spotlight

a film about the expose by the boston globe of catholic priests
huge numbers of them having their way with children in their charge
tipped for oscar glory and multiple trailer viewing has me interested

what i liked

totally authentic feeling - no pandering to attention span deficits
convicted actors giving their all to the film and no doubt the cause
the lack of demonisation of the perpetrators - the story is the deal
engagement - from go to whoa and spirited discussion afterwards

what i dis-liked

rapid dialogue on legal points particularly had my head spinning

4.5 / 5

the danish girl

bio-pic set in 1920s copenhagen about artist einer wegener
he becomes lily elbe with support of wife and artist gerda

what i liked

beautifully filmed with every scene like an artistic portrait
familiar architecture seen in copenhagen, paris and dresden
eddie redmayne's seamless transition is acting to behold
an art and trans-gender history lesson in one package

what i dis-liked

an assumption i had read the book or knew the story
the focus on the big picture and not the characters
watch-checking started early and was a constant
a strange feeling that there was no interest in me
probably because it is unashamed oscar-bait...

3.5 / 5

the big short

dramatisation of the cause and effect of the gfc from 2007
brad pitt - star and producer - for me he can do no wrong
ryan gosling, christian bale and steve carell - an a list cast

what i liked

technical but not mumbo-jumbo - another viewing will enhance
the cast feeding off each other to deliver standout performances
humour - characters (or actors) idiosyncrasies come to the fore
the use of occasional dialogue with the viewer for explanations
confirmation of the distaste for big banks and money-driven egos
the music - especially - closing with led zep when the levee breaks

what i dis-liked

it finished

4.5 / 5

star wars - the force awakens

first of many for this franchise ow owned by disney studios
the biggest film since - possibly forever - move over avatar
rated highly by critics and fans puts on the should-see list

what i liked

the similarity in presentation with the original from 40 years ago
john williams soundtrack also referencing past musical glories
easy to follow and keeps moving to a logical conclusion
the focus on characters and story not technical wizardry
daisy ridley as rey - a female assumes the main character

what i dis-liked

oscar isaac - this blockbuster will derail more serious acting roles
the new bad guy - adam driver as kylo ren - is a wimpy lead
dohmall gleeson - again - unconvincing - again - he not good
suckered into a likely never-ending hollywood run of sequels

4.0 / 5

the revenant

leonardo dicaprio's bid for an oscar apparantly
director - alejandro inarritu - birdman, babel , etc
revenant - a person who has returned esp from the dead
almost deliberately went in to this one with little knowledge

what i liked -

the scenery - stunning - saw it on a huge screen - the only way
the music - i love a dedicated soundtrack - ryuichi sakamoto
immersion - 2.5 hours spent in 1820's america - brutal
leonardo dicaprio - give him his oscar - hard-earned

what i disliked -

the dialogue - when it was there - frustratingly indiscernible
dohnmnall gleeson - ain't a patch of an actor on his father
the use of modern-day slang at times seemed out of place
repeated extreme incident survival leading to lol moments
revenge - the main game - once had - all good - the end

4.0 / 5

the program

dramatisation of lance armstrong's rise and fall
based on a book by sports writer david walsh

i liked -

an insight into how drugs enhance performance
impressive footage of high speed mountain cycling
standout acting from chris o'dowd as david walsh
concise and factual with a clear start, stop and 'arc'

i disliked -

use of popular music to cheaply enhance scenes
lack of engagement with ben foster as armstrong
known facts are the main pivots - no revelations
very little archive material pushs it to b-grade

3.0 / 5

trumbo

dalton trumbo - top mid 20th century screenwriter
one of many in hollywood who are communists
this film tracks his life after being on the blacklist

i liked -

history lesson - the hollywood communist blacklist
bryan cranston's acting in the lead role is very convincing
the brief text at the start explaining communism's popularity
actual b&w footage of courtcases, etc very cleverly integrated
the context of famous names (john wayne, kirk douglas)
helen mirren having fun as a celebrity right-winger

i disliked -

the lack of discourse on the appeal of communism
if plays like a wikipedia writeup - factual but no feeling
the (over) use of props make it like a very busy stage show
stereotypical performance of john goodman (the fat slob)

3.5 / 5.0

black mass

unusually a bit of a personal connection with a hollywood film
2 degrees of separation with the father-son executive producers
apart from that some positive reviews puts this one on the c list
evening viewing on a stunning day explaining the empty theatre?
a face fills the screen and questions flow from an unseen interviewer
sub-titles explaining this is whitey bulgers main man dobbing on him
so right at the start we know how this is going to end as we go back in time
kevin is a bouncer at a club who shows willingness to take and inflict violence
this catches the eye of bulger (johnny depp) who inducts kevin appropriately
first bulger then kevin brutally beating up an ally who has let down the boss
it's confronting stuff but bulger the psychopath and depp the actor impressing
bulger has a soft side - seen playing cards with his mother and letting her win
brother billy (benedict cumberbatch) is visiting also - the state senate president
though the brothers are poles apart professionally there is a degree of respect
the other main man then introduced - fbi agent john connelly (joel edgerton)
he grew up in the same boston neighbourhood so the 3 lads are quite close
so far so good - though the english and australian actors seem to overplay
cumberbatch and edgerton laying on thick boston accents is a distraction
but this well compensated for by mr depp who is in command in his role
so just going with the story - bulger is relatively small time in south boston
it's the mafia who are the serious gangsters and the main problem for the fbi
so connelly suggests to his boss (kevin bacon) that the fbi make a covert deal
they will leave bulger to his criminal ways in return for information on the mafia
at first bulger is scornful of assisting the fbi but he soon sees the advantages
and so it goes - he becomes more powerful as the mafia get regularly busted
it all seems quite plausible - and is based on fact - greed and ego at work
there's no pulling of punches when it comes to bulgers psychopathic side
scenes of full on violence on those that cross his path including women
i usually hate that in a film but here it unfortunately seems relevant
a turning point for several of his colleagues to ultimately turn on him
this as a new fbi director comes to town and starts asking questions
why is the man clearly responsible for so much serious crime clean
clever scripting, clever acting and directing all working well here
some jumping back and forward in time providing a good balance
my want to find fault and criticise is on the wane as i fully engage
a sense of relief to see johnny depp in a decent role also at work
full circle we go as the closing scenes show the police interviews
bulger seen taking on a disguise and high-tailing it out of boston
the prologue mostly the usual text on screen to wrap up the story
each major character's later life briefly but interestingly explained
the corrupt cops busted and jailed - bulger a long time fugitive
but eventually caught, tried, locked up and then died in prison
the facts of the matter in this true story adding to the appeal
very much liked this film and happy for the exec producers
it should do well - mr depp may well be an oscar contender
a huge turnaround for him - so all involved should be happy...

sicario

sicario - the meaning spelt out in text as the film starts
jewish zealots armed with daggers attempting to expel romans
but more ominously for this film - the mexican meaning - hitman
the action starts with a secret daylight raid on a suburban house
heavily armed men in black surround it as a large truck drives up
it crashes through a wall to launch the familiar room to room raid
one man inside is efficiently shot as he attempts to defend himself
our heroine kate (emily blunt) seems to be in charge and perplexed
nothing inside - until they start ripping into the walls to find corpses
and plenty of them - she and others seen vomiting - then an explosion
one of the troops opening a hatch in an outside shed setting off the trap
crikey - it's all very full-on and actually quite realistic it feels - liking it
there is now concern that the cartels are so deep into american territory
this done with a realistic looking tv news item about the house of horror
it seems kate has a reputation that sees her then in a casual job interview
married? - divorced - kids? - no - wanna help deal with drug cartels? - sure
matt (james brolin) wants her on board and so tells her she has to volunteer
she and him then seen boarding a private jet and joined by one serious dude
he being alejandro (benicio del toro) - gives nothing away while matt sleeps
some stunning footage of the small shadow of the jet over hostile terrain
a suggestion we are indeed heading into alien territory on this mission
they land in mexico and are then seen as part of a convoy of vehicles
some kind of raid - many heavily armed suvs branded as federal police
the town they are in is in squalor - there are people hanging and mutilated
a comment made that the cartels do that to remind people who is in charge
it's all quite confronting but i'm happy to go with it - it does seem plausible
high-tech surveillance and guidance systems means targeting is precise
so the nab their man and back-track out of the place without incident
but at the border crossing the remaining unmarked vehicles hit a snag
traffic has stopped are they are warned armed men are in other cars
those men are stalked, confronted and taken out with precision gunfire
back at home base kate goes nuts - her fbi persona screaming 'illegal'
but a reminder that this group is acting on orders from high - forget it
some time out then sees her at a bar and introduced to a baseball star
they hit it off and back at her pad she spots evidence of cartel links
it then turns violent with some very impressively acted fight scenes
alejandro (hitman) shows up at the nick of time to nab her assailant
she then suspecting she is being used as bait - too late - in too deep
the team then receive a tip-off about the location of a covert tunnel
and in they go - complete with night-vision cameras and weaponry
we see most of the action through the cameras and so more realism
a shootout and emerging on the mexican side in a large warehouse
a corrupt policeman seen unloading bags of cocaine from his car
alejandro then orders him to drive and they latch onto a luxury merc
the policeman shot, the merc driver then ordered to drive to his base
this being the home of the main cartel head they have been targetting
he responsible for the beheading and acid-bathing of alejandro's family
upon confronting him he says - nothing personal - alejandro - it was for me
of course the hitman then takes out the boss and his own wife and 2 sons
the end - but for a final scene of young mexican boys and a game of soccer
one lad the son of the corrupt policeman - and there's explosions nearby
normal life it seems in this most desperate of places - mexico - na - pass
the film closing out with some more eerie music from johann johannson
so well done - take a bow dennis villenueve (enemy, prisoners, etc)
there's talk of a sequel as it will be a critical and commercial success
the mixture is right - realism, violence, guns, sex, drugs...and...music

13 minutes

mostly lukewarm reviews for this film but ignoring that
a missed and compelling piece of history under the spotlight
georg elser - a german driven to try and assassinate adolf hitler
straight into it in the opening scenes as he prepares a huge bomb
alone, in secret, in a darkened building with a mouth-held torch
the significance of the building explained with scenes of a speech
hitler addressing the troops and announcing austria's now allegiance
he interrupted with a note advising his car won't start - a mental note
elser has made the final preparations and hoofs it to the swiss border
he is arrested for wearing a badge of the illegal communist party
and curiously he has bomb and building plans on him still - why?
the bomb explodes but hitler had left the building 13 minutes earlier
seems his transportation issues lead to an unplanned early departure
8 people are killed and soon enough the connection to elser is made
hitler famously sees his escape as divine approval for his actions
he orders that elser is interrogated to determine his collaborators
a raid on elser's home town has all his family and fiance arrested
reich criminal director arthur nebe is first seen interviewing elser
he is soon joined by gestapo chief heinrich muller - heavy dudes
a bit of a good-cop-bad-cop routine develops with these 2 chaps
nebe seemingly believing and impressed by elser acting alone
muller (and hitler) wanting the names of his co-collaborators
elser's first act of defiance is to bravely sing to his interviewer
this then nicely segueing to lakeside scenes some 8 years earlier
elser seen on an accordian in a musical group entertaining friends
happy days and a nice insight into a carefree time before the war
elser is a womaniser also and is soon pursuing already married elsa
their love story in the small german village in itself is quite compelling
the growing sense of nationalism a clear reminder of how it can happen
but then back to the present and elser's defiance is irking his captors
nuller starts the beatings and torture to extract the required names
elser refusing to provide basic details such as his name and birthdate
it's hard to watch these scenes but i am grateful for the sense of reality
relief for him and us when elsa is brought in with a threat of torture
fearing for her he agrees to provide a full confession of the bombing
and then another flashback to more recent times to fill in some gaps
nationalists and hitler youth in his village at odds with many adults
they then marginalised and derided for their religion or beliefs
of course a common scenario in many times and in many places
and here done in such a realistic way with no sledgehammering
we know the outcome of this and elser similarly sees the danger
he confides with a friend that he has decided a bold act is required
hitler and his top leaders need to be taken out - and he goes to work
elser has been a clock-maker, a carpenter and is currently a turner
his skills, intelligence and determination combining on his project
over a long period of time he gathers equipment and explosives
all the while his love story with now divorced elsa is played out
back to the present and his captors still demanding more names
providing accurate details of how he built the bomb saves him
and with the full breakout of war then distracting his captors
5 years later we see them again with muller arresting nebe
he being part of the stauffenberg plot to assassinate hitler
a suggestion then that nebe was directly influenced by elser
more squirming with a scene of nebe hung by a piece of wire
elser is next seen in dachau concentration camp but looking ok
he spends his days making zithers - until someone issues an order
he is lead away from his cell and shot point blank in his head
the end - and the end of film text provides some sad details
this happened 2  days before the camp was finally liberated
but not before 55 million people perished in this brutal war
a clear reminder of what could have been but for 13 minutes
if this was fiction it would be impressive but it is factual
not sure why the average reviews - for me - essential...

ever the land

the price of peace - a very memorable documentary at nziff 2015
tame iti featured prominently in that film - as did the tuhoe people
this film is more focused on tuhoe - particularly after the agreement
that document signed with the crown in 2014 and a landmark event
scenes of that in the prior film quite moving and pricking my curiosity
so an easy decision to take in this film as a sort of unofficial follow-up
but more focussed on the project to construct a communal building
we're looking out a window to a valley on a wet day as a bus pulls up
then as voyeurs to several meetings where the project is being discussed
all very casual, friendly and respectful of any person wanting to comment
seems the tuhoe people have a large pool of money available to spend
some want to use it to improve the housing conditions of a lot of people
others want to make a statement and build something more symbolic
the decision is taken to move on with building a large communal centre
te papa architect ivan mercep brought on board to design the building
even at age 84 he is keen to assist and throws himself into the project
there's a brief to make the building as self-sustainable as possible
community involvement in the process is also a high priority
as is the stipulation that locally sourced materials are used
so we see scenes of mud-bricks being formed and trees logged
the trees used as supporting poles and the bricks used in walls
as the film progresses the director's intent becomes quite obvious
there's very little dialogue and text provided as in most documentaries
the low-key, casual nature of the people is reflected in the film style
many scenes of people just going about their business as the camera rolls
some seems of little consequence to the building itself but that may be the point
a feeling that what the director is trying to do is provide a connection with tuhoe
mothers seen reading to children, mates gathered around a guitar and chatting
meat being hacked up and dropped onto a bar-b-que, beers being shared out
pretty average stuff really - again - that's the point i suspect - people's lives
and all this shown without comment, voice-over or explanation - just images
surely the intention being to allow us to feel like we are part of it all - done
the building itself takes shape and in particular the prominent frontage
2 huge curved beams of timber slabs are joined as a symbolic entrance
inside we hear about how the mud bricks aid in temperature control
one lady expert delighted with that and the placement of windows
there are also banks of solar panels in place to aid sustainability
it's all very impressive - we dwell on it all with 2 ladies inside
just looking on at the expanse of it - 'beautiful' is said often
the film's moving climax is the official opening of the building
a large crowd of guests seen slowly moving past the entrance way
maori warriors leading the way and a wero (challenge) is presented
the silhouette of tame iti seen as the person picking up the branch
this serious ceremony always sombre and always quite moving
the sense of occasion well encapsulated in this part of the film
but then it all relaxes as we also see children cutting flax ribbons
some speeches from representatives of the crown and it's done
there's a pervasive sense of contentment in the tuhoe community
me - ditto - feeling quite mellowed by it all and a want to visit
that feeling working well with the final scene out the same window
a bus pulls up - a lady gets off and walks towards us - coming home?
but possibly also a subtle invitation to viewers to make the journey
a mental note made for a visit on the next trip to the bay of plenty
the film certainly making it clear this is a welcoming community
with their new and impressive building central to that feeling
nicely done - the rolling credits mentioning a lot of people
very glad to have taken the time to be part of this project...

last cab to darwin

i've been looking forward to seeing this one for a while
for one it traces a road trip similar to our own mid-year jaunt
but the main appeal is that ed kuepper has composed the music
there are other big names involved too so anticipation levels high
the film opens in broken hill where cab-driver rex lives and works
he has no family, lives alone and enjoys spinning vinyl records
atlanta rhythm section - so into you - sees him grooving away
masters apprentices and richard clapton also heard and enjoyed
early scenes feature rex driving around town plying his trade
he picks up a mate and his latest conquest - mum's the word
soon after with his mates in a pub she is the publican's wife
at home he is seen joshing with his neighbour over the road
polly is an aboriginal woman who gives it as good as she gets
also moments of tenderness between them sitting on the porch
she concerned about his health and suggests a visit to the doctor
there we learn his stomach cancer has returned with a vengeance
he is told he has 3 months to live but typically he keeps that quiet
until he makes a call on a talkback radio show to a euthanasia doctor
it just so happens everyone he knows is tuned in and hears his confession
at first thinking - na - not likely - but then - well - talkback radio is king
nicole farmer (jacqi weaver) is the darwin-based doctor (philip nitschke)
in a flash rex has decided to seek her assistance and so drive to darwin
not one for hospitals or fond farewells he leaves a letter and heads off
and with that mr kuepper's sublime soundscape music really kicks in
stunning scenes of australia's dead heart best seen on a big screen
a road train streams past him leading to a smashed windscreen
pulling in at the nearest town - william creek - and into the pub
familiar too - we spent time there in a lake eyre flight stopover
which just adds to the very authentic feel of this fine aussie film
there a young aboriginal man hanging around repairs the windscreen
part payment being a ride in rex's cab to his home town of oodnadatta
tilly is a bit of a home town hero there - selected to play afl for essendon
he has a wife and kids and a confidence problem so didn't take the gig
rex warms to him as do we - he's a good-looking, fun-loving larrikin
there's also a club in darwin interested in his skills so he now on board
at a roadhouse along the way a blonde english barmaid serves them
she is instantly smittnen with tilley - ah yes - the romantic element
though rex is also putting into calls to polly and declaring his love
she not having it though - angry that rex has left his house to her
funny scenes at the roadhouse when tilly performs to the crowd
the butcher song - you but-cher left foot in, your left foot out....
totally feel good - not a hint of racism with this white crowd
tilly and julie hit it off and there's now 3 in the drive north
she is a qualified nurse so can also tend to a now ailing rex
they soon roll into darwin and straight to doctor farmer's clinic
she a little wary of rex's expectations to be quickly euthanised
a reality check with lawmakers imposing very tight conditions
various experts needing to sign off on his state of mental health
giving time for the film to further develop our 3 lead's relationships
rex is now in a physical mess and entirely dependent on nurse julie
tilly joins the afl club but sadly also hits the bottle with his mob
polly finally declares her love for rex - 'always have loved ya'
out of desperation julie agrees to use the euthansia kit on rex
and as the liquid enters his vein - he rips it out - ah - polly
bids farewell to julie and high-tails it back to broken hill
the final scene has him on his porch with her next to him
he will die - but not now - there's a happy ending to be had
what a great film and with a superb soundtrack in the mix
so much else to like about it also but mostly it's honesty
there's no sugar-coating of life in outback australia
just a lot of hardened but genuinely good people
so for that the film has hit home brilliantly...

mr holmes

in one sense this film seems a kind of obvious construction
put one well-known and well-loved actor into an equal role
made even more popular recently by downey and cumberbatch
and therefore cynically suggesting a sure-fire box-office success
so what - the reviews are glowing and ian mckellen is a class act
we're in a train in the opening scene with sherlock in a carriage
displaying his sharp perceptive skills from the start to a young boy
he alights at a country town and travels by taxi to a country home
first impressions - impressive - the attention to detail is thorough
vehicles, costumes, houses, hairstyles etc all well dated post-war
mr mckellen also seems in fine form playing an aged eccentric
the home he arrives at is his own - he has returned from japan
he is met by his housekeeper mrs munro and her young son roger
she played by a plained-down frumped-up (american) laura linney
cursory greetings and then sherlock is seen attending to his bees
giving roger and us a few lessons on the hierarchical life in a hive
a rare smile from the man as the boy probes with sensible questions
royal jelly is discussed - harvested by sherlock to aid creeping dementia
and his latest procurement - liquid from the elusive japanese prickly ash
sherlock is desperate to conclude his last case abandoned 30 years prior
and into flashback mode we go as snatches of the case come to his mind
dr watson has married and so is conveniently written out of this script
leaving the man to take on the latest case of a man with wife troubles
she has miscarried twice and depressive and now an obsessive musician
the glass harmonium - he bans it - she continues to take lessons in secret
the younger sherlock is hired to follow her as the flashback concludes
holmes then seen desperately trying to recall and write up the case
he knows he failed and gave up his work to retire to the country
it's all quite riveting with ian mckellen very deftly playing mr holmes
in later scenes as an old man and also a convincing 30 years younger
roger his young sidekick matches his manner, intelligence and curiosity
another series of flashbacks details the recent trip to post-war japan
retrieving a prickly ash plant from the scarred landscape of hiroshima
a few disfigured people providing a questionable slight on atomic war
sherlock is being hosted by the son of an acquaintance from london
another mystery worked into the mix - what is the connection there?
so there are 3 stories now cleverly interwoven into this absorbing film
back to the unsolved case and we learn the mystery woman is suicidal
our man finally confronts her and accurately tells her everything he knows
including her suicide plan - her response - you are as lonely as i - be my friend
confronting stuff for sherlock - in shock he advises her to return to her husband
within hours she has died in front of a train and sherlock is seriously affected
admitting he is a loner and having rejected a beautiful woman he then retires
back in the present day young roger is attacked by a angry swarm of wasps
he is hospitalised - and a less than convincing scene of a distraught mother
similarly sherlock throws himself to the ground and weeps over the boy
but of course - he survives - and sherlock has found contentment at last
they all live happily ever after - nice - a happy ending here is good
very good film actually - good plotting, pacing and acting too
take a bow mr mckellen - you now own sherlock holmes...

far from the madding crowd

saw carey mulligan talking this one up on graham norton's show
directed by thomas vinterberg - the hunt - that a scarily good film
this one also getting rave reviews and a big score on rotten tomatoes
a good period piece is always good value so that convinces us to see it
the film an adaptation of a well-known book apparently though not read
so it will be interesting to see if the film can deliver to us new-comers
bathsheba everdene (mulligan) is in voiceover in the opening scene
explaining the unknown source of her name and early loss of parents
1870 dorset - she a farmhand and keen horsewoman in her own time
the hills and dales of the english countryside seen as she gallops her horse
so yes stunning scenery and no doubt it will be a major character also
she has a chance meeting with her farmer neighbour gabriel oak (yep)
he is as wholesome and handsome as she is fearless and beautiful
he proposes on the spot - startled but says she has no need for a man
the use of light and close-ups tells us there is only one way this will end
a turn of events sees him lose his flock and farm - she inherits her own
a childless uncle leaving her his large estate including a huge mansion
including a team of workers that she promises to astound with her work
she has another single male neighbour - a wealthy farmer - he is smitten
on a visit by her he announces he has good pigs - and will you marry me
crikey these lads don't muck around though presumably a sign of the times
she politely announcing she does not wish to be anyone's property - thanks
farmer oak then mysteriously shows up looking for work and is appointed
in another sub-plot a soldier is seen jilted at the alter by his young bride
seems she went to the wrong church - he in despair heads for the hills
and lo and behold ends up on bathsheba's farm and a chance meeting
he in full uniform and armed with a sword proceeds to seduce her
impresses with deft swordplay and a passionate kiss and touch-up
this after her announcement that she has never been kissed - swoon
quite comical really - and more so as he then sweeps her off her feet
a secret rendezvous, a secret marriage, total seduction all in a heartbeat
thinking - probably chapters of a book compressed into a couple of scenes
and more so - what happened to the fiercely independent and proud woman?
back at the estate and wedding party night he reveals himself as the prig he is
poor gabriel - has promised to look after her and is witness to this nonsense
but wait - another twist - soldier-boy spots his real love at a local market
begging and pregnant with his child and a promise from him to save her
but before he can she dies in childbirth - he then wades into a wild sea
suicide apparently so problem solved and bathsheba now free again
months of mourning and good harvests and a happy christmas party
her lonely neighbour now feeling the time is right to get her hand
but at the party soldier boy re-appears - he was saved it seems
hauling his wife away he is shot dead by the wealthy neighbour
prison for him, death for the other - leaving - gabriel - and yep
they all lived happily ever after - as predicted in an early scene
na - nice scenery and great costumes - sure - acting - is fine
but what a fizzer of a story up there on the big screen at least
i suspect the book is hugely rewarding but the film is flawed
assumptions are made, character development is truncated
which may account for the unlikely relationships that form
but - the book readers and the anglophiles will love it...

foxcatcher

finally - got to see this highly rated film from 2014
even though not fussed about another american sports film
boxing, baseball, grid-iron all done to death - this one - wrestling
but not the hyped-up, faked-up, all show and glamour stadium format
this the pure olympic discipline with real skill and technique required
the film opens with dated scenes of horses and riders being prepared
and 'foxcatcher' seen emblazoned on the blanket of one of the horses
next we're inside a gymnasium and 2 wrestlers seen having a workout
brothers mark and dave schultz - both gold medal winners 3 years prior
l a olympics - 1984 - this is a true story which adds to the film's appeal
dave seems to have it over mark who increasingly gets more aggressive
some brotherly jealousy at work it seems - mark then seen at his home
a simple apartment, basic eating habits and then a late night phone call
a request for mark to visit john dupont - an all expenses paid trip offered
nothing to lose so off he goes - and to the sprawling estate of foxcatcher
dupont is one creepy guy played by an almost unrecognisable steve carell
his aloof, detached and very measured manner seems quite other-worldy
he wants mark to come and join his wrestling team - oh and bring dave
dave cannot - he has a wife, kids and a contract to honour - but go for it
mark has already agreed to a salary of $20k - which is what he asked for
scenes then of him adjusting to a solitary life on the luxury property
training incessantly and willingly - he wants to make the man proud
dupont befriends him - and flies him in his private jet to a function
on the way cocaine is imbibed by both - mark not wanting to say no
at the charity function mark makes a sycophantic introduction speech
a turning point - training slides, food, alcohol and drug intake ascends
and with it more insight into the life and motivation of john dupont
he an only child - his elderly mother (vanessa redgrave) lives there
she a horse lady and very disapproving of her son's own obsession
telling him wrestling is a low sport john - and i hate to see you low
he also revealing to mark she paid a boy to be his childhood friend
filthy rich he may be but he has no friends and indulges in hobbies
he an ornithologist (birds), philatelic (stamps) and military expert
even indulging in veterans wrestling with submissive opponents
mark's self-indulgence means he misses selection for seoul '88
and dupont finally getting his way with brother dave signing up
he relocates his family to foxcatcher and becomes chief trainer
the demise of mark then continues - dupont calling him a big ape
but he is released with a salary - brother dave to the rescue again
dave now has the job of training the team and placating dupont
though seen resisting laying on the platitudes in a documentary
not long after which dupont's mother dies and john is in a funk
watching the video and realising dave's reticence he pays a visit
pulls a gun and asks don't you like me dave - and 3 shots are fired
a very realistic death scene in the snow with wife nancy distraught
and so the slowly simmering creepiness of the man finally realised
the final scenes - dupont is arrested and mark seen entering a ring
he has converted to ufc - the 'sport' where brutality a pre-requisite
and a suggested outlet for the pent-up anger and resentment he feels
a final reminder as the film wraps up - it's all based on a true story
dupont sentenced for murder and died in prison in 2010 aged 72
so well done - director bennett miller matching his capote film
steve carell - now considered a seriously good serious actor
and mark ruffalo (dave) - can do no wrong - now must-see
this is a film that will definitely hold up to repeat viewing...

noble

bio-pic - film studios must love 'em - serious bums on seats
i'm a sucker for them too - a great way to get some education
particularly as in this case about a previously unknown subject
christina noble - an irish lady drawn to helping vietnamese children
the film opens in 1955 with her as a young girl singing in a hall
some kind of competition and a drunken crowd singing along
she's from a large and poor family - her 'da' a violent drunk
her mother falls ill and dies leaving christina as the main carer
they live in squalor and social services soon catches up with them
at a hearing the judge orders the kids are sent to separate institutions
christina ends up in a convent with the expected harsh treatment
she routinely sneaks out and on one occasion is brutally raped
falls pregnant, has the child (thomas) and loses it to adoption
phew - not a happy life - and all the while she talks to god
then fast forward to 1989 and christina arriving in vietnam
not clear why she is there but she is soon befriending streetkids
seems a bit invasive to me but she stays good with the authorities
an attempt at some humour - what's your name - desk receptionist
a very serious chap too - she - i'll make you smile before i leave here
and streetfood - is that dog - no we run out - you want some dog lady?
kind of patronising really and the acting in general is pretty average
my fellow patrons are enjoying it though and talking it up - grrrrr
me - slumping in the seat as the predictability also then cranks up
back in time to ireland and christina meets mario and hits it off
he buys a fish 'n' chip shop for her to run and unveils it as 'marios'
but then his crooked, womanising, abusive ways ends the marriage
crikey - she does it tough - and still she is seen talking to her god
back to vietnam - a fellow ex-pat now a pedophile is hunted down
christina befriends gerry the british head of a large oil company
and before long there's an interval of real documentary footage
carpet bombing, agent orange, napalm all shown - poor people
it's sledgehammer stuff - a reminder of the nightly news then
and it does segue with christina watching it on tv in the shop
with a promise to god to go and help in vietnam when she can
she has 3 children to raise first explaining the large time gap
back in the modern day in vietnam she gets money from gerry
and happy days - we then see christina running a new orphanage
this with coldplay's 'in my place' booming out - more slumping
then the mandatory facts and figures running to wrap it all up
quite impressive stuff really about how much she did achieve
hundreds of projects assisting hundreds of  thousands of kids
photos and actual footage showing the real christina noble
the main thing in common with the actor - blonde hair
she appears to be well-loved, very kind and happy
attractive actor deirdre o'kane not doing her justice
to me coming across as a bit aloof and disconnected
thus more aligned to the audience than the vietnamese
a documentary could have been better to dispel that
and provide a real sense of understanding of the lady
though that would appeal to quite a different audience
and with that less bums on seats - not what they want
still - lesson learnt - just not in a very engaging way...

slow west

westerns are not usually high on the see-list for me
too much red-neck, racist, sexist, self-righteous elitism
but this one does read well and has one big appealing factor
filmed largely in the mackenzie country of nz - a faux colorado
see it on a big screen advised several times in some pre-see reviews
beauty - on this night it's on one of the bigger screens at the multiplex
and as usual - a handful of patrons so centre seat, centre row - all set
young jay cavendish seen lying on his back admiring stars at night
naming them out loud - so he is intelligent, scottish - and alone
next seen on horseback plodding through rural colorado (nz)
a voiceover and flashback advising he came from scotland
in pursuit of rose - the love of his life - here with her father
gunshots and a native american being pursued by 3 soldiers
the senior one stops to question jay - and then is shot dead
silas (michael fassbender) has crept up and taken him out
admonishes jay for his naivety and agrees to chaperone him
money changes hands and they ride off to continue the quest
first stop - provisions - but interrupted by an armed holdup
a desperate (swedish) immigrant couple enter the store
the owner shoots the husband, the wife shoots the owner
jay shoots the wife (in the back) they grab goods and leave
outside - 2 now-orphaned young blonde swedish kids - sad
jay now well introduced to the brutal reality of this country
they continue - west - silas has taken a poster from the store
announcing a large reward for the capture of rose and her dad
so he now more than happy to have jay lead him right to them
having set up the story we now go with the duo across country
some strange encounters - a trio of gospel singing west africans
and some stunning scenery - rivers, mountains, forests, plains
yep - definitely nz - captured in bright sunlight with blue skies
the cinematography right up front - thankful for the big screen
i'm now feeling quite warm and fuzzy about this strange film
there's another gang of bounty-hunters on the prowl also
mean looking dudes - lead by payne (ben mendelsohn)
he tries to look menacing but comes across as misplaced
intentionally so no doubt - encounters with his gang farcical
so humour in the mix also - this film is not to be taken seriously
the big climax - rose and her father in a small house on a plain
surrounded by a wheat field - silas ties up jay for protection
he knows this is going to be ugly - a convergence of greed
a precision sniper shoots the father as silas runs to the house
he then shot twice by the sniper and then the gang arrives
rose starts shooting - it's on - jay escapes and runs to her
she shoots him as he enters the house - no recognition
as he lays dying she embraces him and gives him a gun
shoot me - instead he shoots past her and takes out payne
phew - the baddies all dead - silas survives as does rose
the final scene - he and rose playing parents to the orphans
i'm sitting there with a smile on my dial - a happy ending
simple stuff really with no need or point in deep analysis
writer/director john maclean presumably now indulged
looks like he made the western he always wanted to
kind of fun really with the scenery being the star
and the brutality of the west hit home also...ok

yves saint laurent

very hard to resist this bio-pic from last year despite critics
french for one and also a follow-up in a sense to another film
'dior and i' seen recently providing a memorable fashion lesson
this film opens this century with artworks being packed into boxes
the boxes labelled 'christies' and a voiceover is explaining the scene
the narrator is pierre berge - the lifelong partner of yves saint-laurant
he can no longer abide looking at the things they collected together
cut right back to 1955 (announced) and a young yves seen drawing
in his late teens living in his native algeria and designing clothing
affluent parents then able to facilitate his relocation to study in paris
and a connection then to employment and tutelage by christian dior
memories of the earlier film about christian dior segueing well here
initial success for yves with the dior label fading with his radicalism
and a suggested drafting into the armed forces a convenient excuse
his sexuality leads to harassment in the military and then depression
he is also then sacked by christian dior - pierre berge to the rescue
yves' lover then successfully sues the label for wrongful dismissal
with the large payout and another investor they start the ysl label
all very engrossing actually - and to my eyes all very nicely done
enough footage in paris to aid authenticity and also self-interest
the depiction of showings of their collections very well presented
not only the designs being modeled but the names being dropped
don't let helena rubenstein and elizabeth arden be seated together
they hate each other - seems genuine enough - this is 1960s paris
as the money rolls in it is clear that pierre has the business head
leaving yves to indulge himself in design and serious partying
he grows a beard and his hair but the trademark glasses remain
it all seems quite naturally done - the ageing and the lifestyle
drugs of course are on tap with the nouveau riche of this time
and to my eyes shown in the mix without favour or judgement
karl lagerfield is part of the scene and his lover switches camp
yves informs pierre he loves him - but you are the love of my life
pierre then spitefully having his way with yves' closest girlfriend
so all the money, sex, drugs, fashion, music, etc a heady mixture
a relocation then to marrakech by yves and pierre for time out
friends follow and are made with partying in an exotic location
all the while pierre fully indulging yves - even with his family
yves not aware that money and cars, etc are provided for them
historically the film seems to be wanting to be fully accurate
showing the move by ysl from haute couture to ready-to-wear
hugely successful particularly in america hence the wealth
and the large art collection accumulated by pierre and yves
in the final scenes an elderly pierre addresses a seated yves
that is a beautiful dress - a drawing - doing what he loved
but then ghost-like he is gone - this representing his death
nicely done - matching the rest of the film in my opinion
unlike the bulk of the reviewers who generally panned it
not enough depth - no insight - too indulgent, etc, etc
and so again - damn the experts - high points from me...

jour de fete and les vacances de mosieur hulot

a jacques tati double-feature on a bleak sunday afternoon
ok - let's see what i've been missing with this french icon
first-up - jour de fete (the big day) set on bastille day 1949
opening scene - merry-go-round equipment on a rural lane
and the first giggle - horses seen scampering at the sight of it
with their plastic counterparts on clear display in the carriage
the film is black and white - or more accurately - grey and white
it's vintage on clear display - no discernable modernisation in sight
the carriage enters town to the delight of a small boy following
an elderly hunched woman in black providing some narration
sub-titled of course as she tells her goat (nanny) of the event
seems the town has been planning all year for this one day
the chairs at the main cafe still wet from a fresh paint job
people come and either sit or are admonished by the owner
yep - slapstick - a more modernised version of mr chaplin
our man (tati) playing the part of the local bicycle postman
first seen also on country roads being hounded by a pesky fly
we hear but don't see it - and clearly an annoyance for francois
he dismounts, flaps arms, contorts his body, mounts and rides
arrives in the town and spends an eternity helping erect a pole
all the time continually stepping on a rake which hits his head
the town square eventually set up and people are in party mode
the visiting entertainers seen leering at and fleecing the locals
francois sees a film in a tent about the american postal service
this before tv in this time and place and so film very influential
their use of machinery inspires him to provide a better service
the later part of the film sees him doing crazy bike manoevres
mounting, dismounting, dodging cars, crashing into fences, etc
stepping back it's easy to see how tati would have been popular
it's all reckless stuff and a laugh a minute - an earlier mr bean
at the end of the day (yep) the visitors pack up and move out
and the little boy seen following them - in a postman's cap
ah - clever - a generational shift and an ongoing lifestyle
it's all quite good fun really - glad i got to see the man

mr hulot's holiday - tati's second film released in 1953
the introduction telling us this cut has had the treatment
i'm expecting colourisation - nope - grey and white again
a memorable opening scene of a large rock on a seashore
and a train station - people clamouring between platforms
as an announcer constantly announces the wrong platform
paris presumably - a rush to get on trains - roads also busy
cars loaded up with people and suitcases on country roads
and a jalopy of a car - seems to be running on one cylinder
it cruises into the seaside town and mr hulot (tati) checks in
a wild wind blowing as he steps into the now full lounge
metaphorical presumably - the other guests ignore him
next day at the beach across the road  we meet the guests
there's the businessman seen dashing to take a phonecall
an older couple ambling with the husband always behind
a mischievous boy with a magnifying glass burning holes
and a retired army colonel regaling war stories to anyone
there's an intellectual insisting on dispensing his knowledge
and a blond beauty by herself being mysteriously ignored
in amongst all this hulot causes havoc quite innocently
strutting around with his ever-present pipe and hat
he releases the cable holding a boat being painted
in the boat he hires, he stands up and snaps the floor
causing the boat to enclose him and appear shark-like
a bit of a stretch but enough to have the tourists running
mealtimes are just as chaotic and the waiters inhospitable
and the squeak of the kitchen door an annoying constant
it all gets a bit tedious really - i'm doing the watch-check
the big finale sees hulot let loose on a cache of fireworks
probably quite dangerous and in 1953 trail-blazing (ahem)
it's definitely a film of it's time - hugely popular it seems
acknowledged as very influential for others e.g. mr bean
again - glad i saw it to get a perspective of jacques tati
but probably won't be rushing to see his other films
in the end a long 3 hours of a tati double-feature
a full house too - the kids loved it - a good sign
me - merci - was very cosy in the small theatre...

sunday

this film is set in christchurch one year after the earthquake
that's enough - that as a backdrop for a drama is of interest
add to that it's an independent kiwi film - and a city i lived in
a couple - eve and charlie - are the focus of attention for a day
the film opening with eve driving to the airport to pick him up
familiar scenes of damaged streets and buildings as she drives
at the airport there is a tentative embrace after he clears customs
she is 6 months pregnant - he presents her with a soft-toy koala
in her car she allows him to caress her belly - he is the father
but clearly there is estrangement - he then checks into a hotel
what also becomes clear is that eve has asked charlie to come
he mentions melbourne and visiting his father - he an aussie
a walk in hagley park and an awkward encounter with a jogger
introduced as her gym instructor - body language suggests more
charlie misses the point though - he's gay - he was eyeing me up
and with that - all kiwi men are gay - too many dominant women
despite that charlie is quite likable and does seem to care for eve
the use of flashback shows their happy and carefree relationship
seen at a beach, swimming, embracing, hanging out - good times
pre-earthquake - ah - a parallel - the city and their relationship
clever - but not overt - scenes of a damaged city floating by
he convinces her to join him in a guided punt on the river
she a bit reluctant but then some great framing techniques
the camera on the boat's prow with them seated side by side
do you know the sex of the baby - yes - do you want to know?
yea - it's a girl - have you thought of a name - yes - sunday
nice - and then - she announces to him she is seeing someone
we know it's the jogger but charlie seems to have missed that
he goes into typical male shutdown - nothing - silence ensues
she begs him to say something - do you love him - no answer
they get over that and then decide to take a trip to the beach
eve reminiscing about family time as a child at the same place
charlie's earliest memories - honey and peanut butter sandwiches
it's all really quaint but so confidently done - and the soundtrack
unrecognised singer/songwriter/electronica - blending in so well
they decide to visit an old haunt - her grandparents holiday house
inside they poke around - for both of them it is quite ephemeral
back at her modest home she lays down and clearly exhausted
physically and emotionally too - he lets her sleep - tv for him
he spots a photo of the new man - and also a blue toothbrush
this as he is urinating - the toothbrush takes a bath - charming
back at his hotel they are lying on his bed and cosily chatting
she announces it's not really a girl - she is having a baby boy
she wanted to see how he would react to a girl - and surprised
didn't the name sunday seem odd - that's nicole kidman's girl
i'm with charlie - no suspicion at all - things now get serious
eve says she is not sleeping with her new man - he relieved
but confused - the toothbrush - that's mine she says - uh-oh
a confession from charlie and laughing acceptance from eve
it's clear and they confirm they still love each other very much
but his wandering spirit seems to be the problem - then and now
he again in typical male mode shouting his job is very important
in the army - a convoy truck driver - hmmm - someone smack him
he is booked to fly out in the morning - eve suggests maybe not
next day and full circle - back at the airport and another embrace
he walks away - not turning - she watches - he stops - he turns
the end - perfect - we so want him to do that and he delivers
what a great film that demands close attention to the credits
eve and charlie - camille keenan and dustin clare - writers
and producers - real life partners and parents too (wiki)
the list of original music also given full and just credit
what a surprisingly cool little film - such a good setting
and the drama of the relationship so beautifully handled
question though - why is this film not in the mainstream?
maybe i saw it pre-push - hope so - it has very wide appeal