With @WatchItWombat
What do a chainsaw, a climbing axe and a clarinet have in common? They’re all used as weapons… on a plane… full of assassins… 40,000 feet in the air.
If that sounds bonkers, it’s because it is, and also bloody good fun – emphasis on bloody. Despite having wads of exposition thrown at you for most of the movie, the plot is pretty simple – Josh Hartnett must survive a plane full of killers to protect the world’s most wanted fugitive.
Similar to blood splatter in a cockpit, Josh Hartnett’s career has been all over the place. Despite a CV full of critical hits and misses, I always feel like he commits to each role. In fact, he’s so committed in this movie, that he performed all of his own stunts and it pays off. This is due to some excellent choreography and tricky camera work from first time feature director James Madigan. Which makes the whole film even more impressive, considering most of the film takes place in the confines of a plane, with enough stunts to make John Wick wince. You can tell the supporting cast are mostly made up of stunt-actors because every brutal bone cracking blow lands hard (plus they’re also given very little to say). Bridgerton’s Charithra Chandran helps bring a lighter, more levelheaded tone to this manic journey.
Fight or Flight is In cinemas from September 4.
Final Thoughts and Film Details
Despite the action, there’s also some political commentary jammed in for good measure, but it’s excess baggage and easily ignored. The film’s pace is occasionally slowed by laborious scenes featuring Katee Sackhoff. Let’s be clear, she’s not to blame, she’s clearly having a blast as the villainous boss, she just has no real talent to bounce off of.
Like a nervous flyer, I’d suggest a couple of glasses of your favourite tipple before taking your seat, to really help ease the journey and make the whole experience more enjoyable. Without spoiling anything, the film sets itself up for a sequel and after the amount of laughs I had, I’d be ready for a return flight. The most chaotic film you’ll see all year.
Fight or Flight is In cinemas from September 4.
Movie Review: This Is Spinal Tap
If you haven’t seen the ultimate rock comedy masterpiece on the big screen, now is your chance.
A groundbreaking and zeitgeist-defining comedy, this 80s mockumentary (one of, if not THE first of its kind) follows the fictional British rock band Spinal Tap on their disastrous American tour – satirising the big rock bands of the 70s and 80s, and their even bigger egos.
You’re given an all-access pass to the lives of band members – David St Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derek Smalls – as they deal with their plummeting popularity, backstage disasters and clashing personalities.
The genius of this film lies mostly in its improvised moments and committed performances from each actor. You’ll believe that they believe that they are as good as they believe. So committed is everyone on screen that, upon its original release, most audiences thought the band and the documentary to be real. Its influence has spread far and wide and is still emulated today with shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation and Borat.
Louder, Sharper, and Back for More
Although farcical, This Is Spinal Tap is ultimately a love letter to rock and roll and the artists who bring so much joy to people’s lives. Subtly, you’ll start to appreciate what real life bands must have to go through and the challenges they must face.
I love that this re-release is celebrating the 41st anniversary, as though the band couldn’t get it together in time for their 40th.
However, the real reason for its release is due to the sequel, This Is Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, rocking cinemas later this year. Don’t worry, you won’t have to endure scratchy VHS quality in the cinema, it’s been remixed and remastered in 4K so you can experience every cringeworthy catastrophe in the highest quality on the big screen.
This Is Spinal Tap, in cinemas 7 August.
The Aegean Movie Review
How do you start a new life alone in a foreign country?
While fleeing his homeland, Theo washes up in a small Greek fishing village in the Aegean Sea. In order to survive and start his new life, he seeks to make a living from the island’s primary source of income – fishing. After convincing the grumpy widower Hector to let him join his one-man crew, they discover they may have a lot in common. It’s not all smooth sailing, as Theo must contend with a thug, determined to wreak havoc on his new life and sever his growing bond with Hector.
Behind the Film: Inspiration, Cast and Visuals
I spoke with the talented director and Brisbane local Jacob Richardson to find out why he wanted to tell this story on a remote Greek island. Jacob said he wanted to make a film that tackled his own experiences with his grandfather.
“He was dealing with the grief of losing my grandmother and I wanted to do so in a way that took our very small but universal story and told it on this big, expansive, mythic island – grounding it in a broader examination of the refugee crisis,” Jacob said.
Jacob achieved what he set out to accomplish by creating a universal story that would work in any language, brought to life by a superb cast. Although they may be relatively unknown to some, the pairing of Costas Mandylor’s Hector and newcomer Nicky Dune’s Theo was a great move. The contrast of the two actors, one stoic and the other the epitome of youth, keeps you watching to see how they’ll influence each other.
Despite the troubling themes of loss and survival, this isn’t a ‘woe is me’ story. The Aegean shows us how we can deal with our losses and learn to create a new life for ourselves without forgetting those that we’ve left behind.
The breathtaking scenery and cinematography deserve to be experienced on the big screen, so I urge you to grab a seat in a boutique cinema and settle down for an emotional journey about the human condition. Lovers of heartfelt stories set against stunning backdrops, treat yourself to this charming tale.
The Aegean, in Aussie cinemas May 16.
Looney Tunes: The Day the Earth Blew Up
with by @WatchItWombat
I’ll admit, I probably got up way too early as a kid on Saturday mornings to sit in front of the TV, watching cartoons until my eyes went square. One of the staples of my morning routine were Looney Tunes cartoons. So, as an adult, I was keen to see what their first-ever fully animated feature-length movie (created for the big screen) had to offer.
Looney Tunes: The Day the Earth Blew Up follows Daffy Duck and Porky Pig working at a bubblegum factory and accidentally discover an alien plot to take over Earth…with bubblegum, of course. When the aliens launch their invasion, Daffy and Porky must team up to stop them and save humanity. As they race against time, Daffy’s bravado and Porky’s cautious nature bring both chaos and comedy in their quest to prevent the Earth’s destruction. The pair, along with Petunia Pig are the only classic characters featured, but they carry it well. It may not have the A-list voice cast of a Disney movie, but Eric Bauza expertly juggles voicing both lead roles as Porky and Daffy, which is no mean feat.
Hours of Madcap Fun
The animation style is a bit of a mixed bag. Blending traditional Warner Bros style, art deco and even a bit of Ren & Stimpy weirdness to really tap into your childhood memories. But that’s not all folks, the speedy pacing and general chaotic energy will help keep the attention of younger varmints, which most of us know is becoming increasingly harder. Luckily, The Day The Earth Blew Up is packed with a number of storylines to really tickle those little grey cells.
At first it seems like your average ‘save the farm’ movie but it grows into something surprising and more sincere than I expected. When you combine all of this with the fast moving plot, whacky sounds and colourful characters, you have a couple of hours of madcap fun.
Bring your kids and immerse yourself in the nostalgia and chaos of classic cartoons. Hopefully, you’ll pass on the wonderful world of Looney Toons to a whole new generation.
Looney Tunes: The Day the Earth Blew Up is in Aussie cinemas now.
Read more stories from our Redcliffe Guide print magazine here:
- Reddy Roundup: Updates from the Community
- What’s Hot Around Town
- Podcast Review: Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum
- Screen Acting Shines in Scarborough
- Swap, Share and Grow at Redcliffe Museum’s Plant Swap
- Encourage Your Little Marine Biologist With Kids’ Scuba
- Arcade Wine: A European Experience in Redcliffe
- Youthful Entrepreneur an Eco-Champion
- 1939: Redcliffe Faces War Again
- Are you getting enough?
- Fatigue vs. Burnout: Understanding the Difference for Workers and Business Owners
- A Word From Our Reps
- Where to Honour Our Soldiers This ANZAC Day
- Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race: A Thrilling Easter Tradition
- Redcliffe Shows Resilience As Cyclone Alfred Hits
- Rock Out at the Museum for Youth Week
- Pontiacs Take Over Redcliffe: Iconic Cars and a Big Record Attempt
- School to Open New Café for Hospitality Students
- Simplicity in Music and Memorial
- Things to do around Redcliffe for Easter
- Organic Gardening in April
- Choose Bob at Brisbane Comedy Festival
