Damn, Hugh Jackman. So, tonight, I got an extra helping of man-meat and went to go see Australia with Blake. I was just telling my mother the other day, I've never seen a movie in a theater that I didn't like, because I know myself as a critic and viewer and I know how to read into previews and tell if it's something that I want to see. Everyone that knows me, knows that I am a Movie (or Film) elitist, I'm not that way on purpose, I'm physically unable to sit through crappy movies. After about 30 minutes, I thought that Australia might be my first mistake.

The opening developing parts were very campy and broad, the cinematography was jumpy and Nicole Kidman's character was too over-the-top girly and the scenery was sooo studio and fake. It just really looked like it was turning into an awful mix of African Queen, some western musical and God knows what else. I looked over at an exasperated Blake and told him: "let's give it an hour, Oprah said it's a good movie," and he said ok. Why does Oprah have that control over people? Anyways...

I'm glad I did. The movie turned out very well, everything got better. The acting, the mise-en-scene, the storyline atmosphere, everything. I cried for the first time in years in a movie. I think this a strong Oscar contender:

Best Director
Best Movie
Best Cinematography
Best Leading Actress
Best Supporting Actor (for Nullah)

Those are my bets for this film's nominations. I would like to look more in Baz Luhrmann's credits, I didn't know of him before this film.

Also, I'm glad that this film showed some form of Aboriginal Reparations. It didn't white-wash the topic of treatment toward mixed breed children nor did it try to cancel it out the history or gloss it over. For that I applaud the Director. We are truly in a new age.

Labels: Cam Goes to The Movies