No. 12 (2019) Grans (Border). Feb 7th.

Film No 12 (2019) Feb. 7th.  6:30 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

"As a child I thought I was special, but then I grew up and realized I was a strange human being with a chromosome flaw". (Tina explains to Vore, her new friend, about her feelings for herself at an earlier age).

Border boosted Sweden's film profile at Cannes last year, winning the Un Certain Regard award. An award established to reward original cinema. Border is certainly refreshingly original. Mary Shelly's Frankenstein first explored the deep themes of beauty within the grotesque and Border plays with those themes and laces the plot with Nordic mythologies. Tina (Eva Melander) knows she is different but has fitted into society using her refined instincts as a Border/Customs official. Tina can smell evil, guilt and fear within people as they pass. She becomes compromised when "one of her own" comes into her life at the border. Yore (Eero Millonoff), will test Tina emotionally, to her limits. Could this be the breaking point in her confused existence? Border is a very dark contemporary fable. Like Tina, I felt, smelt and lathered myself in the experience. This film won't be everyone's cup of dark, rich broth!  9GUMS. 

      

No. 11 (2019) The Mule. Feb 4th.

Film No. 11 (2019) Feb. 4th.  1.30PM  HOYTS MILLENIUM  Fremantle.

"Pecans, I'm delivering pecans to my niece; she makes the worst Pecan Pie I've ever tasted, I feel sorry for her husband." (Earl is pulled over by a state patrol officer and responds to the officer's question about his cargo).

How does Clint do what he does? He directs this engaging small tale and if that's not enough he plays the lead as well! The Mule has many similarities to Gran Torino (2008), only this time Clint (Earl Stone) has significant family ties and is less grumpy. The Mule is based on an article published in The New York Times relating to an octogenarian WW2 vet Leo Sharp after he was apprehended (2011) "muling" drugs across borders for the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. Screen-writer Nick Schenk (Gran Torino) has a great feel for Eastwood's more laconic, even improvisational ways. There are legitimate laugh out loud moments. Earl's attitude to family and the changes in that attitude as the film unfolds also gives The Mule a clear path to its conclusion. I had a great time with The Mule and so did the ever-green Eastwood. Clint just keeps on giving, he's not only a Hollywood legend, he is a living wonder !! 9GUMS.

          

No. 9 (2019) Mary Queen of Scots. Jan 28th.

Film No 9 (2019) Jan. 28th.  10.00AM  UNITED CINEMAS Rockingham . 

"Your beauty, your bravery your gifts are your downfall." (Elizabeth 1 speaks her mind to her cousin Mary at their famous and most significant meeting).

Who better to take us on a journey of British historical significance depicting two feisty monarchs than two of modern cinema's leading cutting edge actors, the two R's, Ronan and Robbie. It must be said that it's more Ronan's show than Robbie's. The title insists on this. Mary (Ronan) returns from France determined to lead the Catholics via a program of reunification with her anglican cousin Queen Elizabeth. The film, using dark icy rich tones, tells a version not necessarily told in history books but what is unashamedly clear is that sixteenth century Scotland and England, while ruled by women, were very definitely manipulated by men. David Tennant (John Knox), Guy Pearce (William Cecil) and James McArdle (half brother to Mary, James Earl of Moray) give full repertoires' of their talents. Those familiar with their history will know Mary and Elizabeth rarely had face to face contact. This version concurs. There's lots to research after the film's titles roll. The film never explores Elizabeth's true feelings for her cousin and why Mary's life was ultimately cut short. Don't watch this film looking for a joyous, relaxing two hours. 8GUMS.

        

No. 10 (2019) If Beale Street Could Talk. Feb 2nd.

Film No 10 (2019) Feb. 2nd.  10:45 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"Love brought you here. If you trusted love this far, trust it all the way". (Sharon reassures Tish that she should have no regrets for her feelings for Fonny).

Barry Jenkins has adapted James Baldwin's novel with great compassion and intelligence. It's possibly more meticulous from a production POV than Moonlight. The story is simply the tale of two young black Americans Tish (Kiki Layne) and Fonny (Stevan James) who find one another, fall deeply in love and passionately consummate their feelings for one another within days. Meanwhile an unfortunate incident leaves Fonny with no control over his destiny and wrongfully imprisoned. Tish is pregnant, and with the support of her loving family does all that's possible to get Fonny released. Jenkins unravels that narrative using clever, never confusing, time transitions and lingering close-ups to emphasis the ache in the collective hearts of our heroes. Some have called Beale Street "too slow", in my opinion they are missing the point. It's a powerhouse of a film 10GUMS.            

   

No. 8 (2019) Free Solo. Jan 27th.

Film No 8 (2019) Jan. 27th.  10.00PM  PALACE CINEMAS Raine Square,  Perth City . 

"I might change my mind, but, like now, I'd choose climbing over a relationship." (Alex outlines to his loving girlfriend Sanni how he honestly feels at that moment).

As a gimmick to promote the cinema experience that is Free Solo I'm surprised we weren't issued with a small "Free Solo" hand-towel. This was of course an afterthought considering how clammy my palms became while enduring the final moments of this thoroughly engaging doco. Alex Honnold is a different "kind a cat". I don't use the term cat lightly when describing Alex. Film makers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin have captured more than just a freak of nature (Honnold) achieving the impossible, they also reveal themselves as participants to a likely death. The strongest themes come via Alex's relationships with new love Sanni and climbing mentor Tom Caldwell. The power of these connections are a major reason for those cold clammy palms prevalent in that excruciating but exhilarating final 15 minutes. 11GUMS.          

  

No. 7 (2019) On The Basis of Sex. Jan 26th.

Film No 7 (2019) Jan. 26th.  11:00 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"To learn more about his work, so I can be a more patient and understanding wife". (Ruth sarcastically answers the Dean of Harvard's question as to why she has taken a place at the university usually set aside for a man).

RBG is the 2018 release which gives an insight into Ruth Bader Ginsberg. This documentary gives an insightful (RBG sanctioned) view of possibly the most influential law maker in the history of the United States. The Basis of Sex (also RGB endorsed) is an entertaining, if not sanitised, version of Ruth and Marty Ginsberg's (Felicity Jones & Armie Hammer) early years and how the depth of their relationship both lovingly and professionally changed a law (constitutional) on the basis of sex. The case, Moritz v Commissioner of IRS, forms the foundation of the film. It's the case that began Ruth's determined efforts to seek change to U.S. discriminatory  (sex based) laws. Jones and Hammer give the film a Hollywood chemistry. The two hours breeze by. It's a story worth telling, about a lady who to this day has a cult following. 9GUMS.

         

No. 6 (2019) Shoplifters. Jan 25th.

Film No. 6 (2019) Jan. 25th.  8.00 PM  PIAF Film Festival, The Pines Joondalup.

"What the people who pretend to be her family were doing in this house remains shrouded in mystery". (A network news reporter voices her commentary from the street in front of "the family house").

Life on the fringes of Japanese society is a rarity for the greater international cinema going public to experience. Shoplifters takes us on a heartfelt journey using one of the most unconventional families you'll ever experience on-screen. Osamu (Lily Franky) and Sakura (Nobuyo Shibata) oversee rather than parent a family in a cluttered but strangely homely apartment on the outskirts of Tokyo. The family are scammers, it's the only way they know. The major scam comes via the kidnapping (rescue) of cold and lonely Rin (Miya Sasaki) from a balcony where she is left by her uncaring parents. It's at this point we pick-up this intriguing and unique journey where unethical behaviour is the norm. Ultimately it's the love and care for each other that unfolds on screen that affects us, the audience, giving us no idea where it will take us. Cannes awarded Shoplifters it's highest accolade in 2018. No wonder. 11GUMS.