On The Beach, the film of Neville Shute's novel, was shown at ACMI in February this year. Along with the documentary about the making of the film, Fallout. These mini seasons are one of the great things about ACMI. And so I finally read the book as well. The cover of this relatively modern reprint of the novel reflects images from the film. … [Read more...] about Contemplating The End Of The World
Films
Mad Men and Wilder Women: Focus on Billy Wilder
ACMI had a Billy Wilder film festival over January 2019. I saw three films, The Seven Year Itch, Love In The Afternoon and Sunset Boulevard; none of which I'd seen before. I'd seen a third, Double Indemnity last year at Cinematique. A great film maker. According to the article online accompanying the festival, able to see American culture - all … [Read more...] about Mad Men and Wilder Women: Focus on Billy Wilder
Oscar! Oscar!
The day after the Oscars were awarded seems a good time to talk about films. I was really pleased the Olivia Coleman won Best Actress for her performance in The Favourite which I thought was a mesmerising, fast moving and engaging romp. She was terrific as the lonely, sad and ill (gout) Queen Anne. And Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone were great as the … [Read more...] about Oscar! Oscar!
MIFF 2018 – Two Stars / One Stars
I'm often asked whether I walk out of films at MIFF. The answer is; not often. In part because I like to sit in the middle and it's very distracting to others if I stumble out midway through. Though that's not an impediment if something is truly terrible. I have a friend who sits on the edge of a row on the side aisle to allow easy exits and he … [Read more...] about MIFF 2018 – Two Stars / One Stars
MIFF 2018 – Three Stars
Six feature films and two documentaries got three stars from me. This includes my three biggest disappointments of the festival I had really been looking forward to the first three features in this list based on their reception at the Cannes Film Festival. There you go; responses to films, like all art, is such a personal thing! I've put the … [Read more...] about MIFF 2018 – Three Stars
MIFF 2018 – Four Star Documentaries
When I started going to MIFF many years ago, and even when I returned after a long absence, it was documentaries that I sought out because you often didn't get to see them elsewhere. Nowadays they're more readily available on SBS, Netflix etc. so I don't focus on them as much during the festival. I do enjoy a good one, and this year there were … [Read more...] about MIFF 2018 – Four Star Documentaries