No. 71 (2023) THE EIGHT MOUNTAINS (LE OTTO MONTAGNE) Palace Italian FF. Oct. 7th.

 

Film No. 71  (2023)  October 7th.  1:10 PM  LUNA LEEDERVILLE,  Cine 5, Leederville.

 

"I didn't expect to find a friend like Bruno in my life. Nor that friendship was a place where you put down roots." (Pietro narrates the opening words to this epic tale, depicting a friendship that shapes his life).

WINNER: (Felix Van Groeninger, Charlotte Vandermeersch)  : Jury Prize; Cannes FF (2022). WINNER: Best Film; Donatello FF.

 

To listen to co director Charlotte Vandermeesch talk of the journey it took to get the best selling novel by Poalo Cognetti to the screen is to hear about an odyssey which parallels this epic story of friendship, family and life itself. Actor Vandermeesch and her partner, director Felix Van Groeningen co created MONTAGNE (The Eight Mountains) on the Italian Alps, bordering France, in 8 months. They had to overcome challenges of isolation, weather, and resource issues, by the hour. But you need to see this quite wonderous film to appreciate how difficult the shoot must have been. 

From the first narration, we are in the hands of Pietro who is reflecting on how blessed he was to have had a friend in Bruno. This is not a docudrama about well known people, it's the story of two boys who meet as young lads, then grow into men. Over the next three decades, their friendship shapes who they are, and who they become. All of this is set, in the main, in surroundings so harsh and breath-taking (seasonal) that the substance of the friendship matches the alpine beauty. 

So often a film cannot match the power of a novel. The descriptions of relationships, sweeping landscapes and emotional healing, told over time, through the written word, has greater aesthetic depth. Here, however, the magic of scenes of silent contemplation, along with a thoughtful musical backing, means THE EIGHT MOUNTAINS gathers that real depth. The country/folk soundtrack  has a real relevance to the images. The scenes on the side of the mountain, as the two build their cabin (a symbol of their lasting bond), will be the lasting image you take away. We all have friends we cherish for the strengths we share. It's likely the reason THE EIGHT MOUNTAINS has struck a chord with so many. 11GUMS.      

      

     

 

No. 70 (2023) SCRAPPER Oct. 1st.

 

Film No. 70  (2023)  October 1st.  2:40 PM  LUNA LEEDERVILLE,  Cine 4, Leederville.

 

"I don't need you to replace mum. But I need someone" (Georgie comes to a few conclusions about how Jason might fit into her life).

WINNER: (Charlotte Regan) World Cinema: Dramatic; Sundance Film Festival.

 

SCRAPPER created a real buzz at Sundance this year. Sundance is all about films that bring a freshness to big screen tales. Running at 84 minutes, and telling the story of a 12 year old girl living without care or love, might seem like serious business. It's the intelligent manner with which first time feature writer/director Charlotte Reagan handles that business that impresses. 

Our scrapper is Georgie (Lola Campbell). She lives in a yellow semi- detached unit somewhere on the outskirts of East London. We meet her not long after her loving mother has passed away. There is no father on the scene, and get this, Georgie cares for herself. It's all pretty fanciful I know, but this is where Regan convinces us that a resourceful girl like Georgie could exist. But there is something missing: love.  Love is definitely the resource Georgie will not be able to survive without. Enter Jason (Harris Dickinson), her father.

Director, Reagan, could be a Ken Loach devotee with an optimistic vision of the naturalistic style. Loach often does leave us with hope, but Reagan strikes a chord using humour, laced with short interludes of fantasy. We know the hope and love for Georgie turns up in the form of Jason. He's too likeable to let us and Georgie down with something like an addiction but: Why did he run away as a teenage dad?  Why is he back? Is he ready for this responsibility?

It's these loose ends that are tied up wonderfully by Reagan. A 29 year old director who, herself, was brought up by her Nan in a working class borough similar to that of Georgie's.  SCRAPPER reeks of a personal story. Georgie and Jason never outstay their welcome. Reagan leaves us in the sort of place she herself has been left, as she follows her dreams.  10GUMS.

        

 

No. 53 (2023) THE SPACE RACE. Perth; THE REV. Film Festival July 15th.

 

Film No. 53  (2023)  July 15th.  10:30 AM  LUNA LEEDERVILLE,  Cine 5, Leederville.

 

"I loved the space program. I was fascinated with it. But no one doing that stuff looked like me " (Black NASA administrator Charlie Bolden describes his younger days, as he aspired to become an astronaut).

NOMINEE: (Lisa Cortes & Diego Hurtado de Mendoza) Best Documantary Film, National Geographic. FINALIST: (Lisa Cortes & Diego Hurtado de Mendoza) Audience Award, Tribeca Film Festival 2023. SPECIAL SCREENING: (Lisa Cortes & Diego Hurtado de Mendoza) @ The Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Library. June 18th 2023.

Important films like THE SPACE RACE never get a wide enough big screen audience, mainly because, it's a National Geographic production. Generally these films are filed in a streaming vault to be accessed at will. So, THE SPACE RACE is a film available to many, but you have to go looking for it. I suggest you do.

Major League Baseball wears the Jackie Robinson story with pride. They celebrate his story with a designated day. Kids run around fields all wearing the famous 42 on that day. After all, 75 years ago this humble man became the first black man to play in the Majors. What's this got to do with THE SPACE RACE? Well, plenty. Charlie Bolden, Edward Dwight and Victor Glover represent the black men who fought a similar battle to Robinson, but their fight was with an even bigger organization, NASA. 

This classic, tick the boxes, thorough Nat Geo doco reminds us of the society that existed in most parts of the world, especially in the 50's, 60's and 70's. THE SPACE RACE mainly  holds our focus via the very articulate and focused Charles Bolden. He talks to camera telling the story of the struggle to prove ones worth but never feeling equal. Edward Dwight (first black astronaut), Victor Glover (first pilot on the SpaceX crew) and Guion Bluford (first black African to fly into space) all tell their stories. The inclusion of Ron McNair (the only black African on Challenger '86) brought a sad note, but importantly the doc highlights his genius, and the loss he was to the program.

Films like THE SPACE RACE continue to remind us of the archaic times that existed.  Times that remind us that tolerance is one of life's special ingredients. Times when the likes of NASA and MLB should have known better. More importantly we are in awe of of the pioneers of change; in this case the Boldens', the Dwights' and the Glovers' of the world. This film is one of those important films that keep us all on track to making our world a better place. 10GUMS.

 

     

   

No. 69 (2023) THE LAST FILM SHOW Sept. 26th.

 

Film No. 69  (2023)  September 26th.  4:30 PM  LUNA LEEDERVILLE,  Cine 4, Leederville.

 

"I want to study light." (Samay tells his dad, in his own way, that he wants to make films).

WINNER: (Pan Nalin) Audience Award; Mill Valley Film Festival. NOMINEE: (Pan Nalin) Tribeca Film Festival.

I'm trying to think of a better "tribute to cinema" film than, THE LAST FILM SHOW. I can't. It's a big call I know, but this small Indian masterpiece will take your heart in such an unassuming way, you'll have tears rolling down your face within 100 minutes and know exactly how they got there.  Pan Nalin's semi autobiographical feature relives his journey into how film became his life in a tiny village in central India.

Bhavin Rabari plays the key role of Samay. A ten year old boy who becomes fascinated with the magic of movies. The small isolated village is the setting for which Samay comes of age running tea for his dad (Dipen Raval) at the local railway station. Samay's fascination however is with film, he helps Fazal (Bhavesh Shrimal) the village projectionist and discovers the magic of the moving image, along with his 5 mates, all being as mischievous as they need to be to explore their dreams and take assorted locals along for the ride.

Then just as we all get an education in how the moving image is created using a sewing machine, single cuts of celluloid film reacting through a tumbler of water via a torch, Samay learns of the sacking of friend Fazal. The world of digital movie entertainment has come to the village. The transition from celluloid to digital transforms TLFS unexpectedly. The narrative diverts TLFS into a reusables "mini doco". It's like Nalin's wish that all the celluloid has reusable value. It's a very quirky deviation.

But the heart that beats in THE LAST FILM SHOW is as big as the big, well oiled projector Fazal operates. Samay, his family and friends fill the screen with optimism, exotic simple cuisine, compassion and dream chasing. Ultimately the magic of cinema is all of these things ... this time the story is told by a film maker (Nalin) telling us how it was for him.  11GUMS.

   

   

  

No. 68 (2023) #ANNAISMISSING Sept. 18th.

 

Film No. 68  (2023)  September 18th.  3:30 PM  KINO Cine, Prague, Czech Republic.  Cine 5.

 

"Dad, I've seen her on your phone. I'm scared" (Nina confronts her dad with her discovery).

NOMINEE: (Pavel Soukup) Young Film-makers submission, Prague.

Travelling in a country where big films are made by international studios can mean the local industry fades into obscurity. #ANNAISMISSING is a Prague production of the mystery/thriller variety and while it may well disappear into obscurity if it can't gain an international distributor, I can take pleasure in reporting I had a great time with this small, raw potboiler.

In plotline terms the title suggests social media will feature heavily. It does, and this aspect of the narrative is "massaged" well by first time feature director Pavel Soukup. His #MARYISDEAD TV series (one season) extends some of these ideas.

Nina (Alexandra Vostrejzova) is a follower of influencer Anna (Viktorie Vitova). Anna is a prolific poster, until she isn't. Nina, a teenager with spunk, becomes suspicious, and while so much of what follows is convenient, the red herrings and side stories help to build a believable enough space for Nina to follow her nose to a tight, unnerving ending. Flashbacks are a key to keeping total engagement for the audience. Soukup balances this technique well. 

The young performers carry #ANNAISMISSING.  Vitova is particularly strong as Anna. They showcase a vibrant Prague performing arts community. Hopefully an international festival run, in coming months, with give this film some oxygen.  8GUMS

  

  

 

 

No. 67 (2023) MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING Part One Sept. 12th.

 

Film No. 67  (2023)  September 12th.  1:35 PM  CINE CENTRE, Sofia, Bulgaria.  Cine 6.

 

"Listen to me! The world is coming after you." (Ethan is warned that this task he has accepted could be his last, given the stakes).

NOMINEE: (Christopher McQuarrie) Most Anticipated Film, Hollywood Critics Association.

Stepping up to the Candy Bar with the citizens of Sofia, Bulgaria for what was voted Hollywood's most anticipated film was a strange experience. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING Part One had been around for 6 weeks so the queue had diminished. BARBIE was still The Queen of the Box Office. Bulgarians were still queueing for this pink "bombshell". This didn't mean our first ever experience of a Bulgarian Cineplex was lessened because MI might disappoint. Far from it, MI was edge of the seat entertaining and deserving of its $300M  profit.

Talk about Impossible; I feel like an imposter reviewing a film that forms part of a franchise I've visited only once previously; the original, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE (1996), the Brian DePalma creation. Well, this Christopher McQuarrie (Jack Reacher) effort is an addition that likely surpasses most of the other seven action/adventure POSSIBLES! Each sits comfortably as a stand alone story. And while my two major ambitions; admiring a 60 something Tom Cruise and ground breaking action sequences were achieved in spades, the idea of a satisfying BLOCKBUSTER, seen on a mega screen was an undeniable positive. 

I'm kicking myself that I haven't indulged enough over the 27 years the franchise has been in operation. A critics analysis would suggest an improvement with every franchise addition.  Only a diehard fan could best advise on these matters. Me, well that's my second and I admit to enjoying both, thoroughly. Technology, techniques and effects gives DEAD - RECKONING the edge.  Oh, and thanks for having me, Megaplex, downtown Sofia.  9GUMS.    

No. 66 (2023) THEATRE CAMP August 28th.

 

Film No. 66  (2023)  August 26th.  6:30 PM  LUNA LEEDERVILLE,  Cine 5, Leederville.

 

"You guys are so talented, so unbelievable this will break you. This will fully destroy you." (Rebecca-Diane preps her new students prior to auditions for the end of camp Production!).

WINNER: (Nick Lieberman) U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Prize; Ensemble. Sundance Film Festival.

If you are feeling a little low, and movies are a proven method for improving your emotions,  THEATER CAMP will tickle your funny bone from the opening scenes. That's a testament for any film blatantly promoting itself as a laugh out loud comedy. Audiences may be cynical about such claims but, THEATER CAMP does live up to its claim, even if it's a little "uneven".

Christopher Guest mastered the art of the Mockumentary. He is the father of this feature comedy genre. THIS IS SPINAL TAP is spoken of in legendary terms, so much so, critics talk of attending the preview screenings and being convinced they were watching a documentary for at least the first 10 minutes. THEATER CAMP is more aligned with BEST IN SHOW when it comes to Guest comparisons.

Molly Gordon (THE BEAR) and Ben Platt take the lead here as Rebecca-Diane and Amos a duo of dedicated, young, wanna-be performers who cling onto a drama camp they attended as youngsters and can't cleanse their attachment to it from their psyche. They direct the final night production which punctuates all that has gone before. THEATER CAMP documents all that goes before, so the performance ties up the "unfinished business" in a clunky but fun-filled manner.

The list of challenges these likeable show-offs have to overcome in the lead up to the finale include the untimely illness (opening scene) of camp founder Joan (Amy Sedaris), the incompetence with which Joan's son, Troy (Jimmy Tatro) fills her shoes, the pressure of a take-over bid from a nearby drama academy and finally an emotional split between the co-directors. But you guessed it, as disjointed as it is at times, THEATER CAMP ends happily. It's a fun watch.  9GUMS.