In any given week, the FX vampire mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows is so explosively funny that it almost feels like every other TV comedy should give up and consider a new career in accordion sales. Some weeks, though, Shadows is even funnier than that. The latest episode, “The Grand Opening,” is one of those special examples. It is not a format-breaking installment like that one that introduced regular human bartender Jackie Daytona, but rather an episode where all three subplots fully exploit the comic potential of the...
- 7/20/2022
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Rollingstone.com
Fiona Eagger.
The biggest challenge facing TV producers next year is figuring out ways to keep Australian dramas screening on the free-to-air broadcasters, according to Fiona Eagger.
Eagger, who co-founded Every Cloud Productions with Deb Cox, welcomes the raising of the TV Producer Offset to 30 per cent but laments the abolition of the local content sub-quotas for Fta networks.
“For Australian producers our greatest challenge is keeping Australian drama alive on our free-to-airs,” she tells If. “All the networks want to keep making Australian drama because when it hits the sweet spot, it creates great audience loyalty to a brand.
“But they’re worried about their revenues and livelihoods so, hand-in-glove with Screen Australia and the state agencies, we have to be really clever in how we put deals together.
“We are resilient and inventive but it’s not easy when the government gives on one hand but takes away on the other hand.
The biggest challenge facing TV producers next year is figuring out ways to keep Australian dramas screening on the free-to-air broadcasters, according to Fiona Eagger.
Eagger, who co-founded Every Cloud Productions with Deb Cox, welcomes the raising of the TV Producer Offset to 30 per cent but laments the abolition of the local content sub-quotas for Fta networks.
“For Australian producers our greatest challenge is keeping Australian drama alive on our free-to-airs,” she tells If. “All the networks want to keep making Australian drama because when it hits the sweet spot, it creates great audience loyalty to a brand.
“But they’re worried about their revenues and livelihoods so, hand-in-glove with Screen Australia and the state agencies, we have to be really clever in how we put deals together.
“We are resilient and inventive but it’s not easy when the government gives on one hand but takes away on the other hand.
- 10/19/2020
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
‘Bump.’
Stan today unveiled five Stan Original productions – two drama series, a true crime docuseries, a film and a comedy special – as part of an ambitious plan to ramp up local commissions.
The Nine-owned streamer said it plans to invest in more than 30 productions per year within five years, drawing on Nine’s production facilities and via co-productions with international partners including Hollywood studios and international networks.
It will continue to build on relationships with state and national screen agencies including initiatives such as the Stan and Film Victoria Development Fund and the Screen Queensland and Stan Premium Drama Development Fund.
The slate announced today includes Every Cloud Productions and Balloon Entertainment’s eight-part murder mystery Eden; Claudia Karvan, Kelsey Munro and Roadshow Rough Diamond’s 10-part half-hour drama Bump; and After the Night, a four-part true crime docuseries from Eq Media Group and Salon Pictures, created and directed by Thomas Meadmore.
Stan today unveiled five Stan Original productions – two drama series, a true crime docuseries, a film and a comedy special – as part of an ambitious plan to ramp up local commissions.
The Nine-owned streamer said it plans to invest in more than 30 productions per year within five years, drawing on Nine’s production facilities and via co-productions with international partners including Hollywood studios and international networks.
It will continue to build on relationships with state and national screen agencies including initiatives such as the Stan and Film Victoria Development Fund and the Screen Queensland and Stan Premium Drama Development Fund.
The slate announced today includes Every Cloud Productions and Balloon Entertainment’s eight-part murder mystery Eden; Claudia Karvan, Kelsey Munro and Roadshow Rough Diamond’s 10-part half-hour drama Bump; and After the Night, a four-part true crime docuseries from Eq Media Group and Salon Pictures, created and directed by Thomas Meadmore.
- 8/23/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
I’ve been a big fan of John Rhys-Davies ever since I listened to the cast commentaries on The Lord of the Rings Extended Cut DVDs. He’s absolutely hilarious on them, the epitome of the classically trained luvvie. He’s had landmark roles as Sallah in the Indiana Jones franchise, played Gimli and Treebeard in the aforementioned Lord of the Rings and General Leonard Pushkin in James Bond movie The Living Daylights.
It’s that last one that led a journalist to ask him what he thought of the prospect of a woman taking over as Bond after Daniel Craig, with the actor saying:
“My heart quakes at the thought of a female Bond. That would seem to me to be not quite what the author originally intended. “But, ‘The drama’s laws, the drama’s patrons give, For we that live to please, must please to live’ And...
It’s that last one that led a journalist to ask him what he thought of the prospect of a woman taking over as Bond after Daniel Craig, with the actor saying:
“My heart quakes at the thought of a female Bond. That would seem to me to be not quite what the author originally intended. “But, ‘The drama’s laws, the drama’s patrons give, For we that live to please, must please to live’ And...
- 10/25/2019
- by David James
- We Got This Covered
Hayley McElhinney and Rodger Corser in ‘Doctor Doctor.’
A fourth season of Easy Tiger Productions’ Doctor Doctor, the third series of Endemol Shine Australia’s Australian Ninja Warrior and the sixth edition of Esa’s Married at First Sight will screen on the Nine Network next year.
Among other shows highlighted at the network’s Upfronts in Sydney were the perennially popular The Block, season 8 of ITV Studio Australia’s The Voice and the second editions of Wtfn Entertainment’s Paramedics and Nine’s This Time Next Year.
Also renewed are ITV’s Talkin’ ’Bout Your Generation, Nine’s 20 to One, Travel Guides and Australian Crime Stories, and Screentime’s Rbt.
Meanwhile ITV Studios Australia’s Love Island Australia will move from 9Go! to Nine as host Sophie Monk introduces 10 singletons who will play the ultimate game of love and lust.
That’s in addition to a raft of new...
A fourth season of Easy Tiger Productions’ Doctor Doctor, the third series of Endemol Shine Australia’s Australian Ninja Warrior and the sixth edition of Esa’s Married at First Sight will screen on the Nine Network next year.
Among other shows highlighted at the network’s Upfronts in Sydney were the perennially popular The Block, season 8 of ITV Studio Australia’s The Voice and the second editions of Wtfn Entertainment’s Paramedics and Nine’s This Time Next Year.
Also renewed are ITV’s Talkin’ ’Bout Your Generation, Nine’s 20 to One, Travel Guides and Australian Crime Stories, and Screentime’s Rbt.
Meanwhile ITV Studios Australia’s Love Island Australia will move from 9Go! to Nine as host Sophie Monk introduces 10 singletons who will play the ultimate game of love and lust.
That’s in addition to a raft of new...
- 10/17/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Watch WWE legend turned luchador Jeremiah Crane take on Mil Muertes in the exclusive clip below — as they go head-to-head tonight in El Rey Network’s Lucha Underground. Crane (real name Samuel Johnston) always tells a great yarn and appears confident when he is interviewed. Last time we saw him with Mil Muertes he called him by his real name, Pasqual Mendoza. Crane’s modus operandi is intensity overload in the ring and his signature moves like the Cradle Killer and Headlock Driver make his opponents think twice. Many fans know Crane by his other pro wrestling names such as Sami Callihan and...read more...
- 12/28/2016
- by April Neale
- Monsters and Critics
Browse all the sections of the 57th London Film Festival (Oct 9-20) including the galas, competition titles and individual sections.
Alphabetical list of titles by section including feature premiere status
Wp = Wp
Ep = European Premiere
IP = International Premiere
UK = UK Premiere
Gala’s
Opening Night
Captain Phillips, Paul Greengrass (Us) Ep
Closing Night
Saving Mr Banks, John Lee Hancock (Us/UK) Ep
Philomena, Stephen Frears (UK) UK12 Years A Slave, Steve Mcqueen (UK) EPGravity, Alfonso Cuaron (Us) UKInside Llewyn Davis, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen (Us) UKLabor Day, Jason Reitman (Us) EPThe Invisible Woman, Ralph Fiennes (UK), EPThe Epic Of Everest, John Noel (UK) WPBlue Is The Warmest Colour, Abdellatif Kechiche (France) UKNight Moves, Kelly Reichardt (Us) UKStranger By The Lake, Alain Guiraudie (France) UKDon Jon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Us) UKMystery Road, Ivan Sen (Australia) UKOnly Lovers Left Alive, Jim Jarmusch (Us) UKNebraska, Alexander Payne (Us) UKWe Are The Best!, Lukas Moodysson (Sweden) EPFoosball 3D, Juan Jose Campanella (Argentina...
Alphabetical list of titles by section including feature premiere status
Wp = Wp
Ep = European Premiere
IP = International Premiere
UK = UK Premiere
Gala’s
Opening Night
Captain Phillips, Paul Greengrass (Us) Ep
Closing Night
Saving Mr Banks, John Lee Hancock (Us/UK) Ep
Philomena, Stephen Frears (UK) UK12 Years A Slave, Steve Mcqueen (UK) EPGravity, Alfonso Cuaron (Us) UKInside Llewyn Davis, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen (Us) UKLabor Day, Jason Reitman (Us) EPThe Invisible Woman, Ralph Fiennes (UK), EPThe Epic Of Everest, John Noel (UK) WPBlue Is The Warmest Colour, Abdellatif Kechiche (France) UKNight Moves, Kelly Reichardt (Us) UKStranger By The Lake, Alain Guiraudie (France) UKDon Jon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Us) UKMystery Road, Ivan Sen (Australia) UKOnly Lovers Left Alive, Jim Jarmusch (Us) UKNebraska, Alexander Payne (Us) UKWe Are The Best!, Lukas Moodysson (Sweden) EPFoosball 3D, Juan Jose Campanella (Argentina...
- 9/4/2013
- ScreenDaily
Time to find out which four acts advance from the voting to round out the Top 24 semifinalists on "America's Got Talent" Season 8 and which acts advance as the judges' choices.
The first act put through is Dave Fenley, which is not a surprise. He did well and has a really interesting voice, plus he's super likable. The two acts cut when he went through were Vsu Gospel Chorale and Selena Mykenzie Gordon.
The next group brought down is 2unique, Sam Johnson, Catapult Entertainment and Melody Caballero. Of course Catapult gets through, then the other three do not. Not a huge surprise either.
The third group is D'Angelo & Amanda and Ruby & Jonas, with D&A advancing and R&J going home. Yeah, that's right, though we thought maybe R&J would have gotten into the judges' pick between 4 and 5.
The final group knocks out Sprice right away and leaves it between...
The first act put through is Dave Fenley, which is not a surprise. He did well and has a really interesting voice, plus he's super likable. The two acts cut when he went through were Vsu Gospel Chorale and Selena Mykenzie Gordon.
The next group brought down is 2unique, Sam Johnson, Catapult Entertainment and Melody Caballero. Of course Catapult gets through, then the other three do not. Not a huge surprise either.
The third group is D'Angelo & Amanda and Ruby & Jonas, with D&A advancing and R&J going home. Yeah, that's right, though we thought maybe R&J would have gotten into the judges' pick between 4 and 5.
The final group knocks out Sprice right away and leaves it between...
- 8/22/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Time for the last week of quarterfinals on "America's Got Talent." The final 12 acts competing for the Top 20 spots in the semis. Who stood out for you?
For us, the stand outs were definitely D'Angelo & Amanda, Dave Fenley and Catapult Entertainment. Catapult is an obvious one because not only are they very talented dancers and storytellers, but they were also really tugging at the ol' heartstrings.
Fenley's "Trouble" performance was not actually our favorite one he's ever done, but he's still an interesting sound and we imagine has a solid following. And D'Angelo and Amanda are supremely talented dancers.
The only reason we're a little fearful for D'Angelo and Amanda is because D'Angelo's sister Ruby and her dancing partner Jonas may split the votes with them. Both duos are very, very good, but D'Angelo and Amanda are on another level.
As for the fourth act, we really don't know. Sprice is cool,...
For us, the stand outs were definitely D'Angelo & Amanda, Dave Fenley and Catapult Entertainment. Catapult is an obvious one because not only are they very talented dancers and storytellers, but they were also really tugging at the ol' heartstrings.
Fenley's "Trouble" performance was not actually our favorite one he's ever done, but he's still an interesting sound and we imagine has a solid following. And D'Angelo and Amanda are supremely talented dancers.
The only reason we're a little fearful for D'Angelo and Amanda is because D'Angelo's sister Ruby and her dancing partner Jonas may split the votes with them. Both duos are very, very good, but D'Angelo and Amanda are on another level.
As for the fourth act, we really don't know. Sprice is cool,...
- 8/21/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
"America's Got Talent" narrowed down the acts in Las Vegas in a two-part episode on Tuesday (July 16) and Wednesday this week. There was a group of acts that were advanced immediately in Las Vegas without having to perform, then some that were eliminated right away. But the majority of acts performed again and were then either advanced or cut.
Check out the acts in our photo gallery here.
The acts that advanced immediately were:
3Penny Chorus and Orchestra, chorus/orchestra
Aerial Ice, ice skating acrobats
Aerosphere, acrobats
Alexandra the Great, escape artist
The American Military Spouses Choir, chorus
Angela Hoover, comedian/impressionist
Anna Christine, child singer
Bailey the Dancing Dog, dancing dog act
Branden James, opera singer
Catapult Entertainment, shadow dancers
Chicago Boyz, acrobatic dancers
Dave Shirley, comedian
David the Cobra Kid, reptile handler
Fresh Faces, child dance group
Innovative Force, acrobats
Jim Meskimen, comedian
Jimmy Rose, singer
Kenichi Ebina,...
Check out the acts in our photo gallery here.
The acts that advanced immediately were:
3Penny Chorus and Orchestra, chorus/orchestra
Aerial Ice, ice skating acrobats
Aerosphere, acrobats
Alexandra the Great, escape artist
The American Military Spouses Choir, chorus
Angela Hoover, comedian/impressionist
Anna Christine, child singer
Bailey the Dancing Dog, dancing dog act
Branden James, opera singer
Catapult Entertainment, shadow dancers
Chicago Boyz, acrobatic dancers
Dave Shirley, comedian
David the Cobra Kid, reptile handler
Fresh Faces, child dance group
Innovative Force, acrobats
Jim Meskimen, comedian
Jimmy Rose, singer
Kenichi Ebina,...
- 7/18/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
After a season premiere full of incredible performances, the bar was raised especially high for the June 11 contestants of ‘America’s Got Talent.’ So these acts upped the ante — and the emotion.
There’s almost too much talent on America’s Got Talent! The June 11 episode of the hit reality show brought a variety of performances, from unbelievable singers, to circus acts, to sassy kid ballroom dancers. The backgrounds behind some of these contestants were astonishing — and let’s just say there were a few tears in our eyes during some of them.
Howard Stern, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Mel B were back again, this week in San Antonio and New Orleans. The talent just keeps on getting better, and we’re loving every minute of it.
Top 5 Performances From June 11 Episode
5. Sam Johnson: The Handstand Man
In the most death-defying stunt of the night, Sam stuns the...
There’s almost too much talent on America’s Got Talent! The June 11 episode of the hit reality show brought a variety of performances, from unbelievable singers, to circus acts, to sassy kid ballroom dancers. The backgrounds behind some of these contestants were astonishing — and let’s just say there were a few tears in our eyes during some of them.
Howard Stern, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Mel B were back again, this week in San Antonio and New Orleans. The talent just keeps on getting better, and we’re loving every minute of it.
Top 5 Performances From June 11 Episode
5. Sam Johnson: The Handstand Man
In the most death-defying stunt of the night, Sam stuns the...
- 6/12/2013
- by HL Intern
- HollywoodLife
Britain's Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla showed off their rock 'n' roll dance moves yesterday (15.11.12). The royal couple were visiting Christchurch in New Zealand to learn how its residents have rebuilt their lives following a devastating earthquake in February 2011and one of the things they were shown was a pop up dancefloor. Gap Filler, a charitable trust, has been finding uses for open spaces, with the dance area given sound through a washing machine that plays tunes from an mp3 player. Camilla was first on the dancefloor after accepting an invitation from university student Sam Johnson. Swaying to the 1940s music, Camilla - a keen fan of ballroom show 'Strictly Come Dancing' - told her husband: 'Come on darling,...
- 11/16/2012
- Monsters and Critics
The Almighties #1
w: Sam Johnson, Mike Gagnon | a: Eleonora Kortsarz, Pablo Zambrano, D.C. White
I’ve been following writer Sam Johnson on Facebook for some time now, in fact ever since he made a bid to pen one of Marvel’s Deadpool Team-Up issues a couple of years back, so when he asked if I wanted to take a look at The Almighties, the Avengers spoof he co-wrote, I jumped at the chance…
Released, much like Boom Studios The Avengefuls, to coincide with the big-screen release of The Avengers, Actuality Press’ The Almighties parodies the now-familiar tropes of the superhero team genre with a gaggle of heroes that are swiftly introduced within the first few pages of the book, and what a mix – there’s Maxi-Tron, their armour-clad leader; Mason, the groups hard-man mercenary; Ms. F, the embittered housewife turned hero; Nite Fang, the teams token mutant and werewolf, hence the name; and Stefanos,...
w: Sam Johnson, Mike Gagnon | a: Eleonora Kortsarz, Pablo Zambrano, D.C. White
I’ve been following writer Sam Johnson on Facebook for some time now, in fact ever since he made a bid to pen one of Marvel’s Deadpool Team-Up issues a couple of years back, so when he asked if I wanted to take a look at The Almighties, the Avengers spoof he co-wrote, I jumped at the chance…
Released, much like Boom Studios The Avengefuls, to coincide with the big-screen release of The Avengers, Actuality Press’ The Almighties parodies the now-familiar tropes of the superhero team genre with a gaggle of heroes that are swiftly introduced within the first few pages of the book, and what a mix – there’s Maxi-Tron, their armour-clad leader; Mason, the groups hard-man mercenary; Ms. F, the embittered housewife turned hero; Nite Fang, the teams token mutant and werewolf, hence the name; and Stefanos,...
- 5/19/2012
- by Phil
- Nerdly
The latest in what seems to be an inexhaustible supply of quirky Australian films, Elise McCredie's "anti-romantic, pansexual comedy" tries hard -- very hard -- to put a fresh spin on the eternal theme of the female quest for love, or at least for someone appropriate to lose one's virginity to.
While "Strange Fits of Passion" has its amusing moments, it feels relentlessly forced, and its humor is far more contrived than organic. Nominated for three Australian Film Institute Awards and an official selection at last year's Cannes International Film Festival, the film is unlikely to catch on with American audiences who are still concerned with Bridget Jones' problems.
Newcomer Michela Noonan stars in the central role of She, an unnamed young woman working in a used bookshop in Melbourne. Obsessed with romantic poetry, she is nonetheless totally unequipped when a handsome, poetry-reading man (Jack Finsterer) comes on to her. Quickly and rudely rebuffing his advances, she spends the greater part of the film trying to find him again.
In the meantime, she has a series of predictable romantic misadventures: with a politically correct poet (Samuel Johnson) who refuses to make the first move
with a macho Spanish teacher (Steve Adams)
with her gay best friend, Jimmy Mitchell Butel), who is despondent when his lover is revealed to be cheating on him
and even with a pretty female charity worker (Anni Finsterer) who briefly inspires thoughts of lesbianism.
While the film might have worked with an appealing heroine, it must be said that She, performed by Noonan with a preponderance of tics and mannerisms, is ultimately more irritating than endearing. The rambling screenplay, which employs such tired devices as having its central character address the camera directly, is lacking in wit or depth, with the result that the film, clocking in at a mere 80 minutes, seems at least twice as long. While there are some nice visual touches -- a scene set in a glass-bottomed swimming pool on a rooftop is particularly stylish -- "Passion" is ultimately more enervating than entertaining.
STRANGE FITS OF PASSION
Leisure Time Features
Credits:
Director-screenwriter: Elise McCredie
Producer: Lucy MacIaren
Executive producers: Tim White, Carole Sklan, Bryce Menzies, Ian Fairweather, Roslyn Walker
Director of photography: Jaems Grant
Editors: Chris Branagan, Ken Sallows
Music: Cezary Skubiszewski
Production designer: MacGregor Knox.
Cast:
She: Michela Noonan
Jimmy: Mitchell Butel
Josh: Samuel Johnson
Pablo: Steve Adams
Judy: Anni Finsterer
Jaya: Bojana Novakovic
Francis: Jack Finsterer
No MPAA rating
Color/stereo
Running time -- 80 minutes...
While "Strange Fits of Passion" has its amusing moments, it feels relentlessly forced, and its humor is far more contrived than organic. Nominated for three Australian Film Institute Awards and an official selection at last year's Cannes International Film Festival, the film is unlikely to catch on with American audiences who are still concerned with Bridget Jones' problems.
Newcomer Michela Noonan stars in the central role of She, an unnamed young woman working in a used bookshop in Melbourne. Obsessed with romantic poetry, she is nonetheless totally unequipped when a handsome, poetry-reading man (Jack Finsterer) comes on to her. Quickly and rudely rebuffing his advances, she spends the greater part of the film trying to find him again.
In the meantime, she has a series of predictable romantic misadventures: with a politically correct poet (Samuel Johnson) who refuses to make the first move
with a macho Spanish teacher (Steve Adams)
with her gay best friend, Jimmy Mitchell Butel), who is despondent when his lover is revealed to be cheating on him
and even with a pretty female charity worker (Anni Finsterer) who briefly inspires thoughts of lesbianism.
While the film might have worked with an appealing heroine, it must be said that She, performed by Noonan with a preponderance of tics and mannerisms, is ultimately more irritating than endearing. The rambling screenplay, which employs such tired devices as having its central character address the camera directly, is lacking in wit or depth, with the result that the film, clocking in at a mere 80 minutes, seems at least twice as long. While there are some nice visual touches -- a scene set in a glass-bottomed swimming pool on a rooftop is particularly stylish -- "Passion" is ultimately more enervating than entertaining.
STRANGE FITS OF PASSION
Leisure Time Features
Credits:
Director-screenwriter: Elise McCredie
Producer: Lucy MacIaren
Executive producers: Tim White, Carole Sklan, Bryce Menzies, Ian Fairweather, Roslyn Walker
Director of photography: Jaems Grant
Editors: Chris Branagan, Ken Sallows
Music: Cezary Skubiszewski
Production designer: MacGregor Knox.
Cast:
She: Michela Noonan
Jimmy: Mitchell Butel
Josh: Samuel Johnson
Pablo: Steve Adams
Judy: Anni Finsterer
Jaya: Bojana Novakovic
Francis: Jack Finsterer
No MPAA rating
Color/stereo
Running time -- 80 minutes...
The latest in what seems to be an inexhaustible supply of quirky Australian films, Elise McCredie's "anti-romantic, pansexual comedy" tries hard -- very hard -- to put a fresh spin on the eternal theme of the female quest for love, or at least for someone appropriate to lose one's virginity to.
While "Strange Fits of Passion" has its amusing moments, it feels relentlessly forced, and its humor is far more contrived than organic. Nominated for three Australian Film Institute Awards and an official selection at last year's Cannes International Film Festival, the film is unlikely to catch on with American audiences who are still concerned with Bridget Jones' problems.
Newcomer Michela Noonan stars in the central role of She, an unnamed young woman working in a used bookshop in Melbourne. Obsessed with romantic poetry, she is nonetheless totally unequipped when a handsome, poetry-reading man (Jack Finsterer) comes on to her. Quickly and rudely rebuffing his advances, she spends the greater part of the film trying to find him again.
In the meantime, she has a series of predictable romantic misadventures: with a politically correct poet (Samuel Johnson) who refuses to make the first move
with a macho Spanish teacher (Steve Adams)
with her gay best friend, Jimmy Mitchell Butel), who is despondent when his lover is revealed to be cheating on him
and even with a pretty female charity worker (Anni Finsterer) who briefly inspires thoughts of lesbianism.
While the film might have worked with an appealing heroine, it must be said that She, performed by Noonan with a preponderance of tics and mannerisms, is ultimately more irritating than endearing. The rambling screenplay, which employs such tired devices as having its central character address the camera directly, is lacking in wit or depth, with the result that the film, clocking in at a mere 80 minutes, seems at least twice as long. While there are some nice visual touches -- a scene set in a glass-bottomed swimming pool on a rooftop is particularly stylish -- "Passion" is ultimately more enervating than entertaining.
STRANGE FITS OF PASSION
Leisure Time Features
Credits:
Director-screenwriter: Elise McCredie
Producer: Lucy MacIaren
Executive producers: Tim White, Carole Sklan, Bryce Menzies, Ian Fairweather, Roslyn Walker
Director of photography: Jaems Grant
Editors: Chris Branagan, Ken Sallows
Music: Cezary Skubiszewski
Production designer: MacGregor Knox.
Cast:
She: Michela Noonan
Jimmy: Mitchell Butel
Josh: Samuel Johnson
Pablo: Steve Adams
Judy: Anni Finsterer
Jaya: Bojana Novakovic
Francis: Jack Finsterer
No MPAA rating
Color/stereo
Running time -- 80 minutes...
While "Strange Fits of Passion" has its amusing moments, it feels relentlessly forced, and its humor is far more contrived than organic. Nominated for three Australian Film Institute Awards and an official selection at last year's Cannes International Film Festival, the film is unlikely to catch on with American audiences who are still concerned with Bridget Jones' problems.
Newcomer Michela Noonan stars in the central role of She, an unnamed young woman working in a used bookshop in Melbourne. Obsessed with romantic poetry, she is nonetheless totally unequipped when a handsome, poetry-reading man (Jack Finsterer) comes on to her. Quickly and rudely rebuffing his advances, she spends the greater part of the film trying to find him again.
In the meantime, she has a series of predictable romantic misadventures: with a politically correct poet (Samuel Johnson) who refuses to make the first move
with a macho Spanish teacher (Steve Adams)
with her gay best friend, Jimmy Mitchell Butel), who is despondent when his lover is revealed to be cheating on him
and even with a pretty female charity worker (Anni Finsterer) who briefly inspires thoughts of lesbianism.
While the film might have worked with an appealing heroine, it must be said that She, performed by Noonan with a preponderance of tics and mannerisms, is ultimately more irritating than endearing. The rambling screenplay, which employs such tired devices as having its central character address the camera directly, is lacking in wit or depth, with the result that the film, clocking in at a mere 80 minutes, seems at least twice as long. While there are some nice visual touches -- a scene set in a glass-bottomed swimming pool on a rooftop is particularly stylish -- "Passion" is ultimately more enervating than entertaining.
STRANGE FITS OF PASSION
Leisure Time Features
Credits:
Director-screenwriter: Elise McCredie
Producer: Lucy MacIaren
Executive producers: Tim White, Carole Sklan, Bryce Menzies, Ian Fairweather, Roslyn Walker
Director of photography: Jaems Grant
Editors: Chris Branagan, Ken Sallows
Music: Cezary Skubiszewski
Production designer: MacGregor Knox.
Cast:
She: Michela Noonan
Jimmy: Mitchell Butel
Josh: Samuel Johnson
Pablo: Steve Adams
Judy: Anni Finsterer
Jaya: Bojana Novakovic
Francis: Jack Finsterer
No MPAA rating
Color/stereo
Running time -- 80 minutes...
- 5/22/2001
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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