The Last Circus.....

Screening 23rd June 2011 at Cinema Nova, Melbourne.

 - Masterfully mad and hilarious all at once.

The Last Circus is a madcap, melodramatic Spanish Drama by Director Álex de la Iglesia winning the coveted Golden Bear at the Venice Film Festival, 2010.

The film commands your attention from the 'get go' with the opening scenes a dramatic montage of war and key events throughout modern history which is combined with a jarring film score that leaves you wondering what this film is all about.

The film begins with Javier (Carlos Areces) as a young boy during the 2nd World War, looking for his father, a circus performer and clown who has been captured by the Gestapo. The untimely death of his father (preceded by some words of wisdom from said father) suggest that Javier is destined to follow in his father's footsteps.

Carolina Bang (the director's partner) stars as the object of affection for two members of the Circus. Carolina is Natalia, the contorionist who dates the sadistically violent Sergio (actor Antonio de la Torre) the happy clown and is pursued by Javier, the recently employed sad clown.

Javier is overcome by his desire to rescue Natalia from Sergio and transforms himself overnight after being brutally attacked by Sergio himself. The transition from gentle and loveable to a crazy man is a sight to behold and you must watch out for the way Javier utilises an iron in his transformation.

The film spirals down an increasingly bizarre path, culminating with the two foes as prison mates, minus the object of their affections.

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Melancholia

Melancholia' is a new film by Danish filmaker Lars von Trier, well known for his controversial films and statements he has not disappointed with his recent excruciatingly uncomfortable interview at the Cannes Film 

Festival which led to him being banned from the festival for the first time. The film itself is still up for all Awards and in the running for the prestigious Palme d'Or Award, although press conferences for the film have been banned.

I'm unsure if this was a publicity stunt or a little theatre from a man unable to eloquently express an opinion without sounding like a Nazi sympathiser! Nonetheless watch out for his new film and its release in Australia as I'm sure it will entertain.  

Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg star in the film along with Kiefer Sutherland and Charlotte Rampling. The film is about two sisters (Charlotte Gainsbourg and Kirsten Dunst) finding difficulty with their relationship while in the meantime a planet begins to collide with the earth. The film sounds less confronting than its predecessor 'Antichrist', a film I have still been unable to bring myself to watch (and one that I think I will pass on). 

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14th Spanish Film Festival

Stay tuned for the 14th Spanish Film Festival, premiering in Melbourne on 12th May - 22nd May, 2011.

Films are being shown at the Palace, Como cinema. 

Watch out for (pardon the pun!) Julia's Eyes, produced by Guillermo del Toro who is well known for his association with the following Spanish films: Biutiful (soon to be reviewed by charisse-movierevue), Pan's Labyrinth and The Orphanage.

Check out the following website for more information: http://www.spanishfilmfestival.com/home

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True Grit

RELEASE DATE: 26th January 2011.

- Jeff Bridges revisits his character from the Big Lebowski 'The Dude', in his portrayal of a U.S Marshall.

True Grit, can I do it justice! Having not seen the original film starring John Wayne, I viewed this film with little expectation other than knowing that Joel and Ethan Cohen were responsible for writing the screenplay and directing the film. However this is a worthwhile reference, as I'm a fan of anything that these guys release, most recently 'A Serious Man', 'Burn After Reading' and the classic; 'The Big Lebowski'.

The verve and determination of the main character 'Mattie Ross', (played by newcomer Hailee Steinfeld) is remarkable as she vows to avenge her fathers death with the assistance of a U.S Marshall (played by Jeff Bridges) and a Texas Ranger, LeBoeuf (played by Matt Damon).

Jeff Bridges does not disappoint in his role as the U.S Marshall  J. “Rooster” Cogburn, bringing a touch of  'The Dude' (first seen on screen in the film 'The Big Lebowski) 'to his character and Matt Damons delights us by infusing a dose of 'himbo' into his character the Texas Ranger. Josh Brolin plays 'Tom Chaney, the murderer that they have been tasked to pursue.  As the story unfolds Mattie Ross slowly wins the respect of the two men she has employed for her cause and comes face to face with her fathers killer.

Watch out for the 'Grizzly Bear' character as he crosses paths with Mattie and J. “Rooster” Cogburn early on in their journey, a character played with the typical quirkeness of the 'Cohen' brothers.

This film reminds me of the earlier 'Cohen Brother' film 'Fargo' and is equally able to entertain and delight the audience. As I mentioned earlier, I'm a lover of the 'Cohen Brothers' and this film is no exception. Although this film is a remake it definitely has the Cohen Brothers stamp all over it!

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Tamara Drewe

RELEASE DATE: 26th December 2010

1/2 - She's naughty but nice in equal measure!!!

Tamara Drewe is an English film directed by Stephen Frears of 'High Fidelity' fame (John Cusack and Jack Black star in this '2000' release and favourite of mine).  'Tamara Drewe' played by Gemma Arterton (starring role in Prince of Persia and Quantam of Solace) returns from London to visit her childhood home after the death of her mother. A 'beak nosed' brunette, Tamara left her hometown for London and a career in jounalism and returns with a 'new' nose and a bucket-full of contradictions. On her return she is reunited with her past in the form of the neighbourhood literary star Nicholas Hardiment (played by Roger Allam) and a teenage love.

 Back home to write about the local music festival and organise the sale of the family home, Tamara meets the lead singer of the 'it' band of the moment and begins a relationship. Her neighbours in the Village, Nicholas Hardiment and wife Beth Hardiment (played by Tamsin Greig of British Comedy 'Black Books') run a writer's retreat which is a source of entertainment on it's own.

As the relationships between Tamara and the singer flourishes two local schoolgirls watch enviously at the exciting lives these adults lead. One of the school girls (played by young actress Jessica Barden) has a crush on Tamara's boyfriend and is determined to go to any lengths to ensure this rocker stays in town, at least until she has the chance to introduce herself  and he falls in love with her!!....

As our tale progresses we se love lost, found and re-ignited but best viewed on DVD...

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2011 Academy Awards. Only 7 days to go.....

It's a big year for Australian actors at the 83rd Academy Awards with 3 nominees including, Geoffrey Rush for 'The King's Speech', Jackie Weavere for her role as the family matriarch in 'Animal Kingdom' and Nicole Kidman for 'Rabbit Hole'.

Geoffrey Rush is up for best supporting actor in his role as the unorthodox speech therapist to King George and has previously won an Oscar for his starring role in the 1997 film 'Shine'.

Nicole Kidman has a best actress nomination, which would be her 2nd win, the first in 2002 for her role of Virignia Woolf in 'The Hours'.

Jackie weaver is up for her very first Oscar nomination and for that I wish her the 'best of luck'!

Stay tuned for Monday 28th February and all the Academy Award results.....

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Somewhere

RELEASE DATE: 23rd December 2010

- Stephen Dorff has been absent from our screens since the late 90's, this could be his comeback!

Directed by Sofia Coppola (daughter of Francis Ford Copolla,The Godfather, Apocalypse Now) 'Somewhere' appears to be a very personal film, perhaps reminiscent of Sofia's own childhood, or how it could have been, as daughter of a powerful Hollywood Director, who may have been largely absent from her life.

Sofia's films are distinctive, slow paced and thoughtful with long close-up's and unobtrusive soundtrack's, with the soundtrack on this film used to great effect as it provide a narrative for the end of the film. Patience is required to watch Sofia's films and if you let yourself go, you can slowly immerse yourself into the story she chooses to tell.


A pop culture icon of the 90's, Stephen Dorff has been absent from our screens as of late.
Famous for his first role in 'The Power of One' and equally famous for his role of the unknown Beatle Stuart Sutcliffe in 'Backbeat', in this film he plays Johnny Marco a self-absorbed and irresponsible Hollywood actor. Living in the Chateau Marmont, Johnny wiles his days away, spending money on booze and women. Every so often he drags himself out of this slumber to attend the carefully choreographed meetings and appearances that he dutifully fulfills in his role as the Hollywood actor. His daughter Cleo (Elle Fanning, younger sister of Dakota Fanning) suddenly re-enters his life, when she is indefinatley abandoned by her mother. We watch as Johnny reconnects with his daughter forming a caring relationship which prompts him to question his life, which up until this point has been empty and aimless.

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The Black Swan

RELEASE DATE: 20th January 2011

   - Driven to the point of destruction, this ballerina won't let anything get in the way of the 'perfect' performance, including herself.

Black Swan is a thriller starring Natalie Portman, French actor Vincent Cassel (The Apartment) and Mila Kunis (best known for her character in 'That 70's Show'). Supporting actors are Barbara Hershey and Winona Ryder who plays an ageing ballerina (receiving much credit for no more than a fleeting role).

Director Darren Aronofsky appears to be exploring similar themes in this film to that of his most recent success, 'The Wrestler'. In both films the lead characters are self-destructive and obsessed with their careers and at the end of each film we are left wondering if either character survives the brutal treatment they inflict upon themselves.

The story of 'Black Swan' begins and ends as a nightmare. Natalie Portman plays 'Nina Sayers', a young hard-working and conscientious ballerina, desperate to win the lead in 'Swan Lake'. Mila Kunis's character 'Lily' contrasts greatly with that of Nina. Lily has a carefree attitude towards Ballet and Life but poses a real threat to Nina's ambition. Vincent Cassel's character Thomas is the director of the Ballet Company and is unconvinced that Nina is able to play both parts of the lead role in Swan Lake. Nina is a natural for the role of Princess Odette, The White Swan, innocent and virtuous but the role of the Black Swan, Odile, is more of a challenge. It requires Nina to connect with her dark and sensual side, something that comes more naturally to Lily and not unrecognised by the director. Eventually winning the lead, Nina is constantly taunted by the director who undermines her ability to play the Black Swan in an effort to encourage her performance. This backfires enormously and contributes to the deterioration of Nina's mind. 

Barbara Hershey is good in her supporting role of a former ballerina and over protective mother of Nina. She is the first to highlights to the audience the fragility of Nina, as we watch her nurture and care for her daughter whilst actively encouraging Nina's innocence. As the story unfolds we witness the punishing routine Nina put's herself through to reach perfection and we see further signs that her mind is slowly deteriorating. Vision's and hallucinations begin to take over Nina's reality in the race to embody the character of the 'Black Swan'.

Blue Valentine

RELEASE DATE: 2nd November 2010

 - Ryan Gosling's is brilliant as 'Dean' and certainly worthy of Oscar attention...

Blue Valentine is a bittersweet and harrowing portrayal of the disintegration of a young couples love for one another. The film begins in the family home and alternates between the past and present, highlighting the contrast between a young love blossoming then slowly falling apart. Heart wrenching and wretched, the two main characters, Ryan Gosling as the intense and enigmatic 'Dean' and Michelle Williams 'Cindy', play the unhappy couple.

With such intensity and truth, the two actors performances almost make you feel uncomfortable watching this personal tale unfold. As we discover from progressive flash-backs, this relationship was likely doomed from the beginning with hints from 'Cindy's' parents and Dean himself, that although talented and artistic, this may not be enough to keep Cindy satisfied.

A last ditch attempt at rekindling their love and saving their marriage is initiated by Dean, with disastrous consequences as they spend the night in a cheesy 'Motel of Love'. It's exruciating to watch as one person opens themselves up and the other remains distant and clearly 'out of love'. But don't be dettered from seeing this film because of the last few paragraphs. There are lighter moments in the film during flashbacks to the early days of the relationship, where Dean courts Cindy in an undeniably charming manner, that bring a smile to your face. Michelle Williams and particularly Ryan Gosling, shine in their performances.

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Fair Game

RELEASE DATE: 25th November 2010

- Entertaining as well as disturbing, that this story is fact not fiction.

'Fair Game' has Sean Penn and Naomi Watts starring together again (they previously acted together in 21 Grams & The Assassination of Richard Nixon) in an action packed thriller based on a year in the life of former CIA agent Valerie Plame.

For those of you who don't remember the story, Valerie Plame was caught in the cross-fire of the US government's action to justify 'The War on Terrorism'. Valerie was sent to Iraq with a team of experts to uncover the 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' which were at the time, motivation for the US military invading Iraq.

In accepting and carrying out her misson,Valerie encourages the sister of an Iraq Scientist whom was apparently hired to work on the 'Weapons of Mass Destruction', to contact her brother. In exchange for the risk taken by the Scientist and his family, Valerie promises to help them escape from Iraq.
Throughout the remainder of the film we see Valerie wracked with guilt for the families she has put at risk overseas because of her failed mission and whom she is unable to save because her employment has ended at the CIA.

Sean Penn plays Valerie's husband a former Ambassador and activist with fire and passion, who also assists Valerie with some of her work and spends the rest of his time presenting lectures at University and trying to clear his wife's name. Although Sean Penn's role was pivotal to telling the story of Valerie Plame, I felt he lent little depth or interest to the story, regardless of the fact that he has a magnetic screen presence.

A little light on the script the film was interesting nonetheless because of the subject matter and reality of the story. The film also serves to shine light on the never ending list of dangerous and deadly secret's that the George Bush Junior government held and also helped me justify my sometimes uncomplimentary thoughts of the US government past.

Naomi Watts plays the lead role with feeling however her contribution to the film was unremarkable and I felt that any number of Hollywood actresses could have done equal if not more justice to the role.

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