We follow the life of Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) a drifter who finds a purpose at the feet of Pete (David Strathairn), a grifter running the psychic medium scam at a traveling carnival with his partner Zeena the Seer (Toni Collette). Stanton learns the trade and sees himself as capable of more and aggressively makes those ambitions come to fruition.

The story is told in two distinct parts and part two features Cate Blanchett as the sultry Dr. Lilith Ritter. The two develop a working relationship and Stanton ups his game to pull the long con on the uber-rich. It’s these (mis)adventures that ramp things up and provide the last reel with its twists and turns.

Making more than a few comments on the vanity and naiveté of the superrich as well as how people’s beliefs can be swayed by grief and a convincing con, Nightmare Alley has a valid point behind its hyper-stylised noir look. Perhaps more convincing visually than story-wise, del Toro still creates an intriguing world that is easy to get lost in.

Rob Hudson
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With the virtuous Molly (Rooney Mara) loyally by his side, Stanton plots to con a dangerous tycoon (Richard Jenkins) with the aid of a mysterious psychiatrist (Cate Blanchett) who might be his most formidable opponent yet.

Driected by Guillermo del Toro and starring Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, Richard Jenkins, Rooney Mara, Ron Perlman, Mary Steenburgen, David Strathairn, Nightmare Alley will be released in Australian cinemas January 20, 2022!
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Directed by Guillermo del Toro, Nightmare Alley stars Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, Richard Jenkins, Rooney Mara, Ron Perlman, Mary Steenburgen, David Strathairn and will be released in Australian cineas January 20, 2022!
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From a very young age, Old Dolio has been integrated into the family business without knowing any better. She yearns for something else and feels uncomfortable with her inherited lack of moral values but has so little real-world experience, she has trouble articulating her desire for change.

Through a chance meeting, the three become aquatinted with Melanie (Gina Rodriguez). She is vivacious and worldly and is at first drawn to the family’s antics as a way to take a stroll on the wild side. She soon changes her mind as she sees the harm they are capable of doing but refuses to give up on Old Dolio, with who she feels a real connection.

Oddly structured and paced yet invigorating, during Kajillionaire, you’ll experience a family unlike any you’ve met on screen before. You’ll watch in wonder at first with the life of daughter Old Dolio and the unfortunate circumstances that have dictated her life’s path and then you will revel in her ultimate emancipation.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU

If I told you about her. The princess without voice . . .

From master storyteller Guillermo del Toro comes THE SHAPE OF WATER, an otherworldly fable set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1962. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is trapped in a life of isolation.

Elisa’s life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer) discover a secret classified experiment – a mysterious, scaled creature from South America that lives in a water tank. As Elisa develops a unique bond with her new friend, she soon learns that its fate and very survival lies in the hands of a hostile government agent and a marine biologist.

Rounding out the cast are Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Doug Jones. The Shape of Water opens at selected cinemas 18 January 2018.

Dendy Dames screening of The Shape of Water
Screening at Dendy Portside and Dendy Coorparoo 7pm 10 January 2018
Also showing at Canberra and Newtown
www.dendy.com.au