July 26th

RBG
Whitney

More films have released this week than I've managed to preview, so today only two, but again two worthy offerings! Interestingly, both are documentaries. Meantime Melbourne is gearing up for the film frenzy that is MIFF, and I'm desperately trying to get together a couple of recommendations for you. 

RBG 
Director: Ol Parker
Length: 114 min

© Icon - Notorious RGB doesn't show signs of 
slowing down, even at the age of 85!

In an era where the voices of women are (hopefully) becoming stronger, the contribution of Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the cause is nothing short of phenomenal. In this exhilarating and inspiring biopic we meet one of the currently serving justices of the US Supreme Court, one of only four women ever elevated to the position. The film traces her life's journey, interspersing old footage with present day interviews and opinion.With luminaries like Bill Clinton and Gloria Steinem adding to the talking heads, along with Ruth herself front and centre, this is an eye-opener into a world where a seemingly shy woman has used her brain and perseverance to get to the top and influence many judicial matters to do with equality. When she speaks, her measured but forceful manner, especially in contrast to her diminutive physicality, is magnetic. She has almost become a pop-icon with young thinking people dubbing her "Notorious RBG", and whenever she has a dissenting opinion in the Supreme Court, social media is ablaze with chatter. There are the odd humorous moments in which some of her friends express their total awe of her. The film sure leaves me in awe.    
4 - highly recommended!

Whitney
Director: Kevin Macdonald
Length: 120 min

© Transmission - an in-depth wonderful biopic
of a talented woman with a tragic end

Most people know the name Whitney Houston, the number one female recording artist ever, with seven No. 1 consecutive hits and 200 million record sales. We know she died at the too-young age of 48 from drug-related causes. This in-depth doco reveals much more, tracking her young life, the arc of her success, her controversial marriage to Bobby Brown, and her ultimate self-destruct. The story is told through frank and revealing interviews with friends, family and professional colleagues. At time the stories are contradictory and smacking of hidden secrets. McDonald and his production team have made brilliant use of  extraordinary archival footage, both public and intimate. Some of it quite damning, revealing the highs and tragic lows of the super-star's life, but at all times maintaining a compassionate stance. Sometimes the chronology gets a trifle confusing, jumping around in time, but throughout her phenomenal voice and beauty are showcased. Even if you were never a major fan, this is an excellent doco that is both a treat for music lovers, and a revelation of a life scarred by trauma and possibly the pressure of too much fame.
4 - highly recommended!

July 19th

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
The Gospel According to Andre
Brothers' Nest
See You up There
Scandinavian Film Festival

Lunacy prevails! Yesterday I saw FOUR films in one day. That's the self-sacrificial dedication involved in a catching-up frenzy. Some of what I review today has been out a while, but being strong films, they are still on the circuit. Catch them while you can. The two new ones are chalk and cheese: mainstream fun and a powerful French drama. And what would life be without a festival? This time it's the best from the Nordic countries.  

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again 
Director: Ol Parker
Length: 114 min

© Universal - Abba songs plus Cher on the 
big screen has got to be good! 

Guilty confession time: I had a great time with this slightly silly, relentlessly upbeat and ultimately joyful sequel to the first film, both movies based around the music of Abba and set on an imaginary Greek island (though it was filmed in Croatia). This time we find out all about Donna's wild teenage years (played as an adult in the first film by Meryl Streep, and here by the lovely Lily James). We discover the background to the romances with the three "fathers" of Sophie, Donna's daughter. The story toggles between flashbacks of Donna's hippie years, and the present, in which Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is undergoing life-changing events. The film is bristling with one infectious song after another and dance numbers almost good enough for Bollywood. The appearance of Cher as the platinum blonde Grandmother is a winner, as is the return of the three dads, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan and Stellan Skarsgard. The young men chosen to play these guys in their youth(s), are perfectly cast. You can choose to look down on mainstream fare like this, or simply surrender and go along for the ride, which is pretty well guaranteed to put a big smile on your face. (great to see Andy Garcia ageing so nicely too!)
3.5 - well recommended!

The Gospel According to Andre
Director: Kate Novack
Length: 93 min

© Icon - Andre is a surprisingly complex guy
who is both deeply philosophical and a fashion icon. 

Few people would have expected a poor black kid from the segregated south to grow up to be a highly esteemed trendsetter of the fashion world. Yet this is what happened to larger-than-life personality Andre Leon Tully. This entertaining doco traces Andre's life, and showcases his personal philosophies of fashion, style, racial issues and more. You don't have to be a fashionista to be intrigued by this guy and his extraordinary story. The film cleverly weaves in many connections, from how the black southern churches influenced Andre's lifelong concept of style, how his strict grandmother taught him elegance and etiquette, and in some very poignant moments how his eccentric presentation has caused him pain. With fabulous fashion, as well as glimpses of Andre's friendship with other icons such as Lagerfeld and Anna Wintour, this is an entertaining piece of cinema.
3 - recommended!

Brothers' Nest
Director: Clayton Jacobson
Length: 97 min

© Label Distribution - no Kenny niceness here. 
Just two angry brothers with murder on their minds.

Two brothers Terry (Shane Jacobson) and Jeff (Clayton Jacobson) return to their childhood home in the country with one evil intent - to murder their step-dad Roger (Kim Gyngell) and prevent their dying mother from leaving the home to him. This is a very black comedy-thriller, with the emphasis more on darkness than laughs. Yes, there is a certain dry amusement in the increasingly tense way in which the brothers relate and the inanity and illogicality of their plan. But as the plot progresses a serious revelation of fraught and credible family dynamics emerges, and the tension really ramps up. The Jacobson's are excellent actors, and if you only think of Shane as amiable plumber Kenny, think again. He plumbs emotional depths in his performance, with both lead characters being well-written and portrayed. The overall atmosphere and setting are broody and tense, with an effective soundtrack, and a winning final line of dialogue to listen out for!
3.5 - well recommended!

See You up There
Director: Albert Dupontel
Length: 117 min

© Umbrella - a stirring and beautiful piece of cinema. 

Truckloads of awards have gone to this French drama, the story of a friendship forged in war, and continued in crime. At the war's end, ex-accountant Albert (played by the director) rescues fellow soldier  Edouard, who emerges alive, but with horrific facial injuries. While Edouard hides behind a carnival mask, the pair devise a scam involving selling plans for war monuments that will never be built. This is a bizarre mix of dark humour, quasi-surreal visions and settings, (reminiscent of Jeunet's Delicatessen) and moving themes of war, friendship, loss and desire for paternal acceptance. The inclusion of a young girl in the friendship adds yet another level to this intricate and multi layered plot, while the production is lavish and beautifully shot, capturing the era well.
4 - highly recommended!

Scandinavian Film Festival
Melbourne - until July 29
Palace Como, Brighton Bay and Westgarth
For other states, times and bookings, visit ScandinavianFilmFestival.com

© Scandinavian FF - The Swan is a  dark coming of age
story from beautiful stark Iceland. 

Already underway for a week now, it's well worth mentioning this terrific festival with diverse films from Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Finland and Norway. 
The Swan: Adapted from a popular Icelandic novel, this unusual and mesmerising film is the story of a young girl sent to work on her aunt's farm to develop her independence and resilience. Much of the cruelty and complexity of the adult world is revealed to her.  There is nothing mainstream here about the style or storytelling. The film is slow, exquisite in its look, and often mystical and haunting, with a voice-over telling of troubling dreams and Icelandic legends. The film is so unusual and at times disturbing, it has stayed in my mind for days after seeing it.  
A  Horrible Woman: Brace yourself for a story some of you may recognise. This award-winning Danish drama/comedy explores a love affair that quicky turns into a dysfunctional relationship. When happy-go-lucky beer-swilling, footy-playing Rasmus meets Marie, they are passionately attracted and she moves in. His life and apartment are turned upside down as she becomes progressively more controlling. The filmmaker challenges us to ask is it really her that is so horrible or is he so insecure and non-assertive that he allows the situation to happen? A wonderful and often uncomfortable examination of passive aggression and the dynamics of co-habiting. 

The festival is highly recommended!

July 9th
Back to Burgundy
Disobedience
Sicario Soledad
Mary Shelley

I'M BACK!!
Yes, after weeks of gadding in Europe and suffering mild movie withdrawal I'm back and into the catch-up viewing. Two of the recent releases (Sicario and Disobedience) are chalk and cheese. A couple of others I've seen previously at festivals and am glad to see their mainstream release. So here goes . . . again!

Back to Burgundy
Director: Cedric Klapisch
Length: 113 min

© StudioCanal - in a Burgundy vineyard
kids learn the subtleties of wine tasting young

Renowned director Cedric Klapisch has made a gorgeous movie about three siblings who inherit their father's vineyard in Burgundy. Lovingly capturing the change of seasons and the grape cycle, as well as the bonds and conflicts between the siblings, this is the sort of French film-making I most enjoy - tender, gentle, and intimate. One of the siblings Jean has returned from Australia when he hears of his father's impending death. There he has also been involved in winemaking and must face the choice now of returning, or staying in France at  his family home. This gives the film a nice connection with our great winemaking land. Nice also to see a strong female character in the form of sister Juliette, who is at the helm of the vineyard now that the patriarch has died. I saw this one at the French Film Festival and am delighted to see it get a mainstream release. 
4 - highly recommended! 

Disobedience
Director: Sebastian Lelio
Length: 114 min

© Roadshow  -  gripping emotional drama of
faith, repression and sexuality. 

Ronnie (Rachel Weisz) is a photographer living in New York. She returns home to London after the death of her father, a rabbi in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. There she reconnects with two close childhood friends - Esti (Rachel McAdam) and Dovid (Alessandro Nivola), both deep into the religious community. While Rachel has turned away from her orthodox upbringing, her presence reignites conflicts between tradition, faith and sexuality. Lelio directed the stunning trans-gender film A Fantastic Woman. No surprise that he is firmly in control of  the powerful emotions conjured up in this story. The three leads are at their best, conveying a story that is heartbreaking and also a testament to the inner strength required to stand up for who you really are in the face of restrictive morals and binding traditions within a very closed community.
4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended! 

Sicario: Day of the Soldado
Director: Stefano Solimar
Length: 122 min

© Roadshow  - the hitman is back!

A sort of sequel to the fabulous Sicario in 2015, this takes up another story of  Mexican drug cartels, who now, it seems, are trafficking terrorists across the border. FBI agent Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) hires taciturn hitman Alejandro (Benicio del Toro) to assist in a fake kidnapping of a drug lord's daughter, to set the gangs against each other (as if they already aren't). The film is stunningly shot, has truckloads of action and tension, but always for me I find these sort of plots so convoluted and hard to follow. However, that's my problem, and within the genre it's pretty good, but not as gripping as the first one, which had a strong emotional focus in the female lead character. This film by comparison feels somewhat empty emotionally, but del Toro is a standout again. 
3.5 - recommended! 

Mary Shelley
Director: Haifaa al Mansour
Length: 121 min

© Transmission  - Gothic romanticism meets
a creative feminist writer

Mary Shelley (Elle Fanning) was famous for two things - her marriage at 18 to poet Percy Shelley and having written the immortal classic Frankenstein. This biopic looks at her early life, in an era where woman were not supposed to achieve much and certainly couldn't lay claim to having written a book, so had to publish under another name. There is nothing earth-shatteringly original about the film, but it's handsome enough, and Fanning plays her role with a feisty feminist slant. As a die-hard Frankenstein fan, I found it engaging entertainment when I saw it earlier at the British Film Festival.
3 - recommended!