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 It not that it’s out of date, but it’s more about ramped up tension than special effects.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
Forbidden Music: Composers banned by the Third Reich
September 7, 2016 by Stevie Whitmont
J-Wire a monthly series by Stevie Whitmont of vignettes of Jewish composers banned in by Nazis. This month features Gideon Klein. Read more
Kubo and the Two Strings – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
August 18, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
“I tell stories about epic heroes and monsters but I had no idea my stories were true” says boy hero Kubo, in the trailer for this enthralling animated action adventure from director Travis Knight (ParaNorman,Box Trolls).
Down Under – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
August 11, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
Examples of irony and idiocy litter this Australian black comedy from director and writer Abe Forsyth as he shows that bouts of bad behaviour can be interspersed with surprising moments of clarity and truth.
Three peas in a pod…a music review by Fraser Beath McEwing
August 11, 2016 by Fraser McEwing
Last night’s APT Master Series programme threw the orchestral gauntlet down to the SSO – and it delivered in spades, producing everything from passionate storms to gentle rain to exotic and erotic scenery. This orchestra was made for this music. Read more
Truman – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
August 9, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
“Truman doesn’t sound very Spanish” said my friend. It turns out to be the name of a dog and the ostensible focus of this delightful film.
Embrace – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
July 29, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
When my teenage daughters used to complain about an aspect of their bodies, I told them they had everything they needed for a happy life. I made peace with my thighs some time ago but after viewing Embrace realized that perhaps I could have saved years of anguish if I had been more truly accepting of my own body.
Love & Friendship – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
July 14, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
It’s interesting that non- British directors consistently produce fine British costume dramas. Read more
All My Sons…a theatre reviews by Deb Meyer
July 10, 2016 by Deb Meyer
Capitalism, corruption and cover ups are familiar stomping ground in American theatre. In All My Sons, Arthur Miller’s riveting, award-winning play of 1947, these themes and more are explored in epic proportions. Read more
A resoundingly satisfying performance…an SSO music review
June 30, 2016 by Fraser Beath McEwing
Staying in familiar territory, but with more ear-challenges than the last APT Mater Series concert, the SSO loaded up its heavy artillery for a resoundingly satisfying performance last night, writes Fraser Beath McEwing. Read more
Ice Age: Collision Course – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
June 21, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
When my favourite plus1 was not available for a preview of the fifth outing of this animated anthropomorphic franchise, I took a friend and her grandson. I need a little tacker for feedback.
The Power of Dance and Mr Gaga
June 17, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
“I really believe in the power of dance to heal” says Ohad Naharin, artistic director and renowned choreographer of Israel’s Batsheva Dance Company in the documentary Mr Gaga in which he features…writes Roz Tarszisz.
An appeal to the sweet tooth and Mad Max…a music review
June 13, 2016 by Fraser Beath McEwing
After testing recent audiences’ resilience with the lunges and shocks of Messiaen, and then their staying power to see off Haydn’s Creation, last night’s concert opened a chocolate box full of favourite flavours, writes Fraser Beath McEwing. Read more
Shir Madness 2016
June 7, 2016 by Geoff Sirmai
Jewish music festival SHIR MADNESS returns to Sydney for 2016 and the first list of acts has been announced. Read more
Land of Mine – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
June 6, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
It has been a few weeks since I viewed Land of Mine but images have stayed with me.
The Literati by Justin Fleming after Moliere’s Les Femmes Savantes…a review by Deb Meyer
June 6, 2016 by Deb Meyer
On opening night of The Literati, at Sydney’s SWB Stables Theatre, love was certainly in the air. Read more
Queen of the Desert – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
June 2, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
Being of a more practical than romantic bent, I watched explorer Gertrude Bell (Nicole Kidman) gadding about the desert swathed nun-like in beige linen and all I could think was – slap on a hat woman or you’ll end up with a ruddy complexion. But this being art, she remains pale as a lily.
God Willing – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
June 2, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
It’s not that often you get a good laugh at the movies. First time director/writer Eduardo Falcone provides plenty of laughs but it’s nicely calibrated and not slapstick, well perhaps only a little.
Is This the Real World – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
May 26, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
Reviewing movies takes me to places I might otherwise not go. In the past I might have considered myself a tad old to enjoy a story about a teenage boy but was engrossed by this debut film from writer/director Martin McKenna.
