Monday, March 5, 2012

Q17: Kangaroo Jack

Here is a trailer for Kangaroo Jack.  Watch and respond.

(Note, the song they are singing first is Men At Work's popular "Land Down Under."  There is also a reference to the pop classic Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuhkz4iluSc

Q16: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Not anticipating great feedback, I added this trailer.  It has become popular over the years.

So here it is.  Watch and respond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV-Zzasrky8

Q15: Proposition

A few years old, this was the latest installment in the Australian western genre that made its way to the States.  It's very violent, but very good.  Plus, it has Ray Winstone and Emily Watson.

Watch and respond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcmXPkzJyks

Q14: Rabbit-Proof Fence

A blue card?  I don't know what that means; I've never seen one before.  Maybe it's Australian.  ?

The scriptwriter did a phenomenal job turning a dry narrative into a compelling story.  The director and the cast did the rest.  Everyone's work culminates into a great film.

Watch and respond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB-jkydqADg

Q13: Ned Kelly

Based on the legends of Ned Kelly, this film is a good example of an Australian western.

Watch and respond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doArSp1AIUw

Q12: Australia

The film promises to have it all, but does it deliver?

Watch and respond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL1arpIciq4&feature=related

Q11: Heaven's Burning

Are you seeing a recurring theme yet?  Cars, deserts, guns, violence, scary people?  They're a lot like our westerns.  :)

Watch and respond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHbXD3oRiIo

Q10: Wolf Creek

If you like horror, you'll like this.  It takes a while to get going, but you have to get to know how creepy the antagonist is.  It's pretty gruesome.  (The trailer has a green card, so you're ok.  If you watch the movie, though, beware toward the ending.)

Watch and respond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm8duRDsS8E

Q9: Whale Rider

The little girl was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in this portrayal of aboriginal life.

Watch and respond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE7-_Z03Aw4

Q8: Ten Canoes

This is another film about aboriginal tribes.  I thought the storyteller voice over narration would drive me nuts, but it really does work.  The switch from black and white to color also works.

Watch and respond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vzf9BAVGZc

Q7: Whaledreamers

You can hear the digideroo in the music again!

This film has great cinematography, even if it's a little short on fast moving storyline.

Watch and respond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke03pxGFypQ

Q6: Once We Were Warriors

This is not Seven's biography!  HOwever, you can see some great Maori tattooing (or makeup) in this video.

Watch and respond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NV45ZuepZo 

Q5: Crocodile Dundee

Another bad film.  The 80s was a desperate time in filmmaking history.

Watch and respond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X1726pwQIE

Q4: Mad Max

Dear heavens, this is a bad film, but it's the best of the trilogy (yes, they made two more).  It's also the film that made Mel Gibson.

Watch and respond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkriid1YxHY

Q3: Proof

Not to be confused with the award-winning play and horrible remake with Anthony Hopkins, this film is almost 20 years old.  It's an interesting character study.  Before this film, I had underestimated Crowe as having good comic timing.

Watch and respond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AixgCHv2N7I&feature=related

Q2: Romper Stomper

The film isn't phenomenal, but this is one of the most powerful trailers I've ever seen; the ending is fantastic.   (It may also be interesting if you thought that we were the only country with these issues. ...)

Watch and respond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXa-nAYdjrk

Q1: The Sum of Us

While not a great film about Australian culture, this is a cute film about fathers and sons.  It's also fascinating to watch Russell Crowe in his early years tackle an unconventional role.

Watch and respond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eqRqq-GywM