Wednesday 29 June 2016

This Week: 
Mr Gaga
The Wait
Measure of a Man

All three films this week are absolute winners. Get yourself to Cinema Nova for two of them, and have a warming pasta and red wine in Carlton while you're there!  You've never seen modern dance the likes of that in Mr Gaga, Juliet Binoche gives her all in The Wait, while Vincent Lindon will move you with his knock-out performance in Measure of a Man.


Mr Gaga
Director:  Tomer Heymann
Length: 100 mins
Exclusive to Cinema Nova

© HotDocs & Cinema Nova
I mentioned this film briefly in my HotDocs reviews a couple of weeks back. Now, thankfully (thanks Nova!) it has a full cinematic release. If you are a lover of modern dance it is unmissable (even if you are not a dance-o-phile, I can't imagine you wouldn't love it!) It reveals the life, the loves, the genius and the passion of Ohad Naharin, the artistic director of Israel's Batsheva Dance Company. If dance can be seen as a wordless expression of deepest emotions, then Naharin absolutely nails the communication. The fluidity and sheer physical beauty, along with the self-abandonment of the "Gaga" style of dance, is something that must be seen to be believed. It is moving, exquisite, surprising and inspiring all at once. The excerpt shown in the film's trailer, where a stage full of dancers perform one of the Passover prayers in a primally confronting and exhilarating way is one of the best bits of modern dance I've ever seen.  

5 - Unmissable!

The Wait
Director:  Piero Messina
Length: 100 mins

© Palace
Juliet Binoche is one of the finest actresses of our era. Here's a chance to see her in a broody and compelling film about a distressed woman who receives a visit from Jeanne,  her son's girlfriend. Anna (Binoche) tells Jeanne that Giuseppe is not home, and that she should come in and wait. As the time stretches into days, the women form a friendship, but a dark secret underlies everything. Set in glorious Sicily, and with stunning cinematography throughout,  this is a slow and intriguing film that at heart is also a fascinating psychological drama.  

3.5 - Recommended!

For my full review:
http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=6046


The Measure of a Man
Director:  Stephane Brizet
Length: 95 mins
Exclusive to Cinema Nova


© Sharmill Films
Thierry (Vincent Lindon) is retrenched from his job. He faces retraining programs that prove useless, unsympathetic bureaucratic people around him, and has a wife and disabled son dependent upon him. He finally gets a job in store surveillance, helping to catch customers and employees who either shoplift or rort the system. Gradually he becomes aware that many are doing what they do because they are simply unable to get by in life. This film is deliberately slow, and incredibly subtle in its message - building a picture of a man, his morality and his life priorities. It is a heartbreak to watch, made totally compelling by Lindon's self-effacing performance that won him a Cannes Best Actor. I found myself utterly engrossed and pondering the harsh vicissitudes of life that should lead us all to the more compassionate stance of "there but for the grace of God go I". 

4 - Highly recommended!

For a full review from Chris Thompson:
http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=6047






Sunday 26 June 2016

This week:
Mustang
More HotDocs

It's been a low-key film time for me with the wonderful Mustang being the stand out. Be aware that HotDocs is still running and I've caught up with one more, the Swedish film The Sex Temple, which is a great segue into the forthcoming Scandinavian Film Festival - stay tuned for that one, starting next week.


Mustang
Director:  Deniz Gamze Erguven
Length: 94 mins


© Madman - five oppressed sisters in Turkey
A powerful film from Turkey, Mustang introduces five sisters, full of life, full of typically schoolgirlish vitality. But when they are seen cavorting at the beach with (shock-horror!) boys, their uncle and grandmother (with whom they live) crack down like a ton of bricks, making the girls virtual prisoners within the home They are forced to learn domestic skills in preparation for early marriage, and their rebellion and high-spirits are gradually worn down. Only the youngest, Lale, seems to have enough rebellious spirit to attempt to find a solution. This is a wonderfully made film, understated but powerfully dealing with seriously important issues for the state of women in today's world.  

4.5 - Highly recommended!

For my full review:
http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=6041

HotDocs at Palace  - continuing
Running until July 3

Yet another I've managed to cram in:

The Sex Temple:  Swedish drag artist Robin teams up with straight Christian and together they set up a swingers club, teamed with queer burlesque shows.  Everyone seems to be getting along just fine until the local neighbours arc up, objecting to potential "depravity". This is an interesting look at homophobia, sexual taboos, and tolerance.

HotDocs: 4.5 - Wholeheartedly recommended!

To view the full program go to:
http://www.palacecinemas.com.au/_img/custom/enews/Hotdocswebprogram.pdf

Sunday 19 June 2016


This week:
Backtrack; Miles Ahead; Downriver; The First Monday in May; HotDocs at Palace

A little late, but then again I have caught up big time over the weekend with some recently released films. 


Backtrack
Director: Michael Petroni
Length: 90 mins


© Madman - Adrien Brody is a haunted psychologist!
After reading some negative reviews I went with trepidation to this Aussie-made psychological thriller, with a few horror overtones. I was pleasantly surprised! Adrien Brody plays psychologist Peter Bower who gets visitations from strange patients. After making a connection between the spooky nature of these patients, his own daughter who was killed in a bike accident and a long-ago tragic train crash, Peter unearths some pretty disturbing stuff from his childhood. I thoroughly enjoyed Brody's performance, and as always it was great to see Sam Neill as Peter's old professor, Duncan. Cinematography was evocative and slick, making our local settings look impressive, and the plot had enough shocks, and realism, without going overboard, to reel me in.  

3 - Recommended!

For a full review from Bernard Hemingway:
http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=6040


Miles Ahead
Director:Don Cheadle
Length: 101 mins
Exclusive to Cinema Nova

Cheadle has written, directed and stars in this energetic movie about legendary jazz trumpeter Miles Davis. Although apparently some of the content is more fiction than fact, it captures the spirit of the man, using a narrative framework that toggles between Davis's past, and the present. Miles reflects upon his past fame and has regrets about ex-wife Frances, while contemplating a comeback after years of drug abuse. Aspiring journalist Dave (Ewan McGregor) wheedles his way into Davis's life and the pair go in pursuit of a stolen session tape. Cheadle is incredible in the role, and even learned trumpet to tackle a movie that is obviously a total labour of love.       

4 - Wholeheartedly recommended!

For a full review from Chris Thompson:
http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=6032

Downriver
Director: Grant Scicluna
Length: 99 mins
Exclusive to Cinema Nova

James is released on parole after serving time in a juvenile prison for supposedly murdering another kid when he was only 11. He returns to the scene of the crime, trying to piece together all the facts he cannot recall, and perhaps find the body that was never discovered. The people he meets from his past are none too savoury, but they may hold the key to the truth. This film looked really impressive, and the performances are uniformly strong. My problem was with the script which I unfortunately found a little confusing, with its time shifts and occasional obscurity as to what was actually going on.    

2.5 - Maybe!

For my full review:
http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?movieid=6039

The First Monday in May
Director:Andrew Rossi
Length: 90 mins

© Madman - Rhianna in a gown extraordinaire
This visually sumptuous doco follows the creation of the fashion exhibition "China: Through the Looking Glass", held at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. Of course fashion luminary, Vogue editor and Museum board Member Anna Wintour is front and centre, but so are other legendary fashion designers, and museum curators, who work against the clock to get the Exhibition happening. The behind the scenes looks are always fascinating, and even for non-fashionista like myself, the costumes, all inspired in some way by China, are simply splendiferous. The entire argument of why haute couture should also be regarded as art is eloquently supported!         

3 - Recommended!

HotDocs at Palace  - continuing
Running until July 3

Yes, more HotDocs - a couple of rippers!!

Motorkite DreamingTwo amateur adventurers take to the skies to fly from Adelaide to the Kimberley in mighty flimsy microlights. They fly across five deserts and the lands of 20 different Indigenous groups, making incredible discoveries along the way, connecting with an ancient culture, and their own inner strengths. A refreshingly simple film, with complex messages, much humour, and extraordinary landscapes. 
Mr GagaIsraeli choreographer, Ohad Naharin, has changed the face of modern dance with his Batsheva Dance Company. This film, painting a portrait of Naharin's personal life and work, has more energy and innovative dance moves than I've possibly ever seen, is a feast for the senses, and is ABSOLUTELY UNMISSSABLE!  


HotDocs: 4.5 - Wholeheartedly recommended!

To view the full program go to:
http://www.palacecinemas.com.au/_img/custom/enews/Hotdocswebprogram.pdf