December 4th
Dune
Nitram (streaming on Stan and in selected cinemas)
Stillwater (streaming on Amazon Prime)
The long-awaited blockbuster Dune bursts onto our screens, while at the other end of the spectrum, the Martin Bryant story Nitram is a challenging but powerful watch. Matt Damon surprises with a ripper performance in Stillwater. At present I seem to be mainly reviewing films I highly recommend - what's the point of telling you about films not to see?
Dune
Dir: Denis Villeneuve
Length: 155 mins
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| © Universal - this new Dune is epic |
What a difficult film to review, mostly because this epic feature is just the first in a series, based upon the novel by Frank Herbert that started it all in 1965. Dune long preceded Star Wars, so any accusations of derivativeness in this latest science fiction spectacular could well be the other way around. It's the original, futuristic, space-aged, imperial warfare special. In a nutshell we have an inter-galactic empire, with many planets, the most important being the desert planet Arrakis (known as Dune), where a spice vital for space travel is mined. This valuable commodity is the source of conflict between ruling houses of the various planets, with House Harkonnen the big baddies, pitted against house Atreides, who are sent to oversee mining on the arid planet. Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) is the son of Duke Leto (Oscar Isaacs), and Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), a member of a group of female mystics known as the Bene Gesserit. He is being set up for something well beyond what anyone can imagine. Meantime the indigenous people of Arrakis, the Fremen, led by Stilgar (Javier Bardem), are sick of powerful groups pillaging their home planet for its resources. But the greatest threat for all are the giant sandworms that live under the surface of the planet. I will reveal nothing more, for though this is a world that is slow to creep up on you, once it does, it has you in its thrall. With top-shelf casting including the aforementioned stars, plus Stellan Skargard, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin, Zendaya, Charlotte Rampling and more, it brings a script that is about much more than space action; it's also about the characters and the politics of power and corruption (plus a messianic theme running through). Needless to say, special effects are dramatic. The recreation of vast palaces, desert landscapes, innovative space vehicles, along with creative costuming and blockbuster music, all work together to bring an experience that truly creates another world. There are moments when it does feel a bit too much like things we've seen before, especially in fight scenes, either aerial or hand to hand. Another weakness is that we don't end up with a rounded view of Herbert's first iconic novel; this 2.5 hour film acts as almost an introduction, but I shall forgive it these weaknesses and look forward to following the journey of young Paul in the follow-up films. Despite some other critics' negativity, I'm a fan; the viewing time flew by for me, and I totally immersed in the alien world. (Having read the book helped!)Cheat sheet: If you want to get a head start on the plot and characters I recommend this website:
4 - highly recommended
Nitram
Dir: Justin Kurzel
Length: 83 mins
At selected cinemas and streaming on Stan
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| © Madman - a tragedy in the making |
Martin Bryant (Caleb Landry Jones) is a name that sends horror through Australians who remember the Port Arthur massacre. For those reluctant to see the film, nothing of the actual massacre is shown; rather this is a look at the highly dysfunctional background that gave rise to this troubled young man with low intelligence and personality disorders, leading to his becoming a mass murderer. There is no attempt to sensationalise events, or even to garner sympathy for Nitram (Martin spelt backwards, his school nickname), only to present the sad and sorry facts of an angry, ostracised man desperate for some sort of recognition. Because we know what is to come, we feel a constant sense of brooding darkness and tension, all set against a suburban existence. The cast is magnificent: Judy Davis as his strict but somehow remote mother, Anthony LaPaglia as an ineffectual father, and Essie Davis as Helen, an heir to the Tattersalls fortune. She is a much older woman who somehow befriends the dim-witted young man, and whose tragic demise only adds to the litany of events that lead up to the fateful day. No matter how painful, as a piece of Australian history this is an important film and as a testament to why we need strong gun laws is even more compelling. Jones showcases his talents to strong effect in the central role, leaving us sad, not for him, but more for the victims of a senseless crime that could have been prevented with more observance and intervention.4 - highly recommended
Stillwater
Dir: Tom McCarthy
Length: 139 mins
Streaming on Amazon Prime
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| © Universal - Damon's best perf ever! |
Bill Baker (Matt Damon) is an oil rigger whose daughter Allison (Abigail Breslin) has been imprisoned in Marseilles, after being convicted of the murder of her roommate/girlfriend. Allison maintains her innocence and Bill heads to France to try to get the case reviewed with the hope of getting her released from jail. Bill meets French actress Virginie (Camille Cottin) who acts as a translator for him, and he soon goes on the trail of an Arab boy who Allison maintains was responsible for the murder. This strong film blends elements of a mainstream plot with deeper issues (anti-Arab prejudice, father/daughter trust, the legal system) and some powerful emotional threads. Bill's rapport with Maya, Virginie's little daughter, is a form of redemption for his previously remote relationship with his own daughter, while the overall plot trajectory is not what one would expect. This is possibly Damon's best performance ever, capturing the ordinariness of a blue-collar worker who sticks out like a sore thumb in France, but at the same time shows another surprising side of himself. Despite some not totally credible aspects, this is an engrossing and well-made film.4 - wholeheartedly recommended
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