Skyfall - Old dog. New Tricks.

I had heard a lot from friends and family about their impressions of Skyfall. Some with film backgrounds, some without, but I can honestly say their was a severe divide between everyone about this film. Some absolutely hated it whilst others thought it was the best Bond film yet. Needless to say, I went into that cinema with mixed emotions.

Thankfully, these soon dissipated after an enthralling action sequence which started off the film in good strides. Motorcycles being thrown at cameras and riding across rooftops; Bond and his assailant committing an epic train fight stunt; and a thrilling cliff hanger right before the opening titles, all told the audience the old Bond was back with some new tricks. The impressive detail to cinematography, set design, and editing were absolute standouts amongst all the production values for Skyfall and the heads of these departments should be extremely proud. Continuity and makeup were lacking precision in some scenes but that's forgivable in light of the film's scope and vision. Speaking of, Sam Mendes' exceptional directing skills shone throughout this film, with his intentions clearly sustained for the film's entirety. Acting gongs must be given out to Javier Bardem for his spine-chilling portrayal of Tiago Rodriguez, a name I won't be forgetting in a while, and Daniel Craig of course, for managing to show us Bond's various weaknesses in the short time he was given, amongst all the bravado we know him for.

Finally, and possibly the most impressive element of the whole film, was its introduction of "the new era", a term constantly referred to throughout the film. The point was well-made by the production team that the Bond we all know and love is no more. A world of guns, grenades and Bond girls is no match for the new wave of "cyber crime" we are experiencing each day. As the "new" Q comments "I can do more damage on my laptop, sitting in my pajamas, before my first cup of Earl Grey than you can do a year in the field." Bond-lovers who expect the crew behind this legendary story to maintain the "old ways" are told repeatedly throughout Skyfall they are foolish for expecting such a thing when the world is constantly changing and its up to Bond and Mi6 to keep up the best way they can.

 Skyfall is for me, everything I love in a Bond film. Action scenes were a step above the precedent; new characters provided a refreshing change to an old narrative; and the focus and care taken by the production crew in all their capacities is inspirational. Its films like these that makes me want to work in the film industry. Well done 007.

TANGO UNDERPANTS

For all interested, Tango Underpants is a short film I'm currently working on in Perth, WA that has just achieved a sensational crowdfunding result, raising over $25,000 in under 24 hours.

The film stars Emma Booth who plays Carolyn, a down on her luck lady of intrigue who travels to Buenos Aires after a messy break-up from her douche-bag boyfriend. There she discovers the wonderful land of the Tango but before she can participate in its magic, she must first learn how to rekindle her mojo and in order to do, must find the perfect underpants.

Tango Underpants is still looking for amazing supporters to assist in this film's production. If you are interested in contributing, head to their Pozible page now.
PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT NOW!!!

Everyone's Talking About...Redfern Now

Ever since I heard that this show was in development, I have been dying to see it. Finally, someone got around to producing an Australian TV show featuring real Australians in the form of Redfern, Sydney's indigenous community. This show is not your typical in-your-face exposé on indigenous life but rather an intellectual look at the modern day lives of this individual group. 

Redfern Now is a 6-part series produced for the ABC by Blackfella Films that tells the stories of six inner-city households in one street. In each episode, one seemingly insignificant event will completely change the course of the main characters' daily journeys. Family dramas, relationship problems, money troubles and everyday societal issues are just a few of the plot-lines explored in this series. Working closely with Jimmy McGovern (Story Producer), the producers of RN have created a series that closely follows the successful formula of the show which catapulted McGovern's career, The Street.

The thing that worked so well for me with Redfern Now was its impecable production values. Location, production design, editing, sound design and filming style are just a few elements that caught my eye and held it throughout the duration of the first episode. As a rule, I am instantly turned off my any television show or feature film that has a disregard for fine form. Redfern Now does not belong in this category. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the sheer amount of work that has gone into making this show look so damn good is a lot better than most of the drivel existing on mainstream Australian television right now (Yes, Channel 7. I am looking at you and Winners and Losers)

Many critics today will be launching into how much of a revolution Redfern Now is for the indigenous film and television community. This is a load of wirrilkaru crap. The reality is, indigenous production houses such as Blackfella Films have made some of Australia's best movies of late. In fact, our most successful home exports, particularly in the festival circuits, have come from indigenous producers. Samson and Delilah, Ten Canoes, The Sapphires, and Ivan Sen's Toomelah which was a big hit at the Sydney Film Festival last year. At the end of the day, this is a TV series to educate, inform, entertain and abolish the divide between what is "Australian" and what is "Indigenous." For me, as long as its all good TV, I don't care what you call it. 

Redfern Now screens Thursday on ABC1 at 8:30pm.