(courtesy Stream Wars (c) Kurzfilm | Weihnachten Werbeclip der Erste Group Bank AG) Animated short films, especially those without dialogue, can really tell a powerfully impactful festive story with the most elegantly simple of ingredients. These two short films, which are, yes, ads in their own way, convey so much Continue Reading
Christmas 2023
Oh my heart: Embrace the adorably meaningful with Teddy’s Christmas and The Velveteen Rabbit
(courtesy First Showing) SNAPSHOTWhile visiting a Christmas market in her Norwegian town, 8-year-old Mariann (starring Marte Klerck-Nilssen) suddenly sees an unbelievable sight: on the top shelf of a carnival game booth, the most adorable stuffed teddy bear has just moved his head and sneezed. Feeling an instant connection with the Continue Reading
#Christmas preview book review: Weirdo by Sara Pascoe
(courtesy Allen & Unwin) This will hardly come as a news flash to anyone but life rarely lives up hype and expectation. When we’re younger, we expect bounteous riches, if not material then at the very least existential, to flow down upon us like confetti at an environmentally unsound wedding, Continue Reading
#Christmas preview book review: The Wake-Up Call by Beth O’Leary
(courtesy Hachette Australia) This will come as a news to absolutely no one but the world is not exactly full of moments which end neatly and perfectly and with everything tied in a bright red bow. It’s also not fantastically good at giving people the happy endings they deserve, and Continue Reading
What’s Christmas without a little terror? Be careful what you wish for with Candy Cane Lane teaser
(courtesy YouTube (c) Prime Video) SNAPSHOTEddie Murphy stars in this holiday comedy adventure about a man on a mission to win his neighborhood’s annual Christmas home decoration contest. After Chris (Eddie Murphy) inadvertently makes a deal with a mischievous elf named Pepper (Jillian Bell) to better his chances of winning, Continue Reading
Christmas preview book review: The Gingerbread House at Mistletoe Gardens by Jaimie Admans
(courtesy Rakuten Kobo) By their very nature, books set around Christmas are supposed to be extra specially magical and joyful, a sizeable step away from the grim sheen of reality, festooned with sparkling lights, awash in mulled wine and festive-coloured candy with the air filled with the expressively happy tones Continue Reading