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I have never hid the fact I am a fan of Tarrentino, Gangster movies, anything Robert Rodrigez makes and comics books. That's why I'm a fan girl.

To be completely upfront- I loved it. You knew I would. Anyone with any respect for artistic creativity would- regardless of the negative publicity here in Australia.

{ I will write a full review soon- but work sucks in a big way }

Sin City brings me full circle in a way. El mariachi (and Resevoir Dogs) made me think, that maybe one day too, I could be a film- maker. Sin City makes me believe that at 30 I needn't try, because Rodriges has made the masterpiece of our generation.

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What can I say? Like many Star Wars fans, I've been waiting almost 30 years for this film. Of course, in some ways I am disappointed, but overall- this is the best Star Wars film since Empire.

The CGI and gee whizzery of the last two films have given way to actually story telling and for the first time since my childhood, I was approaching a sci -fi film with a real feeling of disbelief. My personal favourite moments were watching Obi Wan's lizard in battle and the Wookies.

I'm not going to write a thesis dismantling this film. I'm quite happy (for one of the few times in my life) to take this film as I see it. I appreicate the story of Anikin melding into Vader and the resolution of other roles. I do hope that eposodes 7-9 are made in some way to bring the saga full circle.

My biggest disappointenet, thought was mth Amidala and Natile Portman's performance. Over the last few films, she has kicked butt, looked great adn ha da Hepburn grace. That seemed to be missing in this film. Her lines were simpering, her performance lacking and costumes naff. It's like Lucas found her (as the one maing female role) a hinderance to the *real* story. So a character with so much potential and already established depth was passed off as a narrative nessecity, no more. Sad really.

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I have waited for this film a long time. Once I knew the details of the production, I have to say I was extremely dubious about how it would turn out. My greatest fear was an Americanised, canned-laughter travesty that showed no understanding of the books.

I was much more pleased when I saw it was a updated version of Addam's brilliant sense of humour and a celebration of al that is great in the Brit-com world. I was not disappointed with the film in general. It kept the tone of the book and TV series, but was updated enough to make a funny and coherent story.

While I would have loved more of those quirky off to the side characters and ideas, it just was not possible in a 2- hour film. The guide itself was well done and while I didn't like the love story, and am still making up my mind on the new Trillian and Ford Prefect (!?)- all in all, it was an enjoyable film that made fun of the sci fi genre.

Also - I got to see the ROTS preview- very exciting!!!

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I'm thinking of trashing this blog- due to my own slackness. There are so many reasons to keep it and I would like to keep the reviews I have done, but I need to find a way to do away with all of the films I haven't reviewed.

So a new resolution- to revive and revamp. Watch this space.
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Why do I have to wait another 6 months? and then till Halloween?
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I know I have been a little slack- I have read books and seen a few minor movies and not reviewed them. I know as readers (the few of you there are), you don't care. For me, however, it is all about keeping a promise to myself. A promise to consume all I can, review all I can and be true to all of it.

There are some reviews from only days to months ago sitting in this blog as drafts waiting to be finished. Then there are the films I saw way back at the beginning of the year, to which there are still no words. I will try to see my way clear to review all I can, truly. But some are probably lost forever.

My apologies for being so slack and crappy
Bronwyn
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When ABC-TV started advertising this mini- series, they featured a series of promos with Meryl Streep raving like she was on crack about how amazing and monumental this series was. I have never been much of a fan of Ms Streep's belief in her own self- worth and so was going to pass it off as a over-rated piece of self indulgent guff. Later, when I saw one of the promos done by Al Pacino, featuring teasers from the series, I was hooked. It might have been seeing the wonderful Jeffery Wright for the first time since Basquiat, it might have been the idea of Emma Thompson as an angel, but I was hanging out to see it.

In their wisdom, ABC broke it into three parts, over three school nights. Instead of staying up and watching TV when work needed to be completed, I taped it. This again, was a wonderful idea. I was able to watch the series over only two nights, giving myself lots more to take in, because once I started the series I didn't want to stop.

The series itself centers around the situation of three characters: Prior Walter, a young gay man with AIDS; Roy Cohn a conservative doyen, who also has AIDS, but is concealing the fact as he is still in the closet; and Joe Pitt a lawyer, Mormon, Republican, married man and closeted gay man. The story is set in the 1980's to the background of Reagan era conservative and AIDS- created hysteria.

We share the breakdown of the relationships these men have, Prior loses his partner, Lou who cannot cope with being a carer. Roy is coping with leaving his position of power and the conscience that picks away at his weakening soul, while Joe Pitt lets go of his life including his dominating mother (Steep) and on the edge and anxious wife, Harper- to take up with Prior's ex-partner, Lou.

This does not sound like the setting for an uplifting and moving story, but as each character's story progresses, we leave reality and reach into a different world: Harper's Valium induced fantasy, and Cohn and Walters flights of dementia. TO explain the plot step by step would diminish the impact of such an astounding piece of television.

Award winning writer Tony Kushner adapted his own play for the small screen. Unlike other work that has been adapted from the stage, this production didn't seem "boxed in", in fact, the scenes are gorgeous and almost epic in their ambition. It was some of the soaring monologues seemed a little overwrought, but added to the epic nature of the series.

There are some strong statements on sexuality, faith, and nationalism , but there are stronger themes of love, acceptance and loyalty. The focus on sexuality and discrimination seemed al the more poignant in light of recent legislation to limit gay unions. It may not be the subject matter for everyone, but it was some of the best TV I have ever seen.


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