Do you like being terrified and entertained at the same time? Is indulging in all things spooky and scary your idea of fun? Halloween only comes around once a year, so The Brightside is making the most of it. If you're itching for a frightening fix and some live tunes, it has you covered. Nightmare on Warner Street combines two things: an excuse to get dressed up in whatever costume you feel sums up Halloween 2020, and music by The Cutaways, Ringpull, Copius and Ghost College. Actually, there's a third part of that equation, with the Chevron Showgirls busting out their burlesque moves as well. This petrifying party is taking place in The Brightside's outdoor area, and it does have a capacity limit of 100 — so if you're keen, you'd best grab a ticket faster than a trick-or-treater sticking their hand inside a candy jar. Donning a costume isn't just a suggestion, either, with prizes on offer — and lucky door prizes as well.
It is a sad week for many in Brisbane’s artistic circles. After a year and a half of amazing exhibitions, performances and cultural relevancy, communal art space, The Box, is shutting its doors. The West End hotspot has been an incredible supporter of some of Brisbane’s best creative minds, so naturally we are all a bit saddened. However, it isn’t like The Box to go without a bang, so they are having a Tropicana party to send off the space in style! The theme for the festivities is ‘Last Day in Paradise’, with delicious drinks provided by Sailor Jerry and a bunch of hot musicians to liven up the atmosphere, and the Jungle Tiki Bar will be the official party after-party location. If you never set foot in The Box, make this the time you do, so you can say you were there when a favourite Brisbane institution closed with one heck of a party.
One of the key events on Australia's film festival calendar will swashbuckle its way into 2024, with the next Alliance Française French Film Festival set to open with The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan. Mark your calendars not just for one big night at the movies, but plenty of them. While the François Civil (A Place to Fight For)-, Vincent Cassel (Liaison)-, Romain Duris (Final Cut)-, Pio Marmaï (Daaaaaali!)- and Eva Green (also Liaison)-starring version of Alexandre Dumas' famous novel will take pride of place to launch AFFFF's 35th year, the event's full lineup is always hefty. The complete details haven't been unveiled as yet, but the fest has locked in its 2024 dates and the first eight titles that'll be gracing its screens. The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan is part one of a two-part saga from filmmaker Martin Bourboulon (Eiffel), with part two The Three Musketeers: Milady also on the bill. As it always does, the Alliance Française French Film Festival will return in autumn, taking its celebration of Gallic cinema — the world's biggest outside of France, in fact — around the nation in March and April. Viewers in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra and Adelaide will be treated to around a month of French movies. In Byron Bay, cinephiles will score an almost three-week stop. Other than the two Three Musketeers flicks — which are the first French takes on the tale in more than three decades — the program so far also boasts French icon Catherine Deneuve (The Truth) playing Bernadette Chirac in The President's Wife, as set in 1995 when Jacques Chirac was elected President. The Taste of Things is another of the event's big-name titles, with Juliette Binoche (The Staircase) starring in the cookery-fuelled romance, and filmmaker Tran Anh Hùng (Norwegian Wood) winning the Best Director award at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Also first debuting at Cannes: The Animal Kingdom, which sees Duris pop up again. Here, he plays a father in a future where humans are starting to become animal hybrids. Jeanne Du Barry also premiered on the Croisette, in the opening-night slot, with writer/director Maïwenn (Polisse) starring as the mistress of King Louis XV. Rounding out the picks so far are All Your Faces, focusing on France's Restorative Justice program, and Iris and the Men, the reunion of Antoinette in the Cévennes filmmaker Caroline Vignal and actor Laure Calamy (The Origin of Evil). As for the full bill, which usually includes 30-plus movies, it'll drop in early February. ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL 2024 DATES: Tuesday, March 5–Tuesday, April 2 — Palace James St and Palace Barracks, Brisbane Tuesday, March 5–Tuesday, April 9 — Palace Central, Palace Norton Street, The Chauvel, Roseville Cinema and Cinema Orpheum Cremorne, Sydney Wednesday, March 6–Tuesday, April 2 — Palace Como, Kino Cinema, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, Pentridge Cinema, The Astor Theatre and Palace Penny Lane, Melbourne Wednesday, March 6–Tuesday, April 2 — Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Luna Leedeerville and Windsor Cinema, Perth Thursday, March 7–Wednesday, March 27 — Palace Byron Bay, Byron Bay Thursday, March 7–Tuesday, April 2 — Palace Electric, Canberra Thursday, March 21–Tuesday, April 16 — Nova Prospect and Palace Nova Eastend, Adelaide The Alliance Française French Film Festival will tour Australia in March and April 2024. For more information, visit the AFFFF website. Check back here on Wednesday, February 7 for the full program.
UPDATE: MARCH 19, 2020 — Organisers have announced that So Pop 2020 will no longer go ahead "due to policies and measures put in place by the Australian and New Zealand Government regarding COVID-19 and the inability for large gathering events to proceed". Ticket holders will receive a full refund. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Pull out that old Discman, break out the cargo pants and start practising your smoothest early noughties dance moves — the pop tour of your wildest teenage dreams is hitting our shores this summer and it's got more stars than a TV Hits sticker collection. Next April and May, the second So Pop festival is set to deliver a huge serve of nostalgia to stadiums across Australia and New Zealand, pulling together an extra juicy lineup of old-school icons, headlined by some of the biggest teenage obsessions from the late 90s and early 2000s. Stages in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Auckland and Christchurch will be transported back to the 90s and 00s for one glorious night each, playing host to the pop-drenched soundtrack of your youth. Heading up the show are female five-piece The Pussycat Dolls, who will come out of a hiatus to take you right back to dancing in your living room in front of the TV on a Saturday morning with pop hits 'Don't Cha', 'Buttons' and 'What I Grow Up'. It'll be the group's first visit Down Under since touring with Lady Gaga back in 2009. Joining them is British band Steps — so you'll need to start re-learning the line dancing moves to '5, 6, 7, 8' again — and the object of many a teenage girl's crush back in the day: Jesse McCartney https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWq_E17pTHY Relive more So Fresh-era bangers with Smash Mouth — who gifted us with 1999 hit 'All Star' — and the lady that gave us 'Murder on the Dancefloor', Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Irish pop star Samantha Mumba ('Baby Come on Over'), Dutch dance group Alice DJ 'Better Off Alone') and Reel 2 Reel ('I Like to Move It') round out the throwback showdown. SO POP 2020 DATES Perth — RAC Arena on Wednesday, April 22 Brisbane — Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Friday, April 24 Sydney — Qudos Bank Arena on Saturday, April 25 Adelaide — Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Tuesday, April 28 Melbourne — Melbourne Arena on Thursday, April 30 Auckland — Spark Arena on Saturday, May 2 Christchurch — Horncastle Arena on Sunday, May 3 So Pop pre-sale tickets are up for grabs or 24 hours this Wednesday, December 4 on the Frontier Touring website. The rest will go on sale on Monday, December 9.
We all know as we get older, we gain experience, and begin to be more perceptive – particularly when it comes to what we like and dislike, what makes our skin crawl, and what makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside. The fight or flight instinct is now well known to us and is one we use almost every day – will we stay and fight it, or will we cower away? For the next few weeks, the Transparency Collective will look into this response and create installations and performances that deal with the ways in which humans collide, avoid and attack each other. They will be staged in the art laboratory that is Critical Boundary. There’ll be open events that challenge this notion of fight or flight, which allow for change and growth in the planned performances, as they interact with the public. Throughout the residency, there will be a plethora of opportunities for you to engage with the work, and foster your knowledge about this interesting idea. There’ll be interactions and discussions, as well as open dialogue with the curators. This installation is as organic as they come, and is inviting all of those who struggle with their instincts to open their minds.
Summer is almost here and that means it's getting time to whip out the sunscreen and shades and get on the group chat to organise some al fresco hangs in the sunshine. Whether you've got a huge backyard, a compact garden or a decked out balcony, there are lots of ways you can transform your openair space for parties. Think makeshift performance spaces, themed dining where everyone pitches in a plate, or active games to get everyone into the summer spirit. To help you make the most of your outdoor space, we've partnered with Jim Beam to bring you a guide to transforming your backyard for parties and hangouts to remember this summer. [caption id="attachment_789655" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cottonbro[/caption] CREATE A MAKESHIFT OUTDOOR CINEMA Each summer brings with it a new selection of romance, comedy and holiday flicks to catch at the cinema, but when you're looking to entertain your friends at home, there's a lot to be said for the old classics that bring us together. Impress your friends by upping movie night and transforming your outdoor space with a makeshift outdoor cinema. All you need is a good projector — which you can buy online or at most tech stores — and then set it up to shine on a wall or vertical flat surface away from other light sources, such as streetlights. Then, grab a cold one and some popcorn, and settle in for a night of quote-alongs and nostalgia bonding. [caption id="attachment_786454" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] HOST AN AROUND-THE-WORLD FEAST Just because you can't travel around the world right now doesn't mean you can't transport yourself elsewhere through the medium of food. Host an 'around the world' picnic where each of your guests brings a dish based on world cuisine. Think bratwurst from Germany, lasagne from Italy, sushi from Japan, chow mein from China, barbecued meats from the US and dosas from India. Then set up the food in different areas around the outdoor space and 'travel' from place to place with your tastebuds. You can even take it a step further and bring drinks from different countries too — for the US, try a Jim Beam with peach iced tea and soda, for example. [caption id="attachment_789656" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jake Ryan[/caption] INVITE YOUR MUSO FRIENDS TO PERFORM Every friendship group has a mate who loves to show off their skills on the guitar and can play a steady rotation of Oasis, John Mayer and Jason Mraz numbers. So why not take advantage of your mates' talents and invite all your muso friends to perform some classic sing-a-longs? They could even show off some originals, if they're that good. String up some coloured lights and get the drinks flowing and it'll feel like a real gig (just like old times). And, because it's your backyard, you get to mingle with the main act afterwards. HOST A MINI OLYMPICS Make up for the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics and channel the spirit of our finest green-and-gold athletes by hosting a mini version in your backyard. Get each of your guests to bring over a variety of games, including solo sports and team games — such as frisbee, cricket, bocce, basketball, table tennis and putt-putt — and arrange a tournament in your yard. You can even set up an obstacle course if you're feeling super energetic. Don't forget to provide some snacks for fuel and some drinks for good measure — then, let the games begin. After all, who doesn't love healthy competition between friends? [caption id="attachment_790604" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] SET UP YOUR OWN TINY BAR There's no better summertime classic activity than getting the mates round for a drink or two. Now imagine upping the game and playing bartender to your pals in a decked out tiny bar in the backyard. To help out in this endeavour, the global bourbon brand Jim Beam is currently running a competition to give away a fully stocked Jim Beam Tiny Stillhouse, worth over $20,000. The stillhouse includes bluetooth speakers, a mini fridge, four bar stools, an esky, bar mats, a Jenga set, a case of Jim Beam and Cola and a bottle of Jim Beam White Label. Enter here before Sunday, November 22 to get the party going. Top image: Cottonbro via Pexels
Remember Miami Horror? Back in 2010, the Melbourne electronic-pop band set our hearts alight with their excellent debut LP Illumination. Their hit single from the same album, 'Sometimes', has been on rotation on summer playlists ever since. It's been four years since then and Miami Horror are finally returning in grand comeback style. During their hiatus, they've been busy living it up in sunny Los Angeles and putting the finishing touches on their forthcoming sophomore album due later this year. In the meantime, they; sneakily released the catchy 'Wild Motion (Set It Free)' — the perfect anthem for lazy days lounging by the pool. To promote the new single and join the Brisbane Festival lineup, Miami Horror are heading back to the homeland with a massive eight-day headlining tour — only their second since 2011. To amp it up a notch, they're promising to build a whole new projection-based light show with hand-drawn images and and splashes of animated colour. Who knows where the band will disappear to next, so catch them live before they're off again. https://youtube.com/watch?v=IolDbdoQbaM
Back in 1976, author Anne Rice asked a simple question: if a vampire agreed to an interview about their bloodsucking life, what would they share? The answer to that query sparked a bestselling novel — the late writer's debut tome, in fact — and helped thrust her to fame. It also started a literary franchise, The Vampire Chronicles; was turned into a comic; hit the big screen in the 90s; and, soon, will play out as a streaming series as well. That book/comic/film/upcoming show: Interview with the Vampire. And yes, in its current leap from cinemas to the small screen, it follows in the footsteps of fellow undead fare Buffy the Vampire Slayer and What We Do in the Shadows. It also hops on a second trend that shows no signs of dying: reviving 90s movies as a series, as the new TV version of A League of Their Own also has recently (without the vampires, of course). Even if you haven't enjoyed Interview with the Vampire on the page or seen the 1994 flick, the concept is right there in the name — as both the initial teaser trailer back in July and the just-dropped full sneak peek make plain. "So, how long have you been dead?" probing interviewer Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian, Succession) asks Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson, aka Game of Thrones' Grey Worm), the New Orleans resident who can't resist the offer to live forever. Then, quite the tale unfurls. Naturally, if you're a vampire being interviewed, that's the kind of opening enquiry that's bound to come your way. More follow, but it's a helluva ice-breaker. Louis' story includes fellow vamp Lestat de Lioncourt (Australian actor Sam Reid, The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson), who he describes as "my murderer, my mentor, my lover and my maker" — and child vamp Claudia (Bailey Bass, Psycho Sweet 16), who joins their bloodthirsty family. How this new take on Interview with the Vampire will turn out will be revealed in October — in Australia via AMC+ from Sunday, October 2, with New Zealand details still to be announced. If you remember the movie — the film that helped push Dunst to fame as a child, well before she was an Oscar-nominee for The Power of the Dog — you'll know that it steps through its key undead trio's not-quite-lives (being eternally undead might be the better way to describe it), with tension oozing after Louis decides he doesn't want to kill. Check out the full Interview with the Vampire trailer below: Interview with the Vampire will start streaming in Australia via AMC+ from Sunday, October 2. We'll update you with New Zealand details when they become available. Images: Alfonso Bresciani/AMC.
Are you the kind of person who starts plotting your next meal before you've even finished the last? Love eating more than anything else? Well, you can get right to the guts of our global food obsession when the Sydney Opera House streams its 2018 chat with culinary legend Nigella Lawson. Streaming at 3pm AEST on Sunday, April 19, the talk has a fitting topic of conversation: home cooking. Lawson's Aussie visit followed the publication of her book At My Table: A Celebration of Home Cooking, which celebrates the joys of comfort food. The famed cook will be in conversation with SBS Food Safari's Maeve O'Meara and they'll be discussing everything from frozen peas to food trends. One of the most successful food writers of all time, cooking up more than ten million book sales worldwide with her 11 culinary bibles, Lawson started out as a book reviewer and restaurant critic, going on to become the deputy literary editor of The Sunday Times. She is responsible for numerous award-winning books, including How to Eat, How to Be a Domestic Goddess, Nigella Bites and At My Table. The talk is part of the Sydney Opera House's three-month digital program From Our House to Yours, with free content streamed nightly from Wednesday–Sunday. While you wait for the full talk to stream on Sunday, you can watch some highlights below. https://youtu.be/P-Ua3wrT3o8
Everyone has an opinion on what makes a true Aussie burger. Beetroot? Yes, please. Fried egg? Sure. Pineapple? Stay away. But what about throwing on some of that iconic spread that lives in every household cupboard, regardless of whether you're a lover or a hater? Well, chef Neil Perry is putting it to the test with the release of a limited edition Vegemite burger. From today, Wednesday, January 17, this questionable concoction will be available at Burger Project stores across Australia (including the one that opened last week in Melbourne), as well as the current Australian Open pop-up in Melbourne. "Vegemite is synonymous with our Australian way of life," said Perry. "I'm excited to be given the opportunity to collaborate with such an iconic Australian brand." The spread will be paired with Burger Project's staple soft milk bun, grass-fed Tasmanian beef patty, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato and onion. That distinctive salty tang of Vegemite is sure to add a salty flavour hit to the burger. It certainly appeals more than the creamy Vegemite icy poles which got a hard pass from us. The Vegemite Burger is available between January 17–28, 2018 at all Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane stores. For more info, visit burgerproject.com.au.
What's better than knowing that one of the biggest Australian movies of the past couple of years is getting a sequel? Adding that second effort to your must-watch pile for 2023. It's been four months since it was revealed that The Dry was scoring a big-screen follow-up, and it's now been confirmed that it'll start flickering across the big screen sometime next year. Exactly when in 2023 that Force of Nature will surface is yet to be revealed — but add it to your future cinema-going list anyway. And yes, to answer the crucial question, Eric Bana is returning as Detective Aaron Falk. [caption id="attachment_787502" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Dry[/caption] When it reached Aussie cinemas at the beginning of 2021 — making the leap from bookshelves to theatres, adapting the debut novel from author Jane Harper — The Dry became an enormous success. If you went to the movies at the start of last year, you likely saw it. It currently sits sixth at the box office among local titles over the past ten years, notching up more than $20 million in ticket sales. It also came in sixth in 2021 overall, after Spider-Man: No Way Home, No Time to Die, Godzilla vs Kong, Peter Rabbit 2 and Fast and Furious 9. That kind of response was always likely to spark a sequel (and it shouldn't escape attention that the five movies that made more cash in Australia last year were all either sequels themselves, or part of long-running franchises). Cue this new adaptation of Harper's second novel Force of Nature. This time, the focus is on a corporate hiking retreat attended by five women, after which only four return. So, alongside fellow federal agent Carmen Cooper (Jacqueline McKenzie, Ruby's Choice), Falk heads deep into Victoria's mountain ranges to try to find the missing hiker — who also happens to be a whistle-blowing informant — alive. [caption id="attachment_796115" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Dry[/caption] As The Dry was, Force of Nature is being written and directed by Robert Connolly (Paper Planes). Again, it'll boast quite the pair when it comes to Aussie crime cinema — with Connolly the producer of one of the best local crime movies ever made, aka 1998's unnerving The Boys, and Bana famously the star of the similarly excellent Chopper. Also featuring in Force of Nature, which'll have a powerhouse Aussie cast like its predecessor: Anna Torv (Mindhunter) as missing hiker Alice Russell, plus Deborra-Lee Furness (Jindabyne), Robin McLeavy (Homeland), Sisi Stringer (Mortal Kombat) and Lucy Ansell (Utopia). Richard Roxburgh (Elvis), Tony Briggs (Preppers) and Kenneth Radley (The Power of the Dog), too, while Jeremy Lindsay-Taylor (Sequin in a Blue Room) is back in the role of Erik Falk. Although the first image from the film has been released — see the header picture at the very top of this article — it's still too early for even a teaser clip. Until one arrives, check out the trailer for The Dry below: Force of Nature will release in Australian cinemas in 2023 — we'll update you when an exact release date is announced. Read our full review of The Dry.
The first time that Will Smith was nominated for an Oscar, it was for dramatising Muhammad Ali's story in Ali. It's much, much, much too early to say if he'll get the nod for his latest stint as a sporting figure — no one has even seen his upcoming movie King Richard yet, after all — but Smith sure looks to be angling to add a few shiny trophies for his mantle. He plays someone familiar with watching other people pick up silverware, in fact, given that he's playing Richard Williams — father of superstar tennis champions Serena and Venus. As the name makes plain, King Richard is all about the dad behind the ace-swinging duo, and his role in raising them, nurturing their talents and establishing their careers. When the girls first start showing their skills in Compton as children, neither Serena nor Venus nor Richard have any idea where their path will head. Viewers obviously do, but consider this the story behind the well-known story. The tone: persistent, moving and inspirational, at least based on the just-dropped trailer for King Richard, ahead of its release Down Under in November. From the sneak peek, Smith plays Richard as determined, confident and hardworking. Told that he might have the next Michael Jordan on his hands, he replies that he actually has the next two. Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green (Monsters and Men), the biopic thankfully sees Smith in a completely different mode to his last big-screen appearance — in the abysmal, terrible and grating Bad Boys for Life. In King Richard, he's joined by Saniyaa Sidney (Fences) and Demi Singleton (Godfather of Harlem) stars as Venus and Serena, plus Aunjanue Ellis (Lovecraft Country) as their mother Oracene 'Brandi' Williams. Also among the familiar faces: Jon Bernthal (Those Who Wish Me Dead) as coach Rick Macci and Tony Goldwyn (Scandal) as coach Paul Cohen. Check out the trailer below: King Richard will release in Australian cinemas on November 18. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.
Following the success of their previous hotel takeover in Byron Bay, the grand Clicquot Hotel is now heading to Queensland's Sunshine Beach — a hop, skip and jump from Noosa — for 10 days only. The French champagne house, Veuve Clicquot, has made the most extra luxury accommodation focused around premium experiences. Expect exclusive food and Champagne experiences, spa treatments, sunrise surfing lessons and yoga overlooking the coastline. And, of course, everything is adorned with the famous Veuve Yellow. But those offerings are just the cherries on top of the hyper lavish experience. Over two nights, you'll also have private access to Sunshine Beach and Noosa National Park, complimentary Veuve Clicquot champagne whenever the whim takes you (of course), a private sommelier and 24-hour concierge service, as well as chauffeured airport and local transfers. And, for a little extra cost, you can cruise on a chic mahogany speedboat – the Clicquot Dreamboat – along the Noosa River before having a curated picnic on the riverbank, served with chilled Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé, the champagne house's refined, full-bodied take on pink bubbles. These guys have gone all out — and then some. It's a stupid-cool pop-up hotel. Clicquot Hotel bookings are available from November 4-13 and you can book your stay here.
Let's face it: finding the perfect plans for New Year's Eve is stressful. With all the parties, festivals, ticketed venues and firework displays on offer in our cities, sometimes it feels like new year planning — which you're expected to start now, mind you — is more trouble than its worth. But if you're looking to ring in 2019 by getting away from it all, we've got you covered with some top-notch alternatives to your usual New Year's happenings. Here's our top picks for getting out-of-town this year — which we're bringing to you early so you can get a head-start on booking, too. TASTE ALL THAT TASMANIA HAS TO OFFER Each year, revellers make their way down to Tassie for Falls Festival at Marion Bay. But, if you want to avoid the chaos of navigating stages and finding your tent in the dark, we have a festival of another kind that's worth the trip. Food lovers can indulge in the best of Tasmania's culinary scene as The Taste of Tasmania food festival returns to Hobart's Princes Wharf from December 28 to January 3. Entry is free, but the range of masterclasses are ticketed and run by some of the best chefs in the region — think cheese making with Analiese Gregory (Franklin and ex-Sydney's Bar Brosé) and sausage making with Rodney Dunn (Tassie eatery The Agrarian Kitchen), plus a long-lunch hosted by Alice Chugg and Vladimir Panevin (local bar Ettie's). And that's just three of the 15 events on offer. Apart from the eats, there will also be 120 live bands and circus, cabaret and dance performances, along with a twilight cinema. For more information and to book masterclass tickets, head to the Taste of Tasmania website. This will require flights and accomodation, so you might need to book this ASAP. CLEAR YOUR MIND WITH A YOGA OR DETOX RETREAT If you're looking to enter the new year with a clear mind, there's still time to book into a full on retreat. Billabong Retreat offers an annual new year's yoga getaway, for either five or seven nights, spanning from December 26 to January 2. The eco resort is located 45 minutes northwest of Sydney and the program features twice-daily yoga, nighttime meditation, daily wellness workshops and tranquil treehouse accommodation. Plus, two New Year-specific ceremonies: a letting go ceremony on New Year's Eve and a setting intentions ceremony on New Year's Day. If you're looking to be closer to Queensland, another retreat option is the Gwinganna new year detox, which is a seven-night spa getaway just south of the Gold Coast, taking place from December 27 to January 3. It's no doubt pricey, but includes massages, facials, all organic meals, evening meditation sessions and a wellness consultation, along with a $100 therapy credit. [caption id="attachment_695264" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ray and Lystra Bisschop[/caption] TAKE AN EPIC OVERNIGHT HIKE (WITHOUT BOOKING A THING) Australia is home to some of the most stunning national parks and coastlines in the world, with many of the best hiking tracks taking more than a day to complete. One of the best is the Six Foot Track in NSW's Blue Mountains, which spans a 45-kilometre distance from Katoomba's famous Explorers Tree to the stunning Jenolan Caves. This challenging hike is most comfortably done in three days and two nights. Luckily, the overnights are free and don't need to be booked ahead of time, thanks to the easily accessible campsites along the route at Coxs River and Black Range. Another booking-free option up in Queensland is the newly completed Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, which offers free overnight camping at several spots along its 161-kilometre trail, including outside Fernvale, Toogoolaawah, Harlin, Moore, Linville and Benarkin. There are plenty of coffee stops along the way too, so you don't need to plan (and lug around) all your meals. CAMP OUT AT ONE OF AUSTRALIA'S MOST STUNNING BEACHES Spending New Year's at the ocean is as Australian as it gets, and some of the country's best spots across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland offer top-notch beachside camping that will truly take your breath away. If you really want to go all out this new year, our pick is Mesa Camp at Cape Range National Park in Western Australia. You'll have to spend a pretty penny on flights to Exmouth, but the site is set overlooking a secluded bay within the UNESCO Heritage-listed Ningaloo Coast and is perfect for canoeing, kayaking, snorkelling or swimming holidays. Booking ahead is a must, but prices are set at an incredibly reasonable $11 per adult per night. For more information and to book Mesa, head over here — but it's best to book in advance, as there are only 23 campsites available and they'll likely book out fast. If you're looking for even more options, check out our list of the top beach camping sites around Australia. [caption id="attachment_660068" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Berry Springs[/caption] FINALLY TAKE THAT TRIP TO DARWIN If a trip to Darwin has been on your list for a while now, heading up north over New Year is an ideal time to see the Northern Territory capital in full swing. Explore the George Brown Botanic Gardens, go for a swim at Berry Springs or be the ultimate tourist and cuddle a crocodile at Crocosaurus Cove. For New Year's specific entertainment, The Darwin Waterfront hosts an annual New Year's Eve party with live music, entertainment, food stalls and the requisite fireworks at 9pm and midnight — all for free. Picnics, beach blankets, lawn chairs and booze-filled eskies (no glass, though) are all encouraged and there's plenty of space for the masses. The event continues into New Year's Day, when another free live concert will take place. [caption id="attachment_693452" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Pickthall[/caption] CHECK ULURU OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST Uluru is on the bucket list of most Australians, and what better time to finally take the trek to this sacred site than at the start of a new year. Once you've got flights to Alice Springs, you can easily organise your own trip. Of course, you'll want to cop an eyeful of Uluru and learn about its history and that of Arrernte country (as it's known to the traditional custodians of the land). Make sure you see the landscape lit-up by visiting Field of Light at night, stop in at the Kangaroo Sanctuary and go for a swim at Ormiston Gorge. We've got a few other ideas here. If you really can't be bothered, Intrepid Travel hosts a three-day, two nights Uluru adventure from December 30–January 1 — and for a relatively reasonable $695 per person. Your group will be honoured to have a Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander guide, who will explain the spiritual significance of this ancient site while you hike to Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta and Uluru. Transport, meals and tent accommodation is all included, so you can just focus on being in complete awe of your incredible surrounds.
Drinking a few brews and accidentally getting beer splashed on your shoes is a problem we've all experienced, particularly if you've indulged in a few steins at Oktoberfest. When people amass for a big, boozy shindig, steins start dripping and so does your footwear — and, as often happens when folks enjoy a few too many cold beverages, a stray drop of beer or several isn't the only unpleasantness threatening your kicks. Enter Adidas' new Originals München 'Oktoberfest' sneakers, aka the brand's solution to errant alcohol, its after-effects and its potential for stained shoes during the annual celebration. Made in Germany and available for a limited time from retailer 43einhalb, they're designed to withstand brews and vomit thanks to "durable puke and beer repellent" coating over their leather surface. Just how that works hasn't been revealed, but we're guessing you still shouldn't try pouring a whole pint over them. Selling for almost AU$300 (€199.95), the shoes also cater for the less messy parts of Oktoberfest, because the yearly booze fest is all in the name of fun. Accordingly, they're decked out with embroidery designed to match your lederhosen, have "prost" (aka cheers in German) stitched into the side, and come with a custom beer mug. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkMQyAEpyuk Via Munchies. Images:43einhalb/Adidas.
Seems we can't get enough of giant floating ducks. But this one could power an entire city. Hoping to make the city of Copenhagen carbon neutral by 2025, a crack team of British artists and designers (Hareth Pochee, Adam Khan, Louis Leger, Patrick Fryer) have pitched one quacker (sorry) of a multipurpose, sustainable energy-producing tourist attraction. Shaped like a giant sea duck and geared up to dabble in Copenhagen Harbour, the proposed 12-storey high structure has been envisioned in lightweight steel, covered top-to-webbed-toe in solar panel plumage. This futuristic duck's not just a planet-saving device though, it has public art aspirations. Collecting the sweet, sweet sunshine during the day for conversion, the 'energy duck' would become an art installation at night with LED lights snuggled within the solar panels. The LEDs are designed to march in time to the hydro turbines within the duck, choreography that reminds the city that sustainability is working while they promenade. Art-meets-sustainability design at its most novelty, the duck is one of the resulting proposals from the Land Art Generator Initiative, a genuinely great project fusing art and design for alternative solutions to renewable energy production. But why a colossal sea duck? First and foremost, the design gives a big nod to the city's local wildlife, whether the local ducks accept their new oversized friend or not. But there's science afoot in this ducked-up idea. According to designboom, the entire design hinges around the different H2O elevations within and without the floating vessel. The duck will store that sweet collected energy in its belly. When the city needs a little power boost, the base of Ol' Quacky is flooded to trigger the necessary amount of electricity for a national grid. Want to get a little closer to the supercharged aquatic adventurer? You'll be able to board, wander through and chill out in the duck's innards, checking out those wondrous PV panels and enjoying the fact that you're hangin' in a duck. Of course, the duck is still just a proposal, but as far as giant floating ducks go, this one seems the most permanent and planet-saving we've seen yet. Via Time and designboom.
Mild Manners is a new gallery project formed by Matt Rabbidge, co-founder of the now defunct yet iconic Nine Lives Gallery. After a short break, Matt jumped back into the art scene with Mild Manners, focusing on bringing diverse artists together from varied backgrounds. The collective specialised in short term exhibitions in unique spaces, which brings us to their latest exhibition featuring the k.O.M.A. group in a small space located on James St. Also launching that night is a brand new publication by Small House Books, featuring images and words on 5 solo exhibitions taking place in 2013. The k.O.M.A. residency will run until May 20, but make sure you get in on launch night for some great insight into the Brisbane art scene. The artists on display are: ANDREW GORDON BEN HAVENAAR HAMISHI JAMES ETTELSON JEDDA-DAISY CULLEY MARK ALSWEILER MIKE BENNETT The exhibition space is located above Ksubi on James St. Doors for the launch open at 6pm.
The street is ours! Bring your banners, bring your megaphones or just BYO beer to the Tribal Theatre this Sunday for some motion picture activism to get you raging and revolting. It’s time to sit down and see what other people are standing up for because the Activist Film Festival is in town showcasing some of the film industry’s finest docos that are making a change. From corrupt companies, to political change in Iran, the Earth Liberation Front and even some of that bad ass, Banksy, our militant, advocate filmmakers are showing there is always something to stand up for. There will be four films featured throughout the day as well as some live music from Daisie May, Jason Lowe, Lunch Tapes and Dune Rats. 2011 marks the first year of the festival, and coinciding with World Environmental Day the program notes the interdependence of long term environmental health through the illustration of independent expression. Check out the movie trailers and showing times here. Get vigorous this Sunday. Image: Gasland (2010)
If The BFG had been written in the 21st century, Swedish fashion retailer Brothers’ vintage trunk is the suitcase he’d likely have carried. Not only is it enormous, it is filled with Brothers’ newest line of clothing. Titled ‘Travel’, the line boasts a combination of modern comfort and old-fashioned elegance hitherto outside of the jet setter’s experience. The suitcase is actually a pop-up shop. Built by expert prop-maker, Jean-Louis von Dardel, it opens to look like a closet, with compartments and drawers for every type of garment imaginable. Brothers has been moving the trunk all over Sweden, from airport to airport and station to station, displaying their wares for just a few days in each place. The clothing line features suits and business shirts that are not only well cut and stylish, but also soft and stretchable – gentle enough that wearers can relax during their flight, yet formal enough that they can head to a business meeting directly after landing, without the hassle of changing mid-journey. Brothers asked filmmaker Emil Klang to document the suitcase’s creation. Given the freedom to choose his team, Klang opted for composer Ola Tappert from Underton and animator Oskar Gullstrand from Naïve. The resulting film features on the landing page of the Brothers’ site.
There's little that's normal about 2020 so far, and that includes film festivals. Many of the biggest cinema showcases on the annual international calendar have been forced to cancel, postpone or rethink their plans for this year — spanning heavy hitters such as Tribeca Film Festival and Cannes Film Festival, and even Australia's very own Sydney Film Festival. At present, we can't all gather in a darkened room and watch movie magic light up the silver screen. That doesn't mean that there isn't anything to watch, though. In fact, thanks to We Are One: A Global Film Festival, you can still enjoy a festival experience — one curated by some of the best big-screen events in the world, too — all while sitting on your couch. For ten days between Thursday, May 29–Sunday, June 7, 20 of the globe's standout film fests are joining forces to program a free online festival, which'll show features, shorts, documentaries and more via YouTube. More than 100 films will screen at set times, including 13 world premieres. That means that you can look forward to films such as Ricky Powell: The Individualist, about the eponymous street photographer; Eeb Allay Ooo!, a satire about monkey repellers in India; and Crazy World, an OTT action flick out of Uganda's Wakaliwood. There's also Australia's own Mystery Road and Mabo, Japanese rom-com Tremble All You Want and documentary The Iron Hammer, the latter of which follows Chinese volleyball star "Jenny" Lang Ping. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stttLXh7yu4 If you're after something more than just watching a movie, a range of archived talks will also screen, alongside new, festival-exclusive content. Listen to chats by Jackie Chan, The Shape of Water filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and Rogue One: A Star War Story's Diego Luna, or watch Tessa Thompson talk with director Jane Campion, Francis Ford Coppola and Steven Soderbergh discuss Apocalypse Now, Viggo Mortensen and David Cronenberg explore Crash, and Ang Lee and Kore-eda Hirokazu delve into their thoughts on filmmaking today. Selecting the program is a who's who of the film festival game, with Tribeca, Cannes and Sydney joined by the Berlinale, Sundance, Toronto International Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, New York Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival and Annecy International Animation Film Festival — and fests in Guadalajara, Macao, Jerusalem, Mumbai, Karlovy Vary, Locarno, Marrakech, San Sebastian, Sarajevo and Tokyo, too. [caption id="attachment_768770" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Berlinale, Jan Windszus[/caption] While cinephiles don't have to spend a cent to watch along, We Are One: A Global Film Festival is encouraging donations to the World Health Organisation, as well its partners in each region. Top image: Sydney Film Festival, Luke Latty. Updated May 27.
Pointless, derivative follow-ups to profitable Hollywood films aren't exactly a recent concept. The first big-screen sequel can be traced back to 1916's The Fall of a Nation, which attempted to cash in on the popularity of D.W. Griffith's silent (and incredibly racist) epic The Birth of a Nation after it stormed theatres the year before. While in that case the sequel was a commercial failure, the seeds of soulless corporate greed had been planted. Suffice it to say, studio executives have been laughing their way to the bank ever since. So why the film history lesson? I guess it's to point out the fact that, even in the context of Hollywood's long legacy of artistic bankruptcy, it takes a particular brand of cynicism and greed to make a comedy sequel, about three working guys sticking it to The Man, for the sole purpose of exploiting the financial success of the original. The fundamental hypocrisy of Horrible Bosses 2 is staggering, although admittedly that wouldn't be nearly as much of an issue if the movie was actually, y'know, funny. Unfortunately, not even the proven chemistry of its cast can redeem this formulaic comedy con-job, one that's totally unworthy of your time and, perhaps more importantly, your money. Directed with barely a shred of visual personality by the same hack responsible for such yuck-fests as Sex Drive and the Adam Sandler statutory rape comedy That's My Boy, the second film in the Horrible Bosses please-don't-let-it-be-a-trilogy reunites idiot protagonists Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day). This time out, they're their own bosses, until they make the mistake of partnering with a German businessman (Christoph Waltz) who swindles them for everything they've got. So they decide to kidnap his son Rex (Chris Pine), because after all, if the previous film taught us anything, it's that there a no consequences to your actions and that crime definitely pays. Bateman, Sudeikis and Day are all talented comedians, but there's only so much they can do with such a formulaic and puerile screenplay — incidentally, for any aspiring screenwriters out there, any time your opening scene steals a sight gag from Austin Powers: Goldmember, it's probably time to go back to the drawing board. The best moments in Horrible Bosses 2 have the feel of cast improvisation, but are few and far between. The same can't be said, unfortunately, of jokes at the expense of women, gay people and ethnic minorities, although to be honest these moments feel born more of laziness than genuine malice. Then again, on further reflection, that might actually be worse. Say what you will about the woeful sequels to The Hangover, but at least they were unrepentant in their nastiness. Horrible Bosses 2, on the other hand, manages to be both offensive and bland. The good news is that we'll probably only have to sit through two more sequels and a Jennifer Aniston spinoff before the whole thing finally goes away.
The Nanna-esque trade of crafting has taken to Brisbane like a plague. With events like Suitcase Rummage, BrisStyle Markets and The Finders Keepers on every other week it’s hard to deny that inner urge to do as the Nannas do. Who wouldn't want to be at home sewing, stitching, gluing and crafting all day? The Brisbane City Council has introduced a new program for the vast majority of Brisbane who are diggin’ on the DIY vibe - and those who are yet to get in on it. Saviours of The Lost Arts and Craft Fair is hosting markets, workshops, demonstrations and industry talks over twelve days across a few niche venues across Brisbane (including the Bleeding Heart Gallery). There’s origami making, stencil printing, softie sewing, jewelry making - even a crafties party! Go on! Get those creative juices flowing! Nanna would be so proud.
When David Fincher does crime, glorious things happen. From Se7en to Zodiac, plus The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Gone Girl and Mindhunter as well, the filmmaker loves the genre — and audiences have rightly adored and downright obsessed over the end results. So, making an assassin thriller sounds like Fincher 101. Of course, as the just-dropped first trailer for his new movie The Killer demonstrates, there's no such thing as a standard project from the Fight Club, The Social Network and Mank director. Back in January when Netflix unveiled its new slate of films for 2023, The Killer was the number-one most-anticipated title on the list — and the sneak-peek footage that was revealed then now has company in this newly released glimpse. Michael Fassbender stars in the titular role, marking his first movie since 2019's X-Men: Dark Phoenix. And the murderer-for-hire he's playing has a ruthless approach to his work, and also a new battle. Story-wise, the film tells of its namesake facing off against his employers after a near-miss, sparking an international manhunt. The Killer hails from the French graphic novel series of the same name by Alexis Nolent and Luc Jacamon, and comes to the screen with Fincher's Se7ven screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker scripting — and the pair collaborating for the first time since that serial-killer masterpiece. Doing the score, as viewers can instantly guess from the very moment that it kicks in during the trailer: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, of course, as they also did on Fincher's The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Gone Girl and Mank. Will this team up earn them another Oscar, like The Social Network did? Or even a nomination, as Mank delivered? The Killer does have a perfect awards-season release date, hitting cinemas in October, then streaming via Netflix from Friday, November 10. The film will premiere at the 2023 Venice International Film Festival in September first, before arriving on the big screen elsewhere and streaming queues everywhere. As well as Fassbender, The Killer stars Tilda Swinton (Asteroid City), Charles Parnell (Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One), Arliss Howard (a Mank alumni) and Sophie Charlotte (All the Flowers). Check out the first teaser trailer for The Killer below: The Killer will release in select cinemas in October, then stream via Netflix from Friday, November 10. Images: Netflix © 2023.
Working from home may have its perks, like having more snacks on-hand and wearing your comfiest clothes, but it also has a couple of downsides — one of which is all the video calls. While chatting to your family and mates on your laptop is a good way to socialise in these current times, many of us are doing multiple calls a day for work, too. So, the endless streams of virtual faces can get a bit repetitive. To break it up, Silicon Valley non-profit animal sanctuary Sweet Farm has launched Goat 2 Meeting, which lets you bring a furry friend to the call. Whether you need to bring some joy to your work meetings or just show your mum a llama's fresh haircut, you now can via video conference platform Zoom. While you have to pay to get a four-legged team member on the line, the money will go towards the farm, which in normal circumstances is partly funded by in-person tours. As Sweet Farm aims to take in animals — and has saved over 125 so far — and educate people on the the global impacts of factory farming across animals, the plants and the planet, your money will be supporting a good cause. No matter where you are in the world, Sweet Farm is putting its animals on video so get your daily dose of serotonin. For $65 USD ($98 AUD) you can get a 20-minute private virtual tour with up to six people, where you'll meet a few of the farm's animals — such as Paco the llama and Juno the goat. For a donation of $100 USD ($161 AUD) you can get a 10-minute corporate meeting cameo, with no limit on persons on the call. Or, if you want more face-to-face time with your new bud, you opt for a 25-minute call for $250 USD ($405 AUD). For virtual school trips, Sweet Farm is offering animal airtime for free. To organise a session, head to the Goat 2 Meeting site and fill out the form, including your details, a requested call date and your time zone. Keep in mind that time differences will effect availability. At the moment, California is 17 hours behind Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and 19 hours behind Auckland and Wellington. So, it's most likely an early morning meeting will be your best bet. Sweet Farm's Goat 2 Meeting initiative is available across the world. To request a time for your next video call with an animal in tow, head here.
Easter in 2020 is going to look a whole lot different. With social distancing and public gathering rules in place across the country, we can't skip town to our favourite holiday spot or even go round to a mate's place for a hot cross bun breakfast. But, joining the Easter Bunny this year to spice up this long weekend is another famous figure: The Colonel. For the first time Down Under, KFC is offering free home delivery on orders over $30 via Menulog. So, round up your housemates for a weekend of eleven secret herbs and spices. The limited-time offer is available nationwide and kicks off on Thursday, April 9. To get your hands on some finger lickin' good chook with no extra cost, head to Menulog's website or use the Menulog app and enter KFCatHOME at checkout. And while you're food is on its way, you can meditate with KFChill, a wellness website that lets you unwind to the sound of chicken frying, gravy simmering or bacon sizzling away in a pan. Yes, it'll make you hungry. While you can't road trip to the world's first drive-thru-only KFC or marry your loved at the famed chicken chain this Easter, free delivery on a Family Feast, Mates Burger Box or Party Starter is sure to lift your spirits. Plus, Popcorn Chicken is a pretty good snack for when you're binging Tiger King or streaming this year's Oscar-winning flick. KFC is offering free delivery across Australia on orders over $30 via Menulog and is available from Thursday, April 9 for a limited time only. To order, head here and enter KFCatHOME at checkout.
By their very nature, festivals are a choose-your-own-adventure experience. Event organisers carefully curate their top picks, audiences head along to whatever suits them best and few folks follow the exact same fest path. South by Southwest embraces the concept a little heartier than most, however. When you're putting on not just one festival, but several within that broader festival, audiences can hop between them, mix and match here and there, or choose the one that aligns with their favourite interests. Making its debut in October, SXSW Sydney is keeping the format that's served the event so well in its OG Austin home, where it has always been held — and only been held — until now. That's been clear from the lineup announcements so far, including in its first batch of speakers and musicians back in February, more music highlights and must-attend parties in May, details of its gaming strand in June, then two more rounds of speakers in July. Up now: the first nine movies that'll be playing at SXSW Sydney's Screen Festival. [caption id="attachment_911084" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jane Greer[/caption] Among its recent news, SXSW's Down Under premiere revealed that Queer Eye star Tan France would be among its speakers, plus Indigenous filmmakers Leah Purcell (The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson), Kodie Bedford (Mystery Road: Origin) and Jub Clerc (Sweet As). They fall into under Screen Festival, too. Also included: Osher Günsberg, who'll be on the SXSW Sydney bill recording an episode of his podcast Better Than Yesterday with a yet-to-be-announced special guest; Gone Girl, The Nightingale, The Dry, Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers producer Bruna Papandrea; and Binge's Executive Director Alison Hurbert-Burns. Film lovers love watching films, though. The SXSW Sydney Screen Festival isn't just about big-screen fare, covering both movies and TV — but its first round of titles are all features. In a varied bunch, one stars an Indonesian rapper, another is about Tokyo Uber Eats rider and yet another features viral Chinese dance crazes. American film Jamojaya is the flick led by Indonesian rap star Brian Imanuel, aka Rich Brian, enlisting him as an up-and-coming musician — and with Blue Bayou's Justin Chon directing. It's obvious what Tokyo Uber Blues is about, with the Japanese documentary's riding being done by a graduate film student with debts to pay. And Gagaland is responsible for that dancing in the street, and on social media feeds, which backdrops a boy-meets-girl tale. Also on the list: doco Anita, focusing on German Italian actor Anita Pallenberg, who was also a muse to The Rolling Stones; Cypher, a pseudo-documentary about rapper Tierra Whack; and The Last Year of Darkness, which dives into China's underground party scene with ample bass and neon. Rounding out the list so far: Japan's Plastic, which sees two teens go in search of psychedelic rock band Exne Kedy; France's Knit's Island, which is shot entirely in the DayZ video game (and from 963 hours spent in it); and Australia's You'll Never Find Me, about a caravan resident, a surprise visitor and a thunderstorm. Most of SXSW Sydney Screen Festival's announced titles have the tick of approval from other fests around the world, whether by screening at Cannes, Sundance, Tribeca, Sheffield DocFest in the UK, International Film Festival Rotterdam in The Netherlands, CPH:DOX in Denmark, Visions du Réel in Switzerland or elsewhere. As well as getting viewers watching movies and TV shows, with more titles to come — including First Nations Screen Festival programming by Winda Film Festival founder Pauline Clague — the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival will feature red-carpet premieres; digital and social content; an XR showcase; Q&As and panel discussions; parties and mentoring; and a screen market for industry deals. Free outdoor screenings are also slated, alongside indoor sessions at The ICC's Darling Theatre, Palace Cinemas Central and other yet-to-be-revealed venues. SXSW Sydney will run from Sunday, October 15–Sunday, October 22 at various Sydney venues, with the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival running from Sunday, October 15–Saturday, October 21 at The ICC's Darling Theatre, Palace Cinemas Central and more venues to be announced. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details. If you're keen to make the most of Australia's first SXSW, take advantage of our special reader offer. Purchase your SXSW Sydney 2023 Official Badge via Concrete Playground Trips and you'll score a $150 credit to use on your choice of Sydney accommodation. Book now via the website.
Ashton Kutcher as Steve Jobs. It can take you a while to get your head around it. But although it seemed unlikely, there's actually a decent physical resemblance, and word is Kutcher pulls it off. Although it opens with Jobs showing off the iPod to his staff, the film Jobs soon reverts back to the early days of Apple, pre-black skivvies, though with Steve firmly in the lead. It documents the ups and downs of the '70s, '80s and '90s. Though his inventions are obsessively loved, Jobs is a character not without controversy, and the film will have you feeling sorry for him, then hating him, then loving him again and rooting for him, while at the same time shaking your head and saying to yourself 'Oh Steve'. Jobs is worth a watch if you are a fan of Apple products, his company and what he created, or a fan of biography that isn't about putting its subject on a pedestal. Jobs is in cinemas on August 29, and to celebrate we have 15 double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address. https://youtube.com/watch?v=3rOiXeKaUUM
When Presumed Innocent begins, Rusty Sabich (Jake Gyllenhaal, Road House) has devoted his career to putting away Chicago's criminals. As the chief deputy under the city's District Attorney, he's long lived and breathed his job, plus the upholding-the-law responsibility that comes with it. He knows the city's wrongdoers. He knows the system that punishes them for their misdeeds. He knows the courts and their inner workings. In other words: he knows how to do his job and, he thinks, how to make his hometown safer. Sabich is well-aware of what legally befalls those who fall afoul of society's standards, too — but what he isn't expecting, not for a second, is to be soon treated the same way. Audiences with knowledge of both film and literary history can see what's coming. This eight-part Apple TV+ series is the latest page-to-screen show from David E Kelley — and also another program with a story that already made the leap from bookshelves to the big screen before getting the television treatment. In recent years, Kelley has ushered A Man in Full, Anatomy of a Scandal, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Undoing and Big Little Lies down the first route. He's taken The Lincoln Lawyer down the second as well. His pedigree spinning legal narratives dates back to LA Law, The Practice, Ally McBeal and Boston Legal. Now, he's adapting author Scott Turow's debut 1987 novel, which initially became a hit 1990 Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny)-starring feature. Turning Presumed Innocent's tale into a series and the passage of more than three decades are each a gift to its complexity, strengthening and building it in the way that a prosecutor with the aid of time and the perspective that it affords might construct their approach. There's more of the former, obviously, to fill out the intricacies of a scenario where a hotshot legal eagle usually firmly on the right side of the law is now a suspected murderer — and more space to ensure that the misogyny of the 80s and 90s doesn't still shine through. When Presumed Innocent became a movie, it was in the Fatal Attraction, Disclosure and Basic Instinct era, when Michael Douglas (Franklin) kept providing the face of men supposedly victimised by assertive women. If he'd led this picture, it wouldn't have come as a surprise. But just as Fatal Attraction has been updated for the small screen, so has Presumed Innocent. The setup: with being the main attorney under DA Raymond Horgan (Bill Camp, who also appeared in A Man in Full) already a fraught situation — aka an election year — Sabich's life is upended when his colleague Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve, 2021's Cannes Best Actress-winner for The Worst Person in the World) is found dead. The circumstances closely resemble a case that the two had previously worked on, so Rusty takes point in attempting to bring the perpetrator to justice. It seems a logical choice. Only professional envies fuel any qualms in the office. That said, what only his supportive wife Barbara (Ruth Negga, Good Grief) knows is that Rusty and Carolyn had an affair, which almost tore apart the Sabichs' marriage. A secret like that doesn't stay quiet, especially with Horgan's adversary Nico Della Guardia (O-T Fagbenle, Loot) and Rusty's ambitious counterpart Tommy Molto (Peter Sarsgaard, Memory) looking to appease the electorate, and quickly, as they each aspire to climb to the top jobs. No one needs to commence an investigation to uncover the resentment directed like daggers from Tommy to Rusty, both before and after the latter's romance with Carolyn is exposed. Kelley has a penchant for courtroom dramas, so that's where Presumed Innocent is headed, with Rusty on trial for murder. Kelley of late also adores facades crumbling, equally revealing how pledging to live happily ever after with the one that you love isn't the same as truly knowing them. Rusty's obsession, with the fixated texts and emails to prove it, are that shattering. The question lingers, as it's meant to: does Presumed Innocent's protagonist deserve the viewers' presumption of innocence? The legal system must impart it, although Molto and his gleeful smirk can't, won't and don't. But should those watching give him the benefit of the doubt (and there are many doubts)? Should heartbroken artist Barbara and her and Rusty's teenaged kids Jaden (debutant Chase Infiniti) and Kyle (Kingston Rumi Southwick, 9 Full Moons), for that matter, or Horgan and his wife Lorraine (The Color Purple's Elizabeth Marvel, Camp's IRL spouse) as well? Also, as the series embraces Apple TV+'s beloved murder-mystery genre (see also: The Afterparty, Bad Sisters, Black Bird and Criminal Record, for example), what other queries should Detective Alana Rodriguez (Nana Mensah, The Diplomat) be asking as she helps Rusty attempt to clear his name? Presumed Innocent hasn't skimped on casting, to its advantage. With Gyllenhaal, who haunted in Donnie Darko and Nightcrawler in immensely different ways, the show earns not only a gripping central performance but a slippery one. Kelley doesn't ever paint his protagonist as a hero or anything as clearcut. Amid frames that do the same visually, he sees both the light and the darkness, which Gyllenhaal can jump between like flipping a switch. As both Reinsve and Negga flesh out the women caught up in Rusty's mess, and Sarsgaard eats up the screen — particularly when Rusty and Molto face off in court — Presumed Innocent poses more questions, however, about taking any one trait or behaviour as indicative of a broader picture. Lying in some instances doesn't mean lying always. Having a loved one's back isn't the start of unconditional and perpetual reassurance. Putting your career first once isn't the same as doing it forever. Bearing a grudge doesn't mean being driven by only animosity. With murkiness and shades of grey, there's also no holding back, then — or on twists. Cliffhangers land at the end of most episodes, as tailor-made for a viewing model that began with a double drop, then doles out the rest of the episodes week by week, regardless of if that's how viewers watch. While what it will entail beyond a brand-new case hasn't been revealed, including for its stars, a second season is on the way. Alongside season one's fellow executive producer JJ Abrams (Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker), Kelley will be back, though, so presuming that more comfortable lives will implode is more than reasonable. Check out the trailer for Presumed Innocent below: Presumed Innocent streams via Apple TV+.
If you've ever been to Brisbane's Night Noodle Markets, you'll know that waiting can be an inescapable part of the experience. You usually need to wait in line to pick up your food, and to find somewhere to sit and eat. All that hawker-style food attracts plenty of Brisbanites, after all — and yes, the wait is always worth it. In 2021, you'll be waiting in another manner, too, because this year's event is taking place later in the year. Initially, it was due to kick off on Wednesday, July 21 — and move to the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens — but, after announcing its full vendor and food lineup, the event had to scrap its winter plans. The reason: Greater Sydney's ongoing lockdown and the border and quarantine restrictions stemming from it, because many of the Night Noodle Markets' vendors are based in New South Wales. Thankfully, the event's organisers are now hopeful about spring — so you can mark Wednesday, September 22–Sunday, October 3 in your diary. It'll be warmer, you'll want to spend more time outdoors, and the Botanic Gardens' many blooms will be blossoming, if you need a few more reasons to embrace the new time slot. Accordingly, get ready to eat a heap of foods on sticks and tuck into mango sorbet crepes, just at a later date. All of the already-announced vendors and dishes will remain on the menu, too, so you can look forward to the same culinary lineup. In total, 17 stallholders were headed our way, including returning favourites such as Hoy Pinoy, Bao Brothers, Bangkok Street Food, Donburi Station and Gelato Messina. All other Good Food Month events have been going ahead as planned in July, so your stomach won't completely miss out this month. The 2021 Brisbane Night Noodle Markets will now take place from Wednesday, September 22–Sunday, October 3 at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. For further details, head to the event's website.
A crotchety old man gets a new lease of life when he becomes the reluctant babysitter to the 12-year-old kid next door. Sounds pretty unbearable, until you factor in that the old man is played by Bill Murray. Pushing 65, the star of Ghostbusters, Stripes and Groundhog Day is looking a little on the tired side but soon proves he's lost none of his caustic charm. In St Vincent he's vinegar, adding just enough acidity to a screenplay that without him would have been sickeningly sweet. Vincent MacKenna (Murray) is a classic movie curmudgeon. He drinks like a fish, smokes like a chimney, and gambles like a man who has nothing left to lose. The closest thing he has to a friend, aside from his Persian cat Felix, is a foul-mouthed Russian prostitute (Naomi Watts), who may or may not be pregnant with his child. He's an unfeeling bastard, and the last person in the world you'd want taking care of your impressionable primary school-aged son. Unfortunately for his new next door neighbour Maggie (Melissa McCarthy), he's literally the only choice she has. St Vincent isn't what you'd call a groundbreaking holiday comedy. First-time writer-director Theodore Melfi has no shortage of funny dialogue but shows little interesting in straying away from his conventional narrative formula. Friendships are made. Lessons are learnt. Obvious set-ups lead to unsurprising payoffs, and everyone gets home in time for dinner. What sets the movie apart, primarily, is the quality of its cast. After years of retreading her Bridesmaids shtick, McCarthy finally gets the chance to play an actual human being; her turn as Maggie helps keep the film grounded, sympathetic but still genuinely funny. Chris O'Dowd, meanwhile, gets some great lines as a glib Catholic priest — and although Watts' Russian accent is pretty unconvincing, it's always fun to see her trying her hand at a comedy. Unsurprisingly, however, the highlight of the film is Murray. While this is a character the actor could comfortably play in his sleep, there's never the slightest indication that Murray is phoning it in. His dynamic with newcomer Jaeden Lieberher makes for one of the most enjoyable on-screen pairings of 2014; frankly, what kid wouldn't want Bill Murray for a babysitter? Yet despite first appearances, this is not a purely comedic performance. There's a loneliness to Vincent that Murray absolutely nails; a pair of scenes in which he visits his dementia-afflicted wife may very well bring audiences to tears. So too the ending, which although incredibly predictable, is so damn well executed that it's difficult not to forgive. And really, that's this movie in a nutshell. Like Vincent himself, you love it in spite of its obvious flaws.
Attention aestheticians, minimalists and lovers of Tumblr, this is a public service announcement: there's Pantone-themed café just opened in Monaco and it’s fifty shades of beautiful. The eatery, named Pantone Cafe (keepin’ it simple, classic Pantone), has been set up on Avenue Princesse Grace overlooking the Côte d'Azur and against the vibrant backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea. They'll be serving up treats and drinks that perfectly match Pantone’s famed hues. You know what this means, people. Bring your goddamn cameras. Everything at Pantone Cafe has been matched to a Pantone shade — even the staff uniforms. The menu reads like summer incarnate: ice creams, eclairs, granitas, soft drinks, 'fruit alcohol', cold sandwiches and juice. Try the in-vogue Pantone 13-0221 Pistachio Green éclair or the Pantone 13-2804 Parfait Pink ham sandie. A ham sandie has never been so lux. In case you hadn't guessed from the Côte d'Azur/Mediterranean location, Pantone Cafe has a summer theme and is therefore only open for the summer months until September 9. That is still ample time to quit your job, leave your family, bail to Monaco and really focus on your Tumblr aesthetic. But you better crack your piggy bank wide open because according to 2014 stats from the World Bank, the Monegasque are the richest people on earth. A Pantone 15-5534 green salad will set you back $13, so all you poor colourphiles might have to stick with a $3 croissant instead. Find the Pantone Café at Grimaldi Forum, 10 Av. Princesse Grace. Open from 10am-8pm daily, until September 9. Images: Pantone Cafe.
Heading out of the house for a drink, meal, coffee or night away isn't just about getting away from home. As the past two years have reinforced, it's also about soaking in gorgeous surroundings. You can get sipping and snacking anywhere, but when you're doing so in a spot that truly stands out (and not just because it isn't your own kitchen or dining room), it makes the experience all the more special. The Eat Drink Design Awards clearly agree, devoting its annual hospitality design accolades to Australia's most stunning spots — places where chefs, signature dishes, creative cocktails, stellar coffee and comfortable beds aren't the only attractions. Surveying the past year's haul of breathtaking places, the 2021 list of winners is characteristically filled with eye-catching charmers, spanning locations all around the country. Melburnians, your city is now home to the Best Bar Design recipient, with IF Architecture's work on Little Prince Wine earning the nod. The wine bar beneath St Kilda's Prince Hotel off Acland Street scored plaudits for its intimate space, its blend of the old and the new, and its eye for detail — including its fibreglass champagne tub, mirrored specials board and art deco-inspired light fittings. And, it also picked up the Best Retail Design gong for its cheese, cold cuts, wine and dry goods counter. [caption id="attachment_836689" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Little Prince Wine by Sharyn Cairns[/caption] The Best Restaurant Design field was so competitive, two winners were picked — which is great news for Sydneysiders and Brisbanites alike. Parramatta Square's Ciccia Bella, designed by Fiona Lynch Interior Design, got some love for its use of materials — with a particular shout out for its unexpected textures — while Fortitude Valley's Agnes, as designed by Amok, was rewarded for turning a late 19th-century warehouse into a haven for wood-fired food. Brisbane also emerged victorious in the Best Cafe Design category, thanks to Industry Beans Newstead and its light, airy coffee-slinging space. Designed by Platform by DesignOffice, the judges called it "the quintessential Queensland daytime eatery". And, if you're looking for a sumptuous place to stay, add Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street to your list. Thanks to its combination of a new 16-storey tower and the heritage Equity Chambers building, as well as its restaurant Luci and cocktail bar The Douglas Club, it's this year's Best Hotel Design winner. [caption id="attachment_787549" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ciccia Bella Parramatta by Nikki To[/caption] The 2021 Eat Drink Design Awards also named the 2020 NGV Triennial's outdoor pavilions by Board Grove Architects the Best Installation Design, and Melbourne restaurant Hazel the winner of this year's Best Identity Design gong. For its Hall of Fame Award, Bill's Darlinghurst — designed by Brian Kiernan, with later additions by Tyrone Dearing and Meacham Nockles — got the nod. This year's Eat Drink Design Awards also named commendations in various categories. Among the venues also receiving some praise: Redfern's Atomic Beer Project and Freshwater's Harbord Hotel in Sydney; Richmond's Midi and Piccolina Hardware Lane in Melbourne; and McLaren Vale's Never Never Distillery in South Australia. [caption id="attachment_836686" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NGV Triennial 2020 Outdoor Pavilions by Rory Gardiner[/caption] 2021 EAT DRINK DESIGN AWARD WINNERS Best Restaurant Design: CicciaBella by Fiona Lynch Interior Design (Parramatta, New South Wales) and Agnes by Amok (Fortitude Valley, Queensland) Best Cafe Design: Industry Beans Brisbane by Platform by DesignOffice (Newstead, Queensland) Best Bar Design: Little Prince Wine by IF Architecture (St Kilda, Victoria) Best Hotel Design: Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street by Bates Smart (Melbourne, Victoria) Best Installation Design: NGV Triennial 2020 Outdoor Pavilions by BoardGrove Architects (Melbourne, Victoria) Best Retail Design: Little Prince Wine by IF Architecture (St Kilda, Victoria) Best Identity Design: Hazel by One&Other (Melbourne, Victoria) Hall of Fame: Bill's Darlinghurst by Brian Kiernan with later additions by Tyrone Dearing & Meacham Nockles (Darlinghurst New South Wales) For the full list of winners and commendations, head to the Eat Drink Design website. Top images: Industry Beans Brisbane by Andy Macpherson, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street by Sean Fennessy, Agnes by Cathy Schusler and Little Prince Wine by Sharyn Cairns.
Had enough of public transport? Too tired to cycle? How about cruising from A to B by waterslide? Last Sunday May 4, UK artist Luke Jerram turned every kid’s dream into an adult reality when he set up a 90-metre water slide on Park Street, Bristol. Titled Park and Slide, the project playfully suggested new ways of navigating our clogged up city streets — part of the Bristol Art Weekender and Make Sundays Special programmes. A whopping 96, 573 individuals registered for a ‘ticket to slide’, but only 360 got lucky. Showing good sportsmanship and a furious need to Instagram, a crowd of over 65,000 locals turned out to watch the fortunate make their soapy descents. Based on video footage, average speed was calculated at 18km/hr and the age of sliders varied from 5 to 73. “This massive urban slide transforms the street and asks people to take a fresh look at the potential of their city and the possibilities for transformation,” reads Jerram’s site. “Imagine if there were permanent slides right across cities.” Jerram was offered significant corporate sponsorship for Park and Slide, but rejected it, deciding instead to stick with local support networks. "[It] was not an opportunity to advertise fizzy drinks, swimming trunks or holidays to anyone," the artist pointed out on his site. Unfortunately, there are no plans for an international tour of Park and Slide. But Jerram will soon be publicly posting instructions, enabling communities around the world to DIY 'urban slide'. For updates, you can follow him on Twitter. Via Inhabitat. Images by Colin Rayner and Luke Jerram.
If you didn't have a great time watching some of cinema's many sequels, remakes and riffs on well-known characters in 2023, you weren't alone: franchise fare and flicks linked to familiar figures scored big among the nominations for the 44th Golden Raspberry Awards. These annual accolades include a specific category for Worst Remake, Ripoff or Sequel, but perusing its current list of contenders means seeing titles that continue sagas and the like everywhere — including all five movies vying for Worst Picture. Up for the award: The Exorcist: Believer, Expend4bles, Meg 2: The Trench, Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey. Among the rest of the fields, they have company from Fast X, Magic Mike's Last Dance, Ant Man & the Wasp: Quantumania and Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny. As everyone already knows, last year was a great year to be Barbenheimer, which showed that films that weren't follow-ups could amass a massive audience. The same can't be said for movies that arrived with a been-there-done-that vibe already baked in. Obviously, not all flicks can be excellent. Some are, and gongs like the Golden Globes and Oscars reward them accordingly. For those that aren't, the Razzies make its choices — and from 2023's releases, Expend4bles leads the way with seven nominations, including for Worst Supporting Actor (Sylvester Stallone), Worst Supporting Actress (Megan Fox), Worst Screen Couple (for any two "merciless mercenaries"), Worst Director (Scott Waugh), the aforementioned Worst Remake, Ripoff or Sequel, and Worst Screenplay. If you're wondering where Fast X was recognised, Vin Diesel received a Worst Actor nod. Magic Mike's Last Dance picked up nominations for Worst Actress (Salma Hayek) and Worst Screen Couple (Hayek with Channing Tatum). Ant Man & the Wasp: Quantumania has two contenders for Worst Supporting Actor in Michael Douglas and Bill Murray — plus director and sequel — and Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny pops up in the sequel and screenplay camps. Among the other big-name actors, Chris Evans and Ana de Armas are on the list for action-comedy Ghosted, and so is Russell Crowe for The Pope's Exorcist (exorcism movies were big in 2023, and with the Razzies). Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu got the nod for Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Jennifer Lopez for The Mother and Jason Statham for Meg 2: The Trench, while Megan Fox picked up a second nomination for Johnny & Clyde. Sometimes, films receiving the Razzies' attention also earn some Oscars love, as Elvis and Blonde did last year. That seems less likely in 2024, but the Golden Raspberry Awards are always timed to make the comparison. Its nominations drop the day before the Oscars do the same and, when it anoints its winners on Sunday, March 10, Australian and New Zealand time, it'll also do so the day before the Academy Awards ceremony. Check out the full list of Razzie nominees below: Golden Raspberry Nominees 2023: Worst Picture: The Exorcist: Believer Expend4bles Meg 2: The Trench Shazam! Fury of the Gods Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey Worst Actor: Russell Crowe, The Pope's Exorcist Vin Diesel, Fast X Chris Evans, Ghosted Jason Statham, Meg 2: The Trench Jon Voight, Mercy Worst Actress: Ana de Armas, Ghosted Megan Fox, Johnny & Clyde Salma Hayek, Magic Mike's Last Dance Jennifer Lopez, The Mother Helen Mirren, Shazam! Fury of the Gods Worst Supporting Actor: Michael Douglas, Ant Man & the Wasp: Quantumania Mel Gibson, Confidential Informant Bill Murray, Ant Man & the Wasp: Quantumania Franco Nero (as The Pope), The Pope's Exorcist Sylvester Stallone, Expend4ables Worst Supporting Actress: Kim Cattrall, About My Father Megan Fox, Expend4bles Bai Ling, Johnny & Clyde Lucy Liu, Shazam! Fury of the Gods Mary Stuart Masterson, Five Nights at Freddy's Worst Screen Couple: Any two "merciless mercenaries", Expend4bles Any two money-grubbing investors who donated to the $400 million for remake rights to The Exorcist Ana de Armas and Chris Evans (who flunked screen chemistry), Ghosted Salma Hayek and Channing Tatum, Magic Mike's Last Dance Pooh and Piglet as blood-thirsty slasher/killers in Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey Worst Director: Rhys Frake-Waterfield, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey David Gordon Green, The Exorcist: Believer Peyton Reed, Ant Man & the Wasp: Quantumania Scott Waugh, Expend4bles Ben Wheatley, Meg 2: The Trench Worst Remake, Ripoff or Sequel: Ant Man & The Wasp: Quantumania The Exorcist: Believer Expend4bles Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey Worst Screenplay: The Exorcist: Believer Expend4bles Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Shazam! Fury of the Gods Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood & Honey The Golden Raspberry Awards will be announced on Sunday, March 10, Australian and New Zealand time. For further details, head to the awards' website.
If you're a fan of true-crime stories, then you'll know a disturbing truth: that there's no shortage of real-life tragedies that films and series in the genre can draw upon. White House Farm's inspiration comes from the notorious killings known as the White House Farm murders, which took place outside an Essex village and saw five members of the Bamber-Caffell family lose their lives, and continued to garner headlines intermittently in the decades since as appeals were lodged and reviews took place. Across six episodes, the show not only heads back to August 6, 1985, but also follows the investigation into the case. Feeling tense is part of the package, even if you're already familiar with the details. Cast-wise, Snatch's Stephen Graham and Game of Thrones' Mark Addy play the detectives trying to get to the bottom of the traumatic and complex situation — and fellow GoT alum Alfie Allen also pops up.
2023 has seen a beloved Gold Coast gelateria expand to Hamilton in Brisbane, and a bakery as well. Next on the list: The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub. If you're a fan of risqué cabaret shows, then you might've enjoyed a performance over drinks in the venue's OG Broadbeach digs since 2019. Now, it's the River City's turn without hitting the highway. What's a spiegelclub? It takes cues from both spiegeltents and cabaret clubs, combining the vibe of both. In Brissie, the space will be called The Pink Flamingo Spiegeland — and it's setting up a 400-seat pavilion at Northshore from Friday, December 1. Although it won't be making the site its home permanently, it is locking in a seven-year stay. After that, the Hamilton spot will be used for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games. Fans of burlesque, comedy and cabaret — and acrobatics and drag, too — will be able to enjoy a show at a purpose-built site that'll follow the Gold Coast venue's lead when it comes to its favourite colour: pink, of course, as befitting its name. Hosting eight performances a week, The Pink Flamingo Spiegeland will pair its productions with food and cocktails. And as for what you'll be watching, Suavé, La Teaze and Ripped will be the resident productions. All three shows headed to Brisbane have previously graced the stage on the Goldie — and yes, Ripped is a male revue if you're keen on a Magic Mike-esque experience. "After the enormous success of the Gold Coast, we knew an expansion was always on the cards," said The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub co-director Tony Rigas. "Why should Brisbane wait for festivals to experience a glitter-bomb of shows, kaleidoscopes of colour on stage, and limit-pushing performances of a world standard? The city shouldn't, and that's why we are so thrilled to open The Pink Flamingo Spiegeland," added Sue Porrett, who is also behind the venture with Rigas and Peter Snee. The Pink Flamingo Spiegeland Brisbane will launch at Northshore Hamilton on Friday, December 1, 2023. Head to the venue's website for further details and tickets.
Kumiko (Rinko Kikuchi) is a superfan. Joel and Ethan Coen's Fargo is the object of her excessive attention, and she doesn't just fixate over it, she believes it. In particular, she believes there's a briefcase filled with money buried in the Minnesota snow. To understand why she's so intent on thinking the movie is more than fiction is to understand her largely solitary existence in Tokyo. Kumiko is 29 years old and still working as an office lady, a position her boss thinks she should've well and truly outgrown. Her mother only calls to scold her about her dismal personal life, and her only friend is her pet rabbit, Bunzo. So when she happens across a VHS copy of Fargo, embracing its tall tale as truth adds purpose to her days, and trekking across America to find the stack of cash it tells of becomes her destiny. Filmmakers David and Nathan Zellner delve into an urban legend that sprang up around the death of a Japanese woman in the US, first chronicled in 2003 documentary This Is a True Story. Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter makes its own fable out of diving into the strangeness that can stem from both truth and fiction, as well as the tenuous relationship between the two. Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter is in select cinemas on April 29, and thanks to Palace Films, we have 15 double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter and then email us with your name and address. Read our full Kumiko review here. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
In one of her most memorable performances of the past decade, Nicole Kidman turned villainous, playing a not-so-friendly taxidermist who'd like to add a certain marmalade-loving bear to her collection. That was in the delightful Paddington, and she has stepped into plenty of other parts over the last ten years, too — in Stoker, Grace of Monaco, Lion, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, The Beguiled, Destroyer, Boy Erased, Aquaman and Bombshell, just to name a few — but it seems that the Australian actor is getting a little creepy again in her next miniseries role. As the just-dropped first teaser trailer shows, Nine Perfect Strangers casts Kidman as a wellness guru. She's unlikely to leave anyone feeling relaxed, though. Her character Masha oversees a resort that promises to transform nine city dwellers — but, although the sneak peek so far is brief, you can bet that things aren't going to turn out as planned for the show's titular figures. If the name sounds familiar, there are two reasons for that. Firstly, Nine Perfect Strangers is based on a 2018 novel of the same title, which was penned by Liane Moriarty. She also wrote Big Little Lies, which was also turned into a Kidman-starring TV series. Secondly, Nine Perfect Strangers was filmed in Byron Bay in the latter half of 2020, and received plenty of attention over that period given its star-studded lineup. Also set to feature in the new eight-part series: Melissa McCarthy (Thunder Force), Michael Shannon (Knives Out), Luke Evans (Crisis), Bobby Cannavale (Superintelligence), Regina Hall (Little), Samara Weaving (Bill & Ted Face the Music), Melvin Gregg (The United States vs Billie Holiday), Asher Keddie (Rams), Grace Van Patten (Under the Silver Lake), Tiffany Boone (The Midnight Sky) and Manny Jacinto (The Good Place). As with Big Little Lies — and with The Undoing, too, another of Kidman's recent projects — David E Kelley (LA Law, Ally McBeal, Mr Mercedes) is leading the charge behind the scenes. He's the show's co-writer and co-showrunner, with Long Shot's Jonathan Levine directing every episode. Exactly when Nine Perfect Strangers will start airing is yet to be revealed, but it'll stream via Hulu in the US — with details of how folks will be able to watch it Down Under also yet to be advised. And yes, Byron Bay seems to be quite the TV hub at the moment, given that Stan's upcoming mystery-drama series Eden also shot in the area, and that Netflix is working on a docu-soap about Byron Bay influencers. Check out the teaser trailer for Nine Perfect Strangers below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4nwFSSTUZc Nine Perfect Strangers doesn't yet have an air date Down Under — we'll update you when one is announced.
Humanity's love for Nutella truly knows no bounds. We've had Nutella deep-fried ice cream, frozen custard, arancini, jaffles, calzones and doughnuts, among other edible items. There's a day dedicated to it, as well as a festival, food truck, dessert bar and restaurant. Here in Australia, we've even caused a country-wide shortage of the good stuff. And now, McDonald's in Italy is selling Nutella burgers. Given that burgers are one of the only others food items that are as popular as everyone's favourite hazelnut spread (alongside doughnuts and pizza), this really is the culinary mashup we had to have. And Maccas isn't messing around. Their Sweety con Nutella only features two ingredients: Nutella and a burger bun. In the words of the McDonald's Italy Facebook page, it's "soft bread with a creamy, indulgent centre". We can understand their thinking. Why complicate something as amazing — and simple — as the delectable substance we all love on bread? We can also understand why you might be contemplating an overseas trip right about now. Alas, as yet, there's no news of a local launch for this must-have addition to Maccas' menu.
Slow living and handmade craft has metamorphosed from bewitching alternative trend to a totally plausible way of life. In what seems to be some kind of conscious resistance to the speed and churn of internet culture, mass production and memes, there's an uptake in the kind of hands-on activities all about a quality time investment and a quality result at the end. Think sourdough starter, knitting, home ceramics kits... hell, even elaborate cocktail-making all fall into this category. Nonna's Grocer, an online concept store that popped up this year is the brainchild of Wollongong-based designer, Madeleine Hoy, and it's all about embracing the 'perfectly imperfect' principles of hand made. Right now, the hero produce on Nonna's Grocer's virtual shelves is a range of beautiful candles made the size, shape and appearance of the fruit and vegetables from your local fruit shop. Lemons, oranges and a family of heirloom tomatoes look so realistically juicy you'd be forgiven for being duped into taking a bite (Madeleine told us that no one's admitted doing that yet). For her next addition to the store, she's teamed up with Marrickville-based studio Defy Design on a fresh product line made from recycled plastic. Tell us a bit about the inspiration behind Nonna's Grocer and the ethos behind the store. Nonna's Grocer evolved about a year and a half ago, the day I learned that my Great Grandparents ran a grocery store in Daylesford Victoria. My dad was showing me these beautiful images of my Great grandfather Giuseppe in front of his shop and I was so inspired by this moment in time, and couldn't believe I hadn't known about it sooner. I immediately began thinking about a way I could combine my design background (I was a set designer) with this beautiful business that was a part of my family history. Thus Nonna's Grocer was born, a conceptual studio where I develop designs that harness the era of a simpler time with a modern twist. A 'Perfectly imperfect' handmade aesthetic is my focus, as well as creating special pieces for humans to encourage them to slowww it down. Whether that's having a bath, a dinner date with your dog, or stretching a hammy, light a candle and enjoy the moment. Your current range is a selection of incredibly true-to-life fruit shaped candles. How do you make them look so life-like? I found a maker in Sydney who casts objects for sculptures and pitched the idea of getting them to cast fruit. We were a bit unsure at the time how well it would work as fruits decompose quickly when encased, so we had to be smart about which fruits could work well. (Turns out peeled fruits don't work well, just so you know). I then started hitting the supermarkets (back in the day when one could tread slowly) and would study 100 lemons at a time to find the perfect one, and my range grew from there. I've got to ask: have you encountered any instances of people accidentally taking a bite? Oh ha, look no one has informed me they have tried to eat one as of yet, but is that really something you would tell people if you accidentally ate a candle? What kind of shopper do you want Nonna's Grocer to appeal to? I like to think Nonna's Grocer appeals to anyone that is interested in quality produce and a slower paced lifestyle. Particularly people that appreciate craftsmanship, design, and looking for creative ways to make their day more playful. What are the craftspeople, brands or concept retailers that you admire and take inspiration from? Oh dear, I love homeware stores that scream 'good quality'. The Provider Store in Surry Hills is pretty special as it celebrates the history and craftsmanship of Japan. Delicious! The New Zealand store KauKau [based in Wellington] is also beautiful, highly recommend checking them out. I am a big fan of designers like Sabine Marcelis and Gustaf Westman who design various pieces in their own aesthetic, never following a trend. I take inspiration from a million different places, but Stephanie Stamatis the art director began styling food in a way that really resonated, and the interior designers from Paris called Studio Classico have a lovely touch when it comes to materials. Oh, and the cheese shop Formaje in Madrid, their packaging and cheese selection is to die for... Honestly, I could go on and on. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stephanie Stamatova (@stephanie_somebody) You've started with fruit but you've hinted at 'more to come'. What else can we expect to see hit the virtual shelves of your store? I am so excited to share with you what is coming next, but they are all at the back end of development so I am not quite ready to spill the cannellini beans just yet. I can give you a sneaky hint though: one of my pieces will be manufactured at Defy Design in Marrickville, who collect local plastic waste, hand separate them by colour, and then melt them down into new objects. I'm very excited! Discover more about Nonna's Grocer and have a browse at the website or follow on Instagram.
Melbourne's arts calendar never fails to keep us busy, however, it's always had a bit of a lull in winter before Melbourne International Arts Festival and Melbourne Music Week take over the city in spring. But, from next year, that's all set change. The Victorian Government has this morning announced that it will launch a huge new citywide arts festival in the winter of 2020. It's a big shake-up to the Melbourne arts calendar as the new festival will merge the aforementioned Melbourne Festival and arts all-nighter White Night and move them into a winter timeslot. Since its inception, White Night has been held on a hot February night — however, in September last year, it was announced that it would move to August for 2019. Melbourne Fest, which was established in 1986, is usually held in October. [caption id="attachment_650235" align="alignnone" width="1920"] White Night Melbourne[/caption] Exact timings and details are yet to be revealed, but the new "global" festival — as it's being billed by the Andrews Government — will take over the city for several weeks, much like Melbourne Festival usually does in October. While it will no doubt combine the best bits of the two existing festivals, a new creative team will come on to develop a new program and vision. We're told the the 2020 program will feature a "diverse program of visual and performing arts" coupled with with "large-scale takeovers of precincts" after-dark. Hopefully that means more immersive installations like last year's Fire Garden at Melbourne Festival. The inaugural festival — which is yet to be named — will kick off with a 'transitional' year in the winter of 2020. It's set to support Melbourne's tourism and hospitality industries in the quieter months and, no doubt, provide a Melbourne equivalent to Sydney's popular Vivid festival, which kicks off this month. Both White Night and the Melbourne International Arts Festival will go ahead as planned this year, on the weekend of August 22–24 and October 2–20, respectively. The new winter festival will hit Melbourne in winter 2020. We'll keep you updated when new details or dates are announced. Image: Fire Garden from Melbourne International Arts Festival 2018, by Vincent Muteau.
It has been 87 years since Perry Mason first started sleuthing his way across the page, 86 since the defence attorney character initially hit the big screen, 77 since he made the leap to radio serials and 63 since he made his TV debut. In other words, this is a fictional figure with more than a little history — but 2020's version, starring Matthew Rhys, just might be the best yet. Brooding, moody, slinky, and making the most of thematically fitting, visually stunning inky black tones and lingering shadows, the HBO series heads back to 1932, when Los Angeles and the US in general are struggling with the Great Depression. Traumatised from World War I and grappling with a tough divorce, Mason is struggling as well. Then he's hired on a missing-child case as a private detective, and this star-filled series — think: John Lithgow, Robert Patrick and Tatiana Maslany, among others — kicks into quite the compelling gear.
Mecca, aka the Melbourne-born beauty and cosmetics chain that has won fans the country over since it launched in the 90s, has been opening stores around Australia for the last 20 years. And it's currently hosting a huge online sale with 50 percent off a heap of products. That's good news for everyone, including your bank balance. If you haven't jumped on the Mecca bandwagon yet, then prepare to nab all those prestigious international brands you can't get elsewhere — as well as its own line of products. It's a makeup mecca, and more than a 100 different products are currently on sale. You can nab half-price Urban Decay highlighter, Nars eyeshadow, Too Faced concealer and Bare Minerals products — just to name a few of the items on sale. If this is the excuse you needed to boost your makeup bag, the sale runs online — on both Mecca Australia and Mecca NZ websites — from 7am on Tuesday, June 30 until 6.59am on Tuesday, July 14 (or till stocks last).
Vivid is one of the best times of the year to be in Sydney — and also one of the most crowded. The festival of light, music and ideas has returned for 23 days from May 25 to June 16, and its tenth-anniversary program is sure to draw the biggest crowds yet. Want to see all of those glorious Sydney CBD light shows without packing into the streets like sardines? We know the best spots where you can get in on all the Vivid action — drink in one hand, phone in the other snapping shots from a unique vantage point. We've also partnered with our mates at Samsung to ensure we've selected bars with the primest of views, so you can use that new Galaxy S9 and S9+ with its specially developed low light camera to snap the best evening shots. So whether you're into DJ sets with a front row seat to the new Luna Park installations or glowing gin cocktails with rooftop panoramas of those illuminated Opera House sails, we've picked out five of the best spots to hit for epic Vivid sights. MCA ROOFTOP BAR The MCA Cafe's rooftop boasts quite possibly the best Vivid vantage point the city has to offer — sans the heaving crowds. Panoramic sights of nearly all the festival highlights are visible from here (apart from the MCA itself, of course), so it's an ideal spot for snapping wide-angle pics. This year, Bombay Sapphire will be running the pop-up bar, which is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 5–9pm during the festival. Here, you can sip on glowing gin cocktails while taking in unobstructed views of the Opera House light show. The MCA has also extended its Lights on Later program to coincide with the Vivid hours; so in between drinks up at the bar, you can catch the last days of its 21st Biennale exhibition, running until Monday, June 11. THE GLENMORE Since being refurbished back in 2012, The Glenmore terrace has become one of our go-to spots all year 'round — especially during Vivid. The heritage-listed pub's rooftop offers 180-degree views over Sydney Harbour, featuring up-close sights of the Harbour Bridge light show. Tuck into some pub grub favourites and raise a glass to snagging one of Sydney's very best views of the festival. Our tip? Get in early (pre-sunset) so you can get a front row seat to all the glowing action come sundown. SMOKE No matter what you decide to snack on, this is really food with a view, as Smoke at Barangaroo House was designed to lead the eye out over the harbour. Thanks to Vivid Sydney, it's a prime location for a little light spotting. Barangaroo becomes a magical bushland of lights with The Liminal Hour, featuring the fiery six-metre high Marri Dyin, Eora for 'great woman'. You'll also surely catch a glimpse of the Australian National Maritime Museum rooftop, which will be projecting the underwater delights of BBC Earth and David Attenborough's Blue Planet II. Between sips of an Autumn Spritz — which blends Martini Riserva Abrato with pink grapefruit, St Germain elderflower liqueur, juniper and prosecco — you'll also be able to aim your lens at floating light boats and the beams of Skylark, an interactive custom-built laser, controlled out of nearby Pier 8. GOLDIE'S MUSIC HALL AT SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE Along with the Sydney Opera House's massive Vivid lineup comes its annual pop-up bar. This year, Goldie's Music Hall has taken over the northern foyer — brought to you by the team from Newtown's The Midnight Special. Themed 60s and 70s, the bar features a black and gold fit-out complete with beaded lampshades, plush furnishings and peacock chairs. DJs including Gonz, Mama Disquo and Rusty and Boonge will be spinning playlists of funk, soul and R&B, while you relax with signature cocktails like the Golden Years (a boozy concoction of cognac, rye whiskey and amaretto with whisky barrel bitters and orange zest), plus craft beers from The Grifter and Young Henrys, liquor from Poor Toms and Archie Rose and decadent small bites. Of course, you also get prime viewing of the Harbour and can snap all the waterside shots you want from the comfort of the bar. Goldie's is open daily from 6pm–late and runs until Monday, June 4. BLU BAR AT SHANGRI-LA Set on the 36th floor and fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows, the Shangri-La Hotel's Blu Bar boasts sky-high panoramas of the Harbour. So, if you want some sprawling overhead shots of Vivid, this is the place to be. From here, the technicolour lights dance below while you enjoy the late-night menu with an extensive cocktail list, featuring both classics and inventive signatures (like the chamomile sour or a yuzu-thyme vodka concoction), plus refined bar snacks that you can nibble on while watching the show below. Escape the crowds, opt for exclusive sights from some of the best bars with Vivid views and snap some seriously professional-looking shots on the new Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, designed especially for low light. Images: Cole Bennetts.
It's no surprise that many of us are looking to upgrade our home comfort level at the moment. Aussie furniture brand Koala is keen to help you do just that with its Boxing Day sale where you can nab up to 20 percent off mattresses, sheets, sofas, desks and armchairs to help you upgrade your pad or improve your night's sleep. A heap of products from across the brand's range are on sale from Thursday, December 24 to Sunday, January 3 including the popular Koala mattress. Also on offer in the sale is the WFH desk, which is made in Ballarat from hand-sanded timber, easy to assemble and designed with home office use in mind. If you've found yourself working from home a lot more this year, you can pick up the desk for a sweet 15 percent off. Comfy Koala sofa beds, TV units, pillows, bed bases and more are going with a 20 percent discount, too, so you can give your whole house a makeover. And everything comes with a 120-night trial — though, it might be hard to give any of these up after four-months of comfort. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
For a week each year, the town of Maryborough honours one of its most famous former residents: Pamela Lyndon Travers, the author of the Mary Poppins books. The week-long Mary Poppins Festival celebrates Travers and her works with unusual activities that bring her beloved characters to life. Think chimney sweep challenges, kite flying competitions, costume parades and, of course, the Great Nanny Race, during which 20th century-dressed 'English nannies' push prams to the finish line. The festival kicks off with a steampunk afternoon tea and a good old fashioned street party, and culminates a week later in a community day in the park, complete with carnival rides, roving performers, sidewalk artists, workshops, activities and a grand parade. Next year's festivities will take place in July, leaving plenty of time to plan your trip to the Fraser Coast region — complete with a visit to Fraser Island and a dip in the pristine waters of Hervey Bay. We'll let you know when the exact dates are confirmed.
International travel might be off the cards for the next little while, but that means it's time to soak up all the goodness in your own backyard. Australia and New Zealand are chock full of world-class travel opportunities, with lush rainforests, dazzling coastline, pristine outback and more, just waiting to be explored. And one lucky local will get to hit the road and see part of it for free, thanks to a bumper new competition from Surf Stitch. The fashion retailer has joined forces with campervan hire crew Travellers Autobarn to give away a two-week road-tripping adventure of a lifetime. The winner will score 14-day van hire — with the chance to go cruising around either New Zealand or Australia with their besties, kicking off from a location of their choice — as well as a $1500 wardrobe worth of fresh threads from Surf Stitch, to keep you all looking extra good on tour. Where and when your adventure will unfold, is entirely up to you — and COVID-19 restrictions, of course. At the moment, there are restrictions on travelling between states and territories in Australia, all of Victoria is in lockdown and you can't fly between Australia and NZ — so, if you do win, be sure to check the laws before heading off on your adventure. Restrictions aside, you could go tripping along NSW's north coast, splitting your time between sandy beach and rainforest. Touring the untouched wilderness of Tassie. Or maybe gallivanting your way around the famed Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound on New Zealand's south island. Whatever your local travel bucket-list looks like, this prize is sure to help you tick off a few gems, while giving that holiday itch a good scratch. To be in with a shot at winning your ultimate road trip, simply jump on the competition website and enter your details. Then, decide just which part of this grand old backyard is calling to you the loudest. You can enter the competition by filling in your details over at the Surf Stitch website. Entries close at 11.59pm AEST on Friday, August 14. The competition is open to citizens and permanent residents of Australia and NZ. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Since 2019, witnessing David Tennant utter the word "angel" has been one of the small screen's great delights. Playing the roguish demon Crowley in Good Omens, the Scottish Doctor Who and Broadchurch star sometimes says it as an insult, occasionally with weary apathy and even with exasperation. Usually simmering no matter his mood, however, is affection for the person that he's always talking about: book-loving and bookshop-owning heavenly messenger Aziraphale (Michael Sheen, Quiz). With just one term and two syllables, Tennant tells a story about the show's central odd-couple duo, who've each been assigned to oversee earth by their bosses — Crowley's from below, Aziraphale's from above — and also conveys their complicated camaraderie. Also since 2019, watching Tennant and Sheen pair up on-screen has been supremely divine. The actors clearly realised it themselves, spending lockdown making comedy Staged as versions of themselves, which they then continued for two more seasons. Great double acts feel like they've always been a twosome. They seems so natural that you expect them to continue the same routine off-screen as innately as breathing. They can be playfully parodied by themselves, as Staged does, and still just as winning. And, they're often the heart and soul of whatever project they're in. Good Omens, which hails from Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's award- and fan-winning 1990 novel Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, was always going to be about Aziraphale and Crowley. And yet, including in its second season on Prime Video from Friday, July 28, it's always been a better series because it's specifically about Sheen as the former and Tennant as the latter. In the first season, the end of the world was nigh (the fact that Good Omens debuted the year before the pandemic arrived and life began to feel ominous in reality was pure coincidence). In the show's narrative, Aziraphale and Crowley faced their biggest test yet after observing humans since biblical times: the always-foretold birth of the antichrist and, 11 years later, cosmic forces rolling towards snuffing out the planet's people to start again. Hell, where Beelzebub (Anna Maxwell Martin, The Duke) led the forces, was primed for a fight to claim power. As guided by the archangel Gabriel (Jon Hamm, Confess, Fletch), heaven was up for the fray, too. But in a comedic fantasy involving satanic nuns, witch hunters, prognostications, hellhounds, the four horsemen, seances, and also the simple pleasures of two pals bickering and bantering, the crisis to end all crises was ultimately averted. In the long-awaited second season, neither Aziraphale nor Crowley are beloved by their higher-ups or lower-downs thanks to their thwarting-the-apocalypse actions. One fussing over his store and remaining reluctant to sell any of its tomes, the other continuing to swagger around like Bill Nighy as a rule-breaking rockstar, they've carved out a comfortable new status quo, though, until a naked man walking through London with nothing but a cardboard box comes trundling along. He can't recall it, but that birthday suit-wearing interloper is Gabriel. He knows he's there for a reason and that it isn't good, but possesses zero memory otherwise. And, in the worst news for Aziraphale and Crowley, he has both heaven and hell desperate to find him. Returning for a second season saddles Good Omens with a considerable obstacle: when you've already told the tale that was laid out in print, what comes next? Thankfully, Gaiman is back as executive producer and co-showrunner, building upon his text with the late Pratchett by enlisting John Finnemore (That Mitchell and Webb Look) as his new co-scribe — and with director Douglas Mackinnon (a Doctor Who veteran) again helming every episode. The approach? A mystery, as Aziraphale and Crowley try to discover what's behind Gabriel's terrestrial visit. Gaiman crafts a missing-person search as well, including by the demon Shax (Rams' Miranda Richardson, switching into a new role from season one), and archangels Michael (Doon Mackichan, Toast of Tinseltown) and Uriel (Gloria Obianyo, Dune). Good Omens season two also takes a few sizeable trips elsewhere, spending time with Job (Peter Davison, Gentleman Jack) in the Land of Uz, during the Victorian era when robbing graves was a key way that surgeons advanced medicine and among undead Nazis in the Blitz in 1940s England (Finnemore solely scripts the Job segment, Ten Percent's Cat Clarke the body stealing, and Ghost Stories' Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman the zombies.) Also crucial: a few romances, commencing with Aziraphale and Crowley trying to get coffee shop proprietor Nina (Nina Sosanya, His Dark Materials) and record store owner Maggie (Maggie Service, Life) to fall in love by cribbing from Jane Austen and Love Actually filmmaker Richard Curtis. Any future season of Good Omens that purely regales audiences with Aziraphale and Crowley's past escapades would be a certain winner, but weaving such jaunts into season two still works a treat. For all of the show's drawcards — the irreverent battles for the fate of the universe, the heaven-versus-hell hijinks, the gleeful satirising of organised religion, the Paddington-esque aesthetic, the fact that anything and everything can occur (and does) in a comedy about angels and demons — Gaiman knows that Sheen and Tennant are its biggest. Cue more eager digging into Aziraphale and Crowley's bond, and more of Sheen and Tennant bouncing off of each other brilliantly. In the process, cue more unpacking the fact that Aziraphale isn't just pious and dutiful beneath his halo, nor fallen angel Crowley simply evil. And, also cue more examining what Aziraphale and Crowley mean to each other as an ever-wonderful chalk-and-cheese pair. Sheen and Tennant are visibly having a ball again, with both expressing oh-so-much through gazes, glorious line readings and the vibe that sparkles during their patter. They aren't the only ones enjoying their Good Omens stints, with Hamm leaning into his comic side — see also: 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, Toast of London, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, Childrens Hospital, Medical Police, Angie Tribeca, The Last Man on Earth, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp and Confess, Fletch — with gusto. Richardson is as much of a scene-stealing marvel as she's kept proving since her Blackadder days, Bridgerton's Shelley Conn relishes playing Beelzebub's new guise and Quelin Sepulveda (The Man Who Fell to Earth) is joyous as a daffy lower angel. Indeed, even when season two overtly puts the wheels in motion for a third spin, its cast ensure that too is a great and welcome omen. Check out the trailer for Good Omens season two below: Good Omens streams from Friday, July 28 via Prime Video.
As music, spandex and glitter fans everywhere already know, the Eurovision Song Contest didn't go ahead this year. It's one of the many events worldwide that have been affected by COVID-19, alongside SXSW, Glastonbury, Coachella and Splendour in the Grass — but it's the only one to leave a huge Europop-shaped hole, of course. In Australia, broadcaster SBS attempted to make up for Eurovision's absence by spending a week celebrating the annual contest. And, globally, Netflix is also doing its bit. The latter is helping out in a much less serious fashion, however, all thanks to its new Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams-starring comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. Due to hit the streaming platform at the end of June — and just dropping its first trailer this week, too — the film follows two small-town Icelandic singers who've always wanted to represent their country at the famed sing-off. Lars Erickssong (Ferrell) and Sigrit Ericksdottir (McAdams) aren't particularly well-liked in their homeland, or considered popular. But when they're named as the next Eurovision contestants, they're determined not only to win but to show that chasing their lifelong dream was worth it. Directed by Wedding Crashers, The Change-Up and The Judge filmmaker David Dobkin, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga looks set to feature plenty of Ferrell's over-the-top comedy — as the initial sneak peek makes plain. It also boasts icy backdrops, a song called 'Volcano Man', a fierce rivalry between Fire Saga and fellow competitor Alexander Lemtov (Legion's Dan Evans), and a cast that also spans Pierce Brosnan and Demi Lovato. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q6Co-nd0lM Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga hits Netflix on Friday, June 26. Images: John Wilson and Elizabeth Viggiano, via Netflix.
Ever feel like you deserve a prize for just how much you love your wine? Are your efforts as an amateur sommelier yet to be properly rewarded? WineMarket are ready to make your dreams come true with a truly massive giveaway. Every case of wine you buy from WineMarket this February will put you into the running for a five-night getaway on the West Coast, complete with a wine lover's experience of Margaret River and a chance to explore Perth in style. Along with flights and four-star accommodation the lucky winner and a friend will win a tour of a Margaret River winery, a fancy dinner for two in Perth, a scenic tour around the city, five days' car hire and more (to the value of $4500+). The more cases you buy and the more friends you get involved, the better your chances, so now's the time to stock up your cellars for a rainy day. Or if you've already got a healthy supply, get an entry just for signing up to WineMarket's newsletter. Check out the WineMarket website for all the details and to enter. Just hurry — the competition closes on Saturday, February 28, 11.59pm. To all you wine lovers, we salute you and wish you luck.
