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When a good cop goes in to battle with Chicago’s ruling mafia, he soon finds out that playing by the books isn’t really an option. By 1930, America had experienced a decade of prohibition. But in Chicago, the booze flowed freely thanks to the notorious gangster Al Capone. With his contacts at City Hall, he …

A brotherhood of French monks living in a remote Algerian village must chose to either stay or flee in the face of Islamic terrorists. “Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction”. So said the 17th Century philosopher Blaise Pascal and his sentiments are echoed in the …

Natalie Portman morphs into a prima ballerina with some serious body issues as she takes on the role of her career. When you think of ballet, the first thing that comes to mind is pretty girls in fairy tu-tus, all twinkle and twirl. And while Black Swan has its fair share of that, it’s the …

When a body is dredged up from the shipping channels off Seattle, a murder trial begins that sparks old hatreds and reunites former lovers. There’s often a very fine line between nationalism and racism and every once in a while a story emerges that reveals this dangerous relationship. Snow Falling on Cedars is one such …

ERIN BROCKOVICH (2000)  When a single mother gets a job as a file clerk in a law firm, she uncovers a case that will make her a household name. Back in 1993, a feisty young woman called Erin Brockovich was trying to make some money to repay her lawyer after losing a personal injury lawsuit. …

RANGO (2011) When a pet lizard is propelled from the comfort of his fish tank into the middle of a highway, he begins a wild journey towards enlightenment. A chameleon is that marvellous creature that changes its appearance to blend into its environment, a bit like an actor working in a certain genre. Mix a …

MUDGEE MINING Busy helping to organise an event in Mudgee in opposition to a $3,200/head Mining Industry Conference. Seven local community action groups including our own Running Stream Water Users Association have banded together to mount a rally/conference/dinner/bus tour next Tuesday and Wednesday. Inspired by the razzle dazzle of Mardi Gras I’ve made my own …

WOMEN AND SURFING We’re talking women and surfing tomorrow at the Museum of Sydney as part of the Surf City exhibition so come along and pose some sticky questions to our panel of pros! girls-just-want-to-surf

It’s amazing what you can do with an ipad! Last Saturday’s Mardi Gras broadcast was presented by the unflappable Mark Trevorrow and myself with the help of a autocue operator using his ipad. He was scrolling down the text with his finger all night! The intro was a particularly interesting adventure in improvisation given that …

Sunday night sees the return of Big Nelly to the cabaret stage after an absence of over a decade. Drawn back into the spotlight after several years of persuasion by my darling friend Mark Trevorrow (AKA Bob Downe, pictured) , I will sing an old favorite from the Patsy Cline songbook (no, not the one featured …

                        Shot by the cast of two in a day for your consideration, this inaugural short film by Naughty Tent Productions has been free wheeling its way into people’s hearts all over the place, most recently scooping the Audience Choice award at the Queer …

If you like manta rays then you might like to pencil in a date with a documentary that I narrated called ‘Manta Mystery’. It’s had several screenings already on National Geo Wild with the next one slated for Wednesday, 21st march at 8.30pm manta mystery It has already screened on this channel in the UK, Asia, …

The Museum of Sydney is taking a nostalgic look at the surfing sub culture of Emerald City with its exhibition Surf City.  I was interviewed by them (along with several other salty sea dogs) about my recollections of Bondi back in the day and feature in a video component of the show. Now they’re holding a …

Off it goes again! Just when I thought it was dead. Never underestimate an albatross, is all I’ve got to say. This article appeared the other day in both the Brisbane Courier and the Sydney Morning Herald : talking about sex is fine Show true Puberty Blues, not whitewash In its wake I was contacted …

Back in the 30s the gangsters of Kings Cross used to slash each others body parts with cut throat razors until Roslyn street run with blood, or so the legend goes. Later it was known as the home of ‘Baron’s’, an infamous dive where you could go for that final night-cap long after everywhere else …

Every summer it starts up again – the reflection on my old albatross. Today’s contribution comes from Jim Schembri at The Age. On the beach (no, not that one) came a new wave – until the tide went out It’s going to get even more air time in 2012 with the announcement of the TV …

Back in the olden days when I was a reporter on the ABC’s weekly arts show ‘Review’ I worked with a fabulous producer called Paige Livingstone. Together we humped our blueys all over Australia in search of exciting arts stories that veered off the beaten track onto all sorts of rugged bush tracks. I lost …

Whilst pounding the pavements of Wellington on a recent window shopping spree, my eye caught sight of a gorgeous little red merino wool dress on an old fashioned mannequin in a quaint shopfront on the corner of Willis St and Te Aru. Upon venturing in to Good Score, I noticed that all the labels had …

Naughty Tent Productions are pleased to announce the world premiere of its short film ‘Brokeback Mountain Bikes’ screening tonight at the Sydney Opera House as part of the Bicycle Film Festival. Starring Glenys del Marvellous and Jacqui Twister this is the story of two cowgirls who ride their folding bikes through the wild west and …

Our experience of Hobart’s hottest new wine bar/restaurant was so overwhelmingly wonderful earlier this year that we put it at the top of our ‘to-do’ list when we ventured south last week. We were devastated to discover, however, that the incomparable Garagistes is closed for annual holidays until October 11! Pining for it has prompted …

Finally, those boring old black clone wetsuits are a thing of the past thanks to American fashion designer Cynthia Rowley. Not only has she just dragged Lindsay Lohan out of hiding for her recent New York Fashion Week show but she’s also designed a fabulous range of Roxy wetsuits for chicks who care about looking …

Popped in to Monstrosity Gallery last night to deliver two art works by The Stoked for the exhibition ‘Fur’. The show, which opens tonight, is a group exhibition by “some of Sydney’s most dynamic and talented contemporary artists” responding to the theme of fur. Curated by West, who has a particular penchant for fur herself, …

One of my all time favourite destinations for degustation is Lochiel House at Kurrajong Heights west of Sydney. Housed in a low-ceilinged historic cottage, this two hatted restaurant is a treasure trove of taste treats. Owners Tony and Monique serve up meals using ingredients sourced either from their own garden or from the local Hawkesbury …

Just clocked up 155,555 kms in the quest for delicious taste treats and am feeling well and truly quinced. And having produced a quintet of quality pantry items from my quince tree this year including quince paste (stirred for hours on a wood-fired stove!), quince pickle, quince jelly, pot-roasted quinces and quince vodka, I am …

Caught a great artists talk the other day at Ros Oxley’s Gallery where Del Kathryn Barton is showing her latest exhibition ‘Satellite Fade-Out’. The talk was between Del (left) and her fellow artist friend Nell (right) and it brought up all sorts of titillating ideas about the orgasmic body, a subject that Del explores in …