Something delightful has been happening in cinemas in some parts of the country. After numerous periods spent empty during the pandemic, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, picture palaces in many Australian regions are back in business — including both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. SHE SAID Questions flow freely in She Said, the powerful and methodical All the President's Men and Spotlight-style newspaper drama that tells the story behind the past decade's biggest entertainment story. On-screen, Zoe Kazan (Clickbait) and Carey Mulligan (The Dig) tend to be doing the asking, playing now Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times journalists Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey. They query Harvey Weinstein's actions, including his treatment of women. They gently and respectfully press actors and Miramax employees about their traumatic dealings with the Hollywood honcho, and they politely see if some — if any — will go on the record about their experiences. And, they question Weinstein and others at his studio about accusations that'll lead to this famous headline: "Harvey Weinstein Paid Off Sexual Harassment Accusers for Decades". As the entire world read at the time, those nine words were published on October 5, 2017, along with the distressing article that detailed some — but definitely not all — of Weinstein's behaviour. Everyone has witnessed the fallout, too, with Kantor and Twohey's story helping spark the #MeToo movement, electrifying the ongoing fight against sexual assault and gender inequality in the entertainment industry, and shining a spotlight on the gross misuses of authority that have long plagued Tinseltown. The piece also brought about Weinstein's swift downfall. As well as being sentenced to 23 years in prison in New York in 2020, he's currently standing trial for further charges in Los Angeles. Watching She Said, however, more questions spring for the audience. Here's the biggest heartbreaker: how easily could Kantor and Twohey's article never have come to fruition at all, leaving Weinstein free to continue his predatory harassment? In a female-driven movie on- and off-screen — including director Maria Schrader (I'm Your Man), screenwriter Rebecca Lenkiewicz (Small Axe) and cinematographer Natasha Braier (Honey Boy) — She Said details all the moments where the pivotal piece of reporting could've been forced to take no for an answer, something that Weinstein wasn't known for. At the NYT, assistant managing editor Rebecca Corbett (Patricia Clarkson, Sharp Objects) and executive editor Dean Baquet (Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) are always supportive, starting when Kantor picks up the story, and continuing when she brings in Twohey fresh off an investigative article into Donald Trump's sexual misconduct. But, unsurprisingly, the women made victims by Weinstein are wary. Many also signed non-disclosure agreements. Kantor and Twohey's pitch: by speaking out and ideally going on the record, they can assist in ensuring that what they endured doesn't happen to anyone else. Knowing the end result, and the whole reason that She Said exists, doesn't dampen the film's potency or tension. Instead, it heightens the appreciation for the bravery of those who spoke out — at first and afterwards — and the care with which Kantor and Twohey handled their task. The two reporters knew that they were asking women to revisit their darkest traumas, make their worst ordeals public and take on a man who'd been untouchable for decades (with the spate of NDAs and settlements with many of his targets to prove it). Even Rose McGowan (voiced by The Plot Against America's Keilly McQuail) is hesitant; she's mentioned but not quoted in the final piece. Persevering to bring Weinstein's crimes to attention, Kantor and Twohey keep digging, and keep trying to persuade their potential interviewees — and She Said doubles as a lesson in compassionately and respectfully doing just that. Read our full review. BARDO, FALSE CHRONICLE OF A HANDFUL OF TRUTHS Everyone wants to be the person at the party that the dance floor revolves around, and life in general as well, or so Alejandro González Iñárritu contends in Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths. In one of the film's many spectacularly shot scenes — with the dual Best Director Oscar-winning Birdman and The Revenant helmer benefiting from astonishing lensing by Armageddon Time cinematographer Darius Khondji — the camera swirls and twirls around Silverio Gama (Daniel Giménez Cacho, Memoria), the movie's protagonist, making him the only person that matters in a heaving crowd. Isolated vocals from David Bowie's 'Let's Dance' boom, and with all the more power without music behind them, echoing as if they're only singing to Silverio. Iñárritu is right: everyone does want a moment like this. Amid the intoxicating visuals and vibe, he's also right that such instances are fleeting. And, across his sprawling and surreal 159-minute flick, he's right that such basking glory and lose-yourself-to-dance bliss can never be as fulfilling as anyone wants. That sequence comes partway through Bardo, one of several that stun through sheer beauty and atmosphere, and that Iñárritu layers with the disappointment of being himself. Everyone wants to be the filmmaker with all the fame and success, breaking records, winning prestigious awards and conquering Hollywood, he also contends. Alas, when you're this Mexican director, that isn't as joyous or uncomplicated an experience as it sounds. On-screen, his blatant alter ego is a feted documentarian rather than a helmer of prized fiction. He's a rare Latino recipient of a coveted accolade, one of Bardo's anchoring events. He's known to make ambitious works with hefty titles — False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths is both the IRL movie's subtitle and the name of Silverio's last project — and he's been largely based in the US for decades. Yes, parallels abound. While dubbing Bardo as semi-autobiographical is one of the easiest ways to describe it, simplicity isn't one of its truths, even if the film champions the small things in life as existential essentials. Another easy way to outline Bardo: Silverio faces his choices, regrets and achievements as that shiny trophy looms, and ponders where his career has taken him, who it's made him and what that all means to him. From the filmmaker who first earned attention for telling narratives in a fractured, multi-part fashion (see: his debut Amores Perros, plus 21 Grams and Babel), and lately has loved roving and roaming cinematography that unfurls in the lengthiest of takes (see: Birdman and The Revenant), this was never going to be a straightforward affair, though. And so he weaves and wanders, and has the silver-haired Silverio do the same, while weighing up what's brought them both to this point. Bardo opens by visibly recalling Birdman, with a bounding force casting a shadow upon an arid land, but it's an early glimpse at a house from above that encapsulates Iñárritu's approach best. The home initially resembles a miniature, which Silverio then flits through — and, given its lead often segues between places and times like he's stepping through a doorway, the movie functions in the same manner. Sometimes, he's in a hospital corridor as his wife Lucía (Griselda Siciliani, The People Upstairs) gives birth to a baby boy who whispers that the world is too broken for him to want to live in, and is then pushed back into the womb. Or, he's picturing how a big TV interview with a bitter ex-colleague could go wrong, or shrinking down to childhood size to chat with his deceased father. Sometimes, Silverio is in Los Angeles holding a bag of axolotls, or striding through Mexico City streets that are empty except for corpses. Read our full review. GREENHOUSE BY JOOST When Joost Bakker helped pile 3000 kilograms of clothing waste in Melbourne's Federation Square in April 2022, all to draw attention to fast fashion, he viewed the project with his usual optimism. "Even if it's just one person who walks through that structure and gets inspired and comes up with a solution — that's what's so exciting," the renowned zero-waste campaigner noted. Those exact words could've been uttered about the venture at the centre of Greenhouse by Joost, too. A three-storey home made entirely out of recyclable materials that don't generate waste, and designed to operate as a closed food system with everything catered for onsite and not a scrap spared, it predates his spotlight on the textile industry. Clearly, it boasts the same sustainability focus. In fact, Bakker could've said the same thing about past pop-ups in the same spot over more than a decade, including fellow waste-free eateries also called Greenhouse since 2008. Scratch that — it isn't merely likely that the Dutch-born floral designer and activist could've expressed the same sentiments; it's certain he must've. Eliminating waste is Bakker's passion. Not wasting any time trying to put that aim into action is just as much of an obsession. His work doesn't merely talk the talk but walks the walk, and attempts to help the world see how crucial it is to reduce humanity's impact upon the earth. The habitable Greenhouse is quite the undertaking, though, given its purpose: building an abode that two people can get shelter, food, water and energy from, all in one cosy and clever self-sustaining ecosystem. Chefs Jo Barrett and Matt Stone (ex-Oakridge Wines) agreed to do the residing, and to put Bakker's Future Food System to the test. They were named among the world's 50 best next-generation hospitality leaders in 2021 for their efforts, for what's a vital, pioneering and fascinating enterprise. It's no wonder that filmmakers Rhian Skirving (Matilda & Me) and Bruce Permezel (The Obesity Myth) — both directing, the former writing and the latter lensing — were driven to document it. Shot since the conception and building stage, then chronicling the COVID-19 setbacks, the logistical and setup woes, and the daily reality of living in the structure, it's also no wonder that the resulting Melbourne International Film Festival Audience Award-winner makes such compelling viewing. Greenhouse by Joost is both a record and an aspirational tool: it shows what can and has been done and, as Bakker always hopes, it wants to get everyone watching following in his, Barrett and Stone's footsteps. Of course, for most, money will be a very real and practical obstacle. There's no doubting that Greenhouse stems from considerable resources, both in finances and time. But that's the thing with ambitions: they have us shooting for the stars, breaking our goals down into everyday pieces and finding ways to make even small parts of them happen. Evoking that exact response when it comes to making life's basics sustainable — what we eat and drink, where we stay and sleep, and how we power it all — is Bakker's aim, too. With Bakker as the film's on-screen guide, Greenhouse by Joost does just that itself as well, stepping through the idea and the execution like it's laying out a roadmap for its audience to chart. Viewers won't walk out of the doco ready to move into their own such dwelling, but learning plenty about the ingenious design, the bits and pieces that go into it, and the work required — to get it up, ready and operating smoothly, and also to have it function as a small-scale restaurant — comes with simply watching. Although the cooking, serving, welcoming in eager diners and sharing the titular building comes later in the movie, obviously, it's a crucial piece of the project overall and of Skirving and Permezel's feature. How much more doable does just living in the Greenhouse and taking care of yourself seem compared to running it as a mini eatery? Oh-so-much. How much easier does putting some of its principles to use in your own home seem, too? The answer remains the same. Read our full review. MILLIE LIES LOW A scene-stealer in 2018's The Breaker Upperers, Ana Scotney now leads the show in Millie Lies Low. She's just as magnetic. The New Zealand actor comes to the part via Wellington Paranormal, Shortland Street, Educators and Cousins — and the film first debuted at festivals before her role in God's Favourite Idiot — but it's an exceptional calling card. It isn't easy playing someone so committed to making such utterly questionable choices, yet remaining so charmingly relatable; however, that's Scotney's remit and achievement in this canny, savvy and amusing comedy. It also isn't easy to pull off the timing needed to highlight the hilarious side of Millie's hijinks, while ensuring that her woes, hopes and everything that's led her to lie low but lie about living it up remain understandable; consider her entire portrayal a masterclass in just that. Scotney plays the film's eponymous Wellington university student, who panics aboard a plane bound for New York — where a prestigious architecture internship awaits — and has to disembark before her flight leaves. She says she isn't anxious. She also says it isn't an attack. And by the time she realises what she's done, she's alone in the airport, the aircraft has departed and her own face beams down at her from a digital billboard. Even getting that Big Apple opportunity had made her the toast of the town, and huge things were meant to await, hence the ads and publicity. Now, a new ticket costs $2000, which Millie doesn't have. Admitting that she hasn't gone at all — to her family, friends, teachers, school and the NZ capital at large — wouldn't cost her a thing, but it's a price she isn't willing to pay. First, Millie endeavours to rustle up the cash from her best friend and classmate (Jillian Nguyen, Hungry Ghosts), and then her mother (Rachel House, Heartbreak High). Next, she hits up a quick-loan business (run by Cohen Holloway, The Power of the Dog) but is still left empty-handed. Millie's only solution, other than admitting the situation and facing the fallout: faking it till she makes it. As she searches for other ways to stump up the funds, she hides out in her hometown, telling everyone that she's actually already in NYC. To support her ruse, she posts elaborate faux Instagram snaps MacGyvered out of whatever she can find (big sacks of flour standing in for snow, for instance) and scours for every possible spot, building feature and poster that can even slightly double for New York. There's a caper vibe to Millie's efforts skulking around Wellington while attempting to finance the ticket to her apparent dreams. Sometimes, she's holed up in a tent in her mum's backyard. Sometimes, she's putting on a disguise and showing up at parties in her old flat — eavesdropping on what her mates are saying in her absence, and spying on the boyfriend (Chris Alosio, Troppo) she's meant to be on a break from. While she's doing the latter, she's also reclaiming the car she sold pre-trip to use as loan collateral, because she's that determined to get to America and leave her nearest and dearest none the wiser. Making her feature debut, director and co-writer Michelle Savill has more than just a laugh and a lark in her sights, though, as entertaining as Millie Lies Low's namesake's antics are. There's a caper vibe to the picture of Millie's supposedly perfect existence that she's trying to push upon herself as much as her loved ones as well, like she's selling herself on an unwanted fantasy. Read our full review. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in Australian cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on August 4, August 11, August 18 and August 25; September 1, September 8, September 15, September 22 and September 29; October 6, October 13, October 20 and October 27; and November 3 and November 10. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as Bullet Train, Nope, The Princess, 6 Festivals, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, Crimes of the Future, Bosch & Rockit, Fire of Love, Beast, Blaze, Hit the Road, Three Thousand Years of Longing, Orphan: First Kill, The Quiet Girl, Flux Gourmet, Bodies Bodies Bodies, Moonage Daydream, Ticket to Paradise, Clean, You Won't Be Alone, See How They Run, Smile, On the Count of Three, The Humans, Don't Worry Darling, Amsterdam, The Stranger, Halloween Ends, The Night of the 12th, Muru, Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon, Black Adam, Barbarian, Decision to Leave, The Good Nurse, Bros, The Woman King, Sissy, Armageddon Time, The Wonder, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and The Velvet Queen.
Well, it's not exactly a watch, because you don't actually have to look at it to determine the time. In fact, its creators are making a point of referring to it as a timepiece - "The Bradley" timepiece, to be precise. And it's promising to put an end to many an awkward moment. Once you're wearing The Bradley, you can tell the time simply by touch. That means there's no longer any need to peer at your mobile phone in front of clients or bosses or particularly verbose lunch buddies. "The Bradley" (watch) face is comprised of 12 raised marks and a side ball bearing, which, in combination, indicate hours, and a side ball bearing, which indicates minutes. Magnets connect the ball bearings to the timepiece's mechanics, hidden underneath its titanium casing. Watchbands are available in fabric and leather, coloured mustard yellow, olive green or blue; and in stainless steel mesh. Designers, engineers and individuals with vision impairment have all contributed to The Bradley's development. According to the team, it "changes the way we interact with our timepieces". The invention's title is a reference to Lieutenant Brad Snyder, who lost his sight in 2011 while serving in Afghanistan. A year later, in the 2012 London Paralympics, he won a gold medal in the 400-metre freestyle, as well as two silver medals in other events. With 20 days of Kickstarter campaigning to go, "The Bradley" has already reached its initial goal of $40,000 10 times over, with 2,602 supporters having pledged $395,501. [via Mashable]
When you scroll through Netflix's menu, everything from Stranger Things to Bridgerton might catch your eye. Over on Disney+, you could make a beeline to The Mandalorian and WandaVision, while Amazon Prime Video may pique your interest if you're keen on The Boys or Tales From the Loop. But, if you're fond of homegrown films and television programs, you might've noticed that the huge range of streaming platforms on offer Down Under don't typically fund, create and make available all that much new Australian content. The current situation is somewhat better than it was. When Netflix officially launched in Australia back in 2015, its buffet of streaming movies and TV shows noticeably lacked new original local content (indeed, it took more than two years for the popular platform to finally announce that it was making its first Aussie series, Tidelands). It still doesn't overflow with Aussie fare, although it did give Aunty Donna its own delightful comedy. Fellow streamer Stan has been beefing up its catalogue with Aussie movies and shows, though, with the likes of No Activity, Wolf Creek, Bloom, Bump, After the Night, A Sunburnt Christmas, Relic and True History of the Kelly Gang among the local titles joining its ranks. If a group of Australian creatives has anything to do with it, however, there'll be much more local content added to streaming platforms in the future. High Ground's Simon Baker, Hungry Ghosts' Bryan Brown and Justine Clarke, and Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie's Dead Aunt)'s Marta Dusseldorp are all part of the Make It Australian campaign, which is lobbying the Australian Government to implement quotas. The proposal: that all streaming services operating in Australia that have at least 500,000 subscribers are required to spend 20 percent of their local revenue on new Aussie dramas, documentaries and content for children. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BVoYKwTc4E If the idea sounds familiar, that's because it has been under consideration before, and for some time — with a green paper on the topic published in late 2020, and a consultation period currently open — but nothing has come to fruition as yet. This time around, the group behind the move put forward their case at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday, March 16, particularly noting the importance of Australian audiences being able to watch local stories as streaming platforms grow in popularity. Similar quotas are in place regarding Australian programming on both commercial free-to-air television and pay TV — although requirements were altered in 2020 due to the pandemic. And if you're thinking that the Aussie screen industry seems to be in good shape at the moment considering that a huge number of Hollywood titles are being filmed here at present — including everything from Marvel's Thor: Love and Thunder to Nicole Kidman-starring TV series Nine Perfect Strangers, plus new movies directed by Ron Howard and starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts soon to shoot — the current situation isn't the norm. Big productions have been coming to our shores during the pandemic given that Australia's COVID-19 case numbers are low, protocols are in place and it's safe to film here as a result, but that isn't guaranteed to continue once life returns to normal in the US. For more information about the Make It Australian campaign, head to its website. For more information about the media reform green paper, head to the Australian Government website.
At the risk of sounding a little anti-social, I can admit to remembering a time when I was sitting at a pub with a bunch of friends who were all busily tapping away at their iPhones (myself included). It's a sight that at first seems inappropriate for the pub but, in the age of the smartphone, probably one that won't disappear anytime soon. Untappd is an app that will have you doing more of the above. Released last week, the app is a social network for lovers of beer. And unlike checking your Facebook, using Untappd at the pub is a little more socially acceptable because you actually have to be at the pub drinking beer to use it. The app combines all the familiar social networking features such as check-ins, friending and rating. So if you're familiar with those things (via Fourquare, Facebook and Yelp) you'll understand the concept behind this beer-drinking app. It allows you to share what you're drinking and where you're drinking it, as well as your rating to earn some creds for drink choices. And for those who wish they could track 'life stats' like this guy, it does that too. If you ask me, it's probably a good way to keep busy during those awkward standing-alone-while-friend-goes-to-the-bathroom moments at the pub.
When writer Diablo Cody, filmmaker Jason Reitman and actor Charlize Theron first teamed up for 2011's Young Adult, it really couldn't have worked out better. Charting the exploits of a thirty-something ex-prom queen returning to her home town, their acerbic and amusing movie served up a perceptive portrait of arrested development. Joining forces again for Tully, the trio have another aspect of adulthood in their sights, this time exploring the ups and downs of motherhood. It's not Cody and Reitman's first stab at the subject, given that the pair initially worked together on teen pregnancy comedy Juno. But if they'd like to keep pumping out films about different life stages every couple of years, please, no one stop them. In Tully, Marlo (Theron) is a mum of two who's days away from giving birth to her third child. Unsurprisingly, she's already utterly exhausted. When her new bundle of joy arrives, she's even more stressed and tired, with her husband (Ron Livingston) hardly a hands-on dad. Enter a gift from her well-off brother (Mark Duplass), albeit one she's reluctant to accept at first. He's adamant that a night nanny will change her life, and when serene and soothing twenty-something Tully (Mackenzie Davis) arrives on her doorstep, Marlo soon discovers that he's right. Tully doesn't just take care of the baby each evening so that Marlo can sleep. From cleaning the house and cooking cupcakes for the kids to providing much-needed pep talks and sharing sangrias, Tully takes care of Marlo too. The scenario inspires rich performances from a particularly raw Theron and a suitably sparkling Davis — the former committed to conveying the hardships of maternity in all of its unglamorous glory, the latter calm and kind as Tully brings Marlo back from the brink of desperation. The pair complement each other perfectly, while fleshing out their characters with the type of detail that can only be drawn from reality. As Theron switches from weary to anxious to utterly fed up, the star couldn't offer up a more relatable picture of parenthood. As Davis embodies the caring yet carefree figure every woman has wished she could be, she helps show why such fantasies are ultimately just that. Indeed, while the film couldn't feel more authentic than when Theron is in unhappy wife and mum mode, it kicks into another gear when its two leads share the screen. Cody's script segues from relaying honest truths about being a mother to exploring the importance of female connections, and neither element should be underestimated. Few flicks lay bare the struggles of postnatal depression in such frank but funny terms, and even fewer present complicated, unconventional but unconditionally supportive bonds between women. The writer's usual cynicism is ever-present, recognisable to anyone who's seen the screenwriter's previous films; however if she actively set out to refute every mainstream depiction of idealised mums and stock-standard gal pals, she's nailed it. That said, Tully is likely to divide audiences, all thanks to one decision that this review won't spoil. A bold choice that initially seems like Cody and Reitman might be taking the easy way out, it's actually one of the movie's most astute moves, as well as a development that the director's naturalistic, roaming visual approach subtly builds up to. Tully shows that mums don't stop being people when they usher new life into the world. It firmly demonstrates that everyone needs support. It warmly depicts women looking after each other. More than all of that — and most importantly — the film probes society's willingness to believe that mothers can do it all, often single-handedly. Admitting how ridiculous that expectation is would upset the long-held status quo, but this movie happily takes aim at the idea in a smart, savage and still empathetic fashion. It shouldn't come as a surprise that Cody wrote the script after having her own third child, or that this excellent ode to self-care ranks among her finest, most mature pieces of work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9iVra2kdD4
There are few bands with enough unfaltering stamina to line up a debaucherous, beer-fuelled pub crawl to kick off every night of their Australian tour. But Brisbane's Dune Rats leave the rules at home, abiding by one big ol' proviso: "no kooks, no gutties." Whatever the blazes that means, these bloody corker dudes surf self-generated waves of laidback party-fuelled philosophy. We checked in with the Dunies in Kuala Lumpur during the South East Asian leg of their world tour, or "Koala Kangaroo" as bassist Brett Jansch calls it. The Brisbane lads have been on a furious bender around the globe, rambling around South Africa, Europe and South East Asia in mobile homes and tour buses — with their sights set back home for June. "It's fuckin' awesome," Jansch says "Last night was like, the first time I've slept in a bed for like, the last however long it's been. Just chilled. We had like, a motorhome, then a little campervan all tour." It's good for the Dunies to kick back after months on the road, with all the modern conveniences that come with the gloriousness of hotel life. "I watched this thing on the TV last night called 100 Most Favourite '90s Songs or something, they had like LL Cool J and Marky Mark and shit, it was sick." https://youtube.com/watch?v=CjJ0ABIwOfo On An American Death Trip of Dreams Dune Rats' BC Michaels, Danny Beusa and Jansch have been away from home for some time now, heading to the US, staying in a New York AirBnB warehouse, driving along the West Coast from San Diego to Vancouver and filming their own (sorta) web series American Death Trip of Dreams. Then they bailed over to Europe and the UK. "Ah fuck, I just had such a sick time in the UK and Europe... In America I just get super fat and then washed up, then you get hungover and then you get fat again. Then it's ok, then you get fat again. It's not good for your health, America." "When we just came back, there was about two weeks at home and we all dissipated to our families' respective, like, sanctuary zones because everyone was just wrecked. Too much of America. Then we came to the UK and everyone's like, BC's gettin' a full six pack hey? Eatin' lots of fruit and veg for the last few weeks!" The Dunies made their way to Liverpool, playing an Aussie BBQ during the city's legendary festival Sound City. "That was fuckin' super fun. There were so many Brisbane bands there and we were all "How the fuck are we all here in one place?" That was actually a corker of a time hey." After months on the road, the Dunies will head back home to Australia for a national tour, showcasing their debut album set for release on June 1. It'll be the first time the trio have played to home audiences for months. The tour kicks off on the west coast and ends up back where they all started. "I'm pretty fucking excited to get home, that's for sure. We haven't played in Brissy for ages," says Jansch. "We've been away for so long and hopefully we can just get back and hang out with our buddies and just talk about anything else, find out what they're doin'. https://youtube.com/watch?v=0APj4u-56Jw On Turning an Australian Tour into a Pub Crawl Pieced together like a rambunctious escapade of regrets, the Dunies will host a pub crawl in every city before the gig for fans who've preordered their debut album (out June 1). "Well I guess you just want to get as fucked up as possible before the gig with all our friends and buddies that have preordered the album in order to come to the pub crawl," Jansch says in a wink-wink, nudge-nudge moment of please-buy-our-albumness. "We'll find the right place where we can all hang out together near the venue or whatever and just go pub to pub. "So honestly, we'll be going on a pub crawl all around Australia I guess. I wonder if anyone will come all the way with us. If someone does, they can definitely have a fuckin' t-shirt! They can have a hangover as well." Supporting Dune Rats will be different buds in each state. "We've kind of put together just all our fucking favourite bands and our friends to play, you know... So it's going to be a fucking party every night, especially now with our pub crawls and shit.," Jasnch realises. "Fuck, I think it's going to be a full wash up by the end of it." https://youtube.com/watch?v=1TKRT5IQtjQ On Writing at Brett's Mum's House The Dunies' debut album came to fruition in the most unlikely of locations. The trio headed to Brett's mum's house and started writing. Well, planted a vege patch, went surfing, wrote a bit, hung out, went surfing, wrote again, played a bit, all with Mum's permission. Has to be said: Coolest. Mum. Ever. "She was frothing! You know, I bet whenever the door was shut she was probably sitting on the fuckin' step outside, like with a megaphone in her ear. She was just lovin' it man," says Jansch. "Like, I fuckin' hate all our neighbours at home. But mum would always be like, play as long as you fuckin' want, as loud as you fuckin' want, fuck everybody," he laughs. The World's Best Mum and a solid support base has proved the best grounder for the Dunies, who wholly appreciate everything on their plate. "I guess we're all just fuckin' blown away that we can even go around the world on fuckin' tour... We don't take it for granted or anything. We're always constantly stoked, we're always frothing about all this shit." https://youtube.com/watch?v=lU3n6vRX8yY On Their Debut Album Like all groundbreaking things (Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Ian McEwan's Atonement, Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock's The Lake House) the whole thing hinges around an important letter. "You know there's like, a letter from Steve Albine that surfaced, when Nirvana recorded 'In Utero'? He just outlined the idea of like, fuck all the bullshit, there's no need to slave over shit and try to get everything perfect. The best thing to ever do is probably just punch it out as it would come naturally. And what happened with that album is it turned out fuckin' awesome. [That's] exactly what we were kinda talking about. "We just didn't wanna fuckin' do all this stupid shit that bands do with an album. We just wanted to record the song that we made up in the shed. And that was just this nice inspiration to think oh fuck, you know what? We actually can do it the way that that we'd like to and it'll turn out right." The album was recorded and mixed at Melbourne's Red Door Studios, in the capable hands of Woody Anderson (tour manager and sound engineer for Children Collide). The whole process — recording, mixing, the lot — took just four weeks. "It was all super chilled, all with Woody — just fuckin' easy peasy," says Jansch. "It was pretty much just a bunch of us in the studio, fuckin' chillin' out, makin' the songs." Dune Rats is a rambunctious ride through moments of pure silliness ('Dalai Lama' has five words in total: "Dalai Lama, Big Banana, marijuana,") and heartfelt bouts ('Home Sick'). Jansch is insistent, however, the trio didn't set out to make a particular type of song any given day. "It wasn't like "Ahhh what's today fellas? Let's try and write a funny song." All of them just fuckin' turned out." DUNE RATS TOUR DATES: June 12 - Mojo's, Fremantle WA June 13 - Amplifier, Perth WA June 14 - Uni Bar, Adelaide SA June 19 - Karova Lounge, Ballarat VIC June 20 - The Corner Hotel, Melbourne VIC June 21 - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney NSW June 28 - The Zoo, Brisbane QLD TO REGISTER FOR THE DUNIES PRE PARTIES: 1. Pre-order the album Dune Rats for ten beans at iTunes or JB HiFi. 2. Forward your iTunes or JB HiFi album preorder receipt and your mobile number to stuff@ratbagrecords.com. 3. Let the Dunies know which pre-show you'd like to go to from the dates above. 4. Wait. Recieve the deets on the morning of the show. Then party on dudes. For more details about the Dune Rats pub crawls and to preorder the album head over here. Dune Rats debut album is out Sunday, June 1.
In 2023, IKEA celebrated 80 years of operation. To mark the occasion, it unveiled the Nytillverkad collection, which scours the company's design archives to bring back pieces that've proven a hit in the past, and also riff on its prior highlights in general. Like anyone commemorating a big birthday, the Swedish giant isn't done with the festivities yet. Just because it's now 2024, that doesn't mean that it can't keep dropping retro products. With the brand's lengthy history, there's a reason that almost everyone can't remember a time the chain was a homewares go-to. Started by Ingvar Kamprad, aka the IK in IKEA's moniker, it began in 1943 and moved into furniture in 1948. The company then opened its first store in Sweden a decade later — and came to Australia in the 70s. It's the decade of IKEA's Aussie arrival — and the 60s as well — that gets a massive nod in the Nytillverkad collection's latest drop, which hit stores and online on Wednesday, January 10. Think: shaggy rugs, bold patterns and swivel armchairs. Think bright pops of colour as well. Among the side tables, cushion covers and more, 12 of the newly available pieces are re-introductions, with IKEA's Karin Mobring and Gillis Lundgren reviving them from the brand's history. "Vintage furniture has made a big comeback lately, and there's been a growing demand for certain IKEA products that have become collector's favourites," said IKEA Sweden Global Design Manager Johan Eidemo. "That is why we decided to bring back a selection of our design icons, and we are excited to see interest coming from customers of all ages, especially young people who are discovering our design legacy and using these vibrant solutions to express themselves at home. To us, these products are the essence of democratic design, they are timeless, as they combine a beautiful form, a great function, sustainability, an affordable price, and quality that lasts long." Does your lounge room need a white and chrome two-tier side table that first graced IKEA's catalogue in 1971? A yellow-hued armchair from 1969? A black armchair that's designed to reduce stress from 1967? A pendant lampshade that debuted in 1979? They're part of the Nytillverkad range's current vintage focus. Prices vary from $5.50 for a cushion cover to $299 for an armchair — and like with all IKEA limited-edition drops, including its recent first-ever workout collection, you'll want to get in quick before everything sells out. IKEA's Nytillverkad collection is on sale now in Australia, in store and online, until stocks last. Head to the IKEA website for further details.
Already dreaming of warmer days? The annual Tesselaar Tulip Festival is set to feature close to one million tulips planted across five acres of farmland, offering the perfect excuse to wander through endless fields of flowers to celebrate the start of spring. The tulip farm will come alive for its famous festivities from Saturday, September 14–Sunday, October 13, with a calendar of themed weekends promising something for all. Running September 14–15, Turkish Weekend will dish up a program of art, music and food in honour of the country that played host to the first tulip festival over 400 years ago. Then, Dutch Weekend (September 21–22) will transport you straight to Holland, homeland of the festival's founders Cees and Johanna Tesselaar. Get set for clog dancing, sjoekbak (Dutch shuffleboard) and, in a recreation of Amsterdam's famed Alkmaar Cheese Market, a host of traditional eats — previous years included oliebollen (Dutch dumplings), bitterballen (meatballs), poffertjes and Tesselaar's signature Double Dutch ice cream. More great eating awaits at Food, Wine & Jazz Weekend (September 27–29), where you'll enjoy local drinks and gastronomical delights among the tulips. Also on the bill: a couple of Children's Weeks, a weekend devoted to retro rock 'n' roll, and an Irish Weekend filled with craic. And as always, the month-long series of flower-filled events are dog-friendly.
If you like nabbing bargains, then Christmas has come a month early in 2022. Black Friday is here, and sales, sales and more sales are popping up everywhere on and around Friday, November 25. So, maybe you're keen to treat yo'self to whatever is on your wishlist. Perhaps you're getting your festive shopping done early. Or, you could be getting a jump on your 2023 holiday planning. If it's the latter that has you most excited about Black Friday, here's a destination to add to your itinerary: the Northern Territory. Via Tourism NT and a range of holiday providers, you can now score $89 flights to Australia's Red Centre and Top End, plus up to 25-percent off holiday experiences. [caption id="attachment_846391" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism NT[/caption] The specials are running for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and those $89 airfares will take you from Sydney to Uluru with Jetstar. The full range of flights includes discounts to both Uluru and Alice Springs from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Cairns, with all fares under $150. Also on offer: packages via Flight Centre, some including airfares, all with hefty discounts. Flights, accommodation and a three-day cultural getaway at Uluru start at $1435, or you can get the same setup for a wildlife and desert ranges jaunt in Alice Springs from $1380. Hotel-only packages start at $503 per person for four nights in Darwin, if you're travelling as part of a couple — and, whether you're just nabbing flights, hotels or both, there's a heap of tours and experiences up for grabs for cheap as well, with discounts between 20–25-percent off. Fancy a self-driving tour of the Red Centre? That's on the list, too, and so are Kakadu jaunts, and hitting up waterfalls and national parks. Basically, if you haven't yet made the trip to the NT, this sale gives you zero excuses to keep it that way. To check out the Black Friday and Cyber Monday holiday deals, head to the Tourism NT website. First top image: Tiwi Island Retreat, Tourism NT. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
When Disney isn't keeping huge pop-culture franchises on our screens or ensuring that everyone's childhood favourites never fade into memory — and sometimes doing both at the same time — it happens to be mighty fond of scandals and true crime. Well, to be precise, the Mouse House-owned US streaming platform Hulu is, and its shows keep making their way Down Under via Disney+. The latest even promises a massive stripping-empire saga, sordid deeds driven by money and murder because of the dance floor. After exploring the story behind Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee's sex tape in the 90s-set Pam & Tommy to start 2022, Disney+ plans to end it with a jump into back to the 70s and 80s — aided by a whole heap of disrobing male dancers — courtesy of Welcome to Chippendales. And if watching the just-dropped first teaser trailer for the latter gets you thinking about the former, there's another reason for that: writer/executive producer/creator Robert Siegel is behind both. The focus here: Somen 'Steve' Banerjee, who was born in India, moved to the US, bought a Los Angeles nightclub and founded the striptease troupe turned worldwide hit that shares Welcome to Chippendales' name. Banerjee's tale involves outrageous success, but also turns into sinister territory. That's put it mildly; however, if you don't already know the details, you'll want to discover the rest while watching. Fresh from a superhero stint in Eternals, Kumail Nanjiani plays Banerjee — and the rest of the star-studded cast includes newly minted The White Lotus Emmy-winner Murray Bartlett, Yellowjackets' Juliette Lewis and American Crime Story's Annaleigh Ashford, as well as Dan Stevens (I'm Your Man), Andrew Rannells (Girls5eva), Nicola Peltz Beckham (Holidate), Quentin Plair (The Good Lord Bird) and Robin de Jesús (Tick, Tick... Boom!). WandaVision's Matt Shakman is in the director's chair and, if you're fond of the era, expect the appropriate soundtrack (and vibe) when the show starts streaming from Tuesday, November 22. It'll drop two episodes first up, then new instalments weekly afterwards across the eight-episode limited series' run. Move over Magic Mike: Welcome to Chippendales looks set to be everyone's next stripper-fuelled obsession, and new true-crime addiction as well. Check out the trailer below: Welcome to Chippendales will be available to stream via Disney+ from November 22.
There was a time in my life when I worked at a department store beauty counter. It was a dark period, where the only solace was lamenting the shared pain of the woeful vocation with co-workers. When we weren’t being forced to manically spritz perfume on unassuming passersby, we would often swap tips for DIY beauty remedies to find some sense of sanity and camaraderie in those trying times. Find below the best of those homemade recipes. COCONUT PULLING What you’ll need: -Organic coconut oil -15-20 minutes of silent time Recently, coconut oil has come to be revered as the holy grail of natural beauty health remedies. While I would advocate many different uses for this oil fit for the gods, coconut pulling is at the top of my list for best uses. An ancient Ayurvedic treatment, this technique has been used for thousands of years to improved dental hygiene. The oil acts as an agent to ‘pull’ bacteria and infection from the mouth and throat, and is even said to reduce the effects of migraines, inflammation, insomnia, sinus congestion and allergy symptoms. Personally, I find it does wonders for naturally whitening teeth and preventing bad breath. The technique is relatively simple — so much so that I tend to do most of my oil pulling while I’m slightly intoxicated and don’t want to wake up in the morning with last night’s mistakes on my breath. Put 2-3 teaspoons of solid coconut oil in your mouth, and hold underneath your tongue until it starts to melt. When it has softened into a liquid, the idea is to ‘pull’ it back and forth through your teeth, swishing around the mouth and back of throat for 15-20 minutes. After enduring this for as long as humanly possible, spit into the bin (the oil hardens when expelled and can clog your drain if you use the sink!) and revel in a ‘just got my braces off’ level of freshness. Do NOT -under any circumstances - swallow the oil. It’s a swirling cesspool full of the bacterial crap that was just extracted from your mouth and throat. COLD SPOON FOR PUFFY EYES What you’ll need: -Spoon -Freezer This one is a total lifesaver if, like me, people often mistake your puffy morning eyes for puffy mourning eyes. For those times when it’s obvious you were watching Game of Thrones until 3am, keep a couple of metal spoons in the freezer. Gently apply the back of the frosty spoon to your under-eye area, applying light pressure for about 30 seconds. I understand that making you hold a freezing cold metal object to your face at this delicate hour might seem a little sadistic, but the time comes in every person’s life where they must face such adversities to gain what is rightfully theirs (in this case, un-puffy eyes). Remove spoons to find the bright-eyed, bushy-tailed morning person that was always within you. EGG YOLK HAIR TREATMENT What you’ll need: -1 egg -1 cup natural Greek yoghurt To be honest, I can rarely muster the strength to run a brush through my hair, let alone use actual food I could be eating to make a treatment for it. For those rare occasions when I would like to look like a chic and glamorous adult woman, I use a DIY treatment passed on to me by a co-worker who had the soft, silky unicorn hair of my dreams. While it does not transform my hair into her waist-length, thick, dark hair, it does take my hair game from, ‘Tired Mum at the Bus Stop’ marginally closer to 'Mount Olympus Demi-Goddess'. I also like this one because, unlike many homemade hair masks, it does not ask me to sacrifice one of my precious avocados to mush into my scalp. Start by separating the egg yolk from the white. For this treatment, you’ll only be using the yolk, so perhaps put the whites aside to make some meringues, or the face mask below (Or don’t. It’s your life). Combine the egg yolk with one cup of natural Greek yoghurt and mix well. Massage the mixture from the roots to the ends of your hair; ensuring every strand is coated. Pop on a shower cap, and do what you will for 20-30 minutes (might I suggest a spot of coconut pulling?) Rinse the mixture out of your hair using cold water. I don’t know if this is a thing, but the thought of hot, eggy yoghurt running down my body is unacceptable to me. Do a quick shampoo to ensure you wash the entire mask out, then either let your hair dry naturally or blow-dry on a low heat. Admire your new, shiny princess hair. EGG WHITE FACE MASK What you’ll need: - 1-2 egg whites -A couple squeezes of lemon -1 teaspoon of honey Full disclosure: I actually picked up this trick from my boyfriend, who has the taut yet supple skin I have only imagined in Proactiv dreams. The protein in the egg whites smooths skin and helps to preserve moisture, while a combination of the antibacterial properties in honey and powerful acne fighting astringent found in lemons make this mask great for clearing problem skin. First off, prep skin by soaking a clean towel in warm water and pressing against the face for about a minute to encourage pores to open. Combine the egg whites and lemon and whisk together, then add the honey and stir well. Smooth the mixture over the entire face, and leave on for 15 minutes. I would highly recommend lying back with a towel underneath your head to avoid looking like your face is melting off. Carefully use the cloth to wash off the mixture thoroughly. Don’t be surprised if people want to lick your face.
All those years you spent waiting for Hedwig to drop a Hogwarts acceptance letter in your letterbox or your fireplace were not in vain. No, my muggle friend, they were all leading up to this: the day when Hollywood's Universal Studios announced that they'll be opening the (wonderful) Wizarding World of Harry Potter, complete with a replica of the magical school itself. The date? April 7, 2016. Yep, you'll be able to enter into Hogwarts and presumably stand on the sacred ground where Harry got placed into Gryffindor by the Sorting Hat, Hermione punched Malfoy in the face and everywhere Snape threw shade. They'll also be replicating Hogsmeade, recreating shops like Ollivanders, Zonko’s Joke Shop and Honeydukes, as well as The Three Broomsticks and the Hog's Head. We assume you'll be able to order by way of accio butterbeer. This isn't the first Harry Potter theme park — there's already one in both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Japan — but this definitely looks like the coolest. Plus, it's Harry Potter. Losing your shit is totally acceptable. So keep an eye out for that acceptance letter. Or, alternatively, a return flight to LA doesn't seem too out of the question either. It's Hogwarts.
One of the surprise hits of 2009 was Ruben Fleischer's offbeat black comedy Zombieland, a violent yet somehow delightful (and even romantic) parody of zombie horror movies that perhaps even bettered Shaun of the Dead. Zombieland brought together a diverse cast, a sparkling script, and gorgeous cinematography to create something quite unlike anything else seen that year. Four years later, those same ingredients seemed in place for Fleischer's next film Gangster Squad, particularly in the casting, where a covetable blend of old (Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, and Josh Brolin) and new (Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, Anthony Mackie, Robert Patrick, Michael Pena, and Giovanni Ribisi) created a credits reel almost as long as The Hobbit. And yet, to paraphrase Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park, the principle of tiny variations can vastly affect an outcome. Goldblum's character called it 'chaos theory', and while Gangster Squad might not quite be chaotic, its imperfections are far more noticeable than those on Laura Dern's wrist. Moreover, and not unlike the mindless flesh-eating hordes in Zombieland, this film tends to feed off a collection of other, better, films in a desperate attempt to survive. It tells the 'based-on-a-true-story' story of '40s LA gangster Mickey Cohen (Penn), a boxer-turned-kingpin whose ambitions saw him aspiring to control all gambling operations across the entire US west coast. Cohen's power and influence rendered him altogether UNTOUCHABLE, with police and politicians either too corrupt or too afraid to stand against him. One good cop, however — war hero Sgt John O'Mara (Brolin) — refuses to lie down and watch his city fall into darkness. Deciding that Cohen represents a CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER, he LA CONFIDENTIALLY forms a secret team of vigilante law enforcers and together those MAGNIFICENT SEVEN to take on Cohen at his own game. In short, Gangster Squad apes several other great stories to tell its story of how the only honest cop in LA turns into a vicious vigilante murderer and is then lauded for it. With shootings, bashings, and blowings-up on both sides of the war, the moral compass swings around so fiercely in this film it's surprising it doesn’t wholly take off. Visually, it's a delight to behold, with elaborate set pieces, sumptuous period costumes, and grand architecture giving it a glamorous sheen; however, it can't gloss over the hammy script and one-dimensional characters whose journey only goes from A to A.
The National Gallery of Victoria has been displaying a plethora of Chinese masterpieces lately, and the opening of its new dual exhibitions — Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality and Cai Guo-Qiang: The Transient Landscape — are two more unmissable additions. The most monumental part of the exhibition is undoubtedly the Terracotta Army: a collection of sculptures that were created for the first Emperor of China Qin Shi Huang's gigantic tomb back around 221–206 BCE but were only discovered in Shaanxi province in 1974. It's one of the 20th century's most significant archaeological finds. The NGV had displayed some of them before back in the 80s, but has managed to score eight (of the estimated 8000) terracotta warriors for its 2019 Winter Masterpieces exhibition. They're supported by a cast of two breathtaking life-size Imperial Army horses and two smaller replica bronze chariots, and complemented by a remarkable selection of gold, jade and bronze artefacts that date back a thousand years. Finding parallels with the terracotta warriors, Cai Guo-Qiang's exhibition provides a contemporary perspective on China's culture and ancient philosophies. Across installation, exhibition design and paintings forged with gunpowder, Cai's work illuminates his sincere commitment to the idea that history and ritual can inform great contemporary art. Below, we've picked out six artworks that highlight why this exhibition is one you have to catch — whether you live in Melbourne or interstate. It will be showing right up until October 13. CAI GUO-QIANG [caption id="attachment_722861" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Fennessy[/caption] TRANSIENCE (PEONY) From good fortune to compassion and romance, peonies have held an important significance within Chinese culture for centuries. This artwork is made up of two works, with Transience I (Peony) being a huge mound of porcelain, which has been singed with gunpowder. The second part, Transience II (Peony), is an immersive 360-degree painting where Cai Guo-Qiang showcases the peony throughout its four stages of life — from its emergence to its bloom, wilting and eventually its decay. Each colourful petal displayed across the work was created using colourful gunpowder (in a Williamstown warehouse) to scorch the silk underneath forming unique characteristics and shapes. Together, the two works explore the fragility of life and hint at the downfall of the Qin empire — it was the first dynasty of Imperial China and lasted only 14 years as advisors fought for control. [caption id="attachment_722859" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tobias Titz[/caption] MURMURATION (LANDSCAPE) Featuring 10,000 porcelain starlings, this mind-bending installation seeks to recreate the bewildering phenomenon of 'murmuration', where large flocks of birds move effortlessly in harmony — something that scientists still haven't landed on a conclusive answer for. Simultaneously, Cai's intricate work also resembles the undulating slopes of Mount Li, a culturally and spiritually significant place that was chosen by Emperor Qin Shihuang to house his giant terracotta army. Meanwhile, each of the birds in the artwork were produced in Cai's hometown of Quanzhou, which has strong traditions of crafting high-quality white porcelain. However, Cai used gunpowder to ignite his flock into a dramatic shade of black. [caption id="attachment_723262" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tobias Titz[/caption] FLOW (CYPRESS) Like peonies, cypress trees have long been an important emblem in ancient Chinese history. Symbolising resilience and integrity in art and literature, this large-scale creation saw Cai draw with gunpowder and mimic what's known in Chinese as dimai, or 'veins of the earth'. According to feng shui, the Chinese study of energy forces, locations that feature distinct valleys and rivers represent the earth's most abundant settings and have been chosen throughout ancient history as the sites for tombs and other places of supreme importance. This work depicts China's Central Plains, which is considered to be the birthplace of the concepts of yin and yang, Taoism, and the starting point for 400 years of the Han Dynasty. TERRACOTTA WARRIORS [caption id="attachment_723265" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Fennessy[/caption] ARMOURED MILITARY OFFICER With an estimated 8000 terracotta warriors buried at the Xi'an excavation site, so far only about 2000 have managed to be successfully removed. However, what has astounded experts is that every figure they've managed to unearth has its own unique attributes, whether that be the uniforms they're wearing, the weapons they carry or the hairstyles of the people. This fact has led many to believe that each of the warriors could actually represent a real-life person from Emperor Qin's army of the time. [caption id="attachment_723264" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Fennessy[/caption] KNEELING ARCHER Discovered in one of the excavation site's enormous pits, the kneeling archers are some of the Terracotta Army's best-preserved items that have been discovered to date. Highly realistic with their armour and facial expressions crafted in stunning detail, on average, the kneeling archers stand at about 1.2-metres-tall and are considered absolute masterpieces of ancient Chinese sculpture. It's said that the craftspeople responsible for the Terracotta Warriors paid extra careful attention to the kneeling arches, which can be seen in the stitching on their shoes and the immaculately produced armour plating. [caption id="attachment_723263" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean Fennessy[/caption] MYTHICAL CREATURE The huge cache of ancient marvels didn't just include thousands of soldiers. For his journey into the afterlife, Emperor Qin decided that he'd need a host of other possessions, people and creatures to help him on his way. So far, archaeologists who remain hard at work digging through the earth have found a wealth of civilian figurines, carriages and even animals, including this remarkably preserved pair of mythical creatures. From singers and acrobats to strongmen, other findings include bronze cranes, horses and suits of armour, plus a host of buildings from his own imperial palace such as halls, stables and offices. Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality and Cai Guo-Qiang: The Transient Landscape will both be on display at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne until Sunday, October 13. Admission is $30 for adults and includes entry to both exhibitions. You can buy tickets at the gallery or in advance here. Images: courtesy NGV International.
Thanks to our sweltering weather, abundance of beaches and all-round love of creamy, frosty desserts, Australia has given rise to many a great ice cream. But, one has always reigned supreme. That'd be the humble, colourful, swirl-filled Rainbow Paddle Pop, which tastes like caramel, summer, nostalgia and not having a care in the world (and every Aussie has the childhood memories to prove it). Licking your way through a single Rainbow Paddle Pop on a stick is all well and good (and often messy and sticky). In fact, even though it's the king of Aussie ice creams, you probably no longer give buying a whole box of them a second thought. Plunging a scoop into a tub of Rainbow Paddle Pop ice cream is something new, special and completely different, however — and, thanks to Streets' new one-litre range, it's now on the menu. The ice cream company has rolled out tub versions of three classic Aussie flavours — so, if you're not obsessed with Rainbow Paddle Pops for some reason, you can also tuck into scoopable servings of Bubble O'Bill and Golden Gaytime. And yes, the Bubble O'Bill tub includes bubble gum-flavoured candy pieces scattered throughout its chocolate and caramel ice cream, because we all know that it'd be pointless without them. Expect the new dessert line to be popular — announcing the tubs, Streets' Brand Manager Samantha Jarmul advised that "these are the top requests we receive from Streets' fans". If that's your next at-home sundae sorted, you can pick up tubs for $8 each from IGA supermarkets. They'll also be available in Woolworths stores nationwide by mid-next week, and will then be on Coles' shelves from mid-August. Streets' Bubble O'Bill, Rainbow Paddle Pop and Golden Gaytime tubs are now available at IGA supermarkets, will hit Woolworths stores by mid-next week, and will then be on Coles' shelves from mid-August — and will set you back $8 each.
Edinburgh Gin's 'Filled With Wonder' Floral Workshop is arriving in Melbourne this November, transforming Richmond's iconic Glasshaus Inside into a lavish greenhouse oasis for an afternoon of creativity, flavour, and seasonal celebration. As the Christmas party season approaches, this one-of-a-kind event offers the perfect way to ease into the festive season, inviting guests to unwind with a floral arrangement in one hand and the perfect Gin cocktail in the other. Inside the lush, plant-filled walls of Glasshaus Inside, florist Kathy Nguyen of Rosie Haus will lead the workshop. She guides guests through crafting their own seasonal bouquet, teaching them how to balance colour, texture and form while surrounded by cascading greenery and natural light. As guests arrange stems and blooms, Edinburgh Gin serves three expertly made cocktails from its botanical range, including an exclusive first taste of the brand-new Strawberry and Pink Pepper Gin, freshly launched in Australia. Expect vibrant serves that celebrate spring with every sip. Think a zesty classic gin and tonic with a citrus twist, a juicy watermelon and lime punch, and the standout Strawberry and Pink Pepper Gin Sour, shaken with lemon, strawberry syrup, and a hint of peppercorn spice. Tickets are just $35 and include the floral masterclass, three crafted cocktails, and access to a beautifully laid out table piled high with local cheeses and charcuterie. We promise the next time you host your own garden party, you'll be able to pull out all the tips and tricks from this event to recreate this perfect evening at home. So whether you're an aspiring florist, a Gin lover, or looking for a relaxing way to enter the spring season, Filled With Wonder is the perfect, relaxed escape, designed to celebrate creativity and welcome you into spring. The 'Filled With Wonder' Flower Arranging Class will run across two sessions on Saturday, November 15 from 12–1:30pm and 2:30–4pm. Tickets are $35 and include the class, three cocktails and grazing table.
The hair, the hips, a whole lotta shakin' and Tom Hanks in a far less friendly role than usual: they're all part of the just-dropped trailer for Baz Luhrmann's Elvis. After a nine-year absence from the silver screen following 2013's The Great Gatsby, the Australian filmmaker returns to cinemas with a biopic about the world's most famous blue suede shoe aficionado, with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and The Dead Don't Die's Austin Butler sporting Presley's pompadour. Shot in Australia with a cast that also spans a wealth of local talent — Olivia DeJonge (Better Watch Out) as Priscilla, Richard Roxburgh (Fires) as Presley's father Vernon, newly minted Oscar-nominee Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog) as singer Jimmie Rodgers, and David Wenham (The Furnace) as country artist Hank Snow, for starters — Elvis clearly has a big story to tell. Charting the king of rock 'n' roll's rise to fame, exploring the role that manager Colonel Tom Parker played in that success and examining how Presley became the enduring symbol of rock 'n' roll that he still remains now, 45 years after his death, as everything from touring exhibitions to his enduring status in popular culture keep showing: that's all in the movie's remit, too. As Parker, Hanks also has a significant task. In the trailer, the News of the World and A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood star's first words set the mood for his character: "there are some who make me out to be the villain of this story". Launching Elvis' initial sneak peek, Luhrmann explained that Hanks' role obviously isn't quite that simple. "He ran towards that. It's interesting because 'villain' is too easy to wrap it up," the filmmaker advises. "He tells the story, [but] he doesn't go on to tell the story that says 'and they're right'... It's a device, because when it comes to a historical character, there's only ever someone's telling of that story. Even in life, if you lived with an Elvis, it's your memory — your version of their life." From its first trailer, Elvis is unmistakably a Luhrmann movie. As everything from Strictly Ballroom and Romeo + Juliet to Moulin Rouge! and his Netflix series The Get Down have already shown, the Aussie director doesn't hold back when it comes to style, flair, and embracing the look and feel of whichever world he's diving into. Describing his process, Luhrmann goes a step further. "I am the ultimate outsider. I come from a very small country town, not dissimilar to Tupelo [Mississippi, where Presley was born] — where I come from, Tupelo would've been called the big smoke or a city because my town was so small, like five houses. But I'm the ultimate outsider, so when I go and do Moulin Rouge! and it's in Paris, I come as an outsider and live it. If I do The Get Down, I come as an outsider and live it. If I do The Great Gatsby, I come as an outsider and I live like [author F Scott] Fitzgerald — I probably got a little bit too much into some of the things that Fitzgerald did — but I do live it, it's a real truth." "That's why I make films so infrequently. So the greatest joy for me is to make films and to live it," he explains. For the writer/director, who works here with a script also credited to his regular co-screenwriter Craig Pearce, plus The Get Down's Sam Bromell and The Killing's Jeremy Doner, Elvis isn't just about its namesake. "A great biopic is terrific, but something like Amadeus, for example, it's not really about Mozart — it's about jealousy. And the truth is is that in this modern era, the life of Elvis Presley could not be a better canvas on which to explore America in the 50s, the 60s and the 70s," Luhrmann notes. "It's a mythical life that he lived‚ very young, 42 years. But that 42 years is is three great lives put into a short period of time. And what's extraordinary about it is that that life is culturally at the centre of the 50s, and socially the 60s and actually the 70s. And it's a great canvas on which to us explore America. So that's what drew me in — that and a guy called Colonel Tom Parker, who I always like to say was never a Colonel, never a Tom and and never a Parker." Check out the trailer for Elvis below: Elvis releases in cinemas Down Under on June 23, 2022. Images: Hugh Stewart.
With its ten-day feast of art, music and performances, heading to Launceston's Mona Foma can feel a little like wandering through a labyrinth. The first of MONA's annual arts festivals, the now 12-year-old event guides punters in one direction, then nudges them in another, thoroughly spoiling attendees for choice — which is what you'd expect of a fest that features more than 400 artists across 25 venues. When it returns in 2020, taking place between Saturday, January 11 and Monday, January 20, Mona Foma is taking that maze-like feeling literally. One of its headliners is the latest project by Nottingham's Architects of Air — who just popped up in Melbourne and will now be unleashing a giant, colourful, light-filled inflatable playground called Daedalum Luminarium on Tasmania. It'll turn the banks of the Tamar River into an interconnected series of caves and caverns with 19 egg-shaped domes, all inspired by the Roman Pantheon and taking their cues from mythology — and an accompanying soundscape created by Midnight Oil's Jim Moginie. [caption id="attachment_746633" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Orville Peck. Image courtesy of the artist and Mona Foma[/caption] There are plenty of other highlights on the program to lose yourself in, too. Chief among them is the music lineup, which is led by Slovenian industrial popsters Laibach, who'll perform their take on The Sound of Music (yes, really). If a masked cowboy crooner is your thing (and isn't it everyone's?), Orville Peck will be singing tunes of heartbreak and revenge from his debut album, Pony. They'll both be joined by Italian pianist Ludovico Einaudi and his ivory-tickling tunes, Flying Lotus 3D's blend of jazz-funk, hip hop and eye-popping visuals, plus Mona Foma mainstay Amanda Palmer, who'll ask Launceston's ladies to share their thoughts and fears, then turn their answers into a new piece of music. Elsewhere, Mona Foma-goers can bounce around to the Japanese girl power stylings of Chai, and hear Paul Kelly perform with composer James Ledger, singer Alice Keath and the Seraphim Trio. And, in the type of show we're betting you haven't seen before, Berlin-based Holly Herndon is performing with her self-designed, artificially intelligent 'baby' called Spawn. [caption id="attachment_746634" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] MONA/Rémi Chauvin. Image courtesy of the artist and MONA Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia[/caption] Keen to keep listening? Sound artist Akio Suzuki wants you to do just that, creating an immersive sound walk that's inspired by — and will take you around — Launceston. And while you're on your feet, follow them to huge puppet show King Ubu, which'll stage a version of Alfred Jarry's 19th-century French satire Ubu Roi in the famed Cataract Gorge with giant puppets. Among the other standouts, MESS and Soma Lumia's Hypnos Cave re-imagines existing Launceston attraction The Dark Ride — with lasers, video art, lights and a synth soundtrack adding an extra layer to the watery, convict era-inspired barge trip. You can also head along to The Centre, a collection of choreographed works inspired by after-school sport (complete with snacks), or ponder how sweat and even dead skin could play a role in futuristic fashion with designers Alice Potts and Tarryn Handcock. Laughing like kookaburras, enjoying Indigenous Australian art out of the city, watching movies about artists and hearing electronic beats inspired by the ancient music of the Japanese royal court — that's all on the bill, too. As is Mona Foma's beloved after-hours party Faux Mo: Working 9 to 5 (which'll run from 9pm–5am, naturally, and include breakfast at 4am). Mona Foma runs from January 11–20, 2020, in Launceston, Tasmania. For more information or to grab tickets from 10am AEDT on Monday, October 21, head to mofo.net.au. Top image: 'Daedalum' by Architects of Air (UK). Image courtesy of the artist/studio and Mona Foma.
It's no secret that New York City is overflowing with cultural experiences. That's probably one of the main reasons you're considering visiting (or revisiting). But what you might not know is that there's a slew of cultural experiences to be found beyond the Big Apple too. Once you've explored The Met and caught a Broadway show, head outside the city into New York State to explore art galleries, museums and performance spaces that showcase incredible creativity, history and stories. We've teamed up with New York State to highlight some of our favourite destinations that will elevate your journey beyond the typical tourist stops. [caption id="attachment_845553" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Rozell, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation[/caption] SCHUYLER MANSION, ALBANY Planning to see Hamilton when you're in NYC? In addition to listening to the soundtrack on repeat for the rest of your trip, you'll likely want to learn more about the characters you saw brought to life on stage. And you can do so at the Schuyler Mansion in Albany, the state's capital city. Once home to Philip J. Schuyler — the prominent 18th-century military leader, politician and father to Hamilton characters Angelica, Eliza and Peggy Schuyler — the Schuyler Mansion remains an enduring piece of Albany's history. Originally built on an 80-acre property overlooking the Hudson River, it was visited throughout the years by some of America's most notable figures including Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and Benedict Arnold. Spoiler alert: it was also the location of Alexander Hamilton and Eliza Schuyler's wedding in 1780. Enjoy wandering through this preserved Georgian home to delve into the story behind the mansion and its residents, and to experience how one of New York's influential figures shaped the surrounding region from this historic estate. [caption id="attachment_845255" align="alignnone" width="1920"] George Eastman House - Kellie Fraver[/caption] GEORGE EASTMAN MUSEUM, ROCHESTER Consider yourself a film and photography buff? The George Eastman Museum is a grand cultural institution dedicated to the origins of photography and motion picture. The estate's namesake owner founded the Eastman Kodak Company, and his former residence has hosted this not-for-profit museum since 1947 and features a collection spanning millions of artefacts. Throughout the year there are terrific exhibitions from established and emerging artists, plus daily tours of the grounds and regular talks by visiting scholars. The museum is also one of three places in the country where you can catch a screening presented on nitrate film — once thought too flammable to use safely. After you've finished exploring inside, take a moment to savour the mansion's immaculate gardens. [caption id="attachment_853517" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NYSDED, Darren McGee[/caption] NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM, COOPERSTOWN Baseball is still referred to as America's favourite pastime and remains one of the most popular sports in the country. Attending a Major League game is definitely something to add to your itinerary (even if only for the hotdogs, peanuts and beer in paper cups) but if you're looking to learn about the history of the sport, it's worth a trip to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown. Here, both mega-fans and the sports-curious can explore remarkable exhibits featuring millions of items from the private collection. Opened in 1939 to draw tourists to the community, this vast three-storey museum now offers everything from baseball movie memorabilia to a 200-seat theatre screening documentaries. [caption id="attachment_853521" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NYSDED, Darren McGee[/caption] PROCTORS THEATER, SCHENECTADY Opened as a vaudeville playhouse in the early 20th century, Proctors Theater is one of the most historic stages to be found anywhere in the United States. It was the location for the first-ever public television demonstration in 1930 and has had iconic pop acts like Mariah Carey and Britney Spears grace its stage. Proctors Theater now focuses on accommodating Broadway productions, large-scale cinema screenings and shows for emerging local performers, so if you wanted to experience a quality theatrical production (without the huge crowds and ticket prices that Broadway often demand), head to the colourful city of Schenectady to secure seats to the likes of My Fair Lady (May 17–22, 2022) and Mean Girls (June 28–July 3, 2022). [caption id="attachment_853523" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NYSDED, Darren McGee[/caption] BOLDT CASTLE, ALEXANDRIA BAY It's hard to believe you can find something so picturesque and fairy tale-like within driving distance of New York City but here you have it: Boldt Castle. This grand Rhineland structure adorns its own five-acre island within the Thousand Islands-Seaways region, about 5.5 hours from Manhattan. The brainchild of influential hotelier George Boldt, the castle was originally built for his wife Louise, but sat incomplete for over 70 years after her death brought construction to a halt. After a long-standing effort to finish the castle, the island is now open to visitors between May and October each year when the weather is warmer. Catch a ferry or private boat across from the mainland to explore the carefully reconstructed spaces and period-specific furnishings, then hit up the formal gardens, picnic areas and gift shop. [caption id="attachment_851083" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NYSDED, Darren McGee[/caption] LUCY DESI STUDIOS MUSEUM AND NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER, JAMESTOWN Nowadays, it's difficult to grasp how influential a duo Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were. Back in the 50s, I Love Lucy was a worldwide sensation and a pioneering production on a couple of fronts, including being the first TV show to have a live studio audience instead of using canned laughter. The Lucy Desi Museum is where you can celebrate the legacy of these television icons by exploring a collection of costumes, awards, mementos as well as precise studio set recreations. Also in Jamestown is the National Comedy Center where you'll find more than 50 interactive exhibits that track the rise of modern comedy as a beloved art form. You'll gain an even greater appreciation for the genre's defining figures, from Charlie Chaplin to Carl Reiner. [caption id="attachment_845002" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NYSDED, Darren McGee[/caption] STORM KING ART CENTER, NEW WINDSOR New York State's kaleidoscopic landscape is striking as it shifts in colour throughout the year from one season to the next. One of the best places to experience the natural wonder is Hudson Valley's Storm King Art Center — a 500-acre outdoor gallery filled with towering installations and site-specific commissions from renowned artists. As you roam the wide open fields, you'll come across soaring artworks by world-famous sculpturists like Roy Lichtenstein, Alexander Calder, Richard Serra and Lynda Benglis. Alongside this enormous collection of permanent openair works, there are new exhibitions presented inside a smaller gallery space. This year, Storm King Art Center is hosting a special showing of Kenyan-born American artist Wangechi Mutu's earth and bronze sculptures, and New York-based artist Brandon Ndife's site-specific project Shade Trees. [caption id="attachment_853526" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NYSDED, Darren McGee[/caption] FISHER CENTER AT BARD, ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON Cultural institutions rarely come more stunning than the Fisher Center at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson. Located in the Hudson Valley region, the experimental performing arts centre was designed by seminal architect Frank Gehry, and the building's sustainable innovations and deconstructivist roofline received rave reviews upon being opened to the public. The performances inside are just as impressive. The Fisher Center at Bard hosts musical theatre, dance and orchestral events across several groundbreaking spaces. Check the website to see what's happening during your visit and purchase tickets to whatever takes your fancy. To start planning your trip to New York State, head to iloveny.com. Also, be sure to check out our recommendations for the best food and drink stops, places to stay, outdoor adventures and day trips from NYC. Top image: NYSDED, Darren McGee
The Lunar New Year rolls around this weekend, and Federation Square is hopping right into the Year of the Rabbit with a colourful day of performances, cultural workshops and more. The free festivities are set to take over the precinct from 9.30am on Sunday, January 22. First up, you can start your day rejuvenating body and mind with a guided tai chi class in the Main Square, learning martial arts moves designed to boost strength and improve mental clarity. From 11am, the gears switch up slightly for an ancient Chinese dancing class, where you'll be guided through moves that fuse elements of traditional and contemporary dance. Led by volunteers, the one-hour session kicks off with a warm-up and stretches, leaving you limber and ready to move. Then, from 12.30pm, you can cool down with a rewarding frosty treat — a pop-up stall will be slinging free scoops of lunar-inspired ice cream. And if you drop by from 1pm, you'll catch a vibrant dragon dance performance put on by the Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne. They'll weave all throughout the precinct, delivering good luck and fortune for the Lunar New Year.
Swedish fashion blogger and international face of Rekorderlig Cider, Caroline Blomst, had a very busy schedule while visiting Australia for the first time this month. Attending shows at L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, shooting street style for her blog in Sydney and Melbourne, as well as a Sydney exhibition of her work at the Somedays Gallery in Surry Hills were just a few of the things on her to-do list. Blomst and her boyfriend Daniel Troyse launched their blog, Stockholm Street Style, in 2005, and in 2007 the pair added Caroline’s Mode. According to Blomst, “People have a hard time understanding that it’s a job and not a hobby.” With her Stockholm-meets-Paris style, she adds “I try and keep it simple, minimalistic and comfortable but still I want to add some pieces to make it chic which is the Paris part”. We caught up with the fashion forward model-turned-blogger to ask her thoughts on blogging, designers and Australian fashion. What have you learnt since you started blogging? In the beginning hardly anyone knew what a blog was, it was only the hardcore bloggers that knew. I think in the last 2 years maybe people are starting to learn what a blog is. I’ve been doing this fulltime - 6 months into blogging, so since late 2005. The hard thing is to make people realise that it’s a job and that we do it seriously. It’s not a personal blog, it’s more like a fashion magazine in the blog forum but from my sense of style. It’s still something new to people but for me it's like I’ve been doing it forever. Do you have any advice to give to fellow bloggers? I think if you want to start a blog today it is very important that you find a niche, that you do something that not everyone is doing. For example, if you want to do street style you might want to focus on bloggers or you might want to focus on models or men? Something that makes you unlike everyone else and also consistency - keep updating frequently. We do five posts a day for street style I know that’s quite a lot but I think for blogs its hard because on the internet you need to keep going all the time. Make your own content so that you’re not constantly re-posting other peoples' stuff. Who are some of your favourite designers? My favourite designers are Isabel Marant (surprise surprise!). I also love Chanel, Celine, and Balenciaga. Swedish designers? I’d say Carin Wester - she does both menswear and womenswear - and it’s really nice stuff. Also in Australia, which is totally new to me, I have discovered Bec & Bridge (which I love!), Scanlan and Theodore and Maurie & Eve. What is it about the designer that makes you love them? I think for Isabel Marant they have a very French chic but kind of minimalistic style, which is very much me. Carin Wester, I mean she makes very casual pieces that are wearable for everyday; the casual kind of approach but you feel well dressed. Balenciaga and Celine for their great accessories like bags and shoes, and also Chanel for their bags. What are your thoughts on Australian fashion? I think it looks kind of similar to the fashion in Europe. Actually people were telling me when I came, 'oh they are so behind' but I think that is not true at all. I think you have a lot of interesting designers that I had never heard of before. It’s been very interesting getting to know what they do. What did you get up to at L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival? We went to some shows - the opening show, the Harper’s Bazaar show and maybe 4 other shows and we tried to stay outside shooting some street style. We also promoted Rekorderlig Cider that sponsored some of the shows. So which city in the world is your favourite fashion city? I would have to say Paris. I mean shooting street style in Paris is amazing because of the light and they’re are so many people to pick fromm and the shopping - they have everything. I would choose Paris for fashion definitely.
Already in 2021, fans of the DC Extended Universe — the interconnected franchise that started with Man of Steel, and also includes Wonder Woman and its sequel, Aquaman and Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) — have sat down to watch an extended new version of Justice League like it's still 2017. Next on the series' viewing list: The Suicide Squad, the confusingly named sequel to 2016's Suicide Squad (because no one has challenged themselves thinking of the upcoming flick's title). Margot Robbie (Dreamland) returns as Harley Quinn, Joel Kinnaman (The Secrets We Keep) does the same as Rick Flag and Australian actor Jai Courtney (Honest Thief) also makes a comeback as Captain Boomerang. As the government agent overseeing this band of world-saving supervillains, recent Oscar-nominee Viola Davis (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) is back as well. But don't expect to see the rest of their original costars this time around. As seen in the film's initial trailer, and now expanded upon in its just-dropped new sneak peek, The Suicide Squad sees a new group of nefarious folks joins Harley and the gang — including Idris Elba (Cats) as Bloodsport, John Cena (Playing with Fire) as Peacemaker, Peter Capaldi (The Personal History of David Copperfield) as Thinker, Pete Davidson (The King of Staten Island) as Blackguard and Sylvester Stallone (Rambo: Last Blood) as the voice of King Shark. Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit) has a yet-to-be revealed role, and Guardians of the Galaxy alums Michael Rooker and Sean Gunn show up, too — which makes complete sense given that GotG filmmaker James Gunn is behind the lens and has also penned the screenplay. By hiring Gunn, DC is clearly looking for his sense of humour, as well as his lively and OTT style. In both clips so far, all of the above is on display. So yes, if The Suicide Squad feels more in line with goofier Marvel Cinematic Universe flicks than most of DC Comics' big-screen output, there's an obvious reason for that. When the film hits cinemas Down Under on August 5, it'll initially head to Belle Reve prison, where supervillains are kept. Asked by Task Force X to participate in a secret mission in exchange for time out of incarceration, Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, King Shark, Blackguard and their pals are more than willing to help. Their job: travelling to the island of Corto Maltese on a deadly quest. It's dubbed a suicide mission in the trailer, because of course it is. Check out latest The Suicide Squad trailer below: The Suicide Squad releases in cinemas Down Under on August 5.
If you just can't wait to spend more time in the photorealistic version of The Lion King's world, here comes a film about the lion that's king of the Pride Lands before Simba gets the job. Mufasa: The Lion King is again styled to look like reality, not animation — and, set to arrive in cinemas Down Under in December 2024, it gives 2019's The Lion King, a remake of the 90s animated hit, a prequel. It also just dropped its first teaser trailer. Call it the circle of cinema. Call it the movie that was always bound to happen once technology was rolled out to bring this beloved franchise back to the screen with visuals that make its animals appear as if they've walked out of a documentary (well, almost, as the last film demonstrated). Donald Glover (Mr & Mrs Smith), Beyoncé, Seth Rogen (Dumb Money), Billy Eichner (Bros) and John Kani (Murder Mystery 2) are all back from the past flick, reprising their roles as Simba, Nala, Pumbaa, Timon and Rafiki. But as the feature's moniker makes plain, this isn't any of those characters' tales. Mufasa, aka Simba's father, sits at the centre of a picture directed by Moonlight Oscar-winner Barry Jenkins. The movie is presented as a story told by Rafiki, Timon and Pumbaa to Kiara, the daughter of Simba and Nala, who is voiced by Blue Ivy Carter. So goes a narrative about an orphaned cub who is taken in by a lion with royal blood, then set on a path that leads to the events of The Lion King. Among the voice cast, Aaron Pierre (Foe) does the honours as Mufasa. Kelvin Harrison Jr is Taka (Chevalier), the lion prince who takes Mufasa in like a brother. Tiffany Boone (Hunters), Mads Mikkelsen (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny), Thandiwe Newton (Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget), Lennie James (Genius), Anika Noni Rose (Pantheon), Keith David (Rick and Morty), Kagiso Lediga (The Umbrella Men) and Preston Nyman (A Small Light) also lend their vocals to the flick. As well as Jenkins, Mufasa: The Lion King boasts another huge off-screen name, with Hamilton great Lin-Manuel Miranda writing the movie's tunes. "Elton John. Tim Rice. Hans Zimmer. Lebo M. Mark Mancina. Beyoncé, Labrinth, Ilya Salmanzadeh. Beau Black, Ford Riley, the incredible music team on The Lion Guard, and so many musical contributors over the years. The Lion King has an incredible musical legacy with music from some of the greatest songwriters around, and I'm humbled and proud to be a part of it," said Miranda. "It's been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa's story to life, and we can't wait for audiences to experience this film in theatres." Check out the first trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King below: Mufasa: The Lion King releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, December 19, 2024. Images: courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The black parade is coming back to Australia — finally. After their last attempt to head to our shores was thwarted due to the pandemic, the reunited My Chemical Romance is set to tour along the country's east coast in 2022. Hopefully the second time will prove the charm for Gerard Way and co, and for music lovers eager to grab their eyeliner, don every black piece of clothing in their wardrobe, relive their angsty emo teenage years and let out three cheers. The new tour will mark ten years since MCR last came to our shores for the 2012 Big Day Out — and comes after the US group went their separate ways in 2013, then reformed in 2019. Fans will be pleased to know that MCR are headlining their own shows on this tour, too, rather than leading a festival bill as they were slated to do in 2020. First, they'll play the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Monday, March 14, before hitting up Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne a few days later on Thursday, March 17. Then, they'll wrap things up on Saturday, March 19 at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena. Back in late 2019, when MCR announced that they were literally getting the band back together, they sold out their first reunion gig in Los Angeles quick smart — so expect tickets to their Australian gigs to prove mighty popular, especially after last year's cancelled tour. The group has been trying to take its new show on the road ever since that big announcement, but, thanks to the pandemic, that has obviously proven much trickier than anticipated. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRKJiM9Njr8 MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE 2022 AUSTRALIAN TOUR: Monday, March 14 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Thursday, March 17 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Saturday, March 19 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney My Chemical Romance will tour Australia's east coast in March 2022. For further information — and for pre-sale tickets from 11am on Wednesday, May 26, and general tickets from 12pm on Thursday, May 27 — head to the tour website. Top image: My Chemical Romance performing by NBSTwo via Flickr.
Over the past few years, the work of impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh has been reimagined in multiple ways; from a massive multi sensory exhibition to a lego re-creation of his famous Sunflowers. And now, it's the source of inspiration for a high tea at Crown Melbourne. TWR, the Crown's glamorous cocktail bar, has joined forces with THE LUME art gallery, to transform the Dutch painters' works into a dreamy feast. Together, they've created a gorgeous array of savoury bites, pastries and sweet treats that reflect his style, palette and emotions. Think cakes iced with impressions of Starry Night, tarts in the shape of sunflowers and pastries topped with brilliant colours. What's more, every high tea begins with a Van Gogh-inspired cocktail taster. You have until June 1 to book, and experience Van Gogh's genius from a fresh perspective. Three options are available; $89 per person with tea and Vittoria Coffee, $109 with a flute of Chandon Rosé, and $149 per person with two hours of flowing Chandon Rosé. Kids can also get in on the fun, with a child-friendly option at $55, served with hot chocolate. Plus, every ticket also scores you a link to the Finding Vincent VR experience.
UPDATE Tuesday, June 21: The Melbourne run of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' has been extended due to popular demand, with tickets now available up until Sunday, August 7. The following has been updated to reflect this change. If you're looking to sink your teeth into an impressive piece of theatre this winter, you probably can't beat the visionary, one-person show that is Sydney Theatre Company's hit production of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Now, it's coming to Melbourne. You read that correctly: in Kip Williams' groundbreaking adaptation of the famed Oscar Wilde novel, Eryn Jean Norvill quite literally owns the stage, playing all 26 of the show's characters. And the response to the production's oft-extended, regularly-sold-out Sydney runs should tell you just how stellar a job she does of it. Hitting the Arts Centre Melbourne Playhouse from Sunday, June 5–Sunday, August 7 as part of Rising festival, the play's brought to life using a clever mix of staging tricks, camera work, projections, recordings and exceptional acting. Audiences will find themselves drawn into the witty world of Wilde's Dorian Gray as it dives into society's relentless obsession with youth and beauty. [caption id="attachment_856346" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dan Boud[/caption] Images: Dan Boud
"Once upon a time there was a little girl who was trapped. This is the story of her great escape." So begins the trailer for the latest version of a Roald Dahl classic, the book-to-stage-to-screen Matilda the Musical — and it's bringing its imaginative story about an extraordinary child, her impressive abilities and her horrible school to Netflix on Christmas Day. For the past few years, the streaming platform has been obsessed with one very particular golden ticket that Matilda the Musical springs from: the beloved works of British author Dahl. Back in 2018, Netflix announced that it was bringing 16 of the writer's classic novels to the service in animated form. And, it revealed that there'd be two new series from Taika Waititi based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, too. In 2021, it also advised that it had snapped up the Roald Dahl Story Company (RDSC) itself. So, plenty of Dahl-penned tales are now getting the Netflix treatment, with the service's library set to expand in a big way. That spans everything from Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, Matilda and The Twits, all as animated television shows, plus The BFG, Esio Trot, George's Marvellous Medicine, The Enormous Crocodile, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, Henry Sugar, Billy and the Minpins, The Magic Finger, Dirty Beasts and Rhyme Stew. Yes, it's a long list — and yes, Matilda the Musical is obviously on it. [caption id="attachment_873641" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical. Alisha Weir as Matilda Wormwood in Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical. Cr. Dan Smith/Netflix © 2022[/caption] If you've seen the Tony and Olivier award-winning show in theatres since 2010 — complete with original music and lyrics by Tim Minchin — you'll know what's in store. If you read the novel before that, you'll also already have plenty of fondness everyone's favourite book-loving schoolgirl with telekinetic abilities. In the movie as onstage, the narrative remains the same as Dahl's original 1988 text, but with songs and tunes that are all supremely on its wavelength. Once again, Matilda Wormwood (Alisha Weir, Darklands) is a curious, bright, quiet, observant and imaginative girl — and tiny — but has terrible parents (Venom: Let There Be Carnage's Stephen Graham and Amsterdam's Andrea Riseborough). So, she escapes into novels as they feast on TV and try to stump up cash via dodgy schemes. But that isn't welcomed by her mum and dad, in her first lesson in being bullied — something that, at school, Matilda will no longer stand for. [caption id="attachment_873640" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical. Alisha Weir as Matilda Wormwood in Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical. Cr. Dan Smith/Netflix © 2022[/caption] At Crunchem Hall, Matilda finds a source of support and inspiration in Miss Honey (Lashana Lynch, No Time to Die), but it's also where the star student meets another foe. That'd be the villainous Miss Trunchbull (Emma Thompson, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande), who is as mean as can be — and needs Matilda to teach her a lesson. Minchin's songs and lyrics make the jump to the movie version, of course, while Tony Award-winning director Matthew Warchus — who did the honours with Matilda the Musical on the stage — helms. And yes, this is the second movie based on Dahl's Matilda, after a 1996 version initially adapted the book for cinema (not as a musical, though), and featured Mara Wilson as the titular character. Check out the full trailer for Matilda the Musical below: Matilda the Musical will be available to stream via Netflix on December 25. Images: Dan Smith/Netflix © 2022.
There seems to exist this strange notion that things that are good for you can't be delicious. An extreme extension of this notion is the idea that vegan food is equally as unsatisfying and unfulfilling. Alexandra Pyke, however, disagrees with the perception that food being vegan and delicious are mutually exclusive, showing the greatest skills in culinary diplomacy since Mia asked why we can't have both soft and hard shell tacos in one packet. Pyke, fresh home in Melbourne after a lengthy stint in the US, has partnered in legendary eateries like The Fat Radish, Leadbelly and vego joint The Butcher's Daughter, and is chomping at the bit to bring her expertise to her hometown. The Alley, which is now open on St Kilda Road, provides clean, wholesome food made from sustainable and local ingredients that also punches you in the face with bold flavours. The idea is to cross the divide between vegans who won't even look at a picture of a cow and the everyday consumer who can't look at a picture of a cow without finding themselves drawn to a steak restaurant. The menu features playful dishes like the maple bacon burger with smoky paprika, and the gluten free Mac 'n' Cheese with coconut bacon and crispy kale, plus sides such as air-baked sweet potato fries, of course. It goes without saying that a vegan cafe has salads but, much like meatloaf, it's what you do with them – The Alley, for example, boasts a 'fiery' kelp noodle salad, which sounds both extremely dangerous and extremely tempting, like sky diving or downloading all the original Doctor Who serials. Cold craft beers and biodynamic raw wines are also on offer in abundance. Or, opt for a caffeinated brew courtesy of iced coffee with a choice of almond, soy or coconut milk, or an almond latte. Dessert-wise, The Alley has whipped up some plant-based soft-serve to satisfy those with a sweet tooth, as well as vegan chocolate brownies. Open 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday, The Alley caters for 35 bums on seats at any time, but also maintains a healthy focus on takeaway, given the demand for food on the go in the area. Find The Alley at 417 St Kilda Road, St Kilda. Visit their website and Facebook page for further information. By James Whitton and Sarah Ward.
This year will be the return of international travel for many of us. After such a long time between global jaunts, you wouldn't be blamed for running away to Europe or the US. But there's plenty of fun to be had a little closer to home. Within a few hours, you could be sipping cocktails on a beach in Bali or eating your way around Tokyo. And that's only the beginning. Asia is bursting with diverse cultures, dramatic landscapes and delicious things to eat and drink — which you can experience for yourselves by booking one of these seven getaways via Concrete Playground Trips. [caption id="attachment_893314" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Bernard (Unsplash)[/caption] SOUTH KOREA FOOD AND DRINK TOUR Love your Korean fried chicken? Or your lunchtime bibimbap? Then you best check out this eight-day culinary tour that takes you from city restaurants to rural farms, trying some of the country's best dishes. Most of the tough travel decisions will also be taken care of during your vacay — hotels, local transport and a bunch of unique food and culture activities. It makes discovering the flavourful diversity and heritage of this rich culinary scene all too easy. BOOK IT NOW. THE ULTIMATE SEMINYAK ESCAPE If you're looking for a stylish stay in one of Bali's most sought-after locations, then Double-Six Luxury Hotel will likely be your jam. Raising the bar for beachfront luxury, this hotel is set along the iconic Double-Six Beach, within walking distance of some of Seminyak's best bars, restaurants and shopping streets. Serving up exceptional service alongside delicious eats and hand-crafted cocktails from four bars and restaurants, this five-star hotel has everything you need for a relaxing Bali getaway. But we aren't just getting you a room here. You'll also get daily breakfasts, one hour of free alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks each day, a dinner for two at Suzie Q and vouchers for its spa. This is how you Bali. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_893317" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Colin Meg (Unsplash)[/caption] EXPLORE THE BEST OF BORNEO'S NATURAL WONDERS Experience natural wonders and abundant wildlife only found in Borneo during this ten-day adventure. You'll hang out with orangutans in Sepilok, cruise along the Kinabatangan River, chill out on the stunning Manukan Island and get a taste of city life in Kota Kinabalu. It ticks off all the top spots in Borneo, while taking you to some hidden gems only known by locals. You'll also travel with a small group of fellow nature-loving travellers, making some new mates for life. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_893088" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jezael Melgoza (Unsplash)[/caption] TOUR FROM TOKYO TO OSAKA Home to sake, geishas, karaoke, kawaii culture and onsens, Japan's got a lot going for it. And on this nine-day trip, you'll get to see the country at its very best. Take in the neon nightlife of Tokyo, relax in the manicured gardens of Nikko and discover thousands of years of culture and history in Kyoto. Of course, no trip to Japan would be complete without trying a heap of local dishes, so world-class sushi, ravishing ramen and delectable donburi are all on the menu. Experience the culture and charm of the Land of the Rising Sun during this ultimate Japan holiday. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_883655" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tom Bixler (Unsplash)[/caption] AFFORDABLE LUXURY STAY IN LOMBOK We are obsessed with Lombok — Bali's less crowded neighbour. It has a high calibre of beaches, food and hospitality but at a significantly lower price point and with fewer tourists. To best take advantage of this stunning island, we teamed up with KU Villas Lombok to create three different travel deals. The first deal is the simplest and includes a two-night stay with daily breakfasts (for two people) in this lavish accommodation for just $105 a night. The second deal includes a three-night stay, private chauffeur, $200 credit for the clifftop SIWA Clubhouse, a one-hour massage for each guest and all your breakfasts — and is just $455 total for two people. And the third deal is $655 for all the same inclusions plus extra spa treatments. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_893322" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Silver Ringvee (Unsplash)[/caption] IN-DEPTH CULTURAL TOUR OF VIETNAM Trace Vietnam's eastern coastline on this epic 15-day adventure, tackling the country from south to north and discovering the many wonders that lie along the way. From the modern chaos of Ho Chi Minh City all the way up to old-world Hanoi, you'll experience tumultuous history, colonial charm, vibrant colours, delicious food and inspiring scenery on your adventure. You'll join a boat cruise along the Mekong Delta, tour the backstreets of Hoi An with a local, enjoy a rural homestay in Da Bac and explore the beautiful karsts of Lan Ha Bay. If you've ever wanted to visit Vietnam, this is how you do it properly. BOOK IT NOW. [caption id="attachment_893321" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marvin Meyer (Unsplash)[/caption] LAIDBACK BALI SURFING TRIP Calling all surfers. Or anyone who is keen to try surfing and isn't worried about looking like a fool while learning. This tropical getaway takes guests to Keramas, a somewhat sleepy surfer town in the south of Bali for three to seven nights. Dig into delicious dishes and poolside bites from Komune Resort and Beach Club, head out to tackle the four surf breaks right out the front of your hotel or take a stand-up paddleboard out for a ride (skipping the waves altogether). Whether you want to surf every day or just watch the surfers from your pool, this trip will have you sorted. BOOK IT NOW. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips to destinations all over the world. Top image: Nomadic Julien (Unsplash)
As every horror fan knows, some things just won't die. In countless scary movie sagas, that statement applies to determined heroes and heroines facing off against insidious killers and creepy forces, to those fear-inducing evil-doers, and to plenty of ominous entities lingering around and wreaking havoc well after their time has expired. As many a long-running series has also shown (think: Halloween, Saw, The Grudge, The Ring and Child's Play, just to name a few), it also proves accurate when it comes to the franchises themselves. Add Scream to the pile of horror series that just keep kicking on — including, come January 2022, with a fifth film. An instant classic ever since the first movie smartly blended slasher scares and self-aware laughs back in 1996, the franchise has served up three sequels so far, as well as a TV spinoff. Now, it's returning with a flick that's being badged a 'relaunch', but will also include a heap of familiar faces. As 2018's excellent Halloween demonstrated, bringing back original cast members can turn out rather nicely for horror sagas — so the new Scream has enlisted Courteney Cox, David Arquette and none other than Neve Campbell. They'll all reprise their roles as reporter Gale Weathers, deputy-turned-sheriff Dewey Riley, and initial Ghostface target Sidney Prescott, respectively. Yes, this series has always had a thing for Sid, and it still does. Cox, Arquette and Campbell will co-star alongside The Boys' Jack Quaid, In the Heights' Melissa Barrera and You's Jenna Ortea. Behind the lens, with filmmaker Wes Craven — who directed all four original Scream films — passing away in 2015, Ready or Not's Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett will take the helm. And, story-wise, expect everyone to head back to the original setting of Woodsboro, California — where more scream-inducing incidents are clearly going to take place. If you're keen to rewatch your way through the franchise to-date, Scream, 1997's Scream 2 and 2000's Scream 3 are all available to stream in Australia on Stan (with 1 and 3 on Amazon Prime Video, too), with Scream 4 on Google Play and YouTube Movies, and Scream: The TV Series on Netflix. In New Zealand, Scream and Scream 3 are available on Amazon Prime Video, Scream 2 is on Google Play and YouTube Movies, Scream 4 is on Neon and Scream: The TV Series is on Netflix. Or, you can revisit the original Scream's trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWm_mkbdpCA The new Scream movie will hit cinemas Down Under on January 13, 2020.
After years of work and countless headlines, the Metro Tunnel is finally set to open, with passengers invited to experience the landmark $15 billion project from early December. Now, to celebrate its grand reveal, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has announced the public can travel for free every weekend from opening day until Sunday, February 1. Set to double the size of Melbourne's underground rail network, the Metro Tunnel will undoubtedly attract plenty of passengers from day one. Yet the announcement comes as a gesture of thanks to commuters, given that the big build has caused frequent disruptions to travel plans over the last few years. "To say thank you to Victorians for their [patience, we are] delivering free public transport for everyone every weekend, everywhere in our state," said Premier Allan, speaking to Today. "From the opening of the metro tunnel in early December through to the first of February, when we integrate this amazing piece of infrastructure into the [public transport network]." Representing the most significant change to the City Loop since it opened almost 45 years ago, the opening of the Metro Tunnel is being implemented through a two-phase process. At first, services will run mainly between West Footscray and Westall. Then, on February 1, the so-called Big Switch arrives, with Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury Line services running exclusively through the Metro Tunnel. In real terms, that means over 1000 new weekly services added on the Sunbury Line, with another 100-plus added to the weekly timetable for Cranbourne and Pakenham passengers. Meanwhile, Frankston Line trains will return to the City Loop, and Werribee and Williamstown line services will run directly to and from Flinders Street. Arriving on the back of more free transport news, this soft launch approach provides a little more runway to bed down new infrastructure, technology and procedures. According to Allan, "This is how you do it to get a smooth, safe start, to get passengers using this infrastructure at the earliest opportunity." Weekend travel will be free on Melbourne's public transport network from the soon-to-be-announced opening date of the Metro Tunnel until Sunday, February 1. Head to the website for more information. Top image: iStock.
The Social Network offered a chilling prophesy of the impact of social networking sites, foreseeing the fracturing of friendships and a disturbing shift in human interaction. But a new study by the University of Milan reveals that the cyber world is a much cosier place than we thought. According to the study, the 6 degrees of separation that lie between the Earth’s inhabitants is, by social networking standards, as intimate as the dismal attempts at on-screen chemistry between an expressionless Robert Pattinson and his wooden Kristen Stewart. For us friendly Facebookers, however, there are only 4.74 degrees separating us from any other user around the globe. Zuckerberg ain’t lying when he tells us he’s ‘connecting people’. In layman’s terms, the rather precise 4.74 degrees translates to 5 ‘hops’ between users. As Facebok continues to grow this figure has steadily diminished, first measured at 5.28 in 2008. When you limit the measurement to a single nation, which tends to contain the majority of our friendships, the world shrinks even more; most citizens of the same country are separated by only 3 degrees. But does a tight knit cyber community translate to an increase in real, flesh and blood friends with whom we communicate beyond the ‘Wall’? It could be that the smaller the degrees in the cyber world, the greater they grow in reality, as increased Facebook interaction dilutes the quality of our face-to-face relationships. Either way, Facebook has proven that it really is a small world after all. [Via Wired]
Before the pandemic, when a new-release movie started playing in cinemas, audiences couldn't watch it on streaming, video on demand, DVD or blu-ray for a few months. But with the past few years forcing film industry to make quite a few changes — widespread movie theatre closures will do that, and so will plenty of people staying home because they aren't well — that's no longer always the case. Maybe you haven't had time to make it to your local cinema lately. Perhaps you've been under the weather. Given the hefty amount of titles now releasing each week, maybe you simply missed something. Film distributors have been fast-tracking some of their new releases from cinemas to streaming recently — movies that might still be playing in theatres in some parts of the country, too. In preparation for your next couch session, here are eight that you can watch right now at home. The Fall Guy The Nice Guys mightn't have scored a sequel, but The Fall Guy does nicely instead. Getting a hearty workout: Ryan Gosling's charm, comedic talent that just earned an Oscar-nominated showcase in Barbie and action skills as last seen in The Gray Man. He's back in stunts, too, as Drive first gifted the world so mesmerisingly. A loose remake of the 80s television series of the same name, The Fall Guy is a take-it-and-run-with-it kind of film, then. Not only does it grasp hold of what Gosling does best and sprint, but the same applies for co-lead Emily Blunt (Pain Hustlers) — and, of course, for director David Leitch (Bullet Train), who first took the journey from stunt performer to filmmaker with John Wick, has kept filling his resume with action fare since (see: Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw and Bullet Train) and now virtually comes full circle in helming a flick where his protagonist does the same gig that he once did. Gosling's Colt Seavers is also taking it and running with it — in a profession where it's his job to help bring whatever impossible physical endeavour is required to the screen, as well as on the gig that gets him to Sydney. The Fall Guy starts 18 months prior to his trip Down Under, however, but still with him doubling for Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bullet Train), one of the world's biggest actors. Seavers has a career that he loves and steady work at it thanks to Ryder's fame. He's also happily romancing Jody Moreno (Blunt), a camera operator with dreams of doing more. Then a stunt goes wrong, leaving him badly injured, battered and bruised emotionally and psychologically, and inspiring him to quit the business. Only a call from Ryder-loving producer Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso) sparks his return to the industry — he makes a crust as a valet once he's fit and able in-between — and, even then, it's only really the fact that Moreno is helming Ryder's latest movie as her directorial debut that nudges him onto the plane. Then, upon his arrival in Australia, Seavers soon discovers that the situation isn't exactly what he's been told. The Fall Guy streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with David Leitch and Kelly McCormick. Challengers Tennis is a game of serves, shots, slices and smashes, and also of approaches, backhands, rallies and volleys. Challengers is a film of each, too, plus a movie about tennis. As it follows a love triangle that charts a path so back and forth that its ins and outs could be carved by a ball being hit around on the court, it's a picture that takes its aesthetic, thematic and emotional approach from the sport that its trio of protagonists are obsessed with as well. Tennis is everything to Tashi Duncan (Zendaya, Dune: Part Two), Art Donaldson (Mike Faist, West Side Story) and Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor, La Chimera), other than the threesome themselves being everything to each other. It's a stroke of genius to fashion the feature about them around the game they adore, then. Metaphors comparing life with a pastime are easy to coin. Movies that build such a juxtaposition into their fabric are far harder to craft. But it's been true of Luca Guadagnino for decades: he's a craftsman. Jumping from one Dune franchise lead to another, after doing Call Me By Your Name and Bones and All with Timothée Chalamet, Guadagnino proves something else accurate that's been his cinematic baseline: he's infatuated with the cinema of yearning. Among his features so far, only in Bones and All was the hunger for connection literal. The Italian director didn't deliver cannibalism in Call Me By Your Name and doesn't in Challengers, but longing is the strongest flavour in all three, and prominent across the filmmaker's Suspiria, A Bigger Splash and I Am Love also. So, combine the idea of styling a movie around a tennis match — one spans its entire duration, in fact — with a lusty love triangle, romantic cravings and three players at the top of their field, then this is the sublime end product. Challengers is so smartly constructed, so well thought-out down to every meticulous detail, so sensual and seductive, and so on point in conveying Tashi plus Art and Patrick's feelings, that it's instantly one of Guadagnino's grand slams. Challengers streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review, as well as what Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist had to say about the film when they were in Australia. Perfect Days When Lou Reed's 'Perfect Day' enjoyed its initial sublime movie moment in Trainspotting, it soundtracked a descent into heroin's depths, including literally via the film's visual choices. For three decades since, that's been the tune's definitive on-screen use. Now drifts in Perfect Days, the Oscar-nominated Japan-set drama from German filmmaker Wim Wenders (Submergence). This slice-of-life movie takes its name from the song. It also places the iconic David Bowie-produced classic among the tracks listened to by toilet cleaner Hirayama (Kôji Yakusho, Vivant) as he goes about his daily routine. Fond of 60s- and 70s-era music, the Tokyo native's picks say everything about his mindset, both day by day and in his zen approach to his modest existence. 'Perfect Day' and Nina Simone's 'Feeling Good' each also sum up the feeling of watching this gorgeous ode to making the most of what you have, seeing beauty in the everyday and being in the moment. Not every tune that Hirayama pops into his van's tape deck — cassettes are still his format of choice — has the same type of title. Patti Smith's 'Redondo Beach', The Animals' 'The House of the Rising Sun', Otis Redding's '(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay' and The Rolling Stones' '(Walkin' Thru the) Sleepy City' also rank among his go-tos, all reflecting his mood in their own ways. If there's a wistfulness to Hirayama's music selections, it's in the manner that comes over all of us when we hark back to something that we first loved when we were younger. Perfect Days' protagonist is at peace with his life, however. Subtly layered into the film is the idea that things were once far different and more-conventionally successful, but Hirayama wasn't as content as he now is doing the rounds of the Japanese capital's public bathrooms, blasting his favourite songs between stops, eating lunch in a leafy park and photographing trees with an analogue camera. Perfect Days streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. Robot Dreams Heartbreak is two souls wanting nothing more than each other, but life having other plans. So goes Robot Dreams, another dialogue-free marvel from Spanish filmmaker Pablo Berger, who had audiences feeling without words uttered with 2012's Blancanieves — and showed then with black and white imagery, as he does now with animation, that he's a master at deeply expressive visual storytelling. His fourth picture as a director was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2024 Academy Awards. In most years, if it wasn't up against Studio Ghibli's The Boy and the Heron, it would've taken home the Oscar. It earns not just affection instead, but the awe deserved of a movie that perfects the sensation of longing for someone to navigate life with, finding them, adoring them, then having fate doing what fate does by throwing up complications. Usually this would be a boy-meets-girl, boy-meets-boy or girl-meets-girl story. Here, it's a dog-meets-robot tale. The time: the 80s, with nods to Tab and Pong to prove it. The place: a version of Manhattan where anthropomorphised animals are the only inhabitants — plus mechanised offsiders that, just by placing an order and putting together the contents of the package that arrives, can be built as instant friends. Eating macaroni meals for one and watching TV solo in his small East Village apartment each evening, Dog is achingly lonely when he orders his Amica 2000 after seeing an infomercial. As he tinkers to construct Robot, pigeons watch on from the window, but they've never been his company. Soon exuberantly strutting the streets hand in hand with his maker, the android is a dream pal, however, this kismet pairing isn't what gives Robot Dreams its name. Robot Dreams streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. Origin For most filmmakers, Isabel Wilkerson's Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents would've screamed for the documentary treatment. A non-fiction text published in 2020, it works through the thesis that racism in America isn't just the product of xenophobia, but is an example of social stratification. The journalist and author — and, in 1994, Pulitzer Prize-winner — examines how categorising populations into groups with a perceived grading is at the heart of US race relations, and how the same was true in Nazi Germany and still does in the treatment of the Dalit in India. A doco could spring easily from there. If it happens to in the future, no one should be surprised. Ava DuVernay, who brings Wilkerson's prize-winning tome to the screen now, has demonstrated again and again with Selma, The 13th and A Wrinkle in Time that she's not most directors, however. Make the points in Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents via a documentary, if and when that occurs, and they'd be accurate and powerful. Express them through cinema's function as an empathy machine, via personal tales including Wilkerson's own, and they resonate by getting audiences stepping into a range of shoes. Watching isn't merely investigating and learning in Origin, as Wilkerson as a character — played by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (The Color Purple) in a phenomenally passionate and thoughtful lead performance — does in a movie that's also a biopic about her life and work. Sitting down to DuVernay's film is all about feeling, understanding what it's like to be a range of people who are forced to grapple with being seen as less than others for no reason but the fact that urge to judge that keeps proving inherent in human nature. Origin streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. Boy Kills World In The Hunger Games and its sequels and prequels, a post-apocalyptic totalitarian state enforces order by murder, picking children via lottery to compete until just one remains standing. Before it reached pages and screens, The Running Man, Battle Royale and Series 7: The Contenders were among the stories that got there first, always with kill-or-be-killed contests at their cores. Now Boy Kills World enters the fray, but in a city ruled over by despot Van Der Koy matriarch Hilda (Famke Janssen, Locked In), with a group of candidates chosen annually, then slaughtered at big televised display that is The Culling no matter what. The titular Boy (played by the US Goodnight Mommy remake's Nicholas and Cameron Crovetti as a kid) is the rare exception: after witnessing his sister and mother's execution in this nightmarish realm, he's simply left for dead. Making his feature debut, director Moritz Mohr (TV's Viva Berlin!) holds tight to another big-screen staple: a revenge mission. As an adult, that the role of Boy falls to Bill Skarsgård fresh from John Wick: Chapter 4 says plenty. The vengeance that's always fuelled that Keanu Reeves (The Matrix Resurrections)-led franchise, and fellow influence Oldboy as well, mixes with cinema's wealth of fight-to-the-death tales. Also thrown in with the fervour of a fan mixing together his favourite things — which is Mohr's unapologetic approach from start to finish — is a colour scheme that Kill Bill also deployed, Deadpool-style humour and violence, notes cribbed from Matthew Vaughn's Kingsman movies and Argylle with its carnage, and nods to video games and Hong Kong action fare plus Looney Tunes and anime. Boy Kills World streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with Moritz Mohr. The First Omen Resurrecting horror franchises that first gleamed bright in the 70s is a trend that Hollywood isn't done idolising. Halloween did it. The Exorcist returned as well. Via remakes, Carrie, Suspiria and Black Christmas have all made comebacks since the 2010s. The Omen was always going to get its turn, then. Taking the prequel route — because the OG 1976 film hadn't spawned one yet with 1978's Damien — Omen II, 1981's Omen III: The Final Conflict and 1991's Omen IV: The Awakening, plus a 2006 remake and 2016's one-season TV series — gives rise to The First Omen, as set in Rome in 1971. Fans will know that June 6 that year was when Damien was born. Spinning backstories into new movies can create flicks that smack of inevitability above all else, but not here: this is a genuinely eerie and dread-laced Omen entry with an expert command of unnerving imagery by first-time feature director Arkasha Stevenson (Brand New Cherry Flavour), plus a well-chosen anchor in lead actor Nell Tiger Free (Game of Thrones). Horror, unusual babies, childminding at its most disquieting, a claustrophobic location, a lack of agency, distressing displays of faith: Free has been here before. Indeed, if Stevenson and her co-writers Tim Smith (a screenwriting debutant) and Keith Thomas (the director of 2022's awful Firestarter remake) used Servant as their inspiration in more ways than one, they've made a savvy choice. Featuring their star for four seasons between 2019–2023, that M Night Shyamalan (Knock at the Cabin)-produced series was one of the great horror streaming efforts of the past five years. The First Omen goes heavier on jolting visuals to go with its nerve-jangling atmosphere, but it too stands out. Its worst choice is being needlessly and gratingly blatant in connecting dots in its very last moments, even if nearly half a century has passed since this spawn-of-Satan saga began. The First Omen streams via Disney+, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. Back to Black Casting a biopic can't be easy. The awards-courting label that hangs over the genre that's earned Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer), Will Smith (King Richard), Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye), Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody), Renée Zellweger (Judy) and Gary Oldman (Darkest Hour) lead actor and actress Oscars over the past decade alone can't make the task any less tricky, either. Then, when music bios get a spin — which is often — the weight of recognition and fandom is an especially heavy factor. Does the actor resemble the star that they're playing physically or in spirit? Can they? Will their attempt to slip into someone else's mega fame read like a triumphant ode or a faded facsimile? Will they try to inhabit rather than impersonate? Is doing the real-life person justice even possible? The questions go on. Even with those queries in mind, Back to Black has chosen its lead well. In Industry's Marisa Abela, who has just six prior acting credits on her resume before now — Barbie is the latest; Man in a Box, her first, came when she was only 11 — the Amy Winehouse-focused film from director Sam Taylor-Johnson (A Million Little Pieces) and screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh (Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool) has someone who looks the part beehive or not, and convincingly lives and breathes it behind a north London accent. She sings it, too, when the picture weaves in her own vocals atop Winehouse's music. But casting isn't the only key element for a biopic. The dance that a feature is taking through a well-known figure's life needs the material and the approach to support its central performance — the lyrics and tune to match with sheer talent, in music terms. If they fall flat, so does the flick. And unlike a bad song for an exceptional singer, there's no second chances in this realm. Back to Black streams via YouTube Movies and Prime Video. Read our full review. Looking for more viewing options? Take a look at our monthly streaming recommendations across new straight-to-digital films and TV shows — and fast-tracked highlights from January, February, March, April and May 2024 (and also January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December 2023, too). We keep a running list of must-stream TV from across 2024 as well, complete with full reviews. And, we've also rounded up 2023's 15 best films, 15 best straight-to-streaming movies, 15 top flicks hardly anyone saw, 30 other films to catch up with, 15 best new TV series of 2023, another 15 excellent new TV shows that you might've missed and 15 best returning shows.
If eating your way through plenty of creative and tasty desserts is your current pandemic coping strategy, Gelato Messina has been more than willing to help over the past few months. This year alone, it has released cookie pies in choc chip, red velvet, choc-hazelnut, and peanut butter and jelly varieties; 40 of its best flavours; and full tubs of Iced VoVo gelato, Messina's own take on the classic Viennetta ice cream cake and a gelato based on Italy's famed cremino dessert. Oh, and it even whipped up a batch of sticky lamington-scroll hybrids as well. For Messina's next tastebud-tempter, it's answering a question you've probably never, ever thought of asking yourself: what would gelato inspired by fashion labels Rag & Bone, Café Kitsuné, State of Escape, Paloma Wool and Patagonia taste like? Well, although this query has likely never popped into your brain before, now you can find out. Dropping across five days from Tuesday, October 20–Saturday, October 24, the new flavours are part of a collaboration with lifestyle and streetwear hub Incu, to help it celebrate its 18th birthday. A different variety will become available each day, so if you want to try the full set, you'll either need to plan multiple desserts or head by — or order delivery via Deliveroo — at the end of the week. Arriving first is the Paloma Wool-inspired 'Island Souvenir', which is based on ensaïmadas from Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, uses brioche-like pastry as the gelato's base and then layers in chocolate custard. Next, you can lick your way through Café Kitsuné's 'Tea-ramisu', a take on tiramisu with Japanese matcha gelato and coffee-soaked biscuits. Also on offer: the State of Escape-influenced 'Wanderlust', combining mango, sherbet, coconut and lime; Patagonia's dark chocolate and honey sorbet 'Save takayna', which is named to raise awareness about Tasmania's takayna/Tarkine; and the Rag & Bone-inspired 'A Piece of Cake', as made with clotted cream gelato, layers of sponge cake and swirls of strawberry jam. If you're in Melbourne, remember that you can only venture to shops within five kilometres of your house — to get essentials, including food. The Incu x Messina range of flavours will be available for a week from Tuesday, October 20, in-store and via Deliveroo, with a new flavour dropping each day. Keep an eye on the Messina website for further details.
When the first season of Deadloch came to an end, it set the scene for all that anyone who'd been watching wanted: more of the ace — and very amusing — series from Australian comedy queens Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan. It's taken a year, but now that dream has finally been locked in. Prime Video has announced that season two of the AACTA-winning show is on the way, taking the action to the Northern Territory. This time, when the mystery-comedy shifts from Tasmania to the Top End, there'll be six episodes rather than eight. Still, any new Deadloch is better than none, especially after it proved one of the best new TV arrivals of 2023. Subverting the usual crime-drama setup with more than just laughs, the series' first season began with a sleepy small town, a body on a beach, a local detective trying to solve the case and an outsider dropping in to lend their expertise — and then transformed that very familiar scenario into both a satire and a statement. "We are so excited to head to the Top End for a sticky, sweaty and filthy season two," said McCartney and McLennan, who created, write and executive produce the series. "Both of us are thrilled to be teaming up again with comedy angels Kate Box, Madeleine Sami, Nina Oyama and Alicia Gardiner, and we can't wait to work with a new bunch of cast members and some massive fucking crocodiles." As The Kates mentioned, Box (Boy Swallows Universe) will return as local senior sergeant Dulcie Collins, as well as Sami (Our Flag Means Death) as Darwin-based senior investigator Eddie Redcliffe — plus Oyama (Utopia) as junior constable Abby Matsuda and Gardiner (The Clearing) as Dulcie's wife Cath York. The story this time will follow Dulcie and Eddie looking into the death of Bushy, the latter's former policing partner. While they're in the NT digging around, a couple of bodies are found, sparking a new investigation. McCartney and McLennan are writing the new season again, and also back executive producing, while Beck Cole (High Country) and Gracie Otto (Seriously Red) will return as directors. There's no word yet when Deadloch season two will hit streaming queues, but filming will start in the Northern Territory later in 2024. There's no trailer yet for season two, obviously, but check out the trailer for Deadloch season one below: Deadloch streams via Prime Video, with no release date announced as yet for season two. Read our review of season one, and our interview with Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan. Deadloch images: Bradley Patrick / Prime-Video.
It's a familiar problem: your lounge room corner or kitchen windowsill is screaming for a bit of greenery, but finding time to shop for a fiddle leaf fig or a monstera is easier said than done. That's where plant delivery services come in, whether you're after something new each month or a one-off parcel of nature's goodness. And, in the latter camp, Australia has a new site ready to send a baby rubber plant, bird of paradise or peace lily to your door. That'd be The Plant People, a Brisbane-based nursery that takes care of the whole process, including seeding, growing, potting and delivery. At the company's base in Burpengary, green babies are nurtured by propagators and horticulturalists, then sent to eager customers — not only in Brissy or on the Gold and Sunshine coasts, but throughout Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT and South Australia. Greenery-wise, The Plant People specialises in low-maintenance plants that can be grown indoors and arrive room-ready, with its range spanning familiar names and more creative types. You can nab a birds nest fern, Swiss cheese plant or string of pearls, or perhaps a philodendron, string of dolphins, Chinese money plant or manda succulent. The collection will continue to grow, following the latest trends and adding new varieties. The Plant People also sells pots, which are made by an artisan in Vietnam, as well as handy accessories such as garden scissors and moisture meters. Prices range from $14.95–$395 — and, no matter where you're getting your plant delivered to in its custom-designed box, shipping is free. The Plant People delivers to Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT and South Australia. For further details, visit the company's website.
Talk about a perfect name: if you're going to start a new music festival that revolves around The Smashing Pumpkins, then calling it The World Is a Vampire is a no-brainer. This exciting addition to Australia's festival scene is being sent to happily drain all your attention this autumn, when it heads around the country with one helluva bill. Billy Corgan and his band members will be there, of course, and so will fellow alt-rock legends Jane's Addiction. Today is the greatest day for news about 90s favourites hitting our shores, clearly. And yes, you can expect the rollicking classic that is 'Bullet with Butterfly Wings' to get a spin — the whole fest is named after it, after all. As well as hearing fellow Pumpkins greats such as 'Disarm', '1979', 'Tonight, Tonight', 'Today' and 'Zero', the Perry Farrell-led Jane's Addiction will be on hand to bust out 'Been Caught Stealing', 'Jane Says' and the likes. How many 'Zero' shirts will you see at the fest? Oh so many, as at every Pumpkins gig. Also on the bill: Australia's own Amyl and The Sniffers, RedHook and Battlesnake, plus yet-to-be-announced local acts opening each stop. And this fest has stops. It'll be singing about rage and rats in cages at ten venues, pinballing around New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia — heading to Sydney's Hordern Pavilion, plus Penrith, Newcastle and Wollongong; Port Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula and Ballarat; Bribie Island and the Gold Coast; and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. If you're a fan of The Smashing Pumpkins and Aussie music, and you know a bit about Billy Corgan's romantic history, you might be crossing your fingers for a wild addition to the bill: The Veronicas. The Australian duo joined the Pumpkins on-stage for 'Eye' back in November 2022, albeit at the Hollywood Bowl. Whoever else joins the lineup, they'll feature alongside professional wrestling, with each show including matches between Billy Corgan's NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) and the WAOA (Wrestling Alliance of Australia). Wrestlers will take to the ring in-between the bands — and yes, Corgan does own the alliance that bears his name. It's currently a stellar time for music icons who first made it big a few decades back touring Australia, with The World Is a Vampire and its killer lineup joining the Modest Mouse- and Slowdive-led Daydream, Fatboy Slim doing his own tour and headlining Groovin the Moo, Ice Cube and Cypress Hill teaming up, Snoop Dogg also heading our way, and Blink-182 stopping by in 2024 — and Red Hot Chili Peppers currently making their way around the nation. Yes, the list goes on, and also includes Vengaboys. THE WORLD IS A VAMPIRE FESTIVAL 2023 LINEUP: The Smashing Pumpkins Jane's Addiction Amyl and The Sniffers RedHook Battlesnake THE WORLD IS A VAMPIRE FESTIVAL 2023 DATES: Saturday, April 15 — Stuart Park, Wollongong, NSW Sunday, April 16 — Sandstone Point, Bribie Island, QLD Tuesday, April 18 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, NSW Wednesday, April 19 — Newcastle Entertainment Centre, NSW Saturday, April 22 — Hastings Foreshore, Mornington Peninsula, VIC Sunday, April 23 — Kryal Castle, Ballarat, VIC Wednesday, April 26 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, SA Thursday; April 27 — PICA, Port Melbourne, VIC Saturday, April 29 — Nepean Aerospace Park - Penrith, NSW Sunday, April 30 — Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast, QLD The World Is a Vampire Festival tours Australia in April 2023. Ticket pre-sales run from 9am on Thursday, February 2–11am on Friday, February 3, with general sales from 12pm local time on Friday, February 3. Head to the tour website for further details.
There are two gears in Bright and beyond: high and low. It's all about getting out into the mountains by bike or on foot, and then relaxing as the sun sets with a glass of wine in hand. The entire area is connected with walking and cycling tracks, including the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, which follows the old Bright railway line, linking Bright to Beechworth, Germantown, Wandiligong and more. We recommend the 24-kilometre stretch between Porepunkah and Myrtleford, which follows the gorgeous Ovens River past vineyards and orchards. Image: The Rail Trail, by Visit Victoria/Josie Withers
To mark the return of spring, Bannisters has opened its much-anticipated third NSW hotel in Port Stephens. With two already in Mollymook, the chain's latest outpost is perched on absolute beachfront in Soldiers Point. The brand spanking new luxury digs includes 50 rooms with stunning views (78 in total), four super-luxe suites and, for very special occasions, a penthouse. Depending on where you choose to stay, you'll be looking out at either the tranquil waters of Nelson Bay or dense forest – or both. Wherever you sleep, you can look forward to light-filled spaces, Hamptons-inspired whites, king-sized beds and decadent touches. Among the common facilities are an infinity pool — looking out across the river — and the Terrace Bar, where you can enjoy ocean vista while feasting on light bites, such as steamed bao, fish tacos and an Archie Rose gin and tonic cheesecake. If you're keen to indulge, be sure to book a table at Rick Stein at Bannisters, also on the water. Stein, together with head chef Mitchell Turner, has come up with a menu big on premium seafood – from local king prawns and Sydney rock oysters to sand whiting and snapper. Tuck into the fruits de mer platter, oysters Charentaise or the legendary fish pie. Stein and his wife Sarah have also collaborated with Brokenwood winemaker Iain Riggs AM to create an exclusive wine for the restaurant. Sarah also worked with designer Romy Alwill on the restaurant, whose earthy yet breezy interior is splashed with terracotta, brass, timber, Japanese water colour and Pacific blue. Bannisters Port Stephens is now open at 147 Soldiers Point Road, Soldiers Point, NSW. Standard rooms start at $290 (and the penthouse starts at $740).
Forget simply watching a TV show, scoring yourself a new favourite, then perhaps buying some merchandise to show your love. For fans of ace new Australian rom-com sitcom Colin From Accounts, you can stream the series about two strangers who meet over a dog in the street, then get your own pet pooch a few beers. Cracking open a cold one with your canine companion is now on your summer agenda, with Binge teaming up with Melbourne-based brewery Hop Nation to release a brew solely for your four-legged friend. Called Colin's Pale Ale, the beer is actually a bone broth drop made from beef bones — and it's firmly for dogs, not for humans. That means that you'll need to grab your own tipple to sink with your pupper; however, if you get in quick enough, your pooch's tinnies won't cost you a thing. From 9am AEDT on Monday, December 12, Binge and Hop Nation are giving away free brews, which includes free delivery as well. If you and your dog are keen to get your paws on a four-pack, you'll need to head to the Hop Nation website. Understandably, getting in quicker than a canine can chase a tennis ball is recommended, because the Colin's Pale Ale freebies are only available while stocks last. You can thank Binge and Hop Nation for helping you solve a frequent dilemma experienced by every dog owner — because everything you can do, your canine always thinks it can as well. While humans know that's not always the case, it now will be when it comes to drinking brews during Australia's sultry summer. Clearly, Binge hopes that you and your pupper will enjoy a beverage while watching Colin From Accounts, which follows medical student Ashley (Harriet Dyer, The Invisible Man) and microbrewery owner Gordon (Patrick Brammall, Evil). After the latter gets distracted by the former one otherwise ordinary Sydney morning, he accidentally hits a stray dog with his car. As the pair get the pooch veterinary treatment, then commit to look after him — and, yes, name him Colin From Accounts — their already-chaotic lives start to intertwine. Check out the trailer for Colin From Accounts below: Binge and Hop Nation are giving away free four-packs of Colin's Pale Ale, a beer for dogs, from 9am AEDT on Monday, December 12 via the Hop Nation website. Colin From Accounts streams via Binge. Read our full review.
With their second album, Coexist, set to be released on Friday, September 7, The xx have given us a taste of what's to come with their new track 'Angels'. It's the first track off their forthcoming album, and is a beautiful song that left us wanting more. Thankfully it's not much longer now. Produced by The xx's Jamie Smith, Coexist was recorded over number of months between November 2011 and May 2012 in the band's own studio in London. The band said of their new song: “It’s been a long time since we’ve played you anything new. This song is called Angels, it is the first single from our new album, Coexist. We’ve been playing this song live recently, so it feels good to share with you the version we’ve been working on for so long. We hope you like it. xx The xx”. Tickets quickly sold out for both Australian shows — at The Forum in Melbourne on Wednesday, July 18 and The Metro in Sydney on Friday, July 20 — as well as Jamie xx's DJ Set at Goodgod on Thursday 19 July. There are unfortunately no hints of The XX crossing the ditch to New Zealand.
When The Many Saints of Newark ends, will it cut suddenly to black? Will Journey's 'Don't Stop Believing' somehow get a spin, even though the film is set in the 60s and 70s? How much ziti will be served throughout the course of the feature? And, how many overt and obvious links to The Sopranos will pop up? These are some of the questions you might have if you're a fan of one of the best TV shows ever made, you're excited about big-screen prequel The Many Saints of Newark, and if you woke up this morning and got yourself a hankering for a sneak peek at the latter. Fourteen years after HBO's hit mobster drama wrapped up its TV run, creator David Chase has penned this jump back to Tony Soprano's formative years. Yes, it's obviously one of the most-anticipated flicks of the year. The Many Saints of Newark hops into Soprano's story when he's a teen in the titular New Jersey city — a place under the sway of the DiMeo crime family, struggling with race relations and about to be caught up in the race riots of 1967. Young Anthony plans to go to college, but he also has a strong relationship with his uncle Dickie Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola, The Art of Self-Defense). And, to answer the question that's just sprang into your head, Dickie is indeed the father of series regular Christopher Moltisanti. Anthony's connection to his uncle Dickie will have a huge impact on his life, and sway his path to becoming the panic attack-suffering, hot-tempered mob boss that The Sopranos followed for six seasons between 1999–2007. Family is a huge part of the film, as it was in the influential drama before it — and as as both the initial glimpse and just-dropped second trailer for The Many Saints of Newark both show. That's true not just in the narrative, however, but also in the casting. If young Anthony Soprano looks familiar, that's because he's played by Michael Gandolfini (The Deuce, Cherry) — son of the late, great James Gandolfini. Enlisting the younger Gandolfini leaves a significant imprint, even just from the trailers. Watching these clips, it's impossible to imagine this movie being made without him stepping into his dad's shoes. The Sopranos aficionados can also look forward to spending time with a few familiar characters other than Young Anthony — including Corey Stoll (The Report) as Uncle Junior, Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It) as Anthony's mother Livia, and Billy Magnussen (Made for Love) and John Magaro (First Cow) as his future righthand men Paulie Walnuts and Silvio Dante. And, Leslie Odom Jr (One Night in Miami) and Jon Bernthal (Those Who Wish Me Dead) also co-star, while seeing Ray Liotta (Marriage Story) jump back into the gangster genre immediately conjures up memories of Goodfellas, the Martin Scorsese classic that also charted the rise of a young man within the mob. Check out the latest trailer for The Many Saints of Newark below: The Many Saints of Newark releases in Australian cinemas on November 4.
If your love for our national spread goes far beyond merely smearing it onto your toast every morning, this may be the perfect getaway for you. A Vegemite jar-shaped tiny house, called the Vegemite Villa, is popping up in NSW for two nights this December. The four-metre-high and two-metre-wide cabin can sleep two and is filled with some Mitey-fine paraphernalia — think Vegemite-themed socks, slippers, eye masks and an alarm clock, shelves lined with jars of actual Vegemite and even a bed that looks like Vegemite on toast. Spend a night here and you'll be a very happy little Vegemite. The jar-shaped cabin will pop up in Brogo, NSW, near the home of Vegemite's parent company and Aussie dairy giant Bega Cheese. If you do manage to snag one of the two nights here — December 6 and 7, available to book exclusively through Booking.com — you'll need to prepare yourself for a decent drive. Brogo is located a 5.5-hour drive south of Sydney or a 7.5-hour drive north of Melbourne. This isn't the first time Booking.com has created an OTT getaway, either, with the digital travel company previously setting up an Avo-Condo (yes, a tiny home shaped like an avocado) in Circular Quay last July. The Vegemite Villa is popping up at 610 Warrigal Range Road, Brogo, NSW from December 6–7, 2019. A night in the villa will set you back $89, with bookings opening at 10am AEST on Wednesday, December 4 via Booking.com.
Being able to tell when someone is lying is a handy gift, and one that sits at the centre of supremely entertaining and addictive new 2023 streaming series Poker Face. But no special talents were necessary to predict two obvious things that've come true since the show first started dropping episodes back in January: that it'd be a hit and that a second season would follow. Armchair detectives, get excited about another round of sleuthing with star Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll) and filmmaker Rian Johnson (Knives Out and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery). US streamer Peacock has just announced that Poker Face will return for season two — and, dropping episodes week by week, season one isn't even finished yet. Exactly when Poker Face will return for its sophomore spin, how many episodes season two will span and who else will pop up — because this is a series with a stacked guest cast, too — hasn't yet been revealed. But the news definitely isn't bullshit, as Lyonne's Charlie Cale likes to utter (and often). A mystery-of-the-week series, Poker Face sees Charlie work her way through resolving a different crime in each episode, all while she's on the road in a Plymouth Barracuda. That's where all those other well-known faces come in, including Adrien Brody (See How They Run), The Menu's Hong Chau and Judith Light, Lil Rel Howery (Deep Water) and Danielle MacDonald (The Tourist) in season one's first few episodes. The show's debut go-around also features Lyonne's Russian Doll mother Chloë Sevigny (Bones and All), plus Ron Perlman (Nightmare Alley), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Pinocchio), Ellen Barkin (Animal Kingdom), Nick Nolte (The Mandalorian), Cherry Jones (Succession), Jameela Jamil (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law) and newly minted Oscar-nominee Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All At Once). As seen on Stan in Australia and TVNZ On Demand in New Zealand, Charlie is cruising her way across the US after figuring out a crime with personal ties in episode one, all by using that lie-detecting talent of hers, but making considerable enemies in the process. While that's the show's overall framing story, each instalment focuses on its own whodunnit in its own place, including mysterious deaths at garages, related to metal bands, in retirement homes and onstage during a play. "Poker Face is one of those rare, undeniable shows that we all fell in love with from the start, but the critical acclaim and viewer response has been beyond our wildest dreams," said Susan Rovner, Chairman, Entertainment Content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. "Working alongside the creative genius of Rian Johnson, Natasha Lyonne and Ram Bergman, along with our partners at MRC and T-Street, has been a spectacular ride, and we can't wait to hit the road for another season as we continue to build momentum across Peacock's originals slate." Check out the full trailer for Poker Face below: Poker Face streams via Stan in Australia and TVNZ On Demand in New Zealand. Read our review of season one.
For a country that's girt by sea, as our anthem reminds us, Australia has become rather obsessed with waves of the man-made kind of late. The Sunshine Coast was supposed to be getting a wave pool that hasn't yet come to fruition, work on URBNSURF's 2.1-hectare space near the Melbourne airport has already begun — targeting an April 2019 opening — and a 3.2-hectare Sydney spot was approved late last year. Indeed, 'who needs real beaches?' seems to be the current line of thinking. If a regional Queensland surf park that's set to become operational this year proves a success, we could all living out at Point Break dreams at more places — called Surf Lakes, it's actually a prototype facility designed to give a new kind of technology a whirl. Located near Yeppoon on the Capricorn Coast, the park is built around a central mechanism that sends waves from the middle of the 200-metre by 150-metre lake towards the edge. With the water lapping over eight distinctive breaks, it'll produce 2400 surfable waves per hour. [caption id="attachment_676066" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Surf Lakes[/caption] Surf Lakes also has some high-profile support, with Aussie surfers Mark Occhilupo and Barton Lynch the park's two ambassadors. More than just lending his encouragement to the project, Occy is lending a hand on an attraction called Occy's Peak, The Morning Bulletin reports. It's a barrelling break that'll range up to 2.4 metres high — the park record — and span across 60 metres. The full-scale demo site is currently to slated to be up-and-running around August, according to Stab Magazine; however don't go booking a trip to central Queensland just yet. At present, it'll be run as a test facility for media and folks who might be interested in licensing the idea for other parks, although there are plans to open to the public at a later date.
Like the sound of a power reformer strength class? Always wanted to try hot pilates? Absolutely pumped to sweat, smile, and soak up all the good vibes? Upstate's annual Open House Weekend is back, and you're invited. With 290 free classes cranking across 12 studios in Melbourne and regional Victoria, this event – which takes place on Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23 – offers two days of electrifying workouts, as well as awesome prizes and offers. To celebrate, Upstate is giving you an exclusive 50% discount on their 30-Day intro offer. Plus, there's a chance to win a 12-month membership – just share a photo or video during the weekend and tag @upstate_studios on Instagram. Whether it's yoga or heavy-hitting boxing that takes your fancy, Upstate's no-strings, no-catches classes are an excellent way to challenge yourself, have fun and meet new people. They'll take place across all Upstate locations, including Richmond, Fitzroy, South Yarra, South Melbourne, Balaclava, Ascot Vale, Geelong, Newtown, Torquay, Ocean Grove and Ballarat. Ready to go? Simply download the Upstate app and reserve your free classes. Saturday sessions run from 6am-4pm and Sunday session from 7am-7pm – but don't forget to check the schedule for exact times. Whatever your vibe, Upstate is ready for you.
There's a certain moment between waking up in a hot tent, losing your boot sole in shin-deep mud and slipping up the side of a muddy, muddy amphitheatre that we remember this unshakable music addiction of ours is fukt. Yet year after year, we load up our borrowed cars with hidden goon sacks, blow-up Kmart mattresses, '90s throwback playlists and enough muesli bars to make our mums happy and we drive our timetable-highlighting butts to the music mecca to rule them all post-BDO: Splendour in the Grass. Why do we do it? Why do we skate through mudpiles resembling a human bowel system? Why do we munch on greasy moshpit ponytails between burling throat-scraping vocals? Why do we shell out ten beans a tinny for watery piss that calls itself beer? Seems we can't shake this pesky music lovefiend. Returning to North Byron Parklands, this year's Splendour in the Grass gained wraps from the 5-0 for 'good behaviour' (the badly behaved are still sitting in sinkholes in the Mix Up tent), slam dunked three big gun headliners in a row (Mark Ronson, Florence and the Machine, Blur), and generally became the mudbath we annually buy novelty gumboots for. While we counted no less than seventeen headdresses and found an entire Splendour stall selling the damn things, there was a limited quota of douchebaggery to be seen — or perhaps they were simply easier to avoid; mud maketh muppets of the munted. Instead, here's what made us cheer for an encore. CLIENT LIAISON With a bigger budget and bigger audiences to boot, Client Liaison have become the nostalgia-fuelled spectacle they've been threatening to be for years; ferns, pastel tuxedos, gold necklaces, and three incredible legs-for-days aerobic dancers to pose Lampoon-style around Client's disco-dancin' Monte Morgan. With co-Liaison Harvey Miller tweaking singles 'Queen' and 'End of the Earth', Client finished up with a cover of INXS's 'Need You Tonight' with longtime live bandmate and triple j Hack presenter Tom Tilley. FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE Florence Welch is the new messiah. Well, you'd be forgiven for thinking so after this large-scale bapitism-by-ballad. Characteristically bare-footed and donning flowing white threads to rival Stevie Nicks, the British powerhouse entranced the amphitheatre with soaring vocals and theatrical spirit fingers, backed by her mighty Machine — stopping to remind the audience of her first Splendour performance in a Surry Hills-bought vintage wedding dress many moons ago. With expectations high following her slam dunk of a 2015 Coachella set, Welch careened through single to fan favourite to 'Dog Days Are Over' finish with the level of high energy usually associated with Bacchanalian wood nymphs. TAME IMPALA The last time Tame Impala played Splendour, they debuted a little ol' single called 'Elephant' three years ago. This year, Kevin Parker and his psychedelic bunch came armed with brand new album Currents and an amphitheatre full of expectant fans (and granted, Blur fans trying to get a good spot). It's not every artist who's confident enough to drop seven-minute single 'Let It Happen', or open a set with it, but Parker's not every artist. BLUR "You're all fucked, aren't you." Blur frontman Damon Albarn knew an end of Splendour audience when he saw one, bubbling with anticipation at seeing the '90s Britpop legends united in the ampitheatre on Sunday night. Saluting the moon, bounding about the stage like a merry pirate and getting up in fan faces over the almost two-hour set, Albarn steered Alex James, Graham Coxon and Dave Rowntree through a furiously fast 'Song 2', beloved singles 'Beetlebum', 'Parklife' and 'There's No Other Way' amongst plenty of material from new album Magic Whip. Finishing up the festival with epic 1995 ballad 'The Universal' made whimpering messes of fans amphitheatre-wide. PURITY RING Though the Mix Up tent was almost literally sinking into the mud, Canada's Purity Ring took Splendour punters to new heights of euphoria. Multi-instrumentalist Corin Roddick commanded booming synths and playable light-up crystals, while elven vocalist Megan James jumped, skipped and serenaded like a futuristic woodland sprite, blitzing everything from 'Push Pull' to 'Fineshrine'. MARK RONSON With Theophilus London, Kevin Parker, Daniel Merriweather, Keyone Starr and co. in tow, Mark Ronson's all-star variety show careened through the superstar producer's hit-dotted career so far; from explosive opener 'Feel Right' to a heartfelt 'Valerie' singalong using Amy Winehouse's original vocals. After cheesily getting bikes onstage for 'The Bike Song', bringing out Miike Snow's Andrew Wyatt for a rendition of the Ronson-co-written single 'Animal', Ronson dropped the firecracker Splendour was waiting for: a ten minute, rain-drenched bacchanal fuelled by 'Uptown Funk'. Worth the subsequent flu. MØ If you've ever wanted to feel as old as humanly possible at a live gig, see a MØ gig. The Danish electro pop singer (real name Karen Marie Ørsted) made a mockery of ageing, blasting out a youth-fuelled escapade into her debut album No Mythologies to Follow in the Mix Up tent — finishing up with a giant singalong of Major Lazer and DJ Snake single 'Lean On'. Ørsted gave a nod to her buddy Elliphant, the pint-sized Swedish pseudo rapper who'd similarly stopped time the day before, with a sultry rendition of their duet 'One More'. JENNY LEWIS While DZ Deathrays melted faces in the amphitheatre and Japanese Wallpaper threw shapes for giggly teenfans, longtime crooner Jenny Lewis was kicking goals over in the GW McLennan tent. Turning what should be a sheriff-badged country hoedown into a candy-coloured pop shop, as Lewis's pastel rainbow-themed set flagged new material from her latest album The Voyager. Lewis has never been better. Sauntering through old heartwrenchers like 'With Arms Outstretched', and new buzz tracks 'Just One of the Guys' and 'She's Not Me', the ever pitch perfect Lewis dropped a bit of 'Bad News' for Rilo Kiley fans late in the set. Kudos go to Lewis's lead guitarist and keyboardist who joined Lewis for a three-part harmony a la Brother Where Art Thou that left no dry eye in the house. UV BOI If you're not across this 18-year-old Brisbane producer, take note. One of the most original and refreshing producers in the game right now, UV boi threw every genre in the book in the bin with his Tiny Dancer stage set. JARRYD JAMES There's a lot to be said for a killer single. Brisbane's Jarryd James has been kicking serious goals over the last 12 months, with a debut album on the way and a multi-platinum single 'Do You Remember' tailor-made for a big ol' Splendour singalong. But James is more than his big breakthrough song, showcasing the his Frank Ocean-meets-Blackstreet catalogue to a packed-out Mix Up tent. "Thanks for coming and hanging out, I know my music's not party music." Beg to differ bro, beg to differ. THE SMITH STREET BAND Melbourne's bighearted rockers hit it out of the ballpark on Splendour's sunny, sunny Saturday afternoon, while toilet paper rolls soared over the crowd. "I dare anyone else playing at Splendour to sweat this much," mused frontman Wil Wagner staring straight into the sun and leading his crew and one heck of an adoring crowd through such hard-hitting jewels as 'I Don't Wanna Die Anymore', 'Don't Fuck With Our Dreams' and the nostalgia-driven 'Young Drunk' in front of a huge banner preaching "Real Australians say welcome". Total legends. THE DANDY WARHOLS Though slightly lacking in vocal volume, the Dandies put on one energetic show for their boob-flashing fans. Bouncing from mega single 'We Used to Be Friends' to Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia throwbacks like 'Mohammed' and 'Bohemian Like You', the Oregonians proved unexpected highlights for both longtime fans and Dandy newcomers alike — all trying to get a solid footing on the perilously muddy amphitheatre slopes. VALLIS ALPS Watch out for these two. Filing the Mix Up tent for Saturday's perilously early midday slot, bright young up-and-comers Vallis Alps served up their dreamy brand of Chrome Sparks-like electronica to new ears. The Canberra and Seattle-based duo blitzed their fourth ever live show (yep, kids today), cranking a beauty of a Bon Iver 'Blood Bank' cover and finishing up with big buzz single 'Young'. MEGAN WASHINGTON Surrounded by metallic balloons and playing the absolute crap out of her beloved keyboard, Washington delivered one of her most energetic, stadium-like sets yet. The real showstopper? A mid-'My Heart Is a Wheel' cover of Real McCoy's 'Another Night', with Washo's keyboardist crushing that immortal 'rap' bit. Plus, punters got to nab those silver balloons, most of which were released into the night during Tame Impala's amphitheatre set. Magic. #1 DADS Last show for Tom Isanek's #1 Dads side project, and what an emotional feelbucket it was — from the heartbreaking 'Return To' featuring Tom Snowdon to that glorious, widely celebrated cover of FKA Twigs’s 'Two Weeks’. JOHNNY MARR Watching a legend play their own iconic guitar lick reminds you of how many bad cover bands you've seen over the years. Legendary guitarist for The Smiths Johnny Marr commanded the GW McLennan tent with tracks from his latest album The Messenger, but indulged in a few Smiths classics for fans, nailing Morrissey's warbling vocals in 'There Is a Light That Never Goes Out' and finishing up with the howling 'How Soon Is Now'. Images: Bianca Holderness, A. Catt, Justin Ma, Savannah Vander Niet, Claudia Ciapocha, Ian Laidlaw, Stephen Booth, Marc Grimwade, UV Boi.
It brought Stephenie Meyer's vampire romance saga to the big screen. It helped make Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson superstars. Indeed, for its two biggest names, it saw KStew go soaring to everything from Clouds of Sils Maria and Personal Shopper to Charlie's Angels, Crimes of the Future and Spencer — earning an Oscar nomination for the latter — and RPatz going from The Rover and Good Time to High Life, Tenet and The Batman. And, now, The Twilight Saga is making a comeback. The undead don't die, after all, and neither does much in the pop-culture realm. No big movie franchise ever says goodbye these days, with making the leap to the small screen one sticky trend at the moment. The Marvel Cinematic Universe did it, as has the rival DC Extended Universe. The Star Wars realm took the jump, too. So did The Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter, IT and The Conjuring series are also on their way. There's also a John Wick show in the works — and yes, the list goes on. With Twilight, Lionsgate Television is in early development on a small-screen version, as per The Hollywood Reporter. That said, it apparently hasn't yet been decided whether this'll be a spinoff from the OG books and the movies that initially brought them to the screen, or if it'll take the remake route like HBO's new Harry Potter show is set to. Either way, given their careers right now — see: all those films mentioned above — it's probably safe to say that Stewart and Pattinson won't be involved. Of course, there's zero word on casting for Twilight's television iteration so far, with only writer and producer Sinead Daly (The Get Down, Dirty John, Raised by Wolves, The Walking Dead: World Beyond and Tell Me Lies) named as being involved and Meyer also expected to have some input. Exactly when the Twilight TV series will arrive, and where it'll air or stream, similarly hasn't been revealed. Forgotten what the five vamp films cover? They start with teenager Bella Swan (Stewart) moving to the small town of Forks, Washington, where she meets and falls in love with vampire Edward Cullen (Pattinson). This romance between a human and a vampire isn't particularly straightforward, otherwise there wouldn't be four books and five movies devoted to it. In cinemas, Twilight also starred everyone from Taylor Lautner (Cuckoo), Anna Kendrick (Alice, Darling) and Dakota Fanning (The First Lady) to Michael Sheen (Good Omens), Rami Malek (Amsterdam) and Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World Dominion). There's no sneak peek at the Twilight TV show yet, understandably, but as well as the original Twilight trailer above, plus the New Moon trailer, you can watch Eclipse and two Breaking Dawn trailers below: The TV version of Twilight doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when one is announced. Via The Hollywood Reporter.
When 2018 comes to a close, the National Gallery of Australia will be home to both a permanent Yayoi Kusama infinity room and a short-term showcase of pre-Raphaelite masterpieces from London's Tate Britain — but 2019 looks set to be even bigger for the Canberra venue. The gallery has revealed its full program for next year and it's filled with huge names from the art world, with exhibitions showcasing the work of Monet, Matisse and Picasso coming to the nation's capital. Hitting the NGA between June and August, Monet: Impression Sunrise, will be focused around the artwork that gives the exhibition its title. Painted back in 1872, Impression, Soleil levant is credited as the source of the term 'impressionism' and rarely travels outside of the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris. In fact, it has never visited the southern hemisphere before. In collaboration with the French institution, the NGA will display other world-famous paintings by the artist — as well as works by other impressionist talents inspired by Monet, such as JMW Turner. From December 2019 to April 2020, the NGA will then play host to to Matisse / Picasso, which will give art fans to see iconic creations by two major artists in the same space. Drawing pieces from more than 40 collections around the world, the exhibition will highlight the great rivalry between the two figures, and how they responded to each other in their work. The NGA's fondness for Picasso shouldn't come as a surprise — the gallery is already home to a rare set of 100 of the artist's pieces, called The Vollard Suite, which has been touring the country with stops in both Brisbane and Victoria. Among its other highlights for 2019, the NGA will also become home to a new four-metre high wax 'candle' sculpture by Swiss artist Urs Fischer from March, and will unveil a major new work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in October. Monet: Impression Sunrise will display at the National Gallery of Australia between June 7 and August 18, 2019, while Matisse / Picasso will display between December 13, 2019 and April 13, 2020. For further details, visit the NGA website. Image: Claude Monet. Impression, Soleil Levant. 1872. Paris, Musée Marmottan Monet.
