I absolutely admire the work of Joel Edgerton, he is a true Aussie treasure. This film shows the harm gay conversion therapy does in its ugliest light. While it was hard for me to imagine this going on in this day and age in a Western context, it does and this just makes me so angry at these religious nutcases enforcing their twisted beliefs on vulnerable children and teenagers. The acting was top notch from all involved and while it has a relatively happy ending the damage done was irreprable.
Reviews
32 Reviews
Cut Snake
(2014)
Brilliant
20 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Was really impressed with this film. Set in 70s Australia it features some fine acting from all involved and was convincing for it's timeframe. The main male actors are excellent and the surprise romance between them was a great twist and very hot to watch. Lots of twists and turns, made me proud to be an Aussie. I liked hearing the disco classics by Celi Bee and Amanda Lear too.
Abducted
(I) (2014)
Low budget and it speaks volumes
18 November 2018
Aside from the lead actor not being anywhere near up to the standard of being in a film let alone the lead, there are too many holes in this story that needed to be answered. It was an important topic matter but it was a dealt with in an amateurish way that really only offered some violent scenes of retribution that felt good for a moment. A wasted opportunity.
Holding the Man
(2015)
Book's better but still touching
17 November 2018
As with most films adapted from the book, you'll only get half the story in a movie. The acting is superb and the story relatively faithful to the original novel but it has some flaws. Namely, I found the mixing up of dates confusing. They didn't really need to jump back and forwards, I'm not sure why they did that. There is a lot of sex with spunky guys which will get on the wrong side of any homophobes or the conservatives but it is a neccessary part of the story as it depicts a lot of how the gay male community interacts (I'm gay, I can vouch for this). Ultimately it ends in tragedy and is quite a moving film but having been one of my favourite books, I will always prefer that to this.
All Together Now
(I) (2018–2019)
Awful
4 November 2018
It's tripe like this that makes me glad I don't watch TV anymore. Aside from the fact that the performers are nearly always subpar, the falseness and Z-grade 'stars' that comprise the panel are all so fake that it makes it a truly painful experience. The only reason this show came into my conciousness was that it was on at my Mums house. Like karaoke but not funny.
Kill List
(2011)
I don't get it
4 November 2018
I really can't make it any clearer than the title. I don't get it. A couple of roughneck hitmen have some guys to kill but things go pearshaped at the end with a bizarre pagan style ritual that reveals the big twist. But I didn't get the twist so it really was just a waste of an hour and a half. Acting is good though.
The Girl Next Door
(2007)
Not a feel good movie
3 November 2018
I went into this not knowing what it is about and finished it feeling disgusted at the way humans can treat each other and saddened that it was a true story. The acting was fine and the characters naturally unlikeable unless you're a psychopath and to think of it as a true story is depressing.
Halloween
(I) (2018)
A very worthy tribute to this franchise
2 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Having seen most of the movies of this franchise and being disappointed a number of times (basically only the first two and H20 are worthy in my opinion), I had high expectations of this movie due to the hoopla around it and of course Jamie Lee Curtis being involved, not only as an actress but as co-executive producer. Those expectations were involved.
Firstly, the violence was unprecedented for this series. Myers doesn't hold back from years of incarceration that's for sure. And while I liked the series, this one was the first one that actually scared me a few times. They found the perfect balance between making a connection between the original movie (the opening credits with the original theme and font were fantastic) and making it for the new generation. All of the actors did a fine job and there were several surprise kills with a few moments of comic relief. As for whether he died....well, I suspect that it was purposefully kept open even though you'd say "no one could make it out of that one", this is after all part of a slasher franchise known for making the protagonist be shot, burnt and lord knows what else countless times. A good entry to the series, perhaps one of the best.
Firstly, the violence was unprecedented for this series. Myers doesn't hold back from years of incarceration that's for sure. And while I liked the series, this one was the first one that actually scared me a few times. They found the perfect balance between making a connection between the original movie (the opening credits with the original theme and font were fantastic) and making it for the new generation. All of the actors did a fine job and there were several surprise kills with a few moments of comic relief. As for whether he died....well, I suspect that it was purposefully kept open even though you'd say "no one could make it out of that one", this is after all part of a slasher franchise known for making the protagonist be shot, burnt and lord knows what else countless times. A good entry to the series, perhaps one of the best.
My favourite episode!
29 October 2018
This episode is a KILLER! Dee is funny as hell, Dennis as psychotic as ever, the rest of the gang their usual selves all turning on each other as soon as the chance arises, and the ending fantastic! This was brilliant!
I want my Sunny back!
29 October 2018
That was godawful. It doesn't help that Charlie isn't my favourite character by a long shot (Dee takes that title) but this whole episode was just so juvenile and stupid it wasn't funny at all. Way too much Charlie and if it's true that this continues next week then it will simply add to another disappointing episode this season. The range rover episode seemed like a return to form then it just went downhill again. This one hit new a low. Hate to say it as I love this show but I think it's time to stop.
Down Under
(II) (2016)
Swing and a miss
28 October 2018
This movie had lots of raving reviews from critics but I can't add to that list I'm afraid. I love independent Aussie films but this one won't be in the "must see Australian films" lists of most people although it's documenting an important event, the Cronulla riots of 2005. The comedy here is just too stupid, purposefully or not, the characters are nearly all unlikeable and the story too farfetched to bring a smile to this face. It reminded me of "Housos" which was turned into a movie: fun for 5 minutes then it got old real quickly. The acting is ok I suppose.
Polisse
(2011)
Polisse review
28 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Slow moving movie about a sensitive subject. I admit the French accent which I find really annoying probably influenced my dislike of this movie but in general it's a bad movie, the police are unprofessional (they all sit and stare at an African woman trying to find housing - surely that's a private situation) and act like supercops to save a baby from a mentally ill mother. Maybe it's a French thing but they just act rude. Overlong, too dull.
Baddddddd
27 October 2018
This movie isn't bad because it doesn't feature villain Michael Myers. It's bad because the acting is terrible, the song is irritating and the story is stupid. I just tried to get through it as part of a Halloween marathon (I've seen the whole thing before) but it just sucks.
Homestate
(2016)
Interesting family drama
26 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Thoguht it wasn't going to go anywhere for a while but it picks up towards the end and it has a simple yet very real story of family drama. The down and out brother turns out to be a nice guy and the unlikeable husband who's all about God turns out to be the opposite. However neither are without their faults. All of the actors are great and my only complaint is that it was a little slow and I would have liked a bit more resolution at the end.
Sucked
23 October 2018
The cheapest and laziest way to make a show is to use clips. Yes I know the hardcore fans are going to say "you just didn't get it, it's ironic etc". The problem is I am a hardcore fan and it wasn't funny. At all. It was stupid and the "real" memories just reminded me how good this show used to be. This is in the top ten of their worst episodes.
Dee kills
23 October 2018
Lame
23 October 2018
Undercover Hooligan
(2016)
Yawn
21 October 2018
I turned it off after half an hour as the cliched tough guy gangster thing has worn really thin for me. The actors were wooden, the story recycled. Plenty of better films in the genre which is not one I care for it just popped up for free on Amazon.
40 Days and 40 Nights
(2002)
Offensive...to my intellect
21 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The premise of the movie -a horny attractive young guy tries to be celibate for 40 days - wasn't offensive. Anyone who's seen the slew of movies like Porkys, the Friday the 13th franchise etc won't be offended by the sight of breasts and his erection. The sexual nature of the film wasn't offensive. The men and women who barely had a brain cell between them other than the lead actor and the woman playing Erika were offensive. The whole sex comedy thing has gotten a little old and yes I realise this was made in 2002. If you like low brow, stupid humour that doesn't require you to think then this movie will suit you to a tee.
It
(I) (2017)
It's cliched, it's not funny, it's too long
19 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I don't usually bother with horror movie updates because they generally suck but "It" was definitely in need of one because the original is terribly dated and tacky. Unfortunately, this rendition doesn't hit the mark by a long shot and it overstays its welcome at a whopping two hours. Certainly the special effects have improved as it to be expected and there are a few scares here and there but the kids characters bar the girl and the stuttering boy are all quite obnoxious and misses the humour mark by a long shot. There's even an 80s montage scene when they're cleaning the blood. It's just not worthy of all the praise and hoopla it got when it came out - I'm glad I watched on Netflix and didn't go to the cinema to see it. And for the love of God, STOP with the children singing and doing the nursery rhyme thing. It may have worked with Freddy Krueger but it stopped being scary a long time ago.
22 July
(2018)
Authentic re-enactment of a horrific event
15 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Psychopathic loser Anders Brevik killed dozens of people in Norway in 2011 and this is a movie depicting that awful day and the effects on the victims and their families. The acting is all excellent, the scenery beautiful and the dramatic elements are great. It's sad that in real life Anders gets to live in relative luxury instead of being shipped off to some hellhole rat infested cell like he deserves.
The Selfish Giant
(2013)
Realistic talent
14 October 2018
There is a certain kind of authenticity that films from England have and this one has it. It perfectly captures the Northern England scene: bleak, economically struggling, overpopulation and making a pound any which way you can. All of the actors are excellent but the standout is the young lad who I'm sure has gone on to bigger things, if not, why? It has raw emotions, the struggle of the two impoverished young boys trying to make a better life but not shy of committing crime to get there. A few laughs along the way as is common with that part of the world. Good indie film even if it brings you down a bit because of the subject matter.
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