Two studio lights.

Six films, two books, and many essays

I love January. I love new-year-new-you energy. I love the quiet of Melbourne as many of its residents are away for the summer holidays. I love movie-award season. And I love reading new books and essays. Here are six films, two books, and the many essays that filled my January. Six films Coco Coco is … Read more

Maleficent.

Review: Maleficent

Tl:dr review of Maleficent: I loved it! Warning: The following may contain spoilers. Once upon a time, humans led an egalitarian, feminist, peaceful, earth-based way of life. Warrior men came down from a mountain and brought violence and patriarchy. This myth is at the heart of many stories. We’ve seen it in the 2001 TV … Read more

Woman with a fire behind her. A promo still from The Wicker Tree.

Review: The Wicker Tree

Robin Hardy returns to the silver screen with neither a remake nor a sequel to his 1973 cult classic The Wicker Man. Intended as a companion piece, The Wicker Tree explores the same themes, but with far less intrigue, shock, horror, or reason. The film opens in Texas where born-again country pop star Beth Boothby and … Read more