http://www.filmdude.com.au/ FILMDUDE - Movie Reviews Australia en http://www.filmdude.com.au/images/authors/migga.png http://www.filmdude.com.au/ http://www.filmdude.com.au/festival/ivelovedyousolong/ "I've Loved You So Long" is a raw, sparse film about human pain that is at times difficult to watch, and yet mesmerising. As Juliette slowly but uncompromisingly opens and embraces her new life, we rejoice as she finally begins to reclaim power from the oppressive secrets of her past. With an exquisitely stripped-down performance from the lead actress, this magnetic, emotionally wrenching film is very highly recommended. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +1000 http://www.filmdude.com.au/festival.php?id=157 http://www.filmdude.com.au/cinema/yesman/ "Yes Man" is a warm-hearted, thought-provoking, and often hilarious comedy that makes for a very entertaining film. With a script perfectly suited to its unique star, the imaginative twists and turns of the plot will have you firmly cheering for Carl as he experiences the ups and downs of his experiment, but also pondering your own life. The message here is simple - try embracing more of life's opportunities. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +1000 http://www.filmdude.com.au/cinema.php?id=152 http://www.filmdude.com.au/festival/vickycristinabarcelona/ "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" is an audacious romantic comedy that raises provocative questions on life and love. Set amongst the splendour and beauty of a Catalan backdrop, the affable characters provide a funny and capricious look into human relationships. The arts, love, sexual passion, and desire are blended together, explored, and then endearingly exposed in all of their intricacy - creating a bittersweet, entertaining film. Sun, 04 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +1000 http://www.filmdude.com.au/festival.php?id=155 http://www.filmdude.com.au/cinema/curiouscaseofbenjaminbutton/ "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is a beautifully crafted and acted film, but the running time and ambiguity surrounding its message holds it back. Lessons of fate, mortality, life, and death are prevalent - but they remain convoluted. For all their enigmatic symbolism, they are difficult to comprehend and appreciate. However, that's not to say the audience won't be able to draw their own conclusions from the many parables throughout. Indulge your curiosity, watch it, and make up your own mind. Sun, 28 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +1000 http://www.filmdude.com.au/cinema.php?id=151 http://www.filmdude.com.au/cinema/frostnixon/ "Frost/Nixon" is an intelligent and provocative political drama. The film's strength lies in dialogue that is witty and engaging, delivered by superlative performances from the two leads. Frost and Nixon are combatants slugging out a verbal war, gaining ascendancy only to be countered. Their battle of wills generates cinema that is completely engrossing. Who'd have thought that two men sitting down and talking to each other could be so entertaining? Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +1000 http://www.filmdude.com.au/cinema.php?id=147 http://www.filmdude.com.au/festival/americanteen/ All the stereotypes are covered in this down-to-earth documentary, allowing every audience member to find a teen they can relate to. Our young protagonists are a mature lot, providing good material for the camera. As you could imagine, there is plenty of angst and drama, and while most of it is probably staged, it's still fun to experience vicariously. American Teen is ultimately about confronting new chapters in our lives, and is definitely worth a look. Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +1000 http://www.filmdude.com.au/festival.php?id=149 http://www.filmdude.com.au/cinema/slumdogmillionaire/ Slumdog Millionaire is a beautiful, almost epic story of love, struggle and money. The plot is tightly constructed, with Jamal reflecting on the vivid memories of his past while answering questions on the show, recollecting his life in the Indian slums. High in emotion, and rife with tension, Slumdog Millionaire is both breathtaking and fascinating, an experience that will stay with you long after you leave the cinema. Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +1000 http://www.filmdude.com.au/cinema.php?id=150 http://www.filmdude.com.au/cinema/twilight/ "Twilight" is in essence a thinly veiled melodrama. The bulk of the film constitutes parading an endless procession of our star-crossed lovers staring longingly at each other, which achieves nothing but to reduce it to a lumbering bore. It feels like filler to a paper-thin plot, irrevocably prevalent when crucial story revelations are uncovered simply by using an online search engine. An overwhelming sense of the anemic is coupled with dialogue that is as bland and as pale as the vampires' ridiculous skin. Appropriately put, this movie sucks. Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +1000 http://www.filmdude.com.au/cinema.php?id=148 http://www.filmdude.com.au/cinema/highschoolmusical3/ HSM3 might be better suited for the stage, but definitely not for the big screen. It feels like cameras were simply stationed in front of each performance, creating a dull and disappointing view considering the potential of cinema. The dance choreography is impressive, far superior to the songs that take too long to gather any momentum or vivacity. The climax is a simple re-hash of the film's earlier songs, and like my senior year, I couldn't wait for it to be over. Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +1000 http://www.filmdude.com.au/cinema.php?id=146 http://www.filmdude.com.au/festival/dostana/ Similar stories in Hollywood have produced deplorable fare, but how does the Bollywood version compare? Laughs are the same, elicited from the "obvious" humour in straight people playing gay stereotypes. The best scenes involve Sam's mother, who unintentionally becomes aware of his lifestyle change, a key scene that introduces the running themes of family and forgiveness. Dostana is superficial, but you will find it hard to resist its glamour and charm. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +1000 http://www.filmdude.com.au/festival.php?id=144