STACK #243 January 2025

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ADAM ELLIOT

Melbourne filmmaker Adam Elliot made Australia proud when his stop-motion short Harvie Krumpet won an Academy Award for ‘Best Animated Short’ in 2003. Despite this Hollywood fame, Elliot remained true to his Aussie roots, creating distinctive films like Mary & Max and his latest beauty, Memoir of a Snail . Let’s take a closer look at some of his signature filmmaking trademarks. Aussie quirks Whether it’s his obsession with Chiko Rolls, Cherry Ripes, or colourful colloquialisms, Elliot’s attention to detail when capturing the Aussie spirit is one of the most endearing qualities of his work. Memoir of a Snail is a fantastic example, with iconic local landmarks like The Arts Centre Melbourne’s Spire, Luna Park, and fish & chip shops lovingly depicted on screen. Outcasts and outsiders Elliot’s films often feature misfit characters struggling with identity. His stories resonate due to their relatability, with many subjects having disabilities or impairments, resulting in isolated lives and introspective quirks. This theme runs through his early shorts Uncle (1996), Cousin (1999), Brother (2000), right through to Memoir of a Snail . Reflective narration Many of Elliot’s central characters, like Gracie in Memoir of a Snail , narrate their own stories. This storytelling method not only addresses the challenge of lip-syncing clay-animated characters, but also invites audiences into his world of oddities and curious characters. The gently spoken characters provide a proverbial handshake and acknowledgement, as if saying “Welcome, come inside”.

JANUARY

A masterclass in utilising film techniques to convey emotions while using a non-human subject to

show wartime atrocities.

’ s ROVING REPORTER

What’s one of your all-time favourite films, and why? It’s hard to move past a true Aussie classic like The Castle . It’s an extraordinary movie that uses ’90s Australia’s casual political incorrectness to demonstrate the true injustices of modern society, with true blue humour. What’s one of your all-time favourite TV series, and why? The Walking Dead is a standout. While placing itself in a fictitious future, it also presents the reality of a dystopian collapse of society and the hard polarising choices of humanity and survival. What have you been watching lately that you’d recommend? My taste of late has been more with Japanese anime rather than western films. Jujitsu Kaisen is one of the current generations of anime’s powerhouses. A brilliant mix of human philosophy and good old fashion supernatural fights.

MARCELLO DAVIS @ JB Dubbo Home, NSW

What’s the best thing about working at JB? It’s not only learning about cutting edge products, but also being able to share that excitement with both customers and staff alike. What’s a movie you saw as a child that has left a lasting impression on you? Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece War Horse .

On The Radar

Wasting no time whatsoever, one of the biggest movies of 2024, Wicked , comes bounding to physical media in all of its magical musical glory. Also up for grabs will be the gnarly horror hit Smile 2 , as well as Hugh Grant’s villainous outing in Heretic . These are just some of the many big titles coming in February, so keep your eyes peeled for the rest.

QUIZ

Q7 What was the sequel to the 1944 movie Going My Way ? Q8 What was the last monochrome movie to win the ‘Best Picture’ Oscar? Q9 How is singer Marnie Nixon linked with Deborah Kerr, Natalie Wood, and Audrey Hepburn? Q10 “As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster” is an opening line from which movie?

in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers ? Q3 Which movie character carried an umbrella with a handle shaped like a parrot? Q4 Which woman has won the most Oscars? Q5 In which movie did John Wayne first call someone “Pilgrim”? Q6 Which 1972 horror film’s marketing tagline was ’To avoid fainting, keep repeating “It’s only a film”’?

PRE-ORDER NOW IN DEVELOPMENT

The Owens sisters are back in the long-awaited sequel to Practical Magic (1998). Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock will reprise their roles, with the story reportedly based on Alice Hoffman’s 2021 sequel. It explores the family’s magical heritage and a premonition of Aunt Jet’s (Dianne Wiest) death. The original movie is a personal favourite of Kidman and Bullock, who are confirmed to be producing Practical Magic 2 together. While details remain scarce, the sequel is officially happening and we’re excited! Original screenwriters Adam Brooks, Akiva Goldsman, and Robin Swicord are also attached to the project. Who will direct is anyone’s guess.

Q1 “I know it was you Fredo. You broke my heart” is a famous line from which movie? Q2 Who was the actor who broke two toes while filming a battle scene

DECEMBER 2024 (Issue 242) ANSWERS - A1. The soldiers of WWI who participated in the Christmas Truce of 1914 A2. Richard Attenborough A3. Natalie Wood A4. Holiday Inn (1942) A5. Lethal Weapon A6. Here Comes Santa Clau s by Gene Autry A7. Turbo-Man action figure A8. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas sung by Judy Garland A9. The Grinch (2018) grossing over $500 million worldwide A10. Walking in the Air

18 JANUARY 2025

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