Film No. 46 (2017) Una. July 2nd.

Film No. 46 (2017) July 2nd.  5.30 PM PALACE COMO, South Yarra, Melbourne.

"My dad tried to find you. He wanted to hunt you down and kill you" (Una outlines a fact from her unnerving past to Ray, now known as Pete).

An adaptation of the play Blackbird by the playwright, David Harrower. Other than a compelling performance from Rooney Mara, Una is two dimensional in its delivery. The themes of child abduction and the consequences which follow, particularly for Una, punctuates the beating heart of this taut drama. Ray (Ben Mendelsohn) is now Pete but is he totally reformed? Only the damaged Una can bring matters to a head and Mara does it with class and heart wrenching conviction. Ruby Stokes as young Una makes an impressive debut giving Una that extra dimension. Be warned, the themes of underage sex depicted in Una are strong. 7GUMS.   

Film No. 43 Despiable Me 3 June 10th

Film No. 43 (2017) June 10th.  11.15 AM GRAND CINEMAS Warwick.

"Brother, I'm to become a villain again. How awesome will that be?"(Drug hugs brother Gru as he expresses his exciting news).

Being a huge fan of the Despicable Me franchise I was really looking forward to taking my two children aged 10 and 7 to the third installment of the series and it didn't disappoint. We were taken on an action packed adventure with Gru meeting up with his long lost twin brother Dru and working together as a dynamic duo to save Hollywood. Lots of gags, sarcasm as well as the entertaining minions make this one not to miss for fans of the franchise. 9GUMS. (from guest reviewer and movie crazy father Stephen O'Connor). 

Film No. 45 (2017) A Ghost Story. June 24th.

Film No. 45 (2017) June 24th.  11.00 PM LUNA PALACE, Leederville.

"A writer writes a novel, a songwriter writes a song, we do what we can to endure" (An element of a monologue delivered by a passing player in one scene).

A24 Productions continue to bring invigoratingly (excruciatingly to some), innovative films to world cinema. A Ghost Story may well be the most original from their stable. Encompassing themes of grief, loss and the passage of time A Ghost Story is not storytelling of a conventional nature. It is a cinematic contribution to a meditative rumination. If you are a fan of Terrence Davies work and / or loved Melancholia then A Ghost Story is for you. A monologue from a passing character in the middle of the film holds the key to explaining this highly original film. 10GUMS.

Film No. 44 It Comes At Night June 21st.

Film No. 44 (2017) June 21st  6.30 PM  LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge.

"Arising from the anticipation of evil" (promotional grab accompanying the trailer).

This film is as tense as the grip you'll have on the arm of the cinema seat. Described as a horror, thriller and mystery movie, It Comes At Night is more mystery due to what we don't know or see as opposed to what happens. We can only surmise as to the state of the world beyond Paul's (Joel Egderton)fortress (a rambling house in the woods) and his desperate commitment to protect  his family. This film is as dark as its title and comes with warnings; some scenes are disturbing. Hard to recommend but it lives up to the promises depicted in its unnerving trailer. 10GUMS.   

Film No. 42 My Cousin Rachel June 13th

Film No. 42 (2017) June 13th.  11.15 PM LUNA WINDSOR Nedlands.

"I've written to you several times but there is no one I can trust to take my letters to the mail"(Phillip reads a letter sent to him by his dying cousin, newly married to a woman named Rachel).

Another lavish re-tell of a well known novel by Daphne du Maurier (Rebecca). A faultless production depicting the dark mysterious, gold-digger (seemingly) Rachel, stunningly played by Rachel Weisz. The opening stanza builds exquisite tension prior to Rachel's arrival on the windswept cliffs of county Surrey but gradually the gloss is lost in this old fashioned tale as later scenes linger longer than they should. Sam Claflin playing the emotionally challenged Phillip doesn't have quite the chemistry to match Weisz. It will be popular matinee cinema for the mature set never the less. 8GUMS.      

Film No. 41 The First Girl I Loved June 12th

Film No. 41 (2017) June 12th.  6.30 PM  LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge.

"I'm not comfortable with this, I feel like my daughter is being accused of something" (Anne's mother discusses her daughter's at a school mediation session).

Perhaps First Girl I Loved will gain a larger audience on a streaming network but this quirky love triangle gained a Sundance following which has caught the attention of cinema goers. It is vibrantly fresh with an excellent lead performance by Dylan Gelula as Anne. The male corner of the triangle lacks development hence the Netflix feel to the overall product. A film that takes risks and leaves us thinking for a day or two can't be all that bad. Thus First Girl has merit. Those with Homophobic tendencies may be best suited to steer clear. 7GUMS.     

Film No. 40 (2017) The Mummy. June 7th.

Film No. 40 (2017) June 7th.  6.45 PM Greater Union Event Cinema,  Innaloo.

"Welcome to a new world of Gods and Monsters" (Voice over attached to a trailer).

Tommy Cruise takes on another blockbuster role, this time he fills the rather larger shoes of Brendan Fraser in a re-boot of The Mummy. No surprise that Cruise is once again bullet proof but he's not everything he seems. Fraser's version was far more linear in structure and less CGI reliant. It's a long shot to stretch the aura of a mummy into something it is not. Too long, confusing and basically boring for mine but may well please the masses. And yes, Tom gets the girl but there's a twist. 4GUMS.