Puppetry of the Penis: The Ancient Art of Genital Origami (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS was an unexpected hot ticket in London and New York--a fifty minute comedy act that involves to two men who give a new meaning to the phrase "show and tell" by stripping buck naked and twisting their genitalia into, well, object d'art. So to speak. And this DVD offers the show before a live audience, so you can sit in on the twisting and pulling in an up-close and personal sort of way.
This sounds a lot more bizarre than it really is, as any man who ever spent part of their teenage years in the highschool locker room can tell you. Yes: it really is teenage boy humor, and Austrailian comics Simon Morley and David Friend have snatched it out of the locker room and plunked it on stage for all the world to see. There's "the boomerang," "the eye," "the Loch Ness Monster," "the baby bird," and a host of other penis impersonations--all of which are good for a giggle and some of which are downright hilarious.
Although the show is done in the nude, it isn't in the least erotic, so if that's what you're looking for you had better go some where else. And in truth, this is a show that probably works much better on stage, where there it no doubt has an "in your face" factor that leads the audience to embarrassed hilarity--and indeed, the camera spends almost as much time on audience reaction as on the performers.
Now, this is never going to make any one's short list of "must own live comedy shows." After all, the material will only stretch so far... but taken in the right spirit, it is quite amusing, and it might be the perfect video for that next party you're thinking about giving--just imagine the possibilities! The DVD package also includes a documentary on the creation of a second PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS performing company, which is also amusing in a bizarre sort of way, and a small booklet that will let viewers follow along at home if they are so inclined. An entertaining bit of fluff.
GFT, Amazon Reviewer

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The most talked-about comedy event of the millenium is now on DVD!!!Intrepid Australian penis puppeteers Simon Morley and David Friend have taken the world's stages by storm, creating a runaway comedy hit unlike any other. They've performed their unique repertoire of "genital origami" for stunned, impressed and amused crowds around the world.Make no mistake: there are no sock puppets in this show!PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS beings where "The Full Monty" ends: with Morley and Friend presenting the Ancient Art of Genital Origami through more than 40 astounding "penis installations," including such crowd pleasers as The Pelican, The Windsurfer, The Eiffel Tower, The Loch Ness Monster, and the duo's signature creation, The Hamburger. SPECIAL FEATURES -"Cockstars" 60 minute bonus featurette -Multi camera live performance -5.1 Dolby Surround Sound-PCM Stereo -Interactive Menus -Instant Chapter Access to Skits -Multi page instructional book

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AC/DC: Plug Me In (3 disc Limited Edition) (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)OK, just pop in disc 1, look at the hilarious arcade computer game menu, and you know it's gonna be fun. Because AC/DC was and is always in for a bit of fun. Have a good time, while rockin' out. Judged from the content on this boxset, that is very obvious. Select "Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be" and you just can't not bang your head a little bit to the electrifying sound, which, on this track, sounds absolutely brilliant, beautifully remastered for this release. The really old clips before that sound a bit muffled, probably because of age. Further on the sound is varying between spectacular and a bit cranky.
I understand that the restoration people only can do so much, but I'm very satisfied with their clean-up work.
At last, with this release, we get to see Bon Scott's funny stage persona in full, making funny faces and winking at the cameras. In "Rocker" you can't stop laughing when Angus goes into the frozen (from shock?) audience and gets in their hair. More jokes from the band as they cut off Pete Drummond's intro speech on camera, and just kick off with "Problem Child".
The selection of songs is very good, although I suspect that some fans will miss their personal favorites.
Rounding out disc 1 are some cool vintage interview clips with the band and one long interview with a very laid back Bon Scott.
Disc 2 contains live material with singer Brian Johnson. As there are several live dvd releases out there featuring Brian, most fans are familiar with Brian's showmanship. It's nice to see some of his most early footage with the band, from 1981, including some interview clips, where he admitted that he didn't realise what he was in for or how big the band already had become.
Especially cool is the VH-1 clip where we see the band in a very small studio space as opposed to the large stages we have seen them up until now, but with a good sense of being a tight unit and comfortable with each other and just enjoying playing rock n' roll together. Rehearsal footage made during the soundcheck for this session is presented as a bonus, also very cool. We see Angus playing with a cigarette in his mouth and just jamming along. The sound starts out a bit crap, because it's a soundcheck, but later on we get to hear the instruments getting into the mix and Brian's dancing along.
The other cool extra on this disc is live footage taken from the Rolling Stones 40 Licks tour, where AC/DC probably shared the bill on that day in 2003.
Angus and Malcolm join the Stones on stage to play "Rock Me Baby", an old B.B. King blues track. Keith and Ron Wood and Angus doing his usual funny thing, just a pleasure to watch. You can tell by the look on all of their faces that The Stones and the Young brothers really had some fun there.
Disc 3 contains first of all some tracks that have been cut from disc 1 and 2. Why not put it there in the first place? I don't know. Maybe to ensure picture and sound quality with a high bitrate on those discs. Maybe to give the fans some extra stuff for buying the Collector's Edition. Among the highlights is a clip with band rehearsal footage from 1983, where we see the band playing facing each other, a set up anyone who's playing in a band will recognise. Great stuff.
Also featuring on this disc is a big part of a concert filmed in 1983 in Houston, with 9 songs in a row. A bit of a shame that they didn't put the entire gig on here.
All in all, I had a great time going through all this stuff, and I'm very pleased that live material from the Bon Scott era has been made available. I still can't believe the energy Angus has when I see him play (I myself saw AC/DC play in 1988 and 2000). The way he moves like he's on full tilt and bangs his head, as if he's the greatest fan of the band, and then play so effortlessly, amazing. Especially the old stuff is great where he looks just like a kid (and probably was).
Apart from the great dvd's you get a nice booklet, and some facsimiles from old concert tickets and backstage passes, and a concert poster from 1979.
A spectacular set for a great price. Highly recommended! And Amazon, please, don't list this as a Rolling Stones release, they're on 1 bloody track for pete's sake. This is AC/DC, man.

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Witness every stage of the world's most electrifying rock band!Plug Me In - the new 3DVD Collector's Edition set contains over 7 hours of rare and unreleased LIVE video from AC/DC.DVD 1 goes all the way back to 1975 and original singer Bon Scott with the band's first appearance on TV, quickly followed by two never-before-seen performances from the 1976 show at Sydney's St. Alban's High School.Also on DVD 1 are live clips from Melbourne, London, Glasgow, Holland, and Munich - including the very first public performance of the song "Highway To Hell"!DVD 2 picks up in Tokyo, with Brian Johnson at the mic.Tearing through new songs and old, the band clearly doesn't miss a beat and goes on straight through 2003 - performing with childhood heroes The Rolling Stones.Also included are rare interviews, tour promo films and alternate live versions.DVD 3 is a 2 hour collection called "Between The Cracks" - stuff too good to leave out!Included are both Bon and Brian eras, featuring the never-before-seen 1983 show from the Houston Summit.Total Running Time: approx. 7 hours DVD 1(1975-1979) High Voltage [King Of Pop Awards, Australia, October 1975] It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock `N' Roll) [Bandstand, Australia, February 1976] School Days [St. Albans High School, Australia, March 1976] T.N.T. [St. Albans High School, Australia, March 1976] Live Wire [Super Pop/Rollin' Bolan, London, July 1976] Can I Sit Next To You Girl [Super Pop/Rollin' Bolan, London, July 1976] Baby Please Don't Go [Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne, December 1976] Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be [Sight & Sound In Concert, London, October 1977] Rocker [Sight & Sound In Concert, London, October 1977] Rock 'N' Roll Damnation [Apollo Theatre, Glasgow, April 1978] Dog Eat Dog [Apollo Theatre, Glasgow, April 1978] Let There Be Rock [Apollo Theatre, Glasgow, April 1978] Problem Child [Rock Goes To College, Colchester, October 1978] Sin City [Rock Goes To College, Colchester, October 1978] Bad Boy Boogie [Rock Goes To College, Colchester, October 1978] Highway To Hell [Countdown, Arnhem, August 1979] The Jack [Countdown, Arnhem, August 1979] Whole Lotta Rosie [Countdown, Arnhem, August 1979]Bonus Features Interview at Sydney airport, April 1976 Interview in Covent Garden, London, July 1976 Baby Please Don't Go [Szene 77, Munich, September 1976] Problem Child [Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne, December 1976] Interview/Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap [Promo film for Melbourne Radio, December 1976] Bon Scott Interview [Countdown, Australia, November 1977] Rock 'N' Roll Damnation [Top Of The Pops, London, June 1978] Live and Interview [Australian Music To The World, Atlanta GA, August 1978] Live Super 8 Bootleg Film [Théatre De Verdure, Nice, December 1979] DVD 2 (1981-2003) Shot Down In Flames [Nihon Seinenkan, Tokyo, February 1981] What Do You Do For Money Honey [Nihon Seinenkan, Tokyo, February 1981] You Shook Me All Night Long [Nihon Seinenkan, Tokyo, February 1981] T.N.T./Let There Be Rock [Nihon Seinenkan, Tokyo, February 1981] Back In Black [Capital Center, Landover MD, December 1981] T.N.T. [Capital Center, Landover MD, December 1981] Shoot To Thrill [The Summit, Houston TX, October 1983] Guns For Hire [Joe Louis Arena, Detroit MI, November 1983] Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap [Joe Louis Arena, Detroit MI, November 1983] Flick Of The Switch [Capital Center, Landover MD, December 1983] Bedlam In Belgium [Capital Center, Landover MD, December 1983] Back In Black [Tushino Airfield, Moscow, September 1991] Highway To Hell [Tushino Airfield, Moscow, September 1991] Whole Lotta Rosie [Tushino Airfield, Moscow, September 1991] For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) [Tushino Airfield, Moscow, September 1991] Gone Shootin' [VH1 Studios, London, July 1996] Hail Caesar [Entertainment Center, Sydney, November 1996] Ballbreaker [Entertainment Center, Sydney, November 1996] Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution [Entertainment Center, Sydney, November 1996] Hard As A Rock [Stade De France, Paris, June 2001] Hells Bells [Stade De France, Paris, June 2001] Ride On [Stade De France, Paris, June 2001] Stiff Upper Lip [Circus Krone, Munich, June 2003] Thunderstruck [Circus Krone, Munich, June 2003] If You Want Blood (You've Got It) [Downsview Park Toronto Rocks, July 2003] The Jack [Downsview Park Toronto Rocks, July 2003] You Shook Me All Night Long [Downsview Park Toronto Rocks, July 2003] Bonus Features Beavis and Butt-Head "Ballbreaker Tour" intro film, 1996 Hells Bells - Interview and Live [Countdown, Brussels, January 1981] Interview [Monsters Of Rock, Castle Donington Park, August 1984] Gone Shootin' [Rehearsal, VH1 Studios, London, July 1996] Rock Me Baby (The Rolling Stones with Angus and Malcolm Young) [Festwiese, Leipzig, June 2003] DVD 3 ("Between The Cracks") She's Got Balls [St. Albans High School, Australia, March 1976] It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll) [St. Albans High School, Australia, March 1976] Let There Be Rock [Sight & Sound In Concert, London, October 1977] Bad Boy Boogie [Apollo Theatre, Glasgow, April 1978] Girls Got Rhythm [Top Pop, Holland, November 1979] Guns For Hire [Band rehearsals, Los Angeles, October 1983] This House Is On Fire [Joe Louis Arena, Detroit MI, November 1983] Highway To Hell [RDS, Dublin, June 1996] Girl's Got Rhythm [Entertainment Center, Sydney, November 1996] Let There Be Rock [Schleyerhalle, Stuttgart, October 2000] Angus Statue Intro [Stiff Upper Lip Tour Film, June 2001] AC/DC Live at Houston Summit, October 1983: Guns For Hire Shoot To Thrill Sin City This House Is On Fire Back In Black Bad Boy Boogie Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution Flick Of The Switch Hells Bells

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The Thorn Birds - The Complete Miniseries (1983) Review

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(More customer reviews)Ok... first, I have to say that Tom Keogh, whose review sits above as the standard review for Amazon, needs to actually watch the movie. Opinion is one thing, but at least get the facts correct. Rachel Ward plays Meggie Cleary (not Meggie Carson) and Barbara Stanwyck plays her greedy, manipulative, devil-incarnate aunt.... not her grandmother. That aside...this still stands...for me at least, as the greatest mini-series ever! And, considering all the recent scandal surrounding the Catholic Church today, it is as relevant and thought provoking today as it was in 1983 when so many were incenced not only by the content and plot of the movie, but by its time of airing (holy week-the days leading up to Easter). The cast is perfection and makes an already engaging story about the inner battles of an ambitious Austrailan Priest (played by Richard Chamberlain who never looked more gorgeous)even more amazing. Not a single miscast here. The performances are phenomenal. This is a movie with that searing edge of forbidden love and the torment of unrequited love combined with a heavy dose of romance, great characters, manipulation, greed, and the progress of a family torn apart by various maladies. The chemistry between the all the characters is so apparent. It is a movie that makes you think and makes you cheer for something that is deliciously guilt-ridden. In case you couldn't tell... I love this movie!!!!!!! This is a guilty pleasure to the highest degree... like the most decadent Godiva chocolate if it could be made in the form of a film. Buy it...keep it... watch it over and over. Perfect for a girls only party or a rainy saturday afternoon. Get some snacks... sit back and know that 8 hours will seem to float by.

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Mr. Nice Guy (1998) Review

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(More customer reviews)With nearly non-stop action and thrills Jackie Chan's "Mr. Nice Guy" is probably without a doubt one of Jackie Chan's BEST films ever, featuring Chan's trademarked ultra-choreographed but jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring just plain AWESOME action sequences (including the trademarked end-of-film outtakes).
THE MOVIE:
A TV cook Chan unwittingly stumbles into the middle of a drug-related murder between Australian mobsters and a street gang when he saves the life of a woman and unknowingly comes into possession of her incriminating tape. From the get-go it's an all-out adventure ride setting the standard for the amount of action per frame as Jackie battles the mob while trying to save his girlfriend and his other friends.
Notable Scenes:
1.The Horse and Carriage Battle Scene
2.The Warehouse With Many Doors Fight Scene
3.The Ending Battle Which Puts Rumble In The Bronx's Hovercraft scene to shame!!
THE DVD FEATURES:
The DVD is a little sparse on special features, but it does contain a few great extras including a pretty detailed bio (more so than the Rumble in the Bronx DVD) and filmography of Jackie Chan as well as the film's theatrical trailer. Also included are selected scenes from some of Jackie's other films (Rush Hour, Rumble In The Bronx, First Strike, and Police Story all on sale from New Line Cinema).
THE VERDICT:
Action movie/martial arts film fans will love this movie. Fans of Jackie Chan will probably rate this toward the top of his movies as the action standards this film set are just off the charts!!! The action, as well as the story, are solid. New fans of Chan will also love this film and its mind-boggling action sequences. The DVD features, while a bit sparse compared to more recent DVD releases, are alright and are in fact a little better than his other releases with New Line. Overall, whether you rent, borrow or purchase this DVD/movie, it is worth a watch.
Highest Recommendation.

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Starstruck (2-Disc Special Edition) (1982) Review

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(More customer reviews)This movie is like all those old movies where the performing kids save the day (you remember...."we've got the barn...gran can make the costumes...we'll put on a show!!"). I LOVE this movie! I scrounged around until I found a copy of it back in the 80's (which wasn't easy to do). The movie is humorous, but the music is great! I especially love "I Want to Live in House" done by Angus and the Wombats, not to mention the song from crashing the Sydney Opera House "Monkey in Me". If you like irreverent humor and 80s semi-punk music as well, this movie is for you. The soundtrack for this movie (although hard to find) is also well worth the price if you can find it as well.
Update 12/31/05: I am thrilled this movie has been re-released with a two disc special edition. It is still a favorite even after all these years. Now, I can stop wearing out the VHS tape I have. However, like other reviewers, I want to know...where is the CD soundtrack?! My album is just about worn out. Bring on the CD!!
09/30/06: STILL waiting for the soundtrack to be released on CD. Who do we have to petition/cajole/threaten to get the soundtrack released on CD?
:-)
04/26/08: Seriously... is there any chance that I will be able to purchase this soundtrack on CD or as an MP3 before I'm eligible for Social Security? (still waiting......) :-)
07/08/09 tap-tap....is this thing on? ...haven't gone away. There simply MUST be a soundtrack released.
12/21/10: Just checking in on my more or less annual rant. What do we want? Starstruck soundtrack on CD or MP3! When do we want it? NOW!

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From the Director of MY BRILLIANT CAREER - A Totally New Kind of Musical!Three years after she rocked the movie industry with MY BRILLIANT CAREER, director Gillian Armstrong again brought the world to its feet with this unexpected musical comedy smash. Jo Kennedy stars as quirky young singer Jackie Mullens, who along with her 14-year-old manager/songwriter/ cousin Angus (Ross O’Donovan) will go to any outrageous lengths to chase their dreams of pop stardom. Oscar® winner Geoffrey Rush (SHINE, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN) makes one of his very first screen appearances in this acclaimed combination of delightful old-school story and explosive new wave musical that was nominated for three Australian Academy Awards – including Best Original Music Score – and features songs by Tim Finn and Phil Judd of legendary pop-rock band Split Enz.

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Danny Bhoy: Subject to Change Review

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(More customer reviews)My friends and I get together once a month for a "Comedy Night" potluck ... everyone brings a covered dish and we take turns bringing a new comedy DVD. I'm so glad I bought this one! Not only did everyone love it, but to a person each has now borrowed it to watch a second time at home.
Pretty unique POV, and unlike some stand-up comics he's funny as hell without having to resort to the gutter. I'm not saying he doesn't swear occasionally - he does - but he doesn't base his entire flipping act on it.
Having grown up in Scotland, bits of this tickled me a little deeper - like the Scots response to being told it's last call in a pub, or the fact that the Scottish National Anthem is the only one in the world that makes provision for those with Tourette's - LOL! His really-bad French and American accents are hilarious, and I have to say I love it when a comic cracks HIMSELF up ;-)
There are two bonus features on this DVD as well - a guide to American sports, and a visitors guide to Scotland - both as funny as anything in his stand-up routine. Spend the money, you won't be disappointed.

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As seen on Comedy Central! Recorded live in Montreal, this is the much-awaited North American debut of Scottish comedy sensation Danny Bhoy. See why audiences around the world have been enraptured by Danny's unique brand of storytelling and some of the finest observational comedy in the world today.

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Summer Heights High (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)Australia has given us some excellent character actors: script-ripping stagemen who can become larger than life caricatures. Think Crocodile Dundee, or -- better yet -- Dame Edna.
But Chris Lilley has come along and surpassed them all. Indeed, his versatility and roaringly off-putting humour surpasses any of the dark humour in 'Little Britain' or other such countrywide satires.
Now we in North America can enjoy 'Summer Heights High', one of the truly wicked and funny send-ups of a secondary school mini-universe, its cliques, turf wars, and teachers (who are barely more mature than the students).
'Summer Heights High' deserves proper sequential viewing -- one cannot simply dive into a later episode and acquire the plot. Lilley's immense talent for character-forming deserves close attention and patience as he lays down, through improvisation, innuendo, and sheer brilliance for skit acting, three distinct narratives (which amazingly never cross paths) in a suburban Australian school. Details of these three personas which he takes on can be found widely, so I won't repeat the background stories here. I just want to state that Lilley's ability to assume different characters is positively uncanny. I mean, uncanny. Take an excellent method actor and combine it with a razor mouthed pirrahna of improv and quick-thinking, and you get a sense of just how kooky and unpredictable Lilley is.
For my money, it surpasses the muti-headed hydra pranks of Cohen (of 'Borat' fame). Because Lilley can deliver sinister and scathing satire on racism, drugs, and just about every other taboo -- but just when you wonder if he's a nihilist, out comes a breathtaking moment of magnificent spirit and heart. The final scenes involving Jonah Takalua are simply headshakingly good, without any hint of that 'very special moment' that usually mars most dramas supposedly about teens.
Chris Lilley, you're brilliant, mate.

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In this hilarious series set in a real Australian high school, actor/comedian Chris Lilley stars as three different characters: a vain drama teacher, a self-absorbed boy, and a haughty female exchange student. Hysterical, absurd and frequently shocking, Summer Heights High reveals a world where small issues become huge, social groups are critical, young minds are molded, hopes are shattered and dreams are realized.
DVD Features:Deleted ScenesOuttakes

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The Road Warrior (1982) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm saying "finally" because we've finally received a version of the Road Warrior that looks outstanding! The picture looks the best I've ever seen and while the sound isn't as great in terms of bass reproduction, it still sounds very clear, just a tiny bit lackluster. Several of the scenes have a bit of softness to them probably due to age but I'd say about 95% of the film looks crystal clear. There aren't many extras other than an introduction by film critic Leonard Maltin and a filmmaker commentary. A bit lacking in the extras department but the commentary is informative enough for film enthusiasts and fans of the film. It'd be nice to get a retrospective documentary one day on this classic.
At the end of the day, the movie is delivered in an above average presentation and definitely worth a peek in HD.

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In a post-nuclear war world, Gibson plays Max, a lone adventurer who drives the roads of outback Australia in an endless search for gasoline. His opponents include Lord Humungus, and they battle over a tiny band of civilized survivors and their horde of fuel.Genre: Feature Film-Action/AdventureRating: RRelease Date: 3-FEB-2004Media Type: DVD

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Crocodile Dundee (1986) Review

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(More customer reviews)One of the great things about movies is that every once in awhile the unexpected happens, something comes along that you know immediately is just a bit different and special somehow. Usually it's the film itself, but on occasion-- and this is one of them-- a character will emerge who is not just a character in a movie, but IS the movie. Here, it's the title character of "Crocodile Dundee," directed by Peter Faiman, and starring Paul Hogan as the inimitable Mick Dundee, a rather unique individual hailing from the small hamlet of Walkabout Creek, Australia. Mick hit the big screen in 1986, and from the first moment he appeared, right up through the end of the second sequel, it's been a "G'day" for audiences around the world.
In Australia on assignment for her New York newspaper, journalist Sue Charlton (Linda Kozlowski) runs across a story she just has to pursue. It's about a legendary "local" from one of the small towns on the cusp of the bush, a crocodile hunter who, the story goes, had his leg bitten off by a croc, then managed to survive by crawling, alone, for days on end across the outback. So it's off to the town of Walkabout Creek in search of this larger-than-life character, who it turns out is quite a "character" to say the least. He is, in fact, one of a kind.
After a memorable meeting in the town's only pub (one of about four buildings in the whole place), Michael J. "Mick" Dundee agrees to take her on a tour retracing his steps and reconstructing the famous event where it actually took place. He promises a hard journey through some rugged terrain-- no place, in fact, for a "Sheila"-- but, like any good reporter, she's ready for anything; or so she thinks. And it's the beginning of an adventure she, as well as the audience, will never forget.
Hogan concocted the story and created the character, then wrote the screenplay along with John Cornell and Ken Shadie, after which he turned it over to director Faiman, who did a worthy, if not exceptional, job of translating Hogan's vision to the screen. Faiman, however, is destined to be the forgotten man with regards to this project, inasmuch as he was not only necessarily overshadowed by writer/star Hogan, but he presented the film in a fairly straightforward manner, without anything particularly noteworthy that "he" did that would put his "signature" on it. Add to that the fact that this was the first of only two films Faiman ever directed (his second was the lackluster "Dutch" in 1991); simply not enough to reference him, nothing added to his resume afterwards to make you take notice and say, "Oh, yes, he directed `Dundee,' too." Still, filmmaking is inherently a collaborative medium, and as they say, a film does not "direct" itself; so credit must be given where it is due, and considering how good this film is, and how well it did at the box office, it points up that whatever Faiman did, he did right. And he deserves to be acknowledged for it.
It's no secret, of course, what really makes this film work. Aside from the engaging story with it's romantic notions of adventure, from beginning to end it has the four "Big Cs" going for it: Character, Charisma, Chemistry and Charm. Let's face it, Paul Hogan is "The Man" as Mick Dundee; he's the guy other guys admire and want to be (whether or not they'll admit to it), and he has the kind of natural good looks, charisma and charm that is irresistible to the ladies (whether or not they'll admit to it). And the chemistry between Hogan and Kozlowski is irrefutable; it's the kind that makes you want to put another shrimp on the barbie. Besides all of which there is an innate honesty about Hogan's Mick that shines through like a 1st order Fresnel light in a London fog. He's laid-back and grounded, with a refreshingly logical outlook on life-- this guy's never going to need a pill for hypertension-- and what adds even more to his appeal is that there's a touch of larceny in his make-up, hiding just beneath that twinkle in his eye and his obvious integrity. You also know instinctively that this is the guy you want in your corner when the chips are down. All of this and more is what Paul Hogan captures in his performance; this is the Mick "Crocodile" Dundee he brings to the screen.
In her motion picture debut, the lovely Linda Kozlowski brings some sizzle to the screen and proves to be the perfect counterpoint to co-star Hogan. Something of an "Ibsenesque" role model, she demonstrates that a woman can be strong and ultra feminine, capable yet vulnerable, and all at the same time. It makes her portrayal of Sue Charlton convincing, well rounded and real; much more than just a cardboard cutout kind of a character that could have been used as nothing more than a vehicle to move the story along. Instead, though this is without question Mick Dundee's story, she makes it her story, too, and it gives the film an added perspective and considerably more depth than what is usually found in light comedy, which is essentially what this film is. And there's a look in her eye and something in the way she smiles at Mick that has an absolute ring of truth to it. You could say, in fact, that Hogan and Kozlowski are the Bogie and Bacall of the outback.
Another invaluable asset to the film is the performance of the likable John Meillon as Mick's friend, Walter Reilly. The part is a true character actor's character, and Meillon does it beautifully. The supporting cast includes Mark Blum (Richard), Michael Lombard (Sam), Steve Rackman (Donk) and Reginald VelJohnson (Gus). A memorable film filled with unforgettable characters, "Crocodile Dundee" will take you to the top o'the world... "down under."

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The Boys Are Back (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)The essence of THE BOYS ARE BACK is "fatherhood", i.e. what it means to be a Dad. It's an absolutely lovely film absolutely worth seeing.
Joe Warr (Clive Owen) suddenly finds himself a single father when his young wife Katy (Laura Fraser) precipitously dies of intestinal cancer. Joe, the lead and oft-on-the-road sportswriter for Melbourne's major newspaper, must now connect with his six-year old son Artie (Nicholas McAnulty). Coming to visit from England is his 14-year old son from a previous marriage, Harry (George MacKay), whom Joe pretty much abandoned to his first wife years before on their divorce.
THE BOYS ARE BACK is about male bonding - father with motherless son, father with fatherless son, brother with half-brother. In this clubhouse, the women, whether it be Joe's mother-in-law Barbara (Julia Blake) or potential new significant-other Laura (Emma Booth), are almost intruders.
Filmed mostly on Australia's striking south coast and with a soundtrack featuring haunting songs by Iceland's Sigur Rós, this film contains what is perhaps Clive Owen's finest and most nuanced performance to date. I wouldn't be surprised if Owen is nominated for an Oscar for this role, which is the best by a male actor I've seen in 2009.
Too often, I think, the societal presumption is that children of marriages broken by death or divorce are better off with mothers, that fathers are somehow less loving and less skilled at parenting. At least in this must-see film, that is emphatically not the case.
I left the screening keen on THE BOYS ARE BACK more than I can adequately express.
P.S. 1/21/2010 Now that 2009 is finished, I must say that Owen's performance, while not THE best of 2009, is one of three best, joining Morgan Freeman of INVICTUS and Jeff Bridges of CRAZY HEART. Good company, that.

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Clive Owen delivers a critically acclaimed performance in THE BOYS ARE BACK, the heartwarming and uplifting drama about a man who is suddenly thrust into the role of single parent. Successful sportswriter Joe Warr (Owen) finds himself completely unprepared to raise his rambunctious 6-year-old son Artie and juggle the challenges of a demanding job, running a household and the possibility of romance. Determined to bring joy back into their lives, he develops a revolutionary approach to parenting no rules, no chores. It's a home filled with love and chaos and then Joe's estranged teenage son comes for a visit. Inspired by a true story and filled with emotional honesty, this poignant film will touch your heart and lift your spirits.Bonus Features include: THE BOYS ARE BACK: A Photographic Journey With Optional Commentary By Director Scott Hicks, A Father And Two Sons, On Set

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Pink: Funhouse Tour - Live in Australia (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)Let me start this off by making it clear that I'm not like most others that would be reviewing a Pink cd or concert video.
I am a middle-aged man in my 50s. I'm not exactly her demographic and I'm not a dirty old man either. I'm a retired musician and still make a buck or two as a writer and I wrote Pink off as another of the cookie cutter pop princesses that have littered the music business ever since Madonna first got watered down by Brittany Spears. Then I heard/saw the video for "Don't Let Me Get Me" and realized that she was anything but cookie-cutter. It was her Declaration of Independence from what the music industry wanted her to be. I bought the cd the next day and heard "Family Portrait." From that point on I was a fan. Good music is hard to find and Pink makes some VERY good music.
Now, on to the Blu-Ray concert. It doesn't look like Pink knows what she wants to be when she grows up. The first handful of songs she performs are in the standard diva mode we've seen from hundreds of others from Cher on down. With a big flashy stage and a heavily choreographed dance troupe she bounces and bops through some pretty generic modern dance music. In the midst of this is "Don't Let Me Get Me" and another of her big hits, "Just Like a Pill." Although the original rock arrangement sneaks in here and there the songs are designed to get her target audience of teenaged girls jumping and happy. There isn't anything wrong with any of this section if you're in the age group that likes that sort of thing. Understand, it's just not the sort of thing I'm into. It's also the sole reason I docked the video the 1/2 point in my subject header.
BUT!
No matter how old you are - even if you're an old coot "enduring" this video with your kids or grandkids, DO NOT LEAVE THE ROOM. There is an absolutely gorgeous extended piano movement that is placed to allow Pink time for a costume change. When she re-emerges the pianist (who is also the musical conductor) and the violinist join Pink for a slightly altered and riveting version of "Family Portrait." From this point forward you are in for a rare feast to the ears and eyes. There is a very personal acoustic mini-set in which Pink plays several songs dealing with the heartache of the failure of her first marriage. They are sprinkled with some lengthy banter with the audience that is just a touch too long in parts, but the songs themselves are nothing short of gorgeous. The fact that her voice isn't pure and perfectly pitched makes the emotional tone of them all the more vital and real. As a performer myself, I wondered how she was going to be able to transition back into giving her audience more of what they came to see. She does it by a lesser-known Led Zeppelin song that interweaves gentle vocals with sudden explosions of the heavy metal that made the Zep legendary. She handles the very difficult transitions in vocals extremely well, doing Robert Plant proud, disappearing during the final extended solo for another costume change. From that point forward she and the band kick into high gear. As others have mentioned, she does indeed perform "Bohemian Rhapsody" in its entirety only unlike Queen, she and the band remain on stage and sing through the very difficult operatic central section. The song is subtly enhanced with some of Queen's original vocal tracks but the live singers MORE than hold their own. Just when you begin to wonder if Pink isn't human at all, her voice breaks for a brief moment toward the end. She smiles over at the drummer with a brief, "what can you do" look and then finishes the song perfectly. Almost any other performer would have been finished at that point, knowing they'd taken it as far as they could. Pink is literally still getting warmed up.
In addition to kicking up the energy even further, you should keep in mind that Pink also (well harnessed because of insurance requirements) executes a fairly intricate single trapeze act some 25 feet above the floor WHILE SINGING. Although lip synching is rampant amongst female vocalists nowadays, Pink does NONE of it. You can hear her gasping for breath as the songs and athletics progress. She even tosses off a joking threat that she's going to start lip synching so she can do 9 shows a week with matinees.
The lady performs for almost 2 solid hours and never once lets up. Her voice only falters once or twice during the entire night and more than once she performs lengthy acrobatics high above the stage and audience. This is a woman at the absolute peak of her performance capacity and she is one of the few people I've ever seen that could pull a show like this off once, let alone for an entire world tour.
The extra features range from being valuable glimpses behind the scenes to a somewhat silly explanation of the history of "shredding the nar." (Pinkspeak for playing face-melting guitar) Make no mistake. This lady is an artist at a time when most of her contemporaries are either complete studio-enhanced frauds or so self-obsessed with their own talents that they become intolerable. Pink is the real deal and (despite some four-letter language in her lyrics that might make you a little careful viewing the show around small children) this concert video is worth three times what you will pay for it. I don't care if you're a young teen lion or one of the tame and toothless tabby-cat baby boomers, this blu ray concert joins Stop Making Sense and The Last Waltz as one of the three absolute best concert videos on the market. It is a MUST see.
So is Pink a teeny-bop pop icon or a hard-edged rock queen that will help bring back the rock sound that has been dead for well over a decade? I don't think she knows. She shows both personalities at various points in the show.
I'm convinced that she doesn't know what she'll be when she grows up.
After watching her talent, athleticism and musical diversity in this concert I deeply hope she never finds out.

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1. Just Like A Pill (PCM Stereo)2. Don't Let Me Get Me (PCM Stereo)3. Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely) (PCM Stereo) 4. So What (PCM Stereo)5. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You Medley; Babe I'm Gonna Leave You\ Sober Interlude (PCM Stereo)6. Sober (PCM Stereo)7. Crazy (PCM Stereo) 8. Glitter In The Air (PCM Stereo)9. It's All Your Fault (PCM Stereo)10. One Foot Wrong (PCM Stereo)11. Concert Intro (5.1 Surround Sound) 12. Bad Influence (5.1 Surround)13. Who Knew (5.1 Surround)14. Ave Mary A (5.1 Surround) 15. I Touch Myself (PCM Stereo)16. Please Don't Leave Me (5.1 Surround)17. U + UR Hand (5.1 Surround)18. Family Portrait Medley; Family Portrait\ Piano Solo for Family Portrait (PCM Stereo) 19. I Don't Believe You (5.1 Surround) 20. Crystal Ball (5.1 Surround)21. Trouble (PCM Stereo)22. Bohemian Rhapsody (5.1 Surround)23. Funhouse (5.1 Surround)24. Get The Party Started (PCM Stereo) 25. On Tour With P!nk (PCM Stereo)26. How To "Shred The Gnar" (PCM Stereo) 27. Bloopers (5.1 Surround Sound)

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Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)Between 1905 and 1971, the Australian government had a horrible policy. They forcibly removed all half-caste Aboriginal children to special training schools. The grown daughter of one of these children wrote a book about her mother's experiences. This film is an adaptation of that book.
The story takes place in 1931, when Molly, then 14, her sister Daily, then 8, and her cousin Gracie, then 10, are literally torn from the arms of their mothers, put in a cage, and taken 1,200 miles away to a school which is actually a sort of prison. Here, they are forbidden to speak their own language, they have to attend a Christian church, and are taught the ways of the white Australian culture around them. Led by Molly, the girls run away. And most of the film is the odyssey of their trek back home, following the rabbit-proof fence that bisects Australia, constructed to keep rabbits out of the pastureland.
The villain is clearly the white director of the school. It is amazing, but he actually believes in the racial theories that were prevalent at the time. He believes he is helping them and plays his role well, coming across as stupid and misguided rather than evil. The Aboriginal girls are all unknowns, and terrific actresses, as are the women who play Molly and Daisy's mother and grandmother. The courage and determination of the girls during their three-month journey, the people they meet along the way, and their efforts to dodge the trackers who have been sent to retrieve them by the school, is truly inspiring. This is all set against the backdrop of the Australian outback; the cinematography certainly captures its beauty.
The film is 94 minutes long and moves quickly. I immediately identified with the girls and felt their fear as well as their bravery as they made their way across the Australian continent. In a postscript to the story, we learn more about their lives. It did not turn out to be pretty. But two of the girls have survived into their nineties, and we meet them briefly. They are strong women with weathered faces, one of them walking with a cane, but clearly at home in their Outback surroundings.
The film is a lesson in inspiration and courage as well as a geography and history lesson about Australia. I loved it and highly recommend it.

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RABBIT-PROOF Fence -- featuring the Golden Globe-nominated score by Peter Gabriel -– is a powerful true story of hope and survival and has been met with international acclaim! At a time when it was Australian government policy to train aboriginal children as domestic workers and integrate them into white society, young Molly Craig decides to lead her little sister and cousin in a daring escape from their internment camp. Molly and the girls, part of what would become known as Australia's "Stolen Generations," must then elude the authorities on a dangerous 1,500-mile adventure along the rabbit-proof fence that bisects the continent and will lead them home. As shown by this outstanding motion picture, their universally touching plight and unparalleled courage are a beautiful testament to the undying strength of the human spirit!

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Australia (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)I love Howard Hawks' films...Bringing Up Baby, His Girl Friday, Red River, and Rio Bravo are amazing pieces of entertainment. As I was watching Australia, the new Baz Luhrmann movie with Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman, I kept thinking...man, Baz must really love Hawks' movies, too.
As evidenced by the films above, the mismatched couple who fight and fight until they realize they're perfect for each other (see Much Ado About Nothing, Taming of the Shrew, and Moonlighting as other examples of the form) and the group of underestimated misfits who come together to fight evil are two big elements used again and again by Hawks. Throw in a bit of John Ford's The Searchers and its hard look at racism leading to inhuman deeds and mix well and you have...Australia.
The problem modern audiences may have with Luhrmann's new movie is it's very, very earnest. This is straight ahead epic storytelling with its heart on its sleeve and hat and boots with never a wink to the crowd in the theater to say "ain't these people quaint". You either buy in or you don't. If you do, like I did, you're in for a hell of a ride.
This, I feel, is the flip-side to The Dark Knight. Good and evil are trapped in something akin to a battle and an embrace in Nolan's Gotham City. You root for Batman, but he does stuff that is on the wrong side of freedom and civil rights. The Joker is pure crazy, but he's the most mesmerizing character in the film. In Australia, there are good guys and bad guys and you are either really good or twirl your mustache evil. The main villain actually may be a bit too two-dimensional in that aspect, but it didn't hurt my overall enjoyment.
Why? Well, epic melodrama is hard to pull off...I'm talking about the real stuff here. The recent BBC production of Bleak House is a great example. There are very good and very, very bad people in that story, but the acting is so fantastic you rarely if ever catch yourself rolling your eyes (like whenever I've watched Smallville...see: bad epic melodrama). Kidman and Jackman sell their characters...the displaced Englishwoman and the rough-hewn "Drover". They are thrown together just to, initially it seems, thwart a nasty cattle baron from monopolizing the beef industry in the country. But the other big story, the main one in fact, centers around Australia's "lost generation". These were Aboriginal children who were fathered by white men who didn't claim them. They were taken by the government, the mothers had no rights, and handed over to the church to be taught to "act white" and then work in the servant class. Nullah, played by the fantastic child actor Brandon Walters, is one of these "creamies" who has been hidden on the ranch now owned by Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman). Lady Ashley discovers what is going on, is horrified by the law, and works to keep him hidden as well. Why the Drover cares so much about Nullah becomes clear later in the film (no, it's not what you think...that would be too easy) and Jackman's experience with stage and musical work does him proud here. He can do earnest better than almost any actor alive when he needs to and his later use of the f-word (the only curse I can remember from the entire film) hits so hard, in just the right emotional moment, that it kills. Russell Crowe was originally cast as the Drover but backed out. If Crowe had done the film, and I have liked him in other things...the Napoleon-era British navy film that I can't remember the name of right now, it would not have worked. Crowe never loses that bit of edge and the Drover, at one point, really has to fully break down and become completely vulnerable. Jackman shines at that point.
Anyway...a warning, the movie is long 2 hours and 40something minutes, but I didn't realize that until I had left the theater. I saw it alone...I was out of town at a pediatrics meeting...and that's a good thing. I didn't have to hide from Holly the few times the movie hit me a bit too hard and do that cough-throat clearing thing we dudes do to cover up a stray tear.

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A romantic action-adventure epic set in Australia prior to World War II that centers on an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) who inherits a large ranch. When English cattle barons plot to take her land, she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover (Hugh Jackman) to protect her ranch. Together they experience four life-altering years, a love affair and the bombing of Darwin during World War II.
Audio: English, French & Spanish: 5.1 Dolby Surround
Language: Dubbed & Subtitled: English, French & Spanish
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen: 2.35:1

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