AUSTRALIA (Yes, I know it's a movie!-)

I thought I'd get in early and break the ice. I haven't seen it yet, but this is likely to be the showbiz blockbuster of the year and as such it cannot help but have an impact on our culture generally. From what I hear, it will be the greatest Aussie movie since 'Kenny'. Or perhaps a fitting successor to 'Crocodile Dundee' (except with stockwhips instead of knives). Great. I do believe it portrays some realistic (if not real) characters, not just figments of some arty farty imagination. By the same token, I also believe it is informed by some of the 'classics' of moviedom, thus ensuring its own ranking in that pantheon. Go easy on the pop corn (apologies to GR)

Have you read Naglazas' review in the West yet? He is not kind, and does not hold back.

I generally use "Rotten Tomatoes" as my site of choice for critical reaction but there's only 4 reviews on there as I type this and all four are rated positive. General consensus this early seems to be that it's overlong but great to look at. David Stratton liked it calling it flawed but important and impressive. I guess the average viewer will make up their own minds. Here's another question - is anyone actually jumping out of their skin to see it? It sounds a bit schmaltzy from what I've read of the plot. If it was choice between "Australia" and say "The Proposition" I'd go and see the latter every time. Maybe it'll be one of those flicks that is embraced overseas and not locally?

I discussed this yesterday elsewhere, and my opinions/response is as following: In order for an Aussie movie to be noticed overseas, it either has to have some kooky thing going for it (ie. Priscilla Queen of the Desert or Muriel's Wedding), or it has to be just as 'blockbuster' as Hollywood movies. Look at our local movies; they're either too indie to compete or they're terrible anyway. Or, like Priscilla and Muriel's Wedding, they're too 'Aussie' to capture a long-standing interest overseas. Crocodile Dundee is popular only because it appeals to the stereotype of Australia, as well as being your average 'tough guy overcomes conflict' thing. Baz Lurhmann's background (ie. Romeo and Juliet, but in particular Strictly Ballroom) shows that he can do Hollywood, but still keep things interesting. However, I really think that this movie was pitched more for overseas audiences than for an Australian one. One reason is to try and encourage more films to be produced in Australia, where the film industry is languishing from lack of government and corporate funding (a big reason as to why we have a lot of well-known Aussies returning to make this film IMHO). Another reason is to try and tell a particularly 'Australian' story, which captures the hearts of audiences overseas and encourages them to go see the next Aussie film. Yet another reason is to encourage Australians - and those overseas - to see an Aussie film and not immediately judge it as a bombed effort before it even hits the screens. From what I've seen of the film, it looks well-produced, has an interesting storyline, good actors and a good director, but I'm guessing it doesn't break a sweat in terms of doing much more than offering up a romantic tale for short-attention span viewers. Round head foam puppet pattern at Puppets in Melbourne

Wow! That's a review GR would be proud of!!-)Ssstinger>>>

I saw it last night and i'll be brief in summing it up... A cinematic masterpiece. Baz Luhrman is probably THE most important director of our time.....

Fanbloodytastic. I loved it, and I wasn't expecting to. The biggest issue is that it has been badly promoted, I think to the wrong group, It is not as quirky as your usual baz lurhman, and it is very long. However, it's supposed to be in the style of the old garbo/john wayne epyc cowboy type adventures and that is exactly what it is. Even liked the smchmaltzy ending.

Damper hole?? What is that??

A mouth.

I thought it was amazing.

Okay, I liked the movie, but I didn't LOVE it like everyone seems to do because the movie NEVER SEEMED TO STOP. It just kept going and going and going... Perhaps it's because I'm not a huge fan of romance movies to begin with. Or maybe it's just my ADD...