Sept 30th

On the Rocks - opening Oct 2 then to Apple TV

Italian Film Festival - opening Sydney Sept 29 - other states, other dates

Pacifico - Available on demand Oct 1

Sputnik - cinema release Oct 1 then to digital

My Octopus Teacher - Netflix

Big Wave Project  - Foxtel

I won't bore you with my laments over the state of film-going (and everything else!) in Victoria. Still, here are some worthy contenders, most available at home now, soon, or just after their cinema run. Some terrific comedy, nature docos, Italian cinema, and horror - something to please everyone! 

 

On the Rocks
Dir: Sofia Coppola
Length: 97 mins
Cinematic release at Palace Cinemas (Victoria to come) 

On Apple TV!+ from October 23rd

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=Xn3sK4WiviA

© A24 -  Murray at his absolute best in a
father/daughter- struggling marriage tale

Laura (Rashida Jones), is happily married to Dean (Marlon Wayans), or so she thinks, until he starts working late hours with new work colleague Felicity. She turns to her playboy father Felix (Bill Murray) for some words of wisdom on what to do. Felix decides they he and his beloved daughter should become amateur sleuths, and what ensues is a madcap romp from New York to Mexico, on the trail of Dean. You gotta love Murray; he just gets better and better with his idiosyncratic style, and his deadpan humour. This film is a true delight - the script is fresh and fun, with the quirky relationship between father and daughter beautifully drawn. It would be a mistake to view it as lightweight; all the subtly is there just below the humour, and audiences should relate strongly to the deeper themes.  The film is also a sort of love-song to New York, with splendid evocative visuals of the streets and locations. 

4 - highly recommended

St. Ali Italian Film Festival
Opening in Sydney 29th September, other states hot on the heels (except Victoria - dates to be arranged)

For all the info and program details go to www.italianfilmfestival.com.au

The Goddess of Fortune

© Italian FF - love, kids,
friendships - all in
turmoil 

A top pick and my strong recommendation for the festival is this wonderful award-winning film from director Ferzan Ozpetek (I adored his 2003 film Facing Windows). Boasting a stellar cast of Italy's top actors, it is the story of long-term partners Arturo (Stefano Accorsi) and Alessandro (Eduardo Leo), whose lives are disrupted when old friend Annamaria (Jasmine Trinca) reappears in their lives. Jealousies, disruptions, parental longings, and family secrets abound in this warm, witty delightful film that features terrific perfs from all, including the kids. 

4 - highly recommended

Among the other highlights of the festival is a new live-action version of the classic Pinocchio starring Roberto Benigni, along with centrepiece film The Traitor, which scooped the pool at Italy's Donatello awards. It is the story of a Sicilian Mafia boss and features the marvellous Pierfrancesco Favino. 

Pacifico
Dir: Andreas Geipel
Length: 72 mins

Available to rent or own worldwide from October 1 on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, Vimeo on Demand.

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/329729037

© Fighting Chance Films - cinematography and
views to die for

Two passionate Aussie outdoor photographers Chris and Christian headed off on a massive road trip from San Francisco to Patagonia. Originally they didn't intend to make a movie of their adventures, but hey - here it is! The doco charts their adventures as they surf, mountain climb, engage with the locals, pick up hitchhikers, and generally live in the moment, absorbing all the beauty and culture they can. I wasn't too sure as the film started how I felt about it, but soon I was totally engrossed and absorbed in the mind-blowing beauty of what the boys experienced, the brilliance of their cinematography, and their engagement with everything they saw and did. Their enthusiasm for all things natural inspired them to create Gobe, a line of camera accessories that also give profits back to environmental causes.  

For more on Gobe, visit https://au.mygobe.com

Sputnik
Dir: Egor Abramenko
Length: 113 mins

In Cinemas (not Vic) from October 1: NSW: Ritz Randwick & Dendy Newtown / ACT: Dendy Canberra / Qld: Dendy Cooparoo / SA: Wallis Cinemas

Available to rent via Foxtel and Fetch and will thereafter screen on digital home entertainment from 28 October

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh-oOnZ2Di0

© Rialto - be careful who you fall in
love with. 

In Soviet Russia a spacecraft crash lands and the only survivor, Commander Veshnyakov is whisked away to a remote research facility, where he claims total amnesia as to what has happened.  Psychologist Tatiana is brought in to assess his state.  As it transpires, he's brought home an alien visitor which resides in his body and only comes out at night to feed. With strong overtones of Alien (the creature like a cross between Yoda, a cobra and the alien bitch monster), this is actually quite a gripping sci-fi/horror for those who love their creature features. Shot in gloomy threatening dark shades, and with a driving score, plenty of gore, plus the requisite Soviet cover-ups, this could provide enough thrills to jolt you out of any lock-down torpor you're feeling. Shame about the slightly schmaltzy ending.  

And if you need a couple more quickies . . .

My Octopus Teacher

Doco - Netflix

I would not have believed it if I hadn't seen it. Craig Foster, a free-diver, spends a year chronicling his daily forays swimming in the Atlantic off the coast of Sth Africa. There he meets a wild octopus and forges an unbelievable bond with the creature. The visuals are beyond beautiful, with the underwater world a kaleidoscope of amazing colors and life-forms. The film gives great insight into octopuses, along with one human being's incredible relationship to nature and how it changed his life. An absolute winner.

Big Wave Project

Doco - Foxtel

Even if you've never surfed in your life, or think you have no interest in surfing, I challenge you not to be overawed by the magnificence of these waves, and the courage and skill of those daredevil athletes who go out there to challenge themselves and the forces of nature. Watching the giant waves curl and crash is breathtaking. As with so many of these types of doco, I endlessly speculate as to how on earth they achieved the shots which almost put the viewer in the pipeline. As the surfers chase ever more treacherous and death-defying locations all over the world, so the tension ramps up, making for riveting viewing.