Last Christmas, VEND Marketplace helped you deck your halls with all types of greenery, and it isn't stopping there. The northside spot is now adding a new space dedicated to plants, and it's launching with a huge opening weekend. To welcome the Greenhouse, as the new area is aptly known, you'll want to drop by from 9am on either Saturday, February 9 or Sunday, February 10. The 250-square-metre space will become an indoor garden, so get ready to take a few green babies home with you — and yes, we know you're already thinking about succulents, cacti, indoor plants, hanging plants and more. For the opening shindig, there'll also be a pop-up bar slinging mojitos, food trucks serving up tasty bites, lawn games to play and free plants on offer. If you're taking along little nature lovers, they'll find face painting and a garden treasure hunt as well.
Prepare to live out your Wet Hot American Summer dreams, Brisbanites — again. This Brissie autumn just got a whole lot better thanks to the eagerly awaited return of one of the best new events of the past few years. Yes, Death Valley Fun Camp is rolling out another year of back-to-nature mayhem. You don't just head to the picturesque Lake Moogerah, splash around, sing around the campfire, toast marshmallows and sleep under the stars at DVFC, although they're definitely on the agenda. From May 26 to 27, you also take a break from devices, status updates and technology in general during a weekend of crafts, food, drink, tunes, good ol' fashioned human connection and fun put together by Southside Tea Room, Death Valley and The Grates' duo John Paterson and Patience Hodgson. Keen for ziplining, kayaking, swimming, archery, pinata making, cupcake piping, rediscovering the lost of art letter writing and cooking up a storm on the open fire? You will be here. Or, have fun with some of SSTR's favourite events — Plaster Fun House and Disney Karaoke — in the great outdoors, dance the night away at a Late Night Disco and tell ghost stories when you're all tucked in. Meals-wise, you'll feast on three squares cooked up by Lucky Egg's Jacob Knauth and grab a midnight snack at the on-site tuckshop. And when it comes to refreshing beverages, expect to down beer and cider from Young Henrys — plus a camp cocktail that features The Bucha of Byron's kombucha. Tickets, which include accommodation, food, activities, t-shirt, s'mores, and your choice of a bunk or campsite, go on sale at 9am on March 15 for $189. For an extra $79, all of your tipples will also be taken care of, and you'll even get a take-home enamel mug as a souvenir. Plus, you'll be helping a good cause, as profits from the food and drink will go to Kids Help Line. Image: Alana Potts.
Time flies when you're slurping up Japanese noodle soups and having fun, as Paddington's Hai Hai clearly knows. It has been two years since they've opened their doors, and they're throwing a party to celebrate. Unlike any old birthday shindig, however, this one comes with free ramen. When the merriments kicks off on March 12, you'll want to arrive as close to 5pm as you can — the free brothy bowls will only be available to the first 200 customers. And, it's a dine-in only affair, so prepare for a line to get into the eatery's cute, cosy Latrobe Terrace digs. Sticking around past 6pm is recommended as well, as that's when some of Brissie's most dedicated ramen fiends will take part in Hai Hai's slurping competition. We're not quite sure how you win such a comp — fastest individual slurp? Loudest? Quickest person to slurp up the whole bowl? All of the above? — but it sounds tasty and entertaining either way.
Feel so down, Brisbane? Feel left out? Don't know why you keep walking for miles? People, they don't understand — but The Foundry does. On February 7 from 9pm, the Valley venue is throwing a 2000s indie party so you can dance away your worries. Named after The Strokes track, you can expect plenty of their tunes to get a spin at Last Nite, with DJ Clarktic Monkeys, DJ Gabeyshambles and DJ Lykke Leach on music duties. As for the rest of their picks, expect to party like it's 2009 — and the entire decade prior. That means everything from the Arctic Monkeys to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, plus the likes of Daft Punk, LCD Soundsystem, Phoenix, The Killers, The Shins, The White Stripes and Vampire Weekend in between. Entry is free, which means that all you need to do is clear your Thursday evening, show up and prepare for a dose of nostalgia in the best possible way.
It's a pretty clever move — and one that probably made you think about this event more than you might've otherwise. Rather than just calling the celebration of New Zealand's finest craft beers what it really is (aka a boozefest), the powers that be have labelled it a symposium. That means that you can feel like you're partaking in something scholarly as you're sipping on brews from across the ditch. Given that you'll be able to sample a whole host of beverages you probably haven't come across before, there really is an educational side to it. In Brisbane, three places are getting in on the action: Bloodhound Bar, Saccharomyces Beer Cafe and Tippler's Tap. Each will offer up their own take on the event, plus their own selection of world-class NZ brews, on their own days. Basically, whichever you pick you're in for an afternoon and evening of themed, informative fun — or several. The fun kicks off on February 6 for Waitangi Day, which really couldn't be any more appropriate, and runs until February 11.
When a French store recently slashed the price of Nutella, customers went wild. Brawling and rioting was reported, and now the country's government is looking to change the laws regarding cheap supermarket promotions. Yes, it's safe to say that the chocolate hazelnut spread has more than a few fans. Here in Australia, we have a Nutella food truck, a Nutella festival and a Nutella dessert bar. And, from February 5 to 28, a dedicated Nutella menu at Salt Meats Cheese as well. Kicking off on International Nutella Day, because of course that's a thing, SMC 's Gasworks digs will be serving up 12 Nutella-filled items for your eating and drinking pleasure. Fancy a Nutella calzone, in both regular and Oreo varieties? New York-style Nutella ricotta cheesecake? Nutella deep fried in pastry? Nutella panna cotta? Gelato topped with Ferrero Rocher, Kinder Bueno and Nutella sauce drizzle? Of course you do. Or, sip and slurp up your favourite spread, with the Nutella espresso martini — with Skyy vodka, Nutella, coffee liqueur, muscovado sugar and cold drip espresso — certain to be popular. Marocchino Nutella, like they make in the substance's Italian home town, will also be available, as will Nutella lattes and frappes.
UPDATE, December 7, 2020: Game Night is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Game Night is a comedy of such extreme highs and lows, if you plotted it on a graph it would look like the EKG of a heart attack victim. It's a film with some outstanding moments, as well as some truly awful ones. It's got terrific characters alongside characters so thin and underdeveloped they barely feel like characters at all. It takes a familiar setup, only to dispense with it far sooner than you'd expect. It is, in short, an epic mixed bag, one that some will regard as a disappointing film with redeeming qualities, and others as a great farce let down by its weaker moments. Neither perspective is strictly unfair, but the latter perhaps feels closer to the mark – especially since the film never pretends to be anything more than what it is. Game Night is directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, the same duo responsible for both the awful Vacation reboot and the surprisingly funny Horrible Bosses series. It stars Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams as Max and Annie, two competitive trivia nerds who fall in love via their mutual love of games and who, once married, host regular game nights for their friends (Lamorne Morris, Billy Magnussen and Kylie Bunbury). Things go awry, however, when Max's older, more handsome and definitely more successful brother Brooks (Friday Night Lights star Kyle Chandler) returns home and raises the stakes by hosting a kidnap game in the vein of a murder-mystery night. The twist? Brooks gets kidnapped for real right in front of them and the players have absolutely no idea. The scenes that follow centre almost exclusively on that easy source of dramatic irony, with the characters bumbling around absent any idea of how much danger they're in. But, as we mentioned above, Game Night shows its cards on that front before things get too tired, and instead invents newer, fresher story threads to carry things forward. Performance wise it's all very familiar territory for Bateman, playing the outwardly-polite, inwardly-screaming suburbanite he's inhabited ever since Arrested Development. McAdams is similarly likeable if also largely unchallenged, saving her best stuff for the film's few (relatively) serious moments. We also get some fun cameos from the likes of Danny Huston, Michael C. Hall and Sharon Horgan – although the scene-stealer award goes to Jesse Plemons, whose creepy neighbour character lands a near-perfect laugh-per-line scorecard. At its best, Game Night is laugh out loud funny, subverting some classic comedy tropes and delivering scores of killer one-liners. On the flip-side, its secondary characters are flat and underwritten (Magnussen's in particular), throwing down the kinds of punchlines you can see coming a mile off. Even so, it's probably one of the better Hollywood black comedies we've seen in the last few years, and ultimately entertains enough to justify the price of admission. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNtLIcyjsnI
What's better than a brand new arts and culture precinct that literally glows? One that matches its bright sights with a weekly dose of music, obviously. Indeed, if you haven't already made your way down to the former, aka South Bank newbie Flowstate, then the latter is all the excuse you need. From March 2 onwards, kicking off at 5.30pm each week, Friday Feels will be taking over the Flowstate green to start your weekend with a party. A different DJ will hit the decks each time around, spinning tracks that'll have you forgetting about work in no time. And if you're wondering who'll be making your toes tap, Joey Taouk will do the honours first up, with Rosie Turner, The Gaitling Gun and DJ Bacon also confirmed over the coming months.
Put down your croquet mallet, plaster on your best game show host smile and grab a slushie: it's Heathers' dance party time, again. For the tenth time, the fun-loving folks at Black Bear Lodge are celebrating one of the most very films of the '80s once more, and the whole decade in general of course. Big hair, blazers with shoulder pads and giant red scrunchies are a must. Complaining about everyone you know called Heather — that's optional. Whether you channel your inner Veronica or JD, or broaden your remit to other cult flicks of the era, you certainly won't lack in fashion inspiration in what will definitely be a night of big fun. The party's DJs won't lack in ace retro tracks to spin, either. Whatever will be, will be, after all. So, what's the regular event's damage? It's free, it starts at 11pm, and drinking blue beverages isn't recommended. Be there, or be a pillowcase — or be jealous much.
The term 'ladies night' mightn't always make you want to rush to a bar, but Dolls 'n' Drams should. Held on International Women's Day on March 8, it's The Gresham's way of celebrating a tasty type of amber spirits and the ladies who love it. We'll say cheers to that. Cocktails on arrival, tastings, samples and just all-round tasty beverages: they're all on offer. So are charcuterie, spending time with fellow whisky aficionados and just generally giving a dram. Attendees will get all of the above for $45, with the fun kicking off at 7pm. As for the exact tipples you'll be drinking, Suntory's Yamazaki Japanese whisky will be in the spotlight, plus a few others from Scotland, Ireland and the US. It's basically a global tour just for your whisky-loving tastebuds, and it sounds like a successful evening to us.
The 2018 Alliance Française French Film Festival might be one year short of a major milestone, but the Gallic cinema showcase is still celebrating its 29th iteration in style. As always, that means a feast of films is on the agenda at the crowd-drawing and -pleasing annual event — 47 features, two documentaries and one televisions series, in fact. Touring the country from February 27, starting in Sydney before heading to Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, Adelaide, Parramatta and Casula, this year's AFFFF will bookend its program with amusement. The festival kicks off with comedy C'est la vie! from The Intouchables duo Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, before coming to a close with rom-com 50 Is the New 30. In-between, everything from acclaimed efforts to star-studded dramas to the latest work from master directors will grace cinema screens around Australia, celebrating the best in French film from the past 12 months. Sitting high amongst the highlights are the AIDS activism-focused BPM and the Juliette Binoche-starring Let the Sunshine In, which will both receive a nation-wide run after screening at last year's Melbourne International Film Festival. In the high-profile camp, they're joined by a Marion Cotillard double, with the acclaimed actress featuring in last year's Cannes opening night pick Ismael's Ghosts and comedy Rock'n Roll; romantic drama The Return of the Hero with Mélanie Laurent and The Artist Oscar-winner Jean Dujardin; Isabelle Huppert in coming-of-age effort Reinventing Marvin; and Gael Garcia Bernal in If You Saw His Heart. Or fans of prominent French filmmakers can get their fix courtesy of François Ozon's Double Lover and Xavier Beauvois' The Guardians, marking the latest flicks from the respective directors of Frantz and Of Gods and Men. The Artist's Michel Hazanavicius tackles an icon, turning the life of Jean-Luc Godard into Redoubtable, while Laurent Cantet jumps from 2008 Palme d'Or-winner The Class to thriller The Workshop. Elsewhere, actor-director Mathieu Amalric helms and features in Barbara, about an actress starring in a biopic about a famed chanteuse. AFFFF 2018 will also shine a spotlight on queer cinema for the first time, to celebrate marriage equality, and also include its usual selection of family-friendly fare for younger cinephiles. And, for those keen on catching some TV on the big screen, three episodes of Paris, Etc will whisk you away to the French capital, following the lives and loves of Parisian women.
Forget worms — the early bird gets gourmet bites to eat, farm-fresh produce to line the cupboards, and an enjoyable morning of browsing and shopping at Milton Markets. Every Sunday morning from 6am — and 7am in winter — more than 80 stalls descend upon the corner of Cribb and Little Cribb streets in the inner western suburb to sell tasty wares. From whenever you feel like waking up until midday, you can wander through massive fig trees to join them. With a new seating area part of the fun in 2018, the Milton Markets know that you probably have a hankering for a few things, and they're set to deliver. If duck egg pasta, Dutch syrup waffles, artisan honey and handmade goats cheese gets your stomach grumbling, you can stock up here. Don't worry if all of the above sounds familiar, too — and not just because you've been to a market around town before. In fact, if you went to the Red Hill Farmers Markets when they were up and running, you know what you're in for. Milton became the new site (and provided the new name) for the local favourites in early 2016.
Pop-up bars are no stranger to Brisbane's streets — but none deliver a message quite as blatant as Trash Tiki. It's operating waste-free and travelling the world showing customers and bar owners how to do it too. In the hopes of drawing attention to over-consumption and single-use ingredients in the craft cocktail industry today, UK bartenders Kelsey Ramage and Iain Griffiths have designed the pop-up to be a launchpad for a conversation on waste. It's travelled Europe, Asia, South America, the US and now Australia. As part of their stint in the country, Trash Tiki is heading to Brisbane to do something a little different — and it comes with dinner. In celebration of World Bartender Day, the duo will settle in at Electric Avenue on February 26 and host a three-course meal that comes complete with four anti-waste cocktails. The drinks selection will be created using a combination of fresh local ingredients and things from the kitchen or bar that'd otherwise end up in the bin, including a special one-off Wild Card concoction that uses waste items from the dinner itself. Also on the menu: the Black & Tan Sour, which features Jim Beam Black Label, honey cream, lemon juice and stock, wattle seed syrup, whey, lemon husks and egg yolks. Two seatings will be held, at 6pm and 8pm, with tickets costing $93.50. Image: Steven Woodburn.
Yayoi Kusama's dots might seem like they go on forever; however Life is the Heart of a Rainbow has an end date at the Gallery of Modern Art. Sadly, come February 12, the Japanese artist's wonders will leave South Brisbane — but you can bet GOMA is going all out on February 11. Celebrating the exhibition's last day involves more than just staring up at floating orbs, peering at pumpkins, looking into mirrored boxes and entering darkened rooms, although we highly recommend all of the above. Also on offer are tours, talks, classes and a film to really make you go dotty. From midday, head by the Kusama Art Therapy Lounge to get creative, then embark on a guided Rainbow Tour at 1pm. Next up is a talk about the artist at 2.30pm, followed by a screening of Near Equal Kusama Yayoi – I Adore Myself at 3pm.
On February 2nd in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, a furry creature pops its head out from its burrow. Taking in the conditions outside, it either decides whether to stay put due to the cold or venture out if warmer weather is ahead. The same thing happens every year, sparking an annual ceremony since 1886 — and, a quarter-century ago, one classic Bill Murray-starring comedy. That's right woodchuck-chuckers, it's Groundhog Day. And yes, it's a film that you really should watch every February to mark the occasion. It's also the answer to the question: "what would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?". Clearly, you'd watch weatherman Phil Connors relive the same day over and over again. This year, Dendy Coorparoo is making that easier, returning the looping fun to the big screen for one night only to celebrate the feature's 25th anniversary. The session takes place at 6.30pm on February 2, of course. Look out for the icy puddles on the way.
There's no such thing as 'standard' jazz. That's true of every style of music, but the genre's penchant for experimentation and improvisation makes the statement particularly accurate. And if it's inventive sounds that you're after, Brisbane's latest jazz night is here to treat your eardrums to a host of tunes you probably haven't heard before. Jazz Is Dead is Barbara's Tuesday evening jazzfest, filling the Fortitude Valley bar with sweet, sweet music from 7pm until midnight every week. It's particularly focusing on tracks and artists that breathe new life into the style, so jazz isn't really dead here — it's reborn. Running until the end of July, the regular event has also enlisted a heap of talented folks to help, many of whom have crossed paths in various local bands. The Biology of Plants' Helen Svoboda, Pink Matter's Megan Christensen and Kerry Raywood, The Grates' Jack Richardson and Ritchie Daniell, and Astro Travellers' Sam Maguire, Rohan Seekers and Jessi Lumbar are just some of the names on the bill, all set to share their jazzy highlights.
Southeast Queensland, meet your new vegan shindig — and your new excuse to spend a day on the Sunshine Coast. To its already considerable list of charms, Noosa is adding its first vegan festival, taking place from 10am on April 21. Attendees can expect a day filled with food, cruelty-free products, entertainment, cooking demonstrations and informative speakers. Or, in other words, a plant-based bonanza. There'll be around 55 exhibitors and vendors in total, helping you scratch your particular vegan itch. Doughnuts? Doggie treats? Human treats? Pizza? Ice cream? You'll find it here, as well as vegan wine. The J Noosa is the place to head to, with tickets available for $15 at the door. It's a cash-only affair, and bring some extra if you'd like to buy your own keep cup ($20), sample-filled showbag ($20) or t-shirt ($30). Plus, with the fest supporting a plastic-free environment, you're also advised to bring your own reusable water bottle, mugs, containers and bags. Image: Rawlicious Delicious.
Tuesdays: no one loves them. The weekend's fun seems like a distant memory, there's more days left in the working week than anyone wants to accept, and the 9-to-5 really is seeming like a grind. And it's not yet hump day, so no one really wants to hear you complain, even though everyone feels the same way. Salt Meats Cheese can't erase your not-quite-midweek apathy, but it can give your day a buzz thanks to their latest weekly special. Every Tuesday is now Espresso Tuesday at the Gasworks eatery — and it comes with $9 espresso martinis on tap all day. Australia's own Mr Black specialty cold brew coffee liqueur will be filling glasses — and if you're not familiar with the caffeinated tipple, it's made on the NSW Central Coast, by hand, and in batches of just 300. Sounds like the perfect bev to wash down a pizza or plate of pasta, and to brighten up your week.
Whether abstaining from red meat is part of your beliefs, or munching on the ocean's finest just sounds like your idea of a good time, the Regatta Hotel is the place to be this Good Friday. Seafood, seafood and then even more seafood will be on the menu at their annual luncheon. Enjoy seafood platters aplenty — which means prawns, fish, squid, oysters, mussels, bugs and other delicious bites from the ocean — and then top it all off with an Easter-appropriate cake and sweets selection. This mouthwatering feast will set you back $79 per person, which is much more affordable than it usually is. Drinks are extra, but c'mon, it's still better than a backyard barbecue.
Everyone loves a street party, particularly when it involves meals-on-wheels, pop-up bars and live music. That's what's on the agenda at The Block Party at the Gabba — plus, if that's your preferred form of football, some AFL. Yes, for their first home game of the season, the Brisbane Lions are doing something extra special. And it's something that everyone can enjoy, whether you're going to the match or not. From 4pm on March 31, they're turning Jurgens Street Park near the Gabba into a food truck-fuelled block party. There's never a bad reason to throw a shindig, after all. On the culinary lineup is Salt Meats Cheese, Mr Burger, Cheese Lane and Mac From Way Back, so prepare for a feast of pizza, burgs, cheese and mac 'n' cheese. Plus, the fun will run right through the evening — think pre-, during and post-match revelry.
When you were a kid, Easter Sunday meant stuffing your face with as much chocolate as you could. Just us? We know it wasn't. But now you're classed as an 'adult', there's really nothing stopping you from an annual chocolate inhaling. Hey, who's going to judge you? Alternatively, you could indulge in four hours of canapes, frose, rose, Pimm's Easter punch, Veuve Clicquot — at a mid-morning eating and drinking extravaganza. Dalgety Public House has you covered with their Easter Sunday Bottomless Brunch. It's a cool $99 per person, but it'll be worth it. We've given this advice before, and we know we will again: wear something stretchy.
Every Brisbanite knows Anthony Lister — either his work, or his story. The former decorated the city's traffic signal boxes, brightening up more than 120 of them with his distinctive creations, all with the permission of Brisbane City Council. The latter, however, took a turn into interesting territory when BCC later took him to court on graffiti-related charges. In early April, you can catch his tale on screen in the excellent documentary Have You Seen the Listers?, and from March 22 to May 5, you can also see his latest exhibition at Fireworks Gallery. With the title Anthony Lister: The Flower Show, you can guess what he's focusing on — but, in his series of multi-coloured creations, it's a little like Brisbane street art meeting Van Gogh and Andy Warhol. As Lister explains, "Van Gogh was a delusional, antisocial sociopath — I can relate to that. Andy Warhol was a psychopath — I can also relate to that… It is agreed though they both made some very good paintings while they were alive… I have (for the sake of history and conversation) created a series of amalgamation paintings that celebrate the genius of both Van and Andy by unifying the qualities I am most attracted to of each."
Since opening its doors just over a year ago, Netherworld has been mighty busy. 24-hour pinball marathons, Hawaiian shirt parties, building cities out of cardboard, beer fests, Christmas shindigs, movie nights... the list goes on, and now the Valley venue is adding art exhibitions to the mix. It all launches at 6pm on April 5, which is when Freak Street's Radioactive Slime show is unveiled. The creative pseudonym for Brisbane-based artist Ben Adams, Freak Street's illustrations takes inspiration from "American pop culture, Japanese monster films, surfing, death, anxiety, and the occasional nice little things that happen in life" — all while sporting a sense of humour and a love of colour. On opening night, there'll be art, shirts and masks for sale — including a limited run of new Netherworld shirts designed by the artist in question. The exhibition also runs all month, so you'll have something ace to stare when you need a break from mashing buttons. Image: Freak Street Illustrations.
Not content with filling the Gallery of Modern Art's walls with her intriguing creatures, artist Patricia Piccinini is filling GOMA's cinema with matching flicks as well. At the Curious Affection film program, the silver screen will shine with empathetic monster movies, science-fiction wonders, horror efforts and everything in-between — from the most famous (and often incorrectly referenced) reassembled collection of body parts ever seen on celluloid, to '80s teenagers dreaming of creepy rabbits, to this year's best picture Oscar winner. Yes, the lineup does include Frankenstein, Donnie Darko and The Shape of Water, but that's really just the beginning. Touching upon the themes of monstrous beauty, otherworldly encounters, companion species and earthly survival, its a broad and beautifully curated selection that throws up the only Brisbane cinema screenings of Bong Joon-ho's Okja and Ryan Gosling's Lost River to date, a futuristic double bill of Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049, and the Australian premiere of Jan Švankmajer's Insects. Other highlights include David Lynch's Eraserhead and The Elephant Man, Werner Herzog's The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser and Grizzly Man, and Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro, plus everything from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Jungle Book and Nightbreed to Picnic at Hanging Rock, The Lobster and Raw. And then there's Roar, which was filmed in Africa amidst dozens of actual untrained lions, and is now considered one of the most dangerous movies ever made.
With its natural decor and lashings of lush foliage, Elixir Rooftop Bar might very well be the kind of place a rabbit would like to call home. This Easter, there'll be a few hoppers doing just that — though they'll be of the Lindt chocolate type, of course. To usher in the occasion, the panoramic Brisbane venue is once again hosting their famous midnight bunny hunt. There'll be more than just sweet cocoa-based treats, with chocolate martinis also on the menu. Doors open at 4pm, and arriving early is recommended — how else are you going to scope out all those sneaky chocolate rabbit hiding spots?
You know that feeling of unbridled joy and energy you get in the opening scene of The Lion King when you scream "Naaaants een-vwen-yaaaaaaa ma-ba-gee-chi-ba-va" (or some variation thereof) as baby Simba is hoisted up by Rafiki? That's why you should pay to see the Spice World: The Movie not only at the cinema, but at the drive-in. Even though you've seen it a million times, you have it on DVD and Blu-ray (for some reason), and on a USB drive that's permanently in the TV, you should still grab a car full of pals and buy a ticket. The sheer thrill that you'll feel when rows and rows of vehicles filled with adult women come alive with screams of "you gotta, you gotta, you gotta, you gotta SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM" will be an experience like no other, even if you've been to other sing-a-long sessions of the film before. The joy of sharing, nostalgia, sing-screaming, choc tops and dressing up like it's 1997 are all rolled into one event for the 20th anniversary screening of Spice World. It all takes place at the Yatala Drive-In on April 21, so pick your best Spice Girl outfit and snap up a ticket while you can.
Enjoying a few brews shouldn't cost the earth — not just in terms of price, but in environmental impact. So when Helios Brewing Company opened up on Yerongpilly, they ensured minimising waste, maximising efficiency and reducing their ecological footprint was part of their setup. And when it came to participating in a Brewsvegas dinner, they did the same. Taking place from 6.30pm on March 13, Australia's Most Sustainable Beer Dinner will pair four Helios brews with an environmentally sustainable menu, as whipped up by The Embassy's hatted head chef Rob Campbell. On offer: Tasmanian salmon, Sunshine Coast duck, scotch ale, chocolate stout and more, plus zero feelings of environmental guilt.
Don't listen to the naysayers — beer goes with just about everything. Sometimes, however, you need a little expert help to get the right combo. Take the tricky pairing of yeasty beverages and caffeinated brews, for example. When it's good, it's very, very good. And when it isn't, you know it. Enter Brewsvegas' Hops & Drops, an event that's all about getting the right blend of beer and coffee. Running from 11am until 7pm on March 13 at Bean on George Street, it'll feature Aether Brewing and Bellissimo Coffee working their way through various duos — including a rather different version of a boilermaker. And, given the timing and location, it's also the perfect thing to do in your lunch break (or if you need an afternoon pick-me-up).
Every three years, QUT Art Museum dedicates one of its regular exhibitions to the the university's alumni, showcasing the creative feats that its former students have achieved. In 2018, the show takes the form of Transboundaries: Art + Connection, although — as the title makes plain — playing with form is one of this exhibition's aims. Featuring work by seven artists, Transboundaries highlights the blending of borders — be it of specific mediums, including dance, film or installation; of the past, present and possible future; or of the social, political, ecological and psychological. That means that it features a little bit of everything, including performances between April 13 to 15 and an immersive video projection until April 15, with the entire exhibition running until June 3. Stopping by on April 13 is particularly recommended, with the gallery staying open until 8pm. As well as boasting all of the above until later, it also ties in with Botanica in the neighbouring Brisbane Botanic Gardens, which includes garden art, live music and food trucks. Image: Liesel Zink, Balloons and granite 2018. Photo: Fenlan Chuang. Dancer Michael Smith.
There's Sunday sessions, and then there's Sunday sessions. As varied as your state of mind on the last day of the weekend, some call for boozy brunches, others for chilled evenings — and as Vieille Branche is happy to demonstrate, some just need a relaxed bit of jazz. That's what Sunday Hot Club is all about: hanging out, soaking in great sounds, and enjoying some cheese and wine. It does take place in an Albion warehouse space that used to be a French cafe, after all. Each week, a new lineup of musicians will take to the stage, and offer up the soundtrack to your cruisy arvo. Making an ace shindig even better, there'll also be Emile & Solange cheeseboards on offer, plus hot chips, French wine and craft beers on tap. Fabuleux! Doors open at 1pm, and while the music doesn't kick off until 2pm, arriving early to score a good seat is recommended. Keep an eye on the event's Facebook page for the weekly lineup.
Getting up before daylight mightn't be your usual idea of an ace Sunday morning; however some things really are worth shortening your snooze for. Getting what just might be the best view of the sunrise in the city, for one. Climbing a mountain for the calm and tranquility that can only come from bending and stretching is another. Oh, and then there's the whole taking part in a silent yoga class on Mt Coot-tha, for another. All three combine at Sound Off at the Summit, Urban Bliss Yoga's latest adventurous exercise outing. They've done it before and now they're back to do it again — and yes, mountaintop yoga will literally take you to another level. Expect to show off your best mountain pose while you're standing on one, do downward dog as you stare down from a massive land mass, and whip out your liveliest sun salutation as the fiery ball of heat ascends over the city. Taking place on April 22, eager yogis will climb up to the Brisbane Lookout for this early Sunday session, with all of the fun kicking off at 6am. And, thanks to the illuminated headphones everyone will be wearing, there'll be quite the glow coming from the class as well. Everyone from yoga first-timers to asana experts are welcome — as long as you BYO yoga mat — but tickets are expected to get snapped up quickly.
When Renee Bennett (Amy Schumer) glances in the mirror, her own loathing stares back. She hates what she sees. She hates how she's viewed by the world. Painstakingly trying to follow YouTube hair and makeup tutorials, she yearns to meet society's beauty standards. "I've always wondered what it's like to be undeniably pretty," Renee tells a model friend (Emily Ratajkowski) at the gym. When her dream receptionist job is advertised — at the Fifth Avenue head office of her cosmetics brand employer, a step up from her current Chinatown workplace — she's certain she won't get it due to her appearance. Wishing for a permanent makeover, Renee even throws a penny into a fountain during a storm in desperation. That doesn't work, but then she hits her head during cycling class and suddenly loves her reflection. In I Feel Pretty, the twist is right there in the title — Renee's appearance doesn't change, just her perception. Now certain that she's the total package, she oozes confidence, takes risks and enjoys the life-altering changes that come with her boosted self-esteem. She not only gets the job, but gets to work with her idol, company CEO Avery LeClaire (Michelle Williams). She assumes that the kindly Ethan (Rory Scovel) is hitting on her at the dry cleaners, asks him out and they start dating. Charting Renee's transformation, seasoned rom-com writers-turned-directors Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein (He's Just Not That Into You, The Vow, How to be Single) craft a typical "make a wish" flick, but set their sights on body image. The film even includes a glimpse of Big, in case the Tom Hanks-starring '80s hit didn't instantly spring to mind. Helming their first feature, Kohn and Silverstein have a very specific aim: discarding society's narrow concept of hotness, showing that a little self-belief goes a long way, and fashioning an empowering comedy as a result. An important goal, it's one that Schumer has spent her stand-up and on-screen careers championing. It's there in her comic routine, in countless Inside Amy Schumer sketches and in Trainwreck as well, but I Feel Pretty doesn't belong in the same company. Here, there's an enormous gap between the film's intentions and its execution. Specifically, the view the movie celebrates doesn't quite match its contents. Trying to have its body-positive cake and eat it too, I Feel Pretty says it's what's on the inside that counts while demonstrating the opposite. The film presents a character who's only successful and happy when she thinks she's attractive, and when she thinks that the world agrees — and while viewers can see that Renee still looks the same, it invites them to laugh when she acts like she's a supermodel. You could argue that the movie chuckles with rather than at her, but she's rightly glowing with pride instead of giggling. You could also suggest that the film is making fun of Renee's over-the-top behaviour, which involves sidelining her lifelong best buds (Aidy Bryant and Busy Philipps) and generally acting like a diva. However, the number of times that another character reacts like Renee isn't physically all that paints a very different picture. Take one particularly problematic scene as an example. On her first date with Ethan, Renee decides to enter a seedy bar's bikini contest. Ethan suggests that she doesn't really fit the part, doing so with subtlety. But the MC doesn't share his tact, appearing shocked when Renee takes to the stage, and later describing her as "the kind of woman who could handle herself in a knife fight". The way the scene is staged and shot reinforces his view, encouraging the audience to guffaw heartily at the premise (because a woman who doesn't look like a conventional swimsuit model baring some flesh is apparently funny?) while also offering up plenty of incredulous reactions from the on-screen audience. Sure, everyone eventually appreciates Renee's gusto, complete with cheers and applause. But if what's on the outside doesn't matter in the film's opinion, why milk the situation for easy laughs first? That's I Feel Pretty's whole approach. Served up in bright and shiny packaging, and layered over a formulaic story, the movie's mixed messages don't end there, although it's never mean or ugly — just muddled. The idea that Schumer isn't desirable is ridiculous, but the comedian is actually at her best when she's earnestly engaging with Renee's feelings of inadequacy. It's a side she doesn't often show on-screen, and it suits her. Williams' rare foray into comic territory is similarly impressive, with the acclaimed actress playing the more exaggerated part, illustrating that everyone has insecurities and stealing every scene she's in. Indeed, as proved the case with Tilda Swinton in Trainwreck, Schumer is upstaged by her co-star. Well, that and the film's superficial nature. A flick about peering beneath the surface, I Feel Pretty ultimately ignores its own advice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-FMymitzf8
Every month in Wollongong, a bunch of creative folks get together for a shindig. Music, live art, cinematography, visual mixing, indie fashion, interactive installations — if it's fun, features live music and blends art forms, it's likely that it'll pop up on the Strawberry Boogie bill. Now, the team responsible is spreading their wings and starting to party in Brisbane as well. On October 20 at The Zoo, they'll launch their foray into our fair city with quite the fiesta. Think bands (Max Chillen + the Kerbside Collective, Chesterfield, The Flamingo Jones and TRAILS), dancing and a mighty ace way to get things pumping, all under the name of Shower Beers. It's an apt title. Everyone loves boozing while the water is streaming down; everyone will love this. It's an event that's all about being creative and listening to tunes, so of course they will.
Just try not to gaze longingly into the shimmering azure sea seen in Roza of Smyrna. Sorry, it's impossible. The film has been called a Greco-Turkish Romeo and Juliet, and its blend of scenic sights and romantic drama is a great fit for the Greek Film Festival's 2017 opening night. While you're watching, you'll fall in love with the story and the picturesque region. With the fest taking over Palace Barracks from October 12 to 15, that's just one of the titles on offer in Brisbane's short but sweet program. Other highlights The Bachelor, which has been dubbed the Hellenic version of The Hangover,; and Dogs of Democracy, which aims to be an Athens-set, canine-centric version of cat doco Kedi. From Greek mumblecore to an exploration of Cyprus at war, there's more where they came from. It's the festival's 24th year, and they're making the most of it. We'd smash some plates in celebration of that.
In 2016, Cheated Hearts fans discovered that parting was such sweet sorrow. On May 19, they'll learn how happy coming back together can be. The beloved queer-friendly night is returning for a 2017 hangout at The Brightside, and they're doing it in their own classic style. The music will be loud. The dance floor will be packed. And everyone will be acting like it's their school reunion. That's the theme, actually, so dig out your high school attire and get ready to party. Or, call upon whichever movie version of secondary schooling you love, and use it for inspiration. Mean Girls, Grease, Heathers, 10 Things I Hate About You... the list goes on. To mark the occasion, there'll be class of 2017 photos, canteen-flavoured cocktails (be excited or be scared), and a giant spin the bottle. DJs Jane Doe, Sezzo, The Gatling Gun, Lu-na and Eevvee will spin the tunes to suit the mood, so prepare for nostalgia aplenty. Then cross your fingers that you'll get to do it all again next year. Image: Cheated Hearts.
We make things. We consume things. We repeat this pattern over and over again. Producing and devouring is one of humanity's basic cycles, whether we're cooking and eating food, pondering and implementing ideas, or creating and viewing art — and it sits at the centre of The Remainder. With her latest exhibition of works, which graces Metro Arts' walls from May 10 to 27, Susan Hawkins wants to call attention to this process. Continuing to use reclaimed industrial and domestic objects, she aims to start a conversation. Given that dismantling and repurposing outmoded technology, making sure attendees begin to ponder how quickly things are made, used and discarded these days is well and truly on the agenda. Hawkins hopes the train of thought will go further than that, however, with The Remainder also designed to highlight how our rapid consumption habits are having an environmental impact. It's a weighty topic, but one the confines of a gallery might just be able to make us all see a little clearer.
Everyone dreams of throwing in the 9-to-5 grind for a more leisurely way of life, and swapping the big smoke for a quiet place in the country, too. And, if you like alcoholic beverages made from fermented grapes, we're guessing holing up in your own winery, making as much as pinot noir as you can handle and feasting on cheese features heavily. We'll admit it if you do. Alas, that's not the path most of us are fated to follow; however the Regatta's returning two-day festival can help you pretend otherwise. The Laneway Vineyard doesn't just boast a hefty selection of international and local tipples, plus gourmet food stalls created by the Boatshed restaurant. With garden walls and fairy lights featuring, it also brings a slice of chateau life to the city. So, sip on whichever nectar of the gods takes your fancy, nibble on scrumptious bites, and enjoy a weekend of food and drink-focused bliss. Live acoustic tunes outside, blues bands in the Walrus Club and DJs spinning tunes until late will keep things pumping, because this isn't just a wine showcase — it's a celebration.
When Amy Schumer starred in Trainwreck back in 2015, audiences may have felt a sense of niggling deja vu. If you'd watched Inside Amy Schumer or any of her standup shows, you knew exactly the kind of character you were getting — not that that was a big problem, necessarily, since seeing the comedian and actress take her usual persona to the big screen was part of the appeal. But even the funniest folks can only coast on the same material for so long. That's not to say that Schumer doesn't throw herself into her latest film with gusto, but rather that her character, the aimless, self-absorbed, recently single Emily, offers very little that's new. The same is true of the film in which she resides, which plays out exactly the way you expect it to. Drunken pick-up attempts? Tick. Gags about intimate personal grooming? Tick. One-liners that only work thanks to Schumer's delivery? Keep ticking. A hard-partying character suddenly forced to address her messy existence? Of course that's what Snatched is about. The film kicks into gear when Emily's cat-loving mother Linda (Goldie Hawn) discovers, via Facebook, that her daughter has been dumped. Emily, for her part, is upset, although seemingly more about her impending, non-refundable vacation to Ecuador than the breakup itself. After trying and failing to find a friend to accompany her on her adventure, Emily discovers an old photo album filled with snaps of a once-carefree Linda travelling in her younger years. So she decides to invite her mother along instead. With a title like Snatched, it's not a spoiler to say that the duo soon find themselves kidnapped by local criminals. Frankly, it's hard to spoil much about this film, given how formulaic it all feels. From the predictable interplay between mother and daughter to the uncomfortable stereotypes about South America and its inhabitants, the uninspired script by Ghostbusters scribe Katie Dippold leaves one person with a huge job. And no, it's not director Jonathan Levine – the man behind The Night Before, Warm Bodies and 50/50 stays mostly on auto-pilot here. Instead, it's Hawn who does the bulk of the heavy lifting. It's been 15 years since the actress was last on screen, but the comic force of the '80s and '90s has lost none of her flair. A committed supporting performance by Joan Cusack aside, it's hardly surprising that Hawn's rapport with Schumer is far and away the best thing about this routine jaunt through the jungle. If all Snatched does is inspire you to seek out some of her earlier work, then at least it will have achieved something of value. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcyeYFXdHNQ
Time flies when you're getting up early on a Sunday, doing all of your fruit and veg shopping as the sun comes up, and then making a morning out of browsing, buying, eating and drinking. If the Milton Markets have become part of your weekly routine, then you mightn't have even realised that they've been running for a year. To celebrate the party-worthy event, they're turning May 7's markets into just that. As well as the usual array of offerings — that is, stalls featuring everything from duck egg pasta and Dutch syrup waffles to artisan honey and handmade goats cheese — there'll be a few special inclusions to mark the occasion. Expect 100 stalls, including some from their very first weekend twelve months ago, plus dragon dancers, decorations (of course!) and two types of birthday cake. If you thought the idea of getting a slice of baked goodness — and for free, too — was great, then you'll love the second kind on offer. Serving up a cake just for dogs, here everyone can get in on the birthday action.
Though most of us spend July huddled in the depths of our doonas, there's also a thick and juicy silver lining to be had: Good Food Month. The city-wide food festival will return to Brisbane for the month of July to fill our bellies with a cure for the winter blues, and this year it could rebranded Great Food Month — Brisbane has really upped its culinary game in the last 12 months. There's a lot on the program, but here's a rundown of some of the highlights of the festival to pencil in to you iCal. NIGHT NOODLE MARKETS We probably don't even need to remind you about this one. The Cultural Forecourt at South Bank will be packed out with Asian hawker-style stalls and some delightful options for dessert. You'll find your favourite Gelato Messina, Waffleland, Teppanyaki Noodles, Little Kyoto, Donburi Station, Spanthai, Hoy Pinoy and a Blackstar x N2 Extreme Gelato collab. And leave you cash money at home because this year all stalls will accept cashless payment (a terrifying prospect for those of us with no self control — best slap a daily limit on your credit card). BRISBANE'S YOUNG CHEFS LUNCH This event is always generates some great buzz and will let you get an inside track on the up-and-coming stars of the culinary scene. This year it's hosted at Aria under the watchful eye of head chef Ben Russell. ESCAPE TO HALYCON HOUSE So, if you've got an anniversary coming up — or you just want to be extra indulgent — check out this super luxurious overnight escape to Halcyon House. Though it'll cost you back $2K, you'll be treated like Obama and Michelle. Luxury car transfers, drinks by the pool, dinner cooked by Paper Daisy chef Ben Devil, a Champagne brekky and a seasonal cooking class, all while staying in what might be Australia's most beautiful hotel. Well, we can dream. LANEWAY! STREET FOOD! MUSIC! The name says it all, really. The location is being kept secret (very mysterious) but you'll be up for a night of cold beers and street food made by Good Food Month's best chefs. A $50 ticket buys you four beers and three serves of food, which actually really good value (not something we say often). Not a bad substitute on the above event.
Would you jump into a stranger's panel van in the name of art? You don't know when it'll arrive, or where, other than the fact that it'll pop up during the Anywhere Theatre Festival. If you answer yes, you're getting into the spirit of the fest. The name really does have it — it's all about putting on shows, well, anywhere. In the case of the family-friendly Nomad, that does involve getting into a car for 15 minutes. With Songstress: Poetic Midwife, audiences will venture to St Vincent's Hospital. 2 Across journeys to a tram. Yes, really. In case you thought Brisbane was done with those after getting rid of them decades ago, don't forget the Brisbane Tramway Museum in Ferny Grove. Like a Dr Seuss tale, you can have theatre on a plane, in a train, in a house and with a mouse. Okay, so not all of those are true, but you get the picture. One production will take you back to high school; others take place in a regular Carina house; another in the Paddington substation. They really do mean anywhere.
Beer festivals are like beers themselves: nope, you just can't have enough. Add the Copper & Wax Craft Beer Festival to Brisbane's ever-growing list of boozy celebrations, with Copperface Jacks in West End responsible for the new shindig. Stone & Wood, Fixation, Granite Belt and Wolf of the Willows are the breweries in the spotlight at their May 6 event, which means there'll be tasty tipples available in abundance. Apparently there's a special small batch coming in from the Byron Bay-based breweries, so prepare your tastebuds for more than your usual brews. Copperface Jacks will also welcome DJs Cayuga and Butterz to crank out a soundtrack to the day of drinking fun, while a $20 meal deal will provide attendees with any burger and chips with a schooner of their choice for $20. There'll also be games such as apple bobbing and ring toss, complete with prizes. Cheers to that.
Brisbane doesn't lack in markets, but what if the city's best place for arts and crafts isn't the regular haunts you've been heading to each week or month? What if it's a twice-a-year gathering of Brisbane's creative folks that happens at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha? Going along to the Brisbane Visual Arts Community Pop-Up Shop between 10am and 3pm on May 7 is the only way to find out. Don't worry, you'll be rewarded for your efforts. Browse through handcrafted original pieces by local artisans and craftspeople, including porcelain, textiles, leather, glass, silk, jewellery, paintings, prints, quilts, ceramics and enamels. And, watch demonstrations of how the crafty magic happens. The shop takes over the Gardens' auditorium to protect everything from the elements; however, once you're there, you may as well roam the grounds as well. Basically, buy something to brighten up your house, then brighten up your day with plenty of foliage.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, or so everyone's mother has always claimed. If you haven't believed those wise words to date, let Lock 'n' Load convince you otherwise. They're helping you start off your weekend in boozy style with the regular event they're calling The Late Breakfast Club. Yes, we all know that a late brekkie is also called a brunch, but maybe the West End hangout wanted to conjure images of '80s movies? If so, that's perfectly understandable. No one sat in detention drinking bottomless mimosas, or devouring Bloody mary and BLT combos, though. You'll grab the former for $20 and the latter for $25. Yep, this could be named The Bargain Late Breakfast Club as well. If you're hightailing it to Boundary Street when you wake up on your next non-work day, it all takes place from 10am until midday on Saturdays and Sundays.
In 2013, 300 people danced to Kate Bush's' 'Wuthering Heights' in a field — and now in 2017, the idea is back and bigger than ever. Yes, The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever is happening in Brisbane on July 15 in Bedford Park. Yes, everyone should be dressed as Kate Bush, complete with a red dress, red stockings and black belt (men, that means you as well). On the day, a clowder (that's the collective noun for Kate Bushes, just FYI) will descend upon the park and copy Bush's swaying, kicky dance in unison just for the pure joy of it. Support for this weird and wonderful outing has been widespread, and Kate Bush fans from around the world have been inspired to create events in their home cities. So get your gear together (dressmakers are being flooded with orders for the day, check it out here) and ready yourself to roll and fall in green, out on the wily, windy moors of Bedford Park. Then, head on over to the after-party at the Jubilee Hotel.
On the first Thursday of every month, the Institute of Modern Art has started staying up late, opening its doors to an array of artists and throwing a free shindig. Come May 4, it's Hannah Brontë's turn to lead the fun. Stepping into a diamante-encrusted, neon-lit artistic wonderland is one of the things on the agenda. At First Thursdays' May edition, the Brisbane-based interdisciplinary artist doesn't just want to put on a show — she wants you to be part of it. Her piece is called The Venus Fly Trap, and she'll be staging a live music video. Prepare to become a performer and play a role in the final artwork. It all ties into Brontë's continue her exploration of female empowerment, challenging current societal structures and painting a picture of matriarchal futures, aka just what every Thursday should offer. She'll be joined by female rappers Jesswar, Miss Blanks, G Eleni, Aywin and Kaylah Truth, as well as DJ Damelia spinning tunes.
Forget YouTube videos of cute cats doing crazy things: if you're fond of felines, Kedi is about to become your new favourite film. The insightful documentary follows the lives of cats living in Turkey, offering a kitty's-eye view of the meowing creatures that prowl the streets. Part of the fabric of Istanbul, each has their own distinctive personality, which director Ceyda Torun captures with affection — and yet, the feature doesn't just aim to evoke an emotional reaction, but to chronicle the role that cats play in society. After screening at the Melbourne International Film Festival last year, the film comes to Brisbane's New Farm Cinemas from June 15, and they have quite the opening night planned. There'll be cats. Oh yes, there'll be cats. They'll not only be on screen, but prowling around the foyer beforehand. Joining forces with the Lucky Cat Cafe, the session will boast fabulous felines for pre-movie petting, plus a cat-themed stall selling everything from kitty jewellery to greeting cards to socks. We'll just say what we're all thinking: it's going to be purrfect.
Sporting horn-rimmed glasses and a cranky hankering for complaining, Woody Harrelson is clearly having fun in Craig Johnson's Wilson. Channelling his inner Larry David, he plays the cantankerous title character with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, delivering his misanthropic lines with glee. His grouchy protagonist drips with the same attitude he displayed in The Edge of Seventeen, Now You See Me and the Hunger Games movies – and yet not once does it feel like he's following a playbook. But while you could never accuse Harrelson of going through the motions, the same cannot be said about his latest film Here, a world-weary middle-aged grump is content with spitting acid at everything around him, until a series of life-changing events threatens to interrupt his sour status quo. Alas, though it is based on Daniel Clowes' graphic novel of the same name — and as such possesses the same spirit as the cartoonist's Ghost World and Art School Confidential — this big screen adaptation could hardly be more formulaic. That the film can't quite fashion its episodic antics into anything more than obvious observations — about the state of modern society, family and the notion of making a mark — certainly doesn't help. Nor does the unconvincing seesawing between comedy and something more serious. When we first meet Wilson, he's a lanky, bearded package of conflicting impulses and disdain. When he's not admonishing people on the street for taking a shine to his cute pooch, he's annoying strangers by sidling up close and starting intrusive conversations. For a while, he's happy in his unhappiness — but after his only friends move away and his ill dad takes a turn for the worse, he finds himself yearning for a connection. Looking up childhood pals and hooking up with women in the supermarket doesn't work, so he tracks down his ex-wife Pippi (Laura Dern), only to learn that he has a 17-year-old daughter (Isabella Amara). Clowes wrote the screenplay himself, while Johnson previously — and effectively — delved into dysfunction in The Skeleton Twins. Despite this, Wilson simply isn't the winning collaboration it could've been. Instead of providing any real insights into its motley crew of miserable souls, or fleshing them out beyond easy caricatures, the film instead uses its array of characters for eccentric amusement and overt sentiment. An old man doesn't literally yell at a cloud, but it wouldn't feel out of place. The same is true of a big schmaltzy family hug. Of course, if there had been a huge hearty embrace, there's no prizes for guessing who would've been in the middle — and who would've been forced to the edges. Films about curmudgeonly men too often run loving eyes over their protagonists while pushing women to the side. Here, Dern shines brighter than the material asks, while the always-great Judy Greer is squandered in yet another thankless girlfriend role. Ultimately, their treatment is emblematic of a feature that only knows how to do one thing well. Wilson, the man, may serve up great work from Harrelson, but Wilson, the movie, soon proves that 94 minutes in the character's company are far too many. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kudZx_f7-mk
Sometimes, a venue dedicated to pushing art lovers out of their comfort zone has to take its own advice and step out of its own comfort zone. When Metro Arts is involved, it's called a takeover. Every now and then, the CBD venue throws open the doors to a mini-festival of creativity, and lets them run the show. (The View) From Here: A Small Perspective on Big Ideas is the latest, and it's throwing a host of contemporary art at audiences. Sure, solo work, intimate engagements and participatory experiences don't sound all that different — but sexperts talking about pleasure, hardware supplies seen in a new light, a unique Brisbane walking tour and an exploration of the way modern relationships have become transactional are all on the agenda. So is an installation that draws upon private moments of humiliation and an examination of the politics surrounding hair, and, as always, the list goes on. Expect the unexpected, basically, in this takeover of all six stories of Metro Arts.
For the next three months, Marvel is taking over Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art. Their entire first floor is filled with Thor's mjolnir, Captain America's shield, costumes once worn by Tom Hiddleston and more — and, of course, their Australian Cinematheque is jumping in on the superhero action. Until September 3, GOMA is hosting a Marvel movie marathon, with the comic book company's flicks returning to the cinema every Wednesday and Sunday. They're the kind of films that should be seen on a big screen, and doing so will only cost you $10 each. Whether you're revisiting The Avengers, getting acquainted with Iron Man or honing up on your Thor history before Thor: Ragnarok hits later this year, you'll get your Marvel Cinematic Universe fix here. And this isn't just a look back, with recent efforts Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Spiderman: Homecoming also on the lineup. BYO superhero costume. Image: Production still from Avengers: Ages of Ultron 2015 / Director: Joss Whedon / Image courtesy: The Walt Disney Company (Australia) Pty Limited
