December 3rd
Babyteeth
Mystery of DB Cooper
A Christmas Gift from Bob
Trouble with Being Born
Lassie Come Home
Japanese Film Festival - Dec 4-13
Cinema going seems to be getting back in full swing, and there are more films out there than I can keep up with. So today we have four new releases, one that has been out a while and just cleaned up at the AACTA awards, and another FREE online festival.
Babyteeth
Dir: Shannon Murphy
Length: 118 mins
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=M6E8gPmz7n4
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| © Universal - sensitive, authentic story-telling |
Milla (Eliza Scanlen) is seriously ill and undergoing chemotherapy. When she brings drug addict Moses (Toby Wallace) home to meet her parents, they are horrified. Psychiatrist father Henry (Ben Mendelsohn) and neurotic mother Anna (Essie Davis) gradually soften, as they see the positive effect Moses has on Milla. This beautifully crafted, bittersweet coming of age film is a tragi-comedy with a difference. It has just swept the pool at the AACTA awards and I can see why. What could be a familiar story of a sick teen and first love has been scripted with originality and a totally credible sensibility. Every performance is spot on. Davis and Mendelsohn haven't been this good in years, and the performances of the two teens are a revelation.4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended
The Mystery of D.B. Cooper
Dir: John Dower
Length: 85 mins
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD1wCfQoLQI
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| © Vendetta - America's only unsolved hijacking |
In 1971 a passenger plane was hijacked after leaving Portland airport. The mysterious man demanded money and a parachute, and actually leapt from the plane at 10,000 feet, never to be seen again. In this intriguing doco, several people are interviewed, all claiming emphatically that they know who the perpetrator was (their uncle, husband, even a trans-gender woman), but to this day nothing has ever been proven. Using interviews, reenactments, and archival footage, this case, almost now the stuff of mythology, is carefully examined, leaving the audience entertained, puzzled, but none the wiser.3.5 - well recommended
A Christmas Gift from Bob
Dir: Charles Martin Smith
Length: 92 mins
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/470448694
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| © Rialto - schmaltzy, but sweet and true |
After the success of A Street Cat Named Bob comes this follow-up, based on the true story of busker James Bowen (Luke Treadaway). Living in supported housing and on a methadone program, James rescued a stray cat Bob (played by his furry self) and both became street celebrities. In this sequel, James' life is turned upside down when animal welfare threaten to remove Bob from his care. Despite a level of sentimentality, this is apt Christmas fare, teaching the lessons of compassion and kindness, and shedding a light upon the truly challenging conditions in which homeless and/or underemployed people must live. Cat lovers will adore Bob, and I challenge even the hardest hearts not to be touched by this sweet, if at times overly schmaltzy, story.3 - recommended
The Trouble with Being Born
Dir: Sandra Wollner
Length: 94 mins
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykWO1FhqTfo&t=45s
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| © Potential - challenging and thought-provoking |
Elli (Lena Watson) is an android girl built by a father (Dominik Warta) possibly as a replica of his daughter, long missing. Together they reminisce on happy days in the past, and of "mama". One day Elli goes wandering and is picked up by a new owner who has the android reprogrammed to resemble someone missing in her life, this time a male. This controversial Austrian film caused a major stir and was dropped by the Melbourne International Film Festival due to overtones of pedophilia in the relationship between Elli and her "papa". The decision enraged many notable film critics, as festivals are assumed to carry no censorship requirements. Leaving possible moral debates aside, this is an impressive and challenging film, raising many issues of identity and gender, and the most disturbing one of humans using AI and creating near human replicas for their own questionable purposes.3.5 - well recommended
Lassie Come Home
Dir: Hanno Olderdissen
Length: 96 mins
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jReKCnVyTBM
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© Moving Story Entertainment - don't try to part
a boy from his beloved dog! |
Who doesn't love a dog story, especially when it's a modern remake of something as perennial as Lassie. This German film (dubbed for Australian audiences) is more sentimental and formulaic than the German remake of Heidi, but the requisite elements are there - determined kids, a loving grandpa, a travelling circus, and of course, a super-smart dog. Famed German actor Matthias Habich shines as Count von Sprengel, whose glassblowing factory is going under, and Bella Bading as his granddaughter Priscilla is a standout. The sentiment is a bit thick when it comes to the way young Florian relates to his beloved pet, but again, like our feline friend Bob, it manages to tug the heartstrings.3 - recommended
Japanese Film Festival 4-13 Dec
https://japanesefilmfestival.net/
The 2020 Festival, presented by The Japan Foundation Sydney, will screen over 25 films including features, documentaries, as well as stop motion and animated shorts for audiences across Australia and New Zealand to enjoy online. Each film will be available to stream for free for 24 hours.
Check out the full streaming schedule at:
Tsukiji Wonderland : a fish fanatic's fantasy, this terrific doco looks at the world's largest seafood market, its workings, its people, the traditions and the absolute dedication to the product they handle. Although a long film, it has a compelling fascination, and is such an insight into the way Japanese relate to seafood in their lives. Wonderful sequences featuring the meticulous preparation of various delectable dishes will have you salivating.
One Night: A strong and at times disturbing family drama tells of a fateful night 15 years prior, when a family was shattered by the actions of their mother, who returns all these years later. Very modern in its style, well acted and tense.
The "Norman" animations: Takeshi Yashiro is an award-winning stop motion animator. Here's a great opportunity to take time with the kids and watch three of his films featuring Norman the Snowman. Sweet, beautiful, and very innovatively animated.
What's not to love about this festival?!
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