Australian Penthouse

What the hell is going on with online censorship? What will the proposed online filter really mean for everyday Australians, and is derailing such a filter the best solution to Australia’s censorship problems?

Story: Meg White
Continue reading “Feature: Internet Mythology” »

REVIEWS:  FILM

IN THE LOOP
DIRECTOR: ARMANDO IANNUCCI
STARS: PETER CAPALDI, TOM HOLLANDER, CHRIS ADDISON, GINA MCKEE, JAMES GANDOLFINI
MADMAN

AMERICAN General William Westmoreland said: “The military don’t start wars. Politicians start wars.”

Black comedy In The Loop explores how this might happen. Despite enormous opposition from their own governments and citizens, an unnamed US President and a similarly anonymous UK Prime Minister plan to launch an armed conflict in the Middle East.

When meek British minister Simon Foster (Hollander) gets flustered during a series of interviews in which he appears to support military action, the gears of war begin turning in London and Washington, where ruthless Scottish spin doctor Malcolm Tucker (Capaldi) prepares to take advantage of the situation.

Meanwhile, Foster and a few American allies, including the respected Lt General George Miller (Gandolfini), try to keep the peace.  An impressive directorial debut from Armando Iannucci (best known for co-creating the Alan Partridge character with Steve Coogan (who incidentally appears in the film).  In The Loop is a sharp, well-acted political satire packed with brilliant and witty one-liners.  A movie that would be that much funnier if it weren’t so close to the truth.