When I saw the initial production of this show back in 2013 I remarked: “In the US The Nutcracker is an annual Christmas holiday spectacle and after his years in America Queensland Ballet’s Artistic Director Li Cunxing is determined to make it a similar Brisbane institution. Will Brisbane fill a theatre every year for the…
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…
– 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…
Is it a plane? Is it a bird? Is it Superman? No, it’s just an ordinary guy named Scott Lang (Rudd Paul) who stole from some millionaires in a digital, Robin Hood-like way in the past and who can transform into a superhero the size of an ant by using a high-tech suit. This suit…
Viggo Mortensen (The Two Faces of January) stars in a tale of morality and friendship set against an unforgiving mountainous landscape during the Algerian War. The year is 1954 and the war is just starting. Remote village schoolteacher Daru (Mortensen), an ex-French Army soldier, who lost his wife a decade earlier, is caught in the…
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…
Stuck for a gift for your most creative of friends, or a lover of fine arts? Here are some ideas to fill their stockings: Books Visions of Ichabod X The latest story from legendary Australian author Gary Crew, Visions of Ichabod X is a stunningly illustrated picture book for all ages. With steampunk and futuristic…
A quintessential Australian yarn, some decent storytelling and a few beaut performances are the hallmarks of this road trip with a difference. Rex Macrae (Michael Caton) is a Broken Hill cab driver who has spent his life avoiding getting close to people. Even his best friend and occasional lover Polly (Ningali Lawford-Wolf – Rabbit Proof…
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…
Not since the ground-breaking show Empire in 2013 have I been so totally engrossed in the daring do and dexterity of performers at the very top of their game in an intimate environment. That is what you get when you enter the beautiful, 120-seat, 97-year-old Spiegeltent, uncovered in Belgium, that has now taken pride of…
