Melbourne Observer. 120704C. July 4, 2012. Part C. Pages 61-80

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - Page 61

Travel Extra

Page 62 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012

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Travel Extra

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - Page 63

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Observer Showbiz Every Week in the Melbourne Observer

Radio Confidential: Birthday for Golden Days ..... P66 The Spoiler: Next week’s ‘soaps’ plotlines ........ Page 63 Jim and Aaron: Best DVD-film selections ............. Page 69 Cheryl Threadgold: Community Theatre - it’s a wrap .. Page 70 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD PLUS TV TIMES 7-DAY PROGRAM GUIDE - STARTS P27

MARRIAGE OF FIGARO The Spoiler

‘Wizard of Oz’ at Cranbourne

For Those Who Have Lost The Plot

Neighbours ■ 6.30pm. Weeknights. Eleven.

■ Monday, July 9. Kyle’s plans to tell Jade the truth are interrupted when she insists on supporting Sonya; Kate is pushed by Sophie to own up to her mistake ■ Tuesday. July 10. Summer’s thoughts remain focused on Andrew; Kyle channels his guilt at Kate.

■ Wednesday, July 11. Lucas continues to enjoy being single but when he sees his chaotic romantic life has become tabloid fodder, he is forced to reassess his priorities; Chris feels ignored by his friends.

■ Thursday, July 12. Lucas and Chris’s relationship thaws as Chris helps Lucas work on the crib; suspecting Karl has written a love song about her, Susan fears he still has feelings for her.

■ Friday, July 13. Trying to right the wrongs of what she did, Kate is rejected by Jade and chastised by Kyle; Priya learns that Ajay’s being earmarked for State Parliament.

Home and Away ● Scarecrow (Sam Neve), Tinman (Lachlan CaseyRoleff), Lion (Daragh Wills) and Dorothy (Hayley Noy) are set for opening night of the Peoples Playhouse and Kidz 4 Kidz production of The Wizard of Oz, opening on July 6 in Cranbourne.

Photo:mikefletcher.com.au ■ Peoples Playhouse and Kidz 4 Kidz present The Wizard of Oz on July 6, 7, 12, 13 at 7.30pm and July 7, 12, 13, 14 at 2.00pm at the Cranbourne Community Theatre, Brunt St, Cranbourne.

This school holiday treat is directed by Lucy Nicolson, with musical direction by Malcom Huddle and choreography by Leah Osburn.

Tickets: $22 full price, $20 concession/Seniors, $18 Children 3 – 16, Family (2A and 2C) $75.

Bookings: peoplesplayhouse.asn.au/shop/ or 0402 197 390

COMMUNITY THEATRE: IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

● John Cheshire (Rev. Chasuble) and Judi Clark (Miss Prism) in The Importance of Being Earnest being presented by Heidelberg Theatre Company from July 12 – 28.

Photo: Patricia Tyler ■ Heidelberg Theatre Company presents The Importance of Being Earnest from July 12 – 28 at 36 Turnham Ave, Rosanna.

Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy of wit is directed by Wendy Drowley.

Tickets: $25/$22 (not Seniors) Bookings: 9457 4117 or htc.org.au

● Jacqueline Porter ■ Victorian Opera will take over the Arts Centre's Playhouse with a new production of Mozart's opera The Marriage Of Figaro, directed by Jean-Pierre Mignon and accompanied by period instrument specialists Ludovico's Band, conducted by Richard Gill.

With a cast mixing experienced troupers such as Andrew Collis, Roxane Hislop and expatriate David Woloszko returning from London, with the bright young things of the opera world, it should be a great night at the opera.

Tiffany Speight will be singing her first Countess Almaviva, while Jacqueline Porter will have her debut as Susanna, while Dimity Shepherd will don the breeches in the 'pants' role of the lovelorn pageboy Cherubino, and Brett Carter will take on the role of Count Almaviva.

The Marriage Of Figaro runs from July 18- August 3 and you can book on 1300 182 183 or www.artscentremelbourne.com.au As a bonus for aspiring young classical singers and musicians in Melbourne, Victorian Opera Music Director Richard Gill is running a workshop called Ornamentation and Improvisation in the Classical Period.

This will give upper secondary school and tertiary students and emerging professional musicians a unique opportunity to spend two days working alongside the period classical instrument orchestra Ludovico's Band, which is accompanying the main stage production.

Students will work on ensemble performance and have the change to perform repertories from the period of the opera, in the theatre and on the stage of the Playhouse Theatre.

The workshops are being conducted on Wednesday and Friday July 25-27 in school hours, and potential participants should be at AMEB Grade 6 level or above, and there are also opportunities for teachers and non-performing students to observe the workshops.

For more information email Victorian Opera's Education Officer Melissa Harris at melissah@victorianopera.com.au or call her on 9012 6652.

- Julie Houghton

● Dimity Shepherd

● Richard Gill

■ 7.00pm. Weeknights. Channel 7.

■ Monday, July 9. Indi and Romeo get close again and Brax is there for Ruby in her time of need. Liam is offered his job back at Angelo's - but will he take it?

■ Tuesday. July 10. Natalie is concerned that Danny is threatening her and Brax is knocked out and left for dead. Romeo ends it with Ruby once and for all ■ Wednesday, July 11. Bianca and Heath try and find out where they stand with each other. Brax is badly beaten and rushed to the hospital.

■ Thursday, July 12. April and Dex fight over Heath.

Bianca and Heath need to decide what they are to each other. Lottie struggles to choose between her parents.

Gina worries whether she's doing the right thing with Jett.

COMMUNITY THEATRE: JEKYLL AND HYDE THE MUSICAL

● From left, Rosabelle Elliot (Emma Carew), Leighton Irwin (Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde) and Tess Branchflower (Lucy Harris) in ARC Theatre’s production of Jekyll and Hyde the Musical, being presented from July 6 – 14 at the Banyule Theatre, Heidelberg.

Photo: Lisa Law ■ ARC Theatre presents Jekyll and Hyde the Musical from July 6 – 14 at the Banyule Theatre, Buckingham Dve, Heidelberg.

Directed by Jason Vikse, musical direction is by Simon D’Aquino and movement by Emily Altis.

Bookings: www.arc-theatre.com

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Page 64 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Travel Extra

Currumbin Sands Apartments

Stay 4, Pay for 3 Nights Stay 7, Pay for 5 Nights May - until June 24 Currumbin Sands holiday apartments are uniquely positioned on absolute beachfront at Palm Beach adjacent to the Currumbin Estuary. There are no roads to cross to the beach and here you can relax and enjoy the ultimate Gold Coast accommodation holiday apartment on the beachfront.

At Currumbin Sands you can surf the local point break at the Alley, watch the kids swim in the calm waters of the creek, fish along the quiet river bank, walk barefoot together along the ocean beach and make lasting memories.

The Currumbin Sands resort itself enjoys a very high repeat booking rate with loyal guests coming back year after year. This family friendly three story complex offers generous 1,2 and 3 bedroom apartment sizes with a variety of pool, garden, river or beach views from each individual apartment.

Guests have key access to the private

Fact File NAME: Currumbin Sands Apartments ADDRESS: 955 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach, Qld 4221 PHONE: (07) 5525 5000 FAX: (07) 5525 5099 CONTACT: Sherryl Stack WEB: www.currumbinsands.com.au E-MAIL: info@currumbinsands.com.au grounds, the secure onsite parking underground, and to two separate swimming pool areas. The buildings are all set in tropical landscaped gardens features waterfalls and a brook.

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - Page 65

Page 66 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Observer Showbiz

News from stations from around Victoria

■ Golden Days Radio had their mid-year luncheon at The Bentleigh Club on June 20.

The station celebrates its 21st anniversary of receiving its fullt-ime licence on July 24.

The celebration included 150 listeners at a special luncheon.

info@country crossroads.com.au

Rob Foenander

COUNTRY PROUD

■ McAlister Kemp have hit the road to promote their current album Country Proud.

The award-winning duo have announced dates for a tour of NSW, Queensland and the ACT. Victorian fans can see the boys when they perform at the Hallam Hotel on Friday, July 20.

When Country Proud was released in March, it debuted at number one on the Australian Recording Industry Association country albums chart and as high as 18 on the all genre album sales chart.

GLEN CAMPBELL SPECIAL

■ Production is underway for a one hour Glen Campbell TV special. Country Crossroads in conjunction with the Timeless Music Company will produce and present the show scheduled for August 11 on Foxtel’s Aurora Channel 183 at 8.30 pm.

The special will feature Glen's classic hits from his Ultimate DVD and CD collection. This release is set to coincide with his upcoming Australian tour and is distributed by the Timeless Music Company Sydney.

NEW MOVIE FOR JESSICA

■ Jessica Mauboy, inaugural winner of the Telstra Road to Tamworth talent search in 2004, and now a well known pop star, is starring in a new movie, The Sapphires..

Jessica stars with Chris O'Dowd in a movie set in 1968 about four Australian Aboriginal girls who form a group and head to Vietnam to entertain the troops.

The movie debuted at the Cannes Film Festival and received a standing ovation. Jessica also starred in the Australian movie Bran Nue Dae.

LIVE COUNTRY MUSIC

■ The Pascoe Vale RSL is home to the Country Music Guild of Australasia and presents live country music every week.

Upcoming artists scheduled for performances throughout July include Doug Bruce & The Tailgaters on July 6: July 13: The Dalton Gang plus a showcase featuring Kerran Keats. July 20: The Moonlighters. July 27: Rough Cut Band

r Observbei z Show

Radio Confidential

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GOLDEN DAYS

Country Crossroads ● Big Breakfast Show.

Southern FM 88.3.

Tues. 6am-9am. ● Country Crossroads.

Casey Radio 97.7.

Wed. 10pm-12 Midnight

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

21 YEARS FOR COMMUNITY STATION 95.7FM

Law to stop Board stacking ■ A law aimed at stoping Federal Governments ‘stacking’ the board of the ABC has been passed by the Senate.

Friends of the ABC (Vic.) spokeswoman Glenys Stradijot has welcomed the move.

“In a first for all public appointments in Australia, governments will be required to adhere to a new merit-based process for appointing ABC and SBS board members when the National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill is carried.

“It won’t stop a government that is hell-bent on stacking the ABC Board, but it will significantly increase the pressure on all future governments to do the right thing,” Ms Stradijot said.

“The bill recognises that the ABC is meant to be independent. Governments can no longer regard its board as a place to give jobs to mates or the national broadcaster as a vehicle to pursue political agendas.

The Bill will also restore the staff-elected director position to the ABC Board.

“This position is critical. It ensures there is at least one member of the ABC Board who has intimate understanding of public broadcasting and is entirely independent of governmen,” Mrs Stradijot said.

“Prior to the Labor Government putting into practice a new merit-based board appointment process, stacking of the ABC Board was in danger

● Golden Days Radio Presidents over the years: (from left) Alex Hehr, John Clarke, Larry James (current) and John Amor

of spiralling out of control. It was damaging public trust in the national broadcaster's independence and the integrity of government.

“This legislation is important to ensure there is not just a pause in inappropriate appointments to the ABC and SBS boards," Ms Stradijot said.

Mitchell joins Nine

● President Larry James with Golden Days Radio listener Edna Eames of Clayton celebrated her 90th birthday at the GDR luncheon

■ Neil Mitchell may even have describedA Current Affair as “a grubby program” in the past, but this hasn’t stopped the 3AW presenter signing with Nine to be a commentator on Today, ACA and Nine News.

“We are thrilled to welcome Neil to the family, particularly at a time when the network’s news and current affairs programs are once again dominating the ratings right along the East Coast,” said Jeffrey Browne, Managing Director of the Nine Network. Mitchell was previously with Channel 7.

Melbourne

Observer

On This Day

Wednesday, Thursday, July 5 July 4

Friday, July 6

Saturday, July 7

Sunday, July 8

Monday, July 9

Tuesday, July 10

■ American conductor and record producer Mitch Miller was born in New York in 1911.

He died aged 99 in 2010.

Actress Eva Saint Marie was born in 1924 (88) In New Jersey.

Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida was born in 1927 (85). She starred in Falcon Crest.

■ American former First Lady Nancy Reagan is 91 (1921).

She was born as Anne Robbins.

Bill Haley, American singer and guitarist, was born in 1925. Hed died aged 55 in 1981.

The late Ruth Cracknell, actress, was born in 1975. She died aged 76 in 2002.

■ English actor Jon Pertwee was born in 1919. He died aged 76 in 1996. He played Dr Who for four years.

Australian country music star Reg Lindsay was born in 1929. He died aged 79 in 2008.

UK musician Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey) was born in Liverpool in 1940 (72).

■ English comic and scriptwriter Marty Feldman was born in London in 1933. He died aged 49 in 1982.

American signer Steve Lawrence was born in New York in 1935 (77).

Australian actor Paul Cronin was born in Jamestown, SA, in 1938 (74).

■ US singer and actor Ed Ames was born as Edmund Urick in 1929 (83).

O J Simpson, US footballer, was born in San Francisco in 1947 (65).

Amerrican actor Tom Hanks was born in 1956 (56).

Singer Courtney Love is 48 (1964).

■ US actor Fred Gwynne was born in New York in 1926. He died aged 86 in 1993.

WA politician Wilson Tickey is 77 (1935).

Australian singer Digger Revell was born as Gary Hildred in Dubbo in 1943 (69).

Comedian Adam Hills is 42 (1970).

■ Circus owner P T Barnum was born in 1810.

He died aged 81 in 1891.

Australia’s first world boxing champion Jimmy Carruthers was born in Sydney in 1929. He died aged 61 in 1990.

American singer Hue Lewis was born in New York in 1950 (62) as Hugh Gregg III.

Thanks to GREG NEWMAN of the Birthday Bulletin for assistance with birthday and anniversary dates.

Find out more at www.birthdaybulletin.com.au

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - Page 67

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Page 68 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Showbiz

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Observer Showbiz What’s Hot and What’s Not on DVD and Blu-Ray

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - Page 69

Movies, DVDs

With James Sherlock

Reviews by Aaron Rourke

NORA EPHRON May 19, 1941 - June 26, 2012

● Best actor Oscar winner Jean Dujardin as fading silent screen star George Valentin and Berenice Bejo as rising silent star Peppy Miller in The Artist, the Best Picture and Actor Oscar winning tribute to silent cinema.

FILM: THE ARTIST: Cast: Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell.

Genre: Comedy/Drama.

Year: 2011.

Rating: PG. Running Time: 96 Minutes.

Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: **** Verdict: Wonderfully whimsical tribute to the silent era of a silent movie star who bemoans the incoming era of talking pictures and fades into oblivion and self-destruction, but finds sparks with a young dancer who lights up talkies like no one else. Well deserved Oscar wins include Best Picture and Best Actor for Jean Dujardin as the fading matinee idol. A few minor flaws, but nothing to gripe about, ultimately though, highly entertaining, and please take note: it is actually a silent movie [with music].

FILM: SAFE HOUSE: Cast: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Vera Farmigo, Brendan Gleeson.

Genre: Thriller.

Year: 2012.

Rating: M. Running Time: 110 Minutes.

Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: **1/2 Verdict: Good cast run amuck in this predictable spy thriller of a young CIA agent who is tasked with looking after an ex-CIA fugitive in a safe house, but when the safe house is attacked he finds himself on the run and not knowing who to trust. The film would have fared better with a script re-write or two and a more accomplished director, a Jason Bourne clone and nowhere near as good. The shaky-cam from beginning to end has you gripping the chair for all the wrong reasons, but it's still worth a peak, and only just.

FILM: THE KENNEDY DETAIL: Narrated by: Martin Sheen.

Genre: Documentary.

Year: 2011.

Rating: M. Running Time: 87 Minutes.

Format: DVD. Stars: **** Verdict: Extremely revealing and powerfully in-depth account of President John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963 told through the eyes of the JFK's Secret Service who were there on the day. This eye-opening documentary comes directly from the men of Kennedy s detail who have kept silent about that horrific and unforgettable event in Dallas with exclusive interviews with the SS agents and never-before-seen footage.

This is one of the very best on the subject in recent years and is highly recommended!

FILM: THE GREY: Cast: Liam Neeson, Dermot Mulroney.

Genre: Thriller.

Year: 2011.

Rating: MA15+.

Running Time: 117 Minutes.

Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: **1/2 Verdict: The cold, bleak, dismal and heavy handed story of a plane crash in Alaska after which seven oil workers are led by a huntsman to survival with a pack of merciless wolves haunting their every step along the way. What could have been a top notch thriller fails on numerous levels. Sadly, every character is so totally unlikable you couldn't care less who gets chomped up by the wolves, but Liam Neeson is always of value, even in this disappointment. And a word of advice, don't turn off the end credits before they are over.

- James Sherlock

■ Columnist, author, screenwriter, and director Nora Ephron sadly passed away on Tuesday June 26 from leukemia, aged 71.

Ms Ephron made her feature film screenwriting debut with Silkwood in 1983, and also penned the films Heartburn (1986) starring Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson, Cookie (1989) starring Peter Falk, My Blue Heaven (1990) starring Steve Martin, and Michael (1996) starring John Travolta.

Her final film as writer and director was the Oscar-nominated comedy/ drama Julie And Julia (2010), which again starred her long-time friend Meryl Streep.

The following films are some favourites of mine and certainly come recommended.

Silkwood (M) (1983).

128 minutes. ***½.

Involving, deliberately paced drama, detailing the true story of nuclear factory worker Karen Silkwood (Meryl Streep) whose life is turned upside down when she uncovers a terrible secret at the plant.

Director Mike Nichols (Who's Afraid Of Virginia Wolf? / Catch 22 / Carnal Knowledge / The Graduate / Heartburn) keeps the atmosphere realistic and low-key (maybe a little too low-key for some), and writers Ephron and AliceArlen create a strong gallery of characters.

Streep is excellent, and a first-rate cast also includes Kurt Russell, Fred Ward, M. Emmet Walsh, Craig T Nelson, Josef Sommer, Ron Silver, and David Strathairn.

When Harry Met Sally (M) (1989).

95 minutes. ****½.

Wonderful romantic comedy that follows Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) over an 11-year period, seeing how their friendship starts to turn into something more.

Ephron's script is terrific, giving us two characters you want to get to know. Crystal and Ryan have great chemistry, and are well-supported by Carrie Fisher and the late Bruno Kirby (City Slickers / Donnie Brasco).

Directed with a clever, knowing eye by Rob Reiner (This Is Spinal Tap / The Princess Bride / The Ameri

can President).

This Is My Life (PG) (1992).

105 minutes. ***.

Ephron's directorial debut is a charming comedy/drama about a single mother who dreams about being a stand-up comedian, but her drive to succeed slowly has an effect on her two young daughters, who begin to feel ignored.

Julie Kavner (the voice of Marge on The Simpsons TV series / Forget Paris) delivers a well-measured performance, keeping her character likeable even when she starts to put her career above her kids.

Not a complete success, but this small film deserves to be seen. Costars Carrie Fisher and Dan Aykroyd.

Sleepless In Seattle (PG) (1993).

104 minutes. ****.

Cleverly written (by Ephron, David S. Ward and Jeff Arch), perfectly performed romantic comedy about a widower (Tom Hanks) who, after opening up on a call-in radio talk show, attracts the attention of Annie (Meg Ryan), who despite being engaged, feels a special connection to this man she has never met.

Hugely entertaining blend of comedy, drama, and romance is that rare film that will please both guys and gals.

When Harry Met Sally director Rob Reiner has a funny role as Hanks' best friend. The scene where Hanks and a male buddy talk in chick-flick terms about the finale of The Dirty Dozen is hilarious.

You've Got Mail (PG) (1998).

119 minutes. ***½.

Warm-hearted remake of the Ernst Lubitsch classic The Shop Around The Corner (1940), with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan teaming up again as bookstore rivals who don't realise that they are close friends online.

A strong supporting cast includes Greg Kinnear, Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, Dabney Coleman, and Dave Chappelle.

Ephron allows the two stars to play off each other very well, but unfortunately makes the film longer than it needs to be, particularly in the final third. Still good-natured fun.

KANETO SHINDO April 22, 1912 - May 29, 2012 ■ More sad news with the passing of legendary film-maker Kaneto Shindo, who passed away at the grand age of 100.

After training under famed director Kenji Mizoguchi (Sansho The Bailiff / Street Of Shame / Tales Of The Rain And Moon), Shindo would become a renowned and respected film-maker in his own right.

Incredible films included The Naked Island (1960) (****½), where the main characters never utter a word, Onibaba (1964) (****½), a strikingly shot tale of greed and madness, Kuroneko (1968) (****½), an eerie, beautifully-filmed ghost story, and Children Of Hiroshima (1952) (*****), one of the best anti-war films

ever made, showing the devastating effects of the atomic bomb.

Shindo also provided scripts for the films Manji (1964) and Irezumi (1966) for director Yasuzo Masumura, and Under The Flag Of The Rising Sun (1972) (****Ñ) for Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royale).

Shindo also wrote Hachi-Ko (1987) (****½), an incredible true story about a very loyal dog, which was remade in Hollywood as the rather forgettable Hachi : A Dog's Tale (2010) (**), with Richard Gere.

Shindo's final film as director was Postcard in 2010, which was Japan's official entry for Best Foreign Film at the 2011 Academy Awards.

- Aaron Rourke

Melbourne

Observer

Top 10 Lists THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN. 2. BRAVE. 3. PROMETHEUS. 4. THAT'S MY BOY. 5. ROCK OF AGES. 6. MEN IN BLACK 3.

7. WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING. 8. THE AVENGERS. 9. A ROYAL AFFAIR. 10. TAKE THIS WALTZ. NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: JUNE 28: ICE AGE 4: CONTINENTAL DRIFT, POLISSE, WHERE DO WE GO NOW? JULY 5: KATY PERRY: PART OF ME, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, A HAPPY EVENT, BOL BACHCHAN, TED. THE DVD TOP SELLERS: 1. THE ARTIST [Comedy/Drama/ Romance/Jean Dujardin, John Goodman].

2. EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE [Drama/Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock].

3. CONTRABAND [Action/Drama/ Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster].

4. MY WEEK WITH MARILYN [Drama/True Story/Michelle Williams, Kenneth Branagh].

5. THE GREY [Thriller/Liam Neeson, Dermot Mulroney].

6. SAFE HOUSE [Thriller/Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds].

7. MAN ON A LEDGE [Action/ Drama/Jamie Bell, Sam Worthington, Ed Harris].

8. UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING [Action/Thriller/Kate Beckinsale, Michael Ealy].

9. J. EDGAR [Drama/Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts].

10. SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS [Adventure/ Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law].

Also: THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, ONE FOR THE MONEY, HUGO, TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY, THE MUPPETS, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL, SHAME, ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED, WAR HORSE, THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: CARNAGE [Comedy, Drama, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly].

THIS MEANS WAR [Comedy/Tom Hardy, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine].

JOHN CARTER [Action/Taylor Kitsch, Mark Strong, Bryan Cranston].

PROJECT X [Comedy/Jonathan Daniel Brown, Oliver Cooper, Thomas Mann].

CLEANSKIN [Action/Crime/Sean Bean, Charlotte Rampling].

NEW & RE-RELEASE CLASSICS ON DVD HIGHLIGHTS: AGE OF CONSENT [Drama/James Mason, Helen Mirren].

THE DUELLISTS [Drama/Harvey Keitel, Keith Carradine].

WHEN WORLD'S COLLIDE [Science Fiction/Classic/Richard Derr, Barbara Rush].

Turn To Page 75

Page 70 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 Melbourne

Observer

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Lovatts Crossword No 30 Across

2. Sleeps through winter 7. Waterproof fabric 11. Greatly delighted 17. Baked treat 18. Sharp humour 19. Boxer, Muhammad ...

20. Terrible tsar 21. Rissole 22. Timetable 23. Differentiate 26. New Zealander 28. Marvel 29. Windpipe 31. Alien spacecraft (1,1,2) 34. Of newborn 36. Get to feet 39. Stagger 41. Decisive trial (4,4) 43. Most peculiar 46. Artist's naked models 47. Annul 49. Took (baby) off bottle 51. Lists articles 52. Show on screen 53. Nap 54. Lieu 55. Guitarist, ... Clapton 56. Comic verse 61. Sightseers 64. Electrode material 65. Lout 66. Nomadic beggars 67. Fire warming shelf 69. Gaggle birds 71. Boat launching ramp 74. River Jordan lake (4,3) 76. Case-harden 78. Tip of grain 79. Assail 81. Baronet's title 83. Faithful 84. Huge marine mammal 86. Renovated 89. Actress, ... Dukakis 90. ... Syne (4,4) 93. Group of fish 94. Releases grip (4,2) 97. Designer, ... Laurent (4,2) 100. Pause punctuation mark 101. Bewitching 103. Promote product 106. Et cetera (3,2,2) 108. Islam text 109. Speared 110. Swaddle 111. Effeminate 112. Dock 113. Match before final 115. Weathermen 118. Wears overly-fine attire 121. Paradise 124. Ruin 128. Idolise 129. Atlantic or Indian 130. Futility 134. Utilisation 135. Alpaca relative 136. Viper

Across

Down

137. Typeface 138. Burn with steam 139. Put pressure (on) 140. Citizenship 143. Greeting word 144. Last Greek letter 147. Annoy 150. Walk in water 151. Avoidable 155. Graveyard areas 157. Periods 158. Animal welfare group (1,1,1,1,1) 159. Discharge from army 162. More work-shy 164. Scrubbing stone 167. Troubled 168. Cowhands 169. Memphis is there 172. Headache tablet 173. Unfastened 174. Hooded jackets 177. Extreme limit 180. Relaxes 181. Destroy 183. Salary list 184. Butt receptacles 186. Inaccuracy 187. Reproductive gland 188. Sort 191. Dodging (duty) 195. Actors Gibson or Brooks 197. Untruthful 198. Incited (5,2) 200. Carved picture design 202. Selected 203. Chaps 205. Verify 206. Supplement, ... out 208. Singer, ... Garland 209. Stowing away 212. Confused rush 215. Shocked inhalation 217. Copper alloy 220. Small & delicate 222. Deficiency disease 224. Oily medicinal cream 226. Local 228. Stoneworkers 229. About-face (1-4) 230. Australia/New Zealand sea 232. Completely envelop 235. Songbird, ... wren 236. Arab land 238. Major celebrity 241. Scientific information 242. Distance travelled 243. Try 244. In present condition (2,2) 246. Mixing with others 252. White wine grape 253. Applicable 254. Respectfully, on bended ...

255. Irish movement (1,1,1) 256. Recline 257. Red-skinned cheese 258. Hidden past (4,6) 259. Cleaver 260. Assumptions

1. Taxi-driver 2. Confines (4,2) 3. Bird's mouth 4. Putting together again 5. TV broadcast 6. Stockholm natives 7. Singer, ... Redding 8. Jeans pioneer, ... Strauss 9. Martial art, ... fu 10. German WWII fascist 11. Seventh, ..., ninth 12. Remodels 13. Fab Four group (3,7) 14. Utter defeat 15. Become extinct (3,3) 16. Pity-arousing quality 24. Metric tons 25. Unexpended 26. Enlightenment 27. Seducer 28. Former Chinese leader, ... Zedong 30. One-spot card 32. Fierce 33. First aid bed 35. Yes vote 37. Identical sibling 38. Sweeping receptacles 39. Not to mention (3,5) 40. Ship's staff 42. Lion's lair 44. Dublin republic 45. Humanitarian, Mother ...

47. Actress, ... Kidman 48. Apparel 50. Dead as a ...

53. Mediocre (2-2) 57. Of childbirth 58. Six-stringed instrument 59. Ill will (3,5) 60. Get a word in ...

62. Infuse 63. Unappreciated 65. Longbow timber 68. ... & brace 70. Soil excavator (5,5) 72. Playwright, Oscar ...

73. Spinning toys (2-3) 74. Duck's mate 75. Regions 77. Circus director 80. Undying 82. Theatrical 85. Suffered torment (over decision) 87. Panache 88. Singer, ... Fitzgerald 91. Salt Lake City state 92. Corporals, sergeants etc (1,1,2) 95. Nails 96. Small devices 98. Arteries, blood ...

99. Sedate (character) 102. Otherwise 104. Oaths 105. News 107. Sydney's state (3,5,5) 113. Drink down 114. Intimidated 116. Outdoors (4-3) 117. Magic lamp owner 119. Reincarnation 120. Sent via Internet 122. Titled widow

Down 123. Aggravates 125. Gumtree marsupial 126. Trial showings 127. Scientist, ... Newton 128. Greek fable teller 130. Hot water dispenser 131. Consume 132. Famous record label (1,1,1) 133. Secret agent 141. Canadian province 142. Brass instrument 145. In a motherly way 146. Ethnic extermination 148. Weirdness 149. Cards between sweethearts 152. Struggler 153. Julia Roberts' film, ... Brockovich 154. Came into view 155. Sedans & coupes 156. Relief brooch 160. Be an omen of 161. Repugnant 163. Egyptian snakes 165. Tabbies or Siamese 166. Threw into disorder 167. Breezy 170. Coffee style 171. Extol 175. Onward 176. Danish novelist, ... Blixen 178. Cat cry 179. Authority (3-2) 182. Mental pictures 185. Vehicle's wheel cover 188. Injudicious (3-6) 189. Most considerate 190. Club's yearly meeting (1,1,1) 192. Briskness 193. Unreal 194. Diamonds 195. Puritans 196. 366-day cycles (4,5) 199. Proprietors 201. Beginning 204. Glimpse 207. Eager 210. Armoured US animals 211. Vagrant 213. Door rugs 214. Bivouac site 216. Woodwind instrument 217. Asian sultanate 218. Tendons 219. Eyelid swelling 221. Sticky coal by-product 223. Put at risk 225. Chatted 227. Cry of discovery 228. Close-mouthed 231. Mesh trap 233. Nominating 234. Great loathing 235. Missionary priest 237. Henpecked 239. Fries lightly 240. Car safety cushion (3,3) 245. Pub drink 247. Cease talking, ... up 248. Your school, ... mater 249. Des Moines is there 250. Indolent 251. Pudding starch

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Page 72 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Observer Showbiz INDEPENDENT THEATRE ■ For three days and nights between July 27-29,Theatre Works, St Kilda, will be transformed into a public playground to celebrate the playfulness in all of us. Pop Up Playground and Theatre Works present This is a Door, a carnival of large scale games that will bring artful play into the awareness of the mainstream performing arts community in Melbourne.

Developed by Robert Reid, Ben McKenzie and Sayraphim Lothian, the social, reactive and immersive games will range from cooperative to competitive, physical to strategic and conversational to secretive.

The work will utilise Game Controllers rather than actors, sourced from independent theatre and gaming communities, trained in game play and control, while lighting and props will be carefully placed throughout the space, adding to the live art element of the piece.

Pervasive gaming and playful engagement are exciting new art forms that have been developed internationally over the last five years by companies in the UK and US, and are recently emerging in Australia.

This new kind of theatre swaps actors and scripts for social games and play, utilising them as modes of cultural engagement.

Performance season: July 27 – 29.

Times: Fri 6.30pm-8.30pm, 9.00pm-11.00pm; Sat 11am1.00pm, 1,30pm-3.30pm, 6.30pm-8.30pm, 9pm-11.00pm; Sun 11.00am-1.00pm, 1.30pm-3.30pm, (Open Forum 3.30pm5.30pm).

Venue: Theatre Works, 14 Acland St., St KildaTickets: $30 Full, $25 Conc (plus booking fee) Bookings: 9534 3388 or theatreworks.org.au

AUDITIONS

Catchment Players ■ Hairspray July 3, 4, 5 at the Catchment Rehearsal Factory,10 Malua St., Reservoir. Directors: Nathan Firmin and Brad Fischer; Musical Director: Andrew Houston; Choreographer: Nathan Firmin. Audition bookings: 0458 467 766.

Purely Positive Productions ■ Blackrock (by Nick Enright) July 8 from 7.00pm at St Thomas the Apostle Primary School hall, 251 Diamond Creek Rd., Greensborough. Director: Jeremy Ives. Audition bookings: 0405 114063 www.purelypensive.com.au

Heidelberg Theatre Company ■ Summer of the Seventeenth Doll (by Ray Lawler) July 15 at 6.30pm and July 16 at 2.00pm at 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna.

Director: Paul King. Email the director for an audition booking: kzso58@yahoo.com

Williamstown Musical Theatre ■ Next to Normal July 22 from 1.00pm and July 23 from 7.30pm at MDX Studios, Unit 2/1 Akuna Drive, Williamstown (Melways 55 H6). Director: Shaun Kingma; Musical Director: Tyson Legg; Movement: Nadia Gianinotti. Audition bookings: 1300 881545 www.wmtc.org.au

Eltham Little Theatre ■ The Hero of Queenstown - Music Hall (written by Reg Evans, with the kind permission of Claire Austin) July 28 at 3.00pm and July 30 at 7.30pm at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Road, Research. Director: Lisa Inman.

Email: inman_lisa@hotmail.com

SHOWS

Geelong Repertory Theatre ■ Romeo and Juliet (by William Shakespeare) Until July 7 at the Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation St., Geelong West.

Director: Cherie Mills. Tickets: $25/$22/$20. Bookings: 5225 1200. www.geelongrep.com.au

Mordialloc Theatre Company ■ Life and Beth (by Alan Ayckbourn) Until July 14 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Director: Martin Gibbs. Tickets: $24/$22/$20. Bookings: 9587 5141 or www.mordialloctheatre.com

Local Theatre Melbourne

Observer

With Cheryl Threadgold

AT MALVERN THEATRE COMPANY SHOWS ■ An Evening With Chekhov's Short Comedies Until July 7 at 29 Burke Road, Malvern. Director: John Keogh. Tickets: $20 (no conc.) Bookings: 1300 131552.

Williamstown Little Theatre ■ God of Carnage (by Yasmina Reza) Until July 14 at 2-4 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Bruce Akers. Tickets: $25/$22.Bookings: 9885 9678 or www.wlt.org.au

Beaumaris Theatre ■ Still Life (by Noel Coward) July 6, 7 at Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Director: Kristina Doucaliagos. Presented in conjunction with: Tony Hancock's The Bowmans. Director: Janine Chugg. Tickets: $25/$22. Bookings: 9583 6896 or www.beaumaristheatre.com.au

The 1812 Theatre ■ Board Shorts 10 x10 minute Play Festival (by local playwrights) July 5, 6, 7 at 8.00pm, July 7 at 2.00pm at 3-5 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Tickets: $15. www.1812theatre.com.au

Altona City Theatre ■ The Boy From Oz July 6 - 28 at Altona Theatre, 115 Civic Pde., Altona. Director: Narelle Bonnici and Samantha Heskett; Musical Director: Daniel Heskett; Choreographer: Narelle Bonnici and Samantha Heskett. Tickets: $30/$27. Bookings: www.altonacitytheatre.com.au

People’s Playhouse ■ The Wizard of Oz July 6 - 14 at the Cranbourne Community Theatre, Cranbourne Secondary College, Brunt St., Cranbourne.

Director: Lucy Nicolson. Bookings: 0402 196 390 www.peoplesplayhouse.asn.au

Frankston Theatre Group ■ The Mousetrap (by Agatha Christie) July 13 - 21 at the George Jenkins Theatre, Monash University, McMahons Rd., Frankston.

Tickets: $26.50 full price; $24.50 PSSU. Bookings: 1300 665 377 or 9905 1111.

Encore Theatre Inc. ■ Sylvia (by A.R. Gurney) July 13- 28 at the Clayton Community Centre Theatrette, Cnr Cooke St. and Centre Rd., Clayton.

Director: Peter Newling. Tickets: $20/$18. Bookings: 1300 739 099 www.encoretheatre.com.au

SHOWS

ARC Theatre

■ Jekyll and Hyde the Musical July 6 - 14 at the Banyule Theatre, Buckingham Drive, Heidelberg. Director: Jason Vikse; Musical Director: Simon D'Aquino; Movement: Emily Altis.

Bookings: www.arc-theatre.com

Sunshine Community Theatre

■ Dirty Bird (by Stephen Andrews) July 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 at 8.00pm and July 8 at 2.00pm at the Dempster Park Hall, 82 Phoenix St., Sunshine. Director: Tania Maxwell. Tickets: $15/ $12. Bookings: 0407 802165 or www.sunshinecommunitytheatre. com.au

Hartwell Players

■ A Season of One Act Plays July 6, 7, 13, 14 at 8.00pm and July 7, 14 at 2.00pm at the Ashwood Performing Arts Centre, Ashwood College, Vannam Drive, Ashwood (off High Street Road). Ham's Hideaway (by Alison Knight), directed by Gordon Bedlow; Holding the Flowers (by Maree Gutterson), directed by Julian Camara; Just Act Normal (written by Miranda Hart), directed by Marcus Ingleby; Supersnout (by Jane Cafarella), directed by Joanne Watt. Tickets: $18 full price, $12 concession, $40 family. Cash sales only at door, no credit card facilities.

Bookings: http://www.trybooking.com/26942, or email bookings@hartwellplayers.

Eltham Little Theatre

■ The Pirates of Penzance Junior (by Gilbert and Sullivan) July 12 - 22 at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Research. Tickets: $20/$16. Bookings: www.eltham littletheatre.org.au

Aspect Inc.

■ The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas August 10 (Gala Night), 11, 16, 17, 18 at 8.00pm, August 11, 18 at 2.00pm and August 12 at 5.00pm at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale.

Tickets: $30/$25/$20 (Gala Night $35/$30/$25). Bookings: www.aspecttheatre.com or 9580 8415 during business No hours.

Cheryl Threadgold on 3AW ■ Non-Pro Theatre columnist Cheryl Threadgold is heard weekly on 3AW Melbourne Overnight program hosted by Andrew McLaren. Cheryl presents a segment with the latest community theatre news at 12.45am Wednesdays.

MELB. CABARET FESTIVAL

Leongatha Lyric Theatre ■ Rent July 13 - 28 at Mesley Hall, Leongatha Secondary College, Nerrena Rd., Leongatha. Bookings: 5662 3940 www.lyrictheatre.net.au

PLOS Musical Theatre ■ Hairspray July 27 - August 4 at the Frankston Arts Centre.

Director: Danny Ginsberg; Musical Director: Sue Fletcher: Choreographer: Steven Rostron. Tickets: $43 full price, $38 concession. Bookings: www.plos.asn.au

Sherbrooke Theatre Company ■ Rabbit Hole (by David Lindsay Abaire) July 27 - August 11 at the Doncaster Playhouse, 679 Doncaster Rd., Doncaster. Director: Horrie Leek. Tickets: $25/$23. Bookings: 1300 650 209.

Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Co. ■ Woman In Black (by Stephen Malatratt, based on the novel

by Susan Hill), August 22 - September 8 at 8.15pm, 2.00pm matinees on August 26, September 2 at the Athenaeum Theatre, 39-41 Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Loretta Bishop. Tickets: $25/$22. Bookings: 9735 1777. www.lilydaleatc.com

■ Over the Bastille Day weekend as part of the Melbourne Cabaret Festival, Wendy Lee Taylor’s unique blend of ‘jazz cabaret’ will take audiences on an intimate journey, The Paris Walk.

Accompanied by a stylish jazz trio featuring top local musicians, Wendy will share her Parisian experiences through a selection of French chanson, international standards and original songs by Wendy Lee Taylor and William Zappa.

French favourites include Non, je ne regrette rien, La vie en rose and C'est si bon.

For the past 10 years, Melbourne singer, Wendy Lee Taylor, has been performing nightly at internationally renowned French cabaret Le Lido de Paris.

Having lived and performed in Paris for the past 16 years Wendy is currently enjoying a prolonged sojourn in her hometown of Melbourne.

Dates: Friday-Saturday-Sunday, July 13-14-15, 8:45pm Tickets: $35 Full, $32 Concession and Groups 10+ Venue: Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel St, Prahran Bookings: 9290 7000

Send items for publication to editor@melbourneobserver.com.au

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - Page 73

Page 74 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - Page 75

Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport

BLACK CAVIAR: SHE’LL BE BACK!

■ Australia's champion mare, Black Caviar, certainly did us proud with her gutsy win in the Queen's Jubilee recently, but she certainly paid the price.

It's common knowledge now that she sustained muscle injuries during the 1200 metre Classic at Newmarket.

After the vets ran their eye over her after her great win, they found several injuries mainly torn muscles in her shoulders and hind quarters.

I checked with Peter Moody's stable how serious they were, and a stable rep told me that she had suffered similar injuries in some of her wins here.

At the time of going to press, Black Caviar was in quarantine in England and would be there for a total of two weeks.

After that she will be flown back to Australia, where she will spend another two weeks in quarantine at the recently established quarters at Werribee.

Over recent years the quarantine headquarters was at Sandown Park, where originally all international horses participating in our big races would stay.

After Black Caviar spends her time at Werribee, the stable will decide what the next move will be.

It could be up to Nagambie for a spell or other arrangements will be made to give her a good rest.

All Australians and mostly the world will be hoping that she recuperates well and we will see her adorning our racetracks here in Australia in the near future.

Many things were

Ted Ryan

attached to the mare's great win, not only the superb training of Peter Moody, overseeing of her training leading up the big race, but of those around her.

There was Paddy Bell, her track rider who was with her from the start, their vets, and former jockey Glen Darrington, who played a big part in settling the mare.

Glen created history in Royal Ascot's centuries-old history to be the first personal barrier attendant given permission to handle the mare at the barrier.

He was with her from the outset from the time of leaving and will be with her till she returns to Australia.

Providing she gets over her injuries and continues her brilliant form I am tipping that she will be set for the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Eve and then go on to have another crack at the rich

Patinack Farm Stakes at Flemington.

Then I have a feeling that connections guided by Peter Moody may retire our champion.

I have had the pleasure of seeing many champions in my lifetime such as Tulloch, Todman, Vain, Kingston Town, Makybe Diva, and without a doubt she deserves her place in that elite company.

Telecast ■ As far as the telecast was concerned I thought it was nowhere the class of our top three Australian networks: Seven, Nine and Ten. Over the years I had the pleasure of working with all three.

Just on that, I was sorry to hear that Channel Ten Sports Editor of yesteryear, Phil Gibbs, is not enjoying the best of health.

I wish him all the best, as we worked to-

● Black Caviar Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754

Observer Racing

● Blevic Photo: Greg Irvine gether from 1981 What about a and bang he says, let's through until 1996, and ticker-tape parade. At race a horse together. had some great times least it would be money Alan Lane, who I with the racing tele- well spent with all the hadn't seen for a while, casts. thousand of dollars has come into money Phil, along with wasted on stupid running Camera Lane Craig Kelly, started off things. in the City. the country racing teleThis way we are Now he says he casts with another honouring our cham- wants me to check out great mate of mine pion. a youngster with as Clem Dimsey, who Well done Nellie, much ability as Black called all the action. from all of us: deep Caviar.

Touching again on down we love you; and An easy task, we the English telecast, to Peter and his great will start with the progthere was one particu- team well done. eny of her sire, Bel lar scene where the Espirit, or Lohnro, woman interviewer Commands, Redoute's who was covering all Choice, or Encosta De the action, journeyed ■ Just when I started Lago. down to the mounting Good luck Alan. I to get some of my area. will ask my Editor, debts down, I run After doing her bit Ash Long for a raise, smack bang in a good to camera, she waltzed and you can have a friend of mine I over and interrupted connections of the sec- haven't seen for years, 1000-1 of that. ond favorite , Moonlight Cloud, interrupting them as they were discussing their tactics ● From Page 50 in the race.

I was amazed they took in their stride, but they must be used to it.

Can you imagine walking up to Bart Cummings prior to the running of the Melbourne Cup as he is ■ There are not enough superlatives to degiving instructions to scribe both the performance of Metropolihis jockey. tan/Like A Calder colt Blitzthemcalder and Bart would certhe drive of Chris Alford to land the Empire tainly tell you where to Stallions 2-Y-0 Colts & Geldings Vicbred go.

Trotters Final over 2240 metres at Tabcorp A number of sugPark Melton on Friday. gestions have been With the pole no advantage, Blitzmade regarding our themcalder not pushed galloped shortly after champion Black the start losing a conservative 30 metres, apCaviar when she repearing to put himself completely out of busiturns, to celebrate her ness, with Gavin Lang and Steal A Sixpence great win. striding clear from gate three.

One was that she Tacking on at the bell, Blitzthemcalder be paraded before the was still a long way off the leaders in the last Grand Final football lap, with Alford trying to stoke him up to go crowd. forward.

Another I would The race complexion changed approachlike to suggest, that she ing the home turn and Blitztemcalder had lead the Melbourne plenty of room to go to the inside as other Cup Parade on runners ran wide.

Melbourne Cup Eve Using the sprint lane, Blitzthemcalder raldown Swanston Street. lied to gain the day in what was an amazing Racing Victoria has victory, defeating Bellmac Kody and Steal A come up with a suggesSixpence in a rate of 2-03. tion that the compresBred and raced by Ric Burchill, sion suit she wore to Blitzthemcalder is trained at Lara by Ross and around England, Payne who is still recovering from injuries be given to the Austrareceived at Tabcorp Park on Christmas Eve. lia Racing Museum at - Len Baker the MCG for display.

Not again

Sulky Snippets

Chris Alford drives a treat

Showbiz Extra ■ From Page 69

Top 10 Lists DOWNHILL RACER [Drama/Robert Redford, Gene Hackman].

BLOW OUT [Thriller/John Travolta, Nancy Allen, John Lithgow].

DEATH OF A GUNFIGHTER [Western/Richard Widmark, Carroll O'Connor].

U-571 [War/Action/Matthew McConaughey, Harvey Keitel, Bill Paxton].

THE TALL MEN [Western/Clark Gable, Jane Russell, Robert Ryan].

TAKE A HARD RIDE [Western/Lee Van Cleef, Fred Williamson].

BUTCH AND SUNDANCE: The Early Days [Western/William Katt, Tom Berenger].

HUSTLE [Crime/Mystery/Catherine Deneuve, Burt Reynolds].

THE BIG BUS [Comedy/Stockard Channing, Joseph Bologna, John Beck].

PETER SELLERS COLLECTION: Waltz of the Toradores & Wrong Arm of the Law. CARRY ON NURSE [Comedy/Hattie Jacques, Charles Hawtrey, Kenneth Williams].

CARRY ON SERGEANT [Comedy/William Hartnell, Shirley Eaton, Charles Hawtrey].

CARRY ON TEACHER [Comedy/Leslie Phillips, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Connor].

NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC DVD HIGHLIGHTS: HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL: Season 1.

RISING DAMP: Series 1 & 2.

MINDER: Series 7.

MINDER: Series 8.

PRIME SUSPECT: Series 4.

CRACKER: Series 2.

DOCTOR WHO: Death of the Daleks.

PRISONER (Cell Block H) - Volume 8: Episodes 225-256.

RAY BRADBURY THEATRE: The Complete Series.

TOP BLU-RAY SELLERS: 1. THE ARTIST [Comedy/Drama/Romance/ Jean Dujardin, John Goodman].

2. EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE [Drama/Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock].

3. MY WEEK WITH MARILYN [Drama/True Story/Michelle Williams, Kenneth Branagh].

4. THE GREY [Thriller/Liam Neeson, Dermot Mulroney].

5. UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING-2D & 3D [Action/Thriller/Kate Beckinsale, Michael Ealy].

6. CONTRABAND [Action/Drama/Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster].

7. SAFE HOUSE [Thriller/Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds].

8. MAN ON A LEDGE [Action/Drama/Jamie Bell, Sam Worthington, Ed Harris].

9. J. EDGAR [Drama/Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts].

10. SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS [Adventure/Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law].

Also: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, One For The Money, Hugo, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Muppets, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, War Horse, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, Shame, The Adventures of TinTin. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON BLU-RAY THIS WEEK: CARNAGE [Comedy, Drama, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly].

THIS MEANS WAR [Comedy/Tom Hardy, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine].

BLOW OUT [Thriller/John Travolta, Nancy Allen, John Lithgow].

JOHN CARTER [Action/Taylor Kitsch, Mark Strong, Bryan Cranston].

JOHN CARTER-3D [Action/Taylor Kitsch, Mark Strong, Bryan Cranston].

PROJECT X [Comedy/Jonathan Daniel Brown, Oliver Cooper, Thomas Mann].

CLEANSKIN [Action/Crime/Sean Bean, Charlotte Rampling].

DEAD POET'S SOCIETY [Drama/Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke].

- James Sherlock

Page 76 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012

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www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - Page 77

Page 78 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012

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Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport

FOLK ASSIMILATE THROUGH SPORT

■ This has been the Multicultural Round and I am devoting ‘today’s editorial comments’ to the people whom I know have developed the concept under great difficulties and many prejudices.

In NSW and Sydney, more so than in other States and capital cities, there are more migrants and therefore more multi-culturalism.

Some of these folk are so fanatical and hateful of their original homeland neighbours they have not fully embraced our culture and living standards.

The one big hope is to have them assimilate through SPORT. This was displayed in the matches played prior to and at half-time with the men, women and the “all girls” multicultural Auskick teams at halftime.

I grew up in the tough area of Fitzroy with Aboriginal schoolmates.

I was influenced by the ‘late and great’, former ‘Sharman Boxing Tent’ champion, Stawell Gift runner, Fitzroy and Victorian Football winger, Pastor at the Fitzroy Church of Christ, Doug Nicholls (later Sir Douglas when appointed Governor of South Australia) – so I have firsthand experience of the treatment of our own indigenous people and other new arrivals.

In the 1970s I was asked by a desperate, VFL footballer working for Cadbury-Schweppes, could I fill in the next two nights as guest speaker to Woolworths, followed by Coles, mixed audience staff for Cadbury promotional nights.

There was a breakdown with the original ‘big personality speakers’.

I donated the fee to the Salvos and the Royal Childrenx Hospital.

But it led to me organising and running for the next decade ‘The Cadbury VFL/Netball Clinics’ in schools all over Australia.

I met with all the top sports men and women on the panel, who influenced thousands of young-lives in sport and education.

In Launceston I asked one of our nation’s top sportsmen (not a footballer) to apologise to the mixed audience for his language and slur on migrants.

Two friendships followed for me.

One was the person who made the comments. The other a younger Kevin Sheedy, who along with David Matthews in his previous AFL role of National and International Development Manager, have made me proud how they have led the multicultural and indigenous fight, not only in the AFL, but also with the general population.

As a player and coach, I know of no other person who has embraced our indigenous and multicultural players more than Sheeds.

The Giants kept ‘putting-in’ and learned plenty. On Friday I was informed the crowd would struggle to top 7000 – in the event it was 22,565.

The Swans members applauded Sheedy’s kids when they featured in exciting play.

This City Derby rivalry will grow but thankfully will never display the inherited rivalry, hatred, anger, foul mouth abuse and brawls both on and off the field with the ‘old VFL/AFL clubs like Collingwood and Carlton, Essendon and Richmond and so forth.

Sheeds and his assistant, Mark ‘Choco’ Williams, have a tremendous task ahead and the two biggest challenges are the two lads who have to date kept the Giants in the media headlines, Israel ‘Izzy’ Folau and Tom Scully.

Both are totally different cases to handle. Izzy, at 17 years was a natural Rugby League ‘freak’ having played in a NRL premiership with Melbourne Storm in 2007, broke the record for most Tries in a debut season, then transferred to the Broncos where at 19 he claimed the record as the youngest ever to represent Australia RL and State of Origin teams.

Izzy needs ultimate patience, encouragement, ‘hands-on’ treatment to understand the intricacies of AFLwhich is difficult for a top-class, champion athlete who could be asking himself what am I doing here?

If he is not playing in the Firsts I’d have him seated besides Sheeds to learn what’s required.

On the track he needs full-time individual tuition and mentoring by Alan McConnell.

Tom should be played as a swingman in defence to initiate attacks and take the personal tag pressure and expectations of a high possession midfielder from his mind. Both need to rebuild confidence.

Eternal optimist

Round 14 winners

■ Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy dubbed Saturday's derby a "Sydney final", admitting the fixture against cross-town rivals the Sydney Swans carries extra significance for his fledgling side.

Sheeds, the ultimate optimist who never stops selling GWS Giants and the AFL. We now know ihe result proved a ‘walk-over’ after the first quarter and a half with Sydney winning by 94 points.

Harry Beitzel www.squidoo.com/harrybeitzel

■ The Round 14 Lifebroker Mark of the Year nominations are: 1. Jason Porplyzia (Adelaide Crows) 2. Drew Petrie (North Melbourne) 3. Rhys Palmer (GWS) Fans can now view and vote for their favourite mark at www.afl.com.au/mark The Round 14 Origin Goal of the Year nominations are: 1. Matt Shaw (Gold Coast Suns) 2. Josh Hill (West coast Eagles)

3. Gary Ablett (Gold Coast Suns) This week’s three nominated goals can be viewed at www.afl.com.au/goal AFL fans can vote for their favorite mark and goal each week in order to go into the running for the major prize draw thanks to Lifebroker and Origin.

Should the winner of the public vote differ from the mark and goal as selected by the AFL panel, both nominations will be included at the end-ofyear voting by All-Australian selectors.

Voting opens for the previous rounds nominations every Monday at 7pm and will close the following Monday at 12 Non (exact days may change depending on fixture). \ At the conclusion of the ToyotaAFL Premiership Season, the All-Australian Selection Committee shall select the three best goals and marks from the 23 weekly selections from the AFL panel, along with any public selections that differ.

The selection will be based on a 5/ 4/3/2/1 vote given by each member of the selection committee.

The top three selections for the Lifebroker Mark of the Year and Origin Goal of the Year will be placed on www.afl.com.au by 7pm on September 10.

Fans are encouraged to vote for their favourite mark and goal.

Voting will close on Monday, September 17.

The voters who have selected the same Lifebroker Mark of the Year and Origin Goal of the Year as the All-Australian Committee and entered their details, will go into the major prize draw.

The Lifebroker Mark of the Year consumer winner will win $5000 cash.

The Origin Goal of the Year consumer winner will win a Toyota AFL Grand Final Pack and a years’ worth of electricity valued at $5200.

For full terms and conditions on the promotion please visit www. afl.com.au

Giants milestone ■ The Greater Western Sydney Giants have reached 10,000 members in the club's first year in the AFL. Giants Chief Executive David Matthews said it was a significant milestone for the club on the eve of the second SydneyDerby against the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium.

"I want to thank everyone across

Sydney, Canberra and indeed right around Australia for their support of theclub in our inaugural year," Matthews said.

"This is another milestone for the Giants as we continue to grow our supporter base. I especially want to acknowledge Kevin Sheedy for the work he has done to promote our club over the past 2½-years but all of our hard working team on and off the field.

"Most of all, I want to acknowledge the fans who have shown tremendous faith in us as a club as we embark on this exciting journey, particularly those people in Western Sydney who have taken us into their hearts.

"2012 has shown a lot of people what this club is capable of in the years to come and how a second club in Sydney has already helped grow the game through increased membership, attendances, TV audiences and greater exposure of the game across New South Wales."

Matthews said with 10 games to go in the home and away season the Giants wanted to continue to build their membership and a number of different packages were available to those who wanted to show their support for the club.

To become a 2012 Giant Member go towww.gwsgiants.com.au or call 1300 GIANTS.

Giants milestone ■ The AFL Umpires’Group has nine weeks to get the Four ‘Cs’ right for the Finals.

The AFL, the players, the fans and the Media are screaming for “Confidence/Courage/Consistency/ Commonsense” from their umpires.

‘Confidence’ in the umpires as a group, they will control the game as currently written in the AFL’s Laws of the Game.

Examples! The rules are clear for a mark the ball must be kicked a minimum of 15 metres.

Ditto if a player decides to take the opposition on in a running speed test he MUST bounce the ball once in every 15m covered.

Like every footy fan I love the excitement of the Jettas, the Shaws and others including ‘Buddy’ Franklin ‘pressing the pedal’ and exploding away from opponents leaving them in their ‘jet-stream’.

But all these players are compelled by the Rules to add another skill in this exquisite art to bounce the ball at full speed once in every 15m or once every 5 or 6 strides.

Umpires have allowed ‘commonsense’ to prevail so its stretched to 25m and now it is 30 to 40m.

Example! How do you think Fremantle’s Luke McPharlin, a schoolboy 400m champion, felt when his Essendon opponent, Stewart Crameri left him for ‘dead’ in a 80m sprint with only three bounces!

Round 15 Friday, July 6 Collingwood vs. Carlton (MCG) (N) Saturday, July 7 North Melbourne vs. West Coast Eagles (BA) Melbourne vs. Richmond (MCG) Sydney Swans vs. Brisbane Lions (SCG) (T) St Kilda vs. Essendon (ES) (N) Port Adelaide vs. Adelaide Crows (AS) (N) Sunday, July 8 Hawthorn vs. GWS GIANTS (MCG) (E) Gold Coast SUNS vs. Geelong Cats (MS) Fremantle vs. Western Bulldogs (PS) (T)

And a brilliant goal to boot. Maybe the Rule should be one bounce every 30m but that’s for the Rules Committee to decide, NOT the umpires.

It wouldn’t have my sanction as our game caters for all types, sizes and individual talents.

Interference, shepherding, wrestling at ‘throw-ins’, centre and general play bounces and in going for a mark if the ball is not within 5m are illegal according to the Rules.

What a joke as rarely is a genuine free paid.

All of us as contributors to our game want is ‘consistency’ from the three field umpires for the full four quarters.

We expect all three are ‘on the same page’ in their Control and Rulings.

There are many more examples to quote but for now – one more!

We are frustrated by the ‘mauling, brawling, rugby packs’. Some experts are suggesting “let’s allow throws from the packs” to open-up the game and keep it moving!

What a travesty when the umps can ‘blow’ for a free for either ‘holding the ball’ or illegal tackle.

Example! Umpires have been ‘conned’ by coaches and players who deliberately form packs. Watch this weekend’s direct TV games coverage or replays and see the player who takes possession of the ball but when he knows he will be tackled hugs the ball to his chest in his own ‘wrap-around tackle’ is legitimately grabbed, which is holding the ball, but Umps rule ‘no-prior-opportunity’ to play it on!

So he whistle’s for another bounce to add to the congestion. Yes, you are right – it is a joke!

I worry on Grand Final Day an umpire may decide to pay a unexpected ‘correct’ free which could decide the flag.

Giants milestone

■ Last month I was invited to the Swans Chairman’s Dinner before the Geelong match.

I was the guest of the Swans sponsor Thrifty Cars and Truck Rentals franchisees Jenny and Wayne Howse and daughter Sarah who are ‘oneeyed’ Swan supporters.

Jenny flew her Mum and Dad, Betty and Bob Bianvivo up from Geelong to see their Cats take on the Swannies.

I sat between both couples and I am pleased to report Betty and Bob wished I’d been umpiring the game!

Which proves ‘players’ and even ‘umpires’ improve immensely after they retire!

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - Page 79

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

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