Brisbane is positively blooming with excuses to stock up on greenery, with plant markets and sales happening with frequency. Add a trip to The Foliage Fest to your weekend agenda, however, and you can pick up something natural, leafy and possibly floral from just $3. Both indoor and outdoor plants will be on offer, including the ol' favourite that is the fiddle leaf figs, the eye-catching Bird of Paradise to brighten up your life, plus vines, ferns, climbers, succulents and topiary as well. The list goes on, with hangers also starting from $10. Expect plenty to choose from given the whole thing is going down in a nursery. That'd be Chadwick Nursery. Head along to the two-day event across Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2, running from 8am each day. There'll also be live tunes to put you in a browsing and buying mood, if you need some extra motivation — other than a heap of bargain-priced green babies, that is.
How can a hotel take advantage of the social media revolution? 1888, 8hotels' brand-new boutique hotel in Pyrmont, is answering that question with a picture-perfect building that skilfully marries old and new and a host of features for the snap-happy — even a gilt frame hanging from the ceiling for a cheeky selfie, Instagram-friendly walking maps for the area, a free stay offered to anyone with a substantial Instagram following (we're talking 10K+) and a free stay for the guest who takes the best shot of the hotel each month. And "this is only the beginning" says hotel manager Roberto Russo. It's perfectly natural that 1888 should embrace Instagram so enthusiastically, given the amount of care that's gone into the hotel's distinctive aesthetic — it's a thoroughly visual experience. First impressions: the architect and designers have totally respected the original structure (built in 1888, the same year as Kodak launched with a patent for its first box and roll cameras) and capitalised on the pre-existing appeal of its patina-like, distressed brick walls and gargantuan wooden beams. The latter are so beautiful I had to hug one — the splinter I received only adding to the sheer rawthenticity of it all. In the middle of the lobby, an olive tree has been planted to represent the hotel's heart, and it has plenty of space to grow upwards into the five-storey atrium with its fancy glass elevators. The ethos of preservation also shows itself in the upcycling of original wood from the building (formerly a woolstore — and much later, there was even a carpark where the lobby is now located) including gorgeous desks that appear in every room, as well as the lofty ceilings, generous windows and feature walls. Some of the window sills even have graffiti of yore carved into them. These historical details are paired with minimalist custom furniture and brightly coloured vintage pieces to create a design counterpoint that's truly refined. Step into the bathroom of one of the larger rooms and you'll find a tub big enough for two — or one, if you fancy watching your companion perform a hilarious solo synchronised swimming act (as I did). Every room comes with wi-fi and a complimentary iPad which provides general info about the hotel, local places to eat, news and weather, and it also controls the AC. The room service tab is empty for now; plans are underway to expand what's on offer in the hotel's bar and kitchen, which currently serves breakfast from a rustic Italian-inspired a la carte menu and a buffet featuring some epic muesli that I can't get out of my mind. If you're starving you can always raid the mini-bar, which, far from being stocked with the usual junky Mars Bars and tiny Johnnie Walker bottles, sources from local companies with an emphasis on health and yumminess. For intimate functions or parties, there's The Williamson room (appropriately numbered 007) which boasts its own impressive side entrance — perfect for celebrity guests fleeing the paps — and a glitzy bar from the 1950s. The Geddes Room would work for a chic boardroom meeting. As for overnight stays, the Shoebox rooms are some of the best value for money in Sydney at $179, measuring 15 square metres but feeling bright and spacious thanks to the high ceilings and huge windows. 1888's been living up to its own hype, with all 90 rooms booked to full capacity only six weeks after opening. Book in and start hashtagging. 1888 Hotel has a 'Picture Perfect Package' available to book now until September 30. It includes: -A room to photograph – one night for two in a King Room -Foodporn – complimentary 1888 antipasto plate + two glasses of wine -Share-ability – complimentary internet connection and iPads in all rooms -Envy-inducing start to the day – complimentary breakfast Prices start from $239. To make a reservation, phone 02 8586 1888 or visit the hotel website. Instagramming 1888 Words and images by Shirin Borthwick.
Where would we be without Aussie hospo legends? They're there when we need midday croissants, midweek pub feeds and celebratory midnight margaritas. They help us get through the bad weeks — and the good ones. Not to mention they've had it pretty rough over the past year and a bit — which made us realise how integral they are in our day-to-day lives. So, now it's our turn to give a little back. To help you say thanks to all the hospo legends in your life and, more broadly, the industry, we've teamed up with Australian Cocktail Month. The inaugural event came about as a way to support the country's mighty fine bars, so we've come up with six easy-as ways for you to give back to the industry — especially if you're a bit of a bar fly. [caption id="attachment_785137" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] HAVE A PUB MEAL WITH YOUR PINT If you usually stop by your local on your way home for a drink with mates, you're already doing a bit to help out. But rather than just ordering a cold one and then hightailing it out of there, why not order yourself a hearty pub feed, too? Not only will it help out the kitchen staff, but also the ones behind the bar as, let's face it, you'll probably order another round (or few). These days, pub meals go beyond your usual steak and chips offering (not that we don't love that, too). Next time you're keen for a drink and a feed, track down the likes of southern US-style snacks, woodfired pizzas and top-notch Asian nosh at one of your locals if you're not in the mood for pub classics. Plus, many venues have weekly events like live music, trivia and boozy bingo to keep you entertained. SAY CHEERS AT A COCKTAIL FESTIVAL Say a huge cheers to bars and the people behind them by grabbing a ticket to the inaugural Australian Cocktail Month. Running over the month of May, the event is popping up in 72 bars across Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Head to any of the participating venues for specialty cocktails — and support the bar industry as you sip to your heart's content. All cocktails will cost a cheeky $14, or $10 for non-alcoholic concoctions. All you have to do is get your hands on a ticket here, then join in the month-long celebration. GET YOURSELF SOME FUN MERCH One easy way to say cheers to the hospo places you love and frequent (almost too) regularly is to pick up some merch. Yep, wear your love for your local literally on your sleeve. For years, many pubs, breweries, bars, cafes and sandwich shops across the country have been selling branded tees, jumpers, hats and totes for you to sport and represent them on the streets. And, in the wake of COVID-19, even more jumped on the bandwagon — so now you're spoiled for sartorial choice. Sydney places like Yulli's Brews, Paramount Coffee Project and Tio's all sell some slick wares. Melbourne venues such as Proud Mary Coffee and Piccolina have good merch, as does Smith and Daughters' online merch store, which boasts branded earrings, cursive pins and denim dog jackets. In Brisbane, breweries like Newstead Brewing Co, Green Beacon and Felons all sell great branded tees and totes, too. GIVE BACK WITH COLD, HARD CASH You know those dingy glass jars on the countertops of your favourite watering holes and diners? Well, they're not there just for show, so next time you order yourself an iced mocha latte (or something stronger) throw in any loose change you've got. Not much of a cash-carrier? That shouldn't stop you adding a couple of extra bucks to your bill after you've had a fabulous time wining and dining yourself silly. Or, level things up by donating to a hospo relief fund, such as Tip Jar. Another Aussie charity doing a lot of good is OzHarvest. As well as reducing our country's food waste, the charity runs a hospo-focused program, offering industry employment and engagement pathways for at-risk youths. [caption id="attachment_733302" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] BUY LOCAL Instead of getting all your supplies from the major supermarkets, buy local. This way you'll back the independent places that serve the community through quality lattes, loaves of sourdough, bottles of wine and gourmet goodies. As hospitality venues were shut and, later, operating at smaller capacities, providores, suppliers and makers of small-batch products also did it tough last year. So, next time you're thirsty, head to a boutique bottle-o. When you're after some cheese, head to a delicious dairy wholesaler in your area. You get the idea. And, after adapting to the trying times of COVID-19, many cafes, bakeries and restaurants are still selling staple goods, which, let's be honest, provide a much nicer shopping experience than a supermarket. [caption id="attachment_760761" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] TURN UP TO YOUR TABLE Australia's food and drink industry is still recovering. So, now we can eat, drink and be merry in venues once again, we should catch up with mates, celebrate a promotion and grab a coffee with colleagues when we can. We're not saying burn a hole in your pocket, but if you love trying new places or hitting up your favourite haunt, then celebrate the fact that you can do these things. Word of advice: don't be a no-show. Yes, turning up to a booking is a pretty simple thing to do. But if you don't? Well, not only does someone else miss out on eating and drinking all the tasty things, but also the venue loses money and staff may get their shifts cut short. If you can't make it for whatever reason, simply call ahead so your table doesn't go empty. Australian Cocktail Month is taking over top bars across the Australia from May 1–31. To buy your ticket, and for the full list of participating bars, head here. Top image: Bar Margaux, Kate Shanasy
Mother's Day is usually a time for family gatherings. Think brunches, barbecues, roasts, leisurely lunches and just generally spending the day with your mum. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebratory occasion will play out a little differently than usual in 2020 — however, if you're a Queenslander, you'll still be able to enjoy the day with your nearest and dearest. Well, at least some of them. From this Sunday, May 10, groups of up to five people from one household will be able to visit another household — an increase from the current limit of two visitors per residence. As announced today, Thursday, May 7, by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, it's a reward "because Queensland has been doing such a great job", with the focus firmly on families. As Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young explained, "it's about five people, maximum, of one family group, one household group, going to another household group". The five-person limit only applies to homes — not to other venues or spaces — and it doesn't cover people from more than two households. So, two people from one household and three people from another household can't both visit a third household at the same time. There's no limit on the number of people who live in the household receiving the visitors, though — so if you live with four other people, and all five of you are going to visit a household with six residents, that's acceptable. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1258171026443169792 That still won't allow plenty of families all gather together at once, but Dr Young suggests that people split up their visits — as receiving multiple visits from different households during the same day will also be allowed. "I'm sure there's a lot of mums out there who'd love to see one household in the morning and another in the afternoon and another in the evening," she noted. With Queensland's new cases of COVID-19 remaining low — with just 12 confirmed in the past seven days, from a total of 1045 cases since the pandemic began — the State Government is slowly beginning to ease back stay-at-home and social-distancing requirements. Queenslanders can now leave home for select recreational purposes, ranging beyond essential activities, and the state is considering allowing bars, cafes and restaurants to reopen in June. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
It might long be remembered as one of Star Wars' most cringeworthy come-on lines, but to give Anakin Skywalker a break, he did have a point when he told Padme, "I don't like sand. It's coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere." Two New York-based summer surfers by the names of Charlie and Spike know what he's on about. Even if they wouldn't have used such reasoning to get fresh with Natalie Portman. Instead, they've invented a sand-solution, of sorts: the Shake Tote. It looks, pretty much, to be the mother of all beach bags. And here's why. Not only is it water-repellent, it's also fitted with a mesh bottom, which means that you simply have to give it one almighty shake and the sand falls right through. So, it's actually a bag that doubles as a giant sieve. Welcome to a grit-free summer. No more jiggling each item individually while blowing grains into your neighbour's face (or your own, for that matter). No more having to unpack your bag outside because you've inadvertently carried half the beach home with you. At 42.6 x 14.7 x 15.2 cm, the Shake Tote provides you with loads of room for your swimmers, towel, read-of-the-week and sundry beachy needs. There's also a zippered pocket for stowing your valuables. The neutral, natural-coloured canvas (with dashes of black and neon orange) goes with most get-ups and the plastic shoulder straps are anti-slip. The Shake Tote came into being thanks to Quirky, a platform dedicated to unusual inventions. Users are able to put forward their own innovative ideas and/or vote on those of others. They can also earn money by supporting successful pitches and helping out with branding and style decisions. The Quirky team gets behind the manufacturing process and provides international distribution online. Order your very own Shake Tote online for US$39.99 and watch every face on the beach gaze in awe. Via PSFK.
Best Picture Will Win: 12 Years a Slave Should Win: Her Her was an almost perfect movie; however, its engaging quirkiness will also likely be its downfall, robbing it of the kind of gravitas the Academy likes to see in its dramas. There's also the Academy's history of loving history. Seventeen of the last 24 winners in the Best Picture category have been stories based on real events, and while that does keep American Hustle in the mix (which notably took out the Screen Actors Guild back in January), the asymmetry between 'cute crime caper' and 'essay on reprehensible crimes against humanity’ places 12 Years A Slave firmly in the driver’s seat. What then of Gravity? History’s not on its side either. Sci-fi is batting 0-84 in the Best Picture category, though the Academy won’t mind denying it the Best Picture victory since its director, Alfonso Cuarón, is a shoe-in for Best Director. Best Director Will Win: Alfonso Cuarón Should Win: Alfonso Cuarón Steve McQueen’s been on a golden run since his debut with Hunger, so much so that it would take either a monumental collapse in talent or his outright departure from the industry to think he won’t — in the next five years — walk away with this statue. For the 2014 awards, however, Cuarón should, and almost certainly will, come in for the win. Gravity was a breathtaking film, and with barely more plot than there is oxygen in space, the responsibility for that vests first and foremost in its direction and the performances Cuarón secured from his two leads. Last week’s BAFTA win for the Mexican director only narrows the odds further. Best Actor Will Win: Matthew McConaughey Should Win: Oscar Isaac Let’s talk about Leo first. The feeling that the guy is due is palpable, but just because a roulette table throws up nine reds in a row doesn't mean it has to be black’s turn next time round. While DiCaprio's Wolf of Wall Street performance was a fearless endeavour, it still lacked the critical poignancy of an enslaved parent or HIV-positive pioneer. A two-horse race hence seems most likely, and as good as Chiwetel Ejiofor was in 12 Years A Slave, McConaughey’s remarkable reinvention by way of smaller, character driven ensemble pieces has earned him both enormous respect and the Golden Globe. The big surprise here is Oscar Isaac, whose sublimely reserved yet beguiling performance in Inside Llewyn Davis didn’t even garner a nomination. Best Actress Will Win: Cate Blanchett Should Win: Cate Blanchett There’s arguably never been a better description of Meryl Streep than Colin Firth’s suggestion that she is "unreasonably good". Typically, then, in August: Osage County we saw just the latest in an impossibly long line of flawless performances so good one feels the interests of fairness might warrant handicapping her somehow for all future roles, perhaps by only allowing her to speak in vowels. Yet she won’t win this year. In a collection of powerhouse performances by a field of nominees who’ve all previously won the award save for Amy Adams, it was Cate Blanchett who proved the undeniable standout. Her Jasmine was elegant desperation and icy vulnerability wrapped up in an overt, sexually charged Ingmar Bergman-esque archetype. She’s already won the SAG, Golden Globe and BAFTA, making this about as sure a thing as the Oscars permit. Best Original Screenplay Will Win: Her Should Win: Her With ‘Will’ and ‘Should’ locked in there, Her would seem a foregone conclusion, but it’s not nearly that clear-cut. Was Spike Jonze’s screenplay the most original of the nominees? Absolutely. Was it also the best? Again, yes, but does that mean it will win? …Probably. Standing in its way is American Hustle, whose script — while lengthy — was a rollicking, unceasing procession of zingers, plot twists and exquisite turns of phrase. It also has the box office momentum behind it. For Her to win, which it should, it’ll need the Academy to consider the ‘Original’ part of 'Best Original Screenplay’ its most important characteristic.
Snow place like home, right? Here at CP, we're excited for winter playtime. Whether you can't wait to hit the slopes again or you're a curious first-timer, we know just the snow-covered playground that will hit the spot: Thredbo. Just a 5 and a 1/2 hour drive from Sydney, winter holiday goers congregate to the alpine village in their masses for the longest ski runs in Australia (when the mountain is fully covered in snow). And we've got the lowdown: where to stay, where to re-fuel, and where to party in your snow boots. Athol Got a lot of friends? This cosy, rustic self-contained chalet sleeps up to 12 people with a perfect communal layout for a big group. Gather round the open fire, sprawl out on the balcony and dig in to some hearty food at the canteen-style dining table. Diggings Terrance, Thredbo Village; Athol website Banjo Townhouses Each townhouse is a modern apartment with one or two bedrooms and beautiful views of the mountains. Loft units have their own slow-burning wood fire: lush! Banjo Drive, Thredbo Village; stayz.com.au/93085 Bernti’s Mountain Inn Bernti's is restaurant, hotel and nightlife all rolled into one. This European-style boutique inn has 30 rooms (and a rather entertaining host in Donna), gourmet food and a popular al fresco deck. Why would you ever leave? 4 Mowamba Place, Thredbo Village; (02) 6457 6332; berntis.com.au Black Bear Inn In the heart of Thredbo, and at the centre of all the action, this traditional lodge and restaurant has rooms to rent from single to family-sized. It’s a stone’s throw from the shuttle stop, plus never-ending German beer at the Inn. 30 Diggins Terrace, Thredbo Village; (02) 6457 6216; blackbearinn.com.au Thredbo Alpine Hotel Thredbo Alpine Hotel is boutique accommodation with the pick of rooms or chalets for an easy, comfortable stay at the base of the Kosciuszko chairlift. Thredbo Resort Centre, Thredbo Village; 1300 020 589; Thredbo Alpine Hotel Moonbah Hut A short 30 minute drive from Thredbo, and 15 minutes from Jindabyne town, Moonbah Hut is in a whole world of its own. This completely isolated, unique stone hut is fully equipped with underfloor heating, a rocking chair and fluffy robes for a romantic getaway. Jindabyne; (02) 6457 8311; moonbahhut.com Paringa Self contained, all the mod-cons and a shuttle bus on your doorstep, Paringa apartments are two bed units plus loft space, the obligatory balcony BBQ and a Swedish sauna. (02) 6457 7030; skiinskiout.com.au River Inn Priding itself on being a ski-in, ski-out hotel, River Inn has modern rooms and suites with plenty of extras, like wireless, a heated indoor pool and laundry service. 4 Friday Drive, Thredbo Alpine Village; (02) 9369 3010; riverinn.com.au Rockpool Lodge Like a little luxe? When only 5 star will do, Rockpool Lodge is a good pick. It’s got the spa, faux fur throws, sauna and champagne on chill (okay, we can’t guarantee the last one, but you get the picture). (02) 6457 7132; rockpoollodge.com.au Kareela Hutte Breakfast, coffee, champagne or cellar door, Kareela Hutte is a well-loved haunt for skiers and boarders on their up or down the mountain. On the Supertrail at 1810m altitude; (02) 6457 6099; kareelahutte.com.au Merritts Mountain House On-slope marketplace dining, from fresh juices and salads to stews, soups and strudel. Merritts uses artisan produce to create lovingly homemade food, conveniently located between slopes. Top of Merritts chairlift at 1660m altitude; (02) 6457 6084; merritts.com.au Black Sallee's Nestled amongst the gum trees off Crackenback Supertrail, Black Sallee's is famous for its hot chocolate, European beer selection (try the Maisel's Weisse) and schnapps. The service is quick, so you’ll be shoop shooping again in no time. At the top of Snowgums chairlift; (02) 6457 6439; Black Sallee's Bullwheel Bar & Bistro Laying claim to being Australia’s highest bar and bistro, Bullwheel has quick snacks and warming drinks, as well as German wheat beers, gluhwein and schnapps. At the top of Kosciuszko chairlift at 1937m altitude; (02) 6457 6019; Bullwheel Bar & Bistro Bernti’s Tapas Bar Serving a gourmet selection of international tapas, from smoked trout bruschetta to veal schnitzel, Bernti’s has al fresco dining and plenty of wine and beer to wash it down with. 4 Mowamba Place, Thredbo Village; (02) 6457 6332; berntis.com.au/tapas-bar The Knickerbocker Pan fried market fish, duck confit, spinach and ricotta dumplings... Yum! Riverside Cabins, Diggings Terrace, Thredbo; (02) 6457 6844; theknickerbocker.com.au The Terrace Relaxed fine dining: head chef Karen Forsstrom, formerly of Sydney’s Kingsleys restaurant, cooks up the finest ingredients to serve up her handcrafted menu. The Denman Hotel, 21 Diggings Terrace, Thredbo; (02) 6457 6222; thedenman.com.au The Wildbrumby Open daily for breakfast and lunch, the kitchen at Wildbrumby schnapps distillery door has a hearty selection of soups, pates, sandwiches and burgers - all created using local produce. Cnr of Wollondibby Rd and Alpine Way, Jindabyne; (02) 6457 1447; wildbrumby.com Apres Bar For a sophisticated start to the night, head to Apres Bar at The Denman. Cocktails, retro decor and tapas. The Denman, 21 Diggins Terrace, Thredbo Village; (02) 6457 6222; thedenman.com.au/bar Schuss Bar A little more laid-back, the Schuss Bar has live music and entertainment every night throughout winter. Threadbo Village Resort, Alpine Way; (02) 6459 4200. Thredbo Alpine Lounge Bar From 12 noon to midnight, the Alpine Lounge Bar is the place to kick-back and enjoy a coffee (or something stronger) beside the fire. Relaxed vibe, live music and great views. Thredbo Village Resort, Alpine Way; (02) 6459 4200. The Keller Looking to party late into the night? Revellers migrate to Thredbo’s famous nightclub. Thredbo Village Resort, Alpine Way; (02) 6459 4200.
Looking to add another streaming service to your subscriptions? Particularly keen on Amazon Prime Video, the online shopping behemoth's film and television platform? Good news and bad news, Australians. Firstly, you can sign up and stream selected content right now. But (and yes, sorry, there's a but)... it doesn't appear as though it's all that official. Technology website EFTM first broke the news that Aussies could not only register for an Amazon Prime Video account, but start watching Amazon's original programming such as The Man In The High Castle and Red Oaks. And, since then, word has spread that Amazon has launched their video platform in Australia. That's particularly exciting for anyone interested in watching The Grand Tour, aka Amazon's new motoring show hosted by former Top Gear personalities Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, which kicked off on November 18. Alas, it's not quite that straightforward. On the one hand, yes, you can currently access the aforementioned series, and others that don't have streaming deals with other platforms — although with some restrictions (only the first season of '80s set dramedy Red Oaks is available, for example, despite the second season launching in the US last week; and you can't access shows like Transparent that are available elsewhere in Australia). However, in a pretty significant sign that using Amazon Prime Video in Australia isn't as official as we all want it to be, you can only access it by visiting either the American or UK sites. There's no Prime Video option on amazon.com.au, no Australian pricing, and no information whatsoever about the service being offered to Aussies. In a statement reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, Amazon is adamant that it hasn't launched in Australia, which answers the question, really. Why Aussies can access content through the US and UK sites remains unanswered. Of course, it has long been rumoured that the platform would launch locally soon, largely thanks to The Grand Tour's certain appeal to Australian audiences, and the fact that Amazon has retained the global rights to the show — and it likely will in December as already announced. For now, in what is proving a big week for Amazon on our shores (the retail giant is set to launch a series of bricks-and-mortar stores and an online supermarket here within the next two years), go forth and watch what you can while you can, and watch this space for more developments.
Truffle butter, truffle eggs, truffle cheese, truffle fries — it seems adding the word truffle takes the words off the menu, lets them dance on your tastebuds, and has you salivating before you’ve even ordered. What if we told you you could indulge in seven whole courses of truffle-filled goodness? The good news is Lutece Bistro & Wine Bar are throwing a black truffle celebration with the real deal (no synthetic ‘truffle oil’ here that you might find at your local wannabe gastropub). Showing off the black winter truffle melanosporum from Manjimup, Western Australia, owner and chef Romain Bapst will treat guests to a delectable seven-course feast in true French style. Diners will be lucky enough to enjoy the distinct and full flavour of black truffle throughout the courses, starting with the duck foie gras and black truffle, and finishing with the chocolate gianduja. We attended the first dinner last night, and the second (and last) is on tomorrow night. Personal favourites were dishes three and five, the Glacier 51 sea bass and deep sea scallops, and the White Rocks milk-fed veal shoulder and fillet (pictured). The last dinner is on Friday, August 8, at 7pm. It is $160 per person with a glass of champagne on arrival, or $190 per person with matching wines. Nab your spot by contacting bookings@lutece.com.au or by calling (07) 3161 1858. Chocolate Gianduja at Lutece
A high-profile cast. An acclaimed local director. A thorough traipse through the country's colonial past. While that description applies to a growing number of Aussie films (Sweet Country and The Nightingale, just to name two recent examples), it'll never get old — as new frontier western High Ground demonstrates. Indeed, while Stephen Maxwell Johnson's film feels like a natural addition to this growing genre, it also makes its own imprint. The setup: on what's supposed to be a routine expedition in Arnhem Land, almost the entirety of an Indigenous tribe is wiped out by northern Australian police. Their leader Travis (Simon Baker) isn't responsible for the carnage, but it weighs heavily on him in the aftermath. In this gorgeously shot, deeply contemplative drama, Travis is still haunted by the incident 12 years later, in the 1930s, which is when the bulk of the feature takes place. The ex-World War I sniper is enlisted by his superior (Jack Thompson) and his former partner (Callan Mulvey) to track down one of the massacre's revenge-seeking survivors — all while accompanied by boy-turned-tracker Gutjuk (Jacob Junior Nayinggul), who also lived through the slaughter. When High Ground premiered at this year's Berlinale, it deservedly wowed crowds. Since then, it opened the Brisbane International Film Festival and screened at the Adelaide Film Festival — and it has stints planned at Sydney Film Festival's My Cinema My Film Festival touring event in November and December, and during its summer weekend program in January. It'll hit Aussie cinemas in general release come January 28, and it has just revealed its tension-dripping full trailer. As well as Baker, Thompson and Mulvey — and phenomenal first-timer Jacob Junior Nayinggul — High Ground also stars Aaron Pedersen, Ryan Corr and Caren Pistorius (Unhinged), plus debutants Esmerelda Marimowa and Witiyana Marika. It's the second film from Johnson, who previously directed 2001's Yolngu Boy. The filmmaker grew up living in the Northern Territory, and also directed music videos for Yothu Yindi — including for 1991 track 'Treaty'. Check out the High Ground trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL-G4oCoDF0&feature=youtu.be High Ground opens in Australian cinemas on January 28, 2021.
Sandals, swords, a shirtless Paul Mescal, fighting a rhinoceros, Ridley Scott behind the lens: welcome to the Gladiator II arena. The first trailer for the filmmaker's 24-years-later sequel to his 2000 Oscar-winner also includes odious Emperors — yes, multiple — plus seafaring clashes in the Colosseum. And, alongside Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington can't stop thinking about the Roman Empire Mescal's (All of Us Strangers) Lucius watched the climactic events of 2000's Russell Crowe (The Exorcism) and Joaquin Phoenix (Napoleon)-starring film, as the sneak peek explains, which is just one of the ties that Gladiator II boasts with its predecessor. Another: Connie Nielsen (Origin) returning from Gladiator as Lucilla, Lucius' mother. If the sequel's protagonist didn't have his own date with Rome's iconic amphitheatre, there wouldn't be much of a film. His stint comes after Emperors Caracalla (Joseph Quinn, A Quiet Place: Day One) and Geta (Fred Hechinger, The White Lotus) take over his home. Queue a quest for revenge, plus glory for Rome, with Pascal's (Drive-Away Dolls) general Marcus Acacius becoming Lucius' target. As for Washington (The Equalizer 3), he plays power broker Macrinus. Alien, Blade Runner and Thelma & Louise director Scott has been in blast-from-the-past mode for over a decade now, first revisiting the Alien realm with Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, then reteaming with Phoenix on Napoleon, and now helming his second Gladiator flick. Of late, he's also been fond of making movies set in the past — long ago and more recent — as not only seen with Napoleon, but also with House of Gucci, The Last Duel and All the Money in the World. With Gladiator II, the British filmmaker teams up two of the internet's boyfriends in Mescal and Pascal, and promises a battle-filled time following up the feature that picked up Best Picture, Best Actor (for Crowe), Best Costume Design, Best Sound and Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards. Scott also earned his second Best Director nomination, after Thelma & Louise — and before Black Hawk Down gave him a third. Gladiator II hits cinemas Down Under on Thursday, November 14, 2024, which means that local audiences will see it a week before American audiences. In the US, viewers are in for a Barbenheimer-style release day with the film and Wicked Part One arriving on the same date, Friday, November 22. Repeating that possible new moviegoing phenomenon in Australia and New Zealand had already been nixed, however, given that the first Wicked flick won't reach picture palaces here until Thursday, November 28. Check out the trailer for Gladiator II below: Gladiator II opens in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, November 14, 2024.
Garlic bread — representing the holy trinity of bread, garlic, and butter — is something created by the gluten gods to make us mortals (sans coeliacs) very, very happy. Welcome to Bowen Hills is aware of this, as demonstrated by the fact that it's devoting a whole day to your fave carbohydrate situation: the Garlic Bread Festival. But Saturday, June 22 isn't't just for standard garlic bread. You'll also find genius hybrids such as garlic bread burgers and garlic bread pizzas on offer. So prepare thy tummy — while the food truck lineup hasn't yet been revealed, cheesy garlic bread and garlic-inspired drinks have also been promised. And the good ol' fashioned variety of garlic bread, obviously. There is an ATM on-site for emergency carb top-ups. Kids are welcome from noon until 9pm, doggos are welcome all day and all night, and both will probably lose their minds over the tasty scraps. Praise be to wheat.
“We must rediscover”, wrote Austrian philosopher Ivan Illich, “the distinction between hope and expectation”. Jurassic World may now offer us that opportunity. Back in April, hopes were high that this would finally be the film to return the franchise to greatness, however — to paraphrase The Dark Knight — this is not the film we’d hoped for, but the one we should have expected. Why is it a giant disappointasaurus? Let us count the ways. IT’S ALL JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY REPEATED So, there’s a revolutionary dinosaur preserve on an island off Costa Rica. Two young children, relatives of the park’s chief administrator, visit and receive a VIP tour, only for an enormous dinosaur to escape its pen, trash the kids’ glass-roofed transport and begin killing park employees. The park’s innovators, InGen, only make matters worse, but, thankfully, there’s an old-school expert on hand to keep the kids alive, even when they're circled by three ravenous raptors in the climatic finale that sees a T-Rex come to the rescue right in the heart of the Visitor Centre. Don’t know which Jurassic film we're talking about? Exactly. SAFETY FIRST, PEOPLE In 1992 John Hammond tried to open Jurassic Park, but (unfortunately) some things went wrong and people died. His son tried again a few years later, but (unfortunately) some things went wrong and people died. Couple of years after that, Sam Neil went back to the islands and again, people died. It was very unfortunate. Point is: if you're somehow convinced that 'fourth time's a charm', you begin by ensuring that every single design aspect of your dinosaur theme park is grounded in the knowledge that things could go wrong and people might die. Now, I'm no structural engineer, but for me that at least means having: a. A bunker capable of securing every person on the island within minutes; and b. enough transportation off the island for every person who's on it. 'Lifeboats on the Titanic', and all that. Unfortunately, in Jurassic World, the definitive emergency protocol involves: keeping things quiet (because, money), having inexperienced teenagers herd everyone into an open-air Visitor Complex alongside the two largest dinosaurs on the island and then calling for a moderate-sized ferry to crawl back over from Costa Rica to pick up some of the people. SHE’LL BE RIGHT Early on in Jurassic World we hear the park’s operations manager, Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), complain that “this is the second time this month” that a dinosaur has breached its security perimeter, before dispatching a team to quietly fix it up. The second time. In a month. The fact that it was a herbivore is entirely irrelevant. Even if it had been nothing more than a prehistoric butterfly or an aggressively-growing shrub, you'd shut that entire park down in a heartbeat until there were no security breaches. Ever. The logic failings of Jurassic World are so glaring from so early on that you basically want everyone to die just to punish them for unbelievable stupidity. RECEPTION! RECEPTION! MY KINGDOM FOR RECEPTION! You know what would be a great twist in a movie? Someone whipping out their mobile phone and it having perfectly good reception. Sadly, though, for both the visitors and staff of Jurassic World, despite being in a state-of-the-art theme park that literally lets you ride glass orbs through herds of genetically engineered dinosaurs one full decade into the scientific era of ‘de-extinction’, nobody's yet figured out how to put a cell tower on top of a tall hill. WHO? 1993’s Jurassic Park was full of wonderfully crafted, three-dimensional characters whose names we still recall more than two decades later. John Hammond, Doctors Grant and Sattler, Ian Malcolm, Dennis Nedry, Timmy and Lex — heck, we even remember the names of the dinosaurs (did someone say dilophosaurus?). They’re all still memorable because of their distinct personalities and carefully selected attributes, both human and reptile. Lex knew UNIX. She knew UNIX. Jurassic World, by contrast, is more like the Star Wars prequels in that you refer to characters like you were giving police a vague description of the gang that mugged you. “Well, um, there’s the uptight redhead who never takes her heels off, her assistant (she’s British, I remember that she was British), the rich guy who was semi-charismatic, but then just died, those two kids (the younger one seemed to know some stuff about DNA but it never amounted to anything, so...), oh, and the hero! He was kinda cool, but we never really got to know what he wanted or desired, so he just sort of... stayed cool and did cool things”. Sorry folks, the only character you’re going to feel anything for in this film is a dying Apatosaurus. That indistinct gang stole your $20 and you’re never getting it back. KNOW YOUR STARS The stars of Jurassic Park were the dinosaurs, specifically the T-Rex and the velociraptors. All those memorable humans listed above — their excellent performances notwithstanding — were in supporting roles and that suited everyone just fine. In Jurassic World, there are at least loads of dinosaurs, including two fantastic new editions: the mosasaurus (a giant shark-eating sea creature) and the terrifying hybrid known as the ‘Indominus Rex’. The problem is, we see the Mosa the leasta, and the Indominus, despite sporting some amazing features like camouflage, scarcely uses them. In a movie full of branding, it almost seems incomprehensible that a dinosaur capable of going full chameleon doesn’t at some point blend into the park’s background with its skin adopting the Jurassic logo (or, you know, those of IBM and McDonalds). "IMAGINE IF WE’D HAD THESE IN TORA BORA" Vincent D’Onofrio’s character wants to weaponise raptors for the US military to use in the place of drones. It sounds pretty insane, but to be fair, the US Navy has already trained dolphins to protect its ships, recover gear and detect mines. Still, D’Onofrio's line was so terrifically stupid that the audience laughed. The mere mention of freedom-loving velociraptors hunting down bin Laden in Afghanistan like some sort of Squeal Team Six ought to have had his character institutionalised, but instead he somehow ended up Head of InGen security and given full licence to test out his theory. Also, his constant allusions to "65 millions years of instinct” fundamentally misunderstand the concept of ‘time', in that if something lived 65 million years ago, died and is then brought back to life today, it has not accrued aeons of life experience in the downtime. $700 MILLION ON DAY 1 Yes, it’s a blockbuster. In fact, it’s the blockbuster, breaking all opening day records in the US. Why? Because, dammit, we want to see dinosaurs and Jurassic World has dinosaurs. Big ones, cute ones, scary ones and familiar ones. It ultimately gives us exactly what we want, which is why — in the absence of a good story — it’s such a shame it couldn’t also give us what we’d hoped for.
What do we love? Summer, obviously. Pashing the pool boy. Palm trees. Pina Coladas. But how will the ice cream-licking public know that we love these things? We need some fresh accessory, some new sartorial canvas with which to advertise our priorities in life. "Aha," muse Soludos and We Are Handsome simultaneously. "We shall bring summer to the feet of the people." Hence, the We Are Handsome x Soludos collection, comprising the first-ever digitally printed photographic espadrilles. The evocative collection is the latest collab by Soludos; past partners in creative crime have included Opening Ceremony, Mara Hoffman and Bassike. Not to be alarmist, but this is a limited edition exclusive to Australia and the US, so it might sell out stat. It's got four classic WAH prints adorning the breezy 100 percent cotton uppers of espadrilles ($67) as well as hot sexy derby-style lace-ups ($81). The numero uno design is arguably the vintage Miami Hideaway lace-ups, which, let's face it, you should probably just wear on your hands because they're too good for feet. WAH director Jeremy Somers honours the Paradise and Tropical prints with this most noble creed: "Living a never-ending summer is what both Soludos and We Are Handsome are all about, and nothing personifies this better than the iconic image of the humble, but fantastic palm tree." Indeed. And who's that, prowling through the foliage? Why, it's the Vagabond, an escapee from Siegfried and Roy's. "Whether it’s a panda, eagle or lion face bikini bottom, I’ve always loved the unexpected, bold tongue-in-cheek attitude and vivid '80s-inspired photo print design of We Are Handsome," says Soludos founder Nick Brown. "It's been a really fun process working with We Are Handsome and we have ended up with some wild designs that capture both brands' love for all things summer." Amen, and can we please have a music video with Solange dancing in these? It just feels right.
Festivals with international headliners are well and truly back, and that doesn't just apply to music. When Antidote — the Sydney Opera House's fest of ideas, art and change — returns on Sunday, September 11, it's bringing an impressive lineup of international names with it. Here's three: Brian Cox, Jenny Slate and Jarvis Cocker. Fresh from spending three seasons yelling about a business empire on one of television's biggest shows, Succession star Cox headlines the Antidote bill. The iconic actor will make the trip Down Under to chat about his career, including his ability to play characters known for their anger, malicious ways and sinister mood — which, yes, spans more than just the hit HBO series. His discussion is called The Evil in Us All, after all. [caption id="attachment_859192" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Katie McCurdy[/caption] As for Slate, don't be suspicious. The Parks and Recreation, Obvious Child, I Want You Back and Everything Everywhere All At Once star, and Marcel the Shell with Shoes On author, will hit Sydney to focus on finding joy and laughter in our weird lives. She also has essay collection Little Weirds to her name, so she'll be on topic. Pulp frontman Cocker isn't playing tunes — no 'Common People' or 'Disco 2000' for you, sorry — but he will be showing folks his attic. His livestreamed conversation is called Good Pop, Bad Pop, just like his recently released memoir, and it'll feature him talking through some of the things he's collected, the tales behind them, and what the objects we hide away say about us. [caption id="attachment_859191" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tom Jamieson[/caption] Also on the Antidote lineup: bestselling author Mohsin Hamid (Moth Smoke, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Exit West), chatting about white anxiety, privilege and prejudice — and Olivia Laing (The Trip to Echo Springs, The Lonely City, Everybody: A Book About Freedom), with the award-winner talking about oppression, resistance and bodies via livestream. Or, there's an event called Ukraine Has Changed Us, which'll include Ukrainian poet and recent Nobel Prize in Literature nominee Serhiy Zhadan live from Kharkiv. Responding to our times in a different way, The Atlantic's science writer Ed Yong, a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist, will discuss global biosecurity and potential pandemics beyond COVID-19. He's the last of the fest's four guests that are appearing via video link — and he'll speak with epidemiologist and UNSW Chair of Biosecurity Professor Raina MacIntyre. [caption id="attachment_859193" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jillian Edelstein.[/caption] Looking local, former Aussie Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will chat about disinformation online, while Australian Greens leader Adam Bandt, newly elected independent MP Allegra Spender and former politician Cathy McGowan will discuss the recent Federal Election results — specifically, the record number of Independents and Greens voted in, and what that means for the country. Elsewhere, Gunai artist and writer Kirli Saunders will lead a panel with Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung man and CEO of the Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Co-operative Gary Williams about preserving and sharing Australia's Indigenous languages. The full Antidote lineup spans 17 talks, conversations and panels, plus four workshops, and an art activation as well — all of which covers chats about storytelling, balancing living with tragedy with retaining hope, Australia's future from a First Nations standpoint, ditching careers in media to become doctors, campaign reporting and China's growing power, too. And in great news for everyone who can't make it along in-person — such as folks living outside of Sydney — almost all of the lineup will be livestreamed. Yes, that includes Cox, Slate, Cocker, Hamid, Laing and Yong's sessions. [caption id="attachment_859190" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prudence Upton[/caption] Antidote will take place at the Sydney Opera House, and online, on Sunday, September 11. Ticket pre-sales start at 9am on Tuesday, June 28 — and general sales start at the same time for livestreams, and at 9am on Monday, July 1 for in-person tickets. Top image: Succession, David M. Russell/HBO ©2020 HBO. All Rights Reserved.
Brisbane is at its buzzy best during one of the most laidback weeks of the year between Christmas and New Years. If you're looking for things to do or inspiration on how to enjoy this peak stretch of summer downtime, our curated guide has you covered. Get Pampered at a Day Spa The silly season can be taxing after a long year, so why not supercharge your end of year recharge at a relaxing day spa. If you know where to look, they're peppered throughout Brisbane, each offering their own take on serenity and relaxation. Whether you prefer a dose of float therapy or a steamy sauna sesh, this is how to kick the best week of the year up a notch. Take a Paddle Down the River Brisbane River hardly needs an introduction, considering the waterway snakes its way through the heart of the city, with options to cross it on foot (via one of the many bridges running over it) or via ferry. Get up close and personal with the majestic river and see Brisbane from an entirely new vantage point. Rent a kayak and make a day of it, being sure to pack a sandwich lunch made with Abbott's Bakery bread for a day out on the water. The expansive river goes on for kilometres and features a diverse array of scenery to take in, so you'd best have a feed at the ready to keep your strength up. Have a Summer Sesh on the Water at a Bar or Brewery There's no shortage of venues along the river to soak in the summer vibes that Brisbane does so well. A long, unhurried summer sesh is exactly what's called for between Christmas and New Years. For a spur of the moment sesh, head to Felons Brewing Co. The sprawling brewery not only has plenty of brews that have come to life on-site, but also plenty of space so you should be able to find a spot even on short notice. Head to the Coast for a Laze on a Beach Swapping the city for the coast is always a crowdpleaser. Noosa, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast each have their charms and you never regret a swim. There's something about a dip in the Pacific Ocean that just washes away stress and dials up the relaxation. [caption id="attachment_976496" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Darren Tierney[/caption] Go on a Road Trip Out of the City Drive a little further and the beauty of what's beyond Brisbane in greater Queensland awaits. Take your favourite snacks, prepare a car-friendly sandwich lunch with Abbott's Bakery bread and hit the road. There are sights to revel in in all directions — from rainforests to waterfalls and even vineyards and mountains. You could even swing by multiple spots in one long, interconnected road trip. There are no rules, only possibilities. [caption id="attachment_702576" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Explore the Greenery at D'Aguilar National Park Stretching over 36,000 hectares, with gorges, pockets of rainforest, eucalyptus woodlands and views for days, D'Aguilar National Park will transport you right out of Brisbane — without actually requiring you to leave the city. The park is split into a northern region and a southern region, and there's no way you can cover everything in one day, but no matter where you decide to pull up stumps, you'll want to pack your bag with sandwiches, snacks and water to fuel your intrepid adventures. Swap your bag for a basket if a carefree picnic in one of the parks many picnic and lookout areas is preferred. [caption id="attachment_899402" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] Stay in and Stay Cool You don't need us to tell you that Brisbane's heat can be brutal. When it all gets too much and all you really want to do is crank up the AC or perch yourself in front of a fan, we say do it. There's no better time for it than between Christmas and New Years too, when responsibilities are minimal and you can pass your time however you please. Catch up on your streaming or any podcasts and music you've haven't gotten around to. Use your Christmas leftovers in a scrumptious ham sandwich for an easy, delicious lunch that doesn't require stepping a single foot outside the house. Discover the full range of Abbott's Bakery bread and create your ideal sandwich.
Can logic and science co-exist with the metaphysical and supernatural? "I think that's what I'm exploring in all of my work," says Robert Eggers. A decade on from making his first feature, and marking himself as one of horror's spectacular new voices at the time, the acclaimed writer/director has the filmography — The Witch, The Lighthouse, The Northman and now Nosferatu — to prove it, of course. "And I think that the difficulty with this stuff is if you believe it, it's true. So I think that's why I explore it in the safety of cinema rather than diving into the deep end and ending up in the madhouse." Whenever Nosferatu sinks its teeth into the silver screen, be it in FW Murnau's 1922 original, or when the inimitable Werner Herzog (The Fire Within: A Requiem for Katia and Maurice Krafft) followed in his compatriot's footsteps with 1979's Nosferatu the Vampyre, or now that Eggers has crafted his own take, it unfurls a tale of gothic obsession. Fixation and passion also sits at the heart of how this icon of horror cinema keeps flickering through picture palaces. It all started with an unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, which is why the narrative is so similar but the names have been changed. When Herzog gave it a spin, it was because he considered the first movie to be "the greatest German film". Eggers himself has been drawn to Nosferatu since childhood, even directing an iteration of it as a play in high school. (He also appreciates that for the generation that grew up with SpongeBob SquarePants, so kids from 1999 onwards, that might now be commonplace given that discovering Nosferatu can spring via the animated show.) As Dracula clearly is as well, Nosferatu is easy to be passionate about. The OG film is a masterpiece — of silent cinema, of German Expressionism, of horror and just in general. Count Orlok, as initially played by Max Schreck, is a hauntingly unforgettable screen presence. There's no missing the fervour that Eggers has for all things Nosferatu in his movie, or how lovingly that he regards the original. But while there's a packed coffin full of nods backwards in his feature, an Eggers film always feels distinctively like an Eggers film. He's been embracing period-set horror from the get-go anyway, and he repeatedly demonstrates again and again that he's only ever interested in realising his own meticulous — and stunning — celluloid visions. Willem Dafoe (Saturday Night), a veteran of The Lighthouse and The Northman before becoming Nosferatu's Professor Albin Eberhart von Franz, knows all about Eggers' way of working. Asked to describe the director's work, the actor who earned a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for portraying Schreck in 2000's Shadow of the Vampire — a riff on the making of Murnau's Nosferatu — notes that the filmmakers' oeuvre is "contact with stories from another time that have a relevance to now. Beautiful shots. Very detailed, not-conventional cutting. Great art direction. Great shooting. Hopefully good actors. That's kind of the checklist." Dafoe continues: "obviously I've worked with Robert three times and I want to work with him some more. I enjoy it so much, because for an actor it's a dream. He gives you fun things to do, and you're sent to a world that is so rich that it's far easier to pretend and entertain a new set of conditions, thoughts, feelings. And for me, as an actor that's always what I'm interested in — to make contact with stuff that's beyond my experience." There's absolutely no 'hopefully' about Nosferatu's excellent cast. After playing Pennywise in IT and IT: Chapter Two, Bill Skarsgård (Boy Kills World) is Eggers' Orlok — and he's a force to behold. The object of his obsession: Lily-Rose Depp (The Idol ) in a physically committed and entrancing performance as Ellen Hutter, who is newly married to real-estate agent Thomas (Nicholas Hoult, Renfield). The latter is dispatched from the couple's home in Wisborg to Transylvania to assist Orlok with purchasing a property. As Ellen remains in Germany — and as her connection to Orlok begins to fester and torment — she stays with Thomas' old pal Friedrich Harding (Aaron Taylor-Johnson, The Fall Guy), his pregnant wife Anna (Emma Corrin, A Murder at the End of the World) and their children. Taylor-Johnson couldn't have been more eager to be involved. "Sometimes I feel like when you get a filmmaker like Robert — firstly I admired his work and was like 'I'll do anything to be a Robert Eggers movie'. And then all of a sudden, you get this this invitation, this letter and a call saying he's doing something and would like you to be a part of it. You can't quite believe that's happening. You can go 'great, I don't even need to read a script — whatever you want me to do'," he advises. Corrin shares enthusiasm for the experience, and for jumping into horror. "I guess it's fun because it's a unique set of challenges. I've certainly found it interesting, how you craft a scene — I think it's a very specific way that you obviously approach shooting scenes to make them have that suspense, and especially if there's a jump-scare onboard." For them specifically, however, a particular gauntlet awaited: rats. "I remember reading that in the script early on, and texting Rob and being like 'hey, man, wondering if the rats are going to be CGI or are they going to be real? Just curious'. He was like 'definitely real, no CGI'. And yeah, it was intense. I had about 20–30 rats on me. I was also topless, which was interesting. It was bleak, if I'm honest. I tried to be quite brave about it." Why Nosferatu fascinates Eggers, what excited Dafoe about collaborating with the filmmaker, digging into tested beliefs and internal conflict, acting opposite Depp's can't-look-away portrayal: all of that also spanned Concrete Playground's chat with Eggers, Dafoe, Corrin and Taylor-Johnson. So did Count Orlok's look, Dafoe's own history with Nosferatu, Eggers' exacting way of working, giving a century-old film a modern lens and more. On Why Nosferatu Has Fascinated Eggers Since Childhood, Including Turning It Into a Play When He Was a Teenager Robert: "It's very hard to say. I think certainly the Murnau film had a major impact on me, and initially it was Max Schreck's performance and just the power of the simple fairy-tale adaptation that Murnau made of the Dracula story. But as I have grown older and learn more about the occult, and vampire folklore from Eastern Europe — and hysteria and 19th-century medicine — the more that I found that it was a story that I was able to really embrace and put many of my interests in, and to use the framework to explore the things that were exciting to me creatively." On What Excites Dafoe About Working with Eggers After Collaborating on The Lighthouse, The Northman and Now Nosferatu Willem: "Just the personal nature of what he does. The detailed nature of what he does. The kind of investment. It's not work, you know. He's playing to his pleasure and his interests. And then I just like being around him. He inspires me, gives fun things to do. I get a little self-conscious — he's sitting right here. Number one, obviously I'm all in. But check the boxes. He's everywhere on the set. The thing that's really impressive, and I know other people that do this, but it's really impressive that on the set there's such detail, that nothing is there for decoration. It's all function. It's all functional. It has a place. It has a history. And when you can feel the origins of things and where they're placed in the world, that really gives you a reality that's easy to enter. It's a reality that you're not covering anything — you're living in it. And it's very easy with a little willfulness to say that our world drops away and you're in that world. It's an exercise in pretending, and he makes it very simple by giving you a very rich world to exist in." On What Corrin Was Keen to Dig Into in the Film, Including Tested Beliefs and Internal Conflict Emma: "I think Anna has an interesting journey, because she is constantly fighting between her love of Ellen and her own beliefs. And there's a lot of conflict between those two things, because she's very devoutly religious and doesn't believe in a spiritual world — especially a spiritual world based on the occult and folklore — and obviously all of everything Ellen's experiencing points to the existence of that world, which would remove the very foundation of her worldview, everything about how she's been raised, and all of her beliefs. And yet she really loves her friend and wants to be there for her. So I think that experience of Anna, of being with Ellen in such close proximity and witnessing this, it gets to the point where she can't — I think for both Anna Friedrich, actually, they can't not see it anymore. It becomes so obvious what's happening, and then it's so confronting. And you see all of their own beliefs and whatever sort of falling away before their eyes, which is a very scary and vulnerable place for them to be in, especially with kids. I think that I, as an actor, I guess I enjoy complexity and internal conflict in a person. It's very interesting to portray." On How You React When Such a Physical Performance, as Lily-Rose Depp Turns in as Ellen, Sits at the Heart of a Film Emma: "You can't help have a really quite visceral reaction to watching someone who, as you say, who's doing such a committed physical piece of acting. It constantly, I think, blew our minds how she was contorting her body, and the choreography and the stamina that she needed to have as a performer to do that take after take after take — and offer so much. It was incredible. It was a real gift to act opposite because we didn't have to — there no acting required. It was very easy to imagine what these two people, how they would react to what they were seeing." Aaron: "It's definitely extraordinary. I feel very privileged to have been in the room witnessing a performance like that, that felt very raw and with no vanity, and it just felt it was disturbing in real life — and I knew it was going to be shocking on film." On Finding the Right Aesthetic for Bill Skarsgård as Nosferatu's Count Orlok Robert: "Bill is playing a folk vampire. He's an animated corpse, and not Frank Langella in a tuxedo. And that was very enjoyable to create. The look of a dead Transylvanian nobleman, we have certain nods, certain details that remind the audience of Max Schreck, because we have to also be respectful of that. But it was really nice. And while the look was completed by myself and David White [who also worked on The Northman], the prosthetics designer, we also had a Transylvanian folklore expert, Florin Lazarescu [Aferim!], who reminded me 'you know, Robert, a lot of times they talk about the strigoi being a red face'. And so if you'll notice, there are moments when you can see blood pooling under the skin after he's been feeding and stuff like that, which are some fun details." On Returning to the World of Nosferatu After Being Nominated for an Oscar for Max Schreck in Shadow of the Vampire Willem: "They're so different, the films, the intentions, what kinds of films they are. That was very important to me. First of all, I love the Murnau film. I had known it before working on Shadow of the Vampire. Shadow of the Vampire was basically a comic performance. And it leaned heavily on the Murnau because, basically, to find the character I copied a lot of what I saw in the Murnau. That was the starting point. So it was a great lesson in working with a mask, because I had extreme makeup, and that's the first time that it really — maybe not the first time, but it reminded me that if you look different, you move different, you start to feel different and you really have a possibility that becomes a trigger for pretending that's very potent. And you can even do things that you couldn't imagine before because you're drawing on something that's intuitive. It's not shaped, it's not indicated, it's not something you control, it's in your imagination. So that was very important. So then when Rob talks about doing Nosferatu, of course he's not talking to me about playing Nosferatu, but he tells me about this fantastic character that I always felt like is the role he would play if he were in the cast of this movie. So I've been working with him before, knowing his interests and having him give me all this rich material to research, to prepare for the role, that was the connection. It all connected to that other experience, but at the same time, you can't force a relationship between those two films because they're so different and when you finish one, you make room for the next." On the Meticulous Detail and Structure — and No Room for Improvisation — That Comes with Working with Eggers Emma: "I think we were lucky because our characters aren't explored very much in the original. But Rob definitely brought them to life in a certain way — in a very particular way — that was important for this film, because they represent this beacon of light against this darkness that envelops everyone. And in that way, we had a bit of carte blanche, I suppose. But then Rob is so specific in the way he creates characters and the backstory — he's very meticulously thought-out back story for everyone, which I think I find really helpful. I don't know if I'm a big fan of freedom. I think I like specific notes and specific ideas." Aaron: "Structure." Emma: "Yeah, structure." Aaron: "Honestly, I agree. He was so thought-out on everything. I mean, the only thing I probably could have brought was that I was allowed to like [ask] 'can I have mutton chops and some a great big moustache'. And I think that was it. That was allowed." Emma: "Was that you?" Aaron: "Well I wanted some kind of facial hair. I think he wanted something distinctive because they'd already started working with Nic, and he wanted me to have a big twizzly moustache, so that grew and grew. I think there's a little bit of conversation about that. I wanted to improv and he was like 'absolutely not'. So I was like 'okay, well I'll just do what you say'." On How Eggers' Nosferatu Brings a Modern Lens to a Century-Old Classic Aaron: "This story is 100 years old, but yet it's still very relevant today. And I think originally that movie came out, came off the back of the Spanish flu, and it became this metaphorical piece of art reflecting, mirroring reality. And being that we've just come through a global pandemic and we've all been through this feeling of this wave of fear that comes through a city and disrupts everybody in such a panic and a way, it felt very much — I remember reading it and being 'whoa, this seems like, it feels like this'. And then Robert goes 'well, that's originally what it was for 1921'. But then at the fundamental core of it, there's a theme throughout that's about love and battling with your demons, and having shame with this deepest, deepest darkest secret that you've carried from a childhood into your adult life — and how it's going to affect your relationship, and all this sort of stuff. So it's very powerful. I think for our characters, when you're saying this modern element, it's like it was the missing piece to the puzzle. So the original one, our characters aren't involved in that, and so Robert created this next three-dimensional world — this family that lives in Wisborg, and Ellen is staying in this household that is very much this beacon of light, and they're a loving family. They've got children. They've got everything that Nicholas' character aspires to be. And so it's just Robert building upon that world and making it more contemporary, and making it more relatable. They're a very grounded family and arguably they are far more loving than you probably would find in that kind of period. They're very passionate. There's a lot of eroticism throughout the movie, and Emma's character is pregnant with their third child. It's interesting." On the Allure of Period-Set Horror for Eggers Robert: "I just enjoy learning about the past. That's how I like to understand who we are and where we're going — by where we came from. It's what has always excited me, even as a kid. And if I wasn't a filmmaker, maybe I would be an archaeologist. This is just what I enjoy, but also, for making these genre films, I think it's easier to tell — like if you're talking about witches and vampires and things like that, it's easier to make them scary if you are in a period where everybody believed in them, more or less. And obviously in this film, in Wisborg, that's not quite the case, but you get my point." On Dafoe's Experience Working with the Rest of the Cast Willem: "I enjoyed it so much because they're so turned on. Sometimes with older actors, they're comparing their experience that they're having to something in the past. While I find younger actors — now, keep in mind someone like Nic and Aaron, actually many of the actors, are very experienced, so let's not get crazy here; they aren't so young and inexperienced, to tell you the truth — but there's just an excitement. There was an excitement that you could feel for them working with Rob. You're just there. You don't make those distinctions. You're playing characters. You're all on the same footing. You're all trying to fold into the story and help each other, and disappear into the story. So I was looking today, we were shooting pictures, and it's a very special group to a person. Really, there's not a stinker in the group. So the simple answer is: I was very happy to work with this cast, because seldom do you have a cast that's so uniformly strong, not only in performing, but also I remember we took portraits in the costumes and everybody had a look that was very believable and very credible. There was no flourish. The look was very rooted. Robert cast them very well, not only for their look, but also for their talent." Nosferatu releases in cinemas Down Under on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Images: © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.
Usually when a Brisbanite heads to Westfield Chermside, they're going shopping. Or, they could be seeing a movie or having a bite to eat. Normally, though, a trip to the sprawling northside centre doesn't involve swinging in a rainbow room or hopping in a ball pit — or cuddling teddy bears either. From Thursday, June 24, all of the above activities are on the agenda at the busy shopping complex. So is being surrounded by colour and neon lights aplenty, too. The reason: the folks behind the sweet-themed Sugar Republic pop-up museum are returning to the town, bringing their latest multi-room installation with them. So, get ready to make your way through The Selfie Lab (and to see it take over your Instagram feeds, obviously). Whether they're doing Christmas pop-ups in Melbourne or hosting a Museum of Love in Sydney, all of this group's activities are designed to be snapped — so this time they're just calling that out in the event's name. Drop by and you'll find a greatest hits-style set up across The Selfie Lab's 16 rooms. In other words, it's rolling out some of the past spaces that everyone loved, just in a different location. New rooms featuring photogenic decor that audiences haven't seen before will also be part of the installation; think: Palm Springs motels, 50s diners and 80s bedrooms, as well as a space that promises to take visitors to the moon. There'll also be a candy bar — because the Sugar Republic crew were never going to forgo sweetness — and work onsite by Brisbane illustrator Alex Darrafa. Making its home opposite Uniqlo on Westfield Chermside's second level, The Selfie Lab is popping up for a good time, not a long time — but it does seem that this vibrant space might stick around for a bit. The website promises new installations each season; however, given how popular the group's other events have proven, getting in quickly is still recommended. Tickets cost $25 plus booking fee for a one-hour run through the space — phone in-hand, of course, so you can keep snapping pics. Find The Selfie Lab on Level 2 of Westfield Chermside, Corner of Gympie and Hamilton roads, Chermside, from Thursday, June 24 — open daily from 10am. For further details and to book tickets, head to the pop-up's website.
The Case Against Adnan Syed did it. Across both its first and second seasons, Dirty John did too. We're talking about TV shows that leapt to the screen from podcasts, because this genre isn't going anywhere soon. The latest example: Dr Death. Obviously, that moniker doesn't bode well from the outset — for the patients treated by Christopher Duntsch, that is. If you've heard the Wondery podcast that shares the series' name, you'll know how this true tale turns out. And if you haven't, prepared to watch a horrific real-life situation unfold in this new eight-episode drama. Working in Dallas during the past decade, Duntsch was originally a rising neurosurgery star. Then, as the series charts, his patients started leaving the operating theatre either permanently maimed or dead. If you've ever faced going under the knife, this is pure, unfettered and deeply disturbing nightmare fuel — and it all really happened. Joshua Jackson plays Duntsch, and is bound to shed any lingering Dawson's Creek-era affection audiences might have for him in the process (and fondness from The Mighty Ducks and Fringe, too). He's joined by Alec Baldwin (Pixie) and Christian Slater (Dirty John) as fellow surgeons who raise the alarm, and also by AnnaSophia Robb (Words on Bathroom Walls) as the Dallas prosecutor who takes the case. As both the initial trailer and just-dropped new clip for the series show, this is quite the bleak story. Whether you already know how it all turns out or you'll be discovering the details fresh, you'll be able to watch Dr Death on Stan from Friday, July 16. It's dropping all of its episodes at once, too, if you're in need of some grim mid-winter binge-viewing material. Check out the trailer below: Dr Death will be available to stream via Stan on Friday, July 16. Top image: Barbara Nitke/Peacock.
The event that floods Instagram feeds with thousands of vibrant flowers has returned to the Southern Highlands. Now in its 59th year, the annual Tulip Time festival features over 75,000 tulips planted throughout Bowral's Corbett Gardens and the surrounding Shire. If the stunning sight of a tens of thousands of the bulbous flowers isn't quite enough for you, you'll be happy to know there's heaps of stuff happening at the garden throughout the two weeks, which is located a 90-minute drive southwest of Sydney. Expect live music, as well as a food-filled festival marketplace, with this year's event taking place between Tuesday, September 24 and Monday, October 7 If you're fond of Mary Poppins — and given that Australia now has a museum dedicated to the character, it seems plenty of folks are — you'll also be in luck. Author PL Travers spent some of her childhood in Bowral, so, with 2019 marking 85 years since the magical nanny made her first appearance on the page, Tulip Time is celebrating the occasion as well. Image: Destination NSW
Whatever you have to say cheers to, there's a place in Brisbane to do it. If you're keen to clink glasses somewhere that you've never sipped before, the River City keeps adding new bars in beloved digs that were once other drinking spots, in old warehouses, by revitalising heritage-listed favourites, cascading down to the water and even cruising on it. So, it's time to make like Santa. We've created the list; now you can get ticking. 'Tis the season not only to get merry over cocktails with a view, brews in a sunny beer garden or vino in a dedicated neighbourhood wine joint, but to check out ten bars that first opened their doors in 2023 and left an impression.
The second relatively prominent Aussie horror film of the year, Damien Power's Killing Ground sits alongside Hounds of Love in terms of brutality, bone-chills and its capacity to inspire feelings of nausea in its viewers. Where it doesn't match up, however, is in doing something new with the disturbing violence that it pedals. The film tells the story of a camping ground from three different perspectives. First up is a young couple, Ian and Sam (played by Ian Meadows and Harriet Dyer), who embark on a New Year's Eve jaunt away from the city, only to find there's already a tent set-up in the remote place they thought they'd have to themselves. Number two are the owners of said tent: a family of four complete with teenager and a toddler named Ollie. Three is a pair of reprehensible men, German and Chook (Aaron Pederson and Aaron Glenane). By the time the penny drops and Ian and Sam figure out that the tent is empty, the audience has already cottoned on: the three storylines aren't happening consecutively, and bad things have already occurred. It's a clever plot device, but the cleverness runs out there. The film succeeds, in part, in setting up an environment that for all its sun and lake views will make you feel bitterly cold inside. Aaron Pederson's German is a terrifying, unpredictable vision of unhinged male violence, and the sight of a distressed Ollie wandering around alone is both sickening and chilling. Once Sam and Ian have gauged that all is not well with Ollie's parents, the film quickly descends into a tale of violence, rape, and a whole lot of frustration on the part of the audience. The couple take a truly infuriating amount of time to realise they should just leave and call the police – Ian even willingly accompanying Chook on a search mission to the nearby falls which will "only take 15 minutes", even though there's a sign that says the falls are 4km away. I mean come on Ian, you're a doctor, you're supposed to be smart. But even more frustrating is that ultimately, it all feels as though it's for naught. For all its atmosphere, the film ends up being an unrelenting exercise in gratuitous violence with no apparent novelty or meaning. By the time the gruesome two hours are up, viewers will be left with not much more than a funny tummy and a reluctance to go camping for a while. Although if you do head out into the woods after this film, you'll be sure to check any neighbouring tents. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3ePiwb0NxQ
In association with Brisbane Writers Festival, The Walkleys are in Brisbane hosting The Photographers Slide Show at GoMA this Saturday. Photographer Slide Shows are an annual event run by The Walkley Foundation in honor of Australian photojournalists. The event gives photographers of all ages the opportunity to show off their latest projects with the art loving community. Any student, journalist, photographer, general art appreciator or wannabe hipster should jump at the opportunity to observe and get to know Australia’s fresh faces of press photography and chat to some of the industries most prestigious. To put it plainly, it's a big deal and you don't want to miss it. Brisbane definitely has one up on our rivals Sydney and Melbourne, pfft they may have Eminem, but we have mountains of artistic talent and the Walkleys come back every year...yeah, what! The event is free with registration. To attend you must send an RSVP email to events@walkleys.com. If you just rock up you won't be let in, so make sure you RSVP soon to secure your place. Spend your Saturday morning basking in the best of our nation's talent, whilst enjoying free food and wine. Seriously, we have it good here.
Brisbane's solid live music scene has filled the city's venues for decades — and it has inspired more than a few tributes in other places around town, too. Back in 2019, the Museum of Brisbane filled its walls with blasts from our musical past. Now, it's the State Library of Queensland's turn. On display until Sunday, May 9, Cut Copy: Brisbane Music Posters 1977–87 showcases all the artwork that helped advertise often independent and underground Brissie gigs for a ten-year period — and its links to Brisbane music history don't end there. Curators Robyn Hamilton and Rueben Hillier took inspiration from material collected by Dr John Willsteed during a research project. Willstead was part of The Go-Betweens in the 80s, so he obviously knows a thing or two about the subject. The Go-Betweens are one of the bands featured, unsurprisingly, alongside everyone from The Saints, The Riptides and The Leftovers to The Upsets, Razar and The Black Assassins. As well as letting you peer back at the designs of the era, the exhibition is likely to leave you with a heap of legendary local acts to add to your playlist. Entry is free, but bookings are required — with Cut Copy: Brisbane Music Posters 1977–87 open from 10am–5pm daily. Top image: QUT Media.
UPDATE, Thursday, March 13, 2025: This event has been postponed from Sunday, March 16 to Sunday, March 23 . Fish Lane restaurant Southside is going all in on margaritas to kick off autumn in a big way, including with a fest inside a broader fest. The bigger event: March Into Margarita, the surrounding precinct's month-long celebration of 'ritas. And the shindig within the broader shindig: Margs-a-Million. Southside is pouring creative marg flavours from Saturday, March 1–Monday, March 31, including classic paloma, pina and butterfly lovers' margs — which is great news if you're all about just popping in whenever suits your diary. But you'll need to head by on Sunday, March 23 if you want to hit up the venue's marg party. Taking place on across two ticketed sessions — at 12pm and 2pm — Margs-a-Million will see Southside serve up margaritas — ten types this year — and host a mezcal and tequila tasting station. Also, the folks from Baja are joining in to take care of the snacks, and mariachi music will set the mood. Tickets cost $49, which gets you entry, plus two drinks. Images: Pixel Punk.
The #BanTheBag campaign has scored a major win, with New South Wales grocer Harris Farm Markets making good on its promise to ditch single-use plastic bags entirely. As of today, shoppers at all of the retailer's stores will now choose between the more planet-friendly options of bringing or purchasing a reusable bag, or taking advantage of Harris Farm's free paper bags and cardboard boxes. The family-owned store is now the first major retailer to do away with plastic bags at the registers, with competitors Woolworths and Coles expected to phase out their own by the end of the year. Harris Farm has long been a vocal supporter of minimising plastic bag use and and it's continuing the push, calling for the NSW Government to enforce a statewide ban on the single-use bags. South Australia, the ACT, the Northern Territory and Tasmania already have a full ban in place, with Western Australia and Queensland enforcing their own from July 1 this year. Victoria is expected to announce a start date for its statewide ban in the coming months. Here's hoping we won't be waiting too long for other big-name retailers to follow stop stocking plastic bags altogether.
Before they were chasing storms in Twisters, the 28-years-later sequel to one of the disaster-film blockbusters of the 90s, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell and Anthony Ramos were no strangers to whirlwinds. Filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung, who directs the Twister follow-up, swirls alongside them in the same category. The last few years have seen the careers of all four rise rapidly. Normal People made Edgar-Jones a star. Powell has enjoyed a Top Gun: Maverick, Anyone But You and Hit Man hot streak. Ramos is a Lin-Manuel Miranda favourite with an originating part — two actually — in Hamilton and a lead role in the big-screen In the Heights adaptation. And Chung is fresh from drawing upon his own life in Minari, which won an Oscar and collected five more nominations, including for Best Director. How did this quartet end up following in the footsteps of Helen Hunt (Hacks) and the late Bill Paxton (The Circle), as well as cinematographer-turned-filmmaker (and Die Hard and Speed veteran) Jan de Bont? Chasing fun, valuing the chance to focus on the human side of weather wreaking havoc, bringing America's Tornado Alley to the screen, not only having a personal connection with the first film but wanting the second to feel personal: they're among the answers that Twisters three leads and its director shared with Concrete Playground. For Chung, growing up on the Oklahoma border means that he's also no stranger to tornadoes IRL. As a teenager in the 90s, he was mesmerised with the original Twister, as the entire world was. "That was a really big deal for me, and for my friends and for my family," he advises. Under his guidance — working with a script by The Boys in the Boat and The Revenant screenwriter Mark L Smith, which started with Top Gun: Maverick helmer Joseph Kosinski — Edgar-Jones, Powell and Ramos play storm obsessives on a mission. Make that missions, plural, beginning in college. At first Edgar-Jones' Kate and Ramos' Javi are on the road attempting to establish that tornadoes can be tamed. Then, tragedy strikes. Five years later, the pair reteam to scan the seasonal gusts that terrorise the US heartland, using portable radars that Javi has built a business around, albeit with now New York-based meteorologist Kate reluctant to be back out in the field and Javi leaving the details of his funding out of their conversation. Also seeking the same squalls is Powell's swaggering Tyler Owens, who prefers livestreaming his crew's exploits — and being a "tornado wrangler", merchandise and all — over taking the ultra-professional ethos sported by Javi's team. As Edgar-Jones and Ramos do with their characters, he ensures that this is a part that feels like only he could've slipped into. Indeed, Twisters doesn't enlist its impressive main on-screen trio just to get them caught up in the well-staged spectacle and action. [caption id="attachment_965979" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Warner Bros.[/caption] No one gets out of the film without battling wild weather, of course, a process that's "like being in a washing machine, really", Edgar-Jones explains. "A great dirty washing machine," Powell adds. That said, the naturalistic imagery that Chung and cinematographer Dan Mindel (Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker) paint their tale with, favouring an aesthetic approach that makes Twisters visually resemble Minari more than the standard disaster flick, also mirrors the film's handling of Kate, Javi and Tyler. There's always storms to chase, plus run from, with special effects proving both pivotal and phenomenally convincing; however, there's also a genuine sense of character as its key threesome face devastating vortexes alongside their own baggage. Appreciating the communities impacted by destructive gales feels equally as authentic. If it seems like a leap for Chung to hop from Minari to here, he went via an episode of The Mandalorian — and that his latest movie falls in the middle of those two extremes, even if it might appear closer to the latter on paper, also came up in our chat. With Twisters in cinemas Down Under since Thursday, July 11, 2024, we also spoke with Edgar-Jones, Powell, Ramos and Chung about tackling a sequel to a beloved film after almost three decades, perfecting the right look, the human element of the narrative and more, including preparing to play the resident cowboy who wants to shoot flares into the storm. "I always came to set with fireworks and rockets," Powell jokes. "Nobody ever knew when I was just going to fire those things off." On Twisters Falling in the Middle of Minari and The Mandalorian Isaac: "After I made Minari, I was editing Minari and watching The Mandalorian — that's where I decided I'd love to do an episode of The Mandalorian, just because I fell in love with that TV show. When I worked on that show, it was so much VFX work, so much work on these LED screens and on a stage that, in taking Twisters, I wanted to bring our production back out to the field and back out to Oklahoma. So it did feel like it was kind of zigging and zagging and trying to figure out what I've learned from Minari, what I've learned from The Mandalorian, trying to bring those two things together in some way." On the Appeal of Chasing Tornadoes On-Screen Anthony: "It sounds fun — and that's kind of the biggest appeal. It's something that I never thought I'd ever do. And to work with this team has been a dream. It's cool, just the thought of going out into Oklahoma and driving trucks and being in the elements out there, and working with an incredible cast — I think that's what made it so appealing. That's what made it sound like 'hey, this is something I want to do, sounds fun'." On How Growing Up on the Oklahoma Border Influenced Chung's Decision to Direct Twisters Isaac: "That was a hugely influential part of taking on this project. I felt like growing up, there aren't many big films, blockbuster films, that take place in that world. And when Twister came out, that was a really big deal for me, and for my friends and for my family. And I remember that being really special. When I saw that this project was happening, I thought it was just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go back to where I grew up with a big tentpole action movie. So absolutely, that was a huge part of that decision-making." On Ensuring That This Is a Disaster Film with a Strong Human Element Daisy: "I think that was a big part of why I was so excited to be involved with this film. I'd watched Minari — I'm such a huge fan of that film and Isaac as a filmmaker — and obviously that's got a very indie sensibilities, very character-driven. And so when I heard he was making Twisters, I was so curious to see what that mixture would be like, someone who has this real interest in detail and interpersonal dynamics, but also this huge scale, this blockbuster feel. And so I think that was what was so exciting when we were involved, that all of the characters feel very beautifully drawn out. It's imbued with a lot of reverence for nature, but it also has this fun, this scale, this adrenaline to it. And I just think Isaac did such a remarkable job of really making all the individual characters feel so grounded in truth. As an actor, that's the thing I'm most excited about: to represent people truthfully." On Taking on a Sequel to a Film That's Widely Adored — and Making It Personal Isaac: "It really makes it very challenging because everybody has their own reason for loving that previous work. I'd encountered that already when I was working on the Star Wars shows, which I think Star Wars audiences are maybe the least forgiving, because I love that world so much. So I got my feet wet already with the idea of 'how do I honour something that a lot of people love for very good reasons, and still try to bring in my personal side and my own spin to things?'. In general, what I find with audiences is that if you really start with that love and appreciation for something, then they come around to whatever you choose to do as long as you're really honouring. So that was my approach with this. I wanted to honour that first film, but also make it personal to myself." On What Goes Into Playing the Resident Cowboy Storm Chaser Who Wants to Shoot Fireworks Into the Wild Weather Glen: "At the end of the day, it's Kate's journey to rediscover something she loves, something that should give her a lot of joy. And so Tyler's role in this movie is just to remind Kate why chasing something that gives you joy is the greatest pursuit of your life. And so it's fun to show up in a cowboy hat and jeans, and cowboy boots and drive trucks across the Oklahoma plains, and shoot rockets into the sky. I recommend it. It's a good way to go to work." On Favouring Naturalistic Cinematography That Grounds the Film Over a Glossy Action-Blockbuster Sheen Isaac: "I worked with an incredible cinematographer named Dan Mindel, and he's a real legend behind the camera. When he came on board, we were already talking about old western movies like The Searchers, we were talking about Kurosawa. We wanted to create a sense of place and space, and also evoke a feeling of a western with this movie. And then when we knew that we were going to be filming a rodeo, we wanted it to really feel like rodeo photography from the 1970s in magazines. So there was a lot of that thought going into the process to bring out the texture of the place. And hopefully that comes through. It was just a real joy working with him." On Filming Action Scenes in a Movie That's Not Only About Tornado Season in Oklahoma, But Was Shot During Tornado Season in Oklahoma Daisy: "Every scene felt quite laced with irony in the sense that we would have to shut down filming pretty constantly for actual weather, to then start filming again to then recreate the weather we had to shut down for. It was so incredible to really be in Oklahoma during storm season. There were a lot of tornadoes that did touch down while we were filming, and weather like I've never seen before, but it really helped us imbue the whole thing with truth. And everybody we met that was there, that were background artists from Oklahoma, they were chasers, they were also Red Cross workers, it really helped, I think, to imbue the film with as much truth as possible. The actual filming of tornado sequences is just sort of wild. It's like being in a washing machine, really. You don't really know what's happening." Glenn: "A great dirty washing machine." Daisy: "You're just hoping that there's some acting happening, but you're just kind of in it." Anthony: "Yeah, if you're getting pelted with wind and your face, you can't help but to make a face because you're getting rained on, there's dirt all over you. I see stills of me in some of the scenes that we shot, and I'm dusty and my clothes are filthy — and that's what you want when you shoot this kind of movie. You want to be in it. You want to feel that, and they were so good about making sure that we did it." Twisters opened in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, July 11, 2024. Read our review.
If you're looking to break up the workday with a lunch so good it'll make you forget all the spreadsheets waiting for you back in the office, Saké Restaurant and Bar has your back. The contemporary Japanese spot recently released a new lunchtime special to feast upon and, while it might set you back a bit more than a sandwich from the deli, it'll also make that to-do list seem a little less daunting. Available Monday to Thursday, the Saké Favourites Lunch offers up a selection of the most popular dishes for $60 per person. You'll feast on the likes of hiramasa kingfish paired with lime and jalapeno koshu, steamed prawn dumplings, spicy tuna hand rolls and miso glazed Glacier 51 toothfish, with green tea ice cream to finish. The team haven't forgotten your liquids either — you'll also get a glass of riesling, grenache or draught beer. Whether you want to start off strong on a Monday, break up the work week or you're looking to impress some colleagues, book ahead and get ready to indulge your taste buds. The Saké Favourites Lunch is available Monday to Thursday. To make a booking, head this way.
Sun, surf and sand are all great Australian day-trip staples — but if you're looking to add some ice, snow and a bucket-list destination to your next adventure, that's achievable, too. Fancy ticking the South Pole off of your must-see list? Have a bit of spare cash to burn? Eager to head overseas just for one day? Then you'll be excited to know that Antarctica Flights is now taking bookings for its 2022–23 season. The name does indeed say it all, with these plane trips flying to Antarctica from Australia courtesy of the sightseeing group. Antarctica Flights has been hosting the rare, sky-high, one-day charter tours for a few years now, and will be taking to the skies again from November 2022 through till February 2023. And, because these trips are classified as domestic flights, you don't even need to take your passport with you. Departing Sydney (November 6 and December 31, 2022), Hobart (November 13, 2022), Brisbane (November 20, 2022 and February 12, 2023), Perth (November 27, 2022), Canberra (December 4, 2022), Melbourne (December 31, 2022 and February 19, 2023) and Adelaide (February 5, 2023), these flights will cruise above the dazzling Antarctica Treaty area for around four hours. Each flight path is carefully chosen to maximise viewing from both sides of the plane and to ensure the best views should the weather turn nasty, while some passengers will rotate seats to allow everyone an equal shot at the spectacular scenery below. Travelling on a Qantas 787 Dreamliner, the whole trip clocks in at around 12.5 hours — depending on your departure city — during which you'll hear from expert Antarctic explorers, talking about the polar environment and its fascinating history. Your trip includes all of that, while enjoying some better-than-average Qantas plane food, full bar service and, in the lead-up to the views, a spot of in-flight entertainment — classic flick Happy Feet, or some Antarctic docos, of course. As expected, this kind of plane trip doesn't come cheap. You're looking at $1199 to be seated without direct access to a window, for instance. Other options, including Standard Economy Class ($2199), Superior Economy Class ($3199) and Premium Economy Class ($3999), involve seat rotations throughout the flight, so passengers can spend time both close to the window and further away. Of course, you and your favourite travel buddy could drop $7999 each on Business Class Deluxe tickets to have a window seat and the one next to it all to yourselves for the entire flight. ANTARCTICA FLIGHTS 2022-23: From Sydney: November 6 and December 31, 2022 From Hobart: November 13, 2022 From Brisbane: November 20, 2022 and February 12, 2023 From Perth: November 27, 2022 From Canberra: December 4, 2022 From Melbourne: December 31, 2022 and February 19, 2023 From Adelaide: February 5, 2023 Antarctica Flights' 2022-23 season is open for bookings now, with flights out of Sydney, Hobart, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide between November 6, 2022–February 19, 2023.
How do you make a great show even better? A show that's announces its greatness in its title, for that matter? For its second season, you ramp up everything that worked so well in its initial batch of episodes — and you also add Gillian Anderson. That's what's on the cards when The Great returns in November for another satirical dalliance with Russian history. One of the gems of 2020 — a year that wasn't great in general, but delivered plenty of top-notch new TV shows that we all streamed all year — the series takes a savage yet delightful jump back to the 18th century, to the time of its namesake Catherine the Great. As its first season showed, The Great is filled with the expected lavish costumes, wigs, sets and decor as it explores an immensely famous time that had a significant impact upon the world. Normally, that'd all smack of a certain kind of drama — you know the type — however this is firmly a comedy as well. Starring Elle Fanning (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil) as the eponymous ruler and Nicholas Hoult (Those Who Wish Me Dead) as her husband Peter III, The Great is full of witty, laugh-out-loud lines, sports an irreverent and often cheeky mood, and has ample fun with real-life details — much in the way that Oscar-winner The Favourite did with British royalty on the big screen. That comparison couldn't actually be more fitting, with that film's BAFTA-winning screenwriter, Australian Tony McNamara, using his skills to pen The Great as well. Across its ten-episode, very easy-to-binge, immensely hilarious first season, the series immersed viewers in Catherine and Peter's hardly happy marriage, all the day-to-day dramas in the Russian court, and her plans to push him aside and become the country's ruler in her own right. In its second season — which'll start streaming via Stan in Australia on Saturday, November 20, and just dropped its latest trailer after a teaser a few months back — it'll now chart the aftermath, as well as Catherine's pregnancy. Here are five things that should take your fancy: Catherine and Peter slinging sharp banter back and forth, her preference for eating chicken over sex, the word "huzzah", more chaotic antics and Gillian Anderson joining the cast. Because starring in everything from The X-Files and Hannibal to The Crown and Sex Education isn't enough for latter, she pops up here as Catherine's mother. If you weren't already hooked on all things The Great, that's obviously an excellent — and great, naturally — reason to start watching. Check out the first trailer for The Great's second season below: The Great's second season will be available to stream in Australia via Stan on November 20.
Martin Scorsese has made not one but two documentaries about him. I'm Not There had six actors, including Cate Blanchett (The New Boy), play him. The Coen brothers' Inside Llewyn Davis couldn't take a fictional tour of the 60s folk scene without getting its protagonist watching him onstage. Ever since 1967 docos Don't Look Back and Festival, Bob Dylan has been no stranger to the screen — and now he's getting the music biopic treatment again, this time with Timothée Chalamet (Dune: Part Two) picking up a guitar. With the curls and the gaze — and the early 60s-era wardrobe, too — Chalamet looks the part in the just-released first trailer A Complete Unknown. He also sings the part, busting out 'A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall'. The Wonka and Bones and All star transforms into the music icon at the start of his career, hence the movie's title. The feature's focus: how Dylan became a sensation. In a film directed by Walk the Line helmer James Mangold — swapping Johnny Cash for another legend, clearly — A Complete Unknown charts Dylan's rise to stardom. The folk singer's early gigs, filling concert halls, going electric at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival: they're all set to be covered, with his famous performance at the latter, due to be the narrative's culmination. Take note of the date that this trailer dropped, both in the US and Down Under: the 1965 Newport Folk Festival took place in July, with Dylan performing acoustic songs on July 24 and playing electric on July 25 — so, on the same dates 59 years ago. As well as Chalamet, Mangold (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) has enlisted Edward Norton (Asteroid City), Elle Fanning (The Great), Monica Barbaro (Fubar), Boyd Holbrook (The Bikeriders), Dan Fogler (Eric), Norbert Leo Butz (The Exorcist: Believer) and Scoot McNairy (Invincible) among the cast. A Complete Unknown releases in US picture palaces in December 2024, with cinema dates Down Under yet to be confirmed as yet. Check out the trailer for A Complete Unknown below: A Complete Unknown releases in US cinemas in December, but doesn't yet have a release date Down Under — we'll update you with more details when they're announced. Images: courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
There are plenty of ways to pick which music festivals to dance your way through, but one method reigns supreme: the all-powerful lineup. When a fest puts together an A-plus roster of onstage talent — like Charli XCX, Duke Dumont and Sonny Fodera headlining For the Love 2023, for instance — your decision is often made for you. That's one reason to get excited about the event's return next February and March. Here's another: its waterfront locations at its four stops. For the Love pairs its packed bill of dance and pop hitmakers with stunning backdrops, and will hit up the Gold Coast's Doug Jennings Park, Wollongong's Thomas Dalton Park, Melbourne's Catani Gardens and Perth's Taylor Reserve for its 2023 run. Also doing the honours: Cosmo's Midnight, Snakehips, Budjerah and KYE, as well as Sumner and Jade Zoe. And yes, Charli XCX's spot on the lineup means that if you live outside of Sydney and you can't make it to WorldPride next year, you can still catch her onstage. As in previous years, punters will also have the opportunity to kick back in style in one of For The Love's VIP lounges, presented by Aussie streetwear label Nana Judy. Plus, For the Love's Music For Oceans eco-friendly initiative is back, to do once again do the environment a solid. Behind the scenes, the folks at Untitled Group — the same minds behind Beyond the Valley, Pitch Music & Arts, Grapevine Gathering and Wildlands — are running the show, and splashing around their hefty festival experience. If an evening spent cutting shapes by the water sounds like a much-needed addition to your 2023 calendar, you can now register for presale tickets. Those advance tix go on sale from 9am AEDT on Thursday, December 1, with general sales from 4pm AEDT the same day. FOR THE LOVE 2023 AUSTRALIAN DATES: Saturday, February 25 — Doug Jennings Park, Gold Coast Sunday, February 26 — Thomas Dalton Park, Wollongong Saturday, March 4 — Catani Gardens, Melbourne Sunday, March 5 — Taylor Reserve, Perth FOR THE LOVE 2023 LINEUP: Charli XCX Duke Dumont Sonny Fodera Cosmo's Midnight Snakehips Budjerah KYE Sumner Jade Zoe For The Love 2023 tours the country in February and March 2023. Head to the festival's website to register for presale, with ticket presales from 9am AEDT on Thursday, December 1 — and general sales from 4pm AEDT the same day.
In the hearts and minds of Marvel Cinematic Universe viewers, Chadwick Boseman will be Black Panther forever. In the upcoming sequel to 2018's excellent Black Panther, however, a new version of the hero is on its way. Thanks to the initial trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever from back in July, Marvel already established that King T'Challa has passed away, his nation is in mourning and his absence is heavily felt — and in the just-dropped new sneak peek, that results in someone else donning the titular figure's suit. As for who that is, Wakanda Forever is keeping coy about the answer even in the new footage, although it's easy to take a few guesses. The latest trailer also keeps reckoning with another question that was always going to linger over this second effort, and will be solved in November when the film hits cinemas: how do you jump back into a superhero saga — a caped-crusader franchise within a sprawling, seemingly never-ending franchise, too — without your star? Given Boseman's death in 2020, this sequel obviously isn't the film that returning writer/director Ryan Coogler (Creed) initially intended, and an unsurprisingly emotional time awaits. That said, while the first sneak peek played up the sorrow across Wakanda — complete with a tribute to King T'Challa among its frames — the new Wakanda Forever glimpse sets an action-packed tone. Plot-wise, the story picks up with Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett, Gunpowder Milkshake), Shuri (Letitia Wright, Death on the Nile), M'Baku (Winston Duke, Nine Days), Okoye (Danai Gurira, The Walking Dead) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba, Deutschland89) charged with protecting their nation from world powers after T'Challa's death — with help from War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o, The 355) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman, Breeders). But life on land isn't their only threat. Thanks to a hidden undersea nation called Talokan — and Namor (Tenoch Huerta, Narcos: Mexico), its king — Wakanda seems to have a pressing for a hero like Black Panther. Also among Wakanda Forever's cast: Michaela Coel (I May Destroy You) and Dominique Thorne (Judas and the Black Messiah), with the latter playing Riri Williams ahead of the character's solo Disney+ series Ironheart When the initial trailer dropped, Marvel revealed that Wakanda Forever will wrap up the MCU's phase four — because this ever-growing on-screen superhero world is broken up into different chapters. Obviously, more caped-crusader stories are still in the works, though, with the Disney-owned entertainment behemoth also plotting out its plans across phase five and phase six, taking it up to 2025. Check out the latest Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer below: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever releases in cinemas Down Under on November 10. Images: courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL.
I won’t lie to you, dear readers, I was considering trying to define the surrealist art movement as a beginning to this article. But after several hours of perusing the GoMA website’s background and history on the period, I decided the adjectives were best left to the experts; avant-garde, experimentation, liberation of desire, reproduction of dreams. Instead I will say this: the artists from this period were crazy in the best possible way. They include people like André Breton, Giorgio de Chirico, May Ray, Joan Miró and Salvador Dali who were all known for being a little out there. The latter in particular who was known to regularly take his anteater for walks. As I’ve already realised, the best people to give you the 101 on these fabulous folk are the art world experts. Amazingly, GoMA are offering up their most experienced curators to guide visitors around the exhibition for no extra fee! Do pay attention though, each curator focuses on a different element of surrealism from film to an artist’s psyche. Depending on your interests, make sure you peruse the website before wandering into town with your own unusual animal on a leash.
Maybe it's a budget thing. Perhaps you can't get time off work. Your diary just mightn't be able to spare a whole three days in Byron Bay, plus travelling there and back. Can't make it to Splendour in the Grass in 2023? There are plenty of reasons why that might be the case, but the festival's official sideshows are here to help cure your FOMO. This year, everyone from Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Lewis Capaldi to Little Simz and Tove Lo are hitting stages around Australia outside of their Splendour sets — and Loyle Carner, Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Noah Cyrus as well. Keen to see your favourite act do their own show? They might be on this list, albeit with the usual Sydney- and Melbourne-heavy focus. As is almost always the case with sideshows to Byron-based fests, Brisbane doesn't get a look in. If you're located in the Sunshine State and you're keen, Splendour or a trip to the New South Wales and Victorian capitals is in your future. Sam Fender's only sideshow is in Perth, however, and Lewis Capaldi's already on-sale sideshows only have tickets remaining for his Perth stopover. For folks in Adelaide, Loyle Carner is coming to South Australia, and Capaldi as well, but his solo gig is already sold out. That said, Secret Sounds, the crew behind Splendour, is also bringing its winter festival Spin Off back to the City of Churches, complete with SiTG acts Hilltop Hoods, Pnau, Tove Lo, BENEE, iann dior and Noah Cyrus. Yeah Yeah Yeah's sideshows come after the band was meant to make the trip to Australia for 2022's Splendour, complete with their own concerts, but had to drop out. Lizzo's Australian arena tour isn't on this list given that it was announced before Splendour, but that's another way to see the fest's talent without a trip to Byron. SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2023 OFFICIAL SIDESHOWS: YEAH YEAH YEAHS With Automatic Thursday, July 20 — MCA, Melbourne Monday, July 24 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney SAM FENDER Thursday, July 20 — HBF Stadium, Perth LITTLE SIMZ Wednesday, July 19 — MCA, Melbourne Friday, July 21 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney TOVE LO With Blusher Wednesday, July 19 — Forum, Melbourne Tuesday, July 25 — Roundhouse, Sydney LOYLE CARNER Saturday, July 22 — Enmore Theatre, Sydney Tuesday, July 25 — Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide Thursday, July 27 — Palais Theatre, Melbourne IANN DIOR Wednesday, July 19 — 170 Russell, Melbourne Saturday, July 22 — Metro Theatre, Sydney RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE Thursday, July 20 — Metro Theatre, Sydney Friday, July 21 — 170 Russell, Melbourne NOAH CYRUS With PJ Harding Sunday, July 9 — Metro Theatre, Sydney Sunday, July 16 — 170 Russell, Melbourne SUDAN ARCHIVES Saturday, July 22 — Liberty Hall, Sydney Tuesday, July 25 — 170 Russell, Melbourne DEL WATER GAO Friday, July 21 — Howler, Melbourne Saturday, July 22 — Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney LEWIS CAPALDI (on sale now) With Noah Cyrus Friday, July 7–Saturday, July 8 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney — SOLD OUT Tuesday, July 11 — RAC Arena, Perth Thursday, July 13 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide — SOLD OUT Friday, July 14–Saturday, July 15 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne — SOLD OUT Splendour in the Grass will take over North Byron Bay Parklands from Friday, July 21–Sunday, July 23, 2023. The festival's sideshows are popping up across Australia in July, with tickets on sale from 9am, Tuesday, May 9 — and presales from Monday, May 8.
Travelling in our own backyard is one of the most sustainable and planet-friendly options we can make when planning a well-deserved getaway. If you're starting to pencil in some strategic long weekends for the latter half of this year, here's one to consider: Port Douglas, a tropical paradise conveniently located just an hour's drive from Cairns. Nestled perfectly between the Great Barrier Reef and the oldest tropical rainforest in the world, Port Douglas offers an alluring long weekend proposition for city travellers looking to put nature at the forefront of their next holiday. Port Douglas is home to a number of sustainable tours, accommodations, and opportunities for conscientious involvement, so here are five ways you can reduce the carbon footprint of your next getaway. [caption id="attachment_913642" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy[/caption] CHOOSE ECO-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION Consider camping if you're looking to keep your holiday footprint low. Douglas Shire Council coordinates powered and unpowered camping grounds, along with a range of caravan sites. In order to protect the unique environment, overnight stays are only permitted at licensed caravan parks and camping grounds, so make sure to plan and book ahead. If you're looking for luxury accommodation, The Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort boasts over two hectares of sparkling saltwater pools in Tropical North Queensland. Lagoons on-site include spots with sandy beaches, as well as serene private cabanas nestled on the waterfront. As part of your trip, all Sheraton guests are invited to participate in a conservation activity hosted by Marriott Bonvoy in partnership with Good Travel. The Four Mile Beach cleanup is hosted by a marine biologist, allowing travelers to meaningfully engage with the environment while giving back. [caption id="attachment_888046" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas[/caption] BOOK WITH ECO-CERTIFIED OPERATORS If you are keen to venture further during your stay, there are a variety of eco-friendly and sustainable tour options you can book. Locally-run and eco-certified Back Country Bliss run swimmable tours through the Daintree Rainforest, which includes a snorkel and float tour of Mossman Gorge. As part of the Mossman Gorge Back Country Bliss tour, guests can experience a Welcome to Country and smoke ceremony with a Kuku Yalanji guide. Acknowledging and paying respects to the Traditional Owners of the lands you are visiting is a great way to show deep respect for the place you're visiting. The Kuku Yalanji People are the Traditional Owners of this land. [caption id="attachment_844375" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Sailaway Reef Cruises - Tourism Tropical North Queensland[/caption] CHOOSE EXPERIENCES THAT GIVE BACK Sailaway is a family business running half-day and full-day charters to Great Barrier Reef, including the Low Isles and Mackay Coral Cay on the Outer Reef. The business holds an advanced eco-certification, meaning they're recognised for their work in conserving and protecting the Great Barrier Reef. A qualified marine biologist attends cruises, so you can learn about the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef as the boats go out. The company also donates $20 from every ticket to its reforestation and carbon offsetting. [caption id="attachment_913718" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] LOOK FOR GREENER TOUR OPTIONS If you want to experience Four Mile Beach from a different angle, adventures with a twist can be booked with locally-operated Port Douglas Segway Tours. Segways use electric power to recharge but produce zero emissions and are extremely energy efficient. Cruise along a trail which features the spectacular Four Mile Beach, rainforest paths and sandy flats. [caption id="attachment_913719" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] SUPPORT FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES There are lots of ways you can support First Nations communities and creators during your stay in Port Douglas. Booking tours and experiences with First Nations-owned or operated businesses, purchasing locally-created art and wares or attending a Welcome to Country are all meaningful ways you can pay respect to the Traditional Owners of this land. Concrete Playground travelled to Port Douglas as a guest of The Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas. If you want to extend your Queensland getaway, check out our curated Whitsundays packages on CP Trips which includes a four-day stay, snorkel and sail adventure with a day cruise. Top image: Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy.
When Studio Ghibli opened its own theme park outside of Tokyo at the beginning of November, it took a leaf out of Disney's book, gifting the world the new happiest place on earth. Now, it's actually joining forces with the Mouse House on a surprise collaboration. If you've ever wondered what the cutest figure in a galaxy far, far away might look like if it was given the hand-drawn Ghibli treatment — complete with Spirited Away's susuwatari in tow — then wonder no more, because short film Zen — Grogu and Dust Bunnies has the answers. Two pop culture favourites, one epic collaboration, and your delightful weekend viewing all sorted: that's the recipe here. Zen — Grogu and Dust Bunnies will drop on Saturday, November 12 in the US — which usually means 6pm AEST/7pm AEDT in Australia and 9pm in New Zealand — all to celebrate three years since The Mandalorian first hit screens. pic.twitter.com/RZ74q04w7J — スタジオジブリ STUDIO GHIBLI (@JP_GHIBLI) November 10, 2022 pic.twitter.com/31jDkRIXTL — スタジオジブリ STUDIO GHIBLI (@JP_GHIBLI) November 11, 2022 The just-announced news comes after a few days of teasing on social media, including Studio Ghibli posting a short video featuring both the Lucasfilm and Ghibli logos — and another image featuring a statue of Baby Yoda, aka Grogu, with Studio Ghibli icon and founder Hayao Miyazaki in the background. Zen — Grogu and Dust Bunnies hails from director Katsuya Kondo (an animator on Earwig and the Witch, When Marnie Was There, The Wind Rises and more), and will feature music by Oscar- and Emmy-winning composer Ludwig Göransson (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, The Book of Boba Fett, The Mandalorian). Further details, other than the fact that you'll need to head to Disney's streaming service Disney+ to see it, haven't been revealed. The anniversary also marks three years of Disney+ itself, and the short precedes the long-awaited third season of The Mandalorian — which dropped a trailer back in September, but won't hit streaming until sometime in 2023. Of course, Andor is filling the Star Wars TV gap quite nicely in the interim — and now Zen — Grogu and Dust Bunnies, aka a dream team-up, will help as well. Discover Zen - Grogu and Dust Bunnies, a hand-drawn animation by Studio Ghibli, is streaming tomorrow on #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/ODqHrgIwnB — Disney+ (@DisneyPlus) November 12, 2022 Zen — Grogu and Dust Bunnies will be available to stream via Disney+ from Saturday, November 12.
Not once but twice now, a new sneak peek at The Flight Attendant's second season has hit and dropped some deliciously pointed dialogue along with it. Back in March, when the initial teaser for the show's next batch of episodes arrived, it had Kaley Cuoco's Cassie Bowden exclaiming "I'm still a flight attendant, and I've been making better choices." Now, in season two's just-released full trailer, she's told "you seem very put together." Of course, everything that surrounds those lines of dialogue in both sneak peeks so far immediately contradicts what's uttered — because The Flight Attendant wouldn't be the show it is if chaos wasn't on the itinerary. And this time around, the country-hopping thriller has a new way to dial up the twists. When Cassie escapes into her mind to reflect upon everything that life is throwing her way, which is a lot, she's confronted with multiple versions of herself. Four Cassies — and four Cuocos, too — are better than one, clearly. If you're wondering exactly how that'll play out, you don't have to wait long — with The Flight Attendant's second season arriving in Australia via Binge on Thursday, April 21, and in New Zealand thanks to Neon on Friday, April 22. Obviously, as anyone who quickly found themselves addicted to the extremely watchable series the first time, expecting Cassie to settle into a normal, average, uneventful and calm life is highly unrealistic. In season two, she has indeed moved on from the dramas we all watched back in 2020, though — and moved to Los Angeles, and also started attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. That said, Cassie has picked up a part-time job as well, which happens to see her moonlighting for the CIA. And, as this second trailer shows, that new gig comes with consequences. While Cassie is doing great things at both of her jobs — booze-free things, helpfully — it seems that someone else is trying to pass themselves off as her while she's working her side hustle overseas. Cue more globe-trotting intrigue, taking the show to both Berlin and Reykjavik. Cue more of Cassie's inner monologues as well, which is where those four different versions come in. Also new: cast members Mo McRae (Big Little Lies), Callie Hernandez (Under the Silver Lake), JJ Soria (Gentefied), Alanna Ubach (Euphoria), Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Jessie Ennis (Mythic Quest), Mae Martin (Feel Good), Margaret Cho (Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens), Santiago Cabrera (Ema), Sharon Stone (Ratched) and Shohreh Aghdashloo (The Expanse). They'll join Golden Globe- and Emmy-nominee Cuoco, obviously, plus returning co-stars Zosia Mamet (Girls), Griffin Matthews (Dear White People), Deniz Akdeniz (The High Note) and Rosie Perez (The Last Thing He Wanted). And if you're coming to this small-screen adaptation of Chris Bohjalian's 2018 novel of the same name with fresh eyes, the first season unravelled quite the tale — starting high in the sky, bouncing around the globe and delivering a hectic murder-mystery. Filled with sudden revelations and reversals, featuring multiple points of interest playing out across a split-screen setup, and also sporting cliffhangers to end every episode, the slick, swift-moving series knew exactly the kind of story it was telling and went for broke. Check out the full trailer for The Flight Attendant's second season below: The Flight Attendant's second season will be available to stream via Binge in Australia from Thursday, April 21 — and is headed to Neon in New Zealand on Friday, April 22. Read our full review of season one. Images: Jennifer Rose Clasen/HBO Max.
Japanese minimalist homeware wizards Muji are moving into the architecture game with a series of new flat-pack houses that are giving us some serious FOMO and YOLO and all manner of acronym envy and inspiration. The best part? They’re economical in both price and space, giving hope to the current generation that perhaps we won’t always have to deal with landlords. Praise be to Muji! Unfortunately, for now, they’re only available in Japan. However, Muji have recently opened stores in Melbourne and Sydney, so surely it’s only a matter of time before they ship em’ into our waiting arms. The houses are incredibly cute and, in classic Muji style, effortlessly minimalist. There are three designs to choose from, starting at US$150,000 for the ‘Wooden House’, US$160,000 for the ‘Window House’, and US$215,000 for the tall, Tokyo-inspired ‘Vertical House’. Incredibly reasonable. The finishes are all white and blonde wood with elegant staircases and cosy nooks. And hey, it may be a bit cookie cutter but moving to Japan is surely better than selling all your internal organs to afford a house in Toorak or Double Bay right? The real estate game is a-changin’ though and other retailers are starting to cater for the penny-saving generation (i.e. us ;_; ). Ikea are experimenting with movable walls (not set to hit the market for a few years but keep at it Ikea) and there are many innovative Aussie architecture firms experimenting with non-traditional and environmentally friendly ways to bring down the cost of building a new home. Firms like iBuild (punny) and the slightly more upmarket modscape design, construct and deliver modular homes and extensions which cost much less than a contractor. And of course, there’s the shipping container community who do some spectacular things with discarded shipping containers. Then there's the slightly earthy young buyers and the Earthship movement, slowly but surely making its way through all the red tape into the Australian construction landscape. Earthship structures use passive heating and cooling techniques, are constructed from indigenous or local materials (including old tyres and glass bottles) and feature an in-house sewerage treatment system, making them somewhat off the grid and cheap to run in the long term. So have faith guys, there are houses in our future, don’t you worry. They just might not be the classic two-windows-one-door type most of us drew in preschool. Via Domain.
Morning brown, morning brown, this bit of news is better than a cup of morning brown — because Aunty Donna is returning to your TV. After gifting your streaming queue one of the best new shows of 2020, aka Netflix's Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun, the Australian comedy group is teaming up with one of the country's national broadcasters on a new sitcom. Yes, Mark Samual Bonanno, Broden Kelly and Zachary Ruane are heading to the ABC. The fact that the network is also known as Aunty is obviously incredibly apt — and it isn't the first time that the two have joined forces, with Aunty Donna's Fresh Blood hitting iView back in 2014. This time, Bonanno, Kelly and Ruane are headed to the ABC for a show called Aunty Donna's Untitled Project, a half-hour series that'll see the trio star in a Melbourne-set comedy. The premise: three best mates run a cafe in one of Melbourne's laneways. Their coffee-slinging establishment is trendy, but the stretch of pavement it's in on isn't. You can expect cups of morning brown to be served. Hopefully, the song about them will get a whirl. Will the cafe be open on Christmas and serve up a little bit of pud, too? You'll have to watch to find out. As soon as Neighbours ended it opened a lot of doors for us. — Aunty Donna (@AuntyDonnaBoys) August 24, 2022 This new show will be replacing the highly rated ABC @BreakfastNews show — Aunty Donna (@AuntyDonnaBoys) August 24, 2022 Announcing the news, Aunty Donna said: "we make show, you will love." Hey, it worked with Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun. Fingers crossed that Aunty Donna's Untitled Project proves just as absurd — although Aunty Donna seem incapable of creating anything else, hilariously so. [caption id="attachment_791048" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun, Netflix[/caption] "ABC audiences first got a taste of Aunty Donna in 2014 in Fresh Blood, so we couldn't be more excited to have them back where they belong and to be the home of their first narrative comedy series. Strap yourselves in... this is going to be a wild ride," said ABC Head of Comedy Todd Abbott. Aunty Donna's Untitled Project is set to air on ABC TV and ABC iview sometime in 2023, with exact dates yet to be announced. In the interim, you can check out the announcement video for the series below: Aunty Donna's Untitled Project is set to hit ABC and ABC iView sometime in 2023 — we'll update you when an exact release date is announced.
It’s been a long trek down the sidewalks to stardom for Sparkadia’s Alex Burnett. Seven years on since the band's Sydney formation, through the ups and downs and the loss of many band members, Sparkadia has arisen alive and well. With their latest track Mary charging up the charts and China breaking the hearts of girls across the globe, Alex has definitely learnt a thing or two over the years. After Sparkadia's spot in the Splendour lineup and release of their latest album, The Great Impression earlier this year, the project has grown to be the apple in the eye of indie music fans. With Sydney Morning Herald dubbing him one of Australia’s best singer/songwriters, the man’s got something to prove and what better way to do so than embarking on a national tour? Catch Sparkadia on the road with their Mary tour this Saturday before they scoot off again around the rest of the nation.
UPDATE, September 27, 2023: Nile Rodgers & Chic have now added a Melbourne headlining show on Sunday, October 29 at the Forum, with tickets on sale at 11am on Thursday, September 28. This article has been updated to reflect that change. Good times are coming to Australia and New Zealand in October, and disco-soul hit 'Good Times', too. After already locking in spots at 2023's Harvest Rock in Adelaide and the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Nile Rodgers & Chic have announced their own headline tour. Ah, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Fremantle and Auckland, get ready to freak out. The disco greats will hit up all five cities with their own shows, on top of their already-announced festival dates. Fans in Adelaide, you'll need to make a plans to see Rodgers and his band in a fest environment, because they're not doing solo gigs in SA. [caption id="attachment_916215" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex Marshall via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] "The pandemic had kept us away from our fans in Australia and New Zealand for too long but now we are coming back to kick off the summer with good times!" said Rodgers, announcing the tour. Not only 'Good Times' but also 'Le Freak' is certain to get a whirl when the one and only Rodgers takes to the stage with the group that he co-founded more than five decades ago. Also on their recent setlists: Chic tracks 'Everybody Dance', 'Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)' and 'I Want Your Love'. Mention Chic and Rodgers instantly springs to mind; however, as a guitarist, the latter is in a league of his own. You'll also know his work on Daft Punk's Random Access Memories, including single 'Get Lucky'. And as a writer and producer, he's had a hand in everything from David Bowie's Let's Dance album to Madonna's 'Like a Virgin'. Accordingly, Nile Rodgers & Chic gigs are known to bust out tracks from across Rodgers' career beyond Chic. Cue 'Get Lucky' and its earworm of a guitar riff, both 'Let's Dance' and the always-delightful 'Modern Love' by Bowie, and also a Madonna double of 'Like a Virgin' and 'Material Girl'. Because Rodgers and late, great fellow Chic member Bernard Edwards were involved in writing, composing and/or producing them, Diana Ross' 'I'm Coming Out' and 'Upside Down' also get a spin, plus Sister Sledge's 'He's the Greatest Dancer' and 'We Are Family'. NILE RODGERS & CHIC AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND TOUR 2023: Wednesday, October 18 — Civic Theatre, Auckland Friday, October 20 — Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane Saturday, October 21 — Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Melbourne Monday, October 23–Wednesday, October 25 — Enmore Theatre, Sydney Friday, October 27 — Fremantle Prison, Fremantle Saturday, October 28 — Harvest Rock, Adelaide Sunday, October 29 — Forum, Melbourne Nile Rodgers & Chic are touring Australia and New Zealand in October 2023, with pre-sale tickets to their headline shows on sale from 10am local time on Wednesday, September 6 — and general sales from 11am local time on Thursday, September 7. Head to the tour website for further details.
Whether you're a happy-go-lucky type or you've just experienced a day that you'd rather forget, everyone needs a break from their own reality sometimes. The easiest way? A big dose of on-screen escapism. Maybe you'd like to creep your way through a haunted house? Perhaps you're keen to see what it's like in a witches' coven? If you'd prefer to explore a variety of different futuristic scenarios, head to space or navigate a zombie-riddled wasteland (all from the comfort of your couch, of course), there's a TV show that'll take you there. If all of the above scenarios sound familiar, there's a few reasons for that. Firstly, a number of TV programs have tried their hand at these ideas, both recently and over the years. Secondly, some of the best are currently available to watch via streaming platform Binge, including shows still releasing new seasons and cult favourites that have already wrapped up. We've teamed up with the service to recommend five must-sees — which you can stream right now, including via a 14-day free trial for new customers.
Maybe you've always had a Lego collection, because the popular plastic bricks really are for everyone. Perhaps you signed up for a subscription service back when COVID-19 lockdowns first came into effect, because there are only so many puzzles one person can do. Either way, you probably need something to store your Lego in — and, in a collaboration due to hit Australia in 2021, IKEA now has a solution. Obviously, IKEA has plenty of storage on offer. Walk through one of the Swedish retailer's shops and just try to come out without a basket, box, container or other type of storage in your big blue bag — it's virtually impossible. But, when its new Bygglek range arrives, it'll actually feature Lego studs. Keep your bricks in them, or use them to build with (or both). As part of a team-up first announced in 2019, the collection will encompass four different sets: one of three small boxes, two different types of bigger boxes, and one of Lego bricks. All of the above will connect to existing Lego products, too, because of course it will. https://www.facebook.com/ikea.au/photos/a.276205668287/10158652209723288/?type=3&theater IKEA hasn't announced exactly when the Bygglek products will hit Down Under, other than sometime in early 2021. And while they're part of IKEA's children's range, everyone knows by now that Lego isn't just for kids. Nor are creative storage boxes, should you need to a few containers to keep something other than Lego in. IKEA's Lego Bygglek collection will hit Australian stores sometime early in 2021 — keep an eye on the IKEA website for further details.
There's treating yo'self to a night out of the house — staycationing in your own city or heading out of town, whichever suits — and then there's the kind of evening where truly going all out is the only thing on the agenda. Staying at a swanky Brisbane hotel that's been temporarily taken over by a vodka brand would fall into the second category anyway, but here's something that levels up that already-indulgent experience: hiring out the whole place with your mates for a cool $49,999. Firstly, you'll clearly need a fat stack of spare cash. Secondly, you'll want at least 39 pals who are just as eager for quite the luxe experience, because this package covers 40 separate hotel rooms. That means that you'll all be paying $1249.98 each, just for one night at the Grey Goose Hotel by Ovolo — but you'll definitely be making the most of it. That hefty sum gets your whole group exclusive access to The Inchcolm by Ovolo hotel, which is already a mighty decadent place to stay. Inspired by the 1920s, and by Gertrude Stein's Paris salon, it's designed to be the type of spot where Ernest Hemingway, Banksy and David Bowie might all rub shoulders if they were all alive at the same time. And, that's the baseline at Grey Goose Hotel by Ovolo, with the vodka company then levelling up the joint from there — starting with plenty to drink and eat. On the menu: a Grey Goose martini tower at The Inchcolm Bar, followed by a five-hour premium beverage package. There's also a three-course dinner personally created for your group by either chef Ian Curley or Masterchef winner Diana Chan — and your choice of either a DJ spinning sounds or a live jazz band setting the mood. Plus, you'll take part in a martini masterclass with Grey Goose's Australian brand ambassador, as well as an oyster-shucking class. There'll be canapes to snack on as well, a whole caviar indulgence package, too, and a Grey Goose ice sculpture among the decor. Also included is the night's stay, in-room styling, valet parking and a complimentary breakfast the next morning — which, from the sounds of it, you'll be hankering for after a big night. And if you've got 40 more mates who'd love to come along, you can stretch out the package to cover 80 — but that's the absolute maximum. If that sounds like your idea of one helluva OTT evening away from home, you'll need to contact the hotel to check availability and book. You know those holidays where you don't leave the hotel, whether it's a staycation or a trip elsewhere? This is clearly one of them. And yes, liking vodka is a pretty good prerequisite. For more information about Grey Goose Hotel by Ovolo, head to The Inchcolm by Ovolo's website.
Talk about a perfect name: if you're going to start a new music festival that revolves around The Smashing Pumpkins, then calling it The World Is a Vampire is a no-brainer. This exciting addition to Australia's festival scene is being sent to happily drain all your attention this autumn, when it heads around the country with one helluva bill. Billy Corgan and his band members will be there, of course, and so will fellow alt-rock legends Jane's Addiction. Today is the greatest day for news about 90s favourites hitting our shores, clearly. And yes, you can expect the rollicking classic that is 'Bullet with Butterfly Wings' to get a spin — the whole fest is named after it, after all. As well as hearing fellow Pumpkins greats such as 'Disarm', '1979', 'Tonight, Tonight', 'Today' and 'Zero', the Perry Farrell-led Jane's Addiction will be on hand to bust out 'Been Caught Stealing', 'Jane Says' and the likes. How many 'Zero' shirts will you see at the fest? Oh so many, as at every Pumpkins gig. Also on the bill: Australia's own Amyl and The Sniffers, RedHook and Battlesnake, plus yet-to-be-announced local acts opening each stop. And this fest has stops. It'll be singing about rage and rats in cages at ten venues, pinballing around New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia — heading to Sydney's Hordern Pavilion, plus Penrith, Newcastle and Wollongong; Port Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula and Ballarat; Bribie Island and the Gold Coast; and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. If you're a fan of The Smashing Pumpkins and Aussie music, and you know a bit about Billy Corgan's romantic history, you might be crossing your fingers for a wild addition to the bill: The Veronicas. The Australian duo joined the Pumpkins on-stage for 'Eye' back in November 2022, albeit at the Hollywood Bowl. Whoever else joins the lineup, they'll feature alongside professional wrestling, with each show including matches between Billy Corgan's NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) and the WAOA (Wrestling Alliance of Australia). Wrestlers will take to the ring in-between the bands — and yes, Corgan does own the alliance that bears his name. It's currently a stellar time for music icons who first made it big a few decades back touring Australia, with The World Is a Vampire and its killer lineup joining the Modest Mouse- and Slowdive-led Daydream, Fatboy Slim doing his own tour and headlining Groovin the Moo, Ice Cube and Cypress Hill teaming up, Snoop Dogg also heading our way, and Blink-182 stopping by in 2024 — and Red Hot Chili Peppers currently making their way around the nation. Yes, the list goes on, and also includes Vengaboys. THE WORLD IS A VAMPIRE FESTIVAL 2023 LINEUP: The Smashing Pumpkins Jane's Addiction Amyl and The Sniffers RedHook Battlesnake THE WORLD IS A VAMPIRE FESTIVAL 2023 DATES: Saturday, April 15 — Stuart Park, Wollongong, NSW Sunday, April 16 — Sandstone Point, Bribie Island, QLD Tuesday, April 18 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, NSW Wednesday, April 19 — Newcastle Entertainment Centre, NSW Saturday, April 22 — Hastings Foreshore, Mornington Peninsula, VIC Sunday, April 23 — Kryal Castle, Ballarat, VIC Wednesday, April 26 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, SA Thursday; April 27 — PICA, Port Melbourne, VIC Saturday, April 29 — Nepean Aerospace Park - Penrith, NSW Sunday, April 30 — Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast, QLD The World Is a Vampire Festival tours Australia in April 2023. Ticket pre-sales run from 9am on Thursday, February 2–11am on Friday, February 3, with general sales from 12pm local time on Friday, February 3. Head to the tour website for further details.
When Federation Square opened in 2002, its supporters were few and far between. But look at it now. Fifteen years later it's not only a sorta-widely acceptable piece of architecture, but it's also managed to lure in the world's biggest tech company, Apple. The Victorian Government announced today that Federation Square will soon be home to Apple's first Australian global flagship store. This two-level outpost will be bigger than its other Melbourne stores like Chadstone and Highpoint and, like its few other global flagships, will undoubtedly be architecturally significant. Apple has been extremely selective about the locations of its global flagships and there are only four others in the world, including Fifth Avenue in NYC and Regent Street in London. There isn't room for the building in Fed Square at the moment though, so the Victorian Government has agreed to knock down the Yarra Building to make way for it. This will displace the Koorie Heritage Trust, which will have to relocate to the Alfred Deakin Building across the way. Apparently the build of the Apple store will free up 500 square metres of public space. The Victorian Government's tourism body is evidently quite happy with the win, with the Minister for Trade and Investment Philip Dalidakis saying that this "reinforces Melbourne's reputation as the undisputed tech capital of Australia". Construction will start in 2019 with the build expected to be finished in 2020.
When bands have been around for a while they sometimes end up being pigeonholed into one genre, target audience and general career path. Which for some is horrible, but for others it suits them just fine – knowing who they are leads to amazing music time after time. Death Cab for Cutie and certainly fall into labels such as emotional, melodramatic and full of angst. Which is fair enough, all things considered they do have some fantastically titled emotive songs – Your Heart Is An Empty Room, The Ice is Getting Thinner and Someday You Will be Loved for example. But before you put genre stereotypes so far into play that you disregard the band, a little brainstorm about their discography and longevity in the music industry should be in order. Those two reasons alone are more than enough reason to respect Death Cab for Cutie. Finally returning to Australia after three years, the band is back to promote their seventh album (lucky seven!) entitled ‘Codes and Keys’. Already receiving a great response from fans and critics alike, their trademark sensitive indie pop rock is out in full force. They’ve also brought out an EP remix, set to introduce new audiences to their music. Alas, per usual their tour is sold out. If you are currently without tickets it’s probably best for you to create a sad playlist and enjoy Death Cab from the comfort of your own bedroom. Breaking into the Tivoli is not recommended.
Being a music fan frequently involves envy. That singer or band that you're obsessed with is touring elsewhere? Cue the green-eyed monster. So, you're a Swiftie and you didn't get tickets to Taylor Swift's February 2024 Eras tour in Melbourne and Sydney, aka her only gigs Down Under? You know all about jealousy and FOMO, then. Enter Taylor Swift: The 'Eras' Tour Concert Film. Look what the world made Swift do: turn her current smash-hit tour into a movie that's releasing in cinemas. That's the wonderful news, complete with a just-dropped trailer for the film; however, the announcement might still get you envious for now. At the moment, only North American screenings have been announced so far. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) Accordingly, yes, Taylor Swift: The 'Eras' Tour Concert Film exists, giving Swifties a cinematic view of the pop superstar's massive show. No, there's no news yet on when it will arrive in Australia or New Zealand. It wouldn't be surprising if the concert movie shakes off Down Under cinema stints until after February, when Swift has made it to our shores, played her shows, then headed elsewhere to do the same. Australia and NZ aren't the only places without big-screen dates locked in — nowhere other than North America has them, which coincides with the fact that that's the only place that the Eras tour had been to so far. In the US, the film will arrive on Friday, October 13. Whenever it does drop locally, fans will be in for a money-can't-buy view of the 'We Are Never Getting Back Together' and 'Bad Blood' musician's gig — working through her entire career so far, playing tracks from each of her studio albums in a three-hour, 44-song, ten-act spectacular. The Eras Tour kicked off in March in the US, ending that run in August. Swift also headed to Mexico last month. Brazil is her last stop in 2023, before playing Japan, Singapore, France, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, the UK, Ireland, The Netherlands, Poland, Austria and Australia until August 2024. She'll then return to the US, and then visit Canada next November. Check out the trailer for Taylor Swift: The 'Eras' Tour Concert Film below: Taylor Swift: The 'Eras' Tour Concert Film will hit cinemas in the US on Friday, October 13, but doesn't yet have a release date Down Under — we'll update you if and when one is announced.
Floor-to-ceiling views of one of the world's most infamous barriers, sleeping in sight of an Israeli watchtower and bunking down on abandoned army supplies aren't usually listed among a hotel's features. Nor is a rooftop that no one can set foot upon without prior permission from the Israeli military, everything getting locked down at 11pm each night or buying graffiti supplies to make your mark on an adjacent structure — but, of course, The Walled Off Hotel (not to be confused with the Waldorf Hotel) isn't any ordinary accommodation establishment. Set up in secret over the last 14 months and set to open on March 11, the Bethlehem guesthouse is the latest project from Banksy. "Enough said," you might be thinking — and yes, in keeping with the artist's usual modus operandi, the hotel is designed to attract attention. You don't just unveil a new place to stay not only in the West Bank, but with a clear vantage of the barrier that separates Palestine and Israel, without making a statement. The site follows in the footsteps of his Gaza tourism ad and theme park Dismaland in giving a dark, topical twist to the holiday trappings most of us take for granted. https://www.instagram.com/p/BRMFoDzDbGl/?taken-by=thewalledoffhotelbethlehem Once inside The Walled Off Hotel, visitors can expect to be greeted by "the worst view of any hotel in the world", as Banksy explained in a statement reported by The Guardian. "Walls are hot right now, but I was into them long before [Donald] Trump made it cool," he continued. Converted from a pottery workshop, the venue's ten rooms will definitely feel the impact of their close proximity to so many vertical slabs of concrete, with none receiving more than 25 minutes of direct sunlight each day. Anyone keen to book a stay — and given Banksy's involvement, expect there to be plenty — can choose between four levels of accommodation. Perhaps you'd like to kip in one of the rooms customised by different artists, including Banksy, Sami Musa and Dominique Petrin, or scenic lodgings with those not-quite-million-dollar views? Money conscious travellers can opt for budget digs that come with a locker, personal safe, shared bathroom and complimentary earplugs, while the palatial presidential suite will suit those with plenty of spare cash. It boasts a four-person plunge bath, home cinema, Dead Sea bath minerals and water feature made from a bullet-riddled water tank (or, "everything a corrupt head of state would need"). https://www.instagram.com/p/BRMHvSvBo5_/?tagged=walledoffhotel Throughout the building, Banksy-vandalised oil paintings and statues choking on tear gas fumes line the walls, setting a distinctive tone, but tea and scones are still served daily. Both a gallery and a museum will be open to the public, the former curated by historian and critic Ismal Duddera to showcase many of the most notable Palestinian artists from the past 20 years, and the latter providing a biography of the wall. In case you're wondering, no, this isn't a joke. As made clear on Banksy's website — which has been revamped to showcase the new venture — The Walled Off Hotel is a genuine establishment. The site is expected to run for a year to mark one hundred years since the British became involved in Palestine. Via The Guardian. Images: www.banksy.co.uk.
