James Cameron’s alien eco-adventure Avatar has been criticised for its colonialist overtones. We decided to examine how Hollywood really imagines the space of colonial first encounters.

A cannibalistic convict film could have gone one of two ways: exploitative horror or existential dread. While Dying Breed chose the former path, Van Diemen's Land wisely chooses the latter.

Bewildered by the Melbourne International Film Festival program? Let The Enthusiast guide you through what we think might be worth shelling out the big bucks for at MIFF '09.

A new film recounting the terrible tale of Alexander Pearce should put our recent interest in convict history over the top. Prepare to ditch eyepatches and parrots for shackles and arrow-strewn pyjamas.