German modern metal outfit VENUES released their brand new single ‘Whydah Gally‘ from their upcoming album »Solace«, due for release on 27th... Read more »
German modern metal outfit VENUES released their brand new single ‘Whydah Gally‘ from their upcoming album »Solace«, due for release on 27th August via Arising Empire.
»Solace« comes as CD and limited colored vinyl and unique merch bundle – pre-orders available now!
“‘Whydah Gally’ was actually one of my favorite songs on ‘Solace’ from the start! It’s full of power and takes you on a stormy journey from the first few seconds on which you can only get off at the end. The story behind ‘Whydah Gally’ is that I said to the rest of the band that I really wanted to write a pirate song. Shortly afterwards, Valentin did the instrumentals and Lela and I started the lyrical story. ” – Robin (vocals)
From the depths of their deepest crisis, VENUES emerge victoriously, welcoming two new members – clean vocalist Lela and guitarist Valentin. When former vocalist Nyves quit the band mid-tour, following the release of their pivotal debut »Aspire« (2018), the modern metal juggernaut was shaken to the bone.
Despite this, the remaining members refused to give up and tirelessly searched for new talent. Following guitarist Constantin witnessing a performance of Lela at (of all places) at a STEEL PANTHER show, the band found their new clean vocalist.
VENUES went into the studio with producer Christoph Wieczorek (Annisokay) to record »Solace«, who coated their massive sound with a metallic alloy of remarkable precision.
“We wanted to be more metal,”Robin comments.“There were some pop sensibilities of Aspire we wanted to replace with rather the opposite.”
Melody and punch-drunk heaviness, metal and alternative rock, zeitgeist and authenticity, barbed choruses and unleashed creativity: with their soaring sophomore release, VENUES fulfill every single promise they gave on »Aspire«.
Summary: The bodyguard Michael Bryce continues his friendship with assassin Darius Kincaid as they try to save Darius’ wife Sonia.
Year: 2021
Cinema Release Dates: 10th June 2021 (Australia), 14th June 2021 (UK), 5th August 2021 (Thailand), 16th June 2021 (USA)
VOD Release Dates: Out in all regions.
Country: USA, UK
Director: Patrick Hughes
Screenwriter: Brandon Murphy, Phillip Murphy
Cast: Michael Aston (Giuseppe), Barry Atsma (Moreno), Ivor Bagaric (Young Bryce), Antonio Banderas (Aristotle Papdopolous), Bekka Bowling (Stewardess Clare), Brian Caspe (Wlter Fiscer), Anna-Maria Everett (Elena), Morgan Freeman (Senior), Caroline Goodall (Crowley), Michael Gor (Livtin), Richard E. Grant (Seifert), Frank Grillo (Bobby O’Neil), Salma Hayek (Sonia Kincaid), Tom Hopper (Magnusson), Samuel L. Jackson (Darius Kincaid), Jonny James (Johan), Tine Joustra (Renata Casoria), Kristofer Kamiyasu (Zento), Alice McMillan (Aislo), Dragan Micanovic (Vladimir), Gary Oldman (Vladislav Dukhovic), Ryan Reynolds (Michael Bryce), Blake Ritson (Gunther), Tsuwayuki Saotome (Kurosawa), Venice Smith (Gary), Gabriella Wright (Veronika), Milos Yerolemou (Carlo)
Running Time: 100 mins
Classification: MA15+ (Australia), 15 (UK), R (USA)
OUR THE HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD REVIEWS
David Griffiths’ The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard Review:
I’ve noticed over the years that often one of the reasons why sequels fail is because the filmmakers behind them try to make them too different to the original. There is often a hint of ‘well the hero learnt his lesson so he is different’ or ‘we wanted to go bigger and bolder than the first film.’ The end result is often a film that the fans of the original film end up giving a thumbs down.
Luckily Australian filmmaker Patrick Hughes (Red Hill) did not have any of those notions in his head when he approached The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard. I said in my review for the original film – 2017 The Hitman’s Bodyguard – that it was a big dumb yet fun action film and that is exactly the same way that the sequel should be described.
Set a couple of years after the events of the first film legend-in-his-own-lunchbox bodyguard Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool) finds himself de-registered as a bodyguard, something that he is having a difficult time trying to accept.
Just as a therapist talks him into taking a holiday Bryce suddenly finds himself in the middle of a blood-bath caused by the demanding and possibly psychopathic Sonia Kincaid (Salma Hayek – Dogma) who orders him to come with her and rescue her husband, notorious hitman Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson – Pulp Fiction).
As that rescue takes place though the trio soon find themselves being roped into an Interpol investigation being headed up by Bobby O’Neil (Frank Grillo – The Grey) who believes that Aristotle Papadopolous (Antonio Banderas – The Mask Of Zorro) is about to conduct a huge terrorist attack that could potentially affect the whole of Europe.
I’ll be honest this certainly isn’t a classic nor is it a film I’ll probably ever watch again but did I have fun while I was watching it – yes!!! Screenwriter Tom O’Connor (The Courier) brings the same recipe to the table that made the first film so enjoyable. As I watched this film I found myself laughing one second and then gasping the next as O’Connor again finds the right mixture of comedy and action an brings it all the table.
His screenplay does provide good laughs for Hayek and Jackson but as I was watching the film I found myself beginning to wonder whether Ryan Reynolds will ever get the opportunity to play a character that isn’t ‘cocky’ anymore. With the trailer for Free Guy seemingly showing him play another character in this realm it really is starting to feel like he has been reduced to a one trick pony – a shame when you know that he is capable of so much more.
I would also be lying if I said there isn’t another major flaw with The Hitman’s Bodyguard’s Wife. It almost seems as if having both the characters of Aristotle Papadopolous and Vladislav Dukhovic (Gary Oldman – The Dark Knight) a bit redundant. Both characters seem pretty similar and while it is fun to watch two legendary actors having fun with their characters it does seem at times throughout the film like we are being inundated with characters that only have limited screen time, so surely melding the two in together would have been a great option.
For the most part though The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is a fun film to watch. It’s wise cracks actually did make me laugh – which rarely happens in action comedies – and the action sequences were just enough to keep an action junkie happy. Unlike many action-comedies the action here is pretty full-on with head shots galore but what else would you expect from a director that gave us the very under-rated Red Hill. If you were a fan of the first film then chances are you are going to like this one as well. The same wit and action is there to please and this time around Salma Hayek steals the show.
Dave’s rating Out Of 5
Average Subculture Rating:
Other Subculture The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard Reviews:
Summary: The world’s top bodyguard gets a new client, a hitman who must testify at the International Criminal Court. They must put their differences aside and work together to make it to the trial on time.
Year: 2017
Cinema Release Dates: 31st August 2017 (Australia), 17th August 2017 (UK), 18th August 2017 (USA)
VOD Release Dates: Out in all regions.
Country: USA, Hong Kong, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Canada, UK, France
Director: Patrick Hughes
Screenwriter: Tom O”Connor
Cast: Barry Atsma (Moreno), Dijain Campbell (Young Kincaid), Joaquim de Almeida (Jean Foucher), Michael Gor (Livitin), Richard E. Grant (Seifert), Rod Hallett (Professor Asimov), Salma Hayek (Sonia Kincaid), Sam Hazeldine (Garrett), Samuel L. Jackson (Darius Kincaid), Tine Joustra (Renata Casoria), Yuri Kolokolnikov (Ivan), Nadia Konakchieva (Mrs. Asimov), Marko Mandic (Goran), Mounir Margoum (Zidane), Kirsty Mitchell (Harr), Gary Oldman (Vladislav Dukhovich), Ori Pfeffer (Vacklin), Zlatka Raikova (Widow), Ryan Reynolds (Michael Bryce), Tsuwayuki Saotome (Kurosawa), Valentin Stojanov (Petr Asimov Jnr.), Vladimir Vladimirov (Fabio), Elodie Yung (Amelia Roussel)
Running Time: 118 mins
Classification: MA15+ (Australia), 15 (Thailand), 15 (UK), R (USA)
OUR THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD REVIEWS
David Griffiths’ The Hitman’s Bodyguard Review:
Back in 2010 an Australian film was released that deserved a lot more credit than it ever received. The film was called Red hill – an amazing action meet western film that showed all cult cinema fans that Aussie director Patrick Hughes was a director to watch. The next step in his was to direct the star-loaded The Expendables 3, which sadly took a hit at the box office because of the film being heavily pirated before its release. Now Hughes is back with The Hitman’s Bodyguard – an amazingly good action film that also has moments of comedy that truly work.
The film centres around Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool, Green Lantern) who once had a AAA rating as a bodyguard. He relished on that fact until the day it all went wrong. One of his charges, a criminal, was shot and killed – something that Bryce has always blamed on his then girlfriend, who he has never stopped loving, Interpol Agent Ameilia Roussel (Elodie Yung – The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Gods Of Egypt).
After years of depression and looking after seedier clients Bryce suddenly finds Amelia calling him and asking for help with a huge case. Notorious hit-man Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson – Pulp Fiction, The Hateful Eight) has turned crown witness in a trial for war criminal Vladislav Dukhovich (Gary Oldman – The Dark Knight, Batman Begins) in return for the freedom of his wife Sonia Kincaid (Salma Hayek – Desperado, Puss In Boots). The problem is though Interpol realise that they are way out of their depth trying to keep Kincaid alive before the trial and Bryce is the only man who do it, but Bryce and Kincaid have a history of their own as Kincaid has tried to kill Bryce many times before.
We’ve seen a lot of action films try to mix comedy in over the years, and a lot of failed miserably. Luckily Hughes and his screenwriter, Tom O’Connor (Fire With Fire) seem to have learned a lesson from films like Bad Boysand Lethal Weapon from through the years, as they get the mix of action and comedy one-hundred per cent spot on. In a way they know that you carefully have to keep things separate, so one moment you get a brilliant car and boat chase through Venice and then the next minute you get a comical scene involving Sonia in her prison cell… and it works. Without giving anything away plot wise there is also a brilliant comedic surprise as one character is suddenly flung through a car window as well… perfect comedic timing.
The big thing that comes through with this film though is that Hughes is one of the most exciting action directors in the world at the moment. The previously mentioned car and boat chase, to the strains of Australia’s own Spiderbait, is right up there with anything that you would see in The Fast & Furious franchise. Then these is the great hand-to-hand combat scenes, like the ones in the kitchen or in the hardware shot, that are equal to the fights that we have seen in the John Wick franchise. These scenes are going to impress even the most hardcore action fans out there.
Of course the key to making a film like The Hitman’s Bodyguard work is the chemistry between the two central characters. Here Jackson and Reynolds are amazing together. Reynolds has cut his mustard in some good action films over the years, Deadpool and Safe House being among his best, and throughout his career he has shown that he can handle the odd comedic moment as well. He’s perfect to play Bryce and his performance here is enough to let us forgive him for making R.I.P.D. Likewise Jackson is perfect for Kincaid, he’s believable as the ‘cool’ hitman and he doesn’t let age slow him down through any of the stunts either.
Casting Gary Oldman to play a Russian war criminal was a brave casting choice. It could have been a choice that blew up in the casting agent’s face badly and had people saying ‘remember when Gary Oldman tried to play a Russian,’ but he is a good enough actor to pull it off without the character ever feeling clichéd. Salma Hayek also delivers her comedic lines to a tee playing the foul-mouthed Sonia while Elodie Yung is sensational as the romantic interest for Bryce.
The Hitman’s Bodyguard is perhaps the most well-rounded action film that we have seen so far in 2017. Interesting and believable characters mean the audience cares for them from the get-go and then when that is mixed with some sensational action sequences from Hughes you end up with an action film that is going to be talked about for years to come.
Summary: Three generations of women fight back against those who could take everything from them.
Year: 2021
Cinema Release Dates: 15th July 2021 (Australia), 17th September 2021 (UK)
VOD Release Dates: Out in all regions.
Country: France, Germany, USA
Director: Navot Papushado
Screenwriter: Navot Papushado
Cast: Freya Allen (Young Sam), Samuel Anderson (David), Jack Bandeira (Crow), Angela Bassett (Anna May), Joanna Bobin (Rose), Billy Buff (The Mummy), David Burnell IV (Shocker), Chloe Coleman (Emily), Paul Giamatti (Nathan), Karen Gillan (Sam), Joshua Grothe (Dracula), Carla Gugino (Madeline), Lena Headey (Scarlet), Lee Huang (Wolfman), Ralph Ineson (Jim McAlester), Ivan Kaye (Yankee), Adam Nagaitis (Virgil), Hannes Pastor (Frankenstein), Michael Smiley (Dr Ricky), Konstantin Widjaja (Wolfman), Michelle Yeoh (Florence)
Running Time: 114 mins
Classification: MA15+ (Australia), 15 (UK), R (USA)
OUR GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE REVIEWS
David Griffiths’ Gunpowder Milkshake Review:
People who have only just discovered my reviews over the past twelve months will probably think that I am the kind of person that loves films that are obscure and arty… and they wouldn’t be wrong. But I am also a very big cult genre film lover as well. I’m the kind of person that buys a season pass to a festival like MonsterFest simply because I don’t want to miss anything that screens there. Keeping that in mind and given my love for films like Baby Driver and the work of Quentin Tarantino there was always a good chance that I was going to like Gunpowder Milkshake.
From Israeli born cult film maker Navot Papushado (Rabies) Gunpowder Milkshake is a film that I enjoyed so much that I decided to watch it twice before it had even been released in Australia and to be honest I have shut up about it since I watched it.
It centres around deadly assassin Sam (Karen Gillan – Guardians Of The Galaxy) who does every dirty job that her employer – the criminal organisation known as The Firm – tells her to do. That loyalty comes from the fact that The Firm’s head honcho, Nathan (Paul Giamatti – Cinderella Man), took her under his wing after her own mother, Scarlet (Lena Headey – Game Of Thrones), abandoned her.
Now though Sam finds herself on the run after killing somebody she shouldn’t have. That leaves her trying to protect the life of eight year old (sorry eight and three quarters) Emily (Choe Coleman – My Spy) while turning to Scarlet’s mentors the mysterious group known as The Library – Anna May (Angela Bassett – Black Panther), Florence (Michelle Yeoh – Crazy Rich Asians) and Madeleine (Carla Gugino – Watchmen) – for help.
For me Gunpowder Milkshake has the perfect mix of style and substance. Papushado creates a noir look throughout the film that mirrors what we have seen previously in films like Baby Driver and Drive but is also skilled enough to give this film its own edge. With movies like John Wick and Nobody surfacing over the past few years the only way a director can make an ultra violent film like this and do things a little bit differently is to be creative with their fight sequences and it is here that Papushado comes to the fore.
The fight sequences in this film are creative and memorable. Yes, despite the flood of these types of films recently Papushado comes up with creative ways to kill and maim people while still making the plot viable and better still having the audience warm to Sam and of course The Library.
I’m sure I am not alone when I say that I ended up becoming so interested in the characters in this film that I started to plot ways the franchise could continue. Of course I would love to see a sequel but I also feel this franchise could benefit from a prequel that shows a younger Scarlet first teaming up with The Library. Yes despite the brilliance of Karen Gillan throughout this film, and she truly is amazing, it is Angela Bassett and Michelle Yeoh that steal the show. If a prequel was made about their characters then I would be one of those people yelling “shut up and take my money.”
The star here though is Gillan and she does enough in Gunpowder Milkshake to warrant the term ‘action star’ to be added to her resume. She delivers a powerful performance here and is well supported by young Chloe Coleman who continues to show why she is one of Hollywood’s next big things. Then there are the scenes between Gillan and Headey which again added a whole new element to the film.
If you don’t like graphic violence then Gunpowder Milkshake is not the film for you – if you do then you are in for a treat. With a serviceable plot, a noir feel and female leads putting in memorable performances this is a film that is going to wow you from start to finish.
The Dune trailer has just been released and we have some special news for fans.
The Dune Ticket Lottery – launching at midnight tonight!
Universal Pictures on behalf of Warner Bros. have launched The Dune Ticket Lottery – an online hub for fans to enter the ultimate game of chance, registering for their opportunity to be the first in the country to witness DUNE at pre-release screening events as well as winning custom merchandise to keep.
In their short history Queensland punk outfit have certainly seen the highs and lows of the music industry. From getting to open for bands like Bodyjar and 28 Days through to seeing the last twelve months become a time of no gigs and band member changeovers it has been a wild ride for the boys that just want to write new music.
Now the boys are just released their brand new album titled Everyday Warrior – an album that explores topics as far and wide as aliens right through to human brainwashing.
To chat about the album Subculture’s Dave Griffiths recently sat down with the band. Take a listen to his interview right here:
There is very little doubt that Broken Earth are rising stars in the Australian metalcore scene. The Sydneysiders first single Dance In The Dark saw them quickly gain radio play and now the band have returned with the deeply personal Somniphobia which has also nicely been added to the airwaves right around this big country of ours.
So just how personal is the track? Well recently the whole band sat down with Subculture’s Dave Griffiths to chat about where the song came from and what it means to various members of the band.
Despite the success that the band has had over the years I have always thought that Seether are a muchly under-rated band. When it comes to hard rock there isn’t much that these guys haven’t achieved, and let’s be honest no hard rock compilation is complete without tracks like Remedy or Fake It being included.
As a song-writer Shaun Morgan has always worn his heart on his sleeve – don’t believe me then go back and listen to Broken, and perhaps that becomes even more apparent when you take a listen to their brand new EP – titled Wasteland – The Purgatory EP.
This isn’t just an EP to showcase their brilliant new singe Wasteland it also contains three tracks that are good enough to be singles yet as Morgan playfully calls them “B-Sides that we couldn’t include on Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum.” When you are writing songs this good and calling them B-Sides then you are certainly showing a certain amount of brilliance when it comes to song-writing.
As a track itself Wasteland is a gut-wrenching listen when you actually listen to the lyrics and that comes to the fore even more with the final track of the EP which is a re-worked alternative version of the track. It is slowed down and includes piano and cello which in a way only enhances the pained lyrics.
The normal version though is everything that you have come to expect from Seether. It’s catchy yet brutal and sees Morgan deliver a scream that is among the best. Hands down this will go down in history as one of Seether’s best songs.
Then there is the great rock sound of What Would You Do which again is a deeply personal track that soon has the listener exploring their own inner demons. Will It Ever End is deceiptfully slow at the start but then gives way to the more brutal side of Seether while Feast Or Famine has single written all over it. It is purely catchy hard rock that deserves a life of its own.
Wasteland – The Purgatory EP is a sheer piece of brilliance from Seether. Once again the under-rated mastery of this band is there for all to see and I know I will be listening to this EP over and over for a long time to come.
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