Search Results for: blaze

Film Review: Julia is a heartwarming documentary about trailblazer chef extraordinaire Julia Child

Julia is the latest film by documentary filmmakers Betsy West and Julie Cohen. They are best known for their acclaimed works such as RBG and My Name is Pauli Murray; studies of renowned trailblazers who have contributed so much to the world and have shattered social norms in order to do so. The latest subject…


SXSW Film Review: Swan Song is a reminder to the queer trailblazers of where they have been and how far the community has come

German character actor Udo Kier is so synonymous with villainy that his role in Swan Song appears all the more revelatory.  But given the actor’s own queer identification and penchant for theatrical performances, a character like his at the centre of Todd Stephens‘s gentle dramedy feels quite in tune with the actor’s aesthetic. Based on…


Discussing the rise of Just Blaze in Netflix’s Rapture with director Gabriel Noble

In just a few days time, music fans will be given a unique insight into the lives and perspectives of individual rappers with new Netflix docuseries Rapture. Produced in collaboration with Mass Appeal, the eight-part hip hop series will look at the culture and art via artists across generations, one being super producer Just Blaze….


SXSW Interview: Sybil Rosen & Josh Hamilson talk Blaze and working with Ethan Hawke

With the film screening at SXSW earlier this month, we hit the red carpet to meet Sybil Rosen, the muse of songwriter Blaze Foley, who co-wrote the screenplay for the new film Blaze, directed by Ethan Hawke. The film documents Foley’s life, and sees Rosen played beautifully by Alia Shawkat (pictured in character above with Ben Dickey,…


SXSW Film Review: Ethan Hawke’s Blaze (USA, 2018) is a powerful and effective tribute to a musical great

In the first scenes of Ethan Hawke’s new film Blaze, a biopic about oft Austin based, relatively obscure American musician Blaze Foley, we find out that this story doesn’t have a happy ending. Foley’s life was one cut violently short. It’s a choice that Hawke said was made to keep the film from being emotionally manipulative,…


SXSW Interview: Ethan Hawke on directing Blaze Foley’s story in Blaze

Ethan Hawke‘s film about iconic country blues singer/songwriter Blaze Foley has been praised by critics since its premiere at Sundance in January, and last week it was Austin’s turn, with Blaze screening at SXSW. At that event, held in the city where Blaze lived for much of his life, we caught up with the Hawke…




Film Review: Book Of Love is an entirely harmless and inherently sweet romantic comedy

“It was so long, I wish I’d watch paint dry instead!” Not the most encouraging way to open a review.  Though, thankfully, I’m referring to the book “The Sensible Heart”, the novel-within-the-movie that Book Of Love‘s main character has written, and not Analeine Cal y Mayor‘s film itself. Said writer is Henry Copper (Sam Claflin,…


Film Review: Being the Ricardos is a narratively disjointed, though enjoyably acted biopic about the unmatched Lucille Ball

Much was said about Being the Ricardos before it even screened for critics, with the fact that stars Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem were somewhat controversial casting choices to play Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.  Neither looks considerably like the legendary comedic performers, which left a certain sour taste in the mouths of those wondering…


Swan Song proves an absolute joy to behold due to Udo Kier’s beautiful, vanity-free performance: Brisbane International Film Festival review

German character actor Udo Kier is so synonymous with villainy that his role in Swan Song appears all the more revelatory.  But given the actor’s own queer identification and penchant for theatrical performances, a character like his at the centre of Todd Stephens‘s gentle dramedy feels quite in tune with the actor’s aesthetic. Based on…


Interview: RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under winner Kita Mean on snatching the crown and learning about herself

You’re a winner, baby! The anticipated first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under has sashayed away but not before crowning its rightful winner – New Zealand drag queen, Kita Mean. Along with the crown, Kita Mean secured herself a one year’s supply of Revolutions Beauty Cosmetics and a cash prize of $30,000. Having victoriously…


Film Review: Those Who Wish Me Dead is an efficient actioner that modifies the western genre

Adhering to a similar action efficiency of his penned Sicario, though not quite as emotionally rousing as his own Wind River or near-note perfect Hell Or High Water, Taylor Sheridan‘s Those Who Wish Me Dead is nonetheless a strong continuation of his brand of modifying the western genre. Adopting an environmental temperament and leaning into…


Film Review: Promising Young Woman is a delicious indulgence that will make your stomach churn

With an often bright, candy coated aesthetic that masks a darker, more poisonous taste inside, Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell‘s bold debut, is the type of delicious indulgence that will ultimately make your stomach churn. Headlined by a career-best Carey Mulligan (her performance sure to be a consistent contender come award season), Promising Young Woman…


TIFF Review: Holler is a remarkable coming-of-age drama and directorial debut from Nicole Riegel

Jessica Barden stars as Ruth Avery, a high school student who lives in Jackson, Ohio with her older brother Blaze (Gus Halper). She is intelligent and resilient but due to her living conditions, she is looked down upon by people at school to the point that she has to resort to stealing books (i.e. Madame…


First Impressions: Amazon Prime Video’s Little Fires Everywhere overcomes its melodramatic state thanks to nuanced performances from Witherspoon and Washington

Perhaps as it should, Little Fires Everywhere does indeed start with a fire.  “There are little fires everywhere”, a fire marshal relays to a distraught Reese Witherspoon and a concerned Joshua Jackson, as they stare at their sprawling suburban home engulfed in flames.  The marshal’s statement indicates this was intentionally lit, setting up an immediate…


Film Review: Carl Laemmle is an insightful look at Universal Pictures’ founding father & visionary uncle

They called him “Uncle Carl”. For some of the employees at Universal Pictures that’s because he was their actual family member. But for many others, this diminutive entrepreneur was a well-respected man and a boss with a gigantic heart. This documentary is an illuminating guide to this gentle and helpful soul, and a testament to…


Sydney Film Festival Review: Martha: A Picture Story is a sharp look at her many pictures of you

They say if you do something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. American photographer, Martha Cooper fits this to a tee. She has had a long and storied career capturing some fine images of urban landscapes, and changing towns and communities. Martha: A Picture Story is like a love letter to…


SXSW Film Festival Review: Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins (USA, 2019) examines the politics behind this unsinkable Molly

The Titanic had the Unsinkable Molly Brown. Texas meanwhile, had the unstoppable Molly Ivins. This tall, flame-haired woman was an outspoken, political commentator with a razor-sharp wit. Raise Hell is a documentary that covers every inch of this larger-than-life character. This film is the first documentary to be made about this formidable subject. It’s hard…



AMW Film Festival Review: Lost in France (UK, 2018) is a love letter to Scottish musicians Mogwai, Franz Ferdinand and more

What goes on tour stays on tour. Except if you’re the Scottish artists who feature in Lost in France. This music documentary is a boozy and breezy look back at a once-forgotten, 1997 Brittany tour. The artists reunite again in 2015 and in doing so, prove that some things – like friendship – never change….


Down Under, Maeby? Arrested Development star Alia Shawkat set to attend 2018 Melbourne International Film Festival

American actor Alia Shawkat, best known for her role in cult TV comedy series Arrested Development is set to attend this years’ Melbourne International Film Festival, for the screening of biopic Blaze directed by Ethan Hawke (Training Day), in which she stars. The accomplished actor will also participate in a special In Conversation event at the Comedy Theatre on August 18th,…


Interview: Matt Ryan on Constantine, repeated resurrections and Supanova Comic Con and Gaming

Every now and then an actor lands a role that somehow becomes almost synonymous with their name and face, and you could probably say that of Matt Ryan. After completing a performing arts course and graduating from the Bristol Old Vic theatre school he moved through a variety of television and movie roles before landing…


2018 Melbourne International Film Festival to open with Australian premiere of Wildlife

The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) will soon be upon us once again, running from 2-9 August, 2018. The 67th outing of the Festival will also mark the premiere of actor Paul Dano’s (Swiss Army Man) directorial debut Wildlife, starring Carey Mulligan (Collateral), Jake Gyllenhaal (Southpaw) and Australia’s Ed Oxenbould (The Visit). The First Glance selection, comprising of32 films demonstrating MIFF’s…


First Impressions: Netflix’s Rapture examines the power of hip hop with empathy and intimacy

Hip hop, now considered the dominant and most popular style of contemporary music in the world, is one of the most powerful and important forms of art to emerge in the past few decades, and that can be an incredibly hard notion for many to wrap their head around. The fascination with the art and…


Film Review: Netflix’s Annihilation (USA, 2018) is a seriously intelligent, visually stunning picture

Rousing its fair share of controversy over Paramount Studios’ decision to release it to streaming service Netflix the world over (save for North America and China) instead of in cinemas for which it was initially intended, Alex Garland‘s ambitious Annihilation is certainly a unique production for such a risk-adverse studio. Whilst there’s a certain arthouse…


Film Review: The Post (USA, 2017) is a thrilling look at a significant point in history

These days the words, “The Post” are more likely to get you thinking about a blog then a newspaper. In fact, Steven Spielberg’s latest film, The Post is all about history and a bygone era in print journalism. It’s a historic thriller and bio-pic that looks at how The Washington Post handled the decision to…


The inaugural Australian Music Week Film Festival unveils incredible international program

The first ever Australian Music Week Film Festival arrives at the end of next month, set to screen an impressive array of World and Australian Premieres across two venues from October 31st until November 3rd. The festival accompanies the annual Australian Music Week conference, which takes over Cronulla Beach for three days just outside of…


A massive line up of guests has been announced for the 2017 Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF)

The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) kicks off next week, and along for the ride will be a slew of special guests for a run of red carpet events, Q&As and more. It all kicks off on 3rd August when the cast and crew of the MIFF Premiere Film Fund supported Jungle will walk Grey…


2017 Sydney-UNESCO City of Film Award presented to Indigenous filmmaker Leah Purcell

Acclaimed Indigenous  Australian director, writer and performer Leah Purcell has been awarded the 2017 Sydney-UNESCO City of Film Award at last night’s closing of the Sydney Film Festival. The award follows a huge year for Leah, from adapting and starring in the theatre adaptation of acclaimed Australian novel The Drover’s Wife, with which she won the…