Revolving around the antics of old school detective Lou (Mark Ruffalo), who is falling out of favour with the higher-ups in his all-consuming quest to take down a successful bandit. One who uses the brain instead of brawn to complete his audacious transgressions. Lou is also in the midst of a number of life-changing moments. His wife Angie (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is leaving him, and his superiors are running out of patience with his single-mindedness.

Into this situation, we are dropped in the city of Los Angeles, and it adds an important element to the story. The discrepancies between the haves and have-nots in this ever-evolving metropolis rumble underneath almost every scene. There are a number of high-power action pieces that stitch together the story and keep things moving along nicely. There is also the contrast between the staid nature of the criminal Davis and the explosive antics of fellow crim Ormon (Barry Keoghan), who creates havoc everywhere he goes.

Even though all the characters in Crime 101follow a somewhat traditional story arc, there are a number of surprises coming your way. As things progress and the tension ramps up in the final reel, you are seemingly led to a point where you feel certain of the outcome for all the parties involved. But here is where the film really delivers, and you are actually given a resolution much more satisfying and life-affirming than expected.
Rob Hudson
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When he eyes the score of a lifetime, his path crosses that of a disillusioned insurance broker (Halle Berry) who is facing her own crossroads. Convinced he has found a pattern, a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo) is closing in, raising the stakes even higher.

As the heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are faced with life-defining choices–and the realization that there can be no turning back.

Adapted from Don Winslow’s acclaimed novella of the same name, the film is written and directed by Bart Layton (American Animals, The Imposter). Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte round out the cast.

Starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh with Nick Nolte and Halle Berry.
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In the twisty, stylish crime thriller CRIME 101, Davis (Chris Hemsworth) is an elusive thief whose high-stakes heists have mystified police.

He’s planning his biggest ever score — hoping it’ll be his last — when his path collides with Sharon (Halle Berry), a disillusioned insurance executive whom he’s forced to work with, and Orman (Barry Keoghan), a rival thief with far more disturbing methods than Davis’s. As the multi-million dollar heist approaches, relentless detective Lt. Lubesnik (Mark Ruffalo) closes in on the operation, raising the stakes even higher, and the line between hunter and hunted starts to blur.

Each of them is soon forced to confront the cost of their respective choices — and the realisation that there’s no turning back. CRIME 101 is written and directed by Bart Layton (American Animals, The Imposter).

CRIME 101 will be released in Aussie cinemas February 12!
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The long-awaited return to fiction filmmaking from Academy Award-winner Andrea Arnold (American Honey, Fish Tank), BIRD is a tender, striking and extraordinarily surprising coming-of-age fable about marginalized life in the fringes of contemporary society.

12-year-old Bailey (astounding newcomer Nykiya Adams) lives with her devoted but chaotic single dad Bug (Barry Keoghan, Saltburn) and wayward brother Hunter in a squat in Gravesend, north Kent.

Approaching puberty and seeking attention and adventure, Bailey’s fractured home life is transformed when she encounters Bird (Franz Rogowski, Passages), a mysterious stranger on a journey of his own.

A wondrous portrait of the transition from childhood to adolescence that remains grounded in her typically empathetic social realism, Arnold’s latest strides to the wildly poetic rhythm of her own drum.
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Competition will be drawn February 18, winners will be notified by email.

Oliver is the odd man out. A student at Oxford that can claim neither money nor position. When he comes into contact with fellow student Felix Catto (Jacob Elordi) he sees him as possessing everything he fancies. Rich and from a family of privilege, he is great with the ladies and comfortable in his own skin. It is everything Oliver is not.

When he is invited to vacation at the Catton residence, a huge estate called Saltburn, he gets a glimpse of a way of life he’s always coveted. The social commentary on the vapid and disconnected reality of the super-rich is played out in bold and often hilariously broad strokes. Especially the lady of the manor Elspeth Catton (Rosamund Pike).

Just like trying to hold sand in a clenched fist, the tighter you try to hold the reality of Satltburn in your mind, the more it slips away. It is filled with so many odd and confronting moments, it keeps you guessing until the very end. Even when things happen that you see coming, the filmmakers have put a unique slant on them. See this as it’s unlike anything else out there at the moment.
Rob Hudson
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Academy Award winning filmmaker Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) brings us a beautifully wicked tale of privilege and desire.

Struggling to find his place at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family’s sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten.

Starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Archie Madekwe and Carey Mulligan, Saltburn will be released in Aussie cinemas November 16!
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Struggling to find his place at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family’s sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten.

Starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Archie Madekwe and Carey Mulligan, Saltburn will be released in Aussie cinemas November 16!
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A stunned Padraic, aided by his sister Siobhan (Kerry Condon) and troubled young islander Dominic (Barry Keoghan), endeavours to repair the relationship, refusing to take no for an answer. But Padraic’s repeated efforts only strengthen his former friend’s resolve and when Colm delivers a desperate ultimatum, events swiftly escalate, with shocking consequences.

The Banshees of Inisherin will have its World Premiere at the 79th Venice Film Festival. The film is also part of the Toronto Film Festival Official Selection 2022 and will be released in Aussie Cinemas this coming Boxing Day.
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In this context, he build tension in a masterful way. The film features very little dialogue and Hans Zimmer’s score is a major player in the film’s tone and emotional impact. The tension is fierce and relentless and never loosens its grip throughout the 106 minute running time.

The horror of war is never far from view but it isn’t presented in an overly graphic or bloody way. This approach adds even more to the film’s impact because it doesn’t distance the viewer with the off putting gore and carnage that becomes most war film’s stock and trade.

There are moments of great intensity in both film score and sound effects volume with the howl of planes diving and the discharge of armaments. There is also the beauty and inspiration shown deeply in moments of human resolve. This work vividly validates Nolan’s place among the all time greats.

Rob Hudson
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