FILMS ... with Tim Milfull
Warrior (M)
Rating: 4/5
140-minutes, screening from 27 October
Adding to the spate of martial arts films that have emerged over recent years — think The Wrestler and The Fighter — director Gavin O’Connor successfully brings cage fighting to mainstream audiences with Warrior.
In the process he helps add another string to the bow of Australian actor Joel Edgerton, who is going from strength to strength in Hollywood after his co-lead in the forgettable pre-make of The Thing.
Edgerton plays physics teacher, Brendan Conlon, whose dire financial circumstances dictate that he seriously consider a return to the bad old days of fighting in alleys and parking lots to make enough money to keep his family off the poverty line.
Meanwhile in Philadelphia, Conlon’s estranged, recovering alcoholic father, Paddy (Nick Nolte) returns from an AA meeting to find his long-lost son Tommy (Tom Hardy) glowering on the front porch. He has returned to the origin of all of his angst, where the booze-filled nightmares of his father destroyed their family.
In the face of overwhelming challenges, both young men have come to realise that the demons of their youth may just hold at least some answers to the problems of their present.
Using the back-drop and hype of an international search for the toughest cage fighter, Warrior skilfully manipulates the politics of masculinity, fatherhood, and fraternity. Drawing on all of the tropes of famous boxing films like Raging Bull and Rocky, O’Connor masterfully puts Edgerton and Hardy through some excruciating paces; but their excellent performances are overshadowed by that of Nolte, who should garner accolades for his meltdown late in the film.
Scariness is catching
Contagion (M
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Rating: 4/5
106-minutes, now screening
There was a minor kerfuffle in the film industry a few months ago when rumours started running around that Steven Soderbergh (Oceans 11, Traffic) was considering retirement from making movies.
The gossip sprang from a chat between Soderbergh and Matt Damon, who were on the publicity trail for their new film, Contagion. The truth of the matter is that Soderbergh was actually a little miffed about Damon passing on a confidence that turned out to be a fantasy. Yes, the director was thinking about taking a break, but only for six months or so: to do some painting, of all things.
Given the harrowing content of Contagion, we can’t really blame Soderbergh for wanting some time off, especially since he’s also one of Hollywood’s busiest filmmakers.
Sitting in a huge cinema out at Chermside, my sister and I watched this daunting film about infectious disease, and endured an almost continuous cringe as we listened to various members of the audience hack, cough and harrumph while they were watching. Contagion begins with what must be the shortest performance of Gwyneth Paltrow’s career, as the actor sniffles towards a series of violent seizures and a gruesome death as her husband, Mitch Emhoff (Matt Damon) watches on helplessly.
Far south in Atlanta, Centre for Disease Control officials, Dr Ellis Cheever (Lawrence Fishburne) and Dr Erin Mears (Kate Winslet) make grim preparations for a possible pandemic after hearing of a number of deaths that might be linked with that of Emhoff’s wife. And on the west coast, conspiracy theorist, Alex Krumweide (Jude Law) prattles about the looming disaster, while World Health Organisation investigator, Dr Leonora Orantes races to Hong Kong to try and find Patient One.
Much like the autopsy unfolding at the beginning of the film, Soderbergh and long-time collaborator and screenwriter, Scott Burns undertake a very methodological examination of a pandemic, which accompanied by a compelling and hypnotic score from Cliff Martinez, makes Contagion very frightening viewing.
The Binge
Mythbusters (Season 6) (PG) now available through Magna Home Entertainment
Jucy (M) screening at Indooroopilly Megaplex from 3 November
TT3D: Closer to the Edge (M) now screening
Japan Film Festival screening from 1-4 November at the Schonell
Brisbane International Film Festival screening from 1-13 November
Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage have become something of an institution since their spectacular attempt in 2003 to debunk an urban myth about a jet-assisted Chevy. In the latest season of Mythbusters to be released on DVD, the boys find some excellent reasons to blow things up, while their faithful acolytes, Kari, Tori and Grant find new uses for phone books and gaffer tape—strangely addictive, G-rated viewing (as long as you resist the urge to “try these at home”).
Speaking of home, Jucy will finally get a limited theatrical season in Brisbane. Set locally, and starring Cindy Nelson and Francesca Gasteen as best friends who end up at odds with each other, Louise Alston’s second Brisbane-based film is a lot of fun.
And also in a very limited season, TT3D: Closer to the Edge is a documentary about one of the world’s most dangerous motorcycle races. Set on the Isle of Man, and filmed in gut-churning 3D, this film features some astonishing footage and the fearless Guy Martin, one of the more eccentric characters I’ve encountered.
Just some time for some festival news… The Japan Film Festival visits Brisbane in early November with a very small, but engaging programme featuring anime (Arietty), science-fiction (Space Battleship Yamato), documentary (Yamakoshi: The Recovery of a Tiny Japanese Village), and drama (Railways).
And finally, a little bird told me that the Mystery Movie screening as part of FantasticFest@BIFF at Tribal Theatre on 5 November should not be missed. Despite threats of grievous bodily harm, the little bird wouldn’t give up the title of the film, so I’m looking forward to its introduction by special guest Lars Nilsen from the Alamo Drafthouse in Texas.
For more information about the programs at the Japan Film Festival and BIFF, please visit http://15th.japanesefilmfestival.net and http://biff.com.au
