July 17th 2017 
Scandinavian Film Festival
Baby Driver
The Beguiled

Another strong festival rolls onto our screens, along with a remake of a 1971 Civil War story and a high-energy heist story, which should please all rev-heads. 

Baby Driver
Director: Edgar Wright
Length: 113 min

© Sony - Action from go to whoa! 

Despite being a a closet petrol-head, I seldom enjoy films based solely around car chases. This little gem however is much more - it's the story of young Baby (Ansel Elgort) , who is paying off a debt by driving for crime boss Doc (Kevin Spacey), who orchestrates heists, each time with a new crew, but always the same crash-hot driver. Baby has tinnitus in his ears, so drowns out the noise by listening endlessly to his iPod. Herein lies the genius of the film: every piece of action, from the driving to the shooting, is choreographed and synched precisely to the soundtrack. It is high-octane, loud, clever, funny, and just downright entertaining. The stunt driving is in a league of its own and the story has a sweet romantic sub-plot. With great cast support from the likes of Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, Lily James and Eiza Gonzalez this is one to simply go and enjoy for what it is.   
4 - highly recommended! 

The Beguiled

Director: Sofia Coppola
Length: 93 min

© Universal - A wounded soldier causes consternation
and fluttering hearts among the southern belles

I won't pretend I ever saw the first version of this film with Clint Eastwood, so no comparisons! This remake has garnered Best Director for Coppola at Cannes, so I went along with great expectations, and, while entertained, I ended up wondering why all the fuss. It is indeed an exquisitely costumed and beautifully shot film, with dreamy, hazy exteriors, and romantic interiors, housing the repressed lives of a couple of teachers and their young charges, hanging out in a girls' school during the American Civil War. When a wounded Yankee soldier is found in the woods, things hot up among the females, each vying for his attention in their own way. The cast is alluring, including Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman and the dashingly handsome and seductive Colin Farrell. The plot is a sorry testament to the competitive behaviour of women, and the scurrilous doings of men, but it comes across as neither high drama nor comedy, and elements of forced over-acting made me doubt the authenticity of the characters. That said, Farrell is a major drawcard, and his fans should definitely check out the film.  
2.5 - maybe! 

Volvo Scandinavian Film Festival

In Melbourne until August 2
At Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth and Brighton Bay

"Scandi Noir" TV series have been making quite a splash for some time now on our small screens. A Conspiracy of Faith continues that fine tradition in this festival, but there is a whole lot more from Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Finland. 

The Other Side of Hope - fun film from top
Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki

Centrepiece film The King's Choice was Norway's selection for this year's Oscars, while Tom of Finland has won several awards. 

Opening night film The Other Side of Hope, gets another showing on Saturday 22 July. It comes from renowned director Aki Kaurismaki and was Silver Bear winner at this year's Berlin Festival. It employs zany left-of-centre humour, a good soundtrack, and has relevant themes dealing with refugees.

There is also a terrific doco, Magnus, on Sven Magnus, chess champ who got his Grand Master status at age 13! 

For information on ticketing and session times in all states go to:
https://scandinavianfilmfestival.com/