STACK #158 Dec 2017

YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CINEMA, DVDs, GAMES & MUSIC

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ISSUE 158 Dec ’17

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DIARY OF A WIMPY KID 4 MOVIE COLLECTION

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ULTIMATE 11 MOVIE MUSICAL COLLECTION

PLANET OF THE APES TRILOGY

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Contributors

Founder Nic Short Editor-in-Chief Paul Jones Film & DVD Editor Scott Hocking

Music Editor Zoë Radas StaffWriter Alesha Kolbe

Issue 158 DECEMBER 2017

Creative Director Michelle Black DVD Consultant Kerrie Taylor Games Consultant Andre Eivik Music Consultant Mike Glynn Marketing Manager Fleur Parker Chief Contributors Bob Jones , Gill Pringle Contributors

WELCOME There’s a condition known as the ‘Doorway Effect’ that I, and many others I know, encounter when strolling into a shop with a mental list of items to buy. Literally the second I pass through the door, the list that I was recounting over and over again just moments before vanishes like dry ice, and I’m left to aimlessly shuffle around the store in the vain hope that I’ll pick up a clue and remember what it is I need. This always happens to me whenever I enter a JB Hi-Fi. It becomes even more challenging this time of the year when you throw the chaos of the Christmas masses into the mix – I can be lost in there for an hour before walking out with a bag of films and CDs, none of which were on the original list. Have you started your nightmare before Christmas shopping yet? When you find yourself in JB this year, STACK takes the ‘Doorway Effect’ completely out of the equation with a handy gift guide inside the magazine. There are movie and TV boxed sets, video games and accessories, and even a list of essential Christmas album suggestions. Still stuck for ideas? Where do you stand on gift vouchers? Personally, I thoroughly endorse them. There’s nothing wrong with being given the option of choosing something you actually want, rather than ending up with a wall-mounted singing fish and a set of jeweller’s screwdrivers you know you’ll never use. Good luck with the crowds, and from all of us at STACK , we hope you have a wonderful Christmas and NewYear. Paul Jones, Editor-in-Chief

Amy Flower, Jeff Jenkins, Simon Lukic, Chris Murray, Billy Pinnell, Jennifer Dou, Denise Hylands, Simon Winkler, Adam Colby, Tim Lambert, Jake Cleland, Holly Pereira, Jayden Perry Social Media Manager Sally Carlier-Hull Production Manager Craig Patterson Production Assistant Alan Netherclift

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Correspondence STACK P.O. Box 2051, Richmond, VIC 3121

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Disclaimer STACK is published by Scribal Custom Pty Ltd (ACN 092 362 135). © Copyright Scribal Custom Pty Ltd, 2017 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.

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Issue 158 DECEMBER 2017

Games Pages 61–83

Music Pages 1–31

Extras Pages 10 -14

Cinema Pages 16-29

DVD & BD Pages 34 -58

16 OLAF’s Frozen adventure

34-35 BOX SET GIFT GUIDE We’ve got Christmas all boxed up. There’s something for everyone, from Kardashians to the Planet of the Apes! 36-37 GAME OF THRONES Actor Aidan Gillen has given us one of the most devious players in Littlefinger. His inspiration for the character might just surprise you... 38 BUSHWICK What would happen if Texas invaded Brooklyn? Bushwick co-directors Cary Murnion and Jonathan Milott tell us how it might unfold. 40-41 STEPHEN KING The prolific horror author release of IT and The Dark Tower . But it’s not always an easy transition from big book to big screen. 42-43 DUNKIRK It was a story that Christopher Nolan grew up with, and it became a personal mission to bring it to screen – in a way that no war movie had been made before. 44 KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE Jeff Bridges has played many cowboys, and for his latest role, he looked to father Lloyd Bridges for inspiration. 48-56 REVIEWS Game of Thrones: S7, Dunkirk, IT, The LEGO Ninjago Movie, Victoria and Abdul, The Villainess, is enjoying a movie renaissance with the

YOUR ESSENTIALGUIDE TO CINEMA,DVDs,GAMES&MUSIC

YOUR ESSENTIALGUIDE TO CINEMA,DVDs,GAMES&MUSIC

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ISSUE 158 Dec ’17

ISSUE 158 Dec ’17

Josh Gad is perfectly comfortable being the voice of Olaf of Frozen fame – except at his daughter’s school parents’ night. 18 bREATHe Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy were attracted to Andy Serkis’s directorial debut as soon as they read the script. 20 the Disaster artist James and Dave Franco talk about their latest film – based on the making of Tommy Wiseau’s inept cult favourite, The Room . 22 the LAST Jedi On the eve of its release, let’s indulge in some last minute speculation on what writer-director Rian Johnson has in store. 24-26 REVIEWS Justice League, Daddy’s Home 2, Murder on the Orient Express, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Goodbye Christopher Robin 28 - 29 BOXING DAY GUIDE Not into cricket? Head for an air-conditioned cinema. Here’s what’s releasing on December 26.

MUSIC

SLUM SOCIABLE • PIERCEBROTHERS • EVANESCENCE U2 SONGS OF EXPERIENCE

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10 - 14 EXTRAS Whatever happened to Tim Curry, JB Exclusives for December, must-have Marvel box sets, doing the math on Stephen King, Christmas TV binge-watch. 30-32 BOB J The Forgotten Stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age. This first installment looks at the remarkable career of Susan Hayward, a former model who defied the powerful producer David O. Selznick, yet went on to forge an acclaimed career which included a Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Actress.

62-65 INTRO December at a glance. 66-67 pubg PlayerUnknown’s BattleGrounds this month makes its way to Xbox One. 68-71 christmas gift guide Stuck on what to buy the gamer in your life this Christmas? JB Hi-Fi has you covered. 72 hello neighbour Hello Neighbour finally gets a proper release on Xbox One. 74-76 bethesda It’s a good month to be a fan of Bethesda – Skyrim and DOOM have both been given some new life. 78 christmas games STACK takes a stroll down memory lane to rediscover some festive favourites. 80 tech We take a look at Astro’s A20 headsets and Razer’s Cynosa Chroma keyboard. 82-83 out this month PlayerUnknown’s BattleGrounds, Dead Rising 4: Frank’s Big Package, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Hello Neighbour, Okami HD, Bravo Team VR, and more...

2-14 NEWS + INTERVIEWS We spoke to Slum Sociable’s Miller Upchurch, Good Boy’s Rian King, Pierce Brothers’ Pat Pierce and the absolutely awe-inspiring Amy Lee of Evanescence! Don’t forget to head to stack.com.au for the full interviews. 16-17 U2 Over the course of more than 40 years, four Irish faceted pedestal in the museum of rock. Here’s the story of U2. 20-21 HOW TO BUY Graham Reid trips through the essential releases from two all-time iconic groups: Ramones and The Rolling Stones. 24-30 REVIEWS UNFD’s tribute to Silverchair gets our Album of the Month; we also look at Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Paloma Faith, Sia, Xenoula, Guy Sebastian, Jimmy Barnes, Pete Tong, The Corrs, Willie Nelson and more. men have sculpted themselves a multi-

Gifted, The Girl with All the Gifts, Captain Underpants, Wake in Fright and lots more...

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GAME OF THRONES One of the swords in the Iron Throne is a replica of Gandalf’s Glamdring from The Lord of the Rings . No single character has appeared in every episode of the series, despite the overlapping storylines. Lena Headey (Cersei) and Jerome Flynn (Bronn) were in a relationship prior to filming that ended so badly there was a

FUN FACTS

Sophie Turner, who plays Sansa, adopted the dog that played her Direwolf, Lady.

George R.R. Martin still hasn’t finished writing book six, The Winds of Winter .

clause inserted into their contracts that they never share a scene together.

A pilot episode was shot that will never be seen because it wasn't up to scratch – George R.R. Martin even made a cameo. A majority was reshot, and some actors were even recast, resulting in the

Scientists have named a species of sea slug 'Tritonia Khaleesi' after the Breaker of Chains herself, Daenerys Targaryen.

season one opener Winter is Coming .

Whatever Happened to...

TaikaWaititi @TaikaWaititi

TIM CURRY

"How do we celebrate $121 million at the US box office this weekend? Fish fingers for dinner. Thank you everyone who showed up!" #ThorRagnarok

He's the entertainment world's equivalent of the vindaloo and has delivered some pungent performances to match over the decades. The actor who gave us arguably the definitive Dr. Frankenfurter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1974) and Pennywise in the IT mini-series (1990) may not be as ubiquitous a screen presence as he once was, but he's still incredibly busy – you just need to know where to look, or listen. In June 2012, Curry suffered a stroke that left him confined to a wheelchair, but the now 71-year-old has kept his sense of humour and is in demand as a voice actor. He has lent his mellifluous British accent to numerous animated TV series (including Transformers: Resuce Bots , The Wild Thornberrys , and as Palpatine in Star Wars: The Clone Wars ) and video games, as well as audiobooks. His last major film appearance was in Muppet Treasure Island (1996) as Long John Silver, but if you're hungry for a serve of Curry, there's always Annie (1982), Clue (1985) and Congo (1995) to keep you satisfied. And let's not forget Ridley Scott's Legend (1985), in which he's buried beneath a ton of latex as the Lucifer-like Darkness. Most recently he did the Time Warp again as the Criminologist narrator in the lamentable Rocky Horror telemovie (2016).

Filming on the Fantastic Beasts sequel has been underway for several months, and it now has an official title: The Crimes of Grindelwald . As Potterheads are already aware, Grindelwald was the former friend of Dumbledore who turned to dark magic, and in the new movie he has escaped custody and is being chased by Newt Scamander. We'll also meet Theseus Scamander (Newt’s older brother) and his fiancée Leta Lestrange, whose surname Harry Potter fans will recognise. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is due in cinemas on 16 November 2018. In production

• IT (1990) is out on DVD and and Blu-ray

“I told Tom: Here is a character for whom morality isn’t even part of his thinking. We came up with this philosophy that if you are walking down the street and see a $100 bill on the sidewalk, you might as well pick it up, otherwise someone else is gonna take it. And that quantifies Barry Seal’s own crass pursuit of opportunity.”

Doug Liman on convincing Tom Cruise to play anti- hero Barry Seal in American Made ...

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FEATURE EXTRAS

STEPHEN KING

THE NUMBERS

27 A recurring number in 2017's IT . The film arrives 27 years after the 1990 mini-series. Bill Skarsgård, who plays Pennywise, turned 27 upon the movie's release. IT: Chapter Two will be set 27 years after the events of the first film, and is due late 2019.

#237 Some conspiracy theorists are convinced The Shining is, amongst many things, Stanley Kubrick's cryptic confession to staging the fake Apollo 11 moon landing. In particular, the mysterious room 237 (changed from the original 217 in King's novel) refers to the lunar distance from the Earth to the moon, in per thousand miles. Troubled child character Danny can also be seen wandering the halls in a knitted jumper displaying the Apollo 11 rocket. King himself is not a fan of Kubrick's adaptation and is perplexed by the movie's cultdom. American Film Institute's 100 years. Bates is also the actress who has appeared most in the King on-screen universe, with a cameo in TV mini- series The Stand (1994) as well as a breathtaking titular performance in 1995 drama Dolores Claiborne . #17 Memorably played by Kathy Bates, Annie Wilkes from Misery (1990) was voted the 17th greatest screen villain of all time, in a 2005 poll celebrating the

182 Height in metres of the titular structure in Stephen King's The Dark Tower series of books.

$2,500 The amount paid in movie rights for Carrie (1976), Stephen King's first novel and film adaptation. The author revealed this at a 2010 book event, and says he felt fortunate to get that break, and has no regrets.

10 Since 2007, the historic city of

5 Stephen King feature adaptations that are set in the writer's fictional town of Castle Rock – Cujo , The Dead Zone , Needful Things , The Dark Half and Stand By Me . King took the name from a feature where significant conflict occurs in William Golding's Lord of the Flies . for the 1986 movie. 2017 marks the tenth year of this festival. In a 2014 Rolling Stone interview, Stephen King named Stand by Me as his favourite film adaptation of his works. He also ranked The Shawshank Redemption , The Green Mile , Misery , Dolores Claiborne and Cujo amongst his favourites. Brownsville has held a Stand by Me day celebrating the fact it was the location

#68 Chilling proclamation "Here's Johnny!" from The Shining (1980) was voted the 68th greatest movie quote of all time, in a 2005 poll celebrating the American Film Institute's 100 years. The credit has to go to Jack Nicholson though, who improvised the line. 7 The most Oscar nominations received for a Stephen King movie, being 1994's The Shawshank Redemption . The Green Mile (1999) is next with five noms. Both movies were directed by Frank Darabont.

• IT is out on Dec 20

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Kingsman:The

Game of

AFL Premiers 2017 (Richmond Tigers Victory Pack) Oh we're fromTigerland! Celebrate the lead up to Richmond's first AFL premiership in 37 years with the victory pack that includes the elimination final, semi final, preliminary final and 2017 season highlights. Includes Limited Edition Grand Final Poster exclusive to JB Hi-Fi. Available now .

Golden Circle (Limited Edition Steelbook) Exclusive steelbook and artwork designed by renowned illustrator Dave

Thrones: Season 7

(Limited Edition with bonus discs inc. Conquest & Rebellion )

Gibbons. Also loaded with over 2 hours of extra material including Kingsman: Inside the Golden Circle , Kingsman Archive , stills and trailers. Available for 4K Ultra HD as well as Blu-ray from December 20 .

On Blu-ray and DVD. Pre-order to ensure your copy of the Limited Edition with bonus Conquest & Rebellion (run time of 45 mins); an animated companion to Game of Thrones , with narration by fan favourites from the show, the story of how the Seven Kingdoms became one, and more. Available December 11 .

Dunkirk (Limited Edition Steelbook Packaging) A must-have edition of Christopher Nolan's WWII masterpiece. Available December 18 .

IT (Limited Edition Steelbook Packaging) Pre-order for your chance to win 1 of 4 framed posters signed by the cast. Available on Blu-ray from December 20 .

Rick and Morty - Season 1 & 2 (Inc. Mystery Mini) You can grab this as a 2 Blu-ray set or 4 DVD set. Each includes a bonus mystery mini inside. Available December 18 .

Pokémon –The Movie: I ChooseYou! Blu-ray exclusive to JB Hi-Fi. Available now .

Win aTrip to L.A. for the Season 2 Premiere of Legion Buy any specially stickered titles and enter at jbhifi.com.au/fx- promo for your chance to win. Titles include Legion: The Complete Season One, Fargo: Year Two, Fargo: Year 3, American Horror Story: Roanoke, American Horror Story: Hotel, The Americans: The Complete Third Season, The Americans: The Complete Second Season, The Strain: The Complete First Season, The Strain: The Complete Second Season, From Dusk Till Dawn: Season Three, From Dusk Till Dawn: Season Two .

Beauty and the Beast (Limited Edition Jewelry Box 6 Disc Collector's Set) Includes both the 2017 live action and 1991 animated classic of Beauty and the Beast on Blu-ray and DVD, plus Belle's Magical World &

Archer: Seasons 1 – 8 Collection DVD set exclusive to JB Hi-Fi. Available now .

The DarkTower

Exclusive art plus bonus disc with special features on 4K UHD and Blu-ray. Available now .

Enchanted Christmas on DVD. Available now .

Rewind Collection Exclusive to JB Hi-Fi, Blu-ray titles in the Rewind Collection are packaged in a Numbered Collectable VHS-inspired cases including Collector Cards and Exclusive T-Shirt Transfer. There are only 1,000 Blu-ray copies for each title, so grab them fast!

Relive the gems from the golden age of VHS including Labyrinth (1986), Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), E.T.:The ExtraTerrestrial (1982), The Dark Crystal (1982), Jaws (1975), Back to the Future (1985), Stand By Me (1986), Beverly Hills Cop (1984) and The Breakfast Club (1985). Available December 6 .

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NEWS EXTRAS

Marvel Studios: Cinematic Universe – Phase 1 (Limited Edition 16 Disc Collector's Set) Includes Blu-ray and DVD presentations of all Marvel Phase One films with hours of special features, exclusive collectible packaging and memorabilia (prop reproductions and artifacts) from the motion pictures. Movies include – Marvel's The Avengers, Captain America: The First Avenger, Thor, Iron Man 2, The Incredible Hulk, and Iron Man . You'll also get the Top Secret Blu-ray bonus disc with over two and a half hours of material, including deleted and extended scenes, and alternative endings for Iron Man 2 and Thor . Exclusive memorabilia includes Captain America's trading cards, Thor's driver's license, Bar Napkin note fromTony Stark, certificate of authenticity and more. Available now .

Marvel Studios: Cinematic Universe - Phase 2 (Limited Edition 13 Disc Collector's Set) Includes Blu-ray and DVD presentations of all Marvel Phase Two films with hours of special features, exclusive collectible packaging and memorabilia (prop reproductions and artifacts) from motion pictures. Movies include - Ant-Man, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Thor: The Dark World, Iron Man 3 . Set also includes the Top Secret Blu-ray bonus disc with over two and a half hours of material including deleted and extended scenes, the complete set of Marvel One-Shot films and commentary, From Here to Infinity: Phases

2 & 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, screen test with Chris Pratt and David Bautista, and more. Exclusive memorabilia of the Dark Elves, S.T.R.I.K.E. uniform patch, replica of Tony Stark tattoo from Iron Man 3 , newspaper clipping, certificate of authenticity and more. Available now . includes Gold foiled page from the book

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STACKs

There’s something immensely satisfying about discovering a brilliant TV series before it becomes “cool” and the hype machine goes into overdrive. These weird and wonderful gems may have slipped under your radar, but are every bit as enthralling, addictive and worth your time as the big name shows. So stock up and settle in for some major binge-viewing over the holidays.

THE LEFTOVERS This enigmatic HBO drama involves the disappearance of two per cent of the world’s population in a Rapture-like departure. However, the show isn’t concerned with where they all went and why, but rather how the event has affected those left behind. It's a creepy and obliquely plotted mystery that will appeal to fans of Stephen King and David Lynch. Three seasons in total, with the third – and best – set in Melbourne, Australia. Don't miss it. AMERICAN GODS If you only know British fantasy author Neil Gaiman from the family-friendly Stardust and Coraline , you should brace yourself for American Gods . This ambitious adaptation of his 2001 best- seller is a dark and delirious journey into a mystical America, where war is brewing between the old gods of mythology and the new deities of technology, media and big business. One of the best new series of 2017. Season 2 is due next year. FORTITUDE A chilling series, and not just because it’s set in a remote Nordic locale. A grim mood settles over the arctic town of Fortitude following an unthinkable murder, which London cop Stanley Tucci is called in to investigate. In the process, secrets are defrosted and things get progressively weirder. Best described as The X-Files meets Fargo , with lashings of R-rated sex and violence, Fortitude is a spellbinding procedural like no other. Two seasons.

BANSHEE Cinemax’s hyperactive action series is pure pulp fiction and plays like the ultraviolent offspring of Twin Peaks and Justified . Banshee, Pennsylvania, is a town with a seedy criminal underbelly – a place where an ex-con can assume the identity of the new town sheriff and make a major difference. Shamelessly over the top, Banshee features one of TV’s most fearless and resilient anti- heroes, played by Kiwi actor Antony Starr. Four seasons. ORPHAN BLACK This cool sci-fi series about the scientific and ethical implications of cloning is as complex as the human genome, so you’ll need to pay attention. It’s also a conspiracy-laden thriller that consistently delivers surprising narrative twists across five seasons. The real enjoyment, however, comes from watching star Tatiana Maslany playing multiple cloned siblings, and the technical wizardry that allows them all to seamlessly interact with each other. PREACHER Based on the comic book series by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, this could become your new favourite show. That’s if you buy into its deadpan humour, gonzo gore, and madcap alternate universe where angels, an Irish vampire, and a conflicted priest with a godlike power coexist in a small town in Texas. If you love True Blood and Ash vs. Evil Dead , this is the show for you. Two seasons, with things firing up big time in the second.

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NOVEMBER 2017

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COMPLETE COLLECTION SEASON 1-6 BOXSET ALSO AVAILABLE!

TEENWOLF (Season 6, Part 2)© 2016-2017 Viacom International Inc.MTV, TEENWOLF (as relates to the series) and all series-related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of ViacomMediaNetworks, a division of Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved.© 2017 Twentieth Century FoxHome Entertainment LLC. All Rights Reserved. TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX, FOX and associated logos are trademarks of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and its related entities. Strong supernatural themes and horror violence NEW TO BUY ON DVD DECEMBER 13

CINEMA FEATURE

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SEQUEL BLOCKBUSTERS Another round of these Pixar & Disney faves are coming soon...

DO YOU WANT TO BUILD A SNOWMAN? As arguably the world’s most famous snowman, Olaf – or rather the voice of said snowman – Josh Gad longs to melt in the heat of an Australian summer. Words Gill Pringle

THE INCREDIBLES 2 (June 15, 2018) At the Disney fan event D23 this year, writer and director Brad Bird confirmed the whole family will reunite, with additional superheroes introduced. He also revealed a chain of events will put the focus on Elastigirl, in this highly anticipated follow-up.

"I can’t wait to get back to Sydney,” says the Gad, coming soon to a beach near you. He's set to star in Olaf’s Frozen Adventure , a Christmas-themed 21-minute short which will run prior to the new Disney/ Pixar film, Coco . Tony-nominated for his performance as Elder Cunningham in Broadway smash The Book of Mormon , Gad has carved a respectable career with roles in Jobs , The Internship and Love & Other Drugs , although his work threatens to be eclipsed by the behemoth known as Frozen . The animated Disney movie

me how I’d spent 15 years dreaming of doing this and only three years trying to live out that dream,” he says. “My mother is an exceptional human being; a single mother raising three kids, working endless hours. I will never, ever, be able to thank her enough for the gift she gave me.” His mother’s conviction paid off in unexpected ways, and months later Gad booked a David Ives' play where he would meet his future wife, actress Ida Darvish.

RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: Wreck it ralph 2 (November 21, 2018) A fair bit of detail came out about this one at D23; star Sarah Silverman (Princess Vanellope) told

fans Ralph and Venellope will venture into the internet for a fix to her game Sugar Rush . Expect cameos from fellow Disney characters such as Moana, Mulan, Elsa and many more, when the duo stumbles upon the studio's portal. TOY STORY 4 (June 21, 2019) The release date for the latest in this much-loved and enduring franchise has been moved forward a year to 2019. While details are scant, it appears the main thread will be a love story between Woody and Bo Peep (who was sadly missing from Toy Story 3 ). FROZEN 2 (November 27, 2019) Disney has set a release date of late November, but remains tight-lipped on the storyline. In the meantime, they've given us Olaf's Frozen Adventure so we won't be entirely left out in the cold.

“We were playing a married couple, and I fell head-over-heels for her," says Gad, whose wife and two daughters will join him in Sydney. "At the time she was 29 and I was 23, and we were both shocked when we learned the other person’s age. It was one of those things where it was just kismet, and we’ve been together ever since.” The Gads have become a well-oiled

took home two Oscars and USD1.27 billion at the global box office, although it was Gad’s characterisation of Olaf, Frozen ’s lovably naïve snowman, that melted the hearts of millions of moviegoers. Yes, the little girls went crazy for the Anna and Elsa princess

‘My daddy is Olaf!’... Naturally I was mortified

costumes, but Olaf was the goofy favourite, to which end he’s now the eponymous star of his own mini-movie, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure . The youngest of three brothers, Gad was raised by a single mum in Florida – ironically, he wouldn’t see his first snow, let alone build a snowman, until he was 15 years old. “I felt robbed of winter, so by the time I was making college choices, I was desperate to be surrounded by snow,” he says during our talk at Disney HQ in Burbank. Majoring in drama at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, he got his wish. However, three years after graduation, he had barely worked and was about to quit and join his brothers, both successful lawyers by then. “I felt like I was running in circles and doing nothing with my life, so I thought I should go into law. I called my mom expecting her to be happy and instead she was angry, telling

travel machine as Josh's career continues apace, this year alone starring in four movies including his stand-out performance as a campy LeFou in Disney’s live action version of Beauty and the Beast , an out-of-his-depth lawyer in civil rights biopic Marshall , and as a suspect in Kenneth Branagh’s all-star Murder on the Orient Express . With Frozen 2 looming in December 2019, Gad continues to nurture other projects including a spec script he wrote for Triplets , a riff on the 1988 comedy Twins starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. “I was a huge fan of that movie and a big fan of Arnold and Danny, so it would be great if Eddie Murphy came on board,” he says. If most public figures can reliably return home to their blissfully unaware offspring, then Gad’s own daughters can’t get enough of his Olaf alter-ego.

“I was at a school parents’ night with my youngest daughter Isabella, where one of the kids was like, ‘My daddy is a doctor’ and another one says, ‘My daddy is a lawyer’. And Isabella goes: ‘My daddy is Olaf!’ All the other kids were like, ‘Wow, that’s so cool’. Naturally I was mortified.”

Olaf's Frozen Adventure is a Christmas-themed 21 minute short which will screen prior to the new Disney/ Pixar film, Coco (in cinemas Boxing Day – see page 28).

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Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy were attracted to Andy Serkis's directorial debut, Breathe , as soon as they read the script. Words Gill Pringle A BREATH of fresh claire

TRUE LOVE

Four more romantic flicks based on real-life love stories.

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (2014)

Adapted from the book by Stephen Hawking's wife Jane, the film focuses on their relationship and bond during Stephen's struggle with the debilitating

condition that would cripple him physically.

OUT OF AFRICA (1985) Following a marriage of convenience, Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep) finds herself irrevocably changed when she relocates to Kenya and falls in love with a restless gamehunter (Robert Redford). THE VOW (2012) Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams portray the real-life Krickitt and Kim Carpenter. The latter suffers memory loss following an accident, and is unable to recall their relationship. THE BIG SICK (2017) Kumail Nanjiani plays himself alongside Zoe Kazan (as his wife, Emily) in this autobiographical (and hilarious) take on Emily contracting an illness and Kumail staying by her

"I cried constantly and I also laughed a lot,” says Andrew Garfield, describing his first reaction upon reading the script for Breathe , the inspiring true-life story of Robin and Diana Cavendish, newlyweds who refuse to give up in the face of Robin’s polio diagnosis. “Fortunately there was more laughter than crying. It seemed stranger than fiction,” says the actor who was further inspired after meeting with Breathe ’s producer Jonathan Cavendish, who was determined to bring his parents’ story to the screen. “Andrew’s performance has brought my

She’s very honest and truthful without being sentimental. She says what she thinks and means what she says. “I don’t think you can ever underestimate what it's like to care for someone in that way – to be somebody’s everything, and know that they can’t exist without you. But she wore it incredibly lightly and is very inspirational,” adds The Crown actress who, the previous night, had attended Breathe ’s Toronto premiere with the real Diana Cavendish, receiving three standing ovations.

side, despite having only recently met.

Director Andy Serkis – best known for his motion capture performances as The Lord of the Ring ’s slithering Gollum and Caesar in the new Planet of the Apes trilogy – was

father back in a remarkable way,” says Cavendish, describing how Garfield

freaked him out by leaving a voice message in the voice of his long-dead father. Garfield has been traveling on a spiritual filmmaking path

Their love transcends initial romantic attraction

different ways. Some can cope with it and others can’t, but what was incredible about this story was the wit with which these people handled adversity,” adds Serkis, who dealt with his own form of artistic adversity in shooting the film in just seven weeks. Breathe begins in 1959, in an era where people with disabilities were resigned to a life in the shadows, permanently residing in nursing homes and hospitals. “Even now it's still difficult but, back then, it was like climbing Everest in your backyard,” explains Serkis, whose own sister is an MS inspiring. Their love transcends initial romantic attraction, and becomes so profound and true, that it cannot help but emanate to all those who surround them. I feel incredibly privileged to have helped bring their story to the screen.” sufferer who relies on a wheelchair. “But Robin and Diana’s story is truly

already deep into his directorial debut, The Jungle Book , when he began work on Breathe . “I’d already finished filming

over the past few years, starring in Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge , Martin Scorsese’s Silence and now Andy Serkis’s Breathe. “ Breathe is one of those incredibly life- affirming stories which you can’t help but be changed by in some way. I felt there was such a magic to Robin and Diana’s life, and Andy’s vision was so heartfelt about the pioneering spirit of these two people,” says Garfield when STACK meets with him and the cast at the Toronto International Film Festival. Initially hesitant to meet the real Diana Cavendish whom she portrays, Claire Foy recalls, “I was a bit scared because she had become a hero in my head. But she’s unashamedly herself and she won’t be anyone else for anyone else, which I find incredible.

Jungle Book in South Africa, but it has such a long post-production that we were able to make Breathe

during that time,” he says, explaining why Breathe now serves as his directorial debut. “I’m truly grateful that Breathe is my first movie because it's such a vivid, vibrant and witty take on disaster. My father was a doctor and my mother taught disabled children, so I grew up with kids who had Spina Bifida and polio and felt very connected to this world,” says Serkis, who furthermore portrayed Ian Dury in Sex & Drugs & Rock’n’Roll , the biopic about the polio-afflicted rocker who defied odds to become a punk icon with his band, Ian Dury and the Blockheads. “People choose to respond to adversity in

Breathe is in cinemas on December 26.

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STACK spoke with James and Dave Franco about The Disaster Artist – a film based on the making of TommyWiseau's inept, late night cult favourite The Room . Words Gill Pringle ROOM FOR TWO

DID YOU KNOW:

In The Room , Tommy Wiseau named the character Mark after Matt Damon, having misheard the actor’s name. Cinemas around the world still screen the 2003 film regularly. Audience participation includes throwing spoons at the screen and passing around footballs when the corresponding scenes are shown. “You’re tearing me apart, Lisa!” is a direct nod to the James Dean film Rebel Without A Cause ; Wiseau was a big Dean fan. The Disaster Artist is based on the novel of the same name by Greg Sestero, which tells the story behind the making of the famous film.

F ifteen years ago, a deluded and strangely accented man named Tommy Wiseau wrote, directed, financed and starred in a film called The Room . Spending US$6 million on what was to be his grand entrée into Hollywood, it opened in just two Los Angeles cinemas, grossing about US$1,200. However, this isn’t where this particular story ends – the film would go on to become a notorious cult classic, earning dubious praise as “The Citizen Kane of bad movies”, while Wiseau was dubbed a new millennium Ed Wood. Inspiring live stage readings, a video

underneath it was a very universal story; that it was about dreamers, and I thought if we can get both those elements in this movie then we would have something interesting,” he says when STACK meets with him and Dave in Los Angeles. In many regards, Wiseau’s story is not unlike the other millions of aspiring actors who land in Hollywood only to meet with rejection. “I respect Tommy so much. When he came here, he faced a mountain of no’s but then he did it anyway. He willed this movie into being.” The Disaster Artist is Franco’s finest film as a director to date, and unlike Wiseau, he learned early on that the best results come from collaboration. “There’s no doubt about it, and maybe his friend Greg, and that was it. So, he didn’t listen to anyone because he had learned that nobody was going to help him – but taking that attitude onto a set only led him to make a lot of bad decisions,” says Franco, who cast Wiseau in a small scene, despite the fact Wiseau made no secret of his preference for Johnny Depp to play the lead. “At the end of the day Tommy Wiseau and I are alike,” admits Franco, trying hard to keep a straight face. “I do identify, we both had the same heroes: James Dean and Marlon Brando; we both went through all the acting classes - so many aspects of our story are similar but it’s just that he has weird self-perception.” The notion of rejection is shared by everyone films work best when there is a collaboration, but Tommy had been burned so many times in his life that he just felt like he could only depend on himself,

Sestero and Wiseau have a new film on the way called Best F(r)iends.

game and a book, today it receives new appreciation in James Franco’s hilarious satire, The Disaster Artist . Prior to his disastrous debut, Wiseau met fellow wannabe Greg Sestero at a San Francisco acting class, travelling together to Hollywood to make their dreams come true. Thus there is something almost meta about the fact that Franco should choose to direct and

Tommy [Wiseau] is a character unlike any human being on the planet

somewhat personal film. “I heard ‘no’ a hundred times before I landed a single role,” says Dave, who plays Greg Sestero to his brother’s Wiseau. “I think the reason Greg was so drawn to Tommy is when you’re an actor most people in your life are telling you that you can’t make it so when you find an ally; someone who’s encouraging and telling you that you can make it, it’s invaluable." Admittedly, he stumbled along the way. “When I first started getting cast, I knew that some of those projects were not good, but I wanted the experience of being on set. But after a while I just wasn’t proud of anything I was working on, and would literally tell my friends and family ‘Don’t go see it’.” Big brother cannot help himself: “I don’t know Davy – I saw Bad Neighbours , Bad Neighbours 2 and 21 Jump Street . . .”

star in this satire opposite his brother Dave – both coming to Hollywood with similar dreams, albeit with considerably more success. He also has a lot more famous friends than Wiseau did – filling his film with cameos from Melanie Griffith, Zac Efron and Bryan Cranston, while Seth Rogen came onboard as a co-producer. Based on Sistero’s award-winning book, The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside The Room , the Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made, Franco admits he was largely attracted to the bizarre aspects of this Hollywood story. “Tommy is a character unlike any other human being on the planet but I also knew that

who’s ever tried to make it in Hollywood, to which end both Francos admit this is a

The Disaster Artist is in cinemas on December 7.

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RETURN OF THE JEDI? On the eve of the release of The Last Jedi , let’s indulge in some last minute speculation on what writer-director Rian Johnson has in store for StarWars fans. Words Scott Hocking

I t sure doesn’t feel like two years have passed since a sense of excitement united the world in anticipation of the first Star Wars film in Disney/Lucasfilm’s new trilogy, The Force Awakens . In that time we’ve seen the first spin- off feature, Rogue One , but nothing quite compares to the thrill of a new Star Wars movie that is pure canon – i.e. a continuation of the Skywalker family story. Three trailers and two behind-the-scenes featurettes have fuelled fan speculation over the ancestry of Rey, the destiny of Kylo Ren, and the nature of Supreme Leader Snoke, but of course major plot details remain as closely guarded as Jabba’s palace. What we do know from interviews with Mark Hamill and director Rian Johnson is that The Last Jedi will provide some answers as to what Luke Skywalker was up to between the events of Return of the Jedi and his cliffhanger cameo in The Force Awakens . Johnson has said these missing years were the starting point when writing Episode VIII, and with Luke once again a major player, it’s the question everyone wants answered. Ditto the lineage of the enigmatic Rey, and why she was abandoned on Jakku. Strong with the Force, is she. “I’ve seen this raw strength once before, it didn’t scare me enough then, it does now,” says Luke in the trailer. Is he referring to his new Padawan, or is this simply misdirection? Who will complete Rey’s training – Luke or Kylo Ren? “This is not going to go the way you think,” he adds, echoing the cast’s promise to expect the unexpected. Let’s hope Johnson delivers on that promise and reins in the fan service that has dominated both The Force Awakens and Rogue One (although there will be the obligatory cantina scene). The former’s similarity to A New Hope was required to relaunch the franchise, but now that the new players have been introduced

The other thing we can be sure of is that The Last Jedi will be a bittersweet return to a galaxy far, far away, being the last time we’ll see the late Carrie Fisher as General Leia. The reunion with her long lost brother will be another highlight. In a year that has been a revolving door for Star Wars directors (exit Colin Trevorrow, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, enter Ron Howard and J.J. Abrams), it’s encouraging that Rian Johnson was not only onboard for the entirety of The Last Jedi shoot, he’s since been entrusted to develop a whole new trilogy. Such faith from Lucasfilm would suggest The Last Jedi is something special. Despite Luke Skywalker’s ominous declaration that “It’s time for the Jedi to end,” the Star Wars saga appears to be just warming up.

This is not going to go the way you think

and the First Order established, it’s time to venture beyond the comfort zone. A host of new characters will be introduced in Episode VIII including Resistance officer Vice- Admiral Amilyn Holdo (Laura Dern), mechanic Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran), and Benicio del Toro’s DJ, whom Johnson describes as “a shady character of unclear allegiances.” Then of course there is the Porg – the puffin- like creature spotted alongside Chewbacca that has become an instant Internet sensation – and First Order astromech droid BB-9E, who appears to be BB-8’s evil twin. What role they play in the story remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – both will dominate toy sales this Christmas.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is in cinemas on December 14

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DADDY'S HOME 2

RELEASED: Nov 23 DIRECTOR: Sean Anders CAST: Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell, Mel Gibson, John Lithgow RATING: PG Bad Moms 2 introduced the bad moms’ moms, and now the daddies’ daddies are home for the holidays in this follow-up to the 2015 Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg hit. Brad (Ferrell) and Dusty (Wahlberg) have settled their “co-dad” differences, until the intrusion of their own fathers at Christmas threatens to shake up their newfound domestic harmony. Gruff ex-astronaut Kurt (Mel Gibson, still on the road to redemption) is Dusty’s dad, and John Lithgow is the wimpy father of Brad, who smooches and tells the kind of jokes that fall out of Christmas crackers. Kurt immediately takes charge by booking a ski lodge; dragging the family off to a place where slapstick gags of the Griswold variety can ensue. A mobile phone tower is lopped down instead of a pine tree, and Christmas decorations become tangled in a snow blower. You get the idea. There’s more formula here than a maternity ward, and while Daddy’s Home 2 falls into the trap of comedy sequels never being as funny as the original, it’s saved from being a total turkey by the loveable John Lithgow and the Ferrell/Wahlberg double act. Gibson’s womanising alpha male, however, is often at odds with the PG-rated antics and belongs in another movie. Daddy’s Home 2 offers families an alternative to animated fare over the festive season, but the kids will be laughing more than their folks. Scott Hocking MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS RELEASED: Nov 9 DIRECTOR: Kenneth Branagh CAST: Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley RATING: M Agatha Christie’s mysteries are a staple of TV but big screen adaptations haven’t been around since the eighties, and Murder on the Orient Express reveals why they’ve been mothballed. Kenneth Branagh’s version might be cinematic, starry and faithful, but it’s also too old fashioned to truly engage a generation who would probably rather be playing Cluedo online. Those who already know whodunit will still be curious to see Branagh’s interpretation, but will find themselves asking ‘why do it?’ Branagh also stars as Christie’s Belgian super sleuth with the oversized moustache, Hercule Poirot – a more subtle portrayal than predecessors Albert Finney and Peter Ustinov. Having demonstrated his amazing powers of deduction at a Jerusalem crime scene (no detail escapes his attention), Poirot boards the mystery train in Istanbul, hoping for three days of rest and reading Dickens. But when an avalanche brings the journey to a halt and an arrogant American art dealer turns up dead from multiple stab wounds in his locked cabin, Poirot is quickly on the case, with only a handful of clues and over a dozen suspects. Murder on the Orient Express is a 1930s period piece and that’s what ultimately derails this modern remake – even with Johnny Depp and Daisy Ridley onboard, plus some impressive VFX, it feels more like an anachronism than a big popcorn blockbuster. Scott Hocking

RELEASED: Nov 16 DIRECTOR: Zack Snyder CAST: Gal Gadot, Ben Affleck, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa RATING: M

JUSTICE LEAGUE

Minor league.

T he Justice League movie feels like it’s been coming forever, and now that its finally here, it reveals that the DCEU still hasn’t learned from its past mistakes. Justice League does benefit from having Marvel defector Joss Whedon involved, as co-screenwriter and director on reshoots after a family tragedy saw Zack Snyder depart. But these two filmmakers’ styles are like chalk and cheese, and the combined result a bit of a mess. As the world mourns the loss of Superman, a new threat awakens in the form of Steppenwolf – a god-like alien who’s a bit like Sauron in that it once took the combined forces of Amazons, Atlanteans and humankind to defeat him. And the Tolkien pilfering doesn’t stop there. Steppenwolf is searching for three powerful ‘mother boxes’, stashed away by the tribes who vanquished him, and which when united will bring about the apocalypse. One box to rule them all! Having confirmed the arrival of evil in Gotham by capturing one of

Cyborg (Ray Fisher). As for Superman, well, he’s dead isn’t he? It’s easy to get a handle on two of the newcomers to this ensemble – Aquaman and The Flash are the muscle and comic relief, respectively – but Cyborg remains a mystery (unless you read the comics). Who is this guy? Sometimes it’s best to get the origin stories out of the way in a solo film first rather than tell them on the fly. Giving the heroes sufficient screen time to get acquainted results in the villain being marginalised; Steppenwolf never comes across as the world-ending evil he’s supposed to be. Moreover, the story is patchwork, and the big action moments possess that murky and chaotic quality that has become the DC norm, and Snyder’s forte. On the plus side, there is a greater sense of fun than in past DC films (even Affleck is cracking jokes), thanks mostly to Ezra Miller’s nerdy Barry Allen/Flash, who manages to upstage Momoa’s Aquaman as the new kid on the block. Justice League isn’t as bad

RATING KEY: Wow! Good Not bad Meh Woof!

Steppenwolf’s harpy-like minions, Batman (Ben Affleck) assembles the League, comprising

as Batman v Superman , but it is wildly uneven and ultimately underwhelming. Wonder Woman aside, DC is still struggling to find the movie magic Marvel has successfully bottled. Scott Hocking

Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), The Flash (Ezra Miller), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), and

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