Speed (1994)

I'm incredibly slow when it came to catching up on the 1994 classic and I still have not quite caught up to the sequel yet! However, I'm glad I did view this film as it was very different from my expectations. Assuming this film was going to be a lot like Jaws or Duel I was mistaken and THANK GOD! The acting is pretty good, the 90s is clearly reinforced and the concept is slightly different to your typical car chase film... in fact it's more of a thriller than an action. Thrillers have really grown on me and surprisingly so have hybrid action-thrillers! I love a good storyline or plot which is usually omitted from an action genred film. Unfortunately action films (especially these days) are loaded with special effects and shooting and neglect to show any intelligent scripting or interesting plot and I find nil interest in the genre whatsoever. When I have given the genre a chance I've just been disappointed. 

When viewing Speed I am glad that this film took a different path and encouraged a vested interest to be had. I must admit the first part of the film relating to the lift scenes did leave me a little hesitant as the gray and steel colour palette really doesn't sit with me well and led me to believe that this was a 'boring mundane stupid film'. I'm ever so glad those scenes just set up the storyline motivation and didn't reflect the entire movie.

I was humoured when words were uttered but lips weren't moving and some obvious continuity errors. I am not sure if I was over watching the film or they were just so obvious! Despite that I thoroughly enjoyed this film and am looking forward to viewing the sequel!  3/5 rating for me but worth the lengthy watch! 

Paranormal Activity 4

The fourth installment to the Paranormal Activity franchise was obviously ridiculously predictable, a very weak plot and left me disappointed. I am a bit of a horror and comedy fan and I did like the first 3 films for that reason that they left me feeling a little jumpy and laughing at the ridiculous shots and 'pool cleaner'. I watched this film by myself at home in contrast to the prior screenings where I was in a packed cinema and I thought this reception context would 'scarify' the film a bit more- I was mistaken.

The film follows a teenage girl's suspicion that her neighbour's kid is strange and has brought in a bad vibe into her family home. This time to capture the establishing shots of the living room, bedroom and kitchen, her boyfriend uses a recording program easy to set up on each device. The other films had me guessing a little bit more than this one trying to piece together the relationship to the demon a family member had however not in this film. The footage of the abducted boy was the first thing we as a viewer see on the screen and then it goes straight to the main plot where we instantly elate the boy to the missing child. I hope I haven't spoilt..what was only to spoil but it was an editing mistake and should of been shuffled at least a bit later into the film.

However, a major disappointment was when Hunter was reunited with the demon and a group of people suddenly appear and then CUT! Pitch black, The End. Despite my major disappointment I did get a few jumps in this film, yet it wasn't enough to resurrect my hope that the movie would pan out more interesting.

However, in saying this..somehow I am interested to see the 5th instalment of the film set to be in cinemas around October this year. Why??? I really don't know why! I might have got sucked into this franchise, you know it's bad but you still wanna see it.

The Call

Directed by Brad Anderson, The Call is a film about a 911 operator's determination to save the life of a kidnapped teenager. Whilst in the car park of a shopping mall, Casey is stuffed into the boot of a car by a strange man and calls for help. After a phone attendant struggles to assist the girl, Jordan takes over. Played by Halle Berry, the passion and determination of the fighter personality of the 911 operator is reflected in her role and benefits the realism of Halle's performance. I also admire the use of camera and speed in this film capturing scenes in a modern and futuristic manner. This is achieved through a combination of close up shots and speeding up the pace of a small moment in a scene to create significance of its role in developing the plot of the film. 

When the first girl was kidnapped she was dragged out from under her bed and I was reminded of the scene in Taken (2008) when Kim is kidnapped. I was able to evoke the same emotion of shock and by quickening the footage I felt like the exact shot was mirrored in The Call. 

With that in mind, if you liked Taken and Taken 2, then you will be on the edge of your seats watching this thriller. 

King Kong The Musical Opening Night!

Saturday the 15th of June 2013 was the WORLD PREMIERE of King Kong The Musical! I was extremely fortunate to be able to go to the red carpet opening night at The Regent Theatre due to obtaining last minute guest tickets. The red carpet was studded with more celebs than the typical Melbourne musical red carpet, from newsreaders to masterchefs to comedians to entertainment personalities- they were all there! The regular musical carpet goers-Meldrum, Hinch and Burchmore also were there to join the huge array of celeb talent to create an in house atmosphere where wherever you looked there was a tv personality in clear range! It was great for publicity because in all honesty this was the best musical I had seen on a visual scale. Absolutely a visual SPECTACULAR! As soon as King Kong hits the stage, moments of wows and 'oh my god that's amazing' are shared across every member of the audience. Definitely a big budget production, exemplifying highly skilled talent. The dancers and the 'men in black' stage gymnasts as they swung, leaped, hooked and flew in synch across the stage. Multimedia projection and sound of course was the icing on this cake as it set the atmosphere brilliantly.

I have never seen the stage physically manipulated in so many ways in a single performance. The stage was raised, lowered and shaped to create a ship, an island and a box office front to absolute perfection. The leading lady also had a remarkable voice and exceptional dramatic skills as the actress slash damsel in distress slash love interest another obvious highlight of the show. Set design was great! Puppetry was excellent and the monkey was adorable!!! 

I would pay to see this show again! Ticket prices are reasonable so make sure you are one of the first to witness this production before it goes overseas!!! 

4.5/5 

Just HAD to get a photo with Jane Turner of Fast Forward, Bligh, Big Girls Blouse and of course Kath & Kim fame!!! 

This time we were both 'out of costume'! 

She said we look like The Veronica's...compliment or insult Ahahah? 

For tickets and more info go to Official King Kong Live on Stage Website!

My short film

I haven't made a short film in a while, here is the latest...  Very amateur but my style!!
Enjoy the tackiness!

This is the Night!

It's May and that means it's time for the cheesiest music competition of all time... EUROVISION! There is no competition like no other when Europe unites to showcase some of the best and worst musical talent in a contest where the voting is extremely unfair and politically driven. However, that never stops the show! We get to see an array of musical performances and cultures from an array of age groups and genres showcase their talent to pretty much the world in this 3 day running competition. This is the birthplace of ABBA, Gina G (ooo ahh just a little bit) and that Noreigian boy who fell in love with a fairytale- Alexander Rybak!

I thought that I would share with you one of my favourite Eurovision performances by Malta last year because it is so catchy in a musical and dancing manner. This is a dance routine made up for Malta's Eurovision entry in 2012, 'This is the Night'. Words do not need to explain why I find this so awesome! If only this song was popular in clubs in Australia, move over Macarena! 

SBS Eurovision Website

Malta 2012 Eurovision Entry

This video brings back so many memories and it reminded me of the craziness of Eurovision last year including our 'hilarious' tweets and commentary in an effort to be seen on the Australian broadcast of the competition. I even recall learning this dance with my friends and thinking that we mastered it much better than the guy on the right side! (He seems a little unenthused, dont you think?). 

The Mask (1994)

Smokin!

Went back and watched a movie I used to love as a kid, except this time I actually understood what it was about, I understood the concept beyond the.. 'he puts the mask on and his face turns green and goes crazy'.

The Mask stars Jim Carrey and introduces Cameron Diaz as the leading lady in a comic book comedy. This film is based on a series of Dark Horse Comics and the comics book, superhero theme has been utilised effectively in this video remake!

Stanley Ipkiss is a shy and bullied bank employee. He is the subject of bullying in the workplace and by his accommodation manager. Representing a loser persona, Stanley tries to impress but just dramatically fails. He confines towards his dog, Milo and cartoons to find sanctuary and acceptance in life. However, life spins around (even in the literal state), when he stumbles across a mask found in the ocean after being refused entry to a club. This mask has powers and turns Stanley's life around every time he wears it. The mask magically sucks to his face and a swanky suit appears as his personality, ego, confidence and abilities rise. The cartoon-like, superhero culture he finds comfort in drastically reflects in the character he turns into when he puts on the mask. Sly, keen and mean, wooing the girls, beating the bad guys in true heroic style. He is untouchable when the mask is on and causes chaos everywhere he goes.

 I love the adaptation of the cartoon characters that Stanley's ego takes on board! The special effects of this film are awesome for the time period and executed smoothly adding a comic book feel to a Hollywood film and some absurdism. I really enjoyed this re-viewing and I have developed a fonder appreciation of the special effects in this film.