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Writer and director Maggie Gyllenhaal has upended the story of Frankenstein by focusing primarily on his partner, who she brings back from the dead.   It is a drama, a horror and an unconventional romance, with feminism at its core.   The story injects Frankenstein’s writer Mary Shelley into the tale from beyond the grave.   In short, she manages to possess a young woman called Ida (Jessie Buckley), injecting in her unhinged behaviour. Ida is subsequently dealt with by two he

A biographical comedic drama inspired by reality, I Swear is one of the feel-good films of the year.   The movie, which starts in 1983, traces the journey of a Scottish youngster who, at a time when the condition isn’t universally recognised, develops Tourette’s Syndrome.   John Davidson is the eldest of four children, a hard worker and a gifted young soccer goalkeeper who eyes a promising future when he enters high school.   But as soon as he does, the first symptoms of Tour

Four hours before he is due for execution, Becket Redfellow (Glen Powell) is visited by a priest (Adrian Lukas).   In this black comedy, Becket proceeds to calmly relay his sordid story to Father Morris.  Becket’s mother, Mary (Nell Williams), was heir to a family fortune worth US$18 billion – $19 billion.   But when she fell pregnant at age 18 and refused to abort the baby, she was disowned and disinherited by her ruthless father, Whitelaw (Ed Harris).   Still, she did all s

Stars are falling from the sky, but why?   Clearly, it is a portent of things to come.   The end of the world is nigh. When? No-one can say, but it is happening.   Nevertheless, it is just another nightshift for former schoolmates Sam (Ally Taueki-Gatt) and Frankie (Finn Corr). Photos by Mia Sugiyanto   The pair works casually in a grocery store, which appears to service very few customers.   Outside the door of the shop is a dying star stuck in the ground (a well realised pr

With technology continuing to advance at a rapid rate, Now deals with a new take on reality post COVID-19.   A middle-aged mother, X, played by Helene Tardif, is environmentally responsible, aware of her carbon footprint and climate change.   Her husband, Y (Marc Opitz), who has spent 25 years in advertising, is frustrated that he can’t get through to their lazy son, who is living in a world of his own. Photos by Ella Hasdell Donning a set of homemade virtual reality glasses

Zany and deliberately over-the-top, the burlesque, drag play POKÉLESQUE, featuring improvisation and audience participation, makes for a fun night out. Photos by Jayden Byrne Written and directed by Rosie Roulette, the starting point is a love of Pokémon, originally released on the Game Boy handheld game console in 1996.   Thereafter, the Japanese media franchise responsible for it released trading cards, an anime series, comics, plush toys, films and much more.   To mark its

Why is Ed Sheeran one of the most beloved (and, unquestionably, highly talented) musical artists on the planet?   Having arrived by train from Sydney, he answered that emphatically on the opening night of a three-night stadium concert series in Melbourne, as part of his Loop Tour.   Marvel Stadium was metaphorically heaving under the collective anticipation of 60,000 plus fans.  Photo by Mark Surridge Then, spot on 8pm, he wandered into the middle of the packed arena, and del

When Terminator 2: Judgment Day was released 35 years ago, it was a movie well ahead of its time.   Its special effects were awesome.   Even looking at it now, it measures up well.   Those scenes of transformative liquid metal continue to impress. Photos by Simon Aubor   And with the emergence of all powerful AI in recent years, the film’s backbone – man vs machine (humans at war with Skynet) – is particularly salient.   And remember, the opening scene had a location and da

Why and when do marriages turn sour?   A couple of broad questions, I know, but ones picked apart in Bradley Cooper’s third directorial film (which he also co-wrote and in which he features).   The other two he directed are A Star is Born and Maestro.   Is This Thing On? starts with the words “We need to call it, right?” “I think so, too.”   That effectively brings down the curtain on a relationship that has run for 26 years, or does it?  Alex and Tess Novak (Will Arnett and