Australian / NZ Films
Links to sites and resources about individual Australian and New Zealand film titles, including "The Piano," "Romper Stomper," and "Whale Rider"
Macbeth
The Internet Movie Database lists 48 adaptations of Macbeth, including classics by Orson Welles, Akira Kurosawa and Roman Polanski, but this contemporary gangster take on Shakespeare's Scottish play doesn’t resemble any of them as much as a low-budget remake of Scarface. In Geoffrey Wright's Macbeth, there's lots of gunplay between drug dealers but very little to praise.
The Internet Movie Database lists 48 adaptations of Macbeth, including classics by Orson Welles, Akira Kurosawa and Roman Polanski, but this contemporary gangster take on Shakespeare's Scottish play doesn’t resemble any of them as much as a low-budget remake of Scarface. In Geoffrey Wright's Macbeth, there's lots of gunplay between drug dealers but very little to praise.
Eagle vs. Shark
Writer/director Taika Cohen's an indie comedy from New Zealand features a road trip, a quirky dysfunctional family, and a couple of awkward lovers who dress up in silly costumes. Eagle vs Shark tastes an awful lot like Napoleon Dynamite meets Little Miss Sunshine — with Kiwis!
Writer/director Taika Cohen's an indie comedy from New Zealand features a road trip, a quirky dysfunctional family, and a couple of awkward lovers who dress up in silly costumes. Eagle vs Shark tastes an awful lot like Napoleon Dynamite meets Little Miss Sunshine — with Kiwis!
Candy
Oscar-nominee Heath Ledger stars as Dan, a charming but reckless young poet who has fallen in love with Candy (Abbie Cornish), a beautiful young art student from a comfortable middle-class family who is attracted to his bohemian lifestyle. Opens November 17, 2006.
Oscar-nominee Heath Ledger stars as Dan, a charming but reckless young poet who has fallen in love with Candy (Abbie Cornish), a beautiful young art student from a comfortable middle-class family who is attracted to his bohemian lifestyle. Opens November 17, 2006.
Somersault
Abbie Cornish was twenty-one when she took on the role of sixteen year old Heidi in Cate Shortland's coming of age drama [i]Somersault[/i]. Often, she seems even younger. Filmed in a wispy blue light, the baby-faced blond instinctively uses sex as a means of both fun and survival.
Abbie Cornish was twenty-one when she took on the role of sixteen year old Heidi in Cate Shortland's coming of age drama [i]Somersault[/i]. Often, she seems even younger. Filmed in a wispy blue light, the baby-faced blond instinctively uses sex as a means of both fun and survival.
The Best Movies From Australia and New Zealand
Worldfilm guide Jurgen Fauth picks the top ten essential films from down under.
Worldfilm guide Jurgen Fauth picks the top ten essential films from down under.
Angel At My Table
Jane Campion's 1990 three-hour fictionalized version of the life of Janet Frame, one of New Zealand's greatest writers. This essay from the Women's Studies Department at the University of Maryland discusses the film's many strengths.
Jane Campion's 1990 three-hour fictionalized version of the life of Janet Frame, one of New Zealand's greatest writers. This essay from the Women's Studies Department at the University of Maryland discusses the film's many strengths.
Babe: Pig in the City
Don't dismiss this film just because it features talking animals. A delight for the heart, the mind, and the senses. The official site.
Don't dismiss this film just because it features talking animals. A delight for the heart, the mind, and the senses. The official site.
Chopper
A "bold, blackly comic character study" about Australia's most infamous former criminal.
A "bold, blackly comic character study" about Australia's most infamous former criminal.
The Cars That Ate Paris
This early Peter Weir (1974) film is about a small Australia town that causes car accidents as a form of industry. You won't believe this cult classic came from the same mind as the epic, multi-million "Master and Director."
This early Peter Weir (1974) film is about a small Australia town that causes car accidents as a form of industry. You won't believe this cult classic came from the same mind as the epic, multi-million "Master and Director."
Crocodile Dundee
Paul Hogan stars at the Aussie bushman who comes to New York in Peter Faiman's 1986 hit comedy. The film went on to spawn two more sequels and a legion of fans. Check out this Dundee Web ring.
Paul Hogan stars at the Aussie bushman who comes to New York in Peter Faiman's 1986 hit comedy. The film went on to spawn two more sequels and a legion of fans. Check out this Dundee Web ring.
Gallipoli
Interview with director Peter Weir discussing his 1981 anti war film about two Australian sprinters during World War I, starring Mel Gibson and Mark Lee.
Interview with director Peter Weir discussing his 1981 anti war film about two Australian sprinters during World War I, starring Mel Gibson and Mark Lee.
Heavenly Creatures
Deep resource for this 1994 Peter Jackson film starring Kate Winslet. If you love the film, join the "Heavenly Creatures" crusade!
Deep resource for this 1994 Peter Jackson film starring Kate Winslet. If you love the film, join the "Heavenly Creatures" crusade!
Holy Smoke
This reviewer loves Kate Winslet but asks Jane Campion to stay away from Harvey Keitel the next time around.
This reviewer loves Kate Winslet but asks Jane Campion to stay away from Harvey Keitel the next time around.
Japanese Story
Directed by Sue Brooks and starring Toni Colette, "Japanese Story" tells the story of a young anthropologist on a field trip to Pilbara desert with an unlikely companion. Opens in limited release on January 16, 2003.
Directed by Sue Brooks and starring Toni Colette, "Japanese Story" tells the story of a young anthropologist on a field trip to Pilbara desert with an unlikely companion. Opens in limited release on January 16, 2003.
Mad Max
This site is loaded with more than you ever wanted to know about the Road Warrior, featuring car and location info, cast, crew, trivia, merchandise, a fan section, and news about Mad Max 4.
This site is loaded with more than you ever wanted to know about the Road Warrior, featuring car and location info, cast, crew, trivia, merchandise, a fan section, and news about Mad Max 4.
The Maori Merchant of Venice
The Maori film version of the Shakespeare’s play The brings an exotic look, a musically rich soundtrack and a unique cultural mix to classic tradition.
The Maori film version of the Shakespeare’s play The brings an exotic look, a musically rich soundtrack and a unique cultural mix to classic tradition.
Meet the Feebles
Peter Jackson presents: The Muppets on crack. Or something like it. Not my sense of humor, but if you're in the mood for a sick and twisted evening, give it a try.
Peter Jackson presents: The Muppets on crack. Or something like it. Not my sense of humor, but if you're in the mood for a sick and twisted evening, give it a try.
Muriel's Wedding
Toni Collette and Rachel Griffiths starred in P.J. Hogan's 1994 hit film "Muriel's Wedding." Links to reviews, trailers, photos, trivia, and more.
Toni Collette and Rachel Griffiths starred in P.J. Hogan's 1994 hit film "Muriel's Wedding." Links to reviews, trailers, photos, trivia, and more.
Once Were Warriors
Dry but informative official site for Rena Owen's powerful film about Maori life.
Dry but informative official site for Rena Owen's powerful film about Maori life.
Picnic at Hanging Rock
Roger Ebert reviews Peter Weir's early movie about vanishing schoolgirls during an outing into the Australian outback, based on a novel by Joan Lindsay.
Roger Ebert reviews Peter Weir's early movie about vanishing schoolgirls during an outing into the Australian outback, based on a novel by Joan Lindsay.
Praise
Put together a chain-smoking asthmatic guy, and a slightly pudgy nymphomaniac girl, and the result is John Curran's award winning Australian film.
Put together a chain-smoking asthmatic guy, and a slightly pudgy nymphomaniac girl, and the result is John Curran's award winning Australian film.
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Stephan Elliott's answer to "To Wong Foo," starring Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving, and a Greyhound bus in drag.
Stephan Elliott's answer to "To Wong Foo," starring Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving, and a Greyhound bus in drag.
Rabbit-Proof Fence
Director Phillip Noyce probes Australia's dark past, when aboriginie children, the so-called "Stolen Generation," were taken from their parents for reeducation. The amateur child actors steal the show from Sir Kenneth Branagh.
Director Phillip Noyce probes Australia's dark past, when aboriginie children, the so-called "Stolen Generation," were taken from their parents for reeducation. The amateur child actors steal the show from Sir Kenneth Branagh.
Return to Snowy River
Rather unkind Washington Post review of the western set on the Australian frontier.
Rather unkind Washington Post review of the western set on the Australian frontier.
Romper Stomper
Review of this early Russell Crowe movie about skinheads. Directed by Geoffrey Wright.
Review of this early Russell Crowe movie about skinheads. Directed by Geoffrey Wright.
Shine
Fine Line's offical site for Scott Hicks' film about pianist David Helfgott, a role that won Geoffrey Rush an Oscar. Good and thorough site, complete with study guide for students and shockwaved music.
Fine Line's offical site for Scott Hicks' film about pianist David Helfgott, a role that won Geoffrey Rush an Oscar. Good and thorough site, complete with study guide for students and shockwaved music.
Strictly Ballroom
James Berardinelli's review of this Baz Luhrmann delight full of energy and color.
James Berardinelli's review of this Baz Luhrmann delight full of energy and color.
Sweetie
Roger Ebert describes his "curious experience" when watching Jane Campion's 1989 film "Sweetie" at the Cannes Film Festival. A disturbing film about sisters and family dsyfunction.
Roger Ebert describes his "curious experience" when watching Jane Campion's 1989 film "Sweetie" at the Cannes Film Festival. A disturbing film about sisters and family dsyfunction.
The Piano
Jane Campion's 1883 film "The Piano" took home three Oscars: Best Screenplay for Jane Campion, Best Actress for Holly Hunter, and Best Supporting actress for Anna Pacquin, only eight at the time.
Jane Campion's 1883 film "The Piano" took home three Oscars: Best Screenplay for Jane Campion, Best Actress for Holly Hunter, and Best Supporting actress for Anna Pacquin, only eight at the time.
Walkabout
Nicolas Roeg's 1971 cult classic plays off the contrast of civilization and the outback.
Nicolas Roeg's 1971 cult classic plays off the contrast of civilization and the outback.
Whale Rider
Jurgen's review of the immensely popular film "Whale Rider" starring eleven year-old break out performer Keisha Castle-Hughes.
Jurgen's review of the immensely popular film "Whale Rider" starring eleven year-old break out performer Keisha Castle-Hughes.