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

The past collides with the present in this excavation of the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam: a journey from World War II to recent years of pandemic and protest and a provocative, life-affirming reflection on memory, time and what’s to come.

Occupied City
Dendy Cinemas Coorparoo
Screening from Thursday, September 12
www.coorparoo.dendy.com.au

The sex addiction angle is given main focus and this has led to the film being in the crosshairs of both film censors and the more conservative reviewers. The press generated about its raunchy nature is well founded but the end result of so much disconnect sex is just tedium. The more sexual contact Brandon has, the less he feels and the harder it is for the viewer to feel engaged.

The acting is of a high calibre and seeing Carey Mulligan step outside her usual coming of age antics is eye opening. Her take on Brandon’s damaged sister; Sissy Sullivan is consistently engaging if not slightly predictable. In the third act Brandon also seems on the cusp of a personal revelation, even with the cliché scene of self-loathing (the almost obligatory bar fight) but the change is so subtle as to be almost nonexistent.

Even with the excellent acting, it’s a story that has been told many times before and the challenge of trying to relate to the actions on screen becomes less satisfying as the film progresses. It’s a good conversation starter but the conversation soon turns to other things.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/transmissionfilms

McQueen fills his films with the components that make for a lasting experience. The script is taunt and concise, the people in his films more often than not make their point through actions and not words. He uses precision and economy to set the stage. There are those with money and power and those that are trying to claw their way to a better life.

The films stats with dramatic action. There is an all male criminal crew that try to pull off a big heist. Things go very bad, but it’s less about the crime and more about the consequences. There are the women behind the men whose lives are left in shambles. These ladies become anything but victims. It is their journey that proves to be so fascinating.

As in all great heist films, things are not always as they seem on the surface and as the surprises start to add up, you are left with the exciting prospect of not knowing exactly what is going to happen next. This is set in a world of virtue and vice, one where the women get to wield the power and you underestimate them at your own peril. Who said you can’t successfully mix message with mayhem?

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/WidowsMovie

Set in contemporary Chicago, amid a time of turmoil, tensions build when Veronica (Oscar® winner Viola Davis), Alice (Elizabeth Debicki), Linda (Michelle Rodriguez) and Belle (Cynthia Erivo) take their fate into their own hands and conspire to forge a future on their own terms.  “Widows” also stars Liam Neeson, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall, Daniel Kaluuya, Jacki Weaver and Brian Tyree Henry.

Based on “WIDOWS” by LYNDA LA PLANTE, in Australian cinemas November 29!
www.facebook.com/WidowsMovie

Set in contemporary Chicago, amid a time of turmoil, tensions build when Veronica (Oscar® winner Viola Davis), Alice (Elizabeth Debicki), Linda (Michelle Rodriguez) and Belle (Cynthia Erivo) take their fate into their own hands and conspire to forge a future on their own terms.

“Widows” also stars Liam Neeson, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall, Daniel Kaluuya, Jacki Weaver and Brian Tyree Henry.

WIDOWS – in Australian cinemas NOVEMBER 29, 2018!