CJ22
11th February 2008, 08:34 AM
In our attempt to get a feel for the place so we know what we're letting ourselves in for, we've watched a whole bunch of Kiwi-made movies. We're now of the opinion that Kiwi film-makers are conspiring to discourage people from going there, since they seem to inevitably paint a picture of people living in wooden sheds, garish wall-paper and carpets, a general lack of 21st century aesthetics and a chronic aversion to vowels. I've also seen about as much of Karl Urban as I ever want to. The fact that the landscape is always stunning mitigates this somewhat.
So I thought I'd give you a quick list of what we watched, whether they were worth the download etc. I've stuck to movies that were actually set in NZ, so no Lord Of The Rings or Kiwi-made movies set elsewhere.
Black Sheep
Quirky comedy-horror flick about an outbreak of killer sheep. Interesting characters and some good one-liners. Special effects by Weta. Set rurally. Worth a watch, with good lolz here and there.
Eagle Vs Shark
Quirky comedy chick-flick about a socially inept girl and her attempts to nurture a relationship with a socially inept boy who is burdend with baggage from the past (played by that bloke from Flight Of The Concordes). Got a bit dull in the middle. Characters were bizarre to the point of grotesque. Only if you're bored. Middle section is set in a town that I thought might be Queenstown, but not sure.
Once Were Warriors
This is supposed to be a classic movie, but we switched it off after 10 minutes. Looked a bit grim. About the plight of urban Maoris disenfranchised by poverty in some of the grubbier parts of Auckland (I presume).
Out Of The Blue
Based on a true story. In a remote and poor South Island town, a loan man suddenly snaps and goes on a killing spree. This film documents the events of the day in realistic detail. Good movie, well worth a watch. Has Karl Urban in it in a truly dreadful moustache. Not many laughs.
River Queen
Epic movie which takes place against the Maori wars. An Irish women has a child with a Maori lover, who then dies in a plague. The child's grandfather kidnaps the boy, forcing him to grow up as a native. As the war heats up, the boy, his mother and his uncle begin to feel themseves torn between the old world and the new. Features Keiffer Suthrland, who always puts in a good effort. Also features stereotypical English 'bad guy' (cringe). The countryside is the real star in this movie. Well worth a watch, as it's a good movie that also help to illuminate some of New Zealand's colonial history.
The Price Of Milk
Quirky (spotting a pattern here) rural faiytale, which floats from one bizarre plot twist to the next without really settling. It's self-consciously lyrical and fey, but starts to annoy after a while. Doesn't even really show the landscape off to much effect. Also has Karl Urban. It's all a bit over the top really.
Whale Rider
Still downloading this, will add to this post once we've watchd it.
Any recommendations for Kiwi films that are set in New Zealand that are worth watching?
P.S. If you can find a torrent of Billy Connolly's World Tour Of New Zealand, that's well worth a watch (8 eps of 30 mins each). That's like a guided tour of both islands with gags. Excellent.
So I thought I'd give you a quick list of what we watched, whether they were worth the download etc. I've stuck to movies that were actually set in NZ, so no Lord Of The Rings or Kiwi-made movies set elsewhere.
Black Sheep
Quirky comedy-horror flick about an outbreak of killer sheep. Interesting characters and some good one-liners. Special effects by Weta. Set rurally. Worth a watch, with good lolz here and there.
Eagle Vs Shark
Quirky comedy chick-flick about a socially inept girl and her attempts to nurture a relationship with a socially inept boy who is burdend with baggage from the past (played by that bloke from Flight Of The Concordes). Got a bit dull in the middle. Characters were bizarre to the point of grotesque. Only if you're bored. Middle section is set in a town that I thought might be Queenstown, but not sure.
Once Were Warriors
This is supposed to be a classic movie, but we switched it off after 10 minutes. Looked a bit grim. About the plight of urban Maoris disenfranchised by poverty in some of the grubbier parts of Auckland (I presume).
Out Of The Blue
Based on a true story. In a remote and poor South Island town, a loan man suddenly snaps and goes on a killing spree. This film documents the events of the day in realistic detail. Good movie, well worth a watch. Has Karl Urban in it in a truly dreadful moustache. Not many laughs.
River Queen
Epic movie which takes place against the Maori wars. An Irish women has a child with a Maori lover, who then dies in a plague. The child's grandfather kidnaps the boy, forcing him to grow up as a native. As the war heats up, the boy, his mother and his uncle begin to feel themseves torn between the old world and the new. Features Keiffer Suthrland, who always puts in a good effort. Also features stereotypical English 'bad guy' (cringe). The countryside is the real star in this movie. Well worth a watch, as it's a good movie that also help to illuminate some of New Zealand's colonial history.
The Price Of Milk
Quirky (spotting a pattern here) rural faiytale, which floats from one bizarre plot twist to the next without really settling. It's self-consciously lyrical and fey, but starts to annoy after a while. Doesn't even really show the landscape off to much effect. Also has Karl Urban. It's all a bit over the top really.
Whale Rider
Still downloading this, will add to this post once we've watchd it.
Any recommendations for Kiwi films that are set in New Zealand that are worth watching?
P.S. If you can find a torrent of Billy Connolly's World Tour Of New Zealand, that's well worth a watch (8 eps of 30 mins each). That's like a guided tour of both islands with gags. Excellent.