When you've been sipping on blue milk, how ready will you be to battle the Galactic Empire? Will tucking into green burgers and dessert space stations get you fuelled to rebel against oppression? There's only one way to find out the answers to these questions: by visiting the brand-new Star Wars Galactic Cafe, an Australian-first eatery that's now open at Melbourne Museum. After the Victorian venue became the top spot right now, in this very galaxy, to see Star Wars come to life via Lego courtesy of the world-premiering Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition — and the only place to check out life-sized recreations of the space saga's locations, characters, duels and moments as made out of eight-million-plus plastic bricks, in fact — the same site has welcomed another Aussie debut. As first announced back in May, never before has an official Star Wars cafe popped up Down Under. This one is only here for a limited season. Yes, blue milk is definitely on offer, because it wouldn't be a Star Wars-themed spot for a snack and a sip without it. You can enjoy it chilled or as part of a slushie. And the source of that all-important hue? Butterfly pea flower powder. The cafe's full food and drink range features other dishes and selections inspired by the franchise — and while there's no green milk or fish eggs, green-hued burgs and a Death Star by chocolate sweet treat are ready to tempt your tastebuds. Fittingly, the bites and drinks have names like Canto Bight Burger, Naboo Garden Vermicelli, Outer Rim Chicken Katsu and Tatooine Sunset. Also on offer: a Chewie gingerbread cookie that adorably resembles its namesake. A range of kids meal packs are available, too, with monikers such as Endo Explorer (featuring chicken nuggets) and Padawan Power (with a hummus and salad sandwich). Open since Saturday, June 7, 2025, the Star Wars Galactic Cafe is the result of Australian-first collaboration between Museums Victoria, Disney and Lucasfilm. The decor matches the menu, with the pop-up delivering an immersive eating and drinking experience beyond what you're consuming by taking you to a Corellian Star Cruiser to get feasting. If this sounds like the kind of spot that'll be popular, that's because it already is — so bookings are encouraged, with walk-in availability limited. As for the Aussie-exclusive exhibition that goes with it and opened back in May, it's the largest collection of life-sized Lego Star Wars models ever assembled and the biggest touring Lego showcase ever. The Millennium Falcon, Emperor Palpatine's throne flanked by two Royal Guards, a stormtrooper helmet, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader facing off, and the Mandalorian and Moff Gideon: they're all featured in Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition, which hails from Ryan McNaught aka Brickman. Find the Star Wars Galactic Cafe at Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton, operating from 10.30am–3.30pm daily for a limited season. Head to the museum's website for bookings and more details. Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition runs until Monday, January 26, 2026 at Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton. Head to the exhibition's website for tickets and more details. Images: Carmen Zammit, courtesy of Museums Victoria.
Summer might be over until the end of the year, but that doesn't mean that all of the fun is heading indoors in Brisbane. Autumn and street parties go hand in hand in the River City, including at this Labour Day weekend favourite: Stones Corner Festival. If this fest is always on your calendar, then its details for your diary won't come as a surprise. Yes, you'll be heading along on the Sunday of the May long weekend — this year on Sunday, May 4. Australian duo Busby Marou lead the lineup, joined by the throwback tunes of Never Ending 90s, Roaring Lion's Bob Marley tribute and more. You can also expect live tunes, markets, food trucks and beers from a heap of local brewers. This'll also be an extra-special celebrating, given that Stones Corner Festival is marking its ten-year anniversary. David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Martha and the Vandellas, The Kinks, Little Richard, Van Halen, the Grateful Dead: when they all sung various versions of 'Dancing in the Street', they were onto something. There's nothing quite like partying on a roadway when it's closed to cars, with traffic replaced by stalls and bars as well as stages filled with live music. That's the Stones Corner Festival setup. Some events feel like they've always been part of Brisbane's cultural scene and this is one of them, even if it is only hosting its tenth fest this year. That's the sign of something special, with this free street party on the corner of Logan and Old Cleveland roads swiftly becoming one of the city's must-attend celebrations. The Market Folk is in charge of the stalls filled with preloved, handcrafted and eco-friendly wares. The all-ages event will also include family-friendly entertainment for the full spectrum of patrons. You can expect Black Hops, Revel, CBCO, Better Beer, Balter, Your Mates, Burleigh Brewing, Heads of Noosa, Green Beacon and Stone & Wood to help quench your thirst. Eating-wise, Our Kitchen, Greek Street Kantina, Chipstars, and Catch & Kiss are among the options. If you're planning a big one, that public holiday the next day is oh-so-convenient. Also, entry remains free but, as in past years, giving a gold coin donation to the MND and Me Foundation is recommended. Stones Corner Festival 2025 Lineup Busby Marou Never Ending 90s Roaring Lion Tom Busby Brad Butcher & Tori Darke John Hanley with Don't Shoot the Hurricane Seaside Updated Friday, March 21, 2025.
Every year, the question of what to do for New Year's Eve is heavily debated in group chats across Brisbane. It all comes down to the kind of night you want to have: views of fireworks or a DJ spinning fire? A sit-down dinner or a night that ends well after midnight? Thankfully, Brisbane's hospitality lineup has all your bases covered. Loyalty program The Pass is hosting a number of New Year's Eve celebrations in Brisbane to send off 2025 in style. From live sax and dancefloors to elegant flame-grilled dining — we have a feeling you'll find what you're looking for. [caption id="attachment_1053560" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Regatta[/caption] NYE Around the World, The Regatta The Regatta is one of Brisbane's most beloved pubs for a reason. While you'll currently find it wrapped in a giant bow for Christmas, come December 31, the pub will be in full 2026 mode with NYE celebrations across its many bars. On the ground level, The Boatshed's After Dark experience includes a five-course dinner and drinks package centred around their flame-grilled steaks. On level two, you'll find the three-course, gourmet New Year's Eve in Paris experience, complete with riverside firework views. Meanwhile, over on level one, expect more of a party atmosphere at Rio Carnival. Book in for a four-hour canapé and drinks package with river views from the wraparound balcony. Or, opt for the Midnight in NYC on the ground floor for live music, a vibe-filled countdown and a New York-themed space. Book tickets at the Regatta website. [caption id="attachment_1053559" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hey Chica![/caption] Jungle Fever NYE Fiesta, Hey Chica! Fortitude Valley's Hey Chica! is transforming this New Year's Eve. The typically Latin-styled bar will undergo a jungle-inspired makeover to play host to a night of dancing well past the countdown. Live DJs will be in the booth all night, alongside live instrumentalists. Entry is just $35, or book your crew in for the all-inclusive canapé and drinks package from 8pm to midnight. Book tickets at the Hey Chica! website. [caption id="attachment_1053558" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lefty's Music Hall[/caption] Bigger Than Texas New Year's Eve, Lefty's Music Hall Where else to ring in the new year than in the hallowed Americana jewel of Caxton Street? This year, the theme is country — as always, you'll find live music, dancing (read: boot scootin'), and good-old-fashioned Lefty's hospitality. Entry is $44.90, or snag early-bird pricing for the food and beverage package at just $127. Book tickets via the Oztix website. [caption id="attachment_1053557" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Wickham[/caption] No Scrubs: NYE Party, The Wickham If — like Troye Sivan and Charli XCX — you just wanna go back to 1999, The Wickham's No Scrubs: NYE Party is for you. Dust off your butterfly clips, low-rise jeans, and Clueless looks and prepare for a night soundtracked by 90s anthems. From 'Bye Bye Bye' to 'Genie in a Bottle', you'll be ringing in 2026 with at least one pop classic stuck in your head. You'll find themed drinks, giveaways for the first people through the door, and, of course, a Wickham-style heaving dance floor. Book tickets via the Oztix website. [caption id="attachment_1053556" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Riverland[/caption] NYE Celebrations, Riverland Riverland is always one of the best views in Brisbane, but come NYE — it's extra special. For front row firework vistas, grab tickets to this year's celebrations, featuring a four-hour food and drinks package that includes live cooking stations, roaming canapés, premium drinks packages, live music, DJs, and entertainment weaving through the crowd. Then, as the clock ticks closer to midnight, sit back and watch as the Brisbane River erupts with fireworks as you welcome 2026. Book tickets via Oztix website. [caption id="attachment_1053555" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fridays[/caption] New Year's Eve, Fridays When you think of river-side views in Brisbane, you tend to think of Fridays iconic, leafy outdoor area. As always, Fridays is doing one of the city's best NYE packages, featuring firework views out across the Story Bridge and river. Alongside a live band from 7pm, DJs and roaming entertainment, your ticket also includes four hours of free-flowing premium drinks packages, as well as plenty of nibbles. The venue is open until late, so you can keep celebrating past midnight. Book tickets via the Oztix website. [caption id="attachment_1053554" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Babylon Brisbane[/caption] New Year's Eve Party, Babylon There is a reason that Babylon's NYE tickets sell quickly each year. Mostly due to the fact you'll be celebrating right on the banks of the brown snake with uninterrupted views, and the venue's stacked menu to dine on. You can either make a booking in the restaurant at a time of your choosing (if you'd rather be in bed by midnight) or join in the party at Babylon Gardens. Over in the gardens, enjoy Levantine-inspired canapés, curated food stations and a premium beverage package. There will be a DJ, a saxophonist and fire twirlers bringing the atmosphere as the skyline bursts into technicolour. Book via the Babylon website. [caption id="attachment_1053561" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Retro's[/caption] Midnight in Vegas, Retro's Fortitude Valley If you have always wanted to do NYE in Vegas but never seem to be organised enough, then Retro's Vegas-themed celebration is for you. The Valley stalwart will be decked out with dazzling lights, Vegas ambience and great music until 5am. Naturally, the dance floor will be full thanks to the venue's penchant for retro anthems and party classics. The venue's celebrations sell out every year — so don't miss out on tickets. Book via the Retro's website. Discover more of Australian Venue Co.'s New Year's Eve celebrations at the website.
So much to see, so little time: it’s the festival attendee’s perennial problem. Or maybe your wallet just isn’t flush with enough money to see all the funny folks that you want to. This year, there’s a solution for the time-poor and cash-strapped alike. Head along to The Biggest Comedy Show on Earth and see ten comedians take the stage in one show. Ronny Chieng, Rhys Nicholson, Katrina Brown and Tien Tran are just some of the talent on display in this fast-paced showcase of non-stop laughs. Expect something more than your average set, and expect special guests, too, as comedy takes over Brisbane City Hall.
One of the OG completely plant-based venues in Brisbane, Yavanna has been around long enough to know how to make meat-free dining easy for all. The first step? Make your menu indulgent AF. The team here does a mix of veggie options and faux meats, slinging everything from mac and blue cheese to burgers stuffed with crispy chicken or charred tofu and pickled beetroot. There's no shortage of activities in Paddington that make Yavanna the perfect addition to you weekend plans — head here for brunch after a spot of op-shopping and try the spiced pumpkin pancakes, or pop by for a beer and a burger in the evening before catching a game at Suncorp Stadium.
How many ways can Melbourne go dotty for Yayoi Kusama? Everyone is about to find out. The National Gallery of Victoria's big summer 2024–25 exhibition is dedicated to the Japanese artist, complete with a five-metre-tall dot-covered Dancing Pumpkin sculpture in NGV International's Federation Court, plus a world record-breaking number of infinity rooms and other immersive installations, many featuring spots. There'll be polka dots inside and out around the venue, including on the plane trees on St Kilda Road. On Wednesday, November 27, 2024 — in the lead up to the exhibition's run from Sunday, December 15, 2024–Monday, April 21, 2025 — the NGV has unveiled the beginnings of Kusama's latest artwork. A version of Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees is being staged in Melbourne, with more than 60 trees outside the gallery having their trunks covered in pink-and-white polka-dotted material. The first row has been completed, which anyone in the vicinity can now check out — and by early in the week commencing Monday, December 2, 2024, all four lanes of St Kilda Road in front of the NGV will be brightly wrapped. With over 180 works set to feature, in what'll be the largest Kusama retrospective that Australia has ever seen — as well as one of the most-comprehensive retrospectives devoted to the artist to be staged globally, not to mention the closest that you'll get to experiencing her Tokyo museum without leaving the country — stepping foot inside the NGV will still be mandatory for art lovers. But Kusama is also livening up the road for everyone to enjoy all day and all night long. In the past, including when Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees debuted at the Kirishima Open Air Museum in Japan in 2002, a red-and-white colour scheme has been used; however, Melbourne has scored its own bold-pink iteration. Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees is obviously free to view, joining several other artworks that won't cost anyone a cent to see during the exhibition. The aforementioned Dancing Pumpkin is already on display. NGV International's glass waterwall is also going pink, but with black rather than white dots. Kusama's new version of Narcissus Garden, which dates back to 1966 and will feature 1400 30-centimetre-diameter silver balls this time around, is set sit in front of the waterwall and in parts of Federation Court. Plus, the yellow-and-black spheres of Dots Obsession will hang over the Great Hall. Then there's the artist's sticker-fuelled, all-ages-friendly The Obliteration Room, where audiences young and old pop coloured dots everywhere — 'obliterating', as Kusama calls it — to cover an apartment interior that's completely white otherwise. Overall, Yayoi Kusama will step through the 95-year-old artist's eight decades of making art via a thematic chronology. Some pieces hail from her childhood. Some are recent. Her output in her hometown of Matsumoto from the late 30s–50s; the results of relocating to America in 1957; archival materials covering her performances and activities in her studios, especially with a political charge, in the 60s and 70s; plenty from the past four decades: they'll all appear. [caption id="attachment_950480" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yayoi Kusama, 2022 © YAYOI KUSAMA[/caption] Yayoi Kusama displays at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne from Sunday, December 15, 2024–Monday, April 21, 2025. Head to the NGV website for more details and tickets. Images: Yayoi Kusama's Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees, 2002/2024, on display along St Kilda Road, Melbourne for the National Gallery of Victoria's Yayoi Kusama exhibition until 21 April 2025. © YAYOI KUSAMA. Photo: Tobias Titz.
There's no such thing as an ordinary dish to chef Nelly Robinson, namesake of and driving force behind Sydney restaurant NEL, as his degustation menus keep demonstrating. KFC? Lamingtons? French onion soup? Pots of honey? They can all be given a fine-dining twist, and have. Paddington Bear's marmalade sandwiches? They're next. For the Harbour City restaurant's latest 11-course feast, it's going all in on dishes inspired by England. The theme: great British memories. So, of course everyone's favourite talking bear and his sandos get a nod. So do beef wellingtons, scampi and beer, Sunday roasts and chocolate orange. This limited-time special hits NEL from Wednesday, August 16–Saturday, September 30 — and, like all of the eatery's degustations, is a bucket list-worthy meal for Sydneysiders and visitors alike. That nod to Paddington Bear? It's made with Davidson plum marmalade, and dished up in a suitcase. And those NEL-style beef wellingtons? They're whipped up from slow-cooked stout beef cheeks, which come wrapped in cime di rapa, then topped with carrot puree and English peppercorn sauce. The pub grub-esque scampi and beer is a prawn-filled tart mayonnaise seasoned with and tajin, also featuring avruga caviar, and paired with a sarsaparilla-flavoured drink. As well as the chocolate orange — which doesn't resemble the Terry's supermarket-sold version — and the riff on a roast, spins on gammon and eggs, cheese and onion, fish and chips, korma scallops, and rhubarb and custard feature. Robinson is drawing upon his own formative years. "The team knew exactly where I was coming from when crafting of this menu began. It was really special to create a whole new menu honouring my childhood and roots," the chef advises. "As always, we have paired it with some sensational wines, too." Patrons can tuck in for $185 per person, with matched beverages starting at $85 each on top. NEL's great British memories degustation is on offer on from Wednesday, August 16–Saturday, September 30 at 75 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney. For more information or to book, head to the NEL website.
If you get to and from work via Translink public transport, or anywhere else across Queensland, your wallet won't be getting as much of a workout for the next six months. First announced in May and in effect from Monday, August 5, 2024, fares across Translink services have dropped in price to 50 cents per journey no matter how far you're going. The price-slashing move is both a cost-of-living relief measure and an effort to reduce traffic congestion, and it impacts a hefty range of travel options. Translink, which falls within Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads, runs trains, buses, ferries and trams in southeast Queensland, for starters. So for Brisbanites, whether you ride the rails as part of your daily commute, hit the road or hop on a CityCat, you're now scoring a hefty discount, getting there and home for just $1 a day. [caption id="attachment_796727" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] This is a statewide measure. Translink also runs buses in Bowen, Bundaberg, Cairns, the Fraser Coast, Gladstone and Gympie — and in Innisfail, Kilcoy, Mackay, Rockhampton, Yeppoon, the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Toowoomba, Townsville, Warwick and The Whitsundays. The 50-cent price applies to everyone, including concession cardholders, but is only available on Translink services. Accordingly, privately operated transport services won't be doing the cheap fares. Airtrain fares also aren't being slashed to 50 cents; however, they are being cut in half for the same six-month period. The most that you'll pay if you're travelling to and from Brisbane Airport is $10.95 each way. [caption id="attachment_630654" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Thomas via Flickr[/caption] Running for six months until the beginning of February 2025, the fare drop isn't a permanent change — but it will help you stop spending more than a fiver to get to and from your job if you work a five-day grind. When it was initially announced, The Sunday Mail reported that the Queensland Government will reassess the move in early 2025 if Labour is re-elected in October's state election. [caption id="attachment_857365" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] [caption id="attachment_958247" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Robert McPherson via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] [caption id="attachment_749921" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] John via Flickr[/caption] [caption id="attachment_754201" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] All fares across Translink's Queensland public transport services now cost 50 cents as at Monday, August 5, 2024, running for six months. To find out more information about Translink's services, head to the company's website. Top image: Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons.
Not all that long ago, the idea of getting cosy on your couch, clicking a few buttons, and having thousands of films and television shows at your fingertips seemed like something out of science fiction. Now, it's just an ordinary night — whether you're virtually gathering the gang to text along, cuddling up to your significant other or shutting the world out for some much needed me-time. Of course, given the wealth of options to choose from, there's nothing ordinary about making a date with your chosen streaming platform. The question isn't "should I watch something?" — it's "what on earth should I choose?". Hundreds of titles are added to Australia's online viewing services each and every month, all vying for a spot on your must-see list. And, so you don't spend 45 minutes scrolling and then being too tired to actually commit to watching anything, we're here to help. From the latest and greatest to old favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue from January's haul of newbies. BRAND NEW STUFF YOU CAN WATCH IN FULL RIGHT NOW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UQamk0b0k8 ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI Pondering the conversations that might've occurred between four pivotal historical figures on one very real evening they spent in each other's company, One Night in Miami boasts the kind of talk-heavy concept that'd clearly work well on the stage. That's where it first began back in 2013 — but adapting theatre pieces for the cinema doesn't always end in success, especially when they primarily involve large swathes of dialogue exchanged in one setting. If Beale Street Could Talk Oscar-winner and Watchmen Emmy-winner Regina King doesn't make a single wrong move here, however. The actor's feature directorial debut proves a film not only of exceptional power and feeling, but of abundant texture and detail as well. It's a movie about people and ideas, including the role the former can play in both bolstering and counteracting the latter, and the Florida-set picture takes as much care with its quartet of protagonists as it does with the matters of race, politics and oppression they talk about. Given the folks involved, there's much to discuss. The film takes place on February 25, 1964, which has become immortalised in history as the night that Cassius Clay (Eli Goree, Riverdale) won his first title fight. Before and after the bout, the future Muhammad Ali hangs out with his equally important pals — activist Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir, High Fidelity), footballer Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge, The Invisible Man) and musician Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr, Hamilton) — with this equally meticulous and moving certain future Oscar-nominee ficitionalising their time together. One Night in Miami is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga0iTWXCGa0 LUPIN Few actors are as charming on-screen as Omar Sy. Ever since the French talent started making a big-screen splash in films such as Micmacs and The Intouchables, he has been a delight to watch. Consequently, the Mood Indigo, X-Men: Days of Future Past and Jurassic World star couldn't be better cast in Lupin — the Paris-set mystery-thriller series inspired by Maurice Leblanc's 1907–36 novels and novellas about the fictional gentleman thief of the same name. Sy plays Assane Diop, who is first introduced as a cleaner working at the Louvre. In flashbacks to recent events and to the character's childhood, viewers learn just why he's at the famous museum, and what has inspired his life of crime as well. The son of a Senegalese immigrant (Fargass Assandé, Eye of the Storm) who once worked for the wealthy Pellegrini family, Assane has a complicated history, plus a mystery to solve, Marie Antoinette's diamond necklace to steal and vengeance to exact. Each chapter of his on-screen tale is slick, engrossing and swiftly-paced, as all heist and espionage affairs should be. Based on his engaging performance, they should probably all star Sy, too. Also influential here, though, is filmmaker Louis Leterrier. His resume has more misses than hits, spanning the first two Transporter movies, The Incredible Hulk, Clash of the Titans, Now You See Me and Grimsby, but he brings a deft touch to this series — as he did to the vastly dissimilar The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Lupin's first five episodes — which comprise the first of the series' two parts — are available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uC7_PFQgCc THE QUEEN OF BLACK MAGIC Remaking the 1981 film of the same name, Indonesian horror movie The Queen of Black Magic takes three men back to the remote orphanage they grew up in. Naturally given the setup and the genre, more than just memories await. Friends Hanif (Ario Bayu, The Bridge), Anton (Tanta Ginting, Hit & Run) and Jefri (Miller Khan, Foxtrot Six) all return to pay their respects to the man who raised them, the ailing Mr Bani (Yayu AW Unru, Brata), and they've each brought their families and spouses along — but when they arrive at the facility, there's no mistaking the eerie feeling that permeates. Hanif, his wife Nadya (Hannah Al Rashid, The Night Comes for Us) and their three children are already a little rattled after an incident during their drive. Soon, the kids are exploring the property and unearthing secrets that have long haunted their father and his pals. Just as swiftly, filmmaker Kimo Stamboel demonstrates that he isn't going to hold back on the bumps, jumps or gore, although fans of his work as part of the Mo Brothers — including Macabre, Killers and Headshot — won't be surprised by his unflinching approach. The writer/director of Satan's Slaves and Impetigore, screenwriter Joko Anwar also helps shape a picture that leans on more than a few horror tropes, but never feels like a by-the-numbers haunted house movie. And, if you'd like to compare it to the original, that's joining this new version on Shudder as well (with the current flick available now, and the initial film arriving on the platform in February). The Queen of Black Magic is available to stream via Shudder. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqT77bdfEaA HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY: THE REN & STIMPY STORY When August 2021 rolls around, it'll mark 30 years since a psychotic chihuahua and a kindly cat first brought their chaos to the small screen and changed the way people think about Nickelodeon's animated shows. At the time, there was simply nothing like The Ren & Stimpy Show — and that applies to its dark humour, willingness to shock and often grotesquely detailed visuals, as well as its characters, storylines and jokes. The 52-episode show also proved immensely influential. Without it, SpongeBob SquarePants probably wouldn't exist, in fact. But the history of Ren & Stimpy is filled with both highs and lows, as documentary Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story explores. More than just a nostalgic look back, this chronicle by first-time directors Ron Cicero and Kimo Easterwood covers the series' origins, evolution and success, as well as its behind-the-scenes struggles and eventual demise. It chats with the folks who made it happen to examine why it struck such a chord, and to also make plain the reality of making such a hit. And, it doesn't shy away from the accusations levelled at John Kricfalusi, Ren & Stimpy's creator and the voice of Ren, including not only the difficult working environment that sprang under his watch, but the allegations of sexual abuse and grooming that came to light in 2018. Indeed, the latter could fuel its documentary, but here it adds another layer to the tale of a TV show unlike anything else, and the ego that both made it happen and caused its downfall. Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story is available to stream via Docplay. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XByiHpUvrj0 THE HISTORY OF SWEAR WORDS Listening to Nicolas Cage utter profanity is a beautiful thing. Witnessing him on-screen always earns that description, of course. Whether he's running maniacally through the streets because his character is convinced he's a vampire, or he's flirting with subtlety while also playing identical siblings, he's a pleasure to behold — which is why Netflix's decision to task cinema's undeniable king of the unhinged with hosting The History of Swear Words is a smart moves. He opens and closes each episode, and pops up intermittently as an array of comedians and language experts offer their thoughts. He doesn't appear as often everyone watching would like, but he's the comedy series' best feature. He screams "fuck" like no one else, makes jokes about his career, and paints in front of a picture of a peach that nods to Face/Off and one of the most outlandish scenes he's ever been in, too. Without him, The History of Swear Words would've been interesting, rather than entertaining. The fact that it sticks to a very brief exploration of its selected curse words (fuck, shit, bitch, dick, pussy and damn) would've been more obvious. But Cage makes the show as delightful as it can be in its chosen form, even as viewers are left wanting more not only from him, but from the series' examination of profane terms. Of course, deploying The Wire and Da 5 Bloods' Isiah Whitlock Jr. on one specific episode is a pitch-perfect move as well. The first season of The History of Swear Words is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiTFFr5PTJk BUMP Thanks to The Secret Life of Us, Love My Way, Spirited, Puberty Blues and The Time of Our Lives, Australian TV hasn't lacked Claudia Karvan's presence over the past two decades. Bump joins them, with Karvan co-creating, co-producing and also co-starring as schoolteacher Angie Davis. The narrative focuses on Angie's teenage daughter Oly (Nathalie Morris, Black Christmas), though. An overachiever attacking Year 11 with gusto and dreaming of a career working for the United Nations, Oly isn't sure what's going on when she starts feeling pangs of pain one morning; however, after throwing up in the school toilets and being taken to hospital via ambulance, she's soon a mother to the baby she didn't even know she was expecting. That all happens in Bump's first episode, with the Stan series' ten-part first season then charting the aftermath — including the massive changes to Oly's life, to Angie and her estranged husband Dom's (Angus Sampson, No Activity), and to Oly's brooding classmate Santi Hernandez's (Carlos Sanson, Little Monsters) as well. Set in Sydney's inner west, filled with characters who actually act and talk like teens, and offering a refreshingly multicultural view of Australia, Bump finds time for both big and small moments. It doesn't shy away from melodramatic plot developments, but it's also filled with complex, well-written and excellently performed characters, Oly and Angie especially. And, it'll fill the Heartbreak High-sized hole in your life before the new version hits. Karvan did star in The Heartbreak Kid, the movie that series was spun off from, after all. The first season of Bump is available to stream via Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGdcTUMGxB0 THE RENTAL If you've ever felt a little unsettled upon checking into a holiday property, Dave Franco and Joe Swanberg understand. The Bad Neighbours, Nerve and The Disaster Artist actor turns filmmaker for the first time with The Rental, co-writing the script with Drinking Buddies, Win It All and Easy director Swanberg — and the horror-thriller that results preys upon the uneasy suspicion that we could be under surveillance when we pay to stay in someone else's house. Charlie (Dan Stevens, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga), his wife Michelle (Alison Brie, Happiest Season), his brother Josh (Jeremy Allen White, Shameless), and his business parter and Josh's girlfriend Mina (Sheila Vand, Snowpiercer) all decide to head to a picturesque seaside spot for a weekend getaway. Searching online, they find what seems like the perfect place; however, upon arrival, Mina is quickly creeped out by Taylor (Toby Huss, Halloween), the house's caretaker. The vacation goes downhill from there, not only due to Mina's lingering anxiety about their remote abode, but because the two couples' underlying struggles are thrust out into the open. Unpacking the situation, Franco doesn't always find the best balance between the narrative's horror story and its relationship dramas, but he could've focused the film on either element and it still would've proven engaging. The excellent cast help immensely, and so does the commitment all-round to ensuring this isn't just a cookie-cutter cabin-in-the-woods effort. The Rental is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. NEW AND RETURNING SHOWS TO CHECK OUT WEEK BY WEEK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBhlqe2OTt4&t=19s WANDAVISION From Iron Man to Spider-Man: Far From Home, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has notched up 23 big-screen instalments in its 13 years so far, firmly establishing a franchise template in the process. The characters in the spotlight change from film to film, but a clear formula is at work — which is why the mould-breaking goofiness of the Thor and Guardians of the Galaxy movies (Thor: Ragnarok especially) has stood out. New Disney+ series WandaVision also sits apart from the crowd. It's Marvel's biggest swing so far, in fact. It's also the company's first TV show from a hefty upcoming roster of series about characters already established in the MCU (including Loki, Falcon, the Winter Soldier and Hawkeye), and it relies upon viewers knowing Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen, Sorry for Your Loss) and Vision's (Paul Bettany, Solo: A Star Wars Story) history; however, its eagerness to do something different is worth applauding. Set after the events of Avengers: Endgame, it follows its titular couple in their home life. Just how it's able to do that given details already established in the MCU is one of its mysteries. So is the reason behind its approach, with the show aping classic sitcoms such as Leave It to Beaver, Bewitched and The Brady Bunch, as well as the involvement of Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris, If Beale Street Could Talk), daughter of Captain Marvel's Air Force pilot Maria Rambeau. So far, WandaVision doesn't always hit its marks — in fact, despite Olsen, Bettany and Kathryn Hahn's (I Know This Much Is True) comic performances, it can be inescapably clunky — but it keeps its audience not only intrigued and invested, but guessing. The first four episodes of WandaVision's first season are available to stream via Disney+, with new episodes releasing each Friday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FGq5rZi1Pc SERVANT In its first season, which debuted in 2019, psychological horror series Servant introduced a distinctively disquieting scenario. Philadelphia newsreader Dorothy Turner (Lauren Ambrose, Six Feet Under) and her chef husband Sean (Toby Kebbell, Bloodshot) hire teenage nanny Leanne Grayson (Nell Tiger Free, Game of Thrones) to move in and care for their baby son Jericho — but she's really looking after a doll that Sean has been using to replace the infant, after the boy died at 13 weeks old and Dorothy couldn't cope. That's just Servant's setup, too. Initially, it gets its tension from the efforts by Sean, Leanne and Dorothy's brother Julian (Harry Potter's Rupert Grint) to maintain their ruse, and it makes ample use of the concept. Then Leanne's past comes into play, and the show shifts in different narrative directions while also maintaining its focus on grief, secrets, unhealthy family bonds and the way that darkness can fester in close quarters. M Night Shyamalan is the show's executive producer and has directed multiple episodes, but the series takes far more time to explore its creepy tale — and its sprawling claustrophobic brownstone setting — than Shyamalan's twist-heavy features. Servant's just-started second season picks up where it first left off and continues in the same engrossing fashion, all while investigating mysteries old and new. Its first two episodes also benefit from the work of Raw filmmaker Julia Ducournau behind the lens, while Ishana Night Shyamalan keeps things in the family by following her dad into the director's chair on a couple of episodes as well. The first three episodes of Servant's second season are available to stream via Apple TV+, with new episodes releasing each Friday. CULT CLASSICS TO REVISIT AND REDISCOVER https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFHjOfgMstE DINOSAURS Sometimes, sitcoms about families unfurl their tales via animation, as seen in everything from The Flintstones and The Jetsons to The Simpsons and Bob's Burgers. More frequently, they fall into the live-action category, which the likes of Family Ties, Full House, Fresh Off the Boat and Modern Family can all attest. But only one family-focused TV sitcom in the television history has focused on animatronic dinosaurs. That'd be Dinosaurs, of course. The big early-90s hit is set 60,000,003 years BCE, when earth was home to the supercontinent Pangaea, and it follows the day-to-day lives of the Sinclair family. Patriarch Earl works as a tree pusher for the Wesayso Corporation, which gives you an idea of the show's satirical leanings. His youngest son Baby spouts catchphrases like "not the mama" and "I'm the baby, gotta love me", which is indicative of the series' broad humour and easy gags. The whole concept was conceived by Jim Henson, his company also produced it, and it was as kooky when it first hit screens as it now sounds. It's also a show that everyone who was a kid in the 90s has strong memories of, and it has quite the finale. And, although your much-younger self couldn't have known all that time ago, Dinosaurs also sees Jessica Walter voice one of her many TV matriarchs — before fellow family-focused sitcom Arrested Development and spy spoof Archer, that is. All four seasons of Dinosaurs are available to stream via Disney+. Images: The History of Swear Words, Adam Rose/Netflix; Lupin, Emmanuel Guimier/Netflix.
Diversity has always been at the heart of Brisbane's MELT Festival, which has celebrated all things LGBTQIA+ since 2015. The same concept sits at the core of Spencer Tunick's work as well. The acclaimed New York-based artist has spent his career staging mass photographs filled with both naked participants and an array of different bodies — and the results, including going to the Whitsundays with almost 100 Aussies in 2019 and briefly turning Bondi into a nude beach in 2022, are always stunning. Tunick initially turned his lens Australia's way in 2001 in Melbourne, when 4500 naked volunteers posed for a pic near Federation Square as part of the 2001 Fringe Festival. Since then, he's also photographed around 5000 nude people in front of the Sydney Opera House during the 2010 Mardi Gras, and returned to Victoria in 2018 shoot over 800 Melburnians in the rooftop carpark of a Prahran Woolworths. Next stop, and before spring 2023 is out: the Queensland capital during this year's Brisbane Powerhouse-run MELT. Brisbanites,or anyone who's keen to disrobe for a new piece of art will want to be in the River City on Saturday, November 18. The destination: numerous spots along the Brisbane River. And the work that's being created? It's fittingly called TIDE and will involve a series of photographic installations. "I love Australia and Australian people. Being able to create works in a new city in the context of an event celebrating LGBTQIA+ arts and culture is a real honour," said Tunick, announcing TIDE. "TIDE will hopefully speak to diverse groups of people, and everyone navigating their way through the difficult challenges of our current world. It is a privilege to be making art that centres around the LGBTQIA+ community with all its beauty and vibrance." Elsewhere, Tunick has photographed the public painted red and gold outside Munich's Bavarian State Opera, covered in veils in the Nevada desert and covered in blue in Hull in the UK. The list goes on, with more than 100 temporary installations on his resume since 1992. Exactly where in Brisbane he'll be training his camera hasn't been announced, but the Brisbane River's landscape will provide the backdrop. If you're keen to take part, Tunick is looking for volunteers. He hopes to have a diverse mix of bodies in the shoot — again, that's both MELT's and his own focus — with participants each getting a print of the photograph and, we're sure, a big boost of body confidence. Regarding the location, specific details of where the photographer's shoots take place are only given to folks who'll be in front of the lens — and, if you're not usually located in Brisbane, you will need to travel at your expense. The number of participants needed hasn't been announced as yet either, but interested parties are advised that there are only limited places — and that successful applicants will be informed via email approximately two weeks prior to the shoot. Also among the highlights on the 2023 MELT lineup from Saturday, November 11–Sunday, November 26: UK-born theatre show Overflow, which is set in nightclub toilets, and hails from British playwright and prominent trans voice Travis Alabanza; live tunes from Kah-Lo, Djanaba, Aluna and KUČKA; Rhys Nicholson on a book tour for Dish; and Paul Yore's BECOME WHAT YOU ARE, The Huxleys' Places of Worship and Multitudes by Tin Nguyen & Edward among the fest's art exhibitions. TIDE will be shot on Saturday, November 18 along the Brisbane River. Head to the installation's website to register to take part. Melt Festival 2023 runs from Saturday, November 11–Sunday, November 26 at Brisbane Powerhouse. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the fest's website now. Images: Spencer Tunick / Drew Lambert.
Australia is home to tens of thousands of species of wildflowers — many of which are grown exclusively in Australia — making it one of the biggest and most diverse collections in the world. While some bloom in seemingly endless fields of brilliant colour, others grow in hard-to-see spots, among trees and grasses. Most get started in early spring, but, in cool environments, like the Snowy Mountains, the real action doesn't kick off until summer. Here's your guide to some of the best places for wildflowers in Australia — from the alpine meadows of Kosciuszko National Park to the wattle-filled picnic areas of Warrandyte State Park, just outside Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_740494" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elinor Sheargold[/caption] NSW: KOSCIUSZKO NATIONAL PARK Once the snow has melted, Kosciuszko National Park transforms into a wonderland of wildflowers. Hundreds of species grow here, including 21 that are unique to the area. One of the nicest ways to see them — while conquering Australia's highest mountain — is along the Kosciuszko Walk, which travels for 13 kilometres from Thredbo to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko. If you're looking for an even more epic adventure, go for the Main Range Walk: a 22-kilometre loop that takes in several glacial lakes. Either way, you'll meet bright yellow billy buttons, pink everlasting daisies, yellow and purple eyebrights and alpine mint bush, among other delights. When to visit: December–January. [caption id="attachment_631474" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pam Goldie[/caption] NSW: MUOGAMARRA NATURE RESERVE Need a wildflower fix, but don't want to travel too far from the city? Make tracks to Muogamarra Nature Reserve, which lies an hour's drive north of Sydney, near the Hawkesbury River. More than 900 native species live here, from brilliant red waratahs and angophoras to pink boronias and native orchids. Plenty of animals enjoy the sights, too, so don't be surprised to come across echidnas, wedge-tailed eagles and lyrebirds. To deepen your knowledge, join a guided walk, be it the Aboriginal Heritage Walk, the Muogamarra Highlights Walk or the six-hour Peats Bight Walk. There's only one catch — Muogamarra is open just six weekends each year in August and September. When to visit: August–September. [caption id="attachment_740505" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Spencer[/caption] NSW: TOORALE NATIONAL PARK If you're up for a road trip, make Toorale National Park your destination. You'll find it at the back of Bourke, around 11 hours' drive northwest of Sydney. Perched on the banks of Darling River, the park is made up of enormous floodplains and waterways, which create ideal conditions for flowers to bloom. See the most spectacular scenery on the Darling River Drive, a 41-kilometre loop that, in spring, passes through fields of teeny-tiny sunray daisies. After rainfall, you'll be surrounded by bluebells, native peas and pigweed. It's also an excellent route for stargazers and birdwatchers, especially those who like baby emus. You can camp by the water, too, at Yapara Paaka Thuru (Darling River Campground). When to visit: September–October. VIC: GREATER BENDIGO NATIONAL PARK Bendigo isn't only an excellent escape for culture vultures, it's also perfect for wildflower watchers. That's because the city is more or less encircled by national park. Begin your escapades at One Tree Hill Regional Park, with a three-kilometre hike to the summit. It's steep, but worth the visual rewards — expect to be immersed, not only in golden carpets of wattle, delicate wax flowers and an array of native orchids, but also by panoramic regional views. Another flowery spot nearby is Solomon Gully Nature Conservation Reserve, which is a 10-minute drive south of town. When to visit: September–December. [caption id="attachment_740501" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julian Kingma for Visit Victoria[/caption] VIC: GRAMPIANS NATIONAL PARK A whopping one third of Victoria's wildflowers are in Grampians National Park. In fact, it was once described as the 'garden of Victoria' and, given that Victoria was once known as 'The Garden State', that's saying something. If you're visiting in early spring, head for Heatherlie Quarry, Mount Zero and Mount Stapylton — all in the Grampians' northern section. Also impressive is Wartook Valley, where acacia blooms from late August. Come spring, the best views are around Halls Gap, where the last weekend of September is dedicated to the Grampians Wildflower Show. When to visit: August–December. [caption id="attachment_703439" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick Carson via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] VIC: WARRANDYTE STATE PARK Want wildflowers without any driving? You're in luck. Melbourne has its very own stash of blossoms in Warrandyte State Park, on the banks of the Yarra, 45 minutes' drive northeast of the CBD. It's the closest state park to the city. There's a diverse and colourful variety of flora to spot, from chocolate lilies (which are purple, not brown) and milkmaids to blue pincushions and pale sundews. Most bloom between September and December, though some, like ivy-leaf violets and common heath, last longer. In between looking down for flowers, look up for koalas. When to visit: September–December. [caption id="attachment_726968" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ben Nott for Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] QLD: GIRRAWEEN NATIONAL PARK The name's a giveaway. Girraween means 'place of flowers'. And they look even more dramatic here than in other spots — thanks to the massive granite boulders and outcrops, which create stunning backdrops. The show starts early, in late July, when thousands of wattle trees turn gold. But it's in spring that things really get going, with pea flowers bringing showers of red and purple, followed by native sarsaparilla, native bluebells and stacks of daisies, in a spectrum of colours. The cornucopia of blossoms is a magnet for flower-loving wildlife, including butterflies, crimson rosellas, wedge-tailed eagles and lyrebirds. Girraween National Park is three hours' drive southwest of Brisbane. When to visit: July–January. QLD: GURULMUNDI Not many people live in Gurulmundi, a locality in the Western Downs located five hours' drive northwest of Brisbane. So you won't be bumping elbows while photographing wildflowers. To help you make the most of the many blooms that grow here, there's a dedicated wildflower trail. Made for driving, this 100-kilometre loop officially begins in the nearby town of Miles and takes you off the beaten track, onto unsealed roads and into out-of-the-way places. Along the way, you'll cross the 5000-kilometre-long Dingo Barrier Fence: the longest fence in the world. Follow the wildflower signs for the most beautiful vistas. When to visit: September. QLD: BIRDSVILLE Birdsville might be best known for its legendary pub and spring races, but there are wildflowers, too. Lots and lots and lots of them. That's because the town is in the Diamantina River floodplains, which means fertile soil. The best time to visit is after spring rain, because it drives the seeds to sprout. And, given the terrain is so flat, the results aren't hard to see. Keep your eyes peeled on the road into Birdsville and, if you're exploring further, into Betoota and Bedourie, as well. Just some of the exotic flowers you're likely to see include poached egg daisies, the hairy darling pea, wild stock and desert nightshade. When to visit: After it rains. Top image: Wildflowers in the Grampians by Christine O'Connell; Barrington River by John Spencer; and Muogamarra by John Spencer.
We can't all live in a dance movie, sadly; however, for one Saturday evening, we can do the next best thing. The culmination of nine weeks of classes taken by the next batch of aspiring toe-tappers, Mad Dance House's latest performance pays tribute to — and recreates — all of the filmic fancy footwork you know, love and wish you could fill your days with. It's called Hype - A Night at the Movies, but it may as well be called "now that's how you put together an end-of-year showcase". Across two sessions at 6pm and 8pm, the eager dancers will show you the meaning of Saturday Night Fever, white flares optional. Just which other flicks they'll be taking their cues from is anyone's guess, though there's plenty to choose from. Whatever your favourites might be, more than a few are bound to pop up as you have the time of your life and everybody cuts footloose.
When the cinema powers-that-be finally decided to turn long-running and immensely popular stage musical Cats into a movie, they probably felt like the cat who got the cream. But once the film actually came into existence — once its first trailer hit, really — they likely felt more like they'd made a huge mess in the litter box. Thanks to awful CGI, terrible performances and a completely silly concept that was never going to work going to work on the big screen, Cats doesn't equate to movie magic. It certainly doesn't ascend to cinema's Heaviside Layer, either. And now the Tom Hooper-directed flick has the industry's least-wanted gong to show for it, plus a few extra not-so-shiny trophies. From its nine nominations at this year's Golden Raspberry Awards — the event's 40th ceremony — the musical picked up six prizes, including Worst Picture of the past 12 months. The Razzies also coughed awards Cats' way for Rebel Wilson for Worst Supporting Actress, James Corden for Worst Supporting Actor, Tom Hooper for Worst Director, and both Hooper his co-writer Lee Hall for Worst Screenplay. As for the singing moggy-focused movie's sixth gong, it was given for Worst Screen Combo for "any two half-feline/half-human hairballs/cats". Also recognised were John Travolta for Worst Actor for both Trading Paint and the Fred Durst (yes, that one)-directed The Fanatic; plus Hilary Duff for Worst Actress for The Haunting of Sharon Tate — none of which hit cinemas Down Under. Rambo: Last Blood picked up the award for Worst Remake, Rip-Off or Sequel, as well as another in the new category for 2019: Worst Regard Disregard for Human Life and Public Property. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws1YIKsuTjQ The Razzies doesn't just point out everything terrible in cinema from the past year — it also gives a Redeemer Award, too. Someone who once won a Golden Raspberry gets a prize for turning things around, and this year that that someone is Eddie Murphy. He's a Razzie favourite, winning Worst Screenplay in 1990 for Harlem Nights; Worst Actor, Worst Supporting Actress and Worst Supporting Actor for Norbit; and Worst Actor of the Decade in 2010 for The Adventures of Pluto Nash, I Spy, Imagine That, Meet Dave, Norbit and Showtime. Now, he has the Redeemer Award for his excellent performance in Dolemite Is My Name as well. Check out the full list of nominees and winners below: GOLDEN RASPBERRY NOMINEES AND WINNERS 2019: WORST PICTURE Cats The Fanatic The Haunting of Sharon Tate A Madea Family Funeral Rambo: Last Blood WORST ACTOR James Franco, Zeroville David Harbour, Hellboy (2019) Matthew McConaughey, Serenity Sylvester Stallone, Rambo: Last Blood John Travolta, The Fanatic and Trading Paint WORST ACTRESS Hilary Duff, The Haunting of Sharon Tate Anne Hathaway, The Hustle and Serenity Francesca Hayward, Cats Tyler Perry (as Medea), A Madea Family Funeral Rebel Wilson, The Hustle WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR James Corden, Cats Tyler Perry (as Joe), A Madea Family Funeral Tyler Perry (as Uncle Heathrow), A Madea Family Funeral Seth Rogan, Zeroville Bruce Willis, Glass WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Jessica Chastain, X-Men: Dark Phoenix Cassi Davis, A Madea Family Funeral Judi Dench, Cats Fenessa Pineda, Rambo: First Blood Rebel Wilson, Cats WORST SCREEN COMBO Any two half-feline/half-human hairballs in Cats Jason Derulo and his CGI-neutered "bulge" in Cats Tyler Perry and Tyler Perry (or Tyler Perry) in A Madea Family Funeral Sylvester Stallone and his impotent rage in Rambo: First Blood John Travolta and any screenplay he accepts WORST DIRECTOR Fred Durst, The Fanatic James Franco, Zeroville Adrian Grunberg, Rambo: First Blood Tom Hooper, Cats Neil Marshall, Hellboy (2019) WORST PREQUEL, REMAKE, RIP-OFF or SEQUEL X-Men: Dark Phoenix Godzilla: King of the Monsters Hellboy (2019) A Madea Family Funeral Rambo: First Blood WORST SCREENPLAY Cats, screenplay by Lee Hall and Tom Hooper The Haunting of Sharon Tate, written by Daniel Farrands Hellboy (2019), screenplay by Andrew Cosby A Madea Family Funeral, written by Tyler Perry Rambo: First Blood, screenplay by Matthew Cirulnick and Sylvester Stallone WORST RECKLESS DISREGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE AND PUBLIC PROPERTY Dragged Across Concrete The Haunting of Sharon Tate Hellboy (2019) Joker Rambo: First Blood RAZZIE REDEEMER AWARD Eddie Murphy, Dolemite Is My Name Keanu Reeves, John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum and Toy Story 4 Adam Sandler, Uncut Gems Jennifer Lopez, Hustlers Will Smith, Aladdin
Don't mistake the blaze that starts Nightmare Alley for warmth; in his 11th film, Guillermo del Toro gets chillier than he ever has. A lover of gothic tales told with empathy and curiosity, the Mexican filmmaker has always understood that escapism and agony go hand in hand — in life, and in his fantastical movies — and here, in a carnival noir that springs from William Lindsay Gresham's 1946 novel and previously reached cinemas in 1947, he runs headfirst into cold, unrelenting darkness. As The Shape of Water movingly demonstrated to Best Picture and Best Director Oscar wins, no one seeks emotional and mental refuge purely for the sake it. They flee from something, and del Toro's life's work has spotted that distress clearly from his first dalliance with the undead in his 1993 debut Cronos. The Divinyls were right: there is indeed a fine line between pleasure and pain, which del Toro keeps surveying; however, Nightmare Alley tells of trying to snatch glimpses of empty happiness amid rampant desolation. That burning house, once home to the skulking Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper, Licorice Pizza), is surrounded by America's stark midwestern landscape circa 1939. Still, the terrain of its now-former occupant's insides is even grimmer, as Nightmare Alley's opening image of Stan dropping a body into a hole in the abode's floor, then striking a match, shows. From there, he descends into the carny world after hopping on a bus with only a bag and a radio, alighting at the end of the line and finding a travelling fair at this feet. Given a job by barker Clem Hoatley (Willem Dafoe, Spider-Man: No Way Home), he gets by doing whatever's asked, including helping clean up after the geek act — although, even with his ambiguities evident from the outset, stomaching a cage-dwelling man biting the heads off live chickens to entertain braying crowds isn't initially easy. While set in an already-despondent US where the Depression is only just waning, the shadows of the First World War linger and more are soon to fall via World War II, Nightmare Alley still gives Stan flickers of hope. Adapted from the novel by del Toro with feature debutant Kim Morgan, the movie doesn't ever promise light or virtue, but kindness repeatedly comes its protagonist's way in its first half. In fortune-teller Zeena the Seer (Toni Collette, Dream Horse) and her oft-sauced husband and assistant Pete (David Strathairn, Nomadland), Stan gains friends and mentors. He takes to mentalism like he was born to it, and his gift for manipulating audiences — and his eagerness to keep pushing the spiritualism further — is firmly a sign. Soon, it's 1941 and he's rebadged himself as 'The Great Stanton' in city clubs, claiming to speak to the dead in the pursuit of bigger paydays, with fellow ex-carny Molly Cahill (Rooney Mara, Mary Magdalene) as his romantic and professional partner beyond the dustbowl. The tone may be blacker than del Toro's usual mode — positively pitch-black in the feature's unforgettable ending, in fact — but Stan is just doing what the director's main characters tend to: trying to find his own place as he runs from all that haunts him. "My whole life, I been lookin', lookin' for somethin' I'm good at — an' I think I found it," he says, his elation palpable. Although his first altercation with Dr Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett, Don't Look Up) starts with a public scene at one of his swanky gigs, he's equally as thrilled that his crowd-pleasing act attracts her attention, and by the psychologist's suggestion that they team up on wealthy mark Ezra Grindle (Richard Jenkins, Kajillionaire). But here's the thing about being a grifter, even one who was so recently a drifter: if you're fleecing someone, you're likely being fleeced back in turn. Fox Mulder was right, too. In The X-Files, the David Duchovny-played character's main maxims contradicted each other yet also rang true, because people do want to believe even if they know they should trust no one. That iconic sci-fi series had its own ace carnival episode, and TV also went there in HBO's exceptional early-00s series Carnivàle — and while both pop to mind when watching Nightmare Alley, del Toro doesn't follow slavishly in anyone else's footsteps. As he's done with ghosts (The Devil's Backbone), superheroes (his two Hellboy films), fairytale worlds (Pan's Labyrinth), kaiju (Pacific Rim) and haunted houses (Crimson Peak), he's intensely astute at twisting familiar realms to suit his stylistic flourishes and thematic fascinations, and making it all feel brand new. Nightmare Alley doesn't lack influences, the entire history of film noir that the original flick hails from chief among them, but it's always its own towering beast. Like getting lost in its funhouse sideshows, jewel-hued costumes and the velvety art-deco furnishings of life after the road, this endlessly mesmerising movie is always sordid yet immaculate as well, and creepy yet slinky and pulpy yet ravishing. Pondering a road to hell paved with self-serving intentions, it has a heart of darkness that courses with inky, icy blood, and it's also as alluring a film as del Toro has helmed. Yes, it's a feature that lives the idea that something that draws you in vividly and instantly might be prowled by monsters both hidden and not-so, with Nightmare Alley pumping one of its central notions through every technical touch it can. Aided by cinematographer Dan Laustsen's (Crimson Peak, The Shape of Water) gliding imagery and production designer Tamara Deverell's (the del Toro-produced vampire TV series The Strain) vibrant staging, every frame is visual perfection — not just by looking spectacular, but by so heartily embracing its settings, genre and dissection of humanity's bleakest impulses. Cue a commanding performance by Cooper to match every move that Nightmare Alley makes; thanks to Licorice Pizza and now this, he's having a career-best moment. While never convincingly as youthful as dialogue intimates, he captures the same thing that del Toro constantly interrogates, playing a slippery and unsettling man who knows how to lure people in — it takes time for Stan to segue from barely speaking to smooth patter, but the latter more than does its job — and how to twist a knife to devastating effect. He isn't alone in his stellar portrayal, though, with Collette and Strathairn soulful and tender, Mara beaming with heart, Dafoe hardened and nightmarish, and Jenkins cuttingly crafty. An energetic yet sinister presence who couldn't be more at home in her thorny part, Blanchett could've walked right out of the 30s and 40s herself, too, although that's oh-so-much about del Toro's latest masterpiece all over. Top image: Photo by Kerry Hayes. © 2021, 20th Century Studios, all rights reserved.
I'm of the firm belief that travelling somewhere new is best enjoyed with some local intel. As the resident writer hailing from Tropical North Queensland at Concrete Playground, I feel it is my duty to share my go-to ways to enjoy a balmy (and palmy) break in the tropics. And, if you feel like you missed out on some of your summer fun this year, this is your sign to book a holiday in the tropical north where summer lives on. Full disclosure: I'm based in Sydney now, however, I did spend the first 18 years of my life in this part of the world and head back to the truly idyllic region as often as I can to visit friends and family. So, if you're looking for a holiday that's brimming with immersive nature experiences, scenic drives and spectacular views, I've got you.
Do you often find yourself neglecting your morning run in favour of the snooze button? Or do you define a 'gym session' as the walk between your fridge and couch? If fitness just isn't your forte and workouts feel more like work then these ten awesome fitness apps could be the perfect starting block for refreshing and renewing your fitness regime. Whether you're a budding Olympian or just hoping to slash a couple of excess pounds, this list offers something for just about everyone, with apps ranging from running trackers to fitness games to workout incentives to yoga on-the-go. And to celebrate the release of the new adidas adistar Boost running shoes, where you receive extra energy from the shoe’s boost technology to keep you running longer, we've compiled a list of our top ten apps to help out. So check out The Athlete's Foot, don those fluoro shorts, pump up the Jay-Z and check out the list, because these apps have the potential to transform even those with the most avid of workout aversions into fully fledged gym junkies. 1. Zombies, Run! Oh yes, this is exactly what you think it is. It's your real-life version of 28 Days Later and Shaun of the Dead, transforming the stress and strain of your next gym sesh into a post-apocalypic zombie chase. The story itself is pretty simple: civilisation has fallen into zombie-infested ruin and it is up to you to rebuild society. As you run you automatically collect medicine, food, ammo and other critical supplies to replenish your base, but in order to evade those pesky zombie hordes you have to keep up with your customised zombie speeds. Choose from over 30 different missions, crank up your favourite playlist and the twists and turns of the zombie saga will be revealed to you between tracks. 2. Fitocracy Fitocracy does what many a gym, PT and exercise playlist have often tried and failed to do: taken the 'work' out of 'workout'. By applying the addictive quality of video games — of having to reach the next level and beat your own and your friends' top scores — Fitocracy actually manages to make fitness into the physical equivalent of Call of Duty: fun and strangely addictive. Starting at level one, you are awarded points for completing increasingly difficult workouts, which can then be shared on the Fitocracy social network. 3. Jefit Jefit isn't designed for your casual jogger or backyard footballer, but for the most hardcore and dedicated of fitness freaks: bodybuilders and gym junkies. The app allows you to track your body statistics with everything from fitness graphs to progress photographs, create custom workout routines and discover new exercises and workout techniques with Jefit's massive exercise database. The app's two-way sync technology allows you to sync all this information with an online profile and store all your fitness data on the Jefit server, making this the perfect companion for any trip to the gym. 4. Pocket Yoga Perhaps the most common excuse for giving up on a gym membership or even on the whole concept of staying fit is the simple reason of time poorness. If you are someone who prefers the downward facing dog and the crane pose to chin-ups and dumbbells, then time poorness is no longer a viable excuse, thanks to this super-handy app that allows you to practice yoga anytime, anywhere. The Pocket Yoga app includes on-the-go yoga classes and a comprehensive pose dictionary that shows proper positioning and the benefits of each contortion. 5. Cardiio The Cardiio app allows users to become their own personal GP with the world's most easy-to-use stethoscope. There are no straps, no finger clips and no scary add-ons; simply look into your iPhone camera and the app will tell you your heart rate. From this simple piece of information Cardiio can then provide you with a wealth of information about your health, from raw fitness level to life expectancy to how you compare to the general population — or, if you felt so inclined, how you compare with Tiger Woods or even a horse. Use this app everyday after your daily workout and Cardiio will tabulate your results to show you just how fit you are actually getting. 6. RunKeeper While the purpose and function of RunKeeper is fairly clear from its name, what is less clear is just how awesome this app is. Not only does the RunKeeper app track the distance, speed and times of your morning run, walk or bike ride, but it also provides users with a detailed and interactive picture of their exercise regime and fitness levels. RunKeeper allows you to set and measure goals, keep track of milestones and PBs, get on-the-go coaching and collate and share all this data on runkeeper.com. So make sure you cross off the checklist before you go for your next run: a pair of perfectly fitted trainers from The Athlete's Foot and a copy of the RunKeeper app. 7. Charity Miles If shedding those few excess pounds or tightening up those abs isn't sufficient motivation to get you up and exercising, then perhaps Charity Miles can help you out. This free app encourages you to get off the couch by rewarding every mile you run, walk or ride with a donation of 10c for bikers or 25c for runners and walkers to a charity of your choosing. What's awesome about this app is just how easy it is to make a tangible difference to a worthwhile cause. Charity Miles as well helps you to push through the pain of exercise, with regular updates as to what sort of difference each mile you travel will have for your chosen charity. 8. Obstacles XRT By combining the Obstacles XRT (Extreme Reality Training) app with a little bit of imagination you can transform your living room into a virtual obstacle course complete with tires to skip through, quicksand to hop over and fences to dive under. The Obstacles XRT app is basically a workout video for the iPhone era, replacing Richard Simmons and gratuitous quantities of spandex with army commander voiceovers and high intensity obstacle courses. Every command of "jump as high as you can" and "jab to the left" is specifically designed to workout your major muscle groups, and with the app's Calorie Burn Dashboard, you can watch in real time as you burn off the calories. 9. Endomondo While the app store is rife with sports trackers that can measure the duration, distance, speed and even calorie burn of your morning jog, few of them offer the sort of versatility and all-purposeness of the Endomondo Sports Tracker. Of particular note, the Endomondo app is able to not only track running and cycling but just about any distance-based sport — from skiing to kayaking to rollerblading. The app includes an incredible range of features from heart monitors to audio coaching to route generators, but perhaps most unique to the Endomondo app is its capacity to pit you against your friends by competing with their best times and even sending them pep talks. 10. GymPact GymPact are upping the stakes for those of us who have been known to miss the occasional gym session. Petty excuses are no longer good enough because if you fail to meet your weekly workout targets you have to pay up. And if you meet your targets then GymPact will pay you. All you have to do is make a pact of how many times you'll work out in a week and set yourself a price. If you you fall short of your target, then your wager helps pay everyone else in the GymPact community that had a successful week. Don't think you can cheat the system either, as with GPS tracking and the RunKeeper app, GymPact makes sure you stick to your weekly pact. Get onto GymPact, and thanks to this brilliant little incentive, missed workouts may soon become a thing of the past. Once you've downloaded your favourite app, make sure you get yourself a double boost with a pair of awesome new runners. Check out the adidas adistar Boost available now at The Athlete’s Foot (limited release only).
Big moments deserve a little something extra — and with American Express Plan It® Instalments, you can make it happen*. Plan It lets you divide your purchase or even your statement balance into three, six or 12 equal monthly instalments — with no interest, just a monthly fee. You can even create multiple plans at once and cancel anytime, so you stay fully in control while building up those sweet rewards points along the way. Even if it's just for a weekend, sometimes the best way to recharge is by checking into a hotel that feels worlds away. Add world-class dining, buzzy rooftop bars or a spa treatment or two, and you've got yourself the ultimate mini-escape. Here are some of our favourite city escapes around the country that tick all the boxes. The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne Rising high above the Hoddle Grid with sweeping views of the city and beyond, The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne, is, in more ways than one, the pinnacle of luxury. There are plenty of ways to take in those views, too, whether from your in-room bathtub, the stunning 24-hour infinity pool or hatted fine-diner Atria. Complete the experience with a visit to The Ritz-Carlton Spa, where tranquil spaces and restorative treatments make it easy to forget you're in the middle of the city. Crown Towers It's big, it's bold, it's flashy — and there's simply nothing else quite like it in Melbourne. Inside, you'll find oversized rooms and suites with marble-accented bathrooms, world-class dining at restaurants like Nobu, Rockpool and Silks (not to mention the long-standing Conservatory, still home to one of Melbourne's very best buffets), and one of the city's most renowned spas. Crown might just be Melbourne's ultimate choose-your-own-adventure — as long as you're in the mood for pure indulgence. Jackalope Set among rolling vineyards on the Mornington Peninsula, Jackalope pairs avant-garde design with a deep sense of place. Dine on hyperlocal produce at on-site fine-diner Doot Doot Doot, sip wines surrounded by vineyards, or unwind with a spa treatment that draws on the property's surrounds. It's a one-of-a-kind experience that will stay with you long after you check out, whether it's a romantic weekend or a solo escape. Capella Sydney Behind a heritage sandstone façade in the heart of the CBD, Capella Sydney brings a new level of contemporary luxury to the Harbour City. The nine-storey property features 192 elegant rooms with Frette linen and standalone bathtubs, alongside destination dining at the opulent Brasserie 1930. The indulgence continues at Auriga Spa, where timber-lined interiors, greenery and a considered menu of treatments will help you truly disconnect. The Eve You might be mistaken for thinking the above pool deck is located on a faraway island — but it's actually in the thick of Surry Hills. And it's the cherry on the very top of The Eve, the 102-room hotel set within the expansive Surry Hills Village. Downstairs, the vibrant Wunderlich Lane precinct is home to a curated (and extensive) mix of dining and bars, from vibey rooftop Mexican diner Lottie to the sleek omakase of R by Raita. The options might feel overwhelming, but don't spend too long deciding where to dine — the pool awaits, after all. Sofitel Sydney Wentworth With its mix of 1960s jet-set glamour and contemporary French-inspired luxury, Australia's first-ever five-star hotel continues to set the standard for luxury city stays nearly 50 years after it welcomed its first guests. Following a top-to-bottom $70-million makeover unveiled in 2024, the 436-room hotel now boasts four new dining and bar venues curated by House Made Hospitality, including the expansive terrace lounge Wentworth Bar, Vietnamese-French fine diner Delta Rue and the elegant Bar Tilda. If you like your stays a little gourmet, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth delivers. [caption id="attachment_973394" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Calile James St, Cieran Murphy[/caption] The Calile, Brisbane There isn't much that hasn't already been said about The Calile, Fortitude Valley's oh-so-stylish resort-style hotel that's twice been named the very best hotel in Oceania by the World's 50 Best. Its 175 rooms and suites combine chic, pared-back interiors with private balconies that overlook the stunning openair pool deck, where poolside cabanas set the scene for weekend lounging at its finest. Beyond the pool, dining options abound — from breezy all-day Greek at Hellenika or punchy contemporary Thai at the impressive sAme sAme — while a curated retail precinct makes for a leisurely shopping experience. If relaxation is on the cards, the Kailo Medispa provides a range of rejuvenating treatments, while the hotel's library offers a serene space to read or work. W Brisbane W Brisbane might just be one of the city's most eye-catching hotels. The design-forward property offers 312 rooms and suites with panoramic views of the Brisbane River and beyond, while the rooftop WET Deck, tranquil AWAY Spa and 24-hour gym are ready and waiting for however you choose to unwind. You won't have to head too far to refuel, either — start with a pre-dinner drink and snack at the sleek Living Room Bar, indulge in caviar bumps and fire-grilled steaks at New York-style brasserie The Lex, and head up to the pool deck for a nightcap overlooking the city skyline. Crystalbrook Vincent With over 500 prints by acclaimed Australian artist Vincent Fantauzzo, Crystalbrook Vincent is a bold, art-infused hotel perched right on the edge of the Brisbane River. This boutique stay fuses sustainability and style with 100-percent waste-free bathrooms and no single-use plastics anywhere on site, while plush king beds and rainforest showers in every room bring the luxe factor. Food-wise, all-day diner Mews offers seasonal menus that champion local produce, buzzy rooftop bar Fiume might just be one of the city's most picturesque spots for a sundowner, while Howard Street Wharves and James Street are but a proverbial stone's throw away. For more information about Amex Plan It, head to the Amex website. A fixed monthly fee and T&Cs apply. *Plan It Terms and Conditions: You can create an Instalment Plan as long as your account is in good standing. We may withdraw this offer, prevent you from creating any new Instalment Plans or cancel any of your existing Instalment Plan(s) at any time if your Card Account is overdue, or if you do not comply with your Card Conditions. The minimum Plan amount is AUD$100. We may also limit the amount that can be transferred to an Instalment Plan. You will be charged a Monthly Plan Fee for each Instalment Plan created. This fee will be charged each month your Instalment Plan is active and will be disclosed to you at the time of creating your Instalment Plan. Each Instalment Plan will begin from the date it is successfully created, as communicated to you in your Online Account. Payment of your first Monthly Instalment will be due in your next payment cycle. You may request to cancel your Instalment Plan(s) at any time through your Online Account or the Amex App. Any billed Monthly Plan Fees will remain payable, but no further Monthly Plan Fees will be billed after cancellation is effective. As cancellation can take 24-48 hours to process ("Processing Time"), you may be charged a further monthly plan fee after cancellation if the Processing Time occurs on your payment date. View the full Plan It ® Instalment Terms and Conditions here. Top image: Jackalope
If you've seen even the trailer for Hossein Amini's adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's The Two Faces of January, you've probably thrown out your mediocre wardrobe by now. Following the deep dark secrets of a highly affluent, fashion-savvy couple (Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst) and their newfound tour guide friend (Oscar Isaac) in 1962, Amini's wonderfully stylised, Hitchcockian thriller (based on Patricia Highsmith's post-The Talented Mr Ripley novel) is a bonafide feast for fashion enthusiasts and Lovers of Pretty Things alike. Vintage Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga — the old fashion houses of Paris literally line up on screen thanks to costume designer Steven Noble, the man who vintage shops with Kirsten Dunst. Finding a contemporary freshness in a '60s-set film through modern, bespoke costuming, Noble and Amini successfully create a realm where anachronistic detail actually captures the essence of a period more successfully than sticking to historic accuracy. With The Two Faces of January causing wardrobe envy in cinemas nationwide, we thought we'd get to the bottom of those disarmingly stylin' costumes with their Noble maker. Modernising the '60s Set in 1962, The Two Faces of January finds itself existing in an era brimming with elegant fashion icons; from Rita Hayworth to Audrey Hepburn. But Noble's designs don't seem like a fusty old historic costume, the characters look contemporary, feel modern and dress with a present-day fashionability. "It was something that Hoss said to me in the very beginning, that I tended to agree with. Obviously we wanted to keep an essence of the period, but we just wanted to make it look a little bit more contemporary for a younger, contemporary audience," says Noble. "So we've made something fresh to look at, but it still takes you back to Europe in 1962." Kirsten 'Well Media-Trained' Dunst ever-eloquently told Vogue that "the film looks like an old postcard that feels fresh." Back to the French Fashion Houses In his quest to find the perfect European aesthetic for the film, Noble looked to the dominant French fashion houses of the '60s — we're talking Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga, Nina Ricci; gang's all here. "I took inspiration from so many different genres and elements of the period, you know, the original holiday stuff, tourists. And then the magazines and films of the period — I watched the films of the late '50s early '60s." You can bet Roman Holiday was in the stack. Chanel forms a large part of the inspiration for Noble's bespoke creations, as well as his existing picks. Dunst's character Colette MacFarland dons some pretty ballin' pearls in a very tense dinner table scene; modern Chanel revisualisations of a late 1920s style. "With Kirsten's character, the backstory was that they'd been to Paris so Chester had bought her a new wardrobe," says Noble. "So that was all sort of, high end designers like Chanel and Nina Ricci and Dior and the designers at the time." Noble had a pretty high-stress responsibility on set: guard the treasure. "[There] was nearly half a million pounds of diamonds and pearls which we had to carry around with us," he says. "They either had to be on me personally at any time, or on Kirsten. If they weren't on Kirsten then they had to be in the safe." Vintage Shopping with Kirsten Dunst Dunst has led a long career of adorable costuming, prompting It Girl squeals press-wide over her lengthy Hollywood existence. The Two Faces of January is no exception, with the 32-year-old making every scene feel like a Vanity Fair shoot. Evoking every inch the Hitchcockian blonde Amini could ask for, Noble's costumes make an Eva Marie Saint of Dunst's character, Colette MacFarland, in a snap. "I guess I did take cues from the Tippi Hedrens of that period," says Noble. "Also with Daniel [Phillips], hair and make-up designer, they worked very closely together and obviously with Kirsten's input too, we'd come up with how she ends up in the film. It's a very organic process. "Patricia Highsmith in the book details the silhouette of Colette, wearing pencil skirts and she knows what she likes," he says. "With Kirsten we had a two-day trying on period at Elstree Studios and we just created this wonderful sort of vintage world in the dressing room. We pulled in clothes from around the world from all these different costume houses, and fabrics from all over the place and just had a really fun time trying things on." Dressing Hollywood Actors Noble tries to involve his actors as much as possible in the early planning stages of his costume development, with every piece for the three leads Dunst, Mortensen and Isaac made bespoke. "I find it a very organic process ... working closely with the actors and coming up with their character and the concept behind the scenes or characters through their clothing," says Noble. "All three of [the leads: Mortensen, Dunst and Isaac] were a dream to work with. I was allowed to lead them, and obviously if there was something they absolutely thought was completely wrong then if I felt strongly about it I would try to make them wear it in a diplomatic way. "It's very hard to say how much input they have. Because I'll have had an original idea when I first see the script — because it's my job — and then you sort of have a period of prep where you start designing, researching and sketching, fabrics and that sort of thing. You try to have a conversation [with the actors] very early on; if they're not available face-to-face then I'll try and get them on the phone as early as possible to talk about their character. Then it's just a matter of trying on." The contemporary Cary Grant Tailored and worthy of a Hitchcock hero, Mortensen's suits as the seemingly infallible Chester MacFarland are a Savile Row lover's dream. Paired against Isaac's fedora-wearing, polo shirt-preferring role as newfound acquaintance Rydal, Noble's male costumes transcend fifty shades of holiday beige. Noble doesn't separate techniques for designing male and female character costumes, seeing the art in both without consciously seeking a gendered difference. "You know, obviously there's different techniques involved, I mean, with the men's tailoring; it's quite an art," he says. "The people who made [Mortensen's] suits are incredibly talented. But I haven't really thought about it to be honest, it sort of just happens." From affluent to penny-pinching, ladylike to roguish romantic hero, The Two Faces of January fronts a unified aesthetic through basic thematic means, particularly in the opening scene of the film — the sunwashed, crumbling ruins of the Acropolis paired with Mortensen's cream three-piece suit, Isaac's beige polo get-up and Dunst in That Yellow Dress. Changing it Up, Keeping it Fresh Along with the classic, contemporary '60s pieces created for The Two Faces of January, Noble boasts an eclectic CV. Having already designed the costumes for 2010's multi-award winning sci-fi drama Never Let Me Go, the 2011 teen angst-fuelled 2011 adaptation of Wuthering Heights and Scarlett Johansson's 2013 sci-fi jaw-dropper Under the Skin, Noble's not one to pigeonhole his art. "Versatility is what keeps it exciting or fresh," he says. "You don't know what script you're going to get in next, where it's going to take you. You know, you'll do a period piece for one month and then six months later you're doing a space age thing. It's so diverse. Obviously the script's the main thing — we've all worked on some duds in our time. But the diversity and the challenges are what keep you surviving in the industry." So the final question on fashion fiend minds: does Noble get to keep the wardrobe? "The studio keeps everything," says Noble. "I will ask if I can keep certain key pieces, but in general it's the property of the studio so what happens to it I don't know — there's obviously some graveyard." Shovels at the ready. The Two Faces of January is now showing in selected cinemas.
When non-Brisbanites visit our river city, they tend to notice three things. First, the combination of humidity and heat always becomes a frequent, obvious and completely warranted topic of conversation. Next, there's the fact that we're definitely not the Gold Coast — or on the coast, for that matter. And finally, there's the unmissable feature that is our snaking central waterway. What out-of-towners don't usually expect, however, is our thriving food scene, which often shows off all of the above. Eating outdoors all year round, without throngs of tourists, while enjoying a river view or finding yourself in walking distance of its banks — well, that's Brisbane in a nutshell. If you're looking for the best examples of that, we've got 'em. With our pals at American Express, we've rounded up some of the most scenic, charming and all-around essential spots this town has to offer — the ones that show off Brisbane's charms and will make your visiting friends want to come back in a hurry. Plus, each of these accepts your American Express® Card so you can boost that points balance of yours for a reciprocal trip to your visitors home. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
At this point, Maybe Sammy not appearing on The World's 50 Best Bars' prestigious annual rankings would be a shock. The personality-packed retro cocktail lounge in Sydney's CBD has earned a spot on the coveted list six years in a row. However, while its previous rankings have earned it the laurel of the nation's best bar, that honour has this year been given to a different watering hole — Caretaker's Cottage in Melbourne. The Little Lonsdale Street bar ranked 21st on this year's list, moving up two spots from its 2023 position of 23rd place. It was also awarded the Michter's Art of Hospitality Award — a gong also previously won by Maybe Sammy — which recognises the bar with the most outstanding service in the world. [caption id="attachment_922565" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Caretaker's Cottage[/caption] Maybe Sammy dropped in the rankings this year from 15th to 26th position, breaking its five-year streak as not only Australia's best bar but also Australasia's. One other Australian bar, Byrdi, also earned a spot on the list, in 35th position, breaking into the top 50 for the first time after only making the 100-strong longlist last year, ranking 61st. The judging panel praised Caretaker's Cottage's owners, veteran bartenders Rob Libecans, Ryan Noreiks and Matt Stirling, for not only opening the bar but also working there too. "They don't shout the pedigree of Caretaker's Cottage to the world, preferring to call it a simple, local pub, and in vibe and design it's very much a neighbourhood joint," the judging notes said. [caption id="attachment_743915" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maybe Sammy, Trent van der Jagt[/caption] The judging panel said Maybe Sammy "has remained [Sydney's] most talked-about bar since it opened in early 2019, lighting up a dreary stretch of street in Sydney's sandstone district, The Rocks," also spotlighting the bar's signature combination of "theatrics and attentive, fun service". Byrdi was praised for its hyper-local focus, with the judging panel noting that the La Trobe Street venue "might very well be the most Australian bar in existence". The judges also highlighted the bar's technical prowess: "There is foraging and fermenting and vacuum distilling – and the drinks are high-concept creations. As for the service, there is a loquaciousness here, a laid back, casual sensibility that, despite all the hard work, experience and knowledge, is determined to show their guests a good time." [caption id="attachment_921792" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Byrdi, Haydn Cattach[/caption] The bar crowned the world's best, announced at a ceremony in Madrid on Tuesday, October 22, was Mexico City's Handshake Speakeasy, with the judges hailing the subtle complexity of the menu: "At first glance, the drinks list is minimalist, but given that head bartender Eric Van Beek uses advanced culinary techniques in prep, each drink is more complex than meets the eye." To see the full list of this year's rankings, head to The World's 50 Best Bars website.
When a bakery has earned fame around the world from chefs and publications alike, and lines outside its stores are a common sight, it probably doesn't need to give customers any additional motivation to drop by. But Lune — home of "the croissant that should act as the prototype for all others" according to Yotam Ottolenghi, and "the finest you will find anywhere in the world" as per The New York Times — has never been one to rest on its laurels. Monthly specials, seasonal treats, a cookbook: they've all helped extend the brand's experience. Now Lune's new loyalty program is giving pastry fiends another reason to head in. The Kate Reid co-founded bakery wants you to not only keep enjoying its croissants, pains au chocolat, cruffins, morning buns and more — it wants to reward you for doing so. Enter the Lune passport, which launched on Monday, April 7, 2025, and works on zont miles. You'll collect one for every dollar that you spend on food in a Lune outpost — which are located in Armadale, Fitzroy and the CBD in Melbourne; South Brisbane and Burnett Lane in Brisbane; and Rosebery and Martin Place in Sydney. Rack up those zont miles and you'll be eligible for discounts, with each 200 points reached giving you $10 off your next purchase. The program also gives members exclusive perks and bonuses, as well as priority access and gifts. Double days and double hours will see you earning twice as many zont miles, for instance, and you'll also score a free traditional croissant on your birthday. To sign up, you have options. Hop online, or scan the QR code at Lune's stores or on the top of your receipt if you've just made a purchase. There's no physical card, with the passport operating digitally. To use it, you just tap it at the counter when you're making an order. Everyone receives 50 zont miles for signing up and making their first purchase, plus 25 points for subscribing to Lune's newsletter. While you'll nab one point per $1 spent on dishes from the food menu, you'll get two points per $1 on Lune retail items. "We're super excited to finally announce the Lune passport loyalty program. It feels like a fitting way to reward and thank all our guests who have supported us over the years, and also a lovely way to introduce those that are brand new to Lune," said Reid, announcing the initiative. For more information about the Lune passport, head to the brand's website — or to its stores at Armadale, Fitzroy and the CBD in Melbourne; South Brisbane and Burnett Lane in Brisbane; and Rosebery and Martin Place in Sydney. Images: Peter Dillon.
Before Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Seth Rogen and his regular behind-the-camera collaborator Evan Goldberg had more than a few hands in Sausage Party. Lewd and crude isn't their approach with pop culture's pizza-eating, sewer-dwelling, bandana-wearing heroes in a half shell, however. Instead, the pair is in adoring throwback mode. They co-write and co-produce. Platonic's Rogen also lends his vocals — but to warthog Bebop, not to any of TMNT: MM's fab four. That casting move is telling; this isn't a raunched-up, star voice-driven take on family-friendly fare like Strays and Ted, even when it's gleefully irreverent. Rather, it's a loving reboot spearheaded by a couple of patent fans who were the exact right age when turtle power was the schoolyard's biggest late-80s and early-90s force, and want to do Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo justice. Affection seeps through Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem as pivotally as ooze, the reason that there's even any adolescent marine reptiles that aren't at all like most of their species, and are also skilled in Japanese martial arts, within the franchise's narrative. Slime might visibly glow in this new animated TMNT movie, but the love with which the film has been made is equally as luminous. Indeed, the Spider-Verse-esque artwork makes that plain, openly following in the big-screen cartoon Spidey saga's footsteps. As it visually resembles lively high school notebook sketches under director Jeff Rowe (The Mitchells vs the Machines) and Kyler Spears' (Amphibia) guidance, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem feels exactly like the result of Rogen and Goldberg seeing Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, wondering how Leo and company would fare in a picture that aimed for the same visual flair, then making it happen. Computers did the animating, of course, but Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem's appearance may as well have smudgy fingerprints where someone has coloured in heavily with a texta, then accidentally slid a digit over the page before the ink was dry. While the TMNT realm has delivered good entries and bad, plus memorable and bland renderings of its core quartet — fittingly, these turtles have kept mutating — their current iteration is warm, retro and nostalgic while veering in its own aesthetic direction. So, the turtles aren't 80s-era slick like the OG cartoon series splashed across the small screen. They're not costume-wearing men (costumes by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, no less) as seen in the 90s live-action flicks, either. It's for the best that this Leonardo (voiced by Nicolas Cantu, The Fabelmans), Donatello (Micah Abbey, Cousins for Life), Raphael (Brady Noon, The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers) and Michelangelo (Shamon Brown Jr, The Chi) haven't been spawned in the likeness of 2007 picture TMNT, either, or the motion-capture efforts of 2014's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and its 2016 sequel Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows. Fun: that's how TMNT: MM looks with its scribbled-on, graffiti-leaning style, and it's also what Rogen, Goldberg, Rowe (also a co-scribe), Spears, Koala Man's Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit (the last of the flick's five screenwriters), and the Bad Neighbours movies' Brendan O'Brien (who gets a story credit) are overtly after. So were comic book artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird when they created the anthropomorphic crew four decades back to parody superhero tales — as are the adopted turtle children of mutant rat Splinter (Jackie Chan, Hidden Strike), too. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem's key group just wants to be teens, and the movie wants to hang out with them as they try. In addition to an updated take on their origin story, TMNT: MM sketches Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo into a coming-of-age story. They practice ninjutsu. They bust out their fearsome fighting skills. They sneak out to watch Ferris Bueller's Day Off, the ultimate teens-just-wanna-have-fun film. They also just want to be accepted for who they are, because this is a Frankenstein story as well. Here, living below New York City's neon streets has become a drag for Leonardo who leads, Donatello who does machines, Raphael with the attitude and Michelangelo the party dude. Emotionally scarred from humanity's worst impulses, the protective Splinter forbids the turtles from venturing above ground for anything but supplies — which is where the stealth outdoor cinema trips come in. The ageing rat is certain that the world isn't safe for four slime-transformed humanoid critters. Unlike Ferris, though, his 15-year-olds would like to spend their days in classrooms and hallways, and with teachers and fellow pupils, a wish that they can only dream about. Then they meet April O'Neil (Ayo Edebiri, The Bear) as a high schooler who aspires to be a journalist and is investigating Big Apple crime for the school paper. She becomes a friend when the katana-, sai-, bo- and nunchuck-wielding brothers help her with the thugs who steal her scooter. Like slipping into toxic sludge when they were babies, crossing paths with April is just the beginning of the turtles' latest journey. All of those robberies link back to Superfly (Ice Cube, The High Note) — and soon there's a menagerie of mutants, including Bebop and his rhino pal Rocksteady (John Cena, Barbie), bat Wingnut (Natasia Demetriou, What We Do in the Shadows), alligator Leatherhead (Rose Byrne, Physical), manta ray Ray Fillet (Post Malone, Wrath of Man), and also Mondo Gecko (Paul Rudd, Only Murders in the Building) and Genghis Frog (Hannibal Buress, Spider-Man: No Way Home). Being a teenager is about yearning to fit in, and so is standing out because you're seen as a monster by everyone around you. Those Frankenstein nods are well-deployed, but then so is most of this turtle tale: cowabungas, Beyoncé love, jokes about both Ratatouille and Shrek, and a soundtrack that's catnip to 80s and 90s kids (think: Blackstreet's 'No Diggity', 4 Non Blondes' 'What's Up?' and A Tribe Called Quest's 'Can I Kick It?'). Getting Trent Reznor, the rock-god patron saint of angsty alternative teens of three decades ago, on score duties with his usual composing partner Atticus Ross (Bones and All) is a genius move, and always sounds that way. Who else can craft tunes to fight frenetically in sewers and slink through the street by? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem caters expertly to millennial adults, clearly, but it doesn't forget that it's for today's young viewers as well. Although that mix of audiences requires a balancing act, Rogen and co know how to amuse themselves and still serve up TMNT for the next generations. All those famous names among the voice cast? Crucially, they always come second to Cantu, Abbey, Noon and Brown Jr in a lively, energetic treat of a flick — the franchise's equivalent of fresh-out-of-the-oven pizza and, yes a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles renaissance.
Sometimes in The Whitsundays, sometimes outside the Sydney Opera House, sometimes in the rooftop carpark of a Melbourne Woolworths, thousands of people have disrobed for Spencer Tunick. The New York-based artist stages naked installations in public places that also become nude photography works. He's filled Bondi beach, Federation Square, Munich's Bavarian State Opera, a patch of the Nevada desert and many more places with folks sans clothes, too — and, in both 2023 and 2024, he's turned his attention to Brisbane as well. Tunick first hit the Sunshine State last November for a piece called TIDE by the Brisbane River, which formed part of 2023's queer arts and culture-focused Melt Festival. On a spring Saturday, more than 100 participants shed their attire for the camera by the water. Before that installation even took place, it was revealed that he'd back in 2024 for an installation now called RISING TIDE. It too is part of the same fest, and it also involves another Brisbane landmark: the Story Bridge. On Sunday, October 27, 2024, the famous river crossing will welcome thousands of naked volunteers. Accordingly, it isn't just traffic that will bring the structure to a standstill this spring. For the shoot, the stretch across the water is closing to cars. If you're keen to get your kit off for the camera — and be part of history — there's no limit to the number of people who can take part. RISING TIDE is just one way to engage with Tunick's art in Brisbane this year, however. The other: TIDE Exhibition, featuring images from his debut in the River City. It's displaying at Brisbane Powerhouse from Saturday, September 28–Sunday, November 10, also falling into Melt, featuring projected video from the installation. The TIDE Exhibition marks a few firsts for Tunick as he celebrates 30 years of making his style of art, over which period he's staged more than 100 installations. This is his first-ever Australian exhibition, and it's the first time that his work will be on display for the public. The single-channel video at the heart of the TIDE Exhibition not only includes imagery from the shoot by the Brisbane River, but also stories from participants. Images: Spencer Tunick.
Next time that you're keen to peer out over Brisbane from a great height, Queen's Wharf has a new view waiting for your gazing eyes 100 metres above the city, all thanks to its Sky Deck. Keen to grab a bite and a drink while you peer over the horizon? You'll find that there, too. Eager to escape your own four walls for a luxe staycation? Perched on the CBD's north bank, the just-opened patch of the River City has that taken care of as well at its five-star hotel. Perhaps you're eager to tuck into southeast Asian dishes at Luke Nguyen's reimagined Fat Noodle, or to get a taste of Japanese fine-dining at the first outpost beyond Sydney for Sokyo? All of the above awaits also — plus much, much more — at the Queensland capital's just-launched $3.6-billion precinct between Alice, George, Queen and William streets. After years-in-the-making, the day that the city has been waiting for is here. As at Thursday, August 29, 2024, this riverside stretch has been transformed — and it has finally started opening its doors. If it felt like this moment mightn't come over the past decade, that's understandable. There were plans to launch in 2022 and in April 2024 that clearly didn't come to fruition. While the 12-hectare precinct is now officially open, Queen's Wharf is getting up and running in stages. Accordingly, while Brissie just gained a hefty list of additions, there's still more on the way over the coming months. Starting at the top, literally, the Sky Deck is among the first Queen's Wharf spots to welcome in patrons. The towering deck filled with restaurants and bars is launching one of its sky-high venues on opening day, with the drinks-focused Cicada Blu pouring beverages backdropped by a spectacular vista. The rest of Brisbane's rooftop bars now have some stiff competition from the openair cocktail joint, which is operating day and night, features a particular focus on sips with botanical infusions and does tunes by sunset. It also sports a lighting installation that takes its cues from cloud formations and summer storms. For something familiar, Fat Noodle has moved from the now-closed Treasury Casino to Queen's Wharf, setting up shop in a light-filled space. And for a dining experience that was previously solely the domain of the Harbour City, Sokyo has launched under Executive Chef Alex Yu, who worked at Sydney's version for eight years from 2014 and became renowned for his fish platters featuring floral arrangements — earning the nickname "sashimi florist" for his efforts. Cocktail bar Cherry, a Brisbane version of The Star's Sydney and Gold Coast haunts, is also part of Queen's Wharf's initial wave of openings. So is the brand-new Sports Bar, with its focus right there in its name, and 100 square metres of LED screens with stadium-style sound to back it up. The new LiveWire, which has been reborn as a live music-focused venue, is also up and running — as the dining hall-inspired Food Quarter. For slumbering, The Star Grand Hotel will now check you in. Sat by the riverfront, the 340-room addition to Brisbane's accommodation options includes 60 suites and four penthouse suites if you're feeling particularly flush with cash. Also part of The Star, and also open now: the Event Centre, now home to the largest hotel ballroom in Brisbane; and the Leisure Deck, aka 12,000 square metres of openair public space. To get to Queen's Wharf from South Bank, the ribbon has been cut on the new Neville Bonner Bridge as well. It's one of three new bridges that Brisbane is gaining this year, with Breakfast Creek's new Yowoggera green bridge getting pedestrians and cyclists crossing its expanse at the beginning of 2024, and Kangaroo Point's long-awaited new green bridge set to launch before the year is out. As years of announcements have made plain, there's plenty more that'll fill Queen's Wharf — and soon. Sky Deck's steak and seafood restaurant Aloria is due to open in the coming months, as is its casual eatery Babblers, giving visitors three options if more than the view beckons at the lofty perch. At The Terrace, a dining precinct within The Star, the buffet of restaurants and bars opening between September–November 2024 include Italian eatery Cucina Regina, the relocated Black Hide Steak and Seafood, the Indochine-inspired Lúc Lắc, French champagne bar and restaurant Pompette, the lamb-heavy Dark Shepherd and Latin American spot Azteca. From there, albeit without a specific timeframe, the tower with the 4.5-star Dorsett and Australia's only Rosewood hotel is also on its way, as is Brissie's first riverside bikeway cafe and a swathe of retailers in a huge new shopping precinct. More dining, such as an ice creamery, Asian cuisine and other spots themed around parts of the world, will come, too. And, so will the revitalised heritage buildings, which will feature food, beverage and retail options. Queen's Wharf Brisbane starts opening between Alice, George, Queen and William streets in the Brisbane CBD from Thursday, August 29, 2024. Head to the precinct's website for further details.
Picking just one film that Quentin Tarantino will always be known for is impossible. Pulp Fiction might seem to be the obvious answer, but given that his resume spans Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill and Inglourious Basterds as well, alongside Death Proof, Django Unchained, The Hateful Eight and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, his career is filled with standout flicks. Only one looks set to score a Brad Pitt-starring follow-up with David Fincher directing, however — and with QT writing the script. As Variety and The Playlist are reporting, the tale of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood's Cliff Booth won't be over if this new film comes to fruition. Netflix are behind it, and the focus on Booth is why Pitt (Wolfs) is in the lead, returning to the role that won him an Oscar. There's no name for the movie yet, or much else in the way of details — including whether fellow Once Upon a Time in Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio (Killers of the Flower Moon) and Margot Robbie (Barbie) will also feature or even briefly pop up. Whatever title it has and whoever else is in it, the picture will see Pitt working with two familiar filmmakers. For Tarantino, he also starred in Inglourious Basterds. For Fincher, he's led Seven, Fight Club and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. If you've been hanging out for a new movie from the latter director since 2023's The Killer, this might be it. If the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood-related film retains a look at Tinseltown and the entertainment industry, Fincher will add it alongside Mank on his resume. QT just keeps showing Once Upon a Time in Hollywood love, after releasing a novelisation based on the ten-time Academy Award-nominated as part of a two-title deal with publisher Harper Collins. The text not only retraced the tale seen on-screen, but added to it. And yes, Tarantino penned the book, which marked his first foray into printed fiction and saw him embrace his love of novels that relay the narrative of big-screen releases. It's been almost three decades since QT wrote a feature script that someone else directed, since the screenplay for 1996's From Dusk Till Dawn — which he also acted in, and Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids: Armageddon) helmed. Tarantino is no stranger to Pitt starring in a flick that stems from his words, but with another filmmaker behind the camera, though, courtesy of 1993's Tony Scott (Unstoppable)-directed True Romance. Obviously there's no sneak peek yet for the new film, but you can check out Once Upon a Time in Hollywood's trailer below: Netflix's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood follow-up doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you with more details when they are announced. Read our review of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Via Variety / The Playlist.
Step inside +81 Aizome Bar and the shift is immediate. The light softens, the noise disappears and suddenly you feel a long way from West End. With its minimalist design and hushed energy, the ten-seat venue channels the quiet precision of Tokyo's most revered cocktail districts, built for unhurried drinking and focused attention. The award-winning +81 Aizome Bar approaches cocktails with the same discipline usually reserved for fine dining. It's part of the broader +81 venue, which now includes the newly opened +81 Sushi Kappo next door, but +81 Aizome stands firmly on its own as a place where craft and calm lead the experience. The cocktail list is deliberately restrained. Fresh drinks arrive without garnish, stripped back to highlight balance and texture rather than decoration. Elsewhere, a collection of so-called "neo cocktails" are prepared over three to five days using freeze-integration techniques that refine flavour and mouthfeel. Even the ice is treated with reverence, shipped from Kanazawa in Japan and cut specifically for each drink. Sake plays a central role, alongside cocktails incorporating tea and a thoughtfully developed range of alcohol-free options that receive the same attention as the rest of the menu. Service is quiet, precise and unhurried, encouraging guests to slow down and engage with what's in the glass. Whether you start your night here or arrive after dinner next door, +81 Aizome Bar is best enjoyed without a timetable. Settle in, order thoughtfully and let the room do the rest.
Summer is here and with it the holy trinity of sun, sand and surf — and conveniently long days to enjoy them. But before you book your annual leave and leg it to the beach, plan your suncation. Now is the time to invest in sun safe essentials so you don't come out the other side of summer looking like a shrivelled raisin. And one of the most overlooked sun-safe accessories is a beach tent. "A beach tent?" you shriek. "Good grief, I'm not 85!" Well, hold up now. Yes, beach tents may have started as a gaudy, fluorescent nightmare dotting the shore but the logic behind them is sound. And they've evolved way past the beach tents we remember as kids and they're the best way to keep the sun off. We've found some super cute ones that won't ruin your beach cred while you avoid the UV. BYRON BAY BEACH LIFE As if those gorgeous, vintage tropical prints weren't sweet enough, these tents by Byron Bay Beachlife have clearly been designed by someone who spends a lot of time on the beach. How can we tell? They're designed to cast shade but also give you a clear, 360-degree view of the beach so you can stay out of the sun but keep track of any fire hotties that wander past. And isn't that the whole point of lazing on the beach? They've been designed to be assembled in a few different ways too, so you can customise your set-up. GINGER AND GILLIGAN If you're looking to spend big bucks on your beach swag (we're talking $249 each) and be voted 'Most Opulent Beach Goer 2016', look no further than Ginger and Gilligan. We recommend their tie-dyed beach tipi because it's just so damn pretty. It's also a bit more contained than most beach tents, giving you some privacy while ocean-side, just in case you need to change. Each tent is hand-dyed so you can guarantee no one else on the beach will have a tent like yours. LOVIN' SUMMER Minimalist beach tents look incredible. You can rig your beach set-up to look like it's straight out of a photoshoot. But how do minimalist beach tents hold up against the elements? Pretty well apparently. The gorgeous tents from Lovin' Summer are only minimalist in look. They block out 99 percent of UV protection and come with specially-made pegs that anchor deep in the sand. They've also been designed to be easily assembled by a solo beachgoer, making them genuinely 'pop-up'. SOMBRILLA BY HOLLIE AND HARRIE The Sombrilla tent by Hollie and Harrie, similar to the Byron Bay Beach Life design, lets you gaze over the whole beach while staying in the shade. They come in a variety of pop colours and designs, bringing to mind the famous beach boxes of Brighton Beach. And best of all, they're versatile — you can put it up in the standard symmetrical formation for shade coverage or set it up more like a windbreaker for when the sun dips low. They also sell windbreakers, for those days when you just can't have the wind up in your business. SUNNY JIM When we say Sunny Jim tents are designed to make #beachlife easy, we really mean it. They've thought of everything you could possibly need to execute the perfect beach tent seamlessly. The cute tents fold away into an easy yoga bag and/or handbag and they come with a mallet. A mallet! Useful not only for banging in pegs but also for passing official judgements on your friends. Best of all, the shade material is made from UPF50+, the highest shade rating available. The Sunny Jim really isn't messing around here. CANCER COUNCIL The range of tents available from the Cancer Council might be a bit more in line with your original ideas about beach tents. They're the classic beach pod, closed in on three sides (no sunlight getting in here, no sir) in bright blues and yellows. They each boast the highest UPF rating (50+) and very high nostalgia factor. We'd also like to give an honourable mention to the 'Sunshade Chair', a fully shaded chair, with a drink holder included. Now that's how you stay sun safe with raditude. SPORTBRELLA Now, here us out on this one. The Sportbrella might look a bit whack, being a Frankenstein combo of beach tent and beach umbrella, but it's actually pretty useful. It's rocking that UPF 50+ rating, so you know no UV is getting in. The Sportbrella (but feel free to use it for leisure) combines the sturdiness of the umbrella staked into the sand with the privacy of an enclosed beach tent. Plus they're huge, at 2.45 metres wide and perfect for big groups. Stay tuned for our wrap-up of the summer's best beach umbrellas, coming soon.
Shaking beef isn't a great name for a restaurant, but Lúc Lắc is, and still allows this addition to Brisbane's Queen's Wharf precinct to nod to one specific dish in its moniker. That meal: Bo Lúc Lắc, which brothers Adonis and Nehme Ghanem, Ghanem Group's directors, came across on a research trip to Asia. They're aiming to make their new venture as memorable and as vibrant as they found the traditional Vietnamese staple — and as flavoursome. Lúc Lắc is among Ghanem Group's venues in Brisbane. Its sibling eateries and bars: Donna Chang, Boom Boom Room, Bisou Bisou, Iris Rooftop, Byblos Bar & Restaurant and Blackbird Bar, Dining & Events. Here, a combination of Vietnamese and Thai tastes await, starting with the dish that gets its nickname from the motion used when it's in the wok. The restaurant's take on its signature features Kampot peppered wagyu beef, cherry tomatoes and capsicum. It's just one of the restaurant's must-tries, however. Under Ghanem Group Executive Chef Jake Nicolson and Lúc Lắc Head Chef Dann Rowell (ex-Balfour Kitchen & Bar, Longitude 131°, Silky Oaks Lodge and Southern Ocean Lodge), the range of options includes escargot and pork spring rolls, tumeric-marinated swordfish and a Vietnamese-inspired twist on tiramisu, too. Steamed and braised duck leg bao, pork bun cha, and wagyu skewers with sweet soy glaze and chilli lime butter are among the smaller dishes, while Singapore-style noodles, lemongrass-braised pork belly, and goat curry with sweet potato and Thai basil are heartier choices. Or, tuck into the roasted red duck curry with lychee and bean sprouts. Fancy fried chook? Lúc Lắc's version poaches the chicken in house-made masterstock first, then batters and fries it before adding a shrimp paste caramel. The 159-seat site within The Star Brisbane also operates as a place for drinks till late, when DJs provide a soundtrack. For beverages, patrons can choose from a 19-option cocktails list, with 15 boozy concoctions and four without the hard stuff. A handy tip: the Thai iced tea comes in both alcoholic and virgin varieties. Asian beers and international wines, including a riesling from the Clare Valley's Rieslingfreak made especially for Lúc Lắc, are also on offer. Design-wise courtesy of Space Cubed Design Studio, Lúc Lắc's subtropical decor features floral fabrics, brass and animal prints, all chosen to leave an imprint. If you eat indoors, you'll be in the 58-seat main area with booths — and the bar made from jade onyx stone slabs. Outdoors, 46 guests can get cosy.
It's difficult to imagine that it's been ten years since two young lovers-to-be strapped on their tap shoes to dance in the light of the LA sunset, before falling into one of the most beloved love stories in modern cinematic history. But swallow the pill, even if it makes you feel old, La La Land was released a decade ago. Here's the good news though — the live screening-in-concert show you might have seen on TikTok is officially coming to Australia. If you haven't yet had the pleasure of watching, or need a quick refresher, La La Land is a love story that's also two parts musical and one part love letter to Los Angeles, both common ingredients in the filmography of director Damien Chazelle (Babylon). It follows aspiring actor and LA newcomer Mia (Emma Stone) and local small-time musician Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), who, upon a chance meeting, discover they share a passion for their respective crafts. Eventually, coincidental encounters blossom into a bittersweet fling, strained by the demands of their individual dreams. It was a smash hit upon release, grossing millions and winning seven Golden Globes and six Academy Awards — including a legendary Oscars error that saw it mistakenly announced as that year's Best Picture over the real winner: Barry Jenkin's Moonlight. But the brightest star of La La Land is its score, composed by Damien Chazelle's longtime collaborator Justin Hurwitz, which won both Best Original Score and Best Original Song. That score is also front and centre now, ten years later, when it's touching down in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on its global live-in-concert tour. Conducted by Justin Hurwitz himself, a full jazz ensemble will perform along with a screening of the film, bringing iconic ballads like "Another Day of Sun", "City of Stars" and "A Lovely Night" to life — plus the film's soaring orchestral score throughout. It's coming to Sydney first, with two shows at the TikTok Entertainment Centre on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31. Next up is Brisbane's BCEC for a lone show on Wednesday, June 3, then the grand finale split across two shows at Melbourne's Hamer Hall on Saturday, June 6 and Monday, June 8. Tickets to all shows are on sale now. Visit the tour website for more information. Images: Lionsgate Films Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
Ah, the martini. Such a classy yet potent little concoction. Housed (but not for long) in its trademark dainty inverted-cone glass, it is the international symbol of refined drinking. Its origins are debated somewhat, but the cocktail has been a celebrated, debonair crowd-pleaser since before the US Prohibition era. The late, legendary American journalist H.L. Mencken described the martini as "the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet". Well, we here at Concrete Playground think it's a pretty tasty beverage at least, in all its forms (okay, baring the Scrubs appletini), and we've scouted the speakeasies of Brisbane to to unearth the ten best martinis in town. We still feel it's hard to top a classic, dry (gin, of course) variety, but we've included a few adventurous interpretations of the tipple, and it's not just about what's in the glass but also the ambience and appeal of the venue one is sipping in. Now, let's drink to good health. THE BOWERY Our pick: Classic martini You can't really get more definitive-cocktail-bar than Valley stalwart The Bowery. Taking its name from the famed dive bar/savvy New York street, it is the perfect hub to channel your inner Jay Gatsby or Daisy Buchanan, sip a martini and soak up some fine live jazz, old sport. We couldn't really look much further than a quintessential dry martini with olive garnish. While Winston Churchill preferred merely to "observe the vermouth from across the room while I drink my martini", we do prefer a touch more than that. Whether you're a dry, sweet or dirty type, your order is safe in the virtuosic hands of the Bowery bar staff. Best to start the night here, as the narrow bar can get mighty crowded late at night — for good reason. 676 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley PUBLIC Our pick: Vesper We ascended a sleek, neon blue-lit escalator to one of the city's best cocktail haunts to sample a classic variation under dim lights. The "shaken-not-stirred" Vesper, as immortalised by Ian Fleming in Casino Royale (1953) and named after the duplicitous femme fatale Vesper Lynd, the potent beverage consists of, in 007's words, "three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?" Needless to say, it's a strong 'un, and Public doesn't disappoint. Sure, $19 might seem a bit steep, but it's worth every (Money)penny. Level 1, 400 George Street, Brisbane DUTCH COURAGE OFFICER'S MESS Our pick: Martini-Henry We went a little off-script at Dutch Courage Officer's Mess, the impressive new colonial-style gin bar on Alfred Street, next to Kwan Brothers and Alfredo's and just around the bend from Alfred & Constance and Limes Hotel. In such a delightfully old-world, gin-touting venue, one would think we'd opt for a conventional martini made from a stiff British gin, but instead we crazy Concreters went right ahead and tried one of the house specials: the Martini-Henry. Named after a rifle, the cocktail is a daring, eclectic gunshot of flavour that pays off, combining Feral Hop Hog IPA (yes, you read correctly: beer in a martini — but it really does work), Bulleit bourbon, maple, chilli, chocolate bitters and Angostura bitters. It's enough to make a martini purist's blood boil. It almost literally does do that, but in a good way. The Martini-Henry is certainly strong, but the maple and chocolate flavours round out a very pleasing drink in a great, new themed nightspot. We dare you to give this creative concoction go. Ground floor, 51 Alfred Street, Fortitude Valley FOURTH WALL Our pick: Classic Martini Yep, another classic dry — hey, they're just that good. Easily one of Brisbane's coolest urban small bars, Fourth Wall is a must-go destination for lovers of the martini. While the quirkily fitted candlelit bar has earned a reputation as a bespoke cocktail venue, we were simply in the mood for a standard. Fourth Wall expertly stirred Tanqueray, the self-proclaimed "world's finest gin" (though we tend to agree), with just a dash of dry vermouth and a tangy twist of lemon to make a crisp, dry wonder of the drinking world. Whatever your variety, this bar knows its martinis. 743 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley < SLING LOUNGE Our pick: Martinez The expert beverage-builders at quirky West End bar Sling Lounge are dab hands at crafting old-timey and new, original cocktails for every tastebud. The venue's list states, "This is a cocktail menu that is as eclectic as the surroundings you have immersed yourself in." Well, there's synthetic grass on the ceiling, so things look pretty good from the outset. Despite myriad modern interpretations listed in their boozy bible, we opted to step back in time and sample the alleged forerunner to the martini, the Martinez. Derived from Jerry Thomas's 1887 recipe, this all-class affair merges gin, sweet vermouth, bitters, maraschino liqueur and a lemon twist as garnish. Sweeter than the average martini, the Sling Martinez is a standout beverage we wholeheartedly recommend. 153 Boundary Street, West End BREW Our pick: Espresso Martini Brew has established itself as one of Brisbane's best laneway bars. A renowned CBD cafe by day, the venue turns its expertise to craft beers, wines and cocktails at nightfall. The espresso martini has taken on a life of its own in the cocktail world and really is the measure of a good mixologist. Brew already has the espresso nous down pat and brings 666 Pure Tasmanian Vodka to the fore to create the ultimate caffeinated, alcoholic wonder. Simply the the tastiest and classiest way to start your night out with a buzz. Lower Burnett Lane, Brisbane LARUCHE Our pick: Sloe Loris While a mere stumble next door from The Bowery, Laruche is a whole different world. Eschewing retro-chic for a more flamboyant, whimsical-yet-chilled vibe with comfy, gothic chairs and dim lighting, Laruche is a Brisbane cocktail-bar bucket-list must. Come for the crazy chandeliers, zany lounges and good times, stay for the Sloe Loris. Punnily named after the toxin-secreting slow loris primate, this brilliant, fruity variation on the martini is also an deceptively adorable sight; its tart but easy-drinking mix of Absolut Citron, Plymouth Sloe gin, saffron, grapefruit, lemon and orange tends to draw in rather than repel jungle predators. Stuck for Saturday ideas? Let Laruche mesmerise your eyes and tastebuds. (Just to be clear, the martini doesn't contain monkey poison. Cool, back to the bar.) 680 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley RESERVE RESTAURANT Our pick: French martini Away from the inner-city rat race and inside the vintage bar of Reserve Restaurant's majestic, Heritage-listed walls overlooking the river is a truly relaxing and luxurious way to enjoy a martini. Not always a favourite of this Concrete Playgrounder, the French Martini ($17.90) sprung out from the fine-dining establishment's cocktail list and for some reason screamed "when in Milton". And, it must be said, a splendid choice was made — fans of the now famous Francofied answer to the 'tini will not be disappointed in Reserve's handiwork here. This is a sweet, foamy mix of Polish Wyborowa vodka, Chambord, pineapple juice and dried pineapple that is not to be missed. 6/249 Coronation Drive, Milton LYCHEE LOUNGE Our pick: Watermelon Martini Lychee Lounge, which is owned by the same crowd as Laruche, is an established little nook in West End that's been shaking and stirring cocktails long before "small bar" was a Brisbane-nightlife buzz word. Its intimate, east-meets-west decor and art provide the perfect setting for an evening martini — especially if you can nab a spot in the comfy back-corner seating area. Award-winning mix-master Pez Collier has created an impressive list, and we opted for the delightful Watermelon Martini ($15) — a smooth melange of vodka, watermelon, rhubarb and lime. A refreshing, not-too-sweet marvel that gets our thumbs-up. 2/94 Boundary Street, West End EMPORIUM COCKTAIL BAR Our pick: Caramel Popcorn Martini Emporium Cocktail Bar never fail to deliver the goods when it comes to excellent cocktails. Grab a seat at the bar or a set of plush couches with friends and decide on a drink from the seasonally changing menu. The bar staff like to experiment with a range of the local Tambourine Mountain Distillery liqueurs, and the results are good. The Caramel Popcorn Martini is made up of popcorn-infused vodka, Tamborine Mountain caramel butternut liqueur and caramel syrup. It tastes as good as it sounds — salty and sweet, buttery and smooth. 1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Sometimes, only your favourite coffee order will do. At other times, your caffeine-loving tastebuds crave the taste of something new. Toby's Estate's Brisbane flagship, which has opened in Newstead, can cater for both instances. And if you're keen to try a heap of different types of coffee, it'll serve up more than 84 different kinds each year. Sleek digs, a hefty array of specialty brews, a full kitchen: they're all part of Toby's Estate's new River City setup as well. The brand has made its home on Longland Street, adding its Brissie base to a global footprint that includes similar sites in Chippendale, where its Sydney roastery is located, as well as Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines and the Middle East. You won't miss the curved coffee bar when you walk in — which is by design by Melbourne architects Russell & George. Sitting in the middle of the room, the round centrepiece includes an espresso bar, filter bar and training bar. While perched at it, you also won't miss the chance to witness the coffee-making process and hear from the baristas pouring your brew. Otherwise, in a venue that uses sustainable vinyl and raw ply heavily — and aims for a look that mixes 70s-style retro with modern touches — tables and chairs are scattered around the place for you to settle in and sip cuppas at. Caffeine fiends can choose from a wide range of choices on the coffee menu, including the limited-edition Flavour Savour blends and the single-origin picks that'll offer new picks monthly. Food-wise, cooked meals and sweet treats are available.
The next dancefloor filler from 'Love Tonight' favourites SHOUSE is on its way, but it needs your help in the best possible fashion: by taking part in a huge music party that'll fill Melbourne's St Paul's Cathedral for RISING 2024. The Victorian capital's major annual arts festival has announced its first commission for next year, with Ed Service and Jack Madin overseeing Communitas — where hundreds of people will make tunes, then a single will be released. Free to attend, Communitas wants its participants to form a choir; however, not only using their voices but dancing and making sound vibrations will be on the agenda. Think of it as a huge gathering that's also a jam and a ritual, composing collectively and spontaneously as everyone parties and communes. There's no audience here, just folks joining in, connecting and chasing shared joy. The date to pop in your diary: Saturday, June 15, for what's certain to be a standout event on the full RISING lineup. Nothing else has been announced for the fest so far, but the entire program of art, music, installations and performances for its third year will run from Saturday, June 1–Sunday, June 16. Jon Madin is creating handmade instruments for participants to use, while Deep Soulful Sweats is in charge of the choreography. While the end result is something to experience, the single that springs will give everyone who is there a songwriting credit as it aims to share the fun beyond Communitas' one massive night. "Communitas is more than a musical event; it's a collective celebration of the human spirit, a symphony of shared joy that transcends boundaries," said Service. "We're thrilled to collaborate with RISING, and invite hundreds into the heart of St Paul's Cathedral to join us in forging connections through the language of music. Join us in the beat of drums, a chorus of voices, a mass of humanity, finally together in space and time." Getting its audience participating en masse, and not just passively watching, is one of RISING's focuses, including at 2023's fest when 11,000 people formed a kazoo orchestra. RISING 2024 runs from Saturday, June 1–Sunday, June 16 across Melbourne, with Communitas taking place on Saturday, June 15 at St Paul's Cathedral, Flinders Street. Head to the festival's website for further information and to register to take part in Communitas.
Motherhood is often framed as a beginning — the arrival of a child, the start of a new chapter. Increasingly, though, psychologists and writers describe it as something closer to transformation. The word for it is matrescence: the physical, emotional, and psychological transition into motherhood, a process many now compare to adolescence in its scale of physical impact on the body. For Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw, the concept offers a language for a shift they were already experiencing. The Melbourne-based founders of wellness platform KIC have spent the past decade encouraging women to rethink their relationship with movement, food and self-worth. Now, both navigating early motherhood themselves — Steph for the second time, Laura for the first — that philosophy is evolving again. Not in theory, but in real time. Henshaw first encountered the concept while reading Lucy Jones's book Matrescence before the birth of her son Atlas. It was (deliberately) the only book she read in preparation for motherhood, but it proved to be an unexpectedly grounding one. "Matrescence is essentially the transition into motherhood and how it affects our mind, brain and body," she explains. "I read the book before Atlas was born, and it helped me understand what was happening scientifically — how our brains actually rewire when we become parents." View this post on Instagram A post shared by @kicbump That neurological shift, she says, reframed experiences that might otherwise have felt unsettling. Understanding the science behind motherhood didn't make the process simple, but it helped her contextualise the intensity of it. "One thing that really stuck with me was intrusive thoughts," she says. "I used to have anxiety earlier in life, and I was prepared for that to come back when I became a mum. But reading about how your brain becomes more protective of your child helped me understand why those thoughts can happen. I could separate that from myself and think, 'Okay, my brain is doing this because it's trying to protect my baby.'" The book also made something else clear: that motherhood is rarely the singular, all-encompassing identity people expect it to be. Instead, it tends to expand a person's sense of purpose rather than replace it. Before Atlas arrived, Henshaw says much of her identity was tied to her career. Building KIC alongside Smith had been the defining project of her adult life, and she worried that motherhood might fundamentally alter that drive. "I think for a long time my main purpose in life was my career," she says. "I'd come to terms with that being a really big part of my identity, and I was actually quite scared of losing it." Instead, she found that motherhood didn't displace that ambition so much as widen it. "I still feel like that career person," she says. "But my purpose has expanded. It now also includes caring for Atlas and loving him. And something I didn't expect was contentment — that feeling is something I realise I'd never really experienced before becoming a mum." For Smith, mum to son Harvey (four) and Billie (nine months),who has spoken candidly online and on the KICBump podcast about the realities of parenting, matrescence has also reshaped her relationship with movement. Before children, workouts followed the sort of structured routines familiar to many in the fitness world — longer sessions, consistent programming and clearly defined goals. "My routine just can't look how it used to," she says. "Some days it's a five- or ten-minute Pilates class on the mat while Harvey's watching Bluey and Billie's crawling around on the floor. That's just the reality of this stage of life." At other times, movement becomes something shared rather than solitary. Recently, she went for her first run with both children in tow — Billie in a pram, while Harvey rode alongside on his bike. It was less about performance than about proving something to herself. "I just needed to know it was possible," she says. "Of course it won't look like that every time, but being able to do it once felt really empowering." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stephanie Miller (@stephclairesmith) The shift has also expanded her motivations. While she still values the physical benefits of exercise, she is increasingly aware of the example she is setting. "It's really important to me that Harvey grows up seeing movement as a normal part of life," she says. "I was very into sports growing up and it gave me so much confidence and connection with other people. You can't mould your children into who you want them to be, but I do hope my relationship with movement sparks that curiosity in him." Henshaw's own relationship with movement is entering a new chapter as well. A committed runner who completed the New York Marathon in 2024, she found that pregnancy temporarily erased the desire to run altogether. "While I was pregnant I would see people running and think, 'I must be allergic to running,'" she says, laughing. "I just couldn't imagine doing it." Now, twelve weeks postpartum, the urge is slowly returning. That process has become part of the inspiration behind KIC's newest program, Run for Joy, an eight-week running challenge developed in partnership with New Balance that encourages participants to focus less on pace or distance and more on reconnecting with the enjoyment of movement."I love that the challenge is centred around joy," she says. "That's really what I want to rediscover in my own running journey." View this post on Instagram A post shared by KIC | Health and wellness (@kic) Hers will begin with the program's postpartum pathway, a physio-designed training plan that builds safely from zero to three kilometres over eight weeks. "[KICRun Postpartum] is designed for returning to running after having a baby," she explains. "Your body goes through so many changes, so it's really important to ease back into it in a safe way." The logistics of fitting exercise into daily life now require a little more planning than they once did. "I can't just head out the door whenever I want anymore," she says. "My husband and I are actually writing out the schedule together so that time is protected. Otherwise it's very easy for the days to just go by." That negotiation between ambition and adaptability is something both founders recognise from another part of their lives as well. Building a business in their twenties meant navigating uncertainty, setbacks and the constant pressure of public scrutiny — experiences that Smith believes have unexpectedly prepared them for motherhood."There are similarities between leadership and being a founder and motherhood," she reflects. "You face challenges and hurdles that force you to build confidence and resilience. In that sense, the experience of growing a business has definitely helped." At the same time, motherhood has reshaped how she approaches leadership itself. The arrival of children has sharpened her empathy and expanded her understanding of the experiences people carry into work and life. "It's given me more compassion and curiosity about what people might be going through," she says. "I think having a child just opens your eyes to so many different perspectives." In many ways, the evolution mirrors the trajectory of KIC itself. What began in 2015 (named 'Keep It Cleaner' at the time) as a 'clean' eating recipe e-book has gradually expanded into a broader wellness ecosystem encompassing movement, mindfulness, sleep, mindset and community. The philosophy behind it has always been that wellbeing should feel supportive rather than prescriptive, something that adapts alongside the lives of the people using it. Motherhood, in that sense, represents simply another season in the same ongoing journey. Wellness is no longer about rigid routines or aesthetic outcomes but about flexibility, resilience and the freedom to redefine what strength looks like at different stages of life. For Smith and Henshaw, that season currently includes prams, nap schedules and the occasional Pilates session squeezed into a living-room floor between episodes of Bluey. Yet the underlying philosophy that built their business remains intact. Movement should feel joyful, ambition should coexist with compassion, and growth — whether in business, identity or motherhood — is rarely linear. Enrolments for the New Balance x KICRun challenge are now open via the KICApp, with the first session beginning on Monday, 9 March. For more on KIC, visit kicwellness.com. Images: Supplied
If you prefer an art experience that extends beyond looking at works on a wall, prepare to be impressed by Melbourne's new immersive digital art gallery. Set to open in late 2020, The Lume will take the form of a $15-million 2000-square-metre gallery, decked out with 150 state-of-the-art projectors. Projections of some of the world's most celebrated works will be splashed across various surfaces, backed by powerful musical soundtracks and complemented by aromas. The project is the brainchild of Melbourne-based Grande Exhibitions, which, for the past 14 years, has hosted immersive exhibitions and gallery experiences in over 130 cities across the world. The company also owns and operates Rome's Museo Leonardo da Vinci. Known for celebrating art world greats like Vincent van Gogh and da Vinci through modern, multi-sensory technology, Grande Exhibitions will use a similar formula at The Lume. Instead of showcasing original works, the gallery will rely on a curation of music and moving image to create a tapestry of instantly recognisable artworks. At night, The Lume will transform into an events space, thanks to a collaboration with catering company Food & Desire. So, next Christmas party you could be sipping bubbles while looking at (and smelling) a Van Gogh. To get more of an idea of what to expect from The Lume when it opens later this year, check out this teaser: https://youtu.be/-nFtXTTXpWk The Lume will open in an unconfirmed Melbourne location in late 2020. We'll let you know when more details are announced. You can check out some of Grande Exhibitions' other gallery experiences over here. Updated March 2020
Here's a fun cheese fact: scientists recently discovered that eating fistfuls of your favourite fromage can induce a euphoric effect (similar to that produced by taking morphine). And far be it from us to argue with the smart guys in white coats — we've been cheese addicts since day dot. Which is why we're giddy with excitement over this tasty morsel of news: a new cheese festival is taking over Newstead House on Sunday, October 1. From 10am to 5pm, enjoy an eye-watering selection of cheese, charcuterie and condiments at the stunning, heritage listed property. If cheese isn't your steeze, then there will be beer and wine masterclasses with which to while the afternoon away. Plus, there's a lineup of live music and entertainment to help keep you out of that (inevitable) cheese coma. Entry is free, with all of the above edibles available to purchase on the day.
UPDATE, Friday, June 20, 2025: 2025's First Nations Film Festival — National Reconciliation Week has been extended until Wednesday, August 6 (from its original end date of Tuesday, June 10). This article has been updated to reflect that change. As part of the flurry of streaming services always competing for our eyeballs, FanForce TV joined the online viewing fold during the COVID-19 pandemic as a pay-per-view platform. The service runs all year round, of course, but it goes the extra mile for National Reconciliation Week, which is when it hosts one leg of the First Nations Film Festival (previously known as the Virtual Indigenous Film Festival). In 2025, the National Reconciliation Week season is taking place between Tuesday, May 27–Wednesday, August 6, all solely online. The returning fest has four features and a collection of shorts on its lineup, starting with The Moogai — which sees writer/director Jon Bell (Cleverman) turn his own short into a full-length film, explore how Australia's past continues to haunt in the process, and brings back his stars Shari Sebbens (The Office) and Meyne Wyatt (Troppo) as a couple grappling with Stolen Generations trauma with their growing family. Also excellent: Like My Brother, a must-watch documentary that follows four young Indigenous women from the Tiwi Islands as they set their sights on playing AFLW at the highest level. With Blown Away, the impact of Cyclone Tracy upon Darwin is in the spotlight four decades later — and Winhanganha, which was commissioned by the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, sees Wiradjuri artist Jazz Money examine archives through a First Nations lens. To view this at-home screen celebration, you'll need to buy an all-access pass, which lets you catch everything for $38.
Halloween has been and gone for 2024, but Australia isn't done with peering at pumpkins yet. One of the most stunning sights to see in the country right now, and on an ongoing basis, is a giant gourd that stands five metres tall. The fact that it's yellow and black, and also covered in polka dots, explains why this is such a spectacular piece of art: it's one of Yayoi Kusama's famous pumpkin sculptures. Back in April, Melbourne's NGV International promised that the end of 2024 and beginning of 2025 would be filled with spots and gourds when it announced Yayoi Kusama, its big summer blockbuster exhibition. Featuring 180-plus works from the Japanese artist, the retrospective opens on Sunday, December 15, displaying until Monday, April 21. Ahead of that launch, however, Dancing Pumpkin has already arrived — and been unveiled for gallery visitors to enjoy. Open to the public since Saturday, November 8, 2024 in NGV International's Federation Court, the 2020 piece is making its Australian debut. Until now, only two editions of it had been seen anywhere on the planet, initially in 2021 at the New York Botanical Garden and then in 2022–3 at the Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar. Yayoi Kusama itself is also a first, as a world-premiere that Aussie art lovers can only check out in the Victorian capital. Gourds and dots are among Kusama's trademarks, with Dancing Pumpkin combining the two in one of her biggest pumpkin sculptures of her career. Its towering height and legs in various poses — hence the name — means that visitors literally look up at the artwork. You can also wander beneath it. While checking out not just Dancing Pumpkin but the Yayoi Kusama exhibition overall is a summer must, the former is sticking around, with the piece acquired by the NGV. "We're delighted to unveil Yayoi Kusama's breathtaking Dancing Pumpkin sculpture ahead of our major exhibition surveying the artist's groundbreaking career. The newly acquired work, supported through the generosity of the Loti & Victor Smorgon Fund, will leave a defining impact on the NGV Collection and will be available for all Victorians to enjoy for many years to come," said NGV Director Tony Ellwood AM. When we say that this Kusama showcase, is big, we mean it. While the Japanese artist's work is no stranger to Aussie shores — and was the focus of a comprehensive showcase at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art back in 2017–18 — NGV International's ode to the iconic talent is the largest that the country has ever seen. Among its highlights is another of Kusama's usual fascinations: kaleidoscopic reflections. Visitors will also be able to scope out the world-premiere showing of a brand-new infinity mirror. The NGV has curated Yayoi Kusama with input from Kusama, with the end result stepping through the 95-year-old artist's eight decades of making art via a thematic chronology. Some pieces hail from her childhood. Some are recent. Her output in her hometown of Matsumoto from the late 30s–50s; the results of relocating to America in 1957; archival materials covering her performances and activities in her studios, especially with a political charge, in the 60s and 70s: they'll all appear. Half of the exhibition is devoted to the past four decades — so, pumpkins galore; giant paintings; and an impressive and expansive range of room installations, complete with her very first infinity room from 1965, plus creative interpretations since from the 80s onwards. Again, this is a hefty exhibition. It's one of the most-comprehensive Kusama retrospectives ever staged globally (and the closest that you'll get to experiencing her Tokyo museum without leaving Australia). Basically, wherever you look across NGV International's ground level, Kusama works will be waiting, spanning paintings, installations, sketches, drawings, collages and sculptures, as well as videos and clothing. For the first time in the country, 2019's THE HOPE OF THE POLKA DOTS BURIED IN INFINITY WILL ETERNALLY COVER THE UNIVERSE will unleash its six-metre-high tentacles — as also speckled with yellow-and-black polka dots. One section of the gallery will replicate Kusama's New York studio. Over 20 experimental fashion designs by the artist will also demand attention. Infinity Net paintings from the 50s and 60s, Accumulation sculptures and textiles from the 60s and 70s, and a Kusama for Kids offshoot with all-ages interactivity (fingers crossed for an obliteration room) are also on their way. Almost six decades since first debuting at 1966's Venice Biennale — unofficially — Narcissus Garden will be a part of Yayoi Kusama, too, in a new version made of 1400 30-centimetre-diameter stainless silver balls. Now that's how you open an exhibition, as this will. NGV's Waterwall is also scoring a Kusama artwork specific to the space, while the Great Hall will be filled with the giant balloons of Dots Obsession floating overhead. [caption id="attachment_950480" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yayoi Kusama, 2022 © YAYOI KUSAMA[/caption] Dancing Pumpkin is on display at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne until Monday, April 21, 2025. Yayoi Kusama runs from Sunday, December 15, 2024–Monday, April 21, 2025. Head to the NGV website for more details and tickets. Images: Yayoi Kusama's Dancing Pumpkin 2020 now on display for the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at NGV International, Melbourne until 21 April 2025. © YAYOI KUSAMA. Photo: Sean Fennessy.
Before the pandemic, when a new-release movie started playing in cinemas, audiences couldn't watch it on streaming, video on demand, DVD or blu-ray for a few months. But with the past few years forcing film industry to make quite a few changes — widespread movie theatre closures and plenty of people staying home in iso will do that — that's no longer always the case. Maybe you've been under the weather. Perhaps you haven't had time to make it to your local cinema lately. Given the hefty amount of films now releasing each week, maybe you simply missed something. Film distributors have been fast-tracking some of their new releases from cinemas to streaming recently — movies that might still be playing in theatres in some parts of the country, too. In preparation for your next couch session, here are eight that you can watch right now at home. JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 Almost a quarter-century has passed since Keanu Reeves uttered four iconic words: "I know kung fu". The Matrix's famous phrase was also the entire movie-going world's gain, because watching Reeves unleash martial-arts mayhem is one of cinema's purest pleasures. Notching up their fourth instalment with the obviously titled John Wick: Chapter 4, the John Wick flicks understand this. They couldn't do so better, harder, or in a bloodier fashion, in fact. Directed by Keanu's former stunt double Chad Stahelski, who helped him look like he did indeed know wushu back in the 90s, this assassin saga is built around the thrill of its star doing his violent but stylish best. Of course, The Matrix's Neo didn't just know kung fu, but gun fu — and Jonathan, as The Continental proprietor Winston (Ian McShane, Deadwood: The Movie) still likes to call him, helps turn bullet ballet into one helluva delight again and again (and again and again). Picking up where 2019's John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum left off, and once again so expertly and inventively executed that it's mesmerising, John Wick: Chapter 4 saddles its namesake with a new adversary: the Marquis (Bill Skarsgård, Barbarian), emissary of the death-for-hire business' powers-that-be, aka the High Table. After Wick puts the assassin realm's head honchos on notice during an early trip to the Middle East, the series' latest nefarious figure wants rid of him forever, wasting no time laying waste to the few things left that John loves. The Marquis has company, too — seeking a big payday in the case of the mercenary known as Tracker (Shamier Anderson, Son of the South), who has his own devoted dog; and due to a familiar deal with Caine (Donnie Yen, Mulan), a martial-arts whiz who is blind, and an old friend of John. That said, Wick has pals in this clash between the hitman establishment and its workers, which doubles as an eat-the-rich skirmish, including Winston, the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne, All the Old Knives), and the Osaka Continental's Shimazu (Hiroyuki Sanada, Bullet Train) and Akira (Rina Sawayama, Turn Up Charlie). John Wick: Chapter 4 is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. BEAU IS AFRAID Beau is afraid. Beau is anxious. Beau is alone. Beau is alive. Any of these three-word sentences would make a fitting name for Ari Aster's third feature, which sees its titular middle-aged figure not just worry about anything and everything, but watch his fears come true, concerns amplify and alienation grow — and then some. And, in the Hereditary and Midsommar filmmaker's reliably dread-inducing hands, no matter whether Beau (Joaquin Phoenix, C'mon C'mon) is wallowing in his apartment solo, being welcomed into someone else's family or stumbling upon a travelling theatre troupe in the woods, he knows that he's truly on his own in this strange, sad, surreal and savage world, too. More than that, he's well-aware that this is what life is inescapably like for all of us, regardless of how routine, chaotic or grand our individual journeys from emerging out of our mother's womb to sinking into death's eternal waters happen to prove. Aster has opted for Beau Is Afraid as a moniker, with this horror-meets-tragicomedy mind-bender a filmic ode to existential alarm — and, more than that, a picture that turns catastrophising into a feature. Psychiatrists will have a field day; however, experiencing the latest in the writer/director's growing line of guilt-dripping celluloid nightmares, so should viewers in general. Even with Chilean The Wolf House helmers Cristóbal León and Joaquin Cosiña lending their help to the three-hour movie's midsection, where animation adds another dreamlike dimension to a picture book-style play within an already fantastical-leaning flick frequently running on dream logic, Aster embraces his favourite deranged terrain again. He makes bold choices, doesn't think twice about challenging himself and his audience, elicits a stunning lead performance and dances with retina-searing imagery, all while pondering inherited trauma, the emotional ties that bind and the malevolence that comes with dependence. Beau Is Afraid is available to stream via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. BROKER No matter how Hirokazu Kore-eda's on-screen families come to be, if there's any actual blood between them, whether they're grifting in some way or where in the world they're located, the Japanese writer/director and Shoplifters Palme d'Or winner's work has become so beloved — so magnificent, too — due to his care and sincerity. A Kore-eda film is a film of immense empathy and, like Like Father, Like Son, Our Little Sister, After the Storm and The Third Murder also in the prolific talent's past decade, Broker is no different. The setup here is one of the filmmaker's murkiest, with the feature's name referring to the baby trade. But showing compassion and humanity isn't up for debate in Kore-eda's approach. He judges the reality of modern-day life that leads his characters to their actions, but doesn't judge his central figures. In the process, he makes poignant melodramas that are also deep and thoughtful character studies, and that get to the heart of the globe's ills like the most cutting slices of social realism. It isn't just to make a buck that debt-ridden laundromat owner Sang-hyun (Song Kang-ho, Parasite) and orphanage-raised Dong-soo (Gang Dong-won, Peninsula) take infants abandoned to the Busan Family Church's 'baby box' — a chute that's exactly what it sounds like, available to mothers who know they can't embrace that part for whatever reason — then find good families to sell them to. There's a cash component, of course, but they're convinced that their gambit is better than letting children languish in the state system. In Kore-eda's usual kindhearted manner, Broker sees them with sensitivity. Even if blue hues didn't wash through the film's frames, nothing is ever black and white in the director's movies. The same understanding and tenderness flows towards mothers like So-young (Lee Ji-eun, Hotel Del Luna, aka K-Pop star IU), whose decision to leave Woo-sung (debutant Park Ji-yong) isn't easily made but puts Broker on its course. Broker is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. PEARL 70s-era porn, but make it a slasher flick: when Ti West's X marked the big-screen spot in 2022, that's one of the tricks it pulled. The playful, smart and gory horror standout also arrived with an extra spurt of good news, with West debuting it as part of a trilogy. 30s- and 40s-period technicolour, plus 50s musicals and melodramas, but splatter them with kills, genre thrills and ample blood spills: that's what the filmmaker behind cult favourites The House of the Devil and The Innkeepers now serves up with X prequel Pearl. Shot back to back with its predecessor, sharing mesmerising star Mia Goth (Emma), and co-written by her and West — penned during their two-week COVID-19 quarantine period getting into New Zealand to make the initial movie, in fact — it's a gleaming companion piece. It's also a savvy deepening and recontextualising of a must-see scary-movie franchise that's as much about desire, dreams and determination as notching up deaths. In one of her X roles, Goth was magnetic as aspiring adult-film actor Maxine Minx, a part she'll reprise in the trilogy's upcoming third instalment MaXXXine. As she proved first up and does again in Pearl, she plays nascent, yearning, shrewd and resolute with not just potency, but with a pivotal clash between fortitude and vulnerability; when one of Goth's youthful X Universe characters says that they're special or have the X factor, they do so with an astute blend of certainty, good ol' fashioned wishing and hoping, and naked self-convincing. This second effort's namesake, who Goth also brought to the screen in her elder years in X, wants to make it in the pictures, too. Looking to dance on her feet instead of horizontally, stardom is an escape (again), but Pearl's cruel mother Ruth (Tandi Wright, Creamerie), a religiously devout immigrant from Germany turned bitter from looking after her ailing husband (Mathew Sunderland, The Stranger), laughs at the idea. Pearl is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. POLITE SOCIETY Fists fly in Polite Society. Feet as well. When the latter aren't suspended in mid-air attempting to execute stunning kung-fu stunts, they just might be busting out their best Bollywood dance moves. Words are screamed and shouted, often between sisters Ria (Priya Kansara, Bridgerton) and Lena Khan (Ritu Arya, The Umbrella Academy), who are thick as thieves until they suddenly aren't. Schoolyard fights rumble like they've spilled straight out an action movie, which budding stuntperson Ria dreams of being in. Showdowns with Lena's future mother-in-law Raheela Shah (Nimra Bucha, Ms Marvel) could've burst from a Quentin Tarantino film. Espionage missions are undertaken by high schoolers, as are heists at a spectacular Muslim wedding in a lavish London mansion. Lena scoffs down a whole roast chicken on a public footpath like it's the only thing she's ever eaten. Ria and Lena free themselves from their angst by letting loose in their living room to The Chemical Brothers' dance-floor filler 'Free Yourself'. And being a dutiful member of her community is the absolute worst fate that could await an ass-kicking British Pakistani teenage girl. In other words, a little bit of everything happens in Polite Society, the anarchic and eye-popping debut feature from We Are Lady Parts creator Nida Manzoor. That includes nods to Jackie Chan movies and The Matrix, plus Bond-style antics and Ennio Morricone-esque music drops. Add in riffs on Get Out, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon-inspired wuxia, video-game flourishes, musical dance numbers, and nudges in Jane Austen and Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan's directions. Scott Pilgrim vs the World and Kill Bill leave imprints. When it examines intergenerational pressure, so do Everything Everywhere All At Once and Turning Red. Whatever this high-energy charmer throws at the screen, it always serves the narrative. It also showcases Manzoor's lively and bold filmmaking eye. But more importantly, Polite Society is the spin-kicking whirlwind it is because that's what it feels like to be a schoolgirl training in martial arts, yearning to pack a literal punch, desperate to become anything but what society demands and tired of being dictated to — and saddled with cultural expectations but determined to propel along one's own path in general, too. Polite Society is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. OF AN AGE You Won't Be Alone isn't just the name of Macedonian Australian writer/director Goran Stolevski's debut feature, which hit cinemas in 2022. It's also a phrase that applies now that his second film is here. Of an Age initially premiered in the same year as well, bowing in Melbourne International Film Festival's opening-night slot — and, while it tells of growing up queer in 90s Melbourne, falling in love for the first time, then sifting through the aftermath a decade later, it's a glorious companion piece to its predecessor. No one is chosen by a sorceress here. The place isn't Macedonia, the period isn't the 19th century and supernatural shapeshifting isn't part of the narrative. But even just a mere duo of movies into his helming career, Stolevski makes pictures that profoundly ruminate upon two of life's purest truths: that absolutely everything changes and, consequently, nothing completely lasts forever. 1999 is inching towards becoming Y2K when Of an Age begins, and 17-year-old Nikola aka Kol (Elias Anton, Australia Day) is only hours from taking to the floor at a Melbourne dance championship. That's how his day is meant to pan out, at least, and what he's preparing for when the film meets him practising his smooth ballroom moves in his suburban garage — conjuring up visions of John Travolta in a flick made famous two decades prior, in fact. Kol's ordinary morning fever breaks, however, thanks to friend and dance partner Ebony (Hattie Hook, Savage River) and her bender of an evening. She's awoken on the beach in Altona with no idea where she is, scrounging up change for the payphone call to say she thinks she'll miss the recital unless Kol can pick her up. To attempt to make his big performance, he has to convince Ebony's older brother Adam (Thom Green, Eden) to play taxi — and he's still all aflutter with anxiety, and just the inertia of being so keyed up from endeavouring to sort things out, when he slides into the twentysomething's brown car and feels sparks fly instantly. Of an Age is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. EVIL DEAD RISE There will be blood in Evil Dead Rise, the latest addition to the Evil Dead fold, and not just inking The Book of the Dead's pages. There's gallons of it, in fact, with assistance from an elevator overflowing with crimson liquid. Writer/director Lee Cronin is clearly happy to jump from his 2019 debut The Hole in the Ground to this beloved horror franchise while giving The Shining some love as well. And yet, nods to past Evil Dead films and scary fare in general aren't the main point of Evil Dead Rise, even though they're still there — loudly when "dead by dawn", words that are also part of Evil Dead II's title, is yelled. It shouldn't feel so rare to see a feature that isn't solely kept beating by gobbling up as many pieces of its predecessors as possible, but that's these nothing-must-die times. (When intellectual property is revived repeatedly by Hollywood's intonations, bringing back Evil Dead over and over couldn't be more appropriate.) Familiar swooping and whooshing camerawork kicks Evil Dead Rise into gear, though, knowingly so. In a clever touch, it stems from a is doing the shooting, not due to supernatural nefariousness. There's a remote abode in the woods — an A-frame shack this time, levelled up to match 2023's travel aesthetic — and unsettling things afoot; however, the bulk of the film takes place a day earlier. That's when guitar technician Beth (Lily Sullivan, Picnic at Hanging Rock) cuts out a the worldwide tour to surprise her sister Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland, New Gold Mountain). The latter is a tattoo artist and mother of three who has recently been left parenting solo, and is interrupted dying her hair 'cool mum' red when her sibling arrives. There's baggage between the pair, but there'll soon be viscera as well when Ellie's teenage son Danny (Morgan Davies, Blaze) finds a certain text — and, because he's a budding DJ, some dusty vinyl sporting words that no one in an Evil Dead movie should be saying or hearing. Evil Dead Rise is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. THE SUPER MARIO BROS MOVIE It took 30 years, plus a warp pipe from live-action to animation, but Super Mario Bros finally gained a cinematic mushroom. While these are peak product-to-screen times — see also: The Last of Us, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, Tetris and Air, plus the upcoming Barbie, BlackBerry and latest Transformers flick — Nintendo's plumber siblings were long flushed out of movies thanks to their underperforming first outing. 1993's Bob Hoskins (Snow White and the Huntsman) and John Leguizamo (Violent Night)-starring film, the first-ever live-action video game film, isn't terrible. It followed its own dark path and hit its own wild blocks, something that stands out even more now that slavish obsession to intellectual property and franchise-building is king. If 2023's The Super Mario Bros Movie is a response to its predecessor, it's a happily dutiful one, doing its utmost to copy the video game. The strongest feeling it inspires: making viewers want to bust out their old NES or SNES or Game Boy, or emulators of any of them, or Nintendo's current Switch, and mash buttons as the red-capped, moustachioed, overalls-wearing Mario. In images that look like they've been ported straight from consoles, Italian Americans Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt, Thor: Love and Thunder) and Luigi (Charlie Day, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) essentially find themselves in the Super Mario Bros version of The Wizard of Oz. Like the 90s flick, they're also transported to another realm where a villainous creature lusts for power— Bowser (Jack Black, Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood) here, with an army of the turtle-like koopas doing his bidding. A sewer flood whisks Mario and Luigi out of their own world, after they try to fix it to drum up customers for their plumbing business. On the other side of the tunnel, Mario lands in the Mushroom Kingdom and Luigi ends up Bowser's prisoner. Cue a quest, including along the rainbow road, to reunite the brothers, stop Bowser and keep him away from Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy, The Menu) — who definitely isn't a damsel in distress, but the target of Bowser's obsessive affections. The Super Mario Bros Movie is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. Looking for more at-home viewing options? Take a look at our monthly streaming recommendations across new straight-to-digital films and TV shows — and fast-tracked highlights from January, February, March, April and May, too. You can also peruse our best new films, new TV shows, returning TV shows and straight-to-streaming movies, plus movies you might've missed and television standouts of 2022 you mightn't have gotten to.
Most lunchtimes, Semi-Semi is hard to miss thanks to the line of West End workers ordering gourmet sandwiches and tea. Those with more time on their hands can be spotted seated with a smile and a spoon, digging into a bright stack bingsu, served here in a wide range of flavours. First documented in the 14th century CE, the fluffy Korean-style shaved ice dessert was traditionally served with sweet red bean (pat-bingsu) or fresh fruit. After American candy arrived in Korea during the Korean War, bingsu evolved, and is now just as commonly topped with ingredients like ice cream, flavoured syrups, condensed milk and more — a tradition Semi-Semi continues by combining classic and modern flavours. Those who eat with their eyes best prepare for a feast. Shaped like a snow-capped green hill, Forest is a matcha-based bingsu with pearls and red beans served on the side. Coconut, cocoa and earl grey also feature in their own creations, with add-ons including rainbow jelly, lychee popping balls and even granola. The never-boring sandwich menu starts at $14 with options for every appetite, from lighter meat-free stacks to heartier toasties with fillings like spicy pulled beef and cheesy truffle mushroom. Practice caution with the monthly specials — don't get too attached to limited-time items like a chicken katsu curry, only to find it gone the next month. That's a pain only two bowls of bingsu can cure. Images: Supplied.
Decking out your house with budget-friendly homewares and furnishing your abode with meaningful items aren't mutually exclusive. A case in point: Kmart's First Nations program. The retailer highlights Indigenous talents by creating collections in collaboration with artists — and, crucially, making their work accessible en masse. The latest creative teaming up with the brand: Dharug and Darkinjung artist Kyralee Shields. As Wiradjuri artist Judith Young did in 2023, Shields has overseen her own range with the department store, which hits shelves — and online — on Thursday, April 4. Called Mudyin Ngurrawa, it takes its name from the Dharug term for "family on Country". As featured on bedding, candles, servingware, candles, wall art and more, the theme comes through in the designs, the use of colour and the tales told via her art. One pink-, green- and brown-heavy pattern spans bottlebrush and gum leaves, native flowers and yam daisies, and representations of the tides and mountains. Another splashes a pale pink hue around prominently, using circles, arcs, dots and drawings of message sticks to link to Shields' ancestors, her maternal grandmother in particular, her mother and her three children, and also represent the space between Shields and The Dreaming. Clearly, when Shields makes art, she's taking her cues from her Indigenous heritage while conveying her own identity, and also aiming to both express and inspire cultural pride. Her pieces tell a story, then, including about her family and her mother's experience as part of the Stolen Generations, with Shields working closely with Kmart's design team in Melbourne to ensure that it came through authentically and accurately in the Mudyin Ngurrawa collection. To witness the results, and fill your home with them, you can shop the range's 13 items, with prices starting at $5. For that amount, you can get a four-pack of napkins. From there, a two-pack of Mudyin Ngurrawa mugs costs $10, while $12 gets you a three-pack of tea towels, a plant pot or a serving board. A tablecloth costs $14 — as do two types of candle, a mountains and a wildflowers version, as sold separately. Or, opt for the enamel bowl for $18 or enamel tray for $25. The quilt set comes in two sizes, queen and king, for $20 and $24, respectively. And, a canvas to hang is priced at $29. "Collaborating with Kmart is a dream come true. It's allowed me to work with a brand I grew up with who provide quality, on-trend products that are accessible to a wide demographic. It has enabled me to share my art with a wider audience while working with a forward-thinking chain," said Shields about the range. "Having a brand like Kmart support First Nations artists provides broad exposure to our culture and heritage through art and storylines within the evolving contemporary style, which is important to me," she continued. "It's been so gratifying to work on this project with such a wonderful team of people. It's also been enlightening to see all the different aspects that took my original painting through to the completion of this incredible range that now line Kmart's shelves." Kmart and Kyralee Shields' Mudyin Ngurrawa collection is on sale online and in-store from Thursday, April 4, 2024.
"Driving." That's one of the words that Justin Hurwitz uses to describe the sound of Babylon, with his score to Damien Chazelle's new Hollywood-set film after La La Land frequently thumping with a propulsive beat. An array of other terms come to mind while hearing the two-time Oscar-winning composer's latest effort kick in throughout the Margot Robbie (Amsterdam)-, Brad Pitt (Bullet Train)- and Diego Calva (Narcos: Mexico)-starring movie, including at party after party, too. It's urgent. It's infectious. It's as spirited as the liveliest of raucous shindigs. From go to whoa, a handful of quieter moments aside, it bustles with big and jazzy lose-yourself-to-dance energy. For the picture that just nabbed him his fourth Golden Globe, Hurwitz is soundtracking the City of Stars' Jazz Age, after all. And, as viewers of his and Chazelle's past features know — Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench, Whiplash and La La Land, with their fourth collaboration on First Man being the only exception — this pair doesn't just like but loves jazz. Babylon's score doesn't simply stick with the obvious, however. Exploring an era where giving oneself over to Los Angeles' star factory and its indefatigable shenanigans was all the rage in the movie's view, it takes its inspirations as broadly as Hurwitz can find them, all to help set a pace and vibe for a flick that throws almost anything it can at the screen — from glitz and glamour to copious amounts of drugs and body fluids — to paint its buzzing, pulsating portrait. [caption id="attachment_885697" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex J. Berliner/ABImages[/caption] Babylon follows its three central figures — Robbie's aspiring actor Nellie LaRoy, Pitt's established star Jack Conrad and Calva's industry jack-of-all-trades Manny Torres — as they weather everything that chasing their dreams thrusts their way. Given that the picture commences in 1926, that means traversing the Golden Age's wild highs and big changes alike, with the latter spanning the move from silents to synchronised sound from The Jazz Singer onwards, what that meant for actors now featuring in talkies, and shifting moral and societal standards of the period. Nellie parties herself into her big break, then gets saddled with the realities and contradictions of sudden fame. Even with his years of experience, Jack's ongoing lustre in the limelight is far from secure. And Manny does whatever he needs to to get jobs, turn them into better gigs, and keep climbing his way up. For all three, the successes are glorious, but the costs are significant. There's no reprieve from Tinseltown's relentlessness, or its allure, in Babylon. Hurwitz's earworm of a score is similarly persistent; having it lodged in your head long after watching comes with viewing the film. But what does it take to create that irresistible sound? To give a 1920s- and 1930s-set movie a unique but fitting soundtrack? To hark back a century ago, but interpret it with modern sensibilities? Ahead of Babylon's release Down Under on January 19, we chatted with Hurwitz about making a feature that it feels like he and Chazelle were fated to, his processes, the film's rock 'n' roll and modern dance music influences, and more. [caption id="attachment_885698" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brad Pitt, Diego Calva and Director Damien Chazelle on the set of Babylon from Paramount Pictures.[/caption] ON GETTING JAZZY WITH DAMIEN CHAZELLE — AGAIN When you've teamed up with someone on five films, you clearly share a connection — and a wavelength. For Hurwitz and Chazelle, that started two decades back, when they both attended Harvard, met as freshmen and became roommates. And, before they were making movies, they were making music as early members of indie pop band Chester French. Yes, jazz was an influence. Chazelle was a jazz drummer, after all, and Hurwitz a pianist and percussionist. It's no wonder that the genre had an influence on their filmmaking; in fact, it'd be more surprising if it didn't. Still, while Babylon might seem like a dream for the duo, it's a long-in-the-works effort for Chazelle but a relatively new project for Hurwitz. "I didn't know about this film till 2018," he advises. "Damien told me that this was what he was writing. He'd been working on it for a long time, which I actually just learned — I learned a couple of days ago that he'd been thinking about this movie for like 15 years. I had no idea. So I guess it was part of his evolution somehow, from the other jazz movies he made." "For me, I didn't start thinking about this until a few years ago, and didn't start actually working on it till 2019. There's definitely some commonalities with the other things we've made, but I hope it's different — I hope the music sounds like its own thing." ON TURNING CHAZELLE'S SCRIPTS INTO MUSIC How does a composer start conjuring up the sound for a film, especially when it is intricately tied to a specific period of music history? For Hurwitz, it's "the script. I always start with the script". With Babylon, he says, "Damien sent me a script, and we started marking it up and talking about where is there going to be music and where won't there be music." "A lot of the music sequences were very complicated because there were a lot of performances, but also the same pieces of music had to then extend into other parts of the movie. You might have a little bit of a performance, or a little bit of Jovan's [Adepo, as a trumpeter Sidney Palmer] character playing, but then that music spills over into a montage into something else. So we had to think about what could serve the performance, but also what could serve the sequences dramatically." "You really start with asking 'what do we want to feel?' Just looking at the scenes, what do we want to feel? And then I sit down, I start writing music at the piano or using some samples, some virtual instruments, and just trying to create sounds that feel — whether it's an aggressive driving piece, if we really want to feel something that's pounding you in the face, or if we want feel something sweeter. Whatever it might be, I just start trying to noodle around and sketch in the melodies that have whatever mood we're trying to feel." ON DRAWING ON MORE THAN THE OBVIOUS MUSICAL INFLUENCES Jazz Age-set film, Jazz Age-adoring score, right? That might be the easy and obvious equation, but it wasn't Hurwitz's approach to Babylon. In its narrative, its visuals and its atmosphere, Chazelle is always pushing — as are his characters, and is Hollywood back at them. And, as tunes like 'Voodoo Mama', 'Call Me Manny' and 'Damascus Thump' make plain, so is Hurwitz. "I know certainly I was trying to push the music, ironically, a lot more contemporary than anything we've done — even though this movie is 1920s, and it's an earlier time period than anything we've done," he explains. "I was trying to push the music more modern, more aggressive, more inspired by rock 'n' roll and modern dance music. So for me it feel pretty new — like a new flavour." "I was really trying to stay away from music from the era, actually. I didn't want to listen to 1920s music, because we didn't want to have 1920s music in the movie really. So I was taking more inspiration from rock 'n' roll — imagining what it could feel like if you had rock 'n' roll riffs played on brass, played by a jazz band or a horn section. Or things that could easily be on a distorted guitar, but what if you give it to a couple of trumpeters? So that was a thought process." "I was listening to the Rolling Stones and AC/DC, and things like that. And also listening to a lot of electronic dance music, and getting inspired by the dance rhythms and dance hi-hat and driving, 808 kick-drum feels — and sort of risers and drops, and those sort of moments that build anticipation and then explode and get you wanting to mood. I was taking inspiration from modern dance music for that kind of feel." ON THE RANGE OF SOUNDS IN 'BABYLON' Hurwitz didn't just vary his influences when composing Babylon's music (one tune, 'Manny and Nellie's Theme', even sparks La La Land flashbacks). For a film that he describes as having "a lot of other weird stuff", he employed a wide range of instruments and noises. "There's a lot of circus and carnival sounds," he says. "I was recording kazoos and slide whistles, and party horns for some of the tracks." "There's erhu, which is a bowed Chinese instrument. There's a lot of world percussion. There's African percussion, Latin percussion, Asian percussion. There are very eclectic sounds in this movie, to match the very eclectic world of this movie — and of the 20s." "People were really thinking about far-off places of the world, so there was a lot of exoticism, even if it was campy exoticism. Like, you go to theatres [from then] in LA and it's Egyptian style and it's all a little campy — it's obviously not really Egyptian. But people were just interested in it back then, so we tried to bring in certain flavours. That's a very long way of saying that the influences were far and wide." Babylon screens in Australian and New Zealand cinemas from January 19. Read our full review.
How much Korean BBQ can you devour in 90 minutes, plus hotpot dishes, other hot and cold bites, salads and desserts as well? Visit this Sunnybank spot and you'll find out. Queensland's largest Korean BBQ and hotpot venue is open at Market Square, serving up buffets seven days a week. Here, you'll get cooking, scooping, slurping and feasting. Summer always sizzles in Brisbane, as do most other seasons, but the temperature is no longer the only reason on trips to the city's south. Seoul Garden started firing up its grills on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 on Market Square's second floor, taking over the entire level — or, to be more accurate, customers at the first Sunshine venue from the Victorian-born chain are doing the searing. This is a big addition to the River City in a range of ways. The 300-person-capacity restaurant sprawls across 800 square metres, which is why the brand advises that it's the Sunshine State's biggest Korean BBQ and hotpot venue. It is also dishing up more than 50 hotpot choices, with 30-plus meat options, as part of its the all-you-can-eat experience. Amid neon lights that take inspiration from the eatery's namesake, customers sit at tables with grills, pairing their chosen ingredients with house-made sauces and side dishes. Or, opt for the hotpot buffet or dedicated raw bar — or make a date with all three. Either way, no one should be leaving feeling hungry, with this stomach-filling meal setting patrons back $49.90 per person. In Victoria, where the chain operates in Docklands, Highpoint, Northland and Glen Waverley Century City, Seoul Garden's setup has unsurprisingly proven popular — but its move to Brisbane is its first venture out of the state that it has always called home until now. Images: Vanguard Events Entertainment.
The Whitsundays are a tropical paradise. Travellers generally head to these islands to spend days roaming along the white sandy beaches, snorkelling around the Great Barrier Reef and escaping their hectic lives...until screaming kids ruin the peace. That's why so many people book themselves into adults-only resorts — especially for parents who just need a well-deserved break — when seeking the ultimate Whitsundays holiday. And you don't even need an entire hotel or resort to yourself — many places have large sections dedicated to adults, leaving the kids to hide away on the other side of the property. Here are our favourites in The Whitsundays. QUALIA It doesn't get much more luxurious than Qualia — and the world certainly knows it, with the five-star resort scooping up dozens of tourism awards since it opened in 2008. Qualia is based on Hamilton Island's northernmost tip and boasts world-class dining, a spa and 60 pavilions filled with top-notch amenities — including some with their very own plunge pool and outdoor shower. The resort offers a number of unforgettable experiences, like private charters around The Whitsundays, helicopter flights over the Great Barrier Reef and guided food and wine tastings at the Long Pavilion fine diner. Every aspect of Qualia, from its design to its services, is shaped to encourage relaxation. As such, the entire resort is not only 18-plus but is also only accessible to guests. We've teamed up with Qualia to offer readers an exclusive package via Concrete Playground Trips. Enjoy four nights in an ocean-view pavilion, daily breakfast, a gourmet dinner, VIP transfers and chauffeur service around Hamilton Island, a full-day helicopter tour and more. Book now from $8795 for two. BEACH CLUB HAMILTON ISLAND This luxury beachfront hotel is entirely adults-only. That means no children in the hallways, infinity pool or restaurant, so you can holiday peacefully. But, the kid-free aspect of Beach Club Hamilton Island isn't the only drawcard of this accommodation. Each of the 57 modern rooms also faces Catseye Beach and has its own private balcony. There's plenty to see and do on Hamilton Island, but if you want to stay in your adults-only oasis, then feel free to order from the club's restaurant and eat and drink by the pool all day long. You also have access to catamarans, paddleboards, windsurfing gear and tennis courts — included in the price of your room. INTERCONTINENTAL HAYMAN ISLAND RESORT This is not strictly adults-only accommodation, but InterContinental's Hayman Island Resort boasts a huge new section of the island, entirely free of children. To access this part of the resort, you'll have to book into one of the impressive beachfront pavilions (which overlook a beach where kids aren't allowed). Each standalone room has a generous living area, a plush king bed and a private deck that leads right to the beach — take a few steps across the lawn, and you're right there. When you're looking to go further afield and see the rest of what The Whitsundays offer — think flights over the Great Barrier Reef, island wildlife tours, snorkelling, diving and fishing trips — the world-class team here will organise it all for you. ELYSIAN RETREAT Looking for somewhere to really get away from it all? Make tracks to Long Island's Elysian Retreat. Not only is this resort full of luxe amenities and experiences, but it also puts sustainability at its core as the Whitsunday's first 100-percent solar-powered resort — all the while being exclusively adults only. Seclusion is guaranteed at this expansive resort. It's located in its private cove and only hosts a maximum of 20 guests. That's a rarity in The Whitsundays, where enormous accommodation complexes tend to dominate the luxury scene. But there's still a full range of experiences here — you can join a yoga class, snorkelling and kayaking tour or indulge in a spa treatment. Elysian also works with several local touring companies, organising special trips to nearby islands and the Great Barrier Reef. The fact that the only way to get to this island is via a short helicopter ride from Hamilton Island is undoubtedly one more thing to add to the list of reasons to visit. WATERFRONT WHITSUNDAYS RETREAT It's not just the islands of The Whitsundays that are home to private, adults-only digs — the mainland also has some great options. Our pick: Waterfront Whitsundays Retreat. This Airlie Beach spot only has five rooms available, making for a far more low-key stay. There's no need to get up early to shotgun a poolside lounge chair, nor do you need to worry about crowds of people getting to the retreat's barbecue area and private garden before you do. Here, you can relax and take advantage of the on-site offerings at your own pace, all while you soak up the impressive views of the Coral Sea. Feeling inspired to book a getaway unlike anything else out there? Only through Concrete Playground Trips, our new travel booking platform, can you now purchase holidays specially curated by our writers and editors. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips at destinations all over the world. Top images: Elysian Retreat
Over the past month, Arnott's has been unveiling a new recipe for one of its famed bikkies every week. As part of the snack expert's Big Recipe Release, it has unveiled its Monte Carlo, four-ingredient Scotch Finger and Iced VoVo recipes, as well as a twist on its Tim Tam: a salted almond Tim Tam brownie. This week, it's thrown us another curveball. The recipe isn't for one of its sweet snacks; instead, like the Tim Tam brownie, it uses one of its sweet snacks. The key ingredient this time is Nice biscuits, which you'll use as a sugar-dusted base for a silky but classic cheesecake. Obviously, the new recipe still ticks another very important box: giving everyone currently working from home — or just spending more time indoors than usual — something different to bake. Australia's oldest baker will continue to release a new recipe for one of its famous biscuits every week until social distancing regulations are lifted. Next up, will it be the Mint Slice? Pizza Shapes? We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, though, here's the classic Nice cheesecake recipe: https://www.instagram.com/p/CAeYW1GgwSs/ CLASSIC NICE CHEESECAKE 1 250 gram packet of Arnott's Nice biscuits 125 grams melted butter 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 250 gram packets of cream cheese, at room temperature 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup caster sugar Method BASE: Preheat the oven to 150°C. Grease a 20 centimetre (base measurement) springform tin. Place Arnott's Nice biscuits and cinnamon in the bowl of a food processor, then process until biscuits are finely crushed. Add melted butter, then process until combined. Transfer mixture to the prepared tin — and, using the back of a spoon, press over the base and up the sides of the tin until it is spread evenly. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until needed, to ensure a firm crust. FILLING: Combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract in a medium bowl, then beat until well mixed. Add eggs one by one, beating well after each addition. Pour mixture over the biscuit base. Bake for 50 minutes, or until set. Turn the oven off, but leave the cheesecake in the oven with door ajar until it has completely cooled — as this will help prevent the cheesecake from cracking. TIPS: Add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to your cream cheese mixture for extra flavour. Replace the cinnamon with mixed spice for a twist. Serve with your favourite berries and double cream. If you don't have a food processor, you can crush the biscuits it the old-fashioned way — by placing them in a zip lock bag and crushing with a rolling pin. Top image: Arnott's
Fancy seeing one of Brisbane's most popular spaces in a completely new light? Or, to be more accurate, with different lights flickering over the top of its lush greenery? As every home renovation-focused TV show has told us time and time again, a splash of colour can make a world of difference — and, at Roma Street Parklands' Enchanted Garden, it can turn an already picturesque space into a bright, festive wonderland. While this is a family-friendly affair running from Friday, December 7 to Wednesday, December 19 as part of the city's Christmas fun, don't go expecting the kind of setup that you've been ignoring on every street corner in Brissie's suburbs. Lights will twinkle, decorations will sparkle and music will play; however, this isn't a tacky DIY display. Nope, not at all. That said, a word of warning: people love glittering lights, to prepare for crowds. The brightness will dazzle from 6.30–10pm (with last entry at 9.45pm) and, if you're organised enough, you can always pack a picnic, arrive early and enjoy dinner — and BYO drinks in one of the few public places that allows them in our fair town — beforehand. Food trucks will also be onsite if you don't get around to taking care of your own nosh, and live music will give all the glistening bulbs quite the soundtrack.
Come on Barbie, let's go party. Let's go to the real world, too. In the second sneak peek at Greta Gerwig's Barbie, the eponymous doll (Margot Robbie, Babylon) and her also-plastic beau Ken (Ryan Gosling, The Gray Man) are living life in Barbie Land, which is meant to be perfect. If you like pink and pastel hues aplenty, which the film splashes through its frames heavily and happily, it'd clearly be a dream. But that supposed bliss brings an existential crisis for the movie's main figure, plus ample everyday angst for its central Ken. Marking Gerwig's third solo stint behind the camera after Lady Bird and Little Women, scripted by the actor-turned-director with fellow filmmaker Noah Baumbach — her helmer on Greenberg, Frances Ha, Mistress America and White Noise, and real-life partner — and boasting a cast that's a gleaming toy chest of talent, Barbie might be the most anticipated toy-to-film release ever. There's that pedigree, of course. There's also the picture's patently playful vibe, which first shone through in an initial teaser trailer that parodied the one and only 2001: A Space Odyssey, and beams just as brightly in its just-dropped next look. Here, there are Barbies everywhere, with Rae (Insecure) as president Barbie, Dua Lipa (making her movie debut) as a mermaid Barbie, Emma Mackey (Emily) as a Nobel Prize-winning physicist Barbie, Alexandra Schipp (tick, tick... BOOM!) as an author Barbie and Ana Cruz Kayne (Jerry and Marge Go Large) as a supreme court justice Barbie — and Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton) as diplomat Barbie, Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live) as a Barbie who is always doing the splits, Hari Nef (Meet Cute) as doctor Barbie, Ritu Arya (The Umbrella Academy) as a Pulitzer-winning Barbie and Sharon Rooney (Jerk) as lawyer Barbie. There's also a whole heap of Kens, including Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Kingsley Ben-Adir (One Night in Miami), Ncuti Gatwa (the incoming Doctor Who) and Scott Evans (Grace and Frankie). And, Michael Cera (Arrested Development) plays Alan, Emerald Fennell (The Crown) plays Midge, Helen Mirren (Shazam! Fury of the Gods) is the narrator, America Ferrera (Superstore) and Ariana Greenblatt (65) are humans, Jamie Demetriou (Catherine Called Birdy) is a suit, Will Ferrell (Spirited) wears a suit as Mattel's CEO and Connor Swindells (also Sex Education) is an intern. Barbie brings all those characters to the screen across its dream house-filled Barbieland and its version of the real world, as its main doll seems to realise that life in plastic mightn't be so fantastic after all. The new trailer provides more of a storyline than the first did, while also teasing the film's sense of humour — largely around Gosling's Ken, whether he's insisting that him and Robbie's Barbie are boyfriend and girlfriend, fighting with Liu's Ken about "beaching" each other off or sneaking into the Barbie convertible with his rollerblades ("I literally go nowhere without them") when Barbie is driving off to reality. What happens from there, and whether this'll be the best figurine-to-film adaptation yet in a mixed field that also includes the Transformers series, Trolls, The Lego Movie and its sequel, Battleship and the GI Joe films, will all be pulled out of the toy box in cinemas on July 20 Down Under. And no, there's still no signs of Aqua's 'Barbie Girl' on the trailer's soundtrack; however, you'll likely get it stuck in your head anyway just thinking about this movie. Check out the latest trailer for Barbie below: Barbie releases in cinemas Down Under on July 20, 2023.
