You know that feeling of unbridled joy and energy you get in the opening scene of The Lion King when you scream "Naaaants een-vwen-yaaaaaaa ma-ba-gee-chi-ba-va" (or some variation thereof) as baby Simba is hoisted up by Rafiki? That's why you should pay to see the Spice World: The Movie not only at the cinema, but at the drive-in. Even though you've seen it a million times, you have it on DVD and Blu-ray (for some reason), and on a USB drive that's permanently in the TV, you should still grab a car full of pals and buy a ticket. The sheer thrill that you'll feel when rows and rows of vehicles filled with adult women come alive with screams of "you gotta, you gotta, you gotta, you gotta SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM" will be an experience like no other, even if you've been to other sing-a-long sessions of the film before. The joy of sharing, nostalgia, sing-screaming, choc tops and dressing up like it's 1997 are all rolled into one event for the 20th anniversary screening of Spice World. It all takes place at the Yatala Drive-In on April 21, so pick your best Spice Girl outfit and snap up a ticket while you can.
Vivid Sydney today let loose their second major program announcement with their plans for Vivid Creative Sydney 2011. Creative Sydney will run from 30 May to 12 June, with over 50 global and local creative leaders coming together to explore the power of creative industries to transform society. And like everything else under the Vivid banner, it aims to bring the best of the world's ideas to Sydney and inspire the hell out of you. This year Creative Sydney is expanding to include more free sessions and for the first time a presence at the Opera House. The program includes short and snappy show and tell presentations, in-depth conversation sessions, and creative futures, where artists and entrepreneurs present their vision of the ideas that will shape society in the future. Over the next week the full range of live music showcases, debates, film screenings and parties will be unveiled, but already the lineup of speakers looks pretty awesome. Key speakers include Matthew Stinchcomb, EU director of Etsy, and will mark Etsy's first official engagement with their third largest market, and Fabian Rigall, founder of Future Shorts and Secret Cinema. Also lined up are Murray Bell and Andrew Johnstone, the founders of the internationally successful Semi-Permanent conferences, swimwear brand We Are Handsome and Ben Briand, winner of the Cannes Young Director Award and Best Narrative Video at the 2010 Vimeo Awards. Registration for the events opens 9am on Monday 2 May, and it's recommended you get in quickly with over 15,000 people expected to attend.
Photographer, Martin Smith works on conveying intimate and soulful elements on life. He captures the little moments, and displays them in a way that makes them seem like they are the most important thing in the world. In his eyes, they probably are. His utilisation of text and collage in conjunction with photography helps give his work a layered effect, where thoughts and ideas can merge and help properly convey is detailed artistic vision. Memories lay upon memories, stories blend into other tales and as each work becomes unique it takes on its own emotional qualities; sadness, melancholy, happiness. Martin has had works displayed across Australia and was won numerous prizes. His latest collection, More Sex, Less Death, is showcasing at Ryan Renshaw Gallery. It will be on display until June, but don’t get lax; it is an exhibition that must be seen immediately.
"Write what you know" is common creative advice, and words of wisdom that Shake & Stir Theatre Co's Nelle Lee has clearly taken to heart with Tae Tae in the Land of Yaaas!. One of Brisbane Festival 2023's big world-premiere theatre shows, the brand-new production draws upon her sister Estee Lee's true tale — and, as well as scripting, Nelle also co-directs. Taking over QPAC's Cremorne Theatre from Friday, August 25–Sunday, September 17, Tae Tae in the Land of Yaaas! focuses on its eponymous character, who was paralysed in a car accident when she was six. Immediately afterwards, she struggles, but then receives a much-needed boost from a fairy godmother (played by Maxi Shield from RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under) in her search to keep discovering happiness. Shake & Stir Theatre Co wowed Bris Fest in 2022 with Fourteen, so the company is back with another personal, honest and heartfelt stage story for this year's event — and another must-see. Newcomer Maya Dove stars as the production's titular figure, in a tragi-comedy that throws together songs, dance, drag queens, glitter, a huge heart, colourful staging, camp and positive vibes, and a heaving sense of community. Images: Joel Devereux.
Whatever your pet pupper has planned for this Saturday, you'd best cancel it — your furry BFF is coming with you to the pub. Excuses to take the doggo out for a few drinks aren't lacking across Brisbane (The Brightside even has their own weekly shindig), but Archer's Brewsvegas event comes with a few inclusions that'll get your four-legged buddy yapping: a 100 percent dog-friendly beer and dog ice cream, too. Sounds like a Dog Day Afternoon, doesn't it? That's the plan from 1pm on March 10. And, because a pooch-and-pint party is even better when it's in an ace location, you'll have to wander through a bottle-o fridge to get there. As well as the aforementioned Archer Brewing 100% Dog Friendly Woof Ale and Hugo's Dog Ice Creamery's frosty treats, there'll also be a brand new dark beer — Archer's first, complete with a secret ingredient — for humans, pimp-your-own hot dogs, live music and heaps of stalls selling goodies for pups. And, while entry is free, proceeds from the pooch-friendly tipple will go to the dog rescue charity Herd2Homes.
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on. Picture yourself face to face with David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust 1972 bodysuits, Kansai Yamamoto’s trouser suits for the '73 Aladdin Sane tour, the Union Jack coat designed by Bowie and Alexander McQueen for the '97 Earthling album cover, props from Jim Henson's Labyrinth. We know, you're sweet to start freaking out. Opening next July, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) will play host to the acclaimed David Bowie is exhibition, celebrating the kickass career of the man himself. Created by London's Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), the exhibition is a Bowiephile's dream — an unprecedented collection of over 50 stage costumes alongside tour sets (including the designs for the '74 Diamond Dogs tour), handwritten set lists and lyric sheets, Bowie's own sketches, rare live and interview videos, musical scores and diary entries, photographs and album artwork. Basically, if you're a Bowie fan, this is next level squealworthy material. "The mystery of David Bowie as an enigma is so lovingly explored in this incredible immersive exhibition you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped inside the mind of this astonishing cultural and pop icon," says ACMI Director & CEO, Tony Sweeney. "Bowie is a figure whose social and creative influence and significance far exceeds his status as a pre-eminent rock performer and in David Bowie is, his incredible career is showcased in glorious detail." Presented exclusively in Australasia by ACMI as part of Melbourne Winter Masterpieces, the exhibition explores Bowie's influences and legacy in a lengthy narrative layout (tracing Ziggy Stardust through Berlin and Thin White Duke phases), delving into his career as a musician, of course, but also reminding fans of his top notch cult film career, stints as a writer and his lifelong ability as a stage performer. V&A curators and brains behind the whole Bowie show, Victoria Broackes and Geoffrey Marsh, handpicked over 300 objects and films for the exhibition — a research process we're pretty damn jealous of. "The exhibition looks in-depth at how Bowie’s music and radical individualism has both influenced and been influenced by wider movements in art, design, film and contemporary popular culture over an incredible 50-year career and demonstrates how Bowie has inspired others to challenge convention and pursue freedom of expression," they said. The exhibition comes to Australia under a furious amount of buzz — its world premiere this March in London became V&A's fastest selling exhibition ever, recording record numbers of over 311,000 visitors. As the exclusive venue for David Bowie is, ACMI have crafted a specially-curated program of talks, screenings, live performances and special events to pair with the Major Tom-a-thon. David Bowie is will open at ACMI on 16 July 2015 as part of the Victorian Government’s Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series. Tickets go on sale to the general public in November 2014. To register for exclusive pre-sale ticket opportunities, visit acmi.net.au/bowie.
Sometimes, it's easy to forget the holiday part of a national day off. Sure, you'll remember not to go to work — but will you really take advantage of the chance to go wherever you want? Enter the humble picnic — or the day trip getaway that everyone can enjoy, complete with tasty bites to eat and scenic surroundings. On January 26, Walkabout Creek at D'Aguilar National Park is the ideal spot for relaxing, dining and soaking up the country's flora and fauna. Plus, you can order a hamper for two in advance, and feast on shredded lamb wraps, lamingtons and pavlova.
Bluesfest has lifted the lid on its first artist announcement for 2018, and heading the stampede is a pair of legendary musical figures: Lionel Richie and Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant, who will play with his band The Sensational Space Shifters. Plant's performance at the five-day Easter long weekend festival just outside of Byron Bay will mark 50 years since he first performed with Led Zeppelin, so the gravity of the performance is sure to be pretty huge. Other acts taking to the stage Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm over the weekend include Aussies Tash Sultana and John Butler Trio, Swedish duo First Aid Kit and what will surely be a captivating set by José González. Bluesfest returnees Joe Louis Walker, Dumpstaphunk and Eric Gales are on there too. Anyway, here's the full lineup. Better start making Easter plans because tickets are already on sale. BLUESFEST 2018 LINEUP Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters Lionel Richie The John Butler Trio Tash Sultana The New Power Generation Chic Featuring Nile Rodgers First Aid Kit Jose Gonzalez Morcheeba Gov't Mule Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real The California Honeydrops Eric Gales Bobby Rush Dumpstaphunk Joe Louis Walker Rick Estrin & The Nightcats + more to be announced. Bluesfest 2017 will run March 29 to April 2 at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay. More details and ticket info here. Image: Andy Fraser.
In the pandemic's early days, Disney skipped cinema releases for three films — Soul, Luca and Turning Red — due to lockdowns, restrictions, and picture palaces either temporarily closing or having capacity limits. Instead, all three movies went straight to streaming platform Disney+. Wish you'd gotten a silver-screen experience while viewing this trio — or any one of them? Enter the new Pixar Film Fest to give you that chance. From Thursday, February 22–Wednesday, March 13, for a week apiece at various locations around Brisbane, it's debuting Soul, Luca and Turning Red in cinemas for the first time Down Under. Oscar-winner Soul sports a premise that resembles Inside Out, which has a sequel arriving on the big screen in 2024. Instead of emotions having emotions, souls do. Rather than Amy Poehler (Moxie) doing voice work, Tina Fey (Mean Girls) does. And director Peter Docter (Up) helmed them both. But Soul is definitely its own feature — and takes quite the existential trip as it follows aspiring jazz musician-turned-music teacher Joe (Jamie Foxx, The Burial) after an accident where his soul leaves his body.It's releasing in cinemas from Thursday, February 22–Wednesday, February 28. Next up is Turning Red, which'll get projectors whirring from Thursday, February 29–Wednesday, March 6. The setup: what'd happen if the Hulk was a teenage girl, but became a super-cute red panda? Or, finding a different riff on the ol' werewolf situation, what if emotions rather than full moons inspired a case of not-quite-lycanthropy? Rounding out the lineup is Luca, which is similarly about transformation. This one takes place in Italy over a gorgeous summer, also spins a coming-of-age tale and nods to Frankenstein as well. Here, teenage sea monsters Luca (Jacob Tremblay, Orion and the Dark) and Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer, Shazam! Fury of the Gods) just want to fit in, but know that the village they decide to call home wouldn't accept them if they don't take on human form. Cinemagoers can catch it from Thursday, March 7–Wednesday, March 13.
Australians really love prawns — and Ballina Prawn Festival knows it. They've dedicated an entire day in honour of everyone's favourite crustacean, and that day is November 11. Set in Ballina's Missingham Park on the banks of the Richmond River, the day will be marked by parades, music, rides and all the prawns you can eat. The festival stalls will be sizzling prawns of all sizes while events happen in every direction, including a prawn shelling competition and a signature dish competition. There will also be a boat parade celebrating the prawn industry, fireworks, amusement rides, live music and sand castle building. Yeah, it'll be the truest form of an Aussie-as day.
What's better than one new Edgar Wright movie in a year? Two new flicks by the Scott Pilgrim vs the World, The World's End and Baby Driver filmmaker, of course. And, that's exactly what 2021 is delivering. Neither of the British director's latest movies fits his usual type, either — as phenomenal documentary The Sparks Brothers has already demonstrated, and the trailers for Last Night in Soho keep showing as well. Wright does indeed have a comfort zone, as his fans well and truly know. He first caught the film world's attention with zom-rom-com Shaun of the Dead, after all, and also toyed with both horror and comedy in Hot Fuzz. But he hasn't ever dived headfirst into mind-bending psychological thriller territory before, which is where Last Night in Soho dwells. No one is set to kill the undead to Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now' here. That said, Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen's Gambit) does play a singer in 60s-era London who appears to be a ghost. In the movie's initial teaser trailer, her character Sandie pops up when aspiring fashion designer Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie, Old) manages to venture back in time. Mysteriously travelling six decades into the past, Eloise looks in the mirror and sees Sandy's reflection, rather than her own. Both that initial sneak peek and the just-dropped new full trailer are filled with neon hues and an all-round trippy mood. In a feature that seems to take plenty of cues from horror and thriller flicks from the time it is set, things appear to get even more lurid as well. Impeccable period-appropriate set and costume design, vibrant pink lighting aplenty and an all-round dreamy feel also feature in the trailers so far, as Eloise finds herself coming face to face with her idol while plunged into a ghost story. Similarly playing a pivotal part: The Crown and Doctor Who's Matt Smith, who pops up alongside Taylor-Joy in the film's eerie 60s-set scenes. Whether following small-town cops in Hot Fuzz or jumping into the heist genre with Baby Driver — or directing late 90s/early 00s sitcom Spaced, too — Wright's work always stands out visually, and Last Night in Soho clearly promises to continue the trend. And, because the director loves his standout soundtracks, this one looks set to continue the trend. Expect glorious 60s-era tunes, obviously. Check out the full trailer for Last Night in Soho below: Last Night in Soho is slated to release in Australian cinemas on November 18. Images: Parisa Taghizadeh / Focus Features.
In 2020, when Gelato Messina decided that we'd all be much happier at home if we could bake and eat the company's OTT desserts, it kicked off its parade of tasty specials after Easter. So, while fans of sweet treats have been able to tuck into everything from cookie pies in choc chip, red velvet, choc-hazelnut, and peanut butter and jelly varieties to full tubs of both Iced VoVo gelato and Messina's own take on the classic Viennetta ice cream cake over the past year, we didn't get anything to pair with our chocolate eggs. Thankfully, that's changing in 2021. Up next: a hot cross bun version of the brand's sticky snails. Basically, it's their interpretation of a Cinnabon-style scroll, then combined with an Easter favourite. It's another of Messina's limited releases, and it'll be available at all of its stores for a very short period. Wondering what exactly Messina's hot cross bun sticky snail entails? Well, that spiced sticky hot cross bun dough is filled with choc chips and vanilla custard. Crucially, raisins aren't included — but it is topped with a cinnamon malt caramel. The sweet bake-at-home bite to eat can only be ordered online on Wednesday, March 17. It will set you back $65, which includes a one-litre tub of the brand's triple choc gelato hot tub, too — which features milk chocolate gelato, toasted white chocolate mousse and with Ecuadorian dark chocolate crack. Once you've placed your preorder, pick up will be available between Thursday, April 1–Sunday, April 4 from your chosen Messina store. And, after you've got the hot cross bun sticky snail safely home, you just need to whack it in the oven for 20–25 minutes at 160 degrees and voila. Gelato Messina's hot cross bun sticky snails will be available to order on Wednesday, March 17, for pick up between Thursday, April 1–Sunday, April 4 — keep an eye on the Messina website for further details.
UPDATE, October 29, 2020: Paterson is available to stream via SBS On Demand, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Who knew that watching the ebb and flow of an ordinary life could be so illuminating and soothing? Jim Jarmusch, that's who. If ever there was a movie that's destined to become contemplative comfort viewing, it's the new effort from the director of Dead Man, Coffee and Cigarettes and Only Lovers Left Alive. In Paterson, the daily grind of waking, working, talking with friends and loved ones, walking the dog and hanging out in a bar offers plenty of food for thought, particularly for anyone keen to peer beyond the surface of seemingly average, expected occurrences. In one of the movie's numerous instances of mirroring and symmetry, the film's title refers to many things. It's the name of a bus driver (Adam Driver) in New Jersey, as well as the name of the town where he was born, raised and still lives. It adorns the vehicle he steers from Monday to Friday, and the weighty tome by one of his favourite poets that sits on his desk. Paterson has a way with lyrical turns of phrase, too, which he jots down as he follows his usual schedule. Sometimes he takes inspiration from snippets of chatter he overhears between bus passengers, or interactions with strangers as he walks home from work. Sometimes he reflects upon his modest but happy relationship with his enthusiastic wife, Laura (Golshifteh Farahani), who styles their house in black and white patterns, bakes cupcakes and decides to learn the guitar. Jarmusch's features have always flirted with the poetic, preferred minimalism and intimacy, and frequently found beauty in the commonplace. In that way, Paterson is the latest example of the writer-director doing what he's done best for more than three decades. However it's also an astute, insightful ode to everyday creativity and contentment. Over the course of eight days, Paterson's waking hours appear to repeat the same cycle and yet also reveal crucial slivers of difference. While many movies try to paint their protagonist as an everyman, this one goes a step further. Even when he's noticing twins all around him, trading verse with children or chatting with strangers about great writers, everything feels purposefully warm and familiar. Indeed, Paterson proves the kind of movie that overflows with recognisable details, and immediately resonates for that very reason, while also gazing deeper into existential matters. It brims with grace, affection and solace, but avoids sugarcoating the reality it depicts. Oozing gentle emotion, the work of Driver, outstanding Iranian actress Farahani, and scene-stealing Cannes Palm Dog-winning canine Nellie is pivotal in perfecting that balance. Often ranging from soulful yet commanding, energetic yet yearning, and cute yet probing in turn, the trio offer an engaging glimpse of the colour and quiet contrasts inherent in an ordinary life. Add Jarmusch's fondness for evoking the literary art form at the film's centre wherever he can — in the visual harmony evident in every image, in the rhythm of the movie's pacing, and including text on screen — and Paterson couldn't be more meditative or more moving. The film is a revealing character study, a reminder to recognise the small stuff that comprises much of our existence, and an appreciation of the ups and downs of living, all in one.
More than once during Why Are You Like This, aspiring drag queen Austin (Wil King) attempts to shut out the world by scrolling through memes on his phone. Although the six-part ABC sitcom he's in isn't doesn't show him looking at any of the images that give the series its title, you can bet that he'd stumble across them. He'd have to. It's the internet — they're unavoidable. And, he'd likely do one of two things when he did find the memes on his screen: either flick past hundreds without giving a single thought to how they might relate his life, or keep viewing one after the other until he melts down because they hit a little too close to home. Irreverent and astute, honest yet hilarious, drawn from reality but also willing to poke as much fun as possible: that's Why Are You Like This' niche. Focusing on characters that can hardly be described likeable but are instantly recognisable, the series takes aim at the minutiae of 21st-century life. Witheringly funny, it knows that simply existing right now involves constantly being online, and also navigating the never-ending onslaught of expectations, information and opinions that comes with it. And, without flinching, it's also aware that just getting through the day in this non-stop environment can feel relentless and hellish. That's the situation that the show's three main figures, each in their early 20s, all find themselves facing in every one of Why Are You Like This' episodes. The days tick by, and the personal and professional problems just keep coming. It's a familiar laundry list, including getting fired, battling with colleagues, money troubles, hiding boyfriends, losing moon cups and trying to spark a workplace revolution but ending up getting other people sacked. So, yes, this trio is just like the rest of us — and they're just as glued to their phones while they're weathering everything from sudden social media backlash to dealing with frenemies. Penny (series co-creator Naomi Higgins, Utopia) wants to be an ally to everyone, a commitment that exhausts anyone who comes into her orbit. Her bestie Mia (Olivia Junkeer, Neighbours) matches that determination with both self-assurance and a self-serving mindset; if she's sticking up for anyone, it's always herself. Rounding out the trio is Penny's housemate Austin, the aforementioned fan of distracting memes. Alas, his glittery outfits, super-sized personality and blistering cynicism can't always hide his internal crumbling. Across the show's first season, these three friends keep trying to stand out in their own ways. They also routinely demonstrate both their best and worst traits in the process. In one episode, Penny goes overboard while trying to prove that she's Mia's closest friend. In another, Mia helps a new work colleague turn her cosplay hobby into cash — to take advantage of the sad men objectifying her — with creepy repercussions. And, when Austin gets tired of Penny's Marie Kondo obsession, it doesn't end well for her beloved belongings. The result: a must-see comedy that's as satirical as it is candid and relatable. Why Are You Like This knows that everyone and everything is awful at all times, leans in, and finds both the humour and the insight in that realisation. And, in terms of the series' style of comedy, the fact that Higgins created the show with lawyer and illustrator Humyara Mahbub and Aunty Donna's Mark Samual Bonanno says plenty. Indeed, like 2020's standout Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun, Why Are You Like This is ridiculously easy to binge in one sitting, then start re-binging again. Check out the trailer for Why Are You Like This below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw_iVa6bZgs Why Are You Like This is available to stream via ABC iView.
Fancy a trip to Japan without heading to Japan? Well, Brisbanites, Maho Magic Bar has you covered. The dazzling show is courtesy of the creative folks at Broad Encounters, and is in residence in Northshore Hamilton's neon-lit pop-up entertainment precinct Twilight Electric until Sunday, September 18. The best bit? The magic happens tableside, with mind-bending magicians — straight from Japan's magic bars — roving the room as you sip. What else can you expect? Well, it's a bar, performance space and show all in one. Bright lights set the mood, cherry blossoms hover above and sake and shochu lead the drinks menu (though there's beer, wine and booze-free options, too). Designed to replicate a night out in Shinjuku, your experience will be one of hedonistic wonder. [caption id="attachment_854728" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nathaniel Mason[/caption] The ace thing about the setup: whether you adore magic or don't think it's your thing, you're still in for a ripper night. The atmosphere (and the drinks and those lights) are a massive part of the allure, though prepare to have your mind swayed by the roll call of stand-out magicians. There's the gender stereotype-busting Kaori Kitazawa, daring close-up magician Sarito, the style-heavy talent Shirayuri and Santa Terakado, the quirky toy magician. And your host? Actor and Brisbane local Sho Eba. If you're ready to immerse yourself in the magic of Japan (literally), you'd better be quick to grab your tickets. Maho Magic Bar is on from Wednesday, July 27 till Sunday, September 18. For more information and to grab your tickets, head to the website. Top images: Kate Prendergast (first), Nathanial Mason
As Australians gear up for a postal vote on the issue of same-sex marriage, Melbourne City Council is showing its unequivocal backing of marriage equality by lighting up the Melbourne Town Hall in rainbow colours for the next two nights — just as it did in the wake of last year's Orlando nightclub shootings. Along with the municipal building's temporary makeover on Wednesday, August 16 and Thursday, August 17, the Council has also arranged a message in support of marriage equality to be screened up on Swanston Street's Young and Jackson Hotel's iconic rooftop sign for an hour from 11am today, and on rotation between Monday, August 21, and Sunday, September 17. We'll see even more of its endorsement in the coming weeks too, with local businesses offered window stickers backing the campaign. It all comes after Melbourne City Council last night endorsed a motion to campaign in support for marriage equality and to promote respectful dialogue surrounding the debate, with Lord Mayor Robert Doyle AC clear about the message they're hoping to send out. "When I think of Melbourne I think of equality," Doyle said. "I want Melbourne to take pride in its tolerant, welcoming, diverse culture. I believe all of our residents should have the opportunity to marry, if they wish." Melbourne City Council's a long-time supporter of marriage equality, having unanimously voted to back same-sex marriage back in 2015 and called on the Federal Government to legislate for it.
The music fanatics that make up the Audio Collective are an eager bunch. They scour the internet for the coolest tunes and musicians and then bring them straight to your computer screens for you to enjoy. Reviews, interviews and photography are all a part of their repertoire, but they main skill set is and forever will be throwing massive parties. The Audio Collective is turning one, so they decided it would be a fitting occasion for getting in the party vibe. This time, they’ve spared no expense. Head on down to The New Globe Theatre to enjoy some amazing live music from interstate and Brisbane based musicians. On the bill will be CREO, Lucha Libre, CHINATOWN CARPARK (pictured), Pack Animals, Little Aztec, The Electro Kid, Sports Fan, Bloom, William Briskey and Aly Grace. If that wasn’t enough, there will be prizes for best dressed – the theme is the 90’s, so get the denim, the flannel or the colour out and get in the vibe. Happy birthday Audio Collective!
While we all may be counting down the days till summer holidays, there's plenty of festive fun to be had in the meantime. 'Tis the season to be jolly and all that, and nothing gets you in the Christmas spirit better than gathering your finest friends for a quality hang in the city. Of course, you'll need a venue that suits your squad's vibe — whether you live for basement dives or prefer catching cool breezes from a rooftop. So, we've teamed up with Pernod Ricard, purveyors of festive tipples like Chivas, St Hugo and Mumm Champagne, to track down five top-notch spots for you and your crew to check out this month. Round up the troops, choose your spot and start mustering up your holliest of jolliest Christmas cheer. THE TERRACE AT THE EMPORIUM The new (and only) rooftop bar in South Bank atop the Emporium Hotel was made for balmy summer-night hangs. Take in the views from the breezy chrome and glass balcony, Absolut cosmo in hand (they're making a comeback, people), and indulge in fresh oysters. And if you're looking for the full luxury experience, order one of the must deluxe sandwiches in the city: lobster, pancetta, potato, corn and crème fraiche on toasted ciabatta with salmon roe. Once you've finished your cosmo and realised this will be your drink of the summer, pair that lobster sandwich with a glass of Champagne — we said we were going full luxury. The Terrace also has Mumm Champagne and Perrier-Jouët on the pour, completing this ideal celebration situation of sipping bubbles while overlooking the shimmering city and river. [caption id="attachment_674629" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Adam Hunter.[/caption] LITTLE VALLEY If sampling funky, fresh flavours gets your crew pumped, check out this little fusion spot, inspired by the 'cultural melting pot' of Hong Kong. The dim sum menu — perfect for sharing — offers dumplings as you've never had them. Think duck à l'orange steamed buns and chicken wontons with aged vinegar and chipotle oil. Australian flourishes also appear in dishes like chopped kangaroo tartare with bone marrow, pickled chilli and saltbush. With all these flavour twists, you'll want a cocktail that can keep pace; opt for the signature summer specials like the Waking Panda, with Absolut vodka, elderflower, mandarin and citrus, or the Silk Palace, with Havana Club rum, orange blossom, coconut cream, vanilla and citrus. BROOKLYN STANDARD In the grand tradition of NYC dive bars, this joint brings the thumping heart of Brooklyn to Brisbane, offering live funk, soul and blues every night. Within the dimly lit dive of exposed brick and wood panelling, bedecked with sports memorabilia, the kitchen serves classic American favourites like hot dogs, buffalo wings, popcorn shrimp and mozzarella sticks, which can all be washed down with Havana Club rum and root beer. Bartenders will also do you a Jameson every which way, from neat to an Old Fashioned. Want to take your celebrations up a notch? (It is the silly season after all.) Order the lobster roll with a very reasonably priced glass of Mumm Champagne($14). GERARD'S BAR More than a spot for excellent charcuterie, this hidden laneway little sibling of Gerard's Bistro also serves some of the finest cocktails on James Street. Gather the group for an elegant share-plate repast at this green-tiled industrial-chic Valley bar. Know you're in good hands with award-winning chef Ben Williamson in the kitchen dishing out savoury jamon and potato croquettes and flamed sobrassada with rooftop honeycomb and potato crisps, as well as a selection of terrines, preserves and sharing boards. Plus with Mumm available and a bar full of cocktail prowess, you'll easily find a drop to match all that meaty goodness. BLACKBIRD BAR The luxe fitout of Blackbird Bar is matched by both its magnificent 180-degree river view — we're talking unparalleled vistas of Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point — and a selection of exquisite drinks and dishes. Elevate your evening by taking advantage of the skilled team of bartenders and the extensively stocked bar. Sip a Chivas Regal whisky sour, or one of the geographically inspired cocktails from the menu, and grab a few nibbles of the bar snacks menu. There are your standard chips in the form of shoestring fries elevated with lemon myrtle aioli and saltbush, the ultra comforting fried mac 'n' cheese balls served with truffled mayo or indulgent shellfish platters packed local seafood like rock and pacific oysters, Mooloolaba king prawns, Moreton Bay bugs and Hervey Bay scallops. And if you're in need of a nightcap, there are over 50 single malts on the menu to choose from, including The Glenlivet 18-year-old. Start planning your festive hangs pronto. And if you're entertaining at home or just looking to keep the party going, purchase any two eligible Pernod products from a Cellarbrations, The Bottle O, IGA Liquor or Big Bargain Bottleshop, and go in the draw to win a $500 travel voucher. There's one voucher to win every day until Christmas. After all, what could be better for the holiday spirit than winning an actual holiday?
Like Highlander, when it comes to formally wrapping up this year's BIGSOUND, there can be only one. Official closing party, that is, which the Triffid is taking care of. They've enlisted Born Lion, Dorsal Fins, The John Steel Singers, Fraser A Gorman, Ben Salter, Ngaiire, Caitlin Park, All Our Exes Live In Texas and Robbie Miller to provide live performances from 4pm until after midnight; however anyone with a spare afternoon can hang out in the beer garden from midday. Sure, you're probably supposed to be doing something else — but did someone say unofficial long weekend? This event is one of our top five picks of BIGSOUND. Check out the other four here.
And the best thing about cooking with beer? Once you’ve cracked one open, you’ll have to finish the bottle. Snack, simmer and sip on this feast of knowledge, beer and food. Join the Goat Pie Guy and Mountain Goat Beer in this hands-on cooking class that’ll show you how to make the most of beer in everything from marinades to mussels, relishes and roasted rumps. BYO frilly apron.
Maybe viewing old episodes of Aerobics Oz Style helped you stay active during 2020's first long lockdown. Perhaps you've been obsessed with the now-iconic Key & Peele aerobics meltdown sketch for years, as everyone should be. Or, you might've watched the excellent Kirsten Dunst-starring On Becoming a God in Central Florida and got bitten by the water aerobics bug. Whichever fits — or even if none of the above applies to you — leotards, exercise and all things 80s haven't been far from our screens in recent years. And, they'll feature again in a big way in Apple TV+'s new ten-part dark comedy series Physical. Set in the decade that's always going to be synonymous with leg warmers, Physical sees Rose Byrne make the leap from hanging out with talking CGI rabbits in terrible book-to-screen adaptations to getting hooked on aerobics. She plays Sheila Rubin, a San Diego housewife who has always played her dutiful part as expected, but struggles with her self-image and her sense of self in general. Then, the only form of exercise that TV shows and movies seem to think that anyone did back in the 80s suddenly enters her life. Cue a journey that brings Sheila success, sees her forge her own path beyond being a wife and mother, and also turns her into a lifestyle guru. As seen in both the first sneak peek last month and the just-dropped new trailer, she obviously won't be posting about her daily life on social media — but this show is set in the peak VHS era, so expect videotapes to play a part in the story. Physical is set to start streaming on Friday, June 18, and will drop its first three episodes in one hit before releasing the rest weekly afterwards. Naturally, big hair and spandex are set to play a huge part in the supremely 80s-looking series. Alongside Byrne, the show stars Rory Scovel (I Feel Pretty), Dierdre Friel (Second Act), Della Saba (Ralph Breaks the Internet), Lou Taylor Pucci (American Horror Story), Paul Sparks (The Lovebirds) and Ashley Liao (Fuller House). Desperate Housewives and Suburgatory's Annie Weisman created, wrote and executive produced Physical, and serves as its showrunner, while Cruella's Craig Gillespie, Dead to Me's Liza Johnson and Love Life's Stephanie Laing all enjoy stints in the director's chair. Check out the latest trailer trailer below: Physical starts streaming via Apple TV+ on Friday, June 18.
What happens when you take a huge name in Australia's music scene, add 40 more musical talents, then combine them all for a big Brisbane gig? In 2023, you get Red Bull Symphonic with Genesis Owusu and the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra. This popular series pairs impressive local talents with an orchestral backing, after first debuting in 2022 in the Sunshine State with Goodna rapper Lisi and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, it's returning with Ghanaian Australian artist Owusu as its star star. The 2023 Red Bull Symphonic tour will play the River City's Fortitude Music Hall on Friday, March 3. As well as the symphony orchestra, Owusu will be collaborating with Australian composer and arranger Alex Turley (Sydney and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, Omega Ensemble, Electric Fields, NGAIIRE). This gig promises to combine two different arts worlds — and give Owusu's punk-electronic tracks a new interpretation that even his most ardent fans haven't experienced. The multi award-winning performer gets orchestral after a massive couple of years that've seen him win triple j's Album of the Year in 2021 for his debut record Smiling with No Teeth; nab four ARIAs including Album of the Year, Best Hip Hop Release, Best Independent Release and Best Cover Art for the same release; and score 2022 ARIA noms for Best Music Video and Best Independent Release for single 'GTFO'. Top image: Alex Turley.
'Jumoo' means 'smoking' in the Turrbal language. And, to open this year's Brisbane Festival, Yuggera and Turrbal man Shannon Ruska will lead a city-wide smoking ceremony on Friday, September 4 that everyone is invited to watch and participate in. Ruska, who is the managing director of Custodianship of Tribal Experiences, will lead Brisbanites into the three-week festival peacefully, and with respect to his ancestors and First Nations communities in Brisbane today. After a whirlwind year, it's time to reset and start afresh. This celebration is open to all ages and starts at South Bank and Roma Street Parklands. Image: Atmosphere Photography
If you're a Queenslander who is currently in New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory and you've been thinking about heading home, the Sunshine State has put a timeline on your return. The same applies to NSW and ACT residents pondering a holiday up north, or to anyone who has been in the two areas in the past 14 days and plans to mosey up to Queensland sometime soon — with the state implementing new border restrictions from 1am on Saturday, August 8. When the weekend kicks in, Queensland will completely close its border to NSW and ACT, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced today, Wednesday, August 5. Both regions have now been declared hotspots by Queensland's Chief Health Officer, which means that all visitors from NSW and ACT will be denied entry to Queensland, except for rare exemptions and returning Queenslanders. If you fall into those categories, you'll have to fork out for a 14-day stretch of mandatory hotel quarantine. The Premier advised that exemptions will be limited, however, including for compassionate reasons. During the shutdown, the aim is to only allow folks who live in border communities and essential workers such as truck drivers to cross. Anyone who fits that description will need to obtain a pass, with those who reside in the area requiring proof of address and photo identification to do so. https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1290786409465278464 The move comes in response to rising COVID-19 case numbers down south, and follows earlier decisions to ban visitors from Victoria, as well as several parts of NSW — once Queensland started reopening its border in mid-July to interstate travellers, that is. The restrictions on NSW visitors started with the Campbelltown, Liverpool and Fairfield City local government areas, then spread to include the entirety of Greater Sydney, a limit that came into effect this past weekend. "I know it's going to be tough on Queenslanders," Premier Palaszczuk explained. "But your health comes first. We need to protect not only our health, we need to protect the families, we need to protect our economy. We've seen what's happened in Victoria. We don't want to see that happening here." The Premier also stressed that Queenslanders shouldn't be thinking about travelling south. "It's also very important that Queenslanders stay in Queensland. Now is not the time to travel to New South Wales. Now is not the time to travel to Victoria," she said. The border closure with NSW and the ACT will be in effect at least until the end of August, when the Queensland Government will undertake a review. From 1am on Saturday, August 8, anyone who has visited New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory in the past 14 days will not be allowed to enter Queensland unless they are a returning resident or are entering for one a few essential reasons. For more information, head to the Queensland Government website. Image: Yun Huang Yong via Flicker.
Redefining perceptions about technology and its purpose in art, Thrashing Without Looking is causing a stir and garnering rave reviews by combining performance art and cinema into a memorable experience. Utilising audience participation, video goggles and loud tunes, the 50 minute performance will thrill, and disorient attendees in a memorable and thought provoking way. Put together by art and cultural collective, Aphids, Thrashing Without Looking will create an experience that you wont want to leave behind. Tickets are selling out fast, so get in quick or miss out!
The current true crime craze has filled our ears with acclaimed podcasts and packed our streaming queues with must-watch TV programs. Now, it's turning a former teen idol into a serial killer. After singing his way through high school, playing frat pranks at college and saving lives on California beaches, Zac Efron is swapping teen musicals, Bad Neighbours flicks and Baywatch remakes for a stint as notorious serial killer Ted Bundy. The end result is Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, which focuses not only on the horrific string of killings that would eventually lead to Bundy's arrest and execution (he confessed to 30 homicides, but is suspected of committing more), but also on his relationship with single mother Liz Kloepfer (Lily Collins). How did the infamous figure charm his victims? How did Kloepfer fall in love with a psychopath? Both questions sit at this heart of this crime thriller. As the movie's first trailer (below) demonstrates, it's quite the change of pace for Efron, who has been garnering impressive reviews for his performance. Also starring John Malkovich and Haley Joel Osment, the film screened at the Sundance Film Festival over the past weekend, debuting 30 years after Bundy's execution on January 24, 1989 — almost to the day, a case of gruesome timing that obviously isn't a coincidence. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile director Joe Berlinger is clearly steeped deep in all things Bundy at the moment, with the filmmaker's other project — Netflix documentary Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes — premiering just last week on the actual anniversary of the murderer's death. Berlinger created, wrote and directed the four-part series, and his name should be familiar to die-hard true crime fans beyond that. He was also behind the three Paradise Lost documentaries, about the Robin Hood Hills murders and subsequent West Memphis Three trials — movies that played an enormous part in bringing the case to broader attention. Outside of his usual genre, Berlinger also directed acclaimed music doco Metallica: Some Kind of Monster — and the band's James Hetfield also features in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. While you're waiting to Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile to hit local screens, check out the unsettling first trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lW6Z38HHJw 'Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile' doesn't currently have an Australian release date. We'll update you if and when that changes.
Kiwis based in Australia hoping to see family across the ditch can start planning their sojourns home sooner than expected. New Zealand's planned five-step border reopening plan has been brought forward this week, with isolation requirements for double-vaccinated Kiwis returning home scrapped weeks earlier than expected. From 11.59pm on Wednesday, March 2, vaccinated Kiwis entering New Zealand from Australia will no longer need to self-isolate. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the change of plans amid New Zealand's current Omicron outbreak, which sees the country currently suffering the highest rates of COVID-19 transmission in the world. But Australians holidaymakers shouldn't get planning a quick weekend jump across the ditch just yet. Vaccinated Aussie citizens wanting a holiday in New Zealand still have to wait for step four of the original border reopening plan, which sees all travellers from Australia and from countries who don't require special visas able to enter NZ. While that is still currently proposed to happen around July this year, Aussies can cross their fingers they may be able to head across for an adventure holiday earlier. COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins advised last month that "the reopening to visa-free tourists is also likely to be brought forward, with July being the latest date we anticipate this happening." Of course, during all five steps, testing will remain critical. Every traveller will be required to undertake a rapid antigen test (RAT) on the day they arrive and on day five or six. All positive RATs must be registered and followed up with a PCR test. New Zealand had 19,599 new cases reported on Tuesday, March 1, with over 300 cases currently in hospital. Kiwis returning to New Zealand from Australia will not need to isolate upon arrival from 11.59pm on Wednesday, while Australian holidaymakers will need to wait to enter the country until later in 2022. For more information, head to the New Zealand Government's COVID-19 website.
Ever seen a play performed around a live steam train? No, we didn't think so. After staging 2015's The Mayne Effect in a heritage-listed building, the female-led Flowers Theatre Company has scaled things up to a beloved form of transport. Taking place at Swanbank railway station, their new large-scale production tells the kind of tales women have shared over hot cuppas and passed down over generations — i.e. accounts of wartime living, surviving during periods of combat, and helping the battle from home. Yep, you won't just be watching site-specific theatre; you'll be indulging in a slice of local feminist history as well.
After slinging massive burgers in New Farm for years, and adding a second Ascot store just this past August, DA'Burger is expanding again. From Sunday, November 25, it'll add West End to its growing empire — and a week later, it's giving away free burgs to celebrate. Settling into the 56 Boundary Street space that Copperface Jacks previously called home, DA'Burger West End will host its grand opening from 11.30am on Saturday, December 1. We'd suggest getting there early, as 200 free burgers will be up for grabs for the first customers through the door. You'll be able to tuck into either a DA'Burger with cheese or a DA'Vegan burger without spending a cent. That's right, no other purchase is necessary. If you keep an eye on the chain's social media, you'll also be able to stop by between November 25 and December 1 for another 200 freebies. Those dates and times will be announced closer to the giveaways. Hungry customers will also find a bigger menu to mark the store's bigger premises, including three function spaces and the room to make their patties in-house. Drinks-wise, there'll be 12 beers on tap, which sounds like a pretty ace way to wash down your burg of choice.
Gerard’s Bar know what they’re doing when it comes to cured meats and cheese pairings - in fact their menu is pretty much just that (and amazing for the record). Celebrate being a wine-loving, cheese-hungry fancy adult with a wine and cheese pairing for $30. But make sure you go with friends who won’t judge you when you inevitably transition (as we all do) from the grown-up you're pretending to be to a cheese fiend who wraps a whole wheel of brie in ham and eats it like a burger.
Fernando Espinosa had the enviable opportunity to venture to the Galapagos Islands several times over the course of two years. His mission was to capture the visual majesty that is the Galapagos, a natural marvel. Using photographic techniques that help encapsulate the unique characteristics of the Islands and its inhabitants, Fernando has managed to seamlessly blend the harsh landscape, the wild vegetation and the vibrant wildlife into one astounding collection. This is nature photography as you have never seen it before. The best part is that it is free and that it lasts all month.
If there's one thing that Ben & Jerry's loves above all else, it's the obvious: ice cream in a huge array of ridiculously named flavours. It's the brand behind Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia, Phish Food and The Tonight Dough — and has been responsible for Liz Lemon Greek Frozen Yoghurt, Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream and Schweddy Balls, too. And, once a year to the delight of your sweet treat-loving tastebuds, it loves giving away free scoops just as much. Indeed, to share its wares with the masses for nix, these frozen confection masterminds gave the world Free Cone Day, which is exactly what it sounds like — a day where your ice cream is on the house. It ran annually until the pandemic, then took a break for obvious reasons. And on Monday, April 3, it's finally back for the first time since 2019. Here's how it works: if you adore ice cream as much as Ben & Jerry's adores ice cream, then you just need to hit up your local participating store between 12–8pm AEST. You can choose whichever flavour you like, and you can also line up for a free cone as many times as you like within that eight-hour period. Free Cone Day is happening Australia-wide — worldwide, too, in more than 35 countries — at both Ben & Jerry's Scoop Stores and its Hoyts outlets. In Queensland, head to South Brisbane, Broadbeach Waters, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Mooloolaba, Noosa Heads and Cairns, or Hoyts Sunnybank.
When Spilt Milk announced that it wasn't taking place in 2024, instead delaying its next festivals until 2025, it looked like fans of the event were in for a hefty wait till they could next hear live tunes echo from its stages. But if you're on the Gold Coast — or can get there — that's no longer the case. Spilt Milk's regular fests remain postponed until next year; however, it's still returning in November for a new gig series. Meet Spilt Milk House Party, aka the shindigs you throw when you're not throwing your regular shindig. If the tactic sounds familiar, that's because Yours and Owls is deploying it in 2024, too, calling it a pre-party instead. The idea is the same, though: get a bunch of acts to play at a smaller event, rather than the usual big festival rollout. For its version, Spilt Milk hasn't skimped on talent. In addition to his already-announced Australian tour, Troye Sivan leads the Spilt Milk House Party lineup. For company, he'll have Glass Animals, G Flip, Artemas and Sycco. The quintet have a date with the Broadwater Parklands on Saturday, November 23. Spilt Milk House Party Lineup: Troye Sivan Glass Animals G Flip Artemas Sycco
Looking for an excellent wine to sip? Plenty of prizes, nods and gongs have you covered. Looking for a great bar to drink a few glasses in? That's the domain of the Wineslinger Awards — which announced its top 50 venues for 2020 back in August, and has now revealed its picks for the best four wine-sipping spots in the country. Wine lovers in Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Geelong, rejoice — your patch of turf is home to one of 2020's top vino venues in Australia. Only one can boast the overall winner, though, and that'd be Melbourne. This year's Wineslinger award went to the Carlton Wine Room — and that's a particularly nice win given that the venue was closed for almost seven months of the year due to COVID-19 lockdowns. In the other fields, Adelaide's Leigh Street Wine Room nabbed the 'Best New Haunt' prize. Yes, that gong is rather self-explanatory. And in the 'Maverick' category — which is awarded to a venue that pushes the limits — Brisbane's Snack Man emerged victorious for defying food-and-wine pairing combinations (including matching Chinese snacks with European vino). The three aforementioned awards were all voted on by more than 100 industry experts; think sommeliers, winemakers, hospitality tastemakers and journalists. But for vino aficionados at home, there's also the 'People's Choice' prize — and that went to Union Street Wine in Geelong, which has been serving great drops since 2014. [caption id="attachment_789256" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Carlton Wine Room[/caption] For folks looking for your next drinking spot, you now have four places to add to your must-visit list — whether they're close to home or you're making travel plans for when life gets back to normal. If you need further suggestions, the 50-venue shortlist shared the love around the country, with 15 bars in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, 12 in Victoria, eight in Western Australia, and five each in South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland. The Wineslinger Awards were created in 2018 by Rory Kent, who also founded the Young Gun of Wine Awards. Where the latter prize aims to recognise stellar up-and-comers, the former is all about excellent and innovative places where vino lovers can enjoy an ace drop. Announcing this year's Wineslinger winners, Kent noted that "2020 has been the toughest year ever for Wineslingers in this country, and that's made it equally tough on cutting edge winemakers who rely on the passionate individuals and their brilliant venues to capture the imaginations of wine lovers". He continued: "we're so excited to celebrate the places and hospitality professionals serving up the best wine experiences in the country, and after months of lockdown and restrictions, getting back to supporting them in person." For further details about this year's Wineslinger Award winners, visit the awards' website. Top images: Carlton Wine Room, Snack Man, Leigh Street Wine Room, Union Street Wine.
We've seen plenty of services which will print your phone photos, but just when you thought iPhoneography couldn't get any more nifty, designer Mac Funamizu has conceptualised instant iPhone printouts for photos on the go. His iPhone case would allow your pretty iPhone pics to be printed Polaroid-style. The concept includes other functional features. For example, if you upload the photo to a website, you can add an QR code for the URL on the back. For a geo-tagged photo, you can also include the map to show where the photo was taken. Says Funamizu, "Yes, I’m one of those people who still relish the feel (and smell) of photos." [Via Lost at E-Minor]
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. Now, ready to sink his teeth into a new chapter of music-infused revelry, Loud's announced his latest project, Hot Dub Wine Machine — a series of al fresco get-togethers that'll take over four of the country's best-loved wine regions. This Australia-wide tour follows the raging success of Hot Dub Wine Machine's inaugural event, which saw over 6000 wine and music lovers flock to McLaren Vale's Serafino Winery in December last year. This time around, the scenic vistas and rolling hills of Hope Estate in NSW's Hunter Valley, Rochford Estate in Victoria's Yarra Valley, Ocean View Estate in Queensland's Somerset Valley, Home Hill Winery in Tasmania's Huon Valley, and Houghton Winery in WA's Swan Valley (so many valleys!), will play host to the festivities. Each boutique event will run from early afternoon through to after dark, and feature a hand-picked smorgasbord of Australian musical talent. 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 locally-sourced gourmet eats, craft beer, cocktails, 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. Hot Dub Wine Machine will take over Home Hill Winery on Saturday, March 4, Hope Estate on Saturday, March 18, Rochford Estate on Saturday, March 25, Ocean View Estate on Saturday, April 1, and Houghton Winery on Saturday, April 8. Tickets are now on sale here. Images: Pat Stevenson. Updated: January 19, 2017.
What a time to be alive for gin lovers. Last month, we introduced you to a rainforest-infused gin from Byron Bay. Now, we're heading south, to Tasmania, where brand new distillery Southern Wild has just opened. Its first offering is a trio of gins known as Dasher + Fisher, named for two rivers that travel from Tassie's snowy mountains to its northwest coast. Each spirit represents a section of the rivers' journey, the first being 'Mountain', the second, 'Meadow' and the third, 'Coast'. What all three have in common is a trio of uniquely Tasmanian botanicals: pepperberry, lavender and wakame seaweed. Distiller George Burgess, who's been perfecting his recipes for a decade, then blends these base botanicals with additional native ingredients, sourced from local growers, to give each gin its distinctive profile. "My goal, right from the get-go, was to try and create a gin that would allow me a multi-layered experience," says Burgess. "It took a lot of experiments and a lot of work to try and get that layering to the point where it was achieving what I set out to do." 'Mountain' is a dry-style drop, which puts the pepperberry up front, surrounded by another ten botanicals, including eucalypt, rosemary and sage. 'Meadow', a modern gin, emphasises the lavender, which is combined with 14 other botanicals, including freshly-picked oranges. Meanwhile, 'Ocean' is all about powering up the wakame seaweed, made more complex thanks to 11 other botanicals. You can buy Dasher + Fisher online, via Southern Wild's website. To visit in person, get yourself to Devonport, on Tassie's north coast. The distillery is open Monday to Wednesday between 10am and 5pm, and Thursday to Sunday from 10am till late. There are live music events and, if you're keen to take a tour with George, it's a good idea to book in advance. Images: Jason Loucas.
Maybe you've sipped mulled wine at a winter market. Perhaps, when the weather gets colder each year, you make a beeline to whichever bar is serving the coveted concoction. Or, you could have fond memories of vacations spent in Europe downing plenty of glühwein. Whichever fits, drinking warmed-up wine is one of the best parts of the frosty season — including at home. Because everyone should be able to sip this delicious tipple even if they're not leaving the house — because of lockdowns, winter lethargy or any other reason — Jam Shed Wines has started making mulled wine mixes. You add it to a bottle of shiraz, heat it in a saucepan, bring it to simmer and then let it steep. After that, you can add oranges, berries and/or stone fruit as garnishes, pop in some orange liqueur if you'd like, and then you get drinking. It's that straightforward, although there is one catch: you can only pick up the mix with bottles of the brand's shiraz. Consider it a two-for-one kind of deal, given that you need some wine to make use of the mulled wine mix anyway. It's a limited-time-only special, too, with the mix on offer with Jam Shed shiraz at independent retailers while stocks last. You'll also score a jam jar to sip your soul- and stomach-warming homemade tipple out of, with the brand's shiraz retailing at $13 per bottle. And yes, only drinking mulled wine all winter — out of all the different types of booze you could possibly choose from — is completely acceptable. Jam Shed Wines is giving away mulled wine mixes with bottles of its Jam Shed Shiraz at independent retailers for a limited time. For further details about the brand, head to its website.
With Brisbane heading into another lockdown from 4pm on Saturday, July 31 until at least the same time on Tuesday, August 3 — this time encompassing 11 Local Government Areas in southeast Queensland, including both the Sunshine and Gold Coasts — home cooking and takeaway is back on the menu. Fancy the latter more than the former? Spent too much time baking during January, March and June's similar stint at home? Eager to order in for any reason possible? If you fall into any of the above categories, and you're keen to both support local eateries and keep an eye on your bank balance, Deliveroo is ditching its delivery fees for orders from most restaurants for three days. From 4pm on Saturday, July 31 until the end of Tuesday, August 3, the service is doing free delivery from a hefty range of Brissie restaurants. It's also doing the same on the Gold and Sunshine coasts, if that's where you're based. More than 1700 eateries will be covered, so expect to have plenty of choices if you're keen to get something delivered without spending a cent. The aim: to encourage folks to help local restaurants during this latest stay-at-home period and, because that's the world we live in, to help stop panic buying at supermarkets as well. Plus, to ensure that all of the eateries involved aren't missing out on revenue or left out of pocket, Deliveroo is footing the bill for the discounted amount, too. If you're suddenly hungry, you'll need to place an order via the Deliveroo app. There are a few caveats, unsurprisingly, with the free delivery deal not extending to KFC or to places listed in the app as 'delivered by restaurant'. You'll also need to spend at least $10 at most eateries, $12 at McDonald's, Subway and Baskin-Robbins, and $15 if you're purchasing from Red Rooster. Deliveroo is doing free delivery across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast from 4pm on Saturday, July 31 until 11.59pm on Tuesday, August 3. To make an order, head to the Deliveroo app.
It's not every day you come across a robot movie that stars swashbuckler Hugh Jackman and weirdos Die Antwoord, but that's exactly what's happening right now. The South African hip hop group step onto the silver screen for the new movie from their fellow countryman Neill Blomkamp, the filmmaker behind two of the most interesting and well-received sci-fi films of recent times, District 9 and Elysium. Jackman? He's the bad guy for once. Chappie begins when a robot created for law enforcement (to help bring down Johannesburg's notoriously high crime rate) is programmed with a brand new piece of AI software that allows it to develop feelings and opinions. To start with, he's as innocent and curious as a child, though even more quick to learn. Under the care of Yolandi and Ninja (the Die Antwoord duo play gangsters but keep their names) but exposed to the conflicts of the world, the lessons he gets are sometimes good, sometimes bad. Whatever happens, you know you're in for an original two hours of cinema. As Tom Huddleston writes in the Time Out London review, "This hugely entertaining oddity could never be mistaken for the work of any other filmmaker." Chappie (© 2015 Columbia TriStar Marketing Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved) is in cinemas on March 12, and thanks to Sony Pictures Releasing Australia, we have 20 double in-season passes to give away in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter and then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
Igloo season has hit southeast Queensland, with winter's arrival seeing plastic domes popping up at bars around the region. Some pitch their see-through spaces on a rooftop. Others welcome folks in by the river. On the Gold Coast, you can hang out in a beach-themed bar that's given itself a winter lodge makeover. Or, there's Bribie Island Hotel's version: garden pods. No one is pretending to be in icy climes at this northside pub, but it is only unleashing its newest addition for the frosty season. The garden pods are residing in the venue's fairy light-lit beer garden from June till the end of August, and they're exactly what they sound like. These domes come decked out in greenery and florals, furniture and cushions to look the part, and even feature a few plastic flamingos. There's six pods in total, each catering for up to eight guests for two-hour sessions. If you're keen, you'll need to book in a package, which starts at $60 per person and covers a share-style menu, plus a drink on arrival. You'll tuck into an antipasto platter filled with meats, cheeses, olives, arancini, chargrilled vegetables, dips and toasted sourdough — as well as grilled teriyaki beef skewers, buffalo chicken wings and barbecue pork ribs with roasted potatoes, parsnip, and salads as sides — with seafood available for an extra $35, and chocolate lava cake for $10.
Short, smart and sharp as a tack, The Party flies in the face of one of modern-day cinema's worst instincts. When we say it's short, we mean it, with this hilarious social satire clocking in at just 71 minutes. As an argument in support of concise, compact filmmaking (and against protracted running times with pointless meandering and overdone special effects), the movie really couldn't be stronger. Who needs to spend two to three hours watching '80s nostalgia, giant robots or whatever other bloated spectacle keeps coming our way when you can laugh heartily and frequently through this brief, biting take on Britain's bourgeois? Of course, we're generalising. Not all lengthy blockbusters overstay their welcome, but few do exactly what they need to in the exact right amount of time like The Party. That said, the latest film from writer-director Sally Potter (Ginger & Rosa) doesn't just win over viewers with brevity and succinctness. Among its considerable charms, the movie also boasts scathing humour and a stellar lineup of talent. The fast-paced shenanigans start with Janet (Kristin Scott Thomas) opening the door to her London home, staring directly at the camera and looking incredibly unhappy. Jump back to earlier in the evening, when she's just been appointed Shadow Minister for Health and is preparing to host friends to celebrate. Her husband Bill (Timothy Spall) seems to be getting into the mood with a few drinks, although he's rather maudlin given the occasion. Entering at their own leisure, the guests are a motley crew of emotions and moods. The snarky April (Patricia Clarkson) fights with her soon-to-be-ex Gottfried (Bruno Ganz); expectant couple Martha (Cherry Jones) and Jinny (Emily Mortimer) bicker over their approaches to motherhood; while banker Tom (Cillian Murphy) bides his time by doing cocaine in the bathroom — and trying to find somewhere to hide his gun. With The Party confining its characters to Janet's house and charting their actions almost in real time, things get heated rather quickly. Secrets are spilled, tempers seesaw, relationships threaten to unravel and acidic one-liners fly thick and fast – with a few earnest confessions thrown in for good measure. The specific surprises and revelations are best discovered by watching, but Potter and co-writer Walter Donohue (a story editor on much of the filmmaker's work) do more than just thrust seven people into close quarters and wait for them to erupt. As the conversation flows, the movie covers everything from class clashes to gender roles to political instability, in a manner that very much feels like a product of its post-Brexit timing. In what is perhaps a surprise for such a dialogue-heavy piece, the arguing and antics are shot in crisp black-and-white, with gorgeous roaming imagery that isn't afraid to get up close and personal. As a result, the movie sparkles not only in its comedy but in its visuals, which also helps overcome an obvious issue. Yes, The Party can sometimes resemble a play, albeit a particularly brisk and snappy one. Still, if Potter had plonked the same scenario and actors onto the stage, it'd still be an utter delight to watch. As for her cast, there are no weak links among the high-profile bunch — although Clarkson gets all of the best lines and Murphy will make you wish he flexed his comic chops much more often. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb4FF6lCqFw
For New Zealanders, holidaying in the islands will soon become reality, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown this week confirming that a travel bubble is set to open between NZ and the Pacific nation. Pending final confirmation by New Zealand's Director-General of Health and the Cook Islands Secretary of Health, two-way quarantine-free travel will commence between the two countries on Monday, May 17, one month after the opening of the long-discussed trans-Tasman travel bubble between NZ and Australia. The Cook Islands closed its borders in March 2020 and has been virus-free to this day. Prime Minister Ardern said a huge amount of work had gone into ensuring the two-way bubble was safe and that the Cook Islands was set up and ready for it. The quarantine-free travel will apply to travellers in NZ and the Cook Islands who meet the eligibility requirements, including spending at least 14 days in either NZ or the Cook Islands before making the trip. But if you're an Australian now thinking of planning a multi-stop overseas getaway, the situation isn't as straightforward as you might hope. As part of NZ's announcement about the planned arrangement with the Cook Islands, it notes that anyone wanting to travel between Australia and the Cook Islands would need to spend at least 14 days in NZ in the middle. Back in April, however, the Australian Government made a Biosecurity Determination that advises that Australian citizens and permanent residents can only leave the country to travel to NZ, unless they receive an exemption. So, hopping from NZ to the Cook Islands after a fortnight in the former isn't currently covered. Neither is hopping from NZ to anywhere else in the world. The Biosecurity Determination came into effect after the trans-Tasman bubble between Australia and NZ started, to cover the possibility that Aussies would use NZ as a stopover before venturing further afield. Whether Australia and the Cook Islands will enter into their own travel bubble arrangement is yet to be revealed — and whether the Australian Government will amend the current Biosecurity Determination to allow Aussies to travel to the Cook Islands from NZ hasn't yet been advised, either. So, for now, that island getaway you might be dreaming of still needs to remain on hold. The two-way quarantine-free travel bubble will commence between New Zealand and the Cook Islands on Monday, May 17; however, Australia's recent Biosecurity Determination means that Aussies still can only holiday in NZ without receiving an exemption, and can't hop from there to the Cook Islands. Full information about quarantine-free travel for New Zealanders to the Cook Islands, including eligibility, what travellers should expect and updates to requirements, can be found on the New Zealand Government COVID-19 website.
2024 is a big year for Brisbane's new Queen's Wharf precinct, which will finally start opening its doors from August after being in the works for almost a decade. It's also a huge year for the Tassis Group, after already launching Longwang and Fatcow on James Street, and with two new venues to come in Kangaroo Point's green bridge before 2025 hits. What happens when you combine both the River City's about-to-open $3.6-billion inner-city hub and one of the town's thriving hospitality outfits, then? Dark Shepherd, making a massive period for both even heftier. The announcements just keep coming for Queen's Wharf, with the latest arriving just a week after Ghanem Group also revealed that it'd open Lúc Lắc, its own latest eatery, at the new The Star Brisbane. Tassis Group's Dark Shepherd is headed to the same spot, bringing a taste of the Mediterranean with a particular focus on lamb on the menu. With both Yamas Greek + Drink and Opa Bar + Mezze already to its name, the Tassis crew is no stranger to Greek cuisine, but its next addition will take its cues more broadly from the surrounding region. With both Fatcow and Rich & Rare in its stable as well, it's also not new to heroing red meat, even if lamb rather than beef is in the spotlight at Dark Shepherd. And yes, this is still the company responsible for Fosh Bar & Restaurant, which means that seafood will pop on among the newcomer's dishes. Brisbanites will be able to tuck into Dark Shepherd's culinary lineup from sometime in September, with woodfired meals from the grill also a focus. Clui Design is on decor duties, with the venue set to include a sunken dining room as well as a private dining room. A live oyster-shucking station will also feature. Restaurants-wise, add Dark Shepherd to the Queen's Wharf list alongside the Indochine-leaning Lúc Lắc, the initial outpost beyond Sydney for Japanese fine-diner Sokyo, the relocated Black Hide Steak and Seafood, Italian eatery Cucina Regina, Luke Nguyen's reimagined Fat Noodle, cocktail bar Cherry, the new LiveWire with its live music focus, and a towering deck filled with restaurants and bars that will sit 100 metres above the city. The full precinct will also include the 4.5-star Dorsett and Australia's only Rosewood hotel, Brissie's first riverside bikeway cafe and a swathe of retailers in a huge new shopping precinct. More dining, such as an ice creamery, Asian cuisine and other spots themed around parts of the world, will come, too. And, so will the revitalised heritage buildings, which will feature food, beverage and retail options. Find Dark Shepherd at The Star Brisbane, Queen's Wharf Road, Brisbane from sometime in September 2024 — we'll update you with an exact opening date when it is announced. Head to the restaurant's website for more details in the interim. Food images: Markus Ravik.
While plenty about taking a holiday has changed over the past year or so, flight sales keep coming — and Australians keep snapping up tickets. Unsurprisingly, we're all keen to travel when and where we can in these pandemic-afflicted times. And if you're constantly thinking about your next getaway, Jetstar is dropping yet another batch of cheap fares. The Limited Time Only sale will kick off at 9am on Friday, April 23. As the name suggests, it's only on offer for a brief period. You'll need to nab your discounted tickets before 11.59pm AEST on Monday, April 26, although fares might sell out earlier. In the sale, you'll find cheap flights across a heap routes from destinations right across the country. That's a regular part of these specials, so there are no surprises there. But this time, because the trans-Tasman bubble is open and zooming across to New Zealand is now possible — and allowed — you can also pick up discounted tickets to NZ. Domestically, fares start at $33 for flights from Sydney to Avalon, with Sydneysiders also able to head to Hobart from $69, either Uluru or Hamilton Island from $99, and Perth from $159. Melburnians can book trips to Launceston from $45, Adelaide from $49, and Ballina and Byron Bay from $59, while Brisbanites can zip to Newcastle from $49, and Cairns or Melbourne from $69. Yes, the list goes on. For flights to NZ, tickets kick off at $175, which'll get you from the Gold Coast to either Auckland or Wellington. From Sydney and Melbourne, it'll cost you $195 to Auckland and $225 to Queenstown. [caption id="attachment_808728" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Artist: David Hilliam[/caption] Tickets in the sale are for trips from May 2021–January 2022, with exact dates varying in each region. And there are a few caveats, as is always the case. The discounted flights are one way, and they don't include checked baggage — so you'll need to travel super light, or pay extra to take a suitcase. And, as always, keeping an eye on both interstate and New Zealand border requirements is recommended. To promote the sale, Jetstar has also commissioned three large-scale artworks, all emblazoned with the words "available for a limited time only". One 90-metre-long piece by artist Edward popped up in the sand along the Great Ocean Road, another took over a Sydney rooftop and a third also got sandy at Piha Beach in Auckland. Jetstar's Limited Time Only sale runs from 9am AEST on Friday, April 23 till 11.59pm AEST on Monday, April 26, or until sold out.
Architecture in Helsinki are back, and set to make the folk at the Hi-Fi dance through their shoes in their first headline tour in three years. To celebrate the release of their fourth album Moment Bends, the band who are renowned for live shows bursting with energy and sweaty fun are coming to Brisbane. Architecture In Helsinki burst straight out of art school around a decade ago, with albums positively tingling with amazing indie pop songs and a slew of videos featuring trampolines, capes and creepy fluorescent puppets dancing around their necks. They've gone on to become one of Australia's most loved and internationally acclaimed acts, playing national and international tours alongside such luminaries as David Byrne, Belle & Sebastian and Yo La Tengo. Their new album develops the kind of ecstatic pop that makes you want to dance in a cloud of glitter, but with the kind of sophisticated touch that comes from many years of being one of Australia's most acclaimed and innovative bands. But at the end of the day, and most importantly, Architecture In Helsinki make you want to dance. So get your fluoro shirt out, stick something weird in your hair and get yourself a ticket while you can. https://youtube.com/watch?v=IxjcszKEcHE
Much about this last week of March has felt like history repeating itself — initially for Brisbanites, and now for anyone with an Easter date with Bluesfest. For the second year in a row, the Byron Bay festival won't be going ahead, with NSW Health announcing that a public health order has been signed that cancels the 2021 event. The long-running festival was set to return to Byron Events Farm (formerly Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm) just outside Byron Bay from Thursday, April 1 — for the Easter long weekend, headlined by Jimmy Barnes, Tash Sultana, Ocean Alley, Ziggy Alberts and The Teskey Brothers. But, as happened last year, COVID-19 has gotten in the way. NSW Health has advised that the move has been made "to minimise the risk of the highly infectious COVID-19 variant of concern being transmitted in the local area, as well as across states and territories." Over the past weekend, between Friday, March 26–Sunday, March 28, Byron Bay was visited by two people who later tested positive to COVID-19 as part of Greater Brisbane's current cluster. Today, Wednesday, March 31, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that one person in Byron Bay has since tested positive as well. And, the Premier also advised that from 5pm AEDT today until at least 11.59pm on Monday, April 5, the Byron, Ballina, Tweed and Lismore shires will reinstate a number of social distancing restrictions. So, they'll be in effect exactly when Bluesfest was due to run. The north coast regions will revert back to 30-person caps for at-home gatherings, and will reintroduce the one person per four-square-metres rule at all indoor public settings, including hospitality venues. Folks in the area will also have to sit, not stand, while having a drink. And, masks will be compulsory on public transport, in retail settings and indoors in public places. [caption id="attachment_800519" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Andy Fraser[/caption] "Infectious Queensland travellers attended a number of venues in the Byron Bay area and the new locally acquired case was infected at one of these venues," said NSW Health in its statement. "NSW Health acknowledges that the cancellation of Bluesfest is disappointing for ticket holders and event organisers; however, while urgent investigations and contact tracing are ongoing, NSW Health is adopting a cautious approach to keep everyone safe." Minister for Health Brad Hazzard noted that "while the cancellation of Bluesfest is disappointing for music lovers and the local community, I hope that ticket holders would support Bluesfest and hold on to their tickets as I understand Bluesfest will be working on a new date as soon as possible." At the time of writing, Bluesfest hasn't made a statement about the cancellation. Via the festival's last social media posts earlier today, event organisers said that an update was coming soon. NSW Health advised that it wished "to acknowledge the outstanding cooperation of Mr Peter Noble and his organising team, who were working hard to ensure Bluesfest would be conducted in a COVID-safe manner." For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. Top image: Joseph Mayers
Spending more time at home is much easier to stomach with a hefty rage of desserts on hand, or at least that seems to be Gelato Messina's pandemic motto. Over the past year, the gelato chain has served up plenty of tasty specials, including cookie pies in choc chip, red velvet, choc-hazelnut, and peanut butter and jelly varieties; 40 of its best flavours; and full tubs of Iced VoVo gelato. It also whipped up its own take on that vanilla and chocolate-layered ice cream cake everyone considered the height of extravagance as a child — and now it's bringing its version of Viennetta back for another round. If you've been indulging your sweet tooth as a coping mechanism — frozen desserts were subject to strict item limits last March, so plenty of folks clearly went big on sugary comfort food — then consider your tastebuds primed for this super-fancy take on the nostalgic favouritte. It's another of Messina's limited releases, with tubs of the rippled gelato creation available at all its stores for a very short period. Wondering what exactly Messina's Viennetta — or Messinetta, as it has been dubbed — entails? It combines fior di latte gelato with choc chips and chocolate fudge, then covers it all with piped vanilla chantilly as well as a chocolate velvet spray. And yes, the end result looks like the dessert you know and love. If it didn't, it just wouldn't be as exciting. The latest release in Messina's new 'Hot Tub' series, Messinetta gelato can only be ordered online on Monday, February 22, with a one-litre tub setting you back $30. You can then go into your chosen Messina store to pick up your tub between Friday, February 26–Sunday, February 28. Gelato Messina's Messinetta gelato tubs will be available to order on Monday, February 22, for pick up between Friday, February 26–Sunday, February 28 — keep an eye on the Messina website for further details.
With so many international and interstate artists gracing the stages of Brisbane, it is always exciting to see a home grown success story. This Sunday, July 22, Brisbane’s own Lauren Lucille will be presenting her latest musical offering, Hidden Here. In the making for the past year, the album showcases the very best of her talents as a musician, vocalist, composer and performer. All in all, Lucille has delivered audiences a polished, all-original, jazz album. Lucille is what we could call a “seasoned performer”. Her musical career began at the ripe age of 10, with mainstream guitar and piano folk/pop songs. Today, aged 28, Lucille is an admired jazz performer. To add to the fairytale, it has recently been announced she is a finalist in the 2012 qmusic Awards in the Jazz category (it’s kind of a big deal). Supporting Lucille’s much-anticipated performance will be fellow Brisbane group, Lady Abundance.
Sicario begins with an ordinary-looking slice of Arizona's desert-bordered suburbia, roving over rows of homes as far as the eye can see. As the kidnap extraction operation that will soon storm the doors of one particular house — and find much, much more than they bargained for — swiftly reveals, there’s little that’s normal behind the average facade. In a powerful start to his latest feature after Incendies, Prisoners and Enemy, director Denis Villeneuve ensures the chasm between perception and reality is apparent; indeed, it will echo throughout the feature. It's a fitting kernel of thought to plant in the minds of viewers who will witness 121 minutes of procedural tension seemingly concerned with the titular term — cartel slang for hitman in Mexico — in the context of the drug war, but actually delving into the haziness of trying to do the right thing by any means. It certainly bears remembering that Villeneuve doesn’t make films that could be considered easy viewing. As written by actor-turned-screenwriter Taylor Sheridan (Sons of Anarchy), Sicario jumps into the United States' furtive attempts to arrest the impact of the narcotics trade, then creeps through shades of grey, shimmers of complex uncertainty and slivers of necessary compromise. Accordingly, three figures earn the grim film's focus: FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt), plus government contractors Matt (Josh Brolin) and Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro). After leading the charge in the opening events, the former is asked to volunteer to work with the latter two men to bring a drug lord to justice. Their idea of how to do so, abandoning the rules in favour of operating in the shadows, differs to the by-the-book approach Macer prefers. Comparisons to Zero Dark Thirty prove apt and earned for an effort that treats its bristling violence and brutal set pieces as routine, strands its protagonist with reaching for an end result that can't be achieved by above-board means, and navigates the moral quandaries and harsh realities that spring. The striking, sunlit visuals, lensed by 12-time Oscar nominated cinematographer Roger Deakins (Skyfall) and seething with gritty texture, add to the overwhelming feeling of inevitability and despair Macer is saddled with, with as much said by the framing — often preferring to peer on at conversations from a distance, or capture action via aerial shots — as by the dialogue. Such rich imagery is matched not only by an unrelenting, rattling, bass-heavy score, but also by a trio of performances that simmer on screen. Blunt, continuing a spate of great choices of late that has included Looper and Edge of Tomorrow, finds the right mix of resilience and vulnerability as the woman at the centre of a puzzle she's being precluded from piecing together. Del Toro wears the feature's weariness, vagueness and murkiness in his gaze, while Brolin does the same thing with his sly smile and casual attitude — and becomes the film's standout player in the process. Indeed, Brolin acts as a weathervane for Sicario's end result, offering layers of quiet power that build with every exchange and altercation into an ever-troubling picture of ambiguity and unease. You're never quite comfortable with his character, nor should you be with the feature he's in, as compelling, confronting, stunning and downright exceptional as it is.
