On a rural highway in Australia we see Mad Max (Mel Gibson), sitting in his car. This image is instantly recognisable for Gibson in his trademark leather jacket and police car. George Miller’s iconic road-warrior did, after all, attain cult status and three sequels after this 1979 original. In a disorientating and meta edit, we…
Tag: Australian Film
JASPER JONES: Entertaining Australian Coming-Of-Age Story
Small towns are a common location in Australian cinema, see The Dressmaker, The Year My Voice Broke, and The Dish. The concept of an insular, secretive town fearing those who are different is a central theme in Jasper Jones, one of the best Australian films I’ve seen in recent years. It’s 1969 in the fictional rural town…
Hacksaw Ridge: Gritty Sentimentalism- 100 Word Review
In Gibson’s true story Hacksaw Ridge, Staunch Christian Desmond Doss (Garfield) enlists to fight in WW2, but refuses to kill. Initially criticised by fellow soldiers and superiors, his awe-inspiring heroics are inevitably praised by all. HR’s beautifully shot with evocative sound effects in battle scenes. There’s many strong Australian performances, but the writing restricts characters…
Girl Asleep Reviewed- Podcast
Hi Everyone! My podcast review of the new Australian coming-of-age film Girl Asleep can be found here: Jo Bradley.
Beyond Thunderdome balances Max’s Madness with eccentric storyline- 100 Word Review
Miller’s third post-apocalyptic outing has the craziness of its predecessor with a unexpectedly comprehensible plot. Road Warrior, Max (Gibson) is enlisted by Thunderdome’s ruler to kill a rival in a gladiator-style arena. A subsequent banishment introduces him to a gang of children dreaming of the mythical Tomorrow-Morrow land. When their expedition fails, only Max can save…
