Author: James Partridge

Cannes 2014 Review: ‘The Rover’

Posted by | May 20, 2014 |

Animal Kingdom set the bar high as far as debut features go. So could Aussie writer-director David Michod hit the same heights with his dystopian sophomore thriller The Rover? The answer: not quite. It’s a gripping watch that is ultimately let down by the film’s conclusion. Set 10 years after the collapse of the western economic system, Australia’s mineral resources have brought some decidedly dangerous people to its shores and created a society in decline and dystopian wasteland. It’s there we meet Eric, a drifter with nothing left but his car. When his vehicle is stolen by a criminal gang, Eric sets off to retrieve the only possession that Along the way Eric find some unlikely help in the form of Rey, the younger brother of one of the gang members, who was left for dead after their latest heist. The journey to reunite Eric with his car and Rey with his brother – both looking for justice – is not an easy one and they must rely on each other heavily. But with their journey nearing its end, Eric must figure our whose side Rey is really on. I think Guy Pearce is a superb and versatile actor, and once again he’s on fine form. Pearce and Michod worked well together on Animal Kingdom and clearly bring the best out in each other. You really feel his character’s...

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Cannes 2014 Review: ‘Mr. Turner’

Posted by | May 19, 2014 |

The story of a British landscape painter may sound about as riveting as watching the paint dry on one of his 19th Century masterpieces. But not so with Mike Leigh’s Mr. Turner – a beautiful and engaging portrait of an unrefined artistic genius. Documenting the last 25 years of J.M.W. Turner’s life, we begin in Holland, where Turner is painting a windmill and its associated vista. This opening scene tells us everything we need to know about him: this is not a refined man but his brilliance is beyond compare. The scene is so stunning, you’re not actually sure if you’re look at a painting or reality. From here we are introduced to Turner’s life and the influences on his work. Turner is obsessed with light as he works from his home studio in London, where masterpieces grace his in-home showroom. Although publicly revered, he continues to strive for the recognition of his peers. His all-consuming passion has blinded Turner to those closest to him who support his genius. He uses his love-stuck housemaid for sex, he neglects his ex-mistress and their two children, and even his father (who he clearly cares about) is reduced to running errands and purchasing supplies. For all his faults, Turner yearns for someone to care ‘for him’ – not for the artist everyone sees. Eventually he finds that love with a landlady in Margate...

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Cannes 2014 Review: ‘Grace of Monaco’

Posted by | May 16, 2014 |

Princess Grace of Monaco – formally Oscar-winning American actress Grace Kelly – is a beloved historical figure. She captured the hearts of millions. It’s a shame then that this film won’t. Our story begins in 1962, 6 years after Kelly married Monaco’s Prince Rainier III. With their marriage on the rocks, Grace is visited by her old friend Alfred Hitchcock, who offers her a comeback role in his next picture, Marnie. But with France threatening to invade Monaco for being a tax haven, Monaco needs a ‘Princess of the People’ and Grace finds herself torn between her new role, her family and her passion. While this all sounds intriguing and glamorous, the film comes across as a clumsy and heavy-handed fantasy of what life for Kelly would have been like during that period. It’s deliberately shot in 60/70’s Hitchcock-inspired style, complete with over-lit locations and obvious green-screen driving sequences. However, these actually take you out of the film, rather than drawing you in. I swore it looked like had been made in LA, only to find out later it was actually shot in Monaco. Add an overly sentimental script, a bunch of events which never took place, huge jumps in tone, one-dimensional characters, wooden performances, and execution that boarders on amateur dramatics…and you have a howler of an opening night film. The audience was laughing out loud in parts – and...

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Cinema Release Round-Up: 15 May

Posted by | May 15, 2014 |

An iconic movie monster returns! Godzilla stomps his way into cinemas this week – hopefully crushing any remaining trace of the 1998 Roland Emmerich disaster. But if the world’s most famous Kaiju isn’t for you, there are five other movies to choose from, including two great looking documentaries: Aim High in Creation and In Search of Chopin. . Opening today: . GODZILLA……FILM OF THE WEEK USA | 123 minutes | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller Director: Gareth Edwards (Monsters) Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Olsen, Ken Watanabe, Juliette Binoche, David Strathairn, CJ Adams, Sally Hawkins, Richard T. Jones Humankind’s scientific arrogance unleashes a giant winged beast that threatens our very existence, and the only thing that can stop it is an ancient alpha predator that the governments of the world have kept secret for decades. Prepare for an epic monster showdown. My excitement level has been through the roof since Gareth Edwards was named as director. I can’t wait to see the result. Distributor: Warner Brothers . AIM HIGH IN CREATION Australia, North Korea, South Korea, Japan | 96 minutes | Comedy, Documentary Director: Anna Broinowski (Forbidden Lie$) Featuring: Anna Broinowski A comedic documentary in which an Aussie filmmaker wants to make a propaganda film to stop the construction of a gas mine near her Sydney home, so she travels to North Korea to learn from the masters. Looks...

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