UPDATE, March 13, 2023: Navalny is available to stream via Docplay, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Man on Wire did it with The Walk, The Times of Harvey Milk sparked Milk and Dogtown and Z-Boys brought about Lords of Dogtown. Werner Herzog went from Little Dieter Needs to Fly to Rescue Dawn, too, and the Paradise Lost films were followed by Devil's Knot. One day, Navalny will join this growing list. Documentaries inspiring dramas isn't new, and Alexei Navalny's life story would scream for a biopic even if director Daniel Roher (Once Were Brothers) hadn't gotten there first — and so compellingly, or in such an acclaimed way, winning the 2022 Sundance Film Festival's Audience Award for its US doco competition in the process. When you're a Russian opposition leader crusading against corruption and Vladimir Putin, there's going to be a tale to tell. Usually only Hollywood screenwriters can conjure up a narrative like the one that Navalny has been living, though, typically in a Bourne-style spy thriller. Actually, John le Carré, Ian Fleming or Tom Clancy might've come up with something similar; still, even the former, the author responsible for such espionage efforts such as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Night Manager, could've struggled to imagine details this staggering. Creating a fictional character as complicated, captivating and candid as Navalny's namesake would've also been a stretch. Indeed, there are two key aspects to this engrossing doco: everything that it explores about its subject's life, especially in recent years, which is a dream for a documentary filmmaker; and the engaging pro-democracy advocate himself. Often Navalny chats to camera about his experiences, demanding and earning the viewer's attention. In a movie that doesn't overlook his flaws, either, he's equally riveting when he's searching for a crucial truth. Another stark fact haunts Navalny from the outset: it was never guaranteed that he'd be alive to see the film come to fruition, let alone reach an audience. The outspoken Putin critic, lawyer and dissident confronts that grim reality early on, giving Roher the holy grail of soundbites. "Let's make a thriller out of this movie,' he says. "And if I'm killed, let's make a boring movie about memory," he continues. In August 2020, Navalny nearly didn't make it, after all. In an incident that understandably attracted international headlines and just as expectedly sits at the core of this documentary, he was poisoned while flying from Tomsk in Siberia to Moscow. The toxin: a Novichok nerve agent. The instantly suspected culprits: the Kremlin, as part of an assassination plot that he survived. No matter whether you're aware of the minutiae from press coverage when it happened — or of his treatment by Russia prior or since, in a country that hasn't taken kindly to his campaign against its president — or you're stepping through his tale for the first time while watching, Navalny couldn't be more gripping as it gets sleuthing as well. Among other things, it's an attempted-murder mystery. That fateful flight was diverted to Omsk because Navalny was so violently and deathly ill due to the Soviet-era toxin. His stint in hospital was tense, and evacuating him to safety in Berlin was never guaranteed. Although the poisoning is just one aspect of his story, and of this astonishing and anger-inciting film, identifying the people responsible is firmly one of Navalny's quests and Navalny's focuses. With extraordinarily intimate access, befitting his central figure's frankness and determination, Roher shot the aftermath of the incident as it unfolded; one moment in particular must be seen to be believed. Navalny takes up help from Christo Grozev, an investigative journalist from Netherlands-based group Bellingcat (or "a nice Bulgarian nerd with a laptop" as he's called here). As the evidence mounts, they start contacting the men they've worked out were involved. Most calls end promptly. Then, when Navalny impersonates a Kremlin higher-up, phoning to get answers as to why the plot went wrong, answers spill (answers that involve Navalny's underwear, in fact). With apologies to the most skilled screenwriters and authors that've plied their trade in spy narratives, this is an exchange so wild that it can only be true, as Navalny's audience witnesses while perched on the edge of their seats. This is a compulsive, revelatory, fast-paced movie, as directed with agility by Roher. There's as much of a pulse to its early summary of Navalny's career, including what led him to become such a target, as there is to his to-camera discussions and the unravelling of the Novichok ordeal. News footage and imagery shot on mobile phones help fill in the gaps with the latter, but the as-it-happens calls — and the digging before it — are so suspenseful and so deftly shot by cinematographer Niki Waltl (In the Bunker) and spliced by editors Maya Hawke (Janis: Little Girl Blue) and Langdon Page (Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures) that it's hard to see how any dramatisation could top it. Composers Marius de Vries (CODA) and Matt Robertson (a music programmer on Cats) add a nerve-shredding score, too, as part of the doco's polish. Navalny doesn't need it, as seeing its subject's flight back to Russia in January 2021 after recuperating to Germany — a flight back to charges and imprisonment — also makes plain, but the whole package is expertly assembled. There's still more in the absorbing documentary's sights, such as Navalny's relationships with his ever-supportive wife Yulia and children Dasha and Zakhar; his social-media following and the well-oiled flair for getting his message out there, including via TikTok; the charisma that's helped him strike such a wide-ranging chord; and his fondness of playing Call of Duty. Navalny is a frightening portrait of Russia, an account of battling its oppressive status quo and a layered character study alike — and, smartly and astutely, that means looking at the man in its moniker's past approach to consolidating opposition to Putin as well. Navalny has previously thrown in with far-right groups to amass a cohort against the Russia leader, a move that warrants and gets a thorough line of questioning, resulting in frustration on his part. As it lays bare what it involves to confront authoritarian power, demand freedom and fight against the state while putting your life on the line — be it in inspiring or dubious-at-best ways — this film has to be unflinching: it couldn't be as complex as it is otherwise.
As the arts and entertainment industry continues to climb back to its previous heights following the devastation brought by COVID-19, a welcome addition of $125 million is set to be injected into the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) fund. The extra funding was announced today, Thursday, March 25, and is aimed at supporting "around 230 projects and up to 90,000 jobs". While a further $10 million will be added to the charity Support Act, aimed at providing crisis support to artists and other workers across the creative sector. The $125 million will be available until Friday, December 31, 2021, and will effectively triple the size of the original commitment of $75 million from the government, raising the total amount of funding available to $200 million. The initial funding has already been put to good use, with Sydney's Hamilton, Melbourne's Harry Potter stage show, Tasmania's Dark Mofo and Byron's Bluesfest all scoring $1 million each. RISE has also helped fund a slew of COVID-safe music events including Next Exit, Fresh Produce and Summer Sounds. [caption id="attachment_789711" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hamilton. Image: Joan Marcus via Destination NSW[/caption] Federal Arts Minister Paul Fletcher names RISE as a driving force behind the creative industry's economic resurgence as venues re-open and shows are booked in. "Our focus has turned to stimulating activity so the work opportunities can flow," Minister Fletcher said in a statement. "This new funding comes at an important stage in the resurgence of Australia's arts and entertainment sector. The purpose of the RISE program is to get shows put on, bringing employment to performers, crews and front-of-house staff." The government has also updated RISE's program guidelines to make it easier for businesses and organisations to access the funding, and to encourage projects from as low as $25,000 to apply (the bar was previously set at a minimum of $75,000 for funding applications). Find out more about the RISE fund here. Top image: Frankies by Katje Ford.
Bright lights, fame and the chance to become something special all beckon in The Neon Demon. For small-town teen and aspiring model Jesse (Elle Fanning), they're intoxicating — and to the others she meets in her quest for success, so is her innocence and youth. Still, there's a reason that, when Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn first introduces his wide-eyed protagonist, she's splattered in blood and looking not long for this world. She's posing for a photo, but it's immediately apparent that she has wandered into an oh-so-vicious realm. Refn isn't known for being the subtlest of filmmakers, as the manic intensity of Bronson and the detached violence of Only God Forgives both show. He's also a man fond of ensuring that everything audiences see and hear — every colour choice, camera angle, throbbing beat, telling line and moment of silence — is both powerful and entrancing. Combine that with his fondness for dallying with dark tales of human behaviour, and his output tends to be quite polarising. The Neon Demon certainly fits that mould. In fact, it feels like the movie he's been building towards his entire career. Take that as cause for celebration, or a word of warning, depending on how you've felt about his work so far. It's with a parade of suitably neon-saturated images — and with opening credits emblazoned with his own initials — that Refn recounts Jesse's twisted, violent fairytale excursion to Los Angeles. When she meets makeup artist Ruby (Jena Malone), she's plunged deeper into an industry and a city that seems gorgeous and glamorous on the outside, yet remains shallow, false and all-consuming underneath. More experienced, older, surgically enhanced models Gigi (Bella Heathcote) and Sarah (Abbey Lee) don't quite befriend the fresh-faced wannabe, but they do take an envious interest. The competitive edge to their interactions only grows the more that the eager Jesse attracts attention. Skewering the superficiality of society's obsession with appearances is hardly new or novel. But it's not what Refn is saying in The Neon Demon that makes it so seductive. Rather, it's how he says it. In turning a stars-in-their-eyes story into a moody, psychological horror film, his scathing satirical edge is always evident. Every stylistic choice draws audiences in, then slowly reveals that they should have kept their distance. He's aided by a pulsating score from regular collaborator Cliff Martinez that's both melodic and just the slightest bit unnerving. Likewise the film's images, which could have been ripped from the front page of a fashion mag, yet retain an insidious air. Everything looks pretty, even when the movie's true nature proves otherwise. To put it simply, Refn wants to both lure people in while threatening all the while to spit them out — and he does so in eye-popping fashion, as does his entire cast. Fanning plays the seeming ingenue with pinpoint precision, and, though there's a stilted air to Aussies Heathcote and Lee, that's clearly by design. Keanu Reeves and Christina Hendricks are both memorable in small, well-used parts as a seedy landlord and a no-nonsense agent, but if there's a supporting player that the film belongs to, it's Malone. In The Neon Demon's most subtle performance, she's caught in the middle of the many extremes swirling around her, and she knows it. Viewers will relate, even if they're too busy either loving or hating Refn's latest big-screen effort to appreciate it. For the record, we're well and truly in the former camp.
At the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, the St Kilda Road venue's indoor spaces are gearing up to host an array of breathtaking garments as part of its soon-to-launch blockbuster Alexander McQueen exhibition. But its grounds have already scored a fresh injection of colour for the summer, and that's thanks to the winning NGV 2022 Architecture Commission, Temple of Boom, which has now made its home in the site's Grollo Equiset Garden. The boldly coloured replica of Greece's famed Parthenon is parking itself in the Melbourne spot until August 2023, and is set to be continually refreshed with large-scale works by various local artists during its stay. The structure itself is the work of Adam Newman and Kelvin Tsang, celebrating The Parthenon as a symbol of Western civilisation, democracy and enduring beauty — and built to reflect on the impact time has on architecture. The latter is what'll also drive Temple of Boom's ever-shifting look, the first of which features vibrant optical illusions and floral elements by contemporary artists Manda Lane, Drez and David Lee Pereira. Lane's work centres around relationships between the man-made and the natural; Pereira is known for his explorations of gender and identity fluidity; and Drez's murals challenge perspective using colour and form. While the structure will be transformed with different artworks across three phases of its stay, it'll also work as a community meeting spot and play host to an extended program of events. That includes a calendar of talks, performances and VR experiences held in collaboration with the Hellenic Museum Melbourne; and a lineup of Friday evening DJ sets as announced for the new NGV Friday Nights summer season. Catch 'Temple of Boom' in the Grollo Equiset Garden, NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, until August 2023. Images: Installation view of the 2022 NGV Architecture Commission 'Temple of Boom', designed by Adam Newman and Kelvin Tsang, at NGV International from 22 November 2022–August 2023. Photo by Sean Fennessy.
If there's one thing that's true in this life, it's that you've got to look forward to something. Maybe it's a nice sandwich you packed for lunch. Maybe it's a tropical getaway you've booked a couple of months down the track. Or maybe it's a slate of potential indie game releases over the course of the year, a constant drip feed of dopamine to last through to December. For this writer, as you may have guessed, the latter is the way to go. Before we dive in, it's worth reflecting on the nature of game development for a moment. While most of the following titles have set their sights on a 2024 launch (source: their Steam pages), and two have confirmed launches over the next few months, game release dates are notoriously slippery beasts. Sometimes teams just need a little extra time to squash bugs and polish – it happens, and it's for the best, but it makes writing lists like this a little fraught. So let's just say we're sending our best to all the developers and hope that they hit their launch windows without too much crunch. And now, without any further ado, here's 10 indie games you should wishlist and eagerly wait for. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCPIPieo-3c[/embed] PEPPER GRINDER Movement can make or break a platformer, so stepping out of the classic run-and-jump formula comes with risks and rewards. In Pepper Grinder, the upcoming title from Oregon-based team Ahr Ech, the payoff for breaking from tradition is, thankfully, huge. You play as Pepper, a swashbuckler washed up on the shores of a mysterious island. Your treasure has been stolen so you grab Grinder, your trusty conical drilling device, and set out to get it back. It won't be easy but it will be fun. The use of a drill for traversal is inspired, allowing you to essentially swim through terrain and perform dolphin-esque leaps and dashes as you fight enemies and collect your wayward riches. It's the type of movement that puts you in a flow state, supported by level design that rewards setting up perfect lines without punishing you too much when you stumble. Thankfully you won't have to wait too long to explore and excavate this bright tropical world, with a confirmed release date of March 28th for PC and Switch. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjGoS9rOSYw[/embed] ANOTHER CRAB'S TREASURE Ocean pollution is bad. That's not really something you can argue against. But… who's to say it can't lead to good things, such as Another Crab's Treasure? The sophomore game from U.S. dev team Aggro Crab has you scuttling around as Kril, a small hermit crab whose home has been repossessed from his back. You must don a variety of different pieces of rubbish as temporary shells, each with their own special strengths, and fight against the other denizens of the deep to find a treasure that will let you pay off your debt and reclaim your property. It's a Souls-like so prepare for unrelentingly difficult combat, unless you are a newcomer to the genre in which case there are a number of thoughtful assists available to help you on your journey. It has a confirmed release date of April 25th, so only a couple of months to go until you can battle across the bottom of the ocean on Xbox, PlayStation, Steam and Nintendo Switch. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6j0zKSXAFE[/embed] SKATE STORY Skateboarding has a long history in the realm of video games but, for such a radical sport, developers have generally played it fairly straight. That makes Skate Story, developed by NY-based solo dev Sam Eng, a big breath of fresh air in a genre seemingly locked in permanent X-Games adolescence. What really sets it apart is the narrative. You play as a demon made of glass and pain, to whom the Devil has given a skateboard and an impossible task: devour the Moon to earn your freedom. Already way more enticing than the standard 'get a high score to prove you're the raddest around'. So you set off through the Emptylands, grinding, flipping and ollieing to destroy demons and rescue lost souls on the way to your goal of cosmic consumption. With minimalist graphics depicting the Underworld as a moody, woozy space, and a soundtrack composed by mysterious indie outfit Blood Cultures, Skate Story is set to be a guaranteed GOTY list entrant for 2024 when it launches. Wishlist now on Steam [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T728E15XsMk[/embed] BROKEN ROADS The first Australian entry on this list, Broken Roads puts a uniquely Australian spin on the CRPG genre. Developed by Drop Bear Bytes out of Victoria, it's a post-apocalyptic trek across a desolate (well, more desolate) outback, searching out settlements, helping fellow travellers and tackling enemies both human and otherwise. CRPGs are currently having a moment (thank you Baldur's Gate 3), and while Broken Roads will definitely scratch your itch for turn-based combat, it's adding a new wrinkle to the genre with its Moral Compass system which shapes both your character and the wider story based on the decisions you make. No wussing out of an evil run with this mechanic in place. Fans of the early Fallout games, as well as the modern reincarnations of Wasteland, will definitely want to keep an eye out for the (hopefully imminent) release of this one. Wishlist now and play the demo on Steam [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTfZzwydEWQ[/embed] DEAD STATIC DRIVE The open road. The purr of the engine. The shrieks of eldritch horrors that are getting closer and closer in your rear-view mirror. This is the world of Dead Static Drive, a road trip simulator described as Grand Theft Auto meets the Cthulhu mythos. A journey to visit estranged relatives takes a sinister turn when it becomes apparent that the world is coming to an end, bringing forth all sorts of monsters. Sneak, steal and slaughter your way across a stylishly rendered version of 80s America. You can team up with people along the way but when the chips are down can they be trusted? Can you? It's been a long labour of love for the developers Reuben Games, based in Melbourne. Work started back in 2014, but with a projected release window of Q3 this year, the headlights at the end of the tunnel may be nearing. Wishlist now on Steam [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRLgwCslWsQ[/embed] BABY STEPS Walking is perhaps the most taken-for-granted mechanic in video games. You push your joystick/WASD keys and your character moves – simple, right? In Baby Steps, the script gets flipped and each wobbly footfall is taken at your peril. The game puts you in the bare feet of a onesie-clad schlubby failson called Nate, whose couch-bound existence is turned upside down when he is suddenly transported to a mysterious location in nature. The only way out is through, so you take charge of his feet and do your best to help him navigate the terrain as he hikes his way up a mountain. It's the product of a trio of developers – Gabe Cuzillo, Maxi Boch and Australia's own Bennett Foddy – who previously released the sublime Ape Out (seriously, stop reading this and go play it). There's shades of Foddy's viral hit QWOP in Baby Steps, along with the meditativeness of Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, and a healthy dose of absurdism to boot. Wishlist now on Steam [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHF3WZOLN3g[/embed] JANET DEMORNAY IS A SLUMLORD (AND A WITCH) If you've had any dealings with the Australian rental market over the last few years, then firstly we see you and we're sobbing alongside you. Secondly, there's a game coming out this year that will definitely strike a chord. Janet DeMornay is a Slumlord (and a witch), developed by Australian duo Fuzzy Ghost, sees you setting up a queer-friendly share house in a Sydney terrace. There's mould, creaking pipes, decaying fixtures – the classic rental experience. There's also your landlord, Janet DeMornay, who just wants to pop by, why won't you let her pop by, it's her house, she has a right to know what you are doing in there, answer the door, why won't you let her in? From pedestrian beginnings blossoms an unsettling escape-room horror experience shot through with dark humour about the realities of tenant life in a society geared towards landlords. Special marks go to Janet's South African accent, a detail that will send chills down the spines of anyone who has tangoed with signing a lease in Sydney. Wishlist now on Steam [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXIX1GCZWGI[/embed] THE PLUCKY SQUIRE For many of us, children's storybooks were our first taste of the hero's journey. The Plucky Squire, by Brisbane studio All Possible Futures, puts a meta spin on these early forays into the battle between good and evil. You're Jot, the titular plucky squire who has been kicked out of his book by the villain Humgrump. And when I say 'kicked out', I mean literally - the protagonist is flung from the 2D pages into the surrounding 3D world. This obviously won't do, so you set out to reclaim your place as the hero. Jot's ability to leave the page gives the game scope to craft satisfying puzzles that involve manipulating the book itself, as well as setting off on genre-bending adventures with the objects on the surrounding desk. Mix in a truly delightful design aesthetic, and you've got a perfect experience for gamers both young and young-at-heart. Wishlist now on Steam [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-39kuBXyKWo[/embed] LITTLE KITTY, BIG CITY If you're a diehard dog person, you might want to skip to the next entry in this list. If, on the other hand, you're a feline fan, then the perfect game for you is set to release this year. The title Little Kitty, Big City has a does-what-it-says-on-the-tin straightforwardness – you are a small kitten who has tumbled from your owner's apartment into the streets of a big city. You have to make your way back home, an adventure that involves dealing with a plethora of other urban wildlife, completing tasks and generally being a cat. You'll hop in and out of boxes, pounce on birds, chase your tail, knock items off shelves and ledges, and wiggle into nooks and crannies to discover the many secrets of the neighbourhood. At this point, it would be remiss of us not to mention the hats. You can collect a number of different hats for your kitten to wear, from froggy bonnets to tiny top hats to sunflower manes. Honestly, that alone should have you smashing the wishlist button. Wishlist now on Steam [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EthfB4JjQ2k[/embed] THE RISE OF THE GOLDEN IDOL It was only two years ago that The Case of the Golden Idol was released, a sleeper indie hit that saw you solving strange mysteries about a gold statue and the chaos and corruption it caused during the 18th century. Now the Latvian team Colour Gray Games are back with a sequel, something that should put a smile on the dial of every pseudo-sleuth. Set during the swinging 1970s, The Rise of the Golden Idol has you hunting once more for the elusive relic, which has seemingly disappeared since the first game. Against a backdrop of disco, fax machines and TV chat shows, you'll need to solve 15 mysteries to crack the case, using the tried-and-tested 'madlibs'-style mechanic from the first game. The developers are playing things close to their chest in terms of details about the game, but it's worth noting the graphics, which have seen a big upgrade while maintaining the essence of pixelated grotesqueness of the first one. Wishlist now on Steam
In 2020, due to the pandemic, the Sydney Film Festival completely moved online. This year, after initially shifting from its usual June dates to the end of August, then moving again to November due to Sydney's lengthy lockdown, SFF is back in cinemas for a huge 12 days of big-screen delights — but it's also going virtual afterwards. Meet SFF On Demand, which'll stream 56 feature-length films and 13 shorts from Friday, November 12–Sunday, November 21. Sydneysiders, that means that you can check out the 2021 festival in-person, then continue it on your couch afterwards. Australians elsewhere, you can still get your SFF fix even if you can't get to Sydney this year. Streaming must-sees include New Zealand's The Justice of Bunny King, which stars Essie Davis (Babyteeth) and Thomasin McKenzie (Old) as a mother-daughter duo; three-time Sundance 2021 winner Hive, the first film to ever win the fest's Grand Jury Prize, Audience Award and Directing Award; Never Gonna Snow Again, about an eerie Ukrainian masseur making house calls in Poland; and exceptional Iranian drama There Is No Evil, 2020's Berlinale Golden Bear winner. There's also Swan Song, starring the inimitable Udo Kier (Bacurau); Sydney-set slacker comedy Friends and Strangers; Apples, a Greek satire set in the aftermath of an amnesia pandemic; and thriller The Beta Test. And, you can either pick and mix your flicks separately, or choose bundles — including a heap of this year's Documentary Australia Foundation Award contenders, a package of international docos and movies in SFF's Europe! Voices of Women in Film strand.
The pink bag-toting cyclists travelling through Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane's streets will be no more as of August 20, with Foodora announcing today that it will cease operations in Australia. As reported by the ABC, the company released a statement saying it would be pulling out of Australia to focus on its work in other cities, saying it was "shift[ing its] focus towards other markets where the company currently sees a higher potential for growth." Foodora, which is based out of Berlin, also operates in Canada, Germany, Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. Foodora's operations in Australia began when it acquired local delivery company Suppertime back in 2015. In recent months, the company has been plagued by allegations of underpaying works and "sham contracting", with Australia's Fair Work Ombudsman commencing legal action against the company in mid-June. For those worried about their late-night bathrobe meals, Uber Eats and Deliveroo drivers will continue to thanklessly deliver you food — rain, hail or shine.
Whenever someone mentions bingo, the immediate thought goes to old ladies and fellas sitting at fold-out tables in a seniors hall. Move over legs eleven, there's a new cliché in town... Bogan Bingo. It sounds impossible, but somehow it really is inevitable. We've heard of Hipster Bingo, but what is it about Bogan Bingo that sets it apart from the imposters? The Sit Down Comedy Club, or the Paddo as your inner bogan might say, is renowned for its hilarious gigs and is now channelling that energy into a project that is sure to revive the dusty game of bingo. Even if you've tried to push it to the back of your mind, the standard rules will apply, however on the announcement of 'bingo!', you may or may not be obliged to dance on the way to claiming your prize. The prizes are said to be awesome, but then again they also have a disclaimer saying they may not be awesome, so there's an added element of surprise thrown into the mix. There'll be 80s rock all night, as well as an air-guitar competition, making Bogan Bingo less about winning something and more about having a good time on one of the bleakest nights of the week. Get down to the best bingo night in Brisbane and ditch your work clothes for some flannies, ruggers and pluggers. Durries and mullets are optional.
For some, The Jungle Book inspires fond memories of pouring over Rudyard Kipling's stories. For many others, the 1967 animated film springs to mind. But whichever one you think of first, they're both covered in the new live-action take on the tale. Directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man), consider this latest version a best-of package fans of each might have hoped for. It's no easy feat, balancing the darker material seen on the page while still embracing the fun and amusement experienced in the cartoon. But Favreau and company certainly don't shy away from a challenge. Indeed, from the moment the introductory Disney logo gives way to a zoom back through intricately rendered wildlife, The Jungle Book's ambitions are clear. The first frames of the film look so authentic that audiences might just have to resist the urge to reach out and touch them. Of course, viewers aren't the only ones steeped in such a striking environment. On screen, man-cub Mowgli (Neel Sethi) has spent his entire childhood in the jungle. Found as a baby by wise panther Bagheera (voiced by Ben Kingsley), and raised by wolves Raksha (Lupita Nyong'o) and Akela (Giancarlo Esposito), he's happy and at home in the animal kingdom. But tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba) has murder on his mind. To keep Mowgli safe, Bagheera endeavours to escort the boy to the nearest human settlement, a trek that intersects with seductive snake Kaa (Scarlett Johansson), laid-back bear Baloo (Bill Murray) and giant primate King Louie (Christopher Walken). As Mowgli's story deepens, so does The Jungle Book's aesthetic wizardry. The film's hordes of special effects experts haven't just made every swinging vine, stream of water and glimmering ray of sunshine look just like the real thing; they've made the talking animals seem believable as well. Using 3D to add depth within the frame further enhances the sense of photo-realism, as does the seamless blend of Sethi's performance with his motion-captured creature counterparts. In fact, believing that the entire feature was filmed on a sound stage in Los Angeles, and not on location, is practically impossible. Appearing the part isn't just crucial as far as the entire concept is concerned. It also helps the narrative, episodic as it may be, glide along. It also ensures that when a bear starts singing with the voice of Murray, or a snake's hissing sounds like Johansson, it feels fitting. Favreau understands the need to use everything at his disposal to immerse audiences in another world, be it a rousing score sprinkled with a few familiar tunes, or a fresh face who embodies a winning sense of adventure. Accordingly, when it comes to turning The Jungle Book into a live-action spectacular, his engaging attempt more than covers the bare necessities. And of course, it'll get that catchy track stuck in your head too.
Legendary electronic music duo Groove Armada are returning to Australia for their hotly anticipated November tour taking them across the country from Sydney to a billing on the excellent Harvest Rock festival lineup and over to Perth. The tour has completely sold out — until today with the announcement of one final show. Bringing their full live band experience as part of their 25 Years farewell tour, the British duo have added a second Sydney show on Wednesday November 16 at the Horden Pavilion. That's your last chance to catch them and experience their sensational live shows... possibly ever. If you miss out again, we might just have your back but you'll need to move fast. Groove Armada are also headlining Spring City in Auckland at the Auckland Domain on Saturday, November 26. We've got some of the only remaining tickets as part of an incredible curated trip that includes VIP access to watch the band from side of stage and entry to the VIP tent, staying in one of Auckland's most primo hotels and a gin tasting tour by helicopter. Numbers are extremely limited and are selling fast, so get your hands on one here. If you need a little music history 101, Tom Findlay and Andy Cato established Groove Armada while at university in the 90s. Since then, they've become one of the world's biggest dance acts and have gone on to have three UK Top 10 albums, three Grammy nominations, a BRIT nomination and a succession of hit singles. They've been taking their farewell tour around the UK this year. The tour comes off the back of new single 'Hold A Vibe' and the forthcoming release of GA25, a box set featuring all their iconic jams out November 11. For tickets to the final Groove Armada show in Australia head to the Secret Sounds website or preorder GA25 here.
In a decade's time, a trip to South Bank might involve hopping along a treetop walk, strolling along wider footpaths, shopping at a permanent handmade goods market, hanging out on new riverside lawns and taking a longer promenade to Kangaroo Point. They're just some of the ideas that've been floated in the new South Bank Master Plan, aka the blueprint for how the 42-hectare inner-city precinct that was first created for Expo 88 might change as part of its latest revamp. Also on the list: refreshing Little Stanley Street's dining options, adding a beach plaza, offering up four different water experiences among the lagoons and onsite beach, expanding the Queensland Performing Arts Centre cultural forecourt, and adding a new public space and streetscape around the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Throw in making the whole spot a maritime precinct and there's clearly big plans afoot — all to happen ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Change is set to become a constant around town over the next decade, with tearing down and rebuilding the Gabba, making over Victoria Park and getting us all zooming around via self-flying taxis already on Brisbane's self-improvement list before the two global sporting events hit the city. Also in this neck of the woods, a new seven-hectare riverside parkland is set to join South Brisbane, down past the Gallery of Modern Art. And, revamping and expanding Northshore Hamilton along an extra 1.2-kilometre stretch of the river, turning it into Brisbane's next South Bank, is also in the works. Brisbane's pre-Olympics transformation isn't going to forget South Bank itself, of course, as the just-revealed master plan shows. Not everything will change, with the draft concepts mixing the old with the new. And if you've got some thoughts on the prospect, the Queensland Government is also seeking feedback. "South Bank's iconic beach, bougainvillea-lined arbour, rainforest and riverside greens will be protected and celebrated," said Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles, announcing the South Bank Master Plan in a statement. "The plan proposes more of what the community told us they love. It proposes more green space, places to enjoy by the river, people-friendly streets, improved active travel connections and more diverse dining opportunities," the Deputy Premier continued. "The vision is for South Bank to remain Brisbane's most lively, green, and inclusive precinct for current and future generations to enjoy." So far, more than 10,000 pieces of feedback have been fed into the current plans; however, Brisbanites can offer more between Wednesday, November 2–Wednesday, December 14 — by filling out a survey online now, and keeping an eye out for community consultation sessions that'll happen at the end of November and beginning of September. A final version of the master plan is then set to be finalised by the end of 2023. Parts of this riverside stretch, including South Bank, are already set for a revamp anyway, as anyone who has been in the area will have noticed. QPAC's fifth theatre is in the works, as is the Neville Bonner Bridge from the new Queen's Wharf precinct to the Cultural Centre. Also, a bit further along, Kangaroo Point is set to score a new green bridge with an overwater bar and restaurant. For more information about South Bank's proposed revamp, and to provide feedback before Wednesday, December 14, head to the South Bank Master Plan website.
Fortitude Valley loves a laneway, with plenty popping up — or being brought to life, more accurately — across the inner city spot in recent years. And those laneways love markets. In fact, the trio that is Winn Lane, Bakery Lane and California Lane has been hosting various markets under various names for quite some time. Since 2020, those different events have joined forces, taking on one communal moniker and popping up on the first Saturday of each month. This year, however, there's a change — with the markets taking place on the third Saturday of every month as well. Running from 9am–2pm twice-monthly, Valley Laneway Markets will sprawl across the three stretches of pavement with an array of plants, ceramics, art, handmade goods and vintage fashion. At the beginning of the month, the event goes big on artisanal goods. Mid-month, it's all about plants and items for your pantry. Head by to browse through the stalls, pop into the permanent retailers, and grab a bite to eat and something caffeinated from one of the many cafes and eateries in the area — whichever you're doing, you'll have a heap of options to choose from. These markets also place a heavy focus on local talents, so when you're rifling through the racks, eyeing off some retro threads, and pondering picking up some jewellery or accessories — or something for your kitchen — you'll be supporting Brissie's best. Top image: Valley Laneway Markets.
A wellness retreat in a scenic setting away from the hustle and bustle? Sounds dreamy. Queensland-based wellness haven Gwinganna does luxury a bit differently; it asks guests to leave indulgent food and booze behind in favour of spa therapies, organic meals, a yoga retreat and more health-focussed activities. And no, this is not the premise for Nine Perfect Strangers — far from it. The luxury design of the facilities, superior skill of the staff, and lush surrounding greenery ensure guests relax and unwind in whichever way suits them. If you're looking for a quick escape to the tropical oasis, you can opt for the Wellness Weekend Retreat package which covers two nights, all your organic meals, a wellness seminar and range of activities including Qi Gong. Those wanting a full cleanse from the daily grind can sign up for Gwinganna's signature seven-night where you'll get all of the above, plus multiple massages, a facial, evening meditation sessions and more. Fancy something in-between? Gwinganna also offers three-, four- and five-night packages. [caption id="attachment_829613" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] Images: Tourism Australia
The OXO multicharger is like an executive penthouse for your devices. Technology enthusiasts can now charge their favourite devices in a slick and convenient home. It features a stainless steel bed that can house up to three devices. This bed is lined with soft ribs to prevent the device from scratching or slipping, and can then be raised in a swinging motion meaning that devices never have to be unplugged. Underneath there are individual cord slots which prevent any cords from tangling with one another. Then all you have to do is simply plug the device charger into the outlets, which accommodate for any adapter worldwide. A four foot power cord then connects the OXO multicharger to a power source. This is a helpful tool for those who remain forgetful about which devices they have and haven't charged. Now you can keep up to three of them in one spot, and ensure that they're always on full battery. This is also a good way to take good care of the pieces of technology that have been such an integral part of your life.
Remember the name Rasmus King. Based on 2022's slate of Australian films and television shows, that shouldn't be hard. The Byron Bay-born newcomer hadn't graced a screen, large or small, before this year — and now he has no fewer than four projects pushing him into the spotlight before 2023 arrives. Most, including surfing TV drama Barons, capitalise upon the fact that he's a pro on the waves IRL. Two, 6 Festivals and the upcoming sci-fi featurette What If The Future Never Happened?, get his long blonde locks whipping through the Australian music scene. The latter is based on Daniel Johns' teenage years, actually, and has King playing that pivotal part. If he's half as impressive in the role as he is in father-son drama Bosch & Rockit, Silverchair fans will have plenty to look to forward to. When writer/director Tyler Atkins opens his debut feature, it's in the late 90s, along Australia's east coast, and with King as eager surfer Rockit — son to weed farmer Bosch (Luke Hemsworth, Westworld). Sometimes, the titular pair hit the surf together, which sees Rockit's eyes light up; however, Bosch is usually happy tending to his illicit business, making questionable decisions, and coping with splitting from his son's mother Elizabeth (Leeanna Walsman, Eden) with the help of other women. Then a couple of unfortunate twists of fate upend Rockit's existence, all stemming from his father. Begrudgingly, Bosch is pushed into stepping outside his drug-growing comfort zone by an old friend-turned-cop (Michael Sheasby, The Nightingale) and his corrupt partner (Martin Sacks, Buckley's Chance). When a bushfire sweeps through the region shortly afterwards, he's forced to go on the run to stay alive. Bosch & Rockit approaches Bosch's absconding from Rockit's perspective, adopting the line that the former gives his boy: that they're going to Byron for an extended holiday. Atkins doesn't feed the same idea to its audience, but ensures that viewers understand why a bright-eyed teenager would take his dad at his word — not just because he doesn't know what Bosch does for a living, which he doesn't; or he's naïve, which he is; but also because he's eager to hang onto his biggest dream. There's sorrow in King's spirited performance, with Rockit more affected by his parents' split, bullying at school and the isolation that comes with finding solace in the sea, usually alone, than Bosch has the shrewdness to spot. There's earnestness as well, because what struggling kid who's desperate for the kind of love that genuine attention signifies, as Rockit visibly is, won't blindly believe whatever fantasy their dad or mum sells them for as long as possible? King does a magnetic job of conveying Rockit's inner turmoil, and expressing his uncertainty, too. There's an effortlessness to his portrayal, whether Rockit is lapping up Bosch's presence like a plant swaying towards the sunlight, listlessly left to his own devices when his dad decides he'd rather chase Byron local Deb (Isabel Lucas, That's Not Me), or finding a kindred spirit in Ash (Savannah La Rain, Surviving Summer), another restless and yearning teen vacationing under less-than-ideal circumstances and feeling like she's alone in the world. Avoiding formulaic plotting isn't Bosch & Rockit's strong suit, however, as the film makes plain at every turn. That's evident in both of its namesakes' trajectories, for starters — with Bosch a small-time crim falling afoul of the wrong people, with help from bad luck, then trying to start anew; and Rockit an innocent kid stuck with subpar parents, forced to grow up faster than he should, but hanging onto whatever he can. When a wave tumbles over a surfer's head, crashing towards the shore, it's both a new revelation and a routine occurrence every single time — and, as well as showing that sight whenever Rockit takes to the ocean, aka frequently, that's also how Bosch & Rockit feels. The depths in its two central performances, Hemsworth's included, can't completely sweep aside the film's well-worn storyline, but the feature's sincerity goes a long way. A movie can be sentimental and still ring true, too, which this repeatedly does. Knowing that you're having your heartstrings pulled isn't just blatant, but almost instantaneous, and yet this tender tale is still easy to drift along with. While King proves Bosch & Rockit's biggest asset, Hemsworth's impact can't be underestimated — and shows why he has never just been "the other Hemsworth". Like his brothers, his early career weaved through local soaps (Neighbours in his case, which Chris and Liam also popped up on), plus other Aussie TV series (including Blue Heelers, All Saints and Tangle). As his siblings are, he's now best-known for his overseas success, with Westworld forever altering his resume as the Thor franchise has for Chris and The Hunger Games did for Liam. Here, there's a weight and texture to Luke's empathetic work as the well-meaning, perennially hapless Bosch that ranks it among his best, and is crucial to the film. Atkins also ensures that his audience understands why Rockit wants to be with his charismatic yet careening dad, even when he does know better. Indeed, scenes where Hemsworth and King banter, whether slinging the most Aussie curse-filled exchanges each other's way or bickering in public, are among Bosch & Rockit's standouts. It's lucky that its key duo bring so much to their portrayals; elsewhere, Bosch & Rockit is undeniably scenic, but never surprising. Often, Ben Nott's (How to Please a Woman) cinematography looks like a postcard — especially when the picture lingers on the obvious shots, such as the famous Cape Byron Lighthouse, or loiters on dolphins and whales while its characters frolic along the coast. Of course, those pieces of card sent from holiday spots usually come bearing heartfelt statements behind the eye-catching gloss, a trait that Bosch & Rockit also shares. Little about growing up is simple, nothing about parenting is, and love and hope can't help anyone escape either reality — all notions that resonate from this straightforward, always-familiar but also evocative film.
Like beer? Like monsters? Like your brews named after creepy critters, with bottle, can and label artwork to match? Horror-loving drinkers, there's never been a better time to pair your beverages with your fondness for all things scary — but from 12pm on Saturday, October 19 will be even better than usual thanks to Netherworld's Monster Menagerie Beer Festival. The returning event, this year named Monster Menagerie VII: Mystery Menagerie, will bring together nine yeasty tipples, strange creatures and stellar collaborations, all for a day of boozing fun. And if you're wondering why it takes place in October, just think about it for a second. 'Tis the month of Halloween, after all. The big focus in 2024: brews with a mystery ingredient. Taking part: Aether Brewing, Archer Brewing, Hip Hops Brewers, Wayward Brewing Co, Common People Brewing Co, Seeker Brewing, Slipstream Brewing Co and Buddy Brewing — and the delightfully named Hohly Water is back as well. Tickets cost $35, which include a tasting paddle featuring 150 millilitres of each and every one of these nine beers, as well as a limited edition enamel pin and five game tokens. Top image: Cole Bennetts.
Even the most adventurous of foodies have their limits, don't they? New documentary Bugs aims to put that idea to the test — and to make audiences squirm in the process. You don't make a film about two researchers from René Redzepi's experimental Nordic Food Lab exploring the culinary value and environmental benefits of eating insects without causing a reaction, after all. The eye-opening doco is one of 10 titles set to screen at the Antenna Documentary Film Festival when it tours to Brisbane from October 26-30. Regardless of how experimental your eating habits are, the flicks unveiled should whet the appetite of factual cinema fans thanks to a wealth of thought-provoking content. When the fest isn't trying to get viewers pondering their next meal, it'll be inspiring discussions about everything from a ladies man living with HIV to the impact of nuclear waste in a small Russian town. The former comes courtesy of moving opening night film The Charro of Toluquilla, while the latter informs documentary City 40, which examines the people trying to survive in one of the most contaminated places on earth. Aussie effort A Mother and A Gun, which has its world premiere at the festival, is also certain to get attendees talking as it explores the life of Shelly Rubin, the woman who fell in love with the leader of the Jewish Defense League. Elsewhere, environmental effort The Islands and the Whales and the latest chronicle of Bobby Sands and his famous hunger strike — as previously brought to the screen in Steve McQueen-Michael Fassbender collaboration Hunger — also feature among Antenna's list of films. The fest's 2016 lineup looks as varied as it is interesting. Images: Lloyd Dirks, Tom Truong.
No drink gets the party started quite like an espresso martini. So, next time you want to kick on past 10pm, put that vodka Red Bull down and get yourself this cocktail stat. Not many know a lot about this boozy beverage — even those who love it. That's why we've partnered with super-popular coffee liqueur label Kahlúa, founded in Mexico back in the mid-30s, to dive into the history of the dance-inducing drink, to bring you fun facts to impress your mates with, and to give you an easy recipe for the classic cocktail to make at home. Because, like any good cocktail, the key to a moreish espresso 'tini is using top-quality ingredients. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ESPRESSO MARTINI While some drinks have been around for centuries, the fun-lovin' espresso martini is fairly new to the bar scene. First created by revolutionary London bartender Dick Bradsell back in the early 80s, the cocktail's birth is attributed to a soon-to-be supermodel asking for a booze-fuelled drink that would simultaneously wake them up. As vodka back then was the spirit a la mode, Bradsell threw a generous shot of it in with a shot of coffee pulled from the barside espresso machine, plus some coffee liqueur (our money's on Kahlúa) and sugar syrup, then shook away before pouring it into a martini glass. That day, Bradsell made history. Now, the espresso martini is one of the best-known contemporary cocktails. Walk into any bar and chances are you'll see someone sipping one or a bartender furtively shaking one up. While the drink features on cocktail lists the world over, Aussies can't get enough of them. Why? Perhaps it's due to our obsession for good coffee — or because we want to relive the good ol' dancing days of the 80s. Either way, you can get it at pretty much any bar, with some even having the super-popular drop on tap these days. FUN FACTS It's rumoured that Kate Moss or Naomi Campbell could be the model behind the birth of the espresso martini. Initially, the drink was simply called a vodka espresso, before coming the Pharmaceutical Stimulant in the late 90s. Now, it's widely known as the espresso martini. While the proper spelling — and pronunciation — is espresso, many dictionaries now cite expresso as a variant. So, if you're guilty of ordering the latter, you're technically off the hook. It's not actually a martini, which consists of gin and vermouth, but rather got its name from being served in a martini glass. Now, the drink is often served in coups and even tumblers. HOW TO SHAKE UP THE PERFECT ESPRESSO MARTINI AT HOME The Classic Espresso Martini serves one This easy, three-ingredient cocktail is one you can master without needing to be a whiz behind the bar. Plus, it's bound to get any at-home party started — even if it's just you. Ingredients 1 shot Kahlúa coffee liqueur 1 shot vodka 1 shot coffee espresso 3 whole coffee beans Ice Method Pour Kahlúa, vodka and espresso into shaker. Add lots of ice. Shake it (like a polaroid picture) for about 30 seconds. With a strainer, pour concoction into a martini glass, coup or whatever vessel pleases you. Garnish with three coffee beans. If you're whipping up drinks for your housemates, you can shake up to three at a time, depending on the size of the cocktail shaker. Just be sure to stick to the ratios. Or, you can save yourself the hassle and get your hands on Kahlúa's Espresso Style Martini ready-to-drink cans. For more Kahlúa cocktail recipes to try shaking up at home, head here. Images: Kitti Gould
The word poetry has many immediate connotations: romance, passion… love. Okay, so maybe I just have an unfulfilled life dream to be read poetry and as such can only think in shades of pink and red. However, the world of poetry is far from limited to relationships, as the Queensland Poetry Festival is sure to attest. Launched in 1997, the event lasts three days and includes a range of events such as workshops, touring programs, and competitions. They also have the massive task of managing the Arts Queensland Val Vallis and Thomas Shapcott poetry prizes, the Arts Queensland Poet-in-Residence program and the annual Riverbend Poetry Series. This year as well as an excessive variety of poets performing over the weekend, the State Library will also be hosting a one-off exclusive lesson with the talented Sandra Thibodeaux. So even if you’re not the biggest fan of poetry, this weekend is a great chance to see another type of artist perform.
Even though Australia is not traditionally a country to celebrate Halloween, there's nothing wrong with dressing up in large groups as ghouls and ex-wives while eating candy. If this kind of action is for you then you should head to the Halloween Street Parade this Saturday. This parade has been scaring young children since 1998 and each year it just gets bigger and more terrifying. With plenty of treats to choose from thanks to the market stalls and food vans, it is quite a culinary delight. There are amusement rides, pumpkin carving classes and bands playing that will keep you entertained until the creatures of the night march down Cambridge Parade when the sun sets. There are ghosts on motorbikes and even a hearse. If you are inclined to dress up then you can be a part of the parade, finishing off the night with everybody's favourite, fireworks.
What do Archie Roach, David Bowie, Prince, Clive James and Beyonce all have in common? They will all be making an appearance or inspiring a session at this year's Queensland Poetry Festival. This unlikely mix is just a taste of the diverse, innovative program on offer at the state's premier event for all things poetic arts. Festival co-directors David Stavanger and Anne-Marie Te Whiu once again bring their discipline-crossing, boundary-pushing vision to showcasing the artform via a plethora of sessions. In their second year at the helm, expect everything from tributes to dearly departed rock stars to funky dance classes — and one-man hip hop shows, literary cabaret, concerts, weaving circles, folk music, and possibly a screening of everyone's favourite visual album of the year (or one of them) as well. The 2016 Queensland Poetry Festival will take place from August 25 to 28 at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts.
Brisbane's funniest time of the year is getting closer for 2024, with Brisbane Comedy Festival set to fill Brisbane Powerhouse and other venues around the city with laughs from late April. Across its full lineup, the fest features 130-plus comedians putting on more than 350 shows. Eager to attend but not feeling too financial? BCF is doing $24 tickets to a hefty batch of gigs — but only for a 24-hour period. Comedy lovers, you've got from 10am AEST on Tuesday, March 12 until the same time on Wednesday, March 13 to nab cheap seats to more than 100 shows — or until the allocation of discounted tickets is sold out. Getting in quick, aka ASAP, is recommended, then. You'll need to enter the code 24FOR24, and you will still pay a booking fee on top of the $24, but you won't be paying full price overall to head along. 2024's Brisbane Comedy Festival will take place from Friday, April 26–Sunday, May 26, at New Farm's riverside arts venue, plus sites such as The Princess Theatre, Fortitude Music Hall and The Tivoli. The program is jam-packed — and, with so many gigs slashing ticket prices during the $24 sale, so is the roster of shows that you can catch for less than the price of dinner. Josh Thomas, Lizzy Hoo, Nat's What I Reckon, Nina Oyama, Arj Barker, Ed Byrne, David O'Doherty, Rhys Nicholson: they're some of the comedians that you can see for $24. There's also Mel Buttle, Reuben Kaye, Stephen K Amos, Tom Ballard, Takashi Wakasugi and Will Anderson. Among BCF's events that aren't standup sets, improvised whodunnit Murder Village and Sh!t-faced Shakespeare are also slinging $24 seats — and so are Queerstories, Thank God You're Queer and The Debate. The list goes on, spanning Joel Creasey, Luke Heggie, Ivan Aristeguieta, Schalk Bezuidenhout, Felicity Ward, Tommy Little, Peter Helliar, Dave Hughes, Akmal, Fern Brady, Urvi Majumdar, Jenny Tian, Connor Burns, Chris Parker, Dilruk Jayasinha, Geraldine Quinn and Hannah Camilleri, too. Rom-com production 44 Sex Acts in One Week; Bob Franklin, Tony Martin, Bev Killick and Gretel Killeen teaming up for an Aussie Comedy Legends night; Aboriginal Comedy All Stars with Andy Saunders, Elaine Crombie, Janty Blair, Jay Wymarra, Kevin Kropinyeri and Sean Choolburra: you can pick up $24 tickets to each as well. [caption id="attachment_850754" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Atmosphere Photography[/caption] Brisbane Comedy Festival 2024 takes place between Friday, April 26–Sunday, May 26, with $24 tickets available for 24 hours between 10am AEST on Tuesday, March 12–10am AEST on Wednesday, March 13. Head to the festival's website for further details and the $24 sale page — where you'll need to enter the code 24FOR24 — for $24 tickets. Top image: Atmosphere Photography.
Don't mess with Vin Diesel's on-screen family. Since 2001, that's been a basic cinema rule, holding hard and fast — and furiously, of course — in the Fast & Furious franchise. Back then, it didn't seem like a high-octane take on Point Break with a heap of extra Coronas and 100-percent more street racing would span ten sequels and a spinoff, and also become one of the biggest movie series there is. But here we now are awaiting the arrival of Fast X, and knowing that there's another flick to come after that. The saga's penultimate ride (well, supposedly) races into cinemas on May 18 and, after dropping a first trailer a few months back, it has just given audiences another sneak peek. All the essentials are covered, which really means Diesel (The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special) glaring at everyone who threatens that brood, an ever-growing list of other famous faces, speedy-driving vehicles everywhere, ridiculous dialogue, OTT action setpieces and more than a few explosions. In Fast X, Dom's grandmother (Rita Moreno, West Side Story) joins the series — and so does his new nemesis Dante (Jason Momoa, Dune). The latter is going after the usual F&F crew to avenge his own blood, another franchise staple. He's on that quest because he's the son of Fast Five's drug kingpin Hernan Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida, Warrior Nun), which is a handy way go get him threatening Dom and company for slights against his own family. Seasoned viewers will remember that that's how Jason Statham's (Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre) Deckard Shaw originally came into these films. Accordingly, this new stint of ride-or-die, quarter-mile-at-a-time chaos can only be resolved by high-action stunts and ties back to past movies, as Dom faces off against Dante. Statham does indeed make an appearance, as he's done since Fast & Furious 6 and in spinoff Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw. Also featured are a whole heap of franchise regulars, such as Michelle Rodriguez (Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves), Jordana Brewster (Who Invited Charlie?), Ludacris (End of the Road), Tyrese Gibson (Morbius) and Sung Kang (Obi-Wan Kenobi) as Dom's wife Lottie, sister Mia, and pals Tej, Roman and Han. And, Nathalie Emmanuel (The Invitation) returns as Ramsey, Scott Eastwood (I Want You Back) as government operative Little Nobody, John Cena (Peacemaker) as Dom's brother Jakob (see: Fast and Furious 9), Helen Mirren (Shazam! Fury of the Gods) as Deckard's mother Queenie and Charlize Theron (The School for Good and Evil) as criminal mastermind Cypher. Every F&F flick also throws new famous folks onto its road — and while sadly Keanu Reeves has yet to grace its frames to cement the Point Break ties, or Channing Tatum in a Magic Mike/F&F mashup that'd be a ridiculous dream, Fast X adds Momoa, Moreno and Brie Larson (Just Mercy). Also, while not a household name by any means, Leo Abelo Perry (Cheaper by the Dozen) joins the series as Brian Marcos, Dom's young son. As for how it'll all turn out when Fast X unfurls its wonders — in what's meant to be the first film in a two-part finale for the franchise, and what feels like it'll have to be a five-hour movie itself just to fit the entire cast in — the two previews so far are filled with chases and aerial feats, ample mentions of family, twist reveals and glorious F&F vehicular mayhem in general. Now You See Me and Grimsby filmmaker Louis Leterrier directs, fresh from helping make TV series Lupin such a hit, and also reteaming with Statham after The Transporter and The Transporter 2 back in the 00s. Yes, we'll count that as another F&F instance of family ties. Check out the latest Fast X trailer below: Fast X releases in cinemas Down Under on May 18, 2023.
UPDATE, November 6, 2020: Sonic the Hedgehog is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. First up, some good news: the Sonic the Hedgehog film could've been a whole lot worse. Mostly because, as you might've seen in the movie's nightmarish first trailer, it initially was. But while Sonic thankfully no longer looks like a toothy blue Matt Dillon from There's Something About Mary, the rushed cosmetic changes carried out by Paramount only run skin-deep. Sonic the Hedgehog might now look pretty great, but the film is a hot mess just about everywhere else. To begin with, it's a mystery why this movie even exists. Not only is the Sega game it's based on almost 30 years old, but films based on video games are like white whales for studios — strangely irresistible yet doomed to cause ruin. It's appropriate that one of the first (and undoubtedly one of the worst) examples was Super Mario Bros back in 1993, since it was that game franchise that led to Sonic's creation. Did Hollywood learn nothing? The appeal of gaming lies squarely in the user's participation — "play, don't watch" should be scrawled on every movie executive's cheque book — and these films do not work. Following Sonic's adventures on earth as he accidentally attracts the US government's attention, then tries to escape them, the other big problem with Sonic the Hedgehog is the pacing. Specifically, Sonic's. His whole reason for existing is to go fast — super fast. He's like the Flash, Road Runner and X-Men's Quicksilver combined. And while there are some genuinely fun sequences where viewers get to see that play out, he spends a full third of the film cruising around in a sensibly-priced sedan. Worse — he's not even driving. Live-action is very much in vogue at the moment (see: Beauty and the Beast, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu), but this feels like an instance where a completely animated film would've been the superior option. The movie's opening five minutes take place on Sonic's home planet, and it's a tantalising glimpse of what might have been had first-time feature director Jeff Fowler gone down that road. Ah well. Cast-wise, there's a clear standout. Jim Carrey is back in full force, dropping the most endearingly over-the-top performance audiences have seen from him in ages. As villain Dr Robotnik, he's somehow even more cartoonish than the CGI Sonic — and it's spectacular. Like Sonic's running, however, there's far too little of it throughout. Instead, the lion's share of screen time is reserved for Sonic (voiced by Parks and Recreation's Ben Schwartz) and his new pal Tom Wachowski (James Marsden), the local sheriff who's helping him avoid capture. Giving credit where credit's due, Marsden delivers the goods, charming his way through scenes that ought to have tanked hard. Schwartz, too, makes the inspired choice of keeping Sonic low-key instead of manic, resulting in a far more likeable hero. As a kid-friendly family film, Sonic the Hedgehog ticks all the boxes, including the apparent must-have of a central character doing the floss (twice, in this instance). Query, though, how many kids even know who Sonic is. The same question applies to writers Patrick Casey and Josh Miller (YouTube series 12 Deadly Days), who not only relegate the eponymous character to scant speediness, but have also crowbarred in a ton of woeful pop culture references that will date this film far too quickly. Since his creation in 1991, Sonic the side-scrolling bundle of blue fluff has earned over $5 billion. That's some legacy, and one this middling film will neither damage nor improve. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szby7ZHLnkA
If you're planning to spend 12 days in the Harbour City's cinemas this winter, Sydney Film Festival's full 2025 slate of movies won't be revealed until early May, ahead of the annual big-screen celebration's Wednesday, June 4–Sunday, June 15 dates. A handful of flicks from the lineup will be named in April first, but Vivid Sydney's 2025 program announcement comes bearing gifts even earlier: a few SFF events that fall within the citywide arts, light, music, food and ideas celebration as well. A celebration of Warren Ellis was always going to be huge news. There's two parts to it: a screening of Justin Kurzel (Nitram)-directed documentary Ellis Park, about the iconic musician establishing an animal sanctuary to protect endangered species in Sumatra, then An Evening with Warren Ellis at City Recital Hall. At the first, at the State Theatre, audiences will obviously see the film. Afterwards, its subject — a Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds collaborator and Dirty Three founder, as well as a pivotal force in movie scores, including on The Proposition, The Road, Far From Men, Mustang, Hell or High Water, The Velvet Queen, The New Boy, Back to Black, Kid Snow and newly minted Oscar-winner I'm Still Here — will chat about the doco, and also put on a short musical performance. SFF and Vivid are teaming up on a second event, too: Planet City: Live. Courtesy of designer and director Liam Young, the speculative fiction experience takes attendees to a different future — one where humanity has responded to the environmental destruction of the planet in a decisive fashion. Young's film is set at a time where there's just one city, which is where everyone on earth resides, with the rest of the globe left to rewild. At SFF, Young will provide live narration for the film, while Forest Swords will play its score live as Planet City screens. "Sydney Film Festival has always been a place for bold and innovative storytelling, and we are delighted to join forces with Vivid Sydney to present these two unique cinematic experiences. These events push the limits of film, sound and imagination, offering audiences something truly unforgettable," said SFF Festival Director Nashen Moodley, announcing the fest's collaboration with Vivid 2025. "The partnership between Vivid Sydney and Sydney Film Festival represents a powerful fusion of artistic vision that embodies the spirit of creative innovation we champion and allows us to connect with audiences in meaningful new ways. These immersive film events perfectly amplify our 2025 theme of 'dream' by inviting audiences to explore alternative realities through the intersection of cinema, music and live performance," added Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini. Sydney Film Festival x Vivid Sydney 2025 Events Sunday, June 8 — Ellis Park screening at the State Theatre and Ellis Park: An Evening with Warren Ellis at City Recital Hall Tuesday, June 10 — Planet City: Live at City Recital Hall Sydney Film Festival 2025 runs from Wednesday, June 4–Sunday, June 15 at cinemas across Sydney. Hit up the festival website for further information and tickets — and check back in with Concrete Playground in April for more films from the program, and on Wednesday, May 7 for the full lineup. Vivid Sydney 2025 runs from Friday, May 23–Saturday, June 14 across Sydney. Head to the festival website for further information.
Presence/Absence is a group exhibition, where the artist is the creator and the subject. The theme looks at the parallels of being there and not; how one state relies on another, yet is at complete odds with it. Both physical and implied presence goes under the microscope, as does the impact that a creator has on a work, even if they leave no trace of themselves. This theme has been individually interpreted by five local artists - Athena Thebus (the now-LA dwelling sculptor with a keen interest in pop culture), Chris Bennie (a videographer/photographer who examines objects and places), Clark Beaumont (a collaborative duo who use character and persona to perform their messages), Louise Bennett (who uses day-to-day practices, and mixed media) and Pirrin Francis (a storyteller, who reconstructs and reinvents narratives). You can catch the works until March 1, with the opening night celebrations taking place on the evening of the first day, February 21. Head along to the event website to confirm the opening hours of the space.
If there are two things that are helping us through this latest stretch of lockdown, it's good food and good tunes. So, it's an extra win that the two are coming together for one exclusive virtual knees-up on Saturday, September 12. Attica's renowned culinary maestro Ben Shewry is teaming up with local electronic legends The Avalanches to host A Party for Melbourne, streamed live and loud, straight to your living room. They're aiming to send fans a big 'thank you', while blasting away a few of those dreary iso blues. The celebrations kick off early with a series of online 'How To Party' videos released in the week leading up, which'll see Shewry sharing his tips and tricks for whipping up the ultimate shindig. He'll guide you through everything from transforming your house into a disco den to creating game-changing prawn cocktails and sausage rolls. They'll be free to watch over on the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival (MFWF) website, as well as Shewry's and MFWF's social channels. On the big night, things will fire up with a set from DJ Soju Gang, before The Avalanches grace your screens with a show of their own, streamed via YouTube. Best make sure you've cleared plenty of room for dancing the night away. Tickets to this house party are free, but you'll need to register over at the MFWF website.
Confirming one of our predicted food trends for 2015, it seems chefs and restaurateurs worldwide want to get out of their own kitchens and test their wares in another. Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck flew over to Melbourne last year, the Rook and Black Pearl exchanged places last year, and now Denmark's Noma has popped up in Tokyo. Open for five weeks at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Tokyo, the pop-up Noma restaurant will be run off its feet until February 14. Heralded the world's number one restaurant for four years running, Rene Redzepi's Noma obviously isn't the cheapest pop-up you've ever heard of — $420 per person for lunch or dinner. But as Good Food pointed out, 6500 tickets were sold out within hours of release and there are no less than 60,000 people on the waiting list. Yep, 60,000 individual people. Taking over the space usually housing the Mandarin Oriental's 37th-floor Signature Restaurant, Noma has gutted and refitted the space with elegant, natural (and considerably more permanent-looking than your usual pop-up) designs by Danish firm Carl Hansen & Son. We're talking super exxy oak tables and serving crockery embellished by local Japanese artisans. But it's not just Noma bells and whistles in the space — the whole Noma team has been flown in, a whole 77 people including Coffs Harbour-raised souf chef Beau Clugston, Adelaide restaurant manager James Spreadbury and Sydney team leader Katherine Bont, and Noma's long-suffering and mysterious dishwasher. So, the living-vicariously details you've been waiting for — what's on the menu? Redzepi told GF he'd be straying from the usual Noma menu. Having visited Japan multiple times on reconnaissance over the last year, Redzepi and research and development chefs Lars Williams and Thomas Frebel have devised 16 dishes to be served over three hours. Not for the faint-hearted (or squeamish vegetarian), the degustation even features a whole roasted wild duck dissected at the table and served with a matsubusa berry sauce. Here's a menu sampler: Assorted Japanese citrus and long pepper Shaved monkfish liver Just-steamed tofu with wild walnuts Sea urchin, maitake mushroom and cabbage Scallop dried for two days, beech nuts and kelp Hyokkori pumpkin, cherrywood oil, salted cherry blossom Garlic flower origami Sweet potato simmered in raw sugar all day Fermented shiitake mushroom in dark chocolate Noma pops up in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Tokyo until February 14. Tickets are unbelievably, undeniably, don't-even-think-about-it sold out. But we can dream. Via Good Food. Images: cyclonebill cc.
It might be the Gold Coast's most popular stretch of sand, capping off the city's busiest tourist strip — but no matter how many times you've seen it, Surfers Paradise's beachfront always knows how to stun. Here's another way to peer at its coastal expanse: from new dining and drinking venue Coast Beach Bar & Kitchen, which will open its doors on The Esplanade in early August. Come Friday, August 5, the latest addition to the new Ocean by Meriton precinct will start welcoming in patrons, with multiple spaces for Gold Coast locals and visitors to choose from. If you're keen for a meal, the 110-seat restaurant awaits. If you're in the mood for a drink, hit up the 160-seat bar. Either way, the venue boasts uninterrupted views — aka the kind of vista that's worth dropping by for alone. Also part of Coast: a lounge area as well as the main dining room, a sizeable outdoor bar, and booths to get cosy in with your mates or date. Drinks will be whipped up at the eye-catching 14-metre-long marble bar, while dishes are cooked in the Spanish-style Josper oven. For vino lovers, your tipples will hail from the venue's 2000-bottle wine cellar, which unsurprisingly takes price of place in the restaurant. There's around 120 drops on the menu, with about 80 percent skewing local. Feeling flush with cash? Coast also boasts the Penfolds Grange Magnum Collection, which is valued at over $60,000. Thirteen signature cocktails are on offer, too, including banana daiquiris, plus a 'Coast Espresso' made with vodka, coffee tequila liqueur and creme de cacao — or you can order all the classics instead. The spritz lineup spans four types, such as rhubarb, quince and lavender versions, and there's also five mocktails available. Owners Justin and Elizabeth Allie, veterans of Longboards Laidback Eatery and Bar in Surfers Paradise, The Fish Shak in Southport and catering company Gourmet en Counter, have enlisted chef Rhett Willis (ex-Jellyfish and Cha Cha Char) to oversee the modern Australian cuisine menu. It hews share-style; think: coal-roasted yogurt bread with smoked eggplant pate; beef fillet tartar with shoyu, avocado and miso-cured yolk; and wasabi leaves with sand crab, chilli, lime and caviar — as well as prawns with XO butter and truffled baked potato chips. Oysters from Stradbroke Island are also on the menu, and mains include cauliflower steaks, lamb shoulder, wild mushrooms with silkened tofu, and a 120-day, grain-fed, dry-aged tomahawk — the restaurant's signature dish. Can't decide? Opt for one of two set menus — a three-course version, or a four-course feast that ends with a banoffee eton mess for dessert. Sprawling over 750 square metres on level one of the building, Coast takes a glam approach, style-wise, but still embraces its beachy surroundings. So, here Tasmanian oak furniture sits alongside rattan, leather, brass accents and marble fixtures, with earthy hues and sea-inspired blues and greens featuring heavily. Coast Beach Bar & Kitchen will open on Friday, August 5 at Level 1 of Ocean by Meriton, 86 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise — operating from 11am–10pm daily
What's this, a good, old-fashioned fairytale — and one that doesn't rely upon shadowing a classic story in darkness, looking at it from a different angle or adding a twist? That'd be the latest version of Cinderella, one so close to the animated effort everyone grew up with, it's uncanny. Swap cartoons for live action, and you've got the gist. Thankfully, this new take on a decades-old movie and a centuries-old tale doesn’t just lovingly revisit our collective childhoods, as enjoyably nostalgic an exercise as that is. This retelling stays faithful to the story as well as its spirit, spinning an account of transformation driven by kindness and free from modern-day cynicism. Before she earned her nickname for sleeping too close to the fire, Ella was a ten-year-old (Eloise Webb) mourning for her mother (Hayley Atwell), and then a young woman (Lily James) witnessing the remarriage of her father (Ben Chaplin). Next, she's an orphan forced to cook and clean for her nasty stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and two shallow stepsisters (Sophie McShera and Holliday Grainger), while wanting nothing more than a break from the drudgery to attend a ball hosted by a handsome prince (Richard Madden). Where this is going is hardly a surprise, yet here familiarity is by no means a flaw. Though director Kenneth Branagh and screenwriter Chris Weitz have films like Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit and The Twilight Saga: New Moon on their respective resumes, they both show that they know a thing or two about fleshing out well-known worlds, particularly through casting and revelling in the details. Any movie that boasts both Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter is already making wishes come true; however, using them to toy with audience expectations is a masterstroke. The immaculately styled Blanchett breaks bad with aplomb, and Bonham Carter is a breezy delight at the fairy godmother. While everyone else is more than fine, the charming pair of James and Madden included, the two great actresses playing against type are the real drawcards. Well, them and the gorgeous surroundings they all find themselves in, with Cinderella a visual treat. For the character, the decadence of pumpkin carriages and gorgeous gowns may vanish at the stroke of midnight; for the film, the splendour continues regardless of the hour. It's not just Cinders herself who's as pretty as a picture, but the picture itself. If you really were to dream of a traditional fairytale world of grand ballrooms and sprawling forests, it would look like this. That timeless approach may also extend to a heroine who largely waits rather than acts — patiently and purposefully, rather than as a damsel in distress looking for a man to save her — but never does the treatment of the tale feel regressive. Indeed, it's a funny state of affairs when retaining the essence of a classic can be seen as a welcome breath of fresh air. With Cinderella, its old-fashioned elegance is the glass slipper that fits the film just perfectly.
Radiohead do things a little differently to most bands. When they released In Rainbows in 2007 using a pay-what-you-think-is-fair approach to selling records, they engineered a recalibration of the music world as a whole and showed us that it wasn't the industry that was dying after all, just the traditional businesses and approaches within it. Since then bands have created their own TV shows and asked fans to make their albums for them, technology companies have launched music services and broadcast entire music festivals live, and Radiohead has continued to produce some of the most consistently innovative work of them all. The band premiered a broadcast of The King of Limbs 'Live From The Basement' on Spanish TV over the weekend, and it has now surfaced online. Whilst no Australian air date has been announced, you can watch the entire performance here, including new tracks 'The Daily Mail' and 'Staircase'. https://youtube.com/watch?v=k8byXSML4bY
Trolls brings its tiny, brightly coiffed creatures to the screen with plenty of baggage. You might have played with the toys that the film is based on. You probably don't have particularly fond memories of many other toy-based franchises – think Transformers, G.I. Joe and Battleship. At the very least, you've almost certainly had Justin Timberlake's inescapable 'Can't Stop the Feeling', which features in the flick, stuck in your head for months. Here's the good news: as directed by SpongeBob SquarePants veterans Mike Mitchell and Walt Dohrn, Trolls is far from the eye-roll-worthy effort it might seem like on paper. On a scale ranging from The Smurfs to The LEGO Movie, it falls firmly in the middle — even if it does little more than swap blue critters for their brightly coloured counterparts, with elements of Cinderella thrown in as well. Here, trolls are "the happiest creatures the world has ever known," and don't they like to sing, dance and hug about it. The scrapbook-loving, party-throwing Princess Poppy (Anna Kendrick) often leads the charge, and she has plenty to celebrate. Twenty years earlier, the pocket-sized folk were frequently scooped up and eaten by huge, hungry beings called Bergens, but quick thinking on the part of King Peppy (Jeffrey Tambor) saw them escape and live joyously ever after. But their idyllic existance is suddenly shattered when an evil chef (Christine Baranski) stumbles upon their habitat. Soon, a handful of trolls are destined for the plate of Bergen Prince Gristle (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), leaving Poppy with the task of saving them, and cranky survivalist Branch (Timberlake) begrudgingly lending his assistance. There's a reason that the Bergens are so keen on catching and munching on the rainbow-hued critters: when they do, they experience a burst of ecstatic contentment that's probably on par with humans eating Nutella-slathered doughnuts. That sensation, of course, ties into the lesson at the heart of the film. As Trolls works towards the song we all know is coming — and throws up various other pop covers along the way — it serves up a heavy-handed moral about finding happiness from internal sources rather than external ones. Still, somehow the movie manages to find a balance between loud, shiny and sickly sweet, and entertaining enough. Kendrick's enthusiastic voice work helps, as do the handmade-looking visuals, which make the film's CGI appear as though it's fashioned out of felt and other crafting products. On the joke front, just as many light-hearted gags and pop culture references land as languish, which is a better strike rate than many other family films. A word of warning though: it might be dressed up in fuzzy packaging in more ways than one, but Trolls also remains the kind of flick that features glitter fart clouds and cupcakes poop. Consider yourself warned.
When your nine-to-five plays out like a well-oiled machine, it can sometimes feel like each week is a little same-same. But Brisbane is brimming with a fine bounty of things to experience and explore each and every day. So aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing some adventure and spontaneity into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to help you celebrate the little things that bring a sense of adventure to life. Shake things up, as we give you seven different detours to take each week in Brisbane. From Monday to Sunday, enrich your everyday with one completely achievable activity that inspires you to take the scenic route as you go about your daily routine. This week, eat red velvet waffles for dinner, cycle through the City Botanic Gardens and take a road trip to eat Brisbane's best pies by the water. Plus, we've got your future detours sorted for the next few weeks here. All require no more effort than a tiny break from the norm — what's your excuse for not trying them all?
After playing two balloted shows that sold out faster than you could say "Best New Music", The xx have made good on their promise that they would come back in 2013 to sate the appetites of everyone who missed out. Now that they've released their second album, Coexist, the buzz around the trio is only louder. But Jamie Smith, Romy Madley Croft, and Oliver Sim are capable of being heard above the din by turning up the volume on one of the most valuable (and most underrated) instruments of all — silence. Their strength is seen through the gaps between bone-chilling reverbs and papery vocals, and they're sexy because they don't specifically mention sex. That's not to say The xx don't get noise. They get much of their inspiration from London's dark techno dance scene, and Jamie and Romy both have thriving satellite careers as DJs. The trio's bankability is bigger than ever, so be sure your credit card is handy and your clicking finger poised when tickets go on sale at noon on January 15. More information on the Handsome Tours website. UPDATE: Thursday, April 4, at Festival Hall in Melbourne, and Sunday, April 7, at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney have sold out. New shows have been added at Festival Hall on Friday 5th and the Hordern on Saturday 6th. There are still tickets available to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Tuesday, April 9. https://youtube.com/watch?v=_nW5AF0m9Zw
UPDATE, November 9, 2020: Sweet Country is available to stream via Netflix, SBS On Demand, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. In Sweet Country, the sun streams down on Australia's ochre-hued landscape, its scorching presence felt in every frame. At the helm of just his second narrative feature, director and cinematographer Warwick Thornton (Samson and Delilah) lets his images swelter with the outback heat, crafting a film where stifling temperatures and skyrocketing tempers go hand in hand. Indeed, if a movie could drip with beads of dusty, angry sweat, this one surely would. It's hot, rough and tough in the Northern Territory in the 1920s, but the real source of conflict and oppression — the real fire boiling in the movie's belly — is the nation's racial disharmony. Discrimination, intolerance and the turmoil ignited by both sit at the centre of the Indigenous western, which Thornton fashions after the genre's greats while ensuring that its local heart always beats strong and true. If the film's gold-and-rust sights paint a beautiful yet blistering picture, then its accompanying perspective proves not just fiery but positively searing. Though Sweet Country peers back almost a century, to a time when Australia was caught between its colonial past and the gleaming promise of a modernised future, the attitudes and struggles it explores remain painfully relevant today. In three distinctive parts comprising an astonishing whole, strained relations between white settlers and Aboriginal workers bubble to the fore — firstly, as confrontation brews across a trio of remote properties; then, in a chase through the region's vast surroundings; and finally in a law-and-order showdown. It all begins when black stockman Sam Kelly (Hamilton Morris) kills cruel, violent station owner Harry March (Ewen Leslie) in self-defence. With little chance of a fair trial, he's forced to flee through the scrub and desert with his wife Lizzie (Natassia Gorey-Furber). Sergeant Fletcher (Bryan Brown) is soon on their trail, with assistance from Indigenous tracker Archie (Gibson John), kindly preacher Fred Smith (Sam Neill) and his neighbour Mick Kennedy (Thomas M. Wright). As the slow-building tale unfurls, screenwriters Steven McGregor (Redfern Now) and David Tranter (Thornton's previous sound recordist) insert memories and foreboding glimpses of events to come. Here, playing with the movie's timeline provides emotional context, a crucial touch in a film that tackles race relations head on yet never colours with just black and white. Sweet Country might dive into a climate of pervasive prejudice and persecution in a quietly confronting and sometimes brutal fashion, but it also knows there's no simple way to fix Australia's still-evident divide. That awareness doesn't make the end result any less impassioned; in fact, it makes it even more so. That said, while the movie's message echoes loudly, Thorton lets his images do much of the talking. From views spied through doorways to shadows falling on furrowed brows, every ravishing shot seethes with harsh truths. Like fellow great Indigenous filmmaker Ivan Sen (Mystery Road, Goldstone), Thornton is a master at layering Aussie scenery with heartbreak and fury that speaks volumes. When dialogue is called for, the cast more than delivers — though none more than exceptional first-timer Morris. Leslie, Brown and especially Neill all play their parts to perfection, but the hurt, sorrow, terror and resignation flickering across Morris' calm face lingers long after the end credits roll. In a piercing, powerful film that deserves to be hailed as a major achievement, that is no mean feat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYKBG1znk4A
Buying your food from the supermarket is fine. Ordering a gift for mum on the internet works. And picking up a new plant for your home at Bunnings is OK (well, it's pretty good if you get a snag). But, there's nothing quite like perusing rows and rows of vintage wares, handmade goods and just-picked produce at markets — especially when it's autumn. It can be a little fresh in the morning, but nothing to deter you from rising early, and a whole heap of local produce is at its peak. It's stone fruit time, friends, time to overload on plums. So, here are our favourite five markets happening around the city this May. And if you're not a morning person, no stress. A heap of them go until the afternoon, so you can roll out of bed whenever you please.
If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? If 50 of the world's most renowned street artists transform a derelict, glamorous 19th-century bathhouse-turned-nightclub into a temporary gallery space but no-one sees it, does it even exist? Paris's historic Les Bains-Douches building is steeped in history — built in 1885 as a civic bathhouse where Marcel Proust reportedly enjoyed a morning dip, the grandiose space became a pumping discotheque in the late '70s, until some overzealous renovation attempts led to the iconic club's closure in 2010. It's set to reopen as a mystery venue in 2014, but for now owner Jean Pierre-Marois has invited a stable of prominent urban artists, commissioned by the Magda Danysz Gallery, to reimagine the soon-to-be demolished space. Les Bain's fleeting metamorphosis as a gallery space will never open to the public; instead it's memorialised exclusively in the online exhibition platform Un Artiste Un Jour ('One day one artist), as captured by photographers Stephane Bisseuil and Jerome Coton. Perhaps a throwback to the pleasure-seeking days of disco when Les Bains was a playground for the debauchery of Andy Warhol, Yves Saint Laurent, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Grace Jones, Kate Moss, Mick Jagger and Johnny Depp, the beautifully decaying artwork is here for a good time, not a long time. Hedonistic? Perhaps, but what is art if not beauty for beauty's sake alone. Take a sneak peek below, no fake ID necessary. Lek and Sowat Thomas Canto Jeanne Susplugas Joachim Sauter Sten Lex Zeer Image credits: Sambre, Lek and Sowat, Thomas Canto, Jeanne Susplugas, Joachim Sauter, Sten Lex, Zeer by Jerome Coton and Stephane Bisseuil. See more images here.
Cooking kick-ass vegan food with Smith & Daughters' Shannon Martinez, a behind-the-scenes tour of Lune Croissanterie and verbally deconstructing lasagne with Massimo Bottura. It sounds like regular programming for Melbourne's annual celebration of food — but it's not quite. Forced to postpone its physical March festival because of COVID-19, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival has just launched The Online Edition, allowing avid home bakers and food fanatics around the country to dial into chats, masterclasses and trivia sessions with some of the world's best chefs from the comfort of their kitchens. And for lucky Melburnians, there are some IRL food specials available to order every day, too. Running from Monday, May 25–Saturday, May 30, MFWF: The Online Edition is taking place entirely on Zoom and Instagram Live. Those who've spent lockdown with a Sméagol-like obsession for sourdough can get their fix with Baker Bleu's Mike Russell, while those who prefer their carbs flaky and filled with butter will want to log on for chats with Helen Goh — who's worked alongside Yotam Ottolenghi for over a decade and co-authored Sweet — and Australia's Queen of Tarts Philippa Sibley, as well as the aforementioned tour of Lune with the inimitable Kate Reid. On the topic of Lune — look away now, if you're not in Melbourne — the croissanterie is recreating some of its biggest hits for the festival, including the Lune Reuben croissant, which you can pre-order for pick-up or delivery via the Lune website. Elsewhere on the IRL menu: foie gras ice cream from Leonardo's Pizza Palace and Black Axe Mangal's Lee Tiernan, a one-off six-dish menu from Bar Saracen, an oyster and champagne pairing, and a menu of Torino-style dishes from Mister Bianco designed to eat while watching the classic 60s flick The Italian Job. [caption id="attachment_697090" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lune by Marcie Raw[/caption] Back on the virtual program, expect a lineup of talks with international talent, including René Redzepi — who's just (temporarily) transformed his world-renowned Copenhagen fine-diner into a burger and wine bar — former co-editor of famed food magazine Lucky Peach Chris Ying and Lee Tiernan of London's Black Axe Mangal. More locally, The Everleigh's Michael Madrusan will teach us how to drink better, culinary idol Tony Tan will take us on a tour of his new cooking school and author Julia Busuttil Nishimura will show us the art of the one-pan dish. While The Online Edition has less hot chip parties and Queen Victoria Market takeovers than its scheduled predecessor, it's certainly not short on talent. The program has been pulled together by MFWF CEO Anthea Loucas Bosha and Creative Director Pat Nourse, who both have decades of experience in the food industry and will be hosting many of the virtual talks. Of the new program, Loucas Bosha said in a statement: "Our aim with this virtual festival is to highlight the capacity that hospitality has in Victoria and around the world to bring us closer, even when we can't get together in the same room. It's about sharing ideas, about sharing experiences and above all about supporting our community so that we can all come back swinging." Melbourne Food and Wine Festival: The Online Edition runs from Monday, May 25–Saturday, May 30 on Instagram Live and Zoom. To check out the full program, head to the website. Top image: Daniel Mahon
It's been more than a century since the first combination of gin, vermouth rosso and Campari was apparently mixed up in Florence, as dreamed up by Pascal-Olivier de Negroni. Cocktail lovers everywhere have been thankful ever since, and there's even an entire week — Negroni Week, obviously — to celebrate. In South Brisbane and West End, the bars and eateries of Fish Lane Arts Precinct are marking the occasion again in 2023 — in the only appropriate way, of course. From Monday, September 18–Sunday, September 24, the precinct's establishments are devoting the entire week to creative negronis, as well as negroni-worshipping events. Stop by on whichever day you like and you'll find classic negronis on the menu at Bar Brutus, Chu The Phat, Hello Please and Julius Pizzeria, as well as Maker Wine Bar, Maeve Wine Bar and Saccharomyces — and also Kiki Kiosk and Southside. Newcomer Midtown Bar is getting in on the drinks action, too. Fancy a Negroni Week special instead? Options include a jaffa cake negroni, peach and mint negroni, jasmine negroni and chocolate orange negroni. Or, try the orange blossom negroni — or the cold-drip negroni. A negroni slurpee is also on the menu. In addition to the negronis — oh-so-many negronis, as per above — three events are on the agenda throughout the week. At Midtown Bar's $89-per-person Negroni Week dinner on Thursday, September 21, lobster croissant, gildas, pork rillettes, and negroni and orange chocolates will be paired with, what else, negronis. And on the $85-a-head Fish Lane art and negroni trail on Saturday, September 23, you'll peer at public art while, yes, drinking negronis (although other cocktails will be available). Plus, from Thursday, September 21–Saturday, September 23, Bar Brutus is setting up a pop-up bar in Fish Lane's town square from 5pm daily — where negronis will be backdropped by roving entertainment and neon hues.
The Great Barrier Reef is high on many family bucket lists and this adventure at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site makes it all the more accessible. For an entirely unique experience, give the gift of a day with reef tour operators Great Adventures with an underwater scooter adventure. It's the perfect option for less confident swimmers (as no swimming is actually involved). They'll be sitting comfortably with their head and shoulders safely enclosed in an astronaut-like dome supplying airflow and 180-degree sight lines while they cruise the reef. This experience is an optional tour extra ($175 for over 12s) on top of the snorkelling, underwater observatory viewing and catering that a standard tour ticket supplies. Image: Great Adventures
Hankering for something quick and easy to eat, but don't feel like chowing down on junk? Southeast Queensland's growing Asian street food chain wants you to rethink that decision. Of course, they're championing Junk in name only. Their dishes might arrive at your table speedily, but they're a far cry from typical fast food. Instead, the menu consists of a creative blend of Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Chinese cuisines – think Peking duck spring rolls, Gangnam fries topped with kimchi and nacho cheese sauce, and spiced squid with coconut caramel dip. The chain no longer boasts pork gyoza bao amongst their affordable lineup of share plates, with nothing costing more than $20. Still, fried fish, pork belly and braised shiitake mushroom varieties more than make up for it. Other highlights include JFC (their own Korean-style fried chicken paired with a sweet and spicy sauce), grilled king prawns with Singapore chilli sauce, and pork, spice and panko crumb-coated scotch eggs. As for sides, they've got fried rice with barbecue pork and Chinese sausage, slaw with house-made nuoc cham, and a plate of prawn crackers with their own sweet soy. The new Coorparoo store joins a location at South Bank as the brand pushes into Brisbane. Junk originally started on the Sunshine Coast, has since spread to Toowoomba, and also adds Broadbeach on the Gold Coast to the mix this week. "I want to offer customers the same quality of food you would get at a restaurant in a more relaxed and fun setting at a much cheaper price," explains CEO Scott Hoskins, who also had a part in Donut Boyz and Hello Harry. Find Junk at 9/300 Old Cleveland Road, Coorparoo. For more information, head to their website.
One of the world's most-visited multi-sensory experiences will come alive in Brisbane this year. After successful runs in Sydney, Auckland and Adelaide, immersive exhibition Van Gogh Alive is bringing The Starry Night to the Sunshine State — alongside a heap of Vincent van Gogh's other artworks — as part of its Australian tour. The project is the brainchild of Melbourne-based Grande Exhibitions, which, for the past 15 years, has hosted immersive exhibitions and gallery experiences in over 150 cities across the world. The company also owns and operates Rome's Museo Leonardo da Vinci. A family-friendly experience, Van Gogh Alive creates the sensation of walking right into the Dutch artist's paintings — and you definitely won't feel like you're just standing in an ordinary gallery. Attendees encounter van Gogh's world-famous works in fine detail thanks to Grande Exhibitions' state-of-the-art technology, which uses 40 high-definition projectors. A classical musical score accompanies the vibrant colours, too, as presented in cinema-quality surround sound. And, as part of the experience, two of van Gogh's most popular works have been transformed into vivid new guises. So, when you see The Starry Night, you'll actually be walking through it. Love Sunflowers (the painting, as well as the plant)? An immersive Sunflower infinity room is also included. The Brisbane season of Van Gogh Alive will pop up at Northshore Hamilton from Friday, October 29–Sunday, January 23 — with tickets on sale now. Updated December 6.
In 1934, American cinema was sanitised. The Motion Picture Production Code swept sex, drugs, crime and violence from screens, favouring traditional values in a regime that remained until 1968. The Code rallied against a raucous time in filmmaking, all things risque thriving upon the advent of sound and after the Great Wall Street Crash and the Depression. Strong women defying puritan ideals became the order of the day, alongside ripped-from-the-headlines cops-and-gangster antics. Promiscuity, prostitution, infidelity, abortion — the list of taboos traversed was surprising and subversive. Forbidden Hollywood: The Wild Days of Pre-Code Cinema, the Gallery of Modern Art’s extensive retrospective, trawls through this unique period in film history. Screening on 35mm, stars such as James Cagney, Mae West, Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, Clara Bow and Clark Gable shine in gems including Scarface, Blonde Venus, 42nd Street and Baby Face — in possibly your only chance to see these classics in a cinema. Visit the QAGOMA site for the complete program.
Looking at art is easy, but not as easy as drinking beer – combine the two and you've got a zero-effort activity that will have you feeling cultured, design-savvy and above all, hydrated. Art duo Georgie Levi and Mel Baxter created Art for Brews in plight of these causes through top-notch designed labels and posters for craft beer. And while the art these two produce is rather incredible, their intentions are even more impressive – Art for Brews is about delivering hand crafted visual identities to bars, brewers and breweries alike. To celebrate this fantastic initiative, The Scratch will be hosting the Art for Brews Launch, with a delicious array of beer, an impressive amount of cheese and walls filled with prints and art that you can stare at, or if you’re feeling adventurous, buy. Art for Brews have some serious talent between the two of them, which means the art on show will be good – really good in fact. And the more the drink, the better it will get. And if you drink a bit more, you might convince yourself you too can be an ‘artist’. That’s when you should put the glass down.
Get excited Temples fans as the boys have just touched down for their first Australian shows. First stop, The Zoo! Hailing from Kettering, Northamptonshire, Temples are making waves in the psychedelic world. The group comprises of lead singer and guitarist James Edward Bagshaw, bassist Tom Warmsley, drummer Sam Toms and keyboardist Adam Smith. The lads performed at Coachella and have warmed the stage for the likes of Suede, The Vaccines and Kasabian. But one accolade trumps all of these achievements as Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher, gods of Britpop, have praised Temples as one of the best new bands on the scene. If Temples rings a bell, you may have heard their debut album, Sun Structures, being spun on Triple J as a Feature Album. Tracks such as 'Mesmerise' and 'Shelter Song' have been on high rotation as well. Deep Sea Arcade and newly formed Orphans Orphans will also be playing.
Kicking off 2020 in style, the folks at independent Brisbane outfit Share House Theatre Company are putting on a summery shindig. It's a house party. It'll also feature an array of cabaret, comedy and music. And, there'll be games, dancing and everything in-between. Poetry and playing Nintendo are also on the bill, as is grabbing a feed at the $5 noodle bar. All that revelry is certain to make you hungry, after all. You'll need $10 to get in, with tickets available on the door — and also bring $1 coins to take part in the party games. If that's how you'd like to end the first working week of the new year, head along to BackDock Arts in Fortitude Valley from 6pm on Friday, January 10. It's Share House's latest effort to put on stellar theatre-focused events — and to have some fun, obviously. Top image: BackDock Arts.
If you're drinking a cocktail named after The Flash, will you feel like sipping it quicker than usual? If you opt for an alcoholic Doctor Strange concoction, will it taste particularly magical? Alongside wondering if you'll start craving pizza while knocking back Ninja Turtle Negronis, these are the questions that California Lane's newest addition inspires. A comic book-inspired bar and eatery will do that. Meet 1st Edition, the intimate new Fortitude Valley spot that's embracing superheroes and other comic book characters in a big — and boozy — manner. If you thought your caped crusader worship was limited to the page and the screen, think again. Exactly the type of bar that was always bound to open in a world that sees new superhero flicks and series hit cinemas and streaming every month, or thereabouts, it even covers its central benchtop with comic art. Yes, sipping and reading is a thing here, as is sitting under a big Batman mural that peers down over the bar. A 22-seater that will open to patrons on Friday, November 26, and only takes online bookings — so you can't just drop in like Iron Man after saving the world — the venue hails from comic book devotee Marc Grey and chef Steve Maiden (Baja Cantina, Bam Bam Hayman Island). They've created the kind of bar and eatery that you need to actively seek out, thanks to its laneway perch, but that location obviously suits the theming. Batman's base is hidden from the world, after all. Here, as well as those aforementioned tipples — the Ninja Turtle Negroni includes salami Campari, fittingly — you can sip your way through the Harley Quinn (a dry gin number topped with Persian fairy floss and gold flakes), Spidey's Margs (complete with an agave spin) and the Mysterio (which features butter vodka, peach syrup and a passion smoke bubble). Or, there's the Black Adam Espresso Martini, the Storm's Old Fashioned and The Canary, with the full lineup nodding to names from both Marvel and DC Comics. Food-wise, as served up in three 90-minute seatings from 5.30pm between Wednesday–Saturday, the menu takes its cues from Asian, Mexican, American and French cuisine. Think: cheeseburger gyoza, spanner crab with burnt butter emulsion, red duck curry and wagyu with bacon bordelaise, with a big emphasis on shareable dishes. And, from 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights, DJs will hit the decks live in 1st Edition's upper level DJ loft. Presumably, superhero themes will get a spin at some point — so you can dance however a Spider-Man can. Find 1st Edition in California Lane, 22 McLachlan Street, Fortitude Valley, from Friday, November 26 — open from 5.30pm–12am Wednesday–Saturday.
