There’s no better way to close off the Brisbane International Film Festival other than a screening of the film 12 Years A Slave. Based on the true story of a free man named Solomon Northup, who was kidnapped in the mid 1800s and sent into slavery, 12 Years A Slave is far from comfortable viewing as it looks at the American slave trade that affected millions of people. The movie is an unflinching look at the familial separation, the torture and the abuse in one of the darkest points in American History. Continue reading
BIFF13
BIFF2013: The Grandmaster
There are several cuts of The Grandmaster at the moment. The original film ran approximately 130 minutes, but the version featured at the BIFF was the American cut of 109 minutes. While each cut has its own ‘uniqueness’ to it, the featured version at BIFF felt like an incomplete film. The cinematography was beautiful and the action sequences were spectacularly crafted, but the whole film was muddled by poor storytelling. Continue reading
BIFF2013: Patrick
Unless you’re an Australian and/or a horror film nut, you probably won’t even know that Patrick is a remake of a 1978 Aussie flick. Despite following the usual horror movie tropes, Mark Hartley’s remake is moody, loud, unapologetic and a whole lot of fun! Continue reading
BIFF2013: Don Jon
As some festival goers would say, Don Jon is the most ‘mainstream’ or most Hollywood film at the Brisbane International Film Festival this year. Both screenings attracted a sold out crowd and there is a good reason for it. Joseph Gordon-Levitt has demonstrated that he is a fantastic actor and through Don Jon, he also showcased his writing and directing skills as well. His feature debut Don Jon, is a smart and funny commentary on how the media can negatively consume both men and women in our society. Continue reading
The Lowdown 