Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World

Most films about the end of the world are all big budget movies with lots of special effects. This film takes a decidedly small scale approach to what would happen if the earth was about to be hit by a meteor.
This small scale approach that writer/director Lorene Scafaria is what makes it so appealing. The meteor is never seen but is just an off screen precense which gives the film some tension. Lorene has created a character piece which looks at two different people brough together by this strange sitation. There are the usual issues of 'what would you do with your last days' that are explored and to great comedic effect. As mentioned before I like romantic comedies which have a bit of an edge to them and this film certainly has that. What appealed to me most was the black humour it has. There are some really dark jokes which you might cringe at but I really like that sort of thing. There is also a certain amount of crazy behaviour and anarchy due to the situation but I think there could have been more. However that is probably because of the films budget not allowing for too much large scale rioting. The only small problem I had was that it goes on for too long. There were a few places the film drags and I felt it could have been tighened a bit. The ending also could have been finished earlier in my opin too. It was one of the films most emotional moments and I felt would have been the perfect ending. Possibly a bit ambiguous but I like that sort of thing.
While this is the type of role that Steve Carell has done many times before, you don't seem to mind because he does it so well. He is so sweet and charming amongst all the craziness that is going on around him. It is very rare to see Kiera Knightley do a comedy like this and she is brilliant. Probably one of my favourite roles that she has done. Her free spirited character nicely balances out the rather stoic nature of Steve's. But she can also be very funny. There are some really good cameo appearences in the film too. The always great Patton Oswalt is one of the best as well as a very touching appearence by Martin Sheen.
If you like end of the world movies but get turned off by all the big budget special effects then this is the film for you. Also a wonderfully different romantic comedy.   

Snow White And The Huntsman

And now for the second and very different version of the Snow White story for this year. We've had the light comedy version, now we have the action version.
It is interesting the different interpretations people can make from the one story. 'Mirror Mirror' the other version of the story released earlier in the year went with a very comedic and wacky approach. It was aimed at a young audience and was like a pantomime. This version aims at older people and primary the teenage audience who has fallen for 'Twilight' and others of its type. Sadly it has failed much like those other films. I found this film to incredibly dull and boring. It lacked excitement. Visually it looks stunning and the action sequences are very well done but I just got bored by the story. I was also bored by the characters. Snow White is your lead character yet she is not a dynamic enough woman that you become interested in her story. Perhaps because we are so familiar with the story we are just supposed to accept she is a strong forceful woman. But I did not get any of that from the movie. Judging by how the film ends, I expected her to fight more through out the film. The Huntsman too is not very interesting and is just there to look pretty. The writers have also added too many unecessary characters. The time devoted to these extra characters could have been better spent on making the leads more interesting. 
Kristen Stewart does a decent job with the underdeveloped character she has to work with. It is just a slight variation on her Bella character. Chris Hemsworth does what he does best which is look good and fight well. He is a less interesting version of Thor here. Charlize Theron works weel with all the CGI work her character has to deal with. She is playing the part as a cool ice queen which is decent but as with the rest of the film is pretty dull after a while. The actors who play the 8 (yes 8) dwarfs are quite good and provide some nice light hearted moments. I quite liked Sam Spruell as the Queen's brother and hunchman. I think he made a better bad guy than the Queen.
There was the potential there to make a fun and interesting action film based on the famous fairy tale. Sadly this oportunity was not taken.

Rock Of Ages

Director Adam Shankman had great success with the musical 'Hairspray' 5 years ago. He now returns to the genre with this slightly more manly musical.
I am a fan of movie musical, but usually ones that are light and funny. I don't care much for the more dramatic ones. Recently this musical was due to come to theatres in Sydney but a lack of interest it never got here. This did not fill me with great enthusiasm for this musical. But then again the cast looked awesome. One of the things that a great musical needs to make it an awesome musical is the plot. This film lacks a decent plot. It seems to be all over the place with a cliched main plot of two young people trying to become huge stars. I feel the story would have been better if it focused more on the Stacee Jaxx character. He is obviously the best thing in the film and it would have been better to see more of him. If they had of made the film about Stacee and possibly included some material on his band members. Stacee is supposed to be the lead singer of a band, but I never got that impression from the story as he was always the focus of attention. Despite that small problem the film is still a great deal of fun. The characters are excellent and really well drawn. They might be caricatures but they still bring great delight with their behaviour. Adam also knows how to stage a musical number and the songs in this film are brilliant. 
Adam has also managed to get a brilliant ensemble cast. Diego Boneta and Julianne Hough make a very cute couple but as mentioned above I would have preferred their story to not be as strong. Catherine Zeta-Jones is excellent as the up tight bitch. That's despite the fact her character breaks into song. Bryan Cranston as her husband the Mayor is great too. Paul Giamatti plays the usual sleazy character he always plays, but he is so good at it. Alec Baldwin has been doing some great work lately in comedy and proves that once again here. He is ably supported by the equally as wonderful Russell Brand. They make an hilarious comedy team. Their rendition of Can't Fight This Feeling is one of the funniest things I've seen in a film all year. The biggest surprise for me was Tom Cruise. I have not always been a fan of his but lately he seems to be breaking out of the typical roles he plays and do more crazy stuff. I did not see Tom Cruise on screen in this film, I saw Stacee Jaxx. He was simply stunning to watch. Not only was he funny but he could bring poignancy to his character as well. Then to top it all off he can sing and perform like a real rock star. 
While the plot might not be the strongest this is still worth checking out for the excellent performances by the actors and the great songs they sing.

The Parade

All good things must come to an end. I finish this year's Sydney Film Festival with this film from Serbia about tolerance.
It can be quite easy to forget how easy we have it here in Australia. While we do have a few idiots around whose opinions can cause grief and harm, they are usually in a minority. It is hard to believe that in this day and age there are still some parts of the world who are not tolerant to gay and lesbian people. Serbia is one of them. This film explores a small group of gays and lesbians as they try to stage a Pride parade in their city. But due to the huge levels of intolerance they must find security and find it in the most unusual place.
The plot and most of the characters are pretty cliched. A heavily homophobic man who sees the  error of his ways after spending time with some gay people. But it is the personality of these people and how they go about their journey that makes the film as good as it is. The word faggot is thrown around a lot in the film but you don't really mind as you soon realise how silly these people are. There are many stereotypes thrown around but you don't mind because you know the character has to go on a journey of understanding. You laugh at them and not with them. The real delight in the film is the relationship between Radmilo and the man he is forced to rely on Limun. The two of them go on a very funny road trip to find recruits which provides many hilarious moments. The way they gather the guys is quite funny as well. In some ways these people have so much conflict going on with the various racial groups that a fight between the sexual orientation does not seem too surprising. It will also make you see the film 'Ben Hur' in a different way. 
Nikola Kojo is excellent as the intolerant gangster Limun. While he is a brutish man and is quick to anger he has a sweet side which becomes more and more obvious as the film progresses. As his gay friend, Radmilo, Milos Samolov is great. The two of them work really well together as the odd couple forced into a situation together. Goran Jevtic plays the very strong character of Radmilo's boyfriend really well. His strength is what makes the plot really work. Hristina Popovic is really funny as Limun's girlfriend.
I know that there are many people out there who are opposed to the Mardi Gras in Sydney but I could not imagine a situation where we needed security to help protect it. It really makes you appreciate what we have.

Cabin In The Woods

There has been a big delay with this film after the studio that originally made it went broke. Luckily another studio came along and bought it for release. Thankfully a protest by film fans has meant we can see this film on the big screen in Australia and not on DVD/Blu-ray.
Joss Whedon was the co-writer and producer of this film and it was directed by Drew Goddard. Joss has really only had one successful thing financially which is the TV series 'Buffy: The Vampire Slayer'. His attempts at films have not been as successful, despite having a rabid fan base. That is until now. The enormous success of 'The Avengers' has not doubt made Joss more popular in Hollywood. I could not be more proud. He is one of my writing heroes and someone I hope to emulate in some small way.
It is always suspicious when a film sits on the shelf for a great deal of time. Usually it is because the company who made it are worried that it is no good and so are not sure when is a good time to release it. Perhaps making some changes along the way. That is not the case with this film. I want to start by saying that you should try to know as little about this film before you go see it. Try to avoid the trailers or any information. Just know that it is a brilliant piece of film making and one of the best horror films ever made. Drew and Joss have taken the simple premise of a group of young people going to a cabin in the woods and turned it completely around. They have made an incredibly clever film that totally blows you away at every turn. Drew and Joss dole out the information about what is going on in the best possible ways. It just constantly amazed me throughout its run time. What also surprised me was how great the characters are. While the point of the film is that they meant to be cliches, they do not come across this way. In this type of film they are usually really dumb people who you don't mind seeing die. But these people are smart and clever, so you come to care for them even more. A lot of that has to do with the witty lines they are given by the script. The film is also incredibly funny but not in a silly way. It is not a parody but a new way of looking at an old concept.
It is interesting that this film was made before Chris Hemsworth became a household name through his role as Thor. It goes to show that even before he became hugely famous that he has chosen some great roles. While is supposed to be playing the dumb jock, he still comes across as an intelligent guy. Our lead Heroine is also a quality character. Kristen Connolly is excellent in this role. Annea Hutchison also manages to transcend the dumb blond. But without revealing too much, her blondness is not her fault. Fran Kranz is one of the many Joss Whedon alumnus appearing in the film. He also makes the dumb stoner role something very memorable. The best screen couple though is Richard Jenkins and Bradley Witford. I can't say much more but they are so incredibly funny. I was disappointed by Jesse Williams role. I wish he had a bit more to do. 

'Cabin In The Woods' is not only the best horror film ever made but one of the best films. I know many of you will be turned off by the horror element but that is a shame because this is simply a brilliant piece of film making. Just don't find out too much about it before hand.

Friends With Kids

Films lately seem to want to take the friendship between a man and a woman and complicate things. Either by adding sex or in the case of this film adding a baby.
Before seeing this film I had really low expectations. I thought the premise sounded like the worst idea for a film. A mentioned before I like romantic comedies that have a little bit of jeopardy. We know in the end that they are going to end up together but I feel you need to have at least a minor sense of thrill as to whether they are really going to end up together or not. I don't see the point of the film unless there is that even slightest of possibilities that the couple will end up together at the end. This film has absolutely no sense of jeopardy as far as the main relationship goes. Jason and Julie are in a relationship already but they just do not have sex. The only main hurdle seems to be Jason's idiotic predilection for huge breasts. That to me sounds like the dumbest idea ever. I'm not sure I could be friends with someone who was so superficial. The plot is very similar to that of the recent Australian film I saw 'Not Suitable For Children'. However in 'Not Suitable' they have a good reason for the couple agreeing to have a baby together. In 'Friends' it is the biological clock issue but I got no sense of why Julie has to go with Jason, except for the fact that he is convenient. At least in 'Suitable' Jonah goes through a few options before deciding to do it with his friend. Again I think a nice complication to the issue might have been if either Jason or Julie was gay. That to me would have been a better stumbling block to overcome. But then again that would have made it more an episode of 'Will & Grace'. The one good thing about Jennifer Westfeldt's script is the chemistry of the friends. I suppose that comes from the performances but these really feel like a group of friends and not a bunch of actors forced to work together.
I suppose this has a lot to do with the fact that they have worked on a film together before. The support cast are one of the high points of the film. Kristen Wiig, John Hamm, Chris O'Dowd and Maya Rudolph are really good in the film and quite funny. This can not be said of the leads. I found Adam Scott and Jennifer Westfeldt to be a rather bland couple. I did not feel anything terribly dynamic about them. Therefore you don't care about their plight as much. I did like Edward Burns as well. I would have preferred Julie to end up with his character.
I have possibly judged this film far too harshly. I think I have far too high an expectation for romantic comedies these days.  

Brave

Pixar are such a highly revered film company that each time they release a film it is like a major event. We expect brilliance and usually we get it.
Last year's release, 'Cars 2' was a major disappointment for me. I felt it lacked the magic which has been part of all the other Pixar films. I got the impression that it was only made to make money and not to tell a great story which is what all their other films have been about. 
'Bave' more than makes up for the lack of magic last year. I will admit that it did not start off too well. The beginning of the film is what you would expect from a film about a princess or indeed a prince. They are forced to be restricted to some family tradition but they must find some way to rebel. There was one scene though that made me breathe a sigh of relief, almost literally. It was the point that the Pixar magic made the movie come to life. After that it was a wonderfully emotional mother/daughter story with lots of great action sequences. The issues these two headstrong characters might have with each other are those that all mothers and daughters have so you feel that it is relatable. It is a universal story that despite being set in Scotland makes it relatable to all parts of the world. These characters are people and not just wonderfully animated computer generated images.
One other art of the Pixar magic is their ability to choose the right vocal talent for their films. Kelly Macdonald who most of you know through the TV series 'Broadwalk Empire' or the movie 'No Country For Old Men' is so perfect for this role. You never feel you are watching an actor do a voice, you feel you are really watching Merida. Equally as great is Emma Thompson as her mother. Emma is brilliant at all her live action roles and this film proves she is a brilliant vocal talent too. Billy Connolly is also great as the King. His character looks so much like him that you almost think his character is a live action person in an animated film. There are also some other wonderful roles with Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane and Craig Ferguson doing some great work.
I got a bit worried at the start but then you will soon see the Pixar magic emerge. While the 'Toy Story' trilogy had a father/son metaphor, 'Brave' gives you the brilliance of an emotional mother/daughter story.   

King Of Devil's Island

Prisons can be bleak and horrible places. I don't think they could get much more bleak than the one in this film, the Bastoy. The fact that it is based on a true story helps make it seem worse.
Prison movies are a genre that do not have very many variations. They are usually about a person who goes in, who may or may not be guilty and we come to care for them so much that we root for them when they plan their escape. This film is not that much different as far as plot is concerned. What makes each stand out I think is the characters. We have to care for these people so that their struggle seems worthy. I think the landscape of this film and where the prison is set has a lot to do with how badly we feel for the characters. I think this is one of the most horrible prisons we've seen on screen that is set on earth. We have the typical bad wardens as well. The head warden though I felt was a bit kinder than what you expect in these types of films. He is not the best person but is not as horribly nasty as they are usually depicted in most prison films. It is the second in charge who is the most horrible. What is most interesting is that we are never quite sure what our hero prisoner is in for. We know a bit about his history but not the most important aspect.
Benjamin Helstad is excellent as our hero Erling. He is able to play the brooding silent type really well. He appears to accept his situation but is secretly trying to leave. His friend Olav is played nicely by Trond Nilssen. Magnus Langlete is wonderful as the stereotypical weaker prisoner. Kristoffer Joner is excellent as the evil warden. He plays the nastiness real nicely that you get scared each time he is on screen. I loved seeing Stellan Skarsgard back in his native Norway. His character is not as horrible as most prison wardens are which was refreshing. He is bad but not really evil. You understand that he is trying to do a tough job in a tough situation and Stellan is able to bring that out in his character.
While it does not break new ground as far as the prison movie goes, it is still a really good movie. The atmosphere and setting have a lot to do with making it seem fresher.

Bully

The Sydney Film Festival is not just about fictional films. You can get to see many interesting documentaries as well.
I am one of many people in this world who was bullied at school. It is something that has had strong ramifications on my life as an adult. All through my school life I was verbally teased and picked on. Luckily I was not physically harmed but I still feel the emotional damage. When I meet people I fully expect them to not like me, that is how 'messed up' I am. It was not until I left school and started work and went to university that I met people who seemed to like me for who I was and I was finally able to make some lasting friendship.
Bullying is something that seems to have come to the international consciousness of late, mostly due to the proliferation of new technologies. Bullies have more ways now to have an impact on their victims. With mobile phones and the Internet, bullies can now get to people in their homes. It used to be that you only got bullied at school but now it can happen anywhere in your life. People are also now making bullying more obvious as they post video clips on the Internet of what they do.
This made me very interested in seeing this documentary. The film is made in the observational way of following around a few kids and talking to them about how they are being bullied. We also get to see a couple of families whose children have taken very drastic steps in dealing with the issue. The main focus of the film is a 12 year-old boy named Alex. He is different looking and is the constant victim of bullies. What I found really surprising about the film is that we see Alex as he takes the bus to school each day and how kids pick on him and physically abuse him on the bus. What shocked me the most was that how can kids do this when they know they are being filmed? To me the cameras were fairly obvious in their filming. It did not look to be filmed in a secretive way. Yet the kids still pick on this poor boy. I think what will shock you the most though is the reaction of the school's vice principal when the film makers show her the footage they have taken of Alex being bullied. There are also the very emotional stories from parents who have lost children to this form of abuse. My only other problem with the film is that I would have liked a bit more analysis of the situation. Perhaps some interviews from psychiatrists or other professionals about the issue and how we can implement steps to stop it.
An excellent documentary that looks at one of the most important issues facing children today. Something that I think many of us can relate to in some way.

On The Road

In 2004 director Walter Salles brought us the brilliant South American road movie 'The Motorcycle Diaries'. He now compliments it with this North American road movie.
I was not familiar with the Jack Kerouac book on which this film is based. From what I have read it is a highly revered novel that redefined a generation. Sadly I do not think the film version will be as highly regarded as the book. As a script writer I understand how this form of writing works and how difficult it can be to convert the form of writing of a novel into a film script. sometimes the conversion is not successful. Many have criticised the film for not capturing the spirit of the book and I tend to agree. I was unsure of the point of the film. Why these young people were the way they were and what they were hoping to achieve by endlessly traveling across America. I understand that they are 'rebelling against the system' but I got the impression that there should have been more to it than that. Walter Salles direction is excellent and the characters do have some interest but because the story has no real purpose, the film can be quite boring. The numerous driving scenes are broken up by visits to some fascinating characters but when the lead characters are not the greatest then you come to care less and less about their journey.
Sam Reilly was excellent as Ian Curtis in the film 'Control', but since then he has not done anything of great note. He is a rather bland character here and only plays a typical writer. Someone who is trailing along in the wake of a more interesting character in the hope of finding material for his book. Garrett Hedlund is excellent as the free spirited Dean. His deep booming voice suits the sweet talking character. Garrett has more to work with and so can sink his teeth into the character better. I think this is one of Kristen Stewart's better roles. I like how she is trying to break away from the stereotype that Hollywood wants to place her in. The film also has some great cameo appearances from a few familiar faces. My favourite was Amy Adams and Viggo Mortensen as a very weird couple.
Fans of the book are probably going to be disappointed with everyone else wondering what the fuss is all about. 

Moonrise Kingdom

This new Wes Anderson film had the honour of being the opening film at the Cannes Film Festival. I was very excited when it appeared at the Sydney Film Festival.
Wes Anderson is a director with a very distinctive style. He is very fond of dolly shots where the camera moves along a track during a scene as a character moves around or from character to character in the one place. His comedy style is a very deadpan one as well. His characters behave in a very uniform way but with funny results. I have long been a fan of his since his first film 'Rushmore'. This film is very much in that style. He also returns to younger characters. Suzy and Sam might be 12 years-old but their minds are much older. The way they escape their adult minders is quite clever and very funny. The film is very self contained to a small island area but does provide many humorous scenes. I can understand how some people might find the characters a bit silly, but that is part of the fun of a Wes Anderson film. There are some pretty wacky characters here but they are really funny, especially the children.
Wes has assembled and excellent ensemble cast for this film. Edward Norton does not do comedy all that often but he certainly has a knack for it. He is very funny as the scout leader who  gets into trouble for letting Sam get away. Bruce Willis is mostly known for his big action films but he can do great performances in smaller films as well. I think this is one of his best. His character feels the most real amongst the wackier ones around him. Frances McDormand is brilliant as always. So is Wes Anderson regular Bill Murray. Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwatzman, Harvey Keitel and Bob Balaban have small but very funny roles. Especially Bob as an hilarious narrator. The real delight though is Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman as the two love birds. Both are brilliant in their roles and handle Wes's deadpan style really well.
This might not be to everyone's taste, but if you like your comedies a little quirkier and different then you should check it out. 

Not Suitable For Children

Australia has not had a good track record with successful romantic comedies. This is not encouraging for someone like me who has written one. However it does not stop people from trying.
For me a good romantic comedy is one where there is a great deal of jeopardy. A good premise where there is a strong chance that the couple in question may not even get together at the end of the film. If they don't then that is even better. Writer Michael Lucas has created a really interesting premise here. A guy who is going to loose his fertility. Normally in these situations it is a woman trying to get pregnant because her biological clock is ticking, so it is refreshing to see a twist on that idea by doing it from a man's perspective. Although in a woman's situation there is a bit more time involved than a few weeks like we have here. With Michael's script director Peter Templeman has made an excellent film. The characters feels very real and so does the situation they are in. The relationships, especially between our lead couple feel real as well with no quirky co-incidences to make them fall in love with each other. They are two friends and one has decided to help the other out. Michael's script is full of many funny scenes as our hero must try to convince a woman to sleep with him to have a baby. My only one minor quibble would be that I'm not sure I fully understood why he was so interested in having a child. I know the finality of the situation means he has to make a quick decision but I would have preferred a bit more of a verbal discussion rather than longing looks at children. The situation does make me wonder how the story would play out if the guy was gay.
I have said before that I admire Ryan Kwanten for coming back to Australia between seasons of 'True Blood' to make movies. This film is not too much of a stretch for Ryan as he is essentially playing an Aussie version of Jason Stackhouse. Here he just doesn't have vampires and other mythical creatures to deal with, so Ryan does an excellent job. His partner here, Sarah Snook is brilliant. She reminds me a lot of Emma Stone, not only in looks but behaviour as well. Sarah is really delightful and brings a realness to her character. Ryan Corr is excellent as the comic relief in the film. He has many funny scenes and is quite good. 

Our reputation for romantic comedies has not been great but this film puts and end to that. I encourage you all to see this if you can.    

Jeff, Who Lives At Home

Another feature of the Sydney Film Festival is to see small independent American films with a cast of famous faces.
I like films that have a nice simple premise with a simple time frame. This is one such film. What is great about this film is that it explores some metaphysical issues and is an hilarious comedy as well. What is most interesting is that this film explores an issue in a better way than the film that it references. While I really like the film 'Signs' I think this film explores destiny and things happening by chance in a more entertaining way. Granted script writers can manipulate events to fit their premise, but Jay and Mark Duplass have done it in a way that does not feel manipulative. They have created some great characters that you come to care about them a lot and what they go through. 
Jason Segal seems to be a very busy guy. Not only has he written and starred in both 'The Muppets' and 'The Five-Year Engagement' but he's managed to fit in a starring role in this film as well. This is the type of character that he plays really well, the slacker. I have not always liked Jason's movies but I really liked this one and I thought his performance was hilarious. The way he is able to talk people into following him on his quest is amazing. As his side kick Ed Helms is very funny as well. Here he is playing a bit of an unlikable character but you still find him funny and get a little bit of sympathy from him. I really liked Susan Sarandon in this film. She has a really sweet character to play and is very funny as well. I think hit is her best performance in a long time. Judy Greer is one of those supporting actresses whose small role can have a big impact. She does that here and is still wonderful as always.

While there is some low brow humour this is still a very clever and importantly a funny comedy. It not only makes you laugh but makes you think as well. 

Mabo

Occasionally the Sydney Film Festival will play a film that is primarily a TV movie. This year I had the honour of attending the premiere of a film about an Australian who played a significant part in our history.
In 1992 Torres Strait Islander Eddie Mabo took the Australian government to the High Court to challenge the notion of terra nullius. This was a notion established by the British when they settled in Australia, where they did not acknowledge any previous claim to the land by the  Aboriginal people. I remember when the decision was brought down by the High Court the mass panic that went through the country as everyone was afraid they would be evicted from their homes. I was sadly ignorant of the full story behind the decision and the man who brought it about.
While this is a brilliant film and writer Sue Smith and director Rachel Perkins have done an excellent job, plus with no disrespect to the ABC, I felt that this film needed to have been screened in cinemas. I felt the story was important enough and of such significance that it needs to be seen on the big screen. I was lucky enough to have this opportunity and it was a wonderful experience.
Aside from that small problem, what I liked most about the film was the way that it was very open and honest about Eddie's life. For someone who spearheaded a significant moment in history, the film does not depict him in a very favourable light. I admire Sue and Rachel for giving us the full truth behind his life. There is the tendency in some films to make the subject matter seem better than they really are. Eddie can sometimes be arrogant and quick to anger. Something we get to see a bit of. But what makes this film great is the love story. Eddie and his relationship to his wife Bonita is so lovely and gives the film its emotional thread. The legal proceedings are also dealt with in easy to understand terms which I really appreciated. 
Jimi Bani is perfect at Eddie Mabo. Jimi is able to take us through the wide range of emotions that Eddie goes through in this amazing journey. Eddie's life is one filled with many moments of pain and anguish which Jimi is able to bring out so wonderfully. Equally as brilliant in her performance is Deborah Mailman. Bonita needs to be a tough minded woman to put up with the changing moods of Eddie and Deborah is wonderful at doing that. She is also able to bring out Bonita's softer side for the more romantic plot of the story. This emotional element is what makes the film so great. There are also some familiar faces in smaller roles which help make the film a great experience.
If you missed the film when it recently screened on television then I encourage you to rent the film on DVD. It is an important part of Australian history that should be seen by all. 

Play It Like Godard

The Sydney Film Festival also lets you see foreign films that may not get a cinema release. As I fan of the mockumentary format I was really looking forward to this one.
Many of you may not of heard of the child prodigy Jean-Christophe Kern (JC), he is a film making genius who has won many prestigious film making awards like the Cesar (the French Oscars) and the Palm D'Or at Canne by the time he was 17 years-old. This documentary follows JC for a few days as he deals with some problems in his life and trying to make his new film.
I've always found the mockumentary format an excellent way to create some great comedy. French writer/director Jonathan Zaccai uses it to great effect here. What I liked most about this film was that Jonathan is doing a really nice parody of the child prodigy documentary. Most of this style of film are about kids who can sing or play instruments brilliantly. We rarely get to see kids who are highly regarded film makers or even directors. JC behaves much like you would expect a film maker of his reputation to behave, with a great deal of arrogance. This provides the film with much of its humour. I found the story similar to that of the film/musical 'Nine' just without the music. That is not a bad thing but just interesting that film makers and the way they behave are much the same. The subject of JC's new film is also something that makes the film very funny. The only problem I have is that we do not see any of JC's work. I can understand in some ways why Zaccai has chosen not to show it, but I think it could have provided a few more laughs. Make sure you hang around for a very funny sequence over the end credits. 
Vincent Lacoste is excellent as the young film director. He has that nice nerdy quality that makes JC very charming. Elodie Hesme and Eric de Montalier are very good as JC's very understanding parents. They seem to accept his celebrity very well. Ella Waldmann is really delightful as JC's girlfriend. The rest of the cast look like they are having a great deal of fun and getting into the spirit of the film.
Most highly regarded film directors are older people who have had a long and distinguished career. So to take a young man who is considered a brilliant director at such a young age is an excellent premise for a film. 

Prometheus

In 1979 Ridley Scott directed the classic sci-fi horror film 'Alien'. Over the years several sequels have been made to varying degrees of success. Ridley has been bought back to reinvigorate the series with this prequel.
Expectations can be a huge problem when making a film. This is especially true of films that are part of a series. I think the antithesis of this was the 'Star Wars' series. Episodes 4-6 were so highly revered that when George Lucas made Episodes 1-3 and they did not meet the high expectations that the fans had and so they were highly derided. I tend to think that the problem is time. Give people enough time to love something and they will come to love it so much that nothing else will come close. That is one of the problems with this film.
I found it interesting that when 'Prometheus' was in production Ridley was trying to distance the film from being associated with the 'Alien' series. I thought that might have been a legal issue so that they would not have to pay Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett, the writers of 'Alien' for use of their characters. Now I think it was done to try and lessen the impact of the high expectations people had. We have had some really bad 'Alien' films recently, especially the cross over films with Predator, that people were hoping for something spectacular. I don't think that anything Ridley made was going to live up to the hype. I also liked the many references that were made to other 'Alien' films. I'm not sure if they were deliberate but I had fun spotting them.
I really liked 'Prometheus' but it is not without its problems. Visually the film is stunning. I saw it at an Imax cinema and it looks spectacular on the huge screen. Ridley has also managed to make good use of the 3D with the extra dimension. Ridley also manages to keep the film incredibly tense. We are constantly on the edge of our seats waiting for the alien to arrive. In some respects that can be a bad thing because it takes so long to arrive but I did not mind that. 
I think the plot and some of the themes and issues that it raises is also one of the films stronger aspects. But there are some details which are left out, I assume because they are going to be explored in later films. Others have criticised the lack of character development and I tend to agree. Charlie Holloway is one of the leads but I think his motivation for being on the mission is not fully developed. Unlike his partner Elizabeth Shaw who we know is there for religious reasons.
Ridley has assembled an excellent cast. Noomi Rapace has certainly distanced herself from Lisbeth Salander the character that made her famous. I admire her for taking on such diverse roles. I thought she was excellent here and makes a very convincing lead. Logan Marshall-Green is not very good as her partner. It is probably the character but he does not come across as all that interesting. Charlize Theron is excellent as always as the cold-hearted bitch. It suits her here because of the corporate role her character has. I did not realise until towards the end of the film who Guy Pearce was playing that is how good his make-up is. His performance is excellent as well. The best performance in the film is by Michael Fassbender. I think his character is the one the writers loved the most as his seems to be the most developed. Michael's deadpan delivery is brilliant and he gives a nice menacing touch to make him seem more creepy.
Perhaps if you forget that the film is associated with the 'Alien' films then you should enjoy it. You just need to lower your expectations. 

Harold's Going Stiff

Each year at the Sydney Film Festival they have a section of horror films and I make it a point to check at least one of them out. Most of the time they are films which go straight to DVD so it is a great chance to see them on the big screen.
The zombie film is one which has been made so many times that there does not seem to be anything new that can be done. Usually the plot involves a group of survivors from some viral apocalypse who are trying to out run the living dead. So it is very refreshing to see one that takes a bit of a unique spin on it. 
In a north English town a new disease called Onset Riggers Disease (ORD) has broken out. It strikes males only and causes them to become rigid and unable to move. It eventually develops into a zombie like condition. There is a group of guys who roam the countryside killing the worst cases. Meanwhile Harold is a sufferer but his condition is slow in developing so he is being used to hopefully find a cure. 
The film is made in the style of a documentary which helps to set it apart from most other films about zombies. It is because of this that tone is less horror and more character based. The story focuses on Harold and his relationship with a home care nurse who helps him cope with the disease. This is a really sweet natured story and the one of the film's stronger points. Writer/director Keith Wright uses the zombie disease in a more realistic way. Most of the time it is a viral outbreak or a science experiment gone wrong. That is if they even mention how the zombies came about. Keith has made you feel that this could really happen to people. The only problem is that he has put too many constraints on that idea. It only happens to men and seems to only be happening in this local area. It would have been better is the disease affected women too and cases were found in other places. 
As a way of including more horror, Keith has added in a group of guys who provide much of the film's humour. The other refreshing aspect is that there is very little violence. The guys are killing zombies but they don't have very many victims. That is not a bad thing either, but if you like a lot of blood and guts in your zombie films then this may not be for you. 
Stan Rowe gives an excellent performance in the title role. I assume it would be hard to act this role physically with all the stiffness involved. His performance is very emotional too as you come to care for Harold over the coarse of the film. Sarah Spencer as his home care nurse is equally as good. Their relationship feels very real and provides many emotional moments. Andy Pandini, Richard Harrison and Lee Thompson make an excellent group of vigilantes. Richard is particularly funny as the groups new recruit who must go through a hazing process.
A new spin on the zombie genre that takes it in a new direction. Those looking for something more violent will be disappointed but if you can handle a more emotional journey then you will be greatly rewarded.

Woody Allen: A Documentary

This time of year would have to be one of my favourites. It is Sydney Film Festival time. Each year I buy myself a 10 pack of tickets and choose 10 films to see. It can be rather difficult to go through the program and only have to choose 10 films. There is always the worry about whether I have chosen the right films. But not all can be winners and that is part of the fun.
Regular readers will know that I am a huge fan of Woody Allen. So I was really excited to choose as my first film a documentary about one of my favourite writer/director/actors. I think that as I grow older I have come to appreciate some of the more classic films and film makers. A couple of years ago I got to see some of Woody's earlier films on the big screen and it was an amazing experience. I had been a fan of his before this but my love deepened by having seen some of his earlier work. What I love most about Woody is his determination. He makes a film each year and on his own terms. Companies give him money to go away and make a movie without any interference. It is because he can make it within budget and that they make some profit that he can continue making so many films. 
I learned a great deal from this film about Woody and how he makes his movies. As a writer myself I love to find out how writers get their ideas and how they actually write. In this film we find out that Woody has been using the same typewriter almost all his life, which I found interesting. And the most interesting thing is how he 'copies and pastes' without the use of a computer. There is also the huge stack of paper he has with ideas that he goes through to help develop his films. 
One other aspect that makes me appreciate him is his ability to make such a wide variety of films. His career began with wacky, farce like films with lots of visual comedy. He then moved into more verbal comedy before making drama. Something that stunned lots of his fans. Despite that he managed to become hugely successful. His approach can bee seen as a little scatter shot as he has had many misses but he has also had many hits as we have seen with his most profitable film being released last year 'Midnight In Paris'. There is also his ability to create so many wonderful female role. Lots of actresses that have been awarded for their work in his films.
My favourite Woody Allen film is probably everyone elses favourite, 'Annie Hall'. It is a brilliantly written romantic comedy. I am also a fan of 'Manhattan' and 'Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex (But Were Afraid To Ask)'.
This was originally a TV series that was cut down for a theatrical release. I really look forward to getting the full film on DVD and learning about one of my favourite film makers.  

Men In Black 3

Hollywood can be a funny place. Despite a less than successful sequel, Sony decided to go ahead with a second sequel in the their 'Men In Black' franchise.

I read quite a lot of movie news and the 'Men In Black' films are an interesting story. There was a hugely successful first film and then an inevitable sequel was announced. However it was reported that the sequel may not go ahead because the cost would be too much. No doubt because the talent involved asked for more money. Despite that they managed to make the finances work and a sequel was made. It was not as well received as the first film. Even so a third film has been made. And if all the gossip about this film is to be believed, it is amazing it got to the screens.

Despite all that Barry Sonnenfeld and his team have managed to make an excellent action adventure film. The plot is much like the first two film and is identical to the first with the addition of time travel. The villains in both films are even very similar. But that doesn't matter because it is a fun film. There are not as many jokes as you might expect but there is a general light tone which more than makes up for it. I was very surprised at a very emotional sub-plot which ties the series of films up nicely.

Will Smith is definitely a very charismatic actor. He has been off screens for a while now and seems to be returning for a lot of sequels. He does not seem to be showing his full potential here. He is charming as usual and has some funny lines but not very many. Tommy Lee Jones, due to the film's plot, does not appear very much but is his usual deadpan self. Most of his role is taken by the excellent Josh Brolin. His uncanny ability to mimic Tommy Lee is wonderful. Jermaine Clement makes an excellent villain. He makes his character very menacing despite having a mouth full of teeth. I thought Emma Thompson has a nice small role. The best thing in the film for me is Michael Stuhlbarg. He is such a delightful character and Michael makes him so cute.

After the less than successful sequel and many behind the scenes problems with the script. Barry Sonnenfeld has managed to make a solid film. You should get heaps of fun out of it.

The Way

Films are not only artistic and entertaining but they can be educational as well. I was not aware of the 'El camino de Santiago' before seeing this film. 
The Way of Saint James is an amazing journey and one which I could not imagine myself taking. It is certainly one long walk. Emilio Estevez is another one of those film makers who had a big career in front of the camera but has now found a second wind behind the camera. Emilio has turned into a great director making some excellent films. His last film 'Bobby' was an ensemble film about a big event. This is something smaller and more personal. The story is full of cliches and is fairly predictable but Emilio makes it seem fun. It is also very episodic with a series of funny scenes as Tom arrives in a town. But that does not matter. The characters he has surrounded his lead with are really interesting so make up for the blandness. That is not a bad thing as you know our hero, Tom, is going through a tough journey having lost his son. So you need these supporting characters to lighten things up.
While I have liked Martin Sheen for a while it was not until the TV series 'The West Wing' that I became a big fan. He plays a fairly cliched character here,the grumpy old man who goes on a journey to get reacquainted with his son. But you do come to care for the journey he is going on so it becomes more emotional. Despite looking like she has had some work done, Deborah Kara Unger makes a nice grumpy woman. Yorick Van Wageningen provides much of the films comedy and does a good job. James Nesbitt makes a nice annoying character that all these journey films seem to need. Even the cameo appearances as by Emilio as Tom's son give the film a little bit more emotional impact.
An excellent journey movie with lots of emotion. You may even learn about a part of the world you were not previously aware of.

Bel Ami

When I first heard that there was going to be a film made about Bel Ami I got very excited. There was a little bit of disappointment when I found out it was going to be based on the novel by Guy De Maupassant.
I sometimes like to read the book a film is based on before I go see it. It gives me the chance to read some classics I may not have looked at. I found the plot of this book to be interesting but not terribly great. What I found interesting is how the social mores of the time the story is set, are used to great effect by the lead character. Georges Duroy is able to manipulate society and the people around him to gain his fortune. It is what I liked about the film too. Georges is not a very nice guy and the way he treats the women around him is horrible. But that is what I liked. So many protagonists are meant to be liked and respected but not Georges. I realise that we should like them because we need to care about their story so it refreshing to see someone who you come to despise. I also liked the modern parallels you can make to some people in modern society who sleep their way to the top. I also liked how it ended.
I have the feeling that Robert Pattinson was chosen to be in this film for his good looks and name recognition and not his acting ability. The character of Georges needs to be charming but it is something that Robert does not seem to be able to pull of here. He is just brooding, which might work in the sense he needs to be nasty but not when he is trying to seduce woman. You wonder what they see in him. Uma Thurman is excellent as the woman who uses Georges much like he uses her. Kristen Scott Thomas has been playing domineering characters lately so it is nice to see her playing someone who is a bit more submissive. It was nice to see Colm Meaney again too. The best though is Christina Ricci. Her performance is nicely subtle and very sweet.
The unconventional story is what makes this a good film. Robert Pattinson is probably miscast but   it is still worth seeing.

Delicacy

Romantic films have not been all that great lately so it is finally good to see a great one. What makes this a more interesting film is that the central relationship is unconventional.
I have come to prefer romantic stories that are a little bit more unconventional. Stories where there is a chance that the couple may not end up together at the end. What I liked about this film is that while there is a romantic element to it, the story is more about a friendship. Natalie is still grieving over the death of her husband and meets Markus at work. It is his average looks that I think makes her attracted to him. He is not a guy that is trying to get into bed with her. So while they go on 'dates' I think that she is looking more for a friendship. That maybe how it starts but it does develop into something more. There is some humour in it but I would call this more of a dramedy. A light-hearted drama. 
Audrey Tautou is her delightful self once again. She is not terribly emotive but it works for the character that she is playing. Francois Damiens is wonderful is the very nerdy Markus. His performance feels very real and true.
Another great French romance. Proving that Hollywood's film are being far too glossy and predictable.