Hard News by Russell Brown

Read Post

Hard News: The Munter and the Munted

94 Responses

First ←Older Page 1 2 3 4 Newer→ Last

  • recordari,

    Well for starters, the All Blacks are the #1 ranked team in the world, and the Springboks are #2.
    I think some people would rate parts of the 1956 series in NZ, and the 1996 series (first time we won in South Africa) as best.

    My bad.
    I did say 'best game played last Saturday night' though, just to avoid getting into a 'best off'.

    Speaking of best OF, which would you rate as the best Outrageous Fortune episode?

    Based on pure anticipation, I'm picking tonight's episode.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I love Outrageous Fortune - but this feels like a wake too soon

    Nah... I've done q quick mental audit of shows that were retrospectively diminished by hanging around long past their creative expiry date -- a long and depressing list.

    My money's on Loretta, and Hayden "Bloody" Peters. Angry and rough, somewhere highly uncomfortable (perhaps in a Mini).

    Spite fucking is always hot. Sad but true. Now that I think of it, the kinkiest thing they could do with Loretta is turn her into her mother, in a good way.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Speaking of best OF, which would you rate as the best Outrageous Fortune episode?

    Series 5, when Judd brought his baby back to the house, and Cheryl went missing. I can count the movies and TV episodes that have made me cry on one hand, that one broke me for an hour or so.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace,

    Many years ago I worked at the Turnbull Library and Rachel Lang was our young talented evening student assistant. I like to think there is a little bit of the Turnbull Library in the work she has done since.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    the kinkiest thing they could do with Loretta is turn her into her mother, in a good way.

    I'm trying to see the kink. Judd? Crikey.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    I can count the movies and TV episodes that have made me cry on one hand, that one broke me for an hour or so.

    I'll give you that. The shots of the bonfire have me concerned though.

    This anticipation has two earworms playing over in my head.

    Dialing a Prayer by Straightjacket Fits (not on youtube).
    Do you love me by Nick Cave.

    Not entirely sure why. Bring it on, I say.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Mikaere Curtis,

    I'm grew up in Massey, and when I was 17 a short film called Universal Drive played on TV. I was really excited. Finally, a reflection of my part of Auckland, complete with a proper backyard party and road chase out to Bethells. I got the same feeling when I first started watching OF. Well done, James et al.

    Then there's the chronic snobishness against the West by people who live in other parts of the city. The first time someone called me a "Westie" I was all "WTF is a Westie ?"

    It didn't take me long to figure out that the best way to respond to a pegorative comment about the West was to say "yeah, totally sucks, rainforest, surf beaches, vineyards...".

    So, I really appreciate seeing West Auckland in a good light.

    Tamaki Makaurau • Since Nov 2006 • 528 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark,

    I have to admit that I don't watch Outrageous Fortune. Not for any reason than that I missed a few episodes, and it's one of those ones that you have to have watched everything to know what's going on, I feel. What you did omit to mention, Russell, was Serial Killers. I bloody loved that show. Piss my pants laughing every time. Spin Doctors was funny, but SK? Genius.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Lucy Stewart,

    Never got around to watching OF (one of a very long list of Things I Should Watch, Someday) but I *loved* Spin Doctors so very much. I wished it'd got a bit of a longer run, but writing it to match weekly events must have been a strain. Still, it was great while it lasted.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Yes!

    Hugh Sundae's got cracking at the Herald and James' love letter to Outrageous Fortune is now online.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Nah... I've done q quick mental audit of shows that were retrospectively diminished by hanging around long past their creative expiry date

    Craig, I meant this discussion here now - cos I'm feeling excited rather than melancholic. Going out on top is a great tactic for any show. I'll be more ready to talk about that at the end of the series, is all

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I'll be more ready to talk about that at the end of the series, is all

    Ah. Well, you see, that's end of the wake. This is the beginning. Pack wisely.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Jolisa,

    I grew up in Massey, and when I was 17 a short film called Universal Drive played on TV. I was really excited. Finally, a reflection of my part of Auckland, complete with a proper backyard party and road chase out to Bethells.

    ... and written by the wildly talented Debra Daley, who was a founding blogger at Public Address back in the day. You can see part of it here. Takes you back!

    In the same series was Peter Wells' Jewel's Darl, starring a young Georgina Beyer, and an adaptation of C.K. Stead's A Fitting Tribute; also a kitchen sink drama starring Jennifer Ward-Lealand. They made a big impression on me at the time; possibly because they were screened only once, and so late at night, that you had to go out of your way to see them.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    "Jewel's Darl" was written by Anne Kennedy, and won a KM prize in the 1980s...like Stead's "A Fitting Tribute", film adaptations of ANZ short stories -and there is a large & rich hoard of ANZ short stories- are well worth being made available to a much wider audience. Dvds?

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Jolisa,

    Good catch, Islander - directed by Wells, but indeed written by Anne Kennedy. (The NZOnscreen site privileges the directors and producers; you have to dig deeper to find out who wrote what).

    I agree heartily about the richness of the literary trove, just sitting there waiting to be adapted for the screen. Someone once told me that a short story is the perfect length for a feature film,whereas most novels are far too long to work as films. Which might explain why most adaptations of novels feel rushed, whereas these films which grew out of short stories really allowed you to linger in a particular world while still grasping the story that was being told.

    On the other hand, I feel as though short stories are getting shorter and shorter these days, for no good reason (except perhaps our attention spans?).

    Steering back on thread, is OF more of a five act drama (hat tip to the bard), or one of those triple-decker VIctorian novels?

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    Outrageous Fortune is now online.

    That's two Teh Herald articles in one week that have made me go 'ugh, that's noice!'

    Careful, I might start to believe in magic.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I'm trying to see the kink. Judd? Crikey.

    Nah, I'd just love the very last scene to be a flash forward twenty years into the future where a psychotically maternal Loretta has Hayden and their hideously dysfunctional brood (with Munter and Kacey's spawn/Jane's best mate in there) lined up at the kitchen table for a reading of the riot act.

    The Peters are going straight -- and this time, Loretta is going to get it right.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Peter Wells' Jewel's Darl, starring a young Georgina Beyer, and an adaptation of C.K. Stead's A Fitting Tribute; also a kitchen sink drama starring Jennifer Ward-Lealand.

    Prime's great History of NZ telly series featured brief clips from both.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    Interesting take Jolisa- that s.s's are getting shorter...part of the reason is competitions (there's always a word limit and it tends to the shorter rather than longer limit (and for non-practitioners, 3000 words = about 6 pages)) which ensure publication of the winners. Another part *may* be shortened attention spans but, as someone who has been guilty of writing novellas (= long short stories) and has found a gratifying reader response - well, I just dont know.

    I totally agree that s.s's make a better vehicle for a film (unless you
    a)want to make a series (t.v. whatever) or
    b)write a very short novel...))

    Cant comment on "OF" - never seen an episode.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Ye gads, three minutes in and there's a moment of hilarious yet hideously inappropriate fun with a blow up doll.

    ETA: Oh, Aaron Spiller you adorable creep. :)

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • JP Hansen,

    1st ad break and... Holy fuck!

    We're back baby!

    Mind you, we have a 16yo Japanese student with us for a fortnight, and I think he's learned a new word or two (and other things besides).

    Waitakere • Since Nov 2006 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Oooh, lady wank and an implied muff dive. Anyone else thinking those promos were ever so slightly misleading?

    ETA: Apparently not -- and it couldn't have happened to a nicer prick.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    "He shot my sister through the tit, man! THROUGH THE TIT!"

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    The Peters are going straight -- and this time, Loretta is going to get it right.

    I'm astonished by your sentimentality, Craig. That's an ending I'd never have picked. Now, down to business. MySky half loaded, bottle half drained, couch laid out...see yous in the morning. One A-von-da-lay Westie signing in for a night of ....

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • JP Hansen,

    Whaa?

    Woah.

    Wow!

    Waitakere • Since Nov 2006 • 206 posts Report Reply

First ←Older Page 1 2 3 4 Newer→ Last

Post your response…

Please sign in using your Public Address credentials…

Login

You may also create an account or retrieve your password.