screen australia

Based on Peter Carey’s novel about the story of Australian Outlaw Ned Kelly and his gang of misfits as they tangle with the local fuzz during the 1870s – TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG is Justin Kurzel’s 4th feature film and from start to finish the film is harrowing stuff with it’s violence, harshness of the times depicted in brutal fashion by the Aussie filmmaker who broke onto the scene with his raw yet brilliant debut Snowtown back in 2011 – George MacKay, Russell Crowe and Orlando Schwerdt are terrific in the movie as is Charlie Hunnam and Nicholas Hoult both adding some menace to proceedings, and is there a better Aussie actress than Essie Davis at the moment? a totally committed, ballsey actress that has such a screen presense as she commits to her role 120% – Some of the movie was shot in the Winton Wetlands which I found such a perfect location lending to the movies haunting, barren yet majestic landscape – Kurzel’s movie is certainly not everybody’s cup of tea but it was mine and I would recommend the True History of The Kelly Gang to anyone who loves movies, I just hope it gets the exposure it deserves ★★★★

Breath (2018) – Movie Thoughts

Posted by absolutebadasses on August 25, 2018

Posted in: Movie Reviews, Reviews. Tagged: aussie movie, australia, Ben Spence, breath poster, breath review, Elizabeth Debicki, film nerd, film thoughts, films, love movies, movie, movie geek, movie review, Sam Coulter, screen australia, Simon Baker, surfing, tim winston, tim winston breath. Leave a comment

BREATH : Simon Baker
Sam Coulter, Ben Spence, Elizabeth Debicki, Simon Baker

I’ve not read Tim Winston’s novel BREATH that was published in 2008 but have just seen it’s film adaption by debut director Simon Baker and it’s an absolute peach, a slow burning coming-of-age surfing movie set in 70s Australia where two friends Pikelet & Loonie discover a thrill seeking adventure amongst the waves – Samson Coulter & Ben Spence give wonderful performances as the two lads, the chemistry between them gives authenticity to their friendship and the fact that both lads are top surfer’s in real life helps enormously – along with the boys surfing & interaction with Simon Baker’s character Sando who’s a retired ex-surfing champ I really enjoyed the scenes between Coulter’s Pikelet & Eva played by the incredibly gifted Elizabeth Debicki these scenes are gorgeous and handled superbly – I must also mention the photography and especially the water sequences in the movie that are simply stunning and quite breathtaking to watch – If you’d like to watch a movie with no green screen, raw acting talent and a lovely story about friendship & adventure then Simon Baker’s Breath is for you – An Aussie Gem from start to finish ★★★★½

January First Timer’s

Posted by absolutebadasses on January 31, 2018

Posted in: Movie Reviews, Reviews. Tagged: australia day, australian movie, Ben Foster, blog, bryan brown, christian bale, cinema, film, film nerd, film stills, hostiles, Kriv Stenders, like, love movies, movie, movie geek, movie site, movies that i have watched, photos, rosamund pike, scott cooper, screen australia, shari sebbens, thriller, western. Leave a comment

AUSTRALIA DAY : Kriv Stenders
Bryan Brown, Shari Sebbens, Sean Keenan, Daniel Webber

I really ENJOYED Kriv Stenders edge of the seat Crash-style thriller Australia Day – along with Bryan Brown & Shari Sebbens who is bloody brilliant by the way, it’s young cast really does excell & allows the films story to roll at a break neck pace and feel downright authentic – there’s so much running in the movie that at times I felt out of breath watching it all go down – the film brings to light a whole lot of issues such as race and underage prostitution and although there’s nothing new about it’s narrative filmmaker Kriv Stenders handles it well and delivers a movie that balances between a high octain thriller and one that also makes one think of the choices & consequences in one’s life – overall Australia Day is well worth the watch and yet another Aussie Gem ★★★★

HOSTILES : Scott Cooper
Christian Bale, Ben Foster, Rosamund Pike

from it’s gritty storyline, Takayanagi’s haunting at times beautiful camera work, Bale & Pike’s ability to suck you into Cooper’s narrative and Max Richter’s soul searching score Hostiles is one of the Best Western since Eastwood’s Unforgiven, it’s dark & brutal just like the times, it’s uncomplicated and I can’t remember Christian Bale ever giving a better performance – this is one to watch on the big screen, it’s a visual treat and by the way it’s by no means the Bale & Pike show there’s a whole bunch of stone cold, gritty performances from the tigerish Rory Cochrane as Metz, Jesse Plemons (yep him again) as Kidder & Jonathan Majors as Woodsen – Scott Cooper’s Hostiles is such an awesome ride LOVED IT !! ★★★★½

“Strangerland centers around a couple living in a rural town in Australia who discover that their two teenage children have disappeared, lost in the vast desert that surrounds their home”

Don’t you just love Australian Cinema? Their movies often contain haunting & twisted narratives, jaw dropping visuals, eerie soundtracks and most of all the real good ones focus heavily on characterization whether that be in the form of psychological torment, emotional or both

Overall – Kim Farrant’s directorial debut Strangerland is a majestic piece of cinema, a little gem that’s dark, daring & tackles the harsh reality of infidelity & the unthinkable, possible child abduction or worse – at its core the film is an atmospheric mystery thriller that’s coated with sublime acting by Kidman, great support by Weaving and a pace that’s purposefully slow, which only adds to its unnerving, unsettling premise! ★★★★½

There’s always been great movies that have come out of Australia : Walkabout, Picnic at hanging Rock, Mad Max, Gallipoli, Crocodile Dundee, Dead Calm, Romper Stomper, The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Tomorrow When the War Began, Animal Kingdom, Wolf Creek, Snowtown & many many more… And in 2014 Australian Cinema has continued its fine tradition of bringing us yet more fresh, well acted, gritty & excitingly told new movies – of course there are so many quality films out there but here’s my 5 must see Aussie flicks of 2014