Prima Facie: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First

Tessa Ensler (Sheridan Harbridge) is a successful barrister. Read more

Wittenoom: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First

Wittenoom, the former town and declared contaminated site in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, was, in short, a death trap. Read more

Spoiler Alert: a movie review by Alex First

As the title suggests, the outcome is writ large at the start of the film, which is based on a best-selling memoir by Michael Ausiello. Read more

Mary Poppins: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First

In a word, Mary Poppins is Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Read more

The Whale: a movie review by Alex First

The Whale is the film that excites me more than any other since lockdown. Read more

My Old School: a movie review by Alex First

The true tale of 16-year-old Scott Brandon Lee (not the actor son of Bruce Lee) is remarkable. Read more

True Spirit: a movie review by Alex First

The story made world news. Read more

What’s Love Got to Do with It? A movie review by Alex First

Jemima Khan, the former wife of Pakistani cricket captain and politician Imran Khan, has written a cross-cultural romantic comedy. Read more

Tar: a movie review by Alex First

Surely an Oscar awaits Cate Blanchett for her extraordinary multilingual, piano playing performance in Tar. Read more

Sunday: A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First

Sunday Reed is a firecracker. Read more

Babylon: a movie review by Alex First

Sodom and Gomorrah might be a more appropriate title for a film all about excess and depravity. Read more

Legends in Concert: A musical review by Alex First

Energy and enthusiasm are the hallmarks of a slick tribute show to some of the greatest musical artists the world has seen. Read more

M3gan: a film review  by Alex First

When the most advanced “toy” in history goes rogue, lives are at stake in the engaging horror sci-fi thriller M3gan. Read more

Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre – a movie review by Alex First

A rollicking, globe-trotting actioner, director and co-writer Guy Ritchie has a lot of fun and keeps things moving in Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre (ruse of war). Read more

Emily: a film review by Alex First

Tense throughout, Emily is a fictitious account of lauded 19th-century writer and poet Emily Brontë (Wuthering Heights), a role filled by Emma Mackey. Read more

Motherlod_^e: a theatre review by Alex First

Sixty-five minutes of glorious mayhem. Read more

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On: a film review by Alex First

Marcel is an extraordinary, original work with Best Animated Feature at the Oscars written all over it. Read more

Madagascar The Musical:   a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First

A musical for the littlies – I speak of preschoolers and primary school age children – Madagascar The Musical is based on the successful animated motion picture. Read more

The Fabelmans: a movie review by Alex First

Master filmmaker Steven Spielberg’s searing personal memories are illuminated on the big screen in The Fabelmans. Read more

Blueback: a movie review by Alex First

With a strong environmental message, Blueback is a feel-good story about protecting and saving the reef. Read more

A Man Called Otto – a movie review by Alex First

Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks) seems like anything but a nice man. He likes to keep to himself and is curt to the point of rudeness. In fact, he is known for it. Read more

Slava’s Snowshow: A theatre review by Alex First

Vanya Polunin is to clowning what Sir Donald Bradman was to cricket – a genius. Read more

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat: a theatre review by Alex First

A new Pharoah has stepped into Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Read more

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (PG): a movie review by Alex First

Puss in Boots (the voice of Antonio Banderas) first appeared in Shrek 2 in 2004 before showing up again in a couple of other Shrek sequels and then a standalone film in 2011. Read more

The Lost King : A movie review by Alex First

Philippa Langley (Sally Hawkins) is a quirky, intelligent, divorced mother who suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome. Read more

I Wanna Dance with Somebody (M): A movie review by Alex First

The tumultuous life of the world’s most awarded female vocalist is put under the spotlight in I Wanna Dance with Somebody. Read more

Triangle of Sadness (M): a movie review by Alex First

A black comedy focusing on beauty, influencers, ostentatiousness, excess, pretension and power, Triangle of Sadness unfolds in three parts. Read more

The Banshees of Inisherin (M): a movie review by Alex First

What does it take to ruin a friendship? Read more

Moulin Rouge! The Musical: A Sydney theatre review by Alex First

Polished performances, magnificent mashups, elegant and evocative sets, colourful and creative costumes, and charismatic choreography are the highlights of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. A striking spectacle. Read more

Avatar: The Way of Water (M): a movie review by Alex First

Avatar’s magnificent journey continues with awe-inspired distinction in The Way of Water. Read more

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