What a week it’s been for
reviewers, we’ve seen some really great films. Prisoners is not for the
faint-hearted; its gripping. If you want something lighter go fall in love with About
Time. Girls, go treat yourselves and
watch at Gold Class, La Premiere or one of those luxury cinema experiences. For
those who want a solid Australian drama, take a trip to Mystery Road. Remember, also, it’s
the last week of the Italian
Film Festival running across Australia. Make it a night out with pizza, wine and a wonderful Italian film.
(My movie Pick
of the week)
About
Time ★★★★
Opens in
Australia: 17th October, 2013
OUR THOUGHTS
Richard Curtis, screenwriter for
some of the most memorable romances in the past few decades—Notting Hill, Bridge Jones Diary, Four
Weddings and a Funeral, and War Horse—wrote
the screenplay and directed for About
Time. So going in, you know what to expect. It’s blatantly sentimental and
filled to the brim with lovely, sweet moments.
Nerdish Tim Lake (Domhnall
Gleeson) is sat down on his 21st birthday by his offbeat father
(Bill Nighy) and given the secret man’s talk—the men in their family have the ability to travel through time. The deal is he can only change things in his
own life, so he uses it to change the one thing uppermost in his mind—score a
girlfriend (Rachel McAdams).
Of course, true love, or life
for that matter, never runs smoothly, but Tim can fix that by jumping back in
time. However, he comes to realize that it’s not as easy as he thinks and he is
faced with some large dilemmas. Some of the best moments are between Tim and
his Father. Bill Nighy’s quirky character portrayals never get old.
It may not be Notting Hill, but there are so few of
these sentimental romances around these days that About Time was a surprisingly enjoyable film. It’s a lovely
commentary, too, on family, the bond between father and son, and a reminder we
should savor each day.
STUDIO BLURB
At the age of 21, Tim Lake
(Domhnall Gleeson) discovers he can travel in time... The night after another
unsatisfactory New Year party, Tim's father (Bill Nighy) tells his son that the
men in his family have always had the ability to travel through time. Tim can't
change history, but he can change what happens and has happened in his own
life-so he decides to make his world a better place...by getting a girlfriend.
Sadly, that
turns out not to be as easy as you might think. Moving from the Cornwall coast
to London to train as a lawyer, Tim finally meets the beautiful but insecure
Mary (Rachel McAdams). Tim finds out that his unique gift can't save him from
the sorrows and ups and downs that affect all families, everywhere. About Time
is a comedy about love and time travel, which discovers that, in the end,
making the most of life may not need time travel at all. (c) Universal
Prisoners★★★★
Opens in
Australia: 17th October 2013
OUR THOUGHTS
This film is intense… no, I mean,
REALLY INTENSE. If you have children it
will ask you all kinds of questions you won’t want answered, and you hope will never be asked of you.
I think it’s one of the best
performances by Hugh Jackman I’ve seen. He really is a great actor. The final
act has a few plot-holes, but you will be so shaken up by then you won’t think
about them until later. It’s a good film
but I can’t say I enjoyed it. It’s too
grim, too terrifying, and too relentless. But, if that’s what you like, this
one is definitely a “go see it.”
STUDIO BLURB
PRISONERS, from Oscar (R)-nominated director
Denis Villeneuve, stars Oscar (R) nominees Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal in
a story that poses the question: How far would you go to protect your child?
Keller Dover (Jackman) is facing every parent's worst nightmare. His
six-year-old daughter, Anna, is missing, together with her young friend, Joy,
and as minutes turn to hours, panic sets in. The only lead is a dilapidated RV
that had earlier been parked on their street. Heading the investigation, Detective Loki (Gyllenhaal) arrests its
driver, Alex Jones (Paul Dano), but a lack of evidence forces the only
suspect's release. Knowing his child's life is at stake, the frantic Dover
decides he has no choice but to take matters into his own hands. But just how
far will this desperate father go to protect his family? (c) WB
Mystery
Road ★★★
Opens in
Australia: 17th October, 2013
OUR THOUGHTS
Ivan Sen has done a remarkably
solid job in creating a real sense of dread in this small town murder mystery.
The Australian cast is a “who’s who” of talent, and all deliver their
best. It’s a touch uneven in pace, but is
still a good drama. Aaron Pedersen has a powerful screen presence, as the small
town cop who follows his instincts while being confronted by prejudice and the
challenges of his family. If you live outside Australia you will find this peek
into Australian outback town life fascinating. And it’s a bloody good product from
our country that you will enjoy tremendously.
STUDIO BLURB
An Indigenous
detective investigates the murder of a teenage girl in a small town in the
Outback. Ivan Sen (Toomelah) crafts a mesmerising thriller with a stellar
Australian cast including Aaron Pedersen, Hugo Weaving, Ryan Kwanten and Jack
Thompson.
Honey ★★★½
Australian Lavazza Italian Film Festival
(Festival: 2nd –
22nd October—varies in your state)
OUR THOUGHTS
Honey is a controversial film in
its topic matter. Dealing with euthanasia it is not an easy
film to watch.
Although, those who brave it will be rewarded with thought provoking arguments.
Is euthanasia for mental illness justifiable. As one of the characters poses
the question: Just because you can’t see the illness, is it not still an
illness?
It’s well-rounded and
beautifully filmed and directed. Not for everyone but definitely a conversation
starter.
STUDIO BLURB
Irene, nicknamed 'Honey', has devote
herself to people looking for help, and tries to alleviate their suffering even
when they make extreme decisions. One day she meets Grimaldi and his invisible
malaise. An official selection of Un Certain Regard at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival,
Honey has been applauded for Golino’s stylish direction and Trinca’s breakout
performance, making this multilayered and beautifully nuanced film an
unmissable festival highlight.
Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) is
attempting to forget Thor, whom she hasn’t seen for two years. While investigating
an anomaly, created by the impending alignment, she is dragged into the dark world where she inadvertently reignites a war, waged thousands of years
previously, between one of Asgard’s greatest adversaries, Malekith.
