tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post3560948091704357891..comments2024-03-28T02:36:55.037-04:00Comments on Brooklyn Arden: Brooklyn Arden Reviews: Two Modern National EpicsCherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05972029478350879112noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-22507859640793802392008-12-04T09:35:00.000-05:002008-12-04T09:35:00.000-05:00I really enjoyed Austrailia too. Although I saw so...I really enjoyed Austrailia too. Although I saw some of the same flaws that you did, I didn't care. I'm a sucker for big, overblown epics. But there was one part where I had to laugh: remember on their first campout--Hugh Jackman lathering himself up and pouring a bucket of water over himself one-handed while the moonlight oh-so-subtly highlights his chiseled muscles? Yeah. That was funny.Devonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11880832233123386082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-60811480397146186962008-12-04T04:37:00.000-05:002008-12-04T04:37:00.000-05:00I LOVE Rabbit-Proof Fence. Definitely also recomme...I LOVE Rabbit-Proof Fence. Definitely also recommend it. <BR/><BR/>I review the way you do, and I think that a reader reaction is a good kind of review, just as much as a more literary one. I prefer doing those sorts of reviews myself, and while I like reading more traditional reviews, it's just as interesting to hear a more personal reaction from someone I know because reading is such a personal activity.<BR/><BR/>I have a copy of Octavian Nothing that I got a year or so ago at a show, and keep putting off reading it for many of the same reasons you mention, not to mention that time is a factor--so many books to read, so little time, all that. it's sitting here by my chair, wanting to be read, but it's quite an investment in time. But you mentioned the Attolia trilogy, which was just given to me, and that reminds me how much I've wanted to read them. Perhaps that goes up to the top of the TBR pile.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-60029326746024083762008-12-03T07:42:00.000-05:002008-12-03T07:42:00.000-05:00Just a note - In Australia Neil Fletcher was playe...Just a note - In <I>Australia</I> Neil Fletcher was played by David Wenham (of <I>Lord of the Rings</I> and <I>Moulin Rouge</I> among others), not Bryan Brown. He played the head of the rival company.<BR/><BR/>As an Australian, I found <I>Australia</I> interesting. It received just as mixed reviews over here as it did around the world. Essentially I felt it was two stories mixed into one - the story of the droving and romance, and the story about the bombing of Darwin (something rarely covered in Australian schools incidentally, though I knew enough to know the film wasn't quite factual) and the stolen generation. Both I thought were fantastic ideas for films, but on their own, not mixed into one three hour film!<BR/><BR/>As my friends and I discussed afterwards, we felt there was one big conflict, based upon the fact there was such a large, international audience being targeted. We, as Australians, aren't fond of 'cliched' Australian films, which (as evidenced by Crocodile Dundee) is loved overseas. Baz clearly tried to reach a happy medium, which I think has made the film not so successful in any market. <BR/><BR/>Personally, however, apart from my main complaints of it being too long, bad visual effects and not actually thinking of a name for the Drover I enjoyed it, and have to say I was crying by the end, as was half the cinema, the Stolen Generation having been a big issue in Australia this year. <BR/><BR/>If there's anyone one after another (more accurate) Australian film I highly recommend <I>Rabbit-Proof Fence</I> by Phillip Noyce, which is one of my favourite all-time films.<BR/><BR/>It was great to see a review by a non-critic too - I've been wanting to hear what people outside of Australia thought and how well it was understood.Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07617771121821221580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-53508236325736123432008-12-02T17:44:00.000-05:002008-12-02T17:44:00.000-05:00I haven't seen "Australia" yet, but the critical r...I haven't seen "Australia" yet, but the critical reaction here (in Aus) has been interesting. There is a thought-provoking review at sarsaparillablog.net, which talks about the parallel, competing narratives of the film - one attempting to deal with the stolen generations, and the other concerned with the quest to build a national identity.<BR/><BR/>The review ends with the observation that the film is "perhaps a parable of the Australian film industry: the bastard, half-caste nation caught between wanting to have its own ‘native’ film industry and to be marketable to mass, Americanised cinema audiences."<BR/><BR/>It's fascinating to see what you guys make of it!A latte beckonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12967372772145537800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-21689432819779999402008-12-01T16:46:00.000-05:002008-12-01T16:46:00.000-05:00Excellent reviews!I did not like Octavian, myself....Excellent reviews!<BR/><BR/>I did not like Octavian, myself. I felt that it was 200 pages of set-up for the ink-blot trick, and I felt it would be loads better if it was at least 100 pages shorter. The premise was good, and it made me think--but I did not revel in the execution as you did.<BR/><BR/>Haven't seen Australia yet. I LOVE Moulin Rouge!, but I'm just not sure if Australia is different enough to grab me...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11431700962951592287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-66424422143901619672008-12-01T10:23:00.000-05:002008-12-01T10:23:00.000-05:00I had a similar reaction to Octavion (the first). ...I had a similar reaction to Octavion (the first). It didn't really grab me until about halfway through, although it was intellectually stimulating to make me want to keep reading. Having finished the first book, though, I can't wait to begin the second one.<BR/><BR/>But here's a question: do you think you would have kept reading this book if you were a young adult? I don't think I would have. A couple of my writer friends agree. Do young adults like this book as much as adult readers ultimately do?Sara Lattahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14638679848741806320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-44692602979637278842008-11-30T20:43:00.000-05:002008-11-30T20:43:00.000-05:00Octavian was one of those books I thought I was su...Octavian was one of those books I thought I was supposed to read because it would be good for me, but I ended up loving it. My husband did too. Now Son is racing through it. We will all read the second volume. But I get to go first.Lisa Yeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14996451632755795135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-62092270782818899892008-11-30T20:39:00.000-05:002008-11-30T20:39:00.000-05:00Loved your review of "Australia," which we saw thi...Loved your review of "Australia," which we saw this weekend. I went warily, having been confounded by "Moulin Rouge" (Huh? To this old fogey, music means Bach, Beethoven, et al., guys like that.) But I got with the program after the frantic first part you mention, and enjoyed the intro. to a country I don't know. <BR/><BR/>Kidman looked more relaxed than usual in this film; she seemed to be having a good time with her role. Jackman showed what an all-around actor he is, don't you think? Who knew he was so great at the cowboy stuff? Australia really seems to turn out a string of talented actors: Blanchett, Crowe,<BR/>Watts, Kidman, Jackman, Judy<BR/>Davis (?)and others, doubtless. <BR/><BR/> Neither here nor there: in "A Christmas Tale," the French film A.O. Scott adored, a character mentions "Baz," which turns out to be the abbreviation for "Basile" or our "Basil." I always wondered where Luhrman got that cool first name. Now I know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074861.post-81907534231144099372008-11-30T10:16:00.000-05:002008-11-30T10:16:00.000-05:00I have not read Octavian - and may not... I am und...I have not read Octavian - and may not... I am undecided about Australia, but loved Moulin Rouge!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for all the insights!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com