I've just lately been paying more attention to films that come out of Australia and New Zealand and thinking about why I like them more than ones sanitized for the US. This is all probably pretty obvious.

So hopped over to Internet Movie Database (http://www.imdb.com) and compared the covers of "Romper Stomper" and "American History X." Basically same covers. "Romper Stomper" is much grittier and more disturbing, but on the other hand, I did love "American History X."

Then there is "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" and "To Wang Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar." Really no comparison, an obvious knockoff. The question is, why is the knockoff watered down so much?

In a class by itself is Peter Jackson's "Heavenly Creatures." Did anyone try to knock that one off? (Hint, "Lord of the Rings" is probably the wrong answer, but maybe not)

I don't have an answer here, so anyone reading, feel free to contribute. I am a zombie today. If I could figure out the answer I'd probably then know why I have this strange desire to work with writers and artists and filmmakers and media designers Down Under. Until then, I'm stuck sweating it out.

Miasma <----doing the CanCanCan with Baz Luhrmann
9:20:01 PM    

9/23/2002: The Jolly Rubino leaks

"This week's MSNBC collection had this just awesome shot of:

A South African chopper hovers over the Italian-flagged ferry, Jolly Rubino, as it is seen Sept. 14 stranded onshore, as oil is leaking from a crack in its left side into the waters of the Indian ocean, some 155 miles north of Durban, at Saint Lucia. The 190 meter-long ship, which has some 1,100 tons of fuel, 225 tons of gas fuel and hazardous chemicals on board, started leaking its cargo, putting the untouched World Heritage area under serious pollution threat."
1:17:33 PM