Matt's Movie Reviews is a website created and run by freelance entertainment journalist Matthew Pejkovic. For reviews of new and classic film, commentary on current events in cinema, and fun with our Top Ten list, please visit Matt's Movie Re
Legendary actor Karl Malden passed away yesterday.
Born Mladen Sekulovich, Malden won an Academy Award for his performance as Mitch in A Streetcar Named Desire, and was nominated for Golden Globe and Emmy awards for his role as Detective Lt. Mike Stone in 1970s cop drama, The Streets of San Francisco.
Other notable roles include an Oscar nominated performance in On the Waterfront; Baby Doll; and Patton.
Malden died of natural causes at his home in Brentwood. He was 97 years old.
My prayers and condolences go out to his family and friends.
For the latest film news, reviews, and interviews, please visit Matts Movie Reviews.
After all of the publicity and the hype that preceded it, Baz Luhrmann’s larger than life and highly entertaining epic, Australia, has finally arrived.
Here is a film that works on multiple levels; thrilling action adventure, detailed period piece, moving romance, stirring war movie, and it also continues the resurrection of the western.
As a result, the sum of its vast parts make for a long running film (165 min), yet every minute is filled to the brim with captivating detail.
What Luhrmann does well with Australia is tap into the majestic allure of the outback, and amplifies it. This is no surprise, since he is a master at approaching his material with a fantastical bent, creating truly memorable and often surreal sequences, which Australia provides plenty.
Aboriginal culture and its relationship with nature, in particular, have fuelled Luhrmann’s imaginative vision. The heart and soul of Australia lies within the mythology and customs of Australia’s indigenous people, and their often tumultuous relationship with European settlers.
This is made flesh in the form of young Nullah, a mixed race Aboriginal boy on the run from the authorities, who want to forcibly remove him from his home, and place him in a “civilised” environment. He is played by Brandon Walters, who is impressive in his debut performance.
With Nullah playing narrator, the viewer is introduced to Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman), an English aristocrat who inherits her late husband’s cattle station, which is located in the Northern Australian city of Darwin. Caught in a rivalry with fellow beef exporter King Carney (Bryan Brown), Lady Ashley enlists the services of The Drover (Hugh Jackman) to herd 1500 head of cattle in order to fulfil a contract with the Australian Army.
Both Kidman and Jackman – two exceptionally gifted actors who, with the help of Australia, have overcome recent rocky patches in their careers – provide noteworthy performances and believable on screen chemistry.
Tall, pale, and thin, Kidman plays regal very well, courting an in full force stiff upper lip, that gives way to several funny moments, while trying to break out of her icy exterior. Of particular mention is her vain attempt to herd cattle; and a woeful rendition of “Somewhere over the Rainbow” to a clearly amused Walters.
Jackman, meanwhile, evokes Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford, and Humphrey Bogart to fine effect as the no nonsense, hands on Drover, while also providing eye candy for female viewers.
Supporting roles are superbly fulfilled by top shelf Australian talent: Bryan Brown is effective yet given a disappointing limited amount of screen time; Jack Thompson seems to be gleefully enjoying his role as an alcoholic lawyer; and a scene stealing David Wenham is all evil smirks and nasty attitude as the films key villain.
Yet the most impressive character in Australia has to be its awe inspiring and vibrant landscape, which is captured magnificently by cinematographer Mandy Walker.
Unfortunately, the films use of artificial visual effects does clash with the natural beauty that the outback projects.
Australia is a film which clearly parades its influences on screen. References to The African Queen, Gone with the Wind, and Big Country are particularly notable.
Yet it is no mere carbon copy of the films from decades past. Rather, Australia is an enchanting throwback to an era of filmmaking which strived to entertain its audiences with dazzling spectacle and melodrama, coupled with a historical snapshot of circa early 1940s Darwin, and all of the beauty and ugliness that comes with it.
For more movie reviews, interviews, and commentary, please visit Matt's Movie Reviews.
Matt's Movie Reviews presents its Top Ten production spats that left ego's bruised and careers in tatters.
10) Mathieu Kassovitz V 20th Century Fox
The Film: Babylon A.D.
The Lowdown: Based on the novel by Maurice Georges Dantec, La Haine director Mathieu Kassovitz developed Babylon A.D. for over 5 years, before filming began in the Czech Republic in early 2007. Un-cooperative weather, and constant clashes between Kassovitz and distributor 20th Century Fox, forced the production to go over schedule, and over budget.
The Fallout: 20th Century Fox stepped in during post production, and delivered a confusing 93 minute cut, which was slammed by critics and bombed at the box office. Both lead actor Vin Diesel and Kassovitz denounced the finished product, with Kassovitz going so far to call it a “bad episode of 24”.
9) Jamie Foxx V L.L. Cool J
The Film: Any Given Sunday (1999)
The Lowdown: Playing rival team mates in Oliver Stones sports drama, Jamie Foxx and rap artist L.L. Cool J got into a fist fight, after the latter took his method approach to his acting a little too far. The scuffle resulted with Foxx receiving a cut to his forehead.
The Fallout: Unlike other movies, Any Given Sunday benefited from Foxx’s and L.L. Cool J’s dislike for each other. Although the pair ended their feud in 2006, Foxx used their confrontation in many of his stand up routines.
8) Harvey Keitel V Yaphet Kotto V Richard Pryor
The Film: Blue Collar (1978)
The Lowdown: It was a battle royale on the set of Paul Schrader’s Blue Collar, with co-stars Harvey Keitel, Yaphet Kotto, and Richard Pryor all taking a dislike to each other. Fist fights in between takes was a common occurrence. Schrader lamented on the commentary of the films DVD, that in one such occasion, Pryor punched Keitel and then hit Kotto with a chair!
The Fallout: Despite the bad blood on set, Blue Collar was well received by critics, and would go on to become a cult classic. Pryor in particular received the best notices of his acting career.
7) Peter Sellers V Orson Welles
The Film: Casino Royale (1967)
The Lowdown: Peter Sellers created quite a stink towards equally legendary figure Orson Welles on the set of 1967’s Casino Royale. Welles returned Sellers’ scorn, referring to the talented comedic actor as “that amateur!” Supposedly, the rift materialised after a visiting Princess Margaret snubbed Sellers – who was an old friend – and made her way to Welles instead.
The Fallout: With Sellers refusing to work with Welles, and leaving the set for days on end, director Val Guest was left with no choice but to fire him, thus abruptly getting rid of his character earlier than intended.
6) George Clooney V David O. Russell
The Film: Three Kings (1999)
The Lowdown: Throughout the production of Three Kings, under pressure director David O. Russell, and over worked actor George Clooney, constantly butted heads, since the latter believed that the former was too harsh on the films extras. Yet the crap really hit the fan during the filming of the movies finale, when Clooney and Russell got into a physical altercation, which prompted the films second assistant director to quit in disgust.
The Fallout: Despite the bad blood between Clooney and Russell, the film scored rave reviews and made a profit at the box office. Clooney still speaks about the incident to this day, and has stated that he will never work with Russel again. Supposedly Russel has not learned his lesson, and was caught on camera arguing with Lily Tomlin on the set of I Heart Huckabees (see below).
5) Edward Norton V Tony Kaye
The Film: American History X (1998)
The Lowdown: The feud between actor Edward Norton, and director Tony Kaye (in his feature film debut), began when - according to Kaye’s series of full page advertisements in Variety Magazine – Norton re-edited the film in order to give himself more screen time. Kaye attempted to have his name taken off the finished product, and replaced with Humpty Dumpty. The Director’s Guild of Directors denied Kaye the right to change his name, since the ads which he placed in Variety were a direct violation of Guild rules.
The Fallout: Although Kaye unsuccessfully attempted to sue the Directors Guild and New Line Cinema for the sum of $275 million, American History X went on to become a critically applauded and profitable film, in the process garnering Norton an Oscar nomination for best actor. Kaye has not directed a feature film since, although he has been busy directing documentaries and music videos.
4) Sean Connery V Stephen Norrington
The Film: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)
The Lowdown: By the second day of shooting, veteran actor and icon Sean Connery and director Stephen Norrington had already fallen out, creating a tense and volatile atmosphere on the set of their big budget spectacle, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. To make matters worse, heavy floods in the Czech Republic caused $7 million dollars worth of damage, and delayed filming.
The Fallout: The film was panned by the critics, Norrington vowed he will never to direct another movie again, and Connery said good bye to the acting game.
3) Terry Gilliam V Sid Sheinberg
The Film: Brazil (1985)
The Lowdown: Claiming director Terry Gilliam’s Brazil was too dark, Universal head honcho Sid Sheinberg ordered a total re-cut, complete with a happy “Hollywood” ending attached. A horrified Gilliam disowned Sheinberg’s cut, and under went drastic measures to have his version released. This included taking out a full page ad in Variety, and pleading on national television for Sheinberg to release his movie.
The Fallout: With critics applauding Gilliam’s version (the film was screened at secret showings and available via boot legged copies), a humiliated Sheinberg caved and gave Gilliam his wish. Brazil was released to the masses as Gilliam intended, earning two Oscar nominations for its trouble.
2) Werner Herzog V Klaus Kinski
The Film: Aguirre, The Wrath of God (1972)
The Lowdown: Aguirre, The Wrath of God, was the first collaboration between prolific director Werner Herzog, and the volatile Klaus Kinski. Throughout the production, the two were constantly at loggerheads about how Kinski should play the role, among numerous other squabbles. This led to an infamous confrontation between the pair, when a clearly out of his mind Herzog threatened to shoot Kinski and himself, if Kinski made true on his threat to leave the production. Herzog later made it clear that he was quite prepared to do so, yet denied Kinski’s claims that he waived around a pistol in order to illustrate his point.
The Fallout: One would think that a director threatening to shoot his actor’s brains out would be enough to make the two lifelong enemies. Yet surprisingly, Herzog and Kinski would become lifelong friends, and make several more films together. Meanwhile, Aguirre, The Wrath of God, went on to become a highly acclaimed, cult favourite.
1) Francis Ford Coppola V Everyone
The Film: Apocalypse Now (1979)
The Lowdown: Acclaimed director Francis Ford Coppola’s passion project, Apocalypse Now, was supposed to be a straight forward affair. He secured finance through his production company, Zoetrobe Studios; he had signed Harvey Keitel and Marlon Brando to star in the film; and he had secured a deal with the Philippines government to begin production in their backyard for a supposed 16 week shoot.
Instead, the shoot ended up accumulating 238 days of principal photography, in which time Keitel was fired and replaced by Martin Sheen, (whose poor health and alcoholism lead to a near fatal heart attack); several key scenes were ruined when government helicopters (supposedly at Coppola’s disposal) were ordered mid shoot to fight against neighbouring rebel militia; and a typhoon destroyed sets and delayed filming for 2 months.
On top of this, Coppola battled constantly against his erratic cast. Especially Marlon Brando, who finally appeared on the set grossly overweight and under prepared; and Dennis Hopper, who was driving Coppola mad with his unwanted improvisation and loony, drug fuelled behaviour.
As expected, press speculation back in America was ripe, portraying Coppola as a man gone crazy, which was actually not far from the truth.
The Fallout: Despite being over budget and over schedule, Coppola delivered the film to the Cannes Film Festival, and it became a critical and commercial hit. Apocalypse Now is now seen as the definitive war movie, while the documentary based on its disastrous production – Hearts of Darkness – became infamous in its own right.
STARRING:JACK BLACK, ROBERT DOWNEY JR., BEN STILLER, JAY BARUCHEL ,BRANDON T.JACKSON, NICK NOLTE, DANNY MCBRIDE, STEVE COOGAN, BRANDON SOO HOO, MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY, BILL HADER, TOM CRUISE
STARRING:SAFFRON BURROWS, JASON STATHAM, STEPHEN CAMPBELL MOORE, DANIEL MAYS, JAMES FAULKNER, ALKI DAVID, MICHAEL JIBSON, GEORGIA TAYLOR, RICHARD LINTERN, KEELEY HAWES ,PETER DE JERSEY
It was not aimed at you, but the poster Two Gay Frogs.
Two Gay Frogs
Having clearly mentioned my website - which you conveniently changed to Catholic Movie Reviews, which I hope is not a reference to my religious beliefs - I was inclined to respond to your remarks.
As for the whole Paramount-mail room-thing, let me assure you that this is far from the case. A few of the guys who post movie reviews around here know who I am referring to.
Q: If you did not attend yesterday's event, where did you witness this "incident". I am curious since it was mentioned a few times yesterday that the Sydney press conference was the first in a worldwide tour?
I attended the press conference in Sydney yesterday.
My question to director Stepen Sommers was not "I've read rumours on the internet that you have been fired. Is that true?"
My question was: "What was your reaction to the rumour that you were fired during post production? And, can you confirm whether you have final cut of the film."
Morgan, if you check your audio, you will find this to be 100% correct.
The reason for my asking the question was that the rumour of a disatorous test screening and Sommers being fired had been heavily reported in various online publications, and any feature on G.I. Joe would have to take that into account.
It was my intention to hear Sommers' take on the whole thing, since I had only read statements by producer Dino di Bonaventura at Latino Review and Dark Horizons.
Further more, I let it be known to the people who invited me to the press conference (and who have a close relationship with Paramount Pictures) that I was going to ask the question and they were fine with it.
I do not appreciate baseless accusations aimed towards me and my website, nor do I make light of being labelled a dick and fool.
Defamation is something I take seriously, and if it persists I will inform Orble admin and consider legal action.
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Comment by Matthew Pejkovic 1
on Sienna Miller & G.I. Joe cast in Sydney
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It was not aimed at you, but the poster Two Gay Frogs.
Two Gay Frogs
Having clearly mentioned my website - which you conveniently changed to Catholic Movie Reviews, which I hope is not a reference to my religious beliefs - I was inclined to respond to your remarks.
As for the whole Paramount-mail room-thing, let me assure you that this is far from the case. A few of the guys who post movie reviews around here know who I am referring to.
Q: If you did not attend yesterday's event, where did you witness this "incident". I am curious since it was mentioned a few times yesterday that the Sydney press conference was the first in a worldwide tour?