27/4/2000
DOUBLE JEOPARDY & BULLITT
Double Jeopardy was a not-bad movie I thought, but there was one
scene which really
grabbed my attention. That was the scene showing the outside of a house in San Francisco.
Parked right outside that house was a dark-green VW Beetle. San Francisco - VW Beetle -
DARK GREEN!!! Surely this couldn't be the same dark-green Beetle which was passed at least
4 times by Steve McQueen in the immortal chase sequence in Bullitt??? Or is it a
directorial in-joke by Bruce Beresford? Or is it just a serendipitous coincidence?
I await your verdict.
Regards,
Geoff Walker
And Bruce's reply:
Andrew - That VW stuff is too esoteric. There was no reference to any other film. Anyway, we filmed in Vancouver for Seattle, not San Francisco!
I'm working like mad on a new film in Vienna.
Regards,
Bruce
FEEDING HIS HABIT
I've become addicted to your site and the competitions - it's a break from
work stresses and it's great to pick up free tickets to films that I may never have gone
to otherwise. Thanks for the information, the reviews and the chance to take my wife out
to the movies!
John Pearson
Ed: We're delighted to feed this habit . . .
13/4/00
BOYS DON'T CRY?
Boys may not cry, but girls definately do. I cried myself all the way home
after Hilary Swank's amazing performance. How disappointed am I that Australians have not
embraced this film? I know it's a little too much to ask that you may have to treck all
the way into the city (gasp - and catch public transport) instead of staying out in the
suburbs and settling for some dodgy feel good film playing at your local cinema. Sometimes
catching the bus is worth it. The little gold man obviously thought so.
Allison Moore
MUSCAT v MUSKET
In your interview with Heath Ledger you mentioned that whilst filming The
Patriot his adventures involved "...getting stitches in his little finger while
firing a muscat." Could hardly be 'muscat', a friendly drop that wouldn't harm a
soul. I imagine this is a lowly copy editor's hurried misspelling of 'muskrat', those
pesky North American rodents, so it's hardly surprising that he got stitches - he's lucky
he didn't get his finger taken right off! Of course, if you were meaning a 'musket' then
it's a different matter...
Yours etc,
Chris Rodda
Ed: ahem . . .I'm afraid the lowly copy editor was none other than my
pityful self, possibly in the later stage of an editing session that may have been aided
for solace but impeded for quality control by some of that musket stuff . . . Thanks for
your attention; it has now been corrected (and fires well).
TOP GUN DVD?
My partner and I are thinking of buying a DVD player in the near future but
there is one movie that we keep and eye out for - TOP GUN with Tom Cruise. I was wondering
if you would be able to let me know if this movie is coming out or not but if it is could
you please let me know when and where. Thank you for your help.
Kelly Melbourne
Ed: Don't have a release date for Top Gun, but suggest you keep an
eye on the Australian DVD industry's co-operative WEBSITE for latest release info.
6/4/2000
URGENT CALL FOR AUSSIE DOCOS
I work for the Cultural Affairs Unit of The Australian Commerce and Industry
Office all the way over here in Taipei.
I have been approached by an impressive group of Taiwan film buffs who are organising
their second international documentary film festival. In my hand I hold their 1998 Film
Catalogue of over 100 pages of international film entries and a 40 page full colour follow
up report. In them I notice a large participation from Russian Directors such as Andrie
Osipov, Director of "Voices" and Marina Goldovskaya, Director of "Solovky
Power" as well as many israeli films and of course the much talked about Taiwanese
film makers. There are far too many to note here but I must say It is a huge selection of
very interesting titles and origins.
But to my surprise there were only 3 films submitted from Australia. Suprizing considering
the good reputation Australia holds for documentary. "Mary's Place" by Melissa
Lee, "An Imaginary Life" by Don Featherstone and "Pyongyang Diaries"
By Solrun Hoaas.
So this time the Director Jane Yu Hui-Chen has made the approach to me to see if we can
encourage more participation from the big island down south. As a part time film maker my
self I am most interested in seeing more participation from Australia.
With only one month untill entry deadline it has become urgent. Once again the Israeli
films have flouded in. The Russians and Chinese are as strong as ever, but the
Australian's remain a little laid back.
This festival also goes to allot of trouble to ensure that the films have an afterlife
past the festival. They have arranged with a local TV station here to broadcast the best
20 documentaries submitted. They will print the full colour follow up report and maintain
a WEB SITE (www.civilart.com.tw)
during and after the event with mpeg downloadable previews. And the prize money, well
check this...
FILM
NT$ 300 000 (US$ 10,000) 1st prize
NT$ 100 000 (US$ 3,500) 2 x merit prizes.
VIDEO
NT$ 100 000 (US$ 3,500) 1st prize
NT$ 60 000 (US$ 2,000) 2 x merit prizes
It all seems too good, except that Australia is absent....
They are also looking for 3 classic Australian docos to put in their classic international
doco section.....Suggestions please as I would hate to take responsibility for that. Could
include in your suggestion info on how to get it to Taiwan. In the meantime please send me
your fax numbers and I will fax you the entry form and other information that may be of
interest.
I hope you guys like promoting Australian work around the world as much as I do. We have
to work fast.
Thanks.
Leigh Blackall
Public Relations and Cultural Affairs Officer
Australian Commerce and Industry Office,
Taipei. Taiwan. ROC.
TEL: + 886-2-87254-115
FAX: + 886-2-2757-6054
OSCARS AND IRON GIANT
First, about the Oscars: I was really hoping that Being John Malkovich would
win Best Original Screenplay; never mind. I still can't believe that Blame Canada from the
South Park movie was nominated for Best Song. Although You'll Be in My Heart is a fine
song, I still think that When She Loved Me from Toy Story 2 was more deserving of Best
Song. I can't wait to see your review of The Iron Giant. Hopefully Roadshow will promote
it a lot more than what WB did in the States (which led to its poor box office). From what
I have read, it is a truly wonderful animated feature. One that both kids and adults will
enjoy.
Best wishes,
Andrew Kieswetter, Adelaide
Ed: I don't think you'll be disappointed in our reviews (next week)
of The Iron Giant; all three of us think it's great (Louise, Richard and me).
WHAT A RUSH !
Toni Colette's performance in DIANA AND ME .... as did everyone's, leaves me
speechless. But then so did "The Boys". The film has confirmed that my coffee
table reading will continue as it has of late and tabloids, magazines and the like are
most definitely banned. Butterflies wings and all that! There's an odd (Australiana)
warmth about this movie, and a splash of forgiveness to balance it's consciousness. The
hilarious Drag Princess, sweet Kylie, poor old Sir Bob Geldof and something that made me
like every character in the movie (even the guy who got the mean shot of Kylie?). I'll
never forget Jerry's cameo which would have to be a revelation to modern womanhood (well
maybe not?).
This film is succulent - you can really get your teeth into it if you choose to. F**k the
critics - that's what I think ! I'm just glad I saw it.
FVF
Ken Finlayson
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