No. 84. (2019) Birds Of Passage. September 19th.

Film No. 84 (2019) Sept. 19th.  6:40 PM  PALACE CINEMAS  Northbridge. 

"Because I'm capable of anything for my family and my clan" (Ursula answers her own question about loyalty when it come to protecting her family).

Perhaps a title to better capture this tale could be, "The Root Of All Evil". Birds of Passage is an epic tale told in chapters. Each chapter is titled to capture the stage of disruption a couple of once peaceful Columbian tribes find themselves as they jostle for a majority share in the blossoming drug trade with the U.S. from the late 70's to the 80's. The story stems from events which occured when an ambitious Rapayet (Jose Acosta) takes the mantle as broker of the gunja trade with the U.S. for his family. The trade is lucrative and other families have interests. Watching Rapayet controlling unhinged family members and falling in line with matriarch Ursula (Carmina Martinez) brings reminders of The Corleone Family. It's all about who's got what, and what lengths those who covet the treasures will go to attain them. It's simply a slow burn journey to mayhem. 10GUMS.

            

No. 83. (2019) Buoyancy. September 16th.

Film No 83 (2019) Sept. 16th.  6:30 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

"This is your home now, for ever" (The captain answers Chakra's question, menacingly, as to when his "debt" had been paid).

A stunningly powerful coming of age thriller. But don't expect a Stand By Me esqe experience. The brilliance of Buoyancy exists within the reality that is contemporary slavery, yes, slavery which continues to this day in the waters off Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. Australian director Rod Rathjen brings Chakra (Sarm Heng) to life as a boy keen to break from the monotony of lugging rice in his village for no pay. He decides to try his luck via a  broker to get paid work in Bangkok. The broker is corrupt and being without money Chakra is sold to a cruel sea captain who trawls the ocean for seafood "dregs" (pet food). Chakra's only payment being a cup full of stodgy rice at nightfall. We weep for this boy who innocently seeks a better life only to live a nightmare. This story is based on a hybrid of real-life tales emanating from those caught up in this slavery. Buoyancy is an example of one of the reasons I love the cinema; it tells a story that shakes my consciousness and puts my life in perspective. We all need reminding now and again. Rathjen says so much with a minimum of dialogue. He's a director now on my "watch list". 11GUMS.              

  

No. 82. (2019) The Good Boys. September 11th.

Film No. 82 (2019) Sept. 11th.  7:00 PM EVENT CINEMAS Innaloo.                        

"You can say f*ck in the trailer, but you can't watch yourselves. Now that's really F*cked up" (Producer Seth Rogan discusses ground rules in relation to promoting Good Boys with the three key young actors Jacob, Keith and Brody in a promotional trailer for the film).

An at times laugh out loud film for adults about kids, this is Good Boys and it's a film with a unique concept as its poster and promo trailer below would suggest. But then again if you're familiar with the antics on display in Superbad or Sausage Party then little in Good Boys will surprise; although it does have one unique idea which works. The risk the film takes relates to taking child actors delivering somewhat sophisticated dialogue in an adolescent setting. Max (Jacob Tremblay), Thor (Brady Noon) and Lucas (Keith L. Williams) are reaching that part of life when their tight friendship will change, a la Stand By Me. In a part Home Alone (Max's dad's drone saga), Superbad (overcoming sexual insecurity) premise the lads need to triumph thus securing a key coming of age performance indicator. Yes, you're right, nothing groundbreaking here but the method cuts new ground. It's all in the script and like Booksmart of a couple of months ago most of the characters are likable with plenty of redeeming features. 9GUMS.

        

No. 81. (2019) The Keeper (Trautmann). September 3rd.

Film No 81 (2019) Sept. 3rd.  4:00 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

"You think you can play football and everything is forgiven? Have you forgotten that you robbed us of our youth?" (An angry Margaret speaks her mind after learning her father had recruited Bert into the village football team).

An endearing, if mainly cheesy, yarn about a German WW2 POW who became one of the greatest football goalkeepers the world has seen. This German/U.K. co-production is, in the main, a love story. Legend has it that Bert overcame much adversity as an ex-POW then was suddenly plucked from his camp near Manchester to play first, club football, then subsequently playing for one of the nation's premier teams, Manchester City. I knew nothing of Bert Trautmann, and found the simple way The Keeper unfolded using David Kross as the likeable lead made for terrific entertainment. U.K. character actor John Henshaw thrives as village coach Jack Friar, the architect responsible for plucking Trautmann from scrubbing prison latrines to goalkeeping on the local pitch. Freya Maver is perfect as the coach's daughter who falls for Trautmann then ultimately becomes the wind beneath his wings as they team up to overcome all that life throws at them. This includes prejudices, tragedy, pain, and ultimately enduring love. A ripping yarn most handsomely told. 9GUMS.

            

   

No. 80. (2019) Animals. August 31st.

Film No 80 (2019) August 31st.  10:45 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

Girls are tied to beds for two reasons:Sex and exorcisms. So which is it with you? (The opening lines of Animals, delivered by Tyler as she wanders into Laura's room, observes the predicament her housemate is in and thus makes her enquiry).

Accomplished Australian director Sophie Hyde (52 Tuesdays) takes to the international stage with this tale of friendship. Given the theme of the friendship of two early thirties women, built on boozy romps through and around the streets of Dublin, the slice of life drama is quite endearing. Hyde has an intelligent way of connecting her characters with her audience. Odd couple housemates Laura (Holliday Grainger) and Tyler (Alia Shawkat) seem not to have a care in the world as A grade party ANIMALS, that is until Laura becomes side-tracked emotionally (a couple of times). Does she "grow-up" and age gracefully? Where will life as Tyler's sidekick end? Is that fox she spies roaming the streets of Dublin a sign? Either way the themes of Animals must ring true to many young extroverts, (mainly extroverts) who must grapple with life after partying. And isn't that what film is all about? Pricking one's consciousness? Hyde along with writer Emma Jane Unsworth (screenplay and novel) have created a splendid small budget film. Although I still haven't worked out the significance of the fox! 10GUMS.