Mahana: a movie review 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

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

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.

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Forbidden Music: Composers banned by the Third Reich

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

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.

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The Accountant – a movie review by James Berardinelli

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When Anu Singh was charged with the murder of her boyfriend Joe Cinque in 1997, it was a crime that shocked Australia.

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The Girl on the Train – a movie review 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.

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The Australian World Orchestra wowed them…a music review from 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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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).

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Down Under – a movie review 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.

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Three peas in a pod…a music review by Fraser Beath 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

“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.

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Embrace – a movie review 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.

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Love & Friendship – a movie review 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

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

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

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