Film & TV

First Impressions: Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (US, 2016) sets a new benchmark for weird

Based on the premise and casting alone, it’s easy to jump to conclusions with Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency. Like a certain other series, it’s a modern take on a British detective and his sidekick solving the seemingly unsolvable. With the similarities even extending to the former-Hobbit filling that role of assistant, it’s easy to think you’ve…

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Holly Marie Combs on the end of Pretty Little Liars & the longevity of Charmed

For the last seven years, Holly Marie Combs has been connecting with TV viewers as Ella Montgomery on Pretty Little Liars. Mother of show lead Aria (Lucy Hale), Combs has been part of the seemingly never-ending mystery drama and its twists and turns up until only recently, when the show wrapped on filming its final season. Out in Australia…

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Director Oren Shai talks about his directorial debut The Frontier, film noir history and advice for new directors

Following our review of the film last week, we sat down with US Director Oren Shai to talk about his directorial debut The Frontier, as we delve into the history of the film noir genre, and ask his advice for other first time directors. What attracted you to the film noir genre as a filmmaker?…

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Win a double pass to see Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk in Australian cinemas

Three-time Academy Award winner Ang Lee (Life of Pi, Brokeback Mountain, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) brings his extraordinary vision to Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, based on Ben Fountain’s widely-acclaimed, bestselling novel. Breaking the mould of the modern war movie, this absorbing and engaging film is told from the point of view of 19-year-old private…

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Video Game Review: Here They Lie (PSVR, 2016)

Here They Lie has you thrown into the first person perspective of a seemingly tall and lanky middle aged man. You aren’t given anything to go on other than a beautiful woman in a yellow dress to follow through a creepily quiet ghost town and for some reason. I can’t quite fathom why I felt…

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Video Game Review: Loading Human (PSVR, 2016)

Loading Human is a PlayStation VR title. A sci-fi exploration experience, it tasks you with saving a mission gone awry.

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The drama of growing up: We meet Dominique Mathisen, producer of the Australian feature Drama

In an ever-changing entertainment landscape, Aussie sisters and co-producers Sophie and Dominique Mathisen have taken production and distribution of their Australian feature film, Drama, into their own hands. Creation of this indie film was possible through a crowdfunding campaign, and they are releasing through a film biz model known as “day and date”, whereby content…

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Film Review: Hacksaw Ridge (MA15+) (Australia/USA, 2016) sees Gibson return in fine form

Mel Gibson’s new directorial effort Hacksaw Ridge is by far one of his most ambitious and surprising efforts in years. Not even his previous war film We Were Soldiers could reach the same heights as this; maybe because the subject matter is something more of a celebration of the true heroes of war, the Medics…

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Win a copy of HBO Asia’s Halfworlds Complete First Season on DVD

In the bustling streets and back alleys of Jakarta, a parallel world of bloodthirsty creatures from Indonesian mythology has lived alongside humans for generations. Taking on the appearance of humans themselves, the true identity of these “Demit” has been carefully concealed for centuries by a powerful family of mortals. The arrival of a mysterious supernatural…

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Screenwriter of Indigenous superhero series Cleverman wins this year’s John Hinde Award for Science Fiction category

It’s been announced that Michael Miller, screenwriter of Indigenous superhero series Cleverman, has won the 2016 John Hinde Award for the Science Fiction category. The award includes $10,000 from the Australian Writers Guild too. Miller has won the richest sci-fi screenwriting prize in Australia for episode five of the series. It was aired on ABC TV…

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TV Review: Ash vs Evil Dead Season 2, Episode 5 “Confinement” (USA, 2016)

After a couple of ho-hum episodes, Ash vs Evil Dead is finally heating up, taking things back to their roots with a hefty amount of comedy and gore. Now that the book has seemingly been plunged into the underworld, Ash is about to get his life back together. Sheriff Emery however has other plans and…

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Overwatch Free Weekend begins November 19 AEDT on Windows PC, PS4 and Xbox One

For fans that haven’t had the opportunity to suit up as their favourite Overwatch‘s 22 heroes, now’s your chance! Next weekend (November 19 – 22 AEDT), Overwatch will allow fans to round up their own team and take part in the Overwatch Free Weekend. During this time, players will have access to 13 maps and…

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Film Review: Miss Saigon translates well to the screen in its 25th Anniversary & will leave you misty-eyed

Miss Saigon has been a regular favourite among theatregoers and in the 25th anniversary film showing the 2014 West End production it’s easy to see why. The musical is a high-stakes love story set in and after the Vietnam War. It also boasts an excellent score that captures the full gamut of emotions and fragility…

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Film Review: Arrival (M15+) (USA, 2016) is an emotionally immersive film

Grounded by Amy Adams’ breathtaking performance, Arrival is a departure of sorts for director Denis Villeneuve, opting to showcase the lighter sound of humanity here as opposed to the more pessimistic tones he showcased with Prisoners and Sicario.  A film that feels both personal and grand, Arrival intertwines the beginnings and endings of time, creating…

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The Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System launches today in Australia and New Zealand

It’s a blast from the past for fellow Nintendo users as the new The Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System made its launch today in both Australia and New Zealand. Newcomers and NES veterans alike are now able to play past games using the new system while also experiencing new and exclusive features such as…

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Janet King has begun production on its third season

The third series of ABC drama Janet King goes into production this week, with Marta Dusseldorp reprising her role as the titular character. In the third season of the award winning series, Janet is embroiled in a world of illegal gambling, organised crime and money laundering, while investigating the tragic death of a young sports…

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Serenity Now! Every episode ever of Seinfeld leads a list of exclusives headed to Stan

Well someone had to do it. In an Australian first, Stan has scored the exclusive rights to stream one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, Seinfeld. Every episode, whenever you want. Beginning on November 11, Stan will add the seminal series to it’s growing catalogue and whats more, all 180 episodes will be…

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Australian Box Office Report: Doctor Strange on top for 2nd week in a row

Doctor Strange dominated the box office again for the second week in a row, taking in $3.70 million this week, despite only showing at 558 screens (it opened on 643 screens last week).  This makes it Marvel’s 14th consecutive #1 movie. In 2nd spot on the ladder is the Mel Gibson-directed Hacksaw Ridge, which premiered this week.  It…

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Film Review: The Accountant (MA15+) (USA, 2016) is a surprisingly funny and engaging actioner

Taking its outlandish concept and maintaining a balance of wit and intelligence, Gavin O’Connor illustrates a sense of faith for his audience with The Accountant, allowing the film to entertain them without pandering in the process.  With its sense of humour in check the film utilises Ben Affleck’s stone-cold gaze and considerable physique to the…

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Film Review: Nocturnal Animals (MA15+) (USA, 2016) is one of the best films of the year

Better known as one of the world’s greatest fashion designers, Tom Ford proves himself every inch the competent filmmaker with Nocturnal Animals.  Verifying his debut feature A Single Man was no flash in the pan either, Ford juxtaposes a relationship drama feature with a violent revenge tale in such an effortless fashion you’d swear you…

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TV Review: The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 3 “The Cell”

Last week’s “The Well” was a nice little break from the doom and gloom of a post-Negan world, but The Walking Dead isn’t just going to give us tigers and eccentric faux-kings as the crew attempt to build what is being pegged as their darkest and most emotional season yet. “The Cell” was very much…

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The Iris’ Weekly Australian TV Picks: 8 – 14 November

There’s superheroes, Kings and vampires amongst our TV picks of the week. Read on: Tuesday, 8th November  Supergirl, Fox8, 8:45pm AEST Supergirl faces a gang that are connected to Camdus and has alien technology. Wednesday, 9th November Tutankhamun, SBS, 8:30pm AEST Carter resumes his search for the forgotten pharoah’s tomb. Along the way, he meets Lord Carnarvon’s…

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Gary Oldman is unrecognisable as Winston Churchill in Joe Wright’s The Darkest Hour

Gary Oldman has pulled a DeNiro (Raging Bull) for his latest role in Joe Wright’s The Darkest Hour, emerging unrecognizable. The former Batman and Harry Potter star has appeared in early images of the war-time film looking like a wax replica of Winston Churchill, which given the last time we saw him he was the…

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Homegrown Melbourne feature film Living Space to commence filming next week

Tru Dot Films has revealed that principal photography on Victorian psychological horror Living Space will commence on Wednesday, November 16. ‘The story follows college sweethearts Brad (Leigh Scully) and Ashley (Georgina Chara), who venture into the heartland of Germany. Their romantic holiday takes a sinister turn when encountering a German SS Officer (McPhee) and his…

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Sean Astin, Linnea Berthelsen and Paul Reiser join Stranger Things‘ second season, but what does it all mean?

Netflix’s retro hit Stranger Things has made a few additions to their cast lineup with Sean Astin, Linnea Berthelsen and Paul Reiser all taking roles for the series second season. And while the identities of the new roles have been briefly outlined, their addition only seems to add to the mystery of next seasons content….

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Lady Gaga will become Donatella Versace for the third season of American Crime Story

Two figures marked by an outward style, both distinctive and unapologetic, Lady Gaga and Versace will cross paths again as she becomes Donatella Versace for the third season of American Crime Story. Lady Gaga has worked as the face of the brand in previous years, as well as maintained a close relationship with Donatella, even…

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Coen Brothers happy to know Jesus Quintana will bowl again in John Turturro’s The Big Lebowski spin-off film Going Places

It’s the spin-off nobody saw coming. Jesus Quintana, the overly zealous, purple suit tenpin-killer from the Coen Brother’s 90’s cult hit The Big Lebowski will return in a spin-off film titled Going Places. John Turturro who played Jesus in the original film will act and direct in the spin-off, with Susan Sarandon, Bobby Cannavale and…

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99 Homes, The Beautiful Lie and more win top prizes at the 2016 APRA Screen Music Awards

The leading figures within the music, media and cultural worlds gathered tonight at the City Recital Hall in Sydney for the 2016 Screen Music Awards. A byproduct of the efforts of both the APRA AMCOS and the AGSC (Australian Guild of Screen Composers), this year’s event saw both established talent and rising stars recognised by…

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Interview: YouTube stars Joe Sugg and Caspar Lee talk returning to Australia, live show antics & the impact of YouTube

For Joe Sugg and Caspar Lee, travelling from country to country has become a full-time expedition. The YouTube stars have amassed over 14 million subscribers over the past few years, both beginning YouTube from 20 and 19-years-old. Since then, the boys have become synonymous with popular pranks and funny antics online, and are about to release…

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Win a double pass to the Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them MEGA Experience in Sydney

Want to return to the Wizard World of JK Rowling before anyone else? We have a double pass to give away for the ultimate Fantastic Beasts MEGA Experience in Sydney next Wednesday, ahead of its wide release the following day! For your chance to win, fill out the form below and tell us what you…

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