The Web Haunt of Ryan K Lindsay

Blue-Tongue Films is the home of Aussie wonder kids Joel and Nash Edgerton. They’ve made short and long films between them, and they always seem to impress. They’ve got a variety of genres covered and whatever they film always seems to come out looking polished and professional as hell, not to mention being thoroughly enjoyable.

Recently I watched The Square, a great little Aussie treat of crime and suburban noir that made me feel it was our great southern end equivalent to the American masterpiece Blood Simple, by the Coen Brothers. The script was tight, the characters were nasty in ways but you still sort of pulled for some of them and the problems just kept on coming from what could have stayed a relatively simple situation. Watching it was great, one of those films that gives you hope in the Aussie flick business.

Around the same time, I think slightly before, a mate of mine put me onto their short film, Spider. It’s a simple premise, a guy scares his girlfriend with a fake spider, but the way it is delivered is something you really don’t see coming. It’s nice to have a little shock but I also really liked the characterisation behind it. The boyfriend, Nash Edgerton, is just a bit of an idiot and he couldn’t help himself but apologise but then have to tint it with a practical joke. One that turns out tragically for many involved.

Yesterday Ed Brubaker emailed me and told me about another one of their short films, I Love Sarah Jane. I know, name drop central, but we were corresponding about something, maybe even nothing, and he made mention of this little flick produced through Blue-Tongue. And it is an absolute cracker. It’s about a boy who loves a girl, and they’re in the zombie apocalypse. Do you even need anything else said about it, I was sold instantly. Then I watched it. It’s got a bunch of suburban Aussie boys who kind of act like you would expect them too in this situation. They’re full of their own self-importance and they like to act as if they’re all tough guys. They’re annoying, but the main boy isn’t. Sarah Jane, played by Mia Wasikowska is subdued when she needs to be, though a tough exterior protects her from what she is coping with. This girl has most recently been cast in Tim Burton’s Wonderland as the, usually eponymous, Alice. She is clearly a girl with a future that lays bright and polished in front of her, which is great to see. The flick also has some pretty cool zombie make up, arrows flying and a whipper snipper getting a run that hasn’t been seen since Peter Jackson strapped a lawnmower onto an actor for Braindead and unleashed him on the zombie hordes. It’s very cool.

To enjoy the flick, because Blue-Tongue are awesome and put most things up on YouTube, why don’t you watch it below. It’s only 12 minutes, plus credits. I can’t believe this was made maybe two years ago and I’m only getting it now. Let’s rectify that situation now.

You’re welcome.

* You’ll also notice a very cool word I dropped in that conversation, one that means a character whose name is in the title, and then you’ll notice, if you look to the right toolbar, that I have changed/updates a new page for my Paper Street Publishing House writing. It’s a new story, kind of, with a new title (of which one word was dropped in this here rant) and within it you’ll find a synopsis, character bios, and five sample one page scripts for a webcomic. Go on, have a look. And, as always, enjoy.

Posted on October 15th, 2009 by ryan
Filed under: movies