Don’t know how many of you have managed to catch the Aussie film, Boxing Day. It’s just received recognition at the Director’s Finder Series for Directors Guild of America members. First time for an Australian film so well done Kriv Stenders.

What a fantastic introduction to film making. Baz Lurhmann has hooked up with Fox and Apple to launch a series of Podcasts called Set to Screen. These podcasts will be coming out every month and take you through all the different areas of filmmaking. I am looking forward to seeing a bit of what I missed out on in next month’s Podcast on Production Design. For anyone interested in the behind the scenes aspect of filmmaking I recommend you subscribe. It’s free!

A shame that Australian students can’t enter the competition designed to foster new filmmaking talent but I would suggest Bazmark were overruled on that one. Makes me wistful… but how could I not be loving being on the APPLEBOX train… and all that dust and heat and would have been far less romantic than the podcasts make it look! Ducking off to pick up that piece of moulding you need for the set wouldn’t be a joy out in the Kimberley either!!

I digress. Worth subscribing, movie looks pretty amazing too.

ONCE, written and directed by John Carney.
It’s often those films with the simplest story lines that have the most effect on me. Is it because I can see myself in a similar situation or relate to that person and/ or the subject matter in a way I cant with films with more complex subject matter? I’m not sure. This film is fabulous- a unique love story- or rather a meeting of minds where two strangers form a connection through their love of music, and develop a bond that brings them both a little magic. A touch of beauty in a world that is often a harsh and difficult place to be at some time or another in our lives. The performances are also wonderful and unaffected, and the music fabulous too….5 apples…

ROMANCE &
CIGARETTES,
written and directed by John Turturro
This film is a must see for it’s sheer originality, not to mention watching James Gandolfini breaking into a rendition of Engelbert Humperdinck’s ‘A Man Without Love’!! It’s a kind of gritty, yet fun musical set to the classics of springsteen, James brown, Dusty springfield etc..It’s quirky and kooky, and explores the themes of love and hate, life and death, romance and cigarettes with an all star cast. Kate Winslet is divine in this film if you’re a fan, but like I said, it’s the films originality that makes it a stand out , and a must see… 4 apples….

Ooh ooh. Bruce Beresford’s adaptation of the best-selling book, Mao’s Last Dancer starts filming in China next month.

Bruce is directing. Cast include Kyle McLachlan, Joan Chen, Jack Thompson and Aden Young. Choreography by Graeme Murphy. Screenplay by Jan Sardi who wrote the screenplay for Shine. Dancers include Madeleine Eastoe (current Australian Ballet Principal Artist), Camilla Vergotis (former Australian Ballet Principal Artist, current Hong Kong Ballet Soloist) and Steven Heathcote (former Australian Ballet Principal Artist).

It’s this sort of project that makes me yearn for my other life a little. Can’t wait to see what that collaboration of great story and amazing team of filmmakers and artists will produce.

Another awards ceremony over and the winners were mainly as expected with a few nice surprises thrown in.

Australian documentary filmmaker Eva Orner won the Oscar for best documentary. Orner, 38, from Melbourne, produced the documentary Taxi to the Dark Side, a film critical of the US war on terrorism. Congratulations Eva. Other Aussie contenders missed out on the Golden Man in a year where the Acadamy seemed intent on recognising the dark side of American society.

As expected “No Country for Old Men” cleaned up, “Atonement” hardly got a mention. Javier Bardem playing the killer in No Country for Old Men deserved the Oscar, Joel and Ethan Coen were like a couple of mute gamer dudes up there on the stage and I must say it annoys me when people refuse to put an effort in for their audience. Maybe they are just shy but I seriously doubt that! Having said that, I loved the film and felt it deserved to get the gong. I know a lot will disagree with me.

There were a couple of refreshing acceptance speeches from the winners of best Original Song from the movie “Once” Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. Best Original Screenplay writer Diablo Cody who penned “Juno” also made me laugh and cry a bit! Tilda Swinton couldn’t quite believe her gong and gave Cate (who was up for it for her portrayal of Bob Dylan) a disbelieving look as she headed for the statue on offer. Marion Cottilard was a surprise recipient of best Actress for La Vie en Rose.

I look forward to catching the films I missed as they come into the store, am hoping that we are able to get hold of “Taxi to the Dark Side” quick smart.

Oh and all the performances of songs from “Enchanted” bombed badly. I hope someone in planning land realises this and doesn’t program big musical numbers for the cavernous Oscars stage without the big chorus, song and dance support. All and all I felt like it went on way too long as usual but am always horrified when people’s acceptance speeches are drowned out the microphone turned off mid sentence. Now that’s just rude! ‘Spose you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

I am sure I heard an Aussie accent during the acceptance for Best Visual Effects winning “The Golden Compass”. Can’t seem to find out if Ben Morris is an Australian or not.

Here’s the full list of winners:

The Oscars are coming up, the award presentation is back on, the writers strike is over and life in Hollywood is letting out a collective sigh of relief. Our Cate has once again done well in the nominations list. So get that champas on ice and get ready to see who will get the gong this year.

They are releasing Clubland in the US this month and renaming it “Introducing the Dwights” and it is rated R!!!! Sometimes they are just wierd over there….

For all those fans of Tony, Carmela and the gang and the Bada Bing!. It may not be obvious enough that we have just received the FINAL episodes of The Sopranos. It is part two of season 6 and we have it. I have to of course wait until you have all got your fix to watch it! So come on down and see how this famous family wind up…..

Maybe they are looking to us as a cache of product to start tapping into when they run dry… which I believe is quite soon due to the writers strike! But we have received a number of awards at the New York Festivals International Television Broadcasting Awards. Got to love our ABC who did particularly well. Aussie TV does it with limited budgets and the shooting schedules are always ridiculous so congrats from us at APPLEBOX Some of the winners are Love My Way, Crude, Choir of Hard Knocks