Film No. 16 (2014) 20 Feet from Stardom. March 7th.

Film No.16 (2014) March 7th. 4:00 PM Download at Home.

  20 Feet from Stardom

 

Arguably there was only one "out of the box" winner at this years' Academy Awards presentation. A surprise considering this was tipped to be one of the more unpredictable ceremonies. 20 Feet From Stardom won Best Feature Documentary to a rousing reception.

This film is insightful; infectious even. The biggest names in show biz line up to regale the talents of these back up singers. We meet the likes of Lisa Fischer, Darlene Love, Merry Clayton to name a few; their star shines in this wonderfully crafted film.

Sting, Jagger, Springsteen all glow as they praise the performers who stitch their voices into the sounds which have become so famous. Lou Reed sums up the plight of these coloured girls as they go "doo de doo de doo" all the time alerting us to the unsung heroes of song.

The best documentaries fill us with the joy of "the human spirit". This award winner does just that. Perhaps 12 Years a Slave set the theme for the Academy this year; if that were the case then 20 Feet was a shoo in! 9GUMS.    

Film No.15 (2014) The Monuments Men. March 5th.

Film No.15 (2014) March 5th. 6:30 PM VMAX Innaloo.

  The Monuments Men

The story behind The "real" Monuments Men is both fascinating and complicated. Thus, it is a shame this George Clooney "project" film is simplistic and ill scripted.

 
Clooney is renown for the money he pours into his projects. To scrimp on researchers and script writers has lead this be forgettable and underwhelming. He would not have wanted this for such an important story. The story of a few men recovering artistic masterpieces for the preservation of modern history.
 
I recall Goodnight and Good Luck, an earlier Clooney project film. This too was an important story; a story well told. Contrastingly Monuments , of blockbuster proportions, is not helped by its mind numbing soundtrack to help us feel what we couldn't feel for ourselves.

I have been scathing, but only through disappointment. For many this film will fill an entertainment gap. It is big and it is pretty. A bit like George himself; he along with Damon, Murray, Goodman and Blanchete are good but the script "screams" for their brilliance.   5GUMS 

 

 

Film No. 14 (2014) Bright Days Ahead (French) March 2nd.

Film No.14 (2014) March 2nd. 10:30 AM PARADISO Northbridge.

 

Bright Days Ahead (French)

An invite to the preview film to launch Perth's French Film Festival is always exciting. Puzzling enough however was the choice; Bright Days Ahead. It was a "small" well made, light dramatic comedy with a tight script but it lacked the hallmarks of a good film; it was more an interesting film. A surprising choice to launch a festival.

Caroline (Fanny Ardant) is 60 and looking to relieve her anticipated boredom after her working life is suddenly cut short. She attends a self help school BDA, a gift from her daughter. The handsome Computer teacher Julien seduces Caroline and so "self help" takes on a new meaning. The seduction is believable (Fanny is one very handsome performer) but the escalation of the affair is not.


Caroline's marriage to Philippe (Patrick Chesnais), is healthy and full of humour and friends. While it is possible that an insecure woman of Caraoline's ilk would risk all for a torrid affair but we have to believe it; this film did little to convince me.

My theory on why BDA is mediocre; Director Marion Vernoux tried for a film with substance including a life lesson or two but failed to meet script demands and preferred lighthearted exchanges between characters.   5GUMS

Film No. 13 (2014) Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom. Feb 23rd.

Film No.13 (2014) Feb 23rd. 12.45PM PARADISO Northbridge.

 

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

 

How does one make a film capturing the key moments in the life of Nelson Mandela in 141 minutes. Justin Chadwick has done a great job although his film will not not sit alongside Gandhi on the shelves of greatness.

Ildris Elba looks nothing like the great man but he has charisma and if you close your eyes you'd swear Nelson was uttering the words. Naomie Harris as Winnie performs with heart but I'd have liked a "meatier" understanding of the real emotion behind their separation.

The clean images of South Africa in the 60's adds authenticity to the film; the frantic nature of Soweto, the vehicles, the buildings, the costumes and tattles. Every detail works perfectly as the key moments in history unfold.

The film gives a neat "Readers Digest" summary; and stay for the credits. The photo gallery of Nelson himself to the sounds of U2 is uplifting and proves the meticulous nature in which Chadwick went about setting particular scenes, the authenticity is outstanding.   7GUMS     

 

Film No. 12 (2014) Captain Phillips. Feb 18th.

Film No.12 (2014) Feb 18th. 8.30PM CYGNET Como.

Captain Phillips

Does anyone play the perennial good guy better than Tom Hanks ? He is the bankable commodity for big studio drama, and while the Paul Greengrass style of grit produced in Captain Phillips is less glossy, Hanks is the man we are rooting for from minute one to the last.

Greengrass brought us the true drama behind United 93 in 2006, taking us through the horror of that doomed flight on 9/11. This time he brings to life the story behind the US container ship hijacked by Somali pirates while operating off the coast of Africa in 2009. Captain Richard Phillips, a cautious man, is forced into a nightmare; a nightmare he's feared for months. The depiction of that fear in the film's closing scenes, stamps Hanks as a quality performer.

The classically "dodgy" camera work, synonymous with Greengrass, adds to the edgy script. Claustrophobia sufferers must be warned that sixty minutes of the film is spent in the tight confines of an orange plastic emergency vessel. The scenes are effective but never pleasant.

The Somali cast led by Barkhad Abdi, playing Muse the skinny leader, lifts this film to the heights it deserves. I'm only sad Greengrass gives so little character study via the script; the nameless Navy Seal commander who "sealed the deal" in the closing scenes is a case in point.   9GUMS.

Film No.11 (2014) Si Parla Italiano. Feb 17th.

Film No. 11 (2014) Feb 17th. 6.30PM PARADISO Northbridge.

Si Parla Italiano

 

Jack and his wife Teressa are friends of our family. Both emigrated to Australia from Italy to Melbourne in the mid sixties, before finally settling in Perth some years later. Regular visitors to the Fremantle Markets will know Jack for his "Con the Grocer" like dialect as they pick their week-end fruit. We took Jack and Teressa to Lygon St - Si Parla Italiano last night and what a joy it was.

This slickly made film depicting the evolution of Lygon Street post WWII by the Italians is interesting; it is more interesting if you watch it with someone who remembers intimately the time and even remembers some of the people depicted.

Jack and Teressa chuckled their way through this piece of digital history and even cheered when it was revealed that McDonalds and Starbucks where both closed due to a lack of patrons. The only time these institutions were unable to make a profit in an Australian venue.

The film gives a fantastic guide to the Italian influence on an Australian landscape. It's funny and revealing, but don't believe everything you've seen on Underbelly; and if you have an Italian friend who knows Melbourne, take them along, you'll get another dimension. 8GUMS 

 

Film No. 10 (2014) Nabraska. Feb 8th.

Film No. 10 (2014) Feb 8th. 11AM LUNA Leederville.

Nebraska

 

A warning from the MC at a preview of Nebraska yesterday reflects our times. His caution related to the fact the film was shot in Black and White. I'm miffed at the reason for the caution.

Nebraska is a heartfelt masterclass in film making by Alexanda Payne and while the character studies are wonderfully scripted, the sepia tone of the film gives it power.

Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) is aging and in mental decline. We learn he is a good person but drank too readily, thus his mission to collect one million dollars is a pipe dream. Son David (Will Forte) decides a road trip with his father will best prove to Woody the futility of his quest. Their road trip "cements" a companionship we'll remember beyond the closing credits.

Oscar nominee June Squibb plays Woody's wife Kay in a star turn. I hope she is rewarded for her sharp performance ! 10 GUMS