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Painting the Status of an Ace Train of Justice?
Murder on the Orient Express (by 20th Century Fox)
There are films for all ages and tastes premiering in Australian theatres this month. From mysteries and drama to animation and superhero blockbusters, start with these top 5 movies in November.
Murder on the Orient Express – November 11
Classification Pending
Agatha Christie, the queen of the golden age of crime writing and the best-selling novelist of all time, saw the film adaptation of one of her most popular tales, Murder on the Orient Express, in the cinema in 1971. The movie starred a stellar ensemble cast, including Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Vanessa Redgrave, Sean Connery and John Gielgud.
Almost 50 years since its release, a 21st century remake with a new cast of A-listers rides into cinemas, with Kenneth Branagh as director and in the lead role as Hercule Poirot, sporting the most impressive on-screen moustache of the 2010s.
The Orient Express is the clever setting for a murder mystery with a cast of high society suspects. The picturesque views of Europe clash with the claustrophobia of passengers trapped with a murderer.
Even if you've read this whodunit before, the film will be a pleasurable journey into nostalgia, on a trip which is impossible to take now, as the real-life Orient Express is stuck in the station, a victim of budget airlines winning over romantic railway travel.
Kenneth's savvy direction, mastered after a series of Shakespeare adaptations, offers a new perspective on Agatha's clues and red herrings.
Murder on the Orient Express also stars Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Willem Dafoe, Penélope Cruz and Derek Jacobi.
Borg vs. McEnroe (by SF Studios)
Borg vs. McEnroe – November 16
Classification Pending
Over 35 years ago, the emotional equivalents of Roger Federer and Nick Kyrgios met in the final of Wimbledon. In the match in 1980, Björn Borg (Sverrir Gudnason), sought his fifth championship win, with John McEnroe, the original badboy of tennis, as his final opponent in the tournament.
The film begins with their lead-up to the match, as their opposing temperaments and training styles build tension, with Borg attempting to retain his zen-like composure while MacEnroe explodes with tantrums and rants still quoted in pop-culture.
Although Shia LaBeouf's real life has been more outlandish and entertaining than his recent film roles, he's perfectly cast as MacEnroe, bringing his method of madness to a historic moment in tennis.
Wonder Woman, the critically acclaimed blockbuster of 2017, achieved the ultimate superhero feat - rescuing the DC Comics film franchise after the Suicide Squad staggered to the screen. The Justice League aims to continue the rise of the metahuman.
As Batman (Ben Affleck) broods over Superman's funeral, he recruits Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash to battle a new foe, while we wait to see if the final scene of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice leads to a resurrection of the Man of Steel.
Justice League also stars Gal Godot as Wonder Woman, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Ezra Miller as the Flash, and Amy Adams, returning as Lois Lane.
Vincent Van Gogh's intriguing battle with mental illness adds a poignant depth to his masterpieces of art, including Sunflowers, Starry Night, and his self-portrait.
This new biopic tells his story with the world's first painted feature film, the ideal canvas to bring his vivid, lively paintings to the silver screen in a shimmering, enchanting display.
If you've been fortunate enough to see the original paintings in Europe or on exhibition in the National Gallery of Australia, you'll be familiar with this effect, which can now be enjoyed in the cinema, with both his artwork and his life rippling with colourful energy.
Loving Vincent is directed by Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman and stars the voices of Douglas Booth, Chris O'Dowd and Helen McCrory.
In the era of Facebook status updates, with our friends posting their life highlights, we may feel like failures if we fall into the comparison trap with these impossibly successful online portrayals.
Just in time for a mid-life crisis, (Ben Stiller) tumbles into status anxiety as he shows his son around his former college in Boston, preparing him for life on campus.
While in town, he checks in on his college friends, finding they are all living their dream lives, including as a Hollywood bigshot, Wall Street trader, best-selling author, and tech genius.
As he ponders his comfortable life, hoping for something more, he turns to his wife, Jenna Fischer, for an answer.
Brad's Status also stars Luke Wilson, Michael Sheen and Jemaine Clement.
Which movie tops your list for November? Please let us know with a comment.
Great line-up, Barry! I was an avid spectator of Borg and McEnroe's (without giving away my age) tennis matches many moons ago. Well done on the Milestone!