Australian Penthouse

DIRECTOR: Charles H. Ferguson
STARS: Matt Damon, Nouriel Roubini, Barney Frank, George Soros, Eliot Spitzer, Charles R. Morris

For those who occasionally feel as if the hardship they’re enduring didn’t come cheap, Inside Job will be a furious epiphany. This is a documentary about the handful of people who brought ruin and tragedy to the global economy, circa 2008. It’s a documentary about the men and women who got paid a lot of money to fuck the rest of us around.

Here’s the story: The guys on Wall Street figured out how to make themselves some big cash out of other people’s debt. Experts told those guys they were engaging in potentially catastrophic behaviour for massive personal gain. Strangely, the behaviour continued, and the worst happened. Banks collapsed, Governments were brought in and people around the world started losing their jobs—except the guys on Wall Street. They kept their money and walked away from the mess unscathed. Some of them even ended up in the employ of the American Government. And all of them, to this day, maintain their position against the regulatory reforms that would have prevented the catastrophe from happening in the first place.

The summary is perplexing, but to see the film—to be faced with Wall Street’s smug grin and piss weak attempt to talk around the issue—is to experience true wrath. The whole thing is unimaginably offensive, because it is clear that these people—this culture—can dabble in blatant and destructive opportunism and self-service, and expect absolutely no repercussion. The film paints America’s finance industry as alternately criminal and amoral, and yet its poster children are scattered throughout the US’ political powerhouses.

The bottom line is that Inside Job is not just worthwhile viewing, it is vital. It is necessary for all of us to understand who did what, and to see the etymology of our global climate and its recent trials. See the movie, feel the burn, make noise where you can.

Inside Job hits cinemas nationally on February 17.

HEY, YOU IN THE BLACK T-SHIRT
MICHAEL CHUGG WITH IAIN SHEDDEN
MACMILLAN

Michael Chugg is not what the literati would call a sympathetic protagonist. Even in his auto-biography (written with Iain Shedden, music critic for The Australian), he is not a man it’s easy to root for—at least most of the time. But he is one of Australia’s most respected music promoters, and he is responsible for a string of tours that will always have a chapter in Australia’s rock history. Continue reading “Reviews – Books: Hey, You In The Black T-Shirt” »

WITH pack art featuring North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il, we figured that anything after the fact is gravy; however, we had no idea what we were in for with Operation Tropical Stormy. Continue reading “Reviews – Adult DVDs: Operation Tropical Stormy” »

THE Fine fellows at Effen beer kindly sent us a 6-pack of beer to review for Penthouse readers. “Another bloody beer”?, you may ask. Yes, another bloody beer. But while many other new beers seem to focus on clear, crisp and dry—so dry, that some leave you feeling like you’re drinking water—Effen lager tastes like beer should. Like the first beer you ever drank, stealing the icy, water-beaded bottle from the family fridge and secretly discovering the rich, foreign flavours of hops and malt. Effen lager tastes like a welcome return to form for Aussie beer.

The all-natural craft-brewed lager is without artificial flavour and colour and is brewed using only premium Australian and New Zealand hops.

And we’re not the only ones who think the beer is a top drop: Effen premium lager was voted People’s Choice for Best Lager at the Victorian Microbreweries Showcase, held at Federation Square last month. For comparison, the lager tastes somewhat similar to VB’s Raw brew.

If you’re keen to wet your whistle on a drop, you’re in luck—not only is the beer available in bottle-shops nationally and in New Zealand (log on to: www.effen.com.au for stockists or to purchase online), but Effen is also offering one lucky punter the chance to win a year’s supply of home-delivered lager!

To be in the running, log on to: www.effengreatbloke.com and enter before 1 December 2009.

Exxxtremely sexy and stimulating, the We-Vibe II is the latest gadget to hit www.adultshop.com!

The We-Vibe, the world’s number one selling sex toy for two is back and better than ever, with an improved design and more orgasmic functions.

The We-Vibe II is one of the only sex toys that can be used during intercourse. While worn during sex, the We-Vibe II produces extra internal pressure, creating hormonic waves of stimulation, with the pattern of pulsation even changing to match the rhythm of your love-making. This new and improved steamy sex toy is powered by two small, yet extremely powerful motors, positioned to hug the clitoris and g-spot simulataneously. Oh how happy your woman will  be!

To buy the renowned We-Vibe:

It’s true. With Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock and the gang on board, fans will go wild when Hustler Video’s This Ain’t Star Trek XXX is released next month.

Continue reading “Star Trek… the porno” »