s-prime Reviews

Powderburn (1999)

Another view

[10/10 · 23 May 2003]

"It's got pace, humour and a lot of heart. Stephen Prime's debut film goes a long way to show that Australian filmmaking i becoming more and more diverse, heralding a new era of local talent steaming into view. With complex, cinematically intriguing direction and characters that become more colourful with every scene, Powder Burn sizzles with understated black humour. (Not since Death in Brunswick has there been so much hilarity based on carting around a corpse.) Offbeat and funky, the script carves up a web of intrigue and surprises and introduces us to fascinating, horrifying characters who always engage. Blazey Best is riveting as Chrisie, a sort of Aussie-style Jennifer Annistone - sultry, sexy and down-to-earth. All the performances zing with a style that is dinky-di through and through while Martin Armiger's amazing score reverberates and compounds the complexities of the plot. Plus we get to see a bit of the country - from Sydney Harbour to the remote bush. Powder Burn is raw talent on show - an exciting peek at tomorrow's filmmakers at work - in a potboiler that scorches as harshly as the relentless Australian sun." Louise Keller - Urban Cinefile

Powderburn (1999)

To balance the view

[10/10 · 23 May 2003]

"It's a real pleasure to see an Australian action thriller work so well, with its clearheaded objective to engage and entertain. Genre films are rare in Australia, but the debate about why belongs elsewhere. Stephen Prime proves we can make our own, with our own flavours, colours and identifiably Australian elements. There is no attempt to somehow manufacture an 'international' film - it just works on its own terms, precisely because it is bedded in the Australian ethos. Prime constantly gives us reasons to keep watching, and the film pivots on its strong female lead character, boldly portrayed by the well-named Blazey Best as Chrisie. Best is in good company with top notch supports, especially the exotic Olivia Pigeot as the other key female character, Lily. The cast work well together with a tight script and Prime directs with natural flair, occasionally adding stylistic editing touches (especially early in the film) which contribute to the overall edginess. Budgeted at over $1.3 million, Powder Burn was actually made on determination and deferrals (and a wise pay tv rights acquisition from Premium Movie Partnership, on Foxtel), plus $200,000 from private investors, which it ought to recoup. Prime and his team have made an enjoyable and watchable thriller; they should make some more." Andrew L. Urban

The 13th Floor (1988)

A lot of people getting their 13th Floors mixed up!

[23 May 2003]

This one is a modest little horror film made on the smell of oily rag. Just out of film school, writer/director Chris Roache shot this film in 24 days and copped a lot of grief doing it. But that's another story. It was always destined for the the video market at the time and did exceptionally well in the UK rental market chalking up a silver sales award.