Just this morning, Nike announced to the world that it had terminated its sponsorship agreement with boxer Manny Pacquiao on account of his offensive views towards same sex couples. It’s a timely reminder of the lengths to which corporations will go in order to protect their brand, even if it means dropping one of the biggest and most successful names on their books. The most powerful companies in the world understand that such power exists only insofar as the public continues to allow it, for without their buying power, these companies are nothing. The most famous and certainly most destructive example of this approach took place in the 1950s, when Hollywood’s major motion picture studios agreed to blacklist a group of their most successful screenwriters on account of their affiliation with the communist party. No crimes were committed, no treason alleged, yet these men were suddenly denied any ability to work in the industry to which they’d dedicated their lives and provided so many financial and critical accolades. Families struggled, many crumbled, and some of the blacklisted even died. And all of it because a few powerful conservatives including John Wayne and gossip columnist Hedda Hopper (played here by Helen Mirren) deigned to call them ‘un-American’. The best known of the so-called Hollywood Ten was screenwriting legend Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston), the highest paid writer in town and the scribe behind such hits as Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo and Kitty Foyle. When he refused to comply with the infamous hearings of the House Un-American Activities Committee, Trumbo was immediately blacklisted and imprisoned, and soon realised the only way he’d be able to continue working was to write B-movies for a pittance under an assumed name. So began an extraordinary period in Hollywood’s history that ultimately resulted in not one, but two Academy Awards going to entirely fictitious writers. It's a story so fantastic it would seem to surpass the imagination of even the likes of Trumbo. Perhaps that explains why Trumbo the film falls somewhat short of the mark. A movie that not just centres on an extraordinarily gifted screenwriter, but also includes multiple excerpts of his craft, inherently sets up an unavoidable comparison with its own writers’ work, and the contrast is at times pronounced. The film’s tone, too, frequently errs on the whimsical despite its subject matter representing an incredibly dark and shameful period in America’s history. The scenes where its actors pay proper deference to this are by far the strongest – although the most moving scene of all takes place in the credits, when the real-life Trumbo pays tribute to his stoic daughter Nikola (Elle Fanning). Despite these issues, Trumbo tells a compelling tale. Led by a remarkable performance from Cranston, the extensive cast breathes much life into the story – and while it feels insufficiently told, the portrait of the man at its centre remains a moving one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gryhSJxx7I
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.
Sure, you've dreamed of flying like a bird — but have you ever wanted to flock like one? You might not be able to take to the skies, but you can use sound, movement and mass choreography to mimic the natural behaviour of our feathered friends while running around New Farm Park. That's the experiment that is Aeon, aka WTF's interactive, inexpensive, outdoor component. It's also a chance for Performing Lines to premiere their latest effort in a work-in-progress performance. Here, you won't just experience an immersive production. After the show is over, you'll also be asked to take part in a feedback session.
It's not every day that a veteran of Andy Warhol's Factory comes to Brisbane. Or a contemporary of Patti Smith and Debbie Harry. Or New York's queen of the underground. Penny Arcade earns all those titles, and she's here to tell us about it for WTF 2016. Actually, her latest stand-up show touches upon the stupidity of the modern age, as intertwined with pop culture soundscapes. However, with a performer this passionate and satire this sharp, you won't get her exuberant insights without a peek at her dynamic and diverse past.
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 it comes to truly fine furniture, it's the little things that matter: the small details, refined designs, highest quality materials and best possible craftsmanship. Pieces made with such ideals in mind become more than just tables, chairs and lamps — they become works of art. That's what Brisbane-based studio Nooko & Co believe, and Artisan too. The latter has chosen the former for their latest exhibition, highlighting homewares and other household objects that aren't just functional; they're beautiful. It shouldn't come as a surprise that Nooko & Co's partners, Rhys Thomas and Kristie Lahey, draw upon their backgrounds in mechanical design, marketing and the creative industries to guide their striking creations. They're interested in multiple manufacturing processes, using different materials, and working out how they can be balanced in composition and paired together. Once you see the results of their work — and the useful, aesthetically pleasing products they come up with — you'll be interested as well.
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.
Creative Brisbanites and wannabe artistic types, prepare to meet your new home away from home. Work-Shop has made Brisbane their latest permanent stop, and they want to teach you all the cool things you wish you knew — and about making Polish paper chandeliers, the basics of hand lettering and the Japanese art of flower arranging, as well. To celebrate the arrival of the community class collective, they're doing what all fresh faces should: throwing a party. This isn't just their own welcome to the neighbourhood, or the opening of their first foray into Queensland, but a taster of all the great things to come. Think workshop demos, a mini makers market and karaoke — aka more fun than official launches probably should be. And if all the excitement isn't inspiration enough, Stone & Wood, Sailor Jerry and Cake Wines will be providing social lubricant. Now that's how you make a good first impression.
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.
Every month, the fine folks at the Brightside show their affection for a film that everyone knows and loves — and in July, we're not worthy of their pick. Well, unless you don a trucker cap and a flanno, and headbang along to 'Bohemian Rhapsody' in a car filled with your mates, that is. Yes, Brighty is going Wayne's World, and declaring the '90s music comedy the Baberham Lincoln of Saturday Night Live spin-offs. Both the original film and its 1993 sequel will be screening on their beer garden projector, but the night doesn't stop there. Because Wayne and Garth are all about classic rock tunes, Wherewolves, Zefereli and Bonerstorm will be serving up more than a few, as will the Brightside's resident DJs. As always, themed drinks specials and a prize for the best outfit are all part of the fun — and we recommend denim and leather for the latter. Party on, Brisbane.
The Young Chefs' Dinner at Aria is one of the most exciting and unique events in the Good Food Month lineup and offers some truly collaborative and groundbreaking dishes. Six chosen up-and-coming chefs (from The Long Apron, Gauge, Statler & Waldorf, Gerard’s Bistro, Ricky’s River Bar and Esquire)collaborate to create a cohesive menu (one dish each) and then toss the recipes into the fire so they can never be repeated. OK, so we’re not sure they do that, but the dishes are definitely unique to the event. Tickets are $150 (including matched wine and tea/coffee) and are sure to sell out quickly so jump on it. Image: Gerard's Bistro.
The rooftop bar Up on Constance is the perfect place to cosy up to a slow-roasted whole lamb or pig and watch the sun set (vegetarians need not apply). A $55 ticket buys you a cocktail on arrival and a set menu from around Europe, including delights from Italy, Spain and France, depending on the week you go. And as you finish your meal, watch as the bar fills up and kicks on into one of Brisbane's funkiest venues. Go straight from plate to party, exactly as it should be.
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're setting off on a day-long walk through the Atlas Mountains, who better than Viggo Mortensen to act as your guide? That certainly proves true in Far From Men, first in a story that sees an accused murderer trek towards an execution, and then in a film that goes on an existential wander towards the true meaning of courage and honour. With plenty of empathy lurking beneath his penetrating gaze and no-nonsense attitude, Mortensen is the ideal candidate for both journeys. His rural schoolteacher, Daru, displays the kind of patience that clearly stems from a complex past — and the type of fortitude that will serve him well for any future troubles. At the beginning of the Algerian struggle for independence from the French in 1954, he finds the latter when a lawman deposits Mohammed (Reda Kateb) into his care, asking Daru to escort him to court to face the consequences of his actions. First, Daru refuses, not wanting to be complicit in the fate everyone knows awaits. When Mohammed won't leave on his own, he reluctantly agrees to the deed, leading his charge over rocky terrain and through opposing troupes of fighters. Based on Albert Camus' The Guest, Far From Men might turn a short story into a stately adventure of sorts, assembling an episodic series of encounters as it does; however this always thoughtful, often tense film never shies away from the complicated emotions at the heart of what becomes a North Africa-set western. Indeed, it's in expressing the stoic sympathy of the feature that Mortensen demonstrates his worth, proving perfectly suited to playing a tough guy with a softer centre. Of all the roles the actor has taken since The Lord of the Rings trilogy in an attempt to steer clear of mainstream movies, this might just be his most subtle and stirring — and his finest. Making only his second feature, writer/director David Oelhoffen doesn't just rely upon his star to sell his feature, as great a feat of casting as the filmmaker has pulled off. The slow-building interplay between Mortensen and the equally excellent Kateb is never less than captivating, as is the camaraderie these two strangers eventually cultivate. But the visuals that surround them are even more so. Lingering looks at furrowed faces and steely stares abound, as do long shots of the stark, dusty, scrubby plains. Each provides their own style of landscape — as marked by their own worries — that the eyes of the audience feel compelled to explore. Oelhoffen matches such striking images with a similarly sparse yet rousing score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, ensuring Far From Men haunts in its soundscape as much as it does in its performances and cinematography. As a result, when it comes to intelligent updates of the western that contemplate the stark realities of conflict in intimate detail, this delivers the full package — along with the best actor to lead you through it.
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.
Everyone loves a comedy festival, but sometimes being so spoiled for comic choice isn't just amusing — it's overwhelming. That's where comedy festival showcases come in. They add laughs to the lulls between annual fests, plus they offer a bite-sized sample of the up-and-coming comedians you might not have seen live yet. The Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase certainly promises both, serving up the brightest and most buzz-worthy performers from the 2015 event. If it's highlights of hilarity you're after — from international and local funny folks alike — then this is the place to get it. LA Comedy Awards' comedian of the year Al Del Bene tops a packed bill, as corralled by Ray Badran doing MC duties. They're joined by Nikki Britton, Corey White, Jacques Barrett, Michael Workman and Jared Jekyll, aka the nation's next big comedy names in waiting. Check them out now, and then put their solo shows on your must-see list for the 2016 festival circuit.
Spent too much time watching that animated TV family that's not The Simpsons? Know too many tidbits about Seth MacFarlane's hit series? Do you recite Family Guy lines in your sleep? If so, Heya Bar has the moment that you've been waiting for — and the way to make your obsession a little more lucrative. The latest edition of their Two for Trivia night focuses on Peter, Lois, Meg, Chris, Stewie and Brian Griffin, plus all the things that have made the show an enduring favourite. Expect tickets, gift vouchers and lucky door prizes for your efforts — and those all important bragging rights.
Maybe you remember Miami Horror from your playlist for blissed-out summer parties circa 2010, when their hit single 'Sometimes' did the club circuit and went on solid rotation in backyards nationwide. We haven't heard much from them since those days, but the Melbourne electronic-pop four-piece haven't been laying low. Instead, they've taken up residence in Los Angeles, where they've been busy working on album number two (or as busy as you can get in a land of perpetual sunshine, palm trees and too many dreams). The result is the sometimes-funky, sometimes-dreamy, almost 'too happy' All Possible Futures, released earlier this year. They’re bringing their fresh new LA-inspired sound back home, with a five-date east coast tour this August. Reacquaint yourself with these guys by giving 'Love Like Mine' and 'Real Slow' a listen, then grab yourself a ticket. How sweet is rediscovery? [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRhVsVT3mPM[/embed]
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.
Do you like scary movies? Do you think you know everything there is to know about them? If you answered yes to both questions, then consider your Wednesday evening sorted — you'll be heading along to Southside Tea Room's Halloween trivia night. Prepare to test your knowledge of all the frightening films you can think of, both of the thrilling and funny variety. The list quizmaster Zoe B will be drawing upon is rather epic, and while it remains mainstream-oriented, it ranges beyond the obvious (yes, we're talking about the Halloween franchise). Expect questions about everything from teen-oriented '90s efforts I Know What You Did Last Summer and Scream to unnerving classics Rosemary's Baby and Nosferatu, plus the likes of the family-friendly Casper and The Addams Family, and zombie-focused Dawn of the Dead and Shaun of The Dead too. Basically, expect to be grilled all the creepy stuff you grew up watching, with bragging rights and prizes on offer for putting all those hours spent in front of a screen to good use.
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.
Russia’s nomination to the 2014 Foreign Language Oscar race is every bit as slow and imposing as its title would suggest. Ostensibly named for the enormous blue whales whose bones scatter the shoreline of the small coastal town of Pribrezhny, the name Leviathan more readily refers to the unfeeling, unyielding behemoth of the Russian bureaucracy that devours everything in its path. Acclaimed director Andrey Zvyagintsev does a masterful job capturing the misery of life under such a corrupt and broken system. Of course, whether that’s something you actually want to watch is a different question entirely. Don’t get us wrong: there’s plenty to appreciate about Zvyagintsev’s latest feature. Chief among them would be the raw, brutish performance of Aleksey Serebryakov. A mainstay of the Russian screen industry, Serebryakov plays Kolya, a quick-tempered auto mechanic who runs afoul of Pribrezhny’s mayor (played by Roman Madyanov), who wants to seize the valuable headland currently occupied by Kolya’s house. In order to fight back, Kolya calls on Dimitriy (Vladimir Vdovichenkov), a friend from his days in the army and now a high-powered lawyer in Moscow. Through Kolya’s struggle, Zvyagintsev presents viewers with a scathing critique of contemporary Russian society — a grim, vodka-soaked landscape of dodgy politicians with little concern for the citizens who put them in office. It’s compelling for a time, in a depressing sort of way, watching the poor, emasculated Kolya gain inches only to be set back miles. Those hoping that the prevalence of religious imagery might signal a David and Goliath ending are likely to leave the cinema disappointed. The hopelessness of Kolya's situation is reflected in the work of cinematographer Mikhail Krichman, who favours wide lenses, static camera work and a colour palette overpowered by greys. Unfortunately, as Leviathan plods past the two hour mark, you too may begin to feel overpowered. For all his insight, Zvyagintsev isn’t trading in a particularly nuanced brand of bleakness, his message driven home with all the dull, repetitive pounding of a sledgehammer, or waves crashing endlessly on the shore. Leviathan is arduous by design. But that’s little conciliation when you’re struggling to sit through it.
Trade in the eggs and bunnies this Easter Sunday for an afternoon of beer and beats at the Elephant Hotel's annual block party. Last year their lineup included Delta Riggs and Strewth, and this lineup betters that with some of Brisbane and Queensland's biggest music names. High-flying garage rockers Millions will be joined by Morning Harvey, Bassethounds, Dinosaur Dreams and Big Bag Echo. Before, in-between and after these live sets, James Wright, Brisbane Society of Sound, Pool Boys and Akimbo will be DJing at the Elephant decks. Entry is free, the dress code is relaxed and all will take place in the Elephant Hotel's massive backyard, so bring a crowd of friends along for some holiday celebrating. The party kicks of at 3pm. That's more than enough time to squeeze in Easter lunch with the family, and don't forget the Monday is a public holiday. Make this an Easter to remember at The Elephant Hotel.
When the clock strikes midnight this Good Friday, where are you going to be? We know, we know — Easter isn't really like New Year's. But if you're heading to one particular Brisbane party, timing is important. Pubs and clubs can't operate as normal, which means anyone looking for some fun has be to a bit more creative. The folks at Oh Hello have done just that, starting their Easter Rave as Friday night officially becomes Saturday. Expect DJs spinning your favourite electronic tracks, plus all the UV lights, a laser show, glow sticks and smoke machines you could want. If you're keen to dress up like a glow-in-the-dark rabbit and dance the early hours of the morning away, this is the place to be. Image: Oh Hello.
Mix a long weekend with a lunar eclipse and Easter with the Beach Burrito Company, and what do you get? Their first-ever Full Moon Party, as well as more fun that you can shake a glow stick at. You'll be able to shake glow sticks aplenty, actually, though that's only the beginning of the shenanigans. You'll also be able to shake your booty on the black light dance floor, and show off your fluoro face as painted by the folks at Lusid Art. So don your best and brightest outfits and head on down to Fortitude Valley's best Mexican joint for more than just a tasty meal (although they're on offer too, of course). There'll be live fluoro art by Buttons to keep things glowing, beats by Finehouse and Friends to keep the party pumping, and cheeky Tiki cocktail jugs keep everyone happy. So, that's your Saturday night sorted.
A small movie with a big heart: you've heard that claim before. Sometimes though, there's an example that proves the cliche, that one modest effort that punches above its weight in emotion. Don't just take our word for it — watch Infinitely Polar Bear, the latest great example. Its autobiographical look at growing up with a bipolar parent is the type of film this description was made for. Life doesn't fall into neat boxes for 12-year-old Amelia Stuart (Imogene Wolodarsky) and her younger sister, Faith (Ashley Aufderheide), nor for their nuclear family. Their father, Cam (Mark Ruffalo), lives with a condition that's not without its daily challenges — and even more so when their mother, Maggie (Zoe Saldana), goes away to graduate school, leaving Cam as the primary caregiver. The scenario and its stitching together of episodic slices of the Stuarts' lives sounds like something tailor-made for a quirky indie film adventure; however, writer/director Maya Forbes never takes the too-cute or too-eccentric route. Instead, in telling a tale based on her own childhood — and with her own daughter, Wolodarsky, basically playing the filmmaker's younger self — she grounds Infinitely Polar Bear in intimacy, affection and lived-in experience. Yes, the movie has adorable kids struggling with difficult situations, often embarrassed and only sometimes seeing the funny side of things — but it also shows ample warmth and acceptance. Anger and frustration bubble up on several occasions as the film touches upon issues of class, race and poverty, yet the characters are never meekly resigned their fate, nor are they despairing, self-pitying or defeated. With the type of care that only comes from having been there and done that, Forbes ensures that their perseverance remains their strongest element. You believe that times are tough, just as you believe they'll find a way to get through it all. The cast, understandably, is key, both young and old. Oozing the kind of naturalism most child actors lack, Wolodarsky's Amelia proves an ideal guide through the movie, though hers isn't the only impressive portrayal. As the younger Faith, Aufderheide is suitably innocent and mischievous in the way kids are, while Saldana simmers with the inner conflict that results from Maggie choosing the path of short-term pain for long-term gain. The movie belongs to Ruffalo, though, with his superb sliding from the manic to the depressive ends of the spectrum and back again. His isn't a performance made by the extremes, but of empathy for the moments in between, when Cam's good and bad days become one. Indeed, it is so easy to get so thoroughly wrapped up in Ruffalo's endearing turn that the film's few concessions to cliche in its style — handheld camera work, an upbeat soundtrack and heavy use of montages — are just as easily overlooked. Actually, they feel like they fit a movie that is slight but sweet in just the right proportions, and rather charming too.
Every generation has at least one definitive teen movie. You've seen them. You grew up rewatching them. You may have them committed to memory. The Breakfast Club, Heathers, Clueless, Mean Girls, Easy A: these are the films weaved through many an adolescent experience. The list goes on — and there's always a new contender lurking around the corner. Circa 2015, that'd be The DUFF. For those unfamiliar with the term, it stands for designated ugly fat friend — or the pal in each clique that makes the rest look better, and that interested parties can approach for all the goss. Everyone has one, the movie tells us. If you don't know who fits the mould in your group, it might just be you. That's what overalls-wearing, horror flick-loving Bianca (Mae Whitman) discovers when her football jock neighbour, Wesley (Robbie Amell), explains why everyone in the school always asks her about her life-long best friends (Skyler Samuels and Bianca A. Santos). This isn't welcome news, unsurprisingly. To shake the label — and to try to win the heart of the guy (Nick Eversman) she likes — Bianca enlists Wesley's help on a mission of reinvention. Yep, that's deja vu you're feeling, courtesy of a storyline so well worn it should be threadbare by now. Over the course of decades of delving into high school angst and antics, the teen movie genre has assembled a long lineup of cliches, with that wealth of history clearly on display here. Add equal parts makeover fantasy and trawling through social hierarchies, plus the usual schoolyard cruelty led by a mean queen bee (Bella Thorne), and garnish with an ample helping of current lingo and issues (here, text speak and social media horrors such as viral videos). It's a popular recipe, making The DUFF just like all other teen fare — even if it is actually based on a novel of the same name. And yet, within a film that sets its protagonist up to shatter stereotypes but does so little of that kind of subversion itself, there's fun to be had — and not just in the fond memories it conjures for even average movies gone by, like the very similar She's All That. Much of it comes from Whitman, a likeable lead rising above the sometimes-silly flow of the story, and willing to go along with the ample physical comedy required. For fans of Arrested Development, her casting may seem like an extension of the series' long-running joke about her character's blandness, but in The DUFF she's anything but. Indeed, she doesn't really fit the film's title, either; unattractive, she's not. Of course, nestled in first-time filmmaker Ari Sandel's upbeat effort are those other components as commonplace as a prom showdown (also present): the message of acceptance, and the reminder that, deep down, nobody's perfect. That's just the standard topping sprinkled over this by-the-book story, but it's also a fitting reminder for avid teen movie aficionados. In a genre often as formulaic as its typical narratives, they can't all stand out, but they might each have their modest merits.
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.
Alas! There’s been a murder at Brewsvegas. Was it the brewer? Or perhaps the waitress? Join Embassy Bar on this murder mystery adventure to figure out who did it where and when. Chomp down on substantial canapes while enjoying six of the bar’s finest brews.
What’s crazier than a beer cocktail? Matching brews to circus acts. Pick up an IPA and head for the contortionist, pass a pale ale to the strongman, or pour stout down your gob while another shoves knives where they shouldn’t go. Okay, so we don’t know what acts and surprises will be there on the day, but we’ve always wanted to visit the Little Creatures Brewery. Luckily they’re bringing the goods to The Motor Room and say previous hula hooping experience is highly regarded.
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
You shouldn't really need an excuse to celebrate Australia's vibrant music scene, but it's nice to have one. The Haunt and 4ZZZ are bringing together local and national musicians to celebrate the last weekend of Brisbane Live Music Week with their annual, one-night music festival, Happyfest. Since 2012, 4ZZZ's Happyfest has sported a collection of up-and-comers who've since gone on to conquer international music circuits — namely Blank Realm, Lost Animals, Kirin J Callinan and Bitch Prefect. This year they've snagged Sydney rockers The Friendsters, locals Kitchen's Floor, Bent, Clever, California Girls, Raus and Astral Skulls. Happyfest kicks off at 7pm this Friday, with $10 entry for the general public and $7 for 4ZZZ members. Also, extra perk, The Caxton has $10 meals at their street cafe every Sunday, so get on down, grab a parmy and check out some ridgy-didge rock.
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.
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, two places are getting in on the action: Bloodhound Bar and The Scratch. At the former, you'll find not only the finest New Zealand tipples, but a menu of Kiwi-inspired dishes to match. At the latter, you'll get more drinks, Flight of the Conchords on repeat, and a 1 in 600 change of winning a trip to the Beervana beer festival in Wellington. Basically, whichever you pick you're in for an afternoon and evening of themed, informative fun. And it all takes place on Waitangi Day, which really couldn't be any more appropriate.
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.
