Australian - 20/20 Filmsight

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Australian - 20/20 Filmsight

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Trojan Horse - What have we learned from history?

September 1st 2006 18:49

If you're Australian, this is no big news, but for the rest of us, this is side-splittingly, knee-slappingly funny.

The idea is brilliant, but the execution - grand. Trying to get into the Sydney Uni History Department or the Turkish Consulate...

This just goes to show you that Australians can be some of the most ridiculous comedians ever.

(found on YesButNoButYes)

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Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Australian

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The Castle - Film Review

August 10th 2006 19:23

When I first moved to Australia, I lived with an American guy that insisted that I watch The Castle.

'It's fuckin' funny,' he said, picking at his big feet, 'It's the best fuckin' Aussie movie, ever!'

While his recommendation didn't really compel me, I was fortunate to run into a copy of it and watched it to see what Australian cinema had to offer.

It was good. Not only good. So good that it might be one of my favourite films. That good, and then better, till you can't believe it's not butter.

Filmed in 11 days on a budget of a half-million, The Castle is a fantastic example of a good story translating to film without big stars and special effects. A number of the actors, namely Eric Bana and Michael Caton, went on to bigger and brighter things.

Hell, Eric Bana was The Hulk.

It's about this family - the Kerrigans - who seem to be the worst off in the country... they own a house in a suburb of Melbourne so far away, it's next to the airport. They're all uneducated, except for the daughter, who went to TAFE and the oldest son is in prison. They eat horribly bland meals and go on nasty vacations. You'd cry to be this down-and-out.

It sounds miserably depressing, doesn't it? Or just depressingly miserable?

The beauty of the Kerrigan family, and the entire movie about them, is that this may be the best family in the world. Despite their social standing and their limitations, the Kerrigans are absolutely content in their lives and are totally solid as a family.

An Australian girl told me she didn't like the movie. She felt it portrayed Australians in an unflattering light, and she's right - to a point. A lot of the humour is at the expense of this lower-class family, but, despite that, we're fascinated by them.

Most of the comedy comes from the brilliant writing...the story moves along, but the Kerrigans' reaction to life is precious.

'Ah, the serenity!' the father, Daryl, exclaims as he rips his speedboat through a dirty lake.

The humour isn't watercooler material... this isn't Zoolander or Spinal Tap. It has to be watched for its boganesque charm and wit. The comedy makes The Castle a good movie.

What makes it an amazing movie, though, is the story... city planners have decided to extend the airport through the Kerrigan's property, pushing the family out somewhere else.

What can they do? They fight!

Poorly. Oh, so poorly. The lawyer representing them is not even familiar with the law, and Daryl Kerrigan isn't smart enough to argue for himself.

I've learned, however, that Australians love the story of the little guy overcoming the odds. It's hardwired into the red soil of Uluru and emanates in radiating waves outwards. The underdog has the most exuberant fans in this country, and when the Kerrigans come out on top, you'll feel like jumping out of your patio chair and pumping your fist into the air.

I say: If you're in Australia, see it five times. If you're not in Australia, track it down like a junkyard dog and savour every little bit.

See it for: There's just too many great moments - the crooked pool table, the Trading Post obsession, the kickboxer, the 'Mabo' plea... you just want to put this movie in a box and watch it over and over.

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Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Australian

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Australian Rape Film gets Federal Funding

July 15th 2006 01:13

The story?

A male dancer gets abducted by a gang of masked women, and is raped and sexually abused for 12 days. It's called The Book of Revelation.
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Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Australian

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Sydney Film Festival Opening Night is Tomorrow!

June 7th 2006 23:14

Ten Canoes

At 8:00 tomorrow night, the 53rd Sydney Film Festival will kick off with the screening of Ten Canoes, billed as the first Australian film to be filmed in an Indigenous language.

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Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Australian

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Candy - Film Review

May 20th 2006 08:36

Candy Film Poster (from Wikipedia)

A lot of reputable actors have given their careers a seedy, respectable kick by portraying a drug addict, showing the despair and the decline of a life with narcotics.

Ewen McGregor did it with heroin in Trainspotting.
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Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Australian

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