Film Freak 2014 - The Rover

It's been an average few years for Australian film (I don't really call The Great Gatsby Australian when the majority of actors are American and it's a greta American tale) business and I don't think the Rover hit the same heights as the wonder Animal Kingdom.

Created by David Michod the man who killed it with Animal Kingdom and starring some big Hollywood names from here and abroad. Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson lead in this film with Joel Edgerton's bro Nash with a small part too.

Susan Prior from TV's Puberty Blues is also good in this random and apocalyptic Australian feature film.

Will it scoop it up on the AACTA awards? Well I am not sure it's going to have much competition.

Unfortunately with the latest budget and funding being cut I think Australian films will be a dime a dozen. Well, well made and films which actually cut it to get cinema releases. Unfortunately even this film despite big Hollywood names the film still was shoved away at Cinema Paris at Moore Park. Despite having more people in today's session of this small Aussie film than 22 Jump Street in it's opening weekend.

So the film (now I have had a political rant) it's better than 22 Jump Street (actually I think even How to train a Dragon 2 would be better than that average sequel) but it's not as outstanding as Animal Kingdom.

So The Rover rates an average but thought provoking 3 Aussie Made Stars.

Film Freak 2014 - 22 Jump Street

Can I just saw 21 Jump Street pretty much sucked, however I have a weakness for Channing Tatum, why? I have no clue he is so not my type.



And this film like the previous one is all sorts of average. The jokes (for the most part) fall flat, the session I went to had roughly 20 people in it (not a good sign for the first weekend) and the script and scenario is just plain lame and lazy Sony Pictures.

Now Bad Neighbours set a high standard for comedies in 2014 and man does this fall short of where a comedy this year should be at. With Sex Tape, And so it Goes, Inbetweeners 2 and Tammy all on the way, this sequel may end up way, way, way down the list of best comedies in 2014.

I found the whole idea really lazy as above and a bit of an insult to the film. Without Tatum this film is a bit of a miss, when you look at what else is out I can't see this film having a strong July School Holidays.

22 Jump Street, 21 was bad enough and I give it 2 Stars for that electric and banging soundtrack (plus a sneaky appearance by Diplo) and the few and far between Tatum shirtless scenes.

Look out for my review on the Aussie film the Rover tomorrow.

A Festival of Musical Theatre - This weekend in Sydney

When one weekend you see two musical it instantly becomes a festival of musicals. First up Ruthless! the Musical at the Seymour Centre.

It opened last night and tickets can be found here. It's only play for a wee short time so head along before Sat July 5 or you will miss this hoot of a show!

I really enjoyed myself after a long hard week at this show and thus shows this is what live entertainment should be, good old fashion fan with a few laughs along the way.

Next up today is Strictly Ballroom the Musical, the musical that is making it's way to Melbourne in 2015 and if time is going fast for me, 2015 is just a sniff away.



The cast are great and Rohan Browne is oh so cute as Ken Railings

Nadia who plays the divine Tina Sparkle is also so sweet and really shows off the divine Catherine Martin costume designer off. That Pineapple outfit, damn baby doll, you put it down!

Tickets for Strictly Ballroom the Musical are on sale now up until Sunday 14 September 2014.

I am still coming to terms with how truly wonderful some Australian TV productions have been this week and incoming. Wentworth season 2 is awesome (and I hear Season 3 is already filming in Melbourne) and Thursday night Carlotta was simply mind blowing. A Wonderful television event.

Next Thursday the fantastic The Time of Our Lives is back with this Blog's favourite Ms Claudia Karavan. There is NOTHING and I mean NOTHING that woman can not do.

Tonight - Calotta - THANK FUCK 4 the ABC

* Rack off Abbott, Hockey and that vile, vile Andrew Bolt and Miranda not so Devine. And Miranda lefties may have a different view on life and live in a parallel universe because we have a heart. Great piece in the Sunday Telegraph (AKA the Sunday paid Liberal rag) NOT!

I don't care about the World Cup but #BABE

And how cute is Flume & Margaret, care of At the Movies below:

So it's Hump Day - thank god

Bigger and better BLOG entries coming soon.....

Film Freak 2014 - Blended

So there is already a lot of negativity surrounding this the third and latest Sandler/Barrymore rom com does it deserve it? Well here is the trailer.



Looks harmless right? Well it is and really I feel like a total loser but I almost teared up at one moment in this film.

I must be honest straight up, I took some cold & flu medication last night and maybe this had something to do with how much I enjoyed the film but really if you want a mindless couple of hours and some well deserved chill time after a four day working week, this film is perfect for you.

Sandler is fine as the role of a father with three kids and Barrymore the mother of two boys who randomly have a bad date, a couple of encounters and then end up in Africa. Essentially the whole idea of the movie is bat shit crazy but if you just stop thinking for a couple of hours this is a bit of light fun and fluff.

Wendy McLendon-Covey steals her scenes as the Bridesmaids actress continues to impress me. There are a few other decent performances and I am sure a lot of other reviewers are going to rip this movie to shreds, but I am not one of them. It features a lot of lame jokes but a nice message underneath it all, Blended gets a pass of 3 fun rainy Saturday AM stars.