Great Australian movies...
This list is a mixture of movies I have seen as an adult and scored and reviewed at this site, as well as movies I've seen before I got into the habit of scoring them and reviewing them at sites like this. Also included are dimly remembered movies I've seen as a chile and remember liking. There are some movies I'll include merely to remind myself to either see them again 'one of these days' or to see them for the first time.
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- DirectorGeorge MillerStarsMel GibsonBruce SpenceMichael PrestonIn the post-apocalyptic Australian wasteland, a cynical drifter agrees to help a small, gasoline-rich community get rid of a horde of bandits.10/10
A great post-Apocalyptic vision of the future...where society has broken down and petrol the only thing of value...fuel for the beastly vehicles on show. "Waterworld" was accused of being "Mad Max 2: On water". Enjoyed the references to this movie on South Park too. - DirectorBruce BeresfordStarsEdward WoodwardJack ThompsonJohn WatersThree Australian lieutenants are court martialed for executing prisoners as a way of deflecting attention from war crimes committed by their superior officers.10/10
Would qualify as both the greatest war drama of all time and the greatest courtroom drama of all time. Fact based drama dealing with the nature of war. - DirectorAlex ProyasStarsRufus SewellKiefer SutherlandJennifer ConnellyA man struggles with memories of his past, which include a wife he cannot remember and a nightmarish world no one else ever seems to wake up from.10/10
A great sci-fi movie written by its Australian director Alex Proyas and filmed here too. The nature of humanity and personhood is explored here. - DirectorGregor JordanStarsHeath LedgerBryan BrownDavid FieldA 19 year old finds himself in debt to a local gangster when some gang loot disappears and sets him on the run from thugs. Meanwhile two street kids start a shopping spree when they find the missing money.10/10
A great surrealistic crimedy starring recently deceased Heath Ledger (of "The Dark Knight" fame...his performance as The Joker in that movie was the one great thing about it). - DirectorRob SitchStarsSam NeillBilly MitchellRoz HammondA remote Australian community, populated by quirky characters, plays a key role in the first Apollo moon landing.Haven't officially reviewed it at this site, but probably:
10/10
A great but low key comedy dealing with factual events...the broadcast of Neil Armstrong's walk on the moon. Australia did actually play a role in this broadcast...which this movie is about. I liked Seinfeld's Patrick Warburton in this movie...sort of Puddy-lite. Americans might get a kick out of their national anthem's use in this movie! - DirectorGillian ArmstrongStarsJudy DavisSam NeillWendy HughesA proud young woman in early 20th century Australia must choose between marriage and independence.Not officially reviewed at this site by me, but probably:
10/10 range.
Charming period piece about a woman not sure whether to pursue independence or...a man (from memory...long time no see). Humourous too, no doubt. Years later I also enjoyed reading the book by Miles Franklin...as was typical for that era, this was a nom de plume of a woman...Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin. Obviously she didn't think she'd get published if it was known that she was a woman. Our highest liteary honour, I think, is named after her. She is quite the word lord. Many's the time I had to dive into a dictionary to work out what she was saying! - DirectorPhoebe HartStarsPhoebe HartBonnie HartJames DavidsonDocumentary filmmaker, Phoebe Hart, comes clean on a journey of self-discovery around her hidden intersex condition.10/10
I saw this documentary on ABC TV but perhaps it got a theatrical release overseas or something. Engaging story which illustrates the power of the medium to relate to The Other. - DirectorDavid MichôdStarsJames FrechevilleGuy PearceJoel EdgertonA seventeen-year-old navigates his survival amongst an explosive criminal family and the detective who thinks he can save him.9/10
A powerful look at a suburban crime family. It does take elements from actual crimes to frame its story. - DirectorRolf de HeerStarsNicholas HopeClaire BenitoRalph CotterillBubby has spent thirty years trapped in the same small room, tricked by his mother. One day, he manages to escape and, deranged and naive in equal measures, his adventure into a modern and nihilistic life begins.Not officially reviewed at this site by me but probably:
9/10
A gloomy, then blackly funny comedy. It got a little "Hollywood" towards the end for me, but a gem of a movie...real 'cult favourite' material. - DirectorAndrew DominikStarsEric BanaSimon LyndonVince ColosimoChopper tells the intense story of Mark "Chopper" Read, a legendary criminal who wrote his autobiography while serving a jail sentence in prison. His book, "From the Inside", upon which the film is based, was a best-seller.Not officially reviewed at this site by me but probably:
9/10
Another surreal crimedy. Based on actual criminal...known by the moniker "Chopper" because...well...you'll find out! Eric Bana puts in a sterling performance as the big bad. - DirectorScott HicksStarsGeoffrey RushArmin Mueller-StahlJustin BrainePianist David Helfgott, driven by his father and teachers, has a breakdown. Years later he returns to the piano, to popular if not critical acclaim.A great central performance from Geoffrey Rush.
- DirectorBaz LuhrmannStarsPaul MercurioTara MoriceBill HunterA maverick dancer risks his career by performing an unusual routine and sets out to succeed with a new partner.Not officially reviewed at this site by me but probably:
8/10 or more
Described by some as "Rocky on the dancefloor". A feel good comedy about ballroom dancers (?!) who take on the squares running the sport. - DirectorGeorge MillerStarsTom HardyCharlize TheronNicholas HoultIn a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler in search for her homeland with the aid of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshiper and a drifter named Max.82.5%
Doesn't reach the heights of Mad Max 2 but the next best in the series, nonetheless (I wasn't a fan of the first movie, after having seen the second movie first. The third movie was alright, I thought). - DirectorMark HartleyStarsPhillip AdamsGlory AnnenChristine AmorThe story of the Australian exploitation genre cinema of 1970s and 80s.8/10
An entertaining potted history of modern Australian genre movies. - DirectorKen HannamStarsNick TateJohn WatersElizabeth AlexanderA teacher discovers one of his students has a rare blood disease, and is drawn into a mystery that culminates in a thrilling climax.I caught up with this film on the weekend (06/09/2014) after it had been sitting on my PVR since 20/12/2013. It really stands up well. Reviewed it here yesterday. Now on official list. Original comments below score.
75+%
Not On List.
I have vague memories of seeing this film as a kid. Didn't mind it, from memory. Has a twist ending, if I recall. - DirectorJohn DuiganStarsHugh GrantTara FitzgeraldSam NeillWhen a painting is termed blasphemous, a young minister and his wife visit the artist... and the three sexually playful models living with him.I remember quite liking this movie but maybe I also remember some critics being harsh on it. All I remember is that I liked it. Features Elle Macpherson and Portia de Rossi...oh, found the right entry for this...Wikipedia says it also stars Hugh Grant.
- DirectorJocelyn MoorhouseStarsHugo WeavingGeneviève PicotRussell CroweThe life of a blind photographer who is looked after by a housekeeper is disrupted by the arrival of an agreeable restaurant worker.I remember quite liking this movie...I do sort of remember a funny scene relating to the blind main character. Definitely should reacquaint myself with this some time in the future.
- DirectorPeter FaimanStarsPaul HoganLinda KozlowskiJohn MeillonAn American reporter goes to the Australian outback to meet an eccentric crocodile poacher and invites him to New York City.I remember really liking this movie...probably at its best when it shifted the story to New York, I think it was.
- DirectorJohn CornellStarsPaul HoganLinda KozlowskiJohn MeillonAustralian outback expert protects his New York love from gangsters who've followed her down under.I remember liking this movie...not as much as the original...and I gave the next one in the series a miss...or the rest, if there were more!
- DirectorPeter WeirStarsRachel RobertsAnne-Louise LambertVivean GrayDuring a rural summer picnic, a few students and a teacher from an Australian girls' school vanish without a trace. Their absence frustrates and haunts the people left behind.Think I've seen this more than once but whilst liking it enough, I suppose, I just don't remember liking it enough to immediately think of it in lists like these.
- DirectorFred SchepisiStarsCharles McCallumJohn FrawleyArthur DignamFred Schepisi's first feature is this lushly photographed period drama detailing a young boy's coming-of-age in a strict Catholic seminary in 1950s Australia.What I remember about this film is an intriguing analogy mentioned by one of the priests in this movie...I actually asked about it on this site and a user replied with the quote and sense of the quote in parenthesis (the point of the comment below is to explain the concept on "eternity" in relation to "Hell"...oh, using the word "Eternity" just then reminds me...):
"Imagine a sphere of solid metal, the size of the sun; every ten thousand years a sparrow flies by and brushes its wings against it; when that metal sphere is worn to nothingness, you will still be [suffering in hell if not saved, etc., etc.]"
WOW!!! - DirectorJohn DuiganStarsNoah TaylorLoene CarmenBen MendelsohnIn rural 1960s Australia, a boy watches helplessly as his best friend falls in love with a small-time criminal, setting off a violent chain of events.My memories of this are really vague, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and include it in my list proper.
- DirectorP.J. HoganStarsToni ColletteRachel GriffithsBill HunterA young social outcast in Australia steals money from her parents to finance a vacation where she hopes to find happiness, and perhaps love.Think I liked this well enough. Features the beautiful Sophie Lee...who seems contractually obliged to have her character give a male character a blow job in whatever film she appears in! Think I've seen maybe 3 where that is the case. Which makes me wonder...what's going on there?
Scenario 1:
Sophie - "Yeah, Marty, I love the idea of playing Mother Theresa...how about we include a scene where she gives the pope a blow job?"
Scenario 2:
Sleazy producer - "Let's see if we can get Sophie to be in this movie...then just chuck in a scene where she gives a guy a blow job!"
Guessing it might be "2". - DirectorJane CampionStarsGeneviève LemonKaren ColstonTom LycosAn introspective young woman's life is upturned by the arrival of her maladjusted sister.I saw this film and remember finding it really good...this was before I began posting reviews though, so I don't have an actual score for it. It was bizarrely funny...disconcertingly so. From memory, I felt that the ending didn't really finish off the movie as strongly as it began.
- DirectorHenri SafranIan GoddardStarsGreg RowePeter CumminsDavid GulpililMike is a lonely Australian boy living in a coastal wilderness with his reclusive father. In search of friendship he encounters an Aboriginal native loner and the two form a bond in the care of orphaned pelicans.Would have been made to watch this as part of education in primary school or something. Didn't mind it. One part is quite moving...from memory. Children's movie.