Looking at new contracts - and stuff

So, last night was quite pleasant (with many thanks to missdissent) - attending a Press Preview screening of Gabriel (the new 'Gothic-look' independent Australian film) with ctrlshft. In a way, it was a curious thing to do - seeing as there were Press and 'Competition Winners' in the same audience, not to mention some who were obviously background/extras in the shoot. I remember the call out for the penultimate scenes in a nightclub (filmed at Arc) last year - which I couldn't do because of my APEC work at the time. Whilst the start of the film was delayed - which can be annoying if you're running to get there on time (and Greater Union is doing renovations which makes the ticket-buying/pickup experience... er... unique) and then have to sit for half an hour. Anyway, such is not the film.

Gabriel is a classic Good Vs Evil pastiche set in a dark dystopian city, being Purgatory, where the inhabitants are kept in thrall by the 'evil' Sammael (ostensibly an Arch-Demon running things for his Master [of the lower planes]) and his 6 cohorts (all Arch-Demons as well). To offset this, 'The Light' sends it's 7 most powerful Arch-Angels (though they call them 'Arc'-Angels), in human guise/form to Purgatory to compete in the never-ending battle for the souls of those held in this mirrored-catholicism version of Proyas' Dark City. The ads are probably the best thing about this film and they make it look very 'shiny', and to be fair it does have some nice effects ideas and some nice art-direction. However, what starts as an interesting premise (in my opinion) degenerates (for me) into a stock-standard theatre-form/improv Role-Playing module (incorporating what appears to be a mash-up of the 'In Nomine' roleplaying system and Gregory Widen's 'The Prophecy', with the obvious requisite twists and matrix-style effects/images). In saying that, I do respect that this is an Independent Australian Film with a Major International Distributor - which counts as a positive for the industry, and for the actors/crew involved. However, it doesn't forgive that it looks amateurish, although shiny. Perhaps I'm a little jaded, in that I have seen this/played this before, and read/seen better, but for Shane Abbess, a first time Director, I think that the job was passably done (though choppy in places)and kudos for getting a Distribution deal through Sony. For what it's worth, the film was worth the admission price (ie: we didn't pay) and if you ask ctrlshft she will probably be less kind with the review, interspersed with laughing in disbelief.

My David/Margaret Rating is: 1.5 stars (for the shininess and first-time-ness). I could be tempted to put another half-star in, but ONLY for the footage of Sandi 'Hot Rod' Finlay as the 'Pope Of Arc' The Uber-DJ in the club-scenes.

[Personally, I would like to see what would happen if it were re-written by Mark Barnes and Directed by Glen Fraser (those who know them would get those references and SO follow what I mean).]

Meanwhile - it's another year... and it's a bit of a weird year ('weird' inasmuch as not the norm... Perhaps weird in a good way). APEC was a good gig (job-wise), Credit Good, House Good, Money Good, Housemates (on the whole) Good, Current Job (not so) Good - being that I am looking for another contract. However, I have applied for 30 jobs and had 17 callbacks with 4 interviews being set up :) 'Tis the season right now - and I have the time off to do things like Homebake, Boxing Day, Big Day Out, The Police, and several things in-between with people who I genuinely like to be around. Speaking of which - mslucyblue arrives back in Sydney this evening - and she may well be with me at Goth City tomorrow night, before work. Who's up for wandering up to see her working sometime on the weekend? She's working Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday nights (at the moment), and she's coming to Hellfire with me on Friday night. She's also potentially coming back in January, though the schedule hasn't been finalised at this point. If you want to catch up with her (maybe for photos? Danny? spiteful_elf? arradius?) - just contact The Fortress ;)

Many thanks for the well wishes from early o'clock this morning onwards :D. Kinda nice to have people remember/act on reminders ;) - Do I have plans for this evening? I have no idea. I never plan things for this day/time of year - I just go with what presents itself - besides I have this awful Michael Caton-esque Mo, which I have to worry about taking around town. Which reminds me... Sponsor Me? - donate to Mo-Bro 81466 and help make this Mo-thing worth the itchiness and the ... er... look? (though it IS for a GREAT cause).