Join us for a preview of Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie’s stunning new film from the acclaimed director of Jackie and Spencer.

Delving into the life and psyche of legendary opera singer Maria Callas, be among the first to see the final entry in Larrain’s intensely artistic trilogy of iconic women who shaped 20th century culture. Straight from a critically lauded run at Venice, Telluride, New York, and BFI London film festivals, this is an unmissable biographical drama that hits all the right notes.

“Jolie dazzles as the opera diva in her finest performance in a decade” – The Daily Telegraph

“Daring and unconventional” – The Hollywood Reporter

“Jolie’s performance is both immersive and self-revealing, with a delicate unravelling that beautifully channels Maria Callas.” – Indiewire

Maria – Seniors Morning Tea
Thursday 23 January @ 10.30am
Dendy Coorparoo and Dendy Portside
www.dendy.com.au

Academy Award®-winner Angelina Jolie is Maria Callas, one of the most iconic performers of the 20th century in acclaimed director Pablo Larraín‘s operatic MARIA.

The film follows the American-Greek soprano as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous and tumultuous life in the public eye.

MARIA reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days as the diva reckons with her identity and life.
www.kismetmovies.com

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Competition will be drawn January 29, winners will be notified by email.

This time the main subject is not being afraid of change and overcoming a comfortable existence to find your better self. Visually the film contains almost everything the ever-advancing craft is capable of with fantastic use of colour and wonderful set design. Being based in the East adds another element of the exotic and this is used to the fullest.

This is the most character-based outing of the series and relies heavily on the appeal of its two main voice actors Jack Black and Awkwafina. Black does tone down some of his more over-the-top tendencies but you still need to dig his shtick to get the most out of the film. Awkwafina also stays very much in her established persona. The rest of the cast features heavy hitters like Bryan Cranston, Ian McShane and Dustin Hoffman.

The term craft returns to mind as you experience Kung Fu Panda 4 and that is not meant as a slight. The amount of effort and the utilization of the many skill sets behind this project are very impressive indeed. As for the story, it’s consistent if not spectacular and finds a comfortable medium that will engage the adults as well as the younger ones. My favourite little one loved it.
Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU/

The balance between exposition and action feels out of kilter. There are ideas and plot devices that can’t be fully expressed in mere sentences and the Marvel movie’s proclivity to build to a spectacular final reel seemed unavoidable. This does little to enliven the final results.

The expansion of ideas taps into some interesting avenues and things look dire for most of the human race until the final crescendo. That there is hope for humankind by film’s end is of some redemption.

As far as origin stories go Eternals sets itself a heavy task for future films as one struggles this time to retain character details, names, and actions. The feeling of this work being relegated to being just an extended trailer for what comes next is difficult to overcome.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/MarvelAUNZ/

The outstanding ensemble cast includes Gemma Chan as humankind-loving Sersi, Richard Madden as the all-powerful Ikaris, Kumail Nanjiani as cosmic-powered Kingo, Lia McHugh as the eternally young, old-soul Sprite, Brian Tyree Henry as the intelligent inventor Phastos, Lauren Ridloff as the super-fast Makkari, Barry Keoghan as aloof loner Druig, Don Lee as the powerful Gilgamesh, with Kit Harington as Dane Whitman, with Salma Hayek as the wise and spiritual leader Ajak, and Angelina Jolie as the fierce warrior Thena.

Chloé Zhao directs the film, and Kevin Feige and Nate Moore are the producers, with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso and Kevin de la Noy serving as executive producers. The story is by Ryan Firpo & Matthew K. Firpo, and the screenplay is by Chloé Zhao and Chloé Zhao & Patrick Burleigh. Marvel Studios’ “Eternals” opens in Australian cinemas Nov. 4, 2021.

Eternals opens in Australian cinemas November 4, 2021
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The epic story, spanning thousands of years, features a group of immortal heroes forced out of the shadows to reunite against mankind’s oldest enemy, The Deviants.

The outstanding ensemble cast includes Richard Madden as the all-powerful Ikaris, Gemma Chan as humankind-loving Sersi, Kumail Nanjiani as cosmic-powered Kingo, Lauren Ridloff as the super-fast Makkari, Brian Tyree Henry as the intelligent inventor Phastos, Salma Hayek as the wise and spiritual leader Ajak, Lia McHugh as the eternally young, old-soul Sprite, Don Lee as the powerful Gilgamesh, Barry Keoghan as aloof loner Druig, and Angelina Jolie as the fierce warrior Thena. Kit Harington plays Dane Whitman.

Eternals will be released in Australian cinemas November 4!
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Cast somewhat against type, Angelina Jolie is one of the boys as part of a rough around the edges gang of firefighters plying their trade in the open forests of Wyoming. She is struggling to recover from a traumatic experience that led to fatalities on her watch. Her misjudgment of that event has sent her on a suicidal spiral. Her disconnection is at the heart of the story.

Into her damaged life comes Connor, who is on the run from dark forces who mean him grievous harm. His forensic accountant father had discovered evil doings and this forces father and son to flee their normal life. The crime the sets this all into motion is never fully explained, nor the origination behind the agents that are pursuing them. This gives the film a vague feeling at its core.

Those Who Wish Me Dead is intended as a character study and relies on the chemistry between Jolie and Little and the visual intensity of the extraordinary threat of forest fires to keep the viewer engaged. It does this well as long as you do not approach it analytically. There are more than a few moments of disbelief but that aside it moves quickly and packs a decent punch in its 100 minute running time.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/WarnerBrosAU

The film also stars Nicholas Hoult (the “X-Men” films), Finn Little (“Reckoning”), Aiden Gillen (“Game of Thrones,” “Peaky Blinders”), Medina Senghore (“Happy!”), Tyler Perry (“Vice,” “Gone Girl”), Jake Weber (“Midway,” “Homeland”), and Jon Bernthal (“Ford v Ferrari,” “Wind River”).

Oscar nominee Sheridan (“Hell or High Water,” “Wind River”) directed from a screenplay by Michael Koryta and Charles Leavitt and Sheridan, based on the book by Koryta.

Those Who Wish Me Dead will be released in Australian cineams May 13!
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Returning to the role of the big evil is Angelina Jolie and it is one she comfortably inhabits. Her angular look and acting style suits the requirements perfectly. She is however given a run for her money in the evil stakes by Michelle Pfeiffer as Queen Ingrith. Pfeiffer dominates every scene she is in and her final dispensation is fitting and funny.

The visuals throughout never look less than spectacular. The fairy land with its open and organic beauty sharply contrasts with the human made castle and its intricate and often claustrophobic environs. The climactic battle between the fairies and the humans when it arrives, is equally impressive in its visual and choreographed execution.

Buying into a fantasy world for me takes a very strong effort by the filmmakers and the talented people behind Maleficent: Mistress of Evil have done their job exceedingly well. It engages the viewer with verve, imagination and solid execution. I might have to look into changing my long standing bias as I even bought into the everything turns out perfect ending.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/DisneyAUNZ