st222

YOUR

TO MOVIES, TV, MUSIC, GAMING & TECH

ESSENTIAL GUIDE

jbhifi.com.au/stack

ISSUE 222 APR ’23

STACK Issue 222 APRIL 2023 “Life is like a parody of your favourite song.”

jbhifi.com.au/stack

jbhifi.com.au/stack

ISSUE 222 APR ’23

INSIDE:

ISSUE 222 APR ’23

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO DIGITAL CAMERA ESSENTIALS EXPERT PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS ALL THE DETAILS ON DASH CAMS CAMERAS IN FOCUS

MUSIC

THE FABELMANS TELLS THE STEVEN SPIELBERG STORY WARNER BROS. TURNS 100

72 SEASONS

Your MONTHLY GUIDE to the HOTTEST TECH at

IN-STORE AT

hot

YOUR MONTHLY MUSIC GUIDE TO WHAT’S

WIN an AMAZING SONY ZV-E10 MIRRORLESS CAMERA PACK!

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE COMPETITION

Strong violence NEW TO BLU-RAY ™ & DVD AT INCLUDES THEATRICAL VERSION

APRIL 12

WHILE STOCKS LAST © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

MOVIE & TV 6 Take 5 and upcoming movies 7 New Indiana Jones merch CONTENTS

ISSUE 222 APR 2023

8 Board games for the school hols 10 How to play Dungeons & Dragons 12 Our verdict on Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves 13 Horror unleashed in Evil Dead Rise 14 Brendan Fraser talks The Whale 16 The Fabelmans tells the Spielberg story 17 Talking pictures in Babylon 18 Warner Bros. turns 100 20 Cinema magic in Empire of Light 21 New on 4K UHD 22 New from Imprint Films 24 Out this month TECH 26 Intro 28-30 Get out and about with a digital camera 32-33 Expert photography tips to shoot like a pro 34-38 So you wanna be a content creator? 40 In the drone zone 42-44 Why you need a dash cam 46-50 Instant cameras give instant gratification 52 Samsung’s awesome Galaxy A54 smartphone 54 5 things we love about the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 56-58 Treat mum with tech this Mother’s Day 60 What’s new MUSIC 64-70 The Music Room: Chats with Private Function and Cub Sport, feature looks into boygenius and Everything But the Girl 72-73 The Reason for the Seasons: Metallica cover feature 74 This month at JB 76-77 Vital Vinyl 78 Lifting the Lid: Radiohead’s Pablo Honey (1993) 79-80 Album reviews GAMING FLIP MAG AND READ FROM BACK 3 Take 5/Game changers! 4 Cal Kestis is back in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor 6-8 Get your zombie on in Dead Island 2 10 All hail Cult of the Lamb 12 STACK Recommends 14 Out this month/Wham Bam Game Exam!

WELCOME

In the wake of the Oscars, there’s generally a wave of quality fresh film releases for home entertainment. That is indeed the case this year, and it influenced our movie cover this month; six great films that all deserve a place in any discerning collection. And talking of great flicks and award ceremonies, in this issue, we chat to newly minted Oscar winner Brendan Fraser about the film that revived his career, The Whale . Old Hollywood is all the rage in April, too, with a trip back to the decadent Roaring Twenties in Babylon , Steven Spielberg’s formative filmmaking years in The Fabelmans ; and the centenary of iconic studio Warner Bros. If you enjoyed Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order back in 2019, you’ll be pleased to hear its successor arrives this month, with Jedi Padawan Cal Kestis returning in a whole new adventure: Star Wars Jedi: Survivo r. And there’s zombie action aplenty in Dead Island 2 . Cameras are our focus (pun intended) in tech this month, from the digital and instant to dash cams, drones, and content creator gear. Check out our comprehensive guide to camera essentials, along with some expert photography tips to have you shooting like a pro. And in music, we look at Metallica’s path to thrash metal heroism (and new album 72 Seasons ), investigate outstanding new releases from boygenius and Everything But the Girl, and speak to punk rascals Private Function and electronic icons Cub Sport. See you in store! Paul Jones, Editor-in-Chief

jbhifi.com.au/stack

Founder Nic Short Editor-in-Chief Paul Jones Film & TV Editor Scott Hocking Music Editor Zoë Radas Games & Online Editor Amy Flower Creative Director Gary Siewert Movies Consultant Kerrie Taylor Games Consultant Sachi Fernando Music Consultant Mike Glynn

Marketing Manager Fleur Parker Chief Contributors Gill Pringle, Bob Jones Contributors Bryget Chrisfield, Jeff Jenkins, Simon Lukic, Billy Pinnell, Denise Hylands, Simon Winkler, Jake Cleland, Holly Pereira, Adam Colby, Bec Summer, Dan Nicholson, Alex Deutrom, Michael Irving, Jacqui Picone

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

RATINGS GUIDE

Parental guidance recommended

Recommended for mature audiences

Not suitable for people under 15. Under 15smust beaccommpaniedby 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.

16 Accessorise Now 18 Fast Forward/Q5

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

JOIN

and enter at jbhifi.com.au/SONY-ZV-E1 0

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO

WIN an AMAZING SONY ZV-E10 MIRRORLESS CAMERA PA CK! PRIZE INCLUDES: A Sony ZV-E10LB Camera, a Sony SEL55210B 55-210mm Zoom E-Mount Lens, a Sony ECM-G1 Big Capsule Shotgun Microphone, a Sony GP-VPT2BT Shooting Grip with Wireless Remote, a Sony SF-M64T 64GB Memory Card, and a Sony LCS-BP3 Camera Backpack

ALREADY A MEMBER?

Terms and conditions apply at jbhifi.com.au/sony-zv-e10 Enter now and view full competition details at jbhifi.com.au/sony-zv-e10

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

STEVEN SPIELBERG You know you’re watching a Spielberg movie when there are... • Fractured families. This has been a recurring theme throughout his career, with the absent father motif being a prevalent feature. • Facial zooms. His simple method of zooming in on a character’s face to emphasise reactions was first demonstrated in Duel (1971) and can be found in most of his subsequent films. • Reflections. From a rampaging T-Rex in a FILMMAKER’S SIGNATURE

MOVIES & TV

I remember wanting to travel to every country and landmark he visited.

APRIL

What’s one of your all-time favourite films, and why? Titanic is and has always been my favourite movie of all time. I love James Cameron’s attention to detail, both in representing the social standards of the time period and the emotional scale of the disaster itself. It’s still the most unforgettable experience and still makes me cry to this day.

rearview mirror to alien tripods in a car windshield, or a robot child in awe of a metropolis, the use of reflection is a simple in-camera trick that allows him to capture multiple perspectives in one take.

STACK’s ROVING REPORTER

On The Radar

Get ready for knockout sequel Creed III , starring and directed by Michael B. Jordan; sizzling striptease with Channing Tatum and the boys in Magic Mike’s Last Dance ; and conducting and controversy in the award-winning drama Tár , starring Cate Blanchett in a career defining role.

What’s one of your all-time favourite TV series, and why? The Crown . I love a period piece done well and this has such huge standards in production values with cinematography, costume design and impeccable acting. Both Claire Foy’s and Olivia Colman’s performances are mesmerising. What have you been watching lately that you’d recommend? I saw Avatar: The Way of Water four times at the cinema and I’m so excited for its physical release, as I know it will look breathtaking in 4K Ultra HD!

COREY SORACE @ JB Chirnside Park, VIC

What’s the best thing about working at JB? Getting to work with my JB family every day. We have all been through a lot together in the last few years and I wouldn’t have it any other way. What’s a movie you saw as a child that has left a lasting impression on you? From a young age the Indiana Jones franchise has inspired to me to travel around the world.

PRE-ORDER NOW

The Lord of the Rings: The War of Rohirrim is an animated film and official seventh installment of Peter Jackson’s Middle-earth saga. Set for a 2024 release, the movie is a prequel taking place 183 years before the events of The Two Towers . Original screenwriter Phillipa Boyens is serving as a consultant on the project with her daughter, Phoebe Gittins, co-writing the screenplay with Arty Papageorgiou. Actress Miranda Otto is reprising her role of Éowyn with Brian Cox starring as the legendary Helm Hammerhand: King of Rohan. In further Lord of the Rings news, Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have announced that a new trilogy of feature films has been green lit. IN DEVELOPMENT

The runaway success of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery in 1997 opened the floodgates to other secret agent-themed movies, with the likes of The Tuxedo (2002), Undercover Brother (2002) and Agent Cody Banks (2003) following in quick succession. But one unsuspecting movie would trump them all and become the highest earner at the box office in April 2003. The film was Johnny English , starring Rowan Atkinson, which became a surprise cult hit that spawned two sequels.

o

m

n

t

s

h

i

Y 20

h

T

O

E

G

A

A

R

S

APRIL 2023

jbhifi.com.au

6

THIS MONTH at

EXTRAS

Check out the new range of Indiana Jones merch hitting JB this month!

Indiana Jones ( Raiders of the Lost Ark ) Adventure Series – Indiana Jones Figure

Indiana Jones ( Raiders of the Lost Ark ) Adventure Series – Marion Ravenwood Figure

Indiana Jones Monopoly

Indiana Jones ( Raiders of the Lost Ark ) Adventure Series – Major ArnoldToht Figure

BLU-RAY BEST-SELLERS in MARCH 2023

Indiana Jones ( Raiders of the Lost Ark ) Adventure Series

1 The Banshees of Inisherin 2 Legion of Superheroes 3 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 4 Black Adam 5 Top Gun: Maverick 6 Elvis 7 Everything Everywhere All at Once 8 Terrifier 9 Adventures of Batman - Complete 10 Terrifier 2

René Belloq (Ceremonial) Figure

Indiana Jones ( Raiders of the Lost Ark ) Adventure Series – Sallah Figure

Indiana Jones Retro Collection Indiana Jones Figure

Indiana Jones Adventure Series - Staff of Ra Headpiece

What do you do in the industry?

DVD BEST-SELLERS in MARCH 2023

CLAYTON JACOBSON The director of the comedy classic Kenny (2006) and music videos for the likes of INXS and John Farnham, he has since pursued a new direction and created Dreamscreen Australia, a virtual production studio of which he is the CEO.

1 The Banshees of Inisherin 2 Elvis 3 Black Adam 4 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 5 Doc Martin: S10 6 Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris 7 Top Gun: Maverick

What does your job entail? We generate very realistic scenes on our LED screens for actors to perform in front of. The result is as though you have travelled to a location, when in fact you are in the confines of a comfortable studio. What’s the most challenging part of your job? I’d say the most challenging thing is keeping pace with the technology, which is changing

at rapid speeds. Some huge changes are coming to filmmaking through the advent of AI solutions. What’s the most rewarding part of your job? Showing our work to people who are unaware it’s been filmed virtually. The worlds we create, and the believable camera perspectives, means we can fool the eye into believing what’s before them is real and not a simulation.

8 The Old Way 9 Violent Night 10 1883: S1

7

Put all homework on hold, close those brain numbing textbooks, and enjoy some quality family time these school holidays. As the brisk Autumn weather takes hold, there's no better excuse to dive into some board games, and we reckon these ones deserve a look-in. Words Bec Summer GET ON BOARD

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

GuessWho - Super Mario

Just when you thought that games couldn't get any more fun, along comes Guess Who – Super Mario , where you guess the identity of popular characters from the Super Mario Bros. universe.

Top Trumps Marvel Cinematic Universe Battlemat The popular Top Trumps Battlemat is waiting for the next hero. Flex your knowledge of the MCU in this competitive game of strength, agility, wits and technology. Marvel fans unite!

Monopoly - Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves

StarWars: The Mandalorian - The Child Playing Cards This hilarious edition of playing cards makes the experience extra fun for

Super Mario vs Luigi Checkers & Tic Tac Toe Collectors Game Set

The world of DnD is now part of the Monopoly verse and guarantees to make rulers and peasants of everyone. This thrilling interpretation of Monopoly has players exploring forgotten realms and the richest player declared victorious. Bop It! Star Wars - Darth Vader Game Villainous Sith Lord, Emperor Palpatine commands you to join his ranks. This fun game features voice prompts, and demanding reflex

Mario & Luigi leap out of the screen and onto your table. These two iconic games come in a collectable tin box and are the perfect way to introduce young players to both games of strategy.

kids. With Mandalorian related jokes and memes on every card, it's the perfect deck for learning to play.

Lex Go - StarWars Be the first to spell words with this Star Wars edition of the fast-paced word game Lexicon-GO ! The intergalactic letter tiles will have the kids learning without even knowing.

Organ Attack! New Edition Board Game Protect your vital organs from disease and bodily harm while striking your opponents with critical blows in this hysterical game of self-preservation. You'll be in stitches all the way to the E.R.

The Fuzzies Game

responses from players. The game also features two modes, allowing kids to play alone or with friends.

Think of Kerplunk or Jenga , but with little fuzzy things. This game of skill will drive you crazy as you attempt to built a tower of fluff without it falling apart. It's easier said than done.

Risk - Game of Thrones One for adults, the Game of Thrones edition of Risk takes you to the realms of the popular TV show, where diplomacy, conflict and conquest are the name of the game.

Classic Gold Number 1 Playing Cards Waddington's Number 1 is the

premiere brand of playing cards, and the new Classic Gold edition features a linen finish, adding glamour to the world's most renowned deck of cards.

Catch the Chameleon Board Game You're either the

chameleon blending in, or you're trying to discover the identity of whoever is. Everyone has specific directives except for the chameleon, who must bluff their way to victory.

APRIL 2023

jbhifi.com.au

8

BOARDGAME

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

DRAGON SLAYERS

Put the controller down and switch on the mind – the next adventure in Dungeons & Dragons awaits you. Words Adam Colby T he birth of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), and indeed modern tabletop role-playing games, began way back in 1974. The designers were Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, channelling inspiration from a medieval-themed miniature war game and Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings . By the late ‘70s, the game had taken off globally, creating an entire industry around it and inspiring a slew of copycats. It was at its pinnacle in the early to mid-'80s, but as video game technology increased, the eighties kids turned to new heroes on their TV screens, and D&D faded from the public consciousness. To hardcore fans though, D&D never went away. It was revised countless times and remained popular with dedicated fans. And just like vinyl records, which received a death sentence in the ‘80s only to rise like a sonic phoenix, Dungeons & Dragons followed suit. The popularity of traditional games is now on the rise as players seek a digital detox, and a new generation of fans – inspired by Stranger Things and Game of Thrones – have discovered the unbridled excitement of playing D&D.

Peak , a double-sided map, blank character sheets, and a stack of cards for sidekicks who help players on a mission to spells and quests. Then what? For further knowledge, players will want to add three important guides to the bookshelf. The first is the Player’s Handbook . In it, you’ll find information about character creation, how to equip and fight, throw spells, gain new skills, and more. For burgeoning DMs, a copy of the Dungeon Master’s Guide is a must, where you’ll learn everything you need to boss the biggest and best D&D adventures. And alongside the DM’s Guide is the Monster Manual . Here you’ll discover a slew of horrible beasts that you can inject into your quest and mercilessly pit against the poor hapless adventurers – and it makes excellent reading on its own, too! Looking for more adventures? It doesn’t end there. Once you’re up to speed and armed with the foundational knowledge, it’s time to get out the pencils and graph paper and create your own adventures. Or play the thousands already created by others. D&D can be an exhilarating game where you and a bunch of friends will become totally immersed in fantastical worlds and challenges. The only limit is the imagination.

There’s a heap packed into the Essentials Kit for the price tag; players that have already wrapped their heads around the basics will learn how to create players from scratch, and budding DMs will level up. Included in the box is a 64-page rulebook, 11 polyhedral dice, a Dungeon Master’s screen to keep prying eyes out of the DMs plotting, a compelling adventure in the Dragon of Icespire

What’s it all about? The rules are simple for beginners to follow. Set in a fantasy world, Dungeons & Dragons requires a Dungeon Master (DM) who essentially runs the game. DMs are both the referee and the main storyteller of the adventure. Players choose a character for the quest and develop their skills/traits by playing through the game. Adventures can be pre purchased or created from scratch. So, where do I start? Dungeons & Dragons is very cost-effective. For novices, a good gateway option is the Dungeons & Dragons: Dragons of Stormwreck Isle Starter Set. Inside is everything you need to begin including a rule book, the Dragons of Stormwreck Isle adventure, five characters ready to play out of the box, and six polyhedral game dice. With a little reading and a DM in place, you’ll be fighting mythical beasts and looting treasure before you know it. Want more? Now that you’re hooked, the Essentials Kit is your next port of call and can probably be considered an expansion pack to the Starter Kit.

10 APRIL 2023

jbhifi.com.au

While stocks last. Stocks will vary by store.

CINEMA REVIEW

visit stack.com.au

THE OTHER D&D MOVIE

REVIEW

Hollywood’s first foray into the world of D&D was 23 years ago with the universally panned Dungeons & Dragons , starring Jeremy Irons, Marlon Wayans, Thora Birch, and Bruce

IT’S A BIG THUMBS UP FOR DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOUR AMONG THIEVES

Payne. The project had been in various

stages of development since the early ‘80s, with directors such as Francis Ford Coppola and James Cameron attached to direct. Despite its box office failure and ridicule by critics and audiences, the 2000 film spawned two direct-to-video sequels, which were faithful to the game but also major disappointments.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honour AmongThieves truly delivers the goods following a rocky road of development and delayed release dates. Words Glenn Cochrane

U nrelated to the previous trilogy of Dungeons & Dragons movies, this latest instalment takes a different tack by infusing razor-sharp wit, which not only provides an abundance of laughs, but also informs the entire story. Chris Pine leads the way as the charismatic bard, Edrin Darvis, who embarks with his band of crafty thieves on a quest to find a mystical tablet that will allow him to bring his murdered wife back to life. Joining him is a barbarian named Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), an unskilled sorcerer named Simon (Justice Smith), and a Tiefling Druid wood elf named Doric (Sophia Lillis). Together they must outsmart a former colleague turned con artist, Forge (Hugh Grant), by enlisting the help of Xenk (Regé-Jean Page), a paladin Holy Warrior. It’s likely that those unfamiliar with the popular Dungeons & Dragons role playing game wouldn’t have understood many of the character references dropped in the previous passage – indeed, there's a lot of geek-speak

comparable purpose. Pine and Rodriguez bounce off each other effortlessly, making for an unexpectedly endearing partnership. Hugh Grant delivers another classic performance, doing what only he knows how. And while he’s certainly guilty of having a type (some would say he plays himself), he does it so darned well. Much like his recent villainous role in Paddington 2 , he oozes charm and charisma here, while being wholeheartedly arrogant and conniving. Grant’s would be the film's standout performance were it not for Justice Smith knocking it out of the park as the rookie wizard. His enthusiasm, along with zero confidence and self-deprecation, is the highlight of the film. He fails to recognise what others do – that he might be the most powerful amongst the band of adventurers, if only he believed in himself. Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves is a highlight of this year's first quarter, and is engaging for the entirety of its 134-minute running time. Imagine blending The Lord of the Rings with The Princess Bride , adding a touch of Monty Python and the Holy Grail and a pinch of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves . That should give you a good idea of what to expect, and seeing it on the big screen with an eager audience is highly recommended.

Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez

while also leaning heavily into the world of D&D for avid players. Taking a comedic direction was a gamble, and one that risked upsetting those who love the game most. But rather than making a mockery of the popular universe, it embraces it with gusto, offering lashings of comedy with an attitude that so many friends sitting around the game table would employ throughout their own journeys. Chris Pine is fantastic in the lead and chews up his lines with relish. His dashing and none too-bright character is both heroic and lucky, with a knack for guessing his way out of every predicament. Michelle Rodriguez is also excellent – and often hilarious – as the all-too-serious warrior who keeps her emotions in check.

when it comes to this subject. However, just like The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia , the movie stands on its own and doesn’t require any pre-existing knowledge of the game. It's simple to follow and thoroughly entertaining for newcomers,

Jeremy Irons appeared in Dungeons & Dragons (2000) to pay for home renovations. DYK?

Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves is in cinemas now.

Her portrayal evokes Dave Bautista's Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy , with a

12 APRIL 2020

jbhifi.com.au

FEATURE CINEMA

Hold on to your boomsticks, because the Evil Dead series gets even gnarlier in the highly anticipated fifth instalment, Evil Dead Rise , unleashing hell upon audiences in cinemas this month. Words Glenn Cochrane THE RETURN OF THE EVIL DEAD

FURTHER VIEWING

one of the most terrifying and disturbing demons of the entire series. Director Lee Cronin, whose debut movie was the effective shocker The Hole in the Ground (2019), comes to the franchise with a striking cinematic voice. Both films deal with recurring themes of maternal instinct, and his sensibility towards the world of Evil Dead comes from his own love for the series. “He's awesome,” says Sutherland. “I loved working with Lee. He made me feel really comfortable and confident to try whatever I wanted.” “He's very specific,” adds Sullivan. “And he's an Evil Dead OG fan. He writes incredibly strong, powerhouse female characters. And I think with horror, people watch it with an analytical mind, and some people want to prove that it doesn't scare them, or shock them. “So I think it works best when you can give it more body with themes that people can relate to, and then flip it on its head.” “Also, I never had to explain a female perspective to Lee,” says Sutherland. “And it feels like we made a really naughty film, because you don't often see a mother turning on their children in their own home.” “Or a mother eating her own children,” adds Sullivan with the devilish humour of a horror loyalist.

I nstead of the traditional cabin in the woods setting, Evil Dead Rise relocates the demonic mayhem to a rundown LA apartment, where a single mum Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) becomes possessed and proceeds to terrorise her three children and visiting sister (Lily Sullivan). STACK caught up with Sutherland and Sullivan over Zoom to discuss this grisly new chapter in the franchise. “I had a spray water bottle on me at all times,” says Sullivan of the icky position of being caked from head to toe in fake blood. “Because my skin would stick to itself, and to my clothes. And I would have to lay in my trailer and spritz myself just so I could open my eyes again,” she says with amusement. “It was gross!” It was a small price to pay for the honour of starring in one of horror's most popular franchises, of which she is a longtime fan. “I grew up on horror. My mum would go to the cinema by herself, alone

Alyssa Sutherland on the set

the franchise at all. I mean I knew about it, of course, but I'm pretty pathetic when it comes to watching horror movies. I'm way too easy to scare and then I can't sleep,” she says with a self-deprecating eye roll. “But I did watch them once I was preparing to chat with Lee [Cronin, director] about doing the film. I braved them in the middle of the day, yep!” she adds with a laugh. This is an astonishing revelation, because her character in Evil Dead Rise is arguably

An Evil Dead video game was released in 1984 for the Commodore 64. DYK?

at night, and watch stuff like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre . So it runs in my blood.”

Evil Dead Rise is in cinemas from April 20.

ASHES TO ASHES Although series icon Ash (Bruce Campbell) doesn't appear in Evil Dead Rise , the story occupies the same universe as his – as chronicled in the Sam Raimi-directed trilogy and subsequent TV series – while being closer in tone to the intense and bloody 2013 reboot directed by Fede Alvarez. The history of the Necronomicon is also expanded upon, facilitating further exploration in future movies.

The same cannot be said for Sutherland, who sits beside Sullivan trying to comprehend what she just heard. “I wasn't familiar with

13

MOVIE FEATURE

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

GOLDEN BOY

STACK chats with Oscar-winner Brendan Fraser about the role and movie that revived his career, TheWhale . Words Gill Pringle P roving that everyone loves an underdog and a heartwarming comeback story, this year’s Oscar for Best Actor went to a

group Obesity Action Coalition (OAC).

THE TITLE EXPLAINED Any concern about the possible insensitivity of the movie’s title is dispelled once it’s understood that Moby Dick factors prominently in the story, both literally and thematically. Charlie and Ahab are not so different underneath it all; both men are caught up in the pursuit of a dream, intoxicated with the could-have been, and obsessed with the fantasy of another future.

In addition to advising on language and logistics within the script, the OAC put them in touch with people willing to speak candidly about their lived experience with obesity. ”Weight bias is one of the last frontiers of human beings finding ways to diminish one another,” says Fraser. ”Too often, people of Charlie’s size are invisible, known only by their families or their caretakers... What I learned from talking with people is that, like everyone, they want their stories to be told, and they want to be treated fairly and honestly. And for me, that was another drive to aim for complete authenticity.” The Whale offers

guy who had almost thrown in the towel after witnessing his once brilliant career crumble before his eyes. The emotion in L.A.’s Dolby Theatre was palpable as Brendan Fraser took his rightful place on the stage. ”I’m grateful to [director] Darren Aronofsky for throwing me a creative lifeline and hauling me aboard the good ship The Whale ,” said the visibly tearful actor, clutching his golden statue. Fraser hit the dizzying heights of Hollywood fame with his roles in The Mummy , George of the Jungle , and Gods and Monsters , before a painful divorce, multiple surgeries, and an alleged 2003 sexual assault took their toll on him. Some critics might dismiss his character, Charlie, in The Whale as nothing more than an overweight man who has brought misery upon himself, but the actor argues that he is a superhero. ”He’s a husband, a lover, a teacher, a human being, and everything that goes into it. And if he was a superhero, his secret superpower would be that he can identify and see the good in others and bring that out when they can’t do that on their own. But Charlie can’t do that for himself, although he sets up the tension for the story that we see in a stroke of tragic, dramatic inspiration,” he tells STACK . Immersed in prosthetics and working with a body movement coach, Fraser filmed the role in just 32 days with only

Brendan Fraser as Charlie

response to bidding farewell to the man and, of course, seeing it onscreen maybe a year later, I had the very distinct experience of going, ’Who is that guy?’ I mean, it’s me but it presented as a work that was new to me, and it affected me deeply as it has done for many others,” he recalls. An English teacher living with severe obesity, Charlie knows his time is running out. And, as he makes a last bold attempt to reconcile with his broken family, he is forced to confront – with a full heart and fierce wit – long-buried traumas and unspoken love that have haunted him for decades. The movie – and Samuel D. Hunter’s 2012 acclaimed play upon which it is based – has sparked multiple conversations. Keenly aware of the importance of proper representation, Aronofsky and Fraser

much more than just darkness, however. It’s a soaring character study of a man wrestling with the enormity of his regret, the duty of fatherhood, and the feasibility of goodness itself. At its core, it’s a story about transformation and transcendence, a journey through the depths of grief towards the possibility of salvation.

DYK?

Brendan Fraser’s incredible transformation by prosthetics makeup artist Adrien Morot took over six hours each day.

consulted with Dr. Rachel Goldman, a psychologist specialising in the treatment of obesity, and with advocacy

three weeks of rehearsal. The process was both spiritual and cathartic. ”I did have an emotional

• The Whale is out on Apr 19

jbhifi.com.au

14 APRIL 2023

MOVIE FEATURE

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

Sealing the deal with Cheetos Steven Spielberg tenaciously pursued fellow director David Lynch to play the part of legendary filmmaker John Ford in The Fabelmans . Lacking confidence, Lynch rejected all invitations and only agreed to participate after persistent encouragement from their mutual friend and collaborator Laura Dern. Lynch had only two stipulations upon agreeing to the role: that Cheetos were in his dressing room, and that he be allowed to wear the costume every day for two weeks prior to filming.

A lightly fictionalised account of his early family life and developing passion for filmmaking, Steven Spielberg hopes his deeply personal drama, The Fabelmans , might also serve as a universal coming-of-age story. Words Gill Pringle W hile focusing on the pursuit of his young alter-ego’s dreams, Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans is also an exploration of love, THE SPIELBERG STORY

With much fraught family emotion involved, it’s a miracle the film ever got made. Although with Paul Dano cast as

Fabelman father Burt, and Judd Hirsch set to play Sammy’s great uncle Boris, the project began to take shape. With the cast all assembled in a recreation of Spielberg’s family home in Phoenix, Arizona, the filmmaker knew it would be emotional. “I walked onto set the first day, and I had to really control myself,” he recalls. “I walked through the rooms alone, and I got a lump in my throat when I was doing that, and then I came out of the set and started getting ready for the first shot. “The actors came on to stage. Michelle Williams wearing exact replicas of clothes my mom had worn. Paul Dano

artistic ambition, sacrifice, and the moments of discovery that allow us to see the truth about ourselves – and our parents – with clarity and compassion. At the heart of the movie is Michelle Williams’ Mitzi, the mother of budding filmmaker Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle). Redolent of Spielberg’s own beloved mother, Leah Adler, who passed away six years ago, Williams portrays her as a spritely woman with a similar bobbed haircut and denim outfits. Adler had long encouraged her son to tell this semi autobiographical story, even if he did wrestle over including his mother’s love affair with family friend Bennie Loewy, portrayed by Seth Rogen. However, he dragged his feet, and his co-writer, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner, wondered if it would ever happen. “I was always serious about doing this story but I never thought Spielberg was,” says Kushner. Another hurdle involved sending the screenplay to Spielberg’s sisters

The road to The Fabelmans began in the late ‘90s when Steven Spielberg’s screenwriter sister, Anne, wrote a script about his life called I’ll Be Home . DYK?

Julia Butters and Gabriel Labelle

looking just like my dad. I looked at Paul and Michelle

together, and there was a little moment where everything sort of went into slow motion, like a car accident. I just looked at them together, and I didn’t see Michelle, and I didn’t see Paul. I saw Leah and Arnold. I saw my mom and my dad. I kind of lost it,” he admits. “And, bless their hearts, Michelle and Paul both walked up to me, and they both embraced me. So we were in a three-way hug, and that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

Gabriel Labelle

and possibly shattering their own childhood dreams – the script containing a secret he had never shared with his three younger siblings.

• The Fabelmans is out on Apr 12

jbhifi.com.au

16 APRIL 2023

FEATURE MOVIE

LOOK WHO’S TALKING – AND SINGING! Hollywood’s revolutionary transition from silent movies to sound – “talking pictures” or “talkies” – took place between 1926 and 1930, with gangster films and musicals driving the change. Romantic adventure Don Juan

(1926) featured a synchronised music score and sound effects, but it was the Al Jolson musical The Jazz Singer – released the following year by Warner Bros. – that became the first feature film with synchronised dialogue (albeit the sound sequences were limited) and was a huge hit that opened the floodgates.

While Babylon explores this

era, it’s also the setting for 1952 classic musical Singin’ in the Rain , which presents a more lighthearted look at Tinseltown’s awkward transition to the talkies.

Director Damien Chazelle’s Babylon is a wildly entertaining watch, with Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt dazzling in a Hollywood that’s transitioning from silent movies to sound during the RoaringTwenties. Words Gill Pringle

The casting of Brad Pitt as Jack Conrad, a silent movie star at the top of his game, was just as natural as it sounds. “Brad’s one of the few people today where you get some sense of what the old school movie star really might’ve been like,” says Chazelle. “That sort of larger-than-life aura that a star of that time could exude seemingly effortlessly. That’s the thing with Brad, especially at this point in his career. You don’t see the work… it’s completely invisible and effortless. That’s part of what’s so magical about it.” In a throng of admirers,

I f there was a special award for “most energetic performance,” then Margot Robbie would surely win with her wild yet bittersweet portrayal of starlet Nellie LaRoy in Babylon . In a tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, Robbie's LaRoy is the movie’s beating heart as we follow her through an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in 1920s Hollywood. “The biggest influence in coming up with Nellie’s backstory and understanding where a fictional character like her could have come from was largely inspired by Clara Bow's childhood,” Robbie tells STACK , outlining how she studied the real-life black and white movie star. “She had a horrible, horrible childhood, but it was really helpful as a foundation for Nellie. Sadly, a lot of her movies are lost now but I also watched Joan Crawford, who really captured that energy.” Australia’s golden girl looks slightly embarrassed as she admits some of her other preparation might be considered extreme. “I did a lot of active prep,

everyone wants a word with or a glance from the most famous man in the movies – which is pretty much Pitt’s lifestyle today. “Having him play a movie star of this era felt meta in the most beautiful way,” adds Chazelle. “But it also gave us something to collaborate on together, because the story became a canvas that he could inform with his own

Margot Robbie

Diego Calva and Brad Pitt

• Babylon is out on Apr 12

experiences, so that you could see the humanity underneath – the vulnerability, the insecurity.” Like Robbie, Pitt also did his homework. “I watched a lot of [John] Gilbert, [Douglas] Fairbanks, and [Rudolph] Valentino. There’s a real charm in those performances. Silent films didn’t have dialogue to rely on, they only had the occasional title card, so the performances have a style to them that’s different than what we have now,” he says.

Damien Chazelle originally pitched Babylon to a producer in 2009, who suggested he write a musical instead. The result was La La Land (2016). DYK?

I thought that could be helpful, like just trying a new avenue – and those clown classes were very fun,” she laughs. "And then I tried on 31 accents for Damien before he decided what Nellie would sound like.”

which makes me sound like an absolute weirdo, but I did. I worked with a movement coach, and I even worked with a clown because

17

MOVIE FEATURE

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

Explore and collect the BEST WARNER BROS. MOVIES at JB Hi-Fi

100 YEARS OF WARNERS BROS. The iconic Hollywood studio celebrates its centenary this month. STACK 's resident film historian looks back at its founding siblings and formative years. Words Bob J P olish émigrés Harry, Albert, Sam and Jack Warner, like virtually all of their fellow film pioneers, started out in the

We’ve picked ten classics to get you started…

nickelodeon business based in NewYork. When the brothers decided to produce their own silent movies, Sam and Jack came west in 1919 and bought a ten-acre lot in the heart of Hollywood, where they erected a film studio. In April 1923, Warner Bros. Pictures was established as Hollywood’s only family-owned and-operated outfit. Harry and Albert would remain in NewYork to deal with financiers and distributors, whilst Sam and Jack were in charge of movie production. Their first bankable film commodity was a ‘dog’ who appeared in Where the North Begins , which introduced Rin Tin Tin to cinemagoers. The German shepherd became an instant success, spawning a number of movies and generating monster profits for the company. But WB's greatest accomplishment was the transition from silent films into sound. It was Sam who convinced his brothers that adding sound and dialogue to visuals was the future for filmmaking. Somewhat reluctantly the brothers gambled every dollar they had on the Vitaphone system, which recorded the sound on a separate wax disc. However, the stress of the many problems involved in introducing synchronised dialogue to visuals brought about the premature death of Sam, who passed away the night before The Jazz Singer , starring Al Jolson, successfully premiered in NewYork on October 6th 1927. An excited audience heard Jolson sing two songs and ad-lib a few lines of dialogue. More in memory of their late brother than belief that Sam’s bold new experiment was the right course to take, the three remaining siblings continued with what the media soon dubbed “the Talkies”. Their next production was the very first all talking motion picture entitled The Lights of New York . Without waiting for a report on the box-office returns, the brothers released Jolson’s follow up, The Singing Fool (1928). The results were phenomenal, returning a profit from both films of over US$4 million ($70 million today) when the price of a cinema ticket was just 25 cents. The Warner brothers had changed the movies

1942

1951

TheWarner brothers Image credit ©Warner Bros.

forever, and the rush to produce all-talking pictures went into overdrive as the other major Hollywood studios raced to catch up. Over the following decades, WB Pictures became famous for their classic gangster movies, Busby Berkley musicals, Captain Blood and other swashbuckler adventures, Casablanca, and Looney Tunes. But more importantly the studio cultured a plethora of great movie stars like James Cagney, Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Edward G. Robinson, Olivia De Havilland and Humphrey Bogart. Even though Jack's management style often frustrated and angered many of his stars, the studio won a number of Oscars for Best Picture/Actor/Actress. Harry and Albert retired in 1956, leaving Jack as the company's largest stockholder. He appointed himself its new president and also ventured into producing popular TV series like Cheyenne and 77 Sunset Strip . Then, in 1966, Jack shocked Hollywood when he announced that he was selling his stock to Seven Arts Productions but would continue as an independent producer for the company, producing the musicals My Fair Lady and Camelot , and Bonnie and Clyde (a film he loathed) in 1967. The new owners were respectful of the founder in residence but rarely consulted him, prompting Jack to officially retire in October 1969 stating, "Making movies was not fun anymore." Now, 100 years on, Warner Bros. remains one of the most successful major Hollywood studios – combined with New Line Cinema and DC Studios – producing popular franchises like Harry Potter and The Matrix . Long may that famous Warner Bros. shield logo shine on.

1953

1956

1962

1973

1980

1981

1982

1990

18 APRIL 2023

jbhifi.com.au

MOVIE FEATURE

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

SAM MENDES BEFORE HOLLYWOOD Before shaking up Hollywood with films such as American Beauty (1999), Road to Perdition (2002), Skyfall (2012) and 1917 (2019), director Sam Mendes was renowned amongst theatre circles for telling dark and twisted reimaginings of classic musicals. His revival of Cabaret , featuring Alan Cumming as the Emcee, was especially controversial for its racy direction.

STACK caught up with director Sam Mendes and star Olivia Colman to discuss their new film, Empire of Light – a moving drama about human connection and the power of cinema. Words Gill Pringle E mpire of Light is as much an ode to director Sam Mendes’ mother, who suffered with mental illness, as it is to connection during turbulent times. Cinema made a profound impression upon Mendes from a young age, and he recalls seeing Close Encounters of the Third Kind as a boy. “I saw it at the Odeon Leicester Square in CINEMA PARADISO

and a moment that I remember clearly,” says the British writer-director who most recently helmed the acclaimed war epic 1917 . For Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman ( The Favourite ), her own first experience at the cinema was quite different. “I remember my granny took me to Bambi , but she had to take me out of the cinema, because it was so upsetting. And that was the first time I'd ever been in a cinema. And I'd never experienced the scale of it; the event of going out, being allowed to buy chocolates, and then having to leave because I was so upset,” she tells STACK . For rising star Micheal Ward, Empire of Light created the kind of exposure that now has his name included on a list of potential successors to play the next Bond. Still finding his feet, the Jamaican-British actor was flattered when Mendes asked for his input on the character – even before he was cast. “It was good for Sam to do that,” he says. “He didn’t need to – I’m a new actor, I haven’t been doing this long. But he valued my opinion and it was exciting to know that he was willing to collaborate on the character. Sam lived through that period, but he recognises he’s not a Black man, and so while he would have seen the tension around him, he wouldn’t know what that walk was like himself.” If moviegoers see echoes of the current state of racism in Mendes’ 1980s period piece, that’s no coincidence. “In the middle of lockdown there was a racial reckoning in the world,” says the director. “We were left alone to contemplate how our own racial politics had been formed, and whether we had fallen down in our attempts to make sure the world was evolving. “When I wrote the movie there was also another common obsession: we were all worried whether the cinema was going to die, along with live performances. So, all of those things have gone into [ Empire of Light ], and in that regard, it’s quite raw.”

his enduring love of cinema. Set in and around a faded old cinema in an English coastal town in the early 1980s, the movie follows Hilary (Olivia Colman), a cinema manager struggling with her mental health, and Stephen (Micheal Ward), a new employee who longs to escape this provincial town in which he faces daily adversity. Both Hilary and Stephen find a sense of belonging through their unlikely and tender relationship and come to experience the healing power of music, cinema, and community in this moving drama about the power of human

London, and I just remember the sheer scale of it and the floor rumbling at the beginning of the movie and the darkness and the fact that I was there with all these other people and it was full. “I experienced silence and darkness in a completely different way, and

I suppose I'm still sold on that feeling. It's not a feeling that every movie can give you – that was a special movie

Sam Mendes is also a TV producer with credits including Call the Midwife , Penny Dreadful , and The Hollow Crown . DYK?

• Empire of Light is out on Apr 19

20 APRIL 2023

jbhifi.com.au

HIGHLIGHTS 4K UHD

4K UHD BEST-SELLERS for MARCH 2023

SUPERMAN II SUPERMAN II: THE RICHARD DONNER CUT SUPERMAN III SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE Y ou won’t be wondering whether it’s a bird or plane, DISCS OF THE MONTH

Features on Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut are set to include an Introduction by Donner, a commentary from Donner and screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz, a restoration featurette, deleted and additional scenes, and a selection of vintage cartoons. Meanwhile, the theatrical version will have a commentary

you’ll know darned well that it’s Superman when he hits your screen in glorious native 4K! While the Richard Donner directed 1978 original, Superman , has been available on 4K Ultra HD for a while now, none of its three successors have been… until this month. Yes, it’s ‘80s time Superman style, as the triple whammy of Superman II, III, and IV: The Quest for Peace all arrive on 4K Ultra HD, all in native 4K, all with HDR enhancement, and all with brand spanking new Dolby Atmos audio mixes. But wait, there’s more! Also releasing is the 2006 Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut , assembled by the movie’s original director from all manner of unused footage, following his sacking by the producers and replacement by Richard Lester back in the day, and delivering the story that was originally planned.

1 Black Panther:

Wakanda Forever

2 Rocky I-IV Collection 3 Black Adam 4 Top Gun: Maverick 5 Everything Everywhere All at Once

by producers Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler, a ‘Making of’ TV special, a deleted scene, vintage Fleischer cartoons, and a trailer. Superman III is set to include a commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler, as well as a The Making of Superman III TV special, a bunch of deleted scenes, and a trailer. Finally, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace , which sees Supes supporting the no nukes cause, will give us bonuses including a commentary by co screenwriter Mark Rosenthal, a Superman 50th anniversary TV special, deleted scenes, and a trailer. Up, up, and away! Out April 26

6 Heat 7 Elvis 8 The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

9 The Batman 10 Dune (2021)

THE MALTESE FALCON Humphrey Bogart stars as private detective Sam Spade in this superb 1941 noir-drenched mystery. This tale sees Spade seeking answers as to why a gallery of lowlifes

REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE

COOL HAND LUKE “What we’ve got here is... failure to communicate”. The 1967 Paul Newman-starring prison drama that spawned this immortal line is making its way to 4K Ultra HD with a full 4K restoration that’s

This influential 1955 drama starred James Dean, in what would be his final role after he died in a much-publicised car accident just prior to its theatrical release. The

are after a jewelled falcon, while also trying to work out who murdered his partner. It’s been given the full 4K restoration treatment with HDR and a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono mix and is set to feature extras including a commentary from Bogart biographer Eric Lax, several featurettes, radio shows, cartoons, and more. Out April 19

enhanced with HDR, coupled with a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono mix. It’s the story of a loner who refuses to bend to the rules upon being sent away for a two-year stint in a rural prison, and bonus bits will include our friend Eric Lax on commentary duties, alongside a featurette and trailer. Out April 19

tale of a rebellious young guy with a chequered past who hits a new town, making friends and enemies, has been given a full 4K restoration with HDR and a new DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix. It’s set to include a commentary from author Douglas L. Rathgeb, a 1974 TV special, featurettes, screen tests, deleted scenes, and more. Out April 19

21