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DANIEL LAMMIN
SWITCH Contributor / Ink & Paint Host

Daniel Lammin has worked extensively as a theatre director, playwright and actor, and his passion for storytelling recently led to him graduating from the post-graduate Directing course at NIDA (2011). His very candid approach to film critiquing comes from his high standards in all creative pursuits, and love of movies from an early age.

TOP 3 ARTISTS: David Ford, Bob Dylan, Death Cab For Cutie
TOP 3 MOVIES: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Zodiac
BEST CONCERT: London Symphony Orchestra with Jean-Yves Thibaudet - 2010
FIRST MEMORY OF A FILM: Seeing 'The Neverending Story' recorded from the TV onto a VHS when I was 3 or 4.

daniel@maketheswitch.com.au
www.twitter.com/DanielLammin
www.instagram.com/DLammin

Twisters - Strap in for a worthy legacy sequel to the beloved 90s blockbuster
TWISTERSStrap in for a worthy legacy sequel to the beloved 90s blockbuster
It doesn't forget what we love about 'Twister' in the first place, that it's a piece of balls-to-the-wall entertainment, with beautiful-looking and talented actors facing off nature's most mysterious and unstoppable meteorological foot soldiers. We come to 'Twisters' for the twisters, and by god, they're worth the ride.
In the Room Where He Waits - A benign horror transformed into an inventive psychological nightmare
IN THE ROOM WHERE HE WAITSA benign horror transformed into an inventive psychological nightmare
There's a lot of promise and a lot to admire about 'In The Room Where He Waits', a film that takes something we remember deep in our bones and turns the benign nightmare of it into an actual nightmare. It's a killer premise executed with flair, and more than worth a few dark, threatening hours in a cinema.
Monster - A delicate, breathtaking mystery from one of Japan's most compassionate filmmakers
MONSTERA delicate, breathtaking mystery from one of Japan's most compassionate filmmakers
An astonishing magic trick of a film, overwhelming in its compassion. It's quietly magnificent, almost miraculous, pain blossoming into joy, lies made in fear cracking open to reveal hidden, protected, precious truths.
Kill Bill: Vol. 2 - The agony and the ecstasy of the second act of Tarantino’s shattering masterpiece
KILL BILL: VOL. 2The agony and the ecstasy of the second act of Tarantino’s shattering masterpiece
It's a demonstration of all that cinema can be, the marriage of visual and sound, the snap of great dialogue, the beauty of great performances, the ability to use all at its disposal to enthral and move us. There simply hasn't been anything else like it.
NT Live: The Motive and the Cue - A stirring portrait of two legendary artists in the act of creation
NT LIVE: THE MOTIVE AND THE CUEA stirring portrait of two legendary artists in the act of creation
This isn't just a reminder of the power of theatre (in both its execution and its content), but a reminder of how much one leaves of one's self in the act of creating it.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire - An exhausting exercise in monster-driven excess
GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIREAn exhausting exercise in monster-driven excess
'The New Empire' suggests that the MonsterVerse is now clutching at straws to know what to do next, both with these iconic monsters and the others that make cameos in this film. Maybe it’s time to let these iterations of Godzilla and King Kong out to pasture.
Robot Dreams - An effortlessly beautiful and deeply heartfelt animated classic
ROBOT DREAMSAn effortlessly beautiful and deeply heartfelt animated classic
It’s the kind of film you dream of, where the world feels a little brighter, where the heart feels a little fuller, left dazzled by the beauty of being alive and being in love with someone who makes your day all that more special. Whose smile you could live in forever. That’s what 'Robot Dreams' achieves. That’s why 'Robot Dreams' is a masterpiece.
Dune: Part Two - The prophecy is fulfilled in the astounding second act of the Dune Saga
DUNE: PART TWOThe prophecy is fulfilled in the astounding second act of the Dune Saga
Villeneuve's adaptation has achieved the impossible, captured lightning in a bottle, tamed the wildest of classics and rendered it anew in a new medium and for a new generation. That we were allowed to experience it on this scale is a blessing.
NT Live: Vanya - Andrew Scott dazzles in this remarkable reinvention of a classic
NT LIVE: VANYAAndrew Scott dazzles in this remarkable reinvention of a classic
This presentation of 'Vanya' is as careful and considered as the production itself, allowing audiences all over the world to experience, not just the jaw-dropping skill of Andrew Scott's performance, but his tender and generous evocation of one of the finest writers of the stage.
The Zone of Interest - A monolithic masterpiece from the abyss at the end of all things
THE ZONE OF INTERESTA monolithic masterpiece from the abyss at the end of all things
By making us aware of our roles as audience, as observers, as spectators, the film is forcing us to never take it for granted, turning the camera back on us. We are being forced into the shoes of Rudolph and Hedwig, and having to face the question of whether or not those shoes fit us a bit too well.
The Color Purple - The frustration of a film musical that doesn't want to be a film musical
THE COLOR PURPLEThe frustration of a film musical that doesn't want to be a film musical
With this cast and this source material, it could have been something really special, and that it falls so short makes it all the more frustrating.
Most anticipated films of 2024 - Must-see movies for the coming year
MOST ANTICIPATED FILMS OF 2024Must-see movies for the coming year
What's on the horizon in cinemas for 2024? Here are our picks for the films hitting the big screen over the next twelve months to get excited.
One Life - A deeply moving portrait of humanity in the face of evil
ONE LIFEA deeply moving portrait of humanity in the face of evil
As inevitable as a film about Sir Nicholas Winton seemed, the stars have aligned for it to arrive at this moment. They aligned with the dedicated creative team and supporting cast, all of whom understood the necessity of this story and the responsibility of dramatising it. And they aligned with the moment in history in which the film itself arrives.
Wonka - A knockout musical delight that exceeds its expectations
WONKAA knockout musical delight that exceeds its expectations
There were so many moments that will have you cackling, had almost leaping with delight, had bounding in your seat with excitement, even moved to tears. As it turns out, in the hands of Paul King, there was nothing to it.
Napoleon - A sprawling, messy epic that never quite knows what it wants to say
NAPOLEONA sprawling, messy epic that never quite knows what it wants to say
A sweeping, sprawling mess of a film, like a table after an enormous feast. There's a bunch of bits everywhere and you know the whole meal would probably have been more satisfying, but you can't deny how tasty all the leftovers are. How grateful we are that destiny has delivered them to us.
The Royal Hotel - A taut, terrific nightmare in the last swill of a beer glass
THE ROYAL HOTELA taut, terrific nightmare in the last swill of a beer glass
A worthy addition to the canon of great Australian films questioning the idea we have of who we are.
Thanksgiving - A tepid horror meal that’s a bit too slick and not enough sick
THANKSGIVINGA tepid horror meal that’s a bit too slick and not enough sick
For all the memorable moments, 'Thanksgiving' feels amorphous, toothless, unsure of itself, unwilling to commit one way or the other.
Grindhouse - The definitive release of Rodriguez and Tarantino’s crazy experiment
GRINDHOUSEThe definitive release of Rodriguez and Tarantino’s crazy experiment
The best thing about the weird beast that is 'Grindhouse' is its refusal to play it safe, to push its tropes to its limits and to demand that a standard of quality be maintained. In a time now where nostalgia is an easy way to a quick buck and a lasting legacy is the last thing on anyone's mind, 'Grindhouse' feels all the more radical.
All Of Us Strangers - An astonishing ghost story of infinite beauty, sadness and wisdom
ALL OF US STRANGERSAn astonishing ghost story of infinite beauty, sadness and wisdom
This is a miracle, maybe even a masterpiece, a statement on love to last the ages, perhaps the best film of the year.
Poor Things - The glory of the unhinged and the delight of discovery in Yorgos Lanthimos' latest
POOR THINGSThe glory of the unhinged and the delight of discovery in Yorgos Lanthimos' latest
It's a phantasmagorical marvel, a film that literally squeals with delight at every ridiculous detail and revels in the power of discovery. Its brain may be unhinged, but the heart of 'Poor Things' is mighty.
The Killer - Basking in the banal in David Fincher’s latest meticulous marvel
THE KILLERBasking in the banal in David Fincher’s latest meticulous marvel
A deliciously banal, outrageously pedantic slice of preposterous pulp, so meticulously constructed that it transcends to the ridiculous.
Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed - An enigmatic portrait of one of the most enigmatic Hollywood stars
ROCK HUDSON: ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWEDAn enigmatic portrait of one of the most enigmatic Hollywood stars
For fans of Hollywood history, this is a wonderful watch, but for those interested in the history and legacy of queer history, I'd say it's a necessary one.
Foe - An uncertain future ill-portrayed in an uncertain film
FOEAn uncertain future ill-portrayed in an uncertain film
All the pieces are certainly there to make it work - a terrific cast, a talented creative team and an intriguing central premise - but the whole thing seems to be beyond Garth Davis' skills to bring it all together as a cohesive whole.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 - Celebrating 20 years with the first act of Tarantino’s sublime revenge odyssey
KILL BILL: VOL. 1Celebrating 20 years with the first act of Tarantino’s sublime revenge odyssey
It leaves you in a state of elation, of ecstasy, buzzing with an energy you can barely contain. Even after 20 years, there's still just nothing remotely like it. For an hour and 50 minutes, it holds you enraptured, dazzled by its bravura and shaken by its brutality.
The Exorcist: Believer - The devil is in none of the details in this terrible legacy sequel
THE EXORCIST: BELIEVERThe devil is in none of the details in this terrible legacy sequel
'The Exorcist: Believer' is the best example of how insipid and insidious this whole "legacy" media obsession has become. If we see a worse film this year than 'The Exorcist: Believer', it will be very surprising. Send it back to Hell where it belongs.
The Red Shoes - A dance of death towards the sublime
THE RED SHOESA dance of death towards the sublime
Powell and Pressburger's 'The Red Shoes' is a film of impossible beauty and overwhelming tragedy, expressing the inexpressible in ways that still revelatory. It is cinema at its purest and its most impossible.
Cleopatra - Defending one of the most beguiling Hollywood epics
CLEOPATRADefending one of the most beguiling Hollywood epics
It's among the richest of meals from this golden era of Hollywood historical epics, an era the film essentially brought to an end. It has all the best qualities of its contemporaries, mixed together in a melting pot that was just brought to the boil too quickly.
Oppenheimer - Bearing witness as the world splits itself apart
OPPENHEIMERBearing witness as the world splits itself apart
A monumental achievement, a rendering of history in a monolithic fashion. The devastating weight of it presses slowly and slowly upon you with each passing second, and it ranks as one of Christopher Nolan's finest films.
Akira - Staring into the heart of a groundbreaking anime masterpiece
AKIRAStaring into the heart of a groundbreaking anime masterpiece
Even 35 years later, it’s impossible not to be floored by ‘Akira’, by the scale of its vision and the scope of its ambition. It’s an artistic triumph and a spiritual cataclysm, reaching towards the unanswerable questions of the role we play in the greater fabric of the universe.
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One - Another stupendous entry from the greatest action franchise of all
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING PART ONEAnother stupendous entry from the greatest action franchise of all
These are enormous expectations to meet, and 'Dead Reckoning Part One' easily meets them. I cannot imagine how any action film this year, or even until 'Part Two' arrives, could possibly match it.
The New Boy - Warwick Thornton delivers another landmark Australian classic
THE NEW BOYWarwick Thornton delivers another landmark Australian classic
An incandescent, beguiling and quietly devastating fable on how even the most well-meaning of intentions can be complicit in furthering the devastating effects of colonialism. Warwick Thornton weaves this shimmering film with great care and great humanity.
WALL-E - Celebrating Pixar’s greatest achievement
WALL-ECelebrating Pixar’s greatest achievement
We're now 15 years on from the release of 'WALL-E', and even now, the film still feels like a miracle. It's hard to believe something so delicate, so purposeful, so careful, so perfect could possibly exist.
Elemental - An uninspired mess of ideas in Pixar’s latest misstep
ELEMENTALAn uninspired mess of ideas in Pixar’s latest misstep
The problems with 'Elemental' are foundational and extensive - it's a flimsy premise rendered into one of the most frustrating and unsatisfying Pixar films we've seen yet. The synopsis doesn't even scratch the surface of the multiple plot threads running through the film, tangling themselves up into a mess.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry - Jim Broadbent shines in this delicate and moving odyssey
THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRYJim Broadbent shines in this delicate and moving odyssey
This isn't a piece of pap sentimentality about living your best life but a considered, honest and generous meditation on how we reconcile the life we have led as that life starts to come to an end.
Reservoir Dogs - A gorgeous restoration of Tarantino’s seminal debut
RESERVOIR DOGSA gorgeous restoration of Tarantino’s seminal debut
Of his nine films to date, 'Reservoir Dogs' is still one of Quentin Tarantino's most powerful. There's no indulgence, no swagger, no arrogance; just supreme confidence and startling specificity, a symphony of moral ambiguity and splintering integrity.
Wolf Creek - The limited edition release of an Australian horror classic on Blu-ray
WOLF CREEKThe limited edition release of an Australian horror classic on Blu-ray
Rather than diminishing into a relic from an uncomfortable period of horror filmmaking or a pastiche of Australia's exploitation cinema past, 'Wolf Creek' has only grown richer and darker with time.
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi - Celebrating the bombastic third entry in the Star Wars saga for its 40th anniversary
STAR WARS: EPISODE VI - RETURN OF THE JEDICelebrating the bombastic third entry in the Star Wars saga for its 40th anniversary
40 years later and countless tired outings into the 'Star Wars' universe since, its idiosyncrasy feels like something to celebrate.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie - A missed opportunity to bring a beloved franchise to the screen
THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIEA missed opportunity to bring a beloved franchise to the screen
A tremendous amount of care has been taken to translating these worlds to the screen, but is accompanied by an almost empty screenplay. What could have been a bombastic, rollercoaster fun ride is instead little more than a shrug.
Allelujah - A truly baffling film with confusing side-effects
ALLELUJAHA truly baffling film with confusing side-effects
For most of the run time, it's a forgettable but charming distraction, the kind of film you watch late on a Sunday afternoon. What should have been a bit of fluff is instead overwhelmed by one of the most calamitous final acts in recent memory.
Till - Danielle Deadwyler roars in a film that can’t roar with her
TILLDanielle Deadwyler roars in a film that can’t roar with her
There's so much to appreciate and admire in 'Till', not just its craft and performances but also its compassion. By peddling back in its climax towards a gentler, more inspirational approach, the question is should a film have been made about the lynching of Emmett Till?
 
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