The star power of Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts did not translate to a hefty opening for August: Osage County in Australian cinemas last week.
An analysis of the Australian films released in cinemas in 2013 makes for grim reading, with a handful of critical and/or commercial successes outnumbered by misfires and under-achievers.
There is something for everyone in Australian cinemas, judging by last weekend's $33.7 million haul as all the mainstream Boxing Day openers plus the Anchorman sequel drew sizable audiences.
The gamble of launching The Railway Man in the ultra-competitive Boxing Day slot has paid off for the producers and distributor Transmission Films.
Will Ferrell's tireless efforts to promote Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues have paid off handsomely as the comedy he co-wrote with director Adam McKay dominated the Australian box-office last weekend.
American Hustle, the comedy inspired by an FBI sting in the 1970s, directed by Silver Linings Playbook's David O. Russell, has struck a chord with Australian cinemagoers.
A bunch of new arrivals including the sequel to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs failed to lift the Australian box-office from its pre-Christmas torpor last weekend.
The 22nd Brisbane International Film Festival wrapped on Sunday 23rd November 2013 with the Australian premiere of 12 Years a Slave, drawing the curtain on 12 days of films, special events and industry sessions culminating in a successful festival with th