7 minute read
Films
THE LOST CITY – 4 STARS
ADVENTURE returns to the big
screen in The Lost City; a hilariously enjoyable, rom-com adventure hybrid full of snarky laughs and big-name cameos.
Loretta (Sandra Bullock) is a romance novelist, whose enthusiasm for the craft has substantially dimmed since her husband passed away. Now, as she released her latest novel, she fi nds herself keen to hang up the pen.
Her cover model, Alan (Channing Tatum)–or Dash, the character’s name he is known by for the fans who come to see him–hates this idea, because his life has blossomed through his association with the famous series.
Amidst a dramatic book tour, with the two at one another’s throats, Abigail Fairfax (Daniel Radcliff e) kidnaps Loretta. He believes that Loretta has translated the hidden text to fi nd an ancient treasure in The Lost City of D, one of the main settings of her latest novel. Alan believes he is the man to track her down and save her–albeit with the help of one Jack Trainer (Brad Pitt), former special ops.
The Lost City requires a certain suspension of disbelief off the bat, mainly for the idea that society in any sense would immortalize a cover model in the way that this fi lm does Dash. Despite this, once you do settle in and let those gripes go, you fi nd yourself having a lot of fun with this piece.
Principally, that’s down to the zinging banter between the two leads. Bullock, who has proven time and time again her comedic chops, once again cements herself as one of the best actors in Hollywood. She’s funny, believably actionable, and witty.
She carries the romance well, and even looks fantastic in a pink sequin jumpsuit in the middle of the jungle. She is ably assisted by Tatum, who slots easily into one of his three typical roles (here playing the 21 Jump Street sort of persona).
Together, the one-liners fl y thick and fast, the jungle seems a conquerable place, and the whole fi lm is given a certain joie de vivre.
The rest of the cast performs well also, with Radcliff e hamming it up as the villain of the piece, and Brad Pitt stealing the show with his brief appearance.
From a plot perspective, this is well trodden ground; we’re not discovering any hidden gems in this screenplay. But for fans of Indiana Jones and the like, it will feel new enough, yet familiar enough, to go down very smoothly.
There’s a bit of action, a bit of drama and a bit of romance, without the hand on any one of those being played too heavily. The Lost City is, ultimately, a very well balanced, fast pace and zippy beast, and you’ll appreciate that levity throughout.
Reviews by Jacob Richardson Creative Director | Film Focus www.filmfocusau.com
MORBIUS – 2 STARS
MUDDLED, with flashes of bril-
liance, but an overall sense of ‘why?’, Morbius is a film that isn’t so much bad or good, as confusing.
Dr Michael Morbius (Jared Leto) is a brilliant scientist, lauded for his work creating fake blood that can substitute for blood donations. But he hasn’t been able to crack the case he is most interested in solving; that of his own debilitating illness.
Both he and his best friend Milo (Matt Smith) are affl icted with a disease that shortens their lifespan and necessitates blood transfusions multiple times throughout the day. Morbius is indefatigable, however, in his search for a cure; so much so in fact that he enlists the help of his faithful colleague Dr Martine Bancroft (Adria Anjona).
Their eff orts to cure his disease in international waters instead result in his acquisition of a form of vampirism–one that leads him to crave blood, gives him super strength, and a host of other superpowers.
As dead bodies start piling up, however, Morbius has to face the fact that his best friend might not have used the cure to the best ends, and that he may be the only one who can stop him.
Morbius is a strange beast. Much like the titular character himself, who can leap in fi ts and bursts of disembodied black tendril-like energy, the fi lm lurches forward with rapidity before slamming to a halt almost at random.
We’re given the occasional deep introspection, and then thrown bodily into a CGI vampire fi ght that doesn’t make much sense. The start is unexpected and out of place; the end, when it comes, is sudden and rapid; the sequel set-up almost an afterthought, as if the creative team felt they had to do it, but didn’t really believe it would ever come to fruition.
Indeed, much of the fi lm has this sort of lacklustre feeling as if it had to be made, but no one really believed in it. It’s like someone held a gun to the head of the entire creative team behind the picture, and made them create a generic CGI-heavy superhero origin story.
Everyone is going through the motions, but with the atmosphere of a ISIS-hostage video.
The CGI is the real killer of this piece. A lot of work has evidently gone into the facial transitions between normal human and vampire, and the switching between the two is occasionally well done, but the vampiric faces are just too much, too cartoony and destroy any sense of believability.
All that being said, Matt Smith has a ball in a role that calls for him to dance around half naked and wear a tie that matches the pattern of his shirt, and Jared Leto fi nds quiet moments of introspection to showcase his mammoth acting chops in yet another fi lm that doesn’t deserve him.
Reviews by Jacob Richardson Creative Director | Film Focus www.filmfocusau.com
OUTDOOR spaces across the Parramatta CBD will be transformed into buzzing entertainment venues as part of the City of Parramatta’s mammoth outdoor autumn event series, which includes the return of the award-winning Parramatta Nights and family-friendly Skate and Play events.
Running until April 23, the jampacked program is set to be the biggest event series in Parramatta since the pandemic began.
Boasting a smorgasbord of free activities for audiences of all ages, this year’s event program includes the inaugural Parramatta Nights Street Festival, two epic concerts in Parramatta Park, jazz in Parramatta Square, performances by some of Australia’s most renowned First Nations artists, as well as art installations, roving performers and food and beverage off erings.
For younger audiences, there will also be a family-friendly Skate and Play event during the school holidays.
“As restrictions ease, I welcome residents and visitors back to our City to revel in live performances and entertainment as part of our popular Parramatta Nights and Skate and Play events,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Donna Davis said.
“This year, we’ve expanded the program to make it bigger and better, and we can’t wait to share it with you. You can skate, play, eat, sing, dance and be entertained. It’s an autumn event series for everyone.
“Parramatta Nights is the perfect way to reinvigorate our City, support our local businesses and the creative arts industry, which have all taken a hit over the past two years.”
Parramatta’s autumn event series runs over six weeks and all events will be delivered in line with public health orders.
Funk and punk music performances, along with collaborations featuring local DJs and radio presenters. Pop-up bars, food stalls, and a host of art installations and roving performers can also be found throughout the precinct.
Australia’s best rock acts, including legendary singer and songwriter Jon Stevens, rock group the Baby Animals, and indie band Kingswood will light up the stage at Parramatta Park for one night only. The evening will kick off with the Australian Rock Collective (ARC) – which comprises music icons Darren Middleton from Powderfi nger, Mark Wilson from Jet, Kram from Spiderbait, and Davey Lane from You Am I – and conclude with a spectacular 10-minute fi reworks display. Rock in the Park is presented in partnership with Live Nation and Greater Sydney Parklands.
Another new addition to Parramatta Nights, Ngana Birrung (Dharug for ‘black stars’) features a stellar line-up of hip-hop, R&B and dance performances by First Nations artists Briggs, Miiesha, JK-47, Soju Gang, and Jannawi Dance Clan.
Skate and Play
Prince Alfred Square – 8–23 April
Entertain the kids these school holidays by taking them for a skate around the outdoor roller-rink in Prince Alfred Square or a spin on the Ferris wheel or other amusement rides. Don’t miss the larger-than-life immersive infl atable installation ‘Lost Dogs Disco’ by ENESS, which is making its Sydney debut.
Jazz After Dark and the Parramatta Nights Street Festival is proudly funded by the NSW Government’s The Festival of Place in association with City of Parramatta Council.
For more information, visit www.atparramatta. com/parramatta-nights
