The best big screen offerings from September

Spring has sprung, and many of us are beginning to embrace the great outdoors. However, curling up on the couch or catching a new Australian film at the cinema this month can also be a delightful way to spend your time.

The Long Game

It is a movie about golf but it’s about much more. Based on a true story of the San Felipe Mustangs a group of Mexican American young men in Del Rio Texas who are able to caddy at the local country club but need to be able to play there to have a high school team able to compete with other schools in the State Championships. It all happened in the late 1950s and is a story of the obstacles and prejudice the group had to overcome and the people who recognised talent and championed them. I enjoyed the clothes, cars and set design of 1950s probably as much as the story. It is well-acted and tells a heart-warming story

Starring Jay Hernandez and Dennis Quaid, The Long Game is a film adaptation of the book Mustang Miracle. If you love a story about the underdogs overcoming then you will enjoy this easy to watch film on Netflix.

Runt

This is a soon to be released Australian production I am very excited about. I have found copies of Runt by Craig Silvey and purchased them so that my grandchildren can all read it before watching the film. Runt will be in cinemas on September 19 and I’m planning on an excursion with a few grandies to see it as soon as possible. If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Runt and his 11- year-old best friend Annie Shearer from Upside Downs I recommend them to you.

Another uplifting underdog story, (pun intended) Annie and Runt attempt to win the Agility Course Championship at the Krumpet’s Dog Show in London to save their family’s drought-stricken farm. Lily LaTorre plays Annie in the movie and rescue dog Squid plays the title role of Runt. Craig Silvey adapted his award-winning novel for the screen which has been directed by John Sheedy. Filmed in Western Australia and London other cast members include Celeste Barber, Deborah Mailman and Jack Thompson. This heartwarming, heartfelt and humorous story should be a great movie.

The Twelve

The Twelve refers to the jury members who are empanelled to hear the case of Kate, (Kate Mulvaney) who has been charged with the murder of her niece Claire although no body has been found. Kate’s legal team includes Brett Colby played by Sam Neill while the prosecution is represented by Lucy Bloom, (Marta Dusseldorp). Then there are the twelve, the jurors and their complicated lives and stories which intertwine and interact.

There is Georgina who appears to have some domestic issues as her husband locks her in her ensuite bathroom overnight and she doesn’t tell him she has been empanelled. Corrie has inherited her parent’s mansion after they were both found dead in the house, Gary has gambling debts and may be influenced, Jarrod is struggling to juggle uni and life and Simon the mansplainer are just a few of them. The are some well-known faces in the juror’s room among them Brooke Satchwell as Georgina and Brendan Cowell as Gary.

Directed by Daniel Nettheim The Twelve is a great ride with insights into the flaws and individual circumstances of each of the jurors. Season Two is now available to stream. I watched it on Stan.