Samuel Johnson Movies
Genial Australian actor Samuel Johnson (not to be confused with the American screen star of the same name) specialized in the way-offbeat, to such a degree that eccentric and intriguing Aussie film and theatrical roles often seemed to have his name attached by default. Though Johnson wasted no time entering the dramatic arts, his involvement with that sphere seemed to happen almost by accident. At the age of 15, he impulsively auditioned for a turn as a mad scientist in the play The Pink Panther Strikes Again and not only won the role, but drew the attention of famed casting director Ronda Schepisi (ex-wife of cause-celebre director Fred Schepisi) who arranged for his attainment of an Actor's Equity card. Innumerable stage productions and television shows followed, with Johnson peaking in popularity as the nymphomaniacal Evan on the popular Oz series The Secret Life of Us. Johnson scored one of his first major film roles as a book editor driven into a state of madness and physical suffering in director Kriv Stenders' macabre seriocomedy The Illustrated Family Doctor (2005), then worked alongside Geoffrey Rush and others by providing a voice in the unusual but visually brilliant claymation ensemble piece $9.99 (2008). ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide- 2008
- R
A jobless 28-year-old residing in an apartment with his single father discovers the meaning of life for a bargain-basement price in this stop-motion animation film featuring the voices of Ben Mendelsohn, Barry Otto, Anthony LaPaglia, and Geoffrey Rush. Dave has made it his mission to discover the meaning of life, so when he stumbles across a book claiming to answer just that question for the low, low price of just $9.99, he can't help but make an impulse purchase. Much to his surprise, the book contains all the answers he's been searching for, a revelation that compels him to share this newfound information with his neighbors -- an eccentric bunch whose stories gradually intertwine to offer a revealing portrait of their hopes, loves, and spiritual beliefs. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Geoffrey Rush, Anthony LaPaglia, (more)
- 2002
Pressured by moneyhungry Bernie (John Clarke) to redevelop their club and install poker machines when the begin having financial difficulties, Cityside Bowling Club members Stan (Bill Hunter), Len (Frank Wilson) and Eileen (Monica Maughan) make a last ditch effort to enter a tournament and win the prize money needed to stay afloat. Desperate to form a winning team, the ageing trio quickly learns that dispite his lack of presence, young Jack Simpson (Mick Molloy) has held a membership for years for the sole purpose of maintaing a cheap parking spot - not to mention renting out a few on the side for a little profit. Finally called on to serve his duty as an actual member, will Jack pitch in to save to club from certain extinction, or simply drive a few extra blocks to find another parking spot. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mick Molloy, Bill Hunter, (more)
Sex and the singles scene is a much explored and exploited subject in cinema, particularly in the 1990's. Strange Fits of Passion tries to avoid clichés in narrating a young woman's desperate crusade to lose her virginity. The result is a bittersweet fable in which the protagonist takes the viewer along on her journey through hilarious sexual and social misadventures as she struggles to discover the meaning of sex, love, and desire in a world which is post-modern and post-everything. The first film of actress and stage director Elise McCredie, Strange Fits of Passion was chosen for the International Critics' Week at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Gönül Dönmez-Colin, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michela Noonan, Mitchell Butel, (more)
