aussiefilmlover Reviews

The Scandalous Four (2011)

Period drama with a modern twist

[10/10 · 18 January 2019]

I really enjoyed that all the language and clothing was true to the period. There are gay themes and storyline that were appropriate to the time. Historically there are documents of countless marriages such so it's not that farfetched even if we do not have all the details of what was called marriage of convenience and romantic friendships. The biggest leap is the cross class interactions. Still while it seems far fetched elements of the movie such as the metaphysics or the dramatics with the servants can be found in the novels of the time.

After Love (2015)

Worst Movie I have ever seen at Frameline Film Festival

[1/10 · 25 June 2015]

Seriously this is a horrible horrible movie. It's as if they watched every art house movie, every new wave movie and recorded the most vapid, idiotic art and film students for the dialogue. Many people left the screening and I wish had been one of them. One of the main characters dies but I kept hoping it was all of them.

Even the most pretentious film student will be blown away by this massively bad movie from the instantly bad acting, horrible dialogue and constant posturing.

After the film there was nothing but silence as the audience left feeling as if it been them stabbed by the shear stupidity of this film. I don't know why I stayed, some hope that a plot would emerge or even the smallest flicker of something interesting in the movie.

The Swinger (1966)

A campy ridicious creampuff of a movie

[10/10 · 2 May 2015]

This is a movie that you will love if you love Barbarella and Doris Day because that's what this a cross of. If you don't like either of them you wouldn't like this movie. It's a cross between an exploitation film and a classic 50's morality tale. It's such a hot mess that it's absolutely delightful.

Ann-Margaret really is the star in every sense with a great sense of slapstick comedy and not to mention acting the innocent while where the sheer black stockings as pants. This is the most wholesome T&A show ever.

The plot is crazy and silly and over the top and the cinematography reflects the same style.

The Perfect Family (2011)

A film about what it means to be a REAL Catholic

[8/10 · 19 December 2013]

As a person raised in a strict Catholic community it warmed my heart to see this movie. I wish it was shown at every Catholic church in the world because the acceptance and forgiveness in this movie is more in keeping with the teachings of Christ than the hate that is spewed by the sheep in his name. How anyone could think this is anti-catholic when it is all about what it means to be a real follower of Jesus and about God's love for all his creations. The only unbelievable thing was that the mother would be able to forgive herself and accept her children when the reality is many Catholics will reject and harm their children rather than question their self-serving dogma.

La petite sirène (1980)

A complex beautiful and tragic tale

[9/10 · 3 October 2011]

For the longest time I thought this movie was dream. I remember seeing it as a teen but then I couldn't remember the name of it or who the actors were. I finally saw it again 15 years later and is amazing how well the story holds up but how differently I view it.

While the story is simplistic, the relationship between the leads is anything but and what on paper can seem like a clear moral line get blurred by the characters and the script. I can't imagine a movie like this about a relationship that does become sexual between a young teen and an adult being made in the US today or even back in 1980. I think one of the reasons it works so well is so much of it is from the perspective of the 14 year old girl and she is the one driving the action forward and pursuing the adult. It is am amazing film in that you have sympathy for both characters even when they are making horrible choices.

I Love You Phillip Morris (2009)

Upbeat Rom-com that just happens to be about a gay couple

[9/10 · 1 December 2010]

I'm really surprised it took so long for this film to be distributed. It is was not because it wasn't charming and romantic, It wasn't because the acting isn't good. It wasn't because it doesn't have a good story.

It is a perfect little romcom with good acting and charming characters. It's a fluff piece, charming and great for a rainy day at the movies.

The only reason why I think this didn't get picked up and get a wide release is because it isn't a serious drama with dead gays ala Brokeback Mountain and Philadelphia. To get a wide release the gays must be noble and/or tortured (Brokeback Mountain). Even if they are OK with being gay and they are hero they still end up dead(Philadelphia).

The two main characters in this movie however have no problem with being gay in fact they both are shown to have had serious partners before they meet. This is no coming out story. Yes they are gay but the real plot here is a love story.

Secondly there is little noble other than a true heart and a real desire to love that we all have in the main characters. The main character is a con man. A very likable con man but he goes against the rules for gay characters for the straight audience.

Third these boys have sex. Just like any other romantic comedy couple but since this couple is gay there is indeed some gay sex. This is probably the biggest reason why it didn't get a distribution deal. Because while gay couple can be in love with each other until they die, any sex they have must happen off screen and be alluded to with simple kiss or even less. While none of the sex is graphic just the thought of guys getting blow jobs or having lots of hot sex with each other brings out the homophobia in the biggest straight liberal.

It's sad that there is still so much gay stereotyping and homophobia that this film is such a big deal for people.

The Antonio Treatment (2009– )

Design for douches

[1/10 · 1 January 2010]

Just to be clear I have no issues with him having tattoos or being a regular dude. I have both tattoos and a regular dude boyfriend.

What moron ever thought this show would be a good idea? first of all what kind of person would want Antonio to design his home? TURNS OUT NO ONE would trust him with their home. Judging from the first show there is no one that would even let antonio touch their home and instead he is designing a music studio. Now I don't know too many people that own or have music studio but how exactly is a home viewer going to get any ideas from this show other than WHAT NOT TO DO.

But just to be clear even if he was the most repulsive character what would still matter is his design skills. The problem is he has none. The designs that he claims are edgy and trendy are already considered outdated and tacky in LA, SF, NYC and London. He does nothing new and exciting and everything looks cheap and uninteresting.

The show is a total train wreck with head douche Antonio leading a group of folks that proudly announce they've been friends with Antonio since childhood and some how they are qualified to be carpenters although that doesn't stop one of them from cutting off his finger.

Rather than coming up with interesting design or anything that would be at all useful to viewers Antonio is too busy bragging about doing photo shoots with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and destroying equipment.

Since the show has premiered they keep on re-editing it and relaunching. It's on it's third relaunch and they really need to pull it even if they do still have episodes in the can.

I didn't think he could be worse than on his Antonio Project but he delivers even worse design.

The saddest part is when he tells the studio owner he is a professional when it's clear that he is NOT and will NEVER be a professional decorator or designer.

FtF: Female to Femme (2006)

disappointing

[3/10 · 28 October 2008]

this review from the phoenix sums up these doc the best:

"At the far end of the self-obsession spectrum is Elizabeth Stark & Kami Chisholm's FTF: FEMALE TO FEMME (2006; May 11 at 6:30 pm), an artless examination of some lesbians' decision to lipstick it up instead of butch it down. Hardly an earthshaking social paradigm to most of us, if obviously so to the egomaniacs interviewed, every one of them (save an academic) a performer of one, usually campy, type or another. (Thank goodness for actress/screenwriter Guinevere Turner, who's not only lovely but modestly articulate; she sticks out like a swollen thumb.) It's a movie not about lesbians but about lesbian performance-art extroverts."

It's really sad that rather explore the real femme identity it instead is an narrow academic view of femme as performance or superficial.

The Dark Knight (2008)

Horrible, fascist and poorly acted

[1/10 · 25 August 2008]

Even for a blockbuster cotton candy movie, this is a piece of crap. Got a script that makes so sense, characters that you don't care about and mindless violence and unbelievable set pieces.

How do you know the joker is a guy that just likes to see things burn? why first Alfred tells us that and if you didn't get it the first time, the joker then tells us he just likes to see things burn and sure enough if that was too subtle for you, he then sets things on fire! Then there is the fact that keep on calling him a terrorist when he goes on about how he only care about chaos. First of all a terrorist is a person who acts because they do have a strong belief not because they have no beliefs. Terrorist do the things they do with a goal in mind, they are in fact the total opposite of the Joker character.

Then you have a film that's basic message is hey sometimes it's OK to lie and pretend someone is a hero when they aren't. Wow what a wonderful things to support, I'm sure George W. bush loved this film.

Then there is the acting. how hard is it to play completely crazy, not that damn hard, just because Health Ledger is dead, doesn't mean his acting is suddenly good. He was not a great actor and he sure isn't in this film.

Too long, so boring.

Mamma Mia! (2008)

Take a chance and you'll be happy you did

[9/10 · 25 August 2008]

This is a musical, This a musical with all the songs of ABBA. Clearly this in not some deep drama with deep meaning. If you expect that you need to see another movie. The whole goal of a musical is to entertain and this film does that with ease. If you are looking operatic singers go to the opera. Most of the actors sing far better than I was expected, the only one who was truly bad was Pierce Bronson and he made up for it by being the perfect looking man. Meryl Streep and actor playing Sophie had great voices.

Another thing I like is that this film has clearly progressive values, Instead of the young leads ending up married, they give it time and she realize having a dad and a traditional family aren't needed to be happy. I loved all the sub plots and all the humour that was in this movie.

This is sure to be repeat watching.

You Kill Me (2007)

Funny but unrealistic

[7/10 · 20 February 2008]

I really wanted to like this dark comedy. Ben Kingsley is believable as a hit man with a drinking problem and even the mafia drama is believable. What is full of garbage and has to be ignored for the film to be liked is the fact that the guy confesses to being a killer and that he will kill again to a room full of AA people and to his sponsor and no one calls the cops. I know writers like to take liberties with AA but the reality is not only that the cops would have been called but that they would have a moral obligation as part of being in AA to do so. There are a million other ways the writers could have handled it but instead they through in something that would never ever happen and that pretty much ruin it for me. I know it's a surreal comedy but that is a step too far to go. The acting was good, the characters good and the story mostly good. I just hate more lies about AA being shown. And no people don't just get up and speak at a podium.

A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila (2007–2008)

Another trainwreck of Reality from the US

[3/10 · 2 January 2008]

This show is great watched drunk with a pack of girlfriends in one sitting. If you didn't think all men are tools this show will do the trick. The "star" Tila is a gay for pay stripper looking girl who is a soft porn girl. From the get go it's clear that her biggest fan base for her website is frat boys and other assorted frequent whank boys who have more internet girlfriends than real ones and the spectrum of loser boys are here from dumb country boy, odd hip hop model boy, a selection of flavours of frat boys with the small time boy as well as the jersey rich boy making an appearance. The fact that straight girls find them attractive is proof why breeding still occurs and the gene pool keeps on getting dumber. It's pretty clear that she will pick a boy or lose her dollars and that girl and her horribly fake boobs are all about the dollars.

The girls on the other had are mostly the same, bisexual ex and current strippers with a handful of real lesbians thrown in. Most the girls that don't have faces full of caked on makeup are eliminated quick and with the exception of the one girl who is almost butch but still wears eyeliner they are all butterface who are happy to get drunk and flirt with everyone. The premise that these are gold star lesbian soon abandoned. I only wonder if they went with bi girls because real lesbians had higher standards or if they wanted to keep up the myth that any girl can be turned by pene.

The show is horribly fake but Tila is a damn good actress because it is clear that all these poor suckers fall for her or at least get obsessed with making her their possession. The show makes for excellent drinking games with shots for every time a frat boy makes a homophobic comment or someone says how much they like Tila. chug it when there is any kind of stir-up between drunken or stupid contestants.

it get a star for the only lesbian on the show, Dani, a star for managing to get you drunk in 30 minutes and a star as an other example of American culture.

Los 2 lados de la cama (2005)

A real treat of film

[8/10 · 20 October 2007]

Having not seen EL OTRO LADO DE LA CAMA I was unprepared for the song and dance routines of this film but after the initial weirdness they were wonderful additions for the most part especially in the scene with the two main leads and the talented Pilar.

While American cinema seems to have lost the ability to do screwball comedies and freaks out at the though of homosexuality especially male homosexuality the Spanish do it will ease and style never taking themselves or the material too serious while not making everything end with everyone back to normal.

The scenes between the two female leads will funny were also too true to lesbian relationships. All the interactions seemed genuine and there was a real charm and love of the characters and their story. The second story was funny but less necessary to the whole movie.

I look forward to seeing the prequel to this.

Perfect Creature (2006)

Fully developed world with a less than developed plot

[8/10 · 16 July 2007]

The highlight of this film is that it creates a whole world that is totally believable even though it is quite odd. That they were able to create a world and convey how that world works with very little money or exposition is brilliant. However the plot did not live up to the world that was created. I kept on expecting more plot development, more character development beyond the three leads. Saffon Burrows acted well but too much time in dazed victim stance. Dougray Scott was ideal for this role but I longed for more overt character development. The villain promised to have some depth but then didn't deliver.

However it wasn't until the film was over that I was aware of how simple the plot was. I was completely and totally pulled into the film and that is a sign of damn good film making. I would love to see another film set in this world. I wanted to spend hours exploring the world creating with it's characters and styles ranging from 1890 bordellos to WWII rations and mixing all kind of quirky things. It's the kind of movie you want to watch again to pick out new things.

With proper exposure this can become a cult movie.

Suffering Man's Charity (2007)

Alan Cumming is over the top and it's not always good

[6/10 · 11 July 2007]

Saw this at the SF LGBT film festival and while Alan Cumming is wonderful and truly talented actor, he seems to be best with a director other than himself. This is a truly over the top movie and performance and it is entertaining but I felt there wasn't enough build up and character development before the insane behavior begins. Also the ending seemed tacked on and not really well connected to the main part of the film. the interaction between David and Alan are wonderful and the highlight of the film.

Henry Thomas was a surprise in this scene and Karen Black stole her scene. I wish there had been more restraint in the editing, the performances and the script. It made me want to see Alan Cumming as a lead in film with a different director.

The Celebration (1998)

A moving exploration of family and lies

[10/10 · 8 May 2007]

Dogme style film making can either be a distraction and seem either more artificial with the movement of the camera and the sound quality or it can set the tone and create the atmosphere of the film as it does for this film.

the overlapping stories and action are reflected perfectly in this style of filming. the motion of the cameras reflection the conversation patterns of a gathering, the emotions of the participants and involves the viewer in the intimate actions.

The success is also based in large part on the strength of the actors. the emotions are strong but not overstated, the actions are not short cuts to cinematic expression of emotions but based on real reactions and behavior.

this is dogme and film done right.

V for Vendetta (2005)

A good American style film based on an even better story

[9/10 · 28 March 2006]

The positive: An action movie that has a story, smart dialogue and a compelling characters. They kept the poetry of V's speech. The story of Valerie is the soul, the true idea of the v of vendetta story. The fact that V does in fact die and that chaos (the destruction of Parliment) still happens. In a traditional film the cop would have published the doctor's diary and the bad guys would have been brought down in public. The reality is that sometimes justice is brutal and that the bad guys are often brought down only at the expense of innocent lives.

natalie portman is insanely appealing and attractive. Her transformation was believable.

The Negative The romance story between V and Evey was totally wrong. V is not a man, he is an idea. As a man he is focused on one thing, personal anarchy. The whole romance is unbelievable and totally against the theme of the story.

The bad guys were too bad, there was no moral gray which is more true of true believers. Having the woman of course be the only one with regret is such an American movie convention.

While it worked to set it in the current context of "terrorism" as excuse to take away civil liberties the original story was about anarchism not about liberal politics vs conservative politics.

Bride of the Wind (2001)

A good film, not a great one but quite good

[7/10 · 10 October 2005]

I was prepared for an awful movie judging from the reviews and waited until this was on DVD to see it. I wonder if I watched the same film as others.

Alma's reasons for cheating and having lovers were very clearly given, she was stifled in her marriage and rather than do nothing she got satisfaction when she wanted it.

rather than being some famous groupie, she was the flame and they were the moths. Had it be 100 years latter she would be the famous composer and would have been given the respect that at that time she was only given as a muse.

The actress that plays Alma starts off the film well showing some of Alma's passion and intelligence but then seems to give up acting halfway through the film at the very time when in real life Alma was coming into her full power.

Jonathan Price is a decent Mahler but the film doesn't show the passion that he had for Alma.

Vincent Perez does an excellent job although the characterization of her third husband is far removed from the reality.

The movie focus more on the narrative and the atmosphere than on the characterization of Alma who was a talented and intelligent woman who drew people to her with her beauty but also with her intelligence, wit and ability to bring out the talent in people.

I wish the film showed more how she was a huge influence on the art and culture of the time. I did love that they played parts of her leiders(poems made into songs).

This film is good stimulation for people to learn more about her and I must say the love scenes were very intense and erotic.

A Dirty Shame (2004)

Thank god he returns to his roots

[10/10 · 7 August 2005]

Don't get me wrong I liked Pecker and Hairspray but John Waters has returned to his roots and I am truly grateful. He has a wonderful over-dramatic slap stick comedy.

I love how all the characters are so extremely that you identify more with the "freaks" than the "normals".

I love that Waters doesn't water things down and instead layers on the absurdity.

This is not a movie for people that take sex too seriously or who don't have a sense of humour.

There all the classic water homages- using old clips of various films, flashing words on the screens and having all the styles from the 1950's though the 80's.

Sigmund Freud: Professional Psychoanalyst (2005)

Disappointing short from spoiled academics

[2/10 · 19 June 2005]

This animation will no doubt make the rounds of festivals but compared to the other short animations that I viewed with it at the San Francisco LGBT Film Festival it wasn't worth more than a laugh or two.

It's a short animation with a sock puppet at Sigmund Freud. It was a comedy but the one of the director who was at the screening seemed to be suffering from academia and after proudly announcing she was doctoral student (isn't that like being proud of being almost president) went on a rather lengthly diatribe of Freud.

Luckily her co-director must have a better sense of humour. The short hit on all the usual queer cartoon suspects, tinky winky, an army action figure, Barbie.

It was very much a student production in content, writing and style although the production values were acceptable.

The directors should probably stick to academia.