Category: Short Film Review

CINE LATINO FILM FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT FEATURING ‘YOU’RE KILLING ME SUSANA’ REVIEW AVAILABLE ON SCENESTR

Posted on by Lloyd Marken

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I’ve been able to attend 3 film festivals on assignment with Scenestr and it has been some of the most fun I’ve had working for them. Last Thursday night I was in attendance at the opening night of Cine Latino Film Festival in Brisbane where the film watched was You’re Killing Me Susana from Mexico. You can read more of my thoughts on this excellent film and the opening night festivities here http://scenestr.com.au/movies-and-tv/cine-latino-opening-night-opening-film-brisbane-review-palace-centro-20171120

Taking the time to click on these articles and like or comment on them is really appreciated by me.

I went into it a little nervous and by myself (Karen was working) not sure how it would go. The film was a thought provoking comedy and afterwards I exited to the foyer where there was to be an after party. I found myself leaning up against a wall. At one point with my hands full of food and a drink I was asked if I would take a picture of two friends. I don’t know if it was my demeanour or my dress but this was one of a few occasions where I was asked to do this. I wasn’t the only wallflower there but I was the only one who seemed to stick around enjoying the Latin music, taking in the salsa dancing and making sure every couple there would not have to result to a selfie to get both of them in shot. With some nice Cuban rum in me I asked one of the waiters what were the h’ordeuvres doing the rounds. She pulled out a sheet and asked if I wanted to take a picture. Investigative journalism at its finest! Emboldened I asked two people I’d taken a picture of earlier what they thought of the film and the party. With their answers and some expert observation I determined I had accurately taken the temperature of the room and stole off into the night a bag of complimentary fancy corny chips for my beloved wife.

I can’t say this enough but I feel so lucky for such nights and I hope I find a way to be worthy of them.

Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises Scenestr. is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. With over twenty years of publishing history they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They still publish magazines in print for Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane every month. If you’re into music they’re a great read but they do cover all of the arts including festivals, stand-up comics, fashion, theatre and film. It is the last two where I’ve been fortunate enough to do some coverage of which I’m very grateful.

-Lloyd Marken

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEG RYAN BLOGATHON – COURAGE UNDER FIRE

Posted on by Lloyd Marken

A shout out to the host of this Blogathon, Paul and his awesome blog Pfeiffer Films and Meg Movies. The blog focusses on Michelle Pfeiffer and Meg Ryan with an emphasis on their films One Fine Day and Addicted To Love. The first is a sentimental favourite of mine and the latter not highly regarded by myself so it tells you something about Paul’s writing that I remain fascinated by the new ways he riffs on both. Check it out if you haven’t already. Image result for addicted to love movie gifs

Alas today I’ll be briefly talking about Courage Under Fire, one of my favourite Meg Ryan movies up there with French Kiss, I.Q., and You’ve Got Mail. Meg was America’s Sweetheart in the 1990s, she made well over half a dozen romantic comedies and they were all blockbusters. Yet there were films that showed she was capable of a wide range of work and Courage Under Fire was one that actually met with serious box office.

Directed by Ed Zwick, starring Denzel Washington, Ryan, Lou Diamond Phillips and featuring Matt Damon in his first serious role. It tells the story of a tank officer (Washington) assigned a desk job to investigate the actions of a medevac pilot for a posthumous Congressional Medal of Honour. Ryan plays said pilot Captain Walden who only features in a series of flashback scenes told from different points of view.

Made in 1996 it is one of the first major productions centred around the Persian Gulf War dealing with combat fatigue. The 100 hour ground war of Desert Storm had been an unexpected moral boosting success but slowly the after effects of that war like any war were coming to light including Gulf War syndrome. Zwick has alternated his whole career between war epics and small intimate soap dramas. These two extremes often serve each other well. Here he is putting together a puzzle where you have to assess those being interviewed as telling the truth or not and which Walden seems more real to you. Ryan at the time was playing against type putting on an accent, playing a military officer in a physical dramatic role. Related imageOn top of that she is playing at least 3 different versions of herself and has to make sure she doesn’t play anything too obvious or the spell is broken. I think she does a great job. If that isn’t enough she also has to get the audience emotionally involved in whether she is a hero or not and the results of that truth. I think she does a great job, the film belongs to Washington dealing with his guilt over a blue on blue incident and searching for the truth. He’s every bit the movie star too surely one of the early examples of Denzel being Denzel and us loving him for it. Yet it is Meg Ryan who stood out to me for nailing a different type of role for herself. It’s now been 21 years and it all flew by in a wink. Happy Birthday Meg and see you soon.

-Lloyd Marken

BAD MOMS 2 REVIEW AVAILABLE ON SCENESTR

Posted on by Lloyd Marken

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I was lucky enough to be on assignment for Scenestr last Sunday to see Bad Moms 2 which is called Bad Moms Christmas in America. They went to the trouble of changing the title in Australia but not of correcting the spelling to Bad Mums 2. Most Australians will avoid confusion none the less. 🙂

Karen and I went to Chermside again and got sliders from Grilled which is always a nice treat. There was a little package of food when we attended the screening and a free glass of champagne or wine. In the packet was some crackers with a pesto dip and some fancy popcorn to dip in a chocolate sauce. Nice.

The movie was a good comedy sequel produced in quick turnaround. Such things can’t be taken for granted. You can read more of my thoughts here http://scenestr.com.au/movies-and-tv/bad-moms-2-review-20171102

Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises Scenestr. is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. With over twenty years of publishing history they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They still publish magazines in print for Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane every month. If you’re into music they’re a great read but they do cover all of the arts including festivals, stand-up comics, fashion, theatre and film. It is the last two where I’ve been fortunate enough to do some coverage of which I’m very grateful.

-Lloyd Marken

THE GO-BETWEENS: RIGHT HERE REVIEW AVAILABLE ON SCENESTR

Posted on by Lloyd Marken

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If you’ve never heard of the band The Go-Betweens, don’t worry you’re not alone. A documentary about the history of the band has just been released and even non-fans of the cult band should find it utterly engrossing. Director Kriv Stenders has highlighted the fascinating personalities that made up the band and the poignancy of looking back over the years.

Attending a screening at the Byron Bay Film Festival at the Brunswick Picture House, the documentary was a joy to watch. You can read more of my thoughts here http://scenestr.com.au/movies-and-tv/the-go-betweens-right-here-review-byron-bay-film-festival-2017-20171010

Whatever you write and put out into the world will be taken by readers however they like. For me personally though I was not really happy with my review for Kingsman: The Golden Circle. This review I felt a lot better about and hope you enjoy.

Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises Scenestr. is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. With over twenty years of publishing history they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They also publish magazines in print for Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane every month. The magazine is focussed mostly on music gigs, festivals, stand-up comics, fashion and interviews with local and international bands. If you’re into music they’re a great read but they do cover all of the arts.

-Lloyd Marken

KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE REVIEW AVAILABLE ON SCENESTR

Posted on by Lloyd Marken

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A few weeks back I was lucky enough to attend a preview screening for the sequel to Kingsman to write a review for Scenestr magazine. I’ve been aware of Matthew Vaughan as a filmmaker with Layer Cake and Stardust neither of which entertained me as much as I hoped they would. God bless you Ms Miller for wearing that get up in one scene though.

Karen took me along to a free preview screening at the old Regent Cinemas though the first year we were dating. It was for the film Kick-Ass and suddenly Vaughan was a director I was really interested in following. Kingsman: The Secret Service had a similar energy and it has been interesting to see if Vaughan for the first time actually directing a sequel to one of his success stories would do.

Preview screenings can vary in expense. Uncharacteristically the line was backed up across the foyer and moving slowly towards a red carpet disappearing under a black curtain entrance. When we got through Karen and I found out why. At the end of the line was one bartender pouring champagne into a glass or a shot of whisky into a tumbler for every guest. Out of the kitchen came a young man serving sliders on a tray which I thoroughly enjoyed. There were like mini-cheeseburgers the way you imagine they should taste. Perfection. The line was so long he came out again with sliders of chicken and coleslaw. I turned to Karen and mentioned that if I could get another cheeseburger one I wouldn’t need dinner and I’d be a happy man. As we just got past the doors the waiter came out and went past us. Karen called out my name to alert me to the sliders that I was happy to let go. The waiter sensing this came back and I got my wish. Having a wife comes in handy. 🙂 When I got to the bar I was surprised to see they weren’t just pouring Johnny Walker Black but actually Johnny Walker Green Label which I’d never had before. It was an easy decision and I have to say it went down smooth.

As always with these things I feel very lucky to be able to attend at all let alone write about the film. I went home and started writing late into the evening to meet my deadline. It will come as no surprise to most of you that a film you truly love or hate are the easy ones to write about. The films that are a mixed bag are the tough ones and I’m not particularly proud of my review for Kingsman: The Golden Circle. You can read here http://scenestr.com.au/movies-and-tv/kingsman-the-golden-circle-review-20170921 and let me know what you think.

Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises Scenestr. is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. With over twenty years of publishing history they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They also publish magazines in print for Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane every month. The magazine is focussed mostly on music gigs, festivals, stand-up comics, fashion and interviews with local and international bands. If you’re into music they’re a great read but they do cover all of the arts.

-Lloyd Marken

AUSTRALIA DAY REVIEW AVAILABLE ON SCENESTR

Posted on by Lloyd Marken

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When I get a chance I will write about my memories of the Brisbane International Film Festival. BIFF returned this year and was a joy to have back. On the last weekend I was fortunate enough to attend the screening of Australia Day to do a film review for Scenestr. To be on assignment for Scenestr at BIFF was a special treat for me.

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Me after the screening in the foyer at Palace Barracks. © Copyright by Lloyd Marken.

Not every film I saw at BIFF wowed me so it’s a delight to report that Australia Day was one of my favourites. There was a Q&A afterwards with the director Kriv Stenders, the producers and two of the actors. Unlike previous Q&As I’ve attended at BIFF in the past there wasn’t many questions from the audience, the times seems to fly by but there were many illuminating stories from the sessions. The producers and directors are Brisbane boys and have made a film in their hometown.

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Part of my way to work. © Copyright by Lloyd Marken.

This holds a special delight for us locals, I was astonished to find a road I walk on my way to work featured in the movie and there was an early scene near a train station that I once travelled through and thought this would make a great place to shoot a scene. Locations were around the CBD, Darra and Rocklea. I believe its just coincidence but these were places I went to that were heavily affected by the 2011 Brisbane floods.

 

The first feature film from Hoodlum, they chose discerningly the script by Stephen M. Irwin wanting to make a splash and getting Kriv Stenders hot off the success of Red Dog to direct and casting Bryan Brown alongside an exciting group of newcomers. Reviews have been mild at other publications, complaints of not enough sub in the subtext and a certain flair in the cinematography for the sake of style rather than substance. All I can say is I was riveted from beginning to end and think its one of the best Australian films of the year. You can read more of my thoughts here http://scenestr.com.au/movies-and-tv/australia-day-review-20170904

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Libertines. © Copyright by Lloyd Marken.

My wife and I attended a nearby restaurant Libertines after the screening, as I left the bar I not to go to our table I noticed the producers at another table with some cast. One had his suit jacket off standing up on the edge of the table listening and gesturing. Was he ordering drinks? Sharing congratulations? I don’t know but he was beaming with a wonderful smile. I went to my table and seated myself with my back to them not wanting to pry. Libertines specialise in Asian cuisine with a colonial French influence. Karen and I make a point of ordering entrees rather than main meals. Goat curry in lettuce cups are what first turned us on to the place, sand crab sliders are the popular favourites, duck crepes were missing in action so we were advised to try the pork spring rolls which were great. We discussed the merits of the film not 20 metres from the men who made it possible. An hour passed and I paid our bill.

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On the way out I noticed the party had fallen to the producers and their partners I assume. Australia Day’s premiere at BIFF had followed triumphant screenings at the Sydney Film Festival and the Melbourne International Film Festival. Now it will be about the money. A limited run at Dendy cinemas will begun nationally September 20 before the film moves to screening on Australian cable provider Foxtel who were a funding partner of the film. On the night of September 2nd though, two young lads from Brisbane screened their first feature film with in front of an approving rapturous audience. In the wee small hours they enjoyed a delicious meal with loved ones content in one victory. The victory to create art that you can be proud of and put it out into the world and have it be enjoyed by others. They are dreamers living the dream. It made me smile to see that.

Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises Scenestr. is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. With over twenty years of publishing history they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They also publish magazines in print for Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane every month. The magazine is focussed mostly on music gigs, festivals, stand-up comics, fashion and interviews with local and international bands. If you’re into music they’re a great read but they do cover all of the arts.

-Lloyd Marken

VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS REVIEW ON SCENESTR

Posted on by Lloyd Marken

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Earlier this week I was fortunate to be sent along to attend a preview screening of the new Luc Beeson movie Valerian and the City of A Thousand Planets at New Farm Cinemas. New Farm is an inner city suburb of my hometown Brisbane but not a place I regularly visit. The nearby Powerhouse is where we saw The Soldier’s Wife performance. I found the independent New Farm Cinemas magical with an assortment of old movie and cinema memorabilia throughout its foyer. Additionally the seats were comfortable and modern. We may have to return soon.

Valerian itself has had a weak debut stateside while tearing up the box office in its home territory of France. Following bad reviews I attended with serious misgivings but hopeful. I was pleasantly surprised, there are many flaws with it but the 3D is the best I’ve seen since Avatar, there was a message to the film and while the humour, characterisation and dialogue was noticeably weaker I had a good time. Perhaps see and judge for yourself, those who only attend the cinema a handful of times a year face a difficult decision. There will be no doubt better films to see but maybe few that make as good a use of the big screen and 3D.

You can read more of my thoughts here http://scenestr.com.au/movies-and-tv/valerian-and-the-city-of-a-thousand-planets-review-20171008

Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises Scenestr. is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. With over twenty years of publishing history they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They also publish Scene magazine in print every month focussed mostly on music gigs, festivals, stand-up comics, fashion and interviews with local and international bands. If you’re into music they’re a great read but they do cover all of the arts.

I consider myself very lucky to have had five film reviews published with them consisting of ones for Hidden Figures, Logan, The Fate of The Furious, 20th Century Women and now Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets.

-Lloyd Marken

20th CENTURY WOMEN REVIEW AVAILABLE ON SCENESTR

Posted on by Lloyd Marken

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20th Century Women has taken its sweet ass time getting to Australian cinemas but it proved worth the wait and justified every nomination or award win that came Annette Bening’s way during Awards season. You can read more of my thoughts here http://scenestr.com.au/news/movies-and-tv/20th-century-women-review-20170607

I’ve been very lucky to get published online for a few publications these past 3 months. I’ve been grateful for the opportunity and appreciate the support from my fellow bloggers.

Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises Scenestr. is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. With over twenty years of publishing history they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They also publish Scene magazine in print every month focussed mostly on music gigs, festivals, stand-up comics, fashion and interviews with local and international bands. If you’re into music they’re a great read but they do cover all of the arts.

-Lloyd Marken

‘THEIR FINEST’ REVIEW AND ‘THOR: RAGNAROK’S TRAILER PLAYS A DIFFERENT TUNE’ AVAILABLE AT HEAVY

Posted on by Lloyd Marken

Heavy1A little over a month ago my wife won free tickets to a preview screening of Their Finest. She kindly let me go as her guest and I am now grateful to say that my review of the film has been finally published online at HEAVY Magazine’s website.

It’s a great little film that will move you featuring a strong female lead, meta humour about narrative construction and the film industry all set amidst The Blitz during World War II.

You can read more of my thoughts about it here https://heavymag.com.au/film-review-their-finest/#.WQCg0o21vIU

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In the mean time I also wrote a piece about the use of songs in recent film trailers. This was inspired by the recent release of the trailer for Thor: Ragnarok making use of the fantastic and fantastically appropriate Led Zeppelin track Immigrant Song. I was lucky enough that Heavy Magazine also published this. You can check out that post here https://heavymag.com.au/film-news-thor-ragnaroks-trailer-plays-a-different-tune/#.WQCgo421vIU

Heavy is an independent magazine and website that is all about the music and specifically heavy music and supporting the Australian music scene in general. Fortunately for me they do cover film as well and I am very grateful to have had these posts published on their website.

Thank you all who take the time to click onto another page and read the reviews published elsewhere. I really appreciate it. To my fellow Aussies and any Kiwi readers, I hope you had a good ANZAC Day.

-Lloyd Marken

THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS REVIEW ON SCENESTR

Posted on by Lloyd Marken

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Recently I have been fortunate enough to do some work with Scenestr Magazine. This week I was lucky enough to attend the Queensland premiere of the movie The Fate of the Furious and my review of the film has gone online here http://scenestr.com.au/news/movies-and-tv/the-fate-of-the-furious-review-20170412

I appreciate people taking the time to click through on the link rather than the convenience of reading a review from here. The actioner starring Vin Diesel is a fun way to spend two hours but I’m most excited about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 opening later this month although Thor: Ragnarok’s stocks have gone through the roof this week. 🙂

Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises Scenestr. is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. With over twenty years of publishing history they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They also publish Scene magazine in print every month focussed mostly on music gigs, festivals, stand-up comics, fashion and interviews with local and international bands. If you’re into music they’re a great read but they do cover all of the arts and fortunately for me I have had 3 reviews published by them for Queensland Ballet’s Raw, Logan and Hidden Figures.

-Lloyd Marken