JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonJohn Doe’s 23 Australian Cinema Favourites
January 26th 2008 00:01
What are you watching this Australia Day?
Australian Cinema for Australia Day
G'day, Australia Day is here (January 26th) and John Doe realised that in over a year of blogging he never posted a review for an Australian film.
JD has to admit that most celluloid shot on Terra-Australis tends to be way too geocentric and culture conscious to entertain. Seldom attempting anything other than a quintessential Down Under tone, most seem to delight in taking the piss out of the dumb “Ocker” mentality. Larakins, wombats and drongo's that generally exploit the recycled stereotypes of the under privileged.
The superb classic Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith
The local product seemed to reach it’s zenith of creativity in the 1970’s with a massive run of incredibly satisfying stories. During the decades that have followed the occasional gem has proven we can produce quality material. A resurgence in genre films may well provide some relief after the repeated dull examinations of trailer trash relations and brain dead demographics.
So while your swimming at the beach, throwing down a tooheys, or playing backyard cricket near a BBQ remember there are some great Australian films out there that deserve remembrance on this, our National Day.
She'll be right mate, Advance Australia Fare because here are Johnny D’s top homeland delights. (In No Order)
Andrew Dominik’s Chopper
"A little bit of the old chop, chop" with a jailhouse scene from Chopper.
Bruce Miles and Michael Pattinson’s Ground Zero
Ground Zero Poster
Phillip Noyce’s Newsfront
Newsfront
Fred Schepisi’s Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith and The Devil’s Playground
A scene from the twisted religion of an all boys school in The Devil’s Playground
Ray Lawrence’s Lantana, Jindabyne and Bliss
Jindabyne poster
Bruce Beresford’s Don’s Party and Breaker Morant
Breaker Morant
Peter Weir’s Picnic at Hanging Rock, Gallipoli and The Last Wave
Trailer for the atmospheric, racially charged thriller The Last Wave
John Hillcoat’s The Proposition and Ghosts of The Civil Dead
The Proposition
John Duigan’s The Year My Voice Broke
Year My Voice Broke Poster
George Miller’s Mad Max
“I can see the interceptor” the high octane opening for the post apocalyptic actioner.
Rolf De Heer’s Bad Boy Bubby, Tracker and Alexandra’s Project
Bad Boy Bubby Poster
Simon Wincer Phar Lap
The U.S poster for the film Phar Lap
Sandy Harbutt’s Stone
See the trailer for drive in biker classic Stone
Tim Burstall’s Petersen and The Last of the Knucklemen
Last of the Knucklemen DVd Cover
Richard Franklin’s Patrick and Road Games
Patrick DVD Cover
Brian Trenchard-Smith’s Turkey Shoot and The Man From Hong Kong
Watch kitsch Kung-Fu madness with former James Bond George Lazenby in The Man From Hong Kong Trailer
Rowan Woods The Boys
The Boys - David Wenham and Toni Collette in the preamble to the vile Anita Coby murder
Here are 2 fine examples of when Hollywood shoots on location and successfully captures the culture
Stanley Kramer's On The Beach
On The Beach DVD Cover
Fred Zinneman's The Sundowners
poster for The Sundowners with Robert Mitchum
| 147 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
There are a few here that make it into my top Aussie movies, though some I don't find so personally appealing, like Stone, though I haven't seen it in years.
Peter Weir - a legend in my mind.
Jindabyne - I think it tried but didn't quite match Lantana.
Michaelie
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I agree that Jindabyne didn't match Lantana but I still found much to like about it. Bliss is still my favourite Ray Lawrence film.
I don't mind taking the piss, but it just seems flat with the same tired jokes recycled from 70's TV onwards, lacking invention.
I don't mind a little recognition of culture either but when every production seems to steep itself in the same traditions it gets boring quick.
Stone is no masterpiece by any stretch but in that genre of film the trash thrills out way the shoddy acting and questionable dialogue. I would be shocked if it was universally praised.
A pleasure to hear from you and have a Bonza Australia Day!
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I do remember some spectacularly bad acting in Stone, but parts of it still really stand out in my mind, which does say something.
You have a ripper of a day too mate!
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Thought we'd do a bit of nostalgia this Aust Day JD - and went and sourced a Chip's Rafferty classic, Smiley and Jedda.
Drew the line at Ned Kelly featuring Mick Jagger though.
Have great day digger.
MNG
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Damn, always forget one...Smiley Gets a Gun is a huge childhood favourite of mine. Chips rafferty is certainly an icon of Aussie cinema.
Hope your having a nice lazy salute to the nation
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
I like a lot of your list, some others;
Walkabout was pretty good for its time,
Mad Max 3 (ok just kidding...I worked on it...could tell a few stories about that too...),
Adventures of Bazza McKenzie...(groovy at the time...),
the old Dad and Dave series,
there maybe some more, can't think right now.
cheers
fog
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
There were quite a few of my faves on your list:
Lantana, Jindabyne, Picnic at Hanging Rock
John Hillcoat’s The Proposition and Ghosts of The Civil Dead
John Duigan’s The Year My Voice Broke
Rolf De Heer’s Bad Boy Bubby, Tracker and Alexandra’s Project
I think the ones that stand out are Ghosts of the Civil Dead, Bad Boy Bubby and Alexandra’s Project.
Great list,
Tracy
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Always great to see you round these parts.
Nicholas Roeg's Walkabout is a superb choice, should ahve been on my list for sure.
Barry McKenzie amused as a kid, but after rewatching it recently on DVD it seemed extremely dated. Probably something to do with most all the jokes being recycled in inferior material since.
I haven't seen Dad and Dave, will have to try and track down a copy.
You worked on Mad max 3, cool...did Tina Turners hair look as ridiculous in real life?
Hope your Aussie day was grand.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I haven't seen Dad and Dave or Jedda, as I said to "Mountain Fog" I will have to track em down.
As for "Smiley", I love Smiley gets a Gun but it slipped my mind when doing the list.
Thanks for giving some new stuff to source out Damo. Hope you had a relaxing long weekend.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Ghosts of the Civil Dead is sadly prophetic, it only took 10 years for what it forecast to become reality.
Glad you enjoyed the list.
Hope Flag waving day left you smiling
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
regrettably, when I joined the set, it was right towards the end of principle photography, when we were in the state brickpits again, and Tina had left the hole, so to speak! She did wear frightful wigs I was reliably told, interestingly, not only on set, but when she was just being "Tina" off set too. We were not allowed to take any photographs at any time, on threat of instant dismissal. Those were the days!
Tina Turner was one of my great heroines of music, and she was fantastic to the crew, and loved the kids in the film too.
cheers
fog
Comment by Sven Topp
Parent Debate
Deafblind Dad
Budget Flicks
How come no mention of "Priscilla : Queen of the Desert"?. I've also heard "Candy" is supposed to be excellent and isn't "Strictly Ballroom" an Australian movie that's worth mentioning?
Comment by Chris 8
Pic Mad
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Great list... and I would add my own favourites,
Crackerjack,
The Castle,
The Interview,
Chain Reaction, (one of absolute favourites and so overshadowed by that ridiculous China Syndrome at the time)
They're a Weird Mob (so funny),
and I enjoyed (lightly),
The Wog Boy, and
Strictly Ballroom
On an even lighter note: some of the Paul Hogan's early nonsense, but not excluding Strange Bedfellows who were partying along long before Chuck and Harry (or was it Larry? I didn't even look) ...even came out of the cupboard.
I also enjoyed Walkabout and the Mini TV Series:
Dirt Water Dynasty and Against the Wind... also that political one about 'Cough' Whitlam.
Wow, some lovely memories weaving in and out with these titles...
Cheers
Lilla ...
PS Haven;t seen the Knuckleman or Ground Zero (will grab them next 'hire-out.')
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
"Priscilla : Queen of the Desert", really did little for me. I liked teh idea but it failed to charm, though the music was good....I'm a huge Terence Stampo fan but that didn't help much., ?
"Candy" with Heath Ledger was just a retread of many other drug movies that came before it, nothing stood out for me and overall it had that seen it all before feeling.
"Strictly Ballroom" - I hate Baz Lurhman's work and this is another predictable effort thats overly exuberant production values pull you out of the film repeatedly. It fails to maintain an atmosphere or mood and instead becomes disjointed and tedious.
I hope this answers why they were neglected from the list.
Thanks for dropping in.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Another fan of devil's Playground is always a good thing, glad you lieked the clip.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Great list... and I would add my own favourites,
Crackerjack,
The Castle,
The Interview,
Chain Reaction, (one of absolute favourites and so overshadowed by that ridiculous China Syndrome at the time)
They're a Weird Mob (so funny),
and I enjoyed (lightly),
The Wog Boy, and
Strictly Ballroom
On an even lighter note: some of the Paul Hogan's early nonsense, but not excluding Strange Bedfellows who were partying along long before Chuck and Harry (or was it Larry? I didn't even look) ...even came out of the cupboard.
I also enjoyed Walkabout and the Mini TV Series:
Dirt Water Dynasty and Against the Wind... also that political one about 'Cough' Whitlam.
Wow, some lovely memories weaving in and out with these titles...
Cheers
Lilla ...
PS Haven;t seen the Knuckleman or Ground Zero (will grab them next 'hire-out.')
Damn I forgot Chain Reaction, good schlock fun...
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Hi Bryn,
This Chain reaction was made in 1980 with George Miller Producing. A Nuclear paranoia story that is tense and entertaining written and directed by Ian Barry.
Its well worth a look and I think you would enjoy it.
Comment by JK
I completely forgot the Devil's Playground - loved it!!! Jindabyne annoyed me because it was nowhere near as good as Lantana - which sux because if I watched Jindabyne first I may have loved it. The thing I did love about Jindabyne is that it's where I spent most of my winters growing up for skiing so was great seeing all the familiar in the back ground.
I have never been able to like The Year My Voice Broke because I had to study it at school.
Phar Lap was a masterpiece, Patrick was brilliant and Bad Boy Bubby freaked me out when I saw it.
A couple I will have to check out. Thanks
Comment by Jason King
Salty Popcorn
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I agree that Jindabyne was not on the same high par as Lantana, but i think Bliss is still the Directors best work.
As for Baz, I know I'm in the minority with my hatred for his music video style. Not that I hate all Directors with flamboyant visual editing, his just seem clumsy to me.
Thanks for visiting, I look forward to further cinematic dissections in the future.
Comment by Jason King
Salty Popcorn