Claire M O'Brien

‘Runt’

A refreshing escape of a movie away from the tortured attitude of winning at all costs. About an upbeat relationship between young woman and dog and the obstacles that accost them on their journey of the local, national then world based dog trot competitions. It is funny and light hearted. The acting pinnacle is Lilly LaTorre who trains Runt and in so doing pushes through all sorts of obstacles of her own to achieve her own personal goals on a broad brush, encountering fame on her way in the blink of an eye. A supportive star cast includes Jai Courtney, Celeste Barber, Matt Day, Jack LaTorre and Deborah Mailman who made the storyline reverberate with wholesomeness in turn.

Ha Anh Tuan

Great Vietnamese entertainer who was in Sydney performing (apparently for the first time here) on Sunday 29/9/24. At this Opera House production called Sketch A Rose Ha Anh Tuan gave every audience member a silver plated freeform rose badge in a pouch! There was great warmth of the vocals and jazz orchestra that accompanied. Talking to our neighbouring audience members who spoke English it was noted that Ha Anh Tuan is one who gives alms to the poor in Vietnam, so is held in high regard by Vietnamese and others. The music was all in the singer’s mother tongue of Vietnamese but was sung with such relish and savouring of words along with fervent gesturing that I got a round sense of the worth and great expression of what this singer had to say to the world. It was a succession of songs about love. Adding to the thrill of this subject material was the red exotic blanket of roses in bloom that decked the stage floor and surrounding walls that were at times lit up further with a backdrop and strobes of coloured lights. It was a glam night for some and a night of joining in the singing of lyrics for some, and a night of remembering those and/ or being with those we love. Ha Anh Tuan was accompanied on stage at intervals by different other Vietnamese singers including another male singer and two female divas. At times Ha Anh Tuan got the well-versed audience to sing the next phrase which they did with relish. This performance inspired in me a desire to find out more about Vietnam. Actually it got me thinking about a novel I had been given in the last 6 months by Pin Yathay called Stay Alive My Son (1979) which was about a personal journey to stay alive during the war in Vietnam. This beautiful concert brought much to contemplate on creativity, beauty and freedom!

‘Paul McCartney & Wings – One Hand Clapping’

Excellent musical footage resparks an interest in me for Paul McCartney & his band begun in 1970s The Wings.

This observational documentary explored for me some lesser known but chart topping music when first performed of The Wings and I liked seeing the band discussing how to improve their music. The film showed the drummer Geoff Britton on the day of recording with his different quirk of dress and his display of martial arts that was a nice addition. I liked seeing Paul McCartney’s late wife Linda McCartney playing the keyboard and providing vocal backups for the recording. What struck me was how at peace all the band looked as we were witness to their collaborative musical efforts. My favourite Wings tune was Silly Love Songs.

Harold and The Purple Crayon (PG)

A comedy about achieving goals by believing so, the threat of world domination when power gets into the wrong hands, good versus evil, creativity and actualisation versus the importance of a creating force are just a start to the themes the movie covered. This film provided much fodder for discussion. I liked how it allowed me laugh honestly and regard with fresh innocence the identity of our Creator as writer/ illustrator and the power of integrity in that role.

https://www.eventcinemas.com.au/Movie/Harold-And-The-Purple-Crayon#cinemas=55&date=2024-10-02

‘Julia’

By Joanna Murray-Smith

Directed by Sarah Goodes

Showing at Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre 5/9/2024-19/20/2024.

A burgeoning all expressive theatrical performance celebrating and applauding past Australian PM Julia Gillard’s outstanding leadership for all women and particularly her clarity of communicating in défence of women, how they are portrayed in public spaces and how one voice with well chosen words can channel a more positive outcome for women everywhere. Essentially a one woman show by Justine Clark, this reiterated as a focal point the famous misogyny speech which was barrelled along and made more accessible to the everyday listener by way of punctuations of swearing and colloquialisms. The hair (a precise red bob wig), minimal mannerisms, warm intonations, explanatory didactic pronunciation, and exact wording shaped the performance into a exaltant undeterred defiant crisp reverencing of the cream of the crop of public speakers Julia. By the media and especially in politics (shouted down, belittled, criticised and obstructed from her goals in office) Julia Gillard had not been given the renown fair go that historically Australia was to provide. Julia’s quintessential background she brought with her as Labor leader of our nation from 2010 to 2013 and her excellent debating and statesman skills were used for good outcomes. What her political and ideological opponents did not appreciate was that Julia Gillard had already made and protected a special place in politics for women which we appreciate in an ever expanding and embellishing way. A network of women in history wielding power were highlighted, enabled and proclaimed. The struggle for an equal footing is ever ongoing. ‘Julia’ is a great play to see and savour.

200% Wolf

This poodle is the runt of the pack and wants to make things better so calls on the ancient spirits to help out. A journey into out of space and explores good/ bad and the spirit world. Can be a little scary at times. I’m glad I had company at the cinema!

Inside Out 2

Fantastic insight into how the mind works around puberty. The mechanics of thought are so amazing to behold here. It makes one think objectively about what forces shape the teenage thought processes.

(From YouTube Inside Out 2 official trailer)

Eastern Blue tongue lizard

Always looking out for the quiet warm company of this garden buddy, often sunning itself on a day of clear skies, on our flowerbed.

Youngish Eastern Blue Tongue Lizard

Dune 1

This movie was heralded by a music score with siren-like urgently persistent horn. This was a high tech sci-fi movie that spoke issues of war, displaced persons, bloodlines, leadership requiring strength of mind and body and the futuristic war concept of immortality shields to protect to leaders from alien attack and wearing of oxygen therapy nasal tubes on the planet of Arrakis. T’was a tear jerker but showed the protagonist (Timothée Chalamet) excelling in finding safe ground and in so doing finding his love interest (Zendaya) who was a reflective and strong personality and whom he had vivid dreams of the future. The movie however was quite bloodthirsty & violent and had a growing sense of fear. The couple of focus (Timothée Chalamet & Zendaya) were nonchalant characters under pressure which was beguiling and a redeeming feature.

Stolen

Sydney Theatre Company performance about the stolen generation that I saw a week ago. It was really challenging to listen to the anguish expressed while seated and silent, in 2D. The voice expressed was strong and vibrant. It was great to witness the hope in the eyes of the audience as they filed out of the theatre afterwards. The Aboriginal characters on stage projected poignantly, as though their real existence was such. They shaped the issues of truth, transparency and strength of parenthood translated in our Australian history, emphasised by Rudd’s words in a recording played out loud recognising the needs of the stolen generation in political circles.