Glass Onion

The Lovely Bones

2010-01-17T02:57:00.000+11:00

The Lovely Bones, directed by Peter Jackson, is an abysmal way to spend 135 minutes. The film is overtly saccharine. It throttles the life out of any that may have existed in the book of the same name, The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold. To walk away from this film is to be feeling cheap & used. Apparently the same emotions the murdered girl was meant to feel. The abundance of afterlife,

Manderlay

2010-01-14T09:22:00.002+11:00

Manderlay is the second film in Lars Von Trier's brilliant USA - Land of Opportunities trilogy. Manderlay stands as a powerful, intensely clever statement. As told only the way an outsider to the United States could. With significant insight & a pleasing amount of dark humour woven between. An exceptional film. The themes of Manderlay are brilliantly sketched. It works as an expert jigsaw.

Broken Embraces (Los Abrazos Rotos)

2009-12-28T00:48:00.011+11:00

Broken Embraces (Los Abrazos Rotos) is the latest film by Pedro Almodovar. An evocative, indirect portrayal of love of film & women. Penelope Cruz stars as Magdalena (Lena), an obvious reference to Mary Magdalene. More specifically, Magdalene Asylums. Harsh institutions for "fallen women". Silence was enforced for most of the day, with physical punishment common. It is fascinating to note that

When the Rain Stops Falling

2009-11-12T12:32:00.004+11:00

An exceptional theatre piece written by Andrew Bovell. When the Rain Stops Falling is an intense examination of family problems and how they can echo through the generations. As a theatre minimalist - one who abhors intermission, scene changes & overt musical interludes - I was very satisfied. The scene changes were most warranted. Intermission is an insulting concept. I am constantly stupefied

Philosophical TV ads

2009-10-30T08:54:00.007+11:00

I wouldn’t say this is a new phenomenon. I have noticed of late that a few companies are taking up the baton. In particular, a mobile phone ad utilising the life of a mayfly. The ad tells us that a mayfly lives for one day. In that day it fits in a (human) lifetime of activities. Mating and courtship are heavily featured. I find this ad quite cheap. I feel it is designed for a young teen.

Swordsmen of the Passes

2009-10-25T08:33:00.002+11:00

To continue the theme - the greatest piece of Mandarin language cinema I have yet to witness. Swordsmen of the Passes is a series of movies that stand entirely on their own. The themes do reach into other 'episodes'. Can be watched alone or in entirety. Each episode appears to have it's own creative team & set of actors. Some grace must be given. The lead female is invariably a young village

The Story of My Life

2009-10-20T10:31:00.000+11:00

French cinema at it's absolute finest. Starring Edouard Baer (looks like a young Alan Rickman) & Marie-Josee Croze. I am a sucker for the set-up of the main character being a failed writer. It is such an easy concept to expand upon. Also, the typical writer character in movies is a shy, introverted type. This allows richness in monologues & personal thoughts. For these two reasons, I could not

State of the Union

2009-10-15T08:17:00.001+11:00

Tracy Ullman, "State of the Union" has replaced the Chaser. Incredibly funny show. I highly recommend it. Similar idea to Chris Lilley's "We Can Be Heroes". My particular faves are David Beckham & Lindsay Lohan's mum. Tracy is a magnificent impressionist. My only negative is why this show was not shown earlier - in it's own right. It has only appeared on our screens as a filler. The show is a

Game Show

2009-09-10T17:01:00.000+10:00

You are on a game show on television. On this game show the idea is to win a car as a prize. The game show host shows you three doors. He says that there is a car behind one of the doors and there are goats behind the other two doors. He asks you to pick a door. You pick a door but the door is not opened. Then the game show host opens one of the doors you didn't pick to show a goat (because he

RockaBye

2009-09-09T10:01:00.002+10:00

A fine play. Joanna Murray-Smith has taken a pertinent issue - the celebrity adoption of children in Africa - and run with it. An ageing, failing pop star grasps with issues of staying relevant. Step forward Madonna. To acknowledge my disgust at the actions of this 'woman' would be a fair start. I abhor Madonna & her condescending attitude. The bile that spews from her mouth in justification for

Chaser's War on Everything

2009-08-31T00:01:00.000+10:00

I was expecting alot from these guys. From the utter brilliance of CNNN, we have this show in its 3rd year. The highpoints of War on Everything, in previous seasons, really came down to Chas & his ridiculous stunts.This year it seems everyone is joining the party. Result - many half-arse stunts that are only amusing. I am disappointed. The boys admit that travel is often an excuse to film some of

True Blood

2009-08-22T14:01:00.004+10:00

True Blood. I was very hesitant before I sat down to watch the first episode. Sure, I've always loved a good vampire film. Lost Boys, Interview with the Vampire. I was worried that the age of the vampires may have passed me by. You know, things like being an outcast ; partying all night; immortality; the undying lust of any & all partially Satanic girls. "You can have all of this, youjust need to

Mad Men

2009-08-16T17:01:00.022+10:00

Mad Men.By far the best hour of television all week. Should have pulled my finger out and written about it earlier. People who admire visual accuracy will love this show. Very stylish and smooth. Not the reason I watch, but an admitted cherry on top. Oh, but of course visual pleasures are another thing entirely. The rather exquisite January Jones sizzles the screen.The dialogue is first rate.(

Californication

2009-07-28T05:31:00.002+10:00

Californication.In a word - flaccid. I shouldn’t complain. It contained the most nudity I have ever seen in a 9.30 timeslot. David Duchovnyis excellent in the lead role. It just wasn’t a satisfying meal.The girls were stunning. The youngest daughter from 'The Nanny' (thankfully grown up) was one of said girls. That was indeed exciting. They’d all have sex in the cowgirl position. I guess this is

Future of TV

2009-07-27T17:01:00.000+10:00

SBS 2 is launching. A new digital channel. An event of potential excitement. I caught the head of SBS talking about it.We have to be very careful when creating the new channel. We don't want to create too much new content & scare the viewers off.Be afraid. Be very afraid.Friend - If the main SBS channel is Sex Between Soccer, I guess this one will be Soccer Between Sex.Me - Good one. Sounds like