Jason KingBalibo $6
September 1st 2009 04:44
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REVIEW BY SEAN
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Balibo $6 - REVIEW BY SEAN
On October 16, 1975, Greg Shackleton, Tony Stewart, Gary Cunningham, Brian Peters and Malcolm Rennie disappeared whilst in East Timor attempting to find evidence of the immanent Indonesian invasion. Most of you, in Australia, will know these men as the Balibo Five. If you're watching this film, Balibo, you will be scratching your head asking, "who the hell are those guys in bright yellow shirts and tight short-shorts?" Well, that's what I was doing, and I knew the story of the Balibo Five. So why you might ask this early hostility? Well, it's simple. This film is shit.
I heard such great things about Balibo, directed by Robert Connolly (producer of films like "Romulus, My Father" and the recent "Lucky Country") and starring Anthony LaPaglia ("Without a Trace" and "Lantana") but it was just rubbish. As Dave so perfectly put it, "It's an hour and a half of the director masturbating". And it was.
The story is simple. Roger East (LaPaglia) get asked by Jose Ramos-Horta (Oscar Isaac) an East Timorese government official to come over the Arafura Sea and "tell the world our story". East agrees, and goes. Blah blah blah. Some flashbacks to the "5" dicking around, some dead people, some shouting, a gun shot and a fish. That's Balibo, in a nutshell.
Okay, now that I've got that out of the way, I'm going to list everything that I had problems with in this film.
The list is long, but please bear with me (It's not a novel, just a couple of paragraphs).
As some of you may know, I'm a filmmaker. So when I see a poorly done film it annoys me. This was like scraping nails down a very, very big chalkboard. The boffin in charge of the camera should be taken care of. Honestly. A tripod costs what? $100 for a cheap one. THAT WOULD HAVE WORKED! If you're still not sure about how bad the camera work is, consider this. Paul Greengrass' (Bourne Supremacy/Ultimatum) camera operator with Parkinson's Disease. It was terrible. And all at eye level. There were zero interesting shots. Zero.
Second, I didn't know who anyone was. I mean, I knew from what I knew about history, but if I didn't know jack about the story (by the way, this part of history isn't taught in schools?) then I would be so confused. There was no introduction to the characters and no development. It was like Lord of the Rings all over again. Two guys walking, and walking, and walking. JK's note: Seen Gerry?
Third, the acting. Or lack thereof. I hate to say it, because I quiet enjoy some of the actors in this film, but they were all shocking. Yes they played the characters but I felt no emotion of anyone in this film.
Working from number 3, as part of the lack of acting, there was bugger all emotion. The one scene where I could have felt emotion was ruined by some guy trying to be William Wallace, screaming "SAVAGES".
On top of all of this, there was no story structure. It was completely lacking. It cut erratically between Roger East and the Five. And just as you got close to being comfortable with one, bang, it cut back. You think Pulp Fiction was hard to follow? Watch Balibo.
Last but not least, as a matter of fact, probably the worst one, the colouring. They chose to shoot two different gauges, (which means, for those of you playing at home, two different film formats.) Half of the film was in digital HD, the other half (the Five stuff) was all shot on 16mm with old cameras, similar to the ones that the Five would have used.
So, now it's your choice. You can watch it and either like it.... or not. But if you're going to take any advice that I give you, then let it be this. Watch it on a Tuesday after smoking a joint, because then the film might be interesting, and cheap.
Balibo; an invasion of shit. Worth $6
On October 16, 1975, Greg Shackleton, Tony Stewart, Gary Cunningham, Brian Peters and Malcolm Rennie disappeared whilst in East Timor attempting to find evidence of the immanent Indonesian invasion. Most of you, in Australia, will know these men as the Balibo Five. If you're watching this film, Balibo, you will be scratching your head asking, "who the hell are those guys in bright yellow shirts and tight short-shorts?" Well, that's what I was doing, and I knew the story of the Balibo Five. So why you might ask this early hostility? Well, it's simple. This film is shit.
I heard such great things about Balibo, directed by Robert Connolly (producer of films like "Romulus, My Father" and the recent "Lucky Country") and starring Anthony LaPaglia ("Without a Trace" and "Lantana") but it was just rubbish. As Dave so perfectly put it, "It's an hour and a half of the director masturbating". And it was.
The story is simple. Roger East (LaPaglia) get asked by Jose Ramos-Horta (Oscar Isaac) an East Timorese government official to come over the Arafura Sea and "tell the world our story". East agrees, and goes. Blah blah blah. Some flashbacks to the "5" dicking around, some dead people, some shouting, a gun shot and a fish. That's Balibo, in a nutshell.
Okay, now that I've got that out of the way, I'm going to list everything that I had problems with in this film.
The list is long, but please bear with me (It's not a novel, just a couple of paragraphs).
As some of you may know, I'm a filmmaker. So when I see a poorly done film it annoys me. This was like scraping nails down a very, very big chalkboard. The boffin in charge of the camera should be taken care of. Honestly. A tripod costs what? $100 for a cheap one. THAT WOULD HAVE WORKED! If you're still not sure about how bad the camera work is, consider this. Paul Greengrass' (Bourne Supremacy/Ultimatum) camera operator with Parkinson's Disease. It was terrible. And all at eye level. There were zero interesting shots. Zero.
Second, I didn't know who anyone was. I mean, I knew from what I knew about history, but if I didn't know jack about the story (by the way, this part of history isn't taught in schools?) then I would be so confused. There was no introduction to the characters and no development. It was like Lord of the Rings all over again. Two guys walking, and walking, and walking. JK's note: Seen Gerry?
Third, the acting. Or lack thereof. I hate to say it, because I quiet enjoy some of the actors in this film, but they were all shocking. Yes they played the characters but I felt no emotion of anyone in this film.
Working from number 3, as part of the lack of acting, there was bugger all emotion. The one scene where I could have felt emotion was ruined by some guy trying to be William Wallace, screaming "SAVAGES".
On top of all of this, there was no story structure. It was completely lacking. It cut erratically between Roger East and the Five. And just as you got close to being comfortable with one, bang, it cut back. You think Pulp Fiction was hard to follow? Watch Balibo.
Last but not least, as a matter of fact, probably the worst one, the colouring. They chose to shoot two different gauges, (which means, for those of you playing at home, two different film formats.) Half of the film was in digital HD, the other half (the Five stuff) was all shot on 16mm with old cameras, similar to the ones that the Five would have used.
So, now it's your choice. You can watch it and either like it.... or not. But if you're going to take any advice that I give you, then let it be this. Watch it on a Tuesday after smoking a joint, because then the film might be interesting, and cheap.
Balibo; an invasion of shit. Worth $6
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Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
That is harsh - I still want to see it though to see what you mean or so I can be annoying and argue with you!!
Comment by Anonymous
This is one of the worst film reviews I have ever read, you completley lack the ability to be articulate and your descriptive words make you sound like you are a pubescent teenager with 'issues' of some sort.
You put shame to this blog. Your advice to smoke a bong to watch the film is insulting to not only the film but the story it is telling and shows how pathetic you are. You sound like an immature punk with a silver spoon in your mouth who has no idea about the real world. The fact that you couldn't follow it leads me to believe you have the brain the size of a pea....you say you are a film maker but with that attitude and ease of criticism of a good film, I can't imagine anything that you ever create could be good at all. You annoy me.
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Neither are you a writer..........maybe spell-check might come in handy?
Your last remark is quite telling: "an invasion of shit" is about right.
Salty Popcorn reaches its creative nadir.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Bit harsh - well particularly harsh really.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
I actually respect Sean's opinion on the film - most of the reviews I write Sean is sitting next to me in the screening and most of the time we agree on films, otherwise we can have a great debate on the matter. Sean has worked on some BIG Oz and International films, from Australia, many commercials and more recently a big budget US horror film that just completed its filming in Sydney. If he chooses to not like this film then that is his choice/ opinion. I apologise if you all don't agree with him but what's the point of us all agreeing on film - it would make blogging and freedom of choice and opinion redundant.
To the 1st Anonymous - your comments do not in anyway criticise the review - you just personally attack the reviewer - what did you like about the film? - if I am reading this article and it's comments as a viewer you do nothing to help me believe Sean is incorrect or make me want to see the film - you just come across as an ass. And to be honest - I would LOVE a prebuscent teenager writing for Salty Popcorn - they are the biggest section of society watching films and would be open to an opinion of a differing society section. You did make me laugh though - Sean has a great capacity to annoy me and it is quite evident he has created an itch under quite a few people's skin.
David - double OUCH
MNG - this was my first thought too, but there have been some films I have walked out of SO angry that it was SO APPALLING to me, my thoughts on FUNNY GAMES were distasteful that Bryn and I went back and forth for days as to why I hated it. Different strokes for different folks. He still brings it up occasionally.
2nd Anonymous - I have to actually thank you - I woke up to a boosted ego
Janet - Sean's review does go against what the majority of the public have seen but Sean watched this film with David. Both of them have written for Salty Popcorn and both of them fairly recent graduates of film school or work on major films produced in Australia - and they both thought the exact same thing so I respect their opinions - even if different from my own - this way I can rip into them if I completely disagree. I am now actually looking forward to watching this film more.
What I have noticed from the comments is people have massively differing opinions on this film (and most others, just try and attack Titanic and you will see what I mean) and I thoroughly respect the passion of the comments but I also respect the opinion of the reviewer. Not that I agree with Sean's opinion as I like to make up my own mind.
Thankyou all for your opinions and have a great day. Smile and let the anger go - it's only a film review.
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Comment by Anonymous
The bigger issue here really is the quality of the critique, the first time a reviewer drops in the line i'm a "filmmaker" you loose me completely. It is an arrogant style of writing which only tries to serve the reviewer with an air of superiority over both their audience and the film they are reviewing. Unless you have a little gold man on the trophy cabinet or a golden leaf or bear, drop the "filmmaker" line, you are here to review the film not your own career failings
Naturally all reviewers are entitled their opinion on any film, nothing is right or wrong, but if you can't express yourself in a quality befitting your audience, watch your films, smoke your joint but leave your inarticlulate opinions out of the public domain.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Sean Lander
I have paramount respect for the story of the Balibo Fibe. As I said they don't teach it in schools so years ago I took it upon myself to study and learn about it. I just felt that they did not do the story the justice that it deserved. I followed the film. If you read the review again. It clearly states, if you don't know the backstory.
So. Abuse. Anonymous. Ease up mate. Again. It's an opinion. I higlight that I'm a film maker so readers understand where I'm coming from when I write a review. Not to gloat. But I guess you're just jealous.
David. If I did make backyard porn, you could star as a slave boy.
This is who I am. The style of writing is different because I'm not Jason. Jason and I are good friends and he asked me to write because I see thing differently and can offer a different opinion.
As for film making. I have recieved government funding to make a film. What do you have to say about that. This is a forum not a battle. There's no need to Try and hurt me. Because honestly. I just laughed. In saying those comment you are just acting like children.
I've had my say. Read my next review. I dare you.
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
I do appreciate your feedback though on the quality of the review and perhaps some better editing on my part - although I did recommend to people that they smoke a joint prior to watching The Happening because it was SO SO SO WOEFUL that anything would have improved that film so can't hold that against Sean. The basics of everyone's gripe is thus - Sean offended people by disliking this film and saying so as bluntly and without any pretention as the film was probably due - he hated it and didn't think the film deserved the time of day to give the review details. Point taken and something me, as the editor of his works on my site, will pay more attention to in the future.
Tracy - me too - I was actually about to see this one before going on holiday, it was my first day of holidays and I ventured into the city, had a great breakfast, went to the cinema counter and was told that due to technical difficulties this film would not be screening - DAMN. I ended up watching the silliest movie ever - SPREAD. Review is on my front page.
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
I'm really not all that concerned about who Sean is or what his credits are. Just because he's 'worked' on films doesn't make him any sort of authority, or his opinion a defining one that we should all bow down to because we're nobodies (which is implied to a large extent in his need to reitirate his 'credentials' more than once). When I see his name as director of a film - then he'll earn some respect. Not while he's still working as a lackey on set.
You asked me to address the content of the review itself rather than its lack of quality. Firstly, the acting, from LaPaglia and Isaac especially, is amazing and I have trouble giving credence to or accepting the opinion of someone who refuses to distinguish between various cast members, instead lazily making a generalisation like "it's rubbish". Apparently the story is a very simple one according to the review, so why then is Sean so confused by its narrative structure?
All that aside, these are just blogs we write for fun obviously and their content is basically meaningless at the end of the day. My main issue was simply that this inane, inarticulate post was derogatory for the sake of it and it'd be sad if anyone reading it decided to bypass seeing a worthy film rather than making up their own mind about its worth - or not.
The fact is that it detracts from the credibility of your site.
Having read a lot of your work I can't remember you stooping to this base level to get a point across - one which clearly couldn't be expressed in a more expansive, articulate, objectively critical way - because frankly, Sean isn't much chop as a writer. Maybe he should set up his own blog so we can really lay into him!
Again, you have your own distinctive style and it suits your blog perfectly. This type of crude, simplistic post doesn't reflect particularly well on what you do here. I liked this film and just thought it deserved an intelligent response at the least considering its subject matter. Maybe if I didn't feel strongly about its virtues I would have breezed over this review and not given it a second thought. Who knows.
Anyway, at the end of the day it's just one little man's review and to each his own. We'll move on to the next one now.
Apologies for this encyclopedia entry.
And thanks for adding the link to my review too. That was very decent of you.
Take care,
David
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
I am going to watch this as soon as I am back in Sydney and write a second Salty review.
L8er
Comment by Jak
You guys are my favorite review sight now!!.
Let me explain why.
1. I really hate reading reviews that are written by some one who tries to prove they are more articulate than everyone else. reviews that tell it like it is are always the best to read as they are straight to the point and entertaining. Sean despite the harsh critics of this David guy I have a great deal of respect for someone who can write a review like this. just to let you know I have seen the film and agree with you, Although I probably wouldn't have been so blunt I do give it the respect of "you tried to make a great film but unfortunately I don't like it".
2. well thats about it
To David,
Mate I understand were you are coming from but at the same time why does Sean need to have a director title to have respect shown to him? This is his point of view on a film he didn't like. This blog is his way to vent his opinion. If you don't agree with him you could have quite easily have said "Sean harsh and derogatory and I feel that people won't watch a film if they read this" instead of being derogatory yourself and sinking to a level of immaturity to demise Sean and attack him personally. Can I ask what you do and what accomplishment you have done in your life?. must be pretty big if you can pass a judgement so personal.
And Anonymous,
YOU ANNOY ME!!! Sorry but again see this from Sean's view before you go on insulting him. I have seen this film with many other people all had trouble following it myself does that make my brain size the size of a pea? or what about the rest of the world that infact have had trouble with this film? they too have pea size brains? I actually love the story but as a film it really was terrible. In its defense it is a beautiful story but unfortunately the telling and delivery of it failed to hit the mark of my emotional/entertainment meter. Although Sean has arked up at you in retaliation of your abuse, He has every right to as you guys have taken a debate into abuse. If you don't like his reviews don't read them! sorted!.
To Jason,
I thank you for the review site, Its great you have just found yourself a regular reader!
and last but not least SEAN,
Mate. despite what people say tell it like it is brother.
I love the fact that you have the balls to take such harsh comments and smile, shows real character.
Balibo $7.50
In closing guys I really appreciate these reviews and agree with most of them. And the Drama they can cause hehe
You keep writing I'll keep reading.
Jak,
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Sean will like the support no doubt
Comment by Jak
Anyway like I said the guy gives an opinion and is crucified for it who are we CHINA? Bring back the biff hehe.
Anyway have a good rest of your holiday.
Jak