Month: September 2015

TV DVD Review: Wayward Pines (USA, 2015)

Wayward Pines is M. Night Shyamalan’s first venture into the world of TV and while it lives up to his legacy of telling stories with ridiculous plots, it has got way too many problems to hold its own against all the other compelling shows at the moment. Based on the book by Blake Crouch, the…

Read More

Watch the Trailer for The Danish Girl

Based on the book by David Ebershoff, The Danish Girl is the inspiring love story based on the lives of Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener (portrayed by Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander [Ex Machina]). Directed by Academy Award winner Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech, Les Misérables), the film follows Lili and Gerda’s…

Read More

Music Video of the Day: Fait Accompli "Born Free" (M.I.A. Cover) (2015)

Street artist Anthony Lister (better known as just “Lister”) has directed a music video for Sydney band Fair Accompli. Though the single is a cover – of M.I.A’s “Born Free” – the video is unsurprisingly original. And it’s a superb reimagining of the song to boot. Enjoy our music video of the day, here, and…

Read More

Film Review: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (USA, 2015)

Given my past experiences with the horrific disease, I’m one person that finds the deus ex machina of cancer unbearable. It is often done tastelessly, depicting it’s sufferers as people without autonomy or regarded with the self-respect that they deserve – cancer patients are people, not pawns that should be used to explain a protagonist…

Read More

River Song to return to Doctor Who for the 11th Christmas Special

Let the anticipation commence! We’re still over two weeks away from the much anticipated return of Doctor Who – Peter Capaldi’s second season as the iconic time traveller – and already we’re getting news on the end of this run of the series. BBC revealed today that Alex Kingston would be returning for this year’s Christmas Special,…

Read More

Australian Box Office Report: Southpaw and Vacation duke it out for #1

A couple of new films have changed the box office landscape this week but the two from last week are back at it again, fighting for top spot. Southpaw has usurped number 1, earning $1.3 million last week. Although it is only in its second week in Australia (as opposed to its 7th in The States)…

Read More

Win a double pass to see Gayby Baby at the Indie Gems Film Festival in Sydney!

The sixth annual Indie Gems Film Festival has announced its 2015 program, showcasing the latest independent Australian cinema from 11 to 13 September at Riverside Theatres. Indie Gems presents film enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to view superior non-commercial cinema that is specially curated by award-winning creative producer, John L. Simpson, on the big screen…

Read More

New Assassin’s Creed Syndicate trailer gives our clearest look at London yet

With its October 10 release date looming, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate has a lot to prove. Many fans of the series are keen to see how the game runs in comparison to last year’s disastrous Assassin’s Creed Unity. The latest trailer for the game shows us not only what appears to be the game running but also a…

Read More

Film Review: Straight Outta Compton (USA, 2015)

N.W.A have, is, and always will be integral to hip hop and it’s status as one of the most unique, and accessible, forms of self-expression in music. Birthed in the excessively rough neighbourhood of Compton, California, the group became a reference point for hip hop as a channel through which youth can make sense of…

Read More

Star Wars Battlefront is getting a beta in October

EA have announced that they’re moving ahead with a “technical test” of DICE’s Star Wars Battlefront. The beta will launch in early October and will feature three game modes, including one brand new mode.

Read More

Valve releases Issue #5 of their Team Fortress online comic

It’s usually an agonisingly long time between issues for Valve’s ongoing, hysterically funny comic based on Team Fortress 2. Usually released once every six months, Issue #5 has arrived out of nowhere and it’s a doozy.

Read More

Video Game Review: Dishonored: The Definitive Edition (PS4, 2015)

Published by the acclaimed Bethesda and developed by Arkane Studios, Dishonored launched to critical and financial acclaim when it was released in 2012. While it was far from perfect, it certainly presented something fresh and forced players to think rather than merely kick a door down and shooting everything in sight. The Definitive Edition is…

Read More

Small World Festival add special guest DJs to 2015 line-up and Announce Timetable

Small World Festival is back this September 19th, and 2015 is amping up the techno vibes as the special guest DJs have just been revealed. With a line up consisting of rock acts The Church and DZ Deathrays, Small World plans to cater to all music fans with this very cool line-up of our favourite…

Read More

the AU interview: Kim Moyes of The Presets (Sydney) talks BIGSOUND, Tame Impala and the gentrification of creativity

Next week, Kim Moyes of Sydney electronic duo The Presets will be speaking at the annual Brisbane based music industry conference and festival BIGSOUND. In advance of the event, we spoke to Kim about his time at the Sydney Conservatorium – who have finally introduced a contemporary music program – he gives advice for people…

Read More

Mad Max: Fury Road named best film of the year by international critics

This year, at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain, Australia action blockbuster Mad Max: Fury Road will be awarded the very prestigious Grand Prix of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), meaning that a panel of 493 of the world’s top critics have named it the best film of the year. In a…

Read More

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided gets release date, bogus preorder deal

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided finally has an official release date. That’s good! It’s also offering one of the most poorly thought-out preorder deals in recent memory. That’s bad.

Read More

Vikings star Clive Standen to raid Australian shores for Oz Comic-Con

Australian Vikings fans are in for a treat this month with Clive Standen, who portrays legendary Norse warrior Rollo Lothbrok in the acclaimed historical drama, set to raid our shores as part of Oz Comic-Con. Standen will be attending both Brisbane and Sydney events and fans will have the opportunity to get up close and…

Read More

What to watch: The Iris’ Weekly TV Picks (2nd September-8th September)

Need to catch a TV break and don’t know what to watch? Simon takes us through his top picks on must-see shows and films for the week. Click through to see what’s showing for your entertainment needs. Wednesday 2nd September, 2015 Sammy J and Randy in Ricketts Lane-ABC iView-Streaming 24/7 In what is both an…

Read More

Darwin International Film Festival Announces 2015 Program Launch

The Darwin International Film Festival has launched its official program at Deckchair Cinema over the weekend. A full line-up of films, workshops and events curated by an expert panel has been announced, with this year’s program resulting in all films having their Northern Territory premieres at the festival. Countries featured include Brazil, India, Germany, Poland and more,…

Read More

The Jewish International Film Festival Announces Line-Up And Dates

In October, the Jewish International Film Festival returns to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Gold Coast and New Zealand for a run of dates that will feature 60 international premiere features and documentaries. The festival has become known for showcasing diverse cinema and engaging audiences both from the Jewish community and beyond. Every film, selected by Festival…

Read More