Reviews
The Last of Us: Endure and Survive (2023)
Speechless - this is the episode you've been waiting for.
This is everything that made the game great and now the TV series even greater 100000/10 Craig Mazin etc you're a brutal genius.
A slow build but the payoff is completely worth it a perfect 1 hour of television and sets up the rest of the series brilliantly ... cannot wait for the next one.
Some interesting departures from the game story while still remaining 100% faithful. A credit to all involved excellent acting and excelling slow and fasti moments I'm running out of superlatives but I need to find 600 characters so just go watch this show and enjoy !
I'm not normally one for good old zombie apocalypse shows but thank goodness this one exists !!
63 Up (2019)
Bittersweet Retirement ..
This was without doubt the most poignant installment in the series yet.
So terribly sad to see Lynn's passing you could tell pretty soon into the segment and we hadn't seen her in the now but lovely of her family to appear. Very surprised they didn't get the reaction of at least Jackie and Sue if not the others given all times they reuinted on the couch.
Being from Melbourne my heart filled with joy to see Symon visiting Paul and having the big tour of our magnificent modern Melbourne that has changed so much over the years like the UK has. I love Paul and his family being so relatable to people and places I know here I feel a little like his story reflects the Australian story of so many here.
Heartbreaking to see Nicholas in that condition after he was one of the pillars of the series in my opinion being such a strong and interesting character. God willing he will be there for 70 Up if it were to happen. Great to see Peter once again return after missing so many years hope his band is still going strong.
Suprising and dissapointing to see Suzy withdraw when it seemed like she had finally come to accept and be at peace with the series in 56 Up. Lets also hope she returns one more time in good health for 70 Up - to me she was one of the biggest surprises of the entire series her transformation from spoilt petulant youngster to loving family person.
Neil god bless this is probably the best we've seen him since childhood ? Hope he continues on and would not surprise me if he outlives the majority of them all !
Wonderful to see all the others of course Tony will always be Tony as will Bruce and the others. RIP to Michael Apted - I do hope if we have a 70 Up they have each of the children pay their respects to him one way or another.
If not I think the fundamental question of 'Give me the child and I will give you the adult' has already been categorically answered. And that is a 'Yes and No' - you can say a definite yes for some (Tony, John, Jackie ...) but absolute no for others (Suzy, Neil, Peter). 14 Up is a better representation of how the kids would turn out but still not definitive.
Pray for 70 Up with most if all remaning still in good health.
Katla (2021)
A refreshingly unusual slice of supernatural !
Love the series for it's unusual theme, surreal setting and drama. Look forward to Season 2 and finding a bit more about the mystery of Katla !!
Disney Gallery: Star Wars: The Mandalorian: Practical (2020)
And now the episode you've been waiting for starring ..
.. the baby !
Any fan of The Mandalorian and every fan of the child will surely shed a tear watching how the magic comes to life with him, Kuill and all the other amazing animatronic characters that help make this show one of the best things since the original trilogy. When you watch this episode you'll understand exactly why that is as they went back to a lot of first principles used in the original movies and not taking CGI to the extreme that makes so many other productions look artificial or without a soul.
With every episode to date and this one especially you come to realise how much love and passion there is for this work and it not just being 'another Star Wars offshoot'
Praise be JF, DF and the entire creative team for the slice of perfection that is The Mandalorian !!
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
Fabulous snapshot of 1970's New York
I hadn't seen this movie in over 20 years and was joyfully reminded of not only how suspensful, tense and gripping this movie is but also how witty, gritty and simply great is this hijacking drama set in a 1970's New York that oozes with character.
Walter Matthau is perfectly cast as the wisecracking no bull transit cop thrown into a battle of wits with the equally brilliant Robert Shaw. Supporting cast are all superb as well and the ending is so simple yet memorable - it's the one thing I did remember from watching all those years ago yet still a delight to watch.
The comparison between this and the recent Travolta/Washington versions sums up exactly what's wrong with so many movies today being made for the mindless ADD generation and lacking so much substance, and a reminder that we may never see actors with so much character on the big screen anymore.
Go buy/rent the best copy you can find and enjoy the sights, the sounds (including the awesome soundtrack) and colour of 1970's New York City.
Star Trek: Discovery: The Vulcan Hello (2017)
Mindless Canon-Bashing Action for the ADD generation
I'm not a hater - I hate haters. I simply have to join the chorus of people on here who dislike the start of this series because though it might be visually stunning it just simply is NOT Star Trek, nor especially good Sci-Fi of any genre.
You do not claim this exists in the Prime Trek universe 10 years before TOS and then go about adding tech that shouldn't exist - Klingons with ridge bumps and no hair and 29th century looking ships, uniforms out of place etc. making a mockery of all the TV series produced before it.
If they had set this in the parallel JJ Trek universe I would be totally fine with the changes and it would make sense since stylistically this owes a lot to those movies (which by the way I love). Either that or set it 100 years after TNG era in the Prime Universe where again all the changes would be plausible.
Even if you did buy in to all that - above and beyond all else the first 2 episodes (which this review is based) just have very little going for them. No chemistry, largely annoying characters, bad Sci-Fi (Gravity anyone) and just basically an excuse for more war more confrontation and more mindless action prevalent in so many movies made for a mass audience of morons dazzled by special effects and violence without substance or an intelligent plot.
The ending of the 2nd episode was at least a little more interesting and based on previews the rest of the series looks more promising once they actually get onto the Discovery and we see more of day to day life (as teased in the 'After Trek' show that aired after this which I enjoyed a *LOT* more than the actual premiere) so I will reserve judgment and a review of the series as a whole until the full run.
But as it stands after 2 episodes I really wish they hadn't ruined the Trek universe with this.
The Colbert Report (2005)
Thank the heavens for Colbert ...
Where do I begin with Stephen Colbert and the report - quite simply it has revived my spirits that the world we live in can still bring to us a show and a person who can deliver what no-one else in any media can.
Incredibly funny, sharp, incisive, clever, biting the adjectives are endless. Colbert's brilliance is - as others have put it - the fake punch. Pretending to oppose his interviewees while actually pointing the sharp end at the corruption & evils of the world that we live in right now.
Stephen promotes Science, Space Travel, Environmental Awareness, Equality & Racial/Religious tolerance (he is the *ONLY* pro-catholic non-Christian-bashing person in any form of mainstream media anywhere on the planet right now). And he manages all this and many more positive messages with his incredibly funny, self-absorbed on-screen persona that rightfully has the audience in stitches when they're not on their feet cheering.
I proudly bought my C.O.L.B.E.R.T. patch at NASA Kennedy Space Center (so good I had to buy two!) and will wear & display them to anyone who will notice, and try to tell as many people as I can to watch this show.
So Heroes - you are all officially mobilized to Code-Sierra-Alpha, and spread the WORD to everyone about the greatest satirical show in the history of television !!
Long live Stephen. Stephen for President. Stephen for Pope. Stephen for King. etc...
Adrian
Bad Eggs (2003)
More good laughs from half the old D-Gen gang
** possible minor spoilers **
Going in to see Tony Martin's Bad Eggs you would immediately start to draw comparisons Egg's star Mick Molloys own Crackerjack - which features much the same leading cast (inc. Molloy, Judith Lucy & Bill Hunter) and seemed to both hatch from the same Egg - literally - despite denials by both Martin & Molloy.
Regardless, this movie - like Crackerjack - is a good honest laugh without being the 'great' Aussie comedy movie that these guys have the potential to reproduce (particularly if they ever all teamed up creatively on the same project with the Working Dog half of the D-Gen as well - yes we can dream!).
Martin for the most part puts aside his incredible ability for sharp satire and observational humor & parody which I am a huge fan of and delivers quite the 'serious' comedy about a corrupt police dept exposed by two fairly inept cops (Molloy & Franklin who is very nicely suited to his role as Molloys sidekick).
The film delivers some of the best laughs when Martin pulls out the visual gags in the style we know and love - such as the hilarious AMW scene and the opening 'car chase' scene, at other times the hunor is a little flat but the saving grace is the storyline which - albeit a rather contrived imitation of many other cop/spy thrillers inc. MI for one - keeps the interest going through the more serious moments.
So much like Crackerjack this is a very enjoyable romp that should serve well on repeated viewings - and of course is a goldmine for long-time D-Gen & Melbourne comedy fans who'll love seeing more Mick & Jude action (but no pash this time!) and great fun spotting cameos from the likes of John Harrison (who swore he'd never do D-Gen related comedy *ever* again!), Gina Riley, Pete Smith, Gracie & Sancia from the radio show days.. and a hilarious but all-to-short appearance from the great man Martin himself - doing a wonderful WWTBAM ripoff ..
All up I would say this movie is funnier at it's funniest than CJ, but the latter is the more consistent movie throughout .. both are definately DVD goers after you've seen it at the cinema - when you consider the mass of goodies T.Martin is rumored to be putting together for the release, and much like CJ the commentary alone could be just as (if not more) entertaining than the movie !!
Now and Again (1999)
A wonderful series - why did this suffer when others dont?
Couldn't agree more with other comments - though they have been made some time ago now.. about how good this series was.
This is coming from someone who normally doesn't enjoy watching most US drama serials. But this one had a heart and feel to it that was just special. As soon as the smooth & groove of the opening theme music came on I was loving this show. The chemistry between the "young" Eric and his "older" wife was fantastic. Dennis Haysbert played I think his best role as the government guy.
Huge shame it didn't go on..
Ned Kelly (2003)
Much better than people are saying
I'm not sure what people expect? Perhaps this movie has been killed by its own hype? Then again at the moment the mean and median votes are 7.8 and 9.0 yet the 'weighted average' is 5.6 !!!! Something wrong there..
So obviously I'm not alone in thinking this is a superb piece of Australian period dramatic cinema. As a piece of filmaking I think its as fine as anything to come out of the country in recent times. It's very well paced, full of great performances, humor, tragedy, drama and all the right ingredients. Heath Ledger is fantastic in his strength and character in the movie.
It also very deftly manages to avoid the Hollywood hype that could have been brought to many scenes inc. the finale. The score was probably the most overly excitable part! That said it is also excellent.
Yes, there is every right for people to argue both sides that this may or may not be historically very accurate. Obviously many liberties and assumptions - but I certaintly didn't feel 'beaten over the head' that it was all the cops fault and Ned was Mr.Hard Done By. I came away feeling that it was basically one big tragedy between two equally hard-headed sides. For the Ned lovers - he was certaintly no saint. For the Ned bashers - remember these cops were likely not far removed from ones who treated the indigenous population so 'generously' in those early times.
But enough of that argument - I think people are being very harsh on Australian cinema if they truly dislike this movie as purely a piece of extremely well made drama.
Vertigo (1958)
Absolutely amazing
Despite being in my late 20's and an movie-fan, this is my very first time seeing Vertigo thanks to the joys of DVD, in what is a bit of a Hitchcock discovery phase for me.
I saw Rear Window for the first time also a week ago and was impressed but not blown away.. but oh what a different story for this one!!
* SPOILER SPACE *
Absolutely breathtaking, mesmerising, engrossing, all of those things - and incredible visuals for 1958!! I can only imagine what people must have thought in the cinema at the time.
I guess for anyone who feels the movie is too long and slow and didn't enjoy just didn't get captivated by the tragic romance nor could identify so many feelings in each character. Kim Novak was the mesmerising aspect of this role - totally believable in all her guises, amazing performance.
I didn't think Jimmy Stewart was the perfect kind of person to play the lead role - perhaps too old or too staid, excelling as the likeable everyman but lacking in real open-hearted emotion as is his typical chararcter. But I must say perhaps it's because we are used to this that the film packs an extra emotional punch.
I'm still at odd's over the ending. It is so abrupt - why does she react so suddenly to the appearance of the Nun, becuase of the ghostly shilouette. What about the Nun's incredible aloof reaction! Something just doesn't seem fair about this movie, but maybe that is the whole point. Love like this is never fair.
I could go on and on but believe me the rumors are true - this is one heck of a movie - not your typical Hitchcock movie and just a brilliant piece of filmaking that stands the test of time..
10/10
Back to the Future (1985)
Still stands up!!
Just got to view the great DVD 3-pack release and I am amazed (as is mentioned on a featurette) how well all 3 movies still stand up.
Unlike so many movies from the mid-80's, the story is timeless, there is not too much emphasis on fads at the time, the fashions etc are all very low key.. which in hindsight is a bit of genius considering it may have been tempting to show the 80's characters in the wild fashions of the time to contrast with the 50's look..
And the future view also still stands up as being modern! Although, ahem, flying cars by 2015? Doesn't seem so realistic now :)
Anyway.. love them all.. the 2nd has that great futuristic look and re-recreates the scenes from the original movie brilliantly! And though originally I didn't like the idea of the 3rd movie being entirely set in the west. I must say now of the three it's probably the most beautifully shot with the warmest story..
Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
Inane cliched drivel
More pointless inane drivel from the cliched brainwashing machine that is mainstream Hollywood.
The fact that people in the cinema (mostly moronic kids who have been similarly brainwashed by teen mags etc) found this entertaining I find disturbing in the extreme..
Kath & Kim (2002)
The Big Girls hit the nail on the head - toute suite !
Kath and Kim is the latest definitive 'hit' from the pool of Melbourne comedic genius that had its origins in Fast Forward and originally The D-Generation.
Watching Kath and Kim I try to work out each time why I love it so much. Unlike other funny reality sitcoms - ie. Seinfeld - there arent continously funny setups and moments - though to be sure there are a number of gems. Still your not belly laughing the whole way through.
But what makes it addictive viewing is simply the stone-dead spot on performances from each of the cast and reality of the situations potraying modern life for your average aussie suburban just-middle class types.
Gina's "Kimmoi" is frighteningly accurate portrayal of the self-absorbed, helpess, hot-tempered but needy 'dawta'. Her relationship with Brett (wonderfully understated by Peter Rowsthorn) - Chewing him up one day and spitting him out the next is priceless in its accuracy!
Jane's 'Kath' is even more perfect as the tizzy born-again empty nester who now a 'woman of the world' with the fashion sense of Packenham Upper.
Magda's 'Sharon' - well is there any character Magda can't play? She is a comedic character genius of that theres no question. *Everyone* must know a Sharon out there - right down to the irony of being a hopelessly overweight sports playing fanatic!
Glenn Robbin's 'Kel Knight' is more parody than stretched reality but plays the character to cringe-worthy perfection.
For me there are two main reasons it works so well:
1. Yes it's situations and people we all know. Filming it at real suburban house and real shopping mall (did they tell anyone they were filming?! I dont think those background people are extras!) just add to the smiles of recognition.
2. This is a potrayal of your modern day lower-middle class suburbanites. Not your stereotype of old moccasin wearing uncultured bogans. These people appreciate the 'modern world' (Kath reading about Shah of Iran and into new-age things, Kim on the internet and trying speed dating) but still have the tragic common ways of your suburban yokels. The juxtaposition which is very much a reality in the modern burbs is beautiful to watch!
There are lots of special moments from season one so I wont go through them, but again a joy to see cameos from Tony Martin and Marg Downey.
I'll finish there... I'm off to Fountain Gate for a Cino and a bit of P & Q !
Bring on Season 2 !!
The Late Show (1992)
"Champagne Comedy" at it's absolute most vintage
Gosh where do I possibly start with a review of The Late Show?
This is I think without question the finest hour from any of the team of comedians who started as the original D-Generation and split and regrouped into various other shows and guises.. (including the arch rival Fast Forward combination - which does rank v.highly nonetheless)
The show is legendary because as stated here each cast member is a comedic genius in their own right. eg. Tony Martin/Mick Molloy went off and did a hysterical radio show that also strangely lasted only a couple of years. Rob Sitch - who I agree with the comment is the funniest man alive! - Tommy G, Santo & Jane did the amazing Frontline & Castle/Dish movies.. and now the Panel.
But here they were all together with contributions from other friends so how could the results not be legendary. The list of funny sketches and segments is waaaay too long to list here.
Watching tapes of the best of Saturday Night Live even those guys at their combined peaks are not as consistently funny as the Late Show was over 40 episodes.
Late-Show fans simply must go out and get the recently released 'Champagne Edition' on DVD. It has SIX HOURS !! combining the 'Best Bits of.. ' Volumes 1-3 as well as a new 'Some more bits..', it also has still photos and Easter egg extras..
AND..
Most special, it features a commentary track for the entire SIX hours with *all* of the original crew reunited in 2001!! As well as special guests like old D-Gener John Harrison and Joan Kirner reliving her infamous Joan Jett performance! It's nirvana for Late Show junkies!
The commentary track is almost as funny as watching the show itself! Listening to the guys crack up at old bits they'd forgotten, laughing at how shonky and cheap (but still hysterical to us) most of the ideas were and how bad the clothes were! And lots of witty banter particulary from Tony Martin who put together the DVD.
Even after all that - 6 hours doesnt feel like enough! When will the ABC just bite the bullet and re-release the entire 40 episodes on tape? The DVD is of course missing other classics like Bargearese, Commerical Crimestoppers, lots of general couch banter etc.. Tony Martin makes a comment that really the DVD only contains about half the actual material on the show! Shame!
Thank goodness we are still seeing regular output from the various guys - Working Dog has the Panel & their movies. Mick Molloy has got a couple of movies out - Crackerjack (which I've just reviewed and is very funny, particularly with Judith Lucy and Tony Martin appearances!) and Kath and Kim is holding up the Fast Forward side of things with 'crossovers' in the form of Glenn Robbins & Tony Martin appearances on the show..
We'll probably never see another show quite like it - but as I said at least we have the best of's and the guys are still working!
Fast Forward (1989)
Not quite the best comedy show ever - but probably the best sketch show!!
I too tend to agree this show is proabbaly the best sketch show ever produced in Australia - beating Comedy Company, Big Gig and original D-Generation which are also right up there.
Starting with the talent of Steve Vizard (like him or loath him - he's extremely funny) adding to that the genius of Michael Veith, Marg Downey and Magda Szubanski - who all began with the 'Late-Show' core team on the original hysterical sketch show, The D-Generation (and whom Vizard infamously lured away for these respective series). And not forgetting Kath & Kim themselves - Gina Riley & Jane Turner! Also other great talents like Peter Moon, The Dodgy-Brothers duo (ok I've forgot their names!) etc. and you've got one HELL of a great comedy combination.
Just like the Late-Show, with so many indivudal talents how could it *not* be funny!! To think of the depth of talent across all the above mentioned Melbourne produced shows, just proves why Melbourne is Australia's and one of the worlds great comedy capitals..
Having said all that, I think without doubt the mantle of 'Best Comedy Show Ever' (performance based not sitcom) would have to go to 'The Late Show'. Remebering that The Late Show actually featured very few traditional 'sketches' unlike most of the other shows. So while it is funniest overall, Fast Forward takes the prize as best traditional sketch show...
It's a huge tragedy that Ch.7 wont release a DVD compilation of best bits like The Late Show has. Just last week they put together a 1-hour compilation on TV, but that was barely enough to scratch the surface of all the shows finest moments, of which there are many! Come on Seven, get your act together!