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