Film Stuff 25th November 2015

If you enjoy these musings, you might enjoy my latest book DEADLY MESSENGERS which readers are calling the most terrifying, impossible-to-put-down thriller of 2015.

Kindle Unlimited and Kindle Prime members read it for FREE!  (and all my other books and stories). CLICK HERE: http://buff.ly/1FU3MTV

Creed ✪✪✪   (opens 26^th November most cinemas)

My Thoughts

It’s pretty much same old same old in this seventh Rocky outing.  It doesn’t have the heart of the Rocky films, but it does have Stallone. If you are sentimental for the old films, then you will enjoy this. I think it needed a little tightening around the edges to the same degree Stallone has had his face tightened. Most of the reviewers with me enjoyed this more than me. Don’t think it’s because I’m female, I like my fight films as much as the rest of them, particularly Southpaw earlier this year, which I think was a superior film. And I am a Rocky fan. Most at my screening seemed to enjoy this. I think this is one you need to see yourself to make up your own mind. If you’re desperate to go a few rounds with Rocky again, and you don’t mind clichés, then jump in the ring.

Film Blurb

The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.

Hotel Transylvania 2 ✪✪✪ 

(Opens 26^th November showing at most cinemas)

My Thoughts

  I enjoyed the first one of this in 2012. This film franchise is probably more suited to the younger ones, under ten, I would think. Mel Brooks voicing the grandfather Vlad is wonderful. As much as critics love to hate Adam Sandler, I like him. My family likes him. If you check out the trailer and this very G film appeals, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Voices: Adam Sandler, Mel Brooks, Selena Gomez, David Spade, Steve Buscemi, Kevin James.

Film Blurb

Dracula and his friends try to bring out the monster in his half human, half vampire grandson in order to keep Mavis from leaving the hotel.

Love The Coopers ✪✪✪   (Opens 26^th November at most cinemas)

My Thoughts

The trailer promotes one movie: a family Christmas comedy the kids will enjoy rated PG, when it’s actually a whole other film. It’s really an ensemble piece about the importance of families and examining the quirks and relationships via the extended Cooper family coming together for Christmas dinner.  Like Love Actually and New Year’s Eve, this is a bunch of small stories encapsulated in a larger story arc where eventually everybody meets up. There’s a lot of dialogue and adult humor (when there is humor). Probably would appeal more to the American market.

   Don’t take your kids. I saw poor man walk in with a couple of kids about eight and ten. Same man left about half way through with kids in tow. Stars Diane Keaton, Marisa Tomei, John Goodman, Ed Helms, Amanda Seyfried, Alan Arkin, Olivia Wilde, Anthony Mackie.

Film Blurb

When four generations of the Cooper clan come together for their annual Christmas Eve celebration, a series of unexpected visitors and unlikely events turn the night upside down, leading them all toward a surprising rediscovery of family bonds and the spirit of the holiday.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Hollywood Retro Film Festival 2015

Date: Opens 26^th November– 16^th December

Time:  Various Times

Location: Windsor Cinema Nedlands Details and Booking

Oh, my gosh, how fabulous are these films? I’m taking my kids on Saturday to see It’s A Wonderful Life, my very favorite film ever. My two kids are named after the characters in this film. My eldest is Bailey named after Jimmy Stewart’s character George Bailey, and my second son Harry, named after George Bailey’s brother.

Highlights this week:

Frank Capra’s It Happened One Night 1934 (Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert)

All About Eve 1950 (Betty Davis) Nominated for 14 Academy Awards

How Green Was My Valley 1941 (Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara)

Sabrina 1954 (Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart)

Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life 1946 (Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore)

Gone With The Wind 1939 (Clark Gable, Vivian Leigh)

Citizen Kane 1941 (Orson Welles)

The Ghost & Mrs. Muir 1947 (Gene Tierney, Rex Harrison)

Sunset Boulevard 1947 (Gloria Swanson, William Holden)

Singing In The Rain 1952 (Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds)

Maltese Falcon 1941 (Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade)

 

   Margaret Pomeranz announces the first ever HOLLYWOOD RETRO FILM FESTIVAL

Many of the 20 films haven’t been seen on a big screen in decades and will look terrific in HD digital.

   Titles include SUNSET BOULEVARD, THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, THE GRAPES OF WRATH, CASABLANCA, THE APARTMENT, THE SEARCHERS,  12 ANGRY MEN,  HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY,  ON THE WATERFRONT, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, GONE WITH THE WIND, CAMILLE ,THE RAZOR’S EDGE  and SPARTACUS.

There’s no substitute for seeing these wonderful films on the big screen with an audience so I hope that you can see some, or all of these classic films in this special MARGARET POMERANZ HOLLYWOOD RETRO FILM FESTIVAL starting November 26.

Looking For Grace

(Q & A with RAdha Mitchell, Sue Brooks Director/writer & WA Cast and Crew)

Date: 1^st December

Time:  6:45pm

Location: Luna Leederville Details and Booking

OFFICIAL SELECTION – 2015 VENICE INTL. F.F. – IN COMPETITION

OFFICIAL SELECTION – 2015 TORONTO INTL. F.F. – IN COMPETITION

OFFICIAL SELECTION – 2015 ADELAIDE INTL. F.F. – IN COMPETITION

Join special guests lead actress Radha Mitchell, writer/director Sue Brooks, producer Sue Taylor and the WA Cast & Crew at Luna Cinemas Leederville  on Tuesday 1 December where you can enjoy a drink on arrival at 6.15pm  followed by film screening at 6.45pm.

The only Australian film of the year to receive Official Competition selection at both the 2015 Venice and Toronto International Film Festivals, LOOKING FOR GRACE is an intimate, funny and profoundly moving story about the complexities of family life.

When rebellious 16-year-old Grace (Odessa Young) takes off, her exasperated mum and dad (Radha Mitchell and Richard Roxburgh) enlist the help of a close-to-retirement detective (Terry Norris), and begin the long drive from Perth out to the Western Australia Wheatbelt to try to find her. On the journey, the two must confront the realities of their changing relationship to one another, and to their daughter.

Another Country with David Gulpilil

(Q & A with RAdha Mitchell, Sue Brooks Director/writer & WA Cast and Crew)

Date: 26^th November

Time:  Various times

Location: Luna Leederville Details and Booking

OFFICIAL SELECTION – 2015 VENICE INTL. F.F. – IN COMPETITION

OFFICIAL SELECTION – 2015 TORONTO INTL. F.F. – IN COMPETITION

OFFICIAL SELECTION – 2015 ADELAIDE INTL. F.F. – IN COMPETITION

   Australian legend David Gulpilil tells the story of when his people's way of life was derailed by ours. Molly Reynolds' Another Country is the stunning culmination of the critically acclaimed Country suite (featuring her Still Our Country – Reflections on a Culture; and Rolf de Heer's Charlie's Country). Narrated and guided by Gulpilil himself, Another Country is an attempt to make sense of the contradictions of the modern Indigenous experience – a sobering, searing though often humorous account of a people forced to change too fast and too far, and then left to fade by those who had wrought that change.

    Exploring the physical, social and spiritual landscapes of David Gulpilil's own community of Ramingining, Reynolds' film offers an all-too-rare first-hand account of the fundamental clash between the Indigenous way of life and the lifestyle demanded of them by government policy. To Gulpilil it is our refusal to acknowledge this incompatibility that breeds such disconnection and destruction – a racial catastrophe that is unfolding because we cannot talk about race. (Language:  Yolngu Matha w/English subtitles)

OUTDOOR CINEMAS

Rooftop Movies

Date: Runs to April

Time:  Doors open at 6.00pm Film commences 8pm

Location: City of Perth Roe St car park LEVEL 6 NORTHBRIDGE

Details and Booking

Films of note this week: 

Straight Outta Compton (Thursday 26^th November)

Mistress America (Friday night 27^th November)

Bridge of Spies (Sunday 29^th November)

LOTTERY WEST FILM FESTIVAL

Date: 23^rd November to 10^th April

Time:  Doors open at 6.00pm Film commences 8pm

Location: Sommerville UWA & ECU Joondalup Pines

Details and Booking

Films this week: 

In Harmony (French)

UWA Somerville:        Monday 23^rd November-—29^th November

ECU Joondalup:         Tuesday 1^st December—Sunday 6^th December

This simmering romantic drama set in the golden fields of rural northern France is the ninth feature by writer-director Denis Dercourt (The Page Turner, 2007 PIAF). It reunites French acting luminaries and Orchestra Seats (2007 PIAF) co-stars Albert Dupontel (A Very Long Engagement) and Cécile De France (The Kid with a Bike). They play Marc, a taciturn stunt actor hurt in a riding accident, and Florence, who works for Marc’s insurer. This is classic French drama with a terrific script, great music and exceptional acting.

A Perfect Day (Spain)

ECU Joondalup:         Tuesday 24^th November – 29^th November

UWA Somerville:        Tuesday 1^st December—Sunday 6^th December

Oscar-winners Benicio del Toro (The Usual Suspects, Sicario) and Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption) shine in this witty Balkans-set comedic drama that has proved a hit with audiences worldwide.

The year is 1995 and a group of humanitarian aid workers, led by world-weary veterans del Toro and Robbins, are nearing the end of their tour in mountainous Bosnia. A village’s water supply has been contaminated and amid the mayhem the workers’ seemingly straightforward quest for a rope soon becomes quite the ordeal.

Film Stuff 19th November 2015

If you enjoy these musings, you might enjoy my latest book DEADLY MESSENGERS which readers are calling the most terrifying, impossible-to-put-down thriller of 2015.

Kindle Unlimited and Kindle Prime members read it for FREE!  (and all my other books and stories). CLICK HERE: http://buff.ly/1FU3MTV

The Hunger Games: Mockingly Part 2 ✪✪✪½ 

(opens 19^th November most cinemas)

My Thoughts

   The fourth and last instalment of this wildly popular franchise based on Suzanne Collins YA books, finally ends. Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen is brooding, brave, and intense. Without her, I think the movies would be pedestrian. I’ve read the books and found the last book Mockingjay very tough going. It involves a lot of politics with little action, so I was curious how they would treat the adaptation.

   The filmmakers have done a good job. When action happens its very good. However, I do wonder how long before people find some of the top dramas like Walking Dead and Gotham on Foxtel, Netflix, and all the others, have action and plot just as good without the expense of cinema going.

    Still it will do huge box office, and this franchise certainly has been done well. I do believe these are one of the rare films where I think they outshine the books, which I felt were a little too bogged down in detail.

Film Blurb

The worldwide phenomenon of The Hunger Games continued to set the world on fire last year with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1, which found Katniss Everdeen [Jennifer Lawrence] in District 13 after she literally shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin [Julianne Moore] and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spread her wings as she fought to save Peeta [Josh Hutcherson] and a nation moved by her courage. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 brings the franchise to its powerful final chapter in which Katniss realizes the stakes are no longer just for survival - they are for the future. The mortal traps, enemies, and moral choices that await Katniss will challenge her more than any arena she faced in The Hunger Games.

99 Homes ✪✪✪ ✪ ½

(Opens 19^th November at Luna Cinemas and selected cinemas)

My Thoughts

   This is a sobering film, made even more so by the fact it is based on reality. We’ve all heard about the devastation experienced in the USA during the global financial crisis, but this is the human face of the tragedy. Performances are stunning. Andrew Garfield plays the conflicted father who goes from evictee to evictor to help his family. Michael Shannon, as the greedy real estate broker profiteering off other’s bad luck, will stir up feelings of anger you won’t expect. Laura Dern as the innocent woman and mother, who doesn’t believe they will lose their home expecting the courts will save them, will move you. The film will tear at your heart, and the story will stay with you long after you leave the cinema. A compelling, terrible fictionalized account of a human tragedy created by greed. May this never be allowed to happen again.

Film Blurb

A father struggles to get back the home that his family was evicted from by working for the greedy real estate broker who's the source of his frustration.

Secret In Their Eyes ✪✪✪ ½

(Opens 19^th November at Luna Cinemas and selected cinemas)

My Thoughts

   Based on a Spanish thriller novel, what this film lacks in logical plot is well and truly made up for by the solid veteran cast of Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts and Chiwetel Ejiofor’s (12 Years a Slave) portrayals. The twist at the end is rather a good one. We don’t seem to be getting very many thriller films through these days, so it’s always good when a quality film comes through. If you enjoyed Gone Girl and Before I Go To Sleep, then this won’t disappoint.

Film Blurb

A retired legal counselor writes a novel hoping to find closure for one of his past unresolved homicide cases and for his unreciprocated love with his superior - both of which still haunt him decades later.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Freedom Stories

Date: Opens 21st November–22^nd November

Time:  4:00pm

Location: Luna Leederville Details and Booking

On Sun 22 Nov the Q&A screening will be hosted by Alenka Jeram (Red Cross) and James Jegasothy, CARAD committee member and State Director Welcome to Australia WA following the 4.00pm session

In Freedom Stories, filmmaker Steve Thomas explores the achievements and struggles of a number of former ‘boat people'. Now Australian citizens, they arrived from the Middle East seeking asylum, around 2001. This was the year of the Tampa and PM John Howard's infamous "We will decide" speech. Some were only children when they found themselves in indefinite mandatory detention in Woomera or Nauru. Thomas captures the determination and resilience of this diverse group, who, a decade on, have rebuilt their lives in Australia. These are ordinary people, caught up in traumatic times, and in this poignant film their voices are finally heard.

 This film was nominated for the Documentary Australia Foundation Award for Australian Documentary. Please note: * part  proceeds  from these screenings goes to the Asylum Seeker Education Network

Inaugural Czech & Slovak Film Festival 2015

Date: Opens 19^th November– 22^nd  November

Time:  Various Times

Location: Cinema Paradiso Northbridge  Details and Booking

Do you recall Milos Forman and Amadeus, Jan Kadar, Elmar Klos and The Shop on Main Street, Jiri Menzel and Closely Watched Trains – all Oscar winners from former Czechoslovakia? Come and see outstanding cinematography at the Czech and Slovak Film Festival, for the first time in Perth. Enjoy the best of contemporary Czech and Slovak cinema, the films that have been crowd pleasers as well as award winners both at home and abroad. There is something for every movie lover. As a festival visitor, you have an opportunity to win a fabulous Audience prize, an accommodation package for two in Karlovy Vary, a famous Czech spa, a beautiful city also renowned for its most prestigious international film festival.

Palestinian Film Festival 2015

Date: Opens 4th December–6^th December

Time:  Various Times

Location: Cinema Paradiso Northbridge  Details and Booking

Do you recall Milos Forman and Amadeus, Jan Kadar, Elmar Klos and The Shop on Main Street, Jiri Menzel and Closely Watched Trains – all Oscar winners from former Czechoslovakia? Come and see outstanding cinematography at the Czech and Slovak Film Festival, for the first time in Perth. Enjoy the best of contemporary Czech and Slovak cinema, the films that have been crowd pleasers as well as award winners both at home and abroad.  There is something for every movie lover. As a festival visitor you have an opportunity to win a fabulous Audience prize, an accommodation package for two in Karlovy Vary, a famous Czech spa, a beautiful city also renowned for its most prestigious international film festival.

Hollywood Retro Film Festival 2015

Date: Opens 26^th November– 16^th December

Time:  Various Times

Location: Windsor Cinema Nedlands Details and Booking

   

   Margaret Pomeranz announces the first ever HOLLYWOOD RETRO FILM FESTIVAL

Many of the 20 films haven’t been seen on a big screen in decades and will look terrific in HD digital.

   Titles include SUNSET BOULEVARD, THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, THE GRAPES OF WRATH, CASABLANCA, THE APARTMENT, THE SEARCHERS,  12 ANGRY MEN,  HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY,  ON THE WATERFRONT, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, GONE WITH THE WIND, CAMILLE ,THE RAZOR’S EDGE  and SPARTACUS.

There’s no substitute for seeing these wonderful films on the big screen with an audience so I hope that you can see some, or all of these classic films in this special MARGARET POMERANZ HOLLYWOOD RETRO FILM FESTIVAL starting November 26.

OUTDOOR CINEMAS

Rooftop Movies

Date: Runs to April

Time:  Doors open at 6.00pm Film commences 8pm

Location: City of Perth Roe St car park LEVEL 6 NORTHBRIDGE

Details and Booking

Films of note this week: 

Man From Uncle (Thursday 19^th November)

The Martian (Friday night 20^th November)

Bridge of Spies (Saturday 21^st November)

Black Mass (Sunday 22^nd November)

The Walk (Tuesday 24^th November)

LOTTERY WEST FILM FESTIVAL

Date: 23^rd November to 10^th April

Time:  Doors open at 6.00pm Film commences 8pm

Location: Sommerville UWA & ECU Joondalup Pines

Details and Booking

Films this week: 

In Harmony (French)

UWA Somerville:        Monday 23^rd November-—29^th November

ECU Joondalup:         Tuesday 1^st December—Sunday 6^th December

This simmering romantic drama set in the golden fields of rural northern France is the ninth feature by writer-director Denis Dercourt (The Page Turner, 2007 PIAF). It reunites French acting luminaries and Orchestra Seats (2007 PIAF) co-stars Albert Dupontel (A Very Long Engagement) and Cécile De France (The Kid with a Bike). They play Marc, a taciturn stunt actor hurt in a riding accident, and Florence, who works for Marc’s insurer. This is classic French drama with a terrific script, great music and exceptional acting.

A Perfect Day (Spain)

ECU Joondalup:         Tuesday 1^st December—Sunday 6^th December

Oscar-winners Benicio del Toro (The Usual Suspects, Sicario) and Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption) shine in this witty Balkans-set comedic drama that has proved a hit with audiences worldwide.

The year is 1995 and a group of humanitarian aid workers, led by world-weary veterans del Toro and Robbins, are nearing the end of their tour in mountainous Bosnia. A village’s water supply has been contaminated and amid the mayhem the workers’ seemingly straightforward quest for a rope soon becomes quite the ordeal.