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Reviews
The Nightingale (2018)
violence as spectacle to hide a lame script
If all you're after is gratuitous violence, this film delivers in spades. If you want well developed characters, and a tightly plotted story with something meaningful to say... this film is a major disappointment.
The protagonists are not just cliches... the noble savage, the wronged woman and the evil and powerful man... they also show serious inconsistencies. The soldier initially comes across as sensitive, responsible and caring before descending into violence, self interest and unnecessary cruelty. The woman fluctuates between bereft widow (who has seriously ridiculous nightmares that don't advance the story) to manic murderer to frightened woman. And the aboriginal tracker sounds more like a 21st century land rights activist than a 19th century man traumatised by the recent loss of his family, his land and his culture.
I noted that this film won very few awards outside Australia, which speaks to the parochial blindness of the judges.
Australian films are typically way better than this.
Judy & Punch (2019)
not funny, not clever
I went to see this film after hearing good things about it from others. I feel like we weren't watching the film.
Every so called joke fell flat, the violence was over the top and didn't have anything to say... the violence was for spectacle and lacked any deeper meaning.
The production values were good at times.. but there is nothing else to recommend about this film.
Slogan (1969)
Why did they bother
This film is only tolerable in short doses. The editing makes the film feel like a series of TV commercials. That might've been the intention but it doesn't make this a good film.
Birkin was attractive, but her acting is as bad as her French was when the film was made. And Gainbourg is clearly playing himself (arrogant womaniser), which some people seem to like about him, but which does nothing for me.
The story seems strangely prophetic... foreshadowing the end of their (Birkin and Gainsbourg's) relationship just as it was beginning. But even the historical context doesn't make this a film worth watching.
The Brisbane Bard (2012)
Interesting film focusing on oral histories
This little film is filled with the unexpected. An unknown story from Brisbane's recent past comes to life through the stories of those who were there, and with those stories an idea of what Brisbane was like in the late 50's also comes to light. Using a mix of archival footage and photographs, and the stories as they are told by the people who knew Brisbane at that time, and who knew the Brisbane bard, or at least claim they did, the story comes to life. Rupert McCall, a Brisbane based poet, is the narrator who takes us on a journey through his memories of Brisbane and those of his family, all along the path to discovering who the Brisbane Bard was. Very enjoyable in a nostalgic kind of way