Disney have just released this brand new poster for ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’.
Actor James Rolleston stops by to talk to Dave Griifiths about his new film Pork Pie. James talks about what it was like being cast in the re-make of such an iconic film and about the chemistry between the tight cast.
You can listen to or dowload our James Rolleston interview right here.
Actor Christopher Larkin portrays Monty Green on the hit television series The 100. With him about to arrive in Melbourne for Oz Comic Con Dave G sat down for a chat with him. During the interview we talked about his challenging role on The 100 and what it means getting to come to a convention like this.
You can listen to our full Christopher Larkin interview below.
Christopher Larkin will be attending this year’s Oz Comic Con in Melbourne which is being held in Melbourne on 9-10 June. Tickets can be purchased here.
Listen to “Oz Comic Con – Christpher Larkin Interview” on Spreaker.
Avengers: Infinity War defies critical analysis in the traditional sense; this is the culmination of world building throughout a run of 19 films. It’s story leads into a sequel next year, it sports over 30 heroes, 4 story tangents and a budget estimated anywhere between $300 to $400 million dollars. The weight of previous entries so vast and the scope of the story so large – good luck to audiences attending this film as their entry point into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The heroic super being Captain America (Chris Evans) for example may not have much of an arc in this individual episode but to a fan does that really matter? We’ve had a few films to get know him and there’s only so many minutes with so many characters to serve. At one point the merits of self-sacrifice to save the day are raised by one hero and Steve Rogers replies “We don’t trade in lives.” And I thought how just like Cap. It’s a little moment but in a behemoth of a film and franchise it’s the little moments that are so important to get right. While clocking in at 149 minutes the film skips from location to location, set-piece to set-piece these little moments are vital for providing all the characterization and pathos the film can muster on the move.
Knowledge of previous films certainly helps but you have it to the Russo brothers as directors, they seem to know what to do with these characters. Nordic God of Thunder, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) in five minutes here seems to be more consistently and thoughtfully fleshed out here then he was in his three solo movies. The introduction of the bantering mixed bag of space mercenaries, the Guardians of the Galaxy is so in keeping with the tone of their movies that you imagine their director/writer James Gunn was brought into consult but no it seems the Russos just get it.
Part of the fun of such a team-up movie is seeing how different characters react to each other and draw out different aspects of their personalities. Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper) for example matures around Thor whereas Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) appears more imperious and clinical next to Spider-man (Tom Holland). If there is one character handed a whole arc it is actually villain of the piece, purple skinned and ribbed for your pleasure chinned Thanos (Josh Brolin) which is just as well since he’s been given little screen time previously. The relationships with his daughters Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and Nebula (Karen Gillan) and why he is trying to destroy the universe are all given time to breathe. As the big bad daddy of the Marvel Universe makes his entrance other familial tensions resonate through the story. Thanos talks a good yarn about his burden of having to balance out the universe with mass extinction like he’s a general making the hard decisions or a parent giving tough love but Josh Brolin’s performance makes you suspect he’s just a psychopath wrapping himself in the lies of the warped cult he established with his minions.
Although an interesting theme throughout is how our heroes fail to make similar hard decisions paving the way for Thanos’s victory. To that end the finale is kind of audacious and bleak for such a crowd pleasing series of films. The scale of this blockbuster and all those that came before it also adds to the impact of such an ending. It feels big because it capitalises on 10 years of history. At various points during the film Alan Silvestri’s score kicks in as various heroes suddenly come to the aid of others. Small victories through adversity preclude a deafening defeat. The music gone replaced by thunder cracking and the palette of the film turning grey, the quiet making an impact following so much loud spectacle. The impact of this only lessened by the knowledge that the movie is only one part of a much larger machine. A machine purring along quite nicely that sometimes it seems we’re begging for an occasional sputter just to add colour. This maybe it, while the Marvel Cinematic Universe will remain it does feel like this film will prove a milestone of some sort.
Technically there is some CGI rendering that looks like it could have been given more time to be perfected which is saying something considering at least 10 special effects houses that worked on this film. As previously mentioned, some characters don’t get much to do but all do get their moment to shine and some even get developed. While the scale here is huge, the Russos don’t just throw stuff at the screen, every sequence is well choreographed, paced to elicit maximum tension and sketched out with a good understanding the geography.
If you’ve seen a Marvel superhero film and liked it you should enjoy this one, if you haven’t seen one you might find hard to keep up with and if you’ve seen one before and not enjoyed it I’m surprised you’ve come this far but thank you and I hoped you enjoyed the review. It’s tempting to underestimate how difficult it is pull this off (even though Justice League was just in cinemas last December) and to forget how unprecedented this was back in 2008. This is the pay-off of ten years and while its legacy may reside more in how the business model changes in Hollywood it should be noted that Kevin Feige leads a team of people that juggle a large canvas of characters and stories and they’ve never made a film that wasn’t at least decent. This is probably due to the love that the people involved have for the characters and their innate understanding of them and audiences. Next year and the new Avengers movie that comes with it can’t get here fast enough.
-Lloyd Marken
Director Matt Murphy took on an ambitious project when he decided to make the film Pork Pie. Not only is he remaking one of New Zealand’s cult classic films but his father was the director of the original film. Dave Griffiths sits down and chats to Matt to find out how hard it was to remake the film with the family connection and also how difficult it was to film such an action packed film.
You can listen to or download our Matt Murphy interview right here.
Sydney based post hardcore new comers Brave Today have just released their stunning new film clip for debut single ‘Fear Of Life’. The track features a wide range of dynamics as the band transitions effortlessly from brutal screams to soaring clean melodies. The single is taken from the band’s forthcoming debut EP, set for release later in 2016 – We can’t wait!
Brave Today will soon announce the release of their upcoming EP, as well as a local launch show.
Check out ‘Fear OF Life’ below (however if you are photosensitive, please turn off your screen as the clip features bright flashing lights)
With so much happening at Monster Pictures over the past few months we decided to do a little catch up with Kier-La Janisse the Festival Director of Monster Fest. Kier-La chats to us about the recent acquisitions that Monster Pictures were able to make at Cannes. She also chats to us a little about what direction Monster Fest will take this year and of course about the release of the brand new docco ‘Eurocrime’ that she is a producer of.
For more information on where you can purchase the special VHS copy of ‘Eurocrime’ just check out www.celluloidapocalypse.com
You can listen to or download our Kier-La Janisse interview right here.
With Trash Fire being released in Australia on DVD through Bounty Films Dave Griffiths caught up with the film’s director Richard Bates Jnr. to ask him where the idea from the film came from. Richard also chats to us about what it was like to work with Adrian Grenier and what it is like directing friends.
You can listen to or download our Richard Bates Jnr interview right here.
For the very first time, Cinema Nova will participate in Art House Theatre Day, a celebration of independent cinemas worldwide and the cultural role they play in the community.
Art House Theatre Day recognises the contributions of film and filmmakers, patrons and staff that are dedicated to providing access to the best cinematic experience. In recent decades, a constellation of art houses theatres have emerged across the globe, with the movement nurturing independent productions, and an incredible diversity of original filmmaking.
Now in its 24th year, Cinema Nova celebrates standing the test of time and a flourishing film culture. In an age where media has become more digital, Nova remains a physical space where film lovers gather to enjoy and discuss quality films.
With 16 screens, Cinema Nova is the largest art house cinema in the southern hemisphere. Nova had its beginnings as a twin art house cinema when it opened in 1992 and has been expanding in size and diversity ever since. Two years after opening, Nova doubled in size to a four screen complex; adding a fifth screen a year later. By 2004 three more screens had opened including Melbourne’s first purely digital cinema screen. In 2010, just in time for Cinema Nova’s 18th birthday, a further four screens were added bringing the total to 15 auditoria. After extensive renovations in 2011, Cinema Nova introduced the Nova Bar, followed by Nova Deluxe in-cinema dining. And in 2015 a 16th theatre opened.
Cinema Nova’s General Manager, Kristian Connelly says “Cinema Nova is living proof that there is still a hunger and enthusiasm for quality art house film from home and abroad, and that in an age of sequels, prequels, reboots and streaming, the experience of going to the movies and enjoying a resonant story well-told is still a cultural cornerstone for countless Melbournians”.
Art House Theatre Day takes place Saturday September 24 with discounted, exclusive advance screenings of Life, Animated from Academy Award winning director Roger Ross Williams; and Francofonia, from Russian Ark director Alexander Sokurov.
The subject of his father Ron Suskind’s New York Times bestseller, Life Animated is the inspirational story of Owen Suskind, a young man who was unable to speak as a child until he and his family discovered a unique way to communicate by immersing themselves in the world of classic Disney animated films.
Francofonia is the powerful story of how precious artworks from the Louvre were saved during WWII occupied Paris.
Art House Theatre Day
Saturday September 24
11.00am: Life, Animated
1.00pm: Francofonia
At Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon Street, Carlton.
Tickets only $15 and on sale from the Cinema Nova Box Office or online – www.cinemanova.com.au
Sunshine Coast based Electronic Pop lads Beckon Fire have dropped their new single and hilarious music video ‘Lonely’!
The single is taken from their forthcoming EP release ‘Truth Of Our Youth’ (released in March 2019.)
The band will be celebrating with a launch show at Tomcat in Brisbane on Friday 5th April.
Beckon Fire are for fans of The Chainsmokers, Post Malone, Bring Me The Horizon and The 1975.
Check out the Horse-Some (hehe) music video to ‘Lonely’ below and let us know what you think!
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