CINEMA REVIEWS STARS BY LILITH
LONG SHOT It is timely, as we in Oz suffer another political campaign of mindboggling superficiality and putrid populism, that in a parallel universe the prospect of uncorrupted ideals still stands a chance of winning the day. Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron) is the US secretary of state. Her airhead president (Bob Odenkirk) will not seek a second term, preferring to focus on a career in television. Hoping that she might win the Democratic Party’s nomination to replace him, Field must make a splash with her environmental initiative while at the same time not treading on the toes of conservative power brokers – notably Wembley, the bullying media magnate (Andy Serkis) – who won’t have a bar of saving forests etc. To help her with speech writing, she employs the hirsute, shambolic, rabidly anti-establishment journo Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen), whom she once knew as a teenager. The movie’s conflict evolves around the idea of compromise – though high-minded, Field argues that ‘you can’t run the game if you don’t play the game’, whereas Flarsky will not give an inch. Also at play is the
battle of the sexes, because Field must overcome entrenched gender bias (‘are women really fit to govern at that time of the month?’ asks a grinning talk-show idiot), while Flarsky is shocked to discover that his own certainties are merely masking a set of unfounded prejudices. The couple become romantically involved, and if you can’t envisage the pairing of Theron and Rogen as an ‘item’, think again. They’re terrific together, with a lot of laughs along the way, including an hilarious sex scene – ‘I can usually go longer,’ she says; ‘not me,’ gasps Fred. Rogen’s schtick is boisterous gaucherie and, though he is at times a little too loud, he finds a surprising sensitivity when the script calls for moments of humbling self-awareness. Theron mixes femininity with toughness – she swears like a trooper – and, in the end, director Jonathan Levine’s ‘cockeyed optimism’ outweighs the harsh observations of grubbiness and double standards that prevail in the world of politics. A ripper.
THE HUMMINGBIRD PROJECT
Session Times: Thursday, 9 - Wednesday, 15 May ^Soiree screening *Babes in arms session ALL IS TRUE (M) NFT Thurs-Tues, Wed: 1:30PM, 4:15PM, 6:15PM, 8:50PM. Fri: 1:30PM, 4:15PM, 6:30PM, 8:50PM. Sat: 12:00PM, 4:15PM, 6:15PM, 8:50PM. Sun: 12:00PM, 3:30PM, 5:50PM, 8:00PM
THE EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY OF THE FAKIR (M) Daily ex. Sun: 1:45PM. Sun: 1:15PM GLORIA BELL (M) Thurs: 1:00PM, 3:50PM, 8:45PM.Fri: 1:00PM. Sat: 3:50PM. Sun: 3:15PM. Mon-Wed: 1:00PM, 3:50PM
AVENGERS: END GAME (M) NFT Daily ex. Sun: 10:30AM, 2:45PM, 6:15PM, 8:30PM. Sun: 10:00AM, 2:15PM, 6:15PM, 8:00PM
THE HUSTLE (M) NFT Daily ex. Sat, Sun: 2:00PM, 3:50PM, 6:30PM, 8:30PM. Sat: 2:00PM, 4:30PM, 6:30PM, 8:30PM. Sun: 1:30PM, 4:30PM, 5:45PM, 7:50PM
BURNING (M) Daily ex. Sun: 10:30AM. Sun: 10:00AM THE CHAPERONE (PG) Daily ex. Sun: 12:30PM. Sun: 12:00PM COLD WAR (M) Daily ex. Sun: 10:30AM. Sun: 10:00AM DUMBO (PG) Daily: 10:45AM
THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART (PG) Daily: 1:30PM LONG SHOT (M) NFT Daily ex. Sun: 1:30PM, 3:50PM, 6:15PM, 8:50PM. Sun: 1:00PM, 3:15PM, 5:30PM, 8:50PM PEPPA PIG FESTIVAL OF FUN (G) Daily ex. Sun: 10:30AM, 12:15PM. Sun: 10:00AM, 11:45AM
POKEMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU (PG) NFT Daily ex. Fri, Sun: 1:30PM, 3:50PM, 6:30PM, 8:15PM. Fri: 1:30PM, 3:50PM, 6:15PM, 8:15PM. Sun: 1:30PM, 3:50PM, 6:30PM, 7:50PM POMS (PG) NFT Daily ex. Sun: 11:15AM, 2:00PM, 4:10PM, 6:15PM, 8:30PM.Sun: 11:15AM, 1:20PM, 4:30PM^, 5:45PM, 8:00PM SHAZAM (M) Thurs: 11:00AM, 6:00PM. Daily ex. Sun: 11:00AM. Sun: 10:30AM TOP END WEDDING (M) NFT Daily ex. Sat, Sun: 11:00AM*, 3:45PM, 6:20PM, 8:45PM. Thurs Sat, Sun: 11:00AM, 2:10PM, 6:30PM, 8:50PM WOMAN AT WAR (M) Daily ex. Sun: 4:00PM, 6:15PM. Sun: 3:40PM, 5:50PM WONDER PARK (PG) Daily ex. Sat, Sun: 10:45AM. Sat, Sun: 10:00AM
108 Jonson St, Byron Bay • 3 hours free parking* • Buy tickets online and skip the queue!
PalaceCinemas.com.au *
Validated in Mercato Centre
If, like me, your understanding of technology ground to a halt at about the same time as the invention of the wheel, you might struggle to keep pace with the jargon in this outstanding and thoroughly immersive movie about ambition’s golden calf. The concept underpinning the story also seems barely feasible – Vincent and his cousin Anton (Jesse Eisenberg and a suitably bald Alexander Skarsgård) are involved in running a fibre-optic cable, underground, in a direct line from Kansas to New York in order to get the split-second jump on other Wall Street traders. Vincent, the fast-talking entrepreneur, has found a billionaire backer who is similarly driven by greed (Frank Schorpion), a hands-on engineer, Mark (Michael Mando), who will organise the machinery etc, while Anton is the nerdy family man obsessed with making the speed of the connection faster than all of their competitors’ – headed by Salma Hayek’s Eva, a sultry exec in power suits. Eisenberg, as we have come to expect, doesn’t act so much as recite his lines, but his MO, with its nervy, whiplash delivery and intense self-absorption is perfectly suited to Vincent’s driven, blinkered resolve. But when Vincent is confronted by his own poor health, and as obstacles emerge to hinder the progress of his grand plan, cracks in the façade reveal the human being within. Most touching is the concern he shows for Anton, whom he belatedly regards as the innocent who has been talked into joining the venture out of family loyalty and to find an outlet for his under-appreciated tech-head skills. Mando displays irresistible earthiness as the bloke who buys into the dream as the trio move inexorably towards a near-Shakespearean enlightenment in, of all places, an Amish barn. For as long as mindless Marvel is on the rampage, writer/director Kim Nguyen’s fabulous film is unlikely to find much of an audience. Which is a shame, because if art’s most honourable achievement can be to get close to enunciating life’s deeper verities, you’ll see plenty of flicks that don’t come as close to it as this.
BABY FRIENDLY SESSIONS: MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS
NOW SHOWING: MID90S, TRANSIT, NIGHT EATS THE WORLD, THE MAN WHO KILLED DON QUIXOTE COMING SOON: THE CHAPERONE, TOP END WEDDING
FILM SCHEDULE 9/5/19 – 15/5/19 6685 5828 ooo&ha_`gmk]Û a[ck&[ge&Ym 1 Skinners Shoot Rd, Byron Bay
THURSDAY 9 MAY
SATURDAY 11 MAY
11.00am Five Feet Apart 1.15pm Transit 3.15pm The Man Who Killed Don Quixote 6.00pm Special presentation: Burned + Q&A 8.30pm Night Eats the World
10.45am 12.15pm 2.15pm 4.30pm 6.15pm
FRIDAY 10 MAY 10.30am Mid90s 12.00pm Transit 2.00pm The Man Who Killed Don Quixote 4.30pm Five Feet Apart 6.45pm Transit 8.45pm Night Eats the World
Missing Link Transit Five Feet Apart Mid90s The Man Who Killed Don Quixote 8.45pm Hellboy
SUNDAY 12 MAY 10.30am Missing Link 12.00pm The Man Who Killed Don Quixote 2.30pm Transit 4.30pm Mid 90s 6.15pm Curse of The Weeping Woman 8.00pm Night Eats the World
MONDAY 13 MAY 10.45am 1.00pm 3.00pm 4.45pm 7.00pm 8.45pm
ARIES: Pushing to rejig finances and find alternative sources of revenue? Suffocating in a welter of material details? Take a breath and refocus. Let Venus in Aries reconnect you to your inspirational spark. With Mars in Gemini you might think differently about being part of a team rather than trying to do everything yourself.
TAURUS: As Mercury hands you the mic and amplifier for the next fortnight, what do you want to ask for? Clue: first ask yourself… If the prospect of the answer that arrives seems overwhelming, you know the drill: break off bitesize pieces and take it one methodical step at a time. GEMINI: Mars in Gemini is impulsive. Mischievous. Rash enough to cause whiplash. Fortunately Mercury in methodical Taurus shifts this energetic to lower gear so you can process emotions before doing, or saying, something that rockets you into damage control. So pause this week for an important cause: your own wellbeing.
CANCER: This week’s Venus
is fiery and impetuous, Mars is all over the shop and lateweek Cancer moon’s sending rogue waves through your ocean of emotions. Good news? A trio of planets in security-minded, sensible, and stabilising Taurus intent on reality checking and a bit of romantic rectification.
LEO: Weekend Leo moon could see unexpected emotions erupt from your subterranean sector, possibly prompted by critical feedback you weren’t expecting or pushy, micromanaging others. Best let it go, majesties, and switch attention to where it works for you: Mercury’s two-week power surge in your professional sector. VIRGO: Your mentor planet Mercury’s energising, mentally stimulating move to the sign of savvy bargainer and canny negotiator, along with intense Mars in your professional sector, could see you with too much on your plate. But no need to micro-manage: situations more often than not sort themselves out when you take a break.
A TRIAD OF PLANETS IN TAURUS BRING BEST RESULTS THIS WEEK FROM LETTING YOUR BODY TALK, AND MEETING FACE TO FACE IN REAL TIME RATHER THAN ONLINE… LIBRA: The uber-Venusian vibes of three planets in Taurus make this week’s Libran balancing act between wild, visionary ideas and practical, down-to-earth details. Ditto getting the head and heart into synch. The minute you start sensing too many options, slow down, simplify and prioritise. SCORPIO: This sensual, earthy week makes body language particularly expressive and easy to read. In the work arena, expand your viewfinder to a wider range of possibilities and perhaps consider something you might not have before, like joining forces. With, as always, necessary due diligence, background checks, and references. SAGITTARIUS: Sun, Mercury and Uranus in your admin corner could stimulate a revolutionary solution to organising something efficiently: a eureka moment, epiphany, flash of genius… If you’re pitching an idea, ditch detail and backstory: cut to the chase and get to the point, which for listeners will be where they fit in.
CAPRICORN: An optimistic,
auspicious week for Capricorns taking time out to tune into the nourishing, healing harmony and rhythmic order of the natural world. If others are talking something up past viable limits, keep it real – people will listen to your practicality, respect your honesty, and appreciate your earthy humour.
AQUARIUS: Aquarians can usually express what’s on their mind – which with this week’s Mercury/ Uranus meetup is likely to be creative and innovative. What’s in your heart, not so much… Sometimes it’s the things we don’t say that work against us, but the present planetary imperative assists with speaking about feelings, preferably one on one. PISCES: With messenger Mercury stimulating networking, brainstorming, and social interactions, this week’s alive with inventive ideas and potential partnership chemistry. It responds best to teamwork, partnering up, collaboration, and the hive mind. Don’t underestimate the impact of random acts of kindness, a compliment, thankyous, and thoughtful gestures.
Five Feet Apart Transit Mid 90s Hellboy The Night Eats the World The Man Who Killed Don Quixote
TUESDAY MAY 10.45am 12.30pm 2.30pm 4.45pm 6.30pm 8.30pm
Mid90s Transit Five Feet Apart The Night Eats the World Transit The Man Who Killed Don Quixote
WEDNESDAY MAY 10.45am Five Feet Apart 1.00pm Mid 90s 2.45pm The Man Who Killed Don Quixote 6.00pm Films For Change Presents: Another Country see website for ticket options
8.15pm Transit
Adults $15 Concession & Kids $10 Tuesdays all tix $10 La[c]lk YnYadYZd] gfdaf] gj Yl l`] Zgp g^Ú []&
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