Jewels and Ashes – A 25th Anniversary Edition: a book review by Alan Gold
April 25, 2016 by Alan Gold
Virginia Woolf once said that every secret of a writer’s soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind, is written large in his works. Perhaps the finest example in Australia today of the elemental truth of Woolf’s words is in the body of work produced over the past quarter of a century by Arnold Zable. Read more
Hay Fever: a theatre review by Deb Meyer
April 20, 2016 by Deb Meyer
There’s something terribly refreshing about a well written comedy, especially when it’s revived by a wonderful cast and given playful direction and a creative design team…writes Deb Meyer. Read more
Marguerite – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
April 15, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
Perhaps it is coincidence the heroine of this movie shares her name with Margaret Dumont, the woman who was the “straight man” in several Marx Brothers comedies and the oblivious butt of many jokes.
Wide Open Sky – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
April 11, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
Think big, dream wide is the maxim of Moorambilla Voices. Michelle Leonard, founder and Artistic Director of the choir, is just the woman to bring dreams to life.
Sherpa – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
March 29, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
It should be peaceful at Base Camp, Mount Everest with all that clean air, dazzling white snow and towering peaks. But in the short climbing season, it is so crowded up there, it’s more like Bondi Beach on Boxing Day, but with parkas.
Rams – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
March 24, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
Sheep have never figured much in my life. Yet in the past month I have read and discussed a book about sheep farming at my book club*, spent time considering Tom Roberts famous painting of sheep shearers and taken in this film. I will try, although not too hard, to avoid any woolly thinking.
Eye in the Sky – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
March 17, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
Two British treasures – Alan Rickman (in one of his last appearances) and Helen Mirren bring their finely honed skills to this modern thriller, so it’s already off to a good start.
Box office boo-boo but a great performance
March 15, 2016 by Fraser Beath McEwing
While many punters voted no with their buttocks, those who did come to the Sydney City Recital Hall last night for two hours of Messiaen went home rewarded, writes Fraser Beath McEwing. Read more
10 Cloverfield Lane: A movie review by Toni Susskind
March 10, 2016 by Toni Susskind
10 Cloverfield Lane is a taut psychological thriller which draws you in and demands your attention. Read more
A testing night for some, bliss for others
March 10, 2016 by Fraser Beath McEwing
The SSO went out on a limb presenting a single work by a contemporary composer for the usually predictable ATP Master Series concert last night, writes Fraser Beath McEwing. Read more
13 HOURS: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi…a movie review by Toni Susskind
February 23, 2016 by Toni Susskind
Directed by Michael Bay of Transformers fame, 13 hours attempts to retell the attack on a visiting US diplomat and a CIA compound that did not officially exist in Libya in 2012. Read more
Ludwig van does it again
February 19, 2016 by Fraser Beath McEwing
Another entire program of Beethoven under Vladimir Ashkenazy, with the addition of a solo violinist, again packed the Sydney Opera House for the second of the 2016 APT Master Series concerts, writes Fraser Beath McEwing. Read more
Trumbo: a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
February 16, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
It is not a crime to belong to a political party. But there was a time in America when it was a crime to be a communist working in Hollywood.
A night at the pictures
February 16, 2016 by Fraser Beath McEwing
Pictures are what American pianist Garrick Ohlsson had in mind for his recital last night, the first of the International pianists in Recital concerts for 2016 in the Sydney City Recital Hall, writes Fraser Beath McEwing. Read more
Zoolander 2 – a movie review by Toni Susskind
February 11, 2016 by Toni Susskind
Similar to its predecessor, Zoolander 2 is a mix of satire and tongue in cheek humour that doesn’t to take itself too seriously. The jokes are more hit and miss than the original, but it is still an entertaining way to spend a night out. Read more
Room: a movie review by Toni Susskind
January 27, 2016 by Toni Susskind
Based upon the novel by Emma Donoghue, I approached Room with a level of trepidation. Read more
Spotlight – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
January 27, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
Spotlight could be seen as an elegy for a lost world.
Looking for Grace – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
January 21, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
What do parents do when their teenage daughter disappears and they have no idea why or where she has gone? Read more
Fiddler on the Roof: A review by Michelle Coleman
January 14, 2016 by Michelle Coleman
The lights went down, the curtain rose, the first strains of the orchestra filled the theatre… and in less than a minute the audience was clapping along enthusiastically. With its catchy tunes by Jerry Bock, witty lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and irresistible characters from Sholem Aleichem’s stories, Fiddler on the Roof spun its magic yet again – just as it did for the first time more than 51 years ago. Read more
The Hateful Eight – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
January 13, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
Despite the likelihood of people getting shot and me being a bit squeamish, I enjoy a good western.
Carol – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
January 10, 2016 by Roz Tarszisz
Cigarettes are in important prop in any movie set in 1950s New York. Adapted from a Patricia Highsmith novel, The Price of Salt, we know exactly where we are when women sport pointy bras, men wear hats and smoking punctuates the drama. Read more
The Revenant: a movie review by James Berardinelli
January 3, 2016 by James Berardinelli - Reelviews
The Revenant, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s follow-up to his Oscar-winning Birdman, plays like a cross between Terrence Malick and Sam Peckinpah. Read more
Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
December 29, 2015 by Roz Tarszisz
If you ever read a Peanuts comic strip then you know that it’s a bit like childhood meals. You had to finish the veggies to get dessert. In this animated movie, if Charlie Brown is the veggies, Snoopy is dessert.
The Belier Family – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
December 13, 2015 by Roz Tarszisz
Laughter is said to be universal but humour does not always translate well between countries. This outing from director Eric Lartigau (The Big Picture) has been a huge hit in France, and while it does have charm, I don’t see the enormous appeal.
Human Rights Commissioner talks to the JCCV
December 1, 2015 by Henry Greener-The Shtick
Henry Greener’s The Shtick presents Sandra Dubs introducing Kate Jenkins, the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commissioner, speaking at the The Jewish Community Council of Victoria’s Annual General Meeting…a J-Wire video presentation. Read more
A special occasion for the king
November 29, 2015 by Fraser Beath McEwing
French organist, Olivier Latry, treated last Friday morning’s Emirates ‘Tea & Symphony’ full capacity audience to a unique concert, writes Fraser Beath McEwing. Read more
Newt’s News: presented by The Shtick’s Henry Greener
November 26, 2015 by Henry Greener-The Shtick
Newt’s News: Suicide Vs Hope is a segment covering current events including the Attacks in Paris, excerpts of Bibi Netanyahu, Malcolm Turnbull, Ehud Yaari, Dennis Prager and Shmuley Boteach with Issues such as the AJDS Climate Rally and Domestic Violence with White Ribbon Day being mentioned. A video report. Read more
Thus spake Edo de Waart
November 26, 2015 by Fraser Beath McEwing
Edo de Waart, who was chief conductor and artistic director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra between 1992 and 2003, returned to the Opera House to conduct the final concert in the APT Master Series last night. I found it inspiring, writes Fraser Beath McEwing. Read more
L’Elisir d’Amore: an opera review by Michelle Coleman
November 26, 2015 by Michelle Coleman
Classic Italian comedy, outback Australia setting: Matthew Barclay’s revival of Simon Phillips’ 2001 production of Donizetti’s popular opera buffa is sure to delight. Read more
Deb Meyer reviews the STC production of “Orlando”
November 20, 2015 by Deb Meyer
Virginia Woolf’s epic, mythological tale of gender transformation through the ages is given a playful treatment by Chicago born playwright Sarah Ruhl, in this Australian premier. Read more
