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Baz Luhrmann's AUSTRALIA Screens Again!
Beaks here...
Whew! My brain is finally back online after getting severely overtaxed at the 5D: The Future of Immersive Design in Long Beach this weekend. More on that later. Right now, let's check out our first reader review in a while for Baz Luhrmann's 'roo-boxing epic, AUSTRALIA. The reactions we posted last June were very enthusiastic. How's it playing closer to release? Read on...
Well that was interesting; I just had a rather unusual and incredibly cool screening experience here in lovely Aliso Viejo getting to see a pre-release cut of Australia by Baz Luhrmann. Unusual in that the guy handing out the invite had no idea what the film was. And cool in that I will go see this AGAIN when it's playing for real.
This isn't the movie you might expect from Baz Luhrmann. It isnt Moulin Rouge and certainly isn't Romeo and Juliet, instead it's (at least to me) an epic, dramatic story of love set against a visually stunning backdrop with a surprisingly strong performance from Kidman and a refreshing change of pace performance from Jackman. That's quite a mouthful and fitting because this movie is quite a mouthful, actually a stomach full that I'm sure will take me a couple days to fully digest…and it's GREAT!!
Even though this isn't necessarily a special effects kind of movie, some of them (especially the war scenes in the second half) are important because they convey the scope and scale of the story. Makes it feel bigger than just a love story between the rugged, outdoorsy, horseman and the sophisticated city lady.
I found the aboriginal kid (who facilitates the thawing of Kidman's character through latching on to her as a mother figure) very genuine and believable, in fact that could be said of the whole cast. I really got into the story.
One side note …Lurhman, Kidman, and Jackman are all Aussie natives and because of that I had the sense that this film meant a little more to them than their standard work. I think this is especially true of Kidman who (fairly or not) has been criticized for coming off as an emotionless automaton or just bad in her recent films. Granted there is a nice symmetry between the chillier aspect of her personality and her character in the early parts of this film, but what separates this from other things I've seen her in is that this character's turn or evolution away from the cold British aristocrat is incredibly believable and arguably her best work. Jackman is fantastic as a brawler cowboy with a bad attitude, the cattle drive and bombing scenes are really well done, and I laughed out loud a couple times when Jackman/Kidman first meet and he takes great pleasure in messing with the city priss. It's a complete film and real cinematic experience, and one of the best times I've had at the movies since I can remember.
This isn't the movie you might expect from Baz Luhrmann. It isnt Moulin Rouge and certainly isn't Romeo and Juliet, instead it's (at least to me) an epic, dramatic story of love set against a visually stunning backdrop with a surprisingly strong performance from Kidman and a refreshing change of pace performance from Jackman. That's quite a mouthful and fitting because this movie is quite a mouthful, actually a stomach full that I'm sure will take me a couple days to fully digest…and it's GREAT!!
Even though this isn't necessarily a special effects kind of movie, some of them (especially the war scenes in the second half) are important because they convey the scope and scale of the story. Makes it feel bigger than just a love story between the rugged, outdoorsy, horseman and the sophisticated city lady.
I found the aboriginal kid (who facilitates the thawing of Kidman's character through latching on to her as a mother figure) very genuine and believable, in fact that could be said of the whole cast. I really got into the story.
One side note …Lurhman, Kidman, and Jackman are all Aussie natives and because of that I had the sense that this film meant a little more to them than their standard work. I think this is especially true of Kidman who (fairly or not) has been criticized for coming off as an emotionless automaton or just bad in her recent films. Granted there is a nice symmetry between the chillier aspect of her personality and her character in the early parts of this film, but what separates this from other things I've seen her in is that this character's turn or evolution away from the cold British aristocrat is incredibly believable and arguably her best work. Jackman is fantastic as a brawler cowboy with a bad attitude, the cattle drive and bombing scenes are really well done, and I laughed out loud a couple times when Jackman/Kidman first meet and he takes great pleasure in messing with the city priss. It's a complete film and real cinematic experience, and one of the best times I've had at the movies since I can remember.
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didn't really do anything for me but I'll go see it...
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You almost have to take the piss out of a film and be supercritical to make it sound like anything other than a plant, sadly.
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I didn't even think of it at first but you are right. But I like Kidman and Jackman and this does sound interesting even if we ignore the tone of the review.
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Baz Luhrmann is dead to me.
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Haven't you been suprised how little this has been pushed. The teaser trailer looked totally BRILLIANT (been ages since I've been to a popcorn movie with genuine emotion - at least one that's not from PIXAR), yet it's hardly on any of the film mags' 'COMING THIS WINTER' previews here in the UK.
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Since some people seem to be anal about those things (e.g. "Se7en", aka "SeSevenen".)
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There was even Morricone music from one of the 'Dollars' movies in this trailer -- can't remember which one. I always thought there should be a new spaghetti-type western with Jackman as the lead.
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Damn You Michael Bay
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Not that it matters, I've got a good sense of the world because I can see Russia from my house (when I stand outside and hold up a photo of Russia).
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Baz is hit or miss, but his movies are always visually crazy, which is enough to get my butt in a seat. Getcha popcorn? Unsure, but probably worth a shot.
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Looking at Luhrmann's record, I would have difficulty believing he could handle an epic like "Far and Away" (the film I hear this compared to). His work on "Moulin Rouge!" and "Strictly Ballroom" have style, but show problems with maintaining tone especially a serious tone. "Romeo and Juliet" was better but still had some moments that are similar to the "Like a Virgin" scene in "Moulin Rouge!"
If Luhrmann does Australia as a spaghetti western, I think that would fit his style very well. Those often have moments of the fantastic.
I have to agree that it does sound very planty or very stuck on Hugh Jackman (I know my wife thinks he looks great).
Lang The Cat -
Surpised at the criticism its getting.
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Have you crapped the movie out yet?
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begins with the throw-off screening lie; no negatives about the film itself; gives a few plot-points; tries to sound dumb; uses phrases like "stunning backdrop". This is a plant. Would bet my life on it.
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Love that movie and can't wait for Australia.
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...your mother's life?
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Everything he's made since gives me the same feeling as drinking a 44 oz soda to wash down a giant bag of candy.
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i swear though, if it sucks, im punching baz.
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it had so much promise. on the rewatch i think it is moving toward something good. I also didn't like but wanted to like gangs of new york. bono summed it up with his song 'hands that built america'. there really is a lot of room for a modern movie about the irish diaspora. It such a great and tragic story (and one that very much defines australia) and yet in the end it is story of triumph. there is still a great movie in it somewhere but it is yet to be made.
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ANYWAY, ths sounds good and I love Strictly Ballroom.
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it reminds me of those old epic Lean movies. So yeah I'll check it out just to support the genre to be honest.
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...so the constant botox in the last few years has been dispiriting. :(
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totally indefensible gibberish..you guys must have the most diabolical taste...ie NONE
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That was so close to trolling... ;)
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actually watch that bloody trailer yet? ...mate?
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I'm very excited for this movie, for a number of reasons. First, the Australian film "industry" is a complete mess and while this film was produced by 20th Century Fox, not Screen Australia, it could be some evidence that Australian film makers can make good Australian stories. Second,n I've been flabbergasted by how film makers have refused to exploit Australias stunning natural landscape and our "old west" heritage, and this film seems to be embracing both. Baz Luhrmann's films have always been (intentionally) offbeat with their wildly divergent tones and pockets of oddball humour, but he has said he intends to realise this film in a more conventional way. Perhaps what's most exciting is that it could be brilliant or a could be a mess, we have no idea.
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....by an Aussie director?
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- if you're Australian, because "old west" is a needlessly derivative way to describe it. I think even Americans have an idea about the outback. An Aussie cowboy isn't an American cowboy. Even the North Queensland Cowboys footy team are embarrassed they listened to an ad agency on that name (strange that their mascot is an Aussie cattle dog eh?)! Anyway, the story in this film is really just girl hates boy, go through stuff, they learn to love each other, danger threatens, etc. etc. etc. - Do a search! Ironically it IS about the vistas... you should've said the story thing "second", & the scenery first. But yes, the proof is in the pudding.
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Yes, and Eric Bana's (also Aussie) best performance (subjective yeah I know).
And director Andrew Dominik also did Assassination of Jesse James. -
Fair dinkum, i'll be there on opeing day to see this talkie. Stone the crows...the pictures... they have sound now! Mate! Like, that's so fully sic bro!
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Laughed my arse off!!God, I just wasted 3 seconds of valuable time typing that whole thing. Wish there are a quicker route but, oh my god, it did make me laugh out loud, for your information and I had to type my compliments as soon as possible.By the way, it is my point of view that Nicole Kidman is definitely not a mother I'd like to fuck. What the fuck is with her white vampire teeth skin?? Now, in my humble opinion, Mandy Moore would give much better tender loving care!Oll Korrect, I have to go and do nothing nowhere else!
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Perhaps planty... before you take into consideration the studio just would not be bothered planting on a site like this for a movie like this! This doesn't seem up my alley but I think my wife will drag me to it regardless, so hope it is OK.
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I'm really looking forward to this one but it screams plant. Yeah.
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Australia is one of the best movies i have ever seen! Drove em home Drover!
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