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The 1979 Australian dystopian revenge film "Mad Max" helped launch director George Miller's career and spawned an incredible franchise with five truly distinct entries, but it's a lot darker than many people remember. "Mad Max" is a revenge story tracking a singular character, the titular Max (Mel Gibson), a weary cop in the final days of a dystopian Australia before the full-blown apocalypse sets in. After Max's partner Goose (Steve Bisley) is brutally attacked and burned alive by a biker gang, Max hangs up his badge and tries to live a peaceful life with his wife and son that's cruelly cut short when the same gang kills his son and nearly kill his wife. That sends him into pure revenge mode, acting as a renegade cop, and it's honestly kind of badass (in a purely fictional way). There's just one little problem: certain elements of the movie were deemed to...

The Mad Max franchise nearly had a brilliant villain twist 44 years ago, and its next movie needs to finally do it properly. The next Mad Max movie, Mad Max: The Wasteland, had a very bumpy development. Tom Hardy, who played Max Rockatansky in Mad Max: Fury Road, has given both discouraging and hopeful quotes about the film at different times, despite the fact that Hardy may be recast for The Wasteland. The franchise has also had some trouble due to Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga's low box office earnings, so it's not clear if the series will continue at all.

If The Wasteland ever does get off the ground, though, it already has a perfect plot twist that's been waiting for over four decades to be used. There have been plenty of great villains in Mad Max over the years, and it's almost hard to imagine them getting any better.

The Main Force Patrol (Mfp) was a prominent group in the original Mad Max, but it essentially disappeared as the franchise continued. The Mfp was a police force in the world of Mad Max, and served as the main protagonists of the first film. Several major characters, like Jim Goose (Steve Bisley), Fifi (Roger Ward), and even Max himself were members of the Mfp. It was also Max's involvement in the Mfp that put him in Toecutter's (Hugh Keays-Byrne) sights, led to the death of his wife and son, and turned him into the Road Warrior.

The Mad Max franchise, however, quickly grew too big for the Mfp. By the second film, Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, the Wasteland had gotten much more dangerous and brutal, and the police force didn't fit its tone or story anymore. Mad Max has always had a kind of folklore quality to it,...

Prime Video, Guesswork Television, and Ok Great Productions today announced that Australian actor Luke Hemsworth has joined lead cast members Kate Box, Madeleine Sami, Nina Oyama, and Alicia Gardiner in Season 2 of the Prime Video global hit series Deadloch.

In the new season, Dulcie and Eddie are in Darwin investigating the death of Eddie’s former policing partner, Bushy. When a body is discovered in a remote town, they are flung into a new, sweatier, stickier investigation.

Photo courtesy of Prime Video

In the series, created and written by powerhouse comedy minds Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan, Luke Hemsworth will play Jason Wade, creator and star of “Jason Wade’s Adventures Down Under” and the owner of “Jason Wade’s Land of Crocs and Other Animals Wildlife Park.”

Having completed filming in the Northern Territory, the Deadloch production has now moved to Queensland, utilizing the Brisbane studios and, for cast safety,...

Luke Hemsworth has joined the cast of Australian cop comedy Deadloch‘s second season on Prime Video.

The actor has been filming in his native Australia, joining leads Kate Box, Madeleine Sami, Nina Oyama and Alicia Gardiner in the comedy series, which has been hit for Amazon’s streaming service.

Hemsworth will play Jason Wade, creator and star of ‘Jason Wade’s Adventures Down Under’ and the owner of ‘Jason Wade’s Land of Crocs and Other Animals’ Wildlife Park.

The show follows Dulcie (Box) and Eddie (Sami), a pair of mismatched detectives. In the new season, they are investigating the death of Eddie’s former policing partner, Bushy. When a body is discovered in a remote town, they are flung into a new sweatier, stickier investigation.

Filming has wrapped in the croc-infested waters of the Northern Territories and moved to Brisbane’s studios in Queensland.

Since the American film industry's founding, Hollywood has consistently proven itself to be the face of American creativity, fame, and prosperity, with everything from classic dramas to modern superhero films. While audiences today are used to blockbusters being made on hundred-million-dollar budgets, some even needing to earn billions to be profitable, that isn't always the case. A variety of cult classics and even box office mega-hits were made on a shoestring budget.

Hollywood has seen many directors come and go who have shown how to make do with less, with the limitations of small budgets sometimes forcing innovation and creativity. Many of these films redefined their genre, pushing the industry in a new direction for years to come -- despite being made for next to nothing. Not every filmmaker can replicate this success, but those who manage it show a good movie doesn't need a nine-figure sum to be iconic.

Prime Video, Guesswork Television, and Ok Great Productions, with the support of Screen Queensland and Screen Territory, today announced that production has started on Deadloch Season 2. Filming on the six-part season is currently taking place in the Northern Territory, including Darwin and surrounds, before production moves to Brisbane, Queensland.

While a premiere date has not been announced yet, Deadloch Season 2 will launch globally on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories.

Created and written by powerhouse comedy minds Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan, the second season features the return of lead stars Kate Box and Madeleine Sami in their roles as detectives Dulcie Collins and Eddie Redcliffe, along with Nina Oyama as Abby Matsuda and Alicia Gardiner as Cath York.

This season will also introduce new cast members, including Steve Bisley, Shari Sebbens, writer Jean Tong in their acting debut role, Genevieve Morris, Byron Coll, Nikki Britton, Anthony J Sharpe,...

Deadloch Unlocked

Production has begun in Darwin, Northern Territory, on season 2 of Prime Video’s Australian comedy series “Deadloch.” Filming will later relocate to Brisbane, Queensland.

The first season saw two very different female detectives thrown together to solve the murder of a man and was set in Tasmania. While the second season sees the return of Kate Box and Madeleine Sami as detectives Dulcie Collins and Eddie Redcliffe, they are joined by Steve Bisley (“The Great Gatsby”), Shari Sebbens (“The Sapphires”), writer Jean Tong (“Heartbreak High”) and in their acting debut role, Genevieve Morris, Byron Coll, Nikki Britton, Anthony J Sharpe, Blake Pavey, Damien Garvey, Ngali Shaw, Bev Killick, Ling Cooper-Tang, Ursula Yovich, Syd Brisbane, Ines English and Lennox Monaghan.

“Deadloch” S2 is created and written by Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan who also serve as executive producers alongside Kevin Whyte and Tanya Phegan from Guesswork Television. Andy Walker is the producer.

Deadloch is heading north. Amazon Prime Video Australia’s hit comic murder mystery drama has begun production on its second season, and relocates the action from Tasmania to the sweltering heat and humidity of the Northern Territory.

In June, it was revealed that Amazon had renewed Deadloch. On Friday, the streamer offered up more details including a first-look production image and casting news for season two, which sees Detective Eddie Redcliffe (Madeleine Sami) and Senior Sergeant Dulcie Collins (Kate Box) travel to Darwin to investigate the death of Eddie’s former policing partner, Bushy. However, Eddie and Dulcie are drawn into a bigger mystery when the body of a local icon is discovered in a remote town right in the middle of croc country.

From left: Madeleine Sami, Kate Box, Kate McLennan, Kate McCartney, Nina Oyama and Alicia Gardiner

The six-episode second season of Deadloch will feature some familiar faces,...

Former Hells Angel Pat Matter criticizes Mad Max for its unrealistic portrayal of biker gangs, giving the scene a 2/10 for realism. The film's setting in a dystopian future justifies the gang's behavior, unique to other media reviewed by Matter. Mad Max's exaggerated depiction fits its post-apocalyptic world, and is still highly acclaimed by critics and audiences.

The original Mad Max movie provides a poor depiction of biker gangs and violence, according to a former Hells Angel. Released in 1979, the first film in George Miller's Mad Max franchise introduced Mel Gibson as the titular Mad Max Rockatansky, a police officer turned vigilante who sets out to stop a violent motorcycle gang. Other than Gibson in the lead role, the cast also includes Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne (who later played Immortan Joe in Fury Road), Steve Bisley, Tim Burns, and Roger Ward.

In a video from Insider, a former Hells Angels chapter president,...

George Miller’s epic Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is now playing in theatres. It’s the latest entry into the definitive post-apocalyptic saga of our time and a series that minted Mel Gibson as a global superstar, transformed Charlize Theron into an action heroine, and seems poised to do the same for Anya Taylor-Joy. In my opinion, there’s never been a bad Mad Max film, as they’re all quite different in tone and technique, although we all have our favorite. So, here’s our JoBlo list of Mad Max movies ranked from worst to best!

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985):

The only PG-13 entry in the saga, this movie has scenes that seem shocking for how cheesy they are in the context of the series. The two movies that came before this pushed the boundaries of their R-ratings, so I’m not sure what kind of...

What is the best Australian movie ever made? Walkabout? Wake in Fright? The Piano? Picnic at Hanging Rock? The Babadook? All worthy contenders, no doubt, but they’re all wrong answers. The only acceptable response regarding the best movie from the Land Down Under is Mad Max, George Miller’s marauding motorist mania that celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2024. Never mind the billion-dollar franchise it spawned, the creative ingenuity and low-budget DIY filmmaking of the original remains one of the most impressive cinematic feats on record.

A true independent movie with a rebellious spirit, Mad Max was made in just 12 weeks for a paltry $350,000 yet went on to gross $185 million worldwide. The film introduced the world to Mel Gibson, who would go on to play the badass road-racing Main Force Patrol officer Max Rockatansky twice more en route to becoming a bona fide Hollywood action star. Now, with the law-enforcing...

The Mad Max movie franchise, first created by George Miller and Byron Kennedy in 1979 with the initial movie of the same name, became a media sensation. The film series is set in post-apocalyptic Australia and follows the titular character Max Rockatansky (portrayed by Mel Gibson in 3 films) into action-packed adventures.

Later on, Tom Hardy took over as Max for 2015’s fourth installment – “Mad Max: Fury Road.”

The series chronicles the thrilling escapades of Rockatansky, a police officer in a dystopian Australia facing social disintegration due to war and depleting resources. Grief-stricken and enraged by the biker gang’s murder of his wife and child, Max embarks on a quest for vengeance.

As Australia rapidly plunges into barbarity with each passing day, he finds himself assisting small pockets of civilization – initially driven by self-interest but eventually out of compassion. Alone in the Wasteland, Max is determined to make that responsible pay for their heinous deed.

Bunya Productions’ Mystery Road: Origin is underway in Western Australia’s Kalgoorlie-Boulder for the ABC, with a stacked ensemble cast to join Mark Coles Smith as a young Jay Swan.

They include Toby Leonard Moore, Daniel Henshall, Lisa Flanagan, Clarence Ryan, Steve Bisley, Caroline Brazier, Hayley McElhinney, Dubs Yunupingu, Kelton Pell, Leonie Whyman, Salme Geransar, Nina Young and rising stars Jayden Popik and Tuuli Narkle, who will play Jay’s first love Mary.

The third season of the series is set in 1999 and follows Constable Jay Swan, a charismatic young officer who arrives at his new station. Fresh from the city and tipped for big things, Jay might be the new copper, but he’s not new to this town. His estranged father Jack lives here, as does the woman who will change his life forever, Mary.

The Mystery Road franchise stems back to Ivan Sen’s 2013 film by the same title,...

The true breakdown of society appears to have begun in Australia around 1979, when George Miller made this berserk extrapolation of every toxic futurist prediction on the books. Out on the open road the only thing saving society from horrifying motorized gang violence is a corps of equally crazed patrolmen in their interceptor vehicles. With this picture Mel Gibson went from zero to ninety on the star-meters, even though U.S. distribution fell to the failing American International Pictures. Kino gathers up the best existing extras, and includes audio mixes in two separate languages — incomprehensible Australian and marginally understandable Australian. With the non-stop action on screen, who cares?

Mad Max

Blu-ray

Kl Studio Classics

1979 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 93 min. / Street Date November 24, 2020 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95

Starring: Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Steve Bisley, Tim Burns, Roger Ward, Lisa Aldenhoven, David Bracks, Bertrand Cadart.

Cinematography: David Eggby

Film Editor: Cliff Hayes,...

Kaarin Fairfax and Chris Haywood in ‘Skewwhiff.’

Chris Haywood is so committed to making a thriller based on the Australian novel The Crossing he has agreed to produce as well as star in the feature film.

First-time feature director James Khehtie sent the novel by B. Michael Radburn to the actor, who loved the premise: Taylor Bridges flees from Victoria to an isolated Tasmanian town to work as a park ranger after his daughter disappeared, triggering the breakdown of his marriage.

When a young girl who was the same age as his daughter vanishes, Bridges, a chronic sleepwalker, begins to wonder what happens when he sleepwalks.

“I did not want to produce but James insisted,” Haywood tells If, recalling that he has served as a producer only once before, on writer-director Peter Watkins’ 1991 feature doc The Media Project, which critiqued Australian media coverage of the first Gulf war.

Radburn has...

The trailer for the Australian Outback horror movie Boar is finally here and it features, you guessed it, a giant killer pig. Chris Sun (Charlie's Farm) directed Boar and it features an all-star cast getting ready to turn into wild boar food, including John Jarratt, Simone Buchanan, Bill Moseley, Melissa Tkautz, Nathan Jones, Roger Ward, Hugh Sheridan, Ernie Dingo, Chris Haywood, Ricci Guarnaccio, Emily Williams, and Steve Bisley. The trailer looks dark and intense with even some insight into the killer hog's point of view.

The Boar movie was originally supposed to come out in July of 2016, but in ran into some financing difficulties, which the production has overcome. Horror fans have been waiting nearly 2 years to see what was up with Chris Sun's new offering, and it does not disappoint. The trailer features a boar in the Australian outback, which is staggering in size, with a non-stop, driving lust for blood and destruction.

"There's nothing out there except dust and ruins..." Watch out for angry wild boars! Australia has given us many various wild and crazy creature features, and we have yet another one on the release line-up for 2018. Boar is a movie directed by Australian filmmaker Chris Sun about a massive, dangerous, angry wild boar. "It cares for none, defends its territory with brutal force, and kills with a raw, animalistic savagery unlike any have seen before." Yeah, just one massive, vicious, wild boar. The cast of Boar includes John Jarratt, Simone Buchanan, Bill Moseley, Melissa Tkautz, Nathan Jones, Roger Ward, Hugh Sheridan, Ernie Dingo, Chris Haywood, Ricci Guarnaccio, Emily Williams, and Steve Bisley. This looks like it gets very violent and very bloody, which is exactly what we should expect from Australian creature horror. Here's the full theatrical trailer (+ poster / teaser) for Chris Sun's Boar, direct from YouTube: In the harsh,...

Australia’s premier genre film festival, Monster Fest returns for its seventh year this November 23rd to 26th at Melbourne’s Lido Cinemas with a mix of World, Australian & Victorian Premieres! The 2017 chapter of Monster Fest, takes on a very Australian flavour – the first wave announcement includes not one, but Six(!) brand new Australian feature films, most of which will be enjoying their World Premieres at the festival.

Opening the festival is one of 2018’s most anticipated new horror flicks, Christopher Sun’s creature-feature, Boar. Now we’re huge fans of Sun here at Nerdly, especially his films Daddy’s Little Girl (a film that should have got the plaudits the more recent Hounds of Love received) and Charlie’s Farm. Sun is not the only filmmaker returning with a new film at this years Monster Fest, joining him are Daniel Armstrong (Murderdrome) with his film Tarnation; and Nerdly favourites...

Doctor Doctor.

After only two weeks on air, Essential Media.s Doctor Doctor has been renewed by the Nine Network for a second season. . The cast of Rodger Corser (Hugh), Nicole da Silva (Charlie) Steve Bisley (Jim), Ryan Johnson (Matt), Tina Bursill (Meryl), Hayley McElhinney (Penny), Shalom Brune-Franklin (Aoife), Matt Castley (Ajax), Chloe Bayliss (Hayley), Charles Wu (Ken) and Belinda Bromilow (Betty) will all be back for season two... . .We are delighted with how Australian audiences have fallen in love with Doctor Doctor, an incredible cast and a story full of heart. We are looking forward to working with Essential Media and Entertainment on series two,. said Nine.s heads of drama, Jo Rooney and Andy Ryan, in a joint statement. . Essential Media.s Ian Collie said he loved how the national audience had taken to Doctor Doctor.

"It.s a show with heart and smarts and [we're] thrilled that Nine...

Burbank, CA, September 14, 2016 –Mad Max fans will have something to put atop their holiday gift lists with the Mad Max High Octane Collection, debuting December 6 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (Wbhe). All four films from visionary director George Miller’s blockbuster sci-fi franchise — Mad Max (1979); Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981); Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985); and Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), now with Tom Hardy as Max Rockatansky — are together in one collection.

The Mad Max High Octane Collection is available to own in both Blu-ray ($79.99 Srp) and DVD ($54.97 Srp) versions. Both collections include the four films and five hours of bonus content, including the visually stunning Mad Max: Fury Road “Black & Chrome” Edition. The Blu-ray collection will also include a 4K-Ultra HD version and a Uv Digital Copy of Mad Max: Fury Road.

The Mad Max: Fury Road “Black & Chrome Edition” will also be available on Blu-ray ($29.98 Srp) in...

Witness! Warner Bros. has finally – finally – locked down plans to unveil the monochromatic cut of George Miller’s scintillating action opus, Mad Max: Fury Road. And it’s releasing sooner than you may think.

It’s a version that has seemingly been kicking around for months now, and has surely been one of the most requested cuts of Fury Road following its release. That, and a behind-the-scenes peek at the painstaking work that went in to creating those jaw-dropping action sequences.

If you’re a fan of the film, then you’re in luck, because today also heralds the arrival of what is arguably the best effects showcase of Mad Max: Fury Road to date, shedding light on the ways in which George Miller and his crack team of stunt coordinators orchestrated apocalyptic chaos out on that Fury Road.

As Coming Soon notes, there’s actually two Blu-ray releases in...

The long awaited black and chrome version of George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road finally has a release date. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has announced that they will be releasing the Mad Max: Fury Road Black & Chrome Edition on December 6th in a two-film collection that also includes the theatrical version of the film. It will also include a special introduction by Miller describing his vision for the film. I'm excited about watching this version of the film because Miller says it's the best version of it. When previously talking about his black and white vision of the film, he said:

"One thing I’ve noticed is that the default position for everyone is to de-saturate post-apocalyptic movies. There’s only two ways to go, make them black and white — the best version of this movie is black and white, but people reserve that for art movies now. The...

Kayti Burt Sep 16, 2016

George Miller's planned black and white version of the brilliant Mad Max: Fury Road is roaring to shelves this Christmas...

Warner Bros has confirmed that it is releasing that much-discussed black-and-white version of Mad Max: Fury Road — and it will be available in time for Christmas.

The Mad Max: Fury Road "Black and Chrome" Edition will be available on Blu-ray as part of a two-film collection (the other film is the theatrical version), and will hit shelves on December 6th in the Us.

You can also grab the "Black and Chrome" edition as part of a larger, more expensive Mad Max boxset too.

The Mad Max High Octane Edition will include all four films from the George Miller franchise: Mad Max (1979); Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981); Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985); and Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). The Mad Max High Octane Edition will include five hours of extras too,...

Max Rockatansky is coming home for the holidays this year courtesy of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, who have announced a December 6th release for the Mad Max High-Octane Collection Blu-ray / DVD that includes all four Mad Max films, the black-and-white version of Mad Max: Fury Road, and several new special features.

In addition to featuring it on the Mad Max High Octane Collection, Wbhe will also release the "Black & Chrome" edition of Fury Road on a new Blu-ray with the regular version of the movie.

For more details, we have the official press release below (via Why So Blu?), along with a look at the cover art for both releases. Will you be picking these up on December 6th?

Press Release (via Why So Blu?): Mad Max fans will have something to put atop their holiday gift lists with the Mad Max High Octane Collection, debuting December 6 from Warner Bros.

Back in July, we reported that director George Miller's long-awaited black and white version of Mad Mad Fury Road will finally see the light of day, and now we know exactly when it's arriving. The earlier report featured details about a German collector's edition, but today Warner Bros. confirmed that the "Black and Chrome" edition of Mad Max Fury Road will be part of a four-film collection that includes every Mad Max movie. This set will be available December 6.

Mad Max fans will have something to put atop their holiday gift lists with the Mad Max High Octane Collection, debuting December 6 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (Wbhe). All four films from visionary director George Miller's blockbuster sci-fi franchise -- Mad Max (1979), Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981); Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985); and Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), now with Tom Hardy as Max Rockatansky -- are together in one collection.

Warner Bros. has revealed details on a brand new Mad Max movie collection coming to blu-ray along with the official release of the highly anticipated Black & Chrome version of Fury Road. Wouldn't you know it, it's just in time for the Holidays. Come inside for all the details!

If you've been looking forward to the black and white version of Fury Road the film's director has been teasing for a while, then today brings some good news. WB has announced a new blu-ray collection of all the Mad Max films along with five hours of bonus footage. It will also include the Black & Chrome version of Mad Max: Fury Road (even a 4K copy of the original film as well) so you can enjoy the previous film whichever way you wish.

If you already own the previous Mad Max blu-ray collection, WB is releasing the Black and Chrome Edition separately.

The director has been given CinefestOz’s Screen Legend award – the first woman to feature in its walk of fame

The footpath outside the Orana Cinema in Busselton, Western Australia, is inscribed with names of Australian cinematic royalty: Jack Thompson. Hugo Weaving. David Wenham. Steve Bisley. Bryan Brown. Koko, the dog from Red Dog.

It is somewhat striking that of the nine names that have been featured on CinefestOz’s walk of fame, kelpies are better represented than women – but this year’s festival brought with it a new addition: the acclaimed director Gillian Armstrong.

Continue reading...

A Playmaker Media drama starring Jessica Marais and a reality series which reunites people with long-lost family members are among six new Australian shows for Network Ten in 2016.

The line-up includes Australian Survivor, All Star Family Feud, the spin-off I.m A Celebrity. Get Me Out Of Here! Now, and the previously announced telemovie Brock.

Ten said more new local series will be announced next year as it strives to build the momentum which saw the broadcaster record its highest commercial prime time shares since 2011 as audiences increased by 15 per cent this year.

In Playmaker Media's The Wrong Girl, Love Child star Marais will play Lily, a modern woman caught between two guys — one too good to be true and the other so wrong he might be Mr. Right.. Lily and her flatmate Simone are supposed to be taking a sabbatical from men but Lily falls in love with Jack,...

Offspring actor Matthew Le Nevez is set to star in the new Endemol Shine production for Network Ten - Brock.

Le Nevez will bring to life the story of one of Australia.s greatest and most complex sporting heroes, Peter Brock.

The cast will also include Ella Scott Lynch as Bev Brock, Steve Bisley as Harry Firth and Natalie Bassingthwaite as Julie Bamford.

Le Nevez, best known for his role as Dr Patrick Reid in the multi-award winning drama Offspring, is no stranger to portraying real-life individuals.

He has already played Matthew Wales in the critically acclaimed The Society Murders, Australian cricket legend Dennis Lillee in Howzat! Kerry Packer.s War and Damien Parer in Parer.s War.

Le Nevez said it was a privilege to be involved in the Brock project..

"Growing up as a kid, I watched Peter conquer the mountain many times and now to be playing him,...

Set in the near future, Mad Max portrays a dystopia on the brink of total collapse. Biker gangs do as they please and the "Halls of Justice" are quite literally crumbling. Yet, small pockets of a peaceful society still exist. People still go to restaurants and nightclubs and an attempt at order, of a sort, is maintained by the Main Force Patrol (Mfp), though the line between good and bad is slowly beginning to blur. Working with a tiny budget, director and co-writer George Miller uses the open road as his visual effect, bringing the action as close to the asphalt as we can get. Tires screech and eyes bug out of their head as a story of a society on the verge of being overrun by savages evolves into a story of revenge as the film's title character slowly earns his nickname. With a mixture of chaos, soon-to-be memorable moments of iconography and comedy,...

Mad Max

Written by James McCausland and George Miller

Directed by George Miller

Australia, 1979

Somewhere in Australia are the first signs of the beginning of the end, the end of civilization as most people in the Western understand it, that is. While cities and towns still seem to exist, the institutions that govern them and protect society appear cracked and on the brink of disaster, such as the ‘’Halls of Justice’’ where highway patrol man Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson) is employed defend the public from the insane biker gangs led by the one they call Toecutter (Hugh Keays-Byrne). Together with partner Jim ‘’Goose’’ (Steve Bisley), Max is forced to reckon with savagery and brutality on the open road. Although equipped with his powerful Ford Falcon, Max still fears what is to come, or what might happen to him, his wife Jessie (Joanne Samuel) and young son. He represents the law,...

Just in time for the release of Fury Road comes Scream Factory’s stellar Mad Max Collector’s Edition Blu-ray of the 1979 original revenge actioner that introduced most of the world to both Australian cinema and a young, rising star, Mel Gibson. Its influences are still being felt over 35 years later and it’s undoubtedly one of the best introductory films from a then-untested George Miller, who proved that even back then, he had an amazing eye for creating fluid action sequences.

Mad Max was Miller and co-writer James McCausland’s response to the growing global concern for a lack of oil after an embargo out of the Middle East in the early 1970’s sent much of the general public into a panic once fuel supplies began running low and prices sky-rocketed everywhere. Realizing the potential for violence under these circumstances, both Miller and McCausland dreamed up a dystopic future...

The month of May’s home entertainment releases kick off in high gear with several fantastic classic genre titles making their way to high-def this week. Scream Factory is debuting a brand new Collector’s Edition Blu-ray for Mad Max and both Ladyhawke and Steven Spielberg’s Duel are both getting an upgraded release too. The recent horror flick, The Pyramid, is also making its way onto DVD and Blu, and Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut Lost River arrives on Tuesday as well.

Mad Max: Collector’s Edition (Scream Factory, Blu-ray)

Setting Mel Gibson on a sure path to superstardom, this highly acclaimed "crazy collide-o-scope", (Newsweek) of highway mayhem "cinematically defined the postapocalyptic landscape", (TV Guide). Featuring eye-popping stunts that are "electrifying and very convincing", (Variety) and "an authentically nihilistic spirit", (The Village Voice), this unforgettable actioner from director George Miller (The Road Warrior, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and...

"In the not too distant future... there will be no civilization... there will be no heroes... there will only be madmen... and the main force patrol"... and the ultimate home media release of George Miller's classic dystopian action-thriller, Mad Max. Like Fifi, Scream Factory is looking to bring back our heroes with their Mad Max Collector’s Edition Blu-ray that hits shelves on May 5th (ten days before Mad Max: Fury Road roars into theaters). The final bonus features for the anticipated release have been revealed and they include a batch of new interviews, including one with Max himself, Mel Gibson.

From Scream Factory: "**Final List of Extras revealed for Mad Max (Collector’S Edition) Blu-ray release!**

• New Interviews With Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel And Director Of Photography David Eggby

• Audio Commentary By Art Director Jon Dowding, Director Of Photography David Eggby, Special Effects Artist Chris Murray And Tim Ridge...

Originally announced by Scream Factory at last year’s San Diego Comic-Con, the Mad Max Collector’s Edition Blu-ray will give viewers an upgraded look at George Miller’s classic first installment of the influential post apocalyptic franchise. Though the special features have yet to be revealed, the release’s cover art and official street date have now been unveiled, with this one fittingly slated to hit shelves ten days before Mad Max: Fury Road roars into theaters.

From Scream Factory: “We’re really excited about our upcoming blu-ray release of the original Mad Max film and now can finally give you some details on it ever since we announced the title way back in July. We appreciate your patience and hope the wait will have been worth it!

– The incredible newly-commissioned artwork you see here (from artist Paul Shipper) is final and approved. (Purists take note: The original theatrical...

"It's that rat circus out there, I'm beginning to enjoy it. Look, any longer out on that road and I'm one of them, a terminal psychotic, except that I've got this bronze badge that says that I'm one of the good guys."

And so we were introduced to the ticking time bomb of fury that is Mel Gibson, at least on screen, in "Mad Max."

Released 35 years ago this week (on April 12, 1979), George Miller's film about a near-future cop who turns vigilante when a biker gang kills his partner and his family, made an international star out of Gibson, made Miller an A-list director, and helped put the new wave of Australian cinema on the world map. It also launched a franchise that continues to this day; next year, Miller will finally release the long-gestating "Mad Max: Fury Road," with Tom Hardy taking over as Max.

While the original...

Wolf Creek and Django Unchained.s John Jarratt has written and plans to star in an Aussie comedy Western.

The title, Passing Winds, epitomises the irreverent approach. That's the name of a cattle property owned by Jarratt.s character. Craig McLachlan has agreed to play the bad guy who aims to gain control of the land which is rich in untapped gold. Steve Bisley will play a bounty hunter.

Jarratt describes the tone as a cross between Blazing Saddles and Crocodile Dundee. He will produce the film with Kris Maric and Craig Kocinski, his partners in production company Ozpix Entertainment.

No director has yet been signed but Jarratt would love to hire someone of the calibre of Mel Gibson, having admired his work in the Richard Donner-directed Maverick opposite Jodie Foster-- although he doubts Mel would be willing to spend six months in Oz working on the film.

The crowd funding campaign for Broke, an Australian drama about a washed up, former rugby league star who battles a gambling addiction, is kicking goals

Producer Luke Graham and first-time director Heath Davis aim to raise $55,000 via Indiegogo (http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/broke-feature-film).

Since the campaign went live on January 16, 71 people have chipped in more than $22,000. With 49 days to run, Davis is hopeful he.ll reach the target so he can start shooting in Gladstone, Queensland, in May.

Steve Le Marquand will play the protagonist Ben .Bk. Kelly, who tackles his demons and strives to win back the respect of his community with the help of an ageing railway worker (Steve Bisley) and his single parent daughter (Claire van der Boom).

.We.re pretty stoked,. says Davis, who made the short films Bee Sting, Bella, Spoon Man and Rabbit, and The Jezabels Live at the Hordern DVD. .There is a real buzz about it.

Steve Le Marquand, Steve Bisley and Claire van der Boom are attached to star in Broke, an indie drama which deals with the topical issue of gambling in the Nrl world.

It.s the debut feature of writer-director Heath Davis, who cut his teeth on the short films Bee Sting, Bella, Spoon Man and Rabbit, and The Jezabels Live at the Hordern DVD.

The producer is Luke Graham, who collaborated with Davis on those shorts, with Jonathan Page (the executive producer of The Babadook, 100 Bloody Acres and Max and Mary) as Ep.

They aim to raise $55,000 via crowd funding site Indiegogo; the campaign launches next week. Davis says that money will match contributions from him, Graham and several private investors.

There is an altruistic angle: After the cast and skeleton crew have recouped their deferred fees, the profits will go to the Men of League Foundation, which was founded by...

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has announced that The Great Gatsby will be released on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, and DVD on August 27. The studio has released a trailer for this home video release, and we also have the cover art and full press release with all the official details. Take a look at footage from director Baz Luhrmann's adaptation then read on for all the special features details.

Experience F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece like never before when The Great Gatsby arrives onto Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital Download on August 27 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Directed by Oscar nominee Baz Luhrmann, The Great Gatsby is the haunting American tale of a Midwestern writer who moves to New York and becomes entangled in the life of his captivating, wealthy neighbor.

From Village Roadshow Pictures, The Great Gatsby is directed by Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge and...

Revelation Perth International Film Festival kicks off its sixteenth incarnation tonight at the Luna Cinema in Leederville, Perth, Western Australia and runs until 14 July 2013. The annual Festival opens tonight with the action packed Australian premiere of the documentary Burn. Special guests tonight will include award winning actress Alice Krige (Chariots Of Fire, Ghost Story, Star Trek: First Contact, The Sorcerer.s Apprentice) and Australian acting legend, Steve Bisley (Mad Max, The Great Gatsby, Water Rats) as Revelation.s Patron, alongside national and international filmmakers, musicians, screen artists, academics and distributors. Revelation has established itself as an international film festival like no other with its thoughtful and provocative program which boasts 118 film screenings with over 35 Australian premieres, making it fertile ground for independent filmmakers, distributors and discerning audiences. ScreenWest Chief Executive, Ian Booth said "ScreenWest has been a proud partner of Revelation for 16 years. During this time, Revelation has been a...

Today we have new wallpapers for the upcoming romantic drama The Great Gatsby. The movie, based on the clasic F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, tells of a Midwestern war veteran who finds himself drawn to the past and lifestyle of his millionaire neighbour. Directed by and screenplay by the typically over-the-top Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge, Australia). Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Tobey Maguire, Amitabh Bachchan,Steve Bisley, Richard Carter, Jason Clarke, Adelaide Clemens, Max Cullen among others. The Great Gatsby opens in theaters on May 10th, 2013. Here’s the synopsis for The Great Gatsby “The Great Gatsby” follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire)...

Click to continue reading The Great Gatsby Wallpapers on www.filmofilia.com...

The Great Gatsby is in theaters this Friday, May 10. A unique and imaginative retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic story, director Baz Luhrmann wows audiences with fantastic music, spectacular visuals and stunning costumes combined with all the enduring drama of the original classic and a talented international cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire. Breathtaking sets and gorgeous costumes combined with the music and cast make it the must-see 3D film of Summer 2013, and to celebrate The Great Gatsby's release, we're holding a giveaway where you could win tons of great prizes. Continue reading for how you can win big in anticipation of this sure-to-be classic drama.

Enter for a chance to win one of the following prizes:

Screen Wipe on Card

iPhone 5 Case

Bella Ladies' Sheer Jersey Double V-Neck Black T-shirt with matt gold foil print

Men's Title -T-shirt with matt silver foil print...

The second season of award-winning series Redfern Now will commence filming in and around Redfern on May 1. Produced by Blackfella Films. Miranda Dear and Darren Dale, alongside story producer Jimmy McGovern, the second instalment of the popular series will see many of the cast members reuniting to play their original characters. Those returning in season two include Wayne Blair, this year.s Most Outstanding Actress Logie winner, Deborah Mailman, Ursula Yovich, Lisa Flanagan, Stephen Curry, Dean Daley Jones and the Aacta Award-winning Leah Purcell. Adding to the mix will be Aaron Pederson, Craig McLachlan, Meyne Wyatt, Ernie Dingo, Steve Bisley, Sarah Woods and Tammy Clarkson. The first season of the show proved to be successful both with audiences and critics, and was nominated for five Aacta awards in 2013 (taking home the awards for Best Screenplay in Television and Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama) as well as scooping the...

The second season of award-winning series Redfern Now will commence filming in and around Redfern on May 1. Produced by Blackfella Films. Miranda Dear and Darren Dale, alongside story producer Jimmy McGovern, the second instalment of the popular series will see many of the cast members reuniting to play their original characters. Those returning in season two include Wayne Blair, this year.s Most Outstanding Actress Logie winner, Deborah Mailman, Ursula Yovich, Lisa Flanagan, Stephen Curry, Dean Daley Jones and the Aacta Award-winning Leah Purcell. Adding to the mix will be Aaron Pederson, Craig McLachlan, Meyne Wyatt, Ernie Dingo, Steve Bisley, Sarah Woods and Tammy Clarkson. The first season of the show proved to be successful both with audiences and critics, and was nominated for five Aacta awards in 2013 (taking home the awards for Best Screenplay in Television and Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama) as well as scooping the...

Mad Max, the sci-fi franchise that introduced Mel Gibson to the world, will come together for the first time as a Blu-ray collection when Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (Wbhe) debuts The Mad Max Trilogy on June 4th.

The three films - Mad Max (1979), Mad Max Road Warrior (1982) and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) - are all set in the near-future in Australia. From the very first film, Oscar winner George Miller (Happy Feet, 2006) proved a master at creating the gritty, bleak dystopian world and staging the incredible car stunts and crashes in the era when stuntmen, not computers, achieved the effects. All three movies starred Mel Gibson, virtually unknown until after the second film, as Max Rockatansky, a highway cop traveling through the Outback in a society descending into chaos. The films started Gibson on his road to international superstardom, led to his signature Lethal Weapon series, and later two Academy...

Veteran Australian producer Al Clark will receive the Aacta Raymond Longford Award in recognition of his three-decade career which has included iconic films such as Chopper and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

Clark, who emigrated from the UK in the 1980s after representing music acts such as the Sex Pistols and Phil Collins, has produced or executive produced 19 feature films. He has also served on the board of the Australian Film Commission (1989-1992) and participated in official juries of several international film festivals, including the San Sebastian and Valladolid Film Festivals.

..With a love of films that always transcends the frustrations of getting them made, I.ve tried to choose distinctive projects, to navigate them soundly, to find gifted people to work with, and to bring out the best in their considerable talents," Clark said after being told of the award. "I.m grateful to Aacta for...

Australian rules football drama Blinder is searching for a new distributor.

A theatrical release was originally planned for January 24 but a clash with another planned release by independent distributor Jump Street Films spurred the change, according to director Richard Gray.

The $5 million film will now be screened for distributors in the next fortnight ahead of a planned wide theatrical release next year. Gray said keeping the release date within the window between the Australian Open in January and the start of the Afl main season was crucial with executive producers and former Afl greats Glenn Archer and Sam Keckovich, and legendary actor Jack Thompson, also lined up to do "a mountain of publicity".

The film also stars Josh Helman (Animal Kingdom, The Pacific), Oliver Ackland (The Slap, Cloudstreet), Rose McIver (The Lovely Bones), Steve Bisley (Red Hill), Anna Hutchison (Wild Boys), Zoe Carides (Death In Brunswick), Bob Morley (Road Train...

Over the last 25 years, critically acclaimed Nadia Tass has become one of Australia's most respected and versatile filmmakers. Born in Greece, Nadia started out as an actress on the TV series “Prisoner” before moving behind the camera for Malcolm. With husband and frequent collaborator David Parker providing the screenplay and cinematography, the acclaimed 1986 film introduced the mix of humor and humanity that has become Tass’ hallmark. Whether directing Aussie indies like Amy, Hollywood fare like Pure Luck, or theatrical productions in London and Australia, Tass creates works of emotional resonance that charm audiences all over the globe. Nadia Tass is honoured to have a retrospective of her films play at the American Cinematheque (Aero Theatre) in August. If you've never seen them but always wanted to, or if you've seen them and remember them fondly, then now is your chance to catch these classic Australian films (Malcolm, The Big Steal, Amy and Matching Jack) on the big screen in Santa Monica.

Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave (at 14th Street), Santa Monica

Double Feature: Thursday, August 16 - 7.30pm

Malcolm, 1986, Lionsgate, 90 min. Dir. Nadia Tass.

Socially awkward but a mechanical genius, Malcolm loses his job as a Melbourne tramcar operator and takes in a couple of boarders to make ends meet. When he learns the pair are petty criminals, Malcolm uses his knack for gadgetry to help them pull off a series of dazzling robberies. Both warm and hilarious, Nadia Tass' debut feature won 8 Australian Film Institute awards including the Best Film award. Internationally, it won 21 awards.

Discussion between films with director Nadia Tass

The Big Steal, 1990, Cascade Films, 99 min. Dir. Nadia Tass

Young Danny (Ben Mendelsohn of "Animal Kingdom" fame) tries to impress the girl of his dreams with the promises of a ride in his new Jag; unfortunately, Danny drives his family's old Nissan Cedric. But there's a spiffy Jaguar XJ6 in a local used car lot, and the salesman (Steve Bisley) is offering him the deal of a lifetime - what could possibly go wrong? This delightful caper comedy took home 3 AFI awards including one for David Parker's screenplay.

Double Feature: Friday, August 17 - 7.30pm

Matching Jack, 2010, Cascade Films, 99 min. Dir. Nadia Tass

In the most recent film from noted Australian director Nadia Tass, a mother seeks a bone marrow match for her son, diagnosed with leukemia, and finds unlikely sources of hope in her husband's infidelity, and in another man with a sick child. With outstanding performances from stars Jacinda Barrett, James Nesbitt, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Tom Russell. It garnered the top awards at the Milan International Film Festival for Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay

Click to view trailer: www.matchingjack.com

Discussion between films with director Nadia Tass

Amy, 1998, Cascade Films, 104 min. Dir. Nadia Tass

Traumatized by the death of her rock star father, 8 year old Amy (a remarkable Alana De Roma) has become mute. When her mother (Academy Award nominee, Rachel Griffiths) brings her to Melbourne in search of treatment, they move in with some quirky locals, one of whom (Ben Mendelsohn) tries to use music to bring the little girl out of her world of silence. A touching mix of comedy, drama and son, Amy won 28 international awards, including the Grand Prix Cannes Junior at the Cannes Film Festival.

Series compiled by Grant Moninger. Program notes by John Hagelston. Retrospective facilitated by Joan Borsten of Films by Jove and Cida Goncalves of 8 Star Entertainment.

American Cinematheque - Aero Theatre

http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/aero_theatre_series

http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/aero_theatre_events?page=2

Thursday, August 16th - Malcolm and The Big Steal

http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/content/malcolm-the-big-steal

Friday, August 17th - Amy and Matching Jack

http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/content/matching-jack-amy

Tickets

www.fandango.com...