Archive

Project X

Posted 4:26pm Sunday 25th March 2012 by Lukas Clark-Memler

Imagine the best party you never had. Thousands of people and limitless booze; DJs, fireworks and a flamethrower; a smorgasbord of uppers and downers; topless girls and a bouncy castle. So sets the stage for Project X, the latest incarnation of the “found-footage” genre. But instead of monsters Read more...

My Week with Marilyn

Posted 4:26pm Sunday 25th March 2012 by Michaela Hunter

My Week with Marilyn is based on the diaries of Colin Clark (played by Eddie Redmayne), a third assistant to the film director of The Prince and the Showgirl which famously united Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams) and Lawrence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) in 1956. Clark revealed in 2000 that he had Read more...

Brother Number One

Posted 4:26pm Sunday 25th March 2012 by Taryn Dryfhout

Brother Number One is a New Zealand documentary which follows former Olympic athlete Rob Hamill as he journeys to Cambodia to testify against the man responsible for the torture and killing of his brother, over thirty years ago. Rob’s brother Kerry disappeared in 1978 while sailing towards Read more...

The 2012 Dunedin Fringe Festival

Posted 4:27pm Sunday 18th March 2012 by Bronwyn Wallace

Over the next 11 days the Dunedin Fringe Festival will change the way that you think about entertainment. The 2012 programme features over 50 events and more than 370 artists from places as exotic as the UK, and Canada. This week’s theatre page previews some of the best stuff on in the next few Read more...

Sweet Tooth

Posted 4:27pm Sunday 18th March 2012 by Beaurey Chan

“Canker” by Audrey Baldwin 5pm, 22 March 2012 Blue Oyster Gallery That’s your preview so far for Audrey Baldwin’s performance art piece “Canker”, which features as part of the Blue Oyster Gallery’s Performance Series for the Visual Arts section of the Fringe Festival. While perhaps not Read more...

John Cooper Clarke

Posted 4:27pm Sunday 18th March 2012 by Tash Smillie

In a brilliant coup d’état for Critic’s poetry section, Dunedin has snared itself a poet of international infamy as the headline act of this year’s Fringe Festival. John Cooper Clarke, “punk’s poet laureate” will be bringing his iconic performance poetry to Sammy’s this month. Described as Read more...

We Need to Talk About Kevin

Posted 4:27pm Sunday 18th March 2012 by Loulou Callister-Baker

Do you hate your mother for bringing you into this sinister world? Do thoughts about your high school days invoke shivers of disgust throughout you? Have you ever considered putting your baby hamster into the waste disposal? Is your name Kevin Khatchadourian? If yes – we need to talk about you. Read more...

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Posted 4:27pm Sunday 18th March 2012 by Nicole Muriel

If you tend to tear up in films about serious-faced, tormented kids struggling against adversity, you’ll probably be all-out sobbing before the end of this film. Its hero, Oskar (Thomas Horn) is spikily adorable with his Asperger-esque interactions and philosophical musings. Oskar is keeping Read more...

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Posted 4:27pm Sunday 18th March 2012 by Vimal Patel

I realise that reviewing the single player portion of a Call of Duty game is like reviewing McDonalds’ salads: It’s there on the menu, but no one expects you to pay good money for it. However, I did enjoy the campaigns from the first two Modern Warfare games, and subsequently thought I might kill a Read more...

1000 Amps

Posted 4:27pm Sunday 18th March 2012 by Toby Hills

It’s always a concern when a download is only 12mb. How much complexity, really, how many flamboyant characters, particle effects, grenade-launcher attachments and pre-baked cutscenes could possibly be packed into such a squashed bundle of kilobytes? 1000 Amps by Brandi Brizzi has layered Read more...

Summery Fettucine

Posted 4:27pm Sunday 18th March 2012 by Ines Shennan

This pasta dish is a simple combination of vivid ingredients that will trick you into thinking summer is still in full swing. As Dunedin’s sunshine-filled days become a rarity, a colourful meal brings joy into the ritual of dinner. Rather than being coated in a heavy sauce, fettucine is nestled Read more...

Music For Whenever

Posted 4:27pm Sunday 18th March 2012 by Lauren Wootton

So it’s autumn guys. And if there’s one thing about people in Dunedin, they love to talk about the weather. Is there so little going on in the world that we have to start every conversation with “it’s a bit nippy out isn’t it”? But with the new season I find myself in front of my iTunes and Read more...

Be | Longing

Posted 6:37pm Sunday 11th March 2012 by Beaurey Chan

Be | Longing was a piece of documentary theatre presented through the Theatre Studies department here at Otago. Documentary theatre involves the actors working without a script. People are interviewed, on whatever subject matter the directors decide, and actors completely replicate the interview Read more...

Be Glad You're Neurotic

Posted 6:37pm Sunday 11th March 2012 by Bronwyn Wallace

Be Glad You’re Neurotic is a one-man show based on Louis Edward Bisch’s self-help book, which Phil Braithwaite chanced upon in an op shop for fifty cents. For the past five years he has been putting together the show, taking Bisch’s very serious statements and turning them into humorous Read more...

From Stubbies & SoGos to Rosé and Berets

Posted 6:37pm Sunday 11th March 2012 by Beaurey Chan

Bet Dunedin’s not the first place you’d think of if someone said “arts and cultural capital of New Zealand”. It’s not particularly surprising, considering our scarfie reputation seems to almost overwhelmingly overshadow any other image linked to the city so well known for its large body of partying Read more...

The Prince of Soul and the Lighthouse

Posted 6:37pm Sunday 11th March 2012 by Sasha Borissenko

If you are not alarmed by the orange colour of the book-face, perhaps it is the Crouching-Tiger-Hidden-Dragon font that ought to be questioned. Superficiality aside, this fantasy-epic essentially involves the following storyline: Boy pines over exotic girl. Boy sings to girl. Boy has trouble Read more...

Shame

Posted 6:37pm Sunday 11th March 2012 by Alec Dawson

This film is a beautiful and explicit depiction of a taboo subject in the same league as Requiem for a Dream. But of all films it most reminded me of American Psycho, except the damage is far more hidden and self-inflicted. Michael Fassbender is brilliant as Brandon, who appears to be a regular (if Read more...

The Ides of March

Posted 6:37pm Sunday 11th March 2012 by Eve Duckworth

George Clooney’s new film The Ides of March tells us something we probably already knew: That the experience of running an American political campaign is damaging for both one’s heart and soul. In an atmosphere heavily dripping with betrayal it is easy from the outset to be drawn in amongst the Read more...

Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na BATMAN Ryan Adams

Posted 6:37pm Sunday 11th March 2012 by Josh Pemberton

Upon taking the stage at the Regent Theatre, Ryan Adams thanked the audience. “I’m excited to share my feelings with you,” he revealed. And share his feelings he did – starting with a slow, gentle rendition of “Oh My Sweet Carolina” from 2000’s classic Heartbreaker, before taking us on a Read more...

The Creation of Lana Del Ray

Posted 6:37pm Sunday 11th March 2012 by Lukas Clark-Memler

How do we talk about Lana Del Rey? We seem to focus on her Angelina Jolie-like lips, her glamorous ’50s vibe, and authenticity – well, authenticity comes up a lot whenever the sultry sex symbol is deconstructed. At this point it’s pretty much pointless to write about Del Rey’s music. So much has Read more...

Butter Chicken

Posted 6:37pm Sunday 11th March 2012 by Ines Shennan

Ah, the classic Kiwi curry. Carefully-balanced spices, not too much chilli and a devilishly rich sauce. Don’t get me wrong – I’m all for a wickedly hot lamb vindaloo, or an extra-spicy tikka masala, but sometimes a mild curry is all you need to settle yourself into a quite-content food coma. The Read more...

Bioshock Infinite

Posted 6:37pm Sunday 11th March 2012 by Toby Hills

In the aftermath of its first trailer, a friend of mine described Bioshock Infinite’s setting as predictable. “It’s like Pokemon: You’ve got the water ones, and then the fire guy, and then poison and then fucking Gastly and Gengar and shit.” Truthfully, a city in the sky is likely to be the Read more...

Theatre du Grind Guignol

Posted 4:53pm Sunday 4th March 2012 by Bronwyn Wallace

Directed by: Ben Blakely and Alex Wilson Theatre du Grind Guignol was the first evening production at Allen Hall this year, and what a great welcome home it was! Seeing familiar faces and taking a warm break inside from the rain felt great until the programme wished us “a terrifying evening”. Read more...

Sex: An Exercise in Boredom

Posted 4:53pm Sunday 4th March 2012 by Beaurey Chan

Kushana Bush “All Things To All Men” exhibition at Hocken Collection 25 February - 14 April There is a curious gathering occurring in the middle of nowhere. A dark-skinned man in a party hat seems to be the center of attention. Busy figures swarm around him, carrying out various tasks. Read more...

Monsieur Pain

Posted 4:53pm Sunday 4th March 2012 by Josef Alton

Paris, 1938: a Peruvian poet named Vallejo is dying of the hiccups in a hospital bed. Monsieur Pain is a mesmerist, a man living on a meager war pension; his lungs were scorched in Verdun. Two Spaniards are following him; General Franco has sacked España; the middle-aged war veteran is in love with Read more...

Mass Effect 3

Posted 4:53pm Sunday 4th March 2012 by Toby Hills

You know you’re an adult when you realise that Return of the Jedi is the worst of the trilogy. It’s rip-roaring fun, saturated with kooky creatures and clever Force manipulation, but nobody (except poor, innocent old Darth Vader) dies. Mass Effect 2 was strongly influenced by Empire Strikes Back, Read more...

MC Tali to headline Outlook Launch

Posted 4:53pm Sunday 4th March 2012 by Lauren Wootton

She’s the most successful female drum and bass MC of all time and she’s coming to Dunedin next week to MC this year’s annual Outlook Festival Launch Party. MC Tali is hitting Sammy’s on March 7th to MC for the dirrrrrrty drum ’n’ bass/dubstep that is the Outlook Festival Launch Party. It Read more...

I am Giant

Posted 4:53pm Sunday 4th March 2012 by Lauren Wootton

Thursday March 8 just got a little more exciting with the return of I am Giant to Dunedin. Supported by Cairo Knife Fight – the crazy-looking duo from last Friday’s show for Orientadium – the four-piece rock band are sure to put on a show worth seeing. I caught up with I am Giant’s bassist Paul Read more...

Moneyball

Posted 4:53pm Sunday 4th March 2012 by Staff Reporter

Director: Bennett Miller Moneyball is a different type of sports drama. Whether you like sports or not, from Moneyball’s many levels you will gain different insights – a peek into how Major league sports teams function behind closed doors and, at a deeper level, seeing a man’s struggle to fix Read more...

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Posted 4:53pm Sunday 4th March 2012 by Sarah Baillie

Director: Tomas Alfredson Based on the novel by John le Carré, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is an impressive adaptation of this Cold War-era spy drama. The film tracks George Smiley (Gary Oldman), a retired agent of the “circus” (the British intelligence unit) who is called back in to dig out a Read more...

Chorizo and Mushroom Risotto

Posted 4:53pm Sunday 4th March 2012 by Ines Shennan

Risotto is a favourite meal of mine. The simplest ingredients somehow combine to form a delicious, comforting dish that is incredibly easy to prepare. The process involves dry cooking the rice for a few minutes, then adding liquid in parts until the grains are creamy and just soft. Once you’ve Read more...

Lunchtime Theatre Round One!

Posted 5:05pm Saturday 25th February 2012 by Bronwyn Wallace

Allen Hall Lunchtime Theatre is back with a bang! After a soothing summer break we’re straight back in to it with the newly-named CIA Stand Up Comedy (formerly known as AntiSocial Tap) heading the LTT programme. For those of you who have been living under a rock, Lunchtime Theatre is arguably the Read more...

Be | Longing: A Verbatim Play

Posted 5:04pm Saturday 25th February 2012 by Bronwyn Wallace

Written by: Theatre Studies, University of Otago Directed by: Hilary Halba and Stuart Young From the makers of Hush comes a new documentary play focusing on stories from people who have migrated to New Zealand, and asking what it means to belong to a country and culture. This unique kind Read more...

The Motor Camp

Posted 5:03pm Saturday 25th February 2012 by Bronwyn Wallace

Written by: Dave Armstrong, Directed by: Conrad Newport Any comedy with a “Dutch fascist” issuing orders limiting the maximum weight of children allowed on the trampoline is going to be a winner in my book. Add to the mix that this is a quintessentially Kiwi story, put together by a Read more...

Finding the Loophole

Posted 4:59pm Saturday 25th February 2012 by Beaurey Chan

Dunedin Community Gallery, 20 Princes Street 15-29 February Rob Piggott’s “Loop Series” works 1999-2012 You can’t help but be impressed by the bold nature of the “Loop Series”, a collection of paintings by Dunedin-based artist Rob Piggott. Large canvases, cut into interesting but Read more...

Karam Kazam!

Posted 4:57pm Saturday 25th February 2012 by Josef Alton

Before we start, I have a question for you. Do you want a book review, or an opinion? I find it amazing how often people want a book that affirms their beliefs, rather than a book that challenges them. Joe Karam’s fourth book on the David Bain saga, Trial By Ambush, will no doubt challenge some Read more...

Skyrim

Posted 4:53pm Saturday 25th February 2012 by Bryn Jones

Skyrim should come with a warning: do not start playing lest you are willing to sacrifice body, soul, and hundreds of hours to the cause. Skyrim is the fifth installment of a long-standing series in which freedom and scope are as important, if not more so, than gameplay and storytelling. Thus it was Read more...

Second Skin

Posted 4:44pm Saturday 25th February 2012 by Lauren Wootton

Dunedin band Knives at Noon sat down with Critic reporter Lauren Wootton to pop her interviewing cherry, and discuss their new EP. Opening for Shihad at Orientation last Friday, Knives at Noon were amping to share the stage with a band they have looked up to since before they were freshers Read more...

The Descendants

Posted 4:40pm Saturday 25th February 2012 by Lulu Sandston

Director: Alexander Payne The Descendants opens with Matt King (George Clooney) - the wealthy descendant of Hawaiian royalty - sitting with his comatose wife Elizabeth questioning how he is going to raise his two daughters, having been the “understudy” parent for the last decade. A rocky Read more...

The Artist

Posted 4:38pm Saturday 25th February 2012 by Loulou Callister-Baker

Director: Michel Hazanavicius You may think that the silent film genre is basically Fever Club in black and white - the background music increasing in intensity as a stray cougar approaches the object of your desire… It’s not. If you’re interested in film, you should reset those ideas and go Read more...

Hello Saucy

Posted 4:20pm Saturday 25th February 2012 by Ines Shennan

Move beyond frozen meals, mi goreng and toast, into a world of simple, delicious meals which you’ll enjoy cooking. Stock your freezer with meat as it comes on special, use vegetables in season and don’t buy one of those shitty $2 can openers, because tinned food is now your friend. Here are the Read more...

Definitive Cuts: Fabric Sculptures: Sebastian Reynard

Posted 4:01am Monday 17th October 2011 by Hana Aoake

AS IS, 377 Princes St Sebastian Reynard’s Definitive Cuts at AS IS features an assemblage of floating fabric sculptures dangling from the ceiling. It challenges our value system, making us question what art is, what craft is, and subverting the notion of what is Read more...

Blue Velvet (1986)

Posted 3:57am Monday 17th October 2011 by Ben Blakely

Directed/written: David lynch Jeffrey Beaumont (MacLachlan) makes an unexpected return home from university (or “college”, as this is set in the US) after his father suffers a stroke while watering the garden. On the way home from the hospital, Jeffery comes across a human ear Read more...

Norwegian Wood

Posted 3:53am Monday 17th October 2011 by Frances Stannard

Director: Anh Hung Tran (3.5/5) Sometimes books should stay as books. Nothing undermines an original more than a failed attempt at a movie. But Norwegian Wood really does achieve the enthralling and damaging sense of the classic 1987 novel by Haruki Murakami.   It is Tokyo in the Read more...

The Orator

Posted 3:50am Monday 17th October 2011 by Eve Duckworth

Director: Tusi Tamasese I went into the Rialto having read many a good review for The Orator, even rumours of an Oscar nomination. I left not knowing if I had gone to see the same film.   If you want to watch a beautiful portrait of the intricacies of Samoan culture - its faith, its Read more...

Real Steel

Posted 3:41am Monday 17th October 2011 by Lauren Hayes

Director: Shawn Levy (3/5) Robots are always fantastically awesome, especially when blown up to titanic size on the big screen. Fresh from Hollywood, Real Steel is the latest blockbuster to cash in on the robot craze. It's a slick effort. The film is set sometime in the not-so-distant future, Read more...

The Smurfs

Posted 3:36am Monday 17th October 2011 by Daniel F. Benson-Guiu

Director: Raja Gosnell (3.5/5)   It started off as a smurfing good afternoon. With a Smurf combo in hand, we barged small children out of the way to get the best seats. A cool kids movie for the start of the holidays, young and old alike will be entertained by these little blue men (and Read more...

It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times

Posted 3:29am Monday 17th October 2011 by Sam Valentine

In the now established tradition, Critic presents our end of year recap; the best of music in two thousand and eleven. Props if you picked up on The Simpsons reference in the title. The Best Albums of 2011 Zomby – Dedication A dense, dark and well-produced take of some of Read more...

Pick of the Mothras

Posted 5:20am Monday 10th October 2011 by Critic

Every year, a brave few enter their amateur films into the OUSA Mothras, seeking fame, glory, and prestigious Mothra awards. All of the films will be screened between October 11 and 14 at the Church Cinema, Dundas St, but for now, we present our pick of the bunch.   Looking for Love in all Read more...

Director Profile - Quentin Tarantino

Posted 5:17am Monday 10th October 2011 by Tom Ainge-Roy

There are very few directors who can claim the accolades of an Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA and the Palme d’Or as well as multiple Emmy and Grammy nominations. When you add in the extra details that this one particular director is also a high school drop out with an IQ of 160 the Read more...