By Joseph McAleer Moviegoers can count on consuming quite a few Kleenex while watching Reminders of Him (Universal) a romantic drama that, when not taxing the tear ducts, offers a compelling take on loss, grief and reconciliation. Based on the bestselling novel by Colleen Hoover (who co-wrote the screenplay with Lauren Levine), the film is reminiscent of a Nicholas Sparks adaptation, a t...

By John Mulderig Although the environmentally themed animated comedy Hoppers (Disney) has everything to do with animals, it has little to do with rabbits. Instead, the title refers to an imaginary technology that allows humans to infuse their consciousness into robots disguised as various fauna and to communicate with real animals. The main person doing such ‘hopping’ throughout the film...

By Lisa Martella Students, educators and Church leaders gathered at John XXIII College recently to mark the launch of Pope Francis: The Disruptive Pilgrim's Guide – an event as much about the future of the Church as the book being celebrated. Written by Frank Brennan SJ AO, the book offers a clear and accessible guide to Pope Francis' vision and its ongoing significance for the life and ...

By John Mulderig Goat is an animated underdog sports comedy populated by anthropomorphised animals. While mostly inoffensive and thus suitable for a wide audience - including teens and older kids - the film is also easily forgotten. The amiable proceedings centre on teen goat Will Harris (voice of Caleb McLaughlin). As opening scenes show, it has been Will's dream since childhood to play...

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 ...