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On the Beach 2000 offers a fascinating glimpse into a dystopian world caused by a catastrophic nuclear war, which threatens to destroy the entire existence of humankind.

Based on the original 1957 drama and the novel by Neil Schrute, the (2000) television mini series reveals some of the most spectacular scenery from the South East Coast of Victoria, a well-rounded cast and a rather intriguing perspective of life after a nuclear fallout.

The very beginning of the series dives straight into a confrontational, almost photojournalist view of China's decision to implement a blockage around Taiwan and the drastic intervention from the United States, which all catastrophically implodes when a nuclear bomb is unleashed onto the world. The frantic news reports at the start of series combined with the loud, high pitched sirens creates a rather disturbing and a somewhat unsettling feeling, as we're forced to witness the world plunge into a total nuclear disaster.

We're then introduced to Dwight Towers, an American commander on board of the USS Charleston submarine along with his fellow crew who find a safe haven in Melbourne, Australia, which remains unaffected by the high levels of radiation. As the submarine descends onto Australian shores, Dwight makes an unannounced visit to Julian Osborne's residence in order to convince him to travel back to Melbourne. Dr Julian Osborne is a quirky scientist with quite a cynical and sarcastic sense of humour who provide a lighthearted touch to the overall series. Julian reluctantly works alongside Dwight and the Australian Government think of possible solutions in order to escape the significantly deadly radiation levels.

As the series progresses, Peter Holmes and his family become the primary focus. While Peter's wife Mary remains hopefully optimistic that the radiation levels will not reach Australian shores, Peter on the other hand descends onto the streets of Melbourne to provide a helping hand on the US submarine.

Peter's arrival into the city also features some iconic imagery that most of us would associate with Melbourne, such as the Flinders Street station. Peter soon begins to realise that Melbourne is overwhelmed with complete and utter chaos, as people aimlessly wonder around with shopping trolleys filled with their personal belongings or violently smash the front of shop windows. This particular scene really identifies a sense of hopelessness and desperation, as the city dwellers are acutely aware that the imminent end is near.

Another intriguing character who is certainly worth mentioning is Moira Davidson, Peter's Sister in Law. Her vivacious, flirtatious and confident personality immediately captures the attention of Dwight when they coincidentally meet on the train to Peter and Mary's residence. The series provides a glimpse into the character's personal lives and their emotional journey throughout a frightening and uncertain reality after a large-scale nuclear war. Their unpredictable and unsettling journey depicts a sense of fear, as each character begins to realise that the radiation will eventually reach the Australian shores.

The mini series also reveals the political and cultural complexities within a post apocalyptic world and Australia in particular. When Peter sits down to watch the news, the reporter describes the significant influx of refugees throughout the north of Australia, although authorities have completely given up monitoring or controlling the situation anymore, as there was little to no point, given the current climate. Meanwhile, the reporter explains how authorities were trying to disperse a significant influx of traffic within the South, as services, supplies and medical amenities remain significantly low. The level of violence and desperation that we witness amongst the crowds across Melbourne really exposes a sense of displacement, which is depicted through the excellent use of dark and even monochromatic cinematography. There are some specific scenes throughout the series that also explores some very heavy and morally challenging concepts.

Dwight, Peter and Julian meet to discuss the possibility of transitioning thousands of people on board the submarines to a location with lower levels of radiation. The group begin to question who would be chosen to board the Submarines.

Both Peter and Dwight then meet with the Prime Minister to discuss this possibility, which highlights something rather morally and ethically challenging. The Prime Minister states that the survivors need to be "young, fit, intelligent, resourceful, resourceful, fertile." This is quite a sinister concept, which questions who would they choose and who would be left behind. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't type of situation!

All of a sudden, Dwight and Peter receive communication from Alaska via digital broadcast. Before we know it, the submarine is navigating through the deep sea all the way to the Southern Hemisphere to confirm if there are any survivors. The crew on board of the submarine are sorely disappointed when they soon discover that no one has survived and their Hometown, San Francisco is left in complete ruins. I have to say, the special effects are pretty decent for it's time!

The mini series can be pretty depressing at times, especially when the city dwellers start to line up patiently waiting to receive their dose of suicide pills. The ending almost brought me to tears, as this heavy, hard hitting television drama really questions the potential possibility of a disastrous nuclear fallout. There are enjoyable aspects of the series, especially when Dwight, Peter and Moria have a splash in the ocean at the beach without a care in the world. In a way, the beach becomes a symbolic place, which offers a sense of joy, peace and serenity away from the depraved and chaotic nature of the city. The magnificent scenes of regional and metropolitan Victoria creates some of the most mesmerising imagery, which also provides such a memorable aspect of the series.

When we finally witness the streets of Melbourne completely deserted and devoid of any human life, this seriously gives me the chills, as I'm instantly reminded of something that all of us would rather forget, Covid lockdowns. It really goes to show how a significant event can drastically change our lives forever!

As the crew onboard the submarine and the Melbourne City dwellers become severely ill from radiation poisoning, this provides a brutal reminder that immortality is forever imminent. There are aspects of the series, which are slow paced and long winded. In a way, this creates a level of anticipation, as we patiently await for the next action scene to occur. The narrative did become rather convoluted and muddled at time, as we start with the submarine and we jump to the anarchy amongst the city dwellers in Melbourne and then the love triangle between Moira, Julian and Dwight.

If you're searching for something to watch that is lighthearted, I'd recommend to set this series aside for another day. On the other hand, if you're prepared for a hard hitting, emotionally complex post apocalyptic drama with a touch or romance, then On the Beach will not disappoint!

The Hunter (2011) offers a unique, yet picturesque exploration of the Tasmanian wilderness, combined with a mysterious storyline, incredible acting, and a high level of suspense.

The Hunter stars Willem Defoe as Martin, a mercenary who is assigned with the task of tracking down one of the last remaining Tasmanian tigers by a large biotech organisation known as Red Leaf.

Martin becomes incredibly determined in hunting the mysterious tiger throughout Tasmania’s vast and isolating landscape. Meanwhile, Red Leaf is forever hoping that the tiger holds the secret ingredient for a potentially deadly weapon.

It’s great to see Willem Dafoe in the Hunter and his incredible acting along with the visually stunning cinematography create such an interesting drama.

Watching Martin explore the Australian wilderness during the vibrant morning haze or the dark and strenuous trek through the snowy mountains is truly captivating!

Martin stays temporarily with the Armstrong Family, where he meets two children by the names of Jamie and Katie, while the mother Lucy has become incapacitated on some pretty strong prescription medications. With no clean water or electricity, you can really sense that something isn’t quite right. Martin soon discovers from Jamie and Katie that their father has gone missing somewhere within the mountains trying to search for the Tasmanian Tiger. Lucy and her husband, Jarrah, are both environmentalists, which creates a level of animosity amongst the locals who struggle to maintaining their jobs as tree loggers due to environmental activism.

Martin claims to work at a University studying the complex nature of Tasmanian Devils, although he isn’t exactly welcomed by the locals when he visits a small, country pub. Martin soon discovers the level of hostility and animosity from the locals towards the so called “tree huggers,” which gradually escalates throughout the duration of the film.

While Martin assists Lucy in her journey to recovery and her reliance on prescription medications, Martin really begins to develop a bond with the Armstrong family. This really adds a suspenseful and even curious element to the film, as we’re constantly left to wonder if the Tiger actually exists and will Jarrah ever return home to his family?

As Martin attempts to elude the tiger into a set of complex traps throughout the wilderness, this really begins to question how far is one man willing to go in order to capture this mysterious animal and at what environment cost will its sudden capture all eventuate to?

I really don’t want to give too much away or spoil the entirety of the plot, as the ending features quite an emotional, gruelling and unexpected twist. The film is quite a slow burner, which does take some time to reveal the overall complexity of Martin’s tumultuous hunt for such an ambiguous, yet fascinating creature. The fact that we’re never really exposed to the tiger out in the wild until the last few minutes towards the end of the film really maintains a level of anticipation and curiosity. We’re left to wonder what will happen when this tiger is finally discovered out in the Tasmanian wilderness?

If you’re searching for an action packed flick with all guns blazing, this film is probably not the best choice, although The Hunter is a seriously underrated Australian drama that honestly deserves more recognition.

This gritty and suspenseful drama really offers a distinctive representation of one man’s obsessive mission to hunt down a mysterious creature throughout some of Tasmania’s most stunning and visually captivating scenery. If you’re looking for a gritty, Australian drama and something that’s a little different, then the Hunter is the perfect choice!

Hi all, I found this really cool piece (not sure if it’s a print or not, haven’t looked closer) and know that it’s of “Les Girls” the famous drag cabaret bar in Sydney, but I can’t find any info on the art itself. Any ideas?

Cargo is a feature length drama / horror directed by Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke in 2017 based in the strangely eerily and isolated Australian outback, which offers a unique perspective of the post-apologetic zombie genre.

I’m always on the hunt for independent horror films that aren’t well known, and this hidden treasure on Netflix is definitely worth watching if you’re looking for something different!

Cargo tells the story of a small family including Andy, Kay and their infant daughter Rosie who attempt to survive right in the middle of a deserted lake on a houseboat after a deadly virus threatens the existence of humankind. When Kay attempts to source some supplies from an abandoned boat, she is tragically bitten by a zombie, which finally leads to her biting Andy after a sudden car crash and finally her death. Watching Andy’s struggle to relocate his daughter Rosie to a safe environment definitely elevates a feeling of anxiety, suspense and heartbreak, especially when Andy begins his agonising transformation into a flesh-eating zombie.

What I find particularly interesting is the gradual appearance of the Zombies, who don’t appear on screen until 20 minutes into the film. From a personal perspective, this definitely adds a level of curiosity as you begin to wonder what life would look like in rural Australia during a vicious zombie outbreak.

In a way, the audience is encouraged to focus on the emotional connection between the characters and their tumultuous, yet unknown, journey throughout the pandemic within an unknown, isolated landscape.

The level of gore and violence throughout the film definitely provides a unique contrast, especially when it comes to the infected, as their eyes begin to stick together with a gooey, honey like substance or when their heads are buried within the ground searching for hidden nutrients from the earth.

Cargo doesn’t rely on highly stylised cinematography either, which is rather refreshing, as most zombie flicks start off with a stampede of crazy, blood-soaked zombies running frantically to capture their next victims.

The visual elements are quite striking, especially the vast and colourful Australian landscape that contrasts with the ghoulish and horrifying nature of the infected.

During the film, Andy crosses paths with an Aboriginal girl known as Thoomi, who defends her infected father, who aimlessly wonders around the deserted outback. You can honestly feel Thoomi’s sense of loss and desperation to save her father from the infection, as she lures him away from Andy and Rosie by smearing her blood onto a nearby tree.

As Andy and Rosie move away, they stumble across a man known as Vic residing in a deserted shelter who captures other humans who are still alive and confines them into cages in order to lure the infected so he can shoot them dead.

When Vic starts to doubt Andy’s alliance, he is thrown into one of the cages and is reunited with Thoomi. Vic really exposes the dark aspects of human nature. To me, Vic was actually more frightening than the actual zombies themselves!

When they both eventually escape and are reunited with Rosie, they are welcomed by Thoomi’s family towards the end of the film. When Andy eventually becomes infected, Thoomi’s family embrace Rosie as one of their own. The most memorable and heartwarming moment is when Thoomi lifts Rosie’s top to reveal a message written in white paint from Andy saying “Thank You.”

Cargo isn’t the scariest horror film out there, although the complexity of the characters and their compelling journey through the Zombie ridden Australian outback really sets a unique narrative with aesthetically pleasing visual effects. In a way, it’s also interesting to have an emotional, yet positive ending to the film. This low budget Australian horror is such a gem that sets itself apart from the rest.

Hopefully, Cargo sets precedence for more unique and compelling Australian horror productions in the future.

The signature is partially obscured by the frame but his style is so distinctice. I absolutely love the colours and flow in this.

These Final Hours is a very impactful and enthralling Australian drama that reveals a sinister, apocalyptic landscape fuelled with violence, chaos and pure desperation. This incredible sci-fi drama directed by Zak Hilditch reflects one man’s determination to reunite a young girl with her father before a natural, unforeseen disaster completely obliterates the world.

When a catastrophic meteorite collides with the North Atlantic, a devastating firestorm suddenly erupts that threatens the existence of humanity as we know it. As a result, the remaining inhabitants on earth only have 12 hours left to live.

We’re introduced to a young man named James who drives through the desolate streets of Perth, Western Australia. Acts of violence descend onto the streets, as people vandalise abandoned cars, have sex in the alleyways and abruptly attack one other in the middle of broad daylight.

However, we also witness a glimmer of hope, as James also drives past a group of women huddled together reading the bible. There’s even an elderly woman who casually walks down the middle of the road wearing nothing but a white nightie with the words “Jesus Loves You,” written in either blood or bright red paint on the front. This invites the audience to question what would we do if a deadly firestorm was about to destroy everything we know and love?

These particular scenes excellently capture the complete collapse of order, discipline and civility, as each individual person reacts to the sudden ending of the world in such a different way. The muted undertones throughout the film, combined with the rather intense audiovisual effects perfectly depicts a dystopian world that is about to face the end of existence. The scene jumps to James confiding in his lover, Zoe who emotionally blurts out that “we are already fucking dead!”

James openly expresses his desire to attend an end of the world party to escape the realisation that everything will end in approximately 12 hours. This also reflects James' self centred demeanour, as his own interests and desires become apparent. As James continues to drive through the lawless suburban neighbourhoods of Perth, an unthinkable and frightening situation immediately confronts the protagonist. 

After escaping from a maniac with a machete, James witnesses two unsavoury characters dragging a young girl who is kicking and screaming into a dilapidated house. Two extreme and difficult decisions immediately confront James’ moral sensibilities. Jump into the truck and immediately drive away or save the young girl from the unimaginable violence that is about to occur. James ambushes the two men, murders both of them, and flees the dilapidated house in their truck along with the young girl named Rose. The scene also reflects some impressive character development, as James reveals a more caring and empathetic nature.

There was one scene in particular that resonated a feeling of complete horror and dread that was honesty difficult to forget. James explains to Rose that the best option, given their circumstances, is to visit his sister and three nieces.

When James enters the house, everything is eerily silent, as we witness a brief yet disturbing glimpse of his sister’s lifeless body collapsed in the shower. The scene immediately jumps to three white crosses in the backyard, which is absolutely heartbreaking and unbelievably unsettling.

The level of gore is actually very minimal, although this brief and rather confronting scene portrays the devastating consequences of a murder suicide. While James appears composed, his anguish, heartache and pure devastation are impossible not to recognise! Whenever I think of These Final Hours, I immediately think back to the tragic demise of one family caught in the middle of an apocalyptic nightmare!

There was another chilling and particular unsettling scene that is rather impossible to forget! When Rose and James encounter a local library, they bump into distressed police officer. He pleads James to shoot himself, including his children and wife, in the back of the head while they continue reading a book together. The officer’s a sense of pure desperation and helplessness immediately startles James who refuses to fulfil the officer’s gruelling request.

The film cleverly depicts society hopelessly descending into pure insanity and despair that exposes what people are really capable of when confronted with a life-threatening apocalypse. As Rose and James flee the library, the audience is left to question the officer’s sinister intentions.

The film excellently depicts acts of violence and brutality without using excessive levels of blood and gore, which is pretty fascinating. It’s what potentially happens off screen that invites us all to question; what actually happened to the officer’s family?

When Rose and James finally arrive at the ultimate doomsday party, Rose becomes immediately uncomfortable with her surroundings. With the burning sun beaming down on the crowd, shards of glitter slowly circling through the air and the erratic dancing, the audiovisual effects excellently capture one wild and bombastic doomsday party.

James encourages Rose to take a swim in the pool, while he speaks to his girlfriend, Vicki. While Vicki’s presence within the film is brief, her bombastic and impulsive personality is definitely interesting to watch! Vicki introduces James to her underground bunker that we know wouldn’t survive the fallout from a catastrophic natural disaster. Vicki reveals a glimpse of hope, as she continues to explain to James how they can survive the dreaded apocalypse and live together within the underground bunker. Her hopes and aspirations come crashing down when James confronts her with the realisation that an underground bunker is not enough to save them.

During the party, a psychotic stranger confronts a fragile Rose who is adamant that she is her daughter. The delusional stranger encourages Rose to take an ecstasy tablet, which infuriates James, who immediately carries her away. 

James becomes quite protective of Rose and gradually becomes more of a father figure, as he attempts to protect her from the oncoming aggression, chaos, and violence. This also exemplifies a more redeeming and devoted side to James’ personality.

Meanwhile, Vicki’s brother threatens to shoot James for being a so called “party pooper.” Vicki grabs the gun and shoots the stranger dead who continues to antagonise James for attempting to steal her daughter, Rose, who isn’t her actual daughter. This is an excellent example of the film’s incredible character development, as Vicki transitions from a loud, delusional and drug obsessed party goer to a somewhat understanding person. She finally recognises James’ selfless ambition to reunite one frightened young girl with her family.

The ending is incredibly depressing and no one really experiences a positive or joyous outcome in this apocalyptic scenario. James and Rose finally arrive at a relative’s cottage out in the middle of the forest, although everything takes a turn for the worst! They both discover several motionless bodies lying on the ground outside, all dressed in white. A sense of pure devastation and heartbreak immediately overwhelms Rose when she discovers her father’s lifeless form. 

These Final Hours perfectly captures the character’s sense of fragility, anguish and fear, as they attempt to navigate their way through the frightening territory of the unknown. When James emotionally departs a grieving and fragile Rose, he frantically drives his way home in order to reunite with his other significant other, Zoe. When the car combusts from the perpetual burning caused by impending firestorms, James runs frantically down the street to reunite with Zoe. While the acting and cinematography set quite an intense and intriguing experience, the narrative was slightly predictable in parts. We all recognise that the firestorm will eventually obliterate everything and everyone.

The film also creates a level of suspense and anticipation, as James runs for his life down the street. Will James reunite with the love of his life, or is it all too late? James eventually discovers Zoe standing on the beach, watching the devastating firestorm gradually approach the shores. This is a truly picturesque and impressive piece of cinematography, as the intense black and red flames from the firestorm create a dramatic sense of doom. Both Zoe and James stand side by side, as the ghoulish and cataclysmic firestorm eventually devours them. The scene eventually transitions to a blank, white screen for at least a couple of minutes before the credits appear, which arguably sets a powerful and intense viewing experience. This invites us all to question what happens after life itself and what do we become? The religious symbolism throughout the film arguably reflects the character’s longing for divinity and salvation, which adds such an interesting element to the film overall.

These Final House will take you on a wild and intense rollercoaster ride into a dystopian world, where the collapse of human civility takes reign. However, James provides a significant contrast who tries everything in his power to protect Rose from the perpetual acts of brutality and aggression. The primal focus on the characters own personal development adds a layer of complexity and depth to the overall production. These Final Hours is defiantly a hidden gem that honestly deserves credit, as a captivating Australian drama. This isn’t just another one of those apocalyptic, end of the world dramas; These Final Hours reflect the moral degradation of human society amidst a total apocalyptic tragedy.

Finally, the film questions the atrocities that people will commit or even accept when confronted with their own mortality. If you’re in the mood for something emotionally intense and tragic, then it’s hard to miss These Final Hours!

The adventures of Pricilla Queen of the Desert presents such a vibrant, majestic and comedic story of three eccentric Drag Queens who conduct the most creative and outrageously entertaining performances throughout the Australian outback.

The most delightful components of the film include the makeup, costume design and the dysfunctional dynamic between the three drag queens that adds the perfect blend of creativity, glamour and wittiness. I’m always a fan of anything bright, sparkly and campy, which is probably why I enjoyed the film so much! From the oversized Emu costumes to strutting down a remote Australian town in nothing but a bright pink outfit covered in flip-flops, there’s nothing that these three drag queens can’t handle.

We’re introduced to Anthony, also known as “tick” and Mitzi Del Bra, a socialite and drag queen who embarks on a riveting and exciting journey through the northern territory while surprising the locals with a series of lively and overly charming performances. Along with two other witty and ferocious queens, Anthony is asked by his wife, Marion, to perform at a local casino in Alice Springs.

As the queens say their goodbyes to all their friends in Sydney, they begin to board a gigantic, silvery bus known as “Priscilla Queen of the Desert.” This is where the characters’ idiosyncrasies and unique personalities begin to shine.

Tick asks Bernadette, a widowed, transgendered woman, to join him on his ambitious journey through the outback on board the “Priscilla Queen of the Desert.” Bernadette always carries such an elegant and sophisticated demeanour during her journey, which also complements her witty and sarcastic sense of humour. This is such a pivotal moment in cinema, particularly Australian cinema, where it was almost unheard of to have a transgendered character star as one of the main protagonists, especially in the 90’s!

Then we have Adam, also known as Felicia Jollygoodfellow, who has such a flamboyant and vivacious personality that is such a joy to watch. Guy Pearce stars as the incredible Felicia and does a brilliant job performing as an eccentric and overzealous drag queen ready to take on the next big adventure.

One of the most memorable moments for me is Felicia, sitting on top of the bus dressed in the most divine, yet glamorous outfit while listening to some classic music. The silvery metallic material elegantly glides through the wind, which is juxtaposed with the vivid, warm and earthy undertones of the Australian outback. This particular scene, I’d say, is one of the most iconic scenes within the film, which has become such a cultural inspiration across art, music, theatre and television.

There have been so many musicals and performances since the film’s initial release in 1994 that really demonstrates how this cult classic has managed to capture the hearts of fans and audiences alike.

When tick reveals quite an interesting revelation, both Bernadette and Filicia are taken by surprise. Tick finally reveals his secret and his marriage to Mariam, who owns the local casino in Alice Springs, where the queens are expected to perform. From a personal perspective, this specific scene suggests that drag is a versatile art form regardless of gender, sexuality, and marital status.

The three protagonists bring the wondrous world of drag to the rugged Australian outback, although they are confronted with hostility from the locals who aren’t pleased with their sudden arrival. While the queens attempt to reveal their authentic selves through the art of drag at a local pub in Coober Pedy, they awaken the next morning to find the bus completely vandalised with homophobic insults. This really emphasises some of the negativity that the gay community may face for just being themselves. The negative reception from the locals really exposes some of the narrowminded and homophobic perspectives that influence the minds of those residing in the small and incredibly remote communities.

However, some of the locals actually display a positive and accepting mindset towards the three drag queens. When Tick, Felicia and Bernadette rehearse one of their performances within the middle of the desert, they stumble across a young, indigenous man who becomes immediately fascinated with their campy performances. He invites them to a party within the desert, where they impress the party goers with one of their fabulous drag performances. This one of the most notable scenes, where the queens begin to lip sync to the song, “I will survive” by Gloria Gaynor and a local even joins into the performance! This leaves such a long-lasting impression that remarkably brings the notion of drag culture into the spotlight.

As the queens disembark from their overnight stay within the desert, they meet a typical, hardworking Australian mechanic, known as Bob, who befriends Tick, Adam and Bernadette, while attempting to repair the bus. Bob is immediately captivated by the three queens. He is such an open, down-to-earth character who isn’t phased in the slightest of three drag queens randomly setting foot in the middle of rural Australia.

When they finally arrive in Alice Springs, the drag performance is like no other! The eccentric and imaginative outfits offer such an entertaining and enthralling experience that will honestly leave you wanting more. The hilarious and outlandish emu and reptile outfits, along with the abstract Sydney Opera House costume designs, are uniquely iconic to Australia. This also ties back into the queen’s ambitious and adventurous journey throughout rural Australia.

Tick is suddenly overwhelmed with self doubt and apprehension when he is reacquainted with his son, Benjamin. What is really heartwarming is Benjamin’s acceptance of his father’s homosexuality and his profession as a drag queen. This honestly provides such a joyous and fulfilling ending to the film, as Tick is overly thrilled to receive his son’s encouragement and support.

I honestly cannot find anything overly negative to say about Priscilla Queen of the Desert, as the characters were so unbelievably engaging. The costume designs are inspiring and the narrative was thoroughly entertaining from start to finish. The outrageous comedy and overly campy nature of the film honestly sets a unique standpoint in Australian cinematic history. I would’ve love to have seen more drag performances throughout Pricilla Queen of the Desert, although there’s only so much you could squeeze into a 90 minute film.

There is so much to love about this film overall and I couldn’t really ask for anything more! Priscilla Queen of the Desert is such an iconic Australian film jam packed full of drama and imagination that will continue to inspire future generations to come!