The blog of a 53 year-old gay man living in Melbourne, Australia; a writer, broadcaster, critic, arts advocate and Doctor Who fan.
Monday, January 31, 2011
A new theatre blog to visit
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Review: Don Parties On

Last week I attended the world premiere of Don Parties On, the latest work from Australian playwright David Williamson, at the MTC. I was less than impressed. My full review is available at Arts Hub, here, but here's a snippet to whet your appetite:
Happy reading!"Around sound-bites of Kerry O’Brien discussing the unfolding 2010 election results, Williamson’s assemblage of characters bicker, bellow, and pontificate. Here one of the first flaws of the play becomes quickly evident: these constructs don’t speak in dialogue, they talk in exposition and rhetoric, sounding more like Williamson himself than well realised characters.
Too, they’re thinly drawn; two dimensional at best (with the sole exception of the caustic and cutting Jenny, who brings some much needed life to the party when she arrives). At worst, in the case of the snivelling man-child Richard and Roberta, his drama queen lover, they’re totally one dimensional; an impression that is not helped by both Gilshenan and Shiels badly overplaying their roles, a fault that can only be laid at the feet of director Robyn Nevin, who should have pulled them back.
Other faults in the production, such as the static blocking of the characters on stage, are definitely Nevin’s fault also, but most of the flaws in the play are clearly Williamson’s."
Monday, January 03, 2011
Farewell to 2010 part one: Cinema
Since I missed out on quite a few of the so-called 'best' films of the year (e.g. The White Ribbon, Un prophète) I'm going to list my personal favourites - the films that most moved or excited me - rather than claiming that these are the absolute cinematic highlights of the year.
In the order in which I saw them, then, here's my Top Ten for 2010:

A harrowing film about redemption, Precious is the story of an obese, illiterate African-American teenager (Gabourey Sidibe) who is pregnant to her own father for the second time; whose mother belittles and beats her; but who refuses to let life grind her down. The film’s grim nature may put some people off, and certainly the cavalcade of misery Precious lives through is difficult to stomach, but while director Lee Daniel doesn’t skimp on the grim details of the story, he also imbues the film with a palpable sense of grace. Harrowing and difficult viewing, but ultimately uplifting and inspiring.


A breath of fresh air for that tired old genre, the coming out film, this charming coming of age film from Sweden also showed at the 2010 MQFF, having previously screened in 2009 at the Nordic Film Festival (which sadly appears to have vanished off the festival calendar following its one-off appearance that year). Set in 1989, and opening with a direct-to-camera monologue that quickly establishes the light and engaging tone of the film, The Man Who Loved Yngve centres on Jarle Klepp (Rolf Kristian Larsen), a bored teenager living in Norway’s oil capital, Stavanger, whose life in turned upside down when he falls in love with a new student, Yngve (Ole Christoffer Ertvåg). Incisive direction ensures that the film authentically captures the heartbreak and joy adolescent romance; and the film’s refusal to resort to cliché - and the filmmakers’ decision not to pigeonhole Jarle’s sexuality (films acknowledging bisexual identity are rare on the queer festival circuit) - were especially welcome.

The most highly acclaimed Australian film of the year, David Michôd's debut feature is a truly remarkable, albeit low key, domestic drama about a family of career criminals; and was partially inspired by the 1988 murder of two young policemen in Walsh Street, South Yarra and the unsuccessful court case which followed. Central performances from Jacki Weaver, Ben Mendelsohn and understated newcomer James Frecheville are all excellent, as is the sound design; and the film caught my attention right from the word go thanks to its understated and surprising opening scene. Rather than a flashy, high-octane gangster flick, Michôd has crafted an oppressive, subtle and powerful drama, where suspense is created by the camera lingering and holding a shot instead of leaping from scene to scene. It’s a remarkably confident debut feature, and a truly compelling film.





Gleefully offensive, wonderfully romantic, and featuring an electrifying chemistry between its two male leads, Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor, this hard-to-believe-it's-based-on-a-true-story-but-it-is prison rom-com was hands down the funniest film I saw all year. The fact that it still hasn't got distribution in Australia is nothing short of criminal.

This ebullient, hilarious and charming film about an 11 year old boy called Boy (James Rolleston) successfully combined comedy, pathos and nostalgia its its evocation of a 1980s childhood spent in rural New Zealand. Part coming of age story, part family tragedy, it's hilarious, heartfelt and absolutely delightful.
Honourable mentions: Bran Nue Dae, The Road, Welcome, The Kids Are All Right, Scott Pilgrim vs The World, The Social Network, The King's Speech.
Dishonourable Mentions: The Wolfman, Robin Hood, The Wedding Party, Clash of the Titans.