Hereafter Reviews

The Lost Thing (2010)

A masterpiece found: "The Lost Thing"

[6 February 2011]

The lost thing rises as a breath of fresh air against an ever rising tide of wise cracking or sickly cute fur balls and violent comic animation fueled by the American market. At around 15 minutes in length "The lost thing" had a production time line sprawled over nearly ten years with the bulk of work done over three years. The required creative control in adapting and complementing a very popular book have clearly been kept in check buy the directorial hand of the original illustrator and author Shaun Tan and very small production team principally Leo Baker, the main animator and computer graphics artist Tom Bryant.

It is a simple story which reflects on human natures diminishing observation and appreciation of a world out side the day to day pathway we are all forced to travel by both greater authority and selfish ambition. Childlike observations laced with surrealistic circumstance create the distinctly dream like world of "The Lost Thing"

"The lost thing" is short but so visually rich with Shaun Tans remarkable eye for detail it feels complete and invites repeated viewing. If your a little over street wise dudes with stand up comic sarcasm, over blown CGI action coupled with misfiring plots take a medicinal shot of "The Lost Thing". You can not go wrong.

Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue (2010 Video)

Finally, a children's film that is worth seeing.

[8/10 · 15 August 2010]

Out of the hundreds of films and shows my four year old daughter has seen there are very few that I would confidently recommend as perfect for a little girl. "Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue" is one of these. Totally inoffensive and absolutely stunning production qualities make this one of the most pleasant films I have seen for children for many, many years. I am totally lost why this little visual masterpiece has had such little promotion. I recently saw a mother take a group of little girls to see Tim Burton's Alice in Wonder land and it was disturbing to see so many of them upset by the film. How was the mother to know that this PG rated version of a traditional children's story was going to be that far off the mark for the girls to enjoy.

Maybe the title "Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue" makes it sound a little trite and lame but the actual film is totally beguiling and charming.

World Safari (1977)

Fantastic journey lost to time

[30 July 2009]

Not a comment or message in site, but back in the late 70's this no budget randomly planned adventure odyssey that straddled most of the globe captured the attention of an entire nation. Alby Mangels was shot to a celebrity status and was in the public eye for the next decade or so.

"World Safari The Adventure of a Lifetime Volume 01", was a magic blend of naive film making and accessibility mixed with just the right amount of corny humour to push it outside the typical travel log funded by some faceless educational body.

Memorable moments are a stop on the deserted Palmyra Atoll where the ghostly remains of a once massive WWII American military base are fossiced though and salvaged. With remarkable resourcefulness, engines and vehicles are brought back to life and actually used as transport during a stay on the island that lasted for months.

Then there was the endearing feather weight DAF panel van with a rubber band drive train that seemed to be unstoppable in the face of some of the roughest and dangerous parts that Africa had on offer.

His numerous escapades and television shows to follow where ultimately pale echos of this first documentary and public interest wained. The Alby Mangels/World Safari myth dissolved away with disputed claims of animal cruelty, deceptive documentary making and law suites.

Regardless, The drama and story of World safari is as engaging today as when first released and it may be fair to say that such a journey could never be made again. In all of human history there appears to be only a small window of time where travelling the globe was relatively easy for average man. This window opened after the industrial boom following WWII in the late fifty's where appropriate, affordable traveling infrastructure was in place and there was enough political stability to cross international boundaries with a minimum of fuss. The window began closing in the eighties with the height of the cold war combined with the escalating cost and red tape of traveling. Aggravating the mix further is an ever tightening of security due to illegal trades and growing international terrorism. While globalisation and high speed communication is making the world smaller everday, physically getting around it appears to be getting harder to do. The World Safari journey, like other journeys of the period, appears to be a product of its time, the significant thing about Alby Mangel's adventure was a decision to film and record it.

Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman's "long way round" travel series gives a very good insite into the vast logistics and cost of conducting what was was ultimately a much simpler journey in contemporary times.

World Safari's low budget charm is possibly also it's curse, the production qualities and obvious post synchronization make this film from the late 70's film look like its from the 1950's. This may have damaged the chances of it ever being broadcast widely, and appreciated, again.

Walk the Talk (2000)

dinomyte!

[7/10 · 11 November 2007]

Shirley Barrett has a way of hooking into personality quirks and waving them about shamelessly on a silver screen to brilliant effect. Walk the talk is no exception. Consistently amusing and occasionally, absolutely hilarious. The "dinomyte, sorry, "dynamite" scene has to be one of the most beautifully setup, laugh out loud hilarious sequences I have seen in many years. Walk the talk is ultimately an insightful and oddly sensitive look at the ground dwellers of the entertainment industry, people desperate and aching for that big break but are doomed to mediocrity.

Maybe because Salvatore Coco's character, the affectionately annoying Joey Grasso was so strong and omnipresent throughout the story that it made the experience less rich than Shirley Barrett's first feature 'Love Serenade', but Walk the Talk is well worth seeing and has the director's signature plot diversions and observations that make it art.

And hey, for those of you that have seen it, Joey Grasso has not given up yet- www.nikkibennett.com :)

7 out of 10

One Got Fat (1963)

We're not in Kansas anymore Toto

[1 December 2004]

We'An early 60's documentary on bicycle road safety. This god forsaken nightmare has me reeling, There is no were to grasp, no safety nets. What is happening here? Trigby Phipps? Mossby Pomegranate? I can't help but feel an occasional undertone of apocalyptic human devastation manifest throughout the narrative, a hidden message about our doomed civilization. You may need some heavy duty counseling after sitting through this. ... a sensation. Dam! I need three more lines so that the IMDb accepts this review and I don't know what to write. Maybe if I just rattle on for just a few more words than that should just about be all the lines I need then I can have a hot chocolate and go to bed. There, all done :)

Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tale (1986)

This old girl has not aged well at all.

[3/10 · 1 December 2004]

Beautifully drawn but Clunky, economical animation and an abysmal home made soundtrack, Its most damming mistake was to almost completely ignore the subtle and endearing humor of the original comic strip. The story was at its best when it was more true to its origins. There was just way to much noise,action, fight and chase sequences. Not to mention the most annoying helicopter ever animated. Another sore note is the under use of Dave Dobins "Slice of heaven". A missed opportunity considering what a great song it is.

In context and at the time it was released it was popular and its seemed New Zealand was saying to the rest of the world, "watch this space" 3/10

Finding Joy (2002)

Charming but naive film making.

[7/10 · 1 December 2004]

I felt a bit uncomfortable to start with, it felt like a home movie or student film, but it eventually found its mark and delivered heart and soul in buckets. The cast assembled are, aging, imperfect but ultimately endearing as they fall through lives that echo reality unlike the superficial garb spewed out of Hollywood everyday.

A lot of color and texture in this film giving it a rich feel that is further enhanced by a tasteful blend of folk and contemporary music. The intangible, loving relationship humans can have with dogs is wonderfully explored here. Whilst the human relationships in the film are pitted with conflicts and upheavals, Raffi the blue healer cross is always a faithful companion to who ever needs him. A great tribute to the unconditional love measured out by dogs and illustrates how they can shape and influence human lives.

See this film, it does make mistakes and feels a little off key at times but the bigger picture is a very charming one that will stay with you. 8/10

Panic Room (2002)

High grade effluent

[22 April 2003]

The most interesting thing about this film is watching its production values decay. It starts off well enough with some classy acting and clever cinematics, however about quarter way into this film it comes apart, its obvious no one cares anymore about this film and the whole apparatus nose dives into mindless cliches and overacting. Where are those classy cinematic now? The parallels with "home alone' are just to numerous for this waste of time to be described as suspenseful. Jodie Foster should not have stooped this low (literally). Personally I hoped the gas burn would take out the bad guys, the mum, the girl as well as the production crew to stop them making making this stupefying film.

When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? (1979)

Slowly draws you in, then pays out.

[9/10 · 22 April 2003]

You need some patients to appreciate the masterful little film. Its stage play heritage has it heavy in dialogue and connecting with all of the characters in the early stages of the film is important. It is in fact the key to understanding why this film was made as we will soon witness how our new acquaintances hold or fold under a relentless physiological assault measured out by an unpredictable nemesis.

The start of film is bruding rather than slow, however when the menacing 'Teddy' joins the others that have come to be together in a lonely diner the naked humanity of all is brutally exposed as Teddy systematically terrorizes them all with condescending mind games and humiliation. The surreal climax and resolution package a very watchable film. If nothing else Marjoe Gortner's applied and brilliant portrayal of 'Teddy' is a must see for anyone interested in strong character studies.

A classic piece of much overlooked American cinema.

The Majestic (2001)

Overly long try hard movie

[3/10 · 21 February 2003]

After a clever opening scene the film unfortunately becomes mockery of itself.It lacks believability and substance to be taken seriously and is to pinned down with reality to be a light hearted tale. The film is vexed with such a catalogue of absurdities and hollywoodisms that it becomes easy to disconnect fairly early in the film, it however goes on and on and the protracted courtroom farce becomes a punishing grind. I really felt let down by this film, the trailer looked so promising.

3/10

Love Serenade (1996)

Worthy of cult status.

[10/10 · 21 February 2003]

Overshadowed during its release by the tragic death of a stuntman Collin Dragsbaek during production, Love Serenade rises as a refreshing, observation rich film about despairing souls that happen to come together in "Sunray" a fictional country town. A town like so many real ones in Australia that manage to have a forlorn charm that shines through isolation and solitude. Love Serenade manages to sensitively capture this intangible quality to cradle its story within.

The title "Love Serenade' may have done some damage to its success as it could to easily have pigeoned holed it as a emotion saturated "chick flick". Ironically, once you know the film the title is perfect.

Essentially the film seems to be about the seductive power of persona fueled by the material mediums associated with it, in this case it's a 40 something DJ and his melodic 70's playlist. Within this entrapment all is normal and comfortable with the victim, but for the observer, in this case us the viewer, there are alarm bells and sirens going off everywhere.

DJ Ken Sherry represents what the mass media machine eventually spits out, burnt out celebrity that have been superseded by a new stock. To unfashionable to be seriously employed and to active to be retired these cast offs gravitate to anywhere that still attaches notions of greatness to there foundering media statue. George Shevtsov slips into the roll of the sleazy veteran DJ like a duck to water. His astonishing performance manages to contrive a personality that can only be described as revoltingly charming. Drawing on a a wealth of DJ streetwise experience "Ken Sherry" has an an opportunistic toy about with the misguided adoration of two local sisters. The resulting personality confrontations and moral diversities therein carries the film to its daring strange then stranger end.

Brilliantly written and directed by Shirley Barrett 'Love Serenade' is a great example of one persons vision being crafted and produced by a competent team that have taken on a singular vision. Its curious "fish" diversions and irratic surreal moments will have a large audience drop off, leaving a faithful few that will love it forever.

10/10

Sorcerer (1977)

Typhoid and Dengue Fever inoculations a must.

[10/10 · 21 February 2003]

At a time when the theatre audience was reeling from Starwars, there was a lust for fantasy flicks fueled by a new generation of special effects. Along comes a film called 'Sorcerer' A title promising something that just may eclipse William Friedkin's 1973 effort 'The exorcist'. What was delivered was a very gritty, sweaty film about guys driving trucks brute force through exotic jungles of South America. The stories a throw back to early 70's road (action) films that had an inherent dependence on good story telling.

It's shot on a massive scale and drags you through some of the most godforsaken hell holes on the planet. It's presentation is realist and confronting with nothing being over or under done.There seems to be plot holes and entire sequences appear to be missing, however this film is a rough ride and the jerky narrative is spot on.

The scene were Scanlon dances with the girl is much discussed. My slant on it would be that Scanlon is so utterly disillusioned with his grotty rat like existence his grasps the moment and the music to revisit humanity, a device that may just save his sanity from tipping over.

For anybody who's had their fill of CGI abused film making this picture is ready to be discovered. Perfect movie making.

10/10

Eraserhead (1977)

Not your regular chicken.

[9/10 · 21 February 2003]

A very slow, dark film that some how manages to float about in a vacuum of intense foreboding. Sitting some where between film noir, surrealism and an unforgettable nightmare this would have to be one of the most strangest films ever to crawl over the silver screen.The genius of David Lynch manages to repeatedly slip this incarnation proudly above the perception of its audience, promoting opinions and discussion that would ultimately propel Lynch's name into master director status. A film you will love or hate depending on how much you enjoy having you comprehension toyed about with.

9/10

The Last Picture Show (1971)

Great American cinema.

[10/10 · 21 February 2003]

I first saw this film when I was about 13 or 14 and at that age was deeply moved. It was an introduction to real cinema that tabled more than simple entertainment,It was an intrusion into another humanity, A portrait of a arid and lonely small town and the people who scratch out an existence from it. Magnificently cast and beautifully photographed, the last picture show is a very human, hunting experience. But like good wine it is very much an acquired taste.

10/10

The Sum of Us (1994)

Charming, heart felt stuff

[15 February 2003]

If you don't catch on early just go do something else, this film has a warm glow from frame one and never misses a beat. Jack Thomson captivating performance as the father of a gay son is a joy to watch as he manages the various personalities and relationships that crop up in the film. It's rather unique 'speak to the camera' device used by the father was a little off putting at first, It felt like a cinematic taboo or excuse to speed up the narrative, however I warmed to it and may have eventually helped embody 'The sum of us' with a distinctive sense of fun and honesty.It mildly suffers from its stage play heritage with a few scenes even looking like theatrical sets however the bigger picture is very well produced.

8/10

Walkabout (1971)

ethereal, unforgettable journey

[10/10 · 15 February 2003]

(possible spoilers) A sister and brother lost in a desert come across an aboriginal boy on his 'walkabout' The storyline style transverses somewhere between bitter realist and twisted fairytale as it poetically explores complex themes of racial intergration and awakening sexuality. The small but brutal roll of John Meillon as the father is both disturbing and shocking as we see a man pushed to the very edge of his own morality and humanity. This astonishing early sequence spoon feeds no one with easy explanation or intent and will always remain brave cinema, One of my favorite films that every few years I am drawn to view again and never fail to be captivated by its ambiguous charm.

10/10