Hursto's five minute films: January 2021

Tuesday, 19 January 2021

January 20th

Ammonite

Country Music - 8 part series DOCPlay

Penguin Bloom

This week I review two very worthwhile films, plus a new series on DOCPlay that could be unmissable for music lovers.

Ammonite
Dir: Francis Lee

Length: 120 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=AnDhlrs3XVM

Based upon a true story, the film is set in 1840s England. Once-famous fossil hunter Mary Anning (Kate Winslett) now lives a relatively reclusive life with her aging mother Molly (Gemma Jones) collecting shells to sell to tourists. When a wealthy fossil buyer asks Mary to care for his ailing fragile wife Charlotte (Saiorse Ronan), she reluctantly takes on the task. Gradually an intense bond develops between the two women. Impressive are the incredibly austere and bleak settings along the windswept coastline and Mary's manner is a perfect match. Winslett is wonderful as the dour, surly woman who gradually softens as attraction blossoms between her and her charge. My only gripe is that the film features a couple of intense and explicit sex scenes which seem a little at odds with the simmering sensuality pervading the rest, but as a portrait of forbidden love in those repressive times, and of two very different women discovering their deeper selves, it is powerful and engaging.

4 - highly recommended

Country Music
Dir: Ken Burns

Length: 8 episodes - 2 hours each

Streaming on DOCPlay

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVOZl671ssY

I've never thought of myself as a fan of "country music", but this doco series sho' as heck could convert me! It's totally gob-smacking the depths to which the director goes to trace the history of a music genre seen as so archetypically American. Starting in the early 1900s with Appalachian music, Burns shows us how country started as the Americanisation of the immigrant experience, and then how, drawing on other genres it evolved into its own unique thing, from hillbilly music through to the diverse genre we know today. The biographies of seminal artists like The Carter Family, Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, Gene Autrey, Jimmy Rogers and more are covered in the first two episodes, as is the birth of the iconic Grand Ol' Oprey in Nashville. As the saga progresses, wonderful, insightful commentary is added from the likes of Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Winton Marsalis, Marty Stuart . . . the list goes on and on. The narrative also seamlessly incorporates the critical moments of American history, such as the Great Depression, while throughout the photography is a major feature of the film in its own right. I'm only one quarter of the way through the series, but can't wait to continue watching.

5 - unmissable

For those who want to explore the 100 or more photographers whose work is used in the film, check out this wonderful website:

https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/country-music/this-is-country-photographs-from-country-music/

Penguin Bloom
Dir: Glendyn Ivin

Length: 95 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7eZEZHRrVg

In 2013, real-life Samantha Bloom (played by Naomi Watts) was holidaying in Thailand with husband Cam (Andrew Lincoln) and her three sons. When a railing snapped, she fell many metres to the ground, resulting in her being paralysed from the chest down. Having been a keen sportswoman, Sam fell into a deep depression, wondering who she now was in her life, and how she could possibly move forward. Then her 11-year-old son Noah (Griffin Murray Johnston) found an orphaned baby magpie which he named Penguin and everyone's lives changed. This sweet and moving film is a testament to the indomitable human spirit, and to the healing power of caring for another creature. It's also somewhat of a homage to our excellent black and white feathered friends, who are so intelligent, and are known to bond with humans who treat them well. I'm disappointed to see critical reactions from some reviewers who pan the film, calling it predictable and emotionally simplistic; even if it does consciously push plenty of those "weepy" buttons it really works for me on an emotional level. (except for the ever-annoying Jacki Weaver as Sam's mother, and the somewhat formulaic writing of Gaye, the kayak instructor, played by the excellent Rachel House.) Watts is splendid as Sam, Lincoln totally credible as her supportive but struggling partner, and the eight maggies who play Penguin are a credit to their bird trainer. Emotional satisfaction from the film is a 5/5 for me, but with my critical hat on I'll say . . .

3.5 - well recommended

Sunday, 10 January 2021

2021

January 11th

Nomadland

Summerland

Spread Your Wings

Misbehaviour

Gugu-Mbatha Raw features in half of today's reviewed films.

There's quite an emphasis upon women in three quarters of these films, while the fourth is a treat for bird-lovers and eco-warriors. All four films are well worth catching.

Nomadland
Dir: Chloe Zhao

Length: 108 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=6sxCFZ8_d84

Fern (Frances McDormand) is widowed and homeless since the factory (and the entire town) where she was employed closed down abruptly due to the Great Depression of 2007. She now lives life out of her van, travelling around Nebraska, Arizona and Dakota. In trailer parks she connects with other nomads, some only once, and then never again; others, like Dave (David Strathairn) recur in her life. Some of the people live this life by choice, others by necessity. Based upon a non-fiction book, the film has already received more than 60 various awards, and deservedly so. It is suffused with melancholy and loneliness, the majesty of the wide open spaces, but also the intimacy of true human connectedness. Many of the characters are non-professional actors playing versions of themselves which brings an authenticity and deep understanding to the way of life the film is portraying. This blending of real life into a loosely fictional scenario creates an unforgettable and deeply affecting cinema experience.

4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended

Summerland
Dir: Jessica Swale

Length: 99 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJF5stmA5ys

During WW2 in London, certain children were evacuated to the countryside to be far away from the constant threat of bombing. Local "grump" Alice, (Gemma Arterton) is totally reluctant to take in young Frank (Lucas Bond) and vows to get rid of him at the earliest possible opportunity. Gradually we discover the cause of Alice's sadness and slowly she also warms to Frank. This is a sweet film, with a very unexpected performance from Arterton, who shines in her role, as does Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Vera, a significant part of Alice's past. Young Bond is the real stand-out as Frank, a good-natured child full of curiosity and enthusiasm for life. There's nothing earth shattering in the film-making, but again it's a solid and touching story, with yet another take on the war, and also on past times, when freedom to be one's true self was unknown.

3.5 - well recommended

Spread Your Wings
Dir: Nicolas Vanier

Length: 113 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxGXbsiDhw0

Here's a family friendly, environmentally messaged film based upon the true story of Christian Moullec (Jean Paul Rouve), a passionate ornithologist who wanted to save an endangered species of geese. He raised his own flock, transported them up to Lapland in his van, then taught them the migratory route back to Europe, using an ultralight aircraft, with which the birds had become familiar and liked to follow. Christian's son Thomas (Louis Vasquez) features large in the plot, as he learns to fly, bonds with one particular goose, and reconnects with his estranged father. There's some stunning cinematography in this uplifting tale, and the geese are real (no digital tricks here). It's reminiscent of earlier films Travelling Birds (2001) and Fly Away Home (1996). If you want to read a terrific article about the real Christian (offering flights to adventurers in his ultralight alongside the geese), go to:

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/a-man-a-tiny-aircraft-and-a-flock-of-geese-flying-among-birds-in-france

3.5 - well recommended

Misbehaviour
Dir: Philippa Lowthorpe

Length: 106 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUa0Mtdv1HQ

In 1970 the Miss World pageant was rudely interrupted by the then embryonic movement known as Women's Liberation. Sally Alexander (Keira Knightley) and Jo Robinson (Jessie Buckley) were significant among the protestors, but to complicate matters two women of color were among the contestants, hopeful that a win for either of them could really change things for girls in their racial demographic. This is a typical British film, skillfully blending historical fact with impressively depicted characters. The film features several outstanding perfs, especially Greg Kinnear (almost unrecognisable) as pageant host (and resident sleaze-bucket) Bob Hope, and Rhys Ifans as Eric Morley, founder of the Miss World contest. Gugu Mbatha Raw is strong as Miss Granada, as is Knightley as the resolute, no-nonsense Sally. The issues haven't gone away - the contest continues and women are still judged for their appearance. As a fascinating slice of history, this is informative and highly entertaining viewing.

4 - highly recommended

Sunday, 3 January 2021

2021

January 3rd 2021

The Dry

Midnight Sky (Netflix)

Untamed Romania (Netflix)

Obama The Final Year (Netflix)

Happy New Year readers. Unfortunately as I write this, the dreaded Covid is reemerging in our two biggest cities, and the world is still reeling from the daily number of infections and deaths. Perhaps catch this terrific new Aussie film in cinemas if you can (or are brave enough), and if you want to hide away at home again, Netflix continues its excellent offerings.

The Dry
Dir: Robert Connolly

Length: 120 mins

In cinemas

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X7KkP68RZE

In a very faithful film adaptation of Jane Harper's novel, Connolly's film captures the mood of a small, dusty outback town reeling from an apparent murder suicide, and still grappling with a mysterious death from many years past. Aaron Falk (Eric Bana) returns to his boyhood town where his friend Luke is suspected of murdering his family then shooting himself. A past incident, the drowning of Luke and Aaron's teenage friend Ellie (Bebe Bettencourt), resurfaces, with its long-harboured suspicions and resentments. Sporting a fine cast, this is an intriguing mystery, which cleverly intertwines present and past tragedies and juxtaposes the carefreeness of youth with the heavy burdens of adulthood. Stunning cinematography makes great use of various Wimmera-Mallee locations, all of which reflect the harshness of Australia, and the despair generated not only by personal tragedy, but the endless drought affecting the land. This is top-shelf film-making reflecting an authentic side of Australia and its people not usually seen in more stereotyped films.

4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended

The Midnight Sky
Dir: George Clooney

Length: 118 mins

Netflix

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXUUqr3AFKs

In a post-apocalyptic world (disaster indeterminate), it seems the few survivors who have been evacuated to underground shelters won't last long. In a remote Arctic outpost, scientist Augustine Lofthouse (Clooney) is desperate to contact a spaceship returning to Earth from its mission two years ago to find a habitable planet as an alternative to Earth. His only companion is a small girl Iris (Caioilinn Springall) who has been left behind after the evacuations. As Lofthouse treks through icy blizzards to find a transmission satellite, up on the spaceship, the five astronauts (Felicity Jones and David Oloweyo among the actors) are having their own dramas, and the film toggles throughout between these two settings. Critics are mostly indifferent to this film, but I'm out on a limb here - I really liked it on many levels, even if it is reminiscent of other sci-fi films. Clooney is poignantly impressive as the desperately ill but determined scientist, the little (largely silent) kid is quite haunting, and the general special effects and creation of other worlds within the ship and outer space are visually strong. The depressing theme of the possible end of everything resonates, and overall I found the relentlessly gruelling, at the same time inspiring quest, just the right companion to today's troubling times.

4 - highly recommended

Untamed Romania
Dir: Tom Barton-Humphreys

Length: 92 mins

Netflix

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDHU1x3hkTs

Lovers of nature rejoice - here's an exquisite documentary that tracks the fours seasons of change in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania, a land of which about 30% is still covered in forest. Show-casing the landscape, its animals and insects, the movie delivers one visual delight after another, from the cutest bear families, to fierce wolves, wild horses, lynxes, snakes, frogs, mayflies and more, along with the magnificence of green birch canopies turning to flaming russet in autumn, meandering river deltas, and towering craggy mountains. Employing countless cameras, and mountains of footage, the finished product has wondrous close-ups to make you gasp, abundant information, and a subtle message about the dangers of potential destruction, and the vital importance of preserving one of Earth's extraordinary treasures.

4 - highly recommended

The Final Year
Dir: Greg Barker

Length: 89 mins

Netflix

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UUpnqvIwF4

This earnest doco chronicles the last year of Obama's presidency highlighting the work of his foreign policy team, in particular John Kerry, Ben Rhodes and Samantha Power. The film counts down the last months, showing the issues they are frantically dealing with, such as Syria, Cameroon, Iran, and other hotspots in the world. Obama fans probably won't want to miss this, and as an insight into the workings of the White House, it is insightful. Somehow with its rambling style that is observational and conversation-based rather than formally narrated, it seems to have less structure and punch than I would have liked. However, knowing what was to come after Obama's eight years, it becomes almost a tragedy to see the decency and humanity with which Obama and his advisors acted, compared with the debacle that has been the Trump government.

3 - recommended