March 1st

Blackbird

Boss Level

JIFF - Incitement

Trial of the Chicago 7

Transitions Film Festival  - online now

It's all happening this week. Golden Globe awards happen today, films are being released hand over fist, and festivals are coming thick and fast. Plenty of good viewing is reviewed today. 

Blackbird
Dir: Roger Michell

Length: 97 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9kb6ZJre78

© Icon - choosing the time of your exit
is no easy thing. Sorting out your family
may be even harder!

Lily (Susan Sarandon) is terminally ill with a neural degenerative disease. She decides to bring her family together before taking the step to end her life while she still can. This is a remake of the Danish film Silent Heart. You know I don't like comparisons, but I find this one stands pretty well on its own two feet. With power actors like Kate Winslett and Mia Wasikowska as Lily's two daughters, not to mention Sam Neill as husband Paul, this is a very moving story, as much about family relationships and reconciliation, as about the ethics of ending one's life on one's own terms. The film's low-key approach is a strong point, and it manages to avoid sentimentality in favor of authenticity and a generous treatment of all the characters, despite their foibles. However, you may need several tissues.

3.5 - well recommended

Boss Level
Dir: Joe Carnahan

Length: 100 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mkiY-37OG4

© Rialto - how many times can they kill him?

Ex-special forces operative Roy Pulver (Frank Grillo) relives the day of his death over and over. Trapped in a time loop, he must uncover a secret government project headed by Col. Ventor (Mel Gibson), and try to save Gemma (Naomi Watts), a scientist who has worked on the project and who is mother of his child. (And of course prevent the end of the world!) I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. But being a major fan of Groundhog Day, I love the way this film is inspired by that iconic film; it is GD on steroids, and the crazy fun is enhanced by the director's visual framing of some scenes like computer action games. There are plenty of amusing nods to well-loved movies, including the Indiana Jones series and Chinese martial arts films (with special appearance by Michelle Yeoh). Grillo and Watts make a good couple, acting is uniformly good, fast-paced action and stunts exceptional, and along with slapstick moments, there is a surprising intensity and moments of true emotion. All in all, jolly good fun.   

3.5 - well recommended

The Trial of the Chicago 7
Dir: Aaron Sorkin

Length: 129 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVb6EdKDBfU

© Netflix - top courtroom drama capturing
a seminal moment in history.

In 1968 the US was embroiled in the Vietnam War. Many student activists took to the streets and protested. One such protest led to seven students being indicted for inciting a riot outside the venue of the Democratic Convention. This is the story of their trial. With writer/director Sorkin at the helm, and a killer cast, great things happen with this movie and we'll know soon how many of its five Golden Globe nominations come through. The revelation is Sacha Baron Cohen who inhabits his role as high-profile activist Abbie Hoffman. The themes are scarily resonant for events in the very recent past, and even if you have no interest in political history, this is a film to draw you in from go to whoa.

4 - highly recommended

JIFF . . . continued

Incitement
For times, films, and everything you need to know go to www.jiff.com.au

Dir: Yaron Zilberman

Length: 128 mins

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

© JIFF - terrorism, religion  and 
fanaticism - a lethal combo

Awarded Best Film by the Israeli Film Academy, Incitement follows one year in the life of the man who assassinated Israeli PM Itzak Rabin.  Yigal Amir (Yehuda Nahari) is handsome and charming, but a religious fanatic who sees Rabin's attempts to broker peace with the Palestinians as a betrayal, and finds justification in the scriptures for murdering him. The film gives insight into the lives of the ultra-religious, and the sub-plot of hunting for a suitable marital partner is fascinating. The tension in the film is unrelenting, and the unsettling vision of how devotion to religious ideals can also create total irrationality is ever-present. Yigal's more moderate father is the only vague voice of reason in the community in which he moves. The careful integration of historical footage with the re-enactment of actual events is seamlessly crafted, and this important movie is a reminder of the cyclical nature of violence and counter-violence, and why the world is in the state it is. 

4 - highly recommended

Transitions Film Festival
Streaming online Feb 26th - March 15

https://www.transitionsfilmfestival.com/

How do we get the message through to naysayers that the planet is in a precarious position? Well, we strap them to a chair and make them watch the wonderful documentaries that are past of the Transitions Film Festival. And this year it is easy - all the films are streaming online throughout Australia. These fabulous and important docos highlight environmental issues, social and technological innovations, revolutionary ideas, and the people who are trying to make the world a better place. I've previewed several:

© Transitions FF 

Borealis: Not the northern lights but the forests in the frigid north of the planet - an ecosystem consisting of mainly coniferous trees, which are a storehouse for vast amounts of carbon on planet Earth. These wildernesses up in Canada and the polar regions are under dire threat from global warming. This intensely complex and layered doco is beautiful to look at, with exceptional cinematography of wilderness and its plant and animal inhabitants. Critically, there is also much irrefutable evidence on the dire effects of climate change, not just on these forests, but the implications for the planet as a whole. Vital viewing!

© Transitions FF

Invisible Hand: It's no surprise that Mark Ruffalo was involved in producing this film, after starring in Dark Water. The doco is partly  about citizens' rights to clean water, and the battle waged by a small township against corporations wanting to dump waste that will drastically affect their water. It also reveals, shockingly, how the agencies formed to protect environment, actually end up legalising the harm that corporations do. Now many countries are demanding "Rights of Nature" be added to the constitution, so that legal battles can be fought better to protect further ecological damage by greedy corporations. Including important dire predictions from First Nations people and their wisdom, this film is yet another vital weapon in the fight to save our planet. 

 

The Walrus and the Whistleblower:

© Transitions FF 

 If you remember the doco Blackfish from 2013, you'll know people have been protesting for years about keeping such mammals as dolphins and whales in captivity. This tense doco features the battle waged by Phil Demers, a former trainer at Marineland Niagara, Canada, who became a sort of surrogate mum to an orphaned walrus pup, Smooshi. Phil eventually realised many creatures were suffering (abused, neglected, mishandled - whatever you want to term it) at the facility, and decided to mount legal action against the owners of Marineland. The legal ins and outs of the case are great for law buffs, but it is the remarkable and moving relationship between Phil and Smooshi that makes this doco well worth seeing. 

© Transitions FF

Beyond Zero: Carpet-tile manufacturer Interface was founded by CEO Ray Anderson. One day he had an epiphany about how the processes involved in his manufacturing plant were so damaging to the planet, and decided to commit himself and his company to the concept of totally sustainable industry. This is a riveting documentary, and inspirational beyond belief. The many employees who worked with Ray bear witness to the man's enduring legacy, and how he imbued others with his enthusiasm and vision. The historical look at an industrial process, moving from energy consumer through to current day sound ecological practice is also way more fascinating that I'd expected. But it is the achievement of this one special man that moved me beyond words. Industry needs more of his type, willing to see how making money can be married with looking after the planet. 

The Transitions Film Festival is highly recommended.

 February 20th

Firestarter

Zappa

Minari

The Little Things

As promised, after earlier reviews for JIFF, here are this week's  reviews Part 2. Some frantic catching up with new releases, and I now have four new films to recommend. The two docos are simply wonderful, as is Minari. and for lovers of cop drama, Denzel is back!

Firestarter - The Story of Bangarra

Dir: Wayne Blair & Nel Michin

Length: 95 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=e3REMs9I9Tg

© Icon - Bangarra Dance Company told in
the words of those who created it

Winning the inaugural Change Award at the Adelaide Film Festival, this inspiring, informative and beautiful documentary traces the history of one of Australia's foremost dance companies. Thirty years ago the Paige brothers, Stephen, Russell and David made a big step towards Reconciliation by setting up a dance company that brings indigenous stories to life. The film is not only about the history of that company, but also about the ever-fraught situation for Aboriginal people in a white Australia. Told through archival footage, and the words of the only surviving brother, artistic director Stephen, this is a doco to delight, disturb, and make everyone think more deeply about our relationship with our countries First Nation people. The dance itself is thrilling, athletic and exquisite to watch, the issues as always challenging.

4 - highly recommended

Zappa
Dir: Alex winter

Length: 127 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4F0rT0F6OQ

© Umbrella - creative
genius extraordinaire

I always though Frank Zappa was some crazed out-there rock star of the late 60s. And he was, but he was also a driven, frenetic genius who went on to create and perform cutting edge music and ultimately to compose the most startlingly innovative (albeit not my taste) orchestral pieces played by the likes of the London Symphony Orchestra. This fabulous docoumentary traces the man's life and work, using behind the scenes clips, interviews, and more. I really hadn't expected to be so impressed by this film, but also by the determination, fearlessness and creativity of a man who left a lasting legacy, influenced countless iconic musicians, and who in fact changed the face of modern music. 

4 - highly recommended

Minari

Dir: Lee Isaac Chung

Length: 115 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ0gFidlro8

© Madman - a family trying to start a new life

Minari is an impressive domestic drama set in the 1980s. Jacob (Steven Yeun) decides to emigrate his family to Arkansas and establish a farm, hopefully growing veggies for the Korean market. They all live in an oversized trailer home, which becomes even more crowded when Granny (Esther Moon) turns up to live with them. This is a delicate, partly humorous, at times tragic, narrative that many people will relate to: the tensions, aspirations, loves, resentments within a family, all set against the struggle to create a new and prosperous life in another land.  The relationship between local farmer Paul (Will Patton) and the family is a salutary lesson for today's world which often reviles immigrants. The film already has umpteen awards, and is nominated for a Best Foreign Language Golden Globe. All the actors inhabit their roles, and the film exudes warmth, and a depth that belies the seeming simplicity of the narrative. 

4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended

The Little Things
Dir: John Lee Hancock

Length: 128 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HZAnkxdYuA

© Universal - two cops on the trail of
a serial killer

In Los Angeles, Deputy Sheriff Joe Deacon (Denzel Washington) teams up with Sgt Jim Baxter (Rami Malek) to track down a serial killer. The investigation dredges up secrets from Deacon's past, secrets that could threaten everything. This is pretty standard police procedural stuff, with the main drawcard for me being twofold -  the ever-watchable Denzel, and also a wonderful perf from Jared Leto (nominated for a Globe as supporting actor). He plays Albert Sparma, a dude picked up as a suspect, and the creepiness he injects into his role elevates it way beyond the average. This is yet another film that divides critics - torn between the lack of originality and the fine performances (though Malek to me is somehow miscast). Definitely recommended for Leto and Washington fans. 

3 - recommended

 February 18th

JIFF - Jewish International Film Festival

In Melbourne from Feb 18-March 24

Classic Elsternwick, Lido Hawthorn

For other states, dates, bookings and programs, visit www.jiff.com.au

This week (part 1) I concentrate upon JIFF which was supposed to have its Melbourne opening night on the last night of Victoria's latest lockdown. Instead the festival takes off today (Thursday 18th), and is chock-full of wonderful films. Here's a brief run-down on some I've seen already. I recommend them all - my absolute faves are rated with a highly recommend. Further latest releases this week will come very soon in a subsequent edition. 

Abu Omar

Length: 113 mins

© JIFF - grief and
tentative friendship

Salah is a Palestinian whose young son has died in surgery in an Israeli hospital. In an attempt to get the body home past the checkpoints, he is helped out by a pregnant Jewish woman. This quite an extraordinary film - slow, intense and utterly thought-provoking. There are tiny moments of black humour, but at its heart it is a plea for more (much-needed) compassion in this world. 

4 - highly recommended

Adventures of a Mathematician

Length: 102 mins

© JIFF - should appeal to 
history buffs

Stanislaw Ulam emigrated to the USA and worked as a maths teacher. When he joined the Manhattan Project his theories helped to create the hydrogen bomb. Interesting subject matter which perhaps tries to cover too much material in too short a time, though is a fascinating snapshot of a seminal moment in history. 

Alan Pakula: Going for Truth

Length: 98  mins

© JIFF - portrait of
a brilliant film-maker

A must-see for film fans, this is a portrait of the famed director of such films as Sophie's Choice, All the President's Men and Klute, among many more. There is much to be learned about the man's private and professional life, augmented by insights from renowned faces from the film world such as Jeff Bridges, Jane Fonda, Alec Baldwin, and Dustin Hoffman, to name a handful. Enjoy the nostalgia of clips from Pakula's many iconic films, and be impressed by the dedication and skill he brought to his work.

4 - highly recommended

Born in Jerusalem and Still Alive

Length: 83 mins

© JIFF - love blooms in
a dangerous city

Ronen conducts tourists around the Jerusalem streets, showing them the sites of infamous terror attacks. As he tries to deal with his own anxiety over terrorism, he is also dealing with a demanding ageing father. When he meets Asia (ex-Jerusalem living in Barcelona), he starts to rethink the focus of his life. Yossi Atia is simply divine as the traumatised but adorable Ronen. Winning a couple of first feature film awards, this is a film that slowly sneaks up on you, with not only political issues to grapple with, but the subtleties of love, parental relationships, and what it means to live with fear but still get on with life.

4 - highly recommended 

Broken Dreams

Length: 70 mins

© JIFF - reminiscences of 
young lives cut short

Two sisters are both young and talented - one an aspiring actor the other a poet - when first the Russians then the Nazis invade their hometown in Poland. This moving doco makes excellent use of old diary entries, powerful archival footage, and reminiscences from the surviving sister, all artfully combined in yet another testament to the nightmare of the Holocaust and wasted lives.  

Churchill and the Movie Mogul

Length: 60 mins

© JIFF - how film as
propaganda turned the war

Short and sweet, but fascinating. The doco looks at Churchill's relationship with Hungarian emigre director Alexander Korda, who used Winston as a screenwriter and historical advisor. Churchill understood well how cinema could be used as a propaganda tool, and the movie stresses how many of Churchill's speeches were in fact like mini-movie scripts in themselves. It's a fascinating look at a little-known aspect of both movie and war history.

Comrade Dov

Length: 75 mins

© JIFF - a man of principal
stands against the tide

Another intriguing doco about a politician, 13 years in the Israeli Knesset (parliament), Jewish but representing the Jewish-Arab party Hadash. Dov Khenin was much hated by some as he went in to bat for causes that highlighted the ongoing conflicts between Palestinians and Israelis. He stood with villagers trying to prevent the bulldozing of their villages, and was an activist for social, economic and environmental reform. 

Esau

Length: 117 mins

© JIFF - bread, brothers,
fathers, lovers

This modern take on the biblical story of brothers Esau and Jacob is a beautifully told narrative, and sees a welcome return of Harvey Keitel. It's the sort of film where you can just revel in the story-telling of a man who returns to the city of his birth to confront his brother.  The acting is terrific all round, with authenticity and emotion in a story of a theft - of both love and livelihood. Much awarded actor Lior Ashkenazi is excellent as Esau.

4 - highly recommended

Kineret

Length: 91 mins

© JIFF - the beauty of 
nature celebrated

The Sea of Galilee, or Kineret, is the lowest freshwater lake on earth. It is showcased here in Israel's answer to a nature doco from David Attenborough or National Geo. The film is exquisitely  shot, and an insightful look at the cycle of life and the passing of the seasons on the vast lake. It focuses upon a year in the life of the native swamp cat, and also features spectacular bird life. It's a must for all lovers of nature docos.

Shiva Baby

Length: 77 mins

© JIFF - surly and confused
doesn't begin to cover it

Danielle is part of a tight-knit Jewish community. When she attends a shiva (a Jewish get-together for mourning) with her family, she runs into Max, an older married man with whom she has been having sex, in exchange for money. There is something so strong about this film, in the way it encapsulates uncomfortability for all concerned - Max, Danielle, nagging parents and friends . . . There is also something so stereotyped about the way a certain style of Jew is portrayed, and I found that uncomfortable in its own right. It's the sort of film, depending upon your sense of humour, you will either enjoy, or be annoyed by.

They Call Me Dr Miami

Length: 87 mins

© JIFF - you gotta love me! 
I'll give you the best body!

Michael Salzhauer aka Dr Miami is an observant Jew,who spends his days performing plastic surgery predominantly on women's breasts and buttocks, with the odd penis extension thrown in. Devotees follow him on all manner of social media, and he is uber-famous and in demand. This doco is arguably highly entertaining, but also raises many interesting moral questions about religion, plastic surgery (are the two compatible?) and integrity.

4 - highly recommended

Thou Shalt Not Hate

Length: 95 mins

© JIFF - torn between his oath
and saving a detested man

A fabulous Italian drama about a doctor, the son of a Holocaust survivor, who rushes to the scene of an accident but when he sees the swastika tattoo on the dying mans chest, withdraws all help. He subsequently takes on the daughter of the dead man as his cleaner, and is forced to again confront ethical issues when that young woman's neo-Nazi brother is injured in a shooting. Powerful movie making, that will make you do some serious thinking.

4 - highly recommended

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit

Length: 120 mins

© JIFF - childhood on the run
from the Nazis

Novelist Judith Kerr wrote a book based upon her childhood, staying one step ahead of the Nazis as her family took her from country to country. The story is beautifully told, acted and shot, centring upon a child's view of a ghastly time in history. The narrative is handled in a way that deflects the total horror, but captures the experience of many German Jews who fled their country, trying to find a new home.

4 - highly recommended

 February 13th

Escape from Extinction

The People Upstairs

Another Round

Oh dear! Lockdown again! Going to the movies over these next few days may be a no-go for Victorians, but put these films on your to-see list post-lockdown. 

Escape from Extinction
Dir: Matthew Brady

Length: 90 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=cb7iVXzGics&feature=youtu.be

© Kismet  - don't let these iconic guys
disappear from the planet.

Compellingly narrated by Dame Helen Mirren, this topical doco examines the existential threats to numerous animal species, and the efforts zoos and aquariums across the world are making to conserve and protect them. Yes, we think we know all about it, but watching a film of this nature hammers home the catastrophic effect that humans have upon their animal neighbours: destruction of habitat, climate change, and illegal trade in wildlife. From Australia to the Amazon and the entire planet in between, nearly one million species are under threat. Scientists refer to this as the "sixth mass extinction", and it's horrific. Some people bang on about zoos being negative for animals, but we learn here that they are the last bastion for many species against obliteration from our planet, as specialist breeding programs help repopulate the wild (or what's left of it). The film features incredibly beautiful and rare footage of many fabulous animal species, and helps us realise our visit to accredited zoos and aquariums can be our way of doing our bit to help.

4 - highly recommended

The People Upstairs
Dir: Cesc Gay

Length: 82 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4mxHlXBy_g

© Vendetta - anyone for an orgy with
the neighbours? Witty Spanish
relationship dramedy. 

Laura (Belen Cuesta) invites the neighbors from upstairs for drinks, much to the dismay of her husband Julio (Javier Camara). He's annoyed because they are often disturbed by the noisy lovemaking of said neighbors.  When Salva (Alberto San Juan) and Ana (Griselda Siciliana) arrive, the conversation gets pretty intense, with propositions for a foursome and subsequent revelations that threaten to disrupt Laura and Julio's marriage. In the same way that The God of Carnage was a ripper of a four-hander, so is this much-nominated clever story, with smart dialogue, plenty of humour, and biting observations of marriage and  sexuality and how people variously handle their relationships. The style of film-making is intelligent and low-key, and highly dependent upon the strength of the script and the acting, all of which are top-notch. Funny, at times confronting, even moving, this is a real enjoyment for those willing to have a good chuckle while turning the gaze inwards. 

4 - highly recommended

Another Round
Dir: Thomas Vinterberg

Length: 117 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40X5EX6Us7c

© Umbrella - gotta love a good bottle of
champers!

Four friends, all teachers, decide to test a hypothesis by a Norwegian psychotherapist and professor that humans function best with a constant blood alcohol level of .05%.  Initially the enhanced relaxation and greater enjoyment of life and work seems good, but as they up the ante on the drinking, so a tipping point is reached. Martin (Mads Mikkelsen) and his friends Tommy, Nikolaj and Peter are characters we can easily relate to but all the men seem to be going through some sort of mid-life crisis, especially Martin with his marriage. Acclaimed director Vinterberg adapted the film from his own play. While on the one hand it has funny moments, looking at the effects of alcohol in a light-hearted way, there is also a depth of emotion and an underlying questioning of the Danish culture of binge-drinking, especially among the youngsters. Although lengthy, this film flows along effortlessly, none of the dialogue feels forced, and the four lead actors are all terrific, with Mads a stand-out (as usual). The mens' friendships and the depiction of the way they relate emotionally is a refreshing change from the often macho style of many mainstream films. The movie that may encourage audiences to question their own values around alcohol, but settle in with a glass of red and enjoy!

4 - highly recommended

February 6th

Wild Things

Food Club

Wrong Turn

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - Netflix

A wonderful variety for your delectation this week. Eco-warriors showcased in an important doco, romance and food in Italy, slasher/horror suspense,  and a Netflix film that is up for a couple of Golden Globes already. 

Wild Things
Dir: Sally Ingleton

Length: 88 mins

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/458941927

© Potential - a vital campaign run
by dedicated activists

This important doco traces a year on the front line of environmental activism in Australia. Among other campaigns, it focuses on the fight to oppose logging and save the Tarkine wilderness in Tasmania, the efforts to stop Adani from building a coalmine in Queensland, and the school strikes aimed at getting government to take action against climate change. The film features excellent archival footage that retraces Bob Brown's successful opposition to the damming of the Franklin River, combined with profiles of those dedicated people who today are putting their freedom on the line to oppose the Adani coalmine and Tassie logging. The maturity of the young schoolkids spearheading their generation's fight for their future is impressive, and I hope this film will not just preach to the converted, but be seen by those skeptics who need a wake-up call.

4 - highly recommended

Food Club
Dir: Barbara Topsoe Rothenborg

Length: 100  mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdppl5Fnmys

© The Reset Collective - childhood friends battle
growing old as a woman.

Vanja, Marie and Berling have been friends since childhood. Now they are in their sixties.  Berling has remained single, living as if she were still young, Vanja is mourning her deceased husband, and Marie has just found out her husband of 40 years has left her for another woman. They head off to attend a one-week cooking class in Puglia, Italy and what transpires there redefines each one of them. On the one hand this film is fabulous, in that it handles head-on various issues that can beset women at a certain age. One the other, it is so predictable and at times saccharine sweet that it is almost sickly. Each character is a bit of a cardboard cut-out of "a type", and the cooking instructor so archetypically Italianly handsome it beggars belief. But . . . there are moments that feel very authentic, tackling aspects of ageing and female friendships often overlooked, that it's probably worth a look. It's light and fun, and the food looks mouthwatering, so make sure to eat before you go.

3 - recommended

Wrong Turn
Dir: Mike P Nelson

Length: 109 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDdGpjjtq-o

© Rialto - aagh! we should never have strayed
from the trail

In 2003 Alan McElroy wrote the script to Wrong Turn in which hapless victims were stalked by monstrous mountain men. In the subsequent five sequels, variations on this theme, many featuring mountain-dwelling cannibals, emerged. Now in 2021 McElroy reboots his original with a twist: six young hispster friends go on a hike in the Appalachian Mountains. After meeting the requisite intimidating rednecks in the local bar, and then being warned (of course!) not to wander off the trail, they do just that and frightening things start happening. Jennifer's father (Matthew Modine) gets worried after he hasn't heard from her, and sets out to find her. If you need a total distraction from life, this one will fill you with nail-biting terror, and enough blood and gore to fill a hillbilly's truck. It is replete with all the tropes that make this sort of film into its own special genre - but nevertheless manages to keep one in plenty of suspense. The modern twist is that the new baddies are a secret sect calling itself The Foundation, a group from pre-Civil War days, living a barbaric and primitive existence, and believing that  when America falls they will found the new order. Hmm - prescient?  

?? - highly recommended for lovers of slasher horror - otherwise a maybe for gore-averse viewers

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Dir: George C Wolfe

Length: 94 mins

Streaming on Netflix

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ord7gP151vk

© Netflix - adapted from a play, this is
one not be missed for lovers of music and history

Larger than life, blues singer Ma Rainey (Viola Davis) travels from her home in Georgia to record in Chicago in the early 1920s. The recording studio is the scene of much dispute over musical arrangements, payments, and the role of the black man in a white man's world. Based upon August Wilson's play, this impressive movie recreates an era, pays homage to a real-life legend of the blues, and examines issues of race relations still relevant today. Davis is jaw-droppingly powerful in her performance. Chadwick Boseman as Levee, the womanising ambitious trumpeter, turns in his career best, which sadly was his last. Knowing he was dying at the time of filming makes some of his monologues all the more poignant. The music is wonderful, the story intriguing, and the cinematography impressive (especially the gloom of the studio vs the Chicago brightly-lit exteriors). The director's modernistic style, combined with the writer's excellent dialogue, elevates this film above the average. With Davis and Boseman up for Golden Globes, it's something well-worth watching.

4 - highly recommended

  February 2nd

High Ground

Promising Young Woman

Only two films from me this week, but both terrific and thematically powerful - one based on  the vexed history of white/indigenous relations in Australia, and the other inspired by the the ongoing issue (problem?) of male/female relations.   

High Ground
Dir: Stephen Johnson

Length: 105 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL-G4oCoDF0

© Madman - tragic history
brilliantly told

Travis (Simon Baker) is an ex WW1 sniper, now a policeman in Arnhem Land in 1919. After witnessing a brutal massacre of an indigenous family, he helps save a child Gutjuk, (Jacob Junior Nayinggul) who is then raised by white woman, Claire (Caren Pistorius). Twelve years later Travis returns and co-opts Gutjuk into tracking down the young man's uncle, Baywara (Sean Mununggurr), who has been mounting attacks upon white settlers. Playing out at times like a Western, the film has traditional themes of conflict, revenge, and male friendship. But there are also multiple layers of complexity in terms of Australia's fraught history. We see the violent conflict between indigenous people and the invaders, and the director never shies away from confronting the audience. Add top Aussie actors like Jack Thomson, Callan Mulvey and Ryan Corr, and you have a powerful cast, but even more impressive are the indigenous actors, speaking in their language, and commanding so many of the powerful scenes with their fierce pride.  Shot in Kakadu and other parts of NT, the film's cinematography captures Australia's raw and stunning outback scenery. This is top-shelf film-making, with gripping and disturbing story-telling and timely themes that all white Aussies should be grappling with.

4 - highly recommended

Promising Young Woman
Dir: Emerald Fennell

Length: 113 mins

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we5yV7Gc9rY

© Roadshow - this nurse hasn't come to help you

We first meet Cassie (Carey Mulligan) apparently dead drunk in a bar. We soon learn her modus operandus: to get guys to pick her up, then turn the tables on them, making them confront the ugly side of themselves. However, her motives run deeper, relating to the rape and death of her close friend Nina back when they were in college. When Cassie gets involved with seemingly decent doctor Ryan (Bo Burnham), we think her life may have turned a corner, but soon even more disturbing revelations from the past set her on a deadly course. This is an intriguing film, and, depending upon how you want to see it, it's either somewhat exploitative, or a biting adjunct to the #metoo movement. I like the way the director initially juggles comedy with tension, but then takes the movie to a far darker place. This is a showcase for the brilliance of Mulligan, who rips up the screen with the entire gamut of emotions, from sexiness to sadness to sadism. (Oscar material, methinks.) The film should be a great conversation starter, but not necessarily a good date movie!

3.5 - well recommended