What happens when a croissanterie known for perfecting its signature dish, and also for getting inventive with its pastries, joins forces with a distillery that both knows how to make a stellar dry gin and equally likes experimenting? We're talking about Lune and Four Pillars, of course — and the result is the world's first croissant gin. Is this the new perfect brunch drink? Will this help you enjoy a breakfast of champions? You can be the judge from Wednesday, February 19, 2025, when the croissant gin hits stores — and online. And yes, it's a buttery sip. "Lune croissants are made with nearly double the butter of your average croissant, so we knew that butter had to be a key part of the gin," explains Four Pillars Head Distiller Sarah Prowse, with Lune's own clarified butter a key ingredient. Alongside that caramel slice-smelling dairy product, the croissant gin is made with almonds that've been roasted in the Four Pillars distillery kitchen, juniper and a range of other botanicals, plus wattle seed and nutmeg. The recommended way to knock it back? In G&Ts or in espresso gin-tinis. While this isn't the type of tipple that just anyone could've dreamed up, Lune and Four Pillars joining forces couldn't seem more obvious — not only for their similar meticulous approaches to their chosen wares, but as Melbourne-born success stories that hero local ingredients. The croissant gin sprang from shared visits and tours, then hand delivering butter and testing distillations. If it sounds like a bucket-list collab, Lune Founder Kate Reid agrees. "Infusing our Lune magic into my favourite gin was a dream come true. I can honestly say I've never been thirsty for a croissant before but once you taste this gin, you'll understand what I mean." "It turns out there is a knack to distilling butter, but after a few trial distillations we found our sweet spot and we couldn't be happier with the end result," explains Prowse. "The nuts and spices add a real depth to the gin, the vanilla bean brings a hint of sweetness, and then we've bought in our signature organic oranges to deliver lovely brightness and balance." The croissant gin retails at $80 a bottle — or $100 with a Four Pillars x Lune tote bag exclusively from Four Pillars. If you're among the first to get your hands on it, free croissants are also on offer. On launch day, the Four Pillars Sydney Lab in Surry Hills will be giving away free Lune croissants with first 50 bottles of gin sold, for instance. At Dan Murphy's Malvern East and BWS Hawksburn in Victoria, plus Dan Murphy's Double Bay and BWS Potts Point in New South Wales, as well as Dan Murphy's Newstead in Queensland, there'll be a limited number of Lune vouchers up for grabs on launch day as well. And on Saturday, February 22, the Four Pillars Distillery in Healesville will have free Lune croissant for the first 50 bottles purchased, too. Croissant Gin will be available from the Four Pillars website, Four Pillars Distillery, Four Pillars Lab, and select Dan Murphy's and BWS stores from Wednesday, February 19, 2025 — head to the Four Pillars website for further details.
When summer has rolled around on the Gold Coast in past years, a heap of music festivals have typically come with it. And while you might expect that 2020's warmest, sunniest portion would be a little different than usual — it's been that kind of year — the coastal spot is welcoming a brand new event, which'll feature more than 50 bands over ten nights at ten venues. Feedback Festival will run from Thursday, December 3–Sunday, December 13, taking over the stages at HOTA, Home of the Arts, Miami Marketta, Mo's Desert Club House, Soundlounge and Vinnie's Dive Bar — and Elsewhere, Southport RSL, Southport Sharks, Southport Yacht Club and Spaghetti & Jazz, too. Although it boasts a lineup big on variety, clearly you know what you're in for at the last joint on that list. There'll be jazz and there'll be dinner, obviously. Across the entire bill, attendees will be treated to more than 100 hours of live music across everything from rock and indie to electronic and punk — and it's a case of buying tickets to whatever you'd like to attend during the festival period. There'll also be secret shows popping up around the place, so keep an eye out for future additions to the lineup. FEEDBACK FESTIVAL LINEUP: Alexander Williams Amy Elise Angel Strings Benny D Williams Black Rabbit George Buttered CC The Cat Col Atkinson and John Whyte Smooth Jazz Duo Debt Cult DENNIS The Dreggs Ella Fence Felicity Lawless Ghost College Headlice Hussy Hicks Hot Coffee Jeff Martin The Jensens Karl S Williams Koi Boys Luke Pauley Nadia Sundae Trio Peach Fur Radolscent Russell Morris Santa Taranta Steve Cummins Tim Freedman The Unknowns Trichotomny Vavachi The Yams Zambebam Trio
Time is the one thing that no one ever has enough of. That's true in an ordinary day, if you're staring mortality in the face, or when you need to travel back to the past in a telephone booth — not just to round up historical figures so that you can pass high school, but to put you on the path to becoming a world-changing rock superstar. It's a topic that people can't stop pondering, including many a filmmaker. And, it's the subject of the Gallery of Modern Art's new film season, Nothing But Time. For two months between Friday, July 5 and Sunday, September 1, GOMA's Australian Cinematheque is hoping you'll have time to stop by and check out its jam-packed lineup. From time travel classics, to tales of love battling against time, to explorations of memory, to contemplations of time's inescapable nature, there's plenty to watch. Hop in your DeLorean, wake from a dream within a dream within a dream, and take a giant leap over to South Bank, with the paid program running every Wednesday and Friday evening, plus Saturday and Sunday during the day. It all begins with quite the double — and quite the treat on the big screen — aka Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure and Back to the Future. From there, you can revisit a heap recent-ish classics such as Inception, Run Lola Run, Primer, Edge of Tomorrow, 12 Monkeys, Only Lovers Left Alive and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; enjoy the anime stylings of Your Name and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time; or soak up bona fide greats like Solaris, Ikiru, Wings of Desire, Wild Strawberries, Last Year at Marienbad and Cleo From 5 to 7. Or, you can dance, magic, dance with David Bowie through Labyrinth, then walk and talk with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy through Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight.
Last month felt particular steamy and uncomfortable (even for Australian summer) and it was — January was Australia's hottest month ever recorded. The Bureau of Meteorology this morning released its monthly climate summary, reporting that, for the first time ever in Australia, the mean temperature for a month exceeded 30 degrees. NSW, ACT, Victoria and the NT all had their hottest Januarys ever recorded, while other states had unusually hot weather and very little rain. If you're currently sitting at your desk — after running through rain in Sydney, waking up to 14 degrees in Melbourne or commuting in low-20s in Brisbane — and thinking, it didn't seem that bad, here's a quick summary of some of the weather we endured last month. The year kicked off with a country-wide heatwave, with the mercury hitting the 30s in every capital city and Canberra sweltering through four days of 40-degrees. By mid-January, the heatwave was causing record-breaking high temperatures across the country — including 48.9 in SA and high-40s across Victoria's North — with Sydney's west copping dangerously high levels of ozone gas. And, just last week, Melbourne survived its hottest day in ten years. Here's how hot our country looked at one point: https://twitter.com/BOM_au/status/1084218154782478337 Phew. We're sure you're happy to see the back of January. According to the BOM's senior climatologist Dr Andrew Watkins, the unprecedented heat was due to a "a persistent high pressure system in the Tasman sea which was blocking any cold fronts and cooler air from impacting the south of the country." Dr Watkins also said in a statement that Australia looks to continue getting hotter, too. "The warming trend which has seen Australian temperatures increase by more than 1 degree in the last 100 years also contributed to the unusually warm conditions." Unfortunately for our farmers, last month was also extremely dry. In NSW, where 100 percent of the state has been in drought, the northeast experienced one of the driest Januarys on record, while most of Victoria and Brisbane received less than 20 percent of their average January rainfall. Tasmania had its driest Jan on record and SA, which experienced some of the highest temperatures, also had very little-to-no rain — the Bureau's Adelaide city site recorded no rainfall for the month for the first time since 1957. So far, it looks like February is going to be less spicy. But if you'd rather not risk it, it might be time to book a trip to the northern hemisphere. Image: Visit Victoria.
You've probably noticed times are tough for hospo venues, especially those of the live music variety. However, until the end of June, you can do them a small favour with the help of purpose-driven, non-alc beer brewing legends, Heaps Normal. When the time comes to replenish your non-alcoholic beer stocks at home, online customers have the option to send a free case of Heaps Normal to their favourite venue. No strings attached — your local watering hole just gets a free case of beer to sell at their pleasure. "Aussie hospo venues – particularly live music venues – have been doing it tough lately and we're keen to give back. We figured the best way to do that was to let our community decide where the good karma should flow," says Heaps Normal's Chief Brand Officer Tim Snape. This good deed might just be the right move for you as well. Rather than waking up with a splitting headache after a big night out, the brand's tasty brews won't leave you with a hangover that stretches long into next week. "All you need to do is purchase a case of Heaps Normal for yourself and let us know which local watering hole you want to shower with a little good Karma (Case). We'll even throw a handwritten love letter from you in there, too," says Snape. When you're ready to bank that karma, you're welcome to gift any case from Heaps Normal's core range, from the down-to-earth Another Lager to the newly released Third IPA. Then, it's just a matter of your choice arriving at your go-to venue's door, ready to satiate thirsty customers keen to sidestep tomorrow's agony. Heaps Normal's Karma Cases campaign runs until the end of June. Head to the website for more information.
About halfway between Townsville and Cairns — and on the way up to Cape Trib — is the Mission Beach area. There are a number of council-run campgrounds and caravan parks here, but head straight to Kurrimine Beach for a prime beachfront posi. This site is pretty well set up — powered sites with access to a laundry, hot showers and toilets are available along with some unpowered sites in peak season. You can't book, so turn up early in the day and hope for the best. Image: Matt Glastonbury via Tourism and Events Queensland
Another week, another film, another hero clad in spandex. For the past decade and a half, Hollywood has churned out an unrelenting stream of superhero movies. Some, like Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight or Joss Whedon's first Avengers film, manage to rise above the pack. Others, like the laughably self-important Man of Steel or the disastrous new Fantastic Four, scrape the bottom of the barrel. The rest, for the most part, are merely okay. More to the point, almost all of them stick to the same predictable playbook in which everything is taken way, way too seriously. That's where Deadpool promises to be different. This long awaited film about the popular Marvel antihero arrives in cinemas on the back of an absolutely ingenious marketing campaign, one that stresses to punters unfamiliar with the character that he is anything but your typical superhero. Decked out in red, wielding katanas and a big ass gun, Deadpool swears, cracks jokes and murders his enemies with glee. Not only that, but he knows he's in a movie, and frequently delivers his X-rated quips directly to the camera. Most importantly, he's entertaining. He doesn't mope about his dead parents, or whinge about how great power means great responsibility. In an era of increasingly reluctant and angst-riddled crusaders, he makes being a superhero look fun. That's not to say that director Tim Miller has reinvented the wheel. The same familiar narrative formula is still very much at play here, even if the specifics are different. Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is a low-level mercenary whose life with his prostitute girlfriend Vanessa (Morena Baccarin) seems doomed after he is diagnosed with terminal cancer. A lifeline comes in the form of an offer from a shady organisation, who promise to make Wilson indestructible. Unfortunately, the process also leaves him horribly disfigured, looking roughly akin to – in his own words – "a testicle with teeth." And when the people behind his transformation inevitably betray him, he's left with no choice but to become the one thing he never thought he'd be: a hero. So yeah, Deadpool isn't exactly the second coming of the genre. Luckily, it's also so relentlessly enjoyable that its flaws are easy to forgive. The script, by Zombieland co-writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, is absolutely brimming with knowing, foul-mouthed humour – indeed, this is much more a rude, crude, fourth-wall breaking comedy than it is a standard action film. There are dick jokes and pop-culture gags aplenty, but the biggest laughs come from references to Deadpool's fellow superheroes. When a couple of ancillary X-Men try and convince Deadpool to meet with Professor X, he asks whether they mean James McAvoy or Patrick Stewart. The writers also lay mercilessly into the recent Green Lantern movie, which of course starred none other than their own film's leading man. Frankly, it's hard to fathom that Reynolds ever wore another costume, since it feels like Deadpool is the role he was born to play. His performance is the other big reason the movie works as well as it does, his irreverent, snark-laden line delivery helping keep us on side with a protagonist whose behaviour is totally reprehensible. Not that you'd want him any other way. Hell, we'll take this nutcase over that bland boy scout Superman any day of the week. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIM1HydF9UA
Already in 2024, one huge Australian music festival that calls Byron Bay home has shut up shop, hopefully only temporarily. After Splendour in the Grass announced its dates for this year, then its lineup, only to swiftly cancel mere weeks later, another event that's synonymous with the coastal New South Wales spot is now also taking itself off the town's calendar. Bluesfest is bidding farewell — and its plans to say goodbye are definitely permanent — but it will host a final hurrah in 2025 on its way out. So, the sad news: once Thursday, April 17–Sunday, April 20, 2025 passes, Bluesfest will be no more. The silver lining is that last fest, a four-day event that'll mark the Easter long-weekend mainstay's 36th year. [caption id="attachment_969990" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joseph Mayers[/caption] "After more than 50 years in the music business, Bluesfest has been a labour of love, a celebration of music, community and the resilient spirit of our fans. But after the 2025 festival, as much as it pains me to say this, it's time to close this chapter," advised Festival Director Peter Noble in a statement. "As I said earlier this year at Bluesfest 2024, next year's festival will be happening and it definitely is, but it will be our last," Noble continued. "To my dear Bluesfest family, I want to make it the most unforgettable experience yet. If you've been thinking about it, now is your last chance to experience our beloved festival." [caption id="attachment_969986" align="alignnone" width="1920"] LD Somefx[/caption] There's no word yet on who'll be gracing the stages at Bluesfest's swansong, following on from 2024 headliners Tom Jones and Elvis Costello. Since 1990, everyone from Bob Dylan, BB King, Mavis Staples, Robert Plant, Paul Simon, Bonnie Rait and Santana to Kendrick Lamar, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Mary J Blige, Beck, Midnight Oil and Crowded House have played the fest. And even if you've only ever been to one Bluesfest, you've likely seen Jack Johnson and/or Ben Harper on the bill. The last few years have been tumultuous for the Byron Bay event. 2023's fest lost a number of acts, including King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and Sampa the Great, after Sticky Fingers were added to the bill. Bluesfest ultimately dropped the controversial band. And while the fest went ahead in 2022 after two years of pandemic cancellations (and a thwarted temporary move to October for the same reason), it showcased a primarily Australian and New Zealand lineup. [caption id="attachment_969988" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Roger Cotgreave[/caption] Bluesfest calling time follows Mona Foma doing the same after its 2024 event — plus a lengthy list of festivals beyond Splendour that've ditched their plans this year, sometimes also without announcing their intentions for the future. Just two years after debuting, Adelaide's Harvest Rock has scrapped its 2024 fest as well. Spilt Milk cancelled its 2024 festivals, while Groovin the Moo did the same after announcing its lineup. Summergrounds Music Festival, which was meant to debut at Sydney Festival 2024, also pulled the plug. As announced in 2023, Dark Mofo took a breather in 2024. Yours and Owls has postponed its next fest until 2025, too, but is hosting a pre-party in October this year. [caption id="attachment_969989" align="alignnone" width="1920"] LD Somefx[/caption] [caption id="attachment_969987" align="alignnone" width="1920"] LD Somefx[/caption] [caption id="attachment_867504" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kurt Petersen[/caption] Bluesfest 2025 will run from Thursday, April 17–Sunday, April 20 at Byron Events Farm, Tyagarah. Early-bird tickets are on sale now — for further information, head to the Bluesfest website.
He's had his heart broken during a lusty Italian summer, romanced Saoirse Ronan in a Greta Gerwig film not once but twice, spiced up his life in a sci-fi saga and sported a taste for human flesh. The next addition to Timothée Chalamet's resume: a sweet time worshipping chocolate. Get ready for a big Timmy end of 2023, with Dune: Part Two hitting cinemas Down Under in November, then Wonka giving Roald Dahl's famous factory owner and candy man a Chalamet-starring origin story. First gracing the page almost six decades back, in 1964 when Charlie and the Chocolate Factory initially hit print, Willy Wonka has made the leap to cinemas with Gene Wilder playing the part in 1971, then Johnny Depp in 2005. The difference this time: not just Chalamet plunging into a world of pure imagination, but a film that swirls in the details of Wonka's life before the events that've already been laid out in books and filled two movies. As the just-dropped first trailer for Wonka shows, the picture's main man has a dream — and, after spending the past seven years travelling the world perfect his craft, he's willing to get inventive to make it come true. Starting a chocolate business isn't easy, especially when the chocolate cartel doesn't take kindly to newcomers. "You can't get a shop without selling chocolate, and you can't sell chocolate without a shop," the bright-eyed Willy is told early in the debut sneak peek. From there, brainwaves, optimism, determination and life-changing choices all spring, plus big vats of chocolate, chocolate that makes you fly — "nothing to see here, just a small group of people defying the laws of gravity," comments a police officer — and Willy's dedication to making "the greatest chocolate shop the world has ever seen". Also accounted for: a mood of wonder, and not just due to the umbrella-twirling dream sequences and cane-whirling dance scenes, or the leaps through fairy floss and chats with Hugh Grant (Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves) as an Ooompa-Loompa. Indeed, the magical tone doesn't just fit the tale; it's exactly what writer/director Paul King and his co-scribe Simon Farnaby have become known for on the Paddington films. King helmed and penned both, while Farnaby also did the latter on the second (and acted in each). The duo also worked together on wonderful and underseen 2009 film Bunny and the Bull, and on The Mighty Boosh, of which King directed 20 episodes. On-screen, Wonka's cast is as jam-packed as a lolly bag, with Chalamet and Grant joined by Farnaby (The Phantom of the Open), as well as Olivia Colman (Secret Invasion), Sally Hawkins (The Lost King), Keegan-Michael Key (The Super Mario Bros Movie), Rowan Atkinson (Man vs Bee), Jim Carter (Downton Abbey: A New Era) and Natasha Rothwell (Sonic the Hedgehog 2). Yes, you'll want a golden ticket to this. Check out the first trailer for Wonka below: Wonka releases in cinemas Down Under on December 14, 2023.
Like her relatives, Morticia Addams (voiced by Charlize Theron) is supposed to be creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky — but in the latest version of The Addams Family, she's just creaky. Unleashing tiny spiders to build a bridge over a bottomless pit (in the family's basement, naturally) in one scene, the vampish matriarch coughs up a cringe-worthy line that everyone can see coming: "we call this surfing the web". Morticia's dad joke would prove a grim omen for this new animated take on America's most macabre family, except that it's sadly preceded by plenty of others. By the time the above dialogue is uttered, a groan-inducing town called Assimilation has already sprung up down the hill from the Addams' imposing mansion. And, within said house, sentient, unattached hand Thing has also been seen wearing a watch with an eye on it. To be honest, the pain starts in the prologue, which doubles as an obligatory origin story. As Morticia and Gomez (Oscar Isaac) tie the knot 13 years before the movie's main narrative, Fester (Nick Kroll) tells them to put the lime in the coconut and drink it all up. That's how things are done "in the old country", apparently. This opening gag doesn't nod to the 1930s New Yorker cartoons that first introduced the Addams clan, or the 60s live-action TV series that followed, or 90s big-screen favourites The Addams Family and Addams Family Values. Rather, it references Harry Nilsson's 1971 novelty song 'Coconut' and serves no one — unless this iteration of The Addams Family is aimed at fans of a singer from half a century ago, Quentin Tarantino aficionados who know the tune from Reservoir Dogs, or anyone familiar with Dannii Minogue's 1994 cover (again: no one). The track is hardly obscure; however, even as a throwaway line, non sequitur or piece of absurdist humour, it leaves audiences scratching their heads instead of laughing. Really, it just smacks of the filmmakers giggling among themselves at a bad joke, without considering whether it's relevant to the story they're telling, its characters or their viewers. Alas, as the rest of the flick shows, that seems to be directors Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon (Sausage Party) and screenwriters Matt Lieberman (Playing with Fire) and Pamela Pettler's (Corpse Bride) approach overall. Flimsy from the outset, The Addams Family charts the predictable clash when Assimilation's residents — and celebrity interior designer Margaux Needler (Allison Janney), who financed the town — aren't happy about their odd neighbours. This revelation coincides with Pugsley's (Finn Wolfhard) swordplay-heavy coming-of-age ceremony, which brings the extended Addams crew to visit and scares the locals even further. Cue life lessons about accepting those around you, being yourself, not judging spooky-looking people by their appearances and other similar clichés. Margaux and her mob attempt to bully the Addams family out of the area, Gomez stresses over Pugsley's fondness for bombs over blades, and Wednesday (Chloe Grace Moretz) shocks Morticia by befriending Margaux's daughter Parker (Elsie Fisher) and daring to fit in. The fact that the Addams clan stands out has always been their point, ever since their cartoonist namesake created the weird and wonderful figures. In their aesthetics, interests and behaviour, Morticia, Gomez, Wednesday, Pugsley, Fester and Grandma (Bette Midler) are clearly the opposite of the stereotypical American household, and the resulting juxtaposition — and the horrified reactions to their monster-like appearance, as well as their strange and supernatural ways — makes a satirical statement. But, even bringing social media, lifestyle gurus and a few other bits of modern technology into the mix, The Addams Family circa 2019 doesn't have anything new to say. It doesn't have much to say in general, really. Given that the family-friendly film also lacks in story, jokes and creativity, the result is ghoulish, and not in a manner that'd do the fictional characters proud. It doesn't help that, although inspired by Charles Addams' original drawings, the animation is dull — including the character design. Creepy, kooky and the like can look delightful on the screen (and all-ages appropriate), as Corpse Bride, Frankenweenie, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline and ParaNorman have all shown; however, this has more in common visually and tonally with the broad and bland Hotel Transylvania movies. The picture's celebrity voices can't fill in the gaps, either. Mostly, hearing Isaac as Gomez makes you wish that someone had made a new live-action version starring him instead. That would've required more effort, though, which is something this thin, generic and not-at-all offbeat film shows few signs of. Rather, it features Snoop Dogg as Cousin Itt purely so that it can play 'Drop It Like It's Hot' when he's first seen on screen, a level that even abysmal 1998 direct-to-video threequel Addams Family Reunion (no, no one remembers it) didn't stoop to. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnn4fNsB64
Why are we so quick to dub certain books 'unfilmable'? After dozens of so-called-unfilmable film adaptations, maybe it's time to stop doubting the ability of screenwriters and directors to translate written expression to visual. Sometimes these unfilmable films are among the most exciting cinematic adventures of all, having to be inventive in a way that defies our expectations. Among unfilmable books, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell surely takes the cake, so let's resolve to be excited rather than plain old dubious that mind-fuck virtuosos the Wachowskis (The Matrix trilogy, V for Vendetta) and Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) are tackling it. The novel is set across time, from the Colonial Pacific to a circularly primitive future, and follows the exploits of several people who have basically nothing to do with each other. It's always told in the language and point of view of the character currently in focus — among them, an intrepid reporter, a precocious composer, and a woman genetically engineered for a life in hospitality — and constantly undermines conventional narrative structure by ripping us out of a story just when it's picking up pace. It's also a completely intoxicating read that was nominated for the 2004 Booker Prize. Tykwer and the Wachowskis are clearly aiming for greatness here, but they don't make it, and that leaves the unorthodox film open to savagery from many angles, far more than it deserves. Even at three hours, it's not a difficult watch, as the thickly intercut stories are individually intriguing and easy to distinguish. The editing involved in Cloud Atlas is a real marvel, actually. I'm picturing some obsessive Gollum (actually Alexander Berner) emerging from the editing suite with scurvy and a hunchback after months of toil. It's this intricate editing that subtly pulls the film along, so that the appearance of an actor in one time cuts to their transformed face in another and the mention of a door will in the next vignette open a gate. One of the best elements of the film is how it turns the 'actor playing multiple roles' trope from a novelty into an art. Although the message of the book and film is ambiguous, the idea of recurrence and of us having traceable connections to distant times is a major theme. The filmmakers are able to give vivid expression to that idea by having actors take on several characters, often across gender and race. Some critics have accused the film of racism for its use of yellow-face, but to do so seems sensationalist when you see how much thought, awareness, and purpose has gone into the portrayal of race. It's basically the point of the movie. On top of that, the prosthetics are awe-inspiring, and it's worth watching the credits just to see which unrecognisable appearances from Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving, Susan Sarandon, Jim Broadbent, Ben Whishaw, Doona Bae, Hugh Grant, Keith David, Xun Zhou, and others passed you by. Some of the other mise en scene, however, is surprisingly forgettable given the filmmakers; one of their futures looks pretty much like Bladerunner. The other big problem for the film is that, as it builds to its breathless, hypercutting crescendo, it looks a bit like cloying Western mysticism, if not all-out schmaltz. Resist falling into this vortex and you might enjoy the personal reading you take out of Cloud Atlas's ambiguous melting pot. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ByehYal_cCs
When he launched his first Brisbane restaurant in 2023 and paid tribute to the Amalfi Coast in the process, Guy Grossi started giving Italian food lovers in the Sunshine State capital plenty of treats. He isn't done yet, not only because Settimo is still going strong, but thanks to its first-birthday celebrations — complete with free cannoli. Crispy tubes filled with sweet ricotta, without paying a cent? That's what's on offer in the Queen Street Mall for one morning only. You'll need to make a beeline to the inner-city spot's main stage on Tuesday, February 20 from 7–10am. Yes, cannoli is the breakfast of champions. The full birthday festivities also include an anniversary dinner, a pasta-making masterclass with Grossi and the debut of a new aperitivo hour — but free cannoli trumps almost everything. If you haven't made a date with Settimo yet and are keen to after your complimentary dessert, you'll find it at 111 Mary Street.
The latest line of merch you never knew you needed has just dropped — and it's celebrating yet another old-school favourite. This time, it's South Australia's strangely beloved milky treat, Farmers Union Iced Coffee (FUIC), that's been emblazoned on some sweet threads. Much like beer brands VB and Melbourne Bitter before it, the new line of branded goodies has a bit of a vintage feel. The streetwear collection — which features mens and womens designs — runs from classic hoodies and tees to beanies and a denim cap, with prices starting at $35. Each piece is adorned with the iced coffee's recognisable brown and turquoise logo, so you can share your love of the caffeinated drink — or simply let people know you're from Adelaide — without having to say a word. Everything is all printed right in FUIC's homeland of South Australia — so it's basically a symbol of SA pride. If you happen to be in Adelaide and really keen, an FUIC pop-up hits Adelaide's Rundle Mall this Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29. Otherwise, you'll find the full range on sale at online. Farmers Union Iced Coffee's new line of gear is on sale now at fuicgear.com.au.
By now, it's pretty common knowledge that businesses around Australia have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Depending on what state the business is in, it's weathered multiple lockdowns, seating restrictions and ongoing financial uncertainty. And, through the hardest times, we've also seen resilience and adaptability from small business owners to meet these newfound challenges. Many businesses across the nation have changed the way they operate in order to stay afloat. And, so, in partnership with Square, we've spoken with five business owners across the country to find out how they adapted, what they changed, and what new elements they'll keep in the future. All these small businesses rely on business tools provided by Square, which helps the businesses with contactless payment systems, online stores and delivery services. So you can continue supporting your local with all the convenience you've come to expect from online shopping. THE BLOW DRY BAR THAT TURNED TO ONLINE COMMUNITY BUILDING The hair salon that keeps Melburnians looking photo-ready with exquisite blow drys and dry styles has seen its doors temporarily shut twice this year due to lockdown. The BLOW first closed its doors for seven weeks from March 17, and then again in July, which has meant Founder Phoebe Simmonds has looked to other opportunities to keep going. "We're focusing our efforts on community building activities, as well as expanding a new concept — The BLOW On-The-Go at Sephora Sydney," says Simmonds. For the hair salon, this time has been an opportunity to really connect with its customers online by sharing customers' stories via Facebook. Its Sydney pop-up offers a speedy dry styling service, which has an online booking system supported by Square. "Though we can't currently provide hair styling services or events in Melbourne, we can lean into our network of femme and fierce leaders to share stories of how they're conquering isolation with confidence," she says. "Our community has responded really well, and we love being able to maintain a connection with them. I've learnt a whole new level of resilience, creativity and flexibility. Owning a successful business now comes down to being able to manage ambiguity with grace, grit and a tonne of openness and positivity." THE COFFEE ROASTER AND CAFE THAT TURNED TO GROCERY BOXES AND TAKEAWAY MEALS Melbourne's beloved cafe and coffee roaster in the heart of Collingwood is usually known for its hustle and bustle, so when restrictions set in, Proud Mary had to pivot straight away. "We've completely changed our focus from bustling, noisy and vibrant dining in, to developing the best convenient and fast takeaway offering we can," says General Manager Tom Gunn. "We've pivoted to three different operational styles. Never let a good crisis go to waste, as they say. When we closed the cafe, we started doing delivery of grocery boxes and pre-prepared meals. The community has been fantastic; we've got to know so many more people who are more of the grab-and-go crowd, which we might've missed out on if things had remained normal this year." Gunn and his team has used the lockdown as a chance to develop the cafe's menus, ideas and processes. He says Proud Mary will continue its digital offering into the future, too. THE SPAGHETTI RESTAURANT THAT PIVOTED TO ONLINE STORE During Sydney's lockdown, Mark and Vinny's — the restaurant and bar in Surry Hills known for its spaghetti and spritzes — had to immediately adjust to manage the new dine-in restrictions. "We decided to try our hand at takeout as a matter of survival," says co-owner Vince Pizzinga. "One of the most successful initiatives was creating our own online store using Square, which was hugely helpful in allowing our customers to order directly with us." This was a game-changer for the business as it avoided the crippling fees of popular delivery services, which could exceed 30 percent. Now, post-lockdown, the venue is keeping up the online takeout service to complement the in-house dining, which helps the bottom line given its reduced seating restrictions. "This experience has forced me to take a closer look at how we operate and find ways to be more resourceful and pragmatic," he says. [caption id="attachment_780766" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shaelah Ariotti[/caption] THE PLANT NURSERY THAT CHANGED ITS STOCK TO SUIT THE MARKET Bespoke plant store The Borrowed Nursery, in the sunny Gold Coast, saw a shift in customer behaviour as soon as lockdown hit. "We lost our venue and plant hire aspects of the business straight away," says owner Lauren Lance. "But we also saw immediate growth in the retail element, so we focused on stocking more items and different item lines, for example home entertaining items and serving ware. "There has been a huge growth in indoor plants with people spending more time inside; they're wanting to make their interiors into an oasis." Being in the lucky state of Queensland, the business hasn't seen a huge downturn during lockdown or endured a second, however, Lance say she's continuing to be adaptable: "Move quickly, read the situation and focus on what works," she says. THE FRIED CHICKEN BAR THAT TEMPORARILY CUT ITS HOURS AND MENU In Fortitude Valley, shipping container-turned-eatery The Lucky Egg had to plan its survival strategy early, as lockdown meant it wouldn't be seeing its usual late-night fried chicken-loving customers. "At the beginning of the lockdown, we closed Lucky Egg for a few weeks while we came to grips with the situation and developed a plan," says Founder Jesse Barbera. "We reopened offering delivery and pick-up with reduced trading hours, and cut back our menu to focus on our most popular products," she says. "Being in the Valley, a good share of our revenue comes from late-night trade on weekends, which we knew we wouldn't get, so we had to slim down as much as possible." Luckily, it did, and now, post-lockdown, the venue has reopened with limited capacity — and making use of its outdoor space — as it slowly returns to normal trading hours. The business has its full menu back, and is even looking to expand its offering. "We've learnt not to take anything for granted," says Barbera. "We've also learnt that our hard work has paid off, and the loyal customers we have are worth their weight in gold." Find out how Square is supporting small businesses with the tools they need to grow, here. Top image: Vince Pizzinga, co-owner of Mark and Vinny's.
Australia keeps going dotty for Yayoi Kusama — and this time, one of the Japanese artist's dot-filled installations is coming to our shores on a permanent basis. Canberra's National Gallery of Australia has acquired Kusama's pumpkin-focused infinity room The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens, which will form part of the NGA's collection and go on display from December this year. 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 piece. 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 work — "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 from a yet-to-be-revealed date in December 2018. 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.
At the moment, a visit to Victoria Park / Barrambin includes mini golf, picnics, walking dogs, pop-up outdoor cinemas and green fairs. In the future, it'll involve roving around a 64-hectare parkland, which'll feature a tree house lookout, water play gully, high-ropes course, mountain bike track, reinstated water holes and wetlands, and a community edible garden, too. That's the proposal for the Herston site, one that's now locked in thanks to Brisbane City Council's just-revealed master plan. Yes, this patch of Brisbane is about to look a whole lot different. Change is coming to the entire city of Brisbane over the next decade — hosting the Olympics will do that — but revamping Victoria Park / Barrambin has been in the works long before that news. First announced in mid-2019, the new vision for the inner-city spot received a draft master plan back in 2022, with BCC confirming the final details after community feedback. Plenty has happened with the revamp over the past few years. The council first undertook a months-long community consultation process, with more than 5400 people tendering submissions and over 3500 folks showing up to an open day back in September 2019. Then, it unveiled an overview of the best suggestions in December that year, which it combined with advice from local and international design experts to come up with a new draft proposal that it also asked for feedback on. In 2020, it released another plan — and in 2021, it closed the golf course and opened up a heap of parkland, too, as an early step. Now arrives confirmation of what's in store, much of which is familiar from past iterations. Crucially, both the draft and finalised master plan take into consideration that future works will need to cater for Victoria Park's temporary equestrian cross-country course, and its role as the host of BMX freestyle events, during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. So, moseying through wetlands, riding along rainforest mountain-bike trails, peering out from a treehouse lookout to take in views of the city skyline and mountain ranges, and climbing a high-ropes course — they're all included, all on the edge of Brisbane's CBD. Also on the agenda: a cafe as part of the lookout, an entire 'adventure valley' including the bike track and high-ropes setup, another water play area alongside the nature water play gully, and an adventure playground. The existing pedestrian and bikeway bridge will get an upgrade, and there'll be a community sports precinct as well. And, an Education Hub, too, as well as a dog park. Ample shady foliage, including revegetated forests and pockets of native bushland, will also feature. Indeed, regarding all that greenery, tens of thousands of trees will be a huge highlight, creating 60-percent canopy cover. "Victoria Park represents a unique opportunity to deliver a new destination for Brisbane that is loved by residents and visitors alike," said Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, announcing the master plan. "Restoring the natural landscape, wetlands and watering holes, massively increasing tree cover and introducing nature-based play spaces, including a tree house, are all part of the exciting final plan." A completion date for the complete revamped park is yet to be set, other than after the Olympics. When the full makeover is done, the transformed Victoria Park will become Brisbane's biggest new park in five decades, and one that'll alter the face of the inner city. "What Expo 88 did for South Bank, the Brisbane 2032 Games can do for Victoria Park," said Schrinner. "Those parts of the park that will host venues will be transformed after the Games, which is common sense." Find Victoria Park / Barrambin on Herston Road, Herston. For more information about the overall transformation, visit the Brisbane City Council website.
The Little Singapore Restaurant Sunnybank has been a favourite of locals since opening in 2005. The two CBD locations, 'Uptown' and 'City' have also proved popular with those after quick, tasty and affordable meals. The menu and decor are largely consistent across all three restaurants, as is the quality. Little Singapore offers many Malaysian favourites like roti canai, lobak, Hainanese chicken and char kway teow. The seafood combination chow mein is a standout – crispy egg noodles and assorted seafood in a Hong Kong style white sauce. Standard alcoholic beverages are available and the drinks list also includes many refreshing non-alcoholic options like red bean crushed ice, taro milk tea and watermelon juice (served in sealed plastic cups). The City restaurant is conveniently located on Charlotte Street, right next door to Archives Fine Books. Like its sister restaurants, it can be counted on for flavoursome and affordable meals, and though the service may not necessarily be polished, it is very fast.
What event can guarantee a multi-country experience over a short span of time that isn’t a Contiki tour? If you guessed the World Theatre Festival, you were right! Put stamps on all the pages of your cultural passport (not your real one, that’s probably not legal) at the Powerhouse, which, for ten days, promises to bring sights and sounds to the stage that will appease everyone, from theatre buffs to first-time theatre-travelers. From the whiskey-fueled broken tunes of The Suitcase Royale to performances by Il Pixel Rosso that claim to engage all of your senses at once, it’ll be hard to find something in the World Theatre Festival program that you couldn’t enjoy. For those who prefer to be in the spotlight, there are ways for you to explore the theatre world even further – Motus Masterclass deconstructs the processes used in creating the internationally acclaimed work of Theatre Motus. Get inspired and influenced by the World Theatre Festival before they pack their bags and leave to their next destination.
Australians, you won't be holidaying in New Zealand for the next two months. NZ residents, the same applies to you regarding going across the ditch. After the two countries started a trans-Tasman bubble back in April that let Aussies take a getaway in NZ and vice versa, all without having to go through quarantine upon arrival, the arrangement has been on pause since July. And today, Friday, September 17, the NZ Government announced that it'll remain that way for another eight weeks. "When quarantine-free travel (QFT) was established with Australia, both our countries had very few recent cases of COVID-19 community transmission, and a very similar elimination strategy. This has changed significantly leading to our decision to suspend QFT for a further eight weeks," said COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins in a statement. "Uncontrolled community transmission is still occurring in Australia, with case numbers continuing to steadily increase in New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory. A small number of cases also continue to appear intermittently in other states and territories. In New Zealand as well, we're getting on top of an outbreak in Auckland," the Minister continued. "Protecting New Zealand from any possible further spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 is our absolute priority. We have made great progress to contain our current outbreak and are working hard to ease restrictions next week. Reopening quarantine-free travel with Australia at this point could put those gains at risk." At present, both Greater Sydney and metropolitan Melbourne are in ongoing lockdowns, while New Zealand reported 16 new cases in the past 24 hours and has 457 community-acquired cases at present. Back in April, when NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern first announced the two-way bubble between Australia and New Zealand back, she noted that it could and would be paused if and when outbreaks occur. And, when NZ first started this current suspension back in July, stopping quarantine-free travel to and from all Aussie states and territories, it wasn't the first time that the bubble had been put on hold — including with all of Australia, with the same thing happening at the end of June. The arrangement has been paused with individual Aussie states before, too, on multiple occasions. But this suspension was already the longest pause yet, and that's set to remain the case given that the bubble won't be considered again by NZ for two more months. "We will review this decision in mid to late November to give more time for our vaccination rates to climb higher," advised Hipkins. "This recognises that the QFT was established on the basis that there was little to no community transmission in Australia, and that future settings are likely to change." To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. To find out more about the virus and travel restrictions in New Zealand, head over to the NZ Government's COVID-19 hub.
Thirsty? If you're not now, you will be once you've read this. That's the only appropriate reaction to a festival of beer, after all. Just think of all the amber liquids and foamy goodness. Okay, enough drooling; here are the important details that every ale-lover needs. When Beer Fest on the Grass returns for its whopping 11th year from 11am on Saturday, August 10, 2024, more than 250 beers and ciders will be on offer. To line your stomach, there'll also be a range of international food trucks. Basically, if there's a beer heaven, this is it. Yes, Eatons Hill Hotel has been hosting this tipple-fuelled shindig for over a decade — and will once again celebrate drinking, eating and enjoying a day in Brisbane's glorious outdoors. If you're serious about your beverages, you'll want to taste, sip, sample and chat to folks from a huge selection of breweries. Beyond beer and cider, ginger beers, wine, spirits and non-boozy tipples will available. And, if you're serious about fun, you'll want to gather some mates and take part in the event's other fun activities — in previous years, there's been an inflatable beer obstacle course, a keg-stacking comp and a life-sized game of foosball. Tickets are on sale now, with second-release entry starting at $23.80. Top image: Brisbane Beer Fest.
If there's a speed record for greenlighting a new television series, the ABC's decision to make A Dog's World with Tony Armstrong a reality must be right up there. Saying no couldn't have even been an option, because it's just such an innately winning formula. Former AFL player turned ABC News Breakfast sports presenter Armstrong has proven an enormous hit for the national broadcaster since joining in mid-2020 — including when he's accidentally talking about bulging dicks — and everyone loves watching cute canines. Now streaming on ABC iView, as well as airing on ABC, the show that results is exactly what viewers expect — Armstrong fans and dog lovers alike. The former chats through exactly why the four-legged creatures have become humanity's best friend, and how and when, and is occasionally seen on-screen with an array of adorable puppers. Experts on all things pooch lend their commentary, research and general thoughts, too, and barking critters are rarely far from the screen. Across its three parts, the series isn't lacking in informative bite. The first episode bounds through the affinity that humans have found with dogs, and vice versa — including contemplating how dogs evolved, what separates them from wolves now, and how they react to human emotions. Then, in the second instalment, A Dog's World with Tony Armstrong focuses on how canines sense their way through the world, and what type of perspective that gives them. Finally, in part three, pooch happiness and wellbeing is in the spotlight. If you've ever wondered why your pet pupper does what it does — and how it gets you to do what it wants, too — prepare to find out. That wide-eyed look that every dog gives when it's after something, knowing that we're all defenceless against it: yes, the science behind that, including the muscles that make it happen, earn the show's attention. Providing more than just endearing canine footage was always the program's aim, as Armstrong explained when the ABC dropped the first trailer. "When I was approached about the possibility of being involved in A Dog's World, I don't even think I got to the end of the email before I was agreeing to take part," he said. "It was amazing being involved in the project, I learned a lot and I hope everyone who watches enjoys it as much as we enjoyed making it!" It's been a great couple of years for getting your dog fix via a screen, whether you're living vicariously through your viewing because you don't have a barking bestie of your own or you simply (and understandably) believe that there's no such thing as too many dogs. Netflix already gave us two seasons of the docuseries Dogs, recent big-screen release Stray spent time with puppers in Istanbul, Channing Tatum is currently in cinemas road-tripping across the US with a dog and there's even a whole streaming platform made for woofers — because as every pooch owner knows, they like to watch TV, too. Only A Dog's World enlists Armstrong to explore the world of canines, though. Check out the trailer for A Dog's World with Tony Armstrong below: A Dog's World with Tony Armstrong is now available to watch via ABC iView.
Located on the ground floor of the Royal on the Park Hotel, The Walnut is old school territory — when you imagined fancy dinners as a kid, this is the kind of place you were dreaming of. Wooden panelling, white leather seats and gold finishes coupled with views of the City Botanic Gardens create a calm, sophisticated vibe, but that's just the beginning. There are two reasons to get cosy in the restaurant's surrounds: the faultless service, which'll make you feel like you've suddenly become a celebrity; and the exceptional food, which turns even the most familiar menu items into something truly special. You can have the twice-cooked pork belly as an entree, but we recommend saving it for the main course when it accompanies the chargrilled 180-gram 100-day grain fed eye fillet steak. Instead, opt for pan-seared scallops or a selection of oysters (served three ways: natural, Mornay and Kilpatrick). Other mains on offer are the smoky slow cooked beef short rib, spanner crab spaghettini and confit chicken maryland. On to desserts and old favourites — including bombe Alaska and crème brûlée — shine. The Walnut also has a fab breakfast menu and an afternoon tea experience — think crustless finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, an assortment of small desserts as well as sparkling wine, teas and coffee. Sure, you've had most of these dishes before, but you haven't had them while feeling like the most important person in the city.
Your next excuse to get out of the house, head out of town and spend time outdoors is here, and it's taking place for an entire month. That'd be the brand new Gondwana Festival, which turns March into a celebration of the Scenic Rim region — and the natural splendour between Lamington National Park and Mt Barney National Park, specifically — thanks to everything from rainforest walks and segway tours to glow worms and birdwatching sessions. Depending on which activities take your fancy, you'll be visiting Beechmont, Binna Burra, O'Reilly's Plateau, Lost World Valley, Christmas Creek, Round Mountain and Tamrookum. So yes, you'll only be around 90 minutes out of Brisbane. The program is concentrated around Binna Burra Mountain Lodge, Park Tours, O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat and Mt Barney Lodge, and it's a choose-your-own-adventure type setup. It's also designed to bring folks back to areas that were affected by 2019's bushfires. Highlights include daily encounters with wildlife, zipping along a flying fox, learning about birds of prey, testing your rock-climbing skills and picking whichever super-scenic walk suits your mood. And, while you can enter a cave and see glow worms even when the festival isn't on (which remains true of much of the Gondwana program), it really is a bucket list kind of experience. Images: Marc Llewellyn.
Sweltering sunshine, praying for a cool breeze and always wishing that you were in the water: welcome to summer in Brisbane. When the warmest part of the year rolls around, this bright city becomes obsessed with three things. We're either talking about how hot it is (answer: very), trying to wash away the heat with a cold one or jumping into the nearest body of H2O. Sometimes we're doing all three simultaneously. Of course, the last two options are much more fun than the first — think kicking back, soaking in the sun and cooling down at the same time. If you choose to do so with a brew in your hand, that's where Gage Roads Brewing Co's Single Fin summer ale comes in. And if you'd rather splash around, we've teamed up with these gifted beermakers to find five watery options for a refreshing summer. [caption id="attachment_702583" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland.[/caption] TOUR SHIPWRECKS ON AN UNDERWATER SCOOTER AT TANGALOOMA Tangalooma's shipwrecks are one of southeast Queensland's most famous attractions. They're also the kind of spot that many Brisbanites know about and know they should visit — yet never make the effort to see. If snorkelling through 15 sunken boats isn't enough motivation to get you over to Moreton Island, then perhaps this will be: touring these submerged vessels on an underwater scooter. It's not the type that you sit on, but rather a motorised scooter that you hold on to while you zoom beneath the water. How better to get up close to the coral that's starting to form in and around the wrecks and to spy more than 200 species of local sea life? And, you'll be able to zip through more of the ships — a motor is faster than your arms and legs, obviously. SNORKEL WITH TURTLES NEAR COOK ISLAND You know Fraser and Bribie and Moreton and Stradbroke — but do you recall the isle boasting a thriving marine flora and fauna? While Cook Island mightn't rank among the most well-known, the marine reserve park does boast both hard and soft coral, provide a thriving home for underwater life and feature a large population of green turtles. If you'd like to snorkel with the latter, this is the place to head for a scenic three-hour trip. It's also relatively close to home for water-loving Brisbanites, with the volcanic outcrop located one kilometre off of the Tweed Coast's Fingal Headland, with tours departing from just south of Coolangatta. [caption id="attachment_621822" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane City Council.[/caption] CATCH A FLICK SUBMERGED IN THE SPRING HILL BATHS Maybe you're not fond of regular cinemas. Perhaps you like to splash around while entertainment plays in the background. Or, you could just like watching films anywhere and everywhere that you can. Cooling off at a dive-in movie is the kind of watery experience that never gets old — and, because you can see a different flick each time, is never the same twice. The Spring Hill Baths hosts regular sessions, showing grown-ups-only titles like Jaws 2 and Pulp Fiction. If you're day-tripping or staying down the coast this summer, the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre also cranks up the projector for occasional family-friendly screenings. WANDER THE AQUARIUM LIKE YOU'RE A KID AGAIN If your childhood holidays involved road-tripping to Mooloolaba to visit Underwater World, we have good and bad news. The massive aquarium still exists, but it's had a name change — so if you're looking for a nostalgic day out, you'll now need to head to Sea Life. A celebration of marine life by any other name still offers the same amount of fun, so prepare to see seals, sharks, seahorses and more. Prepare to spend as much time as possible in the 80-metre-long ocean tunnel, too. Fancy looking as well as touching? That's where the tidal touch pool comes in. Yes, it's still as great as you remember. SCUBA DIVE WITH MANTA RAYS OFF STRADDIE One island, 15 different dive sites — a multitude of ways to get your scuba on. If you're an experienced diver, then fish, coral, manta rays and more await. If you need a little help — or you've never made the scuba plunge — you'll still find all of the above, as well as classes to teach you the ropes. Located on North Stradbroke Island, the Manta Lodge and Scuba Centre runs one-day sessions that will take you through the basics and out into the ocean (nope, you won't just be pool-bound here). If you want to really dive deep, then opt for the three-day open water diver course and become fully certified. As an added bonus, the Manta Lodge also doubles as a backpackers, so you'll have somewhere affordable to slumber when you're not in the water. Make a splash this summer, and afterwards, keep cool with a Single Fin. The light-bodied ale is packed with plenty of hoppy flavour to keep you smiling all season.
While it's still up and running — the Kangaroo Point favourite will close in April 2025 — add One Fish Two Fish to the list of Brisbane eateries that know how to celebrate an occasion. So, with Valentine's Day upon us for this year, it's serving up a feast to match. Already have plans on Friday, February 14? Hate loving love on such a commercialised date? The fish 'n' chippery is putting on its special meal across five days, from Wednesday, February 12–Sunday, February 16. On the menu: a four-course spread featuring Moreton Bay bugs. The only dish that doesn't include them is dessert, where strawberry and vanilla cheesecake is on the menu. Before that, you'll start with a Moreton Bay bug cocktail, which pairs the obvious with nashi pear, kohlrabi, shallots, soft herbs and avocado mousse. Then, it's time for grilled Moreton Bay bugs that've been basted with herb and garlic butter, then topped with crispy pancetta and paprika oil — plus Moreton Bay bug ravioli, alongside shellfish bisque. Heading along costs $95 per person, with sittings at 6.30pm Wednesday–Thursday and Saturday–Sunday, 12.30pm Friday–Sunday, and both 5.30pm and 7.30pm on Friday.
Why wait until Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to eat, drink and be merry? Saccharomyces Beer Cafe and the folks at Swirl Spit Sniff are in favour of doing all of the above and doing it early — they're putting together a festive dinner. From 6.30pm on December 20, prepare your stomach for quite the feast of food, wine and beer. Four courses are in order, with each accompanied by a matching tipple of both the yeasty and grapey kind. As far as the edible portion of menu is concerned, expect cheese and deli boards, mango prawn cocktails, roast turkey with salad and Christmas pudding with Champagne cream (and expect to feel mighty full at the end, as you should after every seasonal meal). Drinks-wise, everything from Prosecco to Shiraz and lager to Christmas ale will dance across your tastebuds. The whole event will set you back $92.95, but a yuletide spread like this is definitely worth it.
New movies always come out on Thursday. Except for one special week of the year, where they come out on Boxing Day, whatever day that might be. It's just another one of those baffling Christmas traditions of which we're terribly fond. In 2012 distributors will be releasing some of their biggest titles — as well as some oddball underdogs — to duke it out on Australia's mass movie-going day. We've seen them all and can report back that some will ease your festive hangover, indigestion, and sunstroke more pleasantly than others. https://youtube.com/watch?v=87E6N7ToCxs Wreck-It Ralph For when you're with: Anybody It scores: Five (Christmas) stars This new Disney film may as well be a Pixar film. It's like when Disney swallowed Pixar six years ago, it absorbed all of Pixar's smarts, humour, anthropomorphic ingenuity, and knack for making kids' films that adults love. Gone (or sidelined) are the princesses; here to stay are the outsiders. Ralph is the 'bad guy' of his arcade game, forever unloved while Fix-It Felix basks in adoration. In hopes of finally being accepted by his fellow gamespeople, he leaves to seek valour in the psycho first-person shooter Hero's Duty and then gets caught in Sugar Rush, a lolly-themed kart-racing game that's achingly sweet. But Wreck-It Ralph is so much more than a sustained pop culture reference; it has warmth and heart in levels it seems impossible a little story about video games could contain. The voice work of John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jane Lynch and Jack McBrayer (30 Rock) is perfect, too. https://youtube.com/watch?v=G0k3kHtyoqc The Hobbit For when you're with: FX junkies and Tolkien heads It scores: Four stars At almost three hours long, Peter Jackson's The Hobbit is the perfect film for those who find the cracking pace of the Boxing Day test a little too hectic. Taking place some 60 years before the events of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, it chronicles the adventures of the young Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), a meek hobbit recruited by the wizard Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellan) to help a gang of rowdy dwarves reclaim their mountain home. The whole film has a much lighter feel to it than the trilogy, with the first 45 minutes in particular veering awfully close to 'kids movie', and no matter how stunning the visuals (they really are breathtaking), it's difficult to escape the sense that we've all 'been here, done that' before. One notable distinction, however, is the way it was filmed. At 48 frames per second, it's twice the rate of conventional cinema, adding remarkable definition to every detail, especially in 3D. The innovation certainly won't be to everyone's taste, and nor will the film, but Tolkien's (and Jackson's) ability to enrapture one's imagination and tell compelling human tales in a most-inhuman world cannot be overstated. Les Miserables For when you're with: Blockbuster lovers It scores: Three-and-a-half stars If you fancy a good ole cry on Boxing Day, just think about the socks you got for Christmas. If that doesn't work, check out Les Miserables, a guaranteed tear-jerker about a jerk named Valjean (Hugh Jackman) who becomes a teary hero. Directed by Tom Hooper (The King's Speech), it brings to the screen one of musical theatre's most famous stories, along with all its rousing, beautiful music. It also boasts an impressive cast, with Jackman ably supported by Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne, Helena Bonham Carter and Sasha Baron Cohen. The songs were recorded live on set to give the film a greater sense of realism, and while Hooper succeeded on that front, it regrettably comes at the expense of clarity, with lyrics often drowned out by crashing waves and dazzling explosions. Still, the music triumphs overall, and Les Miserables is one for the whole family (so long as the family is prepared to discuss prostitution, murder and revolutionary war). https://youtube.com/watch?v=hhvPWi1cdS4 Sightseers For when you're with: People who hate Christmas It scores: Two stars Sightseers is one of those comedies that is not funny. Belonging to the British genre exemplified by shows like Little Britain and The League of Gentlemen, it finds humour in the grotesque, especially where that grotesquery is an expression of some true, dark part of ourselves. The film follows shut-in Tina (Alice Lowe) as she goes on her first holiday, caravanning with new boyfriend Chris (Steve Oram). The kicker is that when the quiet, working-class couple meet individuals who ridicule or offend them, Chris kills the transgressing party. Like Dexter, for the really petty. Tina is surprisingly amenable to this, and the two continue their own twisted brand of romantic adventure, not knowing if their crimes will catch up with them. Sightseers has been critically well received in England, but it's certainly not everyone's cup of tea. https://youtube.com/watch?v=bjMkguY1OcE Samsara For when you're with: People who hate narrative It scores: Three stars Samsara provides a great counterpoint to the usual Boxing Day fare at cinemas. For those who are overfed on the sugar and fat of blockbusters, prepare to cleanse your mind and heart with another kind of richness. This latest film by director Ron Fricke and producer Mark Magidson (previously partnered in 1992's Baraka) is a non-verbal meditation on our planet and the billions who share it with us, and while only 99 minutes long, Samsara stares you in the eye for longer than most find comfortable. It flows from one luscious image to the next, carried by intuitive editing rather than plot, and is supported by an original score. https://youtube.com/watch?v=F5FcDIPjv_M Quartet For when you're with: Your mum. And her mum It scores: Three stars Rather oddly, Quartet is the directorial debut from Dustin Hoffman. No ostentatious Oscar bait from this celeb, however; Quartet is a quiet, sweet film about the goings-on at a bucolic retirement home in the English countryside catering to elderly musicians. It beautifully deals with the subject of how we might treat our passions once our talent for them has faded and includes an adorable romantic subplot among adorable olds. Quartet stars Dame Maggie Smith, naturally, as well as Billy Connelly. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ce73cyzp0gA Parental Guidance For when you're with: People who feel the Meet the Parents films ended too soon It scores: ?? We were too 'busy' to see this movie for ourselves. Billy Crystal and Bette Midler play grandparents who have to look after their grandchildren. It sounds like they're not very good at it. By Rima Sabina Aouf, Tom Glasson, and Jimmy Dalton.
For the creatively inclined, the best gifts are the ones that spark ideas — something they can hang, play, read, make or experience. This year's standout presents blend form and imagination, spanning gallery-worthy homewares, design-focused objects, limited-edition prints and culture-rich outings across music, theatre and the visual arts. Whether they're a dedicated gallery hopper or simply appreciate beautiful things, we've gathered thoughtful options that celebrate creativity in all its forms — and offer something a little more memorable than the usual stocking filler. Shopping for someone who thinks with their tastebuds? Explore our guide to the best small-batch foodie gifts. Disco Never Dies Tickets, Sydney Symphony Orchestra Relive the glory days of disco as the Sydney Symphony Orchestra brings the era's biggest hits back to life. Expect powerhouse vocals from Paulini, Emma Donovan and Jess Hitchcock, all led by conductor Carlo Antonioli. Grab your flares and get moving 'cos the dance floor awaits. In partnership with the SSO. Shop now. Jex Vinyl Stand, Idle Hands A minimal, sculptural vinyl stand that puts their favourite album artwork on display. Ideal for the design-minded listener who treats records like objects to admire. Shop now. Conversation Cards, Project Planet A beautifully illustrated deck designed to prompt thoughtful chats about creativity, culture and the world around us. A meaningful choice for reflective types. Shop now. Ticketek Gift Voucher, Ticketek Perfect for anyone who loves a night out, this voucher unlocks access to gigs, theatre, comedy, festivals and more. A reliably excellent choice for culture lovers. Shop now. One-Year Subscription, Overland A thoughtful gift for voracious readers, offering three print editions of Australia's longest-running literary magazine. Shop now. Cupid's Cup, Jean Riley A hand-blown piece that balances sentiment and sculptural form. A beautiful addition to any art lover's daily ritual. Shop now. Limited Edition Prints, Sunday Salon A curated selection of prints from upcoming artists, like this one by Brisbane-based painter Mia Boe. Shop now. David Shrigley 2026 Calendar, Hands A playful, month-by-month dose of Shrigley's signature wit and irreverent drawings. A smart pick for desks and studios. Shop now. Tears of the Sun Mug, Jardan A hand-painted stoneware mug with vibrant detailing that brings a little brightness to morning routines. Practical, but with artistic flair. Shop now. Candelabra by Candlelight Class, Hilary Green A hands-on session where participants shape their own sculptural candleholders in a warm, atmospheric studio. A uniquely memorable experience. Shop now. Instax Mini LiPlay, Fujifilm A hybrid instant camera that prints photos on the spot. Ideal for capturing concerts, exhibitions and creative days out. Shop now. Rano Coaster, Tanora Handwoven using traditional techniques, these organic coasters bring subtle texture and beauty to the home. A simple, thoughtful gesture. Shop now. Entwined Vase by Rachel Disalvo, Rachel Disalvo Studio Bold, contemporary ceramaics from emerging Australian artist Rachel Disalvo. Each piece adds energy and personality to a room. Shop now. Mirka Mora Bridge Set, Third Drawer Down A collectible set featuring Mirka Mora's distinctive artwork. Equal parts game and keepsake, it's a nostalgic nod to one of Australia's most beloved artists. Shop now. Guerrilla Girls Tea Towel, Heide Museum Store A striking tea towel from the legendary feminist art collective. Functional, political and unmistakably eye-catching. Shop now. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
The 90s may be long gone, but they'll never be forgotten, especially by Brisbanites. With plenty of bars and venues around town throwing plenty of retro-themed parties, it's easy to pretend we're still living in a time of big hats, babydoll dresses, and bangers by everyone from the Backstreet Boys to Aqua. If stepping back in time is your idea of an ace night, then you can welcome in this year's Ekka public holiday doing just that, all thanks to The Brightside's Clueless: 90s + Early 00s celebration. As if you wouldn't be there, paying tribute to one of the enduring teen movies of the era — and to all the music that not only came with it, but defined the decade around it. If it roared up the charts and got folks dancing in the 90s — and even in the early 00s — expect it to pump through ol' Brighty's stereo from 10pm on Tuesday, August 13. Spice Girls, Britney, Destiny's Child, TLC, Smashmouth, Hanson, No Doubt, Blink-182, Avril Lavigne and Linkin Park are all included, and, as always, the list goes on.
If you're a Harry Potter fan keen to relive the wonder of your favourite book-to-film series, you don't need to cast a spell or wind your time turner to get some wizarding fun. Pottermore, Fantastic Beasts spinoffs and The Cursed Child might've followed the original franchise, but JK Rowling's boy-who-lived and his pals are never far away from a big screen — or a concert hall. After doing the honours with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, it's hardly surprising that this piece of prime movie and music magic for muggles has now turned its wand to the third flick in the series. On May 19 at both 1.30pm and 7.30pm, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban will be heading to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the film screening while the score is played live by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Prepare for John Williams' Oscar-nominated music to echo through your ears as you watch Harry, Hermione, Ron and company meet Sirius Black, realise that they shouldn't believe every dark tale they hear, learn something new about their new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher and tussle with Peter Pettigrew. That means dogs, wolves, rats and Dementor's Kisses are all part of the action, plus Buckbeak the hippogriff, and trips to The Leaky Cauldron and the Shrieking Shack. It's arguably the best movie in the series, as directed by a pre-Gravity Alfonso Cuarón, and it's certain to prove even more enchanting with live music. We've said it before and we'll say it again — will sell like pumpkin pasties, so get in quick or spend eternity griping about it like some Moaning Myrtle-type character.
Whether they were painted centuries ago, snapped in a shopping centre photography studio in the '80s, or graced the pages of a recently published fashion mag, many portraits of women use the same poses. Perhaps the lovely lady in the frame is turned sideways and smiling. Maybe she's pouting while looking over her shoulder. Sometimes, she's staring enigmatically off into the distance. Yep, they're the kind of pictures everyone has seen countless times, but few people stop to contemplate in depth. By combining portrait photography and expressionist painting, Jess Cochrane's latest exhibition, FearLess, aims to inspire audiences to ponder why these images recur, what their repeated use says about perceptions of femininity, and the role the male gaze has played throughout history. That might be a considerable task; however it's surprising just how exaggerating and amplifying commonly seen images with splashes of paint and colour can spark many a train of thought. With the show representing Cochrane's attempt to create "space for the honest, powerful, raw and violent beauty that is all-inclusive", after seeing her pieces, you'll never look at a portrait the same way again.
Whoever said an encyclopedic knowledge of a cartoon about a dysfunctional yellow family would never come in handy was a real narc. The Brightside is pulling the Comic Book Guy out of every Simpsons fanatic on Boxing Day with Simpson’s Trivia. If you don’t know squat about Homer, Marge, Lisa and Bart, then don’t even bother checking it out – this is for die-hard fans only. You should at least know the name of Lionel Hutz’s law practice? The name of Lisa and Bart’s hockey teams coached by Apu and Chief Wiggum? The names of two other Sideshows besides Bob and Mel? And who was Lisa’s first hook-up? These are elementary questions. You don’t know those answers, quit while you’re ahead. Prizes include bar tabs, a Jebediha Springfield hat, and if the night gets as ruthless as expected, a couple of souls. If you’ve ever been to a Simpsons or Seinfield trivia night at Black Bear Lodge you’ll understand these get pretty intense, with some competitors near crazed with cartoon intelligence. So be prepared for the moment you stare at the leader board, hypnotised by self-doubt, and repeatedly, self-pityingly mutter to yourself, “I’m not so S-M-R-T.”
In great news for your bank account and your wanderlust alike, Australia will soon be home to a new low-cost airline, with Bonza slated to fly 27 routes between 17 destinations around the country when it takes to the skies. In great news for your tastebuds, and for local producers as well, the carrier is also set to throw Aussie foods and brews some love when it does start soaring through the heavens. Although exactly when Bonza will commence its flights is yet to be revealed, those trips will come with a completely homegrown in-flight menu. The airline has announced that its entire culinary lineup will hero Australian items — all 40-plus products — including many made by Aussie small businesses. Travellers can look forward to tucking into banana bread waffles and a snag in a bag, plus fava beans by Happy Snack Company, Mildura Chocolate Company's giant chocolate freckles and bikkies by Aussie Biscuits. The Handmade Food Co, Silver Tongue Foods and Mama Kaz will also be keeping passengers' appetites sated, including via sandwiches, crackers and muffins. Plus, folks after vegan and vegetarian options can expect vegan sandwiches, brownies, Chappy's Snacks chips and AmazeBalls Popped Cheese from Ashgrove Cheese. Drinks-wise, there'll be a focus on Aussie craft beer, including tipples by Your Mates Brewing Co, Ballistic Beer Co and Spinifex Brewing Company. Fancy a brew without the booze? Heaps Normal Quiet XPA will also be on the menu. Back to the hard stuff, Sirromet Wines is taking care of the vino — red, white, rosé and sparkling all included — while Sunshine & Sons is gin, vodka and rum duty. And if you're looking for a coffee instead, Groundskeeper Willie's cold-drop coffee in a can will onboard. For soft drinks, Saxby's cola, lemonade and sugar-free ginger beer will be on offer. In addition to supporting local, many of Bonza's chosen food and beverage suppliers boast significant social and environmental efforts. Ballistic donates to helping injured turtles in the Whitsundays, a portion of Spinifex's profits go to veterans' mental health, Mildura Chocolate Company invests its profits into training and employment opportunities for people with disability or disadvantage, and Aussie Biscuits is a social enterprise that employs people with disability, for instance. Whatever looks set to satisfy your hunger, it won't come to you via a catering trolley. Instead, Bonza's cabin staff will be assigned seat rows to look after on each flight. So, you'll order and pay via the app, then have whatever you've selected brought to your seat. And, you can make multiple purchases throughout your trip rather than having to wait for the trolley to get to you — which is great news if you're sitting in the last row. When it hits the air, the airline will service locations such as Bundaberg, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, the Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Townsville and the Whitsundays in Queensland; Albury, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle and Port Macquarie in New South Wales; and Melbourne, Avalon and Mildura in Victoria — with a big focus on regional destinations. Launching with the backing of US private investment firm 777 Partners, which also has a hand in Canada's Flair Airlines and the Southeast Asian-based Value Alliance, Bonza will also base its headquarters on the Sunshine Coast, too. And yes, a number of its food and drink suppliers hail from the region. Bonza doesn't yet have a launch date — we'll update you when one is announced. For more information, head to the airline's website. And for its full list of routes, you'll need to download the airline's app for Android and iOS.
If justice and equality were concepts that truly applied to everyone, I Am Not Your Negro wouldn't need to exist. In fact, it wouldn't be able to. Author and social critic James Baldwin wouldn't have lived through the murders of three of his high-profile friends, civil rights leaders Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. A decade later, he wouldn't have felt compelled to put his fingers to the typewriter to capture his experiences of America, intending to write a manuscript but only jotting down 30 pages of notes. He wouldn't have been shaped by standing out in a white man's world, and spent his life rallying against it. The list goes on, and the answer remains the same: none of this would've had to happen. Alas, as filmmaker Raoul Peck so powerfully and passionately conveys in his documentary, that was not Baldwin's reality — or ours now. And, as I Am Not Your Negro also makes plain, the difference between the past that Baldwin lived through and our present is virtually non-existent. With Samuel L. Jackson's solemn, patient tones reading the essayist's probing words, the movie steps through the complicated state of American race relations. The deaths of Baldwin's friends provide the framework for not only a picture of history drawn from Baldwin's observations, but of a struggle that still continues. Indeed, when talk show host Dick Cavett asks Baldwin, "is it at once getting much better and still hopeless?" in a clip from 1968, it couldn't feel more relevant now. In a film driven by eloquent statements of harsh facts, such comments keep on coming. "The truth is that this country does not know what to do with its black population," is just one telling utterance of many. Every line feels like a lament and a curse, the former spoken with sadness for humanity's true nature, the latter evidenced by the lack of progress to this day. And yet, I Am Not Your Negro isn't a lecture, as informative as its contents are. Baldwin's writings might dictate the movie's shape and structure, but this is a documentary driven as much by images as words. Peck demonstrates the reality of Baldwin's remarks through a deftly edited array of footage, pairing voiceover with historical photographs, benefiting from archival clips of spirited speeches, and weaving in appropriate snippets from movies that deal with race both overtly and implicitly. Glimpses of King, Evers and X understandably hit home hard, though so do modern parallels and pictures of recent police shooting victims. Indeed, the entire feature lands with the full force that its harrowing, heartbreaking material demands — in sharp contrast to the elegant and poetic way it has been pieced together. Any frame could sit in a history text, and many do. However, as a blend of sights and insights, I Am Not Your Negro could hardly offer a more urgent, perceptive or illuminating viewing experience. With the wisdom of someone who lived, lost, struggled, strived for change and saw others struck down in the process, Baldwin understood that knowing something to be true and facing it aren't one and the same, and that America's history of racial trouble is as built on well-meaning folks failing to act as it is by open violence and hatred. The question that Peck and his film ask is whether the audience can understand that too. Once again, Baldwin says it best: "we are cruelly trapped between what we would like to be and what we actually are." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG6VE1BRF9I
It's time to clock on: come spring 2024, The Office will reopen, this time in Australia. Back in 2023, Prime Video announced that it was making the 13th international take on the hit workplace sitcom, and also the first to be set Down Under. Now, the latest version of the franchise has a release date — and a debut image of star actor and comedian Felicity Ward (Time Bandits) as Flinley Craddick Managing Director Hannah Howard. Whether you think that David Brent was awful, awkward or a bit of both, Britain doesn't have a monopoly on cringeworthy bosses. Accordingly, after the original UK version of The Office proved a huge success two decades ago, more iterations of the comedy were always going to follow around the world. The American series became even more popular, and everywhere from Canada, France and Germany to Israel, India and Poland have similarly given the idea a go — so it should come as no surprise that an Aussie version is finally making its way to screens. Move over Brent, and also Michael Scott — it's now Howard's turn to become the manager that no one wants but everyone has worked for. She oversees a packaging company. When she receives news that head office is shutting down her branch, with everyone working from home instead, she's determined to keep her team together. Obviously, that won't go smoothly, or there'd be no sitcom antics to be had in The Office's Aussie stint. Joining Ward is a hefty cast spanning Edith Poor (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power), Steen Raskopoulos (The Duchess), Shari Sebbens (Preppers), Josh Thomson (Young Rock), Jonny Brugh (What We Do in the Shadows), Pallavi Sharda (The Twelve), Susan Ling Young (Barons), Raj Labade (Back of the Net), Lucy Schmit (The Pledge), Zoe Terakes (Talk to Me) and Claude Jabbour (Last King of the Cross). Also featuring: Susie Youssef (Deadloch), Justin Rosniak (Colin From Accounts), Carlo Ritchie (A Beginner's Guide to Grief), Rick Donald (Population: 11), and Chris Bunton (Wolf Like Me). Viewers will be able to binge Ward and company's antics, with the entire eight-episode first season of the The Office dropping on Friday, October 18 — so get your staplers in jelly ready. As well as marking the first woman-led version of the franchise, the Australian take on The Office also features an impressive roster of female talent off-camera. Jackie van Beek (The Breaker Upperers) co-developed the series alongside Julie De Fina (Aftertaste), with both executive producers — and van Beek the setup director. Kylie Washington (Return to Paradise) is also an executive producer, with Sophia Zachariou (Ladies in Black) and Linda Micsko (The Letdown) producers. There's no trailer yet for the Australian version of The Office, but you can check out clips from the UK and US versions below: The Australian version of The Office will stream via Prime Video from Friday, October 18, 2024. Top image: John Platt and Prime Video, © BBCS and Bunya Entertainment.
In the global push for a healthier planet, we've seen some pretty creative recycling initiatives, with single-use plastic bottles transformed into Adidas kicks, discarded chewing gum used to make sneaker soles, and all sorts of other genius stuff being dreamt up in between. Now, a clever project happening closer to home will see a massive haul of soft plastics, glass bottles and printer cartridges recycled into 250 tonnes of asphalt and used to construct a road in Craigieburn, a suburb in Melbourne's north. The Aussie-first trial is the result of a collaboration between Hume City Council, infrastructure services company Downer, and local recycling organisations Red Group and Close the Loop, and it could be a game-changer for sustainability. As well as being cheaper to make and a whole lot easier on the environment, the asphalt is expected to be more durable, longer lasting and better suited to heavy traffic than its regular plastic-free counterparts. This particular stretch of road alone will save around 200,000 plastic bags, 4500 printer cartridges and the equivalent of 63,000 glass bottles from landfill. As Red Group Director Elizabeth Kasell explains, "it demonstrates a great step toward a circular system, where soft plastic packaging recovered through the REDcycle Program, and other materials previously destined for landfill, can be used as a resource for Australian roads". While the major supermarket chains will phase out plastic bags from next month, we still use a hell of a lot of plastic — so it would be great to see this being put into necessary infrastructure rather than adding to landfill.
Being eccentric is one thing, but making people like and accept you for it is harder. So I guess then it's lucky that the lovable Justin Heazlewood, aka The Bedroom Philosopher is in town this week. He's ditched his Awkwardstra and has reined his idiosyncrasies into a (now) solo show ready for our judging eyes and ears. The Beddy Phil didn't have such an easy life, he was an only child from Tasmania ('nuff said), and had an awkward Christian upbringing, which no doubt gave him fuel for his debut album In Bed With My Doona, and subsequent release Songs From The 86 Tram. His newest album Leaving My Hairdresser may sound like a mundane concept, but I promise you it's not. With such gem lyrics as 'one thing I could not forgive; when you took too much off my fringe. Hair is seventy percent of my looks, please take my name off your books', lulz will ensue. He's the guy that made us laugh at ourselves, 'go down to JB Hi-Fi, flicccccck through indie' and is so post modern he makes alphabet soup, dyes it purple, and pours it on the lawn. As if writing lyrical witticisms wasn't enough, the Bedroom Philosopher is also a contributor for Frankie magazine, writes an irregular newsletter Laptopping and has a penchant for vintage 70s ties. I mean, what more could you possibly want (he also has a dimple and wears glasses)? There ain't a thing in the world that should be stopping you from witnessing this self-confessed 'sharehousehold name' in action. At the very least, do it to defy the 20-strong 'Bedroom Philosopher -What a Dick' Facebook group, or to avoid a tour suspension like Byron Bay did (Brisbane promises we won't lurk up the back of the room like those jerks!).
During 2020's lockdown, Gelato Messina served up plenty of tasty specials to keep our tastebuds occupied at home — including cookie pies in choc chip, red velvet, choc-hazelnut, and peanut butter and jelly varieties, as well as 40 of its best gelato flavours — and one of them proved particularly popular: Iced Vovo tubs. Now, the gelato fiends are bringing back the gelato version of everyone's favourite childhood biscuit for another limited round. Wondering what exactly Iced VoVo gelato entails? It combines toasted coconut gelato with pieces of shortbread biscuit, then tops it with marshmallow, raspberry puree and desiccated coconut. And yes, the end result looks like the bikkies you know and love — but in a scoopable form. Available as part of Messina's 'Hot Tub' series, the Iced VoVo gelato can only be ordered online on Monday, January 18, with a one-litre tub setting you back $30. You can then go into your chosen Messina store to pick up your tub between Friday, January 22–Sunday, January 24. The tubs are available to order from all Aussie stores except The Star and Coolangatta. Gelato Messina's Iced VoVo gelato tubs will be available to order from 10am on Monday, January 18, for pick up between Friday, January 22–Sunday, January 24 — keep an eye on the Messina website for further details.
How do you brighten up one of the most vibrant cities on earth? And at the brightest time of the year? It's simple: add a park installation littered with glowing lights. Like Tokyo before it, New York now boasts its own short-term piece of luminous art — and one that's both creative and eye-catching. Called Whiteout, the commissioned project has unleashed hundreds of LED-filled globes upon Madison Square Park. Set up until March 25, 2018, the piece comes from Austrian-born, New York and Ohio-based artist Erwin Redl, who suspended the white, transparent spheres across the space using a square steel grid and cabling. As well as their standard twinkling, the orbs sway with the wind and sparkle according to large-scale animated patterns, all as part of the 6.2-acre park's latest free outdoor exhibition. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bbk8VEvnCTh/?taken-by=madsqparknyc Explains Redl, "the physicality of the swaying orbs in conjunction with the abstract animations of their embedded white lights allows the public to explore a new, hybrid reality in this urban setting." Known for creating light projects on building facades, Redl takes inspiration from the greats in the field, such as Larry Bell, Robert Irwin, James Turrell, and Doug Wheeler While visitors can't interact with the installation, they can view it as they mosey along the park's walkways. Given that more than 60,000 people visit the site daily, it's certain to make quite the impact, in a piece Redl created and fabricated with the assistance of Madison Square Park Conservancy and the New York City, Brisbane and Shanghai-based public artwork firm UAP. If you're in New York, check out Whiteout at Madison Square Park until March 25, 2018. Head to the park website for further information. Image: Erwin Redl, Whiteout, 2017. Steel, animated white LEDs, stainless steel cable, low voltage insulated wire, two sections: each 12 x 40 x 180 feet; overall: 12 x 110 x 180 feet. Collection of the artist. © Erwin Redl. Photo: Rashmi Gill.
Valentine's Day has a way of sneaking up on us. Held just as the year gets going (hello, back to school), it's easy for plans to turn into a last-minute scramble. If you have kids, this feeling triples. Valentine's Day often brings a babysitter cancellation, a late meeting, daycare germs, or a sudden realisation that leaving the house together isn't happening. But staying in on the most romantic night of the year doesn't have to mean settling for baked beans on toast. With the right moves, a date night at home might even be the most romantic plan of all. Let Someone Else Handle Dinner Fewer takeaways may have been one of your New Year's resolutions, but a last-minute Valentine's Day date is a good excuse. Ordering food from your favourite restaurant via a delivery app like DoorDash means no cooking, no washing up, and a real 'treat yourself' moment. With the weight of "What's for dinner?" taken off your shoulders, your date night at home is off to a great start. Focus On Atmosphere, Not Grand Gestures Not everyone needs grand romantic gestures — especially not exhausted parents who are just trying to get through the day. Your at-home date night doesn't need a full set re-design, but rather, a few signals that the night is more special than the average. Get rid of daily clutter and set the table properly (maybe even with the fancy crockery), dim the lights, light a candle or two and swap the TV background for music. These small details can help elevate your night from just another evening into a romantic date night. If you realise that something is missing from your evening, whether that be a bottle of wine, flowers or their favourite chocolate, DoorDash also offers fast and reliable delivery for any last-minute needs. Use The Flexibility To Your Advantage Staying in means there's no schedule to adhere to: no restaurant reservations, concert start times, or babysitter curfews. You can eat earlier, later, or in stages if your kids are little. This flexibility can sometimes be a relief for parents managing it all. Once the house is quiet, spend the evening however you please, whether that be with a board game you've been meaning to get to, a movie on the couch, or just staying up chatting without distraction. Keep Expectations Realistic As with New Year's Eve, the pressure around Valentine's Day often stems from trying to make it exceptional. But by staying in and making the night your own (last-minute or otherwise), you can take the pressure off the evening and just enjoy each other's company. Because, as many parents know, sometimes having no plans can be the best plan of all. Head to DoorDash to see what restaurants are available in your area this Valentine's Day. Image Credit: Supplied and Getty Image
For the past few years, Netflix has been obsessed with one very particular golden ticket: the beloved works of British author Roald Dahl. Back in 2018, the streaming platform announced that it was bringing 16 of the writer's classic novels to the service in animated form. And, it revealed that there'd be two new series from Taika Waititi based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, too. In 2021, it also advised that it had snapped up the Roald Dahl Story Company (RDSC) itself. So, plenty of Dahl-penned tales are now getting the Netflix treatment, with the service's library set to expand in a big way. That spans everything from Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, Matilda and The Twits, all as animated television shows, plus The BFG, Esio Trot, George's Marvellous Medicine, The Enormous Crocodile, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, Henry Sugar, Billy and the Minpins, The Magic Finger, Dirty Beasts and Rhyme Stew. Yes, it's a long list. Also included: an adaptation of Matilda the Musical, turning the page-to-stage hit into a movie. That one is happening ASAP, with the resulting flick due to arrive in December — and a just-dropped first trailer showing fans of everyone's favourite book-loving schoolgirl with telekinetic abilities what they're in for. Of course, if you've seen the Tony and Olivier award-winning show in theatres since 2010 — complete with original music and lyrics by Tim Minchin — you'll know what's in store. The narrative remains the same, but with songs and tunes that are all supremely on the original 1988 book's wavelength. Once again, Matilda Wormwood (Alisha Weir, Darklands) is a curious, bright, quiet, observant and imaginative girl — and tiny — but has terrible parents (Venom: Let There Be Carnage's Stephen Graham and Possessor's Andrea Riseborough). So, she escapes into novels as they feast on TV and try to stump up cash via dodgy schemes. At school, Matilda finds a source of support and inspiration in Miss Honey (Lashana Lynch, No Time to Die), but Crunchem Hall also gives its star student another foe. That'd be the villainous Miss Trunchbull (Emma Thompson, Cruella), who is as mean as can be — and needs Matilda to teach her a lesson. Minchin's songs and lyrics make the jump to the movie version, of course, while Tony Award-winning director Matthew Warchus — who did the honours with Matilda the Musical on the stage — helms. And yes, this'll be the second movie based on Dahl's Matilda, after a 1996 version initially adapted the book for cinema (not as a musical, though), and featured Mara Wilson as the titular character. Check out the trailer for Matilda the Musical below: Matilda the Musical will be available to stream via Netflix sometime in December — we'll update you with an exact release date when one is announced. Images: Dan Smith/Netflix © 2022.
There’s only one thing better than a free gig, and that’s a free gig for a band who will be charging whatever they want for tickets in a year’s time. The Furrs are Brisbane’s up-and-coming band well on the road to becoming our next big musical export, and they've got the paperwork to prove it. They’ve been featured in Rolling Stone Australia, have just signed with High Road Touring in the States, and have a pretty addictive new single called '66'. So to celebrate everything coming up Furrs, they’ll be headlining a free show/party at Black Bear Lodge on Friday, December 5. The Trotskies and Soviet X-Ray Record Club will be playing support, and a gentle reminder: entry won’t cost you a cent. The gig kicks off at 8pm, and you better get in early if you want a front-row spot, plus plenty of leg room to dance along to these Queensland rockers.
There's nothing like watching a film at the planetarium, but it's something that most of us mightn't do all that often. Daytime sessions often cater to school groups. While the Brisbane International Film Festival has hosted fulldome programs in the past, they aren't a regular occurrence. Here's something that might get you staring up at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium ASAP, however: Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon Planetarium Experience. The band's iconic album turned 50 in 2023, so the Mt Coot-tha venue has been celebrating with stunning visuals set to 42 minutes of the record — views of the solar system and beyond. Each track gets a different set of images, with some pondering the future, others delving into the band's history, and all toying with space and time. The Dark Side of the Moon Planetarium Experience is popping up around the world, but only at select places. In Australia, Brisbane joins a past season in Melbourne. The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium isn't just devoting a couple of days or weeks to it, either, with the mind-bending Pink Floyd tribute starting out in September 2023 and sticking around ever since. Come September 2024, it'll still be on the lineup. The Dark Side of the Moon Planetarium Experience has been selling out — and expect that to continue. But, you have options for heading along, with the season including 2pm shows on Wednesdays, 5pm and 7pm sessions on Fridays, 3pm projections on Saturdays and a 3pm Sunday slot. If you haven't been to the planetarium since your school days, you will still be sitting in reclining chairs, peering up at the 12.5-metre domed ceiling and soaking in the fulldome experience — with a Pink Floyd soundtrack. Updated Tuesday, August 6, 2024.
Whatever holiday plans you already have for 2023, you might want to change them — or add another getaway to your itinerary. As part of its efforts to kickstart its pandemic-era tourism industry, Hong Kong has announced a massive airfare giveaway to entice visitors to make the trip. You know what to do: clear your calendar, check your annual leave balance and dust off your suitcase. From March–May, the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Airport Authority Hong Kong will team up with three local airlines — Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong Express and Hong Kong Airlines — to hand out 500,000 free airline tickets. While many of the specifics are still to be revealed, the giveaway is being called 'World of Winners' and will focus on tickets from southeast Asia in March, then from mainland China in April, and finally from northeast Asia and the rest of the world in May. That's when the fares will be up for grabs. When you'll need to travel is still to be confirmed. To nab tickets, you'll need to hop over to either the World of Winners website or each airline's designated page — and each carrier might do their giveaways differently. So, some free tickets might be available via a lucky draw and others on a first-come-first-served basis, or a buy-one-get-one-free arrangement could apply. [caption id="attachment_887782" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hong Kong Tourism Board[/caption] Free flights are just one aspect of an overall global promotional campaign named 'Hello Hong Kong'. Another: free drink, dining, shopping and transport vouchers, with at least a million up for grabs from 16,000-plus outlets. Dubbed 'Hong Kong Goodies', these freebies will be available to folks visiting Hong Kong for 90 days or less — and you'll have to pick just one offer. So, you can choose between a welcome drink valued at more than HK$100 at one of more than 100 bars, restaurants and hotels; a HK$100 cash voucher to use at 140-plus restaurants, shops or attractions; or a gift worth more than HK$100 at a heap of Hong Kong attractions and museums. With the current exchange rate, whichever of these three goodies you pick equates to around AU$18 / NZ$20 — but it's still a freebie. [caption id="attachment_887783" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hong Kong Tourism Board[/caption] There are caveats for these vouchers, of course. First, you have have to have a non-Hong Kong mobile number to obtain them — and, at the moment, they have to be collected from a Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Centre once you're there. That said, more redemption methods are set to be added. Visitors to Hong Kong have until December 31, 2023 to collect their goodies — and once you have chosen your coupon, you can't swap it. "Hong Kong is back on the map for global travellers, with more excitement to offer than ever before. We are extending a biggest welcome to the world through the 'Hello Hong Kong' campaign, inviting friends from everywhere as they return to one of the world's greatest tourism destinations," said Hong Kong Tourism Board Chairman Dr Pang Yiu-ka. "I am confident that Hong Kong's vibrant east-meets-west culture, together with our iconic and brand-new attractions and immersive experiences will attract travellers back for an epic, unforgettable journey." For folks living in Hong Kong, the Tourism Board's new promo scheme will also include additional free flights to locals holidaying outside of the country, but not until July. In total, more than 700,000 airfares will be handed out to overseas visitors and Hong Kong residents. For more information about Hong Kong's World of Winners flights giveaway, head to the initiative's website. For more information about the 'Hong Kong Goodies' vouchers, head to that scheme's website. Top image: Hong Kong Tourism Board. 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.
Suicide Squad is essentially a remake of 1967's The Dirty Dozen, with two key differences. Firstly, it uses comic book villains instead of WW2 soldiers as its heroes. Secondly The Dirty Dozen was actually good. On premise at least, the two films are identical: in order to defeat a great evil, the US Government takes the worst of the worst from its own prisons and sends them on a suicidal mission with the promise that – should anyone come back – their sentence will be reduced. In substance, though, Suicide Squad is such a red hot mess that all other comparisons to Dozen only serve to highlight the anti-superhero movie's countless, crippling flaws. Start with the characters. Dirty Dozen's dozen were legitimately bad people: rapists, murderers and certifiable psychopaths who never hesitated to indulge their predilections whenever the opportunity presented itself. Suicide Squad purportedly boasts similarly terrifying evildoers, but its cushy M Rating (PG-13 in the States) results in almost all instances of their villainy either being spectacularly watered down or the cameras cutting away just before shit hits the fan. Worse still, they're all ultimately presented as inwardly decent souls seeking redemption and a close-knit family unit, rendering them more babysitters club than actual suicide squad. The best of the worst is Margot Robbie as fan-favourite Harley Quinn, aka the Joker's girlfriend. Decked out in a 'Daddy's Lil Monster' t-shirt like some sort of terrifying by-product of a BDSM fantasy taken to its nightmarish conclusion, Robbie's Quinn is the only character to gleefully embrace the chaos, making her the only one worth watching for most of the movie. Even then, the majority of her few good lines (as with the rest of the film) were given away in the trailer, leaving little else to celebrate. Alongside her stand some genuinely bargain-basement bad guys. There's Deadshot (Will Smith), the hitman who never misses; Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), the guy who's kind of a crocodile; Slipknot (Adam Beach), the guy who is good at climbing things and Boomerang (Jai Courtney), the Aussie who…well...uses a boomerang. The only other one to hold court with Robbie is Jay Hernandez's character Diablo, whose incendiary powers are almost inevitably untouched for most of the movie because of his determination to never again use them. Together, they battle waves of literally faceless henchmen with all the vim and vigour of a second-rate video game as they come up against Cara Delevingne's Enchantress, whose legitimately spooky behaviour is tragically reduced to stock-standard 'Big Bad' status just as she's hitting her straps. Then, finally, there's the Joker, arguably the greatest villain in comic book history. Played by Jared Leto, his screen time is limited, but that can't hide the fact that the actor's performance is inescapably dull. Compared to Jack Nicholson's whimsical psychotic, or Heath Ledger's unhinged anarchist, Leto plays the character like a pantomime gangster whose only threatening quality is the possibility of more scenes. Everything about Suicide Squad feels rushed, underwritten and overproduced. Additional characters pop up like afterthoughts (most notably Karen Fukuhara as Katana), scenes come and go with neither purpose nor continuity, and the stakes are so absent you don't even know when to be concerned, or what to be concerned about. Don't let the trailers fool you: this is one of the biggest disappointments of the year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9TpswDIBS8
There's nothing like a night at the movies with your lover. The lights are low, the smell of popcorn is in the air, a subtle yawn turns into a cuddle...those were the days. Today a cheap movie ticket usually means pushing through crowds and dealing with cinema floors that are about as clean as a Supre changing room. So if it's quality time you are after on a night out at the movies, your best bet may be to splurge on a meal nearby. We've narrowed down the top 10 pre- and post-film eats all within walking distance of movie theatres. Piaf Good things come in small packages, and if you are looking for a romantic, quaint, French experience at a reasonable price then this is the place to visit for dinner or a delicious dessert. Piaf's menu changes according to the lovely fresh local produce available but quality is always consistent. Try their strawberry mille feuille with vanilla anglaise and burnt caramel ice cream for a sweet treat. Where: 5/182 Grey Street Southbank; 07 3846 5026; www.piafbistro.com.auNearest cinema: Southbank Cinemas across the road La Via If you are looking for a tasty quick bite without lining up next to hormone-fuelled teenagers on a night out, La Via offers excellent wood fired pizzas to share in a cosy 'am I in Rome?' setting. The calabrese salami, green olives, buffalo mozzarella pizza and basil pizza is probably too good to share. Where: Shop 6e, Little Stanley St, Southbank; 07 3844 3460; www.lavia.com.auNearest cinema: Southbank Cinemas across the road Sugo Mi Downriver on the very chic Oxford St lives Sugo Mi (literally means Sauce Me) and after devouring their Prosciutto rustic style pizza you'll look like someone who has done just that. Good old Sugo Mi also offers takeaway if you want to get down and dirty at home. Where: 3/190 Oxford St, Bulimba; 07 3395 6327; www.sugomi.com.auNearest cinema: Balmoral cinemas nearby Peasant Peasant by name, noble by nature. Gorgeously decorated, this tapas establishment serves delicious Spanish and Portugese bites. Peasant also has a great outdoor area perfect for sharing a jug of their signature red wine sangria. Where: 3/5-61 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane; 07 3367 8066; www.peasant.com.auNearest cinema: Palace Barracks is a short walk away Mirasoul Mirasoul on Caxton St describes itself as more satisfying than a bar and less formal than a restaurant, and we couldn't agree more. Browsing through their extensive tapas and shared plate menu, it's clear that both variety and flavour feature here. Try their shared platter for two or if you want to fly solo, try the zucchini, mint and haloumi fritters with lemon cumin yoghurt. Where: 55 Caxton St, Brisbane; 07 3367 1333; www.mirasoul.com.auNearest cinema: Palace Barracks is a short walk away Byblos Believe it or not, this iconic Brisbane nightspot transforms itself into the perfect lunch spot by the portside, ideal for early movie-goers. We won't blame you for having a sneaky lunchtime cocktail either, as the staff at Byblos are as highly skilled as they are creative. Where: Portside Wharf, Hamilton; 07 3268 2223; www.byblosbar.com.au/brisbaneNearest cinema: Dendy Portside is a short walk away Gusto Di Gianni Also in the Portside precinct, Gusto di Gianni offers friendly wholesome italian food. For best value try the three course Roma or Milano menu; both allow you to sample regional flavours while still enabling you to slip into a lovely post-dinner food coma. Where: Portside Wharf, Remora Rd, Hamilton; 07 3868 2011; www.gustodagianni.comNearest cinema: Dendy Portside is a short walk away Vapiano Freshly made pasta and pizza in one of the most central locations in Brisbane, check. A bar that's not overpowered by a hideous pub rock covers band? Check. Vapiano is proof that you don't have to spend a fortune or compromise on a nice atmosphere for your post-flick feed. Where: 191 Albert St, Brisbane; 07 3221 4933; www.vapiano.com.auNearest cinema: The Myer Centre is right across from Vapiano Hanaichi Sushi Train A far cry from its food court $8 curry chicken specials, Hanaichi Sushi Bar in the Wintergarden offers fresh-in-your-face sushi and sashimi as well as generous hot dishes such as takoyaki and chicken. Where: Wintergarden, 171 Queen Street, Brisbane; 07 3229 4857; www.hanaichi.com.auNearest cinema: The Myer Centre is right across from Hanaichi Sushi Train
This resort is so remote that it is only accessible by four-wheel-drive, speedboat, or a paraglider (although we have no idea where your luggage will fit on the glider). You'll feel totally isolated from the rest of the world — in a good way — when staying in the northern-most region of Oman. The resort is located within the Musandam Peninsula which is so damn beautiful. You've got clear blue waters which are perfect for snorkelling, as well as rocky cliffs and open plains that can be explored by foot, mountain bike or four-wheel drive. You come here to bask in the unique natural landscape. Constructed to resemble a traditional Omani village, these stone-walled villas and suites are the pinnacle of luxury, even if they look rustic from the outside. Staying here might take up a large chunk of your accommodation budget but it will be an unforgettable experience worth the splurge. This starts with the villas themselves. Each has its own private plunge pool, a large terrace with a dining area, a sand 'garden' and a butler who will help you experience all that this magical stay has to offer. Seriously, when staying here, you'll feel like you're in a dream — it's that unique and beautiful. Six Senses Zighy Bay has stacks of options when it comes to dining. Have dinner at the hilltop restaurant overlooking the entire bay which serves local and international cuisine, or experience some authentic Bedouin dining right on the beach. They also have tapas at an al fresco bar and can even send a private chef to your villa. The luxurious digs might be remote but there's still a diverse range of activities available for guests. For one, there is an award-winning spa facility which includes two Arabic-style hammams. Its best known for its locally-inspired treatments that use indigenous ingredients to both pamper and soothe. But you're not just here to sit by a pool and spa (although you certainly can if your heart so desires). Adventure activities abound at Six Senses Zighy Bay. Explore the craggy coastline's clear deep waters on a traditional dhow cruise or a scuba-diving expedition, go waterskiing in adjacent bays, canoe around the bay at your pace, paraglide from the cliffs, join a mountain-biking trek in the Hajar Mountains or hike up some of the goat paths. You can even go a little further out on one of their Dubai day trips and 4x4 excursions to the ancient village and plateau of Sabatyn. Whether you're doing serious unwinding or This has got to be one of the very best resorts in the world. Now you can book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips, and discover inspiring deals on flights, stays and experiences.
The friendly folk behind Brisbane Festival have done some pretty incredible things this year. They’ve lured some of the world's biggest up and coming music acts, hand-selected some of our finest local performers and commissioned one of Oz’s most renowned artists, Stormie Mills to create and build a really big, pink… thing. Call it a rabbit, mouse, or Michelin Man-Deadmau5 hybrid, you’ve probably seen it pop up around Brisbane, quickly judged, taken a photo and been left pondering it’s existence. The four-metre high, bright pink statues have already worked the Westfield Carindale, Woolloongabba and Queen Street Mall scenes with more due to pop up by the day – and there’s a chance for you to nab some prizes if you’re the first to find them. Simply follow Brisbane Festival's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for clues as to when and where the installations will appear. Accompany your snap with the hashtag #TheStormieMillsProject and you could be rewarded big time – Brisbane may be stingy with government money, but they sure aren’t with prizes. Hop to it!
Ageing Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) is convinced that he's won a fortune. A piece of junk mail tells him he must travel to Nebraska to collect his million dollars, and he refuses to believe that it might be less than the truth. When his family finally accepts that he's going to go no matter what, they grudgingly agree to accompany him, with his son David (Will Forte) taking him on the trip. Along the way, they encounter family members and old acquaintances, all of whom feel Woody owes them something. Woody's imagined fortune becomes the talk of the town, as old grievances and closeted skeletons make themselves known. Director Alexander Payne, who achieved critical attention with his films Citizen Ruth and Election, hits his stride with a mixtape of his biggest hits. Like About Schmidt, there is a self-centred patriarch on a journey; like The Descendants, the countryside is innately tied to familial secrets; like Sideways, there is a sudden heist to reclaim lost property. Nobody does family secrets like Payne, and Nebraska sees him at the peak of his powers. Dern, who has been a reliable supporting actor for decades, finally gets his shot at a starring role, and it's impossible to overstate how astonishingly good he is as Woody. There's no self-consciousness as he plays a vague, alcoholic man in search of a fortune he decides he's owed. Forte, best known for his turns on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, nails the knowing pathos of Woody's suffering son, and the casting of Breaking Bad's Bob Odenkirk as his older brother is inspired. June Squibb, who is probably best remembered as Jack Nicholson's ill-fated wife in About Schmidt, shines as Woody's wife: gossipy and accepting, dismissive and loyal. The more you examine these characters, the more it becomes clear that they are riddled with contradictions in the way that human beings often are but movie characters are not. This is the film's biggest triumph, and a testament to the combined efforts of Payne, the cast, and writer Bob Nelson's confident script. Also notable is the brilliant score by Mark Orton, which echoes the film's pared-back simplicity with a low-key soundtrack that manages to stick in your brain in the best way possible. Filmed in black and white, and dwelling on the uglier, blander side of middle America, Nebraska should be a depressing experience draped in award-grabbing worthiness. But it's not. In fact, it's laugh-out-loud funny throughout, and unexpectedly uplifting. There's a joyful tension that infuses every moment and makes this one of the most compelling, memorable, essential films of the year. https://youtube.com/watch?v=YvW_DmfKfSk
