Film & TV

To the untrained eye, Petting Zoo presents itself as your typical coming-of-age story told through the perspective of a pregnant teenager – a trope that has been documented countless times in today’s cinema. However, this film explores the issue of teenage pregnancy through an impoverished Texan youth, delivering a perspective that is separated entirely from…

Kimberley gives us her take on what to watch in the coming days, including a couple of drama shows, and some thought provoking films… Monday 16th March 2015 Sherlock Holmes: Elementary – Ch. 10 – 10:00pm AEST Have you been watching Sherlock Holmes: Elementary? In a modern twist on the classic British detective story, it takes…

It’s not a new concept by any means, but films about artificial intelligence can still cut deep into the human psyche. Ex Machina is no different – following the narrative of Caleb, a computer programmer who wins a mysterious competition at his work, and is rewarded with a week long stay in the secluded and…

A surprise appearance from Eva Mendes and a wedding proposal helped make for a memorable Q&A at the SXSW Film Festival tonight following the North American Premiere of Ryan Gosling’s film Lost River. Following a disappointing response to actor Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut at Cannes last year, it proved to resonate better with American audiences…

In January 2013 musician, Wilko Johnson was told he had ten months to live. In The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson, English filmmaker Julien Temple (The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle, The Filth & The Fury) chronicles Johnson’s humble farewell tour and album as well as how the patient refuses chemotherapy treatment in order to live…

It’s important to remember that Presidents are people too. From time to time, Jimmy Kimmel gives celebrities a chance to read some of the mean things people tweet about them. And tonight, he extended that same courtesy to America’s Commander in Chief. Please enjoy the all President Obama edition of “Mean Tweets.” ———- This content…

Chris Rock has always been a clever comedian, but one should never doubt his flair for a bit of dramatic acting. For those who remember him as Pookie from the classic New Jack City, Rock has always been able to bring depth to his characters, masked by his always animated persona. It’s these acting chops…

Stephen. Freaking. Colbert. With new beard! Playing a priest! He was easily, without a doubt, the best thing about this episode, and his guest spot has got to be one of the best of the whole season. Mostly because of how funny he is, but also because he’s STEPHEN COLBERT. Here he plays Father Michael O’Donnell who,…

Texas has produced more in its time beyond great BBQ, great football and cowboy lore. We take a look at some of the best pieces of film to be set in the Lone Star State in honour of the breakout hit of 2014 that is Richard Linklater’s Boyhood (filmed in Austin, pictured above); from vampires to NASA, from…

It’s just two days until the SXSW Film Festival kicks off in Austin, Texas – and it’s hard to know where to begin with the absolutely incredible lineup that – as usual – fills its program. Last year, both Boyhood and The Grand Budapest Hotel had premiere screenings at the festival and went on to win a myriad…

In the not too distant future robots will soon become part of the police force helping to stave off rising crime rates. But what happens when the machines we program and command can think and feel for themselves? How do we reconcile the human concepts of consciousness and a soul if a robot can feel…

It’s lonely at the top and much-loved Australian comedian, Carl Barron is all too aware of this. In his feature film debut he takes a leaf out of his book of life spent on the road for the past two decades. The film is brave and has an interesting enough premise, but it is let…

Disney’s Cinderella is a story for the ages, and Sydney audiences have the opportunity to see this masterpiece at one of Australia’s most enchanting and historical theatres, the State Theatre. Featuring Australia’s very own Cate Blanchett in the role of the Stepmother and the beautiful Lily James as Disney’s most iconic princess Cinderella, Walt Disney…

Some of cinemas most celebrated films are set to return to the big screen at Event Cinemas George St, with the launch of the In The House Program! Hosted by Channel 7’s Jason ‘Jabba’ Davis, and Quinny from Supanova Pop Culture Expo, the festival will feature a line up that includes The Princess Bride, Blade…

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has done it for the second week in a row (it obviously has something to do with the name) and has scored the top spot, grossing $3,867,615. Following ridiculously closely behind is Australia’s own Margot Robbie and Hollywood superstar Will Smith, who have stolen the hearts of local audiences…

Brendan Cowell, Shaun Gladwell and Nashen Moodley have just launched ‘The Film Crowd’, a place where enthusiastic film supporters gather at Sydney Film Festival talks over drinks. Being part of the ‘Crowd’ is all about engaging with film, gaining a unique insider perspective, meeting film industry and like-minded people in a social environment, extending your…

Director Paul Thomas Anderson has faithfully adapted a novel of the same name by Thomas Pynchon for Inherent Vice, an hilarious look into a 1970’s L.A, awash with drugged-up eccentricity as a convoluted would-be missing persons case is sniffed around by a stoner private investigator. Said P.I is portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix who brings Larry…

Ahead of its screening as part of SXSW this week, we chat to the director of Clipping.‘s music video “Body and Blood”, Patrick Kennelly. Patrick takes us through the collaborative processes, artistic references and his favourite parts of the shoot. the AU review then gets stuck into specifics with Patrick, talking camera gear, challenges and post-production…

Alyssa Sutherland is in Los Angeles and in very good spirits when we speak, keeping busy doing publicity for season 3 of Vikings, already a ratings winner in the US. The acclaimed Norse historical drama, created and written by Michael Hirst, stars two Australians, Travis Fimmel as the legendary Ragnar Lothbrok whose saga the show…

Bob’s penchant for not backing down on ‘the principle of the thing’ no matter how inane rears its head in “Lil Hard Dad”. The difference this time around is Gene, who usually doesn’t pay much attention to his father’s impassioned irrelevant causes, decides to jump on board the insane train. The result a rare moment where Bob’s…

One thing The Walking Dead has never been particularly good at is juggling such a big ensemble cast, which is why the tail end of Season 4 remains some of the show’s finest hours since the first season. This is why we catch up with one character and really flesh them out, and then watch…

Remember, way back when Hannah was in Iowa, and her father came to visit her acting very, very strange? As it turns out, he was struggling with something of a conundrum – he was trying to figure out if he was gay. Now Tad knows, Loreen knows, and Hannah definitely knows. It really was too good to…

The really really ridiculously good looking Ben Stiller and the so-hot-right-now Owen Wilson re-teamed as Derek Zoolander and Hansel (from classic comedy Zoolander) to actually walk the Maison Valentino catwalk show over in Paris. This marks a return for the duo after first appearing on our screens 14 years ago. Their walk was preceded by…

  Ahead of its Home Entertainment release on Australia this Thursday, we caught up with actress Sarah Gadon to talk about playing Mirena in last year’s Dracula Untold. She discusses her thoughts on the film, working with director Gary Shore and the history of Dracula. She also reflects on working with the great David Cronenberg over the years and…

The Sydney Morning Herald Spectrum Now, presented by ANZ, has revealed that award-winning US actor Jeffrey Tambor will be joining festival Creative Director Richard Roxburgh in conversation about his latest TV show Transparent, his career and life. Tambor recently won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy…

In what is perhaps the most revealing trailer Game of Thrones has ever released for a season, a new 1:51 minute sneak peak has debuted via Apple’s hotly anticipated Spring Forward keynote. We take a look at Dany’s triumphant ‘break the wheel’ speech, a potential war between Bolton and Baratheon, new characters, and more. With…

Monday 9th March 2015 Winter’s Bone – SBS 2 – 10:15pm AEST Revisit Jennifer Lawrence’s career-making performance in Winter’s Bone. Lawrence stars as an Ozark Mountain girl who rebels against the local code of conduct to track down her drug-dealing father in an effort to keep her family from homelessness. Lawrence is steely and daring…

The Iris is proud to support the In The House series at Event Cinemas on George Street in Sydney – helping bring classic films back to the big screen. This week, Taxi Driver was screened, and the trivia question was: “Are You Talking To Me” is easily one of cinema’s most famous phrases? But what…

Hello Editor Johnny Au sits down with comedian, writer and director Lawrence Leung. Lawrence chats to Johnny about playing the lead character of Simon Chan in the new ABC2 kung fu comedy Maximum Choppage. Lawrence also talks about the writing process for Maximum Choppage and the impact that it has on the Cabramatta community. Lawrence…

It’s exactly a week until the SXSW Film Festival kicks off in Austin, Texas – and it’s hard to know where to begin with the absolutely incredible lineup that – as usual – fills its program. Last year, both Boyhood and The Grand Budapest Hotel had premiere screenings at the festival and went on to win a…