10 Australian films
by Greysfan24 | created - 13 Sep 2014 | updated - 13 Sep 2014 | PublicHere are some excellent examples of great Australian cinema. From the eerie 'Beautiful Kate' to bombs in 'Beneath Hill 60' - this is a diverse list of must-see titles.
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1. The Black Balloon (2008)
PG-13 | 97 min | Drama, Romance
All Thomas wants is a normal adolescence but his autistic brother, Charlie, thwarts his every opportunity. Will Thomas, with the help of his girlfriend, Jackie, accept his brother?
Director: Elissa Down | Stars: Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Toni Collette, Erik Thomson
Votes: 9,233 | Gross: $0.09M
This film has it all. Whilst at times a very humorous movie, it is also a poignant and stark look at the lives of a family living with autism. The performance of Luke Ford is mind-blowing.
2. Muriel's Wedding (1994)
R | 106 min | Comedy, Drama
A young social outcast in Australia steals money from her parents to finance a vacation where she hopes to find happiness, and perhaps love.
Director: P.J. Hogan | Stars: Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths, Bill Hunter, Sophie Lee
Votes: 41,738 | Gross: $15.19M
This movie is a landmark of Australian cinema. Funny and moving, it documents the life of Abba obsessed Muriel and her quest for holy matrimony. Hilarious.
3. Beneath Hill 60 (2010)
R | 122 min | Drama, History, War
In 1916, the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company is tunneling beneath German fortifications and bunkers to detonate massive explosive charges.
Director: Jeremy Sims | Stars: Brendan Cowell, Harrison Gilbertson, Steve Le Marquand, Gyton Grantley
Votes: 8,809
A fascinating look at a little known event of WWII (well, I knew nothing of it, anyway) with a stellar cast and excellent sets/effects.
4. Beautiful Kate (2009)
R | 100 min | Drama, Mystery
A writer reawakens his childhood trauma from the past when he returns home, at the request of his estranged sister, to grieve their father's impending death.
Director: Rachel Ward | Stars: Ben Mendelsohn, Sophie Lowe, Maeve Dermody, Rachel Griffiths
Votes: 4,089
Watch this one with an open mind.
5. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
R | 104 min | Comedy, Music
Two drag performers and a transgender woman travel across the desert to perform their unique style of cabaret.
Director: Stephan Elliott | Stars: Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce, Terence Stamp, Rebel Penfold-Russell
Votes: 55,110 | Gross: $11.22M
Guy Pearce and Hugo weaving outdo themselves in this quirky, funny film.
6. The Castle (1997)
R | 85 min | Comedy, Drama
A working-class family from Melbourne, Australia fights city hall after being told they must vacate their beloved family home to allow for infrastructural expansion.
Director: Rob Sitch | Stars: Michael Caton, Anne Tenney, Stephen Curry, Anthony Simcoe
Votes: 17,493 | Gross: $0.86M
A classic.
7. The Dish (2000)
PG-13 | 101 min | Comedy, Drama, History
A remote Australian community, populated by quirky characters, plays a key role in the first Apollo moon landing.
Director: Rob Sitch | Stars: Sam Neill, Billy Mitchell, Roz Hammond, Christopher-Robin Street
Votes: 17,101 | Gross: $2.25M
The Apollo moon landing from an entirely new and different viewpoint. Sam Neill excels.
8. Looking for Alibrandi (2000)
103 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
At seventeen Josie Alibrandi is about to enter her final year as a scholarship student at an exclusive Catholic College. It's the year her life is turned upside down and changed forever.
Director: Kate Woods | Stars: Greta Scacchi, Anthony LaPaglia, Elena Cotta, Kerry Walker
Votes: 3,591
I love Melina Marchetta and this adaptation of her novel is well worthy of praise. Kick Gurry, now not so unfamiliar a face, is great in this along with the rest of the cast.
9. Black Water (2007)
R | 90 min | Adventure, Drama, Horror
A boat tour of a mangrove swamp turns into a fight for survival when a group of people are attacked by a ferocious saltwater crocodile.
Directors: David Nerlich, Andrew Traucki | Stars: Diana Glenn, Maeve Dermody, Andy Rodoreda, Ben Oxenbould
Votes: 16,039
Terrifying story of a group of Aussies who wind up stranded in the mangroves.... Absolutely bone chilling.
10. The Sapphires (2012)
PG-13 | 103 min | Biography, Comedy, Drama
In 1968, four talented young Australian Aboriginal girls learn about love, friendship, and war when their all-girl group The Sapphires entertains the US troops in Vietnam.
Director: Wayne Blair | Stars: Chris O'Dowd, Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens
Votes: 15,175 | Gross: $2.45M
Pleasantly surprised by this one
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