Wednesday, 18 June 2025

 June 19th 2025

CHIFF: Children's International Film Festival
HSBC Spanish Film Festival
The Unholy Trinity
Sinners
Ellis Park

You'll have to do a bit of googling to track down where to find this week's films, but for sure they are all worth the hunt. Music features large in two of them, while festivals are in full swing. And fans of Westerns have something new and fresh to get their teeth into. 

CHIFF: Children's International Film Festival
Weekend screenings Until 20 July
Classic Elsternwick, Lido Hawthorn, Cameo Belgrave & Randwick Sydney

An appreciation of film is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children. And this festival will make your job so much easier, especially since it brings some of the best children's films from around the world, not merely the usual American studio fare that is in mainstream cinemas. And as I always stress, the best kids' films have universal appeal for all age groups. I haven't been able to preview many this year, but the program looks excellent with something for all ages from tiny to teens. The one film I've seen is wonderful and so relevant, especially in the light of the current world situation.  

Bartali's Bicycle
Length: 80 mins
Director: Enrico Paolantonio


Gino Bartali was a real-life Italian bicycle champion who won the Giro d'Italia twice and the Tour de France once before World War II. During the war he used his bike to smuggle documents to help Jews escape from Italy. His story serves as the backdrop to an alternating tale set in modern-day Israel.  David is a 13-year-old Jewish boy training with his local bicycle team. Out on the track one day he meets Ibrahim, who is training with the local Arab team. The pair, initially hostile, decide to train together. Their subsequent friendship will create ructions in their families but will hopefully help to overcome the divisions in their society. This film moved me more than I can say, maybe because it represents a glimmer of hope in this divided world and because it represents old-fashioned values that seem  to have become lost along the way - respect, civilised dialogue and friendship. The characters are all delightfully portrayed, the two interwoven stories work really well together, and the fact that it is dubbed into English makes it easier for youngsters to follow. A lovely painterly style reminiscent of Studio Ghibli work makes it lovely to look at. This is absolutely worth seeing for peope of all ages, and a great way to help kids understand the dangers of prejudice and the meaning of courage. 

HSBC Spanish Film Festival
Melbourne until 2 July
Palace cinemas
For all bookings, other states etc visit https://spanishfilmfestival.com

The festival is in full swing with the latest and best cinema offerings from Spain and Latin America. The festival closes with a 25th anniversary screening of the terrific Argentinian crime thriller Nine Queens. As always I've caught a few, including the centrepiece film El 47. Two of the three reviewed here feature fabulous performances by Eduardo Fernandez.
 
El 47: This inspiring true story is set in Barcelona in the late 1970s. Poor folks who have ventured north from southern Spain are living in shanty huts, in Torre Baro on the outskirts of Barcelona. They are disliked by the locals and municipal officials refuse to improve their suburb with basic amenities like electricity, and a bus service. Local driver Manolo Vital (a wonderful Eduard Fernandez) decides to take matters into his own hands, and in the form of peaceful dissent hijacks his own vehicle to prove that a bus can go up the narrow streets of Torre Baro. He is credited with having helped form what is now modern Barcelona. This is a lovely slice-of-life realistic drama, that has won 25 prestigious awards and a host of nominations, including a Best Film at the 2025 Goyas. 

Babies Don't Come With Instructions: Leo lives a carefree life, working as a bartender and womanising. Until one day Julia arrives and drops off a baby - the result of a fling with Leo over a year ago. At first aghast at how to raise a child, he quickly learns to love Alba, but when the girl turns eight Julia unexpectedly returns, demanding custody of her daughter. The film is full of joy and laughter, but becomes progressively more serious with a dramatic turn towards the end. Overall a very enjoyable watch. 

Marco, The Invented Truth: Winning Best Actor at the Goyas for Eduard Fernandez, this is yet another film inspired by a true story, that of Enric Marco, a man who claims to have been deported from Spain to a concentration camp during World War II. Marco manages to deceive everyone around him, becoming a publicly admired figure. Until one day a journalist catches up to him and the truth comes out. The fabulous lead performance manages to elicit both contempt and pity for the deluded man. There is also quite a swag of lesser-known Spanish history about their Civil War and about Spanish victims of the Holocaust. An intriguing psychological study.  

The Unholy Trinity
Dir:  Richard Gray
Length: 95 mins
Now on digital platforms, at select cinemas, and at Hoyts from June 26
© Rialto - a western with a difference - 
strong characters, great plot
Montana late 1800s. Henry Broadway (Brandon Lessard) witnesses his estranged father's execution by hanging. Just before mounting the gallows, his father instructs Henry to go murder the sheriff who framed him. So Henry travels to the town of Trinity, where he learns the old Sheriff is dead and meets the new Sheriff, Gabriel Dove (Pearce Brosnan). Not quite what he seems, a black man calling himself St Christopher (Samuel L Jackson) rides into town maintaining there is a stash of stolen gold buried somewhere in the town. Meanwhile local rough-necks cause problems at the brothel, shootings happen and Henry finds himself caught up in a web of violence that seems to be part of the town's fabric. I normally shy away from Westerns, but this one is a beauty. The strength lies in the strong script-writing (by fellow reviewer Lee Zachariah), the magnificent Montana setting, and the strong acting by not only the three leads, but the entire cast. The story feels authentic, and Brosnan shines as a lawman with decency and honesty. Jackson is a most suitable "baddie, Lessard brings an unusual naievety to his character, and the supports, especially the women, are excellent.
4 - highly recommended

Sinners 
Dir:  Ryan Coogler

© Warner Bros - wow - a totally engaging film to
energise, frighten and provoke 
Twins smoke and Stack (Michael B Jordan in both roles) have just returned to their hometown in Mississippi after making much money in the criminal world of Chicago. They buy an old sawmill from a racist Klansman and decide to turn it into a juke joint for the local black community. They hire caterers, a bouncer, a drunken piano player and their cousin Sammie (Miles Caton), the son of a preacher and an inspired blues guitar player. What starts as a joyous night of dancing and celebration goes pear-shaped when a trio of folk-singing white folk turn up, bringing a great evil to the community. The less said plot-wise the better here. Yes, it is billed as a horror film, but this film is so much more with its rich plot in which all the diverse elements blend seamlessly. Director Coogler sees it as a very personal project with themes of black identity, racism, the overlap between past and present, living and dead, and of course as a homage to blues music. Overtones of religion, voodoo, redemption, vampirism and more add up to something outrageously entertaining and frightening. The centrepiece party scene is so primal, lusty, energised and overwhelming, it sweeps me away, while the music throughout is something for blues fans to relish. Every role from small to large is perfectly executed, and if it weren't for my knowing that horror is not something for all viewers, I'd give it an unmisssable!
4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended

Ellis Park 
Dir:  Justin Kurzel
Length: 104 mins
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vff-oIg6oIE&t=5s

© Madman - music, animal rescue and a
contemplative man 
Musician Warren Ellis takes centre stage in this doco by noted Aussie director Justin Kurzel (Snowtown, Nitram). And so do the animals of an Indonesian sanctuary, Ellis Park, that he co-founded with Dutch animal activist and rescuer Femke dem Haas. Notable for composing film scores for years, Ellis has also played with band The Dirty Three and with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. This doco is not so much about his musical career, as about what seems to drive him - a deep intensity that informs his soulful and at times frenetic violin playing, and his passion for saving animals from cruelty. We accompany him as he visits his aging parents, hear some little anecdotes about his youth, but overall the film feels like a glimpse into the introspective depths of the man. The devotion of the Indonesian animal carers is deeply touching, and the animals themselves are wonderful to see, but hearing of their treatment and the cruel trade in wildlife smuggling  and dancing monkeys is challenging. Despite being a trifle long, this is a fascinating glimpse into the heart of a very talented man, whose career seems to be going from strength to strength.
3.5 - well recommended

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Wednesday, 11 June 2025

June 12th 2025

Hans Zimmer and Friends: Diamond in the Desert
The Wild Robot (Streaming on Netflix)
The Amateur (Streaming on Amazon Prime)

Music lovers had better not miss this extraordinary doco and concert about one of the world's most renowned film score writers. I loved it! Plus a couple more streamers to pass the winter nights. 

Hans Zimmer and Friends: Diamond in the Desert 
Dir:  Paul Dugdale
© Sharmill - inspiring, energising, upliftiing - 
simply brilliant. 
Sometimes we sit in a film and don't really notice the music. Other times it has a powerful effect. But when the music is taken out of the film and performed live with a 20-piece orchestra, the composer at the helm, and in an exotic setting - now you have something to really capture your attention. Shot over several performances, mainly in locations in Dubai, this extraordinary music concert is one of the best music docos I've ever seen. Hans and band perform his music from such iconic films as Lion King, Interstellar, Inception, Dune, Gladiator, Dark Knight, Man of Steel, Pirates of the Caribbean. The music takes on a new life, with top-notch talented musicians, and featuring several amazing lead solos from electric cellist Tina Huo, who simply jumps off the screen. In fact every musician here is memorable, and talent oozes from every pore. The joy they all show in performing with each other makes for a sublime experience, and the lighting effects, especially in the large arena, are gobsmacking. Music from Gladiator, sung by Aussie Lisa Gerard, and performed out in the Arabian desert, sends chills down the spine. When the band plays in the Al Wasi Plaza Dome (check out some images on the net!), it is glitteringly breathtaking. The whole musical experience is augmented with interviews, in which Hans talks of his creative process with people who have been involved in his movies: Jerry Bruckheimer, Pharrell Williams, Zendaya, Timothee Chalamet and more. These chats bring an unexpected intimacy to the entire proceedings, and give a deeper insight into the man, Hans Zimmer. On stage too we sense his generosity of spirit;  he never grandstands, but shares himself and his genius with his fellow musicians. I will never take movie music for granted again! I don't have enough superlatives for this glorious film - uplifting, moving and simply awe-inspiring.
5 - unmissable

The Wild Robot
Dir:  Chris Sanders
Length: 102  mins
Streaming on Netflix - 2024
© Universal - a story with a real heart
Nominated for three Oscars, including Best Animated Feature (and winner of many awards at other festivals) this is the sort of animation to delight folks of all ages. When a ship carrying a cargo of robots runs aground, one robot is washed up on the shore of a land where a diverse array of animals resides. After an accident with a bird's nest she becomes carer for a baby gosling, Brightbill (Kit Connor). Roz (Lupita Nyong'o), as she is known, programs herself to speak animal languages and sets about coaching the animals to get on better with each other, all the while training Brightbill, who is a runt, to be able to join in the great goose migration. All with the help of wily fox Fink (Pedro Pascal), who  becomes her loyal friend. At the film's heart are the old-fashioned values of friendship, loyalty, trust, altruism and parenthood. The style is beautiful - not so much your slick modern animation, but something with a bit of a Miyazaki painterly feel to it. There is excitement, humour and pathos, and lead voice Nyong'o is simply terrific as she injects true personality into a machine! The voice cast. including Bill Nighy, Catherine O'Hara, Ving Rhames and Mark Hamill, all add to an excellent viewing experience.
4 - highly recommended

The Amateur
Dir:  James Hawes
Length: 122  mins
Streaming on Amazon Prime - 2025
© 20th Century Fox - stretches believability -
but lots of fun
Charlie Heller (Rami Malek) works for the CIA as a decoder (whatever that is!) When his wife is killed in London in a terrorist attack he decides  he wants to be trained up as a killer - so he can take revenge upon the murderers. Yes, it's a pretty standard revenge plot, but what makes it a lot of fun is Malek, as a computer nerd who decides to move into a totally different field - and make quite a good job of it, thanks not to his fighting brawn, but his superior brain. The sheer number of ingenious devices, traps and killing methods that Heller sets keeps the audience on their toes. Plenty of terrific settings like Marseilles, Istanbul and Romania keep the pace up, but in the final analysis I find the plot a bit too unbelievable. But hey, these sorts of tall stories are sometimes just what one needs to divert and while away a wintry evening. (And Malek is always worth the watch, while it's good to see Laurence Fishburne back in action.)
3 - recommended



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Wednesday, 4 June 2025

June 5th 2025

The Great Lillian Hall
Nickel Boys (streaming on Prime) 
A Most Wanted Man (streaming on Netflix)
Secret Lives of Orangutans (streaming on Netflix)

I've caught up with few cinema releases recently, but with winter here, it's great to snuggle in and catch some of the fine films the streaming platforms offer. And so, in that spirit, one new cinema release (and it's excellent) and three streamers for your consideration. 

The Great Lillian Hall
Dir:  Michael Cristofer
Length: 110 mins
© Transmission - Lange gives a 
tour de force peformance
Acclaimed and beloved theatre actress Lillian Hall (Jessica Lange) is in rehearsal for her latest play The Cherry Orchard, a much-anticipated Broadway production. But it becomes progressively apparent that something is amiss; she is forgetting her lines and showing signs of confusion and disorientation. Determined to make it through to opening night, she battles on, supported and encouraged by her long-term assistant Edith (an excellent Kathy Bates), and her debonair, caring  neighbor Ty (a still very handsome Pierce Brosnan). As we learn early on, Lillian is developing a form of dementia, (Lewy Body), which can also cause hallucinations. This film is a showcase for the impressive talents of Jessica Lange, who gives a stunning performance as the woman whose life has centred around her acting career, to the detriment of her relationship with daughter Margaret (Lily Rabe). The narrative takes us into Lillian's confused mind, especially with the constant visions of her beloved dead husband Carson. It also handles the mother-daughter and abandonment theme nicely, if at times bordering into cliche. Scenes depicting the theatrical rehearsal process feel very authentic, and Jesse Williams as David, the theatre director, is notable. Overall, this is a deeply affecting drama, with terrific supporting performances from all, and so many moments guaranteed to have you reaching for the tissue box!
4 - highly recommended

Nickel Boys
Dir:  Ra'Mell Ross
Length: 140 mins
Streaming on Amazon Prime
© Amazon MGM - if you can stand the pain
of it all, this is a really fine piece of filmmaking
Character Point-of-View in a film can really make a difference to how we relate to what we see on the screen. POV plays a huge role in this confronting story based upon an actual so-called "reform" school, the Arthur C Dozier School for Boys. This institution of torture, abuse and death (especially for Negro boys) operated in Florida from the early 1900s until 2011. Stories of abuse are often very hard to stomach, but this one, seen mainly through the eyes of Elwood (Ethan Herisse) carries such a power and importance it needs to be endured. Promising young student Ethan ends up getting a lift with the wrong man, and by association ends up in the reform school, where he befriends Turner (Brandon Wilson). We know from the start, through constant forward flashes in time, that Elwood will survive, as his adult self, now a computer tech, delves into the unmarked graves being now excavated at the school. But it is the day-to-day lives of the boys, with the prejudice, violence and torment, that makes the bulk of the film, and once we get used to the scenes shot through Elwood's eyes, and the unusual almost stream-of-consciousness style, with its creative camera angles, we can empathise and better understand. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Hattie, Elwood's grandmother, adds a strong female note to a film that is a condemnation of the abuse of power that some men seem to relish. Nominated for a Best Picture Oscar and a Best Adapted Screenplay, this film is totally worth the discomfort it will inevitable create. 
4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended

A Most Wanted Man
Dir:  Anton Corbijn
Length: 122 mins
Streaming on Netflix - 2014
© Netflix - Philip Seymour Hoffman shows what
fine acting is all about
An oldie but a goodie, this terrific espionage thriller is based on a John le Carre novel. When a Chechen man, Issa Karpov (Grigory Dobrygin), turns up in Berlin to connect with a banker his deceased father knew, German secret agents see him as a means to set a trap for a wealthy Muslim man suspected of funnelling money through to terrorists in Yemen. This is Philip Seymour Hoffman's penultimate film, before his untimely death. His performance as Gunther Bachmann is  an acting masterclass, so compelling and believable, emotionally nuanced, and  with not a hint of artifice. Support cast add to the film's power: Willem Dafoe as the banker,  Rachel McAdams as a lawyer trying to get asylum for Issa, Nina Hoss and Vicky Krieps as Gunther's associates, along with a young Daniel Bruhl. Robyn Wright as a CIA agent and German veteran Rainer Bock round out the cast, in what becomes a tense thriller, that also shows the lengths of betrayal agents will go to, to achieve their ends. 
4 - highly recommended

Secret Lives of Orangutans
Dir:  Huw Cordey
Length: 79 mins
Streaming on Netflix
© Netflix - irresistible and informative doco
on one of our nearest relatives
Lovers of the great orange ape, whose name means person of the forest, cannot afford to miss this heartwarming and informative film narrated by the great David Attenborough. With the quality of cinematography we come to expect of this sort of doco, the story tracks the lives of a group of individuals, examining the parental bond, the growing to independence, the battles for dominance of the group, their feeding habits - in fact it's an a-z of orang life. Of course the sting in the tale is the ongoing destruction of orangutan habitat by the human animal, and seeing this awesomely appealing doco just might make you more concerned with what you could do to help.
4 - highly recommended













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