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Calamity Jane (1953)

May 19th 2008 00:36

Director - David Butler
Starring - Doris Day, Howard Keel

I consider this film to be one of the true classics. What screams 1950s cinema more than singing dancing, tomboy, Doris Day (and an equally singing and dancing Howard Keel)?

For those of you who don't know the plot of this wonderful movie it goes something like this. Calamity Jane (Day) is the resident tomboy of Deadwood, she shoots better than most men, drinks sarsparilla and won her cabin in a game of poker. In an attempt to win over the man of her dreams, yes, even tomboys have crushes, she decides to bring back an actress from Chicago. Keel plays 'Wild' Bill Hicock, Deadwood's resident bad boy, and Calamity's biggest tormentor. Chaos ensues.

One might assume it to be a bit of a chick flick, what with all the romance and 'female thinking', but don't worry boys, there's also Indians and shootouts. Fun times all around!!

With catchy songs and dance numbers this is one that the whole family will enjoy.

My Rating: 4.5/5

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Posted By: Miss Kate - Category: No Category

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Ten Canoes (2006)

April 2nd 2008 10:14

Director - Rolf de Heer
Starring - Jamie Gulpilil, Peter Minyugululu

I think it's probably safe to say that most of our exposure to Aboriginal communities in films is usually only in relation to how 'white' society impacts on this indigenous race.

Ten Canoes is a refreshingly different perspective on the Aboriginal people and they way they used to live. A large part of this should be attributed to the tribe depicted in this film, as they demanded certain things to be depicted in certain ways. Before I go into all of this though, let me tell you what you're about to watch.

Narrated by David Gulpilil, perhaps the most famous Aboriginal actor, the story tells of a young man (Jamie Gulpilil) who is in love with one the wives of his older brother. This is the true crux of the story. His brother decides to tell him a story to help him understand the way things work within the tribe.

Steeped in amazing culture, audiences become privy to the laws of the tribes and the way things work in a culture so very different to our own, but perhaps, not too different after all. Expect some laughs, and deep, serious moments, and I suggest watching it in the Aboriginal dialect with the subtitles as opposed to the English theatrical release. It makes it all the more special a film to watch.

Just as a little interesting side point, when de Heer was given funding to create this film it was under the condition that it be filmed in colour. However the people of the tribe who were to star in the film demanded that it be filmed in black and white. It is interesting to see how de Heer handles, by incorporating both. It is a true colaboration, between artists, and between cultures.

Is absolutely, without a doubt, worth the watch.

My Rating: 5/5

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Once Were Warriors (1994)

April 1st 2008 01:49

Director - Lee Tamahori
Starring - Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison

Is it possible for a film that is telling an ugly story to still be beautiful? I wouldn't have thought so. Once Were Warriors proves me wrong here.

Meet the Heke family, descendants from Maori tribes, living in urban New Zealand. Jake Heke (Morrison) is the father, a drunk and violent man who believes his wife is there to serve him, his youngest son is soft and that living in a boys home will do him some good. We don't see any real love from this man, unless you count his lust towards his wife (not until the end anyway, but let's not spoil that for you).

Jake's violent tendencies and temper affect every member of his family differently, and we watch as each of them try to deal with the horror they have to live with.

We watch on as Beth (Owen) establishes herself again, realises that she is not a slave to Jake and his desires and demands; as she finds her way home again.

Watching this made me sad to think that there are actually people out there who live like this, who live in constant fear of what their husband/father might do next.

Don't expect anything amazing cinematically, it is a raw film that doesn't miss a thing. Definitely worth the watch if you can handle bouts of domestic violence.

My Rating: 4/5

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