lyonsdavidc

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Reviews

Beautiful Thing
(1996)

just home from watching it at MQFF2021
25 years on from when it was first in cinemas, Melbourne Queer Film Festival screened it away and it was wonderful to see what i had watched on DVD many times in a cinema and hear an audiance laugh along at the jokes, still as entertaining all these years on.

So much in the film is still relivant today from the way family violence is depicted to the tear filled converstation as a son confirms to his mum his gay.

The soundtrack of this film is also impressive and commented on by so many people I have dicussed this movie with, the music give a celebratory feel to the story.

The Swimmer
(2021)

watched at the 2021 MQFF
I saw this film at the Melbourne Queer Film Festival 2021 and didn't always follow the story but did enjoy the final race and how that was presented.

Unfortunately, the screening was a focus of protests aimed at drawing attention to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis and a few points the screening had to be stopped while protestors were removed from the cinema.

As the film doesn't comment on the Israeli and Palestinian conflict, I was surprised it had drawn such attention. What the film does comment on is topics I have seen better covered in other films and TV, Topics like sport people finding their identity and coping with the pressures of elite competition, I think Barracuda (TV Mini Series 2016) has a lot of similarities to this film and having more time as a mini series covers the themes better.

I was confused by the view point of the "Adults" in this film and I am not sure why the coach, assistant coach, house supervisor and the parents are presented this way. This is an enjoyable watch if you want to see young adults in speedos and the last section resolves the storylines well and includes a run representation of the swim race.

Everybody's Talking About Jamie
(2021)

Not the same as the Stage for me, but still really good
I really enjoyed this film hence the 10/10 rating, at MQFF (Melbourne Queer Film Festival) a few years ago (I think COVID world makes it hard to remember what happened in what year) I saw the film of the West end show and honestly enjoyed that more. I didn't like that the opening song dropping the raps by the peers & teacher but I did like the change to the song in the drag dress shop and how that section showed the 80/90s and impact of Aids. The ending was very well done and the actors all were very strong. I don't know if its a change form the stage or if it just shows more, how much Pritti is giving up/unbalanced the friendship appears. I didn't feel that watching the stage version.

The Unusual Suspects
(2021)

not a normal crime heist tv show which makes it good
SBS has put together some really big names of Australia TV and film for this crime heist comedy that adds a layer to the story that makes it stand out from the many tv shows already in this space. They also avoided diving too deep into some of the sub themes like Asian Australians who work to send money to their overseas home, Wealthy vs working class but they allow these to exist as context to the plot.

Getting Their Acts Together
(2020)

never thought about how a festival was put together
It was great to see how a festival picks its acts in Documentary, and then to see COVID 19 start to appear and the very early days of how COVID affected life in Australia

Cancelled
(2020)

Making the best of lockdown
Over the ten parts to this filmed in COVID 19 lockdown web series, we see the family of Luke, Maria and Karen cope with the disappointments of cancelling their wedding, not being able to see family and loosing their work, but also finding the positive in their life, including what the meaning of home is for an couple of mixed nationalities. A lot of humor mixes with the heartfelt dramatic moments and roller coaster of emotions felt during a lock down. Interestingly this series has been fully published onto Facebook, not the normal platform for professional content but from the likes, comments and view count, a place it has found an audience.

Lunatics
(2019)

not the best example of Australian Comedy
Once again Chris Lilley has created a bunch of misfits, but it's not a celebration of diversity but just a laugh at their expense. While the handling of Race which has concerned viewers of other projects especially Angry Boys (2011) and Summer Heights High (2007), this time its not a focus of the eccentrics (well maybe is for Jana, a lesbian pet psychic to the stars from South Africa), racism is still the fuel for many punchlines in this Netflick's production. one of few Australian productions rolled out by streaming giant Netflicks, who also show most of Chris Lilley's past projects, I am unsure why they have been attracted to Lilley's approach to humour. Lilley's preference for obscene comedic techniques have drawn criticisms and the new series is far from the best of Australian "satire" and mostly needs negative stereotypes to create the jokes. mental health and quirks that could be seen as physical disabilities appear to be the fuel that Lilley thinks will make us laugh and moves away from the concept many comedians use of "punching up". minority group will still feel the target of Chris Lilley.

Australia has made some great modern comedy with Netflick's streaming Upper Middle Bogan (2013) and Ronny Chieng: International Student (2017), and better Australian satire being found in The Librarians (2007), Very Small Business (2008), Utopia (2014), Frontline (1994) and The Hollowmen (2008). there was something not quite right about Lunatics and its seeking of a joke over diversity or inclusion in community.

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