THE SPECTACULAR NOW (2013)

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The title is, in fact, ironic. For Miles Teller’s popular kid, Sutter, the now is what it’s all about.

It is a love story, of sorts, an awakening, of sorts, a journey.
Great, all these things are part of the recipe for great storytelling. However, I was underwhelmed. Maybe it’s because I am so far removed from the experience of what it’s like to be a teenager in this day and age. But, I don’t think so.
I can only imagine (and even then, not very realistically) the struggles and problems kids today go through. Not counting the usual, normal everyday struggles of a teen, more the state of the world they live in, the technology at their fingertips and their access to an array of information.

Very different to when I was a youth.

Emotionally, the same obstacles are there but I can’t sit in judgement about how they are like this or like that as these are very different times.

This is a film that may speak to a certain demographic but whatever the film is about it is telling a story and although it may be different from the norm it didn’t rock my boat like they said it would.

I will give props to Shailene Woodley, however, she was grounded in the character’s reality and always seemed to be present and sensitive in her scenes. She was good in The Descendants but even better in this. An actress to watch.

3/5

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DOWNLOAD THE FILM ON iTUNES HERE

UTOPIA (2013)

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John Pilger is one of Australia’s most important voices.

This film shines a light on a subject that is, for the most part, brushed under the carpet.

Out of sight, out of mind. The ostrich effect.

Painful subject matters are usually sidestepped in the mainstream media, especially if they recall very recent, ongoing problems that the government is doing very little to rectify. Social media can be a platform for these ‘fringe’ subjects to come into the light and be properly addressed.

The inhumanity that has been and continues to be inflicted on Australia’s indigenous peoples is a crime that shouldn’t be ignored.

Forget what the mainstream news tells you, do some research, watch this film.
Find out what’s happening in fact not propaganda.

This is an important film that demands to be seen. “All it takes for evil to survive is for a few good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke.

3.7/5

BUY THE DVD HERE

DOWNLOAD THE FILM ON iTUNES HERE