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Posted on 20 Oct 2011 by Vertigo
RED STATE REVIEW
Words Rory Pearson Set in middle America Red State is about three teens (Michael Angarano, Nicholas Braun, Ronnie Connell) who receive an online invitation for sex. Their invitation leads to an encounter with extreme Christian fundamentalists (Michael Parks, Melissa Leo) who kidnap them in the name of god and hide them in the local church. As the boys become the victims of the fundamentalist’s sinister agenda, ATF Agent Joseph Keenan (John Goodman) and his team, set up outside of the church in an attempt to rescue those inside. One of the most striking things about Red State is that separates it from the rest of Kevin Smith’s earlier films is that it dares not to be funny, that’s not to say it isn’t funny, really funny in parts, but that it breaks from the Kevin Smith tradition of Clerks, Dogma and Mallrats and tackles the same obsessions in a very different way and in a very successful way at that. In fact this is why Kevin Smith has such a long lasting and devoted fan-base because he has never been afraid to take risks in feature filmmaking. Smith still retains an unflinching cowboy attitude. An attitude that I guess stems from his early years of truly independent filmmaking. Red State is a personal film; it shows Smith wrestling with his obsessions, his obsession with faith, his obsession with American popular culture and his hatred of systemic stupidity. Red State is at once a teen movie, a horror film, an action movie and an allegorical satire. It is full of twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. In this film, no one is safe, and no one is blameless. It is an unabashed scathing indictment of the two suspected, all powerful institutions that battle for dominance in America, the church v the government, the pastors v the G-men. For this very reason the film is bound to cause controversy, if it hasn’t already. But also for this very reason it will remain in my mind long after I have seen it because of all the questions that it raises. Questions about the validity of the Second Amendment and America’s obsession with guns, questions of how far people let extremism slide and how much power the American government actually wields over its people. Kevin Smith used to approach these questions with witty dialogue as his main weapon, but Red State is all action. As for the ending, (I won’t ruin it) let’s just Kevin Smith is adventurous enough in this film to actually have had me expecting the knights of apocalypse to rear their ugly heads. For me, this film is the epitome of everything that Kevin Smith has wanted to do in a film but hasn’t already. It has all the trademark elements of his previous work but takes a completely new angle, even stylistically. Seeing as though he has said he only has one more film to do before he leaves the director’s chair, I guess he just needed to make this one. Good thing he did because I think it will not just appeal to his loyal fans but a much wider audience too because it breaks from the Kevin Smith stereotype but retains enough to not alienate any of his die-hard fans. 4/5
Posted on 18 Oct 2011 by Vertigo
Eleven is the Magic Number
Gemma Wolk Danielle Lauren, creator of the 11Eleven Project, holds up her photographic contribution to the world-wide event Imagine being able to see what life is like all around the world on one day. To be able to watch how people in different places live, work and play in diverse ways. To be able to compare the luxuries you take for granted, to the poverty others are used to. This year, there is a project that plans to realise this vision and shed some light on the way we live around the world. This will be done to capture the similarities and stark contrasts between our lives on earth… and all for a good cause. The 11Eleven Project is a not-for-profit creative scheme that already has people in over 130 different countries ready to contribute. The aim is to unite people everywhere by connecting them on a single day. 11/11/11 is a date that occurs only once every hundred years, and this year, the 11Eleven Project is asking communities to come together and create a human story like never before. The exciting aspect is that you, the average citizen, are the contributor. The 11Eleven Project is encouraging us all to muster our creativity in order to help create this unique global narrative.  “University students are a powerful force – they have a drive, an energy which will get them to extend themselves for a goal or deadline – we really want to harness that energy for good – to ask University students to step up and use their passion for something meaningful,” said Danielle Lauren, Creative Director of the 11Eleven Project. On this day of 11/11/11, people everywhere are being asked to pick up a recording device and create a short film, take a photo, write a blog, compose a piece of music or record a sound as a representation of their environment. After this date, submitted works will be collated and transformed into a documentary, a photo book and an audio CD. A free screening of the finished documentary will be held globally on 21 September 2012 – UN International Day of Peace. “I always believed that artists could contribute to making the world a better place. I want them to use their passion for entertainment and storytelling to positively contribute,” said Miss Lauren.  The project has already captured the attention of Grammy award-winner Imogen Heap, Oscar-winning cinematographer Russell Boyd and Emmy award-winning Marcus Gillezeau, who will all be contributing to the production process. As Music Executive Producer, Imogen Heap will be producing the score for the final documentary. “It’s so exciting to have such talented people on board to give this project the recognition that it deserves, and act as that extra push for people to contribute to making a difference,” said Miss Lauren. Although the project may be reminiscent of previous ventures, unlike anything done before, the 11Eleven Project’s aim is to raise awareness for, and help achieve the UN’s 8 Millennium Development Goals. The entire project is not-for-profit, and the money made from the sales of the DVDs, photo books and CDs will be donated to various charities including The Hunger Project, The WWF and Save The Children. This is an opportunity to bring individuals together as a collective, disregarding race, gender and societal boundaries to celebrate the similarities and differences between our ways of life.  The 11Eleven Project is your unique chance to have your work displayed in collaboration with award winning artists from around the world... what will you contribute? How to get involved: Register online at www.11elevenproject.comRecord your story on 11/11/11 Upload your work to the website from 11/11/11 – 22/11/11 Watch your contribution become part of a global narrative
Posted on 11 Oct 2011 by Vertigo
Interview with the King
Two stars from the upcoming UTS student written and directed play, Kingies ( James Vaughan and Con Costi ) take time out to share some insight with Vertigo==  Nick Millifisen speaks with the King on business, power and making those big dreams a reality.
Nick Millifisen: So I hear you’re the King around here
King: I am
NM: You know I always loved Kings. Loved the way they rule with an iron. Fist. Always wished I could do that.
K: You better watch who you’re talking to
NM: OK let’s get to the interview. What is your favourite command to give out?
K: Well at the moment I’m working closely with a small but highly motivated team on a new project, so most of my orders at the moment are related to that
NM: I’m intrigued
K: Being a King gets tiring, so I like to mix things up. Sometimes you’ve got to open a small business or a franchise to keep the blood pumping.
NM: So that’s what you’re working on?
K: Yes. It’s called Kingy Electricals. We cover home appliances, that sort of thing. But there will be a twist.
NM: Oh right
K: That’s what we’re working on at the moment. It will be weird or something. That’s important to me. I like to mix things up. I find when you’re the King, why not? You don’t answer to anyone. So that’s good. But yeah, at the moment I’m working with a group of highly motivated individuals who are working on some ideas.
NM: OK. Sounds pretty good
K: You just wait, you haven’t seen anything.
NM: Well Kingy Electricals sounds fantastic. That’s what I think
K: Yep
NM: But you know, I can’t help thinking – and don’t get me wrong here – that if I was a King I’d probably be a little more ambitious with my goals. I mean that with all due respect of course.
K: Great question. I’m glad you raised this question, because it is a very important one; and one I am often asked. Firstly, what you said is absolutely right and that is exactly the reason I’ve decided to make the move into business. You see the criticism is sometimes made of me along the lines of “oh well sure the King is successful but where would be without the his massive taxes? He needs those peasant levies to fund all of his colourful operations.” Now, naturally, I’m the King, so when people say this to my face, or I find out who was saying it, they are sent off to my team of highly motivated lions. Yet regardless of how many critics I dismiss, the thought still nagged at me, so I decided to show these guys what I’m really about and show that I can make an honest profit without taxpayer support.
NM: A noble goal, but how did you do it?
K: Well you know it was pretty straightforward. Much more so that I had imagined anyway. So until recently I’ve had hordes of these peasants living on my crown land right? They go about doing whatever they have to do to feed and clothe themselves, and pay me a fixed tax. A significant tax. So how do I go from it looking like I take their money to them looking like they take mine? I need them to depend on me, for starters. I had to make them depend on what I do one way or another. Easiest and best way to get that going was to introduced private property rights. Now, if they want to live continue living on those old plots of land, they need to actually own it, or can be pushed off by someone who does. I was the only one really who could afford to buy up significant amounts of land, so now the peasants need a cash income to pay for their housing. Just growing food or making baskets is not going cut it anymore; they have to get a paid job. But where? The only business in town is this whacky factory making appliances for Kingy Electricals. Ha Ha! “Guess I’ll get a job there,” they say to themselves. Here’s the trick, I pay them only a small amount. And I mean practically nothing. They can barely stand at the end of the week, their so hungry and tired. But the act of me paying them, no matter how small, changes things now. They can complain all they want, but at the end of the day it’s my money and my business that is providing their livelihood. See? What’s more, I’m making a profit; I’m richer than I’ve ever been. Ha ha! So you could say its win-win! I don’t even need to tax anyone anymore. What’s the point? But the trick is to give them as little as possible without letting them perish – and that’s actually more difficult than it sounds. There’s all these weird new diseases out there now. But anyway, that’s the secret in a nutshell. Just move in, make sure they need cash to live, then make sure they need your employment for their cash. You’re laughing.
NM: That’s not only genius, it’s very arousing. I like it! This could be something I’d even consider doing for real. What are your tips for people like me?
K: People like you? Ha! Well… what are your ideas? I’ll assess them
NM: Don’t have any yet…
K: I’ll tell you this, you can’t make a profit without ideas. You need those big ideas to really get things off the floor. Think about opportunities, cornering the market. Dominating it. Grabbing the market share. Monopoly, in a word. That’s my advice. It’s all about the big ideas; the big dreams.
NM: Well ladies and gents. This King is really something. Thanks for coming on our show, my lord.
K: Thank you Nick
NM: Oh an don’t forget the King has a new book out, it’s called “From Vision to Reality: Business Strategies for the Big Thinker” Available at any decent bookstore
K: Indeed. Thank you Nick.
NM: Goodnight everybody
==
Kingies will be showing at Hellen Rose Schauersberger LabOratorium, 17 Waterloo St, Surry Hills this week.
Date: September 28 - October 1
Time: 8:30
Tickets: $10/$15, purchase at the door
Posted on 25 Sep 2011 by Vertigo
Film Review:Cowboys and Aliens
Thanhtu Nguyen Jon Favreau’s ( Iron Man, Iron Man 2) Cowboys & Aliens, despite its stellar cast of Hollywood heavyweights that includes Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, Sam Rockwell, and Olivia Wilde, largely disappoints. The strange blend of the Sci-Fi and Western genre makes it an intriguing mixture, delivering decent amounts of humour, action, and adventure, but fails to provide the wit and wow-factor of a good summer blockbuster, like its previous Paramount Pictures predecessor, Captain America: The First Avenger. A standout performance is given to Harrison Ford, who plays the tough-loving, no-nonsense, ball-breaking Colonel of Absolution. The veteran provided most of the much-needed laughs and was a hoot in comparison to Daniel Craig’s silent glowering and Olivia Wilde’s wide-eyed, wispy, and blank-stares. The film took itself too seriously, and I felt that the writers and the posse of Hollywood heavyweights behind it (hello Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard) could have done much more with the cast and the story than the one given to us. The film is partly enjoyable due to the constant brutality offered to moviegoers – and who doesn’t love a gore and bloodshed film fest – but it isn’t extremely noteworthy. The title of the film suggests a good, fun, summer blockbuster, but in the end it isn’t as amusing and kooky as the title suggests. It’s a somewhat entertaining film and moviegoers may enjoy it, but in all honesty, it is rather disposable and forgettable. 3 out of 5
Posted on 17 Aug 2011 by Vertigo
WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO THE MAD SQUARE
 The Art Gallery of NSW is giving ONE lucky person 2 tickets to The mad square: modernity in German art 1910–37, PLUS the luscious catalogue book of the exhibition AND an album of cabaret songs from the Weimar period! All you have to do is go here to find the answer to this question: What are the names of three leading artists of the period on show at The Mad Square? For your chance to win, email your answer to the above question plus your name, UTS student number and phone number to stephanie@utsvertigo.com This is the first exhibition in Australia to look in-depth at the turbulent time of the Weimar Republic when, following the catastrophe of World War I and in a period of intense crisis, Germany entered an extraordinary era of creative artistic fervour. The mad square exhibition, organised by the Art Gallery of New South Wales with loans from museums and private collections from around the world, opens in Sydney 6 August 2011, and tours to the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, in November. Berlin, 100 years ago, is the starting point for the exhibition. If you’re interested in Expressionism, Dada, Bauhaus and New Objectivity, you should visit the Art Gallery of NSW to find out more. Terms and Conditions: 1. Only one entry per person. 2. Competition commences Friday 12 August 5pm and closes Friday 19th August 5pm. 3. Entry is open to all UTS students with a valid UTS student number. 4. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 5. Prizes cannot be transferred for cash.
Posted on 12 Aug 2011 by Vertigo
Review Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse’s Sydney concert at The Enmore was one of almost polar opposites: there were greying over-40's mingling with fresh-faced young hipsters. There were those treating it as a head-banging hard rock gig and others swaying – almost trance-like – to the pulsating drone of electric guitars. And then there were the hardcore pre-“Float On” fans (one with those very words tattooed on the back of her neck) that knew every song, showing up the newbies who occasionally hummed along. Unfortunately for the latter, the concert seemed to cater to the former. The majority of the set list came from their earlier albums, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About and The Moon & Antarctica. This was definitely an experience for those who were switched on to Modest Mouse years before their explosive 2004 hit.
But that’s not to say it was a complete loss. Support band, Deep Sea Arcade, warmed up the crowd with their psychedelic, surfedelic, indie beach songs. And older Modest Mouse tracks were punctuated with near-perfect renditions of later favourites from their last two albums, such as “Dashboard”, “Fire it Up” and “Satin in a Coffin”. Lead singer, Isaac Brock’s, throaty and almost bark-like singing style gave great energy to the songs, evoking a certain brand of angst that they’ve become known for. The vast array of instruments on stage, including a banjo and a mammoth double bass, didn’t hurt either, creating rich layers of (almost) orchestral sound. And back to those reverberating guitars: it was impossible not to get caught up in the thick sound, pendulating from side to side as if caught in some dense music fog. Or maybe that was just leftovers from whatever it was the band members were smoking on stage. It was pure magic and the band was in stellar form for their only Sydney show. But if you ask me, it was all over too fast and we were left wanting more, despite a solid encore. Here’s hoping they soon return, albeit with more music appealing to those who aren’t yet willing to commemorate their idols in ink.
Posted on 01 Aug 2011 by Vertigo
Roadtest 6: Cold Cures
Posted on 31 Jul 2011 by Vertigo
Film review: Transformers 3
 Even though Thanhtu Nguyen thinks she could be a little biased about her review, check out her review of Transformers 3: Dark of the MoonContinue Reading
Posted on 01 Jul 2011 by Vertigo
Sophie goes to supa nova
Sophie Ly went to Supa Nova last week and caught up with some celebs! Check out her interviews here
Posted on 28 Jun 2011 by Vertigo
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