DO NOT SEE Macbeth
A week or so ago we scored tickets to Macbeth via ITM. Forty minutes into this badly acted p.o.s. we made a hasty exit and I lost a glove somewhere in the black morass that is an unlit theatre floor.
If you want to see bad acting and pointless theatrics backed up by absolutely ocka renditions of Shakespeare, then go see Macbeth. The language bit being my main ire against the film, it was like they took a beautiful piece of literature and slaughtered it in a local Frankston pub.
Three thousand said it wonderfully: "(we were) unsure whether to even peg this review. There’s so much to get excited about in our creative city, there are also some beautiful films bearing the Australian stamp. So we say this, go see Macbeth, be it at the cinema or on DVD. See it and if you’re involved in film on any level, create something brilliant to counter it."
DO SEE Little Miss Sunshine -
one of the best movies of the year!
Another week goes by and two more preview tickets come our way via the HiFi bar mailing list, another Australian flick 'oh god' I say at least three or four times, I honestly walked into Little Miss Sunshine almost afraid.
**Update: Tiny bit of research reveals this is not written or directed by anyone remotely Australian, and after watching, it's not set in Australia, so scratch my misinformation above.
Then the curtain came up - and from the very first scene to the last, I was rivetted to the screen. Brilliant acting from all involved, with Toni Colette holding the family herd together, alongside Little Miss Sunshine herself, the 7 year old daughter 'Olive' played by nine year old Abigale Breslin. Breslin shines in this role, and whilst surrounded by wonderfully talented actors, all putting out star performances, Abigale reflects every nuance of emotional up and down that occurs throughout the film, and does so with a skill far beyond her years.
Little Miss Sunshine uses a great story and wonderful cinematography, featuring tight, gritty close ups to winding panoramas and plently of great 'motion / highway' scenes. Also featured was one of the most decisive uses of space on film I've seen, certain scenes such as just after an argument have Colette with her back to the camera on one side of a motel bed, her husband facing us on the other - the emotional rift between them is almost visible in the air.
The entire thing is littered with subtle references of truly black humour that keep the whole thing ticking so quickly you are swept up and dumped out at the end, almost pained from laughter - Did I mention its
fucking hilarious?
Cocaine, Combi's, beauty pagents for seven year olds, Nietzsche, Suicide and fried Chicken.
Everyone should see this - its sad, beautiful, entertaining and inspiring in so many ways.
4.7 out of
5
IMDB (Internet Movie Database) review -
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449059/
Trailer (Quicktime) -
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/littlemisssunshine/trailer/