ULTIMATE AUGUST 2011

MORE NEW RELEASES: PAUL, JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER, THE LINCOLN LAWYER, SUCKER PUNCH, HOP, CSI SEASON 10 AND MORE... © 2010 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

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

PAUL

ARTHUR

TWO AND A HALF MEN

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, Caroline Muldoon,

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Sean Sebastian,

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Chris Stead ADVERTISING sales@nuclear.com.au ULTIMATE is proudly published by

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NUCLEAR MEDIA & PUBLISHING

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in conjunction with SANITY

SANITY

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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 MUSIC Scott Ryan

I’m a tiny bit embarrased to admit that I’ve been looking forward to the release of Justin Bieber’s new doco, Never Say Never, for quite some time. It’s not that I’m really that much of a fan of Bieber’s music, but I am really fascinated by his rise to fame. I think it was all of that “bidding war” business between Usher and Justin Timberlake that first piqued my interest, but when the film came out, I was too shy to go and see it at the movies by myself (no-one would come with me!).

Fortunately, Never Say Never is making its way to DVD and Blu-ray in August, and it’s sure to sell as fast as his concert tickets do.

Also released this month: Paul and Arthur, a couple of comedies named after their title characters. That’s where the similarities end, though. Paul is all about a couple of guys who go exploring through the greater US and stumble across a real live alien, while Arthur follows Russell Brand as a billionaire playboy grappling with his financial future. Brand pops up again Hop, a fun Easter Bunny outing that combines live action with animation.

Meanwhile in music land, dance/pop princess Zoe Bawdi puts out her first album, and Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger releases her long-awaited debut solo record, Killer Love – a collection that was six years in the making. Get ‘em while they’re hot this month at Sanity, in stores or via sanity.com.au!

NUCLEAR MEDIA & PUBLISHING: PO Box 1382, Bondi Junction NSW 1355

No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of Sanity or Nuclear Media. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of advertisements or information.

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.

CHECK OUT ONLINE! Go to www.sanity.com.au to view our online magazine.

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The Fast and Furious 5 Paul Walker and Vin Diesel team up once again for the fifth installment of the Furious franchise

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Paul

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Zoe Badwi Zoe Justin Bieber Never Say Never Nicole Scherzinger Killer Love

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Who’s Touring? Foo Fighters, Bryan Adams What’s Hot? DVD / Music What’s Hot? Blu-ray What’s Hot? Games / Gadgets Games available at sanity.com.au Games: Dues Ex Human Revolution, Age of Empires Online The ULTIMATE Quiz

Laughs aplenty with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in this alien adventure

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Arthur Who better to play a boozy, boisterious billionaire than Brit comedian, Russell Brand?

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Hop The Lincoln Lawyer Sucker Punch TV on DVD: Two and a Half Men Season 8, CSI Season 10, House Season 7, Downtown Abbey Season 1, Merlin Season 3

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ULTIMATE In spite of us having the best action in the world, we deliver a story that the audience feels, with characters that they know… At the end of the day, there’s a heart to this film.”

Vin Diesel

There aren’t

fast cars.

only used during filming, but they were actually

too many movie

It’s for this reason that the makers of Fast &

franchises that,

Furious 5 knew that the fifth film in the franchise

after the fourth outing, can still hook punters in

“It’s very real, because when you shoot a lot

had to be the biggest, most explosive, most

of this practically the cars get destroyed. If we

action-packed movie yet.

[had] used a lot of CGI, we wouldn’t have had

Fast Five, as it is also called, follows Brian

to worry about the cars so much, but we would

to spend their hard

O’Conner (Walker), Dominic Toretto (Diesel)

have lost something that the audience feels

earned cash on yet

and Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster) as they

when they watch the movie,” he says.

another film about

plan a heist to steal $100 million from corrupt businessman, Hernan Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida) – all the while being pursued for arrest by U.S. Diplomatic Security Services agent Luke Hobbs

“In spite of us having the best action in the world, we deliver a story that they [the audience] feel, and the core of all this is a story with characters that they know, that they’re on this journey with, that they’ve basically started this whole millennium with. At the end of the day, there’s a heart to this film.”

(Dwayne

Interestingly, the film posits itself not as the

Johnson).

fifth in the chain of films, but as the first in a new

The focus is once again

004

destroyed, explains leading man, Vin Diesel.

trilogy of fresh storylines.

Following the success of 2009’s Fast &

on vehicles,

Furious, Diesel, director Justin Lim and Universal

and over 200

Pictures set about reinventing the franchise,

cars were not

with an aim to shift it away from being just

ETAMITLU

VIN DIESEL AND PAUL WALKER EXPLODE ONTO THE SCREEN ONCE AGAIN IN FAST AND THE FURIOUS 5, A HIGH OCTANE, ACTION-FUELLED EXTRAVAGANZA THAT RAKED IN MORE THAN US$600 MILLION AT THE BOX OFFICE. a movie about boys and their toys, with the

“The question putting Fast Five and Fast Six

intention to ramp it up into a full blown action

together for us was: Can we take it out of being

blockbuster.

a pure car culture movie and into being a true

Diesel, who is now on board as an executive

action franchise in the spirit of those great

producer as well as one of the main stars, says

heist films made 10 or 15 years ago?” says

his goal was to create a new trilogy.

Universal chairman, Adam Fogelson.

“In the same way that we’ve seen other franchises reinvent themselves, that was kind of what we had to do,” he says.

“If you remember seeing the posters for Fast

VITAL STATS

Clearly, the answer is yes.

“In Vin and my mind, we already know what the sixth movie is, we’ve already been talking about it,” Moritz confirms to Collider.com.

“Vin and I have had numerous conversations

That’s bizarre. That doesn’t happen a lot. It was

about what that might be, and we’re starting to

a subliminal way of saying, we’re not going to

get serious about it right now.”

go on and on and on. We closed up the last films and it’s almost a fresh start.”

Of course, that means another film is in the pipeline. In June this year, Universal Pictures announced that the potential sequel is currently scheduled for release on May 24, 2013, with Neal H. Moritz and Diesel to return as producers and Justin Lin back on board to direct.

Fast 5 has grossed over US$600 million at the box office worldwide, placing it at #60 on the list of highest-grossing films of all time.

FAST AND FURIOUS 5

On Blu-ray and DVD from August 24

0 005

WORDS David Christopher

& Furious, there was no number on the poster.

Director: Justin Lin Producers: Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Michael Fottrell Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Dwayne Johnson, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson Budget: US$125 U million Gross worldwide revenue: US$602 million

ULTIMATE

They started out as a couple of mates just having a laugh, but Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have become two of the most-loved actors on the big screen courtesy of the hit movies Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Now, the pair tackle an alien named Paul in their latest comedic offering. were going to do a road trip [in the film], it was

Although not forming part of the duo’s infamous “Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy” (Shaun

important that we have the opportunity just to sit

and Hot Fuzz are the first two, with a third still

in an RV and watch it pass us by.”

in the pipeline), Paul remains a classic Pegg and

The pair describe Paul as being a love

Frost film – with a sci-fi twist.

letter to Steven Spielberg, as it contains

Best friends Graeme Willy and Clive

loads of references to many of the

Gollings (Pegg and Frost) are two English

great director’s best science fiction

comic book nerds have travelled to

films. So, when they were working on the soon-to-be-released The

America to attend the annual ComicCon convention, and to take a road

Adventures of Tintin: Secret of

trip adventure to visit all the sites of

the Unicorn with the famed

major extraterrestrial importance.

director, they mentioned the

One night, driving along a

project to him.

dark stretch of the highway, they

“We had the idea that

investigate a crashed

Paul had had a direct line to

car and to their

Spielberg over the years, and

utter shock, they

had given him ideas for his

discover an alien

films,” Pegg explains.

named Paul (voiced

“He said, ‘Oh that’s really

by Seth Rogen),

funny – maybe I could phone

who is in desperate

him or something in the film?’”

need of their help.

The creative pair went away

Longtime best

and “wrote the scene in record

friends off the screen,

time”, Pegg adds, and Spielberg

Pegg and Frost co-

appears in a cameo role.

wrote the film and

“Steven is a really down-to-earth guy,” Pegg

to help develop the

says. “He doesn’t carry his mythology with him –

script, they actually

well, he does, but he doesn’t mean to.”

embarked on their

VITAL STATS

own road trip across the States, using ideas

Stars: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen Director: Greg Mottola Writers: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost Budget: US$40 million Gross worldwide revenue: US$92.2 million

and inspiration from the trip to add to the script.

“We had a big RV and we drove the route that the guys drive in the film, and I think that was the single most important

PAUL

AVClub.com.

“We knew a lot – well, not a lot, relatively speaking – about the East and West Coasts in the US, but the interior was new to us. And if we

006

On Blu-ray and DVD from August 17

WORDS David Christopher

bit of research we did,” Frost tells

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ULTIMATE

arthur

Russell Brand plays the world’s most loveable billionaire in Arthur, where he’s plagued by what appears to be a simple quandary: marry his mother’s assistant, Susan (Jennifer Garner), or lose access to his $950 million inheritance. No brainer, right?

b

Brand stretches himself creatively to portray

he’s told that he will be completely cut off

boozy playboy Arthur Bach, who is asked by his

from his family’s $950 million inheritance if he

mother, Vivienne, to attend an important dinner.

chooses not to marry Susan.

The dinner is intended to announce

“Arthur is a billionaire playboy drunk, who

actress Helen Mirren acting alongside him.

“They told me that there had been different times when they’d considered a remake, but it was contingent on finding the right person

Arthur as the new chairman of his family’s

has never had to grow up because he’s

for the lead. I’m very easily flattered, so I was

corporation, Bach Worldwide, but when he

never had a job, and never had to have any

attracted right away,” jokes Brand.

turns up drunk – with the police in pursuit

responsibilities,” Brand explains. If he was to be

– the night turns sour. Arthur is arrested and

financially cut off, he’d be living on the streets

Queen”, as he calls Mirren, was also a strong

released the next day, but his mum has had

within days, his street smarts are so bad.

drawcard. Mirren plays Lillian Hobson,

enough.

Clearly, Arthur has a big decision on his hands.

Arthur’s nanny, who has been looking after

Filmed on location in New York, Arthur is

Arthur since he was a child due to his mum

Vivienne and her shrewd assistant Susan

The opportunity to work with “The

(Jennifer Garner) hatch a plan to have Susan

a remake of the 1981 film of the same name.

marry Arthur, to allow her to be in control of

Back then, it starred Dudley Moore in the title

“Because she plays the Queen and she’s

the company, ensuring stable leadership. Arthur

role. This time of course it’s comedian Russell

a serious British actress, you think she’ll be

refuses because his heart lies elsewhere, but

Brand in the hot seat, with esteemed British

dull, but she’s proper funny, and weird, and

010

being too busy with the family business.

She may be one of the world’s most respected actresses, but Helen Mirren admits to a rather child-like habit: she still sleeps with teddy bears! “My husband regularly throws them out of bed because he hates them, so I wake up in the morning and they’re on the other side of the room,” she says. “I find them very comforting.

They have such gorgeous teddy bears nowadays, they’re so soft and cuddly and lovely! When I was little my teddy bear was really hard and uncuddly, so I think I’m filling in for my lost teddy bear childhood.”

Russell Brand at his most brilliant is when he’s really on a riff, and that’s very much a stand up comedian’s ability. It’s brilliant to watch” Helen Mirren quirky, and charming and warm,” he says.

VITAL STATS

“She’s a really beautiful human being.”

For her part, Mirren is equally at ease heaping praise on her notorious co-star.

“It’s inspiring, to be around his energy,” she tells Collider.com. “You find it opens up your mind and you get freer, I loved it.

Stars: Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Jennifer Garner, Greta Gerwig, Nick Nolte Director: Jason Winer Budget: US$40 million Gross worldwide revenue: US$48 million

brilliant is when he’s really on a riff, and

ARTHUR

that’s very much a stand up comedian’s ability. It’s brilliant to watch.”

On Blu-ray and DVD from August 24

WORDS Sarah Megginson

Russell at his most

ULTIMATE

HOP TO IT

Blending state-of-the-art animation with live action, Hop tells the tale of Fred (James Marsden), an out-of-work slacker who accidentally injures the Easter Bunny – voiced by British ratbag Russell Brand – and must take care of him as he recovers.

The film’s theme song, “I Want Candy”, was performed by Australian teen pop/R&B singer, Cody Simpson.

As is tradition with animated films, the cast reads like a who’s who of Hollywood’s A-list: in

to pursue his dream of becoming a drummer.

During a press junket to promote the film,

Somewhere else, there’s a one-legged Easter Bunny. Somewhere else, there’s a robot Easter

addition to Marsden and Brand, The Simpsons’

Brand was characteristically cheeky when

Bunny. There’s an Easter Bunny crossed with

long-time cast member Hank Azaria is on board,

discussing his leading role.

a Darth Vader because of infinity. With infinity,

along with David Hasselhoff!

Hugh Laurie also made the most of his down

“Tim Hill, the director, he’s nice and he was

time between filming seasons of House to lend

and just left me in there. I was lonely,” he says.

his vocal talents on Hop, playing the Easter

“There were some carrots; they said it would

Bunny’s dad, Mr Bunny.

help with the character. I don’t like carrots. I

“I love doing voice stuff. There are many

could see better, though.”

ancillary advantages – you get to wear your own

When asked whether Brand believes in the

clothes, the lines are written there for you. These

Easter Bunny, the British comedian answered

are wonderful luxuries for an actor,” Laurie says.

in trademark style: “I believe in the possibility of

“But I also just enjoy speech, voice, sound;

If the universe is infinite,

voice, I’ve just always loved the challenge of it.”

that means, inevitably,

The film’s plot follows a young rabbit, E.B.,

all possibilities exist,”

calling’s demands, E.B. runs away to Hollywood

012

he says.

“So, somewhere, there is an Easter Bunny.

HOP

On Blu-ray and DVD from August 4

WORDS Sarah Megginson

nature of infinite space.

with rhythm and with expressiveness in our

(Laurie) as the Easter Bunny. Intimidated by the

VITAL STATS Stars: James Marsden, Russell Brand, Kaley Cuoco, Hank Azaria, Gary Cole, Elizabeth Perkins, Hugh Laurie, David Hasselhoff Director: Tim Hill Budget: US$63 million Gross worldwide revenue: US$179 million

all things because of the

they fascinate me. The things that we can do

(Brand) who is intended to succeed his father

everything would occur.”

encouraging to me, but they stuck me in a booth

ULTIMATE

Crime pays for Matthew McConaughey, h as h he sheds h d hi his nice i guy persona in this gritty adaptation of crime writer Michael Connelly’s 2005 novel The Lincoln Lawyer.

i

It’s been a little while since Matthew McConaughey has been in court. His role in

the upper class.

With stunning support performances from

the 1996 classic A Time to Kill cemented him

Marisa Tomei as Haller’s wise prosecutor wife

as one of Hollywood’s A-List and since then

Maggie McPherson, William H. Macy as his

he has dazzled us with his Texan accent in

Investigator colleague as well as Michael Peña

romantic comedies and blown us away with

who plays an imprisoned former client, the

shirtless roles in action blockbusters. But in The

film is engrossing and more energetic than the

Lincoln Lawyer, McConaughey again proves his versatility as a phlegmatic defence

average courtroom drama. This can be attributed to the work of screenwriter John Romano (Nights

in Rodanthe) and newcomer director Brad

attorney in too deep.

For Mick Haller (McConaughey) every criminal is a pay check. A lawyer who

Furman who take the action well beyond the courtroom.

represents the un-representable, he

But it is essentially the casting that makes The

is the go to man for the underworld

Lincoln Lawyer so fascinating. In fact even author

of Los Angeles and he’s never

Michael Connelly (whose novel the film was

late for a meeting because Haller

based on) was happy with the portrayal, stating,

operates out of the back seat of

“it was very loyal to the story and the character

his chauffer driven Lincoln Town

of Mickey Haller. Matthew McConaughey nails

Car. Life couldn’t be better for the

him.” It is easy to see why – the confident and

smooth talking defence attorney.

exuberant Haller couldn’t have been more

But when an opportunity to represent desperate Beverly

appropriately cast.

It is yet another positive for McConaughey, an

Hills playboy Louis Roulet (Ryan

actor who always brings a tremendous amount

Phillippe) arises, Haller seizes the

to his roles. But perhaps this role was a little too

opportunity. And why not – it’s

effortless for the superstar. McConaughey has

an open and shut case. Or so

admitted to loving a good argument as well as

he thinks. As Haller delves into Roulet’s sordid lifestyle, it becomes apparent that there is more to this case than he could have ever imagined. It seems there is more honour in the underworld than in

pondering a career as a defence attorney earlier on in life.

However, the similarities between Haller and McConaughey are most evident when comparing his early life in Hollywood. “Let’s admit it,” McConaughey says, “I was that guy.

I’ve customised vans and Airstream trailers, and I know how to make a car my home.”

VITAL STATS Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Ryan Phillippe, Marisa Tomei, William H. Macy Director: Brad Furman Budget: US$40 million Gross Worldwide Revenue: US$84 million

On Blu-ray and DVD from August 4

014

WORDS Nick Hadland

THE LINCOLN LAWYER

SUCKER PUNCH Aussie starlets Emily Browning and Abbie Cornish lead the charge in Sucker Punch, a slick action/thriller that chronicles the fantasies of a young woman wrongly committed to a mental institution.

Co-starring is Jena Malone and High School

diminutive star told to deadlift up to 95kg for

Musical’s Vanessa Hudgens, who says she

their roles. Damon Caro, the stunt coordinator

relished the opportunity to take on the role of

from Snyder’s previous films, was hired for the

the “tough one”.

stunts, training and fight choreography in the

“I’m so stoked about it,” she says of her involvement in the film. “I kept telling everyone,

movie.

“The hand to hand [combat] is all brutal,

‘I want to do an action film,’ but they were like,

because Damon did all the fights in Bourne and

‘Maybe in a few years.’ So I’m like, ‘Ha, in your

it has that vibe to it,” Snyder says. “It’s like Alice

face. I am doing one now!’”

in Wonderland with machine guns.”

Director Zack Snyder, he of Watchmen and

Funnily enough, the title Sucker Punch is

300 fame, says he deliberately aimed to corral

never referenced in the film, although Snyder

an all-female cast with this film. “I already did

believes there are two meanings.

the all-male cast with 300, so I’m doing the

“There’s a mechanism in the movie that

opposite end of the spectrum [with this],”

sneaks up on you. We sort of plant the seed of

Snyder says.

this thing, and then at the end of the movie it

He had initially tapped Amanda Seyfried first for the lead role, Babydoll, but she turned it down due to scheduling conflicts, so Australian

kind of comes back around. I think that in some ways, that’s what the sucker punch is,” he says.

“But also, the audience has like a

actress Emily Browning happily stepped in.

preconceived idea when you look at Babydoll.

The leading ladies were put through a

You think she’s innocent and sweet, that she’s capable of only a certain amount of

rigourous training program that

things. But I think that’s a mistake.

lasted for 12 weeks, with each

So that has something to do with the title, too.”

016 0 01 16

VITAL STATS Stars: Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Carla Gugino, Oscar Isaac, Jon Hamm Director, producer and screenplay: Zack Snyder

SUCKER PUNCH

On Blu-ray and DVD from August 10

WORDS Sarah Megginson

In its US theatrical release the movie was rated PG-13.

Director Zach Snyder was forced to cut many crucial scenes before the film’s release in order to satisfy censors, but he says the home media release of the film will be a director’s cut, and thus will be closer to his original vision.

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

Two and a Half Men Season 8 he was worth another mill. He and series

Charlie Sheen but I’m going to work my

living in outback Australia with no internet

creator Chuck Lorre had a huge falling out, over

ass off to entertain the hell out of people!”

or TV access for the last 12 months, you’ve

his proposed payrise, amongst other things,

heard about Charlie Sheen’s spectacular

and the rest played out in blog and magazine

season eight of Two and a Half Men is the

fall from grace as the star of Two and a Half

headlines for weeks.

last season to star Sheen. The show follow

It’s very likely that, unless you’ve been

Men.

As a result of all of this brouhaha,

But as they say in Hollywood, the show

Charlie and his uptight brother, Alan (Jon

must go on! Sheen is out and Hollywood

Cryer), and Alan’s growing son, Jake (he’s

US$2 million per episode for his portrayal of

heartthrob Ashton Kutcher is in. It’s unclear

be the “1/2” in the man equation). Alan

freewheeling 40-something Charlie Harper,

whether Kutcher will replace Sheen in the role

and Jake live with Charlie in his beach-

a TV jingle writer with a penchant for the

of Charlier Harper, or whether he’ll take on a

front Malibu house.

ladies. It turns out, two million bucks wasn’t

whole new character, but either way, he’s over

enough for Sheen.

the moon.

Sheen was taking home a paycheck of

As the star of one of TV’s most popular

Ultimately, it’s a show about men, women, sex, dating, divorce, mothers,

“I can’t wait to get to work with this

single parenthood, sibling relations,

shows today (a news article in The New

ridiculously talented 2.5 team and I believe we

surrogate families, money and, most

York Times pegged Men as “the biggest hit

can fill the stage with laughter that will echo in

importantly, love. It clearly strikes a chord

comedy of the past decade”), he believed

viewers’ homes,” Kutcher says. “I can’t replace

with audiences, having been nominated for dozens of awards over the last decade, including Primetime Emmys and Golden Globes.

And all comes down to a whole lot of guesswork, says Lorre – although the accomplished Hollywood veteran, who worked on Roseanne two decades ago, has experience on his side.

“The job is about guessing and hoping you’re making the right guess. How do I know what the audience wants? Because I spoke to a guy on a train? Does that guy represent 15 million people? I doubt it,” he tells Esquire magazine, “I didn’t use a laugh track on Roseanne 20 years ago, and I’m not doing it now.

I have a live audience that comes in to watch the show. If they don’t laugh, in the silence you can hear your career going by.

We rewrite the material on the spot or cut it, because if it’s not funny in front of 200 human beings, it’s probably not funny at home.”

WORDS Sarah Megginson

TWO AND A HALF MEN SEASON 8

On DVD from August 24

019

CSI Season 10 CSI has become such a television powerhouse that even changing the lead

scenes featurette, called Langston Heads

to me.”

East, which follows the cast and crew as they

And it proved to be a successful exchange

actor can’t stop its forward momentum.

of characters, as not many shows can survive

Now, with the tenth season being released to

the departure of their beloved lead and carry

DVD, the original franchise ups the ante and

on unabated.

continues to make Las Vegas look like the most violent city on earth!

Emmy Award winning and Oscar nominated actor Laurence Fishburne jumped

film in New York City.

The decision to temporarily shelve his movie and stage career for a regular small screen gig was a good one for Fishburne,

“I’m a huge Laurence Fishburne fan,”

both personally and financially.

executive Producer Carol Mendelsohn reveals to USA Today. “Sometimes, he scares me in

“I get to stay home, see my family, I’m

the movies, like when I think of Morpheus. And

making great money and playing a wonderful

on board during the show’s ninth season

then I look at him in CSI and want to hug him.

character in the most popular show on the

as Dr. Ray Langston, taking over from the

It’s a reaction I never expected.”

planet,” he tells USA Today.

much loved William Peterson, who played Gil Grissom since the show’s inception.

“I was doing Thurgood (a movie for

This season saw a CSI trilogy take place, with

Fan acceptance fortunately wasn’t an

CSI: Miami and CSI: NY becoming tangled up in

issue, either, as during its tenth season, CSI

a storyline that involved human trafficking, and

maintained its mantle as one of the most

HBO), minding my business, and somebody

a prostitution ring that sees Dr. Langston and

watched shows on television.

showed me an article in a paper about

his team head to Manhattan to continue their

the CSI producers considering me or John

investigations.

Malkovich to step in for William Petersen,” he tells The Guardian of his move to television.

“I never made any decisions. They came

Both of these episodes are included as a

“The running joke really is that CSI airs in every country but six: North Korea, Uzbekistan, Iran, Iraq, and a couple of others

bonus on the DVD release, so viewers can

I probably can’t even name,” creator Anthony

follow the storyline as well as a behind the

Zuiker jokes to CBS Sunday Morning.

WORDS David Christopher

CSI SEASON 10

Out on DVD from August 3

020

House Season 7 With so many medical dramas on television at the moment it’s hard fall into the trap of thinking they are all the same, with a crew of handsome, well behaved doctors that deal with everyday medical scenarios. However, Dr. House (Hugh Laurie) stands out from the crowd. He is rude, arrogant, offensive, but at the end of the day no matter inappropriate he might be, he manages to solve the medical mystery.

As with all long-running shows there is the element of sexual tension between two of the lead characters. The show’s creators always wanted the seventh season to deal with the relationship between House and his boss Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein), which would explain why no matter what his behaviour is, he doesn’t get fired.

Edelstein explains the focus of the season: “They’re really exploring this relationship between House and Cuddy. What’s great about what [creator David Shore] has done is he’s really incorporated all the things one would worry about in terms of two main characters getting together on a show, into what it means for two people who work together in this hospital to get together. So he gets to confront it head on all of those issues.”

Wanting to be more than just a medical drama, the show’s creator says he took inspiration from the stories of Sherlock Holmes. There are vast similarities throughout the series, as the two fictional characters work to solve the unsolvable cases. So, despite the romantic element this season it’s still the usual House; fans won’t be disappointed.

WORDS Caroline Muldoon

HOUSE SEASON 7

On DVD from August 24

021

Downton Abbey Season 1 The critically acclaimed first season of

myriad secrets these servants know of their

well... and I think it’s a bit of a miracle that

the British period drama, Downton Abbey,

employers, and to what extent they’ll go in

he can sustain 15-16 principal characters

has finally arrived to DVD. It is April 1912

their attempts at preserving their way of life.

to a level of interest to an audience I

and the revered halls of Downton Abbey

Created by Oscar-winning writer Julian

are flushed with tension as a death in the

Fellowes, this series brims with captivating

Set against the beautiful backdrop of

family of the Earl of Grantham brings the

intrigue and sharp and intelligent dialogue,

Highclere Castle in Birmingham, England,

obnoxious socialites, Isobel and Matthew

delivered brilliantly by its all-star cast

this drama pops with incredibly detailed

Crawley, to the abbey gates. Meanwhile,

including Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville and

costumes and set designs, completely

the bustling lives of the servants of the

Penelope Wilton. As Bonneville, who plays the

immersing you into the troubled lives of its

manor bubble with conflict as they try

Earl of Grantham, said in an interview with

characters. Production has already begun

desperately to protect their jobs and

Digital Spy, “[Julian Fellowes] does know that

filming on its second series, which will

dreams. More complex still are the

world of the early 20th century extremely

reach our shores later this year.

haven’t come across before.”

WORDS Sean Sebastian

DOWNTON ABBEY SEASON 1

On Blu-ray and DVD from August 4

022

31st AUG

EXCLUSIVE LIMITED CHARACTER BOOK AND COVER

24th AUG

EXCLUSIVE LIMITED EDITION T-SHIRT

24th AUG

FINALLY AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIA

Merlin Season 3 disposal, utilising voodoo-dolls, an army of

of legendary British actor John Hurt, whose

and join Merlin in all 13 episodes of his

Journey back to the courts of Camelot

sword-wielding skeletons and an enchanted

most recent part was Ollivander the wand-

third season, now available on DVD. Merlin

amulet in their efforts to drive King Uther mad.

maker in the Harry Potter films. Here he

has just defeated the Great Dragon after it

As the antagonists grow more powerful, the city

lends his talent as the voice of the Great

terrorised Camelot, but now finds himself

is descends further into chaos and it is up to

Dragon, whose guidance has seen Merlin

caught in Morgana and Morghause’s

Merlin and Arthur to once again restore order

through his darkest times.

devious plot for the throne. These malicious

to Camelot.

conjurers employ all of the magic at their

This series is also graced by the presence

A re-invention of the legends of Merlin and his companion King Arthur, this series is Britain’s answer to the popular American television series, Smallville. The action in the show takes place before the better-known stories of Camelot, as Colin Morgan, who has the titular role as Merlin, explains in an interview with Collider.com: “Arthur knows he’s going to be king, and Merlin does, too.

He also knows that there’s greater things at stake that he’s the one who’s supposed to see and make that journey to be there.”

MERLIN SEASON 3 WORDS Sean Sebastian

On DVD from August 4

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FREEFALLIN’ INTO SUCCESS An ‘overnight sensation’ a decade in the making, Aussie dance music star Zoë Badwi is set to release her debut album.

When Zoë Badwi’s single “Freefallin’” peaked

single reached number one on the ARIA Clubs

heritage), and talented (Badwi wrote several

at number 9 on the ARIA Singles Chart in July

Chart and was part of the soundtrack of the

tracks herself), ongoing success seems assured.

2010, critics hailed her as the new queen of

summer of 2008/09.

With the immaculate production and the rousing

Australian dance music. The key word there

Fast forward to 2010. Following the success

is ‘new’. Few would guess that this overnight

of “Freefallin’”, it was announced that Badwi had

Ellis-Bextor about Badwi. “Until You’re Over Me”,

success had been toiling for several years

signed to a US label. More excitingly for her local

with its dreamy synths and bittersweet chorus,

before her breakthrough chance finally

fans, she announced plans to record her debut

makes that connection clear. Penned by Amy

presented itself.

album with some of the cream of the Australian

Pearson, who also worked on “Freefallin’”, the

dance scene: Static Revenger, TV Rock, Stuart

song is the next potential smash.

Her early career began in modelling and television commercials. A nine-month acting

chorus’ there is more than a touch of Sophie

Crichton, Rogue Traders and Amy Pearson.

The album has been signed in the UK and

gig in ABC TV drama series Raw FM was well

As Badwi told the Star Observer, “I’ve been

received. In 2001, Badwi became a member

slogging it out for so many years – a lot of blood,

in France, and the US is also in Badwi’s sights.

of the Australian girl group Sirens, replacing

sweat and tears got me to this point.”

She will also play shows in Australia in support

the original third member who left to pursue a

South Africa. “Freefallin’” is soon to be released

The hard work has paid off. Her debut album,

of the album’s local release, having already

career in modelling. They had minor success

Zoë, should finally put to rest the widely held

with the singles “Like Fire, Like Rain” and an

notion that dance artists are strictly singles acts.

at the launch of MAXIM Australia mag on July

unlikely cover version of the Pointer Sisters’

It’s an enticing mix of club stompers, pure pop,

19. Smart music pundits may want to purchase

previewed it to an array of Sydney’s social elite

“I’m So Excited” (featuring Sara-Marie Fedele,

and even a ballad (“Believe You”) with some

tickets – it may be the last time Zoe is able to

the ‘bum dancer’ from the original series of Big

Adele-style colourings, “which might surprise

play clubs before the world beckons.

Brother Australia). Badwi left for a solo career

some people. I thought it was nice

soon after.

to show a lot of different sides of

It wasn’t until her discovery by Grant Smillie,

myself”. It’s a sparse piano ballad complete with strings and Badwi’s

venue in Melbourne, that Badwi started to make

powerful singing – a nice change

a dent in the music world. She went on to sign

of pace.

with Neon Records and released her debut solo single “Release Me” in November 2008. The

Articulate, incredibly beautiful

ZOË BADWI ZOE

WORDS Iain Hopkins

a member of the Australian duo TV Rock at a

Out now

(she can claim Middle Eastern-Irish

029

NEVER SAY NEVER He’s the pint-sized pop star who shot to fame as only a modern-day talent could: by hawking his vocal wares to viewers on YouTube. In Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, we find out exactly how he went from being an unknown teen in Canada to, well, Justin Bieber.

Some might scoff that at 16 years of age, Bieber is a little young to be the subject of a feature film biopic – but then, nothing about the young heartthrob’s journey has been ordinary.

Initially released in theatres as a 3D experience, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never is part documentary, part concert film, and it focuses on the rise and rise of the teen chart sensation.

The film follows the singer during 10 days counting down to what is considered his most prestigious performance: his August 31, 2010 show in Madison Square Garden, which sold out in 22 minutes.

As well as footage of the performances during this period from his My World Tour, it shows the behind-the-scenes escapades and challenges involved in staging Bieber’s concerts. There’s also a visit to Bieber’s hometown in Canada and some stories and old videos from his childhood, but while his family members and close friends are interviewed, interestingly, Bieber himself is never interviewed throughout the film.

Step Up 2: The Streets and Step Up 3-D director Jon Chu was recruited to direct the film, fresh off the back off promoting the latter.

“When I was approached about doing Justin’s film, I jumped at the opportunity to tell a story with honesty and heart,” he tells MTV. “Most people don’t know that his is a true underdog story, and I hope to tell it in a compelling, genuine way, using all source materials available to convey his tale of becoming an icon for this digital age.”

A genuine underdog story it is. Justin Bieber was certainly not born with a silver spoon in his mouth; his mum Patricia Lynn “Pattie” Mallette was just 18 when she became pregnant with her son, and she worked a series of low-paying office jobs, raising Bieber as a single mother in low-income housing.

As a child he taught himself to play the piano, drums, guitar, and trumpet, and in early 2007, age 12, Bieber sang Ne-Yo’s “So Sick” for a local singing competition and placed second. His proud mum posted a video of the performance on YouTube for family and friends, eventually adding more videos of her son singing covers of popular songs.

One person who happened to catch his YouTube suite of performances was Scooter Braun, a former marketing executive of So So Def. He flew the then-13-year-old out to Atlanta, Georgia to record some demos; a week later Bieber sang Usher, who immediately signed him in

JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER

a joint venture with Braun.

“A lot of people don’t like me because they know my story. The don’t know I can actually sing!”

Bieber says. “So I want them to see my movie

On DVD from August 18

and see that I work really hard – and I’m not just a product. Music is my life.”

030

WORDS Sarah Megginson

In June of 2011, Bieber was ranked number 2 on the Forbes list of BestPaid Celebrities under 30. As the youngest star on the list, he earnt US$53 million.

KILLER LOVE

She’s been fronting all-girl burlesque pop group The Pussycat Dolls for the better part of a decade, but now Nicole Scherzinger is stepping out on her own with her first solo album, Killer Love.

Scherzinger initially began working on her debut studio album back in 2005, recording a whopping 75 to 100 songs with a raft of high profile collaborators. Everyone from Akon, Ne-Yo and T.I.

to Timbaland, Dr. Dre, will.i.am and Kanye West were tapped to be involved, and dozens of tracks were produced, mixed and mastered.

But Scherzinger was unhappy with how the material was coming together, so she shelved the album, tentatively titled Her Name Is

Nicole. Some of the songs later ending up with The Pussycat Dolls, and Scherzinger went back to the studio to start again.

“It was actually my decision not to put Her Name Is Nicole out, not the label’s,” the Pussycat Doll tells X magazine – although, she doesn’t offer any reasons why she felt the album wasn’t up to scratch.

Morrocan producer RedOne, who produced the majority of the songs on the new record Killer Love, tells BBC Music that he believes inconsistency was at fault.

“Her last album never came out because it was collecting hamburgers, like fast food. One from McDonalds, one from Burger King, and so on. It tasted good, but it wasn’t consistent,” he says.

Six years later, Scherzinger has had more than enough time to iron out the kinks and put together a debut solo album she’s truly proud of. Working with RedOne, she says, was the icing on the cake.

“He’s an unbelievable producer and musician,” she says. “He’s made some amazing songs with Lady Gaga – now, she’s someone with the ‘x factor’! I can’t touch GaGa or RedOne in that space, but I know that we’ve created something unique of our own.”

RedOne reveals that he began working with Scherzinger after Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Scherzinger’s record label, personally called him and asked him to collaborate.

“I said, ‘Honestly, Jimmy, if you want me to do it, you’ve got to just trust me and let me do it, let me do a body of work and not chase a single’. He was like, ‘Absolutely, “That’s what we did. I think we created a new sound for Nicole Scherzinger that fits her, that really represents who she is, and you’re going to be impressed when you hear it.”

NICOLE SCHERZINGER KILLER LOVE

WORDS Sarah Megginson

you go and create magic’,” RedOne says.

Nicole Scherzinger was recently announced as a judge on The X Factor in the US, replacing Cheryl Cole; will judge alongside Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid.

Out now

031

Foo Fighters With special guests, Tenacious D Perennial chart-toppers the Foo Fighters are returning to Australia and for a series of stadium shows, and they’re bringing some pretty awesome friends in tow in Tenacious D! Ten of thousands of tickets were snapped up in minutes when the Foo Fighters announced their Australian tour, proving once again why they’re

Bryan Adams

one of the biggest and most loved rock bands in the world.

Following the release of his latest album Bare Bones, Canadian crooner

To meet the massive demand for tickets, the Foo’s have announced a

Bryan Adams is returning to Australia in his most personal and private

second Melbourne concert at AAMI Park for what is arguably going to be

shows yet.

one of the biggest rock concerts of the summer.

With a career spanning more than three decades, Adams is no stranger to

The band – comprised of Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel,

the world’s finest arenas and stadiums. His first tour of Australia, way back

Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear – are touring in celebration of their recently

in 1984, saw him launch his touring career here at sold out stadium shows

released seventh album, Wasting Light, which was recorded in Grohl’s

in support of The Police. From there his star shot into the stratosphere,

garage with producer Butch Vig. They churned out 11 t of tracks bursting

selling out arenas with ease for every subsequent tour of our shores.

with the trademark mix of melody and brawn that has made them one of

Fast forward to 2011 and Australian fans will be treated to their most

the most beloved bands on the planet.

intimate shows ever, as Adams takes to theatres across the country for his

Joining them on stage will be the band behind the “greatest song in the

critically acclaimed Bare Bones tour.

world” – the one and only Tenacious D, aka, Jack Black and Kyle Gass, who

His album Bare Bones, recorded in 2010 during his tour of the same name,

last toured Australia in 2007.

captures sparsely arranged hits by Adams featuring only his distinctive

Jack Black’s theatrical vocals and lyrical narrative coupled with Kyle

voice and guitar, accompanied by keyboardist Gary Breit.

Gass’ manic guitar skills will shred stadium crowds to pieces and take

The album features stripped back renditions of his many hits including

them on a sonic voyage to rock heaven and back, delivering an audience

“Cuts Like A Knife”, “Heaven” and “Summer of ‘69”, lending a newfound

primed for the Foo Fighters to take the stage.

perspective to some of the most beloved songs in pop/rock music of all

It’s going to be epic. As the NZ Herald put it after the Fooey’s last tour:

times.

“Gigs like this don’t come around very often...This was one of those heart-

“I’m getting back to the basics of the songs,” Adams tells The Weekender,

pumping special shows that you know you’re lucky to be at.”

USA. “It’s just me and my voice. That’s how they all started.”

FOO FIGHTERS November 28 - Perth, NIB Stadium December 2, 3 - Melbourne, AAMI Park 5 - Adelaide, Adelaide Oval 8 - Sydney, Sydney Football Stadium 10 - Gold Coast, Metricon Stadium

032

www.foofighters.com

FOO FIGHTERS WASTING LIGHT

Out now

BRYAN ADAMS September 15, 16 - Melbourne, Palais Theatre 17, 18, 19 - Sydney, Sydney Opera House 20, 21 - Brisbane, QPAC Concert Hall 22 - Newcastle, Civic Theatre

www.bryanadams.com

BRYAN ADAMS BARE BONES Out now

THE MARS VOLTA AUGUST 3 - Sydney, Enmore Theatre 5 - Adelaide, Thebarton Theatre 7 - Melbourne, Palace Theatre www.themarsvolta.com ------------------------------------------CHILDREN COLLIDE AUGUST 3 - Pelly Bar, Frankston 4 - Karova Lounge, Ballarat 5 - The Bended Elbow Geelong 6, 7 - Republic Bar, Hobart 11 - The Governor, Hindmarsh 12 - Manning Bar, Sydney 13 - The Corner Hotel, Melbourne 20 - Gove, Gove Youth Concert 25 - Studio 146, Albany 26 - Prince of Wales, Bunbury 27 - Capitol, Perth www.myspace.com/childrencollide ------------------------------------------OWL CITY AUGUST 15 - Brisbane, The Tivoli 16 - Sydney, The Metro 17, 18 - Melbourne, Billboard The Venue www.owlcitymusic.com ------------------------------------------LIAM FINN AUGUST 19 - Melbourne, Corner Hotel 20 - Adelaide, Jive Bar 24 - Newcastle, Cambridge Hotel 25 - Canberra, ANU Bar 26 - Sydney, Oxford Art Factory 27 - Brisbane, The Zoo www.liamfinn.tv ------------------------------------------THE VINES AUGUST 25 - Byron Bay, The Northern 26 - Brisbane, The Hi-Fi 27 - Sydney, The Metro SEPTEMBER 1 - Wollongong, Uni Bar 2 - Newcastle, The Cambridge Hotel 3 - Melbourne, The Hi-Fi 9 - Adelaide, The Gov 10 - Perth, Capitol www.thevines.com ------------------------------------------KASEY CHAMBERS AND SHANE NICHOLSON AUGUST 31 - Gladstone, Entertainment Centre SEPTEMBER 1 - Capella, Capella Cultural Centre 2 - Mackay, Entertainment & Convention Centre 3 - Townsville, Civic Theatre 4 - Cairns, Civic Centre www.kasey.com.au

SPARKADIA SEPTEMBER 1 - Margaret River, Settlers Tavern 2 - Bunbury, Prince of Wales 3 - Perth, The Astor Theatre 4 - Adelaide, The Gov 7 - Central Coast, Entrance Leagues 8 - Sydney, Metro Theatre 9 - ACT, Zierholz at University of Canberra 10 - Wollongong, Waves 11 - Penrith, Panthers 14, 15 - Ballarat, Bended Elbow 16 - Melbourne, The Forum 17 - Brisbane, The Tivoli 18 - Coolangatta, Coolangatta Hotel www.sparkadia.com ------------------------------------------ESKIMO JOE SEPTEMBER 14 - Mackay, Andergrove Tavern 15 - Airlie Beach, Magnums 16 - Rockhampton, Great Western Hotel 17 - Bundaberg, Sugarland Tavern 21 - Wollongong, Wollongong Uni 22 - Campbelltown, The Cube 23 - Newcastle, Newcastle Uni 24 - Sydney, Enmore Theatre 29 - Melbourne, The Forum 30 - Frankston, Pier Live OCTOBER 1 - Deniliquin, Deni Ute Muster 5 - Coffs Harbour, Plantation Hotel 6 - Lismore, Southern Cross Uni 7 - Caloundra, Music Festival 8 - Townsville, Full Noise Festival 9 - Brisbane, The Tivoli 14 - Perth, The Astor www.eskimojoe.net ------------------------------------------ICE CUBE SEPTEMBER 16 - Canberra, AIS Arena 18 - Sydney, Enmore Theatre 22 - Melbourne, The Espy 23 - Brisbane, The Seaview Hotel www.icecubemusic.com ------------------------------------------MOTLEY CRUE Special guests Bret Michaels from Poison SEPTEMBER 21 - Brisbane, Riverstage 23 - Sydney, Entertainment Centre 24 - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena www.motley.com ------------------------------------------JOHN FARNHAM OCTOBER 5, 7 - Adelaide, AEC Theatre 11, 12 - Sydney, State Theatre NOVEMBER 2, 4 - Brisbane, QPAC Theatre 9, 11 - Melbourne, Palais Theatre

22, 23 - Perth, Burswood Dome www.johnfarnham.com.au ------------------------------------------CHRIS CORNELL Solo acoustic tour OCTOBER 7 - Canberra, Canberra Theatre 10 - Perth, Concert Hall 13 - Adelaide, Festival Theatre 15, 17 - Brisbane, QPAC Concert Hall 19, 20 - Melbourne, Palais Theatre 22 - Sydney, Sydney Opera House www.chriscornell.com ------------------------------------------JOHN EDWARDS OCTOBER 7 - Sydney, State Theatre 9 - Hobart, Derwent Entertainment Centre 11 - Brisbane, Sleeman Complex, Chander Threatre 12 - Adelaide, Her Majesty’s Theatre 14 - Melbourne, Her Majesty’s Theatre www.johnedward.net ------------------------------------------KINGS OF LEON NOVEMBER 4, 5 - Sydney, Acer Arena 8 - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre 11 - Adelaide, Entertainment Centre 13, 14, 16 - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena 19 - Perth, nib Stadium www.kingsofleon.com

------------------------------------------K. D. LANG NOVEMBER 5 - Perth, Swan Valley Sandalford Winery 7 - Canberra, AIS Arena 9, 10 - Sydney, State Theatre 12 - Melbourne, Sidney Myer Music Bowl 13 - Adelaide, Entertainment Centre 22 - Brisbane, Riverstage www.kdlang.com

------------------------------------------DOLLY PARTON NOVEMBER 8 - Perth, Burswood 12 - Adelaide, Entertainment Centre 15 - Sydney, Acer Arena 19, 20 - Hunter Valley, Hope Estate 22, 23 - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena 25, 26 - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre www.dollypartonmusic.net

------------------------------------------ELTON JOHN NOVEMBER 30 - Brisbane, Entertainment Centre DECEMBER 3 - Hunter Valley, Hope Estate Winery 6 - Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena 9 - Adelaide, Coopers Amphitheatre 11 - Perth, Burswood Dome www.eltonjohn.com

033

[DVD] PAUL (AUGUST 17)

THE FAST & FURIOUS 5 (AUGUST 24) some pretty terrific car chases Vin Diesel and Paul Walker around the tightly wound return for the fifth installment favelas of Rio. Dwayne ‘The of the Fast & Furious Rock’ Johnson adds some franchise. This time round, extra electricity as the FBI Brian (Walker) and Mia agent eager to bring the heist (Jordana Brewster) are on a to a crashing halt. mission to bust Dom (Diesel) out of prison. With the job done, the trio flee to tropical Brazil where they reunite with the old gang and get busy stealing anything with four wheels. However, when they set their sights on boosting a cool $11 million from the vault of a bad-as-hell drug dealer who has the cops in his pocket, the scene is set for

HOP (AUGUST 4)

BATTLE: LOS ANGELES (AUGUST 31)

From drunken playboy in Arthur, to the Easter Bunny’s rebellious teenage son in Hop, British comedian Russell Brand brings his shtick to this live-action-meets-animation family comedy. E.B. (Brand) has big dreams of becoming a drummer in a rock’n’roll band. His dad (Hugh Laurie), on the other hand, wants him to knuckle down and take over the family business. For E.B. there’s only one solution – take a chance and head for Hollywood.

Aaron Eckhart takes a risk with a new action-hero persona, and it fits him much better than you might assume. Eckhart plays battleweary Nantz, a staff sergeant Marine who is on the cusp of retirement. However, when hostile aliens land in Los Angeles, Nantz is thrown into the toughest battle of his life – along with inexperienced but gung-ho fellow soldier, Martinez (Michelle Rodriguez).

If you like 2009’s excellent District 9, you’ll dig this.

RED RIDING HOOD (COMBO PACK) (AUGUST 10)

SUCKER PUNCH (COMBO PACK) (AUGUST 10)

Who better to voice a wisecracking alien elbows deep in a wild road trip than Seth Rogan? When British sci-fi geeks Graeme (Simon Pegg) and Clive (Nick Frost) make a pilgrimage to Area 51 they encounter Paul (Rogan), a harmless alien on the run from government agents who want to return him to the top-secret military base that has held him for 60 years. When Graeme and Clive agree to help return him to his mothership, they have little idea of what awaits them.

What would you get if Twilight author Stephenie Meyer had a baby with the big bad wolf of Little Red Riding Hood fame? This movie. Valerie (Amanda Seyfried) is being pressured into an arranged marriage by her parents, but she is actually in love with brooding outsider, Peter (Shiloh Fernandez). When Valerie’s sister is murdered by a mysterious werewolf, the village goes into damage control. Could Valerie’s crush be the beast? Stranger things have happened.

From the director of 300 and Watchmen comes this deliciously dark, twisted and violent action thriller. When Babydoll (Emily Browning) is sent to a mental institution, she learns that a lobotomy will be inflicted on her in just five days time. She retreats to a fantastical world within her imagination where she, along with four other female inmates (including Abbie Cornish and Vanessa Hudgens), hatches a plan to escape the asylum as the lines between fantasy and reality are blurred.

CONVICTION (AUGUST 3)

ARTHUR (COMBO PACK) (AUGUST 24)

JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER (AUGUST 18)

Hilary Swank is perhaps the finest actresses of her generation, and she has a field day in this gripping legal drama. Swank plays Betty Anne Walters, a struggling single mother who puts herself through law school in order to defend her brother, Kenny (Sam Rockwell in a career-best performance).

Kenny has been wrongfully convicted of murder and the inept public defenders assigned to his case have done little to deliver justice as his final chance for appeal rapidly expires.

Russell Brand may be the only living comedian capable of stepping into Dudley Moore’s shoes and not missing a beat in the remake of his classic 1981 comedy. Brand plays the title character – a mischievous, millionaire drunk who must settle down and marry the stuck-up daughter (Jennifer Garner) of a rival family if he is to keep his fortune.

Modern Family director Jason Winer shines in his first feature film, as does Helen Mirren as Arthur’s firm but loving nanny.

This fly-on-the-wall documentary follows boywonder pop star Justin Bieber in the 10 days preceding his sold-out Madison Square Garden show in 2010. Home movies are spliced with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews that reveal the pop-star’s irrepressible work ethic and undeniable desire to succeed. Miley Cyrus, Sean Kingston, Ludacris, Jaden Smith and Usher all lend their perspectives to a film Bieber fans will love and one his haters might appreciate.

THE LINCOLN LAWYER

034

WORDS Shane Conroy

Matthew McConaughey serves up a stirring return to form as enterprising lawyer, Mick Haller. To save cash on renting an office, Mick conducts his business from the backseat of his Lincoln Continental as he is chauffeured around by his driver, Earl (Laurence Mason). However, when guilt builds over a former client doing time for a crime he may not have committed, Mick reveals himself as much more human than the shark-like image he presents. The all-star cast features Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe, William H. Macy and John Leguizamo. (AUGUST 4)

[MUSIC]

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS: I’M WITH YOU (AUGUST 19)

While we’ll shy away from calling this the band’s comeback album, it is nonetheless their first studio record since 2006’s Stadium Arcadium. It also marks the debut of the band’s new guitarist, Josh Klinghoffer, who joined in 2009 when John Frusciante said adieu. The album’s lead single, “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie” is a harder, almost 70s-sounding version of their classic funk sound, and “The Monarchy of Roses” serves up a hot-ashell hook we’ll be singing for months.

BOY & BEAR: MOONFIRE

IL VOLO: IL VOLO

(AUGUST 5) This is a strong debut album from Sydney folk rookies, Boy & Bear.

So strong, in fact, that the band has been named Rolling Stone’s ‘Artist to Watch’ and Triple J’s ‘Unearthed Artist of the Year’. Lead single, “Feeding Line” , is a rock-heavy drinking anthem, while “House and Farm” dials it down for a stripped-back tune that proves this band has no need to hide behind distorted electric guitars and thumping drum beats. Watch this space.

(AUGUST 5) It’s hard to believe that this trio of Italian popopera singers are still only in their teens. The international edition of their debut, self-titled album has seen massive international success – largely on the back of a stunning performance of popular opera hit, “O Sole Mio”, on an American Idol finals show. Highlights are a stirring rendition of “Smile” by Charlie Chaplin and love-sick Diane Warren ballad, “Painfully Beautiful”, which will be a favourite of the fairer sex.

NICOLE SCHERZINGER: KILLER LOVE (OUT NOW)

Former lead signer of the Pussycat Dolls, Nicole Scherzinger has kicked off her solo career in style with the release of her debut album. Six years in the making, its tracklist mixes heavy dance beats with pop ballads and nods to rock, soul and funk influences. Lead single, “Poison”, peaked at number three on the UK charts and follow-up single, “Don’t Hold Your Breath”, hit number-one. Two separate collaborations with Enrique Iglesias and Sting also feature.

DAVID GUETTA: NOTHING BUT THE BEAT (OUT NOW)

ESKIMO JOE: GHOSTS OF THE PAST (AUGUST 5)

STEVE FORDE: GREATEST HITS (AUGUST 28)

The French king of the dance floor returns with his fifth studio album and, not surprisingly, it’s heavy on collaborations with the a-list stars of the R&B and pop worlds. Special guests include Flo Rida, Nicki Minaj, Taio Cruz, Ludacris, will.i.am, Usher, Snoop Dogg, Akon, Jennifer Hudson, Timbaland, Dev and Australian dance diva, Sia. For our money, the highlight here is “Little Bad Girl” in which Ludacris and Taio Cruz bring some heat to the floor.

As Eskimo Joe drop their fifth studio album, fans are eager to hear their latest incarnation. Perhaps a little more stripped back than you’re used to hearing from the Perth-based rockers, the boys have admitted that they approached the recording process differently than they have in the past. This was a much more collaborative effort, they say, and comes with an equal contribution from the band mates with simplicity at front of mind.

And it’s good. Very good.

With a background in bull riding, Steve Forde is well equipped for the rough-andtumble world of Australian country music. Perhaps best known as founder of The Flange and host of Rolling With… on the country music channel, Forde’s solo career continues to go from strength to strength, as testament in this ripping greatest hits record. It features his best work from his critically-acclaimed album, Guns & Guitars, and his edgy latest album, Hurricane.

PHRASE: BABYLON

(AUGUST 12) With lead single, “Apart feat. Davey Lane”, already tearing up the charts, big things are expected – and delivered – from Phase’s third studio album. His previous two records, “Talk with Force” and “Clockwork” did much to revitalise the Australian hip-hop scene and his latest album looks set to continue the cause, by tearing up his roots in favour of a more raw delivery with tinges of Aussie garage rock.

Nevertheless, his sharp lyricism is deliciously in tact.

NOT FINAL ARTWORK

ZOE BADWI: ZOE (OUT NOW)

If you’ve spent more than five minutes in an Australian nightclub within the last few years, you’d be well acquainted with the tunes of dance hit-maker Zoe Badwi. She burst onto the scene with 2008 hit, “Release Me”, and topped the ARIA dance charts in 2010 with “Freefalin’”, which also grabbed the

attention of top record labels around the world.

After more successful singles released earlier this year – namely “Accidents Happen” and “Carry Me Home” – the dance-pop diva has finally dropped her debut, self-titled album on feverish fans. Penned

by Amy Pearson, bittersweet “Until You’re Over Me” is perhaps the record’s highlight with its delicious synths, and piano ballad, “Believe You”, shows that Badwi has some serious talent behind her dancepop chops.

MOTLEY CRUE: GREATEST HITS WORDS Shane Conroy

When the band mates at Motley Crue sat down to select the tracks to their long-overdue greatest hits record, they must have been faced with an embarrassment of riches. Hitting their stride as one of the top hard-rock acts of the 80s, the Crue have endured for more than three decades of music magic. Among the 17 tracks on this record are “Bitter Pill”, “Girls, Girls, Girls”, “Kickstart My Heart”, “Home Sweet Home” and “Primal Scream”, along with an eight-page booklet with essays from each member of the Crue. (AUGUST 28)

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[ BLU-RAY]

SCARFACE (AUGUST 31) Say hello to my little friend. Al Pacino made that line famous in one of his greatest ever performances in one of the greatest ever gangster films.

When Cuban refugee Tony Montana (Pacino) arrives in Miami he has nothing, except his insatiable yearning for money and power. He achieves both as he builds a drug empire in 1980s Miami. But as he becomes increasingly ruthless in his defence of his evil empire, cracks begin to appear in his armour. This two-disc set includes a bulging special features menu that

includes a new documentary about the film’s influence on pop culture; interviews with director Brian Palmer, screenwriter Oliver Stone and leading man Pacino; and a ‘scoreboard’ that keeps track of how many times the ‘F-bomb’ is dropped during the movie.

AN IDIOT ABROAD (AUGUST 18) Karl Pilkington may appear a little daft at times, but he’s on a mission of self-discovery as he traverses the globe to visit the seven wonders of the world in this hit travel documentary series. Karl’s constant everyman cracks are not only great fun, but also expose an innocent honesty that provides a completely new perspective on the postcard images of the world – from the Egyptian pyramids to the Great Wall of China and The Amazon.

THE LIGHTHORSEMEN (AUGUST 3) This 1987 military classic occupies a special place in Australian history. The year is 1917 and the globe has been ravaged by three years of world war. The British advance has been stopped by the Turks in Palestine, and it’s up to the an Australian regiment of mounted infantry – the Light Horse – to get the war effort back on track.

But how can they possibly sustain a desert attack with no water and the bullets flying thick and fast?

POINT BREAK (AUGUST 3) Well before he donned black leather for The Matrix, Keanu Reeves was FBI agent turned surfer, Johnny Utah, in this 1991 action thriller.

When a gang of Los Angeles surfers led by sandy-haired Bodhi (Patrick Swayze) are suspected as the men behind a string of daring bank robberies, undercover FBI agent Utah is sent to infiltrate the group. Complications arise, however, when Utah is drawn into the surfing lifestyle and ultimately questions his allegiance.

DEFIANCE (AUGUST 4) Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber star in this Oscarnominated 2008 war epic.

During World War II three Jewish brothers are forced to flee from the advancing Nazis and hide in the deep forests of Germanoccupied Poland. When they encounter a large group of fleeing Polish Jews in a similar situation, the brothers take on leadership roles and do all they can to protect the makeshift forest village from the Nazi soldiers and their reign of genocide.

CONVICTION (AUGUST 3) When her brother is falsely accused of murder, his sister entrusts his future to the legal system. However, after a cast of inept public defenders fail to deliver justice, struggling single mother Betty Anne Walters (Hilary Swank) puts herself through law school in order to save her brother (Sam Rockwell) from a system that has abandoned him. Hilary Swank delivers yet another career-defining performance, and a maturing Sam Rockwell more than holds his own.

TOP GEAR: SERIES 15 (AUGUST 4) The boys are back in the driver’s seat for another white-knuckled ride through the rough-and-tumble world of car reviewing.

James drives a new 4WD up an Icelandic volcano, Jeremy races through New York City, Richard plays in the Swedish snow, and all three build motor homes for a doomed camping trip. This season ‘Stars in a Reasonably Priced Car’ include Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Rupert Grint, Andy Garcia and Jeff Goldblum.

THE BIG LEBOWSKI (AUGUS17) The Coen brothers’ classic 1998 comedy has been given the Blu-ray treatment and the laughs sparkle as much as they ever did.

When ‘The Dude’ Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) is mistaken for a millionaire he is visited by two thugs who urinate on his rug to coerce him to pay a debt he knows nothing about. Together with his gun-toting bowling buddy, Walter (John Goodman), he goes on a mission of retribution that quickly spirals out of control.

THE GREATEST STARS OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM (AUGUST 3) If the WWE is the greatest show in sports entertainment, then it’s the wrestling stars who deserve the highest accolades. This action-heavy documentary profiles 15 of the superstars that dominated the ring for the first decade of the 21st century. Learn what drives athletes like John Cena, Triple H, The Undertake, Randy Orton, The Edge, Jericho and Batista, then watch them in all their glory in specially selected matches that showcase them at the top of their games.

NOT FINAL ARTWORK

NOT FINAL ARTWORK

RAMBO TRILOGY WORDS Shane Conroy

Sylvester Stallone’s blood-and-guts action trilogy is presented here in high-definition goodness.

In First Blood, Vietnam vet John Rambo (Stallone) is hunted by a small-town sheriff in the wilds of western Canada. First Blood: Part II moves the party to Vietnam where Rambo is released from prison in order to track down American prisoners of war deep in the jungle. Finally, Rambo III sees the ultimate warrior shake off his peaceful life at a Buddhist monastery to take on the whole Soviet army on a secret mission to Afghanistan. (AUGUST 31)

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[GAMES] AVAILABLE AT

LE TOUR DE FRANCE PS3, 360 Simulating the entire Le Tour De France is no small feat, but this game manages to give that experience to its players.

All 21 stages have been recreated and they look visually sharp. There’s more depth than just finishing first, too. You’ll need to manage your form correctly, look after your reputation by controlling your style and form alliances with other riders where required.

CALL OF JUAREZ: THE CARTEL PS3, 360, PC Ben McCall (relative of The Western is a sadly the original games’ Ray underused genre in video McCall), DEA officer Eddie gaming, which is quite Guerra and FBI special a surprise when you agent Kim Evans – as consider how prevalent they seek to bring down shooters and action titles a drug cartel run by are. The Call of Juarez Juan Mendoza. The new series therefore stands setting brings modern out by giving gamers a weapons and vehicles chance to sling guns, into the experience, but and dust the prairie. The the game world exists in Cartel does differentiate Los Angeles and Mexico, itself from its two as well as the desert predecessors, bringing in-between, helping to the story to the modern retain the gritty, Western day. Gamers take control aesthetic. The game can of a group of crime also played in co-op. fighters – LAPD detective DUKE NUKEM CRITICAL MASS DS Hot on the heels of the much-anticipated console release of Duke Nukem Forever, the big fellow has this sidescrolling shooter on the way to the DS. Over 36 levels, Duke will travel forward in time to protect a future Earth from those alien scum. The game varies up the action with firstperson sniper sections and third-person boss battles, but cuts back on the crudeness for the DS audience.

DRAGON QUEST VI: REALMS OF REVELATION DS One of the great RPG series returns to give the superseded DS one last shot of its beloved gameplay. This sticks close to the series’ traditional routes, with turn-based combat and a top-down perspective, although it is jazzed up the graphics considerably. Your goal is to explore the world, find members for your party and then level-up them up defeating monsters so you can take on the bigger bosses.

EARTH DEFENSE FORCE: INSECT ARMAGEDDON PS3, 360 Similar to films like Starship Troopers, this is a classic B-movie game experience that takes the focus off high levels of strategy and precision controls to just let you blast away at everything and revel in the explosions. It’s best played in co-op as you try to prevent giant insects and robots taking over a futuristic Detroit. There are 300 crazy weapons to unlock and upgrade, and vehicles too.

THE LIMBO, TRIALS HD AND SPLOSION MAN PACK 360 Three of the greatest games ever released via the Xbox Live downloadable service are being released in a retail box set that makes for excellent gaming. The artsy wonderment of Limbo’s shadowy world, the arcade puzzle platforming chaos of Splosion Man and the brilliant motorbike obstacle courses of Trials HD provide three diverse but equally awesome experiences.

AIR CONFLICTS SECRET WAR 360 Flight games are rare as hen’s teeth, which is a great shame given how much fun it is to roll, loop and fight through the clouds at breakneck pace. The solo campaign charges pilots with a range of tasks – air space clearances, bombing raids, convoy assaults, escorts, reconnaissance and more – and the ability to upgrade your planes as your progress. But there’s also 8-player online multiplayer to enjoy.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: THE NEW ERA 3D 3DS The very popular Naruto returns to gaming and this time in 3D. A sidescrolling beat ‘em up in the tradition of late eighties arcade games, it separates itself through its over-the-top special attacks and the ability to call in back-up characters to help in fights and clear the environment.

There’s a great story too, where our hero must work out why the five surrounding villages have all suddenly declared war.

REMINGTON SUPER SLAM HUNTING: AFRICA WII The Remington hunting series has gained a lot of success by recreating the classic arcade experience you’ve probably played down at the pub in your lounge room. The latest release, like those before it, comes with a gun-peripheral that your Wiimote sits in. You then head to the plains of Africa to hunt down birds, predators and big game animals in co-op, versus or single player modes.

WII PLAY: MOTION Just as its predecessor Wii Play did, this sequel comes bundled with a new controller. This time, however, the controller has the new MotionPlus technology, which increases its accuracy.

You can test it out in the 12 included mini-games, which ask you to do things like skip stones or balance a stack of ice cream cones. It’s multiplayer targeting and a good option if you need a new controller.

WORDS Chris Stead

038

[GADGETS] HTC DESIRE S HOT NEW LOOK While the iPhone may have a good drip on the mobile phone market, HTC is definitely making an impression with its beautifully designed, multifunctional handsets.

None more so than the Desire, which is getting a super S version that makes many key improvements. It starts under the hood, with the all new Qualcomm 1GHz 8255 Snapdragon processor, which gives a noticeable boost to performance. It also runs on the updated Android

CREATIVE ZEN M300 SMALL SIZE, BIG SOUND Creative has long established itself as aural aristocracy thanks to their work in PC hardware field, but the clunky design of soundcards will be the last thing that comes to mind when your eyes feast on the sleek design of this iPod Nano competitor.

Despite its gorgeous and petite form factor, this little beauty is packed with features; an impressive 20 hours of battery life, an FM tuner with 32 preset options, voice recorder functionality, a photo viewer, the handy ability to increase your

Gingerbread 2.3 operating system, which offers a more cohesive, smoother experience. HTC Sense navigation is included, offering a much better GPS-like functionality, as well as back-up and find phone features. Above the hood things are smaller, the device lighter, and it has now been moulded out of one piece of aluminium to provide a classy shell. Front and back 5MP cameras, 720p video recording and a 3.7” screen seal this as one the best phones out there.

capacity with a microSD card (up to 32GB) and Bluetooth. This last feature is particularly useful, not just because it allows the transfer of your files from a host of devices, but it means you can sync up Bluetooth headphones for a wireless musical experience. The sound quality is just fine and the price is about right too, available in 4GB ($69.95), 8GB ($79.95) and 16GB ($119.95) flavours.

devices, allowing a stack of multitasking with no obvious slowdown as well as a much more intuitive interface. In particular the touchscreen is very responsive, with the keyboard working a treat. It’s definitely designed with the Blackberry fan in mind, with many features activated in unison with a Blackberry phone, and

BOSE VIDEOWAVE Now here is a novel idea.

We’re used to TVs coming with speakers, or going out and buying a home theatre sound setup to go with your new HD TV, but this goes the other way. This is a 5.1 surround sound bar from the music maestros over at Bose, that comes with a TV attached. You can think of it like the TV being the front panel of the sound system, if you like.

And it’s not a slouch TV, but a 46” LCD that offers the full HD experience.

The sound bar tucks in

behind it, and they both “talk” to a console that sits beneath the TV in your entertainment unit.

This has all the desired inputs and outputs, as well as an iPod dock and the whole lot is controlled by a futuristic touchbased controller than activates a radial menu on the screen itself. It’s a pricy option at around

PANASONIC LUMIX GF3 LENS WISE MAN Rewind the clock back a few years and you’d have thought it impossible that you could take a compact camera and give it the range and flexibility of interchangable lens, but here we are with the Panasonic Lumix GF3.

It’s got a rather unique look going on with its brightly coloured shell and dominant lens, but it remains a snug little device. In fact, its 17% smaller than the previous GF2 model without any sacrifice to the 3” touchscreen you use for operation.

The Venus Engine FHD processor provides some extra speed too and the

12MP Live MOS capability (which means higher quality with lower battery consumption) delivers crisp pics as well as full HD videos. As mentioned the interchangeable lens offers more flexibility

assumed knowledge in setting up. If you have that history, you’ll love it.

$8,000, but you’re also hitting two HD birds with one stone.

than traditional compact cameras, plus the ability to manually focus, new auto white colour and brightness adjustments, as well as a host of picture effects provide great shot diversity.

039

WORDS Chris Stead

WORDS Chris Stead

BLACKBERRY PLAYBOOK BACK IN BLACK While Apple’s range of products have become the popular choice for socialites and multimedia addicts, the Blackberry’s multitasking capabilities and functionality has kept it extremely desired in the business world.

And now the brand is stepping into the tablet space with the attractive Playbook. It’s smaller than many of the options on the market with its 7” screen, but that shouldn’t suggest it lacks oomph in its guts. On the contrary it’s blisteringly fast and the new operating system is a fantastic step-up from previous Blackberry

FORMAT: PS3, Wii, 360, PSP

FORMAT: PC

AGE OF EMPIRES

ONLINE No doubt you’ve heard of World of

(like, win the Battle of Troy). Accepting a quest

Warcraft. The phenomenally popular Massively

places you into a second layer of the game that

Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (or

plays like the classic Age of Empires experience.

MMORPG) has remained untouchable for seven

Here you must build a city, harvest resources,

years, crushing even high profile imitators like

raise an army and advance upon your goal. What

Star Wars Galaxies and Lord of the Rings Online

you achieve on this layer will reflect upon your

under its +5 charisma boots. The trouble is, all

Capital City, and will also open up other cities –

of these games feature the same gameplay

like Athens – that you can travel to in order to

experience – fight enemies, grab the loot and

find bigger and better quests, shops selling rare

level-up. Age of Empires Online travels its own

items and other human players.

path.

The Age of Empires series first appeared

You go on these quests in order to find loot in the form of building blueprints, equipment

in 1997 and it – with its two sequels and

and special advisor units. Blueprints are often

multiple spin-offs – is a real-time strategy

functional, providing you with new units or

game. It focuses on evolving a civilisation

shops, but some provide vanity buildings, or

through landmark historical events, controlling

constructs that represent quest achievements,

how and where your chosen nation expands

that can impress other gamers who visit your

through military conquest, town planning and

Capital. Equipment can be used to improve the

researched technology. Age of Empires Online

strength of your units or buildings, while advisors

retains this experience, but allows multiple

offer combat bonuses. These improvements

human players to coexist in the game world. The

come with you into your next quest.

result is an MMORTS!

AoE Online has two distinct layers. The first is

Many of these quests you’ll do with or against other gamers. This cooperative/competitive

like a world map which centres on your Capital

experience is where the game truly shines

City. It exists whether you are online or not, and

and is an absolute blast. As well as taking your

is a testament to your progress. It grows as you

accumulated military might into conflict together,

level-up and as you gain access to more loot

you can also trade items and resources (which

and resources you expand this as you see fit,

you can then use to craft new items or expand

unleashing your inner town planner. The multiple

your capital city with new buildings), or just

branching paths you can take in this design are

hang out in each other’s metropolis. Adding this unique MMO element to the beloved Age

your forces and world.

of Empires gameplay makes this one game to

AGE OF EMPIRES ONLINE

definitely check out and there is a free-to-play

that not only tell the campaign’s story, but send

model you can enjoy online if you don’t want to

you out on missions about the greater world

buy the full experience outright.

040

One of the most popular spinoffs from the Age of Empires series was Age of Mythology.

Format: PC Out: August 17 Rating: PG

WORDS Chris Stead

half the fun, and it’s quite liberating customising On this top layer you’ll also find quest-givers

A NEW TYPE OF ONLINE EXPERIENCE

FORMAT: 360, PS3, PC

DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION

STEP INTO ANOTHER WORLD

The Deus Ex series is one of the most revered in the history of video gaming. The original was released at the turn of the century and was one of the truly visionary pieces of work that began the industry’s turn from arcade shooters and sport games into genuine pieces of art and narrative.

Its deeply immersive world was populated by rich characters and revealed via an engaging plot full of

The Sequel

backstabbing and intrigue, while the gameplay offered an

In 2003 a sequel to the original game, Deus Ex: Invisible War, was released and while it didn’t quite reach the critical hype of the original, it was still warmly received by the series’ legion of fans.

It too was remembered for being a forerunner in many of the features we see in today’s games, most notably the idea of player choice and the implementation of RPG elements – such as character customisation – into different genres.

Together with Human Revolution, it completes the Deus Ex trilogy.

ambitious mix of genres and huge, active environments that drove a real sense of freedom and choice in the way you interacted with the world.

It’s the kind of experience that we now demand from all our AAA blockbusters, but in 2000 it was an approach that was truly ahead of the curve.

Now, eleven years later, we’re going to learn about that amazing world. Human

Revolution is a prequel set 25 years before the first game in 2027, with gamers filling the shoes of a private security officer at Sarif Industries, Adam Jensen. At this period in the

Deus Ex mythology, the Nanotechnological augmentations that the characters of the first two games used to enhance their humanity are yet to be created, with the lesser biomechanical augmentations all the rage.

Sarif is a leader in this space, and is targeted at the start of the game by a horrendous this, and enjoying its photorealistic, steampunk

desperation, augmentation is used to save

inspired style. It’s the gameplay choice,

his life, leaving Jensen to piece together the

however, that separates Dues Ex from all other

conspiracy theory behind the attack. As gamers

first-person shooters. As you try to achieve

solve this adventure, they’ll visit five different

mission goals, you’re free to use your players

cities – including Detroit, Montreal and Shanghai

augmented skills in combat, hacking, stealth,

– and also witness the events that lead to

conversation and exploration as they see fit. It’s

the formation of UNATCO (an anti-terrorist

this sense of freedom and the way it creates a

organisation that played a large role in the first

feeling of you choosing the way that the game

game).

is going to work which is so much fun.

This is a beautiful looking game and it’s clear

WORDS Chris Stead

attack that leaves Jensen fatally injured. In

DUES EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION

It has been a long wait for the third game in

that a lot of effort has gone into making these

this most esteemed of video game series, but

metropolis’ feel like a living, breathing world

the wait has surely been worth it. Step

of the future. Half the fun is just experiencing

into another world and define its path.

Format: PC, PS3, 360 Out: August 25 Rating: MA15+

041

2. Tony Montana is the lead character is which classic gangster flick? a) The Godfather b) Goodfellas c) Scarface

Do you know who appears in David Guetta’s new album, Nothing But the Beat?

3. For extra credit, which actor played him? a) Ray Liotta b) Al Pacino c) Marlon Brando 4. In which decade did Motley Crue achieve their greatest success? a) 1970s b) 1980s c) 1990s 5. Which actor plays the lead role of Mick Haller in The Lincoln Lawyer? a) William H. Macy b) Ryan Phillipe c) Matthew McConaughey

Nicole Scherzinger is the former lead singer of which girl group?

6. Russell Brand plays the title role in Arthur. Which actor played the character in the original 1981 film? a) Dudley Moore b) Richard Prior c) Gene Wilder 7. First Blood: Part II is set in which war-torn country? a) Sudan b) Afghanistan c) Vietnam

WORDS Shane Conroy

8. Triple J’s ‘Unearthed Artist of the Year’, Boy & Bear, hails from which Australian city? a) Melbourne b) Brisbane c) Sydney

Russell Brand plays the title role in Arthur.

Which actor played the character in the original 1981 film?

042

9. Aaron Eckhart stars as a marine in Battle: Los Angeles. What is he fighting against? a) Hostile aliens b) Intelligent robots c) Underground terrorists

10. Which brotherly team directed 1998 comedy classic, The Big Lebowski? a) The Coen brothers b) The Farrelly brothers c) The Baldwin brothers 11. Nicole Scherzinger is the former lead singer of which girl group? a) Bardot b) Pussycat Dolls c) All Saints 12. In Conviction, Sam Rockwell’s character is falsely convicted of which crime? a) Insider trading b) Grand larceny c) Murder 13. Australian military classic, The Lighthorsemen, was filmed in which year? a) 1952 b) 1967 c) 1987 14. Including Babylon, how many studio albums has Aussie rapper Phrase released? a) 2 b) 3 c) 4 15. In Hop, what does main character E.B dreaming of becoming? a) A movie star b) A rock star c) A race-car driver 16. Who stars opposite Keanu Reeves in 1991 surfing thriller, Point Break? a) Bruce Willis b) Woody Harrelson c) Patrick Swayze 17. Australian country music star Steve Forde has a background in which sport? a) Rugby league b) Rally driving c) Bull riding 18. In Paul, what do Simon Pegg and Nick Frost encounter on their wacky US road trip?

a) Their fairy godmother b) A friendly alien c) A sexy woman from the future 19. Oscar-nominated 2008 war epic, Defiance, is set during which conflict? a) World War II b) The Vietnam War c) Operation Desert Storm 20. Which of the following musicians does not appear on David Guetta’s new album, Nothing But the Beat? a) 50 Cent b) Snoop Dogg c) Ludacris 21. Which actress plays Baby Doll in action fantasy Sucker Punch? a) Emily Browning b) Abbie Cornish c) Vanessa Hudgens 22. Which Aussie band has just released an album entitled, Ghosts of the Past? a) Eskimo Joe b) Jet c) The Living End 23. What sort of beast haunts the village in Red Riding Hood? a) Vampire b) Werewolf c) Zombie 24. What are the first names of the three hosts of British Top Gear? a) Ronny, Richard and Jeremy. b) Richard, Jeremy and James. c) Ronny, James and Jeremy.

25. The single, “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie” belongs to which rock supergroup? a) Foo Fighters b) Motley Crue c) Red Hot Chili Peppers [ANSWERS] 1. A; 2. C; 3. B; 4. B; 5. C; 6.

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

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

1. In which South American country is The Fast & Furious 5 largely set? a) Brazil b) Chile c) Argentina

Fast & Furious 5 stars Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, who are joined by Dwayne Johnson to take audiences on the biggest thrillride to date. Returning favourites Jordana Brewster, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges and Tyrese Gibson accompany the cast for this ultimate high-stakes race. Complete with adrenaline, hi-octane action and a gripping storyline, Fast & Furious 5 is a thrill ride, faster and more furious than ever before!

Gra 5 a b Fa tS s ani t f Au r o m t y gus t 24 HOW TO WIN!

To celebrate the release of Fast & Furious s 5 on Blu-ray and DVD, we have five packs s to give away thanks to Universal. ● One lucky winner will take home a Blu-ray player woth $250 and a $500 Blu-ray pack including a copy of Fast & Furious 5. ● Four runners-up will each win a $500 Blu-ray pack including a copy of Fast & Furious 5.

As two nerds fight to help save an awesomely funny little green man, Paul might just take his fellow outcasts from misfits to intergalactic heroes. Hunted by federal agents (Jason Bateman, Bill Hader) and the fanatical father of Ruth Buggs (Kristen Wiig), a young woman whom they have accidentally kidnapped, Graeme and Clive hatch a fumbling plan to return Paul to his mother ship in one piece.

For your chance to win email your full name, address, phone number and answer to the following question in 25 words to ultimate@nuclear.com.au. The question is: Why is Fast Five the best film of the franchise so far?

Gra at b Pau San l i t f Au r o m y gus t 17

HOW TO WIN!

To celebrate the release of Paul on Blu-ray and DVD, Universal have given

For your chance to win email your full

us five awesome prize packs. ● Five lucky winners will each take home a $500 Blu-ray pack, including a copy of Paul.

answer to the following question in 25

name, address, phone number and words to ultimate@nuclear.com.au. The question is: Why would you like to go on a road trip with Paul?

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY – ULTIMATE AUGUST 2011 ISSUE Fast & Furious 5 and Paul promo ons. 1. Informa on on how to enter and prizes form part of the condi ons of entry. Entry into Issue 33 promo ons deems acceptance of these condi ons of entry.

2. Enter as many mes as you wish. The compe on commences on 01/8/11 at 9am EST and closes on 31/8/11 at 5pm. 3. Entry is open to all residents of Australia except employees and immediate families of the promoter and associated companies and agencies. The promoter is Sanity Entertainment, 48 Ashford Avenue Milperra, NSW 2214. Phone: (02) 9774-8000. Prize will be drawn on the 31/8/10 at 5pm EST. 4. Prize is not transferable, exchangeable or redeemable for cash. 5. The judges’ decision in rela on to any aspect of the compe on is final and binding on each person who enters. Chance plays no part in determining winners of the promo on. No correspondence will be entered into. 6. Winners of promo on will be no fied by mail. 7.

Entries remain the property of Sanity Entertainment and cannot be returned. The entries may be entered into a database for future promo onal, marke ng or publicity purposes, subject to the laws of privacy. The promoter reserves the right to publish photographs of winners. 8. The promoter shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever suffered, including but not limited to direct or consequen al loss, or personal injury suffered or sustained during the course of prize-winning trips or in connec on with the redemp on of and/or use of any other prizes. Any change in value of the prize occurring between the publishing date and the date the prize is claimed is not the responsibility of the promoter. Total prize pool is $5,250.00 as at 22/7/11.

Fast & Furious 5 promo on: One winner will receive a Blu-ray player and a $500.00 Blu-ray pack. Four runners-up will each receive a $500.00 Blu-ray pack.

Paul promoƟon: Five winners will each receive a $500.00 Blu-ray pack.

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