[TEN] Being Lara Bingle Promo (#3)

"WISH YOU WERE HERE"

Hello.

You know you've been away for too long when the whole Blogger outlook has been changed without your approval!

Im embarrassed to note that I have not put hand to keyboard for nearly 3 months!!!
Shameful indeed.

It's not like I haven't seen a bunch of movies; I've just been plain lazy right?. I'm sorry.
Ok...Let's move on..

The movie I have chosen to return to you with is Australian feature; "Wish you were here".
This movie is a labour of love for Australian couple Kieran Darcy Smith and Felicity Price (who stars in the film.)

The story takes us on a Cambodian holiday where the shit hits the fan and consequently how it affects the lives of four very different people.

The movie excelled for me because of its carefully drawn characterisations. Clearly a lot of time was spent developing the script. The naturalistic dialogue and riveting performances kept everyone still and lifeless in my cinema.

The story was in fact loosely based on a real-life story involving a good friend of Smith and Price - the unsolved disappearance of her best friend's partner while holidaying in Thailand decades ago. The couple agreed the material was perfect for a first film.

At 89 minutes long this movie wastes no time in exploring the darker side of human nature.
The plot follows a carefully derived non linear format. Normally Im opposed to this type of film making but in this case it really seems to work. Its skilfully done for dramatic impact rather for pretentious Art house sake.

Director Smith has showcased some wonderful Aussie/Kiwi Talent here. "Jeremy" who makes up part of this fantastic four is played by Antony Starr. A kiwi actor best known for his work in "Xena" Warrior Princess doesn't have a large part but is provocative and powerful when he is. Girlfriend "Steph" played by Teresa Palmer is a wonderful addition here. This hot looking blondie has already had an extensive work history here and in the US. I loved and believed every moment she took up on screen. She was born to play the selfish,greedy Soph. Watch out for this one.

His wife in real life Felicity Price plays "Alice" the sweet natured mother and Language Teacher. I've never seen her before but was instantly touched by her revelatory performance here. Despite her meek appearance, Alice tackles a series of bad events in her stride. Suffice the saying: "Women are like tea,you don't know how strong they are until they are in hot water"

Finally we have the insurmountable Joel Edgerton who plays family man "Dave".Joel's been around for ages. From his humble beginnings on "The Secret Life of Us" Joel has recently proven he can do it all.Most recently in "Warrior" with Nick Nolte and the hugely successful "Animal Kingdom"
But its in this film; that he collaborated on with Smith (mates for 20 years)that I believe we have Edgerton's finest hour.

A vivid and real performance. We find ourselves secretly rooting for Dave despite his succession of bad choices. Joel intrinsically shows us that at the end of the day we're all guilty of being human and what that pervades.

"Wish you were here"leaves you guessing at every turn while each of the characters layers peel right off in front of you like onions. Nothing is what it seems and the key is to assume nothing.
Be transported by the beautiful sites of Cambodia and our own Bondi beaches. Languish in the soundtrack and hold onto your seatbealts for a wild ride.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

JAX

"YOUNG ADULT"- FOREVER YOUNG.

Two thumbs up for this film.

Directed by Jason Reitman ("Up and away")and written by Diablo Cody ("Juno")I was earnestly transfixed by the life and times of protaganist Mavis Gary. (Charlize Theron)
A recent divorcee who seeks comfort in scotch, junk food and playing wii. Mavis's days entail surviving hangovers whilst dodging her editor's deadline demands.
She swims in a sea of reality TV that appears to cross over into her real life.
This paltry existence is thrown into disarray when she receives the news that her childhood sweetheart is celebrating the birth of his first child. OUCH!
Deluded, Mavis believes this is a sign that she is destined to reunite with him.
Hastily she sets off dressed in her raggy tracksuit and her mascara stained eyes. She takes the open road in her red and white mini with her trusty if not somewhat neglected pomeranian.
As she goes, she sings along to "The concept" by Teenage Fanclub. I didn't really understand why this song was etched out over an entire scene. Obviously it meant something to Mavis, but to us as an audience,the scene was laboured and the meaning was unclear.
Despite her best intentions to reclaim her man,Mavis is stopped promptly in her tracks. This detour is provided by former classmate "Matt Freehauf"(played by real life comedian Patton Oswalt)
Matt has struggled to move on with his own life after enduring some heinous high school bullying.He prefers to hide out in his sisters basement painting figurines and making Home brew.
Despite the pairs outward differences,their shared love of scotch and disdain for others ensures they become inextricably linked.
Matt points out to Mavis that her former flame Buddy Slade (played by a low key Patrick Wilson)has moved on and is a happily married father.
Beguiled, Mavis believes there's nothing that a rockin' pair of heels and a good pedicure can't fix. Her obsession with outside appearances and seeking esteem in boozy one night stands has left her entirely lonely.
Thats what I love about this film. Despite its obvious comic appeal;there are real human conditions on show here.
A self seeking woman such as Mavis just "cant get no satisfaction".An insatiable thirst for someone or something to fill the void. When reality starts to hit,she chooses once more to escape from it by seducing her portly drinking buddy "Matt".
In the morning, an unfulfilled and deluded Mavis succumbs once more....
In the final scene, Mavis is confronted by Matt's sister. A starry eyed on looker who enviously explains how lucky Mavis is and how much better she is than her small town counterparts.
In response, Mavis picks up her bag,head held high. Safe in the knowledge that she will live another day and who gives a shit what those honky tonks think anyway!
Bingo! A true ending where our main character does NOT miraculously morph into a more evolved state with better morals.
She simply remains stuck where she is. Inflated ego in tack. Nothing more,nothing less.
As for you Miss Theron. I love your work girlfriend! Yes, your stunning, yes your an Oscar winner. Although for me,this was your finest hour. Dying is easy, Comedy is hard.

See this film guys!
JAX xx

Cinema Paradiso - Final Scene - HD

Call me romantic, I don't care.
This is one of my favourite endings to a film EVER!
As in the end, love is all there is..XXX


"Soul meets soul on lover's lips."
~ by Percy Bysshe Shelly ~

J. EDGAR

On a warm balmy evening,myself and a newly acquired friend moseyed on down to the beautiful Rivoli Cinemas in Camberwell.
The movie we chose was Clint Eastwood's epic biog on J. Edgar Hoover (the first director of the FBI)
Before this movie, the name J Edgar Hoover meant little to me. Accordingly,his private life was kept as well hidden as his precious political files.
The movie reveals a vigilant "Edgar" who has his eye on the prize from an early age. A powerful orator (after conquering a childhood stammer) who strived for perfection from himself and undying devotion from the people around him.
The film also denotes a man who is unable to break free from the unyielding power of his deranged mother (played predictably by Dame Judi Dench) I believe Judi gets these roles merely for that fact that she is a Dame. An English accent for obvious reasons was wrong here.
The film follows a confusing non linear format where within one scene there could up to three juxtaposed eras of time covered. I personally struggle with this type of film making. I believe dense subject matter like this with action narratives require a non deviating format for their ultimate impact to be revealed.
By the time we discovered who the Lindebergh kidnapper was; I couldn't have given a shit!
The script by Dustin Lance Black was applaudable but I felt that some of Edgar's speeches became repetitive and started to loose their punch.
Despite being responsible for the production and musical score of this movie, Eastwood is ultimately the actors director.
I remember Sean Penn fondly referring to him on the set of "Mystic River" as "The MAN". That he never announced himself as a director, he offerred himself...(I love that)
Clint really does get the most out of his actors. Which saved this dangerously long and rather boring feature from complete dismissal from me.
His casting is always spot on. To name but a few, Naomi Watts demurley plays Edgar's long standing and pivotal assistant. Newcomer Armie Hammer (you may remember him playing the part of both Winklevoss twins in the "Social Network")as Edgar's long time companion (controversially suggested lover) Clyde Tolson. A dapper younger version of the man. Followed by a slightly over the top older gentleman whose had a stoke. Keep working at it Armie; there has to be a future for someone who is not only incredibly handsome but has such perfect diction!
There was a powerful cameo by relatively unknown Aussie actor Damon Herriman. His abstract features and eerie on screen presence should see him attain more Hollywood roles. Go Damon!
At this point, I would like to cane the makeup department for their badly drawn geriatric faces. Not all older people are drowning in liver spots. This kind of detail needs to be perfect to deliver a believable outcome.
Also,the small roles of Robert Kennedy and Richard Nixon were badly drawn parodies and again affected the authenticity of this film.
Last but certainly not least was the unbearably believable Leonardo Di Caprio as Edgar himself.
This sensational actor with undeniable range surely deserves an Oscar for this part. Any 36 year old who can age over six decades and can convincingly play the part of a misunderstood, narcicistic workaholic grappling with his homosexuality gets my vote!
I was so overwhelmed with the depth that Leo delivered here. The cross dressing scene that followed the death of his mother was sensitively and courageously drawn by this brave and relentless performer. Leo, you've come a long way since "Growing Pains", Hip hip horray!
When all is said and done, I still feel I know little about this mysterious man in question.
Perhaps, Eastwood's ultimate intention....

A man who understood well the correlation between work and family life succinctly states:

"No amount of law enforcement can solve a problem that goes back to the family."

J Edgar Hoover

MARY AND MAX.... MAGICAL!

I loved,loved,loved this film.
Since "Watership Down", I've pretty much avoided any full length animated features.
I prefer stories to be told by human beings. That's just me.
Until now..
Director and writer Adam Elliot is the genius behind this piece. The script is beautifully detailed. I really loved things like Max's invisible friend who perpetually reads self help books. Or Mary's alcoholic mother who had to keep "testing" the sherry.
Within this grey world, we are introduced to two very unique individuals. Mary the sweet intelligent bullied maiden and Max the obese,ardent,mentally ill Israelite.
Set to the dulcet tones of Barry Humphries, we are taken on a 20 year journey with this extremely rare pair.
Their ongoing correspondance endures the effects of childhood neglect,hospitalisations,suicide attempts,alcoholism, teasing, loneliness, autism (Asperger syndrome in particular), obesity, depression and anxiety,sexual difference,divorce,pregnancy to name a few. Pretty bold for a 3-d cartoon huh?
Life serves these two a pretty raw deal. Their ongoing strength in the face of adversity is astonishing. Elliot causes us to feel enormous empathy for these characters.You can't help but laugh and cry with them and thank God that they were able to find each other.
Adam exemplifies true friendship when Max is unable to cry or feel sad due to his Asperger's,so Mary sends him her own tears. When Mary doubts that she will ever find true love, Max sends her a chocolate love heart that says "Love yourself first"
These two creatures show us the power of love and forgiveness in any friendship.
So simple,so sweet,so magical.
Their is nothing more pure and resolute than a finely weathered friendship. This movie made me realize the importance of having my own best friend. To mine, who is many miles away, I LOVE YOU!
I insist to all that haven't already seen it; BRING TISSUES!

JAX

Mary & Max Trailer