At the Movies: July 1

This week Ice Age goes under the David & Margaret microscope, a new film from Korean director Park Chan Wook, an interview with Hugo Weaving and a documentary about A Chorus Line.

ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS – The sub-zero heroes from the worldwide blockbusters “Ice Age” and “Ice Age: The Meltdown” are back, on an incredible adventure…for the ages. Scrat is still trying to nab the ever-elusive nut (while, maybe, finding true love); Manny and Ellie await the birth of their mini-mammoth, Sid the sloth gets into trouble when he creates his own makeshift family by hijacking some dinosaur eggs; and Diego the saber-toothed tiger wonders if he’s growing too “soft” hanging with his pals. On a mission to rescue the hapless Sid, the gang ventures into a mysterious underground world, where they have some close encounters with dinosaurs, battle flora and fauna run amuck – and meet a relentless, one-eyed, dino-hunting weasel named Buck.

EVERY LITTLE STEP – Documentary: In 1975, ‘A Chorus Line’ opened on Broadway and was greeted with unanimous raves from the critics. By its closing on April 28, 1990, it had become the longest running Broadway show of its time, grossed over $300 million in the US alone, won the Pulitzer Prize and 9 Tony Awards, spawned a Hollywood film starring Michael Douglas, and helped drive a renewed interest in theatre. Every Little Step explores the incredible journey of ‘A Chorus Line’ from ambitious idea to international phenomenon. It compares and contrasts the original musical with the current revival. It investigates the societies in which they’ve debuted, and why the themes are so timeless and universal. Finally, it goes behind the scenes with exclusive interviews and footage of the revival’s audition process, revealing the dramatic journey of the performers, and unfolding a story of life imitating art.

THIRST – DIRECTED BY PARK CHAN WOOK – Sang-hyun, a priest who believes that life is precious, volunteers for a secret vaccine development project to help save lives from a deadly virus. But during the experiment, he is infected by the virus and dies. When some unidentified blood is transfused into him, he miraculously comes back to life, but the blood has turned him into a vampire. Sang-hyun is now conflicted between the carnal desire for blood and his faith, which forbids him to kill. But if he cannot survive without feasting on human blood, how can he get it without resorting to murder? Miraculously returning home alive, Sang-hyun meets a childhood friend, Kang-woo, and his wife, Tae-ju, among a crowd of people asking for his blessing. Tae-ju’s mysterious appeal arouses yearnings in Sang-hyun he has never felt before, and she in turn is drawn to Sang-hyun and the desires previously oppressed by her weakly husband and hysterical mother-in-law. Sang-hyun falls in love with Tae-ju, enough to give up everything he is. He eventually throws off his priest’s robes and steps into her world, thirsting for all the sensual pleasures it has to offer. Sang-hyun and Tae-ju’s love becomes more and more brazen and fearless. When Tae-ju finds out that Sang-hyun is a vampire, she backs away–but not for long. Eventually, Tae-ju seduces Sang-hyun into using his power to kill her husband. Although Sang-hyun wants desperately to avoid committing the sin, he ends up compromising his own principles and accepts Tae-ju’s request to kill Kang-woo… What will become of their doomed affair?

LAST RIDE + interview with Hugo Weaving and director Glendyn Ivin – A desperate father takes his ten year old son, Chook, on the run after committing a violent crime. As the two journey into the desert and an unknown future, their troubled relationship and the need to survive, see them battling the elements and each other. Chook eventually takes control and the choices he is forced to make have a devastating effect on both of their lives. Last Ride is an unforgettable love story between a father and a son.

PERTH REVELATION FILM FESTIVAL – A look at some of the highlights of the festival, and interview with artistic director Jack Sergeant.

It airs 10pm Wednesday on ABC1.