All posts by Kristina

Australian, Drama

Looking for Alibrandi

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: July 29, 2022
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2022

Review

Warning: This review contains SPOILERS.

A couple of weeks ago I went to see a stage production of Looking for Alibrandi and decided to rewatch the film first, for a bit of a refresher. It was such a pleasure going down this trip of memory lane, one that I haven’t been on for at least a decade.

While I never studied the book for school, I am pretty sure that we did watch the movie. Looking for Alibrandi is the story of three generations of Alibrandi women and was one of the pivotal coming of age movies for my generation. It was the breakout film for Pia Miranda, who stars as Josie (short for Josephine) the 17-year-old whose eyes this film is presented through.

Unsurprisingly most of what has stuck with me from this film are key events that happen with Josie, as that is the character I most related to. She is smart and funny, which is what I aspired to and think I ended up with a very similar sarcastic sense of humour.

I remember very clearly John’s suicide and I think that this may have been the first film that exposed me to that topic. I still struggle to connect with why Josie rips apart what turns out to be his suicide note.

Oddly I had no memory of Kick Gurry being in this film! I remember both he and Pia Miranda being in Garage Days together but not sure why I had forgotten him in this film (sorry Kick!).

Back when this was first released, I was more a fan or at least related to the crush which Josie has on John, rather than the character of Jacob. I find that a bit weird now, as Jacob is a great character, with his own complexities. Watching it now, I really love his school captain speech.

Additionally, when I found myself rewatching the film this time around, I am now the same age as Josie’s mum; Christina (ironic, huh?). I found it really interesting that one of the quotes which really stood out this time around came from Christina. While having a disagreement with her mother and in response to Katia saying she is old and tired of fighting, Christina says:

“And I’m a young woman, I’m tired of being old.”

It’s not that I have a personal connection with that quote to my life, but it just gave me more of an appreciation of the character of Christina that I never really thought about when I was a teenager myself. The sacrifices she had to make, the difficult family life she has and continued strain on her relationship with her mother. She had to grow up very quickly without any support. Now she just wants her daughter to have a better life than she did and has to struggle with Josie having a relationship with her father after it being just the two of them for so long. It’s a lot to take.

I feel that I had a better appreciation that every character is doing it tough in some shape or manner. Just because from the outside someone’s life seems better than yours, you can’t tell what challenges they might be battling.

The film tackles many subjects from the final year of high school (which at the time, feels like the most important year of your life), multi-generational family relationships, the father-daughter relationship, tradition and heritage, and expectations. It also explores growing up with a different heritage through the Australian lens.

While being a moving and complex story, it’s also incredibly funny. A film that produces so many great lines. I especially love the nonna’s spy ring scene! It’s a fantastic cast which brings all these characters to life and the soundtrack that accompanies is a perfect reflection of who Josie is with a balance between traditional Italian and Australian modern music.

While I could go on and on, this isn’t a school essay, and we need to wrap things up.

I very much enjoyed revisiting this film. I found it to be a beautifully told story that many different nationalities will be able to relate to, not just Italians. For so many reasons, it continues to be a relevant story, which if you haven’t seen, you simply must!

Rating:  A Must See

Horror, Thriller

The Black Phone

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: July 23, 2022
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2022

Review

After watching the trailer for The Black Phone and following Ethan Hawke’s performance in Moon Knight, I was intrigued and equally keen to see what he was involved in next.

I then found out that the film was based on a short story of the same name by Joe Hill, and I was in! I haven’t read any of his work but am a very big Stephen King fan, who happens to be his father. I’m conscious that this doesn’t define him either as a person or author, but it provides a new author to investigate and pulled this film towards the top of the list in what to see next.

As I haven’t read this short story before seeing the film, I won’t be able to compare how true to the source material it was and what may have been added or removed. Therefore, my observations will be limited to what the film presented.

I’ll just jump in straight off and say that I really enjoyed the film and the story that it told. It held my attention in all the ways that you want from a thriller, and I enjoyed the suspense provided. There are a couple of scenes that provide a shock value that will have you jolt in your seat however the tone is mostly within the supernatural realm.

I’m not sure if it was done on purpose but I really did get a Stephen King vibe from the style of the film. Whether that is something that runs in the family, or a conscious decision made by the filmmakers, I felt in a familiar zone.

This was amplified by a few references that other SK fans will easily spot; a yellow raincoat, mentions to Boulder, and does Gwen have the shining?

The Black Phone spoke to me about standing up for yourself, the challenges of fitting in at school/society, and explored the bond between siblings.

There aren’t too many big surprises that happen in this film. It’s a simple story at its heart with a neat resolution and that is perfectly ok. Not every film needs to have that big twist which blows your mind. What makes those films special, is that they are rare. It is a pleasure however to have story told well, in both look and feel.

That said, it’s not quite a perfect film. It’s weaknesses lie by the things which are presented but left unexplored. The relationship the father of Finney and Gwen with his children and digging a little bit further into his alcoholism being the first. Another being Gwen’s dreams and the connection with her mother.

I do like it when some things are left up in the air, giving the viewer the opportunity to have further thoughts and considerations well after the film’s end. But the storyline with Gwen feels like it should have been pushed a little further than it was. I feel like there was an additional extra gear required to elevate the tension.

Other positives include Ethan Hawke’s terrific performance of “The Grabber”, which is truly creepy and not over exaggerated. The two main child actors; Mason Thames (Finney) and Madeleine McGraw (Gwen) were both very strong in their roles.

I’ve since borrowed “20th Century Ghosts” from the library which contains this short story and look forward to seeing how it differs.

Rating:  Good

Action, Thriller

The Hunt for Red October

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: July 22, 2022
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2022

Review

It was back to my uncle’s pick for July’s family movie night and he decided on this classic with the master of accents! Jokes aside, this wasn’t a first time viewing for myself but it was a first with the audio description available on Stan.

The Hunt for Red October is based on a novel by Tom Clancy and is the first screen introduction of the character Jack Ryan, who has since been portrayed by Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, Chris Pine, and most recently John Krasinski. While Harrison Ford might be the first actor who comes to mind when the character Jack Ryan is mentioned, the actor who first brought him to life was Alec Baldwin.

I’d say that I have probably seen this film a handful of times and after this latest viewing, it still holds up as a great action thriller. That’s due in no small part to a compelling story filled with high tension. Being set predominately in submarines and a cast of officers also means that the film doesn’t age terribly either.

For better or worse Cold War inspired films are compelling (sadly it still holds some relevance today) and audiences also seem to be attracted to a Russian defection story. A double hit for this film and perhaps why it was and is so popular.

Over time, the pop culture references of Sir Sean Connery playing a Russian character with his renowned Scottish accent is probably the first thing many associate with The Hunt for Red October. I even made light of it in the opening line of this review! Strangely there is also a scene within the film were Alec Baldwin does a Sean Connery impersonation when repeating back a line their characters exchange. Are they making fun of themselves? If I’m honest, the other cast members playing Russians don’t have great accents either…but at least they had a go I suppose!

This somewhat distracts from what is one of the great action films from the nineties and possibly the best in the Jack Ryan outings on film. Viewing after viewing it still holds up and possibly gets better, as you may identify with different characters at different stages of your life.

It’s an interesting story that not only gets you thinking but generates such suspense, keeping you on the edge of your seat time and time again, right up until the dramatic conclusion. I also really enjoyed Alec Baldwin in the role of Jack Ryan, he brings these bursts of mania to the role that can’t help exciting the viewer as he peels back the layers to the mystery that is the Red October.

Additionally, the film has a stellar cast which includes James Earl Jones, Sam Neill, and Courtney B. Vance just to name a few. The performances are strong, and each actor has their space on screen without taking your attention away from each other or where it is needed.

I also liked the way the film transitions into English after starting in Russian. It’s a nice technique used to place the viewer at ease rather than switching between English and sub-titles for the whole film. In this case I think it would have provided a distraction to not do so. The transition occurs between two Russian officers where a poem is being read very early in the film. It reminds me of the use of the wind in Disney’s Pocahontas allowing the lead characters to communicate. Look I know it’s a weird reference to use here but I’m of a certain generation and here we are!

If you’ve yet to introduce yourself into the world of Jack Ryan, The Hunt for Red October is a great place to start. You won’t be disappointed!

Rating:  Good

Comedy

The Big Lebowski

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: July 21, 2022
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2022

Review

After watching No Country for Old Men, I was in a bit of a Coen brothers mood and thought to myself, why not tick another film off the watchlist and decided on The Big Lebowski. It’s a favourite with a couple of my friends and I also saw it featured in the documentary “Time Warp: The Greatest Cult Films”.

Quite a different film to anything else I’ve seen the Coen brothers do. This is more a comedy of errors narrative, which is a proven formula you can’t go wrong with.

The plot revolves around Jeffrey Lebowski, better known as ‘The Dude’, who just wants the rug from his loungeroom to be replaced after an incident that occurred after being mistaken for a millionaire of the same name (who The Dude goes on to reference as ‘The Big Lebowski’). From here things go from bad to worse for The Dude as he is roped into wider family issues including a kidnapping plot, nihilists, and porn empire tycoons to name but a few.

These things however don’t stop The Dude from trying to live his life which consists of drinking white russians, smoking dope, and of course bowling. The situation is more an ever-growing inconvenience all stemming from that rug. After all, it did really tie the room together.

In typical comedy of errors style, you think that The Dude would be better off without his short-tempered, trigger-happy friend Walter, yet when this call is finally made, things still don’t go to plan. Perhaps the damage Walter had done already changed the course of fate for The Dude.

The best imagery of how things are faring for The Dude, is his car. As things progressively get worse, so does the state of the car.

For me the highlight of the film was Julianne Moore, who plays the daughter of The Big Lebowski and for lack of a better description is a wacky artist. The first time we meet her she is throwing paint onto a canvas from a moving overhead harness while naked. In a cast of oddball characters her performance is striking and memorable.

With so many fantastic and funny scenes a couple of favourites that stood out for me are when Walter (John Goodman) goes ballistic on a sports car with a crowbar repeatedly screaming “This is what happens when you fuck a stranger in the ass!”. This is second only to what is probably the best scene; the trip/dream sequence The Dude goes on after being drugged.

The dream sequence presents as a movie within the movie titled “Gutterballs”. It starts off presenting like a porno before turning into randomness, it’s very surreal. This sequence seems to be a perfect fit to summarise the vibe of the film and who The Dude is.

It would also be remiss of me not to mention Sam Elliot as The Stranger, the films narrator. The closing monologue he delivers is a fantastic note to send the film out on and good place to close this review on.

While very different to Fargo and No Country for Old Men, The Big Lebowski still has that Coen brothers feel to it and it’s difficult to think who else could have made this film work. The acting of the cast is the perfect balance of not taking itself too seriously but played straight resulting in a film which is very quotable and comedically done well.

It may not for everyone but it’s a cult classic for a reason. I’m happy that I got around to watching it and I think it’ll just get better after several more viewings.

Rating:  Good

Thriller

No Country for Old Men

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

Date watched: July 20, 2022
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2022

Review

Last week I decided to catch up on a couple of films that have been sitting on the watchlist for quite some time and front of mind was No Country for Old Men. Yes that’s right fellow cinephiles, it’s taken me 15 years to join the party but I’m here now!

Why this film? A few reasons really; I’ve heard great things about it, Fargo is one of my favourite films (and it doesn’t take much inspiration to trigger a re-watch), of the Coen brothers films that I have seen I’ve enjoyed them and I’m also a Javier Bardem fan. To name a few.

So why did it take so long to watch this film? No idea! I seem to do this a lot though.

I also somehow managed to avoid the details of the plot and who else was in the film. So it did feel like a fresh viewing with no spoilers known in advance. While I typically aim to avoid spoilers in my reviews, there are some scenes I’d like to talk about and I think I’m going to need to include the ending as part of that. So consider this your WARNING. If you have not seen this film and want to avoid spoilers, take a break, go watch the film, and then come back and read on!

What struck me the most was the soundtrack, or more aptly, the lack of a soundtrack. The use of silence just builds up the tension to eleven. In the scene where Chigurh is in pursuit of Moss after catching up with him at the motel I found myself breathing heavily, almost as if I was the one being pursued, to then see that my breath was practically in sync with Moss while he stopped and was hiding behind a wall. I had to hold my breath just to hear him panting. This is one of the reasons I love cinema, for the feelings that it can invoke.

Between Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem I find it difficult to say whose performance I enjoyed more. Both were fantastic and what great characters they had to explore. This is not to leave out Tommy Lee Jones, who also puts in a strong performance. The film is centred around these three men and I find it fascinating that while it’s a single story that binds them all, their characters never meet. I was also presently surprised to see Woody Harrelson in the mix too.

Despite the film opening and closing with Anton Chigurh (Bardem) this somehow feels like the story of Llewelyn Moss (Brolin). Characters in great films like this have a complexity to them and Llewelyn is a great example. He is neither the good guy nor the bad guy. And may I mention what a great name too; Llewelyn! Whereas Chigurh is a straight up psychopath. This however doesn’t make him any less of an interesting character to explore but perhaps why I found myself wanting to see Moss succeed.

Unfortunately Moss was on borrowed time the moment he decided to take the money. I felt even more upset that as an audience we weren’t there to see what happened to him. The moment his life ended he became collateral, returning the story focus back onto Chigurh, and just another body in this tale. For everything that Moss endured and how far he made it, means nothing in the end.

And now can we talk about the ending – how good was that?! I love it when things are left unresolved. Maybe that’s not the best word to use as it wasn’t dissatisfaction that I felt, I just had more questions and would love to see what happens next.

Who was in the car that crashed into Chigurh and what was their fate? Where does Chigurh go next? We’ve seen that he knows how to patch himself up but how does he deal with a broken bone? Did he kill Carla Jean? Did he kill the accountant in the office building? Where is the end of the road for him? I’ll stop there but it’s so great to think about all these things! Can you feel my excitement as you read these words?!

For what it counts, my opinion is that he did kill Carla Jean based on the way he checked his shoes after leaving the house. As for the accountant in the office building whose Chigurh’s last words to him are “Do you see me?”, I’m a little torn. My first instinct is yes, because no matter the answer the accountant gives, he clearly has seen Chigurh. I think it might be a rhetorical question. On the other hand, we saw that he is fond of letting a coin toss decide the outcome. Perhaps he used this tactic in this situation? I think not….but I’m not sure!

I really enjoyed this film and there is so much to talk about but we don’t need to break it down scene by scene. If you’re still reading this I’m guessing that you’ve already seen the film and have your own opinion on whether you liked it or not.

Which brings us to an awkward position. As this is normally the part where I try to end on a witty line relating to the film and suggest who might enjoy it. If you’ve already seen in, perhaps it’s time for a re-watch? And here’s an idea for you, why not introduce a friend who was in a similar position to myself and ask them to join you for a movie night?

If you haven’t seen this film but read on anyway, I’ve really just covered the skim of the surface and I hope I have inspired you into watching it. Don’t add it to the watchlist, just watch it!

Rating:  Great

Marvel

Thor: Love and Thunder

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: July 9, 2022
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2022

Review

Saturday afternoon I went along to see the latest Marvel offering, which was the next instalment in the Thor series. Marvel Studios rarely put a foot wrong and while I’m a fan who is pretty much committed to seeing each new film produced, Thor: Love and Thunder seems to miss the target. While it is certainly not the worst of the films in the MCU, it’s far from the best.

In these situations, I go back to the thought of was there a story worth telling here and unfortunately, I don’t think there was. It felt like another film used as a steppingstone to introduce additional characters into the universe which is quite a shame.

My biggest issue with Thor: Love and Thunder is that there was just too much going on and I was left a little confused and uninspired. As not all the stories combined into one narrative, it just felt as if we didn’t get to fully explore any storyline to its full potential.

While I appreciate the change in direction that Taika Waititi brought to Thor: Ragnarok, for me the quirky charismatic fun films that we’ve come to love Waitiki for, is a mismatch for Thor. I think there are other characters in the MCU that could have benefited more from his style.

This is probably going to sound a little silly, but I thought the balance of humour to drama was way off. It really felt like there were too many jokes being crammed in and I’m sorry to say not all were laugh out loud moments. It was a quantity over quality feeling. I have two issues with this.

Firstly, because the balance was off, the more serious moments didn’t land the gut punch of emotion that could have been achieved. There were a few scenes that didn’t hit me as much as I thought they would have and should have.

Secondly, Marvel Studios appears to be going more in this direction across the different films. The issue isn’t so much bringing humour in. I’m a big fan of comedy and I know they are comic book films and should be light-hearted. It’s just that in doing so there runs a risk of each film losing a bit of an edge as to what makes them all different. It almost feels like they are going for the approach of bringing more appeal rather than servicing the niche that the different characters bring. I hope I’m wrong.

On the positive side of things Christian Bale and Natalie Portman both stand out in this film despite their competing storylines. Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie is a great character who unfortunately fell into the background but is still enjoyable. Also keep an eye out for several Australian actors and comedians in the background scenes of New Asgard – the bonuses of filming in Australia! The soundtrack is a banger heavily featuring Gun N’ Roses which fits to the tone of the film that was delivered.

Maybe I’m just a fan suffering from a little Marvel fatigue. Coupled with coming off great successes of ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ and ‘Moon Knight’ that I really enjoyed, I’m a little flat.

If you enjoyed Thor: Ragnarok I think you’ll like this one too.

Rating:  Alright

Australian, Biopic, Drama

Elvis

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: July 4, 2022
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2022

Review

Monday night I went along to an exclusive screening of Elvis for AACTA and AFI members. Unfortunately there was no Q&A session after the film this time but I was still surrounded by industry members which is pretty cool. For my guest pass I took my mum along with me, who is a big Elvis fan. As for myself, I’m more neutral. That is I like his music but am not fanatical. As such I didn’t really know much about his life.

If I were to describe the film I would look to a previous Baz Luhrmann film for the words and say it was – Spectacular Spectacular! It’s one of the best biopics I have seen in recent years.

I’m a fan of Baz Luhrmann’s style and Elvis is one of the best looking films of his that I have seen. Right from the very beginning where the Warner Brothers logo is unveiled in the sequins of an Elvis jumpsuit until the closing credits wrapped in beautiful images reminiscent of Moulin Rouge, it’s a visually stunning film fitting for the cinema screen.

The film has all the hallmarks of a Bazmark Films production from the captivating use of transitions between scenes, to the beautiful authentic looking costumes, and the stunningly detailed sets. A lot of work from both Luhrmann and Catherine Martin’s teams have gone into making this picture look as special as it does. It sure pays off, as from an audience point of view you are transported to a different place and time.

It’s really exciting for Australian cinema to produce such a blockbuster hit right here. It’s going to further enrich the amazing talent we have right across this country both on and off the screen. Keep an eye out for a number of local talent on camera!

I also liked the way some modern music was incorporated within the soundtrack. There is a scene where we first see Hound Dog being performed by Big Mama Thornton and weaved in is an original track by Doja Cat. I know that this might upset some traditionalists but it does work really well. There are a few instances of rap music being incorporated in the soundtrack and it doesn’t feel out of place. It’s like a progression of black music influences from Elvis’ era to now.

As much as the film is about Elvis, it is also about his relationship with his manager; Colonel Tom Parker and it is through the Colonel’s eyes that the story is narrated. The opening sequence is from Parker’s perspective and there is a build up of anticipation before we finally get to see Elvis. As an audience we are teased with glimpses before the focus shifts onto Elvis, just as his rise to stardom did.

Austin Butler gives a fantastic performance in his portrayal of Elvis. He really captures the spirit of the legend and his voice both in accent and vocals are spot on. The songs early in Elvis’ career are sung by Butler before being blended with Elvis’ real vocals throughout the years. We even had a woman in our audience yell out “yeehaw” during the scene where Elvis gives his first performance in front of an audience, wiggling away!

The moment that really got me was during the sequence of Elvis’ film career. It goes from showing a variety of films that he made to suddenly being transported to a film set and for a split moment Austin Butler appears to walk out of the shot as Elvis Presley from that picture (I think it might have been Via Las Vegas).

Despite his short life, there is a lot to tap into across Elvis’ massive career, personal life, struggles, as well as the nation shaping events of the era. The film does a good job to balance a number of these elements while telling an emotionally connecting story where you don’t need to be an Elvis fan to enjoy. One can’t help but to think where his life might have gone had things played out differently.

Time to dust off the blue suede shoes because it’s time to shake, rattle, and roll into a cinema near you!

Rating:  Great

Australian, Comedy

How to Please a Woman

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Date watched: June 27, 2022
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2022

Review

I’d been wanting to see this film ever since I saw the trailer and even though it took me until the final session – I got there in the end!

The session I went to was sold out and while I saw a few men the majority of the audience were women, and women across a number of generations, which was a really fantastic experience to be a part of.

How to Please a Woman is a relatable comedy that will have you laughing out loud. Renee Webster, who wrote and directed the film, has done a fabulous job of representing all types of different women on screen and delivering a charming story.

Sally Phillips does a wonderful job in the lead role of Gina, a woman of fifty who is stuck in a marriage where the romance has fizzled out and in a job where she is under appreciated and soon made redundant from a day after her birthday. An idea then sparks following a birthday present of a male escort from her friends – a cleaning service provided by shirtless men! It doesn’t take long before sex is also added to the menu.

It was a great feeling to be in a cinema with other women laughing and reacting to the same things. It was equally interesting to see different reactions people had.

The cast is full of Australian talent that most will recognise across the big and small screen, too many to name individually, so I’d encourage you to check out the cast listing provided above. It’s a great ensemble that all work together on screen very well.

As much as the film is about reclaiming one’s sexual pleasures later in life, it’s also a story of empowerment. To go after what makes you happy instead of waiting around for things to happen or change and to not be ashamed of whatever that is.

I think the backdrop of Gina being part of an open-water swimming group is a great metaphor to this – sometimes you need to push through some pain and the struggles to feel truly free.

This is a film that both women and men will find enjoyment in and perhaps learn a little something about themselves from.

My only regret is not seeing this sooner so that I could encourage you all to see it at the cinema! So keep an eye out for the DVD release this month and make the time to bring a little pleasure into your life.

Rating:  Great

Drama, Musical

Fiddler on the Roof

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: June 19, 2022
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2022

Review

June’s family movie day was back to my pick and continuing on my theme of musicals for the year, I chose Fiddler on the Roof. Which up until this point I hadn’t seen on either stage or screen. We also had to swap from our usual Friday night and instead moved to a Sunday afternoon as the film has a runtime of 3 hours.

Yet again I find myself asking why I waited so long to see it!

I didn’t know too much about the film going into it and like many in the same boat, the only song I knew was “If I Were A Rich Man”. Turns out there are a couple of other songs I knew but just didn’t know they came from this film.

This is a musical with a profound story behind it as well as great music. It’s emotional, it’s funny, and will hook you in from the very first song.

Set in pre-revolutionary Russia, Fiddler on the Roof follows the life of Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman with five daughters and a wife. They live in a small provincial village in a community of both Jews and Orthodox Christians under rule of the Czar. The film’s main focus is that of tradition and how to adapt to changing times and values, which is something Tevye struggles with throughout the film.

Topol portrays the lead role of Tevye and what a mighty performance he brings to the film. The character spends quite a bit of time talking either to us the audience (directly at the camera) or to God (eyesight off camera or to the sky) painting the picture of Jewish tradition and what it means to him. He is a playful character who does what he can to get by and has an open mind. After all, at the start he does say:

Tevye: How did this tradition get started? I’ll tell you!

[pause]

Tevye: I don’t know. But it’s a tradition… and because of our traditions… Every one of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do.

The three adult daughters Tzeitel, Hodel, and Chava as well as their mother Golde also all have strong performances by the women portraying them. Rosalind Harris, who plays Tzeitel gives a standout performance bringing so much emotion and strength to the role. She also has an uncanny resemblance to Barbra Streisand, you’d think they are related.

My favourite scene would have to be Tevye’s dream sequence. After agreeing to the matchmaker’s choice in husband for his first born daughter only to find out that she loves another boy (who is more to her age), he agrees to his daughter’s wish to give his approval for them to marry. The next step – getting his wife Golde to agree. Tevye comes up with this outlandish dream, actually nightmare, with the aim to make it seem as if it is Golde’s idea to break the matchmaker’s agreement. And it worked!

However my highlights are the amazing dance sequences including the “Bottle dance” at Tzeitel and Motel’s wedding and especially the Ukrainian traditional dancing in the song “Lechaim”. I used to be part of a Polish traditional dance group growing up and have a real love for not only eastern European dance but traditional dance in general. It’s beautiful to watch and the music is always great. I really love learning about different cultures from dance.

I could probably go on and on. Instead I’ll leave it here. It’s a classic for a reason and if like me you haven’t seen it yet, find a copy. It’ll make you laugh, cry, and gain a better appreciation of the tradition on show. There is just so much to like about it. I can’t wait to see what it is like on stage. I’ll definitely be keeping my eyes peeled next time a production is done.

Rating:  Great

Action, Sci-Fi

Jurassic World Dominion

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

Date watched: June 13, 2022
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2022

Review

It was the conclusion of Jurassic Park week and I took advantage of a public holiday to see the epic final conclusion to Jurassic World in glorious Dolby Atmos.

The Jurassic World trilogy, unlike the previous trilogy, sets out to tell a single story across the three films. When Fallen Kingdom finished, all the building blocks had been laid of a world where human and dinosaur would be co-existing amongst each other and fighting for dominance. No going back. The trailer for Dominion looked to be heading in the direction of extinction but unfortunately the film failed to live up to its own expectations.

Admittingly Dominion was unlikely to go in the direction I was hoping it would – human extinction, with a possible glimmer of hope for survival. Blockbusters tend to avoid such morbid endings but at the very least there could have been some impossible solution to save the day.

Typically in every other Jurassic Park film something happens within the film that by the end, things are no longer the same and effectively changed for good. For the first time in the series Dominion feels to end where it starts off. Leaving everything that happened in the middle mostly irrelevant, which is probably the most disappointing thing about it.

What I enjoyed about the first two Jurassic World films was the idea of building the hybrid dinosaurs and then being used either to be weaponized or for research. Don’t get me wrong – it’s a bad idea that I don’t support but makes for good entertainment with lots of juicy themes to read into. All of this seems to have been left behind in Dominion in favour of a genetically modified locust storyline. It’s an interesting idea exploring the evil of corporations but it was just the wrong idea to close out the series. If the storyline with the hybrids had been fully explored, why make this film? Fallen Kingdom had a great ending and it would have been a nice place to stop.

One of the things I was looking forward to seeing was the progression of Dr. Henry Wu. Last time we saw him, he had almost this supervillain vibe and was involved in a black market sale of the dinosaurs. Admittingly that didn’t end very well but where would he find himself and what would he be willing to do? Yet again we find Dr. Wu behind another new character who is the “bad guy”; Lewis Dodgson. And when we see Dr. Wu he has a more dishevelled look from the last time we saw him. It seems that his actions have finally caught up to him. It would have been nice to see a bit more fleshed out with this character in the final instalment.

Dominion also has the longest runtime in the series and while most of the film paces ok, I felt it took far too long to get into the dinosaur action.

Ok, let’s leave the disappointing stuff there because it’s not all bad and I want to talk about some things that I liked.

I think what most fans are excited for here is the return of the original cast. It’s what made us all fall in love with Jurassic Park in the first place and to have Laura Dern, Sam Neill, and Jeff Goldblum back was a big highlight. I really liked the way the film was structured so that we got to spend time with the Jurassic World and original casts separately, before then combining them all in together. We got to catch up with where they are all at before throwing them into the action as one. I also really liked the pairing off combination between original and newbie.

There are also plenty of fan favourite moments to keep your eye out for. One being the image of a tyrannosaurs walking past a fountain which creates the look of the famous logo of the franchise we all know and love. Very similar to how in the last James Bond film (No Time to Die) has a scene where Bond shoots someone from the famous angle down the camera lens, directly at the audience. Also keep your eyes peeled for the Barbasol can that was used in the first film to smuggle out the embryos. The scene in question really takes it back to the original Jurassic Park film. And while these things don’t serve a purpose to the narrative of Dominion, it’s a nice way of getting to say goodbye after 30 years.

Visually the film looks great up on the big screen, there are some captivating action sequences to enjoy and the performances of the cast are good. The dinosaurs included also looked great, although our favourite velociraptor Blue didn’t have a big on screen role this time around. The bond that she has with Owen however was captured. So this is something from the previous films that has carried across.

If you’re a Jurassic Park fan and have seen the previous Jurassic World films, you’ll find some enjoyment here. There is also a benefit to seeing it on the big screen if you like the cinema experience. Otherwise I’d recommend seeing something else and catching up when it hits a streaming service or is on free-to-air.

Rating:  Disappointment