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Fiona barrett on Around the home with Shannon Lush Hi Denis and ShannonI have a fabric Moran lounge suite that the dog uses to rub up against. Consequently the front is ... more
Ian on Around the home with Shannon Lush Hi Shannon ... can you please tell me how to remove marks left by computer printer rubber pads on the surface of a ... more
Dawn Giuliani on Around the home with Shannon Lush Can you please help, my husband accidentaly spilt canesten laundry rinse on my leather coat and we didnt notice for 2 days. ... more
lyn pattison on Around the home with Shannon Lush could you please tell me how to get rid of oil stains of my pavers,they have been there for quite a while.thankyou more
Lee on Billy Pinnell's music news Please tell me the name of the aussie band that Billy Pinnell was talking about going to Glastonbury 2013. more
helen on Around the home with Shannon Lush hi I am in dier need for help I was at a party at the weekend and a friend spilt red cactus jacks alcahole drink down my ... more
denise on Around the home with Shannon Lush dog has weed on nylon carpet whats the best way to clean it thank you cheers denise more
Popi on Around the home with Shannon Lush Hi ShannonHow do I remove nail polish from carpet.CheersPopi more
Lynne on Around the home with Shannon Lush Hi,My female cat has a problem with weeing in a corner of the house. I was wondering what can I use to remove the smell? ... more
Jeff on Will Movie 43 be the Worst Film of '13? go watch transformers if you want to see the spectacular battle scenes. that isn't what the movie is about. and you're ... more
Yvonne Guerra on Around the home with Shannon Lush Hi ShannonI have a damp wet smell inside my dryer and want to know what I can use to rid this smellThanks in advance :) more
Wendy on Casey Donovan sings for Denis Walter Fantastic! I love listening to Casey, but love watching her sing even more. I must book......NOW! more
Lyn on Casey Donovan sings for Denis Walter Her versatility is just mind blowing! Is there nothing she can't do? Casey connects to her lyric and takes her audiences ... more
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Kere on Casey Donovan sings for Denis Walter This is a fine example of why this woman is my favourite singer EVER. From Metallica to Mama Cass, she shines and channels ... more
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jane on Around the home with Shannon Lush HELP please ShannonI have ironed an iron on number onto the back of my sons footy jumper and it has wrinkled. I need to ... more
John Twomey on New release movie reviews - 21 March Marie,As I hope you have found by now, "The Cruel Sea" is available through Amazon.com at ... more
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abdul the "turkish bath"(er) on Renee Geyer with Billy Pinnell She's a class act I saw her at the Albion in South Melb, now the butchered plastic joint called the Motel.Get to see her ... more

New release movie reviews - June 14

Posted by: Jim Schembri | 14 June, 2012 - 11:54 AM

ROCK OF AGES **** (123 minutes) M
Set in 1987, this exuberant, hugely entertaining big-screen adaptation of the smash stage musical comedy doesn't put a foot wrong. When wholesome young wannabe singer Cherrie Christian (Julianne Hough from Footloose) lands a job waitressing at a hot Hollywood rock venue she falls in with fellow wannabe singer Drew (Diego Boneta). Together, they learn the hard truth of the AC/DC maxim about it being a long way to the top. The parallel story about rock god Stacee Jaxx (a scene-stealing, age-defying Tom Cruise) fills out the rest of the film with sex and mayhem as he deals with a rock reporter (Malin Akerman) and his money-loving manager (Paul Giamatti). It's wall-to-wall fun with a killer soundtrack of trashy 1980s anthems and a great ensemble cast that includes Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin, Bryan Cranston and Catherine Zeta-Jones, who's in fine form as the conservative politician's wife who wants to shut the venue down. Blessedly, director Adam Shankman (Glee; Hairspray) knows how to cut musical numbers to maximise energy while Cruise again proves he's on a mid-life career peak. The dude might be 50, but he plays with the fiery self-assurance of a 25-year old with more groupies than he can handle - and has the abs to back it up. (See our list of Top 25 Rock films.)

TAKE THIS WALTZ *** (112 minutes) MA
Though she appears to have everything a reasonable wife could want, suburban writer Margot (Michelle Williams) allows her idle thoughts of discontent to stray from her food-writer husband (a thankfully straight Seth Rogen) and across the street where her attractive new neighbour Daniel (Luke Kirby) lives. As she showed with Away From Her (2006), actress-turned-director Sarah Polley knows how to elicit finely etched performances by making the most out of small moments.

LE CHEF *** (84 minutes; subtitled) M
What price perfection? In this highly likeable, souffle-light French comedy, celebrity chef Alexandre Lagarde (Jean Reno) hooks up with short-tempered young gun Jacky Bonnot (Michael Youn) for assorted food-related shenanigans. These include Jacky's wife troubles and Lagarde's quality-control war with the head of his restaurant company. A very pleasant film to digest.

MARGARET **** (144 minutes) MA
After being involved in a road accident, a young New York woman fights through the forest of her troubled conscience to lay blame. In a sterling central performance, Anna Paquin (True Blood; The Piano) is outstanding as she courses through a broad palette of hard-edged emotions in this searing post-9/11 drama about honesty and culpability. Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan (2000's You Can Count on Me) made this back in 2008 but a long-standing argument with the studio about its length kept it on the shelf. As a result it has received only a scant theatrical release. Nova.

THE CABIN IN THE WOODS *** (95 minutes) MA
A group of hormonally ripe young people go on holiday in a remote cabin and the blood quickly starts flowing - but there's a lot more going on than the standard slasher fare. Playing on the cliches of the genre, the film avoids being a straight-out spoof by building to a satisfying, over-the-top climax. Director Drew Goddard co-wrote this clever, twisty genre piece with long-time collaborator Joss Whedon, who directed The Avengers. Originally slated to go straight to DVD, fans lobbied hard for this single-screen release. Nova.

FRANKENSTEIN **** (150 minutes)
Mary Shelley's genre-sparking morality tale about science and God gets an adventurous working over by director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire). Filmed live at London's National Theatre, actors Benedict Cumberbatch (TV's Sherlock) and Jonny Lee Miller (Trainspotting) took turns playing Victor Frankenstein and the love-starved creature he assembles from dead bodies. The version with Miller as Victor is engrossing and confronting. It screens 11.30am Saturday and Sunday at the Nova and is strongly recommended. Tickets are $25/$23 (concession/members). The second version plays Saturday 23 June, Sunday 24 June at 1pm, and Tuesday 26 June, Thursday 28 June 28 at 6.45pm. Watch for the review Monday 25 June.

Movies with Jim Schembri

Jim Schembri is one of Australia's most respected film critics. Click here for all your Jim Schembri film reviews, top ten lists, interviews with Australian and Hollywood talent and much much more.