Ladies in Black
Searching
The House with a Clock in its Walls
More from the Lavazza Italian Film Festival
Searching
Director: John M Chu
Length: 120 min
David Kim (John Cho) is thrust into a father's worst nightmare. First his beloved wife dies, leaving him to protectively raise his only child Margot, (Michelle La). At age 16, one seemingly usual day, she suddenly disappears. David flies into digital-overdrive, using Margot's computer to search every social media site and navigation record to trace her contacts and movements. Detective Rosemary Vick (Debra Messing) is also firmly on the missing persons trail alongside him. This is impressively novel film-making, as almost every shot tells the story as seen through the filter of a phone screen, a computer interface, or a surveillance camera. This provides the viewer with copious information to scour and compute as you sit watching the big screen, making for a challenging and tense cinema experience. Some good unexpected twists emerge towards the end, although the ultimate resolution is a bit sudden for my taste. Overall, however, this should nicely fit the bill when you require a good thriller.
3.5 - well recommended!
Ladies in Black
Director: Bruce Beresford
Length: 105 min
Sydney 1955: Schoolgirl Lisa (Angourie Rice) heads to Goodes department store for a casual pre-Christmas job, while awaiting her Leaving Certificate results. There she joins the team working in the frock department alongside Fay (Rachel Taylor), Patty (Alison McGirr) and the newly arrived Hungarian refugee Magda (Julia Ormond), who handles the up-market "gowns" section. Let's forget telling you more of the plot - more important to know that this is a gloriously executed vision of a long-gone era in Australia when shop service truly existed, life seemed simpler, and many women had aspirations only for marriage and family (urk!!), while fathers sure didn't want their girls to go to university. Lisa has greater aspirations, encouraged by her loving mother (Susie Porter), and discouraged by gambling, drinking father (Shane Jacobson.) But it is Magda, magnificently played by Julia Ormond, who truly opens Lisa's eyes to what could be. The post-war refugee community brings exciting and unfamiliar things to staid Aussie society, and we get a sense of the possibilities that Australia had to offer immigrants back then. The whole story unfolds in a captivating way, with ravishing sets and memorable performances by the entire cast. More European style and attitude come in the form of Magda's husband Stefan (Vincent Perez) and their suave young Hungarian friend Rudi (Ryan Corr). It's a long time since I've consciously enjoyed every moment of a film so thoroughly.
4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended!
The House with a Clock in its Walls
Director: Eli Roth
Length: 104 min
Orphan Lewis (Owen Vaccaro) is sent to live with his uncle Jonathan (Jack Black), an eccentric and loud man who lives in a creepy old mansion. Neighbour Mrs Zimmerman (Cate Blanchett) is a constant visitor, and Lewis soon learns that the two are no ordinary humans, but have magical powers. Together the three try to solve an ongoing mystery - where is the clock that makes the endless and infuriating ticking in the walls? They soon discover that the clock has a far darker purpose than to simply annoy, and as evil characters from the past re-emerge, life becomes literally a race against time. This is an odd little story, based upon a youngster's novel written in 1973, but set in post-war 1950s. Although it is no Harry Potter, it is definitely a good-looking film with excellent set design, and three winning performances. Blanchett is, as always, totally in command of her character, fans of the zany Jack Black will not be disappointed, and newcomer Vaccaro brings a young eccentricity to his Lewis. I'm not quite sure what age-group will go for this - too scary for tiny kids, but too juvenile for the older set.
2.5 - maybe, (recommended for fans of Blanchett and Black)!
More from . . . the Italian Film Festival
Until Oct 7 in Melbourne - other states, other dates
www.italianfilmfestival.com.au
Yes, the festival is in full swing, and I'm having a good time catching more wonderful films!
There's No Place Like Home: This gorgeous family drama from Gabriele Muccino is my top pick - so far. An extended family comes together to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary, taking place upon a little island that must be reached by ferry. After an emotional church ceremony and joyous lunch, everyone is supposed to return home, but the weather turns ugly and the entire mob are forced to stay over. Gradually things turn tense - old issues, conflicts and resentments begin to surface, along with new emerging dramas and a couple of embryonic love affairs. This is an ensemble piece at its best, with royalty of Italian cinema, like Pierfrancesco Favino, Stefano Accorsi and Valerio Solarino notable in the impressive cast. The story delicately balances the burgeoning dramas with occasional lighter moments, but it is the truthfulness and authentic feel that really impresses me. Sometimes watershed moments are reached in life, and director Muccino and his cast manage to capture all the conflicting feelings beautifully, reminding us that extended families and relationships, while wonderful, are fraught beasts, needing nurturing and occasional painful honesty.
Daughter of Mine: Shy ten-year-old Vittoria (Sara Casu) lives with her parents on the island of Sardinia. At the local rodeo she meets Angelica (Alba Rohrwacher), who lives a promiscuous, rough, hard-drinking life and is about to be evicted from her home. Over-protected by her mother Tina (Valeria Golino), Vittoria is drawn to the free-spiritedness of Angelica, and the bond they form will have upsetting revelations and outcomes for all involved. This film is a showcase for three intensely powerful performances from the three actresses, especially young Casu who is a revelation. While having moments that don't always feel totally credible, the film explores important issues of what motherhood and family bonds means.
Searching
The House with a Clock in its Walls
More from the Lavazza Italian Film Festival
My numero uno pick this week is the joyous new Aussie film Ladies in Black, while the family drama There's no Place Like home from the Italian Film Festival comes in a strong contender.
Director: John M Chu
Length: 120 min
 |
© Sony - tense thriller shot totally through the
digital medium perspective
|
3.5 - well recommended!
Ladies in Black
Director: Bruce Beresford
Length: 105 min
 |
© Sony - I enjoyed every moment of this
glorious retro look at a bygone Australia |
4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended!
Director: Eli Roth
Length: 104 min
 |
© EOne Entertainment - good-looking, oddball
black comedy/mystery |
2.5 - maybe, (recommended for fans of Blanchett and Black)!
More from . . . the Italian Film Festival
Until Oct 7 in Melbourne - other states, other dates
www.italianfilmfestival.com.au
 |
© Italian Film Festival - families - can't
live with them, or without! |
There's No Place Like Home: This gorgeous family drama from Gabriele Muccino is my top pick - so far. An extended family comes together to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary, taking place upon a little island that must be reached by ferry. After an emotional church ceremony and joyous lunch, everyone is supposed to return home, but the weather turns ugly and the entire mob are forced to stay over. Gradually things turn tense - old issues, conflicts and resentments begin to surface, along with new emerging dramas and a couple of embryonic love affairs. This is an ensemble piece at its best, with royalty of Italian cinema, like Pierfrancesco Favino, Stefano Accorsi and Valerio Solarino notable in the impressive cast. The story delicately balances the burgeoning dramas with occasional lighter moments, but it is the truthfulness and authentic feel that really impresses me. Sometimes watershed moments are reached in life, and director Muccino and his cast manage to capture all the conflicting feelings beautifully, reminding us that extended families and relationships, while wonderful, are fraught beasts, needing nurturing and occasional painful honesty.
Daughter of Mine: Shy ten-year-old Vittoria (Sara Casu) lives with her parents on the island of Sardinia. At the local rodeo she meets Angelica (Alba Rohrwacher), who lives a promiscuous, rough, hard-drinking life and is about to be evicted from her home. Over-protected by her mother Tina (Valeria Golino), Vittoria is drawn to the free-spiritedness of Angelica, and the bond they form will have upsetting revelations and outcomes for all involved. This film is a showcase for three intensely powerful performances from the three actresses, especially young Casu who is a revelation. While having moments that don't always feel totally credible, the film explores important issues of what motherhood and family bonds means.
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