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…
Once upon a time Terrence Malick was a revered filmmaker, especially after his first two films – the powerful Badlands and the visually beautiful Days of Heaven. But lately he seems to have become more obtuse in his filmmaking, churning out soporific and dull psychological claptrap. Since when was it almost compulsory to need a…
Violet is a Musical based on a short story, “The Ugliest Pilgrim”, by Doris Betts. It first appeared Off-Broadway in 1997, but was produced on Broadway in 2014. The book and lyrics are by Brian Crawley. The music is by Jeanine Tesori. Some of Ms Tesori’s other work includes: Thoroughly Modern Millie (2000), Caroline, or…
– Gilda – On Blu-ray now We have 5 Blu-ray copies thanks to Via Vision Entertainment. *(Valid in Australia only)* Watch the trailer HERE The legendary Rita Hayworth sizzles with sensuality and magnetism as she sings “Put the Blame on Mame” and delivers a dazzling performance as the enticing temptress Gilda. In the story…
“This Music Should Be Played Loud” is the bold statement you will first see on the back jacket of Paul Orwell’s debut LP, Blowing Your Mind Away. The London area singer/songwriter will steamroll you with his retro energy and if you didn’t know any better you would think this was the solo project from a…
Looking for a love story with a difference? I found that in Alex Brunkhorst’s novel, The Gilded Life of Matilda Duplaine. It’s described as a modern-day Gatsby with hints of Daphne Du Maurier. I wouldn’t go so far as the Du Maurier – it didn’t have that gothic gloom underpinning the mystery – but it…
The Night Before is not your typical feel good Christmas Eve fable. Rather this R-rated comedy is an anti-Christmas movie and with its anarchic streak of humour is more in the same tone as the black comedy Bad Santa. However, this is also this year’s Christmas turkey, and what an unappealing and tasteless serving it…
American author David Foster Wallace may not exactly be a household name, but his reputation as a serious writer was cemented in 1996 with the publication of his critically acclaimed 1079 page tome Infinite Jest. Wallace embarked on a whirlwind five-day publicity tour of the Midwest to promote the book. He was accompanied on 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…
Mortido by Angela Betzien is a new Australian play co-commissioned by Belvoir and Playwriting Australia and presented as a co-production by the State Theatre of South Australian and Belvoir. Mortido begins with a storytelling by Detective Grubbe, of a Mexican fable about a Madre – a mother, The Boy – her son, and an Old…
