• First on Film & Entertainment

  • By: bitesz.com
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First on Film & Entertainment

By: bitesz.com
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  • Summary

  • Veteran movie and live theatre reviewer, Alex First, is joined weekly by a panel of critics who discuss all things Movies & Entertainment...and some football in season. Help make up your mind about what to see and what to avoid.
    Copyright bitesz.com
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Episodes
  • S03E10: Rootless Cosmopolitans: Theatre Amidst Turmoil

    S03E10: Rootless Cosmopolitans: Theatre Amidst Turmoil
    May 27 2024
    **Host:** Alex First
    **Guest Critics:** Jackie Hammerton, Peter Krauss, Greg King
    **Episode Summary:**
    In this compelling episode, host Alex First is joined by critics Jackie Hammerton, Peter Krauss, and Greg King to discuss a variety of topics spanning theatre and film. The episode kicks off with a special interview with playwright Ron Elisha, whose new play "Rootless Cosmopolitans" is currently showing at Chapel Off Chapel. The conversation then shifts to a review of the latest blockbuster, "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga," and concludes with a critique of "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes." The critics provide a balanced mix of praise and constructive criticism, offering listeners a nuanced perspective on each work.
    **Highlights:**
    - **Rootless Cosmopolitans:** Playwright Ron Elisha discusses his timely and thought-provoking new play, which delves into the complexities of anti-Semitism in today's world. The critics praise the play's blend of humour and serious subject matter, emphasizing its relevance and engaging narrative.
    - **Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga:** A visually stunning prequel to "Mad Max: Fury Road." While Alex First praises its spectacle and action sequences, Peter Krauss and Jackie Hammerton express concerns about its lack of depth and narrative coherence. Greg King offers a balanced view, appreciating the film's technical achievements while noting its shortcomings.
    - **Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes:** The latest instalment in the "Planet of the Apes" franchise receives mixed reviews. While the critics commend its special effects and production design, they find its story lacking and overly long. The film's emotional impact and character development are also points of contention.
    (00:00) Jackie Hammerton joins us to discuss film and entertainment
    (00:12) Gregory King was away for six weeks exploring South America
    (01:11) Peter Krause says he's heading to Paris later this year
    (01:30) Ron Elisha has a new play called rootless cosmopolitans
    (05:36) How much of the play was rewritten after or since October 7 attack
    (06:22) Do you see this play as being entertainment as well as education
    (12:17) Anton Berezin is very, very strong in this play
    (13:03) Tell us about the term rootless cosmopolitans
    (15:48) Ron, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us
    (17:26) Peter Bennett says anti-Semitic bullying at Melbourne University is deeply disturbing
    (18:28) Peter Howell: Furiosa looks amazing, and it's brilliantly shot
    (20:27) Furiosa is a strident revenge thriller starring Chris Hemsworth
    (23:00) I thought Anya Taylor Joy was really powerful in Furiosa
    (23:55) Tom Burke plays Furiosa's running mate Jack in Mad Max
    (24:27) Peter Krauss: I was not as impressed with this film as you were
    (25:45) Greg says the 148 minute running time is too generous for this film
    (28:42) Jackie: I found Chris Hemsworth's character kind of weird
    (34:28) Peter Furioso gives Mad Max saga a mixed review
    (35:57) Jackie says the film is too long, but still entertained
    (39:00) Gregory King: Maybe we should rate movies based on ape score
    (40:09) This sequel takes place several generations after the great ape Caesar passed away
    (44:13) Gregory King: I thought Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was interesting
    (46:13) Greg says the film was bloated and looked good overall
    (50:04) We're going to go scores here, uh, starting with Peter
    **Closing Note:**
    This episode of First on Film and Entertainment offers a rich tapestry of discussions, from the poignant themes of anti-Semitism in "Rootless Cosmopolitans" to the high-octane action of "Furiosa" and the visual spectacle of "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes." The critics navigate through the complexities of each work, providing listeners with insightful and thought-provoking commentary. Join us next time for another round of in-depth reviews and engaging conversations.
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    54 mins
  • S03E09: Love-All or Fault? Dissecting the Drama in 'Challenges'

    S03E09: Love-All or Fault? Dissecting the Drama in 'Challenges'
    May 5 2024
    **Host:** Alex First **Guest Critics:** Greg King, Peter Krauss **Episode Summary:** In this dynamic episode, host Alex First is joined by critics Greg King and Peter Krauss to dissect a blend of theatrical brilliance, on-court drama, and historical intrigue. From the courts of Versailles to the tennis courts of grand slams, the trio serves up a volley of opinions on the latest offerings in film and theatre.**Highlights:** - **RBG of Medi One:** A breathtaking solo performance by Heather Mitchell as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, showcasing her formidable journey to the Supreme Court. Despite Greg's initial disinterest, Alex's passionate endorsement highlights the play's profound impact and the transformative power of live theatre. - **The Fall Guy:** A high-octane romp featuring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, with stunts galore and a nod to the unsung heroes of Hollywood. The critics spar over the film's generic plot versus its spectacular action sequences and charismatic leads. - **Golda:** Helen Mirren's powerful portrayal of Golda Meir during the Yom Kippur War. The critics delve into the film's intense political atmosphere and the personal battles of Israel's first female prime minister. - **Jean DeBarry:** A sumptuous period drama charting the rise of King Louis XV's mistress. The critics are enamored with the film's lavish production, though they seek more depth in the courtly machinations. - **Challenges:** Luca Guadagnino's latest film explores a complicated love triangle amidst the competitive world of tennis. The panel is divided, with some finding merit in the film's palpable tension, while others are left wanting by its execution.(00:00) Alex Bailey interviews Greg King and Peter Krause about Ruth Bader
    (02:30) Gregory King reviews RBG of Medi at Melbourne's Playhouse
    (07:24) Ryan Gosling stars as Colt Siebers in this romantic comedy
    (11:44) Greg King: Some of the stunt work in this film is fantastic
    (12:27) The stunts in Fallout are truly fantastic, Peter O'Toole says
    (14:19) Peter Martin wants to know what Hollywood stuntmen get paid compared to stars
    (15:55) Bernie: I found this a rather flashy, um, underwritten film
    (18:15) Peter: I should have been more generous with my score predictions
    (18:44) There's a new movie about Israel's first female prime minister called Golda
    (19:50) Golda Meir was navigating conflict that could have finished Israel for good
    (21:51) Helen Mirren stars as Golda Meir in new film
    (23:58) Peter Bergen: Movie was originally based on action but then COVID hit
    (26:19) Greg says he thinks the film is a well made film
    (30:30) Greg Golda gives the film a seven out of ten rating
    (31:18) The film is based on a play by Mark Saint Germain
    (36:45) Peter: I came away thinking the screenplay was superficial
    (38:07) Peter: I thought it was okay, but not much more than that
    (39:09) Jean de Barrie is a sweeping period drama about King Louis XV
    (45:34) Peter says he thought the film was okay but mildly disappointing
    (47:46) Peter Martin talks about new film called challenges which stars Zendaya
    (52:54) Peter: I was very disappointed by this film, Greg: Very disappointing**Closing Note:** This episode of First on Film and Entertainment serves up a smorgasbord of stories, from the hallowed halls of justice to the glamorous yet cutthroat world of the French court, and the psychological battles of tennis. The critics navigate through the complexities of character, the grandeur of settings, and the intricacies of human relationships, offering listeners an eclectic mix of cinematic critique. Join us next time for another round of insightful film discussions and theatrical reviews.--- Show notes created by Alex First and the team at First on Film and Entertainment.
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    55 mins
  • S03E08: Unveiling Shadows: The First Omen and the Legacy of Fear

    S03E08: Unveiling Shadows: The First Omen and the Legacy of Fear
    Apr 14 2024
    **Host:** Alex First
    **Guest Critics:** Greg King, Peter Krauss
    **Episode Summary:**
    In this gripping episode, host Alex First dives into the tumultuous world of war-torn America with a blockbuster discussion on "Civil War," a film that paints a harrowing picture of a nation divided. The conversation then shifts to a journey through history, mythology, and the depths of the church's secrets with reviews of "La Chimaera," "Origin," and "The First Omen."
    **Highlights:**
    - **Civil War:** An in-depth analysis of Alex Garland's latest film, showcasing America's internal conflict. The critics are united in their praise for the film's stark portrayal of war, with standout performances from Kirsten Dunst and Wagner Moura. The episode delves into the film's themes of civil unrest and the role of journalists in documenting the brutality of conflict.
    - **La Chimaera:** A discussion on the whimsical tale of Italian grave robbers and their quest for archaeological riches. While the critics differ in their engagement with the film's pace and characters, they agree on the strong performances and the film's ethereal charm.
    - **Origin:** A contemplative look at Ava DuVernay's adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson's explorations into humanity's oppressive histories. The panel debates the film's effectiveness in translating complex social theories into a narrative format, with mixed reactions on its execution.
    - **The First Omen:** The critics dissect this prequel to the classic horror franchise, examining its connections to the original and its exploration of the church's dark secrets. Opinions are split on the film's success in delivering a fresh perspective on the iconic tale.
    **Episode Chapters:**
    (00:00) Introduction to the episode
    (02:48) Civil War: A nation's internal battle brought to life
    (19:25) La Chimaera: Grave-robbing adventures in Tuscany
    (34:17) Origin: Dissecting the roots of oppression
    (51:03) The First Omen: Unveiling the church's hidden past
    (1:05:36) Final thoughts on the films' impact and their storytelling prowess
    **Closing Note:**
    This episode of First on Film and Entertainment offers a rich tapestry of narratives that explore the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity, the allure of the unknown, and the shadows that linger within institutions. Whether it's through the lens of a war photographer or the eyes of a novice nun, the critics provide a nuanced perspective on the power of film to confront and captivate. Join us next week for another round of in-depth film analysis and spirited discussions.
    Show notes created by https://headliner.app
    ---
    Episode Chapters
    (00:00) First on film and entertainment, we discuss a blockbuster that left an impression
    (01:54) Civil War is about America at war with itself in this bloody war
    (03:59) Alex Garland's new film about documenters of war is incredibly powerful
    (07:25) Peter Howell gives civil war a nine out of ten rating
    (10:11) Alice Rocker has woven what I think is a rather intriguing comedic adventure
    (14:02) Gregory King found the film interesting but stretched
    (16:01) Rohrwaxer's film has a dreamlike quality to it
    (18:12) Okay, so let's start with Greg. I think Greg will give it the low lowest score
    (19:45) Monkey man is an action thriller inspired by the Hindu legend Hanuman
    (27:10) Greg gives monkey man a score of six out of ten
    (29:59) Greg: I thought it was too long and repetitive for what it did
    (30:25) The film follows Isabel Wick Wilkerson after the Trayvon Martin shooting
    (34:28) Greg King: This film struggles to connect emotionally or with the audience
    (36:07) Eva Duvernay is an underrated african american filmmaker
    (38:48) Peter Frum: Turning esoteric material into a narrative feature is challenging
    (40:05) Greg: I struggled to connect with it on a lot of notions
    (40:46) Peter: Gregory Peck starred in first omen from 1976
    (41:13) One of the great horror films of the seventies
    (41:48) The first omen is a prequel to the 1976 classic horror film
    (47:35) Peter: I felt this film was much more exploitative than the previous one
    (49:32) Greg King went to see West Side Story in Sydney last week
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    53 mins
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