Pulling beers at a remote hotel sets tension for outback noir
Two young backpackers get a job at a pub in a mining town – and plenty of unwanted male attention – in new psychological thriller The Royal Hotel.
Stephen Romei
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Iranian film dances with danger
“If you are worried that filmmakers take few risks any more, make the time to pop into the Iranian Film Festival Australia, which has returned after not being possible in 2022 amid government crackdowns in Iran,” writes Stephen Romei.
Quiz Lady, a cast for a good laugh
This slapstick light entertainment works because of the zingers in the script and the fine performances of all of the well-cast actors.
Saltburn a potent tale of class, wealth, family, love and sex
Barry Keoghan is outstanding as a Oxford University scholarship boy who spends the holidays at a rich friend’s Brideshead-like estate that feels like one big exotic rule-breaking party.
More disco than tango
This welcome addition to the racing calendar is an excitingly unpredictable contest.
Christos Tsiolkas slaps down erotica ‘puritans’
The award-winning author doesn’t shy away from writing about hardcore gay sex in his new book: ‘I think too many of us are writing while looking over our shoulders, wondering what the critics and social media is going to say’.
Gangster’s impossible decision
Bring Him to Me opens with a driver receiving a text message from the mob boss. “The kid has f–ked us. Drive him here. We’ll do the rest.” Problem is, the kid has a three-year-old daughter.
Change up for top performance
How trainers equip their horses on race day can make all the difference.
David Fincher’s Netflix film The Killer: nihilistic, sardonic thriller
Michael Fassbender plays an unnamed hitman whose rule against empathy is slowly put to the test in the aftermath of a job that does not go as planned.
The Wiggles: how men in skivvies built an empire
While the target audience is children, adults are fans too. Spotting Robert De Niro in the audience, munching on popcorn, made the childlike Australians on stage think of the film Cape Fear.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/stephen-romei/page/14