Film Review Australia

I don't usually review current films as film selection and personal interests are always very subjective. However, after viewing Australia last night I decided to make an exception. I like Baz Luhrmann, he is a film director who takes risks hence Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge and Australia falls in to the risk taking category. Luhrmann delivers a film epic, at 165mins it couldn't be anything less. It is an epic that crosses film genres giving us war, musical, almost a Western, abit of Out of Africa and love all in one go. Sentimental and at times bordering on silly it doesn't have the greatest of dialogue but what it has is a massive cinema heart. Australia's faults are insignificant compared to the setting, story, acting, design and cinematography. In fact the sentimentality is key to delivering a difficult story. It is a story that attempts to right a wrong and pay homage to the sadness it caused. It doesn't matter if there are historical inaccuracies or any other such nit picking detail, because Luhrmann delivers a project that he has poured his heart and soul into.

The performances by Jackman and Kidman are fantastic. Nicole Kidman surprised me with her delivery and one scene in particular when she tries to comfort a child who has lost his mother. Jackman is certainly great screen idol material but the main characters only work due to the rest of the cast giving the same stupendous performance.

Go and be entertained, take tissues and love the costumes.

Fish Supper Barbados

Don't worry you've never seen the film! It is a small story board that unfolded before my eyes in Barbados. The trip was inspirational for reading (lots of film and fashion stuff), for developing this poor neglected blog and a growing film script in my head and in part on paper!

This short story is of a local fisherman who is bringing in his catch to the rum shop by the sea! Already gutted before being brought in, the fish is weighed, admired and then left to be cut up, whilst the fisherman gets back on the boat and away as the sun is setting.

To Catch a Thief

Set on the French Riviera To Catch a Thief(1955) is the most lightweight of Hitchcock's films. It stars Cary Grant and Grace Kelly and is a sheer delight to watch. Based on the same name novel by David Dodge, Hitchcock directs Grant as a notorious reformed jewel thief and Kelly as the rich heiress.

The setting and the costumes are wonderful. Grant is prelude to Connery's Bond with his debonair dress and self deprecation. Edith Head created pure class for Kelly with an array of costumes that say holidaying on the Riviera culminating in a spectacular gold evening gown for a masked ball.

If your fresh out of ideas for a vintage summer look then To Catch a Thief is the perfect viewing.