Red Sparrow, which comes from Hunger Games director Francis Lawrence, initially looks like a La Femme Nikita knock-off with a troubled young woman recruited by the government to train as a secret operative. Refreshingly, this modern cold war drama leans more toward the slow-burn intrigue of Jean le Carre than it does an action exploitation piece. Jennifer Lawrence leads an
Read moreThe amiable if at times flat Game Night is a little like David Fincher’s The Game done in the style of contemporary comedies like Horrible Bosses. It also falls into that cinematic sub-genre the Jason Bateman movie in which Bateman plays the put-upon, every-man, nice guy schlub forced into a dangerous situation that inevitably provides some necessary jolt to his
Read moreThis Friday on ‘Built For Speed’ we take a look at two very different films: the remake of computer game adventure ‘Tomb Raider’ and the confronting documentary ‘Kangaroo: A Love Hate Story’. We’ll also have plenty of fine music with a focus on classic 70’s power pop as well as new Aussie tracks and indie rock from around the world.
Read moreIt’s time once again for that great annual cinematic event, The Alliance Francaise French Film Festival and this week ‘Built For Speed’ speaks to Michel Richard, director of Alliance Francaise’ Melbourne branch about the wonderful range of films on offer this year. We also take a look at Jennifer Lawrence’s latest movie ‘Red Sparrow’ and give our assessment of this
Read moreThree Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri from In Bruges writer/ director Martin McDonagh is a southern-fried story of grief, vengeance and redemption that takes a seemingly familiar tale and adds layers, textures and plot twists for a potent, moving and at times shocking drama. In a guaranteed Oscar-buzz performance, Frances McDormand plays a grieving mother Mildred Hayes who’s daughter was brutally
Read moreThe seemingly endless parade of Marvel Comics cinema adaptations continues with Black Panther, a film that should elicit more than the average level of cinephile interest for a superhero film because it’s directed by Fruitvale Station’s Ryan Coogler. Set predominantly in Africa, Black Panther at first seems like a welcome departure from Marvel formula but it ultimately succumbs to the
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