Young John is give advice from a lead act performer).

A lavish musical giving Executive Producer, Elton a chance to cleanse his demons. The talented young adult Reggie Dwight through the skilled Taron Egerton takes us on a journey from childhood to fractured star in true musical, verging on the surreal, style. John clearly has total control over this confession piece, why wouldn't he? His production company (created specifically) stumped up the dollars. But the biggest risk for the lavish project was the casting of Egerton. The risk pays off in glitter and spangle. Egerton doesn't sound like the master, but he adds a new quality to John's classics. Bernie Taupin, played splendidly by Jamie Bell is recognised with great fondness. The public get to understand that Elton John would likely have paled into nothingness if not for his chance meeting with "brother" Bernie. The upshot is; crowds are flocking and Elton is pleased. A must see for fans of Elton or just simply, the musical genre.  9GUMS.          

No. 52 (2019) Wild Rose June 10th.

Film No. 52 (2019) June 10th.  6:45 PM EVENT CINEMAS Innaloo.                        

"Three chords and the truth" (The tattoo adorning Rose-Lynn's right forearm, which comes into view at key moments).

Jessie Buckley fans will flock to this fictional biopic of Rose-Lynn, a single mum from the wrong side of the tracks, coming to terms with realising her dreams and accepting responsibility for your life choices. We meet Rose-Lynn in her final minutes of a jail sentence, as the opening credits flash. The ride with Rose, a fractured but powerhouse, character in the hands of small screen director Tom Harper is thorough and evocative as a naive, talented country (not western) singer never stops believing. We know we are headed for the security of a feel-good finish but due to the complexity of Rose's relationship with her mum Marion (Julia Walters), the love she has for her kids Lyle (Adam Mitchell) and Wynonna (Daisy Littlefield) and a trust she forms with friend Suzanah (Sophie Okonendo) there is a greater power to how we feel about the wild Rose-Lynn.  Walters is the consummate pro she always is, but it is Buckley's film. The show-stopping moments are plenty as Buckley works her microphone. Not since Bette Middler made The Rose has there been a more dynamic performance. 9GUMS.

               

No. 51 (2019) Never Look Away June 8th.

Film No 51 (2019) June 8th.  10:15 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

"Work on your craft, in the service of the people". (Kurt is instructed of his duty as an artist living in the socialist East post WWII).

So long as you're not led to believe this is a biopic of the early life of German modernist painter Gerhard Richter but instead is inspired by aspects of his life and career then Never Look Away will be a cinematic treat of sweeping, epic proportions. Director Florian von Donnersmarck (The Lives of Others) brings fictional artist Kurt Barnerk (Tom Schilling)to life. Kurt's angelic innocence firstly as a naive child witnessing, first hand, the rise of naziism, then the imposition of socialism forced upon the East Germans, post war. Never Look Away is an epic love story. Kurt loves Ellie (Paula Beer), they tread a path, overcoming deceit and adversity (major issues of deceit with in-laws for Kurt) culminating in their defection to the west. Ultimately Kurt feels his creative energy will only thrive in a free west. Dressed with a soundtrack of power, and images so crisp you'll be captured by this epic. Three hours will seem like two. The sweeping tale is revived here and should be celebrated. 9GUMS.  

             

    

No. 50 (2019) Gunderman. May 31st.

Film No 50 (2019) May 31st.  2.30 PM Private Preview Screening @ Home via Vimeo link . 

German Film Festival through Palace Cinemas (Paradiso, Northbridge Perth Western Australia)   May 28th to June 12th. 

"Why are you driving a western car while everyone else here has a Trabant? And what are your long-term concepts for our energy policy?" (Gundermann, with his fellow workers, seeks answers to his queries about their workplace with their Chief Executive).

This bio-pic gives both an entertaining and insightful look into a passionate, thoughtful, talented German national who only had the best interests of all (in a social context) at heart. Alexander Scheer plays Gerhard Gundermann a musician and writer who had a mind of his own, in a diminishing communist regime (GDR Berlin). Gundermann died before his time, thus never fully had the impact he and his family would have hoped for (or maybe he did in death). While Gundermann is uneven from a film-making POV it has a strong regional presence. While an international audience, like me, can have a fascination with people who influence a society, the people of that country, or better still, that region, would have a greater appreciation and insight into their deeds. Gunderman's songs had influence, and to see the film is to experience how affecting they are. The chemistry between Scheer and Anna Unterberger (wife Conny) is unique and adds to the flavour of this important bio-pic.  8GUMS.