March 26th 2026
Project Hail Mary
I Swear
The Magic Faraway Tree
Pompei: Beneath the Clouds (streaming on MUBI)
African Film Festival 27th-29th March
More than ever we need the cinema to take our minds off dire world events. And there is plenty to do just that, this week bringing once more some excellent cinematic offerings.
Project Hail Mary
Dir: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller
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© Sony - a stunning and unexpected outer-space
adventure to save planets from destruction
|
A dramatic opening scene sees Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) slowly emerging from an induced coma, attended to and prodded by a number of machines, overseeing his return to consciousness. Initially he hasn't a clue as to where he is or why, but gradually memory returns. He was once a molecular biologist and then a schoolteacher, who has been coerced into a space mission, basically to save the planet from destruction caused by an alien micro-organism that is destroying the sun. Somewhere in the far reaches of space, with his two fellow astronauts dead, Grace must grapple with what to do next. Based on a novel by the author of The Martian, this is science fiction at its best. The science feels real, but most wonderful of all is the friendship at the heart of the story. Accidentally, Grace meets up with another spaceship, captained by a strange alien being he calls Rocky (you'll see why!), who is on a similar mission to save his own planet. Initially thinking this must stretch the bounds of credibility, I found myself quickly swept away by every aspect of this story, especially the extraordinary, self-sacrificial relationship between two very different life forms. Time on earth gets a look in too, as we flash back to the events giving rise to Grace's present situation, and the role played by secret government agent Eva (Sandra Huller). The technical achievements of the film are mind-bogglingly wondrous, with many scenes being gasp-out-loud beautiful. Gosling does a brilliant job shouldering so much of the screentime, displaying his humour, charm and gorgeousness. That said, James Ortiz as the voice of Rocky is a total winner too. This film is so much more than you would ever imagine, and seeing it on a large screen is compulsory. 4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended
I Swear
Dir: Kirk Jones
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© Transmission - understanding Tourette's
Syndrome, with humour and compassion |
In 1980s Scotland, 12-year-old schoolboy John Davidson (Scott Ellis Watson) starts exhibiting odd behaviour involving outbursts of aggression and swearing. Thirteen years later, John (now played by Robert Aramayo) is living at home with his mother (Shirley Henderson) and has been diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome, for which there is no cure. By chance Dottie (Maxine Peake), a nurse and mother of John's childhood friend, invites him to live with them, and organises John a job with Tommy (Peter Mullan), who runs the local community centre. After a pub brawl and a run-in with the legal system, John realises his condition is much misunderstood, and sets about organising school and community classes to educate people and promote more understanding of his condition. I Swear is a true story, and the film imbues it with so much compassion, humour and heart. The skill is in walking the fine line between the inherently humorous side of the condition, and the heart-wrenchng pain it causes sufferers. Aramayo portrays this so well he's won the BAFTA for Best Actor. Adding authenticity to the film is its use of real Tourette's sufferers in several of the roles. If swearing bothers you greatly then be warned - there is loads of it; that's the nature of the syndrome, along with physical twitches known as tics. But for an enlightening and uplifting story, this one does the trick.4 - highly recommended
The Magic Faraway Tree
Dir: Ben Gregor
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© VVS - delightful adaption of a much-loved
children's book - ideal for all ages |
As a child, I was often dismissive of many of Enid Blyton's books, but I simply adored The Magic Faraway Tree. From the writers of Wonka and Paddington 2 comes this vibrant and yes, magical, adaptation of the children's classic. Tim Thompson (Andrew Garfield) and wife Polly (Claire Foy) suffer a sudden downturn in their financial fortunes. With their three kids Beth (Delilah Bennett Cardy), Fran (Billy Gadsdon) and Joe (Phoenix Laroche), they relocate to the countryside, and start renovating a rundown barn they hope to purchase with money raised from Tim's tomato-growing enterprises. Initially bored, the kids venture into the forest and discover a huge tree inhabited by strange beings. At the top of the tree are different magical revolving lands, accessed via a huge staircase going into the clouds. If it sounds twee and childish, put away your preconceptions. This is old-fashioned fun at its very best, but with enough nods to present-day life to also have some salient important messages. Children's obsession with devices rather than really relating, the loss of family connection, the cynicism that has crept into all our lives - these are all challenged and successfully dispersed through the warmth of this much-loved tale. For adults there is also a big tug of the heart strings in recognition of the magic of childhood that we have let slip, yet somehow long to reconnect with. The creation of the enchanted worlds is mega-colorful (to rival Barbie), creative and beautiful. The cast boasts some impressive names: Rebecca Ferguson as Dame Snap, Jessica Gunning (of Baby Reindeer fame) as Dame Washalot, Nonso Anozie as Moonface, Dustin Demri-Burns (of Slow Horses fame) as Saucepanman and Nicola Coughlan as Silky, the kindest of fairies. With Jennifer Saunders in a hilarious star cameo as the forbidding German mother-in-law and Michael Palin making a suprise appearance, there is so much to enjoy about this film.4 - highly recommended
Pompei: Below the Clouds
Dir: Gianfranco Rossi
Length: 115 mins
Streaming on MUBI from 27th March
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© MUBI - a city living in the shadow
of history and constant threat |
Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Venice FF 2025, and nominee for a Golden Lion, this documentary celebrates the lives of ordinary people living in Naples, and under constant threat from the volcano Vesuvius. This is a quiet, gentle observational film, shot in black and white. The focus is on a sweeping variety of locals, from teachers, to graverobbers, to archaeologists, with special emphasis upon firefighters, who are often first-responders to panicked calls about potential volcanic eruptions. We also meet Syrian sailors transporting wheat from Ukraine, a reminder of geopolitical upheavals besetting the world. The strange mix of ever-present history, potential geological catastrophe and contemporary life makes for an intriguing watch, though its relatively long runtime and languid approach means it will not be for everyone.3.5 - well recommended
Africa Film Festival
Friday 27 March-Sunday 29 March
Cinema Nova only
For the first time in Melbourne, for one weekend only, here's a chance to see films from several African countries. Sudan, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, Algeria, Kenya and Ghana all feature, and most are award winners.
Nteregu: For lovers of traditional African music, this fabulous doco from Guinea Bissau is a must. It explores the country's rich musical history, including special instruments such as the kora and the tina. It looks at this unique music as a means of preserving tradition, but also how it has spread throughout the world. Excellent interviews with musicians plus vibrant music make this an exciting and appealing watch.
My Father's Shadow: A multi award-winning film (including a BAFTA), this Nigerian story is inspired by the director's true experiences. Beautifully shot, it is the story of a father and his two young sons heading into Nigeria's capital city on a day in 1993 when political unrest becomes threatening. Struggle, corruption, familial connection and absent fathers are themes that weave together to make a tense, poignant and impressive film.
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