Year: 2024

Film Review: Does the elaborate spy action of Argylle live up to its marketed hype?

The promise of a trilogy based off a series of books that have yet to be released.  A planned spy-centred universe of films that is set to crossover with the similarly themed Kingsman and a yet-to-be-named franchise.  Taylor Swift theorists believing she’s the real mastermind behind it all.  And don’t forget the heavily marketed feline…

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Interview: Argylle director Matthew Vaughn on Henry Cavill’s star power and his film NOT being written by Taylor Swift

Whether it’s a gangster movie, a fairytale, a comic book adaptation, or a spy series, writer/director Matthew Vaughn always makes sure to bend the rules wherever he can.  And after his trio of Kingsman films, the filmmaker is taking on quite possibly his biggest, and most intricate, task yet with Argylle. Based on a series…

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Book Review: Learning a journalist’s secrets in Leigh Sales’ Storytellers

Seasoned journalist and well-respected ABC anchor Leigh Sales is usually found discussing politics and the latest breaking news; but in her latest book Storytellers she instead turns the discussion inwards, digging deep into the craft of journalism. Interviewing over thirty people from television news programs, websites and print newspapers, in this book she shares tips,…

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Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a near-perfect blend of style and substance

I consider myself a casual fan of the Yakuza (now Like a Dragon) franchise, yet, I’ve played almost all of them. Having played this game’s predecessor Yakuza: Like a Dragon sometime after its launch, I was pleasantly surprised at the decision to bring combat into the turn-based frontier, making for a more tactical blend of…

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Layla is a film that celebrates one’s identity through a multitude of creative intersections: Sundance Film Festival Review

Thanks predominantly to RuPaul, and, more specifically RuPaul’s Drag Race, drag culture has firmly wedged itself in the mainstream.  It’s always been there, it’s just more readily acceptable, or at least visible, and Amrou Al-Kadhi’s assured debut feature as both a writer and director, Layla, furthers such with its playful, authentic personality that drives home…

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Kate Hudson to Talk About Love on anticipated debut single as she pacts with Virgin Music Group

Since first revealing in April of 2022 that she was forging ahead with a long-teased venture into music – she captioned a photo of her on Instagram in front of a microphone “Finally realized it’s time to say f#%! it and saaaannngg!!!!!” – Academy Award-nominated actress Kate Hudson has made good on her word, announcing…

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Sons of Zoku

Huge free live music event New Found Sound hits Port Adelaide on Feb 17th

More than two dozen South Australian acts will play at multiple venues across Port Adelaide on the evening of Saturday, 17th of February. With free entry at nine venues, New Found Sound promises to be an exciting night of adventure and discovery. Some of the acts playing on the night include DJ Troy Been, Alana…

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The Chats’ Eamon Sandwith on writing on the road, playing for Foo Fighters, and their upcoming Bargain Bin Tour

Known for their unbridled energy and cheeky lyricism, The Chats have been making waves in the music scene since the explosive release of their viral hit “Smoko” in 2017. Far from resting on their laurels, the boys have continued to make their mark on the Aussie music scene with hits such as “Pub Feed“, and…

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Photo Gallery: Lord Huron – The Tivoli, Brisbane (24.01.24)

Over their last two ethereal records – Strange Trails and Long Lost – Lord Huron have now fully realised their unique blend of Americana, with a more than subtle nod to Roy Orbison and the Phil Spector approach to production. The band’s sold out show at The Tivoli was an absolute treat for long waiting fans…

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Book Review: Hungerford Award winning novel Salt River Road collects another accolade

Molly Schmidt‘s hotly anticipated debut novel, Salt River Road, won the 2022 City of Fremantle TAG Hungerford Award. It has now gone on to be longlisted for this year’s Indie Book Awards Debut Fiction Award, looking to continue Fremantle Press’s tradition of unearthing stand out Western Australian Writers. The story of the Tetley family, and their…

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Sebastian is an explorative drama that expresses a healthy relationship with the art of sex work: Sundance Film Festival Review

Though there’s an initial graphicness to the manner in which sex is depicted in the opening minutes of Sebastian, Mikko Mäkelä‘s explorative drama shouldn’t be dismissed as just another recent example of queer cinema that leans into sexual explicitness for the sake of shock or organic representation.  Yes, the sex on hand is a realistic…

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Good One aims for a sense of understated tension across its minimalistic plotting: Sundance Film Festival Review

There’s universally strong performances across the board and lush cinematography throughout, but one can’t help but wish there was more plotting to Good One for the understated drama to truly land the emotional impact it aims for. The set-up in India Donaldson‘s film is simple, with 17-year-old Sam (Lily Collias, an absolute breakout) gearing up…

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Photo Gallery: Noah Kahan – Red Hill Auditorium, Perth (27.01.24)

  Vermont folk rocker Noah Kahan blew the roof off Red Hill Auditorium on Saturday. The sold-out show was a mix of tenderness and honest emotion from the proclaimed ‘Folk Malone’ who rose to recent fame with handfuls of stunning tracks. With help from Tik-Tok virality, Kahan has gained critical success from his latest album Stick…

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Tim Minchin

4 Australian acts you need to see over the next few weeks: January & February 2024

Every few months, we’re going to be taking stock of some of the most exciting Australian tours going down. Why? Well, the trend of people picking up tickets last minute is only going to get more salient from here. Cost of living means that we’re planning more things last minute than in advance, so consider…

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Desire Lines is a layered drama that provides trans men with authentic representation: Sundance Film Festival Review

There’s a uniqueness to Desire Lines that writer/director Jules Rosskam (and co-writer Nate Gualtieri) implements to set the film as an open line of communication regarding the LGBTQIA+ community and their placement within their own culture.  A narrative-driven drama that combines documentary pieces and talking head confessionals, the film’s hybrid mentality may not always work,…

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Film Review: Cold Copy aims for entertainment value as it details the cutthroat world of journalism and media

Diving both into the cutthroat world of journalism and the medium’s potential to garner fame off the back of manipulation and obsession, Roxine Helberg‘s Cold Copy, whilst not necessarily reinventing the wheel, still manages an air of tension throughout as it details the power dynamic between a journalism student and the media professional she aspires…

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Interview: Writer/director Roxine Helberg on exploring the power of truth in journalism in her film Cold Copy

Following its world premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival, Cold Copy is gearing up for its international roll-out, with the tension-filled dramatic thriller first arriving in North American theatres and On Demand this week. Marking Roxine Helberg’s feature film directorial debut, Cold Copy tells the story of two driven women pushing the boundaries of…

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Exhibiting Forgiveness is a thought-provoking drama that bides its time in surrendering to its emotional explosiveness: Sundance Film Festival Review

The complexities of forgiveness and accountability against a familial backdrop laced with tension, regret and one’s own personal demons, Exhibiting Forgiveness is a thought-provoking drama, and one that bides its time in surrendering to its emotional explosiveness. Written and directed by Titus Kaphar, marking his feature debut, Exhibiting Forgiveness focuses on Tarell Rodin (André Holland),…

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The Moogai‘s important message clashes with shaky horror execution: Sundance Film Festival Review

The controversial historical treatment of Australia’s native people by white settlers and the continuing generational trauma within the Indigenous communities weigh heavy on the narrative themes of Jon Bell‘s The Moogai.  There’s a ripe premise to lean into horror genre sensibilities – “moogai” is the Bundjalung language for a malevolent child-stealing entity that is the…

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Watch Jake Gyllenhaal batter and bruise in first Road House trailer ahead of SXSW debut

Following on from yesterday’s poster debut, Amazon MGM Studios have released the first full-length trailer for Doug Liman and Jake Gyllenhaal‘s Road House, an adrenaline-fueled reimagining of the 80s cult classic, about an ex-UFC fighter who takes a job as a bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse, only to discover that this paradise is not…

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New Music Discoveries 26th January: Big Scary, Metteson, Eilish Gilligan, and more

This week sees ten more tracks have been added to our Discovery playlist on Spotify and Apple Music. Naarm indie duo Big Scary have snagged our Track of the Week with “Something To Remember” – the lead single from their forthcoming sixth album Wing (out February 16th). The track and album saw the duo come…

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Interview: Ville Valo (Finland) on album Neon Noir and his upcoming Australian tour; “There’s something about the way the sun looks over yonder that is very different from other parts of the world.”

Ahead of his upcoming Australian tour, Finland’s own Dark Lord of love metal, Ville Valo, aka VV, recently took time to chat with us about his album Neon Noir. We talked about the transition from lead singer of HIM to solo artist, and the process of creating his debut solo album, including playing every instrument…

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Photo Gallery: Bruno Major – The Rechabite, Perth (22.01.24)

Bruno Major wrapped up his world tour in Perth, celebrating the release of his third studio album, Columbo. The Rechabite was at a standstill for an incredible night of soulful music and laughs with the eager crowd tightly squeezed into the city venue. Bruno Major Setlist The Show Must Go On Like Someone in Love Fair-Weather Friend Wouldn’t…

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Kidnapping Inc. blends farce, politics and stark Haitian reality: Sundance Film Festival Review

Though its working with the elements of a dark comedy, a political thriller and topical social commentary, Bruno Mourral‘s Kidnapping Inc. manages to navigate its multiple themes and transition quite successfully from its farcical opening to its more stirring, sobering close. Set in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince (the film utilising both the Creole and…

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Film Review: The Color Purple is a lively and important, yet unbalanced musical story

Though it’s an at-times lively and emotionally affecting tale, with a slew of stand-out performances across the board (Taraji P. Henson and the rightfully Oscar-nominated Danielle Brooks, for starters), the reimagined The Color Purple can’t help but catch itself between honouring its source material (Alice Walker‘s 1982 novel and the original 1985 film) and the…

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Jake Gyllenhaal “takes it outside” in Easter egg-filled first-look poster for Road House

Expect the unexpected. Take it outside. Be nice. These are the 3 simple rules of Road House, and just a slew of the Easter eggs and throwback references to the Patrick Swayze original that the freshly unveiled one-sheet for Doug Liman and Jake Gyllenhaal‘s reimagining is teasing ahead of its global release on Prime Video…

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5 gaming franchises that need to make a return

It seems like every week, a new game is either hitting digital physical shelves, or we’re hearing about some new and exciting franchise on the way. Make no mistake, this is a great problem to have if you even consider it one in the first place. But through it all, we feel as though there’s…

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Gracie Abrams

Gracie Abrams delivers a captivating performance for her first ever Melbourne show – Forum Melbourne (21.01.24)

Rising star Gracie Abrams showcased her undeniable talent in a captivating performance at Melbourne’s Forum on the chilly night of January 21st. Having embarked on her musical journey with the release of her first single in 2020, Gracie has quickly ascended to stardom with two successful EPs, an album, and even sharing the stage with…

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WWE 2K24 announced, will celebrate 40 years of WrestleMania

2K has announced this morning that the next instalment in the popular wresting series will be WWE 2K24. It will also highlight 40 years of WrestleMania, along with iconic superstars via a new 2K Showcase mode. “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes has also been revealed as the cover star for the Standard Edition, while multi-time…

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Win a double in-season pass to see Henry Cavill and Dua Lipa in Argylle

Thanks to Universal Pictures Australia we have 5 double digital in-season passes (Admit 2) to see Matthew Vaughn‘s razor-witted, reality-bending, globe-encircling spy thriller Argylle, starring Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, John Cena, Dua Lipa, and Samuel L. Jackson. Bryce Dallas Howard is Elly Conway, the reclusive author of a series of best-selling espionage…

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