No Isla Fisher? Too busy doing her ING ads perhaps? The Four Horseman are back, but this film is a real sleight of hand. They take your money, without delivering the goods, while making you feel as though you’ve seen some nifty tricks, while really the magic is just a less well-executed rehash of the first 2013 outing. While the actors are certainly fun to watch—all except the terribly miscast Daniel Radcliffe as the bad guy—don’t think too hard about it, or the plot holes will fly thicker and quicker in your mind than the cards that seem to whirl everywhere.
The characters lack any depth, the FBI are completely side-benched as incompetent, and while there are a couple of polished trick scenes, the explanations on ‘how they did it,’ don’t add up. There're enough color and movement to please fans, I guess, but it doesn’t have the impact of the first. It’s a money grab, people.
My fifteen-year-old who enjoyed it a lot, insisted I give it three stars. I was going for two-and-a-half because it was half good. So that ought to tell you the demographic to which it will appeal. The producers seem to have left it open for a third Now You See Me. To which, I say, I really, really, hope not. Seeing you twice is enough.
Film Blurb
THE FOUR HORSEMEN [Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Lizzy Caplan] return for a second mind-bending adventure, elevating the limits of stage illusion to new heights and taking them around the globe. One year after outwitting the FBI and winning the public's adulation with their Robin Hood-style magic spectacles, the illusionists resurface for a comeback performance in hopes of exposing the unethical practices of a tech magnate. The man behind their vanishing act is none other than WALTER MABRY [Daniel Radcliffe], a tech prodigy who threatens the Horsemen into pulling off their most impossible heist yet. Their only hope is to perform one last unprecedented stunt to clear their names and reveal the mastermind behind it all.
This film has been likened to Lawrence of Arabia and Nicole Kidman labelled as ‘the female version.’ Nicole Kidman is no Peter O’Toole. I am sure this would have been a good book, but the film makes you feel as though you are trudging across the desert, waist deep in the sand. There is no oasis here. It’s all undulating dunes of slow, plodding nothing. Despite years of traveling across the desert, Nicole Kidman’s character doesn’t age, doesn’t tan, and remains overly feminine. James Franco is horrible as her initial love interest. So uncharming despite trying very hard to be just that. No chemistry between the two either.
I, also, have a huge problem with the script. Why would you tell a story about one of the most influential women involved in the politics of the Orient and British empire after the first World War and diminish her to a Mills & Boon creature who worries constantly about missing men? I’ve renamed this Queen of the Drudge. Watch it on stream or DVD if you must or take a pillow to the cinema.
Film Blurb
From legendary director Werner Herzog comes the adventures of the thrilling life of Gertrude Bell (Nicole Kidman); traveller, writer, archaeologist and political attaché for the British Secret Service at the dawn of the twentieth century.
Completely unsatisfied with life in England and no possible suitor, Gertrude journeys to the Middle East and to Tehran where she falls into a tragic love affair with diplomat and gambler Henry Cadogan (James Franco). As the Ottoman Empire is crumbling, Gertrude explores the vast region, learning all she can and meeting Muslim dignitaries in Cairo and Baghdad.
As a mediator between the Orient and the British Empire, she contributes to defining the new borders in the region; particularly after the World War, where she finds tumultuous love again in the arms of Charles Doughty-Wylie (Damian Lewis). Dubbed 'the female Lawrence of Arabia', Herzog uses the vast and epic landscapes around Bell to tell an emotional and inspirational tale of discovery and desire.
MONEY MONSTER ✪✪✪½ Opens JUNE 2 Most cinemas & Luna Cinemas
Not reviewed. Sadly, dopey here got the date of the preview mixed up!
Film Blurb
Gripping drama as dispossessed working-class man combusts. “The system is rigged. They’re stealing everything from us. They’re stealing the country.”
In this high-stakes thriller directed by Jodie Foster, George Clooney and Julia Roberts star as financial TV host Lee Gates and his ace producer Patty, who are put in an explosive situation when an irate investor who has lost everything (Jack O’Connell) forcefully takes over their studio.
During a deadly standoff broadcast to millions on live TV, Lee and Patty must work furiously against the clock to uncover the truth behind a tangle of big money lies – while also keeping themselves and their crew members alive in the process.
God Willing ✪✪✪✪½ Opens June 2 Luna Cinemas)
This is Italian cinema at its best. What they do so well is mock themselves. This time, writer-director Edoardo Falcone takes on Catholicism, pitting medically based atheism against the almighty belief. In the first half of the film, the laughs are thick and fast. In fact, I haven’t heard an audience laugh so much and so loud in a long time. Most of the comedy comes from the fabulous timing of Marco Giallini as the arrogant Tommaso, the surgeon appalled his son has decided to become a priest. The characters are rich, their lives based on a familiarity with which we can identify, and even the slapstick, although minor, is perfect.
The second half, although still amusing, settles in to deal with the issues of belief as Tomasso becomes obsessed with proving to his son that the charismatic priest, whom he believes has brain-washed his son, is indeed a fraud.
My Italian mother-in-law laughed and thought it was a great film and gave it four stars. She, also, commented it had a perfect ending. With that, I have no disagreement. It reminds me of the sweet French comedy The Bélier Family which screened late last year. Films with genuine comedy and heart. Hollywood please note, yes, you can be funny without the excessive drinking and toilet humour. Go see this. It is a delight.
Film Blurb
The #1 smash-hit comedy success of the 2015 Lavazza Italian Film Festival (where it premiered as the Opening Night Gala), this wildly entertaining and multi award-winning debut feature from writer-director Edoardo Falcone is the story of an almighty battle of wills that pits a man with a God complex against the hip local priest.
Tommaso (Marco Giallini) is an esteemed and defiantly self-confident cardiac surgeon, and an unabashed atheist. But the veneer of his perfect life is abruptly cracked when his only son Andrea (Enrico Oetiker) brings the family together for an important announcement; it’s not a heavily speculated-upon declaration relating to his sexuality, but rather – to his father’s great horror – his intention to abandon his medical studies to become a priest!
Tommaso refuses to accept his son’s newfound vocation and decides to ‘go undercover’ to expose the charismatic Father Don Pietro (Alessandro Gassman) whom he is convinced has brainwashed his son. Meanwhile the other members of the family – unfulfilled wife Carla (a wonderful Laura Morante) and listless daughter Bianca – are provoked by Andrea’s revelation in different ways, undertaking their own renaissance-of-sorts…
WINNER – AUDIENCE PRIZE – 2015 TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER – BEST NEW DIRECTOR – 2015 ITALIAN ACADEMY AWARDS
WINNER – BEST NEW DIRECTOR – 2015 ITALIAN NATIONAL SYNDICATE OF FILM JOURNALISTS
I attended a very early screening of this film with about five others on a Sunday morning. I don’t easily give up my Sunday mornings away from my family, but I wanted to understand this issue that constantly headlines our news here in Australia. I hadn’t formed an opinion on the refugee debate because it all seemed too hard, too unsolvable, and, to be frank, it didn’t impact my life. I attended because I, finally, did want to understand this issue, and the trailer promised to peel back the veil of rumor. I expected the documentary to be upsetting but enlightening. What I didn’t expect was to be moved to tears and frustrated anger that still resonates more than six weeks later.
What director Eva Orner and her brave whistleblowers have done is take us inside the offshore detention centres on Nauru and Manus Island, no holds barred. They’ve done it with great craft and in the fly-on-the-wall style of great documentaries, they’ve said: “Here’s the reality. You decide.”
A picture paints a thousand words. This one paints a . . .
Click here to read the full review and more. It's worth the click: Why Australians & the world need to watch CHASING ASYLUM
Film Blurb
Oscar winner Eva Orner's (Taxi To The Dark Side) explosive documentary exposes the impact of Australia’s offshore detention policies and explores how political leaders have chosen detention ahead of compassion and governments deprive asylum seekers of their human rights.
Featuring never before seen footage shot inside Australia’s offshore detention camps, CHASING ASYLUM looks at the impact of sending those in search of a safe home to languish in limbo.
Exploring the mental, physical and fiscal consequences of Australia’s decision to detain families in unsanitary conditions hidden from media scrutiny, CHASING ASYLUM promises to be a flashpoint for discussion in this federal election year.
SPECIAL EVENTS
CHASING ASYLUM: DIRECTOR Q & A
Date: SUNDAY 5 June
Time: 5:15 pm
Location: Luna Leederville Details and Booking
Oscar winner Eva Orner's (Taxi To The Dark Side) explosive documentary exposes the impact of Australia’s offshore detention policies and explores how political leaders have chosen detention ahead of compassion and governments deprive asylum seekers of their human rights.
Featuring never before seen footage shot inside Australia’s offshore detention camps, CHASING ASYLUM looks at the impact of sending those in search of a safe home to languish in limbo.
Exploring the mental, physical and fiscal consequences of Australia’s decision to detain families in unsanitary conditions hidden from media scrutiny, CHASING ASYLUM promises to be a flashpoint for discussion in this federal election year.
Join us for a special Q&A screening event with Oscar winner Eva Orner who will be Luna Leederville on Sunday 2 June to present and talk about her explosive documentary feature following the 5.15pm session. Eva will also be on hand to sign her book provided by Northsidebooks courtesy of Harper Collins
MADAMA BUTTERFLY
Date: Saturday June 4 & Sunday 5 June
Time: 1:00pm (check Luna Cinemas site for exact details)
Location: Luna Leederville & Luna on SX Details and Booking
Kristine Opolais brings her heartbreaking interpretation of the title role in Madama Butterfly to Captured Live in HD screens for the first time, in Anthony Minghella’s critically acclaimed 2006 production. Roberto Alagna sings Lieutenant Pinkerton, the callous officer who crushes Butterfly’s dreams of love. Debuting conductor Karel Mark Chichon leads a cast that also includes Maria Zifchak as Suzuki and Dwayne Croft as Sharpless.
Production: Anthony Minghella; Director and Choreographer: Carolyn Choa; Set Designer: Michael Levine; Costume Designer: Han Feng ; Lighting Designer: Peter Mumford; Puppetry: Blind Summit Theatre. Sung in Italian with Met Titles in English. Approx RT: 3 hours 40 minutes incl. intermission.
WARREN MILLER: CHASING SHADOWS
Date: Saturday June 10
Time: 7:00pm (check Luna Cinemas site for exact details)
Location: Luna Leederville Details and Booking
Warren Miller's Chasing Shadows is Warren Miller Entertainment's 66th Ski and Snowboard film. Warren Miller once said , "A pair of skis are the ultimate transportation to freedom," and this year we're chasing storms, snow, big lines and the freedom that they grant us.
Come along as we follow top names like Seth Wescott, Rachel Burks, Ingrid Backstrom, Mark Abma and more all-star athletes as they chase their dreams across the globe and cast shadows on some of the world’s highest peaks. Destinations: Nepal, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Alaska, France, Chile, Italy, Japan, Switzerland. For more information visit warrenmiller.com.au
One Screening Only on June 10 at Luna Leederville: Early Bird Adult: $29.50(commencing now up to 3rd June); Adult: $32.50 (4th June - 10th June); Child / Concession: $29.50; Family: $92.00
ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW - IMMERSIVE EVENT
Date: July 3
Time: 9pm Sunday
Location: Luna Leederville Details and Booking
After 2 sold out screenings in 2015, Monkey Collective presents:
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW! (1975) (Selling out last year in as little as 7 hours, If this is your film don't wait)
Pre-screening entertainment from 8PM, film screening 9PM. Tickets $22 include a goodie bag.
“You're very lucky to be invited up to Frank's laboratory. Some people would give their right arm for the privilege.”
This is no Ordinary Screening.......
Tonight you are IN the film!! Your goodie bag packed with items and chants to play along with through the screening. From 8pm you can grab pre-show drinks, Get Wrapped up with our Frankenfurter Photobooth and witness Actors run amok in the foyer. In Cinema Bar with Cocktails and Costume Competition! Stars Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Meatloaf.
Rocky Horror is a classic Immersive Cinema that has been running in the States for many years. Monkey Collective pays homage with our own style.
Strictly 18+ We will be rude, crude and extremely unapologetic Touch-a touch-a touch-a touch me, I wanna be dirty!
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