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Padmafrench
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God's Favorite Idiot (2022)
Screwball gem with depth!
Don't be deceived by the hilarity and 'wackiness' of this sweet, funny, outrageous, tricky little masterpiece. A wealth of positive messages runs throughout, from diverse perspectives, about inclusiveness, acceptance, kindness, empathy, unconventionality, imperfection - basically about the beauty and power of being a non-judgemental, good human. As for the 'Godly' message - it's discussed a few times during the film how religions are fundamentally singin' the same song. There are also darker, brilliantly expounded themes to be found - like the hell caused by bigotry, the importance of thinking for yourself to avoid being sucked in by the insanity and cruelty promoted in some areas of social media and the press and how this is really always just the baddies gasping and grasping for money and power. So, just to repeat myself - the smart, nutty gorgeous, eccentric characters and the deceptively simple script are a joy! This is refreshing, hilarious, thought provoking, screwball, tender - all ya need in your soul's first aid kit. Dear God - this is a winner - please make them do more seasons - thank you. (Also - BIG thanks to Melissa and Ben for being born, getting married and doing your thang/s).
O Vendedor de Sonhos (2016)
Powerful, Moving and Unique
I knew nothing about this film but just liked the title and the promo image, so thought I'd go for it. I'm SO glad I did. It was like no other film I've ever seen. Firstly, the music was exquisite - and so was the the casting, the cinematography, the acting and everthing else about it. But I found the heart of this film to be the powerfully, cleverly, beautifully elucidated message - i.e., that many humans have lost their basic humanity and many (most?) in power are only interested in power (and money honey), and NOT the greater good. I'm not used to hearing the things that make me mutter obscenities under my breath when I watch the nightly news, being strongly expressed in a film, so it took me by surprise (in a good way). Lots of people apparently feel uncomfortable when confronted with these 'concepts', and dismiss it all as merely clichéd. On one level that's undeniable, but on a deeper level, those damn clichés are...'uncomfortable truths' (oops sorry, another annoying 'cliché') Anwyay - loved it! Don't miss it!
(P. S. thank you to all involved with this film and especially to the writers - write on!).
Fisk (2021)
FISK Season 1 ABC Australia: TOTAL WINNER
FISK is grouse. It's the small details, the big details, the medium details. It's Fisk, (Kitty Genius Fanagan), stomping around in her hideous, yet surprisingly poignant, baby-poo-coloured business attire; it's Roz Gruber (Julia Magnifique Zemiro), as the pass-agg, puffed-up, pretentious, part-owner; it's Ray Gruber (Marty Drop-Dead-Funny Sheargold), as the congenial, part-owner and it's George (Aaron HilAIRious Chen) as the endearingly inept, blindly confident recpetionist/webmaster - all gold-class comedians. The 'FIFO' talent is also top shelf, as is the writing and just - all the other stuff. Gives me my faith back in humanity (a fair bit).
Anyway ABC Aust - you may as well get the next 20 seasons on the go right now because I reckon you're gonna need them. Go Fisky!
Old People's Home for 4 Year Olds (2019)
Old People's Home for 4 Year Olds is an absolute TREASURE!
Originating in the UK - this is reality TV at it finest {and towers over the likes of, e.g., MAFS). Old Peeps Home for 4 yo's is absolutely wonderful for many reasons, one being that it's presented authentically, so we see true, captivating human interactions. Let's hope it never becomes contrived and over-produced because it's perfect as it is - beautiful, adorable, hilarious, heart-warming and life-transforming! Something similar should be in school curriculums, from early learning onward - to open people's minds (and hearts), from an early age to being more understanding, thoughtful, kind, empathetic humans. It'd also help dismantle the culture of ageism, which currently exists, where 'oldies' are largely disrespected and dismissed rather than respected and honoured for their wealth of knowledge, insight, expertise, (probably heaps of life hacks!), etc., and included as an essential, powerful part of society. SO happy Season 2 is in Australia Tue 6 Apr 2021. Also, thanks to all who have brought this genius show to our screens, & shots of pure joy to our pandemic-weary hearts. Heres' to a hundred more seasons!
My Spy (2020)
Don't Blind-eye My Spy!
I'm usually more of an *'It's a Wonderful Life' -1946, kinda gal but tonight - I don't even know what made me press play on My Spy - maybe that intense little thumbnail pic - but I'm chuffed I did.
It's a solid blast of funny, silly, clever and surprisingly endearing, with great performances from all, (including the dinky little doggie).
Pairing the kooky, comic genius of Kristen Schaal with the pent-up, hyper-masculine vulnerability of Dave Bautista worked a treat.
Also - the music was ace.
*I probably won't be watching My Spy every christmas for the next 50 years, but I'd happily recommend it as a plucky little pick-me-up.
Cook Off (2017)
A Gem!
I discovered this movie on Netflix Australia the other night after scrolling, scrolling, scrolling...ooh - wait a minute - did I just find a movie from Zimbabwe? Wow - never seen one. Well I'm so glad I dived in, because it was a treat!
There was some great acting, some popping chemistry between Anesu and her swooney suitor, lots of laughs - and I must mention the fantastic music tracks - I wrote them all down so I can explore later!
'Cook Off' gives us a rare glimpse into life in Zimbabwe - or life in a Zimbabwean film I guess, whatever - because in that glimpse, of course, we see the same funny, silly, cranky, sweet, scared, spunky humans doing their thing, having their dramas, loves and laughs - just like all over this tiny, spinning globe we're clinging on to.
Meanwhile, I'm really looking forward to the next Zimbabwean film.
Dearest Jane (2015)
Filmmaking at it's most genuine and powerful.
I'm with KiraDK - totally loved this film.
Beautifully written and directed, I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I chanced upon this gorgeous film late last night on Netflix. Sure, maybe there are minor flaws, but any imperfection fades away in the face of the quiet gutsiness, the gentleness, the rawness, the dreaminess, the awful sadness, the precious happiness...ok, you can see it hit a major artery for me. I want to write to the actors to check they're ok. Bad idea - but it's just so refreshing to see a film where you really care about the characters.
It has it's 'words of wisdom' moments - great, insightful words - not didactic or 'greeting cardish', but genuinely wise, moving and deftly worked into the moment. John Lerchen, the young writer and director, must be one hell of a human being and I cannot wait to see more of his work.
It may not seem so at the beginning, but this is a big film. It delves deep...and on a hot summer night, in a quiet, Australian seaside suburb, it snuck up on me and touched my heart with a big, fat kapow!
For me, that's what great filmmaking is all about.