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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 17 April 2006

The Australian military had fought in wars before but it wasn’t until 1942 that our own home soil faced its first serious attack.  Japanese soldiers landed in Papua New Guinea (which at the time was an Australian colony) and tried to take control.  Considered key by both the Australians and the Japanese was the inland village of Kokoda.  It was home to an airstrip and many other valuable supplies.  Over the course of the six month battle, control of Kokoda changed several times.

The Kokoda Trail linked the northern coast of Papua New Guinea (where the Japanese landed) with the southern coast (where the Australians landed).  It was on this rough, mountainous path where many of the battles took place.  In all, more than 600 Australians were killed.  Australia took control of Kokoda once and for all in November 1942 and the Japanese had fully retreated by January 1943.

It has been over 60 years since the end of World War II and there are many who have forgotten or aren’t familiar with the incredible job that was done by the Australian military.  It sounds like a cliché but we could be a very different country today had Australia not defended so resolutely.  This film serves as the perfect medium for bringing the story of the Kokoda soliders back into the spotlight.  Its release date, just five days before Anzac Day, is no coincidence.

The full Kokoda story is too long to bring to the screen and so the film focuses instead on a small group of soldiers in the 39^th battalion who have become cut-off from their comrades.  Under continual attack from the Japanese, they try to negotiate the arduous terrain and make it back it base.  They have no food, no radios and no medication to treat their illnesses and injuries.  Not all will make it back alive.

Based on a true story, you’d be forgiven if you thought this was a huge war blockbuster with a multi-million dollar budget.  It reminded me very much of Terrence Malick’s The Thin Red Line (which cost over $50m).  Kokoda is a film of the highest quality and a great endorsement of the talent in the Australian film industry.  We know how to fight and we know how to make great movies!

Kokoda is the first full-length feature from young director Alister Grierson.  It’s a wonderful debut and making it even more astonishing is the fact that Grierson graduated from the Australian Film, Television and Radio School just two years ago.  You’ll be interested to know the film was not shot in Papua New Guinea but rather the Gold Coast Hinterland (due to costing restraints).  You can’t tell the difference.

In August last year, I correctly proclaimed Look Both Ways to be the film to beat at Australian Film Institute Awards.  Kokoda is the clear frontrunner for the prize in 2006 and its intense, confrontational look at the Kokoda battle will leave a lasting memory.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 13 April 2006

It’s not often that we reach the 4^th movie in a series.  Harry Potter is the only recent example I can think of.  The Scary Movie “trilogy” hasn’t gotten this far as a result of its quality.  Rather, it’s the fact that more and more bad movies have been made and the temptation to spoof these films is too hard to resist.

This time around, the films under the microscope include War Of The Worlds, The Village, Saw, The Grudge, Million Dollar Baby and Brokeback Mountain.  There are also some parodies of George W. Bush and Tom Cruise which will be enjoyed by many.

This type of film is nothing new and it’s safe to say it won’t be winning any Oscars next year.  That said, it will tickle your funny bone on occasions.  It’s nice to sit back and enjoy a simple “popcorn movie” which doesn’t require any thought whatsoever.

Disappointingly, the film only spoofs a small number of recently Hollywood releases.  I can think of many more films which deserve a roasting (particularly in the romantic genre).  If they had of mixed Scary Movie 4 with the recently released Date Movie, then we might have had a film with more substance and more laughs.

My all-time favourite spoof comedy is Flying High (known in America as Airplane!) which was first released in 1980.  I’m always recommending it and if you haven’t seen it, please do so!  Both Scary Movie 4 and Flying High were directed by David Zucker and you can see his sense of humour hasn’t changed.  He doesn’t have as much material to work with but he still manages to weave it some great one-liners.  Other Zucker films include the first two Naked Gun movies and Scary Movie 3.

The Scary Movie series isn’t deteriorating at the same rate of say, the Police Academy series, but you have to wonder if there’s enough jokes left in the bag for a fifth edition.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 14 April 2006

Parents Bernard (Daniels) and Joan Berkman (Linney) have brought their two children, Walt (Eisenberg) and Frank (Kline), into the living room for a “family meeting”.  Everyone knows what’s going to be said.  Bernard and Joan have decided to separate after 17 years of marriage.  One of the few points they’ve agreed upon is joint custody of the kids.

I should mention that this isn’t a “normal” family and that’s what makes the film so undeniably brilliant.  There is no such thing as “normal” family and when I used that term in my previous sentence, I refer to the stereotypical version that we see in so many American movies.  I speak of families where everyone is blissfully happy and all troubles are easily resolved.

The reason films like The Ice Storm, American Beauty and Igby Goes Down have been so well received is because they portray families for what they really are.  They can be uncomfortable to sit though but they are inherently honest.  The Squid And The Whale now deserves inclusion in their company.

There’s no question that Bernard and Joan don’t get along but the effect of their parenting (both pre and post separation) on their children is what makes the film most interesting.  It’s hard for me to articulate the personalities of Walt and Frank because writer-director Noah Baumbach has done a terrific job in making them multi-dimensional.  You will look in disbelief when you see what these kids get up to but it’s hard to blame them when you consider their youthful innocence and the “guidance” given by their own parents.

This is the second consecutive film of Noah Baumbach which I have lavished high praise upon.  Those that saw The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou will know that Baumbach has a quirky, sarcastic sense of humour which will appeal to some but annoy others.  The Squid And The Whale follows in a similar vein to Zissou and whilst the subject matter is more serious, there are plenty of humorous scenes which will catch you off guard.  Without spoiling too much, let me say that the language is “colourful” and the sexual content is “graphic”.

You may feel like you’re looking into a mirror but if you can stand the discomfort, The Squid And The Whale will be a most rewarding movie experience.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 09 April 2006

Viola (Bynes) is upset to hear that the women’s soccer program at her school has been canned due to a lack of interest.  She tries training with the men’s team but their coach objects strongly to the idea.  He thinks women are too slow and lack the physicality to play soccer at a high level.  So what does Viola do?  You wouldn’t believe me if I told you but I’m going to try anyway…

Viola’s twin brother, Sebastian (Kirk), is sneaking out of the house to go to London for two weeks.  He’s part of band which has been invited to play at a musical festival.  Their separated parents know nothing of this and Sebastian asks Viola to cover for him.  I’ve heard of sneaking out at night but how the hell do you get away with sneaking out for two weeks???

Anyway, Sebastian had recently enrolled at an upper-class boarding school which just so happens to have a top men’s soccer team.  Viola’s plan is to dress up as Sebastian, take his place at College and then make the men’s soccer team.  This will prove she’s as good as the boys.

Viola’s scheme starts unravelling when she meets her roommate, a “hunk” named Duke (Tatum).  She starts falling for Duke but of course she can’t reveal these feelings because he thinks she’s a guy.  To explain the other complications in this story, I’m going to steal the tagline from the film’s poster – “Duke wants Olivia who likes Sebastian who is really Viola whose brother is dating Monique so she hates Olivia who's with Duke to make Sebastian jealous who is really Viola who's crushing on Duke who thinks she's a guy…”  Confused?

When I walked out of this film, I didn’t know whether to give this film an average grade or the worst possible grade.  Amanda Bynes is horribly unconvincing when trying to look like a guy.  This fact, coupled with the far-fetched script, will some people thinking that this is as bad as cinema gets.  I won’t argue with them.

However, I believe the film is so bad, that it actually becomes good again.  Does that make any sense?  I was squirming in my seat whilst watching Bynes deliver her lines and that’s unusual for me.  When a movie is bad, I usually just sit silently in disgust.  She’s The Man got under my skin and I was entertained by its awfulness.  You’d think I was talking about an Ed Wood film!

Providing further hilarity was the review of the film on last Wednesday night’s episode of At The Movies on the ABC.  After Margaret Pomeranz gave it a positive review, David Stratton responded with “It's so puerile, Margaret. It is so awful”.  Margaret shot back with “Do you know, what does that say about me? Don't answer that question.”

The film is loosely based on the William Shakespeare play, Twelfth Night.  I say that as a passing comment because it should have no effect whatsoever on your decision to see this film.  All I can suggest is that you consult your doctor first to ensure there will be no mind-numbing side-effects.  Me finish now.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 13 April 2006

The World’s Fastest Indian is one the most likeable feel-good movies in recent memory.  It’s a film you can recommend to any person of any age.  I would be very surprised if you didn’t walk out with a beaming smile on your face.

Writer-director Roger Donaldson (Cocktail, Thirteen Days) has brought to the screen the true life story of Burt Munro.  We pick up Burt’s story at his home in Invercargill, New Zealand in the year 1967.  The 60-something year old Burt always had a love for motorcycles and for speed.  He had purchased a 1920 Indian motorcycle many years ago and it has been a work in progress for him ever since.  Riding on the nearby sandy beach, Burt’s objectives was to always to go faster.

Thinking his bike could be improved no further, Burt decided it was time to fulfil a lifelong dream.  He mortgaged his house and used the money to travel to Salt Lake in Utah, home to the Bonneville Salt Flats.  Each year, the Flats hosted an event known as Speed Week, where the fastest contraptions from around the country competed to set new world land-speed records.

The film follows Burt’s journey from New Zealand to Salt Lake and an assortment of people he meets along the way.  He may be showing his age but Burt’s an intelligent individual whose enthusiasm rubs off on everyone he meets.  He will go through much adversity trying to make it to the competition but with the help of complete strangers, he finds a way.  It gives you plenty of faith in the human race and the film reminds me very much of The Straight Story (about an elderly man who drove his ride-on mower across America).

Anthony Hopkins is utterly brilliant in the leading role.  He may be one of the greatest actors of the modern era but even I was surprised at how well he delivers a Kiwi accent.  His mannerisms and demeanour are also ideal.  Hopkins is the only feature member of the cast but you will spot a few other recognisable actors along the way (such as Bruce Greenwood and Diane Ladd) who make memorable cameos.

The film has received a very low key release in these jam-packed school holidays so make sure you don’t miss the chance to see it.  I’m still feeling good from it.