Arts & Movies
Review: ‘The Lovers’
René Magritte’s Les Amants (The Lovers) (1928) is a wonderful allegory of the ‘Love is blind’ adage. It is one of four artworks similarly composed, with different poses and backdrops. Each has the same image of two veiled lovers. Magritte has a flair for creating surrealist pieces with deeply evocative tones and simple themes. The La Trobe regional gallery in Morwell, Victoria, was fortunate enough […]
‘Show Me the Way to Go Home’: the short, splendid career of Mavis Ngallametta
Some paintings look impressive from a distance, others entice one to step closer to explore the details. Mavis Ngallametta’s remarkable large-scale works manage to do both, luring one in for a closer look, much like a fairy tale book with magnificent illustrations. ‘Show Me the Way to Go Home’ is a magical exhibition that showcases […]
Lana Lyric – a look that captures attention
By day Lana Lyric is a security professional, training security officers around the globe with a file hosting service. By night she is an artist in the music industry (as well as a performing artist, music producer and sound engineer) with her own company, working on her music as well as producing other artists’ work. […]
Dr Feelgood drummer Kevin Morris is an emotional rock
At 63, Dr Feelgood’s leader Kevin Morris still tries to thrash the drums as hard as he did when he joined the band in 1983. He seems reluctant to pass the torch to a generation either unwilling or unfit to wrest it from him. “We carry on touring because we all love it,” he told […]
Review: Mine
Mine is a military thriller written and directed by the two Fabios – Guaglione and Resinaro – and starring Armie Hammer in the lead role of US Marine Mike Stevens. Sergeant Stevens and partner Tommy Madison wander into a desert mine field in a North African war zone after a mission unravels. Without disclosing too […]
Hipster-cool comes to the suburbs
Hipster trend no. 54 – open a café in a previously uncool suburban shopping strip, add some bare brick and graffiti, offer simple but appealing and well-cooked fare, and voila – you have a bustling hipster-cool business. Hipster-cool has come to the semi-rural eastern Brisbane suburb of Gumdale in the form of Cement. It’s so […]
More than lines on a page – the power of drawing
Prepare to have your appreciation of drawing stretched beyond comprehension when you visit the Sunshine Coast University’s Art Gallery current exhibition, showcasing works from the Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award. The light, open space at the gallery is filled with a collection of travelling works from the Grafton Regional Gallery. So much more than lines on […]
Crowds flock to film and video exhibit
If you’re itching for something out of this world what could compete with travelling back in time with the Australian Centre for the Moving Image? Australia’s national museum of film, tv, video games, digital culture and art is in Melbourne’s Federation square. Screen Worlds is an exciting and free new exhibition at ACMI showing the […]
Review: Queen of Katwe
Based on a true story, Queen of Katwe is a classic and inspiring tale of overcoming extreme adversity to pursue and achieve dreams, against all odds and in the unlikeliest of circumstances. Set against a backdrop of an impoverished Uganda over the last five years, the film chronicles recent events as they unfolded. Directed by […]
How to make a monster
Artist John Cox’s exhibition at the Gold Coast Arts Centre, How to Make a Monster, is a winner for family-oriented fun. The colourful, interactive and slightly scientific exhibition offers a unique insight into the intriguing world of animatronics. The first hall of two is home to the Academy Award presented to John Cox’s Creature Workshop […]
Review: Captain America: Civil War
With change in the air what will the Superheroes do? Will they bow to the pressure that is placed before them, or will they become a rogue force? Marvel Cinematic Universe has pumped out yet another Superhero movie. This A-List cast never disappoints with the usual Robert Downey Jr (Iron Man), Chris Evans (Captain America), […]
Review: Madame Butterfly
Opera Queensland, Lyric Theatre, QPAC Directed by Michael Grandage, the performance of Puccini’s sorrowful and tragic tale of a broken heart, breached trust and loss was a successful and splendid achievement. The lyricism of the opera is moving and touching and highlights why it is still so popular. The set was simple yet effective with […]
Make thyme for this five-star buffet restaurant
Thyme2 Interactive restaurant, Brisbane CBD This buffet-style restaurant is located within the Sofitel Brisbane Hotel, and as you would expect from a five-star hotel, the décor and atmosphere as you walk in are just beautiful. The buffet selection includes a variety of cheeses, salads, sushi, a brilliant selection of fresh seafood including Moreton Bay bugs, […]
Art or just a crock of s—? Both!
Hidden deep in the bowels of the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart is the Cloaca, known as the Poop Machine to fans and critics alike. It was designed and built by Belgium man Wim Delvoye who wanted to recreate the human digestive system as close as scientifically possible. The monstrous machine […]
Review: X-Men: Days of Future Past
Comic book nerds gather round – for it is once again time to venture into the realms of society to witness Earth’s greatest heroes save the planet from sure destruction – all for a reasonable $16.99. X-Men: Days of Future Past is the latest addition to director Bryan Singer’s seven-film saga, but despite the very […]
Stunning display of best photojournalism
A striking image of African migrants raising their phones to catch an elusive signal took out first prize in this year’s World Press Photo contest. The image, “Signal”, is on display at the New South Wales State Library in Sydney as part of a touring exhibition of the best photos. The year-long exhibition, which travels […]
Review: A Streetcar Named Desire
New Farm Nash Theatre Shuffles were seen from the audience as they leant forward in their seats, waiting in awe for that historic cry. “STELLAAAAAAA!” cried the slick Stanley, played by Tristan Ozinga. With a great, powerful scream, ears trembled and eyes widened. Would Stella take back her beloved Stanley? A cast of 10 brings […]
Review: The Dark Knight Rises
As the most highly anticipated film event of the year, the most obvious question is whether The Dark Knight Rises lives up to the hype. Director Christopher Nolan found great success when he re-introduced the world to the beloved Batman. There are many elements which make this film great – the portrayal of iconic Batman […]
Prado masterpieces bring the heart of Spain to Brisbane
The masterpieces of Prado take their audience on a journey of religion, mythology and sainthood in the Queensland Art Gallery exhibition “Portrait of Spain”. As you step into the largest most significant international loan undertaken by Madrid’s museum, Museo Nacional del Prado, you feel as though you are stepping through the corridors of Madrid. Dr […]
Review: Beauty is Difficult
“Today you are going to enter the past of my life. Three things are carried by my wounded heart: love, despair, pain!” The Tango los Mareados frames tonight’s Winter Ball as we swirl past and dip into the lives and loves of Racine’s Phedre, Flaubert’s Emma Bovary, Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina and Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler. Director […]