Filmmaker Mark Hartley explores Australia's hidden genre in this documentary that casually casts aside "official" film history to celebrate the demented genius of director Brian Trenchard-Smith, and the exciting wave of little-known but supremely entertaining films that entertained adventurous Australian filmgoers throughout the 1970s and '80s. Every film student worth his or her weight in celluloid has seen Breaker Morant and Picnic at Hanging Rock, but what about the lesser-known gems that
didn't make the film-school textbooks? In his forward to Tim Lucas' book Mario Bava: All the Colors of the Dark, director Martin Scorsese states, "We have to keep resisting the idea of official film history, a stately procession of 'important works' that leaves some of the most exciting films and filmmakers tucked away in the shadows." In this documentary, director Hartley explores the films forgotten by "official film history" with the comprehensive eye of a true film buff. As a child watching such films as Snapshot and The Man from Hong Kong, Hartley immediately recognized how wildly disparate they were in tone and execution from the films that comprised Australia's traditional film library. Appearing like American genre films that just happened to be shot in Australia and cast with Australian actors, these so-called "Ozploitation" flicks flourished in the wake of relaxed censorship laws down under. Yet despite constant chatter about the "new wave" of Australian cinema, financially successful films like The Man from Hong Kong and Patrick that were popular both at home and abroad were never mentioned, sneeringly dismissed as "genre" films rather than Australian films. Perhaps in the wake of such successful Australian films as Wolf Creek and Undead -- and looking ahead to such films as the slasher shocker Storm Warning and the eagerly anticipated remake of Long Weekend -- curious filmgoers are finally prepared to discover what they've been missing all these years. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Although Not Quite Hollywood was clearly put together with fanatical love, the suspicion remains, as often with genre cinema, that these trash-rich movies are a lot more fun to hear about, and to watch in snatches, than to sit through.
It's a ribald and entertaining documentary, filled with great yarns and astonishing images from not only the finished films but from the making of them.
As recounted in Mark Hartley's entertaining documentary, twisted imaginations went wild after the post-'60s liberation from censorship and the introduction of tax breaks.
It's a Documentary that's celebrating obscure films by showing a crapload of clips. I loved it! Film lovers who crave cult cinema aren't going to want to miss this opportunity to expand their knowledge.
Not Quite Hollywood is jammed with well-preserved clips of the Aussie movies that started pushing the limits after censorship was essentially dropped in 1971.
Not Quite goes on a little longer than it needs to, but if the success of a movie like this is measured by whether it makes you want to see some of the movies it revisits, then count me in.
... a smartly made look at an otherwise neglected aspect of film history and culture, packed with colorful stories, witty observations, punky attitude and real history...
Not only does it celebrate a lesser-known world of international cinema, it also pays homage to its creators without without too much ego-stroking, and introduces new audiences to Australian cinema. It's a very well done documentary and a truly entertaining movie in its' own right. I had no idea Australia had a
kung-fu market. As most sexploitation films seem goofy to me, the ones featured here don't really seem to offer much more, but was excited to make a list of high-octane films to watch in the near future.
February 21, 2011
El Hombre Invisible
Super Reviewer
Thoroughly enjoyable look at the history of Ozploitation films. Added so many movies on to me want-to-see list it's not even funny. Even if you don't like the subject matter, it's hard to dislike the enthusiasm of those involved.
January 25, 2011
Steve K
Super Reviewer
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