ULTIMATE APRIL 2011

NEW RELEASES LITTLE FOCKERS, RED, MEGAMIND, BAMBI, HARRY POTTER, FOO FIGHTERS, TV ON DVD & MORE © Disney.

THE HOTTEST NEW DVD, BLU-RAY, GAMES, MUSIC AND MORE INSIDE!

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MAD MEN SEASON 4

JENNIFER LOPEZ 27/03/2011 8:43:40 PM

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insidethis inside thisissue... issue...

EDITOR Sarah Megginson

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ART DIRECTOR Luke Shaddock CONTRIBUTING WRITERS David Christopher, Shane Conroy, Nick Hadland, Iain Hopkins, Jane Howdle, Caroline Muldoon, Jacinta Reid, Chris Stead ADVERTISING

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sales@nuclear.com.au ULTIMATE is proudly

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published by NUCLEAR MEDIA & PUBLISHING in conjunction with SANITY

SANITY 36-48 Ashford Avenue, Milperra NSW 2214 CEO Ray Itaoui GENERAL MANAGER Garry Mortlock PRODUCT & MARKETING MANAGER Simon Apostolas PRODUCT MANAGER VISUAL David Cheek PRODUCT MANAGER

Two of my favourite things come together this month: chocolate and chilly weather!

The Easter holiday provides the perfect opportunity to indulge in guilt-free down time. I plan to log some serious couch lounging so I can catch up on the latest Blu-ray and DVD releases: the cutesy rom-com Life As We Know It is at the top of my list, followed by the action-adventure RED , which stars a veritable who’s who of Hollywood A-listers.

If you’re looking to please the kids, you can’t go past Megamind , a fun animated outing backed by the vocal talents

of Brad d Pitt Pitt, Tina Ti F Fey and d Will F Ferrell. ll O Or ttake k a trip t i down memory lane with Bambi , a beautiful comingill stands tands the test of time, almost of-age tale that still 70 years after it was made!

Also, don’t forget that Mother’s Day is literally only a few weeks away! Flowers and sweets are the traditional treat bestowed on mums across Australia come early May, but why not mix things up with a gift that lasts a bit longer? The latest series of Packed to the Rafters wouldn’t go astray in my household – but, considering the fact that my little one is only five months old, I don’t have high expectations. If her dad happens to read this, however, it doesn’t hurt to mention that season three is in-stores from April 20!

MUSIC Scott Ryan

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Opinions voiced in ULTIMATE are the opinions of the writers and may not reflect the opinions of Sanity or Nuclear Media. Any editorial submissions to ULTIMATE become the property of Nuclear Media.

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Little Fockers The Fockers are back – and they’ve multiplied!

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Tron: Legacy 30 years after Tron, the sequel comes to life!

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 Bambi: Diamond Edition Megamind The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader RED Devil Life As We Know It TV on DVD: Packed to the Rafters season 3, Mad Men season 4, 90210 season 1, The Hills season 6 - The Final Season, The Jesters season 1, Rules of Engagement season 1

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ULTIMATE The million-dollar question was, would anyone still care about the 1982 film, based on a guy who gets sucked into a computer game to help defeat a Master Control Program – let alone be interested in a sequel?

“For me, the original Tron is this weird experimental film that Disney agreed to pay for,” Olivia Wilde, who plays Quorra in Tron: Legacy, tells a Los Angeles press crowd. “[It’s] one of those movies that you feel you’ve seen when you haven’t, because it appears so much in cultural references that it’s sort of woven its way into the cultural fabric of this society.”

The idea for a Tron sequel had been sitting on Disney shelves for nearly a decade, with reports as early as July 1999 that there were plans to reboot the cult classic for a new generation.

A sequel was in development, but it came in the form of Tron 2.0, a video game in 2002. It wasn’t until 2005 that official confirmation was announced that Disney was planning to send moviegoers back into The Grid.

“I think if you tried to make Tron: Legacy 10 years ago, it wouldn’t have worked because technology wouldn’t have swung back to the point of being as revolutionary and groundbreaking as it is now,” Wilde explains.

“We’re using four different types of filmmaking technology in the movie that have never been used before, simultaneously. And that makes it as mind-blowing as the original was in 1982. So I’m really happy that Disney waited this long to be able to have that kind of impact. I’m also happy because it meant I got to be in it!”

The one essential ingredient needed to weave the two films together – and to ward off any potential

When shooting the first Tron film, Bridges recalls being distracted from his scenes – by a room full of computer games! “I remember, I couldn’t believe it; we showed up the first day at work and around the walls of the studio are video games that you have to put quarters in, just all over,” he recalls. “I said God, Steve,, you don’t think this is gonna raise a little e hell with the work, you know? I mean guys are gonna be [distracted]. He said, I don’t know, I figured you might want to prepare before you go on the grid. I said okay. And actually, both things did happen. It did hold up the work every once in a while but it was great fun.”

LET’S BE HONEST: THE ORIGINAL TRON MOVIE FROM MOST OF US HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT. IT REMAINED IN DISNEY UNLEASHED A TEASER TRAILER AT THE 2008 SAN AWAY WITH THE LOOK, FEEL AND CONCEPT OF WHAT TRON

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T T D C

ETAMITLU fan boy revolt – was Jeff Bridges.

At 61, Bridges no longer has the youthful complexion of his original character Kevin Flynn or his digital duplicate, Clu (Codified Likeness Utility), so producers had to creatively reverse the aging process on the veteran actor and make Clu look like he did in 1982. But according to Bridges, that was half the fun.

“I was really drawn to both [films] for the same reason… to take part in a movie that was using that cutting edge technology,” Bridges explains.

“What I was most curious about for this one is making a movie without cameras, and this idea that everything is held in post, from the costume to your makeup to the set, even the camera angles, where the camera is. That was quite amazing.”

Preparation for star Garrett Hedlund meant maintaining his weight so he could slide into his tight-fitting latex outfit.

“They actually scan you into the computer,” Hedlund tells SlashFilm. com.

“You’re just in skivvies and they scan you from head to toe and if you’re a shy person, you might get a little pinchy, but I was all right. The suit has to fit you, completely and precisely, so it looks like it’s a part of you. And you have to maintain that state throughout the whole film as well because if you gain an inch or lose an inch, the suit’s not going to fit the way it did and it’s going to have people sort of barking.”

So in 28 years, technology has evolved to point where it dominates the majority of our daily lives – something predicted by Flynn in the original Tron – but at the end of the, actors are still wearing latex for their craft. Some things never change!

VITAL STATS

THE ‘80S WAS THE SCI-FI FLICK THAT THE DEEP RECESSES OF OUR MINDS UNTIL DIEGO COMIC-CON, BLOWING EVERYONE COULD BE NEARLY 30 YEARS LATER.

WORDS David Christopher

M N N N

Stars: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Bruce Boxleitner, Olivia Wilde, Michael Sheen, James Frain, Beau Garrett Director: Joseph Kosinski Budget: US$170 million Gross worldwide revenue: US$394.6 million

TRON: LEGACY

On Blu-ray and DVD from April 20

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ULTIMATE

Little Fockers THE FOCKER FAMILY ADVENTURES CONTINUE IN LITTLE FOCKERS, WITH HOLLYWOOD A-LISTERS BEN STILLER, ROBERT DENIRO, OWEN WILSON, DUSTIN HOFFMAN AND BARBARA STREISAND REPRISING THEIR ROLES IN THE HILARIOUS NEW FILM. It’s been over a decade since we first met

going into territory you have to deal with. Part of you is

the Focker crew in 2000’s Meet the Parents, in

saying, ‘Why am I here?’ But you have to be there. You’re

which Gaylord “Greg” Focker (Ben Stiller) worked

with this other family and you have to deal and I

overtime to impress his girlfriend’s folks.

think anybody can relate to that.”

In the 2004 sequel, Meet the Fockers, Greg

In this third outing, glamourous movie star

and Pam (Teri Polo) – on the verge of walking

Jessica Alba also joins the cast, appearing as sexy

down the aisle – introduce their

pharmaceutical-company representative Andi

parents to each other. Pam’s

Garcia, who works with Greg.

stuffy, intimidating father Jack

“She’s just a ball of

(DeNiro), a retired CIA agent,

fun, so it was fun playing

How do we tell a new story with couldn’t be more different to Greg’s carefree, hippy these characters and parents, and hilarity ensues where would they as their two worlds collide. be 10 years down Fast-forward over half a decade, and Greg and Pam the road? are now happily married with - Ben Stiller five-year-old twins, Henry and

somebody like that because it was very liberating. I might be a little bit of a control freak in my real life,” Alba admits.

And while being invited to join such a formidable cast that

Samantha. Jack begins to experience significant

already had two successful movies under their belt

health issues, however, and appoints Greg as the

was a little daunting, Alba says the experience was “very

new head of the family – aka, “The Godfocker”.

satisfying” nonetheless.

“The idea of the movie [is]: how do we tell a new story with these characters,” Stiller explains, “and where would they be 10 years

“It’s certainly a pretty intimidating group of actors, icons, my heroes and an incredible franchise, and they’ve known each other for so long that it’s almost

down the road with the marriage, the kids and how that affects the marriage?”

so scary and intimidating – but you kind of just have to let it go and just have fun,” she

Adds DeNiro, “I would say that’s why people like the [Focker] films – I hope this

says. “And that’s exactlyy what I did!”

one too – because of the story, the situation, the family dynamic, one family meeting another. It’s like

VITAL STATS LITTLE FOCKERS

On Blu-ray and DVD from April 21

WORDS Sarah Megginson

Stars: Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Blythe Danner, Teri Polo, Jessica Alba, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand Director: Paul Weitz Producers: Robert De Niro, Jay Roach, Jane Rosenthal, John Budget: US$100 million Gross worldwide revenue: US$307 million

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THE HARRY POTTER SERIES IS NOTHING SHORT OF A CULTURAL PHENOMENON, AND IT’S BEEN A NICE LITTLE EARNER FOR J.K ROWLING TO BOOT: HER TALES OF A GROUP OF YOUNG WIZARDS IS A BRAND WORTH MORE THAN 24 BILLION BUCKS! NOW, AS THE SERIES WINDS UP, THE FIRST PART OF THE FINALÉ ARRIVES ON BLU-RAY AND DVD. With over 400 million novels sold and the films grossing a combined total of over $6.3

that much’,” Radcliffe jokes the initial casting

the third biggest movie of 2010, and the tenth

process.

highest grossing movie in cinematic history, with

billion, there aren’t too many people that

“She’s like five foot, and my grandmother is

haven’t been touched by the Harry Potter

four foot nine, so they presumably just thought,

franchise.

‘Ah, he’s not going to get too tall for the role,

However, if you’re one of the few that haven’t seen it, the next paragraph will read like

that’s for sure.’”

Radcliffe certainly has grown over the

box office receipts that inched towards the one billion dollar mark.

The film’s huge results at the cinema tracked the book’s success when it was initially released. Deathly Hallows

course of the seven Harry Potter films: during

broke sales records

the first outing, 2001’s Harry Potter and the

as the fastest-selling

he now has control over the Ministry of Magic

Philosopher’s Stone, he was just a young boy,

book in history, with

and Hogwarts. Thus, in order to defeat the dark

aged 11. At his most recent birthday Radcliffe

more than 15 million

lord, everything must go to plan for Harry, Ron

blew out 21 candles; now a strapping young

copies sold in more

and Hermione as they attempt to find the rest of

man, his growth presented somewhat of a

than 90 countries in the

the Horcruxes they need.

challenge for producers, who needed Harry

first 24 hours of release.

to appear appropriately aged as a student of

It stomped all

Hogwart’s.

over the

gibberish!

Voldemort’s power is growing stronger and

It was the year 2000 when actor Daniel Radcliffe was first asked to audition for the role of Harry Potter. Little did he know back then

Audiences didn’t seem to mind, however,

previous

that winning the part would change his world

and Deathly Hallows Part 1 blitzed the box office

record, of

completely.

when it opened in theatres across the globe

nine million

late last year. It earnt a whopping US$330 million

sales in its first

in it’s first three days of release, and became

day, which had

“I think they probably saw my mother and thought, ‘Oh this boy isn’t going to grow

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been held by Harry Potter and the Half-Blood

Prince.

The events of the first half of the novel played out in this film, and the sequel – due to hit cinemas in July this year – will round out the series for good.

So what’s next for Rowling? Something completely different, she promises.

“I think that there will be some disappointment if I don’t write another fantasy,” Rowling says. “But I must admit, I think I’ve done my fantasy. To go and create another fantasy universe would feel wrong, and I don’t know if I’m capable of it.”

J.K. Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in January 2007, and before its release, publisher Bloomsbury is reported to have spent £10 million to keep the book’s contents safe. Apparently, it was money down the drain: shortly before release, photos of all 759 pages of the U.S. edition were leaked, transcribed, and posted on the internet.

The uber wealthy author, whose personal net worth sits somewhere in the billions of

financially, I don’t have to publish immediately,”

dollars, also admits to enjoying the fact that

she says. “The idea of just wandering off to a

she doesn’t have to put pen to paper right

cafe with a notebook and writing and seeing

away – or ever again, if she doesn’t feel like it.

where that takes me for awhile is just bliss.

“What’s quite uplifting… is the thought that

Heaven. No pressure.”

VITAL STATS Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham Carter Director: David Yates Producers: David Heyman, David Barron, J. K. Rowling Budget: US$250 million Gross worldwide revenue: US$952 million. Part 2, only at the movies 15 July 2011

On Blu-ray and DVD from April 15

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WORDS Sarah Megginson

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1

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ULTIMATE

DEEP IN A FOREST T COMING-OF-AGE A Almost 70 years after Walt Disney’s beloved story first played out on the big screen in 1943, the magic of Bambi and Bambi II is now available to own on Blu-ray and DVD. Nominated for three Academy Awards® back in the day, including Best Song, Best Score and Best Sound, this endearing tale of friendship, love and the miracle of life will enchant families and children all over again – but this time, the story unfolds in high

Former Beatle Paul McCartney has credited the shooting death of Bambi’s mother for sparking his initial interest in animal rights – an example of what has been dubbed “The Bambi effect”.

In 2008, the American America Film Institute presented a list of its “10 Top 10”, being the best ten films iin each of ten “classic “classic” American film gen genres. After polling over 1,500 people from the creative community, Bambi placed third in the animation category – making it the tthird best animated film l in history.

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ETAMITLU

ST THICKET, A DOE GIVES BIRTH TO A FAWN. AND SO BEGINS BAMBI, A BEAUTIFUL GE ANIMATED TALE THAT HAS DELIGHTED CHILDREN THE WORLD OVER FOR DECADES. definition magic.

Bambi tells the story of a young deer, Bambi,

by the wisdom of Friend Owl, Bambi learns

installments of a franchise, as Bambi II was

valuable life lessons with every adventure –

released 64 years after the original!

who is hailed as the ‘Prince of the Forest’ at his

experiencing the power of friendship, family, loss

birth. As Bambi grows, he becomes friends with

and love along the away.

the other animals of the forest, including the

The second chapter in Bambi’s unforgettable

Favourite Bambi characters Thumper, Flower and Owl return in the second film, along with many wonderful new friends as Bambi’s story

playful rabbit Thumper and a bashful skunk, who

story plays out in Bambi II. Not technically a

continues. The animated adventure also features

Bambi nicknames Flower.

sequel, Bambi II is a midquel as the story takes

original music by the likes of Allison Krauss,

But the fun of nibbling on fresh blossoms

place in the middle of the original Bambi, with

Martina McBride, Richard Marx, Dean Pitchford

and frolicking through the woods is only the

the Great Prince of the Forest (Bambi’s father)

and Marcus Hummon.

beginning. Exploring his new world, and guided

dealing with the now motherless Bambi.

These heart-warming tales will be coming out

Bambi II was released in 2006, more than

of the Disney Vault for a limited time only, and

six decades after the original was made. As a

are available for the first time in high definition

result, the films broke the world record for the

on Diamond Edition Blu-Ray and DVD.

longest length of time between two consecutive

Bambi DVD Bonus Features:

– Backstage Disney: Disc introduction by Diane Disney-Miller – Inside Walt’s Story Meetings: Go back in time with dramatic voice re-enactments of the moments with Walt that led to the creation of this classic film – Two never-before-seen deleted scenes – Deleted song “Twitterpated” – Bambi Interactive Galleries – Family Play – Games and activities – Disney’s Big Book of Knowledge: Bambi Edition – An interactive educational gaming experience that uses the film as a fun learning tool.

BAMBI: DIAMOND EDITION

Available now on Blu-ray and DVD ** Bambi II also available now on Blu-ray and DVD! **

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WORDS Sarah Megginson

The realism that Disney was pushing in its animation in 1943 caused delays in production, as animators were unaccustomed to drawing natural animals. Consequently, expert animators could only manage around eight drawings per day, which amounted to only six inches – or half a second – of film. This was far less than the normal production rate of ten feet per day, or roughly 13 seconds.

– The original theatrical trailer – The Making Of Bambi: A Prince Is Born – Tricks of the Trade, narrated by Walt Disney – Inside the Disney Archives – The Old Mill – Winner of the 1937 Academy Award® for Best Short Subject/Cartoon, The Old Mill was a testing ground for several techniques critical to Walt Disney’s artistic vision for Bambi.

Bambi Blu-ray Bonus Features:

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ULTIMATE

WOMEN THE WORLD OVER HAVE BEEN LONGING TO SEE BRAD PITT IN SOME SORT OF SUPERHERO SPANDEX FOR MANY, MANY YEARS – AND WITH THE ANIMATED FEATURE MEGAMIND, THIS IS ABOUT AS CLOSE AS THEY’RE GOING TO GET! Pit him against Will Ferrell as a superintelligent alien called Megamind, throw in Tina Fey as a love interest and Jonah Hill and Ben Stiller as solid supports, and you have the recipe for certified box office gold!

“It’s pretty homoerotic,” Fey jokes with Collider.com about the onscreen battle between Pitt and

encouraging.”

Fey, best known for her work on the hit show 30 Rock, found the improvisation element liberating as opposed to filming a weekly comedy show.

“If you’re filming something, when you’re improvising [you’re] wasting film or the camera man’s time,” she says. “With this, when you’re

Ferrell. “Not since Sherlock Holmes has it been so

recording stuff first, you can try different stuff

homoerotic.”

and it doesn’t matter how you look while you’re

The premise to Megamind is simple, but incredibly original in it’s simplicity.

Supervillain Megamind conquers his

doing it… I found it very fun.”

For Pitt, however, Megamind wasn’t about the improvisation, the acting skills or the

arch nemesis, Metro Man, but he quickly

chance to have another hit movie under his

learns that his life is meaningless without

belt. He had just one motivation.

someone to constantly battle with.

It’s something that Fey says she can relate to. “I don’t have a nemesis, but I have a series of hundreds of small enemies,” Fey jokes at a press conference. “Everyone I meet I

“I’m doing it for my kids to try to score some points with them,” he told TrailerAddict.com at the New York premiere. “If they like it, then I like it.”

With Megamind taking

assume is out to get me and that

over US$318 million dollars

fuels my fire.”

at the box office, it’s safe to

With two of Hollywood’s funniest at the film’s helm,

say that a lot of people liked it.

Expect a sequel soon!

director Tom McGrath says that improvisation was always going to play a part in the success of Megamind.

“That’s why we have the cast we do to be

VITAL STATS

partners and collaborators,” McGrath explains. “Thirty percent of

Stars: Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, David Cross, Brad Pitt, Ben Stiller Director: Tom McGrath Executive producers: Ben Stiller, Stuart Cornfield Budget: US$130 million Gross worldwide revenue: US$318.8 million

what you hear in the scene is improvised… the script was very well thought out, but on a scene by scene basis, we get three outs for every line that was much funnier than what was written.”

Ferrell agrees, “That’s the beauty of getting to do this work. On a regular film, you can ‘Great, but let’s get back to the script.’

But, with animation, you can play

MEGAMIND

around with any scene, in any way, and it’s pretty low-impact.

It doesn’t slow down the

On Blu-ray and DVD from April 7

WORDS David Christopher

go off on a tangent and they usually say,

process at all. It was very

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27/03/2011 8:52:59 PM

ULTIMATE

THE CLASSIC ADVENTURE TALE CONTINUES IN THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER, BUT THIS TIME IT’S THE LION, THE WITCH, AND AN EPIC SHIP THAT TAKES THE PEVENSIE SIBLINGS – AND A COURAGEOUS ARMY OF CREATURES – ON A WILD JOURNEY TO THE EDGE OF THE WORLD. This latest chapter in the series sees Lucy (Georgie Henley) and Edmund Pevensie (Skandar Keynes) and their cousin, Eustace (Will

the role of Edmund.

“Narnia has allowed Edmund to grow and has guided his growth. In the second

Poulter), return to Narnia, where

film (Prince Caspian) he played more of a

they discover that a lot has changed

subservient role to his older brother Peter. He

since their last visit.

was playing second fiddle to a large degree.

The children’s old friend, now

But now he is taking a much more proactive,

crowned King Caspian (Ben Barnes),

leadership role in the whole Pevensie unit,”

is in need of a powerful team to help

Keynes explains.

him fulfill a promise he made to the great Aslan – to find the seven lost Lords of Narnia who were banished by The movie was shot in the magical surrounds of Australia’s Gold Coast!

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader r was directed by Michael Apted, the man responsible for James Bond’s The World Is Not Enough and Gorillas in the Mist.

age that encouraged Skandar Keynes to reprise

Caspian’s evil uncle, Miraz.

“The main problem is that Edmund is almost under a spell. That is an interesting and critical part of the characterisation – the character is hypnotised – which presents a difficult

As they make their way through the

challenge. One of the key themes in this film is

stormy waters they are faced with illusions,

temptation and Edmund is tempted by greed.”

tricks and even treachery from one of their own, who learns the hard way that all that glitters is not gold.

However, the team also finds themselves caught up in the slave trade, dealing with loss, and even facing the confronting issue

Henley, who once again slips into her role

of sacrifice. Who will complete the final leg to

as Lucy, says this is a tale that presents greater

the edge of the world and who will face the

challenges than in previous Narnia outings.

lonely task of a solo return to Narnia to keep a

“This one’s a greater mixture of adventure, and dark magic and good magic, even some comedy.

You really see more of Narnia and the magic of the world that it comes from,” Henley says.

Now older and stronger, Lucy and Edmund

deathbed promise?

It’s this captivating tale of adventure that keeps hearts racing. “You’re never sure what is going to happen next or what they are going to find on the boat, going from island to island.

take on the challenges and encounter more

It’s like organised fun, as we put it; you always

unique, strange beings including “Dufflepuds”,

know there is going to be something new to

dragons and strange sea creatures.

find,” promises Keynes.

It’s this coming of WORDS Jacinta Reid

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER

Out now on Blu-ray and DVD

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Retired Extremely Dangerous WITH BRUCE WILLIS ON BOARD, THERE’S A CERTAIN EXPECTATION YOU HAVE AS A MOVIEGOER: THINGS WILL BE BLOWN UP, CAR CHASES WILL ABOUND, AND BADDIES WILL BE SHOT. IN RED, WILLIS TEAMS UP WITH MORGAN FREEMAN AND HELEN MIRREN AS A CREW OF RETIRED GUN-TOTING EXBLACK OPS CIA AGENTS – AND IT CERTAINLY DELIVERS ON ACTION! “There “TTh “Th “T he ere re was wass something wa som om ome me etthi h hing ng n g really rea rre ea e alllly llyy fresh fresh esssh ab about ou out o utt th u tthe he

myy super-duper m su sup super uperr duper dup upe err Super Sup S up u per er Cra Crane ane ne M Mor Mo Morgan orrgan o ga g an F an Fr Freeman’ reem em e man’ an n’ n’

concoction of this project, and that intrigued

or ‘hey look everybody, I got a new Transformer

me,” Willis says. “There is a caper element to

John Malkovich’. Crazy, crazy fun.”

it, a comedy element to it, a romance element

from fro fro om an om an unlikely unli nlike nl ke kel ellyy source: so ou our u urrce: ce: ce e: Martha Marth Ma rttha Stewart.

Ste tew ewar ew arrtt art “She was indeed my inspiration, even down to the hair, my Martha Stewart hair,” says

RED follows former black ops agent Frank

Mirren. “She’s obviously not a retired assassin

to it and a big action movie element to it.

Moses (Willis), whose life is threatened by

but whatever Martha Stewart does, she does

But underneath all that, there’s the notion of

a high-tech assassin. In an attempt to find

it really, really well. She’s a perfectionist and

loneliness and feeling left out and being kicked

out exactly who wants him dead, Moses

I love her combination of feminine softness

off the team because you’re too old to play the

reassembles his old team.

and an incredible strength of efficiency and

game any longer. I just found it all to be a really interesting cinematic recipe.”

Aging is not something often acquainted with Willis, but at 55, he’s no longer the spritely

“I knew I’d be working with Bruce again,”

practicality. I hope she won’t be insulted by

says Freeman, who starred alongside Willis in

this characterisation because I am a big, big

the 2006 film, Lucky Number Slevin.

fan of hers.”

“He and I always have a lot of fun on the

With over 60 films under his belt over the

young John McClane who took down Hans

set. But I didn’t know I was going to get a shot

past three decades, you’d think that Willis has

Gruber in the original Die Hard movie.

at working with Helen Mirren, John Malkovich,

seen it all and done it all, but he claims RED

Mary-Louise Parker and Richard Dreyfuss, too.

leaves him speechless.

The calibre of talent that shows within RED’s 111 minutes is nothing short of phenomenal,

I mean, there is nothing better than getting to

acting like a who’s who of Hollywood’s aging

work with people you greatly admire… people

describe it because it was unlike anything I’ve

elite.

who bring it to the table every day. Nobody was

been involved with before,” he says. “It was a

shucking and jiving on this show. Everybody

ball… great fun to be a part of it, and great to

was playing their A-game.”

see a unique movie like this come together.”

“For me, filming this was a little bit like Christmas morning,” Willis says. “You know, every ten minutes you get to open a new and

“Honestly, it’s hard for me to talk about it or

Writers Jon and Erich Hoeber wrote Mirren’s

different present. ‘Oh my gosh, I got a shiny

character, Victoria, with the British actress in

new bicycle named Helen Mirren’ or ‘there’s

mind, however, she says she drew inspiration

VITAL STATS Stars: Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker, Richard Dreyfuss, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Karl Urban Director: Robert Schwentke Budget: US$58 million Gross worldwide revenue: US$181.2 million

Out now on Blu-ray and DVD

WORDS David Christopher

RED

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ULTIMATE

ACCLAIMED WRITER, DIRECTOR AND MASTER OF THE HORROR GENRE, M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN, BRINGS A NEW NIGHTMARE TO THE SCREEN IN AN ELEVATOR RIDE FROM HELL. an old folktale called “The Devil’s Meeting” in

anything on it, you know, you could say ‘Alfred

frustrating, testing and a little frightening than

which satan takes human form to punish and

Hitchcock’s The Elevator.’” It wasn’t long before

being stuck in a broken elevator during peak

torment sinners on earth, before he claims

Shyamalan became obsessed by what this

hour on a busy weekday morning. It would be

their souls.

‘elevator’ film could be about.

Surely there could be nothing more

even worse if your fellow travellers were not

Devil, however, takes a more modern

Elements of Hitchcock are certainly evident

exactly who or what they appeard to be. And if

approach in that the evil-doers have been

in the tight spacing of the elevator, which

perhaps the lights were to go out…

placed in possibly the most tormenting

required some tricky manoeuvring to work in.

environment of contemporary life – an elevator.

The setting creates a chokingly claustrophobic

Night Shyamalan’s latest offering Devil. While

As the story unravels it becomes apparent that

environment and Dowdle has managed to

handing over the director’s chair to John Erick

the group have more in common than they

maintain this atmosphere by using mirrors

Dowdle (Director of Quarantine) on this film,

think. And when the lights go out and strange

and lighting, as well as CCTV footage, to create

Shyamalan still has a strong presence, albeit in

things begin to happen, it seems that it was

spatial manipulations and many leap-out-of-

the producer’s role. The eerie sense of terror,

more than fate that brought them together.

your-seat moments. It’s not a film for the easily

This is the premise of horror specialist M.

supernatural elements and a knockout twist

Enter Detective Bowden (Chris Messina), a

(all of which are Shyamalan trademarks) make

grieving Philadelphian cop who is attempting to

Devil a thrilling ride from beginning to end.

put the recent death of his wife behind him by

Shyamalan, who wrote the story as part one of his Night Chronicles trilogy, seems to be

startled and it will definitely make you consider taking the stairs next time!

VITAL STATS

dedicating his life to his job.

While he scrambles to save the individuals

setting up for something big after a mixed bag

from their gruesome fate the mystery that

of box office successes and failures over the

begins to unravel has implications that none of

last decade. The story for Devil was inspired by

them could ever have seen coming.

Interestingly, Shyamalan has admitted to being inspired by a distinctly Hitchcockian

Stars: Chris Messina, Bojana Novakovic, Caroline Dhavernas Producer: M. Night Shyamalan Director: John Erick Dowdle Budget: US$10 million Gross worldwide revenue: US$34 million

approach to writing an interview he recalls

Devil stars up and coming Aussie actress, Bojana Novakovic. Novakovic is a graduate from NIDA and has also appeared in The Edge of Darkness with Mel Gibson

DEVIL

praising the maestro by stating that “you could just say his [Hitchcock’s] name

Out now on Blu-ray and DVD

WORDSNick Hadland

this particular film. In

and you could put

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© 2011 DW Studios L.L.C. and Universal Studios.

Separations

4

PARAMOUNT - LITTLE FOCKERS - ULTIMATE - FULL PAGE ADVERT - ARTWORK @ 100%

PoolID: 19104373 Final Size: 195w x 285h

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Date:Mon 28-03-2011 03:36AM UTC

ETAMITLU

GENETICALLY BLESSED PAIR KATHERINE HEIGL AND JOSH DUHAMEL SHARE THE SCREEN IN LIFE AS WE KNOW IT, A CHARMING DRAMA/ROMANTIC COMEDY The owner of a small

focus on their tiny new charge.

It was almost a case of art imitating life as

something that’s heart wrenching

bakery, Holly

just prior to starting work on the film, Heigl

and horrible

(Heigl) has just

and her husband found themselves in charge

and tragic, but

of their own little person – they adopted a

don’t even have

little girl, Naleigh, from South Korea.

quite that time to

two things in common with Eric Messer (Duhamel) – a mutual love of their one-year-old goddaughter,

The actress says she felt she had some

address it or deal

real-life experience to draw from when

with it, because they’re

preparing for the roll.

in way in over their

“I had just gotten familiar with the holding

heads… [but]

Sophie, and a

and the comforting of a child, so I could kind

these people are

mutual dislike

of do that ‘mother instinct’ thing a little bit,”

trying to do the

of each other.

Heigl says.

right thing. We

Holly’s best

For Duhamel, however, it was a whole new

see all these

friend is Alison,

world. He and wife Fergie (Stacy Ferguson

movies about

Sophie’s mother.

from the Black Eyes Peas) have yet to start

people making

a family, but in Life as We Know It he shares

the crappiest

the majority of his screen time with an infant.

choices in the

So, a few weeks before shooting began, he

world. Why not see

hightailed it to Atlanta to get to know his baby

something that’s

all involved if

co-stars (Sophie was portrayed on-screen by

sort of inspires

Holly and Eric

triplets Brooke, Brynn and Alexis Clagett).

people to do the

Eric’s best mate is Peter, Sophie’s father. It would make sense for

would just get

“I got to know these kids really well before

it on, but a

we started shooting and it was helpful,

disastrous date

because you didn’t really have to take them

years earlier has rendered that a virtual impossibility.

Then, Peter and Alison

off the set all the time,” he explains.

“They could stay there and they could play and they could live on the set while we were shooting. It made them comfortable.”

Whether Holly and Eric get comfortable

are tragically

with each other remains to be seen, but Heigl

killed in a car

describes the characters as ultimately being

accident, and

“really good people trying to do the right

Holly and Eric

thing”.

are forced to put their differences aside so they can

right thing?”

“They don’t necessarily like each other, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have

First date disaster These days Katherine Heigl is happily married with a little girl, but she admits to dating her fair share of shockers in her single days. “The worst was a trainer.

I was like 18, 20 pounds heavier and trying real hard to work it off at the gym, and my trainer asked me out,” she says. “He took me to Sizzler, gave me his headshot and asked if I could get him into my agency.” Ouch!

big hearts,” she says. “They go through

Director: Greg Berlanti Stars: Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel, Josh Lucas, Christina Hendricks, Jean Smart Budget: US$38 million Gross revenue: US$98 million

WORDS Sarah Megginson

VITAL STATS

LIFE AS WE KNOW IT

On Blu-ray and DVD from April 7

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TV on DVD! The only way to watch all your fave shows!

Packed to the Rafters Season 3 Let’s get this out of the way: yes, season three of Packer to the Rafters features the gut-wrenching plotline involving the sudden departure of Ben’s wife Mel, played by bubbly actress Zoe Ventoura.

We don’t want to give the full details away and spoil it for any readers that weren’t amongst to 2.5 million or so viewers who tuned in to see the episode in question: it was the highest rating episode of Rafters to date.

Suffice to say, fans of the show were devasted, as much for Ben (Hugh Sheridan) as for Mel. The actress behind the much-loved character says it was her decision to leave the hit show, and while she didn’t have any say in how she would be written off, she trusted that the writers “would handle it with the utmost respect and dignity and in the best way possible”. She adds, “I’m so humbled that they trusted me with this storyline.”

Life imitating art Jessica Marais recently got engaged in real life to her on-screen boyfriend, Jake (James Stewart). Stewart’s not the only one she shares an off-screen relationship with, however: Marais studied at NIDA with Hugh Sheridan, aka, Ben Rafter. “We just connected and have been great friends ever since.

Throughout NIDA we were inseparable,” she says. “We were always in trouble for laughing in class and mucking about.

To be working as brother and sister is hysterical. It’s a job that can become all consuming so to be able to share it with a friend is great. He is a brother in my life.”

So why did Ventoura – the real-life girlfriend of hunky Bondi Vet, Chris Brown – decide to quit? “I had come over to LA in one of

any younger,’ so it felt like the right time,” she

our filming breaks and had a really positive

says. While Ventoura hits up Hollywood to make

response, and I kind of thought, ‘I’m not getting

a name for herself, it seems that we’re still a

and blissfully married to Melissa (Zoe Ventoura),

nation obsessed with the Rafter family.

is trying for kids – until a heartbreaking accident

The third season pulled massive ratings

relationship with Jake (James Stewart).

And Ben, who was (Hugh Sheridan) recently

shatters his (and the show’s fans!) world.

once again, as we watched Julie (Rebecca Gibney) and Dave Rafter (Erik Thomson) face life with a new baby girl, Ruby. As well as the financial stress of dropping to a one-income family, there’s also the sense of being pulled in a hundred different directions by the needs of their adult children, Ben, Nathan (Angus McLaren) and Rachel (Jessica Marais).

Marais points out that Gibney’s nurturing motherly role isn’t just for show: “Rebecca’s so

The DVD includes a bonus interview with Hugh Sheridan and Zoe Ventoura, about her character Mel’s tragic death, and also interviews with the rest of the cast discussing season three storylines.

lovely; she really is the mother hen for all of us [off screen],” Marais says.

On the show, Gibney is supporting WORDS Sarah Megginson

her kids through a range of challenging situations. Nathan is coming to terms

PACKED TO THE RAFTERS SEASON 3

with his estrangement from wife Sammy (Jess McNamee), while Rachel, the eldest, is struggling to find balance

On DVD from April 20

between her exciting new job and her

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28/03/2011 9:21:56 AM

Mad Men Season 4 A stylish show set in the 1960s, Mad Men

He’s since been nominated for numerous

follows the hectic work and personal life of

awards and has taken home a Golden Globe

debonair advertising executive, Don Draper

and Screen Actors Guild trophy for his portrayl

(Jon Hamm), and offers a peek into a time and

of the dark, handsome and mysterious Draper.

lifestyle that most of us never knew existed!

Don works at one of New York’s top

It’s a role that Hamm clearly relishes, but when asked whether he would prefer to be

advertising agencies on Madison Avenue –

living as an adult in 1960s to the present day,

hence the title, Mad Men – and it’s a time and

he confessed that he would find “the trappings

a place where anything goes. From racism and

of life in Manhattan in the ‘60s [to be] very

getting on the booze at work, to flirting with the

alluring.”

receptionist and smoking in the office, it’s quite

“The one thing I would think the ‘60s had

a change of pace to today’s modern workplace.

over present day is the pace. Life moved a lot

Although he’s at the top of his game, Draper is aware that his position as top dog could

slower,” he says.

“It wasn’t a constant chase. You would

change at any time, as he’s constantly under

return phone calls and there was time to

pressure from younger employees who are out

send letters and mail and there was an

to take his place. Life is only made harder in his

appreciation for that deliberate pace of

personal life for the notorious ladies man, as he

living that I think is long gone. It is all about

can’t seem to stay faithful to his fed-up wife.

immediacy right now, whether it’s Twitter

This is the role that placed Hamm firmly into

or Facebook or even cell phones and car

the limelight, but the handsome actor admits

phones. There is no place on earth that you

he never expected to get the part.

can’t be found, and that’s a drag.”

“I read the script for Mad Men and I loved it… [but] I never thought they’d cast me. I mean, I thought they’d go with one of the five guys who look like me but are movie stars!” he says.

Evidently, producers saw something special and selected Hamm from a shortlist of more than 80 other actors.

His role as Don Draper requires him to smoke, but actor Jon Hamm – who gave up smoking when he was 24 – confirmed in an interview that he doesn’t smoke any actual cigarettes on set: instead, he puffs on herbal cigarettes that do not contain any tobacco or nicotine.

WORDS Sarah Megginson

MAD MEN SEASON 4

On Blu-ray and DVD April 6

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90210 The First Season In the 1990s, Beverly Hills 90210 was must-see TV and enjoyed a mass following of viewers. The new millennium sees a new version of the show, which draws close similarities to the original.

The Wilson family move from Kansas to California and siblings Annie and Dixon begin at West Beverly High School. The two suffer a massive culture shock as the students are very different to their previous school and they realise they’ll be dealing with rich spoilt brats.

Fans of the original will be glad to see familiar characters, with Jennie Garth reprising her role as Kelly Taylor, now a guidance councillor at the school.

The series has moved with the times and storylines are relevant to today’s teenagers. “[The executive producers] were telling me

as teen pregnancy, drug and substance abuse, and it’s all done while embracing

I was [like], ‘Wow! Is that what it is really like

technology, with characters using

out there for teenagers?’” explains Garth. “It’s

YouTube and creating video blogs

just a different world and there is just so much

regularly.

lot to talk about, [a lot] to deal with.”

The show tackles controversial issues such

90210, THE FIRST SEASON

WORDS Caroline Muldoon

what they were going to do with the show and

accessible to young people now, so there is a

that gets packed in to one postcode!

adoption, first loves and heartbreak,

Fans of the original will enjoy the trip down memory lane and new comers to

On DVD from April 7

the franchise can enjoy all the drama

The Hills Season 6 - The Final Season!

The Hills returns for its sixth and final

Kristin made waves when she joined the

She was no stranger to surgery before her

season, and hasn’t the cast come a long way

show in season five, and now in season six,

epic session in the surgeon’s chair: by the

since the quasi-reality series kicked off in the

she’s starting to regret making enemies in Los

age of 21, Heidi had already had a nose job,

mid-2000s?

Angeles. Her attempts to patch things up with

collagen lip injections and breast implants to

the girls are hampered by rumours of wild

boost her A-cups to Cs.

Former Hills star Lauren Conrad has moved on to greener pastures: she’s out writing

partying and drug abuse – and the fact she

books and launching fashion lines away from

abandoned them in Miami doesn’t help.

the TV spotlight.

In her place is blonde hottie Kristin Cavallari, formerly of teen reality series Laguna Beach.

But she upgraded this with a whopping 10 nips and tucks in one day, including a mini

Meanwhile, Heidi faces the aftermath of

brow lift, botox, nose job revision, fat injections

her extensive cosmetic surgery. That was 10

in her cheeks, chin reduction, neck liposuction,

procedures in one day, in case you missed it!

ears pinned back and lipo on her waist, hips and thighs.

After the procedures, which her family disproved of, she told People magazine, “I see an upgraded version of me. It’s a new face and a new energy. It’s a new person and I feel like almost all of the things I didn’t want to be, and who I turned into, kind of got chiseled away. So I’m very excited for the world to see the new and real me.”

WORDS Sarah Megginson

THE HILLS SEASON 6

On DVD from April 7

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Rules of Engagement Season 1 In war, Rules of Engagement are nothing short of complicated, and in this lighthearted show it’s no different.

the married pair goes into overdrive trying to befriend the newly betrothed lovers.

Spade, a former stand up comedian on

Saturday Night Live, never saw himself playing

It might sound like couple overload, but to

the character of someone who has luck with

lighten the load there is their sarcastic friend

the ladies on screen, or even in his personal

couple Jeff (Patrick Warburton) and Audrey’s

Russell (David Spade), a long time bachelor

life. “I never dated much in high school or

(Megyn Price) neighbour, Jennifer (Bianca

with no plans to settle down any time soon.

college. And even at Saturday Night Live, not so

Kajlich), gets in engaged and her soon-to-be

Spade plays the role to perfection, and the

much,” he says. “Not coincidentally, I started to

husband Adam (Oliver Hudson) moves in. Keen

character draws similarity to his previous role

have more success with the ladies once I got

to have more friends that are coupled up,

on hit sitcom Just Shoot Me.

famous. Big surprise.”

The series begins when happily married

The series follows the five main stars who are all in different relationship stages and are dealing with the complicated ups and downs associated with marriage, dating and commitment.

Whatever your relationship status, there are plenty of relatable situations: the only downfall of season one is that at only seven episodes long, it leaves you wanting more!

WORDS Caroline Muldoon

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT SEASON 1

On DVD from April 7

The Jesters Season 1 Starring TV Funnyman Mick Molly, The

Jesters’ first season premiered on Movie Extra last year to rave reviews. For those who missed

comedian who now calls the shots behind the camera of a comedy series called The Jesters.

“At the end of the day, I’m playing a showbiz

range of something I can do,” he jokes.

Throughout the series, Molloy’s character struggles to rope in a young-gun comedy

it, this is your chance to catch up on Australia’s

arsehole who’s in the twilight of his career,”

foursome, whose surprising and significant

funniest satire.

Molloy says.

success leads to giant egos, infighting and even

Written by Kevin Brumpton and Angus

As the lead star and a comedian himself,

potential lawsuits.

Fitzsimmons (both former Comedy Inc and

Molloy is quick to point out that the role was

Chaser writers), The Jesters is a “peek behind

comfortable because he was so familiar

into the world of modern comedy, where

the scenes” style sitcom, as it takes a hilarious

with the subject matter. “I don’t see myself

the comedians themselves can be taken as

look inside the workings of a TV comedy series.

as an actor. I have a very limited range and

seriously – and take themselves as seriously –

fortunately ‘Dave Davies’ falls into that narrow

as the high profile identities they look to poke

Molloy portrays Dave Davies, a one-time TV

The Jesters is a timely and satirical look

fun at.

“I’ve been fortunate to be involved in some very good TV and some spectacular failures; I’ve run the gamut, but I really like this one,” Molloy says. “It’s a really well observed, smart, Australian narrative comedy. We don’t do many of them.”

WORDS Sarah Megginson

THE JESTERS SEASON 1

Out now on DVD

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COMING SOON MOVIES

TV ON DVD

15TH APR

6TH APR

20TH APR

7TH APR

●

●

HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS TRON LEGACY THE KING’S SPEECH

4TH MAY ●

LOVE & OTHER DRUGS

5TH MAY ●

MORNING GLORY

11TH MAY ●

TANGLED

Winner of 4 Academy Awards, the King’s Speech tells the inspiring story of King George VI of England’s struggle against a debilitating speech impediment. With the help of an eccentric speech therapist he overcomes his stammer and unites his people with an historic radio address.

IF YOU LIKED: The Queen, Slumdog Millionaire

●

THE FIGHTER

●

BLACK SWAN

9TH JUN ●

TRUE GRIT

KOURTNEY & KHLOE TAKE MIAMI - SEASON 2

20TH APR

PACKED TO THE RAFTERS - SEASON 3

● ●

Small town girl Ali works in a struggling Burlesque lounge about to be bought out by big business. When her incredible talent is discovered she mananges to change the fate of the club and her new found friends. Starring Cher and Christina Aguilera, this musical is one for the girls!

IF YOU LIKED: Nine, Coyote Ugly, Mamma Mia

SECURE YOUR COPY AND

ONE TREE HILL - SEASON 7 BIG LOVE - SEASON 4 NURSE JACKIE – SEASON 2

18TH MAY ●

TRUE BLOOD - SEASON 3

In the most thrilling season yet, the people of Bon Temps discover even more supernatural happenings.

Sookie befriends a werewolf, much to Bill’s dismay, and brother Jason gets involved with Crystal, a werepanther, from a neighbouring town. See why True Blood is one of the most talked about shows on TV. IF YOU LIKED: Twilight, Dexter, Vampire Diaries.

ARTWORK NOT FINAL

1ST JUN

●

●

BURLESQUE

26TH MAY

13TH APR

In the final season of The Hills, Audrina, Kristen and Heidi are far from where they started. Kristen and Brody’s on-off relationship continues to be complicated, Audrina tries to move on from Justin with a new romance, and Heidi alienates herself from friends and family with her cosmetic surgeries. The Hills Season 6 is as addictive as ever.

IF YOU LIKED: Gossip Girl, the City, the O.C.

4TH MAY

THE DILEMMA

18TH MAY ●

90210 - SEASON 1 ● THE CITY - SEASON 2 ● RULES OF ENGAGEMENT - SEASON 1 ● THE HILLS - SEASON 6

●

12TH MAY ●

LIMITED EDITION COVER

●

30TH APR ●

MAD MEN - SEASON 4

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27/03/2011 8:53:50 PM

It’s easy to forget that Dave Grohl first found fame as the long-haired d in his own right, the singer and his band of Foo Fighters have just k “This “Thi “Th i iis th the one we’ve ’ b been llooking ki fforward ki d

““Th Th explosion l i att radio di iis a ttrue ttestament t t “The

sorts, t but b t the th world ld d off pop still till ill

to for a while now,” Grohl tells NME. “I’m really

to what the Foo’s mean to the rock format,” Bill

infiltrates the Grohl

excited!”

Burrs, RCA Music Group senior VP/rock music,

household, in

tells Billboard.

the form

So are a legion of Foo Fighter fans.

It’s been three years since their last full album, Echos, Patience and Silence, and with

They may be leading a 2011 rock revival of

of pop prince

the promise of former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic joining the recording session for the track “I Should Have Known”, and Butch Vig, producer of the Nirvana classic Nevermind, behind the boards, Wasting Light is set to soar.

“The three of us haven’t been in a studio together since 1991,” Grohl tells

MTV. “Musically, it sounded great and it felt natural.”

Vig agrees, recalling, “We just sat around and shot the shit for three or four hours. One story would lead to another story and it was an amazing experience, just to be there, to open up all these things you may have forgotten about. It was really a pretty special part of the album.”

With this record, Grohl took a rather unconventional approach to laying down the new material: no computers.

Instead, the Fooeys recorded everything straight to tape, just as most classic rock bands used to do, before computer programs like Protools or Autotune were even conceived.

“He opened up his garage door and went, ‘I want to record the record in here’,” Vig explains. “And I said, ‘Uh, okay’… He said, ‘I want the record to sound raw and somewhat imperfect. As good as we play, that’s how good the record will sound’.”

Now that the album’s done and dustd, Vig – an iconic producer who was also a member of the band Garbage – is full of praise for Grohl’s recording method. “You know what? It sounds great. They’re f*cking badass players,” he says. “It’s an honest record. It sounds real.”

With the current state of the music industry leaning toward a dance/pop vibe, the Foo Fighters are well placed to help lead a muchneeded rock resurgence, with the new single

“Rope” debuting at number one on the US rock charts in its first week. The track also marked their highest single chart debut to date.

032 032_033_ULT_29_FOOFIGHTERS.indd 1

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d drummer from Nirvana back in the early ‘90s. Now a superstar st knocked over their sixth studio album, Wasting Light… and it rocks!

JJustin ti Bi B Bieber. i b

bash b h outt a Bieber Bi b cover during d i their th i upcoming th i

itt always l h has: a llott off ffestivals, tii l a llott off arena

world tour. The band is much more interested

dates, a lot of different countries and little

world with that crazy music shit he does, God

in playing their new album live in its entirety, as

things here and there to keep it interesting. But

bless him, ya know?” Grohl says of the teen

they did recently during a series of intimate Los

there’s a couple of projects we’re working on

sensation. “My daughter, Harper, who is not

Angeles gigs in preparation for the stadium tour.

to do things in the States and in the UK that we

“Whatever that dude did to brainwash the

even two, can sing that “Baby” song!”

Just don’t expect to hear the Foo Fighters

“The new record is sequenced like a set list,” Grohl tells NME. “It all makes perfect sense to me. Even if they weren’t in that order on the record, I think that’s the order we’d put them in to play them.”

haven’t told anybody about yet, but they’ll find out,” Grohl explains.

“I want the audience to walk away [from our show] saying ‘Goddamn man, I haven’t seen a band that good, ever,” he adds.

They showcased Wasting Light to a select group of locals during their secret Australian gig on Sydney Harbour last month, in front of just 300 die-hard fans. Grohl says they’re keen to get back on the road and play the new album for fans.

“Right now our schedule looks like

WORDS David Christopher

FOO FIGHTERS WASTING LIGHT > Band Members: Dave Grohl, Chris Shiflett, Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins, Pat Smear > Founded: Seattle, Washington in 1994 > Grammy Awards: 6 > Albums sold: 15 million+

Out April 8

033 032_033_ULT_29_FOOFIGHTERS.indd 2

27/03/2011 9:11:17 PM

You’d be hard pressed to find a musical artist who has staged a bigger – or more glamourous – comeback in recent years than the multitalented Jennifer Lopez.

“Jenny from the block” was absent from the charts for a few years, as she took a welldeserved break to look after her twins, Max and Emme.

During that time, Lopez’s record company woes were well documented in the press, as the 41-year-old parted ways with long-time label, Sony.

However, she quickly found a new home at the legendary Def Jam label, and her latest single, “On The Floor”, has rocketed to the top of the music charts all over the world.

“I think “On the Floor” captures a feeling,” she tells The Advocate about her monster single.

“It either hits home in your heart or it captures an energy that’s undeniable. There’re certain elements of this record that are very me – there’s an urban feel to the chorus, and the hip-hop that Pitbull brings to the verse, and there’s the melody. It takes you on a ride. Plus RedOne’s beats these days are undeniable. I’m so happy I got to work with him on this.”

Producer RedOne is the man with the magic touch at the moment: he’s responsible

tells Entertainment Weekly. “The first single

sound. It is all about love and covers all

for helping to create Lady Gaga’s sound, as

”On The Floor” is already blowing up and the

emotional sides of Jennifer. She is in a good

well as producing for Enrigque Iglesias, Akon

rest is even better. Lots of dance songs.”

place.”

and even New Kids on the Block!

Describing the feel of LOVE?, RedOne says,

The album was conceived in 2007, while

“I did about half of the album and I am one

“There’s little bit of the Latin flavor is infused

Lopez was pregnant. It’s been described

of the executive producers, with LA Reid,” he

in it, but I would describe it more as a global

as her most personal album to date, taking

034 034_035_ULT_29_JLOPEZ.indd 1

27/03/2011 9:15:53 PM

urban feel, a pop feel, and there are my Latin influences, as you can hear in the first single.”

J-Lo’s career resurgence has been given a nudge courtesy of her involvement with

American Idol, where she sits on the judging panel after replacing Ellen DeGeneres, who had earlier taken over for Paula Abdul.

“They came to me and they asked me to do it, and I was like, ‘Hmmmm, I don’t think so’,” Lopez confesses to New York’s Z100 radio.

“It wasn’t in my plans; I knew I had a record coming out and I was finishing that up. And I knew that I had some movie projects that we were going to aim to do later this year. [But] then I was like, why can’t I do it all?”

Producer RedOne believes Lopez’s time on the show has helped her refocus on her own musical career.

“I think it has probably been a great experience for her to be reminded what it is like to just be starting out and to be excited when everything is new,” he says. “She’s an icon because she had a dream and a passion and then she worked really hard to attain it.”

That dream has seen Lopez notch up an impressive 55 million album sales since her debut album “On The 6” in 1999, a string of top 10 hits, numerous movie box office successes, and now she’s joined American Idol as it enjoys one of it’s biggest seasons to date.

Surely she’d be content to leave it there?

Not for this multi-tasking superstar, who has her sights firmly set on Broadway as her next goal.

“I started my career by touring with musicals; I loved musicals,” she says.

“I don’t know if I’d do a straight play on Broadway, but I’d love to do a musical… there is something that Marc and I have been talking about doing, but I can’t say what it is.”

For now, Lopez is happy to bide her time between judging musical wannabes and managing her own chart ambitions, with an album filled with songs that she… ahem, loves.

“I love music that expresses, that captures a feeling that I identify with the minute I hear it,” she tells Z100. “That’s the idea with music – that you’re expressing that feeling, that thing that makes you go ‘Arrrggg I just love that.’

That’s when I know I have a good song.”

I really want this album to very

experiences around that time.

much be me and who I am today,

That’s not to say the release won’t be packed with the glam singer’s trademark dancefloor anthems.

“There are going to be more dance cuts.

not me from my first album,” she

WORDS Sarah Megginson

inspiration from the birth of her twins and her

JENNIFER LOPEZ LOVE?

says.

“The new album is me today, in 2011. There’s dance, there’s an

Out April 19

035 034_035_ULT_29_JLOPEZ.indd 2

27/03/2011 9:16:04 PM

Ever yearned to live your dream life, unshackled by the conventions of society? You’re not alone. Aussie hip-hop artist Drapht has had the same dream, and he’s made it the basis for his new album Australian hip hop sprang to life in the e early arl a ar rlly

protracted, Drapht says he

1980s, heavily influenced by hip hop music c

did not feel any pressure

and culture imported from the US via radio o an and nd

to top his previous album

television.

– in fact, he found that

However, it took over a decade before a un unique niq que

ideas flowed quickly

Australian vocal style emerged – and only in

and, as always,

recent years has a wider audience taken notice. ticce.

he played to his

Over the past five years one of the genre’s e’ss

strengths: putting

shining lights has been Perth-based Draphtt (a (aka akka a

melody in his

Paul Ridge). His last album, Brothers Grimm m an and nd

music and telling

2008 single “Jimmy Recard” were a watershed hed he

stories through

moment for local hip hop and a huge step

as many words

forward for Drapht.

as possible.

Somewhat to the chagrin of hardcore hip p ho hop op

“I think that’s

fans – who always fear their heroes are ‘selling ellin ng

the beauty of

out’ – but to the delight of a wider audience, ce e,

hip hop, you

Drapht has an uncanny knack of crafting songs ong gs gs

can really get

that bridge the hip hop and pop music divide. de.

down to the

His latest single, “Rapunzal”, encapsulates te es

bone of a subject

that talent. With a catchy hook and driving guitar guiitar

matter with the

riff, ”Rapunzal” has set charts alight during g tth the he he

amount of words

summer months.

you can put in a

Drapht’s new studio album The Life of

verse,” he told The

Riley has been a long time coming, and is th the he

Vine late last year. “I

culmination of an emotionally painful creative tiiv ive

love the whole melody

process for the artist.

side of other music, but

“Never in my life have I put so much time me me

I really love the sixteen or

and energy into one single thing. Mentally, tthe he he

eight bar verse that goes

making of this album broke me and drove m me e

with hip hop.”

to the brink of insanity on so many different ntt occasions. A song wasn’t worthy of the record co ord d unless it did so,” he says.

Drapht elaborated to Triple J late last year arr that The Life of Riley is a loosely based concept nccept ep ptt p record. “It’s based around sort of not abiding ng b byy

Given the album’s subject matter, it seems appropriate that

The Life of Riley is the first release on Drapht’s own label, The Ayems, which is distributed through Sony Music.

“The concepts and subject matter around The Life of Riley are based

to live and not living to that normal nine to o five e

on living the life you want to live,

mortgage, wife and kids, white picket fence e so sort ort or

not abiding by society’s pressures

of stereotype. And working towards not having avving ng g

and no longer working for the

a mid-life crisis by 40. A lot of the subjects ttie ie e

man,” he says. “So I thought it

into that.”

would be a fitting time to start my

While the creative process may have been ee en

own label The Ayems.”

DRAPHT THE THE LIFE L OF RILEY

Out now

WORDS Iain Hopkins

society’s pressure and living the life you want antt

036 036_ULT_29_DRAPHT.indd 1

27/03/2011 9:16:36 PM

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27/03/2011 8:54:15 PM

Leith channels the Big O! Roy Orbison may have been dead for more than two decades, but the great man’s legend lives on – more so now than ever, with the release of a tribute album from none other than Damien Leith!

The Irish-born Australian Idol star is showing ultimate respect for his hero with the well-timed release of Roy, which hits the shops a week before what would have been the Big O’s 75th birthday on 23 April.

Luckily Leith has secured the support of the great man’s estate – and even has Orbison’s widow, Barbara, as an executive producer on the album.

To add further credibility to the project, Leith worked with a series of big name producers in LA, Nashville and Sydney, including Damon Elliott (who’s worked with Beyonce and Macy Gray), Marti Frederikson (Aerosmith, Faith Hill) and Aussie Stuart Crichton (Guy Sebastian, Delta Goodrem).

Leith’s love of Orbison has endured for some time, and the association has worked well for him in the past.

His performance of

”Crying” was such a hit during Idol that it earned him a rare touchdown from judge Mark Holden, and so impressed Orbison’s family they apparently asked for a copy.

Not surprisingly, ”Crying” features on the album, alongside other favourites such as “Pretty

● Leith caused controversy when he beat Jessica Mauboy to the Idol crown in 2006, as he was not yet an Australian citizen. He put that right the following year when he took the pledge from thenPM John Howard. ● His debut album, The Winner’s Journey, was a multi-platinum chart-topper. ● Pre-Idol, science grad Leith worked as a chemist in a Sydney pharmaceutical company. ● In 2007, he made a cameo appearance on TV soap, Neighbours, performing his hit single, “22 Steps”. ● Multi-talented Leith has turned his creative skills to writing novels as well as songs, and has a couple of books under his belt – One More Time and Remembering June.

Woman”, “Dream Baby” and “Only The Lonely”.

This will be the fifth studio album for Leith, and his second of non-original material (2008’s

Catch The Wind: Song’s Of A Generation was a collection of folk covers).

Orbison merits an entire album to himself however, with Leith gushing over Orbison’s “soulful voice and dignified artistry” which has “touched

“I am very proud to pay tribute to a man whose work has had a direct and lasting influence on both my song-writing and my singing” - Damien Leith

millions of people across all generations, becoming the soul of rock ‘n roll.”

He adds that he is “very proud to pay tribute

DAMIEN LEITH ROY

influence on both my song-writing and my singing.”

Whether Leith will follow this up with some more original material remains to be seen, but for now, Roy is sure to keep his fans happy – and Orbison’s, too.

From April 15

WORDS Jane Howdle

to a man whose work has had a direct and lasting

038 038_ULT_29_DAMIENLEITH.indd 1

27/03/2011 9:17:06 PM

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ENTS

28/03/2011 9:39:31 AM

Kylie Minogue

Chris Brown

with special guests Gypsy & the Cat

with special guest Jessica Mauboy

Our very own pop princess, Kylie Minogue, will be gracing her home shores

After a couple of years in the celebrity wilderness to deal with his personal

this June with her spectacular new live show – and the diminutive singer

issues, Chris Brown is back with a series of smash hit singles, a hot new

couldn’t be more pleased.

album and an explosive new live show!

“I’m bringing my Aphrodite-Les Folies Tour home in June!” she says. “We

Following the massive success of his top charting singles “YEAH 3X”

started in Europe and I’ve been overwhelmed by the fabulous response it’s

and “Beautiful People”, and hot off the heels of releasing his new album

received. I’m so very proud of the show and can’t wait to bring it to you!”

F.A.M.E., Brown is making Australia his first stop on his world tour.

Fans can be assured a sensational show, if any of Kylie’s previous concerts

“Australia will be the first country in the world to be able to see the new

are any indication of what’s in store.

Chris Brown show,” confirms Daniel Pritchard, managing director of touring

Of her 2002 KylieFever tour, NME gushed, “One day all concerts will be like

company Jive Live. “His incredible stage performances have earned him a

this: phenomenally staged, flawlessly performed.”

reputation as one of this generation’s most electrifying male performers!”

The Daily Telegraph raved of her 2006 Showgirl Homecoming, “[It’s] a new

The R’n’B singer is keen to get on the road and tour material from his

benchmark for the pop concert. Simply, Minogue is the best act in town.”

new album. It was rumoured that the record’s title, F.A.M.E., stood for

And now with Aphrodite-Les Folies, Kylie presents a two-hour plus

something a little unsavoury: think along the lines of “Fudge All My

extravaganza of sights and sound, with the show featuring both songs from

Enemies”.

the new album, and classics like “Can’t Get You Out of My Head”.

Then Brown announced the decidedly more PG explanation, “Forgiving

With a production valued at over $25 million, Kylie’s Aphrodite-Les Folies Tour

All My Enemies”. But in an interview with 2Day FM earlier this year, he

features over a million moving parts including 30 high impact water jets, rain

announced that F.A.M.E. would stand for something “close to my heart –

curtains and fountains! The stage cost over $10 million alone, and is the most

Fans Are My Everything.”

technically advanced and complex stage ever created for an arena.

The global tour kicks off with concerts in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney,

Kylie is joined on stage by a huge cast of dancers and aerial performers

Brisbane and Perth, and joining Brown on his whip-around the country

chosen from the best in the world along with her live band ensuring

is Australia’s Got Talent dance troupe Justice Crew. Former Aussie Idol

Aphrodite-Les Folies Tour is a constant visual feast for both the eyes and ears.

contestant Jessica Mauboy will also tag along: she was asked to join Brown

It’s a performance that no music fan should miss!

after his management heard her sing. Score!

KYLIE MINOGUE June 3 - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre 7, 8 - Sydney, Entertainment Centre 14, 15 - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena 18 - Adelaide, Entertainment Centre 22 - Perth, Burswood Dome

www.kylie.com.au

KYLIE MINOGUE APHRODITE Out Now

GOOD CHARLOTTE April 20 - Adelaide, Entertainment Centre 23 - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena 26 - Sydney, Acer Arena 29 - Brisbane, Entertianment Centre May 3 - Perth, Burswood Dome

www.chrisbrownworld.com

CHRIS BROWN FAME Out Now

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27/03/2011 9:17:34 PM

CYNDI LAUPER MARCH 28, 29 - Brisbane, QPAC Concert Hall 31 - Sydney, State Theatre APRIL 1 - Sydney, State Theatre 2 - Newcastle, Entertainment Centre 5 - Perth, Burswood Theatre 8, 9 - Melbourne, Palais Theatre www.cyndilauper.com ------------------------------------------THE SCRIPT APRIL 2 - Perth, Challenge Stadium 4 - Adelaide, Entertainment Centre Theatre 6 - Melbourne, Festival Hall 8 - Sydney, Hordern Pavilion 10 - Brisbane, Convention Centre www.thescriptmusic.com ------------------------------------------JIMMY EAT WORLD APRIL 5 - Perth, Metro City 6 - Adelaide, Governor Hindmarsh 8 - Sydney, Enmore Theatre 9 - Brisbane, The Tivoli 10 - Melbourne, Trak 11 - Melbourne, Palace Theatre www.jimmyeatworld.com ------------------------------------------KEITH URBAN APRIL 8 - Adelaide, Entertainment Cetnre 9 - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena 12 - Tamworth, Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre 14 - Sydney, Entertainment Cetnre 15 - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre www.keithurban.net ------------------------------------------GOOD CHARLOTTE WITH SPECIAL GUESTS SHORT STACK & BOYS LIKE GIRLS APRIL 8 - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre 9 - Sydney, Entertainment Centre 10 - Canberra, AIS Arena 12 - Adelaide, Entertainment Centre 13 - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena

15 - Perth, Challenge Stadium www.goodcharlotte.com ------------------------------------------BRUNO MARS APRIL 12 - Perth, Astor Theatre 14 - Sydney, Big Top Luna Park 15 - Adelaide, Thebarton Theatre 16 - Melbourne, Festival Hall www.brunomars.com ------------------------------------------BOB DYLAN APRIL 19 - Adelaide, Entertainment Centre 20, 21 - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena 23 - Wollongong, WIN Entertainment Centre 27 - Sydney, Entertainment Centre www.bobdylan.com ------------------------------------------JOHN LEGEND WITH SPECIAL GUEST LOWRIDER APRIL 23 - East Coast Blues & Roots Festival 24, 25 - Sydney, State Theatre 26 - Melbourne, Palais Theatre www.johnlegend.com ------------------------------------------JUSTIN BIEBER APRIL 26 - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre 28, 29 - Sydney, Acer Arena MAY 2, 3 - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena 5 - Adelaide, Entertainment Cetnre 7 - Perth, Burswood Dome www.justinbieber.com.au ------------------------------------------KATY PERRY APRIL 28, 29 - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena MAY 2 - Adelaide, Entertainment Centre 4 - Sydney, Entertainment Centre 5 - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre www.katyperry.com ------------------------------------------CUT COPY + THE HOLIDAYS MAY 5 - Melbourne, The Palace

12 - Sydney, Enmore Theatre 13 - Perth, Metro City 19 - Brisbane, The Tivoli 20 - Adelaide, HQ Complex www.cutcopy.com.au ------------------------------------------BEN FOLDS WITH SPECIAL GUEST KATE MILLER-HEIDKE MAY 11 - Canberra, Royal Theatre 13 - Sydney, State Theatre 17 - Brisbane, QPAC, Concert Hall 20 - Melbourne, Palais Theatre 22 - Adelaide, AEC Theatre 24 - Perth, Riverside Theatre www.benfolds.com ------------------------------------------RISE AGAINST WITH SPECIAL GUESTS SICK OF IT ALL JULY 16 - Sydney, Entertainment Centre 18 - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre 21 - Melbourne, Festival Hall 22 - Adelaide, AEC Theatre 23 - Perth, Challenge Stadium www.riseagainst.com ------------------------------------------KINGS OF LEON ** RESCHEDULED SHOWS ANNOUNCED ** NOVEMBER 4, 5 - Sydney, Acer Arena 8 - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre 11 - Adelaide, Entertainment Centre 13, 14 - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena 19 - Perth, nib Stadium www.kingsofleon.com NOTE: TICKETHOLDERS IN SYDNEY, MELBOURNE AND PERTH WHO ARE ABLE TO ATTEND THE RESCHEDULED CONCERT DATES DO NOT NEED TO TAKE ANY ACTION – YOUR TICKETS FROM THE CANCELLED MARCH DATES REMAIN VALID. ADELAIDE AND PERTH TICKETHOLDERS WILL NEED TO EXCHANGE THEIR EXISTING TICKET FOR A NEW SEAT ALLOCATION AT THE POINT OF PURCHASE.

041 040_041_ULT_29_TOURS.indd 2

27/03/2011 9:17:41 PM

FORMAT: PS3, Wii, 360, PSP

A REVOLUTION

NINTENDO 3 At a glance, the 3DS has a lot in common with

Of course, it is the 3D functionality that is

its predecessor. The dual screen format remains,

the biggest draw and it works a treat. The basic

with the bottom panel again touch sensitive, and

theory behind the technology is that it takes the

the top increased slightly in size to offer a letterbox

lens you’d usually have in the 3D glasses and

presentation for cutscenes and gameplay.

places it over the screen. The device pumps out

It will come as no surprise that there’s a boost in

two versions of the image, the filter on the screen

power, which delivers faster and more spectacular

does its magic and then the effect at your eyes

gaming, and the inclusion of motion and gyro

is 3D. It’s possible because unlike other devices

sensors allows for movement based controls (such

(such as a TV) the handheld is a solo experience,

as tilting the screen to turn a race car).

and with only one person to cater for, the glasses

A new analogue thumbstick also adorns the

become unnecessary. A slider bar on the side of

front alongside the d-pad, offering precision control

the device controls the 3D effect, with you able

for those interested in more traditional gaming

to slide it from “not at all” to “fully 3D” based on

experiences. In short, it offers just about every

your personal preference.

control mechanism known to gaming and even

In use, this slider also helps you find a

at launch, developers have managed to create an

comfortable distance at which to hold the

extremely diverse range of games.

handheld in front of your face while getting the

BITS & PIECES The Net: The 3DS has an all-new Internet

3 effect. There’s something of a critical point 3D

their owner’s high scores and Mii character

browser that performs much better than the one

information for you to beat/communicate with

used on the DS and Wii.

later.

Pedometer: We don’t usually think of exercise

SpotPass: Similar to SteetPass, except it

when we think of gaming, but the 3DS has a built-

uses the handheld’s Wi-Fi to get the data off

in pedometer that will count your steps as you

the internet.

walk around with your 3DS and give you coins as a bonus to spend in certain games.

Face Raiders: This bizarre App begins when you take a photo of your own

AR Games: An augmented reality game

face. It then uses the camera to turn

that comes with the handheld. You place a card

your environment into a game world,

somewhere in your house and when you point the

and then the photo of your face -

camera at it, it causes strange things to happen.

warped into weird shapes - comes

For example, it may cause a table to bend and

flying at you from everywhere and

wobble like it is melting: the game then places

you have to blast it.

targets in this strange environment for you to hit.

StreetPass: This App “talks” to nearby 3DS consoles you may walk past in the street, capturing

Mii Maker: Similar to the Wii, you can create your own avatar to represent you online or in games. It can use a photo to approximate your

own look, too.

Friend Codes: Used to sync up your 3DS with other gamers for online multiplayer.

042 042_043_ULT_29_GAMING.indd 1

27/03/2011 9:18:16 PM

IN HANDH3LDS

O 3DS

Since its launch in 2004, Nintendo’s dual-screen handheld the DS has shipped 150 million units and is only matched by the PlayStation 2 in the race to become the biggest selling gaming device of all time.

It was buoyed at the time by its revolutionary use of touchscreen and stylus-driven gameplay, and with the release on March 31 of the 3DS, the marvellous minds at Nintendo have done it again with glasses-free 3D gaming.

where the effect will look perfect and as

understanding of space in the game, such as

you move it from that distance either way,

judging a corner in a racing game, or firing away

it loses focus. This does become somewhat

in combat, and it certainly is immersive. The

troublesome with games that involve tilting

launch games are quite eclectic and varied in the

for control and on super bumpy bus rides,

way they experiment with the effect and it will

but the ability to slide it off completely

only improve over the years to come.

on these occasions and game normally alleviates this problem.

An interesting side note is the built-in

Already we’re seeing enough to believe that this is very much the future of the industry. And a good future at that! It’s also worth noting that the

3D camera, which allows you to take 3D

device is backwards compatible with your current

photographs of your friends and the world.

DS and DSi games, and that there is a download

You can then view and alter (using in-built

service offering retro titles (from early Nintendo

tools) these on the screen and it really is

handhelds) which can be bought and stored on a

very cool. You should see your face in 3D!

SD memory card.

As for playing games in 3D, it is

The Nintendo 3DS is available now for $349.95

definitely quite the experience. The added

and comes in two flavours, Cosmic Black and

sense of depth gives you a much better

Aqua Blue. Games are typically $69.95.

THE LAUNCH GAMES Super Monkey Ball 3D: The simple

The pets will recognise your face and be

around obstacle filled tracks by tilting the

friendlier to you than other gamers. Plus

world comes to life in 3D. The character

they will jump up and lick the screen if you

ssits in front of the screen, with the course

put your face near it.

sstretching out in front. Additional Racing and Fighting modes add depth.

Rayman 3D: One of gaming’s most

Ridge Racer 3DS: Not the deepest racing experience, but it offers no frills, classic arcade racing that focuses on expert

ALSO OUT:

enjoyable platform heroes is ready

use of drifts and boosts across a range of

to rock for launch. It is a remake of

exotic locations.

Samurai Warriors: Chronicles Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars Asphalt 3D Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell 3D Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D Rabbids 3D Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D The Sims 3

1999’s great Rayman 2: The Great

Super Street Fighter IV 3D: Fighting

Escape, tweaked to make the most of

games don’t have a great history on

the handheld

handheld systems, but somehow developer

Nintendogs + Cats: One of the

Capcom has got the entire console

most successful games on the DS

game onto the little device and playing

gets updated for Nintendo’s new

magnificently. All 30+ combatants, every

console. The obvious addition is cats,

stage and multiplayer.

WORDS Chris Stead

> > > > > > > > >

but it subtly uses the new technology too.

premise of navigating a monkey in a ball

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[DVD] TRON: LEGACY (APRIL 20) Almost 30 years ago the original Tron film introduced the world to the concept of a rich virtual world in a ground-breaking science fiction classic. This time around, Hollywood veteran Jeff Bridges steps back into the shoes of ENCOM CEO Kevin Flynn, who disappears on the night he tells his young son, Sam (Garrett Hedlund), that he has discovered a miracle within the vast virtual world.

With his father missing, Sam grows up into a rebellious corporate militant who is hell bent on bringing down the company his father built and THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER (OUT NOW) The third installment in the Narnia series follows the two younger Pevensie siblings, Lucy and Edmund, as they re-enter the magical land of Narnia and reconnect with Prince Caspian, now a King, who is hunting the origins of a curse on the Dark Isle. This time around, the Pevensie’s annoying younger cousin, Eustace (Will Poulter), is along for the ride, which signals that the next generation of intrepid Narnia adventurers is primed and ready to take over as the Pevensie’s age into adulthood.

he stands to inherit. Pushed to near breaking point, Sam learns how to enter the digital world his father created and throws himself into the unknown when it is revealed his father may still be trapped deep within the system.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 (APRIL 15) The first part of Harry Potter’s two-part finale brings us ever closer to the end of this muchloved franchise. As Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) gathers power for the final showdown, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) go on a quest through deep, dark forest to destroy a series of pendants that contain the power to bestow immortality on Voldemort.

Fans will love spending precious time with the trio in what serves as a pretty terrifying camping trip.

RED (RETIRED, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS) (OUT NOW) Too much Bruce Willis is never quite enough. The veteran action star has a rare talent in bringing comedic, almost tongue-in-cheek, sensibilities to his shoot-‘emdead roles that make his movies incredibly watchable.

R.E.D. is no exception. Based on graphic novels by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner, Willis plays Frank – part of an exCIA crew who are dragged out of retirement to help each other survive the wrath of the very agency they once worked for.

MEGAMIND (APRIL 7) Finally the truth is out – Will Ferrell is indeed an evil genius. Ferrell plays the title character in this animated laugh fest that casts the comedy star as a brilliant alien villain prone to bouts of bad luck. Megamind is obsessed with taking over Mega City but perpetually standing in his way is heroic Metro Man (Brad Pitt) and his reporter girlfriend, Roxanne Ritchi (Tina Fey).

But when Megamind finally defeats Metro Man and takes leadership of the city, he may have bitten off more than he can chew.

MAD MEN: SEASON FOUR (APRIL 6) Like the fine whiskey in Don Draper’s glass, Mad Men keeps getting better with age.

This season journeys beyond the retro surface styling – as pleasing as it is – to reveal a deeper side of fast-talking advertising executive Draper as he struggles with emotional issues around his own self identity. His cool and confident façade finally falls and we are invited to meet his vulnerable side as his career and personal life go down the gurgler and his drinking problem spirals out of control.

THE KING’S SPEECH (APRIL 30) The toast of the 2011 Academy Awards, this brilliant film quite rightly scooped the Best Picture and Best Actor gongs. Colin Firth plays stuttering King George VI who is floundering on the throne until he encounters radical Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). The King must go on radio to rally the country behind his declaration of war on Hitler’s Germany, however he fears no one will be impressed with a stammering monarch.

DEVIL (OUT NOW) Filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan may have been given a bad wrap of late, but the mastermind behind The Sixth Sense returns to form as the writer of this deliciously twisted thriller.

Five strangers are stranded in a malfunctioning sky-scraper elevator while a violent storm rages outside. As police and security guards scramble to set them free, strange things begin happening inside the locked metal box, causing the trapped strangers to turn against each other as the psychological stress builds.

PACKED TO THE RAFTERS: SERIES THREE (APRIL 20) All systems are go in the Rafters’ household as season three sees Australia’s favourite family welcoming a new baby into their lives and adjusting to life with little sleep. But it’s not all peachey for Julie (Rebecca Gibney) and Dave Rafter (Erik Thomson) as their marriage starts to feel the strain of mounting financial stresses and the ever-present needs of their adult children. But all their day-to-day problems are dwarfed when the family is forced to deal with the sudden loss of a loved one.

LITTLE FOCKERS WORDS Shane Conroy

What all started with humble Ben Stiller comedy, Meet the Parents, has morphed into one of the most successful comedy franchises of all time. The third installment in the series sees Greg Focker (Stiller) and his wife Pam (Teri Polo) preparing for their young twins’ pending birthday party. Meanwhile, Greg’s domineering ex-CIA fatherin-law, Jack Byrnes, is nursing a heart condition and decides to groom the hapless Greg as the new patriarch of the family. However when Greg’s hot new co-worker (Jessica Alba) comes on the scene, Jack suspects foul play. (APRIL 21)

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[MUSIC]

FOO FIGHTERS: WASTING LIGHT (APRIL 8) with the best of them in The Foo Fighters back what is an electric, raspyup their props as one of throated scream-a-thon. the greatest rock bands While the quiet-loud-quiet arrangement in “Arlandria” is currently working with their epic seventh studio album. enough to resurrect Nirvana, the charming country twang Wasting Light is a return to in “These Days” presents an the raw rock goodness that the band served up on 1997’s ultimately well-rounded band of master musicians.

The Colour and the Shape and is a nod to the fans that were with them before they found mainstream chart success. “Bridge Burning” starts the show with dirty, distorted guitars and rapidfire drum work that echoes their heavier roots. “White Limo” proves that lead singer Dave Grohl can still growl RY CUMING: RY CUMING (OUT NOW) This Australian guitarist has been making a splash in the US and his debut album is set to win some hearts in his home country. Think Jack Johnson-style surf rock but with a deeper poetic lyricism that gives his music a certain gravitas, and you’ll have a small inkling of Cumming’s immense talent. The true charm of this record lies in Cumming’s effortless ability to swing between upbeat pop and poetic ballads that serve to compliment rather than contradict each other.

BRITNEY SPEARS: FEMME FATALE (OUT NOW) The fallen pop angel has called her seventh studio album the best she has made, and she could be right.

Her decision to team with Will.i.am on the track “Big Fat Bass” was a good one and serves the album well, bringing Spears’ sound well into the current sphere of electronica fashion. Indeed, Spears spent two years recording this record and as such it feels much more like a true expression of her talent than a pure pop release manufactured with an eye on the charts.

DAMIEN LEITH: ROY (APRIL 15) After his last album of selfpenned tracks won the Australian Idol alumni a new set of fans, he returns to consolidate his success with a new record of covers. But this is no ordinary collection of tired cover songs. Instead, Leith has resurrected the great Roy Orbison to release his engaging interpretation of hits such as “Crying”, ‘‘Pretty Woman’’ and ‘‘Dream Baby’’ on what would have been Orbison’s 75th birthday.

Pleasingly, Orbison’s widow, Barbara, is the album’s executive producer.

JEBEDIAH: KOSCIUSKO (APRIL 15) Perth band Jebediah were pioneers of the Australian alternative rock movement during the mid-1990s that bred bands like Grinspoon and Powderfinger. After a long hiatus, Jebediah now return to attention with their first album since 2004 – and it’s a cracker. Singles “Lost My Nerve” and “She’s Like a Comet” have been well received, with the latter debuting at number 11 on the ARIA charts and quickly becoming the most added song to radio. This is Jebediah at their absolute best.

DR DRE: DETOX (APRIL 22) The great Dr Dre has certainly kept us all waiting for this one. Dre has been talking about this album since the beginning of last decade and originally promised a 2008 release, but he sidelined the project in favour of working on Eminem’s comeback album, Relapse. Intended as a concept album, the first two singles, “Kush” and “I Need a Doctor” show Dre in top form, having lost nothing from spending the last few years behind a sound deck. Indeed, this record is evidence of why he sits at the top of the hip hop world.

MIKE NOGA: THE BALLADEER HUNTER (OUT NOW) The second solo album from Noga - celebrated drummer of Aussie rock act The Drones - is a mesmerising listen. Recorded in just two days with Dallas Crane’s Pat Bourke and The Gin Club’s Gus Agars, it offers nine polished and musically deep slices of Alt Country/folk music with just a touch of rock. Evoking a sense of the land and the Aussie battler, it frequently grabs attention with shifts in instruments and tone from a clearly talented trio.

Equal parts insightful and easy going, this is music with soul and a great local release. Cracking opener “M’belle”, the swagger of “The Cold Year” and haunting “Eileen” are standouts.

NOT FINAL ARTWORK

GURRUMUL: RRAKALA (APRIL 8) Indigenous Australian musician Gurrumul Yunupingu received greatly deserved critical acclaim for his stunning selftitled debut album that went double platinum in Australia and bagged a bunch of international awards. His hotly anticipated follow-up album will only serve to build his legacy further with a touching mix of tracks inspired by the Rrakala people in the Gumatji clan and intended to delve deeper into Yunupingu’s proudly held Aboriginal identity.

ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI: MOMENT BENDS (APRIL 8) Architecture in Helsinki have become the undisputed kings of the pop hook and they will continue their reign with their stellar fourth album. The modernist pop quintet again breaks genre barriers with their explosive, romanticism pop that borrows from an eclectic mixture of influences.

Recorded over a two-year period, this could be the record that best represents the band. They are also set to tour the album nationally in May, headlining their first shows in three years.

DRAPHT: THE LIFE OF RILEY WORDS Shane Conroy

Perth emcee Drapht has become an influential figure in the Australian hip-hop scene, and his latest album will do nothing to challenge his position on the pedestal. The record’s lead single, “Rapunzel”, shot to number 12 on the Triple J Hottest 100 for 2010, and the rest of the album seems destined to follow. Indeed, Drapht has put his heart and soul into the production of the album, stating: “Never in my life have I put so much time and energy into one single thing. Mentally, the making of this album broke me and drove me to the brink of insanity. A song wasn’t worthy of the record unless it did so.”(OUT NOW)

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[ BLU-RAY]

TRON: SPECIAL EDITION (APRIL 20) The original is always the best and as the hype builds around the modern remake of this timeless sciencefiction classic, the original 1982 classic has been given the Blu-ray treatment with a state-of-the-art digital restoration and enhanced high-definition sound. Jeff Bridges plays Flynn, a whizkid software engineer who makes video games like none seen before. When he hacks into the system of his ex-employer with revenge on his mind, he’s sucked

into a rich digital world and becomes part of the game he was designing. This two-disc set serves up a bundle of special features, including a ‘making of’ documentary and extensive commentary on the design principles behind the film.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL (MAY 4) Johnny Depp is suitably magnetic as Captain Jack Sparrow who looms large on the Caribbean Sea. However, when Captain Jack’s arch nemesis, Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), steals his ship, the swarthy pirate plots to win it back.

When Barbossa kidnaps the Governor’s daughter, he grabs the opportunity to join forces with her childhood friend, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), on a swashbuckling adventure to save the girl and Sparrow’s ship.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 (APRIL 15) The final installment of the Harry Potter series has been split into two parts, and the first is an irresistible prelude into Harry’s ultimate showdown with the evil Voldemort. The film opens with Harry, Ron and Hermione saying goodbye to their families to leap into the fray of the fast-approaching war.

They must journey deep into the forest to seek and destroy a series of pendants that have the power to bestow Voldemort with immortality, with nasty consequences for his hated muddles.

WWE: THE TRUE STORY OF WRESTLEMANIA (APRIL 13) This is a must-have for any true wrestling fan.

The carnage begins with a feature-length documentary that examines the history and evolution of Wrestlemania and the impact it has had on the wonderful world of wrestling. Then, hang on to your couch for a noholds-barred highlight reel featuring the greatest Wrestlemania match-ups of all time, including Hulk Hogan’s infamous 1987 battle with Andre the Giant.

WWE DX: ONE LAST STAND (APRIL 13) When Shawn Michaels and Triple H came together to form tag team D-Generation X, wrestling fans wet themselves with anticipation.

And they weren’t let down as the ultimate wrestling duo unleashed fury on the ranks of professional wrestling.

Coming to an end only due to Michaels’ retirement, they were truly unstoppable. Now, relive their final conflicts during late 2009 and into 2010 in this jam-packed three disc set that serves up all the action that went down in – and out – of the ring.

AMERICAN BEAUTY (APRIL 21) Oscars reigned down on this Sam Mendes directed film, and for good reason.

Kevin Spacey, in perhaps the finest performance of his career, plays downtrodden suburban dad, Lester. His ambitious wife taunts his failures while having an affair behind his back, his depressed daughter fantasises about murdering him, and his boss discards him like last night’s dinner.

However, Lester finds solace with his pot-pushing neighbour and teenage tease, Angela (Mena Suvari).

MEET THE FOCKERS (APRIL 21) After desperately fighting for his father-in-law’s approval in the first film, Gaylord Foker (Ben Stiller) is ready to take the next step and introduce the deeply conservative exCIA agent Jack Byres (Robert De Niro) to his sex therapist mother (Barbra Streisand) and hippy father (Dustin Hoffman).

There is an almighty clash of personalities as Jack rages against the Fockers’ relaxed lifestyle and a rift is dug that threatens to tear the family apart before the wedding cake is cut.

MAD MEN: SEASON 4 (APRIL 6) While fast-talking advertising executive Don Draper began this hit series as the object of everyone’s affection, season four drops him into a downward spiral. His drinking has become a serious problem and he has lost respect at the office he once ruled.

His personal life is also in a shambles as his broken marriage is now twisted beyond recognition, and his intra-office affairs come back to bite him. Will Don put down the bottle and return to form, or is this end for Mr Draper?

MEET THE PARENTS (APRIL 21) The first movie in this stellar comedy franchise introduces us to the deliciously domineering Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro). An ex-CIA agent, the newly-retired Jack goes on high alert when his daughter’s new fiancé, the unfortunately named Gaylord Foker (Ben Stiller), comes to visit. Desperate to win his soon-to-be fatherin-law’s approval and gain admission to Jack’s ‘circle of trust’, Gaylord clings hopelessly to his goodguide image as events unravel around him.

BAMBI: DIAMOND EDITION WORDS Shane Conroy

There’s something about this classic Disney fairytale that captures the imagination of every new generation that see it. The animation has been beautifully restored to Blu-ray quality, but it’s the sweet and touching story that continues to delight. It was considered a revolution in animation when it was released in 1942, and it’s easy to understand why as frame after frame is filled with incredibly detailed artwork that creates the many changing moods of the forest. This film is a powerful reminder that the Disney animators all those years ago were creating rich and detailed worlds that still stand up to our modern CGI animation. (OUT NOW)

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[GAMES] AVAILABLE AT

TOTAL WAR: SHOGUN 2 PC Set in medieval Japan, this amazing strategy title tasks gamers with governing the expansion of their little province until they’ve conquered the empire. The Campaign map requires positional strategy as you build your civilisation and move your forces around in a turn-based fashion. When battle is begun, however, it turns into a real-time strategy game, and you must think fast as you command your troops on the ground.

LEGO STAR WARS III: THE CLONE WARS ALL FORMATS The Cartoon Network’s The series of Lego games animated Clone Wars from developer Traveller’s series, and the Attack of Tales – which also includes the Clones film). But for Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, its third shot at Lego Star Batman and soon Pirates Wars, the developers of the Caribbean – have have delivered something grown in stature with each special. Insane amounts release. The core mix of of on-screen action, combat and puzzle solving stunning graphics, the platforming remains more ability to pay two stories or less unchanged, as do in parallel and fantastic the humourous cutscenes family-friendly multiplayer that poke fun at famous make this the series’ best moments from their source effort to date. material (in this case YOOSTAR 2: IN THE MOVIES PS3, 360 Using the cameras associated with the Kinect and PlayStation Move peripherals, this game takes your image and inserts you into famous scenes from over 50 of cinema’s greatest titles. You’re scored on how well you deliver the lines and mimic the actor’s movements, and your attempts can be instantly uploaded to the likes of Facebook. Awesome fun with friends.

CRYSIS 2 PS3, 360, PC Legendary developer Crytek changed the PC space with the genre pushing FPS Crysis, and for the sequel they’re also bringing the action to consoles.

The urban landscape of a war-torn New York City is more claustrophobic than the open island paradise of the original, but the combat variety that the hero’s Nanosuit provides is a breath of fresh air. Few alien invasion games can match this for quality.

sanity.com.au

MOTORSTORM: APOCALYPSE PS3 The PlayStation 3’s premier arcade racing title leaves the wilds behind for its third release, taking gamers to a natural disaster-riddled city. Racing through the collapsed urban locale, you find yourself battling a mixed field of vehicles – including five new models – who will aggressively try to take you down. Also new to the series is a human element on the city streets who attempt to disrupt the racers. Multiplayer is particularly good fun.

POKÉMON BLACK/WHITE DS After going more than a decade without really updating the formula, in 2011 Nintendo is finally giving its super popular Pokémon series a makeover.

Improved visuals allow for much more detailed cities and an increase in cutscenes. The gameplay offers more strategy too, thanks to new Triple (three Pokémon a side) and Rotation battles (which are a one-on-one battle where the Pokémon rotates between moves). It’s enough to suck jaded fans back in.

SHIFT 2: UNLEASHED PS3, 360, PC Branching away from the Need for Speed series which spawned it, Shift 2: Unleashed is developer EA’s serious attempt at the racing genre. Much like genre leaders Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsport, this is all about realistic physics and accurate car models. A new feature puts the camera in the character’s helmet, allowing it to bump around and move with the G-Force, creating a visceral experience.

TOP SPIN 4 PS3, 360, WII Long considered the best tennis simulation in gaming, Top Spin 4 makes a couple of excellent tweaks to the control system to ensure this is the most enjoyable release in the series yet. Doing away with its predecessor’s complicated power-shot combo, instead the quality of your timing defines how well the shots are hit. A great roster of current and legendary players is included.

NAIL’D PS3, 360, PC The ATV experience is brought to heart-pounding life in this exciting racing game. Doing away with fancy tricks and power-ups, this is all about getting to the finishing line first in exotic locales around the globe.

The sense of speed is great, and the controls are smartly simplified to allow turning in the air off the massive jumps, to ensure that you can focus on avoiding the obstacles nature throws at you.

DRAGON AGE II PS3, 360, PC, MAC RPG specialists BioWare veer away from the octane action of its Mass Effect series to deliver a traditional fantasy-set genre title with deep inventory navigation, looting galore, long conversation trees and dice-rolling combat. Fans of that style of play will adore the incredibly immersive story and addictive gameplay that will suck you in for tens of hours.

WORDS Chris Stead

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[GADGETS] IPAD 2 FUTURE EVOLVED While the iPad phenomenon may not have been as epic as that of the iPhone, Apple still managed to sell 15 million between April and Christmas 2010 – no small feat. The follow-up – or should that be iteration will be out by the time you read this, and Apple have made a host of tweaks to improve the experience. It’s starts with the processer, which uses the new dual-core Apple A5 technology to provide a noticeably improved operating pace on the 9.7” LEDbacklit

MONSTER BEATS BY DR DRE PRO HEADPHONES STILL DRE Talk about matches made in heaven! Take one of planet’ss premier beat the planet makers in Dr. Dre and pair his name to

and newly multitouch screen. Front and rear cameras (which can shoot HD quality) are also useful, opening up the device for FaceTime video conferences between other Macs. The device has lost some weight too, and in being 33% thinner and 15% lighter, it is certainly more mobile than its predecessor. 3G is optional, and it ranges in size up to 64GB. Not an evolution, but definitely a better product.

runs on the Android 2.2 operating system. The WiFi functionality opens it up to some 200,000 Apps too, although to be fair, it

is a little chunkier than the iPad 2 at 14.35mm wide and 730 grams. Still, the 10” LED-backlit screen is impressive and at $599, it’s a competitive option.

SAMSUNG HT-C9950W SILVER SOUND Anyone who has experienced a blockbuster film on a top of the line 7.1 home theatre system will know that the setup makes a dramatic impact on enjoyment. Unfortunately, for the most part home theatre systems clutter up a lounge room, rarely catching the eye for the right reasons. Samsung’s latest offering, however, is a thing of beauty. Looking more like an Aston Martin than a Hyundai, the design’s brushed metal

finish shouts class. The 5.1 model is wireless, adding to the sense of openness it gives your lounge room (the 7.1 option remains wired) and has all the HD inputs and outputs you’d expect. It has a 3D Blu-ray player built-in, too. The

sound quality for film is pretty impressive and the channel volume setup is relatively painless, but when playing music the quality dips ever so slightly. Still, for style and power it’s hard to ignore.

NIKON COOLPIX L120 SEE FAR AWAY Nikon has long been a leader in the digital camera scene and the company’s latest offering, the Coolpix L120, is also a bit of trendsetter. The metallic mauve aesthetic is particularly easy on the eye, while the big lens that dominates

it’s face isn’t just for show and packs some impressive firepower. Capable of shooting in 14.1 megapixels and videos at 720p, it also offers wide-angle 25mm pics. But it’s the 21x optical zoom that steals the show, more than four times that of other

popular cameras such as Canon’s G12... it’s almost a telescope! The camera, with its 3” LCD screen, runs off AA batteries, which also makes it a handy option for travellers or those forgetful of charging. It lacks a robust catalogue of features, but at only $299, it’s remains good value for money.

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WORDS Chris Stea Stead

WORDS Chris Stead

headphones capable of delivering on the potential of his sound. These things are epic and built to last.

Their durability does come at the cost of a significant would make weight, which w ideal this not particularly particu for planes or public transport, but great for around the t house or professional use. profes Both ear cups have a port, which whi allows you to use one to input sound and an the other to daisy chain to a second set of headphones he if required r the cups can get ge a little uncomfortable unc after aft extended use us though.

You Y can’t fault the f exceptional e sound s quality and q the t booming bass ba that brings the party brin right into your head.

VIEWPAD 10S BIG AND BRIGHT It’s strange how quickly we as a culture attach a brand to a service, and with the iPad, Apple quickly ensured that it was the tablet of note. But, as with the iPod and iPhone, there are plenty of other great alternatives out there.

Viewsonic’s ViewPad 10s is a fine competitor to the iPad 2. It has one of the quickest “brains” in the business with the Nvidia Tegra 2 dual core 1GHz processor – particularly good for gaming – and all the key features (1.3mp camera, multitouch screen, microphone, HDMI, MicroSD Card, USB, Sim Card and more), and it

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2. Including their new Wasting Light, how many studio albums has the Foo Fighters released? a) 5 b) 6 c) 7

Bruce Willis stars in RED. What does the acronym stand for?

3. Robert De Niro plays Jack Byrnes in Little Fockers. What is his character’s former profession? a) CIA agent b) Florist c) Police detective 4. What is the name of Captain Jack Sparrow’s ship in Pirates of the Caribbean? a) The Sunken Jewel b) The Black Pearl c) The Ghost Maiden 5. Australian emcee Drapht hails from which city? a) Perth b) Adelaide c) Canberra

Which Black Eye Peas member contributed to Britney Spears’ new album, Femme Fatale?

6. What is the name of Erik Thomson’s character in Packed to the Rafters? a) Luke Rafter b) Ben Rafter c) Dave Rafter 7. Which Black Eye Peas member contributed to Britney Spears’ new album, Femme Fatale? a) Fergie b) Will.i.am c) Taboo 8. Which of the following actors did not provide voice talent for Megamind? a) Will Ferrell b) Seth Rogan c) Brad Pitt

18. Hulk Hogan fought this ring legend in the 1987 Wrestlemania main event: a) Randy Savage b) The Ultimate Warrior c) Andrew the Giant

11. Who won Best Actress at the same awards? a) Michelle Williams b) Natalie Portman c) Annette Bening

19. “Kush” and “I Need a Doctor” are singles by which hip hop star? a) Eminem b) Dr Dre c) Snoop Dogg

12. Which film won the Best Picture Oscar? a) True Grit b) The King’s Speech c) The Social Network

20. Don Draper is a character in which hit TV series? a) Entourage b) Mad Men c) Boardwalk Empire

13. Damien Leith’s new album features cover songs of which musician? a) Johnny Cash b) Roy Orbison c) Jerry Lee Lewis 14. Which of the following movies were not directed by M. Night Shyamalan? a) Devil b) The Sixth Sense c) Signs 15. What is the name of Lucy and Edmund’s younger cousin in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader? a) Nigel b) Eustace c) Reginald 16. In which year was Australian alternative rock band Jebediah formed? a) 1990 b) 1994 c) 1998 17. What do Harry, Ron and Hermione seek in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1? a) Magical pendants b) An enchanted spell book c) A cursed crystal

21. Bruce Willis stars in R.E.D. What does the acronym stand for? a) Retired Extremely Dangerous b) Really Extreme Destruction c) Ready for Extreme Danger 22. Gurrumul Yunupingu’s new album Rrakala is named after what? a) A Dreamtime character b) Gurrumul’s late father c) An Aboriginal clan 23. Which two wrestlers were members of D-Generation X? a) Scott Steiner and The Big Show b) Shawn Michaels and Triple H c) Batista and John Cena 24. Australian musician Ry Cuming plays which instrument? a) Guitar b) Piano c) Harmonica 25. Who directed Oscarwinning film American Beauty? a) Kevin Spacey b) Alan Ball c) Sam Mendes

WORDS Shane Conroy

Robert De Niro plays Jack Byrnes in Little Fockers.

What is his character’s former profession?

9. How many members are there in the band Architecture in Helsinki? a) 3 b) 4 c) 5

10. Which actor won Best Actor at the 2011 Academy Awards? a) Colin Firth b) Jeff Bridges c) James Franco

ANSWERS: 1. B; 2. C; 3. A; 4. B; 5. A; 6.

C; 7. B; 8. B; 9. C; 10. A; 11. B; 12. B; 13.

B; 14. A; 15. B; 16. B; 17. A; 18. C; 19. B; 20. B; 21. A; 22. C; 23. B; 24. A; 25. C.

1. Which actor appeared in both the original Tron and the new Tron: Legacy? a) Michael Douglas b) Jeff Bridges c) Harrison Ford

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