Flammable Children

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Walter W Staying alive was harder than you think in the 1970’s, but somehow most of us did survive and are tougher for it. Writer/Director Stephan Elliot (“Priscilla Queen of the Desert”) knows this better than most and he successfully captures that vibe in his mostly autobiographical 2018 movie “Swinging Safari” or "Flammable Children" (in some countries) narrated by Richard Roxburgh (“Rake”). This film reflects all that was good, bad and downright disturbingly stupid about the era that was Australia in a time when Gough Whitlam was Prime Minister, “cracker night” or “Guy Fawkes Night” was still legal, along with backyard bonfires and flammable children. Yes we’ve learnt from our mistakes since then and we don’t recommend sending in a demolition team to remove a beached whale or wearing polyester clothing near a fire place. Queenslanders will recognise some of the locations including Snapper Rocks/Rainbow Bay on the Gold Coast where the movies Mayor (Jack Thompson) joins a long list of Aussie Superstar actors and actresses who’ve had huge international film, tv and music careers. This film pleasantly surprised me when I went searching on IMDb for a Julian McMahon flick to pay tribute to his passing at just 56 from cancer. It’s streaming to rent or buy on Apple TV and it’s a solid gold Australian ripper that’s so much fun in an industry that often forgets to entertain. “Swinging Safari” is even better if you lived through this epoch Down Under with so many pop culture references, including the soundtrack, Super 8 movies, fashion, cars, homes, furniture, sets, props and heaps more. The period detail is first class and fun! Want to laugh out loud and forget the real world for 97 minutes then this coming of age, raunchy comedy “Swinging Safari” is just what the doctor ordered. It’s frickin’ hilarious! Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/08/25 Full Review Oliver M Hey Kylie is just amazing So full on and over the top Cartoon and Cutting It's actually full on and overload and true Cheap Baz but hitting all the right marks Kylie you really showed something else Bless You Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/10/23 Full Review Audience Member Enjoying it (I'm still watching as I write this) captures much of life in the 70's, maybe all, love seeing the drink, cigs, lollies, clothes, furniture, food, shearing the music even if a bit changed, like Gary Glitters music, it's over the top, stupid, but done tongue in cheek and I like/love it !! Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Australia, 1975. The beach suburb of Nobbys Beach is a place that revolves around surf mats, baby oil, boxed wine and the new miracle of Kentucky Fried Chicken. 14 year-old Jeff tries to find his feet in a world changing faster than his hormones, and deal with his crush on shy and sensitive girl-next-door Melly. When the beach town suddenly hits the spotlight after the body of a 200-ton whale is washed ashore, Jeff and Melly think it's the biggest thing that ever happened in their lives. Meanwhile, their eccentric parents are catching up with the sexual revolution that has also washed up on Australia's beaches. And just like the decaying whale, it's all about to go spectacularly wrong... Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus reads: "Swinging Safari gathers an entertaining ensemble to offer audiences a messy yet ultimately endearing comedy rich with period detail." "Swinging Safari" is nicely shot with a nice ensemble containing of Guy Pearce, Kylie Minogue, Julian McMahon etc. But, ultimately I don´t understand the film itself since it´s a mess with halfbaked stereotypical characters and a scenestructure that is all over the place. The editing makes your head almost explode as well and it´s simply not funny. Having lived in Australia, I will always support the Australian movieindustry, but this one is a hit and a miss. I reckon "Swinging Safari" was inspired by Wes Anderson, but it´s not even close of being something of a Wes Anderson film. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member The exploding whale was a viral video that took the world by storm 10 years before this movie was made. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member This coming of age story is flat out hilarious. It works the 70's suburban setting hard. The Austrailian suburban experience was apparently remarkably similar to the Californian experience in that decade. The only real difference is the Austrailian accents and vernacular, which makes this even funnier. Elliot makes the most of every opportunity to go too far in every scene. If you want a lesson in how to raise your kids in the most un-PC way possible, this is the movie for you. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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