October 8th
Miss Juneteenth Lucky Grandma
Spree
Two of these three fine films will need you to be able to go to the cinema, so Melburnians will need to keep a list of those films I review that appeal to them for later viewing when cinemas reopen. But of course you've been doing this for the past 8 months, haven't you?
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC7ecoUdLqs
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| © Rialto - a lovely mother-daughter narrative |
Billed as a "slice of black American life", this touching and poignant story depicts loving and hard-working mother, Turquoise Jones (Nicole Beharie) trying to help her daughter Kai (Alexis Chikaeze) become pageant queen, Miss Juneteenth, a title Turquoise held 15 years earlier. Pageant aspirations are the backdrop for the film's narrative; but it is more the story of family, struggles and inequalities for people of color in America, dreams and aspirations, and recognising that other people's dreams may not be what you hoped for them. The mother\daughter relationship is tenderly drawn and beautifully acted, and the narrative is gentle, believable and insightful.
Lucky Grandma
Dir: Sasie Sealy
Length: 97 mins
Cinematic release selected cinemas (excluding Victoria)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sguLuk4Cr8
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© Vendetta - tangle with her and you'll get
more than you bargained for. |
New York dwelling Grandma (Tsai Chin) is recently widowed and determined to live a little. Heading to the casino, she finds herself in a situation that attracts the attention of a local gang. So she hires a very large bodyguard Big Pong, and soon finds herself caught between the attentions of two rival gangs. On one level, this is a lightweight, fun tale featuring a wonderful central performance from Chin as the chain-smoking cantankerous granny. There is no condescension in the portrayal, and the film pays almost a homage to the strength and determination of older people. It's also a peek into the underbelly of Chinese New York, and a terrific opportunity to put the Chinese demographic front and centre.
SpreeDir: Eugene Kotlyarenko Length: 93 minsReleasing: October 8- theatrically at The Ritz
Randwick, Dendy Canberra, Dendy Newtown and Golden Age Cinema Sydney; October 8 – November 11 on PVOD with Foxtel and Stan;
November 25 – on digital: iTunes, Youtube
Movies, Fetch, Microsoft Store, Google Play
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© Rialto - this could put you off catching a
ride-share for ever!
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"If you're not documenting yourself you don't exist." So says Kurt Kunkle , (Joe Keery) ride-share driver and central character in this disturbingly relevant film - relevant to those obsessed with social media, and its pervasive presence in every moment of their lives. Desperate to get likes, hits and monetary donations, Kurt ups the ante on what takes place as he ferries those passengers unfortunate enough to get a lift with him. One of them is popular black comedian Jessie Adams (Sasheer Zamata),who becomes central to Kurt's ultimate big-time, live-stream share. I thought this film wasn't for me, but soon became really absorbed in this nasty tale of the damage social media addiction can wreak. Cleverly filmed, with simultaneous angles and oodles of social media responses to Kurt on the screen at once, this is part satire, part horror and part black comedy. It's a true salutary comment upon the regrettable state of being for some of today's young folk, as well as the "fake news" syndrome of what is true and what is not up there on our screens.
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