This coffee hub offers something that sets it apart from all other entries on this list: 24 hour caffeination. That's right; whether your cravings hit at 3pm or 3am, you'll find an open door and a hot coffee at Death Before Decaf. You can take your Bellissimo coffee with you or take five in the comfy leather sofa or milk crates out front. Shift workers, musicians and other creatures of the night have never been so awake.
Eerie things happen in shipping containers when Realscape Productions is around. Across the country, the team has been creeping everyone out with its immersive installations for a few years now, with Séance, Flight, Eulogy and Coma each serving up different unnerving experiences. Sensory deprivation, simulating sitting in an aircraft cabin when events turn unsettling, wandering through a labyrinthine hotel, falling into a dream state in a bunk bed: they're all part of the Darkfield suite, terrifyingly so. Next up from the Realscape Productions crew comes a dance with sci-fi, this time in a 40-foot haulage truck. Future Cargo sees Darkfield's David Rosenberg join forces with UK-based choreographer Frauke Requardt on an otherworldly outdoor performance, which will make its Australian premiere at 2024's Adelaide Fringe from Friday, February 16–Saturday, March 17. The aim: combining a vast spectacle with intimacy, and putting on a dance show filled with shiny aliens and seduced humans that will lure in all kinds of audiences, even if watching dance isn't normally high on your to-do list. So, as attendees sit in the open air at twilight, the truck will roll up its side to reveal a machine, which starts a mysterious process. Cue power surges, electromagnetic waves and making contact, with viewers listening in via binaural sound while wearing headphones. "We've come together to develop Future Cargo because David and I are constantly fascinated by how to connect performance and audiences in unique ways in public space," explains Requardt. "By working with different architectural constraints and inviting audiences to discover bold and beautiful contemporary dance in and amongst them, we hope to ignite a passion for the arts in people who wouldn't usually watch dance, while also captivating those already in love with the art form." So far, only an Adelaide run is confirmed — but cross your fingers that Realscape will tour its latest production, as it has with Séance, Flight, Eulogy and Coma. "David and Frauke have developed a show unlike anything that has ever played in Australia before. We know Australians have developed an appetite for multidimensional experiences, and Future Cargo brings something new to Adelaide Fringe, creating a spectacle through dance, lighting, binaural sound and science fiction. We can't wait to watch Adelaide fall in love with a new way to experience dance at the Garden of Unearthly Delights come February," said Realscape Productions producer Amy Johnson. Future Cargo will premiere at Adelaide Fringe 2024 from Friday, February 16–Saturday, March 17 at the festival's Garden of Unearthly Delights — head to the fest website for further details and tickets. Images: Camilla Greenwell / Henry Curtis.
"I've had an incredible life," says David Bowie in Moonage Daydream. "I'd love to do it again." Alas, even for a music icon who always seemed beamed in from the future, another world or both — his casting in 1976 sci-fi masterpiece The Man Who Fell to Earth was perfection, as was the movie's title — that isn't possible. For viewers, however, reliving that spellbinding, shapeshifting, stratosphere-blasting existence is as easy as watching Brett Morgen's documentary. The Cobain: Montage of Heck filmmaker calls it "an experience", and that's exactly what the mind-blowingly immersive and spectacular blend of sound and vision delivers. It doesn't sound difficult, making a movie about someone as visionary as Bowie. There's so much to his life, so many decades of music and live performances to draw upon, and such a wealth of other touchstones — his acting, art, reinventions, alter egos ("I collect personalities," Bowie notes in the film) — to layer in. But Moonage Daydream isn't a Bowie biopic and was never going to be. That simply isn't Morgen's style; instead, he's all about digging into what makes his subjects tick, delight and surprise, then conveying that in a manner that so deeply captures their essence it feels like no other picture about them could've existed. In Moonage Daydream, that means using Bowie himself as the kaleidoscopic feature's narrator via soundbites and interviews from across his entire career. It means not only weaving archival materials spanning half a century-plus into an ever-twisting and spinning collage, but recutting famous footage, such as revered concert film Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, from the original camera reels to unveil something new. It also means being driven by a playlist that covers Bowie's whole discography, and speaks to doco's exploration of chaos, fragmentation and transience, plus their constant relevance to his work. It truly does mean a big-screen spectacular, as the man recently voted the most influential British artist of the last 50 years deserves. "I don't know why they stopped at 50 years. Who's topping him, and why not century?" says Morgen, in Australia for this year's Melbourne International Film Festival back in August, chatting to Concrete Playground the morning after Bowie topped that British arts industry poll. "I would go a little further and say perhaps the greatest artist globally of the past 50 years," Morgen advises, before stepping through why Bowie remains such an enduring cultural presence, how Moonage Daydream came together, getting approval to make the first authorised film after Bowie's death and what he learned from living the Bowie dream. ON BOWIE'S EVERLASTING INFLUENCE "I think to reframe that question is: why does he continue to have so much influence and resonance? Because David meant something in 72 when Ziggy [Stardust, the seminal album] came out that was specific to that moment in time — and until the internet came about in the early 90s, as there were less sources for media and to find subcultures and tribes, Bowie united a lot of likeminded individuals and nurtured them. Moving forward, what's amazing is that each generation seems to discover and embrace Bowie, and they seem to discover him on their own. Sometimes you hear 'oh my dad played him' or whatever, but most of the time, talking to fans, they all arrive at Bowie on their own around the time they're sort of entering puberty. He becomes a kind of rite of passage — this sounds a bit cliched and we have other sources now to reference, but perhaps musically he captured that sense of alienation and confusion, and some of those feelings that we all experience at 12, 13 or 14 as we're all trying to feel our way throughout this world. Bowie, one of the reasons that he is one of the few artists of that era to continue to resonate with young audiences has to do with the fact that Bowie was so far ahead of his time that we might now just be entering the age of Bowie. David used to say in 1971 that he was writing for the 21st century in the 1970s. David's stock and trade was chaos and fragmentation — those were, as he would say, the throughline for his art. If we think of it, the world has only become more fragmented and more chaotic, and Bowie was writing the soundtrack for that world. Great artists have an ability to hear and see what is happening all around us but most of us can't see or hear yet, and Bowie had that gift for several decades. I had shown the film to Bono, who sent me an email the day after he saw it saying that he saw a lot of similarity in my style with Moonage and [U2's] Zoo TV. I went back and looked at Zoo TV, their 91 tour, and at the time the Zoo TV tour was presented as something futuristic and sci-fi — the internet, I don't even think it had started yet, but when you look at Zoo TV, it looks like something you would do when you were doing a tour today. And what I said to Bono was that 'I think like David, you weren't a futurist; you weren't writing about the future, you were writing about the present, just none of the rest of us were able to access it yet'. I think that has a lot to do with why certain artists are able to resonate across time, and David had that gift." ON HOW THE FIRST AUTHORISED BOWIE FILM AFTER HIS DEATH CAME TOGETHER "I had been doing theatrical documentaries for 23 years, and so the way I was able to get approval was most likely my previous endeavours, Cobain: Montage of Heck and The Kid Stays in the Picture, resonated with the estate. Where do you start a film or how do you construct a film that's designed to be an experience? It wasn't easy. It was slightly torturous. I made a decision from the get-go that I had no interest in producing a biography — that my interest was purely in sound and vision, and that I had no interest in trying to define or explain Bowie. That, I thought would be a fool's interest. So I just kind of embraced that, and it was a bit like trying to find your way out of a maze in the dark. I stumbled, I ran into walls, I cried, I felt Jack Torrence in The Shining: all work and no play make Jack a dull boy. [caption id="attachment_869789" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Liam Arthur[/caption] There was a point — I didn't have a producer, I didn't have a staff, I was making a David Bowie film for IMAX by myself, it was like an arts and crafts project. And it was weird, it was not a traditional approach. I don't mean in terms of the methodology — I just mean the actual genre that I was trying to explore is not a genre that exists. So about six months into the cutting, no one had seen a frame, I didn't even have an assistant editor in the building, and I needed a change of scenery. I was going to take my media to a place I had rented out of town, and before I left I called my wife who's my executive producer, partner and brilliant filmmaker Debra Eisenstadt, and said, 'listen I need you to come and look at what I have'. She said, 'do you want me to take notes?'. And I go, 'no no, I don't want notes, I just want you to tell me if it's a film'. She goes, 'what do you mean, if it's going to work?'. And I go, 'no no, I mean like does it actually make sense shot to shot? Am I insane, you know? Like, literally is it in English or have I lost my fucking mind?'. She came into my office. I pressed play, and I was sitting behind her. She couldn't see me — I was shaking, I was so uncomfortable because I thought I was about to get exposed, and I thought when she would turn to me and with deep concern in her eyes going 'what have you done?'. And she looked at the film and turned back and said 'it's a diamond in the raw — a diamond in the raw'. She goes, 'keep going', and that was wildly important in the genesis of the film. So it really wasn't until the film was at rough cut stage that anybody including the financiers saw a frame it. ON STARTING MOONAGE DAYDREAM AS A CASUAL FAN, BUT ENDING IT A DEVOTEE "I was a casual fan at best. I think that when I was 12 or 13, Hunky Dory was one of my favourite albums. I probably stopped listening on an active basis when I got to college. I liked Bowie, but I never read a book about him, never did any sort of deep dive, but had obvious tremendous respect and admiration. Rediscovering him at 47 was as illuminating and inspiring as discovering him at 12 or 13. Most people gravitate towards Bowie's 70s catalogue — and for those who are well-versed in the 70s catalogue, I am thrilled to report that his later period work beginning with Outside, to me, is as revelatory and inspiring as any of his earlier endeavours. He's just one of a kind. Oh my god, if I ended the project a casual fan — I am, I believe, as hardcore as it gets right now. After spending years living and breathing David Bowie, you would think I'd had enough. But yesterday I was driving around Melbourne with my 14-year-old son, and he's like, 'dad, really, we're going to listen to Bowie? You haven't had enough?'. And I was like, 'no, I haven't.' I'm very blessed that I didn't enter the film from this vantage point because it would've, I think, felt too much of a burden given my reverence and appreciation I currently hold for David." [caption id="attachment_869788" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Olivier Borde[/caption] ON LEARNING FROM BOWIE TO APPRECIATE EVERY MOMENT "Everything that's embedded into the film was revelatory for me, and it has to do with his philosophy and approach to his day-to-day living. His appreciation for life and for challenging oneself to make the most out of each and every moment — that was something that I did not anticipate unearthing in my journey with David Bowie." Moonage Daydream screens in cinemas Down Under from September 15. Read our full review.
Western Sydney could use a love letter right now, and that tribute arrives in Here Out West. The product of eight up-and-coming screenwriters from the area, it celebrates a place that has spent much of the past year garnering attention for a reason no one wanted: thanks to the tighter rules applied to the region during Sydney's four-month stretch of stay-at-home conditions in 2021, it was home to New South Wales' strictest lockdown of the pandemic to-date. Thankfully, COVID-19 isn't this movie's focus. Instead, as told in nine languages — Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Kurdish, Tagalog, Turkish, Vietnamese, Spanish and English — and helmed by five female filmmakers, Here Out West dwells in everyday lives. It champions by seeing and recognising, and by trumpeting voices that have always been there but are infrequently given a microphone. Of course, as thoughtful and meaningful as Here Out West is — and as welcome a move it makes with sincere multicultural representation in Australia — it really shouldn't stand out as much as it does. There shouldn't have needed to be a concerted effort to champion western Sydney voices to make a film like this. It shouldn't grab attention as a rarity, either, and it shouldn't feel so timely because of the events of the last 12 months. Here Out West does all of these things because it's an outlier in Australia's homegrown filmic output, but it also clearly makes a case that's already apparent and inherent anyway: that presenting more than just the stereotypical image of Australia, and opting for a genuine picture of the country as it actually is instead, should always be the baseline and status quo. Opening shots of suburban houses and looping highways set the scene: viewers aren't journeying to an Aussie beach or the nation's parched outback expanse, aka two of the prevailing visions of this sunburnt, sea-girt continent on-screen. Rather, Here Out West unfurls its octet of intertwined vignettes in spaces far more ordinary — not to downplay the importance of surveying western Sydney, but to clearly note that these are its daily playgrounds. It's here that mothers have babies, neighbours look after the kids next door, grandmothers worry about their grandchildren, dads struggle to connect with their sons, and sport and food are among the ways that people come together. It's here that adults bicker among themselves over love, and with their parents about their futures. It's where lives begin and end, and where folks with dreams both big and modest also try to start anew. And yes, all of these scenarios are covered by the film's narrative. Initially, Here Out West spends time with Nancy (Geneviève Lemon, The Tourist), who takes care of her eight-year-old neighbour Amirah (debutant Mia-Lore Bayeh), but wasn't actually planning to help out today. She has a newborn granddaughter to meet — one that the authorities are planning to take away, so Nancy makes a drastic decision that'll ripple throughout the community across the movie's one-day timeframe. In the film's second segment, hospital carpark security guard Jorge (fellow first-timer Christian Ravello) is brought into the wider story, and also gets a snapshot chapter of his own. His instalment then intersects with friends Rashid (Rahel Romahn, Moon Rock for Monday), Dino (Thuso Lekwape, Book Week) and Robi (Arka Das, Babyteeth), who run through the streets arguing about Rashid's cousin. Next, their section links in with Ashmita (Leah Vandenberg, The Hunting) and her dying Bengali-speaking father back at the local hospital. Returning to specific spots comes with territory, because it comes with living anywhere; paths cross, people are drawn to the same busy and central locations, and some facilities — such as Here Out West's pivotal hospital — are always a hive of activity in any community. That truth continues to drive the film as it meets Kurdish refugees Keko (De Lovan Zandy) and Xoxe (Befrin Axtjärn Jackson), who are hoping to make a new beginning that still involves his penchant for music and her skills hand-weaving carpets, before jumping to Tuan (Khoi Trinh) and his brother Andy (Brandon Nguyen), who possess varying ideas about what it means to be Vietnamese Australian. Then comes a glimpse at nurse Roxanne's (Christine Milo, It's a Cult!) day as she works a double shift and misses her family in The Philippines. And, there's also Winnie (Gabrielle Chan, Hungry Ghosts) and Angel (Jing-Xuan Chan, Neighbours) as the mother and daughter close their Chinese restaurant for the last time. The common threads linking Here Out West's chapters are the ties that bind everyone: family, place and hope. But writers Nisrine Amine, Das (who acts as well as pens his section of the film), Bina Bhattacharya, Matias Bolla, Claire Cao, Dee Dogan, Vonne Patiag and Tien Tran find their own takes on the movie's common elements, sometimes by drawing from experience — and, unsurprisingly, the feature frequently feels personal. That sensation connects each of the picture's segments, too, with every section peering intimately at western Sydney residents, their lives and their emotions, and showing both the specific and the universal in the process. That isn't a revolutionary overall approach, and has long made so many stories strike a chord on pages, stages and screens, but the way that Here Out West uses such sparks of recognition is equally astute and moving. As directed by feature first-timers Fadia Abboud, Lucy Gaffy and Julie Kalceff, as well as the more seasoned Ana Kokkinos (Blessed) and Leah Purcell (The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson), Here Out West also charts a route that most anthologies do — because not every part matches the last or next. Each of its eight vignettes bring engaging people to the screen, and function as perceptively drawn character studies, but there's more to some than others. That's as fitting as the movie's naturalistically shot look, however, because that too reflects the reality that Here Out West so determinedly channels. Some tales are slight, others are immense and plenty sit in-between, but in this powerful, authentic, diversity-celebrating ode to western Sydney, they're all worth telling and sharing.
In Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, a young Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) strides through a Hogwarts classroom, teaching his students to thwart the dark arts. They're asked to summon their worst fear and then vanquish it, an exercise that's cathartic for some and terrifying for others. If he tasked Harry Potter fans with doing the same, the results would likely fall into the latter category. Potterheads needn't conjure up nightmares about awful Wizarding World flicks, however — with The Crimes of Grindelwald, that torment becomes a reality. The spell has been broken with this sequel to 2016's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the tenth instalment in the franchise first started with 2001's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The magic has run out, the charms have worn off and JK Rowling's enchanting abilities are fading. For more than two decades, the British author has splashed wizarding wonders across both the page and screen, but The Crimes of Grindelwald proves a busy drag of a film. It's a movie where plenty happens yet it all feels like filler, and where the rampant spectacle leaves an empty sensation. The Harry Potter pictures had their ups and downs too, but the series' latest chapter is about as entertaining as spending time with the Dursley family. Picking up where its predecessor left off, The Crimes of Grindelwald finds the wizarding world waving their wands over the future of the villainous Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp). He solves that problem by escaping to Paris to rile up his supporters with anti-Muggle rhetoric, and to find orphan Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller). Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) also heads to France, doing a favour for Dumbledore and trying to reignite his romance with American auror Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston). Enchanted beasts might be Newt's specialty — whether they're tiny saplings that can pick locks, gold-digging platypus types, or giant cat-like creatures — but he's soon tracking down a different kind of monster. From portkeys to Diagon Alley-esque laneways to a pre-serpent Nagini (Claudia Kim), this is a Wizarding World flick through and through. Good faces off against bad, allegiances are tested and tragic backstories remain a staple as well. The film might take place in 1927 with flashbacks to years prior, but nods abound to names and details established in the 90s-set Harry Potter movies. Some references even ignore existing HP lore and logic, much to the dismay of dedicated aficionados — and this seemingly haphazard approach cuts to the crux of The Crimes of Grindelwald's struggles. As penned by Rowling herself and directed by six-time franchise veteran David Yates, the movie adheres to the superhero school of filmmaking. It's less concerned with serving up an engaging new chapter that stands on its own merits, and more interested in prolonging the series. Rendered with visible gloom and shadow, this dull rather than vibrant film is a placeholder, doing what it must to keep things going and little else. Specifically, The Crimes of Grindelwald does what it needs to to keep everyone waiting for the three sequels that'll hit cinemas in 2020, 2022 and 2024. When a movie is content to replace Colin Farrell with Johnny Depp, doing only what it deems necessary is clearly its modus operandi. In a picture that's happy to go through the motions, the cast change is just one of the many missteps. Hectic yet also overextended, The Crimes of Grindelwald is filled with contrasts. The film's story is both jam-packed and flimsy, layering subplots upon subplots yet never delving too deeply into any of them. Characters are barely fleshed out, even when they're accompanied by solid performances, such as Zoe Kravitz as Leta Lestrange and Miller as Credence. Furthermore, the social commentary that's baked into the story — not only paralleling the rise of fascism between the First and Second World Wars, but nodding to today's fractured Europe — may set the scene for the next instalments, but adds little to the current film. As for the action set-pieces, while handsomely staged and teeming with technical wizardry, they hardly leave a lasting imprint. As he proved many times for the Boy Who Lived, Dumbledore is the movie's saviour. Or, more accurately, Law's young pope Dumbledore is. Channelling his inner Michael Gambon, Law is easily the best thing about The Crimes of Grindelwald, oozing the energy and intrigue that the film otherwise lacks. Viewers can be forgiven for wishing they were simply watching The Young Dumbledore without any beasts, fantastic or otherwise, with Law upstaging Redmayne's sensitive Newt and Depp's sinister villain. It goes without saying that he upstages the minor parts given to Waterston and fellow Fantastic Beasts returnees Alison Sudol and Dan Fogler, too. And while The Crimes of Grindelwald's ending is among its worst inclusions, it does at least guarantee one thing: we'll be seeing more of young Dumbledore in future films. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfMsZrrQ5Vo
When staring at a new page, a blank screen or an empty plate, what inspires us to take that first step into the unknown? Is it the wish to emulate the greats or is it a wish to add to the canon or is it simply a matter of sustenance? The Greeks gave a name to the thing that pushes you into the dark. It was the muse, an elusive source of creation that was part divination, part nature but was the driving power behind mankind's greatest creations. Modern day muses take many forms and the Sydney Film Festival is looking to explore six of them. Creative Drive is a collection of six movies designed to engage and produced to inspire - with some of the movie industry's biggest names going back to their roots to discover what inspired those who have inspired them. In A Letter to Elia, Martin Scorsese looks at the director behind On The Waterfront and A Streetcar Named Desire, controversial Hollywood filmmaker Elia Kazan. The documentary, El Bulli: Cooking In Progress goes behind the scenes of El Bulli, the Spanish restaurant which is the most exclusive and the best in the world. The Mill and the Cross exmaines Pieter Bruegel's 1564 masterpiece, The Procession to Calvary, and some of the stories behind it - the SFF points out that it may be the closest a feature film has ever come to being a painting. How to enter If you wish to uncover genius approaches, dissect the masters' processes or simply enjoy an engaging film, Concrete Playground has a double pass to each of the 6 films. To go in the running, simply subscribe to our newsletter and tell us which one of the six films you'd like to see by email at hello@concreteplayground.com.au. Entries close on Wednesday, June 25 at 5pm. https://youtube.com/watch?v=qzbbYinuTWc
Most of the time, it feels like new breweries pop up in Brisbane every day. It's actually been five years since Slipstream Brewing Company opened its doors in Yeerongpilly, however — and just over a year since it unveiled its recent expansion, too. So, it's celebrating the former and still taking advantage of the latter. More space in general means more room for parties, obviously. The brewery's fifth anniversary festivities are taking place across one big day, from 12pm on Saturday, June 4. On the agenda: kicking back on Wilkie Street, sipping brews, listening to live tunes, playing giant lawn games and tucking into a feed. Basically, it's an excuse to spend a day at Slipstream drinking its beers — and five brand-new tipples will be on offer for the occasion. That includes this year's release of the brand's Anniversary Ale, aka the most appropriate brew to knock back on the day. Entry is free, but you'll be paying for whatever you eat and drink.
Don't hold back: one of the biggest acts in electronic music for the past three decades is returning to Australia. Superstar DJs The Chemical Brothers have a new album about to drop in September, and have just announced three Down Under dates for February and March 2024 to unleash their latest round of block rockin' beats live. And, as their massive Coachella sets demonstrated earlier in 2023, they're certain to put on one helluva show. The Chemical Brothers have locked in three Aussie shows, starting their next visit in Brisbane before hitting Sydney, and then doing their only Victorian gig of this tour at A Day on the Green in Geelong. Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons will play Riverstage with Anna Lunoe and James Holroyd in support, and Sydney Showground and Mt Duneed Estate with the pair as well as The Presets doing a DJ set. It isn't just their astonishing Coachella set that proves The Chemical Brothers are a must-see live act. Every tour — including their last stint Down Under back in 2019 — always matches a spectacle of mindbending visuals to the duo's iconic tunes. For this one, the setup will include tracks from their tenth studio album For That Beautiful Feeling, which drops on Friday, September 8. Accordingly, expect recent singles 'No Reason', 'Live Again' (featuring Halo Maud) and 'Skipping Like a Stone' (reteaming The Chemical Brothers with Beck after 2016's 'Wide Open') — and also a wealth of songs from a back catalogue that spans back to 1989. No, it wouldn't be a Chemical Brothers gig without 'Hey Boy, Hey Girl', 'Block Rockin' Beats' and 'Galvanise' getting a whirl. The pair's current setlist also includes everything from 'Go', 'Swoon' and 'Star Guitar' to 'Setting Sun', 'Chemical Beats' and 'Escape Velocity'. Holroyd joining Rowlands and Simons on the tour is always a given, as The Chemical Brothers' long-standing opening DJ. THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2024: Tuesday, February 27 — Riverstage , Brisbane with Anna Lunoe and James Holroyd Thursday, February 29 — Sydney Showground, Sydney with The Presets (DJ Set), Anna Lunoe and James Holroyd Saturday, March 2 — Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong at A Day on the Green with The Presets (DJ Set), Anna Lunoe and James Holroyd The Chemical Brothers are touring Australia in February and March 2024, with pre-sale tickets available from 2pm AEST on Wednesday, September 6 and general sales from 1pm AEST on Friday, September 8. Head to the tour website and A Day on the Green website for further details.
Self-described "local's madcap watering hole", the Jubilee is a heritage-listed pub proudly boasting the Valley's biggest beer garden. The whole venue is sprawling, with an industrial-size space that floods with natural light in the day, and several separate areas for private events or the mini music fests hosted by the pub. The Jubilee also has a very spacious sports bar with big screen TVs, so there's no better place to congregate at kick-off. If you're not much for sports, there are enough fun activities to make this your entertainment destination, with pool, ping pong, giant Jenga and even a mechanical bucking bull. Wednesdays are 'Giggle Trivia' nights, and it also has regular live music. The menu, revamped by chef Stephanie Schumann, features the classic pub mains of parmas, steaks and burgers alongside gourmet twists like maple-glazed pork belly and Vietnamese salad with cardamom-poached chicken. Images: Grace Smith.
If you like music and you like trivia, TV shows such as Spicks and Specks and Never Mind the Buzzcocks likely sit high on your favourites list, with both combining tunes, musicians and questions about them. But in Brisbane, you don't have to confine your music trivia fix to staring at a screen. One of the city's most reliably entertaining evenings out comes in the form of Not On Your Rider, the IRL quiz show that's also filled with well-known faces — but staged live in the River City, with Brisbanites invited not only to watch but to also play along. This pop-culture delight has been doing the rounds for a few years now — and testing its contestants via rounds of questions — and it's back again in 2023. From the end of March, Brisbanites can look forward to monthly shows at The Triffid. Yes, given there's an October 26 date on the list, you can probably expect another Halloween celebration. And, come December 14, a Christmas show as well. If you're not already acquainted with Not On Your Rider, it takes something that everyone loves — showing off their music trivia knowledge — and dials it up a few notches. Here's how it works: the event is hosted by The Creases' Aimon Clark, and features Velociraptor's Jeremy Neale and The Grates' Patience Hodgson as team captains. Also, while the two on-stage teams are always filled with musos, comedians, drag queens and other guests, anyone can buy a ticket, sit at a table and answer questions along with them. Previous events have boasted folks from Powderfinger, Ball Park Music, The Jungle Giants, The GoBetweens, Dune Rats, DZ Deathrays, The Kite String Tangle, Butterfingers, Last Dinosaurs, The Chats and more, because you never know which music figures might be involved on the night. 2023's guests haven't yet been announced, but the past lineup has also spanned Robert Irwin, Kate Miller-Heidke, Ben Lee and Steven Bradbury, as well as Trent Dalton, Ranger Stacey, Mel Buttle and Ian 'Dicko' Dickson. And as for the quiz itself, it's accompanied by chats about the music industry, plus other mini games involving attendees. NOT ON YOUR RIDER 2023 DATES: Thursday, March 30 — The Triffid Thursday, April 27 — The Triffid Thursday, May 25 — The Triffid Thursday, June 29 — The Triffid Thursday, July 27 — The Triffid Thursday, August 31 — The Triffid Thursday, September 28 — The Triffid Thursday, October 26 — The Triffid Thursday, November 23 — The Triffid Thursday, December 14 — The Triffid Not On Your Rider's 2023 season runs from March 30–December 4 at The Triffid. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the Not On Your Rider website. Images: Dave Kan / Bianca Holderness.
When you spend all day every day in a place, playing tourist in your own town can be easier said than done. Book in a staycation at a newly relaunched hotel in the CBD, however, and Brisbanites will be seeing the River City in a whole new light as they hang out on the deck, take a swim with a skyline view and drink cocktails at the lobby bar. Your destination: the revamped Amora Hotel. If you're keen for a night or several away from home in five-star surroundings, this Creek Street spot now has you covered. The site previously known as the Novotel has undergone a huge revamp, with $30 million being spent on the refurbishment. Now officially open in its new guise after announcing the details back in November, the Amora Hotel features 296 rooms located over 14 floors, plus an outdoor rooftop pool with a deck that sounds — and looks — perfect for Brisbane's usually sultry weather. When you're hanging out indoors, you'll be surrounded by the work of interior designer Cottee Parker. Think: greenery, natural light and tones, and a tradition-meets-contemporary approach. Rattan, plus walnut and tan hues, feature heavily. And, because the made-over Brissie venue is going with a vacation vibe regardless of its central location, you'll smell Italian mandarin, amber, jasmine and patchouli while you're onsite. The rooms also play up the getaway mood, including via wallpaper that nods to a Tunisian oasis and open wardrobes to help make each space look bigger. Some come with city views, with the premier suites on the top two levels featuring balconies — and complimentary mini bars. Amora Brisbane also boasts a restaurant, a fitness studio and sauna, and 11 spaces for events and conferences. Food-wise, the hotel's new culinary highlights are set to launch in January complete with a new menu and new fitout. The Amora Group purchased Amora Brisbane in 2020, adding it to a suite of properties that spans six hotels in Australia and Thailand. As a result, elsewhere in Australia the family-owned hotel brand operates Amora Hotel Riverwalk Melbourne — which has been on its books for 25 years — plus Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney. Find Amora Hotel Brisbane at 200 Creek Street, Brisbane City — head to the hotel's website for reservations and further information.
Only one Cantonese eatery in the middle of the Brisbane CBD is located inside a three-storey former shipping office that dates back to the 1800s. Only one such restaurant is nestled into a historic (and heritage-listed) building's top floor, perched above a brasserie plus a supper club-style cocktail bar and lounge, too. That place: The Fifty Six in Naldham House, the Felix Street building that also boasts Naldham House Brasserie & Terrace on its ground level, plus the second storey's Club Felix. The site itself relaunched as a multi-venue hospitality hub in 2024, but its final piece was still a work in progress until February 2025. Now, the landmark waterfront building's third reason to drop by is welcoming patrons through the door, then upstairs. Traditional recipes made with modern techniques are the star under Chef Gerald Ong (ex-Tiger Lane, Chairman & Yip, Mrs Wang, Lucky Duck and Golden Panda in Canberra) — and, decor- and vibe-wise, so are arched windows peering out on leafy views, plus looking at the river while getting comfortable on the 48-person balcony. Ong's culinary inspiration: both the initial wave of Chinese immigration to Queensland, and also the influence since that cuisine in both Brisbane and Australia has taken from Chinese culture and food. Accordingly, if you're hankering for familiar Cantonese dishes, they're on the menu, but given a contemporary spin. Seasonal local produce is also in the spotlight. Think: Hervey Bay scallops paired with house XO, Queensland blue swimmer crab baked in its shell and Queensland baby lobster pao fan paired with shellfish broth. Elsewhere on the menu, when scallop and prawn siu mai isn't tempting your tastebuds, or the oysters with pink ginger mignonette and the drunken prawn tart, then raw Hirasama kingfish, salted egg prawns, duck pancakes with house hoi sin, tea quail egg with caviar, sweet and sour Berkshire pork, and steamed Murray cod should be. There's more menu highlights where they came from — including more dishes from the dim sum range curated by Ka Wai Kwok, such as the prawn toast that's paired with house-made chilli sauce; black pepper beef tenderloin and scallops as well as dry-aged five-spiced half duck with davidson plum sauce among the bigger options; and desserts like mango pudding, chocolate brownie mochi and deep-fried toffee ice-cream with char siu caramel. Can't decide what to order? Three separate tasting menus will come in handy, with one dedicated to vegetarian dishes and another focusing on seasonal options. The beverage selection is just as carefully constructed, whether a banana-infused old fashioned takes your fancy, or a margarita made with shiso-infused tequila and yuzu does the trick. The Fifty Six's take on a manhattan uses roast duck fat rye, the wine list is hefty — complete with a section dedicated to 'aromatics of intrigue' — and 11 different picks sit among the premium tea selection. Images: Dexter Kim and Markus Ravik.
First, Spilt Milk gave music lovers and festival fans in Canberra, Ballarat and southeast Queensland the news they'd been hoping for: in November and December this year, the beloved music, art and food fest will finally return. Now, the event has unleashed unleashed its impressive lineup, aka exactly who you'll be dancing to. Leading the charge: Flume, Stormzy and The Wombats. Homegrown hitmaker Flume nabs one of the headliner slots fresh from playing Coachella, while UK grime pioneer Stormzy adds Spilt Milk to his upcoming — and rescheduled — Down Under tour. The latter also proves true of British indie rockers The Wombats, who keep proving a hit on our shores — with 15 slots in Triple J's Hottest 100 over the years to prove it. Also on the bill: Ninajirachi, FISHER, G Flip,Genesis Owusu, Mallrat, Spacey Jane, A.GIRL and PEACH PRC, among others — and, from the art lineup, a heap of talent from long-running Spilt Milk partners Studio A. Also, because this fest is also about food, there'll be bites to eat from Alongside, Firepop, Black Bear BBQ, 1800 Lasagne and more. Originally only held in Canberra, then expanding to Ballarat, and now heading to the Gold Coast as well, the fest will hit up its ACT home on Saturday, November 26 at Exhibition Park, then regional Victoria on Saturday, December 3 at Victoria Park, before wrapping things up on Sunday, December 4 at Doug Jennings Park in the Sunshine State. The multi-city one-dayer has cemented its spot as a must-attend event for a heap of reasons — and tickets have sold out in under 30 minutes every year, including in a record nine minutes one year. So, expect this to be one of the most anticipated returns of 2022. SPILT MILK 2022 DATES: Saturday, November 26 — Exhibition Park, Canberra Saturday, December 3 — Victoria Park, Ballarat Sunday, December 4 — Doug Jennings Park, Gold Coast SPILT MILK 2022 LINEUP: A.GIRL Beddy Rays Billy Xane Fisher Flume G Flip Genesis Owusu Hayden James King Stingray Kobie Dee Latifa Tee Little Fritter Mallrat Mansionair Ninajarachi PEACH PRC Spacey Jane Stand Atlantic Stormzy Telenova The Wombats Toro Y Moi (Canberra only) YNG Martyr Young Franco 1300 Also in Canberra: Brittany De Marco and Kaylee Harmer Jack Burton and Clique Miroji Sesame Girl Shaka J Tekido Waxlily Also in Ballarat: Coastal Jam DJs Gangz Lashes Mason Flint Sweat Dreams DJs Also on the Gold Coast: Friends of Friends Jynx House DJs Saint Lane Siala WIIGZ Food: Firepop Black Bear Bbq Birdman Burger Head 1800 Lasagne and more Art by Studio A: Emily Crockford Greg Sindel Katrina Brennan Jaycee Kim Meagan Pelham Thom Roberts Spilt Milk will hit Canberra, Ballarat and the Gold Coast in November and December 2022. Pre-sale tickets go on sale from Tuesday, May 3 and general sales from Thursday, May 5. Head to the festival website for more info and to register for pre-sales. Images: Jordan Munns and Billy Zammit.
Back in autumn, The Tivoli and the folks at City Winery teamed up on a new event that combined food, vino and performances. Unsurprisingly, that combination proved a hit, so Brisbane's only inner-city winery is heading back to The Tiv for another round. For this second event on Wednesday, August 4, Seasoned Supper Club will get wintry. 'Tis that time of year, after all. The wine will be mulled and served out of cauldrons, fire pits will be blazing and chefs will be cooking over flames right in front of you. Roving performers will also be working fire into their acts, and the cocktail menu will be designed to warm you up. Food-wise, the dinner spread will suit the season, of course — and, in terms of entertainment, art-folk artist Ryan Downey will be taking to the stage. The idea is to take attendees on a sensory journey, with tickets starting at $39.
It sounds like the stuff of legend: a beer that's only released twice a year. If you've tasted Feral Brewing Company's Tusk tipple, then you'll agree that its myth-like status is accurate. This aggressively bitter double IPA is much, much drier than its blend of hopped mango, citrus and grapefruit aromatics seems to indicate — and you won't be able to get enough of it. In case you need any more convincing, this is the type of brew that our medieval ancestors would've brawled over centuries ago. These days, you just have to head to the right place at the right time, like the Bloodhound Bar on May 6. As part of the latest Tusk release — aka thirteen kegs shipped from the Perth brewery to East Coast establishments — the Brunswick Street hotspot is serving up their barrel of hops-laden goodness until the tap runs dry. And if the drink of the day doesn't take your fancy, don't worry; other Feral bevvys, including Imperial Red IPA Fantapants and the sour and fruity Watermelon Warhead, will be on offer too.
In recent years, there's been an interesting shift in the way Australians approach leisure and travel. There was a time when an ideal weekend involved throwing back espresso martinis, racking up a $200 Uber bill, and waking up with a vague recollection of last night's bad decisions. Now? Our collective vibe (and level of disposable income) has changed. People are drinking less, going out less, and prioritising feeling good on Monday morning over how late they can stay out. In 2024, Forbes reported a study that found Gen Z, in particular, are drinking 12.8 fewer alcoholic drinks a month compared to before COVID-19. This coincides with the increasing popularity of run clubs, bath houses, #GutHealth and holistic wellness both online and IRL. But it's not just about cutting back on booze, it's about chasing something that actually makes you feel good. Enter the rise of micro wellness escapes: short, intentional trips that are designed to leave you recharged instead of wrecked. Instead of saving for one big, long-haul, blowout trip, more and more people are leaning into weekends spent off-grid, ice baths instead of beach clubs, and yoga in the hinterland rather than sunrise shots in Bali. If that sounds like your kind of reset, here are five wellness retreats worth checking out. Eden Health Retreat Currumbin Valley QLD If you've ever wished you could disappear off the grid for a few days, Eden Health Retreat makes that dream a reality. Tucked away in Queensland's Currumbin Valley, it's a place where your phone gets zero reception, the Wi-Fi doesn't exist, and your only connection is with nature, your body, and that book you finally have time to read. This isn't the kind of place you go to lie by the pool with a cocktail. The days here are structured but flexible, with daily classes or workshops ranging from yoga, Pilates and sound healing to rainforest meditations, cold plunges and sauna. You can book in for massages or sweat it out in the state-of-the-art gym, and still have time for long walks through the forest tracks that wrap around the retreat. The food is nutritionally balanced, seasonal, and designed by their team of award-winning chefs and nutritionists. They provide three totally gluten-free meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) served in the beautiful dining room overlooking the valley. They even have a custom-built demonstration kitchen where you can learn how to cook for yourself. You won't go hungry, and you'll leave with a new standard for what healthy eating can taste like. Eden is immersive. It's a chance to disappear from real life, breathe deeply, and actually hear yourself think again. If you're in need of a full system reset, this is your best bet. Book Eden Health Retreat Gaia Retreat & Spa Brooklet NSW Not everyone wants a retreat where they have to ditch their vices entirely. Gaia, set in Byron Bay's lush hinterland, caters to that. Here, you can have your organic, locally sourced meals and grounding meditations, but you can also enjoy a glass of wine with dinner. You can go full wellness mode, or you can simply read a book on the balcony, get a massage, and forget reality. Gaia's experience is built around balance. There are daily yoga classes, as well as opt-in opt-out spa treatments and holistic wellness therapies like art therapy, astrology, kinesiology and energetic healing. But you can pick and choose your own pace, jumping into everything, or doing absolutely nothing and just floating through the weekend. Food here is a highlight. Fresh, organic produce from the onsite gardens and local farmers is served across three daily meals by Gaia's award-winning chefs. Yes, there's a wine list. And no, you don't need to feel bad about indulging. It's part of the wellness equation. Gaia offers you space to relax without rules. Whether you're escaping the city, celebrating something, or just need a reset, this is luxury wellness without the rigidity. Book Gaia Retreat The Brooklet Brooklet NSW Some places make a point of saying, "We're not a retreat," and The Brooklet is one of them. Nestled in Byron Bay's rolling hills, it's set on 125-acres with 6 luxury Villas for those who want a break from life without the structure of a traditional wellness retreat. Instead of a rigid schedule, you get a stunning space where you can take things at your own pace. It's self-guided, self-paced, and all about reconnecting with nature. There's an infinity mineral pool overlooking the hills, a sauna, hot tub, tennis court, private yoga sessions and spaces designed purely for chilling out: think warm timber tones, neutral palettes, and interiors that instantly make you feel calm. It's like staying at a ridiculously aesthetic countryside Airbnb, but one that also happens to be built for wellness. If you choose a retreat package, your stay will include three meals per day and a non-alcoholic beverage package. Or you can head to nearby cafes and farm-to-table eateries. The space also includes a communal kitchen, where guests can make their own pizzas and eat at the huge family-style communal table. The Brooklet is for those who don't want to be told what to do with their downtime. Just beautiful space, plenty of nature, and all the facilities you need to tune back in. Book The Brooklet Elysia Wellness Retreat Pokolbin NSW If you're after a full-body-and-mind transformation, Elysia is the place. Located in the Hunter Valley in NSW, it's a wellness retreat in the most literal sense of the title. Structured, intentional, and designed to help you completely reset your mind and body with long term habits. Elysia offers three to seven day packages. Each stay includes guided fitness, mindfulness and wellness sessions, ranging from group yoga and tai chi to educational seminars, spa therapies, and one-on-one health consultations. There's a schedule to follow, but it's flexible and designed to empower you with tools to take home. The food is designed to detox, nourish and energise, but it's never boring. Clean, wholesome meals are served communally to encourage mindful eating, and you're given a break from red meat, alcohol, caffeine, sugar and saturated fat. It's a retreat that feeds your body and your social spirit. Elysia is perfect if you're looking for a retreat that's equal parts educational and experiential. Book Elysia Wellness Retreat Billabong Retreat Maraylya NSW Only 45 minutes from Sydney, Billabong Retreat is one of the most accessible wellness getaways around, designed for those who want to unplug without going too far. It's less about luxury and more about getting back to basics, with a philosophy around reconnection with nature, mindfulness, and slowing down. Everything here is simple but thoughtful. Treehouse-style cabins overlook a serene billabong and there's a general sense of "let's just breathe for a minute" energy about the place. The daily program centres around yoga, meditation and mindfulness, with classes that suit all levels. You can book extra spa treatments, take a dip in the mineral pool, or simply sit with a cup of tea and look out over the trees. The food is like a warm, plant-based hug. Each stay includes all food, drinks and snacks, which are all locally sourced and served in a communal buffet style that encourages genuine connection. It's healthy, hearty and made with love. Book Billabong Retreat In 2025, wellness retreats are no longer for the ultra-spiritual or ultra-rich. Now, they're for anyone who just wants to feel better. As the world speeds up, the real luxury is being able to check out of the chaos and check in with yourself.
If you've ever sat down to play Mario Kart on any of the various devices that the beloved game has popped up on over the years — Google Maps, mobile phones and reality also included — then you've likely learned two things. Firstly, rainbow roads are truly something else. Secondly, you can never have too much Mario in your life. The folks at Universal Studios clearly agree on the second point, as everyone should, and they gave us an IRL Nintendo-themed amusement park in 2022 to prove it. Open for the past year, the globe's first Super Nintendo World is part of Universal Studios in Osaka, and it looks glorious — thanks to life-sized recreations of both Bowser's Castle (complete with spiked fences and heavy iron doors) and Peach's Castle, plus Mario Kart rides as well. [caption id="attachment_804547" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nintendo and Universal Studios[/caption] Super Nintendo World was never going to be an Osaka exclusive, though. The Japanese theme park isn't losing its latest attraction, but more were always planned for Universal Studios in Hollywood, Orlando and Singapore. And, come 2023, you'll definitely be able to live out your IRL Mario Kart dreams in Tinseltown, because that's when and where the next Super Nintendo World is opening. Exactly what Universal Studios Hollywood's version will include hasn't yet been confirmed, and neither has an exact opening date — but if a trip to the US is on your agenda next year, it now has a new stop. In a press release announcing the 2023 launch, Universal Studios advised that the new Super Nintendo World will be "a visual spectacle of vibrant colours and architectural ingenuity located within a newly expanded area of the theme park, featuring a groundbreaking ride and interactive areas, to be enjoyed by the whole family", although that's obviously still quite vague. Unsurprisingly, themed shopping and dining will be a big part of the experience, of course. #SuperNintendoWorld is opening in 2023 at Universal Studios Hollywood! Level up with exclusive merch at the Feature Presentation store, opening soon. pic.twitter.com/4qh0bDACGN — Universal Studios Hollywood (@UniStudios) March 10, 2022 If you'd like to try to glean some clues from Osaka's Super Nintendo World, it lets you enter via a warp pipe — naturally — and there's simply no mistaking its Nintendo-themed space for anywhere else. And, Osaka's Mario Kart fix comes courtesy of Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge, where patrons race through familiar Mario Kart courses that've been brought to life. Yes, as you steer your way along the track, you're surrounded by characters such as Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. You can also throw shells to take out your opponents, because it wouldn't be Mario Kart without them. If you're wondering how it all works, it's a blend of physical sets, augmented reality, projection mapping and screen projection, all designed to make you feel like you're really in the game. Also a highlight in Osaka: Yoshi's Adventure, which lets you climb on Yoshi's back; the world's first Mario cafe, as kitted out with a red and green colour scheme; and wearable wrist bands, called Power Up Bands, which connect to a special app and allow patrons to interact with the site using their arms, hands and bodies (and enable you to collect coins just like Mario does in the Super Mario games). Fingers crossed that they all make the leap to Hollywood, too. Super Nintendo World will open at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023. For more information, keep an eye on the theme park's website. Top image: Nintendo and Universal Studios.
"Remember, the force will be with you. Always." Back in 1977, in a little movie called Star Wars — now known as Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope — Obi-Wan Kenobi uttered these words to Luke Skywalker. They were meant as encouragement and reassurance, but they've also proven true for fans of the George Lucas-created franchise. This space-opera series has been with us ever since, including through prequels, sequels, spinoffs, theme parks and more, and it shows absolutely no signs of going anywhere soon. In this very time, in this very galaxy, someone is usually on a screen somewhere talking about the force, in fact — and expect it to get more than a few mentions in the latest Star Wars streaming series that's headed our way. This one's a big one, and exactly why is all there in the title. Help us Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're our only hope for a new step into the Star Wars realm come Wednesday, May 25 on Disney+. Ewan McGregor (Halston) once again dons the iconic Jedi master's robes, in a six-episode series that's set ten years after Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith. Bridging the gap in Obi-Wan's story between the prequels and the OG Star Wars flicks, it follows the fallout after Anakin Skywalker's (Hayden Christensen, The Last Man) turn to the dark side and reinvention as Sith Lord Darth Vader. And yes, Christensen is back as well as the villainous figure. [caption id="attachment_845698" align="alignnone" width="1920"] © 2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] While Obi-Wan Kenobi won't hit your streaming queue for just over two months, Disney+ has just dropped the next best thing: the show's first teaser trailer. A word of warning: for a show that splashes Obi-Wan Kenobi's name across its moniker, its first sneak peek is a little light on Obi-Wan himself, but it does set the scene for the showdown between the Jedi and his former padawan that's obviously coming. The sandy expanse of Tatooine earns some attention, with Obi-Wan keeping an eye on the young Luke Skywalker. Across the rest of the galaxy, the hunt to find where Kenobi is hiding is well and truly on. Coming to Disney+ following fellow Star Wars dramas The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi sees Joel Edgerton (The Green Knight) and Bonnie Piesse return as Owen and Beru Lars, too — and also stars Moses Ingram (The Queen's Gambit), Kumail Nanjiani (Eternals), Indira Varma (This Way Up), Rupert Friend (The French Dispatch), O'Shea Jackson Jr (Just Mercy), Sung Kang (Fast and Furious 9), Simone Kessell (1%) and Benny Safdie (Licorice Pizza). Check out the trailer for Obi-Wan Kenobi below: Obi-Wan Kenobi starts streaming via Disney+ on Wednesday, May 25.
Drinking a beverage and watching a band ranks among life's simplest pleasures. Enjoying one of hundreds of craft beers and ciders from more than 60 independent brewers and cideries, while being entertained by The Smith Street Band, The Jungle Giants and more — now that's how you take something great and make it even better. Ensuring a good time is had by all is part of the aim of the Beer InCider Experience in its 2018 iteration over the weekend of Friday, September 21 and Saturday, September 22. Well, that and showcasing the best in brews and music, plus throwing in some delicious food and fun entertainment options. And, like last year, the tasting festival is taking over the Brisbane Showgrounds. To line the stomach, local food-slinging folks will also do their bit — and 2017's event also featured a ginger beer bar and an espresso martini bar, so cross your fingers that they'll make a return. After all that eating and drinking — including of collaborative beverages and exclusive brews made just for Beer InCider — you can then work it all with a bout of ping pong or handball. Yes, this truly is the ultimate in drinks-focused festivals. And if that's not enough, here's the full music lineup: The Jungle Giants The Smith Street Band Tired Lion Mallrat Bad//Dreems Alice Ivy Press Club Bugs Bris182 Morning Harvey Sweater Curse Updated July 30.
Gather your spoons and prepare to start throwing them at a screen: The Disaster Artist is nearly here. A behind-the-scenes recreation of the making of Tommy Wiseau's The Room, it's shaping up to be the best movie ever made about the worst movie ever made. Oh hi, instant cult classic (and Mark, Greg, Claudette and doggy). Based on the non-fiction book of the same name by the original flick's star Greg Sestero, and directed, produced and starring James Franco as Wiseau, the film takes almost every actor you can think of (Dave Franco, Seth Rogen, Alison Brie, Zac Efron, Hannibal Buress, Sharon Stone, Melanie Griffith, Megan Mullally, Josh Hutcherson and Jackie Weaver, for starters) on a tour of Wiseau's now infamous late-night favourite — and, in quite the change from The Room, it's garnering a massive amount of buzz and critical love. After premiering as a work in progress at this year's SXSW, it just screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, and will hit Australian cinemas on November 30. A first teaser was first released back in July, absolutely perfecting the shooting of one of The Room's many, many memorable moments, with a full trailer now providing an even bigger glimpse into Franco's take on Wiseau's world. The awkward dialogue, the odd game of catch, Wiseau's greasy locks, a sex scene that defies human anatomy, "you're tearing me apart, Lisa!!!" — they're all there, in the expected so-bad-it's-hilarious fashion. Wiseau himself has given the whole thing his 99.9 percent approval, and pops up in the movie, of course. And if you need more convincing or you've never hurled a spoon in your life, we'll let Franco's version of Wiseau say everything else that needs to be said about The Room — and why you should be interested in The Disaster Artist. "So there's this guy Johnny. A true American hero — to be played by me. He has it all. Good looks, many friends. And also maybe Johnny is vampire. We'll see." Check out the new trailer below — and the original teaser too, because more The Disaster Artist is only a good thing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMKX2tE5Luk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIXYaCWc2EM
What a difference a few drops of water can make. In The Insult, a spurting drainpipe sparks an altercation across religious and cultural lines, a highly publicised court case, and a probing look at Lebanon's volatile political climate. There's more to Ziad Doueiri's Academy Award-nominated drama, including the heated exchange of words that gives the film its title. But at the movie's heart, a simple situation embodies the tensions in the writer-director's fraught, fractious homeland. Just as right-wing Christian mechanic Tony Hanna (Adel Karam) is watering the plants on his Beirut balcony, Palestinian construction crew foreman Yasser Salameh (Kamel El Basha) walks underneath. Annoyed about getting wet and eager to do a good job around the neighbourhood, the latter knocks on the former's door and advises him to fix his drainage. When Tony refuses in an overt display of belligerence, Yasser takes matters into his own hands, repairing the pipe himself. Still irate, Tony then smashes Yasser's handiwork to pieces. In response and in obvious frustration, Yasser calls Tony a "fucking prick". Despite the film's moniker, that's not the only insult hurled throughout the course of the narrative, or the only display of violence. Whether the central duo are tussling on the street, facing off in Tony's workshop or watching their respective lawyers (Camille Salameh and Diamand Bou Abboud) duke it out in court, The Insult hinges upon exchanges steeped in anger, as well as the unrest ignited by a society simmering with division. Indeed, from the moment that Doueiri opens the movie with a Christian political party protest, he doesn't shy away from the broader context that's so pivotal to his plot. And while the filmmaker doesn't avoid emotive touches either — Tony has a heavily pregnant wife (Rita Hayek) as well as a tragic background, while Yasser has been a refugee in the country for decades — every aspect of the storyline helps flesh out the movie's many complexities. Doueiri's approach should feel familiar, and not just because he traversed comparable thematic terrain with terrorism drama The Attack back in 2012. Using a specific scenario as a stand-in for the Middle East's wider troubles is hardly a new cinematic tactic, as Iranian director Asghar Farhadi continually illustrates — and comparing The Insult to the likes of Farhardi's A Separation and About Elly is certainly a compliment. Like his fellow filmmaker, Doueriri possesses a way with words, both in slinging them between characters and in understanding their importance in trying circumstances. He similarly has an eye for nuanced performances, as El Basha demonstrates with a fine-tuned, lived-in portrayal that won him the Best Actor award at the 2017 Venice Film Festival. Furthermore, Doueriri knows how to unpack a moral quandary, sometimes bluntly but always effectively. If there's another filmmaker that The Insult also owes a debt to, it's a seemingly unlikely one: Quentin Tarantino. Doueriri was the first assistant camera operator on Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown, and clearly learned a few lessons in visual storytelling from all three movies. There's much greater restraint evident in his work with cinematographer Tommaso Fiorilli, of course, however movies so focused on searing dialogue rarely feel as fluid and energetic as this. A picture doesn't speak a thousand words here, given that so much conversation is flung about. But each frame lends weight, power and a crackling atmosphere to this riveting exploration of both everyday and historical conflicts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fd6gDd2f2k
More streaming platforms keep coming our way. More Brisbane cinemas keep opening. Basically, if you like being spoilt for viewing options, it's a good time to be a cinephile. And now this city of ours has another option — a series of free movie nights at the XXXX Brewery. You've drunk its beer, possibly taken the tour, and probably enjoyed a brew and a meal at the onsite Alehouse, but you likely haven't seen a movie at the Milton landmark — until now. On Wednesday, May 1 and again the following week on Wednesday, May 8, you can change that fact. There's free popcorn too, to complete the film-going experience. On the agenda: Aussie flicks The Castle and Young Einstein. Yes, there's a pool table — so if you want to go straight to the pool room, you can. While entry won't cost a thing, don't forget your wallet if you're keen on a few beverages. The films start at 7pm each week.
It's Australia's most prestigious portrait award, it's now in its 101st year and it hands out $100,000 to its annual winner. Also, like the rest of us, it adores the one and only Taika Waititi. That'd be the Archibald Prize, which just unveiled its finalists for 2022, as well as its latest Packing Room Prize recipient. And yes, a 3D-style portrait of the Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Thor: Ragnarok filmmaker by Sydney-based artist Claus Stangl falls into both categories. Is there anything that Taika Waititi can't do? "He's the light in the dark and the levity we so often need," said Stangl, collecting the Packing Room Prize at a ceremony today, Thursday, May 5, at Sydney's Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Archibald Prize's hosts. In the process, he shared his excitement for the Waititi's upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder — again, like the rest of us — and chatted about how the portrait came to fruition. Waititi "just basically performed and did his Taika thing," Stangl noted. If you'd like to see the Packing Room Prize-winning work — which is chosen by the packing room team, hence the name — it'll be on display at the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney from Saturday, May 14–Sunday, August 28. Of course, it wasn't the only portrait in the spotlight at the finalists announcement. From 1908 entries, with an even 50/50 split between male and female artists, 52 works have been shortlisted for the Archibald, 34 for the Wynne and 29 for the Sulman (with the Wynne Prize recognising the best landscape painting of Australian scenery or figure sculpture, and the Sulman Prize awarded to the best subject painting, genre painting or mural project). [caption id="attachment_852690" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Archibald Prize 2022 finalist, Natasha Bieniek, Patricia Piccinini, oil on wood, 13.8 x 18.5 cm © the artist, image © AGNSW, Mim Stirling. Sitter: Patricia Piccinini.[/caption] Among the Archibald highlights: a portrait of artist Patricia Piccinini by Natasha Bieniek, Vincent Namatjira's self portrait with a dingo, Felix von Dallwitz's portrait of Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott, and Natasha Walsh's Dear Brett (the blue room), which references Brett Whiteley's 1976 Archibald-winning self-portrait. Other finalists include Avraham Vofsi's John Safran as David and Goliath, Paul Newton's portrait of Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness, Courtney Act and Shane Jenek painted by Kim Leutwyler, and Jordan Richardson's portrait of Benjamin Law. Across all three fields, 2022's shortlist also made history. This year's batch includes the highest number of Aboriginal finalists in the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes — with 27 overall. [caption id="attachment_852691" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Archibald Prize 2022 finalist, Vincent Namatjira, Self-portrait with dingo, acrylic on linen, 136.5 x 121.5 cm © the artist, image © AGNSW, Mim Stirling. Sitter: Vincent Namatjira (self-portrait)[/caption] Speculation about who will be awarded the coveted art award — and, more often than not, the Archibald winner itself — usually causes much-heated debate. From 2018's five-time Archibald finalist Yvette Coppersmith's first win to Tony Costa's 2019 victory with his painting of fellow artist Lindy Lee — the first portrait of an Asian Australian to pick up the prize — it's hard a prize to pick. All that's really assured is that it'll be a portrait of a person by an Australian-based artist. In 2020, Vincent Namatjira's portrait of Adam Goodes did the honours, and also marked the first time the award has gone to an Indigenous artist. In 202, Peter Wegner's portrait of fellow artist Guy Warren nabbed the gong. 2022's Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize winners will be announced at 12pm on Friday, May 13. If you don't agree with the judges, you can cast your own vote for People's Choice, which will be announced on Wednesday, July 27. [caption id="attachment_852692" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Archibald Prize 2022 finalist, Jordan Richardson, Venus, oil on canvas, 122.3 x 183.4 cm © the artist, image © AGNSW, Felicity Jenkins. Sitter: Benjamin Law.[/caption] ARCHIBALD PRIZE 2022 DATES Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney, NSW — May 14–August 28, 2022 Bunjil Place, Melbourne, Victoria — September 2–October 16, 2022 Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, NSW — October 22—December 4, 2022 Grafton Regional Gallery, NSW — 17 December, 2022–29 January, 2023 Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, NSW — 10 February–26 March, 2023 Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, NSW — 8 April–21 May, 2023 Western Plains Cultural Centre, NSW — 3 June–30 July, 2023 If you can't make it to any of the above dates, you can check out the award winners and finalists of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes on the Art Gallery of NSW website. Top image: Packing RoomPrize 2022 winner, Claus Stangl, Taika Waititi. Acrylic on canvas, 245 x 195.1 cm © the artist, image © AGNSW, Felicity Jenkins. Sitter: Taika Waititi.
It's a workday. You're rushing from one meeting to another, the Blackberry won't stop bleeping at you, the morning's caffeine fix is wearing off, and then you feel it: that familiar rumble in the stomach. Lunchtime has arrived. If your ability to plan ahead has failed you and you haven't brought your lunch with you, it's time to decide what's your going to put in your belly. To achieve the holy trinity of lunch, you need to find something that is healthy, delicious and affordable. And if you're in the Brisbane CBD, you're in luck. There has been a lot of noise in recent years about the health and environmental benefits of plant-based diets. Vege Rama (which earned a place in our Five Best Vegetarian Cafes in Brisbane) is committed to the health of people and the planet, serving up a smorgasbord of plant-based dishes, ranging from nutrient-packed salads to nourishing curries. The 100% vegan café is located at Post Office Square (there is also a 100% vegetarian café located in the Myer Centre food court) – and it is 100% delicious. There are a few mainstays on the hot food menu – think enchiladas ($9), lasagna ($9) and dahl with rice ($5) – but the rest of the hot dishes vary from day to day. Inspired by cuisines such as Indian, Thai, Italian and Greek, options on offer may include veggie korma, split pea soup, spinach and mushroom pasta bake, satay vegetables or Thai pumpkin curry. Keep an eye on the Vege Rama Facebook page to find out what's cooking each day. Salad lovers will also be in heaven, with a range including mustard & dill, pad Thai noodles, chickpea pesto, falafel, and Moroccan quinoa. And for healthy food masquerading as dessert, who can go past a slice of vegan cheesecake? Best of all, most meals will cost you $10 or under. So there you have it: healthy, delicious and affordable. This could very well be Brisbane's best workday lunch.
Sorry, supermarket desserts. When Gelato Messina serves up one of its special treats, no one's hitting the local ice cream aisle. 2023's limited-edition wares have included everything from red velvet gelato, cake and fudge mixes to a mango gelato spin on Iced Vovos — plus a Neapolitan version of its super-fancy Viennetta, too — and are now gifting folks with a sweet tooth a tub of gianduia gelato topped with hazelnut rocher crack. If your ultimate chocolate is round, covered in gold wrapping and has a crunchy hazelnut centre — yes, we're talking about Ferrero Rocher — then we expect that you'll be keen for this Messina special, dubbed the Get Cracking hot tub. Clearly taking its cues from the famed Italian chocolate, the tubs feature layers of gianduia (chocolate-hazelnut) gelato, cone crunch and hazelnut mousse. Then, on top: that hazelnut rocher crack. The end result mightn't look exactly like the chocolates that you know and love, just in a scoopable form, but it's an ode all the same. Available as part of Messina's 'Hot Tub' series, the Get Cracking gelato can only be ordered online on Monday, August 7, in one-litre tubs. You can then go into your chosen Messina store to pick up your tub between Friday, August 11–Sunday, August 13. A note re ordering: because Messina's specials always attract plenty of gelato lovers, the chain now staggers its on-sale times depending on the state — and, in Sydney, also the part of town you're in. Accordingly, pre-orders commence in Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory at 9am, then hit Victoria at 9.15am, before spreading its New South Wales stores over three slots between 9.30–10am. Gelato Messina's Get Cracking hot tub will be available to order on Monday, August 7, for pick up between Friday, August 11–Sunday, August 13 — head to the Messina website for further details.
Visiting New York City sits on plenty of bucket lists, and there are more than a few reasons why that's the case. But if you've always wanted to head to the Big Apple, wear designer outfits, get paid to write about your love life and, between cocktails and dates, hang out outside your apartment — sitting on the stoop with your significant other, whether you're making up or breaking up — then you obviously have Sex and the City to thank. Running from 1998–2004 (forget the terrible 2008 and 2010 movies), the hit HBO series made Manolo Blahniks a must-wear, turned cosmopolitans into the drink of choice for sips with the gang, and gave tutus their moment outside of ballet. It also showered Carrie Bradshaw's apartment stoop with ample attention, including in big, life-changing moments. Unsurprisingly, the filming location has become a tourist attraction over the last quarter-century. Always wanted to make the trip to follow in Sarah Jessica Parker's footsteps, but haven't yet had the chance? With Sex and the City spinoff And Just Like That... arriving for its second season this month — after first debuting in 2021 — Binge is bringing a replica of that famous apartment stoop to Melbourne. And if this sounds familiar, that's because it did the same a couple of years back in Sydney. This time, the 2.2-metre-wide, 4.8-metre-high stoop is popping up at the David Jones Dome at Melbourne's Chadstone Shopping Centre for three days, between Thursday, June 8–Saturday, June 10, ready to fill your Instagram feed. Just like when the Friends couch toured Australia, the Squid Game Red Light, Green Light doll towered over Sydney Harbour and a statue of Borat made an appearance at Bondi Beach — and when the Iron Throne did the rounds, and all of the other film- and TV-themed pop-ups over the years — this is all about three things: indulging one of your pop-culture obsessions, taking snaps and promotion ahead of And Just Like That...'s season two return on Thursday, June 22. It also marks 25 years since Sex and the City began. And no, as you're taking photos of yourself living out your Carrie Bradshaw stoop dreams — Manolo Blahniks optional — you won't find any Peloton fitness equipment in sight. Find the replica Sex and the City and And Just Like That... apartment stoop at the David Jones Dome at Melbourne's Chadstone Shopping Centre from 11am–3pm and 5–9pm on Thursday, June 8–Friday, June 9 — and 11am–3pm on Saturday, June 10. Images: Chris Pavlich Photography.
Gaming and esports are coming to Melbourne in a big way. Come early 2020, the Emporium precinct will welcome Fortress, a 2700-square-metre centre devoted to computer, video, console and tabletop gaming. When it launches, it'll become the largest venue of its type both in the country and in the southern hemisphere. If you're eager to mash buttons with your mates somewhere other than your lounge room, you'll be able to do so in this sprawling two-level spot — which'll feature more than 160 gaming PCs, several suites dedicated to consoles, an entire lounge for online gaming, four streamer pods, and an area just for role-playing and board games. If you take your favourite pastime a bit more seriously, you'll also be in the right place. As well as an esports arena with grandstand seating for 200 people, Fortress will include an esports bootcamp room, a training space, and broadcast and production facilities. At least five big screens will grace the venue's walls, playing live tournaments and international playoffs. Elsewhere, function rooms with their own computer setups will be available to hire for private events and parties — and there'll be a merchandise store onsite as well. When it comes to kicking back after a few games, the esports area will boast its own bar, while the basement will be home to a 400-square-metre tavern that'll serve both drinks and food. Whether you're a Super Smash Bros lover or a Counter Strike fiend, Fortress Melbourne aims to appeal to everyone, catering for casual gamers, competitive gamers and esports diehards, as well as families and after-work crowds. A collaboration with US-based Allied Esports, which runs venues such as Las Vegas' HyperX Esports Arena, the Melbourne facility marks the first in a planned chain of similar spots across Australia over the next few years — although no date has been given as yet for the rollout around the rest of the country. Fortress Melbourne will open at Emporium Melbourne, 287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, sometime early in 2020. We'll update you with a launch date when one is announced.
No one normally loves spending a weekend on the couch when there's a huge music festival happening, unless you can cure that FOMO by joining in from home. Coachella has been making attending the event without leaving home happen for years via its YouTube livestream, thankfully. And with the Indio, California fest upon us for 2024, it has unveiled its set times for its first weekend so that you know when to tune in. On the bill: Lana Del Rey, Tyler, The Creator, Doja Cat and the reunited No Doubt as headliners. Coachella's first 2024 run spans across Friday, April 12–Sunday, April 14 in the US, which is Saturday, April 13–Monday, April 15 Down Under. On Saturday in Australia and New Zealand, you'll be making a date with Del Ray. On Sunday, tune in for Tyler, The Creator and No Doubt. And on Monday, you'll be able to see Doja Cat. [caption id="attachment_936351" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Casey via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Also among the highlights on Saturday in Australia and NZ: Justice, Peso Pluma, Lil Uzi Vert, Sabrina Carpenter, Deftones, Suki Waterhouse, Peggy Gou and Tinashe. The list goes on, of course. On Sunday Down Under, get excited about Blur, Ice Spice, Jon Batiste, Sublime, Dom Dolla, Vampire Weekend, Grimes, Orbital, Oneohtrix Point Never and RAYE, too — and more, obviously. And, come Monday for Aussies and New Zealanders, J Balvin, Lil Yachty, Kruangbin, Reneé Rapp, Flight Facilities and DJ Seinfeld are on the bill, plus a heap of others. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Coachella (@coachella) Spotted a dreaded set clash? This year, for the first time ever, you'll be able to livestream multiple stages at once. How many? Four in total. Each year, Coachella and YouTube join forces to beam the massive music fest around the world, which is no longer such a novelty in these pandemic-era times — but being able to fill your screen with a quartet of Coachella sets at the same time definitely is. YouTube's multiview concert experience will enjoy its debut in the music space, and globally, at Coachella. This year, the service will be capturing six different stages, as it did in 2023 for the first time ever — with Sonora on the list for the first weekend and Yuma on the second. [caption id="attachment_950216" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Clay Junell via Flickr.[/caption] That said, while you can feast your eyes on four stages simultaneously, you'll only be able to hear one, so you will still need to pick a favourite in any given timeslot. Coachella 2024 returns again from Friday, April 19–Sunday, April 21, which is Saturday, April 20–Monday, April 22 Down Under, if the first weekend's timings don't suit your schedule. Bookmark Coachella's YouTube channel ASAP — or hit it up below: Coachella 2024 runs from Friday, April 12–Sunday, April 14 and Friday, April 19–Sunday, April 21 — which is Saturday, April 13–Monday, April 15 and Saturday, April 20–Monday, April 22 Down Under — at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, and livestreams via YouTube across the same dates. Top image: petercruise via Flickr.
Gareth Moody knows what he’s doing. After six years of working as one of the Ksubi co-founders, he went off to do his own thing and launched Chronicles of Never in 2006, a jewellery brand that is now iconic for Moody’s trademark symbols, materials and colours used. Following the success of the jewellery line, Moody expanded into a complete Chronicles of Never clothing line and less-exxy-but-just-as-amazing sub-label Black Noise White Rain. The amazing thing about Chronicles of Never is that you can spot someone wearing it from a mile away – and not in the sense that Moody’s used diamontes to emblazon the CoN logo across some t-shirts or something (though that is also effective if you go for that kinda thing). Quite the opposite – Moody’s designs have been cohesive within each collection and throughout the seasons, creating and developing on the CoN ‘signature style’ while establishing a cult following along the way. For two days Chronicles of Never are setting up shop on Ann Street for an AW11 end of season sale, boasting seconds, samples and rarities. If you haven’t joined the Cult of Chronicles yet, this is the perfect time to establish your membership.
If you're a fan of 90s horror getting a new lease on life, we know what you're doing this winter Down Under: watching the latest instalment in the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise. Although a TV series ran for one season in 2021, it's been almost 20 years since the last film in the series hit screens — and, as both the initial trailer and the just-dropped fresh look at the newest movie shows, familiar faces are back, and spouting familiar lines of dialogue as well. A slasher premise. A script by Dawson's Creek creator Kevin Williamson. A cast member of Party of Five being terrorised. That setup worked well twice three decades back, first with Scream and then with I Know What You Did Last Summer. Indeed, when they each initially released, sequels followed in both instances. Here's the latest part of the trend: both franchises have made or are making 2020s-era returns after jumps to the small screen, in flicks sharing the same name as the original movies in each saga and featuring OG cast members. First came 2022's Scream. Next arrives 2025's I Know What You Did Last Summer. Once again, Jennifer Love Hewitt (9-1-1) follows in Neve Campbell's (The Lincoln Lawyer) footsteps — and as Scream did, I Know What You Did Last Summer picks up with a mix of recognisable and new talents. As the sneak peeks for cinema's return to Southport illustrate, Freddie Prinze Jr (The Girl in the Pool) is also present again. Being stalked for their past misdeeds this time: Madelyn Cline (Outer Banks), Chase Sui Wonders (The Studio), Jonah Hauer-King (The Tattooist of Auschwitz), Tyriq Withers (Me) and Sarah Pidgeon (The Friend). On the big screen on Thursday, July 17, 2025 Down Under, the results will play out — aka a group of friends getting involved in a car accident where someone dies, they cover it up and vow not to tell anyone, but that secret and a vengeance-seeking killer haunts them a year later. The new film layers in the fact that this has all happened in the past, with the quintet in focus needing help from two survivors of the Southport Massacre of 1997. Enter Hewitt and Prinze Jr, as part of a cast that also includes Billy Campbell (Mr & Mrs Smith), Gabbriette Bechtel (Idiotka) and Austin Nichols (The Six Triple Eight). Starting as a 1973 novel, which Williamson adapted into the first 1997 film, I Know What You Did Last Summer initially spawned two sequels: 1998's I Still Know What You Did Last Summer and 2006's I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer. Then came that shortlived television effort. On the franchise's return to the big screen, Do Revenge filmmaker Jennifer Kaytin Robinson directs — and continues her connection with the OG I Know What You Did Last Summer cast, given that Sarah Michelle Gellar (Dexter: Original Sin) featured in that 2022 movie. Check out the trailer for I Know What You Did Last Summer below: I Know What You Did Last Summer releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
They're taking the hobbits to Amazon — and, later this year, fans of Lord of the Rings will be able to see the end result. You should already have Friday, September 2, 2022 marked in your diary, as the premiere date for Amazon Prime Video's new LOTR show was announced last year. But if you've been wondering exactly what you'll be watching, the streaming platform has just provided a few new details. While the series has just been referred to as The Lord of the Rings since it was first announced it back in 2017 — including when it was given the official go-ahead in mid-2018 and confirmed that it wouldn't just remake Peter Jackson's movies, and also when a few other concrete details regarding what it's about were revealed, its full title is officially The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. And if you're wondering why, Amazon has dropped a title release video (yes, we now live in a world where there are trailers for announcing what a show will be called) which includes some of JRR Tolkien's most famous lines. If you're a big LOTR fan — on the page and thanks to the films — you should be familiar with Tolkien's Ring Verse, which outlines who was intended to receive the rings of power. Elven-kings, dwarf-lords, mortal men and the Dark Lord all get a mention, and you can hear the key lines in the video below: "This is a title that we imagine could live on the spine of a book next to JRR Tolkien's other classics. The Rings of Power unites all the major stories of Middle-earth's Second Age: the forging of the rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, the epic tale of Númenor, and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men," said showrunners JD Payne and Patrick McKay, announcing the news. "Until now, audiences have only seen on-screen the story of the One Ring – but before there was one, there were many… and we're excited to share the epic story of them all." In a series that'll make ample use of New Zealand's scenic landscape in its first season — and so greenery abounds, naturally, as the first image from the show illustrates — The Rings of Power will spend time in Middle-earth's Second Age as Payne and McKay explained, bringing that era from the LOTR realm to the screen for the very first time. According to show's official synopsis, it'll follow "the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history," with the action set thousands of years before the novels and movies we've all read and watched. The series will also "take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien's pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness." If you're a little rusty on your LOTR lore, the Second Age lasted for 3441 years, and saw the initial rise and fall of Sauron, as well as a spate of wars over the coveted rings. Elves feature prominently, and there's plenty to cover, even if Tolkien's works didn't spend that much time on the period — largely outlining the main events in an appendix to the popular trilogy. Naturally, you can expect Sauron to feature in the new show, and to give its main figures some trouble. "Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth," the official synopsis continues. "From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone," it also advises. In terms of stars, The Rings of Power will feature an unsurprisingly large cast — and some impressive talent behind the scenes. Among the actors traversing Middle-earth are Tom Budge (Judy & Punch), Morfydd Clark (Saint Maud), Ismael Cruz Córdova (The Undoing), Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones), Cynthia Addai-Robinson (The Accountant), Maxim Baldry (Years and Years), Peter Mullan (Westworld), Benjamin Walker (The Underground Railroad) and comedian Lenny Henry. And, the series is being overseen by showrunners and executive producers JD Payne and Patrick McKay, while filmmaker JA Bayona (A Monster Calls, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) directs the first two episodes. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will be available to stream via Amazon Prime Video from Friday, September 2, 2022.
Your next bottomless boozy brunch is definitely going to feature alcohol. Depending on what you're hankering for, it could also include oysters, prawns and salmon sashimi — or Japanese egg sandwiches and strawberry French toast. They're all on the menu at Devon every weekend, alongside endless mimosas, prosecco, Devon lager and wine. As part of the Garden City eatery's just-launched bottomless brunch menu, you can pick from two options. If you're feeling hungry, the $60 Fisherman's Basket includes the aforementioned seafood, as well as grilled Harvey Bay scallops; fried calamari, hake and chips; and smoked salmon with tzatziki — and your choice of soft serve or crème brulee for dessert. Or, you can spend $40 for The Modern Aussie, which serves up the above bread products, plus cheesy mushroom arancini, smoked salmon, and your pick of barramundi or steak. As for the drinks, opt for just mimosas for an extra $29, or the whole boozy deal for an additional $39. Devon's Bottomless Brunch runs from 11am–1pm every Saturday and Sunday. Image: Jasper Ave.
Back in 2019, when The Boys first hit streaming, suffers of superhero fatigue understandably rejoiced. Yes, it focuses on a group of caped crusaders just like seemingly every second blockbuster movie (and, these days, every third TV show or so as well). But, in a world where viewers have been conditioned to lap up narratives about powerful folks who are supposedly better than most, this series both satirises and questions that very idea. Here, superheroes work for a corporation called Vought International. They're still the main form of entertainment, but they're real, the most famous celebrities there are and inescapable in daily life, too. The absolute top talent is known as The Seven; however, when the public isn't looking, most — especially leader Homelander (Antony Starr, Banshee) — are hardly role models. That made quite the change from the usual cinematic universes, both in the Prime Video show's initial season and its 2020 second effort — all of which came to the small screen after being adapted from Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson's comic book series of the same name. In fact, The Boys is one of the most entertaining caped crusader tales currently being made, as long as you're fond of a gleefully darker-than-dark tone, a pervasive bleakness that refuses to be shaken, plus oh-so-much blood, gore and guts. All of the above is set to return in the series' third season, which starts hitting Prime Video on Friday, June 3 — with the first three episodes arriving at once, then the remaining five releasing week to week — and has also just dropped its full trailer. The charismatic but ridiculously sinister Homelander still isn't quite right, but the public keep showering him with love. And determined, no-nonsense Brit Billy Butcher (Karl Urban, Thor: Ragnarok) is still intent on bringing Vought, The Seven and especially Homelander down with his own ragtag team, aka The Boys of the title. More evil superheroes, more crusading vigilantes, more of the complicated bond between The Boys' newcomer Hugh (Jack Quaid, Scream) and The Seven's Starlight (Erin Moriarty, Captain Fantastic), more dirty corporate shenanigans in an attempt to control the masses by lulling them into a false sense of caped crusader-fuelled security: that's all on the bill again as well, as the first sneak peek makes plain. That, and more exploding heads and laser eyes, with the latter gracing an unexpected character. Also returning: Dominique McElligott (House of Cards), Jessie T Usher (The Banker), Laz Alonso (Wrath of Man), Chace Crawford (Gossip Girl), Tomer Capone (One on One), Karen Fukuhara (Suicide Squad), Nathan Mitchell (Ginny & Georgia), Colby Minifie (I'm Thinking of Ending Things) and Claudia Doumit (Where'd You Go, Bernadette) — spanning the good, the bad and the in-between, from conflicted and egotistical supes to average folks downright sick of the sight of spandex. And, as glimpsed in the trailer, Supernatural's Jensen Ackles joins the cast this time around. Check out the trailer for The Boys season three below: The third season of The Boys starts streaming via Prime Video from Friday, June 3.
It's that time again, gelato fiends: time to kick off 2024 with Messina's first decadent special for the year, and time to start thinking about Valentine's Day as well. The cult-favourite dessert brand is taking care of both will one brand-new OTT creation: a hot tub version of its Mr Messina flavour. If you haven't tried this coveted scoop as a regular Messina gelato variety as yet, it features fior di latte gelato with baked cheesecake smashed in, as well as pretzel fudge and a pretzel crust. Now, think that but as one of Messina's hot tubs, aka the chain's extra-special, always limited-edition, online-order-only treats. No, the word 'hot' doesn't reflect the required temperature. Indeed, in this case, the tub comes with layers of fior di latte gelato, pretzel fudge and pretzel clusters, plus baked cheesecake and cheesecake mousse, all to be eaten cold. On top: red chocolate crack and piped vanilla chantilly. While the dessert is timed for the supposedly most romantic day of the year, who you share it and your Messina love with is up to you. Grab a spoon with your significant other, go all in for Galentine's Day instead, or treat yo'self to multiple days of red-topped gelato — the choice is obviously yours. Tubs cost $45 each, and you'll need to place your order online on Wednesday, January 24. Because Messina's specials always prove popular, the brand staggers its on-sale times. So, folks in Queensland, the ACT and Western Australia are able to purchase at 12pm AEDT / 11am AEST / 9am AWST — and Victorians at 12.15pm AEDT. New South Wales customers are split across three times depending on the store (with tubs from Bondi, Circular Quay, Miranda, Randwick and Surry Hills on sale at 12.30pm AEDT; Darlinghurst, Brighton Le Sands, Manly, Parramatta, Tramsheds and Marrickville at 12.45pm AEDT; and Darling Square, Newtown, Norwest, Rosebery and Penrith at 1pm AEDT). Wherever you live, you can then pick up the Mr Messina hot tubs between Monday, February 12–Wednesday, February 14. Fans of Messina will know that the gelato brand is quite fond of making these kinds of indulgent — and supremely tasty — specials, after previously serving up everything from mango Iced Vovo tubs and the Neapolitan Messinetta (aka its take on the Viennetta) to a hazelnut-heavy tub topped with rocher crack and honey joy sticky scrolls. Gelato Messina's Mr Messina hot tub will be available to order from on Wednesday, January 24 from 12pm AEDT, with times varying per state and store — head to the Messina website for more information.
It's been three years since Woodfordia, the southeast Queensland home of the Woodford Folk Festival, launched a stunning new attraction: Lake Gkula, a conservation and recreation habitat that's now part of the event's 500-acre parkland. Attendees at this year's fest can look forward to swims — as well as the music and arts celebration's big return in general — to cap off 2022 and kickstart 2023; however, if you're keen for a dip now as part of a spring getaway, the site is also currently open for camping. That said, you'll need to get in quick as the spring camping season at Lake Gkula only runs until Monday, October 3. As everyone with an eye on their upcoming days off knows, that covers the early-October long weekend, however — and bookings are still available. Consider that your public holiday plans sorted. During Lake Gkula's spring camping run, Woodfordia isn't quite the thriving pop-up community that it is during the folk festival — but that permanent lake is worth the drive 75-minutes north of Brisbane by car, and also provides quite the scenic backdrop for a holiday. The man-made spot is also teeming with fish and plant life. More than 16 species of native freshwater fish and crustaceans are swimming in its waters, while over 8000 plants have been planted in and around the lake to-date. Crucially for both the lake's biodiversity and for human swimmers, the entire body of water is chemical-free, using pumps and injectors to keep both a constant water flow and high levels of oxygen. The water is pushed through two wetlands, which act to purify the lake while also encouraging microorganisms to thrive. [caption id="attachment_870731" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gavin Ryan[/caption] If you're eager to go for a splash, you'll need to book in for a minimum three-night stay, which costs $25 per night for adults. All visits require online reservations in advance — but once that's taken care of, you're welcome to set up tents, caravans, motorhomes and camper trailers. Facilities-wise, the campgrounds features flat and shady sites, showers, a general store, potable water, mobile phone reception, that lake for swimming, and trails for hiking. You'll need to keep Rover at home, though, as it isn't pet-friendly — other than for seeing-eye dogs and assistance animals. The General Store is theming its menu, too, including woodfired nachos on Wednesdays, curries on Fridays, brisket burgers on Saturdays and barbecues on Sundays. You can also nab breakfast burgs daily, alongside cakes, coffee and general supplies. And, given the setting, the Woodfordia Folk Club will host local talent on Saturday, September 24 and Saturday, September 1, providing your getaway with an appropriate soundtrack. In the future, Lake Gkula will include onsite glamping tents as well; however, they're not ready for the current season. Lake Gkula Camping's spring season runs until Monday, October 3. For more information and to book, visit the Woodfordia website. The 2022–23 Woodford Folk Festival runs from Tuesday, December 27, 2022–Sunday, January 1, 2023. For further details, head to the Woodford Folk Festival website. Images: Waterscapes / Gain Ryan / Jen Quodling, Woodford Folk Festival via Flickr.
When The Duffer Brothers, the siblings who brought the world Stranger Things and gave Netflix its biggest hit yet in the process, announced that their obsessed-over and adored series was returning for a fourth season — a reveal made all the way back in 2019, just months after the third season released — they did it in the only way they know how. "We're not in Hawkins anymore", the video heralding the news advised. Even when dropping 45-second videos comprised solely of graphics and moody tunes, the Duffers' fondness for filtering their show through classic pop-culture references remained firmly intact. So it is that Stranger Things 4 ventures beyond its trusty small-town setting, and in several directions. It keeps those nods and winks to flicks and shows gone by streaming steadily as well. This fourth go-around, seven episodes of which arrive on Friday, May 27, ambitiously expands in other ways, too — not quite so many that you'd need seven Dungeons & Dragons dice to count them, but enough that it's noticeable. It's bigger and longer, with no episode clocking in at less than an hour, one in the first batch running for a feature-length 98 minutes, and the final two not set to release until Friday, July 1. Its teenage stars are bigger and taller as well, ageing further and faster than their characters. The show has matured past riffing on early-80s action-adventure movies, such as The Goonies; now, it's onto slashers and other horror films, complete with new characters called Fred and Jason. And with that, Stranger Things also gets bloodier and eerier. It's still the show that viewers have loved since 2016, when not even Netflix likely realised what it had unleashed — and no, that doesn't just include the demogorgon escaping from the Upside Down. But growing, as Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown, Godzilla vs Kong), her boyfriend Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard, Ghostbusters: Afterlife), and their pals Will Byers (Noah Schnapp, Waiting for Anya), Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo, The Angry Birds Movie 2), Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink, Fear Street) and Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin, Concrete Cowboy) all visibly have, comes with a few pains. The Duffers give fans more this time around, entertainingly so; however, the flow of the season's super-sized episodes and sprawled-out narrative threads is often askew. But that's hardly the worst problem to have — and pressing "next episode" instantly when each set of credits rolls remains as easy as ever. Eleven and company all do have worst woes to deal with. Six months after the battle of Starcourt, Eleven lives in Lenora Hills, California, with Will, his brother Jonathan (Charlie Heaton, The Souvenir Part II) and their mother Joyce (Winona Ryder, The Plot Against America). There, the weather is sunny yet little is rosy. The former government test-subject writes otherwise in letters back home, but high school is an onslaught of mean-girl bullying, which spills out violently when Mike visits over spring break. Eleven's powers have also vanished, and she's haunted by the loss of Jim Hopper (David Harbour, Black Widow) — as is Joyce, who now sells encyclopaedias from home. Life isn't any better in Indiana. More accurately, it's terrifying and insidiously grim. A pre-holiday Mike has joined the high school D&D club with Dustin, as run by metal-loving outcast Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn, Small Axe). So has Lucas, but he's also on the basketball team, trying to work his way up the social ladder. Haunted by her brother Billy's (Dacre Montgomery, The Broken Hearts Gallery) death in season three, Max refuses to fit in anywhere, but needs the gang's help when a new form of evil seeps out of the Upside Down and starts leaving a body count. Also ready to assist: Steve Harrington (Joe Keery, Free Guy) and Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke, Fear Street), who've graduated to working in the Hawkins' video store, plus the school newspaper's new star reporter Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer, Things Seen & Heard). And, in Russia — because that Hopper is alive and definitely isn't in Hawkins was revealed between seasons — frosty bleakness is status quo. But the stranded Hawkins Police chief remains as stubborn as ever, even shackled in a Soviet gulag. Obviously, he's determined to regain his freedom. Stranger Things 4 is many things: a reminder that high school is hell, and just being a teenager is torturous, too; a musing on trauma and the way it carves through hearts and souls, as slasher flicks tend to be; an escape caper; an enormous love letter to horror master Wes Craven, a wonderful stab of casting included; and another book in the show's superhero story. One of its most frustrating aspects: the way it throws around that S-word, because everything has to be a superhero tale these days (see also: the clearly Stranger Things-influenced Firestarter remake). This series has always been at its best when it's embracing two other genres, sci-fi and horror. Ramping up the latter, and using it to explore the chaos of being caught between childhood and adulthood, is season four's savviest touch. While it isn't particularly new or inventive, it cuts deep, mining the pain of making mistakes, being forever changed by life's ups and downs, and grappling with the realisation that some wounds truly are forever. As a result, for all of its efforts to roam beyond its original setting, Stranger Things' fourth season feels more like itself on familiar ground, unsurprisingly. That sensation helps give Sink one of the season's best performances so far — its weightiest and most textured, too — complete with a stunningly deployed 'Running Up That Hill' by Kate Bush as her personal soundtrack. It's also in Hawkins where the stakes are greater, the plot tighter and the diversions funnier, in no small part thanks to Matarazzo's still-stellar timing, Keery leaning as hard on Steve's comedic vibe as he has since season two, and Hawke making every Robin moment an utter delight. There's no place like home, after all, including when that town is a cross between Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Sunnydale and Twin Peaks. Although they're both 90s references, rather than hailing from the Duffers' beloved decade prior, the blood of Buffy and Twin Peaks have long pumped through Stranger Things' veins. That feels especially the case in season four, which is also the most melancholic yet — but with a clearly vast budget, as made plain by the special effects that the Duffers and fellow directors Shawn Levy (Free Guy) and Nimrod Antal (Predators) have at their disposal. And, with all that dripping 80s nostalgia, of course, because it wouldn't be Stranger Things without it. The expected but never derivative winks and callouts to the decade's screen touchstones keep coming, naturally, like they too are spilling out of the Upside Down. Also flowing faster than Dustin's one-liners, Steve's glorious locks, Eleven's steely stares, Joyce's nervous energy and the horrors of season four's new Lovecraft-esque big bad? The can't-stop-watching thrill of having Stranger Things back, slinking into its darker trip — ups, downs, occasional awkwardness and all — and binging compulsively. The first seven episodes of Stranger Things season four hit Netflix at 5pm AEST / 7pm NZST Friday, May 27, with the remaining two set to follow on Friday, July 1. Images: Courtesy of Netflix © 2022.
Whether she's behind the camera or in front of it — or both — a movie that involves Miranda July in some shape or form is instantly worth everyone's attention. The same applies to the American talent's recordings, art and books, too, because displaying at the Venice Biennale and hitting the New York Times bestsellers list is also on her resume. July's filmography is small but impactful. She's packed a punch by opting for quality over quantity so far, and viewers have been able to reap the rewards. Case in point: the phenomenal Kajillionaire, which hit screens nine years after previous film, instantly proved distinctive, empathetic and engaging, and was also one of the absolute best movies of 2020. Accordingly, it's no wonder that Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art is spending almost a fortnight paying tribute to July as part of its latest Australian Cinematheque season — the fittingly called Miranda July: Me and You and Everybody. Kajillionare is screening, if you missed it last year, and so are the July-directed Me and You and Everyone We Know and The Future. You can also see her on-screen in the exceptional Madeline's Madeline, watch her chat about the challenges faced by female filmmakers in documentary Half the Picture, and check out No Light No Land Anywhere, which she produces. Screenings are free, with sessions on Wednesday and Friday nights — and Saturdays and Sundays during the day.
The high tea tradition dates back to the early 19th century. At a time when it was common for dinner to be served around 9pm, Anna, the Seventh Duchess of Bedford, came up with an ingenious way to keep hangriness (angriness caused by hunger) at bay. She would while away the afternoon by indulging with sweet and savoury treats accompanied by cups of tea shared with friends. Swapping stories over treats became a popular social activity, and today high tea has retained its elegance. The great company and excess of food remains, but now a welcomed glass of champagne has also been thrown into the mix. Many venues around Brisbane offer high tea, each with their own take on this tradition. Spring Food + Wine Within Spring's black cast iron gates lies a treasure trove of delights. This restaurant and cafe feels homely, yet oozes a modern elegance and is a breath of fresh air in the heart of the CBD. Stylish low-hanging lights, a fresh colour palette and an abundance of plants sets the scene for a high tea session. Their high tea is offered only on a weekend (between 2-4pm) and is priced at $55 which includes a $10 donation to Chicks in Pink, in support of women with breast cancer. On the bottom tier you will find generously filled sandwiches, the Tasmanian smoked salmon and honey roast ham and mustard were definite winners. The petite chocolate eclair and a large pink macaroon were also favourites. Spring offers loose leaf tea and coffee with their high tea, as well as a glass of sparkling champagne. 26 Felix Street, Brisbane City, 4000 Customs House The coupling of Customs House's delectable high tea ($43 per person) and the stunning view of the Story Bridge and Brisbane River makes for a truly elegant sitting. Both inside and outside dining areas radiate sophistication and help to create a refined, yet exciting atmosphere. Customs House high tea is available in a morning session (10-11.30am) or in the afternoon (2-3.30pm). Standouts of the three-tiered delight include the mini chocolate cake with pop-rock icing and a ridiculously cute carrot cake. The staff regularly offer tea or coffee and for an extra $5 per person a glass of bubbly will await you. Customs House would be perfect for a bridal shower or a special occasion because of its downright classiness. 399 Queen Street, Brisbane City 4001 Bacchus Upon walking into Bacchus, the high tea experience commences. Starting at $36, the high tea is well-priced and the décor of Bacchus easily lends itself to a fancy tea party. Waiter, Jean-Baptiste ensures he imparts his wisdom regarding all things tea related. His friendliness and passion for tea makes the experience all the more enjoyable. The freshly made food, including sandwiches, a mini croissant with salami, scones and gorgeous mini desserts, are very filling and will please your tastebuds. However, it is in the tea department that Bacchus really shines. Unique and exotic tea choices such as, Paris and African Autumn, will add a little extra to the sitting. 9 Glenelg Street, South Bank 4101 Room with Roses If anyone knows how to do high tea, it's the team at Room with Roses. Climb the stairs at the Brisbane Arcade to discover this traditional English teahouse. It boasts a charming interior, featuring cute lampshades, floral printed couches and a vase with a single rose on each table. Room with Roses are immensely proud of their high tea ($42), and rightly so. All sandwiches, petite fours and scones are homemade, including the jam. The ginger scone with a touch of ginger marmalade and Chantilly cream was an absolute knockout. Having the texture best described as a mix between a cake and a scone, its lightness and subtle bite is heavenly. 160 Queen Street, Brisbane City 4000 The Marriott The Marriott's high tea includes a glass of French champagne on arrival ($50 per person) and is offered daily between 11.00am-4.30pm. The impressive customer service will make you feel comfortable and staff are very knowledgable regarding their teas. The tea list is quite impressive, try the Spiced Black Chai or Arctic Fire for a nice alternative to plain old English Breakfast. A lovely twist to their high tea is found on the top tier. Accompanying the plain and sultana scones were individual jam jars with a bowl of Chantilly cream topped with shards of white chocolate. Furthermore, mini desserts and pastries were almost too artfully presented to eat. Quality service and ample tea choices make The Marriott's high tea truly indulgent. 515 Queen Street, Brisbane 4000 Vintaged Bar and Grill Nestled in the middle of the stunning Hilton Hotel atrium, Vintaged Bar and Grill offers a fabulous modern setting that provides a sleek escape from reality. The high tea ($50 per person) is as chic as its setting and features all of the traditional trimmings plus a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne. The top-tier had a few surprising and delicious treats such a raspberry friand, sticky date and a tasty opera square. Why not stick around after the high tea sitting and head to the bar for cocktails. While you may not be able to eat another bite, a leisurely drink will round off the delightful experience. 190 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City 4000 The Shingle Inn This quaint venue has a history as long as its selection of teas and an old timely charm that gives it a unique quality. The Grande Duke High Tea ($45 per person) is a decadent three tiered super-treat and includes all of the quintessential high tea players. The camembert, pistachio, fig and ginger confit ribbon sandwiches were delicious, as was the mini crème brûlée. Chai Marsala or Organic English Breakfast tea compliment the food beautifully as does the glass of sparkling Seppelt Salinger Cuvee 2009. Bookings are required for the high tea, served daily from 2:30pm - 4:30pm and between 11.30am - 1.30pm on weekends. City Hall, King George Square, Brisbane City 4000
There may or may not be a new mixtape from the Avalanches. This past weekend, the Australian band tweeted this mysterious message to fans, with a link to a mix titled 'A Sleepy Bedtime Mix for Young Ones'. The link is hosted by new mixtape site, Pinchy & Friends, created by Tom Kuntz, who directed the video for the Avalanches' 'Frontier Psychiatrist'. Reps from Modular, the Avalanches' label, claim to have no knowledge of a mixtape. The Avalanches have gonna a little MIA as of late; a "taking a break" message appears on their site, and the band has thanked fans for their patience via Facebook. The mysterious mixtape is posted under the name of Charles Bukowski's character Henry Chinaski, and is currently available for free download here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=eS3AZ12xf6s
UPDATE: April 27, 2020: The Biggest Little Farm is available to stream via Google Play and YouTube. Say goodbye to your inner-city digs, pack up your belongings and head to the country — it's time to swap your concrete playground for a grassy, tree-lined, animal-filled one. That's how you might be feeling after watching The Biggest Little Farm, the warm and informative documentary that charts a just-married Californian couple's quest to follow all of the above steps in the name of a better life. John and Molly Chester's dream is simple, at least on paper. They want to run their own farm, relying on traditional methods and doing so in harmony with nature. One-crop spreads, soulless egg factories and the general type of commerce-driven farming that has become common today aren't for them. Instead, their rural utopia boasts a broad array of creatures and hundreds of different types of edible plants, creating a mini-ecosystem that supplies everything the pair eats — and everything that Molly, a private chef and food blogger, could ever need to cook with. The fact that a film exists about their efforts, and that it's helmed by John himself — a cinematographer and Emmy award-winning director when he's not working the land — signals the obvious: that the Chesters turned their vision into a reality. Spanning most of the past decade, The Biggest Little Farm chronicles the ups and downs of attempting to transform an unwelcoming 200-acre patch of soil into a thriving natural farming haven, all by following the advice of biodynamic farming guru Alan York. Taking over an abandoned farm, they strip away most of the existing crops, replacing them with new ones. They wait as the greenery grows, and as their newly acquired menagerie of chickens, pigs, ducks, sheep, dogs and other diverse critters all play their part. (Of paramount importance: the animals' poop, of which there's plenty.) First laughed at by their friends and family, the Chesters' support system expands, as does the farm they call home and the business side of the equation. Bookended by wildfires, with flames threatening to encroach upon the property an hour outside of Los Angeles, The Biggest Little Farm bubbles with timeliness — and not just because of Australia's current catastrophic blazes. The documentary actually first started screening at international film festivals back in 2018, coming in third in the audience choice award in Toronto that year, but the attitude it celebrates is a clear reflection of the growing recognition that much about humanity's current existence is harming the planet. Accordingly, as proved the case with Aussie doco 2040, watching the Chesters' plight proves educational, inspirational and aspirational. Their passion is infectious, whether they're helping birth calves, tending to an ailing pig or endeavouring to save their chickens from coyotes. The movie doesn't aim to take viewers through their feats step-by-step or teach audiences exactly how to follow the same path, but it does show what's possible for anyone willing to try. When the film leans into the adorable, heartwarming side of such an idealistic venture, cuteness abounds. An outcast rooster befriends a sow, oinking piglets run riot, and dogs lick lambs as if they were cleaning their own offspring. John doesn't shy away from the tougher realities of farm life, though — including wildlife predators, birds pecking through most of their fruit, a tricky snail infestation and serious animal health issues. First and foremost, however, he's viewing his experiences through a firmly upbeat, affectionate, resilient and persistent lens. This is a true tale that starts with a promise to a just-adopted dog, which John saves from an animal hoarder with more 200 critters and pledges to give a loving home, after all. When that pup barked so much that the couple got evicted, that's when John and Molly decided to chase their farming dreams. The movie's positive spin lends itself to lively animated sequences, bringing Molly's fantasies to the screen a suitably colourful, affable way. Still, as engaging as this rich, gentle documentary is — and as likely as it is to make you wish you could take the Chesters' lead — that jovial mood also results in a few overtly cliched touches. The film's music drips with sentiment, as if it doesn't quite trust that the on-screen critters are enough by themselves. The brightly coloured hues do more than just capture the farm's sights, literally painting a vibrant, sun-dappled picture. And, when it comes to the difficult reality of actually funding this sizeable venture (and making an independent doco about it at the same time), concrete details are glaringly absent. Plus, the personal voiceover sometimes verges on cloying. Worse: the reaction to someone's ill health and its impact on the farm plays as selfish, as if this parcel of land is more important than another person. These are all minor issues, but they do stop a valuable movie about eco-conscious living from being truly great rather than just very good. You'll still want to pack your bags and leave the rat race far behind, though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcQKWkpPB3U
2030 will mark 28 years since one of the best zombie movies ever made first hit screens: 28 Days Later from filmmaker Danny Boyle (Yesterday). Before that milestone arrives, however, it's likely that you'll be watching a new flick from Boyle in the same franchise. It'll still be called 28 Years Later — and it's officially in the works. 28 Days Later has already spawned one follow-up thanks to 2007's 28 Weeks Later, but Boyle didn't direct it. Screenwriter Alex Garland, who also penned Sunshine for Boyle, then hopped behind the camera himself with Ex Machina, Annihilation, Men and TV series Devs, also wasn't involved with 28 Weeks Later. But they're both back for the third film in the series, which might become the middle chapter. Not only is a new movie locked in, but it's being talked about as the start of a new trilogy. As detailed by The Hollywood Reporter, Garland is writing 28 Years Later, Boyle is helming, and they're looking for studios or streamers to jump onboard. It's expected that Boyle will only direct the initial new picture, while Garland will pen the entire trio. There's no word yet if any of the OG film's stars will return, with 28 Days Later among the movies that helped bring Oppenheimer star, newly minted Golden Globe-winner and likely Oscar-recipient Cillian Murphy to fame. He played Jim, a bicycle courier who wakes up from a coma in a deserted hospital 28 days after a pandemic of the rage virus changed the world forever — and from Boyle and Garland to audiences everywhere, who wouldn't want him to reprise the role? Marking Boyle and Garland's first proper collaboration after Boyle adapted Garland's best-selling novel The Beach for the big screen two years earlier, 28 Days Later still ranks among the best work on either's resume — and on Murphy's as well, even if it didn't win him any of Hollywood's top shiny trophies. Set in the aftermath of the accidental release of a highly contagious virus, the film's images of a desolated London instantly became iconic, but this is a top-notch movie on every level. That includes its performances, with then-unknowns Murphy and Naomie Harris (the Bond franchise's current Moneypenny) finding the balance between demonstrating their characters' fierce survival instincts and their inherent vulnerability. If you wondering why 28 Months Later hasn't been made, it was talked about for years, but the time has now passed unless the new trilogy includes a flick set between 28 Weeks Later and 28 Years Later. [caption id="attachment_910048" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Oppenheimer[/caption] 28 Years Later and any following sequels don't yet have a release date — we'll update you when more details are announced. Via The Hollywood Reporter.
Man against the elements: it's the familiar staple of survivalist film fare, crafted as a feat of cinematic endurance as much as entertainment. J.C. Chandor's nautical All Is Lost adheres to that description to the letter, unraveling in near wordlessness with its emotion carried in Robert Redford's world-weathered face. The combination of existentialism and action on offer, however, reaches beyond the customary depictions of fortitude and perseverance. Details — names, places, dates — are rendered irrelevant; all that matters is "our man", his boat and the endless expanse of sea that forms his surroundings. Awakening to the thud of an adrift shipping container bursting through the hull of his vessel, the film's nameless protagonist pits his resourcefulness against the water, wind and weight of other worsening difficulties conspiring against his subsistence. For 106 minutes of running time and eight days of narrative, Margin Call writer/director Chandor crafts a tension-riddled thriller despite the sparseness of his cast and setting; again, Redford and his sea-faring abilities monopolise the movie to the exclusion of all else. Even the most mundane of tasks — including shaving, eating canned food and conserving water — seethe with suspense. The singular spotlight heightens the anxiety to unrelenting levels, the knowledge that any peaceful moment could take a turn for the worse unable to be shaken. Withholding information about Redford's character similarly amplifies the feature's focus, centring on the circumstances over the individual in its treatise on existence and mortality. As the stoic veteran is battered and beaten by forces beyond his control, eventually acquiescing to his inevitable fate as the title suggests, the feature's commentary upon the broader human condition is unmistakable — but its assurance doesn't hamper its haunting heartbreak. In such context, the who and the why just don't matter. It has been a big year for well-known faces stranded in inconvenient spaces (quite literally for Sandra Bullock in Gravity); however, Redford is the unsung hero in the survivalist race, as is his film. Eschewing dialogue, the actor conveys every ounce of resilience and weariness in his physicality and performance. Though storm-fuelled special effects enliven the drama in a deft display of Chandor's direction, much of the film's power comes from understated scenes of a man at nature's mercy. The sounds, sights and overall thrust emphasise solitude, swelling to operatic proportions due to striking visuals and an immersive score, yet what echoes loudest is the film's vitality. All Is Lost may leave viewers broken in its transcendent contemplation of the beauty and brutality of life, but it also embodies those very aspects. Nothing is easy in the feature's austerity, but nothing is lost either. https://youtube.com/watch?v=no1rl9Gvx-s
It's easier than you think to find pockets of nature in Singapore's concrete jungle. Take a walk off the beaten path and discover some lesser-known places to get lost in Singapore's greenery. Whether you hop on a bike or venture out on foot, exploring Singapore's expansive outdoors doesn't have to cost you. We've teamed up with Singapore Tourism to showcase some of the Lion City's top outdoor trails and activities — all for free. Coast-to-Coast Trail The name gives it away, but this 36-kilometre track stretches across the whole island of Singapore, from the Jurong Lake Gardens in the west to Rower's Bay Park in the north. The trail passes through 10 major checkpoints and takes about 11 hours to complete on foot, or three hours by bike. For this reason, it's recommended that you get an early start or divide up the trip across two days, so you can finish up in time for the sunset at Rower's Bay Park. Start off at the 90-hectare Jurong Lake Gardens, which boasts a Chinese and Japanese Garden, a freshwater swamp with various wildlife, water-sport facilities, an outdoor lap pool, a skate park with a bouldering wall, and a children's water playground. You can pick up a rental bike at the GoCycling outlet here, before returning it at Punggol Jetty towards the end of the trip. From Jurong Lake Gardens, you can trek on to Bukit Batok Nature Park and Hindhede Drive to reach Adam Road. Grab some much-needed fuel at the nearby Adam Road Food Centre and take a breather at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Rested and ready? The journey continues past Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West, Luxus Hills Park and Sengkang Riverside Park. Make a pit-stop here to explore the man-made floating wetland, the elevated bridge across the river and over 20 species of fruit trees throughout the park — but you'll have to refrain from picking any fruit. You'll get to enjoy the views across the Jewel Bridge, Adventure Bridge and Kelong Bridge as you pass through Punggol Waterway Park, before you reach Coney Island Park and your final destination, Rower's Bay Park. Celebrate your achievement with spectacular sunset views from the waterside boardwalk or pavilion. [caption id="attachment_977504" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Danny Santos[/caption] East Coast Park With attractions like a water-sports centre, skatepark, yoga studio and beachfront bar, East Coast Park is a hub of activity for all ages. The seafront park and beach is spread across almost 15 kilometres, so you can enjoy a leisurely two-hour stroll or 30-minute cycle along the water. If you choose the latter, pick up a bike at GoCycling or Coastline Leisure. The dedicated bike lanes and flat terrain make cycling around the park a breeze. If you're feeling adventurous, you can bike to Marina Bay or head in the opposite direction, where you'll pass through the Jurassic Mile and end up at Changi Airport. If you've got tots in tow, there's no shortage of fun to keep them entertained. Kids can clamber up Singapore's tallest playground at Coastal PlayGrove; try windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding or laser sailing at the Aloha Seasports Centre (which opportunely has a beach bar for accompanying adults); or practise their tricks at one of Singapore's largest skateparks. You've also got plenty of options when all that action inevitably rouses your appetite. Grab some local cuisine at the East Coast Lagoon Food Village, enjoy a chilli crab at popular chains JUMBO Seafood and Long Beach Seafood, keep it simple with healthy cafe food at East Coast Commune, or tuck into some Italian fare at Fico. Rail Corridor This 24-kilometre track stretching from Tanjong Pajar in the south to Kranji in the north was formerly a railroad bearing trains to and from Malaysia. Since being revitalised in 2021, it has become a popular hiking trail that takes explorers through expanses of greenery, across restored bridges and alongside native flora and fauna. The trail is divided into North, Central and South sections, if you'd prefer to split up the journey. Due to its significance to local wildlife, parts of the Rail Corridor are not lit at night, so be sure to time your visit to end by sunset — the whole walk can be completed in less than six hours. In the central portion of the trek lies Bukit Timah Railway Station. The refurbished train station and staff quarters date back to 1932, and now house a gallery and café. As you continue further north, you'll come across the Bukit Timah Truss Bridge, before passing by the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve — home to the city's largest peak. For striking views, take some time out to admire the quarries at Rifle Range National Park, Bukit Batok Nature Park and Dairy Farm Nature Park. Conveniently located about halfway through the Rail Corridor, the Rail Mall includes numerous eateries, so you can snag a much-needed feed and put your feet up before venturing on to the northern stretch. Book your Singapore holiday now with Flight Centre. Top images: Lim Wei Xiang, Marklin Ang. All images courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board.
UPDATE, June 2, 2023: Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. When Anthony Bourdain strode around the world, and across our screens, in food-meets-travel series A Cook's Tour, No Reservations, The Layover and Parts Unknown, he was as animated as he was acerbic and enigmatic. Beneath his shock of greying hair, the lanky New Yorker was relatable, engaging to a seemingly effortless degree and radiated a larger-than-life air, too. The latter didn't just apply because he was a face on TV, where plenty gets that bigger-than-reality sheen, but because he appeared to truly embrace all that life entailed in that hectic whirlwind of travelling, eating and waxing lyrical about both. Arriving three years after his suicide in 2018, documentary Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain captures that. It's so filled with Bourdain thanks to all that time he'd spent in front of the camera, it'd be near-impossible for it not to. But it also lurks under a shadow due to its now-infamous choice to use artificial intelligence to add dialogue that its subject didn't speak. Watching the film, there's no way of knowing which words Bourdain merely penned but didn't utter; the technology truly is that seamless. It still resounds as an unnecessary move, though, especially when such lines might've been incorporated in ways that wouldn't sit at stark odds with his visible liveliness. Roadrunner delves behind the facade that Bourdain presented to the world, of course. It notes his death immediately and goes in search of the sorrow and pain that might've led to it, as mulled over by friends such fellow chefs David Chang and Éric Ripert, and artist David Choe; crew members on his shows; and his second wife Ottavia Busia. Still, once you know about the AI, there's a sense of disconnection that echoes through the doco — because it surveys all that Bourdain was, compiles all of this stellar material and still resorted to digital resurrection. Thankfully, the passion and curiosity that always made Bourdain appear so spirited — yes, so alive, as compared to being vocally recreated by AI after his death — still makes Roadrunner worth watching. That's true for Bourdain fans and newcomers alike, although director Morgan Neville (Oscar-winner 20 Feet From Stardom) doesn't use his two-hour-long film as a birth-to-life primer for the uninitiated. Crucially, as also proved the case with his 2018 Mr Rogers documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor?, Neville jumps through the details of Bourdain's life in a way that also muses on what his success and popularity said about the world. Why he struck such a chord is as essential an ingredient in Roadrunner as how he went from cook to celebrity chef, TV host, best-selling author and travel documentarian. The footage of Bourdain — from his shows, obviously, as well as from a plethora of TV interviews, behind-the-scenes clips and home videos — is edited together with the same restlessness that the man himself always exuded. You don't spend most of your year travelling if you can be easily pinned down, after all. It's a wise choice on Neville and editors Eileen Meyer (Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution) and Aaron Wickenden's (Feels Good Man) parts, but Neville has long had a knack for making his films feel like his subjects. Talking-head chats are spliced throughout, offering further details and grappling with how Bourdain's story ends; however, Roadrunner is repeatedly at its finest when it's peering at him and showing how his work encouraged us all not just to watch, but to eat, travel, think, talk and live. That said, those interviews aren't merely filler. With Chang and Choe in particular, they show Bourdain's friends confronting the type of grief that doesn't ever fade. Biographical documentaries about famous figures who are no longer with us inherently offer the same kind experience to the masses — giving viewers the opportunity to reflect upon their central figures, all while gifting us with more time in their presence — and seeing Chang and Choe struggle so openly cements that parallel. If only Roadrunner was as sensitive when covering Bourdain's relationship with actor Asia Argento, his girlfriend before his death. Argento isn't interviewed but, in the film's second poor choice, its search for a reason behind Bourdain's suicide makes an uncomfortable and overt swerve in her direction. Whether made now or after more time had elapsed since his passing, a film about Bourdain was always going to be complicated. The big, obvious, easy draw — spending longer with him on-screen — is there for all to see, and delightfully so. It's bittersweet, naturally, because there's no divorcing all those images and soundbites from the reason that this movie even exists. It's heartwrenching as well, a sensation heightened every time his upset, angry, frustrated pals make appearances. It's thoughtful in pondering what Bourdain gave the world, and what it took from him in return. It's also messy because there are no answers to much that it contemplates, and also because it sits under a cloud sparked by that superfluous AI. As its title plainly states, Roadrunner is indeed a film about Anthony Bourdain, though — and, even with its missteps, it recognises the complexity of that task. It really didn't need to put his words back into his mouth to make you wish his tale, and his life, was still simmering; that's what it was always going to plate up regardless.
Since 2019, coffee lovers nabbing their caffeinated brews from Single O's Surry Hills cafe in Sydney have been pouring their cuppas from a self-serve tap system. Basically, it's the coffee you make when you're not actually making the coffee, and it's about to be on offer in Tokyo as well. No stranger to the Japanese capital thanks to its existing roastery and tasting bar in Ryogoku — as well as supplying local cafes, and also serving athletes in the Tokyo Olympic Village this year — Single O is launching its first international cafe. It'll open its doors in the Hamacho district in the city's east on Thursday, October 28. When overseas travel resumes and Japan lets Aussies back into the country for holidays, you'll know where to grab a taste of home. Single O's new Tokyo base will also go a step further than its Surry Hills sibling — and not just because it'll feature six self-pour taps instead of four. The Hamacho cafe will also sport the brand's first in-store coffee subscription package, letting customers purchase monthly access to drop by and pour their own cuppas. When it opens its doors, the Tokyo spot will launch with five specialty brews, Colombian microlots and an award-winning Cup Of Excellence from Peru included. As for the sixth spot, that'll rotate through international guest roasters. And if you're after an espresso, Single O's signature blend Reservoir will also be on offer. Food-wise, you'll be pairing your caffeine with Aussie staples — such as Single O's signature banana bread with espresso butter, freshly baked pies and a range of jaffles. Chef Yu Sasaki is behind the the menu, after a career spent hopping between The French Laundry in the US, Sydney's Marque and then founding Single O Surry Hills neighbour Creasion. Single O's Hamacho cafe will also boast the brand's Heads of Japan Yu and Mamiko Yamamoto leading the launch, as well as barista Ken Takakura and retail operations head Yasuko Miura — the latter fresh from Luke Mangan's Tokyo Glass Brasserie. And, the venue has the honour of being designed via Zoom during Sydney's lockdown. Australian designer Luchetti Krelle — who also worked on the Surry Hills cafe — has overseen a fitout that includes a curve-heavy front counter, tables made from recycled plastic and a sustainable fibreboard espresso bar created from upcycled clothing. Also catching the eye: a monochrome mural in texta pen by local artist Washio Tomoyuki, plus a 'Cloud' ceiling artwork by Sydney's Ren Fernando that's made from repurposed end-of-line paper and coloured with coffee and other substances. Find Single O's Hamacho Cafe at 3-16-7 Nihonbashi Hamacho Chuo Tokyo from Thursday, October 28 — open from 7.30am–7pm Monday–Friday and 8am–7pm Saturday–Sunday.
It's pretty difficult to make a bad film with Paris as your backdrop, but it's nigh on impossible when that backdrop is Paris in the 1920s and the city is brimming with creative royalty like Hemingway and Picasso. Throw Woody Allen into the mix and you're pretty much guaranteed a witty, artfully shot piece of cinematic brilliance. Allen's latest, Midnight in Paris, offers a snapshot of the world's most adored city in its glory days, where avant-garde intersected with the everyday at the height of the Modernist movement. After opening the Cannes film festival in May, this blend of history and fantasy is finally being brought to Australian screens. The film's protagonist, Gil, is played by Owen Wilson, potentially an unlikely candidate for a Woody Allen film since findinga place in mainstream films since his Wes Anderson years. But like your typical Allen protagonist, Gil is utterly dissatisfied with his charmed life. His successful career in Hollywood, his trip to Paris and the beautiful woman on his arm, Inez (played by Rachel McAdams), all offer little pleasure to this jaded writer, yearning to produce a novel to match the literary works of masters gone by. One Parisian night, Gil's fantasy is indulged when he is picked up by a vintage car conveniently doubling as a time machine. The film follows Gil's adventures in the intellectual treasure trove that was Paris in the Roaring Twenties, rubbing shoulders with the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald, T. S. Eliot and Salvador Dali. Midnight in Paris will take you on a journey into the Paris of the past - one we all wish we could visit - with cinematography to show off the City of Light as it stands today. To win one of ten single passes to see Midnight in Paris, just make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address through to hello@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=dL95WR4Jzhc
If you've ever dreamed of whiling away your days in an ultra-luxurious pad, then prepare to come down with a huge case of house envy. The winners of the 2018 Houses Awards have been announced and they're seriously impressive, as they are every year. Taking out the prize for House of the Year is the Cabbage Tree House in Sydney's Bayview. A win for the team at Peter Stutchbury Architecture, it's set into the hillside in the city's northern beaches, and was described by the jury as "authentically and poetically embracing its landscape setting." The dwelling also picked up a second award, for best new house over 200m². Spreading the architectural love around, abodes in Brisbane and Melbourne picked up various gongs as well, alongside other Sydney spots. Brunswick's Nightingale, by Breathe Architecture, emerged victorious in the sustainability category; Highgate Hill's Terrarium House by John Ellway was a joint winner in the house alteration and addition under 200m² field, with Bronte's Hole in the Roof House by Rachel Neeson and Stephen Neille; and Bolt Hole by Panov Scott Architects was anointed the best house in a heritage context. Check out the full list of House Award winners, below.AUSTRALIAN HOUSE OF THE YEAR – Cabbage Tree House by Peter Stutchbury Architecture (Bayview, NSW) NEW HOUSE UNDER 200m² – Springhill House by Lovell Burton Architecture (Springhill, VIC) NEW HOUSE OVER 200m² – Cabbage Tree House by Peter Stutchbury Architecture (Bayview, NSW) HOUSE ALTERATION AND ADDITION UNDER 200m² – Hole in the Roof House by Rachel Neeson and Stephen Neille (Bronte, NSW) and Terrarium House by John Ellway (Highgate Hill, QLD) HOUSE ALTERATION AND ADDITION OVER 200m² – Morningside Residence by Kieron Gait Architects (Morningside, QLD) APARTMENT OR UNIT – Boneca Apartment by Brad Swartz Architects (Rushcutters Bay, NSW) GARDEN OR LANDSCAPE – Coastal Garden House by Neeson Murcut Architects with 360 Degrees (Bronte, NSW) SUSTAINABILITY – Nightingale 1 by Breathe Architecture (Brunswick, VIC) HOUSE IN A HERITAGE CONTEXT – Bolt Hole by Panov Scott Architects (Woollahra, NSW) EMERGING ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE – Brad Swartz Architects and Zuzana & Nicholas
Go on, get feasting in one of Sydney's newest tunnels. Nigella Lawson wants you to. Either part of the Vivid Sydney Dinners series setup — the unique location or the famous chef curating the menu — is reason enough to head along. Combine the two and you have one of the key events of Vivid 2025. The setting: Martin Place's Muru Giligu pedestrian tunnel. The spread: whatever takes Lawson's fancy. And to make a great event, or three, even better, a light and sound experience will work its magic on the tunnel while you dine. "Visitors cram themselves into Sydney in summer, but for me the magical time is in winter, during Vivid Sydney," said Lawson about her collaboration with the Harbour City's annual midyear arts, lights, ideas and food festival. "And having loved it for years, it is the hugest thrill to be part of the Vivid Food program this year. I'll be curating an exclusive menu for the three Vivid Sydney Dinners, and it is simply a dream come true. I mean, you know me: there can never be too many fairy lights! See you there!" As announced in 2024, Vivid 2025 runs from Friday, May 23–Saturday, June 14, celebrating its 15th year with all things dreams its theme. A bucket list-type meal overseen by Lawson? Well that's a dream inclusion. So are Tangerine Dream and Anohni and the Johnsons on the music lineup, an immersive Stranger Things experience at Luna Park, and the fact that the entire Vivid Light Walk is free. In fact, more than 75 percent of the entire just-dropped program won't cost you a cent to enjoy. On the Vivid Light Walk, that includes installations and 3D projections spanning across new backdrops, such as the Museum of Sydney, The Bond in Barangaroo and Challis House in Martin Place. At those locations and beyond — at the Argyle Cut in The Rocks and the CTA Building in Martin Place, too, to name just a couple of other spots — this lit-up reason for scenic stroll will feature swings, seesaws, animation activated via voice, a tennis match made out of light and 150 pieces a week designed by patrons. Still on the broader Vivid Light strand, Sydney Opera House's sails will boast work by the late David McDiarmid, Vincent Namatjira will take over the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia's facade and House of Romance, hailing from fashion label Romance Was Born, has a date with Customs House. Alongside German electronic-music icons Tangerine Dream at City Recital Hall and Anohni and the Johnsons at the Opera House, the Vivid Music bill includes Sigur Rós performing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Portishead's Beth Gibbons , Japanese Breakfast, Marlon Williams, Soccer Mommy, RONA, Ravyn Lenae and Pete & Bas. On the lineup as well: Heartbreak High star Ayesha Madon, Prince's former bass player MonoNeon, V-pop via Mỹ Anh and Chi Xê, Winston Surfshirt, Grammy-winner Dobet Gnahoré, Mall Grab, Ngaiire, Skegss and more. The Upside Down has come to Sydney before, but Stranger Things: The Experience will make its first trip — and add a must-attend event to the Vivid Ideas portion of the program. Get ready to visit 1986, and Hawkins, of course, in what promises to be an immersive and interactive stint of Stranger Things-loving fun. Locations from the show are part of the event, as is a supernatural mystery. Vivid Ideas is also bringing TIME Magazine Creative Director DW Pine this way to deliver the keynote 'Where Do Ideas Come From?', tasking scientist Professor Matthew Walker with diving into why we sleep, amassing First Nations storytellers at Barangaroo Reserve each week and getting Sydney's Legs on the Wall performing new theatre work Endling. And, it's why Haus of Horror screenings of Poltergeist and Edward Scissorhands are on offer, too. At Vivid Food, Vivid Fire Kitchen will be back at The Goods Line; Vivid Chef Series will enlist Jean-Philippe Blondet, James Lowe and Brent Savage teaming up with Sydney eateries; Maryanne Street is becoming the festival's Spice Lounge; and Golden Age Cinema, Hollywood Hotel and The Soda Factory will feature in food and gig trails in the Hollywood Quarter in Surry Hills. The Carriageworks Night Market returns, and so does eating on the Sydney Harbour Bridge's southeast pylon thanks to Luke Mangan. This year's Vivid is focused on five zones, spanning Circular Quay and The Rocks, Barangaroo, Martin Place and CBD, Darling Harbour, and The Goods Line and the inner city, with each hosting Light, Music, Ideas and Food events. "Dreaming is as old as time and as universal as life itself. Dreams can be prophetic, life changing and inspirational, as well as trivial, hilarious or terrifying. These interactions are evident in every aspect of Vivid Sydney's program this year," said Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini, announcing the lineup. "Captivating light installations and 3D projections for everyone, thought-provoking and enlightening experiences, awe-inspiring performances from the world's best musicians, along with cutting-edge culinary collaborations and dinners in unexpected places: it can all be found at Vivid Sydney. In 2025, the festival celebrates creativity, innovation and connection in one of the best cities in the world." [caption id="attachment_994734" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Pollack[/caption] [caption id="attachment_994726" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacquie Manning[/caption] Vivid Sydney 2025 runs from Friday, May 23–Saturday, June 14 across Sydney. Head to the festival website for further information.
UPDATE, July 26, 2020: Charlie's Angels is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. The first line of Charlie's Angels circa 2019, uttered by a glammed-up Kristen Stewart, makes a statement. "I think women can do anything," Stewart's Sabina Wilson tells Australian Jonny (Chris Pang), responding to his smug assertions otherwise. Naturally, Sabina is swiftly forced to prove her point. The film she's in conveys this notion across its duration, too, although not always in the way that it intends. Written and directed by Elizabeth Banks (as well as co-starring the actor-turned-filmmaker), the third iteration of Charlie's Angels embraces the idea that women can do whatever they please — and, more importantly, that women needn't fit any mould. And yet, by emphasising these messages in a movie that's largely generic, there's an emptiness behind the film's empowering words. Sabina's altercation with Jonny is just the action-packed picture's opening punch. A year later, when computer programmer Elena Houghlin (Naomi Scott) seeks the Angels' help, the movie kicks its main narrative into gear. Meeting with Bosley (Djimon Hounsou), Elena explains that she's been working on a revolutionary clean-energy project, but it can be weaponised — and, just as it's about to hit the shelves, her boss (Nat Faxon) is hiding that fact from his boss (Sam Claflin). When, mid-conversation, a tattooed henchman (Jonathan Tucker) starts shooting Elena and Bosley's way, the main Angels swoop in. Soon, Sabina and no-nonsense ex-MI6 agent Jane Kano (Ella Balinska) are protecting Elena, trying to save the world and showing their new friend the wig-wearing, outfit-changing, globe-trotting, go-get-'em-girl spy ropes. Four decades since the initial Charlie's Angels hit the small screen, and nearly 20 years after the first two films brought the concept to cinemas, this feisty espionage franchise sports a few superficial changes. Like Men In Black (albeit far more convincingly), the Angels have gone international in this reboot-slash-revival (it introduces a new team, but exists in the same world as its predecessors). Plus, Bosley is now a rank rather than a specific person. So, Patrick Stewart also plays a Bosley. He's the retiring senior figure, as well as the man who spread the organisation's wings. Banks is a Bosley too, with her character overseeing Sabina, Jane and Elena's mission, singing day drinking's praises and stressing that there's nothing wrong with needing a hug in a time of crisis. That sentiment from Banks also makes a statement — one that's as crucial as KStew's opening words. Charlie's Angels is guilty of including a few easy female stereotypes (a love of cheese and a fondness for big wardrobes, for example); however it also highlights that being formidable and being vulnerable aren't polar opposites. From Farrah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson to Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu and Cameron Diaz, viewers have already seen previous Angels demonstrate different strengths and play dress-up as different kinds of women. Here, they let their multi-faceted personalities shine. Each of the new Angels does this in their own way, and it's a meaningful touch. It's also something that isn't always part of the 'strong female lead' package, with Hollywood frequently struggling to realise that proficient and powerful women aren't one-dimensional. With that in mind, Stewart, Balinska and Scott make a lively crew. While Stewart provides the off-screen star power, the three actors share the on-screen spotlight. Indeed, although Stewart is set up to steal scenes as the goofiest member of the group — playing against her usual type of late (see: Clouds of Sils Maria, Certain Women and Personal Shopper) — her co-stars make as much of a splash. Balinska cracks Jane's stern exterior, but never lets either her tough or open sides seem like a flaw. Scott, already a standout in this year's live-action Aladdin remake, plays the awkward but capable newcomer with charm. Banks often saddles the three leads with stating the obvious and relaying exposition, but they're a trio that audiences won't mind spending time with. And, in resurrecting a decades-old property, that's really the movie's main point. It's an incredibly timely moment to be back in the Charlie's Angels game, as Banks clearly recognises, but her task isn't simple. Sitting in the director's chair for the second time (after Pitch Perfect 2), she's charged with updating the series in-line with today's #MeToo mindset, and also reviving a potential cash cow. Filmmaking is a business, so the second part of the equation was always going to weigh heavier than the first for Sony. Cue action scenes that, though energetic and well-executed, rarely leave an imprint — especially given that nicely choreographed espionage antics are oh-so-common cinema fodder these days. Cue an overall mood that's perky, dips into thoughtful territory, yet still has a noticeable cookie-cutter vibe. And, of course, cue an engaging-enough but inescapably standard movie that's primarily here to whet appetites for more sassy girl-power antics to come. Yep, amidst the many things that women can do, they can star in passable franchise scene-setters as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKeRgPPQcoc
Fancy enjoying a taste of Paris without paying for the plane fare? Brisbanites, the CBD's newest cafe has you covered. Freshly arrived on Edward Street, Lait Noir is here to help break up the nine-to-five grind with French-inspired surroundings, a menu packed with pastries and toasties, and plenty of coffee. First announced at the beginning of March and now trading Monday–Friday, Lait Noir aims to give the River City the Parisian vibes it's missing — it's "Brisbane's first Parisian-style dining with guests able to watch the hustle and bustle go by from their seat," explains Charlotte Bourguignon, the cafe's Operations Manager. "I have lived in Brisbane for ten years, and there has never been a go-to destination for takeaway or dine-in on the finer side in the CBD," Bourguignon continues. "We are so proud to be opening our doors for workers, visitors and locals to experience a little bit of Paris, right here in the CBD. We pride ourselves on quality and service, with all of our pastries and desserts made with true French ingredients from some of the best French suppliers in Brisbane." On the menu: a hefty range of baked goods pumped out of Queensland's first Unox Speed-X oven. Lemon muffins, raspberry almond coconut tarts, apple tarts and mini French doughnuts sit among the sweet bites, while croissants, quiches, frittatas and beef bourguignon pie are highlights from the savoury range. And, from a dessert-focused lineup, lemon meringue tarts, passionfruit tarts, choc-fudge caramel brownies and carrot cake are sure to tempt tastebuds. Lait Noir also does salads, including a roasted vegetable option, plus sandwiches, toasties and wraps. And yes, the cheesy egg and bacon croque toastie instantly sounds like a must-try. Lait Noir now sits in the space that was previously home to Roll'd Vietnamese, and takes its cues from French cafes design-wise — complete with luxe $450,000 fitout overseen by Outkast. That means getting a caffeinated brew beneath seven-metre-high ceilings and over A-grade marble bench tops. If you happen to work in the building, it's also planning to do a concierge service for tenants. And, anyone who heads along to the cafe's official opening party between Wednesday, March 29–Friday, March 31 will find live tunes setting the mood, samples to help you try out the menu, and the chance to win free coffee for a year. Find Lait Noir at 144 Edward Street, Brisbane — open from 6.30am–5.30pm Monday–Friday.
