Friday, July 03, 2015
WAKING up to the news that Phil Walsh was murdered overnight
was pretty tough going for a lot of people. The coach of the Adelaide Crows
football club was well-respected and had made an impact across other clubs
during his career.
As an Adelaide supporter, I was personally shocked. From
waking up to a text from my mother asking if I'd heard, to thinking he'd been
in an accident, to then turning on the TV and seeing the headline 'Phil Walsh
murdered', I couldn't quite believe it.
From a footy perspective, my father noted we'll never know
where he could have led the Crows. He only came to us in October, we're sitting 7-5 and confident we can finish in the top eight. He had a tough attitude but a positive impact on the club. Across the
various clubs he worked at, he made solid connections.
Still saddened by the death of Phil Walsh... #putyourscarfoutforwalshy #scarvesoutforwalshy #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/5fOO4r2GKD
— Katina Vangopoulos (@KatinaV_) July 3, 2015
From a community perspective, this has hit Adelaide – heck, all of Australia – hard. Here you have a tragic story rising from a domestic dispute. A son motivated for whatever reason to harm his parents. A daughter travelling overseas only to hear about the horrifying news of murder from either a grieving relative or a news bulletin. It's unimaginable.
Even if it was someone with less of a profile this would be considered a tragedy. But the nature of the victim lends to greater coverage of the story, which today has been extensive. Personally, seeing the Seven Adelaide newsdesk presenting coverage on TV here in Darwin made the world shrink just that little bit more.
We can only think of Phil's greater family, friends and the club at this time. I would have loved to see the boys play in his memory on Sunday, but understand the pain of grief all too well to know they'll need that extra time to get back in the right headspace.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
I've grown up hearing the saying 'everything happens in threes', and I've learnt it's not far off the mark. Many a time there have been three notable celebrity deaths within a short timeframe, or accidents, acts of crime. Or just the weird little things within an average day.
Today the latter applied to me, in a subtle but ultimately curious way.
Something in the universe is trying to connect me to the Adelaide Fringe. I don't know why, or what for, but the reason my home city comes to life in March wanted to make itself known to me today.
It started with a potential story I could do about a comedy show on there about three Territorians and their life up here. Having seen this in the guide in Adelaide a few weeks ago, I thought it was definitely worth writing about.
Then I met with a band for a story whose lead singer had picked up work in Adelaide for the next two months. Having the previous email in my head, I asked if it was Fringe-related. Sure enough, it was. So this guy will be hanging out working around the Garden of Unearthly Delights or someplace else just as cool.
It gets weirder.
After watching the Socceroos win over the UAE (to get to the Asian Cup final, which is fantastic), I go home and find Gluttony has followed me on Twitter. No, not a page tweeting the dealings of such a sin, but a major pop-up area at THE ADELAIDE FRINGE.
What is going on? I can't be home then, so why are you torturing me universe?
Maybe next year.
Saturday, November 29, 2014
It was a good day for food and shopping today.
First there was the cruffin. Yeah, that's right, cruffin. Blueberries and white chocolate consumed by a croissant pastry more shaped like a muffin. Awesomeness in a dessert, right there. That one's thanks to the cool cats at AlleyCats Patisserie.
Then I went along to the annual Marrara Christmas Craft Fair, which I'd heard was a big deal in the scheme of craft fairs around these parts.
And wasn't I given the biggest surprise of my life?
 |
| My eventual purchases excluding gifts |
WOW.
I walked in thinking I'd be done in maybe half an hour. I was there about two hours, looking at nearly every stand - what was so great was that these people weren't on the usual market scene, so it was all new to me.
I bought a bag from a woman who makes different styles and sources fabrics nationwide all herself, after having to painstakingly pick just one (because money doesn't grow on trees). Then there was chocolate tasting, admiring bowls and artworks, and also getting started on a bit of Christmas shopping. Handy.
I had fun going through bags of polymer clay beads at one stall after seeing necklaces of the sort on sale next door. I got excited (and felt pressured by some others who'd spotted my secret finds at the same time), so I decided to buy a whole bunch of them. They were only $1 per bag! I will eventually get creative to make some of my own easy jewellery, which is exciting.
Then there was Serena Kuhl's stall.
I was nearly done. Just a little section yet to be traversed. She had these beaded necklaces everyone wears too, having seen them across the way earlier. But getting to the table was something else.
I'm still gobsmacked by how amazingly expressive her jewellry is! It's bright, no, uber bright, and so funky - there's crystals, moon-surface stuff, all made of resin. I didn't know what NOT to buy.
After more umming and aahing (which people saw me do quite obviously throughout this time, I have the tendency to think rather visibly if there's such a thing), I decided on one of the chunky crystal rings and a blue glittery bangle. But it will not be the end. She has a Facebook and Instagram. And I see myself splurging a lot more than I can probably afford.
Thursday, November 06, 2014
I wasn't able to watch much of Gough Whitlam's memorial, but from news reports I understand how heartfelt and genuine it was. To hear his former speechwriter say what an honour it was working for him, and Cate Blanchett to even pop in and thank him for her free education was touching.
Then there was Noel Pearson. Through my job I met the indigenous activist earlier this year, who truly believes in what he fights for (in my circumstance, education through his Cape York schools). Many disagree with his views of various social and political matters, but today I don't think anyone could have had a differing opinion to his expression of gratitude for Whitlam.
Noel Pearson on Gough. Moments ago. Take 2 minutes out of your day & watch this. http://t.co/wcCvjXYoF4
— Paul Barclay (@PaulBarclay) November 5, 2014
While I have not yet watched his full speech, I took a look at the snippet highlighting the world of Monty Python - and it's a great two minutes of viewing. It's enough to see the conviction in which he expresses solid appreciation for Whitlam's work. If this is all you watch then still make the time for it. It's been touted as one of Australia's great modern political speeches already - which is a big statement in its own right.
On a personal note, as a Generation Yer it upsets me that I did not get to experience the period of change which Whitlam had such an influence over. I touched on his input into Australian culture on my entertainment blog, but overall to have been part of the forefront of such change would have been exciting to look back on at a time like this. We can only hope that one day someone in Australia will push forward with strong ideas once again.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
I should first address that I've neglected this blog for some time, but I believe for good reason. I'm turning my attention to a new blog called being eNTertained, which will collate all of my entertainment-related work and ramblings into the one unit.
While I will still use this blog to share thoughts and stories about other things, regular posts on here such as film reviews and Eurovision posts will now be featured on being eNTertained. So please join me over in my new world whenever you please.
What I wanted to discuss on this platform was the idea of learning a new language. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time, mainly with getting my limited Greek up but also dallying in French classes. I have tried to pursue language learning again since my move to Darwin, which is now 11 months ago, but have been unsuccessful in getting anything started.
I came across an online platform called Babbel which I find interesting - it's like a computer game where it spits out key phrases and gets you to match them up with English sentences, etc. I came across it via a video of one of their employees showing off his nine language-repertoire.
Babbel doesn't offer Greek among the good dozen or so languages which is disappointing. But for some reason I clicked on German and quickly learnt a couple of phrases. I was doing well with the match-ups... but I've always doubted if I could actually do it.
Then I swear Babbel read my mind. They send an article through about how older people have just as much a chance to learn a language, and are better equipped because their experiences tell them how they best learn so as not to waste time.
On reading it I've thought maybe there is a chance for me after all if I can apply myself somewhere down the track.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Sin City: A Dame To Kill For (MA 15+)
A SEQUEL that arrives nearly 10 years
after the original is not generally one expecting high anticipation.
The decision to continue a story in modern Hollywood is largely
driven by financial risk and whether there is material at the ready
to adapt.
In the case of the Sin City graphic
novels, there's enough material to make a good six or seven films.
Frank Miller's dark dystopian world is a brutal look at the violence
within human nature and our desires to exploit it while wanting to
maintain control of our animalistic instincts.
The first, based on three of the
novels, was stylised onto the screen from the books almost seamlessly
using technology barely experimented with before. It was confronting
in its violence, but faithful to the original story.
The second of those follows suit with
the same stylisation that makes this material stand out from others
of the like. Based primarily on A Dame To Kill For, it has a
more narrow focus on characters and storylines than its predecessor.
It comes as no surprise that in
developing the script and devising new material for this film, Miller
and director Robert Rodriguez made a conscious effort to evolve
Nancy's character for Jessica Alba. Her reprise is in one of two
storylines devised specifically to sit alongside the titular events,
where she is still seeking revenge on Senator Roark (Powers Boothe)
for Hartigan's (Bruce Willis) death, having turned into an unstable
drunk.
Another chasing Roark is Johnny (Joseph
Gordon-Levitt), a winner who doesn't know when to stay humble. Not
far away is Dwight (Josh Brolin), who is bewitched by former lover
Ava (Eva Green) when she walks back into his life with plans of her
own.
Manipulative would best describe the
bulk of this offering, with deception also playing an important role.
The dog-eat-dog world doesn't let anyone or anything stand in its
way, and forever at the centre of this is Marv (Mickey Rourke). His
presence throughout most of the intertwining plots is threatening,
looking for trouble and easily finding it.
Rourke brings a solid performance, as
do Alba, Willis and Boothe in their reprised roles. Gordon-Levitt
places himself nicely into the fold, managing to face more than one
sticky situation. As for the dame, Eva Green's Ava is a dramatic
bitch – frustrating in the right ways as no one can see what she
manages to pull off thanks to her charm.
The cast and visual style remain solid,
but the story lacks the violent impact this city's characters gave us
nine years ago. Spilt blood is still very much there but it's more
talky than its predecessor, in turn reducing the strength of the
violence. But while a nine-year wait has been excessive for fans of
the novels and first film, there's still enough to like.
Rating: 3/5
To be published in the Darwin Sun on Wednesday 24/9/2014.
MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of The Maze Runner.
MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of The Maze Runner.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
This was meant to be published on here last week...
Into The Storm (M)
NATURAL phenomena have intriguingly,
but to devastating effect, become more commonplace in recent years
than anyone could have anticipated. This film, which tries to portray
the effects of such happenings on small-town America, acknowledges
that directly. Thousands of lives and homes have been lost by
nature's force when Mother Nature has chosen not to be so kind.
A path of destruction no one can stop
is a terrifying notion, and topical in cinema with the likes of The
Impossible most recently portraying natural disasters. Twister
will come to mind for many as tornadoes form the focal point of this
outing from director Steven Quale.
Storm chaser/documentary maker Pete
(Matt Walsh) and meteorologist Allison (Sarah Wayne Callies) find
themselves in Silverton, a town unaware of the harm to soon hit it.
Their group is at a crossroads, unable to agree with deciding where
to go in finding the next twister. Brothers Donnie (Max Deacon) and
Trey (Nathan Kress) are among the local high school's students
filming a time capsule for a school project. With this and the storm
chasers documenting their travels, found-footage style-filming is
used throughout the 89-minute run time.
The disaster was always going to be the
star of the film when the plot included a mega-twister with speeds of
300 miles per hour. But it is let down by some of the special effects
we come to expect as nothing short of perfect. It falls in line with
a cheesy script by John Swetnam, which is fine to some degree if you
go in expecting as much. Characters are largely not given time to
develop with the story at hand, Richard Armitage particularly having
a difficult time exploring Gary. Performances by all are fine,
Armitage included, but not serviced by who they portray.
There are hints at potential sub-plots,
while an actual inclusion centring on two drunks who try to make a
hit YouTube clip lands firmly in the *shake
my head* file. It shows a concerted effort to mix a number of
genres to appeal to the action fan, crass comedy appreciator and
general suspense anticipator, but doesn't manage to come off.
Quale, whose only other feature
directing credit is Final Destination 5, has not completely
fluffed his take on the disaster genre though. Hollywood has not had
a film of this sort – without heavier undertones – in some time,
and audiences will appreciate it on its spectacle alone. Without
expectation of serious heroism and cheesy acceptances about family
and love, it's a terse look at how disaster strikes.
Rating: 2.5/5
Published in the Darwin Sun on Wednesday 10/9/2014.
MISSED THIS WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of The Maze Runner.
MISSED THIS WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of The Maze Runner.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
I feel I need to express what I can of my sadness at the announcement Margaret and David will be no more after this year. At The Movies has been an institution for longer than I've been alive, something many (including myself) have at some point taken for granted.
Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton are two of the reasons I would love to be recognised within the film industry as a critic. Their incredible depth of knowledge of film, their brutal honesty and genuine love for the art form give Australians worthy reason to respect them so highly, in much the same way Americans did for the late Roger Ebert. It's something for anyone who writes about film to aspire to.
I guess it's fitting that I forgot to put my review of the week up yesterday (or last week for that matter, which I will put up shortly). Here's what I thought of this week's new release.
The Maze Runner (M)
AS puzzles that manage to both work the
mind and body, mazes are a healthy challenge to some. But in truth,
they are a nightmare to most as claustrophobia sets in – where then
the only mind game at play revolves around personal sanity. There are
mazes in all our lives, but none quite on the scale of what this
group finds themselves faced with. It is their only way out from an
artificial world made for them by an unknown force.
Thomas (Dylan O'Brien) is the newest of
the all-male group to arrive to the Glade, and his curious mind goes
straight to exploring new escape plans. His actions are reckless but
brave, inspiring the group to consider rocking the boat of authority.
Enter token female Teresa (TV's Skins' Kaya Scodelario with a
wavering American accent), who has a connection with Thomas no one
can piece together. As things begin to change more questions emerge
than answers, and it's a fight to keep everyone working for the same
team.
It's Survivor meets The
Hunger Games as this post-apocalyptic story blends the struggle
for survival with villains that are aren't as obvious as what meets
the eye. Survival of the fittest stories have become all the rage
since The Hunger Games exploded into cinemas, and this
adventure fits right in there with targeting the young adult market.
It's an adrenaline rush with action and drama befitting the story.
Author James Dashner, who released the
first novel of his Maze Runner trilogy in 2007, was not involved in
writing the screenplay. That fell to Noah Oppelheim, Grant Pierce
Myers and TS Nowlin, who provide a script that gives room for the
main players to grow. The film retains a serious overtone that
doesn't give way to love or friendship dramas. It keeps the focus
squarely on kids beating the physical and mental monsters that stand
in their way.
In his first feature film, director Wes
Ball leaves things unexplained to good effect about the characters'
past lives and who subjected them to their fate. Set up for a sequel
(already slated for release next year), this tale does manage to
finish on a tidy note, concluding with anticipation for what's in
store for the group.
O'Brien and Scodelario are not quite
the leading pair you would expect, O'Brien given much of the film to
hold it all together. But with a good young cast, also including Will
Poulter (We're The Millers) and Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Love
Actually), the film will give young adults a story of wicked
proportions. Its intensity also serves other watchers, who will
appreciate the characters' mental fight.
Rating: 3.5/5
To be published in the Darwin Sun on Wednesday 17/9/2014.
MISSED THE LAST REVIEW? See what I thought of Magic In The Moonlight.
MISSED THE LAST REVIEW? See what I thought of Magic In The Moonlight.
Monday, September 01, 2014
Magic In The Moonlight (PG)
THE MAGIC and mystique behind love and
how humans come to have such feeling has been long explored by Woody
Allen. While his films range dramatically in the form his central
characters take, his creations predominantly deal with the mishaps
and other dramas love brings to their lives. For his latest offering
we're taken back to the 1920s, a time when the world was becoming
that little bit more liberated. With that came more public shows of
affection from those embracing the social change - but marriages of
convenience over pure emotion were still just as acceptable.
Stanley (Colin Firth) is a man of
convenience and righteousness, refusing to look past his
narrow-minded views on the world. His success in life acting as
magician from the Orient Wei Ling Foo and engagement to Olivia
(Catherine McCormack) lend to his views being perfectly rational. A
trip to southern France at the insistence of long-time friend Howard
(Simon McBurney) quickly threatens to shake up Stanley's entire
existence. As the master of trickery he heartily accepts a challenge
to debunk spirit medium Sophie (Emma Stone), who is seen to be
fooling the Catledge family.
Defining what is real and what is not
is harder for Stanley than meets the eye, Allen giving both he and
Sophie layers to masking their identities. Uncertainty is paramount,
delivered with more than enough of the snappy wit so familiar within
Allen's work. Firth and Stone, both newcomers to Allen's ways, create
an intriguing love/hate central relationship. This is despite the
fact Stanley is such an unlikable man - his pessimism is obnoxious to
the point of exhaustion. Firth is great at it, but the character
presents as overwritten even with the inevitable twist. Stone on the
other hand, is a delight.
It's a flamboyant film, using a simple
idea and amplifying it with extravagance to emphasise a point. On
what will depend on how you view the world - the pessimists' ability
to prove their views are logical, or the optimist's ability to crack
the pessimism and reveal there's more to life. Which in essence fits
in with typical Allen themes – characters' boredom with life,
anxiety and uncertainty about relationships. His films much of the
time become a moral compass, asking you to reassess where your views
on life sit, and this is no exception.
Allen assembles a great cast, which
also includes Marcia Gay Harden, Jacki Weaver and Eileen Atkins. He
also creates a whimsical setting with a southern France backdrop,
further creating a dreamy world amidst the almost-sinister intentions
at play. While entertaining, it will not rank among Allen's best. For
those unconcerned, it remains a fun piece of snappy comedy with
style.
Rating: 3/5
To be published in the Darwin Sun on Wednesday 3/9/2014.
MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of The Inbetweeners 2.
MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of The Inbetweeners 2.
Monday, August 25, 2014
I was forced to see this when my cinema had not yet received the copy of my nominated film. It was 7pm on the Thursday and they hadn't received it. How ridiculous. So then I had to join all the British backpackers in town and sit through this car crash of a film.
The Inbetweeners 2 (MA 15+)
TO the odd few absolute cluelessness is
an endearing quality to come from a person. Though as the number of
people in close proximity with that quality increases, that feeling
dissipates. And then there's the utter lack of despair felt when
looking at the quartet that make up the Inbetweeners.
They're a truly sorry mob, with Will
(Simon Bird), Simon (Joe Thomas), Jay (James Buckley) and Neil (Blake
Harrison) still having absolutely no idea about how to deal with
girls or the world. Life goes on, but for these guys it really is all
that much more difficult.
Running away from problems is something
done very well by a large proportion of humans, as a way to clear the
mind and supposedly grow as a person before actually dealing with the
issues still waiting there.
This lot does exactly that – Will,
who hates his university life, Neil, who has no direction, and Simon,
who wants to escape girlfriend-from-Hell Lucy (Tamla Kari), decide to
spontaneously travel to visit Jay during his working holiday.
The Poms will still never miss a chance
to have Australia on, in jest showing our sunburnt country as a haven
for hippies and opportunity to land easy sheilas. It's hard to take
anything seriously when breaking the fourth wall includes kicking
koalas and knocking people out with boomerangs. But to the boys it's
the lucky country where they hope those problems of theirs will wash
away.
Unfortunately for each of them things
seem to get worse – a hundred times more than anyone could ever
imagine. Their journey to Byron Bay, for Will's benefit after bumping
into school friend Katie (Emily Berrington), brings obstacles thought
impossible for such a laidback town. Down on their luck in every
department, things appear that they will never change.
The sheer stupidity shown by the group
raises serious questions about how they have become such endearing
characters to watch on both the small and big screens. Their complete
lack of sensibility and understanding about general interaction is
like a car crash, the misogyny too rampant to warrant giving it
detail.
And that's how the film feels as a
whole as things get from bad to worse. An uneasy, cringing feeling
lingers as their trip unfolds, with jokes covering everything from
paedophiles and spirituality to getting shitfaced. They wear thin
across the 96 minutes which is maximised by a slow plot.
Directing/writing duo Damon Beesley and
Iain Morris, the creative minds behind these characters, do at least
work the film around a story. The plot is filled with mishaps, but
the story is a development on their previous outing. The script gives
equal time to each of the group, but there's too many crude jokes and
too much of Will's obnoxious-but-I-don't-know-it nature, making you
want to cry for help.
Only fans knowing the group's history
and understanding their aspirations will appreciate this mess of a
story. New audiences will see the film in a different light, unable
to accept that quality of cluelessness they all possess - or for that
matter the complete lack of respect for women.
Rating: 2/5
To be published in the Darwin Sun on Wednesday 27/8/2014.
MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of Begin Again.
MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of Begin Again.
Monday, August 18, 2014
I've been blessed with a few weekends of advance screenings, although I believe my luck ends with this film. I've learnt that any Darwin film critic who exists is not held in very high regard, and as such is not able to access the same things their capital city counterparts can. But that's a whole other story...
Begin Again (M)
THE MAGIC formula to writing a good
song is non-existent. It is a myth perpetuated by the likes of Stock,
Aitken and Waterman and the Beatles, making us believe the magic can
be procured by anyone. But it's not so; anyone lucky enough to
possess that talent has creative strengths unique in this world.
As great as songwriting can be, no one
can escape the dominant influences of love and heartbreak. Those
emotions in many ways can define a person, or at least their story -
something Gretta (Keira Knightley) knows all too well. She gives up
on New York City after singer boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine) strays as
his star begins to rise.
Her saviour comes in the form of a
hotshot-turned-hobo, record label owner Dan (Mark Ruffalo). He's
lived the high life, creating success from nothing, and then seen
everything go downhill both professionally and personally. He is
distant from daughter Violet (Hailee Steinfeld) and still in love
with his ex-wife Miriam (Catherine Keener).
Gretta and Dan's collaboration is the
stuff dreams are made of. A little girl lost is discovered and has
the chance of making it big. But the twist in this tale is Gretta's
steadfast approach to the industry. She's not interested in a deal
for herself, and initially rejects Dan's ideas for spreading her
music to the masses. She's a songwriter, not a singer.
Knightley makes her musical debut to
good accord, singing a number of songs with an air of delicacy. The
songs, written by a specialist team, touch on love and heartbreak
with genuine feeling and give the film a pleasant soundtrack. Levine
gets his turn in the spotlight also, but it's Knightley who shines.
Adam Carney has revisited a past idea
with this story, after directing and writing Irish love musical Once
back in 2006. A Hollywood spin on it by way of zooming in on that
heartbreak works as the catalyst for Gretta's decision to stick
around. The songs reflect that, and are tied in well with the story
to bring relevance.
The story pays homage to the so-called
mess of a place that is New York City, as so many others do.
Recording Gretta's songs take on added meaning when done in locations
across the city, taking in the locals, the busker vibe in tribute to
others trying to make it big, and the diversity it has to offer.
Knightley and Ruffalo are an unlikely
pair, but work well together on screen as a pair trying to reignite
the spark in life by starting over. Moving forward and leaving their
past behind brings them more challenges than expected, but common
ground helps them get there. Levine is a good guy to hate, Dave
having the qualities of an unlikeable idiot both during and after his
relationship with Gretta.
The film does not overextend itself in
trying to evoke emotion, giving us enough with the simplicity of
Gretta and Dan's stories. With likeable characters and great
soundtrack, Carney gives us a story that suggests the process of
revisiting the good things in life can be an invigorating experience
if you let it.
Rating: 3.5/5
To be published in the Darwin Sun on Wednesday 20/8/2014.
MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of The Hundred-Foot Journey.
MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of The Hundred-Foot Journey.
Saturday, August 16, 2014
It was a stay-at-home day today, which was needed. I listened to a real mix of stuff as I did my housework and small DIY projects, most of which I hadn't heard for a while. Jay-Z/Kanye West collaboration Watch The Throne (which is still epic), Kimbra's Vows, a bit of Arctic Monkeys, Josh Pyke...
But there are a couple of individual songs that stuck with me today.
This was the biggest. I'd forgotten how GOOD this song still is. Connie Mitchell (whose voice has to be close to the world's most underrated) singing about confusion and alternate universes. From 16 days to 16 weeks the emotion remains one-sided. Gosh, how so many of us have been there.
The lyrics are just spot on.
I'm just like you/Don't know what to do/I'm caught here in the middle of a life/I can't leave but I want to
I just want to get your attention/But I know that you're looking away/16 weeks since you left my life I'm still looking for you
And the way she sings the closing part is haunting... I wonder, wonder, wonder what you're doing, where you are/I wonder, wonder, wonder what we could've been
Sneaky Sound System are so good. And Miss Connie rocks it on stage- seeing her up close when I lived in Dubbo I was amazed. They need to bring out new material pronto.
I haven't really caught onto the whole Iggy Azalea bandwagon yet, only having really heard Black Widow on constant repeat on the radio, and just before a pre-Fancy song called My World, which is awesome. Looking forward to discovering her other stuff - doing Australia proud, clearly, and she be havin' better beats than the horrible Nicki Minaj any day.
As for this song, loving the Kill Bill homage in the film clip. And the lyric I'm gonna love ya/Until you hate me is gold.
That and the chorus of G.R.L's Ugly Heart have been in my head for some time now: Okay you're pretty/Your face is a work of art/Your smile could light up New York City after dark...
There's really catchy, girl power-friendly stuff on the radio right now isn't there? Love it.
On a final note, listening to Snow Patrol's Eyes Open album among all this other music today reminded me of how good Make This Go On Forever is. Not that the whole album isn't good, but this song is arguably the best.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
While I had quite the good day today, I hadn't had as bad a day for a very long time as I did yesterday.
You know when you wake up in the morning and something just doesn't feel right? Either physically, or mentally... you just know that you shouldn't leave the house because it's going to be an absolute shitfight until you get back past the safety of that door.
Yesterday was one of those days.
And then Robin Williams goes and dies.
I'm affected enough when I hear about celebrity deaths. This one didn't feel real though. Not only because SO many other things had already gone wrong with my life in general and at work that I couldn't quite believe it (I really did think it was a hoax, took a while to actually acknowledge what I was seeing on TV), but also because we now know that such a FUNNY man died by his own doing in the most not funny of ways.
Hearing about depression leading to suicides is something that deeply saddens me. For him to have felt the pressures of life so much among a supportive family and friendship network is heartbreaking. So too has been the outpouring of grief. You all saw The Academy's tweet I take it.
Genie, you're free. pic.twitter.com/WjA9QuuldD
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) August 12, 2014
The words of my friends and celebrities have been some of the most heartfelt I've ever read. I'm not quite sure why I don't feel I've had to say a lot. I honestly just think it's the most horrible of losses. Drug addiction and overdosing is one thing... hanging is just something else altogether.And a day later we've lost Lauren Bacall, who lived a long life but whose loss is still big considering the golden days of Hollywood drift further away from reality. Two big heavyweights just gone. Two people who truly had an effect on people with their talents. I made a note today that these things usually come in threes, and I would hate to think we'll hear of another death. I just hope they're resting in a good place now. Vale.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
The Hundred-Foot Journey (PG)
THE WAY to many people's hearts is through the stomach, with a well-prepared meal bringing meaning and satisfaction. It is a survival instinct at its most basic, providing comfort and even a sense of understanding. It's no wonder that Lasse Hallstrom has returned to a theme he became well known for 14 years ago with the release of Chocolat, which combined a story of small town charm and the sensuality of blossoming romance.
Those three elements are echoed in The Hundred-Foot Journey. Hallstrom returns to countryside France, where the grass is beautiful and the buildings are rustic. It's no wonder Papa (Om Puri), Hassan (Manish Dayal) and the rest of the Kadam family want to stick around when the brakes on their car fail and force a delay to their travels.
Lessons about taking a chance and stepping up to a challenge present themselves pretty early as we learn about the tragic circumstances that led to the family leaving their Indian homeland for the pastures of Europe. As they arrive at their new-found home, social and moral themes of acceptance into a society and acceptance for change make their presence known.
It's not new territory for Hallstrom by any means as he lets natural light and the surrounding landscape to do much of the talking. But there is a story in there somewhere, telling us of Hassan's dream for success as a professional chef and his interest in town local Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon).
There is a typical rivalry to make their transition to French life difficult, as they set a family restaurant up across from a Michelin Star-awarded restaurant run by Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren). Their rivalry brings a not-so-fun war about, although made comical for the audience's benefit. Marguerite and Madame Mallory make for two headstrong women – but their desire for change is minimal. In a role reversal to films of this sort, it is the men who are looking to bring something new to the community and present new gastronomical adventures.
Hallstrom's focus on food throughout the story is sumptuous as Hassan learns the tricks of the trade from his family, but later becomes bland as he steps away from the type of cooking he knows and loves. It changes as the story does, which traverses an extended period of Hassan's career. Things are left to get a bit tiresome ahead of the ending, the mood of the film becoming a dampener as you watch their lives unfold some more. It's not helped by an unnecessarily long running time.
While designed to pull at the heartstrings, the laughs are minimal. Although there is something to be said for the efforts of Puri, Mirren and the charismatic Dayal, there isn't enough to lift the story to anything more than a simple tale of accepting what life brings. As that's something audiences already know well about, the well-used themes of this story come with a less fresh perspective.
Rating: 2.5/5
MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of Guardians of the Galaxy.
Friday, August 08, 2014
Travel sickness can be a bit of a pain. Travel injuries are a whole other story. And then those combined with a scare of nearly not making a flight is a good plot for someone's worst nightmare.
Thankfully I've never had anything serious in the way of these during my previous travels, but both injury and sickness were definitive in the final hours of my trip to South America - pushing me towards actually wanting to return to Australia.
Yeah, on the last day I really did just want to be home.
After being unable to meet with my friend in Santiago, all my sightseeing hadn't gone to plan on the second day there ahead of my flight. I was continuing to have issues with my bowels (which to be fair hadn't felt right since heading to Peru two weeks before), and I'd hurt my knee on day three of the Inca Trail, feeling a pain on the outside of my right kneecap as I completed the bulk of the downhill climb.
 |
| Not sure if the strap helped, but I wore it for the rest of the trek - thanks Hans! |
Then I almost didn't get on my flight because of damn Lan Airlines. Told at check-in I'm on standby - they apparently had 20 people over because of a change in the size of the plane taking us. Being told to wait there, and with the body not holding up, I sat on the floor before actually bursting into tears. I did not feel well. I had my Sydney day with friends planned that I was really excited about and a connecting flight. I did not want to stay an extra day!
Thankfully I was with two lovely sisters, Morgane and Armelle, from my Santiago hostel who I'd spent time with, and they were in the same boat. With an 11.20pm departure, 10pm comes and goes and there's no news like they said there would be. I'd been given a free food voucher so went to use it (where the people swarming around me were not terribly helpful). On returning I'm found and told they called my name. Then the woman at the counter says "You can't get on, you've missed it, it's past 10.20 and that's an hour before departure. You should've been here at 10 like you were meant to." It was 10.20 on the dot on my watch, but she tried proving otherwise on her iPhone. I then have back-up from Morgane and Armelle (who had received their tickets) arguing I was around at 10 - "but I went to use the voucher YOU provided me because I was told I wasn't getting on this plane".
And then she finally let me on. Miraculously with a seat letting me stretch out my leg.
***
I ended up losing any holiday weight and then some because I continued to have a lack of solid digestion during and after the plane ride. So there was good out of that I guess. Although that easily creeps back as I've found without regular exercise.
Yes, I can't exercise properly yet because of having to recover by doing these exercises with a foam roller. The knee pain is my showing of ITB Friction Syndrome, a common problem, so I have to ease my way back to fitness. And nearly three weeks since coming back, jogging for more than 10 minutes on a treadmill isn't going well. So I definitely can't manage weights or other classes, and it's killing me. I just want to sweat it out!
Thursday, August 07, 2014
So Facebook has begun the big export, selling off their private messaging function into its own entity...
Seriously though, what IS the point of the new Messenger app?
I now have bobbing circles on my phone's home screen whenever I get a message. Then it doesn't go away even when you read the message. You're trying to search for a contact or read a message, and it just stays there.
Then in annoyance of that, it took way too much effort to figure out how get rid of it (but it's possible).
Why?! Yes, a total first world problem, but such an unnecessary one. The whole point of Facebook is convenience in its communication, so this just defeats that whole purpose. I question whether any of its added features couldn't just be done in the regular app.
I'm not the only one annoyed according to News.com.au. While it made me think of deleting the app, I need this to be able to communicate with so many people. So it's not really an option. But it's worrying just how much privacy I'm sacrificing for it.
Tuesday, August 05, 2014
When I wrote my review for Charlie's Country last week I ended up expanding on it as I thought I might, looking at it in a bit more depth in the form of an essay.
And with that I'm back on the Movie Mezzanine bandwagon!
It's been a while since I've been able to write for the site, but now being back from my holiday I'm really keen to get stuck into writing some great film articles on a regular basis.
For now, take a look at this if you'd like an idea of how Rolf de Heer's look at the life of an indigenous man relates to what's going on in Australia right now.
.@katiinkaa write on CHARLIE'S COUNTRY and the complex racial dynamics of Australia: http://t.co/S9lxX5UtMP pic.twitter.com/6cerjeDthV
— Movie Mezzanine (@MovieMezzanine) August 4, 2014
Monday, August 04, 2014
A change to when I see films means I'm moving Review of the Week to Monday nights. Reviews will be published on here before what I'm actually writing them for, but I'm not going to make you hold out until nearly a week after their release if it's not an advance screening.
This week, I would really like to know what people think of the film. I'm torn as to whether Guardians of the Galaxy was worth including in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise...
Guardians of the Galaxy (M)
MISFITS in this world get along by
mixing with others of the same sentiment, those who for one reason or
another fail to fit into the general norms of society. It's a
foundation of the superhero genre, and a fact that Marvel Comics has
jumped on to make its billions.
It's no surprise then that the Marvel
Cinematic Universe has been expanded past the Avengers' group and
individual tales. For some the inclusion of the Guardians of the
Galaxy comes as a surprise, but others will know the odd group fits
well within the Marvel sphere of weird.
And weird this group is. Peter Quill
(Chris Pratt), taken from Earth as a kid in 1988, is an outlaw raised
by crooks. Gamora (Zoe Saldana) is turning her back on family for the
greater good of the universe because they are an evil bunch, while
Drax (Dave Bautista) is a surprisingly intelligent brute wanting
revenge for his family's death.
Then there's comical duo Groot (Vin
Diesel) and Rocket (Bradley Cooper). A tree with limited speech and a
mutant racoon make for an unlikely pair but one that brings the
laughs in this story of acceptance and friendship.
The Avengers these guys ain't. While
they too are a bunch of misfits brought together under circumstance,
the Guardians of the Galaxy are a more friendly bunch towards each
other. Their camaraderie is more genuine by the story's end, where
one's ego doesn't overtake the others and individual interests aren't
the most important.
Director James Gunn wants to make us
believe that idea of genuine friendship is something found in the
good old days, throwing the audience back into a not-so-forgotten era
with a peppy 70s soundtrack. Marvel gets retro with this lot, but it
overcompensates in the family friendly stakes when paired with the
usual wisecracks this franchise has come to be known for.
The story itself is a simple one to aid
the introduction of the new group. After Quill gains possession of a
valuable artifact he becomes a target, and the group are thrown
together out of circumstance to try and keep it out of villainous
hands.
There's a little bit of a Thor complex
in there as Gamora becomes central to the plan - her family,
including Ronan (Lee Pace) and sister Nebula (Karen Gillan) are the
story's bad guys as they plot to destroy the people of planet Xandar.
There's a touch of Iron Man too, with Quill's desire to be known as
the edgy hero Starlord.
It's a hard ask for audiences to be
accepting of this group as part of the Marvel universe, with next to
no tie-ins with any of the characters previously focused on. To Gunn
and Nicole Perman's credit, the script contains some of the laughs we
should expect. But while Pratt and Saldana are great leads (Pratt
particularly comfortable with comedy), John C Reilly as Xandarian
officer Corpsman Dey and Benicio del Toro as The Collector don't get
enough screen time.
While not meant to be viewed as a
standalone film it easily comes across that way. It's because of that
the standard drops just a little bit within the Marvel story. These
guardians provide plenty of action to keep you entertained, and bring
something different to the Marvel spectrum - but ultimately serve as
what seems to be an unnecessary distraction for what lies ahead.
Rating: 3.5/5
MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of Charlie's Country.
Friday, August 01, 2014
I was listening to a mix of songs on my computer one night, which included Delta Goodrem's first album. It made me think of how huge Innocent Eyes was when released - and how much it impacted on people. I know one of my friends listened to it every day after school for a long time, and it still doesn't surprise me. It's quite a beautiful pop album, very raw in a way. I turned 14 that year, and Goodrem was a teenager herself having written the songs - so it was extremely relatable to a lot of her fans.
A personal favourite still is Will You Fall For Me, a simple song about unrequited feelings. I thought to look up a live version on YouTube - and then found she had re-recorded it last year as part of a 10th anniversary release which I had no idea about.
And I didn't like it.
 |
| Apparently this came out in November 2013... |
It just reminded me of one other time when I was really disappointed by a different version of a song. Avril Lavigne performed I'm With You on Rove Live when she was really big, and I was scarred by that live version for a while. Although it's still a good song, she managed to rip a small piece of its soul with that performance.
Do you have a song you've had ruined by a different version? Or one that's been made better remixed or reworked by someone else?
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
While I'm about to return to my commitment of writing for the Darwin Sun, this review isn't getting a proper run - but I thought I'd share it with you anyway. I'm glad to have gotten back into the swing of things by writing something, and am going to make a conscious effort to return to past glory with regular musings. I'll admit Darwin has so far been a more difficult place to keep cinema visits up.
My views on Charlie's Country may soon pop up in an essay as an expansion of what I've written here, so watch this space. For now, I strongly encourage Australians to watch this film so have a squiz as to why I think you should.
Charlie's Country (M)
THE DIFFICULTIES indigenous Australians
face in their communities are primarily documented in the media by
reports on violence and alcoholism. They are indeed problems, and
highlight the need to look at how governments handle future
population placement.
There are few directors that regularly
champion the stories of indigenous Australians, and within those none
quite like Rolf de Heer. The Dutch-born director, now boasting three
collaborations with veteran talent David Gulpilil, explores
traditional and modern values within the most simple of interactions
and stories.
Charlie (Gulpilil) is a man who does
not know where traditional values end and modern ones begin. He feels
trapped in his community, wanting the same privileges as the white
man and bemoaning the lack of general opportunity.
He is a larrikin, helping the police
catch criminals and then turning on them. He clings on to the past,
and can't see a fulfilling future. A decision to go bush in an effort
to find food and return to his roots sets Charlie on a path of
discovery, changing the way he sees his homeland and his situation.
Each of the film's three undefined
chapters change the tone of Charlie's story dramatically. His time in
the community is laced with wit and establishes human connections,
while his walkabout brings a complete alienation from the world.
Charlie's return to society, taking him to Darwin, brings his story
full-circle as he reconnects.
Stark contrasts make for a shift in
attitude for Charlie, a man who refuses to lose his humour; happy to
talk to himself and keep preoccupied. Gulpilil's depth as an actor is
revealed to us beautifully, de Heer knowing his star and using his
talent in an almost haunting way. The use of facial expression in
this one-man show is extremely powerful, Gulpilil showing the
complexities of Charlie with ease.
Shot on location across the Northern
Territory, including Darwin, we are privy to both the run-down areas
of closed communities and the natural beauty of Arnhem Land. The
latter is a beautiful part of Australia rarely seen in cinema, de
Heer exploiting it for our benefit.
The film is let down by the second
half, where the pace is slowed right down to drag things along. But
this third collaboration between de Heer and Gulpilil, after The
Tracker and Ten Canoes, was rightly a Cannes Film Festival
hit. Gulpilil's Un Certain Regard Best Actor win affirmed the
strength of their professional relationship as well as a great
individual performance
It is a film Australians should make an
effort to see, not only to understand the difficulties faced in
indigenous communities, but see our country's film-making talent at
its finest.
Rating: 4/5
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