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dlpullar
Reviews
Eye of the Beholder (1999)
Must have been badly marketed
I think this movie gets a bad rap because it was targeted at the wrong audience. No, it's clearly not an exciting thriller and no there aren't many explosions to maintain interest. It certainly doesn't make a whole lot of sense. But, to your typical indie-flick buff, none of these are major problems.
To me, it was a slick, intriguing piece of modern noir. It took a fairly tired formula (ie. the chase thriller) and turned it on its head by having character development, complicated motives and a non-conventional ending.
I loved it.
Lásky jedné plavovlásky (1965)
Hard to fault
I hadn't seen any of Milos Forman's work before I saw this, and it really surprised me (pleasantly). It was a really funny film, with clever characters, very realistic interactions and some surprisingly cheeseless slapstick moments. Also has a movingly downbeat finale.
I doubt many people will make the effort to watch a little known black and white Czech film from the 60s, but those that do will be rewarded.
Nogo (2002)
A pleasant surprise
I originally went to see this at the Melbourne International Film Festival because of the cool Sofa Surfers soundtrack. However, I came out of feeling pretty lucky on all counts. This story of love and death was moving, hilarious and philosophical. The characters are complex and interesting as well as very well acted. The cinematography was innovative and the screenplay was witty and real.
Oh yeah...and the soundtrack was pretty good.
Tart (2001)
Avoid at all costs!
Just once in a while you see a movie so mind-numbingly awful that you have to comment on it. This was that movie. Poorly scripted, acted and totally unbelievable. It's movies like these that show you how good the banal Hollywood trash usually is!
Delivery Day (2001)
A stunning and beautiful film
I saw this film at the St Kilda Film Festival in early 2001 and it blew me away. I had no idea that low-budget Australian film was in such fine shape. Without all the overblown hype of Moulin Rouge and other pseudo-Australian films, this film manages to capture something about Australian life.
The story is simple and charming, the characters are believable and whoever acts the little girl is hopefully destined for big things. Australia's oft-maligned Vietnamese community has rarely been depicted with such affection and depth.
Without a doubt, the best short film to come out of Australia in years.