Incoming: King Jack
Jack is a scrappy fifteen year-old kid stuck in a run-down small town. Trapped in a violent feud with a cruel older bully and facing another bout of summer school, Jack’s got all the problems he can handle. So when Jack’s aunt falls ill and his runty younger cousin must stay with him for the …
Blu-Ray Review: Hawks and Sparrows/Pigsty
Pier Paolo Pasolini’s death was as controversial and murky as much of his life and cinematic output. An outspoken Communist, Pasolini had a singular drive and worldview which lead to him falling foul of the police and the Communist Party. As a film director he continued this path, courting controversy with much of his work. …
DVD Review: The Smuggler (aka The Mule)
Some of the greatest thrillers have involved cat and mouse chases and nail-biting suspense. Speed set the bar in terms of jeopardy but you don’t need to have a bus and a bomb in your movie in order to play for high stakes. In Tony Mahony and Angus Sampson’s debut film, The Mule, Ray has seven …
Incoming: Triple 9
In Triple 9, a crew of dirty cops is blackmailed by the Russian mob to execute a virtually impossible heist. The only way to pull it off is to manufacture a 999, police code for “officer down”. Their plan is turned upside down when the unsuspecting rookie they set up to die foils the attack, …
DVD Review: Taxi Tehran
The survivor spirit is alive and well and living in Tehran. Despite being banned from making films by the Iranian regime, Jafar Pahani has responded by becoming more prolific. Celebrated for the spellbinding Offside and The Circle before the restrictions, he’s now releasing his third film, Taxi Tehran, since the interdiction came into place. Hot …
DVD Review: Arrowhead
The quintessential Australian science-fiction films are undeniably the original Mad Max trilogy. The first film remains a classic and launched Mel Gibson’s career. George Miller’s reboot was arguably the best action films of last year. It’s easier to overlook some of the smaller sci-fi films which the nation has produced such as Predestination, Dark City …
DVD Review: Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict
Throughout history, the role of the wealthy benefactor has been vital in giving artists the time and finances necessary to complete their masterpieces. However, society and the art world has changed significantly over the past century. Whilst those creating art no longer rely on rich patrons they do need collectors to buy their work and …
Incoming: Chronic
Tim Roth is David, a nurse who works with terminally ill patients. Efficient and dedicated, he develops strong and intimate relationships with each person he cares for. But outside of his work, David is struggling with an ongoing burden of guilt and remorse. As the weight becomes unbearable, David must face his past in order …
Film Review: Mavis!
There are many rich musical traditions which came to prevalence during the 1950s and 1960s but Gospel is not one much celebrated outside of certain circles in America. The Staple Singers came out of this tradition but forged links through the freedom movement, folk, soul and R&B to become one of the most influential groups …
Incoming: Bone Tomahawk
When a group of cannibal savages kidnaps settlers from the small town of Bright Hope, an unlikely team of gunslingers, led by Sheriff Franklin Hunt (Kurt Russell), sets out to bring them home. But their enemy is more ruthless than anyone could have imagined, putting their mission – and survival itself – in serious jeopardy. …