Starstruck

First of all, this is a musical about making it as a pop musician. To like this movie, you'll have to like the music. It's mostly pop-rock with female lead vocals. If you're exclusively into heavy metal, rap or classical, this is not for you. The soundtrack is a collection/collaboration of several different performers and writers, notably including Tim Finn (of Split Enz, Crowded House & The Finn Brothers).Second of all, this is from Australia, which seems to me sort of like an odd parallel dimension of the 1980s U.S. in the movie. If you don't like Australia or Australian accents, forget it. As for me, I've always found that country strangely fascinating - altho I've never been.I first became aware of this movie waaay back in the early/mid 80's when VH1 was just starting out. In those days they were kind of quirky and uncommercial and often played the TV video version of "Monkey In Me" - which was fantastic (not quite the same in the movie, unfortunately). I then got the vinyl LP and was surprised at how consistently good the music was. Somehow the movie managed to get reviewed by Siskel & Ebert (2 thumbs up). After all that I decided I had to see the video and managed to rent a copy - not that easy.Frankly, I found the movie a bit uneven, but generally interesting and entertaining. The plot is fairly simple and derivative, but the music, performers and setting combine to make the finished product seem fresh and unique. I won't give away any details, but suffice it to say, it does keep your attention. Part of the reason I enjoyed it is due to the fact that, for some reason - as MTV found out long ago - it's nice to have a visual to go along with music. While I did like the film, it didn't really seem to live up the high quality of the music. It's almost a case of a soundtrack with a movie attached. Still, the total package is good enough to rate 4 stars in my book.If I could rate the soundtrack alone, I'd give it 5 stars. Despite the hassle of converting vinyl to clean MP3s, I did it for EVERY track on the album. (Don't bother looking for a CD of the soundtrack - it doesn't exist.) You may want to buy the DVD just to have a clean version of the music - altho some pieces are cut up and talked over somewhat.Despite the catchy music and the good reviews, this movie has always suffered in obscurity. I don't think it was much of a hit even in its native country. I guess the story behind the story of this movie is that if you really want to make a name for yourself, you don't want to stay in Australia (kind of like my home town). Other than Tim Finn, I'm not aware of anyone associated with this good movie and great soundtrack going on to bigger things....P.S. "Monkey In Me" IMHO is one of the best pop/rock songs ever done. It may be the best song you've never heard.

This movie was finally re-released (summer of 2005) on a new two-disc DVD collection with the "extras" it deserves -- interviews with the producer, director, screenwriter; an audio commentary track; and deleted and extended scenes. More importantly, the sound and picture quality on this DVD release are light years ahead of the previous releases that were in the US (both of which I've previously purchased but gave up watching half-way through because the quality was so horrible). In short, the picture looks great, and the sound does the music justice. If you're a fan of Australian cinema in general...or movie musicals...or just want to see an Australian take on movie musicals in (roughly) the same era that the US was putting out "Grease" -- this is definitely worth seeing.Also, if you're a fan of the movie or of director Gillian Armstrong, you'll enjoy the interviews. Gillian Armstrong talks somewhat wistfully about how she rejected two other "unknown" bands to do the soundtrack (INXS and Men at Work), both of whom went on to be huge hits in America about 6 months after the movie opened to modest business in the US. As she notes in her interview, this movie probably never really caught on with the teen audience in the US because "they don't go to foreign movies" and "at the time they couldn't imagine that there was any new wave music in Australia."The audio commentary from the producer is an interesting insight on the movie-making business; he spends a lot of his time explaining what it took to get a movie made in Australia at the time (e.g., fund-raising from investors was driven by a mix of government funding and favorable tax laws for investors), and how it affected the creative process. Very different from most of the audio commentary tracks on the other movies.All in all, a lot of fun.

I had hoped to be the first one to review this DVD release - mine arrived on July 29 (released on the 26th, placed my order that day, and it arrived on the 29th using Super Saver shipping!). I'm happy to see that there is someone else out there who was just as eager as I was to get their hands on this DVD!I saw this movie four times in the theatres, back in '83, in its initial USA release. It was one of those exceptional films that really stuck with me. I found a VHS copy later in the 80s and was happy with that for a many years. I never saw any other DVD versions for sale, so I was very excited to see that this release was coming out.If you are a fan of this film, you will be very gratified to see this DVD! The quality is wonderful. By the climactic end of the story, I was in tears - of pure joy! There were so many details I was never able to see before - it's a beautiful print of the film. The music sounds fantastic - truly amazing from start to finish!If you have never seen this film, it is a pearl! And this new DVD edition brings it all across clean and clear. Put it on, crank up the sound and get ready for a rocking good time!Especially interesting was the interview with Armstrong and Elfick! This was not an easy film for them to make. Hearing the stories behind the making of the film and its music only served to enhance my enjoyment of the movie.And yes, I second that motion: Where's the CD???

Nice to finally get a good wide screen version of this almost cultish Australian film. Has been a fave of mine for many years and I have almost worn out my old full screen VHS copy. Also nice to get a second dvd with many extras.Two downsides - one to do with the dvd of the movie in that it does not have sub titles, which is a pain. There are times I liketo turn the sound down if I am watching musicals in the late evening (as I am in an apartment building) so sun titles are handy then. And this is not a fly by night version and STs seem to be available on many cheaper dvds.And the second downside, not with the film, is that for some reason Amazon used Purolator to send this (along with a few other dvds) rather than Canada Post. That meant I when I saw that it was out for delivery I had to hang around for most of the day in order to be here to get it.Courier service may be fine if there is always someone at home, or if delivered to a business address etc. But for apartment addresses it can be more of a problem than help. After all Canada Post now has delivery boxes in apartments so that if you are not home they can leave the package in a box for you to pick up, or even if they send it to a post office they are generally within walking distance. Two of them near me. But with a courier company (esp. Purolator in this burg) if you miss a delivery or two it is a royal pain in the butt to get to their depot in the hinterland. So if my next order comes by courier, I'll avoid ordering from Amazon as much as I can. Canada Post, though perhaps slower is a better option for apt. addresses, unless otherwise requested by the consumer. Give us a choice in the check out process, perhaps.

First saw this in the eighties and laughed my bag off. Just saw it again and it still holds-up.

This is a favorite movie of mine. Glad to find it.

best Aussie movie never shown in Australia-a really cute film

This is an eighties comedy musical from Australia. It follows the exploits of Jackie Mulligan and her younger cousin Angus who is always trying to dream up crazy publicity stunts for her but when a local TV station in Sydney announces a talent show with a record contract up for grabs, they try to get a band together.The songs are okay, the dance routines are a bit off and the story not the most original but hold on! The characters are excellent with the cast delivering energetic and uplifting performances.This is a wonderfully enjoyable musical with some great comedy moments and I'll tell you this, it's more convincing and entertaining that that fake "talent" show garbage called The X Factor!!