The film is inspired by the true story of how Frances Haugen (Madison), a young Facebook engineer, enlists the help of Jeff Horwitz (White), a Wall Street Journal reporter, to go on a dangerous journey that ends up blowing the whistle on the social network’s most guarded secrets.

Starring Mikey Madison, Jeremy Allen White, Wunmi Mosaku, Betty Gilpin, Billy Magnussen, with Bill Burr and Jeremy Strong, The Social Reckoning is coming to Aussie cinemas October 8!
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The desire of the filmmakers to keep the musical element of the legend intact and to keep the unsavoury elements of the story so far from the viewers’ minds as to be non-existent is complete. Even the patriarch of the Jackson clan, Joe, is given a relatively smooth ride. This, unfortunately, reduces the story to a one-dimensional misreading of the facts.

That Michael could overcome such a harsh upbringing (for such a sensitive soul) and create the joy that he brought to millions is strongly understated. He did do amazing things and, for a short period of time, was a unifying entity on the world’s stage. Behind the scenes, he also showed a high degree of empathy, but his power and wealth were also used to weaponise his awful intent.

The film is bright (with oversaturated colours and a very loud soundtrack) and touches on storylines very familiar to even the casual observer, but it never treats him more than an uncomfortable entertainer. His ability to create pure joy is sold as a brand. By focusing mostly on the positive, Michael brings the bright lights to a story that deserves more. A life with complexity is reduced to a simple ideology: no mater what, the show must go on.
Rob Hudson
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The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world.

Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.

Michael stars Jaafar Jackson in his feature film debut, Nia Long (Empire, The Best Man franchise), Laura Harrier (BlacKkKlansman, Spider-Man: Homecoming) and Juliano Krue Valdi (The Loud House, Arco), with Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick, Whiplash) and two-time Academy Award® nominee Colman Domingo (Sing Sing, Rustin).

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the award-winning filmmaker of Training Day, Olympus Has Fallen and The Equalizer franchise, from a screenplay by three-time Academy Award® nominee John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator), the film is produced by Academy Award® winner Graham King (The Departed, Bohemian Rhapsody), John Branca (executive producer This Is It, Thriller 40) and John McClain (executive producer This Is It, Michael Jackson Live at Wembley July 16, 1988).

The film is distributed by Lionsgate in North America and Japan (in partnership with Kino Films), and by Universal Pictures internationally.
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The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world.

Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.

Michael stars Jaafar Jackson in his feature film debut, Nia Long (Empire, The Best Man franchise), Laura Harrier (BlacKkKlansman, Spider-Man: Homecoming) and Juliano Krue Valdi (The Loud House, Arco), with Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick, Whiplash) and two-time Academy Award® nominee Colman Domingo (Sing Sing, Rustin).

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the award-winning filmmaker of Training Day, Olympus Has Fallen and The Equalizer franchise, from a screenplay by three-time Academy Award® nominee John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator), the film is produced by Academy Award® winner Graham King (The Departed, Bohemian Rhapsody), John Branca (executive producer This Is It, Thriller 40) and John McClain (executive producer This Is It, Michael Jackson Live at Wembley July 16, 1988).

The film is distributed by Lionsgate in North America and Japan (in partnership with Kino Films), and by Universal Pictures internationally.
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU/

The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world.

Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.

Michael stars Jaafar Jackson in his feature film debut, Nia Long (Empire, The Best Man franchise), Laura Harrier (BlacKkKlansman, Spider-Man: Homecoming) and Juliano Krue Valdi (The Loud House, Arco), with Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick, Whiplash) and two-time Academy Award® nominee Colman Domingo (Sing Sing, Rustin).

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the award-winning filmmaker of Training Day, Olympus Has Fallen and The Equalizer franchise, from a screenplay by three-time Academy Award® nominee John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator), the film is produced by Academy Award® winner Graham King (The Departed, Bohemian Rhapsody), John Branca (executive producer This Is It, Thriller 40) and John McClain (executive producer This Is It, Michael Jackson Live at Wembley July 16, 1988).

The film is distributed by Lionsgate in North America and Japan (in partnership with Kino Films), and by Universal Pictures internationally.
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On the evening of March 31, 1943, legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart confronts his shattered self-confidence in Sardi’s bar as his former collaborator Richard Rodgers celebrates the opening night of his ground-breaking hit musical “Oklahoma!”.

Starring Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale, Andrew Scott, Blue Moon is coming to cinemas January 29.
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Michael is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known.

The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world.

Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.

Michael stars Jaafar Jackson in his feature film debut, Nia Long (Empire, The Best Man franchise), Laura Harrier (BlacKkKlansman, Spider-Man: Homecoming) and Juliano Krue Valdi (The Loud House, Arco), with Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick, Whiplash) and two-time Academy Award® nominee Colman Domingo (Sing Sing, Rustin).

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the award-winning filmmaker of Training Day, Olympus Has Fallen and The Equalizer franchise, from a screenplay by three-time Academy Award® nominee John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator), the film is produced by Academy Award® winner Graham King (The Departed, Bohemian Rhapsody), John Branca (executive producer This Is It, Thriller 40) and John McClain (executive producer This Is It, Michael Jackson Live at Wembley July 16, 1988).
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In the early eighties, the musician Bruce Springsteen and his career were at a crossroads. He had strong career momentum with the success of his Born To Run album in 1975 and The River in 1980, but he was far from a happy man. He was struggling, and those were the days when people’s mental health was not a comfortable topic of conversation. 

He felt he had something dark and deeply personal to share with his audience, and this set of songs eventually became the album Nebraska. It was unconventionally recorded (at home in his bedroom and onto a cassette recorder) and presented to his record label with instructions to release no singles and with no touring to support it. In a nod to his and manager Jon Landau’s power, the label went against their strong sense of self-interest and complied.

This story is presented in a bleak manner that strays far from overstatement and relies heavily on its excellent cast. Of particular note is Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) as Bruce; he gets the nuances just right, and his emotive expressions say so much while presenting so little. The support cast of Jeremy Strong as Landau, Odessa Young as on and off girlfriend Faye Romano and Stephen Graham as Springsteen’s abusive and troubled father, who also suffered from mental health issues, are superlative.

While not being particularly fun to watch, the emotions on display are raw and feel real, and its underlying message of acknowledging and looking after one’s mental health is an important one. We are slowly making progress in that struggle, and works like this will help to keep that dialogue alive, but keep in mind that this is also a very effective piece of storytelling. One that features amazing performances and exceptional technical execution.
Rob Hudson
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There is something so satisfying about seeing films at your favourite local cinema. Having the parking situation wired, knowing the best room in the house and the best seat for the most involving sound and of course your favourite snack (in this case the hand dipped choc tops). So when the Dendy Coorparoo closed due to damage from the storm called Alfred, its reopening has been eagerly awaited. 

Now that the time has come to reopen, the first film off the rank was The Smashing Machine. This work, based on the real life exploits of first-generation UFC fighter Mark Kerr, stars Dwayne Johnson as Kerr and Emily Blunt as Kerr’s first wife, Dawn Staples. Both actors are stepping out of their comfort zone, with Johnson’s role being the biggest departure. The addition of a facial prosthesis helps with the transformation for Johnson.

Kerr was one of the first fighters in the full-contact sport arena to achieve star status, and his life was and is a rocky one. He struggled with substance abuse during the early years and is currently suffering from peripheral neuropathy. Johnson digs into the role and is quite effective at showing the man’s flaws without being completely consumed by them. His relationship with Blunt’s character on screen is a fractious one, and most of their scenes together crackle with tension.

This is by far Johnson’s biggest swing for recognition as an actual actor and not just a movie star, and he does a good job. His role is filled with quirky character traits that pull you into different mindsets about his performance, but the main take away is a demonstration of the successful expansion of his craft. Blunt is as always effective in every moment on screen. The story has an underlying theme of the brutality of this particular sport and the dedication it takes for its participants to excel in The Octagon. Even if you deplore pugilism, the performances are worthy of your exploration.
Rob Hudson
www.dendy.com.au/

“Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere” chronicles the making of Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 “Nebraska” album. Recorded on a 4-track recorder in Springsteen’s New Jersey bedroom, the album marked a pivotal time in his life and is considered one of his most enduring works—a raw, haunted acoustic record populated by lost souls searching for a reason to believe.

“‘Nebraska’ is where Bruce chose truth over expectation—a choice that still reverberates through everything he’s written since. At that crossroads, he could have chased the bright lights and the roar of arenas, but instead he turned inward, armed only with silence, a four-track recorder, and the courage to confront himself. For him to trust me with telling that story—the most vulnerable chapter of his life—is the greatest honour I’ve ever had as a filmmaker,” says Cooper.

“This film takes a couple years out of my life and looks at them very closely, a time when I made ‘Nebraska’ and went through some personal difficulties,” says Springsteen. “I’m so appreciative of Jeremy Allen White and the entire cast for their wonderful and moving performances—and Scott Cooper, one of the most generous collaborators I’ve ever worked with.”

Starring Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen, the film is directed by Scott Cooper from his adaptation of Warren Zanes’ book of the same name. “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere” also features Jeremy Strong as Springsteen’s long-time confidant and manager, Jon Landau; Paul Walter Hauser as guitar tech Mike Batlan; Odessa Young as Faye; Stephen Graham as Springsteen’s father, Doug; Gaby Hoffman as Springsteen’s mother, Adele; and David Krumholtz as Columbia executive, Al Teller.

The film is produced by Cooper, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Eric Robinson and Scott Stuber. Tracey Landon, Jon F. Vein and Zanes executive produce. The film includes an original score by composer Jeremiah Fraites, cinematography by Masanobu Takayanagi, production design by Stefania Cella, costume design by Kasia Walicka-Maimone, and is edited by Pamela Martin. “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere” will be in cinemas October 23.
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