HOT: Red Cliff, Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon St, Carlton

Red Cliff is an epic Chinese drama based on events described in the ancient Chinese historical text "Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms". The story is very well known in Chinese literature in a romantised version 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms', which may partly explain the film adaptation's phenomenal box office takings in China and Hong Kong. It's the most expensive Asian-financed film to date and it shows.

In the final days of the Han Dynasty, the Prime Minister Cao Cao invades the land of Wu with his immense army and navy in an attempt to unite China for the Han Emperor and for his personal ambition and infatuation. He is held back by an alliance between the ruler of Wu, Sun Quan and the warlord Liu Bei, which culminates in the Battle of Red Cliff. Obviously the cause of the just and good prevails.

The film is clearly in the oeuvre of 'beat-em-up' action director John Woo. There are extended bloody battle scenes with thousands of cavalry, blood splatters frequently arc across the lens and there is lots of rapid-fire zoom-in zoom-out camera work. The action is laughably ridiculous at times (catching arrows in mid-air while galloping), there is an element of overacting and the characterisation is generally one-dimensional. However, what the film lacks in subtlety it makes up for sheer grandeur of a huge cast and the sweeping CGI work in the scenery of the Yangtze river and the battle scenes. This is the kind of film which can only be appreciated on a big screen. It's the bigger than Ben Hur aspects of the film which are the most enjoyable and exciting aspects, rather than the contrived personal moments of the warriors, including many unnecessary lingering shots of Zhou Yu's beautiful wife Xiao Qiao.

HOT: Every Little Step, Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon St, Carlton

A Chorus Line is every dancer's story: the childhood dreams, constant work and injury, the ruthless auditions, hope for the 'big break' and soul-destroying disappointment.

In 2006, the musical was revived for Broadway and open call castings were announced. 3000 dancers lined the streets to audition for nineteen roles, from seasoned Broadway performers to newbies from New Jersey. Every Little Step is a documentary following the audition process from the beginning to the end and it provides an insight into the tough life of showbiz. Basically, you've got to like yourself, because not everyone will like you every time. You've got to believe in yourself, as it's possible that you are a great dancer, great singer, great actor, but you're not at the right place at the right time, and even though you try your best and do everything right, you still may not end up with a job.

The audition process is interspersed with interviews with the original 70s cast production, who discuss how A Chorus Line was developed from midnight taped interviews that dancer/choreographer Michael Bennett conducted with a group of dancers.

Every Little Step is an engaging and entertaining film and in fact seeing all those bright young hopefuls go away empty-handed had me bawling. Maybe I identified with them a bit too deeply, because they, like me, need a job.

HOT: Four of a Kind, Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon St, Carlton

Four of a Kind is a rarity - an Australian film that features four richly-drawn female lead roles and a complex interwoven storyline that had me intrigued and engaged the whole time.

The story starts with a police interview, where a police officer Gina (Leverne McDonnell) is questioning Anne (Louise Seversen), a rich surgeon's wife, in relation to a murder investigation. As the questions unfold, the truth is slowly revealed - not just about the murder, but about the relationship between the wilfully ignorant Anne and her unfaithful husband. We then follow Gina as she visits her psychiatrist Glenda (Gail Watson), who interprets Gina's dreams to unravel a dark secret from her past. Glenda leaves the session emotionally exhausted and meets up with her best friend Susan (Nina Landis) for dinner. However, the tension and drama escalates when Glenda confronts Susan with evidence that Susan was having an affair with Susan's much younger lover, Michael. The loop is closed in the fourth act where another police interview is taking place - this time Susan is being questioned by Gina in relation to the murder of Michael.

As the last scene fades, you're left wondering whether Susan really is a murderer, or merely a blackmailer? Is Gina protecting Glenda because of her own secret, and her belief that some people deserve to die and some murderers do not deserve to be punished? Most importantly, what is the nature and value of truth - and is omitting the truth the same as lying?

It is very hard to keep an audience engaged for two hours watching a film which basically features two talking heads at a time and which is clearly an adaptation of a four act play. I think the director Fiona Cochrane has done a credible job to maintain momentum by using numerous flashback scenes for visual effect and by inserting an intermission after each act with the bluesy music of Joe Camilleri and the Black Sorrows.

Four of a Kind is the kind of adult, complex film that I enjoy watching, and it's a shame that it is only on limited release at Cinema Nova in Melbourne. See it soon.

HOT: How to Become a Human Lightning Calculator, Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson St, Carlton

It's Sunday morning. I lumber bleary-eyed out of bed, grab the papers in my slippers, maybe flip some pancakes and don't leave the house until the afternoon.

Nope. It's Sunday morning and I'm off to the learn how to be a human lightning calculator.

Melbourne Museum, in conjunction with the Mathematical Association of Victoria, are conducting a monthly series of free lectures by the Maths Masters, a pair of gambolling mathematicians who aim to show kids and adults alike that maths can be fun. So the packed multi-age turnout spent the hour with Dr Burkard Polster, an engaging and slightly giggly mathematician with a Dr Evil accent, to learn all sorts of mathematical tricks.

Multiply by 11! Calculate the original square root! Name the day of the week of any date! Easy peasy. Impressed?

HOT: Gomorrah, Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon St, Carlton

Gomorrah has been termed the best mob movie since The Godfather, but I think with one difference. The Godfather, while based on reality, was clearly a work of fiction and the film had a sleek cinematic look to it. On the other hand, the jerky handheld documentary style camera work of Gomorrah and the very realistic, flawed characters, each with their own agenda, makes it hard to distinguish between what is real and what is fiction. No wonder that Roberto Saviano, the author of the book on which the film is based, had to go into hiding after threats of assassination.

Matteo Garrone's portrayal of the alliances, loyalties and fear engendered by the Camorra, the mafia in Naples, is gripping and explosive. The casual disregard for human life shared by the five storyline threads and the swaggering machismo of the mafia machine makes for a violent and bloody film - because there's no choice for the residents of the drug-infested, dilapidated, concrete monoliths - you're either with them or you're against them.

HOT: Two Lovers, Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon St, Carlton

In Two Lovers, Joaquin Phoenix plays Leonrard, an awkward, lumpish and directionless bachelor who lives with his parents in Brooklyn. He falls in love with his wild, needy and self-centred neighbour Michelle, while on the other hand conforming to his familial duty to propose to Sandra, the stable daughter of his father's business associate.

I've never been much of a fan of the icy regal Gwyneth Paltrow, but for the first time for me she was able to display a warmer side which was believable and endeared me to her bad-news character. Vinessa Shaw added some depth to Sandra who could have easily been the cardboard cutout of the perfect Jewish princess daughter-in-law. As for Joaquin Phoenix, he announced recently that Two Lovers would be his last film as he was going to concentrate on his career as a rapper (!). A shame really, as he is pretty good at the acting game. I can acknowledge this fact even though since his turn as Emperor Commodus in Gladiator, I've not been able to watch his sneering upper lip on screen without my skin crawling.

HOT: Closed for Winter, Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon St, Carlton

Closed for Winter is a story is told from the eyes of Elise Silverton (Natalie Imbruglia), who has grown up in the shadow of a childhood family tragedy. It affects the way she interacts with her stiff, closed-off mother (Deborah Kennedy), her boring but caring boyfriend (Daniel Frederiksen) and she trudges through her life as if in a slow fog. Imbruglia's big eyes convey all the pain, blame and bewilderment of Elise's life, especially when the family doctor (Tony Martin) brings to the surface an unspoken but suspected event.

This poised Australian film is cinemographically beautiful, subtle and speaks of the secrets of suburbia - I think it deserves more of an audience than it has received.

HOT: The Audition, Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon St, Carlton 3053

While in London, I really gained an appreciation for the opera - so I was excited to hear that Cinema Nova were screening The Audition, a behind-the-scenes documentary about New York's Met Opera auditions.

The story follows a group of hopeful young opera singers as they prepare for the grand final - a chance to be one of six winners of a bursary and recognition of their world-class potential. Although I am definitely not a professional musician, my years of piano exams and piano competitions meant that I could respect and relate somewhat to the experience of these young artists. You work long and hard, often solo, to prepare for a single moment - and you can't rely on anyone else when you're on stage, alone with your instrument.

To me it was quite clear from the start who some of the winners would be - their personality, drive and vocal quality was striking. However, it was still an interesting journey, and of course I got to hear some wonderful music.

NOT: Samson and Delilah, Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon St, Carlton 3053

Oh Lord. Samson and Delilah was a long, depressing and earnestly worthy film about two Aboriginal kids leaving their isolated community, losing their way (literally and metaphorically) then finding their way home again (literally and metaphorically). The movie was framed by the harsh, bright heat lamps of the outback and filled with dust, dirt and deprivation. I applaud the writer and director for highlighting the harsh realities of what it's like being young and Aboriginal, an outcast from society, but there was very little in either petrol-sniffing Samson or good-hearted Delilah that I loved, related to or wanted to support.

HOT: Brunetti, 194 - 204 Faraday Street, Carlton 3053

The original Carlton Brunetti is bustling at all times of the day - it seems that Melbournians just can't get enough of their coffee, cakes, breads....and for me, the Italian hot chocolate ($4.40). The properly bitter and thick hot chocolate simply does not compare to the insipid powdered mudwater that is trotted out at a lot of cafes (including once, to my horror, a ragged Cadbury sachet was used). It's still not quite thick enough for my liking, as I like to be able to eat my hot chocolate with a spoon, but it did nicely soothe my cough-stricken throat.

Update 27 April 2009: Pitstop lunch for $8.50, a nicely toasted baguette with salami, rocket, cheese and artichokes.