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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Footloose (1984) Review

Footloose

Release Date: 12th April 1984 - Australia

Production Companies

Paramount Pictures (presents)

Phoenix Pictures

IndieProd Company Productions

Distribution 

Paramount Pictures Australia

Genre: Drama/Music

Rating: M

Runtime: 106 minutes


Budget: $8,200,000

Box Office Gross: $80,040,027 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary

When city boy Ren

McCormack moves from

Chicago with his family

to a small Midwestern

town, he discovers that

the place he now calls home

has outlawed dancing and

rock music. Ren's fight for

change is an uphill battle

as he struggles to find his

place. With the help of his

new friend Willard Hewitt

and rebellious teenager

Ariel Moore, he could

shake up this conservative

town. However, Ariel's

powerful father, Reverend

Shaw Moore, stood in

their way.

Cast

Kevin Bacon - Ren McCormack 

Lori Singer - Ariel Moore

John Lithgow - Rev. Shaw Moore

Dianne Wiest - Vi Moore

Chris Penn - Willard

Sarah Jessica Parker - Rusty

John Laughlin - Woody

Elizabeth Gorcey - Wendy Jo

Sam Dalton - Mr. Gurntz 

Frances Lee McCain - Ethel McCormack

Jim Youngs - Chuck Cranston

Douglas Dirkson - Burlington Cranston

Lynne Marta - Lulu Warnicker

Arthur Rosenberg - Wes Warnicker

Timothy Scott - Andy Beamis

Alan Haufrect - Coach Roger Dunbar

Linda MacEwen - Eleanor Dunbar

Kim Jensen - Edna 

Michael Telmont - Travis

Leo Geter - Rich

Ken Kemp - Jeff

Russ McGinn - Herb

H.E.D. Redford - Widdoes

Jay Bernard - Harvey

Meghan Broadhead - Sarah Warnicker

Mimi Broadhead - Amy Warnicker 

Gene Pack - Bernie

Marcia Dangerfield - Virginia

Crew

Director - Herbert Ross

Writer - Dean Pitchford

Executive Producer - Daniel Melnick

Producers - Lewis J. Rachmil and Graig Zadan

Casting Directors - Mike Fenton,

Jane Feinberg and Marci Liroff

Casting Director: New York - Margery Simkin
Production Designer - Ron Hobbs

Set Decorator - Mary Olivia Swanson

Property Master - C.J. Maguire
Costumes - Gloria Gresham

Makeup Artist - Daniel C. Striepeke
Director of Photography - Ric Waite

Second Assistant Director - Robert Engleman
Choreographer - Lynne Taylor-Corbett

Stunt Coordinator - Max Kleven

Special Effects - Wayne Beauchamp

Editor - Paul Hirsch

Assistant Editors - David Handman

and Peck Prior

Supervising Sound Editor - Gordon Ecker

Sound Effects Editors - Robert Bradshaw,

Randy Kelly, Bob Newlan and

Wylie Stateman

Re-Recording Mixers - David E. Campbell,

John T. Reitz and Gregg Rudloff

Score Adaptation - Miles Goodman

Music Supervisor - Becky Shargo

Writer/Producer/Performer: "Footloose" 

and "I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)" -

Kenny Loggins

Awards

1985 Academy Awards

Best Music, Original Song "Footloose" -

Kenny Loggins and Dean Pitchford (Nominated)

Best Music, Original Song "Let's Hear It for the Boy" -

Tom Snow and Dean Pitchford (Nominated)

Review

A straightforward, potent classic teen drama with a simple plot, FOOTLOOSE is unforgettable and superior to the remake. It was in production during the 80s, when teen movies were a lasting trend. Since its 1984 release, it has been an undisputed pop-cultural touchstone referenced in many films, such as Guardians of the Galaxy. It also inspired the animated movie Happy Feet, which features a similar plotline for younger audiences. The film embodies teenagers' struggle for independence. It is about deciding what they will do with their lives and what journey they'll take. FOOTLOOSE sends a message that teenagers will understand: when parents control them, they often rebel and have an innate need to fulfil their greatest dreams and desires.

I didn't watch this movie for the dancing. Instead, I preferred the film's inspiring message and the upbeat tunes that energise FOOTLOOSE. Kevin Bacon looked very young in the movie and delivered a convincing performance that elevated his fame in Hollywood. John Lithgow creates a sympathetic yet fundamentalist character who pushes his religious views on those around him and believes that dancing is a sin. John crafted a very strict, disapproving father figure.

Although it's aimed at a teen audience, FOOTLOOSE remains one of the best teen drama movies of its generation. Even today, its story and message remain highly relevant. I strongly recommend viewing this fantastic movie. You won't regret it.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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Step Up: Miami Heat Review

Step Up: Miami Heat 


Release Date: 2nd August 2012 - Australia


Production Companies
Offspring Entertainment
Summit Entertainment

Distribution
Universal Pictures Australia


Genre: Music/Drama

Rating: PG

Runtime: 99 minutes


Budget: $33,000,000

Box Office Gross: $93,723,802
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Emily, the daughter of a 
wealthy businessman, 
arrives in Miami hoping 
to become a professional 
dancer. She falls in love 
with Sean, a young man 
who leads a dance crew 
in elaborate, cutting-edge 
flash mobs. The crew, 
called the MOB, strives 
to win a contest for a 
major sponsorship 
opportunity, but Emily's 
father threatens to 
develop the MOB's 
historic neighborhood 
and displace thousands 
of people. (Source - Metro Cinemas)

Cast
Kathryn McCormick - Emily
Anderson
Ryan Guzman - Sean
Adam Sevani - Robert 

"Moose" Alexander III
Misha Gabriel - Eddie
Peter Gallagher - William 

"Bill" Anderson
Stephen "tWitch" Boss - Jason
Chadd "Madd Chadd" Smith -
Vladd
Tommy Dewey - Tripp
Cleopatra Coleman - Penelope
Megan Boone - Claire

Crew
Director - Scott Speer
Based on Characters - Duane Adler
Writer - Amanda Brody
Producers - Erik Feig, Jennifer Gibgot,
Garrett Grant, Adam Shankman &
Patrick Waschberger
Production Designer - Carlos Menendez
Director of Photography - Karsten Gopinath
Choreographers - Chuck Maldonado,
Christopher Scott, Jamal Sims
& Travis Wall
Film Editors - Matt Friedman &
Avi Youabian
Music - Aaron Zigman


Review
I'm unfamiliar with the 'Step Up' series and never watched any of the other dance films of the series, 'MIAMI HEAT' is a very solid fourth instalment and I guarantee that it'll give good entertainment. The movie's story is not bad and has a good romantic subplot, but I am amazed by its dance choreography which is really energetic and Michael Jackson would have been proud of it. 'MIAMI HEAT' does deliver something and I would give four well deserved stars for this one.

Star rating: (4/5) 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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