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 Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne, the spot we're putting up guests who book one of our exclusive For The Love VIP packages. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? This central Melbourne hotel is all about luxury — from the heated pool looking out over the cityscape to the spacious rooms and glorious pan-Asian restaurant. Did somebody say it's time for a city staycation? THE ROOMS You get a king bed! You get a king bed! And you get a king bed! Everyone gets a king bed! Yup, all rooms and suites have large comfy king beds — the prime spot for stretching out and taking up all the space you'd like (whether you're sleeping alone or with someone else). But, that's not all: these luxe rooms have a bunch of other features too. Expect rain-showers, free wifi, blockout curtains, a 55-inch television and views across Melbourne's skyline. Plus, if you go for one of the suites, you're in for an even more glam stay, courtesy of ready-to-go coffee machine and fully stocked mini bar. FOOD AND DRINK Miss Mi is Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne's very own restaurant and bar, serving up pan-Asian food and drinks — that are set to take you from Bangkok to Borneo. Sit up at the benches overlooking the kitchen to watch the chefs at work or sink into one of the plush banquettes for a more intimate affair. At the bar, you'll uncover Asian-inspired cocktails that pair top-quality spirits with traditional Asian spices, fresh herbs and housemade syrups. You can opt for classic cocktails, but we recommend trying one of their own creations. [caption id="attachment_882225" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Macallan (Unsplash)[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA You're in the thick of it here. From the Spencer Street location, you can head west to Docklands for shopping and waterside dining or go east into the CBD to find some of Melbourne's best restaurants and entertainment venues. You're also within the free tram zone, so there's no need to do much walking. Take the free journey to sites like Queen Victoria Market, Federation Square and Melbourne's famous arts precinct. All of Melbourne is at your doorstep. THE EXTRAS One of the most fun and unique things to do at this luxury hotel is partake in their daily chocolate hour. From 4.30–5.30pm, the chefs transform the lobby into a chocaholic's paradise. All kinds of chocolatey creations are made just for you — it's always different so be sure to go each day of your stay. Mentioning Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne's gorgeous heated pool (with views over Spencer Street) is a necessity. Head to the water for a swim and sauna, escaping life and all its stresses for a few hours. You don't even need to swim — simply grab some fluffy slippers and a robe from your closet and sit on one of the poolside lounges reading a book for the day. 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.
What makes one market stand out from the next? On Saturday, April 15 at Distillery Road Market in Eagleby, a roller disco will do the trick. The site is welcoming in Roller Baes, who'll be offering skate hire for $10 — and hosting a stint of dancing on four wheels to a beat-filled soundtrack. Strap on some skates, grab your date or mate's hand, then get rolling — after browsing 40-plus market stalls, grabbing a bite to eat and listening to live music. The Distillery Road Trucks & Tunes Roller Disco fun starts at 4pm and runs through till 9pm, with time spent rolling around costing $10 entry. Keeping the theme going, there'll also be skate demos. And if it's the shopping you're most interested in, expect locally made wares filling DRM's Market Hall, including beauty products, plants, pet products, homewares and homemade bites to eat. The food and beverage range spans smoked meats from Sugar Creek Smokehouse, Mexican street food by Posadas Cantina, beers from the Burleigh Craft Bar and more — and Eleea, Tractor Pull Band and Mason Rack Band will be taking to the stage. The place to head? Distillery Road, obviously, halfway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
There is no better feeling then rolling into a deliciously comfortable bed at the end of the day. Sheets on the Line is committed to helping Brisbane have the best night's sleep. Sheets, cushions and quilts galore, all products are designed in Australia and produced with the highest quality, certified organic cotton from India. But it doesn't stop at the bedroom, Sheets on the Line also stock towels and homewares to help customers achieve the comforable, home lifestyle they desire.
Since 2021, Queensland burger fans have been waiting for one thing: the launch of Mark Wahlberg's burger chain Wahlburgers in the Sunshine State. The brand first announced plans to open Down Under back in 2021, then opened its first Aussie store in Sydney at the beginning of 2022. Now, after locking in a local site a few months back, those burgs are available on the Gold Coast. Watch a Wahlberg-starring movie, tuck into a burg from Wahlberg's burger chain Wahlburgers, get the words 'burger' and 'Wahlberg' stuck in your head for days: that's now on the menu in Surfers Paradise. Yes, it's time to pair a burger with some Sunkist by the beach at the Paradise Centre, at least if you're taking advice from Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch's 1991 single 'Good Vibrations' .Because there's a reality TV show for everything, you probably heard of the chain before it made its way Down Under, all thanks to the 2014–9 series Wahlburgers — which turned its lens on the burger joints owned by the actor and his brothers. Wahlburgers has made its home in the Surfers Paradise spot's new beachfront dining precinct, which has just undergone a $40-million revamp — and the burg-slinging brand isn't short on company. Axe-throwing bar Maniax has already set up shop there, as has El Camino Cantina and Gelato Messina. The chain's first-ever Queensland store serves up burgers, obviously, including a meat-free Impossible burg that's been dubbed 'Mark's choice', plus a barbecue bacon burger that bears his fellow actor brother (and ex-New Kids on the Block member) Donnie's tick of approval. There are 13 burg options to choose from in total, with two types of chicken schnitzel burger, a crispy fish option, and a truffle burger — which pairs a beef patty with truffle aioli — also available. Or, you can opt for salads, sides that span everything from French fries and sweet potato fries to onion rings and bacon mac 'n' cheese, and loaded versions of your favourite fries and potato gems. There's also a breakfast menu, complete with avocado on toast, granola, pancake stacks, breakfast burgers and French toast sticks. And, for dessert, get ready for fried dough — yes, that's what the menu says. Drinks-wise, alongside Sunkist, there's also other soft drinks, coffees, shakes and spiders in both boozy and booze-free varieties, 17 types of cocktails, a small wine list, and beers that include Wahlbrewskis, the chain's signature beer.
Restrictions and lockdowns have meant many Melbourne art galleries have spent more time closed than open in 2020. But it seems the culture gods have smiled down and cut us a little slack when it comes to one of the biggest, most anticipated art events to hit the city in three years. The NGV Triennial is set to return for its blockbuster second iteration this summer, taking over NGV International from Saturday, December 19. Breaking Melbourne's art drought with a free large-scale exhibition of international contemporary art, design and architecture, it'll showcase 86 projects by more than 100 artists, designers and collectives. Held every three years, the Triennial made its huge debut in 2017, pulling a hefty 1.23 million visitors and remaining the NGV's most visited exhibition even today. Triennial 2020 looks set to follow suit, as artists from over 30 different countries share a diverse spread of works reflecting on a truly unique time in our world's history. Here, they're diving deep into the themes of illumination, reflection, conservation and speculation. Expect to see US artist Jeff Koons pay homage to the goddess of love Venus with a towering mirror-finished sculptural piece, while renowned interior designer Faye Toogood reimagines a series of gallery spaces with commissioned furniture, tapestries, lighting, sculpture and scenography. She'll nod to the NGV's 17th- and 18th-century collections, while playing with the concepts of daylight, candlelight and moonlight. [caption id="attachment_785399" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cerith Wyn Evans, The Illuminating Gas at Pirelli HangerBiocca, Milan, 2019. Photo by Agostino Osio.[/caption] Turkey's Refik Anadol has put together a video work, capturing digitised memories of nature with help from artificial intelligence and machine learning. Meanwhile, a showcase by Yolngu woman Dhambit Mununggurr is replete with her trademark blue hues, including a set of 15 large-scale bark paintings. Lauded Japanese architect Kengo Kuma joins forces with Melbourne-based artist Geoffrey Nees, using timber from trees that died during the Millennium Drought at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens to construct a pavilion. The structure will then feature as part of a multi-sensory walkway delivering audiences to a new piece by South Korean artist Lee Ufan. British artist Alice Potts uses flowers and food waste to create a set of bioplastic face masks, Spanish-born designer and architect Patricia Urquiola crafts giant-sized socks from upcycled textile furnishings, and South Africa's Porky Hefer sheds some light on ocean pollution with his large-scale dystopian under-the-sea scenes. If ever there was an exhibition worthy of your post-lockdown gallery-hopping debut, it's this. The NGV Triennial 2020 will be on show at NGV International from Saturday, December 19 until Sunday, April 18, 2021. For more info and to see the full program, visit the NGV website. Top images: 1. Kengo Kuma & Associates, Tokyo and Paris, Kengo Kuma and Geoff Nees. Botanical pavilion 2020 (render), commissioned by the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. Purchased with funds donated by Connie Kimberley OAM. Copyright and courtesy of the artists. 2. Refik Anadol, render of Quantum memories 2020, commissioned by the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. Purchased with funds donated by Loti & Victor Smorgon Fund and Barry Janes and Paul Cross 2020.
This Sunday night in Los Angeles, Hollywood's top tier will come together, pat each other on the back, and go home with little gold men and $150,000 gift baskets. That’s right, the Oscars are finally upon us, set to launch their 87th ceremony on Sunday, February 22 at the Dolby Theatre (or Monday, February 23 for us). Get ready for red carpet specials, awkward presenter gaffes and all the bitter celebrity reaction shots your heart could possibly desire. This year, we’ll be rooting for underdogs like Whiplash and Wes Anderson, while keeping our fingers crossed that American Sniper wins absolutely nothing at all. We’ll also be partaking in our annual Oscars drinking game, ensuring that when our favourite film inevitably gets snubbed for Best Picture, we won’t actually remember it happened. Here are our predictions for who’ll take home the gold, as well as our own winner picks — who really should win. BEST PICTURE This year’s main list featured eight nominees, because apparently they just couldn’t get to ten. In reality, it just comes down to two: Richard Linklater’s 12-year indie epic Boyhood and Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu’s one-take showbiz satire Birdman. Both films are formally ambitious and have won their fair share of industry gongs already. We’re leaning towards Birdman based on subject matter — two of the past three Best Picture winners (The Artist and Argo) have been about the film business, so why buck the trend now? WHAT WILL WIN: Birdman WHAT WE'D LIKE TO WIN: The Grand Budapest Hotel BEST DIRECTOR Take what we wrote about the Best Picture contest and copy-paste it here. This comes down to two very different directing styles, both of which push technical boundaries in a way we rarely get to see. Again, we’re giving Innaritu a slight edge, although don’t be surprised if there’s a split between Picture and Director. WHO WILL WIN: Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu, Birdman WHO WE'D LIKE TO WIN: Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel BEST ACTRESS Of all the awards, this one’s probably the easiest to pick. It’s been quite a good year for female performances, and we’re particularly fond of Rosamund Pike in Gone Girl and Marion Cotillard in Two Days, One Night. That being said, Julianne Moore looks to have it all locked up, for her brilliant performance as an Alzheimer’s patient in indie drama Still Alice. WHO WILL WIN: Julianne Moore, Still Alice WHO WE'D LIKE TO WIN: Marion Cotillard, Two Days, One Night BEST ACTOR While the Best Actress race appears to have already been run, the men’s competition is still wide open. Birdman’s Michael Keaton appeared to be an early favourite, but has been losing steam to Eddie Redmayne as Steven Hawking in The Theory of Everything. Then there’s the matter of Bradley Cooper in controversial dark horse American Sniper. In the end, we suspect it’ll go to Redmayne. The Academy loves inspiring true stories, especially when they involve disability. WHO WILL WIN: Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything WHO WE'D LIKE TO WIN: Michael Keaton, Birdman BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Whether or not Boyhood takes home the top prize, they can take some consolation in Patricia Arquette’s likely win for Best Supporting Actress. This category is a relatively weak one, particularly when you take away the obligatory Meryl Streep nomination — although admittedly she’s one of the few good things about Into the Woods. WHO WILL WIN: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood WHO WE'D LIKE TO WIN: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR This is another easy pick, and one that’s hard to argue with. 60-year-old J.K. Simmons has been a jobbing character actor for decades, popping up everywhere from Spiderman to Juno to HBO’s Oz. It’s always great when someone like Simmons gets the mainstream attention they deserve. His performance as a dictatorial jazz conductor in Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash is undoubtedly one of the best performances of the year. WHO WILL WIN: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash WHO WE'D LIKE TO WIN: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Birdman and Boyhood will both make a decent showing here, but we’re predicting this is the category where Wes Anderson gets some well deserved love. The American indie darling has previously scored writing nominations for The Royal Tenenbaums and Moonrise Kingdom, and seems like a decent chance to finally take home a win with The Grand Budapest Hotel. Note that if either Birdman or Boyhood do manage to nab it, it’ll bode very well for their chances later in the night. WHAT WILL WIN: The Grand Budapest Hotel WHAT WE'D LIKE TO WIN: The Grand Budapest Hotel BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Maybe the hardest of the major categories to pick, the only certainly is that Paul Thomas Anderson’s baffling stoner detective film Inherent Vice has zero chance of winning (even though it’s awesome). Whiplash ended up in this category because it’s technically based on a short film by the same director, and it may have a slight edge over other nominees The Imitation Game, The Theory of Everything and American Sniper. When it doubt, we say give it to the indie movie. WHAT WILL WIN: Whiplash WHAT WE'D LIKE TO WIN: Inherent Vice or Whiplash. Watch the 87th Academy Awards this Monday, February 23. The live broadcast itself begins at 12.30pm and will be replayed in primetime at 8.30pm on GEM.
Our Flag Means Death might be no more, after the pirate rom-com was cancelled after two seasons, but getting giggling at Rhys Darby is still on the agenda. The New Zealand comedian has hardly been away from the screen for more than 15 years, ever since Flight of the Conchords became one of HBO's best-ever sitcoms, so he's been inspiring laughs for years. For the first time in nearly a decade, however, he's returning to the stand-up stage — and he's just locked in an Australian tour. At the beginning of each year, Aussies enjoy a chuckle when comedy festival season sweeps the nation's east coast. Darby is on the Brisbane Comedy Festival and Sydney Comedy Festival lineups, and will also play Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Hobart and Newcastle. In fact, he's making nine stops around the country throughout April 2025. [caption id="attachment_915747" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Our Flag Means Death, Nicola Dove[/caption] "I'm so excited to return to the stage, a bit older, a bit wiser but mostly a bit sillier than ever before!" said Darby, announcing the tour, which kicks off from Tuesday, April 8–Sunday, April 13 at Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre and ends on Wednesday, April 30 at the Princess Theatre in Brisbane. Fans can expect gags about AI, robots, dads wearing tight jeans and more — and the mix of absurdity and insights that have always marked Darby's brand of comedy. [caption id="attachment_980410" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gage Skidmore via Flickr[/caption] Between calling band meetings on Flight of the Conchords and finding love while swashbuckling on Our Flag Means Death, his career has spanned everything from The X-Files, A Series of Unfortunate Events and Wellington Paranormal to Sweet Tooth, SpongeBob SquarePants and Monsters at Work on the small screen. On the big screen, Darby has also been a frequent presence, thanks to The Boat That Rocked, What We Do in the Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Jumanji: The Next Level, Uproar, Next Goal Wins and plenty more. Rhys Darby The Legend Returns 2025 Tour Dates Tuesday, April 8–Sunday, April 13 — Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne Tuesday, April 15 — Norwood Concert Hall, Adelaide Thursday, April 17 — Odeon Theatre, Hobart Saturday, April 19 — Canberra Theatre, Canberra Tuesday, April 22 — Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle Wednesday, April 23 — Anita's Theatre, Thirroul Thursday, April 24 — Enmore Theatre, Sydney Sunday, April 27 — Regal Theatre, Perth Wednesday, April 30 — Princess Theatre, Brisbane Rhys Darby is touring Australia in April 2025, with pre-sale tickets from 10am on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 and general tickets on sale from 10am on Friday, November 22, 2024. Head to the tour website for more details.
Forget Instagram — when it comes to peering at famous faces, portrait galleries have been serving up the goods since long before social media ever existed. Think of a well-known name not just in recent times, but going back decades, centuries and longer, and it's likely that someone somewhere once painted their likeness. The Beatles, David Bowie, Charles Dickens, the Brontë sisters, Nelson Mandela and Malala Yousafzai: they've all been given the portrait treatment, and the results — or one painting bearing their faces, at least — are now on display at Shakespeare to Winehouse: Icons from the National Portrait Gallery, London. Showing at Canberra's National Portrait Gallery, this is the type of exhibition that arises when one portrait gallery teams up with another; think of it as the Inception of portrait showcases. There's a heavy British skew, naturally, covering people who have shaped UK history, identity and culture over the past 500 years. Accordingly, other famous folks gracing the NPG's walls include both Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Elizabeth II, Kate Moss, Mick Jagger and Princess Diana, as well as Lord Nelson, Sir Isaac Newton and Ed Sheeran, Darcey Bussell. As mentioned in the exhibition's name, both the Bard and Amy Winehouse obviously also feature, in an exhibition that's sorted by theme rather than year. And, by grouping portraits around fame, power, love and loss, identity, innovation and self, Shakespeare to Winehouse: Icons from the National Portrait Gallery, London also examines how portraiture has evolved over the years — all across a season that runs from Saturday, March 12–Sunday, July 17.
"Nic fuckiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing Cage." That's how the man himself utters his name in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, and he knows what he's about. Now four decades into his acting career to the year — after making his film debut in Fast Times at Ridgemont High under his actual name Nicolas Coppola, playing a bit-part character who didn't even get a moniker — Cage is keenly aware of exactly what he's done on-screen over that time, and in what, and why and how. He also knows how the world has responded, with that recognition baked into every second of his his latest movie. He plays himself, dubbed Nick Cage. He cycles through action-hero Cage, comically OTT Cage, floppy-haired 80s- and 90s-era Cage, besuited Cage, neurotic Cage and more in the process. And, as he winks, nods, and bobs and weaves through a lifetime of all things Cage, he's a Cage-tastic delight to watch. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is Cage uncaged, busting out the jazz that is his acting and adoring it, and it's a self-aware, super-meta love letter to its star and all who stan him. It's also a feature that couldn't exist without the thespian who has everything from Guarding Tess and Captain Corelli's Mandolin to The Croods and Pig on his resume; replacing him simply wouldn't work. Again, it's a Cage gem in letting Cage devotees revel in Cage doing every kind of Cage. That said, this Cage comedy is also so overtly designed to inspire Cage mania that it's easy to feel the buttons being pushed. It's the Cage movie that the internet has willed into existence, or film Twitter at least. Case in point: it has Cage realise that Paddington 2 is one of the best movies ever made. It is, but given how well-accepted that is, and how much online attention has stressed that fact — including its once-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score — weaving it into this Cagefest is one of the film's many exercises in stating the obvious. There is narrative around all that "Nic fuckiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing Cage" and his marmalade bear-loving epiphany. Here, the man who could eat a peach for days in Face/Off would do anything for as long as he needed to if he could lock in a weighty new part. The fictionalised Cage isn't happy with his roles of late, as he complains to his agent (Neil Patrick Harris, The Matrix Resurrections), but directors aren't buying what he's enthusiastically selling. He has debts and other art-parodies-life problems, though, plus an ex-wife (Sharon Horgan, This Way Up) and a teen daughter (Lily Sheen, IRL daughter of Kate Beckinsale and Michael Sheen). So, he reluctantly takes a $1-million gig he wishes he didn't have to: flying to southern Spain to hang out with billionaire Javi Gutierrez (Pedro Pascal, The Bubble), who is such a Cage diehard that he even has his own mini museum filled with Cage memorabilia, and has also written a screenplay he wants Cage to star in. Yes, writer/director Tom Gormican (Are We Officially Dating?) and co-scribe Kevin Etten (Kevin Can F**K Himself) task the always-likeable Pascal with playing The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent's on-screen audience surrogate. If you're watching a movie with Cage as Cage — one that begins with a clip from Con Air at that — then you'd likely jump at the chance to spend time with the inimitable figure. Who wouldn't? But that's just one element of the story, because two CIA agents (The Afterparty's Tiffany Haddish and Ike Barinholtz) inform Cage that his new pal is an arms dealer who's keeping a politician's daughter hostage to sway an election. And, they want him to indulge his host — undercover as himself, naturally — until they find the girl. The next key aspect of the tale: during this ruse, Cage and Javi genuinely become CBFFs (Cage best friends forever), including while working on a screenplay about new buddies who bond in chaotic circumstances. If The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent could only be described by referencing a different Nicolas Cage movie — and just one, despite how many references it throws at the screen like it's a Vampire's Kiss-style Cage cavorting in the street — it'd be Honeymoon in Vegas. The 1992 rom-com boasts an ever-watchable Cage performance as most of his work does, but it formulaically flirts with rather than matches his level. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent wants of be plenty of other Cage flicks, though, giddily and entertainingly so; however, the film itself can't meet his most memorable fare. In a Moonstruck-esque move, it's as enamoured with its leading man as he is with Cher in that 35-year-old gem. It plays its core bromance with Wild at Heart-level passion, and covets The Rock-style action mayhem. Cage is unforgettable as Cage here in a dream part for him and viewers alike, but striving for Raising Arizona's madcap antics, Adaptation's multi-Cage movie-industry metaness, Color Out of Space's full out-there Cage and everything in-between is a big ask. How glorious it is that this is the end result, though: a movie that's so unashamedly Cage, more than anything else has every actively tried to be, and yet also isn't quite Cage enough. It's still engaging and amusing enough, but it's noticeably broad and easy with its jokes, and too content to coast by on the nonstop, blatant-as-can-be Cageness of it all. Again and again, that made-for-the-internet feeling twinges, as if Gormican has fashioned a meme of a movie stitched together with gleefully retweeted and reposted Cage clips in mind. While The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent isn't an ego-stroking vanity project — a hefty achievement — or filled with anything but pure Cage dedication, it's the film equivalent of getting a casual line reading from its main man when you know what wild wonders only he's capable of. Indeed, as enjoyable as all this Cage-as-Cage-satirising-Cage is (Cage cubed, basically), the film is also workmanlike beyond the committed Cage and Pascal — both of whom light up the frame with off-kilter portrayals, make their characters' camaraderie feel authentic, and would shine together in a buddy comedy that isn't 100-percent Cage worship. There's fun and oh-so-much nostalgia for the Leaving Las Vegas Oscar-winner's career highs, lows and everything else, but there's also laid-on-thick cheese and little depth. While riffing on its central figure is the aim of the game, it's light when it comes to incisively skewering Hollywood, how it treats talents as distinctive (and massive) as Cage, and why his fame has taken the rollercoaster ride it has. But this sunnily shot, bouncily paced, well-intentioned affair definitely does the two things it needs to above all else: goes all-in on Cage, albeit not to a Mandy-esque degree, and makes everyone only want to watch Cage's work from now on.
"Crocodile, kangaroo, ants and unicorns. No meat is safe." Their words, not ours. Head along to this quirky beer degustation dinner as Pig ‘N’ Whistle, Stone & Wood and Fortitude Brewing Co join forces to match street-style food with brews. Dive into six courses and put your tastebuds to the test as they have to guess the protein used. PS Unicorn tastes like rainbows.
For a couple of months between mid-May and early August, around Melbourne's multiple lockdowns, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image became one of the happiest places in Australia. Hosting a huge Disney exhibition will do that, with the venue unleashing Disney: The Magic of Animation — complete with more than 500 original artworks, including paintings, sketches, drawings and concept art from the Mouse House's beloved catalogue of movies. In great news for Melburnians, and for Australians still keen to immerse themselves in a big dose of animated magic, Disney: The Magic of Animation will reopen again on Saturday, October 30. In even better news, it's hanging around for an extended season, and will now run until Sunday, January 23. So, whether you've always been a fan of Mickey Mouse, you can remember how it felt when you first watched Bambi, you're able to sing all of Genie's lyrics in Aladdin or you fell head over heels for Moana more recently, you'll find plenty worth looking at among ACMI's halls and walls. And in its doors, too, actually — because walking beneath mouse ear-shaped openings to move from one area to the next is all part of the experience. Of course it is. Disney: The Magic of Animation also explores everything from 1928's Steamboat Willie — the first talkie to feature Mickey Mouse — through to this year's Raya and the Last Dragon. Obviously, a wealth of other titles get the nod between those two bookending flicks. Fantasia, Alice in Wonderland, Lady and the Tramp, The Jungle Book and The Lion King also feature, as do Mulan, Frozen, Big Hero 6 and Zootopia. And yes, many of these movies have been remade in live-action or photo-realistic CGI; however, ACMI's showcase is only about the animated films. The big drawcard: art from the Mouse House's hefty back catalogue of titles, and heaps of it. The entire lineup has been specially selected by the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, and will let you get a glimpse at just how the movie magic comes to life, how some of Disney's famous stories were developed, and which animation techniques brought them to the big screen. Get ready to peer at hand-drawn dalmatians (which is timely, given that Cruella released this year), stare closely at Mickey Mouse's evolution, examine Wreck-It Ralph models and pose next to Snow White. Wall-sized artworks pay tribute to a number of movies, too — The Little Mermaid piece is particularly eye-catching — and feeling like you're stepping into a Disney movie is an unsurprising side effect. The extended season will also feature screenings, including sing-along sessions of The Little Mermaid, Moana, Frozen and Frozen 2 — plus a viewing of Disney's upcoming release Encanto. Disney: The Magic of Animation is actually ACMI's first big exhibition since it originally reopened back in February this year following its $40 million transformation. It's also an Aussie exclusive, so you won't be able to be its guest or ponder its tales as old as time anywhere else. Given that Melbourne just came out of lockdown mere days ago, these kind of announcements are popping up with frequency at the moment, after Patricia Piccinini's latest exhibition just extended its run — and Moulin Rouge! The Musical locked in its delayed dates as well. So, Melburnians and Melbourne visitors alike, you're about to have quite jam-packed calendar. Disney: The Magic of Animation will reopen on Saturday, October 30 at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Melbourne — and will now display until Sunday, January 23. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the ACMI website. Images: Phoebe Powell.
Forget tats, magicians, superheroes and spinning tops. From Memento to The Prestige to his Batman trilogy, all have served director Christopher Nolan well. But in his latest film, nothing more than the sound and fury of war, and the anguish plastered across soldiers' faces, is needed to get his message across. If Inception famously gave audiences dreams within dreams, then Dunkirk delivers nightmares within nightmares — with the added tension of knowing that, for the first time in Nolan's career, the events seen on screen were inspired by reality. And yet, there's a difference between bleak and dispiriting in Nolan's take on the mass military evacuation of northern France during the Second World War. It was code-named Operation Dynamo, but became better known as the Miracle of Dunkirk — and indeed, those two names serve as a rather handy guide to this movie's approach. Demonstrating a mastery of sound and vision, Dunkirk is devastatingly dynamic in its depiction of troops endeavoring to survive the carnage of combat, but remains a thoughtful portrait of human resilience and camaraderie as well. Real life proves soothing as well as scary, as Nolan balances tenacity with terror, fortitude with fear, and bravery with brutality. For those in need of a history refresher, Dunkirk details the attempts to rescue more than 400,000 men stranded on the titular beach in May 1940. German forces had fenced them in by land, while planes attacked by air, often blowing away navy ships trying to take the British back to safety across the English channel. Nolan flits between the three perspectives, spending a week on the ground, a day in the ocean and an hour flying above. Young privates (played by the likes of Fionn Whitehead and Harry Styles) try to stay alive on the shore; a civilian boat captained by Dawson (Mark Rylance) and his son Peter (Tom Glynn-Carney) heads into the fray to help bring soldiers home; and two Spitfire pilots (Tom Hardy and Jack Lowden) patrol the skies to ward off further bombings. As jam-packed as it may seem, the description above doesn't even scratch the surface of the film's complexities. Being told how Dunkirk's narrative explores the events in question is nothing compared to seeing and hearing Nolan's work in action. Shooting on IMAX and 65mm film, cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema makes the furrowed brows and piercing eyes of the movie's many men as much of a spectacle as swooping aircraft, capsized boats and lines upon lines of troops crowding the coastline. Favouring ticking clocks as much as droning instruments, composer Hans Zimmer unleashes a symphony of suspense that's as effective in its loudest moments as it is when it crashes into silence. This is chair-shaking, nerve-shredding, eye-popping cinema with a capital C. At the same time, Nolan tempers his film's epic scale with moments of intimacy and introspection. While those two extremes sound mutually exclusive, simultaneously conveying both the broad scope and the personal impact of war is what makes Dunkirk so immersive, and so compelling. Unrelenting from start to finish, there's never a moment that's easy to watch, but there's never one devoid of hope either. This is an astonishing feat of storytelling, aesthetics and emotion, one from which you will not be able to look away. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ9J1FgA0A8
Unlike the often slow-moving Skybus, plans for Melbourne's long-awaited airport rail link seem to be speeding ahead. Last year, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced that construction would start within ten years; however that timeline has been updated. Work is now set to get underway within the next four years if the state's current Labor government is re-elected. As revealed today by the Premier, 2022 is the new commencement date for the rail link — and the service also now has a proposed route. The government's preferred plan is to connect the CBD to Tullamarine via an expanded transport hub at Sunshine station, as well as using the existing Albion East rail reserve plus sections of tunnel to connect from there to the airport. Facilitating links to regional and metro train lines including the Melbourne Metro, it's known as the Sunshine alignment, and it's the frontrunner among the four routes under consideration. https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1020813444327485440?s=19 The news comes as part of a broader funding announcement, with the government set to pledge $5 billion to the project. That sum matches the amount committed by the Federal Government back in April, with a total cost of up to $13 billion anticipated. The rest of the funds will be raised from private sector contributions. "This project has been talked about for too long, it's time to get on and build it and that's exactly what we'll do," said Premier Andrews in a statement. The proposed rail line is expected to help ease congestion, speed up travel times and create a stack of new jobs in the process — and finally give Melbourne a services that plenty of other state capitals already have, with Sydney and Brisbane's airport rail links long-established, and Perth currently in the process of building its own. Melbourne's airport rail link will commence construction as the state's other major train infrastructure project nears completion, with the $11 billion Melbourne Metro slated to be up and running through stations in Parkville, North Melbourne, CBD North, CBD South and the Domain by 2025. Image: Global Panorama via Flickr.
One of Brisbane’s best breakfasts can be found at an unassuming café on Samford Road in Gaythorne. Grub Street operates in a small space but packs a flavourful punch. The menu was conceived with the idea of giving suburban breakfasters options other than ‘cookie cutter franchise coffees and golden arches’, and in this respect it succeeds mightily. Innovative flavour combinations will delight the most committed of food snobs. Bacon and eggs barely make an appearance, and the best part is, you won’t miss them at all. Crispy pumpkin and haloumi fritters with spinach, dukkah, tzatziki and grilled chorizo makes for a tasty yet light brunch, while the carrot pancakes with grilled haloumi, spinach and beetroot relish are a delicious vegetarian option. For those who can’t envision brunch without eggs, the green eggs and ham (pesto scrambled eggs with ham off the bone and toast) or the bacon and egg burger will satisfy. The menu changes with seasonal availabilities, but you’re guaranteed a great meal no matter when you pay Grub Street a visit. Seating is available in the outside courtyard of the café, but to beat the heat and traffic noise, take a seat in the air conditioning inside. From there, you can watch the kitchen pumping out the amazing brunch and lunch dishes, or browse the selection of home made relishes and chutneys for sale.
April Fools Day. It's been a week now and still there are stories circulating the internet which are, in actual fact, hoaxes and jokeses. Have the amazing leaps forward in technology of late turned us all into gullible fools? Personally, I think it's nice there are so many people out there who still believe that almost anything is possible. Here's Concrete Playground's top 3 picks of "technological innovation" suspiciously released on April 1: The Typescreen Oh, but the author in me wishes this was true! It's a typewriting mechanism that integrates with Apple's iPad and it's ever so trendy. Perfect for those who live for the clacking of keys when composing prose. But it's easy to see through it all when you read the fine print of the press release: "Every generation creates a few items that change the way we live forever and help us reinterpret who we are as a society. We are proud of the new Spinning Hat Typescreen™ and are excited to watch its trajectory towards greatness. You're welcome world!" Digital Film Cartridge for Analog Cameras If you're a lover of Leica but craving to go digital, these fake film canisters released by design company Rogge & Pott could be the solution. Purporting to incorporate a pull-out sensor that records images in the cartridge's built-in memory, it connects to your computer via USB to allow for image transfer and charging. The site where you'll find all the details now features an April Fools disclaimer. Turns out heaps of peeps believed the gimmick and are now disappointed that the product doesn't actually exist. The company did discover, however, that with such a widespread interest in the product it might be worth researching the possibility of actually developing it. Henny Rogge says "...there is a gigantic community of photographers with analog equipment out there that is desperately waiting for a product like this to come along." https://youtube.com/watch?v=Bu927_ul_X0 Gmail Motion Try to keep a straight face when watching the model demonstrate gmailing by body movements. In Gmail Motion, the equivalent of pressing "Send" is to make a movement inspired by licking a stamp and whacking it on your knee. It claims easy to learn, simple and intuitive gestures. Plus the opinions of seemingly knowledgeable persons are added into the video for good measure. Amazingly, though, development of technology similar to Gmail Motion is underway at the University of Southern California. Using some of the gestures suggested by Gmail Motion, one of the students demonstrates how it works. In my mind, April Fools Day isn't just for a bit of a laugh. Like science fiction, it inspires inventors to get cracking on the next big thing, which could very well "reinterpret who we are as a society."
One of 2023's new small-screen hits was a book first — and if you're keen to hear more about Lessons in Chemistry, author Bonnie Garmus is coming to Australia to chat about it. She's one of the headliners at 2024's Sydney Writers' Festival, which has unveiled a characteristically jam-packed lineup. Garmus is one of 35 international guests, too, and among nearly 300 speakers on a program that features 223 free and ticketed events. Harbour City literary fans, rejoice. If your favourite way to spend your time is leafing through pages, this is an annual highlight on your calendar anyway regardless of the lineup — but 2024's SWF has plenty to get excited about. Book obsessives elsewhere, this fest is also still for you, because it's streaming some of its events live across four of its seven days. [caption id="attachment_944967" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Serena Bolton[/caption] The fest will run in-person from Monday, May 20–Sunday, May 26, with sessions at Carriageworks livestreamed between Thursday–Sunday. Whichever best suits you, you can check out playwright Suzie Miller chatting about her hit play Prima Facie, Nobel Prize-winner Abdulrazak Gurnah discussing Afterlives, Washington-based The Guardian World Affairs Editor Julian Borger stepping into his father's past and the Holocaust, and The Roots of Chaos' Samantha Shannon chatting fantasy. The livestreamed talks also include Celeste Ng on Little Fires Everywhere follow-up Our Missing Hearts, journalist Alisa Sopova and photographer Anastasia Taylor-Lind diving into their 5km From the Frontline project in Ukraine, a celebration of women in sport, and the closing address on the future of misogyny by philosopher Kate Manne. Also, Pulitzer Prize–winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen — whose book The Sympathizer has been turned into a TV series, too, and arrives in 2024 — will dig into his memoir A Man of Two Faces. [caption id="attachment_944970" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kieran Kesner[/caption] Folks heading along physically have a whole heap more to look forward to. Prophet Song's 2023 Booker Prize-winner Paul Lynch, Tom Lake's Ann Patchett, Resurrection Walk author and all-round crime-fiction bigwig Michael Connelly, The Bee Sting's Paul Murray and Old God's Time's Sebastian Barry are also on the bill, as is Nobel Prize-winning scientist and A Crack in Creation: The New Power to Control Evolution scribe Jennifer Doudna. Add in American National Poetry Slam Champion Elizabeth Acevedo, who has penned novel Family Lore; Jake Adelstein, whose Tokyo Noir is about Japan's underworld; translator Jennifer Croft, with her novel The Extinction of Irena Ray also about translators; and Lullaby and Watch Us Dance's Leïla Slimani — and the list still goes on. [caption id="attachment_944968" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Henry Nicholls[/caption] Among the Australian talents, Boy Swallows Universe fans will want to check out sessions with both author Trent Dalton and actor Bryan Brown — the first talking about his latest book Lola in the Mirror; the second about his own tome The Drowning, as interviewed by fellow actor Sam Neill (The Twelve), in a reversal of a similar chat in 2023. And The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart devotees should be keen to hear from Holly Ringland, who has The House That Joy Built to discuss. Safe Haven's Shankari Chandran, Edenglassie's Melissa Lucashenko and Wifedom's Anna Funder, all Miles Franklin-winners, will also take to the stage. So will Julia Baird about Bright Shining and Booker Prize winner Richard Flanagan to chat Question 7. [caption id="attachment_944976" align="alignnone" width="1920"] David Kelly[/caption] For fireside First Nations storytelling, exploring Blak criticism and more, six Indigenous-focused events also join the lineup thanks to two guest curators: Wiradjuri Nation poet and artist Jazz Money, plus Gomeroi writer Amy Thunig. Free sessions are always a significant part of the program, too, with 2024's festival including more than 70. And, also in the same category, the spread of venues is hefty — including Carriageworks, Town Hall, City Recital Hall, State Library of New South Wales and suburban libraries across Sydney. [caption id="attachment_944977" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sarah Hadley[/caption] [caption id="attachment_944971" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption] [caption id="attachment_944973" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kat Westerman[/caption] Sydney Writers' Festival runs at various venues across Sydney, and streams online, from Monday, May 20–Sunday, May 26. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Saturday, March 9 via the festival's website. Sydney Writers' Festival images: Jacquie Manning.
Ever since cartography was first used in Ancient Babylonia in 2300BC, humans have relied on cartography to navigate, utilise, conceptualise and define geographical space. Modern digital technology allows us to produce and manipulate visual representations of geography in astounding ways, no longer limited to just geography. Benjamin Hennig at the University of Sheffield has created a series of innovative cartograms which illustrate new ways of seeing the planet, transforming our preconceptions of space and human impact. The population distribution of the globe, with the more densely populated areas such as Central Asia appearing much larger in comparison to the insignificant size of Australia. The world's major nuclear forces. The world's poorest health systems. The world's biodiversity hotspots. Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) and Cluster Submunition Casualties in 2010. Immigration to countries around the world (which really puts the debate in Australia into perspective).
This article is sponsored by our partner lastminute.com.au. You've seen the big ball drop in Times Square on the telly every New Year's Eve. Cue the snow, earmuffs and shots of rosy-nosed couples pashing as the clock strikes midnight, a stark contrast to our summery celebrations. If you and your mate/significant other have ever dreamt of experiencing NYE in NYC style but can't seem to scrape up enough cash to make it a reality, this could be your chance. lastminute.com.au is giving away an awesome prize package to two lucky people for an adventure in the Concrete Jungle this December. The package includes two return tickets to New York City, four nights' accommodation in midtown Manhattan's Affinia 50 hotel, two tickets to an NYE celebration in Times Square, and an elite styling session and $1000 wardrobe, courtesy of THE ICONIC. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to us. So enter now to win NYE in NYC and share the hell out of it on Facebook, Twitter or Google+, because every friend referral earns you another entry to boost your chances of winning. Now is the time to be that annoying friend who is incessantly posting about competitions. https://youtube.com/watch?v=rxO05nQXFY8
Twist the bones and bend the back, the Hocus Pocus franchise is returning for another horror-comedy attack — again. In 2022, the Sanderson sisters made their long-awaited comeback in a 29-years-later sequel to 1993's beloved witch flick Hocus Pocus, and Disney isn't done casting that spell. No, no one needed any magic to pick that Hocus Pocus 2 would be a Disney+ hit. And no, no crystal balls were necessary to foresee that the Mouse House would keep the series going afterwards. The Hocus Pocus 3 news comes courtesy of an interview by Sean Bailey, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, with The New York Times. There are no other details as yet, however, including when it might arrive, if it'll head straight to streaming again or whether it'll enchant the big screen, what story it'll tell and who'll be in — but Disney is definitely saying "abracadabra" to another Hocus Pocus movie all the same. [caption id="attachment_859412" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson, Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson, and Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson in Disney's live-action HOCUS POCUS 2, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Matt Kennedy. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] Lock up your children, obviously. Fingers crossed that the third feature in the franchise will include more Bette Midler (The Addams Family 2), Sarah Jessica Parker (And Just Like That...) and Kathy Najimy (Music) getting spooky as Winnie, Sarah and Mary Sanderson — and getting unleashed in modern-day Salem again. In the last movie, the magical siblings made a reappearance thanks to 16-year-old Becca (Whitney Peak, Gossip Girl), her best friend Izzy (Belissa Escobedo, Sex Appeal) and magic shop owner Gilbert (Sam Richardson, The Afterparty), and the expected hijinks ensued. Obviously, a black flame candle was lit, resurrecting the 17th-century sisters in the movie's world. And just as unsurprisingly, the Sandersons attempted to recommence their child-eating ways. Hocus Pocus 2 also featured Ted Lasso's Hannah Waddingham, plus Doug Jones (The Shape of Water), Lilia Buckingham (Dirt), Froyan Gutierrez (Teen Wolf) and Tony Hale (Veep). While the original film was directed by Kenny Ortega — before the filmmaker gave the world the High School Musical movies — the sequel had Dumplin', Hot Pursuit and The Proposal's Anne Fletcher behind the lens. There's obviously no sneak peek at Hocus Pocus 3 yet, but you can check out the trailers for Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2 below: Hocus Pocus 3 doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when one is announced. Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2 are to stream via Disney+. Images: Matt Kennedy. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
When your friends start talking furiously about how The Wire is the best TV show ever made, do you go quiet, trying not to let them know that you haven't watched it? The moment that the final season of Game of Thrones ended, did you instantly feel the urge to start all over again, because you just weren't ready to say goodbye yet? Whether there's a big gap in your pop culture knowledge or you're eager to revisit one of your favourite shows, that's where binging comes in. Serious binging — not just sitting on the couch and watching whatever your streaming platform of choice's algorithm happens to suggest. Serious binging involves committing time and effort to a show, working your way through it from start to finish and finding yourself obsessed with every last detail. It also means that you become that person who tells all their friends to watch or rewatch something. Yes, we've all been there. Finding time to hop into serious binging mode hasn't really been a problem in recent months, but if you're wondering what to watch next, we're here to help. Australia now has more streaming platforms than ever, and one of them is probably playing a TV series you desperately want to devote a big chunk of time to. Here are ten television standouts that you can currently watch from their very first seconds until they ultimately fade to black. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faRl5Bea-Go THE SOPRANOS The gangster genre has been part of popular culture since cinema's early days, but on TV, nothing is an essential and influential as The Sopranos. If you've watched any mob-related show or movie since 1999, it'll owe as much of a debt to David Chase's New Jersey-set crime drama as it does to the filmography of Martin Scorsese. Across six exquisitely written seasons, James Gandolfini and Edie Falco led the way — with Tony Soprano's work life, leading a local branch of the mob, intertwined with his home life with his wife Carmela and their kids Meadow (Jamie Lynn-Sigler) and AJ (Robert Iller). In fact, when the show starts, all of the above is giving Tony panic attacks, inspiring a visit to psychiatrist Dr Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco). Also featuring everyone from Steve Buscemi and Joe Pantoliano to Janeane Garofalo and Ben Kingsley, The Sopranos was simply the best thing on TV until it wrapped up in 2007. All six seasons of The Sopranos are available to stream via Binge and Foxtel Now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9rKY8MLWTU THE KNICK Over the past few months, almost everyone has rewatched Contagion, with Steven Soderbergh's prophetic outbreak thriller hitting rather close to home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2011 film is just one of the highlights on his busy resume, though — and if you're eager to watch the best thing he's ever made, then hit up medical series The Knick. Set at the turn of the 20th century, it follows the staff of a New York hospital as they endeavour to navigate everyday illnesses without the aid of modern advancements, pioneer experimental (and dangerous) surgical techniques, and try to stop their patients from dying. Also in career-best form is Clive Owen, who plays opium-addicted chief surgeon Dr John Thackery, while Moonlight's Andre Holland is similarly excellent as his new assistant chief surgeon. And, because that's the way he approaches most things he works on, Soderbergh directed, shot and edited every tense and thrilling episode. All of The Knick's two-season run is available to stream via Binge and Foxtel Now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIhUsfhXBJM GREAT NEWS You've seen 30 Rock, the brilliantly funny Tina Fey-created sitcom set within the TV industry. But if you haven't watched Great News, which she executive produced, then you're missing out on one of the other ace television-focused comedies of the past decade. This time around, it all takes place within a TV news program. Katie Wendelson (Briga Heelan) works on The Breakdown as a segment producer, but she wishes her boss Greg (Adam Campbell) would let her handle the show's top stories. There's plenty of workplace hijinks stemming from that premise alone, as well as from the overinflated ego of newsman and host Chuck Pierce (John Michael Higgins), and the celebrity antics of his co-anchor Portia Scott-Griffith (Nicole Richie). Complicating matters, though, is the arrival of Katie's overprotective mother Carol (Andrea Martin) as the show's new intern — and the results are equally smart and silly, as well as highly topical. All of Great News' two-season run is available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNHsA4WIFvc TWIN PEAKS It's the mind-bending small-town mystery-drama that comes with its own menu — and with plenty of thrills, laughs and weirdness. Whether you're watching Twin Peaks for the first or 31st time, you'll want to do so with plenty of damn fine coffee, fresh-made cherry pie and cinnamon-covered doughnuts to fuel your journey to this place most wonderful and strange. And, of course, David Lynch and Mark Frost's seminal TV series doesn't just serve up 90s-era oddness centred around the tragic murder of popular high-schooler Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee), but returned for a mesmerising third season back in 2017 as well. There's simply never been anything on television like Twin Peaks, because no one can make movies and TV shows like Lynch. No one can play a kind and quirky FBI boss like Lynch either, or a dedicated agent like Kyle MacLachlan as Dale Cooper. All three seasons of Twin Peaks are available to stream via Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUeOCo0HeJo THE WIRE There are many things that are phenomenal about The Wire, from the complexity that seethes through every episode and season, to the fantastic cast centred around Dominic West, Wendell Pierce, Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn, Michael K Williams and Andre Royo. It's the show that helped make stars out of Idris Elba and a very young Michael B Jordan, and it's absolutely unflinching in its exploration of law and order — and cops versus crime — in Baltimore. That said, as based loosely on the experiences of former homicide detective Ed Burns, and created and primarily written by ex-police reporter David Simon, the best thing about The Wire is how far and wide it ranges in exploring the Maryland city's relationship to law enforcement across its five seasons. Drugs, ports, the government, the school system and the media all fall into the series' remit, contributing to a show that feels as urgent now as when it first aired between 2002–08. All five seasons of The Wire are available to stream via Binge and Foxtel Now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1v_q6TWAL4 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Back in 1992, big-screen horror-comedy Buffy the Vampire Slayer introduced the world to a plucky California cheerleader who just happened to be fated to slay the undead. That's not the version of Buffy that everyone adores, obsesses over and has watched and rewatched for decades, however, with that honour belonging to Sarah Michelle Gellar in Joss Whedon's 1997–2003 TV series. And, from the show's witty sense of humour to its willingness to put its viewers through the emotional wringer, it's easy to see why television's Buffy the Vampire Slayer is the Buffy of record. A new slayer might be born into every generation, as the series taught us, but only one will always have our hearts — while grappling with trying to be a normal person, killing vamps and sometimes even falling for them, of course. All seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer are available to stream via Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjuXTD0m9Lc ROUND THE TWIST Sometimes, you want to spend your time binging your way through serious dramas or clever comedies. And sometimes, feeling nostalgic by revisiting the local TV show every Aussie kid watched is on the agenda. For two seasons between 1990–93, then another two from 2000–01, Round the Twist adapted Paul Jennings' popular books into an offbeat fantasy series — and, if you were the right age, it was must-see TV. It's the source of plenty of lighthouse obsessions, given that's where the Twist family lived, and it's also a show that knew how to balance humour, strangeness and scares. And yes, the latter two seasons aren't as great, but we're betting they're still baked into your childhood memories anyway. All four seasons of Round the Twist are available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUHlMgJxF30 MAD MEN If The Sopranos was the show that defined the 2000s, and it definitely was, then Mad Men did the same in the 2010s. Matthew Weiner's 60s-set advertising agency drama made a splash from the moment it started in 2007, but Mad Men is the epitome of a slow burn — with the series' charms apparent at the outset, but its full power accumulating and growing over time. That applies to the complicated Don Draper (Jon Hamm), Sterling Cooper's creative director and the show's point of focus, and to everyone in his orbit. Indeed, while Mad Men always tells Don's story, the depth and richness afforded not just fellow major characters such as Roger Sterling (John Slattery), Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) and Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks), but the series' huge range of supporting players, is one of the show's biggest strengths. That, and its meticulous period look, obviously. All seven seasons of Mad Men are available to stream via Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4zBo6El-ok ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS Forget Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, the 2016 film that really isn't funny and definitely didn't need to be made. Completely erase it from your memory, and just focus on the British comedy's five TV seasons and numerous television specials instead. No one plays booze-swilling, trend-chasing, self-obsessed pals like Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley — and on the small screen, at least, their performances as PR agent Edina Monsoon and her magazine fashion editor bestie Patsy Stone are never less than hilarious. There's no scenario too outlandish for this pair, as Eddie's long-suffering mother (June Whitfield), daughter (Julia Sawalha) and assistant (Jane Horrocks) all endure in every episode. And, amidst all the laughs, over-the-top antics and satire, few shows have so astutely explored what it means to be growing older while refusing to let go of your younger years. All five seasons of Absolutely Fabulous are available to stream via Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlR4PJn8b8I GAME OF THRONES Maybe you adored every second of Game of Thrones, including how it ended. Perhaps you'd rather pretend that the last season didn't happen. Or, you could be looking for something to pass the time until George RR Martin finally releases a new book in his A Song of Fire and Ice series — aka the novels that HBO's big fantasy blockbuster is based on. Whichever category you fall into, the eight-season TV show unravels quite the story. Even if you're just in it for the dragons, the endless (and often literal) backstabbing, the soap opera-like relationships, Peter Dinklage's wonderful performance, the inevitable fate that awaits Sean Bean and the chance to say "you know nothing, Jon Snow" a few more times, that's completely understandable as well. All eight seasons of Game of Thrones are available to stream via Binge and Foxtel Now.
Hey, remember Pokémon Go? That insanely popular augmented reality mobile game that seemingly everyone was playing until suddenly they weren't? Well, it turns out the developers behind said game are branching out into another beloved fictional universe: the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Niantic, which developed Pokémon Go as well as Ingress, will team up with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment on Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. According to a Niantic announcement, "players will learn spells, explore their real world neighbourhoods and cities to discover and fight legendary beasts and team up with others to take down powerful enemies." It also said the game "will leverage the full stack of the Niantic Platform while also providing an opportunity to pioneer all new technology and gameplay mechanics." That's about all we know for now – although it does sound as though players may encounter a few familiar faces, with the game's website promising appearances by "iconic characters". Please let it be Dobby (#neverforget). If you're interested, you can sign up for more information about the game via www.harrypotterwizardsunite.com.
There's no better feeling than hitting a savings milestone. And what better way to celebrate than with a luxe meal and a couple of A-class drinks? But, often such celebrations can be a bit of a budget breaker, which creates quite the conundrum. Thankfully, here at Concrete Playground we believe in celebrating — even the small stuff. In partnership with Great Southern Bank, we've uncovered some clever hacks that let you eat at Brisbane's top spots without forking out a fortune. And, if you're someone who gets a little tap-happy after a few glasses of wine, then Great Southern Bank's hidden savings account feature, The Vault, will help curb that temptation, so you don't dip into the funds that may just buy you a house one day. Result.
It was true when Seinfeld made a series about a real-life standup comedian playing a fictionalised version of himself one of the world's biggest sitcoms in the 90s. It remained accurate when Larry David started riffing on his own existence in Curb Your Enthusiasm, which will end in 2024 after 12 seasons over a quarter-century — and also when Pete Davidson leapt from making his life movie fodder in The King of Staten Island to turning it into TV in Bupkis. Donald Glover wasn't directly referencing his own career in Atlanta, and neither The Other Two nor Girls5eva bring exact replicas of real-life figures to the screen, but the same idea pumps through them as well: fame or proximity to it doesn't stop anyone from grappling with life's frustrating minutiae. Add The Vince Staples Show to the list, too, with the five-part Netflix limited series arriving on Thursday, February 15 and featuring its namesake as a take on himself. Whether or not you know who he is is part of the show's joke. On- and off- screen, he's a rapper and actor. Staples' very real single 'Norf Norf' gets quoted to him in the TV comedy. The fact that he's been in Abbott Elementary is referenced in the debut episode. But just attempting to have an ordinary day doing everyday things in an average way — driving home, heading to the bank, attending a family reunion, visiting an amusement park and returning to his old school — is as impossible for him as it is for us all. Sometimes, Staples' celebrity complicates matters in The Vince Staples Show. It also never helps. Usually, he's stuck navigating Murphy's law, so asking for a loan ends up with him caught up in a robbery, while endeavouring to source something decent to eat at a theme park takes him on an absurdist odyssey that winks at David Lynch and the Coen brothers. Having an entertainment career doesn't stop him from being confused for someone else by the police (Killing It's Scott MacArthur, You People's Bryan Greenberg and The Menu's Arturo Castro) — the same cops who ask for free tickets to his shows while they're locking him up — or ensure that cashiers treat him politely. If it assists with anything, it's with giving Staples a deadpan acceptance that anything and everything might come his way. Twice asked if something interesting happened during his day by his girlfriend Deja (Andrea Ellsworth, Truth Be Told), his reply is "not really", even though viewers have just witnessed the exact opposite in both instances. Detailing his real resume isn't the series' style, but the IRL Staples has one. Hailing from Long Beach, California, where The Vince Staples Show is also set — well, in a dreamlike version of it — his association with hip hop collective Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All helped bring him to attention. (Frank Ocean, Tyler, the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt have also been members.) 'Big Fish' and 'Magic' are among his singles. He's enjoyed support slots on Childish Gambino's This Is America tour, several times for Tyler, the Creator and even for Flume in Australia in 2016. Dope and the 2023 White Men Can't Jump remake are on Staples' filmography, plus Insecure and voicing Lazor Wulf's eponymous animated wolf on the small screen. Knowing this isn't crucial to watching The Vince Staples Show, however. That said, it does demonstrate how keenly he's tearing down the idea that pop-culture success means a life of ease in this sharp satire. Each of the series' quintet of instalments largely takes place in one setting. Each shares a naming convention: 'Pink House', 'Black Business', 'Brown Family', 'Red Door' and 'White Boy'. And, each charts events that both are and aren't the norm, all while questioning what's really ordinary anyway. As every episode gets pondering, it does so in layers, skewing surreal but also dissecting race and class in the process (Atlanta comes to mind frequently). In the opening chapter, where Staples spends a night in jail after being arrested on an outstanding warrant, the rapper-with-a-criminal-record stereotype is unpacked and mass incarceration becoming its own industry is called out, for instance. Also, a cellmate keeps singing, hoping to score a collaboration. Someone in a neighbouring cell threatens violence against Staples on sight. Then, when he's given something to eat, his sandwich comes with a draw-two Uno card inside. There's no weak episodes in The Vince Staples Show's five-part run (and no weak performances, either). In the second chapter, which nods to 1995 film Dead Presidents, holding up a bank has rarely been this bizarre. Staples is only onsite to get funding for his dream of starting a healthy cereal brand, which the manager scoffs at. Then, it turns out that one of the robbers (Myles Bullock, Black Mafia Family) is a childhood pal. When the series sends Vince, Deja and his mother Anita (Vanessa Bell Calloway, This Is Us) to a family barbecue next, mac 'n' cheese proves a source of pride and the reason to hold a grudge. Hell hath no fury like someone instructed to bring a prize dish, only to discover that a cousin (Staci Lynn Fletcher, The Neighbourhood) got there first. Staples also navigates his relatives' reactions to his success — wanting to be involved, but thinking that his celebrity represents more than it does. As Staples and Deja take her younger brother and his friends to a beach-themed attraction, the artificiality of all amusement parks and the concept of packaged happiness is thrust into view. Announcements over the loudspeaker are particularly biting, and falling afoul of the costumed mascots sparks repercussions. In the final episode, the show's protagonist is asked back to his childhood school to chat to the students. The kids don't care but a classmate (Patrick Walker, Lessons in Chemistry) he knew back in the day does. Cue a showdown with nods to Quentin Tarantino — both Kill Bill and Pulp Fiction — alongside Barry, another Californian-set comedy that's as perceptive as it is hilarious, as well as exceptionally well-shot. Staples writes, stars and executive produces The Vince Staples Show, with help: Ian Edelman (How to Make It in America) and Maurice Williams (Entergalactic) co-created it with him, while Kenya Barris (Black-ish) also executive produces. As the series gets gleefully but pointedly offbeat — proving uncanny while making more than a few statements — he also leaves viewers wanting more. Its five episodes are so easy to binge in one sitting (and timed accordingly, with each chapter between 19–26 minutes in length) that initially pressing play means settling in for the full experience. Anything interesting happen? Yes, immensely, unpredictably, hilariously and brilliantly. Check out the trailer for The Vince Staples Show below: The Vince Staples Show streams via Netflix from Thursday, February 15, 2024.
After only one Australian bar earned a spot in The World's 50 Best Bars extended 51–100 longlist for 2023, two Aussie watering holes have now made the ranking's actual top 50. In the latest chapter in the Sydney–Melbourne rivalry, both cities are represented, including a perennial favourite in the Harbour City and a fast-rising spot in the Victorian capital. The regular placeholder? The nation's highest-ranking spot to get sipping in 2023 is Sydney's Maybe Sammy, which sits on the list for the fifth year in a row. The innovative bar in The Rocks has improved its ranking from 2022, too, moving up to 15th place from 29th. It came in 22nd in 2021 after placing 11th in 2020 and 43rd in 2019. In Melbourne, Caretaker's Cottage is the other Aussie venue in the top 50, coming in at 23rd. The Little Lonsdale Street only entered the longlist in 2022, when it placed 60th, so enjoys a significant rise up the rankings in its second year. [caption id="attachment_744474" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maybe Sammy[/caption] For those yet to get acquainted with Maybe Sammy in The Rocks, its luxurious styling nods to old-school Vegas glamour, all blush pink velvet banquettes and lush indoor greenery, while the list of theatrical signature drinks pays homage to the classics. The World's 50 Best Bars has praised it for being "the Sydney cocktail bar where great stories begin", all "thanks to the emphasis on guest experience" — and calls out its latest beverage menu, which it calls the venue's "best selection of drinks yet". Maybe Sammy's 15th placing also makes it not only the best bar in Australia, but also the list's official best bar in Australasia. Hailing from bartenders and owners Rob Libecans, Ryan Nordics and Matt Stirling, Caretaker's Cottage earned some love for being "a subtle temple to great drinks". The World's Best 50 Bars called out "the lighting, the sound, the natural timber adorning much of the room" while noting that "everything conveys warmth and understated elegance". And as for the sips, "Melbourne's best Guinness" and "what is probably Australia's coldest Martini" scored a specific mention. Maybe Sammy and Caretaker's Cottage's top-50 placings give Australia three spots in the ranking's best 100, with the Victorian capital's Byrdi sitting at 61st. And Maybe Sammy doesn't just notch up five years on the list, but five times being named the best bar on the continent. Announced in Singapore on Tuesday, October 17, the 2023 list named Sips in Barcelona as the top spot for a tipple worldwide, as part of a best 50 that spans watering holes from 28 cities. It takes over from 2022's Paradiso, which makes it two years in a row that the most applauded bar has been found in Barcelona. Sitting between Sips in first place and Maybe Sammy in 15th: New York's Double Chicken Please in second, Mexico City's Handshake Speakeasy in third, Paradiso dropping to fourth, London's Connaught Bar sitting fifth after winning in 2020 and 2021, Little Red Door in Paris at sixth, and Mexico City's Licorería Limantour in seventh spot — as well as Tayēr + Elementary in London at eighth, Cartagena's Alquímico in ninth position, Himkok in Oslo sitting tenth, Tres Monos in Buenos Aires placing 11th, Athens' Line coming in 12th, BKK Social Club in Bangkok at 13th and Jigger & Pony in Singapore at 14th. Wondering who's making the calls? The annual World's 50 Best Bars awards are voted on by bar industry experts from around the world, including bartenders, consultants, drinks writers and cocktail specialists. [caption id="attachment_860284" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maybe Sammy[/caption] [caption id="attachment_871415" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Caretaker's Cottage[/caption] [caption id="attachment_743915" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maybe Sammy, Trent van der Jagt[/caption] For the full list of the World's 50 Best Bars for 2023 (and past years' lists), head to the ranking's website. Top image: Maybe Sammy, Oficina.
Too often Japanese food is synonymous with sushi, and while there is certainly a time and place for a sushi platter or a trip to a sushi train, the Japanese cuisine scene in Brisbane has much more impressive food to offer. Here's our list of foods and a few restaurants that you may like to try (or revisit) next time you're hankering for some Japanese. Ramen and gyoza Perhaps one of the greatest delights that Japanese cuisine has to offer, ramen is now available in many Brisbane locations. Incomparably satisfying, a bowl of tonkotsu ramen preceded by a plate of gyoza is just about the perfect meal. Taro's Ramen & Cafe on Adelaide Street is as good a place as any to get your ramen. As in all good ramen restaurants, the menu is short and simple, and the few dishes they do, they do well. Proudly MSG free, Taro’s stock is flavoursome and aromatic, and the noodles and toppings are excellent quality. Japanese chain Hakataya Ramen now has four Queensland stores, two of which are in Sunnybank, and they're hard to miss for their bright yellow noren. With long benches and high wooden stools, this is a get-in and get-out kind of place. Lines are inevitably long at mealtimes, but the ramen is first rate (particularly the char siu-men), well priced and generously portioned. You can even get a free second serve of noodles (kaedama), provided you still have some soup left in your bowl. For those who are just after gyoza, head over to Harajuku Gyoza. The place is packed most nights, but there is something undeniably appealing about a speciality gyoza bar smack bam in the middle of the Valley. Image: Harajuku Gyoza Yakiniku, shabu shabu and sukiyaki Influenced by Korean BBQ, yakiniku is perfect for groups and those who don't mind having to cook their own food. In fact, cooking your own food on a central grill is probably the main attraction. Shinbashi Yakiniku in Underwood is dedicated to showcasing the quality of wagyu beef through simple preparation. Chinatown's Koh-ya is a popular dinner destination, and their huge platters come laden with various cuts of beef, along with other meats, vegetables and sides. A less smoky alternative to yakiniku is shabu shabu. Beef, vegetables, tofu and noodles arrive raw at the table to be quickly blanched or boiled in a communal hotpot and dipped in a ponzu or sesame sauce. Perennial favourite sukiyaki is cooked in a sweet soy broth and dunked in raw egg. Hosokawa in Hamilton, though known for its izakaya-style dishes and sushi, do generous sukiyaki and shabu shabu, and Sunny Breeze Restaurant in Sunnybank has shabu shabu and sukiyaki buffet nights on Tuesdays and Sundays. Image: Shinbashi Yakiniku Teppanyaki Teppanyaki is not just dinner but a show. Usually comprised of an assortment of meat and vegetables prepared on an iron griddle, the flavours are straightforward and likely to assuage even the wariest eaters. Though the food itself is simple, not so the manner of its delivery. Seated at a giant hot plate, watch as skilled chefs brandish knives and spatulas and chop, slice, toss, flip and flambe your food. For plush surrounds, try Kabuki in the Stamford Plaza Hotel, which specialises in teppanyaki. For a more laidback vibe, give Oyama in the Valley a go. Image: Kabuki Fine Dining Two of Brisbane's premier Japanese fine dining establishments are Sono Portside Wharf, Hamilton and Saké Restaurant and Bar on Eagle Street Pier. Both have elegant Japanese-style interiors, with the sunken seating option of low wooden tables and floor cushions. They also both have lengthy sushi and sashimi menus and familiar favourites such as tempura and chicken karaage. Sono Portside's signature dish is wagyu steak striploin with butter sauteed vegetables. They also offer teppanyaki (only available at the Hamilton restaurant) and fancy fare like lobster served as sashimi, grilled with avocado mayonnaise or pan-fried with garlic lemon sauce according to your preference. The six-course tasting menu comes with the option of matching wines and sake. Saké's specialities include ikura scallops (Queensland scallops topped with salmon caviar and ponzu sauce) and wagyu dumplings (steamed wagyu and ginger dumplings served with a spicy ponzu dipping sauce). There are also two separate banquet menus, and a huge variety of imported sake from which to choose. Image: Sono Fusion Depending on whether you find Japanese fusion cuisine terribly inauthentic or refreshingly innovative, you just might love Tank. Traditionalists may balk at the idea of slow-cooked lamb shoulder with a shisho mint sauce or grilled Atlantic salmon, spanner crab and macadamia milk. But if you like the idea of Japanese food infused with a modern cosmopolitanism, then Tank is just the ticket. Image: Tank
Human beings are relentless in the search for extraterrestrial life, even though we've been conditioned to fear alien invasion since H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds. Nevertheless the search continues, and advances in technology could make it possible to explore every nook and cranny of the universe. NASA's exploration of Mars has lead to incredible discoveries, most important of which has been of the traces of methane in the atmosphere that suggest either geological or biological activity going on beneath the seemingly dead surface. Of particular interest are the Seven Sisters, seven large gaping holes in the surface which could be havens for past or present life forms. Unfortunately, the rovers sent to the surface couldn't enter them. Aron Kisdi, an engineer at the University of Southampton in the U.K., has thought of a solution to that problem. Kisdi has proposed the use of miniature swarming robots programmed to maneuver like honeybees, which could explore the Seven Sisters, recording temperatures and co-ordinates of sites where life might be lurking. Insect-inspired robots have already been tested closer to home: Swarming Micro Air Vehicle Network (SMAVNET), is a swarm of flying robots developed in Switzerland to aid rescuers in disaster areas, whose behaviour is modelled on army ants. It will be a while before human-built insect-robots are crawling all over Mars though, according to Kisdi the availability of enough energy to power them on long missions is a major challenge.
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 take you to Scottsdale, Arizona — a vibrant city on the edge of the state capital in the 'Valley of the Sun' for a luxurious stay at Mountain Shadows Resort. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? Mountain Shadows Resort is a recent addition to the Scottsdale resort scene but actually dates back to the 1950s. Having originally opened way back in 1959, Mountain Shadows became immensely popular and a regular destination for celebrities and politicians of the era. It closed sometime later and underwent a four-year renovation from the ground up before reopening in 2018. But that was years ago. What is it now? The name (unchanged since day one) is linked to its location, as the resort sits in full view of Camelback and Mummy Mountains, and the property now boasts hundreds of guestrooms and suites, an 18-hole golf course, two quality dining venues, two pools, a gym, an art gallery and several event spaces. THE ROOMS You have your pick of rooms big and small, with 180-plus rooms and 40-plus suites available to visitors. The rooms overlook the pools, the mountains and the golf course, and vary from the stylish signature to the picture-perfect premiums. And if you're really looking for luxury, fork out for a private, multi-storey suite. The rooms have an eye for urban aesthetics (high ceilings, concrete floors and geometric lighting) and are comfortable as can be. Plus, new arrivals can be met with a cocktail cart, leading to the glorious moment of kicking off your shoes, dropping your bags and fixing yourself a margarita in front of the desert scenery. FOOD AND DRINK Dining at Mountain Shadows is spread across several venues, but heroed by Hearth 61'. This glitzy restaurant stars floor-to-ceiling windows, an outdoor patio and an exhibition kitchen. Said kitchen is built around the titular hearth, bringing a smoky touch to many dishes. Executive Chef Charles Wiley champions organic local produce across the menus. Hearth 61' is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and also boasts a bar and a 'living room' for those looking for a quick and casual experience. Across the property and against the golf course is an alternative, Rusty. This indoor-outdoor hybrid eatery is the perfect spot to start (or finish) a round on the short course and boasts a refreshing roster of food and drink. Hot tip: tradition demands that the highest score of the game (aka the loser) buys the drinks. THE LOCAL AREA Mountain Shadows sits in Paradise Valley, which is a part of the city of Scottsdale. This is the playground of the valley, home to activities for all. A ten-minute drive from the resort takes you to Old Town Scottsdale (pictured above), which boasts a wide range of dining picks and shops to grab some southwestern USA souvenirs. We'd recommend booking a tour with Arizona Food Tours to get a comprehensive (and delicious) understanding of the town. Slightly further out, you can get your gaming on at Mavrix, take a trip through the world of music at the Musical Instrument Museum or challenge yourself with a desert hike in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Scottsdale is adjacent to the state capital of Phoenix, so is easy to get to on arrival or a great locale to explore before a flight home. THE EXTRAS Arizona boasts plenty of drawcards for plenty of visitors, but one of its most popular pastimes is golfing. As mentioned, Mountain Shadows has an 18-hole course, which offers a variety of packages for guests to enjoy the course with food and drinks. There is also a partnership with the nearby Camelback Golf Club, and guests can enjoy a complimentary chauffeur ride to the 36-hole course if they can't put down their club. For culture vultures, keep a look out for the art gallery between the lobby and meeting spaces to get a glimpse of local artists' work and a collection profiling Mountain Shadows in its 20th-century golden years. 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.
It's the most wonderful time of the year if you're a horror fan. For the committed, watching scary movies is a year-round pastime — but there's nothing like the extra jump that comes when Halloween rolls around. Maybe it's all those creepy jack-o-lanterns? Maybe it's the extra sugar? Maybe it's just seeing the world embrace everything spooky not only for an entire night, but for the month of October leading up to it. Whatever your motivation to get cosy on your couch with a frightening flick — or enjoy bumps and jumps in a cinema filled with people — 2018 has delivered plenty of excellent fear- and tension-inducing movies. Including a death-soaked dance party, Japanese zombies on the loose and Nicolas Cage at his most unhinged, here are 13 stellar scary, thrilling and unsettling efforts — enough to make your very own Halloween movie marathon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3__y-uPwbe8 HEREDITARY With Hereditary, first-time feature filmmaker Ari Aster didn't just make an almost unbearably tense horror film, or one of the year's best examples of the genre. He did both, but he also made a masterclass in dread — you know, the feeling that makes you want to watch most of the movie with your fists and teeth clenched — and a masterful depiction of grief's lingering power. Expect to feel uneasy from start to finish as the Graham family's lives disintegrate when trauma after trauma comes calling for them. Toni Collette's haunting pain-riddled performance helps ramp up the anxiety too, but Aster dedicates his entire film to ensuring every frame, sound and moment is as disquieting as possible. Read our full review here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL_I2vNwkXQ HALLOWEEN Cue the best horror soundtrack in the business, because the quintessential slasher franchise is back. Yes, the Halloween series has delivered some downright terrible movies (the very 00s Halloween: Resurrection, for example), but this iconic saga still holds its own with its newest entry. Not only does Michael Myers return for the tenth time in 11 films, but Jamie Lee Curtis returns as the ultimate final girl Laurie Strode. And when Michael starts wreaking havoc on their hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois once more, she's ready — in a direct sequel to the first Halloween that nods to everything that made John Carpenter's original so iconic, also references many of the series' sequels and remains a fantastic addition in its own right. Halloween is in cinemas now. Read our full review here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0bnoFhkjvg A QUIET PLACE A Quiet Place isn't John Krasinksi's first film as a director. It isn't even his second. But this near-wordless horror effort truly announced The Office star's arrival as a filmmaker, complete with style, nerve-rattling scares and a powerful gut-punch of a performance from Emily Blunt. The married pair is not only keeping it in the family, but also play a family trying to survive a post-apocalyptic future. Here, even the slightest sound attracts savage creatures and results in a swift death — and, it also results in one of 2018's best horror movies, as well as an all-round technical feat that thoroughly weaponises silence. Read our full review here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m3cPEbwwhg ANNIHILATION The second film from author-turned-director Alex Garland after Ex Machina, Annihilation was originally set for a big-screen release, only for last-minute plans to send it to Netflix in most countries instead. No matter how you watch it, it's a sci-fi/horror trip that seethes with both existential and otherworldly terrors. Natalie Portman leads the cast as biology professor and former soldier Lena, whose husband (Oscar Isaac) returns from a super-secret special forces mission after a year's absence. Alas, nothing is quite right — and when Lena volunteers to follow in his footsteps to try to save him, she takes a team searching for answers within a radiant electromagnetic field called 'the Shimmer". Watch it on Netflix here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du2XfUDfjN0 ONE CUT OF THE DEAD A box office extravaganza in Japan that's made its super low budget back several hundred times over (yes, several hundred), One Cut of the Dead starts out like many a zombie flick. Combine a group of people, a creepy setting and a sudden attack of the undead, and you know what you're in for — even if the victims are a team of filmmakers making a zombie movie, and even if it's all initially captured in one unending take. With Shinichiro Ueda's movie, however, you really don't know what you're in for, even when you're certain that you do Saying more is saying too much, but this is a smart, energetic and highly enjoyable take on a busy genre that has a heap of tricks and twists up its sleeves. One Cut of the Dead will screen as part of the Japanese Film Festival — on November 15 and 24 in Sydney and November 22 and 30 in Melbourne. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTJrztVvmx0 REVENGE The idea that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned is completely outdated, and even insulting. Hell truly hath no fury like a woman exploited by men who simply think they can get away with anything. That's the general idea behind the rape-revenge genre, and the aptly named Revenge is the latest example. A brutal and commanding feature debut by French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat, it follows Matilda Lutz's Jen, who thinks she's spending a weekend away with her married boyfriend, only for two of his friends to arrive unexpectedly. When things take a turn for the worst, saying that Jen fights back is an absolute understatement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKsZlwq19mE MANDY Two words: cheddar goblin. That'll make more sense once you've seen Mandy, and if it doesn't make you want to watch this out-there genre effort, then the movie mightn't be for you. Starring Nicolas Cage at his most Nicolas Cage-like, the film sees the inimitable star play a lumberjack happily in love with his titular partner (Andrea Riseborough) until a cult and their demonic demon bikers decide to snatch her up. Needless to say, things get strange, bloody and unhinged, with director Panos Cosmatos (Beyond the Black Rainbow) making an 80s-set mind-bender that would've even seemed excessive if it came out three decades ago. That's meant in the best possible manner, with everything from the feature's colour-saturated visuals, to its ferocious score, to Cage's glorious performance all hitting the mark — and, perhaps surprisingly, the movie's melancholy tone as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reMwL8uYXps THE ENDLESS On paper, The Endless might sound like the sum of its intriguing but far from unusual parts, with creepy cults, temporal trickery and sibling struggles all fairly common film fodder. On the screen, however, this film from director/actor duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead proves anything but standard. In fact, it's the kind of sci-fi/horror flick that will floor you with its ingenuity, make you want to watch it again immediately afterwards, and inspire you to check out the filmmaker's first effort, Resolution. Imaginative, enthralling, astute with its aesthetics and atmosphere, and insightful in contemplating both human and supernatural drama, this account of two brothers returning to the close-knit camp they used to call home is the whole weird and wonderful package. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ydNrDCw58c CLIMAX A dance party where everyone's invited, but hardly anyone will make it out alive? That's Gaspar Noe's Climax. While the writer/director is known for pushing buttons and boundaries thanks to the likes of Irreversible, Enter the Void and Love, his latest film isn't quite as provocative in the same manner — but it's still a memorable and mesmerising Noe feature from start to finish. In fact, it just might be his best work. After a dance crew finish their rehearsals, they do what they do best to blow off some steam. Alas, someone has spiked the sangria, and soon an emotional and physical slaughter begins. The frenetic soundtrack rarely lets up, and neither does the carnage or the chaos. In short, it's a lurid, bloody and hypnotic case of mayhem and murder on the dance floor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEnRNIvEKu8 UPGRADE Before Tom Hardy starred as a man whose body was overtaken by a being that could violently control his every move, Tom Hardy lookalike Logan Marshall-Green starred in a movie with almost the exact same premise. Upgrade is a completely different film to Venom, and a better one. It's a sci-fi-horror hybrid that carves out a bleak dystopian world, sets its protagonist on a mission and has an action-packed blast with both. The idea behind the flick is simple, but oh-so-thrilling in Aussie director Leigh Whannell's hands. After a tragic incident, Marshall-Green's Grey Trace loses his wife and the ability to walk, until he's implanted with software called STEM. Grey wants revenge on the people responsible for his misfortune, and STEM is a little too happy to help. Read our full review here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yOkE3vsU6g UNSANE When Sawyer Valentini (Claire Foy) seeks out psychiatric assistance in a new city, she expects to chat to an expert who can help her to cope with anxiety and trauma. Instead, she's involuntarily committed into a facility. As you'd expect, it's hardly conducive to improving her overworked, overstressed mental state, or assuaging her terror after being forced to upend her life to avoid a stalker. Foy is magnetic as a woman simultaneously unravelling and trying to keep her wits about her, in what's proving to be a big year for the First Man and The Girl in the Spider's Web star. And, she also benefits from Steven Soderbergh's decision to film Unsane entirely on an iPhone, with a tense, claustrophobic film getting images that couldn't better match its mood. Read our full review here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEc3R3Pn0FA THE WOLF HOUSE The most striking, inventive and impressive animated movie of the year doesn't stem from Pixar or Studio Ghibli or any name that you're familiar with. Instead, it's an astonishing and unsettling combination of art installation and filmmaking by artists turned filmmakers Cristóbal León and Joaquín Cociña. The Wolf House takes its cues from fairytales as a girl with three little pigs finds refuge in a building in the woods, but this is closer to David Lynch's nightmares than anything you might've read as a kid. It's also a technical marvel, using large-scale stop-motion to unparalleled effect, with its scenes staged and filmed in galleries around the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmBZC3CcsZ8 PROFILE Profile is the latest film to use what might seem like a gimmick — and the third linked Night Watch, Wanted and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter director Timur Bekmambetov — and it's absolutely captivating. Unlike Unfriended and Searching, which he produced, Bekmambetov helms this based-on-a-true-story account of a journalist (Valene Kane) investigating ISIS enlistment campaigns by befriending a charming recruiter (Shazad Latif) online. Tabs, programs and windows pop up thick and fast, and the stress soars with it, as a bond forms between the two. Tense and horrific in a variety of ways, this is slick, thrilling and utterly involving filmmaking. And with pitch-perfect performances to go with it, it's a film that not only entertains and engages, but lingers.
Since July 2022, Brisbane has boasted something that no other Australian city has: Butler Wine Bar, the first vino-pouring venue from New York Times-approved bakery Lune Croissanterie. But if you haven't stopped by the intimate 30-seater already, you've missed your chance, with the watering hole making the shock announcement via social media that it has already closed its doors. Butler wasn't a pop-up, but a permanent venue. Still, Lune's Kate Reid, Nathan Toleman and Cameron Reid have decided to bring it to an end. "We regret to inform you that Butler Wine Bar has made the difficult decision to close. Our final service was Wednesday 1st March," the venue's team announced on Instagram on Friday, March 3. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Butler Wine Bar (@butlerwinebar) "We have been so grateful for the relationships with our guests, suppliers and the exceptional hospitality community in Brisbane. We've hosted a few amazing parties, drank an incredible amount of beautiful wine and crafted dishes that will remain in our memories. We very much hope they stay in yours, too," the statement continues. "From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to thank everyone who played their part or came in Butler Wine Bar. Butler could not have been what it was without your support and loyalty." Butler was one of Brisbane's best new bar openings of 2022, and its closure comes just days after the intimate neighbourhood bar hosted a party with its sibling Lune, pairing pastries with wine. During its eight-month run, the venue heroed premium drops and sips from sustainable producers, particularly focusing on vinos from close to home, and served bites such as prawn tartare, mushroom tarts and chicken liver parfait. Nestled into a long, cosy space designed by Hogg & Lamb — who also did the honours with Lune Brisbane — it also poured beers, spirits and cocktails, including miso caramel old fashioneds and pumpkin highballs. Lune still operates its South Brisbane bakery, plus a CBD outpost in Burnett Lane that also opened its doors in July 2022. The news of Butler's closure comes just a day after Three Blue Ducks announced that it is closing its W Brisbane restaurant; however, shutting after five years of operation, it'll keep serving diners until the end of May. Butler Wine Bar closed at 15 Manning Street, South Brisbane, next to Lune, on Wednesday, March 1.
During its eight-season run between 2011–19, Game of Thrones served up more drama than several fire-breathing dragons could whip up. It also delivered HBO huge ratings, plenty of advertising dollars and free-flowing acclaim, so the US cable network is understandably keen to keep the franchise going — and it looks like it has three more GoT-related TV shows in the works. We say 'more' because HBO already has three others in various stages of development. Indeed, just which new programs will spin off from the world created by George RR Martin has been a hefty source of drama in itself over the past few years. Before GoT even finished, there was chatter about what would come next, with the network first announcing that it was considering five different prequel ideas. It then green-lit one to pilot stage, scrapped it and later decided to adapt Martin's House Targaryen-focused Fire & Blood for the small screen as a show called House of the Dragon instead. Next, it opted to also give novella series Tales of Dunk and Egg the TV treatment — and to work on an animated GoT show as well. Now, The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that fans might be able to look forward to 9 Voyages, 10,000 Ships and a third show set in Flea Bottom, the King's Landing slum. So, like residents of Westeros hoping that summer (or at least autumn) will last for ever, you don't need to let go of this highly successful fantasy world anytime soon. Hailing from Rome creator Bruno Heller, 9 Voyages plans to focus on Lord Corlys Velaryon, who is also known as The Sea Snake, Lord of the Tides, Master of Driftmark and head of House Velaryon. If he doesn't yet sound familiar, that's because he's set to appear in House of the Dragon, where he'll be played by Steve Toussaint (It's a Sin). As for 10,000 Ships, it'll be about Princess Nymeria, an ancestor of House Martell who started the kingdom of Dorne. If it goes ahead, the show will tell a tale that takes place around 1000 years before the events in GoT. Then there's the the Flea Bottom series, which doesn't yet have even a working title. But, viewers can expect to spend time in the spot where Davos Seaworth and Gendry Baratheon were born. So far, only House of the Dragon — which will star Olivia Cooke (Pixie), Emma D'Arcy (Misbehaviour), Paddy Considine (The Third Day), Rhys Ifans (Official Secrets), Matt Smith (His House), Sonoya Mizuno (Devs) and Eve Best (Nurse Jackie) — is confirmed to be forging ahead. You can probably pencil in 2022 in your diary, if you're wondering when you might be able to see it. As for the other five GoT-related shows, they're just in various stages of development, so it's too early to say when they might pop up or who'll star in them. As the scrapping of the first proposed prequel illustrates — as mentioned above — the fact that HBO is pondering making new Westeros-set programs doesn't mean that they'll end up coming to fruition. At some point, Martin's saga will also live on in his books, whenever the author finally publishes the long-awaited next instalment of his A Song of Ice and Fire series. Until any of the GoT prequels and spinoffs actually drop, you can always rewatch the original — which is streaming in Australia via Binge — or revisit a trailer from its eighth and final season below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuLUyJdRvSU Via The Hollywood Reporter.
Global retail site ASOS has announced that, as of 2019, it will not sell garments derived from animal products such as silk, cashmere, mohair and feathers. The news was revealed via an update to the brand's animal welfare policy, with the company stating "ASOS firmly believes it is not acceptable for animals to suffer in the name of fashion or cosmetics." With a growth last year of 30% in their sales across major markets, ASOS is quickly growing in popularity and its reach — started in the UK in 2000, it now spans across multiple regions with designated sites in Australia, USA, France, Germany and others, as well as shipping to 140 countries. It's massive, and chances are you've bought a dress or a coat or six versions of the same t-shirt all in different colours from the retailer. The news falls in alignment with changing attitudes and expectations towards animal welfare in regards to fashion production. ASOS' animal welfare policy also notes that "all animal materials used must be by-products of the meat industry. ASOS is committed to working with industry expert groups to support the ongoing research, development and implementation of animal welfare standards and transparency in the leather supply chain." Products made from mohair (which comes from angora goats), cashmere (from cashmere goats), silk (made by silkworms) and down (feathers closest to a birds skin) will be banned — as well as feathers themselves — adding to ASOS' existing ban on using fur and angora. Products that use teeth and bone, including mother-of-pearl, will also be halted. PETA has applauded the move and, as well as global brands like Gucci and Versace jumping aboard with banning fur, a number of local Australian brands are adding their voices too.
Canberra music, food and art festival Spilt Milk is set to return to the capital this November, celebrating its third outing with a suitably huge lineup, announced this morning. Heading up the bill is none other than US hip hop star Childish Gambino, fresh off the back of a #1 Billboard Charts debut for his single This Is America. He hasn't yet announced any other Australian shows, but Spilt Milk isn't billing his appearance as an exclusive, so chances are he'll announce at least a few more shows. (We've still got out fingers crossed that he bring his Pharos festival here after New Zealand.) He'll be joined at the capital's Commonwealth Park on November 17 by fellow international stars, UK pop legends The Wombats and LA producer RL Grime. There's also plenty of homegrown goodness on the menu, with the likes of Sydney singer-songwriter Vera Blue, indie-pop sensation Jack River, dance floor darling Hayden James and Canberra's own high-energy duo Peking Duk all set to take the Spilt Milk stage. But the musical lineup's not to be outdone by the rest of the program, with a ripper serve of visual art, tasty eats and pop-up bars on the cards. Get ready for a multisensory feast, as Hamburg-based artist Stefanie Thiele leads a team of local talent in creating a wondrous playground of installations and art experiences. And keep those taste buds satisfied throughout the day, with eats from the likes of Dirty Bird Food Truck, Bao Brothers, Happy As Larry and Chur Burger. If you fancy being a part of Spilt Milk round three, you'd best not dilly dally — the festival's debut event in 2016 sold out in a mere 18 minutes, while the following year's tickets were all snapped up within nine minutes. This year, Canberra locals will get first dibs, with Homegrown tickets on sale July 1. After that, pre-sale tickets will be available Australia-wide from noon on July 3, with a general admission release on sale at 12pm, Thursday, July 5. In the meantime, here's what you came for — the full lineup for Spilt Milk 2018. SPILT MILK 2018 LINEUP Blanke Camouflage Rose Channel Tres Childish Gambino Cub Sport Ebony Boadu Hatchie Hayden James Jack River Kinder Kira Puru Kwame Manu Crook$ Methyl Ethel Miss Blanks Moaning Lisa Peking Duk RL Grime Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever Shockone Skeggs Thandi Phoenix The Jungle Giants The Wombats Thundamentals Vera Blue Willaris. K YG ARTISTS Faith Kerehona JBR Roskoe Stefanie Thiele VOIR (With more to be announced) FOOD Bao Brothers Eatery Chur Burger Dirty Bird Food Truck Happy As Larry Sofrito Paella Spilt Milk Festival will run on Saturday, November 17 at Commonwealth Park, Canberra. Tickets go on sale next week at spilt-milk.com.au. Image: Cole Bennetts.
UPDATE, DECEMBER 23, 2021: Fast and Furious 9 is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes, and will hit Amazon Prime Video on January 1. Fast cars, furious action stars, a love of family and oh-so-many Coronas: across ten movies over 20 years, that's the Fast and Furious franchise. It might've started out as a high-octane spin on Point Break, but this long-running series has kept motoring across nine flicks in its main storyline, and also via a 2019 spinoff. The latter, Hobbs & Shaw, actually casts a shadow over the saga's latest instalment. Because Dwayne Johnson was part of that sidestep, he doesn't show up in Fast and Furious 9. He's missed, regardless of whether you're usually a diehard fan of the wrestler-turned-actor, because he's managed to perfect the F&F tone. Over his decade-long involvement to-date, Johnson always seems amused in his Fast and Furious performances. He's always sweaty, too, but that's another matter. Entering the F&F realm in Fast Five, he instantly oozed the kind of attitude the franchise needs. He knows that by taking the outlandish stunts, eye-catching setpieces and penchant for family with the utmost seriousness, these films border on comedic — and by navigating five flicks with that mood, he's been the saga's playful and entertaining barometer. Without Johnson, Fast and Furious 9 isn't as willing to admit that it's often downright silly. It's nowhere near as fun, either. Hobbs & Shaw wasn't a franchise standout, but Fast and Furious 9 mainly revs in one gear — even in a movie that features a high-speed car chase through Central American jungles, a plane with a magnet that can scoop up fast-driving vehicles, Helen Mirren (Winchester) racing through London's streets and a trip to space in a rocket car. The latest F&F is as ridiculous as ever, and it's the least-eager F&F film to acknowledge that fact. It's also mostly a soap opera. It leans heavily on its favourite theme — yes, family — by not only swapping in a different wrestler-turned-actor as Dominic Toretto's (Vin Diesel, Bloodshot) long-lost sibling, but also by fleshing out the warring brothers' backstory through flashbacks to their tragic past. Fast and Furious 9 starts with an 80s-era Universal logo, because that's the time period it heads to first — to introduce a teen Dom (Vinnie Bennett, Ghost in the Shell), his never-before-mentioned younger brother Jakob (Finn Cole, Dreamland) and their dad Jack (JD Pardo, Mayans MC). It's 1989, the elder Toretto is behind the wheel on the racetrack, and his sons are part of his pit crew. Then tragedy strikes, tearing the Toretto family apart. In the present day, Dom and Jakob (John Cena, Playing with Fire) definitely don't get along. Indeed, when Roman (Tyrese Gibson, The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two), Tej (Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges, Show Dogs) and Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel, Four Weddings and a Funeral) drive up to the rural hideout that Dom has been calling home with wife Letty (Michelle Rodriguez, Crisis) and toddler son Brian (first-timers Isaac and Immanuel Holtane) since the events of 2017's The Fate of the Furious, he doesn't even want to hear about the latest mission that demands their help. The only thing that changes his mind: realising that Jakob is involved and up to no good. From there, Fast and Furious 9 doesn't skimp on plot across its two-and-a-half hours, but it's all just an excuse to send Dom and the gang on yet another globe-hopping trip to save the world (yes, again). Much of the storyline mimics the last film, in fact, including the return of cyberterrorist Cipher (Charlize Theron, The Old Guard) — although this time there's a different high-tech gimmick that could end life as we know it, and a different reason behind Dom's determination to protect his crew. Returning for his fifth F&F flick, as well as his first since 2013's Fast & Furious 6, writer/director Justin Lin doesn't challenge himself, narrative-wise. Co-scripting with franchise first-timer Daniel Casey (Kin), he largely throws a heap of the saga's usual elements together, dials up the emphasis on family, and hopes that the reappearance of familiar faces — such as the already-teased return of Han (Song Kang, Lisey's Story) — will fill in the gaps. And there are gaps; more than once, the movie ends a big scene by jumping to the group at a later point, but doesn't trouble itself to explain what happened. Sense? Logic? Coherence? The Fast and Furious films haven't ever expended much energy on these. It makes zero sense that Dom's son is called Brian, for instance — he's named after Paul Walker's character, but the latter is still alive in the saga (albeit never seen now), so that celebratory gesture towards the late actor has no rationale in the on-screen story. Fast and Furious 9 doesn't just zoom past rationality a quarter-mile at a time, though. It's really just a collection of scenes that Diesel and Lin think are cool, complete with 197,000 references to family. Here, even the fast cars and big stunts get drowned out by the melodrama. When Lin lets the action choreography truly let loose, this franchise-extender is easily at its best, but that happens less often and in a more routine way than it should. Plus, in a series that's hardly known for its acting, all the bloated chatter and soapiness is still far too cartoonish to even dream of grounding the OTT saga in real emotion. This far in, not just inertia but also a lack of imagination seems to be grinding F&F's gears, with genuinely new and exciting action ideas almost as rare as a high-pitched squeak from the gravelly voiced Diesel. Fast and Furious 9 has its characters play a real-life version of Frogger, celebrates magnets more than Jesse Pinkman, name-drops Harry Potterand visually apes Star Wars, for example. It also ponders whether Dom and the gang are superheroes, and has Roman get meta and ask how they've all escaped the past 20 years unscathed. This should all be knowingly, winkingly ludicrous. It never feels that way, however, and no one's motors will be thrumming while watching. Like too many big franchises these days, Fast and Furious 9 also saves one of its best moments for its post-credits slot, teasing what'll come next. If only the bulk of what preceded it didn't feel like a franchise blandly on auto-pilot.
Is there something you need to get off your chest? As part of the UK-based Deloitte Ignite Festival, curator Mike Figgis is asking you to confess your hidden thoughts, desires, hopes, fears and pet peeves. And like all good confessionals, it is completely anonymous. Running over three consecutive days, the Deloitte Ignite Festival is a annual festival of contemporary arts and ideas, which are all loosely linked by the festival's theme, 'Just Tell The Truth'. Dazed Digital, in partnership with the festival and inspired by its theme, have set up a completely anonymous online confessional, which allows participants to upload their secrets. It's easy. Just go to the website, upload your text, pick your photo and the colour of your font, et voila: instant online absolution. Even if you have nothing to confess, it's worth checking out to see what others have and to see the great selection of photography which accompany the confessions. By clicking on the photo you get access to the photographer's profile and work. Fessing up has never been easy but at least now it can be fun.
Fusing thousands of EDM lovers, raveheads waiting for the bass to drop and a formidable amount of hot sauce can't possibly go wrong right? Face-melting dance and tastebud-destroying chili will combine their unlikely party powers for the first ever Electronic Sriracha Festival in San Jose, California. There'd better be some solid water stations in the production budget. Staking a spicy claim over San Jose's St. James Park on August 30, the hot sauce-inspired festival is making David Tran's beloved Sriracha rooster the poster boy for build ups, bass drops and breakdowns. Taking over two city blocks, three stages of electronic music, four bars and 120 sriracha-infused dishes, ESF is keeping food at $6 and the amps to 11. Seems it's all about endorphins, with EDM generating the same rush as a mouthful of hot sauce (the secret's in the capsaicin). Seems the moment before the bass drops parallels the waiting game before the Sriracha heat seeps in. Goes without saying, punters to both types of caps[aicin]-fuelled adventures do often display the same facial reaction: Could be one of the most unlikely Nailed It festivals yet, more innovative than your regular phone company sponsor with only corporate tents and handouts to add to the vibe. Sriracha held their first food-focused festival in LA last year, seems the team want to take things next level. The line-up will be released Monday, July 21 at 9am. Via Grub Street.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas in some parts of the country. After numerous periods spent empty during the pandemic, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, picture palaces in many Australian regions are back in business — including both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. BELFAST Warm, cosy, rosy, charming, feel-good: typically when a film spins its story during The Troubles in Northern Ireland, none of these words apply. But with Belfast, Kenneth Branagh has made a movie set in its eponymous city when the Protestant-versus-Catholic violence was a constant sight, and also helmed a feature that's about a childhood spent with that conflict as a backdrop. It's an approach that only works because Branagh draws from his own experiences — the film isn't a play-by-play memoir, but it's also clearly personal. Here, it's 1969, when the actor-turned-filmmaker would've been nine years old. The movie's protagonist, Buddy (first-timer Jude Hill), is that exact age, in fact. And with the beginnings of a three-decade-long sectarian fracas bubbling and boiling around him, he navigates the usual age-appropriate antics, such as school, crushes, doting grandparents with ailing health and a potential big move. The Troubles are a constant sight in the largely monochrome-hued film, too, and the reason Buddy's that parents are contemplating relocating to England, something they wouldn't have dreamed of otherwise. Pa (Jamie Dornan, The Tourist) already spends most of his time working there as a joiner, leaving Ma (Caitríona Balfe, Outlander) at home with Buddy and his elder brother Will (Lewis McAskie, Here Before) — with assistance from the boys' Granny (Judi Dench, Six Minutes to Midnight) and Pop (Ciarán Hinds, The Man in the Hat) — and he's been offered a new job that comes with a house. The violence swirling through Belfast has already made it to the family's street, to their hounded Catholic neighbours and, when Pa refuses to join the fray, put them on their fellow Protestants' hit list. Shifting to London (or perhaps further, to Sydney or Vancouver) would provide a new start and a safer future, but leaving all they've ever known isn't a simple decision. Belfast's adult characters are only known as Buddy would know them, such is Branagh's commitment to seeing this story, time and place through a child's eyes as he once did. And, while there's much debate to be had between Pa and Ma about whether to go or stay, the film is filled with its young lead's joys and worries — with the prospect of never again seeing the Catholic classmate he swoons over high among the boy's concerns. Belfast isn't short on context, however, though there's zero chance that it could be mistaken for a meaty interrogation of The Troubles. Branagh weaves in examples of how the push-and-pull of the conflict that's inescapable in his neighbourhood every day, Molotov cocktails, broken windows, blazes, riots and all, puts Buddy and his family in the middle. Still, a magical view of childhood remains, including when Buddy gets thrust into the thick of the fray — where, after he returns home with looted supermarket wares, his mother marches him back to return the stolen products amid the chaos. Branagh also indulges in an origin story, perhaps inspired by his stint in the Marvel Cinematic Universe directing the first Thor film back in 2011 (Buddy is even seen reading a Thor comic). Escaping The Troubles as much as anyone can in Belfast, the writer/director's on-screen surrogate adores seeing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and A Christmas Carol also features — scenes that come to life in colour, unlike the bulk of the picture around them. In the process, Branagh helps trace the early steps of his own desire to become a thespian and filmmaker, which has led to everything from Shakespeare adaptations such as Much Ado About Nothing and Hamlet, to doing double duty in front of and behind the lens with Hercule Poirot duo Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile. He's played Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' Gilderoy Lockhart, helmed Disney's live-action Cinderella, gotten villainous in Tenet, and of course, enjoyed an applauded on-stage career as well, all stemming from those first rapturous experiences watching when he was growing up. Read our full review. HERE OUT WEST Western Sydney could use a love letter right now, and that tribute arrives in Here Out West. The product of eight up-and-coming screenwriters from the area, it celebrates a place that has spent much of the past year garnering attention for a reason no one wanted: thanks to the tighter rules applied to the region during Sydney's four-month stretch of stay-at-home conditions in 2021, it was home to New South Wales' strictest lockdown of the pandemic to-date. Thankfully, COVID-19 isn't this movie's focus. Instead, as told in nine languages — Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Kurdish, Tagalog, Turkish, Vietnamese, Spanish and English — and helmed by five female filmmakers, Here Out West dwells in everyday lives. It champions by seeing and recognising, and by trumpeting voices that have always been there but are infrequently given a microphone. Opening shots of suburban houses and looping highways set the scene: viewers aren't journeying to an Aussie beach or the nation's parched outback expanse, aka two of the prevailing visions of this sunburnt, sea-girt continent on-screen. Rather, Here Out West unfurls its octet of intertwined vignettes in spaces far more ordinary — not to downplay the importance of surveying western Sydney, but to clearly note that these are its daily playgrounds. It's here that mothers have babies, neighbours look after the kids next door, grandmothers worry about their grandchildren, dads struggle to connect with their sons, and sport and food are among the ways that people come together. It's here that adults bicker among themselves over love, and with their parents about their futures. It's where lives begin and end, and where folks with dreams both big and modest also try to start anew. And yes, all of these scenarios are covered by the film's narrative. Initially, Here Out West spends time with Nancy (Geneviève Lemon, The Tourist), who takes care of her eight-year-old neighbour Amirah (debutant Mia-Lore Bayeh), but wasn't actually planning to help out today. She has a newborn granddaughter to meet — one that the authorities are planning to take away, so Nancy makes a drastic decision that'll ripple throughout the community across the movie's one-day timeframe. In the film's second segment, hospital carpark security guard Jorge (fellow first-timer Christian Ravello) is brought into the wider story, and also gets a snapshot chapter of his own. His instalment then intersects with friends Rashid (Rahel Romahn, Moon Rock for Monday), Dino (Thuso Lekwape, Book Week) and Robi (Arka Das, Babyteeth), who run through the streets arguing about Rashid's cousin. Next, their section links in with Ashmita (Leah Vandenberg, The Hunting) and her dying Bengali-speaking father back at the local hospital. Returning to specific spots comes with territory, because it comes with living anywhere; paths cross, people are drawn to the same busy and central locations, and some facilities — such as Here Out West's pivotal hospital — are always a hive of activity in any community. That truth continues to drive the film as it meets Kurdish refugees Keko (De Lovan Zandy) and Xoxe (Befrin Axtjärn Jackson), who are hoping to make a new beginning that still involves his penchant for music and her skills hand-weaving carpets, before jumping to Tuan (Khoi Trinh) and his brother Andy (Brandon Nguyen), who possess varying ideas about what it means to be Vietnamese Australian. Then comes a glimpse at nurse Roxanne's (Christine Milo, It's a Cult!) day as she works a double shift and misses her family in The Philippines. And, there's also Winnie (Gabrielle Chan, Hungry Ghosts) and Angel (Jing-Xuan Chan, Neighbours) as the mother and daughter close their Chinese restaurant for the last time. Read our full review. JACKASS FOREVER Older men, same ol' tricks and dicks: that's Jackass Forever. The fifth film in the prank-fuelled TV-to-movie franchise isn't afraid of letting it show, either, just as it's never been afraid of flashing around male genitalia. No one in Jackass' crew of comic daredevils is scared of that much — or, if they are, they're more frightened of not challenging themselves alongside their buddies — so the proud and purposeful attitude flaunted in the flick's title and usual formula is thoroughly unsurprising. Twenty-two years have passed since Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Dave Englund, Wee Man, Danger Ehren and Preston Lacy first turned outlandish stunts and practical jokes into an MTV hit, but age hasn't wearied their passion or camaraderie. It also hasn't dampened the gang's fondness for showing their junk, but there's something sweet here among all the penises: the fact that time inescapably passes but doing stupid shit with your mates sparks immortal joy. Jackass Forever is stupid, because the kinds of gags that Knoxville and company love are profoundly idiotic — including the film's opening gambit, where a green Godzilla-esque creature tramples a city but it's really Pontius' package painted like a monster. Also inherently silly: using the cast's bodies to prop up skateboarding ramps, a Knoxville-hosted game show that penalises wrong answers with a whack to the sack, exploding a port-a-potty while Steve-O is using it and a contraption made of harnesses that simultaneously gives three people wedgies. The ridiculous bits go on, including lighting farts underwater and drinking milk on a moving carousel to the point of vomiting. Another reason that Jackass is forever for this troupe: they're still as juvenile now, even though they're all over or approaching 50, as they ever were. Describing Jackass' risky skits and scenes never comes close to watching them, but how funny anyone finds this franchise depends on individual senses of humour and, sometimes, upon your mood on any given day. Regardless, there's always been an art to its follies, as captured on camera by Jeff Tremaine, the series' longstanding director, and also its co-creator with Knoxville and Her filmmaker Spike Jonze. Jackass' slapstick credentials carry on the traditions of Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin and The Three Stooges, but lewder and grosser, obviously. The saga's commitment to documenting not just the stunts and pranks themselves, but the setups, attitudes in advance and reactions afterwards — the key interplay between its perpetrators, victims and spectators, too — also sees it deconstruct the brand of comedy it sports as it goes. These sense-defying jesters show their working, in other words, and share the thrills it inspires. No wonder they don't ever want it to stop. Mortality does hang over Jackass Forever, however, as seen in a number of ways — starting with Knoxville's grey hair. It isn't always so strikingly silvery, and he's also shown talking about not wanting to show his bald spot, which Jonze then rushes in to cover with black spray paint. But when the crew's ringleader does let his wintry-hued tresses show, it's the best visual representation possible of how these guys will be adoring all things Jackass till they die. Well that, and the plethora of injuries suffered, including Knoxville's concussion, brain haemorrhage and bone fractures from a bull stunt. Jackass' ridiculous men can't escape the passing years and its impact upon their bodies if they wanted to, but it clearly makes them savour what they're doing. Read our full review. MOONFALL Does Roland Emmerich hate earth? Asking for not just a friend, but for the residents of an entire planet that the filmmaker just can't stop blowing up, devastating via CGI chaos and threatening with its end in his movies. Or, does he really love it, and has committed to the cinematic version of negging — tearing this pale blue dot down again and again so that his always paper-thin characters can swoop in to save the day, and also somehow seduce thankful viewers? Either way, Hollywood's go-to disaster-porn helmer is running out of moves, after a career spent blighting the globe in Independence Day, the terrible 1998 American Godzilla, The Day After Tomorrow, 2012 and Independence Day: Resurgence. He does what he long has with Moonfall, of course, but with a space twist and while also noticeably ripping off elements of Alien and Prometheus. Moonfall begins in 2011, on a Space Shuttle mission, when it seems as if astronauts Brian Harper (Patrick Wilson, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It) and Jo Fowler (Halle Berry, Bruised) might first find themselves in a Gravity knockoff. Something dark, fast and strange swarms them while Harper is out in the inky nothingness working on a satellite, leading to a tragedy, but no one believes his version of events — including Fowler. Ten years later, he's considered a has-been, she's still at NASA and, when conspiracy theorist KC Houseman (John Bradley, Game of Thrones) learns that the moon has been knocked off its orbit, they're the only ones who can save the day. Harper is also one of the only people willing to listen to Houseman's wild claim that the moon is actually an artificial megastructure, which is linked to its sudden descent upon earth. There's a word for folks who share Houseman's beliefs: 'megastructuralist', a term that viewers will never forget given how many times that Emmerich, Harald Kloser (also the film's composer) and Spenser Cohen (Extinction) work it into their screenplay. It's all that Bradley seems to say, and Moonfall clings to it like its filmmaker is desperately trying to one-up the hollow earth theory seen in Godzilla vs Kong, a better take on creature features than his past attempt. In general, Moonfall's script plays like a grab-bag of better elements from other space, disaster and sci-fi flicks all thrown together and spun like a gyroscope, but its nods in Ridley Scott and the Alien franchise's direction couldn't be more blatant. Indeed, thanks to its obvious pilfering, Moonfall often appears to have a better movie lurking inside — an interesting-enough space film erroneously packaged with all of Emmerich's standard world-ending mayhem — but only if you can somehow forget that one of the best pictures ever made got there first. Emmerich's latest would definitely be improved it it blew away some of the time it spends charting the fallout on earth, where "city-sized moon pieces will rain down", Harper and Fowler both have sons to save, and the thoroughly bored look on Charlie Plummer's (Words on Bathroom Walls) face as the just-imprisoned-but-good-at-heart Sonny Harper says everything. But then this film wouldn't have been made by this director, who refuses to embrace the ridiculousness of everything he's thrusting onto the screen and sticks with his stock-standard self-serious vibe. The premise, the writing, each easily foreseeable twist — it's all ludicrous, but played far too straight, although that doesn't result in anything but by-the-numbers performances by Wilson and Berry, and a gratingly one-note turn from Bradley. Perhaps Moonfall's biggest feat is making that other recent flick about a falling celestial object, Don't Look Up, look better than it is in comparison. Well that, and owning its silliness exactly once, in its moniker, because Moonfall certainly does describe exactly what happens. INDIA SWEETS AND SPICES India Sweets and Spices sports a clunky title, but a descriptive one. The saccharine and the zesty — the formulaic and spirited, too — combine in this coming-of-age comedy about an Indian American college freshman returning home from her no-holds-barred campus life for the summer, and being expected to slot back into her parents' and culture's expectations and traditions as if she'd never left. That quickly unhappy student is Alia Kapur (Sophia Ali, Grey's Anatomy), who has little on her agenda for her break except lazing by and in the pool; however, her prim-and-proper mother Sheila (Manisha Koirala, an Indian cinema mainstay) and doctor father Ranjit (Adil Hussain, Star Trek: Discovery) still demand that she do the rounds of their social circle's weekly Saturday-night party circuit. It's more her mum's doing than her significantly more laidback dad's, but it's also the done thing. What isn't usual: inviting the new proprietors of the local Indian store to these well-to-do shindigs. Writer/director Geeta Malik (Troublemaker) could've called her sophomore feature Crazy Rich Indian Americans — or Snobby Rich Indian Americans — and the moniker would've stuck, with a clear class clash the obvious outcome when Varun Dutta (Rish Shah, To All the Boys: Always and Forever), his mother Bhairavi (Deepti Gupta, High School Musical: The Musical — The Series) and dad Kamlesh (Kamran Shaikh, Evil Eye) show up to the Kapurs' home as asked. The conceited judgement over their nice but not glitzy attire is immediate, and further awkwardness springs quickly when it turns out that Sheila and Bhairavi shared a past before they both emigrated to the US. Alia is outraged over the reaction, intrigued about her mum's history and, given that's the reason she invited the Duttas in the first place, interested in Varun — and all three swiftly shape her summer. There's a sprinkle too much of the familiar to India Sweets and Spices, both in its narrative — and many of the details and cliches used to tell it — and its insights into the struggles of growing up surrounded by one country's attitudes but with another's conventions always knocking at the door. The template-esque feel makes the film pleasant rather than overly memorable, and its boilerplate TV-style gloss and sheen doesn't help it stand out, either. Thankfully, Malik's three key female talents couldn't fade into a by-the-numbers setup if they wanted to, and add much of the movie's verve as a result. Ali may play a character that could've stepped out of any similar flick, including the likes of Bend It Like Beckham and The Big Sick, but her delivery and presence are one of this feature's best traits. And whenever Koirala and Gupta are on-screen, be it together or separately, India Sweets and Spices benefits immensely. All three women are also pivotal to Malik's biggest attempt to differentiate India Sweets and Spices from other comparable fare: her foray into the quest for women's equality in India. Perched within the film's otherwise straightforward intergenerational and class conflicts sits a look at gender roles both historically in India and within Indian American communities today — the movie takes place in New Jersey — plus an examination of the sacrifices that might be made by someone willing to forgo her own fight to gift a better life to her children instead. This meaty and meaningful aspect of the feature would hit harder if so much that surrounded it wasn't content with easy tropes, though. Indeed, India Sweets and Spices is a tad too happy to act against its own advice, settling for something that's good enough rather than pushing itself further past the tried and tested. STREET GANG: HOW WE GOT TO SESAME STREET On a fictional New York street that's home to a cross-section of the city's multicultural population, young and old alike, and also to boisterous muppets, sunny days have been sweeping the clouds away since November 1969. Eager to educate preschoolers, Sesame Street has taught multiple generations of children the alphabet, to count — with help from Count von Count since 1972, of course — and about life in general, and both its longevity and the beloved turf it holds within popular culture speak to its enormous success. Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street knows that it's profiling a seminal piece of television, and that virtually everyone born in the past half-century grew up watching the adored series; however, it's also keen to tell the story behind that story. Nostalgia drips through this behind-the-scenes documentary, gleefully so, but so too does a chronicle of how Sesame Street became the icon it is — and against the odds. The show's backstory starts with TV producer Joan Ganz Cooney and psychologist Lloyd Morrisett, and with a dinner-party conversation that saw them float the idea of a television series that might help American children prepare for school — particularly kids of colour. The path to Sesame Street reaching the air wasn't smooth from there, or plain sailing once it got to screens (its focus on racial integration didn't go down well in parts of Mississippi, for instance), but education-meets-entertainment history was nonetheless made. Inspired by Michael Davis' 2008 non-fiction book Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street, documentarian Marilyn Agrelo (An Invisible Sign) fashions her film as an insider's window into a miraculous program, blending informative details about how it came to be and its early years with clips of its muppet-fuelled magic. Both elements of the movie engage, as do its recent and archival interviews. On the screen, Street Gang benefits from the type of observation that helped make its subject such a delight: that showing is far better than telling. Given that there's so much ground to cover — Sesame Street could easily earn its own historical documentary series, but this film fits what it can into 107 minutes — it's patently a tricky juggling act to find the right balance between Sesame Street footage and analysis, but the clips presented are charmers. Agrelo deploys these snippets to demonstrate the show's commitment to representation, as paired with chats with actors such as Emilio Delgado (Luis) and Sonia Manzano (Maria); its educational approach, aka its number-one reason for existing; and the puppetry prowess of original Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch performer Carol Spinney, and of the great Jim Henson and Frank Oz. Discussions with and about the former, including about how both characters gave him outlet for parts of his personality, are lovely, while giggling at the latter pair's work as Bert and Ernie never gets old, and neither does appreciating why the double act is such a piece of genius. Sesame Street has always been revolutionary, too, and in a plethora of ways, all of which Street Gang celebrates. Its firm intent to ensure that it represented America's diversity sprang from its times and made a statement, while its willingness to use advertising techniques — jingles included — was savvy and smart. Its blend of humour and information, its eagerness to entertain the adults watching as well as the kids, the passion for ensuring that all children felt included and empowered: they're all pioneering. And, as much as the aired segments and hilarious outtakes prove joyous, the meaning and power of Sesame Street always beams through. Of course, being both amusing and enlightening was always the show's aim, so it's apt that this loveable documentary about it easily achieves the same feat. Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street is screening at Sydney's Golden Age Cinema and Bar, and is also available to stream via video on demand. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in Australian cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on October 7, October 14, October 21 and October 28; November 4, November 11, November 18 and November 25; December 2, December 9, December 16 and December 26; and January 1, January 6, January 13, January 20 and January 27. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as The Alpinist, A Fire Inside, Lamb, The Last Duel, Malignant, The Harder They Fall, Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain, Halloween Kills, Passing, Eternals, The Many Saints of Newark, Julia, No Time to Die, The Power of the Dog, Tick, Tick... Boom!, Zola, Last Night in Soho, Blue Bayou, The Rescue, Titane, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn, Dune, Encanto, The Card Counter, The Lost Leonardo, The French Dispatch, Don't Look Up, Dear Evan Hansen, Spider-Man: No Way Home, The Lost Daughter, The Scary of Sixty-First, West Side Story, Licorice Pizza, The Matrix Resurrections, The Tragedy of Macbeth, The Worst Person in the World, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, House of Gucci, The King's Man, Red Rocket, Scream, The 355, Gold, King Richard, Limbo, Spencer, Nightmare Alley, Belle, Parallel Mothers and The Eyes of Tammy Faye.
Get diggin' on Australia and New Zealand's latest big gig news: TLC are touring Down Under in 2024. The best-selling American female group in history aren't just heading our way for any old reason, either. Next year marks the 30th anniversary of their smash-hit second studio album CrazySexyCool, so they're taking to the stage to celebrate. The band might advise against chasing waterfalls, but chasing these concert dates is highly recommended. TLC's 2024 visit comes two years after Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins and Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas headlined Fridayz Live in Australia, and were meant to do the same at Friday Jams in Aotearoa before dropping out of the NZ gig due to a COVID-19 case among their touring party. Those shows didn't just feature TLC, but saw other nostalgic acts behind the microphone — as will the group's next dates. On supporting duties: Busta Rhymes and En Vogue. CrazySexyCool gave the world 'Creep', 'Waterfalls', 'Diggin' on You' and 'Red Light Special', among other tracks, but the 1994 diamond-certified album won't the only source of songs for their 2024 shows. Expect hits from across TLC's career, so the likes of 'No Scrubs' and 'Unpretty' as well. Get excited about a 90s-themed party as well. Going all in on the decade that brought TLC to fame will include 90s fashion, fan interaction and a few surprises. Whatever the latter turns out to be, attendees will find out in February in NZ and March in Australia. TLC will start their tour on Thursday, February 29 at Trusts Arena Auckland, before hopping across the ditch to kick off the Aussie leg on Saturday, March 2 at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena. From there, T-Boz, Chilli, Busta Rhymes and En Vogue will play the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Sunday, March 3; Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on Tuesday, March 5; and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Thursday, March 7. Their final stop: on Saturday, March 9 at RAC Arena in Perth. "I'm so excited to return to Australia!" said Chilli, announcing the tour. "This is the album that put us on the map with Aussie fans and showed the world who we really are. And to mark 30 years, this will be quite the celebration!" TLC 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF 'CRAZYSEXYCOOL' AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR 2024 DATES: Thursday, February 29 — Trusts Arena, Auckland Saturday, March 2 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Sunday, March 3 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Tuesday, March 5 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Thursday, March 7 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Saturday, March 9 — RAC Arena, Perth TLC's 30th anniversary CrazySexyCool tour will head Down Under in February and March 2024. Pre-sale tickets are available from 11am local time on Monday, December 4, with general sales from 1pm local time Thursday, December 7 — head to the tour website for more information. Read our interview with Chilli.
Sometimes in life, the good comes with the bad. Maybe you've found yourself in a small American town after escaping from a lab, and you're desperate to discover everything about your past — all of which obviously is far from great — but also you make some fantastic new friends and discover frozen waffles in the process, for instance. Or, for all of us who've been watching Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown, Godzilla vs Kong) navigate that path in Stranger Things, perhaps you find out when one of your favourite shows is finally returning after a lengthy three-year gap, but you also learn that it now has an end date. Sorry Stranger Things fans, but the latter situation is now your reality — because the show has revealed when it'll drop its fourth season and also announced that there'll only be one more season to follow after that. The series' creators Matt and Ross Duffer revealed the news in a letter posted on social media, and also confirmed a few extra details about those season-four episodes that you'll be able to watch soon. So, sticking with the happy part of the announcement at first, Stranger Things season four will arrive in two parts — with the first dropping on May 27 and the second on July 1. And, while you'll have a gap between your binging this time around, the show's fourth season has "a runtime of nearly twice the length of any previous seasons," the Duffer brothers advised. Indeed, that's why it's being released in two volumes. uoos noʎ ǝǝs pic.twitter.com/pJ71dRgmo1 — Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) February 17, 2022 Now, the not-as-cheery news: the Duffers are planning to wrap up Stranger Things after its fifth season. Yes, that means you have all of season four and then a whole other season after that to look forward to — but it also means that your time with the 80s-set Netflix sci-fi series is officially limited. The Duffers also mention that they have more stories to tell in the Stranger Things world, though, so you know what that usually means: spinoffs. Netflix doesn't like letting go of its hits easily, after all, so the quest to find a way to keep wandering through this franchise is about as surprising as Jim Hopper's (David Harbour, Black Widow) gruff mood. If you need a refresher on where things are at before May hits, quite a few season four trailers have released over the past two years, starting back in February 2020. Since then, a couple more teasers dropped in May 2021, then another one in August, followed by yet another in September and one more in November. Across the clips, viewers have been taken to California, which is where Eleven, Joyce (Winona Ryder, The Plot Against America), Will (Noah Schnapp, Waiting for Anya) and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton, The New Mutants) have washed up following season three. Eleven is settling in as well as she can settle in anywhere, as she explains in a letter to Mike (Finn Wolfhard, The Goldfinch) — but she also can't wait until she can see him in person again. And, we've also caught a glimpse of what happens to beloved police chief Hopper after the last season's big cliffhanger and Russian-set post-script, and spent time with Steve (Joe Keery, Spree), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo, The Angry Birds Movie 2), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin, Concrete Cowboy) and Max's (Sadie Sink, The Last Castle) in a haunted house in Hawkins. Plus, we've headed back to Hawkins Laboratory and its whole eerie setup, too. It's worth remembering that when Netflix announced the show's renewal for a fourth season back in 2019, it did so with the catchphrase "we're not in Hawkins anymore". That clearly applies in a number of different ways. And if you're wondering about timing within the show itself, season four will pick up six months since the Battle of Starcourt. Also, there'll be a new supernatural threat — of course there will — but if the series' latest mystery is solved, Eleven and the gang might be free of the Upside Down forever. Check out the most recent Stranger Things season-four sneak peek below: Stranger Things season four will be able to stream via Netflix in two parts, with Volume One dropping on May 27 and Volume Two hitting on July 1. Images: courtesy of Netflix.
When Longtime closed up its Ann Street restaurant, it left a hole in Fortitude Valley's dining scene — but, post-pandemic lockdowns, something new has sprouted in its old digs. That'd be Eterna, a fresh venture from Salt Meats Cheese's Stefano de Blasi. And yes, just like SMC's eateries in Newstead and South Bank, it has a big Italian focus. Fans of pasta and cocktails will find two differences, however. Firstly, as its name suggests, Eterna kicks on well into the evening — so, for those hankering for a late-night dish over a few drinks, the kitchen is open until 11pm. And, the Valley newcomer also focuses on bites and beverages inspired by Rome, while trying to bring a bit of New York-style energy to the place as well. Think simple recipes, seasonal produce, house-made pasta and an after-hours vibe, which have all been on offer since Eterna opened its doors at the end of July. On the menu: classic Roman dishes such as cacio e pepe and carbonara, as well as the likes of suppli (arancini, but street-food style), the chicken-heavy pollo alla romana and seasoned pork in the form of porchetta di ariccia. The latter two are designed for sharing and, if you're still hungry afterwards, a crostata ricotta e visciole (ricotta and sour cherry cheesecake) feature on the dessert menu. Drinks-wise, expect to sip local and Italian wines, a range of spirits, and cocktails that include gin martinis and cardinales — aka a Roman-style negroni. Eterna is open for dinner and drinks from Tuesday–Saturday to begin with, and plans to add lunch service down the track. Find Eterna at 610 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley, from Thursday, July 30 — open from 5pm–12am Tuesdays–Thursdays, and 5pm–1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Images: Lewis Lotherington
Realising that Christmas is almost upon us again each year can happen in various ways. You might start hearing jolly tunes echoing in shopping centres. Those over-eager neighbours could've put their decorations up already. You may just notice that Halloween is over so festive season has begun. Or, your calendar might be filling up with end-of-year shindigs. Here's another: the release of Four Pillars' annual Christmas Gin, aka the one Christmas treat that no one ever minds arriving early. The latest iteration of the Healesville distillery's seasonal sip has hit shelves for the year. As always, it's the delicious result of a yearly tradition that sees a bunch of Christmas puddings handmade with distiller Cameron Mackenzie's mother's recipe — the 1968 Australian Women's Weekly recipe, in fact — and distilled with various festive botanicals to create a sought-after tipple that pretty much screams December 25. The flavours of an Aussie Christmas are captured in notes of cinnamon, star anise, juniper, coriander and angelica. The Christmas gin is then blended with some earlier gin that's been carefully ageing in 80-year-old muscat barrels. It's all finished with a hit of Rutherglen muscat for a bit of added richness and complexity. Each year, a new unique label is chosen to wrap up this Christmas creation, setting out to evoke that same festive spirit. The 2023's bottle design is the work of artist Jo White, who has combined nine appropriately themed artworks into the one label. The distillers always recommend that you sip the limited-edition gin neat; mix it with ginger ale, lime and bitters; or whip up a pavlova punch with the festive gin, passionfruit, muscat, berries and your choice of sparkling. As exciting as the gin is, it often has company — and 2023 is no exception. So, you can splash a bit of it on your own Christmas pudding, or or pair it with Four Pillars' own Christmas gin puddings. They come made with with gin-steamed oranges and a dash of Christmas Gin (naturally), and they're also available to buy now. This year, there's a gin ham glaze, too, which is again made with gin-steamed oranges (plus dijon mustard, sugar, salt and some spices). If you want to nab a bottle of Christmas Gin — or any of the above — you can hop online. Alternatively, stop by the Four Pillars HQ in Healesville, Victoria or the brand's Surry Hills shop in Sydney. Bottles are $100 a pop and would make stellar Chrissy pressies, if you're already thinking about that. The pudding will cost you $30 and the glaze $10. [caption id="attachment_924706" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] Four Pillars Christmas Gin is available to buy online, from the Healesville distillery and Surry Hills shop now.
Autumn and winter might seem like the ideal seasons to stay indoors, but, if you don't mind the occasional gust of wind or spot of rain, then regional Victoria presents some incredible adventures. Leave behind familiarity and head to untrodden areas of the country which provide plenty of outdoorsy romps to discover — taking you to some scenic locations that might just include some great food and drink as well. Over the past few decades, Macpac has been providing new and expert adventurers with high-quality technical clothing that keeps everybody warm and dry no matter the conditions. So together, we've picked out five great outdoor expeditions around Victoria that showcase the very best of that state's natural landscape. Plan an unforgettable trip down to the southeast — just remember to pack a jacket. [caption id="attachment_717214" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Rob Blackburn.[/caption] GO FROM IGLOO TO SKIDOO This time of year, Victoria's High Country becomes covered in snow and frost, making it an ideal winter destination. One unconventional trip you can take is the Igloo to Skidoo tour, which leads you on a two-day journey through Mount Hotham's icy landscape and includes some delightful winter-warmer treats. Set off at sunset, and snowshoe your way through the backcountry, making your way to a hearty feast of French fondue. Stay in a remote eco-village as you slide into your plush, wood-heated snowdome and settle in for one of the best night's sleep of your life. In the morning, you'll wake up to a big brekkie before you round out your wintery escapade with a one-hour snowmobile tour through the sprawling alpine resort. GET SUBTERRANEAN AT BRITANNIA CREEK CAVES Formed thousands of years ago, the Britannia Creek cave system is one of only five found in the state. Featuring a series of huge underground granite boulders, this place isn't for the claustrophobic. The massive subterranean chasm exhibits flowing streams, phosphorus glow worms and tightly packed rock climbing to delight the keenest of explorers. This Adventure Caving experience is not for the faint of heart. Prepare to get grimy on your hands and knees as you squeeze and slide your way through dozens of obstacles. Less than a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, the Brittania Creek cave system is one of the best adventures you can have this close to the city. [caption id="attachment_717215" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Josie Withers.[/caption] TAKE AN OVERNIGHT KAYAK TREK Winding its way down from the Victorian Alps, the Ovens River is flanked by several scenic red gum forests and wetlands that are home to numerous threatened and endangered species. This Overnight Kayaking Adventure tour showcases many of the region's top features as you paddle down the river and make camp once the sun sets. Crowd around the fireside and crack open a beer beneath the sprawling, starlit sky. Kayakers can choose to use the Tarrawingee Camp Ground as a base, with food and equipment provided throughout the journey, or you can build your own adventure, launching from wherever you please and choosing how many days you'd like to paddle. Once you experience the Ovens River's serene atmosphere, you may be tempted to stay here forever. MILAWA GOURMET RIDE Renowned for its fantastic collection of wineries, pristine countryside and farm-to-table restaurants, Milawa can be found three hours northeast of Melbourne. It's also quite flat, making it ideal for taking a slow peddle through the charming community. The Milawa Gourmet Ride offers visitors a ten-kilometre return bike ride from the Brown Brothers Cellar Door to the Sam Miranda Winery. There's a wealth of gourmet cafes and eateries along the route that highlight the region's much-loved producers and growers, so make sure you stop in and grab yourself a finely crafted block of cheese or a perfectly made coffee. GRAMPIANS PEAKS TRAIL Undoubtedly one of Victoria's most spectacular regions, the Grampians are hard to beat when it comes to native scenery. The lakes, bushland and wildlife found here are simply remarkable. The Grampians Peaks Trail puts the very best on display. Covering 37 kilometres of astounding countryside, the trail is ideal for a multi-day hike. Plan your trek and take in some of the key highlights. Climb to the summit and admire the impressive view of the entire range, explore the ancient rock formations at the Grand Canyon and take in the views from Mount Rosea, which presents panoramic vistas that span across the Serra and Mount William Ranges.
For two days each year, Musgrave Park in Brisbane's West End pretends that it's on the other side of the world. The menu goes heavy on souvlaki, haloumi and barbecued calamari. For dessert: loukoumades aplenty. The wine hails from the Mediterranean, dancing the zorba is part of the entertainment and market stalls celebrate Greek culture. The reason for all of the Greek-themed fun: Paniyiri, one of the River City's biggest annual events. First held in 1976, it began at The Greek Club — where else? — as an exhibition. Now, it sees 50,000-plus people eat, drink and party like they're in Greece across a May weekend, with 2024's event running from Saturday, May 18–Sunday, May 19. This is the second Paniyiri to take place in its OG format in its OG timing since before the pandemic, after the event went through a few rough years. The 2020 fest was cancelled, the 2021 event opted for a scaled-down and largely online format and 2022's big comeback as a full two-day fest was postponed to October due to soggy weather. In 2023, Paniyiri returned to its usual setup, which is exactly what's on the cards again in 2024. Food-wise, expect bites from 11 Greek regions. If devouring as much as you can is your idea of a great time, the festival's regular food contests usually keep stomachs satisfied. Then, to wash all of that down, there's Greek wine, Greek beer and Greek-inspired cocktails as well. In addition to eating and drinking, including at more than 20 stalls, the array of Greek revelry spans grapes to stomp, plates to smash, TV stars to rub shoulders with and cooking demonstrations to watch. To really ensure that attendees feel as if they've jumped over to Europe, a pop-up Greek village also sets up shop. Also, it wouldn't be Paniyiri without fancy footwork via Greek Dancing with the Stars and the Hellenic dancers. Alongside relishing all things Greek in Musgrave Park, Paniyiri also takes over its original home at The Greek Club. And if you've always wondered why it has the name it does, that's for a very fitting reason: the event's moniker means 'festival' in Greek. "As always, we''e looking to add new elements and experiences while bringing back Paniyiri festival favourites to give patrons a little taste of Greece — the best weekend of Greek food, dancing and fun," said Kos Kastrissios, who co-chairs the event's volunteer organising committee. "Everyone involved is incredibly proud that the Paniyiri Greek Festival brings so much joy to the thousands of people who come to dine and dance and party in the park. And patrons can feel proud too, as every cent raised over the weekend goes back into community and charities, as Paniyiri is a not-for-profit event." Paniyiri 2024 will take place from Saturday, May 18–Sunday, May 19 at Musgrave Park and The Greek Club, Edmondstone Street, South Brisbane. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the event's website.
From next-level brownies to silky deep-fried bites, Brisbane's snack offering has never been better. And for the animal lovers among us, there's also no shortage of the plant-based variety. In anticipation of the next time you're hankering for a quick flavour fix, we've teamed up with Vegkit to pick the city's most impressive plant-based snacks. They're exceptionally tasty — and made with no harm done to any furry friends. [caption id="attachment_833042" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mitch Clayton[/caption] OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD BROWNIES FROM VEGANYUMM You know something's good when it's specifically name-checked in an Instagram bio. Everton Park bakery Veganyumm serves up an alarmingly good range of plant-based sweet and savoury baked goods, but if there's one you need to try it's the signature Galaxy Brownie. It's a gooey, chocolatey slab of dairy-free brownie, generously slathered in multicoloured frosting. Perhaps this is why ET wanted to phone home. [caption id="attachment_833043" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mitch Clayton[/caption] FRESH AF CROISSANTS FROM FARINE Of life's simple pleasures, near the top of the list is the humble beauty of a great plain croissant. However, its carby, buttery goodness makes it an off-limits snack for some. That's where Farine steps in. The artisan bakery — with locations at Red Hill, Spring Hill and Calamvale — has a variety of French-style loaves and pastries, including a number that are free of animal products. And as much as we vouch for the bakery's vegan custard doughnuts, we keep coming back to the humble croissants. They're everything you'd want them to be — puffy, crumbly, crunchy, I-can't-believe-it's-not-buttery parcels of goodness. Merci bien. LOADED BISCOFF SUNDAE FROM GRASSFED Fish Lane go-to Grassfed might be better known for OTT burgers and shakes, but if you don't save room for dessert, sorry but you're doing it wrong. Spare that space for the toffee-caramel notes of the loaded Biscoff sundae, which sees a gluten- and dairy-free vanilla soft serve by I Should Coco adorned with generous levels of Biscoff sauce, and topped with a couple of Biscoff biscuits for good measure. LUSCIOUS LAMINGTON BOWL FROM MYLK AND KO Could Mylk and Ko be Brisbane's most wholesome cafe? This Merthyr Road brunch spot has a menu packed with mostly house-prepared goodies and caters for a range of dietary requirements. For an indulgent snack you can feel good about, dive into the lamington bowl. It features all the good things: açai, strawberries, raspberries, banana, cacao, coconut and coconut milk, and is topped with chocolate granola, strawberries, coconut yoghurt, cacao sauce, jam, nibs and coconut. Coming with a very good boy or girl? Nab a seat outside so they can take advantage of free dog biscuits, or order them a serve of doggy ice cream for a special treat. [caption id="attachment_669756" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cole Bennetts[/caption] CRUNCHY KARAAGE TOFU FROM NETHERWORLD Come to this Brunswick Street spot for the arcade games and stick around for the food. Netherworld's menu is entirely plant-based, and is a clever fusion of classic American diner food with heavy Japanese influences — most evident in its selection of small bites. While we like the moreish Southern-style fried vegan chicken nuggets and buffalo cauliflower florets, it's the crunchy karaage tofu that has us arguing over the last bite. These silky morsels are dusted with togarashi for a bit of kick, and served with an umami-laden spicy miso mayo. It's also the perfect foil for a selection from Netherworld's great craft beer offer or one of the house-made boozy sodas. If that's not fuel for hitting a new high score, we don't know what is. For more plant-based dining and recipe inspo, head to the Vegkit website. Top image: Mylk and Ko
Under normal circumstances, a cup of coffee (or several) is an essential part of a busy, bustling day for most folks. It's the caffeinated elixir that kickstarts your engine, puts a spring in your step and gets your brain functioning — and working and waking hours just wouldn't be the same without it. In these COVID-19 times, everyone's routine has clearly changed; however that hankering for a cuppa is probably still going strong. And if you like your coffee in cold-brew form from one of Melbourne's favourite roasters, you can now get your fix by stashing a huge cask of the good stuff in your pantry. South Melbourne's St Ali is already selling — and delivering — beans, house blends, Nespresso-compatible capsules, six-packs and slabs of iced lattes and filter coffee, and even its own 75-percent alcohol hand sanitiser. New to its list are goon sacks of cold-brew concentrate, as made from the roastery's Orthodox blend. Called St Ali Cold Brew 2.0 Concentrate, they come in four-litre packages and will set you back $55 — and deliver Australia-wide. Each cask is designed to last, too, with St Ali recommending that you pour it in 30–50 millilitre serves. That'll give you around 100 caffeinated beverages — as mixed with milk, water and/or ice. If it's cocktail hour, you can always add in booze as well. [caption id="attachment_755831" align="alignnone" width="1920"] St Ali[/caption] For further information about St Ali's cold brew 2.0 concentrate, or to place an order, visit the roastery's online store.
You've tried every burger place in town, heaped mac 'n' cheese on everything and worked your way through Brisbane's newest restaurants. Feeling like you've eaten every single Brissie meal there is? That's understandable, but the city's eateries still have more than a few inventive dishes on their menus. With MasterChef Australia turning every food fiend into a gourmand over the show's decade-long run, Brisbane's restaurants have stepped up, serving up different takes on old favourites, creative options you'd never expect and everything in between. Rest assured, you can eat your way around town and never feel like you're eating the same old thing. We can't promise that Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris have tried our top ten unexpected finds, but we're pretty certain they'd like the sound of bug dumplings, black garlic bread and mulled wine ice cream — and more. GERMAN PORK KNUCKLE, THE GERMAN CLUB Brisbane might be experiencing a German pub bonanza, with two opening around the city in just the last two months, but the city's original slice of Deutschland still reigns supreme. If you want a piece of pork that'll make you feel like you've stepped on a plane to Europe — or sent your tastebuds across the world, at the very least — then you'll find it here. There's a reason that the pork knuckle is one of the restaurant's signature dishes, all one whopping kilogram of it. Keeping every mouthful of the meal authentic, it comes with juicy fried potatoes, a hefty helping of sauerkraut and a big splash of smoked beer gravy. WATERMELON SOFT SERVE, DOUBLE GOOD Hankering for a sweet treat, but feel like you should be opting for fruit rather than ice cream? Why not combine both? Eat Street's Double Good doesn't just serve up fruit-flavoured ice cream or even ice cream with fruit chunks mixed in — rather, it swirls its soft serve directly into a slice of watermelon. Extremely delicious and incredibly photogenic, it's the ultimate dessert for Brisbane's year-round warm climate. You can also opt for soft serve dished up in a coconut or a pineapple (or, let's face it, you can head back three times and try them all). CHEESEBURGER SPRING ROLLS, HEYA BAR Usually, when you order a serving of spring rolls, the resulting crisp cylinders come filled with vegetables and meat. There's nothing usual about Heya Bar's spring rolls, however — unless cheeseburger spring rolls sounds ordinary to you. It's the food mash-up that you didn't know you needed. Best of all, it goes well with everything else on the Brunswick Street bar's menu. You can pair them with a plate of fries — and complete the North American fast-food meal — or travel down the Asian street food path with bao, karaage and edamame. BREAKFAST CARBONARA, MORNING AFTER Pizza for breakfast is a hungover person's dream. Carbonara for breakfast — that's something that can be enjoyed by everyone. Forget whatever you thought you should be eating to break the fast, and make Morning After's famous dish your go-to brekkie. Whether you're recovering from a big night or just feel like some creamy carbs, this blend of pappardelle, field mushrooms, smoked pancetta and manchego hits the spot. It's also topped with a 63-degree eggs and is available until 4pm seven days a week. KENTUCKY FRIED DUCK, DETOUR The brainchild of chef Damon Amos, Kentucky Fried Duck (or, KFD) has been a Brisbane favourite for quite a few years now, and you probably even tried it over at Public — where Amos used to work as head chef. But when he moved to Detour in Woolloongabba, he took his famous dish with him. There, in the shadow of the Gabba, it's served with jalapeño cornbread and sour cream, which make for a rather stellar combo. And, if you're feeling like a feast, it's just one of the inventive dishes on the menu — alongside emu tartare, master stock salmon with black ants and fossilised carrots. MORETON BAY BUG DUMPLINGS, MADAME WU Located in Eagle Street's Riparian Plaza, Madame Wu has no less than four creative dumplings on its menu, including pan-fried scallops with verjus butter, pork with corn puree and lamb with eggplant. There's one type that's worth booking a table for alone, however: the Moreton Bay bug dumplings. If you're a seafood-lover, then you're probably accustomed to automatically selecting the bug option on every menu, and your instincts won't steer you wrong here. Served in plates of four, the tasty parcels arrive with XO sauce and lime. PEKING DUCK TACOS, RED HOOK Peking duck tastes great however it's served — whether it's stuffed in savoury pancakes, turned into san choy bow or eaten one succulent sliver at a time. Or, at Red Hook, you can devour it in tacos for the ultimate mix of Asian and Mexican staples. The tacos also arrive stuffed with slaw, fried shallots and hoisin sauce, which really bring out the flavour of the duck. If you're eager for another mash-up while you're there, wash it down with a pickled cheeseburger martini — while it doesn't feature any minced beef, it does mix together vodka, pickle brine, mustard and a strip of bacon. BLACK GARLIC BREAD, GAUGE If you're cooking garlic bread at home and it adopts a darkened shade, that's not a good sign. But this is not the case at Gauge. Here, black garlic bread doesn't mean that the chef got distracted — it's exactly how it is supposed to look and taste. The restaurant's best-known dish since it opened in 2015, the black piece of fermented bread is made from ash, vanilla pods and treacle, and served with burnt butter and burnt vanilla. Even better — it can accompany both savoury and sweet meals, and it's available all day. DRY-AGED BEEF TARTARE, WALTER'S STEAKHOUSE One of Brisbane's newest steak joints, Walter's isn't your standard steak, potatoes and salad kind of eatery — not that there's anything wrong with that, of course. Here, opposite the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens on Alice Street in the CBD, you'll sit on red leather seats, get comfy amidst other retro-style furnishings and tuck into dry-aged slaps of meat. Or, you can feast on our pick, a dry-aged beef tartare. Made from raw, ground steak, it comes with cornichons, eschallots, mustard and cured egg yolk, and pairs particularly well with a heavy glass of red. MULLED WINE ICE CREAM, DEER DUCK BISTRO Everything can be turned into ice cream, as many a gelateria and ice creamery have demonstrated in recent years. To the delight of booze-loving dessert fiends, that also includes alcohol. But you won't find this standout boozy dessert at any old gelateria. This mulled wine ice cream is one of the sweet highlights at Auchenflower degustation favourite Deer Duck Bistro, and it's accompanied by chocolate rose ice cream and seasonal berries. Love wine? Love mulled wine? Love ice cream? Of course you do, and this blend of all of the above won't disappoint. Catch the latest season of MasterChef Australia from Sunday to Thursday at 7.30pm on Channel Ten.
The holiday blues are probably coming in strong right about now. Summer has come and gone and dreams of a lazy mid-year escape feel like a lifetime away. Throw in the fact that you're probably out of annual leave and have even less cash than usual to splash on a luxe resort (#costofliving, amirite?), and any ideas about sipping a margarita on a sunny island are slipping away. So, would you believe us if we told you we've found a single solution that will solve every one of your 'I need to find a way to make money without eating into my holiday allowance while also enjoying a fresh cocktail' dilemmas at once? Unofficial title: Operation Working Holiday in Thailand. Start by doing the hard yards and figure out how that digital nomad thing works (note: we're using the term 'hard' loosely here, because it's actually pretty easy). Then, the only thing you need to decide on is where you want to base yourself for that first bowl of Pad Thai. Whether you dream of urban style or beachy chic, we chatted to Tourism Authority of Thailand and got their suggestions for the best accommodation options for those considering a remote working holiday. BANGKOK According to the classic 80s banger, "One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster". So imagine if you had a couple of months up your sleeve! Basing yourself in Bangkok is a brilliant option for those digital nomads who just aren't quite ready to quit their big-city creature comforts. With both bustling bars and traditional temples in touchable proximity, the two hotels below offer excellent remote work accommodation options in the city known by locals as Krung Thep (or the City of Angels). Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River This standout hotel is Four Seasons by name and four seasons by nature. The Bangkok branch of this iconic international five-star hotel chain gives digital nomads plenty of reasons to visit, all year round. The amenities are extensive and include fast wifi, fitness studios, two riverfront infinity pools, 24-hour room service and a dry cleaning service for all those times you need to Zoom in your best suit and tie. We also love the location. It's right next to the Chao Phraya River, just over a 30-minute drive from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and even closer (5.8 kilometres, to be exact) to Siam Paragon Mall — extremely useful for those times when you need an emergency laptop charger replacement! 137 Pillars Suites & Residences, Bangkok These serviced apartments in Bangkok's Prom Phong/Thonglor area are committed to the digital nomad cause, offering a range of packages specifically designed to cater to long-term stays. Think complimentary high-speed wifi, a daily maid service, a Thai SIM card available for purchase and weekly yoga, meditation and Muay Thai classes. You also get access to the Daily Baan Borneo Club for all-day breakfast, afternoon tea, coffee, snacks and sundowner drinks, plus level-27 infinity pool access and regular aromatherapy massages at Nitra Serenity Centre — for those times when deadlines are kicking your butt. CHIANG MAI Charming Chiang Mai is proof that there's no shame in second place. Capital of the north and the second largest city in the country, Chiang Mai offers a unique brand of laidback luxe. The landscapes are lush (all rugged mountains and green farmlands), the food scene is fabulous and the culture game is strong — with traditional Thai arts and crafts workshops among the mix. If your work from home style is cool, calm and collected — with a preference for having excellent coffee close by — then these two Chiang Mai hotels are our recs. Akyra Chiang Mai Fun fact: Chiang Mai is rated as the cheapest place in Thailand to live and work on a digital nomad budget, making it the ideal option for those bent on a working holiday but bound by a tight budget. And at the heart of it is the Akyra Chiang Mai hotel — a luxurious home away from home that has been transformed into a hub for aspiring entrepreneurs from all types of online businesses. The impressive downtown location, amazing rooftop infinity pool (perfect for a couple of quick laps between Skype calls), excellent wifi and abundant upskilling opportunities (including a number of in-house classes) draw many digital nomads in. But it is the chance to connect and network with other like-minded humans that generally keeps them at Akyra a little longer than anticipated. Kantari Hills Chiang Mai A quick squiz of Kantari Hills' online reviews reveals a ton of satisfied guests who have used the hotel for long-term stays. It could have something to do with the brilliant work facilities — like a business centre with secretarial service, fax, email, computer and photocopying — and an executive lounge with complimentary tea, coffee, snacks and ice. There's also round-the-clock security and concierge services, and of course, free wifi. Call it a hunch, but a fancy whirlpool, sauna and steam rooms probably don't hurt either. KO PHA-NGAN If Ko Pha-Ngan's white sands, turquoise waters and lush coconut trees aren't enough to entice you to swap your desk for the digital nomad life in Thailand, then perhaps the idea of a Full Moon Party celebrated every single month will do the trick? That's right, instead of end-of-quarter drinks, every 30-ish days (it's based on the lunar calendar, so it varies) Ko Pha-Ngan celebrates the new full moon with a big bash on the beach. Expect booze, music blasting out of the bungalows and neon-painted backpackers lighting up lanterns at dusk, just as the moon starts to show up and illuminate the shores. Want in? These hotels are our recommendations when it comes to setting yourself up with a remote work situation in Ko Pha-Ngan. Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas Team bonding but make it tropical. Yes, it's pretty fun watching your boss make a fool of himself in a group laser tag session, but for the ultimate team building exercise, consider a stay at Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas. Kick things off with meetings in a boardroom by the beach, lock in an evening of sunset canapés and cocktails aboard a luxury yacht, and challenge every staff member to find their strengths and weaknesses with a host of recreational activities on land and sea. With 64 pool suites and villas, every single one of them set among towering palms and crystal sea waters, this is the ideal accommodation option for those who want to do the digital nomadic life a little decadently. Panviman Resort Koh Phangan We're going to be up front and flag our concerns with the Panviman immediately. Just so you know what you're dealing with before you book your stay. Our main issues relate to its location (in the mesmerising Gulf of Thailand), stunning landscapes (it's surrounded by cerulean seas that gently lap golden beaches fringed with coconut palm trees), onsite restaurants (that focus on organic produce and fresh seafood direct from local fishermen) and VIP lounge (the one with a breathtaking sea-view infinity pool replete with Jacuzzis and sun loungers). So it's going to take a fair bit of dedication and discipline not to spend your nine-to-five completely distracted by all of the above. However, if you're confident in your ability to stay on target, then the Panviman Resort Koh Phangan offers one of the best digital nomad accomodation options in all of Thailand. PHUKET If we had to entrust Thailand's status as the Land of Smiles to a single region, we'd pick Phuket. After all, it's almost impossible not to settle in to the island on the country's western shore and grin once you realise you are in the company of some of Southeast Asia's best resorts, restaurants and shops. The two hotels below are our picks for the best place to base yourself if you're leaning towards Phuket for your remote-work vibe. Twinpalms Phuket The first thing you need to do, to convince your boss that you're taking your digital nomad job seriously, is check out Twinpalms Phuket's library. Here, you can explore literature, magazines and movies while using its free high-speed internet and computers. Then, when the coast is clear (or better yet, after hours, to minimise the risk of being fired!), book in a spa treatment, arrange a snorkelling excursion or step directly into the hotel's large lagoon pool, and log it in your time sheet as office admin. Cape Panwa Hotel If you're a C-Suite exec — or just dream of CEO status — then Cape Panwa is the place for you. Its former guests include kings, queens and big-screen stars, so it's definitely a great base for those who want to manifest a promotion or pay rise. A dedicated business centre will help you keep the process professional; however, we also strongly suggest taking advantage of the hotel's fun facilities too. Think the beachside bamboo bar, access to the state-of-the-art Panwa Princess yacht and two onsite palm-fringed pools. After all, if you've got your sights set on CFO (but you're working with an intern budget), you'll need to work hard, but nobody said you can't work hard from paradise with a tropical drink in hand, right? Tourism Authority Thailand has plenty more suggestions for the top places to work remotely in the Land of Smiles, so for more options, head to the website. Images: Tourism Authority of Thailand
James Street is no stranger to laid-back luxury, as St. Agni has clearly realised. When it came to setting up its second flagship store — and its first outside of its home base in Byron Bay — the Australian designer outfit made a beeline for the Fortitude Valley precinct. And with its sleek clothing and accessories, its all-round minimalist aesthetic and its timeless approach, it obviously fits right in. If you're new to the label, which was founded by designer Lara Fells, St. Agni favours a less-is-more mentality. That's evident in a range that spans cocoa-hued silk slip dresses, vintage linen blazers, pearl drop earrings, tan leather totes and woven knit loafers — just to name a few of the threads and other items that you'll find on the store's shelves. St. Agni also applies the same mindset to its eye-catching Brisbane shop itself, which marks a collaboration with design studio Triibe. Natural tones feature prominently, as do clean lines, custom joinery and even hemp plinths, with the store welcoming customers since Saturday, June 1. The new location is part of the brand's increased focus on the offline shopping experience, with much of its sales usually conducted via the internet. Given the earthy colours and textures that have become St Agni's trademark, the shift is hardly surprising — these are threads, belts, footwear that you'll want to reach out and touch. Images: Cieran Murphy.
Our footballers adore them. Plenty of our musicians do, too. Yes, Australia's love affair with the most chaotic of hairstyles — the short-at-the-front, long-at-the-back do that is the mullet — runs deep. But here's something that'll surprise even the most devoted aficionados of this cult-favourite cut: mullet shoes. Shoes with a mullet. Sneakers with long hair attached. Kicks that are all business in front, party in the back. However you choose to describe them, the idea remains the same. And, while it might seem like a gag, these just-launched Volleys are 100-percent real. April 1 has been and gone for another year, and Volley's Heritage High Mullet Edition shoes weren't part of it. That said, Volley's latest limited-edition to its range is meant to inspire a few giggles. Again, they're sneakers with a detachable mullet velcroed onto the back — footwear that people are meant to slip on their feet and walk around in while letting that hairy patch drag along the ground in all its glory. But they've also become a reality for a cause that's no laughing matter, with Volley teaming up with the Black Dog Institute to release the shoes for the latter's Mullets for Mental Health campaign for 2022. "Volley is honoured to have joined forces with Black Dog Institute to create this mullet masterpiece. We feel that partnering with the Institute, particularly for the Mullets for Mental Health campaign, allows us to instil our light-hearted, larrikin spirit into a difficult topic to broach, making it less daunting and easier to spark conversation," says Volley Australia General Manager John Szwede. And don't go thinking that you can only run around in your mullet-adorned Volleys with their long hair swishing away. "We want people to be interactive with their mullet volleys – cut them, dye them, braid them and most importantly, wear them," explains Szwede. "We look forward to continuing this relationship with Black Dog Institute ongoing and we hope to create something truly unique and special for our audience and beyond." All profits from Volley's mullet kicks are being donated to the Black Dog Institute, too, so you'll be doing a good deed by adding them to your wardrobe. Sure, you'll also be committing a crime against fashion — and that synthetic hair will probably get quite grimy when you're stepping all over it — but rocking a mullet, whether on your head or now on your feet, has always meant throwing caution (and long locks) to the wind. For more information about Volley's Heritage High Mullet Edition shoes, or to buy a pair, head to the brand's website.
Brewbakers in Albion are all about baking bread, bagels and sourdough doughnuts, and we are all about devouring them until our heart's content. Bread comes in the form of the high-top como, French baguette and sourdough fruit loaf to name but a few. The bakers like to experiment, so don't be surprised to see any number of fusion baked goods (think: bagel dog). Still, they don't forget much-adored favourites like drool-inducing jam, chocolate and butterscotch sourdough doughnuts.
No one needs an excuse to welcome in their Sunday with a boozy brunch, but Fiume Bar atop the Crystalbrook Vincent just came up with a new one anyway. Pairing your meal and drinks with a killer view is always reason enough to get up, and get eating and sipping — and the vantage from Howard Smith Wharves' resident rooftop bar sure is mighty spectacular. Wherever you find yourself at this inner-city precinct, you'll be staring at the Brisbane River. You may as well take a gander while you're enjoying a three-course brunch, though, and knocking back champagne cocktails, beers and wine. That's what's on the menu at Fiume's new Brisbane Brunch, which run every Sunday at 10.30am from Sunday, May 29. Your $110 ticket will nab you a platter filled with oak-smoked apple and tonka crumble, lychee and coconut panna cotta, danishes, pressed watermelon with sparkling rose, and a yoghurt piklet with riberry jam — and that's just for starters. From there, you'll be tucking into hibiscus flower with basil seed-cured salmon and burnt corn doughnuts, then going sweet with vanilla brioche French toast. Drinks-wise, you'll be saying cheers for two hours, including with mimosas, peach bellinis, prosecco, wine and beers. Pay an extra $30 and you'll sip Taittinger Brut Réserve Champagne, too. Images: Markus Ravik.
