Ask any true Melbourne burger fiend and they're sure to have some fond, cheesy memories of the double patty smash creation from late Collingwood institution Rockwell and Sons. The long-running diner broke more than a few hearts when it shut up shop last year, and Chef and Co-Owner Casey Wall's famed beef burger bid farewell. But, you can thank your lucky lockdown stars, because the legend is back in our lives once again; at least for a limited time. For the next month, sibling venue Bar Liberty — which has transformed into a bottle shop during stage four restrictions — is slinging DIY kits so you can recreate the double smash patty at home. Or, whip up a vegetarian-friendly black bean alternative, if that's more your speed. Available in limited amounts Tuesday to Sunday, the Rockwell and Sons at-home burger packs have been flying out the door, offering Melburnians a glimmer of goodness as they wade through this current stretch of Stay At Home orders. [caption id="attachment_780954" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dominic Xavier[/caption] Each solo-serve smash pack clocks in at $15, featuring two uncooked O'Connor beef patties, a couple of Kraft Singles, a Martin's potato bun and some of Rockwell's special sauce. The vego version is similar, but teams two black bean patties with 'jazz' sauce and pickled green tomatoes. The website's even got handy step-by-step photo instructions showing how to prepare your burger feast — from cooking those patties to assembling the bun. When you order online for in-store pick up, you'll also find a selection of add-ons, including creamy mac 'n' cheese ($9), Bar Liberty bottled negronis ($13) and four-packs of the bar's collaboration Table Beer made with Hop Nation ($20). And of course, there's a stack of interesting vino available on premises at the pop-up bottle shop. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, a reminder that as the burgers are pick-up only, you can only get them if you live within five kilometres of Bar Liberty, in line with the current stage four restrictions. The Rockwell and Sons At-Home Burger Packs are available Tuesday to Sunday for a limited time, for pick up from Bar Liberty, 234 Johnston Street, Fitzroy. Pre-order online via the website. Images: Dominic Xavier
Best known to bargain hunters all over Melbourne, Mutual Muse is quietly one of the best consignment stores in the city. Focusing on sustainable fashion and sourcing garments made from natural fibres, the store invites anyone to drop by with a bag of their best threads and sell them for a profit of either 50 percent store credit or 25 percent cold hard cash. It's the perfect system to create a store that feels just like you're diving into your best friends closest. Particularly if that best friend loves local brands like Obus, Kuwaii and Gorman — although household names like Country Road and Zimmerman make appearances, too. You can also check out Mutual Muse's original shop at 687 High Street, Thornbury.
Step inside the remote spaces of Fort Nepean on the Mornington Peninsula as part of an immersive music and arts experience on ANZAC Day weekend. On Saturday 22 and Sunday 23, five distinctively different music acts will perform in different sections of the historic site, in a live show unlike any you've seen, or heard, before. "During the show the audience will move through up to 5 x 15-minute live music performances — all surprising — and all starkly different," said Swell creative director Janenne Willis. "No headline and support acts. No sound checks before the gig starts. No struggle to see the musicians from the back of a room. Nothing you'd expect from a live music show." This is the third edition of Swell, although it's the first time it has been held at Fort Nepean — previous iterations have taken place at a hotel and in the basement of an abandoned hospital. Fort Nepean is located in the Point Nepean National Park and is inaccessible by car. Punters will meet at the entrance to the park and have the option of catching a shuttle or getting there via a historical walking tour. They'll also have buses running from Melbourne and Balnarring to help you get to and from the event. Image: Fort Nepean by Ottre via Wikimedia Commons.
Spring Break Cinema is heading back to Howler for a season of movies about music. Taking over the bandroom Wednesday evenings throughout October, the month-long program features an unpredictable mix of recent indie flicks, slick documentaries and retro favourites you haven't seen in an age. With tickets at just $15 a pop, we're thinking this looks like a mighty fine alternative to the multiplex. The fun begins on October 7 with Eden, a semi-biographical drama from young French auteur Mia Hansen-Love, about the attempts of her brother to make it big in the emerging house scene during the early 1990s. Next up comes L for Leisure, an oddball comedy set in the early '90s that boasts a killer selection of original synth-pop tunes. Week three will feature Fresh Dressed, a doco that charts the rise of hip hop fashion with commentary from the likes of Pharrell Williams, P Diddy and Yeezus himself. The season will then wrap up on October 28 with a 20th anniversary screening of Empire Records.
Richmond's Modern Greek restaurant Bahari has been slinging its popular 'Gringlish' (Greek and English) eats along Swan Street for the past four years. Now, it's extending that offering upwards to reveal a new cocktail bar and courtyard space. Upstairs at Bahari has been designed by owner Philip Vakos' wife Heleena Vakos and built by co-owner Stell Kaponas. Key design elements include white walls offset by navy murals, an opulent copper bar and a doorway made out of komboloi (Greek worry beads). Along with the new space comes a brand new cocktail offering. Expect Mediterranean twists on classics like with an Aperol spritz mixed with mastiha (Greek liqueur), an espresso martini that uses Greek coffee and a boozy 'mountain tea' concoction that'll be served in cast iron tea pots. The current Bahari food menu extends to the second level, including the venue's signature shared banquet dinners. Though it's an ever-changing menu, some of the items that have stood the test of time include the chargrilled octopus with ouzo, lemon and oregano for starters; slow-roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary and garlic for mains; and orange blossom baklava with pistachio and walnuts for dessert. These will be accompanied by regular weekend specials — at the moment, that's moussaka toasties, dagwood dogs using loukaniko (Greek pork sausage), Greek-style fried chicken and haloumi sliders. Upstairs at Bahari is now open at 179 Swan Street, Richmond. Opening hours are Friday and Saturday from 5–11pm. It's also able to be booked for events on Sundays.
Because you're reading this, we know you're not someone who received a pet for Christmas, only to decide it wasn't for you. We know you're one of the good folks. You're probably wishing that you did receive a loveable animal as a gift, even if you already have one — or several — that you adore. We understand your yearning, and so does the RSPCA. And, to find permanent homes for pups, cats, bunnies, guinea pigs and even Sheepy the Sheep surrendered into its care from all over the country, it's lowering the adoption fee to $29 this weekend. The weekend-long initiative is called Clear the Shelters and will run from Friday, February 21 until Sunday, February 23. Although you can't put a price on the happiness a new four-legged friend will bring, it's hoped that the low adoption fee will encourage people who have been thinking about adding a pet to their fam (and have considered it thoroughly) to make the commitment this week. Last year, the RSPCA found new homes for 2654 pets Australia-wide. [caption id="attachment_761823" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jane is available for adoption in Tuggerah, Animal ID: 473147[/caption] This year, Clear the Shelters will run across Australia in all states and territories except Tasmania. The adoption fees — which usually range from $20–600 — help cover some of the costs of vaccines, training, desexing and microchipping for the animal. Whether you're in NSW, Victoria, WA or Queensland, there are hundreds of animals that need a new home full of love and pats. There's more to pet adoption than overdosing on cuteness, of course, as making the commitment to care for an animal is serious business. RSPCA's Clear the Shelters runs nationally (except Tasmania) from February 21–23. You can pre-register over here. Top image: Lady Danger is available for adoption in Sydney, Animal ID: 472000.
2019 is shaping up to be a mighty big year for Elton John. Biopic Rocketman launches into cinemas in May, starring Kingsman's Taron Egerton as the singer and covering his wild 70s antics. The live-action version of The Lion King hits screens come July, featuring the musician's iconic tunes from the original, as well as new songs. And to cap it all off, the star himself is headed our way for a huge farewell tour. Bringing his 300-stop Farewell Yellow Brick Road shows to Australia and New Zealand between November 2019 and February 2020, John will be doing over 40 concerts across more than two months — including gigs in capital cities, a number of regional dates, and shows at A Day on the Green. There are still a limited number of tickets available for his four Melbourne shows at Rod Laver Arena. He kicked off the extensive tour last September, embarking on a three-year global goodbye trip. When it comes to an end, he'll retire from touring after five decades on the road. If that all sounds rather massive, that's John's career in a nutshell. He's played more than 4000 shows across his career, has sold more than 300 million records worldwide and holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time thanks to the 1997 version of 'Candle in the Wind'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtVBCG6ThDk Fans can expect to feel the love through all of his hits, including 'Rocket Man', 'Tiny Dancer' 'Bennie and the Jets', 'Crocodile Rock', 'I'm Still Standing' and 'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting' — especially the latter, you'd expect, on his six Saturday shows. The concerts will also feature never-before-seen images and videos show from John's 50-year career, which'll be displayed throughout the show, as well as a new tour wardrobe designed by Gucci. Image: Ben Gibson.
European holidays are back on the cards once more, though pretty soon you won't even need a passport to embark on an authentic Italian culinary adventure. Italy's famed artisan marketplace concept Mercato Centrale is heading Down Under, opening its first-ever outpost outside of the homeland right here in Melbourne. With sites in Rome, Turin and Milan, along with the original Florence location, the brand now has its sights set on Australia's food capital. It's in the process of transforming the three-storey, 3500-square-metre McPherson's building on Collins Street into a grand Italian homage to artisanal food, set to launch late-2022. Founder Umberto Montano launched the first of these sites back in 2014, setting out to deliver an artisan-led marketplace that works as a shared platform, shifting the focus away from any individual branding and onto the producers and their craft. Artisans are handpicked and work as solo operators within the market, with just one representative for each food product. And it gives smaller or emerging producers a shot at showcasing their wares without the huge overheads of opening a traditional shopfront. "Instead of trying to just profit from it all, Umberto developed this platform that creates opportunities and exposure for artisans who just love their food, that love what they're producing," explains Eddie Muto, the local hospitality expert who's spearheading Mercato Centrale's expansion into Australia. Muto knew Montano's concept would be the perfect fit for Melbourne and he's spent the past six years driving a local iteration. "People will come along and have an urban picnic if you like," Muto tells Concrete Playground, explaining how the ground floor market space will work. "They'll go and get a little bit of salumi, a little pasta, some bread. In the morning, they've got the bakery, they can have croissants and Italian pastries. And then they can order at their table for drinks." Visitors will be able to see the artisans at work making everything from fresh mozzarella to hamburgers, lending an interactive element to the experience. Mercato Centrale's lower level will also be home to the main bar, in addition to a dedicated cocktail bar and an artisan bottle shop. Of course, there'll be an espresso bar, too, with cheaper coffees for those who stand and sip their caffeine at the bar, European-style. [caption id="attachment_856980" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mercato Centrale Milan[/caption] Meanwhile, Level Two is set to play host to a sit-down Italian restaurant filled with timber and marble; designed "to feel like home", as Muto explains. And the third floor is earmarked for an event and function space. Mercato Centrale is also positioning itself as a hub for arts and culture, so expect a jam-packed calendar of social and creative activities to come. And there'll always be live tunes to soundtrack your market adventures, from acoustic gigs to weekend DJ sets. "What we're hoping to achieve is that as soon as you step in the door, it'll be like stepping into Florence or Milan or Rome," muses Muto. "So you might walk up and ask for a panino in English and they'll respond to you in Italian!" Find Mercato Centrale Melbourne at 546 Collins Street, Melbourne, from late 2022. We'll share more info as it lands. Top Images: Mercato Centrale Rome, Milan, Turin and Florence.
If you're already feeling mopey about another summer ending, Prahran's newest culinary addition should prove the perfect pick-me-up. Openair restaurant Beyond The Palms has landed in Prahran's back streets and its Miami vibes are the cure for all your autumn blues. From the crew that brought us Australiana-inspired watering hole Galah, this 80s-themed al fresco playground comes kitted out with rainbow-hued walls, cheery orange banquettes and a solid dose of neon. There's Astroturf beneath your feet, twinkling fairy lights above and a huge leafy palm presiding over the whole lively space. Raring to become a new go-to for lunch, dinner and those all-important weekend brunch feasts, Beyond The Palms is dishing up a menu heavy on the Cuban and Mexican flavours. It's a versatile lineup designed to suit all appetites, from that after-work grazing session to hungrier group hangs late into the night. Keep things light with snacks such as the ceviche teamed with melon granita and almond purée, fried school prawns or some chargrilled corn with queso fresco and a black garlic sauce. Tacos come bearing fillings like pulled pork, green olive and avocado salsa, or spicy plant-based sausage with caramelised pineapple and crunchy slaw. A trio of brioche burgers includes a Cuban-style pulled pork number with truffle mustard, while plates like the charred skirt steak with spiced beans are primed for sharing. And come brunch time, you're in for dishes like smashed black beans with grilled baby corn, puffed rice and fried eggs. Those playful tropical vibes flow through to the drinks offering, where you'll find sips like a jalapeño-infused margarita, passionfruit mojitos and the Between 2 Palms — a blend of two Patron tequilas, with toasted coconut falernum, coconut cream and honeydew. They're backed by a handful of tap brews and a concise list of wines, including two biodynamic, carbon-positive drops by Caledonia in South Gippsland. Find Beyond The Palms at 33 Clifton Street, Prahran. It's open from 4–10pm Wednesday and 12–11pm Thursdays–Sunday
Emily and Roy Yu are no strangers to plating up top-quality produce with a Japanese-accented finesse, as you'll know from their restaurants Wagyu Ya and Niku Ou. And the duo are throwing their hat into the same ring, albeit with a little extra fire, for their latest flame-focused eatery Yakikami. Now open in South Yarra, the 70-seat diner is delivering two different upscale food experiences, both embracing Japanese barbecue and built around some pretty exceptional meat. It's a study in Japanese flavours and technique, with more than a little French influence as far as the sauce game goes. Yakikami's menus are the work of Head Chef Hirokazu Sasaki, who hails from Michelin-starred Tokyo restaurant Niku Kappo Black. And the Yu's are among just two Aussie restaurateur groups to hold the Kobe beef Golden Calf certification, named as a preferred supplier of the famously premium marbled meat. Diners in the market for some of that top-grade beef will want to make a beeline for the chef's table offering, which sits just 10 at a time over two nightly sessions. Here, you'll get a front-row seat to the action as Kobe beef is cooked on the Josper grill, the high temperatures of which are thought to best bring out the meat's umami flavour. It starts on a $285 set menu, alongside plates like the A5 Wagyu tartare with smoked caviar, Japanese snow crab paired with hapuka, grilled wild mushrooms, and a nine-hour chicken bone ramen with ox tail and clams. Meanwhile, Yakikami's izakaya-style component centres around a yakitori station and heroes Nomad's premium pasture-raised Sommerlad Heritage chicken (Adelaide) beside an array of other quality proteins. You'll find a slew of things cooked over binchotan — think, garlicky wings, ginger chook hearts, chicken fillet with leek and spicy miso, and king oyster mushrooms finished with unagi tare. Kingfish carpaccio is dressed in yuzu, 'chicken skin rice' comes with sugar snaps and an onsen egg, and there's a hefty range of top-shelf steak and seafood options; from lobster in a 10-hour slow-cooked sauce to a $185 Kagoshima sirloin. If you were hoping to match your deluxe feed with some equally memorable tipples, you're in luck. A wide-ranging vinous selection has been curated by wine expert Phillip Rich, while the sprawling sake lineup tops out at a cool $1350 for a 1.8-litre bottle of the Juyondai Honmaru. Signature sips like the Sayo's Delight — a riff on a whisky sour starring Nikka From the Barrel, passionfruit and sake — is well worth a look-in. Find Yakikami at 150-152 Toorak Road, South Yarra. It's open from 3–10pm Wednesday to Sunday. Images: Griffin Simm
We're approximately 14,000 kilometres away from the USA, but if you want a little taste of Thanksgiving this year, you won't have to travel any further than King & Godfree. The Carlton deli and eatery is lending some of its own Italian flavour to the classic American holiday, whipping up a special Thanksgiving dinner menu on Thursday, November 24. Book a table for between two and 12 diners, and spend an evening celebrating all the good things in your life, revelling in some great company over a sumptuous Italy-meets-USA feast. You'll start with a cranberry sour cocktail on arrival, before digging into plates like roast turkey with cranberry sauce, Italian pork and fennel sausage stuffing, honey buttered cornbread, cacio e pepe mac and cheese, and marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole. Even dessert gets the gentle fusion treatment, with a rich fior di latte gelato to match the all-important pecan pie. The set menu clocks in at $85, including a cocktail. [caption id="attachment_735463" align="alignnone" width="1920"] King & Godfree[/caption] Food Images: Arianna Leggiero
More than just a simple cafe, Project281 has taken up residence on Albert Street in Brunswick. Owners Connell McGrath and Sargon Michael (of The Glass Den Cafe) have made a smart move by setting up shop in Melbourne's food and coffee-oriented north — but Project281 stands out from the crowd in terms of what it has to offer. A massive industrial looking, greenery-filled space on Albert Street, Project281 includes an in-house roastery — aka Founder Coffee Co. — as well as a kitchen and indoor 50-square-metre herb garden on their mezzanine level (with its products used in the food, of course). The team plans to open for dinner and add a rooftop bar, but there's plenty to see, eat and drink here to keep patrons going in the meantime, and McGrath says that it's been no mean feat. "To put it simply, it has been a massive team effort," he says of the process. "We've spent countless hours, day and night, creating a space that promises to be comfortable, convenient and exciting for all." The team effort he refers to includes part of Matcha Mylkbar's opening team, Lachlan Timms and Conrad Cheng, who run front and back of house operations. Then there's coffee roaster Anne Cooper, snagged from Equilibrium Master Roasters to oversee the coffee side of things. The fit-out was done by architectural firm Splinter Society, and it's all natural light, greenery and timber throughout the warehouse-like space. Designed by the team to be vegan-friendly, the menu features a mix of Korean, Japanese, and South East Asian fare — divided into chibi-sara (small plates), oki-sara (large plates) and ame-sara (sweet plates). Even if you're not a dessert-for-breakfast kind of person, the latter are well worth a gander, with the Japanese taiyaki (a filled waffle) is served with nashi pear custard, berries, brandy coral, vanilla ice cream and sweet herbs for $19. More of a savoury tooth? Perhaps the soft shell crab okonomiyaki ($24), served with poached egg, tonkatsu and slaw, will whet your appetite. That's without getting started on the liquids — from a triple hot chocolate ($7) to housemade smoothies full of goodness ($11), there's a lot to see around these parts even if you're not a coffee drinker. If you are a coffee drinker, try the iced coffee sphere with a side of hot milk, $8. Who said coffee culture was all the same?
One of the biggest installations hitting Fed Square during the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is Dan's Diner. The festival has teamed up with booze retail behemoth Dan Murphy's to build an old school US-style diner right in the centre of the city that'll run from Friday, March 15–Sunday, March 24. For those ten days, renowned chefs and bartenders — all named Dan — will take over the pop-up, reinventing classic diner dishes and drinks. This will include Dan Hunter (Brae), Daniel Puskas (Sixpenny) and Daniel Wilson (Yakimono). Each of these Dans has a totally different culinary style, so we're pumped to see how each reinvents the diner genre. For beverages, Daniel Docherty (Commis) has made a few cocktails just for the event — expect refreshing summer sips and some classic diner-inspired booze options. Victorian wines will also feature heavily as the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival crew makes it a habit to support local winemakers whenever possible. For the weekend of March 23 and 24, Fed Square will also host a heap of MFWF events including celebrity sausage making classes, a pizza party, baking workshops and heaps of live performances. They aren't holding back this year. And neither should you. Images: Kristoffer Paulsen
It's long been an inner-northwest favourite for eats and drinks, but come Saturday, April 2, food truck park the Ascot Lot will be showing off its creative side as well. From 12pm, it's firing up to host the inaugural North West Arts Fest — a jam-packed day of live art, installations and design pop-ups celebrating local creative talent. Head along for free to check out digital art from the likes of BBJ and Loughie W, along with live mural installations by artists including Kitt Bennett, Danny Koles, and Digable Goods x Another Good Studio. Plus, fashionable folk can shop a range of vintage threads at a Hand-Me-Down Heat pop-up store. As always, the day will be soundtracked by tunes from The Lot's resident spinners, multiple bars will be serving a range of liquid offerings, and there'll be a slew of food trucks for when that appetite kicks in. [caption id="attachment_848718" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hand-Me-Down Heat[/caption]
If you needed another reason to explore Melbourne right now, the city is being treated to its first major post-lockdown cultural event. Marking the slow return of events to Melbourne, the annual Fringe Festival is back both online and in-person for its 2020 iteration. The dynamic range of comedy, theatre and performing arts will take place outdoors, online and around the city between Thursday, November 12 and Sunday, November 29. Many of the works on this year's program were created throughout the last turbulent year and the months of lockdown Melbourne has endured. Highlights include a miniature diorama of Ned Kelly's life set up in a Fitzroy costume shop, a nightly live-streamed news spoof comedy show and a live band that will play outside of aged-care homes across Melbourne. Patrons are also invited to join cult cabaret icon Tomás Ford from the comfort of their bathtub for his performance Come Have a Bath With Me, whilst performance artwork Losing Touch will be one of Melbourne's first outdoor post-lockdown events, taking place in Abbotsford Convent on Wednesday, November 25. The full program is available at the Melbourne Fringe Website with each performance and artwork assigned a rating so you know how family-friendly and socially distant it is. [caption id="attachment_789669" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Slipstream[/caption] Top images: Trigger Happy and A Small Spectacle.
When the first John Wick film burst into cinemas with a finessed flurry of fantastic action scenes and all-round Keanu Reeves awesomeness, it let its star utter a particularly memorable and telling line. "Yeah, I'm thinking I'm back," the inimitable actor announced — but while the highly enjoyable movie helped remind audiences of his excellence, Reeves himself hadn't really gone anywhere. A staple on screens for decades, Keanu boasts quite the resume, spanning cult comedies, poignant takes on Shakespeare, ace sci-fi franchises, demon-hunting and sappy romances. There's also his dalliance with the ultimate vampire, the time that he tried to save a bus that couldn't slow down, and his stellar stint as a surfing FBI agent. All of the above are on the lineup at the Lido Cinemas event that every Reeves fan will want to head to: a nine-week Keanu Reeves-A-Thon. Every Friday night at 9pm between October 18 and December 13, the Hawthorn theatre will work through a selection of the star's hit flicks in chronological order. Start with Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, take a trip through My Own Private Idaho, hit the waves with Point Break and dance with the undead thanks to Bram Stoker's Dracula. Then get fast and furious with Speed, enter The Matrix, go to hell with Constantine, visit The Lake House and say hello to John Wick.
It might've taken three years, but Netflix has finally produced its first original Aussie series. Shot entirely in Queensland, and providing fuel for late 2018 binge-watch sessions, Tidelands is a supernatural crime drama series about a fictional fishing village, dubbed Orphelin Bay, with strange inhabitants: a group of dangerous half-Sirens, half-humans called 'Tidelanders'. Cal McTeer (Charlotte Best), a young women who returns to the small village after a stint in jail, discovers the body of a local fisherman and must navigate the town's drug smuggling history while also investigating the Tidelanders, who are led by Adrielle Cuthburt (Elsa Pataky). Here's the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gZG_ehP0Ag&feature=youtu.be Eight episodes, each running for 50 minutes, have been made by Brisbane's Emmy Award-Winning production company Hoodlum Entertainment. And Tidelands won't just gift Australian users with a new favourite series, with the show set to land in all 190 countries that Netflix is available in. Thinking you've seen plenty of Aussie stuff on Netflix already? You're not wrong, however, there's a difference between throwing old sitcoms and standup specials into a range inexplicably overflowing with new Adam Sandler movies, and actually funding brand new Australian material. Last year, it was announced that they'd join forces with the ABC to co-produce a second season of Glitch, which showed them dipping a toe in the water — but now they're completely diving in. Tidelands will join the platform's hefty stable of original series, which started back in 2013 with House of Cards, and just keeps growing (Orange Is the New Black, The Get Down, The OA, Wet Hot American Summer, Master of None, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Dear White People, BoJack Horseman, four Marvel series with one more to come — the list goes on). Given the premise, here's hoping it'll be the next Stranger Things, and not the new Hemlock Grove. Tidelands will be available globally on Netflix from December 14, 2018.
If holidaying or staycationing puts your sweet tooth in a treat yo'self sort of mood, we've found the ultimate city getaway to sate those cravings. Flinders Street hotel DoubleTree by Hilton has transformed its two-storey Loft Room into an eye-popping, neon-hued homage to all things sweet. Created with the help of LED neon specialists Electric Confetti, the new Sugar High suite is as much a sugar rush for your eyes as it is for your tastebuds. Expect glittery wall tiles in various shades of musk stick and red frog, giant inflatable ice creams for sweet-toothed selfies, and a festival's worth of fun neon shapes splashed throughout — candy hearts with sweet messages, hundreds and thousands, and even a supersized Bubble O'Bill. The room is also stocked with the real deal, including jars brimming with classic lollies. Guests on the Sugar High Package will enjoy an assorted mini jar of sugary treats each, with additional jars available to purchase if you really want to dive in. There's even a huge 950-gram container of gumballs that might catch your eye. The hotel package also includes signature DoubleTree cookies on arrival, a pair of exclusive ice cream-print socks each and a daily buffet breakfast — if you're still hungry after all the sugar, that is. If you'd like to treat your sweet tooth — and camera roll — to a stay in the Sugar High Room, you've got until October 31, when it's set to morph back to its usual self. DoubleTree Hilton's Sugar High Package is available until October 30, with rates from $470. Book via the website using the promo code PR04MC, or mention the room when making a phone reservation.
Camberwell cafe The Old Garage has made quite the name for itself with its progressive, plant-driven menu, which offers vegan options for every single dish. And this month, it's celebrating its first birthday in the most fitting way possible — with a big day of animal-friendly fun. Join in the block party shenanigans from 11am on Saturday, March 6, when chef and co-owner Prince Dib fires up the barbecue for a vegan feast featuring snags from Ascot Vale's The Kynd Butcher. It'll taste good and feel good, with all profits going to support the New Life For Animals Rehoming Centre. Then, from 2–4pm, it's your pooch's time to shine, thanks to a free photo studio shoot taking happy snaps of the day's four-legged guests. And as always, there'll be plenty of puppuccinos on offer, with proceeds from each of the dog-friendly drinks heading to local no-kill animal shelters and sanctuaries, like Loki's Lodge in Derrinal.
Most of us are spending a lot of time at home at the moment, meaning we may have more time to cook, but prepping meals to scoff down in your home office isn't how all of us wish to spend our Sundays. And, while you can still head down to your local pizza joint to pick up a takeaway feed or order from Uber Eats, you may be craving more nourishing food as time goes by while you're in isolation. Thankfully, healthy food delivery service Nourish'd is dropping off nutrition-packed meals to doors across the country. Its main selling point is the variety of gluten, dairy, preservative and sugar free dishes on its menu. Nourish'd delivers fresh, chef-prepared dishes to your door and is suitable for anyone looking for a tasty, nutritious meal without all the prep work. It'll also save you a trip to the supermarket, so you can practise social distancing without skipping your daily quota of veggies. You'll be tucking into a diverse range of meals, too, with everything from a nourishing chickpea dahl to pad thai, jerk chicken, veggie lasagne and chipotle shredded beef on the 55-dish menu. So, you can say goodbye to eating the same leftovers day-in and day-out. There are options for vegans and vegetarians; those on diets such as keto and paleo; and people with allergies and intolerances. Prices start from $11 per dish, with six different packs available. You can opt for the ease of a subscription-style service, delivered to your door weekly, or the flexibility of one-off orders, meaning you can tailor it to suit your needs, as well as your dietaries. Plus, you don't have to commit to anything longterm. Nourish'd is available across NSW, Qld, Tas, Vic, ACT and SA, with orders delivered every week. Meal plans start at $69.35 per week. For more information and to sign up, head here. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
If you haven't been able to book a trip to Spain this year, this beachside dinner may be a very tasty consolation. Melbourne's Basque-inspired restaurant Sebastian is throwing a paella party by the water to celebrate Spanish Paella Day To mark the occasion on Wednesday, March 27, the Williamstown newcomer is getting into the paella spirit with a special dinner, running from 6pm. Guests will have the chance to see Head Chef Leigh Robbins in action, whipping up a big, communal version of his signature seafood and chistorra (a Basque-style sausage) paella out on the beachfront deck. Individual serves of paella will set you back $25, while shared portions — or portions for a very, very hungry one person — will be going for $36, until there's nothing left in that pan (also called a paella, if you didn't know). And of course, there's no chance of going thirsty on the night — the bar's lineup of top Spanish wines and jugs of sangria are a perfect match, both to the rice dish and to those balmy bay views.
Mister Jennings in Richmond is turning two, and they're throwing one hell of a dinner party to celebrate. On the evening of Monday, July 4, owner and head chef Ryan Flaherty will welcome six of Melbourne's top chefs into his kitchen for a second birthday celebration unlike anything you've ever seen. Forget fairy bread – we're talking seven separate courses with seven different beverages to match. Reckon you might want to go ahead and book your taxi home in advance. In addition to Flaherty himself, the chefs tapped to take part are Pei Modern's Matt Germanchis, Fatto's James Kummrow, The Point's Andy Harmer, Char Dining's Mathew McCartney, Dr. Morse's Adam Trengove and living legend Philippa Sibley (most recently of Syracuse). Not a bad lineup. A seat at the table will cost you $140, which is pricey, but does work out at $20 per main and drink. And on the plus side, you probably won't need to bring a gift.
Under normal circumstances, when a new-release movie starts playing in cinemas, audiences can't watch it on streaming, video on demand, DVD or blu-ray for a few months. But with the pandemic forcing film industry to make quite a few changes over the past year — widespread movie theatre closures will do that — that's no longer always the case. Maybe you're in lockdown. Perhaps you haven't had time to make it to your local cinema lately. Given the hefty amount of films now releasing each week, maybe you 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's nine you can watch right now at home. JUNGLE CRUISE Take two charming actors, then couple them up for a feature-length volley of fast-paced banter: that's the screwball rom-com formula. Place this pleasing pair in a scenic but challenging setting — one that'll highlight their individual strengths, see them turn seeming weaknesses into new skills, and will obviously bring them closer together — and that's exactly how plenty of action-adventure movies have unfurled. Sending the always personable and likeable Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt to the Amazon, Jungle Cruise stitches together these two well-established formulas. It traverses its cinematic rapids in the slipstream of 80s fare like Raiders of the Lost Ark and Romancing the Stone (and their respective sequels), and even rollicks along in the footsteps of The Mummy franchise of the late 90s and early 00s (a series which actually gave Johnson his first big-screen roles). But, as anyone with even a passing knowledge of Disney's theme parks knows, Jungle Cruise also falls from the attraction-to-film mould that the Mouse House clearly loves. Pirates of the Caribbean is an overt influence, right down to the way that some of this new flick's villains look, and thrusting all these blatant templates to the fore — and together — doesn't quite result in movie magic. Indeed, despite Johnson and Blunt's charismatic and capable pairing, as well as the movie's visually boisterous imagery, the film's modest pleasures all fade oh-so-quickly, as happens with every amusement ride. Directed by Unknown, Non-Stop, Run All Night and The Commuter's Jaume Collet-Serra, who makes a workmanlike but hardly memorable jump from unleashing Liam Neeson's special set of skills, Jungle Cruise wants to whisk viewers off on a spirited ride. That's the experiential aim of most theme park-based films: these flicks want audiences to feel like they've stepped inside the attraction from their cinema seat. So, before the movie's title card graces the screen, two sequences endeavour to set this tone. It's 1916, and Dr Lily Houghton (Blunt, A Quiet Place Part II) sneaks into an all-male science society to look for a treasured arrowhead from the Amazon. She's tasked her fussy brother MacGregor (Jack Whitehall, Good Omens) with deflecting the organisation's members by telling them her theories about a fabled South American tree, called the Tears of the Moon, that can cure any illness or break any curse. The men are dismissive, but she knows they will be. She's there to steal the trinket so it can lead her to the mythical plant, all while Prince Joachim of Germany (Jesse Plemons, Judas and the Black Messiah) tries to get his hands on it as well. When Lily comes out on top, the Houghtons are off to Brazil to hit the river, but they'll need a captain to guide their watery jaunt. In his introductory scene, the roguish Frank Wolff (Johnson, Jumanji: The Next Level) is spied conducting tourist trips down the Amazon, every step choreographed like an amusement park ride, and with his own pun-heavy showman patter narrating the journey. He's corny, and he has a jaguar in on the act, too. Accordingly, there are zero surprises when Lily enlists his services reluctantly and after some subterfuge on his side, or when he keeps trying to trick her into giving up her quest. Jungle Cruise is available to stream via Disney+ with Premier Access. Read our full review. TALL POPPY — A SKATER'S STORY When skateboarding makes its debut as an Olympic sport in Tokyo this winter, it'll do so with Poppy Starr Olsen flying the flag for Australia. A world champion since her teens, she first hit the Bondi Skate Park at the age of eight, and proclaimed at the time that she'd like to spend her adult life carving, ollieing, flipping and grinding — one of those childhood wishes that, in this case, has proven more than just a kid's outlandish fantasy. Audiences know about this youthful exclamation because it was caught on camera. Yes, Tall Poppy — A Skater's Story belongs in the camp of documentaries that are inescapably blessed by the constant lens through which many of our lives have been captured since video cameras became a household gadget and then a standard mobile phone feature. Accordingly, making her first feature-length doco, filmmaker Justine Moyle has ample material to draw upon as she weaves together a portrait of Olsen's life from pint-sized bowl-rider to Australia's best female skater, the fourth best woman on a board in the world and an Olympian, all by the age of 21. This isn't just a film compiled from home videos, though, although the feature. In front of Dane Howell's (Without a Tracey) lens as she has grown up, Olsen is candid, open and relaxed as she literally comes of age before the camera, and her skateboarding skills are just as riveting to watch. You can tell much about Olsen by just seeing her in the bowl or on the park, no matter her age, wherever she happens to be at the time, or if she's competing, practicing or just skating for fun. It hardly comes as a surprise that she takes to the pastime because it feels so freeing; as she rolls up and down in Bondi after first giving skateboarding a try, she may as well be flying. Tall Poppy — A Skater's Story captures the rollercoaster ride from there, as she's eager and enthusiastic at both local and international competitions, visibly nervous at her first X Games, and also a little disillusioned once she's put on an Olympic path. She's a teenager, in other words, and her emotional ups and downs mirror those on the board. This is a film about resilience, perseverance and taking on the world on your own terms, however, as Olsen works out who she wants to be and how that ripples through in her skateboarding. She's already a role model, whether or not you want to follow in her footsteps. Here, she's doubly so for her personal ebbs and flows, including through COVID-19, as much as her professional achievements. Tall Poppy — A Skater's Story is an affectionate movie, of course. Its release is also impeccably timed, it's as deservedly loving towards female skaters as the fictional Skate Kitchen and its TV spinoff Betty, and it shows the beauty in every commonplace and exceptional skateboarding trick. But Olsen's presence, passion and prowess drive this rousing documentary above all else. Tall Poppy — A Skater's Story is available to stream via ABC iView, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Prime Video. FAST AND FURIOUS 9 Fast cars, furious action stars, a love of family and oh-so-many Coronas: across ten movies over 20 years, that's the Fast and Furious franchise. It might've started out as a high-octane spin on Point Break, but this long-running series has kept motoring across nine flicks in its main storyline, and also via a 2019 spinoff. The latter, Hobbs & Shaw, actually casts a shadow over the saga's latest instalment. Because Dwayne Johnson was part of that sidestep, he doesn't show up in Fast and Furious 9. He's missed, regardless of whether you're usually a diehard fan of the wrestler-turned-actor, because he's managed to perfect the F&F tone. Over his decade-long involvement to-date, Johnson always seems amused in his Fast and Furious performances. He's always sweaty, too, but that's another matter. Entering the F&F realm in Fast Five, he instantly oozed the kind of attitude the franchise needs. He knows that by taking the outlandish stunts, eye-catching setpieces and penchant for family with the utmost seriousness, these films border on comedic — and by navigating five flicks with that mood, he's been the saga's playful and entertaining barometer. Without Johnson, Fast and Furious 9 isn't as willing to admit that it's often downright silly. It's nowhere near as fun, either. Hobbs & Shaw wasn't a franchise standout, but Fast and Furious 9 mainly revs in one gear, even in a movie that features a high-speed car chase through Central American jungles, a plane with a magnet that can scoop up fast-driving vehicles and a trip to space in a rocket car. The latest F&F is as ridiculous as ever, and it's the least-eager F&F film to acknowledge that fact. It's also mostly a soap opera. It leans heavily on its favourite theme — yes, family — by not only swapping in a different wrestler-turned-actor as Dominic Toretto's (Vin Diesel, Bloodshot) long-lost sibling, but also by fleshing out the warring brothers' backstory through flashbacks to their tragic past. Fast and Furious 9 starts with an 80s-era Universal logo, because that's the time period it heads to first — to introduce a teen Dom (Vinnie Bennett, Ghost in the Shell), his never-before-mentioned younger brother Jakob (Finn Cole, Dreamland) and their dad Jack (JD Pardo, Mayans MC). It's 1989, the elder Toretto is behind the wheel on the racetrack, and his sons are part of his pit crew. Then tragedy strikes, tearing the Toretto family apart. In the present day, Dom and Jakob (John Cena, Playing with Fire) definitely don't get along. Indeed, when Roman (Tyrese Gibson, The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two), Tej (Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges, Show Dogs) and Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel, Four Weddings and a Funeral) drive up to the rural hideout that Dom has been calling home with wife Letty (Michelle Rodriguez, Crisis) and toddler son Brian (first-timers Isaac and Immanuel Holtane) since the events of 2017's The Fate of the Furious, he doesn't even want to hear about the latest mission that demands their help. The only thing that changes his mind: realising that Jakob is involved and up to no good. Fast and Furious 9 is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Prime Video. Read our full review. GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE Cutesy name, likeable stars, stylised brutality, a familiar revenge scenario: blend them all together, and that's Gunpowder Milkshake. There's one particular ingredient that's missing from this action-thriller's recipe, though, and its absence is surprising — because much about the film feels like it has jumped from the pages of a comic book. That's one of the movie's best traits, in fact. The world already has too many comics-to-cinema adaptations, but although Gunpowder Milkshake doesn't stem from a graphic novel, it actually looks the part. Its precise framing and camera placement, hyper-vibrant colours and love of neon could've easily been printed in inky hues on paper, then splattered across the screen like the blood and bullets the feature sprays again and again. Writer/director Navot Papushado (Big Bad Wolves) and cinematographer Michael Seresin (War for the Planet of the Apes) have made a visually appealing film, and a movie with evident aesthetic flair. All that gloss is paired with a generic assassin storyline, however, and a half-baked feminist thrust. It's Sin City meets John Wick but gender-flipped, except that the Kill Bill movies and Atomic Blonde have been there and done that. Crafting a film that's entertaining enough, but largely in a mechanical way, Papushado and co-scribe Ehud Lavski (a feature first-timer) attempt to complicate their narrative. The basics are hardly complex, though. As skilled killer Sam (Karen Gillan, Avengers: Endgame) notes in the movie's opening narration, she works for a group of men called The Firm, cleaning up its messes with her deadly prowess. It's an inherited gig, in a way. Fifteen years earlier, she was a fresh-faced teen (Freya Allan, The Witcher) with a mum, Scarlet (Lena Headey, Game of Thrones), who did the same thing. Then her mother abandoned her after a diner shootout, leaving Sam to fend herself — and, to ultimately get her jobs from Nathan (Paul Giamatti, Billions), one of The Firm's flunkies. It's on just that kind of gig that Sam kills the son of a rival crime hotshot (Ralph Ineson, Chernobyl), and he wants revenge. Soon, her employers are also on her trail, after she takes another assignment in an attempt to sort out her first problem, then ends up trying to save eight-year-old Emily (Chloe Coleman, Big Little Lies) from violent kidnappers. The cast also spans the impressive trio of Angela Bassett (Black Panther), Michelle Yeoh (Last Christmas) and Carla Gugino (a Sin City alum), albeit sparingly, with all of Gunpowder Milkshake's female figures solely tasked with navigating an inescapably clear-cut scenario. Gunpowder Milkshake is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Prime Video. Read our full review. SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY In the misfire that's always been 1996's Space Jam, basketball superstar-turned-unconvincing actor Michael Jordan is asked to hurry up. "C'mon Michael, it's game time! Get your Hanes on, lace up your Nikes, grab your Wheaties and your Gatorade, and we'll pick up a Big Mac on the way to the ballpark," he's told. Spoken by go-to 90s schemester Wayne Knight (aka Seinfeld's Newman), this line couldn't better sum up the film or the franchise it has now spawned. The Space Jam movies aren't really about the comedic chaos that springs when a famous sportsperson pals around with cartoons. That's the plot, complicated in the original flick and now 25-years-later sequel Space Jam: A New Legacy by evil forces that turn a basketball game into a battle ground; however, it's also just a means to an end. These features are truly about bringing brands together in a case of mutual leveraging, as product placement always is. Connect Looney Tunes with the NBA, and audiences will think of both when they think of either, the strategy aims. It has worked, of course — and with A New Legacy, the approach is put to even broader and more shameless use. Everyone who has ever even just heard of Space Jam in passing knows its central equation: Looney Tunes + hoop dreams. The first Space Jam's viewers mightn't also remember the aforementioned product name-drops, but Warner Bros, the studio behind this saga, hopes A New Legacy's audience will forever recall its new references. All the brands shoehorned in here are WB's own, with its other pop culture franchises and properties mentioned repeatedly. The company also has Harry Potter, The Matrix, the DC Extended Universe flicks such as Wonder Woman, and Mad Max: Fury Road in its stable. Its catalogue includes Game of Thrones, Rick and Morty, The Lord of the Rings, and Hanna-Barbera cartoons like The Flintstones and Scooby-Doo, too. And, it holds the rights to everything from The Wizard of Oz, Metropolis and Casablanca to A Clockwork Orange and IT. A New Legacy wants to forcefully and brazenly impress these titles into viewers' minds so that they'll always equate them with the studio. In other words, this is just a Warner Bros ad with LeBron James and Looney Tunes as its spokespeople. You don't need to be a cynic or have zero nostalgia for the OG Space Jam to see A New Legacy as purely a marketing exercise, though, because corporate synergy is literally what the movie's villain, an algorithm named Al G Rhythm (Don Cheadle, Avengers: Endgame) that runs the on-screen Warner Bros, aims to achieve in this shambles of a film. Space Jam: A New Legacy is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Prime Video. Read our full review. DREAM HORSE Life-changing conversations can happen in bars — as Jan Vokes well and truly knows. Played in Dream Horse by Toni Collette (I'm Thinking of Ending Things), the Welsh supermarket employee and pub barmaid overheard Howard Davies (Damian Lewis, Billions) chatting about his past success as a racehorse owner. In his beer-fuelled boasting, he doesn't discuss how it almost left him bankrupt and divorced, but Jan is still inspired to both follow his lead and enlist his help. Having bred whippets and racing pigeons before, and won prizes for doing so, she decides she'll turn her attention to horses. Husband Brian (Owen Teale, Game of Thrones) isn't initially convinced, but soon she's studying guides, finding a mare and then a stallion, and convincing her friends and neighbours to put away a tenner a week to pay for this little endeavour. The syndicate's focus: a foal they name Dream Alliance, who spends his early days being raised on the Vokes' allotment, and eventually ends up with racing hotshot Philip Hobbs (Nicholas Farrell, The Nevers) as its trainer. Dream Horse wouldn't exist if success didn't follow, and it leaves no doubt that that's the case; however, director Euros Lyn (The Library Suicides) and screenwriter Neil McKay (Mad Money) chart lows as well as highs, and always ensure their characters are their primary focus. Dream Alliance was always going to gallop into cinemas, of course — and not just via 2015 documentary Dark Horse: The Incredible True Story of Dream Alliance. His is a story too crowd-pleasing for filmmakers to ignore, especially given the UK's penchant for against-the-odds tales about motley crews of struggling salt-of-the-earth characters who band together over an unusual but swiftly shared interest that ends up revitalising their lives in more ways than one. That's the template Dream Horse plays to, even though it's based on a true tale and an actual horse. The Full Monty, Calendar Girls and similar feel-good flicks provide as much inspiration here as the actual real-life details, in fact. Accordingly, this is a movie that's easy to get caught up in. It's almost impossible not to, really. That said, it's also a film that wears its warmth, sentimentality and shameless heartstring-pulling as a badge of honour. As a result, it's also impossible to ignore the buttons the movie keeps gleefully pushing, and the parts of the tale that must've been smoothed out to elicit the desired cheer-inducing response — even around Collette's committed performance. But this happily mawkish feature and its characters are all doing it for the "hwyl", a Welsh term that means "emotional motivation and energy", and neither is willing to let that mission dwindle even for a second. Dream Horse is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Prime Video. SNAKE EYES: GI JOE ORIGINS Every film doesn't have to spawn a franchise, and most shouldn't; however, when a Hollywood studio teams up with a toy manufacturer to turn action figures into a movie, and then wants to keep using the latter to sell the former, apparently that stops being the case. That's why cinema audiences have been forced to suffer through the Transformers movies over the years, and why we also now have Snake Eyes: GI Joe Origins, the latest addition that no one wanted to a dull saga that started with 2009's GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra and then continued via 2013's GI Joe: Retaliation. Channing Tatum isn't part of the story this time around, with the focus shifting to the eponymous Snakes Eyes (Henry Golding, Monsoon). Before the character becomes a member of the GI Joe team, he's a man out to avenge the murder of his father (Steven Allerick, Westworld) from back when he was a kid. That quest first leads him into the employ of yakuza kingpin Kenta (Takehiro Hira, Girl/Haji), where he helps smuggle guns in giant dead fish. From there, he gets his shot with the Arashikage clan — a family-run enclave of Japanese powerbrokers that the ambitious Tommy (Andrew Koji, Warrior) thinks he'll lead next, is unsurprisingly wary of outsiders, but eventually and after much suspicion from head of security Akiko (Haruka Abe, Cruella) lets Snake Eyes undertake its secretive testing process to become a member. It's a credit to director Robert Schwentke (Insurgent and Allegiant), and to writers Evan Spiliotopoulos (The Unholy), Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse (Rebecca), that Snake Eyes isn't obsessed with obnoxiously stressing its franchise ties. It does all lead up to uttering a well-known GI Joe adversary's name, other recognisable characters such as Scarlett (Samara Weaving, Bill & Ted Face the Music) and Baroness (Úrsula Corberó, Money Heist) pop up, and nefarious terrorist organisation Cobra plays a part, but none of these links ever feel like the movie's primary purpose. Still, that half-heartedness speaks volumes about a movie that displays that trait again and again, is fine with remaining a generic Tokyo-set ninja revenge movie — complete with gratingly obvious shots of Mount Fuji, the Shibuya scramble crossing and Tokyo Tower — and also works giant snakes rendered in visually abhorrent CGI into the mix. The best element: Golding, who has never been less than charismatic in any of his on-screen roles (see also: Last Christmas, A Simple Favour and Crazy Rich Asians). He can't lift this formulaic franchise-extending slog, though, and neither can his rapport with both Koji and Abe, Schwentke's eye for his settings or the movie's often eye-catching costuming. The film's unenthused action scenes prove an apt weathervane, because they're by-the-numbers at best, even when The Raid's Iko Uwais is involved. Snake Eyes is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies and Amazon Prime Video. SIR ALEX FERGUSON: NEVER GIVE IN Even among sports agnostics who know next to nothing about football of any code, and don't want to, Sir Alex Ferguson's name still likely rings a bell. The prodigiously successful soccer manager was synonymous with equally prosperous English Premier League team Manchester United for almost three decades between 1986–2013, leading them to 38 different trophies — including 13 EPL titles. He oversaw an era that featured star players such as David Beckham, Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, all famous names that are also known beyond sports fans. Accordingly, Ferguson is a highly obvious candidate for a documentary, particularly an authorised film directed by his own son Jason. But the best docos don't just preach to the already celebratory and converted. A piece of non-fiction cinema has the potential to turn any viewer into an aficionado, and to get everyone watching not only paying attention, but wholly invested. As the vastly dissimilar, not-at-all sports-related The Sparks Brothers also does, that's what Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In achieves. It steps through its eponymous subject's life story, all with the man himself narrating the details, sharing his memories and musings, and looking back on an extraordinary career. Helpfully when it comes to standing out from the crowded sports doco crowd, Never Give In has an angle: in 2018, Sir Alex was rushed to hospital and into surgery due to a brain haemorrhage. At the time, his biggest fear was losing his memories, which the younger Ferguson uses as an entry point — and as a touchstone throughout the birth-to-now recollections that fill the film otherwise. This approach helps reinforce exactly what Sir Alex has to recall, and what it all means to him. It also makes his plight relatable, a feat his footballing achievements were never going to muster (we can all understand the terror of having our lives' best moments ripped from our consciousness, but few people can claim to know what his level of professional success feels like). In his Scottish brogue, the elder Ferguson proves a lively storyteller, talking through his upbringing in Glasgow, his childhood adoration of Rangers Football Club, his ups and downs as a player — including taking to the pitch for Rangers and against them — and the path that led him to coaching first in Scotland, then for Manchester United. A wealth of archival footage assists in fleshing out the tale, as do interviews with players such as Cantona and Ryan Griggs. The result: an easy win of a film, but a nonetheless compelling and skilful one, too. Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Prime Video. SPIRIT UNTAMED The first time that a Kiger Mustang named Spirit cantered across the silver screen, it was in 2002's Oscar-nominated Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. Back then, the film marked just the sixth theatrical feature that Dreamworks Animation had brought to cinemas — following Antz, The Prince of Egypt, The Road to El Dorado, Chicken Run and Shrek — and if anything stood out, it was the movie's hand-drawn animation. Almost two decades later, Spirit Untamed returns the energetic and determined horse back to theatres. The movie he's in still looks gorgeous, even if computers have replaced pencils in bringing him to life. That said, this isn't actually the franchise's second step, with Netflix series Spirit Riding Free also telling the apple-loving animal's story across 78 episodes since 2017. In both look and feel, Spirit Untamed has more in common with its streaming counterpart than its big-screen predecessor, unsurprisingly. It's happy to primarily court the show's young audience, too. Indeed, while voice work by Jake Gyllenhaal (Spider-Man: Far From Home), Julianne Moore (Lisey's Story), Walton Goggins (Fatman), Andre Braugher (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) and Eiza González (Godzilla vs Kong) is designed to appeal to adults, there's little else but scant traces of nostalgia and pastel-hued imagery to keep anyone past their teens interested. Her vocals stem from a different actor — with Isabela Merced (Dora and the Lost City of Gold) doing the honours — but Fortuna Esperanza "Lucky" Prescott still sits at the heart of Spirit Untamed. Like Spirit Riding Free, the new film tells of Lucky's arrival in the frontier town of Miradero, her connection with Spirit and her efforts to save him from wranglers (led by Goggins). Also covered: her budding friendship with fellow horse-lovers Pru (voiced here by Little's Marsai Martin) and Abigail (Mckenna Grace, Annabelle Comes Home). They're the pals she needs when Spirit and his wild companions are snatched up by the nefarious rustlers, who plan to ship the horses off and sell them. Together, the pre-teen trio then sets off across the dangerous plains, determined to save the galloping animals and do the right thing. There's an obvious but still welcome and powerful message in Lucky's story, as she ignores her worried dad's (Gyllenhaal) warnings and her doting aunt's (Moore) fussing, choosing to follow her own heart and path instead. (Her father frets because her mother, voiced by González, worked as a horse-riding stunt performer and died during a show.) Similarly pleasing, even if the movie basically just remakes the TV show's first episode: that this all-ages wild west tale heroes women, although it pales in comparison to the recent Calamity, a Childhood of Martha Jane Cannary. Spirit Untamed is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Prime Video. Looking for more at-home viewing options? Check out our lists of movies fast-tracked from cinemas to streaming back in May, June and July. You can also take a look at our monthly streaming recommendations across new straight-to-digital films and TV shows.
Melbourne's north doesn't have enough late-night wine bars serving oversized slices of pizza. At least, that's what Sam Peasnell and business partners Adam Goldblatt and Tom Peasnell think. They're the talented trio behind Preston hotspot Dexter Meat & Buns and they've just opened a casual pizza joint directly across the road. "There aren't too many places in Preston that are open later and doing drinks so we thought a couple more bars would be nice," says co-owner Sam Peasnell. "It's somewhere for our staff and customers to go after dinner." It's called Takeaway Pizza and it's a concept the boys have wanted to explore for a while now. "Adam [initially] wanted to do pizza at Dexter, but Tommy's plan to do barbecue won so we've sort of been waiting for an opportunity to get back to it." The way it works is pretty simple: out front is a takeaway pizza joint where you can order 12-inch American-style spicy pizzas through a small window, while inside is a fully stocked cocktail and wine bar. It's the kind of place you can duck in for a quick beer while you wait for your pizza, or roll into for a few kick-ons after a dinner over the road. It's what the boys are describing as a northside take on a southside-style wine bar. "Rather than have an amazing glass of wine with a charcuterie board, you'll be eating it with a spicy slice of pepperoni pizza — we think that's kind of the way the north would do a wine bar," says Sam. Images: Frances Parker
While the NGV's gallery spaces are gearing up to host an array of breath-taking garments as part of its soon-to-launch blockbuster Alexander McQueen exhibition, its grounds have already scored a fresh injection of colour for the summer. And that's thanks to the winning NGV 2022 Architecture Commission, Temple of Boom, which made its home in the Grollo Equiset Garden this week. The boldly coloured replica of Greece's famed Parthenon will be parking itself here until August next year, set to be continually refreshed with large-scale works by various local artists during its stay. The structure itself is the work of Adam Newman and Kelvin Tsang, celebrating The Parthenon as a symbol of Western civilisation, democracy and enduring beauty — and built to reflect on the impact time has on architecture. The latter is what'll also drive Temple of Boom's ever-shifting look, the first of which features vibrant optical illusions and floral elements by contemporary artists Manda Lane, Drez and David Lee Pereira. Lane's work centres around relationships between the man-made and the natural; Pereira is known for his explorations of gender and identity fluidity; and Drez's murals challenge perspective using colour and form. While the structure will be transformed with different artworks across three phases of its stay, it'll also work as a community meeting spot and play host to an extended program of events. That includes a calendar of talks, performances and VR experiences held in collaboration with the Hellenic Museum Melbourne; and a lineup of Friday evening DJ sets as announced for the new NGV Friday Nights summer season. Catch 'Temple of Boom' in the Grollo Equiset Garden, NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, until August 2023. Images: Installation view of the 2022 NGV Architecture Commission 'Temple of Boom', designed by Adam Newman and Kelvin Tsang, at NGV International from 22 November 2022–August 2023. Photo by Sean Fennessy.
Following a series of four pop-up stores, Far Fetched Designs founders Rachael DiMauro and Belinda Miller decided it was time to open their own space. Inspired by the craft markets the pair have visited around Australia, they wanted to provide Seddon's locals with the chance to buy the most impressive arts and crafts without having to go on their own road trip. Supporting small businesses and independent creatives across the country, Far Fetched Designs lets the makers set their own price, while only taking a small commission. If you're after small-run jewellery, homewares or knick-knacks, there's a good chance you'll find something special at Far Fetched Designs. Images: Parker Blain.
Award-winning beer brand Urban Alley now has a sibling for its OG Docklands brewery, opening this $5 million brewpub in Wantirna's Knox Westfield Ozone precinct in May 2022. Spread over 1000 square metres and multiple levels, Urban Alley Brewery Knox not only features an array of indoor and outdoor spaces, but hosts a dedicated gin distillery from renowned Tassie producer Dasher + Fisher. It's a destination for beer-sipping, gin-appreciation, pub-style dining and live entertainment, with capacity for a hefty 750 people. The bar showcases Urban Alley's award-winning range, pouring core creations like the Urban Lager ($7/13) and Slapshot Aussie-style pale ale ($7/13) alongside a rotation of limited releases. There's even a beer crafted in honour of the new digs, dubbed the Ozone Pacific Ale ($7/13). Meanwhile, gin aficionados can get acquainted with a range of internationally-awarded Dasher + Fisher creations, also made on site. And if you've got a thing for both drops, try the Plummy Brew ($22) — a special-release cocktail crafted on both beer and the distillery's Ocean Gin. To match, the kitchen serves a contemporary take on classic pub fare — like the Korean fried chicken burger with 'sinner' sauce ($26), slow-cooked lamb shanks ($35), and cous cous-crusted salmon with a lemon and pea risotto ($32). Fish and chips are done in an Urban Lager batter ($27), and there's a solid lineup of pizzas and snacks, too. You'll also find a diverse program of happenings, ranging from Tuesday night trivia, to Saturday DJ sets and acoustic sessions every Sunday afternoon.
This month we commemorated 11 years since the devastating events of September 11, 2001. The events of that morning were beamed on to every television and front page across the globe and those images have come to define a generation. Phrases like the "war on terror" and "suicide bomber" became part of the vernacular of the Western world and international politics, the American identity and the concept of warfare were changed forever. The images of that day were of unthinkable devastation and destruction: billows of smoke shrouding lower Manhattan, people jumping from the skyscrapers to escape the inferno of glass and metal and all of New York joined together in mourning at the death of more than 3,000 of their brothers and sisters. Yet amongst the rubble there were incredible stories of hope, of the very best of human nature, of firefighters running into the fire and of a nation binding together, steadfastly and resolutely, during its darkest hour. An image may be able to tell a thousand words, but the most iconic images, the 'where were you when' images, can tell us so much more about humanity. About its creativity, its innovation and its potential but also about its ability to love and, often more powerfully, its ability to hate. So here are ten images that have stopped the world and ten stories that have shaped the course of history. Moon Landing, 1969 Almost undoubtedly the most famous 'where were you when' moment of the 20th Century, the landing of Apollo 11 on the moon was initially just a pipe dream of President Kennedy's. When in May 1961 Kennedy proclaimed that he wanted to land a man on the Moon "before this decade is out" it was seen as being exactly the sort of political point-scoring and voter-pandering that we have come to expect from our politicians, just on a much grander scale. But on 20 July, 1969 the dream of every science fiction geek became a reality when images of Neil Armstrong setting foot on the Moon were broadcast to every television across the globe. Tiananmen Square Massacre, 1989 The story of the Tiananmen Square Massacre is one of shocking brutality, with estimates of up to 2,500 people, mainly students, being senselessly slaughtered by the Chinese military for protesting against the dictatorial and corrupt communist regime. Yet it was not images of bloodshed and brutality that captured the attention of the world, but instead a startlingly powerful photograph of resistance and hope. An unknown student, armed only with a couple of shopping bags, refused to budge when four Chinese Type 59 tanks approached Tiananmen Square on June 5, 1989, the morning following the military's forcible removal of the one million protestors. The event was captured by a number of foreign journalists and photographers and distributed to newspapers across the globe, giving birth to a remarkable symbol of democracy and defiance. Migrant Mother, 1936 This is the image that gave a face to the Great Depression of the 1930s. This 32-year-old Californian widow had just sold her tent and the tires off her car in order to afford food for her seven children. This is one of many photographs captured by Dorothea Lange from her tours of rural California, which eventually helped convince the US government they were not doing enough to help field workers. While this farmworker's heartbreaking story was not dissimilar to millions of others across America, it was her story and her expression sitting somewhere between defiance and despair as she clutched her starving children that has endured as the Great Depression's most iconic image. Execution of a Viet Kong Guerilla, 1968 The Vietnam War was infamously the first televised wartime conflict and more than the rising death tally or the lack of military success, it was the images capturing the brutality of guerilla warfare that turned public opinion against the war. This Pulitzer Prize winning image depicts South Vietnam's national police chief, Nguyen Ngoc Loan, executing a Viet Kong captain in the middle of a street in Saigon. It was with this photograph that the shocking realities of modern warfare, that for so long had been shrouded in mystery, became tangible for every American. The Beginning of Life, 1965 Lennart Nilsson began taking photographs with an endoscope, an instrument that could see inside the body, as early as 1957 but it wasn't until 1965 when LIFE Magazine did a 16 page spread on his photographs that the world first saw a child inside the womb. Initially the editors of LIFE could not believe that these images were real, spending several months confirming their legitimacy before creating a worldwide sensation when they were published. Lynching, 1930 It is hard to believe but this image was not taken to condemn the barbarity of the racial hatred of the South but was in fact used as a postcard in order to promote white supremacy. The photograph was taken in Marion, Indianapolis and depicts the lynching of two black men accused of raping a white girl who were hauled from a country prison by a 10,000 man lynch mob bearing sledgehammers. Perhaps most frightening about this image is not the the men hanging from the trees but the smiling crowd of revelers who seem to be taking great joy in the horrific affair. Lynches were often seen as big community events, like a carnival or fair, and from the late 1800s to the 1960s more than 5,000 lynching cases were documented and endorsed as a legitimate means of justice. Betty Grable, 1942 Forget Marilyn Munroe and Rita Hayworth, Betty Grable was the original pin-up girl, and rather than being simply a form of cheap thrills, this iconic photograph of Grable represented the only connection that many American WWII soldiers would have with their homeland while serving overseas. With her girl-next-door charm, million-dollar legs and oodles of sex appeal Grable was the perfect antidote for the wartime depression and homesickness suffered by many soldiers. Even if she hasn't been as well remembered as some of her more voluptuous kinsmen, the enormous success of Grable's pin-up is responsible for kick-starting one of the world's most lucrative industries and every pouting, pruning model you see plastered all over your department store should pay a debt to Grable, the woman who started it all. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb, 1945 The effect that the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs dropped in August, 1945 had on the course of history is hard to overstate. The numbers alone are staggering, with more than 200,000 dying as a direct result of the blast and countless more dying as a result of the nuclear fallout. While there are countless photographs taken from WWII that capture the inhumanity of the war, this image of the mushroom cloud swirling hundreds of kilometres above Nagasaki perfectly captures the sheer enormity of this event, providing the US and USSR with a stark warning against the awesome and terrible power of nuclear weapons in their the five decade Cold War stand-off. Hindenburg Disaster, 1937 The day the Hindenburg catastrophically and spectacularly came crashing to Earth, was meant to be the day that zeppelins became the world's favourite form of air travel. The Hindenburg's parent company in German had engaged in a massive PR blitz before the voyage into Lakehurst, New Jersey such that 22 photographers, reporters and cameramen were there the day of the crash resulting in the Hindenburg being the most well-documented disaster of the early 20th Century. While rumours still circulate as to why the zeppelin ignited and turned into a deadly fireball, the crash effectively sounded the death knell for the airship business with commercial flights ceasing following the Hindenburg disaster. Dali Atomicus, 1948 While this surrealist photograph may not have stopped the world, the world did seem to stop for this photograph. It took Latvian-American artist Phillipe Halsman six hours, 28 jumps, three angry cats, a roomful of assistants and bucketloads of water to capture this genre-defining portrait and homage to Salvador Dali. One of the most famous pieces of photographic art ever captured, the work explored the idea of "suspension" as inspired by the recent scientific discovery that all matter hangs in a constant state of suspension. While the end result was as bizarre and surreal as many of Dali's mind-boggling paintings, it could have been a whole lot weirder if Halsman had stuck with his original idea which involved exploding a cat in order to capture it "in suspension". Leading image credit: 010914-N-1350W-005 New York, N.Y. (Sept. 14, 2001) -- A fire fighter emerges from the smoke and debris of the World Trade Center. The twin towers of the center were destroyed in a Sep. 11 terrorist attack. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Jim Watson. (RELEASED). From Navy.mil.
Frankston locals have scored a major win with the arrival of The Sporting Globe. The new two-storey sports, entertainment and nightlife hub has taken over a sprawling corner of the Bayside Entertainment Centre, with room for 700 punters across its three bars — including a rooftop with a retractable roof. As with other Sporting Globe locations, screens are the star attraction. Around the venue, you'll find more than 50 HD TVs and two jumbotron screens showing all the major codes from open to close, as well as private booths fitted with personal touchscreen TVs. But it's not just about spectating. If you're feeling competitive, you can take your best shot in one of the augmented reality dart lanes. Add 16 beers on tap and a menu stacked with parmas, burgers, wings and other sports bar staples — including a dedicated low-gluten selection — and you've got the makings of an all-rounder for game days and nights out alike. The Frankston outpost joins a national stable of 23 Sporting Globe venues, all with a strong community focus — the brand maintains partnerships with more than 250 grassroots sports clubs across the country.
It was back in March 2022 that the world first learned of Mrs Davis, who would star in it and which creatives were behind it. Apart from its central faith-versus-technology battle, the show's concept was kept under wraps, but the series itself was announced to the world. The key involvement of three-time GLOW Emmy-nominee Betty Gilpin, Lost and The Leftovers creator Damon Lindelof, and The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon writer and executive producer Tara Hernandez was championed, plus the fact that Black Mirror: San Junipero director Owen Harris would helm multiple episodes. Accordingly, although no one knew exactly what it was about, Mrs Davis existed months before ChatGPT was released. A puzzle-box drama that's equally a sci-fi thriller, zany comedy and action-adventure odyssey, Mrs Davis now follows ChatGPT in reaching audiences — hitting screens, including via Binge in Australia, from Friday, April 21. Don't even bother trying not to think about the artificial intelligence-driven chatbot, or pondering the growing number of programs just like it, as you're viewing this delightfully wild and gleefully ridiculous series, however. There's no point dismissing any musings that slip into your head about social media, ever-present tech, digital surveillance and the many ways that algorithms dictate our lives, either. Mrs Davis accepts that such innovations are a mere fact of life in 2023, then imagines what might happen if AI promised to solve the worlds ills and make everyone's existence better and happier. It explores how users could go a-flocking, eager to obey every instruction and even sacrifice themselves to the cause. In other words, it's about ChatGPT-like technology starting a religion in everything but name. That premise isn't particularly outlandish, and nor is speculating where artificial intelligence might lead humanity; on the page, science fiction has been theorising about playing god and creations going rogue since Mary Shelley penned Frankenstein. In those footsteps has sprung everything from 2001: A Space Odyssey, Blade Runner, and the Alien, The Terminator and The Matrix franchises to the TRON movies, WALL-E, Ex Machina and Her on the big screen, plus Alita: Battle Angel, After Yang, M3GAN and more. Indeed, endeavouring not to think about the latter — the unhinged horror-comedy that proved a box-office hit earlier in 2023 — is futile while watching Mrs Davis, too. It isn't just the prominence of AI that binds the pair, but the willingness to go all-in on OTT leaps, detours, and jumps in tone and genre. In fact, Mrs Davis thrusts that somersaulting to a gleefully berserk yet magnificent extreme. The titular Mrs Davis isn't actually married — not to anything but amassing users, then keeping them plugged in — and certainly isn't a person with a surname. In some countries, the AI is called mum or Madonna, such is the loving light that it's seen in by its devotees. But Simone (Gilpin, Gaslit) doesn't subscribe. A nun raised by magicians (The Dropout's Elizabeth Marvel and Scream's David Arquette), she enjoys sabbaticals from her convent to do whatever is necessary to bring down folks who practise her parents' vocation and the show's central technology alike. She also enjoys quite the literal nuptials to Jesus Christ, is divinely bestowed names to chase in her quest and has an ex-boyfriend, Wiley (Jake McDorman, Dopesick), who's a former bullrider-turned-Fight Club-style resistance leader. And, she's tasked with a mission by the algorithm itself: hunting down the Holy Grail. No summary of Mrs Davis can do its plot justice, or the rollercoaster ride it takes from the get-go. In its opening episode alone, the show throws in the Knights Templar sacking Paris for the fabled treasure to end all fabled treasures, Simone zipping about on a motorcycle in her habit, surreal diner chats between the nun and her husband Jay (Andy McQueen, Station Eleven), a car crash staged by magicians, a shipwrecked man called Schrödinger Ben Chaplin, The Dig) with a cat, Nazis, big Kill Bill vibes — well, it is about a blonde in a distinctive outfit kicking ass and seeking revenge, often while placed against western-esque backdrops — and a factory pumping out hippopotamus meat. There's more in that debut instalment, as there is in each that follows, so much so that any chapter feels as if anything can occur at any time. Battling an algorithm is firmly in Mrs Davis' circuitry, but it never seems like it was spat out by one. There's a scene approaching halfway through Mrs Davis' eight-episode run where Simone watches a screen, just as everyone streaming the series is doing. When she exclaims "what the fuck?", it isn't the first time that the show inspires that reaction. When this mind-bender isn't nodding to everything that's ever grappled with AI in pop culture, winking at Lost and obviously elbowing Indiana Jones, it's also skewering commercials, bringing Arrested Development to mind and hopping on The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou's boat. It has heists and Arthurian legend, details out of Dan Brown and Robinson Crusoe, secret societies and Hands on a Hardbody-inspired endurance contests, the great Margot Martindale (Cocaine Bear) as Simone's Mother Superior and a comically exaggerated Australian (Daisy Jones & The Six's Chris Diamantopoulos, who definitely isn't an Aussie) as well — and it never stops ramping up its absurdity, its excitement to veer anywhere and everywhere all at once, and those what-the-fuck moments. Spin all of the above together and out comes infectious, addictive, must-watch-more fun — constantly surprising viewing, too, especially in these commissioned-by-algorithm times. Mrs Davies does genuinely contemplate what technology's constant advancements may mean for humankind; however, it wants to be rollicking entertainment as it does so. To that end, it helps that the show's three helmers each sport experience in twisty on-screen tales that often aren't afraid to take big steps into the unexpected. They direct a series now that's glossily made but always anarchic with its slickness, its pinballing from one out-there development to the next and its pacing, benefiting from Harris' time on The Twilight Zone and Brave New World, Alethea Jones' background on Made for Love and Dispatches From Elsewhere, and Frederick Toye being a Watchmen and Westworld alum. When Mrs Davies begins, going with the flow is the only response. Although a new burst of idiosyncratic madness is rarely far away, there's always meaning in whatever is happening, with the series examining not just AI and its influence but also parent-child bonds, plus also our species' undying need for both storytelling and something to believe in (and frequently the two at once). And, crucially, at the show's core is the always-phenomenal Gilpin. No matter how eccentric and ambitious Mrs Davies gets, she's its anchor, including while navigating everything that it catapults Simone's way. She's in excellent company — even Diamantopoulos ensures that what could've been a lazy Aussie caricature earns its comedic beats — and she has everyone on- and off-screen along for the ride with her. Check out the trailer for Mrs Davis below: Mrs Davis screens in Australia via Binge from Friday, April 21. Images: Binge/Peacock.
The sophomore film from John Michael McDonagh, Calvary begins with a simple conversation that sets the scene for everything that's to come. As the camera holds on the face of the quiet Father James (Brendan Gleeson), we listen to a man give confession. A victim of childhood sexual assault, the unseen man outlines the horrors that were inflicted on him by one of James's fellow members of the clergy. Now an adult, the man wants justice, but his assailant has long since died. So he has decided to murder James instead, giving the priest until the following Sunday to get his affairs in order. There are certainly similarities between Calvary and McDonough's previous film, the potty-mouthed buddy-cop comedy The Guard. Both feature standout performances from Brendon Gleeson, both have a distinctively un-PC sense of humour, and both populate their rural Irish setting with a collection of colourful characters. Dylan Moran, Chris O'Dowd and Game of Thrones' Aidan Gillen play a few of the more memorable townsfolk, any one of whom could be the murderer in waiting. McDonagh's comic pen is incredibly sharp, mixing caustic wisecracks with bemused non sequiturs and moments of perfectly timed profanity. But much more so than in The Guard, the humour here is heavily shaded with melancholy. McDonagh downplays the mystery; there's a feeling that it doesn't really matter who is planning to kill Father James, who does little to avoid his preordained fate. He himself is innocent, but knows that others in his station were not. Perhaps he feels obligated to do penance on their behalf. Certainly, the Irish felt the shock of the Catholic sex abuse scandals more than most. As Father James visits his parishioners for what may be the very last time, he's witness to a community scarred by cynicism and mistrust. His sense of personal isolation is enhanced by the rocky coastal setting, as bleak and unforgiving as it is beautiful. Gleeson's performance is one of the best of his career, full of wit, weariness and dignity. Father James is a good man, and no fool. Yet he's increasingly out of place in a world that is rapidly losing its faith. McDonagh tackles big ideas, from the need (or lack thereof) for organised religion to questions of death, responsibility and forgiveness. Blessedly, whenever things threaten to become too heady, McDonagh grounds them with a moment of deadpan comic relief. It's an incredible tightrope act. Black comedies have a habit of descending into snark, but here the balance feels just right. Tonally, emotionally and spiritually complex, Calvary comes highly recommended. https://youtube.com/watch?v=JErdUGpSYqI
Whether you're buying for your mother, partner or sister, we've rounded up some of the top gifts for her, with a little bit of help from Amazon to help you out. We've sought out goodies for foodies, fashionistas, fitness-lovers and beauty queens. Plus, if you've left gifts to the last minute, Amazon has some of the latest delivery days out there, which is good news for those of us who tend to resort to last-minute Christmas shopping. 1. Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life This book by authors Héctor García and Francesc Miralles is all about how to live a happy, healthy and long life, and who doesn't want to learn how to do that? The word Ikigai is the Japanese word for 'a reason to live' or 'a reason to jump out of bed in the morning'. This book will help you work out what your ikigai is and how to change your life for the better. A great read for anyone you know who's looking for a certain spark or loves learning about concepts from other cultures. 2. Asēdos Floral Vanilla Eau De Parfum You can never go wrong with gifting a new perfume. This spray from Asēdos is the perfect subtle and sweet option to gift to a woman like your mother-in-law, who has been non-specific about what scent they prefer. The top notes are pear, coffee, lemon and bergamot, while the middle notes are jasmine sambac and orange blossom. Scents of patchouli, cedar and musk round it out. 3. Gym Bag Perfect for the gym, yoga, the beach or even as a weekend bag (that fits for carry-on luggage), this duffle bag for women from VNPONV is roomy, practical and looks good. The bag comes in beige, black or grey and features a zippered waterproof PVC-lined pocket for wet clothes or towels and swimsuits, an extra-small makeup bag for easy storage and a separate shoe compartment with vents. Plus, it is made with durable and water-resistant nylon to protect your items. 4. Design Lives Here This one's for all the design lovers out there. Design Lives Here: Australian interiors, furniture and lighting is a hardcover coffee table book detailing the ins and outs of Australian design and is the perfect gift for anyone you know who spends hours watching Grand Designs re-runs. The book showcases the best of Australian residential architecture and interiors, featuring many homes from local designers and makers. 5. Bracelet Watch The Anne Klein Women's Genuine Diamond Dial Bracelet Watch is so gorgeous to look at. It's hard to imagine anyone would be disappointed finding this under the Christmas tree this year. The intricate watch features a mineral crystal lens with a green sunray dial with rose gold-tone hands and markers. The allure doesn't stop there – a rose gold-tone adjustable link bracelet, jewellery clasp and extender paired with Japanese quartz movement are the perfect finishing touches. 6. Bamboo Bathtub Tray The ultimate gift for the women out there who don't take any time to relax, this Wooden Bath Caddy Tray is perfect for long, relaxing baths with a book and a glass of wine. Its extendable design means you can adjust the tray to fit your tub with slots, so when you slide the wine glass into the slot, it won't tip over. Its sleek bamboo design is also perfect for elevating the overall bathroom aesthetic. 7. Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Shelf Love Another gem from the massively popular cook Ottolenghi, The Ottolenghi Test Kitchen is all about creating inspired recipes using humble ingredients. Whether you're buying for a newbie in the kitchen or for a seasoned cook who sometimes wants to keep things simple and easy, this book is a godsend. Expect dishes like a one-pan route to confit tandoori chickpeas and a tomato salad, just to name a few. 8. Ceramic Bowl Set A great gift for the women in your life who have an obsession with ceramics and homewares or for someone who just moved house, this set of six bowls from HUIRUMM is the perfect colourful addition to any kitchen. The bowls are safe for dishwashers, microwaves, ovens and freezers and the perfect size for cereals, soups, ice cream and side salads. 9. Louis Vuitton Catwalk If you know a lady who loves fashion, then this hardcover book by Jo Ellison may be the perfect gift. The book details the story of luxury brand Louis Vuitton, opening with a concise history of the house, followed by brief biographical profiles of Marc Jacobs, the first creative director, and Nicolas Ghesquière, who helms the brand today, before exploring the collections themselves, organised chronologically. Even if they don't read it, having this perched on the bookshelf is almost as fashionable as the clothes from the brand itself. 10. Ceramic Jewelry Tray Dish Have you noticed your girlfriend or sister's jewellery strewn all over the house? Enter the BIGPIPI Ceramic Jewelry Tray Dish. Designed in a cloud shape, this tray features a smooth, ceramic surface and will help organise and protect jewellery and other items you reach for daily, like keys, skincare and makeup. Plus, it also makes a nice decoration on the bedside table. Images: Supplied. This article contains affiliate links, Concrete Playground may earn a commission when you make a purchase through links on our site.
At the intersection of Brighton Road and Chapel Street, St Kilda's historic Trinity church hall has entered a new phase of existence, reborn as a 300-person pub, beer garden, event space and food truck park. The brainchild of third-generation Melbourne hospitality owner Matt Nikakis, pet-friendly Trinity has fast become a St Kilda go-to. In front, an all-weather courtyard is filled with outdoor tables and fringed by that day's food truck lineup. There are always a couple of guests on rotation (think, Nem 'n Nem and Cha Chas Vegan Mexican) joining Trinity's resident kitchen, housed in a shiny 1956 Airstream. This is your pitstop for snacks like fried chicken tenders ($14), mac 'n' cheese bites ($13) and crispy onion rings ($9), alongside a range of things in buns — maybe a double beef and bacon number ($20), a Southern-style chicken burger ($17), or a fried fish roll with dill tartar ($17). The red-brick former church hall building has been converted into a lofty, light-filled beer hall, complete with soaring ceilings and a huge central bar. You'll find roomy booths in emerald velvet, a separate sitting room filled with a curation of vintage furniture, and a suite of elegant Art Deco-inspired finishes throughout. The glass-walled mezzanine level is available for private functions and sports its very own bar. The drinks offering is a hefty one. A 12-strong tap list heroes familiar favourites from Balter, 4 Pines and Mountain Goat, while the beer fridges showcase drops like Colonial's pale ale ($9), the Kaiju Krush tropical ale ($9) and a slew of Saintly seltzers. Wines are largely local — think, Seville Estate's Sewn Chardonnay, or the Wilds Gully Tempranillo out of King Valley — and cocktails celebrate reworked classics. Settle in with one of three margaritas, try the house ode to Four Pillars' shiraz gin ($22), or get into the good times groove with the mezcal-infused Holy Trinity ($25). Images: Nicole Cleary
It's been five years since Robert Rodriguez turned in Sin City: A Dame To Kill For, and a full decade since James Cameron directed Avatar. Now, though, they've teamed up to create Alita: Battle Angel, a $200+ million sci-fi blockbuster based on Yukito Kishiro's iconic 90s cyberpunk manga of the same name. Set-up wise, it's a very familiar tale. We're deep into the future (2563, to be exact), and the world continues to reel from The Fall, aka the war to end all wars. Earth's remaining cities are massively overcrowded slums resembling the favelas of modern-day Sao Paulo, whilst high above them floats Zalem — the luxurious haven for the super wealthy and elite. In that sense, Alita is alota like 2013's Elysium and the recent Netflix series Altered Carbon, although for a refreshing change the inhabitants of the lower city aren't presented as weary, ravenous scum fighting one another for every last consumable. There's even a blue sky, regular sunlight, fresh fruit and delicious chocolate. Sure, there are the usual scavengers and rogues of various forms, but for the most part the community is exactly that — a harmonious, multicultural confederacy of peoples just trying to eek out a new life for themselves in the post-Fall world. The hero, too, enters the story with a very familiar backstory. Alita, a damaged cyborg rescued from the trash piles of Zalem, has no memory of her past. When push comes to literal shove, however, she discovers she's possessed of extraordinary martial arts abilities and highly lethal tendencies. In other words, Jason Bourne with robot limbs. Very quickly, Alita's childlike naivety gives way to a revenge-fuelled blood lust as she seeks out those who would do her (and her loved ones) harm. Gradually, too, the memories of her previous life (and mission) begin to resurface, setting her upon a seemingly-inevitable path towards Nova, the mysterious entity pulling all the strings from high above in Zalem. Portrayed by a digitally-enhanced Rosa Salazar, Alita is literally a wide-eyed wonder to behold. The special effects wizadry of Cameron's team has rendered her believable enough to not be distracting, yet different enough to do justice to the story's sci-fi legacy. Indeed, the majority of the film's characters carry some form of technological enhancement, ranging from simple mechanical arms to fully-fledged mech suits, most notably those 'worn' by the cyborg assassin Grewishka (a terrific Jackie Earle Haley). The myriad enhancements are gleefully displayed by Rodriguez during several scenes of motorball, a violent and frenetic sport that feels like the bastard offspring of NASCAR, Quidditch and roller derby. Basically, picture Mario Kart, but instead of spinning your opponent out with a banana, you rip their face off with a chainsaw. In supporting roles, Christoph Waltz delivers the best and most nuanced performance as Ido, the kindly surgeon who discovers, repairs and cares for Alita. Less convincing are Jennifer Connelly as Chiren, Ido's ex-wife, and Mahershala Ali as Vector, the kingpin of motorball. Keean Johnson, who'd comfortably double for a young Colin Farrell, plays the part of Alita's would-be love interest Hugo, however their dialogue (and indeed almost all of the film's dialogue) feels punishingly awkward and unnatural. Only Ido and Alita achieve a believably tender relationship, helped by the fact that they also have the film's only fleshed out backstories. Lack of originality notwithstanding, Alita: Battle Angel still delivers an engaging experience thanks to Rodriguez's nimble and full-throttle direction. The film's fight scenes are its strongest asset, with Alita's balletic combat offering the perfect counterpoint to her opponents' brute force. She's a terrific heroine to get behind — surefooted in her abilities, noble in her intentions and charming in her wisecracking. Whilst a sequel hasn't been confirmed, the film's ending all but demands one, and with a little more work on the scripting front, it could easily deliver a white-knuckled gangbuster of a sci-fi franchise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7pYhpJaJW8
Get ready rock fans, for the Arctic Monkeys are returning to Australia and New Zealand. The British band will embark on their biggest down under tour to date this autumn for their latest album, AM. The album, which was released this past September, is the band's fifth consecutive number 1 in the UK and also debuted at the top spot in the ARIA Albums Chart. So, Aussie and Kiwi fans, get stoked because you'll soon have the chance to hear their awesome collection of new jams, including chart toppers such as 'R U Mine?' and 'Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?' Original fans needn't worry, because the Monkeys never forget to pay tribute to their old school favourites. You'll probably still get your chance to belt out 'Fluorescent Adolescent's, "Oh the boy's a slag / The best you ever had / The best you ever had." https://youtube.com/watch?v=6366dxFf-Os
It's no secret that we Aussies are champions in the water. We've got spectacular beaches and waterfalls galore — and we absolutely dominate in the pool. Take our recent rendezvous to Birmingham for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Our national swim team — the Dolphins — returned Down Under with a whopping 65 medals in their luggage. If you're looking to get close to that aquatic action, the upcoming Swimming Australian World Championship Trials is the winter activity for you. Aussie swimmers will be hitting the lanes at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre from Tuesday, June 13 till Sunday, June 18, battling it out in the pursuit of making it to the World Aquatics World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan in July. Cheer as most of the Dolphins athletes take to the water — you can expect familiar faces like Ariarne Titmas, Mollie O'Callaghan and Kyle Chalmers (to name just a few). When it comes to sports, we can get pretty patriotic. We fill stadiums, host Olympics watch parties and celebrate hard. Who could forget Ariarne Titmus's coach Dean Boxall celebrating her win in Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021)? So, for a little bit of that energy and to cheer on our mighty Dolphins, grab your gang and nab your tickets to the Swimming Australia World Championship Trials this June. The Swimming Australia World Championship Trials will be held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre from Tuesday, June 13 till Sunday, June 18. To plan your visit, head to the website.
In a lot of respects, Miroslav Slaboshpitsky’s The Tribe seems like the ultimate art film cliche. The winner of no less than three separate awards at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, it’s a grim, slow-moving drama set in a poverty-stricken part of Ukraine, one that employs non-actors and a minimalist aesthetic, and is packed full of explicit and often highly disturbing depictions of youth sexuality and violence. And yet despite this apparent tidal wave of arthouse affectations, we’d lay odds that you’ve never seen anything quite like it. A stark and strangely mesmerising take on contemporary silent cinema, Slaboshpitsky’s film is performed entirely in sign language. No subtitles. No narration. Not a single, audible word of spoken dialogue. The film’s title refers to a group of deaf-mute teenagers living in a boarding school in Kiev. With only minimal adult supervision, the school is essentially ruled by a gang of older boys, whose nocturnal activities include robbery, assault and pimping their female classmates at a nearby truck stop. The film begins with the arrival of a new student (played with sullen intensity by Grigoriy Fesenko) and slowly follows his rise through the tribe’s close knit hierarchy – a hierarchy that is threatened when he develops feelings for one of the girls he’s assigned to pimp. To make what might seem like an obvious disclaimer, The Tribe is not going to appeal to everyone. There’s no shortage of gesticulated dialogue in the movie, but unless you speak Ukrainian sign language, you’re not actually going to be able to understand it. Some viewers will be fascinated; others will probably find it frustrating, pretentious and dull. On an entirely separate wavelength are the people who might be intrigued by the film in theory, only to be (justifiably) upset by its unremitting bleakness. Regardless of how much you admire the end result, no one would deny that this is a brutally unpleasant picture; one capable of making even the most hardened of cinephiles writhe in visceral discomfort. Still, for anyone interested in the language of filmmaking itself, The Tribe is a movie that simply demands to be seen. Each new sequence provides another intricate puzzle, as Slaboshpitsky forces viewers to search for visual and contextual clues in order to discern the meaning of silent conversations. Long, roaming Steadicam shots draw you deeper and deeper into the lives of his characters, even as a quiet cacophony of background noise (footsteps, heavy breathing, punches and slaps) makes the film seem almost otherworldly. Remarkably though, the absence of dialogue never becomes anaesthetising. If anything, it makes the horror feel all the more real. The Tribe screens four times at ACMI over two weekends. For more information and session times, see the ACMI website.
When Suicide Squad opened in cinemas back in 2016, it received plenty of attention. The film really wasn't great — it was worse than that, in fact — so some ridiculous fans wanted to shut down Rotten Tomatoes because the movie received negative reviews. No one should ever try to get websites taken down because other people didn't like a flick they loved, obviously, and thankfully the same thing didn't occur with this year's The Suicide Squad. Something that did happen: a smaller Australian release due to Sydney and Melbourne's lockdowns. Yes, missing movies you'd like to see in a cinema is sadly a part of pandemic life. So is watching those same films at home much sooner than you normally would've, with a lengthy list of flicks making the leap from the big to the small screen over the past 18 months or so. Before the pandemic, big-name movies wouldn't ever be available to view at home within a month or so, because films that release in cinemas usually didn't make the jump to home entertainment for 90 days. Fast-tracking to digital happens all the time now, however, so it isn't surprising that The Suicide Squad is doing just that — including while it's still in theatres in some parts of the country. Come Thursday, September 2, 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) — can stream this second stab at bringing the eponymous supervillain crew to the screen. It'll be available to buy and rent via video on demand, including from digital movie services such as Google Play, YouTube Movies, Amazon Video and iTunes. Accordingly, if you've already sat down to watch an extended new version of Justice League this year like it's still 2017, you can now pretend it's still 2016 with this confusingly named franchise effort — because no one has challenged themselves thinking of The Suicide Squad's moniker. Plot-wise, this sequel follows its titular gang as they're sent to the island of Corto Maltese on a deadly quest — to save the world in secret, and after being given zero choice by shady parts of the US Government, of course. Margot Robbie (Dreamland) returns as Harley Quinn and proves one of the best things about the movie, while Idris Elba (Cats) as Bloodsport is also a standout. They're joined by Joel Kinnaman (The Secrets We Keep) making a comeback as Rick Flag, Australian actor Jai Courtney (Honest Thief) doing the same as Captain Boomerang, and 2021 Oscar-nominee Viola Davis (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) returning as the agent overseeing this band of world-saving supervillains. John Cena (Playing with Fire), Peter Capaldi (The Personal History of David Copperfield), Pete Davidson (The King of Staten Island), Sylvester Stallone (Rambo: Last Blood) and Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit) show up, too — and so do Guardians of the Galaxy alums Michael Rooker and Sean Gunn, which makes complete sense given that GotG filmmaker James Gunn is behind the lens and also penned the screenplay. Check out the trailer for The Suicide Squad below: The Suicide Squad is currently screening in cinemas in Australia — where cinemas are open — and will also be available to stream online via video on demand from Thursday, September 2.
Fans of The Handmaid's Tale have had to wait longer than expected for its fourth season, with the dystopian series' next batch of episodes among the many things that were postponed due to the pandemic. But, come April, that delay will come to an end — and if you're wondering what's in store, another tense trailer has just dropped. This is the third time that viewers have gleaned a sneak peek at the show's next season, after a first teaser last year and a second glimpse last month. And yes, June (Elisabeth Moss) is still battling against Gilead after season three's cliffhanger ending. In fact, after everything that the oppressive regime has done to her and her loved ones — and the ways in which it has changed life for women in general — she's firmly out for justice and revenge. The new season will kick off Down Under on Thursday, April 29, airing weekly on SBS and streaming episodes via SBS On Demand in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. Based on the three trailers so far, you can expect your anxiety levels to ramp up several notches while you're watching. Of course, viewing The Handmaid's Tale has never been a stress-free experience. Given its storyline, that was always going to be absolutely impossible. Fans will be seeing where the show's narrative heads for some time to come, too, with a fifth season of The Handmaid's Tale green-lit before the fourth even airs. Toppling a totalitarian society that's taken over the former United States, tearing down its oppression of women under the guise of 'traditional values', and fighting for freedom and equality doesn't happen quickly, after all. Neither does exploring the tale initially started in Margaret Atwood's 1985 book via an award-winning TV series. Check out the latest season four trailer below: The fourth season of The Handmaid's Tale will hit start airing in Australia and New Zealand on Thursday, April 29 — on SBS TV, and to stream via SBS On Demand and Neon, with new episodes arriving weekly.
When you peer at a can or bottle of Sample Brew's yeasty beverages, you'll notice the minimalistic, sleek design. In fact, you can't miss it. That's how this West Melbourne-based brand packages its brews — and, more than that, it's how it approaches making them as well. Across its pale ale, gold ale, lager and 3/4 IPA, Sample Brew is all about essential, natural ingredients (and additive- and preservative-free, too) that combine for a clean, refreshing, crisp taste. We'd call it a no-fuss beer, but that only applies to the flavour, not the brewing process. Founded in 2014, Sample Brew has fallen under East 9th Brewing's umbrella since 2019 — and you can purchase its brews online via the latter's The Daily Liquor store.
Getting to the Yarra Valley is half the experience; trailing through those straw-yellow hills is the closest thing to Tuscany Melburnians are going to get. But there's no use driving around aimlessly. You'll need to head to the Valley with a plan of where you are going to eat, otherwise you'll be totally overwhelmed by the number of tempting wineries that spring up every couple of hundred metres. All up, there's about 160. So let us introduce Meletos. A beautiful eatery brought to you by the founders of nearby estate and restaurant Stones, the Meletos estate features a 23-room boutique guesthouse and, beside it, a restaurant and cafe. Located on a dirt path just off the gloriously straight St Huberts Road — which makes you feel like you're driving to nowhere — the stunning eatery is open for lunch and dinner every night of the week. On the weekends, the place is buzzing. Chances are you'll have to endure a wait. But it's not that bad of a place to hang around — you could certainly do a lot worse. In the heart of the Yarra Valley, you can take a stroll around the grounds, to the church, the guesthouse and take in panoramic views of the surrounding area. When that's all done, enjoy a glass of your preferred drop on the communal concrete tables that line the entrance to the restaurant or perhaps in the weathered steel-framed glasshouse. But now for the important stuff: the food. You can go down the road of sharing or going solo — either should be satisfying. The menu is made up of an appetisers section, salumi, around six mains, knockout wood-fired pizza, a few sides and, of course, dessert. Starters include European-inspired dishes such as saffron and prosciutto arancini with salsa verde ($12), and a barbecued quail from nearby Wandin with skordalia (a Greek garlic dip), mixed cress and cracked wheat ($18). The pizza menu is almost torturous to choose from. All are $25 (so not even price can determine your decisions) and a few standouts include the cotechino sausage pizza with pickled zucchini and provolone cheese and the prawn-topped pizza with confit tomatoes and feta from the restaurant's neighbour, the Yarra Valley Dairy. The wine list is a combination of the region's highlights, some New South Wales and South Australian drops and others from New Zealand, France, Switzerland and Italy. All that's left to wish for is beautiful weather.
It's extraordinary that with only one film to his name, Zach Braff's directorial style became instantly recognisable. Perhaps because it was so influential, his popular 2004 film Garden State quickly became the shorthand for a certain type of independent film with a checklist of insta-clichés: a manic pixie dreamgirl who rouses a sullen lead out of his ennui; droll metaphorical imagery (a shirt that looks just like the wallpaper!); profundity in the mundane (a big hole in the ground that represents in the infinite abyss!); a carefully considered collection of melodic indie songs on the soundtrack (The Shins! Coldplay! The Shins!). It's odd that with such a big success under his belt, Braff took ten years to make his follow-up. Difficult second album syndrome? Perhaps. But in doing so, Garden State has calcified in our shared cinematic memory as a sub-genre unto itself; for Braff's second film to have any chance at all, it would have to shake off all the tropes that are now synonymous with his name and do something drastically different. It does not. In fact, aside from the fact that Braff is now looking at the problems faced by rich white actors in their 30s (as opposed to rich white actors in their 20s), his new film Wish I Was Here plays like a biting parody of Zach Braff. All the hallmarks of Garden State are present, and what should, in a more just world, be considered an authorial style, now feels like a failed attempt to recapture a movement and a mood that expired years ago. Much has been made of the fact that Braff turned to crowdfunding to raise the budget that he could have so easily raised with a studio; famously, he feared interference from the suits and wanted to make his own vision. Perhaps some interference might have been a good thing. But this path is only galling in light of the journey of Wish I Was Here's characters: wealthy people who need slightly more money asking for charity. This is hardly an exaggeration. The film's story — which I'm now only getting to at the tail end of the review — follows a failed actor who is still trying to follow his dreams despite the fact that he has responsibilities to his family. His father, stricken with cancer, needs to pay for his own treatment, and so can no longer pay for his grandchildren's expensive religious education. This is the inciting incident that's meant to inspire sympathy, but the stakes are so low and so unrelatable to the average moviegoer, that the film is crippled from the outset. It's so poorly judged, few changes would be needed to turn it into an all-out pastiche; Not Another Zach Braff Movie, if you will. Both Braff's character and his on-screen brother (Josh Gad) are manchildren who essentially learn that the women in their lives will continue to support them so long as they persist in their manchildish ways. The "lessons" learned at the end feel superfluous and unaffecting, despite what the last shot tries to tell us. The brother's storyline is the most baffling, and possibly the worst idea in a film full of poor choices. I wanted to like this film. I really did. For all that it now represents, I still hold a soft spot for Garden State, and I like Braff as both an on-screen performer and a filmmaker. As a director, he has a keen eye; it just failed him horribly here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=XWZWJtHrG4U
Independent bottle shops are the heart and soul of fine liquor, as you'll often come across small-run wine and craft beer that you'll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. For the last 40 years, Camberwell South Cellars has played an important role in showcasing the best beverages from around Victoria and Australia, as the store has become renowned for championing lesser-known wine estates and regions that produce some spectacular vino. Head inside and you'll be presented with a huge collection of wines from the Yarra Valley, the Barossa and beyond. There are also some unconventional spirits such as Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin and Japanese Roku Gin. Visit one of its regular free tasting sessions and stock up on a few local bottles of red. Images: Tracey Ahkee.
Meatlovers, keep it together. Richmond's carnivore-frequented restaurant, Meatmother, has opened their second offering: Meatmaiden. Creators Neil Hamblen and Nick Johnston have teamed up with Melbourne chef Justin Wise for their latest meat-focused dining project; Wise has already made a name for himself with his handiwork at The Point Albert Park and Press Club. Its new digs are located in the basement of the Georges Building at 195 Little Collins Street, all decked out den-style by Urchin Associates. Prepare to sink your teeth into 12-hour F1 Tajima wagyu brisket smothered in a native Tasmanian pepper berry rub, or a ten-hour pasture-fed beef short-rib from Gippsland, both pulled from a custom-made Silver Creek smoker. Meatmaiden also boasts some great sharing morsels if a mountain of meat is a little daunting — check out the southern fried chicken ribs with jalapeño mayo. While this is a particularly carnivorous affair, vegetarians have not been forgotten — give the smoked eggplant a try, or if you're pescetarian there's a sumptuous lobster mac and cheese. As for the drinks, there's be a six-tap system constantly rotating a mix of local and American craft beer. If you're after something a little punchier, the sharp cocktail menu is generous on the bourbon and best enjoyed paired with Meatmaiden's bar snacks. The wine list is concise and champions local winemakers, as well as stocking some exceptional international bottles. The house of meaty shenanigans can accommodate 120 in its den of iniquity, with sprawling communal tables made larger groups. Prepare to feast on some juicy, fall-apart-in-your-mouth meaty goodness.
As a filmmaker, he co-created the Saw and Insidious franchises, and has since been tackling iconic horror tales with The Invisible Man and 2025 release Wolf Man. As an actor, he popped up in The Matrix Reloaded. Before all of that, he was a film critic on beloved late-90s Saturday-morning music TV show Recovery. That's a helluva career so far — and next, Leigh Whannell is heading to AACTA Festival to chat about it. In 2024, the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Awards launched a festival to sit alongside its accolades, and to celebrate the latter's move to the Gold Coast. That event is returning in 2025 in a bigger guise, running for five days between Wednesday, February 5–Sunday, February 9, and hosting more than 100 sessions. AACTA Festival will also welcome Australian The Greatest Showman filmmaker Michael Gracey, who has been earning some love from the academy of late. Better Man, his unconventional Robbie Williams biopic, topped the 2025 AACTA nominations — and attendees will hear all about the film at his festival session. Equally huge news is enlisting Paul Kelly to perform at the live How to Make Gravy concert, which also features Meg Washington, Brendan Maclean and Beddy Rays — and yes, it's easy to predict what the Australian icon will be singing. Plus, Late Night with the Devil is in the spotlight via filmmakers Colin and Cameron Cairnes getting talking, while Netflix's upcoming Apple Cider Vinegar series will score a behind-the-scenes look. Another massive drawcard: the Working Dog team, aka Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Jane Kennedy, Michael Hirsh and Rob Sitch, coming together for an in-conversation session that's bound to touch upon everything from The Castle, Frontline, Thank God You're Here and Utopia to The Dish, The Hollowmen and Have You Been Paying Attention?. The Dish is also the screening program, and the Working Dog team will receive the prestigious AACTA Longford Lyell Award. Australian cinematographer Greig Fraser, who won an Oscar for Dune and is highly tipped for another one for Dune: Part Two, is another big-name inclusion, chatting about his Hollywood work. Also in the same category: John Seale, who took home an Academy Award for The English Patient, and was nominated for Witness, Rain Man, Cold Mountain and Mad Max: Fury Road. Everyone can also look forward to authors Trent Dalton and Holly Ringland returning from 2024's lineup, chatting about Boy Swallows Universe and The Lost Flowers of Alice on the small screen, respectively; a dive into the Heartbreak High soundtrack; a panel on queer storytelling with RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under season two winner Spankie Jackzon and Deadloch's Nina Oyama; and a session with First Nations filmmakers. And if you're keen to watch movies, Gettin' Square followup Spit will enjoy its Queensland premiere, complete with star David Wenham (Fake) chatting about the feature's journey; Looney Tunes: The Day The Earth Blew Up will make its Australian debut, at Movie World, of course; and upcoming action film Homeward with Nathan Phillips (Kid Snow) and Jake Ryan (Territory) will take viewers behind the scenes.
Melbourne is pretty packed with excellent record shops, but Greville Records is one of the oldest, having stocked local and international independent albums for over 30 years. Digging around for records could be considered half the fun (even when you're purchasing it as a gift for someone else's collection), so in terms of shopping adventures, this is a good one. The friendly staff here are up for a chat, and they can even order something specific in for you if they don't have it in stock — all you have to do is ask. Whether you're after a new release or a golden oldie, it's a pretty sure bet that these guys will have it, no matter how obscure the request. Images: Parker Blain.
The weird and wonderful combine in Patricia Piccinini's new exhibition at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). Extending across a range of mediums from sculpture to photography, Piccinini presents an augmented vision of reality through an amalgam of science, nature and fiction. Curious Affection features over 70 immersive artworks, and it's the first time GOMA has exhibited the work of a contemporary Australian artist on such a large scale. It features a variety of new commissions and old works in Piccinini's unmistakable hyperreal style, including 'The Field', an installation of more than 3000 flower sculptures. Accompanying the exhibition is a superb film program at GOMA's Australian Cinematheque, which run from science fiction through to horror classics. The gallery is also staying open late every Friday night from June 8 to July 6 with a program of live music and talks. Images: Installation view, 'Patricia Piccinini: Curious Affection' at GOMA (2018), shot by Natasha Harth.
Last year, Melbourne's annual Good Beer Week festivities missed out on a run. But fast forward to 2021 and the festival is back with a vengeance, delivering a stacked, beer-filled program, from May 14–23. Hitting venues all across the city, it's got events for diehard beer nerds and casual ale fans alike — with feasts, parties and tastings for all palates. Here, we've done the hard yards for you and rounded up five Good Beer Week events you can still snap up tickets to. Book in for a beer-matched Italian degustation dinner, a border-hopping tasting series dedicated to brews from five USA states, or perhaps a Sunday session barbecue party with liquid delights from Kaiju.
There has certainly been a bit of buzz surrounding Chuckle Deli since its opening earlier in the month. The party starters behind New Guernica and the lovely hidden gem that is Chuckle Park have gone one step further by setting up an old-school deli in one of Melbourne's unsuspecting laneways. Chef Brian Narciso (ex La Luna and Gorski & Jones) is at the helm, teaming up with New Guernica DJ Nick Jamieson to write up the daily changing menu. Their food offerings include five fresh salads and, usually, three types of sandwiches. Also located in the cabinets are cured meats and cheese that you're welcome to take home. The walls are adorned with imported wine, as well as a collection of the owner's favourite spirits — just in case the mood strikes you for a midday or late afternoon tipple. Also featured on the walls are large jars of Chuckle's very own homemade preserved lemons, tomato relish and pickles. And any venue that goes to the trouble of bottling their own creations so we can consume them at home is immediately a winner in our book. While the sandwiches were just starting to come out as we arrived — and they certainly looked darn good — we decided to get some bang for our buck by sampling three salads for $10. We tried the smoky chicken, the kisir salad and the zucchini ribbon. The kisir, a traditionally Turkish type of tabbouleh, is made up of bulgur wheat, seared tomatoes, parsley, onions and pomegranate molasses, as well as actual pomegranates that burst in flavour with every unsuspecting mouthful. The zucchini ribbon was light and refreshing with pine nuts, mint and dates, but hands down, the smoked chicken was our favourite. Juicy home-smoked chicken met with crunchy walnuts, creamy feta, and ribbons of fennel. It's exactly what you want in a winter salad. The coffee here is reliable and up to the lofty Melbourne standard, but let's get one thing straight: this isn't a cafe. It's clear that the main attraction at Chuckle Deli is the food, and the time and energy preparing even the smallest details of each dish does not go unnoticed. The staff are friendly and happy to answer any questions. Although we did visit at a quieter moment of the day, they strike you as the kind of people who are happy to have a chat about what they do and how they do it. Friendly staff + a daily rotating menu + value for money = a return visit from us. Forget what you've heard, you can totally make friends with salad.
In 2010's How To Train Your Dragon, the Vikings of Berk learned the virtues of embracing fears and looking beyond the surface when the plucky Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) made a friend out of one of their most fearsome foes. His fellow villagers eventually came to an accord with their fire-breathing enemies, refashioning their society to fly atop and frolic with the scaly organisms. Five years later, that lifestyle persists within the veritable dragon haven. Alas, now another challenge confronts the peaceful settlement, with not all inhabitants of the surrounding lands and territories embracing their newfound fondness for the pests turned pets. As a trapper, Eret (Kit Harington), hunts the benevolent beasts for an evil warmonger, Drago (Djimon Hounsou), and his army of controlled creatures, Hiccup is called upon to fight for their survival once again. Like its predecessor, How to Train Your Dragon 2 continues the page-to-screen journey of the 12-strong children's book series by Cressida Cowell; however, it uses its source material as little more than inspiration. Returning franchise writer/director Dean DeBlois goes it alone in bringing to life the second effort in a planned trilogy, not only in losing his co-helmers and scribes from the first feature, but also in shaping a story more indebted to family-friendly film formula than anything that happens to have the same name. Of course, the template here is obvious, with a tale of the bond between animals and humans simply expanded by medieval lore and fantastical embellishments. That doesn't make it any less affecting or endearing as Hiccup strives to save his best friend, tamed dragon Toothless — just overtly familiar. The insertion of family drama continues in the same vein, more so when competing dynamics come into play. Hiccup becomes sandwiched between his chief father (Gerard Butler), who wants to anoint him his successor, and the enigmatic Valka (Cate Blanchett), with whom he shares his against-the-odds kindness. From DreamWorks Animation, beautifully rendered visuals enliven all character interactions and their accompanying environment, but it is the sights of soaring the skies and following in Toothless's cute footsteps that fare best. Thankfully, How to Train Your Dragon 2 balances the spectacle and the intimacy, creating an effort as comfortable with its advanced action stakes as it is with its increased sweetness and sentiment. The diverse voice cast also creates just the right emotional moments, from the high-profile additions to the repeat supporting contributors of Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller and Kristen Wiig offering more of the same. That's How to Train Your Dragon 2 all over — the new overlaid upon the far from original with ample warmth and wit, creating an agreeable animated offering never remarkable but always affable. https://youtube.com/watch?v=tGFUmPhVhtU
