FILM OF THE WEEK
NOMADLAND
Chloe Zhao’s poetic masterpiece is one the most acclaimed films of the year and a worthy winner of multitude awards including three Oscars for Best Film, Best Director and Best Actress for Frances McDormand. She plays Fern, a recently widowed woman in her sixties, who, after the devastating economic collapse of a company town in rural Nevada, packs her precious few possessions into her van and sets off on the road. It is a rough ride, but Fern soon embraces her new way of life and starts to make new friends along the way…
This is only Zhao’s third film but her assurance and control in writing, directing, producing, and editing is hugely admirable. Her first two films SONGS MY BROTHERS TAUGHT ME (now available on MUBI) and THE RIDER are also lyrical pieces of art – stunningly photographed. Zhao is probably the first director since Terence Mallick to capture the immense beauty and vastness of the American landscape so effortlessly.
This modern classic recalls John Steinbeck’s THE GRAPES of WRATH, which highlights the misfortunes of the poor during the Great Depression. McDormand is simply phenomenal, while Joshua James Richards’ perfectly framed compositions are beautifully complimented by Ludovico Einaudi’s magnificent score.
Give yourself a treat and see this on the big screen!
MORTAL KOMBAT
The popular video game was originally brought to the screen in the nineties but failed to capture the audience’s imagination. Now first-time director Simon McQuoid gives the franchise a new lease of life with a particularly effective opening sequence set in Japan a few centuries ago, before the action moves to modern day America.
Cole Young (Lewis Tan) is a Mixed Martial Arts fighter and a loving family man unaware of his heritage. But when Sub Zero (Joe Taslim) Outworld’s best warrior is sent to hunt him down Cole embarks on a fantastical quest to save the Universe…
The plot may be familiar to the fans of the game, but it is rather confusing to say the least, but people who watch this kind of movie could not care less about any logic or linear narrative. McQuoid certainly delivers the goods while the spectacular action sequences, like in GODZILLA VS KONG, cry to be seen on the largest screen possible!
MAYA THE BEE THE GOLDEN ERB
This German/Australian co-production is the third animated feature of the series, again with the same lovable characters originally created by Waldemar Bonsels. Maya, the free-spirited bee is eager to embark on a new adventure and with the help of her best friend Willi she sets out to save an ant princess…
It is bright and colourful with inventive action sequences involving a battle with ants, bugs, and bees. The voice work is rather basic and unmemorable, and the addition of a few songs adds nothing to the plot. Still, this will provide a lot of pleasure especially to smaller children!
UNDERGODS
Writer/director Chino Moya makes an impressive debut with this highly original and unpredictable sci-fi fantasy. It is a grey world in post-apocalyptic Europe and the story within multiply stories is like playing with Russian dolls. At the centre of it all is K (Johann Myers) & Z (Geza Rohrig), who are driving through empty streets in a deserted city searching for corpses…
It is dark and hugely atmospheric, and, in each story, mysterious and untrustworthy strangers appear out of nowhere but making huge impact on the lives of others. The stories are seemingly unconnected and ideally. It’s best not to know too much about the plot’s development in advance.
A distinct new talent with a striking vision!
SERVANTS
Czech director Ivan Ostrochovsky sets the action of his fascinating black and white feature in 1980 and follows the story of two young theological students.
Czechoslovakia is under communist control and there are spies everywhere. In the meantime, Michal and Jura struggle to remain pure under these dreadful times…
The main premise in which theological students struggle to concentrate on their studies before their lives take an unexpected turn recalls the Russian horror VIY, but Ostrochovsky’s striking film switches the demonic power to that of his country’s political turmoil where an unseen enemy is lurking under communism.
An intelligent film worth discovering!
A SPACE IN TIME
A deeply moving documentary by Nick Taussig who co-directs with Riccardo Servini. He tells the story of his own family with particular emphasis on his two sons Theo and Oscar both diagnosed with an incurable disease. The young boys try to live a carefree life but under the shadow of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a fatal muscle disorder. Nick is such a positive force of nature and thankfully he can pre-plan everything for the sake of his loving boys, even rebuilding their new house to accommodate their impending need for wheelchairs.
It is a grim predicament, but the story is told with love and optimism!
SOME KIND OF HEAVEN: This title of this engaging documentary refers to The Villages, America’s largest retirement community in Florida – the Disneyland for Retirees. At first the film looks more like an advert for the wealthy, but as we get to know some of the residents the film changes gear and goes deeper into examining loneliness and their desperate need for companionship. Worth having a look! (Dogwoof)
BLACKS CAN’T SWIM THE SEQUEL: To be perfectly frank I have never heard of the original A FILM CALLED BLACKS CAN’T SWIM, which was made last year. Now director Mysterax and writer Ed Accura set out to offer more analysis and probably even more interviews where black youths explain their fears and concerns about jumping into the deep end, which is fun but overall, the film feels repetitive and overextended.
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