Two lost souls go on an unexpected journey together in Adrian Ortega’s ultra-low-budget Australian film Cerulean Blue. Alex (Jack Michel) is as introverted as they come. He’s also a germophobe who disinfects at every opportunity. In fact, he goes out of his way to avoid others unless absolutely necessary – which includes turning his back…
Provocative from the opening scene, Afterglow sets out to push the envelope. It starts with shadow play of a heated ménage à trois between three buff men, two in their 30s and one in his 20s. Thereafter, the play features full frontal nudity and steamy shower scenes. Yes, a real shower with an imposingly large…
Dark Pines, the debut novel for Will Dean, is set in Gavrik, a small town in the county of Värmland in Western Sweden. Tuva Moodyson, the main character, is the chief reporter for its weekly newspaper, the Gavrik Posten. Although she grew up in Sweden Tuva has spent a number of years abroad and has…
Sam Beam – aka Iron & Wine – brings his soul-infused folk rock to Australia. Touring with a full band, Iron & Wine’s tour of the country hits the mainland capitals, starting later this month. Tickets are now available. Iron & Wine has captured the emotion and imagination of listeners with distinctly cinematic songs. It’s…
The future prospects of our beloved world looks rather bleak, judging by the post-apocalyptic films of recent years. The endless series of disaster scenarios doesn’t bode well. The Maze Runner, Divergent, Mad Max:Fury Road, Oblivion, The Hunger Games, Snowpiercer, Automata, How I Live Now, World War Z … they all show a society that recovers…
A couple of powerhouse performances are at the heart of this drama about a pair of gamblers, one of whom lays it all on the line. Mississippi Grind was inspired by films from the ‘70s such as Five Easy Pieces, Scarecrow, The Last Detail, California Split and Midnight Cowboy. The movie is about flawed characters…
Deeply entrenched racism is at the centre of a drama in which the result is never in doubt and the journey is designed to provoke outrage. First up, there is the political issue of a civilised society condemning felons to death. Regardless of your position on that, it is difficult to feel too much sympathy…
What Rhymes with Cars and Girls was the timeless first solo album by You Am I’s Tim Rogers. It tells of moving out and moving on, prompted by the ruin of Rogers’ own long-term relationship and relocation to Melbourne. And 18 years after its release, its songs still packs an emotional punch. Now it’s transformed…
Three siblings, an ageing father and an impending inheritance. What could possibly go wrong? Set in a classic Queenslander in the heart of Brisbane’s Red Hill, Prospect Terrace is a bittersweet tale of a dysfunctional but relatable family. Written by Queensland playwright Angela Murphy and first performed in Cairns in late 2020 as the debut…
The concept is a game show-based pop quiz with a musical focus, overlaid with a manufactured relationship breakdown by the host, Uma Dobie. Of the former, think Britney and Bizet, Madonna and Mozart, Beyonce and Bellini. Of the latter, when calling for her assistant, being her lover, Trevor, he appears on video, brutally dumping her,…
