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Reviews
Pain Hustlers (2023)
Very entertaining take on serious subject
I had not heard of this film or seen it reviewed anywhere in (Australian) newspapers, and only discovered it after googlng 'best films of 2023' where it appeared on the list. So glad I found it.
I've given it a 9 to hopefully make up for the inexplicable 6.5 it was rated as of January 2024, but it deserves a least an 8 in any case.
Almost everything works well in this movie, starting with the script that has a lot of wit and style. The two main actors are great and Emily Blunt's character is easy to empathise with despite the initially amoral quest she undertakes.
This could have been a serious, worthy study of big pharma, and maybe that's what the low-rating viewers on IMDb expected or wanted. Instead, the film-makers took the far better option of doing a highly entertaining and often funny approach that at the same time does justice to a serious issue. I hope it reaches a wide audience.
The Politician (2019)
The female characters make this stand out
Bette Midler and Judith Light's comedy double-act in the 2nd season is a classic -- two brilliantly written and realised characters. Hopefully it'll continue in season 3 of this often witty, occasionally preachy series.
Australia with Julia Bradbury (2019)
It's good
I've seen a couple of episodes so far. I don't normally bother with travel shows but the host Julia has a lot of natural enthusiasm and charm that makes this a pleasure to watch.
Dirt (2007)
Stylish, intelligent, darkly funny
Watched this again recently and it still holds up very well, especially the first season, not so much the second. I was never a fan of Courteney Cox but she's perfect in this role as a ruthless magazine editor, very charismatic and beautiful too, as is Laura Allen as the conflicted and compromised star.
What saves it from being just a guilty pleasure is the stylish directing, often witty writing, and the production's overall willingness to take risks -- a schizophrenic photographer as a main character is one of many such risks that pays off.
Lowdown (2010)
Very charming and amusing
I'm surprised this hasn't got more imdb reviews. It's a great low-key comedy about a tabloid journalist and his odd friends and colleagues. Adam and Kym are especially funny, and kudos to Adam for co-creating this gem