‘Runt’

A refreshing escape of a movie away from the tortured attitude of winning at all costs. About an upbeat relationship between young woman and dog and the obstacles that accost them on their journey of the local, national then world based dog trot competitions. It is funny and light hearted. The acting pinnacle is Lilly LaTorre who trains Runt and in so doing pushes through all sorts of obstacles of her own to achieve her own personal goals on a broad brush, encountering fame on her way in the blink of an eye. A supportive star cast includes Jai Courtney, Celeste Barber, Matt Day, Jack LaTorre and Deborah Mailman who made the storyline reverberate with wholesomeness in turn.

‘Paul McCartney & Wings – One Hand Clapping’

Excellent musical footage resparks an interest in me for Paul McCartney & his band begun in 1970s The Wings.

This observational documentary explored for me some lesser known but chart topping music when first performed of The Wings and I liked seeing the band discussing how to improve their music. The film showed the drummer Geoff Britton on the day of recording with his different quirk of dress and his display of martial arts that was a nice addition. I liked seeing Paul McCartney’s late wife Linda McCartney playing the keyboard and providing vocal backups for the recording. What struck me was how at peace all the band looked as we were witness to their collaborative musical efforts. My favourite Wings tune was Silly Love Songs.

Harold and The Purple Crayon (PG)

A comedy about achieving goals by believing so, the threat of world domination when power gets into the wrong hands, good versus evil, creativity and actualisation versus the importance of a creating force are just a start to the themes the movie covered. This film provided much fodder for discussion. I liked how it allowed me laugh honestly and regard with fresh innocence the identity of our Creator as writer/ illustrator and the power of integrity in that role.

https://www.eventcinemas.com.au/Movie/Harold-And-The-Purple-Crayon#cinemas=55&date=2024-10-02

200% Wolf

This poodle is the runt of the pack and wants to make things better so calls on the ancient spirits to help out. A journey into out of space and explores good/ bad and the spirit world. Can be a little scary at times. I’m glad I had company at the cinema!

Inside Out 2

Fantastic insight into how the mind works around puberty. The mechanics of thought are so amazing to behold here. It makes one think objectively about what forces shape the teenage thought processes.

(From YouTube Inside Out 2 official trailer)

Dune 1

This movie was heralded by a music score with siren-like urgently persistent horn. This was a high tech sci-fi movie that spoke issues of war, displaced persons, bloodlines, leadership requiring strength of mind and body and the futuristic war concept of immortality shields to protect to leaders from alien attack and wearing of oxygen therapy nasal tubes on the planet of Arrakis. T’was a tear jerker but showed the protagonist (Timothée Chalamet) excelling in finding safe ground and in so doing finding his love interest (Zendaya) who was a reflective and strong personality and whom he had vivid dreams of the future. The movie however was quite bloodthirsty & violent and had a growing sense of fear. The couple of focus (Timothée Chalamet & Zendaya) were nonchalant characters under pressure which was beguiling and a redeeming feature.

Miracle Club (2023)

Great ‘doco’ type movie, with Dame Maggie Smith’s humour stripe. It showed the different stories of a group of women who knew eachother a little who went to Lourdes France for their cure, hailing from Dublin Ireland – whether their malady was obvious or not, and they grew in warmth and understanding of each of their true characters and what it took to be them.

Elvis – Directed by Baz Luhrmann (2022)

Watched this recently with a friend and it was great. Who to blame for Elvis’ (played by Austin Butler) death at 42 to be up to the audience to decide, but it was expertly narrated by the manager Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks) and he was made to pay fines to court in real life for squandering Elvis’ money on gambling. It was acted inspiringly by Austin Butler who really brought out the human Elvis who struggled with the misgivings of fame along with provocative direction by Baz Luhrmann. I was moved by supporting actress Olivia De Jonge for her excellent role as wife of Elvis – there were such strong scenes that brought tears. I really liked the spirit of Elvis and his “love” of the audience. Great soundtrack too.