"Australia"- the movie

[dragonfly]

I watched it yesterday. Good movie, sort of like an old romance with some action, a good villain, and a moral to the story packed in. I recommend it if you like old-fashioned movies.:)

[nursebee]

And if you like movies about authentic australian life watch "Kenny"

[JohnK and Sheri]

I was so disappointed in this film, at least the half we suffered through..
We tried to watch this movie last night, even "paid for view". I was looking forward to Australia, being a fan of "big epic"s, but unfortunately we didn't even make it half way through. The first half I found trite, predictable, over the top hokey and finally just got too bored to continue. The beautiful backdrop and breathtaking long shot scenery didn't quite carry the really poor special effects production. The horseback riding close ups during the stampede towards the cliff were laughable, reminding me of '50s TV westerns.
Maybe we should have hung on a little longer? Maybe we didn't give this film a fair chance. Maybe tonight we will try to endure a bit more; try to make it to the attack on Darwin, at least the history might be interesting. Who knows, on route, the acting may improve, the characters become less stereotypical, the story become more compelling and the plot might actually have a twist not totally predictable. We will give it a shot, but I am not that hopeful.
Sheri

[dragonfly]

The first half I found trite, predictable, over the top hokey and finally just got too bored to continue. Sheri

Like I said, it was kind of a like an old romance. It's definitely not going to appeal to the intellectual in people, mostly just the silly romantic.

[JohnK and Sheri]

Like I said, it was kind of a like an old romance. It's definitely not going to appeal to the intellectual in people, mostly just the silly romantic.
Ya know, I kept thinking of a John Wayne/Mareen Ohara dynamic set in the U. S. west, or any one of a dozen other big romantic pairings, but neither Kidman or Jackman had the presence or chemistry to make them memorable, or even interesting (with the exception of a very buff Jackman with his shirt off ;) ).
Nevertheless I will watch the rest of the movie. I have heard it comes together a bit better as it progresses. Here's hoping.

One thing the movie does accomplish. I want to go visit "Australia", the country - in person. Incredible place.
Sheri

[dragonfly]

One thing the movie does accomplish. I want to go visit "Australia", the country - in person. Incredible place.
Sheri

OMG, that is right. If Australia is that beautiful in person, no wonder people never want to leave.

[Jesse]

Beautiful country - bad movie - should've ended an hour earlier than it did - the little kid was good though :)

[John Smith]

Actually, to really appreciate the unspoken intent of the movie, one would best be served by being aware of all the Australian Politics it hinted at, laughed at and ridiculed, albeit not directly. I can allow that not everyone in the world wants to be a student of Australian Politics and History.

What I loved the second best, was When the Stampeeding herd pulled up short of the precipice where the boy (sorry, forgot his name) was standing. I'll leave it to your imagination as to just what I loved THE best.

Cheers,

[JohnK and Sheri]

We did finish the movie last night and the much better last half did somewhat make up for the slow first half. While still overly sentimental and formulaicly (can formula be made into an adjective? :rolleyes:) predictable, I am glad we made the effort to get through it.
Sheri

[dragonfly]

Actually, to really appreciate the unspoken intent of the movie, one would best be served by being aware of all the Australian Politics it hinted at,

I would love to have had that advantage. :)

[Bodo]

J. Smith, could please you enlighten us yankees as to what you're talking about?
I'm curious :)

[walking bird]

Well DF, I guess you and I won't be going to the flicks together anytime soon.

I thought "Australia" was really crappy. I hung in there and watched nearly the whole thing, only because every so often they'd hit on something that seemed interesting--- only to retreat back into trite hokiness.

I agree with John k and Sheri about the horseback close-ups--- the high point of the film for me, because that was just so darn funny.

Here's my primary gripe: the movie kept ending. And ending. And ending. Over and over again, they seemed about to resolve, and then they'd soldier on towards yet another conclusion that wasn't really the conclusion. They wore me out--- I quit before the 97th ending.

Thoroughly forgettable film.

[dragonfly]

Well DF, I guess you and I won't be going to the flicks together anytime soon.



:D
That's okay- I understand. My feelings are hurt, but I'll get over it.;)I wouldn't have paid to go see it, but anything I can rent at home is worth a shot.

Btw, I love the old Japanese Lone Wolf and Cub series of martial arts movies. Do we have a date?:D


Here's my primary gripe: the movie kept ending. And ending. And ending.

Hah!:D That is so true. I kept waiting to see the credits roll down the screen, and the movie kept going. It was a little humorous.

[JIm in Annville]

I was a bigger sucker than all of you. I went to the movies to see it. I love epics but this one was far to long.

[Hobie]

Just watched it last night. Although it isn't on my list of all-time-great movies, I quite enjoyed it. Beautiful scenery, and a serious slap in the face for "civilized" treatment of the native population. But then again, I seem to have a talent for enjoying things for what they are. Heck, I still like the old Ray Harryhausen sci fi monster movies. Even thought the special effects are positively primitive compared to CG, I admire that it was pioneering and, quite frankly, took more talent to create than any CG effect.

Sorry, that was a serious tangent I launched off on...

[dragonfly]

Sorry, that was a serious tangent I launched off on...

That's quite allright. I'm just relieved there is one other person who didn't think it belongs in the garbage bin.;)

[John Smith]

Dragonfly, I would need to go see the movie again, make a long list and then write a book to do justice to your request for more info on the Australian cultural side of the movie. I'll put that on the list. It takes a lot of words to describe what the eye can see in a picture.

But actually, it was a lot like Forrest Gump. The more you study it, the more you see in it that has basic, primary and hard hitting insights into significant matters of culture and governmental policy. My wife says I read far too much between the lines. I think she sees far too little. It is probably true that 80% of the dissidents in this thread also decried poor ole Forrest! They should stick with Rambo and The A Team.

If I remember correctly, the movie was produced by an American based team, and many of the faults I see aired here are not typical of completely Australian Productions, not that it is that easy to seperate these matters in an increasingly unified world. But most of the complaints are justified, just the same.

They got us talking about them, anyway, now didn't they?

Cheers,

JohnS

PS: Y'all Do Come. By about June or July I should be able to show you one of those great Australian oddities: The Winter Honey Flow!

[dragonfly]

Dragonfly, I would need to go see the movie again, make a long list and then write a book to do justice to your request for more info on the Australian cultural side of the movie. I'll put that on the list. It takes a lot of words to describe what the eye can see in a picture.



No hurry- just take your time.;)

One thing that did stand out to me, is that they seemed to portray Australians (for instance the ones on the docks and in the bar) as parallels to our American image of "cowboys" or more commonly called "rednecks" these days. Was that an American touch, or representative of the "common man" in your country, say from 150 years ago 'til now?



PS: Y'all Do Come. By about June or July I should be able to show you one of those great Australian oddities: The Winter Honey Flow!

It depends. Is the loathing of all things American a problem in Australia, as it seems to be in other parts of the world?:D

[John Smith]

There is not much left here of the more English, stiff upper lip type of presentation. Even if you are an aristocrat, it doesn't pay to set oneself aside from the mob. In the early days it was the Aristocrats and the Convicts, but the Australian whites are pretty homogenous now. Of recent decades, we have taken in large numbers of many and varied races, which do tend to stand apart, especially where language and culture are barriers. I will have to check that out as far as this particular movie is concerned. Thanks for allowing me plenty of time.

No, the prejudice is probably not quite as bad as that here. After all, they have accepted me, something my own countrymen in Texas are still wrestling with. It is true, however, that you guys have some fence mending to do. Getting rid of President George Bush was a smart move on your part, so the relationship will heal a bit now, probably worldwide.

Around here, it is best to not make the talk until you have walked the walk. Real people from all quarters are readily accepted (if they can take a bit of stick) but pretend people need to maintain a safe distance, like on the TV screen.

Keep Australia Green. Bring Green Backs.

Have a good Easter.

JohnS