By John Mulderig The validity of faith is a major theme in the sensitive marital drama Midwinter Break (Focus). As adapted from co-writer Bernard MacLaverty’s 2017 novel by director Polly Findlay, the film is an exploration of how contrasting personalities and outlooks can serve either as a source of nuptial balance or of corrosive discord. Ciarán Hinds and Lesley Manville star in a scen...

The Chimera Ensemble piano trio, Rebecca Glorie, Melinda Forsythe and Tommaso Pollio. Photo: Supplied. Experience classical music in a deeper and more attentive way with the Dawson Society’s fourth instalment of their Wounded by Beauty series that combines classical performances with guided commentary. The performance on Friday 20 March features Antonín Dvořák’s Piano Trio No. 3 in F min...

Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi star in a scene from the movie “Wuthering Heights." Photo: OSV/Warner Bros. Pictures. By Joseph McAleer “Barbie” meets “Bridgerton” in "Wuthering Heights," the latest screen version of the beloved 1847 novel by Emily Bronte. Writer-director Emerald Fennell has placed those quotation marks around the film’s title to indicate that this is not a faithful ad...

By John Mulderig With apologies to pulp fiction crime writer Mickey Spillane, the dystopian thriller "Mercy" (Amazon MGM) might more aptly be called AI the Jury. That’s because, in the film’s near-future setting, artificial intelligence is empowered to fight crime by generating a rough sort of justice. As explained in the opening scenes, societal breakdown has led to the establishment of...

By John Mulderig Avatar: Fire and Ash (20th Century), the third film in the always visually rich franchise that got its start in 2009, brings forward thematic elements that had previously been kept in the background and that viewers of faith will find it impossible to accept and difficult to dismiss. As a result, it requires careful evaluation by mature movie fans. Against the recurring ...

By Kurt Jensen There is not one ounce of cynicism in "Song Sung Blue" (Focus), the fact-based tale of a Neil Diamond cover band from Milwaukee. And therein lies immense power. The example set by Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman) and his wife Claire (Kate Hudson), both of whom struggle with the legacy of a difficult past, is one of unswerving perseverance. Nor are they grimly stoic about their ...

By John Mulderig With Wicked: For Good, director Jon Chu concludes his two-part adaptation of Stephen Schwartz's hit Broadway musical in the same luxuriant style with which he began it in 2024. Like its predecessor, moreover, the film is mostly free of objectionable content. Jeff Goldblum is The Wizard of Oz and Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in "Wicked: For Good," directed by Jon M. Chu. Phot...

What distinguishes David from many previous biblical adaptations is its theological restraint and reverence. Image: Supplied/Angel Studios. Reviewed by Jamie O’Brien Few biblical figures loom as large in the Christian imagination as King David: shepherd, psalmist, sinner and saint. In David, the upcoming animated musical directed by Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes, audiences are invit...

Ingredients4 cups thinly sliced shallots (or small red onions)1 cup dried shrimp, rinsed and patted dry½ cup dried red chilies, stems removed6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced1-inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced (optional)1 tsp turmeric powder½ tsp salt (or to taste)Oil for deep-frying (approx. 3 cups) EquipmentDeep-fry thermometer (optional)Wok or deep panSlotted spoon and paper to...

Starring Pierce Brosnan, Helena Bonham Carter, and Gabriel Byrne, the film resonates deeply with Catholic themes of providence, forgiveness, and the mysterious workings of God’s grace. The Record has four double passes to give away to Four Letters of Love. To win, simply tell us your name and parish to therecord@therecord.com.au.