Tag Archives: Great

Biopic, Comedy, Drama, Musical

Better Man

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Reading Time: 6 minutes

Date watched: January 4, 2025
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2025

Review

Saturday afternoon I decided to escape the heat and see my first movie at the cinema for 2025.

Better Man is the new biopic about Robbie Williams, from the creative mind of director Michael Gracey.

Now in case you are unaware, yes that is a monkey on the film poster and yes, that monkey is portraying Robbie Williams. Since that detail had been announced while the film was in production it has been a talking point. Some sceptical and many curious to see what it would be. Everyone else in the film is portrayed with actors, it is just Robbie to quote the film’s director Gracey that ‘we see, as Robbie sees himself’.

For those unfamiliar Gracey is probably most well know for his work as director on the film ‘The Greatest Showman’. I was lucky enough to go along to a Masterclass in Directing with Michael Gracey back in 2021 where he spoke about his career and delved deep into the process of making ‘The Greatest Showman’. I’ve been left with fond memories of that evening and images of the raw footage we saw for ‘Rewrite the Stars’ that has left a lasting impact on me. It was at that session where Michael gave us the heads up of a new film he was working on, a Robbie Williams biopic, after it was revealed that Robbie played a part during the making of ‘The Greatest Showman’.

I’ve also been lucky enough to see Robbie Williams live in Australia twice.

So safe to say that I was going into this film a fan of both the creator of the film and the subject matter!

I found this to be an enjoyable film with a nicely layered narrative. Robbie’s personal story of becoming famous at a young age and his personal battles faced over the years provides the foundations of a story tell. It is his great back catalogue of songs and his personality (the cheeky and charismatic character) that makes it one to see. And the fact that they have chosen to portray Robbie as monkey is what will make it stand out from the pack of biopics being released and likely draw in people who aren’t Robbie Williams fans.

The film had me laughing out loud, to crying (I had two big teary moments), as well as being uncomfortable with some of the tough themes In Rob’s life. It’s one of those narratives which builds through those emotions so cleverly that as a viewer you just ride the wave of emotions. Yes, when reflecting back I can see how certain scenes are there to build a certain emotion but I didn’t have that analysis going while viewing. Unfortunately not all films can achieve this.

Better Man was filmed largely in Melbourne and there are plenty of familiar Aussie actors you will recognise. Just a couple to mention are Damon Herriman as the band manager of Take That, Kate Mulvany as Robbie’s mum, and John Waters as Michael Parkinson.

One of the things that I liked about the film is the use of Robbie’s songs. They are peppered throughout the film and rather than used in chronological order are coupled with the scene to match the emotion being conveyed. That was something that I really liked from the Elton John biopic ‘Rocketman’. It also gives the film a sense of being timeless. If you were around at the time of these events, you can map in your mind the late 90s for example, but having a timestamp on screen isn’t required to tell this story. I think that also helps not distract the viewer from where in the narrative we are, so you’re not thinking about the film duration.

Some of the songs are used in their entirety while others you may have to keep an ear for. This was another nice touch which I liked from the film.

My favourite scene from Better Man is the ‘Rock DJ’ sequence. This is used to depict the period where Robbie is in the band ‘Take That’. The sequence starts as the band is signed and shows the rising popularity of the band, particularly with young girls. The band sing the song together while making their way down Regent Street, London causing all sorts of chaos, a visual metaphor of their success in the UK at the time. The song builds up and ends at Piccadilly Circus with an incredibly grand dance sequence covering the whole street. From the chorography, to the costumes, to the pause added between the lyrics ‘When’s it gonna stop’ [pause] ‘DJ’ makes every second of this sequence just incredible. I can’t convey how much I adored this sequence. It is so spectacular and looks amazing on the big screen.

My second favourite sequence would have to be for the ‘She’s the One’ dance sequence used on the night when Robbie met Nicole Appleton. Ashley Wallen’s choreography here is magical. The song also covers a lot of the relationship between Robbie and Nicole flashing back and forth between that first night and periods of their relationship. It’s no coincidence that this scene gives parallels to the dance sequence with Hugh Jackman and Michelle Williams for ‘A Million Dreams’ in The Greatest Showman, as Wallen also worked on that film. Wallen and Gracey are greatly paired to make beautiful films. The emotion through dance transferred to screen they achieve is wonderful. It makes me truly appreciate the art of cinema.

The scenes which use ‘Come Undone’ and ‘Let Me Entertain You’ are also very powerful sequences that are at the core of what this film is about. How Robbie sees himself and the struggles he has/does deal with. Those sequences are so emotionally charged and without spoiling anything the ‘Let Me Entertain You’ scene elevates this film and separates it from many biopics. With stories dealings with diseases of the mind, that can be a difficult thing to visualise on a screen but also gives a filmmaker the ability to dip into fantasy and create beautiful visual analogies. Both of these sequences caused me some distress and uncomfortable feelings but I think that is the point (at least I hope!)

While I potentially could comment on use of all the songs, I’m not going to do that! I’ll leave some of that for you to experience in your own viewing.

I’m guessing at this point you’re wondering why I haven’t mentioned the monkey. To be honest, it’s kind of like that watching the film. You clearly notice it at the start but as the film progresses, it’s not really a thing. Clearly what makes the film work so well is Jonno Davis who is the actor behind the motion capture. The visual effects are absolutely spectacular but for the facial expressions and personality characteristics to really pay off, the person under that motion capture has to be doing the work. And Davis has done a sensational job. It almost sounds outlandish to say but without his performance, I don’t think this film works as well as it does.

This is certainly a film for fans of Robbie Williams, the creators attached to The Greatest Showman, music biopics, and/or of visual effects.

If you’d like to know a little more about Robbie Williams, I would suggest his documentary on Netflix. It covers much of what is in this film in more detail in a more traditional documentary format. You certainly don’t need to watch it before seeing the film.

Catch Better Man while at the cinemas. It looks truly fantastic on the big screen and you’ll have an enjoyable time.

Rating:  Great

Action, Comedy, Marvel

Deadpool & Wolverine

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: August 9, 2024
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2024

Review

You may have noticed it’s been a little quiet here lately and that’s because life has been keeping me busy with a few other things of late and I’ve not had the chance to visit the cinema as often as I would have hoped.

So with a free Friday night, I decided to treat myself to see the latest Marvel instalment: Deadpool & Wolverine.

Not only has it been a while since my last visit to the cinema, I also haven’t watched any Marvel productions since the disappointment of Thor: Love and Thunder. I had decided to take a break and while it was never meant to be permanent, I haven’t found myself wanting to jump back in.

In an unusual move for myself, I didn’t rewatch any of the previous Deadpool or X-Men films (and it doesn’t take much for me to have an impromptu X-Men marathon, it’s always been my favourite of the comic series). I also didn’t research what I should watch first and tried my best to avoid spoilers. Unfortunately I did see a few things during the week but nothing to spoil my enjoyment.

I think that Deadpool is a good film to dip back into the franchise. It delivers exactly what you expect: lude jokes, forth wall breaks, tons of violence, and fight sequences galore.

This instalment also contained a killer soundtrack and many cameos. I quite liked the snippets from the Greatest Showman that we heard. The film also pokes fun along the way, leaving many fans questioning how they were able to get away with saying such things. A line which appealed to me and I’m guessing many others of similar mind was the “Welcome to the MCU. You’re joining at a bit of a low point.”

Circling back to the cameos, that is probably want makes this different to the previous Deadpool films. The previous films have included cameos of other characters from the series but were limited to an extent on the options available. Now that this instalment is part of the MCU, that provides many additional options but it’s not going to be what you think. Apart from the obvious inclusion of Wolverine, you will be pleased to see who has made the cut. That’s all I will say on that!

The plot is a relatively simple story. Nothing fancy or complicated but it doesn’t need to be. It’s an easy-to-follow premise, setting up an enjoyable viewing experience. We also welcome Matthew Macfadyen to the MCU as a key character in the narrative, something I wasn’t aware of going in and was not upset by that!

What probably makes this film such a success is that by all appearances it looked fun to make. Everybody has been waiting for these two characters to be in a film together for such a long time and to rewrite the ‘wrongs’ of X-Men Origins. You really get the sense that they weren’t sure if they would get another go at this and wanted to take the advantage to make the best film they could. There are also many jokes about this partnership continuing well into the future with Disney now involved, and I guess we will have to wait to see what happens next.

If you are already a fan of the franchise, you’re really going to enjoy the film and likely have already seen it by now. The film is really playing towards its target audience. To me, it feels like a film for the fans by the fans. You will have a lot of laughs and plenty of fun.

I would suggest watching at least Loki Season 1 beforehand. I haven’t watched Season 2 yet, so unsure if that would have enhanced my viewing experience or not. You can follow along without having seen the previous two Deadpool films or Logan. That said, if you have not seen them, they are great films and I would also suggest viewing them before Deadpool & Wolverine.

So while you find a session to book, I will excuse myself to watch the opening sequence yet again. The Deadpool films always do this so well and this one, well *chef’s kiss*.

Rating:  Great

Crime, Mystery, Thriller

The Dry

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Date watched: March 10, 2024
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2024

Review

In preparation for seeing The Dry 2: Force of Nature, I decided to give The Dry a re-watch. I had initially seen it at the cinemas when released in 2021 and it is currently streaming on Stan.

The Dry is based on the novel of the same name (which I have not read) by Jane Harper and is about Federal Agent ‘Aaron Falk’ (played by Eric Bana) who returns to his hometown to attend the funeral of his childhood friend, Luke who has killed his family and then himself in a murder-suicide. Aaron is called into action to go back home for lying about something that happened 20 years ago which ended up driving him out of town. Luke is also called out for lying about the same thing – the death of Ellie, a friend of the boys at the time.

Set in regional Victoria, the story flashes between the cases from the past and present as there may be a connection. Will Aaron need to face his past and tell the truth in order to help work out if Luke really did commit the crime which he has been blamed for?

The Dry will keep you guessing who did it and why, with several twists and turns along the way. Reflecting back on my initial feelings after the first viewing, this one really kept me on my toes right up until the end. On second viewing, although knowing the outcome, I was still highly invested in the story and perhaps picked up on some additional clues.

The performances of the cast are fantastic, as is the look and feel of the film. Particularly the contrast between the past and present from a rich and fertile land to a dry one. A striking visual metaphor are the bushfires raging in the distance approaching closer as the investigation develops.

If you haven’t seen this film, put this one to the top of the list for your next movie night.

Rating:  Great

Comedy, Drama

Sideways

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Reading Time: 6 minutes

Date watched: October 30, 2022
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2022

Review

Sideways appeared on my radar in an unusual manner. It normally wouldn’t be the type of film that would necessary spark my interest, especially when it was released back in 2004. I could have deprived myself of what is a beautiful and very funny film all because I am not a wine drinker.

So how and why did I end up watching Sideways? It was thanks to a podcast and a comedy festival I went to a month ago! Peter Helliar hosts a podcast called ‘You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet’ where he talks to other comedians and friends about a well-known film they haven’t gotten around to seeing yet.

If I also haven’t seen the film the episode is about, I like to watch it first in preparation before listening. So when it was announced that the film for the live episode recording I was going to at the Grapes of Mirth festival was Sideways, I had planned to watch it in time for the recording. Unfortunately that didn’t happen (apparently you get quite tired doing a 10 hour drive) but I did watch the film the night after the recording. Luckily for me, most of the audience hadn’t seen the film either, so Pete did try to steer away from too many spoilers.

I highly recommend checking out the podcast, as there are some great insights to the film. For me, it really enhanced my viewing experience.

When it came time to capture my thoughts on the film, I didn’t want to do so that night. Partly because I didn’t have the time as I was driving back home the next day but mostly because I wanted time to develop my own thoughts on the film. I’ve now had the time to process and just watched the film for a second time to take stock of what connected for me. There are still things that I agree with that were spoken about in the podcast, which I will call out when making reference to in this review.

Second time around, I really enjoyed the film just as much as the first time and can easily see watching it multiple times in years to come.

Sideways follows the story of Miles and Jack, two middle aged men who are spending a week visiting vineyards across California before Jack’s wedding on the weekend. Miles has arranged this week getaway for the two friends, to share his vast knowledge of wine, hang out, and play golf together. Yet both are battling their own form of an existential crisis which adds friction between the two on the trip.

Jack is an once popular TV star turned voiceover actor and as the week progresses, is having a dramatic case of cold feet. Does he really want to get married? He sees this week as his last week of freedom and wants to use it as a chance to cut loose and party. Aka sleep with other women.

To me, I don’t think it is crystal clear when Jack makes this decision. It was obvious that he was very keen to start this trip and whether that started off as just wanting to get some air to think if getting married was the right move or if he have a very clear goal from the get go, I’m not sure about. The way things escalate, I would suggest there is no plan as Jack reacts rather impulsively.

I find the character of Jack insufferable, difficult to empathize with, and a lot of the time pretty cringey. Kudos to Thomas Haden Church on the way in which he plays the role. For anyone else of my vintage you may also remember him from his role of Lyle in George of the Jungle, another insufferable type character!

Miles on the other hand, has been divorced for two years and has yet to start another relationship. Despite the fact his marriage was an unhappy relationship and that his ex-wife has moved on, he is stuck in the belief that they may get back together some day. He works as an English teacher, has written his own novel, and is waiting on news if it will be published. Of the two men, I think Miles is the one with the more redeemable qualities and who I found myself relating to on a few levels.

Enter Maya and Stephanie, the two women which Miles and Jack spend most of the week days with. Miles already knows Maya as a waitress where he frequently dines when on wine tastings and Stephanie becomes the subject of Jack’s lust. The (un)published novel is something that Jack uses as the excuse to tell the women he is attempting to woo for the reason of their trip. You know, because mentioning he is getting married on the weekend would be awkward.

Maya is a fellow wine connoisseur with a sharp palate, the perfect pairing for Miles. She is intelligent, measured, and provides a lot of light to Miles’ shade. Her character has some beautiful ways of talking about wine and life. They also share a similar experience in their marriage breakdowns. Virginia Madsen brings to life the character of Maya, giving her some complexities and a real part of the film.

Stephanie on the other hand, while also having a good knowledge of wine, is quite impulsive. After meeting a man for 24 hours, she is having conversations about moving in with him and introducing him to her child. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that Jack is innocent in anyway, it just seems to come across as moving very fast. While they share this attribute, unlike Miles and Maya where their commonalities compliment each other, the similar behaviour of Jack and Stephanie works against them.

The scene were the four go out to dinner together for the first time, really shows the differences between Jack and Stephanie vs Miles and Maya, as well as between the two women and two men, just from the types of conversations we see them having.

It’s probably the reason why I have connected with the film, I do adore this type of story telling. There is so much that you could unpack from each of the characters and their relationships with each other.

Having good material is one place to start, having the strong cast to bring it to life is the other part of the equation. Paul Giamatti’s performance is what really makes this film for me. His facial expressions alone add so much to each scene, really conveying the way in which Miles is thinking and feeling. It’s a strong cast however without Giamatti, the film wouldn’t be what it is.

Apart from the quality of the story, the film also has a great quality in how it has been filmed and the way in which it flows.

One of the things that was mentioned in the podcast I attended was about the level of detail in each shot. It was said that everything is included in the film for a reason and I really agreed with this comment. One such example is when Miles and Jack stop at Miles’ mother’s house on their way across California.

Miles says they are just stopping in to wish her a happy birthday. Yet when they get in the house and are asked if they are staying for something to eat, Miles says yes. Jack gives him a look of ‘what do you mean, we should get going’ where Miles’ response is “just a snack”. Cue the next scene which shows the three of them sitting at a table, much later in the evening, with a fully cooked meal on the table. That is just one small example that the whole film is filled with.

Sideways is a really well written comedy-drama. It has top notch acting from a great cast. The sequences and the way it is filmed I found quite charming. And let’s not forget about the soundtrack, which is beautifully scored, adding yet another layer to this film. Again I find myself listening to the soundtrack as I put my thoughts together.

Don’t worry if you aren’t a wine drinker, that will not prohibit any enjoyment that Sideways has to offer.

Rating:  Great

Action, Comedy

Bullet Train

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: August 27, 2022
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2022

Review

Saturday night I went to see the latest action flick from director David Leitch, Bullet Train. I’d seen the trailer a number of times in the months leading up to the release, which really gave nothing away. While the film looked interesting, it wasn’t one that I put on the watch list immediately.

I’m glad I got the opportunity to see the film because it was a lot of fun!

Bullet Train isn’t just your average action film. While it delivers on the expectations of great action sequences, it’s also funny, and well written. There are many layers to the film, which is why I suspect the trailers released don’t give too much away. Each detail in the film is placed there for a purpose. Even down to the runtime, which is the same time a Bullet Train from Tokyo to Kyoto will take.

Luck is the primary theme explored in the film, in how it is perceived, how it is used, and its affect. Each character has a different relationship to luck from using it to an advantage to making your own.

Leading the ensemble cast of codenamed guns for hire is Brad Pitt’s Ladybug, who considers himself to have incredible bad luck and has recently started therapy after the disasters from his last few jobs – someone always ends up getting killed when that is not the intension. Some might say unavoidable in his line of work but from the very first moment we meet him we start to get an understanding of how things don’t go to plan for him.

Ladybug is hired for a simple snatch and grab job – find a suitcase with a train sticker on the handle and then exit the train at the next stop. Of course, with his bad luck, things aren’t that simple and it’s not long until it becomes apparent that there are a number of other assassins on the train after the same suitcase.

Brad Pitt gives a stellar performance in the role and while he really makes the film, I also enjoyed the characters of Tangerine and Lemon (aka the twins) played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brain Tyree Henry. They provide a lot of the comedy within the film as well as some touching emotional moments. As actors, they work very well together. The remainder of the cast, including several cameos, are all fantastic, but you’ll need to go see the film to learn more about them!

The film has many great action sequences included, which can be quite violent but at the same time aren’t overly gory. David Leitch also directed Deadpool 2 if that gives you a better idea of the style to expect. No doubt this film carries a high body count.

One of my favourite sequences is towards the beginning of the film with Tangerine and Lemon arguing over the number of people they killed before getting on the train – sixteen or seventeen. We are then presented with a sequence accompanied by music from Engelbert Humperdinck which breaks the fourth wall, each victim being counted as they are taken out, in a number of often hilarious ways.

As well as great action sequences, the film’s soundtrack of pop-rock is enjoyable and goes towards setting the fun tone the film has. It also features a few Japanese covers of classic songs including Stayin’ Alive and Holding Out for a Hero that I really enjoyed.

If action films are your jam, you’ll have a lot of fun seeing Bullet Train. And why you may not need to see it at the cinema, it does look great up on the big screen and a good option for a date night.

Rating:  Great

Drama

Pride & Prejudice

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

Date watched: August 24, 2022
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2022

Review

When this film was initially released, I had no interest in seeing it. I’d just been studying the novel at high school for English Literature and was a big fan of the TV mini-series from 1995, which we also got to watch at school.

For me Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle were my Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, to the detriment of all others. I guess it was just a case of bad timing.

Timing it seems is much better. It’s now been quite a while since I’ve watched the mini-series and I don’t think I’ve read the novel since high school. I’ve also been looking for something to fill the void left with Ripper Street finishing and when I found out Matthew Macfadyen was in this film, enough time had passed to the attachments of the past.

Wednesday night I had a free evening at home and decided it would be the night to finally watch the film. And you know what, I’m glad I did.

With a two-hour run time, it’s not going to capture everything that an almost six-hour mini-series is going to be able to, however I feel it did a good job including all the main story points and delivered an emotionally charged interpretation.

Most of the focus remains on Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, which is introduced via Mr. Bingley and Jane’s courtship. Rosamund Pike plays the role of Jane shyly and quite refined, while Simon Woods portrayal of Mr. Bingley is on the verge of the buffoon. Whether that was a choice of the adaptation or the actor, I’m not sure but think it was the wrong call. The storyline with Lydia and Mr. Wickham is also key to the novel and with the runtime feels slightly rushed. That said I think the decisions made for what was included to instead focus on Lizzie and Darcy was the right call to delve into these characters in more depth and have a better payoff at the end.

Now I may be a bit biased given that my motivation to watch the film was Matthew Macfadyen but I thoroughly enjoyed his interpretation of Mr. Darcy. Watching his growth from beginning to end with his feelings towards Elizabeth was a joy and at times pretty steamy! Yes, they are starting off with the strong foundations of Jane Austen’s novel but the mannerisms on display, to the very fine details really make it. The on-screen chemistry with Keira Knightley made that relationship what it is. I could barely take all the exchanged glances between the two!

My favourite scene would have to be when Mr. Darcy attempts to practice his social skills by basically barging into Mr. and Mrs. Collins house to see Elizabeth and all he can come up with is some remarks about the home his aunt helped to furnish, before running away when Charlotte arrives home.

This occurring after a conversation the night before were Mr. Darcy reveals to Elizabeth that he has trouble talking to people he doesn’t know and her response being that he should practice.

There are a number of moments where Mr. Darcy is trying so hard, and we the audience can see the affection that he has for her but essentially, he just keeps stuffing it up. Ultimately resulting in the worst proposal in the history of proposals. The work he does between that moment and the second proposal is so rewarding resulting in a proposal that totally kicks butt!

Another of my favourite scenes is when Mr. Bingley, accompanied by Mr. Darcy, visit the Bennet’s where he intends to propose to Jane. The Bennet women are all sitting around the house in a very relaxed manner and when Kitty spots the men approaching, they are all in a rush to look “presentable”. The result of everyone sitting so perfectly and picturesque when the men walk into the room is quite hilarious.

I really enjoyed the energy of the cast, there appeared to be a youthful energy, particularly with the Bennet sisters. Keira Knightley played the role of Elizabeth really well and hats off to Brenda Blethyn being the very annoying Mrs. Bennet. Almost ruining Jane’s chance of an engagement to Mr. Bingley by not stopping talking and by threating Lizzie to never talk to her again after refusing Mr. Collins proposal…by continuously telling her that fact! It was also a nice surprise to see Rupert Friend in the role of Mr. Wickham, for any other Homeland fans out there.

Visually the difference between the classes was well represented and it somehow didn’t overly feel like a period piece. It felt a little more realistic rather than dressing everyone in white/lightly coloured clothing and having very clean shots. The costumes and sets all looked beautiful and the estate used for the Darcy residence was truly impressive. The film also has a beautiful score which accompanies it.

It’s also worth noting that the US version has a different ending with the inclusion of an additional scene. I would recommend checking it out on YouTube. The version I watched didn’t include this scene and if I hadn’t found out about this alternate ending, I wouldn’t have been fussed. The additional scene is just a cherry on top. Traditionalists and fans of the novel may not like it though.

So don’t be like me and dismiss this because the wonderful job the TV mini-series did adapting the novel. This film also delivers a beautiful story which I’ll happily watch again.

Rating:  Great

Thriller

No Country for Old Men

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

Date watched: July 20, 2022
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2022

Review

Last week I decided to catch up on a couple of films that have been sitting on the watchlist for quite some time and front of mind was No Country for Old Men. Yes that’s right fellow cinephiles, it’s taken me 15 years to join the party but I’m here now!

Why this film? A few reasons really; I’ve heard great things about it, Fargo is one of my favourite films (and it doesn’t take much inspiration to trigger a re-watch), of the Coen brothers films that I have seen I’ve enjoyed them and I’m also a Javier Bardem fan. To name a few.

So why did it take so long to watch this film? No idea! I seem to do this a lot though.

I also somehow managed to avoid the details of the plot and who else was in the film. So it did feel like a fresh viewing with no spoilers known in advance. While I typically aim to avoid spoilers in my reviews, there are some scenes I’d like to talk about and I think I’m going to need to include the ending as part of that. So consider this your WARNING. If you have not seen this film and want to avoid spoilers, take a break, go watch the film, and then come back and read on!

What struck me the most was the soundtrack, or more aptly, the lack of a soundtrack. The use of silence just builds up the tension to eleven. In the scene where Chigurh is in pursuit of Moss after catching up with him at the motel I found myself breathing heavily, almost as if I was the one being pursued, to then see that my breath was practically in sync with Moss while he stopped and was hiding behind a wall. I had to hold my breath just to hear him panting. This is one of the reasons I love cinema, for the feelings that it can invoke.

Between Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem I find it difficult to say whose performance I enjoyed more. Both were fantastic and what great characters they had to explore. This is not to leave out Tommy Lee Jones, who also puts in a strong performance. The film is centred around these three men and I find it fascinating that while it’s a single story that binds them all, their characters never meet. I was also presently surprised to see Woody Harrelson in the mix too.

Despite the film opening and closing with Anton Chigurh (Bardem) this somehow feels like the story of Llewelyn Moss (Brolin). Characters in great films like this have a complexity to them and Llewelyn is a great example. He is neither the good guy nor the bad guy. And may I mention what a great name too; Llewelyn! Whereas Chigurh is a straight up psychopath. This however doesn’t make him any less of an interesting character to explore but perhaps why I found myself wanting to see Moss succeed.

Unfortunately Moss was on borrowed time the moment he decided to take the money. I felt even more upset that as an audience we weren’t there to see what happened to him. The moment his life ended he became collateral, returning the story focus back onto Chigurh, and just another body in this tale. For everything that Moss endured and how far he made it, means nothing in the end.

And now can we talk about the ending – how good was that?! I love it when things are left unresolved. Maybe that’s not the best word to use as it wasn’t dissatisfaction that I felt, I just had more questions and would love to see what happens next.

Who was in the car that crashed into Chigurh and what was their fate? Where does Chigurh go next? We’ve seen that he knows how to patch himself up but how does he deal with a broken bone? Did he kill Carla Jean? Did he kill the accountant in the office building? Where is the end of the road for him? I’ll stop there but it’s so great to think about all these things! Can you feel my excitement as you read these words?!

For what it counts, my opinion is that he did kill Carla Jean based on the way he checked his shoes after leaving the house. As for the accountant in the office building whose Chigurh’s last words to him are “Do you see me?”, I’m a little torn. My first instinct is yes, because no matter the answer the accountant gives, he clearly has seen Chigurh. I think it might be a rhetorical question. On the other hand, we saw that he is fond of letting a coin toss decide the outcome. Perhaps he used this tactic in this situation? I think not….but I’m not sure!

I really enjoyed this film and there is so much to talk about but we don’t need to break it down scene by scene. If you’re still reading this I’m guessing that you’ve already seen the film and have your own opinion on whether you liked it or not.

Which brings us to an awkward position. As this is normally the part where I try to end on a witty line relating to the film and suggest who might enjoy it. If you’ve already seen in, perhaps it’s time for a re-watch? And here’s an idea for you, why not introduce a friend who was in a similar position to myself and ask them to join you for a movie night?

If you haven’t seen this film but read on anyway, I’ve really just covered the skim of the surface and I hope I have inspired you into watching it. Don’t add it to the watchlist, just watch it!

Rating:  Great

Australian, Biopic, Drama

Elvis

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: July 4, 2022
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2022

Review

Monday night I went along to an exclusive screening of Elvis for AACTA and AFI members. Unfortunately there was no Q&A session after the film this time but I was still surrounded by industry members which is pretty cool. For my guest pass I took my mum along with me, who is a big Elvis fan. As for myself, I’m more neutral. That is I like his music but am not fanatical. As such I didn’t really know much about his life.

If I were to describe the film I would look to a previous Baz Luhrmann film for the words and say it was – Spectacular Spectacular! It’s one of the best biopics I have seen in recent years.

I’m a fan of Baz Luhrmann’s style and Elvis is one of the best looking films of his that I have seen. Right from the very beginning where the Warner Brothers logo is unveiled in the sequins of an Elvis jumpsuit until the closing credits wrapped in beautiful images reminiscent of Moulin Rouge, it’s a visually stunning film fitting for the cinema screen.

The film has all the hallmarks of a Bazmark Films production from the captivating use of transitions between scenes, to the beautiful authentic looking costumes, and the stunningly detailed sets. A lot of work from both Luhrmann and Catherine Martin’s teams have gone into making this picture look as special as it does. It sure pays off, as from an audience point of view you are transported to a different place and time.

It’s really exciting for Australian cinema to produce such a blockbuster hit right here. It’s going to further enrich the amazing talent we have right across this country both on and off the screen. Keep an eye out for a number of local talent on camera!

I also liked the way some modern music was incorporated within the soundtrack. There is a scene where we first see Hound Dog being performed by Big Mama Thornton and weaved in is an original track by Doja Cat. I know that this might upset some traditionalists but it does work really well. There are a few instances of rap music being incorporated in the soundtrack and it doesn’t feel out of place. It’s like a progression of black music influences from Elvis’ era to now.

As much as the film is about Elvis, it is also about his relationship with his manager; Colonel Tom Parker and it is through the Colonel’s eyes that the story is narrated. The opening sequence is from Parker’s perspective and there is a build up of anticipation before we finally get to see Elvis. As an audience we are teased with glimpses before the focus shifts onto Elvis, just as his rise to stardom did.

Austin Butler gives a fantastic performance in his portrayal of Elvis. He really captures the spirit of the legend and his voice both in accent and vocals are spot on. The songs early in Elvis’ career are sung by Butler before being blended with Elvis’ real vocals throughout the years. We even had a woman in our audience yell out “yeehaw” during the scene where Elvis gives his first performance in front of an audience, wiggling away!

The moment that really got me was during the sequence of Elvis’ film career. It goes from showing a variety of films that he made to suddenly being transported to a film set and for a split moment Austin Butler appears to walk out of the shot as Elvis Presley from that picture (I think it might have been Via Las Vegas).

Despite his short life, there is a lot to tap into across Elvis’ massive career, personal life, struggles, as well as the nation shaping events of the era. The film does a good job to balance a number of these elements while telling an emotionally connecting story where you don’t need to be an Elvis fan to enjoy. One can’t help but to think where his life might have gone had things played out differently.

Time to dust off the blue suede shoes because it’s time to shake, rattle, and roll into a cinema near you!

Rating:  Great

Australian, Comedy

How to Please a Woman

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Date watched: June 27, 2022
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2022

Review

I’d been wanting to see this film ever since I saw the trailer and even though it took me until the final session – I got there in the end!

The session I went to was sold out and while I saw a few men the majority of the audience were women, and women across a number of generations, which was a really fantastic experience to be a part of.

How to Please a Woman is a relatable comedy that will have you laughing out loud. Renee Webster, who wrote and directed the film, has done a fabulous job of representing all types of different women on screen and delivering a charming story.

Sally Phillips does a wonderful job in the lead role of Gina, a woman of fifty who is stuck in a marriage where the romance has fizzled out and in a job where she is under appreciated and soon made redundant from a day after her birthday. An idea then sparks following a birthday present of a male escort from her friends – a cleaning service provided by shirtless men! It doesn’t take long before sex is also added to the menu.

It was a great feeling to be in a cinema with other women laughing and reacting to the same things. It was equally interesting to see different reactions people had.

The cast is full of Australian talent that most will recognise across the big and small screen, too many to name individually, so I’d encourage you to check out the cast listing provided above. It’s a great ensemble that all work together on screen very well.

As much as the film is about reclaiming one’s sexual pleasures later in life, it’s also a story of empowerment. To go after what makes you happy instead of waiting around for things to happen or change and to not be ashamed of whatever that is.

I think the backdrop of Gina being part of an open-water swimming group is a great metaphor to this – sometimes you need to push through some pain and the struggles to feel truly free.

This is a film that both women and men will find enjoyment in and perhaps learn a little something about themselves from.

My only regret is not seeing this sooner so that I could encourage you all to see it at the cinema! So keep an eye out for the DVD release this month and make the time to bring a little pleasure into your life.

Rating:  Great

Drama, Musical

Fiddler on the Roof

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: June 19, 2022
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2022

Review

June’s family movie day was back to my pick and continuing on my theme of musicals for the year, I chose Fiddler on the Roof. Which up until this point I hadn’t seen on either stage or screen. We also had to swap from our usual Friday night and instead moved to a Sunday afternoon as the film has a runtime of 3 hours.

Yet again I find myself asking why I waited so long to see it!

I didn’t know too much about the film going into it and like many in the same boat, the only song I knew was “If I Were A Rich Man”. Turns out there are a couple of other songs I knew but just didn’t know they came from this film.

This is a musical with a profound story behind it as well as great music. It’s emotional, it’s funny, and will hook you in from the very first song.

Set in pre-revolutionary Russia, Fiddler on the Roof follows the life of Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman with five daughters and a wife. They live in a small provincial village in a community of both Jews and Orthodox Christians under rule of the Czar. The film’s main focus is that of tradition and how to adapt to changing times and values, which is something Tevye struggles with throughout the film.

Topol portrays the lead role of Tevye and what a mighty performance he brings to the film. The character spends quite a bit of time talking either to us the audience (directly at the camera) or to God (eyesight off camera or to the sky) painting the picture of Jewish tradition and what it means to him. He is a playful character who does what he can to get by and has an open mind. After all, at the start he does say:

Tevye: How did this tradition get started? I’ll tell you!

[pause]

Tevye: I don’t know. But it’s a tradition… and because of our traditions… Every one of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do.

The three adult daughters Tzeitel, Hodel, and Chava as well as their mother Golde also all have strong performances by the women portraying them. Rosalind Harris, who plays Tzeitel gives a standout performance bringing so much emotion and strength to the role. She also has an uncanny resemblance to Barbra Streisand, you’d think they are related.

My favourite scene would have to be Tevye’s dream sequence. After agreeing to the matchmaker’s choice in husband for his first born daughter only to find out that she loves another boy (who is more to her age), he agrees to his daughter’s wish to give his approval for them to marry. The next step – getting his wife Golde to agree. Tevye comes up with this outlandish dream, actually nightmare, with the aim to make it seem as if it is Golde’s idea to break the matchmaker’s agreement. And it worked!

However my highlights are the amazing dance sequences including the “Bottle dance” at Tzeitel and Motel’s wedding and especially the Ukrainian traditional dancing in the song “Lechaim”. I used to be part of a Polish traditional dance group growing up and have a real love for not only eastern European dance but traditional dance in general. It’s beautiful to watch and the music is always great. I really love learning about different cultures from dance.

I could probably go on and on. Instead I’ll leave it here. It’s a classic for a reason and if like me you haven’t seen it yet, find a copy. It’ll make you laugh, cry, and gain a better appreciation of the tradition on show. There is just so much to like about it. I can’t wait to see what it is like on stage. I’ll definitely be keeping my eyes peeled next time a production is done.

Rating:  Great