10 Movies I've Enjoyed for Whatever Reason #04 "The Pink Panther"

   There are more mainstream comedies to come BUT this left turn is an acquired taste. In recent years catching them on classic channels I have to admit the films have not aged quite as well as I remember by comparison with some of my other favourites!!
   At the time, as each one in the series was released, we (mate Graeme and I) went to Newcastle movie theatres and laughed so hard our sides ached, more than once sliding virtually onto the floor.
   Peter Sellers 'Clouseau' is combination physical comedy, laughable french accent, and ridiculous capers from an accident prone Policeman/Detective who somehow solves the crimes (inspite of himself). No scene really bares verbal description: from pirate costumes with inflatable parrots that spring a leak; bombs; cars in swimming pools; and swooning female co-stars. Then comes Bert Kwok's Cato, hired to surprise attack Clouseau, using martial arts, to 'keep him sharp.' My favourite is the launch from within the fridge/freezer covered in icicles, after Sellers character relaxes having searched in vain... Just talking about it makes me want to watch again, even given Peter Sellers personal struggles, poor behaviour and story...

"Does your deerrg bat? pardon? does your deer bat? He goes to pat the dog, which growls and bites him... "I thought you said your deerrg does not bat? That is not my dog!!
See, doesn't make sense does it!! Although if you have 4 minutes here are some examples...

10 Movies I've Enjoyed for Whatever Reason #03 "National Lampoon's Vacation"

   The original and the best, I saw this film three times (with three different groups of friends) in it's first week here in the Cinema at Newcastle' Tower Cinema!! I went having read a blurb about it nearly six months earlier, trying to tell anyone who'd listen they should come along!! Expecting a B grade laugh... it was gold from beginning to end and showcased Chevy Chase' wonderful deadpan humour!! The premise is the long anticipated family holiday across the country to Roy Walley's "Walleyworld" with a long list of sights along the way... why would we fly, everyone does that? We can even visit family (including Cousin Eddie) make good time and be together while we travel...
   From the moment Clark W Griswold is pitched into accepting the wrong new car (the family truckster) and he and Ellen, take Audrey and Rusty cross country, I couldn't stop laughing!!
 
Classic scenes include:
- Clark not knowing where to put fuel sending the numberplate flying
- Christie Brinkley as 'The Girl in the Ferrari" later naked in the pool
- Falling asleep at the wheel and crash/spinning into the Hotel Car Park
- Lost luggage, money and car parts
- Aunt Edna, who dies in the car, wrapped and strapped to the roof
- Stranded in the desert
- The Policeman and Aunt Edna's dog's lead left dangling after being forgotten as they drove away
- Car graffiti in downtown LA
- Walleyworld being closed for maintenance when they finally arrive
- John Candy's cameo as the kidnapped Security Guard forced into the thrill rides
And so many more... 'Scraps', Randy Quade as Cousin Eddie (hamburger helper)

It serves no other purpose than a good laugh, phrases that entered the lexicon and the rest of the franchise where after the 'Pig in a Poke' UK Holiday that was OK, "Christmas Vacation" is almost as good and iconic as the original!!

10 Movies I've Enjoyed for Whatever Reason #02 "The Blues Brothers"

   Well, probably time for my second film (no particular order)... John Landis' "The Blues Brothers" (1980) which I didn't see until a few years later and is memorable because by then it was second or third film on all nighters and I reckon I saw it at least 12 times before I'd actually seen the whole film (falling asleep at different parts).
   It featured the uncontrolled comic genius of John Belushi, was inspired by two actual Chicago based Blues musicians. The humour is oddball but classic, the cameos, bit players and Police are a perfect foil for the crazy 'mission from God' to raise funds for their childhood orphanage... delivering the money to the Office of the Cook County Assessor (staffed by a youngish Steven Spielberg).
   Eventually we would learn of how controversial it was as then Hollywood's most expensive film largely due to the sheer number of trashed automobiles = 103 (especially old Police black & whites).
   The characters within the story and the iconic scenes make this a memorable acquired taste in comedy... and the music is brilliant!! Orange whip?

10 Movies I Enjoy for Whatever Reason

1. "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope"
I've set this challenge for myself and it's unlikely I'll complete it in ten consecutive days, but here goes!! At this time it has to be first choice, 42 years on (Douglas Adams would be happy)
My Uncle Colin's Chelsea Theatre, Melbourne St, East Maitland 1977 (matinee)

I guess now it's hard to imagine what it was like to have never seen the yellow font 'chapter update' disappear seemingly vertically into the screen when nowadays it's an effect in iMovie. Bigger still imagine it's the first time you've ever seen anything like the Battleship getting bigger and bigger onscreen as it passes over you into full view, outstanding!! Western, meets fable, meets big story with a presence of 'other' George Lucas hoped would resonate with any faith or spirituality and offend none... so we had "The Force"!!

“The force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the Galaxy together.” Ben Obi Wan Kenobi

- George Lucas likes to start stories in the middle (Indiana Jones for example)
- Look past his historic editing ( I still have the version where the Stormtrooper hits his head)
- My adage is 'good scripts make good films' Star Wars disproves the theory
- If you loved the 1960s Batman TV series, chances are you embraced this film wholeheartedly
- Hooked by this one I couldn't wait for V and VI
- I try to forget I, II and III (fair effort but...)
I'll leave it there for now...
- Classic quotable lines
- Making lesser known actors famous
- Creating fandom, 501st, Comicon hype, Museum exhibits galore... iconic indeed
All that and Droids, though "these aren't the droids you're looking for..."

Beyond all that I was just a kid who loved movies!!

Movies I've Watched in 2019

In 2019 I think I set a record for how few of these were seen at the Cinema!!
As a 'day off' option or late night distraction I still enjoy most films. Some weeks (especially on Mondays) I was too mentally exhausted to invest 2 1/2 hours, choosing rest or outdoor options instead so whatever wasn't working I could do something different and not have 'burned' half a day... A sign of a busy year!!

Green Book - although not historically accurate or sensitive, a cracking story
Vice - brilliantly frightening
The Favourite - Really interesting
Aquaman - it was OK
Bohemian Rhapsody - huge success, mostly deserved
A Star is Born - I shouldn't have loved it but did
The House with a Clock in It's Walls - playing catch up it was OK
Ladies in Black - terrific aussie film
Mary Poppins Returns - justified praise
The Girl in the Spider's Web - needed a well know independent film maker involved
BlackkKlansman - close to my fav. for the year, funny, clever, true
Fighting with My Family - a great laugh
Mortal Engines - forgettable
The Kid Who Would Be King - loved the idea and film
Robin Hood - close but not quite
Boy Erased - moving and important
Creed I I- oh dear
The Mule - Clint gold
Captain Marvel - terrific film
Avengers: Endgame - yep, loved it
Mary Queen of Scots - great acting
Widows - can't remember it
(Nostalgia) Barry Lyndon - soft porn/Kubrick
John Wick 3 Parabellum - love the Wick, great escapism
Spider-Man Far From Home - better than expected
Yesterday - top 3 for the year for me
On the Basis of Sex - good film
I Can Only Imagine - moving
Long Shot - better than expected
Shazam - quirky, liked the humour but it didn't quite deliver
Rambo: Last Blood - aahhh, mindless, I love them but really, how do these ideas get funded
Rocketman - Not my style, I can see what was good about it but the arty choices and quirky use of Elton's songs left me feeling flat
The King - filled in 2 hrs
Terminator: Dark Fate - it could have been worse, some gold moments
Booksmart - worth being aware of but not well made
Tolkein - interesting, some great moments, didn't learn anything
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood - I couldn't put it off any longer, QT is a wonderful cinematic Director and I get the quirk in the story but not why he made it. I wouldn't have cast Leo.
The Irishman - great acting, poor script

Looking forward to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"

Christmas Playlist 2019

Many friends, colleagues and groups have been posting Advent/Christmas playlists...

Here's some highlights from mine...

"Christmas in Hollis" Run-DMC (from the soundtrack to Christmas Movie "Diehard"
"13 (There is a Light)" U2
"White Wine in the Sun" Tim Minchin
"How to Make Gravy" Paul Kelly
"Christmas Must Be Tonight" Paul Kelly
"Christmas Must Be Tonight" The Band
"Christmas Day" Kasey Chambers
"Step Into Christmas" Elton John
"Do They Know It's Christmas" Bandaid
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" U2
"Fairytale of New York" The Pogues
"Last Christmas" Taylor Swift
"Best are Burning" Midnight Oil
"Hallelujah" Tori Kelly
"Silver Bells" Sarah McLachlan
"O Come O Come Emmanuel" Sufjan Stevens
"Joy the World Sufjan Stevens
"Christmas with the Devil" Spinal Tap
"2000 Miles" The Pretenders
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" Darlene Love (thanks David Letterman)


Search Spotify Playlists for "RH Christmas 2019"

#AUSMUSICTSHIRTDAY 15th November 2019

  "Support Act" Aus Music T-shirt Day is 15th November 2019!! Wear your Aussie Band T-shirt but even more importantly go here to find about about donating money to support Australian Music!! AND/OR if you'd like to be part of a legendary group of "Midnight Oil" tragics or Powderworkers then make your donate through this brilliant group organised by Matt Yau here

Rugby World Cup 2019

   A week off is what it takes for em to get back to this blog I guess (except for Star Wars). I write as the Rugby World Cup has been run and won by the inspired South Africa!! This gave credence to the "any one of five teams could win it" predictions going in. New Zealand at unbackable odds were outplayed by England, who exposed the things the All Blacks had been trying to fix with their squad adjustments and first XV picked. Then South Africa, who had reached maybe 80% of their potential across the previous two years, stepped up and from scrum to running the ball were that extra bit better team...
   The Wallabies stuttered along with the ability and some smart changes to style of play. They chose players on form, not preconceived ideas, and while some of that didn't work it the loss to Wales consigned them to the tougher side of the draw and an exit at Quarter Final loss stage. Anyhow, I assume Dave Rennie will fix all that, surely, or else why would he already be signed on for the coaching role (why waste time on an exhaustive search or why appoint someone Scott Johnson couldn't manage, like Eddie)...

   Our game didn't get the hoped for boost... cue memories of our legendary 1984 side, close in 1987, winners in 1991 when you couldn't get a Bledisloe Cup ticket of you logged on 15mins after onsale. Inspired by our form I became a Waratahs Member, attending up to four Super Games PLUS access to presale Wallabies tix and many memorable games at the SFS and later Homebush... There's a lot that needs to be fixed...

So the recipe is:

- Coordinated Super Rugby cooperation and clear pathways in every province
- Foster a cohort of Aussie Coaches

- A clear program to keep growing our national player depth, choosing on form 

  (as Cheika finally did for this Cup)

- Technical scrum coaching, pick n stick with a loose forward combination and get fit

- Balance our kick and run/pass game with plan B as well

- Keep working on our defence as it's not too bad when their 'heads are on'
- Look forward to a rectangular Stadium that Homebush will become
- Win Rugby World Cup 2023 in France, playing the French in the Final!!

Star Wars "The Rise of Skywalker"

"ME"

Taylor Swift feat. Brendon Urie from Panic! at the Disco "ME"

"Every Anzac Day" John Schumann and friends

Brilliant work from John Schumann (and friends)!! A great story in song...

Australia Day 2019 "Hopes"

Saretta Fielding's 2014 Ray Ban winning artwork featured on limited edition "Wayferers" to celebrate 'seeing' in physical, spiritual and all ways!! The win allowed Saretta to devote full time attention to her art, online and pop up stores!!

I acknowledge that I live and work on the land with which the Awabakal people share a special relationship. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and being formed for the future! I celebrate their holding and sharing of their culture, history and stories!

*Apologies that the names and images of deceased indigenous people appear in this post as a celebration of life in ways permission was at one time given.

Today I am thinking of: Donna Meehan and her wonderful community work; Stanley Moylan and his crafting and custodianship of the Didge (carrying on from Mick Davison and others); Aunty Zelma Moran and her achievements in Health Administration and Hockey and her energy for NAIDOC, telling her story and much more; the wonderful art of Saretta Fielding and the many other stories shared through ABC Local Radio's "Meet the Mob"!! Read about that project and access the stories here 

Hopes this Australia Day that we:
- Heal the scar on our country's soul by giving voice and power to indigenous people
- Move beyond the short term political cycle and see a vision for the common good
- Celebrate and embrace faith in that which brings abundant life for all
- Value teaching and education beyond crude measurement
- Leave behind irrational fear building wider tables not bigger walls
- Reject the politics of race, fear, exclusion and three word slogans
- #free Hakeem Hakeem Al-Araibi the detained footballer #whereisFIFA
- Find a more compassionate policy for refugees and people seeking asylum
- Build resilient communities
- Remember every person has a story and everyone's story is worth hearing

That'll do for today, perhaps our currently divided news and media commentary along lines of left and right needs moderating voices and xenophobic political views need challenging!!



"Sing About Life" TIDDAS audio



"My Island Home" Warumpi Band

Approaching Australia Day Post #03

*

*made in China

This and so much more to celebrate:
- Climate and environment, don't trash it
- Stable enough political system to withstand current low ebb, vote for values
- Sport and life, get into it and value the precious moments
- Arts, always in need fo funding and equality
- Freedoms, we do take for granted
- Larrikin humour and appropriate 'tall poppy' syndrome
- Distrust for corruptible authority... fair enough
- Opportunities and safety nets
- Community by and large valued and embraced

Yet, at the same time:
- The gap between rich and poor grows
- Crime and the motives
- Social dislocation and problems are growing
- Impacts and loss of indigenous community
- Shattered Islander dreams for so many of their children
- Cruel inhumane failure towards refugees and people seeking asylum
- Religious intolerance
- Racism & fear expressed most unhelpfully by Pauline Hanson and others
- Lack of visionary political leadership

"Beds Are Burning" Midnight Oil
Out where the river broke
The bloodwood and the desert oak
Holden wrecks and boiling diesels
Steam in forty five degrees

The time has come To say fair's fair
To pay the rent To pay our share
The time has come A fact's a fact
It belongs to them Let's give it back

How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep while our beds are burning
How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep while our beds are burning

The time has come...

Four wheels scare the cockatoos
From Kintore East to Yuendemu
The western desert lives and breathes
In forty five degrees

The time has come...

How can we dance when our earth is turning...

The time has come...

How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep while our beds are burning...
Songwriters: James Moginie / Martin Rotsey / Peter Garrett / Peter Gifford / Robert Hirst
Beds Are Burning lyrics © O/B/O Apra Amcos

Approaching Australia Day 2019 Post #02

The Stiff Gins and the Sydney Childrens Choir performed together at TEDx Sydney in the Carriageworks at Redfern AND it was electric live!! The music and comedians punctuated a brilliant day of speakers telling their stories and this was an absolute highlight!! The various songs all had stories of family, long cultural history and spoke of the depth of indigenous society.

It seems we appreciate: dot paintings; decorated Qantas Jets; football jerseys; music; and sometimes Welcomes to Country at community events BUT is that really where it ends?
That can't be good enough...

The Sydney 2000 Olympics were a great example of what can be done in relationship with a shared vision and integrity in action. The Organisers and Creatives shared a hope to include, celebrate and give appropriate space for the indigenous history of this country. Some may remember murmurings of protest in the lead up but good work was done to say "just trust us, participate and watch the story unfold." True to their word the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the two weeks, the cultural space and everything about the Games showed sensitive and collaborative recognition. Even Midnight Oil, being themselves, wanted to play a current single in the Closing Ceremony but were convinced "Bed are Burning" was the song to play, not just because it was their world breaking song. So began their clandestine idea for the 'Sorry Suits" with the word "Sorry" (covered by velcro/material until the last moments before taking the stage)!! At the time our PM was well known for arguing we shouldn't say sorry for something that wasn't our doing. The possible power of acknowledging structural and historical impacts, seeking reconciliation and being vulnerable by giving away power, was lost on him. Instead we heard about "practical reconciliation" which is code for doing what we want with little regard for the hopes of those directly effected by our policy in action.
That can't be good enough...

Empathy, non judgement, shared hopes and openness to hear indigenous stories genuinely could be the making of Australia... People I've met, experiences I've had and stories I've heard have changed my life!! "Just get over it!"
That can't be good enough...

In my own sphere the Biblical concept of "Jubilee" is relevant... it's where land was returned to the families who owned it before (every fifty years) so wealth was gained but shared... and then redistributed. If families experienced hardship it could be addressed with generosity across generations... This gave rise to the global Jubilee 2000 movement seeking for countries and the IMF to cancel third world debt that was crippling struggling economies in ways that could see them never prosper... the principles apply...

Anyhow, one day we will be mature enough to explore this, kids will learn the stories at school and it'll seem crazy that we didn't deal with the relationships by 'giving up power' and focusing on resilience and thriving communities everywhere (by shared definition of what that looks like)...

Approaching Australia Day 2019 Post #01

"Lucky Country" Midnight Oil live at "Tanelorn" October 1981 (courtesy MOMO)
All my mates went... I had too much Uni work to do and no money!!

A mature country would understand a day that's equal parts celebration and lament!

The celebration of how fortunate we are to live in the best country on the planet is a worthy moment for reflection, fun and dressing up in your third world sweat shop pluggers and bikini/boardies adorned with the nation flag so you can sit your backside on the Union Jack all day!! 

BUT seriously, how good is our: climate; natural geography; coastal and rural life; flawed but peaceful democracy (where even the currently sad bunch don't seem to be able to completely ruin everything); cultural richness; diversity; and overarching values!! 

How gloriously some are getting it so wrong in the current neoliberal age... 

Our own PM was banging on about Citizenship Ceremonies and Dress Codes and him wanting it to be about us 'all coming together.' It's like telling someone that's fallen over that you want them 'to have a pain free knee.' 

Now comes the $7 million plan to commemorate Captain Cook's (apparently airbrushed in) circumnavigation... it was Flinders who did that wasn't it? It's like an episode of "Yes Prime Minister," seriously!! Incidentally, how many of us knew that on Flinders third journey he was accompanied by Kuringgai man Bungaree, an accomplished indigenous sailor from the Broken Bay area? 

At the same time "the great southland could be as great as the one it could have been" if by 1988 (at least) we had properly addressed our history of colonisation. It is 'history' BUT we second peoples continue to benefit from this land without appropriate recognition of the first peoples. There has been progress, but it's not up to the dominant culture to decide how free, valued, or appreciated an invaded people are or should be. 

Everyone has their story but surely the 'big story' is one where colonisation has brought great change and massive problems along with it. The scar on the soul of this country needs legitimate action, words and power to reflect the rich culture, wisdom and relationship that existed tens of thousands of years before we came, yet has been at risk ever since!! Still, we can't fix what we don't understand, except by listening and then responding appropriately!

Acknowledgement

Reconciliation

Recognition

Truth telling

Treaty

Self determination

Resources

Celebration

I'll celebrate but also lament and commit myself to do more and be more in relation to reconciliation!!

Instead we all have our own preoccupations!!

"Lucky Country" Midnight Oil

Speed, and this

There's a feeling I get when I look to the sun

Love, it's so tough

Cause it raises your hopes and then it makes you run

We're all looking for a shorter day

We're all looking for an easy way

Even when the debts are dead and gone

Down, the stairs

And an eight mile drive waits for you to turn on

Hear, the time clocks sing

And the smoke in the distance reaches the eye line

We're all working on a shorter day...

No conversation as you go

There's so much space the heat moves you

Terracotta homes, backyard barbeque and eucalyptus smell

It's fine on the clothes line

It's fast food and slow life and red roof

My silence, comic interruptions

Surely there's some relief from atomic art

And the fragile state of world events

With clowns who love the kings and power and the mutant media babes

Wanking on dreams and fashions and toilet paper flowers

Don't talk to me in this backyard - it's clandestine, it's nuclear

Smell of space and now forever I want to go

Straight down the exit eight mile attraction

you-turn is up and the time clock sings lets go

Lucky country...

Where the geckos are paid to live in the sun

On and on there's a ribbon of road and a mile to spare

Lucky country

Lucky country...

Songwriters: James Moginie / Martin Rotsey / Peter Garrett / Peter Gifford / Robert Hirst
Lucky Country lyrics © O/B/O Apra Amcos

Movies I've Seen in 2018

I thought last year was pretty lean for original, creative and engaging movies! It feels to me like 2018 was worse with the bright spots being quite memorable. The other thing that marked this year was the number of 'days off' where I was too tired to commit to a film (unless it was unmissable). A bit like it being too much time to commit to not getting rest... Anyhow, via cinema, iTunes, Netflix or friends here's my list. I don't pursue the serious or arthouse films, catching them when I can...

2018
Mollys Game, interesting
The Post, a terrific story
The Commuter, generic but engaging
Black Panther, outstanding
Game Night, mindless clever fun
Pacific Rim Uprising, I thought it couldn't be worse than the original, I was wrong
Tomb Raider, it was OK just
Paul, Apostle of Christ, not engaging enough, I fell asleep
Red Sparrow, bizarre, script must have read OK, poor execution
Borg v McEnroe, good film
Ready Player One, loved it
Blockers, time filler
I Feel Pretty, about ten minutes worth seeing, they let the premise down
Avengers Infinity War, great moments
Solo: A Star Wars Story, I really enjoyed it, I go with low expectations
1984 Midnight Oil, just an amazing documentary of the era I got into the Oils
Adrift, gripping but got bored
TAG, great entertainment, based on true legend
Oceans 8, pretty good
Jurrasic World Fallen Kingdom, I liked it better than I thought I would
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, loved it
Ant Man and the Wasp, surprisingly good, see I'm not a fan of the cast
Skyscraper, time filler
Equalizer 2, love these films and I don't usually like Denzel
Mission: Impossible Fallout, mindless gripping fun
First Man, probably my fav. 2018 film
Beirut, gritty painful and informative
Fantastic Beasts The Crimes of Grindelwald, almost as good as it could have been
The Predator, seemed a good idea
A Simple Favour, a surprise packet, lost their way, found it again
Ladies in Black, loved it

Still on my list or computer
The House with a Clock in Its Walls
A Star is Born
Bohemian Rhapsody
Boy Erased
The Girl in the Spiders Web
Creed 2
Mary Poppins Returns
Aquaman
Mortal Engines*
Bumblebee*
very poor reviews so marginal
postscript, caught up on these so far