Only a coupla new flicks out today - Horrible Bosses, The Guard, Priest and Beginners. Horrible Bosses is the long awaited comedy starring Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day as three very put-upon workers deciding they need to off their 3 horrible bosses. I say long awaited as it came out in the US ages ago and it got a very good review on a movie blog I follow, and the previews have been showing here for months. Ben didn't even recognise Jennifer Aniston as a saucy dentist sexually harrassing her assistant. Should be funny and a bit dark. Stay tuned for Jennifer Aniston double movie review in near future (saw Just go With It last week, surprisingly good).
Beginners is a gentle drama/comedy/romance starring Ewan McGregor and Melanie Laurent (the lovely French cinema owner from QT's Inglourious Basterds who gets her revenge on the nazis), Ewan's character's dad has come out as a homosexual at the age of 75 before passing away from cancer. Ewan has to deal with this but then meets Melanie's character who starts to bring him out of his shell. Apparently much warmer and funnier than that sounds, this is getting really good reviews. Probably quite whimsical.
Priest is a supernatural action thriller starring Paul Bettany in a role eerily similar to his role in Legion which failed miserably, as it seems this movie is likely to as well. An ass-kicking priest and his assistants take revenge on the vampires who live below ground after they kill his sister and abduct his niece. Seems to only be on at Cineplex (South Bank, Hawthorne, Victoria Point and Balmoral) in 3D.
The Guard is going to be my movie of the week, released today. I saw this last week and it is quite brilliant and I urge you to go see it, especially if you liked In Bruges. Written and directed by John Michael McDonagh (brother of Martin McDonagh who directed In Bruges), this is one hell of a debut film. It's a great blend of action, detective movie and black comedy. The movie is set in a small Irish village where Gerry Boyle is the head cop, but he doesn't really do things by the usual cop book! The opening montage illustrating Gerry's unconventional approach to policing is very effective at setting up this movie as a very odd, black comedy. It opens with Gerry investigating the murder of a local lad which soon turns into something much more. A visiting FBI agent from America (Don Cheadle) is investigating a drug smuggling ring in the area, and it doesn't take long for Gerry to connect the two events. A buddy cop movie seems to then be unfolding, but of course it doesn't stay on the straight and narrow path for long as the pair's investigation continues.
The best part of this movie are the funny lines from Gerry and the odd friendship between Gerry and FBI man Wendell. At times, both you and Wendell are wondering whether Gerry is serious, sarcastic or just a little bit loopy. You just don't know how to take him, and yet he is very endearing, a really good hero to cheer for. Brendan Gleeson (the hitman who wasn't Colin Farrell in In Bruges and Mad-Eye Moody in Harry Potter series) is absolutely wonderful as Gerry. The guys who play the 3 ringleaders of the drug gang are also quite funny, especially Mark Strong who is probably best known from Kick Ass. You will find some very quotable lines in this film, from both the good guys and the bad guys. Although sometimes you're not sure who is worse - the crooks or the cops.
A surprising yet satisfying ending caps off a movie that was pretty compelling anyway. I think Empire really got this one right - a five star movie and also with their comment that this is a movie where you come away really wishing that the lead character would get his own series of movies. You could just keep watching Gerry all day long to see what he would do or say next.
Here is a link to the trailer if I haven't talked it up enough. Hope you like it!
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3330710553/
Other bits and pieces that are around - Peter Gabriel 3D is probably a live concert, showing at Dendy Portside this weekend. Russian Resurrection Film Festival is on now at Palace Cinemas, check the website for movie listings and times. Advance screenings of The Help this week at various locations, was #1 film in the US last week.
Tribal Cinema is busy this week, regular screenings of The Last Circus and The Princess Bride all week, with one off sessions of The Room (worst movie ever I've heard, I must catch up with this) on Saturday night and Troll 2 on Friday night. The Population Film Festival takes over all day Sunday with documentaries and shorts addressing issues around population growth and our environment and social issues. Tuesday night sees a bad movie double, Toxic Avenger and Killer Condom.
Sorry this was so long!
Thursday 25 August 2011
Thursday 18 August 2011
New views 18 August
Hola amigos! It's an action packed week at the cinema starting today, what with the release of the remake of Conan the Barbarian, Cowboys and Aliens (does what it says on the packet although refreshingly not in 3D) and a bit of teen wrestling in Win Win (although more of an adult drama about decent people making dumb decisions). This is in addition to the still on release Green Lantern, Captain America, Harry Potter, Hanna and Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Rom coms are represented by Friends with Benefits which everyone is aware of unless they've been under a rock during the Justin/Mila publicity explosion. For a more gentle pace, try Pina 3D at the Palace Barracks - a tribute by German Werner Herzog to his friend Pina who is a very well known dance choreographer who passed away just before the film was made. Much dance and movement and not much else I believe. Music lovers have the film of Faithless' final concert, Passing the Baton, showing at Hoyts Stafford or Glee Live 3D (!). There really is something for everyone at the moment.
Tribal Theatre has an exclusive on The Last Circus, plus Planet Terror and Deathproof as a grindhouse double bill all week, although sadly not as the full package that American viewers received when it was originally released. One day......
Both Hoyts and Birch Carroll and Coyle have published coupons in the paper today (Thursday) for 2 tix for $20 or 2 3D tix for $26. So snip and save!
Paul is about the only big release on DVD this week, but it's well worth a watch, very funny and some great pop culture/sci fi references. Check out my review earlier this year if unsure.
Adios, until next week!
Tribal Theatre has an exclusive on The Last Circus, plus Planet Terror and Deathproof as a grindhouse double bill all week, although sadly not as the full package that American viewers received when it was originally released. One day......
Both Hoyts and Birch Carroll and Coyle have published coupons in the paper today (Thursday) for 2 tix for $20 or 2 3D tix for $26. So snip and save!
Paul is about the only big release on DVD this week, but it's well worth a watch, very funny and some great pop culture/sci fi references. Check out my review earlier this year if unsure.
Adios, until next week!
Tuesday 16 August 2011
One Night at Crash n Burn
Crash n Burn was a dingy dive bar in the centre of Brisbane, set below ground level beneath a bunch of shops and with a very low roof. It was the venue for many an awesome gig, whether it was international touring bands, national tours for well known bands, or just showcasing local talent. On sweltering summer afternoons it would host all ages punk shows and sweat would drip from the ceiling because the kids couldn't help but mosh hard. Unfortunately it closed down to make way for a strip club in the late 90s (which it still is today sadly!) I spent many an afternoon and evening there, and met many people who are still my very good friends. If I didn't actually meet you there, I probably hung out with you there at least once or saw your band play there. The staff were great, a lot like a big family and towards the end I was family enough to give the guys a hand cleaning up before grabbing a cab home in the morning daylight. I even had my 21st birthday party there!
As good as all the bands were, and I did see hundreds, I also enjoyed staying around afterwards for the great tunes that would be played til dawn. I loved dancing so much, although you would probably call it jumping up and down or skanking or headbanging rather than dancing. So with my rose coloured glasses firmly on and a disclaimer that I take no responsibility for accuracy to a particular year or night (some of these songs may only have been played if I was there and requested them - thanks Stef), here is a tracklist for a night at Crash n Burn after the bands have packed up, hope you enjoy this little trip back in time....
Smashing Pumpkins - Bullet with Buttefly Wings
Faith no More - Ashes to Ashes
The Tea Party - Temptation
Pop Will Eat Itself - Everything's Cool
Filter - Hey Man, Nice Shot
Fear Factory - Self Bias Resistor
Pantera - Walk
Rage against the Machine - Bullet in the Head
Mr Bungle - Girls of Porn
I always hated it when this next song would come on, I used to love it but really went off it after all the chicks would get out on the dancefloor and practically do a striptease/grind to this song.
Nine Inch Nails - Closer
Kyuss - One Inch Man
Monster Magnet - Negasonic Teenage Warhead
Tool - Opiate
Faith no More - Digging the Grave
Revolting Cocks - Do ya think I'm Sexy?
Korn - A.D.I.D.A.S
Insurge - Political Prisoners
The Pixies - Debaser
Nirvana - Come as you Are
Stone Temple Pilots - Vasoline
L7 - Shitlist
Hole - Doll Parts
Weezer - Buddy Holly
Blur - Song 2
Veruca Salt - Seether
Bjork - Army of Me
Breeders - Cannonball
Garbage - Vow
Jane's Addiction - Been Caught Stealin'
Foo Fighters - Monkey Wrench
Alice in Chains - Rooster
Green Day - Basket Case
Face to Face - Blind
Sublime - Date Rape
Blink 182 - Apple Shampoo
Rancid - Ruby Soho
The Living End - Strange
No Doubt - Just a Girl
Pennywise - Peaceful Day
Madness - Baggy Trousers
The Fireballs - Don't Bother Me
Blister - Baby Won't you Mind my Towel
Dead Kennedys - Holiday in Cambodia
Fur - Blondi
Feel free to add more to this list by commenting, especially if I've forgotten your fave song...
Thursday 11 August 2011
Battle of the Second Tier Superheroes
Green Lantern hits cinemas today with a seriously underwhelming marketing campaign and trailer. Will it have the "will" to win the competition of the second tier superheroes against Captain America? I very much doubt it - does anyone need me to see this to tell them it will be pretty "meh"? Although I have yet to catch up on the good Captain and see if he lives up to the far more interesting trailer.
Continuing the trend of opposite movie releases, Jane Eyre returns to our screens for like the 14th time (30 if you count the TV versions apparently). Apparently Aussie actress Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Tim Burton's recent disappointing re-imagining) does a great job as the title character, so this could be one quality drama/Gothic chiller.
Senna is a new release documentary about the legendary Formula 1 driver who was tragically killed at age 34 in a race. Taking a slightly different approach than the usual family/friend/celebrity interviews model, the early word is that this is quite good even if you aren't a revhead.
Yeah, OK, I will mention that Glee Live 3D is out this week too, but if you would go to this you already knew that right?
Hoyts have published coupons in the Courier Mail today for 2 tickets for $20 or 2 3D movies for $26 so snip these out if you're on a budget but need a night out. Good until 14 September.
The DVD stores will get a shot in the arm this week from the release of Sucker Punch (I don't think anyone went to the cinema for it but should do well on DVD) but not much else going on.
Special screenings:
Continuing the trend of opposite movie releases, Jane Eyre returns to our screens for like the 14th time (30 if you count the TV versions apparently). Apparently Aussie actress Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Tim Burton's recent disappointing re-imagining) does a great job as the title character, so this could be one quality drama/Gothic chiller.
Senna is a new release documentary about the legendary Formula 1 driver who was tragically killed at age 34 in a race. Taking a slightly different approach than the usual family/friend/celebrity interviews model, the early word is that this is quite good even if you aren't a revhead.
Yeah, OK, I will mention that Glee Live 3D is out this week too, but if you would go to this you already knew that right?
Hoyts have published coupons in the Courier Mail today for 2 tickets for $20 or 2 3D movies for $26 so snip these out if you're on a budget but need a night out. Good until 14 September.
The DVD stores will get a shot in the arm this week from the release of Sucker Punch (I don't think anyone went to the cinema for it but should do well on DVD) but not much else going on.
Special screenings:
- Tribal Cinema's schedule for the next week includes a screening of Cannibal Holocaust on Friday night, a brilliant double bill of Alien and Aliens on Saturday evening (dammit I already have plans that night), with Aliens and The Last Circus being the films showing all week until next Thursday.
- GOMA Cinematheque has the Scorcese classic Taxi Driver next Wednesday 17th and Saturday 20th August.
- Schonell Cinema has late runs of Mozart's Sister, The Tree of Life and The Trip.
Saturday 6 August 2011
Rise of the Planet of the Apes - #18 movie
You need to know this is not a remake, reboot, reimagination or any other absurd movie mogul term for "cashing in". It is actually a prequel to the original Planet of the Apes. A really clever prequel. Also forget the Tim Burton and Mark Wahlberg movie altogether, they have absolutely nothing in common. This is a great movie that has been made at the right time in two ways. 1 - A time when visual effects have developed to a level where an actor can play an animal convincingly so you don't have any of those real animal problems or annoying CGI talking animals. No, the chimps do not talk like humans like in the previous films. 2 - A time when experimental drug therapies are growing in number, making the film very relevant in its message.
The movie is set in current times, when a scientist (James Franco) discovers a virus which can encourage the brain to regenerate its cells, creating a possible cure for Altzheimer's disease. Testing on chimpanzees has been very encouraging, until the side effects make themselves known. Closing down the program, the scientist discovers a baby chimp and is forced to take him in or put him down. Will quickly discovers that the drug can also increase intelligence, and "Caesar" is no ordinary chimp. He breaks all ethics to raise Caesar like his own child, while also doing unauthorised human trials of the drug on his Dad. Five years on and Will is forced to put Caesar into a facility for apes after an incident occurs at his home. Caesar's humanity is a real liability in this environment. Meanwhile, Will's results are revealed to his boss and the company begins testing a more aggressive version of the drug therapy on chimpanzees. Will starts to realise the dangers of what he has started, but is it too late?
The best thing going for this film are Franco and Andy Serkis. I will unashamedly admit to being a massive Franco fan already, but he again proves in this film what a great talent he is. Effectively playing a villain, you wouldn't know it, as Will is very sympathetic and every motivation feels very real. Andy Serkis has proven himself to be the undisputed king of "motion capture" with Gollum and King Kong, and he is great as Caesar. Although not speaking like in the earlier movies, you can read his thoughts in his eyes, facial expressions and body language. In many scenes you can forget he's CGI and not a real animal.
The other strong point is the script and the themes. The ethics of animal testing, the focus of big pharmaceutical companies on profit over people, whether we should be trying to extend life through artificial therapies. These are all explored very gently in the background of the main story about Will and Caesar's relationship, but they are the things that make the film resonate strongly. It is so not a blockbuster action movie although the eventual rise of the apes is fairly spectacular.
If you haven't seen the original films, you will still be able to enjoy this movie as an intelligent drama with strong performances and something to say. If you are a fan of the original movie series, I think you would still like this movie. It ties up its plot neatly while also linking to the original in some very clever ways (some subtle and some in your face) and answers a certain question I had in my mind from the original. Smart and compelling with really good effects. I'd give it a 4.5 out of 5.
The movie is set in current times, when a scientist (James Franco) discovers a virus which can encourage the brain to regenerate its cells, creating a possible cure for Altzheimer's disease. Testing on chimpanzees has been very encouraging, until the side effects make themselves known. Closing down the program, the scientist discovers a baby chimp and is forced to take him in or put him down. Will quickly discovers that the drug can also increase intelligence, and "Caesar" is no ordinary chimp. He breaks all ethics to raise Caesar like his own child, while also doing unauthorised human trials of the drug on his Dad. Five years on and Will is forced to put Caesar into a facility for apes after an incident occurs at his home. Caesar's humanity is a real liability in this environment. Meanwhile, Will's results are revealed to his boss and the company begins testing a more aggressive version of the drug therapy on chimpanzees. Will starts to realise the dangers of what he has started, but is it too late?
The best thing going for this film are Franco and Andy Serkis. I will unashamedly admit to being a massive Franco fan already, but he again proves in this film what a great talent he is. Effectively playing a villain, you wouldn't know it, as Will is very sympathetic and every motivation feels very real. Andy Serkis has proven himself to be the undisputed king of "motion capture" with Gollum and King Kong, and he is great as Caesar. Although not speaking like in the earlier movies, you can read his thoughts in his eyes, facial expressions and body language. In many scenes you can forget he's CGI and not a real animal.
The other strong point is the script and the themes. The ethics of animal testing, the focus of big pharmaceutical companies on profit over people, whether we should be trying to extend life through artificial therapies. These are all explored very gently in the background of the main story about Will and Caesar's relationship, but they are the things that make the film resonate strongly. It is so not a blockbuster action movie although the eventual rise of the apes is fairly spectacular.
If you haven't seen the original films, you will still be able to enjoy this movie as an intelligent drama with strong performances and something to say. If you are a fan of the original movie series, I think you would still like this movie. It ties up its plot neatly while also linking to the original in some very clever ways (some subtle and some in your face) and answers a certain question I had in my mind from the original. Smart and compelling with really good effects. I'd give it a 4.5 out of 5.
Thursday 4 August 2011
Fresh eye candy
Is it already Thursday again? Yet another batch of new films out before you've gotten to see the ones from the last few weeks (really wish I didn't miss X-Men First Class). Never mind, they'll be out on DVD in a few weeks! The big release of the week is Rise of the Planet of the Apes which needs no introduction - I think it does what it says on the packet. Totally opposite would be Mel Gibson's crazy hand puppet drama The Beaver (check my review a few weeks ago) and Red Dog. This is a simple tale (allegedly based on a true story) about an adventurous kelpie in the outback and his friendship with an American traveller, not to mention a bunch of other Aussie characters. Palace Centro's new exclusive is Love Crime which I have no idea what that is about, sorry. Take a chance!
Your new release options at the video shop include The Lincoln Lawyer (Matthew McConaughey as a lawyer not taking his shirt off for once), Hop (talking Easter Bunny), Never Let me Go (fantastic drama with sci-fi edge, reviewed earlier this year) and Just Go With It (ludicrious premise of Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston pretending to be married so he can get his dream girl, but could be kinda funny??).
Your new release options at the video shop include The Lincoln Lawyer (Matthew McConaughey as a lawyer not taking his shirt off for once), Hop (talking Easter Bunny), Never Let me Go (fantastic drama with sci-fi edge, reviewed earlier this year) and Just Go With It (ludicrious premise of Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston pretending to be married so he can get his dream girl, but could be kinda funny??).
Tuesday 2 August 2011
Nostalgia Part II
So I posted a few weeks back on the subject of nostalgia and getting the band back together. Sorry to revisit this issue, but on Friday night I was reminded of just how powerful music is at putting you in a certain place and time. I headed down the Coast to attend a gig at Shed 5, Arundel. The lineup was 6 bands, of which 3 contained friends who had played in a previous band together. And instantly it was like I was 19 again, that gigs were all that mattered in life, when friendships were intense because you didn't have mortgages, babies and responsiblities, and I was a total tomboy. I had an absolutely smashing time and, I think, so did most of the rest of the people there that night.
Music is just the ultimate time machine. It's like when you hear something you love, the time, place, smells and people around you are just imprinted on your brain. It may lie dormant for periods of time, but when you hear that song you can just feel exactly where you were the first or last time you heard it. Whether good or bad too..... I'm not the only one who feels this way either, I'm almost borrowing a direct quote from the Sunday Mail columnist on the weekend who wrote about how seeing the ultimate 80s band took him and his wife back to the 80s.
The thing about Friday night wasn't just the quality of the bands playing or the fact that my friend's band did a great job after only 6 rehearsals after not playing together in 8 years. And it wasn't even the catching up on old times with lots of old friends (which was awesome). It was actually the realisation that two of the most important things in life are friendships and passion. Standing in the crowd for 6 hours that night, purely as a lifelong punter who has never been in a band, it really struck me how much fun everyone on stage was having. They were just totally enjoying playing on stage together with their friends (again after a long time for some) and just doing something they loved. The amount of enjoyment I was getting out of their enjoyment was just massive. I couldn't stop smiling. Neither could they.
I am just so glad to have had/still have these people in my life. But more importantly I think the friendships they've had has allowed them to get to this point, where they can take a break from the everyday and jump up on stage and rock out every now and then. It's great to see people with a passion for their performance too, so many bands can get to a point where it's just boring and going through the motions. The Stone Temple Pilots performance earlier this year did feel a little that way although the songs were good. But that's getting sidetracked.
The main thing for me is to re-focus on friendships and passion. Without those, life is just kinda grey I think. There are times when I just want to give up on some people when they don't respond to things but the thing about true friendships is that you can go for a while without speaking or seeing each other but then when you do, it is all okay. You just get along. As for the passion, I'm pretty passionate about my work still, so that's good. And music and movies. That's probably enough for now. I'm a big advocate for being passionate about what you do but I acknowledge other schools of thought where it doesn't matter as long as you don't hate getting up every day. If you do, I suggest you get along to a gig which is going to transport you back to a happier time in your life. To when you were young and drunk. Or young and fun. Or a punk. Or old and drunk and fun. Whatever, it doesn't matter, as long as you're smiling. Thanks so much to my boys Brad, Paul, John, Brendan, Ben, Brendan (other one), Corey and their newish bandmates, for a great night and also my other friends who went along to the gig and made it so fun to hang out. We may not do it often, but when we do, I have a hell of a good time.
Music is just the ultimate time machine. It's like when you hear something you love, the time, place, smells and people around you are just imprinted on your brain. It may lie dormant for periods of time, but when you hear that song you can just feel exactly where you were the first or last time you heard it. Whether good or bad too..... I'm not the only one who feels this way either, I'm almost borrowing a direct quote from the Sunday Mail columnist on the weekend who wrote about how seeing the ultimate 80s band took him and his wife back to the 80s.
The thing about Friday night wasn't just the quality of the bands playing or the fact that my friend's band did a great job after only 6 rehearsals after not playing together in 8 years. And it wasn't even the catching up on old times with lots of old friends (which was awesome). It was actually the realisation that two of the most important things in life are friendships and passion. Standing in the crowd for 6 hours that night, purely as a lifelong punter who has never been in a band, it really struck me how much fun everyone on stage was having. They were just totally enjoying playing on stage together with their friends (again after a long time for some) and just doing something they loved. The amount of enjoyment I was getting out of their enjoyment was just massive. I couldn't stop smiling. Neither could they.
I am just so glad to have had/still have these people in my life. But more importantly I think the friendships they've had has allowed them to get to this point, where they can take a break from the everyday and jump up on stage and rock out every now and then. It's great to see people with a passion for their performance too, so many bands can get to a point where it's just boring and going through the motions. The Stone Temple Pilots performance earlier this year did feel a little that way although the songs were good. But that's getting sidetracked.
The main thing for me is to re-focus on friendships and passion. Without those, life is just kinda grey I think. There are times when I just want to give up on some people when they don't respond to things but the thing about true friendships is that you can go for a while without speaking or seeing each other but then when you do, it is all okay. You just get along. As for the passion, I'm pretty passionate about my work still, so that's good. And music and movies. That's probably enough for now. I'm a big advocate for being passionate about what you do but I acknowledge other schools of thought where it doesn't matter as long as you don't hate getting up every day. If you do, I suggest you get along to a gig which is going to transport you back to a happier time in your life. To when you were young and drunk. Or young and fun. Or a punk. Or old and drunk and fun. Whatever, it doesn't matter, as long as you're smiling. Thanks so much to my boys Brad, Paul, John, Brendan, Ben, Brendan (other one), Corey and their newish bandmates, for a great night and also my other friends who went along to the gig and made it so fun to hang out. We may not do it often, but when we do, I have a hell of a good time.
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