UPDate on our Movie of the year Night

​Friday 6thJuly 2018
Hi All,
I have run out of superlatives to describe our nights.
To say last night was great is probably less than it deserves.
I think about thirty members and guests turned up. First time we’ve had to put out so many chairs. Any more and we would have to set up an outside screen!!
Some members we haven’t seen for a long while including John Kolenicz and Min Haering.
Our special guest once again was Heidi Victoria the MLA for Bayswater .  She is a regular and always a friendly face. Her daughter Charly came as well. Heidi has a busy schedule and her visits are appreciated. She commented that if she had some free time she would join our club so take that as a compliment to our attitude.
It started well with me talking less than usual. I thought I’d managed to get a certain member (who shall be nameless, won’t we Barbara?), to take on supper duties. Amazing the excuses one can find.  Bit like school days!!
Gary H once more hosted the shortcuts segment and the enthusiastic audience dug up 16 topics.  The chosen one for this fortnight is ‘STUFF’.We all have lots of it so on you go.
There were four shortcuts on topic;
John M got some oldies to say which day of the week was best.  All chose Friday for some reason.
I came up with the obvious reminder that next meeting on a Friday is you know what.
Norman did a clever number to a Paul McCartney song about Friday. June was the main star with support from Robert and Richard who, quite cleverly, mimed the song. I suppose they were all important.
Gary reminded us what it is like to rush out to get to the club – and then find out you are a week early.  That has happened.
Gary also showed some drone footage from his holiday at Narooma.  Mostly the coast, but I was concerned when he flew over a cemetery. Was he looking for a place to rest his head?
Then we went on to the Main event - Movie of the Year.
A short note about the Movie of the Year Judges;
Peter Malone
Is a very unassuming person who has more letters than the post office. He has published numerous books on a wide range of subjects including Cinema.
He has been reviewing films for about 50 years.
So, we should be thankful that he was impressed with the movies he saw.
Keith Head
Is well known to us having visited and judged on many occasions. He has been making movies for about 50 years and entertained us with a presentation off movies made using a phone.
Colin Paxman
Has also been making movies for many years and is a member of Melb PC Users group. He has been a speaker here in the past and will visit again in September.
All of the judges commented on the high standard of the movies with one saying they should be paying us to see them.
 
 
 
In case some of you missed the screenings during the year I have some brief notes about the movies.
Find Out – Norman Lingwood
A stubborn person becoming quite irritable thinks he is heading for dementia but won’t be examined. After persuasion a medical condition is diagnosed and a cure effected.
The First Phone Call - Gary Dusting
A short history about telephones and a twist on the first recorded call.
St. Kilda – John Millard
A brief look at a remote island off the West Coast of Scotland.
Virtual Burglary– Gary Hegedus
A burglar thinks he has it easy when he meets a person absorbed in VR.  
Your call is important to us– Richard Hallford
A cry for help gets the usual telephonic run around complicated by a phone which is faulty.
The Ancients– John Millard
Not about RMM, but a look at historical settlements off the coast of Scotland.
Larundle– Richard Hallford
Heidi described this as a bit scary.  Anything to do with this institution must be scary. Comments include scary, well shot, well written and narrated, should be entered into the Tropfest competition.
Wishful Thinking– What you get when you trawl through other peoples hard rubbish. An old bottle and a generous Genie.
Rainforests of Ecuador– Geoff Ross
Something to challenge Sir David Attenbrough.  Great shots and scenery.
The Shed– Joe Magee
You wouldn’t get these guys to build a shed for you. Shades of that great movie ‘The Plank’.
 
Since this was the third time I had seen the movies I was able to give some attention to the audience reactions. I believe they appreciated the content of all of the movies and showed it in their applause. A number of guests came to me later and said how they would like to come again.
Heidi too was enthusiastic in her in her comments and acknowledged the high standard of all of the movies.
In her usual fashion she took charge of the presentations of awards and the recipients responded. Smiles all round. She went on to help set the supper table while Barbara, Gary H and nearly Helmut made tea and coffee.
Food was great.  Thank you to everyone.  We might expect a late guest next meeting – missing out on cake.
The presentation on the night was smooth and professional.  Well done Ron and Richard.  I put Ron first as he is just a bit older than Richard.
Thanks to you all for helping to make another successful Movie of the Year.
Geoff Ross won Movie of the 'Year for Rainforests in Ecuador'.
Cheers,
 
Jack