The Brisbane International Film Festival is back again — with more than 100 films over 11 days, and with the Gallery of Modern Art at the helm. Organised by GOMA for the first time, this year's BIFF boasts local and international features, an array of special events and guests, and the Australian premiere of one of 2018's most controversial titles. The festival kicks off on Thursday, October 11 with the already-announced Celeste, an operatic drama set within north Queensland's lush greenery, before coming to close on Sunday, October 21 with Debra Granik's empathetic father-daughter drama Leave No Trace. In-between, high-profile highlights include Hotel by the River, the latest film by prolific Korean auteur Hong Sang-soo, and the Melissa McCarthy-starring Can You Ever Forgive Me?, a twisty effort about a real-life writing scandal. And then there's Lars Von Trier's ultra-violent The House That Jack Built, which is set in the 1970s, stars Matt Dillon as a serial killer, and prompted considerable walk-outs when it debuted at at Cannes. Other notable titles span festival circuit favourites such as Cannes Palme d'Or-winner Shoplifters, Nuri Bilge Ceylan's The Wild Pear Tree, and Jia Zhangke's crime romance Ash is the Purest White, plus Jafar Panahi's 3 Faces, Christian Petzold's Transit and the Paul Dano-directed Wildlife. This year's Berlinale Golden Bear winner Touch Me Not also features, as does the experimental and immersive Madeline's Madeline, the gloriously lurid Knife + Heart, and Guy Madden's entrancing The Green Fog. Or, there's M.I.A. documentary Matangi/Maya/ M.I.A., as well as a doco about the making of David Lynch's Blue Velvet — a nice remember that Lynch himself went to GOMA just a few years ago, in his first and only visit to Australia. On the local front, Australian standouts include the excellent Acute Misfortune, about artist Adam Cullen and journalist Erik Jensen; [CENSORED], featuring film clips excised by the country's censorship board between 1958–71; Terror Nullius, Soda Jerk's Aussie movie mashup; and Ghosthunter, which relays a strange tale that can only be true. Keeping things very local is The Picture Show Men, a documentary about the Sourris family — aka the folks behind New Farm Cinemas, the Elizabeth Picture Theatre and the potential new cinema slated for Red Hill. Events-wise, viewers can see documentary Ex Libris: The New York Public Library at a special screening at the State Library of Queensland, or catch a blend of virtual reality with live performance courtesy of the inventive thriller Frogman. Live music will accompany sessions of classics The Cameraman and The Passion of Joan of Arc, while the soundtracks of Japanese composer Teiji Ito will also be thrust into the spotlight. As previously unveiled, BIFF is training its gaze on movies either involving or considered inspiring by festival patrons Bruce Beresford and Sue Milliken — who've worked together on a number of titles, including this year's Ladies in Black. As well as featuring in an in-conversation session about their careers, they'll join Queensland Ballet Artistic Director Li Cunxin for a chat about Mao's Last Dancer, Beresford's adaption of Li's autobiography. The list goes on, with strands dedicated to African and Iranian cinema, plus a mystery movie in a secret location. With the latter, the details won't be revealed until you get there, but it's a new, buzz-worthy film that you won't see elsewhere in BIFF's 2018 program. The 2018 Brisbane International Film Festival will take place from October 11–21 at the Gallery of Modern Art, Event Cinemas Myer Centre, New Farm Cinemas, the Elizabeth Picture Theatre, Reading Cinemas Newmarket, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane Powerhouse and the State Library of Queensland.
Calling all architecture fans, folks keen to explore another side of Brisbane and just anyone who likes to peek behind closed doors. Open House Brisbane has something for all three when it returns for 2018 — showcasing the city's buildings and structures, letting you peer beyond their facades, and even welcoming you into nooks and crannies that aren't usually available to the public. Marking its ninth year in Brisbane, the event will feature 114 buildings across the weekend of October 13–14, spanning places that you probably walk past every day, spots you've always wondered about and everything in between. They include the Peters Ice Cream Factory, Boggo Road Gaol and the homes inside Indooroopilly's Walter Taylor Bridge, plus the Fort Lytton Military Precinct, Archerfield Airport and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. A selection of architecturally distinctive residential buildings also feature, if you'd like a tour of other people's houses. Some of them even won gongs at this year's prestigious Houses Awards, like the greenery-filled Terrarium House — and many require bookings, so planning ahead is recommended. 2018's lineup also features a number of spaces that are new to the program, such as The Tivoli, Breakfast Creek Hotel, Woolloongabba's new Eden Lane, the Mt Crosby Pumping Station, Brisbane Powerhouse, Cloudland and the Empire Hotel. Fancy a wander in the yet-to-be-completed 90-storey Brisbane Skytower in Margaret Street — or Queen Street's luxe new 40-storey Spire Residences? They're on the bill. Open House Brisbane isn't just about walking through spaces, whether you mosey at your own leisure or take a guided tour. It also boasts a program of talks and events running from September 20. New this year is a special after-dark section, which takes place between October 2–13, complete with everything from history workshops in the Old Windmill Tower to a screening of Jaws 2 at the Spring Hill Baths.
First things first: it might be called the All Night Film Fest, but Metro Arts' upcoming movie marathon only runs for eight hours. Still, it will take you from afternoon to evening with a heap of flicks, and it'll be tomorrow when you get out. Also, the November 3 event will serve up five retro movies for free, which isn't something to sneeze at. No bookings are required — just turn up from 4pm and prepare to get comfy, all as part of the venue's returning Deathfest. Yes, Deathfest is a festival that's all about the end that comes for us all. Yes, All Night Film Fest is playing movies that contemplate the theme of death, all in different ways. It kicks off with Night of the Living Dead, aka the zombie classic that all other zombie films owe a huge debt to, then veers from the man-eating plants of Little Shop of Horrors, to the otherworldly thrills of Eternal Evil, to the comedy-horror of The Driller Killer. Finishing up the night is The Brain that Wouldn't Die, and yes, the title of this sci-fi effort is aptly descriptive.
For the past year, Sweat Social has been giving Brisbane and the Gold Coast a workout in nightclubs, gyms, studios and even on rooftops. To celebrate 12 months of getting physical, the active-minded outfit is slinging a heap of classes together across one big day and calling it a festival — Sweat Social Festival, naturally. You mightn't be used to wearing lycra and getting your stretch on at Lightspace in Fortitude Valley, but there's a first time for everything. And, depending on which pass you opt for, a second time too. From 9am–4pm on Sunday, October 28, there'll be sessions dedicated to dance barre, bodyweight pilates, Muay Thai, yoga and more, all thanks to Dance Barre, Fitstop, Science of Fitness, That Pilates Passion, HIIT Geebung and Bend & Fly Yoga. Wellness markets, food stalls run by Cheeky Poke Bar and Tatty's Superfoods, and DJs are all part of the event. If you're keen on the VIP treatment, bottomless Bucha of Byron kombucha and a massage from The Health Place are as well. Tickets range from $40 for one class and $70 for two classes, both with market access, to $80 for a single session, the markets, entry to the VP area and a goodie bag — and $110 for two sessions with all of the aforementioned extras.
1987's Predator is so much better than you remember, even if you remember it being pretty bloody great. Written by Shane Black (who also scribed Lethal Weapon before writing and directing Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and The Nice Guys), Predator was framed as just another action blockbuster vehicle for Arnold Schwarzenegger, yet proved a surprisingly smart and masterfully constructed thriller with equal measures of horror, science-fiction, eternally quotable lines and laugh out loud comedy. Best of all, its villain was something entirely new: a sneaky, lethal and superior hunting machine that could turn invisible as it hunted humans for sport like the antagonist from an alien version of The Most Dangerous Game. Sequels followed. The first wasn't bad. The rest were. They even tried spinoffs, hoping the success and popularity of the Alien vs. Predator comic book series would translate to the big screen. It didn't. Now, some 31 years after the original, Black returns as both writer and director with The Predator. At the end of the day though, things probably would have been better if he hadn't. If the original Predator defied easy categorisation, The Predator proves even harder, shifting from extreme gore and violence one minute to 80s-style quips and blokey banter the next. The hero this time round is Narcos star Boyd Holbrook, whose vanilla performance matches his vanilla character - a grizzled sniper who finds himself on the wrong side of a shady government agency after inadvertently establishing first contact with Earth's latest predatory guest. He's soon bundled in with a bunch of PTSD-affected military rejects as part of a smear campaign, only to have these so-called loonies become his reluctant allies in a desperate effort to stop the extraterrestrial killer and save his autistic son (whose savant abilities – surely one of cinema's most tired cliches – allows him to read and interpret the alien language). It's a mess of a movie, uncertain from its opening scene whether it wants to make you laugh, wince or hide behind your hands. Black's strength has always been dialogue, so it's no surprise The Predator's less action-oriented scenes are also its strongest. Even in these moments, though, the jokes a wildly inconsistent, with every witty high point undermined by a crude, racist, bigoted or sexist jibe. Yes, soldiers are far from saints and doubtless many speak exactly like those presented on screen. Less so scientists whose behaviour in The Predator is often distinguishable from the soldiers around them thanks only to their white lab coats. Performance wise, Olivia Munn does what she can with limited resources (including having her introductory sequence edited out of the film after she discovered her co-star in the scene was a registered sex offender and raised objections with the studio). She's one of a number of talented actors stuck with thinly-crafted actors, including Moonlight's Trevante Rhodes and Key & Peele's Keegan-Michael Key. Jake Busey also makes a cameo, marking one of the film's many tips of the hat to the preceding films (his father was in the sequel), with playful quotes, musical cues and various props all there to reward long-time fans. The gritty action-comedy genre could well do with a comeback, and nobody would seem better placed than Black to make it happen. With The Predator, however, he falls short, delivering something that's entertaining at times but ultimately feels entirely forgettable. Certainly, it's a far cry from the brilliance of his original. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaG1KZqrLvM
When Wednesday afternoon rolls around, things are usually looking up. You're more than halfway through the week, for starters. Plus, next weekend is closer than the one that's just been. Yes, we know you're highly aware of this. At Elixir's new Wednesday Wing Night, you can keep the upward momentum going — by literally heading up to the Fortitude Valley rooftop bar. And, when you're there, you can devour a plate of highly affordable chicken wings, and pair it with a beer, wine or cocktail. Kicking off from 4pm on September 26, then running every week until the end of 2018, this hump day shindig is as simple as it sounds. And, really, isn't that what we all need when we've just made it through three days of the nine-to-five grind? Just make the trip up Ann Street, order 10 confit chicken wings for $10 — although you'll have to buy a beverage as well — and revel in poultry and brews under the stars.
An eclectic group of modern innovators in soul, R&B and electronica, The Internet is heading to The Tivoli for its first-ever Brisbane headline show this March. Renowned for seamlessly mixing genres, sultry smooth vocals and addictive bass lines, The Internet is an acclaimed five-piece band from the wild west coast of California. The band is headed by one of the most unique and multi-talented humans around, Syd Bennett — a Crenshaw local who's been singing since 11 and taught herself to record, engineer and produce by the age of 15. After two acclaimed but underground albums The Internet released Ego Death a Grammy-nominated masterwork in genre-bending soul music. The group then split up, to each produce their own solo work, then reunited earlier this year to release their fourth studio album, Hive Mind. This March, head to the The Tivoli to soak up the sultry vocals and slinking baselines straight from the source, as the quintet performs a career-spanning set with hits off all four albums. The Internet tickets go on sale to the public at 12pm on Friday, November 2. You can access pre-sale tickets by becoming a My Ticketmaster Member.
Five years goes mighty fast when it's filled with food, markets and a great riverside vantage, as Eat Street Northshore now knows. After opening its doors back in 2013, the Hamilton spot is celebrating hitting half a decade of doing what it does best — that is, letting Brisbanites wander through its alleyways and feast on its spoils. Across the weekend of Friday, November 9 to Sunday, November 11, Eat Street's Fifth Birthday shindig will well and truly commemorate the occasion with a heap of bands, performances, food and fireworks, as well as the naming of the site's trawler. Whichever day you decide to stop by, you'll find a packed agenda of entertainment. You'll also find plenty to eat, of course. The three-day shenanigans run during Eat Street Northshore's usual weekend trading hours, so head along between 4–10pm on Friday and Saturday, and 12–8pm on Sunday. The usual entry price of $3 also applies, but bring your wallet for whatever you'll be consuming. Image: Eat Street Northshore.
In the words of the great man himself, there'll be plenty of people turning and facing the strange in Fortitude Valley on Saturday, November 10. That's what happens when Brisbane's now-annual multi-part Bowie bonanza returns to the city's streets, complete with some real cool cats. Event one: drinks, arcade games and a whole heap of David Bowie tunes at Netherworld from 5pm, where wearing your love for the great man will nab you discounts. Don't worry, events two and three will have you dancing in the streets in no time. Actually, the second part of the agenda is taking that literally. Bowies Down Brunswick is exactly what it sounds like, and it's groovy as. Dress up as your favourite version of the all-round icon (we love his early '80s 'Modern Love' stylings ourselves), meet outside Netherworld, offer a gold coin donation for the Cancer Council and prepare to dance your way down to The Osbourne with your fellow costumed Bowie lovers. Along the way, a selection of venues down will come alive with Bowie music, themed cocktails and more. Yep, it's basically a roaming Bowie party. Then there's the third and final shenanigans of the day, aka an Aladdin Sane 45th Anniversary Party. From 7pm, and for a $10 entry fee, you can dance to his hits and just continue to soak in the glorious that is one of the best performers to ever live. We can be heroes, indeed.
Australia mightn't have much of a diner culture, but we sure do love pairing something greasy with milk. The combo that is burgers and milkshakes might instantly spring to mind; however the same principle applies with chicken. It's like having fried poultry and ice cream on your waffles on the same time, just without the waffle. If that sounds like your idea of a delicious meal, then make a beeline over to Coorparoo's Special Rub on Thursday evenings until December 13. From 6pm, it's serving up wings and shakes — and it'll just keep serving them until you say when. The all-you-can-eat wings and bottomless milkshakes special is also highly affordable at just $25 (or $20 if you don't want a shake), but you do need to book in advance. You can choose your flavour when it comes to chicken and shakes, and it's a great excuse to get some really spicy chook, given that milk helps sooth the heat.
Getting into festive mood? Prefer to do your shopping while the big day is still a few weeks away? Hate leaving your Christmas preparations until the last minute? Then pencil the year's must-attend Yuletide markets into your calendar: Christmas on Cribb. Sure, Christmas on Cribb is just what the Milton Markets call their seasonal shindig, which takes place on Friday, December 7 from 4pm to 10pm. And sure, you've been to markets before. But, their festive event boasts plenty to get excited about. Here, you'll get your food and gift plans sorted, and lap up music and entertainment while you're there. This Cribbmas, you can also enjoy everything from gourmet food to artisan wares, with more than 100 stalls always on offer. Grab bites you'll want to eat on the night, produce for your big feast, and presents for your loved ones (and yourself). Plus, there'll be two pop-up bars on-site thanks to Stone & Wood and City Winery, in case you need a break from the browsing and buying — or an extra excuse to feel merry.
Two years after getting a makeover, changing its layout and adding three more screens, Palace Centro has undergone another revamp. In fact, it's no longer called Palace Centro. Now badged Palace James St, the 18-year-old cinema has built three more cinemas, bringing its New Farm total to ten. The new screens also mark the company's first premium offerings — Palace Platinum — in Brisbane. With the projectors firing up on Friday, November 16, cinephiles can get put their feat up in reclining leather seats, which is what everyone that goes to Gold Class-style sessions wants. You can also tuck into dine-in meals and snacks. And, if your stomach is rumbling mid-movie, just press the call button to get your beverage — or popcorn — topped up. Food and drink-wise, patrons can choose from bites that include $14 mini choc top flights (which feature five flavours), as well as cocktails, sparkling, wine and craft beers. Or, ordering in from along the street is an option. Local eateries such as Chow House and Jocelyn's Provisions will be serving up mini menus so that you can eat lunch or dinner while the film is rolling. But this is the best bit. To mark the relaunch, Palace James St is offering $10 platinum tickets, which means that A Star Is Born, Bohemian Rhapsody, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and The Old Man and the Gun can dance in front of your eyes until Thursday, November 22 for the same price as a regular session. Bottomless popcorn and $5 (not bottomless) glasses of prosecco will also be available across the week. Unsurprisingly, sessions are selling out quickly.
Since the mid-1800s, we've all been told to deck the halls with boughs of holly come Christmastime. While sprucing up your chosen joint with greenery is solid advice, there's no need to restrict your merry embrace of nature to just one type of plant. Deck your coffee table with pots of cacti. Adorn your bathroom shelves with planters filled with succulents. Brighten up your loved ones' homes with whichever leafy morsel you think they'll love. Whichever you choose, find whatever you're looking for at The Lanes Plant and Homewares Market. On Sunday, November 24, the one-off market will take over Fortitude Valley's Bakery, Winn and California Lanes between 10am–2pm, all as part of the precinct's A Very Laneway Christmas event. More than 32 stallholders will be slinging the likes of plants, flowers, kokedamas, ceramics, candles and homewares, with Botanic Box, Botanical Lab, The Flower Source, Max and Mort, Made with Grace, Alice Nightingale and Hunchmark Ceramics among the sellers. Live music will also feature, tying in with the three laneways' Welcome Back to the Lanes free live gig series. And, you can also take part in one of five different workshops, covering areas such as seed bombs, plant potting and that ol' Xmas gift favourite: terrariums. Images: Botanic Box / Max and Mort.
Calling all dumpling fiends — and wonton, gyoza, jiaozi, shishbarak and momo fans too. That most wonderful of encased foods and its many, many varieties are getting another whole day to call their own. Heading to Welcome to Bowen Hills from 12–9pm on Sunday, February 10, this showcase isn't just celebrating the types and flavours of Asia this time around. With 2019's Dumpling Day focusing on the theme of "follow the ancient Silk Road", you can expect a wealth of European mouthfuls as well. Dedicated to the tasty heated parcels that everyone loves, it's a day that's certain to end in food comas — and not only can you buy and devour your favourite kind (or kinds, lets be honest), but you can also learn how to make them. Workshops will cover potstickers with sauce, as well as soupy xiao long bao, with each costing $10 per person + booking fee. Overall entry into the event is free, as is the origami class that's also happening on the day. That said, registration is required even if you're simply planning on going along and eating. Last year, this dumpling extravaganza booked out in a weekend.
If you're looking for the shindig to end all shindigs this weekend, don't just head to the Valley — hop between three venues like you're taking the train to a wizarding school. With Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald hitting cinemas, Ric's, Marquee Bar and the RG are celebrating a certain magical franchise and its wondrous world at Brisbane's Biggest Wizard Party That Must Not Be Named. This isn't an official shindig, so the venues are keeping things vague. That said, if you've spend the last two decades consuming JK Rowling's writing and the films they've inspired, then this grown-up affair is for you. Entry is free, and there'll be eight bars and seven DJs getting into the enchanted spirit across the evening, with the fantastic fun taking place from 7pm on Saturday, November 17. Apart from drinking wizard-themed cocktails and something called 'wizard beer', you can also get cosy in the free photo booth and just generally magic the night away. Dressing up is encouraged — which people tend to do at these things, so consider yourself warned — and those donning a costume will be in the running for prizes.
First, there was the Weekend of Darkness. Then came the Weekend of Tartness — aka the sister festival The Scratch just had to have. Where the former has celebrated ales, porters, stouts and other tipples at the dark end of the spectrum since 2013, the latter cartwheels to the opposite end of the extreme spectrum of beer styles. If it is tart and tangy, it is likely to be on the menu. Over the two days of Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9 — and at a special preview evening on Friday, December 7, too — more than 20 of the funkiest, sourest, most refreshing beers being produced in Australia and around the world will take over the taps of the Milton hangout. It might sound like a gimmick, but these biting brews have been around longer than you might think. In fact, historically, all beers used to be sour. Drinking is only part of the fun, with tasty food and a pumping soundtrack adding to the atmosphere. And as for what you'll be drinking, keep an eye on the event's Facebook page.
If The West Wing, The Social Network, A Few Good Men and Steve Jobs taught us anything, it's that Aaron Sorkin knows how to write dialogue. With his work often rapid-fire in pace, passionate in tone and frequently delivered via his trademark walk-and-talk scenes, Sorkin demonstrates a winning way with words unlike anyone else in the business. With Molly's Game, however, he's faced with a new challenge. Sure, he knows how to pen intelligent stories that flow with their own almost-hypnotic rhythm. But does he know how to direct them as well? Like much of Sorkin's output, the success of Molly's Game comes down to the folks doing the talking. Invariably, his wordy scripts shine brightest when they're brought to life by exceptional actors. With a knack for his timing, sharpness and smarts, Jessica Chastain proves a perfect match. Indeed, Molly's Game might have Sorkin's name and stamp all over it, but this is Chastain's picture through and through. Whether she's rattling off skiing and gambling statistics in voiceover, bantering back and forth with her also-excellent co-star Idris Elba, or working poker rooms filled with the rich and famous, she is the movie's true trump card. In her latest impressive performance as a formidable woman in a male-dominated realm (see also: Zero Dark Thirty, A Most Violent Year and Miss Sloane), the two-time Oscar nominee plays Molly Bloom, the real-life former Olympic-level skier turned poker magnate. Stripped of her sporting dream after a horrific accident, Bloom heads to Los Angeles to "be young for a while in warm weather." When she takes on an admin job to pay the bills, she has no idea that she'll also be running her boss' weekly card games. Before long, she's in charge of her own underground gambling empire, and later being chased down by the FBI. Sorkin's film is based on Bloom's tell-all book, Molly's Game: From Hollywood's Elite to Wall Street's Billionaire Boys Club, My High-Stakes Adventure in the World of Underground Poker. That title may be a bit of a mouthful, but it also explains why Sorkin was so attracted to the story (other than a fondness for verbosity). Power, success, the pursuit of both, and the intersection of idealism and corruption are common themes in his other screenplays, and they're all present here. As such, he's in very comfortable territory with a dynamite true tale that's topical, entertaining and filled with astute insights about human psychology and behaviour. Throw a stellar star and a stacked support cast — Michael Cera, Kevin Costner, Chris O'Dowd and even Stranger Things' Joe Keery — into the mix, and Molly's Game must've seemed like an easy winning hand. And it is, almost. In addition to its slick visuals, the film reflects some of Sorkin's best tendencies — a recent Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay is proof of that. Unfortunately it also suffers from some of his worst. Indulgence is one such grating trait, with moments of repetition and near-constant chatter blowing the running time out to 140 minutes. Sentimentality is another, with the writer-director happy to hit hard in his dialogue, but happier still when it comes with a warm glow as well. Still, when Chastain is unleashing her fast-paced narration or trading pithy chatter with Elba, you'll be able to overlook many of the film's flaws. And thankfully, that happens a lot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVMkOuZOMe0
Since 2011, DJ Tom Loud's travelling dance party Hot Dub Time Machine has ripped up stages the world over, offering a rolling crossfade of the last six decades of pop-music. And last year he launched Hot Dub Wine Machine, a series of al fresco get-togethers on some of the country's most-loved wine regions. The Hot Dub Wine Machine events were a success and this year the tour will head to O'Reilly's Vineyard in the Canungra Valley on Saturday, March 3. The boutique event will run from early afternoon through to after dark, and feature a hand-picked smorgasbord of Australian talent, including The Kite String Tangle, Touch Sensitive and Sneaky Sound System. This will all lead into one of Hot Dub's signature sets, which will see audiences dancing their way from 1954 to today, as the DJ mixes an iconic song from each year. Backing up the tunes, expect a careful curation of eats, craft beer and, of course, some sensational vino from these iconic Australian wine regions. Safe to say, it's probably the rowdiest event these wineries will host all year.
There are plenty of ways that a band can honour legends of the local music scene. Painting their names on the wall is something that The Triffid has been doing since the Newstead hangout opened its doors. In showing their love for The Go-Betweens, however, they're also giving their eye-catching mural some sounds to match, courtesy of a tribute evening. Anyone who has attended one of The Triff's previous gatherings (highlighting the talents of everyone from Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, The Cure, and Pink Floyd to The Clash, Metallica and Iggy Pop) will know that they're in for a treat. Of course, the fact that they're shining a spotlight on homegrown talent makes the night all the more special. You'll be going round and round, up and down with Halfway, Dan Kelly, Adele Pickvance and The Stress of Leisure in no time — and you won't just be nodding to the past, but looking to the future. The show will also feature the finalists for this year's Grant McLennan Fellowship, aka Leanne Tennant, Hannah Macklin, Jeremy Neale and Bec Laughton, with the award named after The Go-Betweens' lead singer. Now that's how you pay tribute to a band that also has a bridge bearing their moniker.
For all of the hot, hot heat Brisbane summers send our way, sitting in a pool of water and viewing a movie isn't as easy to do as you might think. Don't worry, the Spring Hill Baths have you covered — and they're whisking eager swimming cinema-goers back to the '80s. You'll have the time of your life as you watch and splash around to Dirty Dancing, as long as you don't go putting anyone in a corner. And you'll probably see plenty of fancy footsteps, too, given that the event doubles as a first birthday shindig for Brisbane Barre Studio. Entry is free, but registration is essential; who doesn't want to watch Patrick Swayze steam it up on screen, then jump in the pool to cool off, after all? Free refreshments kick off at 6pm, followed by the film at 6.30pm. Bringing your togs, rather than your dancing shoes, is recommended.
Feel like being inspired? In need of a positive evening out? Trust Peppermint Magazine, Australia's own eco fashion and lifestyle quarterly, to come up with an event that fits the bill: their PepTalks series. Hosting its latest event on November 29 at Wandering Cooks, PepTalks embraces both interpretations of its name. Yes, fab folks featured in the magazine's pages will chat about their work, lives and efforts to make a difference. Yes, their discussion will pep you right up. Peta Granger, James Bartle and Belinda Evans are the latest inspiring figures in the PepTalks hot seat, sharing their experiences selling amazing-smelling soap, eliminating child exploitation in fashion, and crafting handmade textiles, homewares and jewellery. Plus, talk isn't the only thing on the menu, with food truck For The Pickles on site from 5pm, and everyone receiving a drink on arrival.
Music fans have vinyl. Movie buffs have VHS. Gamers, well, where do we start? If you're a lover of retro fun and mashing buttons is your preferred pastime, then there are just too many formats to choose from. Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Master System, Mega Drive, Gamecube, Saturn… the list goes on. Don't stress — whichever one you're into, you'll find it at the Brisbane Video Game & Pop Culture Market, plus a whole host of other stuff as well. Yes, there really is a fair, swap meet or shopping event for just about everything. Basically, this regular smorgasbord of gaming paraphernalia, toys, books, comics and more will take over Shady Palms Cafe to make your Sunday morning dreams come true, as long as those dreams involve consoles and pop culture. And, let's face it, it'll also make your Sunday afternoon dreams come true as well. We know what you'll be heading home to do (or, should we say, play) when the market closes at 1pm — and, if you feel like sticking around, the Stones Corner hangout will also be hosting a Mario Kart 64 showdown.
Like many words, the term 'cross section' has multiple meanings. On the one hand, it describes the surface that is exposed when someone cuts into an object. On the other, it refers to a group or sample that is designed to represent something larger. Both apply at crosseXions — and no, the title of Metro Arts' latest exhibition isn't a typo. Instead, the Beth Jackson-curated showcase compiles the work of a dozen emerging creatives, and embraces their forays into feminist and environmental concerns. The end result doesn't just display virtual self-portraits, audio recordings, costumes, photographs and sculptures by James Barth, Clark Beaumont (Sarah Clark & Nicole Beaumont), Katina Davidson, Dana Lawrie, Julie-Anne Milinski, Clare Poppi, Merri Randell, Leena Riethmuller, Camille Serisier, Lynden Stone and Shayna Wells, though it does do that. It also attempts to peer inside the issues surrounding the artworks and the artists, be it the darker side of jewellery making, the perception of pregnant women or the ways in which feminine and transsexual bodies are represented. Image: Intent-Response5, digital photograph, Shayna Wells, 2016.
If you're thinking about taking a journey this long weekend, you're not alone. Not all voyages involve hopping on a form of transport and heading out of the city, though. Just ask Australian artists Juz Kitson, Fiona Lowry, William Mackinnon and Guy Maestri, who ponder the concept of road trips in their latest group exhibition. Their pieces will not only take you along for a ride — they'll leave you thinking about the process of viewing the world through a car window, and just why we all get so excited about the experience. Image: William Mackinnon When I drive I get these ideas 2015, oil on linen, 150.0 x 122.0 cm.
These days, 3D printers are a bit like Bernard Black's oven: they can handle anything. Houses, bikes, guns, toothbrushes... the list goes on, and also includes important artefacts. That's great news if you're into history, looking at cool bits and pieces from centuries gone by, or simply gazing at dinosaur skeletons. Modern technology can reproduce valuable, lost or destroyed items, truly taking museum visits to another dimension — but have you ever wondered about how it works, where it can be best employed, and what the practice means in the grand scheme of things? At Real to Relic: Museums in 3D, a swag of experts will be pondering just that; however this one-night-only exhibition isn't just about the theoretical side of things. You'll also watch 3D printing in action, and see if you can tell the difference between real and replica objects. Nope, this isn't your regular night at the museum.
Each year, Italy celebrates Festa della Repubblica — otherwise known as the country's national day. The occasion might not be a big deal in Australia, but don't tell that to the folks behind the Italian Food and Wine Festival. Come May 29, they're doing their best to give Brisbane a taste of the fun by throwing a free street event. That means a sea of Italian-themed festivities will take over New Farm Park, featuring plenty of food and wine, of course. There'll also be live music to help showcase the nation beyond the bounds of your stomach. The Italian Food and Wine Festival isn't just a one-off event — it's the centrepiece of Italian Week, which celebrates Italian influence in Australia and the country's culture in general. That's right, you now have an excuse to eat all the pizza and pasta you like for seven whole days — not that you need one, of course.
If you're in Tokyo and you're keen to see the fashion trends of the future, then hanging around the Harajuku district is a safe bet. If you're in Brisbane and you're not jumping on a plane any time soon, then you can drop by Sake for the next best thing. Yes, the Eagle Street eatery is bring a slice of one of Japan's hippest areas to Queensland for a one-night-only pop-up party. Paying $50, moseying along and enjoying a fun evening pretending you're far, far away is the easy part, though. Deciding what to wear — now, that's difficult. Whatever outfit takes your fancy, you'll be rewarded with a cocktail on arrival and mouthwatering canapés, with more specialty drinks and Sake bites — including the delicious yakitori the restaurant's regulars already know and love — on offer throughout the night. Add a live DJ keeping things pumping, and it really will be the closest you can get to the real experience without leaving the city.
Playing musical chairs with Rachel Vosila wouldn't just be fun — it'd be a furniture frenzy and a design showcase too. No two seats would look the same, with each crafted and constructed by Vosila using different materials and tools. In fact, she already has 52 she could use. They're the end result of her One a Week project, a year-long quest to challenge her skills. The idea really is as simple as it seems, although the results are anything but. Vosila made a new chair every week over the course of twelve months — that's 52 chairs for the 52 weeks of 2015. But they're not the kind of practical pieces you'd see in any old dining room (although, once you see them, you'll definitely want them in yours). Lucky for us, the Sydney-based artist's handmade seats are coming to Brisbane for one week only. The end result of her year of hard work will be on display at Homemaker The Valley from May 20-26. No, you can't sit on them. Nor will the music won't stop while you're walking around them. But you'll most probably be inspired to stretch your own talents, look at home décor a little differently, and consider redecorating your house. For a look at what to expect, have a peek at Vosila's Instagram.
When it comes to spirits, do you have clear priorities? Is your go-to drink the fruity tipple that has made many a glass of tonic taste great? Can you taste the difference between Tanqueray and Hendricks? If you answered yes to any of the above, then you'd best mark June 11 in your calendar. Because there's a special date for everything, that's when World Gin Day falls — and you'd better believe that Dutch Courage Officers' Mess has put together a series of gin-focused masterclasses to celebrate the occasion. That's what you'd expect from a bar that has more than 120 gins on its menu, but they really have outdone themselves this time. Start things off with oysters and Bloody Marys, enjoy a few food and drink pairings, and work your way up to teapot cocktails. And, for even more fun in-between sessions, lounge around at the outdoor bar, listen to all-day soundtrack of cruisy blues, rifle through goodie bags and keep wetting your whistle at gin tastings.
When a couple of excellent dudes by the name of Bill S. Preston, Esquire and Ted "Theodore" Logan needed to pass their final history report, they did what anyone would do if they had the chance. You've seen the movie. You know their story. That's right — they jumped in a time-travelling phone booth. Sadly, most of us don't live in a late '80s comedy film, so we have to dive back into the past by other means, such as books and re-enactments. And if the former isn't for you, then the latter just might be, even if you haven't ever tried it out yet. At History Alive: A Journey Through Time, 400 re-enactors and historians will portray and display 2000 years of history via everything from dance workshops and archery displays to cooking demonstrations and restaged battles. Whatever period you're keen to brush up on, be it Roman, Viking, Medieval, Napoleonic, Colonial and World War activities, you'll find it at Fort Lytton National Park — because a history festival has to take place at a historic site.
Who doesn't love the idea of pairing each and every bite of food with an appropriate alcoholic tipple? Okay, so we know that you already know all about degustation menus with matching wines, but have you taken the concept into the spirit realm? No, we don't mean ghosts. Yes, we do mean amber-coloured drinks. Whether you're an old hand at consuming the hard stuff with your evening feast, or this'll be the first time you pair a dram with every dinner course, Cobbler's Whisky Tasting & Degustation featuring Macallan and Laphroaig is the meal you won't want to miss out on. Just let the West End bar's trusty staff take care of all your eating and drinking needs for the night, with whisky aficionado Dan Woolley on hand to explain the ins and outs of the food and beverage menu. A word of warning: at $120 per person, this isn't a cheap experience — but you know it's going to be oh-so-rich, hearty and tasty.
Describing the wonder that is Monkey Monkey Shake Shake just doesn't do them justice. The two-person organic dance band is the kind of musical act that really does need to be seen to be truly appreciated, as well as something that everyone has to experience at least once. Think songs, dances, bongos, harmonicas and costumes all put together with an eclectic attitude and aimed at just about everyone. That includes audiences in Korea, where MMSS just participated in an emerging arts showcase. Now, thanks to a one-evening-only exhibition and performance, it also includes the folks of Brisbane once again. Expect all of the above — and expect the unexpected, of course — at Junky Comics on June 10. As well as busting out their tunes, MMSS will be displaying their latest artwork. Attendees will be able to buy stickers, badges, patches and maybe even a comic, and even wear special MMSS hats on the night.
If you were a child of the '80s, you either wanted to be Molly Ringwald or be with her. If you were a child of the '90s or '00s, as long as you saw The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink or Sixteen Candles, you probably wanted to as well. Sure, those dreams aren't likely to become a reality — but you can spend an evening with the actress and singer instead. Bringing her nostalgic cabaret show to Brisbane, she'll croon sultry tunes and charm entire rooms, and bust out a rendition of Simple Minds' Don't You (Forget About Me), too. Yes, her performance has proven so popular that there's a waiting list for tickets, but this is one club you definitely want to be a member of. This is one of our five top picks from this year's Queensland Cabaret Festival. Read the full list.
The Oscars love her, moviegoers adore her — and no doubt, you do too. Alexandra Keddie certainly does. In fact, she's so fond of the woman widely considered the best actress of her generation that she's written a whole show about her obsession. Of course, the object of Keddie's affection is none other than Meryl Streep, and she's clearly been harbouring her devotion for some time. Set from the perspective of a 17-year-old girl with dreams of following in Streep's footsteps, I See Me & Meryl Streep not only steps through the thespian's celebrated, multifaceted career, but into the shoes of her biggest fan. To the delight of Mamma Mia! aficionados everywhere, ABBA features heavily. This is one of our five top picks from this year's Queensland Cabaret Festival. Read the full list.
Talking about eating local and actually doing it are two different things. If knowing where to start is the only thing stopping you from moving between the former and latter categories, then What the Food!? can help — and take you on a Saturday food and drink stroll in the process. After meeting up at New Farm Park, you'll tour the neighbourhood to discover all the nearby delights on offer. That includes a locally sourced lunch provided by The Picnic Goods, plus beer tasting at Green Beacon Newstead. No, that's not all the afternoon has in store. Because What the Food!? is about learning, rather than just consuming, DIY workshops and Q&A sessions are also on the menu. Dig into veggies courtesy of Spurtopia, ask Robert Pekin all about Food Connect, and sample some honey with Phil from Hive&Harvest. Yes, a take home goodie pack complete with taste testers is also included.
Artists might be born rather than made, and great art might be the product of all of life's experiences, but that doesn't mean the creatively inclined have to be in a hurry to put brush to canvas. Don't believe us? Well, late Bentinck Island artist and senior Kaiadilt woman Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori certainly wasn't. Gabori might be the subject of the Queensland Art Gallery's latest retrospective; however she only started painting in 2005 at the age of 81. Of course, every year of her existence infuses her bold, bright pieces — from large-scale collaborative works produced alongside other senior Kaiadilt women, to pieces on paper created toward the end of her life. Dulka Warngiid – Land of All showcases more than 50 of Gabori's efforts, as well as shining a light on the place — an island in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria, off north-western Queensland, in northern Australia — she was linked to. For those keen to know more, a schedule of tours and talks dives deeper into the exhibition, and into a fascinating, late-in-life art career. Image: All the fish, 2005, Synthetic polymer paint on canvas. Gift of Jim Cousins, AO and Libby Cousins through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program, 2013. Collection: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. © Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori. Licensed by Viscopy.
Think you've seen every version of Peter Pan? Think again. In Straight On Till Morning, the boy who never grows up also never ventures out — because he's nestled inside a mental asylum with Wendy and Tink, and receiving treatment from Dr Hook. If it sounds like quite a different take on J. M. Barrie's classic tale, that's because it is. Interwoven with mental health stories from Queensland's past, the immersive theatre show follows the titular character through the hidden rooms and forgotten corridors of The Foundry, while drawing upon talented local spoken word artists, dancers, actors and physical theatre performers.
Knocking back a few gins at someone's home might be something you can do any night of the week; however we're betting your martini-fuelled house parties aren't usually like this. They probably don't boast a couple of chanteuses and a pianist, for starters. And we're guessing said performers don't turn a stranger's place into a Manhattan-style salon, either. Leave all that to Miss Laine and Alicia Cush as they transform a Carina residence into the ultimate suburban speakeasy. They'll take care of the mood and music; you just need to bring your fun-loving self wearing your best jazzy outfit.
Who hasn't faced an ordinary but rather annoying problem — dealing with your neighbours or planning for a party, perhaps — and dreamed of how different things must have been years, decades and even centuries ago? We all have, but most of us haven't taken those historical fantasies and turned them into a one-woman show. Jenny Wynter's Viking Mama isn't just about catharsis, but about comedy and cabaret as well. In fact, it's an amusing rock opera that has been hyped by both Frank Woodley and Katie Noonan. Yes, it is safe to say it has both the amusing and the musical side of things covered. Just don't go in expecting anything like TV's Vikings, i.e. the television program about power grabs, feuding warriors and family squabbles that doesn't feature dragons. Instead, you'll explore a day in the life of a mother coping with the usual ups and downs, because vikings had to deal with everyday troubles and struggles, too.
Partying like it is 1999 (or anytime after 1989 and before 2000, in fact) has almost become a weekly occurrence in Brisbane, courtesy of all manner of themed club nights. Not all retro music evenings are created equal, however. At No Diggity at The Foundry, you'll be doing more than rocking a tie-dyed t-shirt. That outfit choice is completely acceptable, of course, as is mixing two-decade-old trends by throwing a flannelette shirt on over the top. Looking the part and standing around saying "wow, remember how things used to be?" isn't the main attraction here though, even if prizes are up for grabs; grooving to the music of the era, including one-hit wonders and enduring classics, is. That's what DJ Sezzo, Eevee and Black Amex will be spinning from 9pm until late — and yes, we're pretty sure that the Blackstreet track that gives the shindig its name will be given a whirl. Yep, it's not just a song that Chet Faker covered, and it won't be the only vintage track that'll get you in the '90s mood.
First things first: no, Artisan hasn't fashioned its own take on the reality TV show that once beamed a certain wannabe US presidential candidate into our living rooms. Instead, the gallery has turned over its space to thirteen creatives that were once apprentices in fields as varied as shoemaking and blacksmithing. If those areas all sound like traditional crafts and trades that have come under threat from modern mass production methods, that's because they are. That's part of the point of the exhibition. By showcasing the creations of talented leather makers, woodworkers and more, The Apprenticeship shines a spotlight on the skill and style evident in their work. Of course, highlighting the training aspect of pursuing handcraft-oriented careers is also on the agenda, hence the choice of name. As you peruse their efforts, you'll discover their stories, learn how they got to where they are, and consider the future of everything from sign-writing to brick-making.
If ever a dive bar needed its own festival, it's Brisbane's Death Valley. Sinking drinks in the Morningside mainstay's beer garden, chowing down on a meal from Red Robin Supper Truck, tapping your toes to whatever's pumping through the stereo and chilling out with your friends almost feels like hanging out at a festival anyway — but now, the boozy offshoot of Southside Tea Room is about to take that vibe to the next level. Meet Death Valley Fun Camp, the brand new, must-attend weekend event you're going to want to grab a ticket to as soon as they go on sale. Part festival, part campout, it combines the best of both recreational activities. Think music, food, beverages, activities, marshmallows and sleeping in cabins at Lake Moogerah in the Scenic Rim district south-west of Brissie. Attendees will try their hand at flag-making, slosh through a mud course, paddle around on a kayak, and learn the art of pickling veggies — and that's just the beginning. When the sun goes down, they'll also help the Southside Tea Room crew and Jacob Knauth from Lucky Egg whip up dinner. A fireside gathering is on the agenda too, so brush up on your spooky stories. Afterwards, Top Shelf Wedding Band will bust out some live tunes, with members of Velociraptor and other Brisbane garage rock alumni — including Southside owners, The Grates' Patience Hodgson and John Patterson, we're betting — strutting their stuff. Sounds like the kind of weekend getaway that only exists in movies, doesn't it? Stop pinching yourself — it is really happening. Tickets start from $179, and include all meals and activities, a welcome pack complete with a camp t-shirt and a bunk bed for the night. Add an extra $79 for a refillable beer mug — the perfect container for all the Young Henrys beer and cider you can consume — with all food and drink proceeds going to Kids Helpline. Image: Josh Felise.
Who needs true crime TV when you can tour the real thing? Not Bloody Brisbane organiser Jack Sim. If you've ever taken a guided wander around the city's haunted past, you might be familiar with his work — but did you know he hosts a crime walk, too? Plenty of chilling events have occurred in Brisbane over the years , and Sim knows all the details. Every Tuesday and Saturday night at 7.30pm, he meets anyone eager to learn about the city's darker history at the Queen Street GPO, then explores and explains notorious sites within a three-block radius. If you don't want all the gory details of hangings, gunfights and more, then this probably isn't for you. And if you do, be warned: once you've delved into this unseemly side of the city, you'll want to take one of the three crime coach tours as well.
Everyone dreams of throwing in the 9-to-5 grind for a more leisurely way of life, and swapping the big smoke for a quiet place in the country, too. And, if you like alcoholic beverages made from fermented grapes, we're guessing holing up in your own winery, making as much as pinot noir as you can handle and feasting on cheese features heavily. We'll admit it if you do. Alas, that's not the path most of us are fated to follow; however the Regatta's new two-day festival can help you pretend otherwise. The Laneway Vineyard doesn't just boast over 50 international and local tipples, plus gourmet food stalls created by the Boatshed restaurant. It also brings a slice of chateau life to the city. So, sip on whichever nectar of the gods takes your fancy, nibble on wood-fired pizzas and pulled pork wraps (as well as red wine and chocolate gelato and champagne sorbet for dessert), and enjoy a weekend of food and drink-focused bliss. Live acoustic tunes by day and DJ sets by night will keep things pumping, because this isn't just a wine showcase — it's a celebration.
To explore the concept of the frontier, aka the area that lurks around borders, you really do have to break a few boundaries. Like staging an exhibition across two galleries, splitting one show into site-specific sections and weaving everything around the city's own watery dividing line (yes, we're talking about the Brisbane river), perhaps? That's Frontier Imaginaries in a nutshell — and it really is just the start of the creative, contemplative extravaganza. No Longer at Ease takes over IMA, while The Life of Lines settles into the QUT Art Museum, with both bringing together leading Australian, indigenous and international artists to reflect upon barriers, divides, and their physical, digital, geographical and cultural impact. Of course, work by the likes of Gordon Hookey, Tom Nicholson, Megan Cope, Rachel O'Reilly, Alice Cresicher and Wendelein Van Oldenborgh is only part of the puzzle too, and not just because the two-year effort will eventually grow and evolve, complete with an offshoot in Jerusalem. Courtesy of an accompanying event program, convening to talk, read, meet and learn is just as pivotal. That's how you really do eradicate limits, after all. Image: Gordon Hookey, HISTORY is his story, MYSTERY is my story (A History according to me)', 2016 and ongoing, oil on canvas.
Get your shopping done under twinkling lights while surrounded by real (not plastic) Christmas trees. No, this isn't a festive dream — it's the reality of the South Bank Christmas Markets. Carol singers and other performers also help add to the mood, though they can't steal the show from the most important part of the proceedings: the wares on offer at the rows of stalls. From 11am daily, you'll find handmade toys, jewellery and other trinkets just begging to be given as gifts, as well as tasty treats to add to your Christmas feast. Yep, everyone's a winner here.
You don't need an excuse to hang out at Red Hook, but no one is going to complain about having an extra reason to stop by. And the CBD's beloved New York-style diner and bar sure is giving you one every Sunday afternoon in December (other than Christmas, of course): a series of festive, food-fuelled, beat-filled hip hop block parties. Yes, Gresham Lane is the place to be once the clock strikes 3pm. It's a simple concept, but a great one. Basically, they're throwing together some food and drink specials, enlisting a few ace DJs to spin some killer tracks, and then waiting for the fun to begin. Whatever the deals happen to be on the day, you'll be sure to find US street food aplenty, including hot dogs, burritos, wings and delightfully named burgers like the Grandmaster Flash (with beef, lettuce, tomato, ketchup and smoky mayo), as well as taps pumping out cold brews. Plus, with whiskey joint The Gresham also in the vicinity, you can cap it all off with a stiff beverage. That's how all weekends should end, isn't it?
What happens when two brothers can't agree on the best way to get ahead in life? That's the question at the heart of True West, after Lee (Thomas Larkin) forms a 'gentleman's agreement' with a Hollywood producer on the ninth green, and then earns a bout of bitterness and resentment from his brother Austin (Julian Curtis). If it sounds like a classic American tale — and one concerned with the popular topic of the American dream, too — then that's because it is. Indeed, before making its way to Brisbane Powerhouse courtesy of director Marcel Dorney and producers Troy Armstrong, Thomas Larkin and Annette Box, True West was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize back in 1983. It's also considered a modern masterpiece that charts a physical and psychological showdown of sibling rivalry. Yep, True West comes with considerable history, with David Wenham and Philip Seymour Hoffman each taking on the play in previous stagings. And, it was written by Sam Shepherd, who not only won a Pulitzer for an earlier effort, but has been seen in everything from television's Bloodline to this year's sci-fi flick Midnight Special. Image: Oliver Edwin
Trying to do something creative isn't easy, especially in the institutionalised world of contemporary art. There's the difficulty of finding inspiration, the skill required to paint, sculpt or otherwise fashion something from nothing, the constant need to source funding, and the awkwardness of seeking external validation. It's little wonder, then, that artists Joseph Breikers and Timothy P Kerr have collaborated on an exhibition that brings all this to the fore, and does so with a clear sense of humour. Even the moniker of their combined showcase — Eight Embarrassed Males — is meant to make you laugh. Immediately, you're picturing an awkward group of anxious artists standing around. And, if you know your Swedish performance pieces, you might've cottoned on to the title's misremembering of the work Ten Embarrassed Men by Annika Ström. Featuring a series of tongue-in-cheek installations designed to elicit giggles — such as a large banner boldly encouraging compliments as well as an obscenely large donation box — Breikers and Kerr have fashioned a collection that observes, amuses and critiques the world at its centre all at once. Expect artistic ambivalence conveyed via drawing, sculpture, sound and video. And, if you're keen to find out more, the duo will be on hand on August 24 for an Artist's Talk.
Everyone's going wild these days, at least as far as films are concerned. Cameron Diaz caused chaos in the classroom, Seth Rogen and Zac Efron demonstrated how not to be neighbourly on two separate occasions, and now the one group you probably thought was immune to displays of errant behaviour has joined in on the inappropriate fun. Yes, Bad Moms shows just what happens when some over-stressed, under-appreciated mothers let loose. It's as raucous as you might expect, and as formulaic too — but thanks to its warm message and committed cast, it has both heart and spirit. With a happy family and a cool job at a coffee company, on the surface it looks like Amy (Mila Kunis) is the type of woman who has it all. She doesn't quite view it that way, though – in fact, she sees her life as a constant struggle. When she's not looking after a husband (David Walton) who doesn't appreciate her, she's appeasing her younger boss (Clark Duke), ferrying her kids (Oona Laurence and Emjay Anthony) to their extra-curricular activities, and attempting to avoid the wrath of the bossy PTA president (Christina Applegate) at their school. But after one particularly hectic day, she decides to stop trying to be everything to everyone. Instead, with fellow outsiders Carla (Kathryn Hahn) and Kiki (Kristen Bell), she determines to unleash her own kind of mothering. As written and directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, Bad Moms is mainly an excuse to make a party flick about ladies trying to find a way to cope with their considerable responsibilities. That the pair also helmed 21 & Over and wrote the script for The Hangover is telling. Thankfully, while giving Kunis, Hahn and Bell an excuse to act like teenagers, the film also unpacks the many expectations placed on women who have children – and women in general for that matter –, including the standards they impose on themselves and the scathing judgments they level at each other. The combination makes for a movie that's funny, thoughtful, and offers the kind of non-schmaltzy ode to motherhood that the interminable Mother's Day showed no signs of mustering. Though it trades in a few too many stereotypes and straightforward situations, the film does at least manage to subvert the former on occasion, while finding plenty of jokes in the latter. Like women-centric comedies Sisters and Bridesmaids before it, it's the cast that keeps Bad Moms moving. The rapport between the three leads brightens up every scene they share. That said, as she has repeatedly in television series such as Parks and Recreation and Transparent, it's Hahn that really steals the show. Not only does she nail the blend of irreverence and affection Lucas and Moore are aiming for, but she also makes the movie's most outrageous character more than just the source of laughs. The end result is a film that, although outwardly about the kind of behaviour your own mum might not encourage, ends up playing as an amusing and empowering tribute to being the person you really want to be.
