- Susan May
What's on at the movies Sept 8 2016?
Some good films this week but before you read on I have an invitation. If you enjoy chatting about films or books, then come over to my private Facebook group and join all the fun. Click here and just hit the Join button and I will press the open sesame button my side and you are in.
It's just a new group but already we have over one hundred members. We've called it the Susan May Mayhem Club. I'll be running some competitions very soon in there and on this site.
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CAPTAIN FANTASTIC ✪✪✪ ½ Opens September 8
This is one of those small production films that's a real gem. The storyline is original, thought provoking and, at times, heart-wrenching. I'm watching these kids who are so far above our city kids intellectually because they're not connected to the web and video games ten hours a day, and I'm thinking, gee, maybe we should go live off grid. Then director and screenwriter Matt Ross brings it back around to show us both sides of the argument.
The kids are amazing. There's a couple of the young ones I'd like to adopt and, of course, Viggo Mortensen is perfect in this part as demanding but loving single Father to the brood. He does solemn and earnest so very well. George Mackay (recently 11/22/63 and How We Live Now) is haunting as the eldest son struggling with the wide open world while keeping his morals intact. Definitely, if you enjoy thought provoking, challenging, quality, indie-style films go see this.
Film Blurb
Deep in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, isolated from society, a devoted father (Viggo Mortensen) dedicates his life to transforming his six young children into extraordinary adults. But when a tragedy strikes the family, they are forced to leave this self-created paradise and begin a journey into the outside world that challenges his idea of what it means to be a parent and brings into question everything he's taught them.
DON'T BREATHE ✪✪✪✪ Opened September 1
I finally caught this little thriller gem. It is as smart as they are saying in the reviews. Don't go along expecting to see a big blockbuster, but it is definitely a resourceful use of an idea. I kept wondering how they would keep these three criminal kids inside a house. Was it going to have underground tunnels from which they couldn't escape or the house is owned by a bunch of vampires. Nope it's a blind guy with some navy seal skills against these three and the plot just keeps throwing barriers at them.
It is ingenious what they come up with and I can see the screenwriters in a room saying, "Okay, so they've got the basement window open and can escape, what do we do to stop them?" Then, "Right, now he's gotten out the window, what could possibly go wrong?" Worth a watch and great to see horror is making a comeback. We've had some good films this year. Keep 'em coming Hollywood. There is a market if you do it right and very profitable because they don't cost a lot to make.
Film Blurb
A trio of reckless thieves breaks into the house of a wealthy blind man, thinking they'll get away with the perfect heist. They're wrong.
GIRL ASLEEP ✪✪ Opened September 1 Showing at Luna Cinemas in Perth
I know this film has won a lot of awards, but I honestly don't know why. Yes, it does use some interesting little flourishes so that it can be considered quirky, but it's got some real problems. I certainly don't think it should be something people pay to see other than on a subscription service. The kids in the lead are good, but I don't like the overstylized acting which worked brilliantly for Baz Luhrmann in Strictly Ballroom and P.J. Hogan with Muriel's Wedding.
It didn't work for me in this because it's sloppy in it's filmmaking and you can see the inexperience of the director and the screenwriter. However, I do think they have talent and have potential. Clearly I may be in the minority, but I'm a tell me a story and get a move along kinda gal. I almost was the girl asleep!
WIN! WIN! To celebrate the release of Girl Asleep on Sept 1st, we're giving away DVD packs that honor the best + worst of the teenage experience! Simply purchase a ticket in the first week of release, write your details on the back + drop it into the entry box in the Leederville foyer to enter!
Film Blurb
The world is closing in on Greta Driscoll (Bethany Whitmore).On the cusp of turning fifteen she can’t bear to leave her childhood, it contains all the things that give her comfort in this incomprehensible new world. She floats in a bubble of loserdom with her only friend Elliott (Harrison Feldman), until her parents throw her a surprise 15th birthday party and she’s flung into a parallel place; a world that’s weirdly erotic, a little bit violent and thoroughly ludicrous – only there can she find herself. A potently comic journey into the teenage mind, scripted by original playwright Matthew Whittet, Girl Asleep is a delight. Winner of the Age Critics Award for Best Australian Feature at MIFF 2016; Jury Prize for best film. Winner of the Adelaide Film Festival Audience Award, Girl Asleep is the filmmaking debut of Windmill Theatre Artistic Director Rosemary Myers. Won the Cinefest OZ Festival's $100,000 prize
SECRET LIFE OF PETS ✪✪✪✪ Opens September 8
I didn't see this film. I can't get my teenage boys to go along to animations much anymore. So sad for me and I do try and go on my own but sometimes the weekends need to be about family. So I sent along a friend and her three kids. Her mini-review is below. Be warned: she told me she had quite the argument with her fifteen-year-old daughter who, after seeing this film, wouldn't take 'no' for an answer on the question of getting a dog.
"The secret life of pets was funny and humorous. It tells us the importance of friendships through animal life. We had a lot of laughs. Kids rated it 3.5 to 4 out of 5. Good kids movie for age between 5 and 15 years old. Hannah even enjoyed it. Annoying part of this movie is now kids are asking me to get a pet dog."
Thanks to Reiko and her children Hannah, Sean, and James for the review.
Film Blurb
Taking place in a Manhattan apartment building, Max's life as a favourite pet is turned upside down, when his owner brings home a sloppy mongrel named Duke. They have to put their quarrels behind when they find out that an adorable white bunny named Snowball is building an army of abandoned pets determined to take revenge on all happy-owned pets and their owners.
LOUIS THEROUX: MY SCIENTOLOGY MOVIE
(not reviewed) Opens September 11
Showing at Luna SX and Cinema Paradiso in Perth
Date: Monday 12th September & Tuesday 13th September
Time: 6:45 pm
Location: Luna Leederville & Luna SX
Film Blurb
Louis Theroux hits the big screen in his first feature documentary, LOUIS THEROUX: MY SCIENTOLOGY MOVIE, created in collaboration with director John Dower and two-time Academy Award® winning producer Simon Chinn (Searching for Sugar Man, Man on Wire). Following a long fascination with the religion, and with a lot of experience dealing with eccentric human behaviour, incomparable British broadcaster Louis Theroux won’t take no for an answer when his request to enter the Church of Scientology’s Los Angeles headquarters is turned down. Theroux’s insatiable curiosity motivates him to understand what life inside the Church is really like, and with the aid of former second-in-command at the Church, Mark ‘Marty’ Rathbun, he uses actors to replay incidents people claim they experienced with high profile members such as Tom Cruise and leader David Miscavige. Suffused with a good dose of humour and moments worthy of a Hollywood script, LOUIS THEROUX: MY SCIENTOLOGY MOVIE proves that what people do in the name of religion can be truly stranger than fiction.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Perth International Queer Festival
Location: Backlot Cinemas
Time: 7:00pm
Date: Friday 9th Sept-15th September
Go to Western Australian Aids Council for INFO
The Perth International Queer Film Festival celebrates all that is great about International Queer Cinema this September! Teaming with The Backlot Perth this will be a chance to see some amazing queer films from the USA, South Africa, The Netherlands and France. A fundraising initiative of the WA AIDS Council.
Opening Night Film Jonathan (7:00pm drinks)
Join us for the special opening night of the Perth International Queer Film Festival. From 7pm enjoy a drink on arrival and the atmosphere of the lounge before the Australian Premiere of JONATHAN.
SPIN OUT
Event Cinema Advance Screening
Location: Event Cinemas Innaloo
Time: 7:00pm
Date: Wednesday September 14
Film season opens Thursday September 15
Buckle up and spin into our special advance screening of Spin Out!
Fall in love with the new Aussie rom-com, where the cars are fast, the burnouts furious, the bums are bare and beers are flowing!
Purchase your ticket online to our advance screening of Spin Out and enter to WIN a trip for 2 to the Deni Ute Muster ft. Keith Urban – plus a meet & greet with Shannon Noll! Information and tickets
Cinebuzz members can attend this screening for only $15*! Not a member? JOIN NOW - it's free!
Film Blurb
Billy & Lucy have grown up together in a small, close-knit country town, where they form one of the town's most formidable ute driving teams. When Billy takes one risky car stunt too far, Lucy declares she is moving to the city - sending Billy into a spin. Amid the mayhem of the town’s annual "Bachelors & Spinsters" party, Billy only has one night to wake up to his true feelings for his best friend - or lose her forever.
Readings and Hoyts Advance Screenings
PETE'S DRAGON
Film season opens Thursday September 15
Location: Readings Belmont Details and Booking
Time: 9:30 am Film Starts at 10:30 am
Date: Sunday 11th September
Also special family preview at 2pm at Hoyts Carousel & Booragoon 11th September. Tickets are only $13. Booragoon: Come early for badge making and balloons. Carousel: Build-a-bear workshop.
Join us for an advance Family Day screening, with lots of activities and giveaways! For years, old wood carver Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) has delighted local children with his tales of the fierce dragon that resides deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. To his daughter, Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard), who works as a forest ranger, these stories are little more than tall tales…until she meets Pete (Oakes Fegley). Pete is a mysterious 10-year-old with no family and no home who claims to live in the woods with a giant, green dragon named Elliott.
EVENT CINEMAS CINEBUZZ SENIORS SCREENINGS
SULLY
Location: Event Cinemas Innaloo & Morley
Time: 10:00 am Film Starts at 10:30 am
Date: Wednesday September 14
Seniors Members Tickets $8.50*
Non-members pay full price FREE to join.
On January 15, 2009, the world witnessed the "Miracle on the Hudson" when Captain "Sully" Sullenberger (Tom Hanks) glided his disabled plane onto the frigid waters of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 aboard. However, even as Sully was being heralded by the public and the media for his unprecedented feat of aviation skill, an investigation was unfolding that threatened to destroy his reputation and his career
Event Cinemas Sensory Screening
BFG
Location: Event Cinemas Morley
Time: 11:00 am
Date: Wednesday September 11
Seniors Members Tickets $8.50*
Non-members pay full price FREE to join.
Sensory Movie Day is an inclusive event for families with special needs.
Lighting is dim, sound lowered, volunteers monitoring fire exit doors
Run once a month on a Sunday - 11am at Greater Union Morley
Tickets are $8 each, children 2 years and under free
Companion I.D cards are accepted
Live Theatre
ALMEIDA LIVE RICHARD III
Date: Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th September
Time: 1pm
Location: Windsor Cinema
Also showing at Event Cinemas Innaloo Saturday 10 and Sunday September 11 (time TBC)
A peaceful England. Family. Small children. But obstacles can be overcome.
Picturehouse Entertainment are thrilled to announce RICHARD III live from the Almeida Theatre, with Ralph Fiennes and Vanessa Redgrave. Adding to the celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, this new production brings together two of the world's finest acting talents. Ralph Fiennes plays Shakespeare's most notorious villain in a new production directed by Olivier Award winning Almeida Artistic Director Rupert Goold (American Psycho; King Charles III; Medea). Vanessa Redgrave makes her Almeida debut as Queen Margaret.
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