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: Film
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD: Visually Dazzling End To Heartfelt Trilogy
We all know the story: an animal and a kid enter into a forbidden friendship, and are forced to keep it secret from everyone they know. Dogs, Horses, Whales, Loch Ness Monsters, the movies are all more less the same. But never have we seen this story told with such visual flair and emotional heft as…
Isle of Dogs: Too Much Quirk, Not Enough Substance
Wes Anderson, king of quirk, has long been gathering a liege of dedicated cinephiles who drool over his every film. And, I confess, I am one of his long-time fans. Especially considering the incredibly high expectations set by his previous film, 2014’s multi-Oscar winning The Grand Budapest Hotel. However, if you go into the cinema…
OCEAN’S 8: All-Star Cast Compensates For Poor Writing In Crowd-Pleasing Heist Comedy
When you walk into the cinema to see Ocean’s 8 this month (and walk in you should), here’s what you should expect. Expect a heist film that’s stylish, captivating and a whole lot of fun. Expect an all-star cast of Hollywood’s best actresses playing one of the coolest, funniest girl gangs ever assembled on screen. Expect a…
REPOST: Film Inquiry’s Top Films Of The Academy
For a year now I have been a proud contributing writer to Film Inquiry, an online film magazine with writers all over the world. This article was compiled by Stephanie Archer, and written by many writers including myself. It was first published in February 2017. Everyone has their favorite film, a cherished classic that reigns superior…
My Top Ten Films of 2017
Surprise! My review of the best of 2017 managed to only be a whole month late! (Hey, it’s better than 2016’s April release). My problem, admittedly, is once I start writing about the films I love, it’s hard for me to stop. Please enjoy my ‘Best of 2017’ list, and comment below what you think…
PADDINGTON 2: A Warm, Furry Hug Of A Movie
In 2014, Paddington Bear walked off the pages of his cartoon, on to Paddington station and into our cinemas. It soon became an unlikely family favourite. It showcased some of Britain’s best actors – from Hugh Bonneville’s lovingly exasperated patriarch, to Sally Hawkins’ eccentric yet caring mother, and Julie Waters as the comic relief housekeeper. At the film’s soft, furry heart is Paddington, cheerfully…
Despicable Me 3: Villainous Business as Usual
When the original Despicable Me first came around, I loved it. To be fair, I was eleven at the time and the film’s target audience, but the off-beat humor and mischievous antics of the characters grabbed me, in a way that few kid’s films could. In a world where animation was dominated by wholesome (usually Disney and…
La La Land Review- Podcast
Here is my review of La La Land, a mediocre film that has achieved critical success primarily because of the cinematic nostalgia it evokes. This is also my application to be Triple J’s new movie reviewer. Enjoy!
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…
Review: Their Finest
For those interested in historical drama or comedy, ‘Their Finest’ is a new film set in World War II, England during height of the Blitz. It’s about a government propaganda department tasked with creating ‘morale boosting’ films for the public. When the film opens, the male-only ministry has hired Catrin (Gemma Arterton) to write the trashy…
LION: True-Story Oscar Bait That Fails To Roar
The premise of Lion sounds interesting: a heartfelt true story about a lost boy reuniting with his family twenty five years after their separation. Throw in an intriguing ‘exotic’ culture, and you’ve got yourself some Oscar bait. However, the many flaws of Lion overshadow its few strengths, resulting in a disjointed film that’s uneven in…
