TIME OUT
Now showing Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (M)
In a small Italian village in the 1930s between the two World Wars, local woodcarver Geppetto (David Bradley) grieves for his young son Carlo (Gregory Mann) who was lost in a bombing raid. In a drunken stupor, Geppetto passionately carves a young boy in Carlo’s image from wood, which is soon visited by an angel (Tilda Swinton). Director del Toro made the movie in stop-motion based on the darker designs of Gris Grimly’s 2002 edition of Pinocchio. Like del Toro’s The Devil’s Backbone and Pan’s Labyrinth, the threat of World War II casts a large shadow over the villagers who, before the rise of Mussolini, are forced to act like obedient puppets lest they upset the apple cart. The rambunctious, exuberant, and excitable Pinocchio is the
antithesis of Geppetto’s lost boy Carlo and is quick to draw the attention of the local Priest who questions his holy design, the local government official (Ron Pearlman) who wishes him to be an immortal soldier, and puppet master Count Volpe (Christoph Waltz) who wants to exploit Pinocchio for the good of his travelling circus. Like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Pinocchio is left to his own devices to find out what it takes to be human so that he may heartbreakingly attempt to gain the love of his father. For his sins, Geppetto, too, is to learn to accept that his Carlo is gone, and that Pinocchio is his own person. Verdict: A distinctive take on the story of Pinocchio from del Toro’s own childhood experiences. 3 stars. - Luke McWilliams themovieclub.net Viewed at Dendy Cinemas.
Book talk Jeff Popple reviews three enjoyable Australian coffee table books for Christmas. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com The Complete Trip in a Van Guide to Australia by Bec and Justin Lorrimer
Allen & Unwin, $49.99 This gorgeous book about Australia will make for a great Christmas present. For the past seven years, Bec and Justin Lorrimer and their three children, have been living the dream and travelling around Australia in a van. In this lavish book, they share their experiences and reveal some of their favourite places to visit. They also provide useful tips on how to plan a trip, and the sort of things you need to be aware of when travelling with children. Full of beautiful photos and helpful itineraries for every state and territory, this book will inspire you to set out on your own adventure.
Best Australian Political Cartoons 2022 edited by Russ Radcliffe
Scribe, $35 Those after some light humour to finish off 2022 will appreciate this annual collection by Russ Radcliffe of the best Australian political cartoons of the year. From the federal election campaign to climate change and the devastating floods, to the politicising of COVID-19 and the tragedy of Ukraine, the cartoons cover all the highs, and lows, of the political year. They range from the very funny to the bitingly satirical to the nicely reflective. There are also some great jabs at the political influence of the Murdoch press. A good gift and an amusing, and occasionally sad, reminder of a difficult year.
Great Australian Rascals, Rogues and Ratbags by Jim Haynes
Allen & Unwin, $32.99 Jim Haynes’ account of Australia’s greatest crooks and ne’er-do-wells is a terrific book to dip into after Christmas lunch or on the beach this summer. In his usual easy flowing manner, Haynes highlights 15 memorable rogues from colonial times to the modern era, including convict Mary Bryant, who escaped from the penal colony and somehow made it back to England, to the infamous Kate Leigh of the razor gangs, to the bumbling John Gillespie of the ‘Fair Cotton Affair’. The best story, however, is about the larrikin ANZAC John Leak who was repeatedly disciplined, but also won a Victoria Cross. Recommended.
Canberra Weekly competition winners The winners in Canberra Weekly’s latest round of competition draws are: Jabra Elite 7 Pro earbuds: G Gianakis, Oxley. Orbeez: K Hoy, Kambah; D Stevens, Theodore; L Ranasinghe, Fraser; M Gaskill, Hall; K Smith, Harrison; C Logan, Googong. Rachael Johns novels: C Hinkley, Kambah; L Wilson, Ngunnawal; D Sutherland, Amaroo; G Young, Nicholls. I Wanna Dance with Somebody film passes: S Mei Kong, Karabar; D Gale, Evatt; J Cumberland, Jerrabomberra; A Coll, Denman Prospect; P Bayliss, Goulburn. November subscriber: C Haron, Gungahlin.
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canberraweekly.com.au
