It's barely spring and Queensland's weather is hardly at its warmest, but bushfire season is already off to a horror start. Catastrophic blazes have been carving a destructive path through both the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, ramping up in recent days — which means that it's, understandably, an inopportune time to unleash a fiery installation in the middle of Brisbane. Between Wednesday, September 11 and Saturday, September 14, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens were set to host the world-renowned Fire Gardens as part of this year's Brisbane Festival. But in light of current events — and taking into consideration the total fire ban presently in place across southeast Queensland, as well as advice from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services — organisers have decided to reschedule the installation. It'll now run next week, between Wednesday, September 18 and Saturday, September 21. One of highest-profile inclusions on Brisbane Festival's 2019 lineup, Fire Gardens has already popped up everywhere from Stonehenge to The Kremlin to Melbourne. It's the work of French art collective Compagnie Carabosse, who has been starting fires professionally for more than 20 years — so it knows how to do so safely. This isn't just about watching things burn, obviously, with a mysterious soundtrack boosting the mood and allure. Expect live musicians performing French music, adding to the radiant ambience. Although Fire Gardens has popped up around the world, this iteration will be crafted specifically for the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. That means that you really won't see anything like it anywhere else. And, of course, you haven't seen the gardens set on fire before — on purpose, and in a controlled and safe manner — anyway. More than 40,000 people are expected to make their way through the huge work, which usually sells out wherever it pops up. If you've already nabbed a ticket for the old Brisbane dates, you'll be emailed about the changes. For those still keen to purchase, you can also donate to disaster relief charity GIVIT when you buy online — and Brisbane Festival will also be collecting public donations for the same cause at its Arcadia hub at the South Bank Cultural Forecourt. The rescheduled Fire Gardens comes to Brisbane as part of this year's Brisbane Festival, running from Wednesday, September 18 to Saturday, September 21. Tickets were not on sale at time of writing, but will become available once organisers have made the necessary arrangements — keep an eye on the event website for details. For updates on the Queensland bushfires, head to the Rural Fire Service website and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Twitter. Images: Sylvie Monier, Regina Marcenkiene and Vincent Muteau.
Guys, we did it. We helped art happen in the face of corporate suckiness. You may remember how last month Lego refused to fulfil Chinese artist and political commentator Ai Weiwei's order for bulk bricks on the grounds that they “cannot approve the use of Legos for political works”. This bizarre and freedom of speech denying move — one that should shock nobody who’s ever stood barefoot on a tiny plastic brick — came just two months before Weiwei's huge blockbuster summer exhibition at Melbourne's National Gallery of Victoria, Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei, which will kick off on December 11. When news broke of Lego's tyrannical response, it wasn’t long before the good people of the internet were offering up their own Legos for Weiwei’s use instead. So what did Weiwei do? He announced that he would be collecting donated Lego in different cities to create the exhibition anyway. A collection point was set up in in the NGV sculpture garden in Melbourne as a repository for the Lego blocks. Donors were encouraged to bring in their Lego blocks and drop them through the sunroof of a car parked in the garden. And it worked. In the wee hours of this morning, Weiwei started posting images of his new artworks to Instagram. The portraits are of activists who fight for human rights and free speech, and so far include privacy activist Edward Snowden and the Republic of The Gambia's opposition treasurer, Amadou Sanneh. A photo posted by Ai Weiwei (@aiww) on Nov 19, 2015 at 8:11am PST A photo posted by Ai Weiwei (@aiww) on Nov 19, 2015 at 8:26am PST A photo posted by Ai Weiwei (@aiww) on Nov 19, 2015 at 8:11am PST We love you Weiwei. Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei comes to the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne from December 11 to April 24, in collaboration with The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh. For info and tickets, head to the NGV website. Words: Imogen Baker and Lauren Vadnjal
It isn't every day that wandering through Federation Square involves walking past — or through — a whopping 3000 kilograms of clothing waste. Thanks to an eye-catching, awareness-raising, three-day-only pop-up, however, Melburnians can currently do just that. Until Thursday, April 28, a hefty pile of discarded fashion is sitting in the middle of the Victorian capital, all to draw attention to how many threads are thrown away by Australians. The sustainability focused installation is a collaboration between Kathmandu and zero-waste advocate Joost Bakker, and it'll instantly teach you something — because the 3000 kilograms of discarded clothing that's pivotal to the piece only represents the amount of textiles disposed of by Aussies in a mere five-minute window. That's how much that gets thrown away every five minutes, in fact, with Kathmandu and Bakker's team-up designed to make that stark truth hit home. "The thing that shocked me the most — I just thought I'd use 500 kilos of clothing, but then I got 200 kilos of clothing in just one day," Bakker tells Concrete Playground. "I just went 'oh my god'. There's just this huge volume. I just couldn't quite comprehend the volume, and the weight. And then when you see these piles of clothing, or you see factories full, or you see it in landfill — the energy, the water, the labour, everything that's gone into creating that, and it's just thrown into landfill, it's crazy." The 3000 kilograms of clothes that Bakker has amassed for this project — with the help of clothing recycling centre Upparel — is used in a tunnel structure that visitors to Fed Square can mosey through. Still, it's hard not to feel the the scale of it. Again, that's completely by design. "My core belief is that people are aware, they'll do something about it," says Bakker. "Even if it's just one person who walks through that structure and gets inspired and comes up with a solution — that's what's so exciting. Globally, so many people are putting their energy into finding solutions that, over the next ten years, it'll be a thing of the past. I have no doubt that clothing waste will not exist very quickly because we're all putting our energy into it and trying to find solutions. Humans are amazing at finding solutions when we put our energy and efforts into it, and that's what's happening now. That's really what this installation is all about," he continues. The reason for the collab with Kathmandu: the company asked, and gave Bakker free rein to come up with his own way to highlight the fashion-waste problem. "I thought it was quite inspiring that a brand wanted to actually highlight this, and so I got quite excited," he notes. "I wanted to really come up with a way that you could actually immerse yourself in a volume [of textiles]. If you have a pile of clothing, it's very difficult to get a sense of how much that is," Bakker tells CP. "So I wanted to create a structure where you were really in it and immersed in it. And I'm based in Monbulk, I'm surrounded by flower farmers, and I was able to access plastics that are used for greenhouses — these are all offcuts, and we've put lots of layers of offcut plastic to create that structure that allows you to see the enormous waste that's generated." Kathmandu is also launching a new 100-percent biodegradable BioDown puffer jacket, which Melburnians will see hanging through the installation. It's made from materials — outer, inner, down, zips, threads, tags and all — that are treated with a special additive that helps accelerate biodegradation, but only in a landfill environment. The jackets will hit stores from Thursday, April 28. Bakker notes that it's moves like these that'll help see textile waste eliminated — an issue that's only been around for half a century or so anyway — and unwanted fashion items reused and recycled instead. "My belief is that waste is just a human thing. Waste is something that pretty much is only a fifty-year thing, it's a very short space of time that we've generated a waste industry. Even if you go back 60, 70 years, everything was a resource, so we didn't have things like landfills and waste dumps," he explains. "I view waste as something beautiful. It's amazing how many people have commented 'the structure is actually really beautiful, but it's filled with waste, it's filled with something that we discard, something that we don't put any value on'. All my work has been about turning that around," Bakker continues. "In nature, there's no waste. You don't walk around a forest and go 'oh my god, I'm surrounded by all this rubbish'. It's only a human thing, because everything becomes something else again. I think the sooner that as a society we embrace that idea, we can completely design waste out of everything. It can happen really quickly, and I think it will happen really quickly, because we are all aware now." Kathmandu's fashion-waste installation is on display at Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne, from Tuesday, April 26–Thursday, April 28.
Is Sydney Film Festival in its body-horror era? In 2024, the Harbour City's annual citywide celebration of cinema closed with The Substance, after it had wowed Cannes but before it was an Oscar-winner. The very next movie that the event is screening, aka 2025's just-announced opening-night picture, also falls into the genre. Together stars Alison Brie (Apples Never Fall) and Dave Franco (Love Lies Bleeding), had this year's Sundance buzzing and marks the feature directorial debut of Australian filmmaker Michael Shanks (The Wizards of Aus). The Aussie film will kick off one of the country's major yearly odes to movies on Wednesday, June 4 — and will do so with a flick about a couple moving to the country, then finding more than just the relaxing quiet life they're seeking awaiting. Brie and Franco play Millie and Tim. After their big shift, she feels more at home than he does, ramping up their codependent relationship on his side. Then, as the teaser trailer featuring staring animals, unexpected strands of hair, a cave and declarations of love starts to show, things get strange. Also co-starring Australian actor Damon Herriman (How to Make Gravy), Together has a date with SFF almost two months in advance of its Aussie and US cinema release date at the end of July. In Sydney, it leads a lineup that's drop its full program on Wednesday, May 7, but already includes a Jafar Panahi retrospective, Justin Kurzel (The Narrow Road to the Deep North)-directed documentary Ellis Park, and everything from homegrown animation Lesbian Space Princess to Barry Keoghan's (Bird) new Irish thriller Bring Them Down. "We are thrilled to open the 2025 Festival with Together, a fiercely original work that showcases the creative ambition of a new voice in Australian cinema," said Sydney Film Festival Director Nashen Moodley, announcing 2025's opening flick. "Michael Shanks has crafted a bold and inventive debut that shifts seamlessly between tones, anchored by fully committed performances from Alison Brie and Dave Franco." Added Shanks: "having Together open Sydney Film Festival is a huge honour. Despite our US leads, this is an Australian film through and through, and I'm so proud to showcase what amazing crew and cast we have in our local industry." "I got altitude sickness in Utah when the film premiered in Sundance, and thankfully that's far less likely to happen when it premieres in Sydney." Check out the teaser trailer for Together below: Sydney Film Festival 2025 runs from Wednesday, June 4–Sunday, June 15 at cinemas across Sydney. Head to the festival website for further information and tickets — and check back here for the full lineup on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
New year, new murder in the building — in the fictional Arconia in New York, that is. That's what's in store for fans of Only Murders in the Building, the true-crime comedy that proved one of 2021's surprises and delights. Knowing they're onto a good thing, Hulu in the US quickly renewed the hit series, and now it's coming back in June with another killing to solve. If you missed the first season in 2021, it takes a great idea and turns it into an amusing murder-mystery gem. If you've ever listened to a true-crime podcast, decided that you'd make a great Serial host yourself and started wondering how you'd ever follow in Sarah Koenig's footsteps, then Only Murders in the Building is definitely the series for you. The show focuses three New Yorkers who basically follow that same process. Here, actor Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin, It's Complicated), theatre producer Oliver Putnam (Martin Short, Schmigadoon!) and the much-younger Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez, The Dead Don't Die) are all obsessed with a podcast hosted by the fictional Cinda Canning (Tina Fey, Girls5eva). They find themselves unexpectedly bonding over it, in fact. And, when someone turns up dead in their building, they decide that they can sleuth their way through the case by getting talking themselves. [caption id="attachment_824354" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu[/caption] That's how the first season panned out. Think Knives Out, but a sitcom and also a little goofier. Now, as the just-dropped first trailer for the show's second season shows, Charles-Haden, Oliver and Mabel are weathering the fallout from the last batch of episodes — namely, season one's big finale — and they have another murder to investigate (and another podcast season to chat about it on, obviously). Complicating their efforts this time around are a trio of factors: their public implication in the death in question; the fact that there's now a competing podcast about them and this new murder; the suspicions of their neighbours, who think they're guilty. Exactly how that'll play out won't be known until Tuesday, June 28, when Only Murders in the Building returns — but, whatever happens, both Cara Delevingne and Amy Schumer will be involved, with the pair joining the cast as guest stars. Check out the trailer for Only Murders in the Building season two below: Only Murders in the Building's second season will start streaming Down Under via Star on Disney+ on Tuesday, June 28. Read our full review of the show's first season. Images: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu.
When you're a stellar sleuth renowned for solving complex cases, what's your holy grail? That question will soon be answered in the Knives Out world. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is the third film in the detective franchise and will arrive before 2025 is out — and in its just-dropped initial sneak peek, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig, Queer) is excited about "the impossible crime". Netflix has unveiled its first look at Wake Up Dead Man in a date-announcement teaser, which reveals Friday, December 12, 2025 as the day that you'll be watching. Accordingly, this trailer is short on plot details — but there are snippets of what's in store, including a church and its graveyard featuring prominently. Also included: a glimpse at much of the characteristically stacked cast. Just like in 2019's OG Knives Out and 2022's Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Blanc keeps pointing the finger at well-known faces. Onboard this time around: Josh O'Connor (Challengers), Glenn Close (Back in Action), Josh Brolin (Brothers), Mila Kunis (Goodrich), Jeremy Renner (Mayor of Kingstown), Kerry Washington (Shadow Force), Andrew Scott (Ripley), Cailee Spaeny (Civil War), Daryl McCormack (Bad Sisters) and Thomas Haden Church (Twisted Metal). The new teaser also includes character names, including advising that O'Connor plays a reverend and Renner a doctor. The whodunnit saga's writer and director Rian Johnson (Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi) is back behind the lens on what is being teased as Blanc's "most dangerous case yet" — and he's giving audiences two big sleuthing returns in the same year, given that Poker Face, which he also created, has already made a comeback in 2025. So far, the Knives Out franchise has stuck to a three-yearly pattern. Also, although Johnson has plunged his detective into a familiar setup, he's always ensured that the end result was anything but routine. His trusty scenario to date: bringing a group of people together in a specific setting, then watching on when one thing that always occurs in a whodunnit happens. That'd be a murder, in a formula that Agatha Christie also loved, as book-to-film adaptations Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile and A Haunting in Venice have shown. The author's play The Mousetrap and 2022 flick See How They Run, which riffs on it, make the same point. And, so does this clearly Christie-inspired franchise. The cast across Knives Out and Glass Onion has always been impressive. Chris Evans (Red One), Ana de Armas (Ghosted), Jamie Lee Curtis (The Last Showgirl), Michael Shannon (A Different Man), Toni Collette (Mickey 17), Don Johnson (Doctor Odyssey), Lakeith Stanfield (The Changeling), Christopher Plummer (Departure), Katherine Langford (Savage River) and Jaeden Martell (Arcadian) all featured the first time around. In the second flick, Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown), Janelle Monáe (Antebellum), Kathryn Hahn (The Studio), Leslie Odom Jr (The Exorcist: Believer), Jessica Henwick (The Royal Hotel), Madelyn Cline (Outer Banks), Kate Hudson (Running Point) and Dave Bautista (Dune: Part Two) co-starred. Check out the date announcement video for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery below: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will release on Friday, December 12, 2025. Read our reviews of Knives Out and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.
Doggy day spa and pet boutique Dogue has finally landed in Brisbane, with the group's first Queensland store opening its doors in Bulimba this week. And your four-legged friends are definitely going to want to get involved in the launch celebrations, which'll take over the Oxford Street boutique on Saturday, May 26. The grand opening party has a program packed with fun for humans and pooches alike, kicking off at 10am with a Dogue goodie bag for the first 50 guests through the door. There'll be face painting for kids and colour chalking for the dogs, a 'pup-arazzi' photo booth, plus grooming demonstrations in case you're thinking of signing up your pup for a spot of pampering by Dogue's team of experts. What's more, you'll likely head home with a few treats in tow, thanks to a swag of giveaways and a range of specials on both grooming services and products. And don't forget the dapper outfits if you want to be in with a chance to take out the prize for Best Dressed Pooch.
They call it Tina — The Tina Turner Musical, oh Tina — The Tina Turner Musical — and, while it finally arrived in Australia in May, it now has more dates around the nation. After premiering in London back in 2018, this stage ode to the music icon that's had Aussies dancing to 'Nutbush City Limits' for decades will tour Down Under, following up its current first local stint in Sydney with seasons in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne. No, it isn't taking to the stage in a church house, gin house, school house or outhouse — or on highway number 19, either. But Tina — The Tina Turner Musical will obviously have Crown Theatre, Festival Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Princess Theatre enjoying Turner's greatest hits in one massive show. The list of musical numbers includes 'Nutbush City Limits', naturally, as well as everything from 'River Deep, Mountain High' and 'Proud Mary' through to 'Private Dancer' and 'What's Love Got to Do with It?'. Tina — The Tina Turner Musical has made its trip Down Under courtesy of TEG DAINTY, Stage Entertainment and Tali Pelman, in association with Tina Turner herself before her passing in May this year. Announcing the show's stint on our shores back in 2022, the singer said that "Australia has always shared abundant love with me, going back to my early concerts in the late 70s through the uplifting partnership with the National Rugby League. It is very special for me that we will be reunited." "The joy, passion and message of resilience in my musical is so important now as ever. Thank you from the bottom my heart for welcoming me with open arms once again," Turner continued. The singer didn't mention her appearance in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, but she is indeed part of the beloved Mad Max franchise, too. In Australia, The Lion King, We Will Rock You, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Ragtime and Moulin Rouge! The Musical star Ruva Ngwenya plays Tina, with In the Heights, Fame: The Musical and fellow Moulin Rouge! The Musical alumni Tim Omaji as Ike Turner. Penned by Tony Award-nominee and Pulitzer Prize-winner Katori Hall, plus Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, and directed by fellow Tony-nominee Phyllida Lloyd, Tina — The Tina Turner Musical clearly has quite the story to tell. The show steps through Turner's life and fame, including growing up in Nutbush, Tennessee, the hard work that led to her career, all of those aforementioned hits, her 12 Grammy Awards, her volatile time with Ike and her huge solo success. If you're a fan, Turner herself summed it up — yes, it's simply the best. "I first heard about the possibility of a stage musical portraying Tina's life eight years ago and I immediately reached out to Tali Pelman at Stage Entertainment. At that point there was no script and no book; however, I was hooked on the idea of it," said TEG DAINTY CEO Paul Dainty about Tina — The Tina Turner Musical. "We have been on that journey ever since, and here we are today announcing the Australian tour! Australians love this theatrical masterpiece which tells the story of Tina's life, of empowerment and success, and is ultimately the best music industry comeback story of all time." TINA — THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL AUSTRALIAN DATES: Now until Sunday, December 31, 2023 — Theatre Royal, Sydney From Tuesday, February 27, 2024 — Crown Theatre, Perth From Wednesday, April 24, 2024 — Festival Theatre, Adelaide From Sunday, July 2, 2024 — Lyric Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane From Tuesday, September 24, 2024 — Princess Theatre, Melbourne Tina — The Tina Turner Musical is currently playing in Sydney, and will tour the rest of Australia in 2024. For more information and tickets, head to the musical's website. Images: Daniel Boud.
New cases, new exposure sites, new restrictions: that's the familiar formula, and it's exactly the process that's underway in Brisbane right now. So, following the reporting of 13 new local COVID-19 cases since Tuesday, September 28 — including six in the past 24 hours — Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has just announced that a heap of rules will be tightened effective 4pm today, Thursday, September 30. The new restrictions will inspire a feeling of deja vu, as they were previously in effect in mid-August. For two weeks, Brisbane is bringing back the rules that fall under Queensland's stage 2 in its COVID-19 roadmap. The same restrictions will apply not only in the Brisbane Local Government Area, but also in the Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, Logan, Townsville and Palm Island LGAs. Wondering what's changing? Firstly, there'll be a 30-person limit on gatherings in homes and outdoors in public spaces. Also, density caps in hospitality and venues will return to one person per four-square-metres inside and one person per two-square-metres outside. And, you'll also need to sit down to eat and drink — and dancing is banned again, so it's Footloose time once more. BREAKING: From 4pm today, restrictions will be tightened in the Local Government Areas of Brisbane, Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, Logan, Townsville and Palm Island. #covid19 pic.twitter.com/CiXEr0wsNQ — Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) September 30, 2021 Also, there's a 100-person cap on weddings and funerals. At weddings, only 20 people will be able to hit the dance floor — which, in light of the dancing ban elsewhere, is the only place that making shapes will be allowed. Plus, the new rules will amend the capacity at both indoor and outdoor stadiums and events. If they're ticketed and have allocated seating, they can fill to 75-percent capacity. Yes, that'll affect this weekend's NRL Grand Final. Mask rules only tightened back on Tuesday, September 28, and those requirements for covering your face remain in effect. So, you still need to don a mask indoors at all times unless you're eating or drinking, or you're in your own home. You also need to mask up on public transport, in ride shares and while waiting for both — and outdoors if you can't remain 1.5 metres away from people who aren't part of your household. Queensland's standing mask mandate for flights, airports and stadiums remains, and you will also need to still always carry a mask with you no matter where you are. IMPORTANT: Restrictions tighten in parts of Queensland from 4pm today. Here's the latest roadmap 👇 pic.twitter.com/YBv6VeX4KA — Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) September 30, 2021 Announcing the changes, the Premier said that "everyone realises that we've got to put these restrictions in place if we are to avoid a lockdown at this stage. So I want everyone to please take this very seriously and please do the right thing. I'm quite sure that we will be able to get through this like we have deviously if we all do the right thing." That said, locking down if further cases pop up in the community obviously hasn't been ruled out. "It will depend each day how things progress in the state, whether Queenslanders wear their masks, whether they go and get tested... It will be very critical, the next 24–48 hours. about whether or not we see any seeding into the community," said the Premier. "As soon as Dr Young says we need to move into a lockdown, we will," Palaszczuk continued. Queenslanders are asked to keep social distancing, maintaining the hygiene practices that have been in place since March 2020, and checking the state's list of exposure sites — and to get tested if you're feeling even the slightest possible COVID-19 symptoms. Southeast Queensland's COVID-19 restrictions will tighten again from 4pm on Thursday, September 30. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website.
What if a vampire didn't want to feed on humans? When it happens in Interview with the Vampire, rats are the solution. In Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person, Sasha (Sara Montpetit, White Dog) gets her sustenance from pouches of blood instead, but her family — father (Steve Laplante, The Nature of Love), mother (Sophie Cadieux, Chouchou), aunt (Marie Brassard, Viking) and cousin Denise (Noémie O'Farrell, District 31') — are increasingly concerned once more than half a century passes and she keeps avoiding biting necks. Sasha still looks like a goth teenager, yet she's 68, so her relatives believe that it's well past time for her to embrace an inescapable aspect of being a bloodsucker. What if she didn't have to, though? The potential solution in the delightful first feature by director Ariane Louis-Seize, who co-writes with Christine Doyon (Germain s'éteint), is right there in this 2023 Venice International Film Festival award-winner's title. With What We Do in the Shadows, both on the big and small screens, the idea that vamps are just like the living when it comes to sharing houses has gushed with laughs. Swap out flatmates for adolescence — including pesky parents trying to cramp a teen's style — and that's Louis-Seize's approach in this French-language Canadian effort. As much as Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person brings fellow undead fare to mind, however, and more beyond, the Québécois picture is an entrancing slurp of vampire and other genres on its own merits. There's an Only Lovers Left Alive-style yearning and A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night-esque elegance to the film. Beetlejuice and The Hunger bubble up, too, as do Under the Skin, Ginger Snaps and The Craft as well. But comparable to how drinking from someone doesn't transform you into them — at least according to a century-plus of bloodsucking tales on the page, in cinemas and on TV — nodding at influences doesn't turn this coming-of-age horror-comedy into its predecessors. Why does a vampire shy away from their basic method of feeding? Compassion and empathy, as a vamp doctor diagnoses. At a childhood birthday party in the 80s, Sasha (played by Avant le crash's Lilas-Rose Cantin in her younger guise) is gifted what her family thinks will be the ultimate present, to help her fangs come in: the clown hired as the shindig's entertainment isn't just there for a merry time, but as the cake. She won't kill him. She won't murder anyone afterwards. As she ages, it isn't just appeasing her parents that's putting pressure on Sasha to indulge her ingrained urges; when she sees blood, her desire kicks in. That Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person falls into the nest of flicks that understand how harrowing becoming a woman can be is as apparent as a puncture wound around the jugular; again, it still finds its own way to muse on a well-contemplated topic, even while broadly sticking with the familiar "being a teen girl is a horror movie" concept. As a last resort, Sasha is sent to stay with Denise, who nab her meals simply by picking up men and taking them home (her industrial-chic abode has meathooks to assist). But forcing anyone to follow in an authority figure's footsteps never turns out well whether they're breathing or undead, which is another of Louis-Seize's universal notions. A search for identity sits at the unstaked heart of Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person, as Sasha endeavours to grow up and be a creature of the night on her own terms, and without losing who she knows she is. Enter suicide support groups, which depressed and bullied high-schooler Paul (Félix-Antoine Bénard, The Wall) attends to grapple with his own feelings about mortality — an opinion that's far less concerned with retaining his own life than Sasha is about letting humans keep existing. Warm Bodies, Let the Right One In, a human-vamp reversal of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's main romances: that's all dripped into Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person's blood bag as well. With her raven locks and dark-clad outfits, plus the movie's deadpan comedy, there's a touch of Wednesday Addams-but-a-bloodsucker, too. That said, tenderness rather than sarcasm is Sasha's vibe — and finding the balance between bleak and sweet is the feature's. Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person is a film about not just forging your own sense of self, and staying true to it, but discovering someone to connect with who accepts you for who you are, takes the good with the bad, and makes life (or the afterlife) worth living. It might be red with blood, then black with melancholy and angst, thematically, but it's also pink inside. Aesthetically, the Montreal-based Louis-Seize, cinematographer Shawn Pavlin (who also shot her shorts) and editor Stéphane Lafleur (Goddess of the Fireflies) adore contrasts — and letting the feature's visuals say as much as dialogue, especially about Sasha's inner state. Atmospheric yet also neon-lit, taking cues for lighting choices from German expressionist cinema but imparting the flick with a 90s teen-movie sheen: just as it balances humour with bittersweetness, Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person juggles all of the above. Texture and richness pulsate emotionally and stylistically, and also in the soundtrack's bounces from jazz to pop. Indeed, one of the reasons that viewers being able to glean Louis-Seize's sources of inspiration doesn't overwhelm her picture is because it so deeply feels like you could step right into the film. Montpetit and Bénard turn in performances to match, portrayals where angst and longing pump in the same veins at the same time, and where frolicking through the night — sunlight still isn't a vampire's friend here — has the liminal taste of being caught between juvenile fun and adult reality. Alongside possessing great chemistry, Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person's central pair know how to convey the movie's whimsy, darkness and romance while never succumbing fully to any over the other. They play a twist on Romeo and Juliet as well in the process, in a way, as two beings from opposite worlds drawn together. One would prefer to die than hurt someone who doesn't want it. The other would donate his life willingly because it'd give him purpose. As with the rest of her nudges, Louis-Seize doesn't feast on Shakespeare's most-famous tragedy, either; her take has its own charms and flavour.
It's not every artist who'd revisit their Year Two saxophone skills on their debut album. But Melbourne's Chet Faker (aka Nick Murphy) isn't afraid of giving anything a whirl for the sake of sound. Following the release of his debut EP Thinking In Textures via Downtown Records in 2012, Murphy gained international high-fives and 'Breakthrough Artist of the Year' at the Australian Independent Records Awards, made an EP with Flume, toured with Bonobo, played at South by South West and scored a Super Bowl ad with his breakthrough cover of Blackstreet's 'No Diggity'. After settling into his own snuggly studio space in North Melbourne, Murphy painstakingly tweaked, experimented and self-produced his debut album Built On Glass, released Friday. An eclectic and unpredictable mix of electronic soul ballads, deep house journeys and hip hop beats, Murphy's love of experimentation and letting sound breathe makes Built On Glass one of the year's most overwhelmingly confident debut releases. Heartbreakingly honest lyrics, minimalist electronic groovery and Murphy's unmistakably soulful vocals make for serious repeat button action. Kicking off a huge worldwide tour in April, Chet Faker will hit venues in UK cities like Dublin, Manchester and Bristol before popping over to European hubs like Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. Then it's over to the US and Canada for a gargantuan string of dates before heading home for his national Australian headliner tour through major cities and regional centres like Geelong, Port Macquarie and Wollongong. Supporting for all national tour dates is New Zealand dream pop trio Yumi Zouma, whose four-track EP The Brae saw the Christchurch locals gain quite the following on Soundcloud. In the wake of the tour's long-awaited announcement, we had a chat to the 25-year-old Melburnian about his upcoming worldwide debut album tour, his Melbourne performance jinx, jogging on tour and a genuine disdain for pigeonholes. When was the last time you played an Australian show? Three weeks ago. I play heaps here, everyone thinks I don't. They're like, "Really? Come back to Australia and support your home." It's like, I play here a lot. People are like, "Why didn't you come to New Zealand?" I was there four weeks ago! "Hopefully one day you'll come to Ireland." It's like dude, I'll be there in a week. Just relax! So Built On Glass is out, your first LP, congrats! You played everything you hear on the album, excepting one guitar solo. What made you want to play all every last instrument on your new album? Well, because I knew what I wanted to be played. And I'm not rich so I can't just like, pay Nile Rodgers to lay down a track for me. It's just a really personal record. Music just means a shitload to me. I'm usually writing music at the same time I'm recording it... just trying a bunch of stuff. If I want a guitar part, I'm going to play it because I'm there. So it makes sense to play it myself rather than have someone in and it might not work. Did you learn saxophone just for the record? No. Well, maybe sort of. I played sax from prep to grade two. But I hadn't played until last year and I picked it up and could still make a noise out of it. That blew me away. I had no idea that I could still play saxophone. I assumed I couldn't play it, I couldn't remember what notes they were. I picked it up and because I'd learnt 'Tequila' — that was the last song I'd played — I was like bam-bam ban-am-bam ban-a-nam and I was like "What the FUCK?". It was insane! Because there's other stuff as a kid I can't remember how to do, you know? Like cartwheels... Cartwheels, totally yeah. I used to be a really good drawer when I was a kid but I'm not that good at it any more. I used to be able to do a really good cat. Actually I still remember how to do it — it looks like Bubsy, which was a game on Super Nintendo. That's funny, I haven't thought about that in a long time. With your first EP you were kind of sleeping in the same space that you were recording. But this time you had your own space to record Built On Glass? Yeah, I rented a space in North Melbourne in the old meat market. It's an old cooling locker, so it's heritage-listed. It's through Arts House Victoria, so it's really cheap rent, it's cool... We have so much space and I just don't use it. I filled it with stuff and ended up putting myself in the smallest room. I rarely stand up when I'm recording music, most of the time I'm sitting on a chair. I can't remember the last time I stood up to record vocals. I lean into the microphone and I sit in front of the computer. I'll take, sing it, listen back and do it again until I get it right. Well, your voice has a lot of oomph and power behind it, which you usually need to stand up to reach. Well, on this record anyway. The EP was lighter I think, more breathy because I was in my garage. It had a tin roof and in the garage next door to me we had a neighbour. I would usually record late at night and I couldn't sing loud. Whereas on this record, because I have my own soundproof space, I could be there any hour of the night and play as loud as I want and not piss anyone off. So all the vocal tracks are like, full chest voice. I literally couldn't have done this album in the old garage because I couldn't sing that loud. https://youtube.com/watch?v=aP_-P_BS6KY Stylistically Built On Glass is very different, each song is quite unique even though they've got your unifying vocal. Some are hip hop influenced, some are ballads, some are almost house music. How do you find inspiration for each style? I've had this thing, like, all my life: I hate being put in a pigeonhole. More than anything, for some reason. I don't know why it annoys me so much. As soon as you label something you limit it. And I don't want to be limited. An album is usually very definitive, you know? That's the big thing, about making a 'statement' right? So my statement was I wanted to show almost every type of music that I like, because then if I did something like the slow, whatever people call it, "RnB crooner" — it makes me cringe when I hear that, it's gross — style, then I'd limit it. Because if I bring out another record that's like '1998', which I like just as much, people would go, "What the fuck is this?" So it was really important to me that I show the full breadth of all the things I like. Sounds like a good way to go for a debut album. Well that's the idea. Built On Glass as well, the whole "built" thing comes from like, building a career, building a future on a foundation stone of glass, which is fragile, it's honest, it's transparent — this is what I'm into, you know? And it was annoying me that people thought I only did soulful, slowed down tunes. There's even some house moments in there. Yeah, well 'Cigarettes and Loneliness" is 135BPM. That is not soul music. It's hard to pick a track off your debut album, but do you have a particular song you're especially proud of? 'Cigarettes and Loneliness' I think. I mean, they all have their own reason I like them. 'Gold' is the first song I ever played bass on and it's just one note the whole time. I didn't know how to play the bass, so I bought a bass. What I wanted to do was a descending bassline but I couldn't play that properly. But then 'Release Your Problems', which is the first track, I played the bass on that. First bassline I ever really wrote. '1998': house track — I always wanted to put out a house track. 'Cigarettes and Loneliness' is the longest song I've ever done, it's the most honest song I've ever done. The chorus has no drums, it's just two guitar parts and vocals. The song's like eight minutes long and it's 135BPM which is just super fast. You couldn't even play that in a DJ set, it'd freak people out. It's been two years since your first EP Thinking in Textures came out, since then you've won awards, worked with Flume, supported big names, had your song in a Super Bowl ad... Yeah, I always forget about that until people bring it up. That's like the least real thing that's ever happened to me. That's like, really? Was I really in a Super Bowl ad? It's like the childhood memories that you're not really sure if you made it up or it actually happened. https://youtube.com/watch?v=vUsxibgWMs4 You've been touring on and off for about two years, what's one of the most memorable performances you've done? Well, there's different ones for different reasons — there's good ones and then there's like, bad ones. Touring with Bonobo was awesome. I've got mad respect for him. He just texted me the other day, he was like, "What are you doing? You wanna go get a drink?" For a second I had to be like, that's fuckin' Bonobo texting me. That was pretty weird, I had to pinch myself. That tour was cool, I think this tour in June's also going to be heaps of fun. And you toured with Flume as well. Toured with Flume, yeah that was good. Ah... it was alright. They were just like, munted kids who weren't listening. But actually it was fun playing with Flume, because I'd get up and sing with him, that was shitloads of fun. So I crowdsurfed — and you don't crowdsurf to my music. I never had. So that was a lot of fun, stagediving. Did they bring you back to the stage? Yeah, I mean sometimes you get taken away. Here's a lesson for anyone who's going to stagedive: take off any jewellery or hats, people literally rip stuff off you. And I got like, mouth raped at one of those shows on that Flume tour. I don't know if it was a boy or a girl, someone just grabbed my head upside down and did like a Spiderman tongue dash. I was like, woah. By the time I looked, I was somewhere else. It was kind of funny though, but it was an all ages show so its just a bit like... yeeech. https://youtube.com/watch?v=6vopR3ys8Kw If you could tour with anyone in the world, who would it be? Bonobo was pretty up there. Music style-wise, I feel like it's pretty similar. I always looked up to him, awesome crew and band, they really inspired me. Like, some people just aren't as… Just because you love someone's music doesn't mean you like them personally and that was a big lesson for me. And most people won't know that. You know, most people who like my music will assume that them and I would get along perfectly but I'm certain there are people I wouldn't get along with. It's like the same with anyone. So I've met lots of people, I mean, Bonobo, he's as nice as his music is, he's a gentleman. But there's other people I've met that I really liked, I was like, you... are... you are a dickhead. So you've got this rather epic tour coming up, how do you prepare and keep healthy on tour? Are there any tricks? Totally, you have to look after yourself. I do. I actually don't know how some people party on tour all the time. It's not sustainable, like, you just get totally bummed out. Some people can do it though. Some people just figure out this like, route in their brain to not come down from partying. They just party forever. Like DJs, those dudes kill it. I don't know, I couldn't do that. Do you get actual sleep on tour? No. Well, yes if I try and sleep and eat well, but that's not really an option either. It's this weird balance because some people just think you're difficult if you're like "I need celery and gluten free food backstage." They're like, "Geez, this guy's a douchebag." But if you're having a hot dog every night for three months, you start to feel really crappy about yourself. But running is good, I try and go for a run every morning. It's just habit, which is easy to do on tour because it's easier to create new habits in a new environment than one that has existing habits. Do you write on tour? You were saying you write and record at the same time. I can't. I'm trying to at the moment; I'm trying to get a little studio built up. But I really like having a space, but that's not really an option any more when you're touring so much. So I'm getting this little case made up with like, a microphone and a laptop. Harley's so good at it, Flume, he's always working on a track. I can do it, it's just like a habit. I'm trying to start doing that more. It's going to be cool for you to play in Melbourne and show off your debut album to home. Yeah, totally and I don't think I've ever played a good show in my home town. I keep fucking it up. I mean it's my friends there, that's why. I played a bunch of festivals — I mean I think as far as my friends are concerned I suck live, because I keep messing it up for my friends in Melbourne — like, at Laneway I played a bad show, I messed up Meredith and Golden Plains. I had technical problems — I had a broken foot. It's like I'm jinxed in my home town but this tour will be fine, sooner or later I'll do it. Tour Dates: Tickets on sale Tuesday 22 April 9AM local time Thu 12 June – The Wool Exchange, Geelong $35 +BF. Tickets from Oztix. Friday 13 June – Forum Theatre, Melbourne $35 +BF. Tickets from The Forum Box Office, Ticketmaster. Thu 19 June – Astor Theatre, Perth $35 +BF. Tickets from Astor Box Office. Sat 21 June – The Tivoli, Brisbane $35 +BF. Tickets from Ticketmaster. Sun 22 June – Lake Kawana Community Centre, Sunshine Coast $35 +BF. Tickets from Box Office. Tue 24 June – Glasshouse Theatre, Port Macquarie $35 +BF. Tickets from the Glasshouse Box Office. Wed 25 June – Civic Theatre, Newcastle $35 +BF. Tickets from Box Office and Ticketek. Fri 27 June – Enmore Theatre, Sydney $35 +BF Tickets from Enmore Theatre Box Office and Ticketek Sat 28 June – Anita's Theatre, Wollongong $35 +BF. Tickets from Ticketmaster. Thu 3 July – HQ, Adelaide $35 +BF. Tickets from Moshtix and Oztix. Sat 5 July - The Odean, Hobart $40 +BF. Tickets from Ticketmaster and Ruffcut Records.
At the moment, a visit to Victoria Park / Barrambin includes mini golf, picnics, walking dogs, pop-up outdoor cinemas and green fairs. In the future, it'll involve roving around a 64-hectare parkland, which'll feature a tree house lookout, water play gully, high-ropes course, mountain bike track, reinstated water holes and wetlands, and a community edible garden, too. That's the proposal for the Herston site, one that's now locked in thanks to Brisbane City Council's just-revealed master plan. Yes, this patch of Brisbane is about to look a whole lot different. Change is coming to the entire city of Brisbane over the next decade — hosting the Olympics will do that — but revamping Victoria Park / Barrambin has been in the works long before that news. First announced in mid-2019, the new vision for the inner-city spot received a draft master plan back in 2022, with BCC confirming the final details after community feedback. Plenty has happened with the revamp over the past few years. The council first undertook a months-long community consultation process, with more than 5400 people tendering submissions and over 3500 folks showing up to an open day back in September 2019. Then, it unveiled an overview of the best suggestions in December that year, which it combined with advice from local and international design experts to come up with a new draft proposal that it also asked for feedback on. In 2020, it released another plan — and in 2021, it closed the golf course and opened up a heap of parkland, too, as an early step. Now arrives confirmation of what's in store, much of which is familiar from past iterations. Crucially, both the draft and finalised master plan take into consideration that future works will need to cater for Victoria Park's temporary equestrian cross-country course, and its role as the host of BMX freestyle events, during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. So, moseying through wetlands, riding along rainforest mountain-bike trails, peering out from a treehouse lookout to take in views of the city skyline and mountain ranges, and climbing a high-ropes course — they're all included, all on the edge of Brisbane's CBD. Also on the agenda: a cafe as part of the lookout, an entire 'adventure valley' including the bike track and high-ropes setup, another water play area alongside the nature water play gully, and an adventure playground. The existing pedestrian and bikeway bridge will get an upgrade, and there'll be a community sports precinct as well. And, an Education Hub, too, as well as a dog park. Ample shady foliage, including revegetated forests and pockets of native bushland, will also feature. Indeed, regarding all that greenery, tens of thousands of trees will be a huge highlight, creating 60-percent canopy cover. "Victoria Park represents a unique opportunity to deliver a new destination for Brisbane that is loved by residents and visitors alike," said Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, announcing the master plan. "Restoring the natural landscape, wetlands and watering holes, massively increasing tree cover and introducing nature-based play spaces, including a tree house, are all part of the exciting final plan." A completion date for the complete revamped park is yet to be set, other than after the Olympics. When the full makeover is done, the transformed Victoria Park will become Brisbane's biggest new park in five decades, and one that'll alter the face of the inner city. "What Expo 88 did for South Bank, the Brisbane 2032 Games can do for Victoria Park," said Schrinner. "Those parts of the park that will host venues will be transformed after the Games, which is common sense." Find Victoria Park / Barrambin on Herston Road, Herston. For more information about the overall transformation, visit the Brisbane City Council website.
Back in 2017, when the corner of Constance and Ann streets was reborn as the Osbourne Hotel, Fortitude Valley gained a revamped pub in a historic spot. In one guise or another, the site has been pouring drinks since 1862 — and now the enduring watering hole is adding yet another new reason to stop by. Setting up shop adjacent to the Osbourne — and run by the Fitzgibbons Group, who also oversees the Osbourne — Shhh! Brisbane launches on Friday, October 25. A gin joint that falls somewhere between a lounge bar and club, it'll serve up plenty of strong drinks and snacks to go with them. And, if you're feeling extra luxe, it'll also boast three large booths, VIP bottle service and butlers to pour your selected beverages. Around 70 different gins will sit on its drinks menu, spanning tipples from Australia, France, Germany, the UK, the US and Iceland — with a separate lineup from Adelaide Hills Distillery. Take your pick from a six-drink gin-and-tonic range, which includes strawberry and grapefruit, mulberry, and orange and elderflower versions; opt for one of ten other cocktails, such spritzes, negronis and mules; or get tasting thanks to Shhh!'s four gin flights. If you're keen to pair your chosen drink with something to eat, Shhh!'s food lineup includes plenty of share-friendly favourites; think pork belly bao, haloumi fries, pea and mint arancini, fried chicken tacos, and both charcuterie and cheese boards. Open from dusk from Wednesday–Saturday, the Valley newcomer has been decked out by BSPN — the Osbourne's designers — with dark hues such as maroons, navy, burgundy and gold all featuring throughout. When you're not settling into a booth, you can also take a seat in a chesterfield armchair or along the bar. And for those in a party mood, there'll be live piano tunes on Wednesday and Thursday nights, plus a DJ spinning retro tracks on weekends. Find Shhh! Brisbane adjacent to the Osbourne Hotel, on the corner of Constance and Ann streets, Fortitude Valley from Friday, October 25. It's open Wednesday–Thursday from 4pm–12am and Friday–Saturday from 4pm–3am.
Between Thursday, March 12–Sunday, March 22, you won't need an excuse to sink a few brews in Brisbane. You don't need one any day anyway, of course, but these 11 days are all about beer, more beer and then even more beer — because that's what Brewsvegas is all about. Returning for its huge seventh year, the city-wide festival is celebrating ales, lagers, stouts, porters and pilsners all around town — and with quite the range of events. A whopping 59 venues are taking part, basically turning Brissie into one big bar crawl. Start with the big launch party at Stone & Wood's recently opened Fortitude Valley digs, then pack out your diary with more beer-focused activities and festivities than you can currently imagine. Among the highlights: beer karaoke, beer painting sessions, beer cocktails, beer and board games, a four-course 'beergustation', and beer with both bowling and boules. Young Henrys is bringing its Rock & Roll Circus to town for the first time, everything from beer and jazz to a New Kids on the Block vinyl night will get your toes tapping, and you can choose between multiple block parties and multiple crawls of Brisbane's brewery-filled suburbs. Because pairing beer with different foods is always on this fest's agenda, expect beer with oysters, doughnuts, flapjacks, bacon, cheese, shanks, brunch and ice cream — with the latter turning your humble brew into a beer float. A soiree dedicated to one of the most under-appreciated drinks there is, the shandy, is also on the bill. A new burger challenge is part of the fun too, featuring 20 different Brissie bars and 20 new burgs — all paired with a craft brew, naturally. And for the fourth year running, Brewsvegas will be hosting its Pint of Origin battle, with nine venues each focusing on different Aussie states and overseas countries — so you can take your beer-loving tastebuds on a whirlwind tour without leaving the city.
If you've ever stopped by Doughcraft in Albion, where it slings pistachio praline croissants, truffle danishes, lemon meringue croissant tarts, chocolate and raspberry brioche, Vegemite sticks and more, and wished that you could add a cocktail over charcuterie to your visit, the bakery chain has you covered at its new CBD outpost. The European-style venture is indeed a chain now, with its second location now open in Mary Street. Its second eatery is a panini-and-vino kind of place, too. It's been two years since Doughcraft initially opened its debut location, joining Craft'd Grounds' inner-north dining precinct. Because there's no such thing as too much of its pastries and bread, hitting Brisbane's inner city has now followed. The menu is different. This venue isn't just a bakery and deli, but a wine bar as well. And while it only operates on weekdays, it stays open till 7pm from Thursday–Friday for after-work sips. Whether you sit by the window overlooking the street for a stint of people-watching, or you choose to get comfortable beneath the interior art — murals that take their cues from Keith Haring, plus a framed gallery that features pieces by Brisbane artists, with the work showcased set to rotate — you can feast your way through Doughcraft's French- and Italian-leaning bites. If you'll follow Doughcraft's croissants anywhere, the same delights made with Normandy butter remain one of the venue's pride and joys. Expect to be tempted, by the croissants and other pastries. A wall of baked goods accompanies the counter, for snacking while you're settling in and for taking some sourdough home with you alike. The all-day panini range features seven options, including a classic ham, cheese and mustard combination — and the vegetarian-friendly eggplant, artichoke, capsicum and feta. From the selection of boards, meat-only, cheese-only, a mix of of both, and olive and bread varieties are available, or you can make your own vegetarian or vegan styles. Beverage-wise, morning patrons can begin with coffee. If you're after a cocktail, they're only on offer from 3pm Thursday–Friday. Three types of sparkling, five rosés, seven whites and nine red wines are on the vino list — plus a port — with some by the glass and others by the bottle. And those cocktails include three types of negroni, a trio of spritzes, a margarita, a mojito and a cosmopolitan. Find Doughcraft at 181 Mary Street, Brisbane — open from 7am–3pm Monday–Wednesday and 7am–7pm Thursday–Friday. Head to the bakery's website for further details.
UPDATE, March 28, 2023: Nope is available to stream via Netflix, Binge, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Kudos to Jordan Peele for giving his third feature as a writer/director a haters-gonna-hate-hate-hate name: for anyone unimpressed with Nope, the response is right there. Kudos, too, to the Get Out and Us filmmaker for making his third bold, intelligent and supremely entertaining horror movie in a row — a reach-for-the-skies masterpiece that's ambitious and eerie, imaginative and expertly crafted, as savvy about cinema as it is about spectacle, and inspires the exact opposite term to its moniker. Reteaming with Peele after nabbing an Oscar nomination for Get Out, Daniel Kaluuya utters the titular word more than once in Nope. Exclaiming "yep" in your head each time he does is an instant reaction. Everything about the film evokes that same thrilled endorsement, but it comes particularly easily whenever Kaluuya's character surveys the wild and weird events around him. We say yay to his nays because we know we'd respond the same way if confronted by even half the chaos that Peele whooshes through the movie. As played with near-silent weariness by the always-excellent Judas and the Black Messiah Oscar-winner, Haywood's Hollywood Horses trainer OJ doesn't just dismiss the strange thing in the heavens, though. He can't, even if he doesn't realise the full extent of what's happening when his father (Keith David, Love Life) suddenly slumps on his steed on an otherwise ordinary day. Six months later, OJ and his sister Emerald (Keke Palmer, Lightyear) are trying to keep the family business running; he does the wrangling, she does the on-set safety spiels, which double as a primer on the Haywoods' lengthy links to the movie industry. The first moving images ever presented, by Eadweard Muybridge of a galloping horse in the 1800s, featured their great-great-great grandfather as the jockey, Emerald explains. His image was immortalised, but not his name — and, although she doesn't say it directly, that's a fate she isn't eager to share. In fact, Emerald ends her patter by proclaiming that she's available for almost any Hollywood job that might come up. Unsurprisingly, OJ is horrified about the hustle. Her big chance is indeed tied to their ranch, but not in the way that Emerald initially realises either — because who'd predict that something would be lurking above the Haywoods' Agua Dulce property? Just as Get Out saw Peele reinterrogate the possession movie and Us did the same with doppelgängers, Nope goes all in on flying saucers. So, Emerald wants the kind of proof that only video footage can offer. She wants her "Oprah shot", as well as a hefty payday. Soon, the brother-sister duo are buying new surveillance equipment — which piques the interest of UFO-obsessed electronics salesman Angel Torres (Brandon Perea, The OA) — and also enlisting renowned cinematographer Antlers Holst (Michael Wincott, Veni Vidi Vici) to capture the lucrative image. Cue plenty of faces staring up in shock and wonder, as Steven Spielberg has made a mainstay of his films — and cue a movie that nods to Jaws as much as Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Peele makes smartly and playfully cineliterate flicks, which aren't content to merely wink and nudge, but instead say "yep" themselves: yep to all the tropes and symbols that the comedian-turned-filmmaker can filter through his own lens, and his determination to unearth the reality of living in America today, just as he did when he was making some of this century's best skits on Key & Peele. Indeed, Nope is keenly aware of the lure and power of spectacle, especially the on-screen kind, which also echoes through in the picture's other pivotal character. Ricky 'Jupe' Park (Steven Yeun, Minari) isn't involved in the Haywoods' attempts to snap upwards, but the former child star runs a neighbouring theme park called Jupiter's Claim, which cashes in on his big hit role in a movie called Kid Sheriff. He's known for short-lived 90s sitcom Gordy's Home, too, starring opposite a chimpanzee, and moments of the show also pop up in Peele's film. A creepy glimpse at Gordy's Home actually opens Nope, starting the feature with a cryptic teaser that couldn't be more potent. Menace hovering above, sprawling vistas and the clouds that pepper them, galloping horses, rampaging apes, waving skydancers, cheesy Wild West shows, predators versus prey, the quest for fame and its self-destructive toll, cashing in: that all earns Peele's attention, weaved together in one jaw-droppingly impressive and unnerving package. This is the filmmaker's clever and compelling stab at a monster movie as well, which applies in a variety of manners. Here's one that doesn't give too much away: the way that animals have been exploited for entertainment, coupled with humanity's pursuit of bigger and better spectacles no matter the consequences, has long proven an act of monstrousness to be battled. Here's another: chasing visual thrills isn't innocent, a truth that resounds unshakeably in today's always-filming times. Nope is a pics-or-it-didn't-happen flick, too, and explores the price that people are willing to pay to keep getting those images. Perfect shots and the industry that relies upon them aren't without their cost, Peele posits — while also filling his frames with a sublimely surreal sci-fi-western vision lensed with rich detail by Hoyte Van Hoytema, Christopher Nolan's recent cinematographer (see: Tenet, Dunkirk and Interstellar). A movie can call attention to cinema's usually ignored ills and equally demand the utmost attention to its stunning array of sights, of course, and Nope is one such feature. Its sound design and score, courtesy of Johnnie Burn (Ammonite) and Michael Abels (Us, Get Out) respectively, are also both staggering and loaded, finding the ideal balance between haunting quiet and symphonic screaming. Nope is many things. It's a reminder that Hollywood's historical approach to race — its blatant lack of diversity, and its willingness to erase the contributions of people of colour, to be accurate — has proven a monstrosity as well. It's an examination of the power of images, for better and for worse. It sees the dark side of courting celebrity as a supposed way of improving our lots in life. Nope takes Peele's The Twilight Zone fascination, after reviving and hosting the 2019–20 version, to its next level. It's also a cowboys-and-aliens flick, and it's as dazzling as a blockbuster that blends science fiction, western, comedy and horror can be. Nope is frequently a daylight nightmare, boasts this year's second-best use of the wide blue yonder after Top Gun: Maverick, and is so terrifying in one barn-set scene that chills follow. Throw in that exceptional cast, including the pitch-perfect chalk-and-cheese double act that springs from Kaluuya's subtlety and Palmer's energy, and it's a downright marvel, as well as another Peele winner. The yeps keep coming — and yep, you'll never look at the clouds the same way afterwards.
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to grow, so does the smallest of its superheroes: Ant-Man, the former thief born Scott Lang, who can shrink down to an insect's size when wearing the right technologically enhanced suit. Charmingly goofy and also plain-old charming because he's played by Paul Rudd (The Shrink Next Door), this petty criminal-turned-caped crusader scampers through his third self-titled film in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania — and the franchise-within-a-franchise ramps up its ambition as more flicks arrive. Ant-Man can expand as well as contract, of course, but that isn't new. What's different, and about as welcome as a sting on bare legs at a picnic, is that the Ant-Man movies are no longer happy being largely standalone jaunts. This threequel has a key series-building task first, foremost and at a giant cost: kicking off the MCU's phase five. The perhaps unofficial job, too: bringing more than a zap of Star Wars into this other Disney-owned behemoth. It's lucky that the Mouse House does have both Marvel and Lucasfilm in its stable, otherwise the latter might be all abuzz about the former's latest release. Anyone who fears that too many blockbusters are becoming too similar won't feel fortunate while watching the new Honey, I Shrunk the Superhero, however, which doesn't ever saddle a character with saying "help me Ant-Man, you're my only hope", but still includes a scene that basically does the exact same thing. That moment is surrounded by shots of zap-heavy fighting in the corridors of an existence-threatening villain's stronghold that could easily be a Death Star, as even the most casual of visitors to a galaxy far, far away will spot. That said, Ant-Man's current escapades aren't happening in the space above, but in the minuscule realm that exists between atoms. At least it isn't called Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantum Battles. Imagining a world — this very world — where Disney eventually decides to mashup two of its biggest screen properties, and the box office's heftiest hits, is easier than an ant spiriting away strewn food crumbs. It's also a cinch to see Quantumania's similarities to all things Star Wars as the first step in that direction, in fact. Filmmaker Peyton Reed, who directed 2015's Ant-Man and 2018's Ant-Man and the Wasp as well, did add two episodes of The Mandalorian to his resume in-between that last flick and Quantumania. But such a blockbuster team-up isn't where this MCU chapter itself heads in its dragging 125-minute running time. Instead, it has the rest of Marvel's phase five to set up, plus a nemesis that'll linger into phase six — so much so that it feels much less interested in Ant-Man than a movie called Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania really should be. That's it's hardly fussed at all about The Wasp, aka Scott's significant other and world-saving partner Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly, Crisis), should come as no surprise, then. In the 31st MCU film's opening beats, Ant-Man is indeed the star of the show. He's a celebrity basking in the fame of being among the Avengers and dealing with Thanos, and he's written a memoir about it — a book, Look Out for the Little Guy, that'll genuinely exist IRL come September. But the bliss of Scott's success gets cut down when he learns that his now 18-year-old daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton, Freaky) has been secretly tinkering with Hope and her ant-obsessed physicist father Hank Pym (Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method). The trio's project: sending signals down to the quantum realm. Hank's wife and Hope's mother Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer, French Exit) is also unimpressed, given that rescuing her from that microscopic place, where she spent 30 years, was no minor part of the plot of the last Ant-Man entry. Viewers should savour the precious time outside the quantum realm in Quantumania; there isn't much of it. No sooner are the Lang/van Dyne/Pym swarm talking about Cassie, Hope and Hank's experiments than they're all transported to said subatomic space, with working out how to get home far from their only worry. Janet had led the others to believe that all she found when she was gone was nothing upon nothing, but entire civilisations and species, akin to Star Wars' different planets, people and critters with a dash of Dune's and Mad Max: Fury Road's landscapes and themes, lurk below. So does the banished, trapped and genocidal Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors, The Harder They Fall), the time-hopping, world-destroying new adversary who likes annihilating things just because he can — and he desperately and nefariously wants out as well. Various past MCU stars have decried the green-screen acting that's burrowed into CGI-heavy pictures, including Oscar-winners — not for Marvel movies — Christian Bale and Anthony Hopkins. Their complaints haunt Quantumania, a film where almost everything around its cast is special effects, and little that cinematographer Bill Pope (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) could do could salvage the feature's murkiness. Marvel's reliance upon pixels can look stunning, as seen in the first Black Panther, but the quantum realm's got nothing on Wakanda's blandest detail. Any sense of visual marvel has been not only shrunk but dulled. Any sense of anything but dutiful interest shares the same fate. So does the personality that was so crucial to the first Ant-Man, with any signs that Reed once helmed Down with Love and Bring It On absent, and screenwriter Jeff Loveness (Rick and Morty) unsuccessfully attempting to balance comedy with a drudging innerspace-opera epic. Marvel has an offbeat problem: maintaining its sillier, more playful side, which is its better side, has proven a struggle in the Thor franchise and the Guardians of the Galaxy flicks (the third of which immediately follows Quantumania, and looks to be nodding to The Fast and The Furious), too. Although Bill Murray cameos, The Good Place's William Jackson Harper reads minds and Rudd tries his hardest whenever the film dares focus on him, the third Ant-Man is as by-the-numbers and tonally flat as the MCU has ever been. Alongside ditching the upbeat vibes, plus all that open and derivative riffing on another screen saga, the scale-tinkering fight scenes that have been prior highlights make scant impression against surreal backdrops where getting larger and smaller barely seems to matter. Leaning heavily upon the likeable main quintet and a colony of smart ants is Reed and company's solution, but they're all squandered. The formidable Majors lives up to his name, though — one that perfectly fits the pint-sized titular character's big bad, and the figure who'll loom over seven more pictures in two years before 2025's Avengers: The Kang Dynasty arrives. The MCU is going massive on Kang, patently; if only it'd kept the Ant-Man pictures small.
We could all use a bit of a mood boost and if there's one surefire way to up those dopamine levels, it's a weekend spent lazing by the harbour, soaking up a taste of that luxe waterfront lifestyle. A holiday from reality, featuring sunshine, water vistas and maybe even a private pool. Well, dotted all around Sydney, you'll find chic harbourside retreats and beachfront villas you can call your own for a couple of nights, offering exclusive addresses and hard-to-match views. We've done the hard work for you and rounded up Sydney's most exclusive harbourside stays you can book right now. Choose a favourite, pack those bags and get ready to live your best-ever holiday life. Stylish Apartment, Pyrmont Taste the high life with a stay at this next-level apartment, kitted out with luxury features and boasting sweeping harbour views. From $1410 a night, sleeps six. Cloudbreak, Mosman This sprawling hillside home makes for one luxurious group getaway, complete with smart styling, an infinity pool and absolute water frontage. From $385 a night, sleeps two. The Boathouse, Kurraba Point Set right on the shoreline of Kurraba Point, this roomy retreat features both a sunny waterfront lawn and a boat shed-turned-entertaining space. From $1833 a night, sleeps six. Harbour Hideaway, Clontarf A bright, breezy coastal escape for two, set right on the shores of Clontarf. Enjoy barbecues on the spacious balcony, overlooking the beach. From $499 a night, sleeps two. Camp Cove Tropical Retreat, Watsons Bay Your own tropical oasis, set just metres from Camp Cove Beach, featuring modern styling, a pool and leafy private garden. From $300 a night, sleeps three. Postcard View, Kirribilli A spectacular apartment on the water edge with direct view of the iconic Opera house and Sydney Harbour Bridge. With ideal views and luxe furnishings, this is the perfect stay for immersing yourself in the Harbour city. From $491 a night, sleeps four. Manly Beach Views, Manly Centrally located with a two minute walk from Manly Beach and Corso shopping strip, you'll have easy access to everything Manly has to offer - stunning views included. From $260 a night, sleeps two. Luxury Yacht Overnight Stay, Rose Bay Indulge yourself in a night of romance on board your own private French built Beneteau yacht moored in Rose Bay. On the waterfront with the Harbour Bridge and Opera House in the background, it will be a stay to remember. From $517 a night, sleeps two. Balmoral Beach Beauty, Mosman This stunning absolute beachfront apartment offers magnificent views of Middle Harbour and Balmoral Beach. From $330 a night, sleeps two. Magnificent Waterfront Living, Double Bay Step into your own peaceful harbourside sanctuary complete with it's own private ten metre marina berth, when you stay in this chic Double Bay apartment. From $1008 a night, sleeps five. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Images: courtesy of Airbnb
If you, like us, spent most of last year ordering take out and binge watching Ted Lasso in your undies, there's a good chance your adrenal glands are in need of a proper work out. And, with the warmer weather slowly fading, there's no better time to line up a holiday in the tropics to stretch out your summer. One place that's filled with truly incredible activities for the thrill-seekers among us is Tropical North Queensland. From hiking through World Heritage-listed rainforest to abseiling down flowing waterfalls and camping on tropical islands, there's something for every type of adventure lover in this spectacular natural playground. So, if you're keen for a holiday that's adventure-filled, and want to support operators who are committed to sustainable tourism practices, hit this list of unmissable things to do in the region to ensure your extended summer is a slam dunk. [caption id="attachment_828484" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland.[/caption] ABSEIL DOWN WATERFALLS WITH CAIRNS CANYONING If Cairns Canyoning existed in 1994, we're convinced that TLC would have actually sung: "do go chasing waterfalls". With the help of expert guides, here you'll have the truly thrilling opportunity to abseil down waterfalls, hurl yourself from towering boulders into crystal-clear water and zipline through World Heritage-listed rainforest all in one trip. You can choose between the half-day adventures through Behana Gorge or Crystal Cascades or, if you're feeling a little more hardcore, sign up for the full-day Spillway Canyon trip. [caption id="attachment_829726" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raging Thunder[/caption] GET WET AND WILD ON A WHITE WATER RAFTING TRIP Imagine sitting on the edge of an inflatable raft as you float down a river through a spectacular gorge surrounded by World Heritage-listed rainforest. Sounds pretty incredible, right? Now, picture taking that same boat down steep ravines and raging rapids and you've got the wet and wild adventure that is white water rafting. In Tropical North Queensland, you can choose to conquer a number of courses on the region's world-class rafting rivers. For a full day of adventure filled with thrills and spills on 45 rapids, book a trip on the Tully River with eco-certified rafting company Raging Thunder. Or, if you'd prefer to, quite literally, test the waters on a shorter course, try the half-day trip on The Barron River. [caption id="attachment_829728" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH AT AUSTRALIA'S ONLY BUNGEE JUMP If you consider yourself a bit of an adrenaline junkie, then visiting SkyPark is a must on your trip to Tropical North Queensland. Not only is it the one place in Australia where you can bungee, but you'll get to do so while being cradled by lush tropical rainforest. Located 15 kilometres north of Cairns, here you can leap from the 50-metre bungee that teeters over a stunning natural lagoon. Or, strap into the giant swing to reach speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour in just three seconds with up to two mates side by side. If you're not quite ready to take the bungee plunge, try the 140-metre-high walk-the-plank obstacle instead. Whether you're a seasoned jumper or are ready to take your very first leap, the 16 different styles on the jump menu will accomodate for all levels of thrill seeking and ensure you experience a rush like never before. [caption id="attachment_829729" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] SAIL OVER TREETOPS IN AN OPEN-AIR GONDOLA If you want to get up close and personal with the oldest continually surviving rainforest in the world, make tracks to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway located 15 minutes north of Cairns. Aboard the cableway, you'll glide over the pristine jungle canopies between Smithfield and Kuranda, soaking in panoramic views of the rainforest and beyond before ending your trip near the banks of the heaving Barron River. You can also opt for the open-air Canopy Glider to sail top-down over the treetops with the expert guidance of a Skyrail Ranger or upgrade to the diamond view to experience a gondola with a glass floor. To maximise your adventure, combine your treetop adventure with the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway to see the sights from a different perspective on your round trip. Plus, if you want to help maintain the tropical rainforest, you can donate to the Skyrail Rainforest Foundation which distributes funds to research and education projects that help protect and conserve this natural wonder. [caption id="attachment_828482" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] PUT YOUR STAND UP PADDLEBOARDING SKILLS TO THE TEST ON THE MOSSMAN RIVER Feel like you're pretty familiar with stand-up paddleboarding by now? Well, if you've managed to tackle the task atop local lakes and seas, it might be time to level up your balancing bravado with a paddleboarding trip on the Mossman River. The team at Wind Swell will take you on a three-hour trip upstream to soak in the sights and sounds of the buzzing tropical rainforest. Along the way, you'll learn about the local habitat, have a chance to try out some paddleboard yoga, taste exotic flavours of local tropical fruit and cool off in the freshwater swimming hole before floating back to base. And, if that's not enough adventure, check out the company's other tours in wing surfing, kite surfing, wakeboarding and more. [caption id="attachment_828487" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] GO KAYAKING WITH TURTLES IN PALM COVE Ever wanted to set off kayaking from balmy tropical beaches lined with palm trees? Well, at picturesque Palm Cove, approximately 25 minutes drive north of Cairns, you can. The Kayak Turtle Tour, run by Pacific Water Sports, is an unmissable half-day ocean adventure in Tropical North Queensland. Departing at 7am, you'll kayak across The Coral Sea to nearby Double Island and Haycock Island to spot green and hawksbill turtles basking in the coral reefs below. Then, you'll paddle further afield to sight rays and shovelnosed guitarfish (sometimes called shovelnose sharks) before making your way back to the shore at Palm Cove. [caption id="attachment_828491" align="alignnone" width="2560"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] FLOAT ABOVE THE HILLS IN A HOT AIR BALLOON To experience a truly exceptional adventure, sometimes you have to sacrifice a little sleep to make it happen. And, after returning from a trip with Hot Air Balloon, you'll be more than glad you got out of bed before the sun to see it rise over the magical Atherton Tablelands. Departing from Cairns's northern beaches and Port Douglas, this tour will take you approximately one hour west to Mareeba for your ballooning take off. Once afloat, you'll experience the soft colours of dawn as you glide high over the Atherton Tablelands, soaking in panoramic views of the region. You'll arrive back in Cairns between 9-9.30am, just in time for breakfast at one of the city's excellent cafes. [caption id="attachment_828494" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] SEE A SMILE FROM A CROCODILE AT HARTLEY'S CROCODILE ADVENTURES If you've ever wondered what it would be like to have a close encounter with a real-life dinosaur, Hartley's Crocodile Adventures is about as close as you can get. Located between Cairns and Port Douglas at Wangetti, this eco-certified tourism operator has plenty of thrilling crocodile action that'll get your heart racing. For $43, your park pass includes a cruise with crocs at the on-site lagoon, access to the daily wildlife presentations such as crocodile feedings, snake shows and the nail-biting crocodile attack show. Plus, if one dinosaur-like creature isn't enough, you can also check out the cassowary feeding. Or, if you want keep things cuddly, make sure you stop by the koala talk. [caption id="attachment_828495" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] GET OFF THE MAINLAND WITH CAMPING AT DUNK ISLAND Camping on a tropical island might seem like it's reserved for films and fantasies. But, in Tropical North Queensland, you can make it your reality at Dunk Island in the Family Islands National Park. Drive two hours south of Cairns to the idyllic coastal town of Mission Beach. Then, take a ten-minute ride across the glittering Coral Sea with Mission Beach Charters to Dunk Island where you can pitch a tent at one of only eight sites on the island. The campground comes with all the essentials — picnic tables, barbecue facilities, hot showers, drinking water and a loo — but, you'll need to take everything else with you. Pack snorkelling gear to catch the marine life in action at Muggy Muggy Beach, a good pair of walking shoes to complete the 11-kilometre Island Circuit hike, and plenty of food to refuel and enjoy on the sands of this tropical paradise. [caption id="attachment_828496" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] HIKE THROUGH RAINFOREST TO THE SPECTACULAR NANDROYA FALLS If you consider yourself a bit of a hiking fanatic, taking the 6.6-kilometre trek through the spectacular Wooroonooran National Park to Nandroya Falls is essential while in Tropical North Queensland. Not only will you get to walk through the incredible Wet Tropics World Heritage-listed rainforest, you'll get to wash off under a thriving waterfall, too. Start from the Henrietta Creek campground where you'll venture 700 metres into the rainforest to the start of the circuit fork. Take the right-hand track to take in smaller waterfalls, rock pools and rapid streams before reaching the immense Nandroya Falls. Cool off with a swim and enjoy a picnic lunch by the falls before completing the circuit and heading back to camp. Ready to book your tropical escape? For more information and to discover more about a holiday in Tropical North Queensland, visit the website. Image: Nandroya Falls, Tourism Tropical North Queensland
Since 1997, Fortitude Valley has put itself in the spotlight with a huge street party, with Valley Fiesta taking a variety of forms over its quarter-century run so far. It's a celebration of hearing live tunes, checking out art and shopping your way around markets — and hitting up the inner-city suburb's bars and eateries, too — and it turns the Valley's regular haunts and activities into a festival. But, it's only a once-a-year happening. Can't wait till 2023's Valley Fiesta, which hasn't yet announced its dates? Meet Brunswick Street Live, a day-long fest which is popping up this winter to tide everyone over — and give Brisbane another excuse to revel in the Valley and its main street. The name gives away where it's taking place, debuting on Saturday, June 10. And the lineup has the classic Brunswick Street experience all covered. Artisan and vintage markets will run from 12pm, plus live street art by Stewart Shuker, John Smith Gumbula and Seana Clarkson, with music from 12.20pm. Leading the bill are Horrorshow and Monstera, alongside Danyon, Ghost Mutt, First Beige DJs, Zed Mero, and Nejmere and mumgenes. The aim: not just to showcase the Valley, its venues and the city's talents, but to add another annual music festival to Brisbane's cultural calendar. Brisbane City Council is planning for the free fest to become a yearly event alongside Valley Fiesta and the Lunar New Year festivities. [caption id="attachment_902926" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane City Council via Flickr[/caption] "The festival will activate the Valley's day and nighttime economies while featuring free performances from some of Brisbane's best emerging and current musicians," said Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, announcing Brunswick Street Live. Whenever Valley Fiesta arrives for 2023 — 2022's took place in November — Brunswick Street Live will help fill the gap before not just that beloved fest, but BIGSOUND in September. There's no such thing as too many Valley music festivals, after all. [caption id="attachment_902925" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane City Council via Flickr[/caption] Brunswick Street Live takes place on Saturday, June 10 in Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley — head to the Brisbane City Council website for further information. Top image: Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons.
Here are some things that have happened in the stories of American writer David Sedaris: A man goes in search of a stuffed owl to give to his boyfriend for Valentine's Day. Befriending a taxidermist who confirms his interest in formerly alive creatures is strictly non-professional, the man finds himself in a London basement gazing at the 400-year-old preserved head of a 14-year-old girl and the skeleton of a 19th-century Pygmy. They raise questions, uncomfortable ones. Like, 'how much are they?' A man takes a job at Macy's department store as a Christmas elf named Crumpet. He encounters fistfights, vomiting and magnificent tantrums, children with modelling contracts and children with adjectives instead of first names. He tells a child that Santa has changed his policy, and no longer brings coal if you misbehave. Instead he will break into your house, steal all your appliances, and leave you alone, in the dark, with nothing. A father imagines his children forming a jazz quartet. Hoping to make the fantasy reality, the father gifts the son 'that guitar you always wanted'. The son, while regularly petitioning for a brand-name vacuum cleaner, had never mentioned a guitar. He takes lessons from an artistically thwarted midget, until one evening the son admits to his teacher that what we really wants to do is perform a medley of television jingles in the voice of Billie Holiday. David Sedaris has developed a cult-like following for penning insightful, satirical, real-life stories like those above. His latest book is entitled Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls. You could read it, if that is a thing you would like to do. You could also read Naked, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, Me Talk Pretty One Day or any of his other fine collections available at your local bookshop. A regular contributor to This American Life, Sedaris will be touring Australia and New Zealand in January 2014. You can sign up for exclusive pre-sales at his website. SYDNEY Sydney Opera House Saturday 18 January MELBOURNE Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Tuesday 21 January CANBERRA Canberra Theatre Centre Wednesday 22 January BRISBANE Brisbane Powerhouse – Powerhouse Theatre Thursday 23 January PERTH Perth Concert Hall Friday 24 January AUCKLAND Civic Theatre, Auckland Sunday 26 January https://youtube.com/watch?v=1msZQjwlebU
The force is set to be strong across streaming queues in 2023, with another new live-action Star Wars series on its way. Following three seasons of The Mandalorian so far — one of which is airing now — plus 2021–22's The Book of Boba Fett, and also 2022's Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor, Ahsoka will give warrior, outcast, rebel and Jedi her own show. Even better: it now has a trailer and a release month. Rosario Dawson (Clerks III) returns as the limited series' titular figure, after playing the part in both The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. If you're new to the character, she was Anakin Skywalker's padawan before he became Darth Vader — and, here, an ex-Jedi Knight who is determined to battle a threat to the post-Empire galaxy. Her latest exploits will hit Disney+ sometime in August. Ahsoka follows animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the TV series it spawned, too, plus fellow animated show Star Wars Rebels — because yes, this franchise about a galaxy far, far away will keep spreading far and wide in this one. From the latter series, Star Wars aficionados will spot rebel crew member Hera Syndulla and former bounty hunter Sabine Wren. Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)) plays the former in Ahsoka, while Natasha Liu Bordizzo (Guns Akimbo) steps into the latter's shoes. Also among the familiar characters: fellow Jedi padawan Ezra Bridger from Star Wars Rebels, with Eman Esfandi (King Richard) doing the live-action honours. Ahoska's cast includes Ray Stevenson (RRR) and Ivanna Sakhno (The Reunion), and reports have been bubbling for years about Hayden Christensen returning as Anakin, as he did in Obi-Wan Kenobi. This is Disney+'s first series focused on a female Jedi; indeed, as a character, Ahoska has long been one of the few women among the franchise's Jedi ranks, dating back to 2008. Off-screen, The Mandalorian writer/director/executive producer Dave Filoni writes and executive produces Ahoska, with Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Colin Wilson, and Carrie Beck also doing the latter — all seasoned Star Wars veterans. Check out the trailer for Ahsoka below: Ahsoka will stream via Disney+ from August 2023 — we'll update you with an exact release date when one is announced. Images: ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd & TM. All Rights Reserved.
If playing a musical instrument in public is on your bucket list, and breaking a world record as well, then the first event announced for Brisbane Festival 2023 other than perennial favourite Riverfire has you covered. 10,000 Kazoos is exactly what it sounds like, amassing 10,000 Brisbanites to get humming and hopefully go down in history. Never played a kazoo before? That doesn't matter. This kazoo orchestra will unleash its tunes on Saturday, September 23, on the last day of this year's Brisbane Festival, taking over Victoria Park. The greenery will indeed be alive with the sound of music, in a huge mass-participation that just might make the record books. [caption id="attachment_902496" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michael Pham[/caption] That said, given that 10,000 Kazoos is popping up in Melbourne this winter as part of the Victorian capital's RISING festival, Brisbane's version will need to top whatever numbers its southern event pulls in. If you're keen to help, registrations to take part open on Sunday, May 28. And no, you don't even need your own kazoo. Biodegradable versions of the buzzing musical instrument will be provided to everyone on the day. Once you have one, you'll just pop it in your mouth and start humming, which is what makes the membrane of the kazoo vibrate. As well as the big performance, Brisbane Festival's newfound kazoo obsession will span free kazoo workshops in 20 or so spots around the city in order to help whip up the original composition that will be played by the 10,000 kazoodlers. Until a few years back, Brisbane Festival previously wrapped up with fireworks, rather than started with them — but this is bound to make a memorable closing concert. Wondering what else will pop up at this year's citywide arts and culture celebration? More news is on the way soon, and the full lineup will be revealed in July. [caption id="attachment_818960" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Victoria Park[/caption] Brisbane Festival 2023 runs from Friday, September 1–Saturday, September 23 all around Brisbane, with 10,000 Kazoos popping up at Victoria Park, Herston, on Saturday, September 23. You can register to take part from Sunday, May 28.
If hitting the Brisbane River is your usual way to get around town, you'll need to change your plans for the near future. With Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaching southeast Queensland and expected to make landfall in or near Brisbane at the end of the week, Brisbane City Council has suspended the River City's CityCat and ferry services. As announced on Monday, March 3, 2025, the last services until further notice ran on Monday evening. As at midnight the same day, all ferry terminals, between UQ St Lucia and Northshore Hamilton have also closed. [caption id="attachment_958247" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Robert McPherson via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] While the weather impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred aren't yet being felt in Brisbane, CityCats and ferry services have been stopped so that the vessels can be moved to safety. Announcing the news, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said that the council had "made this decision to prioritise the safety of passengers, crew and our vessels ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred." "A combination of high tides, flash flooding, dangerous high winds and intense rainfall creates a serious safety hazard, including debris on the Brisbane River." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner (@brisbane.lordmayor) At the time of writing, all other public transport services in Brisbane — so, buses and trains — are still operational ahead of likely wet, windy and wild weather. In the past, flooding has seen the entire network shut down, and Brisbanites advised to avoid all non-essential travel. As Tropical Cyclone Alfred is felt in the River City, it won't be surprising if this happens again. Exactly when CityCat and ferry services will be up and running again hasn't yet been advised, and will obviously depend on the conditions. The Bureau of Meteorology's latest advice, issued at 4.52am AEST on Tuesday, March 4, notes that the cyclone is currently Category 2, with 95-kilometre-per-hour winds at its centre and wind gusts reaching 130 kilometres per hour. While it's presently 560 kilometres east of Brisbane and 560 kilometres east of Maroochydore, moving south southeast at six kilometres per hour, it is forecast to turn towards the Queensland today. It's then predicted that Tropical Cyclone Alfred will cross the southeast Queensland coast either late on Thursday or early Friday morning. Tropical #CycloneAlfred (Cat 2) is currently located 560km east of #Brisbane and #Maroochydore. It is currently moving southeast but is expected to turn westwards toward the #Qld coast later today. Latest: https://t.co/QdjBLkJdvZ pic.twitter.com/ElW9n39oVQ — Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) March 3, 2025 To keep up to date with the latest conditions, warnings, alerts and timetables, Brisbanites can head to the below services: The Bureau of Meteorology's Queensland warnings page, tropical cyclone advice, Queensland X and Facebook Brisbane City Council's emergency dashboard Brisbane City Council's X and Facebook Translink's website, X, Facebook and Instagram Queensland Fire and Emergency Services's website, X, Facebook and Instagram Qld Traffic Stay safe and dry out there, Queenslanders. Brisbane City Council will continue to update its emergency dashboard. For other transport impacts, keep an eye on the Translink website. The Bureau of Meteorology will continue to update its warnings and maps regularly — visit its website for further details and updates. Top image: Tourism and Events Queensland.
If sitting on the couch is a regular part of your viewing schedule, we now know which big-name films you'll be streaming in 2022. Get ready for eagerly awaited whodunnit sequels, all-star action flicks, Jamie Foxx fighting vampires, futuristic Korean sci-fi and Jennifer Lopez as an assassin — and, because the list of brand-new movies that Netflix will add to its platform this year tallies up at a whopping 86 titles, to see plenty more where they're all about to spring from. As it did for 2021, Netflix has just unveiled its full slate of new films for 2022. It's a something-for-everyone kind of lineup, which the streaming service's catalogue always is, but the rundown of newcomers is also stacked with highlights. One instant standout: Knives Out 2, Rian Johnson's follow-up to his glorious Daniel Craig-starring whodunnit from 2019. Yes, the now-former 007 is back as Detective Benoit Blanc, this time in Greece, and interrogating suspects played by a cast that includes Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Dave Bautista, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr and Kate Hudson. Netflix subscribers can also look forward to The Gray Man, which sees Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans team up in a thriller about CIA mercenaries; Day Shift, where the aforementioned Foxx plays a seemingly ordinary dad whose pool-cleaning job is a front for staking the undead; JUNG-E, the latest dystopian vision out of Korea from Train to Busan, Peninsula and Hellbound's Yeon Sang-ho; and Lopez's maternal John Wick-esque stint in The Mother, where she's a killer forced to come out of hiding to protect her daughter. [caption id="attachment_841834" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Helen Sloan/Netflix © 2022[/caption] Or, there's also Blonde, a fictional portrait of Marilyn Monroe featuring No Time to Die's Ana de Armas as the real-life figure; acting-focused comedy The Bubble, with writer/director Judd Apatow amassing one of his usual all-star casts; the Jason Momoa-led Slumberland, about a space between dreams and nightmares; and Wendell & Wild, with Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key voicing a stop-motion animation. Fresh from Nightmare Alley, Guillermo del Toro has a stop-motion animation musical version of Pinocchio in the works as well — and, for something completely different, Adam Sandler turns astronaut in Spaceman, from Chernobyl director Johan Renck. Also, White Noise reunites filmmaker Noah Baumbach with both Marriage Story's Adam Driver and Frances Ha's Greta Gerwig in an adaptation of Don DeLillo's book of the same name, while a new take on Roald Dahl's Matilda features Emma Thompson and Lashana Lynch, and springs from Tim Minchin's musical. And, Last Christmas' Paul Feig helms a fairytale fantasy starring Charlize Theron and Kerry Washington with School for Good and Evil. Because we're into February already, some of the flicks on Netflix's list already have release dates, if you're the type who likes plugging things into your calendar. They span films such as The Adam Project, a time-travel effort with Ryan Reynolds and Mark Ruffalo that hits on March 11; Against the Ice, which sends Game of Thrones' Nikolaj Coster-Waldau to Greenland from March 2; Choose or Die, the April 15-releasing horror flick about a curse includes Robert Englund (aka the OG Freddie Kruger) among its cast; and Senior Year, which drops on May 13, features Rebel Wilson and Alicia Silverstone, and follows a cheerleader who awakens after a 20-year coma. There's also a new Texas Chainsaw Massacre arriving on February 18, too. Among the movies that don't yet have set dates, Enola Holmes 2 will get Millie Bobby Brown to do more sleuthing, Interceptor sees Chris Hemsworth dealing with a nuclear missile attack, a new adaptation of Lady Chatterley's Lover stars The Crown's Emma Corrin, and Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello is the executive music producer on Metal Lords, about two kids starting a metal band. Plus, Dev Patel stars in and directs Monkey Man, Dakota Johnson leads a new version of Jane Austen's Persuasion, and Richard Linklater's Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood heads back to the summer of 1969. Netflix usually gives some of its new films cinema runs, as it did with the likes of The Harder They Fall, Passing, Red Notice, The Power of the Dog and Don't Look Up in 2021. So, while we see oh-so-much couch time in your future, you may be able to watch some of these flicks on the big screen as well. Check out Netflix's trailer for its 2022 films below: New movies will hit Netflix every week throughout 2022 — head to the streaming platform for its current catalogue. Top image: Courtesy of Netflix © 2022.
It's summer in Brisbane just after the Christmas holidays. As a result, kicking back and having a few drinks ranks highly on everyone's weekend plans. As always, Ballistic Brewing Co is happy to oblige — and, in response to the bushfires currently burning around Australia, to turn its latest weekend shindig into a fundraiser. Head down to the brewery's Salisbury digs from 1pm on Saturday, January 11, then grab yourself a beer or several — with all bar sales profits being donated to the bushfire recovery efforts. It's one of the easiest ways that you can help, turning something that you'd probably be doing anyway into a show of support. Ballistic will also be putting on live music and playing host to food trucks, so you'll have something to listen to and eat while you're sipping cold brews. And, if you're bringing any littlies with you, there'll be a jumping castle for kids as well.
From a 140-year-old watering hole on Lutwyche Road to a spot to sip brews on Bribie Island — and including a Bald Hills mainstay, too — plenty of Brisbane pubs have been getting big makeovers over the past few years. Actually, be precise, a heap of Brissie pubs owned by Australian Venue Co have been undergoing facelifts, and the Salisbury Hotel in the city's south is one of them. This Toohey Road spot reopened in April 2022 after a hefty revamp to the tune of $1.6 million. The big change: a huge new beer garden, so you've now got somewhere leafy to sit while you're knocking back beverages. Filled with picnic-style tables topped with striped umbrellas, and sprawling out over a scenic stretch of grass, the beer garden caters to 108 people in two sections, with one for the bistro and the other for the sports bar. Accordingly, whether you're heading by just for a drink or for a meal, sunshine awaits — or, at night, hanging out beneath the strung-up fairy lights. Both the bistro and sports bar have also undergone a refresh, with the former offering up a family-friendly space for bites to eat and the latter decked out with big screens. Menu-wise, the bistro is going heavy on pub classics; think: parmigianas, schnitzels, burgers and pizza, plus pork belly, cob loaf, fried pickles and loaded wedges. Other highlights include prawn linguine, mushroom gnocchi and spiced pumpkin fritters, plus steaks from the grill, a Thai-inspired beef salad, and sticky date pudding, rocky road and baked cheesecake for dessert. If you're looking for a reason to drop in on a particular night, the Salisbury is dedicating Tuesdays to $16 parmigianas and schnitties, doing trivia nights on Wednesdays, and hosting live music on Fridays and Sundays. For those eager to spend the night, the Salisbury also does accommodation — and its 16 rooms, both internal and external, have been refurbished as well.
Winter isn't just the frosty season, or woolly clothes season, or igloos-popping-up-at-every-bar season. It isn't simply soup season, roast season or mulled wine season, either. It's also prime hot chocolate season, not that there's ever a bad time to sip warm cups of cocoa. Only winter brings Australia's dedicated Hot Chocolate Festival, however. An annual favourite running for the entire month of August, this festival is held across three locations: the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and the Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie. While that's excellent news for Victorians, the fest also does an at-home component, sending out its flavours nationwide. And there are flavours — 31 of them, in fact, all ranging far beyond just swapping milk chocolate for dark or white chocolate. The festival's concept is 31 hot chocolate flavours over 31 days, with different varieties on offer each week in-person. The trio of chocolate havens only tease parts of the full list in advance, but this year's includes a nod to Barbie via a pink-infused hot chocolate, as well as an Iced Vovo hot chocolate that features chocolate iced doughnuts for dunking. Or, you can sip on a poached pear and hazelnut version, a dulce de leche churros hot chocolate and a Biscoff hedgehog variety. The Happy Vegemite hot chocolate includes handcrafted caramel koalas to dip, then enjoy the melty goodness. And the Harry Potter-inspired hot choc has a chocolate wand for doing the same. Other flavours come topped with waffles or pretzels, and there's even a puppachino carob iteration so that your dog can join in. This fest gets boozy, too. In 2023, that's happening via the salted caramel espresso martini hot chocolate, plus a dark chocolate variety called French Connection that features red, white and blue balls filled with cognac. And yes, the demand for these limited-edition hot chocs is hefty, with more than 6000 usually created across the three chocolateries per year. Each hot chocolate is made with hot couverture chocolate in dark, milk, white, ruby or caramel, then served with a giant handcrafted marshmallow. For those heading along physically, each site also does tasting sessions for $24, which lets you not only sample eight hot chocolates, but pick from 50-plus ingredients to create three hot chocolate spoons to take home. And for folks who can't make the visit, single-flavour at-home packs will survey a variety of this year's flavours. The 2023 Hot Chocolate Festival runs daily between Tuesday, August 1–Thursday, August 31 at the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie, 1200 Great Ocean Road, Bellbrae; the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, 35 Old Healesville Road, Yarra Glen; and the Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie, 45 Cook Street, Flinders. You can also order at-home packs online via each store. Images: A Myszka.
When Baz Luhrmann's Australia hit the big screen in 2008, it debuted right here on home soil. Now that it has been reworked as a TV show, the exact same thing is happening. That series: Faraway Downs, a six-parter that was first announced in 2022 and is destined for Disney+ Down Under from November. For its big premiere, it'll make a splash at the first-ever SXSW Sydney Screen Festival, joining the program as its closing-night screening. Before streaming from Sunday, November 26, Faraway Downs will first be seen by audiences on Saturday, October 21, complete with Luhrmann in attendance. Nicole Kidman also just recently joined the SXSW Sydney bill for a discussion about her production company, which has been behind Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Undoing and more, but hasn't been announced as a guest at Faraway Downs' big unveiling. For 15 years, Australia has inspired a particular line of thought when it comes to Luhrmann's movies: they can't all be good ones, even if almost all of them are. Australia is the one outlier on his resume — the one film that doesn't live up to the spectacular Strictly Ballroom, Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge!, The Great Gatsby and Elvis — so it's been given some tinkering and reimagining to return as Faraway Downs. "I was inspired to re-approach my film Australia to create Faraway Downs because of the way episodic storytelling has been reinvigorated by the streaming world," said Baz Luhrmann. "With over two-million feet of film from the original piece, my team and I were able to revisit anew the central themes of the work." "I am honoured to world-premiere Faraway Downs in Australia, the place that has inspired me and my work my entire life, and with a partner like SXSW who deeply recognises the intersection of film, television and music with storytelling," Luhrmann continued. [caption id="attachment_921555" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hugh Stewart[/caption] Combining two of the nation's biggest actors with one of its biggest filmmakers, Faraway Downs still stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, of course. If you need a refresher on Australia's plot — and therefore the new episodic version's plot, too — it follows English aristocrat Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman, The Northman) after she comes into possession of an Aussie cattle ranch. To save it from cattle barons, she enlists the help of a drover (Jackman, The Son). That's just the overall gist, however, given that the sprawling movie also spans World War II and its impact, as well as the country's historical treatment of Indigenous Australians. Fittingly given the OG name — and as usually proves the case with Luhrmann's flicks — the cast includes a who's who of homegrown talent. As well as Kidman and Jackman, plus Brandon Walters (Mystery Road) as Nullah, everyone from Essie Davis (Nitram) and Bryan Brown (Hungry Ghosts) to Ben Mendelsohn (Secret Invasion), Jack Thompson (High Ground) and David Wenham (Elvis) features, as does the now-late David Gulpilil (Storm Boy) and Bill Hunter (The Cup). There's no sneak peek at Faraway Downs as yet, but you can check out original trailer for Australia below: Faraway Downs will close the 2023 SXSW Sydney Screen Festival on Saturday, October 21, then stream Down Under via Disney+ from Sunday, November 26, 2023. If you're keen to make the most of Australia's first SXSW, take advantage of our special reader offer. Purchase your SXSW Sydney 2023 Official Badge via Concrete Playground Trips and you'll score a $150 credit to use on your choice of Sydney accommodation. Book now via the website.
Uber is expanding its services in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, with new high-end and cost-effective ride options. Launched June 1, the new uberXL service is targeted at groups of up to six people. When requested, users will be picked up in an SUV or van, such as a Toyota Highlander, a Ford Explorer or a Nissan Quest. Alternatively, if you're looking for something a little bit swankier — but aren't keen to break the bank on uberBLACK — you can now order uberSELECT and connect with a driver in an upscale vehicle like an Audi A3, a BMW 3 series or a Lexus RX. Both uberXL and uberSELECT will be charged at 1.5x the cost of an uberX — although especially in the case of the uberXL, that's still a damn sight cheaper than you and your mates ordering two separate cars. In less exciting news, the ridesharing service is introducing a flat 55c booking fee on all rides, and is also raising the minimum fare rate in Sydney ($8 to $9) Melbourne ($6 to $7.50) and Brisbane ($6 to $7.50). "Following our recent roundtable listening discussions with driver-partners, we heard that an important improvement Uber could make to the driving experience would be increasing the minimum fare," said an Uber spokesperson. The booking fee, meanwhile, will be used to assist with "the operational costs associated with providing a ridesharing service."
Each winter Vivid draws Sydney out of hibernation with a festival of light installations, talks, workshops and performances. Now in its tenth year, the festival is bigger and brighter than ever. From the illumination of major city landmarks to international acts and challenging ideas, there's a lot to pack into the 23 nights. With the help of our friends at YHA Australia, we've put together a rundown to help you navigate the festival. From what to see and do and to where best to eat and drink. [caption id="attachment_670002" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Sydney Harbour YHA rooftop[/caption] STAY With so much to see and do during Vivid, you'll want to be close to the action. Sydney Harbour YHA in The Rocks is the perfect home base; it's just a stone's throw away from the installations in The Rocks and walking distance to Circular Quay and the Botanic Gardens. It's also right in the thick of some of the most historic pubs in Sydney. The building combines modern comfort with the heritage of the area — it's set above archaeological remains of colonial Sydney. Choose from private or dorm rooms and head to the rooftop balcony to treat yourself to one of the best views in Sydney. From this bird's eye vantage point, you'll have an uninterrupted view stretching from the Harbour Bridge to the Sydney Opera House, Customs House and city buildings, all lit up for the festival. Grab a drink and settle in to soak it all up. If you'd prefer to stay a touch further away from the heaving Circular Quay, YHA also has locations in Sydney Central and Railway Square. Here, you'll be in walking distance of Haymarket (and its many dumplings, noodles and 30c cream puffs), Spice Alley and Darling Harbour's stunning light installations. All three YHAs are offering 20-percent-off during Vivid, too. [caption id="attachment_625341" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bodhi Liggett.[/caption] EAT You'll need to keep your energy levels up in order to fit in everything in during the festival. Luckily, there are heaps of great food options around. Start the day with quality coffee and a beautiful, picturesque breakfast at The Grounds of the City. If you're short on time, though, you can grab a cup of joe and a brekkie burger, bowl or muffin from the takeaway window. For lunchtime refuelling, head to La Renaissance Patisserie for house-made pies, baguette sandwiches and pastries. The tree covered courtyard is a sweet little place to retreat from the crowds for a little while. In The Rocks Centre behind Kendall Lane, you'll also find the Fine Food Store serving up sandwiches, salads and winter warmers like soups and stews. When the sun goes down, check out the new Bar Patrón by Rockpool for authentic Mexican eats, margaritas and views of the Vivid lights. Alternatively, head to The Morrison, located between The Rocks and Wynyard, for a mean sirloin steak or the $1 oyster happy hour from 6–7pm each Wednesday. And if you've really got cash to splash and a burning desire for views with some top eats, head to Cafe Sydney. Found above Customs House (which will be covered in a Snugglepot and Cuddlepie light show), this place serves up Australian haute-cuisine with a killer view. The restaurant also has a dedicated vegan menu for those looking for some fine dining that considers their dietaries. For another prime spot with more casual eats, head next door to Gateway — home to Neil Perry's Burger Project, Din Tai Fung, Four Frogs Creperie and Gelato Messina. DRINK The Rocks area is heaving with pubs — in fact, two of them, The Lord Nelson and The Fortune of War, lay claim to being Sydney's oldest. The best way to fit them all in is to head on a pub crawl — starting at The Lord Nelson, making tracks to the potentially haunted Hero of Waterloo, heading up to The Glenmore rooftop for excellent harbour views, passing by The Fortune of War and finishing up at the newly refurbished Orient. If you're after something more sedate and refined, hit Henry Deane, the rooftop bar at Hotel Palisade which boasts incredible views of the harbour and the lights of Vivid. Otherwise, check out Bulletin Place for intricately crafted cocktails, or cosy up at The Doss House, a new underground whisky bar set in an incredible heritage building in The Rocks. [caption id="attachment_624496" align="alignnone" width="1920"] James Horan.[/caption] SEE The projections onto the Sydney Opera House have been the crowning glory of the Vivid light display since the festival's inception. This year the sails will feature the work of artist Jonathan Zawada, blending everyday objects with the pictures inspired by the Australian environment. Meanwhile, Skylark makes use of the high rises around Circular Quay, featuring a custom-built laser atop the Harbour Bridge projecting onto buildings in a stunning light show every half hour. The Southern Pylon of the bridge will be lit with Bangarra Dance Company's Dark Emu, melding dance and art and paying homage to the agricultural knowledge of Indigenous Australians. [caption id="attachment_623212" align="alignnone" width="1920"] James Horan.[/caption] See bacteria writ large at Beautiful and Dangerous in The Rocks. The work takes you under a neon microscope to explore some of the deadliest diseases facing mankind and what's being done to curb them. While you're in the area, look skyward and see A Little Birdie Told Me — a work depicting the threat to many of our native bird species. The festival of light also makes full use of the glorious Botanic Gardens, with installations dotted throughout. Impressions shows a time-lapse of flora captured from the garden throughout the day, displayed across five huge canvases. Check out The Bloom, a giant metallic flower covered in LED pixels. And hanging in a canopy of trees is Hyperweb, a giant web combining light and soundscape. DO With so many artists and thinkers in town, you might want to extend your stay to fit more in. Top of the ticket is Solange, performing at the Sydney Opera House. Her shows are sold out, but festival organisers recommend checking the website daily for last-minute releases. Also in town are Grammy award-winning singer St Vincent and legendary rapper Ice Cube. There are heaps of local acts to check out too, including No Mono, Middle Kids and Stonefield. For one night only Heaps Gay will host a fabulous, not-to-be-missed fancy dress party, Qweens Ball, at Town Hall. Plus for a change of pace, this year's festival also includes a jazz series for the first time. [caption id="attachment_574541" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Bodhi Liggett.[/caption] Vivid Ideas will get your mind bubbling about the big issues. There are talks on everything from building a sustainable future and the threat to democracy to the art of creativity and understanding consciousness. For podcast nerds, the Audiocraft Podcast Festival features a line-up of industry heavyweights in a series of talks and workshops. If you're headed to Vivid this year, YHA is offering 20% off stays for Concrete Playground readers during the festival. The offer applies to all rooms (private and multi-share) at Sydney Harbour YHA, Sydney Central YHA and Railway Square YHA. Use the code VIVID to claim the discount when you book online, valid Sunday to Thursday between Sunday, May 27 and Friday, June 15. More info about the offer and other weekend discounts here. Image: Destination NSW.
Stay tuned. More info coming soon. Image: Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons.
Many a bar, pub, club and watering hole line Fortitude Valley's streets; however, there's one thing that the suburb hasn't had until now. While craft breweries have been popping up nearby in Newstead, in the CBD under the Story Bridge and over the river at Kangaroo Point, the inner-city hotspot has remained quiet on the beer-making front — but that's where Soapbox Beer comes in. Taking over an old agricultural store on the corner of Gipps Street and Ranwell Lane, and open since December 2018, the newcomer both brews and serves up its hoppy beverages onsite. In a spacious venue filled with reclaimed timber and industrial fittings largely nabbed from demolition works, you'll find a 2000-litre steam brew system pumping out Soapbox's core brews, plus a 200-litre system for seasonal and smaller batch beers. Always pouring through the taps are five particular beverages: a malt and citrus-heavy pale ale, a chocolatey and bitter dark ale, an IPA with orange notes, a slightly sweet kolsch and an American-style amber ale. To help line the stomach, Soapbox also slings a menu of share plates, snacks, steaks and burgers, many of which include beer as an ingredient. Between pints, you can tuck into potato curry croquettes with a pale ale vindaloo sauce or a grilled wagyu beer steak with a porter onion gravy — or a brisket burger with beer-pickled daikon, the obligatory beer-battered fish and chips, and even beer fudge brownies with hops salted caramel sauce. As for the folks responsible, Soapbox is the brainchild of craft beer aficionados Luke Nixon and Scott Robertson, who started home-brewing six years ago. They've now traded in their film industry and corporate jobs to jump from making tipples in their backyards to whipping up beverages in the centre of Brissie's nightlife scene, with help from Greg James as their new head brewer. Images: Rachael Nixon.
High-rise hotels and the Gold Coast go hand in hand; however, slumbering at great heights isn't the only way to stay at the tourist-friendly spot. The area is also home to plenty of motels, which come with their own low-key (and lower to the ground) charms — and, thanks to a new startup, they're getting an art-fuelled makeover. Meet Golden Ticket Motel, which wants to turn the Goldie's heritage motel rooms into highly Instagrammable experiences; think: Sugar Republic and the Museum of Ice Cream, but you can kip there. Beginning as a three-month pilot, it enlists artists to deck out motels, turning them into the kind of space that you'll want to snap copious amounts of pictures of. 'Art you can sleep in' is the official spiel, and it fits. The first venue doing the honours is Surf Street Motel in Mermaid Beach, with one room given a revamp by Gold Coast artist Dion Parker. Big, colourful, flower-filled designs feature heavily, as set against black walls. The makeover covers the brightly hued quilt and curtains, statement walls complete with a velvet centrepiece that's designed to look like flowing hair, and florals throughout the bathroom. No, you haven't stayed in a motel quite like this before. If that sounds like your kind of place for an evening, bookings are open for visits from May, starting from $235 per night. As well as soaking in the eye-catching interior design, you'll also be just a five-minute walk from Nobby Beach — because no GC stay is ever really complete without some surf, sun and sand, obviously. The pilot run is supported by a City of Gold Coast creative tourism grant — and if it goes well, the aim is roll out the concept to other Goldie motels. So, you might soon have more places to spend a night in. "The vision for Golden Ticket Motel is to create a unique overnight tourism product for the Gold Coast in collaboration with local artists during a time when there are limited exhibition opportunities for working artists in the area," said Golden Ticket Motel founder Lucy Fisher. "The Gold Coast is blessed with historic motels that should be celebrated, and I wanted to create a product that encourages motel visitation without any outlay from operators and introduce a new audience to this style of accommodation." "Ultimately, the aim is to build Golden Ticket Motel into a thriving creative tourism business based on the Gold Coast that works with artists and accommodation providers to create playful and unique overnight art experiences." Golden Ticket Motel's first pop-up at Surf Street Motel, Mermaid Beach, is available to book for the next three months. For more information, head to the Golden Ticket Motel website.
Watching a film can transport you to another place — and, at Palace's Brisbane venues on January 26, it can transport you to another period, too. Heading to either Palace Centro or Palace Barracks on Australia Day will feel like jumping back to a time when movie tickets were only $5. Can't remember a trip to the flicks being that cheap? Neither can we. The one-day-only offer is the perfect way to celebrate the public holiday, particularly if you're avoiding the heat and sitting in a darkened room is among your favourite pastimes. Sure, you might already have other plans — but who isn't tempted by the thought of going to the cinema for a fiver? The lineup of films is certain to prove just as enticing, with everything from The Hateful Eight and Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens to The Big Short and Carol currently screening. Catch new Aussie effort Looking for Grace on its opening day, or check out an advance preview of Oscar contender Room. At $5 per ticket, if you time it right, you can probably watch all of the above.
For every series of dime-a-dozen ladies boutiques there's a trailblazer or two at the front of the pack, and while Brisbane may still have a lingering reputation as a big country town, the local fashion scene is nipping at the heels of its southern neighbours. Whether it's uber-talented Australian designers or enlightened buyers helming these boutiques, their wares will have you headlining your own catwalk show in no time. Blonde Venus Blonde Venus has honed its reputation for cutting edge fashion for over 20 years, and isn't stopping any time soon. Stocking innovative designs in clothing, shoes and accessories from the likes of Karen Walker, Provensen, Lover and Antipodium, Blonde Venus is a must-see for every Brisbane fashionista. 707 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley 4006; www.blondevenus.com.au Maiocchi These charming dresses, designed and manufactured here in Brisbane, will flatter the figure and warm the heart with their handmade detailing and creative touches. With stores now also open in Paddington and the CBD, this quirky company has taken Brisbane by storm. 715 Ann St, Fortitude Valley 4006; www.maiocchi.com.au Haut Boheme The brainchild of designer Chantelle Cox, Haut Boheme focuses on unique styling and bucking the trends. Clean lines, a neutral palette and extravagant accessories reign supreme in this cosy Winn Lane store. 5C Winn St, Fortitude Valley 4006; www.thehautboheme.tumblr.com Side Street Home to one of Brisbane's best $20 racks, Side Street stocks a wide range of pieces to suit any occasion (and budget), from casual maxi dresses to fabulous kaftans and evening gowns. You're bound to find something just perfect for your own wardrobe. 1/237 Given Tce, Paddington 4064; www.sidestreet.com.au Jules & Roc Manning Cartel, Natasha Gan, Life With Bird, Alice McCall — Jules and Roc showcases some of Australia's brightest design talent. Also stocking shoes and accessories, the in-house stylists will make sure you never leave the house looking less than perfect. Shop 12, 65 James Street, Fortitude Valley 4006; www.julesroc.com.au The Soot. Concept Store The Soot. Concept Store stocks its own Brisbane-based label, Soot, as well as the wares of other local designers, including Ash to Gold. The bright palette and unique pieces will have you lingering for far longer than your wallet would like. Shop 7, 65 James Street, Fortitude Valley 4006; www.soot.com.au Fallow You could walk past the entrance to Fallow a million times without noticing. Do keep an eye out though, because this darkly inviting boutique is packed with avant-garde clothing and accessories from both Australian and international designers with a nose for the more curious things in life. 1, 354 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley 4006; www.fallow.com.au
Jiro is an idealistic young man obsessed with the concept of flight. His poor eyesight means he can never be a pilot, so he becomes an engineer, designing planes that go as fast as is humanly possible. As Japan finds itself embroiled in the Second World War, Jiro falls in love with Naoko, and is torn between his desire to be with her, and his duty to his masters. Japanese animation maestro Hayao Miyazaki — best known for classics such as My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and Ponyo — creates what may be his final film ever. (Miyazaki has announced his retirement many times in the past, and did so in the lead-up to this film. There are claims that he has backtracked this one as well.) If it is his last, it's a fitting coda. It's not difficult to see Miyazaki in Jiro: a single-minded focus with an artistic endeavour to the point of obsession. Despite being based upon a true story, a significant amount of creative licence is taken. This is, counter-intuitively, a good thing. Often, the more reverential a biopic attempts to be, the less interesting a film it is. This is a film about artistic passion, and there are more important truths about life during wartime that are illuminated in a way that a simple recounting of events would not. The film studiously avoids the cliches one would expect from this setup. It refuses to shy away from the questionable decisions made by Japan during wartime, but nor does it allow the idea of the country as the destined defeated to overwhelm what is ultimately a tale of human passion and endeavour. It's hard to think of a more measured film about non-violent people in wartime. Much of the controversy surrounding the film has focused on the fact that the protagonist is developing planes that will eventually becomes those that attacked Pearl Harbour. But that is the exact position of the myopic Jiro, who at one point expresses frustration that the planes must carry weapons and bombs, for they will slow down his masterpieces. And that's the point of the film: that the purity of artistic endeavours are often destroyed by those more concerned with conflict and battle. Madman Entertainment is releasing the film in both English and Japanese with English subtitles. You'll have to check to see which version your local cinema is playing, but if you have a choice, the Japanese language one is always preferable. There's something about the formality and manner of Japanese speech that doesn't translate well into English vocals, and even the most careful redubs often sound silly and awkward. Moments of sincerity can often sound funny, so exercise discretion. On the other hand, the English version has Werner Herzog as a German spy, so you can't really go wrong either way. It's a bold, unapologetic film that is not always completely successful, but there is a confident vision at play, and that is always welcome. https://youtube.com/watch?v=RzSpDgiF5y8
One of the great joys of being a Nicolas Cage fan is seeing what the actor adds to his resume next. In the past year alone, for example, he has fought alien ninjas from space, hosted a series about the history of swearing, loaned his voice to The Croods franchise again, starred in the yet-to-be-released first English-language film from equally over-the-top Japanese filmmaker Sion Sono and announced that he'll play Joe Exotic in a new drama series based on the Tiger King star's life. His next project: battling demonic animatronic mascots in an effort to save a possessed amusement park. That's the premise behind Willy's Wonderland, which gets a straight-to-home-entertainment release in the US in February — and will undoubtedly do the same Down Under, although a release date for the latter is yet to be announced. Here, in a plot that sounds very close to the video game series Five Nights at Freddy's, Cage plays a quiet loner who becomes stuck in a small town when his car breaks down. He's short on cash, so he takes a night job cleaning the abandoned Willy's Wonderland. Soon, however, fending off the haunted attractions that roam the site's halls is added to his janitorial duties. The film is likely to go one of two ways: absolutely OTT like its lead, or the kind of movie that you only keep watching because of its star. Either way, as the just-dropped trailer shows, expect plenty of Cage demanding your attention in the way that only he can — and adding yet another weird and wild role to his ever-growing resume. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v27rfaoB2Y Willy's Wonderland releases in the US on Friday, February 12, but doesn't currently have a release date Down Under — we'll update you when further details come to hand.
Murdering some dance floors should be on every Brisbanite's must-do list this November. That's just what you do when Sophie Ellis-Bextor comes to town to headline this year's Melt Festival. Also on the festival's full bill alongside the British singer: a Queensland-exclusive show by Big Freedia, who you'll know from Beyoncé's 'Formation' and 'Break My Soul', plus Jesswar and JessB. They'll have a heap of company between Thursday, November 10–Sunday, November 27, too, including Shane Jenek, Polytoxic, Brendan Maclean, festival artist-in-residence Dylan Mooney and a Cher-inspired cabaret by Larissa McGowan. As overseen by Festival Curator Daniel Evans, the 18-day fest will welcome Jenek – aka Courtney Act — to chat about his memoir Caught in The Act. Yes, expect his stint on RuPaul's Drag Race season six to get a mention. Meanwhile, McGowan's solo show Cher includes contemporary dance, chameleonic displays, and a pop culture-fuelled exploration of gender and power. Polytoxic's In Your Dreams will enjoy its world premiere at the fest, heroing genderqueer and intersectional artists, and performed as an awards ceremony for the future. As for Maclean, he's bringing his solo show Alone At Last! to Brisbane after its successful debut season at Adelaide Cabaret Festival. And Yuwi, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander man Mooney will continue his impressive recent run of exhibitions, spreading his art across multiple Brisbane Powerhouse spaces and surfaces. Also a highlight: Meltdown, a night of tech house beats from Soul of Detroit featuring John 'Jammin' Collins of Underground Resistance, Sophie Forrest and DJ Enn, as curated by Joel Devereux. It'll also span installations, guest appearances, drag acts and performances, aka one helluva party. There's the Melt Comedy Gala, too, which'll be hosted by Mel Buttle and feature New Zealand comic Chris Parker; Queerstories making a comeback, complete with Benjamin Law among its LGBTQIA+ storytellers; and the similarly returning Lesbian Love Stories. Both the LGBTQIA+ Elders Dance Club hosted by All the Queens Men, and Backbone Youth Arts' Revel in the Queer, will be free to attend — with a huge focus on providing uplifting and safe spaces for queer culture. Keep an eye out for The Good Room's The Chapel of Love, which'll build a chapel — yes, really — on Brisbane Powerhouse's Turbine Platform (taking inspiration from everything from Dolly Parton to Hallmark and Vegas' neon dreams, naturally). Some Melt events will make use of Brisbane Powerhouse's new Pleasuredome, an outdoor venue that's set to join the New Farm site. [caption id="attachment_716453" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Dylan Evans[/caption]
This article is sponsored by our partners, Wotif.com. Adelaide is no stranger to pesky licensing laws impeding the onward march of excellent late-night bar culture, but thankfully in April last year the city’s council saw reason and introduced friendlier regulations. The result? A city that's turning on its charm year-round, not just in February and March when the Adelaide festival and WOMADelaide convert the place into a bohemian heaven. 2014 is Adelaide’s year of the small bar. Here’s a selection of the finest. THE GALLERY ON WAYMOUTH Big, bold and shiny, the Gallery replaces Fad Bar with a more upmarket, suits-friendly offering with two levels of bars to mingle and a middle level for dining. The walls feature a changing gallery of contemporary art, but if that’s not enough to soothe your Friday afternoon exhaustion, get stuck into some BBQ beef ribs and crusty bread ($11) or a heartier main of Saltbush lamb ($27). 30 Waymouth Street, Adelaide UDABERRI Adelaide’s Hindley Street may be one of Australia’s more eccentric red-light main drags, but it has no shortage of laneways like Leigh Street housing civilised bars such as Spanish wine bar supreme, Udaberri. Offering Basque-style bar snacks including an extensive list of Spanish cheeses, it’s all the civility you’ll ever need after a loiter down Hindley Street. Udaberri Pintxos y Vino, 11 Leigh Street, Adelaide PROOF Set on the suitably obscure Anster Street, Proof wine bar is a sophisticated little joint manned by bar staff in waistcoats. Proof will satisfy a hankering for an Old Fashioned or an honest cheese toasty (and by honest we mean beef ragu with Fontina). Proof, 9A Anster Street, Adelaide THE BOTANIC BAR An Adelaide institution, the Botanic on North Terrace has undergone some serious sprucing in recent times. Improvements include spicy chicken wings provided by Golden Boy Thai, who are now serving authentic Thai goodness to thankful Botanic punters as they sip on a luscious Montenegro sour or Rangoon Standard. 309 North Terrace, Adelaide ROCKET ROOFTOP Rocket Bar is Adelaide’s original home of good music. Rocket Rooftop serves serious adult wine from McLaren Vale’s Alpha Box and Dice and also has a solid cocktail list. Rocket Rooftop is the perfect place to enjoy a cool drink on a balmy summer’s night under the best palm tree in the state. 142 Hindley Street, Adelaide THE COLLINS BAR A nod to the roaring 1920s, the Collins Bar shows off some of the state’s best local wines as well as a playful list of cocktails sourced from their extensive, if alarmingly tidy bar. They’re offering the usual suspects in the bar snacks department, such as lemonade-braised pulled pork slider and slaw at a bargain $8. Oh, they also have a fantastically long tequila list. Hilton Adelaide, 233 Victoria Square, Adelaide CLEVER LITTLE TAILOR As its name suggests, the Clever Little Tailor is little and clever. It’s a bonafide small bar — intimate, classy and dedicated to quality booze. Set in an old vintage store on Peel Street, it’s been decorated with old school decor and is serving excellent beers such as Mountain Goat, Feral Hop Hog and Four Pines, along with a selection of charcuterie from Lucia’s at the Central Markets. Clever as they come. 19 Peel Street, Adelaide CANTINA SOCIALE Showing off the best of Adelaide’s boutique wine industry, Cantina Sociale serves authentic, one-off wines not available in any stores, wine lists or bars. Located on Sturt Street, this is a haven for wine lovers to really love their wine. 108 Sturt Street, Adelaide LOFT OYSTER AND WINE BAR The Loft is one of Adelaide’s newest bars located on Gouger Street in the Central Market precinct. With its sparkly new interior, it’s a perfect after-work drinks spot, serving Asian inspired mezze and oysters in every way imaginable. Level 1, 128 Gouger Street, Adelaide STREET-ADL Street-ADL is the first of a two-part venture from chef Jock Zonfrillo. Offering informal dining, cocktails and street food, Street-ADL is all-American with its cheeseburgers and sundaes, and true blue with its Goolwa pipis and lamingtons. Street ADL, 285 Rundle Street, Adelaide
Roma Street is about to undergo a massive overhaul, with the roadway's long-standing transit centre set to be demolished. From 2019, works will commence to replace the inner-city eyesore with a new underground station, as part of the Queensland Government's Cross River Rail project. Both the Brisbane Transit Centre and the adjacent Hotel Jen will be torn down by late 2020, completely transforming the area around Roma Street Parklands — with a target completion date of 2025. If you can't remember a time before catching trains and buses from the towering grey building, that's understandable. In fact, this will mark the first major change since the centre opened back in 1986. The news comes just weeks after the government revealed it was putting $5 million towards the business case for the Brisbane Live project — a new Roma Street entertainment precinct, complete with a 17,000-seat live performance arena, new hotels, apartment towers and cultural facilities that was first announced back in 2016. Given that the new facilities will sit above the current station, tearing down the transit centre is hardly an unexpected development. "When complete, the new station is expected to be used by more than 230,000 commuters every week, the equivalent of over four capacity crowds at Suncorp Stadium," said Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad. Replacing Roma Street Station is the latest shakeup for Brisbane's public transport network, which is also slated to welcome the Brisbane Metro by 2023, and redevelop the bus stops and train stations surrounding the Cultural Centre at South Bank. As for the long-planned Cross River Rail project, it's set to be up and running by 2024, linking Dutton Park to the Brisbane Showgrounds. New underground stations also mooted for Boggo Road, Woolloongabba and Albert Street. Image: Denisbin via Flickr.
The crew at Beyond Cinema have a knack for turning bedtime stories and big-screen flicks into immersive, larger-than-life adventures. Just look at last year's Great Gatsby-inspired party in a mansion, or the more recent Harry Potter-themed potions classes. Well now, it's the much-loved tale of Alice in Wonderland that gets the Beyond Cinema treatment, by way of an all-new immersive pop-up experience inspired by the nonsensical Mad Hatter. Descending on secret Melbourne and Brisbane locations in February next year, The Alice Bar invites punters to dive through the looking glass and into a fantasy world. Expect things to get curiouser and curiouser across your 90-minute visit, whether you're creating your own liquid concoctions under the guidance of The Mad Hatter, settling in for an indulgent tea party, or getting raucous with the likes of the March Hare and the Cheshire Cat. [caption id="attachment_740466" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Wizard's Cauldron[/caption] As always, Beyond Cinema is keeping most of the details scarce until closer to the date, though they're already old hands at bringing Alice In Wonderland to life. The team's earlier Mad Hatter's Tea Party events have proved a hit over the past couple of years. Beyond Cinema's The Alice Bar event will take place at a yet-to-be-revealed Melbourne and Brisbane location in February, 2020. You can sign up for more details here.
The Howard Smith Wharves precinct just keeps expanding, with Goodtimes Gelateria the latest addition to the riverside spot. It's a natural location for Brisbane's newest sweet treat haven — hanging out by bodies of water and licking frosty desserts have always gone hand-in-hand, after all. Scooping up the good stuff seven days a week, Goodtimes features 22 different flavours, all overseen by HSW Executive Pastry Chef Rhian Shellshear, whose resumé includes stints at Gelato Messina and Adriano Zumbo's patisseries. Twelve gelato flavours sit in the cabinet on a permanent basis, alongside six sorbets and four rotating flavours. All the classics are covered, such as vanilla, chocolate and salted caramel; however, it's the more inventive varieties that might particularly tempt your tastebuds. You'll find options like baked apple pie, brown butter and caramelised popcorn, and mandarin sorbet. Goodtimes' icy treats are all made from premium ingredients, including French chocolate, Maleny dairy products and local fruit from Queensland farmers. Find Goodtimes' pastel-hued ice creamery underneath The Fantauzzo Hotel, slinging its desserts from 11am–11pm.
Initially, Force of Nature: The Dry 2 was the most-anticipated new Australian movie of 2023. Now, it's taking that label for 2024 instead. After being postponed from its planned August 2023 release amid the current SAG-AFTRA strike, the Aussie film will hit cinemas in February 2024. Fans of Aussie mysteries, page-to-screen crime tales, Eric Bana (Dirty John) getting sleuthing and all things Aaron Falk, take note. The follow-up to 2021's The Dry, Force of Nature: The Dry 2 is now slated to reach the big screen Down Under on Thursday, February 8, 2024. If you're keen to see the film as soon as possible, you'll have the chance a few days earlier, with advance screenings also locked in from Friday, February 2–Sunday, February 4. When Bana stepped into Falk's shoes in The Dry, more movies were always bound to follow. On the screen, the film became a massive Australian box-office hit in 2021 thanks to its twisty mystery, determined detective, stunning scenery and spectacular cast. It was capitalising, of course, on the story's proven success on the page. And, to the delight of movie producers and audiences, the beloved novel by author Jane Harper was just Falk's first appearance. Accordingly, throw that formula together again and you now have Force of Nature: The Dry 2. This second effort sees the core duo of Bana and writer/director Robert Connolly (Blueback) return, with the latter again investigating a case. This time, as both the movie's initial teaser and full trailer explore, Falk is looking into the disappearance of a hiker from a corporate retreat attended by five women. Alongside fellow federal agent Carmen Cooper (Jacqueline McKenzie, Ruby's Choice), Falk heads deep into Victoria's mountain ranges to try to find the missing traveller — who also happens to be a whistle-blowing informant — alive. Also featuring in Force of Nature, which has a powerhouse list of Aussie talent just like its predecessor: Anna Torv (The Last of Us) as missing hiker Alice Russell, plus Deborra-Lee Furness (Jindabyne), Robin McLeavy (Homeland), Sisi Stringer (Mortal Kombat) and Lucy Ansell (Utopia). Richard Roxburgh (Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe), Tony Briggs (Preppers) and Kenneth Radley (The Power of the Dog) pop up, too, while Jeremy Lindsay-Taylor (Heartbreak High) is back in the role of Erik Falk. Reteaming not just after The Dry, but also 2023 release Blueback, Connolly and Bana make quite the pair when it comes to Aussie crime cinema — with Connolly the producer of one of the best local crime movies ever made, aka 1998's unnerving The Boys, and Bana famously the star of the similarly excellent Chopper. Fans of Harper's work also have The Survivors to look forward to, but on the small screen. It's heading to Netflix from the pages of the author's text of the same name, and isn't linked to The Dry or Force of Nature. Here, the Tasmanian-set story follows families still coping with the loss caused by a massive storm in their seaside town 15 years earlier, then faced with a new murder. Check out the full trailer for Force of Nature: The Dry 2 below: Force of Nature: The Dry 2 will release in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on Thursday, February 8, 2024, with advance screenings from Friday, February 2–Sunday, February 4. Read our full review of The Dry. Images: Narelle Portanier.
Noosa's beaches and laidback vibes are legendary. It's little wonder that the spot has also given rise to its own brewery, too. When you're soaking in this scenic corner of southeast Queensland, a locally made cold one goes down even more smoothly than it normally would. That's especially the case when it's made for easy drinking, which — along with minimising its environmental impact — is firmly Land & Sea — Noosa Brewing Company's focus. Expect a variety of options, with this Noosa Heads outfit's craft beer selection spanning pale ales, IPAs, mango sours, rice lagers and kolschs. Head by the brewery's tap room, and you can also take a tour — not only of Land & Sea, but of the Fortune distillery. Running on Saturdays from 11am–12.30pm, the $55-per-person tours also include a craft beer tasting paddle and a spirits tasting paddle.
In 2017, one filmmaker had viewers around the world swooning. From the moment that Luca Guadagnino's big-screen adaptation of Andre Aciman's Call Me By Your Name premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and then the Berlinale, it wowed audiences, made a star out of Timothée Chalamet and had everyone talking about Armie Hammer's dancing skills. So the news that the acclaimed director is serving up another Italy-set coming-of-age drama is firmly — and understandably — cause for excitement. This time, Guadagnino is doing so on the small screen, courtesy of new HBO mini-series We Are Who We Are. It's set in 2016, and follows two American teenagers living on a US military base with their parents. Jack Dylan Grazer (IT: Chapter Two) stars as 14-year-old Fraser Wilson, a new arrival from New York with his mothers Sarah (Chloë Sevigny, Queen & Slim) and Maggie (Alice Braga, The New Mutants) — while first-timer Jordan Kristine Seamón plays Caitlin Poythress, a veteran of living on the base with her older brother Danny (Spence Moore II, AP Bio), father Richard (Scott Mescudi, aka Bill & Ted Face the Music's Kid Cudi) and mother Jenny (Faith Alabi, Cold Feet). Also featured in this eight-episode tale of friendship, teen angst, first love and finding one's identity are Francesca Scorsese (daughter of iconic filmmaker Martin Scorsese), Ben Taylor, Corey Knight, Tom Mercier (Synonyms) and Sebastiano Pigazzi — with the cast blending well-known names and faces with plenty of newcomers. We Are Who We Are started airing in the US on September 14, but it'll head to Aussie screens via SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand at a yet-to-be-revealed date. If you're in the need of a virtual trip to Northern Italy, as directed by the filmmaker also behind I Am Love, A Bigger Splash and the 2018 Suspiria remake — and co-written by Guadagnino with Paolo Giordano (The Solitude of Prime Numbers) and Francesca Manieri (Daughter of Mine) — then add this to your future must-watch list. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6VAQ6LdnKs&feature=emb_logo We Are Who We Are will screen on SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand at a yet-to-be-revealed date — we'll update you with further details when they come to hand. Top image: Yannis Drakoulidis/HBO.
Star Wars fans, prepare to punch it on down to Sydney's Powerhouse Museum in November — and prepare to come face to face with 200 original objects from the popular sci-fi franchise at Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition. You might have to wait more than 12 months until Star Wars: Episode IX reaches cinemas late next year, but you can spend your days from November 16, 2018 until June 10, 2019 perusing the items that helped make space opera movie magic happen. Coming to Australia for the first time, that includes costumes, props, models and artworks from the Lucasfilm archives, complete with a galaxy's worth of favourites — think BB-8, R2-D2 and the Millennium Falcon just for starters. Get a glimpse of Yoda, you will, circa Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back. You'll also feel the power-hungry menace radiate from Darth Vader's suit from Star Wars: Episode VII — Return of the Jedi. Star Wars Identities is also an interactive exhibition, with creating your own unique character also part of the experience. If you've ever felt as though you should be hanging out in a cantina somewhere on a remote planet, here's your chance to answer a heap of questions, work through a series of stations and find your inner Star Wars hero. You won't need to use the force — rather, you'll receive a smart technology bracelet and a headset to use while you're in the exhibition (but if you want to say that you're using the force or even want to give midi-chlorians some credit, no one will stop you). The Powerhouse Museum is no stranger to Star Wars shenanigans, having hosted a weekend's worth of May the Fourth fun earlier this year. For those already planning their costumes for this 90-minute experience, you're welcome to attend as Han Solo, Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker or whichever other character you'd like — but helmets and masks will need to be left in the cloak room, and you'll also need to leave your lightsabers at home.
Let's go party, indeed: Barbie is here, filling Australian cinemas with pink-hued cheer, and slaying both the patriarchy and the Australian box office. Greta Gerwig's Margot Robbie-starring take on the famous doll packed picture palaces not just with every shade of not-quite-red it could, but with people, breaking a Malibu DreamHouse worth records in the process. If you noticed plenty of fellow filmgoers watching this trip to Barbie Land, then Los Angeles, then back with you last weekend, that was the experience mirrored around the country. In fact, Barbie notched up the biggest opening at the Australian box office for 2023 so far, raking in $21.5 million including preview screenings. The stats keep coming, but the best is truly historic: Barbie enjoyed the biggest opening weekend for a film directed by a female filmmaker. It earned that same huge opening weekend title for films with any of Robbie, Gerwig and Ryan Gosling (The Gray Man) involved. Now that's some Kenergy. Also, Barbie helped smash even more records as part of the double feature of 2023: Barbenheimer. Thanks to both Barbie and Christopher Nolan's vastly dissimilar atomic-bomb thriller Oppenheimer, the Aussie box office saw its biggest-ever Saturday and Sunday takings. On Saturday, July 22, $11.1 million spent bested the $10.3 million recorded in April 2019 when Avengers: Endgame released. On Sunday, July 23, the $10.5 million gross topped the $9.96 million taken in December 2105 — on the Boxing Day public holiday on December 27, in fact — as fuelled by Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens, plus Boxing Day releases. Specific cinemas also broke past records. At Sydney's Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, the independent theatre scored its highest-grossing weekend in its 88-year history. Oppenheimer in 70mm notched up the cinema's highest-grossing opening ever, while Barbie now sits second in that same category. At Melbourne's Cinema Nova, the also-independent cinema looks set to earn its biggest box-office week of all time. If it does, it'll break the record set in January 2020, when Gerwig's Little Women was playing alongside films like Jojo Rabbit and Parasite. Barbie also took the opening-week record from Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel, and might become the first film by a female filmmaker to hit the venue's top ten of all time list. As for Oppenheimer, it's in the top ten biggest opening weekends. It shouldn't be lost on anyone that Barbie and Oppenheimer's successes mean that two movies that aren't part of long-running franchises have audiences flocking in. Neither film comes in as the fifth or 11th or 17th or 31st entries in a long-running saga, and don't we all know and love it. Here's the big takeaway: more of that please, especially given that oh-so-much of what reaches the silver screen is a sequel, prequel or chapter in a sprawling universe these days. Check out the trailers for Barbie and Oppenheimer below: Barbie is showing in Australian cinemas now. Read our review. Oppenheimer is also showing in Australian cinemas now. Read our review, too.
