A magical-realist coming-of-age tale, a clear-eyed family drama, a twisty crime and detective thriller, a time capsule of Brisbane in the 80s: since first hitting the page in 2018, Trent Dalton's Boy Swallows Universe has worn its happy flitting between different genres and tones, and constant seesawing from hope to heartbreak and back again, as confidently as readers have long envisaged Eli Bell's wide grin. That hopping and jumping, that refusal to be just one type of story and stick to a single mood, has always made sense on the page — and in the excellent seven-part Netflix adaptation that now brings Australia's fastest-selling debut novel ever to the screen from Thursday, January 11, it also couldn't feel more perfect. As played by the charmingly talented Felix Cameron (Penguin Bloom), Eli's smile is indeed big. As scripted by screenwriter John Collee (Hotel Mumbai), directed by Bharat Nalluri (The Man Who Invented Christmas) with Jocelyn Moorhouse (The Dressmaker) and Kim Mordaunt (The Rocket), and with Dalton and Joel Edgerton (The Stranger) among the executive producers, the miniseries version of Boy Swallows Universe embraces its multitudes wholeheartedly. Like style, like substance: a semi-autobiographical novel penned by a writer and journalist who lived variations of plenty that he depicts, learned and accepted early that everyone has flaws, and patently has the imagination of someone who coped with life's hardships as a child by escaping into dreams of an existence more fanciful, Dalton's tome and every iteration that it inspires has to be many things in one bustling package. Its characters are, after all. Seeing people in general, parts of a city usually overlooked, and folks with complicated histories or who've made questionable choices — those forced in particular directions out of financial necessity, too — in more than just one fashion flutters at the centre of Boy Swallows Universe. In the Australian Book Industry Awards' 2019 Book of the Year, Literary Book of the Year and Audio Book of the Year, and now on streaming, Eli's nearest and dearest demand it. So does the enterprising Darra-dwelling 12-year-old boy who knows how to spy the best in those he loves, but remains well-aware of their struggles. His older brother Gus (Lee Tiger Halley, The Heights) hasn't spoken since they were younger, instead drawing messages in the sky with his finger, but is as fiercely protective as elder siblings get. Doting and dedicated mum Frankie (Phoebe Tonkin, Babylon) is a recovering heroin addict with a drug dealer for a partner. And Lyle Orlik (Travis Fimmel, Black Snow), that mullet-wearing stepfather, cares deeply about Eli and Gus — including when Eli convinces him to let him join his deliveries. Slim Halliday (Bryan Brown, Anyone But You), the boys' sometimes babysitter and frequent source of wisdom, endured a lengthy stretch in the infamous Boggo Road Gaol for a murder that he's adamant he didn't commit. He's at peace with doing that time, but he also broke out (and he's based on an IRL person, name and all). Eli and Gus' biological father Robert (Simon Baker, Limbo) is an alcoholic and agoraphobic bookworm more comfortable with novels than people, initially estranged from his sons when Boy Swallows Universe begins, yet devoted to them in his affections. And Eli himself is all precocious charisma and keen curiosity mixed with unflinching nerve, whether being picked on at school, standing up to criminal thugs, breaking into a prison or talking his way into a job. Unsurprisingly, that's a combination that lands him in as many jams as it gets him out of. In all takes so far (the stage in 2021 among them), Boy Swallows Universe follows Eli as Lyle's illicit profession has consequences, Frankie is incarcerated and Robert re-enters his sons' lives. There's a bouncy air to the TV series as it works through its plot, with Eli doing everything that he can to make sure his mum is okay and get to the bottom of a disappearance, as continues when the show jumps forward to find him as a 17-year-old (then played by Totally Completely Fine's Zac Burgess). Again, the approach and atmosphere apes Boy Swallows Universe's protagonist, who can rarely be anywhere fast enough. This is a tale of darkness and violence — of addiction, murder, bullies, trauma, drugs, lopped-off limbs, loss, domestic assault, gang wars, jail, PTSD and fiendish plans — while also a story about working towards the best even in what seems to be the most dire of circumstances. Of course Eli keeps leaping towards brighter possibilities, then being pulled back into the shit (sometimes literally). A simple journey towards better days, this isn't, however. As its irrepressible central figure kicks around his neighbourhood, tags along with Lyle, writes letters to his prison penpal (Briggs, Get Krack!n), goes to school with a wannabe drug lord (Zachary Wan, Never Too Late) and endeavours to befriend The Courier-Mail's young star crime reporter (Sophie Wilde, Talk to Me), there's no shying away from the harsh realities surrounding Eli and almost everyone that he knows. Boy Swallows Universe doesn't revel in despair, though, but commits to seeing things as they are with no judgement — and zero traces of fatalistic certainty that nothing more will ever spring. That type of candour is as rare as spotting the areas of Brisbane that the narrative is set in on-screen. For locals, there's no mistaking that this is the River City, especially when there's no trace of Boggo Road, the Story Bridge or Brisbane City Hall in sight. Even as flying cars, red phones with mysterious voices on the line, eerie predictions and secret lairs factor into the plot, every second looks and feels lived in, turning an ace Brisbane book into an ace Brisbane-shot series. Tenderness and diligence linger in Collee's handling of Dalton's tale, and in Nalluri, Moorhouse and Mordaunt's attentiveness as directors. That said, if their efforts weren't matched by stellar casting, Boy Swallows Universe could've started to unravel the moment that it kicks off with Lyle being dragged away by nefarious heavies. The main adult cast members are superb, specifically in delivering unvarnished explorations of complex characters with a plethora of clashing — and realistic, and relatable — traits. Fimmel conveys Lyle's relentless attempts to take care of his family with both love and wildness in his every move. Tonkin is as resolute as she is adoring, while never sanding away the knocks she keeps taking. Baker turns in his second exceptional performance in the space of the year, and Brown perfects the role of a no-nonsense yet supportive mentor that it instantly seems he was born to play. Boy Swallows Universe's younger stars are equally as impressive. Expressive in their own ways — one in energy and movement, the other via quiet glances — Cameron and Halley know that they're the heart and soul of the show, and more than live up to the task. The former is missed when Eli ages up, but Burgess brings a deep-seated yearning to the part as someone who has spent his years approaching adulthood striving for so much that's constantly out of his grasp, despite still appreciating what he has. As with almost every detail seen and heard, that sense of absence when Eli gets older couldn't be more apt. This account of coping with day-to-day life at its most brutal and most fantastical doesn't only refuse to be just one thing, or stay with just one version of Eli, but wouldn't contemplate giving its audience anything other than the full emotional universe. Check out the full trailer for Boy Swallows Universe below: Boy Swallows Universe streams via Netflix from Thursday, January 11, 2024. Images: courtesy of Netflix © 2023.
It took 30 years, plus a warp pipe from live-action to animation, but Super Mario Bros finally gained a cinematic mushroom. While these are peak product-to-screen times — see also: The Last of Us, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, Tetris and Air, plus the upcoming Barbie, BlackBerry and latest Transformers flick — Nintendo's plumber siblings were long flushed out of movies thanks to their underperforming first outing. 1993's Bob Hoskins (Snow White and the Huntsman) and John Leguizamo (Violent Night)-starring film, the first-ever live-action video game film, isn't terrible. It followed its own dark path and hit its own wild blocks, something that stands out even more now that slavish obsession to intellectual property and franchise-building is king. If 2023's The Super Mario Bros Movie is a response to its predecessor, it's a happily dutiful one, doing its utmost to copy the video game. The strongest feeling it inspires: making viewers want to bust out their old NES or SNES or Game Boy, or emulators of any of them, or Nintendo's current Switch, and mash buttons as the red-capped, moustachioed, overalls-wearing Mario. These are also peak product-to-screen-to-purchase times; selling more Super Mario Bros, Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros games is a clear and obvious aim of The Super Mario Bros Movie. To do that, the film truly is as enthusiastic about recreating its various source materials as Mario has been about collecting coins, completing levels and saving Princess Peach since way back in his 8-bit days. Under directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, creators of Teen Titans Go!, the animation looks like it's been ported straight from the console — a feat that's hardly unexpected given that it's all shiny pixels. It's also unsurprising due to Nintendo's recent success in mirroring the games IRL in Universal's Osaka and Hollywood theme parks. The Super Mario Bros Movie will help sell more tickets to those, too. In those impressive images, Italian Americans Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt, Thor: Love and Thunder) and Luigi (Charlie Day, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) essentially find themselves in the Super Mario Bros version of The Wizard of Oz. Like the 90s flick, they're also transported to another realm where a villainous creature lusts for power— Bowser (Jack Black, Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood) here, with an army of the turtle-like koopas doing his bidding. A sewer flood whisks Mario and Luigi out of their own world, after they try to fix it to drum up customers for their plumbing business. On the other side of the tunnel, Mario lands in the Mushroom Kingdom and Luigi ends up Bowser's prisoner. Cue a quest, including along the rainbow road, to reunite the brothers, stop Bowser and keep him away from Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy, The Menu) — who definitely isn't a damsel in distress, but the target of Bowser's obsessive affections. Screenwriter Matthew Fogel (Minions: The Rise of Gru) has kept The Super Mario Bros Movie's story slight, just as Horvath and Jelenic ensure that the tone stays light. Still, while it might star Pratt, there's no The Lego Movie-level smarts, satire and hilarity on offer. Instead, the fun-enough picture is packed with as many nods to the games as it can possibly fit in — and to as many games as it can manage. It's been four decades since Mario Bros initially hit arcades, spinning off from Mario's 1981 introduction in the first Donkey Kong, so there's much to reference. The film brings in the big gorilla (Seth Rogen, The Fabelmans) and his simian pals (Wednesday's Fred Armisen voices Cranky Kong). It gets speeding along that beloved rainbow road, with shells flying and Mad Max: Fury Road coming to mind. The list goes on and cuts far deeper than the obvious; it isn't accurate to say it's full of Easter eggs, though, because it's simply a Super Mario Bros movie stacked with attention to Super Mario Bros detail. Released beforehand, but still a sight to see within the complete flick, Mario's arrival in the Mushroom Kingdom and his introductory tour by the mushroom-headed Toad (Keegan-Michael Key, Schmigadoon!) is a visual treasure trove. When Peach has him prove he's up to the Bowser-battling mission by hopping through an obstacle course that mirrors Super Mario Bros' levels, it's also spot on. Before that in Brooklyn, rushing to a job gets the side-scrolling treatment — and it's an entertainingly playful touch. Nintendo composer Koji Kondo's famous tunes are worked and interpreted by composer Brian Tyler (Scream VI), too, and well. Of course, a game-to-movie effort can't just splash around familiar sights and sounds, actively court nostalgia, and call it all a film. This one doesn't, but the plot remains noticeably thin, including in its siblings-stick-together theme. It's also indebted to the Minions franchise in much of Bowser and the Koopas' storyline. That's animation house Illumination cribbing from itself, given it's behind Despicable Me and its sequels and continues, and now this. If the bright, bouncy, vivid and immersive imagery is The Super Mario Bros Movie's main power-up, which it is, it's still no invincibility star. Neither is the fast pace, aka the default mode for most family-friendly animated fare that isn't made by Pixar, Studio Ghibli or Wolfwalkers' Cartoon Saloon, and where the key focus is on throwing constant chaos at kids so that they don't get distracted. And when the stock-standard needle-drops start, because every all-ages-friendly movie has to jam in recognisable songs like 'Holding Out for a Hero' and 'Take on Me' like it's a jukebox musical — a lazy and grating genre staple that won't go away — there's basic Spotify playlist vibes. It might've sparked the Gentleminions fad among cinemagoers who grew up watching yellow babbling critters, but Minions: The Rise of Gru did the same. Cosplaying in red or green outfits to The Super Mario Bros Movie, which'll happen seeing that all things Mario are that adored, won't patch over the template at work here either. Although it doesn't seem like it when the picture presses start, Horvath and Jelenic are well-aware that they can't have Pratt let's-a-going his way through the film with a stereotypical accent, and don't. They're also comically knowing about it. That said, his casting is neither a coin box nor a banana peel — but his co-stars are winningly chosen. The expressive and energetic Day helps make the case for a big-screen Luigi's Mansion outing to come next. Taylor-Joy gives Peach pluck and determination, on par with the script's commitment to make the character anything but someone who needs rescuing. Key is lively and squeaky, Black growls and pines for Peach with Tenacious D-style glee and Rogan is audibly having a ball. And, while this can't be said about the bulk of this endearingly loving but supremely by-the-numbers film, that's something that The Super Mario Bros Movie delivers but the games can't.
What if The Boys took its superhero satirising to college? That's one of the ideas behind Gen V, which helped expand streaming's Vought Cinematic Universe in 2023. When the spinoff series quickly proved a hit, a second season was locked in. What if dealing with having superpowers turned higher learning into utter chaos? Expect to dive into that concept again from September 2025. Just because The Boys loves parodying pop culture's caped-crusader obsession, that doesn't mean that it can't spark its own franchise. After the OG series, first came the animated The Boys Presents: Diabolical. Then, Gen V arrived to take on the 'We Gotta Go Now' storyline. Viewers can enrol in the later's sophomore season on Prime Video from Wednesday, September 17, 2025, with a new Dean setting the agenda for the university's students — and the impacts of Homelander's (Antony Starr, G20) actions in The Boys being felt. That's what the just-dropped first trailer for Gen V season two teases, beginning with its new uni head Cipher (Hamish Linklater, Nickel Boys) letting the blood-bending Marie Moreau (Jaz Sinclair, Please Baby Please) re-enrol. With its controlling necklaces, the Elmira Adult Rehabilitation Centre has been her home since the events of season one — and for some of her friends, too. But going back to class isn't the same as it was the first time around, including in a "Make America Super Again" world. "It is time that humans learn that what runs through our veins is true Vought blue," Cipher tells the amassed students — and a war between humans and supes is indeed part of the storyline. If you missed Gen V 's initial season, Godolkin University is the college for superheroes that's meant to help prepare the best of the best for caped-crusader life — until exploding classmates, creepy secret facilities and untrustworthy professors complicate matters, that is. Season one spent its time with Marie, who knows that attending God U is a pivotal opportunity. After a traumatic experience when her powers kicked in, this is her chance to completely change her life, as well as achieve her dream of becoming the first Black woman in The Seven. Then, nothing turns out as planned. Also, things on campus (and underneath it) get shady, fast. Starring in season one as well: Lizze Broadway (Kinda Pregnant) as Marie's roomate Emma Meyer, who can change her size; Maddie Phillips (Overcompensating) as the persuasive Cate Dunlap; London Thor (Never Have I Ever) and Derek Luh (Shining Vale) as the gender-shifting Jordan Li; Asa Germann (Monsters) as the super-strong Sam Riordan; and Sean Patrick Thomas (High Potential) as superhero Polarity. All six also return for season two. The first look at the new season also dives into how the show is addressing an off-screen tragedy, after season-one talent Chance Perdomo (After Everything), who portrayed the magnetic Andre Anderson, passed away in 2024. Check out the teaser trailer for Gen V season two below: Gen V streams via Prime Video, with season two releasing from Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Read our review of season one.
When you think of beer in Milton, it wouldn't be remiss of you to think of the iconic Castlemaine Brewery, which has been wafting the smell of yeast and hops over the residents of Paddington, Red Hill and Rosalie since 1878. And while this brewing behemoth can crank out XXXX tinnies by the truckload, there's something a whole lot craftier taking place just around the corner. Open on Milton's Railway Terrace (right near craft beer specialists Scratch Bar and perpendicular to Park Road) is Aether Brewing. This beer-lover's paradise is a passion project from two ex-engineers, Dave Ward and Jimmy Young. The gents say that their journey from engineers to full-time brewers and bar owners has been really rewarding — though not without its challenges. "Everything was a pretty big learning curve, but we got here," Jimmy declares. And when you've got a venue this impressive to show for it, a couple of hiccups is a small price to pay. Working in collaboration with Salvador Farrajota and Joshua Abel from Brissie design studio The Artificial, Aether Brewing is a venue to dazzle. A spacious, airy, ground floor bar is flanked on one side by a formidable row of stainless steel brewing tanks, and on the other side by a long bar. Brewing capacity is five hec — which translates in layman's to 500 litres of beer. Everything is brewed on site in six fermenters, with three bright beer tanks in-house as well. If choice is something you crave, you'll be in your element. The bar downstairs serves 12 beers at one time — nine of the Aether Brewing variety, plus three guest taps. When you head up the staircase to the first floor, you can enjoy the second bar/function area, complete with custom furniture, or perhaps relax into the night over a leisurely meal in the sit-down dining area/bar. Drinkers with an appetite can tuck into ten tapas options, including pork belly pieces on kimchi pancakes, buffalo wings and crispy garlic pickles — or six types of pizza, the same amount of burgers, or mains such as wagyu brisket and chicken kiev. Image: Aether Brewing.
There are 8222 islands within Australia's watery borders. You could spend your entire life hopping from one Aussie island to another and never quite make them all (well, unless you're very, very quick). So, we thought we'd save you some time by teaming up with Jim Beam and handpicking 12 of the best islands in Australia. That should at least get you started. Next time you start imagining you and your best mates on a white-sanded beach with quokkas close by, sea lions in the distance and your desks a few hundred kilometres away, these are the spots to catch a boat, plane, or ferry to. Remember: an adventure like this is best enjoyed together. Right? Recommended reads: The Best Glamping Sites in Australia The Best Beaches in Australia The Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Australia [caption id="attachment_688591" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Coral Coast Tourism[/caption] Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia The Houtman Abrolhos isn't just an island, it's an archipelago. 122 isles make up the marvel, more or less clustered in three groups across 100 kilometres. They lie 60 kilometres off the Coral Coast, west of Geraldton, which is four hours north of Perth. Lose yourself snorkelling or diving among colourful coral, spotting Australian sea lions and looking out for more than 90 species of seabirds, including majestic white-breasted sea eagles. For mind-blowing views, jump aboard a scenic flight and see the best Australian island from a bird's eye view. [caption id="attachment_688571" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Ewart for Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] North Stradbroke Island, Queensland Located 25 minutes by ferry off the Queensland coast, Stradbroke Island is an easy day trip from Brisbane. It's the second biggest sand island in the world after K'gari (more on that Australian island later). For swimming in gentle waves, head to idyllic Cylinder Beach; for wilder surf, make your destination the 38-kilometre-long Main Beach. Overnight stays include beach camping, as well as an array of cottages, hotels and B&Bs. Just north of Straddie is Moreton Island, a wonderland of long beaches, clear lakes and a national park. Consider sleeping over at Tangalooma, an eco-friendly resort where you can hand-feed wild dolphins and swim around a shipwreck. [caption id="attachment_773788" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tom Archer, Destination NSW[/caption] Lord Howe Island, New South Wales Just 11 kilometres long and two kilometres wide, Lord Howe, a two-hour flight east of Sydney, is explorable within a few days. Whenever you travel on this top Australian island, you won't have to fear tourist crowds: only 400 visitors are permitted at any one time and the population is just 382. Prepare to have pretty beaches, spectacular diving sites and rugged terrain all to yourself. Among the best adventures are the Mount Gower Trail, a steep, eight-hour trek that carries you 875 metres above sea level, and Erscott's Hole, a natural wonder where you can snorkel among staghorn coral, bluefish and double-headed wrasse. With all this natural beauty, it's easy to see why it made our list of the best islands in Australia and best overall places to visit in Australia. [caption id="attachment_770035" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] Bruny Island, Tasmania Bruny feels completely remote, yet it's just a 20-minute ferry ride from the coast and, with driving time added, 50 minutes from Hobart. The beauty of this proximity to the city is that, despite all the wilderness, you can find some top nosh: for fish and chips head to Jetty Cafe; for pub grub swing by Hotel Bruny; for cheese visit Bruny Island Cheese Company; and for a tipple, there's the Bruny Island House of Whisky. Meanwhile, nature lovers will find white wallabies at Inala Nature Reserve, windswept headlands at Cape Bruny Lighthouse and head-clearing watery views at Cloudy Bay. [caption id="attachment_688568" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Khy Orchard for Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Magnetic Island, Queensland There are hundreds of islands in the Great Barrier Reef area, offering everything from secluded campsites to five-star luxury resorts. But, for convenience, outdoor adventures and, most importantly, koala spotting, Magnetic Island is hard to go past — found just 20 minutes from Townsville. Get active with sea kayaking tours and yoga classes, get artsy at beachside markets and galleries or relax at stunning beaches like Horseshoe Bay. If you're keen to venture further, jump aboard a Great Barrier Reef snorkelling, diving or sightseeing tour. [caption id="attachment_688400" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Isaac Forman for SA Tourism Commission[/caption] Kangaroo Island, South Australia With a whopping 509 kilometres of coastline, Kangaroo Island could have you exploring for weeks. To get there, take a 45-minute ferry ride from Cape Jervis, on the Fleurieu Peninsula — around 100 kilometres south of Adelaide. Then gear up to share your holiday with sea lions, fur seals, little penguins, echidnas, koalas and, you guessed it, kangaroos. The Australian island is a haven for creatures who've struggled to survive elsewhere, especially local sea lions, who were hunted to the brink of extinction in the 19th and 20th centuries. There are numerous national parks and conservation areas, and the almost 5000-strong population is big on food and wine. You also can't talk about this Aussie island without mentioning the spectacular beaches — our favourite being the one and only Stoke's Bay. [caption id="attachment_874908" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Guillaume Marques (Unsplash)[/caption] The Whitsundays, Queensland In total, The Whitsundays is made up of 74 islands. It's hard to choose the best, especially as each depends on what kind of holiday you're after. You can go camping on the famous Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, live it up at The InterContinental Resort on Hayman Island or even escape to an adults-only oasis like Elysian Retreat on Long Island — one of the best adults-only accommodations in The Whitsundays. From any of these small islands in Australia, you can easily get to the Great Barrier Reef and countless other stunning natural landscapes. This region is also one of Australia's national parks, so it will continue to be preserved for many years to come — even if the reef itself does die off. [caption id="attachment_683983" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Western Australia[/caption] Rottnest Island, Western Australia Rottnest Island is a 90-minute ferry ride from Barrack Street Jetty, Perth, or 25 minutes from Fremantle. Like Kangaroo Island, Rottnest has given a big dose of much-needed love to Australia's wild creatures, particularly quokkas, which now number 12,000 or so. Dedicate some time to spotting them (though please don't go touching, patting or feeding) before visiting pristine beaches, such as The Basin, where you'll find an underwater playground, and Little Parakeet Bay, backdropped by striking rock formations. The best way to explore the Aussie island is by bike, but we are also big fans of getting on a sea kayak for the arvo as well. Prefer to stay here longer than a day? We recommend spending a few nights in Discovery Rottnest Island's luxe glamping tents by the beach. Phillip Island, Victoria Phillip Island's biggest drawcard is its penguin parade. Every night, at sunset, the island's resident little penguins return to their terrestrial homes, having spent the day out and about fishing. Beyond wildlife watching, go wine and craft beer tasting, bliss out with a massage or spa treatment or conquer a trail on foot, such as the Cape Woolamai Walk, which traverses dramatic clifftops along Phillip's southernmost point. Follow the links for suggestions on where to eat and drink and the best outdoor activities on Phillip Island. Unlike most of the other Australian islands on this list, you can reach this one by road: it's around 90 minutes' drive south of Melbourne, making it one of the most accessible islands in Australia. [caption id="attachment_911608" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of Kingfisher Bay Resort[/caption] K'gari (Fraser Island), Queensland World Heritage-listed K'gari (Fraser Island) is the biggest sand island in the world. There are 184,000 hectares of the stuff, made up of 72 colours and mostly in the form of magnificent dunes, much of which are covered in rainforest. If you've time on your hands, take on the Great Walk, an eight-day epic that visits many of K'gari's 100 freshwater lakes. If not, jump aboard a 4WD and cruise along 75 Mile Beach (one of our favourite adventure experiences in Australia), take a dip at Champagne Pools along the way and pay a visit to awe-inspiring Boorangoora(Lake McKenzie), a perched lake made up of rainwater and soft silica sand. [caption id="attachment_688583" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Wilson for Tourism Tasmania[/caption] King Island, Tasmania You might have no idea where King Island is, but may have seen its cheese at the supermarket. King Island Dairy's decadent triple cream brie is an Aussie gourmet staple. But it's far from the only treat you'll be sampling in this lush place, which lies in the Bass Strait, halfway between Victoria and Tassie. Count, too, on super-fresh seafood, flavourful beef and a cornucopia of produce from local growers. When you're finished feasting, stroll along the white sands of Disappointment Bay, visit a 7000-year-old calcified forest and go horse riding by the sea. This under-the-radar travel destination is undoubtedly one of the best islands in Australia. [caption id="attachment_856441" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Bribie Island, Queensland Bribie Island isn't that far from Brisbane (a little over one and a half hours), but is a haven for local wildlife. That's because this Australian island is home to the Pumicestone Passage, a protected marine park where you'll find dugongs, turtles, dolphins and a diverse range of birdlife. All the classic Aussie land animals will be found all over the island, too. And, of course, the beaches are just stupidly beautiful. Whether you're a local or tourist, this island offers all the quintessential Australian sites you must see. Like Jim Beam, surfing and other outdoor adventures are all about bringing people together, so get out there this summer and find your tribe in the great outdoors. Top images: K'gari Island, courtesy of Kingfisher Bay Resort.
Cafe Disco is a tempting beacon of late mornings done right. The cheery yellow exterior of this 40-seater mingles with retro touches such as bottle-green finishings and striking red houndstooth booths. A cacophony of sizzle and spice wafts from the kitchen, mixing in with a vinyl soundtrack. The brunch menu is imbued with the flavours of owner Tasfeen Hassan's Bangladeshi heritage. Every item is inspired primarily by Hassan's memories of his grandma's cooking. Gloriously messy, the veggie brekkie roll comes with fiery kecap manis (Indonesian soy sauce) and a refreshing raita, while the chilli scramble is topped with a gremolata of Thai green chillies. The diner is vegetarian-friendly, but omnivores can indulge in the lamb meatball congee and some fresh kofta in house-baked pita. A revolving line-up of sweets includes pandan and coconut cream puffs — an ideal sidecar for Northgate's Passport Coffee brews. Cafe Disco only opens until 2pm, but the drinks are flowing. The short and sweet list of Aussie wines — plus four cocktails — makes the diner a top-shelf stop on an afternoon bar crawl in the West End.
True-crime stories have saturated all forms of media of late. If you're not listening to podcasts on the topic, you're watching Zac Efron play Ted Bundy, exploring the intersection of fact and fiction in Mindhunter or poring over a TV series about Serial's Adnan Syed. But despite the seemingly never-ending list of new additions to the genre, we're betting you haven't yet witnessed anything quite like Joe Exotic's story, which is the subject of Netflix's new Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness docuseries — and, now, an upcoming drama series as well. Clearly, Joe Exotic isn't the name that the show's mullet-wearing focal point was born with. But given Joe's love of big cats, line of work and over-sized personality, he obviously decided that the moniker fit. Between 1999–2016, he created and ran The Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma, which was home to hundreds of tigers, lions and other large felines. Joe also took his tiger show on the road and, because he just adored tigers so much, he literally sang about them as well. His first country music album was called I Saw a Tiger, because of course it was. He found time to run for Governor of the state and, in 2016, President of the US. He's fond of guns and just as fond of marrying more than one person at once. Oh, and the zookeeper tried to hire a hitman to get one of his rivals — Big Cat Rescue animal sanctuary's CEO Carole Baskin — killed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acTdxsoa428 Lions, tigers, eccentricity, polygamy and murder-for-hire, oh my! That's the jaw-dropping tale that Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness — and yes, it's so strange that it can only be true. It's no wonder that Netflix has turned it into a series, which is now available to stream. And, as Deadline reports, it's no wonder that a new TV drama is set to recreate these events as well. Based on the podcast Joe Exotic — the latest season of ongoing series Over My Dead Body, which is created by the podcast studio behind Dirty John, Homecoming and Dr Death — the new drama will chart Exotic's long and complicated battle with Baskin. If you've already binged your way through Tiger King, you'll know there's much more to both sides of the story, and to both of their backgrounds, including suspicions about the death of Carole's second husband. While few details have been released about the Joe Exotic limited drama series as yet, which'll only run for one batch of episodes, it will boast a big star. Saturday Night Live, Ghostbusters and Yesterday's Kate McKinnon will be playing Baskin — and yes, that means she'll be saying "hey all you cool cats and kittens" more than once, as well as dressing head to toe in tiger print. The TV drama version of Joe Exotic doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when one is announced. Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness is available to stream now on Netflix. Via Deadline. Top image: Netflix.
There's no way that Dream Scenario could've been a horror movie, even if it does hail from A24 and boast Hereditary, Midsommar and Beau Is Afraid filmmaker Ari Aster as a producer. Constantly having one particular person pop up in your head as you slumber is indeed eerie; however, when that person is the one and only Nicolas Cage, who'd be scared? Cage doesn't play himself in Dream Scenario — so, it isn't going down The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent's path — but the characters played by actors other than the Renfield, Pig, Willy's Wonderland, Face/Off, Con Air, Wild at Heart, Vampire's Kiss and Raising Arizona star do indeed keep dreaming of his likeness. And, when it won't stop happening, it earns plenty of attention in this new sci-fi comedy from Sick of Myself writer/director Kristoffer Borgli. Paul Matthews is just an average family man and college professor when Dream Scenario kicks off, as the movie's trailer shows. And, if the Cage-inhabited figure didn't start haunting everyone's sleep, that would've remained the case. When we say everyone, we mean it, with millions of folks getting acquainted with Paul when their eyes are closed — his daughter, his students, old loves and then basically the entire globe. "It was one of the best scripts I've read, quite frankly, and I think it's my best performance and probably the best movie I've ever made," said Cage about the end result. The film premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, will release in the US in November, but doesn't yet have a big-screen date Down Under. Borgli's English-language debut, Dream Scenario also stars Julianne Nicholson (Weird: The Al Yankovic Story), Michael Cera (Barbie), Tim Meadows (I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson), Dylan Gelula (Loot) and Dylan Baker (Hunters). And, it's another glorious chapter in the best Hollywood guessing game there is as long as Cage keeps hopping in front of the camera, aka where will the inimitable actor show up next? Check out the trailer for Dream Scenario below: Dream Scenario releases in US cinemas on November 10, but doesn't yet have a release date Down Under — we'll update you when one is announced. Images: courtesy of A24.
Penélope Cruz didn't score an Oscar this year for Parallel Mothers. Her husband Javier Bardem didn't win one for Being the Ricardos, either. And, just a couple of years ago, Antonio Banderas also didn't nab a shiny Academy Award for Pain and Glory — but the three acclaimed actors are all winners at the 2022 Spanish Film Festival. The annual cinema showcase spotlights not just Spanish but also Latin American cinema, and it's back for another Aussie tour throughout April and May — hitting up Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Byron Bay. On the bill: 34 movies that hail from both regions, or tie into them in one way or another, including several with Cruz, Bardem and or Banderas at their centre. Kickstarting this year's Spanish Film Festival with the Cruz- and Banderas-starring Official Competition must've been the easiest programming choice in the fest's history. A filmmaking satire, it casts Cruz as a famous director entrusted to bring a Nobel Prize-winning novel about sibling rivalry to the screen, and enlists Banderas as a Hollywood heartthrob. Throw all of that together and it's clearly film festival catnip, as the movie's berths at overseas fests such as Venice, Toronto and San Sebastián have already shown — and it'll enjoy its Australia premiere as the Spanish Film Festival's opening night pick. The aforementioned — and sublime — Parallel Mothers is also on the lineup after releasing in Aussie cinemas earlier this year, if you missed it then. And, so are two Cruz-Bardem collaborations: Jamón Jamón, the pair's first film together, which marks its 30th anniversary in 2022, and 2017's Loving Pablo, which sees Bardem play Pablo Escobar. Of course, the Spanish Film Festival spans plenty of movies that don't star Spanish cinema's best-known acting names, too — with 2022 Goya-winning political drama Maixabel, fellow Goya-recipient Mediterráneo: The Law of the Sea, psychological horror flick The House of Snails, road-movie comedy Carpoolers, and the coming-of-age-focused Once Upon a Time in Euskadi also on the program. Or, there's Girlfriends, about childhood pals reuniting; dramatic thriller The Daughter, which hones in on a pregnant teen; mother-daughter drama Ama; the Himalayas-set Beyond the Summit; and The Cover, about a pop star impersonator. From the Cine Latino strand, ten films hail from the likes of Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic — including rom-com The Big Love Picture, thriller Immersion, the footballer-centric 9 and Goya-winner (yes, another one) Forgotten We'll Be. Plus, the lineup also includes Language Lessons, which is directed by and starring Natalie Morales (The Little Things), and also features Mark Duplass (Bombshell) — with the pair navigating an online setup to play a Spanish teacher and her student. And, there's sessions of the Spanish-language version of Disney's Encanto as well. SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL 2022 DATES: April 19–May 15: Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema, Sydney April 20–May 15: Palace Electric, Canberra April 21–May 15: The Astor Theatre, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Palace Balwyn and Pentridge Cinema, Melbourne April 27–May 18: Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Adelaide April 27–May 18: Palace Raine Square Cinemas, Luna Leederville and Luna on SX., Perth April 28–May 18: Palace Barracks and Palace James Street, Brisbane April 29–May 15: Palace Byron Bay, Byron Bay The Spanish Film Festival tours Australia from Tuesday, April 19–Wednesday, May 18. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the festival's website.
Bear Bones Espresso joins Fonzie Abbott and Reverends as the latest Fortitude Valley coffee bar proving that you don’t have to venture to Winn Lane for a great cup o’ Joe. Flamingo Cafe may be the caffeine hounds’ venue of choice but the Valley is also home to a plethora of lesser known coffee joints, you just have to know where to look. Nestled between the Luxxbox furniture store and Light Sounds on Maclachlan Street, you really do have to look for Bear Bones. It’d be easy to mistake their cavernous frontage and metal roller doors for another industrial unit – until you spot the pot plants and technicolour graffiti. The latest venture from restauranteur Asa Boardman (brains behind New Farm’s Ponycat), the coffee shop boasts a menu of failsafe breakfast and lunch favourites (think avo on toast and pulled pork sammies), homemade cakes and a selection of T2 leaf teas. The coffee is roasted on site and also supplies Cobbler and much loved Paddington breakfast spot, Kettle and Tin. Despite the warehouse proportions, Bear Bones exudes the cosy-yet-cool vibe that has become something of a Boardman trademark. High tables are arranged for brunch catch ups and the light bulbs that hang within glass beakers kind of make you feel as if you’re having coffee in the New York apartment of a mad scientist (which we can totally deal with). Work by local artists also hangs on the walls, firmly cementing Bear Bones in its Brisbane setting. With rumours of an art studio out back and plans to start roasting their own beans onsite, we’ll be bearing with Bear Bones Espresso to see what else they have in store.
Carrie Bradshaw once said that Vogue fed her more than dinner – a hot take in the early 2000s, when skipping a few meals was á la mode. Alas, flipping (or scrolling) through a fashion mag today might not have the same effect. Tinned fish, cherries, lemons and lobsters appear on the clothes, like one big grazing plate. Every Loewe ad features sculptural heirloom tomatoes, while Jacquemus' are a reminder to butter your toast. [caption id="attachment_1042055" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maison Batard servers wearing bespoke tuxedos from The Service Club.[/caption] The obsession has even spilled over to the beauty industry in recent years — Nude by Nature's lippies are stirring martinis and scooping up whipped butter. Food motifs aren't new in fashion, but in the latest wave of the food-fashion zeitgeist, the people behind what we eat are also shaping what we wear for the first time. Amidst workplace misconduct and financial pressures, working in hospitality is notoriously tough. But 'chefcore' has officially become a thing, thanks to shows like The Bear, which have turned our attention to what chefs wear. Fashion publications dissect the show's thoughtful costuming every season, with iconic looks including vintage designer pieces that reference Chicago history, Carmy's perfect (and pricey) white t-shirt, and the $600 Thom Browne chef whites gifted to Sydney in the season two finale. Another thing: The Bear doesn't shy away from the industry's harsh realities — and the grittiness appeals. It's why Jeremy Allen White, who plays Carmy, now fronts Calvin Klein campaigns. And why Gio Luciano, a real-life line cook in New York City, went viral on TikTok for "line cook food hauls". It makes sense that brands are clamouring to cash in on this cultural cachet. Incu asked Messina to reimagine its brands as gelato flavours in 2020. In Hollywood, Mel's Drive-In made a sky-high pancake stack for Skims, which homegrown Scarlet and Sam referenced with its monogrammed birthday pancakes. Last month, Tarts Anon teamed up with Birkenstock Australia to spotlight their professional footwear range. [caption id="attachment_1042052" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tarts Anon Head Chef Gareth Whitton in his trusty work clogs.[/caption] "Fashion brands want to be part of culture and create experiences that feel tangible and memorable," Tarts Anon founder Gareth Whitton says. "Food and hospitality are inherently social and sensory experiences, which makes them perfect for lifestyle storytelling." Borrowing from the thyme-hued Boston clogs he wears around the kitchen, Whitton created a one-weekend-only thyme, chocolate and verjus tart, finished with a cocoa dusting in Birkenstock's signature bone pattern. [caption id="attachment_1042054" align="alignnone" width="1920"] An exclusive thyme, chocolate and verjus tart at Tarts Anon that pays homage to Head Chef Gareth Whitton's Birkenstock Bostons in Thyme.[/caption] These collabs are a win-win for Whitton: his team is excited to experiment, while retail brands gain exposure to "a highly curated audience in a relaxed social setting". This face time is especially valuable to brands without a brick-and-mortar presence, but it's also a way for those with a physical storefront to draw more curious browsers. [caption id="attachment_1042053" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Birkenstock's iconic Boston clogs, made for work.[/caption] Luxury maisons have long paired fashion with fine dining. In 2004, Chanel brought on celebrated chef Alain Ducasse to open Michelin-starred French restaurant Beige alain Ducasse Tokyo in its Ginza flagship. Gucci, Prada, Ralph Lauren and more followed with similar concepts, all meant to draw crowds to their stores. As designers join diners at the table, Whitton warns against collabs that feel "forced and gimmicky". He offers a hot tip for fashion marketers: "Typically, chefs collaborate with brands that share a similar aesthetic, ethos, or target audience. The best collaborations are always the ones where both sides feel the partnership enhances their story, rather than serving as a one-off promotion." Keeping that in mind, workwear labels might have an edge in the game. Sydney-based designer Johnny Schembri, who started hospo-dedicated diffusion line The Service Club, explains: "Chefs are incredibly particular, and rightly so, they spend long hours in these garments. We listen carefully to their notes around comfort, heat, and movement. The same goes for waitstaff; they need to be able to move freely, and everything must be easy to wash and wear." Schembri has been dressing women under his namesake label, By Johnny, for the past 16 years, but he earned his stripes making uniforms for the now-defunct Keystone Group. Two years ago, the designer turned his eye back to the kitchen with The Service Club. Venues can pick from a collection of 40 ready-to-wear garments or opt to collaborate with Schembri on custom uniforms. [caption id="attachment_1042057" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The crew at Bobbys Cronulla kitted out in nautical-inspired uniforms designed by The Service Club.[/caption] "Historically, chef uniforms have all looked the same, very standard and not especially considered," Schembri says. But now, chefs are looking for design-led options to inject personality into their attire. The Service Club outfitted 20 venues in its first 12 months, ranging from a breezy all-white look punctuated by blue and clay aprons at Sydney's beachside restaurant Bobby to tailored-yet-functional tuxes for Melbourne's Maison Bâtard team. While uniforms are a masthead for venues — Schrembi calls them "walking billboards" — the clothes worn during a busy shift still have to strike a balance between function and style. In an era of countless microtrends, practicality might be a virtue; The Bear's style explosion demonstrates a love for clothes that go just as hard as the people who wear them. Beyond chefcore, the people and pulse of a restaurant can also inspire the fashion world in its own right. London-based Melt Jewellery's most-hyped collection in five years features sculptural sterling-silver-and-gemstone rings and pendant necklaces that nod to the movement in a kitchen. [caption id="attachment_1042056" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bertrand Kerleo shows off Melt Jewellery's new collection.[/caption] The collection took shape when Melt founder Prachi Jan met French pastry chef Bertrand Kerleo on the tube. Kerleo became the muse of the campaign, which is centred around his culinary journey and shot in a working kitchen where he busies himself making an avant-garde take on European milk pudding called blancmange. While Jan is well aware that no chef would actually wear jewellery during service, it's the unlikely crossover that intrigues her. "We're not encouraging people to sauté in silver," she says. "You see Bertrand wearing the jewellery while cooking, moving [and] sweating — all those human details that you don't usually associate with fine jewellery. It feels slightly surreal." With all the hype around hospo, high-concept collaborations like this could be where we're headed. As Schembri puts it: "There's something raw and real about the hospitality world that cuts through the noise; it's tactile, it's lived-in, and it feels genuine, which is exactly what people want from brands right now." Images supplied
For so many of us, France is the dream. The cheese is so good it's practically an out of body experience, it's acceptable to drink wine at any time of the day, local employers only want you to work 35 hours a week (with no sneaky emails thereafter), and now they're paying people to ride their bikes to work. For realsies. This isn't like when people say an internship is paid, but its actual currency of choice is good vibes and stale lamingtons from the break room. This plan is fuelled by real cash money. This governmental effort to boost bike usage comes as an incentive to improve people's health, reduce air pollution and cut fossil fuel consumption. Though currently in a six-month trial period, the initiative is backed by similar efforts in neighbouring European countries too. The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Britain also have bike-to-work schemes, but this will be the first of its kind to actually offer direct payment to riders. The system as it stands offers 25 euro cents for every kilometre ridden to work. Live 4km away? You just earned half your morning coffee. Twenty companies employing a total of 10,000 people had reportedly signed up to the program as of Monday, and the government believe the initiative will raise the cyclist population by 50 percent. At the moment just 2.4 percent of French people ride to work, as compared to 8 percent in Belgium and a whopping 25 percent in the Netherlands. Our figures in Australia sit just below France, around 1.5 percent. You can't help but imagine what a world of good such policies would do for us too. Despite traffic being at its worst, and the increasing presence of new bike lanes or bike-share programs, the desire to stay plonked sedentary in your car is stronger than ever. We're not saying we need the government to pay us money to get off our butts, but at this point, it sure couldn't hurt. Via Reuters. Photo credits: Simona K and infomatique via photopin cc.
When Brisbane's Howard Smith Wharves initially unveiled its first tenants back in 2017, four restaurants were revealed: a Greek taverna, an octagonal overwater bar, a Japanese joint and a Chinese eatery. Slowly but surely, the precinct is delivering on those promises. Greca, Mr Percival's, Yoko Dining, Betty's Burgers, Goodtimes Gelateria, Crystalbrook Vincent and Stanley are now calling this Brisbane dining destination home. Hong Kong-inspired Cantonese venue Stanley has undergone a few behind-the-scenes changes since it was first announced — instead of being the latest venue from restaurateur Andrew Baturo (Walter's Steakhouse, Libertine, Popolo, Heya and The Gresham), the space and lease is in the hands of private investors — but it's still designed to impress. Revamping the two-storey, heritage-listed, 1930s-era former water police building in the riverside precinct, it features three bars, can cater for 220 guests and includes seating on a deck by the river. And, if you're a fan of peking duck and dim sum, it boasts separate kitchens dedicated to both. That means that, food-wise, authentic Cantonese dishes are well and truly in the spotlight — as is plenty of fresh, local seafood. Head chef Louis Tikaram's (ex-EP/LP Restaurant in West Hollywood) menu includes peking duck pancakes, honey-glazed char siu, steamed Abrolhos Island scallops and Moreton Bay bug spring rolls, as well as crispy-skin spatchcock, grilled wagyu, and sesame and ginger Queensland king prawns. You can also pick crabs and bugs live from the tank, and feast your way through two banquet options. Or, tuck into desserts such as deep-fried ice cream, as well as Stanley's version of a 'Splice', which is made with fresh pineapple, vanilla gelato, and lime and pineapple granita. Head sommelier Thibaud Cregut (ex-Nel. in Sydney) has curated a 400-strong wine list that spans both local and international tipples. Then come every Sunday lunchtime, this Brisbane restaurant serves up its special yum cha menu, including all your dim sum favourites alongside some of the more unique options listed above. Either go a la carte or opt for one of the banquets — $60pp for the selection of 11 classic dishes and $98pp for the boojier version — expect more seafood options and some bigger dishes. And, as well as making the most of its waterside location, Stanley pays tribute to traditional Chinese design with a handcrafted rattan ceiling and bamboo fretwork lining its walls. It also features antique pieces sourced from Europe and Hong Kong, parquetry inlay floors and a centrepiece circular bar on the upper level.
Never in history has the topic of sustainability been a more popular or important topic of conversation. Saving the environment is on the immediate to-do list of individuals and organisations across the world, but will governments go as far as to grant legal rights to Mother Nature herself? The answer is shockingly, but quite possibly, yes. Today, the United Nations will propose Bolivia's Law of Mother Earth, based on the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth, in an attempt to lead the world into a new age of conservation of natural resources and a strict reduction of pollution. The treaty includes four articles and, if passed, would grant the environment 11 legal rights, including the right to life and to exist, the right to continue processes free from human disturbance, the right to pure water and clean air, the right to balance, the right not to be polluted, the right to not be affected by mega-infrastructure and development projects that negatively affect ecosystems and the local inhabitants and the right to not have cellular structure modified or genetically altered. Does this mean no cutting down trees? It's hard to determine whether the proposal is silly or a solution. Although it is highly unlikely that the UN will approve the treaty any time soon, the truth is that especially in the suffering environment of Bolivia, Mother Nature isn't in the best shape right now. It remains to be seen whether granting a bill of rights to flora and fauna is the best way to restore her to her former glory. [Via The Guardian]
Adoring Pixar films is generally easy for a whole heap of reasons, and here's one them: the Disney-owned animation studio knows what it likes and what it does well, and it finds multiple ways to keep giving both a whirl in new and different fashions. Even when you can see the formula behind toys, fish, monsters and feelings having feelings — to name a few of Pixar's similar ideas — the end result usually carves its own niche, and also makes its own heartfelt and delightful impact. 2023 release Elemental looks set to be one of those flicks. Even from just its title, it's easy to see the path that the studio is taking. The question this time: what if the elements, aka fire, water, land and air, had feelings? The film dubs its characters fire-, water-, land- and air-residents, but getting big Inside Out and Soul vibes comes with the territory while watching the movie's just-dropped first trailer. That initial sneak peek is also as adorable as you'd expect if you've ever just seen one frame of a Pixar feature. The teaser heads to Element City, where its various Captain Planet-like characters reside together — and where the fiery Ember (voiced by Leah Lewis, Nancy Drew) and go-with-the-flow Wade (Mamoudou Athie, Archive 81) cross paths. As is generally the case with debut trailers, Elemental's first look is all about style and mood rather than diving too far into the story, but it does show Ember and Wade meeting, and also surveys the passengers on an Element City water train. Flaming legs, grassy creatures, critters that look like clouds, earthy parents with children in pot plants: they're all sighted. Then Ember's headphones fall off — and Wade picks them up. Directed by The Good Dinosaur's Peter Sohn, and with the rest of the voice cast yet to be announced, it's literally a story of water and fire trying to get along. Maybe Pixar is staffed by George RR Martin fans? There's a Studio Ghibli feel to it all, too, thanks to the big focus on nature (and that water train, which isn't quite a cat bus, but might get you thinking of one). Following 2022's Turning Red and Lightyear, Pixar's most recent releases, the film hits cinemas on June 15. Check out the first trailer for Elemental below: Elemental releases in cinemas on June 15, 2023.
Thought there was room in this town for just one retro-inspired line of Melbourne beer merch? Well, think again. VB has been dropping different collections and items over the past couple of years years, including Christmas sweaters and swimwear — and, after first releasing some sweet new merchandise of its own back in 2018, too, Melbourne Bitter has just announced its latest range. Once again, it's a collaboration with fuss-free menswear label Mr Simple. And once again, it's taking its cues from history. This time around, the collection draws upon Melbourne Bitter's archive, with four different graphics on offer. Melbourne Bitter's reputation as a hipster sip of choice should give you some idea of the vibe of this latest collection — think, vintage-style tees showcasing old-school logos, plus long-sleeved shirts, bucket hats and caps. Basically, now that Melbourne's pubs and bars have reopened, it's the perfect wardrobe choice. Unlike the largely unisex offerings of VB's range, this one's marketed more towards men — as Melbourne Bitter's first collab with Mr Simple was as well. Still, we think it can rocked by all beer lovers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZfw9lZTojQ For more information about the Melbourne Bitter x Mr Simple Pt II clothing line, head to Mr Simple's website.
While many of us wish we were jumping on a plane for a week of relaxing at a beachside resort in Saint-Tropez or hopping over to the Cinque Terre for many bowls of pasta and spritzes, the reality is international travel can be a time-consuming and expensive hassle. But, that doesn't mean a glamorous waterfront getaway is completely unattainable. About an hour's drive north of Sydney, you'll find Pittwater, which is surrounded by hundreds of secluded beach houses, charming cabins set right on the water and serene retreats that'll transport you miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city. To save you hours of scrolling, we've rounded up a list of the most stunning — and most secluded — Airbnbs located by the water around Sydney's northern beaches. So, book a spot, pack your togs and get ready to escape the city for a weekend of relaxing. Recommended Reads: The Best Places to Go Glamping in NSW The Best Tiny Houses You Can Book Around NSW The Best Hotels in Sydney The Best Places to Stay in the Blue Mountains The Boathouse, Scotland Island This cosy coastal cabin is the ideal destination for couples wanting to unwind, beachside. It's got character aplenty, with sparkling water views to match. From $440 a night, sleeps two. Boathouse on the Waterfront, Avalon Beach A cheery couples' hideout perched right on the shores of Careel Bay, where just a few steps connect open-plan living with a waterfront jetty. From $995 a night, sleeps two. Secluded Waterfront Cottage, Lovett Bay It doesn't get much more secluded than this bayside retreat for two, which backs onto a lush national park and has water-only access. From $399 a night, sleeps two. Retreat at Coasters, Coasters Retreat Treat your flock to some downtime at this family-style retreat, enveloped by pristine bushland and set just metres from the shore. From $444 a night, sleeps four. The Secret Palm Beach Getaway, Palm Beach At this breezy Palm Beach cottage, the open-plan living space, sprawling deck and infinity pool all boast the same covetable water views. From $700 a night, sleeps two. Sandstone Cottage, Great Mackerel Beach One of Mackerel Beach's original sandstone cottages is now a secluded six-person hideaway with spectacular sunrises to match. From $1100 a night, sleeps six. Cape Mackerel Cabin, Great Mackerel Beach Secure your own patch of Great Mackerel beachfront, boasting an entertainer's dream deck and views that stretch from Palm Beach to the Central Coast. From $635 a night, sleeps six. Tides Reach Boathouse, McCarrs Creek Accessible only by water, this modern nautical cottage feels worlds away from reality. Fresh white interiors and a sun-drenched waterfront deck round out the holiday vibes. From $700 a night, sleeps eight. The Boathouse Retreat, Elvina Bay This peaceful hideaway nestled on the edge of Ku-ring-gai National Park offers stunning views of Pittwater and that cosy tiny home feel without compromising comfort. From $360 a night, sleeps two. The Oyster Shed, Lovett Bay Accessed only by water, this rustic studio on the bay is perfect romantic getaway. This nautical boathouse comes complete with a fire pit, private dock and cosy vibes to spare. From $369 a night. Sleeps two. Top image: Waterfront Boathouse FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Sun, surf, sand, plus somewhere to sip drinks and snack on seafood — that's every beachgoer's dream. Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast has long had the warm weather, waves and waterside lounging spots covered, and now it has a new bar and eatery positioned right on the popular strip's beachfront. A 640-person capacity venue as close to the shore as you're going to get, Burleigh Pavilion has taken over level one at 43 Goodwin Terrace. It's a two-in-one kind of place, with a 240-seater restaurant at one end and a huge hangout space at the other — all beneath four-metre-high ceilings held up by timber rafters, and within a space that goes heavy on beachy pastel hues. For those after a sit-down meal, The Tropic is the place to go. As well as water views, diners will look into the open kitchen, where head chef Guillaume Zika oversees the culinary side of things. His menu serves up plenty of seafood — think seafood platters, servings of octopus, and grilled tiger prawns with dry vermouth butter and shellfish oil — while also finding room for sobrassada with pickles, rib eye, plus coconut sorbet for dessert. Food is also available in The Terrace, Burleigh Pavilion's 400-capacity bar. Of course, you'll want a few cold beverages to go with your prawns on ice, freshly shucked oysters, beer-battered fish and chips, and four types of pizza. Drinks-wise, more than 90 wines are on offer, alongside 14 beers on tap — including locals Burleigh Brewing and Balter. Cocktails span a gin and ginger kombucha blend; Bacardi spiced rum with strawberry, lime and vanilla sugar; and another rum tipple with Malibu, pineapple, ginger syrup and lime.
Whether it's launching yourself off a snow-covered mountain when the stars are out, diving headfirst into a gorge on a bungee jump, exploring the depths of a cave network, or taking in the sights from a balloon in the sky, Aotearoa New Zealand is packed with experiences guaranteed to get your heart racing and adrenaline flowing. You can experience the country's most breathtaking settings on foot, by air, or in a balloon, to name just a few. We've teamed up with 100% Pure New Zealand to help you seek out some of the most exciting, adrenaline-pumping activities — plus the best time to experience them — so that your next adventure in New Zealand is one for the memory books. Flick the switch for seasonal adventures waiting for you in autumn, winter and spring. Jump to switcher
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we go to KU Villas in Lombok, Indonesia, where you can live that glamorous island life without breaking the bank. We've teamed up with the KU Villas team to bring our readers one massive island holiday deal. Book here to get a three-night stay, hour-long massage, personal chauffeur, $200 food and beverage voucher for the nearby SIWA Clubhouse and daily breakfast for only $455 — an absolute bargain by anyone's standards. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? Get that luxe Indonesian island experience on the cheap. It's incredible just how little you will spend to stay in these stylish Lombok villas — with private pool included. THE ROOMS This small resort has a few different accommodation types, ranging from individual rooms and suites (either with or without a plunge pool) to larger villas with private gardens and larger pools. Modern simplicity is key when it comes to design and amenities — expect large open rooms with classic wooden furniture and crisp white linens. You'll get the essential aircon and wifi, too. Plus, almost every room has double doors that open onto the gardens and pools — indoor and outdoor living spaces are seamlessly woven together. FOOD AND DRINK KU Villas has its own little restaurant onsite, offering a range of Western and traditional Indonesian dishes. Locally sourced, healthy cuisine is the aim of the game here. The chefs get produce from the property to create super fresh and light dishes from breakfast through to dinner. But, these guys are aware that you're on holiday — so you can get pizzas, chips and gelato too. Beers, wine and cocktails flow freely, and are brought out to the pool for those long days spent dipping in and out of the water while getting some well-needed vitamin D. [caption id="attachment_883655" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tom Bixler (Unsplash)[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA KU Villas is located on the island of Lombok, east of the ever-popular Bali. Stay on Lombok to get the full Bali experience, but with fewer crowds. There are quaint villages full of character, countless beachside restaurants and bars, nearby islands for day trips (the trio of Gilis) and rainforests ripe for exploring on hikes or 4WD adventures. KU Villas even has its own mountaintop bar and pool, SIWA, with stunning views across the island — the intel: our Concrete Playground Trips package includes a $200 voucher to spend at this picturesque spot. THE EXTRAS When visiting these parts, a rejuvenating spa day should be firmly on the cards. Thankfully, you'll find one on the property. KU Day Spa offers up a series of massages alongside other treatments — there's coffee and chocolate scrubs and a special magnesium pool experience. Once you're done relaxing, roll over to the pool to hold onto that new-found peace and glow for as long as you can. We're all chasing that feeling — and this ain't a bad place to find it. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world.
Popularity and greatness aren't the same thing, especially in art, but it's always nice when one — or some — of the movies that are getting audiences flocking to cinemas are among the year's best. 2023 managed that feat with Barbie and Oppenheimer. Across 2024's first six months, Dune: Part Two is leading the charge, and spicily. So, if you did see the latest trip to Arrakis at your local picture palace, you saw one of the highlights of the year so far. The newest exploits of House Atreides and the Fremen fuel just one of 2024's standouts starring Zendaya. Tennis love-triangle drama Challengers, the other, is also merely one of the new flicks this year to feature Josh O'Connor, too — as folks who caught Italian gem La Chimera know. As with every year, this turn of the calendar has been filled with filmic variety, including among the movies that we should all be talking about well into the future. Some won Oscars. Others would've in different years. Some unpack icons. Others demonstrate why particular actors are icons. Some whisk audiences back to the past. Others feel like reliving a memory. Even at 2024's midpoint, whittling down the top silver-screen releases so far isn't an easy task. It's true now as it always is no matter the year: more than 15 excellent features have debuted on screens Down Under between January–June, whether they were brand-new around the world or just new to us after premiering elsewhere in 2023. The absolute best of the best demand an immediate rewatch. They delight, surprise, challenge and engage. Give them another spin — or, if you missed them to-date, a first look — and you're in for a helluva ace viewing experience. Perfect Days When Lou Reed's 'Perfect Day' enjoyed its initial sublime movie moment in Trainspotting, it soundtracked a descent into heroin's depths, including literally via the film's visual choices. For three decades since, that's been the tune's definitive on-screen use. Now drifts in Perfect Days, the Oscar-nominated Japan-set drama from German filmmaker Wim Wenders (Submergence). This slice-of-life movie takes its name from the song. It also places the iconic David Bowie-produced classic among the tracks listened to by toilet cleaner Hirayama (Kôji Yakusho, Vivant) as he goes about his daily routine. Fond of 60s- and 70s-era music, the Tokyo native's picks say everything about his mindset, both day by day and in his zen approach to his modest existence. 'Perfect Day' and Nina Simone's 'Feeling Good' each also sum up the feeling of watching this gorgeous ode to making the most of what you have, seeing beauty in the everyday and being in the moment. Not every tune that Hirayama pops into his van's tape deck — cassettes are still his format of choice — has the same type of title. Patti Smith's 'Redondo Beach', The Animals' 'The House of the Rising Sun', Otis Redding's '(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay' and The Rolling Stones' '(Walkin' Thru the) Sleepy City' also rank among his go-tos, all reflecting his mood in their own ways. If there's a wistfulness to Hirayama's music selections, it's in the manner that comes over all of us when we hark back to something that we first loved when we were younger. Perfect Days' protagonist is at peace with his life, however. Subtly layered into the film is the idea that things were once far different and more-conventionally successful, but Hirayama wasn't as content as he now is doing the rounds of the Japanese capital's public bathrooms, blasting his favourite songs between stops, eating lunch in a leafy park and photographing trees with an analogue camera. Read our full review. Love Lies Bleeding In Love Lies Bleeding, a craggy ravine just outside a dusty New Mexico town beckons, ready to swallow sordid secrets in the dark of the desert's starry night. Tumbling into it, a car explodes in flames partway through the movie, exactly as the person pushing it in wants it to. There's the experience of watching Rose Glass' sophomore film emblazoned across the feature's very frames. After the expertly unsettling Saint Maud, the British writer/director returns with a second psychological horror, this time starring Kristen Stewart in the latest of her exceptionally chosen post-Twilight roles (see: Crimes of the Future, Spencer, Happiest Season, Lizzie, Personal Shopper, Certain Women and Clouds of Sils Maria). An 80s-set queer and sensual tale of love, lust, blood and violence, Love Lies Bleeding is as inkily alluring as the gorge that's pivotal to its plot, and as fiery as the inferno that swells from the canyon's depths. This neon-lit, synth-scored neo-noir thriller scorches, too — and burns so brightly that there's no escaping its glow. When the words "you have to see it to believe it" also grace Love Lies Bleeding — diving into gyms and in the bodybuilding world, it's no stranger to motivational statements such as "no pain no gain", "destiny is a decision" and "the body achieves what the mind believes" — they help sum up this wild cinematic ride as well. Glass co-scripts here with Weronika Tofilska (they each previously penned and helmed segments of 2015's A Moment in Horror), but her features feel like the result of specific, singular and searing visions that aren't afraid to swerve and veer boldly and committedly to weave their stories and leave an imprint. Accordingly, Love Lies Bleeding is indeed a romance, a crime flick and a revenge quest. It's about lovers on the run (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania's Katy O'Brian pairs with Stewart) and intergenerational griminess. It rages against the machine. It's erotic, a road trip and unashamedly pulpy. It also takes the concept of strong female leads to a place that nothing else has, and you do need to witness it to fathom it. Read our full review, and our interview with Rose Glass. The Zone of Interest Quotes and observations about evil being mundane, as well as the result when people look the other way, will never stop being relevant. A gripping, unsettling masterpiece, The Zone of Interest is a window into why. The first film by Sexy Beast, Birth and Under the Skin director Jonathan Glazer in more than a decade, the Holocaust-set feature peers on as the unthinkable happens literally just over the fence, but a family goes about its ordinary life. If it seems abhorrent that anything can occur in the shadow of any concentration camp or site of World War II atrocities, that's part of the movie's point. It dwells in the Interessengebiet, the 40-square-kilometre-plus titular area that comprised and surrounded the Auschwitz complex, to interrogate how banal genocide was to those in power; commandant Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel, Babylon Berlin), even gloats that his name will be remembered and celebrated for its connection to mass extermination. Höss was a real person, and the real Nazi SS officer overseeing Auschwitz from 1940–43. His wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall) and five children are similarly drawn from truth. But The Zone of Interest finds its way to the screen via Martin Amis' fiction novel of the same name, then hones its interest down from the book's three narrators to the Höss family; a biopic, it isn't, even as it switches its character monikers back to reflect actuality. This is a work of deep probing and contemplation — a piece that demands that its viewers confront the daily reality witnessed and face how the lives of those in power, and benefiting from it, thrived with death not only as a neighbour but an enabler. Camp prisoners tend the Höss' garden. Ashes are strewn over the soil for horticultural effect. Being turned into the same is a threat used to keep the household's staff in line. All three of these details, as with almost everything in the feature, are presented with as matter-of-fact an air as cinema is capable of. Read our full review. Anatomy of a Fall A calypso instrumental cover of 50 Cent's 'P.I.M.P.' isn't the only thing that Anatomy of a Fall's audience won't be able to dislodge from their heads after watching 2023's deserving Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or-winner. A film that's thorny, knotty and defiantly unwilling to give any easy answers, this legal, psychological and emotional thriller about a woman on trial for her husband's death is unshakeable in as many ways as someone can have doubts about another person: so, a myriad. The scenario conjured up by writer/director Justine Triet (Sibyl) is haunting, asking not only if her protagonist committed murder, as the on-screen investigation and courtroom proceedings interrogate, but digging into what it means to be forced to choose between whether someone did the worst or is innocent — or if either matters. While the Gallic legal system provides the backdrop for much of the movie, the real person doing the real picking isn't there in a professional capacity, or on a jury. Rather, it's the 11-year-old boy who loved his dad, finds him lying in the snow with a head injury outside their French Alps home on an otherwise ordinary day, then becomes the key witness in his mum's case. Also impossible to forget: the performances that are so crucial in telling this tale of marital and parental bonds, especially from one of German's current best actors and the up-and-coming French talent playing her son. With her similarly astonishing portrayal in The Zone of Interest, Toni Erdmann and I'm Your Man's Sandra Hüller is two for two in movies that initially debuted in 2023; here, she steps into the icy and complicated Sandra Voyter's shoes with the same kind of surgical precision that Triet applies to unpacking the character's home life. As Daniel, who couldn't be more conflicted about the nightmare situation he's been thrust into, Milo Machado Graner (Alex Hugo) is a revelation — frequently via his expressive face and posture alone. If Scenes From a Marriage met Kramer vs Kramer, plus 1959's Anatomy of a Murder that patently influences Anatomy of a Fall's name, this would be the gripping end result — as fittingly written by Triet with her IRL partner Arthur Harari (Onoda: 10,000 Nights in the Jungle). Read our full review. Priscilla Yearning to be one of the women in Sofia Coppola's films is futile, but for a single reason only: whether she's telling of teenage sisters, a wife left to her own devices in Tokyo, France's most-famous queen, the daughter of a Hollywood actor, Los Angeles high schoolers who want to rob, the staff and students at a girls school in the American Civil War, a Manhattanite worried that her husband is being unfaithful or Priscilla Presley, as the writer/director has across eight movies to-date, no one better plunges viewers into her female characters' hearts and heads. To watch the filmmaker's span of features from The Virgin Suicides to Priscilla is to feel as its figures do, and deeply. The second-generation helmer is an impressionistic great, colouring her flicks as much with emotions and mood as actual hues — not that there's any shortage of lush and dreamy shades, as intricately tied to her on-screen women's inner states, swirling through her meticulous frames. Call it the "can't help falling" effect, then: as a quarter-century of Coppola's films have graced screens, audiences can't help falling into them like they're in the middle of each themselves. That's still accurate with Priscilla, which arrives so soon after Elvis that no one could've forgotten that the lives of the king of rock 'n' roll and his bride have flickered through cinemas recently. Baz Luhrmann made his Presley movie in Australia with an American (Austin Butler, The Bikeriders) as Elvis and an Aussie (Olivia DeJonge, The Staircase) as Priscilla. Coppola crafted hers in North America with a Brisbanite (Jacob Elordi, Saltburn) in blue-suede shoes and a Tennessee-born talent (Cailee Spaeny, Mare of Easttown) adopting the Presley surname. The two features are mirror images in a hunk of burning ways, including their his-and-hers titles; whose viewpoint they align with; and conveying what it was like to adore Elvis among the masses, plus why he sparked that fervour, compared to expressing the experience of being the girl that he fell for, married, sincerely loved but kept in a gilded cage into she strove to fly free. Read our full review, and our interview with Cailee Spaeny. Robot Dreams Heartbreak is two souls wanting nothing more than each other, but life having other plans. So goes Robot Dreams, another dialogue-free marvel from Spanish filmmaker Pablo Berger, who had audiences feeling without words uttered with 2012's Blancanieves — and showed then with black and white imagery, as he does now with animation, that he's a master at deeply expressive visual storytelling. His fourth picture as a director was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2024 Academy Awards. In most years, if it wasn't up against Studio Ghibli's The Boy and the Heron, it would've taken home the Oscar. It earns not just affection instead, but the awe deserved of a movie that perfects the sensation of longing for someone to navigate life with, finding them, adoring them, then having fate doing what fate does by throwing up complications. Usually this would be a boy-meets-girl, boy-meets-boy or girl-meets-girl story. Here, it's a dog-meets-robot tale. The time: the 80s, with nods to Tab and Pong to prove it. The place: a version of Manhattan where anthropomorphised animals are the only inhabitants — plus mechanised offsiders that, just by placing an order and putting together the contents of the package that arrives, can be built as instant friends. Eating macaroni meals for one and watching TV solo in his small East Village apartment each evening, Dog is achingly lonely when he orders his Amica 2000 after seeing an infomercial. As he tinkers to construct Robot, pigeons watch on from the window, but they've never been his company. Soon exuberantly strutting the streets hand in hand with his maker, the android is a dream pal, however, this kismet pairing isn't what gives Robot Dreams its name. Read our full review. Civil War Civil War is not a relaxing film, either for its characters or viewers, but writer/director Alex Garland (Men) does give Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog) a moment to lie down among the flowers. She isn't alone among this stunning movie's stars on her stomach on a property filled with Christmas decorations en route from New York to Washington DC. Also, with shots being fired back and forth, no one is in de-stressing mode. For viewers of Dunst's collaborations with Sofia Coppola, however — a filmmaker that her Civil War co-star Cailee Spaeny just played Priscilla Presley for in Priscilla — the sight of her face beside grass and blooms was always going to recall The Virgin Suicides. Twenty-five years have now passed since that feature, which Garland nods to as a handy piece of intertextual shorthand. As the camera's focus shifts between nature and people, there's not even a tiny instant of bliss among this sorrow, nor will there ever be, as there was the last time that Dunst was framed in a comparable fashion. Instead, Civil War tasks its lead with stepping into the shoes of a seasoned war photographer in the middle of the violent US schism that gives the movie its name (and, with January 6, 2021 so fresh in everyone's memories, into events that could very well be happening in a version of right now). The US President (Nick Offerman, Origin) is into his third term after refusing to leave office, and the fallout is both polarising and immense. Think: bombed cities, suicide attackers, death squads, torture, lynchings, ambushes, snipers, shuttering the FBI, California and Texas inexplicably forming an alliance to fight back, Florida making its own faction, journalists killed on sight, refugee camps, deserted highways, checkpoints, resistance fighters, mass graves and, amid the rampant anarchy, existence as America currently knows it clearly obliterated. (Asking "what kind of American are you?" barely seems a stretch, though.) The front line is in Charlottesville, but Dunst's Lee Smith is destined for the White House with Reuters reporter Joel (Wagner Moura, Mr & Mrs Smith), where they're hoping to evade the lethal anti-media sentiment to secure an interview with the leader who has torn the country apart. Read our full review. La Chimera It's a film about searching for treasure, and it is indeed a treasure. La Chimera is also dreamy in its look and, while watching, makes its viewers feel as if they've been whisked into one. There's much that fantasies are made of in writer/director Alice Rohrwacher's fourth feature, which follows Corpo Celeste, The Wonders and Happy as Lazzaro — God's Own Country breakout and The Crown star Josh O'Connor leading the picture as a British archaeologist raiding tombs in 80s-era Italy chief among them. Thinking about Lara Croft, be it the game, or the Angelina Jolie (in 2001 and 2003 flicks)- or Alicia Vikander (2018's Tomb Raider)-led movies, is poking into the wrong patch of soil. Thinking instead about the way that life is built upon the dead again and again, and upon unearthed secrets as well, is part of what makes La Chimera gleam. Rohrwacher's latest, which also boasts her Happy as Lazzaro collaborator Carmela Covino as a collaborating writer — plus Marco Pettenello (Io vivo altrove!) — resembles an illusion not just because it's a rare mix of both magical-realist and neorealist in one, too (well, rare for most who aren't this director). In addition, this blend of romance and drama alongside tragedy and comedy sports its mirage-esque vibe thanks to being so welcomely easy to get lost in. As a snapshot of a tombaroli gang in Tuscany that pilfers from Etruscan crypts to try to get by, it's a feature to dig into. As an example of how poetic a film can be, it's one to soar with. The loose red thread that weaves throughout La Chimera's frames, intriguing folks within the movie, also embodies how viewers should react: we want to chase it and hold on forever, even as we know that, as the feature's 130 minutes tick by, the picture is destined to slip through our fingers. Read our full review. The Taste of Things Cooking is an act of precision. It's also one of feeling. On the movie that nabbed him the Best Director award at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, Trần Anh Hùng (Éternité, Norwegian Wood) helms with the same care, spirit and emotion that his characters display in the kitchen. The Taste of Things' audience has a front-row seat to both, as this 1885-set French picture begins with dishes upon dishes being whipped up and the feature's gaze, via cinematographer Jonathan Ricquebourg (Final Cut), lenses their creation intimately and sumptuously. The film's extraordinary opening 30 minutes-plus, as the camera is trained on the stove and counter with slight detours around the room to collect or wash ingredients, is meticulously crafted and at the same time instinctual. Think: the sensations of observing the finest of fine-dining chefs and being a child watching your grandmother make culinary magic, as nearly every kid has, all rolled into one appetising introductory sequence. In the home of gourmand Dodin Bouffant (Benoît Magimel, The King of Algiers), and in its heart, his personal chef Eugénie (Juliette Binoche, The New Look) is so skilled and fastidious that she'd do small-screen hit The Bear proud; she's clearly a conjurer of the culinary arts, too. Hùng and Ricquebourg — the latter a well-deserving Lumiere Award-winner for his efforts here — are methodical with the choreography of setting the scene, while equally deeply immersed in the flow of the kitchen's tasks. As soundtracked by chirping birds, if this was The Taste of Things for 135 minutes and not just half an hour-ish, it'd remain a mesmerising movie. (A word of warning: eat before viewing, lest hunger pangs not just simmer but boil over.) Adapting 1924 novel The Passionate Epicure: La Vie et la Passion de Dodin-Bouffant, Gourmet by epicure Marcel Rouff as he scripts and directs, Hùng does more than fashion among the most-handsomely staged and shot imagery of a meal coming to life, but his approach to this entrée establishes the flavour. Read our full review. Dune: Part Two Revenge is a dish best served sandy in Dune: Part Two. On the desert planet of Arrakis, where golden hills as far as the eye can see are shaped from the most-coveted and -psychedelic substance in author Frank Herbert's estimation, there's no other way. Vengeance is just one course on Paul Atreides' (Timothée Chalamet, Wonka) menu, however. Pop culture's supreme spice boy, heir to the stewardship of his adopted realm, has a prophecy to fulfil whether he likes it or not; propaganda to navigate, especially about him being the messiah; and an Indigenous population, the Fremen, to prove himself to. So mines Denis Villeneuve's soaring sequel to 2021's Dune, which continues exploring the costs and consequences of relentless quests for power — plus the justifications, compromises, tragedies and narratives that are inescapable in such pursuits. The filmmaker crafts his fourth contemplative and breathtaking sci-fi movie in a row, then, after Arrival and Blade Runner 2049 as well. The vast arid expanse that constantly pervades the frames in Dune: Part Two isn't solely a stunning sight. It looks spectacular, as the entire feature does, with Australian cinematographer Greig Fraser (The Creator) back after winning an Oscar for the first Dune; but as Paul, his widowed mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson, Silo), and Fremen Stilgar (Javier Bardem, The Little Mermaid) and Chani (Zendaya, Euphoria) traverse it, it helps carve in some of this page-to-screen saga's fundamental ideas. So does the stark monochrome when the film jumps to Giedi Prime, home world to House Harkonnen, House Atreides' enemy, plus Arrakis' ruler both before and after Paul's dad Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) got the gig in Villeneuve's initial Dune. People here are dwarfed not only by their mammoth surroundings, but by the bigger, broader, non-stop push for supremacy. While there's no shortage of detail in both Part One and Part Two — emotional, thematic and visual alike — there's also no avoiding that battling against being mere pawns in an intergalactic game of chess is another of its characters' complicated fights. Read our full review, and our interview with Greig Fraser. The Promised Land The transfixing terrain of Mads Mikkelsen's face has been cast against formidably frosty and inhospitable climes before, weathering mirroring weathering. Sporting a piercing and determined glint in his eye, the Danish acting great has previously surveyed the Scandinavian landscape, too, seeing possibility where others spot peril. It was true in Arctic, in Valhalla Rising and now in The Promised Land: there's no stare as mesmerisingly resolute as his. When Ludvig Kahlen, Mikkelsen's latest character, insists that he can do what no one else has done — to begin with: settling the heath on the heather-covered Jutland moorland and building a colony for the king, a feat considered virtually impossible in the mid-18th century — doubting him isn't a possibility for anyone in the movie's audience. The BAFTA-nominated Another Round star has danced in historical drama territory for his countryman director Nikolaj Arcel in the past as well, with the pair reteaming after 2012's Oscar-nominated A Royal Affair. A different king sits on the throne in this film, Frederick V instead of Christian VII; however, the regal shadow remains inescapable. This time, Mikkelsen and Arcel tell not of a doctor influencing a monarch and a country, but of a soldier aligning his quest for a better future with a sovereign's wish, and learning what it means to chase a dream only to realise that you need something less tangible. Kahlen's attempt to farm land considered barren is equally a battle against entitlement and arrogance thanks to his clash with Frederik de Schinkel (Simon Bennebjerg, Borgen), a cruel local magistrate who contends that the king's land is his own — and feels far enough away from Copenhagen for there not to be any consequences for his claim. Read our full review. Challengers Tennis is a game of serves, shots, slices and smashes, and also of approaches, backhands, rallies and volleys. Challengers is a film of each, too, plus a movie about tennis. As it follows a love triangle that charts a path so back and forth that its ins and outs could be carved by a ball being hit around on the court, it's a picture that takes its aesthetic, thematic and emotional approach from the sport that its trio of protagonists are obsessed with as well. Tennis is everything to Tashi Duncan (Zendaya, Dune: Part Two), Art Donaldson (Mike Faist, West Side Story) and Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor, La Chimera), other than the threesome themselves being everything to each other. It's a stroke of genius to fashion the feature about them around the game they adore, then. Metaphors comparing life with a pastime are easy to coin. Movies that build such a juxtaposition into their fabric are far harder to craft. But it's been true of Luca Guadagnino for decades: he's a craftsman. Jumping from one Dune franchise lead to another, after doing Call Me By Your Name and Bones and All with Timothée Chalamet, Guadagnino proves something else accurate that's been his cinematic baseline: he's infatuated with the cinema of yearning. Among his features so far, only in Bones and All was the hunger for connection literal. The Italian director didn't deliver cannibalism in Call Me By Your Name and doesn't in Challengers, but longing is the strongest flavour in all three, and prominent across the filmmaker's Suspiria, A Bigger Splash and I Am Love also. So, combine the idea of styling a movie around a tennis match — one spans its entire duration, in fact — with a lusty love triangle, romantic cravings and three players at the top of their field, then this is the sublime end product. Challengers is so smartly constructed, so well thought-out down to every meticulous detail, so sensual and seductive, and so on point in conveying Tashi plus Art and Patrick's feelings, that it's instantly one of Guadagnino's grand slams. Read our full review, as well as what Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist had to say about the film when they were in Australia. All of Us Strangers As Fleabag knew, and also Sherlock as well, Andrew Scott has the type of empathetic face that makes people want to keep talking to him. Playing the hot priest in Phoebe Waller-Bridge's (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) acclaimed comedy, he was the ultimate listener. Even as the Moriarty to Benedict Cumberbatch's (The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar) Holmes, and with a game always afoot, conversation flowed. All of Us Strangers puts this innate air — this sensation that to be in Scott's company is to want to unburden yourself to his welcoming ears — at its tender and feverishly beating heart, this time with Paul Mescal (Foe) as one of his discussion partners. Dreamy and contemplative, haunting and heartfelt, and also delicate and devastating, the fifth film by Weekend and 45 Years writer/director Andrew Haigh, which is his first since 2017's Lean on Pete, is stunningly cast with Scott in seeing-is-feeling mode as its isolated screenwriter protagonist alone. That Scott is joined by Mescal, Claire Foy (Women Talking) and Jamie Bell (Shining Girls) gives All of Us Strangers one of the finest four-hander casts in recent memory. Awards bodies clearly agree, with nods going around for everyone (alongside wins for Best Film and Best Director, the British Independent Film Awards gave all four of the feature's core cast members nominations, with Mescal scoring the Best Supporting Performance trophy, for instance). Haigh isn't merely preternaturally talented at picking the exact right actors to play his on-screen figures, but it's one of his most-crucial skills, as every performance in his latest shattering picture demonstrates. It comes as no surprise that Scott, Mescal, Foy and Bell are all excellent. It's similarly hardly unexpected that Haigh has made another movie that cuts so emotionally deep that viewers will feel as if they've been within its frames. Combine these stars with this filmmaker, though, and a feature that was always likely to combine its exceptional parts into a perfect sum is somehow even more affecting and astonishing. Read our full review. How to Have Sex Movies don't have pores, but How to Have Sex might as well. Following a trip to Greece with three 16-year-old best friends who want nothing more than to party their way into womanhood — and to get laid, too — this unforgettable British drama is frequently slick with sweat. Perspiration can dampen someone when they're giddily excited about a wild getaway, finishing school and leaving adolescence behind. It can get a person glistening when they're rushing and drinking, and flitting from pools and beaches to balconies and clubs. Being flushed from being sozzled, the stickiness that comes with expending energy, the cold chill of stress and horror, the fluster of a fluttering heart upon making a connection: they're all sources of wet skin as well. Filmmaker Molly Manning Walker catalogues them all. Viewers can see the sweat in How to Have Sex, with its intimate, spirited, like-you're-there cinematography. More importantly, audiences can feel why protagonist Tara (Mia McKenna-Bruce, Vampire Academy) is perspiring, and the differences scene to scene, even when she's not quite sure herself. How to Have Sex also gets those watching sweating — because spying how you've been Tara, or her pals Em (debutant Enva Lewis) and Skye (Lara Peake, Halo), or lads Badger (Shaun Thomas, Ali & Ava) and Paddy (Samuel Bottomley, The Last Rifleman) in the neighbouring resort unit, is inescapable. Walker has been there herself, with parts of her debut feature as a writer and director drawn from her own time as a Tara, Em or Skye while also making the spring break and Schoolies-like pilgrimage from England to the Mediterranean. When the movie doesn't lift details directly from her own experience, it shares them with comparable moments that are virtually ripped from western teendom. One of the feature's strokes of genius is how lived-in it proves, whether Tara and her mates are as loud and exuberant as girls are when their whole lives are ahead of them, its main character is attempting to skip her troubles in a sea of strobing lights and dancing bodies, or slipping between the sheets — but not talking about it — is changing who Tara is forever. Read our full review, and our interview with Molly Manning Walker. Drive-Away Dolls No one might've thought of Joel and Ethan Coen as yin and yang if they hadn't started making movies separately. Since 2018's The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, their latest feature together as sibling filmmakers, the elder of the Coen brothers went with Shakespearean intensity by directing 2021's The Tragedy of Macbeth on his lonesome — while Ethan now opts for goofy, loose and hilariously sidesplitting silliness with Drive-Away Dolls. The pair aren't done collaborating, with a horror flick reportedly in the works next. But their break from being an Oscar-winning team has gifted audiences two treats in completely different fashions. For the younger brother, he's swapped in his wife Tricia Cooke, editor of The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou? and The Man Who Wasn't There, on a picture that couldn't slide more smoothly onto his resume alongside the madcap antics that the Coens combined are known for. Indeed, spying shades of the first of those two features that Cooke spliced in Drive-Away Dolls, plus Raising Arizona, Fargo and Burn After Reading as well, is both easy and delightful. As a duo, the Coen brothers haven't ever followed two women through lesbian bars, makeout parties and plenty of horniness between the sheets, though, amid wall dildos and other nods to intimate appendages, even if plenty about the Ethan-directed, Cooke-edited Drive-Away Dolls — which both Ethan and Cooke co-wrote — is classic Coens. There's the road-trip angle, conspiracy mayhem, blundering criminals in hot pursuit of Jamie (Margaret Qualley, Poor Things) and Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan, Cat Person), dumb men (those crooks again) in cars and just quirky characters all round. There's the anarchic chases, witty yet philosophical banter and highly sought-after briefcase at the centre of the plot, too. And, there's the fact that this is a comedic caper, its love of slapstick and that a wealth of well-known faces pop up as the zany antics snowball. The Joel-and-Ethan team hasn't made a film as sapphic as this, either, however, or one that's a 90s-set nod to, riff on, and parody of 60s- and 70s-era sexploitation raucousness. Read our full review, and our interview with Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke.
Travelling overseas ranks right up there on everyone's bucket list, but the actual travelling part is far from fun. No one loves spending more than a couple of hours on a plane, and no one loves taking multiple flights to get to their destination either. But if you could choose between hopping over to your destination in one leg, or getting a break from being cramped and uncomfortable in the air, which would you opt for? Thanks to advances in aircraft development, ensuring that today's planes are more fuel-efficient over hefty distances, airlines are increasingly making non-stop long-range flights a reality. After Qantas introduced its 17-hour-plus Perth-to-London route earlier this year, Singapore Airlines will be unleashing the world's longest non-stop commercial flight in October: from Singapore to New York over 18 hours and 45 minutes. First announced by the airline in 2015 and confirmed a few months back, the route will be made possible thanks to the new Ultra Long Range version of the Airbus A350 XWB aircraft, which completed its first successful test flight in April. Singapore Airlines now have the world's first Airbus A350-900ULR in its possession, and it'll take off on October 11, with seven more set to be brought into operation shortly afterwards. The planes can travel up to 16,000 kilometres (or 8,700 nautical miles) without refuelling — or, for over 20 hours non-stop — which makes the 15,322-kilometre trip between Singapore and New York possible. They also feature higher ceilings, larger windows, a wider body, as well as quieter cabins and lighting that's designed to reduce jetlag. It's not the first time that the airline has flown direct to the US, with Singapore-to-Newark, New Jersey flights in operation until 2013. The world's current longest route without stopovers runs from Doha to Auckland in around 18 hours, travelling 14,529 kilometres on a Boeing 777-200LR, followed by the Perth-to-London leg. Qantas is keen to beat both the current and the impending record-holders, though, last year announcing plans to fly direct from Australia's east coast to both London and New York by 2022 — and this year advising that their plans are on track, with the airline comfortable that plane manufacturers will create a vehicle that can handle the 20-hour and 20-minute, 16,983-kilometre stint between Sydney and London.
Australians looking to travel to New Zealand must consider the current COVID-19 advice. For information on quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand, head over to the NZ Government's COVID-19 hub. You don't need to ski or snowboard to have a great time on New Zealand's powder-topped slopes. Alpine resorts across the country have a huge variety of other snow-based activities to choose from during the magical winter months. All you have to decide is whether you'd rather take a high-performance vehicle around a snow-covered race track, drive your own team of sled dogs, or ride a high-speed gondola through the clouds. FLOOR IT AROUND A SNOW-COVERED RACE TRACK Ice Driving is considered the ultimate winter driving challenge. The tyre-sliding experience invites anyone with a drivers licence and a wad of cash to jump in the hot seat and hoon around more than 40 hectares of snow-capped alps. It happens in the deep south from July to August every year with participants invited to take the wheel of a high-performance vehicle on a snow-covered race track. The experience is held at the iconic Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds on Mount Pisa, which sits 1500 metres above sea level between Queenstown and Wanaka. The snow track is the winter test centre used to test cars around the world. It's suitable for groups of ten and up who are keen to learn what it takes to drift around a snow circle, weave around a slalom course and bury the accelerator on ice. TUBE DOWN A 150-METRE SLOPE IN TEKAPO Tekapo Springs is the nerve centre for alternative winter activities in the South Island's Mackenzie Basin. Open from June until mid-September, the snow tubing park is just one attraction on offer, taking thrill-seekers on a slippery ride down a 150-metre slope. And there's no uphill walking involved once you're ready for another run — simply hop aboard the magic carpet back to the top. Once you've completed your one-hour tubing session, there's plenty to keep you occupied at the resort. Hit the outdoor ice rink, unwind in the on-site sauna and steam room, or soak in stunning lake and mountain views from one of three hot pools. [caption id="attachment_757146" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism New Zealand.[/caption] RIDE NEW ZEALAND'S NEWEST, LONGEST AND FASTEST GONDOLA Riding Mt Ruapehu's newly opened Sky Waka will take you on a journey into the clouds. Called New Zealand's largest and most technically advanced gondola, the high-speed Sky Waka travels 1.8 kilometres in just five minutes above the snow-capped terrain of Whakapapa. From the Top of the Bruce base station you'll traverse over icy waterfalls and ancient lava flows and catch a glimpse of Ruapehu and its neighbouring volcanoes, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, through the floor to ceiling windows. Touch down will bring you to the award-winning Knoll Ridge Chalet where a selection of dining options await. DRIVE YOUR OWN TEAM OF SLED DOGS Cardrona's home of cross-country skiing is also where you can carve trails with a pack of friendly malamutes and huskies. UnderDog New Zealand has been practising the northern tradition of dogsledding in the Southern Alps since 2013, and allows visitors to drive their very own team of dogs or sit back and enjoy the ride. Exhilarating experiences start from $255 and range from one-hour high country journeys to after-dark runs and full-blown overnight stays. SNOWSHOE TO A SECLUDED BACKCOUNTRY HUT Snowshoeing is nearly as easy as putting one foot in front of the other. At Cardrona Valley's Snow Farm you can make a night of your winter adventure by trekking to a backcountry hut in the Pisa Ranges. Overnight snowshoe rental and the trail pass will set you back $29, while a spot in one of the secluded huts starts from $35. There are three to choose from: Meadow, Bob Lee and Daisy Lee. While each features a gas cooker and log burner, the former has room for 20 people. All you need to bring is food, drinks, a sleeping bag and your overnight things. For those who haven't been to a backcountry hut before, don't expect electricity and running water. WHIP AROUND THE MOUNTAIN ON A SNOWMOBILE Queenstown Snowmobiles offers the only heli-snowmobiling experience in New Zealand. The company has access to trails and backcountry riding, only by way of helicopter. The snowmobiles are easy to operate and no previous experience is required. Each wilderness tour is around two and a half hours and includes a 15-minute scenic helicopter flight each way. All of the tours come with an experienced guided and can cater for both individuals and small groups. In no time you'll be cruising across pristine snow at an altitude of up to 6000 feet above sea level. Just don't forget your camera. HAVE LUNCH ON TOP OF A GLACIER An outing with Mount Cook Ski Planes lets you toast the breathtaking beauty of Aoraki National Park with a glass of bubbly. The operator offers a range of experiences through the Southern Alps, including private ski plane flights over snow-capped peaks and chopper excursions to ice caves — which, depending on snow and ice conditions, can be explored with a guide. Once you've taken in all that mountain air, your pilot will land on one of the region's many glaciers for a private picnic on the snow. From there, you'll fly towards Mount Cook to give you a better view of the highest peak in New Zealand.
Time for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure? Don't settle for an experience that might better be described as "once-in-a-while." Fortunately, there's no such problem when it comes to Legendary Journeys – Ultimate Private Experience by Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest independent hotel brand. Delivered in partnership with Bucketlist Xperiences, this ultra-luxe 17-night itinerary spans Singapore, India, Rwanda, Kenya, Greece, Morocco and London, departing Tuesday, October 6, 2026, and shaped for those seeking a truly unparalleled escape. Flying on a private VIP airliner customised for luxury travel, up to 58 passengers will relish an epicurean experience, with an in-flight chef serving gourmet cuisine alongside curated wines and spirits. Meanwhile, the trip is taken to the next level with seamless transfers, private airport access, luggage concierge and personalised gifts. Throughout the itinerary, a 17-member service team will oversee every detail, no matter how small. Oh, and a professional photographer and videographer will be on hand to document every leg of the journey. With non-stop highlights over three weeks, this exclusive experience begins in Singapore with a two-night stay overlooking Marina Bay. Expect sunset cocktails on the roof and a welcome celebration perched above the waterfront. Then, this trip is bound for Jaipur, India, where guests will stay amid palatial splendour in Rajasthan before taking VIP excursions to iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal, the Amber Fort and the City Palace. Africa awaits next, with guests headed to Kigali, Rwanda, for a two-night visit. Staying at the newly opened Mövenpick Kigali, guests are welcomed with a private reception hosted by President Kagame (yes, really). The following day, climb into a helicopter to soar above the Virunga Mountains, then trek through Volcanoes National Park to catch a glimpse of local gorilla populations. The wildlife experience continues in Kenya, where guests sleep in luxury safari tents as they embark on thrilling Big Five game drives between sunrise hot-air balloon flights and champagne breakfasts served deep in remote plains. Trading in dry and dusty conditions for Aegean coastal bliss, the journey soon touches down in Santorini, Greece, with guests relishing the Oia cliffside. Soak up a sunset sailing adventure, then sip on rare Assyrtiko vintages native to the region. Onwards to Marrakech, Morocco, guests will head into the medina for some local shopping, with time to spare unwinding in a traditional hammam. Rounding out this extravagant adventure is a final stop in London, with guests delighting in the world's first super boutique hotel — The Londoner. So, what does it cost to experience this genuinely once-in-a-lifetime holiday? Just a cool $133,500 USD per person. Sure, that's not the kind of money most of us can find down the back of the couch. But if you're a high-flying traveller with the means to make it happen, look no further for the vacation of your dreams. "Our mission has always been to connect travellers with the world's most remarkable independent hotels and destinations in ways that are both unforgettable and transformative," says Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Legendary Journeys – Ultimate Private Experience by Preferred Hotels & Resorts takes place from Tuesday, October 6—Friday, October 23, 2026. Head to the website for more information.
After what feels like decades of being stuck within the four-wall confines of our homes during lockdowns, domestic flights and holidays seem firmly back on the cards. So, it's no wonder we're all craving a little something extra to scratch the travel itch. When it comes to your next big vacay, consider adding Central Australia to the mix. This desert paradise has spectacular experiences on offer — things that are worlds away from your everyday life. We're talking red desert dance floors under sparkling stars, helicopter tours of Uluru and festivals that rival Burning Man. We've teamed up with Tourism Central Australia to showcase some of the more unexpected experiences the Red Centre has to offer. Want to plan your very own adventure to the Red Centre? Take a look at our handy trip builder to start building your custom itinerary now.
Maybe you first saw Britain's Penguin chocolate biscuits in the supermarket during a UK holiday. Perhaps you have a British partner or pal who raves about how delicious they are. Or, like almost all Australians, you could just really love Tim Tams — and, as a result, you're eager to give any biscuit that even remotely resembles them a try. Whichever category you fall into, you can now get your hands on Penguins in all their famed glory, as they've just landed on Aussie shelves for the first time. You'll need to head to Coles to pick up a six-pack, which'll set you back $2.80. If you're currently thinking "hmmmm, but we already have Tim Tams", these chocolate-covered, chocolate cream-filled bikkies actually pre-date them. Penguins have even been dubbed "the original Tim Tam", which might sound almost sacrilegious Down Under — but, although they're longer and crunchier than the Aussie biscuit we all know and love, they first debuted in Britain in 1932, more than three decades before Australians started munching on Tim Tams in 1964. Discovering whether another bikkie really is as great as a Tim Tam is probably all the motivation you need to "p-p-pick up a Penguin!", as its slogan encourages, and give them a try. If you need more, though, Penguins also come with penguin-themed jokes printed on the wrapper (maybe keep them away from your dad). And, back in the 70s, the British treats inspired quite the advertisement — which you can watch here. Six-packs of Penguin biscuits are now available at Coles for $2.80.
Got a greasy pizza box that you can't recycle? Hold on to it, as you'll soon have a chance to put it to good use. That's because Pizza Hut is hosting its first-ever nationwide free pizza exchange, taking over stores across the country from 4–7pm on Friday, November 21, and celebrating the launch of their garlic and cheddar golden stuffed crust. Representing the latest evolution in Pizza Hut's ever-popular crust upgrade, this brand-new offering features a generous blend of cheddar cheese combined with signature hot dust garlic seasoning. Making for a golden, crispy finish that adds a whole new element to your slice, expect serious cheese pulls with every bite. With the prospect of free pizza almost impossible to resist, this fun-loving exchange will be up and running in four states. In NSW, head to Pizza Hut Surry Hills and Pizza Hut Waterloo, whereas QLD fans can visit Pizza Hut Forest Lake and Pizza Hut Runaway Bay. Meanwhile, Victorians can visit Pizza Hut South Melbourne, as those in WA are invited to complete the swap at Pizza Hut Morley. "Pizza Hut has always been about fun, flavour and innovation, and we wanted to give Aussies a reason to fall back in love with our crusts," says Pizza Hut Australia's Chief Marketing Officer, Wendy Leung. "The new Golden Stuffed Crust delivers on all three." If you decide to swing by your nearest exchange, the equation is simple. Just hand over a pizza box from any rival brand and walk out with a steaming hot Pizza Hut Golden Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza. Why a rival? Well, the idea is that Pizza Hut is the only place to get the real deal when it comes to stuffed crust pizza that never misses the mark. Says Leung: "The Get Stuffed Free Pizza Exchange brings that spirit to life by giving people the chance to trade in their pizza frustrations for something they'll actually love." The Pizza Hut Get Stuffed Free Pizza Exchange is happening at various store locations around Australia from 4–7pm on Friday, November 21. Head to the website for more information. Images: supplied
The laughs started with an opening monologue that had Jimmy Kimmel exclaim "Ryan, you're so hot. Let's go camping together and not tell our wives". The cheers began with Messi, the Palm Dog-winning pooch from Anatomy of a Fall, being spotted sitting in the audience. And the tears commenced not with Da'Vine Joy Randolph's Best Supporting Actress speech — where she said that she really didn't think that she was supposed to be doing this as a career, which did indeed inspire waterworks — but before that, with Lupita Nyong'o's introductory tribute to The Holdovers' actor. That's how the 96th Oscars kicked off — already five minutes over, as Kimmel noted, because Hollywood's night of nights doesn't quite believe in time — on Monday, March 11, Down Under. From there, the highlights kept coming. The Boy and the Heron winning Best Animated Feature was another big standout. So were Mstyslav Chernov wishing that he'd never had to make Best Documentary-winner 20 Days in Mariupol, which nabbed Ukraine's first Oscar; Godzilla Minus One taking out Best Visual Effects for a team who went up on the stage holding Godzilla figurines; American Fiction writer/director Cord Jefferson's plea for more support for films that don't cost $200 million when he won Best Adapted Screenplay; and Poor Things' stunning look and lead performance getting so much love. The awards' big winner: Oppenheimer as predicted, picking up seven awards. But it took until almost 90 minutes in for Christopher Nolan's J Robert Oppenheimer biopic to collect any gongs, ensuring that other movies earned recognition, too. When it was the film's time to shine, it resulted in a dedication to the peacemakers everywhere from Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr thanking his terrible childhood. Yes, Barbie won best song, for 'What Was I Made For?'. Yes, Gosling's performance of 'I'm Just Ken' was a showstopper, complete with Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie and America Ferrara singing along from the audience. And yes, everything from Wes Anderson nabbing his first-ever Oscar for The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar to starting the In Memoriam tribute with footage from Navalny also happened. Kimmel calling out the fact that Gerwig wasn't nominated, Kate McKinnon thinking that the Jurassic Park movies are documentaries, The Fall Guy's Gosling and Emily Blunt bickering while paying tribute to stunt performers, John Cena appearing almost naked, and Twins and Junior co-stars (and past Batman villains) Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger co-presenting: that all occurred as well. That's how the ceremony panned out — with much to celebrate, plenty of banter and, as always among the films that go home empty-handed, disappointments as well. Killers of the Flower Moon, Past Lives and Perfect Days are all still excellent pictures, for instance, and can always call themselves Oscar-nominees. (It's always worth remembering that a plethora of stellar films don't even get nominations, which doesn't make them any lesser flicks, either.) Now that the Academy Awards are all done and dusted for 2024, here's the full rundown: who won and what else was in the running, that is. You can also check out what we predicted would and should win, nine winners that you can and should watch right now in Australia and New Zealand, and our full lists of where most of this year's contenders are screening or streaming in both Australia and New Zealand. Oscar Winners and Nominees 2024: Best Motion Picture American Fiction Anatomy of a Fall Barbie The Holdovers Killers of the Flower Moon Maestro Oppenheimer — WINNER Past Lives Poor Things The Zone of Interest Best Director Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer — WINNER Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role Annette Bening, Nyad Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall Carey Mulligan, Maestro Emma Stone, Poor Things — WINNER Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Bradley Cooper, Maestro Colman Domingo, Rustin Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer — WINNER Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple America Ferrera, Barbie Jodie Foster, Nyad Da'Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers — WINNER Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role Sterling K Brown, American Fiction Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer — WINNER Ryan Gosling, Barbie Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things Best Original Screenplay Anatomy of a Fall, Justine Triet and Arthur Harari — WINNER The Holdovers, David Hemingson Maestro, Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer May December, Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik Past Lives, Celine Song Best Adapted Screenplay American Fiction, Cord Jefferson — WINNER Barbie, Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan Poor Things, Tony McNamara The Zone of Interest, Jonathan Glazer Best International Feature Film Io Capitano, Italy Perfect Days, Japan Society of the Snow, Spain The Teachers' Lounge, Germany The Zone of Interest, United Kingdom — WINNER Best Animated Feature The Boy and the Heron — WINNER Elemental Nimona Robot Dreams Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Best Documentary Feature Bobi Wine: The People's President The Eternal Memory Four Daughters To Kill a Tiger 20 Days in Mariupol — WINNER Best Original Score American Fiction, Laura Karpman Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, John Williams Killers of the Flower Moon, Robbie Robertson Oppenheimer, Ludwig Göransson — WINNER Poor Things, Jerskin Fendrix Best Original Song 'The Fire Inside', Flamin' Hot, Diane Warren 'I'm Just Ken', Barbie, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt 'It Never Went Away', American Symphony, Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson 'Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)', Killers of the Flower Moon, Scott George 'What Was I Made For?', Barbie, Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell — WINNER Best Cinematography El Conde, Edward Lachman Killers of the Flower Moon, Rodrigo Prieto Maestro, Matthew Libatique Oppenheimer, Hoyte van Hoytema — WINNER Poor Things, Robbie Ryan Best Film Editing Anatomy of a Fall, Laurent Sénéchal The Holdovers, Kevin Tent Killers of the Flower Moon, Thelma Schoonmaker Oppenheimer, Jennifer Lame — WINNER Poor Things, Yorgos Mavropsaridis Best Production Design Barbie Killers of the Flower Moon Napoleon Oppenheimer Poor Things — WINNER Best Visual Effects The Creator Godzilla Minus One — WINNER Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One Napoleon Best Costume Design Barbie, Jacqueline Durran Killers of the Flower Moon, Jacqueline West Napoleon, Janty Yates and Dave Crossman Oppenheimer, Ellen Mirojnick Poor Things, Holly Waddington — WINNER Best Makeup and Hairstyling Golda Maestro Oppenheimer Poor Things — WINNER Society of the Snow Best Sound The Creator Maestro Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One Oppenheimer The Zone of Interest — WINNER Best Documentary Short Subject The ABCs of Book Banning The Barber of Little Rock Island in Between The Last Repair Shop — WINNER Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó Best Animated Short Film Letter to a Pig Ninety-Five Senses Our Uniform Pachyderme WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko — WINNER Best Live-Action Short Film The After Invincible Knight of Fortune Red, White and Blue The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar — WINNER The 2024 Oscars will be announced on Monday, March 11, Australian and New Zealand time. For further details, head to the awards' website.
Any great trip to New Zealand's South Island should include at least one stay in accommodation with a fantastic view. Luckily, in this stunning part of the world, that's not hard to do. To help you plan, we've put together some of our favourite South Island offerings with views of the island's stunning mountains, valleys and coastlines — and even the night sky. From rugged secluded cottages to luxurious retreats, here's where to soak up incredible views of the South Island's world-famous natural beauty. Recommended reads: The Best Places to Go Glamping in New Zealand The Best Places to Go Glamping in Australia The Most Unique Stays You Can Book Around New Zealand The Most Unique Stays with Breathtaking Views of New Zealand's South Island Remarkable Views, Queenstown After a day of hiking, skiing, or exploring Queenstown, return to this gem you'll find less than a ten-minute walk from town. The combination of the stunning mountain views from the deck alongside a convenient location makes this truly a one-of-a-kind find. From $360 AUD per night, sleeps four. Woodpecker Bay Bach, West Coast This rustic bach is located only steps from the water but half an hour away from the nearest shops, making it the very definition of a secluded getaway. There are lots of gorgeous outdoor attractions near the cabin to explore — that is, if you ever want to leave the beautiful bathtub with stunning water views. From $226 SUD per night, sleeps two. Tawhitnui House, Elaine Bay This remote rental features unobstructed ocean views — and a solar-heated infinity pool from which to enjoy them. Because of its remote location, guests can enjoy a true immersion into local flora and fauna and see the stars in a pollution-free night sky. From $294 AUD per night, sleeps six. Kiwi Bach, Canterbury Located in the small beach community of Te Onepoto/Taylor's Mistake, this 1920s bach is the perfect surfer's vacation rental. Watch the waves roll in beneath rolling green hills from the cabin's windows or outdoor areas, or walk directly down to the beach to see them up close. From $117 AUD per night, sleeps two. Rocky Point Hut, Nelson The 90-minute trek to this hut is worth it for the panoramic views alone. Situated on its own portion of Pepin Island, this rental has complete privacy. Explore, relax, and gaze out to the Abel Tasman sea from this cabin's solar-heated outdoor bathtub. From $290 AUD per night, sleeps two. Romantic Remote Chalet, Collingwood Nestled into the beautiful rocky shoreline of a coastal farm, this cosy chalet and nearby sleep-out is a ten-minute walk from the sea. Both buildings, which are about 30 metres apart, can be included in the booking, bringing the total capacity to six people. From $217 AUD per night, sleeps four. Stargazer's Luxury Retreat, Lake Tekapo This aptly named cabin is, indeed, luxurious. With a king-sized bed and wood-fired hot tub, this Airbnb is intended to be cosy. If stargazing up at the Milky Way from this hot tub is not on your trip agenda, you're doing it wrong. From $524 AUD per night, sleeps two. Skylark Cabin, Twizel This luxurious cabin is located in a stunning, sun-soaked valley in backcountry Ben Ohau. The star of the house is a circular window in the roof, which allows guests to stargaze from the warmth and comfort of their king-sized bed. From $723 AUD per night, sleeps two. High Country Cabin, Canterbury Whether you're seeking adventure on the nearest hiking trail or curling up by the fire in this rustic cabin, the Southern Alps will make the seclusion-seeking traveller feel at peace. You'll just have to put up with the "neighbours": grazing sheep and other local wildlife. From $406 AUD per night, sleeps five. Takahopa Bay Retreat, Otago This secluded home in the Catlins offers sweeping views of the surrounding forest and ocean. Although it's fully off the grid, this home is powered by an emission-free hydro system that gives it all the conveniences of city life — with significantly fewer neighbours. If you're lucky, you may even see Aurora Australis from your back porch. From $357 AUD per night, sleeps four. Lake Ohau Escape, Lake Ohau This three-bedroom home boasts waterfront views and a toasty indoor fireplace — the perfect getaway for any time of year. If you're looking for outdoor activities, there are many close by — including an A2O cycle trail or a ski field that's 15 minutes away — or you can choose to stay in for the stunning mountain-range views, best enjoyed from the outdoor spa. From $563 AUD per night, sleeps seven. Luxury Wilderness Cabin, Waiau Nestled in the absolute wilderness, this off-grid eco-cabin on the edge of a small lake is just a three-minute drive from Waiau Glacier village. The lake is fed by a pristine mountain stream and offers views of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and Unser Fritz Falls that you can experience from an outdoor stone bath. Within the cabin, enjoy a king bed and cedar barrel sauna. From $496 AUD per night, sleeps two. Wanaka Couples Escape, Luggate This converted shipping container is a private oasis equipped with modern luxuries and natural beauty. Relax in this an outdoor bath or the deck under the stars with an unending view of the night sky. What's there not to love about this cosy hideaway in the country. From $248 AUD per night, sleeps two. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Images: courtesy of Airbnb.
It's summertime, which means plenty of days hanging at the beach, or in the park, and relaxing in the sun. And while summer reads are an essential part of any good trip outside, some days we're left either squinting against the glare or fighting that inevitable sunglasses tan. On those days, reach for your headphones and check out one of these podcasts instead. From true tales of murderous doctors to mind-boggling stories of viral Reddit threads, these podcasts will keep you entertained and informed this summer — whether you're relaxing at the beach or commuting on a train. SERIAL SEASON THREE The cult-favourite podcast Serial returned for its third season in September 2018, having been silent since season two aired back in 2015. Season three focuses on the entire criminal justice system in the US — and, more specifically, on the inconsistencies and failures of the courts in Cleveland, Ohio. Host Sarah Koenig (This American Life) and her crew spent one year in the Cleveland courts, where they recorded not only in courtrooms but also in judge's chambers, prosecutors' offices and back hallways, plus outside the courthouse in family members' houses, streets and prisons. Koenig witnessed an onslaught of court offences, including extra charges, pressure to plead guilty, shabby police work, "eleventh hour" evidence and dozing jurors and a judge — all ending with outsized prison sentences. Again, the story unfolds week-by-week, but this time follows different cases each time in the nine-episode season. Listen to Serial Season Three here. SLOW BURN SEASON TWO A Slate Plus production, Slow Burn explores "subplots, strange details, and forgotten characters" of contemporary political history in the United States. While season one focused on Nixon's Watergate scandal of the 1970s, season two (released in August 2018) investigates the 1998 impeachment of President Bill Clinton — during which Clinton was accused of having sexual relations with his intern Monica Lewinksy, and was charged with perjury and obstruction of justice for lying about it under oath. Host Leon Neyfakh explores this story of political and sexual scandal in depth, finding modern-day parallels, including similarities to the #MeToo movement. Whether you remember the scandal or not, the podcast explores it in a new, 2019-appropriate, light. Listen to Slow Burn here. DR. DEATH Dr. Death follows the deeply disturbing true story of Christopher Duntsch, a Texas neurosurgeon who was convicted of gross malpractice and sentenced to life in prison in 2017. A whopping 33 of his patients were left seriously injured from his operations — two of which died on the operating table. Created by Wondery — the network behind another wildly popular podcast, Dirty John — and hosted by the award-winning health and science reporter Laura Beil, the ten-episode season finished this December. It explores a medical system that fails to protect patients and the horrors that can await in the operating room because of it. Listen to Dr. Death here. NO MAN'S LAND No Man's Land dives into stories of some of the most trailblazing and game-changing, yet lesser known, women of history. The first season aired in November, with five episodes out so far. Some of the women featured include mid-1900s poet Sylvia Plath; investigative journalist and civil rights activist from the late 1800s, Ida B Wells; and Cuban-American artist Ana Mendieta. The latest episode examines the originators of women's social clubs, and the resulting groups' power and influence. Host Alexis Coe is also the in-house historian for the podcast's creators, The Wing — a networking company that runs community spaces for women. Listen to No Man's Land here. THE TEACHER'S PET A must-listen for fans of murder-mystery, The Australian-created podcast The Teacher's Pet looks into the 1982 disappearance of Lynette Dawson — the wife of rugby league player and teacher Chris Dawson. The podcast unveils large amounts of evidence that had not been previously collected or examined by police, including details of the couple's marriage, Lynette's disappearance and Chris Dawson's affair with a 16-year-old student. Late last year, the podcast was awarded the 2018 Gold Walkley Award, one of Australia's most prestigious journalism awards. Hosted by award-winning Australian journalist Hedley Thomas, the 14-episode podcast aired in May, with two additional episodes added at the end of December following Chris's arrest and release after being granted bail. More episodes are also expected to air as new leads are unearthed, so this is the ideal time to get into this podcast. Listen to Teacher's Pet here. THE WITCH HUNT SEASON TWO As the title indicates, The Witch Hunt investigates famous witch hunts in history, both "literal and metaphorical" — starting, of course, with Salem, Massachusetts in season one. In season two, which aired back in April 2017, the focus is on the 'satanic panic' of the late-1900s, when the imagined existence of satanic ritual abuse in the States led to a pandemic of fear and paranoia. The eight episodes feature interviews with the likes of award-winning investigative journalist Jordan Smith (The Intercept) and Historical Blindness podcast host Nathan Lloyd. The Witch Hunt explores scapegoating of all kinds, too, including topics like child abuse allegations and Dungeons and Dragons (yes, the board game). Listen to The Witch Hunt here. CALIPHATE The New York Times' podcast Caliphate follows reporter Rukmini Callimachi, whose career focuses on Islamic extremism. The investigative podcast centres around the fall of Mosul — when the Iraqi Army was defeated by the Islamic State in 2014. The ten-chapter season asks questions like "who is it that ISIS appeals to, and how?" and "who are we really fighting"? Callimachi speaks with recruits, former and returned ISIS members, and detainees, as well as enslaved victims of the Islamic State. Released in April 2018, the powerful series unveils the reality of being a terrorism reporter on the front line and sheds light on the nature of ISIS violence. Listen to Caliphate here. ENDLESS THREAD While some people like to focus on internet's ability to isolate, WBUR and Reddit have combined forces to explore the ways in which it creates shared experiences and connections between people — on all sides of the globe. Endless Thread digs through Reddit communities to uncover stories that reveal the true potential of the internet, and some of them are fascinating, hilarious and horrifying. The podcast is hosted by Ben Brock Johnson (Marketplace Tech, Codebreaker) and WBUR's producer Amory Sivertson (Modern Love: The Podcast). It launched in January 2018 and continues to air every Friday. It promises to be more than cat videos, but also full of cat videos, and covers everything from miraculous near-misses (including a pilot landing a plane sans windshield) to a viral flyer selling a Soylent sculpture. Whether you love or hate Reddit, this one is worth the listen. Listen to Endless Thread here. LADIES, WE NEED TO TALK Exploring topics of work, health and sexuality, Ladies, We Need To Talk is created by women for women. It's an ABC Radio Podcasts production and was the winner of the 2018 Australian Podcast Awards for Best Lifestyle and Heath Podcast. Hosted by Australian TV presenter Yumi Stynes, the ongoing episodes delve into topics like anxiety, hormones, being judged by looks instead of intelligence and society's obsession with youth. Styne — who's joined on the show by a lineup of influential female Aussies — shares personal stories and discusses the struggle for women to balance work and private life. Ladies, We Need To Talk also encourages listeners to call in and share their own stories. Listen to Ladies We Need To Talk here. HEAVYWEIGHT The award-winning podcast Heavyweight just completed it's third season in December and continues to be a firm favourite amongst audiences and critics alike. It's hosted by comedian and author Jonathan Goldstein (This American Life, WireTap), who considers himself something of a "therapist with a time machine". He presents an usual podcast that tells the stories of ordinary people who have a major regret in life. In each episode, Goldstein guides a different person back to a pivotal crossroad in their life and helps them confront and, hopefully, overcome it. For example, in the first episode, Goldstein attempts to reunite his 80-year-old dad, Buzz, with his older brother. Heavyweight also encourages email submissions for the show. So, if you have a moment in time you want to get back or change, might as well try your luck — who knows, we might be hearing you in a future episode. Listen to Heavyweight here.
Paris — city of light, culture, shoebox apartments and, now, Post-it note art wars. Earlier this year, inspired by either a bout of spring fever or possibly an excess of office supplies, French video gaming company Ubisoft created an image of a space invader — made out of Post-it notes — in their office window. Shortly after, their neighbour, BNP Paribas, responded by creating their own Post-it note art in their office window. Not to be upstaged, Ubisoft responded with a new, slightly bigger and better, Post-it note creation. And that is how the 'la guerre des Post-it' began. Since then, office windows in the west of Paris and around the business district, La Defense, have been covered with colourful Post-it note artwork as new companies enter into the battle attempting to outdo each other's artwork, either in size or ingeniousness. A website has been created to showcase the Post-it creations and to keep score of each companies' contributions. To date, Ubisoft appear to be the victors in the Post-it wars; their latest creation consists of over 3,000 Post-it notes and extends over three floors. While shareholders may not be overly impressed with the level of productivity taking place, it's nice to see that French corporate types unleashing their creative sides.
When podcasting grasped onto IRL mysteries and the world listened, it started a 21st-century circle of true crime obsessions. First, the audio format dived into the genre. Next, screens big and small gave it renewed attention, not that either ever shirked reality's bleakest details. Now, movies and TV shows are known to spin stories around folks investigating such cases to make podcasts, turning detective as they press record. And, as Only Murders in the Building did, sometimes there's also a podcast venturing behind the scenes of a fictional affair about podcasters sleuthing a case. While Bodkin, which arrived via Netflix on Thursday, May 9, mightn't come with an accompanying digital audio series stepping into its minutiae, it does take murder-mystery comedy Only Murders in the Building's lead otherwise. Swaps are made — West Cork is in, New York is out; deaths pile up in an Irish village, not an apartment building; three chalk-and-cheese neighbours give way to a trio of mismatched journalists — but the shared format is as plain to see as blood splatter. Call that part of the 21st-century circle of true crime obsessions, too, as one hit inspires more. Bodkin is easy to get hooked on as Only Murders in the Building as well, even if it's not as guaranteed to return for additional seasons. Siobhán Cullen (The Dry), Will Forte (Strays) and Robyn Cara (Mixtape) give this seven-part series its investigating threesome: Irishwoman-in-London Dove Maloney, a hard-nosed reporter who just lost a source on a big story; American Gilbert Power, who capitalised upon his wife's cancer for his first podcast hit; and enthusiastic researcher Emmy Sizergh, who wants to be Dove and, much to her idol's dismay, is fine with following Gilbert's lead to get there. They're thrown together in the show's titular town not by Dove's choice, but because she's bundled off by her editor when the whistleblower behind an article about England's National Health Service is found dead. Gilbert and Emmy are well-aware that she's not there willingly — Dove isn't the type to hide her disdain for anything, especially her latest assignment, Gilbert's medium of choice and his approach, and Emmy's eagerness. Bodkin beckons courtesy of a cold case from a quarter-century back when the village gathered for its then-annual Samhain festival (an influence upon Halloween). The last time that the event was held in the scenic coastal spot, three people disappeared, which Gilbert is certain is a killer hook for the next big hit he desperately needs for the sake of both his reputation and his finances. He also has Irish heritage, another angle that he's sure will add audience-courting flavour to the podcast. But the trio have barely arrived, with local twentysomething Seán (Chris Walley, The Young Offenders) as their driver and the eccentric Mrs O'Shea (Pom Boyd, also The Dry) their B&B host, when Dove is adamant that there's much more going on in Bodkin than the narrative that Gilbert has already decided to tell. Through the acerbic and cynical Dove — someone who responds to being considered a role model by telling Emmy to fuck off repeatedly — Bodkin gets its licks in about podcasting's tropes, formula and current oversaturation. Through Gilbert, too, including via his stock-standard and cliche-riddled opening voiceovers that could've been lifted from real-life audio, it also satirises the format that the show puts at its centre. Making his first series after penning four shorts between 2011–2018, creator Jez Scharf largely keeps the show in darkly humorous mode, though, and lets the whodunnit angle play out like a comic-leaning thriller (season two of The Tourist also comes to mind). Although that might seem a tricky tonal balance, it works not just in his hands, but with Nash Edgerton (brother of Joel, and director of Mr Inbetween, Gringo and The Square), Bronwen Hughes (Shantaram), Johnny Allan (The Devil's Hour) and Paddy Breathnach (another The Dry alum) helming. At one point, whether Gilbert, Dove and Emmy's project will be "a podcast that pretends to be about one thing but is really about something else" is raised — a fair comment in general, as regular listeners know. That's also an observation that applies to Bodkin itself, but knowingly. This is indeed a series about podcasters investigating a case, a parody of exactly that and an unpacking of the voyeurism behind the form in its true-crime guise. In addition, it's an exploration of the truth that little neatly boils down to the formula podcasts are chasing. It's a portrait of being caught between tradition and the future as well, which applies in a range of ways — and, especially of Dove, it's a character study. Bodkin is populated by everyone from singing blacksmiths (Ger Kelly, King Frankie) to entrepreneurs trying to set up a server farm (Charlie Kelly, Dublin Murders), and also an island of nuns and a camp of hippies. As becomes apparent early, at the core of much that's occurring usually sits fisherman Seamus Gallagher (David Wilmot, The Wonder). Scharf and his fellow writers have fleshed out their setting Parks and Recreation- and The Simpsons-style with an array of colourful characters that comprise any community, and have let comedy guide some of their choices. When it examines what drives Dove, Gilbert and Emmy as they get immersed deeper and deeper into a mystery that sees them witnessing yoga in a convent one day and hearing about the Good Friday agreement another, however, it is at its strongest. As Dove, Cullen turns in a multifaceted performance to build a series around. Given her raw, thoughtful and caustically amusing work, it's no surprise that that's where Bodkin heads. Forte starts off the show like he's wandered in from The Last Man of Earth, complete with goofy charm and bumbling certainty that Gilbert is on the right path, but is given room to lay bare the character's layers. Cara, too, gets the space to make Emmy much more than a sidekick. Among the supporting players, both Walley and Wilmot leave a considerable imprint. So does the show overall, despite taking its time to settle into a groove — and as a jump into scripted TV by Higher Ground, the production company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama (which also had a hand in 2023 movies Rustin and Leave the World Behind), it's an effective and quick-to-binge first leap. Check out the trailer for Bodkin below: Bodkin streams via Netflix. Images: Enda Bowe/Netflix © 2024.
It was true of season one of Outer Range and it doesn't stop proving the case in season two: thinking about Twin Peaks, Yellowstone, Lost, The X-Files, The Twilight Zone and primetime melodramas while you're watching this sci-fi western series is unavoidable. In its second go-around, throw in Dark, too, and also True Detective. Here, as streaming its latest seven episodes via Prime Video from Thursday, May 16, an eerie void on a Wyoming cattle ranch sends people hurtling through time, rather than a cave beneath a nuclear power plant — and that concept, time, is dubbed a river instead of a flat circle. The idea behind Outer Range, as conjured up creator Brian Watkins for its debut season in 2022, has always been intriguing: what if a tunnel of blackness topped by a mist of floating energy suddenly opened up in the earth? Also, where would this otherworldly chasm lead? What would be the consequences of taking a tumble into its inky expanse? What does it mean? It isn't literally a mystery box Dark Matter-style, but it also still is in everything but shape. Watkins, plus season two showrunner Charles Murray (Luke Cage, Sons of Anarchy, Criminal Minds), equally ponders what effect such a phenomena has on a rancher family that's worked the land that the ethereal cavern appears on for generations, as well as upon the broader small-town community of Wabang. Getting trippy came with the territory in season one, in an instantly entrancing blend of the out-there and the earthy. Season two doubles down, dives in deeper and gallops across its chosen soil — a mix of the surreal and the soapy as well — with even more gusto. Just like with a vacuum that materialises on an otherwise ordinary-seeming paddock, no one should be leaping into Outer Range's second season unprepared. This isn't a series to jump into with no prior knowledge, or to just pick up along the way. It isn't simply the premise that Outer Range takes its time to reveal in all of its intricacy, a process that remains ongoing in season two; the characters, including Abbott patriarch Royal (Josh Brolin, Dune: Part Two) and stranger-in-their-midst Autumn (Imogen Poots, The Teacher), receive the same treatment. Whenever it swirls up in Outer Range's modern-day scenes, the inexplicable hole makes its presence known in the Abbotts' west pasture. The patch of ground unsurprisingly has Royal's attention — and, as they each become aware of its existence and what it means, that of his sons Perry (Tom Pelphrey, Love & Death) and Rhett (Lewis Pullman, Lessons in Chemistry), and his wife Cecilia (Lili Taylor, Manhunt). Across both seasons, Autumn and Deputy Sheriff Joy Hawk (Tamara Podemski, Reservation Dogs) are individually drawn there, each to investigate in their own way. So is the neighbouring money-hungry Tillerson clan, from eccentric family head Wayne (Will Patton, Silo) to his Cain- and Abel-esque sons Luke (Shaun Sipos, Reacher) and Billy (Noah Reid, Schitt's Creek). Then there's scientist Dr Nia Bintu (Yrsa Daley-Ward, World on Fire), who persists in attempting to convince the Abbotts to let her unfurl her research. Stare into this gap in the dirt and no one's reflection glares back, but it still acts as a mirror for the show's key figures. They see in it what they want, be it past mistakes, future possibilities, a way to escape bad choices or the means to secure a better tomorrow (or power or cash). This is a series of hops back to the 19th and 20th centuries, and not as flashbacks; of adult kids palling around with their parents when they were child-free and decades younger; of a psychedelic mineral that unleashes visions (and gets Reid singing); of haunting tragedies and lingering omens; and of mind-bending flashes juxtaposed with a classic setting roved and lensed in a classical manner. It's also about the void that calls at the heart of everyone, be it Outer Range's versions of the Hatfields and the McCoys or those enmeshed in their lives, as we each inch second by second towards the oblivion that awaits us all. Dark and moody in tone even when it canters across the range at its sunniest, this is a series about battles over the pivotal piece of land, reckoning with the past's echoes, existential anxiety and crises of faith, too; no one can accuse either Watkins or Murray of not being ambitious. The fact that Royal and Cecilia's granddaughter Amy (Olive Abercrombie, The Other Zoey) disappeared at the end of season one gives season two its throughline — but scouring far and wide for a missing girl is just one of its searches, and the questions about her whereabouts add to its lengthy list of mysteries. Outer Range confronts the notion that life is sifting through the unknown and unknowable, then navigating wherever it flings you. Whether that's a matter of "cosmic destiny bullshit" or how the pieces fall into place by chance is a query that each character would answer differently, as might each viewer. While lurching from cowboys to cults, and also from rustic to dreamlike, there's a central performance in Outer Range that's paired perfectly to each of the show's array of shades. Brolin, who also makes his TV directorial debut with one of season two's episodes, is exceptional as the strong and stoic western archetype — and at unpacking it as episodes trot by. Poots embraces Autumn's status as an enigma unravelling, while Taylor rides every emotional beat of a matriarch left wondering if she can still believe in anything that she's ever known. Giving Podemski her own dedicated instalment, following Joy back to when the Shoshone were clinging to their Wabang land as homesteaders settled, is both a showcase and a reward for the grounded portrayal that she keeps serving up. It was also accurate of season one as it is now: whether skewing towards Taylor Sheridan or David Lynch, one of the delights of Outer Range is its willingness to swerve and veer like it too is a fog hovering over an obsidian abyss. Sometimes, the series hurtles itself into interpersonal minutiae. Sometimes, it's an all-out western, not just the neo- kind. It can be a kidnapping thriller, and then a drama about feuding families and yearned-for legacies. Sometimes, it's a gleeful and eager spring into absurdity. Swish them all together and Outer Range remains worth the plunge, compellingly so, as it flows towards a hopeful third season. Check out the trailer for Outer Range season two below: Outer Range season two streams via Prime Video from from Thursday, May 16. Read our review of season one.
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.
Even if you're not loved up, Valentine's Day is an ideal time to lean into some lovely times with your nearest and dearest — or to enjoy some delightful solo time. Although you don't need an excuse to do delightful things, a dedicated day pushes us to make plans and then execute them. Like birthday nights spent disco dancing, gift-giving on December 25 and candlelit meals on anniversaries — all activities that can happen any old day if you so choose. But, in the spirit of luuurve, we've compiled six activities that are optimal for that February 'holiday', whether you've got a lover or not. What's more, you've got the chance to score the funds — $500 to be exact — to bring the date of your choosing to life. Melbourne-based Grinders Coffee Roasters are asking you to share the cheesiest pet name you use for your lover or friend, and the best ones will be rewarded. Each and every day from now until February 14, one person will score the prize. And on that romance-heavy Tuesday? Ten extra people will score the dollars too. Red hot. Itching to go in the running? Get your entry in now, lover. Otherwise, read on. [caption id="attachment_794495" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Unyoked, Trent and Jessie[/caption] BOOK A NIGHT AWAY WITH YOUR LOVER OR PAL Whether you prefer an escape that's lush or bush, a vacay or staycay, shaking up your routine and spot of slumber is a surefire way to jump-start those good-time vibes. And $500 towards the trip (courtesy of Grinders Coffee Roasters) would be the cherry on top. Off-grid more your thing? Unyoked (pictured above) has tiny homes aplenty, all ready and waiting for you to lose the buzz of the city in your own patch of wilderness. A fire pit, cosy cabin and nothing but the sounds of nature — undeniably romantic. Hankering for a hotel stay? Lock down a roommate (or fly solo), pick a spot to stay (in Melbourne, Brisbane or Sydney, perhaps?), make a dinner reservation (or peruse the room service menu) and pack a book — staying between the sheets (whether reading or otherwise) is only made better by a turndown service and do-not-disturb tag hanging from the door. [caption id="attachment_825044" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nonna's Grocer[/caption] HOST A DINNER PARTY WITH FRIENDS Sharing a meal with people you love is one of life's greatest joys. Delicious bites and excited chatter stretching into the night is always a treat if the setting is your home and there's no closing time. Make it super special by carefully curating the menu and setting the table beautifully — and to achieve this, moody (read: tutti-frutti) candles are a must. If you're looking for more romance, channel the City of Love. Assemble a Parisian-inspired spread, have matches at the ready and the finest bottle of French red wine you can afford (500 big ones are certain to help you here). [caption id="attachment_885773" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thatchypoo[/caption] GET UP EARLY AND WATCH THE SUN RISE Fact: collectively, we don't watch enough sunrises. When we do catch one, it's mesmerising. And usually followed by a promise to do it more often, before inevitably succumbing to the sweet embrace of a few extra moments in bed. Well, pledge to start this Valentine's Day soaked in golden light — set your alarm, find the dreamiest spot and make sure to arrive while it's dark so you witness those precious first beams. Afterwards, get yourself a double-shot coffee. Head to your local cafe (one that serves creamy shots of Grinders Coffee Roasters, if you know what's good for you) or plan ahead and grab a bag of beans or grounds online for when you head home — either way, make sure to savour each and every one of your well-earned bright-and-early sips. [caption id="attachment_885772" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Oleg Breslavtsev[/caption] STAY IN AND PAMPER YOURSELF Face mask, rom-com and eight hours of sleep: that's as self-loving as it gets. While time spent doing this is enjoyable regardless of whether you have a companion or not, true luxury is found in a solo pampering session. Pick a flick — be it When Harry Met Sally, Call Me by Your Name or Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet — decide upon a sheet mask or bubble bath and make your bed with fresh sheets*. A full glass of vino and page-turner works in the same way. Heartbroken? Blast Adele in your living room and scream-sing through an album. Self care, baby. *Trust us, you'll be stoked come the credits. [caption id="attachment_885771" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sam Manchester[/caption] EXPLORE A GALLERY AND THEN TREAT YOURSELF TO AN EXTRA SPECIAL LUNCH Appreciating others' creative expression has the high potential to ignite a flame in your soul. If you're a Sydneysider and the Art Gallery of New South Wales (pictured above) is within your reach, take a jaunt through the staggering Grand Courts, gazing up at works from ages gone by. Brisbanites, a V-Day date is a great opportunity to head to GOMA to check out Air, an exploration of the element that keeps us all breathing (and, technically, loving); and if you're in Adelaide, a visit to Yayoi Kusama's infinitely spotty room at the Art Gallery of South Australia is a must. Melbourne based? A trip to The LUME will see you literally immersed in the artistry of Monet. And if you're in Perth, the Art Gallery of Western Australia is perfectly primed for your visit, with free exhibitions aplenty on throughout February. Afterwards, take yourself to lunch. Somewhere fancy. Order a glass of something lush, carefully consider the menu and bask in your arty arvo. [caption id="attachment_828069" align="alignnone" width="1920"] KoolShooters, Pexels[/caption] PACK A PICNIC AND GET INTO NATURE Sunlight, snacks and endorphins: the recipe for a romantic Valentine's Day (even if you're sans date). Grab some pals, a selection of soft cheeses, a bottle of something sparkly, then stick an icepack on top and get out in nature. You'll feel better (it's been proven), more connected to the earth (and, more than likely, to your company) and be delighting in some lo-fi al fresco dining. True love. Feeling inspired to make February 14 red hot this year? Grinders Coffee Roasters are giving away a $500 Mastercard e-gift card each and every day until Valentine's — so get your entry in, stat. Top image: Alessandro Biascioli
After chronicling the day-to-day chaos at a company that sells paper, what comes next for The Office — in the US, that is? Documenting the daily reality of life working at a newspaper. As announced in 2024, the beloved American version of the hit sitcom is getting a spinoff. In The Paper, which is led by Domhnall Gleeson (Echo Valley) and Sabrina Impacciatore (G20 and also The White Lotus season two), a midwestern newspaper publisher is in the spotlight. The series debuts on Thursday, September 4, 2025 in the US and in Australia, streaming in the latter via Binge. If you're keen for a sneak peek, The Paper has also just dropped its first trailer. A new boss arriving to shake things up, staff ranging from apathetic to overenthusiastic, office-set awkwardness aplenty, a familiar face: they're all featured in the initial glimpse at the show. As its predecessor was, this is a mockumentary series. The setup: the same documentary crew that turned their cameras towards Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch have found a new workplace to explore. Their time pointing their lens the Toledo Truth Teller's way coincides with Ned Sampson (Gleeson) joining the publication as editor-in-chief, with the paper's newest employee underwhelmed with the status quo and brimming with ideas about how to change things. Chelsea Frei (The Life List), Melvin Gregg (Fight Night), Gbemisola Ikumelo (Black Ops), Alex Edelman (Unfrosted), Ramona Young (You're Cordially Invited) and Tim Key (Mickey 17) also star in The Paper, as does Oscar Nuñez (The School Duel), reprising his role as Oscar Martinez. Accordingly, the new series is set in the same universe as the Steve Carell (Mountainhead)-led hit dwelled in from 2005–13 and sports multiple ties to it, but definitely isn't simply walking back into Dunder Mifflin with new staff. Also, Gleeson starred with Carell on 2022's The Patient, giving the two series another connection. Greg Daniels — who created the US version of The Office to begin with, and has also been behind Space Force and Upload — is steering The Paper behind the camera with Nathan for You co-creator Michael Koman. And yes, the franchise that initially kicked off in the UK version in 2001 just keeps expanding, after the Australian version dropped in 2024. Cringeworthy bosses, annoying co-workers and soul-crushing office jobs show no signs of fading away, of course, which all things The Office has understood for nearly a quarter of a century now. Check out the trailer for The Paper below: The Paper debuts in Australia on Thursday, September 4, 2025, streaming via Binge. Images: Aaron Epstein and John P Fleenor/PEACOCK.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations, giving you inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we turn our eyes to the holiday hit of Bali, specifically Hotel Komune Resort and Beach Club on the Keramas coastline. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? Bali's legendary sunshine and tropical conditions have cemented it as a standout holiday destination, and its practically un-Australian if you haven't visited at least once. But that popularity can cause a bit of a crowding issue, especially in southwestern tourist hotspots like Kuta or Denpasar. Further east is Keramas, a quieter coastal town that calls this resort home. Hotel Komune has a few outposts around the world, but this one draws a crowd with its adjacency to the black sand beach and epic surf conditions. If you're an avid surfer or someone who just loves being close to the water, this should be at the top of your list for your next Bali stay. If you book through our exclusive deal before Wednesday, December 20, you can get a serious discount on a three- five- or seven-night stay in Hotel Komune. THE ROOMS Hotel Komune's rooms are split between four choices. Beachfront Suites (pictured above) feature stunning views of the Lombok Strait and the renowned Keramas surf break plus private pools, waterfall showers and deep soak tubs (and the iconic Bali floating breakfast). Beach Villas offer similar features in a spacious but private one- or two-bedroom layout, perfect for romantic holidays or small families. Komune Suites are designed for a similar level of space as a more budget-friendly pick with a similar amount of space, and Resort Rooms are your standard accommodation if you're more interested in getting out and exploring Keramas. FOOD AND DRINK Tropical holidays are synonymous with good food and cold drinks, either very close to the water or surrounded by plant life. Here at Hotel Komune you can have it both ways. The resort offers three on-site food and drinks choices, the Beach Club, Health Hub and the Surfers Warung. The Beach Club is the primary pick, situated in sight of the surf break and surrounded by organic gardens and 180 square metres of lawns. The menu covers all meals of the day and drinks (including a very generous juice selection and room service juice cleanses) and a huge range of food to satisfy any craving. The aptly named Health Hub specialises in nutritional serves for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a traditional dining setting or poolside food service in an adults-only pool. There's also a 100% plant-based menu and all food is sourced from either the hotel's own gardens or local farmers. Finally, there's the Surf Warung, a traditional hangout for pre- and post-surfing snacks and drinks that predates the resort and sits right on the beach. The food there is all traditional Balinese style and after dark the space also becomes a buzzing rum bar. [caption id="attachment_912047" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Nurture via iStock[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA Keramas is mostly known for its surf break, a heavy right hander that breaks onto a shallow reef, if you know your surfing jargon. The beach itself is ideal for a quiet stroll, the area is generally a bit quieter as most of the local coastline is backed by fields, stretching out to 1.8 kilometres from end to end, but sadly the beach is less suitable for swimming thanks to the consistent heavy surf. Beyond the beach, a brief trip inland takes you to the village of Keramas. Here you can eat, shop, explore and visit attractions like Keramas Park, an outdoor venue with dining and activities like ATV rides, paintball and a small water park. Up the coast is the Bali Safari and Marine Park, which hosts a range of Asiatic animals and up-close feeding and safari experiences. THE EXTRAS Hotel Komune offers itself up as a choice venue for events, with packages available for weddings and fitness/yoga retreats to be hosted on the beautiful coastal property, or if you're looking for a personal holiday, remember you can book a discounted three, five or seven-night stay through our exclusive package on Concrete Playground Trips if you book before Wednesday, December 20, 2023. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world. Images: Hotel Komune Resort and Beach Club
This article is part of our series on the diverse highlights of NZ's Canterbury region, from city to snow. To book your snow trip, visit the 100% Pure New Zealand website. As someone with little-to-no coordination and balance, the prospect of skiing for the first time in my life was pretty terrifying. I honestly couldn't think of a sport that’s scarier for beginners — and I tried, multiple times — or a situation where I wouldn't be hurtling down a vertical run into a tree and/or small child. That's why I’ve always thought it lucky that, for me and every other Adult Who Can't Ski, snow sports are generally pretty easy to avoid. But with the ski season ramping up — and snow weekends already being floated by my seasoned snow bunny friends — I thought it was time to see if I would sink or swim on snow. With myself as sacrifice, and some words of wisdom from Mt Hutt's media coordinator and resident snowboarder Georgie Boyd, we headed across to one of New Zealand's most renowned ski areas (and, as it turns out, biggest mountains) to find out how to slide down a slope without losing a limb — or your dignity. Don't forget your gloves Preparation is key when it comes to skiing, mostly because it involves a lot of stuff. This is no spontaneous sport. If you don't own any snow clothes and can't borrow any from a similarly sized friend (your boyfriend's oversized pants probably won’t make things any easier, just saying), you should look at hiring proper, waterproof clothing. Mt Hutt hire out snow pants and jackets as well as boots and helmets — all of which you'll probably need as a beginner. What they don't have, though, are gloves and goggles, so make sure you you've got that covered before you get up on the mountain. Freezing fingertips don’t make for fun times. Image thanks to arquera via photopin The things you think are the easiest are actually the hardest Here's the thing: no one tells you that walking in ski boots will feel like your shin is snapping in half (which it isn't, but I still have the bruises to say that it came pretty close). Those things are painful, but they say it gets better. Apparently getting on and off the lift gets less terrifying too, but maybe that comes later. And think you can sling your skis over your shoulder like they do in the movies? Think again, noob. There's a particular trick to carrying your skis out to the snow that involves sliding them together and holding onto one of the brakes, but I'll let the ski staff show you that one. Image thanks to Paxson Woelber via photopin Don't think you don't need a lesson Sure, head up to the top of the slope with your friends and be left side-stepping up the mountain while they pass you as they go up and down the run. It's enough to ruin friendships, so heed this: experienced skiers and beginners don't match. Don't underestimate the power of getting a lesson. "The action of skiing and snowboarding isn't always common sense," says Georgie. "Taking a lesson gets you on the right track straight away and will speed up the zero-to-hero process." Contrary to popular misconception, there are plenty of functioning adults who also don't know how to ski — you'll be in a class with them, not four-year-olds (who can probably ski better than you, anyway). Image thanks to Nick J Webb via photopin It's actually not that scary Only after you've strapped on your skis and are successfully standing on a flat lay of snow will you start to feel like maybe this skiing thing isn't so terrifying. Like Georgie says, the most intimidating part for learners is the fear of going too fast and the chairlifts. Once you've mastered slowing down in a lesson (it doesn't matter how long your lesson is, even an hour or two makes a difference), then you can tackle the chairlift. "There are always lifties at the top of the lift to ensure that everyone is getting off the lift safely,” Georgie says. And to make things even easier, Mt Hutt's beginner’s area even has a conveyor belt 'magic carpet', which is the pre-chairlift training to the real deal. Image thanks to Mt Hutt, NZSki Ltd. and Patrick Fallon. It's all about pizza Not the pizza pie kind (well, maybe it can be afterwards — hell, you will have deserved two pizzas by then), but the pizza slice made by the shape of your skis. That's how you stop. For snowboarders, Georgie recommends digging in your heel-side edge will slow you down and safely control an exit off a ski lift. Best you get that one down before you take off down the slopes. Image thanks to FredrikF via photopin What not to do Whatever you do, don't look down. Even though you'll want to look down and make sure your skis are doing what you want them to, it's important that you look at what’s in front of you. There are a lot of obstacles — they're called people. On the subject of people, don't use them as props. Seriously, you grab someone on the way down and no one will look at you the same again. Image thanks to radloff via photopin Any time's a good time The best thing about being a beginner is that you don’t need a lot of snow to have a good time. While all the pros are complaining about lack of snowfall, you'll have all the snow you need. So basically, any time's a good time to start skiing, so just do it already. Image thanks to laszlo-photo via photopin Remember, there is hot chocolate and/or a good story waiting at the end of it Like this one. Image thanks to PunkJr via photopin. Feature image courtesy of Mt Hutt, NZSki Ltd. and Miles Holden.
In many ways, our objects and possessions define us. In choosing to own something, we make a conscious (or perhaps subconscious) decision about its significance to our lives, who we are and, often, who we want to be. But in a time of mass production, excessive consumption and disposal incomes, perhaps it is the very same 'stuff' we choose to define ourselves by that in fact dilutes our true selves. Whether out in the open or organised neatly into cupboards and shelves, does the collective weight of our belongings mentally drag us down? New South Wales-based artist Lottie Consalvo has embarked on a yearlong performance piece that explores the effect our physical items have on us. Her project — Compartmentalise — was conceived after the birth of her first son, a time where Lottie felt she'd lost control over her time, life and home. In an attempt to find some sense of clarity and regain control, Lottie committed to living with minimal possessions — two tops, two pants, one dress, three pairs of underwear, one knife, one fork, etc. — for 12 months. Despite living with her husband and baby boy, working at a gallery, developing her artistic practice and maintaining an active social life, Lottie has remained within the performance since August 7, 2013, documenting her experiences and musings along the way. With three months until the conclusion of Compartmentalise, we spoke to Lottie about the discomforts and satisfactions of her minimal lifestyle, and whether de-cluttering her possessions has led her to find the clarity she so desperately sought. It's really interesting to see your development through the Compartmentalise entries. Do you feel you have become kinder to yourself throughout the process? I went to a talk this week by performance artist Tehching Hsieh who has done one-year performances, and a 13-year performance. One performance he spoke about was Time Clock Piece, where he punched a time clock every hour for the entire year. He said he got a bit lazy half way through the performance, slept through the occasional alarm and was late to punch, but when he only had three months left he focused more again — although you could hardly call his efforts lazy. When you are being so extreme, after time you start to relax a little and become kinder to yourself, as you say. For example, recently when my pyjamas were in the wash and I was freezing in just a t-shirt, I finally got up and put my husband James' clothes on. I also started letting myself accept and buy books and plants. I would never have done that in the first few months of the performance. However, now that I'm reaching the nine-month mark and the end is in sight, I think I'll be harder on myself again, perhaps so the ending feels more satisfying. I didn't foresee having to replace so many items — my dress, shoes (two pairs have broken though have only replaced one pair), belt, pants, sunglasses, cup, my car (the engine of my old one died). I used to feel guilty when I had to replace something as if I had failed the performance, but as time has gone on I have been more forgiving and accepted it as a part of the performance. So yes, I have become kinder to myself as the performance progresses in that respect. You sold off many of your possessions in a garage sale, but buyers were only allowed to purchase if they could justify why the needed/wanted the item. Why was this significant to you? I hoped that it would make people think beyond the satisfaction of their purchase and the satisfaction of the desire driving them to buy. It really stirred something uncomfortable in people beyond what I had hoped for, and I liked that. What has been the most satisfying aspect of Compartmentalise? Finding out how little I need to live and no longer being scared to let go of things in case I need them in the future. And the most difficult? The discomfort. As the performance has progressed I have become greatly uncomfortable. I often have to wear dirty clothes and wet underwear. I also don't have a cosy outfit to put on other than my pyjamas. Even right now my feet are cold as I have no thick socks. What will you retain from Compartmentalise? I hope to always question what I need before buying more, now knowing that everything I bring home will not only fill my home but also my mind. I hope still to live with limited possessions, though a few more than now. I hate the idea of having a full wardrobe, cupboards and cluttered surfaces again — I have a phobia of it now. I want to carry on buying fewer things that I really love and are better quality even if they cost much more money. I will also treat my belongings with much more respect. Come August 7, what do you think will happen when you finish Compartmentalise? Do you feel like it will be difficult to transition back to having (a few) more possessions? I think I will wake up and put different clothes on. I imagine that I will get pleasure out of the feeling of different clothes hugging my skin in different ways and wearing some colour, however the novelty will probably wear off quickly. I don't think it will be difficult. In fact, it would be very easy to fall back into the habit of buying and collecting — but I don't want this. I want to take it very slowly, it will be a slow transition to a more balanced place. You started this project to help you find clarity. So far, do you feel like you've found some? I'm not sure if I have found clarity so much as I have found a sense of weightlessness. When I look at my empty home I feel the clarity, but through the performance I have found that technology (as wonderful as it is) and work are what stop me from continuing this clarity through my days. Perhaps I need to remove technology, and time. Images courtesy of Lottie Consalvo. Follow the remainder of Lottie's performance via her Compartmentalise blog.
Back in 2021, Telstra did everyone who has ever forgotten their mobile phone when leaving the house a solid — and anyone who has been caught with a flat phone battery, lost their device, simply doesn't have one or has been stuck in an emergency as well — by making most calls free at its 15,000 payphones around the country. But what if you have your phone, or another internet-capable device, but have run out of data, your budget doesn't stretch to cove online access or, again, it's an emergency? From today, Thursday, August 25, the telecommunications company is starting to make wifi free at its public phones, too. The free wifi starts immediately at around 3000 payphone booths around Australia, and will eventually roll out across the entire nationwide network. And while it might sound like an extra convenience for most, helping people who are isolated or vulnerable is one of the move's key aims. For those who have a device, or access to one, but no data, hopping online will simply involve finding a payphone branded 'free Telstra wifi', then connecting to the 'free Telstra wifi' network in your device settings. Once you've connected the first time, your device will automatically connect to free wifi at other Telstra payphones, too, so you shouldn't need to go through the above process each time. Given that our mobile phones are basically pocket computers, Telstra's free wifi helps make what's become an essential utility — the internet — accessible to everyone. A map of payphones with free wifi is available online, and Telstra is prioritising rolling out the service to communities affected by the recent floods and summer bushfires. The plan is to have free wifi available from the entire network over the next few years. For more information about free wifi from Telstra's payphone, head to the company's website. Images: Sarah Tee.
When a clown ponders its final farewell, what does it see? Cirque du Soleil's Corteo has the answer. When this production first hit the stage in Montreal in 2005, it won over audiences by setting its acrobatic feats within a funeral procession imagined by a jester — a carnival-like parade that muses on humanity's strengths and vulnerabilities — in a space between heaven and earth. Two decades later, it's one of the troupe's most-beloved shows. Celebrating that milestone, Corteo is heading Down Under for a six-city tour in the second half of 2025. In Australia, the hit production will debut at Perth Arena from Friday, August 8, before playing at Melbourne's John Cain Arena the same month, then Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney and Brisbane Entertainment Centre in September. Come October, Adelaide Entertainment Centre will host the spectacle, as will Spark Arena in Auckland. One of the tricks that's helped make Corteo such a success, with over 12-million audience members in 30 countries on four continents seeing it so far, is its unique stage setup. Watching this show means also watching your fellow viewers, because the action takes place in the middle of the arena, splitting it in half and causing patrons to face each other. This is Cirque du Soleil's first production with this layout. As its clown protagonist conjures up the festive parade that ushers him from this world, attendees will witness a poetic yet playful performance — one where the acrobatics are unique, too, and where angels watch over. "Corteo was the first Cirque du Soleil show created by Daniele Finzi Pasca, the same director who brought us LUZIA. Corteo is a real celebration of life that blends comedy and never-seen-before acrobatics into a unique staging arrangement," said Mike Newquist, Chief Revenue Officer of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, announcing the show's Australian and New Zealand tour. "Australians who fell in love with the breathtaking artistry and storytelling of LUZIA will be equally captivated by Corteo." LUZIA was the last Cirque du Soleil production that bounded this way, kicking off in 2024 — and notching up another first as the Montreal-based company company's debut touring show to feature rain in its acrobatic and artistic scenes. Before that, 2023 saw Cirque du Soleil bring CRYSTAL, its first-ever ice production on ice, Down Under. Cirque du Soleil's Corteo — Australia and New Zealand Tour 2025 Friday, August 8–Sunday, August 10 — Perth Arena, Perth Friday, August 22–Sunday, August 24 — John Cain Arena, Melbourne Thursday, September 4–Sunday, September 7 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Thursday, September 18–Sunday, September 21 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Thursday, October 2–Sunday, October 5 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Thursday, October 30–Sunday, November 2 — Spark Arena, Auckland Cirque du Soleil's Corteo tours Australia and New Zealand from August 2025. For more information, or to buy tickets — with presales from 11am on Tuesday, February 18 and general sales from 12pm on Monday, February 14 — head to the show's website. Images: Maja Prgomet, Johan Persson and Aldo Arguello.
One device to brew them all? Blending slow cold drip coffee with cold/hot pourovers in one genius brewing device, two Queensland coffee companies are teaming up to crowdfund the Brewover. Green coffee supplier Bean Grean and roaster Manna Beans are trying to raise $65,000 toward this new controllable flow hot/cold brewer, which would prick the ears of many an Australian cafe needing to save on space (or straight-up coffee nerds in general). The Kickstarter campaign, which prices the Brewover at around $60 a pop, has currently raised $13,300 with 29 days to go. So how does it work? Coffee purists might turn their nose up, but the team truly know what's up when it comes to coffee brewing methods. The Brewover all hinges on what's called the flow control valve, allowing to switch between three different brewing methods: hot/cold pourovers and cold drip. Pourovers are easy stuff; just pop a Chemex filter in the glass cone and brew hot/cold as usual. Cold drip? Just use the same glass cone as a water reservoir and attach an Aeropress filter under the brew chamber. Pure, well-brewed genius. Via Daily Coffee News.
When JK Rowling sat in an Edinburgh cafe and jotted down the first Harry Potter book more than two decades ago, she couldn't have guessed just how magical her life would become — or how she'd escape from her ordinary existence. We can't all follow in her literary footsteps, but we can now try to escape HP-style. No, not into the novels or movies. No, not via broomstick, portkey, apparating or the floo network. Rather, if you're in Melbourne, you can attempt to find your way out of a Harry Potter-inspired escape room. Let's be honest: it sounds like the kind of place you don't want to escape from, doesn't it? While getting out is the aim of the game at Trapt's new Alchemy rooms, enjoying the experience is too. Here, you'll "practise spells and enchantments and test your magical skills," according to the website, aiming to "discover the mythical substance and Elixir of Life, the Philosopher's Stone, before time runs out." Trapt is also quick to state that this isn't an official HP offering, but you can't bring up spells, wizarding and the title of the first Boy Who Lived book without nodding to the room's obvious inspiration. Make that rooms, with two identical spaces available — to meet demand, because you know there'll be more than a little. In addition, the Lonsdale Street establishment is also serving up an appropriate array of beverages at the bar — both alcoholic and non-boozy, including Flying Cauldron butterscotch beer, the blueberry and cardamom-flavoured Exhibito Noctis, and Potion of Fire spiced rum. And if you're after a journey into more than one themed realm while you're there, there's also a spy room, a prohibition-set offering that's all about bootlegging and moonshine, and an Alice in Wonderland space as well. It's not the first time an Australian escape room has tried to give muggles a magical experience, with Sydney's Break the Code announcing its own back in 2016. Alas, at present, it's still listed as coming soon on the site's website, although it does boast Indiana Jones, Avatar and Lost-themed rooms. Find Alchemy at Trapt, The Basement, 377 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, or visit the venue's website for further details.
Any exhibition boasting art by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, Camille Pissarro and Berthe Morisot is always a must-see. When French Impressionism displayed at NGV International back in 2021, then, the Victorian venue should've had a blockbuster on its hands. But in a time of pandemic lockdowns, this feast of masterpieces on loan from Boston's renowned Museum of Fine Arts was plagued with a briefer-than-planned run. Bringing it back for a proper season might've taken a few years, but this showcase is just as huge in 2025 as it was aiming to be four years ago. When it comes to art exhibitions, second chances aren't common, of course. While a big-name showcase may display at several places around the world, it doesn't often hit the same venue twice. Between Friday, June 6–Sunday, October 5, 2025, the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne is flouting the norm, then — an understandable move when there's 100-plus works from French impressionism's best-known talents to share with art lovers. This is one of the largest collections of the eponymous art movement to ever make its way to Australia, complete with works that've never been seen here before. As it was in 2021, it's again part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition series. One must-see: the presentation of 16 Monet canvases in one gallery, all in a curved display to close out the showcase — and focusing on his scenes of nature in Argenteuil, the Normandy coast and the Mediterranean coast, as well as his Giverny garden. In total, there's 19 Monet works in French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts' collection (Water Lilies among them), which still leaves the US gallery that's the source of the NGV's exhibition almost as many to display in Boston. Another section in Melbourne digs into early works by Monet and his predecessors, such as Eugène Boudin — and Renoir and Pissarro's careers also get the in-depth treatment. In addition, as the exhibition charts French impressionism's path across the late-19th century, visitors can enjoy three never-before-seen-in-Australia pieces, with Victorine Meurent's Self-portrait one of them. Ten-plus Degas works, as well as two pieces that were part of the very first exhibition of French Impressionism that took place in 1874, also feature. If you made it along to the showcase's first trip Down Under, you will notice changes, with the exhibition design reimagined for its latest presentation. That, too, is meant to take you back to Renoir and company's time, with interiors in Europe and across America's east coast in the era an influence. "More than 150 years after the first exhibition of French impressionist paintings were presented in Paris, the movement remains a beloved and powerful drawcard for audiences worldwide," said NGV Director Tony Ellwood, launching the exhibition for 2025. "French Impressionism From the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston offers Australians a rare opportunity to view 100 timeless masterpieces in person, and experience firsthand the bold brushwork and vivid colours synonymous with these artists." French Impressionism displays at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne, from Friday, June 6–Sunday, October 5, 2025. Head to the NGV website for more details and tickets. Images: Visitors in French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston on display from 6 June to 5 October, at NGV International, Melbourne. Photo: Dan Castano. // Installation view of French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston on display from 6 June to 5 October, at NGV International, Melbourne. Photo: Sean Fennessy.
When King Kong swung into cinemas back in 1933, it reshaped movie history — and also had viewers everywhere thinking twice about great apes. Fast-forward almost nine decades, and now another giant gorilla is making an impact. You can see King Nyani IRL, however, and not just on the silver screen. Even better: you can now climb into the 30-foot-long creature's hands at Taronga Zoo. Created by public artists Gillie and Marc Schattner, King Nyani was inspired by King Kong. Consider the bronze statue — the world's largest bronze gorilla statue, in fact — a response to that pop-culture behemoth. "In the movie, Kong is seen as a ferocious beast. That was so far from our experience meeting the actual animals. We wanted to show the world that this great creature was really a pacifist who put family above all else," says Marc. Spreading a message of conservation, King Nyani first popped up in New York City — where else? — in August 2020, and understandably received a huge reaction. Now, the the first edition of the sizeable statue sits in the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, with a second due to be installed at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Connecticut. Yes, that makes Sydney's version edition three. "We decided to create three editions after seeing the unbelievable response to the original Nyani in NYC. We knew that this was a cause that many people were willing to get behind," advises Gillie. "This was a chance to inspire three times as many people to protect gorillas to save them from extinction." King Nyani is definitely big — up to three people can sit inside the bronze silverback's hands, an act that serves multiple purposes. "We wanted to create a sculpture where the public could really get close to the silverback, both physically and emotionally. Being able to sit in his hand and look up into his gentle face, we hope they will fall in love and join the movement to save the gorillas," explains Gille. At Taronga, King Nyani now sits next to the Centenary Viewing Platform, underneath a giant fig tree — and mere metres away from the zoo's harbour view. You'll need an entry ticket to Taronga to check out its new addition, and to snap those pics you know are going to be all over social media, but those funds will go towards the zoo's efforts to support, care and protect wildlife, including gorillas. King Nyani is on display next to the Centenary Viewing Platform at Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman. For more information, head to the zoo's website.
Rampant death. A destroyed world. When Cillian Murphy's (Small Things Like These) bicycle courier Jim awoke from a coma in a deserted British hospital 28 days after the rage virus leapt from chimpanzees in a biological weapons laboratory to spreading across the United Kingdom, that is what he found. The scenes of the Oppenheimer Oscar-winner's character wandering through an empty London in 2002's 28 Days Later — images that no one could fathom happening beyond the realm of cinema prior to the COVID-19 pandemic's earliest days — were stunning. So too was Danny Boyle (Yesterday) and Alex Garland's (Warfare) entire film, as Jim and the fellow survivors he stumbled across, including Naomie Harris' (Black Bag) Selena, Brendan Gleeson's (Joker: Folie à Deux) Frank and Megan Burns' (In2ruders) Hannah, tackled perhaps the most-important existential question there is: how does life go on? That query is again on Boyle and Garland's minds 23 years later for audiences, but closer to three decades on inside the narrative of their stellar horror franchise. 28 Days Later initially received a sequel in 2007, but Boyle didn't direct 28 Weeks Later, nor did Garland pen the film's script. For 2025's resurrection of the saga, they're now back in their OG roles — as they once were when Boyle only had Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, A Life Less Ordinary and the big-screen adaptation of Garland's 90s must-read novel The Beach on his resume, and also before Garland became the helmer of Ex Machina, Annihilation, Men, Civil War and Warfare. How life goes on interested this pair again in 2007 themselves, actually, but in a completely different movie. 2057-set sci-fi thriller Sunshine enlisted an impressively stacked ensemble — including Murphy again, another future Academy Award-winner in Michelle Yeoh (Wicked), 28 Weeks Later star Rose Byrne (Physical), plus Chris Evans (Materialists), his Marvel Cinematic Universe colleague Benedict Wong (Bad Genius), Hiroyuki Sanada (Shōgun) and Cliff Curtis (Kaos) — to portray astronauts attempting to save humanity from a dying sun. If Boyle and Garland had had their way, that would've sparked two more films. "Moonshine and Starshine. We never got to make them," Garland tells Concrete Playground. "So Sunshine was originally, there was this idea of it being a trilogy, but it didn't do very well. People like it a lot more now than they did on the day, or that's what it seems like, anyway," adds Boyle. Returning to 28 Days Later's infection-ravaged UK with 28 Years Later is no mere consolation prize in the wake of Sunshine's trilogy never soaring beyond a concept. This visit to a post-apocalyptic Britain is a spectacular event in its own right — and also the beginning of a new trio of movies. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has already been shot, with Candyman and The Marvels' Nia DaCosta directing a Garland script, Boyle producing, Murphy set to feature and a January 2026 release slated. Everyone that sees 28 Years Later will be counting down the days. A currently untitled third picture, and fifth in the saga, is planned after that, which Boyle will hop back behind the lens on. Existence endures in this franchise partly through human persistence in a Britain quarantined from the rest of the planet — and, for the community on Holy Island, through carving out a new normalcy. This northeast spot, which is only connected to the mainland via a sole causeway, is the only place that 12-year-old Spike (Alfie Williams, His Dark Materials) has ever known. But its people have a custom, taking its adolescents across the water to face the infected and prepare for an adulthood that requires venturing beyond the isle's walls for wood for fuel. The town has many traditions, in fact; however, this is where the film meets its protagonists, as Alfie sets off for a day trip with his dad Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nosferatu) while his ailing mother Isla (Jodie Comer, The Bikeriders) remains bedridden. Not only how life continues but how people manage to subsist without modern medicine, or don't, is among 28 Years Later's concerns. Boyle and Garland's latest collaboration has brains — and heart, too, as it relays an immensely relatable story about coping with sickness regardless of the zombie-like creatures prowling rewilded landscapes. "I wanted the illness to feel believable," Comer advises. 28 Years Later also ponders what the passing of three decades means for societal attitudes, for young minds that've only existed since the rage outbreak and also for the infected themselves, as nature always evolves. A family drama, a coming-of-age film and, yes, a horror movie: all are alive within its frames, as is Garland's penchant for fraying and fracturing status quos. Firmly remembering death is as much a part of 28 Years Later. Mortality has become utterly unavoidable for England's remaining inhabitants. Musing on it proves the same for the movie. Grief and loss, both everyday and on a mass scale, pulse through it, as does the distress of co-exisiting with uncertainty, and with death always surrounding you. Dr Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes, Conclave) helps give these themes an iodine-covered champion, assisting in the feature's balance of carnage with compassion in the process. "He sees the bigger picture," Fiennes tells us. Unsurprisingly, the actor adds to 28 Years Later's exceptional performances, with Williams and Comer among his clear company. While there's no desolate cities here, then, 28 Years Later's visuals are every bit as memorable, meaningful and masterful as those in the flick that started it all, and possess the same just-can't-escape intensity. Boyle and also-returning cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle (My Penguin Friend) — who claimed one of Slumdog Millionaire's eight Oscars, as Boyle did for directing — have conjured up a new array of striking and terrifying imagery, filled with greenery and gore and sky-high monuments made of bones (over 250,000 individual replicas and 5000-plus skulls). Our chat with Boyle, Garland, Comer and Fiennes spanned giving the new film its own look, too, plus whether there was a Sunshine-esque plan for more 28 Days Later entries 23 years ago, contemplating mortality, towers of bones, conceiving of rituals and routines for a post-outbreak way of being, and more. On If There Was an Initial Plan Back in 2002 for Boyle and Garland to Make More 28 Days Later Films — Like There Was with 2007's Sunshine Alex: "Danny and I had a crack at a 28 Years Later film quite soon before this one. We worked on a script and worked something up, but just didn't feel it was right. There were some issues. Basically, it was it was too generic as a story. And I think that, in a strange way, trying and failing was the last part of the puzzle towards coming up with this idea. And when this idea arrived, it just came in the form of a trilogy. And I think stories, you slightly discover stories more than invent them. They just arrive not exactly fully formed, but with the core of them formed. And the core of this was a trilogy — three separate but interrelated narratives that form an overall structure, because some characters will move through the films, basically." On the Importance of 28 Years Later, Regardless of the Rage Virus and the Infected, Telling a Relatable Family Story About Coping with Illness Jodie: "I think it was important to me in a sense. I wanted the illness to feel believable, though it was tricky — because she goes on such a journey, yet is so debilitated by her illness. And she's very fortunate that she has her son to guide her and nurture her through, who often plays the kind of parental role. But I would just say it was always very present within the script, so it was beautiful to explore, and trust and lean into Danny's direction, and hope that it felt believable — and that there were enough ebbs and flows and nuances throughout the time in which we spend with her." On Giving 28 Years Later Its Own Visual Approach, After 28 Days Later Proved Such a Striking-Looking Film Danny: "Rewilding is something that played into our hands, really — that we were able to find areas that looked like they hadn't been [impacted by humans]. There are lots of areas of Britain — as you can imagine, it's quite a small island — that have been agriculturalised, and you can see, either close or in the distance, the mark of man, really. But there's an area in the northeast that does remain untouched. It's not much good for anything, that's the opinion of people anyway, but it's perfect for filming. And so we wanted to take these smaller cameras there, so we keep a light footprint and not disturb it too much. But also the technology has moved on so much now that these smaller cameras do allow you to use a widescreen format. There's enough resolution. And it means that you can have a statement that says quite clearly right from the early on that this is not a deserted empty city — which people might be expecting, because if it was a direct reference to the first film. It's very much outside the cities. They stay — in fact, I think one of them says at one point 'we stay outside the cities and towns', implying that their safety is on this beautiful island, Holy Island. Which is a historic — it's where Christianity first arrived, I think, in the UK. And it supports the perfect-size population for this kind of existence, about 100–150 people — where you don't need a system to run it. They just trust each other. They appoint their own leaders, and everybody knows each other and trusts each other. And Harari [writer Yuval Noah] says it in the homo sapiens book [Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind], that when you get above about 150, you have to have a trust system to make everybody relate to something and trust through a system — which can be religion, or it can be money, or other values, for bartering." On the Room That Fiennes Had to Explore Thanks to the Film's Examination of Post-Apocalyptic Life and Death Without Modern Medicine Ralph: "That was a great angle, because immediately it presents me, as Kelson, with the man who's accepted the reality of death. He's living with death, his mortality. And that makes him rather like a seer or sage or — he's kind of like a bit of a priest, in a way. He sees the bigger picture. He talks about what the skulls had, that they were inhabited by the different souls — 'these eyes saw', 'these jaws spoke'. He's aware of the human soul. He's aware of the vitality of the human soul and the passing, how we pass from our earthly life into another life. I think he's — and this is what I projected onto him — he feels that we must mark the passing. We have been. We have graveyards. We have symbols of those we have lost. And he's created a big symbol in this Bone Temple. So I think he feels the need to acknowledge the lives that have gone. I think he's a bit like an artist or someone who's made this extraordinary installation in recognition of all the suffering that's gone on." On Imagining the Detail of How a Nation Would Start Again After an Apocalypse — and the New Way of Life, Routines, Rituals, Priorities and All, That'd be Carved Out Over Almost Three Decades Alex: "A lot of it just stemmed from the idea '28 years later'. So then, if you know it's 28 years after this strange viral outbreak, there's stuff that just logically flows from that. One of the things that logically flows is if you have communities that have stayed alive, well, they must have been able to defend themselves somehow. There's different ways you could defend yourself. It could be high walls, and it could be patrols and stuff. But there is this island that Danny was just talking about, Holy Island, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. So in high tide, it's separate, and there's only really one way you can get to the island across this across this road. And so that created a natural barrier where these people could live. But then past that, to be honest, I don't really develop that. I would write some characters and a story about a community where people are using bows and arrows, and there's a mum and a dad and a child, but the fleshing out of that community — like 'what is their relationship to churches? What livestock do they have? How have they divided up their roles?', and even little details like 'what have they made into their own folklore?', like, for example wearing masks that represent infected — that's really Danny, and then the people he's working with, production designers and costume and makeup and so on, everybody just coming together to inhabit those bare bones. I think a script is a blueprint. But then the rooms have to be filled with furniture and curtains are chosen, as it were. You can see the metaphor. And so it's not really my job, I suppose — just the superstructure." Danny: "But one of the pleasures of doing it, though, and I think for audiences watching it, is the world-building — that you have to make all those decisions about how would they have survived, fed themselves. Fuel was the big thing that we talked about. You'd need so much fuel, which is wood for them to burn. So they go over to the mainland and chop down trees. And England would basically slowly return to forest, which it was originally. And they would scavenge, they would bring that fuel back — which is one of the dangers they have, and why they have to train their boys. And it's very much a gender-separated society. They look back like that to an older era, to like the 50s. They train their boys, because they're going to have to go to the mainland to get fuel. And sometimes, maybe food — kill deer or whatever, because Britain would be overrun by deer, apparently. Because there's no natural predators." Alex: "It practically is right now. It is interesting. I think audiences detect logical consistency with these things, and also react against logical inconsistency. So, with world-building, it has to make sense. You have to believe in the interactions. They don't all have to be laid out, but you can make imaginative leaps between all the things. And when they don't make sense, people spot it — like they spot bad visual effects. They just know it somehow and pull back." Danny: "Something's not right, yeah." Alex: "And I do think this film has a lot of unseen consistency in the way of that world that Danny and the team put together." On the Energy That the Bone Temple Set with over 250,000 Individual Replica Bones and 5000-Plus Skulls — and the Film's Shooting Locations in General — Gave the Cast Jodie: "Well, it's funny, because the set felt so alive in many ways, in regards to the location and being right next to the running water. And there were lots of wind chimes made of bones, so there was just constantly this kind of music that was enveloping the space. I also came to that set at the end of the shoot, when we were shooting those moments. So it really felt like we've heard so much about this place and this doctor, and then we were able to do our scenes with Ralph and explore that part of the material. So it was really profound, actually. So much detail." Ralph: "Yes. It was a strong atmosphere. And the location itself, even with just as a location, even before the incredible Bone Temple, the location was beautiful. We shot it in North Yorkshire, and I was going to work every day driving over the moors. It's stunning. It's a stunning place. And I can see the other locations that Jodie and Alfie shot in are beautiful locations in the north of England." 28 Years Later released in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
When Robert Pattinson put on pop culture's most famous cape and cowl, it wasn't a once-off, with a sequel to 2022's The Batman on the way. In the same film, when the latest version of Oswald Cobblepot made an appearance, that wasn't the only time that audiences would see the Gotham crime figure otherwise known as The Penguin, either. Come spring 2024 Down Under, the villainous character will feature in a HBO series that dives into his tale — called, yes, The Penguin. The show has been in the works for some time, and been teased in the US network's promotions for its 2024 slate. Now, it has its own initial trailer. If the Batman nemesis met The Sopranos or The Godfather, this series might be the end result, at least based on this early glimpse. Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin) reprises the show's titular role. In the new footage, his take on Oz waxes lyrical about the command, fear and respect once demanded by another gangster — and how he'd like to have the same status. "Can you imagine to be remembered like that?" he notes of Rex Calabrese, who mightn't be a household name beyond dedicated comic-book fans, but boasts significant ties on the page to a very well-known Batman character. The Penguin is set to span eight episodes, and is obviously designed to extend the Dark Knight's big-screen crime saga. The show doesn't have an exact release date, other than fall this year in the US — which, again, is spring in Australia and New Zealand. Alongside Farrell, The Penguin stars Cristin Milioti (The Resort), Rhenzy Feliz (Encanto), Michael Kelly (Pantheon), Shohreh Aghdashloo (Damsel), Deirdre O'Connell (The Big Door Prize), Clancy Brown (Gen V) and Michael Zegen (The Marvelous Mrs Maisel). Off-screen, The Batman director Matt Reeves is back as an executive producer, while Craig Zobel (Mare of Easttown) directs the show's first three episodes. 2024 is a big year for Farrell fans keen to see him in streaming series. Before his time following in Danny DeVito's footsteps again, Farrell leads Apple TV+ detective drama Sugar, which premieres in April. Check out the teaser trailer for The Penguin below: The Penguin is set to stream in spring Down Under, including via Binge in Australia — we'll update you when an exact release date is announced. Images: Macall Polay/Max.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we go to the luxe Anchorage Port Stephens hotel and spa overlooking the picturesque Nelson Bay. If Anchorage Port Stephens looks like your ideal summer vacay destination then head to Concrete Playground Trips, where you'll find our latest travel deal – including a night's stay at this boutique hotel, an epic buffet breakfast and a couple of complimentary cocktails on arrival. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? This Hamptons-style hotel is the pinnacle of luxury waterside accommodation boasting rooms with uninterrupted sea views, a fine dining restaurant and a glamorous spa experience. It's made for out-of-towners who are looking to spoil themselves silly for a weekend away. THE ROOMS Room options abound at Anchorage Port Stephens. The classic Anchorage Room gives you most of the best bits, including a private balcony looking out over the marina and all the essential amenities – king-sized bed, large ensuite bathroom, aircon and your own coffee machine. You can also upgrade your stay by booking the large Family Room, the glam Master Suite or one of the separate lofts with bay windows that perfectly frame the gorgeous views. FOOD AND DRINK When staying here, you've got to dine at one of Anchorage's seafood-focused restaurants — both of which have won multiple hospitality awards. The Galley Kitchen is where you go for sophisticated all-day dining options that include seafood feasts, a special sparkling wine breakfast and a traditional afternoon tea. Either sit inside or dine by the pool terrace. And if you want to truly treat yourself, get dressed up for dinner at The Wild Herring. Locally sourced and sustainably fished seafood is presented in a myriad of inventive ways thanks to Executive Chef Michael Jenkins. The culinary experience is one of sophisticated fine dining, so it's recommended that guests travelling with children don't bring the kids along. [caption id="attachment_885378" align="alignnone" width="1920"] James Dorevski (Unsplash)[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA Port Stephens is just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney but, once you're there, it feels worlds away. Wander through town to browse the selection of charming boutiques or get in touch with nature by exploring the coastal bushland of Tomaree National Park and the clear blue waters. You'll also find several wineries and breweries in the area, so if you're up for sampling the local goods just head to the Anchorage Port Stephens concierge to organise an exclusive tour. THE EXTRAS If total rejuvenation is what you're after, a trip to the hotel's Spa Luca is on the cards. The spa has treatment rooms for singles and couples where you can experience massages, scrubs, wraps, facials and immersive ritual healings — the menu of treatment options is extensive. You'll also find a lavish whirlpool and steam room alongside a private relaxation room to help you stay in the calm bubble for as long as possible. Head to the Concrete Playground Trips website to book a lavish stay at at Anchorage Port Stephens.
A new series of advertisements by Education First, a language-school network based in over fifty countries, makes the case for learning another language in a wonderfully unique light. Not a single word is spoken in the ads, nor do they pitch the school. Instead, you follow the adventures of four students touching down in Paris, Barcelona, London and Beijing respectively. Without speech, they manage to express perfectly how learning a new language helps you experience it. Specially-designed typography accompanies the film, accompanied by phonetic pronunciation underneath, and while there is no translation, they work perfectly. Niklas Johansson's cinematography envelops you in the adventures of the protagonists as they wander through the cities, while Albin Holmqvist's deftly designed original typography and typefaces beautifully reflect the languages of Paris, Barcelona, Beijing and London, and tell you more about the words than dull verb charts ever could. The films don't belabour the process of learning a language, but the benefits of being able to lose yourself in a different culture - the things you discover, the different things to see and do, and the attractive strangers that may or may not come your way. If these films don't make you want to jump on a plane straight away, I don't know what will. https://youtube.com/watch?v=1_QO8LoGNpc https://youtube.com/watch?v=p9isboDgxMM https://youtube.com/watch?v=Nr3gdVkkWzc https://youtube.com/watch?v=QLluxHOOXSw [Via ModCloth]
