Animal Kingdom
Friday October 2, 8:30pmAvailable now at SBS On Demand
(Australia, crime/drama/thriller, 2010)
MA15+
Director: David Michôd
Starring: Jacki Weaver, James Frecheville, Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton
What's it about?
One of the best crime thrillers to come out of Australia in a long time, David Michod's Animal Kingdom played no small part in launching the Hollywood careers of Jacki Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook), Joel Edgerton (The Gift), Sullivan Stapleton (Cut Snake) and Ben Mendelsohn (recently nominated for an Emmy for his perfectly creepy performance in TV series Bloodline), thanks to their chilling performances. Set in the explosive world of a family addicted to crime, it is told through the eyes of naïve 17-year-old "J" who enters their lair. An Australian noir classic that will haunt you.
[link title="Read 4½-star review" url="node/5049"][link title="Animal Kingdom stars to shine in Hollywood " url="node/2195"][link title="Stapleton breaks out after Animal Kingdom" url="node/2309"]
There Will Be Blood
Friday October 9, 8:30pmWATCH IT NOW
(USA, drama, 2007)
M
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Starring: Kevin J. O'Connor, Ciarán Hinds, Daniel Day-Lewis
What's it about?
Paul Thomas Anderson (The Master, Boogie Nights) gives us a chronicle on the life of self-made oil tycoon. Daniel Day-Lewis won the Oscar for Best Actor for charting the rise and fall of the Daniel Plainview, whose actions affect all around him, including his son. See for yourself why The Movie Show referred to it as an "American masterpiece that rates five stars and will have people talking for years to come".
Watch original The Movie Show 5-star review[link title="Read review" url="node/4402"]
Casino
Friday October 16, 8:30pm
(USA, biography/crime/drama, 1996)
Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci
What's it about?
Film legend Martin Scorsese directs Academy Award winner Robert De Niro in this epic tale about the rise and fall of a Las Vegas gangster, the final part of his unofficial trilogy which started with Mean Streets and continued with Goodfellas. The movie introduces us to the inner circle of the corrupt casino: "Ace" Rothstein (De Niro), the casino owner; his best friend and strongman, the uncontrollable Nicky (Joe Pesci); Ace's beloved wife; and the unstable Ginger (Sharon Stone, in her Oscar-nominated role).
Watch original The Movie Show 4½-star review
Killing Them Softly
Friday October 23, 8:30pm
(USA, crime/thriller, 2012)
MA15+
Director: Andrew Dominik
Starring: Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini, Richard Jenkins, Ben Mendelsohn
What's it about?
In this stylish film noir directed by Andrew Dominik (Chopper), Brad Pitt stars as Jackie Cogan, an enforcer sent by the mob to take care of business when their rules are broken by an unknown gang of thugs. Cold and ruthless, Cogan plies his trade, but makes a point of not inflicting unnecessary pain ("killing them softly"). Cogan moves among a motley crew of Boston underworld characters, played by quality character actors including the late James Gandolfini (The Sopranos), Richard Jenkins and Ben Mendelsohn (Animal Kingdom), as a hapless Aussie junkie.
[link title="Read 4-star review" url="node/6007"]Watch interview with director Andrew Dominik
Carlito's Way
Friday October 30, 8:30pm
(USA, crime/drama, 1993)
MA15+
Director: Brian De Palma
Starring: Al Pacino, Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller
What's it about?Ten years after Scarface, Brian DePalma again directs Al Pacino in this devastating crime-drama set in 1975 New York (in full disco mode). Following a five-year jail stint, Carlito Brigante decides to run a club and live a normal life with his lover, Gail (Penelope Ann Miller). However, his lawyer and friend Kleinfeld (Sean Penn in one of his best performances) leads a reluctant Carlito back into the very life he was trying to get away from.
