A couple of weeks ago I posted an overview of the 2019 Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) now in full swing and running from Thursday 1st August through until Sunday 18th August. Melbourne is a significant city in the history of film with 1906's 'The Story of the Kelly Gang' being the world's first full-length feature film and filmed in the city. Established in 1952, the MIFF is one of the oldest film festivals in the world and has become the most notable screen event in Australia. An iconic Melbourne event, the festival takes place annually in various theatres within the Melbourne CBD, presenting an acclaimed screening program including films from local and international filmmakers, alongside industry events.I featured an overview of Australian Films, International Films and Headliners in that earlier post, so this time I'll turn attention to two of the other strands featured during the festival.
Animation :
Offering filmmakers a freedom unavailable in live action, Animation brings us some of the most inventive and extraordinary films. As a way to explore troubling histories, equally troublesome contemporary realities, flights of fancy and heartfelt coming-of-age tales that could only be told through this medium, these films bring to life wildly imaginative stories.
* 'Bunuel in the Labyrinth of Turtles' : from Holland and Spain and Directed by Salvador Simo.
* 'Cats' : from China and Directed by Gary Wang.
* 'Children of the Sea' : from Japan and Directed by Ayumu Watanabe.
* 'Funan' : from Cambodia, Belgium, France and Luxembourg, and Directed by Denis Do.
* 'I Lost My Body' : from France and Directed by Jeremy Clapin and winner of the Cannes Critics Week Grand Prix.
* 'Okko's Inn' : from Japan, and Directed by Kitaro Kosaka.
* 'The Swallows of Kabul' : from France and Directed by Elea Gobbe-Mevellec and Zabou Breitman.
* 'Violence Voyager' : from Japan and Directed by Ujicha.
Night Shift :
This is the home of things that go bump in the dark, weird, eerie, outlandish and hilarious cinematic spaces. It offers die-hard genre lovers with a taste for the provocative and unusual all the aliens, sci-fi puppet violence, possessed clothing, surreal suburbs and Indigenous horror they can handle. From creepy psychological thrillers and stoner comedy to misunderstood masterpieces and uncanny horror fables. Included in this strand are :
* 'Berberian Sound Studio' ; from the UK and Directed by Peter Strickland and starring Toby Jones.
* 'Come to Daddy' : from the USA, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand, and Directed by Ant Timpson and starring Elijah Wood.
* 'Dark Place' : from Australia and Directed by five up & coming Indigenous film makers Bjorn Stewart, Kodie Bedford, Liam Phillips, Perun Bonser and Rob Braslin with a horror anthology made up of 'Killer Native', 'Scout', 'Foe', 'The Shore' and 'Vale Light' respectively.
* 'In Fabric' : from the UK, and Directed by Peter Strickland and starring Gwendloine Christie.* 'The Dead Don't Die' : from the USA and Directed by Jim Jarmusch and starring Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Danny Glover, Steve Buscemi, Iggy Pop, Tilda Swinton, Tom Waits, Rosie Perez, Selena Gomez, Chloe Sevigny, Carol Kane and Caleb Landry Jones.
* 'Deerskin' : from France and Directed by Quentin Dupieux and starring Adele Haenel and Jean Dujardin.
* 'Extra Ordinary' : from Belgium and Ireland and Directed by Enda Loughman and Mike Ahern and starring Will Forte, Maeve Higgins and Claudia O'Doherty.
* 'Koko-Di Koko-Da' : from Denmark and Sweden and Directed by Johannes Nyholm and starring Leif Edlund and Peter Belli.
* 'The Lodge' : from the USA and UK, and Directed by Severin Fiala, Veronika Franz and starring Alicia Silverstone, Richard Armitage and Riley Keough.
* 'Memory - The Origins of 'Alien'' : from the USA and Directed by Alexandre O Phillipe.
* 'Something Else' : from the USA and Directed by Christian Stella and Jeremy Gardner and starring Brea Grant and Jeremy Gardner.
You can get more details of these films and others featured in these strands, together with all the news and views of the Melbourne International Film Festival at the official website, at : https://www.miff.com.au/
This week we have five latest release cinematic offerings coming to an Odeon near you. Kicking off then, we have a horror film set amongst the backdrop of a folk festival in rural Sweden that occurs just once every ninety years, and for small group of American and English ring-ins this seemingly harmless summertime festival soon turns their world upside down and inside out. We then have an Aussie dramedy set on Sydney's Northern Beaches that could be described as 'Home and Away' for Seniors as a group of long term friends celebrate a birthday with an old secret and harboured resentments coming to the fore to mire the festivities. Next up is an American dramedy about an almost has-been late night TV host who is saved from the axe by a young Indian decent woman with a skill for writing and a sharp wit. We then turn to a Vietnam War film featuring an infamous battle that occurred in August 1966 between the Australian forces and the local Viet Cong for which both sides claimed victory; and we close out the week with a true story of a white lion in Africa rescued by a young teenage English girl and guided through the African Savannah to find a safe haven for her special four legged friend.
Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the five latest release new movies as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release and as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are most welcome to share your movie going thoughts, opinions and observations by leaving your relevant, succinct and appropriate views in the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the coming week.
'MIDSOMMAR' (Rated R18+) - this folk horror film is Directed and Written by Ari Aster of 'Hereditary' fame - his highly praised feature length supernatural psychological horror Directorial debut starring Toni Collette, Ann Dowd and Gabriele Byrne which grossed US$80M off the back of a US$10M production budget. This film was made for US$9M, was released in the US and the UK in early July, has so far grossed US$32M and has been widely praised by Critics.
With their relationship in trouble, a young American couple - Dani Ardor (Florence Pugh) and Christian Hughes (Jack Reynor) travel to a fabled Swedish midsummer festival that occurs but once every ninety years where a seemingly rural country paradise transforms into a sinister, dread-soaked nightmare as the locals reveal their terrifying agenda. Also starring Will Poulter, William Jackson Harper and Vilhelm Blomgren.
'PALM BEACH' (Rated M) - Directed and Co-Written by Australian Actress, film and television Director and Screenwriter Rachel Ward this Australian drama comedy offering stars an ensemble cast set amidst the back drop of Palm Beach on Sydney's Northern Beaches. To mark his 73rd birthday, Frank (Bryan Brown and real life husband of Rachel Ward) and Charlotte (Greta Scacchi) decide to throw a three-day party to celebrate at their luxurious house in Palm Beach, welcoming their nearest and dearest friends. Frank, Leo (Sam Neill) and Billy (Richard E. Grant) were once involved in a band together called 'The Pacific Sideburns' who had one hit record back in 1977 but little beyond that. Rounding out the guest list are Billy's partner, beautiful actress Eva (Heather Mitchell); Bridget (Jacqueline McKenzie), who feels that husband Leo is increasingly distant; and the hosts' children Dan and Ella - with new sheepfarmer beau Doug (Charlie Vickers and Matilda Brown and Aaron Jeffrey respectively). The party starts well as to be expected, with mouth-watering food and flowing champagne aplenty but it doesn't take long for new and old resentments to surface and, more seriously, the threat of an old secret potentially coming to light. The film had its Premier screening at the recent Sydney Film Festival.
'LATE NIGHT' (Rated M) - Canadian Director, Producer and Screenwriter Nisha Ganatra here Directs this American drama comedy offering that is Written, Co-Produced and stars Mindy Kaling in the joint lead role together with Emma Thompson. The film saw its Premier screening at the Sundance Film Festival back in late January, went on release in the US in early June, has so far grossed US$17M off the back of a mere US$4M production budget and has garnered largely positive press so far. And so legendary late-night talk show host and comedienne Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson) is told by the network President Caroline Morton (Amy Ryan) to fix up her show and grow her steadily declining ratings otherwise face the chop. Katherine's world is however, turned upside down when she hires her only female staff writer Molly Patel (Mindy Kaling) on the basis that she is an Indian-American while the rest of her writing crew are made up mostly of older white men. Originally intended to smooth over diversity concerns, her decision has unexpected hilarious consequences as the two women separated by culture and generation are united by their love of a biting punchline. Also starring John Lithgow, Hugh Dancy, Reid Scott, Denis O'Hare and Max Casella.
'DANGER CLOSE : THE BATTLE OF LONG TAN' (Rated MA15+) - this Australian Vietnam War film is Directed by Kriv Stenders whose previous film making credits include 'Red Dog', 'Kill Me Three Times', 'Red Dog : True Blue', 'Australia Day' and the made for TV movie remake of 'Wake in Fright' most recently. Made for US$35M the film charts the story of of the Battle of Long Tan on 18th August 1966 which took place in a rubber plantation near Long Tan, in South Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. The action was fought between the Viet Cong and People's Army of Viet Cong units and elements of the 1st Australian Task Force, with both sides claiming victory in the aftermath. The operation ended on 21st August. The film stars Travis Fimmel as Major Harry Smith who was the Commanding Officer during the battle, Luke Bracey, Richard Roxburgh, Matt Doran and Stephen Peacocke.
'MIA AND THE WHITE LION' (Rated PG) - this French produced family adventure film is Directed and Co-Produced by Gilles de Maistre and was released in its native France in late December last year, in the US in mid-April and now its get a theatrical run in Australia this week. The film has so far made US$36M at the Box Office and has generated mixed or average Reviews. Mia Owen's (Daniah De Villiers) life gets turned upside down when her family decides to leave London to manage a lion farm in South Africa. When a beautiful white lion named Charlie is born, the 10-year-old finds happiness once again as she develops a special bond with the growing cub. When Mia uncovers a secret that puts Charlie, now aged three, in danger, she sets out on an incredible journey across the wild South African Savannah in search of a sanctuary for her beloved friend. Also starring Melanie Laurent, Langley Kirkwood and Ryan MacLennan as the rest of the Owen family.
With five new release movies this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephile friends afterwards here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you sometime somewhere in the week ahead, at your local Odeon.
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
This week we have five latest release cinematic offerings coming to an Odeon near you. Kicking off then, we have a horror film set amongst the backdrop of a folk festival in rural Sweden that occurs just once every ninety years, and for small group of American and English ring-ins this seemingly harmless summertime festival soon turns their world upside down and inside out. We then have an Aussie dramedy set on Sydney's Northern Beaches that could be described as 'Home and Away' for Seniors as a group of long term friends celebrate a birthday with an old secret and harboured resentments coming to the fore to mire the festivities. Next up is an American dramedy about an almost has-been late night TV host who is saved from the axe by a young Indian decent woman with a skill for writing and a sharp wit. We then turn to a Vietnam War film featuring an infamous battle that occurred in August 1966 between the Australian forces and the local Viet Cong for which both sides claimed victory; and we close out the week with a true story of a white lion in Africa rescued by a young teenage English girl and guided through the African Savannah to find a safe haven for her special four legged friend.
Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the five latest release new movies as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release and as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are most welcome to share your movie going thoughts, opinions and observations by leaving your relevant, succinct and appropriate views in the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the coming week.
'MIDSOMMAR' (Rated R18+) - this folk horror film is Directed and Written by Ari Aster of 'Hereditary' fame - his highly praised feature length supernatural psychological horror Directorial debut starring Toni Collette, Ann Dowd and Gabriele Byrne which grossed US$80M off the back of a US$10M production budget. This film was made for US$9M, was released in the US and the UK in early July, has so far grossed US$32M and has been widely praised by Critics.
'PALM BEACH' (Rated M) - Directed and Co-Written by Australian Actress, film and television Director and Screenwriter Rachel Ward this Australian drama comedy offering stars an ensemble cast set amidst the back drop of Palm Beach on Sydney's Northern Beaches. To mark his 73rd birthday, Frank (Bryan Brown and real life husband of Rachel Ward) and Charlotte (Greta Scacchi) decide to throw a three-day party to celebrate at their luxurious house in Palm Beach, welcoming their nearest and dearest friends. Frank, Leo (Sam Neill) and Billy (Richard E. Grant) were once involved in a band together called 'The Pacific Sideburns' who had one hit record back in 1977 but little beyond that. Rounding out the guest list are Billy's partner, beautiful actress Eva (Heather Mitchell); Bridget (Jacqueline McKenzie), who feels that husband Leo is increasingly distant; and the hosts' children Dan and Ella - with new sheepfarmer beau Doug (Charlie Vickers and Matilda Brown and Aaron Jeffrey respectively). The party starts well as to be expected, with mouth-watering food and flowing champagne aplenty but it doesn't take long for new and old resentments to surface and, more seriously, the threat of an old secret potentially coming to light. The film had its Premier screening at the recent Sydney Film Festival.
'LATE NIGHT' (Rated M) - Canadian Director, Producer and Screenwriter Nisha Ganatra here Directs this American drama comedy offering that is Written, Co-Produced and stars Mindy Kaling in the joint lead role together with Emma Thompson. The film saw its Premier screening at the Sundance Film Festival back in late January, went on release in the US in early June, has so far grossed US$17M off the back of a mere US$4M production budget and has garnered largely positive press so far. And so legendary late-night talk show host and comedienne Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson) is told by the network President Caroline Morton (Amy Ryan) to fix up her show and grow her steadily declining ratings otherwise face the chop. Katherine's world is however, turned upside down when she hires her only female staff writer Molly Patel (Mindy Kaling) on the basis that she is an Indian-American while the rest of her writing crew are made up mostly of older white men. Originally intended to smooth over diversity concerns, her decision has unexpected hilarious consequences as the two women separated by culture and generation are united by their love of a biting punchline. Also starring John Lithgow, Hugh Dancy, Reid Scott, Denis O'Hare and Max Casella.
'DANGER CLOSE : THE BATTLE OF LONG TAN' (Rated MA15+) - this Australian Vietnam War film is Directed by Kriv Stenders whose previous film making credits include 'Red Dog', 'Kill Me Three Times', 'Red Dog : True Blue', 'Australia Day' and the made for TV movie remake of 'Wake in Fright' most recently. Made for US$35M the film charts the story of of the Battle of Long Tan on 18th August 1966 which took place in a rubber plantation near Long Tan, in South Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. The action was fought between the Viet Cong and People's Army of Viet Cong units and elements of the 1st Australian Task Force, with both sides claiming victory in the aftermath. The operation ended on 21st August. The film stars Travis Fimmel as Major Harry Smith who was the Commanding Officer during the battle, Luke Bracey, Richard Roxburgh, Matt Doran and Stephen Peacocke.
'MIA AND THE WHITE LION' (Rated PG) - this French produced family adventure film is Directed and Co-Produced by Gilles de Maistre and was released in its native France in late December last year, in the US in mid-April and now its get a theatrical run in Australia this week. The film has so far made US$36M at the Box Office and has generated mixed or average Reviews. Mia Owen's (Daniah De Villiers) life gets turned upside down when her family decides to leave London to manage a lion farm in South Africa. When a beautiful white lion named Charlie is born, the 10-year-old finds happiness once again as she develops a special bond with the growing cub. When Mia uncovers a secret that puts Charlie, now aged three, in danger, she sets out on an incredible journey across the wild South African Savannah in search of a sanctuary for her beloved friend. Also starring Melanie Laurent, Langley Kirkwood and Ryan MacLennan as the rest of the Owen family.With five new release movies this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephile friends afterwards here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you sometime somewhere in the week ahead, at your local Odeon.
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
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