On this week’s The Drill Down podcast, Australia’s elections are hacked, a Saudi app that tracks women’s movements, Samsung unveils a foldable phone, the perils of AI and machine learning … and much, much more.

Last Ride
Netflix | Amazon | Google Play | iTunes | Vudu | YouTube
DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by Glendyn Ivin
Starring Hugo Weaving, Tom Russell, Kelton Pell, John Brumpton, Anita Hegh
Madman Entertainment
Originally Released: July 02, 2009

If any one country has benefited immensely from the dawn of online streaming and on-demand, it would have to be the independent Aussie film industry. With government funding towards independent films, Aussie movies have enjoyed extensive coverage on services such as Netflix, exposing new viewers to the down under talents of Australian filmmakers and actors. One such example is the film, Last Ride.

Directed by Glendyn Ivin, and starring the phenomenal Hugo Weaving, Last Ride follows the story of a father on the run after committing a violent crime. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Denise Young, in which Max, the suspect, takes his son, Chook, with him on the journey – as we try to learn of the sins of the father through the eyes of the son.

Being an Aussie Metal Head, I’m particularly opinionated when it comes to heavy metal from my home country. While international fans are very aware of the impact of bands such as AC/DC’s early hard rock influence, many remain unaware of some of the hard-edged unyielding metal bands that have driven not only the scene down under, but the world of metal in general. Often ignored, I sometimes feel that Australian Metal gets the same respect as the creepy stepchild kept shrouded in the basement.

So it was with surprise that I was greeted with the news that filmmakers Nick Calpakdjian and David Hawkins are establishing a document of the history and influence of Aussie Metal with their upcoming film, Metal Down Under. As a fellow weirdo who self-proclaims to be your local Heavy Metal Historian, this makes me giddy with giggling glee. Uh… I mean, it makes me pump my fist in the air and sacrifice a puppy to Satan. Hails and horns, yo, hails and horns.

Somewhere beyond the sea, Finding Nemo returns to theatres in 3D! The breathtakingly gorgeous animated feature first provided audiences with a glimpse into the environments and lives of the ocean’s inhabitants just about ten years ago. Only Pixar could develop such an enchanting atmosphere with a heart-tugging story that grasps the audience’s full attention as much as the visual “eye candy.” For a number of reasons, this is quite possibly the most immersive and entertaining 3D film I have experienced.

To be considered in this extraordinary league requires several components, and Nemo delivers in all of these ways. For one, you need a compelling plot. Who can argue with gripping storytelling that ties us to the universal theme of parents allowing their children to let go? In this case, little clownfish Nemo’s surprising capture by a diver startles us. Here, caring father Marlin (voiced by the perfectly-cast Albert Brooks) finally brings Nemo (Alexander Gould) to his first day of school, and in a matter of minutes and an act of defiance, Nemo wanders beyond the reef. Caught. Gone. We feel for Marlin, lost without his little boy, and also for his son, now stuck in a dentist’s office aquarium. Now it’s up to each of the fish to face their fears, overcome their doubts, and attempt to reunite. Compelling, check.

For the past four years Finnish metal band lymystö frontman Timo Vuorensola has been struggling to make his directorial debut Iron Sky a reality. Following the online debut of a teaser trailer in 2008 Vuorensola was able to secure the necessary $8.5 million in funding, a chunk of which was provided by fans who wanted to see the neophyte filmmaker’s dream come to fruition.

Now Iron Sky is completed and preparing for its world premiere next week in Berlin and a trailer for the finished feature has been released. You can check it out here below.

I thought that for this Australia Day (which is celebrated every January 26 down under), I’d link up with our recent Geeks of Doom theme of celebrating the 25th anniversary of some of the music and albums released during 1986. That year was a big one for Australian artists, with some key releases stamping their mark on the history of the Aussie music industry and the rock scene down under.

From Metal to Pop, from Traditional Alternative to Post-Punk, join me in a look back at some of the biggest and more memorable music releases from Australia 25 years ago in 1986.

“You wake up one morning and say “World, I know you! From now on there are no more surprises!’.” — Jill McBain from Once Upon A Time In The West

“See that bird? That’s the spirit bird. He will always look after you.” — Maud from Rabbit-Proof Fence

Every weekend we pay to see the fruits of the filmmakers’ dreams at the multiplex. Every weekend translates into a cynical game of Russian roulette with our cash. Every weekend there is a chance to fall under their spells and believe all over again. Every weekend there is a chance to truly escape reality for a few hours. Their self-indulgence is a double-edged sword which can either transcend their final vision into unlimited ecstasy or send it crashing to the eternal damnation of the bargain DVD bin at the local Best Buy. Certain films still have a hypnotic power over me, but there are a few that punch me in the gut and send me into another dimension. Werner Herzog knows all too well about the joy and “burden of dreams.”