When Sleater-Kinney, aka Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein, take to the stage Down Under in May 2024, they won't just be touring their latest album. And they aren't simply making their first trip this way in eight years, since 2016, either. Started under the riot grrrl movement, the group will also celebrate 30 years since forming, plus just as long since they recorded their self-titled first record in a single night in Australia. That album has been followed by ten more studio releases, with Little Rope their latest. That gives the duo — after Janet Weiss left the band in 2019 — plenty to play through on a five-city visit to Australia and New Zealand, including at Melbourne's Forum Theatre on Sunday, May 19. [caption id="attachment_941980" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Justin Higuchi via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] Sleater-Kinney have a stack of US dates locked in before heading this way, and will then make their way around Europe in August. Everywhere they play, fans can expect tunes from Little Rope — including singles 'Hell' and 'Say It Like You Mean It' — likely alongside past tracks such as 'One More Hour', 'Worry with You' and 'Jumpers'. As well as their three decades together — with a hiatus between 2007–13, between 2005's exceptional The Woods and 2015's No Cities to Love — Tucker has stints with Heavens to Betsy, Cadallaca, The Corin Tucker Band and Filthy Friends to her name, while Brownstein co-created and co-starred in Portlandia. Carol, Transparent, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Irma Vep are also on Brownstein's filmography. [caption id="attachment_941986" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons[/caption]
Dev Patel means business in Monkey Man, both on- and off-screen. Starring in the ferocious vengeance-dripping action-thriller, he plays Kid, a man on a mission to punish the powers that be in Yatana (a fictional Indian city inspired by Mumbai) for their injustices, and specifically for the death of his mother Neela (Adithi Kalkunte, who Patel worked with on Hotel Mumbai) when he was a boy. As the film's director, producer and co-writer, he isn't holding back either, especially in adding something to his resume that no other project has offered in his almost two decades as an actor since Skins marked his on-camera debut. Dev Patel: action star has an excellent ring to it. So does Dev Patel: action filmmaker. Both labels don't merely sound great with Monkey Man; this is a frenetic and thrilling flick, and also a layered one that marries its expertly choreographed carnage with a statement. In the post-John Wick action-movie realm, it might seem as if every actor is doing features about formidable lone forces taking on their enemies. Patel initially began working on Monkey Man over ten years ago, which is when Keanu Reeves (The Matrix Resurrections) first went avenging, but his film still acknowledges what its viewers will almost-inevitably ponder by giving John Wick a shoutout. Thinking about the Charlize Theron (Fast X)-led Atomic Blonde and Bob Odenkirk (The Bear)-starring Nobody is understandable while watching, too — but it's The Raid and Oldboy, plus the decades of Asian action onslaughts and revenge-filled Korean efforts around them, that should stick firmest in everyone's mind. All directors are product of their influences; however, Patel achieves the rare feat of openly adoring his inspirations while filtering them through his exact vision to fashion a picture that's always 100-percent his own (and 100-percent excellent). In a city that has a Gotham-New York relationship with its real-life counterpart, Kid isn't a feared assassin who other hitman consider the boogeyman. While Batman nods come through, too, he's definitely not a wealthy man about town with a secret alter ego as a saviour cleaning up the corruption that's darkening the streets. The second part is his aim, just without the cash to fund it — but before that fantasy can fall into place, he's donning a monkey mask and playing the pawn to brawnier wrestling opponents, as the sunglasses-wearing Tiger (Sharlto Copley, Patel's Chappie co-star) emcees. Losing earns him a living. It also lets him hone his fighting skills. And, it's a time-biding tactic, as Kid works his way closer to Yatana's most powerful, such as Chief of Police Rana (Sikandar Kher, Aarya), plus Sovereign Party leader and guru Baba Shakti (Makarand Deshpande, RRR). (Parallels with reality that punch through Kid's quest aren't by accident, with IRL news footage weaved in to stress the point). His stepping stone to his targets: getting a job with Queenie Kapoor (Ashwini Kalsekar, Merry Christmas), who runs restaurant-slash-brothel King's Club, which services the well-to-do. In a gig that nabs him a friend in fellow employee Alphonso (Pitobash, Prachand), Kid says that he'll do anything. He isn't lying when it comes to using his position as a means to play out the vendetta against the man who made him an orphan, as well as the Hindu nationalist organisation leader that the latter is tied to. Patel and co-writers John Collee (Boy Swallows Universe, and another Hotel Mumbai alum) and Paul Angunawela (Keith Lemon: The Film) entwine flashbacks to Kid's childhood, heartbreak and getting comeuppance for it furnishing his backstory. They also knit in Hanuman, the Hindu deity that their protagonist was told stories about when he was young — as was Patel himself — and now draws upon, as assisted by India's third-gender hijras population, as if he's becoming the monkey god himself. Originally, Monkey Man wasn't set to bounce its kinetic brutality through cinemas, nor Patel's gravitas-laced action-star performance or Sharone Meir's high-octane, often neon-lit cinematography (which follows his lensing of Silent Night, another flick about one man seeking retribution against the unscrupulous for a shattering loss). Netflix was due to be its home, then Jordan Peele's (Nope) Monkeypaw Productions stepped in to help lock in a big-screen date. (Peele, who made his own blistering filmmaking debut with Get Out, knows the route that Patel is walking intimately). The vision for Monkey Man was clearly bigger from the outset, though, and not just via frays that dance with raw energy and prove a dazzling spectacle worthy of a movie theatre's giant canvas. It's impossible not to notice that this, like much in film of late, is an origin story. Monkey Man is a calling card several times over, then: for Patel kicking ass and killing it, for the actor-turned-director behind the camera and for more to hopefully follow. To describe the aesthetic Monkey Man experience, paraphrasing The Nanny's theme tune (as thoroughly unrelated as it is) works: this has style, it has flair, and Patel is well and truly there. It has an infectious immediacy and intensity as well, aided by dizzying fist-to-fist bash, crash and smash clashes — melees that injure eyes, heads, throats, limbs and testicles alike — plus propulsive editing (by Joe Galdo, an additional editor on Ferrari; The Crowded Room's Dávid Jancsó; and Black Mirror alum Tim Murrell) and a mood-setting urgency in its score (by Australian composer Jed Kurzel, who was responsible for the sounds of Snowtown, The Babadook and Nitram). There's also meaning in the franticness as blood and sweat fly feverishly, with each face-off increasing in polish. Again, Kid as an unstoppable force isn't a given going into his first bout out of the ring. Patel hasn't become a hulking figure to look at. His character grows into the physicality of his mission, on a journey that apes his coming-of-age path — because crunching bones and smartly telling this tale aren't mutually exclusive. Paying tribute to genres and movies that Patel loves, including taking cues from the liveliness and enthusiasm of both Hong Kong actioners and Bollywood musicals, and even nodding to Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive and Only God Forgives; making a deep-feeling ode to Indian culture and myths; baking in a heated takedown of oppression, inequality and societal power used only for self-interest; exploring the impact faith has for better and for worse; honouring family: Monkey Man does it all. Patel also gives himself the kind of fierce showcase that's worlds away from the likes of Skins, Slumdog Millionaire, his Oscar-nominated Lion performance and The Personal History of David Copperfield. If his portrayal has predecessors on his filmography, it's via The Wedding Guest and The Green Knight, both vastly different flicks that delivered glimpses of where Monkey Man now takes him. That destination: a passion project that's an arrival several times over for a talent crafting his dream flick with confidence and commitment, matching mayhem with a message, and knocking it out of Monkey Man's underground fight clubs, elevators, bathrooms, hallways and everywhere else where Patel wreaks intoxicating havoc.
If you're looking for an excuse to venture out of town for some regional autumn adventures, you'll find it about an hour's drive north of Melbourne. Over four weeks, the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival is set to fire up all your senses with another region-wide program of interactive art, garden tours, markets, music, and top-notch food and drink. Showcasing the Macedon Ranges' many diverse charms, the fun is unfolding across several local villages from Friday, April 5–Sunday, April 28 — and the offerings are endless. The famed Macedon Ranges Autumn Pie and Tart Trail will have you hunting down and sampling all kinds of pastry perfection, the Edgy Veg Trail is set to showcase the area's plant-based gems and a series of Tipple Trails lets you unearth local goodness of the liquid variety. And for the first time, young and old explorers can embark on the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival Treasure Trail. Gather up some food from the festival and follow clues around the region as you pass through eight picturesque picnic spots. Those who complete the trail will also go in the running to win festival goodies. Throw in a few tours through historic gardens, food-filled farmers' markets, mushroom foraging workshops, artist-led painting classes and lots of live music pop-ups, and you might just decide to relocate here for the entire month. Images: Chloe Smith Photography for Visit Macedon Rnges
If summer screams ice cream to you, then there's only one way to start the season: indulging in your favourite frosty treat. That's great advice in general, but gelato chain Gelatissimo has an even better spin on it. Hit up one of its 43 stores around the country across a five-hour period and you'll nab $3 scoops. The date: Thursday, December 1. The time: between 4–9pm at all Melbourne shops. The offer: creamy gelato for just a couple of gold coins, all to celebrate the official start of the warm weather and indulge in a dessert staple. Thursday, December 1 also happens to be the day that Gelatissimo is releasing its latest limited-edition flavour, which is both summery and festive: smashed berry pavlova. So, you can add that to your list of cheap scoops — in a cone or cup, it's up to you — complete with vanilla bean gelato swirled with blueberry sauce, then topped with Aussie-made meringue pieces and strawberry puree. Fancy a year's worth of gelato afterwards? We all do. The chain is running a competition to make your dessert dreams come true for 12 months, as long as you tag @gelatissimogelato between December 1–13 and and add #gelatissimosummer to your post.
UPDATE, December 17, 2022: Strange World opened in cinemas on Thursday, November 24, and streams via Disney+ from Friday, December 23. In the Disney: The Magic of Animation exhibition that's doing the global rounds, including not one but two stops Down Under so far, spectacular concept art is the star. Walt Disney Animation Studios has made 61 films to-date, a selection of which are celebrated throughout the eye-catching showcase — and it's the intricately drawn and painted images used to help finalise the look of Fantasia, Bambi, Alice in Wonderland, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid and more that truly shimmer. That's the magical art behind the on-screen art, with every piece proving stunning when framed on a wall. So would the work behind Strange World, the Mouse House studio's latest movie. Actually, so would each image of its titular realm in the big-screen end result. Even by Disney animation standards, saying that this flick is visibly dazzling is a hefty understatement Strange World needs to be a visual knockout; when a title nods to an extraordinary and otherworldly place, it makes a promise. Director Don Hall and co-helmer/screenwriter Qui Nguyen, who last worked together as filmmaker and scribe on the also-resplendent Raya and the Last Dragon, meet that pledge with force — aka the movie's trademark approach. Strange World goes all-in on hallucinogenic scenery, glowing creatures and luminous pops of colour (pink hues especially) that simply astound. Indeed, calling it trippy is also an understatement. The picture is equally as zealous about its various layers of messaging, spanning humanity's treatment of the planet, learning to coexist with rather than command and conquer our surroundings, and navigating multigenerational family dynamics. A feature can be assertive, arresting and entertaining, however, because this is. Clade patriarch Jaeger (Dennis Quaid, Midway) can also be described as strong-willed and unsubtle, much to his son Searcher's (Jake Gyllenhaal, Ambulance) frustration. In the mountainous land of Avalonia, the former is a heroic explorer intent on seeing what's on the other side of those peaks — a feat that's never been achieved before — but the latter pleas for staying put, spotting a curious plant on their latest expedition and wanting to investigate its possibilities. Doing anything but bounding forth isn't the Clade way, Jaeger contends, sparking an icy father-son rift. Jaeger storms off, Searcher goes home, and Avalonia is revolutionised by pando, the energy-giving fruit from that just-discovered plant, over the next quarter-century. Then, in a locale that now enjoys electricity, hovering vehicles and other mod cons, the natural resource suddenly seems to start rotting from the root. Hall and Nguyen introduce their story in perky, pithy, old-school newsreel-style, with a tone-setting montage of Jaeger and Searcher's past adventurous feats — more of which can only follow. As much as Searcher rallies against retracing his father's footsteps and openly resents the expectation that traversing the land is in his blood, the pando crisis means he's the obvious choice to join President Callisto Mal (Lucy Liu, Death to 2021) on a journey down deep to see what's going on. Over the last 25 years, Searcher has become a husband to pilot Meridian (Gabrielle Union, Truth Be Told) and a dad to 16-year-old Ethan (Jaboukie Young-White, Only Murders in the Building), though, and is content in his farmer life. In contrast, the youngest Clade is raring to go, stowing away for the trip. That said, Ethan does share his father's yearning to want for embracing his own calling, rather than merely towing the family line. From the moment that Strange World's adolescent point of focus would rather be flirting with his cute crush Diazo (Jonathan Melo, American Horror Story) than doing his pando chores, the feature's history-repeating storyline is apparent. 'Tis the year for both Disney and cinema in general to address the weight assumptions that parents put on their kids, plus the pressure to chart a prescribed path, as Pixar's Turning Red similarly did, and Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, and sci-fi standout Everything Everywhere All At Once as well. If the first word in its moniker didn't make it plain, Strange World's visit to an underground realm that's upside down from the regular domain, populated with unusual creatures and perilous to humans also gives off big Stranger Things — but family-friendly — vibes. The Mouse House's Treasure Planet springs to mind, too, as do Jules Verne's contributions to literature. And, unsurprisingly when it comes to big eco messages and animation, Studio Ghibli's Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and Princess Mononoke got there first. Don't discount the impact that marrying familiar ideas with magnificent and mesmerising imagery can have, however, with Strange World's captivating aesthetic offering more than just pretty pictures. Those gorgeous visuals reflect the movie's open heart about embracing a vibrant existence, which Nguyen's screenplay lets sprout and spread in a heaving forest's worth of ways. It's there in belatedly giving Disney's animated flicks their first-ever out gay teenage lead character, in letting that fact be a regular narrative detail rather than the story's focus and in having Ethan value the dreamy subterranean domain the Clades find themselves in for what it is, for starters. Strange World knows that to see is to feel, and that that applies to overdue representation and environmental messaging alike. There's also a twist that hammers home the need to appreciate and respect the living world we're lucky enough to inhabit, and to revel in all of its diversity, but the film's frames make its statement anyway from the outset. The lush flora and fauna, the landscapes that could've backdropped 60s sci-fl, the cute blob named Splat that seems to be a friend: all of this draws Strange World's audience in and makes them cherish every single last piece. Accordingly, as heavy-handed as the movie is about its parallels with the present state of the earth, and as easily pieced-together as its rollicking adventure plot is, those beguiling sights — aka the animated film's version of David Attenborough-esque visuals — back everything up. Also, given the urgent importance of recognising the planet's fossil fuel-reliant predicament, plus the need to address the climate change that's springing as a result, a lack of nuance is hardly uncalled for. And while using a flick to lay the groundwork for more to come is one of modern cinema's worst traits, especially the Mouse House's, the ambitious Strange World closes out with ample intrigue to inspire further chapters — and to keep viewers coming back to this entrancing land.
It's less than a year old, but Victoria's new statewide music program Always Live has left a giant impression on our live music calendar, filling the year with gigs from a dazzling spread of homegrown and international acts. And to wrap up a big 2022, they've got something special in store for you — a secret free live show by legendary Zambian-born musician Sampa the Great. Yep, the ARIA Award-winning artist is dropping by Melbourne for a free gig at 1pm on Saturday, December 10. You'll catch her at Always Live's pop-up recording studio SoundBox, which is currently hosting a program of performances, interviews and workshops in the Arts Centre Melbourne forecourt (November 30–December 11). The renowned artist will be playing hits from her celebrated, guest-packed album As Above, So Below, including 'Never Forget', which gets a run in the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer. [caption id="attachment_811633" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sampa the Great, Lucian Coman[/caption] Top Image: Jordan Munns.
Conservative Queensland meets the ancient Roman Empire in this epic piece of social satire from local theatremakers MKA. Set in an alternate version of 2013, Eric Gardiner's Bounty lampoons Queensland's ex-premier Campbell Newman and his battle with the state's bikie gangs, reimagining the politician as a dictatorial Roman emperor forcing criminals to fight against each other as gladiators in the ring. A treatise on vice, radicalisation and moral panic in Australian society, the production looks like just the right mix of incisive and absurd. This event is one of our top ten picks of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Check out the other nine here.
Every man and his dog will be in the city this Saturday night, for a special event at Melbourne's newest open-air cinema. Located in QV Square on level two of the CBD shopping complex, QV Outdoor Cinema is an 80-seat deckchair theatre screening a mix of retro and new release titles throughout summer. On this particular evening, however, they're going beyond just showing a movie. You've heard of 'babes in arms' film sessions? This is kind of like that...only for pooches. Doors open at 7.30pm for patrons on two legs and four, with the screening itself preceded by an adorable doggie costume parade — so it's best you start planning your furry friend's outfit now. Money raised from ticket sales will go straight to The Lost Dogs Home, who'll also be on hand with information on how you can adopt or foster a shelter dog in need. As for the movie, well, what could be more appropriate than Christopher Guest's hilarious mockumentary Best in Show? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeifMjqpsg0
Listen up, you scruffy-looking nerf herders. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is in theatres in less than a fortnight, and the anticipation is tearing through us like a hungry wampa through a tauntaun. Luckily, the team at Silver K Art Gallery have got exactly the right thing to tide us over until midnight on opening day. Commissioned by Lucasfilm, The Art of Star Wars features more than 150 pieces of original art that takes visitors "on a journey through the life and times of the whole Star Wars saga". You can check out samples on the gallery website – trust us, your inner geek will thank you. All in all, it's the largest exhibition of Star Wars art to ever hit Australia. The exhibition also features a number of artworks inspired by iconic superheroes, which should inspire plenty of conversations about whether Darth Vader could beat Loki in a fight. Spoiler alert: he totally could.
The very last Thylacine, better known as the Tasmanian Tiger, died in a zoo in Hobart in September 1936. Almost eight decades later, Justine Campbell and Sarah Hamilton tell the tale of its extinction. Inspired in part by Hamilton's great-aunt and her famous photograph of one of the last Tasmanian Tigers in captivity, I Saw a Thylacine tells the story of two women — one the daughter of a zookeeper, the other a thylacine tracker — as they reflect on how the elusive animal influenced their lives. Campbell and Hamilton both wrote and star in the production, which has enjoyed no shortage of acclaim since it first debuted at the 2013 Melbourne Fringe Festival. In particular, critics have commended the play for the attention it gives to the experiences of Australian women during the 1930s.
Things are lighting up after dark in St Kilda, with the launch of the first ever Acland Street Projection Festival. Part of this year's Melbourne Fringe, this nine-day event will feature dazzling projections from local and national artists — including several dipping their toes into the medium for the very first time. Each work has been specially selected to suit its location, with the goal of highlighting the architecture and atmosphere of this iconic southside strip. The inaugural edition of ASPF begins on Friday, September 11 at 5.30pm, with a fundraising event and silent auction at the RSL Memorial Hall. But the real fun begins once the sun dips below the ocean, as buildings, laneways and at least one of the street's beloved cake shops are transformed into giant canvases overflowing with light. The festival runs each night from dusk through to midnight until Sunday, September 20. If you're planning to check it out, make sure you rug up warm — winter may technically be over, but it can still get rather chilly that close to the water.
Get northside this weekend when Shadow Electric takes up residence in historic Estonian House. The team behind Abbotsford Convent's much-loved band room and outdoor cinema are staging a weekend-long invasion of the Brunswick venue, presenting a live program of music accompanied by projections and video art on their 34 square metre portable screen. The fun begins on Friday night with a performance by synth pop/alt rock act Teeth & Tongue, with supporting acts Pearls and The Ocean Party. Saturday evening will welcome Rat & Co along with Klo, Hoodlem and North Pollard, while Sunday will see an afternoon appearance by web series sensations Juice Rap News, followed by a night time performance by Bombay Royale and additional guests yet to be announced. Doors open at Estonian House from 7pm.
Another year, another Woody Allen film — because that’s how frequently the writer/director makes and releases movies. Of course, with being prolific comes adhering to a template, particularly concerning his fondness for romantic and moral quandaries. In Irrational Man, womanising college philosophy professor Abe Lucas (Joaquin Phoenix) and precocious student Jill Pollard (Emma Stone) are the intertwined parties, swiftly warming to each other outside of class and soon overstepping the normal bounds of a teacher-pupil relationship. He's also seeing another faculty member (Parker Posey), and she has a boyfriend (Jamie Blackley), yet their intellectual bond can't help veering towards the physical. Anyone familiar with Allen's work will be prepared for the walking, talking and bantering to come, although in this case, the filmmaker prefers duelling narration — voiced by both lead characters, and conveying their innermost thoughts about each other — over dialogue. Anyone familiar with Allen's work will also be prepared for the necessary complications, here manifesting in the fate of a corrupt judge the would-be couple overhear a stranger complaining about. Indeed, once more continuing down the auteur's typical path, an existential crisis sits at the centre of the film. Just like in Blue Jasmine, Midnight in Paris and Whatever Works before it, Irrational Man endeavours to reconcile midlife malaise through amorous entanglements and ethical dilemmas; however, where those features more overtly played with drama, time travel and comedy respectively, this favours mystery. What does it take to reignite someone's zest for the life is the movie's ultimate question. Of course, even playing it straighter and more serious than usual, the answer comes in typical offbeat Allen fashion. It also comes with the filmmaker's repeated penchant for a hefty age difference, though both Phoenix and Stone rank among the film's highlights. Both convey their characters' transitions by playing to their strengths, and add plausibility to a script that doesn't demonstrate it otherwise. Sure, we've seen him both depressed and vibrant before, and her everything from sensible to swept away to cynical too, but familiarity with their performances doesn't breed contempt. That they share a natural rapport that makes the audience happy to spend time in their company also helps. Elsewhere, all the other Allen hallmarks are evident in what proves an enjoyable but expected affair: a jazzy score that adds a light tone to the weighty musings, warm colours that revel in the film's surroundings, and ample shots of the two stars basking in each other's presence. In fact, if Irrational Man feels like a compilation of the writer/director's usual beats, preferences and stories, that's because it is, as even casual viewers of his fare should recognise. Perhaps that's just what comes with crafting 50 films in 50 years. At this stage of his career, Allen is simply making what he wants — and what he wants is to delve into the same territory over and over again.
After a career that’ll give you opportunity to help, change and inspire? In a twist on the traditional careers fair, international brewers of ideas and talent Think Education are hosting the Festival of Change on Saturday, August 22. Major drawcards of the day are the keynote speakers: writer/director/co-producer of That Sugar Film (the highest-grossing Aussie doco ever) Damon Gameau, editor of Frankie magazine and queen of twee Jo Walker, and the managing and creative director of Mimco Cathryn Wills. There’ll be workshops on everything from fermented food making to typography, plus experts on hand to answer your questions and give you the lowdown on all the courses on offer at Think Education campuses — across business, health, hospitality and design. Did we mention admission is free, and keynote addresses are just five bucks a pop? Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur with a million and one new app ideas, or you’re flailing and wondering what on earth you’re going to do with the rest of your life (or at least the next few years), this fest has got you covered. Find your passion or not, you're pretty much guaranteed to leave more inspired than you arrived. Register for workshops and other good stuff here.
When it comes to fashioning a successful rom-com, finding the right blend of romance and raunchiness is a delicate balancing act. If too much of the former is present, the film can wallow in cliché and sappiness. If too much of the latter rears its head, the physical side of things can overtake the emotional aspects. Sleeping With Other People might boast a title seemingly aligned more with one of these camps than the other; however this amusing, endearing look at the lives and loves of reunited college classmates happily finds the middle ground. Sexually candid dialogue combines with sweetness, yet never of the syrupy variety. The movie's characters want a happy ending, but they want to earn it — and they want it in all its forms. In 2002, Lainey (Alison Brie) and Jake (Jason Sudeikis) meet during a dorm room altercation, start chatting about matters of the heart and body, and then lose their virginity to each other on the same night. Twelve years later, they cross paths at a sex addiction group, with both harbouring intimacy and commitment issues that plague their dating encounters. Sparks fly, though given their respective romantic troubles, they agree they'd be better off remaining as pals. That decision starts to haunt them as they realise that their bond has all the hallmarks of a relationship, other than the slipping between the sheets part. There's never any doubt that both Lainey and Jake are frequently thinking about being more than friends — and while the course the largely brightly-shot Sleeping With Other People bounces along isn't difficult to foresee, the film is primarily concerned with them fighting that urge. For the central duo, they're trying to flee from their past problems and approach romance with maturity for a change. For writer/director Leslye Headland (Bachelorette), she's attempting to explore the non-bump-and-grind aspects of falling in love. That means that a scenario that seems ripped from the familiar actually becomes much more thoughtful, stripping away the schmaltz and adding an ample dose of authenticity. It's also ripe for comedy, whether flinging fast-paced, filthy dialogue between the protagonists (or fellow cast members Natasha Lyonne, Jason Mantzoukas, Amanda Peet and Marc Blucas as various friends and lovers), joyously enjoying Brie getting her groove back by dancing to David Bowie's 'Modern Love', or finding humorous truths in darker, more reflective moments. Of course, banter infused with wit, wisdom and warmth is only part of the rom-com package, however relatable it proves. As the genre has demonstrated time and again, getting audiences to actually believe the connection between the characters is a large part of the hard work. Here, Sleeping With Other People benefits from excellent casting, as fans of Community and Saturday Night Live will already know. Brie and Sudeikis dial up the chemistry that the film so crucially relies upon, yet never at the expense of fleshing out their roles. That mix of the expected and textured is the movie's ultimate balancing act, and serves it as well as it does it stars. Sleeping With Other People knows you know what's going to happen, but filters it through frankness, upbeat realism and an engaging double act, resulting in a rom-com delight that feels as genuine as it does honest.
Sneak on down to Port Melbourne this Sunday for the ultimate sneaker swap meet. Presented by Mitchell & Ness along with Sneaker Freaker magazine, the Sneaker Freaker Swap Meet is being billed by organisers as "the biggest celebration of sneaker culture in our corner of the world." Translation: over 100 stalls selling the latest sneakers along with clothing, collectibles, toys, records and more. The fun begins at 10am on October 25 at the Globe Warehouse in Port Melbourne — every inch of which will be occupied by vendors hawking their wares. Whether you're looking for a bargain or plan to drop some serious dough, odds are you'll find something worth lacing up. Expect every brand and style under the sun, as well as a selection of Melbourne's favourite food trucks to help keep you on your feet. Uncle Rocco's Barbershop will be on hand too, in case you want a shave to go along with your new shoes.
For Melbourne Music Week a church in the CBD will be transformed into an interactive installation, featuring a large organic sculpture that is paired with an original, ethereal soundscape. Plus, come the night of Tuesday, November 17, the installation will convert into a performance space, where Melbourne’s most talked about emerging female artists will take the stage. The lineup for the evening includes Ella Thompson, Woodes, Tash Parker, Sui Zhen and Eliza Hull. Art, music, fashion and floral design come together for a gorgeous evening of performance.
When it comes to The Diary of a Teenage Girl, it appears it's all there in the name. The film does indeed rifle through the innermost thoughts of a youth on the cusp of womanhood. It also charts a coming-of-age journey. Boys are involved, as well as acts of rebellion, plus arguments with those in positions of authority. So far, so standard, but thankfully there's more to this amusing adolescent awakening. Actually, the stirring that is central to the movie happens both on screen and off. In the story, San Francisco-based 15-year-old Minnie Goetze (Bel Powley) follows her urges into an affair with the two-decades-older Monroe (Alexander Skarsgård), who also happens to be the boyfriend of her mother (Kristen Wiig). In charting her escapades, the film offers a frank and funny exploration of the teenage female experience, and clearly enjoys doing so. Life lessons are learned in both situations. It's not that Minnie's issues, as told to a tape recorder that doubles as her audio diary beginning on the day she first has sex, chart drastically new territory. Struggling with lust, love and the onset of maturity has been covered before, just rarely with such a judgment-free embrace of the awkward reality of the age group in focus, or with a no-holds-barred portrayal of teenage girlhood at its centre. The way in which first-time writer/director Marielle Heller presents the tale, adapting Phoebe Gloeckner's semi-autobiographical graphic novel of the same name, and overlaying spirited narration over upbeat antics before letting less glowing aspects of Minnie's life seep into both, certainly gives The Diary of a Teenage Girl a distinctive yet authentic glow. Using a '70s soundtrack to mirror its period setting, as well as working in animated interludes that mimic the lead character's dreams of becoming a cartoonist, similarly assist. Ample credit must also go to the exuberant Powley, who doesn't just make what could've been a conventional role credible, candid and complex — she makes it her own. Her version of Minnie strives and stumbles in a fashion both painfully and poignantly relatable to anyone who has been there and done that (been a teenage girl, that is). Her interpretation of the character ensures the contradictions of youth are completely understandable, be they fearlessness and fragility, optimism and uncertainty, or stubbornness and sincerity. That's she's the film's driving force and shining star is considerable feat, particularly for an actor otherwise only known for stealing the show in British princess-themed comedy A Royal Night Out earlier this year, and more so given the cast she's working with. Wiig playing dramatic and Skarsgård skirting the edge of creepiness are both great, as is Christopher Meloni in a brief appearance as Minnie's former stepfather, but the movie can only belong to one person. Yes, The Diary of a Teenage Girl lives up to its title, and that's something to celebrate.
Barbra Streisand owns a lot of stuff. Like a lot of stuff. So much stuff, in fact, that she's transformed the entire basement of her multi-million-dollar mansion into a full blown personal shopping mall. And it's in that personal shopping mall that a young actor finds himself working, in an acclaimed new production at the MTC. Debuting at the Melbourne Arts Centre following successful runs in London and New York, the Australian premiere of Jonathan Tolin's Buyer and Cellar stars Ash Flanders as Alex More, an out-of-work actor who applies for a job as a shop assistant, only to discover the shop is located beneath Babs's Malibu home. What follows is a camp one-man show about friendship, fame and the strangest day job you could possibly imagine.
With hundreds of publications to choose from, you're bound to find the right magazine for even the most niche individual. Every interest is catered for at Mag Nation. From architecture and design to sports and motors, they’ve sourced the best mags from all over the world. Magazine subscriptions are a handy present, because it's literally the gift that keeps on giving. They also often stock some lovely coffee table books, and a gorgeous range of stationary. We love the Rob Ryan homewares and Moleskine diaries.
Hope you're feeling hungry, because Taste of Melbourne is back. One of the biggest, tastiest gastronomic events in town, this four-day foodie festival, which starts cooking on Thursday November 10, will once again welcome some of the biggest names in culinary culture to Albert Park. Hear that? Our stomach's rumbling just thinking about it. While the full Taste of Melbourne lineup has yet to be revealed, the names they've announced so far should more than whet your appetite. Iconic local restaurants including Estelle Bistro, Cumulus Inc, Supernormal and Mamasita (along with their soon-to-open venture Hotel Jesus) will all have a presence at the event, as will their respective chefs. Talk about being spoiled for choice. When you're not busy stuffing your face (let's be honest, that's why you're there), visitors can also try their hand at cooking school, swing by the Jim Bean citrus highball bar, or take part in a virtual reality experience presented by Etihad. Although it's yet to be determined how good a virtual reality food experience can really be.. TASTE OF MELBOURNE 2016 EARLY LINEUP Restaurants Estelle Bistro Pickett's Deli and Rotisserie Supernormal Cumulus Inc. Mamasita x Hotel Jesus MoVida Circa, The Prince Royal Mail Hotel Chefs Andrew McConnell (Cumulus Inc, + Supernormal) Robin Wickens (Royal Mail Hotel) Scott Pickett (Estelle Bistro and Pickett's Deli + Rotisserie) Frank Camorra (MoVida) Casey McDonald (Cumulus) Perry Schagen (Supernormal) Andrew Logan (Mamasita) Nick Peters (Mamasita's Mezcalier) Rhys Blackley (Circa, The Prince) Taste of Melbourne will return to Pelican Lawn at Albert Park on November 10-13. For more info, visit melbourne.tastefestivals.com.
It has been almost a year since Biggie Smalls announced they're going the way of foodie faves Belles Hot Chicken and Messina — that is, crossing the river to open a new store southside. For those eager for a kebab fix in Windsor, lock September 28 into your diary and prepare for a reloaded menu. After taking Smith Street's kebab-scape by storm, slinging modern Middle Eastern eats out of a lively, hip hop-infused diner, Shane Delia modern kebab shop is heading to 36 Chapel Street. Located opposite Windsor Station, the Maha chef's 40-seat second venture blends the old with the new — you can expect the same vibes, hip hop soundtrack and cult kebab offerings of the original store, but with a few additions. Kebab-wise, Windsor's getting its own special offering called the O.D.B., which features pork and prawn shumai, hoisin mayo, pickled ginger slaw and chilli jam. The B.S.P. (aka Biggie Smalls Snack Pack with chicken, bacon and gravy) is certain to tempt tastebuds in a new location, plus all the usual bits and pieces such as chips, salads, mac 'n' cheese, ice cream sandwiches and boozy shakes. With gin 'n' juice one of Biggie's beverage mainstays, the Windsor digs will offer up Four Pillars Distillery concoctions that change with the season, with a mixture of pomegranate, cloudy apple, spiced syrup and Four Pillars' Rare Dry Gin the first tipple on offer. The rest of the house cocktail range includes the Back to the Bridge (tequila, pomegranate liqueur, Cointreau and sumac salt), One Love (maple infused bourbon, bitters and smoked blueberries) and Long Kiss Goodnight (dark rum, spiced syrup, stewed apples and short bread crumb), while beer lovers will find brews not only in tinnies, but on tap from the not-yet-open Brick Lane Brewery Co. Find Biggie Smalls at 36 Chapel Street, Windsor from September 28. Head to their website and Facebook page for further details. By Libby Curran and Sarah Ward
Melbourne dwellers take breakfast (and brunch) very seriously. We like to be able to have it when and where we want and have come to have pretty high standards. While there are too many topnotch cafes serving up delicious morning menus to name them all, here are ten of our favourite spots to grab breakfast, no matter what time you decide to have it. 1. Top Paddock Top Paddock, the newest cafe from the team behind Three Bags Full, Two Birds One Stone and Liar Liar could be said to be the best of the bunch. Open plan, huge windows and a nice grassed area to look out on; Top Paddock is a place you enjoy being in. Try the three mushroom omelette with bean sprouts on toast ($16) or, for something different, go for the kingfish with a chilli fried egg, avocado, salsa and lime with blue corn tortilla ($17.50). If sweet is your thing, check out the ricotta hotcakes with blueberries, maple syrup, seeds and organic mascarpone ($15.50). 658 Church St, Richmond, (03) 9429 4332, www.toppaddockcafe.com/ 2. St Ali Feeding north-siders and south-siders alike, St Ali is a favourite brunch spot for many. If you're after simple poached eggs with avocado and feta smash ($15) or maybe an ancient grain salad with quinoa, spiced cauliflower and pomegranate ($14.50), they've got you covered. The My Mexican Cousin ($21.50) has been on the menu forever and is going nowhere. If corn fritters and haloumi sound like a solid combination to you, this is a must. Though it's packed out most days, the staff still manage to serve with a smile. They also roast and sell all their own coffee, under Sensory Lab, and are open 365 days a year. That's a win. North: 815 Nicholson St, Carlton North 03) 9380 5499. South: 12-18 Yarra Pl, South Melbourne, (03) 9686 2990. stali.com.au 3. Little Big Sugar Salt New kids on the block LBSS are gathering fans fast. Bringing something a little different to Victoria Street in Abbotsford — no pho or needles in sight — they're filling a much-felt gap. Sip on People's coffee from Wellington and choose your dish by savoury or sweet, big or small. The Health — avocado, tomato, beans and herbs on sourdough with vegemite ($11) — is perfect for the health conscious among us, while the crumpets served with either lemon curd and mascarpone or blue cheese, maple syrup, banana and peanut butter ($8) are a great sweet treat. 385 Victoria Street Abbotsford, (03) 94278818, www.lbsscafe.com/ 4. Cumulus Inc Good old Flinders Lane. It really does have some winners. One of those being Cumulus Inc. Whether you want breakfast, a fancy dinner or a glass of wine and nibbles at their wine bar upstairs, they've got you covered. They dial things back a little at breakfast time and nail simplicity. Go for the Cumulus Inc breakfast of boiled eggs, toast, preserves, yoghurt, organic orange juice and coffee or tea ($16), or perhaps the smoked bacon sandwich with gentleman's relish ($14). And the little lemon curd-filled madeleines ($2.50) can always be squeezed in at the end. 45 Flinders Ln Melbourne VIC 3000, (03) 9650 1445, cumulusinc.com.au 5. Industry Beans Found just off the ever-busy Brunswick Street, Industry Beans once simply housed a roastery but has now added cafe to the offering. These guys are serious about coffee; think single origins, filters, blends, cold drips, latte pearls; they have the lot. They are also churning out some top-notch food with a little edge. Muesli comes in the form of smoked dark chocolate, cranberry and pistachio muesli ($11) served with chai-infused milk, while the omelette is served alongside house-cured salmon, chard, lemon thyme, Spanish onion and sweetened beetroot relish ($17). They decor takes industrial one step further, with exposed walls and a shipping container-like outdoor area. It's fun. Warehouse 3, Cnr Rose & Fitzroy Streets, Fitzroy, (03) 9417 1034, industrybeans.com 6. Birdman Eating Gerturde Street is a bit like the quiet, reserved little brother of its neighbouring haunts Brunswick and Smith. There are gems to be found, but no one is yelling. Birdman Eating is one of these gems. For something on the lighter side, start with some coco pops ($5) or perhaps the house-made crumpets with leatherwood honey ($9). If you're in the market for something bigger, try the Birdman braised beans and toast ($15) or the brioche French toast with marmalade, glazed kaiserfleisch, orange pekoe and maple syrup ($15.50). 238 Gertrude St Fitzroy, (03) 9416 4747, birdmaneating.com.au 7. Duchess of Spotswood If you're heading out west, or not, Duchess of Spotswood is worth a stop over. People travel for the Duchess, and so they should. It would be rude to ignore the royals here. The Duchess of Pork comes out as crispy pig's jowl with fried eggs, rich truffle sauce and sourdough ($18.50) while The Prince of Wales sees house-smoked salmon served up with fennel yoghurt, poached eggs, potato and brioche ($19.50). If this is sounding all too heavy, stick to the poached seasonal fruit with puffed grains and vanilla yogurt ($14.50). 87 Hudsons Road, Spotswood, 03 9391 6016, www.duchessofspotswood.com.au 8. Friends of Mine This cafe, found on the somewhat cafe-starved area of Richmond feels a little like a warm hug. They understand you're often hungover and always hungry. Start your day with a bloody mary ($13), a glass of Moet Chandon NV Champagne ($18 a glass) or, of course, you can stick to coffee. Their favourite friends, as their menu suggests, is certainly where you'll find the winners. The smashed avocado with thyme buttered mushrooms, marinated feta and torn basil on wholewheat toast ($17.90) was around before smashed avo was cool. Or, if you're really struggling, go for the HUNG Over: herb and cheesy toast, poached eggs, bacon and smashed avocado ($18.90). That will cure anything that ails you. 506 Swan St, Richmond, (03) 9428 7516, www.friendsofmine.com.au 9. Three Bags Full Abbotsford is pretty cool, and it's getting cooler. This may mean the line for Three Bags Full is getting longer, but, thankfully, the wait is worth it. Over two rooms, the staff, up to their eyeballs with hungry patrons, never fail to deliver a smile and some spot-on service. The space itself is light, wooden, with kooky details like the old bowling alley-turned-tabletop. For the cooler months, try the triticale and oat porridge with almond and soymilk, cherry compote and chia seeds ($13) or the Three Bags scrambled eggs with herbs, crushed peas, grilled leg ham and salted ricotta ($15.50) — divine. Nicholson St Abbotsford, (03) 9421 2732, www.threebagsfullcafe.com.au 10. Dead Man Espresso Dead Man, as it is affectionately known, is a little South Melbourne gem that fuels the many surrounding offices. Cute wooden decor and a great takeaway cabinet just add to the appeal. The menu is small and ever changing. The herb and potato rosti, avocado and a poached egg with a side of bacon (or smoked salmon, whichever you prefer, $18.50) is spot on, while the buttermilk pancakes, sometimes served with rooftop honey and white chocolate crumb ($14), are a decadent option. 35 Market St South Melbourne, (03) 9686 2255, www.deadmanespresso.com.au Images courtesy of Amy Collins, Cumulus Inc, Duchess of Spotswood, Birdman Eating, Three Bags Full and Friends of Mine. 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True to form, Melbourne Music Week has crafted one heck of a lineup this year. Kicking off Friday, November 13, the festival is championing this glorious city's best music offerings, as well as bringing in some seriously hypeworthy international artists. The Former Royal Women's Hospital in Carlton is where the majority of this year's action will unfold, with Melbourne's best venues, bars and artistic hubs getting in on the action too. While live music is obviously on the agenda, MMW provides an extensive range of panel discussions, parties, industry events and free films. Whatever you're preferred genre, there'll be something for you in this year's program. Support Melbourne’s bloody awesome music scene and get along to one of our top ten MMW picks. Melbourne Music Week will run from November 13-20. You can view the full program here.
As Good Food Month kicks off in Melbourne, one of the top events we're looking forward to is the Night Noodle Market. But after consuming your weight in noodles, dumplings and other Asian fare, we're guessing you'll be looking for something to quench that soy sauce-induced thirst. Cue the pop-up Tanqueray Gin Garden, where Night Noodlers can sit back amid the interactive light installation and sample some of the brand's world-class gin. Not much of a gin connoisseur? With the spirit having experienced a dramatic resurgence over the past five years (and so finally broken out of its stereotype as a mature-aged lady's drink of choice), now is the time to make its acquaintance. And how better to do so than with a selection of Tanqueray Gin? Each gift pack we're giving away will include two Tanqueray drinking glasses, one bottle of Tanqueray No. 10 (700ml) and a bottle of the original Tanqueray London Gin (700ml) — the one with the 180-year-old recipe that's still kept a closely guarded secret. To be in the running for one of three Tanqueray gift packs, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address at win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au.
Beer festivals are becoming increasingly common, but there aren't many that match the lofty standards set by Melbourne's Brewers Feast. Held in the lush surrounds of the Abbotsford Convent, Brewers Feast takes place over the February 3–4 weekend and will take your tastebuds on a hoppy tour with its expansive range of beers and ciders. There'll be over 80 different brews to try from across Australia and highlights include Sydney's Stockade Brew Co, Victorian brewer Prickly Moses, well-loved Stone & Wood, the brightly-labelled Kaiju! and lots more. In addition, there'll be 12 beers brewed exclusively for the festival, made using rare ingredients and brewed in collaboration with malt, hops and yeast supplier, Bintani. The festival starts in the best possible way, with all attendees enjoying a free glass of 'Duel Hoppy Lager' from Stockade Brew Co on entry. When it's time to pause drinking for a well-earned feed, you can choose from Bigger than Texas BBQ, Twisted Mac's cheesy delights, the solid burgs at St Kilda Burger Bar and sweets from Jamm'd. For all you vegan and vegetarian beer-lovers, don't fret — most stalls will be serving up meat-free options. Alongside food and drink, there'll be a stellar lineup of local music talent to keep you entertained throughout the festival. Local artists, performing across two stages, will take the novel approach of recommending a beverage to enjoy alongside their tunes. To celebrate the launch of Brewers Feast 2018, we're offering up the ultimate VIP experience. Enjoy two nights accommodation at Abbotsford's Playhouse Serviced Apartments (a short ten-minute drive from the festival) a double pass to each session of Brewers Feast, beer and food vouchers to use at the festival and a case of great craft beer to take home. To enter, see details below. [competition]653614[/competition]
How long has Charles Boyle been dreaming of Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago's wedding? What did Rosa Diaz do before she was a cop? Who keeps swooping in and taking the Nine-Nine crew's cases? Which one is Scully and which is Hitchcock? If you can answer all of the above — and name Captain Holt's dog, Terry's twins, Gina's dance troupe and Jake's favourite movie — then you're set for Welcome to Thornbury's latest trivia afternoon. Yes, it's all about the hit cop sitcom we all know and love. You know, the one that was cancelled and then resurrected in the space of 36 hours. We'd keep asking Brooklyn Nine-Nine questions and dropping tidbits, but we'll save some for the big day. Each time a trivia session dedicated to B99 hits town, places get snapped up faster than Terry can snap open a tub of yoghurt. So book a free table ASAP for 2pm on Sunday, September 8, and it may be your time to shine (and that can be the title of your sex tape if you'd like). And, if you need any liquid encouragement, the bar will be serving $5 mulled wines and $15 jugs of beer.
What happens when two meat-loving mates from two much-loved Melbourne kitchens team up for a one-off takeaway pop-up? You'll find out exactly this Saturday, October 16 and Sunday, October 17, when Dale Kemp (Head Chef of Terror Twilight) and Tom Johnson (Executive Chef of Meatmaiden) combine their talents to host a special protein-fuelled kitchen takeover. Descending on Collingwood's Terror Twilight from 10am each day, the chefs will be whipping up a limited-edition takeaway menu celebrating premium pasture-fed meat from Gippsland's O'Connor Beef. Expect dishes like a hot-smoked brisket sandwich finished with coffee and bourbon barbecue sauce ($18), and another with fried dry-aged rib-eye teamed with salsa verde and smoked buffalo mozzarella ($20). There'll be crispy lobster mac and cheese croquettes ($8), and a vegetarian-friendly eggplant schnitty situation starring smoked tomato and provolone ($16). A $15 mint julep will also be on offer, which — thanks to the newly eased mask-and-alcohol restrictions — you can now enjoy while you're out and about. [caption id="attachment_828473" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @myfriend_tom[/caption] Images: @myfriend_tom
If you ever made it along to one of Donny Benet's dinner-and-show affairs back in 2013, you'll know that the man has an eye for extraordinary talent. Wanting to immortalise the creative collaborations that emerged from those nights, he invited his favourite guests to the legendary Donnyland Studios to write and record an album. Dubbed Weekend at Donny's, it's an epic, multi-dimensional LP featuring some of Sydney's hottest songwriters and performers: Jack Ladder, Kirin J Callinan, SPOD, Geoffrey O'Connor, Isabella Manfredi (The Preatures) and Elana Stone. According to Donny, the album was put together over the course of a year. "Amongst international touring, recording, television appearances and small business openings... love, despair, hope, risk, chivalry, incarceration, marital aids, admiration, love triangles, European fashion and libraries are played out." Weekend at Donny's will be launched in Melbourne with a huge show at Shebeen. The Donny Benet Show Band will lead the evening, with guest slots from Jack Ladder, SPOD, Geoffrey O'Connor and Elana Stone. https://youtube.com/watch?v=6WFOWcqwgH4
Looking for a way to make hump day a little bit more bearable? The team at the Melbourne Cinematheque have got you covered. With weekly Wednesday night screenings at ACMI, this longstanding film collective are serious about their cinema, showing obscure and exotic movies from all around the world. The 2015 program is split into numerous thematic seasons, each of which highlights the work of a director, actor or movement. February is earmarked for Michelangelo Antonioni, whose movies La Notte, Zabriskie Point and Identification of a Woman are among the most important in Italian film history. March, meanwhile, belongs to American Paul Thomas Anderson, with screenings of Hard Eight, Boogie Nights, Magnolia and There Will Be Blood lining up nicely with the release of his latest movie, stoner detective story Inherent Vice. Other standouts in the seriously comprehensive lineup include a Mikio Naruse retrospective in July and an Ingrid Bergman showcase in October. There will also be team-ups with a number of specialty film festivals, including the Human Rights and Arts Film Festival in May and the Czech and Slovak Film Festival in September. Entry into Melbourne Cinematheque events is reserved for members only. You can pick up a mini-membership for $28, which gains you access to three consecutive screenings. True film buffs will get better value out of the restriction-free yearly membership, which comes in at $150.
Lovers of cinema and hummus-fuelled picnics rejoice: this year's Moonlight Cinema season has finally arrived and it’s looking mighty good. The lineup features some of this year’s biggest new Hollywood releases alongside more demure titles, family favourites and age-old classics, so you can guarantee you’ll find something that piques your interest. Let’s start with the bigwigs. What better way to see the big releases of summer than outdoors on a balmy night? Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part Two and SPECTRE are all showing and (we’d imagine) best viewed under the stars. We’re also thrilled to see a fair whack of female-centric films in the lineup too, as well as an array of movies that cover hitherto taboo topics in the popular cinema circuit. Joy, starring everyone’s favourite human Jennifer Lawrence, follows the unconventional story of a mother of three as she builds a business empire in the ’90s; Suffragette is an important historical period drama about women’s fight for the vote in pre-war Britain and appropriately features a dreamy cast of unique and unapologetic women including Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham Carter. We’ve also got The Danish Girl, featuring Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander, which explores the life of transgender artist Lili Elbe. Closer to home on Australia Day, we’ve got The Dressmaker, a montage of Kate Winslet looking hot and Liam Hemsworth looking filthy hot (maybe other things happen in the plot too but why would they bother?). And at the other end of the spectrum is the lighthearted comedy Sisters, featuring unstoppable duo Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. But don’t think the gentlemen miss out. The Revenant, Leonardo DiCaprio’s latest Oscar bid, was directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu (of Birdman fame) so you can guarantee it’ll be equally beautiful, dramatic and weird. And if you miss The Martian or missed Jurassic World in cinemas, you can catch them at Moonlight sessions too. As always Moonlight Cinema will be throwing back to classics: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Top Gun, Dirty Dancing andGrease. Tickets are on sale now for the summer sessions so get booking lest you get stuck in front of Dirty Grandpa(yes, a film where you can see Robert Deniro making out with April Ludgate while Zac Efron wears a vast array of golfing sweaters — that is apparently showing too :/).
There's something great about a neighbourhood bar. Generally speaking, the staff are friendly and the owner can be found behind the bar, or just chatting to their guests about the food or drinks that excite them. The vibe is relaxed (and the music at conversation levels), and when you realise you've been having a really good time, for a little too long, you're probably not very far from home. In recent days, Thornbury locals have had a few reasons to rejoice in the idea of a local. Those reasons are a crop of new bars set to elevate the Thornbury section of High Street into a bona fide Melbourne 'destination'. Like, for people from all over town – not just the locals (although we will always know who got there first). Here is a rundown of what's new — and great — in High Street, Thornbury. Northern Git Four out of the five listed here are bars, so it seemed the responsible thing to do to encourage dinner first. And, that's pretty easy to do when you have an option such as Northern Git. While the name for some might invoke thoughts of an old Geordie chav, you can rest assured the experience here is much more refined. Share plates abound (the asparagus dish, $16.50, was light, well-balanced and a fresh and tasty way to begin), there is a selection of beef cuts to be ordered by weight (the porterhouse, $13.50 per 100gm, was a melt-in-your-mouth delight, sliced and served simply with garlic sautéed spinach and red wine jus) and there's wine on tap. Literally, on tap, out of a keg — and served in various carafe sizes up to a litre. That 'responsible' beginning suddenly went downhill. 757 High Street, Thornbury, (03) 9484 6389, facebook.com/NorthernGitRestaurant Trumpy The newest of the bunch, Trumpy, also offers dinner, but serves just as well for a drinking spot, or date place. It's cosy, warm and intimate (hence the date suitability), despite being a warehouse conversion with lofty ceilings and exposed beams. I was, however, left wondering how they might water the plants, sitting by the dozen up in the pitch of the roof. Trumpy is a purveyor of beer, wine, cocktails and tapas. A pretty standard affair, but that's perfectly fine with us – especially in Thornbury, where the standard has previously been cafes, takeaway joints and op shops. The food is modest in selection, but confident in execution. Fancy fish fingers ($18), Hangar Steak ($19), taro chips and pumpkin with dukkah and labne are a perfect complement to the drinks list, from which the cocktails are the hero. 646 High Street, Thornbury, (03) 9480 0012, trumpybar.com Carwyn Cellars Back Room For anyone feeling thirsty in Thornbury on a Monday or Tuesday night, Carwyn Cellars' new Back Room is your saviour. The only one in the area that's open every night, this small bar has the heart of a cavernous beer hall: 16 taps span the length of the bar, cocktails are absent from the menu (save for a negroni on tap — yes, on tap!), and huge outdoor tables are prime spots for a group gathering. The enthusiasm for good booze is obvious. Some might call the 'two Bens' (owner Ben Carwyn and manager Ben Duval) fanboys. Craft beers rotate constantly on the taps, the wine list changes with the wind, and there's more than 100 whiskeys on offer. How else would those who grew up on wineries, enthuse profusely over whiskey and run a local cellar filled with craft beer want to do things? When it all starts to go to your head, you can have some cheese, or order a delicious Middle Eastern style pizza from The Moor's Head nearby, and have it delivered straight to your table. 877 High Street, Thornbury, (03) 9484 1820, carwyncellars.com Joanie's Baretto The longstanding success of Umberto a few doors down inspired the owners to open Joanie's in the same strip. A charming, rustic haven with the necessary modern sleekness, this bar transports you to the heart of Italy. A courtyard with flower boxes, pictures on the walls, Aperol bottles on the shelves and various pieces hanging from the ceiling set the scene, while the drinks menu and antipasti options round it out. Start with an Aperol spritz or negroni at the bar, take some olives and prosciutto to a booth with a glass of Chianti, and once you've worked out the Pinocchio taps in the bathrooms, finish with a grappe or amaretto digestivi. Joanie's is an authentic European drinking spot that will simply charm the pantaloni off you. 832a High Street, (03) 9480 5774, joaniesbaretto.com.au Pallino There's something really inviting about Pallino. Maybe it's the warm, modern European fit-out filled with marble, dark wood and brass features. Maybe it's the inviting courtyard (complete with astro turf and Bocce games in summer), or maybe it's the humble drinks list (five regulars on tap plus a couple of rotating specials, modest and largely local wine list, and standard cocktail offerings). Or it could be the welcoming bar staff who stand at the divine marble bar and ask you how your day's been? Whatever it is, Pallino — the longest running business in this list — attracts a friendly, yet trendy local crowd and strikes the perfect (and oft misplaced) balance between sophistication and neighbourhood warmth. 790 High Street, Thornbury, (03) 9484 7968, pallino.com.au What's next? Rumour is that an enormous concrete space on High Street, south of Thornbury Village is to be become a permanent home for a collection of food trucks, 'Trailer Park' style. The space has been acquired by a Melbourne hospitality giant — now all we can do is wait. Trumpy image credit: Danielle Chau
It has been 20 years since The Wedding Singer delivered its dose of 80s-themed comedy. That's two decades of retro laughs, hearing Adam Sandler's 'Somebody Kill Me', and enjoying one of the actor's better broad comic roles — and loving the movie's period fashions, as well as its Bowie, The Smiths and New Order-filled soundtrack, too. Already serving up plenty of nostalgia when it originally hit screens, the flick is now inspiring one mighty nostalgic night at Howler come Friday, February 15. At the Brunswick bar's The Wedding Singer Reception, you'll step back to two eras gone by: the 80s, obviously, and the late 90s, when this movie took over the box office. The whole party is planned like a wedding reception, so prepare to dance to the requisite hits of the time — and to the sounds of a wedding band covering them, obviously —while wearing your best old-school bridal party-themed outfit.
As far as folklore villains go, Baron Samedi is one of the most mysterious. He's an ancient spirit (or Loa) of Haitian Voodoo, the leader of the Guédé, guardian of the afterlife, and associated with magic and death. He's got a skull-like face and donned in a top hat, black tail coat, dark glasses (prepared for burial, Haitian-style). Now, he's returned from the underworld. Baron Samedi Spiced has arrived on Australian shores — and this new spicy spirit has a few parties in store. There's a reason that the beverage — made with Caribbean rum and spices such as vanilla, cacao, cinnamon and native Haitian spice Vetiver — takes its name from Loa; it's a dash of cheekiness and mystery, all rolled into one. It's the spirit that sums up yours, and it's also the reason to head to Brunswick's Penny Black during June and July. Kicking things off on Friday, June 3, is a huge party with local band Dallas Frasca playing live tunes. Can't make it on the first night? They'll be serving up vanilla, cacao and cinnamon-flecked cocktails for just $8 every night until the end of July, and if you rock up on Friday, June 24 or July 1 from 7pm, you'll also get a free sample of Baron Samedi on arrival.
Artistic inspiration comes in many forms. A fantastic view can do the trick — or a refreshing beverage could get your creative juices flowing. Or, at Cork and Canvas' new 'Champainting' sessions at Sea Life Melbourne, you can try both. Putting a paintbrush in your hand and seeing what a dose of liquid courage brings out is hardly a new concept, and these folks have the history to prove it. But, between 6–9pm from Thursday, March 18 and Friday, March 19, Cork and Canvas is setting up shop somewhere other than its usual South Melbourne studio, and hosting two sessions not only with quite the bubbly accompaniment, but also surrounded by sea life. Your $140 ticket includes the class — where you'll whip up something arty on a canvas, inspired by the setting and its sharks, stingrays, penguins, seahorses, jellyfish and turtles — plus two hours of bottomless sparkling, wine and beer, and a grazing platter as well. Tickets are on sale now, but places are limited — so this is a get-in-quickly kind of affair. And yes, the price includes spending an hour touring the aquarium after-hours with your mates, too.
You steer my life into something I can't describe,” Toro Y Moi sings on dynamite new single 'So Many Details', a burbling, sunny slice of space-age lover's rock which hints at yet another new direction for the South Carolina native. The title proves a bit of a misdirect; this is Toro Y Moi again working in impressionistic mode, favouring gauzy, dreamy mood over specifics, and ranks with past earworms like 'Go with You' and 'New Beat'. Initially emerging as a key figure in chillwave's Indian summer of 2010, Toro Y Moi has since proved a harder figure to pin down, his prolific output both harking back to his early bedroom pop recordings and turning to the likes of avant-pop leviathans Animal Collective for inspiration. With some promising new songs and the irresistible new single providing a fine teaser for the release of his next record, 2013's Anything in Return, his show looks like one not to miss.
Forget everything you thought you knew about eating schnitzel. Forget whatever ideas you have about which other food items can sit atop them, too. Now isn't the time for plain old parmas/parmis/parmys (whichever you prefer), as great as they are — because The Bavarian has dropped a limited-time loaded schnitzel menu that's as OTT as schnitties come. On offer from Monday, March 7–Saturday, April 30, this chicken schnitty range takes the loaded concept super-seriously. There are six different varieties, and they all stack a whole heap of toppings and sauces upon a crumbed piece of chook. Plenty of them also turn this good schnit into another beloved meal — like the avo smash version, which comes slathered with smashed avocado, cherry tomatoes, feta and sesame seeds, plus fries. There's also a bangers and mash version with cheese kransky, creamy mash, caramelised onion and gravy; a pizza-style option with spicy salami, kalamata olives, roasted capsicum, mozzarella and fries; and a nachos option with corn chips, chilli con carne, salsa, jalapenos, cheese and sour cream. Or, go for schnitty topped with cheddar cheese, fries and lashings of gravy — a choice that's been dubbed a hangover cure — or a schnitty decked out with fried calamari, chorizo, roasted pumpkin, crispy potatoes and jalapeno sauce. Prices range from $26–28 for just one schnitty loaded with any of the above options, but you can also go for a one-kilogram schnitzel snack if you really do love this schnit. That'll set you back $80, and put you in the running to win either a $1000 if you finish it faster than anyone else — with winners announced on Monday, May 2 — or one of nine $100 dining vouchers for runners up. Hungry? You can head to any The Bavarian venue to tuck in. There are two in Victoria — at Highpoint and Westfield Knox — so you've got options.
Situated in a laneway just off the main drag of Chinatown, Section 8 is one of Melbourne's busiest outdoor bars. This is about as Melbourne as you'll get — an open-air watering hole, serving everything from your spirit of choice to a cheeky long neck, all from a repurposed shipping container. On Saturday, April 28, the bar is hosting a one-day pop-up design market showcasing local artists, designers and photographers with Nu-de. The collaboration will tick off all the Melbourne essentials, from fashion and film to food and refreshments. Artists involved include Georgia Mactaggart, Jackson Comben, Izzy MacKiry and Emme Richardson. Running from 12 to 5pm, this free afternoon is sure to inspire you with the latest in emerging local designers. DJs will also feature as the day shifts to night, making it an excellent way to start your Saturday festivities.
Okay everyone, it's time we got our act together. The Wheeler Centre is hosting a modern day community meeting and you're all invited. The Melbourne Citizen’s Forum will be an all-day event at Myer Mural Hall dedicated to navigating discussion and debate around complex issues. For example, the starting question of the day is: 'In an imperfect democracy, how can the individual make a difference?' Yikes. The day will run using an open space format which allows all participants to propose a starting point for each discussion and take part in the conversation. This method has been used all over the world to discuss a variety of issues successfully, so why not give it a go here and now? If you've got some big ideas, care about the society you live in, and want your voice to be heard, you'd better get down. The ultimate aim is to come up with concrete ways that everyone can make a difference and, as they say, you’ve got to be in it to win it. Photo credit: WilliamMarlow via photopin cc.
Missed the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris earlier this week? Fear not, as Melbourne is making up for it with a full weekend festival of all things French. Of course, basking in the sweet sounds of the piano accordion whilst nibbling on cheese and pastries is a weekend well spent, but Bastille Day is about more than just gorging yourself on croissants — it marks the beginning of the French revolution and the unity of the people. And now, 225 years après la revolution, we can celebrate our love affair with French culture, as the State Library becomes a beacon of entertainment, films, live music, food and wine. The main event is free, but grab a ticket for a champagne or cheese masterclass. Or to the theatrette, where a selection of French films will be playing – made that much sweeter with a complimentary macaron. And if you've ever wanted to live la vie en France, nab a spot at the property seminar, giving you hot tips on how to buy that French chateau you've always dreamed of owning. Even if you don't manage to don the oh-so-Frenchy cap, we’re sure you'll have a béret good time. Check the festival website for the full program.
Documentary is rarely given the same attention as conventional feature film. Perhaps from watching too many horrible VHS tapes in high school, most people will shy away from the form in a bizarre attempt to avoid learning anything. Don't worry, not all docos are about saying no to drugs! Now in its third year, the Antenna Documentary Film Festival is proving to be a well worthwhile cure to this common problem as it showcases the year's best stories from all around the world. Starting on October 17, the festival will be opened by a screening of The Network. This critically-acclaimed film reflects on the introduction of television to post-Taliban Afghanistan. Dealing with the constant dangers of things like suicide bombings, filmmaker Eva Orner tells the powerful story of how a nation can change. Other highlights include After Tiller: a look into the world of American late-term abortionists and the dangers they face in a tumultuous political climate, and The Captain and his Pirate: the harrowing story of Hansa Stavangar, a German freighter who was taken hostage by pirates. Documentaries such as these are interesting not only for their unique subject matter, but the compassionate and honest ways in which the stories are told. Unlike Hollywood blockbusters, you never quite know how a true story will end. There will be 12 feature-length films showcased in the Melbourne leg of this year's festival. For a full overview, check out the Antenna website.
Acclaimed Melbourne dancer and choreographer Jo Lloyd will present her latest work at North Melbourne Town Hall for a strictly limited one-week season. Presented in association with Arts House, the world premiere of Confusion for Three will run from Wednesday August 26 through to Sunday August 30, asking questions about order and disorder through an "unravelling system" of choreography. A veteran of more than 15 years, Lloyd has previously presented works at Dance Massive, Melbourne Festival, Next Wave and Adelaide Fringe, as well as numerous events overseas. In addition to Lloyd herself, Confusion for Three features two of her regular collaborators in Rebecca Jensen and Shian Law. Together they represent three of the most exciting practitioners in the Melbourne independent dance scene, and their joint physical exploration will take them from folk dance to idiosyncratic body rhythms and beyond.
When it comes to getting to the heart of what life is like during wartime, Vera Brittain literally wrote the book. You may not have heard of the English writer, though you really should've. A century ago, she was crusading for her right to make her own decisions and rallying against the future that was supposed to await all women. Getting married and playing house was the done thing, but it was far from her dream. Instead, she wanted to study at Oxford and pursue a career — until the First World War broke out, changing everything. Brittain's first memoir, Testament of Youth, offers a record of the devastation that followed, including loss and destruction anyone who has ever read or seen anything about war will instantly recognise. Her recollections are more than just accounts of the horrors she witnessed while volunteering as a nurse in London, Malta and France, however; they're a portrait of a generation forever shaken by the experience, as told from the female perspective. Think about the wealth of movies you've seen about men marching off to battle, then think about how many truly depict what such times were like for women. That's just one of the reasons that Brittain's story — and the film that brings it to the screen — demands attention. She might not have been on the front lines, but she was fighting for a cause in any way she could. After striving to further her education, she willingly chose to put her life on hold, head to the conflict and do her part to support those in the thick of combat. Rising star Alicia Vikander plays Brittain as a determined figure in a dark era, yet never a merely dutiful one, which is an important distinction. It is certainly disappointing that the film pays so much attention to the influence of the men in Brittain's life — her initially disapproving father (Dominic West), her charming brother (Taron Egerton) and the poet she falls in love with (Kit Harington, because every film these days seems to have to cast someone from Game of Thrones) — but Vikander's convincing and complex portrayal ensures she's always the real star of the show. Thanks to director James Kent, the movie is also as handsome as it is heartfelt, his fondness for period details apparent. Audiences have seen warm-toned, softly lit scenes like his before, and romanticised and restrained war films, too, but when they're this intricate and earthy, it is hard to get tired of watching them. Indeed, that sentiment also fits Testament of Youth as a whole. So much looks and feels familiar in the way Brittain's real-life plight has been adapted for the screen, and even if the movie doesn't do its inspiration justice, there's always something — a refreshing point of view, a stellar performance, an elegant image — that keeps sparking interest in this wartime chronicle.
Tropical plantations aren't typically associated with western Europe, but over the years Berlin has developed a bit of an obsession with biospheres and rainforests where none naturally exist. Like a glasshouse, a biosphere is an artificial structure dedicated to housing a self-contained ecosystem mimicking specific weather conditions. Troubled by the unlikelihood of his tropical surroundings in Berlin, Adelaide-born artist and photographer Henry Trumble set about documenting the inauthenticity of these carefully curated settings and the thinly veiled attempts to hide the human elements of these 'natural' spaces. Taking a sardonic approach to the project, Impossible Plants sees Trumble use the examples of biospheres to explore humanity's constant need to "collect, classify and display what it deems exotic and desirable". Impossible Plants is on display now at Fitzroy's Junior Space until Wednesday, September 20.
Ever since Margaret and David exited our lives after the conclusion of At The Movies last year, there has been a bit of a hole in our film-loving hearts. Thankfully, neither one of them has fully retired, and David Stratton for one has certainly been busy. Stratton brings Australian audiences the inaugural Great British Retro Film Festival, for which he is both curator and patron. The festival will be touring nationally, but for a slice of the action in Melbourne, head to the Nova and embrace your inner Brit. The festival includes 19 films of Britain’s greatest contributions to cinema. As you can imagine, the program is filled to the brim with classics, such as 2001: Space Odyssey, Sense and Sensibility, Lawrence of Arabia and Brief Encounter. There are five classics from the esteemed Powell and Pressburger catalogue, but more modern works such as Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire also get a look in for those who like to celebrate Britain's more recent achievements in cinema as well.
It was the food combination that had to happen, given Melbourne's hearty love of both burgers and dumplings. And, when Burma Lane mashed the two together, it became the most popular item on their menu. Of course it did. That was a year ago. So to celebrate 12 months of eating wagyu cheeseburger bacon dumplings with Vietnamese tomato sauce, the Little Collins Street restaurant is serving them up for $1 each. Yes, you read that correctly, and they're available to both dine-in and takeaway customers for the three days between January 16 and 18. Because everyone loves cheap food, the deal is limited to five per customer. For those unfamiliar with this epic hybrid, they're exactly what they sound like: Wagyu beef, cheese and bacon, parcelled up together and then steamed. Oh, and then devoured quick smart, naturally. Usually, you'd spend $17 for four, so if you weren't convinced already, you are now.
After a successful debut back in September, the Flour Market's sweet, doughy spinoff for vegans, coeliacs and lactards is back for round two. The second Wholey Day will take place this Sunday, November 13 with the best local vendors of wholefood, raw, organic, vegan and gluten free treats. Let the face stuffing commence. So what's going to be going begging? ACE's raw cookie sandwiches will be making a return, along with Citizen Cacao's Georgie Castle insane raw cacao treats. Baking Bad — who have just opened a permanent stall at Prahran Market — will also be there with their vegan cupcakes, along with raw treats from Raw Trader and granola from the Sunday Muesli Co. Naturally, there'll be many more vendors than that — but you'll have to head along to find out who they are. The mostly flour-free fanaticism will take place at Brunswick East's urban winery Noisy Ritual. All we can say is: get there early. These goodies are set to sell like gluten free hotcakes.
This city is no stranger to the humble (and not so humble) doughnut. From Shortstop to Doughboys to the van at Queen Vic Market, Melburnians are spoiled for choice when it comes to deep-fried dough, be it glazed, iced, covered in cinnamon or bursting with piping hot jam. The organisers of the Flour Market even ran a doughnut-only event earlier this year. So, really, it made sense that, last year perfect sense that our sweet, sweet obsession was taken to its logical conclusion: a full-blown festival featuring all the doughnuts you can eat. Returning to Melbourne for a second year, Donut Fest take over Coburg's Batman Royale events space on Saturday, August 19 and Sunday, August 20 — although, despite taking the same name, it's not related to the huge Chicago-originated Donut Fest that we wrote about last year. Sugar fiends will be able to gorge themselves on freshly made doughnuts from a variety of local vendors, as well as mulled cider and a selection of boutique beers. So who will be there? Lukumades will be taking their Greek doughnuts up north, Goldeluck's Bakeshop will be bringing in their croissant-doughnut creations from Croydon South and there will be Nutella doughnut burgers, hot jam doughnuts and glow-in-the-dark doughnuts. There will be gluten-free options and savoury nosh for doughnut breaks This time round, entry into Donut Fest will be $15, with a portion of each ticket going towards food charity FareShare. Two sessions will run on both days, from 11am–3pm and 4–8pm.
Ever wanted to get up close and personal with that famous house from Kath & Kim? Or better still, own a piece of it? Well, you'll have the rare chance to do both at one very unique fundraiser this Saturday, August 31. The folks who now live in the Patterson Lakes house, where the original Kath & Kim series was filmed, are planning a few cheeky renos... but before they kick things off, they're throwing open the front door and letting fans in for a sneak peek. What's more, this open-house is raising much-needed funds for an excellent cause, with all proceeds from the $5 entry fee going to support Carrie's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer. On the day, you'll get to mosey through the legendary pad, while enjoying a cake stall, coffee cart and classic sausage sizzle. And, if you fancy nabbing yourself a piece of TV history, you'll also find the house's original fireplace and kitchen up for sale via a silent auction. So ploise – crack open the Tia Maria, the footy franks and, of course, some car-donnay. This is set to be the ultimate Kath & Kim party. Kath & Kim Open-House Fundraiser runs from 10am–3pm.
