Month: February 2017

Book Review: Meshel Laurie’s Buddhism for Break-ups is the Buddhist dating equivalent of Chicken Soup for the Soul

There are many people who ask themselves, “What would Jesus do?” but in the case of Meshel Laurie, it was, “What would Buddha do?” The Australian writer, comedian and radio personality was looking towards her Buddhist faith as a way of making sense of the end of her 19 year marriage. Except that there were…

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Where to find the best pizza in Sydney

Whether it’s from a Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) accredited pizzaiolo (which is basically a nod of authenticity from a strict board in Naples) or an inventive chef looking to do things slightly different, Sydney has no shortage of talented pizza makers. You’ll find some of the best slices in all of Australia across the…

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Target Canada may have accidentally revealed a Shadow of Mordor sequel

2014’s Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor was one of that year’s biggest gaming surprises. A glorious combination of Batman: Arkham City‘s combat and the upgrade tree of a Saints Row title, along with one of the most innovative systems for handling enemy AI to come along in years, it was practically screaming for a sequel. Bar a few unsubstantiated rumours,…

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Aussie cinematographer Greig Fraser talks about his Oscar Nomination for Lion

While at a special function to celebrate the Aussies nominated for Academy Awards in Los Angeles, our very own Jaime Lewis sat down with Greig Fraser, who has received an Oscar nomination as Director of Photography for Lion – one of three Australian films (alongside Tanna and Hacksaw Ridge), which is enjoying a slew of…

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Behind-the-scenes with the Oscar Nominated visual effects of Doctor Strange with VFX Supervisor Stef Ceretti

Having already won himself a trophy at the Hollywood Film Awards and the Seattle Film Critics Awards for Doctor Strange‘s Visual Effects, VFX Supervisor Stef Ceretti is up for an Oscar tomorrow – the second time the French native has been up for the accolade (the first being for another Marvel film – Guardians of…

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Ten things we learned about pregnancy from the BBC documentary series The 9 Months That Made You

The 9 Months That Made You is an informative and entertaining documentary series. It traces how we grow from a single cell and form into a human baby. This series is presented by Dr Michael Mosley and is produced and directed by Nicola Cook (Horizon). Through a series of excellent animations and case studies we…

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Film Review: Rachel Perkins’ adaptation of Jasper Jones (Australia, 2017) finds strength in its cast

We don’t get many films set in small Australian towns in the mid-60s, and though this is the era applied to the story of Jasper Jones, what unfolds is far from exclusive to any one period. Through a cleverly winding and well-paced tale, adapted by director Rachel Perkins from Craig Silvey’s best-selling novel, Jasper Jones…

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Video Games Preview: Dark Souls III expansion ‘The Ringed City’ doesn’t hold back

A recent statement made by FromSoftware president Hedetaka Miyazaki has indicated that Dark Souls III could be the final chapter in the series, so forthcoming DLC The Ringed City could be our last chance to dip into the unforgiving world that has been so thoughtfully spun for hardcore gamers these past few years. Of course…

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Adelaide Fringe Festival Review: Amy Hetherington – Terminally Positive – The Producer’s Bar (26.02.17)

The first thing you need to know about Amy Hetherington is that she’s possibly the happiest person you could come across. Spend an hour in her company and you’ll come away feeling like you’ve been injected with a ray of sunshine itself. This is exactly what her Adelaide Fringe show, Terminally Positive, aims to do….

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Adelaide Fringe Review: Wank Bank Masterclass – Garden of Unearthly Delights (Performances until 18th March)

It’s not without some trepidation that I accepted an invitation to the Wank Bank Masterclass. Adam Seymour, aka Rural Ranga, perfected the art of Taoist massage during his stay in New York and has presented this class as a way of improving the art of genital stimulation. We are ushered into the tent and given a bag containing…

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Perth Festival Review: An Evening with an Immigrant by Inua Ellams is a consummate performance from a gifted storyteller

The house lights dim, a backing track kicks into life. Inua Ellams – poet, playwright, and performer – appears dressed in what I presume is traditional garb parading through the assembled audience. He entreats us to clap in time (naturally we do), before breaking into self-deprecating laughter. Right from the start Ellams had us in…

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Arts Review: Adman: Warhol before pop shows a different side to the influential artist

For most people the iconic artist, Andy Warhol is synonymous with the colourful pop art of Campbell’s soup cans, portraits of Marilyn Monroe and the record sleeves from The Velvet Underground and The Rolling Stones. What some people may not realise is that Andy Warhol was an accomplished commercial illustrator and draftsman who worked in…

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Briefs: When the Second Coming turns into Encounters of The Third Kind

It’s passed 5pm on a Saturday afternoon in Adelaide. Away from the sun-kissed public-crawling surrounds of the Royal Croquet Club, Briefs Creative Director Fez Fa’anana sits in a dressing room, meticulously applying makeup. A corporate gig has been lined up for the Adelaide Fringe Festival favourite, meaning it’s all systems go. And that’s just the beginning of his night….

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Theatre Review: Away is an enduring look at life, conflict & the family Christmas holiday (Sydney Opera House until 25th March)

Michael Gow’s Away is one of Australia’s most popular plays and this latest production makes it easy to see why. The current Sydney Theatre Company and Malthouse Theatre Production sees the play return to its second home at the Sydney Opera House (the show played here one year after it debuted at the Stables Theatre…

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Bridget Everett talks Mardi Gras, cabaret in NYC and energy on stage

There is a huge exuberance to Bridget Everett. Her performances at MICF last year where a barrage of singing, dancing and getting very close to audience members. Her style has caught the eye of comedians Amy Schumer and Whitney Cummings – who she has both collaborated with on TV projects. She is coming back to…

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Terindah Estate open boutique wine bar on their Bellarine Peninsula property (VIC)

Peter and Cate Slattery purchased the postcard-worthy Terindah Estate back in 2000, with the vision to create a beautiful food and wine destination worthy of Bellarine Peninsula’s spectacular views. At the start of the summer, Terindah Estate’s new boutique wine bar, The Deck, opened for patrons looking for a new out-of-city escape. The venue is…

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Gourmet Cinema returns to the Caulfield Racecourse this March (Melbourne)

Following a successful debut in 2016, Gourmet Cinema returns to Melbourne this March for another series of events that brings film and food lovers together. The 2017 event will be furnished with a stellar culinary lineup that includes Tokyo Tina, Fonda, Meatmaiden, Kong, Saigon Sally, Baby Pizza, Horn Please, The Fish and Chippery by Atlantic…

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Crafts on the Coast returns this March to the North Coast of NSW

Following a successful debut in 2016, the New South Wales north coast’s only craft beer event Crafts on the Coast returns this March. Curated again within the Seabreeze Beach Hotel in South West Rocks, the event will see patrons experience local beers and ciders whilst they meet the brewers themselves. Troy de Luca, General Manager…

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Roxborough: Fitsrovia’s little sister set to make a big splash in St Kilda (Melbourne)

“…generous, rustic Mediterranean that is super seasonal with the focus on the ingredients,” is the style for Owner Paul Jewson’s new Acland Street restaurant Roxborough. Founder of well-known St Kilda brunch spot Fitzrovia, Paul Jewson collaborated with partner Gian Marco Pugnaloni and friend Christian Bryne for Roxborough, with the aim to create a more sophisticated…

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Music Video of the Day: Batpiss “Weatherboard Man” (2017)

Batpiss (still one of my favourite band names), have returned with another smashing tune in “Weatherboard Man” – bringing the confrontation, bringing the Aussie guts-rock, and bringing the unabashed power. Taken from the band’s third album, “Weatherboard Man” is captivating and goes in hard. Mixed and produced by Gareth Liddiard, the tune is gritty and a vital installation within…

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Adelaide Fringe Photos: Clairy Browne – Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent (21.02.17)

The marvellous Clairy Browne returned to Adelaide to take charge of the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent as part of the 2017 Adelaide Fringe Festival! Chad Lofts brings us these photos from the event. [print_gllr id=34221] ———- This content has recently been ported from its original home on The AU Review: Music and may have formatting errors – images…

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Exclusive Single Premiere: Greenthief “Simple Drug” (2017)

Melbourne rockers Greenthief return with another impressive tune in “Simple Drug” – a blistering return to our radar off the back of their Tremors album last year. Addictive (pun unintended), “Simple Drug” is one of Greenthief’s best yet; catchy and yet straight up in approach and arrangement. Licks of QOTSA and Royal Blood permeate through the track,…

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Destrends discuss their new EP Lousy Lover & eccentric costume choices

Mallory sat down with Melbourne-based trio Destrends at this year’s St Kilda Fest to discuss their new EP Lousy Lover and eccentric costume choices.

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Adam Brand on breaking that ‘Country’ stigma and the evolution of the genre

Adam Brand‘s career spans close to 20 years, with multiple ARIA Award nominations, Golden Guitar wins and half a million CD and DVD sales, he’s one of Australia’s most successful and highly respected singer-songwriters. His recent feel good release pushes the boundaries in the country music genre, touching on elements of pop and rock, and…

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Overwatch wins Game of the Year at DICE Awards

Blizzard’s all-conquering team-based shooter Overwatch has taken home the Game of the Year gong during the DICE Awards 2017. The shooter tied with Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, winning a total of four awards over the course of the night. HIt the jump to check out the full list of award recipients.

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Video Game Review: For Honor hacks and slashes its way to victory

From the beginning, it is immediately apparent that For Honor is a special game. Games of this caliber that not only present intricate and diverse mechanics that allow for fluid moment-to-moment gameplay, but remain addictive and fulfilling at the same time, expecting players to tackle its mechanics with both persistence and patience.  For Honor puts players…

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Adelaide Fringe Festival Review: The Bedroom Philosopher – The Cat Show (Performances until March 2nd)

The Bedroom Philosopher leaves the 86 Tram behind in favour of a furry performance at the Tuxedo Cat for the Adelaide Fringe Festival, introducing us to an entertaining run of songs about cats. Yep, you read that correctly. The Cat Show is a comedic musical projection for the performer to involve the crowd in a special…

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A good old fashioned girlie chat with Broadway star Sierra Boggess

For those lucky enough to call Sierra Boggess their friend, sister, colleague, a former colleague, teacher or otherwise, they get to experience a ray of sunshine each and every day. The Broadway star is headed to our shores in a few months but we got to chat with her in the lead up to her…

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Adelaide Fringe Photos: The Germein Sisters – Magic Mirror Spiegeltent (23.02.17)

Adelaide’s own Germein Sisters brought their renowned live show to The Garden of Unearthly Delights for a special weeknight gig at the Magic Mirror Spiegeltent. What a way to spend a night out at the Adelaide Fringe Festival! Chad Lofts brings us these shots. [print_gllr id=34236] ———- This content has recently been ported from its original home…

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triple j’s Hottest 100 Volume 24 is out today!

The triple j Hottest 100 saw Flume take the crown for 2016, with “Never Be Like You” reigning supreme. Still a stalwart event for many Australian music fans, the Hottest 100 for 2016 welcomed many new artists to the countdown as it celebrated its 24th year – from Amy Shark through to Tash Sultana and A.B. Original, the list makes for a killer…

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