ARGO - film

Argo is based on a true story from 1979 when the American embassy in Iran was invaded. The film follows the journey of six Americans who escaped the building and then had to find safe passage back to the USA. It’s directed by Ben Affleck who also stars as CIA guy Tony Mendez leading the escape operation.

The excellent news is that Affleck’s come good since the disastrous Gigli days - he's great in this. In Argo he rocks a 70s beard and shaggy hair do that are somehow quite attractive.

Alan Arkin and John Goodman steal some of the limelight as Hollywood hot shots who help Mendez create a fake feature film as part of a very unusual plan to free the six Americans. They get most of the funny lines and indeed, there’s quite a few so it’s not all nail-biting serious stuff.

The story builds to a tense crescendo and, not knowing the story at all, I was totally engrossed and desperate for a happy ending.

This film opens Thursday 15 October. Loved it, go see it!

Official trailer here.

MENTAL - film

This Australian film was given a one star review by Leigh Paatsch (News Ltd) and a four star review by Margaret Pomeranz (At the Movies, ABC TV).

I'm with Leigh.

The mate I saw it with agreed. There was only two people in the cinema other than us and with the word of mouth I'm expecting this to attract, it won't be around for long. No great shame there for mine. 

And as for Margaret's four stars... well, I can't begin to explain that...

Trailer here.

KATH & KIMDERELLA - film

I’m a big fan of the TV show that this is based on, Kath & Kim, but I went into the film with pretty low expectations because, amongst other things, the last time they went feature-length we got ‘Da Kath & Kim Code’ which was a big ol’ let-down.

The first, probably 20-30 minutes or so, was actually pretty good! They were setting up the story, which involved Kath, Kim & Sharon going to Italy, back in Fountain Lakes. There were loads of laughs, even if some of the jokes were things that fans of the show would have heard before.

The trouble started really once the ladies hit Italy because that’s when the weak story really started to unfold. The laughs subsided pretty quickly and by the time we got to the cameo by Dame Edna, well, the 25 or so people in the cinema mostly just looked at each other or the screen pretty baffled. It was the ‘jump the shark’ moment we’d all feared.

All that said, for Kath & Kim fans, it’s still worth a look I reckon. There’s laughs there and it’s still good fun to see what all our old mates, including Prue & Trude, are up to. If you don’t catch it at the cinemas (just how long it will remain in them will be very interesting as it did very well on opening day) do catch it on DVD. I can’t imagine you’d be considering it if you’re not a fan, but if you are, give it a miss. Baffled wouldn’t even begin to cover it.

Official full length trailer here.

THE CAMPAIGN - film

This film stars Will Ferrell and Zach Galafianakis & if you like their stuff generally, get on board this offering. There's plenty of laughs to be had, belly-laughs even, as their characters campaign for a place as a Republican Congressman. It doesn't break any new ground and the ending is pretty naff but if you want a good laugh and a bit of escapism, go for it as this is good fun.

Trailer here

THE SAPPHIRES - film

What an exciting treat to be able to see this at the opening night of the Melbourne International Film Festival! The film didn’t disappoint the huge crowd – I don’t think I heard a bad word uttered about it as we left the cinema and joined the party at the Regent Ballroom.

I love a film that’s based on a true story, and this one is a gem. It’s based in the late 60s when, in the most unlikely circumstances, a group of Aboriginal women travelled to Vietnam to sing for the troops. This backdrop allows the film to touch briefly on some more serious issues like the Vietnam War and the stolen generation in Australia but they’re not overriding parts of the story by any means, it generally stays up-beat and bloody good fun. Jessica Mauboy plays the lead singer and she certainly isn’t a one trick pony; her acting’s almost as good as her off-the-dial good singing. I also loved Chris O’Dowd (the Irish guy in Bridesmaids & The IT Crowd) as the group’s manager, his comic timing and delivery is just beautiful. Kudos also to Deborah Mailman who was subtly gorgeous as always and to my favourite Australian comedian Judith Lucy who also delivers nicely in her small role as a racist pub owner.

This film is that fantastic combination of being both a lovely story that’s fun to watch and one that’s delivered in a beautifully crafted way. I was so engrossed in it that when a lovely plot line reached a crescendo, I actually gave a little yelp and tugged on the arm of the mate I went with who was polite enough to indulge my excitement with a grin that said ‘yes that really happened’ and a bit of ‘wow, you’re like a nine year old right now, this is embarrassing’.

This film has pretty broad appeal and I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes the way of Red Dog where the audience builds and builds for a long run in cinemas on the back of positive word of mouth. If you see it and enjoy it, tell someone.

Check out the trailer here… it’s in cinemas from this Thursday, 9 August.

NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN - film

Thank you Twitter, for connecting me to the film Not Suitable For Children. I follow Michael Lucas who wrote the screen play for this ace film and who is also part of the team behind two of my favourite TV shows, Offspring and Tangle.

The film is just what you’d expect if you’ve seen those shows – believable, watchable, fun and with a great cast to carry the nicely crafted dialogue.

I reckon it’s an excellent sign when you aren’t inclined to look at your watch during a film and the time never even crossed my mind in this one.

I was surprised how much I loved the lead actor in the film, Ryan Kwanten, given he’s been on Home and Away, something I’ve historically not been able to get past. (Think Indiana Evans as Tatum in the ABC TV drama ‘Crownies’… Actually, don’t.) However, he’s just lovely in this role, understated but charming to watch.

Kwanten’s character is diagnosed with cancer and told he won’t be able to have children after his surgery to treat it. We then follow him for about three weeks until the operation in which he realises he wants kids and tries to find a way to make it happen. As you’d imagine, there’s some complex issues and relationships that emerge that are all a pleasure to watch. Thought-provoking but fun and gently delivered.

Sarah Snook is also excellent in this film as the flat mate of Kwanten’s character. I’ve read comparisons to Emma Stone and there’s certainly a resemblance that goes beyond the red hair. To borrow a line from Molly Meldrum, Dicky Wilkins and just about every other person who’s watched and then talked about a film, I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of her!

I was one of just four people in the cinema when I saw this on opening day which made me really sad. I desperately hope that it gets some Red Dog-esque word of mouth and the cinemas fill in the coming weeks because this is an absolute cracker. Go see it!

Trailer here

FRIENDS WITH KIDS - film

Went into this one with the vague memory of having seen a mediocre review but I also knew it had an impressive cast, so I figured it’d be ok, at least. Turns out it was ok, at best.

The theme is relatable for both couples with kids (I think) and single people with friends who are having kids and all the ‘fun’ that comes with that. But that feeling of being in a social situation with a couple who pick at each other like a festering sore is, it turns out, just as uncomfortable to watch on the big screen as it is in real life.

As I was watching I couldn’t help but think of the lead woman (Jennifer Westfeldt), how on earth did she get this gig? Her face was distracting in a sharp and scrunchy way that seems mean to have noticed but the friends I saw it with did too. Her delivery was just a bit *meh*, I couldn’t warm to her. I also couldn’t stop wondering how this ok-but-not-great script had secured such a talented cast, a number of whom starred in Bridesmaids (Chris O’Dowd, Maya Rudolph & Kristen Wiig). It all made sense though, when I discovered that leading woman Jennifer also wrote and directed the film and that her husband who also features in it (though with not enough screen time for his character to develop much) is Jon Hamm, star of the smash TV series Mad Men.

Call me a cynic (you wouldn’t be the first), but the pieces all fit together now.

I saw this film with four other women, all of whom had kids. Two of them were with me and found the whole thing a bit tiresome and the other two enjoyed it.

On balance, I’d say wait for the DVD. At best.

Trailer here...

WISH YOU WERE HERE - film

I can't remember the last time I saw a film at the cinema twice. I don't know I ever have. Until this week. I loved the Aussie film Wish You Were Here so much that I decided to go back for a second viewing. It was partly motivated by the fact that the film builds to such a crescendo that to take in all the intricacies of the last 15 minutes or so, I wanted to see it again. But that's not to say you need to see it twice, I'm confident you're much smarter than me.

The story is complex but relatable - most of us have taken some dumb risks or acted like a bit of a douche in a foreign country. That's a simplistic take on what the film is based on, but still, as I say, a relatable theme. The performances are great, Joel Edgerton excellent as always and newbie (to me, anyway), Felicity Price as the leading woman was just terrific. She also co-wrote the film, just to make me love her even more.

Finally, this film is proof that you can tell a compelling and intricate story that engrosses you in an hour and a half. There's no need for films to be longer than that!

Watch the trailer but more importantly, go and see the film. I can't imagine anyone not appreciating it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVw1f43xF2M

Melbourne International Comedy Festival - various shows part 2

I saw Judith Lucy's show on Monday night, my favourite of the Festival. I have a soft spot for Judith, she's probably my favourite Australian comedian, but truly this show is gold. The laughs just come at you constantly and she somehow even turned a punch line ruined by a dud microphone into something hilarious. Warning, lots of audience participation for folks in the front row. One of my cousins I went with enjoyed it but wasn't quite as convinced as me because she 'doesn't like sexual comedy'. Judith's not afraid of working blue, certainly a fair but of that but all very funny.

Last night, in what I think will be my last night attending the Festival, was an interesting one. Saw Kate McLennan who was given a 4.5 star review in the Herald Sun (like Judith Lucy) and Geraldine Hickey who was given 3 by the same publication (different reviewer, a favourite of mine). Kate was up first in front of an audience of about 25. Intimate, you might say, especially on tight-ar5e Tuesday. I enjoyed the show, the story, the journey she took us on yada yada, but to be frank I didn’t actually laugh out loud that much. I trotted off to Geraldine next mainly because the time and location suited after Kate’s show. I had no expectations or interest beyond having heard her a few times on a favourite old radio show (Get This on Triple M, 2007-2009 approx). Her room was even smaller than Kate’s and had about 20 in the audience. Despite some of the material being a bit, umm, graphic, I really did laugh out loud quite a lot, as did most of the crowd. Her style is very droll which I guess does appeal to me personally but the whole room did seem to be cacking themselves a lot, certainly a lot more than in Kate’s show.

The juxtaposition of the two shows reminded me that a) comedy is so very subjective and b) expectations or lack thereof can be a huge factor.

I’m totes insightful, right?

The Festival finishes this Sunday. For (insert name of figure you worship)’s sake, go see something. http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2012/season/

Melbourne International Comedy Festival - various shows

I've seen a bunch of shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in the last few weeks. Thought I'd give you a bunch of quick reviews while the Festival still has a week to go. Get out and see something!

JUSTIN HAMILTON (Aus) - Great show by an Australian comedian who's been on the scene a long time. Very clever, works on a few levels, meaning if you've seen him before you might get a bit of extra bang for your buck but first-timers will enjoy just as much. Nice story-telling (even shed a tear or two at one point) combined with great laughs. He's said it's the last Festival show he'll do for the forseeable future, so get along while you can.

TOMMY DASSALO (Aus) - A young Aussie comedian, I think this is his first MICF show. Like Justin, he's a good story teller with lots of laughs and a few tears. The show is about his battle with cancer as a child, surprisingly funny stuff! Tickets are cheap because he's relatively unknown, easily worth the money.

ANNE EDMONDS (Aus) - A good show with a musical bent but not a stand out to be honest. Enjoyed it but have seen other shows that gave more laughs.

FELICITY WARD (Aus) - Definitely one of my favourites, excellent bang-for-buck when it comes to laughs. Go see her!

TOM BALLARD (Aus) - Saw him this year because I found his show hilarious last year. This year was not up to that standard & some of the material was really pretty gross. At the end of the show he was recommending another show to see and said something along the lines of "it's hilarious, like the last 10 minutes of this show"... an admission he hadn't nailed it, I think.

DAVID O'DOHERTY (Ireland) - I've seen David perform at MICF for I think 4 or 5 years in a row now. He's a reliable favourite and didn't let me down this year. His annual 'My beefs...' song is just hilarious.

MARK WATSON (England) - Have enjoyed his work in a few podcasts I've come across but the show was a let down. Definitely not worth $38 for mine.

NATH VALVO (Aus) - Was one of my favourites of the Festival last year, laughed constantly through his show and hoped for the same this year. Not quite as good the second time round but still really funny. (Friends who were there for the second time said they enjoyed it more than last year so, horses for courses.) Does an uncanny Judith Lucy impression which was gold. Beware of seats in the front row and aisle - audience participation is rife and he can be a real bitch!

SAM SIMMONS (Aus) - Went with trepidation to be honest (taking my nephew for his birthday - Sam was his choice) but found it really funny. Not everyone's cup of tea, his style is really pretty odd but if you like a bit of slightly physical, definitely absurd comedy, give him a shot. And bonus points for being totally lovely to my nephew when he came out after the show to say hi.

Got myself booked for Judith Lucy tomorrow night, first stand-up show she's done in a few years. Can't wait, she's one of my all time favourites. Fingers crossed she doesn't let me down. 'Cause it's about me, right?

YES, PRIME MINISTER - theatre

I feel the need to preface this review by saying that I’ve seen hardly any of the TV shows Yes, Minister & Yes, Prime Minister. The two shows aired for the first time when I was just 0-8 years old. (Finally, something that makes me feel young!) I suspect my reluctance to watch it in subsequent years when it aired was because I figured if my parents loved it so much, it couldn’t possibly be something I’d be interested in. But here I am, 31 years old, working in spin, interested in politics and loving a laugh. I assumed this would be right up my alley.

Alas, I was quite disappointed. I didn’t laugh much; the humour was all so predictable. For example, at one point there’s reference to blackmail and Sir Humphrey (Philip Quast) says something like “We don’t blackmail, we leverage”… cue laughter from most of the room in the 50+ age group, but not me.

I found the acting so hammy and over the top. I get that’s the characters, but for me, it just wasn’t enjoyable to watch. It made me dislike them rather than find them endearing. Caroline Craig’s English accent was a distracting let-down and I didn’t laugh much at John Lloyd-Fillingham’s physical comedy as Bernard either.

My mate enjoyed it a bit more than me but we agreed on the things I’ve mentioned. I hung around in the foyer for a while to listen to what people were saying and the stuff I heard was largely positive so I accept I’m probably in the minority. A young minority.

I’ve never been a big fan of the Comedy Theatre and this experience reminded me why. Hardly any leg room and it was so hot and stuffy in there that a woman two seats away from me had to excuse herself for about 20 minutes to go and get some air.

Coincidentally, I happened upon a box set (series 1-3) of The Thick of It DVDs on Saturday and paid about the same price for it as I did for my ticket to Yes, Prime Minister. (The Thick of It has been described by some as a sort of 21^st century version of Yes, Prime Minister.) For value-for-money & laughs when looking behind the scenes at UK politics, I’d choose The Thick of It ten times over.

http://www.yesprimeminister.com.au/

The Thick of It – season 3 extended preview

ANY QUESTIONS FOR BEN? – film

As I do with any Australian film, I walked into ‘Any questions for Ben?’ wanting to love it.

I wasn’t disappointed.

The central character Ben (Josh Lawson) leads a life that in some respects is hard to relate to. Glamorous parties , dating a famous sportsperson, sleeping around; it’s not a life I know or aspire to.  But as Ben’s dissatisfaction with that life grew, so too did my affection for him.

 Whatever you think of Ben, he’s surrounded by loveable characters who help carry the story with ease - David James as Malcolm, Daniel Henshall as Nick, Felicity Ward as Emily and Rob Carlton as Ben’s dad were my favourites.

Just about every review I’ve read has rightly acknowledged that the film is like a beautiful moving postcard from Melbourne. One of the surprises for this Melburnian viewer was seeing Chantelle Raleigh (Fleur), who grew up down the road from me in a small suburb in outer Melbourne. Wattle Glen girl made good!

In keeping with my ‘cut to the chase’ reviewing mantra, I’ll close with this... This is a great film that I recommend you go and see. Not because of some lame ‘Australians should support Australian films’ obligation that you often hear thrown about, but because you’ll enjoy watching it. 'Any questions for Ben?' is a lovely story matched by excellent performances and a fabulous soundtrack that almost steals the show.

Trailer here.

A FEW BEST MEN - film

Don’t see it. It’s terrible.

It’s certainly not worth $18.50 but also not worth 96 minutes of your life if you got a free ticket. Well, in my case it was about 60 minutes as I left when I couldn’t bare the lameness and predictability of it anymore.

Oh, and when did Olivia Newton John become such a terrible actress?

THE DESCENDANTS – film

One of my gripes about film reviews these days is that often they do little more than tell you the plot of the film. I don’t want to know the plot. I want to know if it’s any good, if I should go and see it.

So here’s my take on The Descendants… You should go and see it.  

This film deserves the buzz it’s generating, it’s such a great story and so well told. Unless emo 15 year olds have taken to reading my blog (they are totes welcome), I can’t imagine a reader who won’t enjoy it. Clooney gives an awards-season-fantastic performance and just in case you needed reminding, is a total dreamboat. There was a few times when I was getting very weepy (yes, take tissues) and I kept thinking to myself ‘focus on how hot George is, focus on how hot George is…’. That silver fox’s foxiness is a great distraction, for what it’s worth.

Though the story does require tissues from time to time, there’s a character in the mix who happily lightens the mood. At first I wasn’t wild about Sid because he seemed to be in the film for that purpose alone but as it progresses we do find out there’s a bit more going on upstairs than we thought.

For the comb over spotters, keep an eye out early on for a crackerjack one that’s more ‘comb up and over’ than over alone.

Official trailer here.

PS. Would an emo kid say “totes”? I have no idea.