Category: Reviews
Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua / Two Worlds – Film Review
Melbourne International Film Festival is on and I’ve signed up for a bunch of movies. First up, I saw this documentary about Kiwi singer-songwriter Marlon Williams and his journey to connect with his Māori heritage.
Scandinavian Film Festival 2025 – 100 Litres of Gold, When the Light Breaks
This year, I got to see a couple of Scandi offerings, a quirky Finnish comedy about two alcoholic sisters and a quiet Icelandic heartbreaker.
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim – Book Review
I really enjoyed this charming, observant and gently humorous novel about the transformative, invigorating power of a holiday.
F1 – Film Review
F1 does not re-invent a sports movie and goes around a very familiar track indeed, but it has all the right stuff for a solid blockbuster and an exhilarating cinematic ride.
MSO: Winter Gala – Lang Lang @ Hamer Hall (07/2025)
My classical streak continued with this very special evening. This time, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra teamed up with the Chinese piano superstar for a night of Ravel, Saint-Saëns and Mussorgsky.
28 Years Later – Film Review
The sequel to the zombie classic may be messy and disjointed, but I always have time for flawed oddball movies that take chances, even if they bite more than they can chew.
El 47 – Film Review
Spanish Film Festival is on in Melbourne, and this beautifully crafted true-life drama about a bus driver from the outskirts of Barcelona was a good pick.
MSO: A Reflection in Time @ Hamer Hall (06/2025)
Another wonderful night with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, featuring the ultimate tearjerker, a local violin wunderkind, and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5.
The Martian by Andy Weir – Book Review
