10 summer films that shine

Posted on 27 December, 2019

To shine like a star is to break through the dark, to sparkle, to persevere against the odds and to believe in yourself.

For our latest Magazine: Shine we asked HerCanberra’s film reviewer Roslyn Hull to find 10 films that sparkle. Here’s what she chose.

Ad Astra

Ad Astra means ‘to the stars’, but this worthy sci-fi is as slow as real space travel would feel—the depiction of which is the highlight of this film.

Still, Brad Pitt does persevere in seeking out the father who deserted him, letting him finally believe in himself.

Stardust (2007)

A delightful Neil Gaiman fairytale for adults. A star falls in love with a human but there is a perilous quest before any happy ending can be attained.

With a cross-dressing pirate, lots of witches and a Greek chorus of dead princes, this is a perfect movie for after Christmas lunch.

Star Wars

The granddaddy of all movie sagas. It started with a farm boy who believed he could be a pilot and will end with a scavenger who believes she can be a hero.

Forty-two years apart but united by The Force, these films are so pervasive that many Australians now list their religion as ‘Jedi’ on census forms.

Flaming Star (1960)

Elvis (yes, the Elvis) plays the son of a white rancher and Kiowa woman. When racial violence breaks out he must stand up as a peacemaker between both worlds, even if it costs him his life.

More famous now for being the inspo behind Andy Warhol’s Elvis diptych, it did challenge the status quo when it was made.

Bright Star (2009)

Poet John Keats falls for an outspoken, independent woman, Fanny Brawne, and she falls for him. But this is 1818 and she is not suitable.

Love perseveres but destiny had other ideas. Bring tissues and avoid Keats fans, as they will shout ‘don’t go’ when he travels to Rome for his health.

Shine (1996)

Finding stardom early in life creates so much pressure it tips the main character over the brink into psychosis.

This is a heartbreaking but triumphant story inspired by the pianist David Helfgott, and which also brought stardom for the main actor, Geoffrey Rush.

Like Stars on Earth (2007)

Original title Taare Zameen Par, an Indian film that explores what it is to be a child who is different.

The main character is dyslexic and uncommunicative until an art teacher helps him express himself, showing others that his way of seeing can be beautiful, even magical.

Starman (1984)

Part desperate chase, part gentle love story and a complete departure from John Carpenter’s usual work. Almost forgotten now, it is memorable to me for touching performances from Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen.

They bring their quest to life, are convincing in their isolation from others and eventual love—and have the audience cheering for the alien.

A Star is Born

Any one of several versions, but the music in the latest one (2018) is the best of all.

In every one, the talented nobody is lifted up by the seasoned (or pickled) star but eventually outshines him, leading to tragedy but new artistic heights as well.

Afghan Star (2009)

In Afghanistan, singing is an expression of freedom. This documentary looks at the four finalists in a ‘Pop Idol’ reality show, two women and two men.

In shows like this, viewers’ sympathies are usually manipulated by showing the contestant’s personal struggles. However, these contestants could die for what they are doing.

This article originally appeared in Magazine: Shine for Summer 2019/20, available for free while stocks last. Find out more about Magazine here.

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