Did you wear out many VHS tapes re-watching your favourite movies as a kid? Don't worry, you're not alone. There's a type of fanatical viewing that comes with childhood, as we immerse ourselves again and again in the stories that we love most. For Owen Suskind, however, this rite-of-passage ran even deeper. Diagnosed with autism at the age of three, Owen threw himself into Disney flicks. For him, they weren't just entertainment. They were a way of learning how to process the world. That's the real world narrative that Life, Animated explores — and the heart-warming details are worthy of an animated musical. When the documentary begins, Owen is 23 and getting ready to leave home, an achievement that family members credit to his singular obsession. As he grew up, titles such as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Peter Pan helped him understand those around him, giving him the tools he needed to forge a life of his own. Taking his cues from the best-selling book by Owen's father Ron, Oscar-winning director Roger Ross Williams (short documentary Music by Prudence) recounts this moving story, combining home video with new footage in order to chronicle both Owen's childhood and his big move into his own assisted-living apartment. As the film unfolds, Ron and his wife Cornelia step through their two-decade journey, while Owen offers his own thoughts on his favourite films and the role they played in his coming-of-age. Unfortunately, while there's plenty of emotion to be felt here, Williams doesn't trust the audience to feel it on their own. His filmmaking tactics are as heavy-handed as they are steeped in easy emotion, and as repetitive as Owen's own viewing habits. Not only that, but by including countless moments from the movies that Owen loves, Williams trades far too heavily on viewer nostalgia, rather than actually focusing on the true tale he's meant to be telling. As a result, Life, Animated also struggles with tone, wavering between compassionate and self-congratulatory. Interestingly, the documentary's most effective sections aren't the interviews or Disney clips, but animated recreations of the Suskinds' lives provided by artist Mac Guff. These moments convey the underlying sentiment with much more subtlety than you'll find elsewhere. A cautious comment by Owen's older brother Walter, worried about someday having to take responsibility for his sibling's care, also stands out. As magical as Mickey Mouse's output may be, reality still leaves a stronger impression.
Before we were all capturing selfies on our phones and uploading them to Instagram seconds later, posing for a photo was a serious affair. Given that getting your portrait taken involved a trip to a photographer's studio, that's understandable. Still, when commercial outfits popped up in Brisbane in the 1850s, plenty of folks were eager to get their picture snapped. It seems some things really don't change. Sit. Pose. Snap. Brisbane Portrait Photography 1850 – 1950 steps through the images that resulted, drawing from an extensive private collection of portrait photography and featuring hundreds of Brissie folks in original photos from the period. So, how did snaps differ then? What changed over the course of a century? How were portraits displayed? What types of milestones and occasions did they chronicle? And did anyone pull duck face? From March 24 to July 30, the Museum of Brisbane has the answers.
One Saturday morning, a ragtag group of high schoolers were forced to attend an early morning weekend detention session. Chaos, contemplation and connection ensued. That's The Breakfast Club, the excellent '80s film — but that's not Wandering Cooks' version of The Breakfast Club. Instead, expect food glorious food. From 8am on March 19, Indie Treats and Nutsy Mylk will come together to serve up healthy and delicious fare, with brekkie cranked out right through until 1pm for those that get up later in the morning. That's how you start your Sunday with a whole lot of yum. Oh, yes it is. Almond, cashew and walnut mylks, porridge, granola, cookies: the list goes on, but keep an eye on the Wandering Cooks website for the exact menu. And in even better news, this is a regular event. Keep an eye out for future dates while you're at it.
Brisbanites, it's money and mouth time. If you want to have nice things like Junky Comics, then you have to put the former where the latter is. Offering up an ace selection and hosting awesome events such as their current Buffy-themed art show don't happen without hard work and heaps of support, and while the West End favourite has the first part taken care of, they need some assistance with the second. After the initial Junky fundraiser aimed at helping the shop keep its doors open, the Zine and Indie Comic Symposium are lending a hand to put together another — and, they've hit it out of the park. Or, off the green, to keep with mini-golf terms. At the Junky Comics Mini Golf Benefit Party, you'll put some funds towards Junky and score an afternoon of indoor sporting fun. No prizes for guessing that it all takes place at Holey Moley, so head on down at 11am on March 19. $20 gets you 18 holes, with $10 going to the game and $10 straight to the comic-selling cause. A friendly reminder: here, cash is the only currency that matters.
When it comes to spirits, do you have clear priorities? Is your go-to drink the fruity tipple that has made many a glass of tonic taste great? Can you taste the difference between Tanqueray and Hendricks? If you answered yes to any of the above, then you'd best mark June 10 in your calendar. Because there's a special date for everything, that's when World Gin Day falls this year — and you'd better believe that Dutch Courage Officers' Mess has put together a series of gin-focused masterclasses to celebrate the occasion. That's what you'd expect from a bar that has more than 120 gins on its menu, but they really have outdone themselves this time. Start things off with a history of the beverage in question, enjoy a few food and drink pairings, and work your way up to cocktails. And, for even more fun in-between sessions, lounge around downstairs, listen to all-day soundtrack of live entertainment, win a few prizes and keep wetting your whistle at gin tastings.
Sunny Sunday afternoons are made for rolling a few bowls; however, even a crackerjack idea like that can benefit from a few boosts. Throw in some of the city's favourite food trucks, as well as a few great brews and tipples, and you've got yourself the perfect way to see out the weekend. Taking place at Bardon Bowls Club from midday until 3pm on June 4, that's exactly what Food Trucks on the Green is serving up. Hop on the grass to do your sporting best, grab a feed from The Bone Lorry, King of The Wings, Micasa, Pizzantica and Churros & Chocolate, and knock back a few beverages from Green Beacon and Stone & Wood. You'll be so relaxed, you'll completely forget that Monday is just around the corner. And, if you're thinking that it's a great time to love hanging out and eating from food trucks in Brisbane, you're right. The one-off Bardon shindig is the latest event from The Food Truck Collective, who've also just launched a permanent Newstead meals-on-wheels meet-up every Friday night. Image: Digital Designs.
What do Jane Austen, Kate Bush, Frank Sinatra, Joni Mitchell, Olivia Newton-John, Peter Allen and Alan Cumming all have in common? Stars of page, stage and screen, past and present, they're all represented in some shape or form at this year's Queensland Cabaret Festival. Maybe a one-woman show full of promise and promiscuity gets you a-flutter? Perhaps a tribute to 'Wuthering Heights'-era Bush gets you singing? Or, maybe you're keen on watching seven great Brisbane songstresses bat their ol' blue eyes, crooning takes on plenty of other famous talents' output, or Cumming himself treading the boards live and in the flesh? All of the above is on the bill — and, as proves the case with all of the best fests, that means that there's something for everyone on offer. Surfers Paradise housewives, sassy Aussie satire, a showcase of emerging talents and the Modern Māori Quartet are also on the lineup.
Where's the best place to enjoy a mouth-watering chef-made meal and a few glasses of fine wine — other than your own home, if you're lucky? Restaurants are top notch, but if you want the ideal dining and drinking experience, head to the source. That's what The Golden Pig Cooking School's Food, Wine and Jazz Afternoon is all about. Taking care of your hunger, thirst and yearning to unwind, the three-hour June 3 soiree features chef Katrina Ryan whipping up a storm in the kitchen, See Saw Wines winemaker Justin Jarrett offering a taste of his fine tipples, and singer Tenille West setting the mood. As for what you'll be eating, the food menu includes venison osso bucco with streaky bacon, as well as roast Trunkey pork with sour morello cherry sauce. That should be enough to whet your appetite. With the best of Orange's vino flowing, and the $95 ticket price including all of the above, it sounds like quite the relaxing Saturday arvo.
Remember coming home from school with your latest vibrantly coloured artwork, then beaming with pride when your parents stuck it on the fridge for all the world to see? The Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art do the same, just on a larger scale. The exhibition takes a selection of outstanding pieces from senior students from schools across Queensland, then places them on display at GOMA. For the best and brightest teenage artists, their childhood dream has become a reality. They haven't even made it to university yet, and their work is already hanging in the state's premier gallery. For everyone else, it's the chance to sneak a peak at the next generation of creative geniuses, before they go on to even bigger and better things. Who knows — one day, you might even be able to say that you saw the early creations of an art superstar before they made it big. Image: Holly Gibson / St Hilda's School (Southport) Veil 2016 / Photograph / © The artist.
Feel like treating yo'self this long weekend? Of course you do. How about a trip to the Gold Coast for an afternoon of basking in the sunshine and sipping delicious beverages that'll keep you buzzing well into the evening? That's what's on offer at Sunset Affair Gold Coast — aka the annual event's return trip to the QT Hotel's Stingray Lounge after a successful kickoff in 2016. Wear your best summery cocktail outfit and prepare to make a day of devouring delicious drinks and canapés. Live acoustic music will help get you in the mood, food stands will keep your stomach satisfied, and everyone from animal handlers to magicians to champagne pourers on stilts will make the occasion one to remember.
There's a reason that Mavis! has an exclamation mark in its title. The film doesn't only chronicle the life and music of Mavis Staples, but celebrates everything that has made the rhythm-and-blues/gospel singer and civil rights activist a star. It can't hide its enthusiasm, nor does it try to, but that's okay. While they're watching, audiences probably won't be able to contain their adoration either. Set to an obvious soundtrack of songs such as "I'll Take You There", " Respect Yourself" and "Let's Do It Again", Mavis! is just that kind of biographical documentary: affectionate about a thoroughly deserving figure, and informative about her rich history. The latter informs the former, of course, with every chapter of her past — from her humble beginnings singing in family band The Staple Singers and their rise to the top of the charts, to the intertwining of the group's hits with the civil rights movement and their relationship with Martin Luther King — painting a portrait of an artist who has earned the right to be considered an icon. The movie also benefits from the considerable and eager involvement of Staples herself, aged 75 at the time of filming, who never proves anything less than a candid and engaging interviewee. She starts the documentary showing off her vocal prowess with her friends and colleagues before a gig, then offers a few pearls of wisdom about her longevity — the combination of her voice and views setting the template for the content to come. As she explains, "I'll stop singing when I have nothing left to say — and that ain't going to happen." Her talent is big; her passion is bigger. Both are on display not just in her many chats to camera, but in clips and performance footage — snippets of Martin Scorsese's The Last Waltz among them — spanning the length of her 60-year career. Both also encourage many an entertaining discussion with a parade of famous faces, such as Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, Chuck D and Sharon Jones. Their awe is infectious; indeed, if writer-director Jessica Edwards was searching for a high-profile posse to mirror her own evident fondness for Staples, she definitely found one. Movies that double as exercises in hero worship often outstay their welcome; however, at a brief but busy 80-minutes, such a fate doesn't befall Mavis! The adoring tone doesn't only cater to existing fans either, with the film working equally as well as a primer for newcomers as it does as a refresher for devotees. That's a rare achievement for a documentary love letter, but then again its subject is anything but typical. Among her many career highlights, Staples made two albums with Prince, after all. Inspiring and enlivening an emotionally vibrant doco is just the latest in her long line of achievements.
In 2014, when high-altitude filmmaker and veteran climber Jennifer Peedom trekked to Everest, she was determined to shed light on the peak's under-sung heroes. The year prior, conflict had rocked the towering landmass, courtesy of a tussle between European hikers and the Sherpas the industry so heavily relies upon. Media coverage brought the battle to international attention, but Peedom wanted to delve deeper. Then disaster struck, forever changing the course of her film. In Sherpa, the perilous work carried out by the titular figures is tinted with the tragedy of April 18, when a 14-million-ton block of ice crashed down onto the climbing route, killing 16 of their number. The documentary that results simply has to be seen to be believed, with stunning mountaintop cinematography combining with an empathetic look at the real costs of Nepal's lucrative drawcard. After wowing audiences at film festivals around the world, the doco reaches Aussie cinemas on March 31 — however Kathmandu and Intrepid Travel are offering viewers a chance to get an early glimpse of this epic feature. All funds raised will go to the Australian Himalayan Foundation and Intrepid’s Namaste Nepal Appeal to help rebuild the country’s economy, infrastructure and tourism industry. Yes, this is a screening with a difference for a whole host of reasons.
It's not every day that one of Australia's most renowned contemporary dance troupes joins forces with some of China's most talented performers. Black – A Triple Bill marks the coming together of Expressions Dance Company and Guangdong Modern Dance Company in what's far from an ordinary show. In fact, as the name suggests, it's actually three exquisite dance pieces in one. In Sumeru, GMDC choreographer Liu Qi transports audiences to the titular mountain, all in search of a mustard seed. Then, in Don't, Expressions' artistic director Natalie Weir examines the impact of words in an expressive work that has never been seen before in Brisbane. Finally, there's Black, aka the main attraction. Here, dancers from both companies explore the mysterious colour in all its guises. Mesmerising movement is just part of the piece, with the performers using materials and textures seen in their lives to create a dream-like collage. How else do you capture the darkness of night, the shade we see when we close our eyes, and the hue associated with infinity, after all? Image: Lin Xiaoyi.
When is sitting and drinking tea more than just one of life's simple pleasures? When it's also art. Dhana Merritt's interactive piece asks you, the viewer, to enjoy a hot cuppa and participate as you see fit. Reading, chatting and just kicking back and relaxing are all encouraged. While you're doing all of the above, you're also invited to contemplate your particular contribution to the artwork. Here, you're not just thinking about someone else's creative efforts, but also contemplating the fact that you're a part of it. Of course, that’s not all there is to DM teahouse, with Merritt using the shared act of pausing to consume a heated beverage to delve into relational aesthetics and experience theories. Given that she's also interested in medicinal plants and communal art activities — as befitting her current university studies in naturopathy, as well has her degree in visual art — that all seems rather appropriate.
When that slice of inner-city, riverside delights known as Teneriffe was officially named a suburb back in 2010, locals threw a party to celebrate. Six years on and the shindig is still going strong. You know it as the Teneriffe Festival. For its 2015 outing, the event has compiled a wide-ranging lineup. For the first time, it welcomes the Brisbane Cheese Market to the fold, for example. Tasty coagulated cow, goat and sheep secretions are only the beginning, of course. Elsewhere, the Tastes of Teneriffe showcases the area's bars and restaurants, for those after more sustenance than dairy products can give. Then, work off all that food by walking around 100 bespoke market stalls, or sit down and digest on a Magical Mystery History Tour. In between, check out the packed program of performers, including 32 acts and more than 100 musicians. Everything from theatrical crooning to acoustic post-punk gets its moment, thanks to the likes of Cheap Fakes, DJs Matt Lapish and Cliftonia, and the raw talent at the busking stage.
While the word ‘rainforest’ conjures pretty postcard images of lofty trees, misty ferns and dappled, sunlit pools, the forest floor is a much darker, messier tangle of detritus and decay. On the surface, renowned Brisbane/Sydney artist Grant Stevens’ latest solo exhibition is an exploration of that space beneath the canopy — however, this is no nature documentary. The rainforest is merely a catalyst for a much deeper question: what troubles lie in the undergrowth of the human psyche? In Dark Mess, Stevens combines video, sound, photography and installation to engage multiple senses in a somewhat unsettling self-examination. Just as the lightness and beauty of a rainforest canopy disguises the murkier depths below, the constant strive for happiness and self-improvement can hide our own darker, messier selves. Dark Mess opens at Boxcopy on July 25, with the exhibition continuing to August 29. Image: Grant Stevens, 'Dark Mess', 2015, production image, courtesy the artist and Gallery Barry Keldoulis, Sydney.
What if a bomb had taken out Adolf Hitler in 1939? That's the question that haunts Georg Elser (Christian Friedel) after his assassination attempt fails due to timing. He hatched a plot, built explosives and set a timer, but it all went off too late. As the English-language name of the film that unfolds his story foreshadows, just under a quarter of an hour proved the difference between the past everyone knows and a World War II-free alternate timeline. In telling his tale, those titular 13 minutes are influential; however this measured, methodical feature is more concerned with the state of affairs that led Elser to such drastic deeds, instead of a well-worn account of what happened next. How did a mild-mannered pacifist and seemingly ordinary German citizen become the would-be killer of the 20th century's most despised figure? What injustices did he witness? What paved his path towards trying to save his country through a potentially revolutionary act of violence? Again, many of the broad strokes of life at the time are known, but 13 Minutes filters a familiar situation through one man's experience. After the blast, Elser is detained, interrogated and tortured by the Gestapo, his brutal treatment intercut with his preceding years. First, he's a carefree musician; then, he's a carpenter trying to save his family farm; next, he's fooling around with a married woman (Katharina Schuttler). Around him, society and sentiment changes under the Nazi party's influence. Best known as the director of Downfall, the Hitler film that launched a thousand memes, Oliver Hirschbiegel has explored this chapter of history before. That he does so again in meticulous detail isn't surprising, nor are the handsome images he works with. Though his last feature — the abysmal Diana — might indicate otherwise, the filmmaker shows an assured hand with conflict-riddled, based-on-real-life material. Indeed, 13 Minutes looks, sounds and feels the part. Yet it's never anything more than interesting, rather than gripping. Workmanlike best describes Hirschbiegel's effort, hitting all the right notes but playing a standard tune rather than a truly affecting melody. Given the rollercoaster ride his last decade of filmmaking has provided, perhaps he's just happy to play it safe. To the director, splitting the difference between the intense heights of his biggest hit and the considerable lows of his most recent biopic probably doesn't seem like such a bad outcome. Thankfully, the committed, charming Friedel is marching to his own beat, his performance as impassioned as the rest of the movie is restrained. That the film around him is just competently going through the motions of an important story doesn't seem to sway his complex portrayal. Of course, shining a bigger spotlight on a figure barely remembered in the official record, let alone seen in cinema (with a 1989 film called Seven Minutes Elser's only other big screen depiction), is a feat worth applauding regardless of the muted end result. And that's what lingers in 13 Minutes: the true tale surrounding the greatest act of WWII heroism that never was.
If you're looking for the shindig to end all shindigs this weekend, don't just head to the Valley — hop aboard the Hogwarts Express. Or pretend to, complete with all the Harry Potter costumes such a journey needs. Yes, the Brightside is once again celebrating a certain boy wizard, his wondrous world, and the books and films that defined many a childhood. Of course, Brighty Goes to Hogwarts 2 is a grown-up affair, complete with master potion makers behind the bar brewing up some very special batches of delicious concoctions. If cocktails aren't your thing, prepare for a chamber of buckets of beer. Apart from drinking and dressing up — which everyone does, so consider yourself warned — there's plenty of other potty party fun to be had. Get a free spray-on lightning bolt tattoo, find out whether the sorting hat thinks you're a Gryffindor or a Hufflepuff, test your trivia wizardry and just generally groove the night away. It really does sound like magic, doesn't it?
If one artist could be credited with creating a soundtrack for slipping between the sheets, it's Marvin Gaye. When the Motown artist wasn't encouraging listeners to get it on, he was relating his feelings and his need for sexual healing, or crooning other sweet and soulful odes. His music — including the likes of 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine', 'Ain’t No Mountain High Enough' and 'What’s Going On' — provided the soundtrack to romance in the '60s, '70s and '80s, and to politics, too. Indeed, his songs only tell part of his story. More than just a famous musician, Gaye seethed with social commentary and activism, and suffered from family troubles. It's a complex, compelling tale worth telling, complete with the tracks designed to do so, which is what Vika Bull and Andrew De Silva are going to do. Australia’s first lady of soul joins forces with the 2012 winner of Australia’s Got Talent to celebrate an artist and icon like no other. To paraphase Gaye himself, it takes two to make a music dream come true.
There’s no greater game than that of fame — and chances are that if you’re reading this, you’re just a commoner like the rest of us. Though, there’s one way for a person to deflect the label of ‘lay’ and that’s having your very own brush with a celebrity. Maybe you saw a tumbleweed that looked like Donald Trumps toupee? Or you saw Russell Crowe at a Rabbitoh’s game? Either way, it’s exciting stuff, and the perfect material for Yarn’s latest storytelling night. At Black Bear Lodge this Wednesday, six storytellers will share their most interesting tales of fame. Some will be beautiful, others grotesque, and if all pans out as expected there will be a stalker story in the mix. The night kicks off at 7pm, and like all Yarn Storytelling evenings, entry is free. Rumour is every a-list star is going to be there.
Like eating? Like South Bank? Then you're going to love the combination of the two. Yes, it's Regional Flavours time again. If you haven't made it along to the inner-city precinct's signature food and wine festival over the past six years, don't make that same mistake again. For two days, the length and breadth of the parklands will become a culinary wonderland, complete with themed spaces for all of your favourite taste sensations. At Queensland Taste, you'll find wine, cheese and live music. At the Hunting Club, you'll enjoy beef, lamb and brewed beverages. At the Epicurious Garden, you'll discover where your food comes from. And there's no prizes for guessing what's on offer at Sweet Escape or the Picnic Patch. Want more? How about classes, demonstrations and presentations on everything from fuss-free cooking to decadent high teas, featuring celebrity chefs such as Matt Preston, Kate Gibbs, Lola Berry and Adam Liaw? Or a producer showcase where you can shop for the freshest ingredients? Or a long line of food trucks serving up meals for $8 or less? As long as you have a healthy appetite, there's something delicious here for everyone.
For those of us who don't remember what photography looked like before the selfie, the Queensland Art Gallery is giving us a reminder in the most beautiful of ways. A touring exhibition of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, The Photograph and Australia turns the camera lens back onto itself to explore how photography, as a medium, has shaped and influenced the identity of Australia. It's the biggest exhibition of Australian photography seen in 25 years, showcasing more than 400 photos taken by more than 120 artists around the country and dating back to the 1840s. Work by big wigs Morton Allport, Richard Daintree and Olive Cotton (just to name a few) will sit side by side with the photos of lesser known artists as well as cool pieces of photographic history such as domestic albums and some of Australia's earliest X-rays. From daguerreotypes to digital, this exhibition explores the evolution of photography and the development of a nation with a beautiful collection that celebrates them both. It's like the picture book of Australian history we never saw.
Ever driven across the Story Bridge and thought, "Wouldn't it be great to go to a market here?" We know, that might not have crossed your mind exactly. But it must've popped into the heads of the folks behind Hamilton's Eat Street Markets, because that's exactly what they're about to do. On July 5, the Brisbane landmark will be doing more than just linking Kangaroo Point and Fortitude Valley. In fact, cars will have to find an alternate route across the river, because a food market is taking over the entire bridge. Around 50 vendors have been invited to sell their delicious, delicious wares, so there'll be plenty of tasty treats on offer. A whopping 20,000 people are allowed on the bridge at a time, which sounds like a lot — but what Brisbanite would miss out on checking out this historic, ultra-novelty event? Indeed, given that everyone in Brisbane has already seen the bridge covered in fireworks many, many times, there's probably no better way to celebrate the 75th birthday of the heritage-listed icon. The bridge officially opened for business back on July 6, 1940 after five years of construction, and now sees an average of 97,000 cars zoom across it each day. While gathering for a bite to eat on the bridge might be something new, spending money there isn't. It was originally a toll road, with charges removed in 1947. Since 2005, people have been paying to scale its heights as part of the Story Bridge Adventure Climb experience. Now, for one night only, you can snack, browse and devour delicious local food with the best view in town. Brisbane's Story Bridge will closed to traffic for the food market for one day on July 5.
Wouldn't it be nice to see a music biopic that does its subject justice? One that understands that telling the tale of a rock or pop star requires something other than splashing songs over scenes of arguing? Focusing on conflict is what most movies end up doing, but they don't always elicit much interest. While Love & Mercy does plenty that toes the genre line, thankfully it's more interested in the man behind the band than the usual unhappy group shenanigans. That man is Brian Wilson, and his band is the Beach Boys, the '60s and '70s surfer-themed act turned '80s collaborators with John Stamos. There's much, much more to them than that, of course, and to Wilson. Many consider his innovation, experimentation and harmonies, as evidenced on the widely acclaimed 1966 record Pet Sounds, as markers of musical genius. At first glance, his story reads like a typical before and after snapshot of fame and stardom, including the obligatory drug benders and erratic behaviour, as well as the later fading out of the scene. What simmers beneath the early parties and the eventual burnout is the extent of his musical abilities and its interplay with his fragile mental state. In fact, Love & Mercy makes his mindset the main attraction, rather than the career highs or lows. The film cobbles together a portrait of Wilson from two points in his life, and they comprise quite the contrast. Wide-eyed in his twenties (as played by Paul Dano), he retreats from touring to invest his talents not just in new songs, but in creating the greatest album ever made. Over-medicated in his forties (now in the guise of John Cusack), he tries to rebuild a sense of normality with the help of a new girlfriend (Elizabeth Banks) and his psychologist (Paul Giamatti), the former offering a more nurturing relationship than the latter. You need not be a Beach Boys fan to become invested in his plight, nor fond of Wilson's songs to enjoy an engaging ride through his history. For aficionados and the uninitiated alike, filmmaker Bill Pohlad makes Love & Mercy a personal tale first and foremost. Yes, the movie uses the expected soundtrack, but only when the music suits the on-screen events depicted. Singles such as the iconic 'God Only Knows' take on an entirely new meaning when they're given context by Wilson's troubles and moods. The film also attempts to match its style to its subject, collages combining the two time periods, and mimicking the ups and downs of Wilson's energy. It's a smart, immersive and entertaining move from a director who last made a movie way back in 1990 and is actually better known as a producer of Brokeback Mountain, Into the Wild, The Tree of Life and 12 Years a Slave. His choice of leads similarly proves savvy and well suited, and while Dano and Cusack look nothing alike, they do perfect the one thing that could've made or broken the entire feature. That'd be the vibe of a singer and songwriter who attempted first to thrive, and then to survive, the roller-coaster that is the music industry. Wilson's vibrations aren't always good, befitting the ebb and flow of his reality — but as sensitively transferred to the screen, they do inspire more than enough excitations.
If you're planning on spending this gig mildly toe-tapping, you might want to wait in the car. Sydney's long-labouring beatsmiths Hermitude are back with a brand new album already sitting pretty on winter playlists Australia-wide — and a national tour ready to bust a few hard-dancing ligaments. Start stretching y'all. Hermitude's new album Dark Night Sweet Light takes the lads' unmistakeable blend of heartfelt hip hop, majestic build-ups and big bass drops to a new level; standing firm on a #1 ARIA chart spot and one hell of a rapidly expanding fan base. Luke Dubber (Luke Dubs) and Angus Stuart (El Gusto) have plenty to celebrate on this national tour. After nabbing the Australian Music Prize in 2012 for their straight-up killer album HyperParadise, they're riding a sweet wave of toastworthy accolades surrounding their new album Dark Night Sweet Light. The LP debuted at #1 on the ARIA chart (a first for Hermitude's label Elefant Traks) and has been featured as album of the week on FBi and triple j, alongside serious airplay for lead single 'The Buzz'. So it goes without saying, you're going to have to get in quick for a ticket to this show. The lads have come a long way from their early days of performing entire shows dressed as neanderthals with their decks covered in vines (actual thing), but the bombastic energy and unpredictable live instrumentation of Hermitude's live shows remains an unmissable combination for longtime fans and newcomers like. Do yourself a favour and don't read the tweets the next day, get to this show. Supported by Basenji + Jayteehazard.
If you consider yourself a Beatles fan, you probably rank Rubber Soul and Revolver — their sixth and seventh albums, originally released in 1965 and 1966 respectively — among your favourite records. You're in good company, it seems. Four of Australian’s brightest musical talents share the same fondness, and have channelled their love into a tribute show. Don't expect a pub-quality covers-band-style gig though, or any other type of gimmickry either. Instead, Marlon Williams, Husky Gawenda of Husky, Jordie Lane, and Fergus Linacre of Kingswood will join forces with 13 other musicians to simply belt out their best renditions of these iconic tunes. All 28 songs from both albums get a look in, and in track order, too. That means the evening starts with Rubber Soul's 'Drive My Car' and closes with Revolver's 'Tomorrow Never Knows'. Plus, it will probably feature a 'Yellow Submarine' singalong about two-thirds of the way through. You know you want it to.
Throw those GoPros, bubble bottles and novelty gumboots in your rucksack, Splendour in the Grass is returning to North Byron Parklands for another year of festival merriment. With the epic likes of Blur, Mark Ronson, Florence and The Machine, Death Cab For Cutie, The Wombats, Tame Impala and Of Monsters And Men, Pond, Royal Blood and the Dandy Warhols on the bill, 2015's fest has one heck of a huge lineup. Odd Future's Earl Sweatshirt is back, Australia's own dancefloor kings Flight Facilities are landing back home, Azealia Banks makes her Australian festival return and Spiritualised will play their only Australian show. Ryan Adams is comin' on over, Best Coast is bringing the beachery back to Splendour, while recent Coachella-smash Jenny Lewis is another of the bigwigs we can all get squealy about. SXSW buzz artists like Gengahr and Elliphant are coming, UK producer Shlomo will take things down a notch (and King Khan will do exactly the opposite), while Canadian duo Purity Ring should be one packed-out, all-the-emotions must-see. Australian artists really dominate the lineup this year, including Client Liaison, Elizabeth Rose, Hayden James, Megan Washington, Thundamentals, Meg Mac, Japanese Wallpaper, Dune Rats and more. Plus, there's going to be four stages this year, with the new Tiny Dancer stage joining the Amphitheatre, Mix Up, GW McLennan stages to host Splendour's DJ lineup. Splendour will return to North Byron Parklands on Friday 24, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July. Onsite camping is once again available from Wednesday 22 July. Splendour In The Grass 2015 lineup Blur Florence + The Machine Mark Ronson Of Monsters & Men The Wombats Tame Impala Peking Duk Ryan Adams Flight Facilities Royal Blood (only Aus show) Death Cab For Cutie Earl Sweatshirt Boy & Bear Porter Robinson (Live) The Dandy Warhols (only Aus show) Xavier Rudd & The United Nations Azealia Banks The Rubens Jamie T Pond Spiritualized (only Aus show) Alison Wonderland Thundamentals Best Coast Everything Everything San Cisco MS MR Jarryd James Purity Ring Allday Carmada The Grates The Smith Street Band Tkay Maidza Johnny Marr Last Dinosaurs Megan Washington The Vaccines #1 Dads The Church Kitty, Daisy & Lewis The King Khan & The BBQ Show Alpine Catfish and the Bottlemen Paul Mac Dustin Tebbutt MØ Years & Years Jenny Lewis C.W. Stoneking Seekae George Maple Elliphant Client Liaison Palma Violets SAFIA Hayden James Dune Rats Wolf Alice Meg Mac Cosmo's Midnight Marmozets Oh Mercy Mansionair The Districts Shlohmo Elizabeth Rose The Delta Riggs Circa Waves Nancy Whang Eves The Behaviour Urban Cone Art of Sleeping Japanese Wallpaper Gengahr Bad//Dreems Ecca Vandal Holy Holy Vallis Alps UV Boi The Babe Rainbow Harts Generik Young Franco Mickey Kojak GL Benson Harvey Sutherland Total Giovanni DJs Dugong Jr I'lls Akouo Noise In My Head triple j Unearthed Winners Plus ... Joyride Post Percy Ara Koufax CC:Disco! Adi Toohey Set Mo Edd Fisher Mike Who Shantan Wantan Ichiban For more info, check out the official Splendour In The Grass site.
Late-night movie lovers and cult film fans, get ready to spend your Friday evenings at Palace Centro. Come 11pm from August 14 to October 30, a selection of your favourite weird and wonderful flicks will grace the cinema's big screen, plus a smattering of cool classics as well. The program kicks off with a fortieth anniversary screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, so you know The Pulp Cult is all about having a good time. From there, throw spoons at The Room, revisit Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, relive the original dinosaur fun with Jurassic Park, and wear your bathrobe to The Big Lebowski — and that's only the beginning. Everything from the original The Evil Dead, Ghostbusters and Friday the 13th to the thrills of Alien is also on the bull, alongside the laughs of Wayne's World and the sinister scares of Rosemary's Baby as well. Basically, it’s a cult cinema smorgasbord — and one cancelling your other Friday night plans for.
Unbeknown to us common folk, a group of accomplished artists has been working with scientists at Brisbane Ecosciences Precinct, trying to figure out the place where art meets science. For six months, Alicia Lane, Ben Beeton, Jane James, Jennifer Wright, Knut Mueller, Louise Saunders, Mali Moir and William M Boot have been interpreting and collaborating over all things green, and now their ideas have flourished into one of this month's must see art exhibitions.. Art-meets-Science shows off the solo, collaborative and previous works of these skilled artists. Over 30 pieces will be on display, including sculpture, installation, painting, digital and more. Think beyond your cliché bowl of fruit, and explore what is really produced when artists are given a chance to work beside eco-scientists and their research. Art-meets-Science runs daily, Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 5.30pm. The Ecosciences Precinct is situated on Boggo Road in Dutton Park – grab the train to Park Road station and you’ll have no trouble finding it.
In New York in the 1920s and 1930s, there was only one place to be. The Cotton Club was the exclusive nightspot everyone wanted to be at and be seen at. At the time, it hosted Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Billie Holiday and more. During the 1980s, Richard Gere and Nicolas Cage even starred in a movie about it. In Brisbane in 2015, there’s only one speakeasy-style space that purports to transport patrons back to the roaring fun and rollicking frenzy of that bygone era. Of course, it makes perfect sense that Prohibition would want to go a step further and craft a one-night-only tribute to the club that could easily be said to have inspired its existence. Prohibition presents The Cotton Club is the end result, aka a musical and dance extravaganza. Acclaimed ten-piece Rhythm Society Dance Orchestra will provide the tunes, channeling the greats that graced the state nearly a century ago, while Legs 11 showgirl dancers will offer up a spectacle to match. That just leaves you to dress the stylish part and lap of an evening of old school entertainment.
That annual occasion to eat, drink and be merry has come around; no, not Christmas, although foodies can forgiven for thinking so. Prepare to sample good food and drink good wine at The Good Food and Wine Show. It's all there in the title. If devouring delicious treats is your thing — and it is, let’s be honest — then your tastes are catered for here. Try local and regional produce in the show’s themed zones, such as dairy-lover’s wonderland Cheese Alley, plus the craft beer heaven that is Brewer's Lane. Or learn from the best, as famed chefs Adam Liaw, Alastair McLeod, George Calombaris, Miguel Maestre and Sarah Wilson cook up a storm in the Good Food Theatre. When it comes to feasting and learning, there really is something for everyone. From coffee to chocolate, and market-style browsing to masterclasses, you can devour meals made by celebrity cooks, brush up on your wine appreciation skills and conduct a hands-on science experiment with beer — and that's just the beginning.
Like the rest of Brisbane, you've jumped firmly on the street food bandwagon, and love nothing more than devouring mouth-watering meals cooked by mobile eateries. Alas, with popularity comes a few not-so-fun things, like lines, waiting and the impossible task of trying to find somewhere to sit. Thankfully, StreetEats has swooped in to save the day with their brand new app. It lets you order and pay directly from your smartphone, making queuing and fumbling for change things of the past. To celebrate, they're launching the only way they could: with a very special edition of Thank Truck It's Thursday at Wandering Cooks. You'll need a healthy appetite, ready to feast on bites to eat by Juan More Taco, Pizzantica, The Bone Lorry and Just Steak It. You'll also need your phone and the app, with every StreetEats order rewarded with a free beer (while stocks last; arrive early).
Want to see a burlesque show that tells it like it is? Or circus cabaret that contemplates race relations in contemporary Australia? How about singing and striptease while smashing stereotypes? Or a performance that packs a punch of hip hop politics? All that makes up Hot Brown Honey, as well as dance, poetry, drama and a reflection of everyday problems. These bold performers aren’t just trying to entertain. They’re also working through issues of colour and culture — and courting controversy — in a show that’s certain to get people talking. The story jumps from the simmering shores of Polynesia to the bogan streets of Australia, peering through the eyes of an Indigenous drag queen and stepping through the life of a single mother who just happens to be a DJ. Hailing from Polytoxic Dance Theatre, Circus OZ and Briefs, the Luscious Lisa Fa’alafi, the Curvaceous Candy B and the Bodacious Busty Beatz package their tale and topics in spicy humour and simmering honesty. Some like it hot, indeed.
Remember coming home from school with your latest brightly coloured artwork, then beaming with pride when your parents stuck it on the fridge for all the world to see? The Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art do the same, just on a bigger scale. The exhibition takes a selection of outstanding pieces from senior students from schools across Queensland, then places them on display at GOMA. For the best and brightest teenage artists, their childhood dream has become a reality. They haven't even made it to university yet, and their work is already hanging in the state's premier gallery. For everyone else, it's the chance to sneak a peak at the next generation of creative geniuses, before they go on to even bigger and better things. Who knows — one day, you might even be able to say that you saw the early creations of an art superstar before they were big. Image: Ginell Ranpura / Kelvin Grove State College / Zipcode 2014 / Digitally manipulated photogram
Like comic books? Like Wes Anderson? Then do we have the event for you. Well, actually, it's more than just a party — it's a place. Welcome to Junky Comics and their official store launch. Making the leap from online retailer to bricks-and-mortar store, this labour of love from Brisbane illustrator Junky is your new pop culture haven. The fresh arrival on the West End scene offers all the alternative and indie publications you've always wanted, plus all the usual Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and Image stuff too. Think everything from '60s feminist cartoons, graphic novels and zines to art books, magazines and literature. To celebrate, they're throwing a shindig in style — Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums and The Grand Budapest Hotel style, that is. Teaming up with the folks at NOFUN for their first group show of 2015, the Junky Comics launch doubles as the opening night of Unpaid Interns: An Artistic Tribute to Wes Anderson. The exhibition is a tribute to the films of the inimitable writer and director, showcasing work from artists, illustrators and graphic designers from over 10 different countries.
Think you've seen every great '80s movie, from the genuinely excellent to the so-bad-it's-awesome to the downright terrible? We don't doubt that you've sat through the classics, and plenty of not-so-classic efforts too. If you haven't watched Re-Animator, though, then you haven't really experienced all the decade of excess had to offer. Loosely based on a short story from famed horror writer HP Lovecraft, this isn't your usual pulpy, low-budget outing. The author wrote the tale as a parody of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and the film ramps up the comedy — and the gore — of bringing the dead back to life to extreme levels. The special effects department reportedly went through 25 gallons of fake blood during the shoot, which should give you an indication of plasma-dripping sights on offer. There's also an undead cat, a headless professor, and mind-controlled corpses, in the type of demented effort that earns the term horror-fest. And if you love it, you can buy your own copy afterwards, with the screening celebrating the film's 30th anniversary release on Blu-Ray.
This Saturday, the world’s most happening independent record stores come together to celebrate Record Store Day. It’s not just a day for a hoo-ha about the fine musical innovation that is the vinyl record, but the culture of independent record stores and what they stand for in today’s mp3 reliant times. The day, specifically the third Sunday of April, was founded in Baltimore in 2007 by six vinyl aficionados who figured that if comic books were getting their own celebrated day, then so should vinyl. The day is now celebrated around the world with pop-ups, exhibitions, workshops and, of course, lots of one-off vinyl and CD releases recorded exclusively for Record Store Day. Some of the exclusive releases for this year include Johnny Cash’s red vinyl Koncert V Praz (live in Prague), The Doors’ Strange Days, Bob Dylan’s The Basement Tapes and Garbage’s fluoro orange The Chemicals. Of course, Brisbane is well and truly on board with Record Store Day, with our best retailers already having a few years of successful RSDs under their belt. Expect lines, expect live music and expect some gawk-worthy promotions this year. The deals tend to be mind-blowing, and the live music on show just the same. Jet Black Cat will be selling exclusive RSD shirts designed by Courtney Barnett, with live performances throughout the day, while The Mosaics and The Jensens are helping celebrate at Rocking Horse. See all the Brisbane events at the Record Store Day website.
When it comes to taking to the streets, spraying some paint around and stencilling up a storm, Banksy isn't the only artist worth celebrating. In fact, street art is thriving in Brisbane — so much so that there's now a brand new festival dedicated to it. That'd be the Brisbane Street Art Festival, which unleashes its first iteration around the city from February 6 to 14. If you're wondering just what it involves, let us throw a few numbers your way: 50-plus artists and more than 25 walls at 22 events across 18 venues — including a bus. Everything from live graffiti to a street art fashion show to an exhibition of skateboard deck art is on the bill, and at places as varied as Red Hill's old Skate Arena, Woolloongabba's Trafalgar Lane and the Valley markets, too. If that all sounds rad — and it really does — then wait until you hear about the grand finale. This showcase of emerging talents, unique spaces and Brisbane's engaging creative scene all comes to an end with an epic closing party featuring tunes by Desmond Cheese, Cutloose, Danny Cool and DJ Black Amex, aka the perfect way to see out the event's first year.
Everyone has multiple aspects to their personality. Everyone has wondered what would happen if they were all able to interact. No, we're not the only ones. We know you've come across duality, doppelgangers and fractured identities on screen, on the stage and in stories, because artists, writers and actors just can't seem to get enough of the concept. Dark Horse Theatre Group is the latest, courtesy of The Serpent’s Book of Lamentations. The production's title might sound like a fairytale, but its content proves a bit more intriguing. Here, a playwright fashions a tale for all the inner parts of his mind to perform, then watches as they audition, share their experiences and challenge each other to duels, games and battles. It's the type of complex and contemplative show that combines poetry and pantomime — and it's certain to appeal to at least one part of every person in the audience.
Some people take the easy approach to eating and drinking, enjoying whatever comes their way. Some people take things a little more seriously, searching for the perfect blend of the delicious and the refreshing. There's nothing wrong with either method, of course. If you fall into the latter category, though, then you'd best head to Brewski's regular food and brew extravaganza. The name says it all; they don't call it a dinner of oddities and curiosities for no reason. Here, the sublime and the surprising come together to create the ultimate taste sensation. Where else are you going to sample farmhouse ale with smoked sea salt and oyster mushrooms while enjoying a dish to match? That's just the beginning, with the first event of the year — delightfully anointed the funk edition — stepping through four other courses. This time around, Jester King, Brasserie Fantome, Nogne O and Prairie Artisan Ales will be taking care of the tipples, with Brewski’s head chef Tim Sharp whipping up the mouthwatering morsels.
Given that the Anywhere Theatre Festival is now in its fifth year, you probably know what it is all about by now. If you didn't before, you did the moment you read its name: this is a festival for theatre that could happen anywhere. Sure, it sounds simple — but anywhere really does mean anywhere. Yoga studios, Boggo Road Gaol, cafes, bookshops, bars, bowls clubs and markets are all set to become playgrounds for the next breed of eccentric, experimental physical theatre, dance and circus. The festival program does feature 57 productions and 337 performances in 24 Brisbane suburbs, after all.
We've all grown up on film and television shows telling us that sound and space just don't mix. "In space no one can hear you scream," the 1979 science fiction classic Alien told us, and that's only one example; however, Queensland-based artist Ali Bezer wants to prove otherwise. In her latest exhibition, A Noisy Kind of Resonance, Bezer brings the sonic signatures of intergalactic items — think planets, stars, nebulas, comets, asteroids and more — to life. Well, to be more accurate, she interprets an array of eerie and dissonant cosmic noises and turns them into physical objects. You won't be hearing the echoes and static that Bezer contends actually fills space — you'll be staring at it. It all springs from her ongoing, practice-led research into how contemporary experiences of noise can be encapsulated through works of art, and yes, it does look as interesting as it sounds.
Lust for Life has already earned the mantle of everyone's favourite combined tattoo parlour, gallery and espresso bar, but it seems like that's just not enough for the Fortitude Valley establishment. They're also one of Brisbane's biggest supporters of creative ladies, as their annual Viva La Femme exhibition makes plain. Could we love them any more? In its fourth year, the creative showcase champions personal views, attitudes and opinions encompassed by the word "woman", as filtered through a rather long list of Queensland, interstate and international talents. That's reason enough to be excited — and that's before even seeing the lengthy lineup of artists celebrate femininity through whichever medium takes their fancy. In true Viva La Femme style, it all launches on June 11 with live music from local songstress Seja and tunes from DJ Black Amex; however this isn't just a one-night affair. The exhibition runs until the end of July, which means more opportunities to bask in the glow of more wonderful women. You can also check out Lust For Life's recent renovations as you're relishing all things girl power.
In May 1968, Paris was burning. Not literally, but with the fire of passionate students rioting for social liberties. They weren't the only ones fighting for their rights, with their demonstrations attracting widespread support. During the fray, they papered the city with a colourful array of posters, making their mark beyond their physical protests. Now, almost 50 years later, artwork from the period tells a story — and it's one that Brisbane collector Ian Thompson has spent quite some time piecing together. For seven years, he's been collating original posters, newspapers, books and more, finding items that weren't meant to last but relate a tale that's certain to endure. For the first time, he's opening his treasure trove of artefacts to Brisbane and sharing the passion contained within them. It's not quite the same as being there, but it's the closest you're likely to get to reliving this stunning chapter of history. Images via Documents from May 1968.
An important topic, tied into a heartbreaking plight, deserves a film that does it justice. In tackling the equality of homosexual partners through the true tale of New Jersey police detective Laurel Hester and her spouse Stacie Andree, Freeheld isn't that film. Instead, it's a feature that knows the significance of the story it's telling and the subject it's covering, but remains happy staying in movie-of-the-week territory. When Freeheld opens, Laurel (Julianne Moore) is one of Ocean County's best cops, giving her job her all alongside fellow officer Dane Wells (Michael Shannon). She's also the type to keep her professional and personal lives separate, until an advanced lung cancer diagnosis forces her hand. Wanting to ensure that Stacie (Ellen Page) can remain in their home when she passes away, Laurel applies for her pension benefits to go to her registered domestic partner. The powers-that-be — the board of chosen freeholders, or the county governing body — decline her request, which inspires Laurel to fight for her civil rights. Though director Peter Sollett (Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist) and writer Ron Nyswaner (The Painted Veil) approach their topic with noble intentions and an obvious, earnest dose of sincerity, there's a difference between being sympathetic and being simplistic — and sadly, their efforts strive for the former but side with the latter. Even with a legal fight at the centre of the narrative, there are few complications in Freeheld, and those that exist are designed to push emotional buttons. As a result, the script cycles through a checklist of the expected elements — hospital scenes, unsupportive colleagues, courtroom arguments and an ambitious activist lawyer (Steve Carell) among them — with little in the way of nuance. Audiences aren't ever in the dark about what they're supposed to be feeling, given that the film's soft tones offer a visual reminder of the gently moving territory it's trying to play in. Of course, Freeheld's generic air and approach isn't really conducive to wringing tears out of viewers, although that's what it is clearly trying to do — and what an account of the real-life circumstances should result in. Thankfully, the bulk of the cast fares better. Moore might remain in the same illness-centric territory that won her an Oscar this year for Still Alice, but in early scenes that show the way Laurel has to manage the different parts of her life, she makes the character more than a beacon for a cause. Page makes the most of a smaller part, even though she's very much the supporting player. In fact, she is often overshadowed by the excellent Shannon in a much quieter turn than he's frequently asked to give, and who becomes the feature's preferred point of focus. That's yet another of the odd choices Freeheld makes in its unsatisfying attempt to bring Laurel and Stacie's story to the screen, in an effort that has its heart in the right place, but not much else. For those looking for a film that actually does their tale justice, the short, Academy Award-winning 2007 documentary of the same is a much better choice, with fact winning out over a sentimental, dramatic version.
Ever wondered what Brisbane must've been like during the unpredictable days of World War Two? Well, wonder no longer. The Bulimba Opera takes audiences back to a time when conflict and combat was a reality, as set in the titular, inner-eastern, riverside suburb, and belted out in operatic ballad form. The performance follows Jimmy, who has hit the skies with an important task. He's transporting important documents for General Douglas McCarthy and the war effort; however the threat of air strikes is real and constant. In his tale, a heartbreaking love story and an epic drama unravels. Marking the second innovative artistic collaboration between Blue Roo and Opera Queensland/Open Stage following 2014's well-received Song Circle, The Bulimba Opera offers up a slice of local history — all played out on the stage of a local landmark. The narrative promises to be intimate, and the production promises a spectacle, as well as a cast of powerful voices.
Brisbanites, prepare to take your love of the outdoors to its fanciest extreme. You'll get some fresh air, party by the river and swing a mallet. That's right — the Royal Croquet Club is about to make its Queensland debut. After wowing Adelaide since 2013 and Melbourne earlier this year, November 6 marks Brisbane's turn to enjoy an all-ages festival dedicated to the pastime many might associate with cult '80s teen flick Heathers. That said, while it may boast four playing pitches spread across South Bank's forecourt, the Royal Croquet Club isn't just about whacking balls around. Think 17 days of food, drinks, music and more summer vibes than you can shake a croquet club at — which is an option here, clearly. The dining lineup offers a fabulous fusion of Asian, all-American and Mexican cuisine. Your stomach will delight at delicious fare from Sin Vida, Miss Kay's, The Defiant Duck, Bao Down Now, The Doughnut Bar and Mighty Mighty, plus La Macelleria gelato and Street ADL bringing their Moroccan-Malaysian tastes up north. Beverage-wise, unique spaces such as the Champagne Bar and Pimms Garden have those particular beverages covered. And then there's the entertainment, including local, interstate and international artists and musicians showering attendees in performances, with details still to be announced. Honestly, even without knowing the full lineup, the Royal Croquet Club already seems to have everything we could want in a late-spring hangout spot: games, sun, shade, tunes and cocktails that won't stop flowing. We'll see you there. The Royal Croquet Club hits the South Bank Forecourt from November 6 to 22. For more information, visit their website and Facebook page.
The Alliance Francaise French Film Festival is back for its 26th year and with 49 feature films to be screened at cinemas across eight cities, you'd best prepare yourself for everything from the flirting, whimsy, mishaps and misunderstandings that come with French comedy to the passion, ennui, coming-of-age rebellion, thrilling crime and non-conformist romance that come with French drama. Highlights include: gala opening night feature Gemma Bovery, an endearing comedy starring Gemma Arterton that drops the characters of Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary into a small Normandy town; the Saint Laurent biopic exploring the inspirations and struggles of the acclaimed designer Yves Saint Laurent at the height of his career; and Samba, starring Charlotte Gainsbourg and star of The Intouchables Omar Sy in a cross-cultural romance that looks at the hardships faced by French immigrants. See more of our highlights in this list of top five films to see at the French Film Festival. The Alliance Francaise French Film Festival is on around Australia in March. Catch it in Sydney from March 3-22, Melbourne from March 4-22 and Brisbane from March 13 – April 1. Read our top five picks of the French Film Festival here.
Are you ready to laugh? Of course you are — and hopefully your stomach muscles and lung capacity are primed for the next month of funniness, too. That’s right, from February 24 to March 22 it’s Brisbane Comedy Festival time, when the Brisbane Powerhouse becomes the home of humour, and your insides hurt from constant chuckling. It is easy to forget that BCF is still a relatively new event, probably because each festival’s lineup reads like a seasoned comedy roster. In only the seventh year that Brisbane has had its own celebration of hilarity, the best in local talent and a smattering of overseas stars combine once more, with more than 40 acts stepping up to the mic. Ogling the program is the easy part; narrowing down who and what to see is much harder. For that, here are our top ten BCF picks.
Johnny Depp: is there anything he can’t do? Increasingly, the answer is yes, there’s plenty. Or, maybe it’s more about what he shouldn’t do. For proof, see his recent filmography. From being a mainstay in Tim Burton’s movies, to playing Pirates of the Caribbean’s Jack Sparrow, to nodding nonsensically in disguise in Tusk, Depp’s career has become a parade of almost-indistinguishable quirky characters. He pulls silly faces, talks in a ridiculous voice and stumbles around as though he might fall over at any moment. The premises and predicaments change, but the former 1980s 21 Jump Street teen idol doesn’t, apart from costumes and make-up. Mortdecai provides yet another example, with Depp the eccentric art dealer of the title. He comes from wealth – complete with a stylish wife, Johanna (Gwyneth Paltrow), and a loyal manservant, Jock (Paul Bettany) — but owes the British government £8 million. To maintain his lifestyle, he agrees to help old pal, romantic rival and MI-5 agent Martland (Ewan McGregor) recover a stolen painting shrouded in mystery. A Russian assassin and Nazi treasures also feature. The farcical film kicks off with calamity, ripping off Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom as a Hong Kong casino rendezvous ends in a shootout, and doesn’t improve from there. Disaster is key to the plot, with Mortdecai an awkward mix of Mr. Bean and The Pink Panther’s Inspector Clouseau, wreaking havoc wherever he goes — including Moscow and Los Angeles. Disaster is also the only outcome possible for a movie that thinks overripe cheese and cheap port are the height of humour, labels one of its three prominent female characters as a nymphomaniac, and wrings many of its jokes out of gag-reflex reactions to moustaches. “You look like you have a vagina on your face,” Johanna tells Mortdecai in response to his hairy top lip. Yes, really. To be fair to filmmaker David Koepp, who previously worked with Depp on Secret Window, he is taking his cues from existing material. 1973 novel Don't Point that Thing at Me started a series about the oddball aristocrat, but whatever cartoonish joys it may have had are lost in this energetic but overworked update. The flimsy script by Eric Aronson, best known for co-writing rom-com On the Line starring NSYNC’s Lance Bass and Joey Fatone, doesn’t assist matters. If Mortdecai was trying for a manic, frantic combination of smugness, superficiality, and stupidity, then it succeeds — though surely that wasn’t the aim. As for Depp, he is as committed as ever, but also as tiresome. Sharing zero charisma with his co-stars makes every second he is on screen seem like an eternity; and while Paltrow, McGregor, Bettany, Jeff Goldblum and Oliva Munn easily overshadow him, they do so as stale stereotypes, and clearly bored and unhappy. Mortdecai, the man and the movie, just isn’t something anyone wants to spend time with. Chalk it up as one of the same supposedly comedic efforts Depp makes too many of, and everyone else should be running far away from.
