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Review: Latency (2024)

2024, 90 mins
M (Mature themes, horror themes, violence and coarse language)

Stars Sasha Luss, Alexis Ren
Directed by James Croke

A great premise and striking visual style elevate what is ultimately a frustrating and not fully-realised horror thriller. Latency is one of those films that starts out brilliantly and hooks you in, but then sadly doesn’t really go anywhere with its premise. Still, there’s a lot to like in Australian writer/director James Croke’s debut feature.

Review: ‘Piper’ (2023)

2023, M (Supernatural themes and suicide scenes), 100 mins
Available on DVD and Digital Platforms from November 13, 2024

Stars Elizabeth Hurley, Mia Jenkins, Jack Stewart and Tara Fitzgerald
Directed by Anthony Waller

The Pied Piper of Hamelin is a famous fable that has arguably fallen out of the public consciousness in recent decades, but the creepy undertones of the story have enormous potential to be repurposed for a horror movie. Piper revives the legend to solid effect, and tries hard to evoke an unsettling mood throughout, even if it doesn’t quite work overall.

Review: Smile 2 (2024)

Minor SPOILERS!

Writer/director Parker Finn’s Smile, released in 2022, was a surprise hit upon release. Originally intended as a streaming release, it was so good that it demanded a theatrical release instead and ended up making more than $200 million at the worldwide box office.

A sequel was inevitable, but thankfully Finn has given us a follow-up that feels both of a piece with the original and its own thing entirely, and has a bigger budget to play with and more elaborate horror sequences to delight and scare us with.

Review: ‘Me, My Mother and Suzy Cato’ at Melbourne Fringe Festival

Following a sell out season at Auckland Fringe where it won the award for ‘Outstanding Performance by an Individual’, Me, My Mother and Suzy Cato is playing at the Melbourne Fringe Festival until October 20th at Trades Hall, Music Room.

A delightful, touching, nostalgia-filled trip back to the turn of the millennium, a time where Y2K paranoia ran rampant and the only thing a mobile phone could do was send a text; Me, My Mother and Suzy Cato is the brainchild of talented New Zealand actor, writer and producer, Florence Hartigan, who has crafted a sweet and nuanced coming of age tale.

Review: ‘TINA – The Tina Turner Musical’ at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre (2024)

More akin to a rock concert at times than a traditional musical, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is positively overflowing with energy and toe-tapping brilliance. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who isn’t a fan of the late, great Tina Turner, with Australia always being one of her most successful and enduring markets.

The phenomenal local success of this musical, which premiered in Sydney in 2023 after debuting on the West End stage in 2018, is a testament to Turner’s icon status and is proof that her legacy and popularity will endure for a long time to come.

REVIEW: The Woman In Black at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre (2024)

Playing at the Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne until July 6, Canberra Theatre Centre from July 9-14, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre from July 17-21, Newcastle Civic Theatre from July 23-27 and Theatre Royal Sydney from July 30-August 17.

More Info and tickets can be found at: thewomaninblack.com.au

Review: ‘Tosca’ at Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne (2024)

Presented by Opera Australia

Tosca is playing at Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne until May 30. Also playing at the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, from June 25 to August 12.

Tickets and further information can be found at opera.org.au/events/tosca-melbourne

Review: ‘RENT: The Musical’ at State Theatre, Melbourne (2024)

Playing at the State Theatre, Arts Centre, Melbourne until March 7. Touring Newcastle in March, Perth in May and Canberra in June. Tickets and further info can be found at rentmusical.au.

Review: The Rocky Horror Show at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre (2024)

Now playing at the Athenaeum Theatre Melbourne until March 23 and at the Theatre Royal Sydney from March 31 to May 12. Tickets and further info can be found at rockyhorror.com.au.