movieguy3000 Reviews (76)

Run Rabbit Run (2023)

RUN TO SEE THIS RABBIT

[7/10 · 13 January 2024]

One of the best Aussie films this year, certainly kept my attention. It was interesting, engaging and easy to watch. The film is a psychological thriller with supernatural elements, I think the Director did really well, this is much better than most Aussie films, this surpasses The New Boy and Shayda. This has most of the elements that most American films have. There was some moments of slow pacing issues and the backstory needed to be clearer a little earlier in the first act and also it didn't really pull at any strong emotions, but overall, the film looks beautiful, great locations, great cast, Sarah Snook is exceptional as always and the film looks and sounds great. Well done, highly recommend, don't listen to those reviewers giving low scores. Just a note to the producers - The Poster is a fail - It doesn't attract the right audience and doesn't sell the film as it should, a creepier poster with the mum and girl would have been better.

Blueback (2022)

BLUEBACK - BACKED INTO A CORNER

[3/10 · 3 January 2024]

Based on accomplished novelist Tim Winton's book of the same name, this film falls very short. Not all books can be adapted into films especially if the screenplay is written by the wrong person, a person who has more producing and directing credits than writing.

The film is photographed well, and all technical aspects are met especially with a big budget. Locations are great and most of the actors are good, apart from Mia - who seems to be phoning it in on this film - half the time she seems so flat in her performance, she actually seems like she doesn't even want to be in the film and was doing it for a paycheck or a favor. (Just watch the first few lines while she's on the satellite phone and listen to the delivery) The film and its themes are well-intentioned, but this was actually packaged as a kid's film? I can tell you; I have 5 young kids and they wouldn't sit through the first 10 min. This was a missed opportunity to tell a heart-warming story about a beautiful blue Groper fish which has a beautiful relationship with the Jackson family over a few decades. Robert Connoly should have taken a page out of Free Willy or A Dolphin Tale. There is hardly any real emotion evoked from this story, any emotion portrayed is actually dribble and contrived. The narrative is disjointed and convoluted, its pacing is too slow and somewhat boring. Also feel like Radha Mitchell is trying too hard to be SUPER AUSSIE with her accent, but I believe her performance is still quote strong. Overall, a well-shot film, with all the bells and whistles thanks to Screen Australia and ScreenWest. Lottery West helping already established filmmakers instead of funding new voices. Just remember if you watched this film and agreed and are Australian - your tax payed for this. Do you think it was executed correctly? Want to watch a fantastic Tim Winton film? Go and watch an excellent film called Breath directed by Simon Baker - a fantastically made film.

The New Boy (2023)

A NEW BOY NEEDS SAVING!!!

[3/10 · 27 December 2023]

Overall, a beautifully photographed film amongst the beautiful landscapes and county of Australia. OK acting by the main cast and a beautiful soundtrack to accompany it. The sound design is terrific as well as the production and costume design and that's where the beauty stops. The films narrative is convoluted and not clear and is left to major interpretation which in storytelling means it's a weak premise with no real strong intention. It dances around the ideas of faith and indigenous culture, but it's never fully fleshed out, disappointed coming from a first nations director. There was definitely potential there in a conceived spiritual essence of an idea which was left underdeveloped and a missed opportunity to mix faith and spirituality. The imdb synopsis stated that it's about a renegade nun (Cate Blanchette) but that doesn't really describe the character. The film is easy to watch, pacing is better than most Aussie films, but it just needed so much more, Aussie films have this real problem in being able to do the simplest of things - Tell a good yarn on screen. Why is that? We get this idea that we must continue to tell first nation stories BUT we cannot find a new angle or a GREAT story to tell, this story is mediocre at best and Cate Blanchette can't save this. Doesn't matter how many AACTA or award nominations this film gets - your larger GENERAL audience can see through the pretentious arty-fartyness of underdeveloped narrative storytelling and by attaching known actors - it tries to sell you that this a film worthy of accolades. Films are political now, not made or judged by their merit but by the politics of the government agencies and the people who have power to get them made.

The film s well-made and it shows from the decent budget it was made with - but that deserves no accolade - tell a story and move me, make me feel emotion - I felt nothing watching this - disappointing because the hype didn't watch the viewing experience.

The Royal Hotel (2023)

GO TO THE ROYAL HOTEL - NOW

[7/10 · 23 December 2023]

This is a really good film, great cast, great locations, great cinematography and has everything going for it, especially the story telling. Kitty Green is a great story-teller unlike all these arty-farty people trying to tell stories in Australia. Her last film - The Assistant was a abysmal and was so boring, but this is a great follow-up. Even though I hate when Aussie filmmakers make the lead an American - that is an insult and we know you're doing it to get the funding, but it works with this story as its based on the real documentary. Overall, the film works well and is truly entertaining. There are some execution problems as well as plausibility issues when you have a lead character is potential danger and you don't fully flesh it out and realize it, its like your almost on the edge of your seat and then your back on your seat so quickly that the danger that could have happened - was over so quickly you didn't give the audience time to take it in, you didn't let the danger get there, just a glimpse of it and then nothing. I want to be entertainment by giving my senses an extravaganza of emotions manipulated. Overall, I enjoyed the film and it a good watch, nothing to call home about but from an Aussie film perspective it has my vote.

Foe (2023)

FOE IS A NO GO

[2/10 · 23 December 2023]

This is not even close to being a good film. What happened to Garth Davis, Lion was such a beautiful - almost perfect film, then there was that terrible Mary Magdelene film and now this.

This concept was interesting but very poorly executed, the screenwriting was contrived babble and didn't know where it was a western or sci-fi film, I think the idea was better than the screenplay. Look with a descent budget anyone can have great actors, beautiful cinematography and all the required technical capabilities. But with an indie-film you have none of that so you really on telling a good damn story, this was so hard to watch as it was sooooooo boring, slow paced, contrived drivel that tried to be unique with mixing genres but failed miserably. I wanted to like it so much, love you Garth but this was a no -go. Actors impeccable, all the photography and locations fantastic. It's an American film with the usual misses and fails of an Australian production. I think this was just a paycheck for everyone because this film would be hard to get a general audience to watch. Sorry Garth I'm not biting - go and watch Lion and bring your tissues because Lion is pure cinema with real emotion and has everything a great story should have.

Of an Age (2022)

OVERATED BY ONLY THE FILM-INDUSTRY ART FOLK

[4/10 · 23 December 2023]

So I went into this with the talk of the town, but mainly from the film industry and the fact that the film is up for accolades in the awards season. The film is shot well, even though the 4:3 ratio BOX non widescreen format is being overused so it can be seen as stylized filmmaking. The film has a nice color and look regardless. The actors were fantastic but most especially Elias Anton in particular. The film is score is beautiful as is the song soundtrack. Starts of good in say the first 15-20 in but then the first half falls on its arse. The fact that you have multiple talking scenes in cars while driving and the dialogue is mundane, boring and uninteresting, it could have been 20 min shorter. There are many pacing issues with the film and lots of too quiet (arty) beats and pauses that don't really move the story forward. Special mention to Hattie Hook for a special performance and the whole ensemble cast. Overall, the second half of the film performed better, I didn't feel the emotion the film was trying to portray, I felt it was slightly forced, I felt the character development was not developed enough and then when the film jumps a decade it just felt off. Overall, the director is a good storyteller, not great but once again it's a film with an agenda about a minority that's had a lot of support and funded by Screen Australia. I feel this years AACTAS are a big miss, look at the films such as Monolith, Streets of Colour, Damage, The Cost which didn't get nominated for AACTA awards and should have. This film is an ego-driven film about the director and the general public wouldn't watch this or rate this up there. I recommend watching The Cost.

Shayda (2023)

SHAYDA DOESN'T DELIVER & OVERRATED

[5/10 · 25 October 2023]

Based on a true story this film is shot beautifully and the actors are very good (not great) and the music and production is produced exceptionally.

The story is a little too long, about 15-20 min too long, there are significant pacing issues and the story which is of a refugee should have been compelling and emotional, yes there are moments, but it failed to connect with me as a middle eastern person from the same region.

There are problems with the style of storytelling - the problem the film fails to move the story forward instead it cuts back and forth between mundane scenes that don't move the story forward and then serious scenes.

I give credit to the little girl who did an incredible job in this.

Overall the film's intentions are nice, but I fail to see why this film is winning awards when there are far better films that tell an emotional, thought-provoking, powerful story that actually moves you.

This missed the mark by a lot, and poor and inexperienced direction. Doesn't matter if the film is produced by Cate Blanchette, tell me a good story that will actually and me cry, and you will have the audience in the palm of your hands.

A lot of these awards are very political and there are favoritism especially knowing that Cate Blanchette is attached. The diversity and person of color ticking boxes is always a draw card, a film should be based on its merit and not because of its diversity.

Overall, a film well-made but overrated.

The Survival of Kindness (2022)

CINEMATIC MASTERFULL FILM - NOT FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON

[7/10 · 23 October 2023]

This is not for everyone, it's certainly a journey of one character only. In a world that seems to be post-apocalyptic, like the end of the world, virus wiping people out and people are out for survival.

Masterfully made in every way, cinematography is brilliant, the color grade, the music, the amazing locations, excellent directing and just pure cinema brilliance, SO much happens in this film without dialogue - where most SLOW-PACED boring films that use a lot of dialogue tell NO STORY, here is an example of masterful storytelling with no dialogue and with 1-3 characters. (see my other reviews to understand) ROLF DE HEER does it again. This should win so many awards.

Warning this is NOT for the average audience - this is for lovers of cinema and are looking for a unique and cinematic and weird and wonderful experience.

The Land (2021)

LAND OF NO STORY & NO HOPE

[1/10 · 23 October 2023]

Don't waste your time on this super typical Australiana film in the bush that has absolutely NO STORY, nothing really happens, it's boring, the pace is extremely slow, the color is so bland and depressing and the actors are not very good apart from the female lead.

No excuse for being a indie film, this really has NOTHING engaging, or interesting or really there isn't anything here to say.

The premise in the film has told in the synopsis - is that a guy comes back to see his mate and they talk about a rape they did 20 years ago - you would think something BIG would happen after that - nothing compelling, or thought-provoking, or emotional.

Completely unforgettable.

Damage (2020)

DAMAGED EXECUTION BUT A NICE FILM

[6/10 · 23 October 2023]

This is a nice film with a nice idea about an Arab taxi driver refugee who picks up a woman who's lost or doesn't know where she's going. Basically 1 location film inside the car the whole time apart from a few scenes.

The film is engaging, and the non-actors are very good especially the old lady.

The music was good and some locations, but the photography looked amateur, and the color grade was off.

It has annoying glitch drone footage and other cut away stock footage which is distracting and takes away focus from the core story.

I felt the characters were good but not great, the Arab man was portrayed as being very rude and usually in that culture they would never treat an older lady with disrespect.

The problem I have with this particular film is that it is white washed in the storytelling and the culture. It's supposed to be a story about a refugee and Aussie woman with a culture clash and we learn about both their worlds. The story decided to focus more on flashbacks with Ali and his traumatic past in IRAQ and the war he faced losing possible loved ones.

I felt sorry for him but it DIDNT evoke any real emotion, it felt forced and contrived and it didn't come from a place of lived experience. Even if the Director who is of Anglo-Saxon background did research and uses real lived experience from the real actor - it didn't translate well, it was missing so much emotion - I should have been crying by the end or feeling something strong.

It can be dangerous telling other culture's stories as it sometimes fails and doesn't transcend the real world and trauma that middle eastern people face.

Overall, a really nice movie and I enjoyed it, but it should have been so much more.

The Big Dog (2023)

SOME DOGS HAVE THEIR DAY

[4/10 · 21 October 2023]

Started off great, quirky dialogue, good characters, interesting world of financial guy mixed up with online dominatrix - (dominatrix) is misleading because there is NO SEX in this film nor is it sexy or anything.

Just a bunch of scenes with the main lead talking to a young girl online and getting off on her dominating him and spending his money.

This story is good until it gets to the last act and becomes really weird.

There's a lesson here about marriage and troubled suicidal son - but it's not executed correctly.

Its tries to be serious and funny but none of it quite lands and the refuses to go deeper and evoke any real emotions.

The film is shot well, and the actors are very good, the standout here if Felicity price with an award-winning performance.

Other than that, there isnt anything special.

An easy film to watch, better than 95 percent of any Aussie film made this year in 2023 so congrats to the team in actually having an engaging and interesting story for once.

Petrol (2022)

NOT ENOUGH PETROL - CONGRATS SCREEN OZ & MIFF

[1/10 · 21 October 2023]

Probably the most boring film ever made.

The film forgot to add an interesting story, this film lacks substance and actually there is NO story.

This film is made well but thats it.

It tries to be arty and poetic, but it moves so slow, nothing really happens.

It really baffles me how bad films get made, Australia is on a roll this year with probably some of the worst films made.

We will never move get better if we let these filmmakers keep making films.

Im sorry Director these are the basics in story telling that you missed. 1. Tell a story that will resonate with people NOT a film for yourself - thats selfish and narsvcasstic.

2. Have something to say - tell an actual story - go back to story basics - 3 act structure, plot points, conflict, journey, resolution.

Where is the story, where is the conflict?

3. Make it interesting, compelling, evoke an emotion - fear, joy, love, fear etc.

Note: Spielberg isn't the most successful storyteller in the world because he put us to sleep and admit - how many of his films have you seen?

Stop trying to be a European in Australia - It doesn't resonate with our Audience.

I would have loved if you showed me more of the Russian culture something deep and meaningful and emotional.

The people at Screen Australia and MIFF need to be replaced and overhauled.

Shadow (I) (2022)

BEAUTIFULLY PRESENTED - WITHOUT A SHADOW

[8/10 · 21 October 2023]

WOW - JUST WOW!!! Talk about Diversity and Inclusion this one wins.

This was a brave film with real disabled people doing an extraordinary job with acting in this great weird but whacky film that centers around holding a conference on disability for the disabled by the disabled.

There was nothing disabled in this film just the use of that word to me is now becoming ugly - these beautiful people showed what it's like to be treated differently and they showed how inhuman so called "NORMAL" people. Are.

The fact is that people who don't have any impairment are impaired in their behavior, they are more selfish and ruder and people with impalements are much kinder.

The film is shot beautifully and may in fact win the BEST INDIE FILM, a story well told with a brilliant cast of disabled actors.

Loved this film.

HIGHLLY RECOMMENDED.

Limbo (II) (2023)

PLEASE ENOUGH IVAN - PLEASE STOP

[2/10 · 17 October 2023]

This film has NOTHING, it has no pulse, the story is so booooring and everyone talk very very slow and theres nothing compelling, nothing interesting, theres no conflict, no character development, no reason to make this film.

Anyone that says this is a haunting tale has brain damage or related to the film in some way.

The landscapes are magnificent and the cinematography is just beatiful.

I love Simon Baker but just wasted here.

Screen Australia and Screen Agencies please STOP giving funds to people who make bad films just because there are Aboriginal people.

I am a person of color and I'm begging people to stop.

There are so many cultures in Australia and suburbs with stories that are underrepresented.

I am done with the slow Australian paced films.

You are creating more hatred from the Aussie audiences, there only like 1 percent of the population who would watch this.

This is a box office fail, if you are trying to make arty films for yourself that's fine, but this is NOT for a big audience, and you are only making films now to try and win awards.

Its time to let the next generation if film-makers make some films, and let them have the funds.

I understand that there is an agenda that you should have Australiana films but this is just ripping off the tax-payers.

A huge overhaul is needed at Screen Australia, stop giving your friends money and stop being corrupt because there is no way that when you read 90 percent of the scripts that you would greenlight them.

Having lived in the states for some time now and having done coverage for the studios I can assure you none of the screenplays that get greenlit here would ever get made in the states.

The reason is marketability, Australia fails even to compete with New Zealand a smaller nation.

Please stop making films like this unless you make them with your own money.

Slant (2022)

QUIRKY UNIQUE FUN FILM - NOT FOR EVERYONE

[6/10 · 14 October 2023]

This is a dark comedy that is quite original and unique.

The story is a little off kilter and hard to follow due to it being too complex, erratic, and convoluted.

But there is hope for this, it has a brilliant cast of great actors especially Sigrid Thornton who is a force in this film with a great ensemble witty cast like Pia Miranda. There are brilliant locations, production design, grading, hair and makeup (except the fake beard at the end) and really good music score.

This film is very ambitious with some great dialogue, and many genres in a mixed bag, drama, comedy, murder-mystery-esque film.

If you want something different to watch - Check this out I feel this will possibly be nominated or sweep the AACTA AWARDS - You heard it here first - 15th October 2023.

Overall great execution of a so-so storyline and great overall direction.

The Cost (2022)

ONE OF THE BEST AUSSIE FILMS THIS YEAR

[6/10 · 13 October 2023]

Great story telling here, edge of your seat stuff, really enjoyed it.

Another good follow up by talented director Matt Holmes, I didn't like The Legend of Ben Hall, this was much better,

Most of the actors are good except the guy who plays the Jordan is not the most convincing of actors especially in a role that requires so much emotion because of the themes.

Damon Hunter and Mark Dee are exceptional and should be nominated or win awards at this years AACTA awards.

Overall great storytelling, great locations, great production design and music and great direction.

Congrats to everyone who made this film, its a great Indie effort.

Only lost marks for Jordan's casting and some story holes or plausibility issues like when the girl getting kidnapped at the beginning she's walking in a dark street and doesn't even look around, I found that highly unlikely, most women look around.

Also, its just missing some genuine emotion, it has all the right ingredients, but something was missing, I should have felt more - it needed more heart, to dig even deeper into the soul of losing someone to murder. I found that it was Jordan who let it down, I should have cried for his loss, but something didn't connect.

Some people in the reviews claimed it was THOUGH-PROVOKING I mean to each their own but really this is not the type of film you're going to walk away contemplating life unless you're a murderer.

What this film is pure excellent entertainment.

The Rooster (2023)

WORST FILM OF THE YEAR - CONGRATS SCREEN AUS & MIFF

[1/10 · 13 October 2023]

Wow apart from a stellar performance by Hugo Weaving who goes slightly off kilter with his performance and great location, production design and grading there's NOTHING here to watch.

It's about a local bush cop who finds his old friend dead and apparently goes looking for what happened to him. The story goes off on an arty-farty tagent along with forced stylistic choices that takes focus away from the story. But there is NO story here, just a bunch of scenes of Hugo and Phoenix (who just phones it in as an actor) they play, they drink, they talk, they dance, they talk, they cry, they play ping-pong, they walk, they eat - you get my drift thats NOT storytelling thats just out mundane lives. All while this is happening is a slightly over-the-top eccentric performance from Hugo playing a mentally ill mad-man.

By the time they get back to the nonexistent idea of the story - it's too late you have lost the audience from the snail pace and boredom, and we no longer care.

The story or characters never really develop, and you can see the writing was bad and the direction was poorly exectuted, This is not cinema and this is a PERFECT EXAMPLE OF EHY AUSSIE FILMS SUCK!!!

I am sick of this NON engaging, uninteresting style of non storytelling with only 1 unique to no unique or interesting chracters.

There are obvious elements of SWISS ARMY MAN here which is a far superior film, they borrow many of the silly eccentric playful scenes as well as similar musical elements.

Do not waste your time. Indie film or not this is not how to make a film. Sorry to all those who contributed all their hard work but just because the film looks shiny and has a world-renowned actor - doesn't mean it's a good film, by far this is a 1-star poor effort of a film.

A polished turd is still a turd.

Frank and Frank (or the Valley and the Walrus: Ruminations on the Mystery from Soup to Nuts) (2023)

ONE FRANK IS ENOUGH - FRANKLY NOT GOOD

[2/10 · 10 October 2023]

Nothing good here, 2 guys just talk about life all the way thru, that's NOT a film or a story it's just life, it's like the director stuck a very cheap camera or old phone and filmed his mates and thought it was a film. Nothing happens, very very slow and boring. The conversations are bad, the dialogue is bad, the photography is shocking, it's extremely bright, the music is bad, no color grade, no story, no real character arc, or story arc, bad acting and just goes nowhere. There's no emotion and when someone gets emotional it doesn't matter and it's contrived because it's hard to care when there is nothing happening, or you're not invested in anything at all. There are sound and editing issues too.

I understand that it might be a micro budget film BUT that's no excuse especially when teens are making exceptional short films on their phones.

2 stars for effort.

Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism (2023)

NOT SCARY EMOTIONLESS FILM

[5/10 · 9 October 2023]

I wanted to like this so much, it started off great but then after about 30 min it got annoying especially because 90 percent of the film takes place during the daytime which is NOT SCARY - somebody tell the director that.

I know they were trying to NOT be full Hollywood but this is a failure as they DID try and sell the film as a supernatural horror - just see the poster and the trailer.

The cinematography ois great, the color grade, the production design, music, vfx and loactions are all fantastic.

The ensemble supporting actors are good, but Dan Ewing is Not a strong actor and the guy playing the exorcist priest so young and inexperienced its not plausible to be a Vatican approved exorcist. The actor plays him arrogant and pompous, so you dislike him as a character.

At one point no one is watching the girl and she gets away and there are like 20 people in the house - c'mon suspension of disbelief?

I wanted to like this m but it didn't MORE, not so much Hollywood but even a true story needs amping.

This didn't evoke any emotions from me, not fear or anxiety, or keeping me on the edge of my seat, its forgettable and not executed. Correctly.

I really wanted to like this but the screenplay was obviously not written well.

Three Chords and the Truth (2022)

THREE CHORDS ALMOST FAILED

[5/10 · 8 October 2023]

Not a bad quinessential Aussie film depending on how you are if your like most worldwide auidence that would ve a negative, if our a lover of home grown Aussie films you may like this.

Its very Australiana which means very slow, boring , snail paced.

Th main actress does really well as does the teen who both sing in the film. All the actors ate good in this film.

The cinematography looks great, love the locations and the color grading and the music score is good and some songs but alot of the songs are a miss, no real melody , no catchyness and her voice can be annoying after hearing so much of it.

Other than that, there isn't much of a story here, nothing compelling, nothing interesting or engaging. I wanted to like this as I like the premise of a washed-up singer trying to finish her album whilst having an unlikely friendship with a runaway teen. This should have been an emotional journey, but the director focused on the music way too much and forgot about the storytelling which should always be number 1. I understand the songs are part of the stories, but they are NOT that great, you need moving emotional songs, like the one at the very end, it was beautiful but needed a bit more punch.

The overall film is NICE, it's proverbial heart is in the right place BUT it's missing an emotional journey, you need to evoke some emotions with such strong themes as the loss of a parent, cancer etc.

Well done to the cast and crew.

Equivocal Redemption (2019)

NO REDEMPTION FOR THIS FILM

[2/10 · 7 October 2023]

This is an ultra-low budget amateur production poorly written and directed.

Not a strong story, but some good dialogue, some good actors especially Sontan Hopson and Joel Elfrink but Sophie Stratton can't act and lets the other cast down.

The cinematography looks like a home video, they didn't bother color grading and some amateur editing issues too.

The pacing is extremely slow, no real character development or no real emotion, it was all contrived emotion.

Don't waste your time even for FREE to watch on YouTube.

Not sure why these films get made.

Nothing else to write home about so don't waste your time.

Tennessine (2023)

VERY SLOW BORING FILM

[2/10 · 6 October 2023]

A film that has NO real story, It would like you to believe that it is a story by being pretentious and arty.

Sometimes foreign film-makers think that trying to be poetic will get you across the line.

I really tried to like this film but let me tell you why this is a waste of time and the film only runs for 1 hour 25 min, and about 3 min of reallly slow credits.

The film is shot well, nice locations and the actors are ok, nothing to call home about. The music is delightful too. Apart from that there's nothing else here. The story is non-existent, it's extremely slow paced, boring, uninteresting and no emotion.

Terrible directing of a poorly written script by Amin Palangi & Osama Sami (who I liked very much in Alis wedding) There's some good poetic dialogue but that's not enough.

I don't know what else to say but this is NOT a film, the events of the story go nowhere. There is no conflict, no emotion, no interest, the characters are not interesting, not compelling, not engaging.

Sorry this is the honest truth.

And it has a typical art farty NON-ENDING that leaves you annoyed after thiking something compelling will happen after 1 hour 20 min of nothing - at least give me something.

The fact that I am the only who cared enough to take the time to review the film tells you a lot.

A Stitch in Time (I) (2022)

FANTASTIC INDEPENDANT FILM

[7/10 · 28 September 2023]

A great little heartwarming story about an old woman chasing an old dream, worn out relationships, taking advantage of your spouse and never giving up on passion. Also, a case study on difference in class, rich vs working class and how money means nothing if our passion makes us happy. Great storytelling by director Sasha Hadden, overall film was really good, good music, good actors and was very engaging.

The only let down was the picture - camera used was said to be a Panasonic from Panavision? The image looked like a video camera, very digital and very off-putting, it didn't look like a camera being used by legend cinematographer Don McAlpine. Both this and the color grading was not very good. Also whoever designed the poster looks like it was a student? Together with the trailer which also was not edited very well. I know other people felt emotional, but this was the letdown for me, it should have made me cry or feel strong emotions but wasn't quite executed that way. There were moments that should have connected but for some reason they didn't. Overall, this is one of the best indie films to come out of Australia in 2022 and it won the AACTA award for best film.

Well done to everyone.

The Haunting at Saint Joseph's (2023)

MOVIE FAIL WITH NO REAL HAUNTING

[1/10 · 23 September 2023]

A film following a Muslim doctor for no reason apart from trying to be diverse? Who goes on a trip with a bunch of friends including her fiancée. They go to a ghost tour for a pre-wedding getaway and pull immature pranks. Nothing really happens, there's no real story, none of the actors can really act especially Tara jay - I'm sorry but it's just overacting and terrible character, obnoxious and irritating. This is Jon's 4th or 5th film and instead of getting better, the films are getting worse. Overall bad cringy dialogue, bad actors, bad story, bad lighting for a horror film is a failure, NOT scary, there's NO HAUNTING despite the title - it's trying to be clever and be a psychological haunting. The best part of the film is the flashback to the hanged girl - right at the start of the film. The second thing is the actress with the curly hair has something unique her name is Elke Hinrichsen something spunky, there's potential there. Sorry for the honest review, there's not much here to enjoy. The Location is spectacular.

Talk to Me (I) (2022)

HIGH CONCEPT, GOOD MOVIE BUT NOT SCARY AT ALL

[6/10 · 17 September 2023]

Time to hear an intelligent honest and constructive critical review.

If this is a supernatural horror - it does very little to scare apart from the tacky JUMP SCARES which are known to be the cheapest form of scares in storytelling.

Let start from the beginning, the first act's pacing is boring. We are introduced to a bunch of mainly white whiny and uninteresting teens and 1 diverse character of color who has a British accent.

It is so unclear how the dark girl is connected to the white family until more than half the film - that she's a step sibling. Biggest mistake of storytelling is having the audience try and guess who someone is - if it's not part of the twist. So here I am trying to guess who she is the whole time, which takes me out of the story - big mistake directors.

You never see the father and the mother together and its never explained, big plot hole.

It takes roughly 20 min or more to even know what the film is about. I'm all for character development and setting up the story but the pacing of the first 20 min was boring. You have to put up with typical Aussie style party and then cringeworthy teens teasing and laughing at each other. And of course, your token Diverse casting choice who can't act and throw in a transgender who mocks everyone and even mocks Jesus Christ - which is unnecessary, no religion should be mocked.

When you find out about the hand - that's when the film gets interesting and it's a GREAT CONCEPT, shame the rest of the film was NOT executed right.

Once it gets started the film is good and engaging but NOT really scary, like it's on the low end of scaring anyone, a lot of stuff is done with a ALOT of light not in the dark and sometimes during daylight - which is NOT scary - who's afraid of daytime?

The middle of the film is really good, but the characters are NOT that interesting, and the actors are not the very best to be cast in this film apart from Miranda Otto who is wasted here.

Overall, the film is shot well, and it looks like a Hollywood film, but the film just doesn't deliver anything different.

It's just another - conjure up spirits movie using a HAND and not a Ouija board - the rest is a typical formula.

Between 45 min and the end the film loses steam and doesn't really climax, until the very last scene, which feels like no real build up.

The last scene which ties into a sequel is very cool and clever.

It's a fun movie, easy to watch but not scary and could have been so much better.

Goes to show that YouTube stars are NOT real story-tellers or directors.

You just need to be popular on YouTube and Screen Australia and Screen Adelaide will throw money at you.