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
The Crow’s Egg (Kakka Muttai) – a film review by Roz Tarszisz
November 19, 2015 by Roz Tarszisz
Watching this film from writer and director M. Manikandan, it occurred to me that while the story is particular to India, it also demonstrates many points of similarity to the world we live in. Read more
He Named Me Malala – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
November 11, 2015 by Roz Tarszisz
After the Taliban tried to kill her in 2012 Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai emerges as a leading advocate for children’s rights and the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
JIFF off to a stirring start
October 29, 2015 by Deahne Hemphill
STC’s The Wharf Revue – Celebrating 15 years…reviewed by Deb Meyer
October 28, 2015 by Deb Meyer
A usual highlight in the Sydney Theatre Company calendar, The Wharf Revue, is back again, this time in celebration of 15 years and 21 shows, poking as much fun as always at the follies of our political icons. Read more
Jewish Comedy for Bondi premiere
October 25, 2015 by Geoff Sirmai
Following two sell-out seasons in Melbourne the Jewish comedy hit “You’re Driving Me Crazy!” is coming to Sydney from 24 November to 29 November at the Bondi Pavilion Theatre. Read more
Burnt – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
October 21, 2015 by Roz Tarszisz
Serious chefs have lent their skills and advice to this outing from director John Wells (Love and Mercy). Read more
Bridge of Spies – a movie review by James Berardinelli
October 18, 2015 by James Berardinelli - Reelviews
With names like Spielberg, Hanks, and the Coen Brothers, it’s hard not to be excited about a project like Bridge of Spies. Read more
Beethoven’s mighty mass
October 15, 2015 by Fraser Beath McEwing
One big bite filling the whole program was the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s offering for the ATP Master Series concert last night, writes Fraser Beath McEwing. Read more
West Side Story to star Anthony Levin
October 11, 2015 by Geoff Sirmai
West Side Story – arguably the greatest musical of all time – comes to Sydney’s Zenith Theatre in Chatswood this November with Sydney actor-singer and human rights lawyer Anthony Levin performing the plum role of ‘Tony’. Read more
