My Australian Fake Out

Reason #88 Why I'm Not Badass: Fooled by the charming Australian accent yet again.

My Peterio Awards (Part Thirty-Seven: Best Cinematography in a Film)

Painting an elaborate epic with many tones and shades, the job accomplished in this film by Mandy Walker in Australia captured the pure old Hollywood envisioned by the director. And while the lush canvas is a tribute, the ability to assist with the many emotional aspects of the scenes were something of a spectacle altogether for the modern world.

Other Notable Nominees: The Dark Knight, The Fall, Revolutionary Road & Slumdog Millionaire

My Peterio Awards (Part Thirty-Four: Best Art Direction in a Film)

Standouts from this film of endless lavish sets include the Chinese charity ball and detailed town of Darwin and its ports. Having the range of an intimate set such as campgrounds and Faraway Downs to elaborate set pieces such as war-torn streets and Missionary Island while not missing a beat is definitely a fest for the eyes. Ever a daunting task, a Baz Luhrmann film requires the mind of Catherine Martin to carry out the scope of an epic as big as Australia.

Other Notable Nominees: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Fall, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull & Wall-E

My Quickie Australia Review

Seeing how it is Baz Luhrmann's followup to 'Moulin Rouge!', it's no surprise I was eagerly awaiting 'Australia's release. While it's nowhere near the mastery that was his last work, Luhrmann's latest effort is nothing to pout about. The throwback to old Hollywood is evident and true, down to the over-the-top villain with the skinny mustache and it seems the mostly veteran cast understood that as well. Both Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman contributed to the Clark Gable/ Vivien Leigh dymanic while modernizing their performances for this century. The film even had chapters lining an overall, arching story similar to 'Gone With The Wind's story structure.

If there's one word to summarize the film, it's ambitious... maybe even overambitious, but I expected nothing less from Luhrmann. Afterall, he threw in an added bonus. Kidman sings a little, and that's always a good thing in my book.