T H U R S D A Y 1 2 F E B R U A R Y -
W E D N E S D A Y 1 8 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 6
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The Wellington Film Society will return for its 80th season at the Embassy on Monday 23 February at 6.00pm and 8.30pm with
PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK Peter Weir, Australia, 1975
Desire as persistent and intense as the sunshine on a bright summer day is what teases out madness in Peter Weir's film. The objects, or goals, of these desires are disparate, though they all spiral out following the 1900 disappearance of three young women and a teacher from the Appleyard School during a trip to the small titular ridge on St. Valentine's Day. The vanishing of these women is central to the plot, but Weir's film is never as fascinated with the reasons for this absence as it is with the characters left in its inexplicable wake. Cliff Green's script, adapted from Joan Lindsay's novel of the same name, never goes about teasing what could have happened to these women at Hanging Rock, instead focusing on the wild cupidity that erupts in the surrounding community in reaction to the mystery.
- Chris Cabin, Slant Magazine.
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Film Society Memberships are available at any time on line.
Film Festivals to note:
If you have a festival due to run in Wellington and it's not listed here, contact the Cinemaster.
This site relies on the various cinemas having their own websites up to date to access their screening times.
The paragraphs describing the films starting this week are in most cases adapted from the linked reviews.
For comments and movie news, contact the Cinemaster at
filmster@gmail.com.
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s t a r t s t h i s w e e k!
"WUTHERING HEIGHTS" -
Emerald Fennell's version may be the first major adaptation that truly leans into the sensual, feral undercurrent that has always pulsed through Emily Bronte's novel but rarely made it to the screen. The quotation marks around the title feel intentional. This is not a dusty, reverent retelling. This is Fennell's feverish remix of a gothic classic that embraces desire, obsession, and emotional rot with reckless abandon.
Also Penthouse, Roxy, Lighthouse, Queensgate, Monterey, Coastlands and Shoreline.
BLUE MOON -
Ethan Hawke and Margaret Qualley mesmerize in Richard Linklater's affecting study of a gifted artist on a downhill slide. In this real-time account of musical-theater lyricist Lorenz Hart getting pickled at Sardi's on opening night of his former writing partner's Broadway triumph, Oklahoma! This is a deceptively modest project, but it's beautifully executed and fascinatingly nuanced despite being quite straightforward in terms of plot. From the NZIFF.
Also Lighthouse Petone and Queensgate.
MAMARA -
A vulnerable yet strong Ariana Osborne is Mary Stevens, who's travelled to North Yorkshire to learn about her parents after receiving a letter from a benefactor offering her the fare and the hint of details.Sshe finds herself welcomed by Nathaniel Cole, a charismatic lord of the manor whose intentions seem true, but who upsets Mary with his obliqueness. Nothing feels quite right. but, as she edges closer to the truth of her lineage, something from her past is emerging with terrifying consequences.
Also Ligythouse Petone, Queensgate, Reading and Coastlands.
CRIME 101 -
This is a top-notch crime thriller directed and written by Bart Layton of brooding style, thoughtful moralistic inquiries, and lively character work, a delicious throwback to the kind of intelligent, adult-oriented studio fare Hollywood used to make.
Also Monterey, Reading and Coastlands,
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