Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission, where they encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald’s growing legion of followers.

But with the stakes so high, how long can Dumbledore remain on the sidelines?

The film features an ensemble cast, including Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne (“The Theory of Everything”), two-time Oscar nominee Jude Law (“Cold Mountain”, “The Talented Mr. Ripley”), Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, William Nadylam, Callum Turner, Jessica Williams, Victoria Yeates, Poppy Corby-Tuech, Fiona Glascott, Katherine Waterston, Maria Fernanda Cândido, Richard Coyle, Oliver Masucci, Valerie Pachner and Mads Mikkelsen.
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The life and times of theoretical physicist, cosmologist and million selling author Stephen Hawking is told via a screenplay based on a book by his first wife of thirty years, Jane Wilde. We are given a window into his life from his early years and get to spend time with him before the revenges of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) took over his body.

While the force of the man’s will and his defiance of the medical profession’s estimate of the time of his demise is very inspiring, it’s so hard to watch such a brilliant man struggle with tasks we all take so for granted. The film also shows how lucky he was to have the love and care of his wife Jane who had to muster an unsurmountable amount of courage and energy to take care of Hawking and their young family.

The acting is amazing as Eddie Redmayne (Les Misérables, My Week with Marilyn) transforms himself in the ALS revenged Hawking with sheer acting ability and a minimal amount of prosthetics, it’s a stunning job. Felicity Jones is also outstanding as his wife Jane and the rest of the cast is excellent as well. The screenplay is very intense the first ¾ of the film and then the last reel lightens slightly with some very humorous moments. The effect is one that relaxes the audience and allows them to feel more part of Hawking’s ultimate triumph, that of keeping his humanity and sense of humour throughout such an ordeal.

This is a great film but one that cannot be approached lightly. It demands a lot from the audience but burns itself into your mind and makes you feel so fortunate to have even the small things in life.

Rob Hudson
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The cast of The Danish Girl also features the outstanding talent of Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.) as Gerda Wegener. Gerda is Elbe’s wife, fellow painter and long suffering supporter. Her level of support, selflessness and compassion for her husband is at the heart of the film.

With all of the pieces in place for an emotional cinema going experience, why then does the film leave the viewer feeling so detached? It’s shot beautifully, maybe too beautifully and what is essentially a tragic story looks so good. It might also be that the main players lifestyle as the arty almost carefree bohemian types leads to a bit of a disconnect.

It’s worth seeing for the acting performances alone but it leaves one wanting to feel more connected to the story and to feel more invested in their eventual outcome.

Rob Hudson
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After escaping from incarceration the threat posed by Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) becomes a reality. Lines are drawn between the wizard world and that of the Muggles (non-magical humans). Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) is forced to choose sides and leaves his beloved creatures behind to get involved in the fracas.

This chapters pays real dividends to fans of the Harry Potter franchise as the two storylines begin to show more of a connection. This time out even includes a visit to Hogwarts. You also get to spend time with a young Albus Dumbledore, this time played by Jude Law.

This is a film that has a lot of characters and takes some concentration to keep track of who does what and what they mean to each other. It’s worth the effort however as the combination of amazing visuals and involved storyline leaves you with powerful memories.

Rob Hudson
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At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander. But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.

In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD is directed by David Yates and features an ensemble cast led by Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Zoë Kravitz, Callum Turner, Claudia Kim, William Nadylam, Kevin Guthrie, Carmen Ejogo, Poppy Corby-Tuech, with Jude Law and Johnny Depp.

FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD releases in Australian cinemas on November 15, 2018.
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The story revolves about the fictional creation of football and being eccentrically British we’re talking about soccer and not the American grid iron sport. The film features mostly a human type cast with a few animals to give it a youthful appeal. However the animals that do frequent the screen add a lot of the film’s laugh out loud humour.

It’s an odd mix of humour and commentary on such adult topics as the privilege of the rich and the social pecking order of the haves versus the have nots. It also tries to impart pertinent messages of the value of family and taking care of ones surroundings.

These messages are delivered with a light touch and the claymation technique with its occasional view of someone’s finger prints in the clay keep the production from being too slick. It lacks the charm of the characters of Wallace and Gromit but its earthiness and accessibility still provide a unique cinema experience.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/earlymanmovie

At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander. But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.

In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD is directed by David Yates and stars Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, with Jude Law and Johnny Depp, Zoë Kravitz, Callum Turner, Claudia Kim, William Nadylam, Kevin Guthrie, Carmen Ejogo, and Poppy Corby-Tuech.

FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD releases in Australian cinemas on November 15, 2018!
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Set at the dawn of time, when prehistoric creatures roamed the earth, Early Man tells the story of courageous caveman hero Dug (Eddie Redmayne) and his best friend Hognob as they unite his tribe against a mighty enemy Lord Nooth (Tom Hiddleston) and his Bronze Age City to save their home.

Early Man is the new prehistoric comedy adventure from four-time Academy Award® -winning director Nick Park and AARDMAN, the creators of WALLACE AND GROMIT and SHAUN THE SHEEP. Shot in Aardman’s own distinctive style, the film will take audiences on an extraordinary journey into an exciting new world unleashing an unforgettable tribe of unique and funny new characters voiced by an all-star British cast.

Early Man will be released March 29 (VIC & QLD) / April 5 (National) (staggered for Easter school holidays) with Advance Screenings March 30-31 & April 1-2.

It stars Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Maisie Williams, Timothy Spall, Richard Ayoade and is directed by Nick Park.
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The photo shows Jude Law as a young Albus Dumbledore; Zoe Kravitz as Leta Lestrange, who is engaged to Newt Scamander’s brother; Callum Turner as Newt Scamander’s older brother Theseus Scamander, a celebrated war hero and the Head of the Auror Office at the British Ministry of Magic; and Claudia Kim as Maledictus, the carrier of a blood curse that destines her ultimately to transform into a beast. The cast also features returning players like Ezra Miller as Credence, Katherine Waterston as Tina Goldstein, Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, Dan Fogler as ‘no-maj’ Jacob Kowalski, Alison Sudol as Queenie Goldstein and Johnny Depp as the powerful dark wizard Gellert Grindelward.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald will hit Australian big screens November 15, 2018. Most plot details remain under wraps, but we expect to see Dumbledore enlisting his former student Scamander in an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.

The movie is being directed by David Yates, from a screenplay by J.K. Rowling, and produced by David Heyman, J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves and Lionel Wigram.
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The cast of The Danish Girl also features the outstanding talent of Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.) as Gerda Wegener. Gerda is Elbe’s wife, fellow painter and long suffering supporter. Her level of support, selflessness and compassion for her husband is at the heart of the film.

With all of the pieces in place for an emotional cinema going experience, why then does the film leave the viewer feeling so detached? It’s shot beautifully, maybe too beautifully and what is essentially a tragic story looks so good. It might also be that the main players lifestyle as the arty almost carefree bohemian types leads to a bit of a disconnect.

It’s worth seeing for the acting performances alone but it leaves one wanting to feel more connected to the story and to feel more invested in their eventual outcome.

Rob Hudson
www.thedanishgirl.com.au