Music News Australia: 08/08/12

Wednesday, 8 August 2012

The Sapphires movie premiere at State Theatre, Sydney, Australia

Plot...

It's 1968, and four young, talented Australian Aboriginal girls learn about love, friendship and war when their all girl group The Sapphires entertain the US troops in Vietnam.

Premiere...

Tonight Sydney's State Theatre was once again the place for hot new movie premiere.

Last night State Theatre was the place for the Sydney premiere of 'The Bourne Legacy', and tonight it was a very different genre with 'The Sapphires'.

'The Sapphires' took over the famous theatre, as the red carpet was rolled out for this interesting new film.

It was wonderful to see the strong turn out of people including many notable Indigenous Australians, there to support the film and actors.

Review...

When a little-known stage show dubbed 'The Sapphires' shimmied into Perth two years ago, four Aboriginal songbirds burnt up the stage in a dazzling display with all the promise of a big screen blockbuster musical.

Inspired by the true story of playwright Tony Briggs’ mother and three aunts during the racial upheaval of the ’60s and delivering a spirited score, sparkling costumes and charismatic performances, the showstopper still ranks among the best plays or musicals seen on any stage in Perth, Broadway or the West End.

Originating as an acclaimed production in 2004, that 2010 reprisal introduced a new cast including seasoned songstress Christine Anu and Australian Idol season two winner Casey Donovan, marking the oft-maligned powerhouse vocalist’s return to the spotlight.

Off the back of rave reviews, it secured a stint in London with Donovan the sole lead to secure a spot on tour, only to unsuccessfully audition for the film version.

Deborah Mailman (from the original 2004 production) and Australian Idol season four runner-up Jessica Mauboy are joined here by two young newcomers in Miranda Tapsell and Shari Sebbens as talented sisters Gail, Julie and Cynthia and cousin Kay, whose beautiful harmonies are discovered by soul-loving music manager Dave (Chris O’Dowd).

Directed by feature film debutant Wayne Blair, the cinematic adaptation comes with lots of pressure and expectation and delivers.

The Sapphires is likely to become an Aussie classic and is full of soul.

If music themed flicks are your thing you really need to see this film.

The Sapphires (M)

Starring: Deborah Mailman, Chris O'Dowd, Jessica Mauboy

Director: Wayne Blair

Writers: Tony Briggs, Keith Thompson

Production Co: Goalpost Pictures

Websites

Goalpost Pictures

www.goalpostpictures.com

Hopscotch Films - The Saphires

www.hopscotchfilms.com.au/the-sapphires-film

State Theatre

www.statetheatre.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com

The Bourne Legacy red carpet premiere at State Theatre, Sydney, Australia

The Bourne Legacy tonight enjoyed its Sydney, Australia red carpet premiere (and a bike stunt) at the world famous State Theatre.

Megastar Jeremy Renner has seen his career take off in recent years after appearing in a string of popular movies including 'The Hurt Locker', 'Avengers' and 'The Bourne Legacy'. The 41-year-old says it is impossible for him to pick a favourite out of the vast number of films he's starred in.

"My favourite movie... it's difficult to say," Jeremy admitted to Sydney radio's Kyle and Jackie O. "It's a bit like having to choose which is your favourite child."

Renner features in the latest Bourne movie following the departure of Matt Damon. He found it tough to abide by some of the rules surrounding the top secret nature of The Bourne Legacy's script.

"They flew the script in at midnight and you were allowed to look at it for two hours before they flew it back. I'm a slow reader anyway so I felt pressured," Jeremy explained. "I had to really rifle through it! I mean what were they going to do, have it burst into flames on me or something?!"

Although he felt stressed, Jeremy agrees with the concept. The actor respects the need for secrecy with storylines in the film industry.

"We are in the age where nothing is sacred or private anymore. It gets to the point where no one wants to come see movies if they know the ending anymore so why spoil it for people?" Jeremy continued. "Especially in a big franchise like Bourne where there is a big fan base."

Story...

After agent Jason Bourne goes rogue as seen in the original "Bourne" trilogy--CIA agent Eric Byer (Edward Norton), head of the government's secret Outcome program which has used a chemical process to create super agents, decides to end that program by killing all the agents in the field. One such agent, Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner) manages to survive the culling and with the help of biochemist Dr. Marta Shearing (Rachel Weisz) goes on the run from Byers' agents as he tries to get the chemicals he needs to survive.

"The Bourne Legacy" is a very interesting approach to reviving a franchise because it's not a reboot as much as a sequel that takes place concurrently and overlapping with "The Bourne Ultimatum." This idea is the brainchild of Tony Gilroy, who was involved in the the first three "Bourne" movies before directing "Michael Clayton" and "Duplicity." He returns to the "Bourne" franchise.

In The Bourne Legacy, writer/director Tony GIlroy expands the Bourne universe created by Robert Ludlum with an original story that introduces us to a new hero (Jeremy Renner) whose life-or-death stakes have been triggered by the events of the first three films.

For The Bourne Legacy, Renner joins fellow series newcomers Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Stacy Keach and Oscar Isaac, while franchise veterans Albert Finney, Joan Allen, David Strathairn and Scott Glenn reprise their roles.

The buzz is that this is an awesome film, so be watching out for release dates in your region.

Release Date: August 10, 2012

Genre: Action-Thriller

Studio: Universal

Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Albert Finney, Joan Allen, Scott Glenn, Stacy Keach, Oscar Isaac

Directed By: Tony Gilroy

Written By: Tony Gilroy and Dan Gilroy

Produced By: Frank Marshall, Patrick Crowley, Jeffrey M. Weiner, Ben Smith

Full Cast List:

Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross

Rachel Weisz as Dr. Marta Shearing

Scott Glenn as Ezra Kramer