March's ultimate must-see movies
Easter sneaks into the end of March this year, blessing us with a long weekend – that’s four full days with the potential to pack in as many movies as our hearts desire. Whether you head to the cinema or stay in and devour a mountain of chocolate eggs, there are so many new films to choose from. Here are the hot releases you should have on your must-watch list…
Mia McKenna-Bruce turns in a phenomenal performance in How To Have Sex. Photo: Nikos Nikolopoulos
MARCH 7
How To Have Sex
After accumulating awards on the international film festival circuit – including winning the prestigious Un Certain Regard at Cannes – Molly Manning Walker’s How To Have Sex lands in Australian cinemas. Its raw, unflinching exploration of sex, consent and self-discovery is made all the more potent by the incredible performance of breakout star Mia McKenna-Bruce (Persuasion) – a performance that won her the EE Rising Star BAFTA last month, beating out the likes of Jacob Elordi (Saltburn) and Sophie Wilde (Talk To Me).
Palestinian Film Festival
In the midst of a tumultuous and devastating time, the Palestinian Film Festival is crucial viewing. This year’s festival opens with the coming-of-age, socio-political drama Alam (Flag), directed by Firas Khoury. Alam is the story of Tamer, a Palestinian teen who undergoes a political awakening, sparked by an attractive outspoken new girl at his school.
“There’s never been a more important time to learn the stories of Palestine,” says festival director Naser Shakhtour. “With award-winning films set inside historic Palestine, as well as abroad in Palestinian diaspora communities, we have painstakingly and proudly picked a program that reflects the stories and experiences of Palestinian communities.”
The Palestinian Film Festival kicks off in Sydney from March 7, before moving on to Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Melbourne and Perth. See the festival website for more information on titles, locations and dates.
The Great Escaper
This heartwarming tale is based on the true story of Bernard Jordan’s great escape from his care home in 2014. Bernard (Michael Caine, who recently retired from acting) was on a mission to join fellow war veterans on a beach in Normandy, France to commemorate their fallen comrades. The 48-hour adventure also marked the culmination of his 60-year marriage to wife Rene (the late Glenda Jackson). Don’t miss a chance to see two acting greats in their final on-screen roles.
Ricky Stanicky (Prime Video)
From acclaimed director Peter Farrelly (There’s Something About Mary, Dumb and Dumber), comes a new R-rated comedy featuring Zac Efron, Andrew Santino and Jermaine Fowler as childhood pals who invent a non-existent Ricky Stanicky to take the fall for their immature behaviour. Two decades later, when their loved ones get suspicious, the guys hire washed-up celebrity impersonator ‘Rock Hard’ Rod (John Cena) to pretend to be the imaginary Ricky. But when Rod takes his role too far, they begin to wish they’d never invented their fake friend in the first place.
(From left) Katy O’Brian and Kristen Stewart take on the world in Love Lies Bleeding
MARCH 14
Imaginary
When Jessica (DeWanda Wise) moves back into her childhood home with her family, her youngest stepdaughter, Alice (Pyper Braun), develops an eerie attachment to a stuffed bear named Chauncey she finds in the basement. Alice starts playing games with Chauncey that begin innocent and become increasingly sinister. From the horror masterminds at Blumhouse (The Black Phone, The Invisible Man), Imaginary asks the terrifying question: What if pretend friends are something more dangerous?
The Nut Farm
Comedian Arj Barker heads back Down Under to headline his first feature film, starring as a San Francisco-based crypto trader who loses everything when his investments collapse. An opportunity presents itself to inherit his missing uncle’s (Roy Billing) macadamia nut farm in the small Australian town of Cobweb, but the amusingly named Brendan Brandon (Barker) soon realises that a quick sale of the old family farm might not be as easy as he’d hoped. The Nut Farm is a family-friendly comedy, inspired by Northern NSW communities and their fight against gas fracking.
Love Lies Bleeding
Get ready for a bold and violent love story in Rose Glass’ Love Lies Bleeding. The A24 drama sees reclusive gym manager Lou (Kristen Stewart) fall for ambitious bodybuilder Jackie (Katy O’Brien), who is on her way to Vegas to pursue her dreams. Their intense attraction ignites a destructive chain of events, pulling the lovers deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family.
(From left) Ernie Hudson and Bill Murray — the OG Ghostbusters return!
MARCH 21
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
When a mysterious artefact is uncovered, a new army of ghosts threatens New York City and only the Ghostbusters (original stars Dan Akroyd, Bill Murray and Ernie Hudson), along with the Spengler family (Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon), can stop a second ice age from destroying the world. This new instalment in the exciting Ghostbusters franchise brings old and new together and promises a return to cult classic form back in the Big Apple.
Wicked Little Letters
A 1920s English seaside town bears witness to a dark and absurd scandal in this mystery comedy based on a stranger than fiction true story. When deeply conservative local Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) and rowdy Irish migrant Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley) begin to receive wicked letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, foul-mouthed Rose is charged with the crime. The anonymous letters prompt a national uproar, and a trial ensues. However, as the town’s women – led by Police Officer Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan) – begin to investigate, they suspect that something is amiss.
Road House (Prime Video)
Inspired by the 1989 film of the same name, Doug Liman’s Road House reboot stars Jake Gyllenhaal as an ex-UFC fighter trying to escape his violent past who is hired to be the bouncer of a bar in the Florida Keys. He soon finds himself pulled back into the life he left behind when he thwarts the criminal undertakings of a ruthless crime boss (Billy Magnussen). Gyllenhaal went through a gruelling training regime to take on the role originally made famous by Patrick Swayze.
Titans unite in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
MARCH 28
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Godzilla and Kong reunite for Adam Wingard’s latest instalment in the Legendary Pictures’ MonsterVerse. This time, the natural enemies must form another uneasy alliance to defeat a mysterious new foe hiding deep within the earth. The blockbuster promises to “delve further into the histories of these Titans and their origins, as well as the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond, while uncovering the mythic battle that helped forge these extraordinary beings and tied them to humankind forever.”
Kung Fu Panda 4
Fabled Dragon Warrior Po (Jack Black) is back in a fourth big-screen Kung Fu Panda adventure where he must train a new sidekick, master thief Zhen (Awkwafina), to help him defeat evil villain The Chameleon (Viola Davis). Several notable cast members return for the family-friendly animation, including Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu, James Hong as Po’s adopted father Mr Ping, Byran Cranston as Li Shan and Ian McShane as Tai Lung. Additions to the voice cast include Ke Huy Quan, Lori Tan Chinn and Ronny Chieng.
