Posts

WILD TALES 4th Dec 2015

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  - an Argentinian portmanteau movie that is a tinderbox of delights Review for Cannes Film Festival 2014 ​ The Guardian film review Damián Szifron’s anthology of tales of revenge is a splendidly anarchic portrait of a world on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Fired by “the undeniable pleasure of losing control”, Szifron’s satirical compendium owes as much to the American TV show Tales from the Crypt as to the scandalous European subversions of Luís Buñuel. From aeroplanes to cars, from cafes to sitting rooms, bourgeois repression is not so much dissected as gleefully detonated from within. Here are stories of lives destroyed by parking fines, of road-rage insults escalating into apocalyptic Duel -like confrontations, of white wedding parties descending into something more akin to the final scenes from Carrie – all defined by the sudden and violent breakdown of “polite” behaviour. The results are shocking and sharp as a knife, but be warned – the unfolding ...

THE MAFIA KILLS ONLY IN SUMMER 6th November 2015

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Inspired by real events, this is a black comedy about 20 years of history of Sicily from 1970s to 1990s, mocking mafia bosses and restoring the generosity of the heroes of anti-mafia. Its focuses on Arturo, a young boy who grows up in Palermo and tries to conquer his beloved Flora. Directed by Pif (Pierfrancesco Diliberto) Written by Michele Astori, Pif & Marco Martani Starring Pif, Cristiana Capotondi, Alex Bisconti, Ginevra Antona, Claudio Gioè, Barbara Tabita, Rosario Lisma, Antonio Alveario Italy, rated M, 90 mins

WOMEN HE'S UNDRESSED 9th Oct 2015

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Due to a sellout of the 3rd October screening of this documentary, Pics and Flicks is presenting an encore performance of this wonderful film about the life of local boy, Orry Kelly, Oscar-winning Hollywood costume designer. Orry-Kelly behind the scenes with Ava Gardner for One Touch of Venus , 1948 Tickets are $10 from Pics and Flicks at its screening on 2nd Oct, or at the door on the night, unless sold out. Pics and Flicks supporters with annual memberships can attend this 9th Oct screening at no extra cost - just bring your membership card.  An extra film for your $60 annual price - how good is that! Critic Comment: Revered Australian filmmaker Gillian Armstrong has unearthed a fascinating story with her profile of Orry-Kelly (Orry George Kelly), costume designer to the stars during Hollywood’s golden age. Australians love to claim a celebrity as their own, so it’s intriguing that Kelly’s story has not been told before now. A boy from Kiama, Kelly made...

CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA 2nd October 2015

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Gerringong Pics and Flicks presents Clouds of Sils Maria Maria Enders (Juliette Binoche) is an actress at the peak of her international career who is asked to perform in a revival of the play that made her famous twenty years earlier. Back then she played the role of Sigrid, an alluring young woman who disarms and eventually drives her boss Helena to suicide. Now she is being asked to step into the other role, that of the older Helena. She departs with her assistant (Kristen Stewart) to rehearse in Sils Maria, a remote region of the Alps. Maria confronts her personal demons and prepares for the most important role of her life. Set in the scenic splendour of the Swiss Alps, Clouds of Sils Maria is propelled by tour-de-force performances from three actresses at the top of their game. Rating: R (for language and brief graphic nudity) Genre: Drama Directed By: Olivier Assayas Written By: Olivier Assayas Runtime: 2 hr. 4 min. Rotten To...

X + Y Screening Fri 4th September 2015

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X + Y ​   Synopsis Preferring to hide in the safety of his own private world, Nathan struggles to connect with people, often pushing away those who want to be closest to him, including his mother, Julie. Without the ability to understand love or affection, Nathan finds the comfort and security he needs in numbers and mathematics. Mentored by his unconventional and anarchic teacher, Mr Humphreys, it becomes clear that Nathan’s talents are enough to win him a place on the British team competing at the highly revered International Mathematics Olympiad. Being part of a team and one which has a real chance of winning seems like it could change Nathan’s life forever. But when the team go to train in Taiwan, Nathan is faced with a multitude of unexpected challenges, not least the new and unfamiliar feelings he begins to experience for one of the Chinese competitors, the beautiful Zhang Mei. From England to Taipei and ba...

SALT OF THE EARTH Screening 7th August 2015

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Pics and Flicks is proud to present Salt of the Earth ​ Movie Info For the last 40 years, the photographer Sebastião Salgado has been travelling through the continents, in the footsteps of an ever-changing humanity. He has witnessed some of the major events of our recent history; international conflicts, starvation and exodus. He is now embarking on the discovery of pristine territories, of wild fauna and flora, and of grandiose landscapes as part of a huge photographic project, which is a tribute to the planet's beauty. Sebastião Salgado's life and work are revealed to us by his son, Juliano, who went with him during his last travels, and by Wim Wenders, himself a photographer. (C) Sony Classics Review Stephen Carty, Radio Times This evocative, Oscar-nominated documentary pays tribute to Sebastiao Salgado, the celebrated Brazilian photographer... He has witnessed his fair share of huma...

WHIPLASH Screening Fri 3rd July

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Pics and Flicks is proud to present An ambitious young drummer (Miles Teller) at a prestigious music academy clashes with a hard-driving instructor (J.K. Simmons) in this sizzling drama that is already one of the year’s most talked-about films. "There are no two words more harmful than 'good job.'" This sentiment — spoken by a music teacher to a young student — sows the seeds of a harsh tutelage in Whiplash , a cautionary tale about the pursuit of excellence. In his second feature film, writer-director Damien Chazelle pits revered and feared jazz conservatory instructor Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) against drumming prodigy Andrew Neyman (Miles Teller). Vying for a core position in Fletcher's elite ensemble, and aspiring to no less than greatness, Neyman will do anything to secure first chair. Before long, reason is abandoned and civility deserted, and the blistered and bleeding Neyman succumbs to Fletcher's abusive teaching techniques...