With charming characters and impressive special effects, the reimagined Snow White is delightful. The original 1937 animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, helped established Disney as an animation powerhouse. Based on the classic fairy tale by The Brothers Grimm, the movie introduced the iconic characters of Snow White, the Evil Queen and the…
Set in the aftermath of WWII, Phoenix is a slow burn noir-like psychological thriller about identity, survival, obsesion and betrayal. It bears some similarity to the Hitchcock classic Vertigo as well as Brian De Palma’s Obsession. Disfigured Jewish concentration camp survivor Nelly Lanz (Nina Hoss, recently seen in A Most Wanted Man) has undergone plastic…
The original Jumanji (1995) concerning a board game coming to life, which starred Robin Williams, was a rolled gold winner. The reboot – two years ago – was in my eyes an unmitigated disaster, notwithstanding its box office success. This sequel is slightly better than that, but still basically very, very silly. Give me the…
Ben Affleck isn’t exactly one of my favorite actors. Not that he’s such a terrible actor, but he’s such a smooth guy who manages to play in some outstanding movies every time. Movies that didn’t leave an everlasting impression on me anyway. In retrospect, it’s really a giant list I’ve seen him in, such as…
The all-ages spectacular of Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA promises an imaginary flight to Mexico. And from the moment our traveller clown (Eric Koller) parachutes falls to its marigold field Earth, it’s clear we are in for quite the impressive journey. From his first encounter with a colourful hummingbird to final high-flying acrobatics, the combination of…
– Saw X – Only in cinemas from 28 September 2023 We have 5 double in-season passes thanks to StudioCanal. *(Tickets valid in Australia only)* Watch the trailer HERE John Kramer (Tobin Bell) is back. The most disturbing instalment of the SAW franchise yet explores the untold chapter of Jigsaw’s most personal game. Set between…
Desire, death and possession feature in Dybbuks. This obtuse world premiere is performed in English and Yiddish. Samara Hersch directs the work for Chamber Made, as well as writing the piece. The play draws its title from Yiddish mythology. Dybbuks are unresolved souls who seek form through living bodies. Four actors are accompanied by a…
Kaleidoscope is a maze of mirrors that had me totally flummoxed. Set up in the forecourt of Arts Centre Melbourne, the outside multicoloured panels give you not a jot of an idea of what awaits you inside. Long vertical mirrors greet you at every turn. Rotating prisms, mood lighting and music add to the experience. As you…
Art and capitalism can be uneasy bedfellows. In our society each depends on the other to some extent. The exploitation of art in the name of money is nothing new, but things could be changing. Critical examinations are now happening around their relationship, particularly as it intersects with issues of race and power. Steven Soderbergh…
Nonsense, fiddle-faddle and poppycock is the essence of Lewis Carroll’s timeless classic Alice in Wonderland. Now writer and director Penny Farrow has sourced characters, dialogue and poems from several sources to bring the adventure to life. These include Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice Through the Looking-Glass, The Hunting of Snark and Rhyme? And Reason? (a collection of…
