The film’s title is quite the misnomer as this is a highly stylised account of Ned Kelly and his family. Some of the creative choices yield engrossing scenes while others feel forced and dissipate momentum. This includes not capitalising on the acting of Nicholas Hoult who persuasively plays against his nice guy persona as the sadistic Constable Fitzpatrick. Odd that the chemistry between him and George MacKay’s Ned Kelly is so under-utilised.

Their scenes together hint as something substantial but their characters’ arcs jump too many steps at a time. The mental breakdown of Kelly also feels like it’s missing quite a few beats. He goes from a lucid and introspective man to a dress wearing loon much too quickly. In a film with a generous running time of 124 minutes, it feels like another missed opportunity.

During the final 20 minutes, as events conspire to bring a conclusion to the tale that most are familiar with, the filmmakers make their boldest moves yet. It will challenge the audience with its overt symbolism and visual attempt to recreate the claustrophobic last minutes of life for the Kelly gang. The success of this approach is completely subjective and one that cinema goers will have to make up their own mind about.
Rob Hudson

True History of the Kelly Gang is currently playing at Dendy Cinemas for a limited time – head to www.dendy.com.au for more information and tickets.

There are double and triple crosses a plenty in this examination of the marijuana trade and you don’t know where things really stand until the very last of its multiple endings. The byzantine script makes full use of the set up and the film ends with a final reveal that is a self-referential joy to behold.

The cast is incredibly cool with naughty boy Hugh Grant providing the voiceover storyline and Charlie Hunnam showing he hasn’t lost any of his acting chops after a few miss-step roles. Matthew McConaughey is top notch as well and goes against gangster type by loving the misses to the very end. Said lady played by Michelle Dockery leaves her wholesome Downton Abbey persona far far behind.

Ritchie reveals a maturity that buttresses his learned experience from a number of projects that didn’t show his skills in the best light. He’s returned to where it all began and we the audience are richer for the experience. 2019 has been a stellar year for crime dramas.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/roadshow

When word gets out that he’s looking to cash out of the business forever it triggers plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his domain out from under him.

The Gentlemen features an all-star ensemble cast including Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan, Colin Farrell, and Hugh Grant, and will be released in Australian cinemas January 1, 2020.
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The casting is also spotty with Jude Law not quite inhabiting the role of the big evil, King Vortigern. He just doesn’t fill the role with near enough menace. Charlie Hunnam as Arthur also has moments where his glare reminds one too much of his definitive role as Jax Telller in Sons Of Anarchy. He is more successful as the alpha-male blonde wise cracking smart arse.

The film suffers from a too dark palette and the special effects seem to be missing that final step of rendering and come across less than impressive. Ritchie is still too good of a director not to delver quite a few moments of complete immersion but isn’t able to sustain that high level throughout the film’s 126 minute running time.

One’s appreciation for King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is probably more in line with their fondness for the fantasy genre and the suspension of disbelief necessary to get lost in this tale of Kings, Queens, magic and monsters.

Rob Hudson
www.kingarthurmovie.com

When the child Arthur’s father is murdered, Vortigern (Jude Law), Arthur’s uncle, seizes the crown. Robbed of his birthright and with no idea who he truly is, Arthur comes up the hard way in the back alleys of the city. But once he pulls the sword from the stone, his life is turned upside down and he is forced to acknowledge his true legacy…whether he likes it or not.

Starring with Hunnam (FX’s “Sons of Anarchy”) and Oscar nominee Law (“Cold Mountain,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley”) are Astrid Bergès-Frisbey (“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”) as Mage; Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou (“Blood Diamond,” “In America”) as Bedivere; Aidan Gillen (HBO’s “Game of Thrones”) as Goosefat Bill; and Eric Bana (“Star Trek”) as Arthur’s father, King Uther Pendragon.

Guy Ritchie (“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” the “Sherlock Holmes” films) directed the film from a screenplay is by Joby Harold (“Awake”) and Guy Ritchie & Lionel Wigram, story by David Dobkin (“The Judge”) and Joby Harold. The film is produced by Oscar winner Akiva Goldsman (“A Beautiful Mind,” “I Am Legend”), Joby Harold, Tory Tunnell (“Awake,” “Holy Rollers”), and “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” and “Sherlock Holmes” producers Steve Clark-Hall, Guy Ritchie and Lionel Wigram. David Dobkin and Bruce Berman are executive producers.

KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD releases in Australian cinemas on May 11, 2017.
www.kingarthurmovie.com

It must be said that the film looks fantastic and features visuals never before seen but the plot and action staging is so predictable, it drains all the energy out of the experience. In some genres this would not drive the knife into the heart but with the horror/thriller genre nothing is worse than predictability.

Also not helping is the film score by Fernando Velázquez that telegraphs emotions with such an obvious touch. It’s a shame really as the cast, which includes Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain and Charlie Hunnam do a serviceable job with what they have been given.

If this was a film by anyone other than Guillermo del Toro, it would be far easier to accept its shortcomings, but the man knows how to deliver the goods even when it’s a very commercial project. This is one film I will have to see again in hopes that the second time around the great visuals and solid acting will save the day.

Rob Hudson
www.crimsonpeakmovie.com.au