This week I’m emotionally attached to…

I’m a media & communications student. Therefore it probably won’t surprise you to know that not only do I watch a lot of television, but I also form intense bonds with both the characters and the series. Generally, they tend to be from female-inclined soaps, which play upon my emotional insecurities…so perhaps it actually has more to do with my obsessive and unrealistically dreamy views on life…HOWEVER, I know I’m not the only one!

SO, each week imma gonna share with you, the character and/or show to which I am feeling the intense bond and who is consequently causing me to become very sentimental towards my own life. You’ll get a rundown on what they’re all about and why they have transcended the fourth wall to intricate themselves into my daily emotions. Oh, how thrilling it sounds. I know.

To kick start the ball rolling then, this week, I’m emotionally attached to…

JAKE BARTON from PACKED TO THE RAFTERS

Hunk Alert!

Alas, tonight (Tuesday 23rd August 2011) we celebrated the return of the beloved Australian ‘drama’ Packed to the Rafters, to channel seven’s programming. Having been put on hiatus earlier this year, PTTR is now back on our screens to play out the rest of its fourth season.

For those unaware of the show’s plot, Jake Barton (played by Australian actor, James Stewart) is a young electrician who works for Dave Rafter (paternal protagonist) and who is romantically linked to Dave’s eldest child, Rachel Rafter (played by the equally gorgeous Jessica Marais).

WHY THE ATTACHMENT?

1) Look at him. Some serious man candy there. Admittedly, I didn’t see the hype when Jake first became a regular character in season three, but there’s no doubt he’s grown on me. And, I mean, he’s a tradie – i.e. the show’s creators take every opportunity to put him in as little clothing as possible to show off that fine bod.

2) SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT: Jake (being the highly Australian stereotype he is) is a rugby-playing, beer-drinking man who uses his body more than his brains to earn a living. But as we’ve discovered, he’s a true softy. Not only have we seen him stand up to his reckless mates to defend a girl, be highly protective of his family (single mother and disabled brother) and take in the long-lost cousin, Coby, as his new bestie, he has also proven himself as a charming boyfriend to Rachel. BUT, Rachel, has just decided to up and leave to further her advertising career in NYC – and being the beautiful, in-love gentleman that he is, Jake has regretfully allowed Rachel to go on her way and follow her dreams.

Tonight’s episode undoubtedly played on the heartstrings, drawing out the tearful farewell for the former inseparable couple. Which, of course, featured Jake’s mad dash to the airport to say a few last heartfelt words to his woman.

Now that Rachel has left the series, it will be interesting to see how big of a role Jake will play in PTTR. But in the meantime, where are the boys like him hiding?!

peace xx

I Love You Too

Australian cinema – what a fascinating industry.

While it has been the source of critical acclaim and box office records in recent times (think Samson and Delilah and Australia), this is not always the case. And with the majority of our modern acting exports tracing back to ‘soapie’ origins – it’s no wonder why there has been so much doubt cast over the future of Australian film.

So when I heard that Peter Helliar, this is the Pete Helliar of Rove fame,

Strauchnie

had written an Australian romantic-comedy and it was about to be released….well that cast of doubt started to rumble.

Don’t get me wrong, Australian comedy is amongst some of the best – those who know me well know that The Castle, for one,  holds a very near and dear spot in my heart…but remembering flops like Blurred and You and Your Best Mate, somehow I just wasn’t sure whether Strauchnie had the ability to create a full feature-length film.

Well, I saw I Love You Too, last night. And well, I was wrong.

It is fantastic.

There’s nothing worse than a film being hyped up so much that it can never meet expectations (ahem, Avatar), so I will try not to do so here, but this is truly a cinematic gem.

Basic story is that 33-year-old miniature train-driver Jim (Brendan Cowell) seduced Alice (Yvonne Strahovski) 3 and half years ago when she was a young British backpacker on holiday in Australia for a month. Alice believes they have reached the ‘settling point’ in their relationship (i.e. let’s get married) but Jim has never said ‘I love you’. See basic idea.

Apart from the very thin plot line, we have the other regular rom-com specifications; quirky best friends Blake, (Helliar, who is literally himself in the role) and Bec (the extremely underrated Katrina Milosevic), family member with the underpinning ’emotional’ plot drive (Bridie Carter)

The Cast

and the token role, in this case a dwarf named Charlie (Peter Dinklage). Throw in cameos from beloved Australian celebrities (Hamish Blake, Megan Gale and Rose Byrne) – and you have yourself a tried and tested recipe!

Yet, while this film ticks all the necessary requirements for a movie of this genre, the sharpness and authenticity of the writing, the great soundtrack and setting and the true charm of Aussie humour stops it from being cheesy.

I was crying with laughter, crying with sadness and crying cos well in some parts it did trigger the romantic within!

Helliar, has obviously been inspired by the success and style of the Australian comedies before his time (for example, Owen -played by Travis McMahon – Jim’s brother-in-law, is fascinated by the idea of one day being a contestant on Who Wants to be a Millionaire. To me, this is particularly reminiscent of the Kerrigan’s obsession with Hey Hey it’s Saturday and The Price is Right in The Castle) but all the more to his credit.

And, what makes this even more special for us local sorts, is that the film was shot entirely on location in Melbourne. It’s always fun to play “where’s that?” as you watch!

Go. See it. Don’t hesitate.

Then tell me what you think…

Mel xx

this is mel-born

Well hello all!

It’s the world’s #3 most liveable city (thanks huffingtonpost), but to me it is my home, my playground, my Mellbourne.

Now before you go navigating away from the page, this is not a tourism blog, nor is it to advertise the city per se. It is mel-born; think of this more as my online journal dedicated to the daily ins & outs of my city life.

Ok, I’m going to stop speaking. The blog should do enough talking.

Mel xx