The Artist - adapt or die

Starring Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman.
Directed by Michel Hazanavicius.
Classification: PG (Mild themes), 100 mins.
Official Site: http://weinsteinco.com/sites/the-artist/

For those you ever laughed at technology taking over and making your job redundant - think again. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) learned this the hard way... with superb casting Dujardin plays an immensely popular 1927 silent film lead actor. A chance meeting with soon-to-be actress Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo) see the tables of stardom turn as the Studios (John Goodman) decide "Talkies" will be the future.

Valentin is unable to find his voice and sees himself of the verge of madness. Riches to rags, Valentin has lost all hope, though Miller has never forgotten anything Valentin has given her (including her stage persona). Equally, Valentin treasured the first film he did with Miller. When everything he owns is lost the only memory he clutches to is this film. But there is one more film development to emerge, and a last hope for Valentin...

Profoundly scripted, an extraordinary sound track, laugh out loud funny, and poignantly emotionally moving - in fact everything about this film is expertly produced with deep insight into the history of cinema.

A courageous project to produce a silent film in the 21st Century, proving story rules over dialogue. Well done!

Now showing nationally at Dendy,  Palace and selected cinemas.
Go see it, you won't be bored!

The Descendants - v. Clooney

Starring George Clooney, Beau Bridges, Judy Greer, Shailene Woodley, Robert Forster.
Directed by Alexander Payne.
Classification: M (Mature themes and coarse language), 115 mins.

What do you do... how do you feel... how do you react... when  your world suddenly crumbles and realise you've been betrayed? This film highlights everything good that Clooney's screen persona embodies.

 Matt King (George Clooney) is a father of two tween daughters, the chairman of a huge family trust, a businessman, and the carer of his wife whose hospitalised with a coma. He has a little on his plate!

This is his arduous journey from existing in his "own world" to connecting with the collective, ancestral, and ultimately his authentic self. It's no easy ride though in true Clooney style he handles every situation thrown at him, like all of us would hope we'd do, with integrity and sometimes humour. Living in an idyllic location of Hawaii doesn't mean we're immune to the innate human experience.

A wonderfully written script, great casting, and beautifully filmed.

Showing nationally in Dendy cinema's and selected independents.