No. 39 (2018) I Feel Pretty May 3rd.

Film No. 39 (2018) May 3rd.  6:30 PM EVENT Cinemas Innaloo. 

"Some sizing here is a little limited. But you might find your size on-line" (A fashion store assistant takes a look at Renee then offers her advice).

It was tantalising to hear that Amy Schumer and Michelle Williams had teamed up to make a film dealing with female self image. As it happens, they both do an excellent job considering the stale, preachiness of a script which lacks both imagination and continuity. So while the film has it's light, frothy scenes, I can't help but think a moment has been lost. The chance for two stars to make a "Pretty Woman" like impact film via a fairy tale with charisma has been lost in I Feel Pretty. Schumer's legitimate, self effacing style is energetic as Renee Bennett. We like her, we are invested in her beauty and her style is infectious. Her new found confidence is fun to watch, but a one dimensional view wears thin.  6GUMS.        

    

No. 38 (2018) Chappaquiddick April 30th.

Film No. 38 (2018) April 30th.  6:30 PM LUNA  Palace Northbridge. 

"I could have had her out of that car in twenty five minutes if I'd have got the call; I didn't get the call" (A police diver who recovered Mary-Jo's body from the wreck under the bridge).

Another film for those Baby Boomers keen to get an insight into a historical moment which polarised the world at the time. In 1969 Edward remained as the only surviving male Kennedy, he had his eyes on the presidential prize which was a real possibility. So what happened on that fateful night in July that changed his aspirations? There's never been a doubt that Teddy Kennedy made a series of surprising decisions immediately following the accident off the infamous wooden bridge on Chappaquiddick island on that fateful night. This film has a view in depicting those decisions. Jason Clarke plays Teddy insightfully. The surprise comes however via Joey Gargan (Ed Helms) a close family friend and fixer who becames more and more morally bankrupted by Teddy's behaviour. Without being particularly insightful the film pulls few punches and is a thorough retell. 9GUMS. 

   

No. 37 (2018) The Other Side of Hope (Toivon tulle puolen) April 23rd.

Film No. 37 (2018) April 23rd.  4:20 PM LUNA Paradiso Northbridge. 

"I want to stay here. It is a country with no war" (The simplicity with which Khaled sums up his current predicament).

This simply staged film dealing with complicated issues of an asylum seeking nature from a Scandinavian POV is to say the least captivating. Layered with a decency Donald Trump would find confusing and down right incomprehensible, Aki Kaurismaki (Le Havre) gives us more of his view on how good people have key roles to play when opportunities arise in helping other good people. Asylum seeker  Khaled (Sherwan Haji), a Syrian refugee, has the good fortune to meet Wilkstrom (Sakari Kuosmanen) in a very staged circumstance but not before we view the simplistic plight of both men. Wilkstrom needing a new direction in his life for personal and family reasons and Khaled simply wanting a better life sums up the plight of Kaurismaki's key players. Then comes the dead-pan parade of characters mainly via a restaurant caught in the vortex of the 1950's but continually looking to diversify. Toivon is a delight and best of all there is eternal hope.  10GUMS. 

   

No. 36 (2018) Tully April 21st.

Film No 36 (2018) April 21st.  11:00 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"Your 20's are great, then your thirties come around like a garbage truck at 5am". (Marlo offers a reflection on life so far to her night nanny).

I'm predicting that Tully, the new Jason Reitman (Juno) film, will polarise audiences, particularly female cinema goers. One thing is for certain, Tully is a fine slice of entertainment which brings to light a serious issue which only women who've experienced the darkest elements of post natal depression are qualified to comment on. Charlize Theron plays Marlo, a mother barely coping with life. The film's power comes as Reitman peels back the layers unique to Marlo using both technique and dialogue (not completely faultless) that will have you on mental rewind well after the titles have rolled. There is real chemistry between Theron and Mackenzie Davis (Tully), important to the fabric of the way Tully unfolds. Anyway, I'm a male and so totally ill equipped to relate to so much of Tully's subject matter I won't try. I do know that Reitman has made another sharp, competent, contemporary film to which so many mothers and to some extent dads will relate.  9GUMS.          

   

No. 35 (2018) Walking Out April 20th.

Film No. 35 (2018) April 20th.  4:10 PM LUNA Paradiso Northbridge. 

"Just think what you'll tell those kids back in Brian Meadow, knowing you came home with a good kill" (Cal reinforces the importance of their hunting expedition to son David).

A coming of age film with a power not often seen in this genre of cinema. Put simply, David (Josh Wiggins) makes his annual visit to the Montana wilderness where his estranged father, Cal (Matt Bonner) lives. David is reaching an age where the visit is a chore; he's struggling to maintain a connection with his dad. His interest in outdoor adventure is not meeting Cal's expectations. Writer/ directors Alex and Andrew Smith don't muddle the narrative with complicated back stories, all our assumptions are clear from the sumptuous images and concise dialogue. The dreamlike flashback scenes involving patriarch Clyde (Bill Pullman) helps us to gain a greater depth of feeling for Cal. The final 40 minutes is pulsating, exhausting then powerfully revealing. And a warning, animal lovers may find some scenes repugnant.  10GUMS.    

  

No. 34 (2018) On Body and Soul April 16th.

Film No. 34 (2018) April 16th.  6:30 PM LUNA  Paradiso Northbridge. 

"People underestimate the power of movement honey" (Workplace cleaning lady takes Maria under her wing to help her attract a man).

Director Ildiko Enyedi (Tamas and Juli 1997) brings another award winner in On Body and Soul (Golden Berlin Bear winner) to international screens. Here we meet Endre (Goza Morcsanyi) and Maria (Alexandra Borbely) in a soft, mesmerising love story of the mysterious kind. That is if you consider a couple of insular souls, working in management positions within an abattoir who strike up a common thread via a recurring dream mesmerising. If you do you're in for a treat. Maria holds camera for the most part. She's innocent, pure and on the autism spectrum, learning - literally, how to attract Endre. By the end we are willing the two to let off some steamy sexual tension. The final scenes may cause a surprise or two, but don't forget the slaughterhouse in which they work is a metaphor for aspects of this unique relationship. Deep, I know, but there is something hypnotic about On Body and Soul. 8GUMS.

  

No. 33 (2018) The Party April 15th.

Film No 33 (2018) April 15th.  2:45 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"Patricia Clarkson steals the show, but everyone in Potter's gifted cast gets their moment to shine in a sharp edged, claustrophobic parlour piece that puts the boot into middle-class mores". Phil De Semlyen; Empire Magazine.

Sally Potter is back with something new and quite special. It’s nice to see a film of this nature which can pack all its drama into a slick 70 minutes; and Potter has hit the nail on the head here. The party is an intense black comedy about a group of friends and their dysfunctional relationships coming together for a so called celebration which quickly becomes a disaster! One revelation after another drives this fast paced drama through to the end with a bang (quite literally). The premis for The Party has been seen many times before, but when done well like much like Perfect Strangers one of my favourite films of 2017, the lack of originality doesn’t matter. However if you don’t like chaos on screen, the party is probably not for you. 10GUMS. by Sarah Greenwood.