Film Review: Second Act (USA, 2018) is a likable piece of rom-com fluff, with an engaging Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez has a pretty spotty track record when it comes to her acting career. The last great film in the past 20 years is still Steven Soderbergh‘s crime flick Out of Sight. While she still has her charismatic and likable presence on-screen, unfortunately her choices of scripts have been quite sub-par. Apart from some…

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SXSW 2019 just got even bigger: Here’s everything you need to know

The SXSW Conference and Festival, or South by Southwest, recently announced additions to its massive line up of showcasing artists for 2019. For several decades now, this Texas based event has been celebrating music, film and interactive media and has turned into a hot spot for connecting with other international artist, labels, and audiences. Being…

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5 films to watch after you’ve seenOverlord

When a small group of American soldiers are thrust into a German-occupied French town. Their mission to take out a radio tower takes a terrifying turn when they discover Nazi doctors conducting human experimentation in order to create super soldiers. With the release of the World War II action plus zombie super soldier laden Overlord…

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What makes a good ‘Ongoing’ game, now that we’re awarding games that have continued support?

This year marks the second year that The Games Awards have celebrated an ‘Ongoing game’ award, beginning last year and being won by Overwatch, to recognise “A trend towards games that continue to entertain long after their release and continue to grow and evolve with their players”, as last years presented made out on stage….

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Photo Gallery: Bhad Bhabie + DJ Ketana – Astor Theatre, Perth (07.12.18)

The infamous Danielle Bregoli aka Bhad Bhabie kicked off her Australian tour at the Astor Theatre in Perth. She was supported by DJ Ketana. Our photographer Stuart Sevastos was there to capture the highlights of the night.

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Film Review: Spiderman: Into The Spiderverse (USA, 2018) is a dazzling near perfect comic book movie

Of late comics fans have been spoilt for choice when it comes to seeing their favourite superhero being depicted on the big screen. The Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Extended Universe have been battling it out for the eyes and dollars of fans. So when word spread that another Spiderman movie would be on its…

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Exclusive Video Premiere: Marét “Perfectly Imperfect” (2018)

Aussie singer-songwriter and self-described “joyful warrior” Marét has arrived with her irreverent and irresistible brand of pop music. Described by The Eye Creative as “the next significant act in Australia”, we’re excited to premiere the video for Marét’s latest track, the feel-good “Perfectly Imperfect”. Of the track, Marét says: “Being imperfect is the one thing…

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Games Review: That Civilization VI (Switch, 2018) works on a console at all is kind of a miracle

Civilization VI was already complicated game long before the decision was made to port it to console. A great game to be sure, but a very complicated one. Civ has long made its home on the PC. The game’s overall complexity and forest of nested menus made a jump to console seem all but impossible….

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Win a BeefEater Signature 3000e 4 Burner Mobile BBQ so you can make the most of summer

While our friends over on the other side of the world prep for the Christmas season with snowmen and lavish Christmas markets, us here in Australia are beginning to break out the beach blankets and, most importantly, the BBQ. The latter seems to be one of the most essential items for any respectable holiday season,…

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Photo Gallery: GLADES – The Metro, Sydney (06.12.18)

Sydney based alt-pop trio GLADES played to a rapturous crowd at The Metro in Sydney. They are on a national tour to support their debut album To Love You, there were many in the audience who knew the words and sang along. Photos by Bruce Baker  

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Track of the Day: Ah Trees “How Long Must We Wait” (2018)

Ah Trees are five friends from Perth, WA, inspired by the new-wave, alt-rock and post-punk sounds of the late 80’s, with music that will have you dancing down hallways or drifting away on clouds. Described by Pilerats as “one of Perth’s most consistent acts”, the last three years have seen Ah Trees release a debut…

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Interview: Mortal Engines Producer Phillipa Boyens on bringing the book to the big screen

There’s a lot of hullaballoo surrounding the new film Mortal Engines, most of which can be attributed to those behind the camera rather than in front of it. The film directed by Christian Rivers is his debut, however the production team behind it also consists of Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Phillippa Boyens – the…

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Games Review: Battlefield V (PC, 2018) is the most interesting World War 2 video game in years

Battlefield V is goddamned pretty. It’s something I’ve continually murmured to myself while reviewing DICE’s latest entry in their longrunning shooter franchise. Nobody is capable of squeezing the visual juice out of EA’s Frostbite engine quite as well as they can. The game they have constructed with it isn’t just one of the best Battlefield…

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Track of the Day: Man Sandal “Everyone’s Moving on with Their Lives but Me” (2018)

Man Sandal brews a bewitching concoction of music influenced by jazz and folk with some gypsy woven throughout. This versatile range has made them the band to watch, winning Rock Scholars “Band of the Year” award back in 2015. They are multi-disciplined artists who offer a fresh new sound to the Australian music scene. Something…

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Film Review: Mortal Engines (NZ/USA, 2018) suffers from an ensemble cast who fail to elevate the stereotypical material above expectation

As much as Peter Jackson‘s name is plastered all over this, Mortal Engines is in fact NOT a Jackson joint. Yes, the Lord of the Rings helmer is the most likely reason this film was greenlit (he serves as both co-producer and co-writer) but long-time Jackson collaborator Christian Rivers, who served predominantly as a visual…

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Film Review: The School (Australia, 2018) goes for broke in its bid to provide escapism within the Australian horror landscape

It’s rather unfortunate that Australian cinema really doesn’t have the greatest reputation. It’s not that we aren’t capable of delivering quality homegrown productions, it’s just that we so seldom do, so when something like The School comes along, you can’t help but feel both a sense of disappointment and expectation. To be fair to writer/director…

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Live Review: Saba loved his CARE FOR ME show in Sydney just as much as we did

On Tuesday night, the Sydney Opera House was treated to one of the first Australian performances of Chicago rapper Saba, an incredibly talented rising star with a lot of hype surrounding his career to date. He was met with the warmest of welcomes from the packed Opera House, with energy and cheers greeting each changing…

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Book Review: Peter Spearritt’s Where History Happened is like the great Australian bite…of facts & history

He loves a sunburnt country; a land of sweeping plains. Okay, that was actually Dorothea Mackellar. But the same also applies to Peter Spearritt. This historian, emeritus professor and author shows a real enthusiasm for the wonderful land of Oz in Where History Happened: The Hidden Past of Australia’s Towns & Places. This is one personal, colourful and…

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Interview: Mortal Engines actress Leila George talks working with Hugo Weaving and the incredible practical sets

The latest film from the creative genius talent of Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens and directed by Christian Rivers sees the team adapt the Phillip Reeve book series Mortal Engines. Set in the future, and moving slowly out of dystopia, roving cities on wheels must avoid being devoured by much larger “predator cities”. In…

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Track of the Day: Manchester Orchestra & The Front Bottoms “Allentown” (2018)

Current tour mates Manchester Orchestra and The Front Bottoms have combined forces and released a new collaborative track, the single “Allentown”.  “Allentown” features Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull and Brian Sella from The Front Bottoms trading verses over minimalist instrumental backing. It’s downbeat, pensive, and certainly a long way from what little I’ve heard of The…

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Guest Playlist: Matt Perriment – The songs that made “Oceans”

Matt Perriment is an indie folk-inspired singer songwriter currently based in London, who has steadily been establishing himself in the British festival scene. He’s recently released a new single, “Oceans”, which is the first taste of his forthcoming sophomore EP Memos, which is set for release in March 2019.  Undoubtedly a gifted songwriter, Perriment has…

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Album of the Week: Jacob Collier – Djesse Vol. 1 (2018 LP)

Jacob Collier is not your average English Twenty Four year old. He is a singer, arranger, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. The London bred artist released his debut album In My Room in 2016, which led to a 200 date global tour and won him two Grammy Awards, and being dubbed “Jazz’s new messiah”. Managed by…

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First Impressions: The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel makes a triumphant return to Amazon Prime

Walking away from both the Primetime Emmys and the Golden Globes with awards galore, including accolades for lead Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has been a runaway hit for creator Amy Sherman-Palladino and streaming service Amazon Prime. Set in the late 1950’s, Brosnahan stars as Upper West Side housewife Midge Maisel, who discovers she…

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Live Review: Stella Donnelly + Alice Skye + Jacob Diamond – Northcote Social Club (01.12.18)

Jacob Diamond, who was also a member of Stella Donnelly’s band for the tour, was the opener for the evening. Much like his fellow band member Stella, Diamond’s music has a strong focus on the meaning behind his lyrics. In fact this was a theme for the evening, with each of the evening’s artists presenting powerful…

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Tech Review: Sony’s WH-1000XM3 Wireless Headphones are our new favourite cordless cans under $400

Sony’s WH-1000XM2 wireless headphones are some of my all-time favourites. The perfect storm of comfort and great sound that I look for in any pair of headphones I own, they have become a constant companion on my daily commute. This is why, when a pair of Sony’s new WH-1000XM3 wireless headphones arrived on my doorstep,…

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Exclusive Single Premiere: Andrew Phelan “Charlottetown” (2018)

For the first time since 2015 Australian born, Vancouver based folk musician Andrew Phelan is returning to Australia with a full band, and a bunch of new songs. We’re pleased to premiere one of those songs, “Charlottetown”, today ahead of it’s offical release tomorrow.  “Charlottetown” is a road song. On the one hand it’s a…

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Why luxury cruising in Alaska isn’t just for retirees anymore

It would be naïve to assume that the stigma of luxury cruises being a thing for older people has gone anywhere; though it’s almost certainly on the way out. As comfort travel makes a big comeback for millennials, so too does the desire to fully immerse oneself in a travel experience as rich and ambitious…

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Photo Gallery: Dean Lewis + Robinson + Jack Gray – Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne (30.11.18)

Daniel Hanssen captured Dean Lewis in Melbourne on Friday night as he kicked off his massive Australian tour. He was joined by Robinson and Jack Gray. Check out the full gallery here:

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Photo Gallery: Stella Donnelly + Alice Skye + Jacob Diamond – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (01.12.18)

Stella Donnelly was joined by Alice Skye and Jacob Diamond at the Northcote Social Club in Melbourne on Saturday night. Daniel Hanssen was there and brings us back all the photos from the incredible night, in which Stella proved to everyone – yes, she does indeed have friends, as she toured with a band for…

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Film Review: Can You Ever Forgive Me? (USA, 2018) is one of the year’s biggest surprise packages

They say truth is stranger than fiction, and that’s especially evident in Can You Ever Forgive Me?, the delightfully absurd and deliciously bizarre true story of a washed-up writer who discovers a knack for forgery and a strangely fulfilling career change she never saw coming. Mining the as-yet untapped but mightily impressive dramatic talents of comedic…

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