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The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS LATEST SEPT. RELEASE!!!
Review: tHIS IS NOT A REVIEW ALTHOUH I DO OWN THIS MOVIE ON VHS AND AM ANXIOUSLY WAITING TO SEE A DELUXE 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ON DVD AS REVIEWED BY THE CUSTOMER IN AUSTRALIA. THE LATEST RELEASE IN SEPT. OF PRISCILLA IS NOT LISTED BY AMAZON AS A SPECIAL EDITION OR NOR DOES IT LIST ANY SPECIAL FEATURES. IF ANY OF YOU LATTER REVIEWERS BOUGHT THIS LATEST RELEASE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF IT IS SIMILAR TO THE AUSTRALIAN RELEASE!! CAN THE CUSTOMER IN AUSTRAILIA TELL ME IF THEIR DVD IS COMPATIBLE IN OUR DVD PLAYERS?
THANKS FOR ANY INFO ANYONE CAN GIVE ME!
I AM SORRY THE 2-STAR REVIEWER DID NOT LIKE THIS MOVIE, AS I CAN SAY I LOVED IT THE FIRST TIME I SAW IT AND HAVE TO HAVE REGULAR PRISCILLA FIXES!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Tack-a-rama!
Review: I embarked on a journey through the beautiful outback of Australia with three guys who are searching for an answer. They are three drag queens. The best in Sydney, who want to spend the next four weeks traveling to this casino to perform their performance of a life time. There is Adam Whitely, also known as Felicia Jollygoodfellow (Guy Pearce). He is the "classic" drag queen. Constantly looking for a good time. Very comfortable in his lifestyle, and always looking for a chance to be in the spotlight. Pearce adds most of the comedy to the trip and perhaps some of the best costumes that these "ladies" have to wear. There is also Anthony "Tick" Belrose (Hugo Weaving), also known as Mitzi Del Bra. He is the secretive drag queen. We learn that he is married, he has a child, and that he is afraid of his profession. Quite possibly the best performer in the group, he provides a sense of leadership to the group. He is the one that organized this trip, and the one who's wife works at the casino, and set up this gig for them. Finally, there is the elder of the group. The experienced drag queen, Ralph, also known as Bernadette Bassenger (Terrance Stamp). He is almost like the Yoda of the group. Shouting out lessons that need to be learned, he plays the complete opposite to Pearce's character. After buying a bus it to travel through the outback, they christen it "Priscilla". After a few road bumps such as stops in other locations, a Chinese ping-pong lady, a group of violent mates, and even love. As they make it to the casino, our group hits their final snag as they struggle for acceptance in an unchanged world.

This was a horrible film. Not just horrible, but also confusing, plotless, motionless, and uneventful. Yes, I realize many of those words mean the same, but they all happened in this film. My first problem was that I had trouble trying to see who the "stand-out" character was. Normally in films, you have that one character that has more screen time, more sub-stories, more character development. While I first thought that it was going to be Weaving's character, during the bus trip through the outback, I began to question my initial guess. I feel that if we wanted to have the emotional impact at the end of the film for Weaving's reuniting with his son, then perhaps we should have spend less time with Stamp as we traveled. I felt that midway through the film, Stamp became the central character because of his love towards Bob. If this is the case, was the director trying to create the theme of acceptance towards same sex characters, or was he trying to show the theme of acceptance of who you are and not to be afraid to be proud. I felt that these themes broke down like "Priscilla" in the outback.

Not only were the themes jumbled, but so were these characters. I realize that Stamp was nominated for some awards for this role, but I honestly felt like he, along with the rest of the cast, were just walking through some lines and blocking. During their songs, I felt that they were acting. I never once felt a connection to these characters. Colorful costumes do not make a better actor. Terence Stamp hardly smiled in what I felt was supposed to be a fun character. I need to also say this, if you are going to make a film about lip singing to songs, make sure that your actors know the lyrics. About ten times I saw them, especially Stamp, flub his lines.

Finally, there was not enough development at all with Pearce's character. I felt that if anything he was just annoying. Not really contributing anything to the actual story other then the occasional joke or reference, he seemed to just float through every scene on just his physical appearance. Did he need to have his shirt off for every scene?

Overall, the costumes were great...but don't make this the focus of your film. I enjoyed the beauty of the costumes in the desert...seemed to strike me as religious in some way. Dull, trite, and what seemed like bored actors brought this film directly to my DVD then right out the window. Films have moved so much further in this genre of film that I hope that we learn from its mistakes.

Grade: ** out of *****

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Step by Step
Review: Is this the movie with great songs by ABBA, CeCePeniston, Charlene and other artists? And is this the movie where three dragqueens dance to it in a beautiful way when they are not driving on some desert streets? Yes, it is ... PRISCILLA ... and this is really a movie made with tons of fun ... see it, FEEL it ... you will love it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great movie! Hilarious and warms the heart
Review: This movie truly has heart. It is a great comedy with characters you just fall in love with. Hilariously funny, I love it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: my Favorite movie
Review: Priscilla is one my favoraite movies of all time. I saw this movie in the theaters when it came out. I still roll with laughter every time I see this movie. Whenever I discover that a friend of mine hasn't seen it I invite them over to watch. They have all loved the film also. Hugo Weaving takes is friends and "fellow" drag queens Guy Pierce and Terence Stamp, on a bus trip trough central Australia to perform in a casino owned by his lesbian wife. During the long trip through the middle of no where, they encounter bigoted miners and tolerant aborigonies as well as a mechanic with a mail order asian bride who used to be a stripper. To many Abba songs while wearing very purposefully tacky costumes. A MUST SEE!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Entertaining, rewatchable ... a feast of colours too
Review: 1994 was a big year for Aussie films. PRISCILLA and MURIEL'S WEDDING came out at the same time, and both earned a cult following because of their over-the-top themes. Also, an ABBA revival was happening at that time, and these films featured ABBA music.

PRISCILLA has many funny moments, but what makes it so special is the fantastic scenery and colours - truly showcasing Australia's beautiful outback. Overall, the film is a pleasure to watch again and again. It tells the tale of three drag queens who set out across the Australian outback in an old bus affectionally titled "Priscilla". Along the way, they become involved in many outrageous situations.

DVD SUMMARY - Originally released as an awful blotchy pan/scan DVD in Australia, the film recently received the treatment it deserved for its 10 year anniversary! Yes, it was recently in it's correct aspect ratio (2:35) and given an anamorphic transfer. While this new transfer is still not 100% pristine (white flecks here and there), it is still a huge improvement on the original DVD release. It's fantastic to see this film in all its widescreen glory after all these years. The colours and scenery will blow you away. The soundtrack has also been remixed in DTS and 5.1 surround sound. This 10 Year Anniversary also contains lots of special features, which is amazing for a film of its age.

The bad news is that the new DVD (in pink packaging) is only available in Australia. I recommend overseas buyers getting hold of this version over the current American DVD. The American DVD is only letterbox transfer (ie. not anamorphic) and doesn't include the special features.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: -Adventures of Priscilla, Muriel's Wedding and Kangaroo Jack
Review: These three entertaining (and uplifting) films should be viewed one after the other for the ultimate australian comedy experience.


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