Film
THE RATINGS RACE: Week 29
David Dale Maybe lawyers just aren't sexy. Despite a publicity push by the ABC, Crownies could only manage 706,000. What did you make of it? Will word of mouth bring it to a million next week?
Death on TV cause for pause, and for thanks
Karl Quinn Tonight a man will die on television. His name is Gerald, and he deserves our thanks.
A spoonful of medicine transforms reality into drama
David Dale IT EXISTS: The holy grail of broadcasting, the magic potion which, if applied to an ailing program or ill-formed concept, gives eternal life – or the next best thing, extended ratings. Lets ...
Australians are so out of touch we can't see the obvious
Tim Dick Political leaders are; so, too, Anglican bishops. Sydney certainly is, along with Today Tonight and 6.30pm with George Negus.
WHO WE ARE: How Australians pass the time -- Outdoors
David Dale WE ARE the timelords, the masters of multitasking. We want it all and we want it now, and over the past two decades we’ve found a way to squeeze every advance in entertainment into our schedule...
A nation of horn jockeys
Derek Rielly Another morning of faces spastic with anger, of fierce glowering and the sound of thousands of artificial ducks. Another day in brave little Australia.
WHO WE ARE: The dreadful things they're saying about Australia
David Dale So saying "G'day mate" when you're not Australian is like using the word "nigger" when you're not black. Here are three case studies on what the British have been told about us lately.
WHO WE ARE: How magnates made an Aussie moneymaker
David Dale Finally, a visionary director and some enlightened capitalists have applied science to the task of creating an Australian movie that Australians will actually want to see.
WHO WE ARE: Absolute power corrupts absolutely
David Dale The point about superheroes is not what powers they have, but the limitations on the powers they have, and The Hulk is a worry.
The benefit of hindsight V: Why didn't we celebrate Crocodile Dundee's birthday?
David Dale A vintage Tribal Mind, discussing what was worth remembering about the most successful Australian film in history
THE RATINGS RACE: First two weeks of 2012
David Dale When SBS gets a show in the week's top 50 ... You can tell that nobody's watching television. But we are going to the flicks and this forum's readers are sharing their judgements.
The benefit of hindsight I: What the HSC teaches the rest of us
David Dale This was the first Tribal Mind column published online, on September 23, 2005.
How Australia went to the movies in 2011
David Dale Did you share the tastes of the masses or the discerning minority? How many of these flicks did you get to? And which will you catch on DVD?
THE RATINGS RACE: Week 48
David Dale What are your hopes for the silly season? I want new eps of 30 Rock and Parks and Recreation.
Person of Interest: Is Jesus big enough for this hero's journey?
David Dale Before we ponder Hollywood's latest piece of idiotic casting, we should look at a larger question: What is a hero?
Australia's favourite faces and biggest thrills
David Dale God forbid our producers should work to a formula, but a compromise may be possible between catching an audience and keeping your integrity.
WHO WE ARE: The sultan of stirring, the guru of goading, the prince of provocation
David Dale RATBAG is an excellent Australianism used too rarely these days. It affectionately describes people who speak out on issues of national concern and manage to amuse, infuriate and inspire the populace...
Cousins documentary silent on the 'why' behind his downfall
Karl Quinn Whatever the demons that drove Ben Cousins to drug addiction, they remained under cover in the first part of the massively hyped documentary Such Is Life: The Troubled Times of Ben Cousins, ...
The stars aren't where they used to be
David Dale IF YOU'RE looking for a villain with a sore throat, your go-to guy is Ralph Fiennes. He was so disturbing last year as Harry Potter’s raspy rascal Voldemort that this year he simply had to be ..
