Some good films for various curriculum areas, many of them based on books…..
Me and Earl and the dying girl
Great reviews – standing ovation at Sundance Film Festival; Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award. Based on the 2012 debut novel by Jesse Andrews. Comedy-drama directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. Stars Thomas Mann and Olivia Cooke. An awkward high school student who loves making movie parodies with his mate is forced by his parents to befriend a former childhood friend who has leukemia. “Beautifully scripted and perfectly cast, this is a coming-of-age movie with uncommon charm and insight”. “A funny, touching and highly inventive tale” (J. Yuan). Out now.
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/me_and_earl_and_the_dying_girl/
Pan
Peter Pan origin story directed by Joe Wright. Stars Hugh Jackman, Rooney Mara and Australian Levi Miller as Pan. A young boy is whisked away from an orphanage to the world of Neverland, where he meets new friend James Hook and the warrior Tiger Lily (Rooney Mara). Together they try to save Neverland from the evil pirate Blackbeard (Hugh!) and Pan becomes a hero. Blackbeard “first appears on screen high above the mines of Neverland, where hundreds of boy slaves toil in search of the fairy crystals that will bring him eternal youth before joining him in a choral version of Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit. As entrances go, it’s a showstopper”. Awesome. Opens 24 Sept.
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/hugh-jackman-discovers-his-darkside-as-child-snatcher-blackbeard-in-pan-20150903-gjedwr.html
The Martian
Sci fi film based on the novel by Andy Weir (self-published in 2011). Directed by Ridley Scott. Stars Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Chiwetel Ejiofor. During a manned mission to Mars, an astronaut is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. Now he must try to survive, relying on his ingenuity, wit and spirit whilst his crewmates plot a daring rescue mission and NASA tries to bring him home. Opens 30 Sept.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpVuPakX1ZY
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Martian_(Weir_novel)
http://www.businessinsider.com.au/how-andy-weirs-the-martian-became-so-successful-2015-6
Holding the man
Directed by Neil Armfield. Stars Ryan Corr, Craig Stott, Sarah Snook. Based on the acclaimed memoir and play by writer, actor and activist Timothy Conigrave, which won the UN Human Rights Award for Non Fiction in 1995. The moving love story of Tim and his partner John Caleo, whom he met in high school, and the devastating effect of AIDS. Rated MA15+. Out now.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3671542/
Oddball
Directed by Stuart McDonald. Stars Shane Jacobson, Sarah Snook, Deborah Mailman. Inspired by the true story of Warnambool chicken farmer Allan Marsh, who taught his dog Oddball to protect an endangered colony of penguins near the Great Ocean Road. Opens 17 Sept.
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/bushtelegraph/oddball-dog-movie/5630762
http://www.shanejacobson.com.au/oddball/
Matilda the musical
This is a great show for all ages based on the book by Roald Dahl with clever and powerful music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. See it if you can – on now at the Lyric Theatre in Sydney.
http://au.matildathemusical.com/category/news/
Ready for this
ABC drama series for teens, from the producers of Dance Academy and Redfern Now. Follows 6 elite and talented indigenous teenagers, living together at Arcadia House, who have come to the city to explore their dreams. Begins 5 Oct ABC3.
http://tv.press.abc.net.au/rising-young-talent-star-in-abc3-drama-ready-for-this
The dressmaker
Based on the novel by Rosalie Ham. Directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse. Stars Kate Winslet, Sarah Snook, Liam Hemsworth, Judy Davis. Revenge comedy set in the outback in the 1950s – “Unforgiven with a sewing machine”. A stylish woman returns to her small town and uses her sewing machine to transform the rural women and exact revenge on those who did her wrong. Opens 22 Oct.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2910904/
Steve Jobs
Adapted from the acclaimed biography by Walter Isaacson – will this film be the best of all the films about Jobs? Stars Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen and Sarah Snook (again! always excellent). Directed by Danny Boyle; written by Aaron Sorkin. Explores the trials and triumphs of the tech guru. Fassbender may not look like Jobs but the trailer looks excellent. In a serious role, Seth Rogen plays Steve Wozniak, Apple co-founder. Due Oct. 2015.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2080374/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobs_(film)
The light between oceans
Based on the award-winning book by M.L. Stedman. Stars Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Rachel Weisz. Directed by Derek Cianfrance. A lighthouse keeper and his wife, living off the coast of WA, keep a baby girl who washes up in a lifeboat – a decision that has devastating consequences. Filmed in NZ & Tasmania – unfortunately with not many Australian actors! Opens Jan 2016.
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/the-light-between-oceans-20120414-1x05y.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Light_Between_Oceans_(film)
Unity
Documentary by Shaun Monson. Narrated by 100 actors, artists, athletes, authors, musicians, military personnel, business people. Explores humanity and why we don’t seem to be able to get along, despite the advent of science, technology, philosophy, literature….. Was in cinemas in August.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2049636/
Midnight special
Sci-fi drama written and directed by Jeff Nichols. Stars Adam Driver, Kirsten Dunst and Joel Edgerton. A uniquely gifted boy with special powers goes on the run with his father, hunted by an extreme religious sect and government task force. Opens March 2016.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2649554/
Plus!
Peter Allen: not the boy next door (Ch. 7 Sept 13 and 20) – Stars Joel Jackson with Rebecca Gibney as his mum and Sigrid Thornton as Judy Garland.
Maze Runner 2: the Scorch Trials – Stars Dylan O’Brien. Opens 10 Sept.
Spectre – New James Bond film. Stars Daniel Craig & Christoph Waltz. Directed by Sam Mendes. Due Nov 2015.
Star Wars episode VII: the force awakens – Directed by J.J.Abrams. Due Dec 2015.