No. 107 (2022) LUNANA: A YAK IN THE CLASSROOM Dec. 24th.

 

Film No. 106 (2022)  December 24th.  8:00  PM SOMERVILLE Outdoor U.W.A.                        

"Maybe you were a Yak in your previous life. Yaks are so beneficial to us" (Lunana's town leader expresses his gratitude in his own way to Uygen, the new teacher).

Nominee : Best Foreign Feature Film (Pawo Choyning Dorji; Bhutan); Academy Awards 2022.

Fresh from a recent viewing of STARS AT NOON, I sat in the beautiful outdoors (Somerville Cinema, West Australia) to watch LUNANA: A YAK IN THE CLASSROOM. STARS took me to Nicaragua, giving a unique perspective of a sweaty, corrupt hot-house. LUNANA took me to Bhutan (The most remote regions of Bhutan). These are places I'm not likely to get to in this life. It reminded me of why film is so invigorating for the mind. Now for the tale that is LUNANA: YAK!

It's not the best version of the Teacher Tale genre. STAND AND DELIVER or DEAD POETS SOCIETY are better examples, but LUNANA: A YAK IN THE CLASSROOM gives us an intriguing version of a teacher learning more about themselves, through circumstance and forced decision making. Its a tale told in four acts; The Decision, The Journey, The Enlightenment and The Reflection/Conclusion. And while the storyline is convenient and predictable, the interaction with the environment and the people make for its most memorable scenes.

So, I assume you know all about the Teacher Genre. Here we meet Ugyen (Sherab Dorji) at a cross-roads in his life. He teaches in a large school in Bhutan's capital, Thimphu; pop 120,000 approx. His life ambition is to sing in a bar in Sydney, Australia. But he still has a year to run on his contract. He's become lazy in his profession and the authorities use their power to send him to remote LUNANA for the summer. The children there have no teacher. We soon learn why. Chapter Two, The Journey is by far and away the best chapter, as we gain great insight into the realities of like for the people of Bhutan. The seriously good people we meet during this 8 day trek has us willing Ugyen to ditch the wireless head-phones stuck to his ears and drink in all that is around him. Of course all of that happens. It's a pity that the power of The Journey is never reached or surpassed by the other chapters.

I do need to mention the other star of LUNANA; no not the Yak; it is Pem Zam, the cutest of cute little girls, playing herself. She is the barometer of Ugyen's emotional growth. Pem is a little girl who lives with her grandmother, she has an insatiable thirst for knowledge and an ability to keep all those around her on their toes, and to melt the hearts' of audience members. The revelations relating to Pem in the film are also true for her in real life. She is a local, and director Pawo has found a diamond in the wilds of Bhutan! 9GUMS. 

 

               

No. 104 (2022) THE FABLEMANS Dec. 17th.

 

Film No. 104 (2022)  December  17th.  11.00 AM   Cinema 1.  LUNA,  Leederville.

 

"Family, Art, Life! It will tear you in two". (Uncle Boris discusses, with emotion, the hurdles Sammy needs to work through as he enacts his dreams). 

Winner : Movie of the Year (Steven Spielberg); AFI Awards USA 2022.

In THE FABLEMANS, Spielberg has made a tribute film to his family. He's done it in true Spielberg fashion. There could be few film-makers other than Steven S with the gravitas to pull off this feat with the aplomb he does here. THE FABLEMANS is a terrific film.

Spielberg obviously feels blessed that he had the upbringing gifted to him by his parents. The Fablemans are the Spielbergs' and the naming of each character is superfluous to the tribute Spielberg is extending here. He maintains his commitment to making this fictional family, based on his imagination, mixed with memories, the central ingredient of a good story. And quite simply, because Spielberg's reputation as a cinematic storyteller precedes him, who's not interested? 

The focus throughout is unsurprisingly told through the eyes of the very sensitive, vulnerable Sammy (Sam) Fableman (Mateo Zoryan (younger), Gabriel LeBelle) but via  every move (excluding a trailer attached to a station-wagon) his folks Mitzi (Michelle Williams) and Bert (Paul Dano) make. The combination of his love for his parents and his susceptibility to collapsing under the pressures of life mean he is nearly de-railed from chasing his dreams. Michelle Williams is like a magic fairy, sprinkling her veracious personality over the clan that is the Fablemans. I imagine Spielberg to be "fully chuffed" that Williams "nailed" the special relationship he and his mother nurtured. It's a mesmerising depiction.

Let me spare a paragraph in order to mention the roles played by Judd Hirsch as Uncle Boris and David Lynch, (yes David Lynch), in cameos worth the price of a ticket. Lynch is a surprise addition and a gem nestled in the brilliance of THE FABLEMANS. Hirsch presents a messiah-like quality in Boris. He insists that Sammy follow his heart. The scene where Uncle Boris shares Sammy's bedroom for a night is a show-stopper.      

This man (Spielberg) is the world's most loved, living director. It may seem self indulgent that he has created a tell-all project like this. To see THE FABLEMANS is to dismiss any thoughts of this nature. Sure Spielberg has a bottomless pit of film-maker money  ... it is never the less a major risk to lay his heart so bare. His family story is a warts and all adventure and there are multiple risks he has taken here. If he is anything like the sensitive young boy and adolescent Fableman we see on screen, then I admire his bravery.

If you're able, try to see it on a big screen. Hey, it's Spielberg, he had us all flocking to the cinema well before streaming existed. It's the least you could do.  11GUMS. 

     

      

  

No. 105 (2022) THE MENU Dec. 19th.

 

Film No. 105 (2022)  December  19th.  8.00 PM   Cinema 9.  LUNA OUTDOOR,  Leederville.

 

"What, are we eating, a Rolex?". (Margot reacts to Tyler's revelation that the The Menu experience amounts to $1250.00 a head). 

Nominee : Best Original Screenplay (Seth Reiss, Will Tracy); Hollywood Critics Association 2023. Best Actor in a Female Role (Anya Taylor-Joy) Golden Globes 2023.

Will Tracy (SUCCESSION) along with Seth Reiss (THE ONION) have, between them, written a very original screenplay in THE MENU; all from an idea Tracy had during an indulgent eating experience he had while honeymooning in Norway some years ago.

The story goes, that as he sat for the 5 hour taste extravaganza, he noticed the vessel that transported the group to the island restaurant pull away from the jetty.  In a state of mild panic his thoughts turned to a series of "what if" scenarios. What if something went wrong? Do we trust these people controlling our experience? THE MENU is the repercussion of Tracy's imagination. 

Chef Julian Slowik, brilliantly played by Ralph Fiennes calls all the shots as he seats his guests. With a loud clap he announces each course; like chapters (a subtitle describes each serve). One course, a bread dish is served but not a skerrick of bread is to be seen. "This is bullshit" announces one of the guests. But no, chef is serious, deadly serious and it's from here that we are on board. With every course the puzzle that's behind the motivations of Slowik is revealed. You won't guess what is coming!

Every guest is there for a reason. Chef has indulged, lured, call it what you like, each guest to his web. Everyone except Margot. Tyler (Nicholas Hall) has engaged Margot at the last minute. Margot's presence is the fly in the chef's ointment. It's the sub-plot that anchors the concept that is THE MENU. Anna Taylor-Joy's Margot plays the perfect "pea" under Fiennes' stacked mattresses! Look out for more films that Taylor-Joy and Fiennes might headline.

In the hands of director Mark Mylod (SUCCESSION) and producer Adam McKay (THE BIG SHORT, DON'T LOOK UP) this concept film has become a phenomenon (gross earnings, worldwide, of twice its budget, so far). In a world where "the haves" like pushing their indulgences (reality T.V.) in the faces of the have-nots, THE MENU turns the tables. And don't we love to see those tables turned?  THE MENU  does it most entertainingly!   10GUMS.

 

No. 103 (2022) WHITE NOISE Dec. 15th.

 

Film No. 103 (2022)  December  15th.  12.20 PM   Cinema 6.  LUNA,  Leederville.

 

"I wish there was something I could do. I wish I could out think the problem". (Dr Jack confides in his academic friend the fragile thoughts that enter his mind). 

Winner : Best Actor (Colin Farrell); Best Screenplay (Martin McDonagh)  Venice Film Festival 2022.

Along with, DON'T LOOK NOW (50's / 60's), WHITE NOISE surely represents the most elaborate depiction of an era (70's / 80's) in movieland, 2022. It is a visual extravaganza. So let me say, it is worth taking this "white knuckle ride" as Noah Baumbach adapts Don DeLillo's novel of the same name to the screen using any resource he wishes, care of $$Netflix$$. But please let it be noted, I saw WHITE NOISE on the big screen. I'm not sure the sound and visual's here will be as impactful in your loungeroom.

Baumbach takes on his most ambitious project to date. Adapting a book in itself is ambitious, considering his original screenplays, including FRANCIS HA and MARRIAGE STORY (2019), to name a couple. But themes of consumerism, family dynamics and life's frailties coupled with a budget to allow him a Spielbergian experience was an opportunity too good for him to pass up. THE SQUID AND THE WHALE (2005) cost only $1.5M but with WHITE NOISE Netflix is reported to have received little change from $140M. Fortunately, Noah has made a reasonable fist of his first blockbuster.

There is a lot to unpack in WHITE NOISE. A paunchy Adam Driver as Dr Jack Gladney leads the way in this surreal journey. Depicted as the U'S's leading academic on Adolf Hitler, he's openly frightened of dying. Dr Jack's early scenes with wife Babo (Greta Gerwig), (each in their 4th relationship, four children included) falsely secures us in an off beat relationships melodrama. But soon we learn that their children are more grounded than they are. The images of supermarket aisles bursting with colourfully packaged items without soul, and the desperation of others to trample on each other after "the event" leads us along the surreal avenue down which Baumbach ultimately wishes to take us.

Watching THE FABLEMANS two days after WHITE NOISE, put my description of Baumbach entering the world of Spielberg into perspective. "The event" here is triggered by a big screen disaster Steven S would have been proud of. But the change of gear doesn't really suit the way Baumbach tells his stories. Sure, a good part of the Netflix budget was used so we could witness the catastrophic events. But I'd have been more interested in the way Noah could have made his point without $100M to play with. But I digress. 

WHITE NOISE plays as if it's a piano with a couple of tuneless keys. It is however a film that needs a second watch. Maybe that's why it's perfect Netflix fare. And the closing titles sequence is as delightfully entertaining as anything produced in recent times. It's fun and adds to the thought provoking nature of this Thinking Person's blockbuster.  8GUMS.                 

 

     

No. 102 (2022) THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN Dec. 10th.

 

Film No. 102 (2022)  December  10th.  11.00 AM   Cinema 1.  LUNA,  Leederville.

 

"You didn't do anything to me. I just don't like you any more". (Colm reacts to Padraic's plea in trying to understand what he's done to upset his friend). 

Winner : Best Actor (Colin Farrell); Best Screenplay (Martin McDonagh)  Venice Film Festival 2022.

I'm not sure I've seen a better anti-war film than THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN in recent times. All versions of ALL'S QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT are brilliant, but they take us to war and are re-enactments of war. THE BANSHEES does not, but its representation of the futility of the escalation of human dispute had me muttering "For F*ck sake, kiss and make-up and be done with it" on numerous occasions, reinforcing my initial summation.

With In Bruges(2008), director Martin McDonagh took us on a dark, often comic journey, featuring  Colin Farrell and Brendon Gleeson as hit-men hiding in close quarters, in Belgium . The film remains in my all-time top twenty. BANSHEES revisits similar tropes but delivers a more powerful punch. So while Padraic (Farrell) and Colm (Gleeson) dominate the focus in this play for the screen, it's the brilliance the bit players, Siobhan (Kerry Condon) and Dominic (Barry Keoghan) add, that expands our emotional investment. The windswept coastal scene where Dominic nervously expresses his feelings for Siobhan will remain with me for some time.  

So what if your best friend was to say to you "I don't like you anymore" and it turns out that it was nothing you have done or said? They just don't like you anymore and they wish for you never to speak to them again. And what if you both live on a small island off mainland Ireland in the only community that exists there?  Oh, and it is 1923 not the digital age of 2022. Your country is also at war  internally, over sovereignty. You are likely to be deeply hurt and upset. Padraic is exactly in this predicament, he's hurt and upset that Colm has suddenly cut him off. Which begs the question - can friendship be ended one-sidedly without some form of repercussion?

McDonagh is described as less a film-maker than a playwright, THREE BILLBOARDS excluded. So his detail to script and translation, via actor, is faultless here. The thing about BANCHEES is his choice of stage and backdrop. His choice, the Aran Islands off Galway, exemplifies McDonagh's genius. The rugged beauty depicting fictional INISHERIN lures us at first with its tranquillity but with every scene the harshness of the surrounds goes to amplify the escalation of disruption between Padraic and Colm. For me, McDonagh comes of age as a film-maker with THE BANCHEES OF INISHERIN.  11GUMS.

     

 

   

No. 103 (2022) MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON Dec. 12th.

 

Film No. 103 (2022)  December  12th.  11.00 AM   Cinema 5.  LUNA,  Leederville.

 

"Sometimes I find my mind wandering, thinking ... I wonder what my family would think? Do you think they could be out there?". (A stream of consciousness from Marcel as he continues to make sense of life).

 

Winner : Best Animated Film (Dean Fleischer-Camp)  Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror. 2022.

Tales of life and the lessons learned, through innocent eyes, when done well on screen, are mostly not to be missed. I'm suggesting that our new little friend here, Marcel, will be particularly hard to resist. You will need to visit a cinema of course but Marcel is definitely worth meeting.

When I was introducing my two daughters to film during their primary school years, there were rarely films of the quality and ilk of MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON. This story of an adorably cute little boy in the form of a one inch shell, who epitomises wonderful characteristics of resilience, humour, thoughtfulness, an enquiring mind and kindness (told in stop-motion animation), is a story for all ages. 

Little Marcel is the brain-child of Dean Freischer-Camp, an editor by trade, but now an extremely competent film-maker. Originally a short film (2010) of the same name, it has taken Freischer-Camp along with writer Jenny Slate (the voice of Marcel) 10 years to recreate MARCEL as a feature film. Their work, while most painstakingly arduous (just ask Nick Park) is a minor example of genius.

A stop-motion drama about a little boy (Marcel) left alone through circumstance, but with his Nan still on hand to love him is simple fare. He lives in an Air BNB alongside a film-maker, Dean, who helps Marcel to reveal himself to the world via uploads to You Tube. This is surely enough story outline to get you into the cinema so you might get to know and love Marcel. Come on, 85 minutes with Marcel will plant a smile on your face for days afterwards.   10GUMS.

         

 

No. 101 (2022) SERIOUSLY RED Dec. 6th.

 

Film No. 101  (2022)  December 6th.  12:10 AM  EVENT CINEMAS,  Cine 8,  Innaloo.

"There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who are here to have a good time, and those who are willing to learn" (The voice of Red as she recites yet another Dolly Parton philosophy).

Nominee: Grand Jury Prize; Bridgestone Narrative Feature Competition (Gracie Otto) Nashville Film Festival  2022.

P.J. Hogan (MURIEL'S WEDDING) and Stephan Elliott (PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT) mastered the, Aussie off-beat comedy with heart, flick in the 90's. They knew how to tie up the loose ends. Characters coming to terms with reality after perusing dreams that were not all they were "pumped up" to be. SERIOUSLY RED plots a similar course but doesn't quite hit the same heights. In no way however is that a reason not to enjoy this fun filled tale. 

Gracie Otto (Director) and lead, Krew Boylan (Writer) have teamed to create a 95 minute feature that nearly everyone will like, and a growing number will absolutely love. After all, the concept of a Dolly Parton impersonator from a humble suburban family making good on the international stage, is a winning idea. And Red (Boylan) is every bit the shining soul Dolly is.

The magic of SERIOUSLY RED is becoming immersed in the evolution of Raylene Delaney (or Red) from the insecure office clown, to professional entertainer. Her transition in confidence as she follows a Dollyism, "You'll Never Know If You Don't Give It A Go" is key to the film's schtick. Red's early renditions of Dolly classics are good, but amateurish. Her cover versions as she transitions to being a professional are outstanding. It's the story that lacks credence. 

We're never convinced that the mother (Jean Kittson)/daughter relationship is fractured. Red's mate Francis (Thomas Campbell) isn't given room in the script to fulfil the need he has for Red. Then the real love that happens between Kenny (Daniel Webber) and Red does just that - happen! The audience is locked out of the relationship legitimacy. That's the art of an excellent script. SERIOUSLY RED is a good script with seriously creative art and sound design.  9GUMS.          

     

No. 100 (2022) ONE WAY TO DENMARK Dec. 4th.

 

Film No. 100 (2022)   Dec. 4th.  7.35 PM  AMAZON PRIME,  Mt. Hawthorn, West Australia.

"Your father was a pain in the arse. But you know what? I think you have beaten him" (Herb's mother issues the ultimate put-down).

Submission : Director & Actors Award, (Adrian Shergold and Raif Spall)  Calgary Film Festival 2019.

This is a serious film. It is promoted as a comedy in the hope viewers will be attracted to one of the world's leading streaming networks (Amazon Prime). It is however, a film with light moments. The theme of male depression is in focus here. A subject matter to be taken very seriously. 

I suppose THE FULL MONTY issued a similar warning, but the joy of MONTY was the fun (stripping) a bunch of depressed blokes had (audiences included) in overcoming their adversity (unemployment).

ONE WAY TO DENMARK has Herb (Raif Spall) depressed for multiple reasons, unemployment included. So when he hears about its progressive prison system, the idea of emigrating to Denmark is very appealing to Herb. As he sees it, he could commit a crime, get caught and spend time in their prison system. There, he would live in a comfortable room with a flat screen T.V. and be able to shower in warm water. He would also be given work with a purpose. His village life in Wales is dank and without prospects. Relocation a great distance from his "glass half empty mother" would be an added bonus. 

ONE WAY TO DENMARK is original and is carried by Spall. We know his future is never going to play out as he's imagined it, but his adventure will take his mind and heart to other places. We want him to have a better life. By film's end he will have some choices. A small diamond in the rough is the best way to describe this little gem - but it is no comedy!  9GUMS.

 

  

No. 99 (2022) SHE SAID Nov. 27th.

 

Film No. 98  (2022)  November 27th.  4:40 PM  HOYTS CINEMAS, Cine 4   Karrinyup.

"The case I made was, I can't change what happened to you in the past, but together we may be able to help protect other people" (Twohey explains to Kantor her technique for trying to get victims to discuss their experiences and go on the record).

Winner : Truth in Non-Fiction Film Making, (Maria Schrader)  Montclair Film Festival 2022.

Films of the calibre of SPOTLIGHT and ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN have inspired journalists from all mediums to seek the truth where injustice stands in the shadows. SHE SAID, a film made with similar competence, maintains the rage. Hopefully it will inspire a new breed of courageous people to uncover truth where cover-ups reign.

Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan play New York Times journalists Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, who, together, broke the story which eventually led to Harvey Weinstein being jailed for multiple years. Weinstein was a sexual predator of extraordinary proportions. SHE SAID is a two hour character study of Twohey and Kazan, everyday mothers and wives, ordinary people completing an exceptional professional feat. To read the 2017 article, post film, gave me a greater sense of admiration for our heroes; not to mention the thoroughness shown by the film-makers.

Director Maria Schrader (I'M YOUR MAN, UNORTHODOX) in just her 4th feature continues with her strength; story through a relationship. Two ordinary people expose the scandal of a decade via determination and bloody-mindedness. The poster says it all. Schrader massages our combined moral consciousnesses through meticulous direction; Mulligan and Kazan are putty in her hands.

THE ASSISTANT and BOMBSHELL precede SHE SAID. They each deal with similar themes. In different ways they expose outrageous behaviour. The behaviour comes about because entitled men, in positions of power, behave atrociously. Comprehending that power leads to understanding the difficulty victims have with going on the record. 

Dean Baquet (Andre Braugher)  and Rebecca Corbett (Patricia Clarkson) were the secure planks that Twohey and Kazan could step along as they build their self belief while treading their own minefield prior to publishing. SHE SAID is quite simply, an important film that happens to be a good flick.  10GUMS.