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Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

ISSUE NO. 7

February 2025

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Culture

Back to Black

A biographical drama about singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse

By

Vincent

Vincent writes from Long Bay Correctional Centre, NSW.

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This is a film about music powerhouse, multi-award winning artist, and a one-of-a-kind record breaking songstress from London, Amy Winehouse.

‘Back to Black’ charts Amy's life from her teen years through to her success as a world famous musician and singer. The film shows how Amy's unique sound garnered her a record contract in the UK and the release of her acclaimed album "Frank". This biopic focuses on Amy's love affair with Blake, and the significant impact this period had on Amy's music. Both Marisa Abela (as Amy Winehouse) and Jack O'Connell (as Blake) provide outstanding performances.

A tie that proves all-too-consuming for Amy is her attachment to alcohol. The grip that alcohol held over Winehouse is illustrated throughout the film. Indeed, the battle with addiction is shown to be one of the major obstacles throughout Amy's life.

The movie does a superb job of showcasing the talent and persona of Winehouse. The audience is left with a better appreciation of how and why the gifted artist was able to reach the pinnacle of her industry. Furthermore, Amy's emotional make-up is revealed as the core to her music and the reason she was so relatable and loved by her fans.

I finished the film wanting to see more of the final era of Amy's life. An explanation or an outline of the events that occurred at the end of Winehouse's journey would have served the biopic well. At its close, we are left pondering: just what drove Amy ‘back to black’?

Rating: 4 Jailbirds – "An excellent expose of the woman and artist that was Amy Winehouse"

This is a film about music powerhouse, multi-award winning artist, and a one-of-a-kind record breaking songstress from London, Amy Winehouse.

‘Back to Black’ charts Amy's life from her teen years through to her success as a world famous musician and singer. The film shows how Amy's unique sound garnered her a record contract in the UK and the release of her acclaimed album "Frank". This biopic focuses on Amy's love affair with Blake, and the significant impact this period had on Amy's music. Both Marisa Abela (as Amy Winehouse) and Jack O'Connell (as Blake) provide outstanding performances.

A tie that proves all-too-consuming for Amy is her attachment to alcohol. The grip that alcohol held over Winehouse is illustrated throughout the film. Indeed, the battle with addiction is shown to be one of the major obstacles throughout Amy's life.

The movie does a superb job of showcasing the talent and persona of Winehouse. The audience is left with a better appreciation of how and why the gifted artist was able to reach the pinnacle of her industry. Furthermore, Amy's emotional make-up is revealed as the core to her music and the reason she was so relatable and loved by her fans.

I finished the film wanting to see more of the final era of Amy's life. An explanation or an outline of the events that occurred at the end of Winehouse's journey would have served the biopic well. At its close, we are left pondering: just what drove Amy ‘back to black’?

Rating: 4 Jailbirds – "An excellent expose of the woman and artist that was Amy Winehouse"

Batman: Year One

Batman: Year One

Batman: Year One

By Grace J.
By Grace J.

First published in 1987, Batman: Year One follows Bruce Wayne returning to Gotham after 12 years away.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 4

4 MIN READ

About Time Book Club: Archer’s Voice

About Time Book Club: Archer’s Voice

About Time Book Club: Archer’s Voice

By About Time
By About Time

This month, we’re reading Archer’s Voice, featuring our very own interview with the author, Mia Sheridan. Archer’s Voice is a New York Times bestselling romance novel. The novel centres on Archer Hale, a reclusive and mute young man with a troubled past, and Bree Prescott, a woman trying to escape her own traumatic history.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 5

7 MIN READ

Aussies Bring Home the Gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Aussies Bring Home the Gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Aussies Bring Home the Gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics

By Mia Abrahams
By Mia Abrahams

The 2024 Paris Olympics started with a splash (literally). The Opening Ceremony featured 90 boats, filled with country teams waving flags, all floating down a rainy river Seine, as the crowd of 300,000 cheered from the riverbanks.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 3

6 MIN READ

Movie Review of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Movie Review of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Movie Review of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

By Vincent
By Vincent

Welcome to the planet where the apes are rulers and the humans – as far as we know – are reduced to a subspecies.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 8

2 MIN READ

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Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Reviewed by Mark

I've read thousands of novels over the last fifty-odd years and not one of them was romance, but while I'm trying new things – like paraplegia and prison – I might as well add in a romance novel to my life experience.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 8

3 MIN READ

Movie Review of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

By Vincent

Welcome to the planet where the apes are rulers and the humans – as far as we know – are reduced to a subspecies.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 8

2 MIN READ

Book Review: The Stoning by Peter Papathanasiou

By Alexander

The genre is crime fiction, set in the Australian outback, in rural, sometimes insular communities where everyone seems to know everyone else. This is set in the outback NSW town of Cobb where a woman, a local school teacher, has been stoned to death.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 7

3 MIN READ

How to Write: Reviews

By The Prison Journalism Project

Here are some tips for writing a review, courtesy of the Prison Journalism Project.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 6

3 MIN READ

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A place for news and education, expression and hope.

Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.

Donate Here

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