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“LOOKS LIKE A MILLION BUCKS AND KICKS ASS EIGHT WAYS TO SUNDAY” – MOVIES.COM “ZOMBIE FREAKS AND FANATICS? CONGRATS, KIDS. YOU’VE JUST STUMBLED UPON YOUR FAVOURITE FILM OF 2014” – FANGORIA

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An Aussie Zombie Film by the Roache-Turner Brothers

“MAD MAX MEETS DAWN OF THE DEAD” – EMPIRE MAGAZINE

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“ENOUGH INSANE CAR CHASE SCENES BLOOD-HUNGRY BAD GUYS AND FLUID-SPURTING ZOMBIES TO FILL A

DOZEN FILMS” – HORROR MOVIES UNCUT

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Issue 126

APRIL 2015

WELCOME I s it Easter already? The three-month gap between New Year hangovers and chocolate overdoses feels shorter every year, but a look at the DVD line-up for April is a telling sign that it’s that time of year again. The big studios unleash their animated blockbusters in time for the school holidays, while the Boxing Day hit invariably arrives as well. There’s even a new biblical epic, Ridley Scott’s Exodus: Gods and Kings , available just prior to Good Friday, offering an alternative to blowing the dust off your copy of The Ten Commandments or Ben Hur for the umpteenth Easter screening. This year’s ANZAC 100th Anniversary is also being recognised, with the Blu-ray debut of Peter Weir’s 1981 classic Gallipoli available in a commemorative edition (see page 14), complementing the recent release of the TV mini-series of the same name. So if you’ve sworn off sugar and chocolate eggs aren’t an option this Easter (what are you thinking?!), hop like a bunny into your nearest JB store for some non-edible treats.

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The large print giveth, the small print taketh away. “Do not go gentle into that good night.Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”

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Issue 126 APRIL 2015

Inside:

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Do the Glitterbug! WOMBATS THE

INTERSTELLAR WYRMWOOD • NIGHTCRAWLER • BROADCHURCH

FAST & FURIOUS 7 In Cinemas April 2

THEHOBBIT:THEBATTLEOFTHE FIVEARMIES and THEHOBBIT

fo skramedart era ,niereht secalp dna smeti ,stneve ,sretcarahc eht fo seman ,

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Extras pg 08–20

Cinema pg 21–28

DVD & BD pg 29–60

Games pg 61–74

Music pg 77-99

Pg 08-14 News The latest news, including the big car chases speeding your way, and why we can’t wait for Comic-Con. Pg 16-18 HOLLYWOOD’S COMEDY DUO The epic story of Laurel and Hardy continues, as the advent of sound takes their slapstick into bold, uncharted territory. Screen comedy

Pg 22-23 INTERVIEW Robert Downey Jr. He’s a marquee star in the biggest superhero franchise on the planet. He was the highest paid actor in 2013. Not bad for a guy who was once down and out in Beverly Hills, battling substance abuse and legal troubles. Pg 22-26 REVIEWS Insurgent, Chappie, Cinderella, Run All Night, The Gunman, Top Five, The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, Inherent Vice

Pg 32 THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES Martin Freeman’s time as Bilbo Baggins has come to an end. So what were was his most memorable moments? Pg 34 INTERSTELLAR Space and time. Father and daughter. Matthew McConaughey explains how this sci-fi epic transcends genres. Pg 36 NIGHTCRAWLER Filmmaker Dan Gilroy’s intense thriller explores how the American dream creates its own nightmares. Pg 38-39 WYRMWOOD It’s Mad Max meets Dawn of the Dead , and this gritty Aussie zombie flick boasts a DIY attitude that’s straight from the outback. Pg 40 BROADCHURCH Creator Chris Chibnall reveals what to expect from this return visit to the brilliant British mystery series. But not too much...

Pg 62 games intro Pg 64-66 Mortal FACTS Mortal Kombat has been

Pg 84 The Music Room We catch up with Passion Pit, The Cribs, Marlon Williams, Pokey LaFarge and The Prodigy. Plus, tour news and evergreen must-haves for your collection. Pg 88 Cover Story The Wombats new album Glitterbug revels in fame, lust, destiny, social media and lots more things that occupy young, restless minds. Pg 90 Revolutions Per Month Getting your head around Kendrick Lamar, plus The Eels go live, Tori Amos raids her vaults, and we cover The Very Best. Pg 94 STACK Music Reviews New music Drenge, Dallas Frasca, Alabama Shakes, Living Eyes, Daniel Johns, Ron Sexsmith, Mountain Goats, The Scorpions, Paul Weller, Van Morrison, Young Fathers, Dwight Yoakam, Calexico and more.

entertaining us and shocking our parents since 1992. We’ve compiled some facts on the

long-running franchise. Pg 68 BLOODBORNE

YouTube uploader Vaadividya gives us some tips for tackling Bloodborne . Pg 70 XENOBLADE CHRONICLES 3D A classic comes to Nintendo’s New 3DS. Pg 72 the witcher 3: wild hunt interview We chat with senior level designer Peter Gelencser about his involvement on The Witcher 3 , one of the most anticipated games of the year. Pg 74 PREVIEWS Check out what’s heading to the shelves at JB this month.

will never be the same. Pg 20 COMPETITIONS

We have some awesome gadgets up for grabs including a cutting edge home security system from Netgear, and a handy device to

keep your credit cards safe. Pg 46-47 ACTORS SERIES

Dwayne Johnson. He’s got brawn, he’s got brains, he’s got heart. He’s the People’s Action Hero.

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CUT TO THE CHASE Buckle up! Fast & Furious 7 is not the only tricked- up beast taking us on a chase at the movies.

Fast & Furious 7

Autobahn Not only can the striking Nicholas Hoult be seen in Mad Max: Fury Road , he's also the wheelman trying to outrun Ben Kingsley's thugs on the no limits Munich highways. Out: Oct 19. Spectre Monica Belluci and Daniel Craig won't be the only fine forms gracing this latest Bond installment, with a stunning new Aston Martin developed exclusively for Spectre , and put through its paces on the streets of Rome. Out: November 2015.

Fast & Furious 7 Production came to a screeching halt following the tragic death of Paul Walker in 2013. The plot's been rerouted with the help of horror maestro James Wan ( The Conjuring ), and big things are anticipated for its April 2 multiplex release, as Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham No roads. No highway. Just desert, as Tom Hardy and a tribe led by Charlize Theron battle for survival. Though not shot in Australia, the fourth in George Miller's Mad Max franchise promises to take post-apocalyptic motorised mayhem to an unprecedented new level. Out: May 14. Entourage When you make it in Hollywood you need the ride to go with it. And when you finance a feature with gangster money, you better not blow the budget. It's not just the fans that Vincent Chase (Adrian Grenier) and his crew are trying to outrun, as this much-loved series leaps onto the big screen. Out: June 4. and Vin Diesel put pedal to the metal. Mad Max: Fury Road

Hot Pursuit A buddy comedy with women firmly in the driver's seat. Directed by Anne Fletcher ( 27 Dresses ), Sofia Vergara is a mobster's widow turned star witness, and Reese Witherspoon the bumbling police officer protecting her from hitmen, crooked cops and certain death. Out: June 11. Jurassic World Who thought of making touring vehicles for a prehistoric park out of domed glass. Haven't they heard what happened in Jurassic Park ? Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard had better look up. Out: June 11

Brand newAston Martin for Spectre

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice This is the heavyweight superhero match up we can't wait for. Sure, questions about Ben Affleck as Batman remain to be answered but one thing's for sure, with Henry Cavill's Superman giving chase, Batman will be needing his Batmobile big time. Out: May 5 2016.

JurassicWorld

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

For more on what's coming to the cinemas, make sure you check out our all-new cinema section starting on page 21.

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NEWS EXTRAS WANT TO GO TO SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2015? O f course you do! So 20th Century

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event for breaking news and first looks at hotly anticipated film and television projects – so the burning question this year is, will J.J. Abrams preview footage from Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens to a rapturous response? And can you afford not to be there if he does? Getting to San Diego this July is as easy as purchasing a DVD from JB. The promotion will run for six weeks beginning April 13, so make sure you stock up on your favourite Fox television titles branded with the Comic-Con sticker during this period. Then simply enter online, and in 25 words or less, answer the following question: Which Fox TV star are you most excited about meeting at San Diego Comic-Con 2015? The winner will be chosen on originality and creativity. Good luck. May the Force be with you and the odds be ever in your favour.

Fox Home Entertainment are once again giving you the opportunity to win a trip to the biggest pop culture expo on the planet, running July 9–12 at the San Diego Convention Centre. All you need to do is purchase any specially-stickered Fox TV title at a JB Hi-Fi store from April 13 to win – and you can even take a friend! Emily Brown from Newcastle, NSW, was last year's lucky winner, and describes the four day event in San Diego as "simply amazing". "A friend and I were trying to get tickets to Comic-Con and missed out," Emily explains. "We were in JB Hi-Fi and saw the competition sticker on some of the sci-fi DVDs, so we bought the ones that we wanted and entered about five times." Appropriately, it was the purchase of the Stargate series that sent Emily and her friend through a gateway into the world of cosplay, comic books, superheroes, talent panels, special previews and more merchandise than you can pack in a suitcase, at the 2014 event. A full four-day pass granted the girls access to celebrity panels, teaser screenings for forthcoming TV series, an advance screening of The Maze Runner , and a meet and greet with Teen Wolf star Tyler Posey and the rest of the cast. Emily notes that the preview night prior to the event's official opening proved particularly helpful. "We were in the media section, so we got to go into the ground floor where all the booths are set up a day early, which was an awesome way to get the lay of the land and prepare for the next four days. And we got to see sneak previews of some upcoming TV series like Constantine and The Flash ." San Diego Comic-Con is the premiere

San Diego Comic-Con 2014: the calm before the storm. Below: Fox competition winner Emily Brown (right) and friend Emily have a howling good time with Teen Wolf star Tyler Posey.

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HUGH BONNEVILLE

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Gallipoli Blu-ray debut

D irector Peter Weir’s WWI battle will be available at last on Blu-ray this month. The release of Gallipoli remastered for Blu-ray and DVD will also mark the 100 year anniversary of the Allied campaign on the shores of Turkey, and will boast a Limited Collector’s Edition especially moving account of young men in the crucible of the

for the occasion. This wonderfully packaged 3-disc set contains the remastered film as well as extensive featurettes and interactive features. There will also be a

M umford and Sons (above) have confirmed they will release a new album entitled Wilder Mind on May 1. ‘Yim Yames’ and his southern rockers My Morning Jacket return with The Waterfall in May. Roisin Murphy ’s first new album in eight years, Hairless Toys, will be a tribute to the darker side of ‘70s disco culture. After dropping a new track online, Tame Impala appear to have a new album in the works for release later this year. Florence and the Machine are back after an extended break and will release the intriguingly titled How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful on May 29. Of Monsters and Men will release their long-awaited second album in June, called Beneath the Skin. British pomp-rockers Muse have announced a June release for their seventh studio LP Drones . They’ve spent the past year working on the new record with Rich Costey (Muse, Death Cab for Cutie, Foster the People, Interpol) in studios in Los Angeles and Iceland. After making a big purple splash with their Australian appearances and last album in 2013, Scottish trio Chvrches return with a new album later in the year. Electronic overlords The Chemical Brothers are also hard at work on a new album, with neither title nor release date finalised. The Darkness return with a new album in June. After hugely acclaimed Australian appearances in recent years (and his Daft Punk smash), funk maestro and super producer Nile Rodgers will release a Chic album this year. Although they’re still trading barbs with original bassist Peter Hook, New Order (who first broke up in 2007) are at work on a new album. UK rockers The Vaccines will release a new album this year. “Make sure you’re getting enough iodine! Don’t forget the brain is a fatty organ!” Father John Misty dispenses health advice.

“There’s some work to be done in #Vanuatu, @NataliaKills and @willymoon, if you’ve got a spare minute.” World Vision NZ lend Joe Irvine/ The X Factor judges’ controversy some perspective. “As a token of respect and gratitude I have not brought any washing home and will leave a clean plate at tea.” Drenge’s mum must be happy to have her boys home from tour. “Didn’t we say LOVE yourself? They don’t LOVE u. The world don’t LOVE u. Worldly things don’t LOVE u. The master will serve justice.” OK, Kendrick Lamar. the producers for this classic Australian film. First released in 1981, Gallipoli stars Mark Lee and Mel Gibson as mates whose experiences in the trenches of WWI have come to symbolise the character and sacrifices of Australians in this most turbulent and tragic conflict. Selected cinemas will also be screening this remastered version of Gallipoli nationwide, from April 25. The Limited Collector’s Edition on Blu-ray and DVD will be available in JB Hi-Fi stores from April 15 .

Gallipoli journal and two-up set including a wooden kip and two coins. An interesting

perspective will be provided through the letters of Keith Murdoch, who was an Australian journalist during WWI. It’s an experience that has resonated within his family, with Keith’s son and media mogul Rupert Murdoch becoming one of

Music history April 1, 1984 Years before anyone had heard of Pharrell Williams or a song called Blurred Lines, soul superstar Marvin Gaye is shot and killed intervening in an argument between his parents, one day short of his 45th birthday.

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Part 4

O n the 4th May 1929, the Hal Roach Studios released the first talking Laurel and Hardy picture, Unaccustomed As We Are . The title was Stan's idea as a pun on the cliché "Unaccustomed as we are to public speaking", which was a wry reflection on every actor's concern for their first appearance in a motion picture featuring the new sound technology. Stan in particular had been very apprehensive about delivering his dialogue, believing his lisp would be amplified when he spoke on film. But fortunately, unlike most of their silent comedy contemporaries, both his and Hardy's voice were a perfect fit for the characters of Stan and Ollie. Sound and dialogue would play a huge part in both actors being able to further develop their silent slapstick characters. What they said as well as what they did now became integral to their style of film comedy, and to their continued success as the most popular comedy team in Hollywood. Audiences could now hear Stan's whimpering in between his dim-witted comments, and also laugh as the exasperated Hardy cries out to his hapless partner, "Why don't you do something to help me?" Stan adapted their standard sketches to accommodate the new phenomenon of sound, even though the equipment was still in its infancy. He quickly learned on this film that sound effects of some mishap or disaster befalling either himself or Hardy off-screen could generate as much laughter from an audience as it would have done if the action had been filmed. Such material would have been impossible to convey in a silent picture.  Judging the length of laughter was also critical if the dialogue was furthering the gag, for if the audience laughed over it and missed the line, the gag/joke would be completely wasted. They also had to be careful not to record the guffaws of laughter that regularly emanated from their film crew. On a silent film set, the studio's technical and backroom staff had always laughed as they watched Stan and Ollie perform their comical antics, or just generally talked amongst themselves during filming. The background noise on a sound set was highlighted when Roach ran the dailies of Unaccustomed As We Are  in a packed-out screening room. During the first scene a voice

which so annoys Ollie's wife (Mae Busch) that she leaves them to fend for themselves. Neighbour Mrs Kennedy (played by the beautiful Thelma Todd, whose mysterious death six years later still remains unsolved) offers to cook for them, only to have her dress set on fire by the boys. Now clad in just her underwear, she's hidden in a trunk when both her policeman husband and Ollie's wife return home. The usual L&H mayhem ensues and ends with Stan falling down a flight of stairs off-screen. Shortly after the film's release, Roach received a memo from his distributor, MGM. It stated that their theatre managers were having

to show the short six or seven times a day as it was proving to be more popular than the main feature. Audiences across the US were clamouring for more of the boys' sound films. Their next film, Berth Marks (1929), was an adaptation of a silent sketch where most of the dialogue was improvised on set. The boys play two musicians travelling by train to their next concert, and half of the running time is spent with them attempting to board after dropping their sheet music.  In Brats (1930) they are both trying to relax at home, but their extremely naughty offspring (miniature versions of Stan and Ollie achieved by using oversized furniture and clever editing) create havoc, including leaving the bath water running. Brats also saw the introduction of the trademark L&H musical theme, "the cuckoo song". Stan had heard the catchy offbeat tune on a radio station that was located on the Roach lot. Written by a young musician named T. Marvin Hatley, Stan got Roach to buy the rights and then got a recording of it and put it at the opening of the film. Today it is difficult to think of another musical phrase that is as immediately recognisable as the Laurel and Hardy theme.  Between the years 1929 and 1932, Laurel and Hardy would deliver 29 two- and three-reel (30 minutes) classic sound shorts. Although they now reigned supreme in the comedy film world, it was a punishing work schedule as each film had to be shot five times to accommodate Spanish, Italian, French and German versions

off-screen was heard saying, "That's good"; following the second and third scene, again an off-screen voice shouted, "That's good". A now furious Roach jumped up from his chair shouting, "Stop the projector. Now who the hell in this organisation continually shouted 'That's Good' whilst these scenes were filmed?". A long silence followed from all of Roach's employees, until finally a young script girl quietly spoke up: "Mr Roach, that was you". A red-faced Roach quietly ordered the scenes to be reshot. Unaccustomed As We Are had the simple storyline of Ollie bringing Stan home for dinner, A scene from the first L&H talkie, Unaccustomed As We Are, with Mae Busch as Mrs Hardy. Miniature versions of Stan and Ollie as their sons in Brats (the framed photograph is the blonde bombshell Jean Harlow).

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AUSTRALIA’S UNFORGETTABLE STORY RESTORED TO MARK 100 YEARS

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as well as the original English. Both Laurel and Hardy, with the help of a voice coach, had to learn to speak phonetically in each foreign language. Stan, as the brains of the team, continually burnt the midnight oil by cutting and editing their completed films, and then choreographing and writing slick dialogue for the next. However, Stan's much loved characteristic of scratching his head in confusion when a simple instruction from Ollie is inevitably misunderstood, his humorous determined walk (which he achieved by removing the heels from his shoes – an old music hall stunt), and his unique vocal delivery of muddled dialogue such as "You can lead a horse to water but a pencil must be lead" all evolved during this early sound period, which further endeared him to movie audiences. Likewise Oliver Hardy, who whilst quite happy and content to let his partner undertake most of the creative work while he played golf, nevertheless further developed the "sound version" of Ollie all by himself. His precise, dainty, over-elaborate mannerisms, the fiddling of his tie, and his frustrated look directly into the camera as he attempted to educate his calamitous colleague were now enhanced with a plethora of Ollie catchphrases like, "Well here's another nice mess you've gotten me into"; "Why don't you be careful" and "Come Stanley". These two court jesters, who perfectly complemented each other, created a rambunctious world all of their own whilst developing their unique comedic and filmmaking talents into a pure art form. Evidence of this (if any is needed) is their 1932 classic tour de force – and arguably the most favourite of all their sound shorts – The Music Box . Using the script and the same LA location of the long lost silent short Hats Off , Stan and Ollie attempt to deliver a crated piano (rather than a washing machine) to a house atop an enormous flight of steps. After crashing to

The classic L&H "look", signifying mayhem ahead (note Stan's white pancake make-up that he always wore whilst filming – clearly shown in this still from Towed in a Hole ).

These two court jesters created a rambunctious world all of their own whilst developing their unique comedic and filmmaking talents.

wrong way of doing things, is why their movies remain hilarious to this day. The Music Box won the Oscar for Best Short Subject (Comedy) at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards in November 1932. In July 1932, with three films in the can awaiting release, Stan decided to take a break from filming and visit his father in England. Hardy, always the inveterate golfer, decided to join his partner so he could try out the golf courses in Scotland. When they arrived in Southampton on board the Aquitania , thousands of their fans lined the docks all whistling the "Cuckoo" song. The boys had to literally battle their way through the adoring crowds to reach the train to London. And when they arrived at Waterloo station, several thousand more of their fans were waiting there to mob them. The completely unexpected response and adulation they received wherever they went in Britain was the first intimation that Stan and Ollie had of their global fame. Returning to Hollywood, the boys continued making their classic sound shorts. Then one morning in November 1932, whilst Stan and Ollie were filming Towed in a Hole , Hal Roach approached them on set and told them that "our distributors at MGM have asked us to reduce the number of comedy shorts". Roach paused, noting the look of disappointment on both of their faces. He then smiled and said, "They now want full-length Laurel and Hardy features instead".

the bottom several times, with Ollie either attached or underneath the crate, they finally succeed in getting it all the way to the top. They are then told by a postman that they could have driven it up by just following the road around the hill. Ollie looks at Stanley and says "Now why didn't we think of that before?". He then motions to Stan, and they both pick up the crate and carry it back down the steps to load it onto their horse-driven wagon. The simplicity of two adults who are really children pretending to be adults, and who inevitably choose the

Angry Professor Theodore Von Schwarzenhoffen (played by Billy Gilbert) watches while Stan and Ollie attempt to deliver The Music Box up a flight of 130 stone steps.

To be continued...

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STACK SOCIAL Listening to you lot chatting and interacting with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram is all kinds of awesome! Make sure you get involved and follow us on: STACK Magazine @STACKMag stackmagazine What you've been loving on social this month:

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Q1 Antonio Moreno, Jeff Chandler, Michael Keep and John Hodiak. What's the link? Q2 This 2010 speculative mystery drama was based on the real-life disappearance of the wife of a New York property tycoon. Title please. Q3 In 1977 this actor portrayed an Australian lawyer who defends a group of aborigines accused of murder. Name him? Q4 Who once described his magnum

Q8 A mobster spots a chance to cash in on the rivalry between two gangs in a dusty Texas border town. Title of this 1996 movie please. Q9 Ginger Rogers & Debbie Reynolds played the same key role in different versions of the same story. Name the titles of both films Q10 What links Bradley Cooper to Richard Dreyfuss (once), Kevin Spacey (once) and Christian Bale (twice)?

opus thus: "I was trying to tell a simple story of bad men in changing times"? Q5 This actress made her US screen debut playing a glamorous gypsy dancer in a classic film directed by William Dieterle. Who was she? Q6 Who in 1980 directed a comedy that was a homage to Federico Fellini's 8 1/2 ? Q7 Name the 1960s pop star who portrayed a movie character that emptied a German town of all its rats.

QUIZ

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A10. Sylvester Stallone: Rambo: Last Blood

A8. The Seventh Victim (1943) A9. Dustin Hoffman in Who is Harry Kellerman and Why is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?

A7. Black Horse Canyon

A6. Peggy Lee; Si & Am the Siamese cats in

The Lady and the Tramp.

A5. Machine Gun Preacher

(1960) A3. Clueless A4. They have all received Oscar nominations for playing priests onscreen.

(1965) A2. The League of Gentlemen

A1. Sydney J. Furie - The Ipcress File

(2011)

Quiz Answers February 2015 (Issue 125) -

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www.stack.net.au CINEMA

FAST & FURIOUS 7 In Cinemas April 2

INSURGENT • CHAPPIE • CINDERELLA • INHERENT VICE

YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO WHAT’S AT THE MOVIES HOT

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ACTION MAN

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interview

CINEMA

Iron Man 3

The Avengers

Avengers: Age of Ultron

In recent years, ROBERT DOWNEY JR. has become the poster boy for a franchise which boasts the third highest performing box-office hit of all time, The Avengers . His portrayal of comic book favourite Iron Man in Marvel's wildly successful movies has helped the actor, 49, propel himself back to Hollywood's forefront, where he was listed as the highest-paid actor by Forbes in 2013 following years in the addiction wilderness, overcoming drug and alcohol problems.

I t is a redemption story Stan Lee and co. would be proud to have written themselves, and with the much anticipated Avengers sequel set to take theatres by storm this April, Downey's rise shows no sign of slowing. “It's a life comeback!” the actor says of his turnaround. “I love the metaphor of the Phoenix. I soared high when I first started making my mark as an actor and then I crashed and burned only to rise again.” In addition to his starring role as Iron Man in the standalone trilogy before The Avengers , Robert's renaissance began with films such as Sherlock Holmes , Zodiac and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang . “The only thing that would ruin things is if I crashed and burned again,” he says of his recent success. “But I'm too proud of my family and what we have together to let that happen.” His role as billionaire playboy meets superhero, Tony Stark/Iron Man, is one he credits with getting his name back into the upper echelons of Hollywood's elite. “There’s no denying that Iron Man has put me in a position to many other things,” he says of the role. The devoted father of three says that upon seeing friend Johnny Depp succeed in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, he wanted his children to see their father in a similar role. “I hoped it would be the kind of movie you can take your kid to and explore the comic-book hero genre with a mix of escapism and intelligence. I’m also proud of the fact that I’m a leading man who can do major blockbusters and be that Harrison Ford kind of guy. It’s not a bad place to be,” he confesses.

last. “I’ve reached a point where I know I can live this way, and I am deeply grateful for everything I have today,” he admits. With Iron Man signed up for a further Avengers film, the amazing turnaround in Robert Downey Jr.'s life is complete.

A well as his two sons, Indio and Exton, Robert and his wife, producer Susan whom he married in 2005, recently had a baby daughter, Avri. With his stock at an all-time high, how does Downey Jr. find time to be a father and husband in amongst saving the world on screen? “I've slowed things down a bit but I enjoy working and I know that work is the best form of therapy for me,” Robert admits. “Susan has given me a structure for living and we love each other as much as any couple can be in love. We take that responsibility seriously and I’ve become a better man because of my commitment to taking this journey together with her.” 2015 is shaping up to be one of the biggest years in Downey Jr.'s career to date, he is a man at peace with his past, present and future at I'm proud of the fact that I'm a leading man who can do major blockbusters...

Avengers: Age of Ultron is in cinemas on April 23 and will be reviewed next issue.

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The second chapter in Veronica Roth's Divergent Series significantly diverges from its Hunger Games -lite predecessor, making this a YA franchise worth following. INSURGENT RELEASED: March 19 DIRECTOR: Robert Schwentke CAST: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet RATING: M

I n the competitive arena of Young Adult adaptations, some series live to fight another day, while others die after a single installment. To succeed, they must possess the same non-conformist stance as their protagonists, which can be tricky given that popular YA fiction largely conforms to an established formula. Veronica Roth’s Divergent Series has been tough enough to survive for another chapter, and while 2014’s Divergent ostensibly resembled The Hunger Games , the trilogy significantly diverges from comparisons to the Suzanne Collins’ juggernaut with second film, Insurgent . The Divergent Series ’ post-apocalyptic future is located within a fenced-off Chicago, where society has been divided into five factions according to human virtues. But if you possess free will and independent thought – like Tris (Shailene Woodley) and Four (Theo James) – you’re deemed ‘Divergent’ and a threat to the status quo. With the factions on the brink of civil war at the end of Divergent , Insurgent picks up with Tris and Four on the run from power-mad Erudite leader Jeanine (Kate Winslet), who has vowed to eliminate the Divergents. The pair find allies in the Factionless, led by Four’s

mother (Naomi Watts), and there’s also the issue of a mysterious box containing a message from the society’s founders, which can only be opened by a pure Divergent, making Tris’s capture a priority. The middle film of a trilogy can often be the weakest, but Roth has bigger things in store in chapter three, so Insurgent delivers both a satisfying conclusion to the events of the first film and sets up the third, Allegiant , which is poised to take the story in a completely new direction (and of course will be divided into Part 1 & 2). Without the need for set-up and exposition, Insurgent is free to explore the nuances of its class system and characters, as well as advancing the narrative in new and unexpected directions through propulsive storytelling – which is what any good sequel should do. Shailene Woodley is no Jennifer Lawrence but she invests Tris with guts and a steely determination that belies her wallflower look, and the scenes in which she plunges into a series of surreal VR simulations to unlock the secret of the box are among the film’s visual highlights. So if you're hungry for another quality YA film franchise, make sure it’s The Divergent Serie s. Scott Hocking

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The creator of merciless robot soldiers, used as special police squads, experiments on a new operating system capable of learning, creativity and decision. Naturally, it falls into the hands of gangster/alternative/rap group Die Antwoord. CHAPPIE RELEASED: March 12 DIRECTOR: Neill Blomkamp CAST: Sharlto Copley, Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver RATING: MA15+

P erhaps making one of the most exciting and nigh on perfect movies in many years as your debut is a curse for life? District 9 shattered conventions and engaged audiences with such power, they pretty much gave director Blomkamp the keys to Hollywood uttering, ‘Go for it!’. Then came the miscalculated fart, Elysium, with a bigger budget and major Hollywood stars. Since that critical and commercial failure, smaller stars (Jackman instead of Damon, Weaver instead of Foster) and less fanfare greets this third writer- director offering, Chappie ; a riff on elements of District 9 ’s ‘urban chaos’ and uber machinery, but with a hook involving cult South African musical outfit, Die Antwoord. But, you see, they play themselves. Not the best idea in hindsight, particularly considering suspension of belief goes out the window if a lead character is wearing a T-shirt of their own band in a sci-fi orientated fictitious universe. Unless you’re Jodorowsky in the ‘70s, forget it; your cover’s blown and it’s now a mere promotional video clip for two hours. That said, while the director offers a script making audiences guffaw with embarrassment, and seemingly has no

idea on how to direct actors to show genuine emotion, intent or belief, he’s damn good at making us love a foreign object. Like our hearts melted for ‘the prawns’ in District 9 , ‘Chappie’ himself (a broken robot soldier, now fitted with the capability to learn) is freshly believable as a newborn machine entering our horrible, cruel world possessing an E.T. meets Short Circuit cute factor. The idea of Die Antwoord teaching Chappie how to be a gangster is at times extremely satisfying and brave filmmaking. But in consistency, it’s a pantomime of shame as Hugh Jackman awkwardly channels Steve Irwin on steroids and Weaver basically does NOTHING, yet the next minute someone’s head is being ripped off – Verhoeven style. The action is as you'd expect, astonishing; but that cat-sat-on-the-mat script, the sheer lack of any screen charisma from the afore band, and the cliché upon cliché makes you leave the cinema deflated. One must now wonder and fear what Blomkamp will do officially helming the next Alien film!? Oh, Chappie was intended as the first part in a trilogy of films. Now, probably not. Chris Murray

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REVIEWS

CINEMA

RATING KEY:

Wow!

Good

Not bad

Meh Woof!

CINDERELLA

RUN ALL NIGHT

Forget what you think you know and start again; Disney have pulled the biggest rabbit out of its mouse-eared hat to date with this passionate, fun, mature, concise and rollickingly entertaining live action film that will have audiences of all ages melting, loving and remembering what it means to follow simple golden rules we all but forget in a modern society. Cate Blanchett was born to play the surrogate matriarch with her sharp features, intelligent sarcasm and commanding presence; an effortless performance that ignites the sting in this fairy tale, which amazingly dances between reality and the magical realm with true wonder and heart. Less heavy on the CGI and with more concentration on a clever script, plus an uncanny ability to engage multiple ages and a rich visual splendor that doesn’t overcook the cake, is likely to make Cinderella the biggest box-office success story to date for the studio, and deservedly so. Chris Murray RELEASED: March 26 DIRECTOR: Kenneth Branagh CAST: Cate Blanchett, Lily James, Richard Madden RATING: PG

Liam Neeson defaults to action-man mode once again in Run All Night , his third collaboration with director Jaume Collet-Serra and his umpteenth Taken clone. Hitman Jimmy Conlon (Neeson) battles his inner demons and must decide if his loyalties lie with his son or with his lifelong best friend. Limo driver Mike Conlon ( RoboCop ’s Joel Kinnaman) winds up the reluctant target of his father’s longtime ally, mobster Shawn Maguire (Ed Harris). Let the running and shooting commence. Neeson reprises some of the skills he's acquired from previous roles; fights with hot sticks ( The Phantom Menace ), parkour ( Taken ), and, of course, gunfights ( Non-Stop , and every other film). Run All Night works fine as a shoot-em up action movie, but one can’t help thinking that Neeson will struggle to escape this kind of typecasting for the remainder of his career. Alesha Kolbe RELEASED: March 19 DIRECTOR: Jaume Collet-Serra CAST: Liam Neeson, Ed Harris, Joel Kinnaman RATING: MA15+

THE GUNMAN

TOP FIVE

THE Spongebob MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER

RELEASED: Apr 16 DIRECTOR: Pierre Morel CAST: Sean Penn, Idris Elba, Jasmine Trinca RATING: CTC

RELEASED: March 12 DIRECTOR: Chris Rock CAST: Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson RATING: MA15+

RELEASED: April 2 DIRECTOR: Paul Tibbitt CAST: Tom Kenny, Antonio Banderas RATING: PG

A mercenary’s last assassination in the Congo forces him into leaving not only the country, but also the woman he loves. Upon returning, it’s soon clear he himself is the new target. The cinema cliché of ‘the hunter becoming the hunted’ can be done in many ways; thankfully this is a slight cut above for two reasons – it takes itself quite seriously, posing as a loose political actioner with a heavy duty cast (when it’s really not); and Sean Penn simply being on the screen looking like he’s having some genuine fun, albeit in a constant state of poised concentration as not to stop flexing his rather impressive 54-year-old biceps. Taken director Morel obviously listened to his main star (Penn even gets a screenplay credit) as this is a no-nonsense journey. Much attention is given to methodical approaches to the art of killing, and Penn excels in us believing him – so too the casting of Ray Winstone as a crusty confidante and the gritty ‘put-em down fast’ a la Bourne attitude to action. Ultimately the plot is still a join-the-dots affair, letting down any true intrigue. You’ll find yourself squinting harder at attempting to believe it’s a greater film. CM

This is an instance where a film's trailer seems to have been put together by, I don't know, Dane Cook. It's not actually all about hurling champagne everywhere; the best parts involve famous actor/comedian Andre Allen (Chris Rock) walking around New York, talking authenticity, hip hop and love with Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson), a reporter who tries to get genuine responses out of her interviewee by revealing her own personal life. Overall it's a pretty unrealistic rendition of how magazine interviews are actually conducted, but it does provide a great structure – interspersed with the deeper conversations are a stop at Chelsea's home, where her daughter asks Andre uncomfortably sassy questions; a visit to Andre's mates', where we see his flair for quick wit and canny takedowns are shared by his adored 'regular' friends; and plenty of hilarious flashbacks to a time when Andre was making big money doing crappy comedies (he's now trying to get serious with a sober biopic about the Haitian Revolution, titled Uprize ). Surprisingly meaningful. Zoë Radas

Are ya ready, kids? I certainly wasn’t. The SpongeBob Movie is one of the most eye-opening things I’ve seen in a long time. Either I’m not the atypical child, and missed something growing up, or kids these days are in a whole different ballpark as far as cartoons are concerned. Whether it’s dolphin rap battles, time travelling or bad puns, it’s hard to say if there’s something for everyone – or no one – in this 3D cinematic rendering of Bikini Bottom. Starring the voice actors from the series – Tom Kenny as SpongeBob, Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick, and Rodger Bumpass (yes, that’s really his name) as Squidward – it’s not as if the film strays from the show’s predictably bonkers template. It does, however, bring a weird, almost illicit substance- induced fervour to a childhood memory of mine that I didn’t really want tainted. Despite the title, most of the movie takes place underwater; probably a good thing. It’s creepy, and recommended for kids who are slightly left-of-centre. AK

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