Lost AT E Minor

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

Narrated by Johnny Depp, who played Hunter in the film adaptation of the book Fear and Loathing in Los Vegas, this documentary covers the life of the enigmatic writer who invented Gonzo. The lines blur between reality and fantasy, as they did whenever Hunter was talking about his own life in his writing, but it is fascinating nevertheless as an insight into how he worked and the highs and lows of his life. Perhaps too long, it is understandable considering the amount of content to cover, from his first articles right to his famous suicide. As his fame grows, his behaviour becomes even more questionable and towards the end of his life Hunter becomes less coherent. And to the film’s credit it does not shy away from the less flattering aspects of his life. Perhaps the most entertaining parts are the interviews with artist and long-time collaborator Ralph Steadman, whose style evolved along with that of his famous muse.

A Complete History of My Sexual Failures

There is a strange voyeuristic pleasure in watching an incompetent and unenthusiastic loser trawl through the detritus that is his love life. The fact that Chris Waitt eventually made this film indicates that he’s not quite as useless as he makes out, but watching as doors slam and phones are slammed in his ear is both cringe-worthy and extremely entertaining. Part of the way through Chris chooses to pursue laughs instead of trying to figure out what has gone wrong with all his past relationships, which does make for some hilarious moments but means the question that instigates his journey is forgotten for a while. It all ties together well in the end though and through being so honest and recording the most uncomfortable and personal of experiences, including visits to a dominatrix, sexual therapist and disastrous dates, the film is honest and personal in a way that few documentaries ever are.

Planet Earth’s Lyrebird

The BBC’s Planet Earth series kept the mandatory blues that kick in on a Sunday night at bay for a long time. Going into work the next day suddenly didn’t seem so bad when you knew the hot topics of conversation would revolve around last night’s viewing, and not today’s admin prospects. There’s one bit in the series that really stood out; something so exceptional it can be watched over and over again and still draw gasps. There’s a segment at the end of one episode where David Attenborough tiptoes up to a Lyrebird - the greatest mimic of them all - the cameras start rolling, and the result is pretty staggering. That’s all I’ll give away, but note the sheer poignancy of the final few shots.

Not Quite Hollywood

Back at a time when the Australian film industry rivalled Iceland’s for inactivity, the first Australian films to hit American and British drive-ins featured some weird plots indeed. Split into three parts, covering sex, slasher and smash and crash, Not Quite Hollywood focuses on Australian exploitation films. It is argued that without these films, Australia might not have a film industry at all. Read more

Chicago 10

This American film was chosen to launch the Australian-wide Human Rights Film Festival. Through the use of archive footage and animation, it tells the story of protests in Chicago against additional troop deployment and the introduction of a national draft, and is a rare mix of being both historically significant and extremely entertaining. The action shifts between the protests and a subsequent court case, both being painstakingly mixed into a riveting and coherent story. There is no footage of the court case though, only court records, so the courtroom and participants have been animated. The medium is able to show viewpoints and quirks that would’ve been otherwise impossible and the result is an innovative, humorous and affecting way to present historical facts. The Human Rights Festival is happening in Melbourne until November 30, Perth from November 29-30, Sydney from December 4-7 and Brisbane from March 6-7.

Death Race

People who talk in cinemas should be shot. Anyone who answers, messages or even checks a mobile phone while in a cinema deserves to suffer a similar fate. That’s the problem with going to see a film that appeals to the lowest common denominator. You have to sit in a cinema with them. Luckily there were that many explosions, killings, fast cars, hot girls and clever quips, that even those that tried to distract everyone else eventually had to give up. I spend a lot of my time watching intellectual, intelligent films that push boundaries and I find them both rewarding and enjoyable. Sometimes, though, it is extremely cathartic and refreshing though to just watch shit explode. So many films attempt to do this but often fail. Death Race even contains enough twists and script complexity, that it’s actually exciting throughout. If you expect nothing but entertainment, this film will leave you extremely satisfied.