Tag Archives: New Release

Drama

The Last Showgirl

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

Date watched: February 26, 2025
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2025

Review

Wednesday night I hosted a private screening of ‘The Last Showgirl’ as a fundraiser to raise money for a charity walk that I am doing with a group of friends later in April.

When selecting a film for these fundraisers (this has now become an annual event) I try to look for something that is likely to be popular at the box office (i.e. an Oscar nominated film) and/or something that I think people will like and is interesting.

While it was tempting to try and sway my friends to request for a screening of ‘Wicked’, when I searched for upcoming films and saw the trailer for ‘The Last Showgirl’ I knew that this would be the one. Second choice would have been ‘The Brutalist’ but with a runtime of over 3 hours, it would not have been a wise selection.

For the event we had an audience of 39 people (myself included) and I’ll have to go by people being honest with me, as I must acknowledge that saying you didn’t like the film to the organiser of the event might have been uncomfortable. While I didn’t run a poll, I would say on the most part people did enjoy the film. There were a few that I heard from that weren’t too sure about it or on the fence.

Considering that I liked the film, and a lot of the audience were friends of mine, perhaps it also skews to being in a bubble of like minded people!

‘The Last Showgirl’ is a film directed by Gia Coppola and written by Kate Gersten and tells the story of Shelly, a showgirl who has been in a 30-year run of a Las Vegas show which is coming to an end. To Shelly this comes as a deep shock as she still appears to be ‘stuck’ in the days when the show first started and hasn’t been able to move along with the times easily.

It’s the type of story that I am craving to see in cinema. Something that reflects on real life, that shows the rough and hard parts of life. That features ‘older’ women (I don’t think I like that phrase, but I’ll use it for lack of an alternative.)

Women over the age of 55 are at great risk of financial and housing insecurity and are over represented on the poverty line. That’s something that this film is highlighting. Yes, the characters are living in Las Vegas, performing in a show but it’s not the typical glitz and glamour that might normally be portrayed on screen. The film uses the lives of its characters to reflect on the issues of this demographic and what they often face – not having the superannuation they need or getting by without a house. When a lot of people think of someone who is homeless, they often think of the person living rough out of the streets as they walk past. But there are many forms of homelessness and one of those is featured in this film – someone sleeping in their car and using the showers at work.

To quote Shelly, “Feeling seen, feeling beautiful, that is powerful.” It’s a film about this demographic being visible and relevant.

To also have a film with so much female representation from the director, writer, cinematographer, and actresses fills me with much joy. Miley Cirrus also features on the soundtrack with the closing song, which she performers and cowrote.

Pamela Anderson, who plays Shelly, pours so much emotion into her performance and she is just a joy to watch on screen. Shelly isn’t a perfect character, but who is a perfect person in real life? She has her flaws, but she is out there trying her best and living her dream.

Admittingly I am a fan of Pamela Anderson. While I didn’t really watch Baywatch as I was probably that bit to young for it while it was on air, I remember her in the series ‘Stacked’ while I found her comic acting brilliant. I haven’t seen that show since it was on air so no idea how it rates nowadays – so don’t judge me for that!

While this film isn’t a comedy, Anderson gets to flex her dramatic skills and gives a very worthy performance. And if it’s ok to say so, she certainly has still got it! I uttered a verbal ‘wow’ when she appeared in her sparkly dinner outfit.

The film also features Jamie Lee Curtis, another actress whom I am very much a fan of. She features as Annette, an ex-dancer who worked in the same company as Shelly and is also a friend. Without it being established in words, they are probably best friends. Her performance in this film is also very good. The sequence which features her dancing to ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ shines and really establish who Annette is. Funny to hear that the scene was improvised.

The two together (Anderson and Curtis) have a brilliant chemistry that reflects well on screen. The film also features a well assembled cast but I can’t go on naming everyone individually!

While I enjoyed the film, I felt that there was certainly a potential to dig a little deeper and flesh it out more. I just felt like there was more space available and something was missing. I would have liked to have seen more from some of the supporting cast and their relationship with Shelly, although there is something fun about creating a backstory for some of the other characters yourself and filling in what might have been.

I say give this film a go, even if it may not be your usual cup of tea. There are some great acting performances and I really did find it a charming and emotional story.

Rating:  Good

 

If you’d like to support our efforts for the walk, you can donate here: https://www.surfcoasttrek.com.au/t/one-trek-to-rule-them-all

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

Comedy, Drama, Musical

Wicked

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Reading Time: 9 minutes

Date watched: November 23, 2024
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2024

Before I launch into this review, I feel I need to provide you with a little bit of context in case you have come here not knowing anything about the film. If you know what Wicked is, please skip ahead. If you are still with me, at a very high level what you need to know is:

    • In 1939 there was a film called “The Wizard of Oz” (if you do not know this fact, I need to have words with you) based on a book
    • In 1995 another book was written with this as the inspiration called “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West”
    • In 2003 a musical adaptation of the book “Wicked” was adapted for Broadway.

Yes, this is a movie musical. I know the trailer doesn’t really allude to this and I hate how they market movie musicals but here we are. What I ask is that you continue to read on, even if you don’t like musicals. That also extends to our friends who haven’t seen the Wizard of Oz or have and aren’t big fans. Maybe you are only here “for the plot”.

Ok we should all be back together now. Let’s begin!

Review

Fellow Ozians,

The movie which I initially didn’t think was needed has turned into the most popular film of 2024!

Yes dear reader, if you have read any of my previous reviews you will know that I am a big musical theatre fan. And while I wouldn’t have called myself the biggest Wicked fan (I would think that honour goes to the friend who initially introduced me to the musical) I have in fact seen four versions of the stage production for a total of 5 times. For those doing the math, the first Melbourne production I saw twice!

Why then would I say I’m not the biggest fan? Well I will admit that I haven’t read the book it was based on as being one of the reasons.

There is however no denying that I love the stage production. So why then was I so hesitant for a movie version? Maybe it was the attachment I have to the Original Broadway recording of which I have listened to endlessly. Or the attachment I recently found I had to the original cast of the first Melbourne production. Probably the biggest factor was that the film was split into two parts, with the first part having a longer run time than the entire stage production! How could they do such a great show justice? And would this end up just like The Hobbit?

So why then did I go see it you may think? The answer: I’m a musical theatre nerd. Of course I was going to see it! And when I found out that Club Broadway were going to do a screening followed by an after party I thought, you know what – If I’m going to see this film, the best environment would be with fellow musical theatre nerds. They would understand. We would bond together however this experience turns out. BEST. DECISION. EVER.

The experience exceeded my expectations is so many ways.

Firstly, in the lead up to the screening (which was opening weekend, a Saturday midday session), I was getting more and more excited from each clip that I started to see on socials. Learning about the live on set singing. Cast interviews. I had a few friends who were sceptical of Ariana Grande in the role of Glinda, but I was personally pretty excited for her inclusion. I then found myself starting to get nervous that I might be building up my expectations. And worse what if the reason why the film is longer is because they have added additional songs, content, and took focus away from one of the best parts of this show – the two female leads Glinda and Elphaba, with unnecessary additions of male roles?

I put those thoughts aside and when the day finally came, a girl who loves comfy pop culture clothing, whose favourite colour is blue, and who was hesitant about this film, found herself walking into the theatre in a poofy pink dress with an accompanying wand. Yes, I went to the cinema dressed as Glinda. Popular style. If you don’t know what that means, click here. The only thing I didn’t nail was a pink flower in my hair.

Did I feel out of place? To begin with yes, but it did not matter because by the time we arrived at the cinema, so many others were also dressed up. A lot more Elphaba’s to Glinda’s, including two that I saw who stepped it up a level and painted their face green. Did I mention it was also a 37°C day? Kudos to your effort. I knew that I was in the place that I belonged.

I now turn my attention to the film. You probably already have an idea about what I am about to say here given the run up.

I absolutely adored it.

I’ve had a few days to sit with it now and I think it is just about perfect. One of the things I find out of place may just be my memories of the sequencing from The Wizard of Oz. But I’m going to trust the filmmakers more than my memory at this time.

It is also probably worth mentioning that whenever I see the stage production, I always cry at some point. I can usually make it to the end of Act One. On an emotional day, it’s the opening number. Sometimes I can hold off until the third song.

I can tell you that the film got me from the opening number. I managed to stifle flowing tears until a little later on in the film. And of course, the final number got me – it was always going to.

If you have never seen the stage production or are not a fan of musicals (or perhaps even The Wizard of Oz)  – firstly, thank you for continuing to read on. I’ll be making references to the stage production quite a bit but one of the things you need to know is that from what I have seen from other audience member reactions and also my own perceptions is that you don’t need to know anything about Wicked going in.

The show itself is already so well written and with the original creators of book and musical involved, the film was in good hands. Taking away the songs, the story is a compelling drama filled of highs and lows. You really become emotionally involved with the characters and can understand their motivations, even if you do not agree with them all of the time.

On screen our lead character is green and the world is set in the Land of Oz which contains magic and talking animals with jobs but you don’t have to look far for parallels to the current state of the world and perhaps even your personal life. The themes of injustice, being an outcast, not alone buy lonely, propaganda, scapegoats I found so powerful. It was something that really hit me directly and so clearly. A new experience I’ve not really had from the stage production before. That is why I think it is going to be/is universally loved. It’s not often to get such a connection like this from a film – musical or not.

To those who may be worried about all the songs, I would say that Wicked isn’t a song heavy film. What I mean by this is that you will get dialogue, and it is also a very funny, so you will have plenty of laughs. If it helps, I would say this musical is more like a ‘The Greatest Showman’ than something like an ‘Into The Woods’.

And to those who know Wicked, as a film I found it to be true to the stage production without being a straight up replication. All the comedy was there (plus some!) and the focus on Glinda and Elphaba was not at all lost. I was really interested going in to see what things they would be able to do on film that can’t be done in a stage production and was surprised at how much the story has been enhanced without changing many of the core components.

That in large part is due to what Jon M. Chu, the director, has done to build the world the story sits in. It is simply remarkable. The word “wow” actually escaped my lips as the opening sequence rolled through the vast field of tulips of Munchkinland. One of my favourite things to do while waiting for the stage production to start is to read all the places on the giant map which holds as a backdrop. This film turned that map into a whole world that I could visualise and though it sounds crazy, I felt like I was actually there.

If you are a fan of the original ‘Wizard of Oz’ film and/or the stage production of ‘Wicked’, there are so many little easter eggs in there for you to find. It will only enhance your viewing without diminishing the experience for the new audience members. Let’s just say the audience I was with lost our minds over something pretty exciting which if you are on social media, you probably already know about.

You might also be wondering about my earlier point that this film, which is part one, is longer than the entire stage production. I found the film to be very well paced and for me, the time simply flew past. I really enjoyed where they choose to finish part one and eagerly await part two – a whole year away! The extended scenes and extension to some of the songs added, made for a richer story and experience that didn’t feel like filler.

I must also acknowledge at this point that this review is becoming just as long as the film! I’m not going to do a scene by scene breakdown or song by song analysis because that isn’t what this space is about. And believe me I could! My intention is to share my experience of the film with you and to help you get an idea if you may like it or not.

Wicked is such a joyful film. It is visually stunning on the big screen. The choreography is both incredible and incredibly shot. The costumes, hair, and makeup magnificent. And such a diverse cast in very way you can think of. Big shout out to having an authentic wheelchair user for the character in a wheelchair too! The more I think on it, I can’t fault it. And judging by the reception and busy cinemas (even into the second week), I think is proof.

And of course I cannot end this review without mentioning the cast. All of whom were spectacular but I really want to focus on two.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Two powerful voices. Two incredible actors. Neither who had done on the role in a stage production before and nailed it. Despite going dressed as Glinda, she is not a character I would be friends with IRL and not someone I identify myself with. But there is something about this role which I love so very much. I would identify with some of Elphaba’s traits, particularly her passion for equality and justice. I think many would agree and is likely the reason so many in the audience I was with, went dressed as her.

I really do hope you take the chance to go see Wicked even if it is not usually your thing. This is an experience that I think you would want to be a part of and the cinema is a great place for that.

As for me, I’ll be back for my second viewing this weekend. The question is, do I paint my face green this time…

Rating:  A Must See

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

Action, Australian, Comedy

The Emu War

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: June 23, 2024
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2024

Review

This film has been a long time coming (seven years in the making to be precise) and I am so happy that I got the chance to see it over the weekend at a Q&A event held at my local independent cinema.

What started off as a web series to now film, ‘The Emu War’ is a not at all accurate but hilarious account of an event that actually happened in Australia in 1932. Don’t believe me or not familiar with the story? Go google it or find the episode of Drunk History Australia with Joel Creasey.

Film makers Johnathan Schuster, Jay Morrissey, John Campbell, along with cast member Aaron Gocs attended the Q&A event that I went along to who explained the inspiration of making a film parodying the war film genre where they often find those type of films to be so earnest and serious, that it teeters on the line of comedy without ever going over. That’s the space they wanted to play in.

I had a vague idea of what I was getting myself into after watching the trailer and was expecting a wild ride, which is certainly what I got!

At this time I think is also worth pointing out that I don’t think this is going to be everyone’s cup of tea shall we say. To say it best I will quote film maker Johnathan Schuster to say that it does get “naughty”. To those who don’t appreciate a bit of nonsense, I don’t think you’re going to like this one.

Fortunately for me, I like the nonsense and it was so great to be in a cinema with an audience who found the film just as entertaining as I did. A room full of laughter is a glorious sound and I hope the film makers were happy with the reaction their film got.

I will admit that I did feel slightly uncomfortable with the death of Prime Minister Harold Holt. I felt a little guilty for laughing and did find it somewhat over the top. I’m not sure if it was some form of national pride or maybe how comedian Cameron James, who portrays the PM, is going to look back at that scene in years to come!

Putting aside some of the ‘crude’ humour I was probably expecting there to be more violence, which even when done in a humous way I tend to look away from. Instead I found a lot of story elements that I really enjoyed. For instance, looking back on the story of ‘Emu boy’ which in hindsight was probably obvious, was a development I found quite satisfying as it wasn’t something that I was looking for. It provided a deeper character connection behind the ludicrous story of the war against the emus. But don’t worry, before things get serious or sentimental the silliness factor goes into overdrive!

Something else which I really loved was the inclusion of some of our Australian legends, particularly of Ned Kelly which was done so very well. My favourite scene however would have to be the one featuring Dane Simpson and the bush tucker. Fishing for fish and chips – comedy gold!

Lastly, I should also give a shout out about the puppets! During the Q&A it was mentioned that there were three primary puppets used for the filming of different emu sizes from a baby, adult, and the Queen.

It may be a low budget film but that should not be a deterrent to your enjoyment.

Please support the film by looking for a session at a cinema to go see it. I didn’t think to ask if it would be added to any streaming services, hopefully it will be. Until then, there is a DVD which can be ordered if you go to the Umbrella Entertainment website.

Rating:  Good

Crime, Mystery, Thriller

Force of Nature: The Dry 2

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

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

Review

Yesterday evening I went to see the next instalment of Jane Harper’s adaptation of Federal Agent Aaron Falk in The Dry 2: Force of Nature.

It isn’t a sequel to the first instalment which was released in 2021 but I can perhaps see why after the success of The Dry, why the film has attached itself in this way. The only overlap is the character of Aaron Falk and you don’t need to have seen the first film in order to understand anything about this one. I had re-watched the first instalment during the day for a refresher and just in case there was any carry over link – I can confirm, there is not.

While I did enjoy Force of Nature, it unfortunately does fall short compared to the first. The sub-plot storyline didn’t feel to add to the main story line and felt a lot like filler. I can see parallels to the first film and the use of the two storylines against each other flashing between past and present, it just didn’t really pay off in this instalment. I am not sure if we were to ever believe there could have been a link and it doesn’t feel to have the same resolution for the character as in the first one.

The main storyline however was quite compelling, and I did not guess how it was going to end up. I think it would be quite impossible to work that out! I do like these kinds of stories as nothing is black and white. There is depth to the characters – no one is truly innocent nor evil.

In addition to the storyline being different between the two films, so is the setting. While still set in the state of Victoria, Australia, Force of Nature is set in the fictional Giralang Ranges where one of the filming locations used was the Dandenong Ranges, which I have spent a bit of time around this year as part of training for the Oxfam Trailwalker event last week. It was nice to have memories of those hikes as well as understanding the confusion that can happen while you are out hiking in bushland if you do not know where you are going. One wrong turn could have you lost and even if the characters had their phones, service would have been unlikely. As in many Australian films, the scenery becomes another character within the film and as the title implies, the same is true in this film.

The cast is a strong one lead once again by Eric Bana and filled with many familiar Australian faces including Jeremy Lindsay Taylor (who returns as Aaron’s father in the flashback scenes), Jacqueline McKenzie, Anna Torv, Richard Roxburgh, and Deborra-Lee Furness.

Force of Nature may not live up to the expectations of The Dry but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth seeing. That might also be an unfair thing to say given this this story isn’t a true sequel. That said, it is probably one to leave until it appears on streaming services.

Rating:  Good

Comedy

Barbie

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: July 28, 2023
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2023

Review

When the trailer for the new Barbie film dropped all those months ago it looked like something that was going to be offbeat and a lot of fun.

And it (mostly) was!

The film walks a fantastically executed tightrope between what makes the doll loveable to some and ludicrous to others. So it doesn’t really matter if you love her, don’t, or are somewhere in the middle – there will be enjoyment for you to find. For most of the film I couldn’t help but laugh my way through.

Initially I did have some concerns that this film might end up being a long advertisement for Mattel, like how ‘Air’ was received for Nike. This fortunately isn’t the case, although I can see that Mattel will get a positive response which will no doubt mean an increase in profits. There are probably a few exceptions to this statement, one scene which jumps to mind is where some of Barbie’s accessories are shown in an advertorial way and I’m not quite sure if this is poking fun at the way these used to/are advertised to children.

What I enjoyed about the film is that it is more than just light entertainment, there are levels to Barbie that would warrant a re-watch to pick up on the nuances. At times I felt that what was left unspoken was just as impactful as the carefully crafted dialogue delivered. The use of humour to make you laugh at something with dark undertones was effective.

Yet something changed towards the end of the film which felt like a gear change. I haven’t been able to pinpoint the exact issue, but it does feel like the conclusion of the film is somewhat of a letdown. I wouldn’t say that the whole second half is weak, just somewhere along the line it was a bit of a fizzle out. Especially after charging out of the gate so strong.

Perhaps the runtime was a bit long, perhaps too much content was pre-released, perhaps I just need another viewing. This is just the way it made me feel in the moment as the credits rolled.

I found the ending quite strange (and I don’t mean the final line, although I’m not sure the joke landed that well, especially in our cinema) which is a bizarre thing to say, given that I was onboard for the fantasy storyline from the beginning! Having had a bit more time to reflect I think that the message being sent is that living in a ‘perfect’ world isn’t something that makes you happy and likely isn’t so perfect afterall. It’s the ups and downs of everyday life that make you feel more than just wanting things to be the same forever. And if that’s the case, I’m all on board.

All that being said, there really is a lot to like about the film. I touched on it earlier but it is a great script with a lot of laughs, even if some of the jokes hit a little too close to home (cue Mr. Darcy). It had a great soundtrack and a great look up on the big screen.

Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are both excellent in their roles of Barbie and Ken that I cannot imagine any other actors bringing these roles to life. I thoroughly enjoyed Barbie going through an existential crisis and the fight scene between the Kens was pure perfection!

And of course my favourite group were the weird and discontinued Barbies and Kens! Kate McKinnon – who is called Weird Barbie behind her back and to her face – was an absolute delight and plays an integral role to the plot. It was also amusing to see Magic Earring Ken as I had one of those Kens growing up.

America Ferrera was also a stand-out in what is an all star cast that I simply can’t reflect on everyone individually.

Overall, for someone like myself who has a challenging relationship with Barbie I found a lot of enjoyment with the over-the-top ridiculous fun the film brings.

I will be giving this film another chance once it is available to stream (in my Mojo Dojo Casa House), as it did feel like a lot was going on and I’ll be interested to see if I have another perspective down the track.

Rating:  Good

Action

John Wick: Chapter 4

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: March 25, 2023
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2023

Review

Saturday night has brought me to both the conclusion of my weeklong catch up of John Wick films and of the series.

I’ll be honest with you; I was a bit nervous going in after finding out in the morning that Chapter 4 had a runtime of 2hrs 49mins, making it the longest in the series. I didn’t know how I was going to get through it, and I was a little afraid of what to say to my friends who were fans of the series.

Watching it at the cinema, on a big screen, with lots of volume, and with an audience the film is targeted towards, certainly enhanced the experience. There were a couple of times that laughter broke out, mostly at audience reactions, and I found that I wasn’t the only one confused as to if the film is meant to be taken seriously or not. The vibe I got is that the audience found the “hilarity” of it.

In Chapter 4, John after being shot off a rooftop by Winston, continues his path to freedom from The High Table. But rather than following any threads already established in the first three films, we are introduced to new characters and plotlines in his quest.

While the franchise has come a long way from its first instalment with improved storyline and acting (albeit the bar was low!), I am left a little confused by how the ‘universe’ created has progressed. It seems to have gone from a secret, somewhat underground society living amongst civilians to now everyone being an assassin. That or the civilized society knows about the order and just doesn’t care. It’s never really been acknowledged, so it falls into one of the attentions to detail gaps the franchise is littered with.

What the John Wick franchise is widely well known for, are the clever and engaging action sequences and Chapter 4 is no exception. There is one absolute stand out sequence set in an abandoned building which uses an overhead shot that includes flamethrowers and is stitched together so seamlessly, you’d think it was a single shot.

And while it’s worth watching this film for that sequence alone, there are many other great action sequences to like.

In answer to the question is this the best in the series? I would have to go with yes. I liked Chapter 2 as well, however Chapter 4 has quite a lot of good action sequences. I do think it runs for longer than is needed, but it wasn’t as hard a slog as I thought that it was going to be. And again there were some clear scenes that weren’t needed to progress the story. There also aren’t really many call backs to the past films, so you could easily get away with not seeing any of them follow along in this last instalment.

If you are planning on seeing John Wick: Chapter 4, I would recommend going to the cinema as it does look great up on the big screen.

Most importantly, my friend who wanted to see it for her birthday, enjoyed it. It’s ok, she knows I won’t be watching the films again – once is enough for this cinephile.

Rating:  Alright

Biopic

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

Date watched: January 16, 2023
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2023

Review

What do you get when two adults try to schedule going to the movies together? You end up going to an 8.30pm session on a Monday night!

So with our schedules aligned, a friend and I went to see the new Whitney Houston biopic: I Wanna Dance with Somebody. I wouldn’t call myself a huge Whitney Houston fan (in the true meaning of fanatical) but I do love her music and she features across a few of my playlists.

Like so many artists, when you get a chance for a deeper give you realise just how many hits they have and this film certainly shows not only how successful Whitney was but how many well-known songs are in her repertoire. I’m probably going to be listening to Whitney for the rest of the week. I may be listening to her as I am typing my reflections on the film – I’m highly influenced in that way.

For many of us, I think the story of Whitney Houston is a somewhat sad and troubled one which was ultimately tragically cut short. As the film is from the same creatives that brought us Bohemian Rhapsody, I thought this film would be done in a similar fashion where it won’t show us the tragic end and instead end on a high note of how we should remember Whitney.

And that’s certainly what happened. The film is a homage to the once in a generation voice Whitney had and the incredible legacy she has left behind. A legacy that includes seven consecutive No. 1 hits on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the first woman to enter the Billboard 200 at No. 1.

That said, I was still preparing myself for a sombre experience. This however did not happen. For some reason I didn’t feel as if I got to know Whitney. It was like something was lacking, I’m just not sure what.

Given that White is no longer with us, it’s not her story to tell. It’s her life presented through the eyes of others. The film is said to have been authorised by the Houston family and I noticed that Pat Houston was listed as an executive producer in the opening credits – Pat is Whitney’s sister-in-law (which I found out during and post the film).

There is a lot of content which is covered in the two and a half hour run-time but ultimately the narrative presented is somewhat confused. Rather than focusing on one or two plot points to develop a richer story, the film attempts to explore too many relationships across her lifetime leaving the viewer with too many unexplored threads.

Setting aside the story the film is trying to tell, there is a lot to like here.

Firstly Naomi Ackie in the lead role did an incredible job with her performance, showing the rollercoaster life Whitney had in such a short period of time. Ackie portrays each stage of Whitney’s life from teen up until her last day and you can tell she gave a lot to the performance. I would have loved to see her given scenes with more grit, I saw glimpses and this might have given the film what it needed.

While Ackie provides some vocals on the soundtrack, most of the singing used was of Whitney’s actual voice. Quite simply there is no one with a voice like hers.

I really enjoyed the process shown for how Whitney selected what songs she wanted to record (as she wasn’t a song writer) and loved the way the music videos were recreated as part of this.

The costumes were stunning adding a lot of joy and glamour to the film. And stick around for the real life photos and videos that the film recreated – I love it when biopics have real footage included as part of the credits.

It would have been impossible to show case all of Whitney’s back catalogue and while you always want more, the choice of songs used were great. I thought the way each number 1 hit was show via a champagne bottle (which was a stipulation in her contract) was a clever technique but I wish they had of made it clearer what each song was in that sequence.

While I do tend to take these kind of films with a grain of salt, as there is always an element of embellishment or timelines being changed to help with pacing, what I will take away from the film is a great appreciation of the incredible voice that Whitney had.

I would have liked to seen more about Whitney but perhaps we just don’t know how she felt and worked through those periods in her life.

Rating:  Good

Comedy, Drama

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: November 27, 2022
Date Reviewed: December 04, 2022

Review

I’m mixing things up a little bit today, as I write this review, I’m sitting at an airport terminal waiting to board my flight in an hours’ time. It’s the first time being back on a plane since the pandemic hit and seems an appropriate time and place to reflect upon this film.

Last Sunday evening I ticked off one of the films I’ve had on my ‘trailers I’ve seen at the cinemas’ watchlist for some time now. Something a little different and after a busy few weeks and a packed weekend, it was a nice way to relax into a Sunday evening.

I’d also arranged with mum we’d go see this film together a few weekends ago, as it was the next available day in the calendar!

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is a gorgeous film and at its heart, is the story of an underdog overcoming the odds.

Set in post WWII London, Mrs. Ada Harris works as a domestic house cleaner for many well-off clients, living in hope that her beloved husband Eddie will return to her from the war. She is a woman who works hard with a small yet strong support network and who believes in a bit of luck.

As she fears, Mrs. Harris soon receives confirmation that her husband is presumed and declared dead during an accident that occurred in the war. This news sets off a chain of events, which ultimately leads Mrs. Harris on a journey to Paris to buy a couture Dior dress.

It’s a relatively simple story with no major twists and turns, which I don’t mean in a negative way. Mrs. Harris is the underdog that we are cheering on in her seemingly small dream. While the film doesn’t portray being ‘nice’ or ‘good’ to getting what you want, it does show that kindness can go a long way.

It also demonstrates that you should never judge a book by its cover, which can be said about all the principal characters in the film. At surface level it is easy to make assumptions about who a person is, however, people are getting by the best they can. This is especially the case in the period the film is set, after the war.

A couple of things that stood out for me in this film was firstly the soundtrack. It is beautifully scored, accompanying the film superbly. It’s one of those scores that at times you don’t quite realise it is there as it does its job so well. I’m actually listening to it right now as the background to writing my thoughts.

The second would be the use of cinematography when Mrs. Harris first sees a Dior dress and then again when she goes to view the collection, finding “the one”. The way the film captures how she is taken aback by the dress, gives the appearance as if she is floating as the rest of the world melts away. It is a great way to accentuate the moment you see something that you desire and have an instant must have feeling. Whether that be for a dress, a car, another person, or perhaps even a lego set!

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is more than a film just about a dress. It’s about finding your way in the world and sometimes that means looking at things from a different perspective. It’s about holding onto your dreams, for you never know what is around the corner.

It may not be a film you immediately find on your radar but I promise you’ll have a smile on your face by the end.

Rating:  Good

BONUS TRIVIA: I did also want to mention that in my research of the film I found that in other adaptations of this story, there was a 1992 TV movie made starting Angela Lansbury and Omir Sharif with the title ‘Mrs. ‘Arris Goes to Paris’. I might have to have a look for a copy as that sounds like it would be delightful!