As if your boyfriend needed another reason to stay glued to sport. The Allphones Arena and Lingerie Football League, LLC (LFL) have announced a partnership that will bring the 'explosively popular' lingerie football sports league to Australia. Dubbed the “fastest-growing sports league in the US” by BusinessWeek, the sport is played just like it reads. All-female teams don their scanty bra-and-panties sets and get rough out on the football field. It’s no wonder the LFL touts itself as “True Fantasy Football”. The game is played as a modified version of American NFL football, and began as an alternative half-time show for the NFL Superbowl. In 2009, the LFL was created and drew sell-out (surprisingly male-dominated) audiences and millions of primetime TV viewers. The 2012 LFL All-Star Game will be held in Brisbane at the Entertainment Centre on June 2 and at Allphones Arena in Sydney on June 9, and will feature 32 of the best women across the league as the Western and Eastern Conference teams clash. The two cities have been pointed to as potential homes for franchises in 2013. Is the world's single most sexist sport doomed for failure in Australia?
Just a few short weeks ago, when we were craving comedies to watch, we noted an important fact: that Parks and Recreation's Leslie Knope knows how to handle herself in a pandemic. She's already done so once, in a fifth-season episode of the beloved sitcom — and, while the show came to an end in 2015, viewers are about to see how the Pawnee, Indiana resident copes with the coronavirus. In a one-off special to raise money for US charity Feeding America, the cast of Parks and Recreation are reuniting to tackle COVID-19. And, more importantly, they'll be showing the world how their adored characters are managing at the moment. Adding another scripted instalment to the series, the show's stars will be resuming their on-screen alter egos, courtesy of a brand new episode that follows Leslie's (Amy Poehler) efforts to keep in touch with her friends while everyone is social distancing. The whole gang will be back, including not only Poehler as Leslie and her Making It co-host Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson, but Aubrey Plaza as April Ludgate-Dwyer, Chris Pratt as Andy Dwyer, Aziz Ansari as Tom Haverford, Adam Scott as Ben Wyatt, Jim O'Heir as Jerry/Garry/Larry/Terry Gergich and Retta as Donna Meagle. Although Rashida Jones' Ann Perkins and Rob Lowe's Chris Traeger left the series halfway through its sixth season, they'll be back as well, Variety reports — and you can also expect a few other yet-to-be-revealed guest stars from the show's original run, too. https://twitter.com/parksandrecnbc/status/1253461556102197251 As Poehler reveals in the above video announcing the news, it was all filmed individually from each cast member's home. That means that when this Parks and Rec special hits US screens on Thursday, April 30 (with an airdate Down Under yet to be announced), it'll look a little different to the show's usual episodes. Of course, no Parks fan will mind. Indeed, if you fall into that category, a new episode is literally the best news you could receive right now — so start making waffles, gather all the bacon and eggs you have, and make sure you've got plenty of whisky on hand. A Parks and Recreation Special airs on Thursday, April 30 in the US. There's no word yet about screening details Down Under, but we'll update you when they come to hand. Via Variety.
Most lunchtimes, Semi-Semi is hard to miss thanks to the line of West End workers ordering gourmet sandwiches and tea. Those with more time on their hands can be spotted seated with a smile and a spoon, digging into a bright stack bingsu, served here in a wide range of flavours. First documented in the 14th century CE, the fluffy Korean-style shaved ice dessert was traditionally served with sweet red bean (pat-bingsu) or fresh fruit. After American candy arrived in Korea during the Korean War, bingsu evolved, and is now just as commonly topped with ingredients like ice cream, flavoured syrups, condensed milk and more — a tradition Semi-Semi continues by combining classic and modern flavours. Those who eat with their eyes best prepare for a feast. Shaped like a snow-capped green hill, Forest is a matcha-based bingsu with pearls and red beans served on the side. Coconut, cocoa and earl grey also feature in their own creations, with add-ons including rainbow jelly, lychee popping balls and even granola. The never-boring sandwich menu starts at $14 with options for every appetite, from lighter meat-free stacks to heartier toasties with fillings like spicy pulled beef and cheesy truffle mushroom. Practice caution with the monthly specials — don't get too attached to limited-time items like a chicken katsu curry, only to find it gone the next month. That's a pain only two bowls of bingsu can cure. Images: Supplied.
The cola wars are now fought on a battlefield of green credentials: Coke and Pepsi are already in an arms race over the sustainability of their bottles, and now Coke has taken the fight to shelving. Their Give It Back displays are made from recycled Coke packaging cardboard and are designed to be used, then recycled again once past their 'shelf-life'. While there is very little new in the concept — at the end of the day, it's just recycled cardboard — it's good to see the drinks giant taking up new green initiatives, which will hopefully provoke others into following suit or coming up with their own ideas. As an added bonus, it should help Americans (the shelving is only planned for US stores) come to appreciate the humble corrugated cardboard. Of course, here in Australia we're reminded of its sturdiness every election, but Coke's initiative should help people start to accept cardboard as more than just the stuff things come in. Research into the properties of cardboard suggest it could be an ideal building material for housing. [via core77]
Located on Boundary Street in West End, Archive is the people's pub. There are couches for snuggling, pool tables for those wanting a challenge, outdoor seating for the Vitamin D deficient, and there's Next Door Cellars where they serve a range of high-end craft beers for the beer aficionado. Living up to its name, the walls are lined with shelves of books and covered in old comic strips. With live music and large (but pleasant) crowds, Archive is the perfect location for catching up with a group of friends on any day of the week. Archive offers daily specials and events including bingo on Mondays, trivia on Tuesdays and $10 chicken schnitzels on Sundays. Classed as a beer boutique, they offer a range of local and imported craft beers on tap including White Rabbit, Stone and Wood Pale Lager and Babbs beers like the Cherry Poppin Blonde. The food menu is standard pub fare with a twist. They serve delicious, large pizzas to fill a grown man like the Three Cheese, which comes with ham and chilli pineapple salsa. There's also the tomato and goats cheese cannelloni, which is hearty and perfect for warming the soul on a cooler evening (or comforting you when you are hungover).
The beginning of a new year isn't solely about deciding how you'd like to change your life for the better. That's just one January tradition. Another: plotting out where around the world you'd like to travel to across the 12 months to come. Arriving mere days into 2024, The New York Times' annual '52 Places to Go' list is a handy guide for inspiration — including for Down Under spots earning global recognition. After 2023's list included Auckland, Kangaroo Island and Australia's Red Centre to soak in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park's wonders, 2024's counterpart features New Zealand by train, the entire state of Tasmania and Queensland capital city Brisbane. Experiencing Aotearoa's charms by rail placed fourth, while the Apple Isle came in at 29 and Brissie took 39th spot. The NYT gave a 17-day journey across NZ some love for being "a simpler and more sustainable way" to see the country, calling out stops at "transcendent sites like the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park and Te Papa Tongarewa Museum" to begin with. Also earning a mention: getting the ferry to the South Island, then taking "a ride through world-class vineyards and along the jagged coast", plus whale- and dolphin-watching in Christchurch, before hitting the Southern Alps for "views to white-capped peaks, rushing rivers and alpine lakes". Tasmania earned its placing for enabling visitors to get out in nature via guided walks, celebrate Indigenous culture and focus on local produce. Taking a three-day trek across Bruny Island, foraging for wattle seeds and pepperberries, and chef Analiese Gregory's wild-cooking dishes all scored a specific callout. Brisbane keeps popping up on lists like this lately — see also: travel guide Frommer's, which also named the city one of 2024's best spots to visit; TIME, which put it on its world's greatest places list for 2023; and the World's Best 50 Hotels, which picked The Calile as its only Australian and Oceanic entry in its inaugural countdown in 223 — and the obvious reason was called out in the NYT's first sentence. Yes, that'd be hosting the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Queen's Wharf precinct and its towering Sky Deck, restaurant Agnes and the Brisbane Powerhouse — including eating dinner hanging off the side of the building at vertical dining experience Vertigo, and the upcoming Melt OPEN queer arts fest — all were singled out. So was The Calile, which is clearly Brissie's most-famous hotel. [caption id="attachment_921654" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Markus Ravik[/caption] Topping the '52 Places to Go' rankings for 2024: North America's path of totality, where a total solar eclipse will be take over the skies in April, followed by Paris — the host of the 2024 Olympics — and Yamaguchi in Japan. Maui in Hawaii rounded out the top five, while Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni in Arizona (the sacred Indigenous land around the Grand Canyon), Singapore, O'Higgins in Chile, Ladakh in India and Geneva in Switzerland filled the rest of the top ten. Across the full 52 picks, Manchester in England, Negombo in Sri Lanka, Morocco, Lake Toba in Indonesia and Ireland's Waterford also featured. So did Mustang in Nepal, Vienna in Austria, the Albanian Alps and Flamingo in Florida — and plenty more spots to instantly put on your must-visit list. For The New York Times' full 52 Places to Go list for 2024, head to the publication's website. Top image: Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
If you're a fan of Mariah Carey, then this is a vision of love and also a sweet, sweet fantasy come true, baby: 11 years after she last toured Australia, the iconic singer is returning in 2025 to headline Fridayz Live. First, the festival announced its big comeback this year, plus its dates and venues. Now comes the lineup, led by the music megastar. If all you wanted for an early Christmas is this, it's quite the gift. Mariah is celebrating 20 years since her 2005 album The Emancipation of Mimi released — and based on recent set lists, get ready to hear everything from 'Emotions', 'Dreamlover' and 'Hero' to 'Without You', 'Always Be My Baby', 'Honey' and 'Heartbreaker'. She'll have company on the Fridayz Live bill, because this event's blend of R&B, hip hop and nostalgia always brings a heap of big names our way. For 2025, Pitbull, Wiz Khalifa, Lil Jon, Eve, Tinie Tempah and Jordin Sparks are also on the lineup. 'Give Me Everything', 'Timber', 'Fireball', 'Black and Yellow', 'See You Again', 'Young, Wild and Free', 'Get Low', 'Turn Down for What', 'Let Me Blow Ya Mind', 'Who's That Girl', 'Girls Like', 'Miami 2 Ibiza', 'No Air', 'One Step at a Time': expect to hear them all too, then. Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth are on the fest's itinerary in 2025. This year's Fridayz Live run will kick off on Friday, October 17 at Brisbane Showgrounds, then head to Sydney's ENGIE Stadium on Saturday, October 18. The following weekend, Perth's Langley Park will welcome the fest on Friday, October 24. The final stop: Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Saturday, October 25. The last time that Fridayz Live was on the concert calendar Down Under, it also went to Adelaide; however, a visit to the South Australian capital hasn't been announced for 2025. [caption id="attachment_1005605" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Kelly[/caption] Fridayz Live 2025 Lineup Mariah Carey Pitbull Wiz Khalifa Lil Jon Eve Tinie Tempah Jordin Sparks Fridayz Live 2025 Dates Friday, October 17 — Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane Saturday, October 18 — ENGIE Stadium, Sydney Friday, October 24 — Langley Park, Perth Saturday, October 25 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Fridayz Live is touring Australia in October 2025, with ticket presales from Monday, May 26 and general sales from Monday, June 2. Head to the festival's website for more information. Mariah Carey images: Raph_PH via Flickr.
Just a few short months ago, no one could've predicted that the Queensland border would become one of 2020's most debated topics. It's a subject that has inspired plenty of comments, especially among interstate and federal politicians calling for Queensland to open back up — with the state closing its border to help stem the spread of COVID-19, then keeping it shut while other restrictions have been easing. Today, Tuesday, June 30, that chatter can finally stop — with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirming Friday, July 10 as Queensland's official date for reopening to interstate visitors from all states and territories except Victoria. That date was initially outlined in Queensland's COVID-19 roadmap, and discussed earlier in June, with a final call on opening up the border always expected at the end of this month. That's great news for folks who live in New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, of course — however, with coronavirus case numbers spiking in Victoria over the past couple of weeks, residents of that state won't be allowed into Queensland as yet. In fact, as Premier Palaszczuk announced, "Queensland has very large concerns about the state of Victoria", which means that, "due to current community transmission levels, the border with Victoria will remain closed — and will be strengthened". https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1277816426724638721 A week prior to the Queensland border opening to all other areas of the country, the state will implement a new regime for visitors from Victoria — to come into effect from noon on Friday, July 3. Anyone travelling from Victoria, including Queenslanders, will be refused entry unless they go into forced quarantine for 14 days, in a hotel, at their own expense. Folks coming to Queensland from other states from July 10 will also need to complete a border declaration form. On it, they'll need to certify that they haven't travelled to Victoria in past 14 days — and the government has advised it'll be checking these statements, and that making a false statement will be an offence. Also, while Victoria has been singled out at present due to its COVID-19 situation, Queensland will review its border position with other states should outbreaks occur elsewhere. The aim is to avoid community transmission in Queensland, with Premier Palaszczuk noting that "if the Chief Health Officer reviews any state or territory at any time, and there is community transmission like Victoria, we may have to take action". If you're a Queenslander hoping to hop over the border for a mid-year holiday — and come back home without any hassle — the confirmation of July 10 as the official border reopening date is also a welcome development. That said, Premier Palaszczuk has urged all Queenslanders not to go to Victoria. Queensland's announcement comes on the same day that South Australia revised its plans to open its borders, revealing that it won't open to Victorian residents on July 20 as initially advised — with details to come regarding NSW and ACT residents, and inhabitants of other states already allowed to enter SA. To find out more about Queensland's COVID-19 restrictions, and the status of the coronavirus in the state, visit Queensland's online COVID-19 hub. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: Hill Inlet in the Whitsundays by Tourism and Events Queensland.
Reaching its 93rd year in 2021, the Academy Awards has now spent almost a century handing out shiny trophies for filmmaking excellence. But, over that time, it has routinely nominated and awarded its gongs to male filmmakers, to white creatives across all categories, and to folks and films from English-speaking nations. In 2015, the #OscarsSoWhite campaign drew attention to the awards' lack of diversity, in a year where all 20 acting nominees were white. The fact that so few women have been nominated for Best Director — five up until 2020, with only one winning — has rightfully always stood out. And last year's big wins for Parasite, the first film in a language other than English to pick up Best Picture, underscored the fact that the accolades normally barely pay attention to the movies made across much of the globe. This year's Oscar nominees have just been announced overnight, and they've made history — with diversity championed in multiple ways. For the first time ever, two women have been nominated for Best Director, with Nomadland's Chloé Zhao and Promising Young Woman's Emerald Fennell earning recognition. The four acting categories also represent the Academy's most diverse lineup of nominations to-date, including nods for Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal), Chadwick Boseman (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) and Steven Yeun (Minari) for Best Actor, and for Viola Davis (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) and Andra Day (The United States vs Billie Holiday) for Best Actress. Yuh-Jung Youn (Minari) was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress, while Leslie Odom Jr (One Night in Miami), Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield (both for Judas and the Black Messiah) received nods for Best Supporting Actor. Film-wise, it was actually David Fincher's Mank that topped the list, picking up ten nominations — including for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Gary Oldman) and Best Supporting Actress (Amanda Seyfried). Next came The Father, Judas and the Black Messiah, Minari, Nomadland, Sound of Metal and The Trial of the Chicago 7, all with six nods apiece, while Promising Young Woman scored five. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSFpK34lfv0 Other standout nods: Thomas Vinterberg's Best Director nomination for his Danish day-drinking flick Another Round, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm's Maria Bakalova getting recognised in the Best Supporting Actress category, Sound of Metal's Paul Raci doing the same for Best Supporting Actor, and Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross picking up two Best Original Score nods for the vastly dissimilar Mank and Soul. Boseman's nomination for Best Actor — his first ever — was always going to be a highlight, of course. It wouldn't be the Oscars without a few oddities and omissions, though. Kaluuya and Stanfield's supporting nods for Judas and the Black Messiah means that the Academy considered neither to be the film's lead, for instance. And, while two female filmmakers were recognised, One Night in Miami's Regina King — a Best Supporting Actress winner in 2019 for If Beale Street Could Talk — was overlooked, as was her film for Best Picture. Da 5 Bloods' phenomenal Delroy Lindo missed out on a Best Actor nomination, too. As for who'll end up actually clasping a trophy this year, that'll be revealed on Monday, April 26, Australian and New Zealand time. Yes, that's later than usual. Yes, by mid-February last year, not only were the nominees out, but the awards themselves had been held. But, as we all know, the past 12 months have been unlike any other in recent memory. The 93rd Academy Awards will take place on Monday, April 26, Australian and New Zealand time. Here's the full list of nominations: OSCAR NOMINEES 2021 BEST MOTION PICTURE The Father Judas and the Black Messiah Mank Minari Nomadland Promising Young Woman Sound of Metal The Trial of the Chicago 7 BEST DIRECTOR Another Round, Thomas Vinterberg Mank, David Fincher Minari, Lee Isaac Chung Nomadland, Chloé Zhao Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Viola Davis, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Andra Day, The United States vs Billie Holiday Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman Frances McDormand, Nomadland Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Anthony Hopkins, The Father Gary Oldman, Mank Steven Yeun, Minari PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy Olivia Colman, The Father Amanda Seyfried, Mank Yuh-Jung Youn, Minari PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7 Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah Leslie Odom Jr, One Night in Miami Paul Raci, Sound of Metal LaKeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Judas and the Black Messiah, Will Berson, Shaka King, Will Berson, Kenny Lucas and Keith Lucas Minari, Lee Isaac Chung Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell Sound of Metal, Darius Marder, Abraham Marder and Derek Cianfrance The Trial of the Chicago 7, Aaron Sorkin BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Sacha Baron Cohen, Anthony Hines, Dan Swimer, Peter Baynham, Erica Rivinoja, Dan Mazer, Jena Friedman and Lee Kern The Father, Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller The Mauritanian, Rory Haines, Sohrab Noshirvani and MB Traven Nomadland, Chloé Zhao The White Tiger, Ramin Bahrani BEST ORIGINAL SCORE Da 5 Bloods, Terence Blanchard Mank, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross Minari, Emile Mosseri News of the World, James Newton Howard Soul, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste BEST ORIGINAL SONG 'Fight For You', Judas and the Black Messiah (HER, Dernst Emile II and Tiara Thomas) 'Hear my Voice', The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Daniel Pemberton and Celeste Waite) 'Husavik', Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (Savan Kotecha, Fat Max Gsus and Rickard Göransson) 'Io Si (Seen)', The Life Ahead (Diane Warren and Laura Pausini) 'Speak Now', One Night in Miami (Leslie Odom, Jr and Sam Ashworth) BEST FILM EDITING The Father, Yorgos Lamprinos Nomadland, Chloé Zhao Promising Young Woman, Frédéric Thoraval Sound of Metal, Mikkel EG Nielsen The Trial of the Chicago 7, Alan Baumgarten BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM Another Round Better Days Collective The Man Who Sold His Skin Quo Vadis, Aida? BEST ANIMATED FEATURE Onward Over the Moon A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon Soul Wolfwalkers BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE Collective Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution The Mole Agent My Octopus Teacher Time BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Judas and the Black Messiah, Sean Bobbitt Mank, Erik Messerschmidt News of the World, Dariusz Wolski Nomadland, Joshua James Richards The Trial of the Chicago 7, Phedon Papamichael BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN The Father, Peter Francis and Cathy Featherstone Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Mark Ricker, Karen O'Hara and Diana Stoughton Mank, Donald Graham Burt and Jan Pascale News of the World, David Crank and Elizabeth Keenan Tenet, Nathan Crowley and Kathy Lucas BEST VISUAL EFFECTS Love and Monsters, Matt Sloan, Genevieve Camilleri, Matt Everitt and Brian Cox The Midnight Sky, Matthew Kasmir, Christopher Lawrence, Max Solomon and David Watkins Mulan, Sean Faden, Anders Langlands, Seth Maury and Steve Ingram The One and Only Ivan, Santiago Colomo Martinez, Nick Davis, Greg Fisher Tenet, Andrew Jackson, David Lee, Andrew Lockley and Scott Fisher BEST COSTUME DESIGN Emma, Alexandra Byrne Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Ann Roth Mank, Trish Summerville Mulan, Bina Daigeler Pinocchio, Massimo Cantini Parrini BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING Emma, Marese Langan, Laura Allen and Claudia Stolze Hillbilly Elegy, Eryn Krueger Mekash, Matthew Mungle and Patricia Dehaney Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson Mank, Gigi Williams, Kimberley Spiteri and Colleen LaBaff Pinocchio, Mark Coulier, Dalia Colli and Francesco Pegoretti BEST SOUND Greyhound, Warren Shaw, Michael Minkler, Beau Borders and David Wyman Mank, Ren Klyce, Jeremy Molod, David Parker, Nathan Nance and Drew Kunin News of the World, Oliver Tarney, Mike Prestwood Smith, William Miller and John Pritchett Soul, Ren Klyce, Coya Elliott and David Parker Sound of Metal, Nicolas Becker, Jaime Baksht, Michelle Couttolenc, Carlos Cortés and Phillip Bladh BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT Colette A Concerto is a Conversation Do Not Split Hunger Ward A Love Song for Latasha BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM Burrow Genius Loci If Anything Happens I Love You Opera Yes-People BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM Feeling Through The Letter Room The Present Two Distant Strangers White Eye
For its first-ever festival away from Austin, SXSW will paint Sydney red, blue, purple and yellow. It'll also throw hot potatoes into the mix. And, it'll celebrate an Australian act like no other: the Hottest 100-topping, Mardi Gras-attending, Falls Festival-playing, Little Nas X-adored skivvy fans that are The Wiggles. Two of past big announcements in Australia's screen industry are set to combine in the Harbour City from Sunday, October 15–Saturday, October 21: documentary Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles and SXSW Sydney's Screen Festival. Both were first revealed in 2022, and now they'll join forces this year, with the fest hosting the world premiere of the film. Wake up, SXSW Sydney attendees: the event's first big local movie debut will get you feeling nostalgic before it heads to Prime Video. Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles tells exactly the tale you think it will, following the group's career over more than three decades, including the new levels of fame and popularity that 2022 threw their way. Sure, Dorothy the Dinosaur mightn't need an origin story, but OG Wiggles Anthony Field, Murray Cook, Greg Page and Jeff Fatt are getting one, with Sally Aitken (Valerie Taylor: Playing with Sharks, David Stratton: A Cinematic Life) directing. The feature-length film promises never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage, too — and the SXSW Sydney screening will feature The Wiggles in attendance, including for Q&As and performances. The film joins a lineup that already includes nine previously announced titles, covering everything from flicks starring Indonesian rappers and documentaries about Tokyo Uber Eats rider to movies featuring viral Chinese dance crazes. Can't wait to watch your way through the fest? SXSW Sydney has also announced that Screen Festival wristbands go on sale on Friday, August 25, starting at an early-bird price of $240 and getting people wearing one into unlimited screenings. The SXSW 2023 Sydney Screen Festival also includes an array of speakers, with Queer Eye star Tan France set to hit Australia to get chatting. Indigenous filmmakers Leah Purcell (The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson), Kodie Bedford (Mystery Road: Origin) and Jub Clerc (Sweet As) will also take to the stage; Osher Günsberg is on the SXSW Sydney bill recording an episode of his podcast Better Than Yesterday with a yet-to-be-announced special guest; and Gone Girl, The Nightingale, The Dry, Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers producer Bruna Papandrea and Binge's Executive Director Alison Hurbert-Burns will also appear. As well as showering viewers with movies and TV shows, with more titles to come — including First Nations Screen Festival programming by Winda Film Festival founder Pauline Clague — SXSW Sydney's film- and TV-focused strand will feature red-carpet premieres; digital and social content; an XR showcase; Q&As and panel discussions; parties and mentoring; and a screen market for industry deals. Free outdoor screenings are also slated, alongside indoor sessions at The ICC's Darling Theatre, Palace Cinemas Central and other yet-to-be-revealed venues. All of the above falls into the broader SXSW Sydney festival, which has been dropping lineup announcements for six months now, including in its first batch of speakers and musicians back in February, more music highlights and must-attend parties in May, details of its gaming strand in June, then two more rounds of speakers in July. SXSW Sydney will run from Sunday, October 15–Sunday, October 22 at various Sydney venues, with the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival running from Sunday, October 15–Saturday, October 21 at The ICC's Darling Theatre, Palace Cinemas Central and more venues to be announced. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details. If you're keen to make the most of Australia's first SXSW, take advantage of our special reader offer. Purchase your SXSW Sydney 2023 Official Badge via Concrete Playground Trips and you'll score a $150 credit to use on your choice of Sydney accommodation. Book now via the website.
If mythical creatures, unsolved murders and unease in the Victorian era all sound like your idea of great television, then Amazon Prime Video's new fantasy series might be just up your alley — or row. Starring Cara Delevingne as a faerie and Orlando Bloom has a brooding detective, Carnival Row boasts all of the above, as well as a heavy gothic-meets-steampunk vibe. Story-wise, the drama unpacks the fallout of a turf war, after humanity encroaches upon the homelands of mythological beings. In the aftermath, the latter — including Delevingne's Vignette Stonemoss — attempt to co-exist with non-magical folk. It doesn't go smoothly, with a series of killings under investigation by Bloom's Rycroft Philostrate understandably making matters worse. Releasing on Friday, August 30, Carnival Row appears to follow in the footsteps of plenty of previous tales that've used fantasy, sci-fi and superheroes to explore intolerance, immigration, discrimination and refugees. The twist comes from the period setting and neo-noir atmosphere — so think X-Men meets Penny Dreadful. Created by René Echevarria (The 4400, Teen Wolf) and Travis Beacham (Clash of the Titans, Pacific Rim), Carnival Row is based on the latter's script. Amazon is already confident about the show, renewing it for a second season before the first has even released according to Variety. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=369LHB9N-Ro Carnival Row hits Amazon Prime Video on Friday, August 30.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas in some parts of the country. After numerous periods spent empty during the pandemic, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, picture palaces in many Australian regions are back in business — including both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. MOTHERING SUNDAY Is there anything more intimate than wandering around someone's home when they're not there, gently rifling through their things, and — literally or not, your choice — spending a few minutes standing in their shoes? Yes, but there's still an intoxicating sense of closeness that comes with the territory; moseying curiously in another's house without their company, after they've entrusted their most personal space to you alone, will understandably do that. In Mothering Sunday, Jane Fairchild (Odessa Young, The Staircase) finds herself in this very situation. She's naked, and as comfortable as she's ever been anywhere. After her lover Paul Sheringham (Josh O'Connor, Emma) leaves her in a state of postcoital bliss, she makes the most of his family's large abode in the English countryside, the paintings and books that fill its walls and shelves, and the pie and beer tempting her tastebuds in the kitchen. The result: some of this 1920s-set British drama's most evocative and remarkable moments. Jane is used to such lofty spaces, but rarely as a carefree resident. She's an aspiring writer, an orphan and the help; he's firmly from money. She works as a maid for the Sheringhams' neighbours, the also-wealthy Godfrey (Colin Firth, Operation Mincemeat) and Clarrie Niven (Olivia Colman, Heartstopper), and she's ventured next door while everyone except Paul is out. This rare day off is the occasion that gives the stately but still highly moving film its name as well — Mother's Day, but initially designed to honour mother churches, aka where one was baptised — and the well-to-do crowd are all lunching to celebrate Paul's impending nuptials to fiancée Emma Hobday (Emma D'Arcy, Misbehaviour). He made excuses to arrive late, though, in order to steal some time with Jane, as they've both been doing for years. Of course, he can't completely shirk his own party. Mothering Sunday does more than luxuriate in Jane's languid stroll around a sprawling manor, or the happiness that precedes it — much, much more — but these scenes stand out for a reason. They're a showcase for Australian actor Young, who has graduated from playing troubled daughters (see: 2015's The Daughter and the unrelated Looking for Grace) to searching young women cementing their place in the world (see also: 2020's Shirley). With her quietly potent and radiant help, they say oh-so-much about Jane that wouldn't have sported the same power if conveyed via dialogue. They're also exactly the kind of sequences that screenwriter Alice Birch (Lady Macbeth) knows well, although she isn't merely repeating herself. Helping pen the page-to-screen adaptations of Sally Rooney's Normal People and Conversations with Friends, she's inherently at home revealing everything she can about her characters just by observing what they do when no one's watching. The broader story in Mothering Sunday also springs from a book, this time from Graham Swift's 2016 novel, with French filmmaker Eva Husson (Girls of the Sun) making her English-language debut in the director's chair. Swift didn't choose an annual occasion at random, with the day cloaked in sadness in the Sheringham and Niven households — and across Britain — in the shadow of the First World War and all the young men lost to the conflict. Indeed, marking Paul's engagement is the best way to spend the date because his brothers, and the Nivens' boys too, will never have the same chance. The need to don a stiff upper lip, to keep calm and carry on, and to embody every other grin-and-bear-it cliche about English stoicism is deeply rooted in grief here, and more will come in this touching feature before the sunny March day that sits at its centre is over. Read our full review. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in Australian cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on March 3, March 10, March 17, March 24 and March 31; April 7, April 14, April 21 and April 28; and May 5, May 12, May 19 and May 26. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as The Batman, Blind Ambition, Bergman Island, Wash My Soul in the River's Flow, The Souvenir: Part II, Dog, Anonymous Club, X, River, Nowhere Special, RRR, Morbius, The Duke, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Fantastic Beasts and the Secrets of Dumbledore, Ambulance, Memoria, The Lost City, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Happening, The Good Boss, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, The Northman, Ithaka, After Yang, Downton Abbey: A New Era, Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, Petite Maman, The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Firestarter, Operation Mincemeat, To Chiara, This Much I Know to Be True, The Innocents, Top Gun: Maverick, The Bob's Burgers Movie, Ablaze and Hatching.
The 11th of March 2011 will be a date long remembered as one of Japan's darkest, when an 9.0 magnitude earthquake and a 40-metre high tsunami took the lives of over 20,000 people and destroyed the homes, communities and livelihoods of countless others. To add insult to injury, it will also be remembered as the day the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant was seriously damaged, the disastrous consequences of which may linger for years and years to come. In the weeks and months since the natural disaster, the affected towns and communities have slowly and painstakingly began the task of rebuiling their lives, homes and communities. And whilst it is unlikely that the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant will ever open again, its workers and engineers have begun tackling the daunting question of how to clean it up, stabilise the reactors and lower dangerously high levels of radiation. In an unauthorised visit, and at great personal risk, Kazuma Obara became the first photojournalist to enter into the nuclear plant in an attempt to draw attention to the daily life and conditions of the people who work there, with no guarantee of their health and safety. So far, the clean up project at the power station has been characterised by secrecy, misinformation and confusion, not only for the general public, but, as Obara's story tells, for the plant's workers also. Obara's images are sobering, mundane and surreal. And have provided the world with its first images of the day to day reality of the aftermath of the world's bigget nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.
Pre-COVID, world-renowned Melbourne artist Rone proved a game-changer when it came to street art installations, pushing the envelope with his large-scale multi-room works engulfing abandoned cottages (The Omega Project), deserted mansions (Empire) and derelict office blocks. While it's been a minute since his last foray of this kind, now, Rone is back with what's set to be his most expansive project yet — he's taking over Melbourne's iconic Flinders Street Ballroom to stage his next immersive masterpiece, Time. More than three years in the making, this ambitious new work will completely transform Flinders Street Station's hidden third floor and ballroom, and it's open to explore from Friday, October 28–Sunday, January 29. [caption id="attachment_871518" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rone, by Tony Mott Photography[/caption] As is Rone's way, Time is a masterclass in storytelling and imbued with history. Like a sentimental love letter to mid-century Melbourne, it invites audiences to time-travel back to post-WWII, its 11 themed rooms sharing fictional histories that shine a light on the working class. Each chamber is brought to life via a curation of original — and carefully recreated — heritage artifacts, lighting, soundscapes and historic architectural features; with the haunting female portraits that have become Rone's trademark gazing down from above. Prepare to be transported back to the public libraries, typing pools and machine rooms of yesteryear as you wander through the intricately designed spaces, pondering the meaning of time, progress and loss. The major installation has taken a team of over 120 people several months to deliver, including long-time Rone contributors such as interior set decorator Carly Spooner and sound composer Nick Batterham. [caption id="attachment_708994" align="alignnone" width="1920"] From Rone's 'Empire'[/caption] Time follows similar large-scale transformations from Rone's famed back catalogue, including fleeting Alphington work The Omega Project, and Empire, which presented imagined stories of the wealthy upper class of old. The mysterious, long-closed Flinders Street Ballroom has enjoyed an artistic revival these past few years, having recently played host to Patricia Piccinini's otherworldly exhibition A Miracle Constantly Repeated. [caption id="attachment_630072" align="alignnone" width="1920"] From Rone's 'The Omega Project'[/caption] Find Rone's 'Time' at Level Three, Flinders Street Station, Melbourne, from October 28–January 29. Tickets are available online from 10am Thursday, September 29. Top image: The Clock Room, part of 'Time', photo by Rone.
UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 — Black Widow has moved its release date again, and will now hit cinemas on Thursday, April 29, 2021. This article has been updated to reflect that change. UPDATE, APRIL 4: Disney has announced a new release date for Black Widow, with the film now hitting cinemas on November 5, 2020. UPDATE, MARCH 18: Due to concerns around COVID-19, Disney has announced that Black Widow will no longer release on its initially scheduled date of Thursday, April 30, 2020. At present, a new release date has not been announced — we'll update you when one has been revealed. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Over the course of 23 films in 12 years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has grown into a big-screen behemoth. Just this year, Avengers: Endgame became the biggest worldwide box office hit of all time — and all three other Avengers films also sit in the global top ten, with Black Panther coming in at number 11. Basically, the MCU has become the Thanos of the cinema world, decimating its competition with ease. But, over all that time, all those movies and all that success, it has taken nearly a decade to give Black Widow her own standalone film. When it comes to pushing women to the front, the MCU's track record isn't great. As everyone knows, Captain Marvel, the Disney-owned company's first movie solely focused on a female character, only came out this year. Now Marvel is following that up with a film that really should've eventuated years ago — Natasha Romanoff, the highly trained ex-KGB assassin known as Black Widow and played in the MCU by Scarlett Johansson, first debuted on-screen in 2010's Iron Man 2 after all. Perhaps it's a case of better late than never. Perhaps, if Black Widow had been made earlier, it mightn't have attracted the extra scrutiny that's certain to follow given Johansson's track record when it comes to misguided public comments of late. Either way, thanks to Endgame, the film is obviously a prequel — as the just-dropped first teaser trailer makes plain. Also starring Florence Pugh (Midsommar, Fighting with My Family), Rachel Weisz and Stranger Things' favourite David Harbour, Black Widow jumps back a few years, setting the bulk of its story just after the events of 2016's Captain America: Civil War. On the run, Romanoff is forced to face her complicated (and violent) past, as well as a new masked opponent. We're sure a few familiar MCU faces will also show up. When it hits cinemas Down Under at the end of April 2021 — after a year delay due to COVID-19 — Black Widow will close a considerable gap for the MCU in more ways than one — not only will it finally give one the Avengers figure a solo moment to shine, but it'll mark the first Marvel film since mid-2019's Spider-Man: Far From Home. Behind the scenes, the movie boasts another reason to get excited, with Australian filmmaker Cate Shortland (Berlin Syndrome, Lore, Somersault) in the director's chair. And, she's actually the first female filmmaker to helm a Marvel flick solo (after Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck co-helmed Captain Marvel). Check out the Black Widow trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxAtuMu_ph4 After being delayed from its original release date of April 30, 2020, Black Widow will now open in Australian cinemas on April 29, 2021.
A visit to New Zealand's South Island is filled with breathtaking views, invigorating treks and some seriously fine drops of wine. What to do is the easy part. But, with so many accommodation options out there, deciding where to stay can become a bit tricky. While camping within the country's incredible national parks is an excellent choice, camping may not be your thing — even if it is glamping. But, there are still tons of out-of-the-ordinary stays available. On your next trip to the South Island, do things a little differently when it comes to your accommodation — whether that's by staying in tiny homes, converted railway wagons, two-storey silos or on a floating catamaran. Here, you'll find five alternative places to book on a South Island journey. SILOSTAY, LITTLE RIVER Little River's multi-award-winning SiloStay "goes against the grain" and puts up visitors (instead of farm grain and feed) in two-storey cylindrical silos. Inside the one-bedroom metal structures, the ground floor is fitted with a custom-built kitchenette, living room, small toilet and balcony. Take the winding steel staircase to the upper floor bedroom, and you'll find the bedroom and a balcony. While the silos may have a rustic feel (originally being grain-holders and all), each comes with a flat-screen TV, DVD player, a mounted stereo unit in the headboard and free wifi, as well as bike and kayak racks. Plus, the silos are eco-friendly, using a sustainable pellet boiler system, a planet-friendly waste-water system and natural wool insulation. SiloStay also offers one-level accessible silos with the same features. Prices range between $200–$230 depending on the season, with discounts available for bookings of two nights or more. AQUAPACKERS, ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK Comforting, soothing — there's just something about being rocked to sleep. Those babies really have it good. Enter Aquapackers. This converted catamaran offers floating accommodation set in Anchorage Bay in the centre of the Abel Tasman National Park where you can be rocked to sleep by the gentle ripples of the bay. And when you're not enjoying that rock-a-bye sleep, you can relax with some sun on the upper deck or a trek around the peaceful national park. After something a bit more energetic? Sign up for a coastal trek or water sports like sailing and kayaking — Aquapackers specifically offers guided kayaking and coastline walking tours. Rooms range from shared backpacker dorms ($110 per person) to private cabins ($245 per cabin) and each night's stay includes breakfast and a barbecue dinner, plus complimentary tea and coffee throughout the day. GOLDEN BAY HIDEAWAY HOUSE TRUCK, WAINUI BAY Though Wainui Bay's Golden Bay Hideaway offers five secluded, solar-powered and energy-efficient eco-home options, our favourite is the House Truck. Set in a remote bush location and overlooking the sea, this restored 1950s Commer truck has been transformed into a two-storey tiny house. The home features a woodfire stove, fully equipped kitchen, outdoor picnic table, two queen beds and, the best part, an outdoor bath looking out over the bay towards the mountains. The isolated setting means guests can comfortably enjoy a long bath under the stars with a glass of the region's finest wine in hand. All of Golden Bay Hideaway's homes are also solar-powered and energy efficient so you won't be Prices range depending on the season, with discounts for longer bookings — which can get you down to $110 per night if you book four or more nights. WAIPARA SLEEPERS, WAIPARA Set in the heart of New Zealand's wine country, 45 minutes from Christchurch, the team at Waipara Sleepers has converted a group of 1940s railway cars into stationary accommodation. The owners have maintained the original features of each upcycled wagon, securing each to a piece of train track in their country garden. Cars range from traditional four-berth bunk rooms ($25 per person) to more homey fit-outs with brass double beds, refrigerators and televisions ($50–$70 per room). All wagons have internal heating, a balcony and a separate seating area. Accommodation ranges from $25 per person in the shared bunk rooms to $50–$70 a night in private accommodation. For a cheaper, private space, there's also the Railway Hut ($40–$60 per night) — a tiny cabin that once housed railway workers. ST BATHANS POLICE CAMP, OTAGO If you've ever been even the teensiest bit intrigued by what it's like to spend the night in gaol, St Bathans Police Camp is happy to give you a little (but certainly more luxe) taste. The owners have repurposed the tiny town's historic 1864 gaol into a self-contained apartment. Plan a trip to the historic St Bathans, founded during the goldfields mining era (and now only home to six permanent residents), to wander the reserve formed by the gold mining processes and to check out some of the town's historic architecture. The gaol cell accommodation is located near the old constable's cottage — a much bigger three-bedroom option you can also rent — and looks out over the pristine Blue Lake. The old cell is now fitted with a queen bed, and the former lobby and office are now the kitchen, with an ensuite bathroom and veranda also installed. It's an old-fashioned fit-out, complete with rocking chair, timber walls and jail-house door. St Bathans Jail (Gaol) is available for $145 per night, including a continental breakfast. Start planning your trip to New Zealand's south with our guide to the South Island journeys to take here.
For more than two decades, acclaimed New York artist Spencer Tunick has been staging mass nude photographs in Australia — and he isn't done yet. Sydneysiders, or anyone who's keen to disrobe for a new piece of art, you'll want to be in the Harbour City at the end of November. Your destination: a yet-to-be-disclosed beach. It's been 21 years since the country's first taste of the internationally famed talent's work, when 4500 naked volunteers posed for a snap near Federation Square in Melbourne as part of the 2001 Fringe Festival. Tunick then photographed around 5000 nude people in front of the Sydney Opera House during the 2010 Mardi Gras, headed back to Melbourne in 2018 shoot over 800 Melburnians in the rooftop carpark of a Prahran Woolworths, and went to the Whitsundays with almost 100 Aussies in 2019. Elsewhere, he's photographed the public painted red and gold outside Munich's Bavarian State Opera, covered in veils in the Nevada desert and covered in blue in Hull in the UK. But with his new Aussie installation, he's getting sandy and raising funds for — and awareness about — skin cancer. Saturday, November 26 is the date earmarked for the shoot, with Sunday, November 27 on hold in case the weather isn't quite right for naked folks on the beach. Tunick is hoping to amass around 2500 volunteers, with each participant honouring one of the 2000-plus Aussies who pass away each year due to skin cancer. "Skin unites us and protects us. It's an honour to be a part of an art mission to raise awareness of the importance of skin checks. I use the amazing array of body types and skin tones to create my work, so it feels perfectly appropriate to take part in this effort in that my medium is the nude human form," said Tunick, announcing his new installation. "It is only fitting that I use my platform to urge people to get regular check-ups to prevent skin cancer. I have not had a skin check in ten years, so I am one of the many who have wrongly ignored getting them regularly. One can say I am traveling all the way to Australia to get one!", Tunick continued. Dubbed Strip Off for Skin Cancer, the artist's latest work is timed to coincide with National Skin Cancer Action Week, which runs from Monday, November 21–Sunday, November 27 — and it is looking for volunteers. Tunick hopes to have a diverse mix of bodies in the shoot, with participants each getting a print of the photograph and, we're sure, a big boost of body confidence. The catch here is, of course, the location. Exact details of where the shoot is taking place will only be given to folks signing up — but if you're not usually located in Sydney, you will need to travel there at your expense. Those that do will not only be part of a piece art, but will also help a great cause. Strip Off for Skin Cancer will be shot on Saturday, November 26 on a Sydney beach. Head to the installation's website to register to take part. Images: Spencer Tunick.
Australia keeps going dotty for Yayoi Kusama — and this time, one of the Japanese artist's dot-filled installations is sticking around on a permanent basis. Acquired by the National Gallery of Australia earlier this year, Kusama's pumpkin-focused infinity room The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens is now on display at the Canberra gallery, opening today, Saturday, December 1. The piece was first exhibited in 2015 and last seen in Australia earlier this year, in Brisbane as part of the Gallery of Modern Art's Yayoi Kusama: Life Is the Heart of a Rainbow exhibition between October 2017 and February 2018. Comprised of a mirrored cube filled with yellow, dot-covered pumpkins, it's a quintessential Kusama work. Whether you're a devoted fan who considers visiting the artist's own Tokyo museum a bucket-list moment, or someone who has simply placed stickers around one of her obliteration rooms, you would've noticed that dots and the concept of infinity are crucial to her art — "our earth is only one polka dot among a million stars in the cosmos," she says. Inside the cube, the bulbous vegetables appear to create an endless field thanks to the shiny surface. On the outside of the cube, the structure's mirrored exterior reflects the yellow-and-black walls in the surrounding installation room — again, making it appear as though the pattern stretches on forever. The acquisition was made possible via a gift to the NGA from Andrew and Hiroko Gwinnett. "It has long-been my ambition to see a major contemporary Japanese artwork housed in Australia's national collection," said Andrew in a statement. "Kusama's playful installation is a legacy that will keep giving for generations to come." Find The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens at the National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place, Parkes, Canberra. Images: Yayoi Kusama, THE SPIRITS OF THE PUMPKINS DESCENDED INTO HEAVENS 2015 — Installation view at The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara (Museum MACAN). © Yayoi Kusama. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo/ Singapore/ Shanghai. / Courtesy of National Gallery of Australia, installation view.
Some pieces of film news feel like they can't be believed until the end results are actually seen. For a decade, the prospect of Hayao Miyazaki making another movie has been one of them. This enchanting development has come to fruition in the form of The Boy and the Heron, which not only exists but has been playing at international film festivals, already released in cinemas in Japan and now boasts two English-language trailers to give audiences a sneak peek at it magic. After a mesmerising first look back in September, The Boy and the Heron has just dropped a full glimpse at the new gift from the Studio Ghibli great. In store is the story of Mahito, a boy pining for his mother and experiencing the realm where the living and the dead converge. Also present: stunningly gorgeous animation. Miyazaki is back to spirit audiences away again, ten years after releasing The Wind Rises, which was expected to be his last film at the time. The movie maestro even announced his retirement. Thankfully, he changed his mind quickly — and now, more than half a decade after that welcome revelation, his next film is here. The My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle icon's latest was confirmed back in late 2022 for a 2023 release, at least overseas. Back then, it was known as How Do You Live, but has changed its title since. The official synopsis describes it as "a semi-autobiographical fantasy about life, death and creation" — and yes, plenty of Miyazaki's trademarks already exist in that short blurb. While The Boy and the Heron hit the big screen in July in Miyazaki's homeland, it did so without the usual promotional campaign — which is why trailers have only arrived in the lead-up to the American release, which begins in November. At the time of writing, the feature doesn't have a date with cinemas Down Under as yet, but it'll obviously get one. Echoing through the latest sneak peek is the film's English-language voice cast, which boasts the starry likes of Christian Bale (Amsterdam), Robert Pattinson (The Batman), Florence Pugh (Oppenheimer) and Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3). You'll also hear Gemma Chan (The Creator), Willem Dafoe (Asteroid City), Mark Hamill (The Fall of the House of Usher) and Karen Fukuhara (The Boys). There's nothing quite like a Miyazaki movie. While Studio Ghibli isn't short on gorgeous on-screen wonders hailing from a range of filmmakers, the Japanese animation house's best-known co-founder truly does make films like no one else. The Boy and the Heron already looks spectacular — unsurprisingly — in its initial glimpses, complete with lush greenery, mysterious spaces and floating critters. And, of course, with Mahito and the picture's titular bird making appearances. The Boy and the Heron marks Ghibli's fifth film since Miyazaki's last movie, following Isao Takahata's The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, page-to-screen treat When Marnie Was There, gorgeous French co-production The Red Turtle and the CGI-animated Earwig and the Witch. Check out the full English-language trailer for The Boy and the Heron below: The Boy and the Heron is already open in Japan, and will release in the US on Friday, December 8, 2023. The film doesn't yet have a release date Down Under — we'll update you when one is announced. Images: © 2023 Studio Ghibli.
With the Taronga Conservation Society recording 26 Australian shark attacks in 2016 alone, we don't blame you if you're starting to feel a little bit wary about jumping in the ocean. There have been countless attempts to keep surfers safe, from nets and drumlines to shark-deterrent wetsuits and, unfortunately, culling. But thanks to some innovative new shark-detection technology from the minds at University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and The Little Ripper Group (the guys behind Westpac's Little Ripper rescue drones), beaches might be a tiny bit safer this summer. The SharkSpotter system — which has been years in the making and is ready to be implemented in the coming weeks — uses artificial intelligence to detect sharks in live video feed and images collected by Little Ripper's battery-operated drones. Working off UTS' algorithm and some state-of-the-art sensors, the unmanned aircraft can even tell the difference between sharks and other sea animals, boasting a 90 percent accuracy rate. Once a shark's been spotted, they'll be able to warn swimmers of the potential threat using an on-board megaphone and alert surf lifesavers and emergency services. According to Chief Executive Officer of Westpac Little Ripper Lifesaver, Eddie Bennet, the shark-friendly system is a total game-changer. "This smart algorithm gives us yet another capability in patrolling beaches which we have been doing regularly for almost a year," he said, calling the technology "a major milestone in addressing shark attacks with very real ability to save a life". The SharkSpotter will be used to patrol beaches across Queensland and New South Wales from the start of the surf life saving season next month. Exactly where the drones will be deployed will change each week, with locations only confirmed on the Friday before the weekend. However, it's likely they'll be places around Byron and the north coast of NSW, and around the Sunshine and Gold Coasts in Queensland. Via news.com.au.
Put your hand on your heart and tell us: how excited are you that Kylie Minogue has not only announced a new world tour, which is her biggest in 14 years, but that she's starting it in Australia? Headlining Splendour in the Grass 2024 mightn't have worked out after the Byron Bay music festival was cancelled mere weeks after revealing its lineup, but the Aussie pop superstar is ensuring that local fans will see her new Tension tour before anyone else on the planet. It's about to be 'Padam Padam' summer all over again, with Minogue kicking off her latest shows in February 2025, beginning with a one-night gig in Perth. From there, she also has single dates locked in for Adelaide and Brisbane, plus two shows apiece in Melbourne and Sydney. [caption id="attachment_870885" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Darenoted Ltd[/caption] The last time that Minogue embarked on a tour this big was back in 2011. The last time that she hit the stage Down Under was in 2023 to open Sydney WorldPride. "I am beyond excited to announce the Tension tour 2025. I can't wait to share beautiful and wild moments with fans all over the world, celebrating the Tension era and more!" said the singer, announcing her tour dates, which also spans stops in Bangkok, Tokyo, Kaohsiung and Manila in Asia after her Aussie shows, then hitting up Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, London, Nottingham and Birmingham in the UK "It's been an exhilarating ride so far and now, get ready for your close up because I will be calling Lights, Camera, Action ... and there will be a whole lot of Padaming!" Minogue's 'Lights, Camera, Action' mention references the first track on the other piece of big news, a brand-new album called Tension II that's set to drop on Friday, October 18, 2024. In what's proven a massive career since her Neighbours-starring, 'I Should Be So Lucky'- and 'Locomotion'-singing 80s era, it's been a big last few years for Minogue thanks to the huge success of the Grammy-winning 'Padam Padam', a brief return to Neighbours and a Las Vegas residency — and now the Tension tour keeps that streak running. Kylie Minogue Tension Tour 2025 Australian Dates Saturday, February 15 — RAC Arena, Perth Tuesday, February 18 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Thursday, February 20–Friday, February 21 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Wednesday, February 26 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Saturday, March 1–Sunday, March 2 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Kylie Minogue's Tension tour kicks off in Australia in February and March 2025. Ticket presales start from Tuesday, September 24, with general sales from Wednesday, October 2 — both at staggered times. Head to the tour website for more details. Top image: Erik Melvin.
They topped Triple J's Hottest 100 in 2002. They've featured Dave Grohl on drums. Their third studio album Songs for the Death is one of the all-time-great 00s records. They're Queens of the Stone Age, of course, and now they're bringing their latest tour Down Under in 2024, with the band heading our way for the first time in six years. The Josh Homme-fronted group's The End Is Nero tour will be their first trip to Australasia since 2018, and comes after their eighth album In Times New Roman... released in June this year. Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen, Michael Shuman, Dean Fertita and Jon Theodore are giving their latest shows an apocalyptic theme, which fans can look forward to seeing at 11 stops in February and March. [caption id="attachment_923130" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andreas Neumann[/caption] On the itinerary: kicking off the tour in Perth, then heading to Adelaide, Hobart, Torquay, Melbourne, Sydney, the Gold Coast and Brisbane — plus Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The Hobart gig will take place on the Mona Lawns, with the date coinciding with Mona Foma 2024 — and yes, they're the Tasmanian fest's first act, with the rest of the event's lineup yet to be revealed. Concertgoers can look forward to a setlist that steps through QOTSA's 27-year history, including their Hottest 100 winner 'No One Knows', plus everything from 'Go with the Flow' and 'Make It Wit Chu' to 'Emotion Sickness' and 'The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret'. In support: Pond and Gut Health on most Australia shows, with The Chats, Spiderbait and Lola Scott joining them in Torquay and on the Gold Coast. In NZ, Pond and Earth Tongue will do the honours. [caption id="attachment_923129" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wünderbrot via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Queens of the Stone Age formed in Seattle in 1996 after Homme's prior band Kyuss split up, is linked to the Palm Desert music scene and have seven Grammy nominations to their name. Despite the long gap since their last trip Down Under, they're no strangers to playing Australia, including a joint tour with Nine Inch Nails back in 2014. See QOTSA in February after catching Foo Fighters on their November–December Australian and New Zealand tour and you'll have quite the 00s rock experience. QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE 'THE END IS NERO' AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR 2024: Saturday, February 10 — Red Hill Auditorium, Perth Tuesday, February 13 — The Drive, Adelaide Friday, February 16 — Mona Lawns, Hobart Sunday, February 18 — Lookout, Torquay Common, Torquay Monday, February 19 — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Wednesday, February 21 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Saturday, February 24 — Lookout, Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast Sunday, February 25–Monday, February 26 — Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane Thursday, February 29 — Spark Arena, Auckland Friday, March 1 — TSB Arena, Wellington Sunday, March 3 — Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch Queens of the Stone Age are touring Australia and New Zealand in February and March 2024, with presales from 11am local time on Wednesday, October 25 and general ticket sales from 1pm local time on Monday, October 30 — head to the band's and ticketing websites for more information. Top image: Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons.
Remember those hastily scrawled notes of yesteryear, slipped to your friend just as the teacher's back was turned? The folks at Moleskine do. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the text message, Moleskine has reintroduced the concept of 'shooting' your friend a message with their classic notebooks. Featuring a graduated cover, these Moleskine editions let you measure how far you can catapult a note, using the notebook's band as a makeshift slingshot. Created by Italian designer Pietro Corraini, the SMS (Shooting Method System) tribute packs also include a set of pre-written notes, including a coy 'Call me', to use as ammunition. Think of it as the grown up version of the 'I like you' note you sent your 3rd grade crush. https://youtube.com/watch?v=IxKRpjv51AI
A couple of years ago, Dutch designer Marjan van Aubel posited that every object could be turned into a solar cell. No more dirty coal burning, no more tangled cables, no more electricity bills. Sure, it might sound utopian, but if that sun up there’s been keeping more than 400,000 plant species going for millions of years, then there’s surely no reason it can’t handle whatever the Apple factory can throw at it. Van Aubel started her mission with the creation of a drinking glass that could power a mobile phone. Now, she’s come up with The Current Table — a solar desk that functions as both workspace and electronic gadget charger. The top is made of glass, which has been dyed orange and embedded with tiny particles of titanium dioxide. When sunlight hits, the titanium dioxide releases electrons, creating an electrical current. The process is similar to photosynthesis (plants’ transformation of chlorophyll into energy). What’s particularly impressive about it is that, unlike regular external solar panels, which only respond to direct sun rays, the desk works indoors, because it responds to diffused light. The current is accessible via two built-in USB chargers and any unused electricity is stored in a battery. A light display keeps track of how much power is available. "One cell needs about eight hours to fully charge a battery, and there are four cells for each USB port," Van Aubel explains. "The amount of sunlight the earth receives in one day could power all our electrical appliances for an entire year. The question is how to capture and store it, and how to transport it to where and where it is needed." The Current Table will go on display in Milan in April, as part of the Salone Internazionale del Mobile. Via PSFK.
Turn it back up to 11: 41 years after the members of Spinal Tap were first immortalised on film, David St Hubbins (Michael McKean, The Diplomat), Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer, The Simpsons) and Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest, Mascots) are scoring their second big-screen moment. As announced in 2022, iconic 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap is getting the sequel treatment. And if this felt like one of those "I'll believe it when I see it" follow-ups, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues has just dropped its first trailer ahead of hitting cinemas Down Under this spring. Filmmaker Marty DiBergi is also back to chronicle the group's latest antics — which means that IRL director Rob Reiner (The Princess Bride, A Few Good Men) is as well, both playing the fictional part on-camera and helming Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. As the sneak peek shows, he's pointing the camera at a reunion concert and its preparations, including efforts to find a new drummer, merchandising ideas and waxing lyrical about Spinal Tap's journey so far. Elton John, Questlove and Paul McCartney are also sighted in the first glimpse at the new film, as Spinal Tap's estranged bandmates reform, grapple with their past and contemplate their mortality — and ponder how the latter might help bring in fans. Viewers will be able to watch along with their efforts from Thursday, September 25, 2025. If you're new to all things Spinal Tap, the fictional English heavy metal band initially debuted on American TV in 1979; however, it was This Is Spinal Tap that made them legends. With this trio, there is indeed a fine line between stupid and clever. The group behind 'Lick My Love Pump', 'Sex Farm' and 'Hell Hole' have reformed in reality a number of times, too, and released albums. This Is Spinal Tap isn't just an 80s comedy gem that everyone needs to see at least once, and actually several times more than that. Every music documentary since for the past four decades has followed in its footsteps, straightforward and satirical alike. Also, Spinal Tap's name has become shorthand for OTT bands who take themselves too seriously. The OG film is also hitting picture palaces in 2025, re-releasing in 4K from Thursday, August 7. Check out the trailer for Spinal Tap II: The End Continues below: Spinal Tap II: The End Continues releases Down Under on Thursday, September 25, 2025. Images:Bleecker Street & Authorized Spinal Tap LLC.
Call it wild, weird and wonderful. Call it surreal and sublime, too. Whichever terms you want to sling Dark Mofo's way, there's no other event quite like it on Tasmania's cultural calendar — or Australia's. 2024 felt the winter arts festival's absence, after it sat out the year to regroup for the future ahead. Get excited about 2025, however, because Dark Mofo has confirmed that it'll be returning in June. "Dark Mofo is back. For our 11th chapter, once more we'll bathe the city in red and deliver two weeks of inspiring art, music and ritual," said Dark Mofo Artistic Director Chris Twite, announcing the event's 2025 dates, and advising that limited pre-release tickets for Night Mass, which fills downtown Hobart with art and music, will be on offer from 10am on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. "Night Mass is a beast, and this year it will evolve once more — worming its way through the city with new spaces, performances and experiences to dance, explore or crawl your way through," Twite continued. Not only Night Mass is returning, but so is the full Dark Mofo setup, largely taking place across Thursday, June 5–Sunday, June 15, 2025. The one exception: the Nude Solstice Swim, one of the festival events that still went ahead in 2024. Next year, it'll get everyone taking a dip on Saturday, June 21. Winter Feast, which also took place in 2024, will be back in 2025 as well — as will the Ogoh-Ogoh, plus a yet-to-be-announced (but sure to be jam-packed) art and music program that'll be revealed next year. If you spent a few days in 2023 attending a Twin Peaks-inspired ball and seeing a giant teddy bear with laser eyes — watching a stunning new take on Dante's classic examination of hell, purgatory and paradise, too — then you went to Dark Mofo's most-recent full run. Organised by Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art, the winter arts festival fills Hobart with all manner of surprises every year, other than its gap year in 2024. When the break was announced, it was done to ensure that event could "move forward in a viable manner", said Twite at the time. "The fallow year will enable us to secure the future of Dark Mofo and its return at full force in 2025" was the promise, and it's being lived up to. The year off came after a hit 2023 run that saw Dark Mofo smash it with attendances and at the box office — notching up record figures, in fact. Despite the event's success, the crew behind it have been working towards "a more sustainable model for a full return in 2025, and set the foundation for the next ten years", taking rising costs and other changing elements into consideration. Dark Mofo returns from Thursday, June 5–Sunday, June 15, 2025 and for the Nude Solstice Swim on Saturday, June 21. Head to the festival's website for further details. Winter feast images: Jesse Hunniford, 2023, courtesy of Dark Mofo 2023. Nude Solstice Swim images: Rémi Chauvin, 2023, courtesy of Dark Mofo 2023.
When the cool air starts to move in and the days get shorter, we know there's really only one thing you want to do: put your slippers on, stay in, order takeout and binge on anything even remotely worth watching. But by staying put, you miss out on all the eats you could be eating, drinks you could be drinking and things you could be thinging, erm, doing right-damn-now. So instead of whiling away your winter nights in front of the TV learning far too much about Call the Midwife (no judgement), we suggest grabbing your jacket, calling up a willing friend or two and setting out for the Boundary Street Markets. In partnership with Samsung, we road-tested the new Galaxy S9 and S9+ and its camera's low light abilities to snap some shots of our favourite dishes being served up every Thursday and Friday night. So, go on, seize the night and eat your way through the markets, documenting all the bites you happen upon for your 'gram without worrying about the lack of bright lights. SEAFOOD LAKSA FROM LITTLE NYONYA Few things say winter comfort food more than a steaming bowl of laksa, and at Little Nyonya, they seem to understand precisely what makes for a magnificently balanced bowl of the fragrant soup. Here, the laksa has a bit of a kick with a lightly spiced broth — but the Little Nyonya crew will be happy to sling some more chilli your way if you're after more of a punch. Along with the warming broth, your bowl will come heaped with prawns, fresh bean shoots, assorted veggies and garnishes. Winter chill, be gone. ABURI SALMON BOWL FROM RAIJIN Make sure your Boundary Street Markets trip doesn't end without a visit Raijin for one of its Aburi Salmon Bowls. Fresh salmon is sliced and fired on site so it gets a nice smoky flavour. It's then served atop a healthy bed of brown rice with some fresh veg to balance out that tasty, tasty sauce slathered on top. Every morsel of salmon is fire blasted and smoked just enough so that it still retains superb ocean freshness. This is a firm favourite of the Boundary Street Markets so be warned, there might be a small queue when you go to order your bowl. SLOW BREW CHAI When you've already had a feed but you could still use a little warming from the inside out, wrap your chilly fingers around a warm mug from Slow Brew Chai. As you sip the slow-simmered chai spiced with cinnamon, star anise, black pepper, cardamom and a few other secret spices, kick back and enjoy some of the free nightly music and entertainment. Extra points if you bring your own mug or keep cup. SALTED CARAMEL AND NUTELLA DOUGHNUTS FROM ORGANIC FROG There's really nothing to say about doughnuts that hasn't already been said — they're warm (obviously), somehow light (at least in texture) and completely delicious. But these here are Frog doughnuts. You could almost say they're a health food seeing as they're gluten free, dairy free, yeast free, egg free and low in sugar. So you know what that means — you can, and should, have two (or more). The stall's plain and cinnamon doughnuts come with toppings like salted caramel, Nutella and organic jam. Grab a half doz to share (or scarf up all by yourself) — just make sure to get a snap for your feed first, if you can. RATATOUILLE FROM MA PETITE Ma Petite is known for many things, especially its beef bourguignon and light-as-a-cloud crepes. But at this French food stall, we think the real star is the ratatouille. This French Provençal dish has a rich history as a simple yet hearty meal, where vegetables are the hero. Ma Petite's version is no exception. Served alongside fresh cucumber to balance out the tomatoey stew, fresh vegetables like zucchini, capsicum and eggplant are simmered in a mix of tomato and spices until tender. With no cheese or carbs to be found, this one is the epitome of healthy winter comfort food. CHICKEN MOMOS FROM TIBETAN MOMO CAFE Momos are one of Nepal's most popular traditional dishes — and with good reason. These tender parcels are filled with meat (or veg), steamed and served up with tomato pickle (golbheda ko achar) for dipping, smearing and generally enjoying alongside these doughy bites. These South Asian dumplings can be found on almost every street corner in Kathmandu and may remind you of the Chinese dumplings that we all know and love from yum cha. At the Tibetan Momo Cafe stall, you'll find chicken, beef and pork momos, as well as vegan and gluten-free options. Grab a plate of the steaming parcels to share — or to gobble up all on your own. Instead of spending your winter nights on the couch, discover all the after-dark happenings in your city here — and don't forget to document it all on the new Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, designed especially for low light so you can capture your best moments no matter what. Images: Cole Bennetts.
Craig Robinson slays snakes. If Killing It was initially pitched with those four words and those four words alone, it still would've been easy to greenlight. When the latest comedy from Brooklyn Nine-Nine co-creator Dan Goor and executive producer Luke Del Tredici first arrived in 2022, it leaned in, too, with terminating serpents the whole point of the contest at the centre of the comedy's debut season. The place: Florida, home to the python-teeming Everglades. The year: 2016, in the lead up to the US election. The reason for vanquishing vipers: a $20,000 payday, which Craig — also the name of Robinson's character — needed to enact his vision of becoming a saw palmetto farmer. Killing It served up far more than just Robinson, a B99 guest and The Office star, polishing off reptiles — and not simply because Claudia O'Doherty (Our Flag Means Death) joined in as the hammer-swinging Jillian. As a satire of the type of society that has people resorting to seeking a better future by offing animals competitively, this series has always sunk its fangs in. Craig wanted to swap being a Miami bank security guard for capitalising upon a smart idea (the berries he's keen on are coveted in the health market for prostate medicines) to provide for his ex-wife Camille (Stephanie Nogueras, The Good Fight) and daughter Vanessa (Jet Miller, Young Dylan). Aussie expat and Uber driver Jillian wanted a life beyond the gig economy and sleeping in her car. But even in a nation that celebrates the American dream as the pinnacle of existence, a goal that all can chase with hard work and perseverance, and a key factor in US exceptionalism, neither had any other option but to hunt snakes for a big payday. Getting Killing It's characters bludgeoning wildlife was a savvy signifier of a horribly broken system. In season two, which streams in Australia via Stan from Friday, August 18, slaughtering serpents is old news; however, venomous foes definitely aren't. They're the uncaring bureaucracy, the shameless corporations, the shaking-down gangs, the car thieves, the cruel insurance bodies, the nation's entire health scheme, the manipulative bosses, the rude customers and the cash-splashing rich. They're absolutely everyone with a solely in-it-for-themselves perspective, which is almost everyone. They're also unscrupulous entrepreneur Rodney Lamonca (Tim Heidecker, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson) and his mini-mogul 12-year-old daughter Prada (Anna Mae Quinn, A Carolina Christmas), who aren't done with Craig and Jillian from season one. When Killing It's latest eight-episode go-around begins, its central pair have followed through on the saw palmetto plan — albeit at a cost, with Craig's low-level criminal brother Isaiah (Rell Battle, Superior Donuts) now on the run and posing as a doctor in Phoenix. Their farm is up and running, and perennial-optimist Jillian isn't is the only one who's hopeful. The two business partners even have a buyer for their berries — and, while their margins are thin, they're getting by. Alas, whether they're dealing with a possible giant snail problem, being blackmailed into taking on new colleagues or becoming the subject of a hostile takeover, Craig and Jillian swiftly realise that snakes still lurk everywhere. Taking a cue from slithering critters, in fact, season two of Killing It poses a question: how low can modern-day America go? It's apt that this brutal contemplation of savage inequality and constant grifting returns in the same week that also gives streaming stunning docuseries Telemarketers, which similarly ponders people exploiting anyone that they think is lower than them in the food chain. Killing It is still firmly a comedy, though, and a hilarious one. Indeed, it's the best comedy that too many viewers aren't watching when everyone should be. The show is also so cutting and canny about capitalism's predators, and the prey that the globe's dominant economic setup turns most folks into, that it nearly draws blood as well as inspires laughs. There's another query at Killing It's core, of course: how low will Craig and Jillian sink, too? Season one introduced them as strangers that were each struggling but striving, then hacked into the little they each had, observing how they were forced to cope (including by coming together). Season two finds them seemingly more comfortable and secure, then unpacks what they're willing to do to retain their new status quo. It sees the selfish moves they make, or don't; the loved ones they protect, or can't; the others they sell out, or won't; the morals they compromise, or refuse to; and the dirt they embrace, or wash away. Craig and Jillian have always been an odd-couple pair, with Killing It's new run also exploring how their differences shape their responses to every choice and decision that slides their way. Problems won't stop multiplying for their on-screen alter egos, but Robinson and O'Doherty's casting gleams. He's all charismatic determination, she's perkily indefatigable, and both play keepin' on keepin' on to perfection. Together, they provide two portraits of trying to hurtle forwards however one can — and as the entire state of Florida, country of America and planet that is earth keep pushing their characters down. That said, Killing It's leads aren't the only ones shining. Fleshing out season two's storylines with an array of eclectic folks, Battle, Heidecker, Quinn and the also-returning Scott MacArthur (No Hard Feelings) all steal scenes. So do Dot-Marie Jones (Bros) as a crime-family matriarch with a laundering proposal, Beck Bennett (Nimona) as an overstressed government flunkey, Jackie Earle Haley (Hypnotic) as an insidious debt collector, Kyle Mooney (Saturday Night Live) getting shady and Timothy Simons (Joy Ride) as an FBI agent. Sharks in swimming pools, shonky surrogate arrangements, multiple Pitbull impersonators, the ridiculousness of the influencer industry, loving your first-ever major purchase, those aforementioned oversized snails: Goor, Del Tredici and their writing team also work them in. Even more than in season one, Killing It's new run of episodes delights with its eagerness to get absurd, filling every instalment with surprises. There's another way of looking at that throw-anything-in randomness: this series is hustling, just like Craig, Jillian and company. Again and again, this satire gets sharper. It also gets deeper and funnier. Yes, that name is accurate: this show is killing it as well. Check out the trailer for Killing It season two below: Killing It season two streams via Stan from Friday, August 18.
Freak out, losers and cosmic girls — you've got the number-one song in heaven to dance to. Adelaide music festival Harvest Rock has just announced who'll be hitting its stages in 2023, and the jam-packed lineup is overflowing with legends. Jamiroquai's only Australian show, Beck doing the same, the absolute icons that are both Nile Rodgers & Chic and Edgar Wright's favourite band Sparks: they're all headed to the South Australian capital in October. A two-day blend of music, food and wine — well, it is in SA — Harvest Rock debuted in 2022 and instantly proved a success, attracting 15,000 attendees per day. This year, the festival will return for another stint of tunes, bites and beverages at Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina, Adelaide, on Saturday, October 28–Sunday, October. Whether or not you live in the City of Churches, the event has amassed a killer roster of talent worth planning a weekend around. Jamiroquai will play an exclusive Aussie performance filled with classics like 'Canned Heat', 'Virtual Insanity', 'Little L' and, yes, 'Cosmic Girl', in what'll be the Jay Kay-fronted British band's first show on our shores in more than a decade. Will there be hats? Here's hoping, with audiences set to find out when the group headlines the Saturday. Beck was last in Australia earlier in 2023, playing Bluesfest and doing an acoustic tour, but this time the Californian great will return with his full band to headline Harvest Festival's Sunday roster. It's almost been three decades since he came to fame with 90s anthem 'Loser', and he's kept making ace tunes from there — 'Where It's At', 'Devil's Haircut' and 'Sexx Laws' all included, across 14 records since his 1993 debut album Golden Feelings. 'Le Freak' and 'Good Times' will get a whirl when the one and only Rodgers takes to the stage with his band Chic, which was first formed more than 50 years ago. As a guitarist, Rodgers is in a league of his own (see also: his work on Daft Punk's Random Access Memories, including single 'Get Lucky'). As a writer and producer, he's had a hand in everything from David Bowie's Let's Dance album to Madonna's 'Like a Virgin'. Sparks will draw upon a whopping 57 years of making ridiculously catchy and smartly funny tunes, including 'The Number One Song in Heaven', 'This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us' and latest single 'The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte'. In a glorious move, they've been beginning their recent sets with 'So May We Start' from Annette, too, which won them the Best Composer award at Cannes. The rest of Harvest Rock's lineup is no slouch. Santigold, Chromeo, Bright Eyes and Ladyhawk join the international contingent, while Flight Facilities, Baker Boy, Julia Jacklin, Chet Faker, Ocean Alley, Bad//Dreems, Thelma Plum and Vera Blue are among the Aussie names. And, back on legends, Paul Kelly will also take to the stage, as will The Rolling Stone Revue featuring Adalita of Magic Dirt, Tim Rogers of You Am I and Tex Perkins — yes, all teaming up to play The Rolling Stones' greatest hits. Dubbed Harvest Rock II and hailing from Secret Sounds, the crew behind Splendour in the Grass, the returning spring fest will feature Adelaide's top restaurants and eateries serving up food at the Feastiville precinct, onsite eatery Wildwood led by arkhé's chef and co-owner Jake Kellie, a culinary-focused stage and wine tastings as well. Plus, there's a wellness centre doing tarot readings and massages, and mini festival Little Harvest for kids. If you're keen to make a weekend of it, you can grab a VIP ticket package including accommodation from Concrete Playground Trips. HARVEST ROCK II LINEUP: Bad // Dreems Baker Boy Beck (Australian exclusive) Bright Eyes Built to Spill Chet Faker Chromeo Flight Facilities — Decades DJ set Jamiroquai (Australian exclusive) Julia Jacklin Ladyhawke Nile Rodgers & Chic Ocean Alley Paul Kelly Sam Barber Santigold Sparks The Lemon Twigs The Rolling Stone Revue Thelma Plum Vera Blue Warpaint Harvest Rock 2023 will take at Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina, Adelaide, on Saturday, October 28–Sunday, October 29, 2023 — with tickets on sale from 9am AEST on Wednesday, August 9. Head to Concrete Playground Trips for a VIP package for two, including tickets and accommodation.
Vegetarians craving the bloody mess that is a medium-rare beef burger, you're no longer in danger of caving. Biochemist and Impossible Foods startup founder Patrick Brown is leading the charge for veggie burgers that not only taste like meat, but legitimately simulate the characteristics — let's plainly call it 'meatiness' — of meat. The secret? 'Plant blood'. Making vego-friendly meat isn't a new idea by any means, with epic tofurkeys, fakon (fake bacon) and Suzy Spoon's sausages dotting the plates of yearning vegos for years. But Brown's scientific approach to medium-rareness suffuses the patties with bioengineered substance from a molecule called heme, found in hemoglobin — the thing that makes blood red and makes it taste all metal-like. So the particular type of vegetarian who leaves meat out for ethical reasons but yearns for a medium-rare shindig can have their burger and eat it too. Brown's not doing too shabbily either, a 60-year-old Stanford University professor turned first-time entrepreneur with a cheeky $75 million in venture capital under his belt — including cashola from Bill Gates, who's gotten right into meatless meat of late backing startup Beyond Meat, "the first plant protein that looks, feels, tastes, and acts like meat." Google Ventures are even on board with Impossible, starting production on the $20-a-pop patties now. With Silicon Valley companies seriously getting behind projects like Impossible Foods, Beyond Meat and Modern Meadow ($10 million funded, 3D-printed meat), the world's obsession with meat could be one step closer to being sustainable and death-free. "Livestock is an antiquated technology," Brown told the Wall Street Journal. A small win for cowies. Via WSJ, Gigaom and Grub Street.
Mark your calendar: if you like free ice cream, as everyone should, then you have a date with a Ben & Jerry's store in April. Each year, the dessert brand chooses one day per year to give everyone a treat without paying a cent. In 2024, that day is Tuesday, April 16. If there's one thing this chain loves above all else, it's the obvious: ice cream in a huge array of ridiculously named flavours. It's the brand behind Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia, Phish Food and The Tonight Dough — and has been responsible for Liz Lemon Greek Frozen Yoghurt, Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream and Schweddy Balls, too. But, to the delight of your sweet treat-loving tastebuds, on Free Cone Day it loves giving away free scoops just as much. The occasion is exactly what it sounds like: a day where your ice cream is on the house. It ran annually since 1979 until the pandemic, then took a break for obvious reasons — returning in 2023 for the first time since 2019, and now backing it up in 2024. Here's how it works: if you adore ice cream as much as Ben & Jerry's adores ice cream, then you just need to hit up your local participating store (which is most stores) between 12–8pm. You can choose whichever flavour you like, and you can also line up for a free cone as many times as you like within that eight-hour period. Free Cone Day is happening in both Australia and New Zealand — worldwide, too, in more than 35 countries — at Ben & Jerry's Scoop Stores. Last year, the brand gave away 970,000 scoops around the world, with 180,000 of those Down Under. This year, it wants to top one million free scoops globally, and also beat its Aussie and Aotearoa figure. In Sydney, you'll be hitting up Manly, Bondi Beach and Parramatta, for starters. Melburnians have St Kilda, Flinders Lane and Burwood East stores to choose from, while Brisbanites can head to South Brisbane. In Western Australia, Fremantle, Hillarys and Northbridge Scoop Shops are taking part. Ben & Jerry's also has stores in some Hoyts cinemas — so you might be able to join in when you're seeing a movie, such as at Hoyts Norwood in South Australia. Across Australia, these four spots aren't on the list, sadly: Adelaide Oval, Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Zoo and Healesville Zoo. Over in Aotearoa, options for a free ice cream include Commercial Bay and Ponsonby in Auckland, plus Cuba Street and the airport in Wellington. Free Cone Day runs from 12–8pm on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at Ben & Jerry's Australian and New Zealand stores. Head to the brand's website for further details.
A book described as "a modern story of sex, erotica and passion. How the sexiest sales girl in business earns her huge bonus by being the best at removing her high heels," might not be anything to write home about. But what if the author of said book was someone's dad, and that someone decided it would be hilarious to read a chapter every week to the entire world, with some incredibly funny friends providing commentary? Jamie Morton did just that with his father's (pen name: Rocky Flinstone) erotic 'novels', the Belinda Blinked series. And so the audacious and pants-wettingly hilarious podcast My Dad Wrote a Porno was born. Since its premiere in 2015, the podcast about "the best/worst erotica ever written" has racked up over 150 million downloads. And now, off the back of an HBO Original Series featuring a "lost chapter", Morton and his pals James Cooper and Alice Levine are bringing their hilarious smut back to Australia and New Zealand in 2020. As part of a huge world tour, the live show will treat 'Belinkers' across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in January. Team Porno will read unreleased material from the erotic saga while throwing in a few surprises and interactive elements. Now four books deep — with the fifth due to be cracked opened on Monday, September 9, 2019 — the series follows the sexual escapades of Belinda Blumenthal who works in the sales and marketing department of a pots and pans company. There have been leather rooms and nipples as big as Titanic rivets, anti-erotic ridiculousness with sales reps and young-ish men, references to pomegranates and the popping of vaginal lids, and one truly disgusting flaking prosthetic appendage. If you're a fan of the show, the live incarnation should make you very happy. As Belinda says, "When you get what you want, you feel great." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WotAuoFwF0 'MY DAD WROTE A PORNO' WORLD TOUR 2020 Wednesday, January 8, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Saturday, January 11, Crown Theatre, Perth Monday, January 13, Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide Wednesday, January 15, Palais Theatre, Melbourne Friday, January 17, The Tivoli, Brisbane Monday, January 20, Auckland Town Hall, Auckland Tuesday, January 21, Wellington Opera House, Wellington Wednesday, January 22, Issac Theatre Royal, Christchurch Tickets for My Dad Wrote a Porno World Tour go on sale at 1pm on Thursday, July 18, 2019. Stay tuned for further updates.
Sydney fine-dining institution Nel is known for its next-level set menus, with its always-popular Disney degustations taking beloved animated films and turning them into mind-blowing dishes, and its Christmas banquet bringing the ultimate festive cheer with inventive takes on seasonal classics. Now, the CBD venue is going rogue with a 11-course set menu based on everyone's favourite fried chicken fast food chain — the home of 11 secret herbs and spices, KFC. Available for $75 per person across just three days on the weekend of Friday, April 1–Sunday, April 3, the dinner will take iconic menu items from the Colonel and transform them into luxurious, unrecognisable culinary creations. The experience has been created by Nel's owner Nelly Robinson, with each course designed to combine the extravagance of Nel with the fun and playfulness associated with fast food. Highlights from the menu are too abundant to list out, but some exciting concepts you'll be presented with include supercharged wings charred and served on a bed of charcoal, a candle made of gravy that will drip onto a potato bun, and the portrait of Colonel Sanders that's used as the KFC logo recreated on a plate with flavours of fried chicken, tomato, lettuce and pepper mayo. Elsewhere on the menu, you'll find takes on popcorn chicken, Original Recipe drumsticks and the twister — all manipulated and elevated by the chefs at Nel — as well as some yet-to-be-revealed surprises. Wines will be served to compliment the dishes, and finishing off the whole affair will be a nitrogen-dipped chocolate mousse that promises to melt in your mouth. "As a lifelong fan of KFC, creating an 11-course degustation with their most-loved menu items and elevating them to new heights has been a dream come true," Robinson said. The profits are also going to a good cause, with 100-percent of the proceeds from the three nights being donated to KFC's charity partners The Black Dog Institute, ReachOut Australia and Whitelion. With both Nel and KFC expecting this limited-time banquet to be in high demand, you'll have to sign up to a waitlist at KFC's website in order to be in the running to nab tickets to the event. [caption id="attachment_846235" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nelly Robinson[/caption] KFC and Nel's degustation will be happening at a secret location in Sydney between Friday, April 1–Sunday, April 3. You can join the waitlist at KFC's website.
The films of one of the most influential directors in motion picture history will be the subject of a special retrospective coming to Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra this year. Curated by beloved film critic and former Sydney Film Festival director David Stratton, the Essential Kurosawa lineup will showcase ten iconic films from Japan's legendary Akira Kurosawa, including several efforts that could contest the title of greatest film of all time. The retrospective — which is a collaboration between Sydney Film Festival, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne, and the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra — will span almost the full length of Kurosawa's incredible career, from his groundbreaking Rashomon (1950) to his sweeping feudal war epic Ran (1985). Further highlights include Seven Samurai (1954), The Hidden Fortress (1958), Yojimbo (1961) and Kagemusha (1980). A number of titles will screen on specially imported 35mm film prints courtesy of The Japan Foundation and Toho Co. "The best of Kurosawa's films possess a grandeur combined with a common touch," said Stratton in a statement accompanying the announcement. "No-one filmed action scenes like he did – his use of multiple cameras, long lenses and intricate editing combined to make these sequences unforgettable." The films in Essential Kurosawa will screen at ACMI in Melbourne from May 26 to June 8 (ticket here), Dendy Opera Quays and the Art Gallery of New South Wales as part of Sydney Film Festival from June 7–18 (tickets here), and the NSFA in Canberra from June 14-30 (tickets here).
If you're a science-fiction fan — and a lover of 2008's Cloverfield and its 2016 follow-up 10 Cloverfield Lane, specifically — then you might want to cancel your plans for tonight. With barely a few hours notice, Netflix is now streaming the third film in the franchise. Yes, today. No, that's not a typo. Previously called God Particle, it's now going by the name The Cloverfield Paradox, and it's now available worldwide (yes, even on Australian Netflix) via the streaming platform the moment the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles walk off the field. Haven't even heard of the flick, even though it stars Black Mirror's' Gugu Mbatha-Raw, The IT Crowd's Chris O'Dowd, Inglourious Basterds' Daniel Brühl, Selma's David Oyelowo, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's Zhang Ziyi and Aussie actress Elizabeth Debicki? That's okay — the first trailer for the movie only aired during the game, bearing the words "only on Netflix tonight" at the end. The news that it'd be available via Netflix rather than in cinemas is a recent development, too. Initially, it was set to release in theatres last year, before being moved to February 1 this year and then later this year. In fact, up until a few minutes ago, we still had the film in our review schedule for April. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8brYvhEg5Aw&feature=youtu.be In taking on a star-filled, decent-budget movie that was originally made to be viewed in cinemas, then releasing it for all the world to see with very little warning, Netflix is in uncharted territory. If this was another sci-fi saga, we'd say they're boldly going where no one has gone before. It's great news for film buffs eager to watch something when and where they want — and not be at the mercy of different release dates around the world — but it's also indicative of a new trend. Paramount, the studio originally behind The Cloverfield Paradox, did something similar with fellow sci-fi title Annihilation, the latest effort from Ex Machina's Alex Garland. As The Hollywood Reporter noted in December last year, it decided to find another avenue for the film after worrying it was "too intellectual" and "too complicated" for viewers. If you think that sounds a little patronising, you're not alone. The Atlantic ran through some of the worries behind the strategy, but, in short, it could be a sign of not-so-great things to come. At a time when cinemas are filled with endless Star Wars instalments and multiple superhero cinematic universes — not that there's anything wrong with that, either — movies like The Cloverfield Paradox and Annihilation are becoming increasingly rare. Not just sci-fi flicks, but anything that doesn't fit into an existing franchise, remake/reimagine/reboot a recognisable property or star The Rock (or, sometimes, all of the above). And while they're frequently the films that do extremely well at the box office, audiences do want to see other things too. We don't just want our cinematic candy — bright, loud, comfortable and familiar — but fare that's are different, intriguing, unusual and unexpected as well. Of course, the Cloverfield franchise has a history of surprise reveals, keeping things close to its chest and doing things differently. The first film, a found-footage monster effort, gave very little away before the movie hit cinemas. The second, which focused on Mary Elizabeth Winstead in a bunker with a possibly hostile John Goodman, only released its first trailer and confirmed that the movie even existed a month before it was released. Netflix's plan of attack with The Cloverfield Paradox makes that seem positively slow. But, when you're settling down to watch the flick from today onwards, here's hoping that you'll still be able to see movies like this on the big screen in the future. The Cloverfield Paradox is now streaming on Netflix here.
A few years ago the gin and tonic seemed like a basic drink order saved only for times of limited choice or hot days when there was no cold beer within reach. But the rise of Australia's own boutique gin production has changed that quite rapidly, with small-scale distillers — like Sydney's Archie Rose and Melbourne's Four Pillars, to name a few — creating some distinctive and downright delicious gins in our own backyard (Pinot Noir gin, anyone?). The latest weird and wonderful gin creation comes from South Australia's Applewood Distillery. They've just released a limited run of one-off Green Ant Gin, which is infused with — you guessed it — green ants. How does it work? Like all gin, it's made up of a selection of botanicals. But along with the usual juniper berries and orange peel, the essence of ants has also been thrown in. That's because ants release a pheromone during the distillation process, which produces a flavour that complements the other botanicals. According to Applewood, the green tree ants give the gin a "lime-licked burst of intense green flavour". While this is the first gin made with green ants we've heard of, Applewood's not the first people to use the tiny insects in gin — Copenhagen's Nordic Food Lab produces an Anty Gin that costs a bomb per bottle, and last year Victoria's Bass and Flinders Distillery released their Angry Ant Gin made with ants sourced from Western Australia. As a general rule we don't allow green ants anywhere near our mouths, but we'll probably make an exception for this one. Bottles are currently going for $120 on Applewood's online store. There's only 300 of them though, so you may have to snatch one up stat.
Tasmania's food scene is filled with incredible tasting experiences centred around local and seasonal ingredients. If you're the kind of traveller who seeks wild flavours that stray from the norm, the island offers a remarkable collection of makers specialising in unique creations made with the very best produce. No matter which corner of Tasmania you decide to explore, you'll find inventive producers carving out their culinary niche. We've partnered with Tourism Tasmania to highlight the region's most imaginative farmers, fishers and distillers, ranging from Australia's original truffle farmers to small-batch potato vodka pioneers. Let's dig in. [caption id="attachment_866630" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Samuel Shelley[/caption] DISCOVER EDIBLE UNDERGROUND MUSHROOMS It's not every day you stumble across a disused 19th century railway tunnel and find incredible gourmet cuisine inside — but that's precisely what visitors discover when they journey to Tunnel Hill Mushrooms in the charming community of Mount Rumney on Hobart's outskirts. With the perfect conditions inside the dark, dank tunnel for growing tasty mushies, this excellent operation specialises in winter strains of oyster mushrooms. Therein you'll find the white, grey and tan oyster varieties alongside shiitake. Head along for a tour of the tunnels to explore this underground farming practice — bookings are essential. [caption id="attachment_866631" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moon Cheese Studio[/caption] TAKE A SALT SOMMELIER TOUR All good foodies worth their salt (bad pun intended) can appreciate the difference between cheapo table salt and the premium flakes you find in specialty stores. You can deepen your appreciation further with the Salt Sommelier Tour — an exploration into how Tasmania's nutrient-rich waters deliver a superior flavour and texture from one of Australia's finest salt producers, Tasmanian Sea Salt. Throughout this in-depth journey into the world of salt, you'll roam the saltworks to see how this celebrated maker combines age-old techniques alongside clean energy to harvest its pure product. Along the way, you'll be served locally produced small bites topped with a sprinkling of the good stuff. EXPLORE LAVENDER AND OLIVE PLANTATIONS Set on 52 stunning acres in the Huon Valley, Campo de Flori (pictured above) is a destination loaded with indulgent experiences. The property is renowned for its lavender, saffron and olive plantations, all of which you're welcome to explore up close with a guided tour from owners David Peck and Lisa Britzman. If you consider yourself an olive connoisseur you can test out the farm's goods via a tasting and learning experience that delves into each of the property's nine cultivars. You can also wander through rows of award-winning lavender on a walking tour which includes a sampling of Campo de Flori's farm-grown lavender tea and sparkling lavender lemonade. [caption id="attachment_867687" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stu Gibson[/caption] LEARN THE SECRETS OF TASMANIAN ABALONE Tasmania's brisk southern waters make it home to some of the world's best abalone. The expert crew at Candy Abalone use traditional Japanese drying techniques to produce the luxurious product which you can learn about in detail on an insightful hour-long tour of its impressive facilities. First, you'll receive an overview of the drying and processing rooms before trekking down to the beach to see the oyster lease in action. Punctuated with views of Barilla Bay Oyster Farm and the Coal Valley, the tour concludes with a sampling of organic ginger beer and freshly shucked oysters. [caption id="attachment_866443" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Australia[/caption] HUNT FOR TRUFFLES Over the years, truffle farming has exploded beyond the borders of Italy and France to eventually arrive on Australian shores. As the first kid on the block, The Truffle Farm in the central northern town of Deloraine launched the national industry by digging gorgeous black truffles out of the dirt in 1999. From there, a booming local movement in produce was born. Join second-generation truffle farmer, Anna, and her chief truffle hunting hound, Doug, for a 75-minute experience that is paradise for truffle aficionados. A selection of tours and experiences will get you familiar with the trufferie, uncover black pearls hidden in the earth and, of course, you can feast on a farm-style lunch platter or gorgeous truffle pizza paired with local wine and beer. [caption id="attachment_866632" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Samuel Shelley[/caption] SAMPLE SMALL-BATCH POTATO VODKA Perched above Marion Bay, the Hellfire Bluff Distillery didn't start out producing vodka, but it sure has mastered it. With the first potato crop planted over 30 years ago, this place has long supplied Tasmanian supermarkets with a top-notch produce — yet rather than feeding the cows with cast-off spuds, an idea for a vodka distillery was conceived. True Tasmanian ingenuity! Today, the distillery has attracted international acclaim for its small-batch, paddock-to-bottle tipples (it was recently awarded Australia's Best Varietal Vodka at the World Vodka Awards in 2022), and also produces gin, coffee liqueur and limoncello — among other drops. With the distillery door open seven days a week, those cruising Tassie's Turrakuna/Tasman Peninsula with a yen for brilliant spirits can't miss a stop at the farm. SAVOUR WASABI CHEESE Ashgrove Cheese has made exceptional dairy products for over two decades. Set between Launceston and Devonport, the sprawling farm's free-roaming cows produce everything from cheddar and havarti to gloucester and feta. However, no visit is complete without a sample of Ashgrove's extra sharp wasabi cheese. Using Tasmanian-grown wasabi to add delicate but zesty heat, it's perfect on an adventurous cheese platter or melted into a steak. Head to Elizabeth Town in northern Tasmania to enjoy a pasture-to-plate menu across breakfast and lunch. There's even a fancy 'high cheese' selection served with tea, coffee and sparkling wine. Who's hungry? Ready to plan a trip for your tastebuds around Tasmania? To discover more, visit the website. Top image: Samuel Shelley
Little monsters, get excited: Lady Gaga is coming to Australia. Been watching with envy as the music superstar has locked in dates on The MAYHEM Ball tour everywhere from Las Vegas, New York and Toronto to London, Stockholm, Berlin and Paris? You can now start making plans to see Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta on her next Down Under visit, with shows confirmed for Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Lady Gaga is heading this way in December 2025, with three gigs announced: on Friday, December 5 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, then Tuesday, December 9 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane and Friday, December 12 at Sydney's Accor Stadium. When the 14-time Grammy Award-winner takes to the stage at the trio of massive concerts, she'll not only play her first Australian shows in 11 years — she'll do her first-ever Australian stadium concerts as well. [caption id="attachment_998819" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Frank Lebon[/caption] The tour kicks off in Las Vegas in July, after Lady Gaga headlines Coachella — which everyone worldwide can livestream across both of the Californian festival's two weekends on Saturday, April 12–Monday, April 14 and Saturday, April 19–Monday, April 21 Australian time. Before The MAYHEM Ball tour begins, she's also doing shows in Mexico City, Singapore and Rio de Janeiro. Given that this is Gaga's first Aussie visit since 2014's ArtRave: The ARTPOP Ball gigs (with the Joanne and Chromatica Ball tours bypassing this part of the world), expect tickets for the local leg to go fast. When she added 13 new dates to the initially announced first shows on the tour, they all sold out swiftly. As the name makes plain, Germanotta is touring on the back of MAYHEM, her latest album — and seventh in a row to go to number one on the Billboard 200. It also debuted in the top spot on Australia's charts, and gave Gaga her biggest streaming week ever by notching up 240-million streams on its first week alone. As well as MAYHEM tracks such as 'Disease', 'Abracadabra' and 'Die with a Smile', fans can likely look forward to hits from across the artist's career, such as 'Poker Face', 'Bad Romance', 'Paparazzi', 'Born This Way' and 'Rain on Me' — plus, of course, seeing Gaga live onstage, rather than getting your fix via her film work in recent years in A Star Is Born, House of Gucci and Joker: Folie à Deux. Lady Gaga's The Mayhem Tour Australia 2025 Dates Friday, December 5 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Tuesday, December 9 — Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Friday, December 12 — Accor Stadium, Sydney Lady Gaga is touring Australia in December 2025, with ticket presales starting at 10am on Monday, April 14 and general sales from 12pm on Thursday, April 17 — with times varying per city. Head to the tour website for more details. Live images: Raph PH via Flickr.
It’s that time of year. The sun is beating down, the heat has sapped everyone’s energy and you’d do something other than watch endless hours of cricket on the telly except it all seems too hard. What you need is a holiday – ideally, one by the beach, so that you can get in to the endless summer. We have teamed up with boutique travel experts Mr & Mrs Smith to bring you ten of the best local beach breaks – no passport required. 1. Pinctada Cable Beach Where: Broome, WA If your beachy dreams encompass sailing on pearl luggers, splashing with manta rays and riding camels along the shore, you might want to contemplate a trip to Pinctada Cable Beach boutique hotel in Broome, WA, where you can do all these things and more. Its 72 spacious rooms feature breezy decks, plantation shutters and Aboriginal art. Chill out at the Brizo Pool Bar before heading for Selene Brasserie with its blend of North African, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours. 2. Saffire Where: Freycinet Peninsula, TAS Set on one of the most beautiful beaches you’ll ever lay your peepers on is luxury Freycinet Peninsula retreat Saffire, on Tasmania’s east coast. From your uber-swank and super-spacious suite – all minimalist Scandi styling and full-length windows – you can eye off pristine Coles Bay below. You’ll want to linger at Palate, the contemporary restaurant featuring local produce, and intimate Spa Saffire, but do tear yourself away. The water may be a little chilly for splashing, but you can don waders to explore an oyster farm, walk along the beach or observe it from the water either on a kayak or a luxury speedboat. Iconic Wineglass Bay is also just a hop away. 3. Annalilli Where: Byron Bay, NSW Byron Bay: it’s the preferred destination of surfers, city types who don’t like to go without decent coffee and faux hippies. Rustic Byron Bay self-catering stay Annalilli is tucked away in a quiet nature reserve five minutes’ drive from the town’s famous beaches, eateries and boutiques. With three bedrooms (it sleeps up to seven), a light-flooded living room and mod kitchen this restored Queenslander is great for a group. Be aware, however, there’s a noise curfew of 10pm, so it’s no party pad. 4. Palazzo Versace Where: Gold Coast, QLD Surfers Paradise can be a little unruly at times, but Gold Coast boutique resort Palazzo Versace, on marina-strewn Main Beach, is an exercise in refinement. It cost $300 million to build and you can see it in its finishes – richly textured and vibrantly coloured Versace fabrics and homewares, acres of marble, a string of lagoons making up the pool and a swathe of upmarket restaurants. When the luxury starts to blow your mind, you can go hang out at nearby Main Beach or scuba with the sharks at Sea World. 5. Port Elliot Beach House Where: Fleurieu Peninsula, SA If you’re feeling kinda lazy, you don’t even need to leave the living room at South Australian self-catering stay Port Elliot Beach House, a modern architectural gem on the Fleurieu Peninsula’s Boomer Beach. A huge window wall faces the ocean, as does a patch of lawn at the front of the house. Sleeping eight in four bedrooms – nab the downstairs master bedroom for sea and sky views from atop the vast expanse of linen – it’s a super-chic hideaway featuring polished concrete, Tasmanian oak, glass and stainless steel, as well as a sheltered deck with a gas barbecue. Top surfing beckons for active types. 6. Wilson Island Where: Great Barrier Reef, QLD The annual summer holiday in the tent with mum and dad was never like this. Just six luxurious canvas structures make up Great Barrier Reef glamping getaway Wilson Island. You’ll definitely get that Robinson Crusoe feeling as you nap in your hammock just outside your digs and metres from the ocean. Days are spent snoozing, snorkelling, playing bocce and chilling. An astonishing array of delicious meals is cooked on the barbecue at the communal Longhouse, where you can also help yourself to a cocktail. Watch out for cute baby turtles hatching from mid-January to April. 7. Zealandia Where: Mornington Peninsula, VIC It’s like stepping back into another era when you open the door to Portsea beach house Zealandia on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. This restored Fifties house, just a short stroll from Portsea village and its two beaches, is completely decked out in mid-century furniture, making it one stylish surfside getaway. There’s three double bedrooms, a smart kitchen, an expansive deck with a table for eight and a cool pool for groovy group getaways. 8. QT Port Douglas Where: Port Douglas, QLD The Far North gets a Miami makeover at QT Port Douglas boutique hotel, where pastel Hawaiian prints and surf memorabilia are de rigueur. Bask on the island in the centre of the pool, sip on coconut coladas – served in a scooped-out pineapple, natch – on the deck at Estilo bar, and book a table at Bazaar, a market-inspired buffet piled high with tasty local produce, including fresh seafood. Stunning Four Mile Beach is a five-minute walk away and Port Douglas’s main street is accessible by shuttle bus or the hotel’s cute retro bicycles. 9. Bells at Killcare Where: Central Coast, NSW Sometimes you want to be by the beach but you don’t want to have to eat fish and chips for three meals a day. For those breaks there’s Hardys Bay boutique hotel Bells at Killcare on the NSW Central Coast, part hotel, part chef’s-hatted-restaurant, part private retreat. Acclaimed Italian chef Stefano Manfredi is in charge of the kitchen, the 25 rooms have a chic country vibe and the entire estate is surrounding by English manor-style gardens. Go for a wander around Bouddi National Park, then head to Killcare Beach for a surf – you’ll definitely need to build up your appetite for that multi-course feast come dinnertime. 10. Alinghi Where: Great Barrier Reef, QLD It’s a bit of a hidden gem, the unlikely sounding town of Agnes Waters, 50 kilometres north of Bundaberg. Just five minutes away is Great Barrier Reef holiday house Alinghi, clinging to the cliff of Queensland’s Capricorn Coast. You’ll be blown away by the master bedroom – there are five in all, sleeping up to 14 – separated from the main house by an expansive travertine terrace. Every luxury and high-tech gadget is provided in this cutting-edge cedar, glass and steel property, allowing you to stock up on supplies before cutting yourself off from the real world. Spend time soaking up sea views or lolling about on Honeymoon Bay and Springs Beach, both a stroll from Alinghi.
May has the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, June boasts the Delta Aquariids and December welcomes the Geminids. In November, however, it's Leonids time. Arriving at the end of spring in Australia and New Zealand, the Leonids may not be quite as well known as some of its counterparts, but it's still a shower worth looking up for. And it's famous for one impressive reason: its spectacular meteor storms. It can feature more than 1000 meteors per hour, but it only occurs around every 33 years — and, sadly, the most recent occurred in 2001. Still, while you won't spy that kind of intense onslaught in 2020, you will still see meteors. The Bureau of Meteorology predicts there'll be around five per hour hurtling across the heavens on average. At its peak, timeanddate.com predicts 15 per hour. In good news for those Down Under, the Leonids can be seen in the Southern Hemisphere. Although it runs from Friday, November 6 until Monday, November 30, it's best detected between Saturday, November 14 and Friday, November 20 — and it's expected to be at its peak between Tuesday, November 17 and Wednesday, November 18. Like many astronomical shows, catching an eyeful after midnight is recommended (aka when the moon has set and its light will not interfere). Named for the constellation of Leo, which is where it appears to radiate from in the sky, the Leonids aren't just renowned for its huge showers approximately three times each century, but also for its place in history. During the storm of 1833, it has been estimated that more than 100,000 meteors streamed across the sky per hour — and, as a result, the Leonids helped play a part in the formulation of the first theory about the origin of meteors, NASA notes. The Leonids stem from the Comet Tempel–Tuttle, which was actually first officially recognised after the famous meteor shower of 1833 — in 1866, in fact. And, if you're wondering why the Leonids' storms only hit every 33 years or so, that's because that's how long it takes for the comet to orbit around the sun. [caption id="attachment_751114" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The peak of the 2009 Leonids meteor shower. Image: Navicore via Wikicommons.[/caption] For your best chances of getting a glimpse, the usual advice applies. Get as far away from bright lights as possible — this could be a good excuse to head out of the city to a clear-skied camping spot — and pray for no clouds. And, given that the Leonids originate from the Leo constellation, that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. To locate Leo, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). The Leonids meteor shower is best detected between Saturday, November 14 and Friday, November 20. Top image: Mike Lewinski via Flickr.
We know the last few years have been pretty grim, what with the world imploding, hell freezing over and all that. But we need to remember good things happen as well, and here are two local examples we'd like to draw your attention to. Firstly, there's a pied currawong that's been delighting visitors to Sydney's Royal Botanical Garden. She's super cute and nearly complete white but she's not actually an albino. The lil gal has leucism, a rare condition that causes white patches to cover most of her body but causes no other adverse side effects. Because it's breeding season for currawongs, she's raising two hatchlings and has been seen around the park a lot recently. Which leads us to the second, and even cuter, piece of news… The park invited its Facebook fans to name the currawong. Now, you may have just shrieked "No! Remember Dub the Dew? Remember Boaty McBoatface?" But fear not, this isn't another "Hitler Did Nothing Wrong" situation. The internet has actually come through. Fans of the Royal Botanic Garden's Facebook page put forward some of the sweetest suggestions to name the currawong mama, including Flora (because she likes hanging around flowers, obviously), Elsa, Snowy, Graculina, Oreo, "Kelvin...Kelvinator...White goods...", Falcor, Apples, Louey, Flannel, Paloma, Stormy, Cookie, Bianca, Crow White and Casper. So pure. So innocent. Someone suggested "Carol from marketing" which is also an ace suggestion. Snaps for Carol from marketing. Read the thread here if you want your heart to be filled with gladness (keep it pure, people) and, if this story has made you uncharacteristically invested in a bird, check out the RBG's blog for information about the ghostly currawong. We assume the Royal Botanic Garden will pick a name soon.
With Lost in Translation, Sofia Coppola brought everyone's secret desire to the big screen. Who hasn't wished they could roam around Tokyo with Bill Murray, sing karaoke with him, hang out in the ultra luxurious Park Hyatt Tokyo's sky-high bar with him and just generally call upon him for advice? Now, with On the Rocks, the writer/director is giving viewers a new dream. Here, Bill Murray plays a larger-than-life playboy who is still a caring dad, and who moseys around New York helping his daughter discover whether her husband is being unfaithful. Yes, swap cities and exchange Scarlett Johansson for Parks and Recreation's Rashida Jones, and On the Rocks seems to take a few cues from Lost in Translation — but the latter was such a delight, no one is going to mind. Based on the just-dropped first trailer for the Apple TV+ film, however, the mood this time around is a little less melancholy, with On the Rocks serving up a father-daughter comedy about generational differences and complicated modern families. The full setup: Laura (Jones) initially doesn't really think twice when her other half, Dean (Marlon Wayans), suddenly starts working late more often. Soon though — and after her dad Felix's (Murray) not-so-comforting words of wisdom — she begins to wonder if Dean is cheating. That suspicion demands investigating, Felix decides, which sparks an offbeat adventure around NYC, and will also clearly help the pair work through their own complex relationship. Coppola's seventh feature, On the Rocks is also her first since 2017's The Beguiled won her the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival — where she became only the second woman to win the prize. And, it's her latest excuse to team up with Murray, with the pair last working together on 2015 Netflix special A Very Murray Christmas. Also familiar in On the Rocks' trailer: the sounds of Phoenix, who provide the movie's music. The French band have also been involved in Coppola's The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation, Marie Antoinette, Somewhere, The Bling Ring and The Beguiled in some shape or form, too — frontman Thomas Mars is Coppola's husband, after all. Check out the trailer for On the Rocks below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn3sK4WiviA&feature=youtu.be&goal=0_745cb9c02a-6077870a17-84180621&mc_cid=6077870a17&mc_eid=30ab429929 On the Rocks hits Apple TV+ in October — we'll update you when a specific release date is announced.
Australian Venue Co — one of the country's largest hospitality groups which operates 94 venues in Queensland, 70 in Victoria, 26 in Western Australia, 18 in South Australia, 10 in New South Wales and 2 in the Northern Territory — announced on Monday, December 2, that it will no longer host Australia Day celebrations on January 26 at any of its more than 200 outposts. January 26 is a contentious date for many. Commemorating the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788 and the beginning of European settlement on the Australian continent, it is a day of enduring collective trauma for First Nations communities and their allies who know it as Invasion Day or Survival Day rather than its traditional name. [caption id="attachment_908540" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Morris House, Melbourne[/caption] In a statement supplied to The Herald Sun, an Australian Venue Co spokesperson said of the decision to bar events on January 26: "Australia Day is a day that causes sadness for some members of our community, so we have decided not to specifically celebrate a day that causes hurt for some of our patrons and our team," Since 1994, all Australian states and territories have enjoyed a public holiday on January 26, but calls to move the country's national day to another less controversial date have gained momentum in recent years. In 2017, radio station Triple J made the decision to move its annual Hottest 100 rankings to January 25 and earlier this year, major supermarket brands Woolworths and Aldi both pledged to no longer stock Australia Day merchandise in its stores. Across Australia, January 26 has also created opportunities to show solidarity with First Nations communities. More than 80 councils around the country no longer hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26 and Invasion Day rallies attract thousands of peaceful protesters every year. For a full list of the Australian Venue Co venues effected by the January 26 event ban, visit the Australian Venue Co website.
When was the last time you jumped on a trampoline? How about fiftyish connected floor trampolines, with vertical wall trampolines surrounding the whole thing? The answer to the former is likely years and the answer to the latter never, but Sky Zone — the world's first indoor trampoline park — will have you jumping back to your childhood in a bounce. Sky Zone's newly-opened Brisbane facility brings the backyard staple indoors, unleashing the inner child in all punters. In hour-long sessions, patrons get the run of the 3000 square metre park to bounce to their heart's content. You can jump while slam-dunking a basketball. You can jump away from incoming dodgeballs. You can jump facefirst into a giant pit of foam cubes. And you can literally bounce off of the walls. After obtaining a special pair of trampoline socks upon arrival (that are then yours to keep), jumpers can make their way to through bright blue and orange decor to the different sections as they see fit. For those after entertainment of the more organised variety, three specifically-designed dodgeball zones await. Future Slamball players can jump and dunk baskets at the sky slam, with separate hoops for the tall and small. If flipping, falling and faceplanting is your thing, the pit is the place to be. If you want test your parkour skills, head to the wall. Jumping purist? Find your regular jumping hub (on one trampoline, or between many) at the stratosphere. There’s more to Sky Zone than just jumping, including a three-storey laser tag arena that holds up to 40 combatants at a time. With a subtle Alice in Wonderland spin, gun-toting participants hide behind giant chess pieces, run past playing cards and dice, try not to be spotted in mirrors and peer down from above in the structure’s cloud-themed heights. Attempting to fell your foes while avoiding the same fate is, of course, the aim of the game. Kids will undoubtedly flock to what’s certain to become the next big birthday party location, however the young at heart are equally catered for (there's even beer). Every activity suits all ages, even if older patrons might find the soundtrack lacking — sadly, Van Halen, House of Pain, Kris Kross and Destiny’s Child’s thematically-fitting hits don’t seem to feature on the park’s playlist. For those more serious about the park’s weekly sport offerings, refereed dodgeball leagues will run every Tuesday and Wednesday night from late July, with winning teams receiving the not-so-shabby prize of $500. From August, the facility will also offer a range of fitness classes, spanning cardio, cross training and using suspension ropes. Visit Sky Zone at 544 Kessels Road, Macgregor. Find more info over here. For now, scroll through the palace of your childhood dreams:
Since dropping a trailer back in September 2022, the instantly stunning-looking Suzume has sat high on animation fans' must-see lists. Given that the Japanese movie is the new release from Your Name and Weathering with You director Makoto Shinkai, it was always going to. The filmmaker's resume speaks for itself, also spanning The Place Promised in Our Early Days, 5 Centimetres per Second, Children Who Chase Lost Voices and The Garden of Words — and his features deserve to be as eagerly anticipated as Studio Ghibli's. Whether you've been excited about Suzume for months or this is the first you're hearing about it, you'd best mark your diary — because Shinkai's latest now has a release date Down Under. The film opened in Japan back in November, and will make its way to cinemas in Australia and New Zealand from Thursday, April 13. As seen in lively trailer, Suzume puts Shinkai into familiar territory visually, with the animation and art direction alone spectacularly and breathtakingly gorgeous. Every detail-filled frame of his films could easily sit on a wall — and, from the sneak peek, Suzume easily continues the trend. Story-wise, the movie follows its titular high school girl as she teams up with a mysterious young man to travel through otherworldly gates. The pair cross paths in a quiet Kyushu town, with the stranger telling the with 17-year-old Suzume that he's looking for a door. From there, they get hopping as disasters start to strike around Japan. As more doors open, more destruction follows — and it's up to Suzume to close the portals to stop the cycle. The coming-of-age tale doesn't just include doors that keep opening up in Japan's "lonely areas people have forgotten" — doors in places that'll make you want to travel far and wide through Japan, as Weathering with You did with Tokyo — but also talking cats, swirling red clouds and scampering chairs. "At its core, Suzume is based on the massive disaster that occurred in Japan twelve years ago. I'm eager to see how this film translates to international audiences: what makes sense, what doesn't, and what common ground we have across cultures," said Shinkai. "The film's imminent international release will hopefully give me the answer to those questions. And, I cannot thank our team members enough for their unprecedented talent and perseverance throughout the film's production. On behalf of the entire team, I would also like to give thanks to all the fans who have cheered us on, making Suzume possible." As they did with Your Name and Weathering with You, Radwimps provide Suzume's soundtrack. The film heads Down Under after playing the Berlin International Film Festival in February, in the prestigious event's official competition — becoming the first Japanese animated film to do so since Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away, which won the coveted Golden Bear in 2002. Check out the trailer for Suzume below: Suzume opens in Australia and New Zealand on Thursday, April 13.
Brisbane's BlackMilk Clothing is well known for its pop culture-themed attire, releasing everything from Star Wars outfits to Harry Potter activewear in the past. Unsurprisingly, anything designed around the Boy Who Lived always proves popular — so much so that the company is launching another collection, this time specifically inspired by Hogwarts' houses. Whether you're keen to deck yourself out in red Gryffindor tartan pants, don a Slytherin letterman jacket with a snake embroidered on the back or pop on some blue Ravenclaw leggings, you'll be able to do just that. You'll be able to opt for some gold-hued Hufflepuff pieces, too, of course. Spanning trousers, dresses, leggings, crop tops and coats — including pants for both men and women, sports jersey-style shirts and hoodies as well, and overalls adorned with Harry Potter-themed patterns — it's a fresh treasure trove of items for wizarding fans to spend their galleons on. It's the real, official deal, with the School's Out range also featuring other pieces that won't make you feel like you're in training for the Triwizard Tournament, such as sheer and skater tunics in appropriately enchanting prints. A full preview of the collection is available on the BlackMilk website, with the magical selection going on sale at 7am on Tuesday, August 20. Items are available until sold out — and, yes, that often happens quickly. For more information about BlackMilk Clothing's Harry Potter School's Out range, head to their website.
Ever since Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness hit Netflix in mid-March, the docuseries has become a true-crime phenomenon. Given the story it tells, that's understandable. Focusing on former Oklahoma private zookeeper Joe Exotic, the show spins a 100-percent true tale filled with eccentric characters, wild animals, assassination plots, polygamy and bad mullets. By now, you've probably not only binged your way through the series, but also watched the Joel McHale-hosted special and spent too much time checking out Exotic's music videos. If you're like everyone else with a social media account, you've likely also devoted a few hours to picking who should play Exotic, his pals and his enemies in a dramatised version of the story — because, unsurprisingly, that's in the works. Actually, more than one take on the tale is heading to the small screen, and one of them has pulled off one helluva casting feat, enlisting none other than Nicolas Cage to play the blonde-haired tiger aficionado, one-time US presidential candidate and current incarcerated felon. As reported by Variety, Cage will step into Exotic's tight pants and flamboyant shirts, all in a scripted drama series that'll chart the latter's efforts "to keep his park even at the risk of losing his sanity". Think of it as the Joe Exotic origin story, chronicling how he took on that moniker, became a larger-than-life version of himself and found himself on his present path. While Exotic has received plenty of media attention in his time, particularly recently, this series will be based on Leif Reigstad's 2019 Texas Monthly article 'Joe Exotic: A Dark Journey Into the World of a Man Gone Wild'. American Vandal showrunner Dan Lagana will hold the same role on this yet-to-be-named Joe Exotic drama, as well as writing and executive producing — but the big news is obviously Cage's involvement. After making more than 100 on-screen projects across four decades, this is the first time he'll be starring in a TV show on a regular basis. Plus, the Vampire's Kiss, Face/Off, Con Air, Mandy and Color Out of Space actor isn't known for his subtlety, which makes him a perfect fit to play Exotic. Cage also has some recent experience with jungle animals, at least of the terrible CGI kind, thanks to 2019 action-drama Primal. It casts him as a big-game hunter chasing a rare white jaguar, which then gets loose on a ship alongside a notorious murderer — and yes, it's the type of over-the-top Cage film that has to be seen to be believed. Just who'll be co-starring with Cage — who'll no doubt be at his overacting best — is yet to be announced. While Kate McKinnon is set to play Carole Baskin, the rival animal park owner that Exotic is in prison for trying to have killed, that's happening in a different series about the whole saga. And, according to Rob Lowe's Instagram, there's another project in the works that'll feature him in a mullet, as produced by Glee, American Horror Story and Pose's Ryan Murphy. If you need a reminder as to why everyone's rushing to turn Exotic's story into a drama series, check out the Tiger King trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acTdxsoa428 The Nicolas Cage-starring, yet-to-be-named Joe Exotic series doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when further details are announced. Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness is available to stream on Netflix. Via Variety. Top image: Netflix.
Batman. Superman. Wonder Woman. Aquaman. Ask someone to name a DC superhero and one of these figures might be their first response. They're the characters that've also been anchoring the big screen's DC Extended Universe for the past decade. Shazam, Harley Quinn, Black Adam and The Flash each scored movies bearing their monikers over that period — some have popped up in Justice League and not one but two Suicide Squad flicks as well — but the franchise's best-recognised players still remain unchanged. Enter Blue Beetle, which brings a lesser-known caped crusader to picture palaces, but one that dates back 84 years on the page to 1939. The DCEU's 14th entry also achieves a feat that no other caped-crusader film has before it, among the company's own flicks or the rival Marvel Cinematic Universe. It shouldn't have taken a decade since this specific franchise began, and 15 years after the MCU initially arrived, for the first live-action superhero movie with a Latino lead to hit. This important achievement shouldn't be forgotten from here on in, either. Blue Beetle's significance isn't lost on filmmaker Ángel Manuel Soto, who leaps from 2015 Puerto Rican drama La Granja and 2020 Sundance Film Festival standout Charm City Kings to helming Hollywood history. It isn't the type of feature he ever saw himself making, but it's an opportunity that he's wholeheartedly embraced. As he tells Jaime Reyes' (Xolo Maridueña, Cobra Kai) tale, charting his journey from ordinary Mexican American twenty something to Spider-Man-meets-Venom-meets-Iron Man-style hero, he tells of Latinx culture, of the importance of family, and of everyday experiences and struggles. Indeed, as he explains to Concrete Playground, that's the only way he could ever envisage spinning this story. Accordingly, this is a caped-crusader flick that nods to 90s telenovela María la del Barrio, shoots a crucial scene like an immigration raid and knows how difficult keeping secrets can be in close Latinx families where the bonds of blood are everything. In dialogue around Jaime's name, it references Ángel's own experience having his moniker mispronounced daily. With a scientist played by What We Do in the Shadows' Harvey Guillén, it calls out racist tendencies to give everyone from a particular culture the same term. Again and again, Blue Beetle grounds its narrative in authentic details, all as Jaime comes into contact with an alien gadget that turns him into the titular figure. And, it does so with its protagonist's mother Rocio (Elpidia Carrillo, Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities), father Alberto (Damián Alcázar, Acapulco), sister Milagro (Belissa Escobedo, Hocus Pocus 2), Nana (Adriana Barraza, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels) and uncle Rudy (George Lopez, Lopez vs Lopez) always by his side. With Blue Beetle in cinemas Down Under, we chatted to Soto about his journey from adoring cinema to his latest film, his approach to introducing a Latino lead to the superhero genre, building in that crucial authenticity and making a family drama as much as a save-the-world feature. ON THE JOURNEY FROM GROWING UP LOVING MOVIES TO DIRECTING A SUPERHERO FILM "I never saw myself making a movie like this. It's still — I have to pinch myself all the time because after Charm City Kings, I didn't know it was going to cause the impact that it did, and I didn't know it was going to draw that much attention. Because at the end of the day, I try to do everything out of love and and passion, especially for the communities that I represent in my films. Having a movie like this happen was very humbling. Being able to also tell stories that I want to tell within the superhero genre is something that I'm going to be forever grateful for to the guys at DC, because they respected the stories that I wanted to tell. At the same time, it gave me another another stepping stone in in my career to explore this passion that I have for my craft in a genre that's so beloved by many." ON MAKING THE THE FIRST LIVE-ACTION SUPERHERO MOVIE WITH A LATINO LEAD "That that was probably the reason why I accepted to do it — because it was introducing a Latino character to the DC world. It being the first live-action Latino superhero [film], I felt a great responsibility and an opportunity at the same time to be able to tell our stories in a way that is reflected through the lens and the eyes of a Latino as well. It helped a lot to have the writer, Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, be from Querétaro in Mexico. And he bringing his own authenticity to the script, and me coming with my experiences from Puerto Rico. And working together to create something that felt authentic to our experiences growing up — and translating that into Jaime Reyes and Blue Beetle, that made it very easy for us. The whole team was onboard, and casting the right talents, and having them be from Mexico as well, was part of the plan. So we wanted to do it the right way. We cannot tell the story of of every Latino in the world, because one, we're not a monolith, and two, we're too many. But being able to tell at least one story of those, our hope is to hear and see and enjoy other stories from all over Latin America as well." [caption id="attachment_918339" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blue Beetle[/caption] ON BUILDING AUTHENTICITY INTO EVEN THE SMALLEST OF EXCHANGES AND DETAILS "Well, the truth is that the ongoing joke with Jaime is something that I experience daily. My name is Ángel. Some people call me Angel [Ángel pronounces it like the spiritual being]. Some people call me 'on-hell'. Some people call me Angel [Ángel pronounces it 'angle']. And the whole thing of trying to explain my name and how to pronounce it phonetically, it's a daily thing, so we wanted to to have fun with that and show what we have to deal with all the time. Also, the way Victoria Kord [Blue Beetle's villainous CEO, as played by Maybe I Do's Susan Sarandon] treats Sanchez [her chief scientist, as played by Guillén] is something that as Latinos — and this happens with other communities as well — sometimes they they try to minimise us by calling us one name. You know, like "hey Jose, come here Jose", with a little bit of a racist, biased joke behind them. But we wanted to to really showcase in the case Doctor Sanchez that there is power to our name. And there's an individual power that everybody has, and our name carries that. Because our name comes from, especially in our culture — like, I go through Ángel Manuel Soto Vázquez — we have both our parents names. For us that means a lot because we honour our ancestors, and we try to go as far back as we can and wear that name with pride because we would never be where we are without them. So it was very important to to give Doctor Sanchez that arc, because when he says his name, that's when he gets empowered, and that's when he actually becomes his hero of his story." ON MAKING A FAMILY DRAMA AS MUCH AS A SUPERHERO FILM "It was definitely very important for us to to tell the story of the whole family. We wanted to do a fresh take on the superhero origin story. And the writer and I, we were very keen to treat the first act like Latin cinema, where we spend time with our characters, with their environment, where you get to know bits and pieces of everyone so that before all the action starts to happen you're already invested — not only in in our superhero, not only in our main character Jaime, you're also invested with the family. Because how they relate and everything that they're going to end up giving to the story and to the character of Blue Beetle, it's as important as the hero himself. Another thing that we wanted to flip on its head a little bit is the fact that most superheroes, what happens to them happens in secret. And they keep this secret from their family, you know to protect them — and it does make sense. But both the writer and my experience is that it's very hard to keep a secret from a Latino mother — and my parents and my family, they're very nosy. They still are. It was crazy for us to think that the family wouldn't have any involvement in the creation of the superhero. Like I mentioned before, what our parents and our ancestors have done for us make us who we are, and we wanted to honour that. So we really felt that that was something that we wanted to protect — and not just in terms of like teachings or mentorship; we also wanted them to have an active participation in the success of our hero, giving them all heroic arcs as they end up protecting and saving Jaime. Part of that comes from the fact that we feel that way about our family. They're not just passive bystanders, they're actually active components to who we are and how far we're able to go. But also in this whole family adventure, we wanted every single family member from the youngest sister to the oldest grandfather to see themselves also in a movie that treats them with respect, but also sees them as heroes — so they can see themselves as heroes, too. And to that end, we really focused it on trying to be like 'let's make this into a family adventure that does have these superhero elements'. And as an introduction to the world of Jaime and Blue Beetle, we felt like this is a beautiful first act to what his whole journey is going to be." Blue Beetle opened in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on July 27. Read our review.
The annual Improv Everywhere mp3 experiment proves we've come a long way since the Napster debacle of the early noughties. Interestingly, the New York-based prank collective started in 2001, around the same time Napster was given a court injunction to stop the distribution of copyrighted music on its network. But the eighth installment of the annual prank has made good use of mp3 downloads, casting aside any former copyright stigmas for the convergence of thousands of people in one picturesque setting. This year's prank took place along New York's Hudson River with over 3,500 participants downloading two types of mp3s, each with instructions that culminated in a mass 'silent disco' at Nelson Rockefeller Park during sundown. The participants of this year's prank began as two groups and were asked to wear two different coloured shirts, representing the theme of two tribes coming together. Once the two groups were instructed to meet at Nelson Rockefeller Park, on-the-spot jumping, indiscriminate high-fives to random passers-by, handshaking, slow dancing and linking of the arms took place. The Improv Everywhere prank collective has orchestrated over 100 pranks since 2001, and are behind the now iconic Frozen Grand Central flashmob which has been viewed by 27,513,992 people since 2008. https://youtube.com/watch?v=lrCnh9sT_mc
