The Ithacan: "Australia" Review

Now, this review I wrote right after Thanksgiving break brought up a lot of dissenting opinions among my friends. Australia was directed by Baz Luhrmann, whose few films are incredibly polarizing. There are those that L. O. V. E. the sumptuous splendor and tragedy of Moulin Rouge, though many others find it too frenzied. And William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet can be seen as the freshest take on any of Shakespeare's plays or a needless adulteration of a classic. 

I, for one, love his work. And though Australia has it's flaws, it was aiming to be a sweeping, romantic and joyous epic of a previous age. Which it succeeded at. Perhaps the reason the film did not do well is a testament to how much films have changed, and how the public's general expectations have been streamlined. For more, just see below. 

Epic Aussie film breaks genre boundaries

By Anne Gould Northgraves Staff Writer | December 4th, 2008

Expectant moviegoers have been anticipating the release of “Australia” for months, and the large-scale, romantic and exotic epic did not let them down. It is epic with a capital “E.”

The film is anything but genre-specific. With the cattle driving and beautifully shot desert scenery in most of the movie, it is part Western. The passionate relationship between Nicole Kidman’s stuffy Brit Lady Ashley and Hugh Jackman’s gruff Aussie Drover is classic romance fodder, and moments of physical and verbal humor create flashes of comedy.

 The social prejudices and Japanese Invasion of 1930s northern Australia add historical perspective. A large portion of the story revolves around the appalling racist policies of ruling whites against Aborigines and mixed-race children, providing social commentary.

“Australia” is reported to be the largest and most expensive film made in the titular country, costing upward of $150 million. Aussie director and co-writer Baz Luhrmann — best known for tragic romance spectacles “Moulin Rouge” (2001) and “Romeo + Juliet” (1996) — did not appear to be the ideal person to tackle “Australia.” But his experience crafting genre-bending films that fit bygone times was vital to making “Australia” work.

As in “Moulin Rouge,” the story starts off with a few too many characters and plot points presented all at once. Understanding all the information is admittedly difficult at first because of thick Australian accents. Also there are moments when quick editing, panning shots and physical humor akin to the style of “Moulin Rouge” and “Romeo + Juliet” are out of place. But overall the film flows well, and the audience can become truly invested in the story and the characters’ journeys. Luhrmann’s experience directing dance and action spectacles allows him to craft dramatic sequences in the expansive setting.

The writers also deserve a great deal of credit for the success of “Australia.” If not handled delicately, the story could have been predictable and unable to hold the viewer’s interest for the film’s 165 minutes. But “Australia” deftly handles the required plot points. While Kidman’s and Jackman’s characters progress through an archetypal relationship, from their initial loathing to being united to achieve a common goal to love, it is wholly believable. Though romantic films usually have an uplifting ending, given Luhrmann’s predilection for tragic endings, the conclusion does not feel forced or predictable.

The final piece of the epic puzzle that makes “Australia” a successfully grand picture is the actors’ skills. Though Kidman is Australian, she convincingly portrays a stuck-up British aristocrat. Her character is more than a caricature — Lady Ashley has good reasoning and motivation for her actions. Jackman is multidimensional as Drover, with his own motivations and convincing character arc. His emotional performance toward the end of the film when Drover comes to a startling realization is particularly moving. But while David Wenham is convincing as the evil Neil Fletcher, a far cry from his martyr-like role in “The Lord of the Rings,” Fletcher remains a one-note character and could have benefited from more development.

“Australia” reaches for epic proportions and hits the mark. Luhrmann transcends his customary style while keeping the film entertaining and surprising. The result is a film that recalls the grand spectacle of features like “Ben-Hur” in setting and story, while focusing on individual characters’ struggle through the landscape.

 

“Australia” was written by Baz Luhrmann, Stuart Beattie, Ronald Harwood and Richard Flanagan, and directed by Luhrmann. It received three and a half out of four stars.

UK Libraries are Greedy

I would have though, given the Welfare State that the UK "supposedly" is, that their public systems would be well funded. Museums certainly are. Virtually every one is free general admission. At the British Museum, I just walked straight in. No security check. No people at a desk. The door was literally OPEN. 

So the assumption would be that PUBLIC libraries would be the same as well. Actually, no. Just about the only free thing at libraries are taking out books and using the Internet (when you reserve a computer). What if you want to rent DVDs? That'll be  over £3, please. 

I admit, I'm probably a bit extra-bitter because Netflix's instant movies cannot be played outside the US, and Hulu doesn't work over here, either. But libraries in the US let you get DVDs for free. Score one for the US. 

I wonder what the prices are at the rental store down the road.

Walk 1: Big Ben is REALLY Big, and London Bridge is NOT Falling Down!

Hullo again! London's still great, though right now it's typically overcast and wet. It was a lot better out - but much colder - two Saturdays ago when Bill, the London Centre director, took a bunch of us students out for his first Walk. What's a walk? It is a tour around certain parts of London. A walking tour. Inventive title, isn't it?

I kid, the Walks are actually very fun. Bill's been living in London a good 30 years, and since he studies history, there's a lot he can tell us. So on the 17th we had our first outing, starting at the Westminster tube stop, ending at Tower Hill. The walk was a good 11 days ago, and this is rather delayed, I admit. But better late than never, I always say. Well, I don't always say it. It happens to be appropriate to this situation. So I'm using it now.

As I said, we started out at the Westminster tube stop. The moment we came out of the exit - BAM! The London Eye was right in front of us. Oh my gosh, there it is!

What did we see when we turned around? BAM Big Ben! Along with this statue of Boudicca. Pretty nifty.

We walked by Westminster Abbey, and Downing Street, which is all blocked off and guarded. Considering how people regarded Blair, and are starting to regard Brown, I'd say that security is a good idea.

We saw some other places on the North bank before crossing one of the many bridges to the South side. There's a stretch of about five miles of walkway right next to the Thames. We saw the National Theatre, The New Globe, the site of the original Globe...

...went into the Tate Modern, where there was this really weird exhibit about the future, with a very scary giant spider. Like Shelob.

We also looked around at a market. Which was basically cheese heaven. Aw, there were so many delicious cheeses. Let me take a minute to think about it...yes, delicious!

It felt like we walked for so, so long, but it was only about two miles from first crossing the river to getting back to the North side by crossing over at Tower Bridge. I actually stood over the little gap between the sections, and looked down at the Thames! Here's Tower Bridge in the background, with the Tower or London and it's wall in front.

And this is a little pigeon sitting on top of the remnants of the Roman wall. I just thought it was cute.

Thus ends the first Walk. Too fun! Coming soon - recap of Walk Two!

There's No Place Like London!

Finally - my first real post about being in fab London! The past (nearly) two weeks have absolutely flown by. From arriving and adjusting to flat-hunting, moving into our flat and starting classes, getting my internship sorted out and exploring the city it's been a crazy time. But crazy in a good way. 

When I arrived at Logan Monday, January 13th, with Mom and Frances, Dad was there to say my Virgin Atlantic flight had been cancelled. It was good it was, firstly because it had "mechanical problems" and I would not want to be in the air when that was happening. Secondly, I ended up on a British Airways flight that left an hour and forty-five minutes earlier (and according to Katie, Virgin doesn't have comfortable seats). Two other students and I were on it, and we became the third through fifth students to arrive - at 5 am London time, by the way. There were crazy severe delays for everyone else, so no one really arrived until about noon. 

Katie (my really good friend from the Catholic Community) and I were already definitely living together, and we connected with Clara, Jackie, Alyssa, and Josue. We got a really nice flat after checking out about eight others. It's on Edgware Road, right between the Edgware Road and Marble Arch tube stops. Here's the Marble Arch, as you see it from the tube stop.

This is Alyssa and Josue in our front hallway with all our suitcases. Look at the pretty floor!

This is four of the six of us - Katie, Jackie, Clara, and me - for our first dinner in the flat! 

After buying some very well priced sheet sets and duvets at Marks & Spencers, Katie and I felt pretty at home in our room. It would just be a lot nicer if we could use the Internet, seeing as every other part of the flat gets service (when our wireless decides to work). But since we at least get Internet in our flat - and it's included - I'm not complaining too much. 

This is our living room, or common room, or whatever your region and/or nationality would call it. It's pretty nice, we have two leather (or faux-leather) couches, and a TV. Albeit, I had to disentangle all the wires to get our cable service up, but at least we get a good 20+ channels. Which means we can watch Skins!

Our living room is also a our dining room. Most of us spend most of our time out here. Say hi Katie!

Around the corner from the main hall (I can't believe we have a main hall) is Alyssa and Joe's door, on the far right, and one of our bathrooms. The other one is in Jackie and Clara's room, but we all use it. 

The Ithacan: "The Wild Party" Review

Seeing as I haven't posted one of my Ithacan pieces for a while, I thought I'd do that. This was my review of IC's production of "The Wild Party." I didn't like the show a ton, but since I couldn't critique the play itself, according to my editors, I had to respond to the cast and crew's work. Which was pretty good, so this became a much more positive article than I had intended. 

Cast energy boosts an already ‘Wild Party’

By Anne Gould Northgraves Staff Writer | November 13th, 2008

Ithaca College Theater’s performance of “The Wild Party,” based on the off-Broadway musical by Andrew Lippa, truly lives up to its name. At Friday’s show, cast members threw energy into every number, and superb choreography carried some of the numbers that felt out of place.

A deep and dark (though periodically hard to follow) story underlies the frothy front of the musical, molding an enjoyable show into one that effectively sends a message about morality.

The opening number begins with lines from the 1928 poem by Joseph Moncure March on which the musical is based, “Queenie was a blonde and her age stood still / And she danced twice a day in vaudeville.” This vague yet affecting statement sets the tone for the next two hours. The musical numbers shift between vaudevillian acts of energy and ecstasy in “What a Party” and more introspective pieces like “Maybe I Like it This Way.”

The ensemble is perfectly tuned into the kind of energy required of each number, packing each piece with either emotional or physical energy. There are occasions, particularly during the first act, when numbers centering on ancillary characters — such as the lesbian Madame True, played by junior Emily Brazee — interrupt the central narrative. Though expertly performed and entertaining, the songs seem a bit out of place. The numbers in the second act take on a darker tone and focus on the central story of volatile and intertwined relationships between the unhappily married Burrs (junior Eric Morris) and Queenie (senior Meredith Beck), and new couple Black (junior Michael Haller) and Kate (senior Catherine Lena Stephani).

Impeccable acting compensates for some fine points of the story that do not hold up. While it is understandable that the abused Queenie seeks revenge upon Burrs, why she hesitates taking up with the immediately smitten Black is not clear. More mysterious is why Queenie’s old friend Kate — the antithesis of Queenie in every aspect, right down to their color palettes, with Queenie dressed in white and Kate in black — goes after Burrs. Since these relationships set the show’s ultimately tragic events into motion, additional explanation would have been more fitting.  

But the actors perform admirably with the given material, recalling the atmosphere and mannerisms of 1920s characters. Beck is all wide-eyed faux waif with a gleam of malicious plotting behind her virginal exterior, her voice warbling like a real vaudeville showgirl. Morris fully transforms into the unlikable, violent Burrs, personifying the nadir of male chauvinism. Yet it is Stephani that is particularly impressive as Kate. She infuses her character’s every movement with the frenzied energy of a middle-aged woman trying to hold onto her youth and her desires without thinking of the possible consequences. Her liveliness makes each of her featured moments high points of “The Wild Party.”

The two-tiered set brings the cast’s energetic performances to life. Candles placed throughout Burrs and Queenie’s loft provide soft, low lighting — perfect for the show’s serious moments. The use of the orchestra pit for the bathroom, where a key point of the plot takes place, effectively highlights the importance of the events that transpire there.

Transformative acting and use of the performance space come together under the skilled direction of Norm Johnson, associate professor of theater arts. His solid guidance ensures the difficult subject matter of “The Wild Party” doesn’t lose its poignancy.

 “The Wild Party” is showing tomorrow at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. in Hoerner Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office in the lobby of Dillingham Center.

Obama's Inauguration Live Blog

OMG, I'm in London!! 

It's strange to think just one week ago I got here. I already have a flat (with 5 other awesome people) and an internship (at Pioneer Productions). I've been so busy with everything - not to mention a lack of Internet access - I haven't been able to post. But this is such a momentous day, I had to write something. 

Katie and I started off the day going to Madame Tussauds. Admission was free for Americans, woot!! Katie'd never been to one, so it was super fun, and all the attendants were really excited we were American. I'll post later with some more pictures from it, but here's Obama. 

Now, to the Inauguration itself. We're watching it on BBC News. 

16:56 - Aretha Franklin just finished singing "My Country Tis of Thee." She was wearing the most interesting hat. They're showing a shot of the Mall, and it's just staggering how many people are there. 

16:58 - Biden has officially been sworn in as our Vice President. I was going to say 44th Vice President, but there have totally been more than that. That's something to look up. Oh, there's only been 46 previously. 

17:00 - The BBC announcers are talking over Yo-Yo Ma playing. And they're mentioning William Henry Harrison, and his long speech that made him catch pneumonia and die. Let's home that's not the case here. Though I think Obama is smarter than that. 

17:03 - There are definitely elements of "The Lord of the Dance" song in this composition. I don't know if that's intentional, but it made me happy. All I can think of now is Ursuline Masses. 

17:04 - I just noticed there are blue skies in Washington. That's a good sign. 

17:05 - There he goes...

17:06 - ...And we have a 44th President of the United States!!  Congratulations President Barack Obama. Godspeed. 

17:13 - As always, it's sounding eloquent and powerful, planted in realism but full of hope. 

17:26 - Good speech. 20 minutes isn't too long, but he was able to touch on the myriad of issues we're facing today as Americans. Though he's right, we're not nearly living in the worst days American has seen. Hopefully, we won't go further in the negative directions. 

17:28 - This poet is reading so slowly. It's a little annoying. Though I'm sure the words are very nice. 

17:32 - Who is this woman introducing everyone? What did she do to deserve this distinction. 

17:33 - Everyone else in my flat just laughed at the adorable little old Reverend giving the Benediction. I think he is adorable. I love little old men. His eyes are on the same level as the mic! Jackie also mentioned (sarcastically) that this shows a real separation of Church and State. Which is true. But the US is based on Judea-christian values, so in that sense it makes sense. 

17:37 - He just rhymed all of the colors! "When brown will stick around, when yellow will be mellow, and when white will make things right." Too adorable!

17:39 - And that's it. Happy Inauguration everyone. How many people exactly are in the Mall? 

Golden Globes Live Blog!!

8:04 - And the awards show starts off brilliantly: Kate Winslet wins!! Oh, she deserved it - well, I can't really say that because I haven't seen all the nominated women in the Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, but my goodness, she's one of the best actresses of our day - and she's only 33! My hetero crush on her knows no bounds, and isn't abating in the slightest thanks to her adorable acceptance speech. I love it when stars acknowledge how much they want to win awards, cue her comment that she's going long because, "I don't get to do this much." Ugh, 

8:07 - Sting looks strange. I thought his hair was blond. And I've never seen him with a beard. 

809 - I don't listen to Bruce Springsteen's music (Erin will hate that), but his comment just after receiving the GG for Best Original Song for a Motion Picture was very funny! "This is the only time I'm going to be in competition for something with Clint Eastwood." Points for that, Mister. 

8:13 - I have been seeing the He's Just Not That Into You trailer for months. MONTHS. I'm glad it's finally coming out. I do have the sneaking suspicion that it will be one of those the-trailer-was-5-times-better-than-the-actual-film movies. 

8:15 - That little startled look shudder from NPH just became my second Made Me Love You Even Better Moment of the night! Sadly he'll have to wait till (hopefully) next year for a Best Supporting Actor in a Television Show or Miniseries. Dude needs some recognition. Tom Wilkinson did do a fabulous job as Ben Franklin in John Adams though. 

8:19 - And the first Blunt Political Statement of the Night goes to Laura Dern. She was accepting her Best Supporting Actress in a Television Show or Miniseries award for her role in Recount. 

8:26 - Don Cheadle, you need your own comedy show. Though he's so refined, it'd have to be on a cable network (read HBO). 

8:27 - Really? Eva Mendes needs Latino music because she's a Latina? But the little Hispanic man she introduced is so adorable! 

8:28 - I'm not a fan of Hayden Panettiere, but I love her dress! Notice I'm ignoring her co-presenter, partly because I do not want to ever acknowledge him, partly because I do not want to ever acknowledge that he was slightly hot just now. 

8:29 - Ah, I was looking forward to another hilarious Hugh Laurie acceptance speech for Best Actor in a Drama Series. And I couldn't even look at Gabriel Byrne during his acceptance because he's not there!

8:31 - I wanna be Anna Paquin. Minus the gap in her teeth. 

8:33 - ...and if there weren't a lot of people's jobs on the line, I would want Cadillac to go out of business, just so I could stop watching those annoying ads featuring Kate Walsh and other people I have never heard of. 

8:36 - I hate to say this, because I love me (more than) some Hugh Jackman, but Ricky Gervais should probably be hosting the Oscars. Telling Kate Winslet she'd win by doing a Holocaust movie? Telling the movie stars to shhhsh? Brilliant! 

8:39 - Then the Hollywood Foreign Press Association had to ruin my good mood by putting the Jo Bros up on stage. 

8:40 - How could anything but Wall*E win Best Animated Motion Picture. 

8:42 - I didn't know Johnny Depp presented awards! His every facial expression, movement, and pronunciation makes me giggle. 

8:44 - Sally Hawkins is extremely skinny. This is not what I should be focusing on, her speech accepting for Best Actress in a Drama Motion Picture is sweet, her emotions genuine, but man, the woman should be getting seconds and thirds on her meal back at the table!

8:52 - Were Robert Downey Jr. and Brad Pitt just sitting at the same table? Whatever, time for some Benjamin Button!!

8:53 - I now have the insane urge to see Bernard and Doris. And an intense attraction to Thomas Jefferson. That's not a new attraction though. And John Adams wins Best Made for Television Movie or Miniseries. Tom Hanks can still rock a tux. He'll always be able to. 

8:57 - I wish Robert Downey Jr. could win. But he can't. Because Heath Ledger did give the best performance of the year, let alone a Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture worthy performance.

8:59 - I've started to cry. 

9:05 - I feel like a lot of awards have been handed out in the first hour. Good pacing, Golden Globes. 

9:06 - Colin Farrell. MMMmm. 

9:09 - ____'s acceptance for Best Foreign Language Feature should be a lesson on how NOT to make a needless blunt political statement. 

9:11 - Laura Linney's dress is gorgeous. And she really did a magnificent job as Best Actress in a Made for Television Movie or Miniseries Abigail Adams. Though I've started to wonder, why are there men practically lifting the women onto the stage? The stairs can't be that slippery, can they?

9:17 - Was Gerard Butler trying to imitate Ricky Gervais when he shhshed the crowd? That's a very strange twist of the normal workings of the world. 

9:19 - Oh, best Adapted Screenplay! Yay, Slumdog Millionaire! Though his shirt does not fit well under his jacket. 

9:21 - No Amy Poehler banter? What a shame. 

9:22 - Except it's ok, because Tony Shaloub didn't win! Alec Baldwin deserves all the praise he gets for his now two-time Best Actor in a Comedy Television Series role. I love 30 Rock with a burning passion. 

9:28 - There are lots of ads, and they are very long. I do not approve...Whoa, WHAT is Renee Zellweger wearing? The top? The skirt? The hair? The HAIR?! None of it works. 

9:30 - The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is not doing a terrific job of pairing the presenters this year. Terrance Howard and Meghan Fox go together about as well as steak and a twizzler. 

9:32 - John Adams is cleaning up. Though it's not as if I'm surprised. Paul Giamatti did a terrific job. A good deal of that acting job was the makeup and costumes, I'm sure. It couldn't be hard to get into the character and the age through all those years with such a terrific job of transformation.

9:36 - Tracy Morgan cracks me up every time he is on screen in 30 Rock. Except from his short-lived sitcom, Tracy. 

9:44 - Ohh, I love the score awards. The beginning of Slumdog Millionaire's ongoing sweep. Benjamin Button would have been a very deserving recipient of it too. 

9:48 - Tina Fey is a genius (apparently supported by the hilarity of Will Arnett). 

9:55 - I had no idea Stephen Spielberg was this year's recipient of the Cecille B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award. I'm enjoying this more, since I just watched Sunset Blvd. Though that was a very strange-sounding narration by Martin Scorsese. 

10:07 - I wonder if Spielberg hasn't gotten this award before because he's young for his prolific output of work. His speech was as fun and well crafted as his movies - some history, a personal touch, and the cute Stephen Spielberginess that makes you love his movies. 

10:13 - And there Emma Thompson goes with the "shhshing" - what is up with that? No wonder Last Chance Harvey is getting such rave reviews, Dustin Hoffmann and Emma have such awesome chemistry. Also, congrats to Danny Boyle, Best Director of a Motion Picture. 

10:20 - Sandra Bullock does very well presenting on her own. My mom stayed up just to see her. 

10:21 - Colin Farrell is a seriously underrated actor; I'm so happy he won Best Actor in a Comedy Motion Picture. I do want to see In Bruges. Good thing I'm going to London tomorrow, I'll get to hear many, many gorgeous accents just like Colin's. 

10:27 - I want Salma Hayek's dress. And her body. Though her strange attraction and complimenting of bestie Penelope Cruz isn't quite up my alley. (I shouldn't talk, actually. I'm very physical with my besties - to their horror). 

10:29 - Sasha Baron Cohen is following in the line of the other hilarious Brits of the night with some biting zingers the crowd of celebrities did not seem to appreciate. Can't Hollywood laugh at itself? Oh, and Vicky Christina Barcelona wins Best Motion Picture Comedy. If it's as good a dark comedy as Match Point was a domestic thriller, then I'd be very excited to see it. 

10:36 - "I would do a pelvic Indian dance for you, but they would shoot me off the stage." What's this guy's name? He's witty!

10:38 - That little exchange between Cameron Diaz and Mark Whalberg was weird. Moving past that...

10:39 - KATE WINSLET WINS AGAIN! FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA MOTION PICTURE! She's finally getting emotional, good! She deserves to be as flustered as she wants, the awards for her tonight have been a long, long time coming. No duh she's not wrapping up! 

10:43 - Oh Rainn. Well, the dresses the ladies of Best Drama Television Series winner Mad Men are wearing are very, very pretty. 

10:51 - Micky Rourke wins Best Actor in a Drama Motion Picture. I have to say, kudos to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for giving virtually every winner the time to speak and thank everyone. 

10:59 - And the Golden Globe for Best Drama Motion Picture is Slumdog Millionaire! That shot of Christina Applegate saying "That's good" was nice. Congrats to the movie and all who made it. Thanks to the celebrities for showing up for food and drinks, and to the unions for not being on strike this year. Good night!