A personal journal of film and documentary reviews, and reviews of anything else that intrigues me.
Reviews of all films made in Australia and New Zealand.
Australian and New Zealand Films
Eva Orner, “Chasing Asylum” (2016) Finding information about Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers kept in its detention centres on Manus Island (Papua New Guinea) and Nauru,…
Australian and New Zealand Films
Richard Flanagan, “The Sound of One Hand Clapping” (1998) If there’s any value to this film at all, it is as an object lesson in how not…
Australian and New Zealand Films
Rolf de Heer, “Charlie’s Country” (2013) A sad and compassionate film of a man’s search for identity and belonging, “Charlie’s Country” originated as a vehicle around…
Australian and New Zealand Films
ABC News / Lateline Interview with Dr Bouthaina Shaaban (17 Spetember 2015) One amazing demolition job that I’ve seen recently is this ABC News / Lateline interview with Dr Bouthaina Shaaban,…
Australian and New Zealand Films
Larissa Behrendt, “Under Skin, In Blood” (2015) Ryan Griffen, “You Turn” (2015) Kelrick Martin, “Karroyul” (2015) Tracey Rigney, “Man Real” (2015) Dylan River, “Nulla Nulla” (2015)…
Australian and New Zealand Films
Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement. “What We Do in the Shadows” (2014) Just when you think that everything that can be done in the horror film…
Australian and New Zealand Films
Michael and Peter Spierig, “Predestination” (2014) Based on a short story by Robert Heinlein (“All You Zomvies” which features no zombies, disappointingly enough), “Predestination” is an…
Australian and New Zealand Films
Peter Weir, “The Plumber” (1979) Originally made for television, this low-budget film combines the psychological thriller with cheerful larrikin Aussie black comedy and light commentary on…
Australian and New Zealand Films
Amiel Courtin-Wilson, “Bastardy” (2010) Several years in the making due to its subject’s predilection for stealing money to feed a heroin addiction and doing long stints…
Australian and New Zealand Films
Peter Weir, “The Cars that Ate Paris” (1974) Acclaimed Australian director Peter Weir’s directorial full-length debut is an oddball comedy horror flick that riffs on a…