Movie Reviews - I Dream Of Hollywood

I Dream of Hollywood

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Movie Reviews - I Dream of Hollywood

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One to see: Away We Go (2009)

July 22nd 2010 03:35

Every now and then you'll discover a film that isn't a standout by any means, but which leaves you in a better place than where you were less than two hours before. Away We Go is one of these films. Directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition), the film is quirky and sentimental without being overdone. Its lead characters are instantly likable and believable ("real" would be an appropriate word to describe them) and there are some genuinely funny moments, both situational and brought on by the film's sharp - and occasionally caustic - dialogue.

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One to miss: Amelia (2009)

June 9th 2010 19:49

I’d read a couple of less-than-favourable reviews of Mira Nair's Amelia before I rented it on DVD last weekend, and yet, I was still cautiously optimistic about this film. I mean, it’s a biopic of one of the greatest aviatrixes (and figures of mystery) that ever lived, and it stars Hilary Swank. She’s already won two Oscars. How bad could it possibly be?

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Why I loved Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

March 14th 2010 13:10

I’d had this film on my radar for nearly a year, and yet when the time came for its Australian release I was far, far away from any cinema: I was camping, most nights in the bush, while on an epic road trip along the east coast of Australia. By the time I made my return to civilization, I’d all but forgotten that this movie had finally graced our screens. Nonetheless, I quickly got myself to a (still half-full) screening and all I can say is that I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t enjoy Tim Burton’s latest masterpiece in some way or another. It has wit, it has action and excitement, it has Johnny Depp (need I say more?) and it has just the right amount of weirdness that we’ve come to expect from one of the most out-there filmmakers in Hollywood.

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One to see: Genova (2008)

December 11th 2009 05:54

I don't know how I managed to miss this absolute gem of a movie, but somehow it didn't pop up on my radar until last week. Better late than never I suppose! Genova is a beautiful, intelligent film that will speak to anyone who has ever lost a loved one in tragic circumstances, and it does so without using the conventional Hollywood heart-tugging techniques. This is what makes it so real, and ultimately, so very effective as a dramatic work of art.

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One to see: Beautiful Kate (2009)

September 19th 2009 12:03

One thing that I've always loved about Australian filmmakers is that they frequently embrace subjects in their films that Hollywood producers wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole. Beautiful Kate is one of these films. It's raw, it's aggressive, it's incredibly confronting and it's without a doubt the best movie I've seen this year.

Sophie Lowe as the ill-fated Kate

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One to see: Star Trek (2009)

April 9th 2009 12:04

Having a boyfriend in the film industry definitely has its advantages: I was fortunate enough to attend the world premiere of the new Star Trek movie on Tuesday night at the Sydney Opera House, and let me tell you, I was absolutely blown away by this film! Never before have I seen an intelligent movie with so much action - or for that matter, an action movie with so much intelligence. Director J.J. Abrams has created a thrill ride that will delight both Trekkies and non-Trekkies alike, and kept me on the edge of my seat for the whole 122 minutes.

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One to see: Easy Virtue (2009)

March 28th 2009 01:22

I'm a big fan of period films, but am the first to admit that they can be slow and a bit stiff in their presentation. 2009's Easy Virtue is anything but! It is, without exception, the liveliest and most playful period piece I've ever seen. Starring Colin Firth (no surprises there) and Jessica Biel (wait... what?), the film is an adaptation of a Noel Coward play, set in the English countryside in 1929. It's directed by Aussie filmmaker Stephan Elliott. There is not a single dull moment in this film; in fact it pushes the conventions of the period genre so far that at times it's almost hectic.

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One to see: Zack and Miri Make A Porno (2008)

February 20th 2009 09:17

If you're not easily offended and are a fan of Kevin Smith's earlier work (like Chasing Amy, Clerks and Dogma) then there's a good chance that you'll find Zack and Miri Make A Porno both funny and engaging. There are some genuinely hilarious moments in this movie but what really surprised me was how romantic it was! It's definitely the most touching movie that Smith has made, while still maintaining the bawdy gross-out humour that he's become famous for.

The poster that was banned in the USA

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One to see: Changeling (2008)

February 6th 2009 02:20

There aren't many films being made in Hollywood today that have the ability to really touch their audiences. Many try, usually using the conventional tear-jerker formulas that, frankly, don't come close to jerking tears from me. Changeling was something else entirely - maybe it was the fact that it was a true story, or perhaps it was Angelina Jolie's flawless acting or Clint Eastwood's superb directing - whatever it was, as a drama, it worked.

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One to see: Tropic Thunder (2008)

January 23rd 2009 03:06

When you go to rent a DVD, rarely does the bored-looking employee behind the counter make any comment about your choice - but with Tropic Thunder, I got a 30-second mini-review and the parting advice that if I "took it for what it is" I'd love it. So I was more than a bit intrigued by this film, and let me tell you, as a comedy it does not disappoint. I wasn't laughing from start to finish, but I was still laughing, and there aren't many comedies being made in Hollywood these days that have that effect on audiences.

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One to see: Carrie (1976)

November 7th 2008 03:10

I love horror movies, I'm the first to admit it. Being able to get a rush of adrenalin simply by sitting on the couch and engaging in what's on the screen is fantastic! But the 1976 film Carrie is so much more than a horror film - it's a chilling look at the cruelty of high-school girls and what can happen when religious devotion goes too far. It's a comment on middle-American society, and it's not Carrie White's powers of telekinesis that make the film scary, but the demented actions of her evangelical Christian mother and the evilness with which Carrie's peers exact their revenge on her.

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One to see: The Black Balloon (2008)

November 6th 2008 23:38

Okay, so it's not a Hollywood film, but it's one of the best Australian productions I've seen in years. The Black Balloon is a touching and memorable story about an Aussie family dealing with an autistic son. In particular, it follows the trials of Thomas, the brother who is largely responsible for his autistic siblings' welfare. Through his eyes we see how difficult, and at the same time darkly humourous, life is growing up with a brother who is 'different.' There are some really funny scenes that almost poke fun at autism, but not quite.

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One to see: What Happens in Vegas (2008)

October 30th 2008 23:10

I always rate a movie on how enjoyable it is to watch. Sure, things like casting, acting, soundtrack and scripts are important, but if a movie makes you feel good watching it, this supercedes all the technical aspects. What Happens in Vegas is one of these films. It's wry, it's funny, it's sexy and it packs a punch that you don't really expect from your average Hollywood film.

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One to see: Sydney White (2007)

October 21st 2008 07:37

First allow to me clarify: Sydney White is one to see if you're female and under the age of fifteen. Everyone else will probably hate it, but as a PG film it caters to its audience perfectly. Sure, it's formulaic and predictable - it's one of those 'loosely based on a fairytale' flicks, this time Snow White - but it's well acted and frequently engaging, and overall an enjoyable film to watch.