Film Review – Conrad – 17/11/00 New York, New York! – where models work as barmaids, dreams are derailed, and good looks and talent are not enough on their own for you to ‘make it’. Violet Sanford (Piper Perabo) dreams of taking her song writing talent to New York and ‘making it’, only to find…
By Jim Anderton – Published by Random House, 1999 Reviewed by Bob Bargh – 27/10/00 From the beginning Pakeha New Zealanders have struggled to establish and define a national identity for themselves. Throughout our history this quest for a defining construct has challenged the creativity of New Zealanders working in arts and crafts. Some of…
Film Review – Conrad – 13/10/00 Starring the Colosseum, and ably supported by Russell Crowe’s battered body, this movie does a surface scan of the bloody carnage created by gladiatorial combat provided as entertainment for the Roman masses, and the clandestine violence perpetrated by the young Caesar Commodus in his desperation for power. He’s a…
Film Review – Margaret – 6/10/00 I went to this film at short notice having heard only that a friend had found it entertaining – and it is, but it offers a great deal more than entertainment. A surprising film The first word that comes to my mind to describe this film is ‘surprising’. It…
Film Review – Margaret – 28/9/00 If you want to see a fine example of New Zealand documentary film making and learn some of the truth about the Moriori people, go to see Feathers of Peace. It challenges viewers to think afresh about issues of peace, war, colonialism and slavery. It relates the history of…
Film Review – Margaret – 15/9/00 Magik and Rose – the intriguing title raises in our minds contrasted images. Vanessa Alexander, writer and director, uses contrasts powerfully throughout the film. Contrasted characters Magik, an unconventional name with odd spelling, really suits the character of Magik, the phoney fortune teller who at the very beginning of…
Film Review – Margaret – 1/9/00 Put your preconceptions of Jane Austen’s novels on one side and go to this film and I think you will enjoy it. You will also come out able to join in the spirited conversations which are happening among so many filmgoers and Jane Austen addicts. "Mansfield Park" was on…
Film Review – Margaret – 25/8/00 I went to this film expecting to see an interesting documentary and hear good music. What I experienced was so much more! If you feel depressed by all the doom and gloom fed to us by the news media and want your spirits lifted don’t miss this film. How…
Dorothy – 14/7/00 This is the second year that the International Science Festival has been held in Dunedin. If offers a wide ranging programme for all ages which in itself is a remarkable achievement for the organisers. It attracted over 15,000 visitors in the first week. A survey of the sites shows that the Festival…
Alan A Brash – 7/7/00 What does the word Passchendaele mean to you? If, according to Glyn Harper, the word just reminds you of one of the many places in Europe where World War I was fought, and nothing more, you are a typical New Zealander in that respect. Glyn Harper has this year published…
