Tag: cinema
Six great Prisoner of War films you might not have seen
Ever since there has been war, there have been prisoners of war. In times gone by, they might have been sold into slavery, recruited into the winning side, or just killed out of hand. As societies became more civilised, they began to treat prisoners with more care, putting them in camps under guard, and providing…
You Better Take Cover: Men at Work Down Under
There was once a time when many Australians believed that the 1981 song Down Under by Men at Work should be the national anthem. Come to think of it, they probably still do. Which is why I’m quite sure that You Better Take Cover, Harry Hayes’ new documentary account of the song’s history, is likely…
Powerful Put-Downs: 8 Downright Devilish Onscreen Insults
A well-written, expertly relayed verbal barb can be one of the most satisfying things to hear in a movie—especially when it’s proffered to a character who deserves it—and even the smallest throwaway line can be most effective when delivered at the right moment. I’ve heard a lot of celluloid jibes in my day, and I…
Taika Waititi’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople
What is it about the New Zealanders? There is a consistent effortlessness in the cinematic output of this small nation that I can’t help but admire. While Australian filmmakers often find themselves (either deliberately or unconsciously) producing works that strive for international acceptance, New Zealanders seem entirely indifferent to such things. And so it is…
Interviewing Gavin Bond: Todd Who? Todd Rundgren!
Ahead of the premiere screening of his new film, Todd Who?, at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival, I sat down with filmmaker and film critic Gavin Bond to discuss two things. Firstly, I wanted to know what inspired his love of cinema. And secondly, I wanted to know more about how his life-long obsession with…