WHO SHOULD WIN THE 2012 BEST ACTRESS OSCAR - 31 January 2012
As much as Meryl Streep’s 17 Oscar nominations for Best Actress with two wins is an astonishing achievement in itself and her performance as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady is superb and faultless, I cannot see how it could get the Oscar over Glenn Close’s performance in Albert Nobbs. The Best Actress Oscar should go to the performance that exceeds our expectations.  Meryl is brilliant – but we expect that from her.  She’s portrayed real-life characters... Read More
FLICKERFEST 2012 - BLOWN AWAY BY TALENT AND ENTERTAINMENT - 09 January 2012
Flickerfest is one of those enduring extraordinary unique film festival events that is worth taking leave from your life to attend - because you’ll understand and love your life even more profoundly after exposing your soul to the art on screen.   I was lucky enough to be a juror last year for the International Competition – this year, I got lucky again.  I’m a juror for the Australian... Read More
REAL STEEL Can Dad And Son Find Peace And Love In A Warring World Of Boxing Robots - 04 October 2011
When I interviewed Hugh Jackman this week about his superbly CGI-ed movie Real Steel, I kicked off with ‘boxing robots. How could it fail?’ Watching this movie presents us with a prospect as outrageous and exciting as sci-fi films did in the 1950s when they depicted a man landing on the moon and that prospect now is - taking video game action off the screen and into the real world. Sure, it takes being a control freak to a whole new level because in the world of Real Steel, a robot can be your friend and run with you – but you still... Read More
Euro Adventure - Roaming Rome- Funny Signs - 10 August 2011
Gettting shots of unique signs that make me scratch my head or laugh is a lot of fun.Here are two I found in Rome.This first one makes it clear you cannot bring your wolf to the Pantheon with you.But you can park your trolley - as per the digi-stck figure bottom right.This second one I found in a Rome side street.It seems to warn us that people will be carrying giant heavy white hyphens - or... Read More
The Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes - The Simianshank Redemption - 04 August 2011
Another possible title could be Apewakenings or even Primatenormal Activity.  In a nutshell, this is a movie that illustrates how hideous it is to be a lab rat – to be experimented on – not matter how noble the cause.  And the oppressed might learn more than we wanted them to know – like how to fight back. Monkey see monkey do = humans in deep doo-doo. I loved the 1968 original Planet Of The Apes starring Charlton Heston because it’s intriguing to contemplate life if we weren’t at the top... Read More
A Movie With Heart About A Dog With Soul - 02 August 2011
Everyone will want – but no one can have – Red Dog.  It’s one of  the most beautiful things about him.  And that kind of exclusivity is priceless. This is the Australian Cattle dog that makes Lassie look lame and Rin Tin Tin look like an obedient idiot. That’s because Red Dog is a dog for the soul. A new movie called Red Dog is the true story of a wandering pooch that brought people together and joy to a community.  He exhibited ferocious, inspiring independence and fearless loyalty to freedom.  This dog made... Read More
Hanna Is Alice In Asunderland - 28 July 2011
Forget the trouble you think you might have with a teenage daughter who smokes, drinks, swears and gets contraception from her friends in the playground then doesn’t use it anyway. Teenage girls can be quite a handful and Hanna is way more trouble than any other daughter could be because when she throws punches – people die.  She’s a ruthlessly trained assassin by her secret agent dad and with a blonde disguise over her ginger genes, she easily passes for a modern day example of the Hitler Youth. Saoirse Ronan plays the lead role with a quiet... Read More
CAPTAIN AMERICA - FROM ZERO TO HERO AFTER A LUNCH TIME PROCEDURE - 25 July 2011
Captain America huh. What a good ol’ boy. A 95 pound weakling is delivered his ultimate fantasy of being a superhero. I’ll talk about Captain America: The First Avenger without spoilers so you can read without fear. Superhero movies are either really good like Iron Man or really bad – pick either Hulk movie.  Captain America is good.  It’s better than good.  But how good is it? The script is good enough for A grade actors to elevate it into something great.  Tommy Lee... Read More
VINCE VAUGHAN AND JASON BATEMAN ON THE JAWS WAR AND COUPLES RETREAT - 16 July 2011
I love these 2 very smart and funny actors.  Here's a highlight of my interview with them. Read More
BAD TEACHER When Cameron Diaz Is Good She Is Very Very Good But When She Is Bad... - 12 July 2011
...she's better. Some people / reviewers/ critics are saying Cameron Diaz's latest character Elizabeth Halsey is selfish and unlikable.  Who cares?  We don't go to the movies to like everyone on screen.  It's fun to experience a range of emotions toward a range of characters.  Why stick with the one flavour of anything?  Sure have a favourite but don't only have that favourite.  That's what boring people do. Elizabeth Halsey is bored but not boring.  She's a great example of a human being with... Read More
BRIDESMAIDS - The Truth About Movie Spew - 23 June 2011
Bridesmaids is a celebration of female friendship and also falls into the neo-genre called the Vom Com.  It's defined by gross-out humour films and it's greatest modern example is probably The Hangover.Girls behaving badly is a popular past time - we've seen it in reality TV shows and now it's been elevated to cinema art.Here is Rose Byrne, Kristen Wiig and director Paul Fieg talking to me about what movie spew is made of and why no one can't hate Jon Hamm even when hes a total jerk (there's a tip in here for big... Read More
PAUNCH OF PO PACKS A PUNCH Jack Black In Kung Fu Panda - 22 June 2011
Jack Black has always been a puddin'.And his Kung Fu Panda character Po is packin' quite a paunch in the sequel too.The story of this instalment is Po's search for his identity - who his real father is.Maybe he should look inside himself - deep inside himself - cos my guess is...... Po ate his real dad.Yep - Po committed Pandacide.It's clearly a touchy subject.Check out the look on Jack Black's face when I tell him Po's chunked up since the last movie... Read More
Why PIRATES 4 ON STRANGER TIDES And SNOWTOWN Might Make A Great Double Feature - 19 May 2011
The US has the Deep South.  We have Deep South Australia.The US has the hillbilly.  We have the ocker. We even name our scary films after places in South Australia – or make the fictionalized ones feel too real – remember Wolf Creek?   Well, welcome to Snowtown. And while it is a very different film to anything made by Disney, I wonder - does Snowtown have a lot more in common with Pirates Of The Caribbean – On Stranger Tides than is immediately obvious?   Read More
JJ ABRAMS GIVES US A PREVIEW OF SUPER 8 - 10 May 2011
SUPER 8 is the new movie from JJ Abrams that stars 5 Tween boys and a Tween girl in the movie that looks to have the best explosive train wreck of all time.  It makes the plane crash at the end of CON AIR look like a soft landing.  If Michael Bay mated with Jerry Bruckheimer, you couldn't get a more explosive train crash.  And the SFX aren't even complete yet!About 20 minutes of edited footage from the film were screened for a group of us in Sydney and - it looks good.  Shades of STAND BY ME and CLOSE ENCOUNTERS are not copied but those common... Read More
GERALD CELENTE ON THE BIN LADEN ASSASSINATION - 05 May 2011
   Bigger than Bin Laden – America’s New Public Enemy No.1   KINGSTON, NY, 4 May 2011— From the fans at Citi Field in Flushing to the... Read More
BILL HICKS AT POPCORN TAXI - 05 May 2011
When I was first introduced to the mind, wit and commentary of stand-up comedian Bill Hicks in the mid-90s, I immediately felt my soul recognise a kindred spirit.Then I found out he was dead.It was comically tragic that the [mostly] unknown and unsung hero who showed people how to think for themselves by doing it himself - died of pancreatic cancer at age 32.I could bang on about his genius, how other writer/performers have plagiarised him [the lowest form of theft] and raped his material for their own gain [you will like Dennis Leary less when you find... Read More
ITS REBEL WILSON NOT JONAH HILL IN DRAG IN BRIDESMAIDS TRAILER 2 - 21 April 2011
There's a bit of a debate online and this might clear it up:  15 seconds into the 2nd BRIDESMAIDS trailer is a great Aussie award-winning actress Rebel Wilson NOT Jonah Hill in drag.  Matt Lucas is also in the same trailer scene NOT playing twins like he did in Tim Burton's ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Read More
THOR HAD TO BE AN AUSSIE BLOKE - 20 April 2011
Thor is a hell of an attractive entity.  He’s not really a superhero despite finding himself in the Marvel stable of comic book personnel.  He’s a well-travelled god – kind of like an intergalactic backpacker who gets booted out of the heavenly nest to go find himself.  And he finds himself on Earth mixing it up with the mortal folk. Like little Simba in The Lion King, while he’s out and about in the big bad world, Thor learns a thing or two about his arrogance and how to make it work for him when he returns to Asgard to... Read More
How To Make The Next Batman Movie Good - 19 April 2011
The problem with Batman is the same problem I have with [ugh] Superman – he’s far too ‘Mr Goody Two Shoes’. Of course, this is true of Batman to a lesser extent – but both of these good guys are too… Virgoan.  They’re way too judgemental and righteous to be fun guys with whom anyone would want to hang out.   Sure they’ve got all the gear and toys and bells and whistles.  But they’re also the kind of guys who wouldn’t let you play with anything and they’d tell you so in a condescending, superior... Read More
IS RUSSELL BRAND AS ARTHUR BACH BETTER THAN DUDLEY MOORE - 19 April 2011
It was always going to be a tough call to convince lovers of the 1981 classic Arthur starring Dudley Moore – that anyone else could re-make this movie and get it right. But out of all the Brit actors I can think of – Russell Brand is the best choice. I went along to the premiere with a super-smart 17 year old named India who hasn’t seen the original but loves Russell and loved the movie.  I’d also seen a screening of the film earlier in the week so that equals two viewings – more than enough to make a few comments on the quality... Read More
8 REASONS TO SEE SUCKER PUNCH - 05 April 2011
This is what happens when The Spice Girls get militant. Nah, it’s better than that but Zack Snyder is on a razor sharp fence here.  Falling to either side would save his arse – but loitering in the middle will mutilate it. Has he created a celebratory girl power film that despite the bondage men impose on women’s sexuality – that same sexuality can set women free?  IE if you’re forced to work in a brothel, escaping to a war zone in your mind lets you kill the zombie Nazis exploiting your body.  Okay – the only problem with... Read More
JUST GO WITH IT Is Too Much To Ask - 05 April 2011
Walked out of JUST GO WITH IT starring Jen Aniston after 73 minutes.Worst movie so far this year.Worst rom com so far this year.Worst on screen couple so far this year.Worst kid actors in a movie so far this millennia.Worst script.Worst comedic reactions.Worst attempts at romance.Worst goofy sidekick mate.Worst wardrobe on Adam Sandler (what plastic surgeon lives in giant tourist t-shirts every single day for every occasion?)Worst waste of an Oscar-winning actress – Nicole Kidman should choose her cameos more... Read More
8 REASONS TO SEE HOP Russell Brand Breathes Life Into A Shy Icon - 05 April 2011
Santa Claus has a heap of movies made about him and his life – the least cheesy and most outstanding would have to be Billy Bob Thornton in BAD SANTA and lots of people are very excited he’s agreed to do a sequel. But the Easter Bunny hasn’t had a lot of silver screen attention. Easter films are traditionally about the execution of a kind-hearted hippy who was such a giving, generous helper-monkey, he even offered to carry his own cross to his own funeral.  It wouldn’t surprise me if he offered to hammer in the nails himself too cos that’s... Read More
JASON STATHAM VERSUS CHARLES BRONSON IN THE MECHANIC - 21 March 2011
Who is the better mechanic? The 1972 original film called The Mechanic starring Charles Bronson and the Brad-Pitt-of-his-day Jan Michael Vincent (who’s rumoured to have lost his way to Hollywood glory because he took the fork in the road that led to a neighbourhood full of cocaine dealers) – is in my Top 100 Favourite Movies Of All Time. It was released in that early 70s period when Sam Peckinpah emerged onto the scene with a new raw depiction of the violence of humanity.  Straw Dogs made us afraid of the inhumanity not only around us but... Read More
8 REASONS TO SEE LIMITLESS NOW WE CAN ALL BE ON THE DRUG THAT IS CHARLIE SHEEN - 15 March 2011
I’ve been busting to bust out a review of this film but an embargo forced me to keep my fingers away from the ‘upload’ function of the keyboard. Now The Great Wall Of The Embargo has fallen so now I can speak freely. Not everyone will agree this is a perfect film - but I think it's close. It may be criticized for rushing a couple of key moments at the end but hey - once you're on the drug that is the Limitless movie, it's easy to keep up.   So without getting all gushy - LIMITLESS had me at... Read More
MY NICOLE KIDMAN INTERVIEW - RABBIT HOLE - 21 February 2011
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8 REASONS TO SEE CATFISH - 01 February 2011
THE FACTS Director – Ariel Schulman & Henry JoostStars – Yaniv Schulman [you'll have to see it to find out who else is in it]THE GIST I don't want to say for fear I may spoil the experience of seeing this film completely ignorant of what's it's about which is the best way to see it.  That's why the next part of this review is tricky...THE REASONS 1        This film is engaging, powerful and... Read More
8 REASONS TO SEE THE GREEN HORNET 3D - 25 January 2011
THE FACTS Director – Michel GondryStars – Seth Rogan, Jay Chou, Christoph Waltz, Tom Wilkinson, Cameron Diaz, Edward Furlong THE GIST Britt Reid is a rich brat.  His mean ol' dad dies.  So Britt teams up with his dad’s whiz-kid assistant Kato and they become a masked crime –fighting duo with lots of great superhero toys. THE REASONS 1        Jay Chou – big star in Asia on the way to becoming a big star in... Read More
ROBERT DE NIRO'S SPEECH MADE THE GLOBES GOLDEN - 18 January 2011
At 9 mins 40 seconds in he says about movies:'It's up to the audiences to decide if it's entertainment, the critics to decide if it's good and ultimately, posterity to decide if it's art.'Here's the whole seg: Read More
FLICKERFEST IS THE BOMB AND TOUR INFO - 17 January 2011
It was a great thing to be a juror for the 20th Flickerfest at Bondi Pavillion.  The films have screened, the awards have been won and now groups of entries will tour Australia so everyone can get a look at the most eclectic short films made in the last couple of years.All the award winning films are fantastic and easy to recommend.  But other notable entries include the sniper thriller ANA'S PLAYGROUND and a thought-provoking political comedy called DIPLOMACY.  There is no film festival like Flickerfest which showcases just over 100 films selected... Read More
TRUE GRIT - A COEN WESTERN - 17 January 2011
The Coen Bros have done a re-make of True Grit – the 1969 John Wayne classic western about an alcoholic, world-weary lawman who helps a teenage girl avenge her father’s murder.  The original co-starred Robert Duvall, Glenn Campbell and Dennis Hopper.  It won the 1970 Best Actor Oscar for John Wayne and became a career-defining role for the heavy smoking actor who didn’t have a huge range, but like Arnold Schwarzenegger, he was damn good at what did. So fast forward to 2011 and landing on Australian screens is the new version with Oscar winner Jeff... Read More
THE MOVIE NETWORK OUTTAKES REEL - 22 December 2010
memories... Read More
My Top 10 Movies Of 2010 - 15 December 2010
There are in no particular order. 1   Kick Ass – well shot actioner with a tough aspirational pre-pubescent role model for women of all ages 2   The Kings Speech – perfect script, perfectly directed with perfect performances from a perfect cast 3   Get Him To The Greek – freed us all to rejoice in rock piggery all over again 4   Tangled – an inspirational musical with non-cheesy... Read More
Ben Mendelsohn wins AFI Best Actor for Animal Kingdom - 14 December 2010
And here he is backstage at the AFIs with me straight after the win - in the Star Pics Star Suite.I was personally thrilled to bits for him.It was an astonishing performance from an actor who is more and more in the league of Sean Penn as the evolution of his acting continues.(Better sense of humour than Sean Penn too.) Read More
AUSTRALIAN ACTORS WHO LOOK LIKE COLONEL SANDERS - 30 November 2010
While doing a fun and informative interview with RED HILL writer/director Patrick Hughes along with lead actor Ryan Kwanten (True Blood), I wanted to find an interesting way to get into talking about the casting of Steve Bisley.  So I asked them 'why is it that Australian actors get to a certain age and then all look like Colonel Sanders?'Patrick laughed so hard, he took a few moments to recover.  When he did answer, he said he got most of the cast to grow full beards so the makeup department could shape them into character beards for filming. Read More
Why We Need Machete - The Movie And The Man - 15 November 2010
Revenge is the central theme of a lot of films – Westerns in particular – and the reason they are so popular is because they touch something deep within humanity. It’s the inherent desire for justice. We like to get our fix via film because it’s too haphazard an unreliable in real life.  We can’t count on justice unless other variables come into play such as having a better lawyer on the day or a lot of cash so justice can be bought. Life isn’t fair.  Bill Gates told us that.  I don’t know how he knows but he... Read More
Johnny Cash TO DO List - 29 October 2010
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MY 88 FAVOURITE FILMS OF ALL TIME - 24 October 2010
...in no particular order: THE LION KING                        LA FEMME NIKITA THE BEAR                                      THE USUAL SUSPECTS THE GODFATHER            ... Read More
THE TOWN IS THE BOMB - 11 October 2010
Wow.  If Ben Affleck has lagged behind his Boston buddy Matt Damon in the acting stakes, he's making up ground behind the camera as a director.This latest film THE TOWN has him acting in the lead role as well - and he's pretty good.  Jeremy Renner (THE HURT LOCKER) is better but he's got the richer role.  In fact - give Renner an Oscar now.  The guy is good.  His style reminds me of Russell Crowe.  And his easy way with props - ie high-powered weaponry - is ballistic and balletic.  An assault rifle is a true extension of his arm.Is... Read More
Mad Men Seduction Lines - 13 September 2010
Would any of these work on you?   Read More
JOAQUIN PHOENIX - I'M STILL HERE BUT NOT ALL THERE - 13 September 2010
I'M STILL HERE will have people wondering - is Joaquin Phoenix all there?The twice Oscar-nominated actor (Gladiator and Walk The Line) is directed by his brother-in-law, the Oscar-nominated Casey Affleck (The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford) in a documentary about a year in his life [released on September 16].  It covers the period from when he blurted out he was leaving acting for hip hop, includes the infamous interview with David Letterman and serves as a reminder of the flipside of fame.Did we need reminding?Well, yeah -... Read More
Mad Men - get up to speed for season 4 - 09 September 2010
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Mad Men Season 4 SNEAK PEEK - goody! - 07 September 2010
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MAD MEN PICK UP LINES - 13 July 2010
Would these work on you?Would these work on anyone?The best line that worked on me was from a guy in a music shop who said, 'what pick line would work on you?'I told him.He said it back to me.But it didn't work.Reason?It's like 2nd hand food.Once it's come out of my mouth then come out of someone else's mouth, it's just not the same. Read More
MACHETE Danny Trejo Is The Leading Man - 13 July 2010
I have loved Danny Trejo for a very long time.He's not a headliner - but he's a great actor.And his presence scares the pants off me.If I thought I was excited about The Expendables (and I still am) I'm wetting myself over Robert Rodriguez's Machete.  A gunslinging padre played by Cheech Marin (he is still smokin' man!).Michelle Rodriguez plays an aspirational character (in my eyes) and looks like an action figure come to life.Don Johnson gets a run (huh?).Lindsay Lohan's name popped up (yawn).But get a load of Danny... Read More
Run Away With The Runaways - 07 July 2010
If there is a God - he gave us The Runaways.  I was 8 years old singing 'Cherry Bomb' into a hairbrush and my parents thought it... Read More
MORE RUSSELL BRAND - 03 July 2010
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FILMMAKERS FACTORY LAUNCH EVENT - VID - 26 June 2010
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STILL FROM RUSSELL BRAND JUNKET IV - 16 June 2010
RB meets RBA shot from the junket interview with Russell Brand for Get Him To The Greek. Read More
RUSSELL BRAND & JONAH HILL INTERVIEW - Get Him To The Greek Q&A on moviehole.net - 13 June 2010
Jonah Hill comments on Johnny Depp's possible appearance in 21 Jump St - the movie.Russell Brand talks a bit about reprising Dudley Moore role in the re-make of Arthur.http://www.moviehole.net/201025160-brand-hill-on-arthur-21-jump-street-remakes Read More
GET HIM TO THE GREEK - my interviews with Russell Brand & Jonah Hill are coming soon. - 09 June 2010
Wow.  Get Him To The Greek is so much freakin’ fun, it’s hard to know where to start. I’ll be really careful with this review because I don’t want to telegraph any jokes or reveal any actual scenes because it’s too much fun to go along to this movie and see it explode right before your... Read More
THE A-HOLE TEAM - BA GOES FROM BAD ASS TO BUGGER ALL - 07 June 2010
So who would you get for the job – The Losers or The A Team? The tagline is ‘problem solved’ and it’s true – but you have to ignore all the other problems they cause in executing the task. Getting the A Team to do... Read More
SHREK 4EVER AFTER - A JOLLY GREEN GIANT OF A MID LIFE CRISIS - IN 3D - 07 June 2010
Sex & The City 2 was themed with the female mid-life crisis of menopause.Shrek 4Ever After 3D is themed with the male mid-life crisis of fatherhood.Is this all there is?  Maybe.  But it might also be worth keeping.Okay - the characters...Puss In Boots - the morbidly obese feline steals the show.  Is he still hot?  Course he is.  And he knows it.The other scene stealer - Gingerbread Dude.Donkey is still superb.And the 3D really does add to the already top notch... Read More
The Paul Cush Interview with Renee Brack - 06 June 2010
Here it is:http://paulcush.wordpress.com/2010/06/06/interview-with-movie-network-channel-host-renee-brack/ Interview with Movie Network Channel Host Renee Brack June 6, 2010 paulcush Read More
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ANIMAL KINGDOM - COME AND MEET MUM AND THE BOYS... - 30 May 2010
Animal Kingdom is an award-winning den of inequity, filled with lying murderers and thieves who rely on gut instinct and a well-oiled hierarchy to get things done. The family is owned and operated by a nurturing mother who feeds her young but if the situation calls for it, she could also dislocate her jaw before consuming one of them. Read More
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MORE SEX IN ANOTHER CITY PAID FOR BY A MAN - 30 May 2010
To cosnume or not to consume?  That was never the question. Well, I’ve seen it.  All 146 minutes of it.  And there is good, bad and ugly in it. THE GOOD Ron White has a bit part as Miranda’s boss.  This comedian is a joy doing stand-up.  Sadly, he was sitting down for all his lines. It’s nicely shot.  Miranda’s olive green halter neck dress in the drunk bar scene with Charlotte was the stand-out designer outfit.  And I want it for myself. The opening gay wedding sequence is a... Read More
THE LOSERS ARE WINNERS 1 of the best movies so far this year - 20 May 2010
WOW!  I just ejected myself from the cinema and wondering if it's too late to join up with Blackwater now that Geroge W Bush is outta the White House.The Losers is a crime thriller with delicious black comedy elements and has perfect casting.It's about a bunch of CIA black ops specialists who get betrayed, left for dead then as fugitives have to find out who set them up and come out winners.  Not an easy task cos these guys are The Losers. Jeffrey Dean Morgan is up there with my fave actors like Ian McShane.  Jason... Read More
Australian Cinematographer's Society Awards on MOVIE EXTRA - 19 May 2010
For the first time ever, the ACS Awards will be televised and I was lucky enough to host it.I chat to Oscar winners and special guests Andrew Lesnie ACS ASC (Lord Of The Rings) and Russell Boyd ACS ASC (Master & Commander).The 43rd Annual ACS Awards screen on channel 417 MOVIE EXTRA at 10.15pm Wed May 19.They're a funny bunch :)More info here: Read More
RED DOG - The Successful Audition - 19 May 2010
Have a go at this beautiful dog:   Read More
JAKE GYLLENHALL IS THE PRINCE OF PERSIA - 19 May 2010
Jakey G is the Pommy belter with delts that don't quit in the new Mike Newell directed popcorn mega SFX movie based on the video game PRINCE OF PERSIA.  The English accents could have caused it to be called The Pom Of Persia.They could have called it Parkour With A Vengeance but - where's Bruce Willis when you... Read More
SCREEN MAVENS Alicia & Renee Dance A Review Of Wog Boy 2 King Of Mykonos - 19 May 2010
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SCREENER EP 11 - We Make Moves On Movies - 19 May 2010
SCREENER premieres every week on whatsplaying.com.auAnd this time Giles Hardie gives it to J-Lo.Clint scoops up the truly latest screen news.Alicia and I decide to dance our review of Wog Boy 2 Kings Of Mykonos.See what you think of our 'moves for movies'... Read More
HOW FREDDY KRUEGER GOT HIS GROOVE - AGAIN - 17 May 2010
There's a new movie sub genre called the 'retro re-make'.  Take a hit franchise from the 80s and re-boot it with new actors and the latest SFX.  It's not Nightmare On Elmo's Street or Nightmare On St Elmo's Fire. But it could be called How Freddy Got His Groove.A Nightmare On Elm Street in 2010 has a new fired up melted maniacal mad man played by Jackie Earle Haley. He's scary enough - grabbed a few lessons from Batman's voice coach who may have picked up an Oscar for coaching Darth Vader.  But until the 3rd act, he... Read More
GEENA DAVIS - THE INTERVIEW - 16 May 2010
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ROBIN CROWE AS RUSSELL HOOD - WORKS FOR ME - 11 May 2010
Going to see a Russell Crowe movie is starting to become an event in itself.  The Oscar-winning actor is getting a status that will have him up there with the likes of Richard Burton - and he'll grow old gracefully and disgracefully - I hope.   Crowe is now such a powerful force on the big screen, I go along just to see him act, perform and work his own magic within a character.   Read More
SALO - AN ESSAY ON THE MOST BANNED FILM EVER - 11 May 2010
YOU'RE DAMNED IF YOU DO AND DAMNED IF YOU DON'T.When the police raided in April 2002, I was sitting on a hard chair illegally added to the aisle of the packed Sydney Chauvel Cinema screening Baise Moi.  The end credits rolled and I was still in the throes of the impact this film was having on me and how much it offended people – so much so, it had been banned in... Read More
IRON MAN 2 FLOATS LIKE AN IRON BUTTERFLY WITH 2 IRON MAIDENS - 28 April 2010
Robert Downey Jr has kicked another goal under the smart and savvy direction of Jon Favreau. As Homer Simpson would say – it’s groin-grabbingly good. The sequel can never produce the same feeling in us as the first film.  But it does succeed in giving us more if what we liked first time round. The key element motivating everything is Tony Stark’s privatization of peace.  Tony is, in effect, portrayed as a good guy but the phrase itself ‘privatization of peace’ wreaks of dishonest capitalism gone mad.  He’s a selfish... Read More
I Love You Too. - 27 April 2010
Peter Helliar (pronounced Hell Yeah) has written a beautiful first feature film about mateship and love.  It’s a Bromantic Comedy.  A Brom Com.  A Bromance.  It’s not a chick flick. And I love it too. Megan Gale did well in her first role – sublimating her own famous persona enough to create the character of Italian supermodel Francesa Moretti.  Some may think it’s not a stretch for a real model to play a fictitious model.  That’s superficial.  In fact, it’s... Read More
We Don't Need A 3rd Incredible Hulk - We Just Need 1 CREDIBLE Hulk. - 23 April 2010
He's the Carl Williams of superheroes.   Read More
SCREENER EP 7 - 2 GUYS 2 GIRLS IN THE CINEMA TRENCHES... - 21 April 2010
Screener ep 7 gets down and dirty in WW1 trench and tunnel warfare with renee brack, alicia malone, brendan cowell, gyton grantley in Beneath Hill 60 and our favourite bloke clint morris sets up a great grudge match: Scott Pilgirm VS The World and simon morado who questions why Denzel Washington was the one chosen to go get The Book Of Eli. renee (that's me) bangs on about having dinner with Geena Davis and alicia got stuck in an elevator with Edward de Bono who dissected her face piece by piece with his odd witticisms.That's what Screener 007 is all about and it's exclusive to... Read More
BULLETPROOF T SHIRTS - 13 April 2010
The bulletproof t shirt - perfect for demonstrations, marches, protests and riots.This will revolutionize street-level politicking.When the humble t shirt first sported its first slogan - the individual could wear his or her politics like a body flag.  It empowered the individual and gave a soapbox to any single voice among the people.No longer did activists have to carry a cumbersome sign.  Wearing a t shirt meant your hands could be free to do other things - like grapple with the police, discharge weapons or simply eat a burger.  And while your... Read More
3D TV - THE NEXT REVOLUTION IN PORN - 13 April 2010
Did you see it coming?If you didn't, you will!And you'll be ducking and dodging all over your living room as the 3D experience arrives on your home TV - and revolutionizes the way people watch porn.It's surprised me that funny and serious sex scenes haven't already popped out at us in some big cinema releases.  The horror genre has already taken up the 3D experience with gusto.  If someone had the guts to hrow in a comedic sex scene, it spark lots of ideas.Historically - when you think about stripping, it's pretty much stayed the same... Read More
I'VE SEEN ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES OF 2010 AND IT'S KICK ASS - 07 April 2010
Just fell out of the KICK ASS screening, kicking and screaming my way home to blog about it.Sensational stuff.Brilliantly shot.Perfectly realized.And finally - an aspirational film for teenage girls who aren't into anything remotely interesting to the Paris Hilton wannabees in life.The daddy-daughter relationship is revered in a cool way. Read More
WHAT MY GENIUS BROTHER KNOWS FOR SURE: PART 11 - 07 April 2010
My brother knows all kinds of stuff and this week he said:'For movies to cut through to the average Joe and punter like me - there has to be a significant body count AND the director has to deliver the body count on screen.  The reason Tarantino didn't win a Best Pic Oscar for INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS this year is because he promised us 100 Nazis scalps and didn't give us 100 Nazis scalps.  And they busted the best character out of jail - then he got knocked off.  Big mistake.'So if a body count is important to your enjoyment of an action film - click on... Read More
CRASH OF THE TITANS - NO ONE ESCAPES THE CHEESEY McKRAKEN! - 31 March 2010
What happened to this movie?Clash Of The Titans may be up for a few Razzie Awards in 2011.I anticipated a futuristic fantasy film about ancient arguments between gods and men - an epic hero's journey (a la Chris Vogler) back in the time when there were lots of gods celebrated for giving in to all of the deadly sins - greed, lust, avarice, sloth etc.  Religion was fun back then and as dangerous as it is today with just as much fanaticism and terrorism.Instead, we got a Titans movie that seemed to be written by gamers for gamers with next to no character... Read More
Screener ep 4 - Miley Cyrus VS refugees in France - 30 March 2010
Miley Cyrus in one movie - fleeing refugees in another.Both out in cinemas this week.Who wins the battle of the tragic love stories? http://www.whatsplaying.com.au/2010/03/screener-episode-4/ Read More
NEW DOCO 'GOING VERTICAL' HAD ME HORIZONTAL WTH ADMIRATION - 25 March 2010
If you get the chance to see the doco GOING VERTICAL on the big screen - catch that wave and see it.It's an engrossing account of the history of the short board revolution in surfing with footage that just rocks.  I've seen the movie twice and loved it.  Buddies who came with me felt the resolution was set up and cheesey - I disagree.  There was a revolution in a long held rivalry that needed to be had.Trailer here: Read More
I LIKE THIS T-SHIRT - 25 March 2010
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SCREENER EP 3 Dragon Tatt A Cop Out - 24 March 2010
Alter Egos Malicia Alone and Renbot Tha Fembot have a new episode of their web show SCREENER at whatsplaying.com.au - click here: http://tinyurl.com.au/40t Don't listen to the critics of COP OUT.  It's in the same genre as Lethal Weapon, 48 Hours and Rush Hour.(And the bald villain gave me warm memories of the sociopathic punk in REPO MAN (1984).  It's a cult classic starring Emilio Estevez in his greatest role along with the terminally delightfully weird Harry Dean Stanton.  And don't even get... Read More
Nobel Not Noble - 23 March 2010
It’s common knowledge that Alfred Nobel invented, patented and made a motza out of dynamite in the late 19th century.  He followed in his father’s footsteps and manufactured the product for the military then quickly became one of the richest war machine tycoons on the planet.  (Sounds familiar…)This same guy started the Nobel Prize for excellence in various disciplines but most famously for peace.The Nobel Peace Prize.I feel slapped by the blatant irony.The Nobel Prize is given to us by – and... Read More
THE REBOUND - MUMMY'S BOY REMAINS - MUMMY'S BOY - 09 March 2010
THE REBOUND is about about a grown man who lives at home with his mum [and dad] and falls in love with another mum [a milf] and travels the world to return to - both his mums.  Not sure if he finds himself - or the symbolic child within.  Not sure if he's sure either.Anyway - the movie stars Catherine Zeta Jones as the woman who's still got it while Justin Bartha plays the pup trying to work it all out.  It's the latest celebration of the cougar phenomenon - but with less of the one night stand stuff and more of the deep and meaningful feelings that are associated... Read More
THE TRAVEL AGENT IS DEAD film comp - 09 March 2010
I'm a judge for a short film competition coming up in May with the intriguing title of THE TRAVEL AGENT IS DEAD.10 finalists will compete for prizes with their work screening at the Chauvel Cinema, Paddington, Sydney. All you need to do is submit a 30 second TVC creatively interpreting this title: THE TRAVEL AGENT IS DEAD.  It can be any genre and any style.  More ... Read More
AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY - 09 March 2010
Bill Hicks was a philosopher, a visionary and a comedian who lived in a transparent world.  He saw everything for what it really was - then showed us the absurdity of it all.Tragically dead at 32.His comic genius is easy to find on youtube - but we're all looking forward to the movie.  Check out the trailer here:http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=27221  Read More
SCREENER - 1ST EP ON GR8 NEW SITE whatsplaying.com.au - 09 March 2010
Leash and I did a fun show a couple of years ago called THE REN & LEASH SHOW.We loved doing it and have morphed it into SCREENER which is a new movie web show on one of Clint Morris' cool sites:  http://tinyurl.com.au/33fLet me know what you think.  Read More
THE BUNNIES SAW IT ALL... - 09 March 2010
This is the short film that should have won the Oscar.RABBIT A LA BERLIN is cute, funny, sad, shocking, tragic, historic and unique.It tells the story of the Berlin Wall - as told from the point of view of the bunnies who lived on the strip of land that separated East & West Germany.Check it out: Read More
HURT LOCKER IS A BETTER MILITARY MOVIE THAN AVATAR - 08 March 2010
My brother rightly pointed out - when James Cameron used the phrase 'shock and awe' in his script, he jerked his audience out of 2154 and planted us in present day Iraq.  And what's with the relic 20th century wheelchair in 2154?  I know Sam Worthington's character couldn't afford surgery for his bung legs - but that wheelchair would be a valuable museum piece.  He wouldn't have been able to afford that either.And the derivative story that Cameron claimed to have written 15 years ago?  It's been suggested Avatar could be re-titled Pocahontas In Space. ... Read More
SHOCKING WAR VIDEO IS NO SURPRISE - 06 March 2010
'War is hell' is a well-known quote and catchphrase but only truly understood by those who are right in the thick of it.This vid gives you a tourist visa for the thick of it:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XE4eRiKrz8 Read More
My Don King Impersonation - 02 March 2010
[rb shooting Movie Juice links at Movie Extra Tropfest 2010]It's one thing to be backlit -which is nice -but I think I look like Don King in this shot. Read More
THE LOSERS - looking forward to this movie - 03 February 2010
She's the girl I want to be hanging out with the kind of guys you'd want to have as friends.(And one of them is The Comedian from Watchmen!)Check out the trailer: Read More
Solomon Islands with the Australian Defence Force - 01 February 2009
‘I don’t want to be where there are any pubs, clubs or under-35 tourists. I want to get away somewhere that has cultural and historical significance. And I want to go to the beach. Somewhere tropical.’ That was the brief I gave a travel agent when I was 25 years old and going on my first solo overseas trip. It wasn’t a holiday in the traditional sense. I don’t go on ‘vacation’. I go and do stuff. Adventure. Anyway – this travel agent sent me to Guadalcanal – the site of vigorous battles between the Japanese and the US during... Read More