Silver Screen Queens

After a promising debut with Belle, Amma Assante is back with another little-told piece of black history. The real-life story of Seretse Khama, a prince and ruler of Botswana, and his white English wife Ruth Williams, it features the excellent David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike and makes the most of its glorious African location. Unfortunately, like Belle, it suffers a bit from under-done pacing and storytelling.

• A United Kingdom (2016) - IMDb
• The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (TV Series 2008–2009) - IMDb
• Top Gear: Botswana Special
• Winston Churchill - Wikipedia
• Gallipoli (1981) - IMDb
• W.E. (2011) - IMDb
• A Statement by the Communications Secretary to Prince Harry | The Royal Family

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Natalie Portman’s second Oscar campaign is afoot, for this portrayal of former US First Lady Jackie Kennedy in the minutes and days following her husband’s assassination. The acting is top notch, and some moments in the film are extremely effective in capturing shocking, traumatic grief, but it does start to drag towards the end, as the amount of material struggles to fill it’s short run time.

• Jackie (2016) - IMDb
• Story behind the salute - POLITICO
• Jackie Kennedy’s pink wool suit and the dark side of first lady fashion | Fashion | The Guardian
• Bobby (2006) - IMDb
• The History Chicks Episode 69: Mary Todd Lincoln, Part One
• John F. Kennedy Jnr. under the Resolute Desk | Iconic Photos
• National Treasure (2004) - IMDb
• Lincoln Bedroom - White House Museum
• John F. Kennedy Assassination Flight - What Happened on the Flight from Dallas
• How Jackie Kennedy Invented the Camelot Legend After JFK’s Death - The Daily Beast

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This gentle, beautiful film has been generating a lot of buzz, and it’s absolutely justified. It’s the story of a boy, Chiron, dealing with some pretty tough circumstances and overwhelming feelings as a child, a teenager and as a young adult. Born to an abusive, addicted mother, and in love with his (male) best friend, this immersive story puts you right in Chiron’s shoes, delivering a transportive experience.

• Moonlight (2016)
• Ashton Sanders, Alex R. Hibbert and Trevante Rhodes at the NYFF Moonlight premiere
• Not Changing Pops Seeking (Oscar Isaac)

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The early awards season favourite LA LA LAND arrived in Australia on Boxing Day, and being big musical fans, we were there for it. While it isn’t the masterpiece some people seem to think, it does have its moments. It is helmed by the technically dazzling Damien Chazelle (WHIPLASH) and features the talented John Legend in a small role. It’s let down, however, by the lack of singing and dancing skills of its otherwise charming and charismatic leads.

• La La Land (2016) - IMDb
• 190: Moana | Silver Screen Queens
• 170: Whiplash | Silver Screen Queens
• 145: Hail, Caesar! | Silver Screen Queens
• Rebel Without a Cause (1955) - IMDb
• Teen Beach Movie (TV Movie 2013) - IMDb
• Choreographer Mandy Moore SYTYCD8 Neil Haskell & Melanie Moore Total Eclipse of the Heart
• Singin' in the Rain (1952) - IMDb
• Cyd Charisse & Gene Kelly - The Broadway Melody Ballet - Singing In The Rain - YouTube
• This Is Us (TV Series 2016– ) - IMDb
• James Marsden - IMDb
• Crazy Ex-Girlfriend | The Sexy Getting Ready Song | The CW - YouTube
• Santino Fontana - IMDb
• I Am Pretty - Santino Fontana - YouTube
• Pasek & Paul —
• Ben Platt - IMDb
• Christian Borle - IMDb
• Madam Secretary (TV Series 2014– ) - IMDb
• Crazy Ex-Girlfriend | What'll It Be (Hey, West Covina) | The CW - YouTube
• 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) - IMDb
• An American in Paris (1951) - IMDb

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Disney’s latest animated adventure finally arrived in Australia on Boxing Day 2016, and we were first in line to see it. It turns out, however, that we kind of disagree on this one, apart from the magnificence of The Rock, who puts in a star turn as the demi-god, Maui. It’s fun, cute and you should definitely take your kids to see it over the holidays, but it’s probably not the same modern classic that Frozen has become.

• Moana (2016) - IMDb
• Alan Tudyk's Heihei Recording Session - #MoanaMondays - YouTube
• Moana Interview: Mad Max: Fury Road Influences & Taika Waititi's Screenplay

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We caught an early screening of Nicole Kidman’s latest Oscar bait. This movie has some good elements (the acting is excellent, and it’s not only Kidman who should be in contention), but is let down by un-engaging storytelling. It’s notable for its focus on the story of the adoptee rather than his parents, and doesn’t shy away from the more problematic aspects, but would have benefitted from a more dynamic structure.

• Lion (2016) - IMDb
• BMX Bandits (1983) - IMDb

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The long-awaited Star Wars spin-off film has arrived, so we decided to watch it with an audience. This gritty film really focuses in on the ‘war’ part of Star Wars, following a band of rebels as they steal the plans to the original Death Star in the days before the beginning of STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE. Recorded live at Palace Cinemas in Canberra; special thanks to Daniel ‘Jelly’ Farrelly for the sound production.

• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) - IMDb
• Y Tu Mamá También (2001) - IMDb
• Lucy O'Brien on Twitter:
• Rogue One review: this is the first Star Wars movie to acknowledge the whole franchise is about war - Vox
• Disney's Bob Iger on 'Rogue One':
• Mustafar | Wookieepedia | Fandom powered by Wikia
• Han Solo | Wookieepedia | Fandom powered by Wikia
• The Ferals (TV Series 1994–1995) - IMDb
• Deep Impact (1998) - IMDb

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Disney Princess Lupita N’yongo uses her power for good, teaming up with the legendary Mira Nair to tell the story of Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi’s rise from the slum of Katwe to chess master. It’s an inspirational kids sports movie with a twist, featuring the extraordinary talents of Ms N’yongo and David Oyelowo, and it’s well worth your time.

• Queen of Katwe (2016) - IMDb
• The Mighty Ducks (1992) - IMDb
• The Seventh Seal - The knight meets Death [English sub] - YouTube
• Sister Act Oh Happy Day HD - YouTube

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Another of our occasional ventures into television as we cover the Gilmore Girls reunion show. There’s something nice and comfortable about hanging out in Stars Hollow, with all your quirky faves. It may be problematic, but at least it’s a problematic fave.

Don’t forget our live ROGUE ONE episode! Canberra, 16 December, 2016

• Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (TV Mini-Series 2016) - IMDb
• Lauren Graham forgot she got married in Gilmore Girls - Business Insider
• Silver Screen Queens present Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Tickets, Fri, Dec 16, 2016 at 9:00 PM | Eventbrite

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This Amy Adams/Jeremy Renner sci-fi has been getting great word of mouth, so we check it out. If you haven’t seen it yet, we recommend you do so before listening to this episode, because it really is best enjoyed unspoiled.

• Arrival (2016) - IMDb
• Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999) - IMDb
• ‘Doctor Strange’ Tops ‘Arrival’ at the Box Office | Variety
• Arrival (2016) - Box Office Mojo

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