Reviews
The Commons (2019)
Excellent Australian drama predicting Australian life post 2020 apocalyptic summer.
If you like a slow burn (no insensitive pun intended) and want to look at what Australia might look like in the future after our scorching 2020 apocalyptic summer, then this is for you. Though this isn't about bushfires specifically, this is a post climate change driven saga that is pretty realistic - in a pretty scary way. Excellent character driven narrative around families, relationships, parenting, financial and racial divides, corruption, climate change, climate refugees, PTSD and traumas from just being alive as its all going down. One might think the writers had a crystal ball - it's pretty spot on and so well timed given that our entire continent is burning and that climate change is no longer some abstract futuristic theory, but something we are now living through, even in our cities. An enjoyable watch, some might find boring, possibly all the people that have reviewed this show thinking it's Lisa Macwhatsherface in the lead role (spoiler: it's not, and yes that British accent is real) - but this show really delivers in the last few episodes in season one. It's in your face about many subjects we like to shun - if you are after a non thought provoking, non challenging easy view, go watch something else, this is not for you. Touching a lot on the effects the changing climate has on young people and their narratives and responses around that, I found this helpful as a parent. Great all round production, futuristic but realistic visual, A1 cast portraying depth-full honest and challenging characters. If you liked Aussie drama Love my way, you will like this. A lot.
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
A joyous return home for lovers of the original trilogy
JJ Abrams delivers a pitch perfect final chapter to the epic saga that for so many of us is beyond a set of films and stories. A coming home to all that we love, depth-full narrative answering questions big and small, a celebration of diversity in character that showcase our very 'humanity' at it's core and delivering a golden opportunity to say goodbye to our beloveds.
Most importantly, beyond being an excellent statement or perhaps even testament to the arduous times we live in, a call to action for those with the ears and hearts to hear it.
Perfection.