I was asked to come up with my top 5 Aussie films of 2024. It was a difficult task

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Marketing is critical to the success of commercial films, and companies will often spend half as much again on top of the production budget to let people know about a film. But this is usually not the case with the local industry.

Frequently, Australian films will do well enough on the festival circuit to be picked up by a theatrical distributor who spends virtually nothing on marketing – and then pulls the film when it doesn’t prove to be the next Muriel’s Wedding.

This is painfully in the back of my mind as I try to compile a list of my top five Australian films of 2024. Top five? Did I even see five? It turns out I did. Did I miss many? A few, because they never crossed my radar – no posters, no advertising, no social media presence.

Out of the, let’s say ten, Australian films I did manage to see in 2024, this is my top five (which isn’t to say they are, necessarily, five films that I would recommend).

1. Late Night with the Devil

Written and directed by Colin and Cameron Cairnes, Late Night with the Devil is a solid genre film.

The narrative frames the film as found footage. We watch an episode of a late night talk show from Halloween 1977, in which a supposedly possessed girl becomes the centre of the show, unleashing (or not?) various demonic events.

David Dastmalchian is commandingly goofy in the lead as ratings-hungry host Jack Delroy, and the supporting cast provide some nice character touches.

The production design is first rate, with everything we love about 1970s horror cinema – and television culture – recreated in vivid strokes.

Starved of unpretentious and non-didactic cinema, one is tempted to declaim the brilliance of this enjoyable romp. But, at the end of the day – and despite Stephen King’s comment it’s “absolutely brilliant” – it’s just a good horror film, sure to please fans of well-made cinema with a retro bent.

2. Christmess

Though released at select cinemas at the end of 2023, I’m including the well-made (and low budget) Christmess on the list, as it secured a mainstream release in 2024.

The film follows a trio of recovering addicts in a halfway house during the holiday period, centred around once-famous actor Chris (beautifully played by Steve Le Marquand) as he successfully – and unsuccessfully – deals with his demons.

Christmess is sentimental without being overly schmaltzy, the characters are rendered with nuance while still containing a recognisably mythical dimension, and it feels hopeful while still making sense.

Writer-director-producer Heath Davis does exactly what is needed for a low budget film. It is economically but effectively shot in the Sydney suburbs, the writing is razor sharp, and the performances are (mostly) excellent. Films like Christmess give hope independent Australian cinema has life yet.

3. Force of Nature: The Dry 2

Now we’re getting into trickier territory for a top five list. Force of Nature is the sequel to The Dry from 2020, and treads similar ground, with Eric Bana returning as federal police detective Aaron Falk.

This time it’s a mystery surrounding a hiking trip and a disappearing informant.

As with the first film, Force of Nature is an engaging genre film with some arresting moments and effectively handled elements (the cinematography, music, performances are all fine). But it’s also totally forgettable and uninspired, pale in comparison to some of the great variations on the cop-mystery theme of the past.

4. Birdeater

Popular at SXSW, Birdeater makes the list by virtue of its style alone.

What begins as an intriguing look at the horrors of group dynamics when a bunch of youngsters leave the city for a buck’s party quickly fizzles into nothing, the early gestures towards Ted Kotcheff’s masterful Wake in Fright proving little more than hot air.

But it looks and sounds amazing, one of the most stunningly shot Australian films I’ve seen – actually warranting that haphazardly thrown about adjective “cinematic” – and is worth watching for this dimension alone.

5. The Moogai

Some may think writer-director Jon Bell’s The Moogai is an impressive horror film, cleverly integrating a critique of Australian colonisation into a possession story about motherhood and the anxieties of the parent-child relationship.

I found its treatment of a potentially engaging story humdrum and forgettable, the critique of colonisation obvious and uninteresting, and the performances strained.

Unlike Jennifer Kent’s excellent The Babadook, which anchors its allegorical dissection of parenthood to specific and weird horrific moments, The Moogai depends too much on the abstract, on the viewer’s knowledge of events and the world outside the film, and suffers as a work of art for this.

The best of the rest (perhaps)

Before you attack my evident myopia, there were a handful of Australian films released in 2024 I haven’t seen and that look like they might be worthwhile. Don’t blame me, blame the marketers!

Sting, directed by Aussie genre maestro Kiah Roache-Turner, looks like a rousingly trashy monster film (there hasn’t been a good giant spider film for years).

The Rooster, written and directed by actor Mark Leonard Winter, looks like a potentially solid character mystery (and has received great reviews).

In the Room Where He Waits – which looks like a disturbing Repulsion-like thriller about a queer actor losing his marbles in a hotel room – has also received excellent reviews.

And this isn’t to discount the potential mirth of a film like Runt, a sweet-looking kids’ film about a ten-year-old girl and her friendship with a dog.

The biggest Australian film of the year was George Miller’s latest Mad Max endeavour, Furiosa. While some swear by Fury Road, as a long-time fan of the Mad Max films I found it shrill and incomprehensible, a senseless assault on the viewer with little payoff and no dynamism. Well, Furiosa is this, but a little worse.

How can Screen Australia ensure 2025 (well, 2026 now) has a more robust offering of Australian films? Less money invested in American productions, more on Australian films with lower budgets – and more spent on marketing!

Local Business Helps Kids Shop for their Parents

Business News

WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – the Crosstown Julie Brown business solved the age-old problem of how kids can buy gifts for their parents and keep them a surprise.For 5 years now Crosstown Julie Brown has made it so folks can bring their kids into the shop, have the parents step outside, and pair the kids up with a helper to pick out their parent’s gift out of the shop’s wide selection of items.After their purchase, they’d walk to the back of the store where they’d get their gifts wrapped and ready to go under the tree. Co-owner Matt Lichtenauer says each year they see more and more kids.“Kids can only keep their secret for so long. So we figure the closer to Christmas then they only have to hold the secret in for a few days because each year the parents find out they don’t really know what they’re getting until Christmas morning,” says Matt Lichtenauer.The owners say this event is a lot of fun every year and that they hope the kids had fun.Copyright 2024 WWNY. All rights reserved.

How TCL’s Defective Devices Are Hurting Its Business in Pakistan

Business News

TCL Pakistan is facing mounting criticism from customers due to widespread issues with product quality and poor customer service. Over the past few months, numerous complaints have surfaced regarding ICL’s defective devices, particularly issues related to defective panels, motherboard failures, and Wi-Fi connectivity problems in Pakistan.
One customer shared their experience, revealing that their TCL smart TV developed panel defects within the warranty period. Despite repeated complaints and repair attempts, the issue persisted. Allegations surfaced that TCL replaced the defective panel with a substandard one, leaving customers with devices that were barely functional. Wi-Fi connectivity issues further rendered the once-smart TV useless, turning it into a basic television.
Another customer reported delays of several months in resolving motherboard problems, with the Karachi service center citing unavailability of parts as a major issue. Despite registering their complaint, the customer was left without a functional TV and no clear timeline for resolution. This lack of timely support has left many frustrated, with several opting to seek legal action or demand refunds.
How TCL’s Defective Devices Are Hurting Its Business in Pakistan
TCL’s automated responses on social media have also been criticized, with many customers accusing the company of neglecting their concerns. While TCL’s official page has acknowledged some complaints and requested complaint numbers, follow-ups have often been ignored, leaving customers without satisfactory solutions.
See Also: Next Android TV OS will Arrive in 2026
The growing number of dissatisfied customers highlights the long-term impact TCL’s quality issues and poor service could have on its reputation in Pakistan. In a market where brand loyalty is increasingly driven by customer experience, TCL’s failure to address product defects and offer prompt resolutions could drive customers away to more reputable brands.
TCL’s business in Pakistan could be further affected by the loss of trust and confidence from consumers. If these issues persist, potential customers may turn to competitors with stronger brand reputations, particularly in an increasingly competitive consumer electronics market.
As TCL struggles to resolve these quality and service-related problems, its long-term business prospects in Pakistan appear at risk. The brand must urgently address these issues, improve customer service, and ensure higher product quality to regain the trust of its customers and maintain a strong presence in the market.

Pvt ins business sees slow growth in 2023

Business News

Private-sector insurance business, both life and non-life, grew at a slower pace in 2023 due to higher inflation and subdued overall business activities.

The life-insurance sector expanded by 8.2 per cent to about Tk 114.84 billion, but the growth rate was more than 2.0-percentage-point lower compared to 2022, according to the annual report of the Bangladesh Insurance Association (BIA) that represents private insurers in Bangladesh.
The non-life insurance sector recorded a modest growth of 1.74 per cent to Tk 42.351 billion in 2023. This reflects a decline of 8.56 percentage points compared to the growth rate of 2022, as stated in the report published last week.
The BIA unveiled the report at its 37th annual general meeting held in the city on Thursday, with its president Nasir Uddin Ahmed (Pavel) in the chair.
The report highlighted that the foreign reserves fell below US$27 billion and the local currency sharply depreciated against the US dollar, causing a dollar supply crisis and affecting import-dependent businesses and the reinsurance sector.
Since March 2022, the local currency Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) depreciated by 28 per cent against the US dollar primarily due to a controlled exchange rate mechanism aimed at addressing the BDT’s overvaluation, the report added.
Mr. Narayan Chandra Rudra, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Meghna Life Insurance Company Limited, told The Financial Express on Sunday that rising prices of essential commodities in the retail market are a major factor affecting the insurance business growth.

“Inflation remains high, and many people are withdrawing money from deposits. Under such a circumstance, how can the life insurance business grow?” he questioned.
Mr. Rudra also noted a lack of confidence in the financial market among the general mass, which may further hinder the sector’s growth.
Md. Imam Shaheen, Managing Director and CEO of Asia Insurance, a privately-owned non-life insurer, explained that the non-life insurance business is closely tied to the country’s overall economic performance.
“If there is a rise in imports and exports, our business grows,” Mr. Shaheen said, pointing out that the previous government’s decision to nullify mandatory motor insurance has had an adverse impact on the sector.
“I think the absence of mandatory motor insurance is another key reason for the slow growth,” he added.
In 2023, 46 non-life insurance companies, including the state-owned one, generated gross premiums of Tk 59.533 billion while the 36 life insurance companies, including one state-owned entity, recorded gross premiums of Tk 122.735 billion.
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Best books of 2024: 20 thrillers, literary fiction, sci-fi and more

Arts & Culture, Books

Literary FictionParadeby Rachel Cusk
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Harper Perennial, $29.99Reading “Parade” is like driving quickly in a tiny car up the side of a steep mountain. Cusk, the author of the Outline trilogy, switchbacks bracingly between multiple narratives — all about different artists named G — as she races past comforting fictions about motherhood and art on her way to something more true. Sentence by sentence, Cusk’s command is stunning. —Zak BlackAnnihilationby Michel HouellebecqFarrar, Straus and Giroux, $40Houellebecq has said that “Annihilation” will be his last novel. Like its predecessors, it offers a clear-eyed (if exaggerated) portrait of the emptiness of contemporary bourgeois life and the fragility of a decadent society. Unlike its predecessors, though, the novel works its way dreamily toward a surprisingly serene conclusion. Houellebecq here orchestrates his own authorial annihilation with uncharacteristic warmth. —Zak Black

“Annihilation,” by Michel Houellebecq, 544 pages, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $40.

Creation Lakeby Rachel KushnerScribner, $39.99One of the most exciting contemporary American novelists hits her stride in a book about international espionage, French social movements and Neanderthals. Kushner handles a bewildering range of topics with depth, clarity and gusto. The result is a wry thriller that manages to marry a fast-paced plot to an intricate investigation of perennial questions about that dubious creature, Homo sapiens. —Zak Black

“Creation Lake,” by Rachel Kushner, 416 pages, Scribner, $39.99.

Wrong Normaby Anne CarsonNew Directions, $26.95This apparently ramshackle collection includes Carson’s first forays into short-story writing (“1 = 1” featured on the New Yorker Fiction podcast), an autobiography written by the sky, a cartoon about Martin Heidegger and Paul Celan, and some excellent short poems. Carson continues her restless exploration of what a book can be, holding it all together with her distinctive ironic wisdom. —Zak Black

“Wrong Norma,” by Anne Carson, 192 pages, New Directions, $26.95.

Historical FictionThe Swan’s Nestby Laura McNealAlgonquin, $38When Elizabeth Barrett — invalided for decades in her father’s home, where she’s treated with opiates for mysterious ailments — meets fellow poet Robert Browning, she’s determined to get well to live life on her own terms. By the time they secretly wed and leave London for Pisa in 1846, they’ve exchanged 573 letters. This irresistible page-turner is a gorgeous tribute to resilience and true love. —Janet Somerville

“The Swan’s Nest,” by Laura McNeal, 320 pages, Algonquin, $38.

Interpretations of Loveby Jane CampbellGrove Press, $42.95A polyphonic tale that richly imagines the interior lives of characters whose experiences are shaped by the Second World War. The perspective artfully shifts between Dr. Agnes Stacey, her uncle Professor Malcolm Miller and her one-time therapist Dr. Joseph Bradshaw. Rife with rumbling family tension and a startling revelation kept secret since 1946, this assured debut is as true as life itself. —Janet Somerville

“Interpretations of Love,” by Jane Campbell, 240 pages, Grove Press, $42.95.

Divaby Daisy GoodwinSt. Martin’s Press, $39In 1957, gossip columnist Elsa Maxwell introduces opera diva Maria Callas to shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis, their ensuing affair lasting years. The engrossing story shifts between Maria’s professional life on stage and her personal one. When Onassis weds Jackie Kennedy, Maria is dining with director Franco Zeffirelli and acts the role of her lifetime: a woman unbowed by her broken heart. Told with tenderness and flair. —Janet Somerville

“Diva,” by Daisy Goodwin, 336 pages, St. Martin’s Press, $39.

The Phoenix Crownby Janie Chang and Kate QuinnWilliam Morrow, $25.99Feng Suling, an embroiderer, and Gemma Garland, a soprano with the Metropolitan Opera’s touring company, are thrown together in the chaos of San Francisco’s 1906 earthquake. Through a dangerously charming railroad magnate their paths cross, and they discover his penchant for stealing ornate collectibles, including the rare phoenix crown that disappears when he does. A whiplash narrative drive gilds this enlightening and immersive tale. —Janet Somerville

“The Phoenix Crown” by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang, 400 pages, William Morrow, $25.99.

Crime/MysteryThe Hunterby Tana FrenchViking, $25.99“Whenever it stays hot for too long, I’m just waiting for things to get messy.” So says former Chicago cop Cal Hooper about a third of the way through French’s latest novel, and he won’t have to wait long. When Cal’s teenage protégé’s wayward father returns to the small Irish town of Ardnakelty with a money-making scam involving a wealthy Englishman and a rumoured vein of gold running underneath the land, Cal realizes trouble is afoot. This sequel to 2020’s “The Searcher” unfolds with deliberation, but that does not denude the interest or the effect of French’s narrative, the pleasures of which are located as much in the carefully wrought depictions of the town and its various colourful inhabitants as in the thriller elements. —Steven W. Beattie

“The Hunter,” by Tana French, 480 pages, Viking, $25.99.

Smoke Kingsby Jahmal MayfieldMelville House, $19.99A group of vigilantes (which takes its name from the work of noted civil rights leader W.E.B. DuBois) seeks retributive justice by kidnapping and extorting the descendants of slavers and others who engaged in anti-Black racism. When they accidentally murder the brother of a vicious white nationalist, the hunters become the hunted. Add in a racist white cop from Alabama also hot on their trail and the result is one of the most scorching thrillers in recent memory. Debut author Mayfield does not play it safe: all his characters are flawed, and he confronts his readers with uncomfortable questions about the nature of justice and the corrosive legacy of racial animus in the U.S. —Steven W. Beattie

“Smoke Kings,” by Jahmal Mayfield, 400 pages, Melville House, $19.99.

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angelsby Janice HalletAtria, $26.99Playwright and screenwriter Hallett marshals all her talents for ventriloquism into this found-footage novel. She deploys WhatsApp messages, script pages, interview transcripts and archival files to tell the story of a true crime writer pursuing a cold case centred on the ritualistic murder and mutilation of three cult members who believed that a missing child is the antichrist. While the serpentine plot keeps the pages turning, it’s the bravura stylistic pyrotechnics that vault this one over most other thrillers to appear in the past 12 months. —Steven W. Beattie

“The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels,” by Janice Hallett, 448 pages, Atria, $26.99.

Only One Survivesby Hannah Mary McKinnonMira, $23.99Oakville, Ontario’s McKinnon focuses on the commingled depth and acidity of female friendships in this story of an all-girl rock group whose van goes off the road in the winter, forcing the survivors to take refuge in an abandoned cabin where they start to turn on one another. McKinnon develops the central relationship, between band leaders Vienna and Madison, clearly and with nuance; the novel has much to say about the perils of ambition and the nature of fame in our celebrity-obsessed culture. A mid-novel twist throws the entire narrative askew, making readers question everything that has come before. It may not all pass the plausibility test, but the propulsive engine under the hood keeps this one humming right to the end. —Steven W. Beattie

“Only One Survives,” by Hannah Mary McKinnon, 400 pages, Mira, $23.99.

Sci-Fi/FantasyHigh Vaultageby Chris Sugden and Jen SugdenGollancz, $36A delightful steampunk fantasy that has a pair of detectives investigating reports of missing persons and strange bank robberies taking place in the overgrown megalopolis of London in an alternative 19th century. As with most steampunk adventures, the authors have a lot of fun imagining new and creative ways science and technology might have evolved; it’s a great story too. —Alex Good

“High Vaultage,” by Chris Sugden and Jen Sugden, 390 pages, Gollancz, $36.

The Fabulist Play Cycleby Hugh A.D. SpencerBrain Lag, $20Spencer doesn’t just write SF books, but books about SF and its broader cultural significance and meaning. “The Fabulist Play Cycle” is a bit of both, being a collection of radio plays tracking the lives of a group of writers in America’s golden age of science fiction. The results are both entertaining and provocative, especially as they explore the close connection between fandom and cult behaviour. —Alex Good

“The Fabulist Play Cycle,” by Hugh A.D. Spencer, 388 pages, Brain Lag, $20.

Glass Housesby Madeline AshbyTor, $36.99The leaders of a Canadian tech start-up are trapped on an island whose only structure is a black cube of a glass house. As the techies begin being eliminated one-by-one, the damaged final girl reflects on the steps that brought her to this point. It’s a smart thriller that Ashby lets grow, taking the story in a lot of unanticipated directions. —Alex Good

“Glass Houses,” by Madeline Ashby, 272 pages, Tor, $36.99.

The Tusks of Extinctionby Ray NaylerTordotcom, $35.99A timely science fable about a Russian scientist named Damira whose consciousness is uploaded into the matriarch of a herd of woolly mammoths that have been brought back from extinction. Nayler uses the story of Damira’s attempt to save the herd from poachers as a way to reflect on how we are all embedded in a world that isn’t just globalized in terms of international markets but in a way that links all life in a kind of universal mind. —Alex Good

“The Tusks of Extinction,” by Ray Nayler, 112 pages, Tordotcom, $35.99.

Horror/ThrillerWe Used to Live Hereby Marcus KliewerAtria/Emily Bestler Books, $34.99What begins as a strange home invasion takes a number of turns for the weird and terrifying in Vancouver writer Kliewer’s debut novel. While there’s been a lot of talk about the book’s origin (it began as a short story on a horror sub-Reddit), it reads like a master class in dread and slow-burning chills. —Robert Wiersema

“We Used to Live Here,” by Marcus Kliewer, 320 pages, Atria/Emily Bestler Books, $34.99.

The Angel of Indian Lakeby Stephen Graham JonesS&S/Saga Press, $36.99Unlike most of the film and fiction trilogies and series that shaped his writing, Stephen Graham Jones’ masterful Indian Lake trilogy builds strength upon strength until we arrive at this, its grand finale. Jade Daniels — former high school slasher freak, recent inmate — returns to Proofrock, Idaho to find the Lake Witch waiting for her. Gloriously bloody and profoundly moving, this is a sterling example of what horror can do. —Robert Wiersema

“The Angel of Indian Lake,” by Stephen Graham Jones, 464 pages, S&S/Saga Press, $36.99.

The Return of Ellie Blackby Emiko JeanSimon & Schuster, $25.99From the moment Ellie Black steps onto a forest path, having been missing for two years, Jean’s debut thriller never lets up. Black refuses to talk, even to Detective Chelsey Calhoun, whose sister disappeared in much the same manner decades before. Jean, who lives in Washington state, captures the constant foreboding and grey chill of the forests and hidden valleys of the Pacific Northwest, and the intricacies of the human heart. —Robert Wiersema

“The Return of Ellie Black,” by Emiko Jean, 320 pages, Simon & Schuster, $25.99.

Williamby Mason CoileG.P. Putnam’s Sons, $24 Toronto horror writer Andrew Pyper has created both a new name for himself and one of the most vicious, visceral horror novels of the year. William is an AI, created by agoraphobic engineer Henry, who has placed the AI’s consciousness into a partly constructed robot, as well as connecting him into the main controls of his smart home. Will things go wrong? Do you even have to ask? William is a slim, headlong rush into nightmare, from a truly dark imagination. —Robert Wiersema

“William,” by Mason Coile, 224 pages, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, $24.

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Majorca ‘panic’ as restaurant bookings nosedive and tourists choose ‘new experiences’

Travel

Majorca has seen a 20% fall in bar and restaurant bookings this year – despite the whopping 17.8 million tourists who descended on the island in 2023, spurring angry locals to take to the streets in protest.The demonstrations, alongside a rise in hotel rates and a “Big Brother” style registration scheme, could all play a part in the nosedive, and be encouraging holidaying Brits to travel further afield and prioritise alternative sunny destinations.New research from Trtl Travel reveals that the island has dropped down the list of holiday spots searched by people in the UK, falling behind Cyprus, Ibiza and Nice in France.It spells worrying news for Majorca’s trading prospects heading into 2025, with further data from the ABTA travel association suggesting that 34% of Brits are considering longer-haul trips outside Europe – an increase of 5% year-on-year.Mark Tanzer, chief executive of ABTA, said the travel industry was remaining strong in the face of challenges, including the cost-of-living crisis and ongoing recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.He also said the appetite for travel looks set to continue into next year, with 64% of people planning to take a trip overseas.Graeme Buck, director of communications at the association, added that many of those travelling abroad in 2025 were “looking for new experiences” rather than returning to tried-and-tested holiday spots.Economic pressure could be disproportionately impacting Majorica’s tourist trade.However, some UK visitors may be choosing to get their money’s worth at all-inclusive resorts rather than venturing into the wider island – putting a strain on the thousands of locals employed in the island’s hospitality sector.Majorca has long been considered a good choice for a budget trip abroad, but it suffered another hit on this count over the summer when it dropped substantially in the rankings of top money-saving destinations for British travellers.A study suggested that the average cost of tourist items including meals and drinks in Majorca had risen to £98.52, compared to just £51.18 in longer-haul countries like Vietnam, which benefit from a stronger pound.Prorestors who took over parts of the Balearic Islands this year drew attention to the issue of locals being priced out of the property market by second home owners and Airbnbs.Majorcans who took to the streets of the archipelago held signs bearing slogans such as “Tourism, yes. But not like this”, suggesting an acknowledgement of the vital role played by holidaymakers in the local economy – but calling for reevaulation of the industry’s impact on year-round residents.

Researchers discover 27 animal species new to science

Science and Health

(CNN) – Researchers on an expedition in Peru discovered 27 animal species new to science, and some are quite interesting.“New to science” means the species has never before gone through the formal scientific process through which they are given a scientific name.The researchers unearthed four mammals, eight fish, three amphibians and 10 butterfly species.Among them is the blob-headed fish, which gets its name from its enlarged, blob-like head. Its bizarre head looks like a giant swollen nose and scientists don’t know this feature’s purpose.There’s also an amphibious mouse with webbed toes to adapt for life in water.Other new mammals discovered by the team include a spiny mouse, a short-tailed fruit bat and a dwarf squirrel.The survey was conducted by an environmental non-profit over a 38-day expedition in 2022.Copyright 2024 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.