I have been road tripping around like a mad woman, burning up god knows how much fuel and squeezing as much out of my holiday break as I can muster. Between swimming, wine tasting and the movies, I also went to Melbourne on Thursday with the kids to see the David Bowie Exhibition at ACMI, and well...I hate to say it... I was a bit disappointed.
I have seen so many things at ACMI over the years and loved them all, but this was (a) by far the most difficult to view, given to the fact that every man and his dog was piled in there - please ACMI less people in the door at one time when the displays all require reading! And (b) it left me (and Zoe concurred to this thought) thinking that David Bowie is an egotistical douche bag of epic proportions; which I was not expecting and the whole thing shattered my previously grand presumptions about who is he was. I did learn a lot about David Bowie from the exhibition, I just didn't like what I learned about David Bowie from the exhibition, which means that essentially the quality probably wasn't poor, the subject was, and the fact that my illusion had been smashed.
So now, I no longer see Bowie as the smooth style setter that I once thought that he was, and even though I still adore his early music, in particular the Diamond Dogs era, I don't get that same excited feeling about him that I used to get, a bit of a sad turn of events really, but I suppose we are all guilty of wanting famous people to be genuinely like our idolized image of them, rather than who they truly are.
For a change of pace over the weekend, Craig and I packed up the kids and headed to Phillip Island for a brief, but incredibly busy two days. I can now say that we have officially 'done' Phillip Island, we did it all, all the local tourist spots were conquered, including the obligatory visit to see the fairy penguins waddle up onto the beach at dusk and even a tour of the local chocolate factory - which was far more interesting than I had anticipated. Easily the biggest highlight of our getaway was the Trout and Bush Tucker Farm where Seth put us all to shame by being the only one that could reel in a fish from the difficult fishing spots - he reeled in three actually, decent sized rainbow trouts and left all of us adults scratching our heads and wondering how the hell he was doing it. Needless to say, it was fish n' chips for lunch (they cook your fish for you) and by the time the unsuccessful fishers hit the easy catch ponds, I have also managed stocked my freezer with fresh fish too. So, maybe we have unleashed my son's natural talent, he is a 'fish whisperer' of a sort, could be handy if I ever find myself marooned with him on a deserted island someday, but I'm not sure what else it will be useful for.
I have seen so many things at ACMI over the years and loved them all, but this was (a) by far the most difficult to view, given to the fact that every man and his dog was piled in there - please ACMI less people in the door at one time when the displays all require reading! And (b) it left me (and Zoe concurred to this thought) thinking that David Bowie is an egotistical douche bag of epic proportions; which I was not expecting and the whole thing shattered my previously grand presumptions about who is he was. I did learn a lot about David Bowie from the exhibition, I just didn't like what I learned about David Bowie from the exhibition, which means that essentially the quality probably wasn't poor, the subject was, and the fact that my illusion had been smashed.
So now, I no longer see Bowie as the smooth style setter that I once thought that he was, and even though I still adore his early music, in particular the Diamond Dogs era, I don't get that same excited feeling about him that I used to get, a bit of a sad turn of events really, but I suppose we are all guilty of wanting famous people to be genuinely like our idolized image of them, rather than who they truly are.
For a change of pace over the weekend, Craig and I packed up the kids and headed to Phillip Island for a brief, but incredibly busy two days. I can now say that we have officially 'done' Phillip Island, we did it all, all the local tourist spots were conquered, including the obligatory visit to see the fairy penguins waddle up onto the beach at dusk and even a tour of the local chocolate factory - which was far more interesting than I had anticipated. Easily the biggest highlight of our getaway was the Trout and Bush Tucker Farm where Seth put us all to shame by being the only one that could reel in a fish from the difficult fishing spots - he reeled in three actually, decent sized rainbow trouts and left all of us adults scratching our heads and wondering how the hell he was doing it. Needless to say, it was fish n' chips for lunch (they cook your fish for you) and by the time the unsuccessful fishers hit the easy catch ponds, I have also managed stocked my freezer with fresh fish too. So, maybe we have unleashed my son's natural talent, he is a 'fish whisperer' of a sort, could be handy if I ever find myself marooned with him on a deserted island someday, but I'm not sure what else it will be useful for.
BIG FISH
Release Date: 2003
Rating: PG
Running Time: 125 mins
This would have to be one of my favourite Tim Burton films of all time. This film is definitely dipping its foot in the pool of fantasy, but it has it roots firmly attached to drama. It is actually a beautiful combination of all genres, and it is a marvellous story to be entertained by.
A young man (Billy Crudup) sits by his fathers bed as he is dying listening to him recall events from his life. His father, Ed Bloom is a master story teller and admits that he embellishes the truth to keep his audience captivated. The result is a rich visual experience full of delight and wonder. The story twists and turns in magical and unexpected ways as the man tries to uncover the real truth of his fathers life.
This movie is such a delight, it's like a modern fairytale complete with fantasy characters and strange happenings. Ewan McGregor is charming as the young Ed Bloom and Helena Bonham Carter picks up her multi- character hat and appears as different people throughout. The cast is strong with Jessica Lange, Steve Buscemi and Marion Cotillard picking up the bit roles to name but a few. It's crazy and colourful and utterly unmissable, a great movie for the whole family.
FINAL SAY: There are some fish that just cannot be caught.
4 Chili Peppers
Release Date: 2003
Rating: PG
Running Time: 125 mins
This would have to be one of my favourite Tim Burton films of all time. This film is definitely dipping its foot in the pool of fantasy, but it has it roots firmly attached to drama. It is actually a beautiful combination of all genres, and it is a marvellous story to be entertained by.
A young man (Billy Crudup) sits by his fathers bed as he is dying listening to him recall events from his life. His father, Ed Bloom is a master story teller and admits that he embellishes the truth to keep his audience captivated. The result is a rich visual experience full of delight and wonder. The story twists and turns in magical and unexpected ways as the man tries to uncover the real truth of his fathers life.
This movie is such a delight, it's like a modern fairytale complete with fantasy characters and strange happenings. Ewan McGregor is charming as the young Ed Bloom and Helena Bonham Carter picks up her multi- character hat and appears as different people throughout. The cast is strong with Jessica Lange, Steve Buscemi and Marion Cotillard picking up the bit roles to name but a few. It's crazy and colourful and utterly unmissable, a great movie for the whole family.
FINAL SAY: There are some fish that just cannot be caught.
4 Chili Peppers
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