(15) 139mins
HE’S a master of the cinematic curveball – and now Bong Joon Ho is at it again.
The genius director behind 2019’s multi-award-winning Parasite returns with Mickey 17, again proving his knack for blending sharp social commentary with dark humour to tackle some rather pressing issues.
Based on the 2022 novel Mickey7 by Edward Ashton, the film stars Twilight heart-throb Robert Pattinson alongside Naomi Ackie (last seen in mind-bending horror flick Blink Twice).
Aussie acting legend Toni Collette and MCU star Mark Ruffalo also lend their weight.
Set on a faraway, frozen and hostile planet, the story follows Mickey Barnes (Pattinson), a disposable worker sent on dangerous, often fatal, missions for a human colony trying to establish itself in alien territory populated by giant insect-like beings.
Whenever one version of Mickey dies, a new clone with the same memories and lived experiences, takes his place.
When Mickey 17, presumed dead, returns to find Mickey 18 already living his life, the story spirals into a darkly comedic farce and exploration of what it actually means to be a human being.
Pattinson shines, capturing Mickey’s mix of resigned sarcasm and quiet desperation.
Ackie, as security agent Nasha Barridge, who also happens to be Mickey’s love interest, is once again brilliant.
Ruffalo goes all in as Kenneth Marshall, a blustering wannabe dictator with Trumpian vibes.
Collette knocks it out of the park as his doting wife — and the real brains behind his totalitarian vision.
But Mickey 17 isn’t just some straightforward political satire. Bong Joon Ho also explores what actually makes someone human.
Visually, Mickey 17 is stunning, with the team behind it creating a world that’s both hauntingly beautiful and terrifyingly eerie.
And while the film’s ambition occasionally makes it feel a bit overstuffed, its sheer creativity and emotional depth keep it grounded.
It doesn’t quite match the flawless precision of Parasite, but Mickey 17 is still bold and engaging.
It’s a smart, weird and surprisingly heartfelt ride that proves Bong Joon Ho is just as comfortable in space as he is on Earth.
(18) 96mins
IF there really is a war on woke, Marching Powder isn’t a footsoldier it’s a take-no-prisoners black-ops unit going behind enemy lines.
Danny Dyer plays ageing football hooligan Jack Jones who is given one last chance to turn his life around by a judge after getting into a brawl.
But having been tasked with looking after one-man crime wave Kenny Boy (Calum MacNab) and having mates who encourage him to take drugs, Jack can’t keep out of trouble.
That’s a problem for his wife Dani (Stephanie Leonidas) who is tempted by a right-on arts teacher.
It’s the brilliant Stephanie who steals the show, with her delivery of put downs such as Jack would “rather give his cocaine to the homeless” than attend couple’s counselling.
When Dani and Jack are exchanging C-word barbs the film is laugh-out-loud funny.
But director Nick Love seems to be going out of his way to offend, such as the repeated slurs about people with disabilities. And the hooligans are characters we’ve seen in many movies.
Anyone hoping this is a sequel to Dyer’s gritty 2004 film The Football Factory will be disappointed.
(15) 97mins
POP star SZA and Keke Palmer are buddy-movie gold in a riotous comedy from first-time feature film writer Syreeta Singleton.
They play Alyssa and Dreux, best friends sharing a dilapidated LA apartment and generally failing at being responsible adults.
Dealing with leaky pipes, dodgy electrics and a nightmare landlord, they are now also facing eviction.
Their rent money has vanished, thanks to Alyssa’s useless boyfriend, Keshawn (Joshua David Neal), and landlord Uche (Rizi Timane) is giving them until 6pm to pay up or leave.
The best friends are also being chased around town by Keshawn’s unhinged new love, Berniece (Aziza Scott).
What ensues is a hilarious race against time, with every attempt to raise the cash going spectacularly wrong.
The leads are both brilliant with SZA’s Alyssa a whirlwind of sass and desperation, while Palmer’s Dreux is calm and collected, until she’s not.
Comedy legend Katt Williams shines as streetwise soothsayer Lucky, while Maude Apatow’s Bethany brings social commentary as the new neighbour.
A self-aware comedy with more depth than expected.
