Short+Sweet Turns “Sweet 16” in January 2017
January 1, 2017 by Geoff Sirmai
Short+Sweet has spread the popular 10-minute format in theatre, dance, cabaret & comedy across Australia and the globe – with festivals now as far afield as Hollywood, India, Malaysia, Dubai and NZ. But the original theatre festival in its Sydney home is ‘sweet 16’ this year… and plans to celebrate in style! Read more
The Edge of Seventeen – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
December 29, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
Angst and tantrums – the teenage years are a challenge for all involved. This well drawn portrait from writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig is worth a look for its depiction of a girl who has yet to work out her place in the world, or indeed, if she even has one.
La La Land – a movie review by Roz Tarszsisz
December 20, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
It has been a long time since a movie like this graced cinema screens.
London Klezmer to tour Australasia
December 15, 2016 by Geoff Sirmai
Much-loved international klezmer ensemble the London Klezmer Quartet return to Australasia in January 2017 and will feature music from their latest hit album. Read more
The Trombone Man: Tales of a Misogynist…a book review by Jasmin Albert
Ron J. Hutter has written a provocative, entertaining and thoughtful novel that explores the problem of antisemitism in a very original way. Read more
Little Men – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
December 8, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
It’s the little touches that make this tale of childhood friendship from director Ira Sachs (Love is Strange) so engaging. The story spans a small arc but for those involved, the consequences are life changing.
Golden Years – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
December 5, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
For the oldies in this British comedy caper, there’s nothing golden about their declining years. After a lifetime of upright citizenship, there’s no back up or recourse when their superannuation funds collapse.
Rosalie Blum – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
December 5, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
It’s refreshing to watch a French film about ordinary people. . Filmed in Nevers, a small town in rural France, it’s all about the characters and a plot which hinges on a series of coincidences.
Forbidden Music: Composers banned by the Third Reich
December 2, 2016 by Stevie Whitmont
A monthly series by Stevie Whitmont of vignettes of Jewish composers banned in by Nazis. This month features Henriëtte Bosmans. Read more
Mahana: a movie review by Glen Falkenstein
November 29, 2016 by Glen Falkenstein
When I spoke with Mahana Director Lee Tamahori earlier this week he told me that westerns were a dead genre. Mahana may not be a western, but the genre’s spirit is alive and well in the accomplished Director’s confronting and visually rapturous thriller. Read more
Rivka Hartman’s play Let’s Talk About You…a theatre review by Deb Meyer
November 21, 2016 by Deb Meyer
Let’s Talk About You is the newest offering by playwright Rivka Hartman (My Mother & Other Catastrophes) – a Melbourne born, Yiddish speaking thespian who’s Jewish identity informs much of her writing. Read more
The Founder – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
November 15, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
You don’t need to have entered a McDonald’s restaurant to appreciate how a hamburger stand became a billion dollar empire. Director John Lee Hancock (Saving Mr Banks) has brought to life the American success story of the man who saw gold in a beef patty.
Forbidden Music: Composers banned by the Third Reich
November 4, 2016 by Stevie Whitmont
J-Wire publishes a monthly series by Stevie Whitmont of vignettes of Jewish composers banned in by Nazis. This month features Hans Gál. Read more
The Light Between Oceans – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
November 2, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
The idea of the place where two oceans meet is both romantic and exciting. Writer and director Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine, Place Beyond the Pines) has based his film on the eponymous bestselling novel by M.L. Stedman.
The Accountant – a movie review by James Berardinelli
November 1, 2016 by James Berardinelli - Reelviews
The Accountant is a superhero movie. Despite not being based on an existing comic book (a welcome change), the film has all the beats and tropes we have come to expect from superhero movies, although the R-rating makes it more of an adult experience than one targeted for younger viewers. Read more
JS Bach: Goldberg Variations, played by Sarah Grunstein
October 29, 2016 by Bill Brooks
A performance of JS Bach’s “Goldberg” Variations for keyboard is a rare treat…writes William Brooks. Read more
The Kadimah commemorates centenary of the death of Sholem Aleichem
October 28, 2016 by J-Wire Staff
The Kadimah is presenting three shows in Melbourne to commemorate centenary of the death of the famous Yiddish writer, Sholem Aleichem. Read more
Emerging Jewish actor to star in Australian play
October 27, 2016 by Sophie Deutsch
Aaron Lucas is a must-see actor starring in the powerful new Australian play, FLOOD, which opens 8 November at the Old 505 Theatre in Newtown, Sydney. Read more
Hell or High Water: a movie review from Glen Falkenstein
October 20, 2016 by Glen Falkenstein
It takes a lot to outdo Jeff Bridges and Chris Pine, even in the latter’s best performance to date. Ben Foster (Inferno, 3:10 to Yuma) does just that, and he’s a sight to behold. Read more
Sarah Grunstein to perform Bach’s Goldberg Variations
October 20, 2016 by Fraser Beath McEwing
One of Australia’s most distinguished international pianists New York-based Sarah Grunstein will come home to Sydney and Melbourne later this year. Read more
Café Society: A movie review from Glen Falkenstein
October 12, 2016 by Glen Falkenstein
Jesse Eisenberg, in a role Director Woody Allen would no doubt have played himself were he 40 years younger, moves to Hollywood in the guise of New York-native Bobby to work for his studio-heavyweight uncle Phil (Steve Carell), only to fall for Phil’s secretary Vonnie (Kristen Stewart). Read more
Joe Cinque’s Consolation – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
October 10, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
When Anu Singh was charged with the murder of her boyfriend Joe Cinque in 1997, it was a crime that shocked Australia.
The Girl on the Train – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
October 5, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
If you discount the mobile phones, this modern whodunit could have been made over 20 years ago. It not that it’s out of date, but it’s more about ramped up tension than special effects.
The Australian World Orchestra wowed them…a music review from Fraser Beath McEwing
September 29, 2016 by Fraser Beath McEwing
Reflecting the unique nature of the Australian World Orchestra (AWO), its fifth birthday concert last night in the Sydney Opera House could be reviewed from two different perspectives. Both are worthy of resounding praise. Read more
A little too gentle?
September 27, 2016 by Fraser Beath McEwing
After his sensitive and powerful rendition of the Schumann piano concerto with the SSO last week I was looking forward to a sparkling solo recital form Nelson Freire last night – but I didn’t get it, writes Fraser Beath McEwing. Read more
Not Dead Yet! Three shows to commemorate centenary of the death of the famous Yiddish writer, Sholem Aleichem
September 23, 2016 by J-Wire Staff
The Kadimah, the Jewish Cultural Centre and National Library, is presenting three shows called Sholem Aleichem: Not Dead Yet! A Tribute to the 100th Yortstayt [death centenary] of our beloved Yiddish Writer over the last weekend of October at Melbourne’s Elwood College’s Phoenix Theatre. Read more
Boys from Brazil…a music review by Fraser Beath McEwing
September 22, 2016 by Fraser Beath McEwing
Not athletes or para-athletes in Rio this time, but a Brazilian conductor and a pianist who, with considerable help from the SSO, produced an outstanding concert in the APT Master Series last night. Read more
Jerusalem Quartet in Melbourne: 30% discount for J-Wire readers
September 21, 2016 by J-Wire Staff
There is a great depth to the Jerusalem’s Quartet’s musical heritage that lends authority to the masterworks they are performing on their Australian tour. Read more
Shir Madness shines in the rain
September 21, 2016 by J-Wire Staff
Well over 1000 people attended Jewish music festival at the pavilion at Sydney’s Bondi Beach despite continual rain. Read more
Sully – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
September 7, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
The real life event on which this film is based was dubbed Miracle on the Hudson and recreates memorable images of evacuated passengers standing on aircraft wings in the middle of the river. Read more
