Samson & Delilah

 

Everyone seems to be going ga-ga over the new Australian film Samson & Delilah. Last week on At The Movies, both Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton gave it 5 stars each. That’s the first time they’ve done that since No Country For Old Men (almost 18 months ago). Des Partridge of The Courier Mail has also been raving and has seen the film three times already.

Further, the film has been selected in the Un Certain Regard competition at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival. This is a very prestigious honour.

 

So is the film any good? Unfortunately, I can’t tell you yet. I went along to Dendy Portside on Sunday afternoon to check out an advance screening but it was sold out. How about that? When was the last time you saw an Australian film playing in sold out sessions?

 

Hopefully the buzz propels the film to success at our local box office. I’ll provide my specific thoughts in next week’s issue.

 

I’ve also had a chance to see My Year Without Sex, a new Aussie film from the director of Look Both Ways (one of my top 10 films of 2005). It’s out on May 28 and definitely worth a look. It would seem that 2009 is going to be a memorable one for Australian cinema. Well overdue.

 

A Suspenseful Ending?

 

I love a good thriller but I had a rather interesting experience last Thursday night which takes the term “suspenseful ending” to a new high. I was at a preview screening for State Of Play, the new political thriller starring Russell Crowe, Helen Mirren, Ben Affleck and Rachel McAdams which is released on May 28.

 

We were about three quarters into the film when sound problems developed with the reel. These couldn’t be fixed and so we had to stop the screening.

 

I enjoyed the film a great deal leading up to this point but I was left hanging… without an ending. Who was behind the conspiracy being investigated in the film?

 

I’m rather amused by the breakdown because it’s like a soap opera that leaves you waiting for the next episode. I have my hunches but will have to see the next part to find out. I’m off to see the film again on Wednesday and fingers crossed that we make it to the finale.

 

To all a good night.