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| Movie Review: Australia Alternate Title: Oz, Down Under
Story: Throw another epic on
the barbie! Director Baz Luhrmann delivers a loving
homage to his beloved Australia in this sprawling, overloaded, ambitious
hodgepodge of a film. Parts of the film work marvelously and will make
your heart soar while other parts will make your eyes roll and loudly
go thud. It is 1939, in Australia. An English society
beauty travels to Australia to find out why her absent husband has avoided
coming home. What she discovers changes her world. She enters Oz - a
world not like anything she has known. Director Lurhmann throws in everything
but the kitchen sink in this over the top tribute to his beloved Australia.
He tackles its history, shameful policies on Aboriginal children, religion
and morality. Too much you say?Absolutely. Does it matter? Not really. But, if you are a Baz Lurhmann fan like me, you
are willing to overlook lots of stuff. For instance - when I thought
there was a satisfying ending to an already exhausting film, I looked
at my watch and saw that only 90 minutes had gone by. Oh oh - what the
heck was he going to do with the next 60 minutes or so? He chooses to tackle the invasion of the Japanese
after Pearl Harbor, prejudice, revenge, justice and love. So, he needed
another hour to wrap things up. It was written by Mr. Luhrmann,
Stuart Beattie, Ronald Harwood and Richard Flanagan. So I am choosing to overlook lots of stuff so
that I can recommend this movie. It is visually delightful. It has fabulous
production values up and down the line. It is a good love story, however
sappy it might appear and he has something to say about the abhorrent
policies that the Australian Government put upon its people for too
many years. Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05zTnDTpbHI Acting: Nicole Kidman, as always does a fine job but
her cosmetic surgery is really distracting. Her forehead never never
moves. Hugh Jackman, is a fine cowboy and would make
any woman's (and I think man's) heart soar. David Wenham
as the very bad Neil Fletcher, is a delightfully perfect evil man. Bryan
Brown as King Carney, was just fine. Jack Thompson
as Kipling Flynn was stereotypical, but good. David Gulpilil
as aboriginal King George was wonderful as was young Brandon
Walters as the adorable, Nullah. Trivia: Director Baz Luhrmann's parents
were Ballroom dance competitors. His film Strictly Ballroom is semi-autobiographical.
Hugh Jackman was chosen as one of People magazine's "50
Most Beautiful People in the World" 5 years in a row, 2000-2004.
He won Broadway's 2004 Tony Award as Best Actor (Musical) for his portrayal
of Australian singer/songwriter Peter Allen in "The Boy From Oz".
He is left-handed, although often seen doing things right-handed .Nicole
Kidman is also left-handed but taught herself to write right-handed
for her role in The Hours (2002), where she played the right-handed
author Virginia Woolf.
Predilection: I adore Baz Luhrmann films
Critters: Kangaroos, dogs, Major Mitchell Cockatiel,
horses, cattle, fish and birds. Be warned - both a dog and a kangaroo
get shot in the film, but you do not see it actually happen.
Sex Spectrum: Sex in the shadows.
Soundtrack: Soaring
Opening Titles: A 'where you are' opening segment.
Visual Art: Visually astounding.
Theater Audience: A handful of people
Squirm Scale: I do not like to see animals or children
abused.
Drift Factor: It was way too long and I drifted every
now and then.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: If you want to see this film,
the big screen is the way to go. For other Baz Lurhmann films try renting:
Strictly Ballroom (1992), starring Paul Mercurio and Tara Morice, Romeo
+ Juliet (1996), starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes and Moulin
Rouge! (2001), starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor
Length: A hefty 2 hours and thirty five minutes.
LOBO HOWLS: 7.5
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