The premise of Lion sounds interesting: a heartfelt true story about a lost boy reuniting with his family twenty five years after their separation. Throw in an intriguing ‘exotic’ culture, and you’ve got yourself some Oscar bait. However, the many flaws of Lion overshadow its few strengths, resulting in a disjointed film that’s uneven in…
Review: Jasper Jones – Belvoir Return Season
We go to the theatre for the stories. We go to practise empathy and experience the lives of people whose stories are both similar and different to our own. Theatre’s mainstream sibling, cinema, is often saturated by Hollywood films, so, we rely on theatre to tell the local Australian stories that don’t find voices elsewhere….
Circus 1903 Reviewed– Sydney Opera House
This article was originally published on AussieTheatre.com Going to the circus is, for many, a thrilling experience: nostalgia, loud noises, death-defying acts… while sitting in the front row and having popcorn lobbed in your face by the ringmaster did not exactly coincide with these expectations, it’s all part of the fun and games of Circus…
Belvoir’s Prize Fighter Explosive and Compelling: Theatre Review
Belvoir’s first main stage production, Prize Fighter, is a violent, explosive and utterly watchable work of theatre. The show starts with a bang, as two sweaty actors in a boxing ring begin pummelling each other with their fists in the ring. The fight director, Nigel Poulton, has pulled out all stops to make such fights…
The Screwtape Letters review- AussieTheatre.com
This article was originally posted on AussieTheatre.com at http://aussietheatre.com.au/reviews/screwtape-letters-canberra-theatre-centre There are many ways that Hell could be represented on stage. Walking into The Courtyard Studio of the Canberra Theatre Centre to find an office straight out of a Sherlock Holmes novel was, needless to say, not what I expected. This austere academic venue is wallpapered by…
The Evolution Of The Disney Princess
This article was originally posted on Film Inquiry at https://www.filminquiry.com/evolution-disney-princess/ Film is a highly influential cultural medium, and has major influence in the empowerment or disempowerment of women. Pop-culture entertainment, led by cultural giant Disney, not only reflects what audiences want to see, but it also sets standards of acceptable behavior that are followed…
Top 3 Movies to keep you in the Christmas Spirit
I’m admittedly too late for the ‘Top 3 Christmas Movies to get you in the Holiday spirit’ post. However, I realised, there’s no reason why the gift that is the wealth of holiday Christmas movies can’t keep on giving throughout December and into January. These three are my favourite films set at Christmas time, but…
Hell or High Water- Black Comedy Road Movie with Heart: 100 Word Review
Hell or High Water is Thelma and Louise meets No Country for Old Men with a splash of Blues Brothers. Two brothers, part of the white trash underbelly of American society, rob a chain of banks, hunted by gruff yet canny retiring Texas Ranger (Bridges).Pine’s morally steadfast Toby adds complexity to the deplorable criminal trope….
Moana: Endearing Pacific Island Disney Flick- 100 Word Review
In Ancient Polynesia, bright-eyed future chief Moana sails out on a quest to save her dying island, accompanied by cheeky demigod Maui. The dialogue slightly overloads on the rhetoric of self empowerment and forging identity. Fortunately Manuel Miranda’s catchy music makes this cliched message easier to swallow. The storyline’s predictable and plods familiar territory in…
Fantastic Beasts Review: Visually Delightful Yet Messily Long- 100 World Review
FB&WTFT’s a visually delightful but messily long adventure in magical 1920s America. Rowling’s first screenplay attempts to compensate for the Potter hiatus through a crammed yet rambling follow–up. ‘Fantastic Beasts’ could’ve been a fun, succinct family adventure film. However, Scamander’s quest is convoluted by politically charged No-maj/ Wizard/ Grindewald tensions that clutter the plot line…
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.- 100 Word Review
Ritchie’s remake of the Cold War television show is a highly entertaining, action-packed romp. A CIA Agent, a KGB Agent and a nuclear scientist’s daughter, Gaby, unite to combat an international terrorist organisation led by the wicked Victoria. Like Sherlock Holmes, Ritchie directs the action with fast, energetic pace. The art design captures the style…
Slumdog Millionaire: Captivating and Heartwarming- 100 Word Review
Slumdog Millionaire’s a gritty and compelling drama about the power of destiny. A poor slum kid’s horrific childhood leads to his remarkable success on a TV quiz show. Boyle skilfully navigates the plot through three different time periods, each with compelling stories. The swift editing and exhilarating music shows the chaos of hustling Indian life….
