Film & TV

Film Review: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (USA/New Zealand, 2014)

One Last Time. It’s the hashtag that’s being used to promote the last film in the epic Lord of the Rings universe – a reference to a line in the film, but also a clever reminder about how we’re supposed to feel about the film. NOSTALGIC. This is (hopefully) the last time we’ll have the…

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Film Review: The Imitation Game (USA, 2014)

In this dramatic thriller biopic The Imitation Game examines the life of Alan Turing, an English mathematician and logician who along with his team of code-breakers, crack the German Enigma code and helped the Allies win World War II. The film examines the parallels of Turing’s personal and early life and how it shaped him…

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Film Review: Night at the Museum 3 – Secret of the Tomb (USA, 2014)

In the next installment of the Night At The Museum film franchise our hero, night security guard Larry must discover why the magical tablet that brings all the museum displays to life is beginning to lose its power. As one of a handful of family friendly films released for the Christmas holiday period we check…

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What to Watch: The Iris’ Weekly TV Picks (22nd – 24th December 2014)

Monday The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, ABC 2, 7:53pm AEST Join Jimmy Fallon on Monday for what is sure to be a fantastic show with Amy Adams and Nick Offerman. Offerman, in particular, is always a good interview with his unique sense of humour and surprising talents. Castle, Ch. 7, 9:30pm AEST Enjoy Castle’s…

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ABC iview launches on PlayStation 4 and release of Good Game Pocket Edition

Good news for PlayStation 4 (PS4) owners, from today, all users will have access to one of Australia’s favourite internet TV service, ABC iview. The new ABC iview app for PS4 will make it even easier for users to enjoy ABC TV on demand through a cinematic and easy-to-use big-screen interface. In addition, the latest version…

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2014’s The Projects Short Film Festival is back! Submissions open on January 5th

After the success of their debut event in February this year, the launch of The Projects Short Film Festival will be back for 2015. Once again hosted by The Projects Enmore, one of Sydney’s newest and hippest art venues, the festival will bring together a collection of the greatest shorts from around Australia. The team…

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Film Review: The Making of Boyhood (USA, 2014)

The Making of Boyhood is a ten-minute feature about the film of the same name that was written, produced and directed by Richard Linklater (Dazed & Confused, School of Rock). Boyhood is a film that was 12 years in the making and is partly fictional and partly autobiographical. It’s also one that could be renamed…

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What to Watch: The Iris’ Weekly TV Picks (18th – 21st December 2014)

Thursday Stephen Fry’s Key to the City, ABC, 9:21 pm AEST In this special program, the ever-charming Stephen Fry takes the viewer on a tour around the city of London, divulging some of the hidden mysteries of this fascinating city. A must-see for history buffs and Fry fanatics alike. Friday Heart and Souls, Eleven, 7:30…

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Box Office Report: Horrible Bosses laughs its way to the top

    Well Hunger Games may have slowed a little. Mockingjay Part 1 has been relegated to 2nd spot earning $1.7 million. No small feat but the action flick has been toppled by the second installment of comedy goldmine Horrible Bosses. The film (read our review here!) fell just short of $2 million. Ridley Scott’s…

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New King Kong movie gets a proper title and release date

Legendary Pictures’ epic follow-up has received a definitive name. The upcoming film will now be titled Kong: Skull Island. Originally slated for release in Novemeber 2016, the monster flick has been pushed back to March 10th 2017. That is a US release date and no word of an international date has been reported. The second installment to…

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Dwayne Johnson’s disaster flick San Andreas gets a trailer

  Not to be confused with gaming giant Grand Theft Auto and its PS2 record breaker, San Andreas – Dwayne Johnsons latest venture – is no less exciting. And now its has a trailer. Who doesn’t love a classic disaster movie? While Roland Emmerich has entered a couple of duds into the sub-genre, Brad Peyton…

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Nominees for 72nd Golden Globe Awards include Birdman, Boyhood, Sia, and more

Nominees for the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards has been announced, reflecting upon the year that was in the world of entertainment. In celebrating the best cinema and TV had to offer, the January 11th ceremony comes off of an amazing year in cinema with films like Richard Linklater’s Boyhood and Morten Tyldum’s The Imitation…

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Blu Ray/DVD Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (USA, 2014)

The home release of this year’s long awaited film reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is now in stores, bringing the epic Michael Bay remake to homes around the world and packing on the special features to really play on nostalgia as well as give insight into how the reboot came together as well as…

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TV Review: Bones Season 10, Episode 10 “200th in the 10th” (USA, 2014)

By Kimberley Veart This week Bones went back in time to the glory days of Hollywood, when the hairstyles were sprayed to perfection and the dialogue was fast and witty. The 200th episode acts as a tribute to its stars, the series and to the Hitchcock style mysteries it descends from. The show is a…

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What to Watch: The Iris’ Weekly TV Picks (15th – 17th December 2014)

By Kimberley Veart Monday Win Win, ONE, 9.30 pm AEST This skilfully created drama-comedy will make you laugh, cry and everything in between. Paul Giamatti stars as lawyer/high school wrestling coach Mike Flaherty who discovers wrestling talent in the troubled grandson of one of his clients. The talented Amy Ryan also features as his wife,…

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TROPFEST 2014 Winners Announced plus 2015 Signature Item

Tropfest announced recently on the 7th of December that Julian Lucas from Elwood in Victoria has won the coveted fruit trophy for Granny Smith. The short film was chosen by an expert panel of five judges – Australian actor Kat Stewart (Offspring’s Billy Proudman); Australian writer Marcus Zusak – writer of The Book Thief; Hannibal,…

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FLICKERFEST Short Film Festival to tour nationally in 2015.

Besides tanning, going for a swim and eating fish and chips while trying to avoid those annoying seagulls what’s a better way of spending some downtime on the beach? Flickerfest Australia that is. Being the most respected short film festival to kick off this summer, fellow Sydneysiders will be the first to enjoy a marathon…

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TV Review: The Mindy Project Season 3, Episode 11 “Christmas”

By Amy Nancarrow It’s the last Mindy for the year, and the stakes were high this week as we (and Danny) know that Mindy wants to be engaged to Danny by Christmas. This week’s Christmas themed episode promised just that – numerous times – but ended up going to a different (and better) place. Mindy…

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Mad Max: Fury Road trailer is released. Is amazing.

“Everybody’s gone out of their mind, you’re not the only one Max”. The hopeless, lawless post-apocalyptic world of iconic Australian film franchise Mad Max is about to make a return and re-introduce itself to a whole new generation, reaffirming it’s dominance as one of the most influential in the trendy film genre. The trailer has…

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Film Review: Horrible Bosses 2 (USA, 2014)

In 2011, during the aftermath of the GFC and in the wake of what would become the Occupy Movement, Hollywood gave the world three unlikely heroes, who were well and truly part of the 99%, and created a plot that would allow this trio – Dale (Charlie Day), Nick (Jason Bateman) and Kurt (Jason Sudeikis)…

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What to Watch: The Iris’ Weekly TV Picks (11th-14th December 2014)

Thursday Chow Masters, 7 Mate, 8 pm AEST In this episode, chef Sammy DeMarco and Hollywood director Frank Coraci travel to America’s Music City, Nashville to devour a trio of mouthwatering barbecue sandwiches. From glazed pork belly to a Goo Goo Cluster mole sauce, this program is sure to leave you salivating like one of…

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Meeting Mr. Mayhem – The end of Sons of Anarchy.

WARNING: This piece contains spoilers regarding the final episode of Sons of Anarchy. “Doubt thou the stars are fire Doubt that the sun doth move  Doubt truth to be a liar But never doubt I love.” Appearing just prior to the end credits’ final scroll, Hamlet’s words to Ophelia hung onscreen as fans of FX’s outlaw drama Sons…

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Blu Ray/DVD Review: Transformers – Age of Extinction (USA, 2014)

The home release of Michael Bay’s latest foray into the iconic Transformers franchise is here just in time for Christmas, and home release is as epic as the blockbuster itself, with a barrage of features to demystify the blockbuster blend of cutting edge visual effects and masterful production. The Iris’ Carina Nilma reviewed the film…

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Box Office Report: Hunger Games shows no sign of slowing.

In its second week since opening The Hunger Games has performed incredibly at the box office, taking number 1 again with just over $3 million. Opener Exodus: Gods & Kings – Ridley Scott’s new venture also had an impressive first week, making $2.6 million. The story of Moses and his war on the Egyptian army has helped push…

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David Goyer is creating a new Superman series…sort of.

  DC go-to-guy and target for nerd rage David Goyer has partnered with SyFy to create a new series called Krypton. Penned by Ian Goldberg (Flash Forward) the Warner Bros/DC production will tell an origin story, not unlike Gotham, that shapes the future home of our hero. Superman won’t make any appearances (as far as we know) as…

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Film Review: Paddington (UK & France, 2014)

“Please look after this bear”. This is what the tag that is initially around Paddington’s neck says but it is also applicable to this movie adaptation. The film is a re-telling of Michael Bond’s stories that has been carefully updated to a modern setting. This means it’s a charming tale that doesn’t compromise on quality…

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Film Review: Love is Now (Australia, 2014)

Love is Now is ultimately a testament to DSLR film making, with striking photography and some superb production coming together to ensure the film never dips below a certain visual standard, playing out as something photographers the world over will herald as a marvel achievement. Backed by Nikon Australia, the film succeeds at capturing the…

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Michael Bay-produced TV series Black Sails Season 1 now available on Blu-Ray and DVD

Treasure hunting TV series Black Sails has enjoyed a successful first season this year, with the Michael Bay-produced show filling the need for a pirate-themed television show in the current landscape of popular fantastical TV. Anchor Bay Entertainment has now delivered the Starz Originals series on home release, following the show’s premiere season on Foxtel’s…

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TV Review: Bones Season 10, Episode 9 “The Mutilation of the Master Manipulator” (USA, 2014)

Bones is at the top of its game with its 199th episode, so the expectations are high for next week’s Hitchcock inspired 200th show. This week was both sweet and fun and introduced some new dynamics to the show that are going to be interesting to explore over the season. In this episode, the Jeffersonian…

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What to Watch: The Iris’ Weekly TV Picks (8th – 10th December, 2014)

Monday Castle, Ch. 7, 9.30pm AEST Tune in to Castle for a tense hour of television as Det. Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) and mystery writer Richard Castle (Nathan Fillon) work to unravel the motives of a gunman holding their colleague Esposito (Jon Huertas), and others, hostage on a subway. It promises to be one of…

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