Year: 2025

A titan of British cinema, Mike Leigh brings his signature blend of realism and emotional depth to Hard Truths, further solidifying his reputation as a chronicler of contemporary life. Delving into the complexities of everyday existence, Hard Truths stars Marianne Jean-Baptiste as a woman tormented by anger and depression, hypersensitive to the slightest possible offence…

At the centre of Hard Truths, the latest tragicomedy from writer/director Mike Leigh, is a woman who seemingly seeks conflict in each of her interactions, making her personal relationships challenging in the process. The woman – the embodiment of someone who tests patience and will, but still earns enough love from those that she hasn’t…

Every Little Thing follows retired writer and teacher Terry Masear over a summer as she takes in and rehabilitates injured hummingbirds. Shot with stunning close-ups of the birds against the backdrop of Masear’s storied life, this film is a mediation on human-animal relationships and our capacity for care. Bringing this stunning story to the screen…

Sunny at the End of the World is the final novel from Melbourne author Steph Bowe. It opens in 2018 with teenagers Sunny and Toby escaping the zombies who’re infiltrating the world and destroying all the adults. Flash-forward to 2034, Sunny is trying to escape an unknown underground facility and find out answers – what happened? who…

I do have a soft spot for developer Hazelight Studios. While I enjoyed A Way Out, I simply adored It Takes Two. Having played through it with my wife, who I must state does not play games of any sort, and for her to love it as much as she did is a true testament…

Alienware announced today its latest range of QD-OLED monitors, including the new Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED Monitor, which won the Innovation Award at CES earlier this year. The three new models will all include Dell’s QD-OLED, extending their range to five, bringing HD and a better quality of picture for gamers everywhere. Concerns about burn-in…

22 years on from its predecessor premiering at the Brisbane International Film Festival, Spit, the long awaited sequel to Aussie crime comedy Gettin’ Square, kicked off its proceedings last month at the AACTA Festival, where director Jonathan Teplitzky and Johnny “Spit” Spitieri himself, David Wenham, introduced the film before it toured across the country on…

Whilst the 2003 Australian crime comedy Gettin’ Square has its loyal fans and critical acclaim to its name, it severely underwhelmed at the Australian box office upon its release, leading the very existence of Spit to be quite an anomaly in itself.  A two decades-on sequel to a flop genre flick is not the usual…

Australian actor Daniel Henshall is no stranger to working with the genius that is Bong Joon Ho, having collaborated on 2017’s science fiction comedy Okja. Now, the two are reuniting on the director’s eagerly anticipated Mickey 17, the first since his historic Oscar win in 2020.  Mickey 17 tells of an unlikely hero, Mickey Barnes…

In some ways it’s unfair for Mickey 17 to use director Bong Joon Ho‘s Oscar-winning Parasite in its marketing, as this bonkers sci-fi effort is quite far removed from that aforementioned satirical thriller, and may lure audiences into a false sense of security. Of course, being a Bong picture, satire is still utilised, but waiting…

Courteeners hail from Manchester and are one of Britain’s biggest indie rock bands. Last night, they graced Sydney’s Metro Theatre, playing to an enthusiastic crowd, packed with British fans. Kicking off with “Sweet Surrender” from their latest album Pink Cactus Cafe, the anthems followed with their fans singing their hearts out to all the classic…

Alt/punk/art rock icon PJ Harvey might’ve looked out of place among the towering gums and native flora of Kings Park’s botanical gardens– not to mention the thousands of picnic blankets and content couples sipping drinks– but Harvey has never wanted to play to type. In fact, the subject of her new tour– her latest album,…

Across television, film, music, literature and live theatre, Keke Palmer has rarely left a stone unturned.  And she’s certainly not looking to give up the exploration any time soon. With the release of One of Them Days, not only is Palmer headlining alongside the Grammy-winning SZA, she’s flexing her big boss energy as one of…

When it comes to the tried and tested buddy comedy, chemistry is key.  Keke Palmer, arguably one of the most mega-wattage charm possessors currently working, and R&B music starlet SZA prove quite the dynamic duo in One of Them Days, an extremely spirited genre vehicle that they continually elevate when it occasionally gives in to…

Animation studio Pixar take on their first Disney+ original animated television show with Win or Lose. In the eight episode series, Pixar return to their roots with a story following a middle-school softball championship league told in an anthology style, with each episode told from a different kid and adult that affects the baseball team’s…

35 isn’t old, but some days it feels it. And I’d definitely head-banged a little too hard for someone my age the night before at A Day to Remember. Returning to the Fortitude Music Hall for my second show in as many days (something I’m gradually finding I may also be too old for) the…

Whilst it’s been two decades since French director Florent-Emilio Siri dipped his toe in the action genre with the 2005 Bruce Willis vehicle Hostage, it’s evident he hasn’t lost any flair for such, with his relentless Elyas touching on topical themes whilst proving rousing as an exaggerated vehicle in the same vein of a Liam Neeson…

Eora/Sydney-based post-punk/goth band Second Idol are known for their music that speaks to the community. Their latest track, the haunting “Postcolonial Blues”, is a prime example. We are delighted to premiere this single today, along with its video, which happened to be filmed in my neighbourhood, “Postcolonial Blues” tackles some significant philosophical conundrums. How do we…

Spacey Jane have excitedly announced a huge tour across Australia and New Zealand this year. Celebrating the release of their third studio album, If That Makes Sense (out on the 9th of May), the band are playing a massive 20 shows over May and June. They are bringing along some incredible Aussie artists for the…

Last Friday, Melbourne/Naarm-based singer-songwriter Annie-Rose Maloney released her highly anticipated debut album, Circle Walking. Aptly described as “alt-folk/country-ish,” Maloney has captured the alt-folk world’s attention with previous singles “Lost In Coburg,” “Hold Me” and “I Run From Pain”. With a promising but ultimately short catalogue, the former cricketer, current high school teacher, and now singer/songwriter…

Beliying her youthful 19 years, singer Emerauld has released a powerful single “In the First Place”. With soaring vocals and a driving backing track, this could be a summer anthem. The Adelaide singer has been releasing music since the age of 14, capturing a spot in Unearthed High Yearbook in 2022 with her track “In…

A voice cries out in the darkness. “You do a lot of crazy things when you’re eighteen. I killed Sharon Tate.” The spotlight shines on the grinning face of Susan Atkins (Helen O’Connor), one of the central protagonists in the infamous Manson murders. “How did we get here?”, she muses and launches immediately into a…

In celebration of their latest album Magpie, Vancouver indie outfit Peach Pit returned to Perth’s Freo.Social last week for the WA leg of The Magpie Tour. The night kicked off with a stellar opening set from Melbourne’s Bones and Jones, setting the tone for an evening of dreamy, guitar-driven tracks. Opening with the shimmering title…

The day after a raucous Knotfest Brisbane set, Florida pop-punk/metalcore act A Day to Remember were still in the River City, gearing up for a sideshow at the Fortitude Music Hall. The show would be their only Aussie headline appearance, so it’s no surprise that it sold out quickly, with the line to get in…

Perth raised and Melbourne based singer-songwriter Peter Bibby released debut album Butcher / Hairstylist / Beautician back in 2014, a collection of honest lyricism tuned to underground rock. Beginning his musical career as a busker in Perth, then later becoming part of the group Frozen Ocean, Peter has performed on stages around the world, touring with…

The Alliance Française French Film Festival (AF FFF) has arrived as its 2025 programme of groundbreaking French cinema sets to dazzle audiences across Australia. Now in its 36th year, the largest celebration of French film outside France will play until the 27th April this year. Festival-goers are invited to embark on a unique cultural journey, featuring…

Travelling is an experience. Travelling well is an art. The popularity and time-honoured importance of “travel hacks” are well-documented in the age of social media. Just about everyone is scrambling for ways to make their holiday feel more like a holiday and less like a task. Just open TikTok or Instagram and you’ll meet a…

Thanks to Warner Bros. Pictures Australia we have 5 double digital in-season passes (Admit 2) to giveaway to Mickey 17, written and directed by Bong Joon Ho (Parasite) and starring Robert Pattinson, Toni Collette and Mark Ruffalo, in Australian theatres from March 6th, 2025.  The unlikely hero, Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson) has found himself in…

Thanks to Mushroom Studios, The Reset Collective and Think Tank Communications we have 5 double digital in-season passes (Admit 2) to giveaway to Hard Truths, the multi-award-winning tragi-comedy from famed director Mike Leigh, in Australian theatres from March 6th, 2025. The story revolves around Pansy, a hypersensitive woman who constantly criticizes her husband Curtley and…

It’s so obvious to mention the original Doom at the slightest mention of boomer shooters. It wasn’t the first first-person shooter (FPS), but it still feels like the most important in terms of popularity and influence. Not only was the 2016 reboot a hit, but to this day, programmers and enthusiasts continue finding more and…