Year: 2014

TV Review: South Park Season 18 Episode 5 “The Magic Bush” (USA, 2014)

In our last round-up of South Park, we were talking about how there was some inter-connectivity happening between episodes. Well, unfortunately – at least for now – this has come to a pause (with the exception of a brief shot of the “Cissies” toilets from the recent episodes). This week, after a turn away from…

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Film Review: John Wick (USA, 2014)

The last major film Keanu Reeves starred in was the abysmal 47 Ronin, a project which took Keanu out of his element and demanded from him more than he could actually give. David Leitch and Chad Stahelski’s John Wick is an entirely different story, playing to Reeves’ strengths and giving him his best role in…

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Film Review: Pride (UK, 2014)

Based on a true story, it’s 1984 and mining communities across Britain are in crisis. The Thatcher government had announced mass pit closures and thousands of miners would lose their jobs. As a result, the miners went on a yearlong strike causing many families to struggle financially. Seeing similarities between this struggle and the one…

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the AU interview: Dustin O’Halloran of A Winged Victory for the Sullen (Berlin) talks origins, Atomos, and more

Acclaimed Berlin ambient duo A Winged Victory for the Sullen are currently preparing for their first tour of Australia, which includes an intimate show in Sydney’s The Basement and a performance as part of Melbourne Music Week. We caught up with Dustin, one half of the duo, to talk about their latest album, their origins,…

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The tour dates for Foo Fighters' Sonic Highways 2015 Australian Tour are here! Rise Against & The Delta Riggs to support.

It was semi-confirmed earlier in the month thanks to a series of teases from Frontier Touring, but now tonight it is 100% official. The mighty Foo Fighters will be bringing their latest album Sonic Highways to Australia, supported by Rise Against for a series of dates taking them through February and March 2015. When the…

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Backstage with Cirque Du Soleil: Native American hoop dancer Shandien Larance talks us through a day in the life of a Totem Performer

Now enjoying performances under The Big Top in Sydney, Totem is the latest production from Montreal’s Cirque Du Soleil to hit Australian shores following the success of past productions like Ovo and Michael Jackson The Immortal. It also co-indices with the 30th anniversary of the iconic company, who have performed in front of close to…

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Exclusive Album Premiere: Tremors "Self-Titled" (2014 EP)

Tremors are a Brisbane-based duo made up of Madelin Bisgrove and Aidan Hogg and today they’re giving AU review readers the exclusive chance to listen to their debut EP in full. They recorded and wrote their debut EP over two years in various home studios, bedrooms and hotels, after receiving Triple J airplay for their…

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the AU interview: Itch (UK) talks "Another Man" single success, Matisyahu, his debut LP "The Deep End" and Australia.

We interviewed growing UK sensation ITCH during his first every Australian visit to talk about the success of his Platinum single “Another Man”, working with Red Bull Records on his debut full length album The Deep End, recording a track with Matisyahu performing on the ACRAs and what his future touring plans in Australia are……

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Marvel Studios has announced its films up until 2019

While Australians layed their heads to rest last night, Kevin Feige, head of Marvel Studio and Marvel held a mysterious press event at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood that ended up boasting some major announcements regarding their cinematic universe. Expecting a couple of minor if not fan pleasing details about future films, we all…

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What to Watch: The Iris’ Weekly TV Picks (30th October – 2nd November 2014)

Thursday Stephen Fry: Gadget Man, SBS 2, 8 pm AEST In spite of the title, Stephen Fry does not actually star in this episode. Instead, British comedian Richard Ayoade takes the reigns, leading the viewer on a hilarious crusade to find gadgets to help him conquer Britain’s terrible weather. Bound to be a quirky, ridiculous…

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Box Office Report: Fury doesn’t let Gone Girl see a fourth week at the top.

After 3 weeks on the top of the box office, Gone Girl has been toppled by WWII drama Fury which has made over $2.5 million in its opening week. It isn’t at all surprising for a war film to do solid numbers, especially one that stars Brad Pitt. Gone Girl is firmly planted in second…

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Kevin Hart’s new comedy The Wedding Ringer receives its first trailer.

Kevin Hart’s (Ride Along) wave of success continues to roll on as we get a first look at his new comedy The Wedding Ringer, Co-starring Josh Gad (Frozen). Gad plays Doug Harris, a husband to be who has a tough time making friends and with his wedding drawing clser he has yet to locate any groomsmen. Enter Jimmy Callahan…

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The Red Band Trailer for The Gambler is here.

Before the release of The Gambler’s official trailer we’ve been treated to the Red Band teaser. And boy it is packs a punch in its limited time. The Gambler tells the tale of Jim Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), a literature professor with a penchant for gambling. After incurring a debt to Neville (Michael K. Willams) the mob cracks down…

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The Many Faces of John Wick: Counting Down our 8 Favourite Keanu Reeves Roles.

In celebration of the release of John Wick in Australia today – which many are calling Keanu Reeves’ “return to form” – we’re taking a look back at our 8 favourite Keanu Reeves performances from all over the years. So here we proudly present, the many faces of Keanu Reeves: 8. Officer Jack Traven in Speed (1994)…

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Film Review: Kill The Messenger (M) (USA, 2014)

In a world dominated by sensationalist news, Kill The Messenger is part biopic part political thriller part ethically charged drama, that follows the story of investigative journalist Gary Webb and his attempts at uncovering the US Government and CIA’s involvement with Nicaraguan drug cartels. Adapted from the book of the same name by Nick Schou…

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Film Review: The Best Of Me (USA, 2014)

Nicholas Sparks’ books – just like the film adaptions of his novels – are really only for hopeless romantics. They often require a suspension of disbelief and cynicism. But if the viewer can set these things aside then they’ll often find a pleasant yet predictable romantic drama and tearjerker. The Best Of Me is the…

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Theatre Review: Overexposed – State Theatre Centre of WA (Performances until November 1st)

Overexposed the latest work from director-performer Danielle Micich and writer Suzie Miller is a timely piece and a thought-provoking one. With our everyday lives apparently threatened by the possibility of attacks both domestic and international, security and surveillance have become media buzzwords in recent weeks and months. It was quite fitting then, that on entering…

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the AU interview: John Barrett (Mississippi) talks the new Bass Drum of Death record and more!

John Barrett of Bass Drum of Death clues the AU in on the band’s new album Rip This, as well as reflecting n the experience of making the album with a new creative process and approach in mind. If you’re a fan of the music, there’s some good Australian news in the works as well!…

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the AU interview: Sampology (Brisbane) talks Daniel Merriweather, "Shine a Light" and touring India.

Sampology‘s single “Shine a Light” has been making waves around the country, featuring the one and only Daniel Merriweather. While he was at BIGSOUND last month we caught up with Sam to talk about the single – which merges Brazilian music, gospel choir music and soul – looks ahead to his Australian tour and talks…

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the AU interview: Ruby Boots (Perth) talks Americana and Inspiration

Ahead of her appearance on Wednesday night as part of the Country and Inner Western night at Goodgod in Sydney, we catch up with Ruby Boots to talk about how she got started as a musician, who inspires her, the genre of Americana and we find out what is coming next from the Perth based…

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Eating with the AU: KB Hotel Re-Launches as "Keg & Brew" – Surry Hills (Sydney)

Earlier this month, the classic KB Hotel on Foveaux Street in Surry Hills – which had become run down to say the least, Sydney institution or not – re-opened as the “Keg & Brew”. Though heritage pieces of the pub remain, the warm, homely feel has certainly re-energised the venue, with cowhide, brown leather and…

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TV Review: Doctor Who Season 8 Episode 10 “In the Forest of the Night” (UK, 2014)

  Can you believe we’re already at the point where we’re now staring down the barrel at Peter Capaldi’s first season finale of Doctor Who? “In the Forest of the Night” is your quintessential filler episode before the final pieces of the season-long puzzle fall together. Not to say it was completely forgettable – I quite enjoyed Maebh (Abigail…

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Win a DVD copy of Good Vibrations!

Terri Hooley is a radical, rebel and music-lover in 1970s Belfast, when the bloody conflict known as the Troubles shuts down his city. As all his friends take sides and take up arms, Terri opens a record shop on the most bombed half-mile in Europe and calls it Good Vibrations. Through it he discovers a…

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Robert Downey Jr. set to join Captain America 3

According to Variety Magazine, the yet-to-be-titled third installment of Captain America may see the billionaire Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) play a key role in bringing the Civil War storyline from Marvel’s comics to the big screen. The actor is reported to be “in final negotiations” to join Chris Evans in Captain America 3, slated…

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Photo Gallery: The Blurst of Times Festival – Factory Theatre, Sydney (25.10.14)

The Blurst of Times Festival concluded its East Coast run on Saturday night in Sydney, with three stages blursting with incredible music from around the country. Larry and Oliver Heath were there for some of the day and brings you these photos to relive the little memories you probably have of the day. There was…

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Cathay Pacific undergo a brand facelift for the first time in twenty years.

Hong Kong’s “defacto” International carrier Cathay Pacific this week unveiled the first re-design of its logo and branding in some twenty years, calling it “The Next Chapter” of the airline, and launching a new website detailing the new brand identity, which they call “cleaner, crisper and more contemporary”. The site goes on to detail some…

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the AU interview: Village Echoes (Sydney) talk "You Are Mine"

the AU review’s Larry Heath sits down with Sydney band Village Echoes to talk about their brand new single “You Are Mine” and look ahead to their first ever East Coast Australian tour, which kicks off in November. TOUR DATES Saturday 8th November 2014 Hermann’s Bar, Sydney – NSW Wednesday, 12th November 2014 Brass Monkey,…

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the AU interview: Lanie Lane (Sydney via Melbourne) talks about her new album "Night Shade" (Out Now)

Last week, Larry Heath sat down with Melbourne based Lanie Lane to talk about her brand new album Night Shade (which was released on Friday), the long awaited follow up to her breakthrough album To The Horses. Night Shades is out now. Lanie kicks off her tour this week! Dates below:

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the AU interview: Shane Nicholson (Central Coast, NSW) talks inspiration and Americana.

Ahead of his appearance on Wednesday night as part of the Country and Inner Western night at Goodgod in Sydney, we catch up with Shane Nicholson to talk about how he got started as a musician, who inspires him, the genre of Americana and we find out what is coming next from the Australian Roots/Country/Folk…

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