2021 marks 40 years since author Thomas Harris first introduced the world to Hannibal Lecter in his 1981 novel Red Dragon. It's the 35th anniversary of the character initially making the leap to the screen in 1986 movie Manhunter, too. But it was the Oscar-winning 1991 film adaptation of 1988 book The Silence of the Lambs that made the character a pop culture mainstay — and helped ensure that big and small screen versions of Harris' work were never far from view for long. In cinemas, 2001's Hannibal and 2007's Hannibal Rising each adapted Harris' books of the same name. 2002's Red Dragon gave audiences another movie based on that novel, too. And, on television, 2013–5 series Hannibal also focused on the psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer. Across all of the above, Lecter has remained the constant — as played by Succession's Brian Cox originally, then earning Anthony Hopkins an Academy Award, then portrayed by French actor Gaspard Ulliel (It's Only the End of the World) and Danish star Mads Mikkelsen (Arctic). Next in the franchise: TV series Clarice, which starts airing in Australia from Friday, February 12 via streaming platform Stan, and just dropped its first full trailer. The new show continues the saga's fondness for titles that share their name with a character and, obviously, pushes someone other than Lecter to the fore. Clarice Starling was a student at the FBI Academy when she was sent to interview Lecter, and it changed her career — with Clarice picking up her story in 1993, a year after the events of The Silence of the Lambs, as she returns to the field. While Jodie Foster nabbed an Oscar for the role, and Julianne Moore stepped into Starling's shoes in Hannibal, this time the character is played by Australian actor Rebecca Breeds (Blue Water High, Home and Away, Pretty Little Liars, The Originals). She'll portray Starling as the FBI agent faces new cases and confronts her own past — and she'll be joined on-screen by co-stars Michael Cudlitz (The Walking Dead), Lucca de Oliveira (SEAL Team), Kal Penn (House), Nick Sandow (Orange Is the New Black), Devyn Tyler (The Purge), Jayne Atkinson (Criminal Minds) and newcomer Marnee Carpenter. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agjDfPTfMTY&feature=youtu.be Clarice starts streaming via Stan on Friday, February 12, dropping new episodes weekly. Top image: Brooke Palmer ©2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc.
Ever wondered if it was safe to go back into the water? You have Jaws to thank. When the killer shark flick swam into cinemas in 1975, it didn't just become Hollywood's first blockbuster — it also sparked phobias that have lingered for generations. Almost everyone has seen the eerily effective creature feature. Too many movies since have wanted to be it, too. Even if you somehow haven't watched the famed horror film, you still know of it, and you likely get creeped out whenever you heard just a few notes from its oft-deployed score. But if it weren't for Australian spearfisher and diver-turned-oceanographer and filmmaker Valerie Taylor and her husband Ron, Jaws may not have become the popular culture behemoth it is. It mightn't have had beachgoers thinking twice about taking a dip in the sea for the past 46 years, either, or had the same bite — or success — overall. Steven Spielberg directed Jaws, but the Taylors shot its underwater shark sequences — off the coast of Port Lincoln in South Australia, in fact. And, when one of the animals they were filming lashed out at a metal cage that had held a stuntman mere moments before, the pair captured one of the picture's most nerve-rattling scenes by accident. As everyone who has seen the huge hit has witnessed, Jaws benefits significantly from the Taylors' efforts. Indeed, before Peter Benchley's novel of the same name was even published, the duo was sent a copy of the book and asked if it would make a good feature (the answer: yes). Helping to make Jaws the phenomenon it is ranks among Valerie's many achievements, alongside surviving polio as a child, her scuba and spearfishing prowess, breaking boundaries by excelling in male-dominated fields in 60s, and the conservation activism that has drawn much of her focus in her later years. Linked to the latter, and also a feat that many can't manage: her willingness to confront her missteps and then do better. The apprehension that many folks feel when they're about to splash in the ocean? The deep-seated fear and even hatred of sharks, too? That's what Valerie regrets. Thanks to Jaws, being afraid of sharks is as natural to most people as breathing, and Valerie has spent decades wishing otherwise. That's the tale that Valerie Taylor: Playing with Sharks tells as it steps through her life and career. Taking a standard birth-to-now approach, the documentary has ample time for many of the aforementioned highlights, with Valerie herself either offering her memories via narration or popping up to talk viewers through her exploits. But two things linger above all else in this entertaining, engaging and insightful doco: the stunning archival footage, with Ron Taylor credited first among the feature's five cinematographers; and the work that Valerie has spearheaded to try to redress the world's fright-driven perception of sharks. The remarkable remastered clips shot by Ron make for astonishing and affecting viewing. Seeing the Taylors switch from chasing sharks to playing with and saving them does as well. Filmmaker Sally Aitken understands this and, helming her second big-screen documentary about an Aussie icon in the past four years — following 2017's David Stratton: A Cinematic Life — builds the bulk of her film around these decades-old materials. That choice also helps underscore Valerie and Ron's change of heart. Both were successful spearfishers, but Valerie is candid about the impact that killing a nurse shark in her line of work had. Helping to make 1971 documentary Blue Water White Death and then Jaws, the pair became committed to shooting with cameras rather than spears. Watching their footage, it's easy to see why. Valerie was known for her fearlessness (Ron even nicknamed her "give-it-a-go Valerie"), and her willingness to get up close and personal with the types of underwater critters most of us have nightmares about results in breathtaking imagery. Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of Jacques, is one of Playing with Sharks' other talking heads — and his dad wasn't envious of the Taylors' work, he should've been. All that footage should turn David Attenborough green-eyed as well; it brings him to mind more than once, actually. Playing with Sharks keeps its focus on Valerie — she isn't presented as a supporting player to her late husband, or appreciated here solely because she was once one of the rare woman working in her chosen fields — but the film's archival visuals also spark the kind of wonder and awe that's synonymous with Attenborough's documentaries. Some of the coral reefs dived by the Taylors no longer exist, but audiences can see them here. As images of her underwater frolics with sharks and other marine life fill the screen, Valerie speaks of the sheer abundance of critters she waded among, and the misguided 60s-era perception that that'd never change. The footage shot by the Taylors acts as a time capsule, harking back to a very recent stage in the earth's history that'll likely never be repeated. Even if it wasn't combined with Valerie's life story and reflections, these clips would still prove inspiring, especially when it comes to rethinking prevailing opinions about sharks — including great whites — and fighting for their conservation. Shark haters, consider this a warning: Playing with Sharks will have you reassessing your opinion. Any movie could've laid out the facts regarding shark behaviour, unpacked the hysteria or chronicled Valerie's impact, but her enthusiasm and passion are infectious here — including when the now 85-year-old pops a red ribbon in her hair again, slips her aching shoulder into her pink wetsuit, goes for a dive in Fiji and beams about how a shark just hit her. This isn't just a biographical doco about someone known for working with sharks; like last year's David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet, 2017's Jane Goodall documentary Jane and underwhelming 2021 Oscar-winner My Octopus Teacher, it's a movie about being profoundly changed by the natural world and all of its splendour. Aitken doesn't take any risks with her format, and noticeably so — but given Valerie's powerful story, she doesn't need to.
Future Totoros and Ponyos may not eventuate; Studio Ghibli have announced a hiatus to their animation feature film department. Surrounded by rumours of an outright closure, Studio Ghibli's general manager, Toshio Suzuki, announced the movements on Japanese television today as a "brief pause". Responsible for the likes of Spirited Away, Grave of the Fireflies, Howl's Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, Ponyo and My Neighbour Totoro among many, many other beloved tales, the animation studio is reassessing its filmic future. The news comes just under a year after legendary, Oscar-winning director Hayao Miyazaki announced his retirement in September 2013 and released his final film The Wind Rises in February this year. Differing translations of Suzuki's announcement caused minor havoc online (notably fuelled by so-called Ghibli insiders at Japanese website News Cafe and subsequently quashed by Kotaku). Although most thought the studio was closing its doors for good, newer, more accurate translations cleared things up. "On what to do with Studio Ghibli’s future, it is by no means impossible to keep producing [movies] forever," said Suzuki on the TBS program Jonetsu Tairiku. "However, we will take a brief pause to consider where to go from here." Producer and co-founder Suzuki stepped into Miyazaki's shoes and became general manager when the director retired from Ghibli last year, joining forces with other Studio half, director Isao Takahata (Grave of the Fireflies). So why is Ghibli shutting up shop? It seems to be a matter of money, a fair reason to reassess in a Michael Bay-peppered, box office landscape. According to Anime News Network, Studio Ghibli's latest film,When Marnie Was There opened at number three over the first weekend (July 19 - 20) with 378,790,697 yen (US$3,721,297) on 461 screens. That seems like a whole bunch, but the international market isn't so kind to arthouse-designated Ghibli. Marnie is set to hit US cinemas some time next year, with Australian release dates still TBC. Ghibli haven't covered up their financial struggle, most notably considering 2013's The Tale of Princess Kaguya a flop with tiny box office numbers (a huge step down from 2002's Acadamy Award-winning hit Spirited Away, which took US$274,925,095 worldwide). Suzuki said the studio is considering "housecleaning" or restructuring internally. While this doesn't entirely rule out a future shutdown, it seems the pause is centred around rebuilding the studio, managing copyrights and trademarks and possibly freelancing out projects — a good sign for Ghibli fans. But Kotaku has assured fans that Studio Ghibli is not dead yet, so we'll keep those good vibes delivered via Kiki and keep fingers crossed. Via Anime News Network, Kotaku and Hypable.
You've heard about the awesomeness of nap desks. But what about a whole nap bar? In a move that has us turning green with envy, French furniture company Smarin recently held a pop-up in a Dubai warehouse where visitors could stop in for a much needed snooze. Part of the Art Dubai and Design Days Dubai events, the temporary installation featured various foam lounge chairs of different shapes and sizes, along with pillows, herbal teas, essential oils and woolen ponchos. The space was lit by circular lamps that would switch on and off at five-second intervals in a manner designed to resemble slow, relaxed breathing. "I had the idea for the Nap Bar because when I'm walking in big cities, sometimes I take a break with a coffee but actually I need more of a real break," Smarin founder Stephanie Marin told Dezeen. Now before you quit your job and book a flight to the UAE, you should know that the nap bar pop-up actually finished up last week. Hopefully some clever entrepreneur was paying attention, because there is definitely a market for this kind of thing here in Australia. But until that becomes a reality (Virgin Active's sleep pods are a little too clinical for us), check out our list of creative ways to nap on the job. And now if you'll excuse us, all this typing has worn us out. Via Dezeen.
Anastasia Booth has wasted no time in making a name for herself in the Brisbane art world. Since graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Art (Visual Art) with Honours from the Queensland University of Technology in 2011, Anastasia has exhibited nationally and has turned heads with her expressive forms of art. In her latest exhibition, Crude Tools, Feeble Actions, Anastasia explores elements of sexual fetishism to further expand upon the discourses that aim to re-imagine female desire. Touching upon subjects like materiality, marginality and rituality, Anastasia aims to bring all elements together by linking them to sexual fetish and art practice. Her work encompasses installation, sculpture, video, performance and sound art – bringing sexuality and sensuality new meaning. The opening night takes place on Wednesday, April 24, with an artist talk occurring on Wednesday, May 1.
While plenty about taking a holiday has changed over the past year or so, flight sales keep coming — and Australians keep snapping up tickets. Unsurprisingly, we're all keen to travel when and where we can in these pandemic-afflicted times. And if you're constantly thinking about your next getaway, Jetstar is dropping yet another batch of cheap fares. The Limited Time Only sale will kick off at 9am on Friday, April 23. As the name suggests, it's only on offer for a brief period. You'll need to nab your discounted tickets before 11.59pm AEST on Monday, April 26, although fares might sell out earlier. In the sale, you'll find cheap flights across a heap routes from destinations right across the country. That's a regular part of these specials, so there are no surprises there. But this time, because the trans-Tasman bubble is open and zooming across to New Zealand is now possible — and allowed — you can also pick up discounted tickets to NZ. Domestically, fares start at $33 for flights from Sydney to Avalon, with Sydneysiders also able to head to Hobart from $69, either Uluru or Hamilton Island from $99, and Perth from $159. Melburnians can book trips to Launceston from $45, Adelaide from $49, and Ballina and Byron Bay from $59, while Brisbanites can zip to Newcastle from $49, and Cairns or Melbourne from $69. Yes, the list goes on. For flights to NZ, tickets kick off at $175, which'll get you from the Gold Coast to either Auckland or Wellington. From Sydney and Melbourne, it'll cost you $195 to Auckland and $225 to Queenstown. [caption id="attachment_808728" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Artist: David Hilliam[/caption] Tickets in the sale are for trips from May 2021–January 2022, with exact dates varying in each region. And there are a few caveats, as is always the case. The discounted flights are one way, and they don't include checked baggage — so you'll need to travel super light, or pay extra to take a suitcase. And, as always, keeping an eye on both interstate and New Zealand border requirements is recommended. To promote the sale, Jetstar has also commissioned three large-scale artworks, all emblazoned with the words "available for a limited time only". One 90-metre-long piece by artist Edward popped up in the sand along the Great Ocean Road, another took over a Sydney rooftop and a third also got sandy at Piha Beach in Auckland. Jetstar's Limited Time Only sale runs from 9am AEST on Friday, April 23 till 11.59pm AEST on Monday, April 26, or until sold out.
People of Brisbane, meet your new favourite dive bar: Sonny's House of Blues. Most places earn their 'House' name after years of dimly lit dinginess, but this new joint's skipping the history. Sonny’s hails back to the types of places common in Los Angeles, and with good reason — it was in LA that owner Jamie Webb came up with the idea. Webb made up with a story to go with the venue, claiming that legendary American bluesman Sonny Terry used to own a blues bar, but his son turned it into a rock joint after he died. The namesake is real, but the rest is pure fiction. The description might be a little harsh; however Sonny’s owns its vibe of '80s rock 'n' roll in everything from its live music line-up to its booth seating. Located down in the inner-city depths of Rowes Lane in the space that Rosie’s once called home, this isn’t quite the grungy hole-in-the-wall you might expect — but with retro décor and a buzzing atmosphere, it is definitely the next best thing. Think sleaze without the actual sleaze. The Mexican-themed menu brings tasty treats to this laidback establishment, including tacos, burritos and quesadillas served for lunch and dinner. Drinks-wise, expect tequila, bourbon and coke slushies, frozen margaritas, '80s-named cocktails, and more than 40 kinds of craft beer. The American speakeasy-style hangout is the latest in a long line of bars and music venues opening around the city, with new joints seeming to pop up every week. That Brisbanites have Webb to thank for the new CBD haunt is hardly surprising, given that he owns Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Gordita, Peasant and the also-new Los Villanos as well. Find Sonny’s House of Blues in Rowes Lane off Edward Street, in the Brisbane CBD. Visit their website for more information. Image: Wayne T. Helfrich.
It’s nothing new to reference the explosion of social media across our cultural landscape, how it mediates our fumbling navigation through the murky and glorious waters of the World Wide Web, nor how its various forms facilitate and foster ever-expanding networks of communication, knowledge and connection globally. Rather than contracting our cyber presence to the corners of our computer screens, sites such as GetUp! and Twitter have become the go-to tools of a dynamic, interwoven and international citizenry in their various en-masse calls for change to governments, institutions and laws (think of the Arab Spring, or the current ‘Occupy Wall Street’ movement). A concurrent trend of the Noughties has been the popularisation of ethical consumerism. No longer the exclusive domain of hippies or hipsters, the growth of demand for organic food, fairtrade goods, farmers markets and the like reveal a genuine awakening regarding the production of goods as well as a desire to align one's consumerism with one's values. Cue the bright-eyed, pigtailed offspring of these two trends, Slavery Footprint. A new app developed by Justin Dillon, Slavery Footprint aims to show you how many ‘slaves’ your consumption entails via the supply chain, which, the website informs, now enslaves more people than at any time in human history. The application isn’t designed as a guilt trip or a disincentive to buying, but rather is geared towards heightening awareness as an avenue for inciting change – change through you, and your choices. And not just a change in the brands you buy – the app doesn’t offer ‘alternative, cruelty-free’ options so as to avoid the emergence of expensive, ‘ethical’ brands only economically accessible to certain demographics – but rather a change in the entire mentality towards consumption and, hopefully, along with it, the enterprise of slave labour that sustains it. Says Ambassador Luis CdeBaca of the U.S. State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, who helped develop the app, “You’re going to be touched by slavery no matter what, and I think that’s actually a liberating thing. We can no longer say this is someone else’s problem….” Overwhelmingly, the ethos of the app is empowerment, and apparently Dillon has struck an untapped reservoir of empowerment-hungry shoppers. On a recent trip to Melbourne I happened across a piece of paper stuck to a graffitied wall in an alleyway that asked “Is our empathy on the rise?” After ponderous deliberation, I wrote “Maybe, but I think we can do better”. And with the aid of innovations such as Slavery Footprint, perhaps we can, after all.
When a music festival takes place in a winery, it already has two of the three fest essentials taken care of before it even announces its lineup: an ace location and booze. But, that doesn't mean that Grapevine Gathering slouches on talent. The acts hitting its stages around the country are always chosen to impress, and the just-dropped 2023 roster of folks is no different. Leading the charge: Spacey Jane, King Stingray and Vanessa Amorosi, with the latter meaning that 'Absolutely Everybody' will be stuck in your head for weeks afterwards. The Wombats and Hayden James are also on the bill, both doing Australian-exclusive shows at the wine-fuelled festival. [caption id="attachment_905845" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sam Hendel[/caption] Rounding out the list: Cannons, The Rions, Teenage Joans and Bella Amor, plus podcast duo Lucy and Nikki on hosting duties. Grapevine Gathering's lineup announcement comes after the fest locked in its 2023 dates and venues earlier in June, with a five-state tour with stops in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales on the way this October. Its destinations: Sirromet Wines at Mount Cotton, Serafino Wines in McLaren Vale, Sandalford Wines in Swan Valley, Rochford Estate in the Yarra Valley and Hope Estate in the Hunter Valley, respectively. Victoria will play host to the first gig of the tour on Saturday, October 7, with Grapevine Gathering then pinballing up to Queensland on Sunday, October 8. The next weekend, it heads west on Saturday, October 14, then does NSW on Saturday, October 21 and SA on Sunday, October 22. Naturally, sipping wine is a huge part of the attraction. As always, attendees will have access to a heap of vino given the fest's locations, as well as an array of food options. GRAPEVINE GATHERING 2023 DATES: Saturday, October 7 — Rochford Estate, Victoria Sunday, October 8 — Sirromet Wines, Queensland Saturday, October 14 — Sandalford Wines, Western Australia Saturday, October 21 — Hope Estate, New South Wales Sunday, October 22 — Serafino Wines, South Australia GRAPEVINE GATHERING 2023 LINEUP: Spacey Jane The Wombats Hayden James King Stingray Vanessa Amorosi Cannons The Rions Teenage Joans Bella Amor Hosted by Lucy and Nikki Grapevine Gathering will tour Australia in October 2023. Pre-sale registrations are open now via the festival's website, for tickets from 6pm AEST on Wednesday, June 21 — and all remaining tickets will go on sale at 6pm on Thursday, June 22. Top images: Jordan Munns / Jess Gleeson.
Fresh from a superhero stint in Eternals in 2021, Kumail Nanjiani is heading in a different direction: true crime, and a wild example of the genre at that. When a story involves murder, money and a male strip-club empire that's known the world over, it's going to take some twists and turns. In your streaming queue come November, Welcome to Chippendales will spill the details. As both the initial teaser and the just-dropped full trailer for this new Disney+ miniseries shows, Nanjiani plays Somen 'Steve' Banerjee, who was born in India, moved to the US, bought a Los Angeles nightclub and founded the striptease troupe-turned-worldwide hit that shares Welcome to Chippendales' name. Banerjee's tale involves outrageous success, but also turns into sinister territory. That's putting it mildly; however, if you don't already know the details, you'll want to discover the rest while watching. Move over Magic Mike: we've found everyone's next stripper-fuelled obsession, and new true-crime addiction as well. On-screen, the rest of the star-studded cast includes recent The White Lotus Emmy-winner Murray Bartlett, Yellowjackets' Juliette Lewis and American Crime Story's Annaleigh Ashford, as well as Dan Stevens (I'm Your Man), Andrew Rannells (Girls5eva), Nicola Peltz Beckham (Holidate), Quentin Plair (The Good Lord Bird) and Robin de Jesús (Tick, Tick... Boom!). Behind the scenes, WandaVision's Matt Shakman is in the director's chair and, if you're fond of the era, expect the appropriate soundtrack (and vibe) when the show starts streaming from Tuesday, November 22. It'll drop two episodes first up, then new instalments weekly afterwards across the eight-episode limited series' run. If this seems like an odd fit for Disney+ — and certainly different from keeping huge pop-culture franchises on our screens or ensuring that everyone's childhood favourites never fade into memory (and sometimes doing both at the same time) — just remember that the service streamed the 90s-set Pam & Tommy as well. In fact, if watching the trailers for the Welcome to Chippendales gets you thinking about that series, there's another reason for that: writer/executive producer/creator Robert Siegel is behind both. In the US, the two shows were made by the Mouse House-owned US streaming platform Hulu, which happens to be mighty fond of scandals and ripped-from-the-headlines territory. But that platform doesn't operate Down Under, hence this tale about a massive stripping-empire saga, sordid deeds driven by money and murder because of the dance floor is ending up on Disney+. Check out the full Welcome to Chippendales trailer below: Welcome to Chippendales will be available to stream via Disney+ from November 22.
Everyone has different priorities when it comes to planning a holiday. For some, it's a jam-packed itinerary of outdoor adventures. Others may be looking for a place to kick back and relax. But for you, it may be all about seeking out good food and drinks. Hey, we don't blame you. You've got to keep fuel in the tank for that sightseeing. Canberra is one city that delivers all of the above on a silver platter. A weekend here can be filled with wondrous epicurean delights, plus a hell of a lot of life-affirming tasty vino. You'll find everything from fine dining establishments and cosy wine bars to bustling markets and top-notch wineries. Throw in a few more unique food experiences that you're unlikely to find in your city and you've got yourself a pretty amazing food-filled weekend. If you're guilty of planning every single meal in advance, right down to the dishes you (and your travelling companion) will order, we've got you covered. Read on to discover five spots around the capital that you must make a stop at on your next trip. Please stay up to date with the latest ACT Government health advice regarding COVID-19.
Although Longtime hasn’t been on the scene for a very long time (geddit?), their contemporary Vietnamese share dishes have certainly made an impression. If you love seafood, sharing, gorgeous interiors and cocktails on arrival, this is the Good Food Month event for you. For $90 you can try a seafood smorgasbord, including soft shell crab bao, Moreton Bay bug curry, banana flower and egg salad nets, plus a cocktail and dessert to finish you off.
Before the pandemic, heading overseas for your end-of-year break — for Christmas, New Year's Eve, or just because you've got some time off — might've been part of your summer plans. That wasn't possible over the summer of 2020–21; however, it looks set to be back on the cards from this December, with Australia's Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan announcing that the country's international border will open back up "at this rate, by Christmas at the latest." The Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister discussed international borders on Wednesday, September 22 as part of his National Press Club address, noting that "it's another reason why everyone should get vaccinated, and we have to stick to the national plan." Back in July, the Federal Government unveiled Australia's roadmap for dealing with the pandemic moving forward, which has been dubbed the National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID Response — and it includes allowing Aussies to travel overseas again without restrictions when 80 percent of the nation's eligible population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. "We continue to do all that preparatory work to make sure that when those international borders open, hopefully at the latest by Christmas," Tehan continued. "Australians will be able to travel with a QR code linked to their passport, which will be able to show a proof of vaccination." Providing documentation to show you've been vaxxed is set to become a standard part of Australian life moving forward, and is also highlighted in New South Wales and Victoria's roadmap out of their respective lockdowns. Under both plans, looser restrictions will apply to people who've been fully vaccinated in both states, who'll need to prove they've been double jabbed. Also on Wednesday, September 22, NSW announced that it's about to conduct a trial of a vaccine passport that'll link COVID-19 vax certificates to the existing Service NSW app. Exactly how reopening Australia's international borders will work is yet to be explained, including where the nation will open up to — and if it'll reopen to all of the globe at once, or in stages, or via bubble arrangements. Earlier in 2021, Australia and New Zealand implemented the trans-Tasman travel bubble, allowing quarantine-free travel between the two countries; however, it has been suspended due to COVID-19 outbreaks since July, and isn't set to resume until at least mid-November. The Australian Government has also floated the possibility of opening a similar arrangement with Singapore — and extending travel bubbles to some countries, such as Singapore and places in the Pacific, is specifically mentioned in the nation's roadmap. Unsurprising, just when Australia will reopen its international borders has been the subject of much discussion over the 18 months since the Federal Government implemented an indefinite ban on international travel, only allowing Aussies to leave the country in very limited circumstances. Last year's prediction that opening up to the rest of the world wouldn't happen in 2020 proved accurate — and, earlier this year, Australia's ex-Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy (now the Secretary of the Department of Health) said that we might not be going anywhere until 2022. Back in May, the Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister and Prime Minister Scott Morrison both advised that mid-2022 was the likeliest time for reopening. With Australia's vax campaign gathering speed, Qantas and Jetstar have begun selling tickets for overseas flights for trips scheduled from December, demonstrating hope that the country's international travel rules could ease by then. That said, the airlines did start selling the same types of tickets earlier in 2021, working towards a planned October date that was subsequently postponed. At the time of writing, 48.5 percent of Australians over the age of 16 have had both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
For years, French wine has carried a reputation that's both revered and, let's be honest, a little intimidating. Grand Cru? Appellation d'Origine Protégée? It can all feel like a secret language. But beyond the codes and classifications lies a truth worth rediscovering: French wine is less about labels and more about land. And today, a new generation of producers is making that land speak louder — with clarity, purpose and a surprising accessibility that's finally reaching Australian tables. Read on for our guide to French wines, their Aussie lookalikes and what you should be drinking them with. The Loire: Fresh, Crisp and Perfect With Seafood Sauvignon blanc drinkers used to wines from the Adelaide Hills or Marlborough will find familiarity — and perhaps surprise — in the Loire's restrained, mineral expressions. Stretching from the Atlantic coast to the heart of central France, the Loire Valley produces some of the most food-friendly wines. It's one of the country's most diverse and dynamic regions, and one that pairs beautifully with Australia's seasonal, produce-driven cuisine. Sancerre, Reuilly and Pouilly-Fumé offer crisp, flinty sauvignon blancs that elevate seafood, fresh cheeses and vegetables with vibrant acidity. Ordering oysters at a restaurant? Skip the sparkling and go for a Loire sauvignon instead — it'll slice through the brininess with razor-sharp freshness. Quincy adds a floral, zesty touch, ideal with grilled fish or salads. For reds, cabernet franc brings a lighter touch: bright-fruited, low in tannin and full of charm. Pair it with charcuterie, grilled vegetables or a Sunday roast chicken. [caption id="attachment_1018160" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] Burgundy: Precision Rooted in Exceptional Terroir Pinot noir lovers from Tasmania or the Mornington Peninsula will feel at home, but Burgundy adds a savoury depth that's worth exploring. If Bordeaux built its prestige on boldness, Burgundy built its legacy on nuance. Here, pinot noir and chardonnay are the stars — two grapes Australians already know well, but in Burgundy they show another side. Pinot noir here is savoury, earth-driven and age-worthy. If you love Tasmanian pinot, you'll recognise the elegance but with less fruit and more mushroom, spice and forest floor. It's perfect with duck breast, mushroom risotto or soft cheeses such as brie. Chardonnay shifts depending on its village — from steely and mineral in Chablis (picture it with freshly shucked prawns and grilled fish) to rich and nutty in Meursault (ideal with lobster, roast chicken or creamy pasta). [caption id="attachment_688735" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] The Rhône Valley: Warmth, Spice and Balance Fans of Barossa shiraz or GSM blends from McLaren Vale will find Rhône reds comfortingly familiar — but with lifted aromatics and distinctly European restraint. Stretching from Lyon to Avignon, the Rhône produces wines that feel instantly relatable to Australian palates: bold yet balanced, sun-drenched but structured. In the south, grenache-led blends like Châteauneuf-du-Pape offer layers of fruit, spice and silky tannins — perfect with chargrilled lamb or slow-cooked vegetables. In the north, syrah reigns supreme: savoury, peppery and elegant. If you love Barossa shiraz, it will feel like its leaner, spicier cousin. Pair it with beef fillet, venison, roast duck or smoky eggplant dishes. Champagne: Beyond the Big Names Champagne might be the classic aperitif, but in France, it's also a food wine. A glass of brut with oysters or tempura? Perfect. A bottle of rosé champagne alongside salmon, duck or a summer berry dessert? Even better. Vintage champagne, made only in exceptional years, pairs beautifully with richer dishes like lobster, scallops or truffle risotto. Extra brut — bone-dry and precise — cuts through fried chicken or chargrilled seafood with ease. For Australians, the closest comparison is Tasmania's boutique sparkling scene, where grower champagnes offer freshness and complexity without the flash. If you normally reach for prosecco or Tassie fizz, try champagne in its many forms — brut for starters, rosé with mains or vintage for something special. The renewed interest in French wine isn't about prestige — it's about connection. Just as Australians have embraced minimal-intervention wines from regions like the Adelaide Hills or Margaret River, they're now discovering that many French producers follow a similar ethos. While big names still dominate shelves, smaller importers are fuelling the renaissance. One such importer is Aptent Gourmet, a Sydney-based team whose portfolio spans the Loire, Burgundy, Champagne and the Rhône — all chosen for their focus on small-scale, sustainable farming and wines that reflect people as much as place. Ready to trial a French drop at your next dinner? Explore our favourite French restaurants in Melbourne and French restaurants in Sydney. Images: Supplied
When Death and Taxes started slinging whisky in Burnett Lane, it set up shop in a heritage-listed building that dates back to the 19th century. So, when the team behind it decided to open another CBD spot, they followed a tried-and-tested pattern. Dr Gimlette sits on the opposite side of the mall, and goes heavy on cocktails and spirits in general, but it too has nestled into a location with a significant past. That address: 109 Edward Street, which was home to Metro Arts before it made the move over to West Village in West End. In the arts centre's former base — a building that also dates back to the 19th century, and is considered one of Brisbane's oldest — Dr Gimlette has turned the ground floor into a luxe and cosy cocktail bar with a big focus on table service. Here, Martin Lange, Wiebke Lange, Blake Ward and Belle Ward want you to take a seat, get comfortable and enjoy having your drinks brought to you. The team has taken inspiration from top bars elsewhere, such as The Savoy in London, The Dead Rabbit in New York and Black Pearl in Melbourne, to bring Brissie a sit-down drinking experience. Opt for a martini, and it'll be made right in front of you, too — shaken, stirred, thrown or nitro frozen, and with your choice of garnishes and gin — all thanks to the venue's two martini carts. The 30-beverage cocktail menu covers all the classics, and favours ingredients from local suppliers. Or, you can opt for a spritz on tap, which'll rotate its selection. And, as you'll notice upon walking in, Dr Gimlette isn't short on spirits if you'd prefer the hard stuff by itself. Its eye-catching bar boasts more than 800 bottles, or you can pick from the beer and wine range as well. Decked out with a nine-metre-long marble bar, leather booths, timber aplenty and dim lighting, the venue takes its old-school feel and its sense of cosiness seriously. At the time of writing, due to pandemic restrictions, it caters to 50 patrons — but will only double that number to 100 when there's no COVID-19 rules in place. And if you're wondering about the name, it harks back to surgeon Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Gimlette, who is credited with being the first to add lime cordial to gin, creating a combination that'd go on to become the gimlet. Images: Grace Elizabeth Images.
Every dog loves the beach, but perhaps your pet pooch would like to do more than just paddle by the shore and sprint along the sand? Did you ever think about that? Well VetShopAustralia certainly have, and to get them on the board, they're holding their annual Surfing Dog Spectacular in Noosa this weekend, March 5-6. If you've ever dreamed of hanging ten with your four-legged bestie, this is your chance. So, do you actually need to know how to surf in order to teach your dog to do the same? Nope. In a free, Saturday morning clinic designed to teach pet owners how to get fit, have fun and strengthen their bond with their beloved canine, former tandem surfing world champion and professional dog trainer Chris De Aboitiz will teach you everything you need. Plus, if you don't have a hound of your own, you can even take to the waves with one of his rescue animals. If watching rather than participating is more your style, then head along on Sunday afternoon instead. That's when you can witness the best of Australia's surfing dogs in action, showcasing new manoeuvres and competing for the grand VetShopAustralia Surfing Dog Spectacular title. Part of the Noosa Festival of Surfing, the event celebrates its fifth year in 2016. If you've skipped it previously, don't make the same mistake again. Just think: if you can get your furry friend to stand on a surfboard, you're one step closer to making an all-dog remake of Point Break a reality. The VetShopAustralia Surfing Dog Spectacular takes place from March 5-6 at The Spit and First Point, Noosa. For more information, visit their website.
There are few pleasures more simple or satisfying in this life than a great meal with great company. It's with that fact in mind that we again find comedians Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan bouncing from one tantalising meal to the next in the third installment of Michael Winterbottom's gastro-comedy series The Trip. Beginning in 2010, the original Trip was a 'best of' that drew from Winterbottom's six-part series for the BBC in which Brydon and Coogan travelled the UK's Lake District 'reviewing' restaurants for their respective publishers. It featured a threadbare fictional storyline that served only to place these two astoundingly witty and sardonic impressionists opposite one another – verbal sparring partners forever determined to fell the other with a devastating barb. The result was a delightful laugh-out-loud comedy that never once threatened to veer towards the gross-out or foul-mouthed gags so common in contemporary Hollywood comedies. The first film's success spawned a sequel, The Trip to Italy, four years later. Now we're greeted with the third course in The Trip to Spain. It's all very much business as usual, with close-ups of mouth-watering food porn breaking up the otherwise largely static shots of Coogan and Brydon facing off against one another, backed by breathtaking scenery and captivating architecture. There's a little history thrown in throughout the film, as well as the occasional food review, but at its heart The Trip to Spain knows where the gold lies and it rarely strays far from the path. Some of you may already be familiar with the common personality quiz question that asks what two people you'd most like to have over for a dinner party. If nothing else, you'd be hard pressed to find a better return on investment than Brydon and Coogan, given how effortlessly the two become 20. Many of the same impersonations from the first two movies return here, including Al Pacino, Michael Caine and Roger Moore. But it's the new entries – David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Sir Anthony Hopkins – that earn the biggest laughs. That these impressions are so often inspired by real life encounters or precious personal moments with their subjects gives what might otherwise feel like a tired parlour trick a critical grounding in tenderness – especially in the case of the Bowie exchange. If there's a complaint to be made this time round, it's that the fictional storyline brings the film to a close on a note that's both abrupt and rather bizarre. The likelihood of another follow-up seems assured given the left-field cliffhanger, but it's so at odds with the class and character of the series that one almost wishes the fictional narrative could be dispensed with entirely. Either that, or shift away from the episodic format of television and become an out-and-out film series. We'll just have to wait and see. For now, at least, we've got some more sumptuous comedy to enjoy, along with course after course of delicious food to match. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTvy8ab1NSo
How do you know when an event has well and truly become a part of a city's cultural landscape? When you can't remember a time before it graced the annual calendar, that's when. MELT, Brisbane Powerhouse's celebration of queer arts and culture, has only been doing its thing since 2015 — but based on the program on offer in the festival's third year, you wouldn't know it. Over the course of 12 days from January 25 to February 5, MELT will be living up to its name by melting hearts with its celebratory, inclusive and diverse lineup. Think LGBTI+ art, theatre, cabaret, comedy, music and ideas, all in one huge package. Yes, it's Brisbane's answer to Mardi Gras and Midsumma — and yes, you should snap up tickets to these six must-see eventsas soon as you can.
Have you heard the rumour that we're heading into one of the coldest winters ever? While we're sad to say goodbye to lazy beach days and rooftop bars, we're (very) warmly embracing the news as a good excuse for indoor activities — think intimate dinners, house parties and plenty of gigs. To help with the seasonal transition, we've launched a new gig guide in partnership with JBL Link Speakers. Here, we'll give you the low-down on all of the best performers filling our fair cities with their tunes. And since we love doing the hard work for you, we'll also include a curated Spotify playlist of our recommendations for pre-gig study and post-gig reminiscing. To celebrate this new partnership, we're giving away three sets of JBL Link 10 speakers, valued at $229 each. As well as wireless connection, these mighty music boxes have hands-free voice control so Google Assistant becomes your personal DJ — simply shout "OK, Google" and your tune of choice and music will start streaming directly via Chromecast. With up to five hours of play time and high quality sound, the JBL Link 10 speakers are the perfect home accessory for music mavens. To enter, see details below. [competition]659863[/competition]
As soon as they step off the plane in Tropical North Queensland, most people make a beeline for the Great Barrier Reef. After all, this marine wonderland is the largest coral reef system in the world and attracts visitors from every corner of the globe. The reef is bold and beautiful but it's also a delicate ecosystem, so it's important to take care when travelling to help protect it and to remember a few quick tips before you explore. Even simple actions like swapping to reef-safe sunscreen or checking you're fishing where you're allowed to do so can have long-lasting positive effects on the health of this natural wonder. Luckily, there are plenty of easy ways you can help keep our reef beautiful for generations to come. [caption id="attachment_842448" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] OFFSET YOUR TRIP Offsetting your trip is an easy way to travel responsibly — especially with many tourism and travel providers of all sizes now providing you an option to do so. One Tropical North Queensland tourism provider that is both dedicated to eco-friendly explorations and aids sustainability efforts is the award-winning Cairns-based Passions of Paradise. The company offers reef tours as well as snorkelling and scuba diving with all gear included, too, so you can get up close to turtles, fish and all the coral-dwelling creatures of the reef with ease before relaxing on board with a buffet lunch. Passions also gives certified divers the chance to engage in citizen science with its Eco Tours. Under the direction of a Master Reef Guide, divers who opt for this experience can contribute to ongoing reef conservation projects and support the work of local conservationists on the Great Barrier Reef through things like surveying reef locations, monitoring reef health or assisting in coral planting. Not a certified diver? You can still make a difference — Passions of Paradise work with researchers to help grow coral through the Coral Nurture Program and offset carbon emissions by planting trees in the Daintree. If you're visiting the reef from Port Douglas, consider a trip with Sailaway. This full-day tour with a qualified marine biologist is a great way to learn more about the wonders beneath the shimmering blue waves. The best bit? The company donates $20 from every ticket to its reforestation and carbon offsetting project. [caption id="attachment_830381" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] SEE THE REEF WITH FIRST NATIONS GUIDES If your idea of a perfect day in the ocean is seeing beautiful reefs and getting an insightful connection to the sea, put Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel on your itinerary. Offering a unique experience, this local team of First Nations sea rangers will invite you to step into the Great Barrier Reef's Dreamtime. Cairns' only Indigenous-focused cruise, Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel is recognised as one of Australia's leading ecotourism providers thanks to its Advanced Eco accreditation awarded by Ecotourism Australia and a Climate Action Business Certification, with its tours and activities carried out in line with industry-best standards. Some proceeds from ticket sales go to local conservation initiatives and further research through GBR Biology group, a dedicated team of marine biologists, educations and rangers that delivers immersive experiences and invests in coral reef monitoring and research. [caption id="attachment_845484" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mikhail Nilov (Pexels)[/caption] USE REEF-SAFE SUNSCREEN (OR WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING SO YOU DON'T NEED SUNSCREEN) If you went to primary school in Australia, then you are probably pretty familiar with the 'slip, slop, slap' campaign. Sun protection is always paramount when you live in a scorching country, but there are ways to keep yourself protected that also help protect the planet. Certain sunscreen ingredients are known to cause coral deterioration, so it's worth being savvy when choosing your products. An easy guide is to look for reef-safe ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and avoid nasties such as oxybenzone and octinoxate. Also, look for packaging that is recycled or recyclable and stay away from spray sunscreens that cause excess product to land on the sand. But if you're looking for the easiest (and most effective) way to escape sun damage, opt for protective clothing that is dark and densely woven. Unlike sunscreen, it doesn't need to be reapplied, and never washes off. [caption id="attachment_845201" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] GET INVOLVED IN CITIZEN SCIENCE It's easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to the long-term health of the Great Barrier Reef, but there are some simple ways we can all help. The Eye on the Reef app allows you to quickly log information about reef health and wildlife sightings, allowing anyone who visits to contribute to its protection. It's simple to use, free to download and use and requires zero special equipment — it takes just seconds to record any spots of coral bleaching or instances of sick animals. The app also uses GPS settings to give you specific zoning rules for each area, so you don't get caught out fishing or diving in restricted spots. [caption id="attachment_845200" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] PLANT SOME CORAL Want to help the reef in an immediate and hands-on way? Scuba divers: assemble. All you need is a PADI certification and a ticket on the Passions of Paradise reef tour. This proud ecotourism operator has spent decades on the reef via its 30-metre catamaran. Its Coral Nurture Program is a collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney and allows previously damaged sections of coral to flourish. Divers are carefully guided underwater and shown how to harvest tiny pieces of coral that they then relocate to a coral nursery where they can safely grow up to 30 centimetres each year. This is an immersive and educational activity that gives divers a tangible connection to coral rehabilitation. [caption id="attachment_845197" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] ADOPT SOME CORAL Keen to help with coral conservation but don't have your diving licence? We've got you sorted. The Reef Restoration Foundation (RRF) is a not-for-profit social enterprise that challenges the idea that the reef is damaged beyond hope. Following a coral bleaching event in 2016, keen diver and soon-to-be RRF founder Gary McKenna observed that the coral in his home aquarium could regrow and create new fragments. He expanded his research worldwide, and discovered that there were several coral replanting methods that hadn't been tried on the Great Barrier Reef. International experts came on board, and grant funding allowed the RRF coral nurseries to double. While these steps are incredibly positive, reef restoration is a long-term project. By adopting your own patch of coral through RRF, you can provide much-needed funds to keep resources flowing. Plus, you will receive regular growth updates on your cute coral patch. [caption id="attachment_845797" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Juergen Freund[/caption] VISIT THE OUTER REEF When visiting the Great Barrier Reef, it's tempting to look for the quickest tours that have you zipping there and back before nightfall. However, for those who want to really immerse themselves in the region, the Eco Tourism Australia-accredited Coral Expeditions offers seven- and ten-day adventures to the outer stretches of the reef, far beyond the reach of most tourist vessels. Jump on board one of the company's purpose-designed small ships for an immersive voyage to uninhabited sand cays and pristine reef systems, taking in some of the most impressive and untouched dive sites on the Great Barrier Reef. The expeditions visit both the Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, with on-board experts to guide you through unforgettable moments like meeting green sea turtles, a Welcome to Country in the world's oldest rainforest and many more. LEARN ABOUT REEF CONVERSATION A useful resource for reef conservation information are the Master Reef Guides. These marine experts must meet a long list of criteria before they can carry the title, as well as having to undergo additional training in public speaking and storytelling. If learning more about the iconic destination is on your list while in Tropical North Queensland, be sure to book a tour that has a Master Reef Guide – they work across both tourism and research vessels. Ready to be rewarded for living responsibly? For more information on obtaining Green tier status via the Qantas Frequent Flyers program, visit the website. Top image: Tourism and Events Queensland Words: Eliza Crisp, Courtney Ammenhauser, Stephanie Monteith, Nik Addams.
Somehow music artists seem to look even cooler in their music videos than they usually do - which is saying something. Their level of chic can seem daunting to us fans, mere mortals that we are. Regardless, online fashion retailer SSENSE wants you to buck up and give the whole rockstar thing a go. With their new 'shoppable music video', SSENSE makes that unattainable level of swagger...well, attainable. Collaborating with Iggy Azalea, Diplo, and FKi on their latest video 'I Think She Ready', the retailer breaks down the outfits of each artist for potential buyers. When the artist appears on the screen, a small 'S' logo will hover over their outfit. Click on it, and a new page will open, complete with information on each component of the outfit. Each featured piece is from the Spring/Summer 2012 collection of a variety of high-end designers. Whether you are lusting after Iggy's Alexander Wang cat-eye sunglasses, or envying her J Brand snow leopard jeans, simply click and purchase. SSENSE CEO Rami Atallah says, "The integration we are introducing between technology, entertainment and retail with this video not only creates a unique experience for the audience, but also has utility." Watch, sing along, and shop like a rockstar? All from the comfort of our desk? We're in. [via PSFK]
If you're going to run two wholefoods eateries on opposite sides of Brisbane's inner city, you're probably going to consume a hefty amount of caffeine to get you through the day. That must be the case for Botanica Real Food's Alison and Brett Hutley. In fact, they're taking their love of coffee to the next level by opening their very own brew-slinging cafe. Opening up just two doors down from Botanica's Teneriffe site, Greenhaus Coffee fills a gap the duo's fans will be well aware of: neither of its stores serve coffee. "We always had a firm stance that we wouldn't, as long as we were neighbouring a coffee shop," says Alison. Then the cafe next door to their Doggett Street digs relocated. "[Then] it was impossible to find a reason not to launch Greenhaus Coffee," she explains. Greenhaus is open for breakfast, brunch and lunch seven days a week, with its focus firmly on flavoursome cuppas and tasty morning nosh. The former comes courtesy of New Zealand coffee roasters Allpress Espresso, while the latter features grab-and-go options — including Botanica's breakfast tartines (toasted sourdough with assorted sweet and savoury toppings) and parfait cups (espresso and date brown rice porridge with coconut yoghurt). As for new menu additions, expect mini spinach and parmesan brioche toasties, spelt and raspberry scones, apple and cinnamon crumble loaf, and warm vanilla porridge.
There are a lot of stereotypes about a full moon that we could call on here — moody mates, transformations into other-worldly beings and Thai beach festivals among them. But when a full moon falls on a Saturday evening, the best way to look at it is as an excuse for a big ol' party — and that's certainly how Jade Buddha is approaching things. On Saturday, March 3, the Eagle Street Pier venue will be hosting one of its popular Full Moon Parties upstairs in the Shadow Lounge. The lunar soiree includes a food and beverage package for $40 per person, so from 6–8pm you can feast on canapés alongside tap beer, wine and, of course, Thai bucket cocktails. After 8pm, the lounge is open to other full moon revellers to join in on the festivities with great DJs scheduled throughout the night. If the moon or sweeping views of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge aren't enough to keep your gaze fixed outwards and upwards, illuminated water jetpack and fireworks displays at 6.30pm and 8.15pm definitely will. To secure your spot on the guest list, book tickets here.
Germany takes its public transport seriously. When Berlin boasts a pair of sneakers designed to match the subway system, and the nation's state-owned railway company is looking to create a 'train of the future', that's pretty clear. The country's next idea not only stresses the point, but does the environment a solid and is certain to prove a hit with commuters: free public transport. As reported by Die Welt, according to a letter penned by German ministers and seen by German media, the government is proposing to trial the concept in five particular cities — all places considered heavily polluted. Bonn, Essen, Reutlingen, Mannheim and Herrenberg are set to put the plan into action, with the move coming as Germany faces legal action from the EU over its breach of air pollution levels due to vehicle emissions. Just how it would work — in terms of additional buses, trains and trams needed, and the budget required to finance them — is still under consideration, as are exact implementation timing and plans. Still, it's a smart, sensible and certain-to-be-popular idea, as well as an excellent incentive to leave the car at home. And, it's one that we'd all clearly love to see closer to home, even with Sydney and Brisbane's rail issues of late. Via Die Welt. Image: Shankar S. via Flickr.
If you're just a hunk, a hunk of burning love for the one and only Elvis Presley, and you live in Australia, you've been having quite the few years. A massive exhibition dedicated to the king of rock 'n' roll came our way, Baz Luhrmann's AACTA-winning and Oscar-nominated biopic Elvis wowed fans, and Sofia Coppola's Priscilla is the headed to the big screen soon. Also on offer: a new Presley-focused stage musical that debuted in Sydney in August, is now playing Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre, and has just locked in its 2024 dates and stops. Called Elvis: A Musical Revolution, this production features more than 40 of the singer's hits, because there's just that many songs to include. All of the expected favourites are worked into the biographical musical, which means everything from 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Hound Dog', 'That's All Right' and 'All Shook Up' through to 'Suspicious Minds', 'Heartbreak Hotel', 'Burning Love' and 'Blue Suede Shoes'. 'Good Rockin' Tonight', 'Earth Angel', 'Don't Be Cruel' and 'Are You Lonesome' get a whirl as well, as do 'Blue Moon of Kentucky', 'See See Rider', 'Can't Help Falling in Love' and 'A Little Less Conversation'. That's what the show's audience hears. As for what everyone sees — what makes the musical one for the money, naturally — the production's story tells Elvis' tale from his childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi through to his triumphant '68 Comeback Special. If you've seen the aforementioned Elvis, none of it will be new news, but Elvis: A Musical Revolution works its hip-swinging magic anyway. Sydney will get a return date with the musical from February 2024, with Elvis set to be in the building at the State Theatre again. After that, it's Her Majesty's Theatre's turn in Adelaide from April, Crown Theatre in Perth's time in the spotlight from May and HOTA, Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast's from June. Starring Rob Mallett (House Husbands, Singin' in the Rain), Elvis: A Musical Revolution hails from David Venn Enterprises, which has also been behind Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical, The Wedding Singer and Bring It On: The Musical — and arrives via a partnership with Authentic Brands Group, the owner of Elvis Presley Enterprises. Also behind the scenes, the musical's book comes courtesy of David Abbinanti and Sean Cercone — who have Saturday Night Fever: The Musical and Ghost: The Musical on their resumes — with Abbinanti also composing the orchestrations, arrangements, and additional musical and lyrics. "We couldn't be happier about the response from audiences, and look forward to celebrating the life and music of Elvis Presley with even more Elvis fans and theatre lovers across the country," said producer David Venn. "It's a testament to our cast and creative team, as well as the enduring legacy of The King." ELVIS: A MUSICAL REVOLUTION 2024 AUSTRALIAN DATES: Until Sunday, December 24, 2023 — Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne From February 2024 — State Theatre, Sydney From April 2024 — Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide From May 2024 — Crown Theatre, Perth From June 2024 — HOTA, Home of the Arts, the Gold Coast Elvis: A Musical Revolution is currently playing Melbourne, and will keep touring Australia until at least mid-2024. Head to the show's website for further details, tickets for Melbourne and to join the ticket waitlist elsewhere. Images: Ken Leanfore / Daniel Boud.
One of the most poorly kept secrets of the year has finally been confirmed: The Cure, patron saints of bedroom dancing and boys in eyeliner, are officially coming to Sydney as part of the Vivid Live lineup. The legendary new-wave '80s band will be playing two shows, entitled 'Reflections,' at the Sydney Opera House on May 31 and June 1. The shows will see the band play three of their most influential albums in their entirety: Three Imaginary Boys, Seventeen Seconds and Faith. Get out your black trench coats and tease up your hair, The Cure are a-coming. Around for more than thirty years, The Cure have had over a dozen line-ups, but it's their earlier albums which have become their most definitive, with their dark and melancholy melodies treasured by generations of goths and boys who don't, but might, cry. In an almost-original lineup, front man Robert Smith will be accompanied by Simon Gallup and Jason Cooper for the performance of Three Imaginary Boys, while the original drummer Lol Tollhurst will come on stage for the performance of Seventeen Seconds and Faith. Rumours that the band were due to appear at Vivid began last week, but it was only when Stephen Pavlovic, 2011's festival curator, rocked up to FBi Radio and played a Cure track, and then proceeded to neither confirm nor deny the possible appearance of The Cure, that the rumours entered into the realm of the bleeding obvious. https://youtube.com/watch?v=xik-y0xlpZ0
Melbourne's restaurant scene is vast and varied. But what do the Meatball and Wine Bar, Circa The Prince, Little Hunter, The Estelle, Izakaya Den and Jacques Reymond have in common? Their plates, that's what. Behind this homewares evolution is Glenn Tebble Homewares, from Unique Pottery, who create tableware and tailor-made designs for restaurants and chefs. Made from stoneware, each piece is designed and created right here in Melbourne and embraces the unique, ever-changing nature of the food scene. Through his time working with chefs and restaurateurs, Glenn Tebble, the man behind Glenn Tebble Homewares, came to find that people were looking for items that just didn't exist yet. And so, their bespoke range was born. Together with chefs, Glenn designs and creates products on a need-by-need basis. Collaborating with some of Melbourne's best restaurants, Glenn tells us how some of these ideas came to fruition. Scott Picket and Ryan Flaherty – The Estelle "Long-time customers and all-round good blokes from The Estelle Scott Pickett and Ryan Flaherty have always been a good source of inspiration. With their history in Michelin star restaurants overseas, the boys were often coming to us with ideas, and not just from the design side of things. The boys suggested what we now call the splatter range. "We developed a new colour option by using two kinds of glazes, whether it was a two toned colour or an abstract kind of finish. It opened a gateway for a whole new line of products — some of the glazes also present a textured look and feel." Meatball and Wine Bar "The team at Meatball And Wine Bar were on the hunt for a specific bowl for their balls. As I had worked with their management team previously, they approached me. We designed what is currently our most popular bowl. It was made it to the specifications, and managed to streamline it with our existing larger bowl, creating a new range. As you can see, the gents at Meatballs are very happy with the result." Simon Denton – Izakaya Den "Some time back now, I approached Simon Denton, from Izakaya Den. Simon loved our range and went on to purchase a large quantity for his underground gem. Simon also liked our large sushi plate, but he also wanted one a little smaller. Again, I got the design team onto it and it was in his restaurant within six weeks. We must have made an impression, as when Denton launched his revamp of the old Verge site, now Numa Numa, he came to us for his bespoke noodle bowls." Paul Wilson – Melbourne Pub Group "Paul Wilson came to me with a plastic shaped taco holder that they had been using — just as the taco scene went crazy in Melbourne. He wanted something similar but a lot sexier! We made two versions, one that could hold two tacos and another that could hold four. The end result surpassed his expectations. We have since seen more chefs use their creative flair — with Guy Grossi using it as a panini holder and, thinking outside the square, other ideas have been for mini hotdogs, souvlakis and as a vessel for a cheese display." Tony Twitchett – Taxi Dining Room "Tony Twitchett from Taxi Dining Room in Melbourne loved our range, but at the time we had nothing that suited his needs. He required a large rippled square platter for his signature duck dish and their amazing sashimi. So, we put a conservative spin on his idea and we came up with one of the very few square plates that we have in our range.”
When an awards body has spent almost a century handing out high-profile gongs in a field that garners plenty of attention, it really should be past the point of smashing records and making history. But the Academy Awards hasn't been particularly inclusive or diverse over its 93-year run to-date — which is why 2021's big winner is still breaking boundaries. When Chloé Zhao was nominated for this year's Best Director Oscar for Nomadland, she already achieved an immense feat. Only five female filmmakers had ever even made it to the awards ceremony in the coveted field before 2021, and she joined Promising Young Woman's Emerald Fennell among this year's candidates. This marked the first time ever that two women had received recognition in the same year in the category, too, because when it comes to realising that yes, women are filmmakers, the Academy's track record has been nothing short of abysmal. Now, with the awards handed out and winners anointed, Zhao has become the first woman of colour to ever emerge victorious in the field. She's only the second woman to ever win as well. Zhao ended up with two awards, because Nomadland won Best Picture and she was one of the film's producers. But the importance of her win for Best Director really can't be understated. Zhao joins The Hurt Locker's Kathryn Bigelow, who nabbed the prize in 2009, as the only two women who've ever scooped the field. And, with their nominations, both Zhao and Fennell joined Bigelow, Lina Wertmüller (for Seven Beauties), Jane Campion (for The Piano), Sofia Coppola (for Lost in Translation) and Greta Gerwig (for Lady Bird) as the only women to even get the chance to win Best Director on Hollywood's night of nights. [caption id="attachment_796213" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Director Chloé Zhao filming Nomadland. Image: Searchlight Pictures.[/caption] Nomadland is Zhao's third film, after 2015's Songs My Brothers Taught Me and 2017's The Rider — and viewers can already look forward to watching her fourth later this year. Her next movie will see the director head into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Eternals focusing on an immortal alien race, and starring Angelina Jolie (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil), Kumail Nanjiani (Stuber), Salma Hayek (Like a Boss), Barry Keoghan (Calm with Horses), Gemma Chan (Captain Marvel), Brian Tyree Henry (Superintelligence) and Game of Thrones co-stars Richard Madden and Kit Harington. Zhao will be working on a far bigger scale than seen in her filmography so far; however, there's a sense of empathy and a knack for observation to her features that'll hopefully make the much-needed jump to superhero territory. If you're wondering who else emerged victorious at this year's Oscars, the full list of nominees and winners in every category is below. You can also check out our in-depth overview of ten of this year's winners that are worth watching ASAP. OSCAR NOMINEES AND WINNERS 2021 BEST MOTION PICTURE The Father Judas and the Black Messiah Mank Minari Nomadland Promising Young Woman Sound of Metal The Trial of the Chicago 7 BEST DIRECTOR Another Round, Thomas Vinterberg Mank, David Fincher Minari, Lee Isaac Chung Nomadland, Chloé Zhao Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Viola Davis, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Andra Day, The United States vs Billie Holiday Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman Frances McDormand, Nomadland Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Anthony Hopkins, The Father Gary Oldman, Mank Steven Yeun, Minari PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy Olivia Colman, The Father Amanda Seyfried, Mank Yuh-Jung Youn, Minari PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7 Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah Leslie Odom Jr, One Night in Miami Paul Raci, Sound of Metal LaKeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Judas and the Black Messiah, Will Berson, Shaka King, Will Berson, Kenny Lucas and Keith Lucas Minari, Lee Isaac Chung Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell Sound of Metal, Darius Marder, Abraham Marder and Derek Cianfrance The Trial of the Chicago 7, Aaron Sorkin BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Sacha Baron Cohen, Anthony Hines, Dan Swimer, Peter Baynham, Erica Rivinoja, Dan Mazer, Jena Friedman and Lee Kern The Father, Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller The Mauritanian, Rory Haines, Sohrab Noshirvani and MB Traven Nomadland, Chloé Zhao The White Tiger, Ramin Bahrani BEST ORIGINAL SCORE Da 5 Bloods, Terence Blanchard Mank, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross Minari, Emile Mosseri News of the World, James Newton Howard Soul, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste BEST ORIGINAL SONG 'Fight For You', Judas and the Black Messiah (HER, Dernst Emile II and Tiara Thomas) 'Hear my Voice', The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Daniel Pemberton and Celeste Waite) 'Husavik', Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (Savan Kotecha, Fat Max Gsus and Rickard Göransson) 'Io Si (Seen)', The Life Ahead (Diane Warren and Laura Pausini) 'Speak Now', One Night in Miami (Leslie Odom, Jr and Sam Ashworth) BEST FILM EDITING The Father, Yorgos Lamprinos Nomadland, Chloé Zhao Promising Young Woman, Frédéric Thoraval Sound of Metal, Mikkel EG Nielsen The Trial of the Chicago 7, Alan Baumgarten BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM Another Round Better Days Collective The Man Who Sold His Skin Quo Vadis, Aida? BEST ANIMATED FEATURE Onward Over the Moon A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon Soul Wolfwalkers BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE Collective Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution The Mole Agent My Octopus Teacher Time BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Judas and the Black Messiah, Sean Bobbitt Mank, Erik Messerschmidt News of the World, Dariusz Wolski Nomadland, Joshua James Richards The Trial of the Chicago 7, Phedon Papamichael BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN The Father, Peter Francis and Cathy Featherstone Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Mark Ricker, Karen O'Hara and Diana Stoughton Mank, Donald Graham Burt and Jan Pascale News of the World, David Crank and Elizabeth Keenan Tenet, Nathan Crowley and Kathy Lucas BEST VISUAL EFFECTS Love and Monsters, Matt Sloan, Genevieve Camilleri, Matt Everitt and Brian Cox The Midnight Sky, Matthew Kasmir, Christopher Lawrence, Max Solomon and David Watkins Mulan, Sean Faden, Anders Langlands, Seth Maury and Steve Ingram The One and Only Ivan, Santiago Colomo Martinez, Nick Davis, Greg Fisher Tenet, Andrew Jackson, David Lee, Andrew Lockley and Scott Fisher BEST COSTUME DESIGN Emma, Alexandra Byrne Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Ann Roth Mank, Trish Summerville Mulan, Bina Daigeler Pinocchio, Massimo Cantini Parrini BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING Emma, Marese Langan, Laura Allen and Claudia Stolze Hillbilly Elegy, Eryn Krueger Mekash, Matthew Mungle and Patricia Dehaney Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson Mank, Gigi Williams, Kimberley Spiteri and Colleen LaBaff Pinocchio, Mark Coulier, Dalia Colli and Francesco Pegoretti BEST SOUND Greyhound, Warren Shaw, Michael Minkler, Beau Borders and David Wyman Mank, Ren Klyce, Jeremy Molod, David Parker, Nathan Nance and Drew Kunin News of the World, Oliver Tarney, Mike Prestwood Smith, William Miller and John Pritchett Soul, Ren Klyce, Coya Elliott and David Parker Sound of Metal, Nicolas Becker, Jaime Baksht, Michelle Couttolenc, Carlos Cortés and Phillip Bladh BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT Colette A Concerto is a Conversation Do Not Split Hunger Ward A Love Song for Latasha BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM Burrow Genius Loci If Anything Happens I Love You Opera Yes-People BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM Feeling Through The Letter Room The Present Two Distant Strangers White Eye Top image: Frances McDormand and Chloé Zhao on the set of Nomadland. Image: Searchlight Pictures. © 2020, 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved
In a year when so many opportunities to experience new things have been taken away, we've got fresh appetite for getting out and about in Queensland. And that zest for adventure likely extends to those on your Christmas shopping list, too — especially for those who stocked up on nice things during the long days in lockdown, bored of what surrounds them at home. To help you forgo run-of-the-mill gifts this year, we've partnered with Square, to bring you six next-level experiences from independent Queensland-based companies. There are day trips, sailing lessons, private skateboarding tutorials and the chance to hug an alpaca. All considerably more exciting than another box of chocolates. If you are a small business owner, Square has the tools you need to take payments and maximise your sales, including an ebook with tips to help you get started this holiday season. [caption id="attachment_793330" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] ALPACA EXPERIENCE, MOUNTVIEW FARM ($38) If you've got an animal lover on your list, this alpaca farm is located on a vineyard could tick multiple boxes. For the same cost as an upmarket cocktail, you can walk around the vines with your cute new mate on a lead, giving them a squeeze and feeding them from a bag of alpaca treats along the way. You can choose from the 15-minute Meet an Alpaca experience for $23, or drop $38 to spend twice as long with your fluffy new friend. You can also bolt on extras, like picnic hampers, pizzas and plush toys to take home. Or, opt for a gift card (starting from $25), to spend at a later date. [caption id="attachment_793329" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] COTTAGE FARMSTAY, TOMMERUP'S DAIRY FARM ($350) Buying for someone special? Book in for a farmstead stay in the Scenic Rim region and forget all about the challenges 2020 has thrown our way. Tommerup's Dairy Farm is a sixth-generation working farm located in the Lost World Valley with two picturesque properties available to hire on weekends (as it's a working farm during the week). The Cottage starts from $350 per night for two adults and two kids and it includes an 1880s four-poster bed, a barbecue and deck overlooking the farm as well as modern conveniences like a TV and dishwasher. You can also take up the opportunity to feed cows, collect eggs and go fishing on the property, all included in the cost. [caption id="attachment_793334" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] TWO-HOUR SAILING EXPERIENCE, LEARN 2 SAIL ($195) It's been the year of new hobbies, but most have been keeping us indoors and isolated. If you have an adventurer on your gift list, consider buying them an experience that'll give them new skills and get them out on the open water. Operating from Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast, Learn 2 Sail offers two-hour sailing experiences from $195 per person, which gives each wannabe sailor the opportunity to trim the sails, helm the keelboat and (hopefully) spot a dolphin or two as they cruise around. You can book for solo experiences, for two ($390) or for four people ($780). GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND DAY TOUR, KEPPEL EXPLORER ($150) Now, with Great Keppel Island being at least a day's drive from Brisbane, we know this experience isn't going to cost just $150; there's accommodation, the drive up and more to consider. However, if you're already planning a trip north and looking for experiences to surprise a loved one with, this day trip with Keppel Explorers could be the solution. In a five-hour, scenic boat tour, you can explore Great Keppel Island and all its wonders, including stops for snorkelling, picnics, visiting sea caves and volcanic rock formations, as well as seeing 20 beaches across five islands. And, if that sounds like something you'd love to do but can't commit to right now, you can also buy a gift card which is valid for 12 months from purchase. JET BOAT THRILL RIDE, GC JET BOATING ($65) When you're stuck for ideas for a gift, look for something that screams 'fun'. This one-hour V8 Jet Boat Thrill Ride hits speeds of 75 kilometres per hour, spinning at high speed and soaking everyone onboard. Each ride around Gold Coast's Broadwater costs $65 per adult and it includes brief stops around South Stradbroke Island, Wave Break Island, Southport Seaway and the Sovereign Islands, so you can take a stickybeak at the multimillion-dollar mansions. You can either book in for a future trip, or buy a gift voucher that's valid for 12 months from purchase. SKATEBOARDING LESSONS, CHIGGY'S SKATEBOARDING ($75) Named for the founder who has been perfecting kickflips since 1999, Chiggy's Skateboarding has been a magnet for grinders in the Coolum Beach area for years. Chiggy's team runs sessions for skaters of all ages and abilities, and you can book into its Indoor Skate Park classes online. When buying a gift, the one-hour private skating lessons are good value. For $75, you can pick your coach and lessons are tailored to the skater's abilities. Find out how Square is supporting small businesses with the tools they need to grow, here. If you are a small business owner, Square has guidance on how best to maximise sales in the run up to the Christmas holiday period in its ebook, found here. Top image: Keppel Explorer.
It's already Australia's largest shopping centre by a long shot, and yet Melbourne's Chadstone continues to grow, unveiling plans to incorporate a $130 million luxury hotel. Vicinity Centres, the property group behind the monster retail destination, has announced that work will begin on the MGallery by Sofitel hotel within a matter of months. Once completed, the site will be managed by the country's biggest hotel operator, Accor Hotels. It's no small project either, with the 13-storey hotel set to feature 250 rooms, a 400-capacity ballroom, two restaurants and a bar. With acclaimed Melbourne architects Bates Smart heading up the design, the aim is for this to be Australia's first five-star Green Star-rated hotel. Located close to Chadstone on the Princes Highway, the development will also boast views of the city skyline, and across to the Dandenong Ranges and Port Phillip Bay. According to Vicinity Centres' Executive General Manager of Development Carolyn Viney, the hotel will reap the benefits of Chadstone's annual 23 million visitor count, which is thought to include a huge 350,000 international tourists. "Importantly, the hotel will create new jobs and drive local tourism, further contributing to the economic and social viability of a new CBD hub for the Chadstone-Monash corridor," Viney said. MGallery by Sofitel is expected to open in Chadstone in late 2019.
Named one of the best places in the world to visit in 2022, southeast Queensland's Scenic Rim region isn't short on highlights, whether it's gorgeous scenery or farm-fresh produce you're after. Keen on the latter but can't make the trip south from Brisbane on Saturday, May 24? Don't worry — Tommerup's Dairy Farm, Valley Pride Produce, Tamborine Mountain Distillery, Cauldron Distillery, Olive View Estate and more are coming to you. Save the road trip for another weekend — instead, head to the Farm Gate to City Door Markets at the Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct. It'll operate from 8am–12pm, serving up everything from fruit and vegetables, salted cultured butter and cheese through to boutique spirits, local wines and honey straight from the hive. You can also nab handmade bath and body products, such as goat milk soaps. Since 2022, the Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct has regularly hosted this country-meets-city event — and, if it gets you thinking about holidaying in the Scenic Rim, that's understandable. For a caffeine fix, Rise Bakery will be doing coffees. Feel like hitting the river afterwards, and tucking into some of the produce you've just bought? GoBoat and its picnic boats is also right there. Images: Pixel Punk.
First, hobbits tuck into breakfast. Then, they enjoy second breakfast. In fact, in both JRR Tolkien's books and the movie adaptations that've brought them to the screen so far, they like their meals frequently and with the smallest of gaps between them. That seems to be an approach that Prime Video is taking to The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, its upcoming Middle-earth series, too — at least when it comes to dropping sneak peeks at the long-awaited show. The Rings of Power seems like it has been in the works forever, because it's now been 21 years since the first of The Lord of the Rings movies had everyone rushing to cinemas, obsessing over hobbits and elves, and saying "precious" too many times — and, it's also been five years since it was initially revealed that a TV series was in the works. The show will drop in September, starting on Friday, September 2, but early glimpses have been as rare as a pacifist orc until this month. Now, in the space of just a fortnight, Prime Video has dropped not just one, not two, but three new trailers. The latest arrived during San Diego Comic-Con, aka the reason that other big fantasy titles such as Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon and game-to-screen adaptation Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves have also released trailers this week — and it's the longest look at The Rings of Power yet. It also provides the most complete overview of the show's storyline, which jumps back into Middle-earth's Second Age, bringing that era from the LOTR realm to the screen for the first time. In past trailers — including the initial sneak peek back in February — gorgeous settings, elves, dwarves, harfoots (aka hobbit ancestors), stormy seas, strange skies, cave trolls, raging fires and orc battles have all popped up. This new trailer pieces together more of the plot around them. The focus: the rise of Sauron, how that gave rise to the rings and the impact across Middle-earth. Also seen in the new sneak peek: more orcs, and even a balrog. The Rings of Power features a young Galadriel (Morfydd Clark, Saint Maud) and a young Elrond (Robert Aramayo, The King's Man), too — and, this time, New Zealand's natural splendours stand in for the Elven realms of Lindon and Eregion, the Dwarven realm Khazad-dûm, the Southlands, the Northernmost Wastes, the Sundering Seas and the island kingdom of Númenór. Amazon first announced the show back in 2017, gave it the official go-ahead in mid-2018 and set its premiere date back in 2021. In-between, it confirmed that it wouldn't just remake Peter Jackson's movies. Rather, as per the show's official synopsis, it follows "the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history," with the action set thousands of years before the novels and movies we've all read and watched. If you're a little rusty on your LOTR lore, the Second Age lasted for 3441 years, and saw the initial rise and fall of Sauron, as well as a spate of wars over the coveted rings. Elves feature prominently, and there's plenty to cover, even if Tolkien's works didn't spend that much time on the period — largely outlining the main events in an appendix to the popular trilogy. The series will "take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien's pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness," the synopsis continues. "Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone," it also advises. That's a hefty tale to tell, and The Rings of Power has amassed a hefty cast to tell it — and some impressive talent behind the scenes. Among the other actors traversing Middle-earth are Ismael Cruz Córdova (The Undoing) as Arondir, Nazanin Boniadi (Bombshell) as Bronwyn, Owain Arthur (A Confession) as Prince Durin IV, Charlie Vickers (Palm Beach) as Halbrand and Sophia Nomvete (The Tempest) as Princess Disa. There's also Tom Budge (Judy & Punch), Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones), Cynthia Addai-Robinson (The Accountant), Maxim Baldry (Years and Years), Peter Mullan (Westworld), Benjamin Walker (The Underground Railroad) and comedian Lenny Henry. And, the series is being overseen by showrunners and executive producers JD Payne and Patrick McKay, while filmmaker JA Bayona (A Monster Calls, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) directs the first two episodes. Check out the latest The Rings of Power trailer below: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will be available to stream via Prime Video from Friday, September 2, 2022. Images: Matt Grace / Ben Rothstein.
Once the site of Expo 88, and now a sprawling riverside precinct with everything from pools to eateries, South Bank is about to become a Christmas wonderland. When Friday, December 1 hits, festive cheer will take over the waterside parkland with activities for Brisbane's merriest residents. Chief among them: the return of the annual free outdoor Christmas cinema. Getting jolly by the river has meant settling in for themed films without paying a cent for years now, and 2023 is no different. With two screenings per night from Monday, December 18–Saturday, December 23 — at 6pm and 8pm — at River Quay, Christmas movie lovers can settle in for a selection of yuletide favourites, including Elf and The Holiday. Those dates will see the bulk of South Bank's Christmas festivities start raining down on the precinct, including a seasonal song-and-dance show, photo opportunities with Santa, carols by the river and live tunes performed on the lawn nightly, soundtracking bites and drinks from nearby eateries. When December kicks in, however, South Bank's Christmas tree will light up from that very day, with decorations set to dazzle the parkland until Wednesday, January 3, 2024. Another huge drawcard, especially if you're a last-minute shopper, is the return of The Collective Markets Christmas Edition from Friday, December 15–Saturday, December 23. Under twinkling lights, rows of stalls will sell everything from clothes to homewares — with a big focus on handmade goods — to help you find gifts for your nearest and dearest.
What do you do when wild weather hits, Brisbanites? Watch the radar to see just when and where it'll strike? Stay glued to your couch? Come up with a new festival of contemporary dance? We're guessing only two folks can claim the latter, although everyone can enjoy the end result. Yes, things are about to get stormy on the stage instead of in the sky (although, given that it's summer, the latter is still likely to happen too). From February 18 to 25, SUPERCELL: Festival of Contemporary Dance Brisbane will take over the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, as co-founded and curated by Kate Usher and Glyn Roberts. The fresh venture celebrates Queensland's place in the dance world by bringing together local and international artists, performances, workshops and conversations. Highlights include a five-woman piece from Switzerland's Simone Truong; a triple bill by Australia's Bridget Fiske and the UK's Joseph Lau; dancers from China, Indonesia and around Australia; and a three-day workshop with Gold Coast outfit The Farm. SUPERCELL: Festival of Contemporary Dance Brisbane runs from February 18 to 25 at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts. For more information, visit the festival website.
There's no prizes for guessing why Beenleigh's Distillery Road has its name. All you need to do is look for the red building on the banks of the Albert River, where Beenleigh Artisan Distillers has sat since 1884. The heritage-listed site is no longer just a go-to for fans of spirits, however. It's now also home to a restaurant serving pub-style dishes that often come slathered with — what else? — rum sauce. Order the signature beef ribs, the corn ribs and sticky pork belly bites and you'll be eating rum condiments whether or not you've opted for the eatery's beverage of choice to wash down your meal. Thanks to the dessert lineup, you can also finish your lunch or dinner with rum liqueur coffee creations. And yes, from mojitos using Beenleigh Artisan Distillers' white rum and a distiller's iced tea made with spiced rum through to a rum sour, rum old fashioned and rum-based twist on the espresso martini, the drinks list goes heavy on rum as well. Seating 80, Beenleigh's new Distillery Restaurant heroes not only its favourite tipple, but also local produce and Aussie flavours. Other dishes to try include spicy chicken wings, brisket and veggie burgers, char-grilled chilli garlic squid and a 300-gram Darling Downs porterhouse steak. Plus, the sweets range spans a meringue stack paired with dragonfruit compote, as well as a sticky toffee pudding with burnt orange caramel, coffee and wattleseed gelato. Seasonal sips feature alongside the distillery's regular cocktails on the drinks list, plus seven of Beenleigh Artisan Distillers' own drops. El Toro's tequilas, vodka and gin from 23rd Street Distillery, Bearded Lady bourbon, Vale and Fox Hat brews, and Queen Adelaide and Beresford wines round out the libations. Fancy not only stopping by for a meal and a drink, but for rum tastings, tours of the distillery and masterclasses? That's also available. "We are thrilled to introduce The Distillery Restaurant as an extension of the Beenleigh Rum Distillery experience, and believe it will quickly become a favourite with both locals and travellers," said Beenleigh Artisan Distillers' Head of Marketing and Hospitality Chris Illman. "The menu itself has taken classic comfort foods and elevated them with high-quality ingredients, new flavour profiles, unexpected twists — and, of course, a healthy dose of Beenleigh Rum where possible. Find Beenleigh Artisan Distillery and Distillery Restaurant at 142 Distillery Road, Eagleby, with the restaurant open 11am–3pm Wednesday–Sunday for lunch and 5–9pm on Fridays for dinner.
Young Adult tells the story of Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron), a teen author and recent divorcee who lives in a spacious apartment in Minneapolis. Tired of spending alcohol-soaked nights alone, she decides to venture back to her hometown of Mercury in an attempt to rekindle a romance with her high-school sweetheart, Buddy (Patrick Wilson). However, Buddy is recently married and has recently become a father. Always determined and slightly sinister, Mavis develops a plot to break up Buddy's marriage and further her own love interests. Along the way she manages to form an unusual bond with a former classmate (Patton Oswalt), who is also keen on reliving his earlier teenage years. Young Adult is a romantic comedy with an unusual twist, exploring the concept of forbidden love and the extreme lengths at which we go to recapture happiness. Although we may see Mavis as a villain, we identify with her sense of nostalgia and desperation. What results is a hilarious insight into human nature and our adaption to change and age. The film marks the reuniting of director Jason Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody, who previously collaborated on the Academy Award-winning Juno. To win one of twenty double passes to see Young Adult, just make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address through to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
When Good Chef Bad Chef and Richo's Bar Snacks chef Adrian Richardson, ex-Cha Cha Char restaurateur Chris Higgins and lawyer Liam McMahon teamed up on BŌS, a 120-seater restaurant that adores meat so much that it has its own 'Cleaver Club', it promised Brisbane more than just a meal. The Queen Street spot opened in late 2022, with a sibling bar always in the works as well. Then, from August 2023, cocktail spot The Aviary Terrace Bar started pouring. Like BŌS, you'll find this watering hole opposite Customs House, in Otto Ristorante's old Dexus Tower digs — but making the most of an 800-square-metre al fresco space. Before, after or instead of a hearty lunch or dinner, Brisbanites can hit up The Aviary Terrace Bar for drinks and bites. The venue will sling sips three days a week to begin with, from Thursday–Saturday, with Sunday trading due to kick in sometime late in September. To get there, patrons are advised to either take the lift from the complex's Queen Street entrance, or use the escalator from Adelaide Street. Either way, a sunny openair hangout with Brisbane River, Story Bridge and city views awaits — and a spot with a colour palette heroing salmon and deep green tones, plus seven booths to get cosy in, too. Patrons will also find a curated range of tipples, including cocktails, craft beer, wine and champagne — complete with bottle service to the bar's booths — and light snacks. The libations span options with bird-themed names, such as the Ibis (vodka, blanc vermouth, manzanilla, olive brine and tonic water), the White Heron (agave, rum, coconut water, lime juice, pink grapefruit juice and fresh mint) and the Green Catbird (gin, lemon juice, basil liqueur and basil leaves). And among the bites: wagyu beef croquettes, oysters, prawn and bug rolls, eggplant crisps, Korean fried chicken, garlic prawn toasties, pork dumplings and cheeseburger spring rolls. If you're keen on pairing a trip here with a stint at BŌS as well, the latter clearly goes heavy on steak — it takes its name from the Latin word for beef, after all — with steak tartare, six cuts from the grill, and three giant 1.2–2.23-kilogram options to share all on offer. That said, diners can also choose from oysters, prawn cocktails, chargrilled Fremantle octopus, Tasmanian rock lobster, pork rib eye and duck breast with black garlic as part of BŌS' embrace of different types of proteins.
One month. Two countries. 32 teams. A single, shining, much-coveted, hard-contested trophy. They're the basic numbers behind the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, which is being played across Australia and New Zealand from mid-July to mid-August. Football fans — and no, we don't mean AFL, NRL, rugby union or gridiron devotees — this is your time to shine. Here are a few other pivotal figures: two nights, one hotel suite, and you and three mates. And some more: one Aussie soccer squad, a world-first place to stay and one pivotal match. Throw in one football star, too, and you have everything you need for the ultimate Matildas-themed staycation (for Sydneysiders) or vacation (if you hail from beyond the Harbour City). To celebrate the FIFA Women's World Cup heading Down Under, The Star Grand Hotel Sydney is giving its two-storey penthouse a Matildas-worshipping makeover for a couple of nights, and just for a few guests. As part of a partnership with Destination NSW, it's decking out the place in green and gold — what else? — for you and a a trio of your soccer-loving besties to call home from Wednesday, July 19–Friday, July 21. The timing coincides with Australia playing the Republic of Ireland on Thursday, July 20, with tickets and transfers to the game included in your stay. The one big catch: you'll need to win this football fanatic's dream of a stay in a game of skill, by explaining why Sydney is the best place on the planet to see Australia's women's team compete for the cup, with entries open until 9pm AEST on Wednesday, July 12. If you're the lucky recipient, you'll score that curated suite that pays homage to Sam Kerr and her teammates, which comes decked out with a four-metre-long Matildas scarf, various football ornaments, books about the team's history, a staircase adorned with football quotes, and framed photos of past and present Matildas legends. Autographed jerseys also feature, and international trophies — yes, real ones — already won by the squad, such as the AFC Women's Asian Cup, Cup of Nations and the Tournament of Nations. And, there's a foosball table for you and your crew to get playing yourself. Michelle Heyman will also pop up to meet and greet you, and chat about football, the FIFA Women's World Cup and a career that spanned becoming the A-League Women's top goal scorer. "This is the ultimate experience for any football fan! Not only do you get to stay in this incredible football suite, you get to fully immerse yourself in the Matildas hype ahead of their first match on home soil. You even get tickets to the Matildas soldout opening game, so overall it's a money can't buy experience and an incredible way to get behind the Matildas and celebrate women's sport here in Sydney," said Heyman. You'll also take home a heap of Matildas merchandise, and get a pre-game party playlist curated by Nina Las Vegas. Live outside of Sydney? Domestic flights are included, too, and you might be extra keen on the harbour and Harbour Bridge views from the penthouse. Now that's how you kick off the World Cup in style — and cheer on the Matildas to hopefully make football history. Entries to stay at the Matildas Fan Suite are open until 9pm AEST on Wednesday, July 12, for a two-night stay from Wednesday, July 19–Friday, July 21 — head to The Star Grand Hotel website for further details. The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 runs from Thursday, July 20–Sunday, August 20 across Australia and New Zealand, with tickets available from the FIFA website. Images: Scott Ehler. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Whether 2019 has been the best year of your life or you can't wait to see the back of it, there's always cause for celebration on New Year's Eve. By now, if you haven't made plans to mark the occasion by heading out of town, that means you're staying in Brisbane. Don't worry — this town knows how to put on quite an end-of-year party. Or should we say parties? There are events happening all around town to cater to every party style, whether you're keen on the fireworks, prefer a quiet dinner or want to dance away the year in style. Yep, there are a lot to choose from, so we've teamed up with Australian Venue Co. to bring you seven stellar options.
When SBS's new free-to-air 24-hour World Movies channel arrives in July, it'll boast plenty of reasons to get cosy on your couch, ignore the world and settle in for your own stay-at-home film festival. In fact, you might want to cancel your weekend daytime plans for the month — because you'll be spending every Saturday and Sunday watching a non-stop Studio Ghibli marathon. From 6am–7.30pm each weekend during July, the new channel will work its way through a heap of the studio's beloved flicks, including Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Kiki's Delivery Service, Ponyo, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, The Secret World of Arrietty, Tales From Earthsea, The Cat Returns, The Castle of Cagliostro, From Up on Poppy Hill, The Wind Rises and When Marnie Was There. If that's not enough delightful Japanese animation for you, a couple of other films will be thrown into the mix — such as The Red Turtle, a gorgeous Ghibli co-production directed by Dutch animator Michaël Dudok de Wit; the lively Mary and the Witch's Flower, which was made by animators who previously worked at Studio Ghibli; and The Boy and The Beast and Summer Wars, which both hail from rightfully acclaimed filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wf57f5F09c SBS has also revealed what else will be screening on World Movies throughout its first month, and it's a hefty list that includes box office hits, festival favourites and plenty of familiar faces. Get teary over Lion's Oscar-nominated real-life reunion tale, start pondering the afterlife in A Ghost Story (aka the film where Rooney Mara devours a pie and Casey Affleck stands under a sheet), or check out the moving, banned-in-Kenya lesbian romance Rafiki. Elsewhere, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem team up for the second time in as many years in Loving Pablo, which follows a journalist who falls for Pablo Escobar, while applauded Chinese auteur Jia Zhangke unveils a sprawling crime epic in Ash Is the Purest White. If you're looking for something to do on a Tuesday, the channel is devoting the night to French actor Romain Duris (Heartbreaker, The New Girlfriend), while Thursday evenings will be all about women in film. SBS World Movies launches on Monday, July 1 on channel 32. For its full lineup, visit the SBS TV guide.
We're all going on a Japanese holiday. If you were gearing up to vacation somewhere else across the rest of 2024 or first half of 2025, change your plans. That's the only way to react to Jetstar's latest flight sale, which is bringing back the airline's popular 'return for free' deal with a focus on one country only. Your choice of destinations: the Japanese cities of Tokyo and Osaka. Whichever spot that you decide to fly into, the Australian carrier's new special will bring you home without bothering your bank balance. One caveat: you've got just three days to snap up tickets, with the sale running for 72 hours from 12am AEST on Tuesday, August 6–11.59pm AEST on Thursday, August 8, unless sold out earlier. It really is as straightforward as it sounds. Whichever flights you opt for as part of the sale, covering direct flights from Cairns, Brisbane or Sydney, plus connecting flights out of Melbourne (Tullamarine), Gold Coast and Adelaide, you'll get the return fare for nothing. You do need to nab one of Jetstar's starter fares, and you'll then get a free return starter fare for zilch. Also, you'll have to fly in and out of the same arrival and departure port — either Narita in Tokyo or Kansai in Osaka. Plus, as is usually the case with Jetstar, checked baggage is not included. Still, expect the flights to get snapped up quickly when they go on sale. If you're a Club Jetstar member, you'll get the jump on the special via access from 12pm AEST on Monday, August 5 until midnight. Wondering when you'll be travelling? Dates vary per route, but the windows cover from September 2024 through to late June 2025. Jetstar's Japan 'return for free' sale runs from 12am AEST on Tuesday, August 6–11.59pm AEST on Thursday, August 8 — unless it's sold out earlier. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
From the folks that brought Brisbane audiences Speed: The Movie, the Play and Titanic: The Movie, the Play comes Let Them Eat Cake. Yep, if they can recreate one of Keanu's finest cinema moments on an actual bus, then they can toy with French history — and take inspiration from a very famous phrase — in a cooking school. And, they can do all of that while actually letting the audience eat cake. There's no shortage of food otherwise, but hey, why not? As part of the 2017 Anywhere Theatre Festival, Act/React Theatre will get farcical will food at The Golden Pig Cooking School, and serve up delicious baked goods cooked on-site. If you've always wanted a show and a snack — and some powdered wig-wearing entertainment — all in one, you'll be in the right spot. Plus, if your stomach keeps grumbling, you can always sign yourself up for one of The Golden Pig's classes — when it's not standing in for The Palace of Versailles, that is. Their lineup includes South American fare, pizza and pasta essentials, French bistro, scrumptious salads, and bread making. And, yes, cake decorating, to keep on theme.
Every year, one of Australia's favourite lit events undergoes a slight, temporary rebranding, simply by dropping their first syllable. Yep, Women of Letters becomes Men of Letters, bringing to the Zoo stage a huge selection of Brisbane's — hell Australia's — best male talent as they rediscover the lost art of letter writing. Included on this year's jam-packed lineup are a wealth of the titular men-folk, including singer and Star Wars star Jay Laga'aia, and The Grates guitarist and Southside Tea Room co-owner John Patterson. They'll be demonstrating their winning ways with words, and they're not alone. Also having a hand in the day's letter writing are local rebel priest Peter Kennedy, Aussie artist Michael Zavros, writer and editor Khalid Warsame, actor Leon Cain, broadcaster Ian 'Dano' Rogerson, Twitter's Thomas Violence (aka Ben McLeay), and former Big Brother contestant Ben Zabel. Each will be penning and reading a letter to 'The Woman Who Changed My Life'. Doors open at 3pm, and wine, cheese, stamps and envelopes are provided. Grab your finest quill and head along.
Not all that long ago, the idea of getting cosy on your couch, clicking a few buttons, and having thousands of films and television shows at your fingertips seemed like something out of science fiction. Now, it's just an ordinary night — whether you're virtually gathering the gang to text along, cuddling up to your significant other or shutting the world out for some much needed me-time. Of course, given the wealth of options to choose from, there's nothing ordinary about making a date with your chosen streaming platform. The question isn't "should I watch something?" — it's "what on earth should I choose?". Hundreds of titles are added to Australia's online viewing services each and every month, all vying for a spot on your must-see list. And, so you don't spend 45 minutes scrolling and then being too tired to actually commit to anything, we're here to help. We've spent plenty of couch time watching our way through this month's latest batch — and, from the latest and greatest through to old and recent favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue from January's haul. Brand New Stuff You Can Watch From Start to Finish Now Boy Swallows Universe A magical-realist coming-of-age tale, a clear-eyed family drama, a twisty crime and detective thriller, a time capsule of Brisbane in the 80s: since first hitting the page in 2018, Trent Dalton's Boy Swallows Universe has worn its happy flitting between different genres and tones, and constant seesawing from hope to heartbreak and back again, as confidently as readers have long envisaged Eli Bell's wide grin. That hopping and jumping, that refusal to be just one type of story and stick to a single mood, has always made sense on the page — and in the excellent seven-part adaptation that now brings Australia's fastest-selling debut novel ever to the screen, it also couldn't feel more perfect. As played by the charmingly talented Felix Cameron (Penguin Bloom), Eli's smile is indeed big. As scripted by screenwriter John Collee (Hotel Mumbai), and with Dalton among the executive producers, the miniseries embraces its multitudes wholeheartedly. Like style, like substance: a semi-autobiographical novel penned by a writer and journalist who lived variations of plenty that he depicts, learned and accepted early that everyone has flaws, and patently has the imagination of someone who coped with life's hardships as a child by escaping into dreams of an existence more fanciful, Dalton's tome and every iteration that it inspires has to be many things in one bustling package. Its characters are, after all. Seeing people in general, parts of a city usually overlooked, and folks with complicated histories or who've made questionable choices — those forced in particular directions out of financial necessity, too — in more than just one fashion flutters at the centre of Boy Swallows Universe. In the Australian Book Industry Awards' 2019 Book of the Year, Literary Book of the Year and Audio Book of the Year, and now on streaming, Eli's nearest and dearest demand it. So does the enterprising Darra-dwelling 12-year-old boy who knows how to spy the best in those he loves, but remains well-aware of their struggles. His older brother Gus (Lee Tiger Halley, The Heights) hasn't spoken since they were younger, instead drawing messages in the sky with his finger, but is as fiercely protective as elder siblings get. Doting and dedicated mum Frankie (Phoebe Tonkin, Babylon) is a recovering heroin addict with a drug dealer for a partner. And Lyle Orlik (Travis Fimmel, Black Snow), that mullet-wearing stepfather, cares deeply about Eli and Gus — including when Eli convinces him to let him join his deliveries. Boy Swallows Universe streams via Netflix. Read our full review, and our interview with Bryan Brown. Society of the Snow It was meant to be a fun trip to Chile with friends and family for a game. When the Old Christians Club rugby union team boarded Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 in Montevideo on October 13, 1972, destination Santiago, no one among them knew what would happen next. The plane didn't make it to its destination, as 1976 Mexican film Survive!, 1993 American movie Alive and now Spanish-US co-production Society of the Snow each cover. All three features boast apt titles, but only the latest sums up the grim reality and existential dilemma of crashing in the Andes, being stranded for 72 days in snowy climes with little resources against the weather — or for sustenance — and attempting to endure. Taken from the memoir by Pablo Vierci, aka La sociedad de la nieve in Spanish, only this phrase adorning JA Bayona's (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) picture encapsulates the tremendous effort that it took to find a way to persist, as well as the fact that trying to remain alive long enough to be rescued meant adapting everything about how the survivors approached each second, minute, hour, day, week and month — and also links in with how a catastrophe like this banded them together, doing whatever it took to find a way off the mountains, while reshaping how they contemplated what it meant to be human. Society of the Snow isn't just a disaster film detailing the specifics of the flight's failed trip, the immediate deaths and those that came afterwards, the lengthy wait to be found — including after authorities called the search off — and the crushing decisions made to get through. Bayona, who also helmed the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami-focused The Impossible, has made a weighty feature that reckons with the emotional, psychological and spiritual toll, and doesn't think of shying away from the most difficult aspects of this real-life situation (including cannibalism). This is both gruelling and meaningful viewing, as crafted with technical mastery (especially by Don't Breathe 2 cinematographer Pedro Luque, plus Cinco lobitos' Andrés Gil and Cites' Jaume Martí as editors), built upon brutal candour, and paying tribute to resilience and then some. Its feats extend to its hauntingly acted performances from a cast that includes Enzo Vogrincic (El Presidente), Agustín Pardella (Secrets of Summer) and Matías Recalt (Planners), all contributing to an account of camaraderie and sacrifice that deserves its Best International Feature Film Oscar nomination. Society of the Snow streams via Netflix. The Tourist Same cast, new location, similar-enough scenario: that's the approach in The Tourist's second season, which brings back what was meant to be a once-off series from 2022. In its debut run, Jamie Dornan's (A Haunting in Venice) Elliot Stanley awoke in the Aussie outback with zero memory and his life in danger. When the first six episodes ended, he'd uncovered who he was, complete with a distressing criminal past, but was en route to starting anew with Helen Chambers (Danielle Macdonald, French Exit), the constable who helped him get to the bottom of his mystery. After the show worked so swimmingly to begin with, swiftly earning its renewal, screenwriters Harry and Jack Williams (Baptiste, The Missing, Liar) switch part of their initial setup for its next spin. The story moves to Elliot's homeland, while Helen is the tourist (as is her grating ex Ethan, as played by Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe's Greg Larsen). Remaining in the compellingly entertaining thriller-meets-dramedy's return is the lack of recollection about Elliot's history, even as he actively goes looking for it. The Tourist first rejoins its main couple on a train in southeast Asia. While not married, they're firmly in the honeymoon phase of their relationship. But the now ex-cop has a revelation: Elliot has received a letter from one of his childhood pals who wants to meet. Quickly, off to the Emerald Isle they go. Trying to shave off his bushy holiday beard in a public toilet leads to Elliot being kidnapped, plus Helen playing investigator again. As he attempts to flee his captors (Outlander's Diarmaid Murtagh, Inspektor Jury: Der Tod des Harlekins' Nessa Matthews and The Miracle Club's Mark McKenn), she seeks help from local Detective Sergeant Ruairi Slater (Conor MacNeill, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre), but any dreams that The Tourist's globe-hopping couple had about happy reunions or relaxing Irish getaways are sent packing fast. Disturbing discoveries; feuding families led by the equally formidable Frank McDonnell (Francis Magee, Then You Run) and Niamh Cassidy (Olwen Fouéré, The Northman); again bringing Fargo and TV adaptation to mind: they're all influential factors in The Tourist's easy-to-binge (again) second season. The Tourist season streams via Stan. Read our full review. Echo With its ninth live-action streaming series on Disney+, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has broken out a new label:" Marvel Spotlight". It's now being applied to anything that's apparently less about ongoing MCU continuity and sports a greater emphasis on character. The idea is that watching shouldn't feel like homework, with no prior viewing required. Echo has also dropped its entire five-episode span at once, another MCU first. The focus on badging this Hawkeye spinoff about Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox, who made her acting debut in the earlier series) as something different because it isn't just connecting Marvel dots and setting up more to come is a curious choice, though. It's also the wrong point to stress. Echo isn't worth watching thanks to a lack of constant MCU winking, nudging and future nods. In fact, given that Avenger Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner, Mayor of Kingstown), Matt Murdoch/Daredevil (Charlie Cox, Kin) and Wilson Fisk/Kingpin (Vincent D'Onofrio, Dumb Money) appear, that "no knowledge necessary" claim isn't accurate. What makes Echo a must-see, rather, is its protagonist, the authenticity with which it explores her story as an Indigenous woman who is deaf and has had a limb amputated, its cast and the potency that gathers across its run. By deviating from its standard release pattern — where it usually launches with a few episodes at once, then doles the rest out weekly — and unveiling the full series in one go, Disney isn't dumping Echo. If anything in the MCU's streaming catalogue demands a one-sitting binge, it's this. As created by Marion Dayre (Better Call Saul), and directed Sydney Freeland (Reservation Dogs) plus Catriona McKenzie (the Australian filmmaker behind 2012's Satellite Boy), Echo's power resounds with more strength the longer that it continues. The show takes time to step into Maya's backstory, explore her Choctaw community in Oklahoma, see how Kingpin's criminal enterprise reverberates through her family and thread its elements together. The three prologues that kick off the first three episodes, each telling of one of Maya's foremothers, start painting the full picture: this is an MCU TV entry made with careful attention to and affection for the cultural heritage that it depicts, and ensures that that's a genuine and crucial part of the narrative, even if Marvel also still being Marvel comes with the territory. Echo streams via Disney+. Read our full review. The Kitchen He has an Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe for Judas and the Black Messiah. He was nominated for all of the above accolades for Get Out, and should've won them all then, too. His resume spans Skins, one of Black Mirror's most-memorable episodes, plus Sicario, Widows, Black Panther, Queen & Slim and Nope as well. But The Kitchen marks a first for Daniel Kaluuya: his first movie as a director. Hopefully more will follow. Co-helming with Kibwe Tavares — who also notches up his feature debut behind the lens after shorts including Jonah and Robot & Scarecrow, which both starred Kaluuya — and co-penning the screenplay with Calm with Horses' Joe Murtagh, the actor makes a stunning arrival as a filmmaker. The Kitchen's setup: in the year 2044 in London, with class clashes so pronounced that not being rich is basically treated as a crime, a man (Top Boy's Kane Robinson, aka rapper Kano) living in the titular housing development crosses paths with a 12-year-old boy (newcomer Jedaiah Bannerman) who has just lost his mother, with the pair discovering that they have no one but each other as they endeavour to find a way to survive. Robinson's Izy has bought into the social-climbing dream when The Kitchen begins. He'll do so literally if he can come up with the cash for an apartment in a swankier tower away from everything he's ever known within 21 days, a dream that he's been working towards at his job selling funerals. It's at the latter that he meets Bannerman's Benji, who has nowhere to live after his mother's death and no one else to turn to for help. The film's scenario is pure dystopia, reflecting the inequities, oppressions and realities of today as all great sci-fi should. Its intimate emotional core hones in on people attempting to persist and connect, as the genre's best always does as well. Accordingly, this is an impassioned and infuriated portrait of society's gaps as everyone watching can recognise, a nightmarish vision of what might come and a thoughtful character study. As directors, Kaluuya and Tavares excel at world-building, at bringing such rich detail and texture to the screen that viewers feel like they could step straight into its social realist-leaning frames, and at guiding affecting performances out of both Robinson and Bannerman (who adds to the feature's impressive first efforts). The Kitchen streams via Netflix. Prosper Prosper is the Australian TV series that was always bound to happen. Now that it exists, it's also easy to predict remakes of this involving drama popping up elsewhere in the world. Hillsong very likely inspired the eight-part show, which turns the angling within a Sydney-based megachurch's hierarchy into a Succession riff within religious confines, but the underlying story of power, corruption, and the complicated bonds of family and faith is universal. Richard Roxburgh knows what it's like to lead an Aussie effort that gets a US spin, thanks to Rake — and here he turns in another mesmerising performance. This time, the star of Elvis, The Crown, Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe, Force of Nature: The Dry 2, Go!, Fires and Bali 2002 in just the past four years alone plays Cal Quinn, a charismatic pastor whose belief in himself is just as strong as his devotion to the almighty. The fact that scandals keep raining down upon U Star, the name for the mix of worship and song he's trying to spread around the world with his wife Abi (Rebecca Gibney, Back to the Rafters) and their offspring, doesn't dent his certainty. The Quinns have big dreams to conquer the US, and also just-as-hefty chaos at home to deal with. Eldest son Dion (Ewen Leslie, The Clearing) wants to be more than just his dad's right-hand man, but has a fraying relationship with his wife Taz (Ming-Zhu Hii, La Brea) that's troubling him. Daughter Issy (Hayley McCarthy, Sylvie's Love) and her husband Benji (Jordi Webber, In Limbo) have their eyes on the American expansion, too. Cal and Abi are desperate to do anything that's necessary to bring Jed (Jacob Collins-Levy, The Witcher: Blood Origin), who left the church to work with the unhoused in the community, back to the fold. Throw in youngest child Moses (Alexander D'souza, Angry Indian Goddesses), a high schooler eager to understand who he truly is — and also family lawyer Eli Slowik (Jacek Koman, Faraway Downs), who knows everyone's secrets — and there's ample fuel for a rollercoaster-ride of a thriller. But as Prosper unpacks the Quinns' lives and lies, it also works in eager parishioner Rosa (Brigid Zengeni, The Artful Dodger) and her skeptical daughter Juno (Andrea Solonge, Class of 07), plus star US singer Maddox (Alex Fitzalan, Chevalier), who claims that he wants to be saved. Prosper strams via Stan. Good Grief Grief is a frequent filmic theme, but also a difficult one. Movie-of-the-week weepies have built their own set of cliches. The worst of the worst use someone's illness to try to claim that dying isn't worse than being by a person's ailing side. Dramedy Good Grief knows that the subject that's right there in its name is tricky, however — and that there's no one-size-fits-all experience of mourning. It also manages a complex task, focusing on a man who becomes a widower when his husband is killed suddenly, following his plight as he realises that not everything about their relationship was as idyllic as he thought, but never using someone losing their life solely as fodder to make its protagonist more interesting or tragic (or both). The directorial debut of Schitt's Creek's Dan Levy, who also pens his first feature screenplay, this sincere grappling with mortality and love cares about its characters deeply. It sees their intricacies and their flaws. This is also a film about the messy space that awaits when everything you thought your future holds crumbles, and then all that you're holding onto feels like it's floating away. Levy also stars as Marc, adding to a busy past year that's also seen him in The Idol, Haunted Mansion and Sex Education. When his character throws a Christmas party with his husband Oliver (Luke Evans, Nine Perfect Strangers), the only thing that doesn't seem rosy is the fact that the latter has a business trip to Paris that's taking him away mid-shindig. But the evening turns heartbreaking, leaving Marc lamenting the perfection he's lost — until he learns that there's more to Oliver's jaunts to France. Accompanied by his best friends Sophie (With Negga, Passing) and Thomas (Himesh Patel, Black Mirror), a visit to the City of Love himself awaits, where the stark discoveries keep coming in tandem with earnest soul-searching. Levy helms and pens this like he's lived it, especially in the honest dialogue. He unfurls the story with humour, too, and soulfulness. And he also never lets the inescapable truth that grief never disappears — and that its evolution never ends, either — fade from view. Good Grief streams via Netflix. New and Returning Shows to Check Out Week by Week True Detective Even when True Detective had only reached its second season, the HBO series had chiselled its template into stone: obsessive chalk-and-cheese cops with messy personal lives investigating horrifying killings, on cases with ties to power's corruption, in places where location mattered and with the otherworldly drifting in. A decade after the anthology mystery show's debut in 2014, True Detective returns as Night Country, a six-part miniseries that builds its own snowman out of all of the franchise's familiar parts. The main similarity from there: like the Matthew McConaughey (The Gentlemen)- and Woody Harrelson (White House Plumbers)-led initial season, True Detective: Night Country is phenomenal. This is a return to form and a revitalisation. Making it happen after two passable intervening cases is a new guiding hand off-screen. Tigers Are Not Afraid filmmaker Issa López directs and writes or co-writes every episode, boasting Moonlight's Barry Jenkins as an executive producer. True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto remains in the latter role, too, as do McConaughey, Harrelson and season-one director Cary Joji Fukunaga (No Time to Die); however, from its female focus and weighty tussling with the dead to its switch to a cool, blue colour scheme befitting its Alaskan setting, there's no doubting that López is reinventing her season rather than ticking boxes. In handing over the reins, Pizzolatto's police procedural never-standard police procedural is a powerhouse again, and lives up to the potential of its concept. The commitment and cost of delving into humanity's depths and advocating for those lost in its abyss has swapped key cops, victims and locations with each spin, including enlisting the masterful double act of Jodie Foster (Nyad) and boxer-turned-actor Kali Reis (Catch the Fair One) to do the sleuthing, but seeing each go-around with fresh eyes feels like the missing puzzle piece. López spies the toll on the show's first women duo, as well as the splinters in a remote community when its fragile sense of certainty is forever shattered. She spots the fractures that pre-date the investigation in the new season, a cold case tied to it, plus the gashes that've carved hurt and pain into the earth ever since people stepped foot on it. She observes the pursuit of profit above all else, and the lack of concern for whatever — whoever, the region's Indigenous inhabitants included — get in the way. She sees that the eternal winter night of 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle come mid-December isn't the only thing impairing everyone's sight. And, she knows that not everything has answers, with life sometimes plunging into heartbreak, or inhospitable climes, or one's own private hell, without rhyme or reason. True Detective streams via Binge. Read our full review. Criminal Record It was accurate with side-splitting hilarity in The Thick of It, as dripping with heartbreak in Benediction and in the world of Doctor Who in-between: Peter Capaldi is one of Scotland's most fascinating actors today. Criminal Record uses his can't-look-away presence to excellent effect, casting him as DCI Daniel Hegarty, one of the eight-part series' two key detectives. By day, the no-nonsense Hegarty is a force to be reckoned with on the force. By night, he moonlights as a driver, seeing much that lingers in London as he's behind the wheel. In his not-so-distant past is a case that brings DS June Lenker (Cush Jumbo, The Good Fight) into his orbit — a case that she's certain is linked to a distressed emergency call by a woman trying to flee domestic abuse, and who says that her partner has already committed murder, gotten away with it and sent another man to prison for the crime in the process. Hegarty contends otherwise, and gruffly, but Lenker is determined to discover the truth, find her potential victim, ascertain whether someone innocent is in jail and learn why every move she makes to dig deeper comes with professional retaliation. This is no odd-couple cop show. It's largely a two-hander, however — and saying that it couldn't be better cast is an understatement. Capaldi is already someone who makes every moment that he's on-screen better. So is Jumbo, which makes watching them face off as riveting as television gets. Passive aggression oozes from the frame when Hegarty and Lenker first confront each other. Tension drips throughout the series relentlessly, but do so with particular vigour whenever its key cops are in close proximity. Criminal Record doesn't waste time keeping audiences guessing about who's dutifully taking their role as part of the thin blue line and who's part of policing at its most corrupt; instead, it lets those two sides that are both meant to be on the upstanding end of the law-and-order divide clash, surveying the damage that ripples not just through the fuzz but also the community. While twists and mysteries are also layered in, they regularly come second to Criminal Record's extraordinary performances, plus its thematic willingness to tear into what policing should be, can be and often is. Criminal Record streams via Apple TV+. Expats Adapting Janice YK Lee's 2016 novel The Expatriates, Lulu Wang's first major stint behind the lens since The Farewell has been dubbed Expats as a miniseries. The six-parter marks a shift in location to Hong Kong and a splinter in focus to three protagonists for its guiding force — with Wang creating the show, executive producing, helming all six episodes and writing two — but she's still plunging deep into bonds of blood, deceptions amid close relationships, grappling with grief and tragedy, and being caught between how one is meant to carry on and inescapable inner emotions. It too sees not only people but also its chosen place. It's a haunting series and, albeit not literally in the horror sense, a series about women haunted. And it's spectacularly cast, with Nicole Kidman (Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom), Sarayu Blue (A Million Miles Away) and Ji-young Yoo (The Sky Is Everywhere) each stellar as its three main characters, all who've relocated for love, work or new beginnings, then make each other's acquaintance. The year is 2014, and Margaret Woo, her husband Clarke (Brian Tee, Chicago Med) and their family aren't new Hong Kong arrivals — but their past 12 months have been under a shadow ever since their youngest son Gus (debutant Connor James) went missing. No one is coping, including elder children Daisy (Tiana Gowen, True Love Blooms) and Philip (Bodhi del Rosario, 9-1-1). But while Margaret refuses to give up hope of finding her three-year-old boy, there are still lives to lead and, to help start Expats, a 50th birthday party for Clarke to host. In the lift at The Peak, the towering symbol of wealth inhabited by plenty who give the show its title, she's also insistent that her friend, downstairs neighbour and fellow American Hilary Starr (Blue) attend the shindig. The frostiness that fills the elevator also stems from Gus' disappearance, and accusations made against Hilary's recovering-alcoholic husband David (Jack Huston, Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches). When the soiree takes place, Mercy (Yoo) is there working one of her gig-economy jobs. Indeed, the lives of the privileged aren't solely this show's domain — because while this is a tale of three Americans adrift with their sorrows, where and the reality that surrounds them is equally as important as how and why. Expats streams via Prime Video. Read our full review. Death and Other Details There's no doubting that Death and Other Details loves whodunnits, or that it's made with a murderers' row of them in mind. Playing "spot the nod" is one of this ten-part series' games. Sleuthing along with its plot is the other, obviously. So, as an odd couple with an age discrepancy team up to attempt to solve "a classic locked-room mystery" — the show even calls it such — among the preposterously wealthy on holiday, and on a boat at that, where everyone has a motive and a battle over who'll seize control of a family business is also taking place, gleaning what creators and writers Heidi Cole McAdams and Mike Weiss (who also worked together on Stumptown) have been reading and watching isn't a puzzle. Nudges and references are regularly part of the murder-mystery genre anyway; here, recalling Agatha Christie's oeuvre and especially Death on the Nile, as well as Only Murders in the Building, Knives Out, Poker Face, The White Lotus and Succession, is part of sailing into a tale that's also about what we remember and why. Indeed, when other films and shows earn a wink here, Death and Other Details also digs into the purpose behind the minutiae that sticks in our memories. It's a savvy yet risky gambit, getting viewers ruminating on how they spy patterns and filter their perspectives, too, while chancing coming off as derivative. Mostly the series bobs in the first direction; however, even when it sways in the second, it still intrigues its audience to keep watching. Its seemingly mismatched pair: Imogene Scott (Violett Beane, God Friended Me) and the Hercule Poirot-esque Rufus Cotesworth (Mandy Patinkin, Homeland), with the second regularly dubbed "the world's greatest detective". Most folks might believe that label, but Imogene does not. The duo shares a history spanning two decades, from when she was a child (Sophia Reid-Gantzert, Popular Theory) mourning the shock killing of her mother that he couldn't solve. Back then, Rufus was on the case at the behest of the wealthy Colliers, who work in textiles, employed Imogene's mum as a personal assistant to patriarch Lawrence (David Marshall Grant, Spoiler Alert) and took the girl in when she had no one else. Now, both Rufus and Imogene are guests on a cruise chartered by them — she's there as basically a member of the family; he's accompanying the Chuns, with whom the Colliers are in the middle of a billion-dollar business deal — when bodies start piling up. Death and Other Details streams via Disney+. Read our full review. One of the Best Films of 2023 That You Absolutely Need to Watch — or Rewatch Killers of the Flower Moon Death comes to Killers of the Flower Moon quickly. Death comes to Killers of the Flower Moon often. While Martin Scorsese will later briefly fill the film's frames with a fiery orange vision — with what almost appears to be a lake of flames deep in oil country, as dotted with silhouettes of men — death blazes through his 26th feature from the moment that the picture starts rolling. Adapted from journalist David Grann's 2017 non-fiction novel Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, with the filmmaker himself and Dune's Eric Roth penning the screenplay, this is a masterpiece of a movie about a heartbreakingly horrible spate of deaths sparked by pure and unapologetic greed and persecution a century back. Scorsese's two favourite actors in Leonardo DiCaprio (Don't Look Up) and Robert De Niro (Amsterdam) are its stars, alongside hopefully his next go-to in Lily Gladstone (Reservation Dogs), but murder and genocide are as much at this bold and brilliant, epic yet intimate, ambitious and absorbing film's centre — all in a tale that's devastatingly true. As Mollie Kyle, a member of the Osage Nation in Grey Horse, Oklahoma, incomparable Certain Women standout Gladstone talks through some of the movie's homicides early. Before her character meets DiCaprio's World War I veteran Ernest Burkhart — nephew to De Niro's cattle rancher and self-proclaimed 'king of the Osage' William King Hale — she notes that several Indigenous Americans that have been killed, with Mollie mentioning a mere few to meet untimely ends. There's nothing easy about this list, nor is there meant to be. Some are found dead, others seen laid out for their eternal rest, and each one delivers a difficult image. But a gun fired at a young mother pushing a pram inspires a shock befitting a horror film. The genre fits here, in its way, as do many others as Killers of the Flower Moon follows Burkhart's arrival in town, his deeds under his uncle's guidance, his romance with Mollie and the tragedies that keep springing: American crime saga, aka the realm that Scorsese has virtually made his own, as well as romance, relationship drama, western, true crime and crime procedural. Killers of the Flower Moon streams via Apple TV+. Read our full review, and our interview with Martin Scorsese. Need a few more streaming recommendations? Check out our picks from January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December 2023. You can also check out our running list of standout must-stream shows from last year as well — and our best 15 new shows of 2023, 15 newcomers you might've missed, top 15 returning shows of the year, 15 best films, 15 top movies you likely didn't see, 15 best straight-to-streaming flicks and 30 movies worth catching up on over the summer.
If escaping into Australia's great outdoors, putting one foot in front of the other, and combining a leisurely walk — or an energetic hike — with soaking in the scenery is your idea of bliss, the past few weeks keep delivering welcome news. Firstly, the Snowy Mountains became home to a new nine-kilometre section of its Snowies Alpine Walk, complete with Australia's highest suspension bridge. Then, the New South Wales Government announced a massive 91-kilometre waterfront walking track from the Sydney Opera House to Parramatta. Now, still in NSW, the Gondwana Rainforests have been earmarked for a new excuse to get moseying, too. As part of NSW's 2022-23 budget, Treasurer Matt Kean has added the new Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk to the list of upcoming projects that the state's residents and travellers alike can look forward to. Scoring $56.4-million in budget funding, it'll span 46 kilometres, all through stunning rainforest surroundings on the state's mid-north coast. And, there'll be two- and four-day route options. Your starting point: a new Arc Rainforest Centre, which'll come complete with a stunning-looking hanging boardwalk that'll overlook the World Heritage spot. From there, as you roam along the trail, you'll wander over three suspension bridges. There'll also be four low-impact walkers' hut precincts, as well as new camping areas — because if you're committing to taking the full multi-day trek, you'll need somewhere to slumber along the route. That budget cash will also go towards the Arc Rainforest Centre, which is designed to be an attraction in itself thanks to its viewing platform. It'll also include a new treetop skywalk, which'll feature an upper and lower deck so you can still make the most of it when it's raining — and spiralling walkways that'll take you down into the rainforest, to the existing six-kilometre Wonga Walk as well as the new Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk. Back on the Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk itself, it'll meander through the Dorrigo and Bindarri National Parks, with about half of the 46-kilometre stretch charting existing tracks and trails. Hikers won't be short on spectacular sights; expect to see waterfalls, giant old growth trees and wild rivers along the way. If you're excited about the huts and camping sites, they'll be operated, run and booked through NSW's National Parks and Wildlife Services. And, the walk will have another big aim: becoming a place for folks to learn about and connect with the culture of the Gumbaynggirr people, the area's Traditional Custodians. Exactly when the centre and walk will welcome in visitors hasn't been revealed as yet, however — so add this one to your future must-visit list, rather than packing your bags and popping on your comfiest walking shoes now. "Through the NSW Budget, we're investing $56.4 million to offer a new way for people to enjoy the ancient World Heritage environment," said Kean. "This project will drive increased nature-based tourism in NSW, further bolstering the contribution that national parks make to the state economy. For more information about the Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk, head to the NSW Government website.
Eat at Fish Lane's Southside in South Brisbane, or at Rick Shores in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast, and you'll likely grab a serving of dumplings with your meal. Some feature lobster and prawns. Some come stuffed with truffle pork or chilli crab. The bite-sized favourite is a staple of both restaurants, but it isn't the star attraction at either. For a place with that focus, the team behind the two beloved eateries is opening Central next. Set to welcome patrons through the doors from October 2024 in the Piccadilly Arcade building on Queen Street in Brisbane's CBD, this 80-seater subterranean restaurant will indeed be central in the River City. It also takes inspiration from its namesake district in Hong Kong. Southside Executive Chef Benny Lam, one of Central's driving forces alongside Southside's General Manager Maui Manu and co-owner David Flynn, has worked in the favourite tourist destination, and now aims to bring some of the parts of it that he loves to Brisbane. "The food. The living style. Sometimes I miss it. The rush in that city can be so much, but I really enjoyed that energy, every day," Lam explains. "The thing about Hong Kong, you eat out just about every night of the week. Maybe you leave the office about 7pm but you don't go home. You go to a dumpling bar or noodle restaurant — they're that third place." "You walk and you explore and there's stuff happening everywhere and it draws you in," adds Flynn. "We want Central to be that total sensory experience that we love so much about Hong Kong, but channelled into Brisbane, bringing together two cities that we love." If Central can be that kind of space for Brisbane, the pair will be happy. The menu is set to do its part, with the dim sum range the highlight. Peking duck potstickers and prawn har gao will sit beside chicken steam buns and a wonton soup that's poured at diners' tables — and if you're keen to hang around for a bigger dinner or just have a snack on your way elsewhere, Central can cater for it. Among the other options, which mix Cantonese meals with western influences: drunken chicken with aged shaoxing rice wine, plus red date and golden sesame; ginger and shallot lobster with e-fu noodles hot out of the wok; and South Australian abalone served with XO butter and smoked bottarga. Smoked foie gras with youtiao, aka Chinese fried dough, plus Davidson plum will equally tempt tastebuds, as will Goolwa pipis not only with crispy egg noodles but also prosciutto XO sauce. Char siu pork and roasted half duck feature as well — and if you go for another classic in the sweet and sour pork, you'll find it dished up in half a pineapple. Whatever you pick — dim sum, raw plates, barbecue and more — it'll be whipped up in the venue's raised kitchen. After helping revamp Gerard's Bistro, architect and designer Jared Webb of J.AR OFFICE has turned his attention to Central, where granite and timber will be heroed among exposed-rock walls. The lighting will remain low, befitting the restaurant's underground berth. Another inspiration comes from one of the space's past guises. Primitif Cafe called it home in the 50s and 60s, with jazz and poetry a feature. "It will have that feeling you have in Hong Kong, of the basement restaurant. Our motto with Jared has been to 'embrace the cave'. He responded by designing a space with tiered areas that allow people to have different sight lines through the venue with the kitchen and bar as centre stage," advises Flynn. "It's about capturing that spirit of Primitif, but also the rich, colourful nightclub history of 1970s and 80s Hong Kong — places like Disco Disco, this amazing nightclub that's still remembered fondly in that city." As for the drinks, sommelier Peter Marchant — also the Group Wine Director — is overseeing a wine list of around 30 drops that can be mixed and matched with the food menu. Available by the glass, half glass and bottle, it's set to span both Australian and overseas tipples, and also vino from producers doing new and exciting things in the industry. The cocktails will nod to the Hong Kong nightclub scene, as well as to Primitif, including a house harvey wallbanger, a Sichuan Martini Sidecar and a nitrogen-compressed piña colada. Find Central at 340 Queen Street, Brisbane, from sometime in October — we'll update you when an opening date has been announced. Keep an eye on the venue's website for more details.
Dig out those once-a-year novelty gumboots, Groovin the Moo has unveiled its 2018 lineup. Taking the large-scale music festival out of the city and into regional centres for another year, GTM will kick things off on Friday, April 27 in South Australia and travel through Maitland, Townsville, Bendigo and Canberra before finishing up in Bunbury on May 12. This year sees local talent new and established taking the stage, with the lineup spanning up-and-comers like Alex Lahey, Baker Boy and Winston Surfshirt right through to favourites Flight Facilities and Australian legend Paul Kelly. International talent like Portugal. The Man, Royal Blood and Duke Dumont will make their way to the Moo too. Here's the full lineup. GROOVIN THE MOO 2018 LINEUP Alex Lahey Aminé (USA) The Amity Affliction Baker Boy Ball Park Music Claptone (Ger) Confidence Man Cosmo's Midnight Dean Lewis Duke Dumont (UK) Flight Facilities Grinspoon Lady Leshurr (UK) Mallrat Ocean Alley Paul Kelly Portugal. The Man (USA) Public Service Broadcasting (UK) Royal Blood (UK) Sampa The Great Skegss Superduperkyle (USA) Tkay Maidza Vera Blue Winston Surfshirt GROOVIN THE MOO 2018 DATES & VENUES Friday, April 27 — Wayville (SA) Saturday, April 28 – Maitland (NSW) Sunday, April 29 — Canberra (ACT) Saturday, May 5 — Bendigo (VIC) Sunday, May 6 – Townsville (QLD) Saturday, May 12 — Bunbury (WA) Pre-sale tickets for GTM will go on sale at 9am local time on Wednesday, January 31. All other tickets for Wayville, Maitland and Canberra will go on sale at 9am on Tuesday, February 6, and Bendigo, Bunbury and Townsville will be released the day after at 9am on Wednesday, February 7. For more info, go to gtm.net.au. Image: Jack Toohey.
Brisbane isn't a seaside city, but it knows how do seafood well. From fine-diners to neighbourhood fish 'n' chipperies, finding a top-notch serving of the ocean's finest isn't hard around town. Add New Farm Seafood to the list of eateries plating up fish, prawns, bugs, oysters, calamari, Japanese sea scallops, mussels and more — to dine in, for takeaway and also to cook at home from its market. Open six days a week, this Merthyr Village spot does double duty as a seafood-focused diner and a spot to pick up fresh catches. Whichever you choose, you'll be getting something sourced from Australian and New Zealand waters by owner Michael Hatzifotis. The eatery's fish is line-caught, while its market is stocked with wares fresh from the trawler. Both for eating on the premises while sitting in the venue's outdoor seating and taking cooked dishes home, options include oysters with rosemary and lemon granita, fish croquettes with saffron aioli, lemon pepper calamari, bug rolls, focaccia baked in-house with taramasalata, caviar and blinis, and fish burgers. The menu also spans a few meals that you can only enjoy if you're dining in, such as the aforementioned Japanese sea scallops (which come with cauliflower cream, macadamia and basil oil), one-kilogram servings of mussels (steamed, and paired with chilli, tomato, feta and garlic) and whole baked fish. Packs and platters are also on offer, such as takeaway-only family and one-person feasts, plus both cooked and fresh platters that come stacked with seafood. Opt for your choice of cod, snapper of flathead crumbed or battered in tempura, and it comes paired with fries. Go with grilled barramundi, ocean trout or blue-eye trevalla instead, and you'll get fennel puree and orange salad as sides. You can also select from non-seafood dishes, some of which reflect Hatzifotis' Greek heritage — which is where the one-kilogram Greek lamb shoulder, Greek beef hamburgers and traditional Greek salad comes in. Among the other choices: rib fillet steak on the bone with onion rings and salsa verde, and creme brûlée for dessert. And to drink? The beverage list features a small lineup of sparkling, rosé, red and white wines, plus beers. Feel like going all out? This is also the kind of place that pours Cristal for $490 a bottle if you're particularly flush with cash. Among the takeaway range, you'll also find heat-and-eat meals and items to stock your pantry, including marinades, sauces and stocks.
Brisbane's cultural scene has been calling out for a new performing arts venue for years, to help stop the city being bypassed by big shows, gigs and tours that make their way down south but give Queensland a miss. Thankfully, since 2018, a fifth theatre at South Bank's Queensland Performing Arts Centre has been in the works. It's still currently under construction, but it'll now give Brissie another gift when it does open its doors: a brand-new major piece of First Nations public art. Submissions are currently being accepted for a new commission to sit in the theatre's external entry forecourt, with sharing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultures the key aim. "It is anticipated the public artwork will respond to the new theatre's location on a stretch of the Brisbane River around Kurilpa Point that has been a traditional meeting place for the Aboriginal people of Brisbane," said Queensland Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch, opening the call for expressions of interest. Three artists will be selected to then submit concept designs. "These selected artists, in a paid competition process, will each work alongside First Nations art and design consultant Blaklash Creative and public art specialists UAP to develop a site-specific artwork," the Minister said. If you're wondering exactly what's envisaged, the piece could include "freestanding sculptural elements, wall or ground painting, etchings or sand blasting," the Minister also advised. Whatever it incorporates, it'll give the new theatre — and Brisbane — a permanent, site-specific public artwork that celebrates Australia's First Nations Peoples, and Indigenous arts and culture. As for the theatre itself, it has been dubbed the New Performing Arts Venue (NPAV) for now, and will feature at least 1500 seats — and, obviously, will up QPAC's spread from four to five theatres. Architecture firm Blight Rayner + Snøhetta won the tender for the new venue, which is replacing the grassed area known as the Playhouse Green. Glass features heavily in the external design, letting Brisbanites see into the transparent foyer from the corner of Grey and Russell streets. The overall look takes inspiration from the nearby Brisbane River and ties into QPAC's original heritage-listed decor, but still makes its own impression. Costing $175 million to build, with the State Government committing $125 million to the project, the NPAV will also boast two new studio spaces below street level, which'll also be visible from the outside spaces. As far as the main space goes, it'll include a single-balcony auditorium. Expect it to be busy, hosting around 260 performances and welcoming approximately 300,000 per year. When it does lift the curtain, NPAV will herald a huge change to the South Bank spot. QPAC first launched to Brisbanites in 1985 after ten years of development, and thousands of performances — more than 26,000 in 2019, when the NPAV's designs were released — have graced its stages and spaces years since then. QPAC's New Performing Arts Venue is currently under construction, and is set to open at QPAC, on the corner of Grey and Russell streets, in the near future. We'll update you with exact opening details when they're announced. For further information in the interim, visit the project website.
Being a kid and loving spooky movies was glorious in 1993. That year three decades back gave the world two beloved all-ages-friendly flicks that have become October staples ever since — and, in one case, suitable festive viewing as well. One came with Tim Burton's name attached. The other told everyone to run amok, amok, amok. Now, to celebrate their 30th anniversaries, both The Nightmare Before Christmas and Hocus Pocus are returning to cinemas. Moviegovers can see Jack Skellington's antics on the big screen Down Under again from Thursday, October 12, and the Sanderson sisters wreaking havoc from Thursday, October 19. As for which actual picture palaces are playing the films, and at what times, you'll need to check your local — but nostalgia and family-friendly scares will be whirring through the projectors once more. With The Nightmare Before Christmas, filmmakers Tim Burton and Henry Selick (Wendell & Wild) served up one of the most enchanting holiday films to hit the big screen — and one that doubles as both Halloween and Christmas viewing. It's Burton's name that everyone remembers; however, a pre-Coraline Selick is actually in the director's chair on The Nightmare Before Christmas, which charms with both its offbeat story and its gorgeous stop-motion animation. Burton came up with the narrative though, because Jack Skellington only could've originated from the Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands filmmaker's brain. Imaginative, original and engaging (even as it nods to Dr Seuss a few times), it still remains a treat for all ages. [caption id="attachment_921880" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Disney.[/caption] The Hocus Pocus franchise is no stranger to comebacks, given that it dropped a 29-years-later sequel on streaming in 2022, with a third film also on the way. Helmed by Kenny Ortega before the director gave the world the High School Musical movies, the OG flick was the first to enlist Bette Midler (The Addams Family 2), Sarah Jessica Parker (And Just Like That...) and Kathy Najimy (Music) as Winnie, Sarah and Mary Sanderson — and to unleash them in modern-day Salem. Back then, someone lit the black flame candle, which resurrected the 17th-century sisters in the movie's world — and had viewers warned about locking up their children. If you have "twist the bones and bend the back" stuck in your head just thinking about it, you're obviously a fan. Check out the trailers for The Nightmare Before Christmas and Hocus Pocus below: The Nightmare Before Christmas is returning to cinemas Down Under from Thursday, October 12, and Hocus Pocus from Thursday, October 19 — head to your local cinema for details. Images: Matt Kennedy. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
