In her breakthrough horror film, The Babadook, writer director Jennifer Kent used a supernatural menace to represent the threat and anxiety experienced by a single mother played by Esse Davis. Her latest film, the gruelling historical drama, The Nightingale, sees a woman and an indigenous man confronted by a more realistic threat in the brutal racist patriarchy of a British
Read moreIt’s just over a year since the world lost one of the greatest singers of all time, Aretha Franklin. This week sees the release (after many decades) of ‘Amazing Grace’ a film by Sydney Pollack that documents Aretha’s performance at a Baptist church in 1972 and this Friday ‘Built For Speed’ will tell you all about that film. We also take
Read moreWritten by Stan Grant and directed by Daniel Gordon, the documentary The Australian Dream, which recounts Sydney Swans champion Adam Goodes’ tumultuous career and confrontation with racist attitudes, has generated considerable attention prior to its release. Let’s hope this attention translates into attendance as this is not only a moving personal story but an important lesson in Australian history. Adam’s
Read moreFootballer Adam Goodes’ story has been both a saddening and inspiring one and this week on ‘Built For Speed’ we review Stan Grant’s documentary about Adam Goodes’ experiences ‘The Australian Dream’. We’ll also take a look at ‘Hereditary’ director Ari Aster’s latest creepy thriller ‘Midsommar’. There’s also a feast of fine music with new Aussie tracks, indie rock favourites and
Read moreIn 1969, amid the turbulence of the Vietnam War, civil unrest and the Nixon administration, the Woodstock concert emerged as a beacon of hope. This week marks 50 years since what is arguably the most iconic concert in rock history and ‘Built For Speed’ pays tribute to that amazing event by featuring many of the artists who appeared on the
Read moreFor the first 15 minutes, Kriv Stenders’ Vietnam war drama Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan seems like a clunky attempt at an Aussie Platoon. We’re introduced to some painfully familiar characters: the intense, bullying veteran soldier, the wide-eyed innocent young grunts, the cocky guys playing cards and guzzling whisky and the pompous, uncaring commanding officer. Quickly, though, this
Read more