STACK #224 June 2023

CONTENTS

ISSUE 224 JUNE 2023

MOVIES & TV 6 Take 5 7 What do you do? and charts

8 Transformers: The heart of the beast 9 Transformers: Two friends roll out 10 Transformers: From Bumblebee to Beasts 11 Merch of the month 12 Checking in for action - John Wick Chapter 4 14 James Cameron dives deep - Avatar: The Way of Water 16 Rolling the dice on Dungeons & Dragons 18 Action of Jurassic proportions - 65 20 New from Imprint Films 22 Out this month TECH 26 Intro and Take 5 30-34 Projector buying basics 36 Recreate the cinema experience at home 38 Pop-up cinema with a portable projector 40 Immersive big screen gaming 42 Expert tips for precise projection 44 Practical projector accessories 46 Bringing big sound to big screens 48 Upgrading your computer for EOFY 50 Laptops that mean business 52 The latest and greatest MSI laptops 54 Chromebooks for work and play 56 Mesh networking and why you need it 58 Mechanical keyboards and mighty mice 60 Enhanced webcams and home office headsets 64 Seven Google Pixel 7a highlights 66 An Amazon smart speaker that pops 68 What’s new MUSIC 74-81 The Music Room: chats with The Teskey Brothers, RVG and more 82 Cover feature: Niall Horan’s The Show 84 Vital Vinyl: Kendrick Lamar, Adele and more 86 Lifting the Lid: PJ Harvey’s Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea (2000) 87 This month @ JB 88-89 Album reviews GAMING FLIP MAG AND READ FROM BACK 4 Take 5/Game changers! 6 ASUS ROG Ally 8 Street Fighter 6 10 Diablo IV 12 F1 23 14 Out this month 16 Accessorise now!/Wham, bam, game exam! 18 Fast forward/Q5 62 The fine print on printers 63 Handy home office extras

WELCOME

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts hits cinemas on June 22 and marks the very first time that an upcoming theatrical blockbuster has graced the cover of STACK ! We caught up with the cast and filmmakers to get the lowdown on this instalment in the franchise, which incorporates the Beast Wars legacy. There are some big movies heading to home entertainment this month, too, including Avatar: The Way of Water , John Wick: Chapter 4 , and Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves . In games this month we can’t keep our hands off the super-exciting ROG Ally handheld gaming PC from ASUS, while also finding time for the mighty Diablo IV , the biff-tastic Street Fighter 6 , and all the racing fun of F1 23 . Can a projector replace your TV? Our tech spotlight this month has the answer, along with everything you need to know to super-size your entertainment, from indoor home theatres and outdoor movie nights, to the best projectors for gaming. And with EOFY rapidly approaching, our handy guide to computers, IT and peripherals will ensure that you’re equipped with all the right tech tools for tax time. And in music we’ve got the freshly duo-sized Teskey Brothers, perceptive post-punks RVG, a newly chaotic belter from Rancid, Mushroom’s Golden Jubilee and, on our cover, Irish multi-instrumentalist pop prince Niall Horan. Paul Jones, Editor-in-Chief

jbhifi.com.au/stack

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

Music Consultant Mike Glynn Marketing Manager Fleur Parker

Social Media Manager Glenn Cochrane Production Manager Craig Patterson Correspondence STACK editor@stack.com.au

Chief Contributors Gill Pringle, Bob Jones Contributors Bryget Chrisfield, Jeff Jenkins,

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

Simon Lukic, Billy Pinnell, Denise Hylands, Simon Winkler, Jake Cleland, Holly Pereira, Adam Colby, Bec Summer, Dan Nicholson, Alex Deutrom, Michael Irving, Jacqui Picone

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, 2023 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.

New and existing STACK members have the opportunity to win one of 30 $50 JB Hi-Fi digital gift cards every month!* 50 $ MEMBER REWARDS If you’re already receiving STACK 's newsletters, you’re in with a chance to win – if not, join now for free: jbhifi.com.au/blogs/competitions/ member-rewards-gift-card Thanks to JB Hi-Fi

1 of 30

GIFT CARDS EVERY MONTH *

*Terms and conditions apply. Full terms and conditions at jbhifi.com.au/blogs/competitions/ member-rewards-gift-card