Kubrick was a beatnik poet. His work was plagued with metaphors, and the disease of hidden meaning was always turned to his advantage. In 2001: A Space Odyssey, he had almost a precognisance about the worry of the future that the millennium has exhibited so well for us. In The Shining, he taught us that, […]
I remember seeing a Helmut Newton photograph of Sigourney Weaver that seemed to sum up everything that was fascinating about the actress. In typical Newton style the pic was heavily stylised in its lighting and themes, but importantly it tapped into Weaver’s charged sexuality and natural charisma. In recent years she’s been on the verge
Without having read the novel written by Melania Mazzucco, I felt hesitant watching “A Perfect Day (Un giorno perfetto)”, as if I was surrounded by one hundred laughing jackals, sneering at my confusion. Who were these characters, and why did they watch glumly from the shadows? Director Ferzan Özpetek creates a labyrinth of storylines here,
My theory is that every generation needs their own version of the film The King and I. Namely a new king. My grandparents had Rex Harrison, my parents had Yul Brynner, and now my generation has Chow Yun-Fat. Hold the phone right there, mister. Chow Yun-Fat isn’t he that the guy from those crazy, violent,
In many ways “Dogs in Space” is the archetypal 1980s Australian film. It’s full of confidence and clever innovation, but is hampered by a lacklustre script and a style of production dissonant with the material it covers. Produced in 1986, it actually looks at Melbourne eight years earlier, when the city’s punk scene was at
The feature debut by brothers Dan and Bramwell Noah, Little Black Dress is a notable Melbourne production with an interesting take on the intermingling of love, fate and the ruthless proliferation of reality TV trends. When Ebony Mason’s (Sandy Greenwood) morning jog leads to an impulsive stroll into an apartment building advertising a vacancy, a
Set in 1952, this film begins in Argentina, with two great friends embarking upon a long journey, on a Norton 500 motorbike, of dubious mechanical condition. Their intention is to taste life before they settle down to finish their respective medical degrees. They intend to traverse the great continent of South America. We follow them
“Rembetiko” was undoubtedly a labour of love for producer, co-writer and director Costa Ferris. Unfortunately, the film will prove a labour of a different kind for most modern audiences, its muddled nature and shallow characterisations deflating some frequently inspired production work. But you can discount yourself from possible disaffection if you’re in any way a
This claymation film, Mary and Max, gives no illusions as to what its target audience is. Using the painstaking skill of stop motion photography, combined with the incredibly difficult animation technique of claymation (the animated art of hand sculptured movement) Oscar winning creative genius Adam Elliot, (the writer, production designer and director of Mary and
I have long admired Jennifer Jason Leigh for her courage in the face of critical adversity, cheering every mumble in Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle, clinging for dear life to the screwed warble-songs of Georgia. Sadly, “The Ballad of Jenny” went askew this year when she decided to continue her particular Brand X of
