The Comic Critic Reviews "These Final Hours"

These Final Hours is an Australian film addition to the End-of-the-World genre that’s been popular the last few years. There is extreme violence and nudity, a significant amount more of naked, gyrating flesh than was seen in Ozsploitation films like Turkey Shoot. But the impression of exploitation is driven away by the depth of emotions felt by the film’s characters. These Final Hours is not a comedic treatment of the apocalypse like Seeking A Friend for the End of the World. What little humor found here is dark and elbowed out of the way: It is the story of a typical, self-centered guy who mucked about his entire life and now, with only a few hours left, is forced to realize that he has to rapidly struggle with his neglected choices about what is important in life. Viewing These Final Hours is a visceral, gut-wrenching experience filled with meaning. You are left seriously wondering just how you’d fare under the same circumstances.

The Comic Critic Reviews Siam Sunset

I was fortunate enough to vacation in Australia for three weeks. It was a wonderful, memorable experience filled with unexpected surprises, adventure, and enchanted evenings. Even before the trip, I enjoyed watching films from Down-Under. Australian films don’t try to copy Hollywood. (If anything, Hollywood tries to capture some of the magic that gets produced from the Land of Kangaroos. Too often Hollywood over-applies its well-known techniques in pursuit of a larger audience.) The reason I find Australian films so enjoyable is that they don’t worry about capturing a massive audience; they’re more concerned about the right audience finding them. Even though my wife and I stayed in Australia for nearly a month, it wasn’t long enough. We’re thankful when we can recapture some of our experiences through the movies they produce. And Siam Sunset is one of the best we’ve seen.

The Return of Stickman #1402

In case you didn't hear this story on the international news, here it is.