Even though The Blitz lasted a little over eight months, the indiscriminate nature of the bombs that fell on London during that time struck terror into the hearts of its citizens. The bombs indiscriminately killed men, women and children and the UK government began a program to send the children (sans parents) to points North for their safety.

Young George played by newcomer Elliott Heffernan is a precocious child from a mixed-race couple. The now single-parent mother Rita is played by Saoirse Ronan. They live in a flat along with her grandfather Gerald (Paul Weller). When the time comes for George to be sent away for his safety, Rita’s world turns upside down.

The matter-of-factness that director/writer Steve McQueen brings to the screen emphasizes the actions of the human participants and Ronan and Heffernan deliver. McQueen uses the human cost of the bombings to supercharge the emotions of normal people in harrowing times. These raw human emotions on full display make this film an unforgettable experience.
Rob Hudson

The 2024 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival returns to cinemas in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Byron Bay and for the first time, Ballarat, this November with a star-studded line up. The specially curated program features tender dramas, action packed thrillers, comedy, documentaries and retrospectives, starring some of Britain’s most well-known faces including Saoirse Ronan, Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh, Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law and Tim Roth.

Blitz Screening Times
Palace Barracks Brisbane
Saturday 16th November – 3:40pm
Sunday 17th November – 5:50pm

Palace James St Cinema
Sunday 17th November – 4:20pm
www.britishfilmfestival.com.au

When world-weary Inspector Stoppard (Sam Rockwell) and eager rookie Constable Stalker (Saoirse Ronan) take on the case, the two find themselves thrown into a puzzling whodunit within the glamorously sordid theatre underground, investigating the mysterious homicide at their own peril.

Starring Sam Rockwell, Saoirse Ronan, Adrien Brody, Ruth Wilson, Reece Shearsmith, Harris Dickinson, Charlie Cooper, Shirley Henderson, Lucian Msamati, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Pearl Chanda, Paul Chahidi, Sian Clifford, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Tim Key, Ania Marson and David Oyelowo, and will be released in Australian Cinemas September 29!

www.facebook.com/20thCenturyStudiosAUNZ

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
www.dendy.com.au

Led by powerful performances by Kate Winslet (The Dressmaker, Titanic) and Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird, Brooklyn), Ammonite is set in1840s England. Acclaimed but overlooked fossil hunter Mary Anning and a young woman sent to convalesce by the sea develop an intense relationship, altering both of their lives forever.

Directed and written by BAFTA nominee filmmaker Francis Lee, Ammonite is a follow up to Lee’s astounding debut, God’s Own Country.

In 1800s England, acclaimed but unrecognized fossil hunter Mary Anning (Kate Winslet) works alone on the rugged Southern coastline.

With the days of her famed discoveries behind her, she now searches for common fossils to sell to tourists to support herself and her ailing mother. When a wealthy visitor entrusts Mary with the care of his wife Charlotte Murchison (Saoirse Ronan), she cannot afford to turn his offer down.

Proud and relentlessly passionate about her work, Mary initially clashes with her unwelcome guest, but despite the distance between their social class and personalities, an intense bond begins to develop, compelling the two women to determine the true nature of their relationship.

Ammonite will be released in Australian cinemas January 14!
www.facebook.com/transmissionfilms

To enter this great competition, just fill out the entry form below:

Ammonite Competition

Name *

Name

Email *

Email

Address *

Address

Captcha

Competition will be drawn January 12, winners will be notified by mail.

Gerwig gives the film a contemporary feel with the liberal use of different timelines, yet offers few visual cues so it necessitates the need of the audience to pay close attention. She also plays on the actors strong points and minimises their lesser strengths. Although allowing Emma Watson’s occasional reversion to her English accent is an odd oversight.

Often considered the American equivalent of what Jane Austin offered the British readers, minus the sharp wit, Little Women highlights the frustrations and limitations that women faced on both sides of the pond. That in the time frame over fifty years after Austin’s stories were based still saw the same restrictions in the New World only spoke to the frustratingly slow progress that women of that period faced.

Life in the eighteen hundreds, especially during the US Civil War was much harsher than this version illustrates but its presentation of female empowerment is a timeless positive. It’s unrealistically idilic ending not withstanding, the ideas in the original book planted the seeds to fight for a more enlightened and necessary mindset. Unfortunately it’s a struggle that still exists today. Meaningful popular culture can shine a light on changes that need to be made and Little Women is illuminating.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/SonyPicturesAUS

In Gerwig’s take, the beloved story of the March sisters – four young women each determined to live life on her own terms – is both timeless and timely. Portraying Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth March, the film stars Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, with Timothee Chalamet as their neighbour Laurie, Laura Dern as Marmee, and Meryl Streep as Aunt March.

Directed by Greta Gerwig, Little Women stars Timothée Chalamet, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern, Louis Garrel, Tracy Letts, James Norton, Bob Odenkirk, Florence Pugh, Saoirse Ronan, Eliza Scanlen, Meryl Streep and Emma Watson, and is in Australian Cinemas New Years Day!
www.facebook.com/SonyPicturesAUS

There is a lack of opulence and bright colours that were probably closer to the reality of the times. This is a dark tale, set in dark surrounds, during a dark time. The sets and costumes also do an effective job of staying in this mindset.

The main women, Saoirse Ronan at her best as the luminous Mary Stuart and Margot Robbie as the severely portrayed Queen Elizabeth the First are the heroes here, while the men behind them play war mongering, cheats, liars and villains. The males in this storyline are very easy to despise.

This is a divisive film that some will love and others not but it’s one that is very much worth seeing to make up your own mind. Getting past its desire to play fast and loose with the truth is easy as its two main characters are so fascinating.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/MaryQueenMovie

Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth I. Each young Queen beholds her “sister” in fear and fascination.

Rivals in power and in love, and female regents in a masculine world, the two must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence. Determined to rule as much more than a figurehead, Mary asserts her claim to the English throne, threatening Elizabeth’s sovereignty.

Betrayal, rebellion, and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones – and change the course of history.

Mary Queen of Scots stars Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Jack Lowden, Joe Alwyn, Gemma Chan, Martin Compston, Ismael Cordova, Brendan Coyle, Ian Hart, Adrian Lester, James McArdle, with David Tennant, and Guy Pearce.
www.facebook.com/MaryQueenMovie

The performances are outstanding throughout, especially Ronan and Laurie Metcalf who as the mother is heart breaking in her ability to love and inability to adequately convey those feeling to her troublesome daughter. The film is very adapt at showing those ungainly teen scenarios without reducing them to cringe cinema.

One of the film’s most remarkable traits is in how convincing and engaging its examination of even the simplest of teen moments are for the protagonists. When your brain is flush with raging chemicals at that age, even the most benign moment seems crucial.

These moments are played out with consummate cinematic skill. The film is also very unbiased with its characterisation and even the nuns at Lady’s Catholic High School and portrayed fairly and with humour. The film is a charming experience that feels heartfelt and real.
www.facebook.com/ladybirdmovie

In LADY BIRD, Greta Gerwig reveals herself to be a bold new cinematic voice with her directorial debut, excavating both the humour and pathos in the turbulent bond between a mother and her teenage daughter.

Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) fights against but is exactly like her wildly loving, deeply opinionated and strong-willed mom (Laurie Metcalf), a nurse working tirelessly to keep her family afloat after Lady Bird’s father loses his job.

Set in Sacramento, California in 2002, amidst a rapidly shifting American economic landscape, Lady Bird is an affecting look at the relationships that shape us, the beliefs that define us, and the unmatched beauty of a place called home.

Lady Bird is in Cinemas Feb 15!
www.ladybirdmovie.com.au

To enter this great competition just fill in the entry form below. Please note – these tickets are for a specific screening only and can not be exchanged or refunded. The winners will need to be available on February 12 at 6:30pm in Brisbane to be able to attend this screening at Dendy Cinemas Coorparoo.

Competition will be drawn 6 February 2018, winners will be notified by email.