Film Review: Avatar

It’s been more than ten years since James Cameron directed the Academy Award-winning Titanic (1997), and the hype surrounding this monster of a film has been of leviathan proportions. Does it deserve the title of ‘epic’?

The year is 2054, and the human race is colonising the alien planet Pandora, so that they can mine for the imaginatively named mineral ‘unobtainum’ (presumably once they have it, it becomes obtainium). But the indigenous people of Pandora – blue-skinned Amazons, with a connection to the forest – are not willing to give up their homeland so easily. Earth sends in Avatars – human minds, linked to alien bodies – to convince them to leave. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington, Terminator) is one such Avatar, thrust into an entirely new world, and out of his body. But as Jake learns more about the native people, he finds himself torn between two worlds, fighting for the forest – and his life.

The story is straightforward: Pocahontas on another planet, Dances With Wolves to the tune of a space opera, romanticism of the savages in space. Unfortunately the dichotomy between civilised/savage is slightly overwrought. The aliens are somewhat complex characters, but the army and corporate thugs are mindless, testosterone-powered machines. The human characters are ironically more two-dimensional than their animated counterparts.

The plot is predictable, the politics somewhat preachy, and the dialogue clichéd: but this is a remarkable film nonetheless. The formula is still interesting no matter how many times we’ve seen it, but it is the alien planet Pandora that makes Avatar so watchable. The lush and luminescent world is filled with detailed plants, and fascinating and frightening animals. The thick atmosphere of the planet means that mountains float suspended in the sky, and slow-moving reed-grasses are reminiscent of underwater scenery.


Avatar was made for 3D, so it would be remiss of me not to mention its effectiveness. Does it live up to the hype? The 3D effects are amazing. Most impressive are not exploding aircraft, or airborne missiles, but the more subtle scenes, where 3D is merely used to add depth to the scene. Watching Avatar, one feels like they are really standing in the room with the characters, or watching the lush forest stretch out before them.

Despite the predictability of plot, Avatar is an amazing technical achievement. It is worth seeing, if only so that one can see the future of filmmaking. It is an out of body, out of this world experience.


Director: James Cameron
Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and Sigourney Weaver


- Melissa

Gig Review: Homebake 09

Homebake: Tasty Australian Morsels

A blow-by-blow guide to getting baked at the smaller stages of Homebake, by your two devastatingly good-looking and not at all self-indulgent zinesters.

9.30

Sydney trains are terrifying, especially when you’re tired from a Newton evening, and have the navigational skills of a retarded puppy, the runt of the litter. By the time we arrived at St James Station, we realised the only way we would ever make it to Domain would be by stalking the fluro-clad, thong-footed folk traipsing down the street in packs. Like wolves. The retarded puppies followed, whimpering. (Analogy gone too far?)

10.00

Being the nerds we are, we reached our destination an hour before the gates were due to open. If only we’d thought to bring our Nintendo DSs. As it was, we stood lethargically in line, wedged between two groups of 30 year olds, mentally match-making the couples. Zoya rubbed sunscreen into Melissa’s back, and tried to make it as platonic as possible. We still held high hopes of hooking up with the lead singer of the Red Riders later that evening – who knew who might walk by?

11.00

Allowed through the gates swiftly (after being IDd by disbelieving security guards) we made a beeline for the main stage to watch Philadelphia Grand Jury. This pop duo (and their latest drummer – they’ve had five) know how to rock an early morning slot. The energetic pop frenzy ended with a collective band breakdown, as the bad-ass bassist left the stage mid-song, and the frontman walked around in circles yelling “I don’t want to party!”, before dismantling the drum kit as the drummer continued to play. The jury’s verdict is in: guilty. Guilty of being awesome!

12.20

With little else to do, we decided to hang around and watch The Scare play. Best decision ever! The flamboyant frontman howled his way through each song, gyrating in the faces of photographs and simulating masturbation with his belt strap. At one point, he threw himself over the barrier into the crowd, and got jiggy with it with his fans (and innocent bystanders). The Scare were a pleasant surprise. Scary? More like scare-tastic! (Okay, we’re really sorry. We’ll stop with the puns now.)

Food Break:

Interestingly, we ate pizza.

1.40

We headed to the Hopetoun stage, where we intended to remain for the next eight hours – front and centre. When we entered, we could hear the sound of indie pop-rock emanating from the stage. Zoya asked Melissa, “Who is this delightful band?” To which Melissa replied, “I don’t know, a group of twelve year olds.” As we got closer, we realised that if they were twelve year olds, they were very tall and attractive – the kind of twelve year olds we like. Oh yeah. Jonathan Boulet and his band harnessed their naïve and boyish charm to create energetic pop-folk, placing them squarely as sensitive new age guys. Oddly, their demographic appeared to be buff bogan men, the only members of the audience who knew ALL the words to their songs.

2.25

In case we hadn’t got enough of Jonathan Boulet’s beautiful bod – talent. We mean, talent – he was also the drummer for Parades, the next band to grace the stage. Parades create layered indie-pop of the Arcade Fire variety, but less good. Not that they were bad, per se, and all members of the band were very clearly talented, but there’s only so much imitation-Canadian music that you can listen to before it all starts sounding the same. The final song was pretty good. Obviously.

3.25

Next up was Bridezilla, and Zoya and Melissa quickly agreed that they would sleep with any member of the band, comprising of four females and one male. However the most impressive aspect of the band was not their matching black lace outfits, but their ethereal, saxophone- and violin-driven toons. By the end of their set, we had renewed our ambitions to become girl-rockers. Melissa on tambourine, Zoya on triangle (and rap vox).

4.25

After such a soothing set, the next band that graced the stage (and by graced we mean smashed) was Die! Die! Die! Melissa has a friend who saw this band back in 05 – they dislocated their knee during the set, and just kept moshing. This should give you an indication of just how hardcore the band is, and inspires their audience to be. Mid-way through the set the lead singer threw himself into the crowd, with guitar in hand, before opening the barrier and leading the audience pied-piper style to dance in front of the stage. Later, the bassist crowd surfed (again, with bass in hand) on a grand total of five people, without breaking tune. Melissa touched his… Never mind. Good set though. Real good. Moving on.

Sometime later… Okay, we’ve totally forgotten the times. Use your imagination, people! Geez.

Magic O’Clock

Red Riders! Disclaimer: we didn’t actually get to sleep with Alex, the lead singer of this glorious band. Laaame. But we are pretty sure that by this point the members of other bands loitering backstage had begun to recognise us as “those two crazy girls dancing manically at the front of every set.” We unabashedly love this band, so we obviously loved the set. Highlights included Alex’s hilarious hand gestures, his leopard print shirt, and tight tight jeans. And the other members of the band were pretty good, too. Oh, and the music. Seriously, Red Riders deliver the good times and the great hooks. Crowd favourites included “My love is stronger than your love” and “You’ve got a lot of nerve.” Personal favourites included “Feels Like Grace.”

Girl O’Rock

Who appeared next on stage, like some crazy magical goddess of rock? Why, none other than Juanita of the Howling Bells. In her sequinned top and black ribbed leggings, it would be easy to underestimate this girl as just another pretty singer. But her diminutive frame disguises a big voice and some kicking guitar skills, not to mention an attitude to rival any male rock star’s. Their time across the pond in England has not in any way altered the Howling Bells’ sultry-grrl vocal style and growling guitars. Many a man left the audience sweaty and a little weak-kneed. Maybe some girls did too. We’re not pointing any fingers. (Zooyyaaa.)

Sexy O’Clock

Anyone who has met us, knows of our undying enthusiasm for Yves Klein Blue, Brisbane indie-rockers who have recently made the big-time. And by “big time” we mean, a night act on the small indie stage. We’ve seen this band three times, and each time we have managed to somehow touch the lead singer Michael Tomlinson. Twice with his permission (hand shakes and arm-signings), this time without, as we stroked his bicep while he leant into the crowd. We were clearly the biggest fans in the audience, and the only ones who knew the words to every song. Just sayin’. Not bragging at all. After the sweaty exhausting set, (including favourites “Getting Wise” and “Polka”) Michael threw himself into the fray to be crowd-surfed to the back of the tent, before leaping to the ground and sprinting off into the night. Like a cheetah. Or some other sexy beast.

Quiet Girl Music O’Clock

AKA – your two shepherds were totally tired.

Having reluctantly left Yves Klein Blue, we found just the end-of-evening therapy we needed in the shape of Sarah Blasko’s headlining set. Sadly, Sarah’s floaty girl music was no match for the terror of Powderfinger’s monster rock, which kept polluting our airwaves and earwaves. Not that we’re bitter. What we did manage to hear was amazing, as Sarah always is. Her vocals were impeccable, and we particularly enjoyed it when she threw glitter into the crowd. It was a perfect end to a perfectly exhausting day.

Um, we also heard that some other bands played at Homebake. This alleged “Jet”, so-called “Hilltop Hoods” and unheard of “Eskimoe Joe.” Who are these bands? Where did they come from? Frankly, we think it’s a massive conspiracy.

End O’Clock

Happy and fainting, we battled our way through the throngs of drunk people onto a train, where we basked in the glory of our vibrating eardrums and aching muscles, revelling in the pools of our own sweat, puddling on the PVC seats we sat on. Hot.

Now well and truly baked, we were ready to go… “home.” (Ha ha! See what we did there? Lol.) We slept happy, dreaming of rock stars. In our beds. (And if iPods count, they were there. Aw yeah.)

Sweet and sweaty dreams, readers. Hope to see you there next year!

Movie Review: Where The Wild Things Are

Review by Melissa.




Based on Maurice Sendak’s best selling children’s book, director Spike Jonze and co-writer Dave Eggers have stretched ten deceptively simple sentences into an atmospheric two-hour feature film, ‘Where The Wild Things Are.’

In the picture book, Max is a wild child who escapes to an imaginary world where he rules the monsters – and returns home when he realises he misses his mother. The film expands on the book, sharing more of Max’s (Max Records) life in the real world. With a shaky and intimate hand-held camera, we see Max being pushed away by his teenage sister, frightened by the apocalyptic prophecies of his science teacher, and struggling to steal time from his preoccupied mother. After a fight with his mother, where Max acts out to get attention, he flees his family home and – through a dream-like sequence – finds himself in a world closer to his liking. A world filled with friends in the shape of scary monsters, and without the rules and regulations of the real world. The monsters in the film have names and personalities, where in the book they were only ever an unclear collective, a blur of feathers and fur. As Max learns to interact with each of these creatures, he learns about himself. But the line between childishness and wildness is indistinct, and dream worlds can be the most dangerous.

‘Where The Wild Things Are’ has had a ferocious amount of hype surrounding, and it thankfully lives up to the indie-kid expectations. It retains the darkness of the original story, as well as the straightforward look at childhood, and doesn’t compromise for the sake of the kids. The faithfulness and frankness comes from, one feels, the minds behind the project. With the hippest kids of Hollywood involved – Jonze (of ‘Adaptation’ and ‘Being John Malkovich’ fame), Eggers (author and founder of ‘McSweeneys’ alternative literary journal), and composer Karen O (from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) – this was never going to be a typical animated children’s film. Young actor Max Records might just be the least annoying child actor I’ve ever seen. He manages to capture the varied emotions required for the role, from irrational anger to wide-eyed wisdom.

Also impressive are the wild things of the island. By giving each monster a personality, we can see Max tangibly grapple with reconciling the warring aspects of his own personality: the love he feels for his mother, his fear of abandonment, and his need for fun. The large-scale suits that make the monsters also seem more real than any CGI creature ever could be – the sometimes shaky and cumbersome movements, and the stiff fur only add to the texture of the film. It feels more like a children’s dream than an animated Pixar production, and is the better for it.

This is a film that represents a child’s psychological landscape, much more realistically than Neverland did (from the classic ‘Peter Pan,’ a world which was supposed to be a map of a child’s mind). Because children are not solely concerned with pirates, fairies and mermaids – they feel elation and isolation, irritation and dejection in equal measures. Max’s confusion and lack of control are seriously considered in this film, not merely branded as bad behaviour. It attempting to present the film truly from a child’s point of view – not merely through a sanitised, candy cane-coloured lens – the viewer is a child, too. It is an assault on the senses, and at attempt at authenticity.

While children themselves might find this film slow moving or scary or sad – they might also sympathise. Adults should definitely enjoy it. It is a visceral and violently imaginative film. I’ll eat it up, I love it so.


Director: Spike Jonze
Cast: Max Records, Catherine Keener, James Gandolfini, Paul Dano, Catherine O'Hara, Forest Whitaker, Michael Berry Jnr, Chris Cooper

-- M

Gig Review: Ladyhawke, ANU Bar, 11th Nov 09

Image from here.

Australia likes stealing things from New Zealand, and claiming them as their own. Like Russell Crowe, before the unfortunate telephone-gate incident. And in that great tradition, I hereby want to claim Ladyhawke for Oz.

And maybe she wouldn’t mind (fingers crossed, otherwise my kidnapping plan is going to go horribly awry). Playing in Canberra last night for the first time – the nation’s capital – Ladyhawke was obviously pleased with our sexy-librarian city. Or, at the very least, pleasantly surprised that anyone came to see her at all.

The pint-sized performer, otherwise known as Pip Brown, was consistently self-effacing. She thanked the audience for their applause after every song, and apologised for having to leave the stage before playing an encore, saying she felt “lame.”

Ladyhawke’s act was fun and upbeat, and by the final song, ‘My Delirium,’ the front of the stage went wild. While Ladyhawke doesn’t have quite the same electric performance style another Australian (and yes, Ladyhawke is now Australian. I decree it. Just ignore that Kiwi accent) pop-rock darling, Patience Hodgson, she is still engaging and fun to watch. She is, however, slightly TOO shy and bashful on stage. It’ll be interesting to see how she grows as a performer, as well as musician, over the next few years.

The best thing about Ladyhawke’s gig was simply that her music is really, ridiculously catchy. Every song feels like a pop hit from the 80s – and I mean that in the best way possible. It never feels over-the-top or unoriginal, and it’s clear that Ladyhawke is all about the music. When she becomes a bit more about the performance, too, the dance floor will be burning like Paris.


Melissa

P.S. I have saved this point for an addendum, at the risk of ruing my credibility, but… Did anyone else notice that Ladyhawke’s band comprised of the most attractive males this side of the equator?! Just sayin’. If one were to tire of watching Miss Brown, there was plenty else to look at. And with that typical-teen boy-crazy remark, I bid you adieu.

A week of wonderful!

(picture of Declan from British India, lovingly taken by Melissa)

It’s been a jam packed week for Melissa and I, here at more (or less)! On Thursday night, we had the launch party for lip Issue 18, at The Front Café and Gallery in Lyneham. There was poetry (in both the funny and dramatic varieties), music from Ah! Pandita, and when that was over, hours of entertaining chatter with our favourite friends.

On Friday we went to Grass Stains 2, at itrip iskip in Braddon, for the launch of the Little Beats Zine Distro, who happen to be stocking more (or less). The night was balmy hot, so we mostly milled in the cool outdoors, listening to some awesome music, and hanging with some of our favourite people in Canberra (awwwww!). We also picked up some pretty cool zines, which are helping to distract us from the horrors of uni assessment.

And yesterday, we went to Stonefest, the annual University of Canberra music festival. We saw Art vs Science, Children Collide, British India, Josh Pyke, and Birds of Tokyo. Stonefest is renowned as one of the trashiest events in Canberra, and there were certainly a lot of inebriated, crazy people wandering around. But once I got the beer out of my hair, and learnt to dodge the groping hands of many an old, drunk guy, it was quite a lot of fun!

It’s nice to occasionally realise how great the Canberra arts community is, and how much fun it is to live here. That doesn’t mean we won’t be fleeing to Melbourne as soon as we graduate, but it’s heart-warming all the same!

Also, special thanks to our friend Katherine, for entertaining us for the past week. You can check out her blog, Kings & Quinns, here.

If you’re interested in lip, issue 18 can be purchased from the website, here.

And join the Little Beats facebook group, here!

- Zoya ;)

Summer Livin'

(Picture stolen from here).

It's become difficult lately not to notice the sudden warmth that has swept over the nation. And I don't mean a metaphorical, 'warm & fuzzy' feeling, but rather the actual physical, sweltering, sweat-inducing, heat-rash causing warmth that signifies the beginning of an Australian summer. If last year was anything to go by, this year is likely to be quite a scorcher, and we feel it's our duty to provide some handy hints for surviving the heat.

Here are some of our favourite summer activities, in no particular order. It should also be noted that neither of us particularly enjoys hot weather, and maybe the rest of you are less whingy and restless than we are in the summer. All I know is, without these survival methods, Melissa and I would very likely melt into a pool of hot, irritable, unhappiness.

Here is our imparted wisdom:

1. The Ice-cream Amble

We actually had one of these just yesterday! This activity involves first, buying cheap ice-cream from a supermarket of your choice, and then consuming said ice cream while ambling around outside, in no particular direction. It is imperative to the success of this activity that you *amble* rather than stride. The idea is to revel in a sense of lethargy, that can only really be done in times of hot weather. Plus, as we all know, ice-cream is cold. And cold is goood.

2. Movies

Movie theaters are air-conditioned! Plus, you can eat ice-cream in them! It's the perfect summer outing, with a bout of cultural education and entertainment thrown into the mix. Note, however, that this outing can often backfire, when the air-conditioning becomes too cold, and suddenly you're left yearning for a cardigan. But it can be a nice way to indulge your winter nostalgia!

3. Make Zines

Duh! This tends to take place inside, with a fan pointing in our general direction, to the sounds of boppy girl-rock. And the best thing about making zines in summer? The heat means we're too lazy to do anything other than sit inside and write, so we always have loads of content!

For more exciting (and nerdy) ways to live out your summer, check out Melissa's article in More (or less) Issue 3, soon to available through Little Beats Zine Distro, from itrip iskip.

- Zoya :)

Literary Launch

Last night Zoya and I attended the launch for UC’s anthology of creative writing, Undertow: FIRST 2009. Held at Smith’s Bookstore, we were treated to free wine, sushi, the musical stylings of Cathy Petocz, and readings from the anthology. ‘Twas very enjoyable!

It’s at events like this that you realise how much talent Canberra has hidden away – like you needed any reminding.

You can purchase Undertow from Smiths Alternative Bookstore, Paperchain Bookstore, Daltons, and many other locations!

*

Keep your eyes peeled for more updates on the blog, as well as gentle reminders (read: harassment) urging you to attend Grass Stains II.


<3 Melissa

lip Magazine Issue 18 Launch Party

 

I will admit that I have a vested interest in encouraging you all to attend the launch of lip's 18th issue, to be held at the The Front on the 29th of October, being that I'm the editorial assistant at the magazine, and the party will be raising funds for the fiction anthology, Eve's Harvest, that I'm editing with Michelle Lovi. 

But even if I didn't stand to gain from you all coming along, I would still be posting this up here, because if there are two things that we at More (or less) love, it's indie media and having a good time. Both of which will be present on the 29th, along with poetry sets from Canberra favorites, Julian Fleetwood, Andrew Galan and Adam Hadley, not to mention music from the talented girls of Ah! Pandita. 

All this awesomeness starts at 8.30 pm. Come along! Say hi! Donate generously! 

- Zoya 

The Plights of Posing

I've always had a penchant for trying desperately to emulate the styles and personalities of women I admire. I spent most of my childhood letting my hair grow frizzy, waving a stick and trying to adopt an English accent so that I could somehow resemble Hermione Granger. 

I became more and more sarcastic and bitchy throughout my teens in an attempt to be perceived with the same horror and trepidation that Kat from 10 Things I Hate About You inspired. 

And I spent two years wearing nothing but tartan skirts, t-shirts and doc martens, during my Nana (a popular Japanese manga character) phase. 

So I guess it came as no surprise to my friends and family when, directly after watching Drew Barrymore's directorial debut, Whip It!, a movie about kick-ass roller-derby girls, I bought myself a pair of quad-skates and decided to become a punk-feminist skater. 

Now, this all sounds well and good, but the problem arises when as part of my mimicry, I try to learn an actual skill. I'm naturally relatively clumsy. I went through a period where I fell down in really public places, and grazed my knees like a 12-year-old almost every day. The manager at Impact Comics (the best store in Canberra) got very used to handing me a band-aid whenever I walked into the store. 

I don't know why I ever thought that roller-skating would come naturally to me. Clearly it was extreme wishful thinking. I thought to myself, if Ellen Page can do it, so can I. What I forgot is that Ellen Page is on a whole other planet of cool than I am. I never had a chance. 

As Melissa and I skated out of her house, and onto the sidewalk for the first time (for me, not her, she's already a skating legend. Bitch.*), I could already feel my knees wobbling, and my feet slipping away from under me. In about five minutes, I had my first fall. I landed on my elbow with a sickening thud, but, being the go-getter I am, I crawled back onto my wheels and tried to soldier on. In 30 seconds, I fell again. Onto the same elbow.

Which brings me to today, sitting at home with my elbow broken, forced to have my food cut into bite sized pieces for me, and having to be chauffeured around by my mother (who is totally loving my sudden loss of independence). 

The lesson to be learnt? ALWAYS wear elbow pads when skating. No matter how much they don't go with your outfit. 

- Zoya :)

 * Not really. You all know I love her. Though she *could* have taken me in a wheelbarrow to the emergency room. Just saying. :P

Interested in roller derby? Living in Canberra? Check out the Canberra Roller Derby League, and come to the Halloween bout on the 24th of October! 

Become a fan on facebook!

We love technology here at more (or less). Actually, that's not true, we kind of suck at it. But we are at least competent enough to create a facebook group!

How excitement! Become a groupie, and we promise to give you some lovin'.

Distro Party!

Like a disco party, expect cooler! Or maybe less cool. Discos are pretty darn awesome.

Putting aside the relative coolness of discos, 'more (or less)' will now be stocked by Canberra-based zine distro, Little Beats! It's like Christmas come early, isn't it?

And for an early Easter, how about this news: Little Beats is having a launch party! It will be held as part of itrip iskip's Grass Stains II. Music, artwork, zines and fashion will all be featured. So if you are from the 'berra, come along for the good times.

When: Friday 30 October
Where: itrip iskip, Lonsdale Street, Braddon

We're Back!

...and TINA was amazing! 

The entire festival was a roller-coaster of emotions: excitement, anticipation, laughter, tears (not really), and the occasional moment of crippling self-doubt. In the best way! 

Highlights included meeting Marieke Hardy, stalking Benjamin Law, Mr Fibby's performance, the zine fair (where we spent far, far more money than we made), and just being around groups of talented, creative people. It totally reaffirmed our faith in writing and independent media. 

Expect a proper review up here soon! Also, now that the festival is over, we're ready to get down to business. Expect more frequent updates, and some actual articles as well!

See you in more (or less) no time!  

TINA : Only a week to go!

We're getting pretty excited about TINA, now that there's only a week to go! The zines are almost done, and we're working on a few other tidbits to (hopefully) delight and entertain! 

Here's just some of what will be gracing our stall: 

More (or less) Issue 3, and The Daring, a fiction zine Zoya collaborated on with Elkedearest (her words, Elke's artwork)

Some pages of Issue 3

Poorly crafted felt badges Zoya's been working on. :)

A poetry zine, one of many by both Zoya and Melissa

This owl badge may not be available by TINA. Melissa totally has her eye on it. :)

Come visit out stall at the zine fair, on Sunday (the 4th of October), and say hi! 

More (or less) Issue Two

Ah, remember those days*? We were so young, so innocent, so naive... we still thought pseudonyms were cool! Here's a  quick look at some of our last issue, so you have an adequate frame of reference by which to judge our improvement. :) 

Click on the pictures to enlarge! 

There were also reviews of Slumdog Millionaire, American Teen, Twilight, and an interview with Wizard Rock band 'Oliver Boyd and The Rememberalls', some of which we might post up on here.

Keep reading for more content, coming soon!

*February this year

This Is Not Art Festival

Exciting news- more (or less) will be at the This Is Not Art festival in Newcastle in the first weekend of October! We're pretty darn excited, especially having spent all of today putting together Issue 3 of the zine. In the meantime, we'll be uploading some of our past content for your viewing pleasure to tide us over until we can upload Issue 3, which is currently a tangle of paper and glue, awaiting our final touches. 

Stay tuned for more content soon!