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Alex Garland

Civil War director Alex Garland started as a novelist, gaining fame with his 1996 book The Beach , later adapted into a hit film by Danny Boyle that starred Leonardo DiCaprio. He has since established himself as a modern auteur, with films like Ex Machina (2014), Annihilation (2018), and Men (2022). Let’s explore three of his trademarks. Dystopian futures As a screenwriter, Garland has examined all manner of futuristic possibilities, and often explores society on the brink of collapse, if not beyond. From the eerie desolation of 28 Days Late r (2002) and the dying Earth in Sunshine (2007), to the dystopic world of Dredd (2012) and the The nature of mankind is also a fascination of Garland’s, which goes hand-in-hand with those dystopian tropes. His disturbing folk horror movie Men puts a microscope on toxic masculinity, while Annihilation looks at the violent chaos of evolution, and Ex-Machina considers morality and ethics. In Civil War , he paints an alarming picture of how easily we can fall apart. Realism No matter how fantastical his stories are, Garland grounds them in reality. The films he directs are particularly nuanced, and he often puts his camera in compromising positions to extract truth. The documentary style of Civil War and his handheld close-ups in Men are examples of his attention to detail, and his want to be as close to his subjects as possible. August is a HUGE month for new releases, with the arrival of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga , The Fall Guy , and Abigail amongst a cavalcade of bangers. You can also expect a swag of films making their long-awaited 4K debut, plus a heap of back catalogue re-releases. On The Radar terrifying conflict of Civil War . The nature of humanity

Star Wars: A New Hope . Being named

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after the protagonist really gave me a connection to the original franchise. What young kid wouldn’t like a movie about space wizards with laser swords? What’s one of your all-time favourite movies, and why? It’s nostalgia talking here, but watching the Lord of the Rings books being brought to life was a magical experience for me. It was the first time I had seen so much fantasy done so well.

’ s ROVING REPORTER

What’s one of your all-time favouriteTV series, and why? One Piece (anime). It’s the series that started my wife’s conversion from a jock into a nerd like me. Despite being over 1000 episodes, some scenes hit super hard. The animation on the Wano arc was breathtaking.

LUKE DWYER @ JB Forest Hill, VIC

What’s the best thing about working at JB? Being able to express yourself any way you like in your attire and interactions. It is unlike any other retail gig I’ve worked. My nerd shirt collection is outrageously large as a result.

What have you been watching lately that you’d recommend? Between the new Demon Slayer and My Hero Academia , I’ve been enjoying a change of pace with Spy X Family . Anime lets you get away with outrageous scenarios, and this one hits that action/comedy/romance balance for me.

What’s a movie you saw as a child that has left a lasting impression on you?

QUIZ

Q7 Who, in 1941, acquires and runs the New York Inquirer newspaper? Q8 Which James Bond film opens with 007 trapped inside a remote controlled helicopter? Q9 In which film does a character portrayed by Nicolas Cage survive a firing squad? Q10 This famous 1950 western’s finale has two brothers having a shoot out to the death. Title please.

has won an Oscars double for ‘Best Director’ and ‘Best Picture’ - twice? Q4 “ The man in the hat is back. And this time he’s brought his dad ” was the poster tagline for which movie? Q5 What kind of drivers were Stanley Baker, Patrick McGoohan, David McCallum, and Sean Connery? Q6 What was the first Disney animated film that was based on the life of a real person?

*not final artworks

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GHOST We’re not sure how to feel about this, but whether you like it or not, a remake of Ghost is on the way. Heartthrob Channing Tatum purchased the rights to the film in 2023 with plans to star as Sam, the role originally played by Patrick Swayze. The original 1990 movie was a box office hit, earning Whoopi Goldberg an Oscar for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ and becoming one of the most popular tear-jerkers of all time. It’s an absolute classic that arguably shouldn’t be tampered with, so Channing has big expectations to live up to (we’re nervous). IN DEVELOPMENT

Q1 “ Sometimes, dead is better ” is a famous quote from which 1989 movie? Q2 In which film does Leeloo fall into Korben Dallas’ car? Q3 Which actor/director

JUNE 2024 (Issue 236) ANSWERS - A1. Reservoir Dogs A2. Point Blank quoted by Walker, played by Lee Marvin A3. CODA (2021) A4. Saving Private Ryan A5. Walter and John Huston for The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) A6. A Perfect World (1993) A7. It was a pseudonym for the McCarthy-blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo A8. The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934 & 1956) A9. Katherine Hepburn A10. The Last Waltz (1978), which featured The Band’s last concert after 16 years on the road

20 JULY 2024

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