Bob Franklin Movies
- 2008
A trio of sailors about to be sent off to war hit the town for one last party in this semi-improvised drama from actor and filmmaker Matthew Newton. Sam (Ewen Leslie), Dean (Toby Schmitz), and Harry (Matthew Newton) are members of the Australian Navy who have orders to board the HMAS Dignity and set sail for duty that will eventually send them to Iraq. With 24 hours of liberty before they report for duty, Harry suggests they hit Sydney and party. However, despite plenty of booze and a visit from some friendly hookers, it's hard for the men to relax and enjoy themselves. Sam isn't sure he can handle the stress of war, and has a one-night stand with a waitress (Gracie Otto) while wondering if he'd be better off deserting. Dean takes some time out for a dinner with his wife-to-be and her folks, but drinking loosens his tongue and he says some things he should have kept to himself. And Harry, the wild man of the group, doesn't seem so jovial when his day comes to a close. Three Blind Mice received its world premiere at the 2008 Sydney Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Matthew Newton, Toby Schmitz, (more)
- 2003
A pair of Melbourne detectives working in the Zero Tolerance Unit set out to uncover a web of corruption in the directorial debut of famed Australian comic Tony Martin. Though a highly publicized accident involving a dead magistrate quickly relegates dedicated lawmen Ben Kinnear (Mick Molloy) and Mike Paddock (Bob Franklin) back to lowly uniformed duty, the pair can't help but notice an odd link between the accident and the questionable business associations of a suspicious casino boss they had been investigating. Realizing that they can no longer accept the widespread corruption that surrounds them, Ben and Mike set out to bust the crooked casino hustler and rid their city of the criminal element. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mick Molloy, Bob Franklin, (more)
- 2002
A contentious romantic relationship was at the core of the Australian comedy-drama series CrashBurn. Catherine McClements and Aaron Blabey starred as a pair of lovers who quickly degenerated into combatants as the series wore on. The series was created by Deb Cox and Andrew Knight, who also penned many of the 13 episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
This breezily profane Australian cable-TV sitcom was co-created by Matt Cameron and Bob Franklin, with the latter essaying the title role. Ill-tempered Garry "Gaz" Petty -- "Petty by name, petty by nature" -- was convinced that the world was against him. In each episode, he tried to get even with the person or persons "Who Did Me Wrong," a mission he approached with incredible zeal, despite the fact that he had never succeeded in much of anything throughout his life (a fact confirmed when even a pet-shop macaw called him a "loser"). Six half-hour episodes of Introducing Gary Petty were beamed out digitally in the summer of 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Franklin, Elise McCredie, (more)
- 1999
- NR
"Craic" is Irish slang for a laugh or a good time, which is what this comedy about two Irishmen on the run in Australia has to offer. Fergus (Jimeoin McKeown) and his best friend Wesley (Alan McKee) are living in Belfast when they incur the wrath of a violent IRA leader, Colin (Robert Morgan). Since Ireland no longer seems like a safe place to stay, the boys hit the road and end up in Sydney, where they manage to find work despite the fact they're illegal aliens. Fergus gets a chance to appear on Australian TV's answer to "The Dating Game" and wins a vacation in Queensland with a pretty but half-bright beautician, Margo (Kate Gorman). While Fergus is enjoying his holiday (if not Margo's company), immigration authorities raid the house where Wesley, Fergus and several other illegals have been staying. Wesley takes it on the lam and tracks down Fergus in Queensland, just in time for Colin to show up, who is in Australia as part of a witness protection program. Fergus and Wesley are still angry at Colin, and vice versa, and so a mad chase ensues as Fergus and Wesley head for the outback with immigration agents, secret service men and IRA renegades hot on their trail. Jimeoin McKeown is a popular stand-up comic in Australia, and Alan McKee is the star of the BBC's The Bill; their combined box-office draw gave The Craic the second-biggest opening week gross ever for an Australian film at home, bested only by Muriel's Wedding in 1994. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jimeoin McKeown, Alan McKee, (more)
Elton John: Someone Like Me documents the remarkable career of the internationally renowned singer, pianist, showman, and songwriter. Tracing his modest beginnings as a teenager, and following him through his meteoric rise to the top thanks to a seemingly ceaselessly string of pop hits in the seventies, this documentary utilizes archival footage as well as interviews with John's friends and contemporaries. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
