Split Enz, the DVD
(Mushroom, 2002)
Eighteen music videos, ten live tracks, plus the 1993 documentary “Spellbound” showcase the ever-kooky, often troubled evolution of Split Enz from affectedly gauche musical theatre act to art-rock, trans-Tasman titans. Driven by Tim (and sometimes Neil) Finn, held together by Eddie Rayner.
Department Q: The Absent One
dir. Mikkel Nørgaard (2014) [Danish, subtitled; originally ‘Fasandræberne’]
![Film poster: “Department Q: The Absent One” dir. Mikkel Nørgaard (2014) [Danish, subtitled; originally ‘Fasandræberne’]](https://www.derelictspacesheep.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Department-Q_Absent-One.jpg)
The second Department Q film is particularly confronting, bringing to light a spree of assaults, rapes and (ultimately) murders perpetrated at the carefree whim of wealthy, privileged boarding students. Johanne Louise Schmidt furthers the cast dynamic, playing the proactive new secretary Rose.
New Order, live @ Brisbane Riverstage
(11 March 2025)
New Order took to the Riverstage (post Cyclone Alfred!) with one guitar too many and Bernard Sumner’s vocals mixed too low for an outdoor performance. Still they showed glimpses of synth-rock ascendancy. Highlights included ‘State of the Nation’, ‘Sub-culture’ and ‘Blue Monday’.
Arne Dahl: Europa Blues
(SVT, 2012 / BBC, 2013) [subtitled]
![TV poster: “Arne Dahl: Europa Blues” (SVT, 2012 / BBC, 2013) [subtitled]](https://www.derelictspacesheep.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Arne-Dahl_Europa-Blues.png)
A suitably grim and downbeat ending to the series. Again, one of A-group has an unlikely personal connection to the case—Arto Söderstedt (Niklas Åkerfelt) maxing out on harried lightbulb moments while events go to hell for everyone concerned, good or bad.
The Departed
dir. Martin Scorsese (2006)
A paragon of its genre, albeit with Matt Damon who is outshone not only by DiCaprio (nuanced and convincing) and Nicholson (borderline unhinged) but also by just about everyone else, including Conor Donovan in a few brief scenes as his younger self.
Magnum P.I., Season 1
(CBS, 2018)
A light and fluffy action reboot that contrives to carry a vibe every bit as 1980s as the original. Jay Hernandez is no Tom Selleck but galvanises Higgins (Perdita Weeks), Rick (Zachary Knighton) and T.C. (Stephen Hill), who bring the real charm.
Pollen
by Anna Burdenko; trans. Alex Shvartsman, Clarkesworld #222 (March 2025) [originally published in Trust the Future, 2023]
![Magazine cover: Clarkesworld #222 (March 2025); review of “Pollen” by Anna Burdenko; trans. Alex Shvartsman [originally published in Trust the Future, 2023]](https://www.derelictspacesheep.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Clarkesworld-222.jpg)
A cleverly wrought SF short story, rich in characterisation yet nimble in its worldbuilding. Burdenko posits a castaway scenario wherein a teen girl and her younger sister endure maroonment on a deadly, deserted alien planet, kept sane by hallucinations(!) of their family.
Department Q: The Keeper of Lost Causes
dir. Mikkel Nørgaard (2013) [Danish, subtitled; originally ‘Kvinden i buret’]
![Film poster: “Department Q: The Keeper of Lost Causes” dir. Mikkel Nørgaard (2013) [Danish, subtitled; originally ‘Kvinden i buret’]](https://www.derelictspacesheep.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Department-Q-Keeper-of-Lost-Causes.jpg)
Danish cold case crime drama whose value (beyond standard Nordic Noir) lies in a killer driven by plausible motivation, and the ‘thrown-together’ relationship between brooding misanthrope police detective Carl Mørck (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) and his genial new immigrant partner Assad (Fares Fares).
Twilight Covenant
by Whitney Hill (Benu Media, 2024)
A rousing conclusion to both the Trickster Cycle and Shadows of Otherside. Arden signs off in style, as she (and no doubt Hill) finally grows tired of pulling punches in the fight for rights and recognition. A breathless, one-sitting read, gloriously cathartic!
A Certain Magical Index: The Movie – The Miracle of Endymion
dir. Hiroshi Nishikiori (2013)
This feature-length anime offers a suitably grand-scale plot playing out within the Certain Magical/Certain Scientific universe. Unfortunately, there’s rather too much bitsy interplay between established characters, and not enough focus on newcomers Arisa, Shutaura, and Ladylee Tangleroad, whose stories actually underpin events.