February 1
Phantom Thread
Molly's Game
Den of Thieves

For fans of elegant style, psychological complexity and top acting, Phantom Thread should be the pick of the week. Poker fans and heist fans may also get something from Molly's Game and Den of Thieves. 

Phantom Thread
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Length: 130 min

© Universal – stylish, intriguing with a magnificent

Performance from Daniel Day Lewis 

Confirmed bachelor Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day Lewis) is a dress designer to royalty, movie stars and all manner of upper class women. With his sister Cyril (Lesley Manville) they run House of Woodcock, and the women who come and go through Reynolds' life leave little mark. But when he meets waitress Alma (Vicky Krieps) his life is irrevocably changed. This film is beautiful, mysterious, strange and original all at once, and while it focuses upon the world of exclusive fashion design, it is equally a fascinating psychological drama. Every piece of the production design is exactingly executed, with exquisite recreation of the 50s' style. However it is the blistering performance of Lewis that will remain seared in my memory as he interprets this talented, obsessive, demanding and not really likeable man. Every nuance of his speech, gestures and look has Oscar written over it. Not to mention Krieps and Manville being simply superb as the two main women in Reynolds' life.
4 - highly recommended!

Molly's Game
Director: Aaron Sorkin 
Length: 140 min

© eOne - Chastain and Elba work well together

as lawyer and crim 

Aaron Sorkin is probably best known as award-winning screenwriter of West Wing. His directorial debut is based upon the memoir of Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) who ran a high stakes glamour poker game for some of the richest, most famous and powerful men in America. Molly's story is told in two time frames, with a substantial amount of voice over. We track her rise to power, as the hostess of the game everyone wants to be part of, then her fall as she is arrested by the Feds and employs Charlie Jaffey (Idris Elba) as her lawyer. Thematically it's hard to emotionally engage, as many of the characters are basically unpleasant dollar-driven gambling addicts, like the self-centred Hollywood star Player X (Michael Sera), and the various ugly Russian mobsters who are inevitably drawn to such large amounts of money.  But it is a slick and smartly written film, featuring top performances by the two leads, and a surprising revelation of levels of integrity not imagined in this ultimately sordid world.
3.5 - well recommended!

Den of Thieves
Director: Christian Gudegast
Length: 140 min

© Roadshow - the pic says it all - well a lot!
Not normally my style, but I had fun.

LA cop Nick O'Brien (Gerard Butler) heads up an elite team of tough bad-ass cops on the trail of even badder-assed crims who specialise in bank robberies. Head of the heist team is Ray Merrimen (Pablo Schreiber), who devises a crack scheme to get hold of cash, which is about to be shredded, from under the nose of the Federal Reserve Bank. Butler is bigger, badder and more scruffy than ever, but gives a solid performance, though his character is rather one dimensional. The attempts to insert a marital subplot fail as dismally as the marriage! Schreiber and his team (including rapper 50-Cent) are suitably serious automatic weapon-toting drop-kicks. I can't help but think of the wonderful Michael Mann film Heat where Robert de Niro and Al Pacino go head to head, cop vs crim, but with some sort of grudging respect for each other. This film lacks the nuances of that classic, but for fans of the genre there are thrills enough, though the amount of cliches involving donut-munching and shoot-em-outs on the freeway are overdone.
2.5 - maybe!

January 25
I, Tonya
Sweet Country
Faces Places

Do the great films ever stop rolling onto our screens? A biopic with a difference, an indigenous tragedy, and a sweet-hearted road-trip doco all offer viewers something special this week. 

I, Tonya
Director: Craig Gillespie
Length: 121 min

© Roadshow - Margot Robbie nails it as 
controversial figure skater Tonya Harding

This is the (maybe) true story of Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie), an American figure skater, and the first woman ever to land a triple axel (a highly difficult skating manoeuvre). She is more famous for the controversy and media frenzy that ensued when her rival, Nancy Kerrigan, had her knee bashed by an unknown assailant, just before a championship event. The film has an opening title card saying it is “based on irony-free, wildly contradictory, totally true interviews with Tonya Harding and Jeff Gilloolly". The facts are that everyone seemed to have a different version of who was really guilty of planning and executing the crime, but the upshot was that Tonya's career was ultimately ruined. This film has masterfully combined humour, personal drama, and the best ice-skating imaginable (some of it digitally recreated). The unusual device of having the characters alternately interviewed, then addressing the audience, then recreating the events in the film's various time frames makes for dynamic viewing. The acting is universally brilliant. Robbie encapsulates the trailer trash aspect of Tonya, without losing empathy, while Sebastian Stan, as her violent husband Jeff is perfect. As for Alison Janney playing Margot's abusive mother - you really have to see this performance to believe it! The film is both a brilliant retelling of a story just made for the media, who love to elevate then demonise their subjects, as well as a personally tragic tale of a woman too often condemned for her dubious background rather than assessed on her prodigious talent. 
4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended!

Sweet Country
Director: Warwick Thornton
Length: 110 min

© Transmission - already much awarded, this film is 
gripping, top-class viewing 

Central Australia 1929 is a harsh place. White farmers battle the unforgiving outback, and Aboriginal workers are akin to slaves. Prejudice and violence are rife. Missionary farmer Fred Smith (Sam Neill) is asked by his neighbour Harry March (Ewen Leslie) to borrow his Aboriginal stockman Sam for a day's work. Sam takes his wife Lizzie and his niece along. Meantime, young lad Philomac has been chained up by March and escapes. What ensues will ultimately lead to the killing of a white man by a black man. Sgt Fletcher (Bryan Brown) with the help of Aboriginal tracker Archie and local farmer Mick Kennedy give chase.  Inspired by true events, this is yet another salutary view, through the genre of an outback Western, into the tragic history of our Indigenous people. The whole issue of justice, as represented by the trial presided over by Judge Taylor (Matt Day), is ultimately a hollow sham. Thornton is a masterful director and cinematographer. The beauty and terror of the outback are magnificently portrayed, and every detail of costumes and set are near perfection. Employing local Arrente people Hamilton Morris, Natassian Gorey Furber, Gibson John and twins Tremayne & Trevon Doolan to play Sam, Lizzie, Archie and Philomac is a stroke of casting genius and sends the authenticity quotient through the roof. When Fred, at the film's conclusion, mutters about lack of hope for the country, we are reminded that there is still a huge gulf between black and white Australia. 
4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended!

Faces Places (Visages, Villages)
Director: Agnes Varda and JR
Length: 89 min
ACMI Jan 19 - Mar 3
Cinema Nova

© Madman - photographic street art features
large in a charming doco

Legendary French film director Agnes Varda is 89 years old. Together with 33 year old photographer and muralist JR (his name as obscure as his face, constantly shrouded in dark sunglasses) they take a road trip through French villages, interviewing ordinary people, taking photos and creating photographic prints of epic proportion. Agnes and JR then display the photos prominently on storefronts, trains, barns, water towers - in fact anywhere that will honor the local folk who are the subjects. In some locations, like the seafront, the displays are washed away by the next day's tide. In this charming and playful doco we meet coal miners, dock workers and their wives, goat farmers, and many other everyday French people who are all chuffed to be honored in this way. This is a lovely homage to ordinariness, creativity, the ephemerality of art, and a tender friendship that crosses the age barrier.
3.5 - well recommended!

January 18
Swinging Safari
The Shape of Water 
Mary and the Witch's Flower

This week's offerings are as varied as they are entertaining. Lovers of political incorrectness can revel in a return to the swinging 70s, animation fans can feast upon a new Japanese tale, while a much touted watery romance will stay strong in your memory long after you leave the cinema. 

Swinging Safari
Director: Stephan Elliott
Length: 96 min

© Becker - fun in the sun. The outrageous seventies
make a return in this Aussie comedy

It is the mid-70s and 14 year old Atticus (Jeff Marsh) is growing up in Aussie suburbia. The now-adult man recalls in a voice-over one crazy year in which he made his first film with friends, hung out at the beach and befriended fellow outsider teen Melly. (No doubt plenty of Elliott's own memories here!) He also accidentally observes his parents and their neighbours doing a bit of wife-swapping, and to add to the excitement the locals are in consternation when a giant whale washes up on the beach. If you lived through the 70s, you'll recall the tasteless fashion, bad hair, ghastly parties, and the sexual revolution. This film celebrates and lampoons it all, at times lurching a bit into stereotypical territory and the odd unbelievable plot point. At times plot becomes subservient to chaotic and uproarious craziness, and above all the film is so politically incorrect. But that's its charm - it gives us the opportunity to have a guilty laugh at things that nowadays we daren't even refer to, let alone laugh at! Aussie acting icons feature: Guy Pearce, Jeremy Sims, Kylie Minogue, Radha Mitchell, Julian McMahon, Asher Keddie, Jack Thompson and more. If nostalgia and a good (guilty) laugh are your thing, this could well be the perfect summer film for you. 
3.5 - well recommended!

The Shape of Water
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Length: 102 min

© 20th Century Fox - Two beings without
the power of speech - love at first sight? 

Eliza (Sally Hawkins) is mute but can hear. She works as a cleaner in a top secret research lab in the USA, in 1962. When a strange amphibious man-creature, captured in the jungles of South America, is brought in, there is an instant connection between the woman and the creature, both of whom can't speak. But scientists, along with Russian agents, have varying (and none too pleasant) plans for the creature, so Eliza, with the help of friends, must work fast to save it. This is indeed the most unlikely fantasy/romance I've seen, and yet something about it works really well. As a story it is captivating and imaginative (what else do we expect from del Toro?), and once you decide to suspend your disbelief, it will overwhelm you with a powerful romanticism. There are also possible layers of allegory - Cold War machinations, issues of how we treat those unlike ourselves, and themes of trust and communication that go beyond language. The film's styling is spectacular, and the creature unforgettable. Hawkins, yet again, shows her acting prowess, ably supported by Richard Jenkins as her lonely artist friend (who also serves as narrator), Octavia Spenser as a supportive co-worker, Michael Shannon as a ruthless scientist who torments the creature, Michael Stuhlbarg a Russian scientist who is unexpectedly compassionate, while Doug Jones, as "amphibian man" captures a magical ambiguity that blends animal and human. Of course water features strongly, and its powerful use as a "leitmotif" is as creative, elusive and enveloping as this magical fairy-tale of love.
PS: it's already won Best Director and Best Musical Score at the Golden Globes. 
4 - highly recommended!

Mary and the Witch's Flower
Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Length: 102 min

© Madman - Japanese animation is like watching

watercolour paintings come to life

Anyone familiar with Japanese animation will know the magic of Studio Ghibli. When the iconic studio closed, director Yonebayashi, employed there for 20 years, struck out on his own. Basing his debut film on the English story The Little Broomstick, he brings us a feisty little girl Mary who discovers a magical flower in the forest. This gives rise to adventures which see her stumbling into a school of magic. But, as always, villains abound, and Mary must summon all her courage to rescue her friend Peter from their clutches. (It's great to see a strong female role model as lead character.)  There is much to remind viewers of Harry Potter, with flying broomsticks, crazy inventions, gentle gardeners, wise grandmas, magic mirrors and more. This is a delightful tale, exquisitely painted, and should please all ages. As well as a Japanese-voiced version, Aussie viewers can also see the English dubbed version featuring Kate Winslett as the voice of Mary.
3.5 - well recommended!

January 11
The Darkest Hour
The Post

After the emotion, spectacle and socio-political significance  of the Golden Globes, two strong films, both of which received many nominations, are released. 

The Darkest Hour 

Director: Joe Wright

Length: 125 min

© Universal - Gary Oldman has just won 

a Golden Globe for his magnificent performance

In 1940 Britain chose a new Prime Minister after losing faith in Neville Chamberlain, who wanted to make peace with Hitler. The new PM was the iconic Winston Churchill, played with gusto by Gary Oldman, who seems to have an Oscar firmly in his sights! I'd imagine the make-up department may also be nominated, given the incredible likeness they create between Oldman and Churchill. Apparently the prosthetics department took four hours each day to bring the slightly-built Oldman up to fighting weight. Unlike this year's earlier films Churchill and Dunkirk, this interpretation focuses firmly on the man, his indulgence in alcohol, his battles with parliament, and his own internal struggle to implement what he saw as best for his country, after only five weeks of Prime Ministership.  I really enjoyed this one, with its loving attention to the detail of the time, its moments of humour, and the fine support given by Kristin Scott Thomas as Winston's wife, not to mention Ben Mendelsohn, who is outstanding as King George.
4 - highly recommended!

The Post
Director: Steven Spielberg
Length: 115 min

© EOne - Streep blitzes again in a story

with resonance for today's world

In the early 1970s Americans were in uproar against the Vietnam War, while the government tried to cover up four decades of shady involvement. When the New York Times published leaked documents, President Nixon tried to shut down the paper's right to print. Rival newspaper the Washington Post also got hold of the documents and had to make a monumental decision whether to publish. This is the story of Katherine Graham (Meryl Streep), the first female newspaper publisher, who headed up the Post after her husband's death. In the face of controversy and male opposition, she summoned up the courage to make some monumental decisions, with the help of gutsy journalists Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) and Ben Bagdikian (Bob Odenkirk). The whole issue of government versus freedom of the press is more timely than ever, along with the upsurge of activism regarding women's equality in the workplace. This is a strong political thriller, which builds up the tension to breaking point towards its climax, and features fabulous performances by all the cast.
4 - highly recommended!

January 1-4 2018
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
All the Money in the World
Downsizing (catch-up from Boxing Day releases)
Pitch Perfect 3

The new year has well and truly arrived (happies to you all!) and brings new films, many vying for the big upcoming awards season. Some very strong stuff here. 

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri
Director: Martin McDonagh
Length: 115 min

© Fox - top-shelf film-making with great themes
and impressive performances

I think this film is already on my top 10 for 2018, and there's a whole year to go! Mildred (Frances McDormand) is desperate for some progress in the murder/rape of her daughter, so she mounts posters with provocative questions aimed at local police chief Willoughby (Woody Harrelson) on huge local billboards. This brings her into conflict with virtually the entire town, especially red-necked Officer Dixon (Sam Rockwell). The film appears comic from the trailer, and while it certainly has amusing moments, it's actually a deep drama, with monumentally strong performances from the three leads. Rockwell is stunning as the dim-witted, violent and racist Dixon, Harrelson brings extreme nuance and emotion to his character, and McDormand gives one of her best performances in years. The shades of grey given to each character, along with the subtlety and cleverness of the dialogue make this film one of the best films I've seen in a long time. The moral issues raised, with regard to revenge and forgiveness are also challenging. (For prudes, it comes with an extreme bad language warning!) 
4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended!

All the Money in the World
Director: Ridley Scott
Length: 132 min

© Roadshow - a tense retelling of a world-shattering
kidnap story involving the then richest man in the world

The Kevin Spacey scandal saw a last minute replacement of a leading role in this film and re-shooting of all Spacey's scenes. Exit Spacey, enter Christopher Plummer as billionaire John Paul Getty, whose 17-year-old grandson JPG III (Charlie Plummer - no relation)  was kidnapped by Calabrian gangsters in Rome in 1973. The film follows the wealthy tightwad's initial refusal to pay the ransom, and the endless attempts by Getty Jnr's mother Gail (Michelle Williams) to appeal to the old man, and to plead with one of the softer-hearted kidnappers (Romaine Duris). Mark Wahlberg rounds out the excellent cast as the ex-CIA operative who liaises with Gail and the tight-wad billionaire. This is tense and intelligent film-making that really does justice to a ghastly true story (though how accurate the facts are I don't know).  This is indeed a reminder that wealth is no guarantee of happiness. 
4 - highly recommended!

Downsizing
Director: Alexander Payne
Length: 132 min

© Paramount - small people's worries are no different
from large - humans all face the same issues. 

In Norway scientists make an incredible discovery - humans can be shrunk to a tiny fraction of their size, making less use of dwindling world resources and allowing people to live in greater luxury than they could otherwise afford. Paul (Matt Damon) and wife Audrey (Kristen Wiig) decide to make the leap, get shrunk and move to Leisureland where the miniaturized people live. But when Audrey chickens out, leaving Paul little and alone, he must decide what he really wants out of life. The concepts in this film are fabulous, and it starts out as an apparent satire on consumerism, excess and suburbia. The film soon shifts gear, with Paul's meeting of his neighbour Dusan (Christoph Waltz), who throws lavish parties and trades in contraband. When Paul meets Dusan's one-legged Vietnamese refugee cleaning lady Ngoc Lan Tran (Hong Chau), he discovers an enclave of slum-dwellers inside the seemingly idyllic small world and his helping skills are put to use. Yet a further shift in film tone sees apocalyptic end of days environmental disaster themes emerging, and things get quite mysterious. Despite the unevenness in tone, the film had me captivated for its long run time, and a couple of the acting perfs are nothing less than genius, namely Waltz as the eccentric neighbour and Chau, who is already nominated for a Golden Globe. This is a thought-provoking rumination upon life and its ultimate meaning, regardless of one's size.
3.5 - well recommended!

Pitch Perfect 3
Director: Trish Sie
Length: 93 min

© Universal - gotta love the Bellas - but
not necessarily the film

The Bellas are back singing up a storm. I remember really enjoying the first film in this trilogy, and marvelling at the excellent acapella singing. But this third, and hopefully final, instalment left me cold, with nothing but the singing to recommend it. The group go on tour to entertain the US army overseas, and beyond that the plot barely registered on my brain. Aussie Rebel Wilson is her usual crass self, John Lithgow as her dad does an appalling Aussie accent, and Anna Kendrick is an actor worthy of far better roles. Enough said! (However, in my forgiving way I suppose fans of the franchise will want to see it.) 
1.5 - don't bother!