Going by the reactions of the people around me at the preview screening, this film is going to polarise its audiences. Well, I say that as the sole defender of the movie in my vicinity. “What a mess!” one vocally prominent woman bawled as she sailed out on to the street, her own wind gusting in her sails. “So pretentious!” exclaimed another.

I’m usually tersely dismissive of pretentious cinema. One whiff of arty indulgence and my hackles raise. And yes, I can see why the sorts of accusations I overheard on the preview night might be levelled at Sleeping Beauty. It’s a lyrical piece that dares to take itself seriously without the usual safety net of irony – very ‘arthouse’, if you like. Aussies have a low tolerance for this mode of cinema when it issues from within. If it’s French, or German, or Spanish… well, somehow we’re a lot more comfortable with the exotic when it’s actually exotic. Homegrown stuff has to be self-effacing, or tough, or quirky and seasoned with plenty of wry humour, right mate? Continue reading ‘Sleeping Beauty’ – Movie Review →

There are not a lot of movies shot in WA, and when a new one is released I want to like it. Honest, I do. Unfortunately, Blame has only three redeeming features (and I’m trying hard, folks): the trailer, the camerawork and the setting in the Perth hills. Otherwise, on every level it’s almost unbelievably awful. Dog of the Year awful. Continue reading ‘Blame’ – Movie Review →

This stunning – and I mean stunning – new Australian film presented me with quite a dilemma. It’s brilliant, lapping at the high water mark of the superb Animal Kingdom. The crafting, the writing, the performances, the score (the score!), the cinematography – all truly terrif. My dilemma? I felt accosted, traumatised, terrorised even, by the extreme violence and scenes of torture it depicts with gruesome realism. So, great as Snowtown is, I can’t recommend it to anyone seeking an enjoyable night out at the movies. Continue reading ‘Snowtown’ – Movie Review →