Films and reviews

Scorsese brings passion, but misses the big issues

Silence is a film of ideas, examining the meaning of mercy and compassion, and the personal cost of betrayal. It is also visually stunning. The cinematography has been nominated for an Academy Award and rightfully so.

It poses fascinating theological questions, their historical bases and the comparison between their Christian and Buddhist understandings. With so much going for it, why does SilenceÌý´Ú²¹¾±±ô?

Ken Loach wins Palme d'Or at Cannes

Veteran British director Ken Loach has won his second Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for I, Daniel Blake. The film is a warm and realistic drama about a middle-aged widower who, after a heart attack, can neither work nor get benefits. It follows his frustrations as he winds his way through an archaic system that seems designed to bring him down. Accepting the festival's top prize, Loach said: "We must give a message of hope, we must say another world is possible.

Steel city becomes anti-gas leader

New documentary film Radical Wollongong, produced by Â鶹´«Ã½ TV, will premiere in Wollongong May 18, followed by screenings in other cities and regional centres. The film features activists who took part in Wollongong's radical history of strikes and community rallies, from miners’ struggles to Aboriginal justice and environmental protection. Co-producer John Rainford writes about Wollongong's transition from making steel to looking after the environment. ***

From general strike to referendum – Wollongong workers and the threat of communism

A new documentary film Radical Wollongong, produced by Â鶹´«Ã½ TV, will premiere in Wollongong on May 18, followed by screenings in other cities and regional centres. The film features activist participants from Wollongong's radical history of strikes and community rallies, from miners’ struggles to Aboriginal justice and environmental protection. Here, co-producer John Rainford gives an insight into the 1949 coal strike and the attempt to ban the Communist Party of Australia. ***

Radical Wollongong film: From mass unemployment to war

A new documentary film , produced by Â鶹´«Ã½ TV, will premiere in Wollongong in early May, followed by screenings in other cities and regional centres. The film features activist participants from Wollongong's radical history of strikes and community rallies, from miners’ struggles to Aboriginal justice and environmental protection. Co-producer John Rainford gives some background to how the Communist Party of Australia grew quickly during the depression. ***
Don't confuse fame with success. Madonna is one. Hellen Keller is the other — Emma Bombeck.

Who said what?

A selection of this week's politically-relevant entertainment news.

The highest form of vanity is love of fame — George Sanatyana.

Who said what?

A selection of this week's politically-relevant entertainment news.

Meme

Who said what?

A selection of the past fortnight's politically-relevant entertainment news.

I think people often confuse success with fame and stardom — Brenda Blethyn.

Who said what?

A selection of this week's politically-relevant entertainment news.

Who said what?

A selection of this week's politically-relevant entertainment news.: Why *did* it cost Angelina Jolie $3000 to test for BRCA1 in the first place? Because the gene is owned by a private company; 18-Year-Old Aspiring Rapper Facing Terrorism Charges After Posting Lyrics On Facebook; Dark Mofo Festival's Mass Skinny Dip Deemed Obscene By Police.

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Who said what?

A selection of this week's politically-relevant entertainment news.

Who said what?

A selection of this week's politically-relevant entertainment news: Snoop Lion Defaces Defenceless Barack Obama With New Snoopify App; Unmanned Drones To Deliver Delicious Beverage Relief To Punters At Music Festival; As I Lay Dying Singer Arrested Under Suspicion Of Hiring Hitman To Kill Wife; Rapper Lauryn Hill Sentenced To 3 Months Jail For Unpaid Taxes; Singer Charli XCX Says Sexism Makes Collaborations Tough.