MOLLY'S GAME : Tuesday 6th February 2018.

'MOLLY'S GAME' which I saw on Tuesday evening this week is Written and Directed, in his fimmmkaing debut, by Aaron Sorkin, who has here based his first film on the memoir 'Molly's Game: From Hollywood's Elite to Wall Street's Billionaire Boys Club, My High-Stakes Adventure in the World of Underground Poker' by Molly Bloom. The Molly Bloom in question here is a former American poker entrepreneur who in April 2013 was charged with running a high-stakes poker game that originated in the Viper Room in Los Angeles and attracted wealthy individuals and business tycoons, sports figures, Hollywood celebrities including Tobey Maguire, Ben Affleck, Leonardo DiCaprio and Macauley Caulkin amongst others, and the Russian Mob. She was cleared of many charges and sentenced in 2014 to one year of probation, a $1,000 fine, and 200 hours of community service. The film Premiered at TIFF back in early September last year, and went on release in the US on Christmas Day 2017 and has received much critical acclaim for Sorkin's screenplay and the performances of its principal cast. Costing US$30M to make, the film has so far grossed US$50M, has received much positive press, and has garnered so far three wins and 33 other nominations, some which are still at the decision pending stage including the Academy Award and BAFTA nod for Best Adapted Screenplay. Aaron Sorkin's other big screen writing credits include 'A Few Good Men', 'The American President', 'Charlie Wilson's War', 'The Social Network' (for which he won an Academy Award), 'Moneyball' and 'Steve Jobs', as well a television's highly successful 'The West Wing' series amongst others.

And so based on a true story, this crime drama stars Jessica Chastain as Molly Bloom, a world class moguls skier who while qualifying for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games suffers a serious injury so ending her Olympic aspirations. Licking her rounds and instead of moving to law school as was her original plan, she moves to Los Angeles and gets a job as a bottle service waitress at a night club. She's making an OK wage plus tips, and in time meets Dean (Jeremy Strong) who runs an unsuccessful real estate business by day, but a hugely successful underground poker game by night. At first Molly becomes his office manager and Girl Friday, running chores and needless errands, but soon he gets her involved in running his poker games, all in secret and not to tell a soul. Going in she is clueless about the game, but quickly learns the language, the hands, the stakes and the personalities involved in Dean's games which include the rich and famous, movie stars, sports players, music personalities, wealthy businessmen from whom she starts to earn big tips.

As Molly begins to ingratiate herself to the regular players so the tips become from more frequent and more sizeable. She is good at what she does and keeps everything above board, maintaining meticulous records and strong (strictly business) relationships, all the while learning the intricacies of the game and the players. The most successful of whom is Player X (Michael Cera) playing a composite of some high profile Hollywood A-List Actor types. Molly aims to keep on the right side of Player X, for he has the pulling power to attract more high wealth players to Dean's games. In time however, Dean observes that Molly is becoming more independent at managing and running the games and is making plenty of money in tips - a fact that he is secretly jealous with. And so Dean delivers Molly an ultimatum, which is not to her liking, and so Dean fires her.

Molly has made a substantial sum in tips over the years, and so is hardly destitute. Musing over her new unemployed status, she decides that she is good enough at running such poker games, has a network of players who would gladly follow her, and has the credibility to make a real go of it. And so she rents a penthouse in a hotel, hires the tables and the staff to run the games, organises the catering and a well stocked bar and begins to secretly spread the word about her high stakes poker games. Player X, along with those others from Dean's games, defect over to Molly's game, and she becomes increasingly successful amassing more money from tips. All is good, until she learns that Player X has covertly been covering the losses of an initially conservative but increasingly compulsive poker player who has lost up big in recent weeks, ultimately costing him his marriage. Molly is none too pleased with Player X's unethical behaviour and the two fall out. Player X returns to Dean's game, taking all the other players with him. Overnight, Molly has gone from hero to zero!

Molly decides upon a change of scenery and heads to New York to begin a new underground poker game with a new bunch of high net worth individuals. Again, Molly proves successful, amassing enough players to be able run multiple games every week. However, in time things begin to take their toll. Despite her apparent success Molly is unable to cover her losses, when players lose and cannot afford to pay up. Her dealer convinces her to begin taking a percentage of large pots so as to be able to recover her potential losses - a fact that she is at first reluctant to undertake, but sees the sense in it and agrees.

One of her players is arrested and convicted for running a Ponzi Scheme which in turn leads to an investigation into Molly's poker games and who the other players involved were/are. At about this time, the pressure is mounting and Molly takes to drugs and alcohol to settle her nerves and ease the stress. Another player, Douglas Downey (Chris O'Dowd) who is infatuated with Molly, introduces wealthy individuals from the Russian Mafia to her game, although Molly is unaware of their mob connections. At the same time Molly is approached by the Italian Mafia who offer to coerce money from players who have racked up debts with Molly, but she politely declines. A few days later at the start of the two week Christmas break period, Molly is attacked in her apartment where she is held at gunpoint, badly beaten, robbed of her cash and jewels and her mother threatened with her life.

Having nursed her wounds and remained holed up in her apartment for two weeks over the Christmas break gradually healing, Molly is ready to return to her poker games. A phone call comes through from Downey in a panic warning her that the FBI is about to descend upon her, as a result of his informing on her. All of her assets are seized and she returns home to live with her mother Charlene (Claire Rankin).

Two years later, and Molly has published her book recounting her story, her rise, her downfall and naming a number of names associated with her games. In the meantime, Molly is arrested by the FBI together with thirty or so others as part of a money laundering scheme and illegal sports gambling operation in cahoots with the Mafia. She seeks out the support of Charlie Jaffey (Idris Elba) a high profile and very expensive New York lawyer who is reluctant at first to take her case. He however, agrees to help her after learning that she has over US$2M in unclaimed gambling debts and after reading her book which indicates to him that there is insufficient evidence pointing to criminal activity or wrongdoing to warrant a prison sentence.

While this is going on and the trial is awaited, Molly's estranged father Larry (Kevin Costner) who is a noted clinical psychologist, seeks out Molly having read about, and heard about her case in the news, in an attempt to reconcile with his only daughter. He admits that he was over bearing, domineering and demanding of her as a child, but that it was out of love and wanting the best for her in life. However, Larry has a skeleton in his cupboard that only Molly knew about, albeit subconsciously, and this is why he treated her differently to his two older sons who have both gone on to carve out very successful careers for themselves.

Bloom was looking down the barrel of a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, and a US$1.5M fine. On the day of the court hearing, Molly pleads guilty to a lesser charge for her involvement in the operation and was sentenced to a years probation, a US$1,000 fine, and 200 hours of community service much to her and Larrry's surprise, with the Judge practically dismissing the case on the grounds that there was little evidence to demonstrate any real criminal activity.

'Molly's Game' is a solid Directorial debut for Sorkin and has all his usual trademarks of rapid fire dialogue; sports, celebrities and underworld dealings; a strong female protagonist in Chastain and an equally strong support from Idris Elba. The film runs long at 140 minutes, but it moves along at a good pace and seldom leaves you wanting. You do however, need to pay attention as the film darts back and forth from the present day back to Molly's early childhood years learning to perfect her skiing moves under her ever present, demanding and relentless father, and her rebellious teenage years that influenced what she was to become. Then there is the language of the game itself and the images that flick up on the screen of winning hand combinations; then not to forget the confident quick paced dialogue delivered by lawyer Charlie Jaffey in conversation with Molly or defending her case to the Prosecutor's or plea bargaining; and then finally the back to front nature by which the film plays out which we see in flashbacks. The film is entertaining enough and well worth the price of your ticket entry for Chastain's performance alone if nothing else, and to see her sparring with Idris Elba, but in between the moments of razor sharp quickly delivered narrative and exposition, and the action of the poker table and its myriad of players, the film does drag its heels somewhat which elevates the film to the ranks of top card game movies, but doesn't surpass them.

-Steve, at Odeon Online- 

ST. VINCENT : Thursday 12th February 2015.

This film was released in Australia on Boxing Day last year and it has taken me this long to see 'ST. VINCENT', but it was worth the wait I'd have to say! Directed by Theodore Melfi and made for US$13M it has so far made US$53M as at 3rd February, and this dramedy has garnered five award wins and another seventeen nominations including two Golden Globes for Best Film and Best Lead for it's starring Actor, Bill Murray.





This story introduces us to sixty-something old curmudgeon Vincent (Bill Murray), living in some down beat house in a Brooklyn back street, all on his lonesome and seemingly very happy with his lot. He drinks a lot, smokes a lot, eats not much, is shabbily dressed, bets money he can ill afford at the racetrack, is in debt, smooches about and listens to all his favourite tunes of yesteryear on his Walkman tape deck seemingly without a care in the world or any hangers on except his cat - that eats better than he does! We are quickly introduced to Russian Daka (his once a week physical contact with the opposite sex) who is a 'lady of the night' as she is later described, heavily pregnant and played by an almost unrecognisable Naomi Watts. She flits in and out of his life frequently, even in between 'turns' as though she is part of the furniture, and it's never fully confirmed if she is the girlfriend and if the baby she is carrying is his - although he is there every step of the way for her.

One day a new neighbour turns up with young son in tow. Mother Maggie (Melissa McCarthy, playing it down) is going through a bitter divorce and moves in right next door with Oliver (Jaeden Lieberher) who introduce themselves when the removalist truck they have rented backs into a tree knocks down a heavy branch and it lands on the bonnet of Vincent's car. He is none too pleased, and so the relationship begins. Maggie works as a hospital assistant and when expected to work back late one afternoon has no one to care for young Oliver after school and so it's Vincent very reluctantly to the rescue - begrudgingly and only for a small fee of $11 an hour . . . always the opportunist too it seems!

As time progresses Vincent's becomes the paid babysitter, and in time the two, young and old, form an unlikely bond. Vincent takes Oliver to the racetrack, to his local Bar, feeds him a sushi dinner at home (sardines straight from the tin, and crackers), and teaches him to defend himself against the bully at school. All of this of course is going on in isolation to Mum Maggie, who is clueless about the relationship that is unfolding. We come to learn more of Vincent's 'secret' past through the people that the pair come into contact with - his time spent in Vietnam, his sick wife in a nearby nursing home, Daka dropping in and out, and various others all on the periphery of his life.

It's an engaging story, but of course it's not all good for the two new friends! There is the inevitable parting of the waves when the two fall out and Mum comes to learn of what Vincent has been exposing young Oliver too as it plays out in a custody scene in court. But, what goes around comes around as Oliver's teacher - God fearing and down to earth Catholic Priest Brother Geraghty (Chris O'Dowd) tasks his young pupils with writing a story of a person they have contact with on why they should qualify for a Sainthood. The school class is given two weeks in which to do their research and then present their nominees on stage at school in front of gathered parents, friends and school staff.

Young Oliver secretly nominates Vincent and begins to research his past with the people he has come to meet through their friendship. It seems there is much more to Vincent than anyone really knows, and this beer swilling, cigarette chewing, cantankerous, opinionated, lazy loud guy who has seen a fair share of tragedy in his own life, must be more saintly than we realise.

There are some laugh out loud moments in this film, particularly at the beginning as things begin to ramp up and we get to know Vincent. It then sinks into some melodramatic moments before the final tear jerking emotional final chapter when all is good in the world and the stars align for Vincent, his new family and his new neighbours. It's a feel good film and Bill Murray gives a good turn playing Bill Murray as you would imagine him to be when he's not acting for a living! Given that this has been on general release now for about six weeks or so, you can catch it soon on DVD and BluRay and it's worth it for a night in and a film of human frailty, and a dose of heart and humour.

  
-Steve, at Odeon Online-

CALVARY - Thursday 3rd July 2014

After all the rave Reviews I just had to go see 'CALVARY' last night, and did so at The Cremorne Orpheum Picture Palace . . . and was not disappointed, at all! This is a stirring, bleak, haunting film that will leave you thinking well after the credits have rolled. Once again after the 2011 'The Guard' made such an impact, the pairing of Director/Writer John Michael McDonagh and his actor compadre Brendan Gleeson, have delivered a film that hits many high notes.

Set in County Sligo on the unforgiving north-west coast of Ireland we have Father James Lavelle (Brendan Gleeson, never better!) who has come to the Priesthood later on in life following the death of his beloved wife, and a period it seems where he crawled inside a bottle of Irish Whiskey. Turning his back on his daughter Fiona (an excellent Kelly Reilly playing 'fractured' beautifully) he chose to pursue his 'calling' and ultimately ended up in Sligo. With a small local flock to attend to, one day while taking Confessional a member of his congregation enters the box and we learn that from aged seven was abused every other day for five years by the local Priest, who has since died! But this member of the congregation (who is unknown to us at this stage) wants to exact revenge on the Catholic Church for letting this be, and for letting countless other Priests do likewise throughout their history. Now, someone must answer for those heinous sins, and so the gauntlet is thrown down that this confession giver will kill Father James Lavelle seven days from now down at the beach. Father James therefore has seven days to get his house in order before an innocent Priest will be murdered, on a Sunday, and held to account for all the prior sins of the Catholic Church.

The film therefore is set over the following seven days, and during that time we learn more of Father James and the relationship he has with his daughter Fiona, who visits on Monday and stays until Friday. We learn more of the relationships with the other members of the congregation all of whom have lost faith in the Catholic Church and what is stands/stood for, all of whom are damaged goods in some way and carry emotional baggage from previous lives/experiences/relationships, and all of whom could potentially be our would-be killer.

Included in this strong supporting cast are Dylan Moran (as Michael Fitzgerald - the local lord of the manor, self made multi-millionaire but desperately unhappy); Chris O'Dowd (Jack Brennan - the local butcher, nursing a totally broken marital relationship); M. Emmet Walsh (the local ageing Writer and best selling American Author now resident in remote Sligo);  and Aidan Gillen (Dr. Franke Harte who you probably wouldn't want by your bedside in the event of an emergency!). As the story unfolds day by day, local character by local character, and there are more 'mishaps' as Sunday approaches we learn of the underlying hatred for the Catholic Church and even Father James as its representative, because of it.

Brendan Gleeson shines as Father James Lavelle and is in practically every scene on screen. He delivers his character with conviction and with a steadfast resolve despite his community seemingly rising up against him and his Church. Director John Michael McDonagh gives us a rich dialogue; the humour is black; the story is as confronting as it is moving; the location is bleak, harsh and desperate; and when the final showdown comes you might find it as unexpected as it is a relief!

This is truly an engrossing film, and a must-watch for 2014.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-                                                                        

   

    

What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 3rd July 2014.

The school holidays are upon us once again, the outdoor temperatures have become decidedly chillier, sport is off for the duration of the break and only the die-hards are out in the surf! That said, there is still plenty of opportunity to settle down in a warm movie theatre and catch those films still doing the rounds that have been Previewed previously, as well as checking out another raft of new offerings to entice you out on a cold Winter's afternoon or evening. This week there are six new movies that again offer something for everyone. Of course for holiday season we have a colourful animated sequel set somewhere in Brazil for the younger ones amongst us (no FIFA references here though!); there is a bio-pic of a 60's iconic band that everyone has heard about and may have seen already in the stage adaptation of their story; there is a documentary made by a couple of well known magicians trying to solve some historical magic of their own; a French cycling fanatic going large in the biggest two wheeled peddle power cross-country race in the known universe; an Aussie teenage coming of age tale as the lives of four kids on the edge of adulthood become intertwined; and a revenge film pointed squarely at the misgivings of the Catholic Church from within a small Irish community.

Truly a global feel to this weeks latest releases taking us from South America to North America to Ireland to France, to our own backyard here in Australia and a few other stop-offs along the way! Get out and see something on the big screen, and then drop me a line and let me know your thoughts!

CALVARY (Rated MA15+) - Brendan Gleeson stars here as Father James Lavelle, a Catholic Priest in the small Irish community in County Sligo. Taking confessional one fine day he learns that one of his flock has decided to kill him one week from now. And so is set in motion a cat and mouse game as Father James seeks to uncover the would-be killer, save himself, and the name of his Church which the majority of his congregation seem to have lost faith in and would all have some reason in turning against it, and the Priest. This is Gleeson's second pairing with Director and Screenwriter John Michael McDonagh after 2011's excellent 'The Guard'. Again as with that film the subject matter may be considered confronting, the writing solid, the dialogue sharp, the comedy black, and the performances in fine form from Gleeson especially and a very capable cast including Chris O'Dowd, Dylan Moran, Domhnall Gleeson and Kelly Reilly (playing Father James grown and troubled daughter). A must-see, and if you liked 'The Guard' then this is sure to please.

JERSEY BOYS (Rated M) - Clint Eastwood has once again got his Director's hat on and has taken the stage adaptation of this Frankie Valli and his 60's music sensation band 'The Four Seasons', and given it the big screen treatment. Using big screen unknown but stage renowned acting and singing talent for the lead role especially from the 'Jersey Boys' theatre production, Eastwood has crafted the story based around the kids early lives, their break through into music and eventual stardom and the gambling, the debts, the differences in musical and creative opinion, the Mafioso threats, divided families and such melodrama to add weight to the musical numbers that you will instantly recognise, and tap your feet to. Starring John Lloyd Young (Frankie Valli), Vincent Piazza (Tommy DeVito), Michael Lomenda (Nick Massi) and Bob Gaudio (Erich Bergen) with always dependable Christopher Walken supporting, this is likely to please those fans of The Four Seasons and the musical bio-pic genre.

GALORE (Rated MA15+) - this is an Aussie coming of age drama film set amid the backdrop of the Canberra bush fires in 2003. Four young lives on the cusp of adulthood become interwoven as Billie (Ashleigh Cummings) and best mate Laura (Lily Sullivan) share their innermost secrets . . . except one, and that is Billie's secret longing for Laura's boyfriend Danny (Toby Wallace). When Billie's mother takes in troubled teen Isaac (Aliki Matangi) this stranger impacts upon the careful balance of the three teen lives causing more disruption and uncertainty. With bush fires ranging and inching ever closer the four immerse themselves in each other, their teen angst, parties, alcohol, love, lust and desire with consequences that could change their delicate lives forever.

TOUR DE FORCE (Rated M) - manic cycling family man Francois (Clovis Cornillac) decides to join up with the Tour de France while in a drunken stupor commiserating the loss of his family after they walk out on him because of his two wheel pedal powering obsession! In no time at all he has recruited a Manager, a crew to provide road support en-route, and a surrogate 'family' to cheer him on his way. Needless to say all goes well and he quickly acquires a cult following in the media, but along this journey of discovery through the mountains and meadows all cannot be so well, and various predictable plot contrivances will doubtless conspire to deliver humour, emotion, awakening and redemption from the Peloton, his disjointed family status and his all enveloping obsession.

TIM'S VERMEER (Rated M) - this is an historical journey attempting to uncover the reasons why Dutch Master painter of the 17th Century, Johannes Vermeer, was able to paint his famed artworks (Girl with the Pearl Earring amongst others) with almost a photo-realism . . . two hundred years or so before the invention of the camera! The guys behind this quest are the renowned magician double act Penn & Teller, with Teller taking the Directing credit behind the camera, and partner Penn Jillette taking a Producing, Writing and Narrative credit in front of the camera. But it is wealthy inventor Tim Jenison, who is seeking to uncover the truth behind this centuries old puzzle to prove that Vermeer did in fact use various optical devices to create his stunning imagery on canvas. Looking to clarify the lines between art, science and obsession this documentary film charts an eight year work that takes in the painters place of work in Holland, a meeting with famed British painter David Hockney and to the Royal Household at Buckingham Palace to view one of the Queen's Vermeer artworks in her own collection. This film is likely to fascinate or frustrate, and will not be for everyone, but, you'll need to see the film to learn what is ultimately uncovered and the conclusions drawn.

RIO 2 (Rated G) - following hot on the heels of the 2011 animated hit, comes the sequel of various tropical brightly feathered family and friends this time transporting them to the deepest darkest Amazon, where they have been transplanted from colourful, exciting, energetic Rio de Janiero. Featuring the voice talents of Anne Hathaway, Bruno Mars, Jamie Foxx, Jessie Eisenberg and Andy Garcia amongst others the same avian characters are back but in new surroundings discovering long lost in-laws and overcoming the challenges that ensue when you rock-up suddenly unannounced! Along the way there are dazzling musical routines, chases through the undergrowth and above the forest canopies, and various pratfalls to be expected when you drop a crew in unfamiliar territory and out of their comfort zone. Visually colourful and dazzling as the first film was, this is sure to please the younger audience with what it is!

Six offerings to entertain and possibly educate, and amuse in one way or another. Enjoy your cinematic experience(s) this coming week, and when you're done . . . tell a friend, and this Blog!

Movies - see as many as you can!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-