A psychoanalyst crosses the line and has to find a way out in Saltpillar Theatre’s In Bed with the Bishops. This new world premiere work was written especially for Saltpillar by Melbourne psychiatrist-turned-author and playwright Rob Selzer. The play, filled with sharp one liners, moves along at pace. It’s far from a straightforward journey for…
Even though Love the Coopers is a holiday comedy about one dysfunctional family, it immediately reminded me of the ensemble comedy romance Valentine’s Day, that was released in 2010. Christmas may come but once a year, but that is more than enough for the Cooper family. It is a question of bracing yourself for their…
The British Film Festival celebrates the best of British with a line-up of 31 films, many of which are screening for the first time in Australia. This year’s event includes the best in contemporary cinema, documentaries and some of the most significant British films of the 1970s on the big screen. The Festival opens with…
Just as all families are unique, it’s safe to say that all have their own individual issues and, accordingly, suburban family life has long been fodder for theatrical works. In the case of From Darkness Steven Oliver’s take comes with humour but so much more; the darkly funny drama is, at its core, about bigger…
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…
Seriously Red is a cautionary tale about obsession, fandom, and discovering who you are. This Australian jukebox musical draws from the songbook of iconic singer Dolly Parton, and in style and look is something of a throwback to the 90s. The film is the brainchild of star and writer Krew Boylan (from TV series A…
A mighty quirky film about a grossly dysfunctional family with a fiesty and determined young woman at its core, Joy is the latest offering from acclaimed writer/director David O. Russell (The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle). This dramatic comedy asks the question what makes up the magic of a life? What keeps a person…
A contemporary twist on an old fancy, Monash University Student Theatre (MUST) in association with Bloomshed, have taken aim at supermarket greed. The plot is drawn from the satirical play The Government Inspector (1836) by Russian dramatist and novelist Nikolai Gogol. It is a comedy of errors, satirising greed, stupidity and political corruption in Russia. In The Government…
Four lifelong friends (represented as women in their 60s) have their lives turned upside down when their book club – of four – tackles the infamous E.L. James’ novel Fifty Shades of Grey. Diane (Diane Keaton) is recently widowed after 40 years of marriage. Successful and single-minded business woman Vivian (Jane Fonda) enjoys her men…
The Melbourne International Film Festival is currently in full swing – and will be for the next week. With so many films to choose from, it can be a daunting exercise to know what to seek out. Luckily, our intrepid reviewer, Greg King, has been dashing between venues and missing sleep to take in as…
