Be the first to see the captivating new British drama FREUD’S LAST SESSION at our Senior’s Morning Tea Preview on Thursday, April 4 at Dendy Cinemas Coorparoo and Dendy Cinemas Portside.

Starring Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins and Emmy nominee Matthew Goode as two of history’s sharpest minds, Freud’s Last Session is based on the acclaimed stage play of the same name. Don’t miss this gripping chamber piece featuring two stellar performances from two great British actors.

In his final days, Sigmund Freud (Hopkins), a recent escapee with his daughter from the Nazi regime, receives a visit from the formidable Oxford Don C.S. Lewis (Goode). On this day, two of the greatest minds of the twentieth century intimately engage in a monumental session over the belief in the future of mankind and the existence of God.

“A complete pleasure.” – Deadline

“A welcome bit of brain stimulation.” – Variety

“A film for those who enjoy acting at its finest.” – The Independent Critic

Screening includes Complimentary Morning Tea at 10am with film commencing at 10.30am.

Freud’s Last Session – Seniors Morning Tea Preview
4 April 2024
Dendy Cinemas Coorparoo and Dendy Cinemas Portside, Brisbane
www.dendy.com.au

This edition, a prequel is set in the early days of the twentieth century, it starts with the Second Boer War and then fast forwards to World War One. Its main focus is that of Orlando Oxford (Ralph Fiennes) his son Conrad (Harris Dickinson) and his house staff that consists of Shola (Djimon Hounsou) and Polly Wilkins (Gemma Arterton). The two are trusted and very capable.

Unlike the two previous films Kingsman: The Secret Service and Kingman: The Golden Circle, this chapter is almost entirely gadget-free and focuses on the protagonists that end up being the early members of the agency. It also has a lot of fun with historical figures like Grigori Rasputin (Rhys Ifans) and King George, Kaiser Wilhelm, and Tsar Nicholas (all played by Tom Hollander). Ifans’ take on Rasputin is, particularly over the top.

The movie misses the chance to introduce some funky steampunk weapons and hardware but makes up for it by utilising the same hyper-real look and feel of the first two films. This one also tugs the heartstrings in a way the first two did not with their cartoon approach to the storytelling. This should handily restart the franchise from its inception on.

Rob Hudson
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Discover the origins of the very first independent intelligence agency in “The King’s Man,” in a story that follows one man who must race against time to stop a collection of history’s worst tyrants and criminal masterminds gathering to plot a war to wipe out millions.

“The King’s Man” is directed by Matthew Vaughn and stars Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, with Djimon Hounsou, and Charles Dance. Matthew Vaughn, David Reid and Adam Bohling are the producers, and Mark Millar, Dave Gibbons, Stephen Marks, Claudia Vaughn and Ralph Fiennes serve as executive producers. “The King’s Man” is based on the comic book “The Secret Service” by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons, and the story is by Matthew Vaughn and the screenplay is by Matthew Vaughn & Karl Gajdusek. “The King’s Man” opens in Australian cinemas January 6, 2022.
www.facebook.com/20thCenturyStudiosAUNZ/

As a collection of history’s worst tyrants and criminal masterminds gather to plot a war to wipe out millions, one man must race against time to stop them. Discover the origins of the very first independent intelligence agency in “The King’s Man.” “The King’s Man” is directed by Matthew Vaughn and stars Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, with Djimon Hounsou, and Charles Dance.

Matthew Vaughn, David Reid and Adam Bohling are the producers, and Mark Millar, Dave Gibbons, Stephen Marks, Claudia Vaughn and Ralph Fiennes serve as executive producers. “The King’s Man” is based on the comic book “The Secret Service” by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons, and the story is by Matthew Vaughn and the screenplay is by Matthew Vaughn & Karl Gajdusek.

“The King’s Man” releases in Australian cinemas on January 1, 2022.

www.facebook.com/20thCenturyStudiosAUNZ

Discover the origins of the very first independent intelligence agency in “The King’s Man”.

“The King’s Man” is directed by Matthew Vaughn and stars Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, with Djimon Hounsou, and Charles Dance.

Matthew Vaughn, David Reid and Adam Bohling are the producers, and Mark Millar, Dave Gibbons, Stephen Marks, Claudia Vaughn and Ralph Fiennes serve as executive producers. “The King‘s Man” is based on the comic book “The Secret Service” by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons, and the story is by Matthew Vaughn and the screenplay is by Matthew Vaughn & Karl Gajdusek.

“The King’s Man” will be released in Australian cinemas January 1, 2022!
www.facebook.com/20thCenturyStudiosAUNZ

The film, based on the novel by Christopher Isherwood, does have a very distinct visual look. This at times almost robs the film of its emotional impact by being a bit too obvious but the window into the soul of its main character George Falconer (Firth) is so strong, it helps to keep the focus. George is an English Professor practicing his trade in California in the early sixties.

He has suffered a tremendous personal loss and is barely hanging on. His British detachment prevents him from seeking the help he needs and his friends are at odds on how to help him. His closest friend Charley played by an effervescent Julianne Moore is so self-absorbed she is of little help. With Tom Ford’s visual flair and a set design by the people behind the TV series Mad Men, the film looks superb but it is far from a happy experience.

The acting however is so involving and their emotions so complex that you look past the mere visuals. You end up being drawn to these people’s story and you grow to care about them a great deal.

Rob Hudson
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The film also does little to stir the blood about the outrage of the unnecessary military action and its human cost. It relies too much on your memory of the actual events of the time. In the written coda at film’s end it doesn’t even mention the fact that after all was said and done, no weapons of mass destruction were even found.

Most of the performances are fine and the emotion is delivered in that oh so quaint and subdued British manner. The strength and resolve of the real Katharine Gun is hinted at by Keira Knightley‘s performance but never fully realised. Ralph Fiennes is however convincing as her lawyer Ben Emmerson.

Set against the larger context of the daily intrusions into our privacy and civil rights by the big government apparatus, it’s an important story. A little homework on the real event before seeing the film would most certainly add context and increase its impact.

Rob Hudson
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The memo proposed blackmailing smaller, undecided member states into voting for war. At great personal and professional risk, journalist Martin Bright published the leaked document in The Observer newspaper in London, and the story made headlines around the world. Members of the Security Council were outraged and any chance of a UN resolution in favour of war collapsed.

But within days, Bush declared he no longer needed UN backing and invaded anyway. As Iraq descended into chaos, Katharine was arrested and charged with breaching the Official Secrets Act. Martin faced potential charges too. Their legal battles exposed the highest levels of government in both London and Washington with having manipulated intelligence in order to sell an illegal war.

Official Secrets will open in Australian cinemas November 21!
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Having lost touch wit the TV series a few seasons back, it was reassuring that all the main characters have returned. The screenplay by Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park and Vanity Fair) still capitalises on the show’s MVP and writes some great lines for Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith) and she comically spars with everyone she converses with.

The story based on the impending visit of the King and Queen is used as the basis of an us against them tale. The staff of Downton Abbey have their work cut out for them as they battle the royals’ staff to exert dominance over the running of their home.

The film is an unchallenging affair that offers a comforting flow of humour and trace amounts of subtext. It also enables a subdued sense of outrage at the huge amount of effort it took to please the royals and to deal with the pompousness of their handlers.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU

Over its 6 seasons, the series garnered 3 Golden Globe Awards, 15 Primetime Emmy Awards, 69 Emmy nominations in total, making Downton Abbey the most nominated non-US television show in the history of the Emmys – even earning a Special BAFTA award and a Guinness World Record for the highest critically rated TV show along the way.

The Downton Abbey movie will star the original principal cast, including Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Joanne Froggatt, Matthew Goode, Harry Hadden-Paton, Robert James-Collier, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Lesley Nicol, Penelope Wilton, and Academy-Award® winner Maggie Smith, as well as new cast members Academy-Award® nominee Imelda Staunton, Geraldine James, Simon Jones, David Haig, Tuppence Middleton, Kate Phillips and Stephen Campbell Moore.

Academy-Award® winner Julian Fellowes who created Downton Abbey and wrote the film’s screenplay will produce alongside Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge. Michael Engler returns to direct. Brian Percival, who directed the series’ pilot, will executive produce the movie alongside Nigel Marchant.

Downton Abbey will be released in Australian cinemas September 12!
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