Reviews

I have really enjoyed every minute of this new series. It is a light and easy watch with many laugh out loud moments. The cast is fantastic and all do a great job of selling their characters. The series gives a Schitts Creek vibe with the community of the lake at talent shows and meetings. Genuinely a happy watch which is just what I needed. Hoping for a season 2!

10 out of 10 may seem like quite a high rating but i thoroughly enjoyed the 4 part miniseries and while not perfect, nothing is, i'm rating it 10 because i was so engrossed the whole time. ABC featured all four episodes to stream on Iview and after watching the first episode on live TV, i could not wait a whole week for a second serve.

I did start reading the book and gave up a few chapters in. While it was interesting and did at one point hook me in, i found the author who is brilliant, Christos Tsiolkas, is a strong story teller through the amount of detail he uses to set up plots, characters and scenes. I found the book at times be quite indulgent and while important in setting the scene, i wanted the book to progress at a faster pace. The miniseries however i found very rewarding as for time reasons, it was condensed and the narrative moved quickly which i liked. While i did not connect with the book, i appreciate it and could see how it is such a compelling read. Seeing it on the screen, i really respect the book for painting such a complex story of Danny, who is such a complex character.

Elias Anton as Danny and Ben Kindon as Martin Taylor did such a superb job of bringing their characters to life. It was compelling to watch, they had major chemistry on screen which added to the direction of the storyline. Rachel Griffiths was outstanding as well, she nailed the cold and privileged mother. Matt Nable as Frank Torma though was a force, he gave a truly outstanding performance. A bare minimum Logie nomination for most outstanding actor, if not the win because he was just mesmerising. Playing a coach, you felt obliged to listen to him, like you were his student. This TV series really does deserve several nods in all categories at the Logies next year and AFI awards.

I have to admit, i've been slack to acknowledge the ABC as suppliers of brilliant Australian drama, the only shows i watch on the ABC are Please Like Me and Dance Academy (back in the day) but i am certainly paying attention now. They are such wonderful contributors to Australian television and i'm going to make sure i am aware of all future TV projects because i would have felt very saddened had i not been aware of this television series. Support local production! Barracuda is a shining example of the talent in our industry. Wonderful story writing, talented actors, beautiful cinematography. Really spot on. Well done to all involved! A true feat.

I was finally able to watch this movie today after much hype and critical acclaim. When a movie is so hyped i find myself extra difficult to please as my expectations are so high. This film was different to what i thought it would be. But it hit me so much harder than i thought it would. A movie set in the 70-80's i wonder how it related to now all these years later. It was in fact more heart wrenching seeing how far the LGBT community has come in terms of equality and acceptance. While we still seem a government away from legalising gay marriage in Australia, this movie showed just how far we have come and we have come far.

The performances by all the actors were spot on. Ryan Corr was so believable at every moment. He played the gay character without stereotype and over performance. He was delicate and sensitive is portraying a very honest performance which is so far away from himself in reality which made me admire even more his beautiful portrayal of Tom. Craig Stott was brilliant as well, both actors carried the movie. All performances were important and added to the film.

There were certainly a few very poignant scenes that had me very choked up. It truly is a beautiful love story. I saw the Dressmaker late last year and this movie is without a doubt more honest and genuine while it had a limited release. Holding the Man is an important film is Australian cinema and achieved its message on all fronts. Was very impressed and thoroughly enjoyed this film.

I watched this movie because i'm a big fan of Brenton Thwaites and think he is super attractive. However after the first five minutes i found myself very interested in the film and from there on i was taken on a very exciting ride with twists and turns and it turned out to be a great film.

Even if Brenton Thwaites wasn't insanely good looking this movie really stood on its own. Australia can produce great films as well as show casing brilliant actors. Son Of A Gun was a great example of just how established our film industry is becoming and that we can create quality films. Ewan Mcgregor was such a surprise. My only memory of one of his performances is in Moulin Rouge where he plays quite a weak and softly spoken character. So the contrast from that character to the character in this film are opposite worlds and he nailed it. I was very impressed with his performance.

Alicia Vikander player her role very well and am very glad she took part in this movie. I really cared about Tasha (Vikander) and JR (Thwaites) which is always a good connection to make with an audience. I wanted the best for these characters. This movie had many dimensions. It has a bit of romance, drama, violence, twists and turns. It can connect with a wide audience as their is a little something for everyone. I really enjoyed watching Son Of a Gun and do highly recommend watching it.

From the minute the film started i was hooked right in. This film deals with some really heavy subject matter and while we may not all relate to each individual characters story, we can all relate to how consuming technology has become and the internet. It was confronting at times but it was for good reason, it wasn't about shock factor, it was a genuine portrayal of a story. I felt for every character even when it was hard too. Ansel Elgort has a knack for ripping my heart out (Fault In Our Stars and this film). I was pleasantly surprised at how engaging and interesting this film was. While is seems to have been critiqued harshly by critics, i don't hold a film to any particular rating, i watch it for what it is and for me, not for others. I found the movie interesting, i enjoyed each character and learning their stories. Highly suggest this film but go in without a movie critic state of mind and take it for what it is.

No movie genre makes me cry more than a movie about cancer. A Walk To Remember, My Sisters Keeper, Now is Good are a few films that destroyed me emotionally but i adore them. The book by John Green is great read and this film serves the book justice if not more so. I felt a lot more closure at the end of this film than i did reading the book. Now Is Good is so similar to this film but both stand on their own as individual films about the destruction of cancer. I think Fault In Our Stars is actually better than Now Is Good but i'd say that has a lot to do with John Green. Amazing amazing film! Broke my heart but a good movie should be able to do so. Ansel Elgort is just beautiful and so believable as the character of Gus. Shailene Woodely does a great job as Hazel too, the casting was spot on. Highly recommend this film!

I saw the first film during schoolies and it felt like it went for twenty minutes. I don't recall any of it apart from that wicked snicker Mick puts on. Going into the second movie was like going in blind. We all know what Wolf Creek is about but i didn't know what to expect, remembering the premise of the first one, no way could they be the same and they weren't. I was pleasantly surprised as i was hooked from the very start. John Jarret is truly superb in this role, he is menacing and pulls of crazy perfectly. Ryan Corr was another good choice, good actor and also very good looking, which always helps. It was definitely a film of cat and mouse, the cat being Mick Taylor.

The final thirty minutes was definitely a step away from the first film completely. It provides the viewer a more in depth look into the menace and serial killer antics of Mick and a chronicle of his 'hobby'. The ending was also brilliant, simple yet punches you right in the face. Their were parts during the film that were a bit comedic. I found this not to be a bad addition, to lighten up the heavy themes of the film, however it did throw off the pace and unsettling tone. Also the music choices were questionable. I found myself looking over to my friend a few times during these parts laughing awkwardly out of place and saying 'that was a bit weird' or 'interesting song choice, bit lame'.

My main criticism of the movie would probably be the hyper inflated racist Australian character of Mick Taylor. However in saying that, i guess that is why he is so crazy and so easy to hate. I'm glad i saw it, i was thoroughly entertained.