Melbourne Top 5 (4/19/13-4/25/13)

The cultural capital of Australia, Melbourne is inarguably the premiere location for film fans down under (no matter what anyone from Sydney tells you). These weekly posts will take you beyond the multiplex and highlight the Top 5 movie alternatives worth checking out each week.

1. Fear & Desire // Killer’s Kiss (The Astor)

You can expect to see a lot of Kubrick in this article over the next couple of weeks, as the folks at the Astor Theatre kick of their retrospective on one of the greatest filmmakers to ever live. Session one covers his first two features, made while Kubrick was still in his early twenties: the wartime drama Fear & Desire, plus the gritty film noir Killer’s Kiss. (Sunday, April 21, 7pm)

2. The Man From Hong Kong (ACMI)

The first ever Australian martial arts film, The Man from Hong Kong is a prize piece of roundhouse kicking national cinema. Jimmy Wang Yu stars as Inspector Fang, a Hong Kong narcotics detective hot on the trail of a Sydney drug baron, play by 007 himself George Lazenby. (Saturday, April 20, 4pm)

3. Cinema Fiasco: Vampire Lovers (Cinema Nova)

Closing out their month long live commentary season at Cinema Nova, comedians Geoff Wallis and Janet A. McLeod will skewer Vampire Lovers, a Hammer horror production about a lesbian vampire who terrorises 19th century Austria. Full of violence and nudity, it’s not hard to understand why the film is a cult classic. (Friday, April 19, 7:30pm)

4. Antiviral (Cinema Nova)

In the not too distant future, society’s obsession with celebrities has grown so fanatical that people will now pay to infect themselves with the diseases of their favourite stars. The feature film debut of Brandon Cronenberg, son of David Cronenberg , the creepy visuals and biting social commentary prove that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Exclusive to Cinema Nova as part of their “Cult Cravings” selection. (from Thursday April 25)

5. Pan’s Labyrinth (The Astor)

A little girl escapes from the horror’s of Franco-era Spain into a dark and dangerous fantasy world, in Guillermo del Toro violent gothic fairy tale Pan’s Labyrinth. A beautiful looking film that highlights the director’s unique visual style, it’s a must see big screen experience. (Monday, April 22, 7:30pm)