Weekly Review Round Up 12th January 2013

THIS WEEK'S PREVIEWS

What should you spend your precious dollars on when visiting the cinema? What needs popcorn to enjoy?  And what needs waiting until DVD?

If you have seen any of these or want to see them and have a comment please feel free to share. We love hearing from our readers.

Hitchcock ★★★★

(My movie Pick of the week)

Opens in Australia: 10^th January, 2013

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

My hero as a kid was Hitchcock.  He was the master of suspense and I have vivid memories of the first time I saw Psycho when quite young. Of course, I never felt safe in the shower again. Well they didn't worry about scarring impressionable young children in those days and I also grew up watching Hammer Horror films from age six or seven and I only turned out to be a horror writer. So, not so bad.

This is a fascinating peak behind the scenes during a very difficult time for our hero Director.  I love the way film educates us in such an entertaining way.  All the actors, Helen Mirren, Anthony Hopkins and Scarlett Johannsen bring their A game.  The entire film is worth the scene where Hitchcock stands outside the first audience screening of Psycho directing the screams.  Beautiful work.  A must for Hitchcock fans.

STUDIO BLURB

HITCHCOCK is a love story about one of the most influential filmmakers of the last century, Alfred Hitchcock and his wife and partner Alma Reville. The film takes place during the making of Hitchcock's seminal movie Psycho.

Monsters Inc 3D ★★★★^½

Opens in Australia: 17^th January 2013
Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

I’ve always loved this film and who doesn't own the DVD.  So you know what you are getting.  The 3D isn't anything over-the-top wonderful but it is great to see Sully and Mike on the big screen.  It simply whets our appetite for MONSTERS UNIVERSITY arriving on our screens in June 2013.

STUDIO BLURB

“Monsters, Inc.,” one of Disney•Pixar’s most beloved and visually imaginative feature films ever, returns to the big screen to delight a whole new generation of audiences and fans alike, this time in stunning 3D. The now-classic

Academy Award®-winning animated comedy adventure “Monsters, Inc.” is set in Monstropolis, a thriving company town where monsters of all shapes and sizes reside. Lovable Sulley (voiced by John Goodman) and his wisecracking best friend Mike Wazowski (voiced by Billy Crystal) are the top scare team at Monsters, Inc., the largest scream-processing factory. The main power source in the monster world is the collected screams of human children—and at Monsters, Inc., an elite team of scarers is responsible for gathering those precious natural resources. Believed by monsters to be toxic, children are strictly forbidden from entering Monstropolis. But when a little girl named Boo (voiced by Mary Gibbs) accidentally follows Sulley back into his world, he finds his career in jeopardy and his life in utter chaos. So pals Mike and Sulley plot to rectify the mistake and return Boo to her home.

But when the trio encounters an unexpected series of complications, they become embroiled in a cover-up catapulting them into a mystery beyond their wildest dreams.

Gangster Squad ★★★

Opens in Australia: 10^th January 2013

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

At the end of this film I turned to my hubby expecting him to have enjoyed this film as much as me.  But no, he shot about as many plot holes in the film as there were bullet holes in the huge on-screen body count.  By the time we got home I fully agreed with him. I had really been quite mesmerised by Ryan Gosling and hadn’t noticed anything else; like Emma Stone being very un-sexy as the gangster’s girlfriend; or the movie plot becoming more far-fetched with each new scene.  If you are a Ryan Gosling fan (and he is now officially my favourite actor—sorry Mr Gere) you will enjoy salivating.  If you are looking for another SCARFACE or THE UNTOUCHABLES, this film will disappoint.  Not terrible, just not great.

STUDIO BLURB

Los Angeles, 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and-if he has his way-every wire bet placed west of Chicago. And he does it all with the protection of not only his own paid goons, but also the police and the politicians who are under his control. It's enough to intimidate even the bravest, street-hardened cop...except, perhaps, for the small, secret crew of LAPD outsiders led by Sgt. John O'Mara (Josh Brolin) and Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling), who come together to try to tear Cohen's world apart. -- (C) Warner Bros

Paranorman ★★★^½

Opens in Australia: 10^th January 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

This stop-animation film looks like a kid’s film but be warned it has very dark themes.  The lead character talks to dead people and some of them are not so nice.  However, if your kids are not too sensitive and over ten they should appreciate this spooky little horror tale.  It’s a little different with a solid story and most parents will be grateful for that.  If you've watched Ghost Whisperer then it will seem all very familiar.

STUDIO BLURB

ParaNorman is following Coraline, the company's second stop-motion animated feature to be made in 3D. In ParaNorman, a small town comes under siege by zombies. Who can it call?  Only misunderstood local boy Norman (Kodi Smit-McPhee), who is able to speak with the dead. In addition to the zombies, he'll have to take on ghosts, witches and, worst, of all, grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse. But this young ghoul whisperer may find his paranormal activities pushed to their otherworldly limits. -- (C) Focus

What have you seen this week? Did you find our comments helpful or do you disagree? Share your thoughts with us.

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Django Unchained ★★★★½

THERE WILL BE BLOOD

Australia: 24th January 2013; USA 25th December UK 18th January 2013
Other Countries: Release Dates 

 

 

 Quentin Tarantino is a director who does not come lightly to any project.  He has a history of unabashedly focusing his pin-point wit and dark, bloody humor on a subject to the point where you are reeling, albeit enjoyably.   In his last outing, eight times Academy Award®-nominated INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS, he cast his view upon World War II and the bloody inhumanity required to survive.  Might I mention, you will find in any Tarantino film review the word ‘bloody’ figuring often.

Now he’s turned to the era of slavery in the US Southern states during the 1800s.  But Tarantino being Tarantino, has decided to approach this historic time of moral complexity by setting the story as a Spaghetti Western. He says, “I’ve always wanted to do a Western.  I like all kinds of Westerns, but since Spaghetti Westerns have always been my favorite, I thought that the day I do one, it would be in that Sergio Corbucci universe.” 

And whilst DJANGO UNCHAINED has all the hallmarks of Tarantino, it  feels refreshingly new.  “Quentin’s intense study of the genre led to the inspired idea of mashing up the slave narrative with the Spaghetti Western which creates a movie we have never seen before,” adds Producer Reginald Hudlin.

The name “Django” is familiar to fans of Spaghetti Westerns: Franco Nero (who makes a cameo appearance in this) first portrayed the character in 1966 in DJANGO.  Indeed, the original DJANGO was so popular that other films borrowed the name as a marketing tool.  The more imaginative titles include DJANGO, KILL; DJANGO THE AVENGER; VIVA! DJANGO, and BALLAD OF DJANGO. 
 

In the opening scene of DJANGO UNCHAINED we meet Django (Jamie Foxx) marching in a chain-gang of slaves on their way to new owners.  Along comes the very cool and unflappable German-born Dr. King Schultz (Christopher Waltz) requesting to purchase Django who has worked previously for the Brittle Brothers.  All does not go well (imagine a lot of blood) for the chain-gang leaders when they decline his offer and we realize the very well-mannered Schultz is a proficient killer.

Schultz, as it turns out, is a bounty hunter who reiterates often that the criminals he tracks are worth money ‘Dead or Alive’; and in each case, dead seems better.  He enlists Django to help him track the Brittle Brothers and they team up as an unlikely pair of bounty hunters.  The startled looks of townsfolk, as Django rides in on a horse with Schultz, signals the taboo of a white and black man working together.  It’s the deep prejudices of the time that make for some of the funniest lines in the film.  There is a Ku Klux Klan scene that is as good as they come. 

Django reveals that he and his beloved wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) were separated years ago due to the slave trade.  As a friendship blossoms between Schultz and Django during their bounty hunting the two track her whereabouts to Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), the proprietor of “Candyland,” an infamous plantation.  It’s a wild ride along the way and one that leaves a trail of Tarantino inspired bloody corpses riddled with bullet holes.
 

 

One of the key strengths of the film is the portrayals by the leads.  Jamie Foxx’s Django evolution from anxious, submissive slave to an arrogant, confident Mandingo trainer is convincing.  Nominated for a Golden Globe for the role, Leonardo DiCaprio took on his first truly villainous character in playing Calvin Candie.  Originally Tarantino was thinking of an older actor for the part but after DiCaprio read the script and they talked Tarantino reworked the story to create a Caligula type ''boy Emperor' character that suited the actor.  And Christopher Schwarz’s juxtapositional role as the kind-hearted mentor to Django whilst calmly executing his bounty prey for money is a pure joy.
 

This is a 165 minute blood fest. Tarantino even manages to throw himself in a scene (with an interesting Australian accent) for a just-for-fun appearance. And that is the thing with him; he has fun in his own unashamedly bloody way and has been doing so since his 1992 RESERVOIR DOGS. If you are Tarantino fan then you will happily follow him wherever he travels. You know the territory.  If you are not, maybe take a peek anyway.  This may be the one that changes your mind. And did I mention there is a lot of blood?

 

Official Movie Website http://www.djangounchained.com.au/

 

 

     Are you a Quentin Tarantino fan?

 

 

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Weekly Review Round Up 26th December 2012.

THIS WEEK'S PREVIEWS

 

It is a smorgasbord this week in film.  So many films opening this week and in the next two weeks you are spoiled for choice.  Perth film-lovers, don't forget there are some fabulous outdoor cinemas open at the moment. I will post another blog with links to all of them shortly. 

What should you spend your precious dollars on when visiting the cinema? What needs popcorn to enjoy?  And what needs waiting until DVD?

If you have seen any of these or want to see them and have a comment please feel free to share. We love hearing from our readers.

 

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ★★★★★

(My movie Pick of the week)

Opens in Australia: 26^th December 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

This film has turned a non-Lord of the Rings fan into a fan.  Now I will have to go back and watch the LOTR trilogy as I only watched the first one and thought not for me.  Somehow in the past decade I’ve gone Hobbit.  The mixed reviews are thanks to the first forty-five minutes of character building which is slow but have faith it is worth the wait once the adventure gets going.  For my full review CLICK HERE.

STUDIO BLURB

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey follows title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever... Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths ofguile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ...a simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know. -- (C) Warner Bros.

Life of Pi ★★★★

Opens in Australia: 22^nd November 2012
Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

This is a beautiful, spell-binding film.  I found it breathtaking and absorbing.  Yet, the hubby found it annoying and couldn’t say why but basically did not enjoy. And my girlfriend found it boring.  So, go figure.  I think most people would enjoy the mystical, parable presentation on a very popular book.  Quite an incredible story.

 

STUDIO BLURB

Director Ang Lee creates a groundbreaking movie event about a young man who survives a disaster at sea and is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an amazing and unexpected connection with another survivor...a fearsome Bengal tiger. -- (C) Official Site

Shadow Dancer ★★★

Opens in Perth Australia: Somerville 8pm 24, 26–30 December,
Joondalup Pines 1–6 January, 8pm

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

I found this dragged a lot.  I’ve always thought that the IRA and their fight against England was about a passionate people fighting for what they believed.  However, this film seemed to lack that passion.  It has been described by other reviewers as a nail-biter.  So perhaps it is a subjective nail-biter.  The performances were solid but it has been done better I think.

STUDIO BLURB

           During an aborted bomb attempt in London, Collette falls into the hands of an MI5 officer, Mac, who offers her a deal: turn informant or go to prison. Fearing for her son's welfare, she returns to Belfast where betraying family and beliefs she becomes a reluctant mole for British intelligence. As suspicion of Collette mounts and Mac takes increasing risks to protect her, both feel the net closing in.

Jack Reacher ★★^½

Opens in Australia: 3^rd January 2013

Other Countries: Release Information

 OUR THOUGHTS

This seemed overly clichéd and Tom Cruise is well, Tom Cruise, as usual.  For some reason I didn’t buy the whole thing.  Rosumand Pike seemed to phoning it in as the defense lawyer.  It felt like I’d just seen this before in so many films this year.  If you want a crime thriller then you will enjoy it.  However, if you’ve seen all the episodes of Law and Order, like me, then you will probably guess most of the twists.

STUDIO BLURB

Six shots. Five dead. One heartland city thrown into a state of terror. But within hours the cops have it solved: a slam-dunk case. Except for one thing. The accused man says: You got the wrong guy. Then he says: Get Reacher for me. And sure enough, ex-military investigator Jack Reacher is coming. He knows this shooter-a trained military sniper who never should have missed a shot. Reacher is certain something is not right-and soon the slam-dunk case explodes. Now Reacher is teamed with a beautiful young defense lawyer, moving closer to the unseen enemy who is pulling the strings. Reacher knows that no two opponents are created equal. This one has come to the heartland from his own kind of hell. And Reacher knows that the only way to take him down is to match his ruthlessness and cunning-and then beat him shot for shot. -- (C) Official Site

Wreck it Ralph ★★★★

Opens in Australia: 26^th December 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

 OUR THOUGHTS

I just loved this film.  It’s incredibly inventive and filled with amusing banter and beautiful colour.  This is my pick of the kid’s movie for the Christmas break. Disney just knows how to make a solid animation with a great story and memorable characters.  All video game addicts, this is your movie.

STUDIO BLURB

Ralph (John C. Reilly) is tired of being overshadowed by Fix-It Felix (Jack McBrayer), the "good guy" star of their game who always gets to save the day. But after decades doing the same thing and seeing all the glory go to Felix, Ralph decides he's tired of playing the role of a bad guy. He takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on a game-hopping journey across the arcade through every generation of video games to prove he's got what it takes to be a hero. On his quest, he meets the tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun (Jane Lynch) from the first-person action game Hero's Duty. But it's the feisty misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) from the candy-coated cart racing game, Sugar Rush, whose world is threatened when Ralph accidentally unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens the entire arcade. Will Ralph realize his dream and save the day before it's too late? -- (C) Disney

 Les Miserables ★★

Opens in Australia: 26^th December 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

 

OUR THOUGHTS

I have waited for months to see this film.  And I was so disappointed.  Its two hours and thirty-seven minutes and I felt every one of them.  They sing almost every word and that was a bore because it extended the time with tuneless words.  Russell Crowe just can’t sing and after awhile I was wondering how I felt about Hugh Jackman’s voice.  There were just too many close-ups for entire songs and not enough variety of movement.  However, again many critics enjoyed it.  I will say I preferred the previous 1998 film with Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush.  And I have seen the stage musical three times, (once in London) and loved it each time.  Tom Hooper’s version sadly just left me miserable and aching to leave.

STUDIO BLURB

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption-a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Jackman plays ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe) after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever. In December 2012, the world's longest-running musical brings its power to the big screen in Tom Hooper's sweeping and spectacular interpretation of Victor Hugo's epic tale. -- (C) Universal

Parental Guidance ★★★^½

Opens in Australia: 26^th December 2012

Other Countries: Release Information

OUR THOUGHTS

This movie had our whole family laughing uproariously from the ten-year-old to twelve-year-old, their cousin to my sister-in-law.  However, the critics haven’t been laughing and I am not in agreement with them.  Parental Guidance reminds me of the comedies we used to be served that have now been replaced by the un-funny swearing and sex-filled romantic comedies.  Billy Crystal and Bette Midler are simply wonderful and have fabulous chemistry.   I love how the helicopter parents are the bad guys.  I highly recommend this for the whole family. We loved it.

STUDIO BLURB

Old school grandfather Artie (Billy Crystal), who is accustomed to calling the shots, meets his match when he and his eager-to-please wife Diane (Bette Midler) agree to babysit their three grandkids when their type-A helicopter parents (Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott) go away for work. But when 21st century problems collide with Artie and Diane's old school methods of tough rules, lots of love and old-fashioned games, it's learning to bend - and not holding your ground - that binds a family together.

 

What have you seen this week? Did you find our comments helpful or do you disagree? Share your thoughts with us.

 

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ★★★★

THE ADVENTURE OVERFLOWETHS

Australia: 26th December, 2012; USA 14th December UK 13th December
Other Countries: Release Dates

 

Its two hours and forty-sixminutes and, I suspect, therein lays the mixed reviews.  It’s a matter of patience.  My ten year old harsh critic commented positively on the slow beginning, filled with—perish the indulgence—character building, “It’s a three hour film they needed the time to warm up the story.”

Once warmed up though it takes off like a bat troll out of hell. And whether you are a LORD OF THE RINGS fan or, like me (having always thought the films were slightly geeky) not seen all the previous trilogy, this film will thrill both parties.

As the first feature film to utilize state-of-the-art digital cameras to record the action in 3D at 48 frames per second (fps) releasing in High Frame Rate 3D (HFR 3D), Director Peter Jackson has taken a leap into a new cinematic visual experience.  In some action sequences it truly felt like a roller-coaster ride with the crisp beautiful images.  And wait for the fabulous scene where Bilbo Baggins meets the big-eyed neurotic Gollum (Andy Serkis). It looks so real it is hard to believe there isn’t an agent out there for Gollum and mystical creatures.  As most of the trolls and orcs are English accented I imagined them at the pub moaning how the Troll and Magical Creatures Acting Union needed to strike during the next filming to negotiate more gold rings and quality rat meat.

Calling this film an epic adventure is akin to calling Mount Everest just a mountain.  Even the production notes for the film run to eighty-six pages.  But it’s the story that is enthralling, and it begins with elderly hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm) recounting to his nephew Frodo  (Elijah Wood) an adventure, sixty years prior. It began with Wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) arriving at his door followed by thirteen dwarves invading his home and wolfing down his food as they plan how best to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome Dragon Smaug who has settled in nicely with all their gold.

Young Bilbo (Martin Freeman) is not an adventurous hobbit, personifying the average guy who doesn’t rush out with sword in hand the minute he hears there’s a troll about or fling himself hairy-footed into danger for fun.  Overcoming his trepidation, he joins the dwarves led by legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) whose Father had once been King of the dwarves until slain by an Orc war-chief.  Their plan is to return to Erebor believing that the dragon may have left. 

Along the way they face one daring encounter after another with all manner of magical creatures: Orcs, Trolls, Elves and more; all in incredible Middle Earth settings, brought to life convincingly by a team of roughly 350 people at Weta Digital.

Stone Street Studios, Peter Jackson’s production facilities in Miramar, New Zealand, has nearly tripled in size and capabilities since the days when he and his team made THE LORD OF THE RINGS Trilogy in a converted paint factory. Building the world of THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY took up the whole of the eight-acre site, encompassing six stages, including the two state-of-the-art stages built specifically for the new Trilogy. It would also involve the construction of nearly 100 sets, the fabrication of thousands of pieces of clothing, prosthetics, wigs, props, and weapons, and take the company from the soundstages in Miramar off to spectacular landscapes across both islands of NewZealand.
 

 

Jackson tells more of a story than was written in Tolkien’s beloved book which has been in print constantly for seventy-five years. The story has been fleshed out from the appendices of the final volume of The Lord of the Rings. “The Hobbit was almost a lifetime’s work for Tolkien,” Jackson attests.  “And a lot of the ideas he had for fleshing out the story—the environment and the politics of the time—are all there.  What became clear to us is that the story has the ability to expand yet still be The Hobbit that everybody knows and loves. So that's what we did, using his notes very much as our blueprint.”

Whether Peter Jackson has overstepped the boundaries with this much loved book will be judged at the box-office.  It wasn’t a film I looked forward to seeing and yet I find myself now counted amongst the fandom of Middle Earth.   It may be a slow warm up but once its boiling most will find that Jackson’s THE HOBBIT has a plot that overflows in an exhilarating way.
 

 

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Star of RED DOG dies

KOKO DIES

KOKO, the canine star of the hit Australian film RED DOG, passed away peacefully today.

In early 2012 KOKO was diagnosed with congestive heart disease, a common affliction in dogs. He received early and immediate treatment to improve his quality of life but has sadly succumbed to the disease.

RED DOG producer and owner of KOKO, Nelson Woss, said that he was devastated to have lost his best mate.

“Through the making of RED DOG, KOKO became Australia’s favourite dog. He certainly changed my life forever. I will miss his companionship, his remarkable outgoing, friendly nature and the many long walks that we enjoyed together in Perth and around the country. His incredible journey has come to an end," Mr Woss said.

Based on the best-selling novel of the same title by Louis de Bernières, RED DOG tells the true tale of the charismatic dog who roamed the Western Australian outback in the 1970s. Even with a Hollywood cast, including Josh Lucas (Sweet Home Alabama) and Rachael Taylor (Transformers), KOKO shone as the star of the film and became beloved by fans in Australia and throughout the world. RED DOG grossed more than $21Million at the Australian box office, making it the 8^thhighest grossing Australian film of all time. The film is the third biggest selling DVD of all time in Australia behind Avatar(#1) and Finding Nemo (#2).

Mr. Woss and KOKO toured Australia to promote the film’s cinematic release in August 2011. KOKO visited animal shelters, met with fans and local communities, winning people’s hearts wherever he travelled. KOKO’s hard work and charisma helped to build buzz for the film and likely contributed to its huge box office success.   

 

 

KOKO before RED DOG

KOKO was born on 9 April 2005 to breeders Carol and Len Hobday from Klassikelp Australian Kelpies. Initially trained as a show dog, KOKO won Best Exhibiting Group, Working Dogs in January 2006.  Carol Hobday noted at the time that it was quite unique for a dog so young to win in that group.

Trainer Luke Hura was tasked with finding the canine star for RED DOG and in 2009 he approached Carol and Len with an interest in KOKO. Luke and RED DOG director Kriv Stenders auditioned KOKO and immediately found him to be an outgoing dog with a beautiful temperament and star quality. Carol and Len agreed to part with their beloved dog for the movie, but they did not want to lose him permanently.

 

Filming of RED DOG

KOKO began training with Mr. Hura at age six and learned more than 50 commands for the movie. The filming of RED DOG was KOKO’s chance to shine and he demonstrated a strong work ethic but often showed a fierce independence and spirit akin to the real RED DOG. KOKO formed a great friendship with all of the RED DOG cast and crew.

At the conclusion of filming, it was obvious to Carol and Len Hobday that Nelson and KOKO had formed a very special bond. The Hobday’s agreed to let Nelson keep KOKO and did not accept any payment.

 

KOKO’s retirement

Following the film’s publicity tour, KOKO was retired to a life of long walks, good food and lots of pats. During this time, KOKO would only make public appearances where there was a significant donation made to either the Shenton Park Dog Refuge or the RSPCA. KOKO was often recognized on the streets of Perth and was always happy to meet his fans.  KOKO was especially close and protective of Mr Woss's 3-year old daughter Zella.

 

In 2012 KOKO was awarded Best Dog in a Foreign Film at the inaugural Golden Collar Awards in Los Angeles. In a 2012 book by author Lee Tate he was listed as one of 101 amazing Western Australian characters alongside esteemed icons such as Tim Winton and C.Y. O’Connor.  A portrait of KOKO by Adam Cullen received a special commendation at the 2012 Archibald prize.

Mr. Woss said that having a kelpie in your life is a great joy but urged families with children to carefully consider any decision to own a kelpie, as the breed requires a lot of exercise and mental stimulation.

Mr. Woss is not available for further comment but suggests that anyone who would like to remember or honour KOKO can do so by making a donation or pledge in KOKO’s name to the Shenton Park Dog Refuge.

 

 

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The Good, The Bad and the Finales

Overview of film in 2012

By the end of this week, I will have seen 134 films on screen this year. I worked hard for that number and ate a LOT of popcorn.  The year of the good, the bad and the finales is the best way to describe Cinema for 2012. Whilst film reviewing is somewhat subjective, a film should always be judged on how close it comes to achieving entertainment nirvana for its intended audience.
 

 

There is one film this year that hit—no smashed—the mark in achieving that. It won’t win the Oscar but certainly ‘Marvel’s The Avengers’ delivered not only box-office gold (with a box-office worldwide gross of nearly one and half billion) but it won hands down as the most anticipated film of the year.  In the capable hands of director and screenwriter, Joss Whedon, it was a fun, wild ride.

Then we had the ‘Finales’. The final to Director Chris Nolan’s ‘The Dark Night’ series, ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, was a roller-coaster ride in pacing but arguably a very fine film and a fitting conclusion to the series—though the door does seem ever so slightly ajar for a follow-on film.

What will we do now that the Twilight Saga series is finally done with Bella and Edward and daughter Renesmee, living happily ever after ‘Forever’—their words not mine?  Perhaps the studio will resurrect the franchise with Renesmee starring in her own sequel. Why walk away when there are so many Twi-hard fans still eager to hand over their money?

We are also bidding goodbye to the ‘Men in Black’ series in fitting style with all questions answered in a zippy, fun film that, thanks to its belated finale, ten years after Number Two and fifteen since the original, meant that we could take our kids and share our original love for K and J and all the letters that we have come to treasure.

Just as we mourn the endings, we can also celebrate a very positive beginning of another popular young adult crossover film adaption with ‘The Hunger Games’. This film delivered thanks mostly to the enormous talent of Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen.

For those who were missing their local Spidey super-hero, Sony Pictures kindly rebooted that franchise with well-chosen leads in Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man.’ Apparently there was an untold story they missed in the other three. But that only took up the first thirty minutes. The rest was same ol’.  But a same ol’ Spiderman is better than most. And this film was far more enjoyable than the gritty and violent ‘Dredd 3D’, a rehash of 1995 Stallone’s Judge Dredd. The original 1990 Schwarzenegger ‘Total Recall’ was just too good for this year’s remake to replace our memories of Arnie shooting Sharon Stone as his wife and uttering, “Consider that a divorce.”

Film studios are not ones for quitting when something is still working. We saw the next installments of popular franchises with ‘Ice Age 4’, ‘Paranormal Activity4’, ‘Madagascar 3’ and ‘Taken 2’, and the twenty-third Bond film, the thrilling ‘Skyfall’.
 

We all know 3D doesn’t make a huge difference except to your pocket but it became a great excuse for studios to drag out a few oldies and give them another twirl. Some cinema patrons may see it as a cynical cash-grab but perhaps think of it as an opportunity to again enjoy real classics on the big screen.  ‘Titanic 3D’ was every bit as epic as its first voyage. ‘Star Wars Episode 1 3D’ was really showing its age but Disney gave us wonderful treats with ‘Beauty and the Beast 3D’ and ‘Finding Nemo 3D’with ‘Monsters Inc 3D’ scheduled for end of this year to welcome in the new prequel ‘Monsters University’.

Finally, for your viewing pleasure presenting my Best of 2012, in no particular order. Click on the title to read the review.  Leave a comment and let me know the movies you loved in 2012.

The Good…

John Carter3D—box-office disaster but a great film that suffered from the worst marketing ever.

21 JumpStreet—same address, but an hilarious renovation on the hit TV series.

Woman inBlack—Hammer Films old-fashioned haunting horror just how we love it.

Argo—Ben Affleck directed action film that had our stomachs churning with the tension.

Skyfall—nobody does it better than Bond. Possibly the best Bond yet.

Frankenweenie—Tim Burton’s stop-motion homage to the horror film. Critics loved it.

TheAvengers—the most fun you can have at the cinema. Number 2 not until 2015.

TheSessions—a small, poignant film but one that will have you choking back the tears.

Chronicle—another found footage teenage alien film but brilliantly executed.

SevenPsychopaths—a crazy, black comedy that left us worshipping Christopher Walken.

And the Bad…
 

Taken 2—ridiculous script, over-acted cash grab. Shame studios. Shame.

The Master—I know it has Oscar buzz but it’s boring & self-absorbed.
 

Mental—the worst film I have seen in decades. Not funny. Embarrassing. Director & Script Writer P.J. Hogan do not collect $200.

Three Stooges—they are turning in their graves.  Who do I punch or poke for this one?

The Darkest Hour—film’s darkest two hours. An awful script with awful actors. Read a funny review on it.
 

Once Upon a Time in Anatolia—once upon a time I fell asleep.

Snow White & the Huntsman—I really object to the over-hype of this lost opportunity. Read my funny take—Once Upon A Time in a Production Office.

What To Expect When You’re Expecting—what to expect when you can’t write a funny script.

Dark Shadows—no, no, what did you do to our favourite campy TV show Mr. Burton?

The Lucky One—anyone who saw this felt very UN-lucky.

 

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