Cinema Nova will once again play host to the Transitions Film Festival, screening docos from around the globe with a focus on sustainable living. Beginning February 15 with a free screening at Federation Square, the documentary fest will then take root at the Lygon Street location for eight straight days of socially conscious cinema. This year’s schedule contains plenty of highlights, including multiple Australian premieres. In Project Wild Thing, a worried father attempts to market nature to his kids, while Musicwood sees three famous guitar manufacturers travel to the Amazon in an attempt to stop over-logging and save the acoustic guitar. On the local side of things, Aim High in Creation! follows Anna Broinowski, whose crusade against coal seam gas mining takes her from Sydney to North Korea, where she learns propaganda filmmaking from the nation’s leading directors. A majority of festival screenings will also be followed by Q&A discussions, either with the given film’s director, or academics and social entrepreneurs. Environmentally friendly patrons can also get tickets at concession prices by presenting their bike helmets, or by recycling their old mobile phones at the Cinema Nova box office. For the full Transitions program, including Q&A speakers, visit their website.
The year is 2028, and Detroit crime is out of control. At least, that's what we're told. The city, frankly, has never looked better. But trust us: lots of crime. Omnipresent corporation OmniCorp is trying to get its new robot cops approved for use in the US, but Washington won't allow machines to have control over life and death. Enter noted human Alex Murphy, An Honest Detroit Cop who, thanks to a pesky explosion, is now in desperate need of a robotic suit that will keep him alive and also help fight crime. The two were meant to be together! If you haven't seen the original 1987 RoboCop, then fix that right now. It combines the two best things about 1980s cinema: a dystopian science fiction setting and a cop taking out drug dealers and other corrupt cops. But it's remembered as a classic, however, because of how sharply it satirises American culture. It may look like a dumb action film, but it's clever as hell. This 2014 remake is, at least, clever enough to aim for the same target. It opens with a right-wing talk show pundit and a futuristic — but all too familiar — Middle East war on terror. Rather than simply imitating classic scenes from the original, this new film sets out to do its own thing, to update the references, and that attempt is admirable. The problem is that this satire — which we'll come back to — is hung upon a fairly piecemeal story. There's little that propels it forward, and we're never left wondering how things could possibly turn out for our heroes. The mysteries are barely concealed; the nefarious plots, basic; the villains, flagged in the opening scenes. Minutes after the film is over, you'll be left with a few key images, but no idea what actually happened. Joel Kinnaman plays Murphy/RoboCop, and does a decent job with it. Murphy's hardly the most compelling character, but the struggle to maintain his humanity is handled with more care than most films of this ilk would bother with. The rest of the cast is more recognisable, filling out supporting roles with the likes of Samuel L Jackson, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Abbie Cornish, Jackie Earle Haley, Michael K Williams, Jennifer Ehle and Jay Baruchel. The satire, though welcome, ultimately fails. Samuel L Jackson's talk show host gives the feeling that they reverse-engineered a conservative pundit based on Stephen Colbert's famous parody, and his appearances consistently bring the film to a screeching halt. Not only could these scenes be lifted out without any noticeable change to the story, but the film would actually flow better without this particular social commentary. And maybe that's the most trenchant point of all. https://youtube.com/watch?v=xPLSpmAtc1Q
Melbourne, clear your schedule — it's time to make some dinner plans. Melbourne's biggest gastronomic event starts this week, with food makers, wine tasters and cocktails shakers descending on the city, with you in the middle of it all. Running from February 28 - March 16, the 2014 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is celebrating the bounty of the water and all its delicious offerings, accompaniments and possibilities. Centred around the theme of water, festival hub The Immersery will take leave from solid ground and feature as a three-storey barge anchored on the banks of the Yarra, and a range of masterclasses, street parties, dinners, lunches and wine tastings are sure to keep you busy. With over 200 events poised to take place all over Melbourne and Victoria, you're sure to be sufficiently filled to the brim — check out our top picks for the 17-day food frenzy that aren't sold out here.
I’m watching Oscar Wilde eat what may be his last meal before police drag him away on charges of sodomy and I’m wondering if he has the right cutlery for lobster. This probably shouldn’t be what’s on my mind at this point. The first act of David Hare’s The Judas Kiss is a set up that should be bursting at the seams with tension. Wilde (Chris Baldock), having failed to quash accusations of sodomy with a defamation case against his male lover’s outraged father, faces imminent arrest. His friends are urging him to flee the country. Wilde however has holed himself up in a hotel room, paralysed with despair and the desire to be near his beloved, the dissolute Lord Alfred 'Bosie' Douglas (Nigel Langley). Yet, as the first act comes to its finale, with a mob outside the hotel and fear running high, I’m thinking about table settings. Somewhere here the drama’s not doing it’s job. The Judas Kiss is a play with a somewhat chequered history. It was reportedly a flop when first performed in England in 1998, while its Australian debut the following year drew sell-out crowds, protest and police attention for its onstage nudity and simulated sex. This production by Mockingbird Theatre doesn’t seem set to be as explosive. After the initial (and to be fair to the prudes of the '90s, really quite gratuitous) cunnilingus scene, the first act falls into a kind of surly drawing room drama groove. Baldock’s Wilde is blustery and pompous and his friends all fret and shout a lot, mostly about action happening off stage involving characters you won’t meet. It doesn’t feel very Wilde at all, even as a depiction of the man in extremis. While Hare’s script does a decent job of mimicking the poet’s acid tongue, emotional nuance is lacking in the performances, which oscillate from twee to raging with no shades between. Bosie’s odiousness is so transparent he is hard to credit as a plot-driving love interest and it all becomes a bit of a slog. The second act, which takes place after Wilde’s imprisonment, when he and Bosie are living in impoverished exile in Italy, is substantially better. The drama is more immediate and personal, being driven by onstage action rather than events off stage, the characters are shown in a more complex light and the nudity, while even more louche this act, is at least justified by the story. While a certain lack of chemistry between the leads remains a problem, Baldock works much better as the broken man Wilde is by this stage and the act builds to a satisfying emotional climax. At two and a half hours, the show is pretty long, especially as it tends to revisit the same emotional territory. You’ll also probably get more out of it if you brush up on Wilde’s biography beforehand, as it does somewhat rely on assumed knowledge. Both the script and the delivery could be tighter but it is still an interesting work which offers a novel and poignant view of the man himself.
I've been dreaming of this moment for years, but I don't know that I ever truly believed it would happen. But one of the most-beloved hip hop ensembles of all time are reuniting to return to Australia six years after their breakup. With four MCs and two DJs (including the wonderful, world-famous Cut Chemist), the ensemble is incredibly versatile, and their chemistry and the speed of their overlapping wordplay gives the impression of one single, unified organism rather than a series of individuals. Combining incredible lyricism with huge party tunes (like 'What's Golden', 'Quality Control' and 'Concrete Schoolyard'), there ain't no party like a J5 party. https://youtube.com/watch?v=XsZKrctSDaw
Tristan Meecham has a reputation for grand theatrics, and this — one of the most talked about acts of the Festival of Live Art — is no exception. In Game Show, Meecham is quite literally giving away all of his personal possessions. Really. Each night, 50 contestants will compete in a game show (orchestrated and hosted by Meecham himself) in order to win his television, his CDs, and even his car. The second instalment of his Coming Out Trilogy, Game Show belongs to a series of works that explore and undermine grandeur (the first work, Fun Run, consisted of Meecham running a marathon on an on-stage treadmill at the 2013 Sydney Festival). An unsettling combination of entertainment and distress, Game Show is set to be an apt critique on materialism and competitiveness (and you might just win some free stuff in the process). This event was featured in our top ten things to see at the Festival of Live Art. See the full list here.
Summer is usually the time when we let go of our culinary pretension. Dirty fish and chips on the beach? Why not. Eat nothing but overripe mangoes all day? Sounds good. But this year, you won't have to sacrifice any of that trademark Melburnian foodie love. The guys behind Huxtable and Huxtaburger have teamed up for a mouth-watering new venture on Smith Street, and they'll be serving up cheap lobster rolls all summer long. That's right — not flake, not prawns, but lobster. Running next to the group's ever-popular Collingwood burger joint, Mr Claws will be slingin' rolls stuffed with pieces of lobster meat and dripping with your choice of three sauces: miso and wasabi, Sriracha spiced mayonnaise or buttermilk ranch. A single roll will set you back just $12, or $15 if you feel like adding straw potato chips and pickles. While the organisers say it's an idea they got while in London, we've seen a bunch of places take an interest in these small kinds of luxuries. It's no longer unusual for lobster to pop up on your local pub menu occasionally and restaurants in Sydney are all over it. It's definitely a trend we can get behind. Just like Huxtaburger there will be limited seating available in store, but if you do find the space they'll be serving a bunch of tasty drinks to wash down all that decadent goodness. We're talking craft beers, Pimms and Gordon's Elderflower Spritz. Proper lush stuff. Mr Claws was first tested out at Taste of Melbourne earlier this month and punters predictably loved it. In a press release this week they've stated the Smith Street store will be open "indefinitely", but "updates on the duration of the pop up can be found on the Mr Claws Facebook page". They're also scouting out permanent sites for 2015. But all that's besides the point — the sun is out and the smell of cheap lobster and Sriracha is in the air. Get down to Smith Street ASAP. Mr Claws is located at 104 Smith Street. It's currently open Monday-Friday 12pm-3pm and 5pm-9pm.
Celebrated in Mexico and the USA, Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that fits in seamlessly with our ongoing obsession with everything Mexican, so we partnered with Corona to throw Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Melbourne's best Mexican bars. Here's how the night went down.
So. You've watched all the documentaries on VICE's YouTube channel. You're up to your second viewing up just about everything on SBS's Food Network. You definitely don't want to watch A Current Affair. What's a news-hungry millennial to do? In answer to your free-to-air TV dreams, SBS and VICE today launched not only a new show, but a whole goddamn TV channel for your viewing pleasure. The new channel was announced earlier this year, but was set live at 4pm today, Tuesday, November 15, replacing SBS 2. It will be an extension of VICE's online TV channel VICELAND, and will be called by the same name. Along with some of SBS 2's news, sport and entertainment programs, VICELAND's programming will include VICE's own newscasts and doco series including Black Market (starring The Wire's Michael K Williams), Ellen Page's Gaycation, and F*ck That's Delicious with Action Bronson. VICELAND launched online earlier this year with a collection of Spike Jonze-produced docos. You can view the full schedule here or switch on your TV to SBS 2.
If you're going to run an annual genre festival, then you're also going to want to push some boundaries. Opening with a controversial film that has already caused fainting and walkouts overseas, this year's Monster Fest is challenging its audience right from the get-go — or catering to their extreme horror tastes, perhaps? In fact, if you have an interest in film festivals — or can't help stumbling across headlines about strange things happening in cinemas — then you might've already heard of Julia Ducournau's debut Raw. As well as inspiring buzz and picking up an award in Cannes in May, the French director's first film garnered plenty of attention in Toronto just this week. There, paramedics were called to a midnight screening after multiple people reportedly passed out while watching. Whether the reaction was genuine or a publicity stunt has already been questioned; however if you're not a fan of gory flicks, a coming-of-age effort about a young vegetarian participating in a carnivorous activities after enrolling in veterinary school just might cause you to feel a little queasy. Raw, which is set for a general release around Australia in March 2017, joins already-announced, similarly out-there closing night offering The Greasy Strangler as a high-profile highlight of this year's Monster Fest. The event will also host a selection of movies directed by veteran helmer Ted Kotcheff, including classic Aussie outback thriller Wake in Fright and dead body comedy Weekend at Bernie's, with the filmmaker attending the festival in person. A program of events and screenings focused on genre narratives made for the small screen will also feature — complete with a Nightmare VHS Board Game Party, much to the delight of anyone who grew up in the '90s — with the full lineup set to be revealed in the coming weeks. Monster Fest 2016 runs from November 24 to 27 at Melbourne's Lido Cinemas. For more information, visit the festival's website.
Everyone's favourite coffee wizards Everyday Coffee are moving up in the world and have just thrown the doors open to a second cafe in the CBD. Everyday Coffee II: The Revenge of the Coffee (or, as they like to call it, Everyday Midtown) are the newest residents of Little Collins Street. The new fit-out is as sleek, understated and effortlessly cool as their Collingwood flagship, so you can expect the same insane level of service and quality coffee we've come to expect from the OG Everyday. And Fitzroy's Donut Shop will be providing the decadent treat menu. They're calling the new venture Everyday Midtown which is cool because it implies Melbourne has a midtown, like it's some sort of New York or San Francisco. And with hip coffee joints serving up doughnuts, we might soon be. Everyday Midtown is now open at 213 Little Collins Street, Melbourne. It's open 7am - 4pm Monday to Friday and 9am - 4pm on Saturdays. For more information, visit their Instagram.
We've heard of moving-out parties; however Barack Obama's version of a final celebratory shindig is about to put everyone else's to shame. What do you do when your time as the most powerful man on the planet is just about up, and you're about to vacate the world's most famous home? You bring SXSW to the White House. Obviously. The event is called SXSL, with the last two letters referring to the south lawn of Obama's not-so-humble presidential abode. As announced on the White House blog, South by South Lawn will bring together creators, innovators, and organisers for a one-day shindig on October 3. And as far as heading along is concerned, eager attendees can apply online. Yep, the Pres is throwing his very own festival, complete with interactive, film and music components. SXSL-goers will listen to panel discussions and learn about new technologies, watch shorts at the 3rd Annual White House Student Film Festival, and groove along to live performances by well-known and emerging artists. While there's no word on a lineup just yet, Obama's summer playlist could possibly provide a few clues. Clearly, both the US commander-in-chief and First Lady Michelle Obama had a mighty fine time when they attended and spoke at SXSW earlier this year. And clearly, once Obama out of office, nothing quite like this is likely to happen anytime soon. Image: Zach Rudisin.
Tim's Bookshop in Kew has been in business for nearly 40 years. The family-owned store is practically a cultural institution in Melbourne's east, particularly for literature lovers who still enjoy turning the pages of a physical book. Whether you're after a heart-stopping crime thriller by the likes of Michael Connelly or an award-winning page turner from Vicki Laveau-Harvie, you'll have no trouble finding something to capture your heart and mind amid the store's shelves. Although, if you do need a little help the staff are always keen to lend a hand. Children's books are a specialty at Tim's, so it's perfect if you need something for the little readers in your life. Images: Tracey Ah-kee.
Jewellery can be hard to get right for someone else — looking at you, weaved plastic rope bracelets we all made for mum when we were younger — but there are some places which make it a little easier for you. Blackfinch is one of them: the handcrafted jewellery store was established by Raymond de Zwart and Davina Adamson in 2007. The pair produce beautiful, collaborative pieces that tell a story, to suit whoever you're gifting — this is where you can get your significant other a ring that says "thanks for not getting angry at me leaving the towels on the floor all the time" etc. Blackfinch specialises in ethically sourced Australian stones, so you'll leave its Northcote studio space with something both precious and enduring (hopefully like your relationship).
A few years ago, North Melbourne got its own stylish pet supply store, right in the heart of Errol Street. The store has everything from organic pet food and health and wellbeing products, to accessories, beds and grooming supplied. As well as a selection of fancy leads, harnesses and collars, there's also a selection of pet outfits for special events, costume parties and the beach. And if you're shopping with a thirsty dog, there's usually a bowl of water out the front.
This is one for the foodies out there who love local produce and the freshest of fare. Owner of Pope Joan Matt Wilkinson has stocked Hams & Bacon with goodies from his favourite farmers and producers so you can bring something extra special to the dinner table for the festive season. Matt’s own product range, aptly named Mr Wilkinson’s, are the perfect Christmas stocking-stuffers and include relishes, chutneys and sauces. They’ve even ordered in extra Christmas stock for those who’ve left ordering the ham, turkey or prawns a little late this year, as well as some exceptional hampers that are sure to make your mouth water.
In 1977 Andrew found two boxes of books under his parents' house. He sold those books at the Wantirna Trash and Treasure Market for the princely sum of $12. Then in 1981, Andrew opened up his first shop in Ringwood, and two years later he opened this store in Ivanhoe. Now, Andrew's Bookshop is one of few independent booksellers serving Melbourne's northeastern suburbs. So, go say 'g'day', and make sure to ask about the featured author of the week (it's usually a local author).
As the apple belt of Australia, Goulburn Valley may have a place in your heart for providing all that thirst-quenching apple juicy goodness, but it's about to be known for something else too. Mitchelton Winery, one of the region's prettiest winery destinations, is launching a $16 million luxury boutique hotel so now you can indulge in that second glass and stay overnight. The hotel is nestled in a crook of the Goulburn River and surrounded acres of fertile grape land. Against a lush background, the Mitchelton Hotel and Spa is a striking slice of minimalist heaven for people who like quality, not gaudy, luxury. As well as 58 rooms on offer, they also have a 20-metre infinity pool and spa. The hotel was designed by the good folk at Hecker Guthrie and they've gone hard on the natural textures — expect a lot of divine linen and exposed timber — and tied it all together with a dark, muted colour palette. With an in-room selection of the vineyard's finest drops, you may never want to leave your suite but you definitely should, to take a stroll through the stunning grounds. The experience doesn't stop there though, you can also indulge in the decadent in-house restaurant and cellar, and a chocolate café serving up couverture chocolates and cakes. The hotel is taking bookings for summer now so if you're all about wine, minimalist luxe and imported chocolate, well, hop to it.
Just look for the big queue on Hopkins Street and you'll likely be led straight to Pho Hung Vuong Saigon. This bustling Vietnamese eatery is almost always packed and with good cause; a wide array of pho and traditional Vietnamese dishes, matched with friendly and efficient service, means the line is always full but ever moving. The rich savoury broths coming out of the kitchen can be filled with just about any combination of beef, chicken, pork and vegetables. The portions are massive and the prices low (prices start at just $12) making it an ideal pit-stop for a quick hearty lunch or a comforting spot of dinner after a long day. And it's not just pho on offer here — there's a today selection of rice and noodle dishes, as well as classic appetisers rice paper rolls and spring rolls. Images: Julia Sansone
Arts House in North Melbourne Town Hall is a venue mostly associated with the hectic weeks in spring when it becomes the Fringe Festival hub, but it's worth a visit at other times of the year too. If you had any questions on that score, take a look over the freshly released program for the second season for 2013. There'll be dance, from the fury of Whelping Box, in which theatricalised aggression takes place in a boxed off arena, to the elegant intricacy of A Small Prometheus, a work from Chunky Move regulars Stephanie Lake and Robin Fox, in which dancers perform alongside fire-driven kinetic sculptures. There'll be song, too, with a musical dedicated to murderess Jean Lee, the last woman hanged in Australia, featuring a former member of the Bad Seeds (who better for a murder ballad?) and '90s indie pop star Max Sharam as Lee. The limits of theatrical form will be challenged. The Confidence Man invites audiences to take part in the performance, wearing masks and receiving directions by headset, while in PROMPTER, a semi science fictional take on the world of online journalism, onstage actors interact with performers online, beaming in from Argentina, Britain, France and the USA. Closer to reality, indeed as close to reality as theatre gets, two compelling documentary theatre pieces from Belvoir's 2012 season will be having their Melbourne debuts. Beautiful One Day tackles the issue of Aboriginal deaths in custody through interviews with members of the Palm Island community, performed verbatim by actors. The verbatim theatre approach is also used to delve into the hidden side of competitive boxing in the exhaustively researched I'm Your Man. So don't wait til Fringe time to get down to Arts House. The cutting-edge theatre is already there.
Winter is not traditionally ice cream weather. However, when that ice cream is being served up by Helados Jauja, seasons no longer matter, only the taste and the chance to devour as much as you can, and that chance just became a whole lot easier thanks to UBER. The on-demand private driver service has teamed up with the Argentinian artisan gelateria for Friday, July 19, only to deliver their deliciousness directly to your door. UBER Ice Cream Trucks will be transporting specially prepared packs of Helados Jauja around Melbourne from 2pm to 10pm and you can enjoy this service with the simple flick of a finger. To order, download the UBER app, then just open it, move the slider to the 'Ice Cream' option and request a delivery to your door in minutes — $20 will get you a 500ml tub and some UBER merch. It's easier than serving your own ice cream at home, and definitely more delicious. You can keep up to date with all of the action on Twitter and Instagram if you want (@Uber_Melbourne and #UberIceCream) whilst devouring your mouthwatering treat but remember, this is for today Friday, July 19, only (or, as I like to call it, ice-cream Christmas), so take advantage of this offer whilst you can. Concrete Playground readers get an exclusive offer when they join Uber. Use the code CPVIP and get $20 off your first ride. The offer is available to new users only and is valid for all Black and Lux car services.
The trio behind the CBD's family run Armenian restaurant Sezar and The Black Toro in Glen Waverley will open a third eatery in Windsor this April. Dubbed Shukah, it'll continue the family's focus on Armenian flavours, but you can expect a more casual vibe. Shukah's menu will combine Armenian food with European and other Middle Eastern influences. "It's not traditional stuff," says executive chef Garen Maskal, who co-owns the restaurants with cousins Aret and Sasoon Arzadian (they're brothers). "But anyone familiar with those flavours will get it. There'll be a lot of spices, fresh herbs and slow-cooked meats." The centrepiece will be a Mibrasa charcoal oven, to be imported from Spain. Maskal describes it as "an upright oven, but fully powered by charcoal and super hot — anywhere from 350 to 400 degrees." From that, you'll be getting smoky, charry meats, fish and vegetables. Matching them will be a "small, punchy" wine list, including Lebanese, Georgian and Armenian drops, as well as a range of cocktails. On top of that, the team is collaborating with Brunswick's Kettle Green Brewing Co to come up with a unique beer that'll be light and floral to counter Shukah's spices. Erika Lancini is taking care of the design, with pastel colours and, for seating, a mix of banquettes and high stools. A big picture window looks onto the street and there are plans to open a courtyard out the back in time for summer. The space at 104 Chapel Street, has room for 40 inside and a few outside. "It's like a light-hearted version of Sezar," Maskal says. "It's not a bar, but you can pop in and out for a quick drink or mezze, or go the full slog." Shukah will open at 104 Chapel Street, Windsor in April. We'll update this story once an opening date has been announced.
Ashton Kutcher as Steve Jobs. It can take you a while to get your head around it. But although it seemed unlikely, there's actually a decent physical resemblance, and word is Kutcher pulls it off. Although it opens with Jobs showing off the iPod to his staff, the film Jobs soon reverts back to the early days of Apple, pre-black skivvies, though with Steve firmly in the lead. It documents the ups and downs of the '70s, '80s and '90s. Though his inventions are obsessively loved, Jobs is a character not without controversy, and the film will have you feeling sorry for him, then hating him, then loving him again and rooting for him, while at the same time shaking your head and saying to yourself 'Oh Steve'. Jobs is worth a watch if you are a fan of Apple products, his company and what he created, or a fan of biography that isn't about putting its subject on a pedestal. Jobs is in cinemas on August 29, and to celebrate we have 15 double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address. https://youtube.com/watch?v=3rOiXeKaUUM
Eight years after she last toured Australia in 2005, nine-time Grammy winner Norah Jones will bring her soulful blend of country and folk-tinged jazz pop back here this February. Defying everyone who ascribed her success to genetics (she's not only gorgeous but the daughter of recently deceased sitar legend Ravi Shankar, who she collected a posthumous Grammy for just last Sunday), Jones achieved massive critical success with 2002's Come Away With Me and followed it up with 2004's Feels Like Home. Both albums were an addictive blend of jazz and pop that marked a fresh direction for Blue Note Records, the New York jazz label she released them on. Last year Jones clawed her way back to media darling status with the Danger Mouse-produced Little Broken Hearts, the first album since 2009's The Fall. This new offering mixes her smoky vocals with a comparatively uptempo beat and darker themes, "Miriam" even painting her as a murderous lover, but it's still family-friendly. By that we simply mean it defies generations, which in turn means competition for tickets will be that much tougher. https://youtube.com/watch?v=MZgkClKE6hQ
If you've ever wanted to know what Melbourne's best chefs do in the shadows, this is your chance. After a successful August debut, Ombra's ongoing monthly dinner series, Shadow Thieves has been chugging along nicely with some seriously special Monday night feeds. December is all about those magnums. They'll be opening four different bottles — a Bellavista, a Donhoff, a Moric, and a Saracco — and pouring them freely throughout the night with a four-course menu from Ombra. You can have a sneak peek at the menu here. The 'Magnum Mayhem' dinner will be held on Monday, December 7 at Ombra Salumi Bar on Bourke Street. A ticket will set you back $95 — but for forking out, you'll get a four-course meal and some generous pours from four incredible wines. The Shadow Thieves dinners are set to continue, with nights centred around cheese, crab and spirits all in the pipeline.
When it was revealed that Watchmen was returning — with the comic book series getting the HBO treatment a decade after the movie of the same name — it felt like obvious news. Caped crusaders are big business on screens both small and silver, and every old superhero becomes new again at some point. But no one could've predicted just how this nine-part series would turn out, how timely it'd feel and how it'd take on an identity of its own. Set 34 years after the events of Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons and John Higgins' graphic novels, there's a reason that it has been scooping up all the awards for the past year. This version of Watchmen is still set in the same alternate reality; however, under showrunner Damon Lindelof (Lost, The Leftovers), it turns its focus to racially motivated violence and vigilantism. It's brought to the screen with a top-notch cast (including Regina King, Jeremy Irons, Don Johnson, Hong Chau and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and a bucket load of murky complexity.
If you need a bottle shop that offers more than just the standard swill, Decanters by the Bay is an obvious pick, with its thoughtfully selected range of beverages going far above and beyond your average supermarket encounter. Stocking a premium range of craft beers, spirits and wine, the staff pride themselves on being some of the most knowledgeable in the business when it comes to helping you find exactly the type of drink you have in mind. Whether you're after a tipple from one of Australia's endless small-run breweries, a fine wine from an international, boutique winery or a specialist spirit from a local distillery, Decanters by the Bay likely has just what you need.
Everyone knows the rule: when you go to someone's house for dinner, you bring something (even when they insist you shouldn't). After all, they've just spent hours slaving away in the kitchen — or ordering takeaway and putting it on nice plates to pretend they cooked it. No need to panic purchase a lame box of choccies or spend hours staring dumbly at the bottle-o shelves to end up picking something based on how nice the label is. In partnership with BWS, we've got you covered for top-notch drops to take along. Whether it's refreshing summertime favourites, easy-drinking Aussie brews or lesser-known wine varieties, this crowd-pleasing list ensures success — and we'll even let you take all the credit. KRUSH TROPICAL PALE ALE — KAIJU! BEER Dandenong brewery Kaiju! Beer has been a fan favourite for years, as has its signature Krush Tropical Pale Ale. Expect a truckload of different hop varieties — including top billers like mosaic, cascade, citra and simcoe — to be balanced by a light malt backbone. As the name suggests, it's a juicy brew with heaps of tropical fruit notes to quench your thirst. This is the beer to bring to barbecues and outdoor picnics, as its easy-going taste will mimic the laidback atmosphere. PASH THE MAGIC DRAGON — BATCH BREWING CO Never seen dragon fruit in a beer before? Well, Sydney's Batch Brewing Co is more than happy to oblige. The brewers here are always thinking up something unusual to throw in the tank — former oddball concoctions include a polarising pickle beer and another inspired by the legendary Marrickville Pork Roll. But Pash the Magic Dragon is hands down one of the brewery's tastiest creations yet. This fruity sour ale contains heaps of fresh dragon fruit and passionfruit, and the combination is just delightful. It's perfectly balanced between sour and sweet, and the peachy colour makes it just a little more fun to drink, too. It can easily be paired with fruit-based desserts like pavlova, or alongside the main course, especially if it's a spicy dish. CÔTE DES ROSES ROSÉ — GÉRARD BERTRAND Showing up at your mate's house with a bottle of rosé is a no-brainer during the warm weather months. If you want to set your summertime favourite apart from the pack, go for Gerard Bertrand's Côte des Roses Rosé. It blends floral notes with summer fruits and is full-bodied yet balanced with a dry finish. And it's just oh-so-refreshing. This French wine also looks fancy in its pretty glass bottle with a rose-shaped bottom. Plus, it won't break the bank. PHENOMENAL FIANO — ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM If you want to impress your friends with your wine knowledge, bring along a lesser-known variety that they'll absolutely love. We suggest this fiano by Elephant in the Room. This South Australian winery is known for its full-bodied drops, and the fiano doesn't disappoint. The white wine expresses notes of citrus, apple and spice, with a crisp minerality that offers the perfect finish. It's undoubtedly a bold wine and is best shared with those who want something a little different. PINOT NOIR — RAMBLING ROSES As the nights start to cool, it's just about time to get back on those reds. A decent pinot noir is a good place to start — it's lighter, it isn't too heavy for autumn evenings. If you're looking for something that'll impress, but is accessible, Rambling Roses' version is the way to go. It presents as a typical pinot noir, but, for a discerning palate, is much more than that. Expect notes of red and black currants with juicy strawberries on the nose and an overall depth of flavour. That being said, it's also exceptionally sessionable and works well paired with dinner. On warmer nights, be sure to give it a quick chill to ensure it's thoroughly enjoyed. Update: Due to the current situation, we understand that throwing or attending parties may not be a possibility right now. But there's a silver lining — you can still order all of these drinks online to enjoy at home. Head to the BWS website to browse the full range.
If you like to live like a million dollar foodie on minimum wage, this is the event for you. One of our favourite parts of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival each year, the Restaurant Express series gives you the chance to finally try that new restaurant you've been reading about for a cool $40. Two twenty dollar bills cover a two-course lunch (including their signature dish) and a drink that will be matched to your food. And considering you can head to places like the Estelle, Albert St Food & Wine, Pei Modern, Stokehouse City and Union Dining, it's the best value in town for some of the best lunches around. See a full list of restaurants participating in Restaurant Express here.
English indietronica band Hot Chip have been helping crowds break into uncontrollable dance for the better part of two decades with numerous world tours and several critically acclaimed albums under their belt. For Melbourne Festival, Hot Chip frontman Alexis Taylor leaves the band at home to perform his third solo record – Listen With(out) Piano – a deeply personal project exploring the breakup of his parents, the first time he cried listening to music and the death of his friend, Vince Sipprell. This intimate performance will feature Taylor's iconic voice in full-flight as he performs cuts from his new album, alongside Hot Chip favourites updated for the piano.
Time certainly does fly because award-winning butcher and artisan grocer Victor Churchill is officially celebrating its first birthday of its next-level slick Melbourne branch this month. So mark your calendars for Monday, November 7 and get ready for a week of celebrations. To commemorate the occasion, guests will be treated to complimentary canapés consisting of Victor Churchill's very-own charcuterie, parfaits and terrines. You'll also be given the chance to indulge in a delectable slice of Gateau Opera cake and, importantly, a glass of champagne. For those who have yet to pay a visit to the Armadale location on High Street, the space boasts a luxe interior featuring marble, copper, and glass. Some of the highlights include the charcuterie counter displaying exceptional cured meats and small goods, while the 'Pantry' is housed with a selection of locally sourced seasonal produce, condiments, wine and more. [caption id="attachment_832900" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pete Dillon[/caption] Top Images: Victor Churchill - Supplied
Writer Daniel Keene and director Ariette Taylor are joining forces after nearly a decade apart for the Australian premiere of their production Dreamers. Having previously collaborated on more than 47 productions with the Keene Taylor Theatre Project from 1997-2002, this duo are nothing if not experienced. Quite rightly, this latest work will see them tackling the big issues: isolation, prejudice and intolerance. Lead character Anne who is in her 60s has begun a relationship with a much younger man who has recently moved to Australia. He is trying to establish himself in a new country, and the struggle against exclusion appears to be one battle after another. With issues that are both timeless and more pertinent than ever, this will be a memorable work — one that is especially relevant for those in need of a place or person to call their own. Interestingly, the cast of eight includes four original members of the Keene Taylor theatre company, such as Helen Morse, Paul English, Marco Chiappi and Jonathan Taylor. This work has been a long time coming. Get in quick before their hardcore fans book out the whole theatre. Photo: Jeff Busby.
The Night Noodle Markets 2022 is right around the corner and we can't wait to indulge in some of the delicious hawker-style dishes we've been craving since lockdown. Ahead of the food fest, the Bumplings x Mazda stall has announced that it will give away free dumplings for the first hour after opening each day across the 18-day event. However, there's a catch. To claim your free steaming hot dumplings, you must be an owner of a Mazda or have a friend who does and physically show the Mazda car keys. A total of three flavours will be available at the stall including chicken and prawn, pork and ginger or vegetarian, which are all served with a mouth-watering Soul Red Crystal sauce. The Night Noodle Markets 2022 will run from Thursday, November 10–Sunday, November 27 at Birrarung Marr. [caption id="attachment_876727" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tristan McKenzie[/caption] Top image: Tristan McKenzie
Right now you're probably thinking about your next meal (we know we are). Will it be another Bon Appétit-inspired cook-up to impress everyone you're cooped up with in isolation, or have you earned yourself a night off from all that upskilling in the kitchen? If your enthusiasm for cooking has begun to wane, you may be reaching for your favourite takeaway app to start browsing the options for a quick fix. Before you do, check your booze stash. Trust us, there is a connection. At the moment, if you spend $50 or more on any Pernod Ricard products — such as vodka or gin for your quarantinis — you'll receive a $10 voucher to use on Deliveroo. [caption id="attachment_745926" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mary's Burgers by Nikki To[/caption] While we don't want to encourage excessive drinking during the COVID-19 lockdown, it's possible that you've already emptied your last bottle of wine and those cocktails you were shaking in week one have made your liquor cabinet look a tad dry. Pernod Ricard's range includes champagnes, cognac, gin, tequila, rum, whiskies and wines from brands like Absolut, Glenlivet, Jameson, Kahlua and Monkey 47, as well as Australian whites and reds from Jacob's Creek and St Hugo Wines. And the best part is that you can make your purchase from any online or bricks-and-mortar store, including BWS, Dan Murphy's, Liquorland, Porters Liquor, and a number of other participating stores. Just make sure you keep your receipt. Once you've made your purchase, it's easy to claim your Deliveroo voucher. Simply upload an image of your receipt to Pernod Ricard's website and, once validated, you'll be sent a discount code to your email address. You can then use the Deliveroo code for any food order — whether you're craving a hangover-busting burger, an icy Gelato Messina, or a comforting curry. Find out more about the Pernod Ricard offer here. The offer runs until the end of July, or until stocks last, and once you have your Deliveroo voucher you can use it immediately or until April 8, 2021. Find all the FAQs here.
If truth is stranger than fiction, then prepare to attend the oddest film festival around. There's nothing unusual about Hot Docs at Palace Cinemas itself; indeed, given that the brand new film fest is an Aussie offshoot of Canada's renowned documentary showcase, has been curated by former Brisbane and Melbourne International Film Festival director Richard Moore, and takes over Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney from June 14 to July 3, it's exciting for the most typical of reasons. But the real life tales the festival's features promise to tell — well, they're another matter. You just can't make this stuff up may as well be Hot Docs' catchphrase as it explores the extraordinary, uplifting, awe-inspiring and heartbreaking sides of life — and everything in between as well. In its first ever Australian edition, the festival boasts 24 films from 15 countries, which means that getting your true story fix just got a whole lot easier. If you don't know where to jump in, we've selected five must-see Hot Docs flicks as a starting point. CHUCK NORRIS VERSUS COMMUNISM We don't recommend judging a film by its title, but when it comes to Chuck Norris Versus Communism, that might be an impossible task. Years of memes and jokes about the actor and martial artist's prowess will do that. But as much as the movie's name might indicate otherwise, they're not the subject of this documentary. Instead, it explores the impact Chuck's action flicks had on Romanian viewers. When everything but propaganda was banned throughout the nation in the oppressive period that was the '80s, it was actually smuggled VHS tapes of Norris and his fellow fist-flinging heroes that helped give people hope. RAVING IRAN Whether you love it or hate it, you probably can't imagine a world without electronic dance music. Neither can aspiring Iranian DJs Anoosh and Arash — even though they're supposed to be living in one. Raving Iran charts the duo's attempts to chase their dreams and keep Tehran's underground techno scene alive in a country that punishes their chosen art form with imprisonment. Their secret raves have to stay a literal secret, but their struggle isn't just about spinning decks, scratching records and throwing all-night parties — it's about fighting for freedom. DIVING INTO THE UNKNOWN A word of warning: if you're claustrophobic, not so fond of caves or don't like spending much time in the ocean's depths, then Diving Into the Unknown mightn't be comfortable viewing. In fact, even if small underwater spaces don't usually freak you out, this account of a group of Finnish divers in a five-kilometre-long, 130-metre-deep Norwegian cave might just do the trick. It's the stuff that nightmares are made of as the team gets into life-or-death trouble under the icy surface. It's also the type of psychologically intense true tale that's bound to get made into a fictional feature — although in this case, we're betting that nothing beats the real deal. JIM: THE JAMES FOLEY STORY In a better world, no one would know Jim Foley's name — or if they did, it wouldn't be because of his kidnapping in Syria and subsequent public execution. In the Sundance audience award-winning doco Jim: The James Foley Story, Foley's childhood friend Brian Oakes shares the American photojournalist's story beyond the heartbreaking headlines and horrific video footage. Family, friends and fellow journalists explore the man behind the tragedy, and former hostages offer accounts of his courage in captivity. And then there's the footage that Foley shot himself, which offers an insider's view into one of the most awful ordeals imaginable. T-REX Forget Rocky, Creed and every other big screen boxing underdog — there's a new contender in town. In fact, saying that Claressa 'T–Rex' Shields fought her way from the streets of Michigan to the US Olympic boxing team isn't an exaggeration. Directors Drea Cooper and Zackary Canepari chart her battle to get to the top of her chosen sport, both in and out of the ring. Sure, you've seen boxing films before, but you haven't seen one as raw, resonant and real as this. Hot Docs at Palace Cinemas screens at Sydney's Palace Verona from June 21 to July 3, Melbourne's Palace Westgarth and Cinema Como from June 14 to 29. Check out the full program by visiting the festival's website and Facebook page.
This weekend the world was brought to a standstill by a horrific attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Fifty people were tragically killed and another 53 injured in the shooting. Vigils have sprung up the world over, with everywhere from New York to Paris to Tel Aviv paying their respects to the victims and the LGBTQI community. Last night, Australia held its own countrywide tribute. Vigils were held in Sydney's inner-west suburb of Newtown and the rainbow corner of Gertrude and Smith Streets in Melbourne, and landmarks were lit up in all our capital cities. Below, we've collected some of the best photos of Australian landmarks lit up in support of the victims and LGBTQI pride. SYDNEY We offer our condolences to those affected by the Orlando attack. The Sydney Harbour Bridge now has rainbow colours. pic.twitter.com/rNOpLIClq5 — Sydney Water (@SydneyWaterNews) June 13, 2016 We grieve and stand with you #Orlando pic.twitter.com/7jXxdekv0T — Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) June 13, 2016 Here's our pink Sydney Town Hall as it gets darker #Orlando pic.twitter.com/7kKOueTQ0E — Clover Moore (@CloverMoore) June 13, 2016 MELBOURNE As a mark of respect for those touched by the attack in Orlando. Town Hall is lit in the rainbow #LoveIsLove. pic.twitter.com/awcHsgdFVr — City of Melbourne (@cityofmelbourne) June 13, 2016 In honour of the #Orlando victims & LGBTI people everywhere, our Spire will be lit in rainbow colours tonight. pic.twitter.com/y7cV2EIaah — Arts Centre Melb (@artscentremelb) June 13, 2016 BRISBANE Bloody sensational work Brissy, what a joint. Wonderful people and wonderful sentiment. #LoveWinspic.twitter.com/IN43f4gEXb — Dan Anstey (@Dan_Anstey) June 13, 2016 ADELAIDE A photo posted by Cetina Illies ♏️ GypsyAtHeart (@missci17) on Jun 13, 2016 at 6:58am PDT Top image: Sydney Water News via Twitter.
Eat, drink and dance the night away in the Malthouse Theatre's courtyard this weekend. With the vibe of an 'intimate party with friends', Haiku House is a new day-night event that will fuse Japanese food and western electronic music. The first part of this equation will include Japanese nosh from Wabi Sabi, Neko Neko and Bosozoku, as well as cocktails and local and imported beers and cider. The entertainment side of things will be led by Justin Martin and Shiba San alongside Amine Edge & Dance and Latmun. What's better, the venue will be outside in the Malthouse's courtyard, there's a tram stop right outside and the venue is only a short walk from Flinders Street Station. Haiku House will kick off at 2pm and run until 10pm.
El Camino Cantina's approach to margaritas is like Gelato Messina's to frozen desserts, taking inspiration far and wide from other beloved foodstuffs. In the past, the lively Tex-Mex chain has served up candy-flavoured margs, Long Island iced tea-flavoured ritas and soft drink-influenced tipples. Next on the list: Vodka Cruiser versions. On offer at the chain's Fitzroy venue: nine flavours of its beloved ritas that pay tribute to the ready-to-drink staple. You'll be able to knock them back until Saturday, September 30 — in 15-ounce ($21) and 24-ounce ($25) glasses topped with a Grand Marnier float, and as happy-hour specials from 4–6pm Monday–Friday (costing $12.50 and $15). Flavours on offer include Summer Peach, Lush Guava, Pure Pineapple and Wild Raspberry — and also Ripe Strawberry, Sunny Orange Passionfruit and Bold Berry. Or, you can sip Juicy Watermelon and get some tang with Zesty Lemon Lime. If you're a fan of its margs, you'll probably have noticed that El Camino mixes up its menu regularly with specials like these — which gives you more excuses to try more flavours.
Everyone remembers the great supermarket frenzy of just a few months back, when stores looked like post-apocalyptic film sets, people were everywhere but shelves were bare. And, as a response to the huge onslaught of panic-buying when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit — with shoppers hoarding everything toilet paper and hand sanitiser to pasta and milk — we all remember the item limits put in place by Aussie chains. Two months after local supermarkets started to lift those caps (and after the great bog roll crisis of 2020 seemed like it was over), Woolworths is now reintroducing restrictions — on some everyday staples, and across all of its Victorian stores. Announcing the news today, Wednesday, June 24, the company said it was a "preventative move in response to significantly elevated demand seen over the past 24 hours in certain parts of Melbourne". It also advised that the limits "will support social distancing in stores and ensure more customers have access to the products they need". On the restricted list: toilet paper, hand sanitiser and paper towel, as well as flour, sugar, pasta, rice, mince, long-life milk and eggs. They were all subject to previous item caps, too — and, from today onwards, Victorians will only be able to purchase two of each in one transaction for the foreseeable future. That applies to both in-person and online orders. Explaining the return of item limits, Woolworths Supermarkets Managing Director Claire Peters noted that, while Woolworths still has plenty of stock, it's "taking this precautionary step to help prevent excessive buying and support appropriate social distancing in our Victorian stores". She continued: "we'll closely monitor demand across Victoria in the coming days and look to wind back the limits as soon as we can". https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1275648148229283843 The move comes in response to Victoria's recent spike in COVID-19 numbers over the past couple of weeks, with new cases on the rise in the state and community transmission levels increasing. Since Wednesday, June 17, new case numbers have hovered around 20 per day, including exactly 20 new cases reported in the past 24 hours. In fact, as the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) noted in a statement on Sunday, June 21, 83 percent of Australia's newly confirmed COVID-19 cases over the week prior were in Victoria. Of those 116 new Victorian cases in total, 87 "are largely associated with community transmission". Victoria's current increase in cases is focused around six local government areas: Hume, Casey, Brimbank, Moreland, Cardinia and Darebin. As a result, "the AHPPC strongly discourages travel to and from those areas until control of community transmission has been confirmed". The rising Victorian case numbers have already sparked action at the state government level. Victoria's State of Emergency has been extended for four more weeks, and Premier Daniel Andrews also announced the tightening of some gathering restrictions — reintroducing smaller caps on at-home groups, gatherings out of the house and the numbers of patrons allowed in venues. At the time of writing, Victoria's Department of Health and Human Services advises that there have been 241 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Victoria that have been acquired through unknown transmission — and there are currently 141 active cases in Victoria. For more information about the state of COVID-19 in Victoria, head to the Department of Health and Human Services website. For more information about Woolworths' reinstated item limits, head to the supermarket's website.
Winter has well and truly settled in, and what better way to embrace it than with a trip to the snow? Not only do you get to try out your moves on the slopes, if you're at the winter haven of Thredbo, you can match it with time lounging about the fire or in the hot pools, watching your mate go for glory in a snowboarding comp and savouring a few delectable mulled ciders. Rekorderlig are offering you the chance to win this winter dream vacay — including flights, accommodation and ski hire — for a group of six, just by entering their Facebook comp. Sweetening your weekend away even more, the Swedish giants of cider have a little something extra and exclusive lined up. They're hosting an intimate winter forest picnic, Swedish style, on Thredbo's golf course on Saturday, September 13. What's 'Swedish style' you ask? Well it's not this. Rather, think an al fresco four-course meal of Swedish-inspired recipes (not this) eaten from beneath warm blankets while you overlook a striking skyline of snow stretching as far as the eye can see. Then add in a whole bunch of Rekorderlig to complete your magical Swedish stopover. Will there be reindeer? You'll have to enter via the Rekorderlig Facebook page to find out.
It isn't the first movie about the Tham Luang Nang Non cave incident to reach screens, thanks to the underwhelming The Cave. It won't be the last project to focus on the 12 Thai schoolboys and their soccer coach who were trapped in the Chiang Rai Province spot for 18 days back in 2018, either. Ron Howard (Hillbilly Elegy)-directed dramatisation Thirteen Lives hits cinemas next year, a Netflix limited series executive produced by In the Heights filmmaker John M Chu is also set to debut in 2022 and, to the surprise of no one, more are bound to follow. Still, The Rescue earns another worthy honour. The documentary isn't just an inspirational recounting of a miraculous effort that thwarted a potential tragedy, as told by the brave people who pulled off the feat, although it's certainly that. In addition, this gripping film falls into a genre that always needs more entries: celebrations of skilled people doing difficult things with precision, passion, persistence and prowess. If documentarians Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin have a niche, it's this. As co-directors, the married couple has now made three films, all valuing hard work, expertise and when the former leads not only to the latter, but to extraordinary achievements. With 2015 Sundance award-winner Meru, they documented Chin's efforts with two other climbers to scale Meru Peak in the Indian Himalayas. Then came Oscar-winner Free Solo, the exceptional doco about Alex Honnold's quest to free-climb Yosemite National Park's El Capitan. The Rescue swaps clambering up for diving deep, and hones in on an event that captured international headlines as it happened, but still belongs in the same company as the duo's past two releases. Here, viewers start the film with an understanding of what happened thanks to all that non-stop news coverage, but finish it in profound awe of the talent, smarts, dedication and unflinching competence involved. Vasarhelyi and Chin spotlight the divers who extricated Tham Luang's 13 unwilling inhabitants, aka the Wild Boars soccer team — and did so as the world watched, as hours became days and then weeks, and as monsoonal waters flooded the cave despite a desperate pumping initiative. Thai Navy SEALs initially attempted the task, yet struggled in the ten kilometres of sprawling and narrow tunnels. In fact, due to the murky water and the constant deluge from the fast-falling rain, they weren't able to get far. To assist, civilian hobbyists including Brits Rick Stanton and John Volanthen were brought in — experts in their field, and volunteers for the biggest diving quest of their lives. When their crew found the boys and their coach almost four kilometres from the mouth of the cave, they then faced another dilemma: how to get them back out alive. With its ending already well-known, The Rescue starts at the beginning, letting those who were there talk through each step, and also weaving in footage from the rescue mission itself. No re-enactments — not the small amount The Rescue uses, as noted in its credits; not The Cave's awful docodrama approach; and not all the future dramatisations set to flow from Hollywood — can ever be as nerve-wracking as seeing this remarkable feat actually happen. That said, the film's interviews are also significant. While the on-the-ground and in-the-water clips show the immense level of skill at work and the enormous dangers faced, the accompanying discussions offer keen insights into the thought processes involved. And, they draw out Stanton, Volanthen and their team's distinctive personalities, ensuring that these heroes are always flesh and blood. In all that chatter, much of the tension springs from one point: not just the logistics of extracting the kids and their coach from the cave, but the possibility of sedating them during the dive. The Rescue's most chilling moment comes from Australian anaesthetist and cave diver Richard Harris, who likens that option to euthanasia in his frank initial assessment — a goosebump-inducing comment, even though everyone watching knows that the boys were all rescued safely. Vasarhelyi and Chin make films about survival and endurance, too, and those notions thump away in The Rescue like a heartbeat. Still, as much as it pays tribute to the individual and collective efforts behind something astonishing, and its success, the film never forgets the stakes or cost, including the death of ex-Thai Navy SEAL Saman Kunan during an early attempt. Enthralling, suspenseful and vivid — and with more time for the moral and ethical implications of the rescue than is ever likely to be committed to the screen elsewhere — this documentary has been made to emulate its subjects. Indeed, that precision, passion, persistence and prowess shines through again and again both on- and off-screen. The Rescue's meticulous splicing is particularly finessed, for instance, with editor Bob Eisenhardt (another Free Solo alum) maintaining the movie's pulsating sense of intensity while stitching together an array of talking-head interviews, plus that wealth of archival materials. The heartstring-tugging score by Daniel Pemberton (The Trial of the Chicago 7) isn't quite as convincing, however, but it's one of the film's rare weak links. There is a gaping cavern at the heart of The Rescue, though, and one that's far wider than the rock shelf where the Wild Boars sheltered for almost three weeks. Those boys and their coach aren't among the movie's interviewees, and noticeably so. National Geographic, who produced the film, was only able to secure the rights to the divers' stories — with Netflix snapping them up for the soccer team. It leaves The Rescue absent key perspectives, but Vasarhelyi and Chin have filled that chasm savvily. Indeed, the documentary's edge-of-your-seat, ticking-clock, heart-in-your-throat tribute to skill, hard work and the global team of thousands that spanned Thais, Americans and Australians, too, mightn't have sported the same focus otherwise. Once more, the movie mimics the incident at its centre, turning sheer necessity into something stunning.
It takes a big sound to do the Sidney Myer Music Bowl justice. The grand waltzing symphonies of the MSO or a rollicking Australian classic like Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds perhaps. The site itself, with its vast spilling lawn and coveted inner city position demands the very best, and this February, The National are sure to live up to expectation. Touring their sixth album Trouble Will Find Me, The National have become an indie institution over the past few years. Captivating and cathartic, their soulful pop songs unearth a catchy kind of melancholy that was once exclusively reserved for bands like The Smiths. For this one-off show, prices sit at around the $100 mark. This may sound a little steep, even for a band of their stature, but you have to remember a gig at the Bowl is no ordinary gig. It's best to consider that $100 a down payment on your emotional wellbeing for the year. With your picnic rug laid down, and the red wine flowing, The National are sure to deliver an experience you won't forget anytime soon. https://youtube.com/watch?v=N527oBKIPMc
Kuwaii is well-known and much-loved for producing impeccably constructed garments, as well as nailing the near impossible balance between shoes that are more comfortable than slippers and totally appropriate for grown-up occasions. Designer Kristy Barber's ability to find a harmonious balance between intricate details and beautiful form is undoubtedly thanks in large part to Kuwaii's strong local base. Once holed up in their beautiful East Brunswick boutique, this local gem has now expanded into the city taking over the space in Cathedral Arcade that once belonged to Alice Euphemia. Kuwaii is also located at 37-39 Glenlyon Road, Brunswick.
If you missed out on a seat at Heston Blumenthal's highly acclaimed Fat Duck, fear not. There's a new duck in town and he's ready for a party. (A party that won't cost you a week's salary, mind you.) The Sorrento Catering Company are setting up the cheekily named Skinny Duck for one night only on January 30 at St Kilda Town Hall. For $120 you will get 14 courses of decadent canapes from five of Melbourne's best chefs, including Jacques Reymond (L'Hotel Gitan), Adam D'Sylva (Coda, Tonka) and Scott Pickett (Saint Crispin, Estelle). Plus, you'll also get wine, beer and champagne to match. You'll be sharing an evening with like-minded people, listening to great music and comedian Dave O’Neill will be there to get you laughing. And the best thing? All proceeds will go to FareShare, an innovative organisation that provides over one million free, tasty, nutritious meals a year to Victoria's hungry using donated food not needed by supermarkets, markets and farmers. It'll feed your charitable nature, as well as your tummy.
Sunny Frankston has proven itself to be quite the seaside destination in recent years, with a surge in popularity led by what Melburnians love most: hospitality and culture. The seaside is a backdrop, albeit a very pretty one, against vibrant dining and art scenes. That's why Frankston is the annual host of The Big Picture Fest, a celebration of local and international artists set to a week of live painting, music and more. The 2024 event is pulling eleven world-class artists together to paint mural projects across Frankston, with free events occurring alongside them from Monday, March 18, to Sunday, March 24. So what's worth your time, who are these artists you're looking for, and where can you stop to refuel along the way? Let's find out. The eleven talented artists The Big Picture Fest has a lot of drawcards but the main attraction is the artist program. Eleven artists, six of whom are Australian, are taking part in the festival. Eight of the artists will paint murals across Frankston, while others lead exhibitions and special events. Of the talent, there's US-based JEKS, a specialist in hyper-realistic mural portraits; pioneering Dutch graffiti artist and muralist GOMAD; Peruvian-born colour specialist BRONIK; Dutch-born post-graffiti muralist URSH and Spanish experimental artist DEMSKY. The rest of the roster includes globally leading contemporary artist Vexta; photorealistic muralist Calum; Melbourne's local miniaturist Tinky; tattoo artist and fine muralist Kitt Bennett; graffiti and street artist Danny Legs and Adelaide-baed digital artist Fraz the Wizard. The free events across town It's possible to enjoy the festival with just a map and your own two feet, but if you'd prefer a bit more insight into the artworks you can book a free street art walking tour. These tours will run every hour on the hour between 10am and 7pm from Friday, March 22—Sunday, March 24. Many of the boutique events in the program are taking place at Cube 37, a local gallery that frequently hosts art events from local and visiting talent alike. For The Big Picture Fest, the gallery will be hosting an installation by visiting artist DEMSKY, plus the People's Choice Award exhibition of the festival's artists. Here's where you can explore the studio work of all eleven artists and place your vote for a featured artist to be showcased at next year's Big Picture Fest. Out and about, keep your eyes peeled for the miniaturist works by Tinky, who has two miniature dioramas in the Frankston Library and Cube 37 Gallery and eight more scattered around the laneways and streets of Frankston for the whole week. Oh, and there's the biggest art and music street party to hit Frankston all year… The Block Party The culmination of The Big Picture Fest is taking place on the evening of Friday, March 22 with The Block Party, a free event spread across Park Lane and Park Row from 4.30pm to 10.30pm. After a week of celebrating Frankston's arts and culture scenes, it will be time to loosen up with bands, street performers, food trucks, drink vendors and live painting. The music lineup is impressive, with the starring artists including local dance-punk group Gut Health, the exotica-style beats of Bananagun, art-pop-synthesiser soloist Milku, indie pop rock band Tamara and The Dreams, and DJ Obliveus on the decks. Keep an eye out for roving performances by theatre troupe Born In A Taxi, and Block Party exclusive projections of digital art by Fraz the Wizard. The precinct will also be welcoming food trucks and alcohol vendors to keep you fed and watered and lounge areas to hang out in. The local gems worth finding No matter if you're headed to Frankston for the full week of The Big Picture Fest or just the busy weekend, you need to explore the big picture of the area. You'll find exposed brickwork, neon lights and a menu meant to be shared at Hotel Lona, modern seafood and pub feeds at Humdinger, sun-soaked beach cocktails at Oliver's Corner, cool craft beers at relaxed bar and bottle-o hybrid The Hop Shop, and delicious plant-based meals at Nature Cafe Bar. And should you still need an additional art fix beyond The Big Picture Fest's brightly-painted walls and installations, there's always more to discover. Thanks to Frankston City's long-term commitment to all things art, you can find well over 70 gorgeous murals throughout Frankston — from past Big Picture Fests and other city art programs alike. There's also a concentrated experience to be found at McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery, a beloved local gallery set in 16 hectares of native bushland. From indoor exhibitions to openair sculpture tours and experiences led by the multiple community groups that operate on its grounds, you'll almost certainly find something to connect with here. Big Picture Fest 2024 runs from Monday, March 18 to Sunday, March 24. For more information on the event artists or to download an event map, visit the website.
Grampians Grape Escape — one of the longest-running food and wine festivals in Australia — is always a great excuse to escape the city for the weekend. And this year, it needs you more than ever. Local businesses in the Grampians have been struggling to recover following recent bushfires, with visitor numbers taking a hit over what was an uncertain summer. Grape Escape is an excellent chance for you to show the western Victorian region some much-needed love — while, of course, sipping your way through delicious wines, feasting on sensational local produce and catching some cracking live music. More than 30 wineries are joining the party, from the well-known Mount Langi Ghiran to boutique labels like Clayfield and Black & Ginger. Plus, regional produce will be well represented by Grampians Olive Co, toasties by Tim Bones of Ballarat, Schulz Organics Dairy and loads of others. You can even get in on the action at a pickling workshop with Grampians Vinegar and The Pickle Project, or catch a cooking demonstration from MasterChef Australia alumni Justine Schofield and Dani Venn. Live music will soundtrack your drops and bites throughout all three days. Listen out for catchy original tunes from singer-songwriter Bel Kil, who grew up on a farm in the Northern Grampians, the dextrous guitar playing and powerful voice of Warrnambool's Flynn Gurry, and party-starting blues-roots rock by Smoke Stack Rhino from the Yarra Valley.
UPDATE Thursday, July 29: Melbourne Museum has reopened following the latest lockdown, with tickets available now. Plus, for the next two weekends (July 31, August 1, 7 and 8) 'Treasures of the Natural World' will have extended hours, opening from 9am. For more details on Victoria's current restrictions, see the Department of Health and Human Services website. Ever wanted to see a martian meteorite? A 200 million-year-old fossil? A cursed amethyst? Come June 2021, you'll be able to see all of them when some of the oldest and strangest treasures from London's Natural History Museum arrive in Melbourne. The aforementioned intriguing objects are just a sample of the 200 specimens that'll be on show as part of Treasures of the Natural World, which will run from June 12, 2021 — with tickets currently available through until December 31, 2021, after the exhibition was postponed from 2020. The Australian-first, Melbourne-exclusive exhibition features a curation of extremely rare and mysterious objects, many of which have been invaluable to our understanding of the world. Items from Charles Darwin's personal collection, the world's largest butterfly (with a whopping 30-centimetre wingspan), extinct animals, an extremely rare 1853 cubic gold nugget and a deadly flea that carried the bubonic plague are other items you'll see at the exhibition. [caption id="attachment_755333" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cursed Amethyst courtesy of the Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London.[/caption] Oh, and back to that cursed amethyst — you might not want to get too close. Its owner Edward Heron-Allen used to keep it locked inside seven protectives boxes and once threw it into a canal, but it was, of course, returned. When Heron-Allen donated it to the Natural History Museum he did so with a note saying the gem was "trebly accursed and is stained with the blood, and the dishonour of everyone who has ever owned it". Creepy. Image two: Queen Alexandra's birdwing butterfly courtesy of the Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London. Updated March 18, 2021.
Brunetti Oro is teaming up with coffee heavyweights Lavazza for a four-day Festival of Coffee from Thursday, September 28– Sunday, October 1 (International Coffee Day). Here's the part you'll want to add to your calendar: there'll be 100 free coffees on offer every day from 8–10am. So don't sleep in, as the early bird gets the cortado. It's not just free coffee. Brunetti is going all in for the Festival of Coffee. Expect limited-edition desserts like the espresso martini tart made with vodka-infused espresso martini ganache, as well as coffee cocktails including Long Island iced coffee and coffee negroni. For those who like their coffee with a side of knowledge, Lavazza's roastmasters are hosting coffee-roasting masterclasses. And if you're just there for the vibe, the Summer Jazz Sessions have you covered, with the outdoor terrazza playing host on Friday and Saturday from 5–7pm. Smooth jazz and smooth coffee (or coffee cocktails): perfetto. So if you're looking to add a little extra buzz to the grand final weekend, head down to Brunetti Oro. Go on, life's too short for bad coffee.
There's nothing like a free beachside music party to get you in the mood for summer, even if Melbourne's weather isn't quite playing ball itself just yet. So grab your dancing shoes and prepare for a big day of belters and brews, when Northeast Party House takes over St Kilda's Republica for a tune-filled shindig on Sunday, November 20 as part of the Smiles All Round Balter Tour. The legendary electro six-piece is headlining the nighttime portion of the festivities, set to hit the stage from 8pm for a couple of high-energy hours. They'll be joined on the bill by a live gig from Soltribe kicking things off from 2pm, and an early evening set by DJ Cliftonia from 5pm. [caption id="attachment_878083" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Northeast Party House[/caption] Of course, all that dance floor action sounds like thirsty work, but your fine co-hosts at Balter Brewing will have punters sorted with a solid range of beers, both on tap and in tins. You'll find options like the Hazy, the XPA and the Lager, as well as limited-edition Balter x Republica t-shirts to take home. Entry to the party is free, with limited table bookings available online.
Last year, Melbourne's Imperial Hotel transformed its rooftop into a winter wonderland. This year, it's getting magical instead. Climb up to the top level from Friday, February 8, and you'll hang out in Vertic Alley — aka the CBD watering hole's equivalent of Diagon Alley. This four-month pop-up takes its cues from Harry Potter, obviously — and the timing is right given that The Cursed Child is in town. Get comfy in themed spaces, practice saying "accio cocktail!" and just enjoy an all-round boozy celebration of the Boy Who Lived. Forget the usual Imperial booths — now you'll find six magical stores, including an owlery, a spell book depository, a wand shop, a wizarding toy store, a home of dark artefacts and WIZPAC bank. Each area accommodates 10–20 people, can be reserved in advance, and is fitted out with plenty of enchanting items to keep you feeling bewitched. Drinks-wise, a potions lineup includes Liquid Luck (fireball, vodka, orange and sparkling wine) True Love Potion (pomegranate liqueur, raspberry gin and sparkling wine), Pumpkin Juice (fireball, orange juice and pumpkin juice) and Truth Serum (rosemary-infused gin, lavender and lemon juice), while the food range spans gilliweed tacos, treacle tarts, cursed wings and 'siriously' black ice cream. If you're gathering the gang, you can drop by from 11am daily — and platter and jug deals are available for $50–85.
