A lot of your enjoyment of Eddington will be based on how much you’ve recovered from that undeniably bleak period of time. The film successfully ties in so many elements of the wildness that swept the world then. These include conspiracy theories, government over governance and the big bad that lurks behind all unexplained plot points in films such as this. It’s an intoxicating medley.

Set in a small, downwardly mobile town in New Mexico, Eddington has seen better days. The current mayor, Ted Garcia, played against character by Pedro Pascal, has high hopes of bringing the town back to life by building a massive tech centre out in the scrub. His COVID mandates and the impact the centre will have on the community have divided the population. The uncertainty of the times has also created a militant attitude among the local teens.

The film mines so many of the extremes of that period of time, it would seem to struggle to have a unified theme, but as things progress, it trades sense for overkill and just gets more and more extreme. This gives Phoenix the platform to do what he does best and match the mania, note for note. The ironic ending when it lands feels just about right, filtered through the sensibilities of our current state of the world.
Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU/

Eddington stars Joaquin Phoenix as small-town sheriff Joe Cross, who runs for mayor when progressive incumbent Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) attempts to modernize their dusty hamlet by attracting a new artificial-intelligence data center. Aster’s fourth feature takes the form of a classic showdown between two opposing forces over the future of Eddington, New Mexico (population 2,345), as spiraling conspiracies and standoffs derail a citizenry pushed to the brink.

Featuring an ensemble supporting cast of townspeople grappling with a changing world, EDDINGTON also stars Emma Stone, Austin Butler, Luke Grimes, Deirdre O’Connell, Micheal Ward, Clifton Collins Jr., William Belleau, Amélie Hoeferle, Cameron Mann, and Matt Gomez Hidaka.

More than anything, the film is driven by the absurdity of everything that came out of that summer and the five years that followed. EDDINGTON frequently plays out as a dark comedy, be- cause after all, if you can’t laugh at today’s American circus, you’ll surely cry.

Eddington will be released in Aussie cinemas August 21!
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU/

EDDINGTON stars Joaquin Phoenix as small-town sheriff Joe Cross, who runs for mayor when progressive incumbent Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) attempts to modernize their dusty hamlet by attracting a new artificial-intelligence data center. Aster’s fourth feature takes the form of a classic showdown between two opposing forces over the future of Eddington, New Mexico (population 2,345), as spiraling conspiracies and standoffs derail a citizenry pushed to the brink.

Featuring an ensemble supporting cast of townspeople grappling with a changing world, EDDINGTON also stars Emma Stone, Austin Butler, Luke Grimes, Deirdre O’Connell, Micheal Ward, Clifton Collins Jr., William Belleau, Amélie Hoeferle, Cameron Mann, and Matt Gomez Hidaka.

More than anything, the film is driven by the absurdity of everything that came out of that summer and the five years that followed. EDDINGTON frequently plays out as a dark comedy, be- cause after all, if you can’t laugh at today’s American circus, you’ll surely cry.
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU/

The story picks up after the events of the first film with Arthur Fleck AKA Joker tucked away in Arkham Asylum (which is now styled to look like Alcatraz Island). The system is trying to prove his competency to stand trial. He is treated quite questionably there, especially by a guard named Jackie Sullivan played by the always excellent Brendan Gleeson. While there he comes in contact with Lee Quinzel (Lady Gaga).

Their relationship provides the main thrust of the tale but it is a one-sided affair as very little backstory is offered about Quinzel other than her sycophantic attraction to Fleck’s darker side. Most of the exposition is told via dream sequences so it is not easy to decipher what is real and what is not. The dark and gritty reality of living in Gotham City plays an important role as well.

Todd Phillips should be applauded for trying something different as he returns to the world of Arthur Fleck with a new concept. Draping things in a musical format is an odd choice but is does have a number of engaging and surreal moments. He can always count on Joaquin Phoenix’s force of-nature approach to acting to give validity to almost any approach desired. Underutilising Lady Gaga’s role does however feel like a missed opportunity.
Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/WarnerBrosAU/

While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that’s always been inside him.

Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Zazie Beetz, Steve Coogan, Harry Lawtey, Leigh Gill, Ken Leung, Jacob Lofland, Bill Smitrovich, Sharon Washington, Joker: Folie À Deux is coming to cinemas October 3!
www.facebook.com/WarnerBrosAU/

Joker: Folie à Deux – only in cinemas October 3!
www.facebook.com/WarnerBrosAU/

Scott and writer David Scarpa have chosen to focus more on the relationship between Napoleon (Joaquin Phoenix) and his wife Josephine (Vanessa Kirby). Theirs was a dysfunctional union not helped in the least by the temper of the times and Napoleon’s odd nature and habits. Scott’s forcefulness with action sequences is also reduced and this seems an odd choice.

One battle scene however is very effective and it is based on what is generally considered one of his greatest victories called the Battle of Austerlitz. The visuals are stunning and the carnage overwhelming and even though great artistic license was taken with the facts, it’s still the high point of the film action-wise. Elsewhere the colours and actions of the hostilities are strangely muted.

There are so many contradictory views and opinions about the life and times of Napoleon Bonaparte that it would be impossible to do more than scratch the surface with a normal-length film. Focusing on limited aspects of his life may make sense on paper but up on the big screen the lack of engagement engendered by this approach is slightly maddening and does a disservice to one of history’s great eccentrics.
Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/SonyPicturesAUS/

Against a stunning backdrop of large-scale filmmaking orchestrated by legendary director Ridley Scott, the film captures Bonaparte’s relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his one true love, Josephine, showcasing his visionary military and political tactics against some of the most dynamic practical battle sequences ever filmed.

Napoleon will be released in Australian cinemas November 23!
www.facebook.com/SonyPicturesAUS/

Napoleon is a spectacle-filled action epic that details the chequered rise and fall of the iconic French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, played by Oscar®-winner Joaquin Phoenix.

Against a stunning backdrop of large-scale filmmaking orchestrated by legendary director Ridley Scott, the film captures Bonaparte’s relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his one true love, Josephine, showcasing his visionary military and political tactics against some of the most dynamic practical battle sequences ever filmed.

Napoleon will be released in Australian Cinemas November 23!
www.facebook.com/SonyPicturesAUS/

Napoleon is a spectacle-filled action epic that details the checkered rise and fall of the iconic French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, played by Oscar®-winner Joaquin Phoenix.

Against a stunning backdrop of large-scale filmmaking orchestrated by legendary director Ridley Scott, the film captures Bonaparte’s relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his one true love, Josephine, showcasing his visionary military and political tactics against some of the most dynamic practical battle sequences ever filmed.

From acclaimed director Ridley Scott, Napoleon is exclusively in cinemas November 23.
www.facebook.com/SonyPicturesAUS/