Aussie/New Zealand Films Kick Ass!
Submitted by jenhowel on Tue, 02/20/2001 - 09:17
Tags:
- MOULIN ROUGE!!!!!!
- Strictly Ballroom - An amazing dance movie, a sweet romance, a hysterical comedy. Pick this over the Japanese "Shall We Dance?" any day!
- The Sum of Us - A sweet, serious gay-themed film starring Russell Crowe. Not to be missed!
- The Castle - A wonderful comedy/drama about a family in danger of losing their precious home. Totally underseen/underrated.
- The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert - If you've only seen it once, do see it again, it took extra viewings to really appreciate this film.
- Once Were Warriors - one of the most gripping dramas I've seen... EVER.
- Heavenly Creatures - w. stellar cinematography, a wild imagination, a young Kate Winslet and a true story, not much can beat this Peter Jackson film.
- Dead-Alive - Also by Peter Jackson, zombies New Zealand style. One of the goriest films of all time, yet hilariously so.
- Mad Max - I hope this was Australian-made. In any case, this film does not need a write-up. If you haven't seen it... DO!
- The Piano - I can't believe I forgot to include Jane Campion's most excellent movie. My friend Cybil said she forgot she was watching a movie when she first viewed this hauntingly beautiful film.
- Muriel's Wedding - I also can't believe I forgot to include this hilarious comedy which introduced me to ABBA music and "The Sixth Sense"'s Toni Colette, an actress truly on the rise.
- Holy Smoke - Weird as all hell, but worth the trip. Especially since Kate Winslet is so sublimely gorgeous.
- LORD OF THE RINGS - I'm sure the whole trilogy will be good, but this is for the first one, directed by Peter Jackson of DEAD-ALIVE and HEAVENLY CREATURES and MEET THE FEEBLES fame.
Author Comments:
So far of all the Aussie or New Zealander films I've seen only one has met with my dismay - The Last Days of Chez Nous. Every other one has amazed, entertained, or floored me. If you have any suggestions for further viewing from Down Under I welcome them, cause I barely ever meet an Australian/NZ film I don't like.
People keep telling me that Walkabout is a great movie. The consensus here here seems to be positive as well.
I too thought it was excellent. Thanks for reminding me. Definitely listworthy.
I have to admit: you kick ass too, jenhowel.
DEAD-ALIVE [a.k.a. BRAINDEAD] is a must-see for horror fans, and in the horror-comedy genre it rules. I don't know how, but this one slipped my memory until I read your description of it and immediately thought "That's got to be BRAINDEAD". Many thanks for the reminder.
And, yes, the Mad Max movies were definitely Australian made.
Other excellent Aussie movies are Shine, Romper Stomper, Angel Baby, Occasional Coarse Language, Blackrock, Love & Other Catastrophes, Muriel's Wedding, Bad Boy Bubby, The Piano (NZ)...
Jo G
I've heard of Romper Stomper because I've been on a Russell Crowe kick lately, and I know he's in that (and I believe it's the role that got him the call for LA Confidential).
Russell Crowe gives an excellent performance in this movie but it is extremely violent! Be prepared to feel uncomfortable if you do watch it. Jo G
Thank you anon. reader! I haven't been on much lately, but I can't believe I neglected to include some of your suggestions. I'm not overly fond of Shine and Love and Other Catastrophes, but I'll definitely check out those I haven't seen since you brought me up to scratch on Muriel and The Piano.
I just saw "The Dish" last night and thought it warrented a mention. It's by the same guys that did "The Castle" and is similar in tone - ie very dry understated humour (the Aussie Battler theme). It is quite a simple and elegant little movie - and quite funny. Not a block buster but I enjoyed it immensely. It captures the spirit of the moon landing without all the hokey flag waving shmultz often found there... Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oy, Oy, Oy! (Sorry for that.)
Other Aussie Movies... The Matrix? Star Wars epp 2 and 3? Seriously try "Two Hands" and "Heavan is Burning" (it's just OK...)
It's somewhat dated by now, but you should see The Coca-Cola Kid with Greta Scacchi.
Far a dark day in our history try "BMX bandits"... we love you nicole.
No list of Australian films would be complete without:
Picnic at Hanging Rock - a subtle atmospheric film about the unexplained disappearance of a group of school girls on a Picnic at Hanging Rock, Victoria on Valentines Day 1900. Picnic at Hanging Rock occupies a seminal place in Australian History and is one not to be missed.
Two more from Jane Campion (director of Piano and Holy Smoke):
An Angel at My Table - based upon the autobiography of Janet Frame, a New Zealand Author it tells the story of her growing up, her incarceration in a Mental Institute, and her struggle to be recognised as a writer.
Sweetie - the story of two sisters in thier twenties and how they grew up - the gangly quiet Kay and the plump dominant, not too mention seriuosly mentally ill Sweetie. The film looks at the realtionship between the two and how the roots of Sweeties Illness have also affected Kay.
Both these films, along with the later Piano, share a common thread in thier exploration of women's experience as outsider (as well as mental illness). Both are superb, if challenging films that are well worth watching. It is also worth noting the way colour is used in Campions films. Much of Sweetie looks as if it is being viewed on a TV with the colour turned right up - cf the Piano's use of blue and brown overcasts achieved by heavy use of colour filters.