THESE days TV series are more interesting and better than full-length movies, which are mostly CGI-smothered bombast or politically correct moralizing. But I still watch movies, in between my lineup of a dozen and more series. Though it takes me more than 3 or 4 “sittings” to finish one.
<>“Everything Everywhere All at Once.” (2022, Amazon Prime.) Absurdist fiction, comedy-drama, surreal comedy, science fiction, fantasy, martial arts films, immigrant narrative, and animation. All in all (to me) the movie or video game(?) is that jumbled, gung-ho, and trippy-wild. Not in a good way. But that’s just me, okay?
Meanwhile, when was the last time or year when a Hollywood movie won 7 Oscars, or more? Ben-Hur? Titanic? West Side Story? Well, "Everything…" grabbed 7 out of 11 nominations at the 95th Oscars, including Best Picture. Not at all convinced though. I am (unapologetically) Asian. Yet there’s nothing “Asian” about this movie that claims to explore philosophical concepts such as “existentialism, nihilism, and absurdism, as well as themes such as neurodivergence, depression, generational trauma, and Asian American identity.” Really?
The “correct” awards fiasco frustrates me. Because this is supposed to be culturally diverse? Because they are Chinese/Asians? There are many Asian/Eastern subjects to explore. Many. The supposedly East/West cultural conflict in this 2 hours+ videogame of a movie? Hardsell. BS. 2020’s “Minari,” yes that is Asian. But no bombastic cinematic visual blah. A simple narrative that cuts deep. 🎭👎🎬
<>“True History of the Kelly Gang.” (2019, Hulu.) Historical (sort of) Australian “bushranger” film directed by Justin Kurzel, written by Shaun Grant, and based upon the 2000 novel of the same name by Peter Carey. In Australian lore, bushranger is an outlaw living in the bush. Ned Kelly was. Edward “Ned” Kelly (1854 – 1880) was considered the last bushranger, he gained urban legend pop stardom for wearing (with gang) a suit of bulletproof armor and women’s long dress.
In the 1990s, I chanced upon the novel “Our Sunshine” by Robert Drewe that told about the story of Mr Kelly–and his brother Dan, and two other friends Steve Hart and Joe Byrne. These guys formed a crew of Irish Australians who rose to notoriety amidst Irish and English tensions in 19th century Australia. Mr Drewe’s book was the basis for the 2003 movie Ned Kelly,” starring Heath Ledger. Orlando Bloom, Naomi Watts and Geoffrey Rush were in it as well. I couldn’t remember if I dug the movie or not though.
Anyhow, “The True History…” isn’t really “true,” or least not how Robert Drewe narrated it. Peter Carey’s book is highly fiction based on some facts in Ned Kelly’s life. Oh yes, we had lots of these lately, right? Truth is, I think, this is better filmmaking–whacked, weird, and wild at that–than the 2003 movie (which was directed by a dude named Gregor Jordan).
First off, this newer movie is better acted, and I am not talking about Russell Crowe and Charlie Hunnam–who had bit roles, as Harry Power (Ned’s mentor) and a Sergeant O’Neill. George MacKay as Ned is intense wacko grip; he is a devil possessed with a soul littered in the bush in blood and sequins. You know what I mean? Nicholas Hoult as Constable Fitzpatrick. A madman with a wickedly infectious smirk. I need to google more movies by these young men. And yes, Essie Davis as his mom Ellen deserves an award, if movies of this sort still have a room in a new cinema’s “correct” pavilion.
Shaun Grant’s screenplay reminds of old, old David Lynch movies. Dark, perverse, but not graphic enough. Ari Wegner’s cinematography is insane. That shootout scene? I haven’t seen anything like that, honestly. Yet Ari’s take of the bush and backwoods get into your skin, which the music of Jed Kurzel amply dabbed some frenzied playfulness and cadaverous glare. (Jed is the other half of the blues rock duo The Mess Hall and younger bro of the director.)
“True History of the Kelly Gang.” Never mind, the pun. It’s just a movie. But it’s cool. 🎥👍📽
MOVIE that I stopped watching after a few minutes, didn’t grab me: <>“65” (2023, Netflix) sci-fi thriller, a pilot crashes on an unknown planet and attempts to escape while surviving with a young girl. Adam Driver is a fine actor. But this dinosaur movie made me sleep in the first 3 minutes. No exaggeration. 🎭👎🎬
CURRENTLY WATCHING. <>“Ida Red” (2021, Showtime via Amazon) crime drama, about the biological mother of a criminal family, sits rotting in jail. Stars Josh Hartnett, Frank Grillo and the great Melissa Leo. <>“Cocaine Bear” (2023, Amazon Prime) comedy horror directed by Elizabeth Banks, loosely inspired by the true story of the "Cocaine Bear,” a black bear that ingested nearly 75 lb (34 kg) of lost cocaine. 🎥💻📽
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