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MrCelery
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The OceanMaker (2014)
Short but very memorable
A clever, heroic post-apocalyptic tale with spectacular animation and soundtrack. The animation of the aircraft are first-class. The dry desert environment was both haunting and realistic. Lots of little touches gave the animation amazing realism, such as the cracked lenses in the binoculars, the weathered planes, and the detritus on the floor bed of the ocean. The orchestral soundtrack suited the piece perfectly and was of equal quality to that heard in any major movie. My only quibble was that the facial features of the characters looked too cartoonish and unrealistic when compared to the realism of the landscape. It detracted from the sombre story and made me feel less interested in the fate of the pilot. Overall though, a very creative mini-movie with soul that will stay with me far longer than many current CGI blockbusters. Loved the satisfying ending and would love to see a Part II!
The Code: Life with the Mariners (2013)
Powerful and emotional fly-on-the-wall sports documentary
Getting access to film the inner sanctum of any professional sporting team is a rare thing. The producers managed to do that, and at the same time were lucky enough to get the OK for this documentary from a football club (Central Coast Mariners) renowned for amazing highs and equally stunning lows on and off the playing field. Masterful work. The local tourism organisation, who I think were a co-sponsor, would be thrilled at the outcome. The result is a gripping blow-by-blow account of a watershed 2012/13 season of the Australian A-League football competition. Inspirational, insightful, serious, sad, comical - it's all there laid bare. The production quality considering the small resources of the makers (Onion TV) is astonishing. Filmed with an 'art house' feel (lots of close ups and use of slow motion camera work, set against the bigger picture of colourful, noisy stadiums) really gives the audience the sense of being part of the action and part of the team. As with any sporting season, the starting episodes are somewhat leisurely. But the buildup of tension in each episode as the season progresses is palpable. The last episode called 'Road To The Final' is an absolute blockbuster. The finale is a producer's dream scenario. The tiniest but highly successful franchise in the competition, the Central Coast Mariners, pitted against the competition's brand new franchise, Western Sydney Wanderers. The Wanderers, backed by the Football Federation and big city money, were having their own fairytale debut season. This is not a 'based on a true story' production. It IS the true story. If it had been a fictional script many would regarded it as extremely far-fetched. The dramatic elements came together just perfectly for the makers, making this a sporting documentary series hard to beat for sheer excitement, emotion, and depth.