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Reviews
Gallipoli (1981)
Still amazing 40 + years on.
Straight off the bat, this is an amazing film. Why? Well, that's a little bit harder to put into words! It's the emotional connection that you get with film. It's a film so profound in its storytelling that it ends up shaping who you are some 40 + years later. The empathy that you feel for a couple of teenagers, both whom are great athletes, who get caught up in WW1 stays with you forever. The waste, the ridiculousness... the futility of war.
So what makes this so good? So many things. The cinematography. Incredible shots of both the Australian outback and depictions of Turkey (filmed in Egypt). The Australian film industry has always been underrated but coming up with a film that looks this good in 1981 surprised many.
Then there's the amazing acting. Mark Lee steals the show which is incredible given the time he spends with a budding Hollywood superstar, Mel Gibson. That's not to dismiss Gibson's role which is superb. More street-smart and less trusting than Lee's character but still brilliant. Then there's Bill Kerr and the ubiquitous Bill Hunter. Plus a special mention to David Argue who plays Snowy.
The direction of the film is also a highlight, but that shouldn't be a surprise with Peter Weir probably Australia's greatest film maker.
Then there's the music which is at times haunting. I'm no fan of classical music, but it is used to brilliant effect, especially in the final scenes.
The script is uniquely Australian and while many references will be lost on some audiences outside of Australia, it's another reason why this film is so different. It's written purely from an Australian perspective, the perspective of a faraway war, with faraway motives and faraway politics. It's not a history of the Gallipoli campaign and doesn't have to be. More attention is given to that vague 'Aussie' concept of mateship and what it means. The screenplay is by David Williamson and the story by Weir. That so many people are able to recite the routine that Archy and Jack use before a race and later by Archy in the trenches is a credit to the writing.
And finally, what an epic end to the movie. One of the most memorable and emotional in film history. That final blowing of that tubular police whistle brings me to tears every time. This film should stay with you for a very, very long time.
Moonage Daydream (2022)
Waste of great footage
Firstly, this review shouldn't reflect on the artist depicted in the film, the incredible David Bowie.
The problem with this film is the direction and storyline.
In short, the film is made up of hundreds and hundreds of jump cuts that after 15 minutes become tedious and incredibly annoying... an attack on the senses but not in a good way. There is no context provided by the filmmaker to the interview extracts that make up the body of this film. There's also an absence of storytelling, so much so that it feels like the film is tied together by what seems to be a first year film student who had too much footage to know what to do with.
The saving grace is there is a decent amount of music, but each song can't be enjoyed properly because they are accompanied by a series of psychedelic images that are scattergunned all over the screen, or spoken word interviews played during the song. I want to hear one or the other, not both simultaneously!
Another annoyance is the use of repeat images. If you don't have enough original images don't make a two and a half hour film! Get busy in the editing room!
This film is a mess, a confused mish mash of archival footage slung together with no overarching purpose or storyline.
By missing large chunks of his career, the chronological direction this film takes also fails. Bowie, as we know didn't burst onto the scene. He recorded many non-selling albums before eventually cracking the big time. Without this context you can't imply that he is some sort of creative genius.
One of the most pleasing things was being able to see his incredible artwork. I'm not sure this has been previously available. But again, many paintings were crammed into jump shots and the viewer is unable to properly absorb them.
Moonage Daydream isn't the film it could have been. Mainly because the director tries to be too clever and has no idea how tie it all together. He also didn't know when to stop. And with access to so much exclusive footage from the Bowie estate, that is a horrible waste.
Don't Look Up (2021)
Satirical and cynical
It's not too often that a film provides such a cynical and satirical overlay of our current life on earth that makes you sit up and really think.
Don't Look Up exposes our myopic and distorted view of the world, and what's important with devastating effect.
If you watch this film and are unable to grasp the need for science, in particular, the need to reverse catastrophic climate change, then your comprehension levels of what is important need a thorough examination.
The concept, the writing and the acting in this film are superb. My particular favourites are the brilliant performances of Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett and Mark Rylance.
Is it a masterpiece? Probably not. There are a few moments like the Ariande Grande concert where you think: this is completely unnecessary. Yet there are running gags like the three star general charging money for snacks at the White House that are genuinely laugh out loud funny.
Does it make you at least consider the most existential threat that humans have faced in a lifetime. Yes, of course. And perhaps that's even more important than this being a masterpiece.
Late Night (2019)
Waste of Emma's talent
Late Night is described as a comedy/drama. Well, as far as the comedy is concerned it's hard to muster up even a smile.
As far as the drama goes... pfft... it's like a bad
corporate movie on the need for diversity in the workplace.
The problem is the writing. It's hard to believe Emma Thompson would agree to such a sub-standard script. Another great actor John Lithgow is given only a few poorly written lines.
The performances of Thomson and Lithgow are the only saving grace to what is an awful, awful film.
The Foreigner (2017)
So Jackie Chan can act!
Who'd of thunk it? Jackie Chan can act! Well he can do a few different pained expressions! Add some good action scenes a conflicted Sinn Fein politician, a good support cast and you have a better than average revenge flick that has much more depth than anyone could reasonably predict.
Pierce Brosnan is also excellent playing his best role for ages. Showed more range than any other film I've seen him in.
Decent script, quality acting, nice scenery, and realistic action sequences makes for a pretty enjoyable flick.
A pleasant surprise.
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
You'll laugh and you'll smile!
Great movies evoke an emotion. Four Weddings and A Funeral certainly does that. You will be left smiling after this movie.It is genuinely witty and at times touching. If you are anything like me you won't be able to wipe the smile off your face after it.
Firstly, it's worth noting that in 1994 we were yet to see the bumbling, handsome, characteristic Hugh Grant. He is a revelation.
The script is brilliant. Genuinely laugh out loud funny, tight, intelligent. Classic Richard Curtis. It is easy to imagine many of us being in a similar predicament. Twenty something, we're forced to attend wedding after wedding during the summer months. Perhaps more of a chore than something we genuinely want to do... Some of the gags reflect how tedious weddings can be. The jokes/dialogue are even a touch risque but genuinely humourous.
So the script is good. The acting, for the most part great. The only exception is Andy McDowell. She really is a duck out of water in this film. It's hard to know whether she has been miscast or just not a great actress. The only sccen where she seems comfortable is where she reels off all of her 32 lovers. For the rest it's overacting or underacting. I'm not expert enough to know.
One scene that is particularly good follows the death of the charasmatic Gareth (Simon Callow) and the eulogy by the character played by John Hannah. Reciting the amazing poem of WH Auden, it is hard not to feel emotionally connected.
"He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong."
One of the best movies of the 90's and certainly of all time. If only they found another character to play Andy McDowell's part.
The Untouchables (1987)
All the ingredients. Ultimately a mess.
The ingredients are there. A cast including De Niro, Garcia and Connery. A director (DePalma) famous for films like Scarface. A big budget. Great sets. Potentially strong storyline...
The end result is poor. Costner in the main role is as wooden as ever. He really is better to look at than listen to! Garcia has some decent moments. Connery supposedly plays an Irish cop. He can't lose the Scottish accent. Perhaps Americans don't know the difference? Hard to believe he won an Academy Award for this! Some scenes like the revenge of the nerds (accountant gunning down mobsters) and judge ordering the swapping of a jury are completely ridiculous.
DeNiro, as expected, is the star of the show but even he seems confused as to whether this is a drama or a comedy!