Category Archives: Miranda Otto

Film Reviews: The Hunt. The Circle. Doing Time for Patsy Cline. The Property Man

23 Monday Mar 2020

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I have officially finished my Miranda Otto marathon, it took me 3 weeks or so. The only three films of hers I still haven’t seen are True Love and Chaos, also starring Naveen Andrews, Kin, starring Isiah Washington and Three Legged Fox. I just cannot find them anywhere. I hope I won’t need to reschedule my April flight for August, but if I do, I’ll still take time off and just spend the two weeks at home watching films. Here are some quick notes I wrote down while watching the below four films.

the hunt the circle patsy theprop

The Hunt

A brilliant thriller from the producers of The Purge. It’s the film I’ve been talking about for the last 8 month, and every person I mention the plot to says, oh so it’s like The Purge. In a way, it is. 12 people are kidnapped and left in the woods. People are hunting them down. Theyre given guns, but they have no chance. The films stars Hilary Swank as the villain and then from the huntees, you’ll probably only recognise 3 people (inlcuding Emma Roberts and Justin Hartley from This is Us). Those three people don’t live long in this movie. There’s one scene in this that is stopping me from giving it a 10 and it involves an eye and a high heel. I still cannot believe The Hunt’s US release was cancelled or postponed because of Trump.

9/10

The Circle

This is like that Black Mirror episode starring Bryce Dallas Howard where people can rate human interractions. Have they never heard of the Data Protection Act, now superseded by the General Data Protection Regulation? Why on Earth would anyone agree to this? And why did Tom Hanks agree to do this awful film? Watch ‘The Circle’ starring Julie Benz instead.

3/10

Doing time for Patsy Cline

A young musician decides to leave Australia and head for Nashville, but hitchhikes with the wrong couple. He falls for the female, played by Miranda Otto, and police arrest him for drug possesion. He decides to sacrifice his freedom, because he’s conviced the girl will fall in love with him. In his mind he plays this alternate universe in which him and Patsy become these big country music stars and fall in love. His maladaptive dreaming eventually ruins his life, as his love for the girl overtakes his clear judgement. I too have always lived in my head. For me, I think, It comes with being an only child. Constant maladaptive daydreaming though pleasant and reassuring, is dangerous. It’s affected my life, but It’s also saved it. It’s made me into this creative individual and is major source of ongoing writing material. I saw someone on instagram tell Miranda she looks like Susan Sarandon, it must have been the poster for this film that made them think that, because they look nothing like.

‘Yesterday I went to the movies all day by myself. One after the other. I’ve never done that before. I had a really happy day.’

7/10

The Property Man

This is my 20th Chaplin short and they’re all the same to me now. I think I’ll just stick to his feature films from now on.

5/10

Film Reviews: Reaching For The Moon. Bombshell. Dance Academy: The Movie. The Jack Bull. King Lear. Like a Boss. Dark Waters. What Did Jack Do?

06 Friday Mar 2020

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I  finished another film diary, and what I’m planning on doing now is brining my home printer downstairs to the living room, so I can print little posters of films I watch and stick them in there, because let’s be honest, I spend most of my time off in front of TV. For the last two weeks I’ve been having a massive Miranda Otto marathon, which is making me miss Australia, a lot.

reaching for the moon reacchh

Reaching For The Moon

A flawless film portraying how pure, fragile and problematic love truly is. I loved Elizabeth’s relationship with alcohol, almost as much as I loved her relationship with Lota. This couldn’t last because Elizabeth made it clear she didn’t want to live in Brasil, while Lota had everything she wanted in Brasil. There was certain disdain in Cookie’s voice when she talked about living in Brasil. Even though Elizabeth knew her college friend was in a relationship with this woman, she raised her chin for the woman to kiss her again. The ending reminded me of The Favourite, with how the 3rd woman kept the two main characters apart by destroying letters one sent to another, single handily ruining their lives. Get yourself a lesbian girlfriend who will wash your hair every night.

reachinn

‘How are your parents?’
‘We don’t speak.’
‘What happened?’
‘I live with a woman.’

‘How close were you in college?’
‘We were both very busy pretending not to be who we were while being attracted to each other for what we thought the other might be. No, we didn’t, but we were close.’

‘There was this boy who was crazy for her. I don’t know what she did to him, but he sent her a postcard saying ‘Go to hell, Elizabeth’ and then he killed himself.’

‘I hear one of my poems and I’m mortified.’
‘Yes, I guess this is why you should never meet authors.’

‘A kiss and wake up situation.’
‘Something like that, but without the kiss.’

‘Still want to kiss me?’

‘To everything in life that may seem improbable, but is not impossible.’

‘I want you to stay.’

‘We are great friends, we love each other, but basically, we’re roommates.’
‘Does Mary know you’re roommates?’
‘Of course she does. Maybe she doesn’t want to admit it.’

‘So, I’m leaving. I’m going back home until you can figure this out.’
‘Mary, this is your home.’
‘Then send her away.’
‘I can’t.’
‘You don’t know her. She screws everything up. She was like that in college.’
‘Let’s adopt a baby.’
‘You’ll buy me a baby, so you can have an affair with another woman?’

‘I should warn you. Unless I’m rather drunk, I’m very shy.‘

‘I have no other option than to love you.’

‘It’s okay I’m not drunk, I’m just crying in English.’

‘I already have a commitment to pessimism. Pessimist is never disappointed.’

‘I don’t drink because things go wrong. I want to drink every minute of every day. Things going wrong just gives me the excuse I’ve been looking for.’
‘But why?’
‘Because if I don’t have what I want, I’m lonely and sad. And if I do have what I want, I’m sure I’m gonna lose it. And the waiting is unbearable.‘

10/10

bombshell dance the jackb

Bombshell

I couldn’t stop comparing it to The Loudest Voice. Best friends Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts ended up playing the same character this year, Gretchen Carlson. Bombshell focused more on Megyn’s story, whereas Showtime’s mini series on Gretchen’s. Mark Duplass, who was recently seen in Apple’s The Morning Show, also heavily based on this scandal, here stars as Megyn Kelly’s husband. 15 years ago Charlize Theron starred in a brilliant film about sexual harassment at work called North Country. I recommend you watch North Country and The Loudest Voice and skip this one.

5/10

Dance Academy: The Movie

I’ve seen a few episodes of Dance Academy here and there back when I lived in Australia, but never really got into it. The film version shows the hardships that come with auditioning. I found it oddly satisfying how they haven’t befriended any new people since leaving the academy. Maybe school friendships last despite what everyone says? I certainly hope so.

7/10

The Jack Bull

Miranda Otto goes into the town to convince people to give her what her family needs, because as she claims, she’s better at politics than her husband. Red flags light up in my head, ‘oh sweetie, don’t, you’re gonna get yourself raped.’ What happens you may ask? Not only doesn’t she fix anything, she dies in the most absurd way.

7/10

king lear like a boss dark waters what

King Lear

They really did a poor job modernising this Shakespearean play. The only good thing about this film is that one third of it was shot at the gorgeous Hatfield House.

3/10

Like a Boss

This was fun and I would recognise Lisa Kudrow’s voice straight away.

5/10

Dark  Waters

Before they mentioned teflon, it was just like that John Travolta film ‘A Civil Action’, and then it got real. If you’re reading this, get rid of all your teflon kitchenware. Then again, It’s already too late.

8/10

What Did Jack Do?

I’ll watch anything David Lynch has and will ever make and Netflix decided to buy this little short of his. I liked Rabbits, another short of David’s starring Naomi Watts more. Why do the monkey and David talk like they’re in the Black Lodge?

7/10

TV Shows of 2018

30 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in absentia, american horror story, candace cameron bure, chilling adventures of sabrina, crikey its the irwins, f is for family, for the people, fuller house, good girls, grace and frankie, greys anatomy, hollywood darlings, how to get away with murder, killing eve, light as a feather, Miranda Otto, modern family, one day at a time, orange is the new black, ozark, riverdale, scandal, schooled, shameless, special victims unit, station 19, the goldbergs, the good doctor, the good fight, the good place, the handmaid's tale, the insatiable, the middle, the resident, the simpsons, thirteen reasons why, this is us, tv series, when calls the heart, younger

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Yet another year is coming to an end. It was a year rich in TV Shows. The below is a list of shows I followed and cared about this year. I haven’t done weekly episode reviews all year, so below is a little sum up of what I thought of each show. There were honestly so many of them, I just couldn’t find time for weekly posts. These are the 41 shows I followed in 2018.

  1. Greys

I miss Jessica Capshaw and Sarah Drew. No bigger mistake has ever been made on Greys than writers getting rid of Arizona. I am happy Geena Davis’s character came back for her and offered her a job. They brought one of my favorite characters, Teddy, back just to ruin her life. New season welcomed Chris McCormick, Nashville alum and the first half of the season entirely revolved around Meredith’s love life.

  1. SVU

I honestly hope SVU never ends, because these cases will never lose its importance and I will gladly follow Mariska chasing rapists in her 60s and 70s.

  1. Shameless

This season wasn’t shameless at all. Carl’s wife was annoying, but I cannot believe they killed her off and no one is bothered. I’m glad they brought Courteney Cox for an episode, and Peggy Bundy for a few. I really hope Katey Segal is coming back in January. Speaking of the Bundys, I feel like watching some Married with Children reruns.

  1. Fuller House

Netflix made us wait a full year for season 4 and then they didn’t promote the show at all. I didn’t even get an email notification about new episodes being up. I love everything the Fuller-Tanner-Gibbler family does. I love all their games and special events. I will never be a parent, but it’s my dream to be DJ Tanner and organise all these fun events and days out with people I love. I love how DJ is always on her 100 percent, a perfectionist, always nicely dressed and ready for an adventure. It’s exactly how my mom is, I could never wear makeup and nice clothes every day, especially on my days off. Maybe it has something to do with being a parent or actually being around people.

  1. The Middle

One of my favorite family shows ended, but it looks like Eden Sher has been given a spin-off. I hope they get Patricia Heaton to visit her a lot.

  1. American Horror Story

I liked this season, but then again I will always be happy with this show as long as Sarah Paulson is still doing it.

  1. The Goldbergs

Speaking of spin offs, The Goldbergs is getting one, Schooled will premiere next year and it will revolve around Lanie. I was not happy that they recast Adam’s girlfriend, instead of getting him a new one. I hope Barry and Lanie do get married.

  1. How to Get Away with Murder

I hated season 4, because it revolved around Laurel and her messed up family, that did not bring anything to the storyline, but season 5 focuses on Bonnie and I’ve been enjoying it a lot.

  1. Sharp Objects

Incredible series about self-harm based on an amazing book. It’s rarely ever that self-harm addiction is shown that realistically. Sharp Objects is one of the most relatable things I’ve come across and I wish this series was around when I was fifteen. It also has a jaw dropping twist in the very last 5 seconds.

  1. Killing Eve

My dad cannot stop saying that Cristina Yang lied to us when she said she’s moving to Switzerland, and moved to London to join MI5 instead. This series starring Thirteen’s Jodie Colmer is a ‘killer’.

  1. Ozark

A money laundering show starring Laura Linney, yes please! My dad loves this show.

  1. Good Girls

Another show my dad loved. And It’s about money laundering as well. I never cared much for Mad Men, I liked it, but it was too ‘manly’ for me, but Christina Hendricks is amazing in this and Mae Whitman also stars.

  1. Thirteen Reasons Why

Say what you want, this season was almost as good as the first one, and it wasn’t too explicit. I’m not sure where I stand on how they ended this season, but I do agree that the shooting would have been too traumatizing for teenagers. I didn’t like that Hannah had a boyfriend prior to what happened in the bath tub in season one. They portrayed her as this innocent, never-had-a-boyfriend type in season one and then they ruined it in season two. Clay was supposed to be the only person that loved her, and there was someone else. I liked her boyfriend though, and I got used to the relationship, and thought it was cute by the end, so I guess it evens itself out.

  1. This is Us

In a way I lost interest the minute we learned how Jack died. It was quite brutal and I honestly don’t think there’s anything else there left to tell. I loved how they showed Tess and what she ends up doing with her life in the future.

  1. 911

Can Connie just relax and stick to one show? I loved her on Nashville and Friday Night Lights, and AHS Murder House as well, so I was happy when she joined 911, starring opposite Parenthood and Six Feet Under’s Peter Krause. I am not enjoying this season as much, but the first one was amazing.

  1. The Resident

Revenge, Brothers and Sisters and Everwood’s Emily VanCamp stars next to Gilmore Girls and The Good Wife’s Matt Chuchry in this medical drama. I am disappointed that many of the cases look like they were copied straight off Grey’s Anatomy. In season one Emily’s character Nick, was trying to bring an abusive doctor down, season 2 lacks this leading plot. Jenna Dewan joined the cast and every time I see her on the screen, my mind authomatically goes to Step Up.

  1. Crikey it’s the Irwins

I just love this show. I have followed the Irwins since late 90s, back when Crocodile Hunter was on TV. Steve Irwin’s death broke my heart. The Irwins live in Steve’s dad’s Australia Zoo and continue his legacy as wildlife conservationists.

  1. When Calls the Heart

What a year it was for the Hearties. Daniel Lissing has been absent through most of season 5 and then quit altogether, so they had to kill him off. The winter episode didn’t lack the usual sweetness of the show, but It wasn’t as good as previous episodes.

  1. Modern Family

Everything after season 3 has been mediocre, but I’m still sticking with it.

  1. For the People

I have been following Britt Robertson’s career for 8 years now, while Girlboss wasn’t her big break, neither will this be. I still love this Shondaland show and can’t wait for season 2.

  1. Scandal

I just hated what happened to David, it ruined the series for me.

  1. Riverdale

Season one was amazing, season two was average, but ended well, and I really hope season 3 will have an actual killer, and it will not go all supernatural on us. I like the darker, illuminati vibe, but now that we’ve seen Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, we don’t need it anymore.

  1. The Simpsons

I honestly hope The Simpsons has 60 seasons, I love the school and family episodes, and hate all the sci-fi. I wish they only stuck to those.

  1. The Good Fight

Season 2 was all over the place, are we even getting a third season?

  1. The Good Place

Everyone seems to be loving this show and I find it average and haven’t even been following this season.

  1. The Good Doctor

Same as with The Resident, we’ve seen all this on Greys and some cases are coincidentaly similiar. I haven’t caught up with season two yet.

  1. Hollywood Darlings

It’s fun, but I don’t think it’ll be getting a third season. You never know though, as they’ve added it on Netflix earlier this month.

  1. F For Family

Not as good as previous seasons, but it’s still a nice way to spend 6 hours.

  1. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

I do like the darker bits and Miranda Otto’s character.

30. Nashville

I miss it already, sadly it was never the same after Connie left. Lennon Stella now has a music career, and I still wish the Stella sisters continued as a duo.

31. Station 19

I love this one, it’s not brilliant, but I have the exact stable opinion on it every single week.

32. Younger

I loved Sex and the city and it’s been 20 years that I’ve wanted to live in New York, so it’s always a blast to see a little more of city life, even though it’s clearly gone to poop. I still like the same characters and hate the ones I hated in season 1. I am so happy about Liza and Charles, they should be together.

33. The Handmaid’s Tale

I liked the first season more.

34. One Day At a Time

I love this show, Elena’s story is amazing and I love all characters.

35. The Insatiable

This Netflix comedy staring Jessie’s Debby Ryan was a bit psycho, but I liked it anyway.

36. Divorce

The Sarah Jessica Parker comedy. It’s funny and I’m waiting for season 3.

37. Absentia

Stana Katic centred show about a cop that gets kidnapped, is stuck in a fish bowl and is waterboarded. All leads to a childhood mystery and It will be back for season 2.

38. Orange is the New Black

I just love this show and have followed it since day 1. I’m not that said about Daya’s punishment, but It’s awful what they’ve done to Red and Tasha.

39. Schooled

A spin off of The Goldbergs. Lanie abandoned her rock star dreams and become a high school teacher.

40. Grace and Frankie

I just love this show, and was scared it ended when Grace and Frankie were sent away to a retirement home at the end of last.

41. Light as a Feather

Girls play Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board and fall victims of a curse, as something wicked attaches itself to the spine of one.