MARCH REVIEWS

Despite a hectic month I did manage a few DVDs, mostly at the beginning of the month though.

 

Television

 

I caught up with episodes I missed of Redfern Now S2 and Miss Fisher S2. Both great Australian series at different ends of the spectrum. Without a doubt Redfern Now is the finest drama we have produced in, well, forever. Inspiring, thoughtful, and intelligent stories set in the western suburbs with mostly indigenous flavour with superb acting, Redfern Now is an instant classic. Miss Fisher is a elegant lady detective, in the 20s in Melbourne. The stories are light, a la Agatha Christie, but the set design, costumes and winsome characters are what makes this show a favourite. I also finally caught the superb British mini-series, The Bletchley Circle. Set in postwar London, about a group of women who had been code breakers during the war and come back together to solve a trail of murders by using their knowledge.

 

Also loving the return of two of my favourite shows on television, Puberty Blues and Rockwiz.

 

Documentaries

 

I also watched two superb Art documentary series, The Impressionists and Art Deco, Highly recommend both.

 

I also saw some amazing film documentaries. Roman Polanski: a film memoir, was good but didn't really expose anything we didn't already know. I suspect it was a PR exercise. Stories we tell, is a stunning family tale from the amazing Sarah Polley. I am unsure how to describe this, but she goes in search of the truth about her mother. Quite extraordinary. And finally, a documentary I loved so much I was compelled to review immediately, A Band Called Death.

 

Movies

 

The Way Way Back was the pick of the bunch this month. A lovely coming of age story with a great cast.

 

Therese Desqueyroux - a French period melodrama starring Audrey Tatou.

 

Parkland - could have been such a great movie. Based on the doctors in Parkland Hospital who had to operate of President Kennedy that day he was shot and also Lee Harvey Oswald the following day. Also told from the point of view of the Oswald family. It was fascinating, but with Zac Efron and Colin Hanks as the doctors...you get the picture!

 

Now You See me - was a flashy thriller about a group of magicians on an interesting mission

 

Satellite Boy - Great story about two young boys on an adventure in the outback with stunning cinematography

  

Books

 

I seemed to start about 4 or 5 books this month, but only finished one!

 

And that was Tiddas by Anita Heiss. It's is her latest book and the reason for her author tour during the month.

 

Tiddas is a rollicking romp about 5 close friends based in Brisbane. The women have been friends since school, and now they are in their 40s they are experiencing varying degrees of change in their lives. It is a fabulous and honest portrayal of friendship and life at 40, these women have such a wonderful bond. The story is also structured around their book club, so we not only find out what has been happening in their lives as the months pass by, but get to read about what they are reading. This is a wonderful device and has added additional reading to my already long to read list! 

As with all of Anita's books there is another subtle thread about Aboriginality, politics, and similar. I always enjoy this aspect of her books, there are things to be learnt, and ideas and philosophies to ponder. Most of all I love her sense of place. Each of her books have strong settings, usually the city where the book is set and the city or town where the main character/s come from. Brisbane is as much a character as the five women in Tiddas, as is Mudgee, their hometown. Whilst a fun read in the Chick Lit genre, this book has a great deal of substance and heart. I highly recommend!

 

Music

I've gone retro (again) and been listening to Fleetwood Mac and Bob Dylan. I also have been enjoying the new John Butler.