Man on a Ledge
Tom Jones
As a police psychologist works to talk down an ex-con who is threatening to jump from a Manhattan hotel rooftop, the biggest diamond heist ever committed is in motion.
Any film that starts with a car chase in a cemetery is bound to be good. "Man on Ledge" is packed with non-stop drama, suspense, action and characters. There are so many players in this game, each with their own rising stakes, and the way the multiple stories unfold simultaneously, with not a minute of screen time wasted, is incredibly smart and highly entertaining. Don’t let the title deceive you, the plot is a lot thicker and will keep you on the ledge of your seat.
The Artist
Anne Murphy
Hollywood, 1927: Silent movie star George Valentin wonders if the arrival of talking pictures will cause him to fade into oblivion.
Prepare to be transported to a past era in Hollywood by "The Artist". There are many adjectives to describe the nostalgic venture including: charming, original, witty, surprising, and stylish. In short a captivating movie, and all the more so for daring to be all but silent and presented in black and white. It is a pleasure to be entertained by a romance that eschews modern effects and remains authentic to the period portrayed. Paints a picture.
Albert Nobbs
Wendy Slevison
Some thirty years after donning men's clothing in order to work and survive in 19th century Ireland, a woman finds herself trapped in a prison of her own making.
"Albert Nobbs" is the complete antithesis of the summer blockbuster movie. Its quietly tragic tale is told with confined restraint, analogous to the exquisite self-control of the title character. Featuring a stunning performance from the female lead, who is also writer and producer, and an incredibly impressive support cast, this is a film that could be overlooked but shouldn't be. Skip the escapism and spend some time with the curiously compelling Albert.
The Iron Lady
Tom Jones
A look at the life of Margaret Thatcher, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Romance or political drama? "The Iron Lady" could be shelved under either genre as it depicts the political rise and fall of Margaret Thatcher against the backdrop of her mourning the passing of her husband. There is a nice balance of both plotlines and the inclusion of real footage adds conviction to this film. The performance of the lead is so convincing it's like a Madame Tussauds figure coming to life. Thatcher herself endorsed 'doing something' rather than trying to be 'somebody'. With that in mind, do something... go and see this film.
The Skin I Live In
Anne Murphy
A brilliant plastic surgeon, haunted by past tragedies, creates a type of synthetic skin.
The narrative of "The Skin I Live In" is as intriguing as it is twisted, central to the plot is a contemporary and perverse Frankenstein character. This is an ethically challenging story of an obsessive patriarch, sinister gender control is stirred with psychological intrigue to create a morally unsettling but memorable movie. The nightmarish elements are balanced by the visually sophisticated and vibrant tone presented on screen. Your skin may crawl, but an imprint is left getting right under the skin.
Happy Feet Two
Anthony Macali
Mumble's son, Erik, is struggling to realize his talents in the Emperor Penguin world.
"Happy Feet Two" is actually an existential film with penguins, but don't let the seemingly grim subject matter get you down. It takes a good hike to get going, but once it does, there is plenty of the famous singing and dancing that made the first film so popular, and en masse. Thousands of penguins stamp their feet in this majestic world, its scope and beauty coolly realised with some very colourful animation. In the face of grave danger, these flightless birds find hope and life in their music. Skip along and you will be happy too.
Restless
Anne Murphy
The story of a terminally ill teenage girl who falls for a boy who likes to attend funerals and their encounters with the ghost of a Japanese kamikaze pilot from WWII.
"Restless" is an original take on the often used story of love in the shadow of a looming death. This film falls into an unlabelled genre that is the antithesis of a rom-com, and it does that with a quirky grace. The main characters are burdened with troubling life experiences that underscore the earnestness in their encounters, but it's the gentle grimness as the inevitable approaches that is most disquieting. Emo and edgy.
Arthur Christmas
Wendy Slevison
On Christmas night, Santa's youngest son looks to use his father's high-tech operation for a mission.
"How DOES Santa deliver ALL those presents in one night?" Well, here is the answer, in this charming and engaging addition to the Christmas movie genre. Santa's family are just like any other family, so it seems, with their squabbles and power struggles. Ultimately the job must get done though, and despite some quirky yet substantial obstacles on this particular Christmas Eve, it eventually does. With voice work provided by a quite dazzling array of well-known actors, this delightful romp is guaranteed to imbue Christmas spirit into even the most cynical of viewers. Merry Christmas!
The Ides of March
Stefan Bugryn
A game of dirty politics plays out behind the scenes of the campaign for a Presidential candidate.
This is minimalistic film-making at it's best. The movie tackles some truly hard-hitting notions, but packs its punch with the little things. It's captivating to watch the actors hold back the emotion, where the drama is implied rather than thrown in your face. The long stares. The knowing eyes. It all sizzles in the background… but you can definitely feel it. The director could have easily gone for high melodrama, but instead went for the complete opposite, and it paid off remarkably. A vote of confidence.
The Tall Man
Anne Murphy
A documentary, set on Palm Island where on the day Cameron Doomadgee was arrested for swearing at a policeman and was found dead in a watch-house cell forty-five minutes later.
"The Tall Man" is a documentary that persuasively recreates a death in custody one statement at a time through interviews and first person accounts. As each witness account is carefully scrutinised, a grim and unsettling story emerges. Trials and inquests are revisited and accounts unravel. We may not be able to determine exactly what happened on that one night in 2004, but we can definitely draw our own conclusions. Short on truth.
- Genre » Documentary
- Release » Limited 17 Nov 2011
We Need to Talk About Kevin
Anne Murphy
The mother of a teenage boy who went on a high-school killing spree tries to deal with her grief - and feelings of responsibility for her child's actions.
Harrowing is the only way to describe "We Need to Talk About Kevin". It's difficult viewing, a chilling and disturbing movie. All credit to the director for the way the mother's haunting story unfolds, threading memories and recollections into the narrative as an explanation for the present. The actor's performances are outstanding while portraying situations more chilling than most horror plots. Maybe we need to talk, but in hushed tones.
Bill Cunningham New York
Anne Murphy
A cinematic profile of the noted veteran New York City fashion photographer.
"Seek beauty, and you'll find it", says the subject of this captivating film biography. The documentary spans the lifelong career of a delightfully eccentric and passionately obsessive follower of fashion. The film-maker almost becomes a private detective following his subject, a lively photographic journalist who is dedicated to the singular pursuit of capturing the style of people out on the street. As unassuming as the photographer is, he is undeniably one of the who’s who of the New York fashion scene; the challenge is keeping up with him. Run-a-way success.
- Genre » Documentary Biography
- Release » Limited 03 Nov 2011
- Festival » MIFF 2011
Warrior
Andrew O'Dea
The youngest son of an alcoholic former boxer returns home, where he's trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts event - a path that puts him on a collision with his older brother.
"Warrior" is a surprisingly affecting movie. The fight choreography is exceptional, and the rush of adrenaline as the kicks and punches fly is palpable. We feel every bone-crunching hit, but the beauty is that there's enough heart to match the violence. Although it may border on cliché at times, there is an undeniable emotional honesty behind the action, carried by a trio of outstanding acting performances from the male leads. A knock-out film that will leave you counting stars...
Project Nim
Wendy Slevison
The story of Nim, a chimpanzee who was the subject of a 1970s experiment to see if an ape could learn to communicate with language if raised like a human child.
This is a brilliant telling of a harrowing and complex tale. Initially captivating due to the very cute subject, the mood soon shifts as we learn more about the arrogant and shameless exploitation of this remarkable animal, with no regard for any consequences. As Nim grows and becomes unmanageable due to his size and strength, he is cruelly discarded. You could hear a pin drop in the cinema as the audience absorbed his appalling plight. "F" for the Project; "A" for this film.
- Genre » Documentary
- Release » Limited 29 Sep 2011
- Festival » MIFF 2011
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Anthony Macali
Werner Herzog gains exclusive access to film inside the Chauvet caves of Southern France.
Enter the "The Cave of Forgotten Dreams" and your world will be shaken. The walls are lined with stirring visuals, from bison and leopards to horses as clear as the day they were born. The fact these paintings are over 30,000 years old simply defies belief, marking a passage of time that pales our existence. There are a number of questionable guests filling the running time, but it's a joy to share in their wonder and commentary of such a dazzling discovery. This historical documentary is haunting and undeniably breathtaking.
- Genre » Documentary 3D
- Release » Limited 22 Sep 2011
- Festival » MIFF 2011