Why just eat one regular old sweet treat when you can feast your way through a glorious hybrid of two beloved desserts? That's long been Gelato Messina's unspoken motto. So, last year, the chain delivered a tastebud-tempting creation that took its delicious take on the trusty Viennetta and mixed it with its version of Golden Gaytimes. The result: the Have a Gay Old Messinetta tub, or the Gayinnetta as Messina has also dubbed it. And, in great news for your tastebuds this winter — because yes, you can still eat gelato when it's frosty outside — this limited-edition treat is making a comeback. If you've tried a scoop of the brand's popular Have a Gay Old Time flavour already but didn't tuck into any Gayinnetta last time around, just imagine that flavour turned into Viennetta. This dessert combines layers of caramel and milk gelato, then covers it with chocolate-covered biscuit crumbs, and finally tops it all with ripples of vanilla and caramel chantilly cream. And yes, the end result looks like the dessert you know and love, but in a caramel colour for a change. If you're keen to get yourself a Gayinnetta — which'll cost you $40 — they're available to preorder online on Monday, May 30, for pick up between Friday, June 3–Sunday, August 5 from all stores. And, because Messina's specials always prove popular, the brand is now staggering the on-sale times. Accordingly, folks in Queensland and the ACT are able to purchase at 9am, Victorians at 9.30am, and New South Wales customers split across three times depending on the store (with pies from Circular Quay, Surry Hills, Bondi, Randwick and Miranda on sale at 10am; Brighton Le Sands, Tramsheds, Parramatta and Darlinghurst at 10.30am; and Darling Square, Newtown, Rosebery and Penrith at 11am). Gelato Messina's Have a Gay Old Messinetta tubs will be available to order on Monday, May 30, for pick up between Friday, June 3–Sunday, August 5 from all stores. Head to the Messina website for further details.
It's been far too long since Birrarung Marr was last enveloped in the smoky scents and region-hopping flavours of the Night Noodle Markets. But the wait is finally over, as the much-loved food festival breaks free from its COVID-enforced hibernation and returns to its riverside home from Thursday, November 10–Sunday, November 27. And that, friends, means it's time to start plotting exactly what tempting street food bites you'll be tucking into over those 18 flavour-packed nights. Especially since we've scored a peek at the full lineup of vendors and hawker stalls hitting this year's Night Noodle Markets — and the signature menus they'll be serving up for your karaage-scoffing, noodle-slurping, dumpling-downing pleasure. So, from barbecue and bao to dumplings and doughnuts, we're here to break down all the must-try eats to pop on your market itinerary. [caption id="attachment_875062" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flying Noodle[/caption] Of course, the Night Noodle Markets' namesake dish will be in strong supply, including some new gravity-defying offerings from Flying Noodle. Try the likes of The Big Boss, featuring marinated chicken and chinese broccoli, or the Way of the Dragon — pork belly slow-cooked in a honey soy sauce with tamarind and black pepper. The folks at Teppanyaki Noodles are serving a Japanese riff on the concept with their fried yakisoba creation, while Queensland's Raijin will be turning out crispy chicken karaage noodles (and a tofu karaage version), alongside their house dumplings. Speaking of which, your dumpling dreams are set to come true many times over, thanks in part to the Bumplings x Mazda stall. Brendan Pang's legendary Perth dumpling house is teaming up with the car brand to deliver a special menu of signature morsels designed to pair with his exclusive Soul Red Crystal sauce. [caption id="attachment_875067" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wonderbao[/caption] In the dumpling-adjacent corner, you'll catch Wonderbao whipping up six different bao varieties, with fillings ranging from roast pork belly and Korean fried chicken, to tofu okonomiyaki and sweet custard. As always, there'll be plenty of things on sticks, headlined by a bumper lineup from the masters at Hoy Pinoy. Get your Filipino barbecue fix via their inihaw na baboy (pork belly skewers glazed in banana ketchup) and inihaw na manok (soy-glazed chicken skewers), alongside other creations like a chicken adobo rice bowl and the bistek tagalog — soy-glazed beef rump that's roasted and smoked over charcoal, and served on rice. [caption id="attachment_875064" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hoy Pinoy[/caption] Meanwhile, at May's Malaysian stall, you'll find a sizzling array of fusion plates including char kway teow, nasi goreng and Singapore noodles. And crowd-favourite, Windsor's Mr Miyagi, will be coming to the party with a brand new menu in tow, dishing up three Japanese-inspired bao burgers — a crumbed mushroom and miso mayo number, a pork katsu creation and a new take on the classic chicken schnitty roll. [caption id="attachment_875060" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Demochi Donut[/caption] Dessert fiends aren't forgotten, either, with an array of mochi-doughnut mash-ups courtesy of Sydney's Demochi Donut, and an Asian-inspired Messina offering starring the likes of the dulce de leche-infused HK French Toast and the Milo Fry Club — pudding made from the Messinatella choc-hazelnut spread with deep-fried Milo gelato and an Oreo crumble. Since all that eating will be thirsty work, you'll have stacks of liquid treats to choose from, too. Hit Cointreau's retro Margarita Kombi for an original or spicy marg, quench your thirst the fruity way beneath the Rekorderlig Cider dome, or drop by the Stomping Ground beer garden for a couple of cold cans. And if you're getting noodly sans booze, try the Dan Murphy's Zero% Bar (a new edition of its Hampton pop-up) for non-alcoholic beers and made-to-order booze-free cocktails, including a Salted Caramel Espresso Martini. Melbourne's 2022 Night Noodle Markets will run from Thursday, November 10–Sunday, November 27 at Birrarung Marr, Melbourne. For more details on the menu, head to the Night Noodle Markets website. Top Images: Hoy Pinoy, Mr Miyagi, Wonderbao.
A pub has stood on the corner of Hawthorn's Church Street and Barkers Road (formerly Beehive Road) since the 1800s. It's had a few different names during that time — most recently, Serafina — but it's been called The Beehive throughout most of its life. And though Serafina is no longer, Julien Moussi and Tony Pantano from Only Hospitality (Hotel Collingwood, Hobsons Bay Hotel) have taken over the 300-seat pub and given it a major makeover, renaming it The Beehive in the process. By.Underwood was brought on to restore rather than renovate the building, and has worked hard to keep plenty of the pub's heritage features. The famed beehive sculpture that crowns the pub remains, as does the old-school ceiling plasterwork, restored flooring and large arch windows. A warm, bee-inspired yellow and brown colour palette flows throughout the venue, while playful beehive lights sit above banquette seats. It's a fun nod to the pub's name, but you'll still be hanging out in a pub, not a bee-themed bar. Chef Chris Rendell has designed The Beehive's new menu, delivering contemporary gastropub fare with a particular focus on woodfired cooking. Flame-kissed proteins now feature at The Beehive alongside pub classics like chicken and eggplant parmas and fish and chips, as well as a rotating selection of pastas and share plates. As another little nod to its name, local honey by Pure Peninsula is sprinkled throughout the food and drinks offerings, from a honeycomb-starring cheeseboard to honey-based desserts and a hot honey cocktail. Harrison Young (Milton Wine Shop) has been enlisted to create the wine list, which showcases both local and international drops. The team is pouring an impressive 17 by the glass and another 120 by the bottle. The old-school pub vibes live on at the front bar, which boasts a 12-strong selection of beers on tap and plenty of classic and signature cocktails. Here, you'll also find screens streaming sports matches, a roaring fireplace and plenty of sporting memorabilia. Moussi and Pantano used to frequent The Beehive in their 20s, and the duo is working hard to hold onto the historic pub's character while modernising certain elements. "Our vision for The Beehive is that it'll be a pub for the people and reignite that sense of community," says Moussi. "This transformation invites a new wave of Melburnians to discover the iconic venue, and that's something we're really excited about." The Beehive can be found at 84 Barkers Road, Hawthorn, open 12pm–late on weekdays and 11.30am–late on weekends. For more information, head to the pub's website. Images: David Green.
The minds behind the multi-layered delight that is the legendary Strawberry Watermelon Cake — which has lit up Instagram feeds across the world since its inception in Sydney over a decade ago — are heading south. Sydney's Black Star Pastry is whipping up something just for us Melburnians, opening the doors to a summer-long pop-up in St Kilda. Making its home beneath Acland Street's Jackalope Pavilion — where you'll find blockbuster installation Rain Room — the temporary bakery follows a successful 2017 pop-up in Carlton, as well as plenty of outings at Melbourne's Night Noodle Markets over the years. The new pop-up store is serving up a selection of Black Star smash hits, the bill headlined, of course, by that Strawberry Watermelon Cake. Sporting layers of almond dacquoise, rose-scented cream and watermelon, this little beauty sells around one million slices annually across the brand's four Sydney stores and was even dubbed the "world's most Instagrammed cake" by The New York Times. Other favourites making the journey south include the Pistachio Lemon Zen Cake — another layered sensation featuring pistachio ganache, white chocolate mousse, lemon curd and crunchy pistachio dacquoise — and the Raspberry Lychee Cake, which fuses chocolate biscuit, raspberry marshmallow and vanilla cream. When Easter rolls around, Melburnians will also get to try the brand's famed hot cross buns. The sweet stuff is complemented by St Ali coffee and a contemporary, minimalist store space, featuring neon signage by UK artist Tracey Emin proclaiming "you loved me like a distant star". And, in a win for those who don't like waiting, customers can also pre-order a range of cakes online and skip the queues with express pick-up. While this Melbourne store is only a pop-up, Black Star Pastry has plans to open stores across Australia (and overseas) in 2020 — fingers crossed one of those lands in Melbourne. The pop-up will be open from open 8am–4pm Monday to Friday and 8am–5pm Saturday and Sunday until Easter 2020.
It's impossible to fit Gippsland on a plate, but every year, Victoria's chefs, brewers and cheesemakers give it a red hot crack. Yep, it's that time of year again. The East Gippsland Winter Festival is back for 2024, running from Friday, June 21–Sunday, July 21 with more artisanal plates than anyone could consume in an average human lifetime. If you haven't attended before, bring your appetite. It's an incredible celebration of everything Gippsland — the people, food, produce and communities that make this place special. The event runs for a full month, with activations, dining experiences and live music popping up all over the region. Some of this year's highlights include the Guy Grossi x Sodafish collaboration lunch at Lakes Entrance, sword fighting and fireside dining at a Medieval Fire Festival in Bruthen, a sunrise bathe and breakfast (in old wine barrels, no less) at Metung Hot Springs, and a special high country lunch at Moscow Villa Hut. We recommend basing yourself somewhere central, like Bairnsdale or Bruthen, and then strategically filling your diary with delicious events and winery activations. You can browse the full program and book your spot at the website.
The winter chill may be in the air, but that doesn't mean you still can't have a great day out in Melbourne's inner south. Together with the City of Port Phillip, we have compiled a list of winter activities you can enjoy when the weather isn't cooperating. From enjoying classic movies at a heritage cinema to brunch in a cute cafe before a brisk walk through Albert Park or a jaunt across the Port Melbourne beach and even bouldering and pottery classes, we've all the best indoor activities that don't require stunning weather.
This series of takeovers is entirely for the carnivores. Each month from July until November, a different Melbourne venue will create two meat-centred eats for both BEAST Brunswick and BEAST City. This will include one signature meat burger or sandwich, as well as a speciality meat dish sold per piece or by weight. The Meat Masters series kicks off in July, as the team from Third Wave Cafe brings its signature slow-cooked US-style barbecue flavours to both BEAST venues. Get around slow-smoked American barbecue short ribs with chips and the Ribsy burger, which sees a brioche bun stuffed with deboned slow-smoked American barbecue short ribs, tomato relish, swiss cheese, streaky bacon, apple bourbon barbecue sauce and tomato. There's a lot going on in that beast. In August, taco masters CDMX touch down in the BEAST kitchens. The chefs here have rejigged their famed birria tacos, reimagining them in sandwich form. The birria-braised beef short rib sandwich is filled with cheese, grilled onions, pickles and salsa. That same beef and filling combo is also served straight up without the bread for those who want to make a mess with their hands. Next up is Bad Shepherd in September, with its Montréal Smoked Meat Sandwich. This comes loaded with cured, smoked and steamed beef brisket, Alabama white sauce, jack cheese and pickles. The thrice-treated brisket is also served separately but with a side of pickled vegetables. Throughout October, Bluestone American BBQ is in charge of BEAST's Meat Master specials, serving a smoked Cuban-style pork burger with barbecued ham, Swiss cheese, cucumber pickles, mayo and sweet mustard. The same smoked Cuban-style pork is also being served out of the bun, with lime and crema mojo, creole slaw and cucumber pickles. Last on the docket of Meat Master takeovers is Sonido Berbeos Bros. In November, the Colombian street food legends are slinging longaniza rolls, which consist of Colombian sausages stuffed into a bread roll with pickled red onions, citric acid, mayo, and perajo sauce. The longaniza sausages will also be sold sans bread roll, with Colombian plantain fritters and sauce. Make no mistake – this is heavy, meaty and heartburn-inducing stuff. We can't wait for the food comas each takeover creates.
Any film that critics compare to being "stabbed in the head" would normally be something that people would want to avoid. But when it comes to The Room, the harsher the reviews the better. The 2003 melodrama, about a love triangle between a banker, his best friend and his treacherous fiance, has spawned a massive cult following, with audiences all around the world coming together at late-night screenings to celebrate its cringe-worthy performances, horrendous dialogue and baffling, incomprehensible plot. The mad genius behind The Room is its writer-director-producer-star, the mysterious Tommy Wiseau. Blessed with a confidence that far exceeds his ability, it's Wiseau's virtuosic incompetence that plays a huge part in the movie's appeal. Interviews with Wiseau tend to raise more questions than they answer. A more forthcoming subject is actor Greg Sestero, who co-stars as the best friend, Mark. Sestero recently co-penned a book, titled The Disaster Artist, full of behind-the-scenes stories about the movies' turbulent production. In the lead-up to a promotional visit to Australia, Sestero spoke to Concrete Playground about the book, Wiseau and his dubious double-edged fame. https://youtube.com/watch?v=mQ4KzClb1C4 When you meet Tommy Wiseau "He was the ultimate character," remembers Sestero of his and Wiseau's first meeting, in a Los Angeles acting class back in 1998. "He didn't take no for an answer. As a nineteen-year-old aspiring actor who was doubting myself, he was the perfect person for me to meet at that point in my life." Slowly, the two became friend. Even so, when Wiseau first approached Sestero about making the movie, the actor was reluctant. "I agreed to help him make the film behind the scenes, [but] he really wanted me to be in it," says Sestero. "The night before filming he made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I was an unemployed actor working retail, and I didn't think anybody would see it. Fortunately I was wrong." Production proved a disaster, with cast and crew members regularly quitting or being fired over the course of the six month shoot. "You were dealing with somebody who had never made a film," says Sestero. "He wanted to honour his vision, and anybody who got in the way was shown the door. It was a very trying experience for a lot of people … but he had a very unique way of making art, and more power to him. Unique stands out, and here we are eleven years later, still talking about The Room." When you want fame but get notoriety "I always thought the movie was very funny and very campy, but I was shocked when it found an audience," says Sestero. "It developed a small LA fanbase around 2005, 2006, and then there was an article written in Entertainment Weekly that really blew it up. It wasn't until 2010 that I did an appearance at a theatre in New York at which twelve hundred people showed up. I think at that point I realised The Room had arrived." Of his own performance, and the questionable celebrity the film brought him, the actor remains upbeat. "For something that I just phoned in and didn't expect anything from, I can't really complain," says Sestero. "When you put yourself out there and you read bad things about yourself, it stings. But with this project I was kind of in on the joke from the beginning." And frankly, no one would argue that the cast didn't have their work cut out for them. "With the dialogue, even if you did try to act well, you would have been doomed," reflects the actor. "Even Daniel Day-Lewis probably would have had some trouble getting those lines out." When James Franco and Seth Rogen want to act out your memoirs "I think the book has kind of redeemed the whole experience," says Sestero. "Ever since I made this movie, there were so many crazy stories. I thought that if I took them to a publisher, they wouldn't even believe it as fiction. Then as time went on and the cult began to grow, I felt like the story behind it became even more compelling." Now, in a fittingly strange turn of events, James Franco and Seth Rogen have announced that they'll be adapting the memoir into a film. Franco will direct, while his younger brother Dave will play Sestero. "It's still in the early stages, but I think James Franco and Seth Rogen have made so many great films," says Sestero. "They're a great fit for the project." Despite all The Room has done for him, Sestero is looking forward to moving on. "At the end of the day, it's really Tommy's movie," says Sestero. "It's what really defines him. I think we were all just passengers on this ship. The book was a start to doing things that I'm really excited about, and to kind of show that there's more to me than just this bad movie."
Deadly Ponies is a permanent fixture in the fashion landscape, and it's clear to see why — boundary-pushing designs, carbon-zero certification from Toitū Environcare and a commitment to both creativity and transparency. With over 15 years in the market, the Aotearoan leather accessories label — fronted by designer Liam Bowden — has seen success the world over, regularly held in the crook of a celebrity or fashion-stalwart's arm, including their homegrown talent Lorde. A classic crossbody in a fashion-forward colourway (like 'coconut ice')? Maybe an impossibly soft yet chic shearling tote? If you're looking for luxe mixed with an unwillingness to compromise on sustainability, Deadly Ponies delivers in troves. Now, dear Melburnians, it's time to peruse in person, with the addition of a bricks and mortar standalone on Armadale's High Street, as well as a dedicated Deadly Ponies Concept Space on Little Bourke Street in the CBD. Both stores were conceptualised by long-time collaborator and celebrated interior designer Katie Lockhart. The delivered spaces are natural extensions of the creatives behind the brand, with pared-back tones and textures, and carefully scattered trinkets and treasures. It's a clever pairing of new and vintage, reminiscent of homely, lived-in comfort — though not lacking a lick in design-centric styling, with the flagship's staggering window display and soft metallic accents catching eyes, and the concept space (which is within Myer) delivering yellow and blue hues via a rug hailing from 1940s France. Taking the stance of innovation when faced with the social and environmental cost of its wares is just one of the core practices that makes Deadly Ponies — and its coveted bags — so worthy of the attention and accolades it's afforded. With the annual Recycle collection, crafted completely from offcuts, and an in-store amnesty program for returning your Deadly Ponies once they're all loved out, circularity is never an afterthought. Consciously created high fashion accessories — what's not to love? Head in-store to discover the Deadly Ponies experience for yourself.
Billie Eilish doesn't ask "what were the Academy Awards made for?" in her Oscar-nominated tune from Barbie. If she did, however, Hollywood saluting the films of the past year is one answer. For everyone watching at home, here's another: watching the biggest annual stint of cinema-industry recognition there is, and also getting into the celebratory spirit at home. So, you've seen this year's nominated movies. Whether you're hoping that Oppenheimer, Barbie, Poor Things, Past Lives or something else gets a shiny statuette for their efforts, you've pondered who might win — and who should. The next step when the 96th Oscars take place on Monday, March 11, Down Under time, is to feel the Kenergy over cocktails (or whatever other beverage takes your fancy). Don't just nurse your glass and imbibe randomly, though. To truly get you into the Oscars spirit, our 2024 drinking game outlines when to take a small sip, a big gulp, a couple of mouthfuls or however much of a swig that you feel like. Some of our cues to join in are relevant every year. Some are specific to 2024's gongs. So, ensure you've got the requisite supplies, pay attention to everything happening during the ceremony and say cheers to Hollywood's night of nights — and drink responsibly, of course. A Small Sip: Drink Like You've Found Bliss in Your Daily Routine A winner gets played off. The term "Barbenheimer" is uttered. Barbenheimer gets credited with saving cinema. Someone pretends to be a Barbie. Margot Robbie wears pink. Martin Scorsese receives a standing ovation. Steven Spielberg receives a standing ovation. Lengthy movies are mentioned — whether celebrated, complained about or parodied. Taylor Swift appears or gets a shoutout — or one of her songs is busted out. Jimmy Kimmel feuds with Matt Damon. The strikes are referenced. Artificial intelligence comes up. The words "movie magic" or "magic of the movies" get a mention. Someone uses their speech — or presenting gig — to angle for their next job. Matthew McConaughey says "alright, alright, alright". Sam Rockwell dances. [caption id="attachment_945212" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley French/Netflix ©2023[/caption] A Big Gulp: Drink Like You're Working Up the Courage to Make History "Destroyer of worlds" gets uttered. Someone comments that they forgot that Cillian Murphy is Irish. Kate McKinnon appears as Weird Barbie. Someone involved in Barbie other than Margot Robbie wears pink. You hear an Australian or New Zealand accent. Meryl Streep wins without being nominated. Someone makes up a new category. A joke bombs and AI gets the blame. Someone says that this is going better than the Golden Globes. 'P.I.M.P.' is played — any version. Leonardo DiCaprio's love life is mentioned. The rest of the Kens appear onstage with Ryan Gosling during the 'I'm Just Ken' performance. Anya Taylor-Joy and Charlize Theron co-present an award. A winner forgets to thank their spouse, but remembers at the last minute. Someone mentions the Dune cups. [caption id="attachment_945213" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason McDonald/Netflix © 2023.[/caption] A Few Mouthfuls: Drink Like You're Trying to Balance Your Personal and Professional Passions Someone ponders whether they — or Sandra Hüller — killed their partner. Wes Anderson won't accept the award for Best Live-Action Short because the stage setup isn't symmetrical. Bradley Cooper conducts the orchestra. Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix attend as Harley Quinn and the Joker. Emma Stone brings her The Curse co-star Nathan Fielder as her date. A toilet is cleaned during the ceremony. Nicolas Cage tries to swap faces with someone. Godzilla appears. Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro and Al Pacino are all seen together. Someone has a Dune cup. Anyone eats flamin' hot Cheetos. Nicole Kidman forgets how to clap again. Someone reads out the wrong winner. [caption id="attachment_945214" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC[/caption] As Much as You Like: Drink Like You've Been Left Behind at Christmas Getting left behind at Christmas is worked into a skit. Justine Triet becomes just the fourth woman to win the Best Director category. During Lily Gladstone's Best Actress speech, if she wins. Past Lives wins an award. An Australian wins an award. Someone exclaims "I must go punch that baby!". Messi from Anatomy of a Fall makes an appearance. America Ferrera recreates her Barbie speech. Robert Downey Jr says that he's returning as Iron Man. Greta Gerwig announces that she's making a toy franchise that started with Barbie. The 2024 Oscars will be announced on Monday, March 11, Australian and New Zealand time. For further details, head to the awards' website. Wondering where to watch this year's Oscar contenders? We've put together a rundown for both Australia and New Zealand. Wondering who'll win? Check out our predictions.
QT Melbourne is a multi-faceted playground for its guests. The lobby and common areas are filled with lots of colourful lighting, mountains of modern furniture and elaborate wallpaper. Then, in the stunning guest rooms, you'll find timber flooring, state-of-the-art technology and designer furniture that's at once quirky and tasteful. They were gunning to be one of Melbourne's best hotels when they were dreaming up this luxury space — and they clearly hit the mark. But we must take a few moments to talk about the artwork. The commitment to create an authentic arts experience was clear from the outset, with award-winning art advisor Amanda Love bringing together an eclectic array of visual delights. QT Melbourne and Love have brought together a collection of acclaimed local and international artists whose work is showcased throughout the hotel's guest rooms, restaurants, bars and public spaces. Artists include Melbourne-born twin sisters and video art duo Gabriella and Silvana Mangano, renowned American installation artist Jennifer Steinkamp, Sydney-based site-specific artists Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro, video artist Grant Stevens, and conceptual installation pairing Janet Burchill and Jennifer McCamley. You'll feel like you're spending the night in a particularly glamorous gallery (and yes, you can touch the artworks). [caption id="attachment_828901" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hayden Dib[/caption] In addition to this luxe accommodation, the hotel also has some serious eats: Parisian-style dinners at Pascale Bar and Grill, pastries in The Cake Shop, laneway bar feels and Korean food at Hot Sauce, and a buzzing rooftop bar, too. The 'secret' rooftop garden is also open to the public, showcasing bespoke Four Pillars cocktails. This leafy haven even hosts private parties of 10–25 people if you fancy a taste of luxury without booking a night's stay. Top image: Alexandra Anderson. Appears in: The Best Hotels in Melbourne
Mr Tucci has been nominated for Best New Cafe in our Best of 2018 awards. Like it? Vote for it right 'ere. Sibling-run cafe Mr Tucci in Glen Iris is bold, with three areas in particular standing out: the space, the food and the vibe. Let's start with the space, because, let's face it: first impressions are lasting. The space is encased in a glass triangle, with lots of natural light and a backdrop of trees, which makes it feel like you're eating in a very comfortable conservatory. And every seat in the cafe feels like this. Speaking of seats, it's worth noting that owners Fabian, Massimo, and Romina Crea did the fit out themselves — which included sourcing 1950s Australian school chairs and revamping them. The food shines in the space. And it's no wonder, really, given that this is not the Creas' first rodeo. Stalwarts of hospitality in Melbourne's southeast, they've created a menu which they know reflects local taste. The only problem with the menu at Mr Tucci is deciding what to eat. The sriracha and maple glazed bacon with avocado seems a firm favourite, judging from the plates of fellow diners, and the sourdough waffles are a clear winner given they've already sold out by early Saturday afternoon. No problem — despite the busyness of the day, the kitchen whips up some more for the polite children on the table next door. A definite thumbs up from the cute ones. There's a Mr T burger with beef brisket, for those with a larger appetite, and plenty of vegetarian options as well such as panko-crumbed eggplant or black bean röstis. The tasting plate with rösti, smashed avo, maple bacon, a poached egg and waffles with poached pear is a great way to sample three dishes from the menu at once. You can also just swing by for some really great coffee and cake. Fabian points out that he's lucky to still have his mum, Franca, doing things for him, and in this case she's making stunning cakes. Think Italian sponge filled with lemon curd, pistachio and chocolate biscotti, or pistachio and berry teacakes. Round out your morning (or afternoon tea) with a white coffee, made with beans from local-roaster Veneziano, or an espresso or filter with Wood and Co. This brings us to the last, and best, aspect of Mr Tucci: the intangible vibe. When you enter a new place and you're greeted like an old friend, this goes a long way. The Creas espouse old-fashioned good service. The name itself is a nod to their nonno, Giovanni Santucci, and hints at the importance of family for them. It feels like a family affair, and you've already been welcomed into the fold. Images: Julia Sansone
Once you find your perfect Melbourne barber, everything else in your life will just fall into place. Alright, that might be a bit of an exaggeration but we still think it is mighty important to find folks who know how to expertly trim a beard, give you a clean shave or simply cut your hair exactly how you like it. You'll walk away feeling fresh and pretty, just like all the people who get makeovers from Jonathan Van Ness in Queer Eye. But it's not all about the end product — looking fabulous. You head to the barber for a bit of self care and pampering, finding inner calm when that hot towel wraps around face or when you feel the sharp blades skim across your chin. But we've all been to places that don't give you the perfect close shave. Or they drape a funky smelling towel over your face instead of a fluffy and clean one. That's why we created this list of the best barbers in Melbourne, to ensure you only get the best experience possible. Recommended reads: The Best Hair Salons in Melbourne The Best Spas in Melbourne
UPDATE, May 29, 2021: Baby Done is available to stream via Stan, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. A relic of a time when women were considered wives, mothers and little else, the public need to comment on whether someone has a baby or is planning to have a baby is flat-out garbage behaviour. In your twenties or thirties, and in a couple? Yet to procreate? If so, the world at large apparently thinks that it's completely acceptable to ask questions, make its judgement known and demand answers. Baby Done offers a great take on this kind of situation. Surrounded by proud new parents and parents-to-be at a baby shower, Zoe (Rose Matafeo) refuses to smile and nod along with all the polite cooing over infants — existing and yet to make their way into the world — and smug discussions about the joys of creating life. An arborist more interested in scaling trees at both the national and world championships than starting a family, she simply refuses to temper who she is to fit society's cookie-cutter expectations. Her partner Tim (Matthew Lewis) is on the same wavelength, and they visibly have more fun than everyone else at the party. With a title such as Baby Done, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise when this New Zealand comedy soon upsets Zoe and Tim's status quo. She discovers that she's expecting and, while he starts dutifully preparing to an almost unnervingly sensible extent, she also struggles to face the change that's coming their way. At the forefront of Zoe's mind is a phenomenon she has noticed with most of her friends, other than the still single and child-free Molly (Emily Barclay) — who just might be more pregnancy-phobic than she is. When women become mothers, that's often the only way they're seen by the world and themselves. Zoe is also concerned about being forced to put her own dreams on hold. In fact, even as her bump expands and everyone from her doctor to her parents tells her otherwise, she's adamant that she's still heading overseas to climb as many branches in the pursuit of arboriculture glory as she can. Comedies about the trials and tribulations of parenthood, and of the journey to become parents, are almost as common as people asking "when are you two having kids?" without prompting at parties. But this addition to the genre from director Curtis Vowell and screenwriter Sophie Henderson (both veterans of 2013 film Fantail) approaches a well-worn topic from a savvy angle. Zoe clearly isn't a stereotypical mother-to-be, and doesn't experience the stereotypical feelings women have been told they're supposed to feel about having children — and Baby Done leans into that fact. The role-reversal at the movie's centre really shouldn't feel so refreshing. Neither should depicting a women daring to think that, even though she wants to have a baby, she doesn't want her entire life as she currently knows it to disappear. It also shouldn't stand out that, instead of depicting an impending father who's less than fussed about taking on that responsibility as plenty of previous flicks have, Baby Done focuses on an expectant mother who'd rather carry on as if nothing big is happening — but it does. In her first lead big-screen role, comedian Matafeo stands out, too. Indeed, it's easy to wonder whether Baby Done would've worked so engagingly and thoughtfully with someone else as its star. In her hands, Zoe instantly feels like a fully realised character that has walked off the street and into the camera's sights — because, even in an obvious comedy that's constantly trying to evoke laughs, its protagonist is always relatable, fleshed out, and the sum of both her clear strengths and overt struggles. That's the kind of balance that the leads in the last female-led, Taika Waititi-produced New Zealand comedy that touched on motherhood, The Breaker Upperers, also perfected. Matafeo has her own presence, however; playing plucky, outgoing and friendly, but also stubborn and wilfully in denial about what she's going through, she could easily (and will hopefully) step out of Baby Done and into a host of other affable and amusing movies. Understanding that motherhood means different things to different women and subverting the usual gender roles in the process doesn't stop the brightly shot, breezily toned Baby Done from sticking to a largely, sweetly predictable narrative, though. Or, from serving up just as easy-to-anticipate jokes amongst a particularly awkward threesome and a series of encounters with a pregnophile. Neither does Matafeo's excellent efforts, or her also likeable co-stars Lewis and Browning — with the former worlds away from his time as the Harry Potter franchise's Neville Longbottom, and the latter in her second offbeat supporting part this year after Babyteeth. And yet, as the likes of Knocked Up and Juno have shown entertainingly (especially in comparison to tripe like What to Expect When You're Expecting), finding an astute way to tackle a familiar topic really can't be underestimated. Again, Baby Done shouldn't feel like an outlier in its genre. In many ways, it really isn't, in fact. But charting one woman's pregnancy experience, and her backlash to the widely accepted notion that motherhood is the pinnacle of a woman's life, proves poignant and charming more often than not here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbIxi2VHTTk
The Olympic Games bring nations together in a worldwide contest of sport and competition. But the Olympics do much more than this too by providing an arena for remarkable triumphs, terrible failures, true perseverance and utter determination. Even through devastating wars, ongoing global conflicts, drastic terrorism acts and natural disasters, nations of the world have managed to unite (almost) every four years for over a century in a demonstration of friendly competition and unity. With the approaching London Olympics, it got us thinking about the spectacular images from past Olympic Games — photos that make you think, laugh, cringe or cry. Here is our pick of the best photographs from each summer Olympic Games throughout history. Athens 1896 - The Starting Gun Fires The first international Olympic Games to be held in the modern era. Being the 'birthplace of the Olympic Games', Athens was a suitable first venue. Athletics events obtained the most international field of the sports on offer, with the major highlight being the marathon; this was the first time the event had been held in international competition. Paris 1900 - Women Compete for the First Time Women donned their sporting caps and get-ups (apparently dresses in those days) for the first time at an international sporting event in Paris in 1900, with Charlotte Cooper being crowned the first female Olympic champion. 1000 competitors took part in 19 sports at these Games, which was held during the 1900 World's Fair. St. Louis 1904 - 3rd Time Not Such a Charm The St. Louis Olympic Games almost became the last due to such poor management. Making the same mistake as Paris did four years earlier, the World's Fair was run at the same time, causing audience members to be lost to other cultural exhibitions and events. Many athletes were also a no-show due to the Russo-Japanese War. London 1908 - Kings, Queens and Cramming London only had a short amount of time to ready themselves for these games as the original location, Rome, had to focus funds on restoring Naples following the destruction of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius two years earlier. The London games saw the setting of the new official distance for the marathon; in an attempt to restore the importance of the monarchy, British officials changed the track to start below the window of the Royal Nursery and finish in front of the King. Stockholm 1912 - Women's Gymnastics The Olympic Games in 1912 was the year of many firsts - and one last. The final Games to issue solid gold medals, Stockholm also held the first Olympics to have art competitions, the first to feature the decathlon and pentathlon, the first to have an Asian nation participate (Japan), and the first death during competition after Portuguese competitor, Francisco Lazaro, died from hyperthermia in the marathon. The Games also had a whopping 48 women compete (most of which appear to be in the Norwegian's Gymnastics team above). Berlin 1916 - A No-Show The Olympics were due to take place in Berlin in 1916, and it was expected to be a grand affair with the development of the new 'Deutsches Stadion'. The stadium was released with a parade, 10,000 pigeons and 60,000 people. If only they could get that many people to turn up to the real event though, because the Games didn't go ahead in this year due to the turmoil embroiling Europe at the time with the outbreak 0f the Second World War. Antwerp 1920 - Return to the Stadium The Games of the VII Olympiad were offered to Antwerp to honour the suffering the citizens had endured during World War I. The Games had originally been set to appear in Budapest, however as a German ally, Hungary, and many other nations such as Germany, Austria, Bulgaria and Turkey, was banned from competing. France appeared strong in the games, as is evident through Suzanne Lenglen's valiant effort on the tennis court. Paris 1924 - The Old Switcheroo Known as 'The Flying Scot', Britain's Golden Boy, Eric Liddell, stubbornly refused to take place in the 100m finals, as the event was to take place on a Sunday. The devout Christian thus decided to simply swap events in favour of the 400m sprint, ignoring the vast differences in distances and strategies. Despite the public's low expectations of his abilities, Liddell managed to not only win the competition, but also tied the Olympic record. Amsterdam 1928 - Jumping for Joy After being denied the ability to play host to the Games in both 1920 and 1924, the Olympics were finally celebrated in Holland in 1928. This was the first games to have an Olympic flame lit during the event and was also the first time that 400m athletics tracks were used. Los Angeles 1932 - Jumping Hurdles Mildred Zaharias wasn't the only one overcoming hurdles and breaking records in 1932, with California attempting to look past the worldwide Great Depression plaguing the globe at the time. These Summer Olympics held less than half the number of participants that competed in its previous location, Amsterdam, because many nations were unable to pay for the trip to Los Angeles. However, this didn't seem to impact the US too negatively as newspapers reported that the Games nevertheless reaped a profit of US$1,000,000. Berlin 1936 - Showing Off After being denied their chance to host the games in 1916, Berlin gained a second opportunity in 1936. The games were held on the eve of the Nazi Regime's rise to power in Germany, which occurred two years later. In an attempt to outdo the Los Angeles Olympics four years prior, the Nazis built a new 100,000 seat track and field stadium, six gymnasiums and many other small arenas. London 1948 - Third Time is a Charm After the Games were cancelled in Tokyo in 1940 and again London in 1944 (due to the Second World War), the Olympics finally returned to the world stage in 1948. Due to the destruction the war had caused in Europe, the games became known as the 'Austerity Games'. No new venues were built for the games and rather than being housed in an Olympic VIllage, athletes were housed in existing accommodation. Helsinki 1952 - A Record Breaking Event Known for being the games in which the most number of records were broken (until the 2008 Olympics in Beijing that is), Helsinki also saw the return and first appearance of a large number of nations. A total of 69 nations competed in the games, a figure 59 higher than that of the 1948 Games. Japan and Germany both appeared this time, along with 13 totally new nations such as The People's Republic of China and the USSR. Melbourne 1956 - Exceeding Expectations Melbourne was selected by a mere one vote margin and many were skeptical of its suitability as the reversal of seasons would mean that athletes would be unaccustomed to the wintery weather at the Summer Games. The Games proved to be a success and later became known as the 'Friendly Games'. Betty Cuthbert (above) was a star for the Australian nation by securing three gold medals, in the 100m, 200m & 4 x 100m sprint relay. Rome 1960 - Frozen in Time After emerging from the quarter and semi-finals of the 100m with the quickest times, German Armin Hary jumped the gun by false-starting twice in the finals. By the third, time, he seemed to have honed his panther-like reflexes to run a speedy 10.2 second and take out the Gold Medal. Tokyo 1964 - Savvy Games The Olympic Games held in the Tokyo in 1964 were the first Olympics to be telecast internationally without the need for tapes to be flown overseas, as was required previously. They were also the first games in which South Africa was barred from participating due to its apartheid system. Mexico City 1968 - Black Power Although you've probably seen this image a thousand times, the use of sport for making overt political statements and to become a vehicle for change, which is embodied in this photo, cannot be ignored. The Black Power Salute, made by African American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos in the 1968, was a contentious gesture. Ostracised at the time, their demonstration only became recognised as a demonstration for dignity years later. Munich 1972 - Shadows The Games in Munich were largely overshadowed by the Munich Massacre, in which eleven Isreali athletes and coaches, a West German Police Officer and five terrorists were killed. Despite the event, the West German Government was determined to present a new democratic government, after the last games held in Germany was under the Nazi Regime. To this aim, the official motto of the games became 'the Happy Games'. Montreal 1976 - A Perfect Performance Romanian Gymnast Nadia Comaneci made Olympic history in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal by becoming the first female gymnast to ever be awarded a perfect score of 10 for her wondrous display on the uneven bars. Comaneci was also the the first Romanian gymnast to win the all-round event and was only 14 at the time - no wonder she appears to be floating on air. Moscow 1980 - Boycott Because of the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, the United States and a number of other countries boycotted the games in Moscow. As a result the games garnered a mere 80 participating nations, the smallest number since the 1956 Olympics. All in all a fairly non-eventful Games evidently. Los Angeles 1984 - Yep, another Boycott In retaliation to America's boycott four years prior, this time the Eastern Bloc nations boycotted the games. Seems like the fighting fire with fire approach is being employed here. Seoul 1988 - Cracking Under Pressure In the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the world's best diver at the time. Greg Louganis seemed to crack under the pressure - and that's not the only thing he cracked. In his attempt to complete a reverse 2 and a 1/2 pike somersault, the diver didn't get enough distance from the board and hit his head on the board, requiring temporary sutures. Barcelona 1992 - A Family Affair Renowned 400 metre sprinter Derek Redmond tragically tore a hamstring in the middle of the semi-final race at the 1992 Games in Barcelona. However, after his father tore past the security to go to his son's aid, Redmond was able to fight through the pain to complete a full lap, finishing with a standing ovation from the crowd. Atlanta 1996 - A Bombshell of an Olympics In the middle of the Atlanta Games in 1996, Eric Rudolph conducted his first of four terrorist bombings, killing two people and injuring 111. Rudolph bombed the Centennial Olympic Park, which was designed as the 'town square' of the Olympics. Sydney 2000 - Controversial Cathy Making the history books, Freeman brought glory to the Australian population by claiming the title of winner of the 400m track event. She was only the second ever Australian Aboriginal Olympic Champion. Following the race, the sprinter proceeded to (somewhat controversially and against Olympic norms) take a victor lap carrying both the Aboriginal and Australian flags. Athens 2004 - Making Waves Charnvudth Saensri of Thailand made waves with his strong stroke in the men's swimming 1500 metre freestyle heat in Athens. (Ok he didn't do that well but you can't go past the beauty of the photograph and his sheer determination). Beijing 2008 - As Fast as a Bolt Despite unfavourable wind conditions, Usain Bolt smashed through the 100m sprint world record with a swift 9.69 seconds. If that wasn't enough Bolt then went on to win gold and set another world record in the 200m. This made Bolt the first sprinter to ever break both records at the same Olympics.
The city is buzzing back to life with a bang as Melbourne's events calendar fills up. And if you're out and about taking advantage of the action, you've now got a hot new underground bar to add to your itinerary. But you'll want to be quick — Bar Paradox has made its home beneath Supernormal for just two weeks, from Monday, April 11–Sunday, April 24. Taking walk-ins only, the pop-up drinking destination is showcasing next-level sips by former World Class Bartender of the Year, Orlando Marzo. A five-strong cocktail list is built around the mixologist's signature bottled range, Loro, featuring the likes of a bergamot negroni, a reworked manhattan with cherry and cacao, and the Paradox Bramble — a liquid nod to Supernormal, blending Tanqueray Royale blackcurrant gin with native strawberry gum. As always, there'll be some solid snacks flying from the kitchen, with bites like the prawn roll finished with bonito mayonnaise and Tasmanian wasabi; silken tofu and sesame crackers; and raw fish sourced from the Sapphire Coast. Soundtracking each night's antics will be Efficient Space label head, DJ and radio host Michael Kucyk, while the bar's forward-thinking design comes courtesy of creative agency Space Between. Bar Paradox will open nightly from 5pm until late, except for Easter Monday (April 18). [caption id="attachment_849941" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jo McGann[/caption] Top Images: Parker Blain.
Last summer, we scored a bright pink pool to wade through. A couple of years earlier, it was a sleek bamboo garden and deck, and before that, the very memorable pink carwash. And next up, for its 2022 iteration, the NGV's annual Architecture Commission is gifting us with something even grander — a reimagined version of Athens' famed Parthenon. Yep, the majestic ancient structure gracing the Acropolis is the inspiration behind this year's winning design, Temple of Boom, by Adam Newman and Kelvin Tsang. The work will make its home in the NGV's Grollo Equiset Garden from November, the latest piece in an annual series that invites Aussie architects to create site-specific architecture for the gallery's grounds. Announced today as the Commission's 2022 winner, Temple of Boom celebrates The Parthenon as a symbol of Western civilisation, democracy and enduring beauty. Unlike the Greece original, however, it's set to be decked out in overlapping large-scale artworks by local artists, inviting visitors to ponder how society ties different meanings to architecture and how these change over time. Tsang and Newman's replica will be big enough for people to wander through and gather in, doubling as a community meeting place for the duration of its stay. As with its predecessors, Temple of Boom will also host a summerlong program of performances, live music and other NGV-led events. Melbourne's mini Parthenon will grace the Grollo Esquiset Garden from November 16 and stick around until the end of summer. 'Temple of Boom' will be on display from November. For more details, see the NGV website. Images: Renders of 2022 NGV Architecture Commission 'Temple of Boom' 2022, by Adam Newman and Kelvin Tsang. Courtesy of Adam Newman and Kelvin Tsang.
With summer finally approaching, it's time to do some serious defrosting. Although you may not exactly jet off overseas to warm up on some European beach, you can spend a few days soaking up the balmy temperatures and idyllic coastline of Queensland's aptly named Sunshine Coast. Just two and a half hours north of Brisbane, the world-famous destination of Noosa and its surrounds are brimming with gorgeous beach houses and coastal retreats for those seeking sun and surf. Beach sessions, rainforest treks and breezy holiday vibes await. We've done the hard work for you and rounded up a list of the most beautiful coastal stays you can book in Noosa right now. Pick a favourite, pack those bathers and get ready to launch into summer with a blissful beach adventure. Recommended reads: The Best Dog-Friendly Stays in Queensland The Best Hotels in Brisbane The Best Glamping Sites in Queensland The Best Island Stays in Queensland Newly Furnished Apartment, Noosa Heads This breezy light-filled apartment sits just minutes from the heart of Noosa, and features a chic white colour palette and downstairs pool. From $300 a night, sleeps six. Kamala Villa, Noosa Heads Rocking a fresh, playful aesthetic and featuring a spacious entertainer's deck, this modern villa is an ideal setting for your next beachside escape. From $450 a night, sleeps six. Lush Noosa Heads Retreat, Noosa Heads Just a quick stroll off the beach, this luxury resort apartment makes for a chic couples' hideaway. Enjoy sundowners on the patio, overlooking lush rainforest. From $500 a night, sleeps two. Chic Coastal Escape, Noosa Heads A retro-inspired beach escape with loads of natural light and a sun-drenched patio for lounging — all just minutes from Hastings Street. From $250 a night, sleeps four. Fairshore Apartment 38, Noosa Heads Want to stay smack bang on Noosa beach? This freshly renovated apartment boasts close-up ocean views and an incredible beachfront pool. From $668 a night, sleeps two. Spectacular Penthouse, Noosa Heads You'll love this luxury holiday villa's sunny pool and deck area; however, nothing beats the rooftop terrace featuring panoramic ocean views. From $904 a night, sleeps six. Noosa Escape, Noosa Heads Soak up sparkling ocean views from this light-filled Noosa Heads apartment, while enjoying a primo balcony and an enviable location just a short walk from the beach. From $693 a night, sleeps four. Little Cove Family Beach House, Noosa Heads Spacious and stylish, this pet-friendly holiday home backs right onto a lush national park — and it's just a quick hop from Little Cove Beach. From $950 a night, sleeps eight. The Beach House, Noosa Heads Featuring a gorgeous pool, private tennis court and crisp coastal aesthetic, this leafy beach retreat was simply made for vacationing. From $1178 a night, sleeps eight. Little Cove Magic, Noosa Heads This light-flooded holiday apartment overlooks the ocean, while being handily located close to all the action — so you can split your days between beach, balcony and pool. From $788 a night, sleeps four. Acacia Villa, Noosa Heads Located just beyond the buzz of Hastings Street, this breezy townhouse makes for a supreme coastal retreat. Expect chic styling and tranquil leafy surrounds. From $580 a night, sleeps six. Poinciana House, Noosa Heads Between the beautifully appointed interiors, covetable location, and sun-drenched pool and deck, this blissful beach retreat is bound to impress. From $1093 a night, sleeps ten. Images: Courtesy of Airbnb 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.
IKEA's blue-and-yellow Frakta bag has been a shop staple for 30 years. It has helped carry your purchases of (too many) tea light candles, has been an integral part of moving house, has been used to make everything from masks to boots and has even inspired a $2000 Balenciaga knockoff. And now, it's getting a (temporary) new colourway. IKEA has just dropped a limited-edition rainbow version of the instantly recognisable, and super versatile bag, and it's available at all Aussie stores. The multi-coloured Kvanting — with six stripes of purple, blue, green, yellow orange and red, and yellow handles — was first released in the US at the start of June to coincide with Pride Month, with 100 percent of profits from the bag going to the Human Rights Campaign. In Australia, IKEA has decided to make a one-off $20,000 donation to ACON, a NSW organisation that works in HIV prevention and LGBTQI+ health, instead. https://www.instagram.com/p/ByLAEnWAJh9/ Kvanting is available to purchase in-store at all Aussie IKEAs now for just $1.99. It'll be available online from August, too. Kvanting is now available for $1.99 at all IKEA stores across Australia. To find your closest, head to the IKEA website.
Before SXSW Sydney made its debut in 2023, movie lovers in the Harbour City — and those keen to travel there for a getaway spent in darkened rooms — had one major film festival to look forward to each and every year. Now, there's two. While Sydney Film Festival showcases the latest and greatest in cinema from around the globe each winter, SXSW Sydney's Screen Festival does the same in spring. Last year's The Royal Hotel-opened lineup was impressive. Revealing more program details for 2024, with plenty still to drop before the event's Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 dates, 2024's already is as well. SXSW Sydney has been unveiling the films on its roster for a few months, but this is its biggest lineup announcement for 2024 yet, with over 20 new movies added to the bill. Cults, cat-loving animation and Christmas carnage: they're all included. So are a heap of titles that've had festivals around the world buzzing — and an array of homegrown highlights. Azrael sports an Aussie link courtesy of actor Samara Weaving (Scream VI), who stars in a post-apocalyptic tale about a woman's attempt to escape from mute zealots. For feline fanciers and Japanese animation fans alike, Ghost Cat Anzu follows a girl with a phantom mouser for a guardian. And, the Yuletide mayhem comes courtesy of Carnage for Christmas, with a true-crime podcaster in the sights of a psychotic killer. Among the pictures continuing to do the festival rounds, mom-com Babes is led by Ilana Glazer (The Afterparty) and helmed by Pamela Adlon (Better Things); Audrey features Jackie van Beek (Nude Tuesday) as a mother who steals the identity of her teenage daughter, who is in a coma; DiDi unpacks Californian adolescence for the Asian American son of immigrants circa 2008, and won two awards at Sundance; and Grand Theft Hamlet sees out-of-work thespians stage one of Shakespeare's most-famous plays in a video game during lockdown. Or, there's two different stints of incarceration: the maximum-security prison-set Sing Sing boasts Colman Domingo (Drive-Away Dolls) at its centre; and Inside, which stars Guy Pearce (The Clearing), Cosmo Jarvis (Shōgun) and Toby Wallace (The Bikeriders), is directed by Charles Williams, who won the 2018 short film Palme d'Or for All These Creatures. Other standouts span Pavements, which sees filmmaker Alex Ross Perry (Her Smell) focus on the band Pavement via an experimental blend of documentary, narrative, musical and more — and, still on tunes, the 2009-set mockumentary Rap World, about friends trying to make a rap album in one evening. Plus, doco Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird spends time with At the Drive-In and The Mars Volta's Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala, while Teaches of Peaches goes on tour with its namesake. In a roster of flicks that has a little bit of everything, Lucy Lawless (My Life Is Murder) moves behind the camera for the first time to direct documentary Never Look Away about CNN camerawoman Margaret Moth, Peter Dinklage (Unfrosted) and Juliette Lewis (Yellowjackets) lead western-thriller The Thicket, dark Australian comedy A Grand Mockery will make its world premiere, The Gesuidouz brings a slice of Japanese horror, and Witches digs into the connection between maternal mental health and society's depiction of witchcraft. Even sports graces the bill, with Aussie documentary Like My Brother charting the journey of four aspiring AFLW players from the Tiwi Islands, and Queens of Concrete following three skateboarders trying to balance being teens with attempting to score an Olympics berth. The above movies — and more — boost a lineup that already features documentary The Most Australian Band Ever! about the Hard-Ons; S/He Is Still Her/e: The Official Genesis P-Orridge, which is executive produced by Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace; Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara, about thrash metal in the Māori language; and, after That Sugar Film and 2040, Australian actor-turned-filmmaker Damon Gameau's Future Council, chronicling a cross-Europe trip with eight young minds to explore climate change solutions. There's also Slice of Life: The American Dream. In Former Pizza Huts, the latest documentary from Barbecue and We Don't Deserve Dogs' Matthew Salleh and Rose Tucker, who are no strangers to SXSW in Austin — with the Australian-born, Brooklyn-based duo exploring the US today through former Pizza Hut buildings. SXSW Sydney's Screen Festival includes a hefty lineup of speakers as well, which is where attendees can look forward to hearing from Australian filmmaker Warwick Thornton (The New Boy), Aussie composer Jed Kurzel (Monkey Man), Barbie executive producer Josey McNamara, Brave co-director Mark Andrews and Academy Award-winning Slumdog Millionaire composer AR Rahman — and Lawless, too. [caption id="attachment_971937" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of Focus Features / Talking Fish Pictures, LLC. © 2024 All Rights Reserved.[/caption] SXSW Sydney 2024 runs from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details.
Prolific psych-rockers King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have pulled out of Byron Bay Bluesfest, the annual festival that's scheduled for the Easter long weekend. The band's decision to withdraw from the festival has been kept reasonably vague but, in a statement, the Melbourne sextet have cited the festival's decision to book content that conflicts with their values as the reason they won't be appearing. "As a band and as human beings, we stand against misogyny, racism, transphobia and violence," the statement reads. "Surprised and saddened to see Bluesfest commit to presenting content that is in complete opposition to these values." "Given this decision by the festival, we have decided to cancel our appearance at Bluesfest," continues the statement. "We are deeply disappointed to be in this position but sometimes you need to be willing to make sacrifices to stand up for your values. This is, unfortunately, one of those moments." The band's decision comes five days after Bluesfest unveiled its sixth artist announcement which featured controversial band Sticky Fingers. The booking of Sticky Fingers received online backlash from others in the music industry including Jaguar Jonze and Camp Cope's Sarah Thompson. Dylan Frost, Sticky Fingers frontman, has been the subject of serious allegations which include physically threatening First Nations singer Thelma Plum and harassing a transgender women at a Sydney pub. Frost and bassist Paddy Cornwall were also caught in an alleged brawl with each other in 2019 which saw Cornwall charged with affray. The festival has responded to the backlash on Facebook and in now-deleted Instagram comments. Bluesfest previously faced controversy after festival director Peter Noble compared a Jewish woman to a Nazi for commenting on the gender imbalance present on the first announcement of the festival's 2018 lineup. The festival will continue without King Giz from Thursday, April 6 until Monday, April 10 with headliners including Gang of Youths, Paolo Nutini, Tash Sultana, Bonnie Raitt, The Doobie Brothers and Sampa the Great. View this post on Instagram A post shared by kinggizzard (@kinggizzard) You can read King Gizzard and the Lizzard Wizard's full statement here. Top image: Jason Galea
Not all that long ago, the idea of getting cosy on your couch, clicking a few buttons, and having thousands of films and television shows at your fingertips seemed like something out of science fiction. Now, it's just an ordinary night — whether you're virtually gathering the gang to text along, cuddling up to your significant other or shutting the world out for some much needed me-time. Of course, given the wealth of options to choose from, there's nothing ordinary about making a date with your chosen streaming platform. The question isn't "should I watch something?" — it's "what on earth should I choose?". Hundreds of titles are added to Australia's online viewing services each and every month, all vying for a spot on your must-see list. And, so you don't spend 45 minutes scrolling and then being too tired to actually commit to anything, we're here to help. We've spent plenty of couch time watching our way through this month's latest batch — and, from the latest and greatest through to old and recent favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue in December. BRAND NEW STUFF YOU CAN WATCH IN FULL GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery opens with a puzzle box inside a puzzle box. The former is a wooden cube delivered out of the blue, the latter the followup to 2019 murder-mystery hit Knives Out, and both are as tightly, meticulously, cleverly and cannily orchestrated as each other. The physical version has siblings, all sent to summon a motley crew of characters to the same place, as these types of flicks need to boast. The film clearly has its own brethren, and slots in beside its predecessor as one of the genre's gleaming standouts. More Knives Out movies will follow as well, which the two so far deserve to keep spawning as long as writer/director Rian Johnson (Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi) and Benoit Blanc-playing star Daniel Craig (No Time to Die) will make them. Long may they keep the franchise's key detective and audience alike sleuthing. Long may they have everyone revelling in every twist, trick and revelation, as the breezy blast that is Glass Onion itself starts with. What do Connecticut Governor and US Senate candidate Claire Debella (Kathryn Hahn, WandaVision), model-slash-designer-slash-entrepreneur Birdie Jay (Kate Hudson, Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon), scientist Lionel Toussaint (Leslie Odom Jr, The Many Saints of Newark) and gun-toting, YouTube-posting men's rights activist Duke Cody (Dave Bautista, Thor: Love and Thunder) all have in common when this smart and savvy sequel kicks off? They each receive those literal puzzle boxes, of course, and they visibly enjoy their time working out what they're about. The cartons are the key to their getaway to Greece — their invites from tech mogul Miles Bron (Edward Norton, The French Dispatch), in fact — and also perfectly emblematic of this entire feature. It's noteworthy that this quartet carefully but playfully piece together clues to unveil the contents inside, aka Glass Onion's exact modus operandi. That said, it's also significant that a fifth recipient of these elaborate squares, Andi Brand (Janelle Monáe, Antebellum), simply decides to smash their way inside with a hammer. As Brick and Looper also showed, Johnson knows when to attentively dole out exactly what he needs to, including when the body count starts. He also knows when to let everything spill out, and when to put the cravat-wearing Blanc on the case. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery streams via Netflix. Read our full review. KEVIN CAN F**K HIMSELF Not once, not even jokingly, does Annie Murphy utter the words "ew, David" in Kevin Can F**k Himself. She's never ever just a little bit Alexis, either. Murphy is just as exceptional and awards-worthy here, however, in a superb show that's a clever and cutting dark comedy — and, perhaps more accurately, offers a clear-eyed unpacking of what sitcoms usually mean (Schitt's Creek excluded, obviously) for women. In its first season in 2021, Kevin Can F**k Himself cast its star as Allison Devine-McRoberts, wife to the manchild of a titular figure (Eric Petersen, Sydney to the Max), and clearly in the kind of TV show about obnoxious husbands and their put-upon spouses that've been a small-screen mainstay for far too long. In those segments of the series, the lights glow, the McRoberts home looks like every other abode in every other program of its ilk, multiple cameras observe the action and viewers can be forgiven for expecting Kevin James to show up. Also, canned laughter chuckles — always unearned. Consider the above setup Kevin Can F**k Himself's starting point, though, because the show itself does. From there, creator Valerie Armstrong (Lodge 49) exposes what life is truly like for Allison — who is considered Kevin's wife first and foremost by almost everyone around her — including by switching looks, hues and camera arrangements whenever its namesake isn't around. The visible change is smart and effective, with this two-season show keeping digging into Allison's bleak situation from there. In the spirit of the series' title, she's trying to rid herself of her horrible marriage, including with help from neighbour Patty (Mary Hollis Inboden, The Righteous Gemstones). Alas, as this second and sadly last batch of episodes shows — as its first did as well — nothing is ever that easy. In a better world, Kevin Can F**k Himself would've had more time to unfurl and interrogate its story, but in this world it doesn't put a foot wrong with the time it's been given. Murphy and Inboden make one of TV's best duos, too; fingers crossed that someone reteams them again sometime soon. Kevin can F**k Himself streams via AMC+. Read our full review of 2021's season one. LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER Neither Emma Corrin's nor Jack O'Connell's resumes lack past highlights — The Crown for the former, and Skins, Starred Up, '71 and The North Water among the latter's — but the two actors scorch up the screen in Lady Chatterley's Lover. There'd be a problem if they didn't, given that the film adapts DH Lawrence's famously steamy and even banned 1928 novel. (In Australia, even a book about the British obscenity trial that the tome inspired was censored.) To tell this tale about an upper-class wife, her unfulfilling marriage to a Baronet injured in World War I, and the sexual and emotional yearning she quenches with the family property's gamekeeper, chemistry has to drip from the images, sparks need to fly so furiously that the movie's frames almost ignite, and a feverish and all-encompassing mood is a must. Along with actor-turned-director Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre (The Mustang), Corrin and O'Connell bring all of the above to the latest take on Lady Chatterley's Lover, and help the sumptuous erotic period drama itself not just bubble but boil. As lensed with a sensual eye by cinematographer Benoît Delhomme (At Eternity's Gate), this achingly romantic film sees its titular Lady Connie (Corrin, My Policeman) meet her also-eponymous paramour Oliver Mellors (O'Connell, Seberg) following the war, after Clifford Chatterley (Matthew Duckett, A Confession) has returned paralysed and moved his bride into his stately estate. Talk of an heir remains — pre-injury, it was the first thing mentioned in their wedding toast — but Clifford's condition, as well as his focus on writing a novel and then modernising the local mine, prove obstacles. Connie could have a discreet affair for the sole purpose of getting pregnant, however, as Clifford suggests. But it isn't just a head-over-heels clandestine love that springs with Mellors, who's also a veteran. Connie and Oliver are bowled over by the kind of adoration, affection and lust that inspires frolics in the fields and stripping down in the rain, all while their romance also helps interrogate class clashes. As well as woozily heady, vibrantly performed and handsomely shot, Lady Chatterley's Lover also enjoys eating the rich; yes, that's sexy, too. Lady Chatterley's Lover streams via Netflix. NANNY In Nanny, Aisha (Anna Diop, Us) is haunted, both when she's asleep and awake. Her slumbers are disturbed by nightmares, but seeing rising waters and unwelcome spiders isn't just relegated to when the Senegalese woman in New York closes her eyes. A gut-wrenching sense of unease also lingers while she works, after securing a childminding job for rich Upper East Side residents Amy (Michelle Monaghan, Echoes) and Adam (Morgan Spector, The Gilded Age). Their five-year-old daughter Rose (Rose Decker, Mare of Easttown) adores Aisha — more than her parents, it often seems. And, the nannying gig helps Aisha distract herself from missing her own son, who she's desperately trying to bring over to the US. She's haunted by his absence, too, and by the stolen snippets of conversation she gets with him on the phone, constantly juggling the time difference. The supernatural disturbances plaguing Aisha and her feelings about leaving her child in Senegal to chase a better future for them both are clearly linked, although Nanny is atmospheric and insightful rather than blunt and overt. The first horror film to win Sundance Film Festival's Grand Jury Prize, this evocative effort hails from writer/director Nikyatu Jusu, who makes her feature-length debut with quite the calling card. 2022 isn't short on affectingly moody and evocative female-focused thrillers with a maternal bent — see: Resurrection, which also debuted at Sundance — but Nanny's addition to the fold is deeply steeped in Aisha's immigrant experience. Thanks to all that otherworldly water, it feels like it's always steeping, in fact, soaking in the troubles and struggles of trying to snatch even a piece of the American dream when you're not wealthy, white and originally from the so-called land of the free. Also prominent: the dispiriting minutiae of Aisha's day, aka exactly what she has to endure to even have a chance of gaining what comes easily and obliviously to her employers. Like its central figure, Nanny is haunted several times over, too. Nanny streams via Prime Video. COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS A girl, a guy and a meet-cute over an adorable animal: that's the delightful and very funny Colin From Accounts' underlying formula. When medical student Ashley (Harriet Dyer, The Invisible Man) and microbrewery owner Gordon (Patrick Brammall, Evil) cross paths in the street one otherwise standard Sydney morning, they literally come to an impasse. He lets her go first, she flashes her nipple as thanks, then he's so distracted that he hits a stray dog with his car. As these circumstances demonstrate, Colin From Accounts isn't afraid to get awkward, much to the benefit of audiences. There's a syrupy way to proceed from the show's debut moments, intertwining sparks flying with idyllic dates, plus zero doubts of a happy ending for humans and pooches alike. If this was a movie, that's how it'd happen. Then there's Dyer and Brammall's way, with the duo creating and writing the series as well as starring in it, and focusing as much on ordinary existential mayhem — working out who you want to be, navigating complex relationships and learning to appreciate the simple pleasure of someone else's company, for example — as pushing its leads together. Just like in the Hollywood versions of this kind of tale, romance does blossom. That Dyer and Brammall are behind Colin From Accounts, their past chemistry on fellow Aussie comedy No Activity and the fact that they're married IRL means that pairing them up as more than new pals was always going to be on the show's agenda. It's how the series fleshes out each character and their baggage — including those who-am-I questions, Ash's difficult dynamic with her attention-seeking mother Lynelle (Helen Thomson, Elvis), and the responsibility that running your own business and committing to care for other people each bring — that helps give it depth. Colin From Accounts lets Ash and Gordon unfurl their woes and wishes, and also lets them grow. Sometimes, that happens by peeing and pooping in the wrong place, because that's also the type of comedy this is. Sometimes, it's because the show's central couple have taken a risk, or faced their struggles, or genuinely found solace in each other. Always, this new Aussie gem is breezy and weighty — and instantly bingeable. Colin From Accounts streams via Binge. Read our full review. DREAMING WALLS: INSIDE THE CHELSEA HOTEL Part of Manhattan since the 1880s, the Chelsea Hotel is as much a New York City icon as the Statute of Liberty or the Empire State Building, and as influential over the cultural landscape as well. It's where 2001: A Space Odyssey was written by Arthur C Clarke and Stanley Kubrick, where Janis Joplin and Allen Ginsburg have resided — Patti Smith, Madonna, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and Leonard Cohen as well — and a key factor in the Andy Warhol co-directed 1966 film Chelsea Girls. It's the last place that poet Dylan Thomas stayed, and where Nancy Spungen, girlfriend of the Sex Pistols' Sid Vicious, was found dead. All of these details could fuel a documentary, or several, but that's not the approach that the Martin Scorsese-produced Dreaming Walls: Inside the Chelsea Hotel takes. As the building undergoes extensive renovations that've been happening for years, upending long-term inhabitants and transforming historic apartments, filmmakers Amélie van Elmbt (The Elephant and the Butterfly) and Maya Duverdier spend time with the people determined not to leave. Everyone who still calls the Chelsea home knows the ins and outs of its past; "the ghosts who haunt it," as one puts it. But Dreaming Walls considers those everyday dwellers — most linked to creative fields in one way or another, of course — the life and soul of the current joint. That might be easy when so much of the place, and its gorgeous gothic architecture, is a construction site in the documentary's frames. The contrast between stripped-bare walls and jam-packed apartments that've been occupied by the same people for decades is haunting as well. It's no wonder that this ethereal and evocative film is largely content to loiter, to listen and to bear witness to the folks who've been there, seen it all, heard what they didn't personally experience and aren't willing to simply move just because a boutique spot is poised to take over. Dreaming Walls: Inside the Chelsea Hotel streams via DocPlay. BUMP Time-jump alert: when Bump returns for its third season, four years have passed in this supremely bingeable Aussie dramedy's on-screen world. Oly (Nathalie Morris, Petrol) and Santi (Carlos Sanson, Sweet As) are no longer high schoolers, or even teenagers. They're also no longer the couple that took a big leap at the end of season two by moving into their own apartment, away from both of their chaotic families, while Oly finished her HSC, Santi started working full-time and both juggled all of the above with caring for baby J. Indeed, this new batch of Bump episodes begins with its central pairing taking the now almost five-year-old Jacinda (Ava Cannon) to her first day of kindergarten. All three are both excited and nervous amid the awkward co-parenting energy between the now-split Oly and Santi — and as Oly's mother Angie (Claudia Karvan, Moja Vesna) surprises them en route. Times and ages may have changed, and situations and appearances as well, but the warmth this series feels for its characters — and the complexity it works through in well-worn scenarios — steadfastly remains. We said it when the first ten-episode season dropped at the end of 2020, and we still stand by it today: Heartbreak High fans, Bump is for you, too. That isn't just because Karvan starred in The Heartbreak Kid, the movie that the OG Heartbreak High spun off from, but due to its dedication to chronicling the ins and outs of growing up and parenting in Sydney — yes, with school a focus as well. Bump has matured as Oly and Santi also have, however, even if the same can't always be said about Angie, Oly's dad Dom (Angus Sampson, The Lincoln Lawyer) and her older brother Bowie (Christian Byers, Between Two Worlds). A key theme in season three: what it means when life already hasn't turned out as planned when you still have so much of it left ahead of you. The show is called Bump, after all, and finds plenty of them paving everyone's paths. With the series also devoting its time to Santi's stepmother Rosa (Paula Garcia, Thirteen Lives) and best friend Vince (Ioane Saula, Preppers) among its broader look at Oly and Santi's support network, it also finds an array of ways to contemplate hopes, dreams, loves, losses, joys and disappointments. Bump streams via Binge from December 26. NEW AND RETURNING SHOWS TO CHECK OUT WEEK BY WEEK ABBOTT ELEMENTARY The Office did it, in both the UK and US versions. Parks and Recreation did so, too. What We Do in the Shadows still does it — and, yes, there's more where they all came from. By now, the mockumentary format is a well-established part of the sitcom realm. Indeed, it's so common that additional shows deciding to give it a whirl aren't noteworthy for that alone. But in Emmy-winner Abbott Elementary, which is currently streaming its second season, the faux doco gimmick is also deployed as an outlet for the series' characters. They're all public school elementary teachers in Philadelphia, and the chats to-camera help convey the stresses and tolls of doing what they're devoted to. In a wonderfully warm and also clear-eyed gem created by, co-written by and starring triple-threat Quinta Brunson (Miracle Workers), that'd be teaching young hearts and minds no matter the everyday obstacles, the utter lack of resources and funding, or the absence of interest from the bureaucracy above them. Brunson plays perennially perky 25-year-old teacher Janine Teagues, who loves her gig and her second-grade class. She also adores her colleague Barbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Ralph, Ray Donovan), the kindergarten teacher that she sees as a mentor and work mum. Actually, Janine isn't just fond of all of the above — she's so devoted to her job that she'll let nothing stand in her way. But that isn't easy or straightforward in a system that's short on cash and care from the powers-that-be to make school better for its predominantly Black student populace. Also featuring Everybody Hates Chris' Tyler James Williams (also The United States vs Billie Holiday) as an apathetic substitute teacher, Lisa Ann Walter (The Right Mom) and Chris Perfetti (Sound of Metal) as Abbott faculty mainstays, and Janelle James (Black Monday) as the incompetent principal who only scored her position via blackmail, everything about Abbott Elementary is smart, kindhearted, funny and also honest. That remains the case in season two, where Janine is newly single and grappling with being on her own, sparks are flying with Williams' Gregory and James' Ava can't keep bluffing her way through her days. Abbott Elementary streams via Disney+. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN Is every vampire film destined to become a television series? Where Buffy the Vampire Slayer, What We Do in the Shadows and Interview with the Vampire have already tread — the latter just this year, too — Let the Right One In now follows. Originally a devastatingly haunting Swedish novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist, then an entrancing 2008 film in its original language, then an American big-screen remake called Let Me In, this one just keeps drawing audiences in. In its present guise, it takes its tale to New York, where Mark Kane (Demián Bichir, Godzilla vs Kong) and his daughter Eleanor (Madison Taylor Baez, Selena: The Series) are trying to live as normal a life as they can when the latter is a member of the bloodsucking undead. Other changes abound, including the fact that Ellie has been blighted by her condition for just a decade; that NYC is being plagued by a series of brutal but strange killings; and that former pharmaceutical executive Arthur Logan (Željko Ivanek, The Last Duel), his estranged daughter Claire (Grace Gummer, Dr Death) and afflicted son Peter (Jacob Buster, Colony) factor into the narrative. Because everything is a murder-mystery of late — see: Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery above, and fellow recent streaming hits Only Murders in the Building, The Afterparty, Bad Sisters and Black Bird — so is Let the Right One In circa 2022 in its way. When Ellie befriends a boy, as has happened in every version of this tale so far, his mother happens to be a police detective investigating those aforementioned deaths. So, while the show chronicles Ellie and Isaiah Cole's (Ian Foreman, The Holiday Switch) affinity as outsiders, with the magic-loving neighbour kid bullied at school, it also charts his mum Naomi's (Anika Noni Rose, Maid) time on the job. And, this Let the Right One In is also a survival quest, chasing a cure for Ellie's predicament. In other words, creator and writer Andrew Hinderaker (Away) has taken the source material, filtered it through thoroughly 2022 obsessions, conjured up there requisite moody vibe and filled it with weighty performances. Sinking your teeth in is recommended. Let the Right One In streams via Paramount+. 2022 CINEMA HIGHLIGHTS WORTH CATCHING UP WITH AT HOME FLUX GOURMET Flickering across a cinema screen, even the greatest of movies only engage two senses: sight and hearing. We can't touch, taste or smell films, even if adding scratch-and-sniff aromas to the experience has become a cult-favourite gimmick. British director Peter Strickland hasn't attempted that — but his features make you feel like you're running your fingers over an alluring dress (In Fabric), feeling the flutter of insect wings (The Duke of Burgundy) or, in his latest, enjoying the smells and tastes whipped up by a culinary collective that turns cooking and eating into performance art. Yes, if you've seen any of his movies before, Flux Gourmet instantly sounds like something only Strickland could make. While it's spinning that tale, it literally sounds like only something he could come up with as well, given that his audioscapes are always a thing of wonder (see also: the sound-focused Berberian Sound Studio). And, unsurprisingly due to his strong and distinctive sense of style and mood, everything about Flux Gourmet looks and feels like pure Strickland, too. The setting: a culinary institute overseen by Jan Stevens (Gwendoline Christie, Wednesday), that regularly welcomes in different creative groups to undertake residencies. Her guests collaborate, percolate and come up with eye-catching blends of food, bodies and art — hosting OTT dinners, role-playing a trip to the supermarket, getting scatalogical and turning a live colonoscopy into a show, for instance. Watching and chronicling the latest stint by a 'sonic catering' troupe is journalist Stones (Makis Papadimitriou, Beckett), who also has gastrointestinal struggles, is constantly trying not to fart and somehow manages to keep a straight face as everything gets farcical around him. Asa Butterfield (Sex Education), Ariane Labed (The Souvenir: Part II) and Strickland regular Fatma Mohamed play the three bickering artists, and their time at the institute get messy and heated, fast — but this is a film that's as warm as it is wild, and stands out even among Strickland's inimitable work. Also crucial: riffing on This Is Spinal Tap. Flux Gourmet streams via Shudder. Read our full review. STREAMING HIGHLIGHTS FROM EARLIER IN THE YEAR WORTH CATCHING UP ON THE LAST MOVIE STARS Filmmakers adoring filmmakers is basically its own on-screen genre. Six-part documentary limited series The Last Movie Stars gives that idea a different spin: actors loving actors. Here, Ethan Hawke turns director, not for the first time — see: films Blaze, Seymour: An Introduction, The Hottest State and Chelsea Walls — to show his affection for the inimitable Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Unsurprisingly, he has a wealth of company, some chatting through their fondness for two Hollywood talents like no other and some contributing by giving voice to interview transcripts. For a memoir that didn't eventuate, Newman and Woodward compiled chats by a who's who of showbusiness during their careers; however, they also had the tapes destroyed. Cue George Clooney voicing Newman's chats, Laura Linney doing Woodward's, and everyone from Oscar Isaac, Sam Rockwell and Mark Ruffalo to Rose Byrne and Zoe Kazan also subbing in for other famous names. That's where The Last Movie Stars' audio comes from, echoing with insightful discussions given the emotion they deserve. Hawke also includes new zoom chats with his players, as well as with Martin Scorsese, his daughter and Stranger Things star Maya and more, but his engrossing and probing series is head over heels for pairing those recreated interviews with archival footage. Staring at Newman and Woodward is easy, as is celebrating them and their relationship. This isn't just a case of deserved worship, though, but shows its subjects as real people rather than just stars — all while exploring Hollywood at the time, stepping through their careers and contemporaries, and overflowing with clear-eyed warmth. Hawke doesn't avoid tricky traits or truths, and this in-depth doco is all the more enlightening and compassionate for it. Whether you already treasure Newman and Woodward or you've always wanted to know more about the two legends, this is a movie buff's pure and utter dream. The Last Movie Stars streams via Binge. MO For three seasons on Ramy, Mohammed Amer has played Mo, the diner-owning cousin to the show's namesake. For those three seasons, including 2022's batch of episodes, he's also been part of one of the best and most thoughtful shows currently streaming, especially when it comes to the immigrant experience and telling Muslim American stories. Instead of just co-starring in an art-imitates-life dramedy inspired by someone else's existence, however, Amer has taken a leaf out of Ramy Youssef's book with Mo — a show with the same underlying concept, as co-created by Amer and Youssef. This time, the pair draw upon Amer's background rather than Youssef's. So, Amer's on-screen alter-ego is a Palestinian living in America. He's a refugee, in fact, who fled the Middle East when he was a child and sought asylum with his family. His US home: Houston, Texas. IRL, every one of these points is drawn from Amer's existence, as fans of his Netflix standup specials Mo Amer: The Vagabond and Mo Amer: Mohammed in Texas will recognise. That's the history behind Mo, with the series' eight-episode first season honing in on its protagonist's attempts to gain US citizenship. Mo Najjar (Amer, Black Adam), his mother Yusra (Farah Bsieso, Daughters of Abdul) and brother Sameer (Omar Elba, Limetown) have been waiting two decades to have their cases heard — another detail ripped from reality — and trying to forge new lives while remaining in legal limbo has long since taken a toll. Spanning losing jobs, trying to find a new one as an undocumented American resident, the Najjars' family dynamic, pain from back home they haven't processed, the weight of cultural traditions and expectations, and Mo's relationship with Mexican and Catholic mechanic Maria (Teresa Ruiz, Father Stu), there's no shortage of detail and drama to Amer's passion project. Indeed, every second of the series feels as personal and authentic as it clearly is, and does far more than merely give Amer his own Ramy. Mo streams via Netflix. Need a few more streaming recommendations? Check out our picks from January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November this year. You can also check out our running list of standout must-stream 2022 shows as well — and our best 15 new shows of the year, top 15 returning shows over the same period, 15 shows you might've missed and best 15 straight-to-streaming movies of 2022.
When it comes to art exhibitions, second chances aren't common. A big-name showcase may display at several places around the world, but it doesn't often hit the same venue twice. French Impressionism is an exception, then, returning to the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne in 2025 after initially gracing the institution's walls in 2021. When it was first announced for that debut Australian run, French Impressionism was set to be a blockbuster exhibition — and with 100-plus works featuring, including by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt and more, it's easy to understand why. But 2021 wasn't an ordinary year, like 2020 before it. Accordingly, when this showcase of masterpieces on loan from Boston's renowned Museum of Fine Arts opened Down Under, it was forced to close shortly afterwards due to the pandemic. Cue another season in this part of the world four years later, thankfully, with French Impressionism back at NGV International from Friday, June 6–Sunday, October 5, 2025. This is one of the largest collections of the eponymous art movement to ever make its way to Australia, complete with works that've never been seen here before. [caption id="attachment_977042" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Claude Monet, French, 1840–1926, Water lilies, 1905, oil on canvas, 89.5 x 100.3 cm, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Gift of Edward Jackson Holmes Photography © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] Again part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition series, French Impressionism isn't short on gems, especially given the array of artists with pieces on display, which also includes Camille Pissarro and Berthe Morisot. But one certain must-see is the presentation of 16 Monet pieces in one gallery, all in a curved display to close out the showcase — and focusing of his scenes of nature in Argenteuil, the Normandy coast and the Mediterranean coast, as well as his Giverny garden. In total, there's 19 Monet works in French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts' collection (Water Lilies among them), and that still leaves the US gallery almost as many to display in Boston. Another section digs into early works by Monet and his predecessors, such as Eugène Boudin — and Renoir and Pissarro's careers also get the in-depth treatment. As the exhibition charts French impressionism's path across the late-19th century, visitors will enjoy three never-before-seen-in-Australia pieces, with Victorine Meurent's Self-portrait one of them. Ten-plus Degas works, as well as two pieces that were part of the very first exhibition of French Impressionism that took place in 1874, also feature. If you made it along to the showcase's first trip Down Under, you will notice changes, with the exhibition design reimagined for its latest presentation. [caption id="attachment_977038" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Camille Pissarro, French (born in the Danish West Indies), 1830–1903, Spring pasture, 1889, oil on canvas, 60 x 73.7 cm, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Deposited by the Trustees of the White Fund, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Photography © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] Top image: excerpt of Camille Pissarro, French (born in the Danish West Indies), 1830–1903, Spring pasture, 1889, oil on canvas, 60 x 73.7 cm, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Deposited by the Trustees of the White Fund, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Photography © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. All Rights Reserved.
Ora has been a hotspot for coffee and brunch lovers in Kew for quite some years now. Most days, locals fight over the few seats inside and out in the garden to score some of the best brekkie in the area — often waiting quite a while to get a spot. It's clear that Ora outgrew its small site a while ago. But instead of having to relocate, the team was given the opportunity to knock down a wall and take over the space next door. Thankfully, they took the leap and expanded the cafe in early 2024, so it now holds up to 40 people inside and out. While they were at it, they also redesigned the whole cafe to have a more contemporary and high-end feel, and chose to extend the opening hours from Wednesday to Saturday. Now instead of being kicked out after lunch service, locals can stick around for some wines and share plates late into the night. Head Chef Adam Hutchings (ex-Soho House) has dreamt up the new evening menu, cooking up a broad-reaching selection of dishes that include crispy whitebait with yuzu mayo, pea and preserved lemon arancini, 12-hour barbecue beef brisket and king prawn skewers paired with chimichurri. Manager Alex Damoulakis has curated a list of wines from local and international makers and picked a few classic Med-inspired cocktails to serve at night — or during a boozy brunch.
UPDATE Thursday, June 29: Ocean Alley have now been announced as the replacement for Lewis Capaldi. Find the full 2023 Splendour in the Grass lineup and set times at the festival website. Splendour in the Grass is just weeks away from its 2023 festival, and two new artists have just been added to the lineup, with one more major announcement still set to come. Danny Brown and Thelma Plum have both joined the bill as replacements for Slowthai and Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Plus, Splendour has confirmed that a replacement for Lewis Capaldi is coming, after the Scottish singer-songwriter advised that he would be taking a break from touring to focus on his health. Eccentric US rapper Danny Brown will join the lineup as an Australian exclusive, playing his first Australian show in over five years. He'll head up the Mix Up Stage on the Friday night, bringing his catalogue of experimental rap hits including his highly acclaimed recent collaborative project SCARING THE HOES with Jpegmafia (who you can catch at this year's Listen Out). Thelma Plum also joins the lineup of musicians that'll will arrive at North Byron Parklands from Friday, July 21–Sunday, July 23, alongside the likes of Lizzo, Flume, Mumford & Sons and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs — the latter of which were slated to headline 2022's Splendour in the Grass lineup, but cancelled in the leadup. Plum was a highlight of the festival back in 2019, and was also scheduled to play at the 2020 edition before it was cancelled due to the pandemic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YgxQlS2054 Along with the new acts, the annual winter event has also just unveiled its set times and maps, so you can start planning your weekend and prepare for set clashes if you've nabbed tickets. The schedule reveals an hour-long gap on the Amphitheatre stage between Ruel and J Balvin where festivalgoers can expect Capaldi's replacement to pop up. Just last week, Splendour added a heap of new talent to the weekend, including powerhouse Russian punk group Pussy Riot and a heap of names for its Forum, Science Tent, Comedy Club and Forum Live Podcasts programs. These additions included a talk with Pussy Riot's Nadya Tolokonnikova, everyone's favourite ex-AFL player-turned-sports newsreader Tony Armstrong, The Betoota Advocate, Dr Karl, Brooke Boney, and comedians such as Deadloch star Nina Oyama and Michael Hing. [caption id="attachment_907565" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stephen Booth[/caption] SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2023 MUSIC LINEUP: Danny Brown (Australian exclusive) Thelma Plum Ocean Alley Joining Lizzo Flume (Australian exclusive: ten years of Flume) Mumford & Sons (Australian exclusive) Yeah Yeah Yeahs Hilltop Hoods J Balvin Sam Fender Idles Little Simz Tove Lo 100 Gecs (Australian exclusive) Arlo Parks Ball Park Music Iann Dior King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard 070 Shake Pussy Riot Pnau Ruel Loyle Carner Benee Marlon Williams Hooligan Hefs Peach PRC Palace Dune Rats Tkay Maidza Noah Cyrus Skegss Sudan Archives Cub Sport Meg Mac X Club. Claire Rosinkranz Jack River The Smith Street Band Lastlings Jeremy Zucker Young Franco Sly Withers MAY-A The Vanns Telenova Vallis Alps Jamesjamesjames Kaycyy RVG Teenage Dads Balming Tiger Automatic Harvey Sutherland Gali Del Water Gap Royel Otis Shag Rock Big Wett Mia Wray Memphis LK Gold Fang Milku Sumner Forest Claudette Full Flower Moon Band William Crighton Hellcat Speedracer Triple J Unearthed Winners Mix Up DJs: Tseba Crybaby Latifa Tee Foura Caucasianopportunities Luen Mowgli DJ Macaroni Crescendoll Splendour in the Grass will take over North Byron Bay Parklands from Friday, July 21–Sunday, July 23, 2023 — head to the festival website for further details and tickets.
It's always rather cool when a venue surprises you, exceeds your expectations and pulls out a trump card. Well, the multifaceted Royal Saxon has done just that. In fact, this double-story Church Street venue is full of surprises. While it may operate as more of a bistro during the week, serving Italian-style fare in a lax outdoor setting, it transforms on the weekends into rowdy Richmond bar with plenty of doof-doof beats and dancing. Its design is surprising, too, thanks to the architects at Melbourne-based firm Six Degrees. The heritage red-brick facade is juxtaposed against a sleek and modern glass interior, while the leafy beer garden — punctuated with a Moreton Bay fig tree —gives some green relief. With ample seating and outdoor and indoor heating, the venue has any occasion covered. Images: Giulia Morlando.
EziStreat, North Melbourne's buzzy food hall, is hosting a Thai Sunday Market later this month in honour of Thai culture and cuisine. The 600-square-metre food precinct will take your tastebuds on a journey to Thailand with dishes like curries, roti and sticky rice, and street food from vendors such as Soi Thai and ASAP Room. Additionally, the event will showcase traditional and modern Thai acoustic performances by Wachirun (Terry) Zarapho. With over 20 stalls offering Thai delicacies, crafts, and entertainment, attendees can expect a true taste of Thailand. Whether you're a Thai food-lover or simply seeking a fun outing, this market invites everyone for a day of delicious food and cultural exploration. Admission is free, so head over to EziStreat, 275 Macaulay Rd, North Melbourne, on Sunday, April 21, if you're in need of weekend plans.
UPDATE Thursday, January 27: The Big Bounce has rescheduled dates for its Melbourne appearance, now hitting Flemington Racecourse from April 15–18 and April 21–24. For more info and to buy tickets, head to the website. No longer confined to children's birthday parties, bouncy castles, inflatable obstacle sources and blow-up labyrinths have become hot property for adults (and their inner kids, of course). And the next blow-up event to return to Melbourne is big. Really big. Dubbed 'The Big Bounce Australia', it's an inflatable theme park made up of the world's biggest bouncy castle — as certified by the Guinness World Records — plus a 300-metre long obstacle course, a three-part space-themed wonderland and a sports slam arena. You're going to need a lot of red cordial to bounce your way through all of this. Set to take over the Flemington Racecourse between January 28–30 and February 4–6, The Big Bounce is open to both littl'uns and big'uns, but there are a heap of adults-only sessions — so you don't have to worry about dodging toddlers on your way through. Tickets for adults will set you back $59, which gives you a whole three hours in the park. Yes, you'll need it. Inside, you'll encounter the aforementioned bouncy castle — aptly named The World's Biggest Bounce House — covering a whopping 1500 square metres and, in some spots, reaching ten metres off the ground. In this house, you'll encounter a heap of slides, ball pits, climbing towers, basketball hoops and (if you can believe it) a stage with DJs, confetti cannons and beach balls. Then, there's The Giant, with 50 inflatable obstacles, including giant red balls and a monster slide. Before you hit the next, three-part section of the extremely OTT theme park, you may need to pause, down some red frogs and maybe even have a nap. Or not, as you do only have three hours to explore it all. Either way, at Airspace, aliens, spaceships and moon craters collide with a five-lane slide, some more ball pits and an 18-metre-tall maze. After that, you'll certainly need a nap. And, new for 2022, there's also the Sport Slam, which is rather self-explanatory — and will be a must of you're keen to add a competitive spin to all that bouncing. [caption id="attachment_825374" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Sarasota Experience[/caption]
UPDATE Tuesday, March 9: The Boatbuilders Yard's 90s RnB brunch has been extended beyond summer, now running until Saturday, April 30. Which means you've got a few extra weeks to don your velour trackies and book in a seltzer-filled Saturday session. The below dates have been adjusted to reflect the change. There are some things best left to the 90s, like pukka shell necklaces and over-plucked eyebrows. But one thing that's happily here to stay is 90s RnB; especially teamed with good food, delicious cocktails and some of the most iconic 90s looks. If you're ready to relive your youth — or you'd rather re-do it — The Boatbuilders Yard is hosting its new 90s RnB Mixtape Saturdays every week this summer. Moon Dog are in charge of the 90s-themed drinks list, which features plenty of cocktails crafted on its signature Fizzer seltzers. Think, the Piney Limey flavour paired with Midori, and a lemon and Blue Curacao combination. There's a seltzer-filled post-mix machine, plus, a Smirnoff Ice or Passion Pop is promised on arrival to really bring back that hit of nostalgia. Food-wise, you're in for the likes of potato skins, mini hot dogs and sloppy joes — so you can pretend you're eating in the cafeteria in your favourite 90s high-school rom-com, of course. DJ Joey Lightbulb will be on the decks and taking song requests, so dig out your old mixtapes for inspiration. Tickets are $65 per person and bookings are recommended, with sessions running from 12-2pm and 2.30-4.30pm each Saturday. Don your Mytiko pants, finest beige Masseurs and hypercolour t-shirts and get ready to boogie like Y2K is imminent.
No longer confined to children's birthday parties, bouncy castles, inflatable obstacle sources and blow-up labyrinths are currently hot property for adults (and their inner kids, of course). And the next blow-up event to hit Australia is big. Really big. Dubbed 'The Big Bounce Australia', it's an inflatable theme park made up of Guinness World Records-certified world's biggest bouncy castle, a 300-metre long obstacle course and a three-part space-themed wonderland. You're going to need a lot of red cordial to bounce your way through all of this. Set to hit Melbourne between January 3 and 19, The Big Bounce is open to both littl'uns and big'uns — but there are a heap of adults-only sessions, so you don't have to worry about dodging toddlers on your way through. Tickets for adults will set you back $55, which gives you a whole three hours in the park. You'll need it. Inside, you'll encounter the aforementioned bouncy castle — aptly named The World's Biggest Bounce House — covering a whopping 1500 square metres and, in some spots, reaching ten metres off the ground. In this house, you'll encounter a heap of slides, ball pits, climbing towers, basketball hoops and (if you can believe it) a stage with DJs, confetti cannons and beach balls. Then, there's The Giant, with 50 inflatable obstacles, including giant red balls and a monster slide. [caption id="attachment_749668" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Big Bounce AirSpace[/caption] Before you hit the final, three-part section of the park, you may need to pause, down some red frogs and maybe even have a nap. Or not, you do only have three hours to explore it all. Next up, is AirSpace, where aliens, spaceships and moon craters collide with a five-lane slide, some more ball pits and an 18-metre-tall maze. Now, you'll certainly need a nap. This extremely OTT theme park is hitting Melbourne's Flemington Racecourse first before heading to Sydney's St Ives Showground (January 24–February 9). After that, it'll head to Adelaide (February 14–March 1), Brisbane (March 6–22) and Perth (April 3–19).
Taylor Swift's Australian Eras tour month is finally here. Nabbed tickets in the frenzy, but want more than the memories to celebrate? Missed out, but still keen for a souvenir to remember the occasion? Here's your mantra for February: look what you made me buy. Concert tours and merchandise always go hand in hand, but Swift's involves an official merch pop-up, plus days of presales prior to her gigs at the MCG in Melbourne and Accor Stadium in Sydney. And in the case of the one-day-only pop-up, you even need to reserve your place. [caption id="attachment_939192" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paolo Villanueva via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] If you're in the Victorian capital, mark Tuesday, February 13 in your diary, then make a date with Crown Melbourne. From 9am–6pm, you'll be able to pick up everything from t-shirts and hoodies to totes and water bottles. Yes, bracelets are also on the merch list. Only folks with a reservation, which can be made from midday AEDT on Wednesday, February 7, can attend, however. The other must-know pieces of info for the official merch pop-up: reservations are being allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, are free and can cover two people per booking. Once you've got yours, which come in half-hour lots, it's non-transferrable. [caption id="attachment_939193" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ronald Woan via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] For Sydneysiders, those heading to the Harbour City for their Eras fix or folks in Melbourne who can't hit up Crown on the day in question, merchandise presales will start on the Wednesdays before Swift's gigs in each location. So, the MCG will be up and running from 10am–6pm between Wednesday, February 14–Thursday, February 15, and also during the concert dates from 12pm on Friday, February 16–Sunday, February 18. Accor Stadium will do the same in advance from 10am–6pm between Wednesday, February 21–Thursday, February 22, then from 12pm during the show dates from Friday, February 23–Monday, February 26. There's no reservations needed to get merch from the MCG and Accor Stadium. [caption id="attachment_939194" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ronald Woan via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] When Sydney and Melbourne stops for Swift's career-spanning showcase were announced back June 2023, it sparked a rush for seats. Before general sales even started, the 'We Are Never Getting Back Together', 'Shake It Off' and 'Bad Blood' musician had announced an extra gig in both cities. And, the Victorian Government even declared her Melbourne stint a major event so that anti-scalping legislation would apply to tickets. At all gigs, Swift will have Sabrina Carpenter in support before she breaks out a showcase that steps through her entire career so far, playing tracks from each of her studio albums in a three-hour, 44-song, ten-act spectacular. If you saw Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour as a movie, aka a concert film of her latest shows that hit cinemas Down Under last October, you'll know what you're in for. Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Australian Merchandise Locations and Dates 2024: Tuesday, February 13 — Australia official merchandise pop-up, Crown Melbourne, Melbourne Wednesday, February 14–Thursday, February 15 — merchandise presale, MCG, Melbourne Friday, February 16–Sunday, February 18 — merchandise presale and show merchandise, MCG, Melbourne Wednesday, February 21–Thursday, February 22 — merchandise presale, Accor Stadium, Sydney Friday, February 23–Monday, February 26 — merchandise presale and show merchandise, Accor Stadium, Sydney Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Australian Dates 2024: Friday, February 16–Sunday, February 18 — Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Friday, February 23–Monday, February 26 — Accor Stadium, Sydney Taylor Swift is bringing The Eras Tour to Australia in February 2024. Head to the tour website for further details. Crown Melbourne's official Australian merchandise pop-up takes place on Tuesday, February 13 from 9am–6pm, with reservations required — and bookings open from 12pm AEDT on Wednesday, February 7. Head to the booking website for more information. Top image: Paolo Villanueva via Wikimedia Commons.
UPDATE: NOVEMBER 6, 2019 — We knew that ABC's perennially popular music quiz show Spicks and Specks was making a comeback with the OG crew, and now we have an air date. It has been announced that the first of four specials will hit small screens at 7.40pm on Sunday, November 24, as part of the network's Ausmusic Month celebrations. The other three will drop sometime in 2020 — we'll let you know when dates are announced for those, too. What's better than watching a heap of top Australian talent sit around and talk about music? Watching them do all of the above while answering questions, competing for points and just generally being funny, too. That's the concept behind ABC TV show Spicks and Specks, which took a few cues from the UK's Never Mind the Buzzcocks, pit Aussie musos and comedians against each other, and has proven a hit several times over. A weekly favourite when it first aired between 2005–2011, it just keeps coming back — and is about to do so again for four brand new specials. When the program was first revived back in 2014, it returned with a new host and team captains. This time, it's going back to the original lineup. That means that Adam Hills, Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough will all step back into the quiz show realm yet again. When the trio did just that back in 2018, for a one-off reunion special, it became the ABC's most-watched show of the year. Unsurprisingly, that huge response played more than a small part in inspiring this new comeback. If you're already eager to show your own music trivia knowledge and play along — we all know that's as much a part of the Spicks and Specks fun as seeing the on-screen stars unleash their own skills (or lack thereof) — then look out for the first special this November. It'll air on Sunday, November 24 as part of the ABC's network-wide celebration of Ausmusic Month, and it'll naturally focus on all things local. Then, at some point in 2020, three more specials will hit the airwaves. The Spicks and Specks crew obviously hope you're feeling suitably retro, with each show focusing on a different decade — the 90s, then the 00s and finally the ten-year period we've all just lived through. And, if you need a refresher, this comedic chat about a Star Wars Christmas album will do the trick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KNMtDu7TAY Spicks and Specks will return to ABC TV on Sunday, November 24 at 7.40pm and then again in 2020. We'll keep you updated with exact dates when they come to hand.
Seeing the Great Barrier Reef sits on every Australian's bucket list, especially given that the thriving underwater expanse is under threat from climate change. And while most of us have been content to simply swim, snorkel or sail through it — or stay in the Whitsundays and gaze out at it from a sandy beach — visitors to Queensland's far north can now spend a night underwater. Get ready to sleep under the sea at Reefsuites, the Great Barrier Reef's very own underwater hotel. It's not the first space of its type around the world — a resort in the Maldives, submerged villas in Dubai and a room at an African hotel all boast similar experiences — but it is the first at this Aussie natural wonder, and in Australia in general. Launching on Sunday, December 1 as part of a new floating pontoon called Reefword — which is moored at Hardy Reef, around 40 nautical miles from Airlie Beach — Reefsuites features two underwater rooms that can sleep four in total. Guests can choose betweeen king double or twin single options, and each room comes with floor-to-ceiling views of the Great Barrier Reef and its marine life. Those underwater vistas are a highlight not only in the bedrooms, but in the attached private ensuites A stay onsite includes all meals, most beverages (beer and wine are part of the package, but cocktails will cost you extra), a night dining experience under the stars, a guided snorkelling tour and a semi-submarine tour, and access to the underwater observatory. Naturally, it doesn't come cheap. Enjoying all of the above will start from $799 per night per person for a double booking (two people in a room), or $1199 for a single — and that covers a stay from 4.30pm on the day of arrival until 2.30pm the next day. As for the $8 million Reefworld pontoon itself, it's a partnership between Cruise Whitsundays and the Queensland Government, and has the capacity to host 300 visitors per day. Measuring 12 metres by 45 metres, it's designed as a hub for diving and snorkelling — as well as a place to stay — and also offers guests access semi-submersible vessels. Announcing the project back in August, Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones noted that Reefworld and Reefsuites will add something new and unique to the popular tourist hotspot. "This will give more people the chance to see the Great Barrier Reef and will allow tourists to experience this natural wonder in new ways." The aim, of course, is to ramp up tourism, with an extra 60,000 visitors per year expected thanks to the new attraction. For more information about Reefsuites, or to book a stay, visit the Cruise Whitsundays website. Images: Cruise Whitsundays.
Easey Street's sky-high train carriages have been causing a stir since their arrival was announced in 2012. Now we finally get a peek at the finished product, with the aptly-named Easey's opening its doors last month. The production is one big ode to Melbourne street culture, from the upcycled train track door, to the lurid graffiti gracing pretty much every surface within. The lower level is decked out with repurposed train seat booths, classic table arcade games and recycled spray cans used as decorative elements. Navigate the graffiti-laced stairwell (or simply the elevator) and you'll hit a canteen-style dining room, a small pop-up retail space and a couple of tiny beer gardens nestled between train carriages. Make it to very the top, and you're rewarded with the crowning glory that is that eastern carriage: a bar with one heck of a view. Space is tight, with just a handful of those train seat booths up for grabs, but those northside views will be reason enough for most to make the five-storey climb. The Easey's burger menu features five main players, plus add-ons, sides, and some less-than-healthy breakfast options. Somewhere between the entry-level cheeseburger ($8) and the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink 'Melbourne Madness' ($18), lies the double cheeseburger: a two-hander pulling together a pair of beef patties, American cheddar, bacon, pickles, jalapenos and onions ($12). Go large and add chips and soft drink (regular $7, large $9) because there's little in the way of greenery to be found on this menu. Sides get a bit creative, boasting the likes of dim sims, double fried in a Melbourne Bitter beer batter (four for $4), a potato cake that's enjoyed the same treatment ($2), and a fat donut oozing with milkshake flavoured custard ($2.50). If you're thirsty, there are half a dozen tap beers (including the culturally appropriate Melbourne Bitter), served in nifty glasses made from recycled stubbies. Some of the staff could stand to lose the frown and up their engagement levels, though we can possibly chalk that up to early-days syndrome and the difficulties of having to work in such a rabbit warren-like space. Once things calm down, Easey Street's newest attraction will be worth the ride — but you'll have to get in quick if you want a good seat. View all Melbourne Bars.
If you love American Football or just enjoy watching live sports, or if you're simply looking for something fun to do on Monday, February 10, the NFL Super Bowl LIX is likely on your radar. This year, the teams will battle it out for the Vince Lombardi trophy at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. With the NFL usually attracting an audience of hundreds of millions of viewers across the world, what better way to get among it than watching it surrounded by other NFL fanatics? With some help from The Pass, we've rounded up some of the best Melbourne Pubs to catch The Superbowl — we're you'll also be able to enjoy delicious American-inspired feeds. The Duke of Wellington The vibes are always high at The Duke, but especially on game day. The much-loved three-story pub and rooftop bar in the heart of Melbourne's CBD will be serving up both Coors and Bloody Marys alongside a range of American eats. You can watch on from the buzz of the ground floor or head to Level One for a more relaxed setting with the game on in the background. Book your spot here and get ready to celebrate Super Bowl Monday in style. Garden State Hotel Another pub in the CBD hosting all the Super Bowl action, Garden State Hotel is going all out for the festivities this year. With plenty of big screens, it's almost impossible not to get a good spot here. Don't let the early morning kick-off stop you – the beer garden and public bar will be serving classic American bites and drinks from 9.30am. Book your spot here. Hawthorn Hotel For a bit of sunshine as well as the game, hit up The Hawthorn Hotel to watch Super Bowl LIX, with all the action streaming live both indoors and on the rooftop. While we're keen for the game, the all-American menu the iconic Melbourne pub is offering is almost on par with the live action. You can expect hotdogs, wings, nachos and plenty of Coors to keep you going. Secure your spot by booking here. The Victoria Hotel Yarraville Why not watch this year's Super Bowl at everyone's favourite The Vic? With their mega-screen (if you know you know) in the beer garden showing all the action, it's set to be a pretty good vibe, to say the least. There will also be an American-themed food menu alongside the usual à la carte options, so there's something for everyone. Gather your mates and reserve your table before they get booked out. Prince Alfred The Prince Alfred in Port Melbourne is putting on the ultimate all-day Super Bowl experience. The pub will be opening its doors at 9am, so you can settle in for a day of $12 hotdogs, $1 wings and $20 beer and cider jugs. Depending on how your team plays, you could even stick around for Happy Hour from 3pm to 6pm and keep the party going. Book early to secure the best seat in the house. Hopscotch If you're stationed southside, head to Hopscotch to watch the match unfold. Watch the game on the many big screens around the pub and enjoy a delicious menu of Super Bowl snacks, brekkie specials and, of course, American beers. The best bit? There's live music after the game – we can't think of a better way to spend a Monday. Book your spot here. Beer DeLuxe, Federation Square Besides quality craft beer, Beer DeLuxe in Fed Square is set to be one of the most lively places to watch the Super Bowl this February. From 9am, indulge in an American menu featuring Buffalo wings, hot dogs and our personal favourite, Reuben sandwiches, plus 3L beer towers and all your usual Beer DeLuxe classics. Book your spot. Provincial Hotel Head to The Provincial Hotel in Fitzroy for a Super Bowl extravaganza, with the game playing across every level of the venue. Another one of Melbourne's top pubs to catch The Super Bowl, there will be an American-inspired menu – you know the drill – hot dogs, nachos, wings, cheesesteaks and beer. Make sure to book a table so you and your mates don't miss out. The Prince If you're an early bird, art deco hotel The Prince is probably one of the earliest places open on the big day, with the action kicking off at 7am. The pub also has some unique offerings, like a bottomless package priced at $79pp that includes one main American-inspired meal along with select bottomless drinks. Sound too good to be true? We recommend booking before the tickets sell out, this one's set to be a goodie. Skinny Dog Hotel Experience the Super Bowl live at the Skinny Dog Hotel in Kew. Things kick off bright and early at 8am, with a menu including brekkie burgers and wings to help wake you up in time for the game. If you're a Kew local or a visitor, book to ensure a spot on the big day. The Swan Hotel There's something about The Swan that makes it the perfect watch live sport – whether it's the beer garden or the classic pub feel, we're not sure. But what we do know is that this Richmond pub will be buzzing come Super Bowl day, and you're going to want to snag a spot. For more information on these venues and to claim credit for your order, download The Pass app. Images: Supplied.
These days, Christmas promises a whole lot more than just generic mince pies and plain panettones. Bakeries, chocolate brands, gelaterias and dessert shops across the city are getting more inventive with each passing year, whipping up all sorts of creative treats worthy of hunting down across Melbourne. Here, we've rounded up some of the coolest grown-up goodies to seek out, from gelato-filled Christmas puddings to themed festive high tea experiences. Dig in. Recommended reads: The Best Alternative Things to Do in Melbourne on Christmas Day The Best Things to Do in Melbourne This Weekend The Best Things to Do in Melbourne This December Pidapipo's Pandoro Christmas Cake Pidapipo has reimagined the pandoro — a Christmas tree-shaped sweet bread cake — for their holiday season offering this year, paying tribute to the team's Italian roots. The Pandoro Christmas Cake features a base of Pandoro, and then layers of Pidapipo's favourite festive gelato flavours — including, bacio, hazelnut, Pandoro, coconut, chocolate, sour cherry swirl and chocolate fudge — all encased with a dark chocolate semifreddo and a thin crisp milk chocolate shell. This is a next-level treat — worthy of any Christmas day dessert table. Baker Bleu's Dark Chocolate and Sour Cherry Panettone Baker Bleu is easily one of the very best bakeries in Melbourne, so it is no surprise to see the team create one of the top panettones in town — which is a huge feat seeing as this is the first year they've made these for the public. You can get a classic panettone made with raisins and candied orange or go for the sour cherry and dark chocolate version — depending on how traditional you're feeling. They've absolutely nailed this Christmas treat, and we highly recommend nabbing one for yourself. Le Yeahllow's Christmas Cakes and Cookies Le Yeahllow's sweet treats have got to be some of the most beautiful — without compromising on taste — and its Christmas offerings are no exception. That's especially the case for its two limited-editon cakes which will be served up until January 5. First off, there's the Merry Berry cake, which is inspired by festive fruit baskets. It brings together a fluffy chocolate sponge, vanilla white chocolate cream and a tangy mixed berry compote, all topped off with Valrhona 62% dark chocolate, whipped ganache and seasonal fruits. The team has also created a more summery treat — the lemon pound cake. Baked with Pepe Saya butter, along with the juice and zest of fresh lemons, this cake strikes the perfect balance of buttery richness and vibrant citrus. Piccolina's Gelato-Filled Christmas Pudding Piccolina always goes hard on its holiday specials — especially during Easter and Christmas. And this year is no different, as the team has created a gelato-filled, multi-layered Christmas pudding that comes in a stoneware bowl. Named the Golden Bauble, this creation features peanut butter stracciatella gelato layered with caramelised white chocolate aero and caramelised peanut, dulce de leche gelato layered with chocolate fudge brownie, peanut torrone centre, crispy chocolate base, topped with dark chocolate sauce and a golden peanut popping candy bauble. It's decadent and guaranteed to be an absolute showstopper at Christmas this year. Morning Market's Mince Tarts Mince pies are incredibly divisive Christmas treats. Some poeple love them, many hate them. It's a funny one. But if you are into these traditional British festive bites, you best check out those made by the team over at Andrew McConnell's Morning Market. The buttery pastry shells are packed with a filling made from organic apples, currants, brandy, pastis and warm spices that have been macerated together for months. The result is a rich and fragrant tart that's damn hard to beat. Lune's Gingerbread Croissants, Eggnog Cruffins and Stuffed Turkey Pastries Every year, you can guarantee that Lune will dream up some of Melbourne's best Christmas treats. And this year's efforts are no joke. First, the sweet stuff. Lune's gingerbread special is a twice-baked croissant made with pecan frangipane, baked gingerbread and molasses caramel, then topped with frangipane, gingerbread, white icing and gold-dusted chocolate pearls. It's also got an eggnog cruffin, choc peppermint twice-baked pain au chocolat, and rich Christmas pudding. For a savoury option, enter The Stuffed Turkey. This pastry is filled with a turkey and croissant pastry stuffing, with sage powder, cranberry sauce, crispy chicken skin and fried sage leaves added on top. You best drop by the Melbourne stores a few times this December, sampling each and every one of these creations. Penny for Pound's Christmas Trifle, Choux Pastry Wreath and Cookies Those in the know should be jumping for joy this festive season, knowing that Penny for Pound's incredible trifle has returned. This year, it features layers of cherry jelly, pistachio custard, raspberry cream, vanilla sponge and berry compote, all topped with fresh cherries, pistachio meringue kisses, berries and white chocolate stars. It's a total showstopper. But that's not all the pastry chefs have whipped up this year. There's also a special chocolate, hazelnut, and caramel choux pastry wreath, an extensive holiday cookie collection, and a playful Santa's Belly buche de noel — a red-glazed Christmas cake featuring vanilla sponge, raspberry compote, lemon curd, and vanilla mascarpone mousse. Brunetti Classico's Gingerbread House Build and Sip Workshops Carlton's Brunetti Classico is home to a huge range of festive treats throughout this time of year — including stacks of panettones and biscotti — but we are most pumped about its gingerbread-building experiences. Drop by on Friday and Saturday nights from 7–9pm and spend the two hours building and decorating your own gingerbread house while sipping on booze. These adult workshops cost $70 per person, while the kids' classes — which see the little ones decorate their own gingerbread people — only cost $13.90. Stokehouse's Tropical Christmas Pudding Stokehouse Group Pastry Chef Ash Smith has brought back his much-loved tropical take on the traditional Christmas Pudding for Christmas this year — made to be taken home. The pudding is ready-made and comes complete with at-home instructions to finish the dessert at home, as well as Smith's special brandy custard recipe. Either order the pudding online to pick up by itself, or add it to your booking when dining in — taking it home right after sampling food from one of Melbourne's best restaurants. Mary Eats Cake's Festive High Teas Mary Eats Cake has gone all out for Christmas — slinging a heap of limited-edition festive treats throughout December. There's a special Christmas gateaux and cookies, plus a new a la carte menu featuring gingerbread french toast, turkey toasties and pumpkin spiced lattes. These are fab, but we are most excited about the festive high tea experience. This includes a mulled wine spritzer on arrival, plus three tiers of treats — think festive scones, Christmas cookies and mini pavlovas. Drop by on a weekday to get this for $75 per person or on a weekend for an additional $4.
The sudden onset of December may have you questioning where the year has gone, but you still have time to close out 2024 with a bang. The Pass is hosting a range of exciting New Year's Eve celebrations around Melbourne's CBD, whether you're looking to meet someone special, enjoy bottomless bevs with your loved ones, rave on a rooftop or dance the year away. Garden State Hotel Don't be fooled by the Garden State Hotel's heritage facade. Inside the Flinders Lane digs, you'll find a multi-storey watering hole with a verdant beer garden, public bar, subterranean cocktail bar and colourful Mediterranean restaurant Tippy-Tay. So what better setting to ring in some romance for the new year? If you're single and looking, head to the Garden State for flowing drinks, canapés and DJs as you meet and mingle with fellow singletons at the NYE Singles Party. Tickets are $50–60 and include a free drink on entry — a small price to pay to potentially meet the love of your life. Purchase tickets now at the Garden State Hotel's website. Trinket If you'd prefer some old-school glitz and glam, opulent cocktail lounge Trinket will be pouring tasteful tipples past midnight on Tuesday, December 31. Stop in at the two-storey art-deco venue for cocktails, bites and DJs from 9pm–2am. It's quite literally first in, best dressed, with no tickets and a bottle of champagne up for grabs for the most glamorous get-up. You can book a table at the Trinket website or just try your luck walking in on the night. State of Grace Add a spark of magic to your New Year's celebration at eclectic drinking den State of Grace. Not only will you get a four-hour drinks package, roaming spritzes and canapés, but you'll also be treated to an array of DJs and an actual magician. Close out the night with spectacular views of the fireworks from the rooftop bar. Tickets are $180–210 and can be purchased at the State of Grace website. The Duke of Wellington It may be Melbourne's oldest licensed pub, but The Duke still knows how to throw a good party. The two-storey pub is offering four hours of drinks, small bites and pumping beats this New Year's Eve. First release tickets are $149, so get in before they sell out. Purchase your tickets at The Duke's website. Imperial Hotel, Bourke Street Dance away the regrets and stresses from the year that was with live music and DJs on the Imperial Hotel's rooftop bar. The Bourke Street pub boasts panoramic views across the city and will have a lively lineup of tunes throughout the night. Tickets start from $150, which include a four-hour drinks package with your pick of beer, wines and spirits, with a live band from 7–10pm and DJs from 10pm–1am. Purchase your tickets now at the Imperial Hotel's website. Morris House Get free-flowing drinks and canapés with views out onto the heart of Melbourne's CBD at Morris House this New Year's Eve. For $120–140, guests will enjoy four hours of bottomless drinks and nibbles from 8pm, which include wine, beer and spirits, against a backdrop of pumping DJ tunes as the sun sets on this year. Book in at the Morris House website now before tickets sell out. The Terminus Hotel, Abbotsford Don't know if you want to commit to a full night of drinking? The Terminus Hotel has your back with the option of normal table bookings this NYE, with the option to level up wth a three-hour beverage package. Though casual and easygoing, the Abbotsford pub is still bringing the excitement with live music from 7pm, followed by DJs from 10pm. If you do opt to get the package, which also includes canapés, tickets are $89 and are available to book at the Terminus website. The Provincial Hotel Bask in the good vibes at the Provincial Hotel. Whether you choose to keep it casual at the downstairs pub or party al fresco on the rooftop, you'll be sure to have a cracking start to 2025. The beloved Fitzroy local is offering two packages of unlimited drinks, small bites and DJ-spun tunes. Tickets are $179 for the four-hour package on the rooftop, or $55 for the two-hour package on the ground floor. Book your spot now at the Provincial Hotel's website. Yarra Botanica Float your way into the new year at the Yarra Botanica at Southbank. The two-storey floating bar is offering two New Year's Eve packages with snacks, unlimited drinks and entertainment, alongside spectacular views of the fireworks. General admission is $99 for a two-hour beverage package, or you can opt to upgrade to the VIP deal for $250, which will get you four hours of spritzes, house spirits, wines and tap beers, along with exclusive access to the upper deck for sweeping views over the Yarra. Buy your tickets now at the Yarra Botanica's website. Hopscotch Celebrate the end of 2024 in a leafy beer garden with river views at Hopscotch. Situated on the Southbank promenade, the airy bar has your NYE covered with DJs and other entertainment, as well as a pre-party option to get you prepped for the night's festivities. General admission is only $20 for entry from 10pm, but you can get a head start on the partying with the $99 pre-session package, which includes two hours of beers, wines and sprits, along with a self-serve grazing station. Buy your tickets at the Hopscotch website. The Wharf Hotel For more riverside revelry, head to The Wharf Hotel for Aperol spritzes galore. $55.60 will get you a welcome drink and two drink tickets, roaming nibbles, live music from 6–9pm and DJs until late. You'll also be granted access to the Wharf's Aperol Garden Party, which boasts an interactive games and an Aperol fountain. Book your tickets at The Wharf Hotel's website. For more information on The Pass and other venues, head to the website.
Little monsters, get excited: Lady Gaga is coming to Australia. Been watching with envy as the music superstar has locked in dates on The MAYHEM Ball tour everywhere from Las Vegas, New York and Toronto to London, Stockholm, Berlin and Paris? You can now start making plans to see Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta on her next Down Under visit, with shows confirmed for Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Lady Gaga is heading this way in December 2025, with three gigs announced: on Friday, December 5 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, then Tuesday, December 9 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane and Friday, December 12 at Sydney's Accor Stadium. When the 14-time Grammy Award-winner takes to the stage at the trio of massive concerts, she'll not only play her first Australian shows in 11 years — she'll do her first-ever Australian stadium concerts as well. [caption id="attachment_998819" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Frank Lebon[/caption] The tour kicks off in Las Vegas in July, after Lady Gaga headlines Coachella — which everyone worldwide can livestream across both of the Californian festival's two weekends on Saturday, April 12–Monday, April 14 and Saturday, April 19–Monday, April 21 Australian time. Before The MAYHEM Ball tour begins, she's also doing shows in Mexico City, Singapore and Rio de Janeiro. Given that this is Gaga's first Aussie visit since 2014's ArtRave: The ARTPOP Ball gigs (with the Joanne and Chromatica Ball tours bypassing this part of the world), expect tickets for the local leg to go fast. When she added 13 new dates to the initially announced first shows on the tour, they all sold out swiftly. As the name makes plain, Germanotta is touring on the back of MAYHEM, her latest album — and seventh in a row to go to number one on the Billboard 200. It also debuted in the top spot on Australia's charts, and gave Gaga her biggest streaming week ever by notching up 240-million streams on its first week alone. As well as MAYHEM tracks such as 'Disease', 'Abracadabra' and 'Die with a Smile', fans can likely look forward to hits from across the artist's career, such as 'Poker Face', 'Bad Romance', 'Paparazzi', 'Born This Way' and 'Rain on Me' — plus, of course, seeing Gaga live onstage, rather than getting your fix via her film work in recent years in A Star Is Born, House of Gucci and Joker: Folie à Deux. Lady Gaga's The Mayhem Tour Australia 2025 Dates Friday, December 5 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Tuesday, December 9 — Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Friday, December 12 — Accor Stadium, Sydney Lady Gaga is touring Australia in December 2025, with ticket presales starting at 10am on Monday, April 14 and general sales from 12pm on Thursday, April 17 — with times varying per city. Head to the tour website for more details. Live images: Raph PH via Flickr.
Melbourne Design Week is back for 2025 — and this year, it's shining brighter, digging deeper, and getting sportier than ever before. For its ninth edition, Australia's largest design festival — which last year welcomed over 100,000 people — will see more than 350 events popping up around the city between Thursday, May 15–Sunday, May 25, from dazzling light exhibitions and neurodivergent-friendly design to design debates, pop-up book fairs and even a designer basketball tournament. The 11-day program is a love letter to creativity in all forms, presenting both high-concept ideas and hands-on experiences across architecture, lighting, furniture, publishing, sport and beyond. The event aims to showcase design thinking to all — whether you're a design die-hard or just keen for something interesting to do on the weekend, Melbourne Design Week is giving Melburnains and visitors alike the opportunity to explore the city in a whole new way. [caption id="attachment_1001834" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliat Rich, Tones of Shimmer (Gravel) 2022. Image: Sara Maiorino[/caption] Among the more eye-catching installations is 100 Lights, which takes over North Melbourne's Meat Market Stables with a glowing gallery of contemporary lighting by 100 artists and makers, including Adam Goodrum, Ross Gardam and Tantri Mustika. At this immersive display curated by Friends & Associates, you'll find table lamps, pendants and wall lights that showcase both function and cutting-edge form. Another fascinating highlight is Sibling Architecture's Deep Calm. This exhibition explores how design can support neurodivergent people, with a soothing showcase of weighted sofas and tactile rugs that represent the culmination of a year-long research project by the Curtin House-headquartered practice. [caption id="attachment_1001833" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Sibling Architecture[/caption] Events won't just be taking place in Melbourne, though. Bacchus Marsh will host exhibition A New Normal, which presents a suite of radical ideas by 12 Melbourne architects to make the city self-sufficient by 2030 — including public sculptures that double as water-treatment plants, waste-to-energy sports facilities, and adaptive reuse of abandoned buildings. The exhibition is set in the heritage-listed Boyd Baker House — one of Australia's most important modernist structures that collects its own water and features a design based on perfect geometry. A New Normal has become one of Melbourne Design Week's biggest success stories, with architects Kennedy Nolan and NMBW having both completed projects utilising concepts from the award-winning 2021 exhibition, and the project having gone on to be developed for Sydney, Perth and Guadalajara. Elsewhere, two legends of Australian design will embark on a well-earned victory lap: lighting designer Volker Haug and furniture designer Trent Jansen, who will both mark 20 years in the game with retrospective shows tracing their significant creative legacies. At the NGV, Melbourne Art Book Fair (Thursday, May 15–Saturday, May 17) returns to the Great Hall with over 100 publishers and a special focus on Southeast Asian designers — plus free kids' storytime sessions led by local children's book authors under Yayoi Kusama's towering Dancing Pumpkin sculpture in Federation Court. The program also features exhibitions exploring the sustainable reuse of timber from urban trees, typography shows, memorial-making workshops, curated book pop-ups, and, as part of Open House Melbourne, a two-day symposium called Beyond the Grave that delves into the architecture, places, issues and practices associated with the end of life. And if you've ever wanted to shoot hoops with a furniture designer, you're in luck — this year's program includes a two-on-two basketball tournament for designers and design enthusiasts at a Reko Rennie-painted court in Cremorne. Our city's collective obsession with sport will be further explored at Reimagining the Clubhouse: Melbourne Design Week's 12-hour denouement featuring the works of eight designers that challenge the concept of a traditional sporting clubhouse. It'll also host a trophy-making competition and the official Melbourne Design Week closing party at Collingwood Yards' Runner Up bar. [caption id="attachment_1001839" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Volker Haug, Fire Trees[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1001838" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melbourne School of Design - Tout le cochon[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1001837" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Made Studio, OffCuts, Garrett In Workshop. Image: Alex Lark[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1001835" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anton Gerner[/caption] Melbourne Design Week 2025 takes place between Thursday, May 15–Sunday, May 25 at various venues throughout Victoria. For more information and the full program, head to the event website. Top image: Peter Bennetts, March Studio x Reko Rennie.
In our opinion, Melbourne boasts one of the best CBDs in the world. Not only does it boast an easy to navigate grid, but basically every block has a cute cafe and every side street has a moody cocktail bar. Some are pioneers of the CBD's small bar scene and, while they were once secret and hidden, now have lines out the door marking their existence. Others are brand spanking new, serving spritzes under disco balls and accompanied by fried chicken sandwiches. This list features 17 of the best CBD cocktail bars, so you should have no trouble finding one within a close radius at any given time — whether you're up on Exhibition Street or down on King.
Following a Golden Globe haul earlier this year, Donald Glover's series Atlanta has landed an Australian premiere. Heading to the newly minted SBS Viceland channel on Tuesday, February 28 at 9.30pm, the award-winning series will be shown in double episodes weekly. Even better, the entire series will be available on SBS On Demand from the same date. Created, co-written, and produced by Glover, also known as artist Childish Gambino, Atlanta follows the life of Princeton dropout Earn Marks (Glover) and his cousin Alfred 'Paper Boi' Miles (Brian Tyree Henry). The series sees Earn supporting his two-year-old daughter and managing his rapper cousin trying his luck at breaking into the music industry. The series took out two Golden Globes in January, with Glover landing Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy, and Atlanta taking out Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Atlanta is one series we think you should catch up on after the Golden Globes. Read the whole list here.
It truly is the greatest time of the year to eat. From towering grazing platters to prawn cocktails and unnecessary cheese courses at every meal, this is where you can really pull the rip cord and unleash your BES (Best Eating Self). But let's face it, tis the season for eating meat (with apologies to our plant-based friends). And while it's hard to beat the enduring festive classics like a gleaming glazed ham dotted with cloves or the once-a-year visit to turkey town, Christmas is also a great time for doing things differently so they feel special — and your third and fourth helpings are really well-earned. In this quest for memorable Christmas meat feasts, we turned to the experts. The carnivore whisperers. The ones behind the slabs representing that great trade that will never die. We asked the butchers. DARREN O'ROURKE - VIC'S MEATS, NSW "When it comes to something new as the showstopper on your festive table, in my world it's all a fantastic cut of meat. If I have the energy after the madness leading up to it, I would try a milk-poached pork neck in a bread sauce (pork neck is really versatile and where a scotch fillet steaks comes from), a slow-cooked lamb leg with a whiskey and pepper berry glaze or whole roast beef tri-tip with salsa verde as that centrepiece. And you can't forget the greens, of course." Here is Darren's beautiful collection of recommended sides: Brined and roasted whole cauliflower, anchovy and thyme beurre noisette Broccolini, kale and green beans, lemon vinaigrette Iceberg lettuce (yes iceberg lettuce!), eschallots, green olives and chardonnay vinaigrette Roast potatoes and fried caper berries and chilli Raw vegetables, bagna cauda LUKE LEYSON - GOODWOOD QUALITY MEATS, SA "Starter — Sausage rolls should be front of mind when thinking of Australian Christmas starters. To start with, you want to grab some English pork sausage meat from your local butcher. If they don't sell it separately, just remove the skins of their pork sausages (they won't be offended). Add some Christmassy flavours, such as sage and macadamia nuts, and these beauties can be prepared before the big day so you can pop them into the oven on Christmas, hassle-free." "Main course — For me, Christmas is about two things: being organised and pork (I could fit family in there somewhere, but I'm happy with my decision). This Christmas Eve, or Beermas as we call it in our family, I am slow-cooking a Boston Butt for pulled pork for the big day so all I need to do is re-heat and eat. Two things, amazingly delicious and you can use your favourite ham glaze on this whilst smoking to add a bit of Christmas spirit. Wraps, burgers, sliders, or part of a salad; pulled pork is very versatile." "Glazed ham – If you love your Australian ham and want to take your relationship with it to the next level, you need to be glazing your ham. Peel the skin off, score the fat, heat up the ham in your oven or BBQ and lather that good flavour of an amazing glaze over the top. Normally, I would go anything sweet and citrussy as my go-to but this year calls for Australian Pork's newest glaze recipe Spiced Coffee, Maple Syrup and Bacon Glaze. After all the work involved during the Christmas Week rush, us butchers will need the extra caffeine to get us through the day." ANDREW VOURVAHAKIS - ANDREW'S CHOICE, VIC "There is something really comforting about a meal centred around a roast. It's about so much more than putting food on a plate as it seems to somehow capture a theatrical element of cooking and eating whilst honouring the cook who has infused the meal with their very own meraki. We strongly believe food is a celebration and we aim recreate flavours that transport you back to time spent around the family table." "This Christmas you can't go past an Italian favourite: the porchetta. A noble dish that usually takes centre stage of family feasts around the festive season. There is a certain opulence reminiscent of Medieval banquets, sans the wild boar with an apple stuffed into its mouth. At Andrew's Choice our St. Andrews Roast Porchetta is made using the finest Australian pork loins that are hand rolled and seasoned with a traditional spice blend of garlic, rosemary and a hint of chilli, before it is tied and slowly roasted to perfection." ALASTAIR STEVENSON - GILLY'S SMALLGOODS, QLD "I think a rolled collar butt with some sweet glaze would be a great roasting option, obviously the loin is very popular but I think the collar butt is perfect with the marbling through the meat. At Gilly's we also produce mini portion hams utilising the primal cuts in the leg but I don't think you can beat the traditional bone-in leg ham … it is Christmas!" Alastair is right: it is Christmas. So whether you're sticking with a classic leg of ham, going all-out on slow-cooked lamb and homemade sausage rolls, or saying 'screw you, meat, I'm barbecuing a whole fish!', we salute you and wish you the warmest tidings for the festive season. Happy beermas, everyone. Main image: Darren O'Rourke (L) and Luke Leyson (R),
Whether you were one of those iso bakers tending to your sourdough starter, or simply glued to MasterChef's elimination challenges these last months, there's certainly been something comforting about spending more time in the kitchen right now. And someone who's made a career out of joyfully sharing his passion for at-home cooking is The Living Room co-host and I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! winner for 2020, Miguel Maestre. The Murcia-born, Australian chef is well known for repping Spanish cuisine, as well as for his flamboyant presenting style. He's the author of best selling cookbooks Miguel's Tapas and Spanish Cooking, as well as being the ambassador for Stockland Shopping Centres and the owner of Maestre Enterprises — one of Australia's largest Spanish food importers. But not everything Miguel cooks is Spanish leaning. In this live-stream cooking class, he'll show you how to make an easy, midweek meal that'll take just 15 minutes to knock up at home. Miguel's Chicken San Choy Bow borrows from Hong Kong origins and is a zesty crowd-pleaser, plus he'll show you a veggie option and some handy cooking skills along the way. You'll also learn how to whip up Miguel's Fudgy Chocolate Cake with chocolate glaze, as another family favourite. Cook along with Miguel from 6pm AEST on Thursday, June 18. The online cooking class is free to watch, and you can find all the necessary ingredients here. Simply click through to the Facebook event post and click 'going' to make sure you're updated with the live-stream link on the day. And if you're keen to share your prep ahead of or during the event, use the hashtag #stocklandfood for your chance to win a gourmet hamper worth $300. Competition ends at 6pm AEST on Sunday, June 21.
Being seen is no longer fashion's biggest priority. Taking you right off the radar, Aussie label The Affair has created a line of 'post-Snowden' threads inspired by George Orwell's classic dystopian novel 1984 — a crowdfunded capsule collection that makes you invisible to Big Brother and lets you reclaim some ownlife using stealth technology. Taking cues right from the pages of Orwell's schoolroom required reading, the 'stealth fashion' capsule collection helps you reclaim privacy. Accordingly, the new line is dedicated to Edward Snowden, your modern Orwellian poster boy. "Edward Snowden proved that Big Brother is no longer fiction," says the team on their Kickstarter page. "The government is watching everyone via our smart phones: telescreens beyond Orwell’s wildest dreams. It's time to fight back and reclaim privacy with clothing that takes you off the surveillance grid and makes you invisible to Big Brother." Combining the colours and workwear styles described by Orwell himself, the garments all come embedded with UnPocket stealth technology. The 11 x 16 cm UnPockets are made from layers of stealth fabric that fit your phone, passport, bank cards — anything you'd like protected against wireless identity theft. Making sure the Thought Police can't get you down at a glance, The Affair's UnPockets are slipped into specially created sections of each garment: The Affair have created four different 'Party' garments (all embedded with the UnPocket) that are 'unhackable' and 'untraceable': Party Workshirt "Inspired by 6079 Smith W himself... Whether you’re rewriting history or creating smut for the proles, the relaxed workwear styling of the Party Workshirt makes this your new wardrobe essential." Party Chinos "Whether you are making love surreptitiously in the forest or being tortured in Room 101, you can be certain these Party Chinos will see you through the day in style." Outer Party Jacket "Created for the workers of Airstrip One, the Outer Party Jacket captures the eternal drive of IngSoc." Inner Party Blazer "O’Brien befriended Winston only to stab him in the back, take everything he loved and reduce him to a broken mess. So if you identity with the iron fist of the 1% then this fully-lined Inner Party Blazer is for you!" Boasting the tagline 'Make Literature Fashionable', The Affair have been using your favourite classic stories as inspiration for seven years, using the last 12 months to perfect the 1984 line. It's not the first time the label has used the celebrated novel for a design; their very very t-shirt was a shoutout to Miniluv. Giving a nod to the Orwellian spirit, the team are jumping on the Damn the Man distribution bandwagon and selling their wares through Kickstarter. Using the classic funded wares as perks set-up, the team have already raised over £2,813 of their £25,000 goal. Check out the entire 1984 collection at The Affair's Kickstarter page and check out the look book below.
Icy poles and booze — they're the two staples of a long, hot Aussie summer. And now they've come together as one, in the form of Calippo-style Champagne icy poles. They're the genius creation of POPS, a UK brand that has been keeping folks stylishly cool since 2014, when it launched its first frozen Champagne treat — apparently supermodels like Kate Moss and Bella Hadid are on board, if that's something to sway you. The Champagne pop (called The Classic) contains half a glass of Champers (wahee!), and the range has since expanded to include another grown-ups-only creation: the Bellini, which blends hibiscus flowers, blood orange juice, peach Schnapps, and half a glass of Prosecco. Plus, there are a couple of all-ages products too, which see the alcohol swapped out for real fruit. The frozen delights are arriving in our eskies just in time to be eaten in front of the fan (or, y'know, in the sun) this summer. They'll launch in Melbourne first, with a series of pop-up events, and festival appearances aplenty. No word yet if you'll be able to buy a box for the freezer, but let's hope. POPS will launch in Melbourne soon. For more info, visit wearepops.com.
Craving some crispy calamari? Or maybe you're in the mood for a spot of gözleme? Whatever your fancy, it'll soon be a whole lot easier to keep tabs on your favourite food trucks, with the launch of new app Snack Tracker. Following a successful roll out in Perth, the free app lands in Melbourne tomorrow, allowing customers to track any mobile food vendor using GPS. You can find out which food trucks, ice cream van and even mobile coffee spots are open, and where they're located, minimising wait times between you and that tasty burger or toastie. Menus, contact details, customer reviews are all right at your fingertips, along with a handy events calendar. You can use the app to curate your own list of favourite vendors and score a notification when one's nearby, and even purchase gift certificates that can be used at any participating vendor. The food trucks have their own supporting app, too, so they can easily control their details. Local vendors currently on the app include The Bearded Jaffle, Taste of Cyprus, Nicolosi Pizzeria, Jim Brown Cypriot Food and Chef Calamari, with plenty more to follow. Snack Tracker is celebrating its Melbourne launch with a grand opening party at food truck park The Ascot Lot on Tuesday, November 19. Head along from 7pm to score free food from participating trucks for the first hour, along with the chance to win drink vouchers and other prizes. Snack Tracker is available for free from the App Store and Google Play. Top image: Ascot Lot
Blessed be the TV screens — because on April 26, The Handmaid's Tale is back. After becoming 2017's number one must-watch show with its compelling first season, everyone's favourite dystopian drama returns for a new 13-episode round of bleakness. Yes, that means more time trawling through the oppressive society of Gilead and watching women forced into child-bearing servitude, thanks to this grim but gripping adaptation of Margaret Atwood's iconic 1985 novel. It also means once again trying to shake the feeling that this fictional future really isn't all that hard to imagine. Elisabeth Moss putting in another fierce performance, Alexis Bledel stealing every scene she's in, the all-round stacked cast showing why the series won eight Emmys and two Golden Globes: yep, that's all on the agenda as well. It's enough to make you cancel your plans every Thursday night for the next 12 weeks, with this season airing weekly on SBS and SBS On Demand after the two-part premiere. Sure, that means that you can't binge it all in one sitting — but, it also means that your time with Offred and company will last even longer. If you're eager to extend the experience further still, then get a jump start by working through our five pieces of Handmaid's homework. Praise be, obviously. RE-BINGE THE FIRST SEASON It's an easy starting point, we know, but the best way to prepare for the new season is by rewatching the first. Also, it's something else for you to watch if you've already replayed the season two trailer over and over and over again. Scour for clues about what might come next, and come up with theories about Offred's fate; given that the show left audiences with a cliffhanger, there's plenty of questions to ponder. Or, see if there's anything you missed the first time around (like Atwood's early cameo), or introduce all things Handmaid's to your friends that were clearly hiding under a rock last year and somehow haven't seen the show. They're all great reasons to dive back in again, not that you need them when a program is as engrossing as this. As it was last year, the full first season is currently available on SBS On Demand. READ (OR RE-READ) THE NOVEL Maybe you were already a fan of Atwood's 33-year-old book long before the TV version was announced. Maybe you segued from watching the first season of The Handmaid's Tale to devouring the novel. Maybe you meant to get around to pouring over the text (you really, truly did mean to), but life just got in the way. Whichever category you fall into, now is the perfect time to read or re-read the piece of fiction that started it all — and, to set the scene for what might happen in the television program's second outing. As thorough as the first series was, it doesn't include everything that Atwood initially dreamed up. We won't spoil the details, but if you don't have time to stick your nose in the printed tome, here's a rundown. There's also an audiobook version too, if you'd rather listen, as read by Claire Danes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTnhx_N7nro WATCH A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TAKE ON THE TALE The Handmaid's Tale that we know and love isn't the only screen version of the story. In fact, if the timeliness, insightfulness and hugely enthralling nature of the show got you thinking "why hasn't the book been adapted before?", well, the short answer is: it has. Back in 1990, German filmmaker Volker Schlöndorff joined forces with poet and Nobel laureate Harold Pinter on an American film based on the novel, starring Natasha Richardson at Offred, Faye Dunaway as Serena Joy and Robert Duvall as Fred. Saying that it's completely different to the current take is quite the understatement, right up there with saying that Gilead isn't the best place to live if you're female. If you're keen to seek it out, it's available to watch on Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-fofQ9VpPQ SEEK OUT LAST YEAR'S OTHER GREAT ATWOOD ADAPTATION 2017 didn't just deliver one adaptation of Atwood's work, but two. Yep, when it rains, it pours, as the saying goes. While Alias Grace didn't attract anywhere near as much attention as The Handmaid's Tale, the Netflix miniseries is definitely well worth your time. Directed by American Psycho's Mary Harron and starring Sarah Gadon (11.22.63), Zachary Levi (Chuck), Anna Paquin (True Blood) and legendary The Fly filmmaker David Cronenberg, the six-part show takes inspiration from famous 19th-century murders. Gadon plays the real-life figure of Grace Marks in this somewhat fictionalised version of true events, with the series exploring a question that has been pondered for nearly two centuries: what was Marks' actual involvement in the crime? GET COOKING Food has special significance in The Handmaid's Tale. No, we're not talking about the "blessed be the fruit" greetings exchanged by handmaids — it refers to the children they're supposed to be bearing, rather than the goods they're often seen shopping for — but, rather, the way it's used to denote status. Handmaids buy it for the household, Marthas prepare meals and the Gilead elite eat fancy spreads while everyone else tucks into something much less appetising. In one first-season episode, for example, a macaron is used to signify the divisive role that food plays, with Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) offering Offred a rare treat. There are plenty more instances where that came from, and it's enough to make you both horrified and hungry. Unsurprisingly, there's no shortage of Handmaid's-themed party menus floating around, but if you whip up something crimson red (cupcakes with red icing are a favourite), then you're on the right track. Or, you could turn your hand to something particularly elaborate. When season two started filming, Elisabeth Moss received a cookie shaped like a music box — something else of significance within the series.
Last time that Australian actor-turned-director Damon Gameau brought a new project to the country's big screens, drought was blighting the country, the nation had just sweltered through its hottest summer on record, and severe storms were popping up with frequency in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. That was back in 2019, and eco-conscious documentary 2040 couldn't have felt timelier as a result. It explored how the country might change — and how it might adapt to tackle climate change — in the space of just 21 years, and found welcoming audiences at festivals locally and overseas, and in cinemas in general. Now, Gameau is back with a similar project. Given the wet and wild weather conditions of the past week in Queensland and New South Wales, his latest film also arrives at a time when the environment and the changing climate are firmly on everyone's minds. This time around, however, he's going shorter — in the doco's length, and in terms of how far ahead he's looking to the future. With documentary short Regenerating Australia, Gameau ponders how the nation could look in 2030, but only if we start transitioning to a fairer, cleaner, more community-focused economy now — and putting in place changes inspired by the country's residents. Produced in partnership with WWF-Australia, the 17-minute film is poised as a news bulletin on New Year's Eve 2029, looking back at everything that's been achieved over the decade prior. And if you're wondering where Gameau came up with the answers, Regenerating Australia is based on a four-month interview process with a diverse range of Aussies, who all offered their thoughts, hopes and dreams on what they'd love to see happen. As the just-dropped trailer shows, the short is constructed from fictional news reports and press conferences — but real-life high-profile journalists, politicians, business leaders and citizens such as Kerry O'Brien, Sandra Sully, Gorgi Coghlan, Patrick Abboud, Larissa Behrendt and David Pocock all feature. Headed to the big screen like 2040 before it — and also Gameau's That Sugar Film before that — Regenerating Australia will premiere in Sydney on Friday, March 4 at UNSW Roundhouse, complete with a Q&A afterwards. It's then doing the rounds of cinemas across the country on a one-night basis, also accompanied by Q&As with expert panelists and live entertainment from local artists. Also, all revenue from adult ticket sales will go direct to participating First Nations speakers and local artists, while under-18s get in free. Check out the Regenerating Australia trailer below: Regenerating Australia premieres at on Friday, March 4 at UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney, before touring the country throughout March, April and May. For further information, head to the film's website.
Every year, when red carpets are rolled out, Hollywood's who's who get dressed to the nines and movie lovers around the world indulge in their favourite sport — awards season — it's easy to forget two undying truths. Firstly, receiving a shiny trophy doesn't instantly mean that a film is better than everything else. Secondly, missing out on a statuette doesn't mean that a flick is terrible, either. Amazing, astonishing and exceptional movies can earn coveted awards (see: 2020 and 2021 Oscar Best Picture-winners Parasite and Nomadland, for instance), and so can barely even average-at-best features as well (aka 2019's Green Book). Also, the list of masterpieces that haven't ever been nominated for an Academy Award is staggering. Still, when the contenders are revealed for another year, picking who should, could and will win is all part of the fun. In fact, it's up there with taking a shot of whatever you're sipping (tea, water, the hard stuff) if Jack Nicholson is seen wearing sunnies in the Oscars audience, a speech gets drowned out by music after going overtime, the host makes a gag that doesn't land or someone announces the wrong winner. From 2022's batch of Academy Awards nominees, there are plenty of worthy recipients — most of which you can watch right now in Australia and New Zealand, too. Hopefully NZ filmmaker Jane Campion will make history by becoming just the third woman to win Best Director. Fingers crossed that Aussie The Power of Dog cinematographer Ari Wegner becomes the first woman ever to win Best Cinematography as well. In those fields and a heap of others, we've done some prognosticating, all before the 94th Academy Awards take place on Monday, March 28, Australian and New Zealand time. Here are our predictions: BEST MOTION PICTURE The nominees: The Power of the Dog West Side Story Belfast Dune Licorice Pizza King Richard CODA Don't Look Up Drive My Car Nightmare Alley Should win: The Power of the Dog Could win: CODA Will win: The Power of the Dog Sometimes, the best film of the past year truly and deservingly does pick up the biggest Oscar of them all, Best Picture — as Parasite and Nomadland both did. And, that should prove true in 2022, too, with Jane Campion's exquisite revisionist western last year's best movie, and this ceremony's worthiest winner. That said, with its feel-good story about a teenager in a family that's otherwise deaf, CODA has been nabbing key awards in the lead up to the Oscars. And, if voters can't decide between the two, perhaps West Side Story will swoop in and beat 'em both — it is a glorious film and a technical marvel, and Steven Spielberg has also just announced that it's his first and last musical. [caption id="attachment_847708" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kirsty Griffin/Netflix[/caption] BEST DIRECTOR The nominees: Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog Paul Thomas Anderson, Licorice Pizza Steven Spielberg, West Side Story Kenneth Branagh, Belfast Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Drive My Car Should win: Jane Campion Could win: Steven Spielberg Will win: Jane Campion History is Campion's to be made — although she's already broken barriers at this year's Oscars just by being nominated for Best Director. She's now the first female filmmaker to ever score two nods in this field (after also being nominated for The Piano back in 1993) and, if she ends up clutching a statuette, she'll become just the third woman to ever win. Again, don't discount Spielberg, though. It's been more than two decades since he last won for Saving Private Ryan, and West Side Story's visual wonders have been picking up more attention since it hit streaming earlier this month. PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE The nominees: Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye Kristen Stewart, Spencer Penélope Cruz, Parallel Mothers Should win: Penélope Cruz Could win: Kristen Stewart Will win: Jessica Chastain If anyone wins this category other than Nicole Kidman, that'll be perfectly acceptable (Being the Ricardos isn't great, and neither are its performances, although the Academy clearly disagrees). But Jessica Chastain looks likely to come out on top not just because she's excellent in The Eyes of Tammy Faye — the best thing about it, in fact — but because she's reached that point in her career (and should've already won for Zero Dark Thirty). Penélope Cruz's has an Oscar for Vicky Christina Barcelona, but her performance in Parallel Mothers is something else. It's sublime in every second, and lingers long after the film has stopped rolling. Alas, the same proved true of fellow Pedro Almodóvar regular Antonio Banderas in 2020, but didn't amount to an Academy Award. PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE The nominees: Will Smith, King Richard Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog Andrew Garfield, Tick, Tick... Boom! Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth Javier Bardem, Being the Ricardos Should win: Benedict Cumberbatch Could win: Benedict Cumberbatch Will win: Will Smith If there was an award for most forceful performance while playing a real-life figure, Will Smith, Andrew Garfield and Javier Bardem would be in a dead heat. Given they're all nominated for Best Actor this year, this category has basically taken that skew anyway. And Smith is impressive in King Richard, but it always feels like a performance — although, that's what'll likely get him a trophy. If Benedict Cumberbatch manages to lasso the win, it'd be glorious — as his complicated work in The Power of the Dog is, too. And this field did throw up a huge surprise in 2021, even after the Academy changed the traditional order of ceremony to put Best Actor last in what looked like an expected chance to pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman. PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE The nominees: Ariana DeBose, West Side Story Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard Judi Dench, Belfast Jessie Buckley, The Lost Daughter Should win: Ariana DeBose Could win: NA — because Ariana DeBose will win. Will win: Ariana DeBose Whoever wins whatever awards, and for which films, Ariana DeBose getting the nod for West Side Story will be one of the stories of the night. We all know that it's going to happen. Shock-wise, it'd be up there with the whole Moonlight/La La Land debacle if it didn't. And, when she does, it'll see her win for the same role that Rita Moreno nabbed her Oscar for six decades ago. They'll be the first women of colour to ever achieve the feat — winning for the same role, that is — and only the third pair of performers ever, following Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro as Vito Corleone in The Godfather and The Godfather Part II, plus Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker in The Dark Knight and Joker. You'd best start humming 'America' now, because you're going to hear it during the Oscars. PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE The nominees: Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Power of the Dog Ciarán Hinds, Belfast Troy Kotsur, CODA Jesse Plemons, The Power of the Dog JK Simmons, Being the Ricardos Should win: Kodi Smit-McPhee Could win: Kodi Smit-McPhee Will win: Troy Kotsur A remake of French film La Famille Bélier, CODA improves upon its source material in a number of ways. The most of important: casting actors who are deaf to play characters who are deaf. Their portrayals are naturalistic and lived-in as a result, and the movie around them is as well, even while still being such an obvious crowd-pleaser — and, alongside past Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur is a delight. Kodi Smit-McPhee's performance in The Power of the Dog couldn't be more different — including in tone — but it's a powerhouse, and one of the best projected onto a screen anywhere (or a streaming queue) in the past year. If he loses to the equally deserving Kotsur, it's safe to expect the Aussie actor to earn more shots in the future; he's only 25, after all, although he's been turning in attention-grabbing performances for almost a decade and a half. BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY The nominees: Licorice Pizza, Paul Thomas Anderson Belfast, Kenneth Branagh King Richard, Zach Baylin Don't Look Up, Adam McKay (story by McKay and David Sirota) The Worst Person in the World, Joachim Trier and Eskil Vogt Should win: Licorice Pizza Could win: Belfast Will win: Licorice Pizza The Oscars always adore movies about real-life people, as well as the performances that bring those figures to life. They're also fond of tales that are personal to their directors in some way — Roma a few years back, and Belfast and Licorice Pizza now. The latter, set in the San Fernando Valley where Paul Thomas Anderson grew up, is the better film and script, and not just because it tasks Alana Haim with yelling "fuck off, teenagers!" like she was born to do it. So smartly and devastatingly exploring the reality of being in your twenties, The Worst Person in the World would be a fantastic winner in this field, too. BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY The nominees: The Power of the Dog, Jane Campion The Lost Daughter, Maggie Gyllenhaal CODA, Sian Heder Dune, Jon Spaihts, Denis Villeneuve and Eric Roth Drive My Car, Ryusuke Hamaguchi and Takamasa Oe Should win: The Power of the Dog Could win: The Lost Daughter Will win: The Power of the Dog Every adapted screenplay contender this year also earned other nominations. Every script in both screenplay categories did, in fact. But these fields often reward films that don't end up picking up many or any other trophies — which is why Maggie Gyllenhaal's masterful script for The Lost Daughter, her directorial debut as well, could emerge victorious. It'd be an excellent choice. Just as phenomenal is The Power of the Dog, of course. Indeed, the work that Jane Campion has done to translate her western tale from the page to the screen, and to flesh out its subtext, is the stuff that adapted screenplay dreams are made of. BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM The nominees: Drive My Car (Japan) The Worst Person in the World (Norway) Flee (Denmark) The Hand of God (Italy) Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (Bhutan) Should win: Drive My Car Could win: The Worst Person in the World Will win: Drive My Car The first-ever Japanese film to be nominated for Best Picture, Drive My Car won't win that category — but it will become the first Japanese movie since 2008 to win the Academy's field for features in languages other than English. Its three hours roll by, thoughtfully and movingly so, in a feature that couldn't be more layered or affecting. Its biggest likely challenger: The Worst Person in the World, which deserves just as much praise. And while Flee would be a perfect winner, it might be fated to become the history-making movie — for getting nods for International Feature, Documentary Feature and Animated Feature, a feat never achieved before — that goes home empty-handed. BEST ANIMATED FEATURE The nominees: Encanto Luca The Mitchells vs the Machines Flee Raya and the Last Dragon Should win: Flee Could win: The Mitchells vs the Machines Will win: Encanto More on Flee: as an animated documentary about an Afghan refugee's quest to find a new place to belong after being forced to leave his homeland as a boy, it couldn't be more different to its fellow Best Animated Feature nominees. Family-friendly fare always wins here, however, but this'd be a wonderful year to break that trend. Expected winner Encanto is an all-ages gem a, of course — and don't discount the lively and clever The Mitchells vs the Machines — but Flee takes animated filmmaking to another level. BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE The nominees: Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) Flee Ascension Attica Writing with Fire Should win: Flee Could win: Flee Will win: Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) Even more on Flee: again, it deserves to win every field that it's in. That said, if it loses Best Documentary, it'll be to a film as similarly astonishing — because Questlove's Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, is a tremendous piece of filmmaking. Music documentaries hit screens almost every week, or so it seems, but there's never been one like this before. And, about vastly dissimilar topics — modern-day China and a prison riot — Ascension and Attica would be easy winners in a less-competitive year, too. BEST ORIGINAL SCORE The nominees: The Power of the Dog, Jonny Greenwood Dune, Hans Zimmer Don't Look Up, Nicholas Britell Encanto, Germaine Franco Parallel Mothers, Alberto Iglesias Should win: Dune Could win: The Power of the Dog Will win: Dune Hans Zimmer, have another Oscar! Jonny Greenwood, have your first! Alas, the Academy isn't like Oprah, giving gongs to everyone — but, as different as they are, it's difficult to split Zimmer and Greenwood's two immensely powerful scores. Sand as far as the eye can see is great, but Zimmer's thrumming sounds set Dune's mood from start to finish, all while constantly surprising (especially if you're a fan of his work). And there's a jaunty yet needling, determined yet melancholy twang to Greenwood's compositions for The Power of the Dog that make just as much of an impact. BEST ORIGINAL SONG The nominees: 'No Time to Die', No Time to Die (Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell) 'Dos Oruguitas', Encanto (Lin-Manuel Miranda) 'Be Alive', King Richard (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Dixson) 'Down to Joy' Belfast (Van Morrison) 'Somehow You Do', Four Good Days (Diane Warren) Should win: 'No Time to Die' Could win: 'Dos Oruguitas' Will win: 'No Time to Die' We shouldn't talk about Encanto's 'We Don't Talk About Bruno', because it wasn't submitted to even be selected to be nominated for an Oscar. Regretful move, that — and one that magic can't fix. The song will still be performed live at the awards, though, because trying to escape that earworm is impossible. Also getting a spin live on the night: Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell's 'No Time to Die'. It's the Bond song that came out almost two years before the movie it's from, and a lingering 007 anthem (and a fine winner, most likely). [caption id="attachment_847709" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kirsty Griffin/Netflix[/caption] BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY The nominees: Dune, Greig Fraser The Power of the Dog, Ari Wegner The Tragedy of Macbeth, Bruno Delbonnel Nightmare Alley, Dan Laustsen West Side Story, Janusz Kaminski Should win: The Power of the Dog Could win: Dune Will win: The Power of the Dog All five films nominated in this category look gorgeous and glorious on-screen. Each one boasts cinematography so magnificent that it's breathtaking — whether roving over all that sand, making New Zealand look like Montana a decade ago, stripping Shakespeare down to its shadows and fury, lapping up carnival noir, or dancing through a famed and fated love story. That said, this award is a battle of the Aussies: Dune's Greig Fraser and The Power of the Dog's Ari Wegner. Whoever wins, Australia wins — but Wegner is the only one who'd make history as the first female recipient in this field. Also, her work on Jane Campion's film is hauntingly lush and captivating. BEST FILM EDITING The nominees: Dune, Joe Walker The Power of the Dog, Peter Sciberras Don't Look Up, Hank Corwin King Richard, Pamela Martin Tick, Tick... Boom!, Myron Kerstein and Andrew Weisblum Should win: Dune Could win: The Power of the Dog Will win: Dune If you pay attention to all of the awards given out before the Oscars — accolades ahoy!; it really is that time of year — then Best Editing looks wide open. A heap of different movies have won different gongs all over the place, including King Richard and Tick, Tick... Boom!. Dune feels like this year's Mad Max: Fury Road, though — the film that picked up a heap of nominations, wins big in the technical categories but misses the big prize (and misses Best Director as well, given that Denis Villeneuve isn't even one of the five contenders). Top image: Netflix.
