… it’s a timely reminder that now is the time to make your opinion count in terms of the latest Australian films that are contenders for awards. For those concerned with social justice and media representations of marginalised groups, it’s an excellent opportunity to vote up films with diverse and inclusive casts and storylines.
cinema
Escapist tosh and trash: what’s your poison?
What populist fictional entertainments have you been enjoying lately in your preferred medium that are essentially just gussied-up melodrama or heroic quest or action mayhem?
Film Review: Little Sparrows
This Western Australian film only had two showings at the festival, but I look forward to its wider release, because it’s a little gem that I would definitely see again.
Good news, sad news, obOzsport news
Rise, Sir Patrick Stewart. Farewell, Rue McLanahan. C’mon, Sam Stosur, c’mon.
Quickhit: James Cameron on the Lakota Sioux people
The Guardian has this quote from James Cameron, director of the movie Avatar, which has been widely criticised as a White Saviour movie. (See our previous conversation on Avatar.) Cameron said witnessing indigenous ceremonies and meetings in the Amazon had… Read More ›
Dragon trailer doesn’t do it justice
How To Train Your Dragon is the best family entertainment film since Monsters Inc– pure feel-good escapism.
Disturbing Strokes
I’ve long known theoretically how easy it is to make a scene feel totally different simply by changing the soundtrack, but that’s a really effective demonstration.
It’s machismo time!
Regular readers know that I have a weakness for escapist action flicks, and the more absurdly preposterous the martial arts combat scenes the better. (I like to see them make an effort towards stylistic authenticity, but bring on those flywires and hidden tramps, yeah!)
Two potentially great ones are coming up very soon (released in the US in May):
Oscars!
Oscar spoilers below, for those waiting for the delayed telecast!
Parenting tips: watch classic movies with your child
So that you won’t ever have to find out one day that they have written something like this to a movie studio.
Hoyden About Town 