The year is 1963. Retired sheriff George Blackledge (Kevin Costner) lives on a Montana ranch with his wife Margaret (Diane Lane), their adult son James (Ryan Bruce), his wife Lorna (Kayli Carter) and the couple’s newborn baby Jimmy. Their home is humble but happy, until one bright autumn morning when tragedy strikes—James dies of a broken neck when thrown from his horse. Three years later, his widow Lorna marries Donnie Weboy (Will Brittain), a young man with strong ties to his North Dakota clan. Margaret’s worst suspicions of Donnie’s dark side are confirmed on a visit to town, when she witnesses him strike both Lorna and her grandson.

Margaret is deeply alarmed when the newlyweds pull up stakes in the middle of the night, leaving town without saying goodbye. She resolves to track the couple down and to bring Jimmy home to live with her and George. Unable to dissuade headstrong Margaret from her mission, George reluctantly agrees to the journey and to helping her rescue the boy—and Lorna. But the violent and controlling Weboys, headed by uncompromising matriarch Blanche Weboy (Lesley Manville), won’t allow the Blackledges to reclaim their loved ones. George and Margaret are left with no choice but to fight for their family, no matter how great the cost.

Focus Features presents LET HIM GO starring Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Lesley Manville, Kayli Carter, Booboo Stewart, Jeffrey Donovan, Will Brittain, Ryan Bruce, Adam Stafford, Bradley Stryker, Will Hochman. Written and directed by Thomas Bezucha. Based on the novel by Larry Watson.

Let Him Go will be released in Australian cinemas November 26!
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU

The story revolves around the space race of the mid-sixties and the contribution of three extraordinary female African Americans. Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe are outstanding as the three leads and their intelligence and humour illuminates every scene they are in. Their quiet (and sometimes not so quiet) dignity show a resolve few posses.

The Space Race as it was called back then really was a race as the threat of communism and the fact the Russians had the early lead led to America green lighting an unheard of amount of money to something so esoteric. Many scientific advancements, ones with real commercial value came of the period, but back then it was more an ideal of pure politics. Regardless of the true government intension, the blend of science and human endeavour really did lift the masses.

Many people question the on going exploration of space and see the missions that led up to men landing on the moon as some quaint historical artefact but if there has been a time where mental motivation is needed, it is now. This period in history highlights how a government reaching for the stars can lift the aspirations of its people. Hard to see anything this inspirational coming out of Trump America in the next four years.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/20thCenturyStudiosAUNZ

Molly was once a Olympic caliber athlete who rose to infamy after being arrested by the FBI for running illegal high-stakes poker games. The movie jumps from flash back views of Molly’s earlier life to present day scenes of the goings on between lawyers, their clients (in this case Molly) and government prosecutors.

The story is told with enough salient details that even those with no previous knowledge of the actual case can easily get ensnared in the infectious details. As with most of Sorkin’s work there is a moral agenda and with the current state of exposure of corrupt male practices, having a female character this strong is a welcome edition to the lexicon of today.

Few female roles have been written with so much character strength that don’t fall into the cliche of posturing relying on sex. It’s hopefully subsidises the start of a new direction. Any film that can win one over with this much reliance on voiceover to drive the story along gets extra points as that story telling technique is one of my least favourite.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/MollysGameMovie

Starring Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba, Molly’s Game tells the thrilling true story of Molly Bloom, the mastermind behind a glamourous, underground poker empire whose players included the rich, famous and most powerful men in America.

In a career-best performance, Chastain portrays Molly as she transforms herself into the “poker princess”, running high-stakes games in LA and New York. But Molly’s world comes crashing down when the FBI come after her, suspecting ties to the Russian mob.

Academy Award winning writer Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network) delivers a quick-witted, fiery directorial debut with this riveting portrait of a smart, talented young woman who gambled everything, won big, then lost it all.

Based on the best-selling memoir, MOLLY’S GAME and starring Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera and Chris O’Dowd – Molly’s Game is IN CINEMAS JANUARY 25!
www.mollysgame.com.au

Competition will be drawn 23 January 2018, winners will be notified by Mail. Tickets are limited for the holiday season.

The story revolves around the space race of the mid-sixties and the contribution of three extraordinary female African Americans.  Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe are outstanding as the three leads and their intelligence and humour illuminates every scene they are in. Their quiet (and sometimes not so quiet) dignity show a resolve few posses.

The Space Race as it was called back then really was a race as the threat of communism and the fact the Russians had the early lead led to America green lighting an unheard of amount of money to something so esoteric. Many scientific advancements, ones with real commercial value came of the period, but back then it was more an ideal of pure politics. Regardless of the true government intension, the blend of science and human endeavour really did lift the masses.

Many people question the on going exploration of space and see the missions that led up to men landing on the moon as some quaint historical artefact but if there has been a time where mental motivation is needed, it is now. This period in history highlights how a government reaching for the stars can lift the aspirations of its people. Hard to see anything this inspirational coming out of Trump America in the next four years.

Rob Hudson
www.foxmovies.com