Steaming guide: What to watch this weekend
They Shall Not Grow Old is a spellbinding documentary by master filmmaker Peter Jackson, that blends cinematic innovation with vivid storytelling to bring new understanding to one of history’s darkest conflicts. Here’s what else to watch this weekend.
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THE ONE RISING TO SALUTE THE FALLEN
THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD (MA15+)
*****
NETFLIX
This spellbinding documentary by master filmmaker Peter Jackson blends a mesmerising level of cinematic innovation with a disarmingly vivid brand of storytelling that brokers a new understanding of one of history’s darkest conflicts.
The ancient black and white footage we all associate with World War 1 — scratchy, flickering and sped up due to the camera frame rates of the era — is virtually nowhere to be seen.
Thanks to advances in processing technology, that footage is now of the highest quality: crystal clear, full of astonishing detail, and free of all staccato, herky-jerky movement. Somewhat audaciously, Jackson has raised the stakes by hand-colouring the footage. The risks taken pay off in spectacular and gripping fashion.
The wildly varying rhythms of a soldier’s life on the battlefields on France — the fixed routines, the unpredictable brutality and the sheer humanity — are captured powerfully and poignantly, with a level of detail that is highly immersive.
THE ONE THAT WINS WITH NO NEED FOR A PHOTO FINISH
SEABISCUIT (M)
***1/2
FOXTEL GO
A high-quality telling of the inspirational true story behind America’s own Phar Lap, an equine powerhouse that became a hero of the Depression era.
Will earn your respect as one of the better horse racing movies of all time, even if you recently did your money cold on Ride Like a Girl.
Hey, it is the Spring Carnival now, after all!
Stars Tobey Maguire, William H. Macy.
THE ONE WHERE VOICES CARRY A LIGHT LOAD
PITCH PERFECT 3 (M)
***
NETFLIX
If ever a flimsy film franchise was going to fold in on itself by instalment three, you would bet the house it would be Pitch Perfect.
So credit where it is due to the makers of PP3: this final collection of the a cappella antics of the Barden Bellas stands up surprisingly OK.
Nevertheless, it should be stated that this is best addressed as a fans-only affair.
If you haven’t already succumbed to the selective charms of Beca (Anna Kendrick), Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) and the gang, there is nothing here that is about to change your mind. However, those who have happily held a torch for all things Pitch Perfect will be quite excited by an unlikely change of direction.
At its core, there is a lightweight action-adventure plot propelling the movie. That’s right. Between the sudden singalongs and stoo-pid running jokes, there will be gunfire and explosions as the Bellas work as entertainers for the US military all over Europe.
Co-stars Elizabeth Banks, Ruby Rose, John Lithgow.
THE ONE HAVING THE RHYME OF ITS LIFE
BRIGHT STAR (PG)
****
STAN
A sick, broke 19th century poet with no prospects and not long to live falls for the girl next door.
Catch wind of this basic synopsis here, and you are quite within your rights to expect a flowery costume drama with an intolerably high pollen count.
Well, let me tell you right now: there is nothing to be sneezed at in Bright Star.
This classy period romancer makes light work of a heavy-duty love story for the ages. Director Jane Campion summons great feeling from the true story of the ill-fated relationship shared by the famous poet John Keats (Ben Whishaw) and his spirited young neighbour Fanny Brawne (a captivating Abbie Cornish).
Your heart will break, your head will swoon, and you will hope against hope for a happy ending that history will not permit.
THE ONE WITH A FRENCH MENU THAT ISN’T FINE DINING
RAW (R18+)
***1/2
SBS ON DEMAND
Not often we get to see a horror film hailing from France. And it is not often we get to see a horror film as audaciously confronting and worryingly clever as Raw.
This is the tough-to-stomach story of Justine (a stunning feature debut from Garance Marillier), a veterinary student who used to be an out-and-proud vegetarian.
However, after a school initiation ritual got out of hand, Justine discovered she didn’t mind meat after all. As long it is human.
That’s right: the hungry heroine of this film is a cannibal, and when the urge for a snack attack takes her, everyone on campus had better watch out.
After a deceptively mild start, this full-on movie shifts up several gruesome gears very quickly. Some viewers will not like where it is heading one bit. Consider yourself warned.
All that hard line horror buffs should note is that this is every bit as unsettling, unhinged and undeniably smart as you might have heard.
THE ONE WITH AN ALIEN PRESENCE DETECTED
LIFE (MA15+)
***1/2
GOOGLE, ITUNES
Want to know the meaning of Life? Don’t ever let it in. And if you do happen to let it in … don’t ever, ever let it out.
A slick, suspenseful and stomach-churning sci-fi thriller, Life is the perfect Alien movie right now for those itching for another Alien movie (director Ridley Scott’s next one won’t drop until 2021 at the earliest).
Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Reynolds and Rebecca Ferguson are among those playing hide-and-seek with a mysterious interplanetary visitor to the International Space Station.
THE ONE WHERE IT’S ALL ABOUT THE OLD DOGS, NOT THE NEW TRICKS
GOING IN STYLE (M)
**1/2
NETFLIX, STAN
This unfailingly genial, yet unrelentingly generic comedy is a remake of a long-forgotten 1979 movie which starred the late George Burns.
What saves the whole exercise from being smoothed down into a slab of movie margarine is the superb trio of old-timers cast in the main roles.
Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin share a catchy casual rapport that keeps drawing you closer at those corny moments you’d usually back right away from.
They play three best buddies who were steel workers back in the day.
Now, the greybeards are secretly prepping for a new career very late in life: robbing their local bank for fun and profit.
There is not much substance to the plot, and the jokes will be just as familiar to you as the leading actors themselves.
Nevertheless, both the combined work ethic and seasoned performance smarts of Caine, Freeman and Arkin propel this vehicle much, much further than it should have gone.
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