Regent Theatre, Ballarat
Image: Wikimedia Commons
One of the best things about living in Ballarat is that we are only a seven minute walk to the art deco gem, the Regent Theatre.
This means loyal patronage from us and the fact that not as many go to the cinema any more, there’s plenty of available seats and less distraction from popcorn-munching, chip packet-opening audience members.
There seems to be a lot more independent films coming to The Regent and a couple of them most recently have been superb. Not surprisingly, both IO Capitano and Perfect Days were nominated for the Best International Film at the recent Oscars.
IO Capitano – This is an epic film about two teenage cousins from Dakar, Senegal who attempt to reach Italy via the Sahara Desert and then the Mediterranean using any means possible. It is incredibly real and brutal as the boys run into slave traders and some of the shadiest men imaginable in their quest for freedom. The lead actor Seydou Sarr is extraordinary and all the supporting cast, which is significant, provide an insight into what it takes to put your life on the line for freedom. Sumptuous cinematography and gripping from start to finish. 8.5/10
Perfect Days – You can always expect the unexpected with Wim Wenders films and this is no exception. Hirayama (Koji Yakusho) lives in a tiny apartment a short walk to The Skytree Tower in Tokyo. He is middle aged, healthy and works as a public toilet cleaner. His life is minimalist and almost ritualised. He takes pride in his work, listens to cassettes, takes photos using an old fashioned film camera, reads books, goes to an onsen, and visits the same food establishments. For almost the first hour there is little to no dialogue as we watch this gentle man go about his week. From there we see a few other characters enter the fray but this is a film that reminded me of one of Wender’s other films Paris, Texas. Essentially it’s a slow burn and has that existential quality without being self-indulgent or boring. Wenders allows the viewer to make your own mind up on the what, where and when. What he does deliver is a beautiful portrait of a man we know little about but he shows us that you don’t need a lot, particularly of a material sense to be happy. If you’ve been to Tokyo before you will want to go back again after seeing this. Wenders has captured this fascinating city in all its quirky glory without the regular clichés. A truly stunning film. 8.5/10
Wicked Little Letters – There hasn’t been a decent comedic film out of the UK for a long time so this was quite refreshing. The apparent true story of spinster Edith Swan (Olivia Coleman) who in 1920 claimed to be receiving hate mail from her next door neighbour Rose Gooding (Jesse Buckley) is very funny at times. The two leads are excellent especially Coleman who grafted out her comedic qualities as part of the brilliant BBC series Peep Show. There is a quality support cast headed up by one of my favourite British actors Timothy Spall. A nice romp and chuckle. 7.5/10
Monkey Man – We thought this was a Jordan Peel film so were quite looking forward to it. Unfortunately it was only produced by Peel and it stars and is directed Dev Patel. Allow me to sum this up quickly. It’s a combination of Slumdog Millionaire and John Wick. Don’t be fooled by the imaginary fight for freedom narrative floating around in the background. It’s pointless and the bloodthirsty fight scenes are gratuitous. The money it cost to make this tripe could have fed thousands rather than pretending to save them. Rubbish 6/10.
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About Ian Wilson
Former army aircraft mechanic, sales manager, VFA footballer and coach. Now mental health worker and blogger. Lifelong St Kilda FC tragic and father to 2 x girls.
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IW, I’ve seen two of these in the past week.
‘Wicked Little Letters’ is an absolute scream with Olivia Colman just so, so good. The best English actress of her generation! (Are you allowed to use the term ‘actress’ these days?) Timothy Saul also a great character actor. Get over the language and it’s a beauty!
I saw ‘Perfect Days’ at Noosa Film Society yesterday afternoon. Koji Yakusho is some actor – the strength is as much in his physical capacity to carry a role where he doesn’t speak for about the first hour as it is in the beauty he sees around him. There’s a lot to say for the simple life. An uplifting experience.
I watched ‘Wicked Little Letters’ just the other night.
I have always loved Olivia Coleman, but in my opinion she was overshadowed by Jessie Buckley in this film. Buckley’s performance is simply a tour de force.
Good one Ian. Enjoyed “Wicked Little Letters”. An old fashioned charmer.
Saw a couple of the feted ‘serious’ Oscar contenders. “Anatomy of a Fall” was a whodunit where all the characters were dislikable and you neither knew nor cared whodunit. Wank.
“Zone of Interest” was a very bleak movie about the Holocaust, focussing on the private life of the Auschwitz Commandant. Didn’t add much to the sum of human knowledge. “Schindlers List” much more powerful. “The Sopranos” was more eloquent about wilful blindness to the source of a pampered lifestyle.
On a positive note a couple of other British WW2 themed biopic charmers were “One Life” with Anthony Hopkins about a very private man who saved hundreds of Czech Jewish children before the war, but remained haunted by those he couldn’t. And “The Great Escaper” with Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson (in her final role) about a Dunkirk survivor who broke out of his nursing home to attend the 70th anniversary.
Best 2 movies I saw last year are both French and now streaming on Binge. “November” is a cop thriller about the hunt for the terrorist who perpetrated the Bataclan massacre. Gripping. “Full Time” about a formerly comfortable upper middle class mother whose life falls apart following divorce. The precarious balance of child care, menial work and instability in the midst of a bustling Paris. A powerful story of our times. Running to stand still.