Displaying items by tag: Rachel House

KANGAROO

Australia, 2025, 107 minutes, Colour

Ryan Corr, Lily Whiteley, Deborah Mailman, Wayne Blair, Ernie Dingo, Trish Morton-Thomas, Brooke Satchell, Rachel House, Roy Billing, Clarence Ryan, Rick Donald, Rob Carlton, Genevieve Lemon, Shaun Martindale.

Directed by Kate Woods.

A film that definitely lives up to its title, not just a kangaroo, many kangaroos and a lot of little joeys. This is an enjoyable film aimed at all the generations, a family entertainment.

We soon realise that the story is familiar enough, that we know what is going to happen but the enjoyment is seeing how it happens. The film opens in the red centre of Australia, near Alice Springs, a young girl running with the kangaroos. She is Charlie, Lily Whiteley, sad at the death of her father, living with her mother (the always welcome Deborah Mailman), some tantrums, missing school, looking after joeys. She bonds with her grandparents, Wayne Blair and Trish Morton-Thomas.

But then the film cuts to Sydney, Bondi Beach, a rather vainly self-important TV weather forecaster, Chris Masterson, played by Ryan Corr. Always after self-promotion, he rushes rashly to save a dolphin – but with dire consequences for the dolphin and for his TV career. In hopes for a new start in Broome, he drives his luxury car cross-continent. (In fact, there is an ugly backlash against Chris Masterson, extreme trolling on social media, insults, online bullying, placards and demonstrations, played for laughs but this experience in reality is vengeful and cruel not so very funny.)

People in the ouitback do not take kindly to city slickers like Chris Masterson. And, when he comes to Silver Creek, they all know who is and mock him.

Then, the dramatic impact. He hits a kangaroo on the road, discovers that there is a joey in the pouch, rescues it – and begins his serious path to caring for kangaroos and for some kind of self-redemption. The opening notes that the film is inspired by a true story and, as often at the end, there are photos of the real Chris – and, in the credits, he is there as wrangling the kangaroos for the film.

As expected, he meets Charlie, there is a bonding with the kangaroos, he is delayed in Silver Creek for the car to be repaired (by Charlie’s uncle played chucklingly by Ernie Dingo). The townspeople are initially mocking or sarcastic, especially Jessie, Rachel House, who runs the local, and Murray, Roy Billing, who sits sipping but is a learned old codgers and tutors the local children.

But, the invitation is to see kangaroos especially Roger, the battling kangaroo, and experience the beauty of the Australian outback, kangaroos in motion, protecting the joeys, Charlie facing her crises, Chris in a lot of farcical situations but eventually coming through, townspeople coming onside, the enjoyment of the local dry river boat race, and, social media having the opportunity to redeem itself, lots of postings and videos of Chris with the kangaroos and his becoming something of a national hero.

Happy ending that continues to the present – and this film will do no harm to tourist possibilities for central Australia.

1. The title and so many kangaroos and joeys? Kangaroos and their place in Australia? As perceived from overseas?
2. The Northern Territory settings? Mountains, the deserts, the towns, Alice Springs? The musical score?
3. The introduction to Charlie, alone, running with the kangaroos? Her situation, mourning the death of her father, the photos, the kangaroo totem, his links? Charlie, resentment towards her mother, her behaviour towards her mother? Her grandparents and the bonds? Aloof from the other kids at school? Looking after the kangaroos, in her room, her mother disapproving? Her not going to school?
4. The transition to Chris Masterson, Bondi beach, the weather, Liz as his producer, the stunts? The criticism of his style and personality? The situation with the dolphin, his going in, trying to save the dolphin, promoting himself, the aftermath, the death of the dolphin, the reason for its taking refuge?
5. The social media response, hostility, bullying, the ugly side of social media and condemnation? The television authorities, his being sacked? People demonstrating, placards, shouting, abuse?
6. The possibility of a new job, the discussions with Joel, the promises, Broome, his decision to go by car, out in the countryside, arriving at Silver Creek, the flash car, the kids, his reaction, the city slicker, presumption, the bad impression with Jessie, her mockery, Murray at the bar, his education, teaching the kids? Chris leaving, the drive, preoccupied, passing Charlie, hitting the kangaroo, its death, retrieving the joey? Caring for it, taking it into the town, Jessie’s harsh reaction, the butcher and his meat, the authorities?
7. Charlie and her uncle, driving, joking, the mechanic, to fix the car? Charlie, meeting her grandparents, going to the shed, the joke about the toilet, the comedy of Chris in the uncomfortable surroundings, with Liz, the joey? The increasing number of joeys to look after, meeting Rosie, the discussions with her, going to Alice Springs, the vet, advising that Liz be put down? His reaction?
8. The gradual transformation of Chris, not so much focusing on himself, putting up with the hardships? Charlie, the bond, finding more joeys, finding Roger, big, pugnacious, the increasing number of kangaroos, the extension of the compound, the fighting confrontation with Roger and Chris losing? The townspeople becoming more interested?
9. The focus on the children in the town, the races, together, school, sports, the attitude towards Charlie? The change, the kangaroos, the helping Charlie to abduct the kangaroos?
10. The adults in the town, the indigenous presence, characters, aboriginal law, Charlie’s father and his art, Rosie curating the exhibition, Charlie and Chris looking at her father’s painting of the kangaroos? Jesse as tough, her restaurant? Murray, drinking, cheerful, with the kids, range of subjects and learning? The butcher, coming at night with his friends, the Wake in Fright scenario, Jessie warning them off? The women of the town? The flirty woman of the shop? The officer at the police station? And the tourists, and Chris driving the bus?
11. The celebrations, the boat race, like the race in the Todd River at Alice Springs, the variety of boats, dressing up, the race itself, Charlie and the kangaroos, the elderly women coming through and winning? The happy atmosphere?
12. Chris, the bad reputation, everybody in Silver Creek knowing about him, the mockery? His work with the kangaroos, social media and the reverse of abuse, fame, the followers, the celebration, his becoming a celebrity? The phone calls to Joel and the fiasco of his career? Charlie and her removing the gasket and his car delayed? Liz, her arrival, the proposal for the show, his dilemma?
13. The townspeople, not wanting him to stay? Charlie, upset, taking the joeys, the bus, driving into the desert?
14. Chris, his dilemma, his ambitions, his being accepted and welcomed, in the car, driving to find Charlie, his collapse in the desert, not staying in his car, the phone calls to advise him, Charlie finding him, Roger finding him, the rescue?
15. Chris, the decision to stay, his being welcomed, friendship and acceptance? In the care for the kangaroos? His finding his place, Charlie and his challenge about her aloneness after her explanations about her father, her being welcomed by the kids are school, playing football, her kick?
16. Inspired by a true story, and the photos at the end? The sanctuary for the kangaroos? And the real Chris actually ranking the kangaroos for the filming?

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

US, 2025, 101 minutes, Colour.

Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Sebastian Hansen, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Coolidge, Rachel House, Jemaine Clement, Jared Hess.

Directed by Jared Hess.

It seems that there are nearly 170 million monthly active players of Minecraft. And, Minecraft is the bestselling video game of all time, over 300 million copies sold. Now that means a potential audience, worldwide!

In fact, on its opening day in the US, including $10 million in previews, the box office was  $157 million

Which means, in terms of potential audiences, a review is probably not necessary. However, there are the other hundreds of millions who are not familiar with Minecraft and will be wondering what it is all about. It is a video game, players having the opportunity to explore different worlds, or, of course, set up competitions and rivalries, chases, the good defeating the bad.

The film defines itself as “A” Mine craft movie, so there are all kinds of possibilities for more. This one starts in the real world, introducing the character, Steve, a young boy forbidden to go into mines, then an adult bored with his desk job, going into the mine, and finding a blue-glowing cube with extraordinary powers. But what enlivens all this is that Steve is played by Jack Black, extrovert and exuberance personified, with that overwhelming  manic energy he has shown over so many years. And he has the opportunity to do some of his Tenacious D singing.

And, then what happens with the cube, opening up a whole world of magic and mystery…

While the action opens in the real world, especially with the gaming champion of 1989, Garrett, he played by Jason Momoa, towering but then playing against type, at times, something of a loser and even some sook moments! There are two youngsters, the very intelligent Henry, Sebastian Hansen, and his protective sister, Natalie, Emma Myers, along with Dawn, Danielle Brooks (the exuberant singer in the musical version of, The Color Purple).

There is also the Overworld, bright and sunny, with all kinds of combination cube characters, intriguing, friendly, especially a dog called Dennis. But, there is the Netherworld,, ruled over by the evil Malgosha (voiced by Rachel House) with her minions and an army of pig-like soldiers. Steve enters the Overworld with zest, but is imprisoned by Malgoshat. He sends Dennis to get help – and that means the motley group finding the cube, banding together, found by Dennis and beginning their adventures both new worlds

Lots of adventures, spectacular action and stunts, dangers galore, heroism, using wits, discovering Steve. Plenty to keep the younger audience excited – and remembering the ways they have played Minecraft.

If non-playing parents and grandparents accompany the youngsters to the movie, something of this background will help them to adapt – and even to enjoy. They will have the extra bonus of seeing Jennifer Coolidge the school principal, doing her now-familiar and popular comic thing – even during the final credits.

Future researchers on the history of video games, cultural symbols of the early 21^st century, will be intrigued.

MOANA 2

US, 2024, 100 minutes, Colour.

Voices of: Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson,  Chung, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Awhimao Fraser, Temuera Morrison, Rachel House, Alan Tudyk.

Directed  by David G. Derrick Jr, Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller.

It is a surprise to find that the first Moana film was released in 2016, 8 years ago. There had been an intention to do a sequel as a television series in 2020 but that did not happen. Instead, here we are in 2024, meeting the characters again, travelling back thousands of years, to the islands of the Pacific, to the Polynesian inhabitants so long ago.

But audiences who were enthusiastic about the first film, and they certainly were, now have an opportunity to meet the characters again, the intrepid Moana (Auli'i Cravalho playing Moana again), the companion pig and chicken (although this reviewer had very low tolerance for the chicken as a character, rather annoying, caught in all kinds of silly situations – but that is a comment from an older viewer, while the youngsters will probably want more!).

In many ways, this is a repetition in story of the first film. We see Moana’s community, the chief her father, her great reputation she had achieved as a sailor and “Wayfinder”. But, the community is isolated, not sure where there are more people, more islands in the ocean. As in the first film, there is the heroic Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) who has been a live for thousands of years, his body covered in tatters which come alive to tell the story of his adventures. He comes to join Moana and another group of sailors, a young man who idolises Maui and very feisty young woman and old grandfather, cantankerous, and the pig and the chicken!

So, lots of sea adventures. A visit to an island of coconuts who have a life and language of their own, seem hostile but are friendly, contribute to the expedition across the seas. There are all kinds of creatures in the sea, even waves of the ocean coming alive, and, as the crisis mounts, vengeful deities, a strange malevolent queen who has the power to destroy the wayfarers, and ever-increasing storms which take their toll on the expedition.

But, in the spirit of the traditions of the Polynesians, their seafaring, their settling of the islands around the Pacific, there is the revelation that they are not isolated, that there is great joy in finding other communities and uniting with them. (And, the alert audiences will hear many New Zealand accents, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, who appears in the mid-final credits sequence, jokey, but those who instantly make a beeline for the exit as words appear on the screen at the end, will miss it.)

So, a variation on the Disney princess, the Polynesian Princess, Moana, colourful action, intriguing characters, the importance of storytelling, images, not only in caves but on the tattoos of the characters, bringing those stories to life. And, this time there are some jolly songs, pleasant interludes, tunes and lyrics that are easily accessible, especially to the younger audience. And, indeed, Moana is a film for the younger audience, very strong, of course, for the young girls who will enjoy it.

1. The popularity of the original film? Television series not eventuating? The happy reception of this sequel?
2. Disney style, the animation, the drawing of the characters, their interactions, humans, animals, fantasy creatures, locations, the sea, islands, the coconuts…? The musical score, the role of the songs, the chirpy lyrics, the tunes?
3. Intended audience, the youngsters, younger girls, the adventure tale of a Princess who is not actually a Princess?
4. The establishing of Moana as character, her quest in the first film, the Wayfinder, her achievement, the relationship with Maui, with her family? Wanting communication with others in the ocean? The initial venture, the storm, her achievement, return home? The reception, the celebrations on the island, her father, mother, the family?
5. The introduction of the familiar characters, Maui, the demigod, collaboration previously with his return, the interactions, the banter, travelling with her again?
6. The pig, friendly, cuddly? The chicken, fiascoes, comic, irritating?
7. The new quest, her companions on the journey, Lote as a vigorous young female, Moni, young, enthusiastic, his admiration for Maui? Kele, the cantankerous father? Leave, help, collaboration marijuana
8. The visualising of the voyage, the sea, the waves, the oceans, the arrival at the coconuts island, the interactions, the help, the coconut guiding them? Maui and his advice, interactions with minor?
9. The vast island, the split, separated, the adventures, the dangers, surviving?
10. The quest to confront the angry God, to discover more humans?
11. Matangi, under the spell of the God, her life, machinations, her song, decision to help, confronting the God?
12. The achievement, the discoveries, the return home, the welcome? Moana as a true Wayfinder?

THE MOUNTAIN/ TE MAUNGA

New Zealand/ Aetearoa, 2024, 89 minutes, Colour.

Elizabeth Atkinson, Terrence Daniel, Reuben Francis, Byron Coll, Troy Kingi, Sukena Shah, Fern Sutherland.

Directed by Rachel House.

This is a film for youngsters, about youngsters.

The three characters who set out on a climb of Mount Taranaki (on the West Coast of the North Island of New Zealand) are 11 years old, as were the three children who acted here for the first time. And The Mountain will be a film that youngsters, probably between 9 and 13, will not only enjoy but find both interesting and entertaining, well worth talking about.

We are introduced to the three, a girl and two boys. The girl, Sam (Elizabeth Atkinson), is doing some martial arts moves but we soon find that she is in hospital, has cancer, is fussed over by her mother, but has never known her father. Then there is a chubby boy, Mallory (Reuben Francis) doing imaginary strumming. He is a sad boy, his father somewhat withdrawn at the death of his wife, and Mallory grieving for his mother. Then they encounter a Maori boy, Bronco (Terrence Daniel, with his bicycle, feeling rebellious towards his father a security guard at the hospital.

Sam’s great desire is to achieve something, climb to the top of Mount Taranaki, not quite aware of her Maori background, but moved by the mountain and its mystery, a religious and psychological link, parenting mountains. In fact, as the three come together and set out on the venture, Bronco, proud of his Maori heritage, speaking the language, knowing the traditions, a believer in earth harmony, devout in his respect for his heritage, helps the audience appreciate what is happening and what was a venture, then an adventure, now a quest.

The young audience can identify with these three characters, unknown to each other at first, steps in bonding, help in danger in crossing a bridge and one falling into the river, making decisions to camp out, communications with their parents, the decision whether they can get to the top or not.

While the parents are supporting characters here, they are quite well drawn, the over-loving mother, her daughter’s crisis in wanting to know something of her father, Bronco’s big father, a nice man but not realising how he has neglected his son, Mallory’s father caught up in grief, failing to appreciate his son’s sadness and emotional needs. And there is an enjoyably deadpan friend character, Peachy.

Which means then that the Mountain is a family film in the best sense.

The local photography has moments of beauty, the mystery of the mountain. The emphasis on the Maori heritage is explicit, opening up the culture to a wider audience. And, there is a common sensed approach as to how the quest finishes, real, rather than romanticised.

And a compliment to actress, Rachel House, seen in many New Zealand and Australian film and television productions, always down-to-earth with a touch of humour. This is her first film as director, has adapted a story which originally was three Pakaha /white children, incorporating the strong Maori elements.

Because senior primary school students would enjoy this film and find it helpful to discuss, Pixar’s original Inside Out came to mind, that enjoyable film which dramatised and personalised children’s emotions. And they are right here on screen, Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear. It would be very interesting to hear teachers and children talking about the Inside one emotions as they see them in the three children in The Mountain.

1. The title, Mount Taranaki, the Maori title, a goal for a quest, the parenting Maori tradition of mountains?
2. The location photography, the town, homes, hospital, outside the town, the beauty of the mountain, night and day, clouds and sun, the mountainside and the track? The musical score? (And the popular song themes?)
3. The target audience, youngsters, especially 9-13, for parents and appreciation of children, for teachers, for discussions and values?
4. The introduction to Sam, martial arts, 11, hospital, the other patients, cancer, her friendship with Peachy, their discussions? Peachy deadpan? The protective mother? The absent father and the mystery? Her being drawn to the Mountain, wanting to climb it, something interior in her heart, her need to articulate it? The decision to climb the mountain, not to tell her mother, plan with Peachy, the escape? The balloons?
5. The introduction to Mallory, air guitar, chubby, 11, his mother’s death and his grief, communicating with her, his father, sad, the photo, weeping? Her love for mountain climbing, his wanting to climb with his father? His father’s reaction to him, putting him down? Going to school?
6. The introduction to Bronco, Maori, relationship with his father, father seen on the roof, security guard, while Sam and Peachy were trying to elude him? Bronco and his bike? Feeling his father neglected him? The importance of the environment and rubbish? Wonders with nature? Speaking the Maori language, knowing the background, explaining the mystical elements?
7. Their coinciding, Mallory and Sam’s list, the food, the tents…? Their going together?
8. The bonding, misunderstandings, the episode with the bridge, Mallory falling into the water, unable to swim, dog paddling, Sam’s important stick, Bronco with the lassoo? Eating, Bronco and his prayer? The fog, the path, the parents coming, going off track, camping for the night, Mallory and Bronco talking, their concern about Sam, whether she could go on? Her injury? Her determination, continuing, the two boys deciding to form a barrier, that she would not pass? The clouds passing, the vision of the top of the mountain, satisfying Sam?
9. The parents, overprotective mother, not revealing the father? Bronco’s father, security guard, the clashes, Bronco feeling neglected? His concern? Mallory’s father, concern, Peachy trying to avoid the search, their travelling together, phone communication, their not being in the hut? Their being reassured, the continued search? Finding the three, and the apologies from each parent?
10. Sam back in hospital, accepting her illness, the possibility of her death, the Maori background? Mallory with his father? Bronco reconciled with his father?
11. An authentic exploration of three children, their sadness, their hopes, relationships with parents, parents and reconciliation with their children?