EntertainmentMovie Review: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1It has taken four years and four directors to bring this supernatural romance fantasy, based on the popular young adult novels by Stephenie Meyer, to a close - almost.18 Nov 05:30 PM
EntertainmentAlbum Review: R.E.M, Part Lies. Part Heart. Part Truth. Part Garbage: 1982-2011Judging by the title of this career-spanning retrospective, and now that R.E.M. have called it a day, it seems they feel the time is right to admit they did some "garbage" in their time.18 Nov 05:30 PM
EntertainmentAlbum Review: Pink Martini, A RetrospectiveThis 21 track "best of" collection from Portland's 13-piece mini-orchestra is how one imagines a live show of theirs might go - although obviously these tracks are polished recorded studio versions. 18 Nov 05:30 PM
EntertainmentAlbum Review: The Bats, Free All the MonstersThe Bats' previous two albums (2005's National Grid and 2009's The Guilty Office) went largely unnoticed but this one arrives with a tailwind.18 Nov 05:30 PM
EntertainmentAlbum Review: Russian Circles, EmprosRussian Circles are a post metal-rock trio from Chicago. At least, they are mostly instrumental, because on Praise Be Man, the last of the six sprawling epics here, there is a spiritualized-style gospel mantra throughout. 16 Nov 05:30 PM
EntertainmentAlbum Review: M83, Hurry Up, We're DreamingFrench-born electronic soundscape wizard Anthony Gonzalez set out to create something "very, very, very epic" with this double album, and he succeeded.16 Nov 05:30 PM
EntertainmentMovie Review: PinaA confession: I've never been a great fan of dance, whose appeal I have often found more athletic than aesthetic. 16 Nov 05:30 PM
EntertainmentAlbum Review: Bic Runga, BelleIt was a poignant moment when Ladi6 went on stage to accept her Tui from Bic Runga at the NZ Music Awards. Ladi was genuinely thrilled. "This is amazing to receive an award from you. You've won one of these right?" 16 Nov 05:30 PM
EntertainmentAlbum Review: The Joker, The VisionGiven the title of this debut long-player from young Bristol native The Joker, you can tell this bass music whiz - he has distanced himself from being labelled a dubstep producer - was aiming high.16 Nov 05:30 PM
EntertainmentMovie Review: Project NimThe new film by the director of the electrifying Man on Wire is another jaw-dropper, but for different reasons: it's a troubling and troubled meditation on the ethics of science and the apparently limitless human capacity for self-absorption.16 Nov 05:30 PM
EntertainmentMovie Review: Last Train HomeThe largest human migration in the world is Chinese heading home for the holidays: some 130 million workers who keep the wheels of China's economic miracle turning, try to get on trains for 30-hr journeys to spend the lunar new year with family.16 Nov 05:30 PM
EntertainmentBook Review: 11.22.63 When you are Stephen King, you get to use numerical date codes as titles. Because who’s going to stop you?13 Nov 04:00 PM
EntertainmentBook Review: Among The IslandsParents wishing to change the attitude of their science-averse teenage boys could do worse than to drop into their Christmas stocking this account of Tim Flannery’s adventures as a young zoologist.13 Nov 04:00 PM
EntertainmentBook Review: BlighWilliam Bligh, he of the mutiny on the Bounty, was arguably the most complex, interesting and observant of the European explorers in the South Pacific. 13 Nov 04:00 PM
EntertainmentBook Review: Speaking FranklyIf you get past the crushingly obvious title, subtitle and cheap looking cover, you'll find a collection of provocative, insightful essays.13 Nov 04:00 PM
EntertainmentAlbum review: David Dallas, The Rose TintMr D-a-double-l-a-s may have a cool and mellow nonchalance to his rhymes, and the production and beats are first rate, but his sophomore album The Rose Tint tells Dallas' story.11 Nov 05:30 PM
EntertainmentMovie review: ContagionMany a horror film has a man with odd teeth and strange accent. Contagion has Jude Law.11 Nov 05:30 PM
EntertainmentMovie review: Eco-Pirate: The Story of Paul WatsonThe vexed question of where the boundary lies between environmental activism and terrorism (thoughtfully explored in the documentary If A Tree Falls in the recent film festival) gets the once-over-lightly here.11 Nov 05:30 PM
EntertainmentAlbum review: 1814, Covers AlbumThis album by Far North reggae band 1814 is the soundtrack to the best garage party and sing-a-long you're ever likely to be invited to. 11 Nov 05:30 PM
EntertainmentAlbum review: Paley & Francis, Paley & FrancisThe Pixies' Black Francis and his long-time mate and songwriter Reid Paley team up for an album that can be rambling, intense, and then uplifting - sometimes all within one song. 11 Nov 05:30 PM
EntertainmentMovie review: AnonymousThe idea that someone other than Shakespeare wrote Shakespeare's works is rooted in intellectual snobbery...09 Nov 05:37 PM
EntertainmentMovie review: Snow Flower and The Secret FanFrom Wayne Wang, the director of The Joy Luck Club, comes another melodrama based on female friendships that span generations.09 Nov 05:34 PM
EntertainmentAlbum review: Gin Wigmore, Gravel & Wine"I wasn't born a beauty queen but I'm okay with that. Maybe radio won't mind if I sing a little flat" Gin jibes on album opener and first single Black Sheep.09 Nov 05:30 PM
