Looking For Alibrandi

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Looking For Alibrandi!

Original image located here. Accessed 29th May 2020

Somehow this has slipped under my radar for quite some time. But when the gf found out about such an overlook, she made it her mission to rectify this.

At first I thought Looking For Alibrandi was some 'chick flick' fare, which may account for my initial avoidance of it, but it seems such an assumption is incorrect. It may tell of the trials and tribulations any teenage girl may face but in a way that is indeed universal.

There's a lot of things that work for this movie: The emphasis on Euro-Australians, recognizable Sydney locations, a snappy soundtrack and a compelling plot. Granted I am far from the teenage audience that this movie was intended for but the fact that I enjoyed it speaks volumes to it's universality.

Mary and Max

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Mary and Max!

Original image located here. Accessed 17th May 2019

Those who follow this series would know that i have a particular favoritism towards movies that aim to portray autism in a serious light. They are indeed rare and, as an Aspergian, welcoming.

Well firstly, the art direction is great and the dry humor is hilarious. Now with that out of the way, I have to say that this is so far the best representation of Aspergers Syndrome i have seen on celluloid. Not only does it portray the various aspects of it and explain how it effects the diagnosed, but it, more than anything, it shows the social awkwardness of being an Aspergian. It shows the disconnect from 'normal people' and an-all-too-human want to connect with other people.
And as for that last scene......I'm not crying YOU'RE CRYING!!!!!!!!!!

The Emperor's New Groove

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....The Emperor's New Groove!

Original image located here. Accessed 3rd March 2017

No way around it: It seems to me that people don't like this - or at least overlook it - because it's part of Disney's post-renaissance slump.
Not so with me: i thought it was hilarious! Easily the funniest of Disney's animated features with rapid fire jokes, riotous timing, witty dialogue and a show-stealing duo that is Yzma and Krunk.
As always the art direction is superb, with the Incan feel but seeing as this is Disney, that's hardly a surprise.

I've heard this movie being compared to the Looney Tunes shorts and i can sorta see that - but if anything, this seems like Disney's attempt to beat the Warner Bros at their own game. And it works

Chopper

And this week's Friday night move has been.....Chopper!

Original image located here. Accessed 13th January 2017

So this was the movie that pretty much launched Eric Bana's star into the stratosphere. And I will agree he alone makes the movie. But get past that I'm not sure what to make of the movie itself. Is it cautionary tale? A character study? An attempt to beat Tarantino at his own game?

Still, I've seen plenty of Australian made films and this is, hands down, one of the most memorable. So something must've worked.