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Ablaze (2019)
Heartbreaking True Story
An Horrific True Story -
Great Local New Zealand Cast, Accurate to History.
Keep the hankies handy.
Tears.
The final 30 mins are in particular extremely brutal.
Filmed in B/W, also uses real life film of the incident which only adds to its documentary like feel.
All the cast & crew involved should be very proud.
The Final dedication to those Killed, the majority being Female Staff Members at their Work Stations was also a fitting & respectful tribute.
Recommended Viewing.
Unbelievable (2019)
Ghosts of the Past
This is without a doubt one of the hardest programs I have ever watched in my 49 years on this planet.
Given the subject it needed to be.
The Acting is just superlative by all concerned.
In particular by Australian Toni Colette and the Young Actor in ep 1 had me in pieces by the end of that episode (I watched it over several days - all at once was too much). The cinematography & writing is right on the money. The music is what it should be, background and not taking away or overwhelming the action on screen.
This set off some personal demons of my own as I went through something similar myself with no one believing I was being abused by my mother for years. Even as an adult my brothers and sisters refuse to accept it took place to this day.
I am Trans (always was, always will be), and a survivor of Conversion Therapy, I have been interviewed by the Australian Police in exactly the manner shown here in relation to both the abuse and the so called therapy on several occasions. The attitudes on display here, especially by the Foster Mums (their attiudes were particularly hard for me to view due to my own personal history) and the Male Detectives are not something to be found just in the USA but are a worldwide attitude that can still be found in some quaters to this day.
This needs to change.
It's a change that has been overdue for a long long time.
I would advise in the strongest terms that anyone who is a survivor of any kind of abuse watch it, but be aware that it will drag up stuff you might prefer to keep buried. There are several scenes and attitudes displayed that Survivors in particular will find both confronting and likely to create feelings of rage and sadness.
As I said its not an easy watch, thankfully the acts of violence that are at its heart are not glorified or exploited - which is also a nice change.
But it is something that should be viewed, just be aware if your a Survivor.
If possible watch it with a friend.
Thats what I did.
Holding hands on several occasions (especially during the final heartbreaking scene on the bridge - as someone I know says, been there, done that, got the scars from it).
Give me this type of quality work over 'game of thrones' hype any day.
If your a fan of the wire or homicide life on the street, this is for you.
10/10.
Safe Harbour (2018)
Ignore the Rascist Rants - Thought Provoking and Brilliant TV
Unlike the Rasisct 'white Power' rant posted by 'Arize' I intend to Review this Series for what it is and not make some Political B/S statement that has nothing to do with reviewing it.
A Brilliant Piece of Confrontational TV, with a nice Mystery on the Boil, with the Police becoming involved from ep2.
I think Ewen Leslie is one of Australia's best Actors, he was Excellent in Devils Dust which was all about the Cover Ups during Asbestos Mining in Australia as one of Many Examples of His Work in this country.
Jackie Mckenzie is always good in anything She does, as is Leanna Walsman.
The Middle Eastern Actors, esp the Mum/Dad and Son whose Daughter/Sister died on the Journey Over at sea are so gut achingly real that You feel both their sadness and anger over their Combined Loss.
It was also Refreshing to see correct Nautical Terms in use, for example "Pan Pan" rather then the stock standard Mayday which is not used in Australian Waters by those Familiar with Sea Crossings in an emergency situation.
The Cinematography is beautiful but stark and being a SCUBA Diver myself Special Mention should be made of the Underwater Photography Units work.
Stephen Reas Music is both haunting and evocative for the scenes it backgrounds.
Only 1 ep in but I am hooked and can't wait to see how it develops as the story continues.
10/10.
As the Newspaper Guardian Australia said its own Review 'unmissable Television with No Easy Answers'.
Sums it up perfectly, a Thinking Persons TV Program.
Highly Recommended.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: No Good Reason (2017)
Me Too.
Reduced me to tears.
As a member of the LGBTIQ Community in Australia, I have both seen and undergone more then my share of bullying, both as an adult and a child, and its not fun.
I was abused as a child by my Mother who was unable to deal with me being me, leading to me living on the street for 10 years after I ran away from home or got kicked out - depending on your point of view.
So I saw a lot in that time,and grew up fast on the streets of Sydney.
This ep reminded me of a lot of ghosts, its also one of the reasons why I have such a love hate relationship with shows like this.
The acting in this was simply phenomenal,in particular the young girl who had the lead role of the Victim of this crime. But also special mention needs to go to those portraying the families of the accused and the victim who were also not the more usual cardboard cutouts of earlier story lines.
Everyone did the story proud.
The last bit in the school hall was where I really lost it.
Emotionally I mean.
Bullying is not acceptable, its not a part of growing up, and should never ever be looked on as a joke or an acceptable part of life.
The writers of this ep also did a brilliant job as well in crafting a story with a point,and a definite sting in its tail.
THANK YOU to all concerned.
The Vietnam War (2017)
Excellent Historical Record - Just Wish the Australian Effort was Mentioned
First a disclaimer of sorts.
My dad (now deceased) served with the Australian Army from 1953 through to 1983, and did 3 Tours in Vietnam as a regular soldier. His first was with the AATTV (Australian Army Training Team Vietnam), as an Military Adviser to Vietnamese Forces, and his other two Tours took place after Australia Committed Regular Army units to Vietnam, with SASR.
He died of cancer at 65.
With this in mind My review of this excellent start to what looks like being an informative and educational program now follows.
My chief gripe in the introduction to the main body of the work was the lack of mention of any effort by their Allies such as Australia or New Zealand, also the bit on Korea made it sound wholly a US War which it wasn't - it was a UN operation, involving everyone from Turkey and Greece through to British Commenwealth Forces.
Australia for example deployed everything from an Aircraft Carrier (HMAS Sydney),Naval Frigates and Fighter Squadrons through to Ground Forces, with all 3 services (RAN,RAAF and RAR) seeing extensive service and being involved in large scale battles such as Kapyong.
Now to the good bits.
Seeing it from the viewpoint of the Vietnamese was brilliant, both north and south. Talking about the French and American efforts early in the build up to the war was also great.
The musical score, be it the opening by Bob Dylan, or the instrumental work done by Yo Yo Ma and Atticus Ross And Trent Reznor is as usual spot on and not overpowering or taking away from the story its backgrounding.
All in all a great start which I look forward to seeing more of.
Cave (2016)
Really Accurate Cave Diving Movie
As a cave diver I Loved this.
Technically well done.
Scuba Kit was spot on, no full face stuff here, including side mount tanks rather then standard rig. Underwater swimming style to reduce risk of silt out was also spot on. Wriggiling through squeezes are like that, and wetsuits are always better caving then drysuits which tear and a leaky suit is more dangerous then a cold suit.
Story could be better,acting was great, esp female lead.
Hoping they do a sequel sometime.
The ending cries out for one.