Hail Caesar
Director: Joel & Ethan Coen
Length: 105 mins

© Universal Pictures

While not the Coens' best film, there is still a lot of fun to be had with this mad-cap story of Hollywood studio executive Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin), whose job it is to keep a good image for Capitol Pictures and its stars. When A-lister Baird Whitlock (George Clooney) is kidnapped in the middle of filming Hail Caesar, mayhem ensues. With this film I feel the Coens are paying homage to the major Hollywood genres they love - swords and sandals epics, aqua-musicals (featuring Scarlett Johansson in a mermaid suit), and toe-tapping spectacles, with Channing Tatum leading a delightful tap-dancing sailor routine. Throw in Tilda Swinton as a pair of twins, both Hollywood gossip columnists, and you have a terrific cast, in a mish-mash collection of episodes that never quite feel unified, but provide plenty of amusement. (But just why so much was shown in the film's shorts I'll never know - sort of spoilt some terrific scenes!)

Worth seeing!

For a full review from Bernard Hemingway:

http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=5976



Theeb
Director: Naji Abu Nowar
Length: 100 mins

© Fortissimo Films & Lido

If you loved Lawrence of Arabia you must not miss Theeb. It's the story of a young Arab boy, Theeb,  living in the remote desert in the time of the Ottoman Empire. The lad accompanies his brother on a dangerous trek, and as a result he is forced to grow up in a hurry and learn some harsh truths about who you can and can't trust. This is a slow and measured film, taking its time to establish the way of life of the Bedouin, and, through its magnificent cinematography,  the feel of the vast, unforgiving desert. The film captured me with its many wondrous camels, tense gunfights with raiding nomads, majestic wadis and undulating sands, but it is also a moving story of family, tradition and a way of life fast disappearing.  

Totally worth seeing! Exclusive to Lido, Hawthorn.

For my full review:

http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=5972