John Farnham: Finding the Voice Review

John Farnham: Finding the Voice

Release Date: 18th May 2023 - Australia

Production Companies

Beyond Oz

Blink TV Australia

Finding the Voice

Screen Australia

Screen NSW

Sony Music Entertainment Australia

VicScreen

Wheatley Records

Distribution

Sony Pictures Releasing Australia

Genre: Documentary/

Music 

Rating: M

Runtime: 95 minutes

Box Office Gross: $2,240,000 (Australia)

Plot Summary

"John Farnham: Finding the Voice" is an intimate exploration of the life and achievements of one of Australia's most iconic

artists. This authorised

documentary traces

John Farnham's journey

from humble beginnings

as a child star to record-

setting success as a

legendary solo artist.

Interviews with Farnham,

his family, friends, and

colleagues paint a vivid

picture of his professional

and personal life.

Along the way, you will see how he persevered and overcame obstacles to become a popular and lasting figure in Australian music history.

Cast

Jimmy Barnes - Himself

Daryl Braithwaite - Himself

Angus Burchall - Himself

Paul Dainty - Himself

Céline Dion - Herself

Tommy Emmanuel - Himself

James K. Farhham - Himself

Jill Farnham - Herself (Voice)

John Farnham - Himself (Voice)

(Archive Footage)

Robert Farnham - Himself

Venetta Fields - Herself

Peter Foggie - Himself

Ross Fraser - Himself

Brett Garsed - Himself

Graham Goble - Himself

Bev Harrell - Herself

David Hirschfelder - Himself

David Mackay - Himself

Richard Marx - Himself

Olivia Newton-John - Herself (Voice)

Cherie Romaro - Herself

Chris Thompson - Himself

Gaynor Wheatley - Herself

Glenn Wheatley - Himself

Robbie Williams - Himself

Rose Farnham - Herself (Voice)

John Farnham, Sr. - Himself (Archive Footage)

Daryl Sambell - Himself (Archive Footage)

Crew

Writer/Director - Poppy Stockell

Writer/Script Supervisor/

Executive Producer - Paul Clarke

Executive Producers - Mikael Borglund

and Martin Fabinyl

Producer - Olivia Hoopmann

Director of Photography - Aaron Smith

Editors - Scott Gray and Steven Robinson

Re-Recording Mixer - Wayne Pashley

Original Music - David Hirschfelder

Review

I know what you're thinking. You thought this was another biopic about a legendary singer, as has happened before with Freddie Mercury, Elvis, Elton John, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston. No, it is a full-length documentary that offers an intimate and insightful look at one of Australia's greatest artists. It's neither Jimmy Barnes nor Daryl Braithwaite. It's a story of friendship and overcoming obstacles. Growing up, "You're the Voice" was the song of my childhood, but I did not discover John Farnham until my late teens. Since then, I have become familiar with the artist and have enjoyed listening to his music. It's hard to imagine that John Farnham became a household name in Australia thanks to his music and the famous anthemic tune he was proud of.

It's incredibly moving that this film discusses the ups and downs of his career, his current health problems, and things you'd never know about the singer, including his time with Little River Band, which lasted only three years. It contains a surprising amount of footage and photographs from John Farnham's life, including his childhood and early years as TV Week's King of Pop, assembled by the filmmakers. This documentary shows the singer paying his respects to fellow singer/frequent collaborator Olivia Newton-John, along with his manager Glenn Wheatley, who both sadly passed shortly after lending their interviews.

JOHN FARNHAM: FINDING THE VOICE is a heartfelt look at the singer, which makes us try to understand who he is. It's a must-see documentary for any Farnham fan, offering a glimpse of his personal life as never seen before.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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Brock: Over the Top Review

Brock: Over the Top


Release Date: 22nd June 2020 - Australia


Production Companies
Universal Pictures Australia (present)
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (present)
Wildbear Entertainment
Screen Queensland (in association with)
The Port Lounge (in association with)

Distribution
Bonsai Films


Genre: Documentary

Rating: M

Runtime: 103 minutes

Box Office Gross: A$12,638 (Australia)

Plot Summary
This documentary chronicles the life of Australia's famous race car driver, Peter Brock, detailing his personal life, triumphs, and dark side.

Cast

Craig Lowndes - Himself 
Phil Brock - Himself

Lewis Brock - Himself
Ian Tate - Himself
Allan Moffat - Himself
Dick Johnson - Himself
Bev Brock - Herself
Garry Wilkinson - Himself

Michelle Downes - Herself

Julie Bamford - Herself
James Brock - Himself
Robert Brock - Himself
Alexandra Brock - Herself
Phil Scott - Himself

David Hassall - Himself

Greg Rust - Himself

John Harvey - Himself

John M Wright - Himself

Tim Pemberton - Himself

Brian Sampson - Himself

Craig Fletcher - Himself

Graeme Brown - Himself

Mick Hone - Himself

Jim Richards - Himself

Jane Caro - Herself

Peter Brock - Himself (Voice)

(Archive Footage)

Bill Tuckey - Himself (Voice)

(Archive Footage)

Harry Firth - Himself (Voice)

(Archive Footage)

Crew
Writer/Director - Kriv Stenders

Original Concept/Producer - Veronica Fury

Associate Producer - Rudy Schmidt
Executive Producer - Alan Erson
Director of Photography - Mark Broadbent
Editor - Tania Nehme

Sound Designer - Paul Pirola

Re-Recording Mixer - Brendan Coxon
Music - Jason Fernandez


Review
Racing legend Peter Brock was well-known in Australia as "The King of the Mountain" and "Peter Perfect." However, his life was far from perfect. Those closest to him understood his inner turmoil and his hunger for fame and victory. I've never reviewed a feature-length documentary other than Michael Jackson's This Is It, but I'm willing to watch this one in theatres now that they've reopened amid the COVID-19 crisis. Years before, I had barely heard of Peter Brock until he died in a rally car accident, which I had heard about on the radio. I'm not a big Brock fan because of his partnership with Holden, as I am a proud Ford supporter. BROCK: OVER THE TOP was an introspective look at the famous Aussie race car driver discussing his ten consecutive wins at Mount Panorama and his business deals with Holden.

Director Kriv Stenders may not have made a biopic about Peter Brock, but he examined the facts of his personal life and compiled them in this kind of documentary. This film addresses sensitive issues, particularly his troubled marriage with Michelle Downes, his relationships with Bev and Julie, and his fallout with Holden over the Energy Polariser.

BROCK: OVER THE TOP is a must-see film that will attract fans of his life story. If you're a fan of Peter Brock or want to know more, this documentary is for you.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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Michael Jackson's This Is It Review

Michael Jackson's This Is It


Release Date: 29th October 2009 – Australia

Production Companies
Columbia Pictures (presents)

The Michael Jackson Company
(in association with)

AEG Live (in association with)

Distribution
Sony Pictures Releasing Australia


Genre: Documentary/Music

Rating: G

Runtime: 111 minutes

Budget: $60,000,000

Box Office Gross: $261,183,588 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Michael Jackson's "THIS IS IT" is a music documentary. Before his death in June 2009, the late King of Pop was planning his comeback tour, set to begin at London's O2 Arena in the summer of 2009.

Documenting the final months of Jackson's life with behind-the-scenes footage, the film pays tribute to the influential artist and features rehearsals with Jackson and other performers.

Cast
Michael Jackson - Himself
Alex Al - Himself
Alexandra Apjarova - Herself
Nick Bass - Himself
Michael Bearden - Himself
Irina Brecher - Herself
Daniel Celebre - Himself
Mekia Cox - Herself
Chris Grant - Himself
Misha Gabriel Hamilton - Himself
Judith Hill - Herself
Dorian Holley - Himself
Devin Jamieson - Himself
Bashiri Johnson - Himself
Charles Klapow - Himself
Rachael Markarian - Herself
Jonathan Moffett - Himself
Tommy Organ - Himself
Orianthi - Herself
Kenny Ortega - Himself
Brittany Perry-Russell - Herself
Daryl Phinnessee - Himself
Mo Pleasure - Himself
Dres Reid - Himself
Daniella Rueda-Watts - Herself
Ken Stacey - Himself
Tyne Stecklein - Herself
Timor Steffens - Himself
Stacy Walker - Herself
Dreya Weber - Herself

Crew
Producer: Live Show/Choreographer/

Director - Kenny Ortega
Associate Producer/Musician: Keyboards/
Original Score Producer/Music - Michael Bearden

Associate Producer/Choreographer - Travis Payne
Associate Producer: Live Show - Alif Sankey
Executive Producers - John Branca
and John McClain

Producers: Live Show - Paul Gongaware,
John Meglen and Randy Phillips

Co-Producers - Frank DiLeo
and Chantal Feghali
Production Designers - Bernt Amadeus Capra
and Michael Cotton

Art Director - William Budge

Set Decorator - Donald Elmblad
Costume Designers - Michael Bush,
Jordanna Fineberg, Erin Lareau and
Dennis Tompkins
Costume Designer: Michael Jackson - Zaldy
Cameraman - Sandrine Orabona

Cameraman/Editor - Tim Patterson
Visual Effects Supervisors - Bruce Jones
and Sheena Duggal

Visual Effects Supervisor: Rising Sun Pictures -
Thomas Proctor
Producer: 2D/3D Film & Video Content,
Stimulated Inc. - Robb Wagner

Editors - Don Brochu, Brandon Key and
Kevin Stitt

Supervising Sound Editor - Tricia Linklater

Re-Recording Mixer - David Giammarco

Re-Recording/Music Mixer - Paul Massey
Audio Supervisor: Live Show/Supervising

Music Editor - Michael Durham Prince
Musician: Drums - Jonathan Moffett
Musician: Guitar - Tommy Organ
Musician: Bass - Alex Al


Review

I loved Michael Jackson, regardless of how some people feel about him or his personal life (like his rumoured disturbing behaviour towards young children). I loved every bit of his songs until his untimely death in 2009. It came as a shock to all of us, including fans. They expected to see his long-awaited concert tour, but sadly it never happened because he passed away. Many fans, critics and some of Jackson's relatives objected to the theatrical release of the rehearsal footage, which they felt was unnecessary for the King of Pop and intended to cash in on his death.

Michael Jackson's "THIS IS IT" showed the making of what could have been his ultimate comeback to the music stage. The movie has remarkable vignettes. It is a tribute to his exceptional dancing, incredible singing voice, and musical skills. Even in his final moments, Michael Jackson performs with great vigour and energy, remaining lively.

I enjoyed this film, but not as much as listening to his songs and watching his music videos. This documentary is a special treat for fans of the late King of Pop. I assure you, it has entertainment value, and you'll appreciate it.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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