STACK #255 January 2026

CONTENTS

ISSUE 255 JAN

MOVIES & TV 6 Intro/Take 5/In Development/Trivia/ Filmmaker’s Signature/Bob J’s Film Buff Bafflers 7 Merch of the month/Charts/Socials 8 Spinal Tap II: The End Continues / Jimmy Barnes: Working Class Man 9 One Battle After Another / Roofman 10 The Bad Guys 2 / A Big Bold Beautiful Journey 11 New to 4K/What’s out this month? 12 Reel Classics: New from Imprint 14 Anime/6 essential Blu-rays 15 2026! What’s coming? MUSIC 18 Take 5/My first album/ STACK exchange 20 New albums from Stranger Things 5 + Louis Tomlinson 21 New albums from Lily Allen + The Kid LAROI 22-23 What's out this month 24 Vital vinyl: Pink Floyd, Wish You Were Here 50 GAMING 28 Take 5/Charts/Q5/Wham, bam, game exam! 29 Fantasy island! Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition 32 DualSense DYK? 34-35 Big games heading our way in 2026 36 Feline groovy! Razer Kraken Kitty V3 X + V3 Pro 38 Raise your mouse game! Razer Pro Click V2 + Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition 40 Catching up with Turtle Beach 42 6 classic seaside video game getaways 44 What's out this month?

2026

WELCOME

This year marks 30 years since Paul Thomas Anderson made his directorial debut, Hard Eight , which afforded him an illustrious career with films like Boogie Nights, Magnolia, There Will Be Blood and Phantom Thread . That same year, Leonardo DiCaprio was rapidly ascending to the heights of Hollywood in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet . Both men have become titans of the industry, and now their forces collide in one of 2025's best films, One Battle After Another . It’s impossible to deny the power of the film, which offers not only a non-partisan critique of the current political climate, but also delivers a fierce thriller that’s as funny as it is compelling. Having the film hit all of the physical media formats this month is the perfect way to kick-start what is sure to be a massive year in movies. Also out this month is Spinal Tap II: The End Continues , which has become a tribute to the legacy of the late, great Rob Reiner following his tragic passing last month. His was an incredible and diverse career, marked by so many classic films. A legacy that turns the dial well above 11. Glenn Cochrane, Movie & TV Editor

jbhifi.com.au/stack

Founder Nic Short Editor-in-Chief Paul Jones Tech Editor Scott Hocking

Music Consultant Mike Glynn Marketing Manager Fleur Parker Chief Contributors Gill Pringle, Bob Jones, James O’Connor Contributors Jeff Jenkins, Billy Pinnell, Bec Summer, Dan Nicholson, Stuart Coupe, Trista McConville, Michael Caverzan

Social Media Manager Glenn Cochrane Production Manager Craig Patterson

TECH FLIP MAG AND READ FROM BACK 4-5 The parent’s guide to choosing a school laptop 6-8 5 laptop features that matter

Games & Online Editor Amy Flower Movie & TV Editor Glenn Cochrane Creative Director Gary Siewert Movies Consultant Kerrie Taylor Games Consultant Sachi Fernando

Correspondence STACK editor@stack.com.au

10 5 great laptops for primary school 12 5 great laptops for secondary school 14-16 How a gaming laptop can benefit students 18 5 top gaming laptops for students 20 ASUS showdown: Which gaming laptop is the best pick? 22 Why a kids’ smartwatch is a smart choice for school 24-26 Essential back to school accessories 28 Meet the flexible HP OmniBook X Flip laptop 30 The DJI Osmo Action 6 is here!

RATINGS GUIDE

Parental guidance recommended

Recommended for mature audiences

Not suitable for people under 15. Under 15s must be accommpanied by a parent or adult guardian

Restricted to 18 and over

General

Disclaimer STACK is published by Scribal Custom Pty Ltd (ACN 092 362 135). © Copyright Scribal Custom Pty Ltd, 2026 All rights reserved. All material appearing in this publication is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material or advertisement. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Scribal Custom Pty Ltd. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of advertisements or information. Whilst care has been taken in the research and preparation of this publication, the publishers, writers or anyone else associated cannot accept any responsibility for any loss, injury or hardship arising from the content contained herein or reliance therefrom, howsoever caused, and it remains your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any such content. Views expressed are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher or the editor. By the very nature of this publication, things change daily and we cannot take responsibility for any changes or inaccuracies that occur subsequent to going to press.

Back cover image: Florenz Mendoza on Pexels

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