LA PREMIERE
10/07/2015
IRRATIONAL MAN NEW
website
RATE: 10/10
I say PLUS ONE; one more on the list of Woody Allen's masterpieces...
I will also say: it is a modern version of Dostoevsky's 'Crime and Punishment' with a hilarious Woody's twist and humor that makes it a perfect classic for tradicomic cinematography style. Before going to the media preview I read lots of reviews some of which were full of appraisals and some were on the contrary - pretty underrating this work. No need to say that it is so pointless to rate Woody Allens' movies at all as this activity will get you no where. Let him talk freely, do not shape his world by your opinion about him please..,, and how can you rate a brush of Leonardo Va Vinci? He loves us and he laughs at us the way only a genius can do with his creations. The discussion is pointless because with discussion you lose that beautiful feeling of the movie, about the movie - talks kill it like words kill the truth; they kill that divine sensation you usually get from a real masterpiece. word has no meaning here, emotion does...
Well, so will start this activity some of us (even myself) will not approve.
Dostoevsky's genius explored the "perfect crime" and noted that the crime can not be performed without faults. There are always small strings that will be attached to the event that will lead the investigator to reveal the criminal. But let's start first with his (criminal's) motive. What are his reasons to kill? He wants to make the world perfect and fair for everyone: he wants to end suffering of innocent people. It is a noble motive, isn't it? No, the reality is far away from the theory for many reasons:
- you are not the one to judge
- you are not the one who gave life, meaning you are not the one to take it away
- your moral boundary gets broken and fades forever - you will not know anymore what is good and what is bad
- one crime leads to another as there will always be witnesses, people who can guess and so on and so on
- small and insignificant things will give you away, will reveal your crime
- the noble motive is a simple fiction: your real motive is your personal egoistic interests - it can be simple greediness for money, it can be just a will to get your adrenaline up, it can also be a possibility to find an interest in the boredom of the ordinary world. It is ego telling you: do t and it will distinct you from everyone else as you will have a secret no one will know; you can now play mind and word games with people - they are so stupid that they will never guess who did it... So his is about the crime.
There is one more question that needs to be answered: why women always get attracted to men who are unhappy and who are not interested in the world anymore - why do they get such load on their shoulders to always become saviors who take upon themselves a responsibility to make some one happy? Is it ego again? I can do it because no one can, I am a soul savior... and what happens nest? We usually end up with someone who is impossible to change. But unhappiness attracts as unhappiness is a simple flirt and is usually used a trick by sick people with low self esteem.
Should I also add that the actors are so brilliant in this movie that only director's Oscars can shade them.
Music is absolutely stunning and surprisingly one music piece is shining so brightly it speaks about the movie on your subconscious level.
Existentialism you say? What existentialism?
Alex simply named this movie in his way: "Woody Allen and His Light Torch". This torch appears in the movie twice only. Sometimes they are small things as we mentioned already that make the "perfect crime" so funny, so accidentally ugly and so defective by chance...
website
RATE: 10/10
I say PLUS ONE; one more on the list of Woody Allen's masterpieces...
I will also say: it is a modern version of Dostoevsky's 'Crime and Punishment' with a hilarious Woody's twist and humor that makes it a perfect classic for tradicomic cinematography style. Before going to the media preview I read lots of reviews some of which were full of appraisals and some were on the contrary - pretty underrating this work. No need to say that it is so pointless to rate Woody Allens' movies at all as this activity will get you no where. Let him talk freely, do not shape his world by your opinion about him please..,, and how can you rate a brush of Leonardo Va Vinci? He loves us and he laughs at us the way only a genius can do with his creations. The discussion is pointless because with discussion you lose that beautiful feeling of the movie, about the movie - talks kill it like words kill the truth; they kill that divine sensation you usually get from a real masterpiece. word has no meaning here, emotion does...
Well, so will start this activity some of us (even myself) will not approve.
Dostoevsky's genius explored the "perfect crime" and noted that the crime can not be performed without faults. There are always small strings that will be attached to the event that will lead the investigator to reveal the criminal. But let's start first with his (criminal's) motive. What are his reasons to kill? He wants to make the world perfect and fair for everyone: he wants to end suffering of innocent people. It is a noble motive, isn't it? No, the reality is far away from the theory for many reasons:
- you are not the one to judge
- you are not the one who gave life, meaning you are not the one to take it away
- your moral boundary gets broken and fades forever - you will not know anymore what is good and what is bad
- one crime leads to another as there will always be witnesses, people who can guess and so on and so on
- small and insignificant things will give you away, will reveal your crime
- the noble motive is a simple fiction: your real motive is your personal egoistic interests - it can be simple greediness for money, it can be just a will to get your adrenaline up, it can also be a possibility to find an interest in the boredom of the ordinary world. It is ego telling you: do t and it will distinct you from everyone else as you will have a secret no one will know; you can now play mind and word games with people - they are so stupid that they will never guess who did it... So his is about the crime.
There is one more question that needs to be answered: why women always get attracted to men who are unhappy and who are not interested in the world anymore - why do they get such load on their shoulders to always become saviors who take upon themselves a responsibility to make some one happy? Is it ego again? I can do it because no one can, I am a soul savior... and what happens nest? We usually end up with someone who is impossible to change. But unhappiness attracts as unhappiness is a simple flirt and is usually used a trick by sick people with low self esteem.
Should I also add that the actors are so brilliant in this movie that only director's Oscars can shade them.
Music is absolutely stunning and surprisingly one music piece is shining so brightly it speaks about the movie on your subconscious level.
Existentialism you say? What existentialism?
Alex simply named this movie in his way: "Woody Allen and His Light Torch". This torch appears in the movie twice only. Sometimes they are small things as we mentioned already that make the "perfect crime" so funny, so accidentally ugly and so defective by chance...
MR HOLMES NEW
website
RATE: 7/10
I heard the best actor played Sherlock ever was Vasily Livanov. I have never seen anyone better. I also do not think there is one person on earth who have not read at least one story about this English detective icon created by a genius of Conan Doyle.
We read in wiki:
"Doyle said that Holmes was inspired by Joseph Bell, a surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for whom he had worked as a clerk. Like Holmes, Bell was noted for drawing broad conclusions from minute observations However, he later wrote to Conan Doyle: "You are yourself Sherlock Holmes and well you know it". Sir Henry Littlejohn, Chair of Medical Jurisprudence at the University of Edinburgh Medical School, is also cited as an inspiration for Holmes. Littlejohn, who was also Police Surgeon and Medical Officer of Health in Edinburgh, provided Doyle with a link between medical investigation and the detection of crime.
Another inspiration is thought to be Francis "Tanky" Smith, a policeman and master of disguise who went on to become Leicester's first private detective"
Considering the mystery life and full of adventures of Arthur Conan Doyle, his created hero Holmes could be anyone, even Arthur himself and I would not be surprised.
The wiki also says:
"Retirement
In "His Last Bow", Holmes has retired to a small farm on the Sussex Downs. The move is not dated precisely, but can be presumed to predate 1904 (since it is referred to retrospectively in "The Second Stain", first published that year). He has taken up beekeeping as his primary occupation, producing a Practical Handbook of Bee Culture, with some Observations upon the Segregation of the Queen. The story features Holmes and Watson coming out of retirement to aid the war effort. Only one other adventure, "The Adventure of the Lion's Mane" (narrated by Holmes), takes place during the detective's retirement. The details of his death are unknown."
That's all we know. Perhaps if we want to know more there is a famous Woodlands Spiritual Foundation in Healesville Victoria run by Garth and Audrey. The owners collected lots of rare material written by Conan Doyle and artifacts related to his biography. I would say Garth knows more than anyone in this world about the Sir Arthur, a person who guides the Foundation and after whom is was named. The owner is medium and I am pretty sure can answer any question related to the late years of Arthur and his hero. But this is for curious minds and for those who want to seek more on the subject. By the way, Sir Arthur was working close to mediums and was interested a lot in the subject of spirituality himself.
Let's go back to the movie though... If you expect tricks, detectives working, Hollywood action, gorgeous women and handsome man, do not go to see this movie - this is not for you. The plot pace is extremely slow and corresponds to the old age of Mr Holmes and sometimes it is hard to watch at some moments considering the subjects touched: mother loosing her children and the old man aging in front of your eyes... but this is life no matter how much many of us do not like to see it. Mr Holmes is played brilliantly by Ian McKellen and he is a back bone of this movies of course. The film is full of British spirit.
I know many of you will find it very strange but it is worth seeing 100%
website
RATE: 7/10
I heard the best actor played Sherlock ever was Vasily Livanov. I have never seen anyone better. I also do not think there is one person on earth who have not read at least one story about this English detective icon created by a genius of Conan Doyle.
We read in wiki:
"Doyle said that Holmes was inspired by Joseph Bell, a surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for whom he had worked as a clerk. Like Holmes, Bell was noted for drawing broad conclusions from minute observations However, he later wrote to Conan Doyle: "You are yourself Sherlock Holmes and well you know it". Sir Henry Littlejohn, Chair of Medical Jurisprudence at the University of Edinburgh Medical School, is also cited as an inspiration for Holmes. Littlejohn, who was also Police Surgeon and Medical Officer of Health in Edinburgh, provided Doyle with a link between medical investigation and the detection of crime.
Another inspiration is thought to be Francis "Tanky" Smith, a policeman and master of disguise who went on to become Leicester's first private detective"
Considering the mystery life and full of adventures of Arthur Conan Doyle, his created hero Holmes could be anyone, even Arthur himself and I would not be surprised.
The wiki also says:
"Retirement
In "His Last Bow", Holmes has retired to a small farm on the Sussex Downs. The move is not dated precisely, but can be presumed to predate 1904 (since it is referred to retrospectively in "The Second Stain", first published that year). He has taken up beekeeping as his primary occupation, producing a Practical Handbook of Bee Culture, with some Observations upon the Segregation of the Queen. The story features Holmes and Watson coming out of retirement to aid the war effort. Only one other adventure, "The Adventure of the Lion's Mane" (narrated by Holmes), takes place during the detective's retirement. The details of his death are unknown."
That's all we know. Perhaps if we want to know more there is a famous Woodlands Spiritual Foundation in Healesville Victoria run by Garth and Audrey. The owners collected lots of rare material written by Conan Doyle and artifacts related to his biography. I would say Garth knows more than anyone in this world about the Sir Arthur, a person who guides the Foundation and after whom is was named. The owner is medium and I am pretty sure can answer any question related to the late years of Arthur and his hero. But this is for curious minds and for those who want to seek more on the subject. By the way, Sir Arthur was working close to mediums and was interested a lot in the subject of spirituality himself.
Let's go back to the movie though... If you expect tricks, detectives working, Hollywood action, gorgeous women and handsome man, do not go to see this movie - this is not for you. The plot pace is extremely slow and corresponds to the old age of Mr Holmes and sometimes it is hard to watch at some moments considering the subjects touched: mother loosing her children and the old man aging in front of your eyes... but this is life no matter how much many of us do not like to see it. Mr Holmes is played brilliantly by Ian McKellen and he is a back bone of this movies of course. The film is full of British spirit.
I know many of you will find it very strange but it is worth seeing 100%
MR HOLMES NEW
website
review by Daniel Shawyer
"Over 70 actors have previously played Sherlock Holmes. Now he's 93 years old and it's my turn." tweeted the venerable Ian McKellen, the man behind the English cultural icon, and brilliant detective, Sherlock Holmes, or, as you probably actually know him: Gandalf.
Let's face it: watching Gandalf plays an even crotchetier Sherlock in Mr Holmes is by far the reason you went to see it right? Yes. He even has a hat, but apparently the deerstalker was just a fabrication by the imaginative Mr Watson.
I'll save everyone the trouble, because you just want to know if yet another bloody attempt at re-imagining (and butchering) the genius detective is worth watching, If you've never read the original books, you'll be bored out of your mind unless you like slow movies. In which case you're in for a treat because this one drips at a glacial honey-like pace. Which is an appropriate metaphor because there are bees but I won't spoil anything for you. You're welcome!
Oh, right: introductions.
Mr Holmes is a movie wherein both the central actor and the movie producers are deeply aware of its history and placing in the modern continuum. Holmes' reflections on the difference between his real self and fictional one are sharp and pointed though never trite. In fact, the movie is deeply thought out and layered with complexities you will miss on the first watch through. As a production, it feels enormously and deeply British without the usual modern bombast. It's quaint, a bit like the Shire sometimes.
Ian McKellen's presence on screen and brilliant eyes shine and hold the piece together, which is rare because you don't see Hollywood deal with dementia and senility very often, especially not with such high profile figures. Yeah, you didn't read that wrong. Mr Holmes be cray cray. AND grumpy. It's like they almost don't want us to like him.
It's smart, thoughtful and surprisingly grounded in life. A lot of issues are dealt with and a lot of issues are laid to rest. The producers clearly loved the series because there are references to the history of the Sherlock stories all over the place. There is an interesting play with the mythology of Holmes and the potential reality of what he could have been. Unlike most other Sherlock productions there's no villains, and no grand battles of mind and matter. But there's a lot of Sherlock, a lot of mystery and a lot of mettle. Interestingly, we see a return of the oriental themes that ran through the original stories in the same theme and vein, which surprised me and felt very appropriate. No inhumanly gorgeous Cumberbunches here. Just an old man, his cane and a little boy and his mother.... and some bees.
I'm talking too much, so I'll sum up. The movie is long, and quite slowly paced, laying a fairly complex plot that does the old classic of leaving the clues for you to piece together. Holmes is old but still sharp and witty as ever. It's an end of life story about a man grasping at his history and trying to return what once he had without trouble. If you enjoyed the books there is a lot to like in this one. If you enjoyed Transformers, you are the reason everything is wrong with modern cinema.
I liked it. Ian is a fantastic Sherlock. But it's definitely not for everyone.
But if I were to give it a rating and it were out of apples. There would be a lot of apples. Ciao!
website
review by Daniel Shawyer
"Over 70 actors have previously played Sherlock Holmes. Now he's 93 years old and it's my turn." tweeted the venerable Ian McKellen, the man behind the English cultural icon, and brilliant detective, Sherlock Holmes, or, as you probably actually know him: Gandalf.
Let's face it: watching Gandalf plays an even crotchetier Sherlock in Mr Holmes is by far the reason you went to see it right? Yes. He even has a hat, but apparently the deerstalker was just a fabrication by the imaginative Mr Watson.
I'll save everyone the trouble, because you just want to know if yet another bloody attempt at re-imagining (and butchering) the genius detective is worth watching, If you've never read the original books, you'll be bored out of your mind unless you like slow movies. In which case you're in for a treat because this one drips at a glacial honey-like pace. Which is an appropriate metaphor because there are bees but I won't spoil anything for you. You're welcome!
Oh, right: introductions.
Mr Holmes is a movie wherein both the central actor and the movie producers are deeply aware of its history and placing in the modern continuum. Holmes' reflections on the difference between his real self and fictional one are sharp and pointed though never trite. In fact, the movie is deeply thought out and layered with complexities you will miss on the first watch through. As a production, it feels enormously and deeply British without the usual modern bombast. It's quaint, a bit like the Shire sometimes.
Ian McKellen's presence on screen and brilliant eyes shine and hold the piece together, which is rare because you don't see Hollywood deal with dementia and senility very often, especially not with such high profile figures. Yeah, you didn't read that wrong. Mr Holmes be cray cray. AND grumpy. It's like they almost don't want us to like him.
It's smart, thoughtful and surprisingly grounded in life. A lot of issues are dealt with and a lot of issues are laid to rest. The producers clearly loved the series because there are references to the history of the Sherlock stories all over the place. There is an interesting play with the mythology of Holmes and the potential reality of what he could have been. Unlike most other Sherlock productions there's no villains, and no grand battles of mind and matter. But there's a lot of Sherlock, a lot of mystery and a lot of mettle. Interestingly, we see a return of the oriental themes that ran through the original stories in the same theme and vein, which surprised me and felt very appropriate. No inhumanly gorgeous Cumberbunches here. Just an old man, his cane and a little boy and his mother.... and some bees.
I'm talking too much, so I'll sum up. The movie is long, and quite slowly paced, laying a fairly complex plot that does the old classic of leaving the clues for you to piece together. Holmes is old but still sharp and witty as ever. It's an end of life story about a man grasping at his history and trying to return what once he had without trouble. If you enjoyed the books there is a lot to like in this one. If you enjoyed Transformers, you are the reason everything is wrong with modern cinema.
I liked it. Ian is a fantastic Sherlock. But it's definitely not for everyone.
But if I were to give it a rating and it were out of apples. There would be a lot of apples. Ciao!
THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT NEW
RATE: 7/10
website
review by Julie Dargan
Bohemian Rhapsody Club is grateful to eOne Marketing Team for possibility to review the screener
Release date on digital, DVD and blu-ray: August 12
The movie is the second from the Trilogy series of a young adult science adventure novel by Veronica Roth. Set in a post-apocalyptic dystopian Chicago. The Divergent trilogy consists of Divergent, Insurgent and Allegiant.
I had not seen the first of the series (or read the book) but this did not interfere with my enjoyment of the movie. I was confused by a few of the topics but as the movie progressed I found myself being drawn into the storyline and understanding what was involved.
Many twists and turns had me enthralled in the movie from start to finish. Special effects were amazing and imagination was beyond crazy, making this a show that had you immersed in the storyline.
Yet another young, female heroine. Same vein as The Hunger Games, set in a world so far removed from our lives in 2015 that anything is possible! Society breaking down, controlled by a few (who also hold all the wealth). Repetition of themes seems to be the flavour of the 2010’s (or whatever we are calling the times of years 2010-2020).
An enjoyable movie, one this dinosaur at the age of 50 enjoyed watching as did her teenage sons.
My score 7/10
RATE: 7/10
website
review by Julie Dargan
Bohemian Rhapsody Club is grateful to eOne Marketing Team for possibility to review the screener
Release date on digital, DVD and blu-ray: August 12
The movie is the second from the Trilogy series of a young adult science adventure novel by Veronica Roth. Set in a post-apocalyptic dystopian Chicago. The Divergent trilogy consists of Divergent, Insurgent and Allegiant.
I had not seen the first of the series (or read the book) but this did not interfere with my enjoyment of the movie. I was confused by a few of the topics but as the movie progressed I found myself being drawn into the storyline and understanding what was involved.
Many twists and turns had me enthralled in the movie from start to finish. Special effects were amazing and imagination was beyond crazy, making this a show that had you immersed in the storyline.
Yet another young, female heroine. Same vein as The Hunger Games, set in a world so far removed from our lives in 2015 that anything is possible! Society breaking down, controlled by a few (who also hold all the wealth). Repetition of themes seems to be the flavour of the 2010’s (or whatever we are calling the times of years 2010-2020).
An enjoyable movie, one this dinosaur at the age of 50 enjoyed watching as did her teenage sons.
My score 7/10
A PATRIOTIC MAN NEW
SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2015
RATE: 5/10
website
review by Jen Zaman
A drama based on the sinister facet of sports; attempts to portray actually incidents of doping used by sports-men with due encouragement from their trainers. In a tediously slow pace the movie unfolds to demonstrate the dilemma of a patriotic man caught between his patriotism and moral uprisings.
Toiva (played by Martti Suosalo) is a man with hard-luck and a grumpy life burdened with an ever-nagging wife. An accident sends him to the hospital where he is informed that he carries a rare and potent O-negative blood in his veins that is in high demand among athletes since its higher concentration in the blood can, considerably, improve an athlete's aerobic capacity and endurance. Apparently, the medical practitioner has liaisons with the Finnish Olympic ski team and suddenly Toiva becomes an asset to his Nation. Initially he refuses to this illegal practice, however, when provoked on the grounds of patriotism towards his country; he agrees to take on the role of a blood -dope donor. Toiva begins working in the Finnish Olympic ski team as an equipment manager when in reality he was actually hired to transfuse his precious haemoglobin into the athletes in order to boost their performances. He becomes the fore-runner of changing the losing tides of the Finnish ski team into a winning one. Life springs back at him with perks and other luxuries too. To much of your predictions, Toiva falls for the good natured star athlete Aino (played by Pamela Tola) and happily helps her bring accolades for their once-lagging team. The success of the Finnish ski team in the world stage gives him some more impetus to be useful to his country.
However, after a while, his conscience takes over his patriotic being and compels him to question his own actions. This is where he breaks down and faces the dreaded moment of truth.
‘A Patriotic Man’ is barely adventurous, as expected from a movie based on true events and scandals in world sports. The sound track is equally demotivating. It lacks energy and takes great efforts to stay glued to the screen while watching it
SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2015
RATE: 5/10
website
review by Jen Zaman
A drama based on the sinister facet of sports; attempts to portray actually incidents of doping used by sports-men with due encouragement from their trainers. In a tediously slow pace the movie unfolds to demonstrate the dilemma of a patriotic man caught between his patriotism and moral uprisings.
Toiva (played by Martti Suosalo) is a man with hard-luck and a grumpy life burdened with an ever-nagging wife. An accident sends him to the hospital where he is informed that he carries a rare and potent O-negative blood in his veins that is in high demand among athletes since its higher concentration in the blood can, considerably, improve an athlete's aerobic capacity and endurance. Apparently, the medical practitioner has liaisons with the Finnish Olympic ski team and suddenly Toiva becomes an asset to his Nation. Initially he refuses to this illegal practice, however, when provoked on the grounds of patriotism towards his country; he agrees to take on the role of a blood -dope donor. Toiva begins working in the Finnish Olympic ski team as an equipment manager when in reality he was actually hired to transfuse his precious haemoglobin into the athletes in order to boost their performances. He becomes the fore-runner of changing the losing tides of the Finnish ski team into a winning one. Life springs back at him with perks and other luxuries too. To much of your predictions, Toiva falls for the good natured star athlete Aino (played by Pamela Tola) and happily helps her bring accolades for their once-lagging team. The success of the Finnish ski team in the world stage gives him some more impetus to be useful to his country.
However, after a while, his conscience takes over his patriotic being and compels him to question his own actions. This is where he breaks down and faces the dreaded moment of truth.
‘A Patriotic Man’ is barely adventurous, as expected from a movie based on true events and scandals in world sports. The sound track is equally demotivating. It lacks energy and takes great efforts to stay glued to the screen while watching it
SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2015 NEW
PARIS OF THE NORTH
(París norðursins)
RATE: 8/10
website
Review by Dheepa D Awtani
A calm and composed assault of comedy & drama with a pinch of reality check on fractured human relationships & an eventual dash of courage to come to terms with one, Icelandic Director Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurdsson does wonders at this sad yet emotionally satisfying feature film.
Australian Premier: Scandinavian Film Festival 2015
Participating Cinemas: Palace Cinema Como, Palace Brighton Bay
Festival Dates: 22 July, 2015 - 29 July, 2015
Director: Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurdsson.
Cast: Bjorn Thors, Helgi Bjornsson, Nanna Magnusdottir.
Genre: Dramedy (Comedy- Drama: Icelandic, English s/t)
Runtime: 95 min.
Set up in a awe-inspiring and majestic backdrop of Snowclad Mountains in a tiny fishing village of northwest coast of Iceland, the venture revolves around the protagonist Hugi (Bjorn Thors)- a thirty seven year old divorced school teacher who fumbles & retrospects his existence when he fails to answer the question that his favorite student Albert (Haki Lorenzen) asks him about his plans for summer, on the last day of the school.
Hugi has eloped from his city life to dwell in a rather secluded village(total population of around 150) where he occupies himself by diurnal & large scale jogging, teaching, going to Alcoholics Anonymous(AA) meetings (with a maximum attendance of 3 people – Svanur, Richard & himself) and learning Portuguese online. He motivates Albert to follow his heart of being a successful soccer goalkeeper some day, teaches him morals of life and guides him to be a good human being. His connection with Albert extends as he use to date his mother Erna (Nanna Magnusdottir) and they now have no strings attached, only thanks to Hugi’s decision to not be favorably responsive to Erna’s attempts to ascertain their affair a solid one.
Perhaps, the repetitive jogs signify that Hugi is actually running away from his reality of being in a broken relationship with his ex-flame Helena who resides in Portugal evincing his love to learn Portuguese; his struggle to whether to move on in life or not by not giving a definitive response to Erna on their relationship status and he stops seeing her altogether as a reaction; his pseudo-father relationship with his favorite student Albert signifying that he is ready to lovingly accept such a responsibility but alas the world hasn’t offered him yet, and lastly his resistance from alcohol & smoking to be a role model for Albert.
While he is happily consumed by his empty nest syndrome, he gets a rather inopportune call from his nomadic, estranged & beer-loving father Veigar (Helgi Bjornsson) who owns beer bars in Thailand and now out of the blue wishes to visit the godforsaken village & live with his son. While Hugi is not happy about his father’s extended company & casanova demeanor, he is unable to gather valor to tender him a goodbye and accepts his companionship. They often have détentes where Veigar continues to persuade his son to start dating again & have an active sex life as ‘You only live once’, however only to fail as Hugi doesn’t want to fall prey to his father’s footsteps of being a womanizer and then eventually coming back home for good after being dejected of the decisions made in life. His house gets filled with beer can mountains against the back drop of scenic snowy hills.
Bonjour drama! Hugi’s rather solace driven jogs hit a standstill when he realizes that Veigar is having a sexually active affair with his now ex-paramour Erna (only because he let Erna go initially!), the fact stated by Albert of chances of them now being brothers and his subsequent phone call to his ex Helena only to realize that she already has a boyfriend and is enjoying her time at a warm, bright sunny beach unlike him in this dreary gray atmosphere filled with despair.
His outbursts involve tearing apart a terrace he was building with the material gifted by his father and resorting back to smoking pot and alcohol and going childlike while playing sport in the school premises unlike his professional teacher behavior .
The filmmaker has done a fantastic job of showing relationships, predominantly the male psyche through the prism of their alter egos- one where they know what the right thing to do is & to be is but don’t build up the courage to do so, however are dwarfed in their not so happy state.
While Hugi is thumped by an avalanche of feelings that his subconscious gets sleeved with, one morning Veigar gets hospitalized and Hugi offer’s his home to rest and recover until Veigar wishes as Hugi now is turning a page in his life by leaving this claustrophobic village and going on a self realization trip to absorb the ‘You only live once’ mantra that his father kept preaching to him.
All in all, a must point out is the astounding cinematography that redeems the bleak, emotionally inexpressive and virile lacking personalities of the male characters. The sporadic comic relief offered by the dialogues and the assortment of harshly alluring, desolated yet mystic beauty of the perennial & panoramic Icelandic mountains is a sheer treat to your eyes. The director has an excellent command on camera-manship and maneuvers these to keep the movie & its flavour upbeat. And lastly it infectious humming, fun & danceable bass line background score & the cheerful OST by Prins Póló brings in a summer feeling to this not so bright snowy setup. While it is 95 mins, it could have been truncated to keep the audience engrossed but the music makes you feel as if you are reading a book & thoroughly excited about knowing its ending.
Well done Hafsteinn, loved the craftsmanship and the music to bring out the innate feelings of a ‘half glass empty’ state of human beings to the best precision indeed.
A must watch for nature and dramedy lovers.
PARIS OF THE NORTH
(París norðursins)
RATE: 8/10
website
Review by Dheepa D Awtani
A calm and composed assault of comedy & drama with a pinch of reality check on fractured human relationships & an eventual dash of courage to come to terms with one, Icelandic Director Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurdsson does wonders at this sad yet emotionally satisfying feature film.
Australian Premier: Scandinavian Film Festival 2015
Participating Cinemas: Palace Cinema Como, Palace Brighton Bay
Festival Dates: 22 July, 2015 - 29 July, 2015
Director: Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurdsson.
Cast: Bjorn Thors, Helgi Bjornsson, Nanna Magnusdottir.
Genre: Dramedy (Comedy- Drama: Icelandic, English s/t)
Runtime: 95 min.
Set up in a awe-inspiring and majestic backdrop of Snowclad Mountains in a tiny fishing village of northwest coast of Iceland, the venture revolves around the protagonist Hugi (Bjorn Thors)- a thirty seven year old divorced school teacher who fumbles & retrospects his existence when he fails to answer the question that his favorite student Albert (Haki Lorenzen) asks him about his plans for summer, on the last day of the school.
Hugi has eloped from his city life to dwell in a rather secluded village(total population of around 150) where he occupies himself by diurnal & large scale jogging, teaching, going to Alcoholics Anonymous(AA) meetings (with a maximum attendance of 3 people – Svanur, Richard & himself) and learning Portuguese online. He motivates Albert to follow his heart of being a successful soccer goalkeeper some day, teaches him morals of life and guides him to be a good human being. His connection with Albert extends as he use to date his mother Erna (Nanna Magnusdottir) and they now have no strings attached, only thanks to Hugi’s decision to not be favorably responsive to Erna’s attempts to ascertain their affair a solid one.
Perhaps, the repetitive jogs signify that Hugi is actually running away from his reality of being in a broken relationship with his ex-flame Helena who resides in Portugal evincing his love to learn Portuguese; his struggle to whether to move on in life or not by not giving a definitive response to Erna on their relationship status and he stops seeing her altogether as a reaction; his pseudo-father relationship with his favorite student Albert signifying that he is ready to lovingly accept such a responsibility but alas the world hasn’t offered him yet, and lastly his resistance from alcohol & smoking to be a role model for Albert.
While he is happily consumed by his empty nest syndrome, he gets a rather inopportune call from his nomadic, estranged & beer-loving father Veigar (Helgi Bjornsson) who owns beer bars in Thailand and now out of the blue wishes to visit the godforsaken village & live with his son. While Hugi is not happy about his father’s extended company & casanova demeanor, he is unable to gather valor to tender him a goodbye and accepts his companionship. They often have détentes where Veigar continues to persuade his son to start dating again & have an active sex life as ‘You only live once’, however only to fail as Hugi doesn’t want to fall prey to his father’s footsteps of being a womanizer and then eventually coming back home for good after being dejected of the decisions made in life. His house gets filled with beer can mountains against the back drop of scenic snowy hills.
Bonjour drama! Hugi’s rather solace driven jogs hit a standstill when he realizes that Veigar is having a sexually active affair with his now ex-paramour Erna (only because he let Erna go initially!), the fact stated by Albert of chances of them now being brothers and his subsequent phone call to his ex Helena only to realize that she already has a boyfriend and is enjoying her time at a warm, bright sunny beach unlike him in this dreary gray atmosphere filled with despair.
His outbursts involve tearing apart a terrace he was building with the material gifted by his father and resorting back to smoking pot and alcohol and going childlike while playing sport in the school premises unlike his professional teacher behavior .
The filmmaker has done a fantastic job of showing relationships, predominantly the male psyche through the prism of their alter egos- one where they know what the right thing to do is & to be is but don’t build up the courage to do so, however are dwarfed in their not so happy state.
While Hugi is thumped by an avalanche of feelings that his subconscious gets sleeved with, one morning Veigar gets hospitalized and Hugi offer’s his home to rest and recover until Veigar wishes as Hugi now is turning a page in his life by leaving this claustrophobic village and going on a self realization trip to absorb the ‘You only live once’ mantra that his father kept preaching to him.
All in all, a must point out is the astounding cinematography that redeems the bleak, emotionally inexpressive and virile lacking personalities of the male characters. The sporadic comic relief offered by the dialogues and the assortment of harshly alluring, desolated yet mystic beauty of the perennial & panoramic Icelandic mountains is a sheer treat to your eyes. The director has an excellent command on camera-manship and maneuvers these to keep the movie & its flavour upbeat. And lastly it infectious humming, fun & danceable bass line background score & the cheerful OST by Prins Póló brings in a summer feeling to this not so bright snowy setup. While it is 95 mins, it could have been truncated to keep the audience engrossed but the music makes you feel as if you are reading a book & thoroughly excited about knowing its ending.
Well done Hafsteinn, loved the craftsmanship and the music to bring out the innate feelings of a ‘half glass empty’ state of human beings to the best precision indeed.
A must watch for nature and dramedy lovers.
INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL MELBOURNE 2015: UNFREEDOM NEW
RATE: 7/10
Review by Dheepa D Awtani
website
Bohemian Rhapsody Club is privileged and honored to Miranda Brown Publicity for this opportunity
Official Selection at #IFFM2015 : The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne,2015, Hoyts Cinema.
Director: Raj Amit Kumar
Screenwriters: Raj Amit Kumar, Damon J. Taylor
Genre: Drama Thriller, Romance, Documentary
Runtime: 102 min
Release Date: 14 August 2015
Rate: 7/10
Raj Amit Kumar’s feature debut is a bold thriller yet a well balanced endeavor to outline the intense dichotomy of the modern world confined within political, religious and sexual oppression. Unfreedom is a borderline precarious exposition of the twin pillars in our contemporary times - female sexuality & male sadism revolving four central characters. The movie toggles between two distinct and most archetypical cities of economic and patriarchal control- New York (United States) and New Delhi (India) with a heads on focus on violence & sexuality via Muslims and LGBT identities.
The story unfolds with an interlocking narrative, one where in New York, Mohammed Husain (Bhanu Uday)-a fundamentalist Muslim arrives from Pakistan on a mission to kidnap and kill Fareed Rahmani (Victor Banerjee), a peaceful Muslim scholar whose moderate views Husain opposes. In New Delhi, Leela Singh (Preeti Gupta) a closeted homosexual girl runs away from her orthodox cop father- Devraj’s (Adil Hussain) home to escape the arranged marriage he is locking his daughter in. Leela seeks to kidnap and marry her bisexual lover and LGBT activist Sakhi Taylor (Bhavani Lee). Not only does Leela convince Sakhi to elope with her and eventually marry, her contest involves gun shooting and killing Sakhi’s current boyfriend signifying going beyond an undefined measure to remove any hurdle.
Meanwhile, extremist Husain has captivated Fareed to videotape him and prepares to hurt him hideously; Leela romantically possesses, spirits Sakhi away to a dessert where they marry and enrapture each other completely with mind and body; Husain sadistically tortures Fareed with brutal instruments.
Once Fareed is in Husain’s possession, the ordeal takes a spun in bloodbath to such a point that it boils your blood due to fury and angst; and at the same time the girl duo offer consensual sex symbolizing culmination of their marriage. It is only meant for the brave and liberal heart and hence a condensed version of the same could have been welcomed as some could find the extent of expression unwarranted.
However, in all this, Devraj epitomizes the bitter truth of the society we live in. He puts on to work all of his bureaucratic resources possible to get hold of Leela and Sakhi and when Leela doesn’t accept his offer of coming back to the old world and marry the boy of his choice, he goes to the extent of having the girls raped as a punishment of the defiance boldly offered to him.
All the four characters go beyond their absolute limits to possess something that they believe will make them feel free. Both Fareed and Sakhi are admired for their boldness to stand up for what they want to prove is right, Leela and Husain offer the courage to achieve what they believe is theirs. And Devraj taints their venture because it is against the societal ties and fundamentals.
Unfreedom is a brutal battle of blemished reality,a state where beings wish their existence is void of mass extermination, intolerance and discrimination that govern the socio-economic stratum in the name of ‘identity’, further defining them as powerful and powerless.
“This stained blemished light,
This day shadowed by night,
This isn’t the dawn we had in sight
Manic heart, those wanting eyes
Pain of burning souls
There is no resolution, separation pierces hopes
Morning breeze where did it go
What is it that we live, do we even know
Heaviness sets deep in this
Our eyes cannot the sight yet to take flight
Keep marching on, our freedom hasn’t arrived”
Do not miss the above climax as it encapsulates the essence of Kumar’s heroic portrayal of a human’s desire to subvert the paradigm and express lack of freedom; a brave cry to defend the cue that they believe could help them set free.
The movie has already received heavy critical acclaim; interestingly the tumult and umbrage garnered in a few countries over its existence is indeed validating its thesis.
Thumbs up to Kumar for its honest and engaging content and a deft juxtaposition of struggle against deep rooted, violent prejudices and religious fundamentalism.
RATE: 7/10
Review by Dheepa D Awtani
website
Bohemian Rhapsody Club is privileged and honored to Miranda Brown Publicity for this opportunity
Official Selection at #IFFM2015 : The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne,2015, Hoyts Cinema.
Director: Raj Amit Kumar
Screenwriters: Raj Amit Kumar, Damon J. Taylor
Genre: Drama Thriller, Romance, Documentary
Runtime: 102 min
Release Date: 14 August 2015
Rate: 7/10
Raj Amit Kumar’s feature debut is a bold thriller yet a well balanced endeavor to outline the intense dichotomy of the modern world confined within political, religious and sexual oppression. Unfreedom is a borderline precarious exposition of the twin pillars in our contemporary times - female sexuality & male sadism revolving four central characters. The movie toggles between two distinct and most archetypical cities of economic and patriarchal control- New York (United States) and New Delhi (India) with a heads on focus on violence & sexuality via Muslims and LGBT identities.
The story unfolds with an interlocking narrative, one where in New York, Mohammed Husain (Bhanu Uday)-a fundamentalist Muslim arrives from Pakistan on a mission to kidnap and kill Fareed Rahmani (Victor Banerjee), a peaceful Muslim scholar whose moderate views Husain opposes. In New Delhi, Leela Singh (Preeti Gupta) a closeted homosexual girl runs away from her orthodox cop father- Devraj’s (Adil Hussain) home to escape the arranged marriage he is locking his daughter in. Leela seeks to kidnap and marry her bisexual lover and LGBT activist Sakhi Taylor (Bhavani Lee). Not only does Leela convince Sakhi to elope with her and eventually marry, her contest involves gun shooting and killing Sakhi’s current boyfriend signifying going beyond an undefined measure to remove any hurdle.
Meanwhile, extremist Husain has captivated Fareed to videotape him and prepares to hurt him hideously; Leela romantically possesses, spirits Sakhi away to a dessert where they marry and enrapture each other completely with mind and body; Husain sadistically tortures Fareed with brutal instruments.
Once Fareed is in Husain’s possession, the ordeal takes a spun in bloodbath to such a point that it boils your blood due to fury and angst; and at the same time the girl duo offer consensual sex symbolizing culmination of their marriage. It is only meant for the brave and liberal heart and hence a condensed version of the same could have been welcomed as some could find the extent of expression unwarranted.
However, in all this, Devraj epitomizes the bitter truth of the society we live in. He puts on to work all of his bureaucratic resources possible to get hold of Leela and Sakhi and when Leela doesn’t accept his offer of coming back to the old world and marry the boy of his choice, he goes to the extent of having the girls raped as a punishment of the defiance boldly offered to him.
All the four characters go beyond their absolute limits to possess something that they believe will make them feel free. Both Fareed and Sakhi are admired for their boldness to stand up for what they want to prove is right, Leela and Husain offer the courage to achieve what they believe is theirs. And Devraj taints their venture because it is against the societal ties and fundamentals.
Unfreedom is a brutal battle of blemished reality,a state where beings wish their existence is void of mass extermination, intolerance and discrimination that govern the socio-economic stratum in the name of ‘identity’, further defining them as powerful and powerless.
“This stained blemished light,
This day shadowed by night,
This isn’t the dawn we had in sight
Manic heart, those wanting eyes
Pain of burning souls
There is no resolution, separation pierces hopes
Morning breeze where did it go
What is it that we live, do we even know
Heaviness sets deep in this
Our eyes cannot the sight yet to take flight
Keep marching on, our freedom hasn’t arrived”
Do not miss the above climax as it encapsulates the essence of Kumar’s heroic portrayal of a human’s desire to subvert the paradigm and express lack of freedom; a brave cry to defend the cue that they believe could help them set free.
The movie has already received heavy critical acclaim; interestingly the tumult and umbrage garnered in a few countries over its existence is indeed validating its thesis.
Thumbs up to Kumar for its honest and engaging content and a deft juxtaposition of struggle against deep rooted, violent prejudices and religious fundamentalism.
THE DUFF NEW
website
RATE: 5/10
review by Julie Dargan
(DVD screener - kind courtesy of Roadshow Entertainment)
The Duff refers to the Designated Ugly Fat Friend. Bianca sees her world very differently when she discovers she is considered a Duff at High School.
This is an eye opener of a movie. A Duff?
An interesting story line, enjoyable; light and fluffy from the girlfriends, with some deep interjection from the mother, allows this movie to move along. Found it a little slow at times, but my teenage son certainly enjoyed it. Obviously a movie designed for his attention span!
Enjoyable acting, some great humour intermixed with good ol’ fashioned teenage angst.
My score 5/10
website
RATE: 5/10
review by Julie Dargan
(DVD screener - kind courtesy of Roadshow Entertainment)
The Duff refers to the Designated Ugly Fat Friend. Bianca sees her world very differently when she discovers she is considered a Duff at High School.
This is an eye opener of a movie. A Duff?
An interesting story line, enjoyable; light and fluffy from the girlfriends, with some deep interjection from the mother, allows this movie to move along. Found it a little slow at times, but my teenage son certainly enjoyed it. Obviously a movie designed for his attention span!
Enjoyable acting, some great humour intermixed with good ol’ fashioned teenage angst.
My score 5/10
SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2015: THE RASPBERRY BOAT REFUGEE NEW
Vadelmavenepalolainen
website
RATE: 6.10
review by Jennifer Zaman
An intelligent and witty comedy spun around an atypical storyline. It revolves around Mikko Virtanen (Jonas Karlsson), a reluctant Finn who, after a brief childhood vacation in Sweden, desired solely for a Swedish life above and beyond everything. Whilst he despised everything Finnish, he eulogized everything Swedish: their way of life, the social welfare system, their Christmas, Abba, and even their Raspberry Boat candies. No extent of criticism and dissuasion could deter his love for Sweden and yet nothing could persuade him to accept the fact that he was born Finnish.
He grows up being a patriotic Swede trapped inside a grudging Finnish body. When he could take it no long, he decides to die in the Swedish water. There, he has a chance encounter with a Swedish psychologist Mikael Andersson (Erik Johansson), who, fed up with his Swedish life, too wished to commit suicide. The dual suicide, however, gets aborted and Mikael generously offers Mikko his Swedish life instead. Mikko forges a Swedish passport with the name of “Mikael Andersson” in the bid to live his dream of a true Swede. Meanwhile, the real Mikael succeeds in his attempt of suicide after handing over all access to his life and family to Mikko.
Mikko, then, begins a new life with a Swedish identity and his new Swedish family. He tries his best to behave and talk like a true Swede, bringing references of the Swedish social system and tax reforms where ever he possibly could. Mikael’s ailing mother and temper-prone sister Maria Andersson (Josephine Bornebusch) loathed Mikko at the beginning but gradually Maria and Mikko develop a strong friendship and she becomes his confidant protecting his secret. Meanwhile, Mikko takes up a job as a psychologist using Mikael’s bio-data and starts living with his new Swedish partner Lotta. Mikko continues to be smitten by everything Swedish and leaves no space to display unfaltering love for this country.
In the midst of his smooth sailing Swedish life, Mikko realizes that he has taken a strong liking for Maria and vice-versa. But, in order to conceal his true identity, they are forced to pretend to be siblings in front of their colleagues and friends, including Mikko’s partner Lotta.
Things take a different turn when, during Christmas dinner, the real Mikael Andersson surprises everyone by his sudden reappearance. Apparently, Mikael’s suicide attempt was a royal failure. This invites a catastrophe for Mikko, who is settled comfortably with his counterfeit identity. Mikael asks Mikko to give back his identity so that he could replace one of his damaged kidneys with a new one; the surgery was impossible with this identity crisis because the Swedish laws were rigid pertaining to an organ transplant. Mikko tries hard to channelize the safest plan to help Mikael and yet save his forged identity.
Mikko convinces Maria to donate one of her kidneys to her brother and the threesome travel to Finland pretending to be Finnish siblings for Mikael’s surgery. The story begins to lose its satirical charm here and this humorous flick takes a romantic somersault with Mikko proposing his love to Maria and everybody being served a happy ending; sounds too good to be true!
This story about a national transvestite is appealing and witty at the beginning; it turns quarter bit monotonous towards the later half though.
Commendable performance by all the actors and yet the movie leaves you high and dry at the
Vadelmavenepalolainen
website
RATE: 6.10
review by Jennifer Zaman
An intelligent and witty comedy spun around an atypical storyline. It revolves around Mikko Virtanen (Jonas Karlsson), a reluctant Finn who, after a brief childhood vacation in Sweden, desired solely for a Swedish life above and beyond everything. Whilst he despised everything Finnish, he eulogized everything Swedish: their way of life, the social welfare system, their Christmas, Abba, and even their Raspberry Boat candies. No extent of criticism and dissuasion could deter his love for Sweden and yet nothing could persuade him to accept the fact that he was born Finnish.
He grows up being a patriotic Swede trapped inside a grudging Finnish body. When he could take it no long, he decides to die in the Swedish water. There, he has a chance encounter with a Swedish psychologist Mikael Andersson (Erik Johansson), who, fed up with his Swedish life, too wished to commit suicide. The dual suicide, however, gets aborted and Mikael generously offers Mikko his Swedish life instead. Mikko forges a Swedish passport with the name of “Mikael Andersson” in the bid to live his dream of a true Swede. Meanwhile, the real Mikael succeeds in his attempt of suicide after handing over all access to his life and family to Mikko.
Mikko, then, begins a new life with a Swedish identity and his new Swedish family. He tries his best to behave and talk like a true Swede, bringing references of the Swedish social system and tax reforms where ever he possibly could. Mikael’s ailing mother and temper-prone sister Maria Andersson (Josephine Bornebusch) loathed Mikko at the beginning but gradually Maria and Mikko develop a strong friendship and she becomes his confidant protecting his secret. Meanwhile, Mikko takes up a job as a psychologist using Mikael’s bio-data and starts living with his new Swedish partner Lotta. Mikko continues to be smitten by everything Swedish and leaves no space to display unfaltering love for this country.
In the midst of his smooth sailing Swedish life, Mikko realizes that he has taken a strong liking for Maria and vice-versa. But, in order to conceal his true identity, they are forced to pretend to be siblings in front of their colleagues and friends, including Mikko’s partner Lotta.
Things take a different turn when, during Christmas dinner, the real Mikael Andersson surprises everyone by his sudden reappearance. Apparently, Mikael’s suicide attempt was a royal failure. This invites a catastrophe for Mikko, who is settled comfortably with his counterfeit identity. Mikael asks Mikko to give back his identity so that he could replace one of his damaged kidneys with a new one; the surgery was impossible with this identity crisis because the Swedish laws were rigid pertaining to an organ transplant. Mikko tries hard to channelize the safest plan to help Mikael and yet save his forged identity.
Mikko convinces Maria to donate one of her kidneys to her brother and the threesome travel to Finland pretending to be Finnish siblings for Mikael’s surgery. The story begins to lose its satirical charm here and this humorous flick takes a romantic somersault with Mikko proposing his love to Maria and everybody being served a happy ending; sounds too good to be true!
This story about a national transvestite is appealing and witty at the beginning; it turns quarter bit monotonous towards the later half though.
Commendable performance by all the actors and yet the movie leaves you high and dry at the
MADAME BOVARY NEW
website
RATE: 9/10
The rate really should be 10/10 - I lowed it down because Alex commented that he did not believe a stupid doctor seeing his wife buying expensive things and doing nothing till he was broke... Well, probably some provincial doctors were this way, who knows...
What really surprised me: how close the movie was to the original Flaubert's novel, how precise it was followed episode by episode which would seem impossible in many classic novel screened places... Marvelous work!
Actors deserve a special regard for their ever lasting talent and re-birth from one excellent movie to another, from one character to the next: Mia and Paul Giamatti plus the rest of the actors' crew... Immaculate natural work!
During the movie screening I could not help but remembering every word from the book I read so any years ago... and how my relation to Madame Bovary has changed: from pity towards her and excusing her for her boredom and suffering to thinking how stupid some women can be indeed... when everything is given o them already not being happy but finding faults in life and creating their dramatic destiny themselves with their own thought and actions to the extend when all the doors close up for them even the church's tall doors and there is only one way out... Emma Bovary finally gets entrapped in her own thought pattern of hatred towards everyone and everything, the negativity that usually has as I said only one way out - death.
It is interesting to observe Emma's dress color changes that reflect her emotional and sexual life: from dark to bright orange colors that stand apart from ever grey and black dresses of the villages... Her appetite for good and expensive life strikes back with financial damages to her household and the warnings do not stop her - this is like she has the purpose to die and she will do everything to fulfill this purpose...
So Emma, you did not learn anything, you still perpetually “standing under an apple tree, wishing to smell of orange blossoms.” ? Yes, your dresses get changed but you are still the same Emma: unhappy with life, bored with your husband, seeking excitement and finding that nothing is changing even the old clock ticking on the wall! ..
My last paint brush stroke - is amazing music selection in the movie!
website
RATE: 9/10
The rate really should be 10/10 - I lowed it down because Alex commented that he did not believe a stupid doctor seeing his wife buying expensive things and doing nothing till he was broke... Well, probably some provincial doctors were this way, who knows...
What really surprised me: how close the movie was to the original Flaubert's novel, how precise it was followed episode by episode which would seem impossible in many classic novel screened places... Marvelous work!
Actors deserve a special regard for their ever lasting talent and re-birth from one excellent movie to another, from one character to the next: Mia and Paul Giamatti plus the rest of the actors' crew... Immaculate natural work!
During the movie screening I could not help but remembering every word from the book I read so any years ago... and how my relation to Madame Bovary has changed: from pity towards her and excusing her for her boredom and suffering to thinking how stupid some women can be indeed... when everything is given o them already not being happy but finding faults in life and creating their dramatic destiny themselves with their own thought and actions to the extend when all the doors close up for them even the church's tall doors and there is only one way out... Emma Bovary finally gets entrapped in her own thought pattern of hatred towards everyone and everything, the negativity that usually has as I said only one way out - death.
It is interesting to observe Emma's dress color changes that reflect her emotional and sexual life: from dark to bright orange colors that stand apart from ever grey and black dresses of the villages... Her appetite for good and expensive life strikes back with financial damages to her household and the warnings do not stop her - this is like she has the purpose to die and she will do everything to fulfill this purpose...
So Emma, you did not learn anything, you still perpetually “standing under an apple tree, wishing to smell of orange blossoms.” ? Yes, your dresses get changed but you are still the same Emma: unhappy with life, bored with your husband, seeking excitement and finding that nothing is changing even the old clock ticking on the wall! ..
My last paint brush stroke - is amazing music selection in the movie!
LAST CAB TO DARWIN NEW
RATE: 8/10
Bohemian Rhapsody Club is grateful to Icon Films Distribution for the media invite and opportunity to review the film
I have very mixed feelings about this movie... and can not really decide if I liked it or not... sometimes there are such movies you can not make up your mind... It is definitely a movie to talk about though...
The psychological drama shown in the movie (played brilliantly by Michael Caton) is no doubt very disturbing from one side but from the other side there lots of those moments where you say: no, I can not believe it, it is both naive and "out of tune". From one side you have a chance to see (even on the screen) - sensational Australian landscapes and nature, of the places you might never ever visit in your life... from the other side: gosh... 10-s of dead cats hanging on the tree in the middle of no-where... gosh...
The story line takes us together with Rex (Michael Caton) who was just diagnosed with stomach cancer from Broken Hill to Darwin; a trip of his life time I suppose with all the adventures that he has on his way (and we are there with him) when there are smiles and pain reflected on his face, when he meets the people who teach him and whom he teaches himself. It is an epic drive: it is no sad nor it is merry. It is like a life journey with a strange aim which shapes itself as it pleases and turns (like it should) into an unpredictable ending...
I would say overall I loved the story but I still have very mixed feelings about it... It is disturbing, no doubts! I will say" a must to see for those who have certain life philosophy too...
To add to this: I loved the actors selected for this movie (all of them just so right fit!): Emma Hamilton, Jacki Weaver, Mark Coles Smith and I named Michael already....
RATE: 8/10
Bohemian Rhapsody Club is grateful to Icon Films Distribution for the media invite and opportunity to review the film
I have very mixed feelings about this movie... and can not really decide if I liked it or not... sometimes there are such movies you can not make up your mind... It is definitely a movie to talk about though...
The psychological drama shown in the movie (played brilliantly by Michael Caton) is no doubt very disturbing from one side but from the other side there lots of those moments where you say: no, I can not believe it, it is both naive and "out of tune". From one side you have a chance to see (even on the screen) - sensational Australian landscapes and nature, of the places you might never ever visit in your life... from the other side: gosh... 10-s of dead cats hanging on the tree in the middle of no-where... gosh...
The story line takes us together with Rex (Michael Caton) who was just diagnosed with stomach cancer from Broken Hill to Darwin; a trip of his life time I suppose with all the adventures that he has on his way (and we are there with him) when there are smiles and pain reflected on his face, when he meets the people who teach him and whom he teaches himself. It is an epic drive: it is no sad nor it is merry. It is like a life journey with a strange aim which shapes itself as it pleases and turns (like it should) into an unpredictable ending...
I would say overall I loved the story but I still have very mixed feelings about it... It is disturbing, no doubts! I will say" a must to see for those who have certain life philosophy too...
To add to this: I loved the actors selected for this movie (all of them just so right fit!): Emma Hamilton, Jacki Weaver, Mark Coles Smith and I named Michael already....
INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL MELBOURNE 2015 - JAI HO NEW
website
review by Julie Dargan
RATE: 8/10
Here is my review of Jai Ho...You may not recognise the song by name but you will know the tune when you hear it.
I will give you one hint..Slumdog Millionaire !
This movie is a story behind the man who created not only Jai Ho (being Victory) but also many Indian hits, hits the world over.
A R Rahman is the man and what a humble, level headed success story.
A story of Rahman’s life and journey; the creation of a genius who overcame many obstacles to be the success he is today.
A wonderful, inspirational movie I highly recommend.
My score 8/10
website
review by Julie Dargan
RATE: 8/10
Here is my review of Jai Ho...You may not recognise the song by name but you will know the tune when you hear it.
I will give you one hint..Slumdog Millionaire !
This movie is a story behind the man who created not only Jai Ho (being Victory) but also many Indian hits, hits the world over.
A R Rahman is the man and what a humble, level headed success story.
A story of Rahman’s life and journey; the creation of a genius who overcame many obstacles to be the success he is today.
A wonderful, inspirational movie I highly recommend.
My score 8/10
INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL MELBOURNE 2015 - UMRIKA NEW
website
review by Jennifer Zaman
RATE: 7/10
Bohemian Rhapsody Club is very grateful for this opportunity to the Miranda Brown Publicity
The movie is set in the 1970s when Umrika (local pronunciation for “America” in India) was a distant dream for all Indians, especially for those hailing from remote villages. The movie spins around the myth and mysteries Indians cultivated about the baffling life and ways of the Americans; be it their events, festivals, sports, food, roads or women.
It is a story of two brothers- Udai (elder) and Ramakant. Udai leaves for America amidst much tears and accolades from his mother and all the villagers since travelling to and working there was considered a big achievement. The mother is obsessed with the greatness of her elder son while the younger one grows up listening to the legends of his brother. Every letter sent by Udai from America awed the whole village and they all seemed mystified imagining the tales of those inscrutable people.
The movie takes a sudden turn when Ramakant’s father passes away and he discovers that all the letters sent by Udai from Ameria for all these years were mere fabrications intelligently crafted by his father with the help of the good old village post-man in order to appease the forever-worried mother. In fact, Udai never sent any of the letters so fondly preserved by the mother and his whereabouts were discreet. Ramakant, now a grown-up young man, begins his quest to find Udai and reaches the city where he takes up a job as a delivery boy at a sweet-meat shop. After his father’s death, Ramakant took it upon himself to continue sending the fabricated letters from Udai to his mother and strained hard to make them sound real. Meanwhile, he tries every possible way to search for his lost elder brother only to find that Udai never went to America at all and that he merely runs a barber shop in the city. It is heart-rending for Ramankant to know that his elder brother was not that great after all and is petrified at the thought of their distraught mother and how would he break the truth to her.
Here comes another twist to the story where Ramakant decides to go to America himself to make their mother’s dream come true. With Udai helping him with the money to be paid to the agent who smuggles the American-dream for a huge amount, Ramakant finally gets ready to leave for the unfathomable country. The climax shows Ramakant being shipped to America in a huge cargo container.
Umrika is more like an art movie- slow paced and pregnant with emotions. Unspoken feelings and talks –of- the -eye replace most of the dialogues. The maker has given profound attention to the details in bringing into life the period the movie is set in. Although the subject -matter of chasing the American dream is not a fresh one, it is the unusual story that takes the movie to the next level. The climax was abrupt; the movie might have been more interesting if it could show forth the life of Ramakant after he reaches America and how he adapts there.
Superb acting by Suraj Sharma (of the “Life of Pi” fame) and can rightly be called the unprecedented hero of the movie. Wish Tony Revolori (of the "Grand Budapest" fame) had a more convincing role to pla
website
review by Jennifer Zaman
RATE: 7/10
Bohemian Rhapsody Club is very grateful for this opportunity to the Miranda Brown Publicity
The movie is set in the 1970s when Umrika (local pronunciation for “America” in India) was a distant dream for all Indians, especially for those hailing from remote villages. The movie spins around the myth and mysteries Indians cultivated about the baffling life and ways of the Americans; be it their events, festivals, sports, food, roads or women.
It is a story of two brothers- Udai (elder) and Ramakant. Udai leaves for America amidst much tears and accolades from his mother and all the villagers since travelling to and working there was considered a big achievement. The mother is obsessed with the greatness of her elder son while the younger one grows up listening to the legends of his brother. Every letter sent by Udai from America awed the whole village and they all seemed mystified imagining the tales of those inscrutable people.
The movie takes a sudden turn when Ramakant’s father passes away and he discovers that all the letters sent by Udai from Ameria for all these years were mere fabrications intelligently crafted by his father with the help of the good old village post-man in order to appease the forever-worried mother. In fact, Udai never sent any of the letters so fondly preserved by the mother and his whereabouts were discreet. Ramakant, now a grown-up young man, begins his quest to find Udai and reaches the city where he takes up a job as a delivery boy at a sweet-meat shop. After his father’s death, Ramakant took it upon himself to continue sending the fabricated letters from Udai to his mother and strained hard to make them sound real. Meanwhile, he tries every possible way to search for his lost elder brother only to find that Udai never went to America at all and that he merely runs a barber shop in the city. It is heart-rending for Ramankant to know that his elder brother was not that great after all and is petrified at the thought of their distraught mother and how would he break the truth to her.
Here comes another twist to the story where Ramakant decides to go to America himself to make their mother’s dream come true. With Udai helping him with the money to be paid to the agent who smuggles the American-dream for a huge amount, Ramakant finally gets ready to leave for the unfathomable country. The climax shows Ramakant being shipped to America in a huge cargo container.
Umrika is more like an art movie- slow paced and pregnant with emotions. Unspoken feelings and talks –of- the -eye replace most of the dialogues. The maker has given profound attention to the details in bringing into life the period the movie is set in. Although the subject -matter of chasing the American dream is not a fresh one, it is the unusual story that takes the movie to the next level. The climax was abrupt; the movie might have been more interesting if it could show forth the life of Ramakant after he reaches America and how he adapts there.
Superb acting by Suraj Sharma (of the “Life of Pi” fame) and can rightly be called the unprecedented hero of the movie. Wish Tony Revolori (of the "Grand Budapest" fame) had a more convincing role to pla
LIDO CINEMAS TOUR AND 8K RADIUS SERIES SCREENING NEW
LIDO website
8K Radius Project youtube channel - C;ayton Jacobson
media invite - kind courtesy of Georgina Wills/Classic Cinemas Marketing Director and Deveta Patel of Zilla and Brook Publicity and Production
I am still under the impression of this experience of visiting a newly opened Lido Cinemas in Hawthorn and 8K Radius film series screening.
Eddie Tamir, the owner told us the fascinating story of the old Lido building that was saved all thanks to his dedication to his dream and his passion. Eddie told us that 6 out of 8 (plus the rooftop) cinemas have their own very special history that made this place so unique. It tool 5 years to renovate this place. Was also excited by the original ceiling that was kept as it was when the building was erected in 1911. Each cinema has its color code and the paths on the floor show the way to the ones with a color coordinated pattern. There is so much love put in this place and so much positive energy. There is a a cute area especially designed for the jazz concerts that started taking place at the cinema and run very successfully with full house and great musicians participating. It is a beautiful area full of coffee aroma and yummy snacks - similar to the Classic Cinema but designed in a modern style with historic elements kept. When you visit the place - pay attention at the circle-glass windows in the ceiling - they reveal the ceilings in the hall above the food / drinks area and show the original blue and brown ceilings with original Lido design. The biggest theater 1 is colored red (even the soft and comfortable cinema armchairs are made out of red hew plush) and there is the apparent reason for it - the atmosphere of the ex-cabaret (that was Lido once long time ago) was smartly left untouched... You can feel with your 6-th sense that this place will bring the new and fresh energy not only to the local community but also to the starting to flourish Classic Cinemas chain (Cameo plus) ... According to Eddie's words the cinema will be a mix of art house and mainstream movies and with the philosophy that the cinema team is following (not judging any movies produced be they short or long, comedies or dramas - as they all have their own audiences: eyes, ears of people who know and feel what is right for them...) I can see they are on the right path. With all my respect to many commercial movies I tend to love very unusual cinematography designed for boutique audiences that have a good taste in good art... It was also very pleasing to know that the cinema will be screening the next Swinburn University students and graduates new film projects supporting the young stream in the industry.
I read:
"No, my long game is the one I'm playing," he says. "Cinemas over 100 years old have chequered histories. It's like the layered hieroglyphics of an economy, in a way, the layers of success and failure and redoing it, in the 1930s, in the 1960s, and now us.
"I love that. It may not be so commercially smart, but I love it."
and I totally agree with these words... Sometimes money is not everything but the intentions and the good energy put in the community is more than everything...
Our experience was not over while we followed bewitched by the stories Eddies told us from one theater to the other, from one secret room to the rooftop until the cinema 1 revealed its most beautiful mystery: the magic white screen... what a story we were told!.. to speak precisely there were four stories making a part of 8K Radius series film. The 8K Radius is combined of short 5-6 min stories about the people around us and the short stories will be screened in Lido cinema exclusively. The short films are about what is next to you and who you never would think make a movie star: tram operation server of Camberwell Tram Depot, a violin maker from Hawthron across the street, an army corporal from Royal Victorian Regiment: Pipes and Drums and one more last and most inspiring story of a blind remedial therapist and a weight lifter (in one person)... I suppose this list will continue on... making the heroes from the ordinary people who work next to your door step: all about their passion and love to what they do, their unusual world view - you may meet them tomorrow and give them a hug because you know know a little bit more about the place where you live about the people who make changes not for the sake of profit or money making but because they love what they do and they create and shape the world around them to make it better for everyone...
What a great way to finish the Lido cinema story today... .actually why finish?... It will go on for sure... Let's be part of it too...
READ MORE ABOUT LIDO
LIDO website
8K Radius Project youtube channel - C;ayton Jacobson
media invite - kind courtesy of Georgina Wills/Classic Cinemas Marketing Director and Deveta Patel of Zilla and Brook Publicity and Production
I am still under the impression of this experience of visiting a newly opened Lido Cinemas in Hawthorn and 8K Radius film series screening.
Eddie Tamir, the owner told us the fascinating story of the old Lido building that was saved all thanks to his dedication to his dream and his passion. Eddie told us that 6 out of 8 (plus the rooftop) cinemas have their own very special history that made this place so unique. It tool 5 years to renovate this place. Was also excited by the original ceiling that was kept as it was when the building was erected in 1911. Each cinema has its color code and the paths on the floor show the way to the ones with a color coordinated pattern. There is so much love put in this place and so much positive energy. There is a a cute area especially designed for the jazz concerts that started taking place at the cinema and run very successfully with full house and great musicians participating. It is a beautiful area full of coffee aroma and yummy snacks - similar to the Classic Cinema but designed in a modern style with historic elements kept. When you visit the place - pay attention at the circle-glass windows in the ceiling - they reveal the ceilings in the hall above the food / drinks area and show the original blue and brown ceilings with original Lido design. The biggest theater 1 is colored red (even the soft and comfortable cinema armchairs are made out of red hew plush) and there is the apparent reason for it - the atmosphere of the ex-cabaret (that was Lido once long time ago) was smartly left untouched... You can feel with your 6-th sense that this place will bring the new and fresh energy not only to the local community but also to the starting to flourish Classic Cinemas chain (Cameo plus) ... According to Eddie's words the cinema will be a mix of art house and mainstream movies and with the philosophy that the cinema team is following (not judging any movies produced be they short or long, comedies or dramas - as they all have their own audiences: eyes, ears of people who know and feel what is right for them...) I can see they are on the right path. With all my respect to many commercial movies I tend to love very unusual cinematography designed for boutique audiences that have a good taste in good art... It was also very pleasing to know that the cinema will be screening the next Swinburn University students and graduates new film projects supporting the young stream in the industry.
I read:
"No, my long game is the one I'm playing," he says. "Cinemas over 100 years old have chequered histories. It's like the layered hieroglyphics of an economy, in a way, the layers of success and failure and redoing it, in the 1930s, in the 1960s, and now us.
"I love that. It may not be so commercially smart, but I love it."
and I totally agree with these words... Sometimes money is not everything but the intentions and the good energy put in the community is more than everything...
Our experience was not over while we followed bewitched by the stories Eddies told us from one theater to the other, from one secret room to the rooftop until the cinema 1 revealed its most beautiful mystery: the magic white screen... what a story we were told!.. to speak precisely there were four stories making a part of 8K Radius series film. The 8K Radius is combined of short 5-6 min stories about the people around us and the short stories will be screened in Lido cinema exclusively. The short films are about what is next to you and who you never would think make a movie star: tram operation server of Camberwell Tram Depot, a violin maker from Hawthron across the street, an army corporal from Royal Victorian Regiment: Pipes and Drums and one more last and most inspiring story of a blind remedial therapist and a weight lifter (in one person)... I suppose this list will continue on... making the heroes from the ordinary people who work next to your door step: all about their passion and love to what they do, their unusual world view - you may meet them tomorrow and give them a hug because you know know a little bit more about the place where you live about the people who make changes not for the sake of profit or money making but because they love what they do and they create and shape the world around them to make it better for everyone...
What a great way to finish the Lido cinema story today... .actually why finish?... It will go on for sure... Let's be part of it too...
READ MORE ABOUT LIDO
SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2015 - BLOWFLY PARK NEW
website
RATE: 7/10
review by Julie Dargan
Kristian (Kille) is on a path to destruction. He lived my the sword and died by the sword.
This movie had me confused to the hilt but make sure to watch it in its entirety and you will not be disappointed.
A storyline that could be applied to any youth of any era; looking for guidance and someone to watch out for them.
Standard set, brilliant performance by all actors.
My score 7/10
Julie Dargan
RN, ND, BHSc
website
RATE: 7/10
review by Julie Dargan
Kristian (Kille) is on a path to destruction. He lived my the sword and died by the sword.
This movie had me confused to the hilt but make sure to watch it in its entirety and you will not be disappointed.
A storyline that could be applied to any youth of any era; looking for guidance and someone to watch out for them.
Standard set, brilliant performance by all actors.
My score 7/10
Julie Dargan
RN, ND, BHSc
GETT, THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM NEW
website
RATE: 9/10
screener - kind courtesy of Icon Film Distribution
review by Julie Dargan
This is a very powerful, thought provoking, frustrating (for a woman) piece of cinema insight into the Jewish archaic protocols.
A gett is a Jewish divorce which can only be given by a court of rabbinical judges along with the consent of the husband. Absurd but true apparently. In Israel, where there is neither civil marriage nor civil divorce, for a woman to divorce her husband she must front Orthodox rabbis for the dissolution of her union.
A storyline executed in brilliant fashion, had me intrigued and fuming from the beginning to the end. Viviane is a no one in the court room, only the men’s voices are heard. She turns up to every court session, where the husband decides many a time to abstain, but each time the court favours him.
Would be interesting to hear a male’s perspective of this film. Being a woman I felt great empathy for Vivianne and wondered at her resolve, which was surely tested.
A remarkable film and a must see at the upcoming Jewish Film Festival.
My score 9/10
website
RATE: 9/10
screener - kind courtesy of Icon Film Distribution
review by Julie Dargan
This is a very powerful, thought provoking, frustrating (for a woman) piece of cinema insight into the Jewish archaic protocols.
A gett is a Jewish divorce which can only be given by a court of rabbinical judges along with the consent of the husband. Absurd but true apparently. In Israel, where there is neither civil marriage nor civil divorce, for a woman to divorce her husband she must front Orthodox rabbis for the dissolution of her union.
A storyline executed in brilliant fashion, had me intrigued and fuming from the beginning to the end. Viviane is a no one in the court room, only the men’s voices are heard. She turns up to every court session, where the husband decides many a time to abstain, but each time the court favours him.
Would be interesting to hear a male’s perspective of this film. Being a woman I felt great empathy for Vivianne and wondered at her resolve, which was surely tested.
A remarkable film and a must see at the upcoming Jewish Film Festival.
My score 9/10
GETT, THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM NEW
website
RATE: 8/10
...the sad story of Viviane and Elisha Amsalem's divorce trial
The is only one law - God's law... Should we be careful when we choose our Gods to rule our lives?
Should our Gods be merciful and forgiving, gentle and not vengeful? Or should they be evil as the laws they create for us will reflect who they are (aka who we are). Should our Gods make us suffer, limit our freedoms and humiliate us by their laws we have to follow? Should the laws show that we are all equal in the face of God. or should they reflect that ugly truth about ourselves that some people have to be better than the others? Do we have to be ashamed by our laws? Examples? I do not have to go far for the examples... Some of them are keep changing representing more and more varieties of basic laws.....and who should write and re-wrote the Gods' laws?,, I was ashamed and trembling watching this movie that shacked my deep inner core of human being... being-ness where only Gods' laws work and everything else is a simple absurd.
There is one more thought that followed me for the whole movie... The man swore that he loves his woman. I always thought that loving means letting go as love is the highest expression of freedom. If you keep someone you posses him/her - there is no freedom aka no love. The movie is ending in nowhere as the laws with their plain stupidity should go in rounds and rounds driving people crazy and never develop, never materialize, never eventuate and never grow... - they are not laws - they are the emotionless tools to control something that can not be controlled by words and papers.
The story reveals very slowly keeping the audience questioning: why is Viviane divorcing her husband? He is a good man... you do not know yet what side to take and you can not understand on what grounds she is so desperate to leave him?...
When you watch the movie please pay attention on Viviane's outfits and her hair styles changing from one episode to another...
One more and last note: stunning acting by the main actress and the movie co-director: Ronit Elkabetz!
website
RATE: 8/10
...the sad story of Viviane and Elisha Amsalem's divorce trial
The is only one law - God's law... Should we be careful when we choose our Gods to rule our lives?
Should our Gods be merciful and forgiving, gentle and not vengeful? Or should they be evil as the laws they create for us will reflect who they are (aka who we are). Should our Gods make us suffer, limit our freedoms and humiliate us by their laws we have to follow? Should the laws show that we are all equal in the face of God. or should they reflect that ugly truth about ourselves that some people have to be better than the others? Do we have to be ashamed by our laws? Examples? I do not have to go far for the examples... Some of them are keep changing representing more and more varieties of basic laws.....and who should write and re-wrote the Gods' laws?,, I was ashamed and trembling watching this movie that shacked my deep inner core of human being... being-ness where only Gods' laws work and everything else is a simple absurd.
There is one more thought that followed me for the whole movie... The man swore that he loves his woman. I always thought that loving means letting go as love is the highest expression of freedom. If you keep someone you posses him/her - there is no freedom aka no love. The movie is ending in nowhere as the laws with their plain stupidity should go in rounds and rounds driving people crazy and never develop, never materialize, never eventuate and never grow... - they are not laws - they are the emotionless tools to control something that can not be controlled by words and papers.
The story reveals very slowly keeping the audience questioning: why is Viviane divorcing her husband? He is a good man... you do not know yet what side to take and you can not understand on what grounds she is so desperate to leave him?...
When you watch the movie please pay attention on Viviane's outfits and her hair styles changing from one episode to another...
One more and last note: stunning acting by the main actress and the movie co-director: Ronit Elkabetz!
FREEDOM STORIES NEW
website
RATE: 7/10
We all have our stories: some are mild, some are frightening, some are milder, and some are moving... We all have stories as we all (or our ancestors) came to Australian shores long time ago, not so log time ago or just recently. We all can tel stories that are fascinating like live itself... But one side is to tell the story - another and more difficult part is to film such stories, place them in the right light and in the proper picture and give the the inspiring perspective...
The producers of this documentary made a fantastic job (and it took them long 5 years) to capture on camera many families of refugees from around the world who escaped running for their lives coming to Australian shores and asking for a shelter in a safer place, yes, safer then their homes: be in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and many others. Their stories, stories of new freedom are not only inspiring and extraordinary, they also teach many of us many valuable lessons: never to give up fighting for their future and the future of their children and families...
The documentary is beautifully and skillfully made with lots of words of wisdom and good examples of a very simple working idea: if you always work in the past, the past can destroy and poison you... you should always concentrate on the current situation and create your future with a positive attitude encouraging not only yourself but the people around you with your energy and hope... always for the better...
website
RATE: 7/10
We all have our stories: some are mild, some are frightening, some are milder, and some are moving... We all have stories as we all (or our ancestors) came to Australian shores long time ago, not so log time ago or just recently. We all can tel stories that are fascinating like live itself... But one side is to tell the story - another and more difficult part is to film such stories, place them in the right light and in the proper picture and give the the inspiring perspective...
The producers of this documentary made a fantastic job (and it took them long 5 years) to capture on camera many families of refugees from around the world who escaped running for their lives coming to Australian shores and asking for a shelter in a safer place, yes, safer then their homes: be in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and many others. Their stories, stories of new freedom are not only inspiring and extraordinary, they also teach many of us many valuable lessons: never to give up fighting for their future and the future of their children and families...
The documentary is beautifully and skillfully made with lots of words of wisdom and good examples of a very simple working idea: if you always work in the past, the past can destroy and poison you... you should always concentrate on the current situation and create your future with a positive attitude encouraging not only yourself but the people around you with your energy and hope... always for the better...
ARMI ALIVE! - SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL NEW
ARMI ELÄÄ
RATE: 9/10
website
review by Julie Dargan
Armi Ratia (1912-1979) was a textile artist, the founder of Marimekko and one of the most famous Finnish entrepreneurs.
Today Marimekko is a leading textile company, producing fabrics and readymade items for stores all over the world. Their designs can be seen in places as varied as Crate and Barrel and H&M.
Armi Alive showcases the flamboyant life of Armi in a simplistic setting. Minna Haapkylä stars as Ratia in the film and produces a stunning portrayal.
Why is it that most successful, innovative people had an underlying simmering alcohol addiction, or borderline insane, with major insecurities??
Whatever the reason, Armi is the most respected textile artist to come out of Finland and this movie is a tribute to her determination and insight to produce bold textiles wanted by women the world over.
The setting of the movie is in the theatre and is a stroke of genius. To tell the story of Armi Ratia would not be true without a deviation from the normal movie set.
A must see at the upcoming film festival.
My score 9/10
ARMI ELÄÄ
RATE: 9/10
website
review by Julie Dargan
Armi Ratia (1912-1979) was a textile artist, the founder of Marimekko and one of the most famous Finnish entrepreneurs.
Today Marimekko is a leading textile company, producing fabrics and readymade items for stores all over the world. Their designs can be seen in places as varied as Crate and Barrel and H&M.
Armi Alive showcases the flamboyant life of Armi in a simplistic setting. Minna Haapkylä stars as Ratia in the film and produces a stunning portrayal.
Why is it that most successful, innovative people had an underlying simmering alcohol addiction, or borderline insane, with major insecurities??
Whatever the reason, Armi is the most respected textile artist to come out of Finland and this movie is a tribute to her determination and insight to produce bold textiles wanted by women the world over.
The setting of the movie is in the theatre and is a stroke of genius. To tell the story of Armi Ratia would not be true without a deviation from the normal movie set.
A must see at the upcoming film festival.
My score 9/10
THEY HAVE ESCAPED
HE OVAT PAENNEET
SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2015
RATE: 4/10
website
review by Julie Dargan
Joni is a 19 year old who finds himself in a correctional facility for quite difficult teens as part of his civilian service. He quickly seems to go on the run with Raisa, one of the difficult teens. They go on the run
Raisa and Joni are portrayed as two teenagers who do not how to behave in an adult world, yet, as with all teenagers, think they know it all.
This movie was rather frustrating for me. Perhaps I am too old school or simply wanted to be entertained, but I found this movie too slow and drawn out.
My score 4/10
HE OVAT PAENNEET
SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2015
RATE: 4/10
website
review by Julie Dargan
Joni is a 19 year old who finds himself in a correctional facility for quite difficult teens as part of his civilian service. He quickly seems to go on the run with Raisa, one of the difficult teens. They go on the run
Raisa and Joni are portrayed as two teenagers who do not how to behave in an adult world, yet, as with all teenagers, think they know it all.
This movie was rather frustrating for me. Perhaps I am too old school or simply wanted to be entertained, but I found this movie too slow and drawn out.
My score 4/10
THE GRUMP
MIELENSÄPAHOITTAJA
SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2015
RATE: 9/10
website
review by Julie Dargan
The Grump is one film you must see at the Scandinavian film festival. To me this was not a story about a Grumpy old man but a man very much set in his ways. A father who did not seem to keep up with the times but managed to survive a life on the farm all of his adult life without need for modern advancements.
Keeping up with technology can be difficult for most of us but to be thrust into the modern world due to falling down a staircase and having to live with your daughter in law and son can be a difficult task.
This movie had me in stitches with laughter at times and at other times I was deeply touched by how insensitive the younger generation can be towards the ageing population.
Everyone has something to offer in life, we all need to remember this and this film certainly shows us it is wise to look at life from a different angle sometimes and enjoy each precious moment.
My score 9/10
MIELENSÄPAHOITTAJA
SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2015
RATE: 9/10
website
review by Julie Dargan
The Grump is one film you must see at the Scandinavian film festival. To me this was not a story about a Grumpy old man but a man very much set in his ways. A father who did not seem to keep up with the times but managed to survive a life on the farm all of his adult life without need for modern advancements.
Keeping up with technology can be difficult for most of us but to be thrust into the modern world due to falling down a staircase and having to live with your daughter in law and son can be a difficult task.
This movie had me in stitches with laughter at times and at other times I was deeply touched by how insensitive the younger generation can be towards the ageing population.
Everyone has something to offer in life, we all need to remember this and this film certainly shows us it is wise to look at life from a different angle sometimes and enjoy each precious moment.
My score 9/10
AMY - NOMINATED BY BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY CLUB THE BEST MOVIE OF THE MONTH
website
RATE: 10/10
This movie will turn your world upside down because it will...
She can not let you touch her soul and leave you emotionless because SHE IS EMOTION, she is everything, there is a whole Universe in this woman. There are Universes in every woman like her - she gives you everything in life and on stage to the extend when there is nothing else left for her and she still finds power inside of her to continue living... She is gorgeous, she is powerful, she is talented... SHE IS Barbra Streisand but a rougher version of her... She is so talented there is not enough words for me to tell you all about her lyrics and how deep and bottomless it is, about her music and its waves, and finally about her distinct voice... I found a CD that I bought long time ago for my son and I never listened to it myself as I though that AMY was just a "fashionable" singer of her time... No, this is not the case - AMY is something that we all will call CLASSICAL. She is classical jazz singer and much more.
When you watch the movie she will take you in her world and you will never be able to leave her world... She will keep you a prisoner of her talent and her voice forever...
It is so interesting to note how such souls always manage to catch parasites that suck on them: be it their money, their energy or something else: how they find the pray....
When you watch the movie please pay attention to what Any calls a success in her life: for her SUCCESS IS FREEDOM... Not money (as we all tend to believe that money and publicity is a definition of success - not at all. As you will see her life was not a success as she was like a bird in the cage - she had everyone doing and planning her life for her. When you are not in control what you do next and tomorrow success is nothing as there is no freedom - you do not belong to yourself - you belong to the people who do things for you and manage your life for you...
When you watch this movie (and you WILL watch it) please also pay attention how Amy describes music. MUSIC is a PERSON for her. She treats music like a lover - she can not live her life without the music...
This movie is like a perfectly designed diamond - there are so many sides of it - we kept discussing it on our way home. The subjects are endless: how week men use powerful women and manipulate them; why drugs become the only option and the only escape; why powerful people become weak and addicted; the list goes on and on...
The movie is a great reflection of our own lives; it is like a mirror you can see yourself in... Sometimes I think: why it happens with the best of us?
Adored neglecting the sad ending...
website
RATE: 10/10
This movie will turn your world upside down because it will...
She can not let you touch her soul and leave you emotionless because SHE IS EMOTION, she is everything, there is a whole Universe in this woman. There are Universes in every woman like her - she gives you everything in life and on stage to the extend when there is nothing else left for her and she still finds power inside of her to continue living... She is gorgeous, she is powerful, she is talented... SHE IS Barbra Streisand but a rougher version of her... She is so talented there is not enough words for me to tell you all about her lyrics and how deep and bottomless it is, about her music and its waves, and finally about her distinct voice... I found a CD that I bought long time ago for my son and I never listened to it myself as I though that AMY was just a "fashionable" singer of her time... No, this is not the case - AMY is something that we all will call CLASSICAL. She is classical jazz singer and much more.
When you watch the movie she will take you in her world and you will never be able to leave her world... She will keep you a prisoner of her talent and her voice forever...
It is so interesting to note how such souls always manage to catch parasites that suck on them: be it their money, their energy or something else: how they find the pray....
When you watch the movie please pay attention to what Any calls a success in her life: for her SUCCESS IS FREEDOM... Not money (as we all tend to believe that money and publicity is a definition of success - not at all. As you will see her life was not a success as she was like a bird in the cage - she had everyone doing and planning her life for her. When you are not in control what you do next and tomorrow success is nothing as there is no freedom - you do not belong to yourself - you belong to the people who do things for you and manage your life for you...
When you watch this movie (and you WILL watch it) please also pay attention how Amy describes music. MUSIC is a PERSON for her. She treats music like a lover - she can not live her life without the music...
This movie is like a perfectly designed diamond - there are so many sides of it - we kept discussing it on our way home. The subjects are endless: how week men use powerful women and manipulate them; why drugs become the only option and the only escape; why powerful people become weak and addicted; the list goes on and on...
The movie is a great reflection of our own lives; it is like a mirror you can see yourself in... Sometimes I think: why it happens with the best of us?
Adored neglecting the sad ending...
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A FAMILY AFFAIR
Mia oikogeneiaki ypothesi
RATE: 6/10
This movie is so full of beautiful inspiring music you want to start dancing and singing yourself...
NO matter how old you are: 70, 40 or 16 - the music lives in you like air, like your soul. For the Crete family of
Xylouris music became more than just a joyful sound. One can see when they play the music becomes a part of the person who plays it. The music pattern never repeats itself, it is all pure improvisation, you can not play the same tune twice; you can play similar but not exactly the same. It is also such a pleasure to observe hos people live their land traditions and hos they respect what was given to them once by Gods. These people all look like Gods themselves - they have curly hair and deep eyes, they have beards and the music that flies from their fingers is divine like heaven. Why they can not see that they are Gods or may be they know... They make the other people so happy, dancing following their tunes, the musicians must be Gods for sure... When this thought crossed my mind while I was watching the movie suddenly the name Zeus appeared in one of the songs... like a magical sign of truth. It is great to observe how traditions are passed through generations from the older people to the green young off springs.
The movie is not only for those who love Greek music but for all happy people to watch!
You will find more information about the creator of this movie and all the actors who play themselves via this LINK
Mia oikogeneiaki ypothesi
RATE: 6/10
This movie is so full of beautiful inspiring music you want to start dancing and singing yourself...
NO matter how old you are: 70, 40 or 16 - the music lives in you like air, like your soul. For the Crete family of
Xylouris music became more than just a joyful sound. One can see when they play the music becomes a part of the person who plays it. The music pattern never repeats itself, it is all pure improvisation, you can not play the same tune twice; you can play similar but not exactly the same. It is also such a pleasure to observe hos people live their land traditions and hos they respect what was given to them once by Gods. These people all look like Gods themselves - they have curly hair and deep eyes, they have beards and the music that flies from their fingers is divine like heaven. Why they can not see that they are Gods or may be they know... They make the other people so happy, dancing following their tunes, the musicians must be Gods for sure... When this thought crossed my mind while I was watching the movie suddenly the name Zeus appeared in one of the songs... like a magical sign of truth. It is great to observe how traditions are passed through generations from the older people to the green young off springs.
The movie is not only for those who love Greek music but for all happy people to watch!
You will find more information about the creator of this movie and all the actors who play themselves via this LINK
THE SECRET RIVER ON DVD NEW
RATE: 9/10
website
review by Julie Dargan
The Secret River is a two part mini series based on the novel by Kate Grenville.
Set in the early 19th Century during the British colonisation of NSW. Will Thornhill (played by Oliver Jackson-Cohen) along with his wife Sal Thornhill (Sarah Snook) claims a piece of land, which Will titles “Thornhill’s Point”, on the majestic and remote Hawkesbury River, aka The Secret River.
This is not another series of wronged men from the UK and Ireland being shipped to Australia for stealing some wood, as Will was guilty of. This series shows both sides of the heartache, turmoil and desperation during the early occupation.
Will brings with him an oppressed and impoverished past; a past that is reflected in many other pardon convicts that have also claimed land in NSW. What they have not countered on is the fact that the "savages” , that the aborigines are referred to in this series, are tired of the empty promises and are fighting back for their land that is slowly being taken away from them.
Be ready for some gruelling scenes! This series certainly opened my eyes up to the fear and desperation experienced by both settlers and Indigenous alike. Will be sure to get a discussion in any living room.
Spectacular scenery and brilliant sound track this is a mini series to be watched, and a book to be read.
My score 9/10
RATE: 9/10
website
review by Julie Dargan
The Secret River is a two part mini series based on the novel by Kate Grenville.
Set in the early 19th Century during the British colonisation of NSW. Will Thornhill (played by Oliver Jackson-Cohen) along with his wife Sal Thornhill (Sarah Snook) claims a piece of land, which Will titles “Thornhill’s Point”, on the majestic and remote Hawkesbury River, aka The Secret River.
This is not another series of wronged men from the UK and Ireland being shipped to Australia for stealing some wood, as Will was guilty of. This series shows both sides of the heartache, turmoil and desperation during the early occupation.
Will brings with him an oppressed and impoverished past; a past that is reflected in many other pardon convicts that have also claimed land in NSW. What they have not countered on is the fact that the "savages” , that the aborigines are referred to in this series, are tired of the empty promises and are fighting back for their land that is slowly being taken away from them.
Be ready for some gruelling scenes! This series certainly opened my eyes up to the fear and desperation experienced by both settlers and Indigenous alike. Will be sure to get a discussion in any living room.
Spectacular scenery and brilliant sound track this is a mini series to be watched, and a book to be read.
My score 9/10
THE ABSENT ONE NEW
Fasandræberne
SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2014
RATE: 8/10
website
review by Julie Dargan
The Absent One is a part of a trilogy but do not let that deter you. The Absent One is the second instalment and I was enthralled without needing to view the first of the series.
The Absent Ones is a story of rich, preppy adolescents in Denmark. They believe they are above the law, but the law usually has a way of catching up with them.
A father has to commit suicide to get the police to listen to him in his quest to see justice for the brutal rape and murder of his twin son and daughter. A cold case of 20 years prior with the wrong man jailed. Once the case was re-opended, a major pandoras box is unleashed with nauseating crimes never resolved being brought to light.
I loved the clever plot to this movie, you never knew which way it was going until the final end. Was it my imagination or was the present set in sepia with the past set in vivid colour?
As I was watching this movie I felt like I was reading a good thick, juicy novel that I did not want to put down. Long movies like this take a lot to keep my interest but this move had me entranced from beginning to end.
My score 8/10
Fasandræberne
SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2014
RATE: 8/10
website
review by Julie Dargan
The Absent One is a part of a trilogy but do not let that deter you. The Absent One is the second instalment and I was enthralled without needing to view the first of the series.
The Absent Ones is a story of rich, preppy adolescents in Denmark. They believe they are above the law, but the law usually has a way of catching up with them.
A father has to commit suicide to get the police to listen to him in his quest to see justice for the brutal rape and murder of his twin son and daughter. A cold case of 20 years prior with the wrong man jailed. Once the case was re-opended, a major pandoras box is unleashed with nauseating crimes never resolved being brought to light.
I loved the clever plot to this movie, you never knew which way it was going until the final end. Was it my imagination or was the present set in sepia with the past set in vivid colour?
As I was watching this movie I felt like I was reading a good thick, juicy novel that I did not want to put down. Long movies like this take a lot to keep my interest but this move had me entranced from beginning to end.
My score 8/10
SILENT HEART
SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2015
website
review by Irina Ivanova
Silent Heart (Danish: Stille hjerte, Quiet heart) is a 2014 family drama directed by the Academy-Award winning Bille August exploring the topic of euthanasia with all its excruciating agony of human emotions.
A family gathers for a Christmas dinner, however it is not a usual gathering – something heavy is hanging in the air, something very disturbing in the mood of the guests. The word "death" is no stranger for these people. It will soon become the only thing they can think and talk about.
The story takes place in a remote country house submerged in the pale and greyish hues of the cold Scandinavian autumn. The Christmas have come a few months earlier to this family, because Esther, the matriarch of the family, who is incurably ill, will not make it to the actual celebration and wants to have this final get-together with her beloved ones. The two sisters Heidi and Sanne have come to say the last goodbyes to their mother. The bared emotions of these irregular circumstances unfold the long-standing contradiction of the young females.
What seemed to be an agreed-on decision becomes a real torture for everybody involved. Some family members are suspected to be biased toward the death of the poor woman. This is when the characters are tested and some dark secrets are revealed. As the movie proves, it is painfully hard to find serenity in the knowing that this is what needs to be done when your loved one's life is at stake. It is never easy to let go…
SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2015
website
review by Irina Ivanova
Silent Heart (Danish: Stille hjerte, Quiet heart) is a 2014 family drama directed by the Academy-Award winning Bille August exploring the topic of euthanasia with all its excruciating agony of human emotions.
A family gathers for a Christmas dinner, however it is not a usual gathering – something heavy is hanging in the air, something very disturbing in the mood of the guests. The word "death" is no stranger for these people. It will soon become the only thing they can think and talk about.
The story takes place in a remote country house submerged in the pale and greyish hues of the cold Scandinavian autumn. The Christmas have come a few months earlier to this family, because Esther, the matriarch of the family, who is incurably ill, will not make it to the actual celebration and wants to have this final get-together with her beloved ones. The two sisters Heidi and Sanne have come to say the last goodbyes to their mother. The bared emotions of these irregular circumstances unfold the long-standing contradiction of the young females.
What seemed to be an agreed-on decision becomes a real torture for everybody involved. Some family members are suspected to be biased toward the death of the poor woman. This is when the characters are tested and some dark secrets are revealed. As the movie proves, it is painfully hard to find serenity in the knowing that this is what needs to be done when your loved one's life is at stake. It is never easy to let go…
UNDERDOG
SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2015
RATE: 9/10
website
media opening and review screening. Bohemian Rhapsody Club is grateful to Rachel Cassar and Asha Holmes for the opportunity to this editorial and festival advertising
In one word - the movie is like a book with many interesting pages, with many plots within one plot; the movie is more a book than a movie...
Some thoughts:
1 on the plots within the plot. some of the "smaller plots" are mentioned by the way, some are pictured very vividly like a good quality painting that you can read and observe for a longer time...
- the main character had a drinking problem
- the main character has a father with drinking problem
- the relationship between the husband and wife and "old sins" of the wife
- the main character amazing drawing talents
- the older sister character is pictured so naturally and so beautifully - fully developed character with her reactions on the events inside the family
- the episodes with swimming of two girls and cycling at the end of the story are very powerful and so raw and so organic!
- the episode at the hotel check-out is seemingly insignificant but shows the end of the love story also so realistic!
2. we were surprised to find out some political details with some history referencing about the Norway and Sweden relationship, nationalism and unbalance built on this
3. work relationship are shown in a very straightforward way: slavery of one nation by the other...
4. camera and director's work - sensational!
5. very gifted actors!
6. and finally overall - I highly recommend this movie to be watched by all cinema-loving people.
SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2015
RATE: 9/10
website
media opening and review screening. Bohemian Rhapsody Club is grateful to Rachel Cassar and Asha Holmes for the opportunity to this editorial and festival advertising
In one word - the movie is like a book with many interesting pages, with many plots within one plot; the movie is more a book than a movie...
Some thoughts:
1 on the plots within the plot. some of the "smaller plots" are mentioned by the way, some are pictured very vividly like a good quality painting that you can read and observe for a longer time...
- the main character had a drinking problem
- the main character has a father with drinking problem
- the relationship between the husband and wife and "old sins" of the wife
- the main character amazing drawing talents
- the older sister character is pictured so naturally and so beautifully - fully developed character with her reactions on the events inside the family
- the episodes with swimming of two girls and cycling at the end of the story are very powerful and so raw and so organic!
- the episode at the hotel check-out is seemingly insignificant but shows the end of the love story also so realistic!
2. we were surprised to find out some political details with some history referencing about the Norway and Sweden relationship, nationalism and unbalance built on this
3. work relationship are shown in a very straightforward way: slavery of one nation by the other...
4. camera and director's work - sensational!
5. very gifted actors!
6. and finally overall - I highly recommend this movie to be watched by all cinema-loving people.
Festival trailer and media opening photos:
LOVE AND MERCY
RATE: 6/10
website
media preview - kind courtesy of Icon Films Distribution
Love and Mercy is a movie about life of Brian Wilson, a lead singer of The Beach Boys. Should I say the movie is very complex as complicated and eclectic as the soul of Brian himself. It is about Brian's life and his struggle with his own demons. In my personal opinion the films emphases way too much on the dark sides to the extend when the depression is almost unbearable and can be felt in the air so vividly filmed that it is almost harmful. I could not personally take any more of it and can only imagine what the main hero went through mentally and physically. I was very glad some very dark scenes were interrupted by memory flashing of a better times: with his new love... and should I say the camera work was outstanding as well as all the actors. Sometimes it takes only one right person in your life to set up a balance, to set things right and make your road smooth, happy and beautiful again... sounds almost like a miracle and I also believe it is a god's blessing to find your other half that could do it for you... Was gladly listening to all familiar good and old songs and music thinking the author should be a real genius to get it so right for all of us to enjoy! Y the way and you can read it also all across internet:
"Love and Mercy" is the title of a song written by Brian Wilson. It is the opening track of his solo album "Brian Wilson', released July 1988.
The time feeling was also captured brilliantly in this movie.Well, I do not want to be banal in my expressions but at the end I thought: everything is good when it ends up in a good way no matter how rocky the road was...
RATE: 6/10
website
media preview - kind courtesy of Icon Films Distribution
Love and Mercy is a movie about life of Brian Wilson, a lead singer of The Beach Boys. Should I say the movie is very complex as complicated and eclectic as the soul of Brian himself. It is about Brian's life and his struggle with his own demons. In my personal opinion the films emphases way too much on the dark sides to the extend when the depression is almost unbearable and can be felt in the air so vividly filmed that it is almost harmful. I could not personally take any more of it and can only imagine what the main hero went through mentally and physically. I was very glad some very dark scenes were interrupted by memory flashing of a better times: with his new love... and should I say the camera work was outstanding as well as all the actors. Sometimes it takes only one right person in your life to set up a balance, to set things right and make your road smooth, happy and beautiful again... sounds almost like a miracle and I also believe it is a god's blessing to find your other half that could do it for you... Was gladly listening to all familiar good and old songs and music thinking the author should be a real genius to get it so right for all of us to enjoy! Y the way and you can read it also all across internet:
"Love and Mercy" is the title of a song written by Brian Wilson. It is the opening track of his solo album "Brian Wilson', released July 1988.
The time feeling was also captured brilliantly in this movie.Well, I do not want to be banal in my expressions but at the end I thought: everything is good when it ends up in a good way no matter how rocky the road was...
OUT OF NATURE
SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2015
RATE: 5/10
website
review by Julie Dargan
Out of Nature,
Out of Nature is considered in the category of comedy/drama. It is a basically a one man show where we follow Martin on a weekend journey in the breathtaking Norwegian landscape.
This film took me by surprise for its slow, rather boring, insight into one man. As the story progressed, we were taken deeper into Martin’s head while he is out of a weekend mountain trip. Full uncensored, egotistical, self-centered thoughts are shared by Martin but could easily be my thoughts (or your thoughts, although not every single one), at one time or another.
A rather slow movie for me, perhaps too much for one to bear, of Martin’s outpouring a life of discomfort into a 70 minute timeframe.
My score 5/10
Check out tickets
SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2015
RATE: 5/10
website
review by Julie Dargan
Out of Nature,
Out of Nature is considered in the category of comedy/drama. It is a basically a one man show where we follow Martin on a weekend journey in the breathtaking Norwegian landscape.
This film took me by surprise for its slow, rather boring, insight into one man. As the story progressed, we were taken deeper into Martin’s head while he is out of a weekend mountain trip. Full uncensored, egotistical, self-centered thoughts are shared by Martin but could easily be my thoughts (or your thoughts, although not every single one), at one time or another.
A rather slow movie for me, perhaps too much for one to bear, of Martin’s outpouring a life of discomfort into a 70 minute timeframe.
My score 5/10
Check out tickets
ZERO MOTIVATION
LIDO CINEMA OPENING CELEBRATION
RATE: 8/10
website
review by Rachel Sandey
Bohemian Rhapsody Club is very grateful to Georgina Wills, the cinemas Marketing Coordinator for this invite
Zero Motivation is a dark comedy written and directed by Talya Levie, an interesting new artist in Izraeli Cinematography.
Film won the jury prize at the 2014 Festival. It's about low ranking female soldiers serving at some middle-of-nowhere military base, doing
basic secretarial chores in an administrative office. The work is dull and in their opinion is unimportant. So, they are bored and mostly occupy
and entertain themselves playing computer games.
This might be the only film ever made to focus on Israeli military outside gunfire and politics.
There is a sad , grim moment in the movie, like one of the girls commits suicide after finding her lover with another woman, but there are many funny moments, like one of the girls rebels against her superior officer and shredded all file's papers, stuffing all of it in the commander's office.
Without going into further description of events in the movie I'd like to say, that it given us a chance to meet a new original artist, who happens to be
really funny, intelligent and creative in her approach to filmmaking.
My rating is 8/10
LIDO CINEMA OPENING CELEBRATION
RATE: 8/10
website
review by Rachel Sandey
Bohemian Rhapsody Club is very grateful to Georgina Wills, the cinemas Marketing Coordinator for this invite
Zero Motivation is a dark comedy written and directed by Talya Levie, an interesting new artist in Izraeli Cinematography.
Film won the jury prize at the 2014 Festival. It's about low ranking female soldiers serving at some middle-of-nowhere military base, doing
basic secretarial chores in an administrative office. The work is dull and in their opinion is unimportant. So, they are bored and mostly occupy
and entertain themselves playing computer games.
This might be the only film ever made to focus on Israeli military outside gunfire and politics.
There is a sad , grim moment in the movie, like one of the girls commits suicide after finding her lover with another woman, but there are many funny moments, like one of the girls rebels against her superior officer and shredded all file's papers, stuffing all of it in the commander's office.
Without going into further description of events in the movie I'd like to say, that it given us a chance to meet a new original artist, who happens to be
really funny, intelligent and creative in her approach to filmmaking.
My rating is 8/10
PAPER PLANES ON DVD
RATE: 10/10
website
review by Julie Dargan, the Juice Masters, Australia
Paper Planes is an absolutely delightful film that the whole family can enjoy. Unique, witty, feel good, heart warming, smashing!
It is a magical story about a boy who discovers a talent for paper plane making and flying. But there is so much more to this movie than another competition.
There are many diverse undertones working in harmony in this film. Dylan is a 12 year old who displays much determination and maturity far beyond his years. The masterfulness of Paper Planes is showing a society in the 21st century that knows how to have fun without technology. It also explores what can happen when obstacles are overcome.
In one scene, Dylan (played by Ed Oxenbould) tries to wake his depressed father (played by Sam Worthington) to take him for his first challenge. Unable to wake him, Dylan does not give up. He simply gets on his bike, catches the bus, and makes it to the challenge without complaint.
Dylan’s grandfather (played by the charismatic Terry Norris) shows a refreshing side to old-age, and life really is what you make of it.
The DVD set comes with some great tutorials of how to make your own paper plane, the perfect throw and interviews with the real life Paper Pilots. As a family we had great fun after the movie making planes and see who could throw the longest plane.
Most of all, as depicted in the movie, it is not really all about winning, but enjoying the journey and interaction of paper planes as a family is what counts. That is where we created our own magic.
My score 10/10.
RATE: 10/10
website
review by Julie Dargan, the Juice Masters, Australia
Paper Planes is an absolutely delightful film that the whole family can enjoy. Unique, witty, feel good, heart warming, smashing!
It is a magical story about a boy who discovers a talent for paper plane making and flying. But there is so much more to this movie than another competition.
There are many diverse undertones working in harmony in this film. Dylan is a 12 year old who displays much determination and maturity far beyond his years. The masterfulness of Paper Planes is showing a society in the 21st century that knows how to have fun without technology. It also explores what can happen when obstacles are overcome.
In one scene, Dylan (played by Ed Oxenbould) tries to wake his depressed father (played by Sam Worthington) to take him for his first challenge. Unable to wake him, Dylan does not give up. He simply gets on his bike, catches the bus, and makes it to the challenge without complaint.
Dylan’s grandfather (played by the charismatic Terry Norris) shows a refreshing side to old-age, and life really is what you make of it.
The DVD set comes with some great tutorials of how to make your own paper plane, the perfect throw and interviews with the real life Paper Pilots. As a family we had great fun after the movie making planes and see who could throw the longest plane.
Most of all, as depicted in the movie, it is not really all about winning, but enjoying the journey and interaction of paper planes as a family is what counts. That is where we created our own magic.
My score 10/10.
POLDARK
RATE: 10/10
website
review by Julie Dargan
Poldark is a wonderful mini-series the whole family will enjoy. Set in the rugged and stunning backdrop of the Cornish Coastline in the UK in the time frame of 1783.
The storyline is not what you would expect. When Poldark (Aidan Turner) returns home after the American Revolutionary War he finds his childhood sweat engaged to his cousin immediately images of a broken man came to light. But this is not your usual Hollywood hype. This is real life in the 1780’s right down to the disgusting rotten teeth and obscene gluttony which makes this program so likeable. It depicts the times as it really is with no sugar coating.
I was hooked from the first episode.
My score 10/10
RATE: 10/10
website
review by Julie Dargan
Poldark is a wonderful mini-series the whole family will enjoy. Set in the rugged and stunning backdrop of the Cornish Coastline in the UK in the time frame of 1783.
The storyline is not what you would expect. When Poldark (Aidan Turner) returns home after the American Revolutionary War he finds his childhood sweat engaged to his cousin immediately images of a broken man came to light. But this is not your usual Hollywood hype. This is real life in the 1780’s right down to the disgusting rotten teeth and obscene gluttony which makes this program so likeable. It depicts the times as it really is with no sugar coating.
I was hooked from the first episode.
My score 10/10
