Film Review: A Most Violent Year (USA, 2015)

The menacing atmosphere of New York in the city’s most violent year, 1981, is portrayed in J.C Chandor’s A Most Violent Year with stunning – almost creepy – realism, giving us a gritty crime drama that could have easily been mistaken for an 80’s classic. While not quite as gripping as Godfather, this film has…

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DVD Review: Mom The Complete First Season (USA, 2014)

As the first episode of Mom begins, titular parent Christy (Anna Faris) – a waitress at a middle-to-high-end restaurant – is crying to her customers, battling tears as she reads the night’s specials and suffering through having to sing “Happy Birthday” to elderly patrons. Although the studio audience would have you believe it’s one of the…

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TV Review: Girls Season 4, Episode 6 “Close Up” (USA, 2015)

It’s evident from the first scene in “Close Up” that Adam hasn’t been with someone like Mimi-Rose Howard before. He cooks her brunch in her expansive loft apartment, tucking her in as she sleeps that little bit longer than him. She’s successful, self-assured, independent and not needy in the slightest – in short, Mimi-Rose is the complete opposite…

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Tech Review: PlayStation 4 Remote Play on the Sony Xperia Z3 Smartphone

A few months ago, we brought you our review of Sony’s Xperia Z3 smartphone. At the time, Sony’s PlayStation 4 Remote Play functionality wasn’t available at the time and we weren’t able to include it in the review. With Remote Play now well-and-truly rolled out, we decided to revisit our review and talk a little…

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TV Review: The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 11 “The Distance” (USA, 2014)

Rick and his group have come a very long way since they abandoned their temporary digs at the prison; everything since then has been dark – very dark. Loss, mistrust, and tension have plagued the group every step of the way and we have watched as these characters that have been developed so well, that…

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Box Office Report: Fifty Shades of Grey ties up the #1 spot… again

In a week that saw just the one major new release… more on that later… Fifty Shades of Grey remains the nation’s #1 movie, bringing in close to $4 million over the past weekend. This is almost double its 2 nearest rivals, the James Bond-esque Kingsman: The Secret Service which brought in a respectable $2.2…

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Film Review: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (USA & UK, 2015)

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel once again takes the audience on a journey through India with our favourite set of English retirees. The sequel to the 2012 sleeper hit brings together the same ensemble cast as previously, as well as some new additions. The film is helmed by the same team which included writer,…

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Stumbled Upon #024 – Simon Astley (Melbourne)

In our 24th instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Melbourne’s Simon Astley, and chat his latest release, All Falls Down. Musician: Simon Astley Website / Social Media: www.simonastley.net Facebook / Soundcloud Genre: Pop/Rock Members & their roles: Simon Astley (Vocal, Piano), Clinton Forster (Guitars), Paul Slattery (Bass), Gav Oliver (Drums) What music or artists inspired…

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The full list of winners at the 87th Academy Awards

What a year in film 2014 has been; we’ve seen some highly creative, innovative cinematic achievements come our way, some really big actor comebacks, powerful soundtracks, innovative designs, and more. Going into the 87th Academy Awards, people who fancied themselves able to predict winners, found their hobby cut out of them; there hasn’t been a…

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Comedy DVD Review: Scott Dooley “Debut” (Australia, 2015)

Scott Dooley’s Debut is a “Stand-up comedy film”. It’s not strictly a recorded version of his live show nor is it an in-depth documentary of his travels. In Debut Dools offers us an account of his life spent on the road, performing stand-up and doing promo spots and above all, making people laugh. Dools’ debut…

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What to Watch: The Iris’ Weekly TV Picks (23rd – 25th February 2015)

Ah, the weekend is just about over, but that doesn’t mean your entertainment has to end. Here’s a look at our picks for the best TV on Australian Free-To-Air for the first half of your work week. Monday February 23rd The 87th Annual Academy Awards, LIVE on Nine from 12.30pm – Repeated on Gem, 8:30pm AEDT Tune…

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Who will win and who should win at the 87th Annual Academy Awards?

We’re now less than 24 hours away from the 87th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood – the glitzy and usually entertaining affair that sees Hollywood pat itself on the back for its year on the silver screen in front of millions of viewers. Once again in Australia, Channel Nine will be live screening the ceremony…

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Exclusive Interview: Founder Monica Zanetti talks about The Projects Short Film Festival

Ahead of this week’s returning short film festival The Project, Alexandra Koster caught up with the festival’s founder Monica Zanetti to find out more it…. What made you want to create The Projects Short Film Festival? Being a filmmaker myself and going through the submission process for festivals, it became very clear that there simply…

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Album Review: Jason Aldean – Old Boots, New Dirt (2015 LP)

For an album titled Old Boots, New Dirt, you’d expect a classic country album about boots, hats and horses, but award-winning country music superstar Jason Aldean’s Australian debut is a mix of rock-pop with a country twang that makes you want to get up and dance.

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Album Review: Damian Cowell – Disco Machine (2015 LP)

Upon first listen of Damian Cowell’s crowd-funded new album Disco Machine, I didn’t think that there was enough drugs in the world to prepare me for what I was about to hear – but in essence, at its core, it’s a smart, satiric blend of comedy and disco.

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Photo Gallery: The Veronicas + Dean Ray – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (20.02.15)

The Veronicas returned to the stage in Sydney last night, playing the iconic Metro Theatre supported by Dean Ray. Gwendolyn Lee was there and brings us these photos:

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Blind Guardian’s ‘Beyond The Red Mirror’ Tour is Coming to Australia

German metal band Blind Guardian have announced an exclusive two-show tour in support of their tenth studio album Beyond the Red Mirror. The band will be performing two dates at both of the HiFi locations in Melbourne and Sydney on June 19 and 20, respectively.

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Farmer and The Owl Festival Announce Lineup, Food and Arts Additions!

There’s only just under a month to go before Farmer & The Owl kicks off and it just keeps getting bigger with new music, food and arts additions. The Wollongong festival is already hosting the likes of DZ Deathrays, Bad//Dreems and Jebediah amongst many more, and have now announced that Velociraptor, Rolls Bayce, Jeremy Neale, Parkside + Friends, SPACE 44 DJs, Blackbear, Honeybear, Berko (FBi), Vintage Stylus DJs and Music Farmers DJs will also be joining.

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USA groups The BellRays and Supersuckers join forces for a mammoth Australian tour in May

Well now this is pretty amazing. This May, USA groups The BellRays and Supersuckers are coming down under to bring us one hell of a sexy rock n roll experience. It’s being dubbed as a “colossal showdown” and we’d expect no less from two of music’s most electrifying groups. The tour will take them all…

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Getting to Know AU Sessions Performer Imogen Clark

Anticipating her performance at this month’s AU session taking place next week, the AU review caught up with Imogen Clark, fresh of a celebrated run at the Adelaide Fringe. We talk about writing, musical influences, favourite Australian artists and her new handmade acoustic CDs. Further information about the performance below. How old were you when…

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Games Review: The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D (3DS, 2015)

What can you say about The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask that hasn’t already been said? As the first Zelda title to follow the revolutionary The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask had it had its work cut out for it. Pushing the Nintendo 64 hardware to its limit, Majora’s Mask dared to…

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Official trailer for Will Smith film Focus indicates a return to form for the acclaimed actor

Hollywood megastar Will Smith is more reliable than not, with a track record of big, successful films like Independence Day and Ali. Some flops have thrown him off course along the way but his latest role in the film Focus is looking to shake the skepticism he is sometimes approached with, promising a big return…

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Get a first glimpse at the action of Neill Blomkamp’s Chappie in this new clip.

The police droid that is destined to become Chappie, the robot given consciousness by way of artificial intelligence, is involved in a gunfire-fuelled raid in this new clip. The anticipated film is released in Australian cinemas on March 12th and is directed by Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Elysium). The film stars Hugh Jackman, Sharlto Copley,…

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TV Review: Danger 5 Season 2, Episode 7 (Australia, 2015)

The final episode of Danger 5 has all come down to this – the international super team has timewarped to a future world completely overrun by Hitler, called (what else?) Hitlerland. Danger 5’s first reaction is one of panic and horror. After a bloody display in the Hitler Hat fast food joint, Holly and the…

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Does Being Snubbed by an Oscar Really Matter?

The snubbing of Selma in the Best Director category has brought outrage to black and feminist communities around the world, reigniting the idea that these minorities are still under constant scrutiny from the world of film. Still, it stands that no black woman has ever been nominated for a Best Director Oscar, a fact that…

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Stumbled Upon #023 – Lights of Berlin (Perth)

In our 23rd instalment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet Perth’s Lights of Berlin , and chat about their current national tour and get a sneak peak at their latest track ‘Chosen Ones’. Band Name: Lights of Berlin Website / Social Media: www.lightsofberlin.com Facebook / Soundcloud / Twitter Genre: Pop/Rock Members & their roles: Devon Bayer:…

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Photo Gallery: Guy Sebastian + Fatai – Qantas Credit Union Arena (18.02.15)

Guy Sebastian played his biggest headline show ever in Sydney this week, taking over the Qantas Credit Union Arena with the support of Fatai. Gwendolyn Lee was there and brings us these photos from the night:

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Byron Bay’s Bluesfest Release Daily Schedule, Performance Times, Another Lineup Announcement and More!

With the event now only six weeks away, Byron Bay’s 26th Annual Bluesfest Blues and Roots Festival have just released the long awaited daily playing schedule, performance times and stages, and yet another list of artists appearing this year on their official website.

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Adalita Announces March Residency at The Gasometer Hotel in Collingwood

Whether you know her as Magic Dirt front woman or the firecracker herself, there’s no doubt Adalita is one incredible performer. Curbing off a whirlwind 2014 which resulted in her receiving an ARIA nomination for Best Female Artist and delivering a keynote speech at the annual AIR Awards, Adalita is kicking off 2015 with a residency at The Gasometer.

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the AU interview: Wayne "The Train" Hancock (Texas)

Wayne ‘The Train’ Hancock will return to Australia next March, just eight short months after his last successful visit. Wayne makes music fit for any road house. With his unmistakable voice, The Train’s reckless honky-tonk can move the dead. If you see him live, you’ll surely work up some sweat stains on that snazzy Rayon…

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