Reviews
How to Make Gravy (2024)
An instant Aussie Christmas Classic!
"How To Make Gravy," directed by Nick Waterman and co-written with Meg Washington, is a poignant and beautifully crafted adaptation of Paul Kelly's iconic Christmas song.
The film delves into the emotional complexities of family and redemption, bringing to life the characters immortalised in Kelly's lyrics. Daniel Henshall delivers a compelling performance as Joe, a newly imprisoned man grappling with the weight of his absence during the family's first Christmas without him.
Hugo Weaving's portrayal of Noel, a veteran prisoner who becomes a father figure to Joe, adds profound depth to the narrative, exploring themes of guidance and personal growth. The film's visual storytelling is enhanced by Edward Goldner's cinematography, which captures both the starkness of prison life and the warmth of familial bonds.
Samuel Dixon's synth score, complemented by Washington's original songs, enriches the film's emotional landscape, resonating with the larrikin soul of Kelly's deeply felt ditty.
"How To Make Gravy" stands as a testament to the enduring power of Kelly's songwriting, offering a fresh perspective on a beloved Australian classic. It is a must-watch for both fans of the original song and those seeking a heartfelt Christmas narrative that transcends traditional holiday storytelling.
Barry (2018)
Barry is the perfect anti-hero!
Barry is the perfect anti-hero, masterfully blending a brilliant and compelling story and character full of contradictions - and Bill Hader absolutely nails the role.
Adding to the growing list of TV's most successful like likable bad guys, similar to Walter White and Dexter - Barry seems to defy our own morality, and again we find ourselves rooting for a deeply disturbed yet lovable Psychopathic killer.
Series creator, star-turned writer and director Bill Hader brilliantly weaves together a unique blend of his familiar style of absurd and offbeat humor with a cast and story that are equally as compelling as his ability to embody the character of Barry. Binge TV at its best, the addictive nature infused into its continuously unraveling plot makes it hard for us to look away as Barry narrowly dodges bullets with his crimes and misdemeanors.
It's a series you just don't want to end!
Brick (2005)
A Masterpiece. Rian Johnson's 'Brick' is everything I had hoped for, and more!
From the early days of film when suspicious men in trench coats walked around with a constant inner monologue, audiences were exposed to the dark and clouded underworld of the troubled, yet fascinating characters of the film noir genre. It was a time when actors like Bogart and Orson Wells became known mostly for their eyebrows, or the amount of cigarettes they could smoke in a single film. The ultra-cool, tobacco scented folk, destined to walk through every back alley known to man. This was the world of the Private Eye.
Since then, many films have been made incorporating the same style, bellowing out even more smoke, engulfing the many characters in a shadowy haze in their efforts to seek love, justice and redemption. Classics like The Maltese Falcon and The Third Man were among the many favorites throughout noir's history, inspiring directors like Wells and Hitchcock in the fifties with Touch of Evil and Strangers on a Train, and most recently with The Coen Brothers' The Man Who Wasn't There. It is clear now that the genre is among the most popular in many critics' lists, but now with Rian Johnson's new thriller Brick, it is evident that the noir genre can still be re-invented.
Opening the film, looking down the mouth of a dark, damp storm water tunnel, the body of a young girl lies at its entrance. The haunting soundtrack embraces this tragic scene, as our hero, Brendan Frye (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), stares silently as the water gently trickles through her cold, lifeless fingers. Powerless to help, he yearns to seek revenge and expose those responsible for this unthinkable crime. Although Brendan is only a high school student, nothing will come between him and his search for justice. This is only the beginning of Johnson's masterpiece, and being an avid fan of noir his aim was no to imitate, but to use elements to alter the structure into a modern high school setting. "We wrestled with the question of "How do you 'do' the genre today?" Johnson explains, "This was the weird approach that we decided on." Yet again adding even more innovation, Johnson's script incorporates a unique, polished dialect that weaves fluently through Brendan's many encounters throughout the film.
To my amazement, the result is breathtaking, and the combination works astoundingly well. Starting again now, two day's prior to finding his ex-girlfriend Emily's body, Brendan comes across a note in his locker that leads him to a phone booth where a distressed Emily (Emilie De Ravin) unloads a bunch of gibberish just before her mysterious disappearance. Now in a state of panic, Brendan must try and decode her jumbled up message in order to detect her whereabouts, and understand what exactly she has gotten herself into. Without hesitation, he quickly calls upon the only fellow peer he can trust, The Brain (Matt O'Leary), to aid him in this now very risky investigation. Through the desolate corridors of this Southern Californian High School, and the dimly lit streets of suburbia, Brendan must face the local underground drug lord, The Pin (Lukas Haas), who may very well be involved. After finding Emily murdered, Brendan takes justice into his own hands by concealing her body, and vowing to avenge her death no matter what the cost may be.
Winner of the special Jury Prize at Sundance for Originality of Vision, it was obvious that behind the scenes a dedicated film-making team had been put in place. Determined to bring this thriller to life, Johnson's dream is now a reality, and it has become a tribute to great storytelling. The film is without a doubt kept alive by a remarkably gifted cast lead by Joseph Gorden-Levitt. Having recently starred in Gregg Araki's acclaimed Mysterious Skin, Gordon-Levitt burns onto the screen as the heroic Brendan, and his ability to adapt to the role of this suave, smooth talking teenager ultimately gives Brick the depth and realism it needs to survive, and surely proves his status as one of the finest up and coming actors of this decade.
Vozvrashchenie (2003)
This is what cinema is all about.
I just bought this absolute gem of a film on DVD, after seeing it last year when it was released here in Sydney, Australia. The trailer had grabbed me and I was immediately captivated by this mysterious and dark Russian film. It did not let me down, and it was far greater than I had ever expected, and I now consider it to be one of my favourite films of all time. This film expresses everything I respect in film, and is the power of cinema, in every way.
A Masterpiece.
Rest in Peace, Vladimir. A truly profound actor, who we will always remember for the performance which made this film what it is.