The story is almost entirely built around the strange life of Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio Del Toro) and he features in nearly every scene. He is a rich and powerful industrialist with a bent moral compass. Through a lifetime of questionable dealings with friends and foes alike, he has acquired a large number of enemies whose attempts to assassinate him drive the film’s comic overview.

Most of these attempts happen while in flight so it’s a given you wouldn’t want to find yourself in an aeroplane with him. After so many attempts on his life, he considers his mortality and seeks an heir. He ignores his nine sons and names his only daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton), who happens to be a nun to be his sole heir. After spending most of their lives completely apart, their reunion underlines most of the plot points. Michael Cera as the mysterious Bjørn Lund also features prominently.

With Anderson’s ever-growing filmography, most fans develop favourites and rate any new work against them. In that respect, The Phoenician Scheme fits solidly in the middle. In the Wes World, it’s a comforting addition and while it offers few outright surprises, it still takes a unique look at family dynamics and the acceptance of the quirks that underline almost every clan. It’s a worthy addition to an eclectic canon.
Rob Hudson
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Starring Benicio del Toro as Zsa-zsa Korda, one of the richest men in Europe; Mia Threapleton as Liesl, his daughter/a nun; Michael Cera as Bjorn, their tutor.

With Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Friend, Hope Davis.
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That idiosyncratic nature plays out in the look of the sets and costumes, the colour palette and lighting, the dialogue and performance of the actors and the whimsical nature of the stories they tell. Seldom laugh-out-loud funny, the humour is too dexterous for that, this is the kind of mirth that builds most in remembrance.

Trying to reduce Asteroid City to a mere synopsis does it a disservice as it is a work filled with subtext, subversion and subliminal cues that emerge in retrospection. Anderson’s movies almost always grow in stature the more you think about them. They are uniquely memorable.

It’s those memories that power avid fan’s desire to have so many of his works on high rotation at home. Asteroid City will have the power to be either the most or least favourite of his films and that distinction will only come into focus after many visits to his deep well of weirdness.
Rob Hudson
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From the beautiful mind of Wes Anderson, starring an all-star cast comes ASTEROID CITY, a wonderfully colourful and hilarious cosmic tale about a family and their travel to a remote American town aptly titled Asteroid City.

The itinerary of a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention (organized to bring together students and parents from across the country for fellowship and scholarly competition) is spectacularly disrupted by world-changing events.

“…it’s beautiful to look at, surreal, nostalgic and funny in a weird, distanced way.” – San Francisco Chronicle

“Wes Anderson returns with one of his most dazzling, rich and playfully self-reflexive films to date.” – Little White Lies

“Asteroid City, the latest from Wes Anderson, is a true achievement from one of America’s most unique cinematic voices.” – Chicago Reader
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Competition will be drawn August 1, winners will be notified by email.

The itinerary of a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention (organized to bring together students and parents from across the country for fellowship and scholarly competition) is spectacularly disrupted by world-changing events.

Starring Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Liev Schreiber, Hope Davis, Stephen Park, Rupert Friend, Maya Hawke, Steve Carell, Matt Dillon, Hong Chau, Willem Dafoe, Margot Robbie, Tony Revolori, Jake Ryan, Jeff Goldblum, Asteroid City will be released this coming June!
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On the casting front, things are uniformly effective with Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne and his alter ego Batman more than holding up his end, he has brooding down to a science. Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle (AKA Catwoman) hits all the right notes and looks great in tight black leather while Colin Farrell is almost unrecognisable as Oswald Cobblepot (The Penguin). Jeffrey Wright as Lt. James Gordon and John Turturro as the crime boss Carmine Falcone turn in their usual strong workman like effort.

The story is a fundamental one and the emphasis is placed squarely on the personal. Batman arrives almost fully formed and only mere hints are given at first on why he is so tortured. The billionaire side of his existence is downplayed and there is little focus placed on the Bat-gadgets. Even the Batmobile is understated and there is also a slightly different take on the death of Bruce Wayne’s parents.

Putting in maximum time and effort at forging a new path down a very well-trodden avenue has paid dividends. As long as the darkness both visually and metaphorically doesn’t bother you, The Batman can stand on its own and does well to establish an inviting new take on a character that has been with us since its inception all the way back in 1939.
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From Warner Bros. Pictures comes Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” starring Robert Pattinson in the dual role of Gotham City’s vigilante detective and his alter ego, reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne.

Starring alongside Pattinson (“Tenet,” “The Lighthouse”) as Gotham’s famous and infamous cast of characters are Zoë Kravitz (“Big Little Lies,” “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”) as Selina Kyle; Paul Dano (“Love & Mercy,” “12 Years a Slave”) as Edward Nashton; Jeffrey Wright (“No Time to Die,” “Westworld”) as the GCPD’s James Gordon; John Turturro (the “Transformers” films, “The Plot Against America”) as Carmine Falcone; Peter Sarsgaard (“The Magnificent Seven,” “Interrogation”) as Gotham D.A. Gil Colson; Jayme Lawson (“Farewell Amor”) as mayoral candidate Bella Reál; with Andy Serkis (the “Planet of the Apes” films, “Black Panther”) as Alfred; and Colin Farrell (“The Gentlemen,” “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”) as Oswald Cobblepot.

The Batman will be released in Australian cinemas March 3!
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Made up of several chapters all told under the guise of being included on the pages of a fictitious publication called The French Dispatch, Wes gets to satisfy his stated claim of always wanting to do a series of short stories. He also gets to include another of his favourite storytelling mediums, animation, this time a hilarious car chase scene.

Not a single frame goes by without a look or feel of his unique art and it fills the screen with amusement even when the story being told loses its focus slightly. Not every story hits its mark completely and one, in particular, could have used some judicious editing as it runs a bit long.

Transporting one to a unique environment is one of cinema’s greatest charms and Wes Anderson is one of the industry’s most assured partitioners. As the final credits roll you are left with the feelings of having just visited a wonderful and enchanting world. One that pales in comparison to the reality we almost all live in.

Rob Hudson
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It stars Benicio del Toro, Frances McDormand, Jeffrey Wright, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Timothée Chalamet, Léa Seydoux, Owen Wilson, Mathieu Amalric, Lyna Khoudri, Stephen Park and Bill Murray.

The French Dispatch will be released in Australian cinemas December 9!

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Dendy insiders have confirmed that a complimentary glass of French Sparkling will be served on arrival to all citizens. Our sources have also confirmed that a complimentary French Martini will be served to any citizen attending the Premium Lounge session.

It is also confirmed and reported here that a free limited edition of “The French Dispatch” magazine will be distributed to all in attendance (while stocks last). In addition to this, distribution of said magazine will continue for those purchasing opening day tickets for the 9th of December.

All citizens should be aware that tickets for this special event are now on sale along with tickets for the opening week.

Bookings can be made at www.dendy.com.au

Described as a love letter to journalists and the written word, The French Dispatch brings together an all-star cast including Benicio del Toro, Frances McDormand, Jeffrey Wright, Adrien Brody, Timothée Chalamet, Léa Seydoux, Tilda Swinton, Mathieu Amalric, Lyna Khoudri, Stephan Park, Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, Liev Schrieber, Elisabeth Moss, Edward Norton, Willem Dafoe, Lois Smith, Saoirse Ronan, Christoph Waltz, Cécile de France, Guillaume Gallienne, Jason Schwartzman, Tony Revolori, Rupert Friend, Henry Winkler, Bob Balaban, Hippolyte Girardot, and Anjelica Houston.

The French Dispatch Red Carpet Preview Screenings
30 November 2021
Dendy Cinemas
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