For those who thought they had Darren Aronofsky’s films sussed out, they will not know what hit them with Caught Stealing. This over-the-top nineties period piece is wild and crazy in a most fun manner. Those are words not often attached to his work, but after a long and illustrious filmography of very assertive works, we can forgive him for just wanting to have a little fun.

Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) is just a dude tasked with looking after his neighbour’s cat, Bud. Said resident, Russ (Doctor Who’s Matt Smith), is a mohawked punk rocker who has to travel back to England to visit his ailing father. Hank is completely unprepared for the shite show that is coming his way from this bit of neighbourly assistance.

Thrown into a world inhabited by crazy Russian Mobsters, coke-snorting barkeeps and two absolutely bonkers Hasidic brothers, Lipa and Shmully Drucker, who are played by an almost unrecognisable Liev Schreiber and Vincent D’Onofrio. These two turn Hank’s world upside down. The bros are absolute sociopaths and believe in a scorched-earth policy when it comes to conflict resolution.

Based on a book of the same name by Charlie Huston, Caught Stealing is set in a time frame that reflects a pivotal time in Aronofsky’s life. It’s less than hyper realistic in contrast to most of his earlier work, and the absurdest sense of humour on display might hint that he has some fond memories of that time. Taken in the context of his collected works, it’s a welcome side step.
Rob Hudson
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Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) was a high-school baseball phenom who can’t play anymore, but everything else is going okay. He’s got a great girl (Zoë Kravitz), tends bar at a New York dive, and his favourite team is making an underdog run at the pennant.

When his punk-rock neighbour Russ (Matt Smith) asks him to take care of his cat for a few days, Hank suddenly finds himself caught in the middle of a motley crew of threatening gangsters. They all want a piece of him; the problem is he has no idea why. As Hank attempts to evade their ever-tightening grip, he’s got to use all his hustle to stay alive long enough to find out…

Caught Stealing is directed by Academy Award® nominee Darren Aronofsky, screenplay by Charlie Huston, based on his book of the same name. The film stars Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, Griffin Dunne, Benito A Martínez Ocasio, and Carol Kane
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When his punk-rock neighbour Russ (Matt Smith) asks him to take care of his cat for a few days, Hank suddenly finds himself caught in the middle of a motley crew of threatening gangsters. They all want a piece of him; the problem is he has no idea why. As Hank attempts to evade their ever-tightening grip, he’s got to use all his hustle to stay alive long enough to find out…

Caught Stealing is directed by Academy Award® nominee Darren Aronofsky, screenplay by Charlie Huston, based on his book of the same name. The film stars Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, Griffin Dunne, Benito A Martínez Ocasio, and Carol Kane
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Frida (Naomi Ackie) and her gal pal Jess (Alia Shawkat) are two young ladies trying to make ends meet. When they get a job hostessing at a fundraising gala they come in contact with Slater King (Channing Tatum). The tech billionaire is fighting the cancel culture after a transgression that is never fully explained and the fundraiser is part of his road back. After their paths cross, King invites them to his island for a weekend of excess.

Once on the island, things seem too good to be true but as the days add up so does the sense of dread. Kravitz and company are masterful at building tension and even the most mundane action is handled in such a way as to add to the feeling of unease. This sensation builds and builds. The resolution only happens at the film’s end. The clues were there but the truth always seemed out of reach.

The aura of the monstrous actions of the late Jeffrey Epstein is never far from the surface and this only adds to the horror on screen. Equal parts fascinating and disturbing, Blink Twice is one of those oh-so-rare works that actually surprises you at the film’s end. It will leave you unsure if you loved the movie or were repulsed by it. Hours later after viewing it, I’m still unsure.
Rob Hudson
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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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The set designs are awe inspiring and play as much of a character in the proceedings as top billed stars Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron. The vehicles on display are also amazing and this side of the film has been ramped up to the point of disbelief. Car heads are in for a very good time. There are also a few surprises with casting that give you a chance to see known stars outside their comfort zone.

Themes of a post-apocalyptic wasteland are revisited but with enough of a twist to keep fans of parts one, two and three as well as the newbie satisfied. The inclusion of some new and interesting characters also adds interest. Hardy is well cast as the man of few words and Charlize continues to play down the glamour with gratifying results.

Director George Miller has learned a lot since those early days and it shows. He’s use of bold strokes with character development has been buttressed with a level of nuance vacant in the first three goes. See it for the over the top action but also enjoy it for the illumination of the human struggle and their ultimate accomplishment.

Rob Hudson
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During one of King-Pin’s criminal endeavours, he opens a portal so more than one version of Spidey can exist in the same space as well as leaving room to create a brand new web-slinger. Enter Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) as a young man finding his way in life who becomes the newest Web-head.

The filmmakers have used the CGI medium to its fullest and the look is fantastic with colours so bright they rival any animated film before it (even Yellow Submarine). The use of graffiti art, tagging and even slap art gives things a successful urban feel as does the soundtrack that features tunes from Lil Wayne and Ty Dolla Sign, Blackway and Black Caviar and others.

This is a rare film in that trying to put its effervesce and visual appeal into words is near impossible. You need to see it up on the big screen and get lost in its overwhelming look and solid message.

Rob Hudson
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After escaping from incarceration the threat posed by Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) becomes a reality. Lines are drawn between the wizard world and that of the Muggles (non-magical humans). Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) is forced to choose sides and leaves his beloved creatures behind to get involved in the fracas.

This chapters pays real dividends to fans of the Harry Potter franchise as the two storylines begin to show more of a connection. This time out even includes a visit to Hogwarts. You also get to spend time with a young Albus Dumbledore, this time played by Jude Law.

This is a film that has a lot of characters and takes some concentration to keep track of who does what and what they mean to each other. It’s worth the effort however as the combination of amazing visuals and involved storyline leaves you with powerful memories.

Rob Hudson
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At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander. But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.

In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD is directed by David Yates and features an ensemble cast led by Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Zoë Kravitz, Callum Turner, Claudia Kim, William Nadylam, Kevin Guthrie, Carmen Ejogo, Poppy Corby-Tuech, with Jude Law and Johnny Depp.

FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD releases in Australian cinemas on November 15, 2018.
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