Rating: Summary: Never Tire of Watching Review: "Sirens" was about a woman, a preacher's wife, who appears to be intimidated by the sexual frankness of an artist and the models. But she is sexually sealed in the presence of her husband and the people she is staying with. The artist is proud of his work despite what others think. Tara Fitzgerald is splendid in her performance as a timid preacher's wife. She immerses herself in the roles that she has portrayed relating to what the individual is feeling. The expression shows. She stood out mostly in the movie.
Rating: Summary: Springwood revisited Review: A film that works on various levels. Some successfully, and some missing the point completely. The homage to the Preraphaelite paintings of Waterhouse and Millais, make this a film and art buffs classic. Sam Neill is very underplayed as Norman Lindsay, the film playing rather on Hugh Grants limited but effective style of gauche British Actor and Tara Fitzgeralds dark sensuality. The real star is Springwood and the atmosphere that Duigan builds up of Lindsays mountain retreat of the 1930's. The saving grace to a film that could have become overlong is the humour and old-fashioned charm of Duigans directing. Not a total success or classic of the 90's but rather a quaint study.
Rating: Summary: Sirens Review: A rare combination of light and serious content, pulled together with an intelligent script. This film deals with themes of sexuality, sexism, artistic freedom, organized religion & its role in society, provincialism.... all in the form of a lighthearted romantic comedy.Definitely a Hugh Grant and Tara Fitzgerald vehicle, but also starring Elle Macpherson, Portia de Rossi, Sam Neill, et al.
Rating: Summary: Sirens Review: A rare combination of light and serious content, pulled together with an intelligent script. This film deals with themes of sexuality, sexism, artistic freedom, organized religion & its role in society, provincialism.... all in the form of a lighthearted romantic comedy. Definitely a Hugh Grant and Tara Fitzgerald vehicle, but also starring Elle Macpherson, Portia de Rossi, Sam Neill, et al.
Rating: Summary: Sirens Review: A wonderful erotic and pleasant film, lots of little non related scenes added in, like kangaroo's, Walabies, snakes etc just doing their thing add to the pleasurte of watching, stunning performances by all actors, again just little things added which are not rearly related to the story make this a memorable movie which I never can see too many times, a wonderful colourful look at the Australian Outback and its early pioneers as a bonus.
Rating: Summary: Women's role in Judeo-Christian Religions vs Pagan religions Review: All the reviews I read were about Elle McPhereson's or Portia DeRossi's nakedness. No one wrote about the real 'story' within this story, which was the effect that the judeo-christian religions had/have on women and their sexuality versus what women were and the positions they held in society pre-judeo-christian religions. The movie is filled with symbolisms; some blatant, and others hard to find. The cinematography is extremely surreal, and an absolute pleasure for the eyes. All in all, this is a must see for any woman or man interested in women's studies and/or Paganism.
Rating: Summary: One of the most brilliant! Review: As far and Independant flicks go, I am always a fan through and through, and Sirens tops my list as one of the best. With an amazing cast including my favorite, Sam Neil, and a supporting cast of Hugh Grant as a bumbling preist new to a Bohemian style Australia, Tara Fitzgerald as his wife, Portia de Rossi, Elle MacPherson, and Kate Fischer as the models of Norman Lindsey, this movie is stunning visually and mindboggling at the same time. Set in the early part of of the 20th century, Sirens is the story of a young married couple set in the clergy on the way to their new parish in Australia. Along the way they have a mission to talk nude artist Norman Lindsay from posting a religiously offending portrait in a gallery. During their stay, the young wife becomes taken up in this fantasy type of world in which they live, hidden from the ridicule of the nearby towns. This movie, although seemingly pornographic, is beautifully illustrated with the visual symbols of the Bible and the myths and legends of ancient Roman and Greek times. The awakenings that take place in this film are very well done. It's a marvelous movie, and although clearly not for everyone due to the graphic content, I suggest this to any Indy film fan. It's brilliant!!!
Rating: Summary: A Sensual Delight Down Under Review: At a time when sex rules the movies, this SENSUAL tale is a breath of fresh air. The setting is the estate of an artist (Neill) and his entourage of models in Australia. The scenery is magnificent and the acting and script are good. The only sex is a brief encounter under the sheets between the visiting minister (Grant) and his wife (Fitzgerald) in which she seems totally bored. I found the debate over religious matters stimulating and the uninhibited nudity liberating and joyful. No need for Prozac at this place. How do I sign up for a monthlong visit? Get the video and visit as often as you like.
Rating: Summary: Entertaining, keeps you thinking..... Review: At first when I found this movie on HBO, I only continued to watch it because it had one of my favorite actors in it, Sam Neill. But, I soon found myself unable to turn it off. It had everything a great movie should have, a wonderful plot, believable actors and a great ending. I'd recommend this movie to anyone. It also had some very interesting theological views which were discussed by Neill, that really had you thinking for days after the movie was viewed......
Rating: Summary: Sex + Freedom = Power Review: Before I get too involved in this, let me say that - like most reviewers - I liked this film ... a lot. It has a gaiety and innocence, somehow combined with a heady sexuality, a vision of life in Eden - before the fall. The women are beautiful, and the abandon with which they exhibit their bodies (and their libidos) is refreshing. The scenery is gorgeous. The plot is witty, and the film is filled with tantalizing little symbols (although I personally could have done without the snake) But there's something else going on here which is very important. This is, above all, a parable of woman finding power through her sexuality, and it rings true. In the end, Mrs. Campion is seduced by the sirens, and in discovering her own sexuality, becomes free to be herself. (The closing shot of all the women - including her - standing, nude, on the mountaintop is a wonderful statement). It may seem ironic that this film, which ostensibly is made to appeal to men through sex, is actually a statement about the power women wield through the same medium. Because of the nudity and hedonism, this film could not have as wide an audience as it deserves. I have heard women complain that it is 'exploitive'. I can't agree. I have also heard it criticized beause it depicts only 'Beautiful' women. Of course it does. It's a parable, and MUST use broad strokes. I would like to believe that, one day, a wide audience will be able to accept this film - and those of its ilk - and enjoy them. Heck!! That's also what the film is about.
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