Image via http://www.thechronicle.com.au
This psychological thriller compellingly portrays the reality of toxic relationships and doesn’t let up from start to end. Continue reading
The Invisible Man (2020)
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Military Wives (2019)
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Image via http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk
My comfort food is mashed potato and gravy, which is not a bad analogy for (Full Monty (1997)) Peter Cattaneo’s choir-based feel-good movie. It’s warm and predictable with just enough flavour to keep it interesting. The beats are predictable, the ending assured, the tissues needed, but the performances of leads Sharon Horgan and Kristin Scott Thomas elevate it to something more. Continue reading
National Theatre Live: Fleabag (2019)
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Image via http://www.maketheswitch.com.au
Having just watched Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Crashing (2016) (available on Netflix), I am now a big fan of her vulnerable, heartfelt comedy. The two seasons of her TV show Fleabag (2016-17) are on my to-watch-list, delayed only by the need to purchase them. It seemed apt to see the one person show that began Fleabag’s story and thank goodness for Cinema Nova for screening National Theatre live versions of hit shows, including this one. Continue reading
The Translators (Les Traducteurs) (2019)
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Image via http://www.palacefilms.com.au
I like the resurgence of clever whodunnits, particularly the ones that are character-driven and unpredictable. With The Translators, director Régis Roinsard takes an unlikely but compelling story and fills it with dense narrative, quirky characters and some truly unexpected plot twists. Continue reading
Greener Grass (2019)
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Image via miff.com.au
What a delight this wacky film is, steeped in saturated pastels and sharp, contemporary satire. Continue reading
Adam (2019)
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Image via miff.com.au
Like a sweet, golden, flaky pastry served with a bitter coffee, Maryam Touzani’s Adam is full of warmth, sorrow and satisfaction. Continue reading
The Lodge (2019)
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Image via miff.com.au
Austrian directors Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz have crafted a frosty and compelling suspense with horror overtones. It surpasses Hereditary (2018) with its eery themes of rural isolation and family dysfunction. Continue reading
Dark Place (2019)
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Image from Killer Native via miff.com.au
Dark Place is an anthology of short, horror films by Australian Indigenous filmmakers and it’s an indictment of Australia that they don’t need to exaggerate reality much for it to be horror. Continue reading
His Lost Name (Yoake) (2018)
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Image via miff.com.au
This understated and enigmatic drama by Nanako Hirose is surprisingly meditative and captivating, although occasionally frustrating and ultimately unsatisfying. Continue reading
Take Me Somewhere Nice (2019)
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Image via miff.com.au
“The hardest thing in life is letting go of those you hold dear. After that, everything is easy.” Continue reading
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