Endgames (fortyfivedownstairs) – theatre review
Max Gillies is a living treasure who brings frustration, despair and humour to three fine…
Samson & Delilah (Melbourne Opera) – opera review
A portent of doom hangs over Melbourne Opera’s production of Samson & Delilah. It is largely dark and foreboding (lighting design is by Harry Cope), a pointed reference to the story that underpins it. The tale is that of strong man Samson, whose strength is a gift from God. Enslaved Hebrews are praying for deliverance…
Bring Her Back – movie review
Talk to Me marked “them” as a pair to be watched. I speak of twins Danny and Michael Philippou for whom that supernatural horror marked their feature directorial debut. Now Bring Her Back, shot in South Australia, brings more terror. Originally from Adelaide, the brothers moved to the US at the start of 2019, but…
Lilo & Stitch – movie review
In keeping with Disney’s want of late, Lilo and Stitch is a heartwarming live action version of the animated feature that was released in 2002. Lilo Pelekai is a cute six-year-old scallywag, who runs to the beat of her own drum. A loner, she has been profoundly affected by the tragic loss of her parents…
Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica (Queensland Theatre) – theatre review
Queensland Theatre has played it safe with the original two-person cast of Georgie Parker and Glenn Hazeldine back for a re-run of David Williamson’s 2010 hit play, Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica. First staged at the Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre, the production returns with original director Mark Kilmurry, designer Veronique Bennett and composer and sound designer…
Love and Information (Theatre Works) – theatre review
My approach to reviewing is to enter a theatre, cinema or gallery knowing nothing about what I am about to see and hear. That means not reading a synopsis or any commentary about the work because I believe it needs to inform me or “speak to me” on its own merits. Ninety-nine times out of…
Ripening (Gasworks) – theatre review
Who has the right to tell you how and when to give birth? Of course, it is a deeply personal issue, but one that, over generations, has been dictated by rules and regulations. Further, familial influences can be enormous. What happens if you push back … if you want to do things your own way?…
The Phoenician Scheme – 101 minutes
From the highly creative mind of Wes Anderson comes the story of a ruthless businessman and his estranged daughter. It is 1950. Anatole “Zsa-Zsa” Korda (Benicio del Toro) is an enigmatic industrialist and one of the richest men in Europe. He is also a global target for assassins. Now, he has barely survived yet another…
Endgames (fortyfivedownstairs) – theatre review
Max Gillies is a living treasure who brings frustration, despair and humour to three fine pieces involving men at the tail end of their lives. In turn, they are excerpts from A Stretch of the Imagination by Jack Hibberd, Samuel Beckett’s Eh Joe and On the Harmfulness of Tobacco by Anton Chekov. In the first,…
Away (MUST) – theatre review
It is the summer of 1967. Young Australians are being drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. Back home, life continues. Tom (Patrick Leong) and Meg (Grace Jackson) are in a high school production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Tom takes a fancy to Meg and engages her in awkward conversation. When their respective…
Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience – music review
A spirited, colourful and joyful celebration of the King of Pop, Taalib York recaptures the music and the moves that made Michael Jackson such a mighty performer. With impressive attention to detail and an electrifying vibe, he and a four strong tribute band, along with six dancers, deliver big time. All the hits are there…
