Almanac Film Reviews: ‘Mercy’ (2026) – A Hot Take on the Future of AI

Marina Cerra is a recent graduate who is completing a stint as an Almanac intern. In her first piece, she looks at the issues of artificial intelligence in society through her review of the film ‘Mercy’. [Welcome Marina, we look forward to reading your contributions – Eds]

Almanac Film and TV: Shelley Long – a Modern Anti-Hero

George Smith pays tribute to Shelley Long, who throughout her movie and TV career generally played characters of the ‘flawed, tragic, messy’ good person type who had a tendency to grate ‘like fingernails down a blackboard’.

Almanac Music: McCartney

While watching the post-Beatles documentary, Man on the Run, Mickey Randall was reminded of his choice of the most significant cultural figure – Paul McCartney. Like the film, Mickey takes us beyond Lennon and McCartney to what happens when a musician leaves the most important band in the world.

Almanac Music: Baz Luhrmann’s new movie ‘EPiC – Elvis Presley in Concert’ 

Elvis tragic Stan Kluzek reviews ‘EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert’, a film by Baz Luhrmann, and one that Stan absolutely loved.

Almanac Music: The best of Elvis

Ian Wilson reviews ‘Baz Luhrmann’s Epic: Elvis Presley in Concert’ and was not only impressed by Elvis’ superb performances but also by the production quality of the film. It’s a must see says Ian!

Almanac Reviews: ‘Serendipity’, Christmas movie?

RagingBull reviews the 2001 feel good movie ‘Serendipity’, a movie he believes should be considered a Christmas movie, and one he likes.

Almanac Reviews: British Film Festival 2025 – Finale: Hamnet and Saipan Reviews

The British Film Festival 2025 has reached its finale as Ian Wilson reviews two of the films screened, Hamnet’ and ‘Saipan’.

Almanac Music: Why Dating a Married Woman is not a Good Idea in Song and Story.

George Smith refers to a number of songs and movies highlighting the trials and tribulations of dating a married woman and why it is not a good idea.

Almanac Reviews: ‘The Thing With Feathers’ and ‘Nuremberg’

The Wilsons have seen plenty of films of late. Here, Ian reviews two more films that were average at best.

Almanac Reviews – The British Film Festival, Week 3: Continued excellence at the BFF25

The Wilsons are making the most of BFF25, even if it squeezes the budget somewhat. The quality of the films make it worthwhile.

Almanac Reviews: Week 2 – The British Film Festival, and one of the best films of 2025

It’s Week 2 of The British Film Festival. Ian Wilson reviews four of the films, including a candidate for one of the best films of 2025

Almanac Reviews: A cracker and a dud to kick off The British Film Festival

Ian Wilson reviews three films he recently viewed at the cinema; one dud and one cracker featured at The British Film Festival; and, Jennifer Lawrences’s latest film.

Almanac Reviews: ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Roofman’ – Film Reviews

Ian Wilson reviews two new film releases, ‘Frankenstein’, and ‘Roofman’.

Almanac (Film) Reviews – ‘Bugonia’ and ‘After The Hunt’

Ian Wilson takes us to the cinema again to review two films that attracted his attention. He wasn’t disappointed.

Almanac Cinema: A slow start to movie season

With the footy season well and truly over Ian Wilson has more time to spend at the movies. He reviews two recent new releases he has viewed but Ian was not overly impressed by them as he explains.

Almanac Film Reviews: Spinal Tap Two – The End Continues

Ian Wilson has been to the movies and presents his thoughts about the new Spinal Tap movie, ‘Spinal Tap Two – The End Continues’.

Almanac Film: Desert Island DVDs

Ian Wilson lists his favourite films and wonders which to select as a Desert Island DVD if the occasion was ever called for. Ian challenges readers to nominate their Desert Island DVDs.

Almanac Cultural Activities: Ballarat In September/October

There is always plenty to do in Ballarat suggests Ian Wilson as he highlights some cultural activities tfor consideration.

Almanac Film: A few movies purportedly about rock and roll

While Earl O’Neill ponders the makeup of his Top 10 songs from the years 1954-1977, in the meantime, he presents his thoughts and selections about films ‘purportedly about rock and roll’.

Almanac Cinema: John and Yoko’s Fresh Adventure

Ian Wilson reviews a ripper music doco about John Lennon and Yoko Ono which he throughly enjoyed and recommends.