1: Dreamgirls - The multiple Tony-winning Broadway musical finally comes to the big screen after 20 years of wrangling. This movie is entirely fantabulous (no, that isn't a real English word yet but it accurately describes this movie's magical nature!). The film is based more on the story of Diana Ross & the Supremes than the producers would want people to know, charting the rise of fictional girl group The Dreams in 1960s Detroit. The film stars Beyonce Knowles of Destiny's Child fame, Jamie Foxx, and Eddie Murphy in a ground-breaking non-comedy role that scored him a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination. However, brilliant as Beyonce undoubtedly is during her huge solo number Listen, the most snaps go to former American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson as the group's spurned Effie White, who shows she really does have the chops to be a star with her rendition of And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going. She may not be Jennifer Holiday (who played the part in the original stage production), but Hudson is great in her own right.
2: The Queen - I saw The Queen this week and was blown away. Helen Mirren truly is my goddess now, she's one of the only actors that can truly inhabit a role and become that person in a completely believable fashion. She brings dignity and subtle vulnerability to Queen Elizabeth II, in fantastic contrast to her equally amazing though more boisterous portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in the 2006 mini-series. The film, directed by Stephen Freers, traces the dynamic of the Queen's relationship with newly elected British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the week following Princess Diana's death in 1997. With brilliant performances all-around and an icy foreshadowing of Blair's own future, The Queen deserves to win each and every Oscar it has been nominated for.
3: Babel - Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt's new film from the director of the brilliant 21 Grams, Babel is an intriguing multi-story piece that intricately weaves together tales from the Middle East, Mexico and Japan in an explosive fashion that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Blanchett is luminous as always, despite being shot and bleeding for the majority of the film, and Pitt is pleasantly surprising in what is easily one of the best performances of his career.
4: Casino Royale - Although it came out ages ago, I recommend that anyone who hasn't seen it do so NOW! One of the best James Bond films ever, Casino Royale is gripping and engaging, depicting a younger and more insecure Bond who has just been granted '00' status. Judi Dench is given more screen time than previous films as 'M', imbueing each second with acting gold. The new Bond, Daniel Craig, is definitely ruggedly hansom and sometimes downright sexy. A worthy Bond if ever there was one.
5: Marie Antoinette - Sophia Coppola's latest film takes the story of the teenage years of the last Queen of France and sets it to a kick-ass post-punk soundtrack! The costumes are absolutely amazing, and Dunst is surprisingly likeable in a way I haven't responded to since Bring It On.
Future films to watch out for:
Cate Blanchett & Judi Dench's new film Notes on A Scandal, out 15 February, about a new school teacher who has an affair with a student and the experienced, lonely teacher who finds out and blackmails her.
Kate Winslet's new film Little Children, out 8 February, about an adulterous housewife who lives in a town which is now host to a pedophile.
Songstress Alicia Keys' film debut in Smokin' Aces, out 8 February, in which she plays an assassin.
Hugh Grant & Drew Barrymore's upcoming romantic comedy Music & Lyrics, out 14 February, about a washed-up popstar who is commissioned to write a song for a new Britney Spears-esque pop starlet and enlists the help of the woman who tends to his plants.
TV Shows to watch:
24 - The New Beginning - perhaps the best season of 24 yet! Peter MacNicholl of Ally MacBeal fame joins the cast as an overly-patriotic Presidential aide. (Wednesdays, Channel 7, 8.30pm)
Desperate Housewives - Season 3 - The best thing since the first season, with rape, bodies, hostage situations, amnesia and blackmail a-plenty! (Mondays, Channel 7, 8.30pm)
Ugly Betty - A fantastic new show that is as hilarious as it is sweet. Watch out for an upcoming cameo from Executive Producer Salma Hayek. (Will be on Channel 7)
Brothers & Sisters - Great new US show about a modern family with a cast to die for (Rachel Griffiths, Sally Field, Calista Flockhart). Sometimes overly patriotic, but overall excellent. (Will be on Channel 7)
Beauty & the Geek - Hilarious reality show where a bunch of smart and generally unattractive geeks are paired with 'beauties' to learn from each other. Executive Produced by none other than Punk'd's Ashton Kutcher. (Thursdays, Channel 7, 10.30pm)
Drawn Together - Great little US cartoon that spoofs all other cartoons and reality shows. Not for those who are easily offended. (Mondays, SBS, 9.00pm)
Heroes - Promising new US series about a bunch of people in New York who discover they have super powers. Think X-men but darker. (Wednesdays, Channel 7, 8.30pm).
Fare thee well! I'm off to China in just over 2 weeks, so I shall bid thee adieu! :D
Alan xoxo
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THEATRE
Priscilla: Queen of the Desert - The musical spectacular based on the campest movie of all time with frocks to spare arrives along with that famous pink bus on October 7. Join those cheeky trannies Mitzy, Felicia and Bernadette as they frolic through the Australian outback to Alice Springs. The sheer amount of glitter that will be on display and the camp anthems the girls will perform, including "Finally", "I Will Survive" and "Shake Your Groove Thing" will undoubtedley be worth seeing!!
This production has garnerned the hard-won praise of the original movie's stars and director, who claim that it has taken something good and tripled it! If that wasn't enough, the Oscar-winning costume designers from the movie have also returned to create an avalanche of sequin-smothered memorable outfits for the show.
This will be an unforgettable night out, make sure you wear something pink, or at least shiny ;-) October 7-November 12, previews from September 27. Tickets from $59.90. Bookings: www.ticketmaster7.com.au or 1300 367 794.
Bell Shakespeare's The Tempest - See John Bell himself perform in this stunning, seductive interpretation of William Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' by Sydney's premiere Shakespeare theatre company. This should be a must-see given it's fabulous write-up in the Sydney Morning Herald! From 6 September, Sydney Opera House Playhouse, bookings: 9250 7777 or www.sydneyoperahouse.com
EXHIBITIONS
The Great Wall of China - Dynasties, Dragons & Warriors - This substantial exhibition is the first of its kind, bringing together pieces relating to the Great Wall from all eras of China's expansive history. The must-see centre-piece of the exhibition is a genuine terracotta warrior from the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shihuang. I highly recommend this exhibition to anyone with even the remotest interest in ancient history, archaeology, and both ancient and modern Chinese culture. Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris St, Ultimo. Open daily 9.30am-5pm. Infoline: 9217 0444.
Goddess: Divine Energy - This exhibition encompasses is the first in Australia to explore the many exhilarating depictions of female divinity that have arisen over the last 4,000 years in India, Tibet & Nepal. Including more than 150 sculptures & paintings, Goddess is a brillant exhibition with vibrant pieces. Art Gallery of NSW, 13 October-28 January 2007, Concession ticket: $8, Adult ticket: $12.
CONCERTS
Elton John - The Captain & The Kid Tour - The man with the craziest glasses since Dame Edna returns to Sydney for 3 shows in November. Elton & his band will perform a full 2-hour concert jam-packed with all his most famous hits and songs from his latest album The Captain & the Kid, which I can verify is an amazing return Elton's 1970s piano-driven pop music. A consummate showman, Elton is sure to put on an utterly fantastic show. Indeed most of my family has already bought tickets! I might hesitate in going if I were a member of the Taiwanese paparrazzi or Madonna, however, given Elton's latest outbursts on various occasions ;-) Tues November 28, Wed November 29, Friday December 1. Sydney Entertainment Centre. Bookings through Ticketmaster: 1300 883 622 or www.ticketmaster.com.au.
An Evening With Burt Bacharach & the Sydney Symphony - The old crooner returns to Sydney to join with the Sydney Symphony and perform all of the best-known songs he penned. Not really to my taste, but then even I can't resist the lilting hypnosis of What the World Needs Now. Sydney Opera House, 6-9 February 2007, Bookings: 9250 7777 or sydneyoperahouse.com.
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The MCA is located in stunning Circular Quay in The Rocks. This location is interesting for two reasons: firstly, as it is wasted given the lack of windows on the higher floors, and secondly as The Rocks is the oldest area of Sydney , while the MCA specialises in modern art. Quite the contradiction, although that’s hardly the point given that the most important feature is the art itself, which a breathtaking view would certainly detract from.
As Australia ’s only museum dedicated to collecting and displaying contemporary art from Australia and around the world, the MCA is certainly a must-see for art-lovers staying or passing through Sydney . It pursues its mission statement, “engaging with contemporary art and ideas” wholeheartedly, with frequent exhibitions encompassing the latest in new media, installations, sculpture and photography just to name a few.
The MCA is currently exhibiting a large portion of the 2006 Biennale Zones of Contact (with the other major portion of works on display at the Art Gallery of NSW). Arguably the most significant Australian exhibition of contemporary art, this year’s MCA Biennale pickings include many stunning pieces on political turmoil and the symbiotic relationship between land and humanity. Particularly impressive is a confronting series of works by Biljana Djurdjevic depicting expressionless children that inhabit a series of joyless, homogenised worlds. Not a series of artworks for the serially depressed by any stretch of the imagination.
The Biennale draws to a close on 27 August so be quick!
Also currently showing is Bangu Yilbara (meaning ‘To Do Now’ in the language of the Gadigal Aboriginal People, the traditional owners of the land on which the MCA rests). This exhibition brings together the best in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art from the last two and a half decades, including works by famed artists Tracey Moffatt and Lin Onus. Bangu Yilbara will close on 1 October.
The museum’s latest acquisitions will also be exhibited until 3 September.
If these exhibitions don’t tantalise your artistic taste buds enough there are several fabulous exhibitions just around the corner.
Cultural, sexual and social identities are challenged in the provocative works of Juan Davila, who immigrated to Australia from Chile in 1974. The exhibition will kick off on 9 September and include works from the Davila’s entire career for the first time. This will definitely be the must-see exhibition of the year, for me at least, as Davila’s challenging and overtly political works, particularly his epic 1980s and 1990s wall murals and recent treatment of refugees in detention, will be amazing to see gathered in one space.
On 13 September the MCA will also host its annual exhibition of young Australian artists’ works, Primavera. This exhibition is always one to watch to see what’s in store from up and coming Australian artists.
Australian sculptor James Angus, based in Perth and New York , is also showing a retrospective of his works since the mid-1990s from 13 September. Angus’ sculptures explore the physical properties of everyday objects and creatures, manipulating their basic structures to challenge their symmetry and anatomies, repositioning our perceptions of them in turn.
The Museum of Contemporary Art , like the Art Gallery of NSW, has several floors with free entry, but charges entry fees for most exhibitions (which are usually housed on the fourth floor). The MCA is open daily from 10am – 5pm , with the exception of Christmas Day.
For more information check out the website: http://www.mca.com.au/.
If you have even the remotest interest in contemporary art, or if one of the exhibitions above appeals to you in the slightest then make sure you at least get down to the MCA and check it out. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
]]>Located opposite the Domain just a short walk from the Botanic Gardens, the Art Gallery of NSW is conveniently located with a beautiful outlook over part of Sydney Harbour .
General Admission to the gallery is free, allowing access to most of the galleries housed within the building’s three floors. These include a fabulous Asian Gallery which contains wall scrolls, clothing, furniture and funerary ornaments from 1800s Japan and China , a collection second only to that possessed by the National Gallery in Canberra and the Victorian Art Gallery . There is also an entire floor of Aboriginal artworks ranging from dot paintings to extraordinary sculptures detailing Aboriginal customs, stories and contact with White Settlers.
For lovers of Australian art, the galleries closest to the entrance foyer include works by many famous Australian painters, including Margaret Ollie and Sidney Nolan. Among the pieces represented are notorious and amazingly crafted Archibald Prize winners of decades gone by and several works from Nolan’s revered Ned Kelly series.
For those whose tastes swing more towards 19th Century European art the gallery also has several halls of paintings and busts by well-known
European and British artists. Many of the works on display there venture towards the grandiose, with some paintings spanning meters across and covering themes and subjects ranging from Helen of Troy and Cleopatra to the crucifixion of Jesus and the royal visit of the Queen of Sheba. I must admit to a special soft-spot for this section of the gallery.
Other sections of the gallery contain special exhibitions which unfortunately usually have an entry fee. Student concessions are available (allowing a saving of up to half price) for most of these which means there is no financial reason not to go along to one or more!
The special exhibitions at the gallery change every few months, but those currently on include a Lewis Morley photography exhibition with examples of his theatre and portrait photography (closes 10 September) and the Zen Mind Zen Brush exhibition with works by the greatest Zen masters of the last three centuries (closes 13 August).
Worth special mention is the 15th Annual Biennale of Sydney, the acclaimed bi-annual exhibition which showcases the best in contemporary
art from around the world. Titled ‘Zones of Contact’, the 2006 Biennale is spread throughout 16 venues across Sydney , of which the two main venues are the NSW Art Gallery and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) at Circular Quay.
I highly recommend this truly vibrant collection of artworks, which includes several moving pieces conceived around contemporary themes of political violence in the Middle East – artworks which are inevitably imbibed with even more meaning given the recent events in Lebanon . There are also more than a few quirky and charming works, with one remarkable artwork even providing moving boxes covered in black cloth and a conveniently placed eye slit for patrons to climb inside to view photographs of bare men and women on the walls.
The Biennale has free entry, but you’ll have to be quick as it ends on August 27.
Exhibitions coming later in the year (which I’m sure you’ll all be awaiting with baited breath) include: the sculptures, prints and drawings of the renowned Alberto Giacometti (opens 18 August); the Dobell Prize for Drawing, Australia’s most important drawing competition (opens 29 September); Goddess – Divine Energy, an exploration of divine female power through Indian and Himalayan works (opens 13 October); and finally the Anne Landa Award exhibition which will feature new media works from some of Australia’s brightest artists (opens 17 November).
The gallery is open daily from 10am-5pm (excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day). For more detailed information on how to get there and exhibition fees see the gallery website at www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au.
So be sure to hop across to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, even if you only spend 15 minutes inside you’re sure to feel just that little bit more cultured and special.
By Alan McGuinness.
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