Cruise definitely has mileage left as an action hero, and the amount of pounding, running and jumping he does here is a sign of that. But his ability to play for laughs, evident through much of his career, is more valuable than ever.

By no means an exhaustive portrait...but too fascinating to dismiss.

The Melbourne International Film festival begins this week and programmer Al Cossar is behind a strand of films called Backbeat, dedicated to music on film.

Given what we know about Algeria now, it’s fitting and terribly moving the way Far From Men builds a bittersweet tone of hope and despair. It is a considered, humanist film.

Cairo based Australian film scholar and historian Ifdal Elsaket discusses the late actor’s pre-Hollywood period as an Egyptian cinema heartthrob involved in one of the country's biggest celebrity scandals.

Despite McKellen’s solid performance, I couldn’t help but view his Sherlock Holmes - the old gentleman codger - as indulged, self indulgent and increasingly tiresome.

The film plays more and more like something that’s been conceived in a gilded cage of privilege (white, male, middle class) from which it’s unable to escape.

A fascinating insight into Kelly’s working relationships and also the story of the hush hush love affair with a major Hollywood star.

Melbourne International Film Festival artistic director Michelle Carey discusses two films she has programmed with distinctive, beautiful styles pushing the boundaries of low budget digital cinema.

Light on in the plot department, but frothy and fun.