Joker (2019) Movie Review

JOKER (2019) MOVIE REVIEW

Controversy can often result in casual movie goers and critics alike to be split when discussing the quality of any kind of film. In Jokers case, the rhetorical pot that writer and director Todd Phillips has stirred is nothing short of insane, much like this movie. Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) is resented and mistreated by society due to his profession as a clown and his mental status. Fleck continually loses his sanity as we are shown his eventual transformation into the clown prince of crime. 

The story we are taken on within Fleck’s mind is one not to be taken lightly. Beginning as an indifferent member of Gotham City and eventually becoming the cities’ most dangerous criminal is a journey that all involved handled to near perfection. Many have criticised the film due to expectations not being met and not what they expected from the movie. While this is valid, there is no denying the quality of film that was formulated and much of this can be attributed to the remarkable performance given by Joaquin Phoenix. With over 20 different actors having portrayed the infamous character, both voice actors and film included, Phoenix may very well be within the upper echelon. His uncontrollable fits of laughter, his mannerisms and the way he presented himself made for one of Joaquin’s greatest performances in a career littered with unforgettable and academy award nominated roles including Gladiator and his depiction of Johnny Cash in Walk the Line. Not to be overlooked are Robert De Niro and Zazie Beetz who both deliver masterful performances respectively. 

Cinematography can often make a film feel distinct for both good and bad reasons. The way a film looks can change a viewer’s perception of whether a great film is mediocre or vice versa.  Thankfully in Joker’s case, the camera work done makes the movie an oddly beautiful one despite Gotham City looking as eerie and repulsing as some of the violent acts committed throughout the runtime. 

Joker may be causing controversy now but don’t let that stop you from checking this instant classic. Thanks to beautiful cinematography, terrific performances and a subtle but startling score that builds up throughout Fleck’s descension into madness, Joker is the best film of 2019 so far and will be looking to clean up big at the impending Academy Awards next year.

OVERALL

8 / 10

Living with Yourself - Season 1 (2019) Series Review

LIVING WITH YOURSELF - SEASON 1 (2019) SERIES REVIEW

Netflix has been continually pumping out a seemingly never-ending supply of movies and television shows to become engulfed into. The streaming service released a brand-new series called Living with Yourself which has been making waves since being made available for all to enjoy last week. Everyday man Miles (Paul Rudd) falls in a depressive, uncaring state after years of a repetitive routine with his wife Kate (Aisling Bea). Following a spa trip recommended by a co-worker, Miles’ life soon becomes incomprehensible as he discovers he has a clone and must now learn to live with a new and improved version of himself. This dramedy blends both genres together in such a charming way considering the uniqueness of the overall concept. Creator Timothy Greenberg takes full advantage of both the comedic antics and the dramatic repercussions that can transpire with having a clone throughout this eight-episode series. 

Even though having been heavily advertised as a comedy, Living with Yourself has many layers underneath it’s comical exterior ranging from the ethicality of clones existing to the sheer distress it can have on friends and family. Housing numerous comedic actors including Paul Rudd and Aisling Bea, the humour manages to work on multiple levels even when the amusement doesn’t relate to the clone’s existence. Paul Rudd does a great job in portraying both of his characters seeing as each of them are near exact opposites to one another. Opposite Rudd and Rudd is Aisling Bea as Kate who was an unforeseen standout in the series. Beginning as a one-dimensional character, she slowly evolved into my favourite character on the show thanks to her natural performance and her character-focused episode being one of my favourites. 

Editing is one of the most important aspects to any kind of film or TV show as a single mistimed edit can result in a scene’s tone becoming messy and misconstrued. Living with Yourself is edited in such a way where the first halve of an episode focuses on one of the Miles’ point of view from the previous episode, resulting in a uniquely remarkable style of both editing and story-telling. Many have criticised Living with Yourself for having a weak debut episode which unfortunately is the show’s major downfall. If a series doesn’t have a strong first impression, audiences presumably won’t invest any more time into said show. This is a real shame too as the show is one of my favourite new releases to come onto Netflix. Thanks to a perfect blend of comedy and drama, superb performances from all and a narrative which beautifully conveys the saying ‘both sides of the same coin’, Living with Yourself is a breath of fresh air and should unquestionably be everyone’s next quick binge.

OVERALL

7 / 10

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019) Movie Review

EL CAMINO: A BREAKING BAD MOVIE (2019) MOVIE REVIEW

Since the shows conclusion in 2013, fans of the worldwide phenomenon Breaking Bad have been clamouring for a follow up or at the very least resolution following the show's climax. Now six years later, we are given a direct sequel of sorts available now on Netflix to the series finale and fans of the show, including myself, could not be more excited. And with show creator Vince Gilligan at the helm once again, expectations are at an all time high and were thankfully more than met. 

After escaping his captures with help from a former friend, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) is now on the run from police as well as his inner demons. Taking place directly after the conclusion of a massive event is always a tough job to pull off. Many different elements have to align near perfectly like lighting and editing in order for the scene to make sense and recognisable to the viewer. Thankfully this opening sequence was done remarkably well and felt exactly like an episode of the show due to seem-less transitions and a natural flow to all the events taking place. After this escape the rest of the film follows Jesse's inner struggles and continuous flashbacks to his past which play an effective role in telling us what occurred during his capture and showing the pain Pinkman was going through. Perhaps the biggest criticism El Camino has been receiving is its reliance in the audience's knowledge of the series. In all honestly this critique is fairly void as prior to the film, Netflix provides a recap of the entire series leading up to the film's beginning which even for a fan of the show like myself, was much needed and quite handy. 

Aaron Paul returns in his most iconic role as the young drug-dealer Jesse Pinkman and does a phenomenal job in making the audience sympathise with his character, a trait his character was known for in the show. His facials are some of the most realistic and gut-wrenching put onto screen in quite a long time whether it be emotions conveying happiness, sadness or relief, all of Paul's characterisations are remarkably spot on and increase the quality all scenes in which he is featured which is thankfully most. Other acting credits to be given include Jesse Plemons as Todd whom appears in multiple flashback sequences in which his character conveys a strong sense of madness thanks to subtle acts of O.C.D and general acts of murder along the way. It's hard to say who else does a standout job in this film as everyone does a remarkable job in the film and feels human despite their personalities being the furthest thing from it. Cinematography was arguably Breaking Bad's highest praise and in El Camino it without a doubt was. Adapting techniques used throughout the show was a stroke of genius and makes the movie feel unique and eerily similar to that of the show. 

Although not on the same level as the show, El Camino still is a great movie. Filled with outstanding performances and story-telling that puts most theatrical releases to shame, this Netflix exclusive may just be one of the best films going on the service right now. Unfortunately if you haven't experienced Breaking Bad, the quality of the film may not be as good but if you are a fan of the series, El Camino is a must watch for you and gives one of the show's best characters a satisfying ending. 

OVERALL

8 / 10

Ad Astra (2019) Movie Review

AD ASTRA (2019) MOVIE REVIEW

Since the inception of film, space travel has often been a popular subject matter to tackle thanks to the broad canvas provided by the universe. An empty void like space can make for some of the most creative and, ironically enough, the most jam-packed stories to be told in any media. Ad Astra looks to be included in the list of great space films like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Moon, however being in the same conversation as films like these isn’t as easy as rocket science. Astronaut Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) is tasked with completing a mission to find his long-lost father Clifford (Tommy Lee Jones) after learning that his father may be responsible for the impending extinction of the solar system. 

A seemingly simple story soon turns out to be much more as the overall plot is shrouded with mystery surrounding Roy’s father and if the rumours about his actions are true. Tommy Lee Jones does a good job in his limited role and conveys a sense of insanity but is overshadowed by our leading man Brad Pitt who is easily the film’s standout. Considering his character is the focal point of the film it’s easy to see how Pitt’s Roy is the most flushed out and best character in Ad Astra. Despite being the best character, his actions throughout the movie are non-sensical which results in multiple deaths and little to no comeuppance, ultimately damaging the plot. Space movies are often criticised for not being inherently realistic due to limitations brought about by the plot needing to move forward. Ad Astra handles this unavoidable problem as well as it can by keeping its focus near-perfectly balanced between the characters as well as the vast environs of space. 

Ad Astra translates to ‘to the stars’ in Latin which the movie more than achieves through its picturesque representation of the plain beyond our own. Awe-inspiring shots help make the scenery that much more stunning and could easily be in contention for numerous Academy Awards a couple of months down the track both for its visual and film making achievements. Ad Astra manages to be a thought-provoking film filled with dramatic tension and remarkable acting but unfortunately suffers due to the proverbial envelope not being pushed far enough. Director James Gray raises an abundant of questions which never seem to be fully answered by the movie’s culmination. Despite this, Brad Pitt’s latest endeavour proves to be an exciting and exhilarating space venture both fans of film and astronomy alike will remember fondly.

OVERALL

7 / 10

Once Upon A Time...In Hollywood (2019) Movie Review

ONCE UPON A TIME...IN HOLLYWOOD (2019) MOVIE REVIEW

Quentin Tarantino is back with his ninth feature film Once Upon A Time in Hollywood. From Reservoir Dogs to Django: Unchained to now, Tarantino has rightfully been earmarked as one of Hollywood’s best directors. Known for his impeccable casting and unique writing, the legendary director is still going strong with this latest endeavour by creating a controversial homage to the golden era of Hollywood filled with all the colourful characters one would expect from 1969 Los Angeles. 

Fading television star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) is trying to get back to the top in a world that keeps on passing him by. With the help of his stunt-double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), they attempt to get Dalton’s career back on track in amongst this new but somehow familiar acting world consisting of new faces in and outside the world of film. Following this duo’s journey through L.A is one to behold and manages to carry much of the movie thanks to DiCaprio and Pitt’s magical chemistry. During times when the film slows down is when the writing truly begins to shine. Whether it be dramatic or down-right hilarious, the script rarely misses the mark and makes for some of the movie’s best moments. With Pulp Fiction being one of my favourite films, the vibes I got from said movie kept popping up all throughout Once Upon A Time in Hollywood because of the dialogue. Unlike Pulp Fiction however, the story felt incredibly jointed but in all the wrong ways. 

The overall plot itself was nothing too outlandish but still felt a little messy in places thanks to random cuts to Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Sharon Tate. This is where one of the controversies for the film lies as Margot Robbie featured heavily in promotional material for the movie as legendary actress Sharon Tate but in the end had very little dialogue and screen time to work with. Alongside the supposed mistreatment of the late 1960s, there was plenty of reason for critics to lambast Tarantino’s latest flick. These critiques I found to be void as the story felt more of an homage rather than an attack on the golden era of Hollywood. As for Robbie’s lack of screen time, minimal appearances often made her character more engaging and came full circle by the movie’s climax. 

Despite not being as strong as his previous films, by no means does this make Once Upon A Time in Hollywood a bad movie. Far from it in fact. Thanks to Quentin Tarantino’s impeccable writing and directorial talents, the Hollywood world brought back to life fifty years later truly is something beautiful to see and shows just how far films and television have come since their earliest days.

OVERALL

8 / 10

Hobbs and Shaw (2019) Movie Review

HOBBS AND SHAW (2019) MOVIE REVIEW

It is hard to believe that The Fast and the Furious franchise has been around for 18 years. For over a decade, the collection of now nine films have entertained a generation of action film fans with an emphasis on fast cars and insane stunts. Hobbs and Shaw takes full advantage of the previous film’s standards and amps it up to eleven in this entertaining, testosterone filled adventure. Fan favourite characters Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) are forced to work together to stop cybernetic-enthusiast Brixton (Idris Elba) from changing humanity forever. This simple but effective plot about stopping cybernetic terrorism soon transpires into a story about family which while the film attempted to integrate naturally, the message feels more forced by the film’s climax.

Director David Leitch orchestrated brilliant humour in his previous picture Deadpool 2 and brought much the same to Hobbs and Shaw. Whether it be a quick quip or a built-up bellyacher, majority of the jokes do stick and was met with thunderous approval from the audience, myself included. Johnson and Statham’s Hobbs and Shaw are the real driving force behind this action-comedy by implementing their real-life personalities into their characters in all the right ways. Whether it be impromptu contests based around eliminating bad guys or pulling pranks through customs, these two both work tremendously together and against one another. Idris Elba fully embodies his villain role, unapologetically using this platform to have the most fun possible while still managing to be a consistent threat for our heroes. This hammy performance is aided by the film allowing itself to not take itself too seriously. Elba’s Brixton is perhaps the biggest attribute to this by having powers rivalling that of a superhero, literally referring to himself as ‘black superman’. 

Hobbs and Shaw features some of the craziest and most ludicrous stunts put onto the big screen but unfortunately sacrifices interesting and under-developed characters as a result. This would not normally be a problem, but when the film spends a lot of its two-and-a-half-hour runtime explaining minor story elements that have little to no impact, these problems stick out like The Rock on an undercover mission. In the end however, story is not where the appeal of a film like this lies. Throughout the movie people were laughing and having fun with this Fast and the Furious spinoff flick, and for good reason. Beautifully choreographed fight sequences, the chemistry between the two leads and a soundtrack filled with memorable beats makes Hobbs and Shaw yet another reason why The Longreach Star Cinema is worth checking out on a weekly basis.

OVERALL

7 / 10

Stuber (2019) Movie Review

STUBER (2019) MOVIE REVIEW

Uber may just be the most useful app to be released in recent memory. The ability to create jobs and have access to fast transportation at the press of a button has helped millions of people across the world. Its honestly surprising a major spoof of the app has taken this long to be created, but director Micheal Dowse has stepped up to the plate and made a surprisingly entertaining story filled with action, love and breaking of the status quo.

Mild-mannered man Stu (Kumail Nanjiani) gets thrust into a night of action as his passenger Vic (Dave Bautista) turns out to be a detective following a lead on a killer he has been searching for months. Unfortunately Vic receives this lead on the same day he gets laser surgery, meaning he can't properly see for 24 hours. As a result of this handicap, Vic needs the help of his driver Stu to follow the clues and find his man before he skips town. While the overall concept has been delved into numerous times, the way the story is set up feels semi natural and gives a good reason for Vic to be more or less on the same level as Stu in terms of usefulness. Adding Uber to the mix makes this simple and overplayed story a little bit more interesting and results in some really creative and funny moments involving the share-ride app.

Kumali Nanjiani and Dave Bautista are your comedy pairing for the movie and do a great job at playing off each other brilliantly. Genuinely feeling like polar opposites, both Dave and Kumali show this numerous times throughout the story and actually have some emotional moments by illustrating their respective insecurities. Alongside the buddy pair we have Natalie Morales who plays Vic's daughter who does a good job however I feel her performance was aided by the script. Weirdly enough her character's dialogue had some of the more emotional lines which is fair given the fact her and Dave's character have a struggling father/daughter relationship which is handled well and is easy to sympathise with as we gradually understand what both Vic and Nicole are going through. Speaking of great writing, writer Tripper Clancy understood that the movie wasn't going to be taken seriously and opted to head more towards the absurd end of the spectrum by implementing self-referential humour early on like how an electric car can have a gas explosion for example. Many of the jokes are also related back to the whole Uber concept involving different features including the total billing cost Vic receives for the whole movie. Spoiler alert, its a big one. 

Overall Stuber is a movie that exists. Its not one you have to go see straight out of the gates but if you're looking for an easy and enjoyable watch, this is one for you. Aided by the chemistry between Kumali and Dave as well as the script by debut writer Tripper Clancy, Stuber ended up being an enjoyable time at the cinema that made me smile for 90 minutes. And in my books, that is what the sign of a good film truly is. 

OVERALL

6 / 10

Yesterday (2019) Movie Review

YESTERDAY (2019) MOVIE REVIEW

In this day of age where people are continually grasping at straws to come up with the next big idea, often an already established concept can be altered and become a success among casual movie goers. Award winning director Danny Boyle understood this in spades when creating Yesterday, the simple premise of creating a world where only one man knows that legendary band The Beatles ever existed. Despite the fact that in this universe, the band never formed in the first place. Add a love story between two friends and we have potentially 2019's biggest sleeper hit. 

Struggling musician Jack Malik (Himesh Patel) and her best friend and manager Ellie Appleton (Lily James) try to keep Jack's career alive as his career enters a downward spiral. However after getting struck by an oncoming bus moments following a worldwide blackout, Jack wakes up in the hospital and begins to suspect things are not what they used to be. This escalates much further as a conversation with his friends reveals that no one knows the existence of The Beatles and that none of their songs ever came to be. Now faced with a choice, Jack must question the morality of plagiarising songs that never existed all the while dealing with an underlining relationship with Ellie. A unique concept to say the least and is easily one of the film's biggest strengths and the reason many viewers came to watch. What would a world without such an influential group be like? Safe to say the idea is handled very well and is expanded upon by The Beatles not being the only thing not to exist anymore as shown through small gags. 

No matter how enthralling a concept is, the idea alone cannot carry a movie unless aided by the script and supporting cast. Himesh Patel plays Jack Malik who did a decent enough job with his role but felt more like a host for the audience to put their shoes in. The real standout in this film was Lily James as Ellie who stole the whole show with a heartfelt and genuine performance. This was no surprise for me as James has been one of my favourite actresses through her performances in Baby Driver (2017) and now Yesterday. Each actor and actress did a good or even great job and given the script they were faced with, its easy to see how. Richard Curtis, the screenplay writer who also did Love Actually and Four Weddings And A Funeral, managed to blend the comedy and romance elements from each respective film near perfectly which resulted in a film that felt like it never had to rely on the already unique and compelling scenario. Also Ed Sheeran is in this film and he..is an actor and actually does a much better job than anticipated. 

Overall Yesterday is exactly what I hoped for and more. Although far from a perfect movie, the movie succeeded in just about every aspect which in the end added up to one of the most heartfelt and charming films to come out in a long time. Even if you aren't the biggest fan of The Beatles, their music is just a plot device to keep the story rolling and interesting and if you are a fan, will add to the experience and enjoyment you will get from Yesterday.

OVERALL

7 / 10

The Lion King (2019) Movie Review

THE LION KING (2019) MOVIE REVIEW

Considering the success of the original Lion King it's easy to see why Disney would remake arguably their greatest success 25 years after the fact. However we can't celebrate with a simple 3 minute montage because that won't make a profit. Instead it's time to take advantage of people's nostalgia and remake The Lion King. And to really hammer home it's a 'new movie', let's take away the original's greatest strength, the cartoonish animation and replace it with realistic appearances and mannerisms that don't fit for not only a king but the rest of the cast. 

I've debated for a while whether to review this film as it stands or compare it to it's superior predecessor but when it comes down to it, it's near impossible to judge this film without bringing up how the original portrayed certain moments monumentally better. If you don't know the story of Lion King, or Hamlet for that matter, we explore Simba's journey in becoming King after his father was murdered by his uncle Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and having many years away learning who he is and needs to become. Thankfully the overall story was not affected in the slightest which would be ludicrous if Disney changed anything in that regard. However here lies my biggest problem with the film. There are many memorable scenes in The Lion King ranging from the reveal of Pride Rock, Mufasa's death and even the 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight?' sequence. As it stands these scenes were some of the best in the original but when realistic settings are plastered on, the impact of these moments plummet drastically as the characters have zero emotion in their eyes and in their movements. This ultimately led to these iconic moments feeling empty, awkward and bland, something I never thought I'd be saying about The Lion King. 

Credit where credits due though because the animation in the movie does look phenomenal. The animals themselves do look incredibly realistic and is easy to get lost and forget you're watching The Lion King as appose to a David Attenborough documentary. Not sure if that's what they were trying to achieve but hey..it kind of, not really worked in it's favour. On top of the appearance, the vocal performances given were passable. Although no one did an inherently terrible job there was only one or two performances that were semi-memorable. These being Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar and James Earl Jones as Mufasa and with Jones its easy to see why he was perfect for this role as he was easily the best part of the original vocally speaking. Ejiofor on the other hand proved to be a worthy successor to Jeremy Irons whom played Scar previously and defiently had inspiration from Irons' performance by articulating every syllable in a menacing and commanding manner and never felt like the actor was just doing their voice. Which leads me to Seth Rogen who in my opinion did the worst job as he never put a twist on the character but instead opted to get himself over by doing his laugh every chance he gets. Again this sounds like a petty aspect to complain about but when you hear his laugh over and over again, you'll understand the pain I feel whenever I watch him. 

If there's one word I could use to describe The Lion King it would be disappointing. Despite boasting passable performances and impressive visuals, these quickly turned into the film's downfall as by going all in with the appearances rather than catering to a new and older audience on an emotional spectrum, it leaves little to no impact as appose to the timeless impact left by the 1994 version. And while Hakuna Matata does mean no worries, I have a feeling Disney will have plenty to worry about after the criticism this movie is receiving. 

OVERALL

5 / 10

The Vision Splendid: 2019 Outback Film Festival - What Went Down

THE VISION SPLENDID: 2019 QANTAS SHORT FILM COMPETITION - WHAT WENT DOWN

Last week saw the beginning of this year's Outback Film Festival located in the small country town of Winton. Having a friendly community and atmosphere proved to be just one of the festival's up sides. Starting from June 28 till July 6th, this nine day long showcase of Australia's best and newest feature and short length films was a wonderful time for all, culminating with the coup de grace of the festival, the QANTAS Short Film Competition. With the Royal Open Air Theatre playing host, this competition put eyes onto some of Australia's young up and coming directors by showcasing their short films on the big screen for all to see. With half the films made during the festival in just nine days and half showing off the best and most recent Australian short films, it's time to find out which short film took home the Audience Award as well as the Student Film and Overall Winner awards. 

With twenty short films to judge, it truly was a tough decision to make. Especially for the judges on the night. With most of the short films being either good or great, the decision process of deciding a winner on the night proved to be a difficult one. Despite this, there were some clear standouts shown during the night which were given large amounts of praise from either the audience or myself. We started the competition off with seven films where one of these proved to be the standout, Louder than Words. Written and directed  by Rachel Larkin, Louder than Words explores the story of an eleven-year old who wants to be in the school band but is forced by her conductor and father not to partake as she is deaf. Larkin's emotional film tells a tale of love and breaking through barriers set by others and being more than what those around you simply see. Beautiful musical elements as well as exceptional acting and writing made Louder than Words one of my favourite short films of the night. 

Following a short interval, we arrived at the student films which proved to be the highlight of the night for me. With the next generation of Australian short films on display, expectations were indeed high for these and they did not disappoint. All shot during the festival these up and comers stole the show with films of all genres ranging from horror with Yowie all the way to comedy with Winton with Gary. Speaking of, this community orientated take on classic television adventure shows was a clear fan favourite among viewers. This was further backed up by director Chloe Liu proudly accepting the Audience Award and rightly so. Winton with Gary was expertly written and star of the film Gary even made a surprise appearance on the night which sealed the deal for it's inevitable win. This wasn't the only student film to win on the night as David Normoyle's Canny Valley took home the Student Film award with this suspenseful and comedic depiction of small country towns with locals around the town being implemented into the film. 

Second interval down which means it was time for the final six films which were ranked among some of Australia's best. Being the main event these final films were shown to have larger production value which worked in their favours as all these were enjoyable with some leaving a lasting impression. Personal favourites out of these were The Hitchhiker starring Australian actresses Brooke Satchwell and Liv Hewson which is a dark comedy about three young ladies as they pick up a hitchhiker on their way to Byron Bay. This one in particular defiently felt like a pitch for a feature length movie which myself for one would be more than interested in seeing. Other standouts include Nursery Rhymes, a very short scene of a man comforting a young child after a severe car crash by singing nursery rhymes. Although far too short, it told an effective story with looming colours and immediate intrigue. Lastly we have Yulubidyi - Until the End which told the story of two brothers surrounded by an abusive community which eventually leads the a spirit aiding them in the end. While it sounds like I have downplayed this film severely, the end result was a major film at the event as it ended up winning the best film that night. While I would have given it to Louder than Words instead, Until the End was a great short film which showed the love between brothers and how communities can bring people together. 

At the end of the evening it was time to announce the winners with Winton with Gary (Chloe Liu) winning the Audience Award, Canny Valley (David Normoyle) winning the Student Film Award and Yulubidyi - Until the End (Nathan Mewett and Curtis Taylor) taking home the gold as Festival Winner. Once the night was done and the films had finished, it was time to reminisce about the short films we had been introduced to at the Gregory Hotel over a nice cold beer. The Vision Splendid Festival truly is a fantastic event to check out if you haven't already. Even if you manage to revisit some older Aussie films during the week or only are able to see the short film competition on the Saturday night, the entire nine days opened up Australia and the world to a new generation of directors, writers, actors and production crews. Keep an eye out for some of these names as I am sure you'll be hearing these names among some of Australia's most talented film makers. 

Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) Movie Review

SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME (2019) MOVIE REVIEW

Since his inclusion in the Marvel cinematic universe, Tom Holland's Spider-Man has rapidly become a fan favourite in the eyes of many. Civil War was his coming out party to show off his powers, Homecoming explored his world more in depth while Avengers Infinity War and Endgame compiled all these previous elements to fully form the the superhero of Spider-Man. Now we arrive at Far From Home which attempts at exploring the character of Peter Parker now that Tony Stark isn't around to be his hero/mentor and must try and fill the massive legacy left by Tony. 

Following Endgame we are now left in a world where the five year snap has occurred and Iron Man is no longer around. Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is understandably distraught by this and wonders if he can become the hero that Tony wanted him to become, hopefully time away on an overseas school trip trying to get the girl of his dreams MJ (Zendaya). Of course things never seem to go as planned as creatures have been creating havoc across different parts of the world with a water elemental located where Peter is. Amongst this chaos, Peter must decide whether to step up and become the hero people need or the person Peter just wants to be all the while getting help from a new ally Quentin Beck (Jake Gyllenhaal). Continuing the story after Endgame was a great choice to go through as the impacts of a five year long struggle really do show as students who weren't affected have now aged drastically and homeless shelters dedicated to this incident are now a thing that exist. Another aspect this film nails is not the continuation of Spider-Man but rather an expansion of the character of Peter Parker. Majority of the movie revolves around Peter and shows the struggle he faces keeping his secret and trying to keep his loved ones safe which all come full circle by the film's dramatic climax. 

Once again the cast does a phenomenal job and really do keep a shred of realism amongst everything going on around them. Characters will do comedic quips which somehow don't feel forced and react genuinely and authentically to events conspiring around them. Standouts in the movie were Tom Holland as Spider-Man who continues to impress and steal the entire cinematic universe through his genuine performance. Zendaya also expands her character of MJ from a moody nobody into a shy extrovert that complements Peter so well. Finally Jake Gyllenhaal has been getting countless amount of praise for his role of Quentin Beck and I can't deny it. Gyllenhaal while he did start out as a bland and generic hero, throughout the film transforms into easily my favourite part of the movie. Through his mannerisms and line deliveries you can really tell Gyllenhaal loved playing this type of character. 

Overall Spider-Man: Far From Home subverted my expectations to the max. Going into it I wasn't expecting much and thought it would be another Marvel sequel but boy was I wrong. Far From Home expands on the ideas of the first and continues the story of Peter Parker near perfectly. All of this is aided by the believable performances given by the majority of the cast and the twists and turns this film takes makes Far From Home not only one of the best Spider-Man films but one of Marvel's best films to date. 

OVERALL

8 / 10

Toy Story 4 (2019) Movie Review

TOY STORY 4 (2019) MOVIE REVIEW

Major directorial debuts are often hit or miss. Sometimes they turn out to be an instant classic, other times they result in a messy and unfocused mess of a movie. The 4th instalment into the much beloved Toy Story franchise hosts elements of Toy Story 2 making it appear much more of a sequel as appose to a continuation of the franchise. A small detail but one that doesn't factor into the overall quality of this, in layman's terms, fun time at the movies. 

First we are treated to a montage of Bonnie enjoying and playing with all our favourite toys until orientation day at kindergarten beginnings where she literally makes a new friend named Forky (Tony Hale). After Forky has a rough time fitting in with the rest of the gang, Woody (Tom Hanks) assures everyone that Forky is a toy like the rest of them, coinciding with the road trip Bonnie and her parents are about to go on. One night during the car trip however, Forky successfully escapes and forces Woody to track him down with all roads leading to a carnival in a near by town which results in old and new friends pointing out how big the world truly is for a toy. While this story arc has been touched upon in Toy Story 2, it defiantly feels expanded upon from the second film as we are introduced to new places that toys would naturally exist like a carnival, playgrounds and even an antiques shop. All of these locations also blend in well with the overall plot and character arcs that new and old characters are faced with whether it be Woody clinging to the past or Bo Peep looking ahead at what the world has in store for her. 

Like any good sequel, Toy Story 4 introduces audiences to new and hilarious characters including Ducky and Bunny (Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele) and Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks) but my favourite character in the entire movie, without question, was Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves). Reasoning for this was because not only were all of his jokes surrounding him failing his previous child but his character was necessary to drive the plot forward. While characters like Ducky and Bunny were extremely funny and arguably provided the biggest laughs, Caboom's arc and character in general was a necessity for the story to continue which is something I can always appreciate. Which brings me to my biggest problem with the movie. The inclusion of these new characters ultimately meant that others didn't get a real chance to shine like all of the characters in the first three movies. Jessie, Mr and Mrs Potato Head, Rex and many others were sidelined in this movie as the film wanted to focus on mainly Woody, Forky and Bo Peep. Devils advocate but I did like this change of pace in the middle of the movie but when I realised that the rest of the gang never got a chance to shine besides like one or two short scenes, I left the movie feeling a little disappointed. While they did have reason for this as shown through the film's climax, it ultimately left the movie with a gaping hole of nostalgia. 

Overall Toy Story 4 can be described in one word. Unnecessary. Although director Josh Cooley attempted to make a new and exciting story for our characters to explore, the similarities to other movies in the franchise is glaring and took me out of it. By no means a bad movie however as the inclusion of new characters pushed the film through the darkness and although the end of the movie did leave me a little sad, Toy Story 4 ends up being the weakest film in a franchise filled with classics. Now let's take our ball and hang up Woody's hat once and for all. 

OVERALL

7 / 10

Men in Black: International (2019) Movie Review

MEN IN BLACK: INTERNATIONAL (2019) MOVIE REVIEW

Since 1997, the Men in Black have been keeping the world safe from extraterrestrial threats in a charming and action-filled manner. Three films later MIB has been through some hits like Men In Black 3 and unfortunate misses like the second installment. Despite some highs and lows for the franchise, Men in Black: International offers a genuine connection between our two leads alongside a predictable, by-the-books plot. 

Molly (Tessa Thompson) has been addicted to extra-terrestrial beings all her life after meeting one when she was a young kid as Men In Black agents did not neuralize her. Now she is continually on the hunt for life among the stars and through this manages to find their agency. Finding their agency proves to be both a curse and blessing as although they threaten to neuralize her memory, Agent O (Emma Thompson) instead puts her on a probation job teaming with one of MIB London's best agents, Agent H (Chris Hemsworth). While their partnership doesn't start off smooth, mutual circumstances manage to convince them otherwise after learning there is a mole in the Men In Black. A story which we've all heard before though does prove to be a sound one as the possibilities on who the mole could be is welcome and while it is fairly obvious who it ends up being, the simple plot device is meant to take a back seat to the main reason this movie exists. The humour and chemistry between Hemsworth and Thompson.  

As previously stated, the driving force behind this fourth installment to the franchise is the chemistry between our two leads and thankfully is easily the best part of the movie. Chris Hemsworth despite starting off as a pretty boy stereotype soon evolves into a much deeper and meaningful character. Well...for a Men In Black movie. Opposite him we have Tessa Thompson’s character of Agent M who plays a very by the books kind of person and manages to be an easy standout in this film and was my favourite character in spades. Their personalities compliment each other near perfectly and have deep character building moments for both ends of the spectrum whether it be H's personality change in recent years or M's choice of work over love. Either way, both work very well. Halfway through the film we are introduced to our comic relief of the movie Pawny (Kumali Nanjiani) whom at first was shoehorned into the story for no reason other than comedic affect and while that remains true for the remainder, Pawny's inclusion surprisingly brings a much needed light hearted tone of comedy and plays off the others very well. Kumali's delivery and timing makes him not perfect for the role but instead sound which is never a bad thing. 

Overall Men In Black: International was a movie. There's no denying that. With a predictable plot and OK comedy, this latest installment proves that while it was nice to see a new Men In Black film, it also says a lot about the franchise as a whole and shows why the series needs to come to it's conclusion. Although not a bad film, it was a forgettable one. Which is worse depending on how you interpret it. 

OVERALL

6 / 10

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019) Movie Review

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 - PARABELLUM (2019) MOVIE REVIEW

2014's John Wick was a much needed breath of fresh air for the action genre as it delivered a compelling protagonist alongside enthralling fight sequences and choreography. As a result it became a near instant hit and a great film to kick off a brand new film franchise. Thus we would be introduced to the 2nd instalment which like a good sequel should, upped just about everything from the first by exploring Wick's story and characteristics further. Now we arrive at Parabellum which ups the ante for our protagonist in terms of action though at the cost of exploring the man behind the madness.

We begin where the previous left off. John Wick (Keanu Reeves) has committed a hanus crime amongst the assassin's guild by killing a member of the High Table. Now he has a $14 million dollar bounty on his head and with little to no help, John Wick must avoid hit men and women looking to claim the reward. John Wick films have had the good fortune of being able to have simple plot lines of the surface but making up for that by exploring the world surrounding the assassin. Starting off in the bright lights of New York City, we are soon introduced to new sceneries including ballet theatres, exotic countries and even the desert plains. All of which are welcome to the franchise and all are incorporated flawlessly into the story and never feel out of place. Perhaps the best thing Parabellum does as sequel is that it explores the world of John Wick drastically as not only are we shown new locations but new story elements and characters which is handled well as world-building. 

As the film goes on, we are introduced to many new and old characters in the franchise. One of the more notable additions is Sofia (Halle Berry) who does a fair job in this movie and while they do give her minor motivations, they aren't fully flushed out and unfortunately seem like they needed a reason for Halle Berry to be in the movie. While she does serve an important role, tweaks to the script could easily write her out of the story and little to nothing would change. But I'll honest, her dogs were adorable. Other stand out characters include Winston (Ian McShane) returning from the previous instalments who serves as an ally and friend to John Wick and is one of my favourites as they do explore his motivations drastically in this story. Another new character introduced who plays the role of her name is The Adjudicator (Asia Kate Dillon) and does a good job of progressing the story and serves as good opposition to John Wick's almost rebel role by being all business all the time as her screen name implies. Unfortunately this conflict isn't explored further and John's emotions and character takes a back seat to all the new elements introduced and although we learn little things hear and there about him, we never truly learn how he feels about all this happening. This of course being a result of his character which while a great one, feels like he is just a passenger in this journey. 

Overall John Wick 3 was a great ride. If you are looking for a film that has great fight choreography and action or just a well-done sequel, this is the one for you. Even with very minor flaws including Wick's character and some story elements, Parabellum will leave you wanting more and by the sounds of the ending, it looks like thats exactly what we are going to get. And I couldn't be more stoked to see more of this ballet of blood. 

OVERALL

8 / 10