Hidden Figures: a movie review by Glen Falkenstein
February 10, 2017 by Glen Falkenstein
Taking the top spot on opening, Hidden Figures, one of several Best Picture nominees and popular releases depicting historical racial tensions in the United States, hits a chord to which many of its more dramatic counterparts never come close. Read more
Fences: a movie review by Toni Susskind
February 9, 2017 by Toni Susskind
Fences is a movie that takes its time exploring and unravelling the complexities of human reasoning and nature. Read more
Gold: a movie review by James Berardinelli
February 1, 2017 by James Berardinelli - Reelviews
Rags to riches stories are a Hollywood staple. Read more
Forbidden Music: Composers banned by the Third Reich
January 27, 2017 by Stevie Whitmont
Continuing a series by Stevie Whitmont of music banned by the Nazis. Read more
Kosher Theatresports is back!
January 20, 2017 by J-Wire
The popular Jewish-themed impro comedy show based on the Australian and world-wide hit show, returns to Sydney’s Bondi Pavilion theatre on Sunday 19 February after a 4 year ‘shluff’. Read more
Forbidden Music: Composers banned by the Third Reich
January 6, 2017 by Stevie Whitmont
Continuing the series by Stevie Whitmont of music banned by the Nazis. Read more
Jackie – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
January 5, 2017 by Roz Tarszisz
For those who remember the day President John Kennedy died in November 1963, this biopic will bring it all back. Read more
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.
