First Man one of the best movies of the past year — and more of what to watch this weekend
Though its brave visual style and skeletal storytelling divided viewers upon its cinematic release, First Man is still undoubtedly one of the best movies of the past year. Here’s what to watch this weekend.
Leigh Paatsch
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In need of some entertainment this weekend? Leigh Paatsch has got you sorted.
Ryan Gosling stars in one of the best movies of the past year — First Man — the epic story of Neil Armstrong’s eight-year journey to becoming the first man to set foot on the moon.
If you’re in the mood to be afraid, be heartened, be entertained, then be afraid again, then Halloween is what to watch.
Or if you’re after something with heart, the quietly sobering and shocking true story of interracial married couple Richard and Mildred Loving (flawlessly played by Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga) is one not to miss.
THE ONE SHOOTING FOR THE MOON
FIRST MAN (M)
****1/2
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The epic story of the eight-year journey of Neil Armstrong (Ryan Gosling) from unassuming civilian pilot-engineer to unlikely NASA astronaut, becoming the first man to set foot on the moon.
Though its brave visual style and skeletal storytelling divided viewers upon its cinematic release, First Man is still undoubtedly one of the best movies of the past year.
Oscar-winning director Damien Chazelle (La La Land) has shaped an imposing screen spectacle with an intimacy and intricacy normally undetected on this vast scale.
The key scenes are those focusing on Armstrong strapped inside a variety of spacecraft as the US missions of Gemini and Apollo evolve.
Chazelle’s rattling camera keeps registering confusion, concentration and real terror in Armstrong’s eyes.
Then there is the sound the craft makes — a chilling combination of a rolling thunderous rumble, topped by a continuous metallic scream.
To reach for greatness from such a primitive, low-tech place inspires legitimate awe, fear and wonder.
THE ONE GETTING ITS REPEAT REVENGE
HALLOWEEN (MA15+)
***1/2
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Be afraid. Be heartened. Be entertained. Then be afraid again. For this bloodstained love letter to the classic 1978 slasher flick Halloween covers all bases required by hard line horror fans in fine, frightening style.
This direct follow-up to the original simply goes back to basics, letting the chilling atmospherics and overall body count rise in terrifying tandem.
Need a plot? You will get a darn good one if that’s what you’re after.
The franchise’s foundation heroine Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is a screw-loose hermit waiting in her woodlands fortress for the day that her former tormentor resumes his one-man mission to kill her.
Enter the infamously unknowable and indestructible Michael Myers, newly escaped from captivity, and soon back to his old ways.
A smart (and smarting) horror movie out to hurt, haunt and high-five you.
THE ONE WEIRDLY WIPING YOU OUT
THE PERFECTION (MA15+)
***
NETFLIX
Though definitely a psychological thriller front-loaded with obvious flaws, The Perfection backs itself to get the job done with a riskily manic desire to keep viewers wide awake and wondering what the hell is coming next.
Allison Williams (the devious devourer of boyfriends in the game-changing horror hit Get Out) stars as Charlotte, a former American cello prodigy who abandoned a glittering career to care for her dying mother.
Years later, she reconnects with her former mentors, who have since launched another genius cellist, Lizzie (Logan Browning), to the big time.
What Charlotte has in mind for Lizzie — whom she befriends, beds and bizarrely abandons in rapid succession — remains difficult to fathom (and often, hard to stomach) throughout.
Allow this refreshingly unorthodox movie to get you in, and it will get on your nerves in the best possible way.
However, if you do fail to stay on the same wavelength, The Perfection will get on your bad side and won’t be budged.
THE ONE THAT GOES WEST, THEN GOES KIND OF NOWHERE
THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (M)
**1/2
STAN
Consider this a cover version of the famous 1960 box-office smash The Magnificent Seven. Western fans will definitely recognise the tune, but may not it find very catchy.
If they do, it will come down to the charismatic and ever-dependable Denzel Washington.
He plays Sam Chisholm, the noble bounty hunter who hand-picks a team of trained killers, crack gunmen and freelance miscreants to help defend a town from the wrath of a vicious robber baron.
Co-stars Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke.
THE ONE WHERE PRIDE TRUMPS PREJUDICE
LOVING (PG)
****
NETFLIX
The quietly sobering and shocking true story of interracial married couple Richard and Mildred Loving (flawlessly played by Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga), banished from their home state in 1958 for defying an edict that rendered their union illegal. You won’t find the usual tropes that accompany factual dramas with fires in their bellies. No big speeches, grandstanding theatrics or manipulative music score. Simply a poignant portrait of rebellion in its purest, most dignified form. Edgerton goes to another level here as an actor, by the way. He is now in the prime of his career. Directed by Jeff Nichols (Mud).
THE ONE WHERE A MOTHER’S LOVE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE
BEN IS BACK (M)
***1/2
GOOGLE, ITUNES
Addicted to opioids since 14, Ben (played by Lucas Hedges) has shown up unexpectedly at his family’s home on Xmas Eve. In the 24 hours to follow, he will put all of them through the wringer. Particularly his mother Holly (Julia Roberts), a devoted parent who has lived through her son’s long struggle with a love undiminished and a trust almost vanished. Roberts takes an unconventional read of Holly as someone who is hard-bitten, heartbroken and hopeful, all at the same time. It is a risky approach, but it works wonders for the movie in the long run as Holly hangs in there for Ben, come what may. Hedges’ convincing performance reinforces his reputation as the best young actor going round.
THE ONE THAT’S A BIT OF A MONGREL PUNT
THE MERGER (M)
**
FOXTEL NOW, YOUTUBE PREMIUM
This Australian-made comedy about an ailing country Aussie Rules team coming back from the dead after recruiting refugees to fill an empty team sheet is a tough one to rate.
The movie is easy to admire throughout: its heart is proudly in the right place, and the affection it holds for a refreshingly diverse array of characters is sincere and infectious.
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However, when viewed purely as a comedy that must amuse an audience for 100 minutes straight, The Merger falls short of the mark.
The script is so overwritten yet underdone when it comes to great lines or decent jokes, that the whole experience becomes an unintentional endurance test.
Scripted by and starring Damien Callinan.
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