Last Ride Film Trailer Youtube
Last Ride opens with a man named Kev (Hugo Weaving) entering a coffee shop with his young son named Chook (Tom Russell). Kev proceeds to use the bathroom in the shop to cut off some of his own hair. Yet when he also removes the number plate from his car, it becomes more apparent that Kev is determined to conceal his whereabouts and his identity. It is eventually revealed that Kev has murdered someone and is running from the law with his son. Together they endure a road trip across Australia and much of the film is spent dealing with the interplay between the father and son on the road and into the outback. With his short temper Kev is a dangerous and dislikeable man, often violent to both strangers and his son alike. Despite this, he never forgets that he is still Chooks father and continues to try and teach him lessons in life.
Based on the novel by Denise Young and directed by Glendyn Ivin, this is yet another quiet and intensive Australian film, driven by a superb performance from its lead actor, Hugo Weaving. The verisimilitude of the character of Kev is derived from the significant detail placed into his appearance. From his tattoos and rugged facial hair, his scars and bruises, Kev is a fearsome looking man and this is further realised when we learn that he has already spent time in gaol. He remains entirely repelling in almost all of his actions. He is both a thief and murderer, with an extremely short fuse for anyone that gets in his way, including his son Chook. His first words to his son as he hands him some change in the coffee shop are: 'I want a burger and a coffee. Get whatever you want.' While seemingly insignificant, this establishes his dogmatic manner and simultaneously the rather uneven way that he caters towards his sons needs. As he strokes Chook's forehead as he sleeps, we understand that there is unusual complexion between the thuggery of prison life still inside of him and the father that he should be. Given how deplorable Kev is at times, it is testimony to the skill of Weaving that the performance remains wholly absorbing. Weaving is a lifetime away from some of the more famous roles he is known for, such as Agent Smith in The Matrix and V from V for Vendetta. It's an outstanding performance. Yet given that our sympathy rests on the shoulders of young Tom Russell's character, one cannot praise his performance enough either. Russell is equally superb in his role, looking and sounding just like an ordinary child, with wants and needs, dragged along through this chaos and far too young to understand the consequences.
A great deal of tension in the film is derived not only from how Kev treats his son, but what could result from this later in life. Kev mentions at one point in the film about how his own father left him out in the desert to teach him a lesson and towards the end of the film, as they are crossing a lake, Kev too leaves Chook by himself and drives off. The echo of the stories here reminds us of the way that poor parenting is passed down from father to son. It is impossible not wonder from moments like this, and also when Chook starts shoplifting, whether Chook will become like his dad too. Though the final third of the film is quite slow and ponderous, perhaps fitting with the tranquillity of the landscape, the questions about Chook's future are answered in a very satisfying manner, as we start to see how he rejects his father's ways and begins thinking for himself. These scenes, many of which are beautifully photographed, are also punctured by a powerful climax that many are sure to find extremely moving. It is the credibility of the interplay between the father and his son that lays the platform for the emotion in the ending, without veering into sentimentality.
Last Ride is slow burning and intense film, buoyed by two terrific performances. Hugo Weaving deserves many of the accolades that he is surely to receive for this performance and Tom Russell has also shown great potential as well. There are many brutal and confronting moments in this film and the pace is often very slow and ponderous, but the film's ability to surprise the viewer with new information about Kev's past and to develop the characters in an emotional finale remains highly rewarding. It is a really fine film.
In the Northern Territory of Australia Samson and Delilah (Rowan McNamara and Marissa Gibson) are two Aboriginal children living in a rural community. Samson is a bored teenager who relishes music but is never able to play in his brother's band. Rather, he resorts to sniffing glue to conquer the tedium. Delilah however, spends much of her time looking after her sick grandmother. Both of the teenagers begin to notice each other, yet Delilah is reluctant to start a relationship with Samson. A series of events unfolds one day after Samson picks up a tree branch and starts beating one of the members of his brother's band, while Delilah's grandmother also dies the same day. Delilah is blamed by the other women in the community for her death. After they are both beaten badly, Samson and Delilah leave the community together.
Directed by Warwick Thornton, Samson and Delilah is a slow and devastating examination of life in an Aboriginal community, where the actions of people are more expressive than any words. The opening scenes are perhaps some of the most challenging. The pace is extremely slow and there is very little dialogue amongst the characters. Samson himself only has a single word of dialogue throughout the entire film. The reason for this is revealed later in the narrative, but it is quite fitting with the isolated nature of the landscape, as well as a means of reflecting on the boredom that inflicts the lives of these children. One of the most impressive assets of the film however is how expressive it remains despite the exclusion of dialogue. Samson, through his insistence to use the electric guitar when the band isn't around, shows his love for music, or the way he races around in an old broken wheel chair shows his boredom and his immaturity. While Delilah shows her resistance without any words by continuing to throw Samson's mattress away so he can't sleep closer to her. These are simple examples, yet they remain wholly expressive in the film of the characters insights and their behaviours. It is also the credit of the non-professional actors that their performances are also utterly convincing and believable.
The film derives a great deal of realism from the spontaneous nature of many of the films violent and most shocking moments, like Samson's attack early on. Many of these moments feel much more organic and intense because of their unexpectedness. The film could have easily ended in tragedy or on a much more somber note though because of these moments. Some may criticise the last quarter of the film for its softer approach compared to the rest of the narrative. However, despite feeling slightly over-extended, the final moments of the film consolidate the narratives main message. Both Samson and Delilah are an allegory for children of all Aboriginal backgrounds. They are both very vulnerable and easily susceptible to the cruel judgement of society. Each time Samson visits a store he is frequently watched and regulated by security guards. When Delilah tries to sell one of her paintings she is instantly rejected. Yet in spite of what society may think of them, they are still human with their own desires towards things like music or even each other. Their decision to live by themselves at the end of the film and to look after each other, demonstrates that they believe they can continue to live their lives, rather than give up or give into habits, such as petrol sniffing. No matter how nihilistic it may seem to a white audience, they are still alive and able to live and form their own lives and identities. This is what the film is trying to express to the audience and the ability of Thornton to deliver this message without sentiment and schmaltz is impressive.
Samson and Delilah is a very challenging and difficult film at times because of the violent occurrences and also because of the extremely slow pace and isolation surrounding the film. It is not a film that sets out to entertain but one that expects to be both informative and emotive towards Aboriginal communities. To this extent, it succeeds in delivering a powerful and important message, while capturing the feeling of being inside such a desolate landscape and engaging with people that are vulnerable, convincing and expressive.
Well well, its been a long time my friends but faster than Colin Farell's career I have returned!
A lot has changed since I was first on Gamespot in 2007. Bioshock and a Modern Warfare version of COD were battling it out for GOTY and the release of Duke Nukem Forever was being questioned. Ahhh lol. Let the good times roll I say!
So whats doing? Well today I had my last exam and I have finished my Semester at Sydney University. Its back to gaming! I just went out and purchased The Sims 3! Its been getting some great reviews!
I would also like to fire up a few rounds of L4D tomorrow. Maybe not tonight because State of Origin is on (Rugby League stuff. Yes I like sport, not just XTREME SNOWBOARDING!)
Also, what is the deal with Max Payne 3: Brazil?! Brazil?! Granted yes it could have been neo-Noir, but its not. Its going to be set in the bright daylight of Brazil and probably incorporate the endless stereotypes of the drug cartel. Yawn. Max Payne is finished as far as I'm concerned. The second game wrapped it up. But the one interesting thing to come out of this is that Remedy surely new they were onto something special with Alan Wake if they were willing to give up the rights to Payne. I look forward to Alan Wake greatly. Some like Vinnie on Giant Bomb said it looks generic. 6 Minutes of gameplay footage is not enough to demonstrate the scope of this game. We havent seen the open world stuff, the character interaction, the town etc. I think there's going to be a lot more to come. I look forward to it.
From the E3 stuff I saw a few weeks ago MW2 looks head and shoulders above the pack. The action is very well scripted as always, extremely cinematic and intense.
But don't write off Batman: Arkham Asylum this year either. Watch this game. I think it could be the dark horse for GOTY I really do. The early reception from those who have played it has been excellent and I think a lot of people could be very surpised by just how good this game is. The presentation looks amazing for one thing. And this will be the first great Batman-Franchise game. Keep an eye on it.
Anywho folks!
This is BL! Just having my say!
Be sure to check back here for more film and game reviews and other STUFF!
