Call of Duty: Vanguard’s return to a World War II setting is not without its merit. Since Call of Duty: WWII, the franchise had cycled back around to a Modern Warfare revival and two Black Ops titles. But was this era worth revisiting? In many respects, yes; and no. Call of Duty: Vanguard plays its…
Read More
When we are first introduced to Red Rocket‘s lead subject – washed-up porn star Mikey (Simon Rex) – writer/director Sean Baker frames him in such a manner that alludes to him being one of those scrappy anti-heroes whose undeniable charm is enough for us to forgive his indiscretions. And indeed, Mikey is that (in a…
Read More
A film that’s likely to resonate with, or at least feel more familiar to American audiences, The Eyes of Tammy Faye does its best to clue in local Australian viewers as to just who was the larger-than-life personality Tammy Faye Bakker Messner. An only-in-America type tale, Tammy Faye’s small-time Minnesota upbringing, where she “found Jesus”…
Read More
There’s a moment during Home Sweet Home Alone where two characters are watching a remake of the fictional “Angels With Filthy Souls” – you know, that quotable film within a film that Macaulay Culkin used in a manner to frighten the pizza delivery boy (“Merry Christmas ya filthy animal) – and comment on why studios…
Read More
“He’s just a man, Peter. Only another man.” – Rose (Kirsten Dunst) Benedict Cumberbatch and Jesse Plemons star as Phil and George Burbank; brothers who work as reputable cattle ranchers. George is a simple, upstanding and honest man while Phil is boastful, malevolent and manly. While Phil is happy with their routine of continuing the…
Read More
Brisbane’s Future Haunts have just released their latest EP, I Can’t Change The Way You Change. The four-piece have teased out a couple of singles earlier this year, in “Social Glue” and “Accelerator”, ahead of the release of the EP. The tracks are written for the current time, and resonate strongly due to the uncertainty…
Read More
My time with Bright Memory: Infinite has been interesting, to say the least. As I loaded up my assault rifle, picking off enemies in the distance, I quickly navigated my surroundings. I bounced off walls to get across precarious chasms. I hacked and slashed my way through obtrusive enemies. I participated in lighting fast quick…
Read More
Darlinghurst duo Red Lantern and The Cut Barbershop have hooked up with iconic American bourbon distillery Buffalo Trace Kentucky for a very limited edition offering Sydneysiders should be jumping all over this weekend. This weekend only, The Cut owner Mark Jensen will be opening up a limited number of chairs so anyone can get a…
Read More
We recently got the chance to participate in a Closed Network Test of Elden Ring, developer FromSoftware’s Souls-inspired epic. This beta version of the game featured a contained portion of its open world, allowing us to explore, battle and most importantly, survive. I would liken my time with Elden Ring to Dark Souls 3 –…
Read More
South Coast multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter Joe Mungovan has just released his debut album, the gorgeous A Flower In The Weeds. Joe has been releasing quality singles and EP’s for a number of years now, so it’s an absolute treat to listen to his debut long-play record. Joe writes infectious indie/roots-pop, with strong melodies, acoustic guitars conveying…
Read More
I’ll be the first to admit, I didn’t really get Courtney Barnett when she first broke out with The Double EP A Sea of Split Peas. At the time, I knew her lyrics were smart and witty, but for the life of me just couldn’t get around the deadpan delivery. It wasn’t until she released…
Read More
“We all break the rules we set for ourselves in the end.” – Genvieve (played by Nathalie Richard) Joanna Scanlan stars as Mary, a widow who is undergoing a period of grief after the sudden death of her sea captain husband Ahmed (Nasser Memarzia). Going through his belongings to attain some sort of closure, she…
Read More
The Magician, the new novel from Irish author Colm Tóibín, explores the live of the acclaimed German author Thomas Mann. It’s a novel that spans decades, continents and two World Wars – all in fewer pages than you would expect. It is an interesting novel. Whilst it’s clearly incredibly well researched, and it has prompted…
Read More
Witness the origins of a new MCU superhero when Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings arrives on Blu-ray™, DVD, 4K Ultra HD™ and Digital November 12th, 2021. To celebrate the release, we have 5 copies up for grabs! Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings stars Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, who…
Read More
“STUCK ON YOU” is the latest tune to drop from singer/songwriter Frank James, a song mourning the end of a relationship, effortlessly spanning genres. It opens with wistful delicate electric guitars and sultry RnB-style vocals, making way for reggae-tinged instrumentals paired with a moody bassline. This track is a total vibe. It follows on from…
Read More
“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” – Anonymous According to writer/director Apitchatpong Weerasethakul’s latest film Memoria, the answer to the question above is a resounding yes. The acclaimed filmmaker is best known for works including Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His…
Read More
“You never even asked me if it was true!” – Tonyah (played by Thomasin McKenzie) Essie Davis stars as the titular role of Bunny King; a poverty-stricken mother of two who is struggling to fight the social system to get her kids back. During her battle, she crosses paths with her niece Tonyah, who is…
Read More
FVNERAL is a seven-piece indie outfit from Sydney, and have recently launched their debut release, the anthemic and emotive “GOD DAMN LEDs”. The track is a warm emotive salve, offering hope and optimism during times of difficulty. It doesn’t take too many listens to pick up on the refined and elegant beauty of the song,…
Read More
Although it leans into the tropes of what we come to expect from the institution that is a James Bond film, and in some ways this 25th entrant is possibly the most self-aware of the pack, No Time To Die keeps largely in tune with the mentality of the wave of Daniel Craig-led films; the…
Read More
After three and a half years, Melbourne’s Camp Cope are back! We’re might still be champing at the bit for news about that as-yet-unannounced third album, but if latest single “Blue” is anything to go by, it’ll be worth the wait. Softer, more relaxed, and a little more refined than the Camp Cope of old,…
Read More
Sydney’s Loretta have been forging a name for themselves in the last couple of years, and it looks like they are cresting a wave of creativity. Headed by vocalist and songwriter Ellis Hall, they’ve created their own blend of alt-pop, taking cues from acts such as The 1975, LANY, No Rome and The Neighborhood. Their…
Read More
The renowned actor and multi-genre musician Troy Kingi (Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) recently released his latest single, “Forgotten Like a Dream (Mortality)”. We are excited today to be premiering the video for the song, a dramatic clip featuring Māori actor Vinnie Bennett (Fast & Furious 9, Human Traces, Good Grief, Ghost in the Shell). The track…
Read More
Many music festivals were forced to hibernate their way through 2021. That can’t be extended to Wollongong’s Yours & Owls, who faced an uphill battle to go ahead in NSW. From rotating stages to social distancing, there was a lot they had to take into consideration – but the end result was worth it. They…
Read More
Thanks to Rialto Distribution we have 10 double passes (Admit 2) to give away for the upcoming release of Best Sellers, starring Michael Caine and Aubrey Plaza, set for release in Australian cinemas from November 25th, 2021. Lucy Stanbridge has inherited her father’s publishing house, but the ambitious would-be editor has nearly sunk it with…
Read More
Australia’s Jess Chalker has dropped her debut album, Hemispheres, an album that traverses the full gamut of human emotions. It explores the dichotomy between depression, hopefulness, self-doubt, self-love and more. We premiered an earlier single from the album, “Don’t Fight It” and have been keenly awaiting the release of Hemispheres. Whilst it’s her debut album,…
Read More
As much as The Worst Person in the World adheres to many of the standard ingredients of the “romantic comedy”, to refer to Joachim Trier‘s as one would be doing it a massive disservice. Detailed over 12 chapters (and both a prologue and epilogue), the film gives us a look into a certain period of…
Read More
Julia is the latest film by documentary filmmakers Betsy West and Julie Cohen. They are best known for their acclaimed works such as RBG and My Name is Pauli Murray; studies of renowned trailblazers who have contributed so much to the world and have shattered social norms in order to do so. The latest subject…
Read More
Immigration is a topic that’s quite intensely debated across the world, particularly in the United States. And in Blue Bayou, a spotlight is shone on a specific group of immigrants, those that come to a country as infants with little to no recollection of their homeland and, quite often, had no other choice. Such is…
Read More
GB3 is the side project for Underground Lovers co-founder Glenn Bennie, and today he has released his latest album, Sakura Flower. Glenn has teamed up again with Steve Kilbey of The Church, who has added the lyrics and vocals to these beautifully crafted pop songs infused with sparkling rivulets of electronica. This is their second album…
Read More
We recently got the chance to chat with Narrative Designer, Alexa Ray Corriea and Associate Narrative Designer, Belinda Garcia from Sledgehammer Games about the upcoming World War 2 shooter, Call of Duty Vanguard, and the engaging narrative that binds four unique characters together. What sets this WW2 story apart from previous WW2 campaigns within the…
Read More
