Top Ten of 2015

1. Fleetwood Mac, Sydney – simply one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to, and this was made all the more better as I really didn’t think it would be that good!

2. Neil Gaiman at Angel Place – finally me and my main man in the same building. He was everything I imagined and more, I was in heaven.

3. David Bowie Is, ACMI – I had the tickets for a year, the reason I went to Melbourne when I did. I was entranced and raptured...I cried and sang and danced!

4. The Lion King, Melbourne – I may be the last person on earth to see this extravaganza, there is nothing like those first fifteen minutes ever...electric and spine tingling.

5. Maria Abramovic is present, Sydney – I still cannnot articulate my experience at this exhibition, it was frightening, warm, divine, and utterly unique.

6. Go Elsewhere Festival with my gals at Nobbys Lighthouse – on a balmy evening, looking over Newcastle, with the lighthouse looking over us, music and my friends.

7. Chuck Close at MCA – I was blown away by Chuck’s art, more than I was prepared for, I still think about it. He is magnificent.

8. Newcastle Writers Festival, esp Helen Garner – Writer’s festivals are my thing, the one in my hometown is the best, the star this year was my hero, Helen Garner.

9. Steve Smyth at The Cambridge – Love this guy and so pleased I show him to my friends, we saw him three times this year, but this performance was by far the best.

10. Frank Gehry addition to the UTS Sydney – I adore Frank and his quirky buildings, to see one up close and personal so close to home was perfection as is “the paperbag”

 

Top 15* Books of 2015

1. Unfaithful Music and Disappearing Ink by Elvis Costello - Lyrical prose, heartfelt stories, history and music, escapades with Dylan, Van, and Cash. Sheer Perfection.

2. M Train by Patti Smith – mystical, serene, meditative, intriguing, fascinating, funny, melancholy, surprising. Everything you want in a book plus it’s Patti!!!

3. Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth  by Chris Hadfield – highly intelligent and scientific, yet written for everyman. For the space geek in all of us.

4. Reckoning by Magda Szubanski – eloquent prose, enlightened storytelling, utterly unique turn of phrase, bittersweet melancholy, dry humour, and shocking tales.

5. Flesh Wounds by Richard Glover – heartbreaking family memoir told with good grace and humour. If you ever thought your family sucked...read this!!!

6. Girl in a Band by Kim Gordon – beautifully written, rock and roll, a story of failed love, a story of strength and conviction, feminism at it’s best.

7. Songwriters on Songwriting by Paul Zollo – stunning stories and interviews with all the best songwriters in the world and why they do what they do.

8. The Art of the Novel by Milan Kundera – 20 years old, but spot on. Musings on the state of the novel, writing, and reading. Philosophical and deep, timeless writing.

9. Bad Feminist by Roxanne Gay – stunning book of essays on feminism, life, love, and everything in between. Funny, warm, sad, and heroic.

10. The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer – part self help, part memoir, part love story. At times frustrating, but mostly rewarding.

11. Acute Misfortune: the Life and Death of Adam Cullen by Erik Jenson – devastating, anger inducing, yet utterly compelling page-turning. There is more to this story than meets the eye.

12. When the Night Comes by Favel Parrett – the first of 2 fiction titles on my list. Set in Tasmania and Antarctica, this dreamy, poetic book will hypnotise and lure you in.

13. Confessions of a Comma Queen by Mary Norris Proof reader and copy editor for The New Yorker, Mary writes small essay like stories about her life in this fascinating job.

14. Foreign Soil – Maxine Beneba Clarke – Australian short stories about women of colour throughout the world and their issues. It’s heartbreaking, awful, uplifting, and hopeful.

15. Men who Stare at Goats by Jon Ronson – Totally bizarre, utterly compelling, sucks you in. About paranormal activities in the military. Jaw droppingly good!

 

Honorary Mention: Gerald Durrell, I think I consumed every book of his on talking book, and they were delightful.

Special mention: Here’s the thing by Alec Baldwin, not a book but a superb fortnightly podcast, my favourite!

* Yeah, there are fifteen, I read a LOT of great books this year, these were only some of them.

 

Top Ten TV Shows of 2015

1. Fargo S2 - a slow build to sheer perfection, on the edge of your seat thrilling, funny, and a stunning cast.

2. Please like me S3 – this Australian show continues to unravel layer upon layer of delightfully flawed characters, with such heart and warmth and a quirky sensibility.

3. Glitch – Another Australian thriller/fantasy that was in a league of it’s own, with stunning and uniquely Australian storytelling and a great cast.

4. Mad Men – final Season – I loved this show, it’s been my favourite show for many years, and whilst the ending was great, it just didn’t cut it enough to keep it’s No. 2 spot!

5. Orphan Black S1-3 – my new favourite sci-fi show about clones, dramatic, funny, a wild ride with the best female lead since Buffy, Tatiana Maslany.

6. Masters of Sex S1/2 – I finally got around to watching this and I love it so much. Great storylines, stunning attention to detail design, wonderful acting.

7. The Fall S1/2 – oh my. Gillian Anderson is brilliant, on form and stunning in this serial killer thriller. You are hooked from the get go, this is great storytelling

8. Better Call Saul S1 – Loved this newbie, great cast, dramatic and very funny, and a lot of heart. It’s not Breaking Bad, but it’s still very worthy!

9. Brooklyn 99 S1/2 – love this fun comedy, with a great ensemble cast and loads of laughs.

10. The Blacklist S1 – Intriguing plot with the uber-sexy James Spader as the lead...say no more!

 

Special mention: Olive Kitteridge, essentially a mini-series, this was a perfect adaption of one of my favourite books, with an outstanding cast of Frances McDormand, Richard Jenkins, and Bill Murray.

Honourable mentions: Veep, Parks and Recreations, Game of Thrones, Walking Dead, Orange is the New Black.

 

Top Ten DVDs of 2015

1. Rust and Bone – stunning performance by Marion Cotillard as a woman finding her place in the world after a horrific accident

2. The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec – a wonderful French Steam Punk fantasy set in Paris in the 20s. Dinosaurs, exploration, Mummies, high fashion, and love.

3. Predestination – time travel with a twist, it’ll keep you guessing until the very end. Ethan Hawke is marvellous but it was the extraordinary performance by Sarah Snook that had me gobsmacked.

4. What we do in the shadows – hilarious NZ vampire film. Cultish and dry. I laughed so much in this.

5. Eye of the storm – classic Australian drama with Geoffrey Rush, Judy Davis, and Charlotte Rampling. Fred Schepsi directing from Patrick White’s novel with stunning cinematography.

6. Locke – this one person thriller seemed wrong on paper, but sitting in the car with Tom Hardy during one night, filmed in real time, had me on the edge of my seat.

7. Nymophomaniac Pts 1/2 – this superb two-parter starring Charlotte Gainsburg was very confronting, but stunning. A Lars Von Trier film, with an exceptional cast but it’s all about Charlotte!

8. Tracks – great Australian adventure about Robyn Davidson who tracked across WA deserts with her camel and dogs.

9. Babadook- I don’t like horror, but this was beautifully done, although it scared the bejesus out of me!

10. Spy – funny, feisty females not being made ridiculous. Never laughed so much!e

 

Special mention: Hail, Hail Rock and Roll, a fabulous doco/concert from the late 1980s remastered and featuring greats such as Keith Richards, and Eric Clapton playing tribute to the Chuck Berry.

Honourable mentions: Snowpiercer, The immigrant, Lucy, Two days and one night.   

 

Top Ten Movies of 2015

1. The Dressmaker and Star Wars – both very different but exceptional, faultless movies with great stories, cinematography, and acting!

2. Love and Mercy – stunning biopic on the life of Brian Wilson with stunning performances from John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, and Paul Giamatti. And that superb music.

3. Finding Vivien Maier – astonishing documentary about the life of an unknown photography and the layers behind the facade. Part thriller, part memoir, part history, part art. Absolutely brilliant.

4. Whiplash – great performances, and tight music, fast paced and edge of your seat drama.

5. Amy – documentary about Amy Winehouse, beautiful, genius, and heartbreaking – both describes the artist and the film.

6. Far From the Madding Crowd – period drama based on the classic novel by Thomas Hardy, beautifully filmed and wonderfully acted. Lush and sensuous.

7. When we were young – Great modern drama/comedy, with an all star cast and edgy ideas.

8. A second chance – high drama with this twist of fate Danish film, looking at what a man will do to save his family. Highly disturbing but stunningly filmed.

9. Wild – based on the book, this is a tour de force from Reese Witherspoon, about a woman determined to change her life around.

10. Samba – great French film about refugees starring the superb Omar Sy and Charlotte Gainsbourg.

 

Top 10 Albums of 2015

1. Stay Gold by First Aid Kit – the third album by the Swedish sisters was sublime and heavenly.

2. Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance by Belle and Sebastian – another melancholy/dancey album from my Scottish faves

3. Vulnicura by Bjork – an absolute masterpiece with her status as musical genius sealed, dancey and beautiful and full of so much heart you almost feel yours breaking.

4. 25 by Adele – stunning and powerful, loud and proud, I don’t usually do top ten fodder, but Adele is in a league of her own, this album is a testament to that.

5. Album deux by Baby et Lulu – sublime and sexy, french duets by two Australian talents, I could listen to them all day.

6. Songs in the dark by Wainwright Sisters – Martha and Lucy together for the first time, their harmonies are sweet and soulful, the talent endless.

7. Transmutant by Katie Noonan – that operatic voice on an edgy album of pop, soul, and ballads. Beautiful.

8. No Cities to love by Sleater-Kinney – grunge rock at it’s best, their first album in 10 years and they haven’t lost their edge. Kick A!!!!

9. Beautiful You by The Waifs – always lovely and laid back to listen to, comforting blues and interesting lyrics.

10. 24 Karat Gold by Stevie Nicks – an album of reworked songs that were never used on albums, close listening will help you work out what era they were originally written in, fabulous!

 

Special Mention:  If I can dream by Elvis Presley and the Philharmonic Orchestra – classic live performances with the Philharmonic added in, a gimmick for sure but a bloody good one, the sounds are terrific!

Honourable Mentions: Shadows in the night by Bob Dylan, Talk by Daniel Johns, The Endless River by Pink Floyd.

 

Top 8* gigs of 2015

1. Fleetwood Mac – absolute (and unexpected) perfection

2. Steve Smyth at The Cambridge – the man simply sizzles on stage, a mix of Jeff Buckley and Tom Waits, his energy is mystical and sensual.

3. Go Elsewhere Festival - a balmy evening, looking over Newcastle, with the lighthouse looking over us, music and my friends.

4. Daniel Johns – New funky style possibly borrowing from Prince, electric performance. An adult Johns has arrived.

5. Glenn Shorack at the Apra concert – he might be old, and his songs (to some) a little daggy, but he was the consummate performer and sounded brilliant.

6. Mental as Anything – not the proper band, and for every good song, there were two ordinary ones, but the good ones were worth price of admission!

7. Doubleclicks – indie duo from Portland (natch!) singing about geeky things such a Science, Dinosaurs, Wonder Woman, and being an introvert. Perfection and funny.

8. Fish Fry/ Pow Wow – Jazz/Swing and Jazz/Funk – joyous music with fabulous brass, how can you not dance!?!

* this is shameful, I need to see more live music next year

2015: the year that was!

2015 was a great year, the best I have had in a long time.

 

Of course with greatness, there is always darkness, my theory is the darkness helps you connect better with greatness!

 

So the darkness first, cause as much as I like to write about happy, it is equally important to write about the opposite. You gotta keep it real. So most of the darkness this year is pretty much everyone else’s darkness...boy the world got very intense and rather fukt! From Syria to Paris, the embarrassment of Tony Abutt, the state of politics and the rise of the far right (or reich, am I right!?!), the poor treatment of women, racism, sexism, misogyny, and war and hate and killing. Makes you want to make your own little republic and be very selective in who you let join you! With all of those atrocities came greatness, you see the beautiful, kind, and considerate people rise above the hatred, it felt like a minority (which is actually worse than the list itself) but at least these people were there, you and me - regular people hoping for a better world.

The other half of my darkness came from within, I started the year with a deep depression, but also incredible love, knowing people had my back and they loved and cared for me, it didn’t take long to break the chains of the black dog. So by the second half of the year I felt pretty much back to regular me. Yes this horrid disease lurks beneath the surface and rears it’s ugly head from time to time, but the bounce back is brief, which is all you can ask for. Within this depression, my old fiend, anxiety, also returned...bigger and better than ever. You gotta love that! A mix of depression and anxiety is pretty freaking awful I tell you, you feel like the push me, pull me creature from Doctor Doolittle, you just don’t know what the fuck is going on and it takes all your worth to put one foot in front of the other and get everyday things done. And I did, I got everyday things done, and I slept a lot and I cried a lot – and this may sound awful, and it is, but it is also important, life changing, and totally appropriate and necessary to move through such a period and reclaim greatness.

 

I am – surprising as it may seem – a very private person, believe me there is a lot about me I do not share. But I think it is important to talk about the bad, the dark, the horrid...because it is an equaliser. This I know, as the more I write and converse about such things, the more I have others engage with me about their own issues. And this is so very important and weirdly comforting. So I shall continue to share the realities of my life (to a certain extent) to assist whoever needs it and to make others uncomfortable, because talking about reality should not be an uncomfortable thing.

 

And you know, in the grand scheme of things, life wasn’t so bad, it could have been a hell of a lot worse.

 

And so onto the greatness.

 

2015 – I started the year with the following: focusing on positives and the ground work I laid for this year, live in the moment and do what I was meant to do, let fate and adventure take it’s course, and hope to meet someone...and I did all of that and more, ok I have not met ‘the one’ but I did meet a lot of new people!

 

I also planned to do my Project 42 for life and I have been following those little guides I set up a few years back and find they really keep my life on track, and I figure if I can be organised at work, why not at home too! Project Read – this I definitely did, I read so many great books this year, and finally Project Declutter, YES! I finished this too, although I look at both of these as ongoing projects. The key to all of this is set acceptable goals and projects that have meaning, you know you can achieve, but still push you without causing stress!

 

Work was great this year, if I may say so myself. My terrific team worked hard and we had a lot of fun doing our regular work on top of special projects and event. Proud of these guys and it’s my pleasure to work alongside of each and every one of them all year round. On a personal note I worked on a lot of special projects, was guest speaker for a few local groups, attended the IAML conference at APRA headquarters, helped establish the wonderful Share the Story with Carol Duncan, and ended the year on a high recruiting two new staff members for Swansea and receiving my 25 years of service.

 

Dating – yep I embraced online dating in the last quarter of the year. And that has been very interesting, challenging, heart breaking, and fun. But that’s life hey? And when you are looking for a life partner, I expect no less. I am in no hurry, geez I just turned 45, I have no internal clock (hurrah!!!) and I am after the right match for me. I’m happy to wade through toads to find him...wherever he may be!

 

Personal Stuff – I got glasses, a new car, and a new laptop. I decluttered my study and turned it into a room of tranquillity and inspiration. I holidayed in Melbourne. I turned 45 without too much drama!

 

Art – as always I soaked up a lot of Art. The Pop into Popism exhibit at NSW Gallery, Chuck Close at MCA, Archibald prize at Maitland Art Gallery, Midnight Oil exhibit at Newcastle Museum, David Bowie exhibit at ACMI, Catherine the Great exhibit at NGV, Hellenic Museum Melbourne, Orry Kelly exhibit ACMI, Frank Gehry building at UTS Sydney, and the Mambo Exhibit at Newcastle Art Gallery.

 

Culture including Books, Film, DVDs, Music  - I experienced a lot of great culture this year, stay tuned for my Top 10 lists! I loved this years Oscars. I had Ukulele lessons.

 

Festivals and Shows – Newcastle Writers Festival, Carriage Shed Film Festival, Absinthe, Go Elsewhere, APRA concert, French Film Festival, TRavelling Sydney Film Festival, Australian Ballet, Many great local theatre productions, The Lion King, Bell Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Fleetwood Mac, This is Not Art Festival, The Doubleclicks, Hunter Valley Gardens Lights, and Star Wars!

 

Interesting people I saw – Neil Gaiman, Peter Lewis, Lisa Heidke, Megan Washinton, Daniel Johns, Steve Smyth (three times), Jon Ronson, John Safran, Magda Szubanski, and Barry Morgan.

 

I also got out and about, ate out a lot, and walked and explored my neighbourhoods including the lake, beach, and inner suburbs. All the while documenting and diarising my life through my blog, photography, and other SM applications. I love sharing what I am up, but mostly it’s just a record for me, so that fact that others interact and enjoy my musings makes me happy.

 

And finally the most important aspect of my life are the people I share it with. Family and friends – you all know who you are. Without you, there would be no me. That’s the honest truth. You have my back, keep my head above water, keep me smiling, and let me know it’s ok to have bad days and are always around to share whatever life throughs at me. I love you all.

 

I will be posting my Top Tens and hopes for 2016 over the next day or so.

 

OSCAR WATCH 2015: the predictions

Well, Oscars 2015 is just around the corner and another year of amazing movies.

 

I have managed to see many of the nominated films this year and I loved a whole bunch of them, which makes these predictions a little harder to write.

 

You can read reviews of them as follows:

 

Birdman

 

Boyhood

 

Finding Vivian Maier

 

Foxcatcher

 

Grand Budapest Hotel

 

The Imitation Game

 

Into The Woods

 

Still Alice

 

The Theory of Everything

 

Whiplash

 

Wild

 

So for those new to the party, I do love Oscar time, as a film buff, how can you not?

 

I also enjoy a spectacle and will blog all about that after the event.

 

Each year I try and predict who will win and add my own personal thoughts on who I think should win - quite often two very different things.

(Search Oscars on my blog for previous posts thoughts etc.)

 

So let's get cracking!!

NB/ I won't predict who I think should win if I have not seen enough films, or have enough information. I always try and predict who will win, cause that's fun!!

 

Best Picture

Never has the race for Best Picture been so difficult to predict. All the usual sources I read are resorting to flipping coins or just not calling it. I've seen 6 of the nominees and loved every single one of them and all deserve to win. I didn't watch American Sniper as it just didn't sing to me and Selma as I ran out of time. I doubt either stand a chance. 

The race is between Birdman and Boyhood, two of my perfect movies this year. (I also thought Grand Budapest Hotel was perfect, but it won't get up) I loved both of them but would place Boyhood ahead of Birdman, but who will actually win? You know what I have NO IDEA! It looks likely to be Birdman if you go by who is winning awards in over ceremonies, but Boyhood could still get up being a sentimental favourite.

 

Who will win: Boyhood

Who should win: Boyhood - because it's magnificent, genius, a supreme masterpiece, so clever, so beautiful, so heartwarming, and I haven't stopped thinking about since I saw it last June!

 

Best Director

There has been much talk of a split this year, Boyhood winning Best Picture and Inarritu winning Director or vice versa. I don't know. Both used unusual ways to direct their film and get their message across, both outstandingly so. So again this is a hard one to call, but I just can't see how the academy can go past the dedication and vision that was Boyhood. 12 years in the filming, things could have gone horribly wrong, but they didn't, they went so very right you cannot find fault anywhere. Linklater it is.

 

Who will win: Richard Linklater, Boyhood

Who should win: Richard Linklater, Boyhood - because what a vision, what commitment, what supreme storytelling, nuanced and clever and stunnning!

 

Best Actress

I have seen 4 of the 5 performances. Yet to see Marion Cotillard and to be honest I suspect she is the one who should win. Based on everything I have seen her in, she is just one of those superb actresses who transforms herself with every role. France's Meryl Streep if you will. She won't win because of that reason, she is foreign and has already won. 

The academy usually rewards young, white ladies in this role, which is a bit perverse, unless they were good, which they usually are. I don't rate Pike as she was in a movie I wouldn't call Oscar worthy, a shlockbuster...le horreur! Jones was great in the supportive wife role. 

It is down to Moore and Witherspoon, the later giving the better and more worthy performance, but again, she has recently won. Moore should have won on more than one occasion in the past, probably for Boogie Nights and Far From Heaven, and whilst this is a great performance, she has acted far, far better. She will undoubtedly win and this pleases me, because even in a bad film Moore is almost always brilliant, she deserves an Oscar, but just not for this performance.

 

Who will win: Julianne Moore

Who should win: Reese Witherspoon - and I cannot believe I am saying it, as I am sooo not a fan, but her performance in Wild was outstanding. I also think Moore should win, because of the unfairness of her missing out so many times before!

 

Best Actor

Again 4 out of 5, not seen Cooper. I think all four performances are outstanding. Carell's chilling performance and physical transformation was superb, Cumberbatch's heart wrenching turn also great. But it comes down to Redmayne and Keaton, and I loved both performances and films so very much. Redmayne will inch out Keaton I think, but what a buzz if the later does win!

 

Who will win: Eddie Redmayne - heartbreakingly unrecognisable as Stephen Hawking, you almost forgot it was a movie

Who should win: Michael Keaton - performance of a lifetime, he went out on a limb, and was funny and poignant and amazing

 

Best Supporting Actress

I've seen all performances and they were all great. Keira Knightley, who I usually detest, was great. Emma Stone, who I've always loved, very good in a gritty role. Streep was Streep in Into the Woods, which means perfect! And Laura Dern shone as usual in a stunning turn. She is also deserving of this award. 

But it will be Patricia Arquette all the way, the glue that held Boyhood together. For that final scene alone, but for her bravery and brilliance the entire way through. This one is a no-brainer...I'm tearing up as I type, that's how affected I was by her performance!

 

Who will win: Patricia Arquette

Who should win: Patricia Arquette

 

Best Supporting Actor

I've seen all bar Duvell in The Judge. Norton, Hawke, and Ruffalo were all outstanding which makes it hard to choose. Especially Ruffalo. But along came J.K. Simmons and blew them all out the water. His role in Whiplash is fierce and career defining. Best Supporting Actor has had a few upsets in the past, but I think Simmons is safe.

 

Who will win: J.K. Simmons

Who should win: J.K. Simmons

 

Cinematography

The cinematraphy was outstanding in Birdman, those long shots, that claustrophobic feel.

 

Who will win: Birdman

Who should win:  Birdman

 

Film Editing

12 years of film to edit together to give a seamless feel, it has to be Boyhood

 

Who will win: Boyhood

Who should win: Boyhood

 

Adapted Screenplay

There is a lot of talk about Anderson's Inherent Vice, but hard for me to say without seeing the film. Whiplash was an outstanding, tight story and many of my sources believe it will get up.

 

Who will win: Whiplash

Who should win: Whiplash

 

Original Screenplay

It does not get more original than Grand Budapest Hotel, a film I just adore. Wes Anderson is king for originality, oh what a mind, what a vision, surely there is no contender here?

 

Who will win: Grand Budapest Hotel

Who should win: Grand Budapest Hotel

 

Animated Feature

I'm not one for animation, with the odd exception. So I have no clue nor have I seen any of the nominated films. I thought Boxtrolls sounded good, but my sources say Dragon!

 

Who will win: How to train your Dragon 2

 

Foreign Language Film

As a foreign film lover it hurts me to say I have no clue this year, I've seen none of the films and only heard good things about Ida and Leviathan with it going either way. I'm going with Ida

 

Who will win: Ida

 

Documentary Feature

I've only seen one of the films, Finding Vivian Maier and loved it. I've read a lot about the other four, I think CitizenFour will come out trumps.

 

Who will win: CitizenFour

Who should win: Finding Vivian Maier

 

Documentary Short

Haven't had a chance to seek out any of the shorts this year, so going on my readings.

 

Who will win: Crisis hotline: Veterans Press 1

 

Live Action Short

The one with Sally Hawkins sounds very good.

 

Who will win: The Phone Call

 

Animated Short Film

Again, from my readings!

 

Who will Win: The Dam Keeper

 

Original Score

Some great scores here but I really loved the music in Grand Budapest Hotel.

 

Who will win: Grand Budapest Hotel

Who should win: Grand Budapest Hotel

 

Original Song

Why does it have to be original? Placement of music can make or break a film and most of my favourite musical moments in film include a non-original song. I should be on the Academy!!!! Anyways, it appears the song from Selma has resounded with a lot of people. As long as that fuck-awful song, Everything is Awesome doesn't win I am ok. I haven't heard the Glen Campbell song, but reckon it should win...cause Glen Campbell!!!

 

Who will win: Glory from Selma

Who should win:  I'm not gonna miss you from Glen Campbell...I'll be me

 

Visual Effects

Interstellar hands down, stunning! Although those apes riding horses in Dawn of the planet of the apes did look pretty real.

 

Who will win: Interstellar

Who should win: Interstellar

 

Sound Editing

Always difficult, usually a war film or a space film. I am thinking American Sniper will edge Interstellar out

 

Who will win: American Sniper

 

Sound Mixing

Usually goes with who wins Sound Editing, unless there is a music film, and it almost always goes to that. And with Whiplash having such amazing musical sequences, the stops and starts, it has to go to there.

 

Who will win: Whiplash

Who should win: Whiplash

 

Production Design/Costume Design/Makeup and Hairstyling

I believe all of these will go to Grand Budapest Hotel. Wes Anderson's films are always highly stylised but Grand Budapest Hotel made it look like he didn't even try on previous films, that's how good this one was. Superb, such attention to detail. It had to win all three, hands down!

 

Who will win: Grand Budapest Hotel

Who should win: Grand Budapest Hotel

But really we know the winner will be Neil Patrick Harris, the most anticipated Oscar host in a long, long while. I predict he will be fabulous with a touch fo razzle dazzle, and will host for years to come and be the next Billy Crystal, who was of course the next Bob Hope :)

I look forward to a lovely day sipping champagne, nibbling on goodies and being delighted by spectacles and speeches.

Who do YOU think will or should win???

OSCAR WATCH 2015: Boyhood and Grand Budapest Hotel

I saw both these movies early last year and announced both of them masterpieces and 5 out of 5 films at the time, and thought to myself it's a shame it's so early, these are Oscar contenders. And brilliance of brilliance they were not forgotten and have both gotten up for Best Film amongst other nominations.

 

Boyhood

I am certain I have thought about this film almost everyday since seeing it over 6 months ago last June as part of the Travelling Sydney Film Festival.

 

I originally wrote:

There are not enough superlatives to describe this magnificent film. Masterpiece does seem to be the best description. A coming of age film, shot in such a unique and original way, it defies categorisation. Linklater cast a young boy of 5 and filmed Boyhood over 12 years, waiting for him to age and indeed come of age. This was such a leap of faith on his behalf, it could have been a disaster, but it wasn't.

 

With Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke as his parents, and Linklater's own daughter, you watch these people evolve over 12 hears. And it is pure magic. The film clocks in at almost 3 hours and I could have sat there for double the time. This is simple a film a to be seen, it has been garnering rave reviews and it should. Arquette and Hawke are brilliant and believable and simply stunning in this. But it is Ellar Coltrane, who is the star. His portrayal of a version of himself from 5 to 17 in nothing short of a miracle, from a cute kid to an awkward tween to an almost Ethan Hawke lookalike teen, he simply shines. Without Coltrane this movie simply would not be, and what an extraordinary performance it is. I cannot recommend this film highly enough, it is one of the best films I have seen in a long time.

 

I still hold by that review and more. Never have I felt as emotionally attached to a film as I have this one. I cannot explain it. Since I saw the movie I have read a lot of praise and hype about it, all true of course, and each time I found myself swelling with emotion as if I had made the film myself, lol! I thought more about the Patricia Arquette character and how she really held the film together, something that came to me over time, as I thought of it more. She is winning every award out there now for the role, deservedly so, and a shoe in for Best Supporting Actress. Hawke had the showier performance and is also nominated, but given his competition, not likely to win. Linklater and the film could just go Best Director and Best Film, and if they do, you might need to hand me some tissues.

 

Other things that have stayed with me are the little references to periods in time as they were filming it, this could have dated the film incredibly, but it did not. Linklater was so clever in piecing this together, fashion, music, politics, pop culture are all there, but subtle. Enough to make you nod or smile, but not enough to take away from the drama at hand. In fact some of the pop culture dialogue predicts things yet to happen...correctly, I have no words for that!

 

By far my favourite moment of the film is The Black Album. I remember having to hold myself back in the film from whooping out loud. Ethan Hawke makes a mixed tape of songs The Beatles made as solo artists after the demise of the band. Their best stuff, he talks about it with such passion. It's about music, breaking up, relationships, things getting better and of course The Beatles. It was the best new idea I have ever heard. It came from something Ethan himself did for his kids after he split from Uma. A kinda 'yeah things split, but greatness can still come from that', I could not love Ethan Hawke more than I already do!

 

Again, if you have not seen this film, you simply must. You will be blown away, at it's simplicity and it's magnificence. 

 

Grand Budapest Hotel

 

I wrote about this fabulous film back in April when I saw it, you can read the review here.

Unsure at this stage what it may win, possibly aesthetic awards.

 

OSCAR WATCH 2015: Finding Vivian Maier

Finding Vivian Maier is the most extraordinary documentary. A young guy is looking for photos of Chicago for his work, he goes to an auction and wins a bid on this old trunk chock full of thousands of negatives. They don't work for his needs, but he is overwhelmed at how good they are and begins to investigate the woman who took them, Vivian Maier. He googles her and nothing, he can't believe work so good is not known.

 

There had been other suitcases and trunks in the auction and he tracks down who won bids for them and purchases them. He googles her name for the second time, and he finds she has recently passed. He tracks down people who knew her and they said she was a hoarder and they were going to clear out her storage shed if he wanted to come.

 

He does, hoarder is an understatement, he takes a whole range of boxes and finds the most amazing and ordinary things from her life. He decides this is a good idea for a project and he will do an exhibition of her work and try to find out about her.

 

This is when things get interesting, and I won't give away too much, but Vivian was complex, unusual, eccentric, never married nor had children, and was a nanny. She also had a dark side.

 

John Maloof is the young man who found the photos, is behind their preservation, and directed the film along with Charlie Siskel. His understanding of the significance of the negatives is serendipitous, and his pains to get to the bottom of the story and show the world her incredible art is nothing short of miraculous.

 

I was going to add some of her photos here, but really, you need to see them on the big screen, the impact of them, her style, their magnificence is something to behold.

This film is a piece of art itself, the way it was shot, the interviews with those that knew her, the footage found, the unveiling of Vivian, and the journey across the globe to find out about her is presented in such a beautiful way, I was incredibly moved.

 

In fact, the way the documentary unfolds is wonderful, like a thriller, you are kept on the edge of your seat, wondering, "what next?"

 

It is such a human story, I laughed and I wept, and I wondered about this woman and why she led her life as she did...which of course you need to see the film to understand what I mean.

 

I saw this at The Regal, and unsure if they will show it again, but if you get the opportunity to see this documentary, you simply must, especially if you love photography (as I do)!! 

It is nominated for Best Documentary at The Academy Awards and is one of the frontrunners to win.

Goodbye 2014 and welcome 2015: the year of living in the moment!

Ahhh 2014, the year that laid the groundwork for a great 2015!

I am paraphrasing from a friends FB status...thanks Rik...but I like it's intent.

2014 wasn't as horrid as 2013 but it wasn't that much better either, and I could explain why, but really what is the point!?!

It's sooo last year!

So I would rather accentuate the positives from 2014 and look towards 2015.

Life can be amazing, and it will be...

And in 2014 I actually did a lot of amazing, mostly with amazing people, some of which included:

• Seeing David Sedaris, Amanda Palmer, Yoko Ono exhibit, Beatles tribute show at the Opera house, and Doctor Who Melbourne Symphony Orchestra ALL in January!
• My stunning Regal Cinema reopened with one chair sponsored by me
• My amazing friend, Linda Drummond saved an Australian institution with SPC Sunday
• I hosted a special book tour at work with Anita Heiss and Lisa Heidke
• I saw Neil Finn play The Civic, and Joanne McCarthy talk about her passion
• I participated in the Newcastle Writer's Festival reading a story about my adventures in Africa
• Ate out with friends a lot, trying so many new and wonderful places, like Fernwood High Tea, Casa de Loco, Una Volta, Coal and Cedar, The Hop Factory, Grainstore, Red Baron, Saigon Feast.
• I saw Leo Sayer, Russell Morris, Richard Clapton, and Joe Camilleri at The Civic
• I became a member of the Newcastle Art Gallery Society
• Athena and I attended a Newcastle Folk Society night with the stunning Kavisha Mazello
• Celebrated Eurovision in style at The Grain Store
• I had the most magical and enjoyable day at The Sydney Writer's Festival
• In June I saw Lloyd Cole, Henry Wagons, The Glenn Miller Orchestra and Tim Freedman
• I got to meet and sell merch for Lloyd Cole
• I had a mini break in Jan, June, and Aug, and a trip to Melbourne in Nov
• I saw Dan Sultan and Stonefield
• I was on Treasure Hunter with my friend R
• I finally went to my first Underground Epicurean
• I had the most amazing night out at Red Baron, and The Lass with my fabulous gals
• I had the most amazing afternoon and night at Red Baron and Grainstore
• We saw Courtney Love
• I SAW BOB DYLAN!!!!!!!!!!!
• I met our latest family member Azura
• As always I attend the Silent Film Festival
• We saw Steve Smyth at The Lass
• Attended the National Youth Writer's Festival
• Saw Bill Bailey at The Civic
• Had a fun night with friends at Pinball and Pizza
• Saw Les Mis, Once, JPG, Stop Making Sense and much much more in Melbourne
• We listened to Julia Gillard
• We rallied for the ABC, and said goodbye to Carol Duncan
• I met William McInnes and marveled at the Sky Whale
• We danced at the Great Northern for 80s night and Twitter
• Night swam at Merewether Baths
• Rang in the NY in style at The Landing
• Work continued to be great, I have a fabulous team, we do wonderful work, I was challenged by some additional projects which I loved, and felt the love from our community.
• My love life had it's ups and downs...ok mostly downs...but better than nothing...I suppose :/
• Family and Friends continued to love and support me and don't think it goes unnoticed. Truly blessed I am for those that love me.

So despite all the crappy, 2014 had a lot within to love.

At the beginning of the year I proclaimed 5 projects and 10 things I was going to do through the year. I guess I was busy doing all the other things to think too much about them!

The 5 Projects were:

Project 42 for life - based on my 42 things project from 2013, I continued these beautifully in 2014.

Project Cathy - 40mins a day on me improving inside and out, this started well, fell over a bit, but picked up. I give myself 65% on this one.

Project declutter and revamp - I'm almost there, finding the right dining table set back my efforts, I will have this finished this year!

Project read - this will be a whole other blog I think, I did ok, I read a lot but didn't complete everything on the list.

Project Sunday - This was spending 30mins each Sunday to look ahead and gently plan my week. I only missed a few and it helped me get more things done and forget less things too. 95% success on this.

10 things:

Sort holiday photos into an album -Nope

Learn a new instrument - bought a uke AND bongos but not quite proficient

Swim at night at Merewether or ocean baths - Yep

Walk to Boolaroo and see a movie and walk home - Nope

Rewrite and expand my European blog - Nope

Take another writing course - Nope

Teach my niece to play the guitar and take my nephew to more galleries -  I did a little of both with both of them

Road trip to Wendy Whiteley's garden - Nope

Mini trip and start planning overseas trip - Yep to Melbourne and Yep Portugal, Barcelona and Paris - unsure when, but it will happen!

Buy a ipod to downsize my cd colln - Nope to ipod but yes to downsizing

And for those paying attention to previous lists, I still haven't finished my green scarf, lol!

So what will 2015 bring for me:

I've decided not to do a list this year. My life is busy and good enough without adding specific lists of things I have to do. I spent forever trying to work out my thoughts for 2015 and realised I just do not need to add anything else to my life in terms of lists and things and such. What I am meant to do I will do.

So in 2015 I will be just living in the moment...which I love the sound of!!

My favourite thing to do, is find somewhere to explore (at home or in other locations), and just walk, take photos, smell the strawberries, look up, daydream, and just be. So 2015 will feature much more of that, and everyone is welcome to join me on my adventures. 

I do exploration and indulgence VERY well!! You will not be disappointed!

I do like to have special occasions to look forward to, so I will ensure that is always the case by having at least one thing a month planned, but otherwise, I'm letting fate and adventure take it's course. (Ok I do hope I meet someone extra special, but I always hope for that, maybe this year is THE year...or not...either way, I will survive!!)

I will continue with a few projects, but that's really just an extension of what I have been doing these past few years. 

My projects will be

Project 42 for life - keeping on with all the things I started when I was 42 and incorporating Project Cathy (internal and external improvements on my self), Project Sunday (planning ahead for the week each Sunday). I will also add a new thing which I started at the beginning of the year and was working well until too many distractions halted it. This is where I turn off all electronics an hour or so before  go to bed and just read.  

Project Declutter - nearly there and will finish this year

Project Read -  I shall blog on this further at some point.

And whilst I look forward to my first exciting event of the year...An evening with my beloved Neil Gaiman at the end of January, I'll end with words from the wise man himself!

Be kind to yourself in the year ahead. 

Remember to forgive yourself, and to forgive others. It's too easy to be outraged these days, so much harder to change things, to reach out, to understand.

Try to make your time matter: minutes and hours and days and weeks can blow away like dead leaves, with nothing to show but time you spent not quite ever doing things, or time you spent waiting to begin.

Meet new people and talk to them. Make new things and show them to people who might enjoy them. 

Hug too much. Smile too much. And, when you can, love.