ENTERTAINMENT By John Campbell
SATURDAY 11TH OCTOBER, 2014 IE YLAN O’BR THOMAS (D R E N N U R IN MAZE
THE ANNUAL FOOD AND FILM NIGHT
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THE MAZE RUNNER
WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS
You might have to cast your mind back a fair way to recall people being crushed to death by walls compressing. I fondly remember George Reeves’s Superman saving Jimmy and Lois from such a grim fate, so I was tickled to see it make a long-overdue return in this post-apocalypse, teen sci-fi flick.
You can be as scathing and snooty as you like about vampire movies, but one thing is for certain – they are unlikely to go away any time soon. Ever since FW Murnau’s definitive Nosferatu (1922), the undead bloodsuckers have been turning up on our screens with nocturnal regularity. Klaus Kinski, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Colin Farrell, Gary Oldman – they’ve all deliciously worn the mantle (only that drip Robert Pattinson has let the side down).
The story opens with Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) being delivered via an underground lift to ‘the glade’, a large walled compound where young men have been sent, once a month, for the last three years. Nobody knows how they got there, or why. The captives have managed to eke out a survival by building wicker huts and growing their own food (including tomatoes that appear to be fruiting on grapevines). If they attempt to escape their captivity, they must negotiate a labyrinthine maze that is patrolled by ‘grievers’, giant spiders with limbs of steel. The scenario is a potpourri of The Hunger Games, Lord Of The Flies and the gamer’s constant challenge to overcome obstacles and succeed at a seemingly impossible task. Thomas’s antagonist is Gally (Will Poulter), the established alpha-male who argues that the group should stay within the compound, where they are at least safe – it is the age-old conflict of ‘die free or forever live on your knees’, with the individual going against the collective thrown in to sharpen the polemic. A girl belatedly turns up in their midst (Kaya Scodelario), but, apart from bringing with her a cryptic note, she contributes virtually nothing to the narrative – doubtless bigger things are planned for her in the promised sequel. The effects are good (though why the enormous metal arachnids couldn’t smash through the tinderbox hall is baffling), the performances convincing and the racial mix of the youngsters refreshingly varied. It is not nearly so bad as you might imagine – in fact, I quite got into it and will be happy to go along to the next instalment – but, despite that caveat, it is basically not suitable for adults.
But for all its medieval terror and (not always) latent sexuality, the oeuvre has carried with it a jokiness that makes it ripe for sending-up – Polanski probably got the ball rolling with The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967). This latest take on the theme, written and directed by New Zealand’s Jemaine Clement (one of the Conchords) and Taika Waititi (who made 2010’s wonderful Boy), is a bit like Monty Python meets Christopher Guest, without ever scaling the heights of those two at their best. In the form of a mocumentary, we are made privy to the world of three house-sharing vampires – Vladislav (Clement), Viago (Waititi) and Deacon (Jonathon Brugh) in the lead up to the annual celebration of their ilk in downtown Wellington. The script is uneven – some gags just don’t work at all – but, complemented by a terrific support cast, the blokes take to their parts with gusto and imbue them with unexpected charisma. If it has been done on the cheap that should not be seen as a demerit, for the low budget has contributed significantly to the film’s intended hokiness. Most importantly, the writers have gleefully satirised the genre without at any point mocking the traditions, which has proved to be a task too delicate for others. The encounter on the street with the werewolves is hilarious, I laughed out loud at Deacon’s erotic dancing and, let’s face it, the Kiwi accent alone is a scream, especially when spoken by a dumpy policewoman. And I learnt that vampires can’t wear silver. Great fun.
North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au
REACHING FOR THE MOON Travelling Flicks presents this gorgeous film at the Drill Hall Theatre, Mullumbimby, on Saturday. Moody and atmospheric, Reaching for the Moon is the story of the unlikely and often tumultuous relationship between two extraordinary women: American poet Elizabeth Bishop (Miranda Otto) and Lota de Macedo Soares (Gloria Pires). Struggling with writer’s block, Bishop opts for a ‘geographic cure’ and travels from New York to Rio de Janeiro to visit her college friend, Mary (Tracy Middendorf). There Bishop meets Mary’s partner, Lota, and the two women become embroiled in a tempestuous relationship that will span decades. Dinner from 6.30pm, film at 7.30pm.Tickets: $15/13 Mullumbimby Bookshop
SATURDAY, SEPT 27
Short films, superb food, hilarious quizzes a nd good times.
MEMBERS $32 | NON-MEMBERS $37 LIMITED TICKETS - BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
Tickets federalfilmsociety@gmail.com or ph Fran 6688 4134 www.federalfilmsociety.com | www.facebook.com/federalfilmsociety Building community through film and food. Every second Saturday of the month at Federal Hall
TUESDAY
23 SEPT to
WEDNESDAY
Tix now on sale BYRON BAY 9 Oct - 15 Oct
ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY: THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (CTC) (no free tix) Sat 27: 1:00pm THE EQUALIZER (MA15+) (no free tix) Thu 25, Fri 26, Sun 28-Wed 1: 1:35, 4:15, 8:25pm Sat 27: 11:20am, 4:20, 9:00pm 2D PLANES: FIRE & RESCUE (G) (no free tix) Tue 23: 11:10, 1:00, 2:50pm Wed 24: 9:00, 11:00, 2:10pm Thu 25-Wed 1: 9:00am, 1:00pm THE BOXTROLLS (PG) (no free tix) Tue 23: 9:10, 11:15am Wed 24: 9:15, 11:20am Thu 25-Wed 1: 10:50am, 2:50pm
Rating .M
REACHING FOR THE MOON Starring Miranda Otto & Gloria Pires Drill Hall Theatre, Mullumbimby 6.30 pm Dinner. | 7.30 pm Film Tickets: $15/13 Mullum Bookshop
www.travellingflicks.com
1 OCT
MOVIE CLUB PRICES Adult $12.00 / Senior $8.50
WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS (M) (no free tix) Tue 23: 4:15, 8:30pm Wed 24: 5:10, 8:40 Thu 25, Fri 26, Sun 28-Wed 1: 5:00, 9:25pm Sat 27: 5:00, 9:30pm PREDESTINATION (MA15+) Tue 23-Wed 24: 9:10pm INTO THE STORM (M) Tue 23: 9:15am Enjoy our licensed bar
Lavazza Espresso Coffee
THE MAZE RUNNER (M) (no free tix) Tue 23: 1:20, 3:40, 6:50pm Wed 24: 1:25, 3:45, 6:15pm Thu 25, Fri 26, Sun 28-Wed 1: 1:25, 6:00, 9:10pm Sat 27: 2:00, 6:40, 9:05pm
EXHIBITION: MATISSE (CTC) (no free tix) Wed 24: 1:00pm TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (M) (no free tix) Tue 23: 12:00, 4:40, 6:10 Wed 24: 12:00, 4:05, 7:00pm Thu 25, Fri 26, Sun 28-Wed 1: 9:00, 11:15, 3:50pm Sat 27: 9:00, 11:00, 4:30pm MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT (PG) Tue 23: 2:10, 8:20 Wed 24: 3:00, 8:35 Thu 25, Fri 26, Sun 28-Wed 1: 9:00, 7:00pm Sat 27: 9:00am, 6:55pm THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY (PG) Tue 23: 9:30, 6:00pm Wed 24: 9:30, 6:05pm Thu 25, Fri 26, Sun 28-Wed 1: 11:05, 6:55pm Sat 27: 7:00pm All sessions are correct at the time of publication. Current session times at: palacecinemas.com.au
Gift cards are the perfect gift
Group Bookings available
108-110 Jonson Street, Byron Bay 6680 8555 | www.palacecinemas.com.au
The Byron Shire Echo September 23, 2014 33