Film & TV

The Iris’ Weekly Australian TV Picks: 7 – 13 June

The Iris has chosen this week’s picks, so sit back and invest your nights with your small screens. Tuesday Once Upon a Time, 7Flix, 7:30pm AEST Emma disappears after becoming the Dark One. The rest of our heroes must come together to find her, an impossible quest. Unless they seek help from an unexpected character….

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Win a DVD copy of Vinyl: The Complete First Season

From Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger comes Vinyl, a new drama series that explores the drug and sex fuelled music business of the 1970s. Richie Finestra (Bobby Canavale) is a major-label exec with a dark past and an even darker present. With his company, American Century Records, facing a number of client crises, and with…

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Win a Mr. Right DVD prize pack!

Anna Kendrick and Sam Rockwell put the ‘u’ & ‘I’ in ‘quirky’ when they team up in the action/comedy adventure, Mr. Right. When unlucky-in-love Martha (Kendrick) meets Francis (Rockwell) he seems different from other guys. Really different. In fact, if you don’t count that he’s a hitman on the run from crime cartels, he may…

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Win a double pass to hotDocs film festival!

This documentary film festival is an Australian edition of the renowned Canadian festival that will take place across three cities (Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra) from 14th June – 3rd July. The renowned Canadian festival hotDocs, the world’s leading documentary film festival will bring 24 inspiring and thought-provoking films from 15 different countries. The program has…

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Pilou Asbæk talks oscar-nominated A War and his role on Game of Thrones

The celebrate the screening of the Oscar-nominated A War at this year’s Sydney Film Festival, Danish actor Pilou Asbæk sat down with Fergus Halliday to chat about everything from the rules of engagement to Game of Thrones and the American election. I won’t take up much of your time so, I’ll jump right into it. The thing that, sort…

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An interview with Jo-Anne Brechin and Claire Harris on their debut feature film Zelos

Zelos will be a breath of fresh air to Australian cinema. The upcoming Australian film to be helmed by new Australian face Jo-Anne Brechin and written by Claire Harris will be a female-led endeavor exploring the wreckful throes of contemporary romance. The Iris sent Fergus Halliday to get some insight on the films progression as it…

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Melbourne International Film Festival announces Down Under for Centrepiece Gala

It was announced on Tuesday by Melbourne International Film Festival that filmmaker Abe Forsythe’s second feature film, Down Under, will screen as the prestigious Centrepiece Gala at the 2016 edition of the festival. Down Under is a black comedy set during the aftermath of the Cronulla riots. It’s been described as a “hilarious yet poignant story…

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David Sandberg teases Kung Fury sequel

The 2015 crowdfunded hit Kung Fury has finally got word of a sequel as creator David Sandberg posted an image this week of the sequel’s script wrapped by the eponymous hero’s red bandana. View this post on Instagram A post shared by David Sandberg (@laserunicorns) The English-language Swedish short film was written, directed and acted…

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Sam Mendes will not direct the next James Bond but Susanne Bier might

“I think it’s time for somebody else,” were the words Sam Mendes used to end his five-year pairing with the spy franchise. “It was an incredible adventure, I loved every second of it,” he also added. Mendes was responsible for Skyfall and Spectre, both films receiving critical and box office success, with critics believing he had brought new depth to…

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Rupert Grint, Don Johnson and Nick Frost to star in U.K comedy series Sick Note

Harry Potter star and former recipient of Martin Scorcese acclaim, Rupert Grint will star in a new comedy from Sky Atlantic, alongside Miami Vice’s Don Johnson and Shaun of the Dead’s Nick Frost. The TV series titles Sick Note will feature Grint as a compulsive liar, and will center on a lie that spirals out…

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ABC to bring in new drama series Newton’s Law

Yesterday ABC made the announcement that they will be taking in a new drama series titled Newton’s Law.  Furthermore, production is currently underway in Melbourne for the eight-part series. Newton’s Law was an original concept developed by Deb Cox and Fiona Eagger who were the shakers behind the success of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries and The Gods of…

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Emily Blunt to star in Mary Poppins sequel film for Christmas 2018

It’s been reported on The Wrap , that Into The Woods star Emily Blunt will be starring in Gary Marshall’s upcoming Mary Poppins sequel film. It’s been anticipated that the title will be released during Christmas 2018. The film will be set in Depression-era London and will follow the story of Jane and Michael Banks and…

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Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights gets revived at The Weinstein Co.

Reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Hamilton-creator Lin-Manuel Miranda takes on a film adaptation at the Weinstein Co. for his earlier work, In The Heights. Miranda has been made the producer of the film, it has been unclear whether he will actually star in it as the character is 10 years younger than he is (Miranda is now 36)….

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Amy Schumer to produce and star in bachelor comedy Who Invited Her?

Reported by Variety, Amy Schumer will be producing and starring in bachelor comedy Who Invited Her?  Alongside Schumer, Reese Witherspoon will also take care of production under the wing of Pacific Standard Banner. Schumer will portray a woman who is adamant on going to her best guy friend’s bachelor party. Earlier versions of the script for…

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Netflix plans to launch Women’s Wrestle comedy GLOW

Netlix and Orange is the New Black’s creator Jenji Kohan will be teaming up together to introduce a ten-episode series inspired by the real story of the female wrestling league. GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) is a remake of the original 1980’s TV series of professional women’s wrestling. In the new version, the show will follow…

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FX to launch X-Men spinoff series Legion

FX will be launching the first season of X-Men spinoff series Legion on its TV network. The story will follow a young troubled man (played by Dan Stevens) who may have abilities no other human can have. David Haller has always struggled with mental illness as a teenager and was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He has been in…

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Dance Academy: The Movie commences in Sydney and New York

Dance Academy: The Movie has commenced shooting today in Sydney and New York. After the series embarked a twice International Emmy that launched careers and fanzines around the globe, Dance Academy: The Movie will take place 18 months after Season Three. From Season One, Tara Webster (played by Xenia Goodwin) returns. Alongside her is Dena…

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Jeff Bridges confirms he is in Kingsmen: The Golden Circle

Jeff Bridges has confirmed on Twitter that he will be starring in the Kingsmen: The Golden Circle, the follow-up to last years smash Kingsmen: The Secret Service. There is no word on who Bridges will play but he will be reuniting with his Big Lebowski co-star Julianne Moore as she stars as the films villain….

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Final Maze Runner film delayed until 2018

A month after 20th Century Fox’s announcement that Maze Runer: The Death Cure was indefinitely delayed, the film has now received a release date. On January 12th 2018, almost a full year after its original release date, the third and final film in the series will hit cinemas. It has been reported that the delay is to…

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Film Review: Money Monster (USA, 2016)

Jodie Foster hops onto the Director’s seat for Money Monster, a sort-of thriller that rightfully leans on the collective charismatic energy of leads George Clooney and Julia Roberts, as well as impressive young gun (pun intended) Jack O’Connell, to bring to life a story of economic frustration, uncertainty, and greed with a timely punch. Distrust…

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Jesse Eisenberg will return as Lex Luther

Taking the stage at the MCM London Comic Con, Jesse Eisenberg confirmed that he would again assume the role of glabrous villain Lex Luthor in the upcoming Justice League film. With the production now underway, Eisenberg has stated that he’s just waiting on the call. “They just started filming Justice League, so I’m kind of…

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Film Review: Now You See Me 2 (USA, 2016)

The first Now You See Me had a thrifty premise and a slick cast but was let down by a last-minute plot twist that was, quite literally, almost-unbelievable. The second film,  while disappointingly not called either Now You See Me Too or Now You Don’t, settles a more evenly-spread acceptance of the impossible. However, if the series’ previous…

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Melbourne Documentary Film Festival: Matt Conboy on the story behind Goodnight Brooklyn: Death by Audio

Music doco Goodnight Brooklyn: Death by Audio is headlining this year’s Melbourne Documentary Film Festival. We spoke to director Matt Conboy about the film’s origins and the process of bringing the final hours of one of New York’s most beloved DIY venues. Why ‘Death By Audio’? What initial connection, if any, did you have to their story? The film…

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Vivid Ideas 2016: How to Become a Digital Juggernaut like Margaret Zhang

She turned 23 years old the day before talking in front of hundreds at Sydney’s Town Hall. It’s undeniable that Margaret Zhang has achieved more in her young years of living than most could say they have in a lifetime. Her recent Vivid Ideas Game Changers segment encompassed brand differentiation in the digital age, told…

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Australian Box Office Report: Wonderland has arrived

Hello folks, Some new movers and shakers at large! Forget X-Men: Apocalypse and get around Alice. The Alice I speak of is Mia Wasikowska who plays her in Alice Through the Looking Glass, this weeks #1 pushing X-Men: Apocalypse to the #2 spot. The dollars aren’t massive, nor have the reviews been rewarding but it’s…

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Will Arnett and Stephen Amell visited Sydney over the weekend! Cowabunga!

Will Arnett and Stephen Amell caught up with fans, local skaters and the Bondi Resue Crew when they visited Bondi Beach in Sydney. The space laid out a very Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles situation with a large street design of Michelangelo by visual artist Scott Marsh. Arnett returns to the turtles as Vernon Fenwick and see’s Amell…

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Say Yes to the Dress coming Down Under

Set to launch on TLC network, it has been confirmed that the US longest running series will have its own Australian version, Say Yes To The Dress: Australia. Part fashion, bridal and feel good affair, Say Yes To The Dress: Australia will watch the brides-to-be find their perfect dresses. This Australian series will also be hosted…

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Danger Mouse is getting a second season

Fremantle Media Kids & Family and CBCC have announced that the revamped series of Danger Mouse will return for a second season. The tiny secret agent debuted in 1981 but due to a much beloved legacy, returned to screens in 2015 to great ratings. Alexendar Armstrong and Kevin Eldon will reprise their roles as Danger…

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Behold Rhys Nicholson to host Western Australian Screen Awards

Get excited, comedian Rhys Nicholson will host the 28th Annual Western Australian Screen Awards (WASAs). Described as wry and sarcastic, Nicholson won best newcomer at Sydney Comedy Festival 2012 and has supported the likes of Louis Ck (US), Amy Schumer (US) kathy Griffin (US) and Aussies Fiona O’ Loughlin and Wil Anderson. He seems ready as ever:…

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Teaser surfaces for Deepwater Horizon

Mark Wahlberg and his Lone Survivor director Peter Berg have teamed up again to chronicle the true story of the Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010, and now the first teaser is available to watch. On April 20th 2010, one of the worst ecological disasters in history occurred when a deep sea oil rig off the…

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