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The United States vs. Billie Holiday Movie Review

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 16:13:26 +0000

What happens when bold artistic sensibilities clash with a systemic and deeply entrenched attitude towards race. America has a profoundly embarrassing history with race and indigenous relations as does almost every country in the world that was taken over by the white man. The United States vs. Billie Holiday illustrates just one example of this abhorrent circumstance.

Jazz singer Billie Holiday came to the fore of America’s conscience during a continuing low period of race relations in that country, the 1930s. The song that gave her such notoriety was Strange Fruit, a very powerful take on the lynching of black people. Its words and Holiday’s powerful delivery of it became a rallying cry and the FBI set out to diminish the unrest it caused.

Set more in the backstage world than on-stage, it shows Holliday in various states of drug intoxication and instills in the viewer the frustration that there were few in her inner circle the tried to help with her addictions. It also makes clear the contrasts that existed in her tough-girl persona.

Andra Day’s powerful performance informs this tale of an artist that in many ways was her own worst enemy. Devoid of an upbringing that would instill any sense of love and security, her self torment underscores the tragedy of the times. But tragic times they were and her short life is a cautionary tale of government persecution and the opportunistic attitudes held towards profiting from the creative mind.
Rob Hudson

www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU

Watch the trailer for The United States Vs Billie Holiday!

admin — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 16:23:00 +0000

The legendary Billie Holiday, one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, spent much of her career being adored by fans across the globe.

Beginning in the 1940’s in New York City, the federal government targeted Holiday in a growing effort to escalate and racialize the war on drugs, ultimately aiming to stop her from singing her controversial and heart wrenching ballad, “Strange Fruit.”

Led by Oscar® nominated director Lee Daniels and introducing Grammy® nominated singer-songwriter Andra Day, The United States vs. Billie Holiday unapologetically presents the icon’s complicated, irrepressible life.

The United States Vs Billie Holiday will be released in Australian cinemas April 29!

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Dirt Music Movie Review

admin — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 16:08:21 +0000

Bringing Tim Winton’s 2001 Miles Franklin Award-winning novel Dirt Music to the big screen was always going to involve some amazing landscapes and spectacular scenery and in that respect the film more than delivers. But to say the visuals overwhelm the story is a real understatement.

It’s a good thing the two leads, Kelly Macdonald as Georgie, the heroine of the piece, and Garrett Hedlund as Lu Fox, the mysterious stranger, have innate chemistry together as the script is quite opaque during the first act. It initially suffers from a lack of background information to connect the players with their actions.

By the time the elements that drive the characters’ actions become known, it has missed the chance to spike your interest and draw you in emotionally. Trying to soften up the harsher elements in the book to make it more accessible has led to a rather indifferent cinematic experience.

Director Phillip Noyce attempted to bring the novel to the big screen in 2009 but stated he just couldn’t capture the lyrical flow of the text. Try as they might, it appears that director Gregor Jordan and writers Jack Thorne have come up short in that respect as well. It is very pretty to look at but ultimately leaves you wanting more.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU

Watch the trailer for the upcoming Australian movie – Dirt Music

admin — Fri, 22 May 2020 16:32:19 +0000

Georgie Jutland (Kelly Macdonald) is barely holding it together these days without a drink. Once a nurse, now she’s trapped in the backwater fishing port of White Point with local crayfish baron, Jim Buckridge (David Wenham) and his two sons, whose dead mother she can never hope to replace.

One hazy night she sees the lone figure of Lu Fox (Garret Hedlund) appear in the mists of the bay. A long time ago he was a dirt musician, but now he survives as a poacher – an unwise choice given Jim’s iron-grip on the local fishing trade.

Georgie is instantly drawn to Lu, and the pair begin an intense affair. What Georgie doesn’t realise is that the Foxes and the Buckridges have a long, murky history.

Fearing Jim’s fury and haunted by his tragic past, Lu flees north to Coronation Island, a place dear to Georgie’s heart. Discovering Lu has fled, Georgie decides to follow him north with the unlikely help of Jim.

Based on the critically acclaimed novel by iconic Australian writer Tim Winton, Dirt Music is a tale of love and redemption, set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Australian West.

Dirt Music will be coming soon to Australian cinemas in 2020!
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Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk Competition

admin — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 20:47:02 +0000

We have ten double in season passes to give away to Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk!

Three-time Academy Award® winner Ang Lee brings his extraordinary vision to Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, based on the widely-acclaimed, bestselling novel. The film is told from the point of view of 19-year-old private Billy Lynn (newcomer Joe Alwyn) who, along with his fellow soldiers in Bravo Squad, becomes a hero after a harrowing Iraq battle and is brought home temporarily for a victory tour.

Through flashbacks, culminating at the spectacular halftime show of the Thanksgiving Day football game, the film reveals what really happened to the squad – contrasting the realities of the war with America’s perceptions.

www.facebook.com/BillyLynnMovie/

[contact-form-7 id=”4125″ title=”Billy Lynns Long Halftime Walk Competition Form”]

Competition will be drawn 26 November – winners will be notified by mail.