Australia

[Tim]

I finally had a free evening to go see "Australia." I'm still in shock. Absolutely epic. This is a major step up for Baz Luhrmann, who was already one of the best filmmakers in the business. I've loved every film he's made, and this one was no different. Beautifully layered, incomparable production design, the right amount of humor and emotion. It was simply fantastic!

Tim

[Surfah]

I finally had a free evening to go see "Australia." I'm still in shock. Absolutely epic. This is a major step up for Baz Luhrmann, who was already one of the best filmmakers in the business. I've loved every film he's made, and this one was no different. Beautifully layered, incomparable production design, the right amount of humor and emotion. It was simply fantastic!

Tim

Strictly Ballroom
Romeo + Juliet
Moulin Rouge
Austrailia

Tim I thought you were a guy.

[TripletDaddy]

I love Baz...Romeo and Juliet is still a contemporary fave of mine, even with Leo in the starring role.

But this movie is getting panned in the traders. Did you really dig it? Maybe I will check it out.

Milk is getting serious buzz. It will be really interesting when Golden Globe nominations come out. I think Milk will get a few major nods, including picture, director and actor.

[Tim]

Strictly Ballroom
Romeo + Juliet
Moulin Rouge
Austrailia

Tim I thought you were a guy.

Come on, Surfah... you know I don't care about being a Marlboro Man. I have 25 pairs of shoes, I buy specialty face-shaving product (Anthony Logistics shave cream), and I appreciate film as art. I also love making out with women, daydreaming about sex, and sports. So be it!

Tim

[RobinFinderson]

Curious. Australia wasn't even on my radar (for lack of interest). Right now I have Milk and Slum Dog Millionaire on my 'to see' list before I would consider Australia. And try as hard as I might, I couldn't get into Moulin Rouge.

[Tim]

I love Baz...Romeo and Juliet is still a contemporary fave of mine, even with Leo in the starring role.

But this movie is getting panned in the traders. Did you really dig it? Maybe I will check it out.

Milk is getting serious buzz. It will be really interesting when Golden Globe nominations come out. I think Milk will get a few major nods, including picture, director and actor.

I really did dig it. I've always loved Baz's work, though, so perhaps I'm biased. Moulin Rouge has always had its detractors, too, but the proof is in the pudding. This, I believe, is the turning of a new leaf for Baz, and much like how there was a natural progression from Strictly Ballroom to Romeo + Juliet to Moulin Rouge, I would bet that his next film (5-7 years from now) will build on Australia.

There were a number of things that were noteworthy, including the whimsical initial portrayal of Kidman's character, the discussion of aboriginal culture and its value in Australian culture, and the (to be expected) production design, but one thing that I appreciated was the simple way in which Baz Luhrmann paid homage to his homeland. There's something genuine in the imagery, something open and honest. He romanticizes his home, much like we Americans tend to do, and I appreciate the optimism that he shows for his native land.

Tim

[TripletDaddy]

I really did dig it. I've always loved Baz's work, though, so perhaps I'm biased. Moulin Rouge has always had its detractors, too, but the proof is in the pudding. This, I believe, is the turning of a new leaf for Baz, and much like how there was a natural progression from Strictly Ballroom to Romeo + Juliet to Moulin Rouge, I would bet that his next film (5-7 years from now) will build on Australia.

There were a number of things that were noteworthy, including the whimsical initial portrayal of Kidman's character, the discussion of aboriginal culture and its value in Australian culture, and the (to be expected) production design, but one thing that I appreciated was the simple way in which Baz Luhrmann paid homage to his homeland. There's something genuine in the imagery, something open and honest. He romanticizes his home, much like we Americans tend to do, and I appreciate the optimism that he shows for his native land.

Tim

how was the music? Baz has always used great music.

[RockyBalboa]

That's the 1st positive review I've read of it.

The previews made it look painfully dull and a non-stop cliche festival.

[Tim]

Curious. Australia wasn't even on my radar (for lack of interest). Right now I have Milk and Slum Dog Millionaire on my 'to see' list before I would consider Australia. And try as hard as I might, I couldn't get into Moulin Rouge.

I'm also looking forward to seeing Milk and Slumdog Millionaire. I'm also looking forward to Benjamin Button, mostly because I have a sick appreciation for David Fincher films, and because I think that Fitzgerald was onto something with his short story. I think a film will give a deeper understanding to the concept, albeit loosely, than Fitzgerald's 10-pager did. I also tend to love anything Sam Mendes makes, so I'm looking forward to Revolutionary Road. I guess there are a few of the more "mainstream" filmmakers that I appreciate who've had films coming out this month.

Tim

[Tim]

That's the 1st positive review I've read of it.

The previews made it look painfully dull and a non-stop cliche festival.

It's definitely full of cliche. But that's Baz Luhrmann. He's a romantic in the purest artistic definition of the term.

Tim

[Tim]

how was the music? Baz has always used great music.

The rich musicality wasn't in this film. There's a recurring "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" theme. The score was more symphonic than adapted from pop music, though. It was definitely a change.

Tim

[Surfah]

Come on, Surfah... you know I don't care about being a Marlboro Man. I have 25 pairs of shoes, I buy specialty face-shaving product (Anthony Logistics shave cream), and I appreciate film as art. I also love making out with women, daydreaming about sex, and sports. So be it!

Tim

You're a good sport. I hated Moulin Rouge. I also hated Romeo + Juliet. I never saw Strictly Ballroom. Gidge wants to see Austrailia. She's a fan of the other films here. I already took her to Twilight. I think that was punishment enough.

[Tim]

You're a good sport. I hated Moulin Rouge. I also hated Romeo + Juliet. I never saw Strictly Ballroom. Gidge wants to see Austrailia. She's a fan of the other films here. I already took her to Twilight. I think that was punishment enough.

I will not see Twilight.

Tim

[TripletDaddy]

I also hated Romeo + Juliet.

Whoa, repent. This was a brilliant adaption. West Side Story is the best modern adaptation, but this one was very creative.

Also....radiohead. Talk Show Host. Exit Music.

[MarkGrace]

I'm also a huge Baz fan and have eagerly awaited his follow-up to Moulin Rouge. But I don't know, something about Australia just doesn't seem very interesting. And whatever happened to Katherine the Great? That was always rumored to be his next movie but never came to fruition.