NO SUDDEN MOVE

US, 2022, 110 minutes, Colour.

Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, David Harbour, Kieran Culkin, Matt Damon, Jon Hamm, Brendan Fraser, Amy Semetz, Julia Fox, Bill Duke, Ray Liotta, Noah Jupe,

Directed by Steven Soderberg.

On one hand, the title is correct, all the characters having to be very cautious, weapons, blackmail, betrayals, all kinds of  caution

about decisive action. Which means, in fact, that the film is full of sudden moves.

Steven Soderberg has had quite a stellar career, making numerous films, all kinds of genres, and serving as his director of photography under a pseudonym. Sometimes the films work. Sometimes they don’t. This one works so well that the audience needs to keep paying attention to be able to follow the twists.

The focus is on a criminal, played by Don Cheadle, promised $5000 to do a job. He enlists the assistance of his friend played by Benicio del Toro. They also have an associate played by Kieran Culkin. And their control is the eventually rather sinister, Mr Jones, played by Brendan Fraser. They intrude into a household in order to retrieve a document. The father of the family, played by David Harbour, goes to the office to retrieve it, finds it missing, takes home a fake document.

All kinds of complications ensue, the need for the group to travel to interview an executive of a car manufacturing company (a cameo by Matt Damon). They hope to retrieve the document.

Some of complications include the role of Kieran Culkin, holding the wife and son hostage, his death. Then the machinations of Mr Jones and his confrontation and death. There is also a link with a Mafia boss, Ray Liotta, del Toro in a relationship with his wife.

There is also the detective, played by Jon Hamm, audience suspicions of him at times, but his bringing the case to a satisfactory end.

But, there is a complication with del Toro, escaping with the money with Ray Liotta’s wife – and her turning on him, killing him and taking the money.

There is also the theme of the environment, inventions, car manufacture, issues of pollution, government inspection and taxation.

A solid Steven Soderberg film.

1. A Soderberg thriller? His photography, direction? Working with familiar casts?
2. Detroit, 1950s, the credits and the photos, costumes and decor, setting? The role of Detroit, criminals in Chicago, corporate business and criminal activities and conspiracies? The final revelation about the companies and their concealing the techniques for diminishing pollution, the eventual introduction? And no charges laid?
3. The initial focus on Curt, walking, meeting up with his friend, the job, the money, the short time? Meeting up with Mr Jones? Driving? The introduction to Ronald Russo, the woman, the later revelation that she was the wife of the criminal, Frank?
4. The plan to retrieve documents, controlling Matt Wertz, Charlie and his role, the three going to the house, masked? The reaction of the wife, to continue making the breakfast, Matthew and his reactions, the little girl? Their being held hostage? The information about the affair with the secretary?
5. Charlie left with the hostages, the others going with Matt, to the office, his encounter with the secretary, his relationship with her and the plans? The safe, to retrieve the documents, their missing? Complications, the phone calls, Mr Jones in the car, Ronald and Curt returning to the house? Curt shooting Charlie? The police, the interrogation, the family describing the fact that the father had shot the intruder?
6. The police, the inspector, his staff, waiting outside the house, interrogating Matthew, the truth? The fact that he had been investigating these criminals?
7. Curt and Ronnie, working together, but also Ronnie intending to outwit Curt? Curt and his situation, prison, going to visit his girlfriend, retrieve his case, promising not to come again?
8. The tangle of authorities, Matt Wertz and his responsibilities, his being taken to see his boss, the masks again, the wife, the blanket over her, the bashing of the boss, his giving the documents?
9. The revelation of further tangles, phone calls, communications, the black criminals and their leader, confrontation with Curt?
10. Frank, gangster leadership, his wife, the fact that she was having an affair with Ronnie? Going to the meetings, the restaurant, the fights, the shooting?
11. The plan for everyone to be at the office? Mike Lowen, the chief boss, Swedish background, connections, the motor industry, the need for the documentation, curbing pollution, his plans and hold over the company is? The meeting with Curt and Ronnie, the money, his demands, seeming agreeable? The irony that the police were working for him, the recovery and return of the money?
12. Ronnie, the money, escaping with Vanessa, her shooting him? Her being arrested?
13. Curt, his future, the limited money, the meeting with Watkins? His escaping, future?

A PERFECT PAIRING

Australia, 2022, 101 minutes, Colour.

Victoria Justice, Adam Demos, Samantha Cain, Craig Horner, Lucy Durack, Jaden Popik..

Directed by Stuart McDonald.

A romance for American audiences as well as the home Australian audiences. Victoria Justice is an American actress in the lead but the rest of the cast is Australian as is the director. And, apart from some scenes in San Francisco, the film was made in Queensland.

Audiences interested in wine will respond to the plot, American importers, some doubledealings, information about Australian wines, travels to Queensland to discover the wines and their production. And, audiences who enjoy pictures of life on the farm, there is plenty of activity there, and in quite some down-to-earth detail.

Victoria Justice plays Lola, involved in the wine industry, alerted to Australian wines by a chef friend, explaining to her friend and associate who goes behind her back to try to get the contract. Lola sits up her own company, goes to Australia, intending to track down the company who make the wine, finding herself on a large farm, her request rejected, her deciding to stay and work on the farm – in all kinds of practical details including shearing – but falls foul of the co-workers. However, she is befriended by a rather reclusive farmer, Max (Adam Demos). When she decides to return to America, the car breaks down, she encounters Max, he takes her to the winery, they have feelings for each other, and then emerges that he is a silent partner in the company, the brother of the owner.

Lola is dismayed, returns to America, works in a company with the friend who betrayed her earlier, Max arrives – and, happy ever after.

1. Romantic comedy, for American audiences, Australian audiences?
2. The American background, wine importation, big business, imports? Management? California? The Australian background, the sheep property, the Vineyard and Wine production, the small towns?
3. The Australian location photography, the property, mountains, waterfalls, feels and flocks? Wine production? The musical score, songs?
4. Lola’s story, family background and support, big business, the clashes with Calder, betrayal by Audra? The contact with Hamish? Going to Australia, the encounter with Max, the encounter with Hazel, the tough stents, business interests, Lola deciding to stay, interactions with Max, the accommodation, the hard attitudes of the women, the details of the work, fences and wire, marine, manure, Lola and her awkwardness? The practical jokes with the spider on the chair? Having to cope, befriending the sheep, calling it Barbara? Gradually accommodating, the friendship of the women, Max and the conversations? The night out on the town, the bar fight and the consequences? Calder and his visit to Australia, with Audra, the proposal, Lola refusing? The visit to the Vineyard and the production, the night out, in love with Max? His finally telling her the truth? Her reaction, returning to California?
5. Max’s story, mother, kicking over the traces, her death, Hazel his sister, the money, the investment, is working on the property and enjoying it, decisions about the wine? Conversation with Hazel? The attraction to Lola, the work, the swimming pool, the camping, the truth and his leaving it too late?
6. Calder, the American tycoon, callous, opportunist? Audra, her betrayal, change of heart, trying to help Lola? The visit to Australia? Audra working with Lola afterwards?
7. Hazel, the property, the wine, demanding on Lola, admiring her?
8. The background at the property, the women, the lesbian woman and her partner, pregnancy, the wedding? The other women and their work? The men on the property?
9. Romcom and soap opera on an Australian sheep property?

THE TAKEDOWN

France, 2022, 121 minutes, Colour.

Omar Sy, Laurent Lafitte, Izia Higeliin.

Directed by Louis Leterrier.

This is a star vehicle for French celebrity, Omar Sy. He came to quite some prominence in the touching film, the Intouchables, the carer of a cantankerous invalid. Sy has made many films in France but also internationally including part of the X men series.

This is a police thriller, a sequel to the 2019, The Other Side of the Tracks. And he is paired with veteran French actor, Laurent Lafitte. And it is directed by Louis Letterier, director of many action shows and the television series Lupin.

Sy is a cheerful screen presence, showing his abilities in overcoming a multi-martial arts opponent and getting the crowd on side. And, of course, he is a black presence, contrasting with Lafitte who becomes more and more conscious of his whiteness in situations, the film making a lot of point about race relationships.

Basically, this is a police investigation thriller, the finding of a dead body, an encounter with Alice in the Alps town that they investigate, opening up a whole drug dealing and drug making syndicate.

Plenty of scenery. Plenty of car chases and smashes. Plenty of fighting. Plenty of banter between the two cops. More or less what is expected.

1. Thriller-comedy? Comedy? French style?
2. The Paris settings, police action, wrestling, offices and precincts, police promotion? François and the therapist? The country settings, the town, the countryside, accommodation, rallies? The buildup to the finale, the building, explosions? The musical score?
3. The setting, was main and his associate, the corridors, the wrestling, searching for the criminal, the confrontation in the ring, the fight, the calling of the police? Was main and his background, his son and girlfriend? The discussions with the head, the animated version of his heroism, promotion, the photographer following him around, his resistance?
4. François, rich background, defying his father, failing the exam is, full of himself, disliked by his associates, the episode with the therapist and the consequences?
5. The discovery of the body, half the body, the discovery of the other half? Issues of jurisdiction? The two working together?
6. The familiar stories of odd couple partners? The contrast between the two, the African background and subject of racism? The comfortable white wealthy man? The interactions throughout the film, banter, criticisms? Rivalries?
7. Was main, his skills, yet also dithering, his inhibitions concerning sexuality, dealing with women, the victim’s naked body, sharing the room with François? The interactions with Alice?
8. The murder investigation, the examination of the body, the recreation of the scenes, Kevin on the bike, shot, over the rail, the training, cut in half? The visit to his mother and her tantrum is? The various leads, the Snitch, chasing him, the Dodge cars in the supermarket? The girl at the club, the man at the bar, drugs, the fight, his death?
9. Travelling to the town, the mayor, the extreme right, fascism in France, the martial arts club, the leader? The chief of police, in league with the mayor?
10. Alice, collaborating with the two? The revelation that she was in league with the mayor?
11. The solution to the case, the rally, confiscating the ammunition and destroying it, François and the confrontation, the gun, the explosive, people turning on him? Was main and the vehicles, the chase? Handcuffing Alice, her escape? Driving the mayor?
12. The comedy dramatics of the chase, the mayor and his plan to blow up the building, the evacuation, the two falling, added, safe?
13. Solution of the case, François and his being the face of the police, was main accepting this? Further adventures?
14. The comedy tone – but the indications of serious themes of racism and fascism in France?

Chevalier College Principal, Gregory Miller

With the recent approval of the Provincial in Council we are pleased to announce Gregory Miller as the next Principal of Chevalier College.  Greg will commence in the role in January, 2023.  After an extensive selection process that attracted many exceptional candidates it was apparent that Greg is the person to lead Chevalier in the next phase of its educational journey.

Greg is a very experienced educator with a breadth of senior leadership experience across a number of Catholic Colleges in NSW that ideally equip him for this role.  Most recently Greg has been the Principal Leader at St Luke’s Catholic College, Marsden Park, and prior to that Principal of Mater Dei Catholic College, Wagga Wagga.  In all Greg has some 33 years’ experience in Catholic education.

Greg is himself a life-long learner with his most recent formal study being a Masters of Knowledge Networks and Digital Innovation.  He is widely recognised for his significant contribution around contemporary learning in a number of academic and community forums across Australia and overseas.  Greg will undergo a period of formation in the MSC charism as he transitions into his role at Chevalier College.

Greg is looking forward to ‘understanding the culture of Chevalier so as to work collaboratively with the College Board to inspire and shape future policy and new initiatives.’ Greg believes very strongly that in the context of a rapidly changing world which is impacting the educational landscape of every school, ‘building the partnership between educators and parents to nurture faith filled young adults who become creative contributors and innovative problem solvers in a rapidly changing world’ is the key to best practice in education.

We take once again the opportunity to publicly acknowledge the extraordinary contribution of Mr Chris McDermott to Chevalier College over the last 15 years and hope that you will join us in thanking and congratulating him both now and at the events that will occur in the remainder of the year. 

China, Greg Mc Cann MSC and Greg McEnally MSC

A different focus on China from the usual…

From Peter Hendriks’ update:

The two Gregs and China: Greg McCann and Greg McEnally received their Year of the Rabbit t-shirts this week from their past students in China. Sister Felicity, who is living in the Guizhou diocese, previously the MSC area, celebrated the ordination of Father Zhang last weekend.

Greg McCann says that while the Catholic Faith is alive and well, it is still very difficult to practice Christianity, but there is a lot of hope and love present during these hard times.

Gene Pejo MSC, from the Philippines to Vietnam formation.

I received my appointment letter from the Provincial Superior of the MSC Australia assigning me as a new member of the formation team in Vietnam, last September 30, 2022.The appointment is effective January 1, 2023, but due to important schedules and concerns that I have to attend to, one of which is our Provincial Assembly, in consultation with the Superior of Vietnam MSC, Fr. Hoang, I set my schedule of arrival in Vietnam on the 1^st or 2^nd week of February, 2023. This new mission engagement in Vietnam is made possible after initial discussion and consultation among parties involved, namely the two Provincial Administrations, the MSC Vietnam community, and me personally.

Just by way of introducing myself, my name is GENE (but the name that appears in my passport is Genie, but I’ve been using Gene since I started schooling). My middle name is AMADO, my family name is PEJO.  I am 62 years of age with a type 2 diabetes. I joined the MSC Philippines in October 1986, and had my final profession in June 1993. I was ordained priest in April of 1994. I had two years of experience as assistant pastor in a parish before I was asked to join in our formation team in the Post Novitiate in 1996 to 2003, two (2) years as an assistant while taking up formation courses, and served as Rector the next four (4) years.

In 2003 I was assigned parish priest in one of our parishes in Mindanao, and in 2006 I was brought back to formation work, this time as formator of our Novices, where I made my first encounter with the first few batches of our future Vietnamese confreres. After five (5) years in the Novitiate I was elected Provincial Superior and served the Province from 2011-2017. Prior to my election as Provincial Superior, I served as District Superior twice, in Manila and in Mindanao. While being part of the formation team, I also served as a council member of two (2) Provincial Administrations.   

What do I expect from this new assignment of mine? Reading my job description in my appointment letter I see my task as an animator, one who can animate, guide and inspire the team. I may get involved in the accompaniment of the formands but see to it that my role will not overlap with the individual responsibilities of our Vietnamese Formators.  My interest in the formation of our future Vietnamese MSCs started with my involvement in their novitiate formation. Their personal stories as Vietnamese people are interesting and inspiring and I am inspired to see how these experiences can be integrated into our spirituality, the spirituality of the heart, taking into account their culture and environment. I also expect some adjustments to make from my side having first time work outside of my country the Philippines.

Province photo shots – from youngest to oldest, from Daniel Magadia (30) to Albert Yelds (97) and stops in between.

Daniel Magadia

Earlier this evening, one of our MSC brothers Daniel was interviewed by his very good friend Mary-Anne (aka Maz) from Adelaide's 107.9 LifeFM to discuss vocations and religious life.

He shared how God had been nudging him to enter religious life in some key moments of his life. Daniel also highlighted how the MSCs played a key role in reigniting the once dormant call. Lastly he encouraged young people discerning to pray, find someone to talk to, and to take that leap.

Albert Yelds over from St Joseph’s to the Monastery, Australia Day (with Gerard Shanley)

Noel Mansfield at St Joseph’s at 90

Col Sinclair in Fiji at the Chapter, turning 80

Phil Hicks, former PP, Coogee, celebrating St Brigid

Thoi Tran, PP of Coogee celebrating parish patron, St Brigid, with Patricia Dawson, parishioner since 1963, mother of Anne Marie Snelling of Treand House.

YOU PEOPLE

US, 2022, 117 minutes, Colour.

Jonah Hill, Lauren London, Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sam Jay, Nia Long, Travis Bennett, David Duchovny, Molly Gordon, Deon Cole, Andrea Savage, Elliot Gould, Rhea Perlman, Mike Epps.

Directed by Kenya Barris.

The tone of the title – one group looking down on another, arrogance, prejudice, and, especially, racial prejudice.

The film was written by its star, Jonah Hill, along with writer-director of television comedy, Kenya Barris. As might be expected, there are comic situations, comic lines – but also a very American extroverted atmosphere, raucous at times, course at times, perhaps of putting to non--American audiences.

A number of bloggers, surprisingly, have linked the film to the 1967 Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner – a Hollywood classic of racial issues which emerged during the time of the Civil Rights movement, March on Washington, Martin Luther King… And this was 55 years before the production of this film. And, so, a number of bloggers have suggested that this is an issue from the past, and not topical in the US at the moment. However, in the years of Black Lives Matter, this perspective could be seriously questioned.

The film has a rather raucous opening, Jonah Hill’s Ezra talking on a pod cast with comedian Sam Jay’s Mo, riffing on politics and race relations. Then we move to Ezra’s family, Jewish, with all the jokes about extroverted Jewish behaviour, a mother who tries to be with it but makes faux pas all the time, racially condescending. And, she is played by Julia Louis Dreyfus. By contrast, David Duchovny as his father, is very laid-back, a few comments, playing the piano and trying to sing. At synagogue, there is a lot of chatter in the congregation, there are meals, various stereotypes, and guest appearances by Elliot Gould and Rhea Perlman. And Ezra’s sometimes cantankerous sister is lesbian.

Then the African-American family, surprising to find Eddie Murphy as the protective father, strong ideology, Muslim, changing his name to Akbar, contrasting with his ne’er-do-well brother played by Mike Epps. This is a middle-class quite affluent family, and the mother played more sympathetically by Nia Long. Their daughter, Amira (Lauren London) is successful in business.

By chance, Ezra and Amira meet, clash, apologies, dates, companionship, relationship, falling in love, prospect of marriage.

There are two marriage planners representing each culture. There is a hens’ party. There is an especially raucous party in Las Vegas with Akbar and his son accompanying Ezra, meeting his ultra-raucous friends, cocaine issues…

Particularly tense is the large wedding rehearsal scene, representatives of both sides, with Mo on the Jewish side, and an aggressive speech by Akbar. The couple then decide to break off the wedding.

The film concludes optimistically, Akbar relenting on having a frank talk with Ezra, Amira talking straight to Ezra’s mother, with the two parents then contriving to bring the couple together, apologies all round, and then a wedding ceremony.

1. The title, its tone, racism in the US, racial arrogance, racial prejudices?
2. The basic plot – and audiences remembering Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
3. The Californian setting, the Jewish community, homes, synagogue, socials, ceremonies? The African-American community? Middle-class, homes, socials? The visit to Las Vegas? The musical score?
4. The pod cast, the voice-over and comments, political, Obama? Mo, her personality, the repartee with Ezra? The later sequences of taping their podcasts, later the filming of a pod cast? Mo’s continual presence, friendship and support?
5. The introduction to Ezra, Jonah Hill and his presence, cowriting the screenplay? Age, family background, his relationship with his interfering mother, his laid father? Family? The Jewish background, in the synagogue, his behaviour, not listening to the prayer, discussions with his sister? And his mother? And the others listening? The aftermath of the ceremony? His work, the discussions with his boss, the boss and the comic remarks, Ezra not wanting to work there anymore, his finally walking out?
6. The introduction to Amira, the mixup with the move, her aggressive attitude, Ezra defensive, his being polite, sharing the car, the future meetings, eating together, the date, the collage of their other meetings, enjoying each other’s company, the sexual relationship, commitment?
7. The meetings with the parents? Amira, coming to Ezra’s home, meeting Shelley, her personality, outgoing, talking before she thought, ingrained attitudes, condescending, trying to be with it? His father, sitting quietly, playing the piano and singing? Ezra apologising for his parents?
8. Ezra meeting Amira’s parents, Akbar, Eddie Murphy, his relationship with his wife, their attitudes towards Ezra, questions, Akbar and disapproval, Amira embarrassed?
9. The scene of the proposal, the ring, Ezra asking Akbar’s permission, his reaction?
10. The marriage preparations, Jewish, African-American, the two marriage planners and the sequence of their conversations, questions, plans?
11. Ezra, his past, Amira transforming him, Amira, her mellowing, comfortable with Ezra? The details of preparation?
12. The rehearsal sequence, large, crowds, each side of the table, the speeches, Akbar nasty?
13. The hens’ party, raucously American? The stag party, going to Las Vegas, Akbar coming along, with his son, determined to undermine Ezra? Ezra’s friends, the loud discussion about cocaine and the dealer? Akbar’s disapproval?
14. Further discussions with Akbar, the severity of his attitude? Yet the appearance of his brother, carefree, drugs, criticising Akbar?
15. Akbar and the final discussion with Ezra, Akbar admitting his hostility?
16. Shelley and Amira’s mother, Shelley and her indiscreet outbursts?
17. Israel and his confronting his mother, home truths?
18. Ezra and Amira, the tension about the wedding, breaking it off, the months passing, Amira and her skills, the pitch for the buyers? Shelley and her meeting with Akbar, the plan, each apologising, and setting up the meeting? Coming together again, the bonding again?
19. The wedding ceremony, the exuberance?
20. Critics not favourable to the film, saying that this kind of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner prejudice and breaking of prejudice is long out of date?

SHATTERED

US, 2022, 92 minutes, Colour.

Cameron Monaghan, Lily Krug, Sasha Luss, Ridley Asha Bateman, John Malkovich, Ash Santos, Dat Phan.

Directed by Luis Prieto.

A melodrama which is one of those films that for many audiences could be a guilty pleasure. It is be-budget material, plenty of affluent glamour, a plot that could well be predictable, some violent sequences, some lurid sequences. It is the material of television soap operas but heightened.

Craig Monaghan plays a businessman who has sold his company at great profit, owns a mansion outside the town, every luxury, and every bit of security from the firm that he built up. His wife has divorced him but wants the papers signed. He loves his little daughter.

He shops after midnight, the complete loner, encountering a young woman, Skye, the film introducing German actress, Lily Krug (in her early 20s). She has a story about her erratic partner, wants to avoid trouble, Chris driving her home, she seductive, he compliant, she returning early to her partner with whom she has a sexual relationship.

The owner of the motel continually observing, leering, and an unexpected screen presence of John Malkovich (who was one of the producers of the film).

After a date, some vandals are attacking Chris’s car, Skye taunting them, they attack the couple, breaking Chris’s leg. Out from hospital, Skye offers to be his carer. So far so nice if a bit limited!

But, Skye is unmasked, her having a telescope at the motel and spending a lot of time observing Chris and his behaviour and timetable. The leering landlord discovers this, works out what has happened, goes to confront Chris who offers him a Picasso for safety. Later he will be confronted by the villains, dying.

The vandals were also set up by Skye to attack Chris. They arrive, overcoming the wheelchair-bound Chris, stripping the house of all his artwork. Eventually, Chris makes an escape attempt, encounters a passerby in the car who turns out to be skies stepfather (Frank Grillo who always makes a sneering villain). Further plans to rob Chris of all his money, his investments. They go as a couple to get all of Chris’s bonds and documents from his bank safe – but, they have been removed by his ex-wife.

Setting for the finale, the ex-wife and daughter coming to visit, Skye not having anticipated this, a great number of scenes of struggle, fighting, shooting, Chris overpowered, Skye unmasked, the contribution of ex-wife – and, especially at the end, of the daughter with a gun.

So, 90 minutes of heightened melodrama, easy to look down on, but, somehow rather, keeping the audience intrigued.