(courtesy First Showing) SNAPSHOTOn Christmas Eve, Cliff (starring Michael Strassner who also co-wrote the script), a newly sober improv comedian, cracks a tooth and lands in the emergency care of Didi (Liz Larsen), an older no-nonsense dentist. What begins as a routine check-up sparks an unpredictable evening of misadventures. Together, Continue Reading
A super low-key love story: Thoughts on Too Much
(courtesy IMP Awards) In the hands of most romantic comedies, love is a shiny, faultlessly perfect paragon of all that is good and lovely, and while there may be minor hiccups for anyone falling prey to its life-transformative charms, they are easily dispensed with via a peak hour rush to Continue Reading
Step into your future: Starfleet Academy teaser trailer drops at SDCC 2025
(courtesy IMDb) SNAPSHOTThe series is set in the 32nd century, the far-future of the Star Trek franchise where Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets are recovering from a cataclysmic event, as depicted in Star Trek: Discovery (2017–2024). Starfleet Academy follows the first new class of Starfleet cadets in over Continue Reading
“You think you’re in control of this… You’re not.” The electric second full trailer for Tron: Ares
(courtesy IMP Awards) SNAPSHOTTron: Ares follows a highly sophisticated program, Ares (starring Jared Leto), who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings. The highly anticipated sequel to the sci-fi classics Tron (1982) and Tron: Legacy (2010). Continue Reading
#ChristmasInJuly book review: Christmas is All Around by Martha Waters
(courtesy Hachette Australia) When you’re diving into a festive rom-com read, you hope and pray that you’ll be served up lashings of magical romance and renewal and healing in bountiful measure. That’s precise you get in the magnificently heartwarming joy and wonder that is Christmas is All Around by Martha Continue Reading
#ChristmasInJuly retro movie review: Christmas in July
A lot can happen in just one day! Just ask Jimmy MacDonald (Dick Powell), the protagonist of the 1940 Preston Sturges film, Christmas in July, who’s a grunt office worker from a working class neighbourhood of New York City who heads off to his menial day job in an office Continue Reading
#ChristmasInJuly book review: The Merriest Misters by Timothy Janovsky
(courtesy Hachette Australia) Who doesn’t adore a good love story? Even better, one set at Christmas when everything is at a peak of wonderfulness, magic is in the air and anything and everything seems possible (bar finding a parking spot at the locla mall but then, that’s a whole other Continue Reading
Movie review: The Fantastic Four: First Steps
(courtesy IMP Awards) Most superhero movies, if you look beyond the bangs and the booms and the epic struggles for curdely painted yet titanic struggles between god and evil, are about connection. Friendship, camaraderies, even family figure strongly, even with figures like Batman or Iron Man who might otehrwise be Continue Reading
Songs, songs and more songs #126: Sally Shapiro, Parcels, Moses Sumney & Hayley Williams, Juno Mamba & edapollo + Tiësto/Odd Mob & Goodboys
(via Shutterstock) Making music is, like a lot of creative endeavours, driven by individual talent and imagination. But often where the magic really happens is when likeminded, talented souls come together and in this case at least, literally make sweet music together. It’s a thrill to see and a joy Continue Reading
Graphic novel review: William of Newbury by Michael Avon Oeming
(courtesy Penguin Books Australia) Fascinating though it may be for past events junkies like this reviewer, history doesn’t come alive for everyone. It’s a real pity because not only is delving into the annals of history brilliantly interesting but it ensures, as the adage reminds us, that we are familiar Continue Reading