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Reviews
Histoire de Marie et Julien (2003)
Historically dull....
This film was screened at the 2004 Melbourne International Film Festival. I have a fondness for French film and especially the babe-a-licious Emmanuelle Beart (even though the last film I saw of hers "Nathalie" was dreadful) so there seem to be enough reason to view The History Of Marie & Julien. An hour into the film, I was exiting the cinema (which is the first time in ages I've walked out on a film). Who knows, maybe the film came to life in the hour and a half I didn't watch. What I do know is this film was the single most boring film I'd seen during the festival. Instead of being a ponderous, pseudo-intellectual and glossy piece of cinema you'd find between the pages of a coffee table book, maybe someone should have written a decent script.
Dogville (2003)
Woof Woof!!
The title of this film is so ironically apt. Dogville is exactly that, a dog of a film that should have been put out of it's misery long before it even made it to a cinema screen. Not even Nicole Kidman immersed in a bottle of Meryl Streep Versatility can save this lazy, dull, ugly bore of a film. This is one big Poochie. Lars you have to go now, your planet needs you!
Mystic River (2003)
When the river runs dry.........
Every scribe in this country (Australia) is praising this film to the enth degree and I for one have absolutely no idea why. Bless Clint, he's done some great work through the years but Mystic River for me was his lowest point yet. Another film that promises the world in it's trailer, has a cast loaded with talent but ultimately delivers a cliched collection of groan inducing drivel. Has Kevin Bacon been ordained by Clint to be his screen reincarnation because old father time has passed him by? Obviously I am in the vast minority when it comes to my disdain for this film but there's only so many sugar coated reviews (is there anyone in this country that writes an honest film review without fear of losing their pay-cheque?) I can read without wanting to throw in my retaliatory two cents.
Crackerjack (2002)
A cracker of a film!
When I saw the trailer for Crackerjack, I thought this film was going to be an absolute shocker. How wrong was I? This is such an exquisite piece of Australiana. It's as if a time capsule was dug up from a bygone era and inside was this film. The true stars of Crackerjack are not Mick Malloy or Judith Lucy but a cavalcade of veteran Australian actors, brought back to cinematic life. A bit like Wim Wenders bringing back to life the ageing musicians of the Buena Vista Social Club. Where the comedy of 'The Nugget' failed to deliver, 'Crackerjack' more than succeeds. "Can I fix you a Radox bath champ?" This is just one dialogue related example of how engagingly Australian this film is. And you have to love the modern technology that is 'Bowl-cam'. The sound of the ball cutting through the manicured lawn and the camera following every movement of the ball is truly hypnotic.
'Crackerjack' is not aimed at mocking the ways of the elderly. Lawn bowls is more than sport. It's about friendships, a sense of community and values that now have probably escaped modern day society. It's also about tomato sandwiches, beer at genuine 1976 prices and helping yourself to the wheel of cheese! 'Crackerjack' takes aim at big business, which is squeezing out smaller clubs with the introduction of poker machines and the social and financial impact it's having on the elderly. There are so many things to be gained from seeing this film. Jack highly recommended!
Swimfan (2002)
Treading water and slowly sinking.
So Australian director John 'Tropfest' Polson has hit the big time with 'Swimfan', a No.1 U.S. box-office success. After viewing this film I can only think that films in the States must have been thin on the ground that week. 'Swimfan' is your classic B-grade 'fatal-attractionesque' style film. It's the kind of film that would separate 'The Crush' (starring Alicia Silverstone) and 'Malicious' (a C-grade film of the same ilk, starring Molly Ringwald) on your local video library shelf. The only noteworthy features of this film are: 1. John Polson directs the film. Always interesting to see how an Aussie fares. 2. Jesse Bradford stars. Kirstin Dunst's love interest in 'Bring It On', a decent film. Won't go far if he does more films like this. 3. The use of lighting for the pool scenes. Interesting but stayed the same no matter what. Whether it be a sex scene or a swimming competition. Since when are swimming meets held in the dark? 4. Veteran actor Dan Hedaya has a minor role as Jesse Bradford's swim coach. Was in 'Pacific Heights', a far superior film of the B-grade genre. With costs of cinema admission on the rise here in Australia (they do it subtly), you're better off waiting for this film to come out on video. It's cheaper.
Donnie Darko (2001)
Up there with the likes of 'Ghost World'.
One of the favourite viewer films from this year's Melbourne International Film Festival, and it's not hard to wonder why. Donnie Darko is in similar territory to the brilliant 'Ghost World', but has the added element of some incredibly twisted and mind warping ideas. Is it Donnie's medication that makes him see a big talking rabbit, or is there the distinct possibly that the imminent doom this talking rabbit expels is indeed true. Is it possible to travel in time?
Some truly bizarre scenarios are in store for those who take the challenge and watch this film. Who would have thought that Patrick Swayze could be funny and Drew Barrymore could give a credible performance? Jake Gyllenhall (who's a bit of a Tobey Maguire clone) gives one of those 'once in a lifetime' performances as Donnie. Donnie Darko for me rates up there as one of this year's best films. A beautifully twisted tale.