THIS IS WHERE EAT PRAY LOVE REALLY BELONGS

BIUTIFUL-AND THE HITS KEEP COMING

Outright this is a stunning piece of work by writer and director Alejandro Gonzalez Irrarritu. You may remember "21 Grams" or "Babel" perhaps?
Here is another interwoven tale that grips you from the opening scene.
I had not heard much about this film. Only that Javier Bardem was in it and he had scored Best Actor Award at Cannes.
Enough said.
In a tiny theatre on an Island, me and about 20 others were immobilised as we watched the life of "Uxbal" unfold. A most unusual life at that.
We soon realize that Uxbul is not long for this life .Yes we have seen man's struggle with mortality before but never quite like this.
Uxbul brings new meaning to the word "survivor"
He is a genuine Superman. Not only can he dodge and weave shady businessmen to put food on his childrens' plates.He can also see and communicate with the dead for extra pocket money.
Sounds implausible. A little. But it converts.
The most important story here is Uxbuls relationship with his family. The undying love for his children is what drives him to risk everything to ensure their ultimate survival.
We are also drawn into the complicated relationship he has with his ex wife "Marambra". A love affair that continues despite everything against it .
This part was thankfully given to actress Marciel Alvarez. "Marambra"is a women tormented by bipolar disorder. For such a common affliction we rarely see it demonstrated properly in film.
Sorry "Mr Jones" with Richard Gere does not count!
Marciel hits it right on the head. She skillfully eludes to the intoxicating nature of the manic state. So euphorically high with no rules and no fear of consequence. The reason most sufferers refuse their medication.
The cruel flipside leaves her unable to move and with few words left.
Thankyou for the truth Marciel.
Despite his invincibility, Uxbul struggles with his impending fate. His own connection with the other side fails to comfort him.
After furthur soul searching,Uxbul begins to surrender and he is able to let the Universe take over and do its job.
The final scenes provide a wondrous clarity that is both unexpected and uplifting.
As mere mortals,we will all endure the loss of those closest to us. This beautiful film assures us that we will all have the opportunity to return to them once more.
For that Alejandro, I am truly grateful.
For you Mr Bardem,no words can describe your limitless power as a performer.
Sorry Colin Firth,your colleague here deserved the golden statue more than you.
You are also the most desirable man with a pony tail I have ever seen!

Jax

Out of time-LIVE

I know this a blog about movies but I love how universal truths can be told from various mediums.
This song takes me back to being broke in London and falling head over heels for my flatmate.
He is no longer with us, but I am reminded of him every time I hear Damon sing....(which is often)
RIP Paddy xxx

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf - Getting Angry, Baby?

RIP LOVELY LADY

Thanking you Mrs Taylor for sharing your wonderful gift with the world.
You personified true Hollywood and your legacy will forever shine.
Also,your portrayal of "Martha" made me put down the bottle once and for all.
Thankyou xxxx

BARNEYS VERSION...

I went along to the State Cinema in Hobart tonight to escape to a light hearted comedy. I came away with mascara running down my face and a resolution to tell my family and friends how much I love them.
"Barneys version" is based on the book by Mordecai Richler. A candid tale of love,life and scotch on the rocks.
In the early part of the film, we see Barney about to marry his chain smoking pregnant girlfiend "Clara". She has little capacity for love or commitment and when we meet her strict Rabbi father we can see why.
Barneys next attempt at love comes in the form of a Jewish Princess .This part is wonderfully constructed by chameleon Minnie Driver. Her homage to Nanny Fine hits the mark except for a few slips in accent. I enjoyed her insistence Barney clean his Long John Thomas before she even THINKS about performing fellatio.
Barney doesn't fit in here. This is especially clear when he brings his father Izzy Panofsky (played by my favourite Jewish man of all time-Dustin Hoffman) home to meet her parents.
Izzy calls it as he sees it; especially after a few drinks. This is in stark contrast to Minnies stuffy parents. Izzys raw candour makes for some of the most tender and funniest scenes in the film.
Its at his second wedding,Barney meets the true love of his love."Miriam" played by Rosamund Pike. Pike,a former bond girl has warmed our hearts in this feature. She seemed a little stifled at the beginning of the film, but this gave way to a hinged stoicness that was essential to the part.
From their first meeting,Barney concedes that he has finally fallen in love and is amazed that it can happen just like that. "Snap!"
Despite being married to his Jewish Princess, Barney relentlessly pursues "Miriam". Miriam eventually concedes.
She does however explain that no form of indiscretion would be tolerated. She is tortured from a father who continued to cheat on her mother. These continual insults to her mother made her sick of mind and body.
I found this amount of detail in the plot original and insightful.
The other interwoven plot is the relationship between Barney and his best mate "Boogie" played by Scott Speedman. Another relatively unknown actor.
Ladies,you may remember him from his four year run on "Felicity"
Boogie is both a flawed and endearing character. Speedman is fantastic as he depicts the lovable and frustrating nature of most addicts.
I always struggle with someone who is THIS talented and good looking at the same time. I think Speedman looked too young to be Giamattis friend.Nevertheless, Im still glad he was there to take his top off.
This wonderful film comes to an unexpected conclusion which I will not spoil for you.
The man that deserves 99% of credit (excluding crew)for the success of this film is the one and only PAUL GIAMATTI.
I love this man in every which way. He first came to my attention in a film called "American Slendour" with Hope Davis.
His big brown bug eyes and short stocky physique make me swoon.
Funnily enough he is the spitting image of my own first true love.
As an actor he exhibits extroidinary range. What about the fast talking boxing manager in "Cindarella Men" or the humble maintenance man in "Lady in Water".
Truly deserving of his recent Golden Globe award for actor in a comedy.
He can do it all. He even takes it up a notch as "Barney".He is able to believably show Barney physically age and mature (or maybe not) over four decades.
He makes us laugh,he makes us cry and he most of all shows us the shades of grey in between.
A heartwarming film that resonated deeply with me and illustrated once again that no one is perfect,but we are all in this together.
I think ya'll like it.
JAX xxx

On the Waterfront: Terry and Edie's kiss

ADJUSTMENT BUREAU

Not much to say, but what the fuck are fine actors like Matt Damon,Emily Blunt and Terence Stamp doing in THE worst movie I have ever seen? Any one? Why are these executives given a shit load of money to make such crap? Who do you think you are fooling you Yankee fat cats!?!
This movie does not warrant a review.
Perhaps a hot photo of Matt Damon.
Disturbed to be robbed if $17.
Do u know what you can do with that money....
Jax

VAN DIEMENS LAND-HUNGER IS A STRANGE SILENCE

Holy Shit Balls! This flick is fierce. Van Diemens Land caught my interest as Ive recently moved to the Island myself.
Writer and director Jonathan auf der Heide (a recent VCA grad) This feature is based on his film "Hells Gates" (short film of the same story)
Granted he had a shit hot cinemaotographer (Ellery Ryan) and producer (Maggie Miles)but his vision was clearly executed here.
From the opening scene of dense Tasmanian rainforest set to a Gaelic voiceover we know this ain't no "Man from Snowy River"
The movie depicts the startling revelations made by notorious convict Alexander Pearce. Pearce and 7 others escape into the wilderness to assume freedom from the harsh punishments inflicted at Sarah Island.(perhaps they should of stayed put)
We are initially entertained by the lively UK lads. Their shananigans and dirty jokes are endearing. Unfortunately the group soon realize the implications of their baron conditions.
Survival of the fittest.
The unthinkable becomes the only option left.
I think the strongest aspect of this film is the script. Yes it was only 24 pages,but every word- poignant. Describing" the men that God had forgotten"
The casting was spot on. Giving some lesser known Australian actors a lil limelight.
In particular Oscar Redding who plays Pearce. A talented man who also co wrote the script. Reddings rendition of Pearce illustrates that the convicted isnt always guilty.
My attention was also focused on character actor Arthur Angel. He plays sinister Sailor Robert Greenhill. A layered performance.Angel was adept at commisioning the death of his comrades. But was also seen in a moment of rare tenderness towards mate Matthew Travers (played by Paul Ashcroft)
This film was made for a song. Everyone believed in the project so much that they were prepared to freeze their tits off and work their guts out.
It payed off.
This film lingers like your first kiss.
Much is implied but nothing sensored.
NOT for the fainthearted.
Well done boys n girls.
Jax

SUMMER CODA

Friday night in a new town. No established peeps,little money. What to do... There is ALWAYS the DVD shop.
Id seen most of the new releases except for an Australian feature called "Summer Coda". The film is directed by newcomer Richard Gray and stars the delectable Alex Dimitriades and Rachel Taylor.
The plot revolves around a young American girl who returns home to Mildura for her fathers funeral. On the way she meets a second generation orange farmer.
A pair of star crossed lovers, I dont think so...
I must say I have never seen Rachel Taylor in anything but the headlines." Originally from Tassie she does most of her roles with an American accent that is bang on the money. (A little like our own Anthony Lapaglia)
Rachel is strikingly beautiful. Reminiscent of a young Ingred Bergman. She even manages to turn on a couple of tears when required. Unfortunately this seems to be the extent of it. The character of "Heidi" is one with ardent vulnerabilities. Rachel
addressed none of them.There was an opportunity for her to relish a broad range of emotions. She was out of her league.
Rachel Taylor,Stanislavski 101 as soon as you can!
As for my favourite Greek adonis, Alex plays "Michael". a man plagued by his past. A sweet natured soul who opens his house to Heidi but struggles to hand over his heart. Many other reviews have called his performance flat. I disagree. I think Alex has continued to hone his craft over the years. Here we see someone who began his career with a one dimensional "wog" character and is now adept at playing a broad range of characters with all their subtleties intact.
In "Summer Coda", "Michael" is constantly grappling with some aspect of his life. If its not his drinking problem; its his indecision over whether to bang "Heidi" in the bath or not.
Richard Gray was trying so hard to make a love story like Scorcese's " Age of Innocence". A precise film that showed how the touch of a hand can be so much more powerful than any sex scene could ever be. Unfortunately "Summer Coda's" script was long and boring. I was praying for some rampy pampy to liven things up a bit. No such luck.
I now realize I only saw the film two days ago and have now forgotten most of it.
I must applaud the hairy Angus Sampson for his portrayal of fruit picker "Frankie". A lovable lout who cant seem to get lucky with the ladies,try as he might. I hope to see much more of him in the future.
BTW do we have any other 50 plus women besides Jackie Weaver to cast as the mother/grandmother? Who nominated this women for an oscar?
Dont they realize she is playing the same character over and over and again?
I've always thought Australian film and theatre needs to take more risks with its casting. Im sick of always seeing the usual suspects. There are perfectly good acting schools out there churning highly accomplished performers who need a job!
Do it.
Richard Gray,your a little green but Im sure we will hear from you again.
Over and out.
Jax