A personal journal of film and documentary reviews, and reviews of anything else that intrigues me.
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
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Peter Weir, “The Plumber” (1979) Originally made for television, this low-budget film combines the psychological thriller with cheerful larrikin Aussie black comedy and light commentary on…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…
Australian and New Zealand Films, Southeast Asian Films
Bety Reis and Luigi Acquisto, “A Guerra da Beatriz / Beatriz’s War” (2013) A major first in the post-independence culture of Timor-Leste, “Beatriz’s War” is a…
Australian and New Zealand Films
Christopher Kezelos, “Zero” (2011) A heart-warming little short that could have been a lot more than it was with a bigger budget and more ambition, “Zero”…
Australian and New Zealand Films
Julia Redmond and Rhian Skirving, “Change My Race” (2013) This SBS production is a disturbing enquiry into a new trend known as “deracialisation” in which young…