Crikey » CULTURE

Blues skies of human history: cross narratives in new DVD and book

Truth to Tell — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:40:13 +0000

A new DVD and book tell stories about individuals. But in doing so, they unveil all our stories and highlight our reliance on narrative, writes James Rose.

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Glenn Dyer’s TV ratings: House Rules needs more than a paint job

Glenn Dyer — Fri, 17 May 2013 02:45:29 +0000

Seven had hopes its new House Rules would upset The Block on Nine, but viewers just aren't drawn to it.

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Emerging Writers Fest 2013: an interview with director Sam Twyford-Moore

Liticism — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:42:45 +0000

The Emerging Writers Festival began as a one-day sine fair in 2004 and has progressed in leaps and bounds. Bethanie Blanchard talks with director Sam Twyford-Moore.

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What’s (also) wrong with the Left: Josh Bornstein on Helen Razer

Crikey — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:26:03 +0000

Helen Razer would have all aspiring lefties undertake an education in Keynsian economics. But lawyer Josh Bornstein wonders, are modern-day Keynsians really leading the campaigns Razer would support?

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Theatre review: Forget Me Not — Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney

Stage — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:22:08 +0000

There’s an awkward, eloquent silence to Tom Holloway’s Forget Me Not. It’s one of the finest Belvoir St Theatre productions in quite some time, writes Lloyd Bradford Syke.

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Parallax Podcast: Star Trek, Spring Breakers, Hitchcock, Jack Reacher & more

Crikey — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:56:01 +0000

What do Klingons, bikini babes, legendary film directors and Tom Cruise have in common? All feature in this week's The Parallax Podcast, from critics Luke Buckmaster and Rich Haridy.

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We already have a Great Gatsby — and it’s called Spring Breakers

Cinetology — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:57:03 +0000

At first blush, Harmony Korine's new film doesn't have much in common with The Great Gatsby. But under the bonnet, it may echo the themes of F. Scott Fitzgerald's seminal work more powerfully than Baz Luhrmamn's movie, writes Luke Buckmaster.

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DVD review: Raising the Curtain — the state of modern theatre

Truth to Tell — Thu, 16 May 2013 06:23:54 +0000

A new three part documentary about Australian theatre history tells a compelling tale and leaves questions about its current state, writes James Rose.

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REVIEW: Vanguard | Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney

Crikey — Thu, 16 May 2013 05:18:57 +0000

The Australian Ballet's Vanguard showcases works from George Balanchine, Jiri Kylian and Wayne McGregor. And two great performances out of three 'aint bad.

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REVIEW: Dance of Death | Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne

Crikey — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:57:38 +0000

Malthouse Theatre's Dance Of Death is hard to watch sometimes. But it has plenty to say -- profanely -- about society, love and the sanctity of marriage.

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REVIEW: Forget Me Not | Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney

Crikey — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:41:25 +0000

There's an awkward, eloquent silence to Tom Holloway's Forget Me Not. It's one of the finest Belvoir St Theatre productions in quite some time.

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REVIEW: A Tender Thing | Visy Theatre, Brisbane

Crikey — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:33:02 +0000

The Full Circle troupe brings the Royal Shakespeare Company's A Tender Thing to Brisbane. It's a deeply moving, emotionally and linguistically exhilarating ride.

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Broadcasting and arts: boost for ABC, SBS and Conversation

Matthew Knott — Wed, 15 May 2013 02:53:25 +0000

Crikey examines how media and culture organisations fared in this year's budget. The ABC and SBS are smiling -- and the ghost of Simon Crean lives on.

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The linguistic origins of ‘magic pudding’ economics

Crikey blogs — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:47:43 +0000

Joe Hockey described the federal budget as a 'magical pudding', becoming the latest in a long line of politicians to use the metaphor. Piers Kelly explores its literary origins.

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Cater’s ideological trip to Woy Woy, not a Mercedes in sight

Crikey — Tue, 14 May 2013 02:47:58 +0000

Nick Cater wanted to launch his new book with real people. So he went to Woy Woy, along with a cast of ideological warriors, to preach the good word. Mark Butler was there for Crikey.

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Interview with Derek Cianfrance, director of The Place Beyond the Pines

Cinetology — Mon, 13 May 2013 23:08:09 +0000

Writer/director Derek Cianfrance's follow-up to his 2010 head turner Blue Valentine has guns, shoot-outs and Ryan Gosling -- but it's also a daring and unconventional work. He spoke with film critic Luke Buckmaster.

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Trying and failing at Febfast: on Jill Stark’s High Sobriety

Liticism — Mon, 13 May 2013 05:14:11 +0000

After failing at Febfast, Stephanie Van Schilt decided -- after reading Jill Stark's High Society -- that she was all out of excuses. Van Schilt describes Stark's book and her relationship with "the demon drink."

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TV review: Rectify — meditative and beautiful

Wire and Lights — Sun, 12 May 2013 23:17:42 +0000

The first fully scripted series from Sundance Channel follows a death row inmate and his family after his release from prison. It's one of the best seldom-seen shows on TV, writes Laurence Barber.

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Glenn Dyer’s TV ratings: The Checkout breaking new ground

Glenn Dyer — Fri, 10 May 2013 03:10:37 +0000

No programs topped the news last night, underlining what a dull night of TV it was.

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Anna Krien opens up to Helen Garner on sex, sport and consent

Culture Mulcher — Thu, 09 May 2013 23:36:35 +0000

“Dickwhipped,” grey zones and interpreting smiles. Anna Krien talked with Helen Garner about the issue of rape and consent in sport. W.H. Chong was there.

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Movie review: The Place Beyond the Pines — narrative masterclass

Cinetology — Thu, 09 May 2013 22:18:49 +0000

Writer/director Derek Cianfrance's follow-up to Blue Valentine is extraordinarily bold and compelling. It's one of the pedigree American films of 2013, writes Luke Buckmaster.

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Theatre review: Frankenstein — Brisbane Arts Theatre

Curtain Call — Thu, 09 May 2013 05:16:51 +0000

The Brisbane Arts Theatre revives Frankenstein in the best traditions of the Gothic horror tale. Brenna Lee-Cooney's take is an intense but colourful adaptation, writes Alison Cotes.

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Why do governments favour road over rail?

The Urbanist — Thu, 09 May 2013 00:09:05 +0000

The Victoria government has provided funding for a new freeway, but spurned a new rail line. It's important to understand why governments continue to prefer road over rail, writes Alan Davies.

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Theatre review: A Clockwork Orange — York Theatre, Sydney

Curtain Call — Wed, 08 May 2013 23:55:51 +0000

An all-male production of Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange offers a terrifying performance from Martin McCreadie. But its dance beat is too West Side Story for the brutality of the story, writes Ginny Maine.

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Movie review: Star Trek Into Darkness — stunning blockbuster filmmaking

Cinetology — Wed, 08 May 2013 22:19:59 +0000

Star Trek Into Darkness is more than an elaborate dress rehearsal for director J.J. Abrams' next movie, Star Wars: Episode VII. It is a stunningly realised blockbuster, writes Luke Buckmaster.

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