What a slam dunk of year it's been for Bastille. The British four-piece have spent 2014 touring internationally, and casually celebrated a Brit Award win for British Breakthrough Act off the back of their UK #1 album, Bad Blood. Not too shabby. Singles 'Of The Night' and 'Pompeii' both reached #2 spots on the UK charts, and they’ve been working relentlessly on their second album to be released in 2015. Before we get to wrap our ears around their highly anticipated second effort, Bastille have released their third mixtape VS. (Other People's Heartache, Pt. III), featuring latest single 'Torn Apart'. The lads already visited Australia this year in June, and will be returning for Sydney's Field Day on New Year's Day. We managed to get hold of bassist Will Farquarson, and had a chat about the new album, the art of battling your friends and his unrelenting desire to go shark diving. The Second Album is Going to Sound REALLY Different Bastille’s first album, Bad Blood, is certainly going to be a tough act to follow, but the lads have seized the opportunity to do things very differently second time around. Firstly, there will be guitars in the new album. This sounds like an anticlimax, but guitars actually don't feature at all on Bad Blood. "On the first album, we got halfway through and realised we haven't really used any guitars. It became a little bit of a challenge to finish the record without putting any guitar on,” says Farquarson. "On this new one there’s loads of guitar stuff, which is cool because I play guitar, so it felt like a bit of a promotion. I get to stand on things and do solos at gigs which is all I ever really wanted to do." Despite the introduction of lead guitar, Bastille are conscious of not going too far in one direction; instead working to create a sound that mixes many different genres. "We didn’t want to suddenly sound like a guitar band, so we started to more electro, R&B and hip hop influences coming through. I think there will be quite a broad mix of musical styles," explains Farquarson. Any idea when it might be released? "We’re looking at the [European] summer, but these things can often take longer, so probably more like September. If it's not out by the end of the year we've done something horribly wrong, so hopefully it will come out!" We’ll keep our fingers crossed for. Mixtapes, Ryan Gosling and Side Projects Keep Things Fresh While recording original Bastille material, the band also brewed up a cheeky couple of mixtapes: Other People's Heartache and Other People's Heartache, Pt. 2. They've just released VS. (Other People's Heartache, Pt. III), but before you can accuse these lads of procrastinating the real album game, Farquarson is quick to point out that the mixtapes are not so much a distraction but more of a creative side project. "It gives us a chance to move away from the Bastille sound and the restrictions of having the band identity. It’s a Bastille project but it’s a collaborative thing. It’s not distracting but it’s a nice break." Another creative side project that they recently took part in was a rescoring of the Ryan Gosling-tastic film Drive, orchestrated by BBC Radio 1 DJ, Zane Lowe. "It was really nice to be asked to do that. It was quite interesting because we've not really set music to a film before, and it's quite different to just writing a song, says Farquarson. "We were in the studio and had the Drive scene playing, and we were trying to get a bit of a mood going. Working within the confines of a preexisting visual was an interesting challenge." Other prominent musicians also featured in the rescoring include Foals, Banks, SBTRKT, Jon Hopkins and CHVRCHES. They Enjoy Sporadically Battling Their Friends VS. (Other People's Heartache, Pt. III) will feature much collaboration and head-to-heads with Bastille's buds. "We don’t have any collaborations on Bad Blood or the second album," says Farquarson, explaining the mixtape offered up a great chance to explore new territory and test the waters of other genres. When Farquarson was asked who he particularly enjoyed working with, it was pretty clear he had difficulty choosing a favourite. "I personally was quite excited to work with Skunk Anansie because I'm from a generation that listened to that sort of music. Haim were wicked, we love them a lot. Angel Haze is a crazy rapper chick, and there's also Rag N Bone Man (who's also on the song with Skunk Anansie), who’s going to blow up really big and is a friend of ours. It's nice to get all your friends down." Previous mixtapes have included songs such as 'Of The Night' (a mash up of Corona's 'Rhythm Of The Night' and Snap!'s 'Rhythm Is A Dancer') as well as covers such as City High's ‘What Would You Do?' and reinterpretations ('No Angels' is TLC versus The xx). Interestingly, these songs are not exactly amongst the band's all time favourite tunes. "The idea behind them was to do songs that were not necessarily songs we particularly loved, but were just in our consciousness a lot," says Farquarson. "It's also kind of funny to choose songs that perhaps you wouldn't expect us to cover. Instead of picking a similar genre, we pick something completely different." They've Played Some Pretty Weird (and Somewhat Ancient) Venues Being in an internationally acclaimed indie band, you're bound to perform in some pretty whimsically novelty locations. Around the time their colossal single 'Pompeii' was released, the British Museum were curating an exhibition called Life and Death: Pompeii and Herculaneum. "I made a joke that we should play there because of the collection, and then they actually phoned us up, which was a bit strange, and we got the curator of the exhibition to give us a private viewing of it two days before it opened, which was amazing," says Farquarson. Bastille performed their hit single for the opening of the exhibition in front of an audience of press and leading archaeological figures. "We got to play our song 'Pompeii', we stood in a reconstruction of one of the rooms from the town of Pompeii which was slightly surreal." Funnily enough, the boys were asked to play at a French museum just a short while later. "For a bit it started to become a thing that we were the band that played in museums," chuckles Farquarson. They've Got a Soft Spot for Dangerous Creatures International touring this year saw Bastille performing to massive crowds over the Northern Hemisphere summer, including Glastonbury and huge shows in South Africa. Despite doing three 15,000 capacity shows in South Africa earlier this year, the highlight for Farquarson was going on safari. "We all got to meet baby lions. Holding a baby lion is the highlight of my life,” Farquarson enthuses. When they arrive in Australia for Field Day they also have similar animal adventures in mind. "I want to go shark diving. We went skydiving last time we were in Australia, and it seems like the most Australian thing we can do. Either that or have a barbecue,” he says. Sadly their New Year's resolutions don't include any more baby animal holding. "My New Year's resolution last year was to have more fun and drink more, maybe I should take that one back. I don't really go for New Year's resolutions, but I hope to release the second album, so maybe that can be it. Bastille are playing Sydney's Field Day in the Domain on January 1. More info right this way.
Whether you're on a date, catching up with your friends, or just looking for a way to kill a few hours on a gloomy Tuesday night, there are few modern indulgences that beat settling into a dark cinema and letting your worries escape you as you slip into another world. Spies, superheroes, lovers, musicians, presidents, dictators, robbers and cops: you'll encounter them all as the lights go down and the projector begins to whir. There's plenty afoot a the pictures this month, so we're here to give you a little bit of help with choosing tonight's movie. See you at the candy bar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWbk3-gEBRU GOLDSTONE Australian cinema has a new hero — or heroes, to be exact. In case 2013's neo-western crime thriller Mystery Road didn't make that apparent, Goldstone shouts it across the outback. On screen, Indigenous police detective Jay Swan (Aaron Pedersen) stalks through another remote desert town searching for the truth. Behind the camera, writer-director Ivan Sen guides another insightful examination of race, prejudice, inequality and exploitation inextricably linked to the Australian landscape. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j2IBHNUl5I LIGHTS OUT If all a horror movie needed was a killer concept, then Lights Out would sit at the top of the spooky cinematic heap. At its core is an idea that's equally obvious, ingenious and universal: the unsettling feeling that springs in children and adults alike when a flick of a switch plunges a room into darkness. In fact, when Swedish filmmaker David F. Sandberg first toyed with the notion in his two-and-a-half-minute short film of the same name, it became a viral sensation, catching the eye of horror producer James Wan in the process. Three years later, Sandberg has fleshed out the attention-grabbing effort into his feature film debut. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAoEoWrOe8g MAGGIE'S PLAN In Frances Ha, Greta Gerwig became the on-screen embodiment of a predicament most twenty-somethings can relate to: knowing what you don't want out of life, rather than what you do. In Mistress America, she offered a different side of failing to achieve your dreams, this time from a slightly older perspective. Now, in Maggie's Plan, she grapples with the fact that you can't control everything, no matter how hard you try. Consider it the next phase in her ongoing examination of the idiosyncrasies of quarter-life malaise. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJyR3Atf5q8 SING STREET Who amongst us hasn't used music to process their thoughts and feelings? The right song can convey things that words alone cannot, as writer-director John Carney understands. In his films, moving ballads and catchy melodies intertwine with life and love, providing a killer soundtrack to memorable moments and an effective method of expressing emotions. When his characters pen lyrics, strum instruments and grab the mic, they're not just creating tunes and chasing dreams — they're helping make sense of everything around them. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRVD32rnzOw STAR TREK BEYOND Space, the final frontier. An infinite continuum capable of sapping morale and robbing voyaging crews of both purpose and progress since, by its very definition, there can never be an end in sight. Such is the existential crisis facing Captain James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) at the beginning of this third instalment in the revised Star Trek franchise – a notably low-key opening compared to its bombastic predecessors. Read our full review.
Forget space travel, the internet and the mapping of the human genome. Our greatest technological achievements pale in comparison to the one unveiled by Dominos (yes, that Dominos) in Brisbane last night. Developed by the pizza chain in partnership with technology startup Marathon Robotics, the Dominos Robotic Unit, or DRU, is a fully functioning autonomous vehicle built for the sole purpose of delivering pizza. The future is here. Designed to travel along footpaths, DRU weighs 190kg, can reach speeds of up to 20km per hour, and navigates unassisted using GPS. It is also capable of navigating around obstacles, ensuring your food arrives unscathed. Once DRU rolls up outside your house, you simple enter a unique mobile code and the heated storage compartment opens right up to reveal the sweet, sweet pizza within. Sadly, Dominos expects it'll be at least another two years until DRUs are ready to begin regular service, as there are still various technological and regulatory hurdles to overcome. Turns out the government is a little tetchy when it comes to unsupervised robots roaming the streets... which is probably fair enough. Dominos also acknowledges that there could be problems with vandalism and theft. DRU is worth around $30,000, making it a prime target for unscrupulous robot-nappers. Of course, that pales in comparison to the real danger that no one seems to want to talk about. We've seen enough dystopian science fiction films to know the beginnings of a robot uprising when we see one. Pretty sure Skynet started out as a pizza delivery system, too. Just sayin... [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqzLoXjFT34[/embed] Via Lifehacker. Image: Marathon Robotics.
Just when you thought ordering pizza couldn’t possibly require any less effort, the brilliant bastards at Domino's Pizza have gone and changed the game. Starting May 20, the US pizza chain will roll out a tweet-to-order system, removing the hassle of having to dial a phone or download a mobile app once and for all. No, this isn't a joke. Under the new system, regular customers will be able to tweet Pizza emojis at the @Dominos account, after which they can just sit back, relax and wait for their family-size BBQ meat lovers with extra cheese and hot dog-stuffed crusts to arrive. No word on whether they’ve yet developed a system that prevents you from having to get off the couch to answer the door, but surely that can’t be far away. We’re still waiting on exact details of how this emoji-based ordering system will work, or how Domino’s knows where to actually send it once it’s been made. Giving out your address via Twitter doesn’t seem like the greatest idea; although maybe that’s just the price you pay for not wanting to talk to a fellow human being. Not to mention, y'know, ordering pizza from Domino's in the first place. Domino's haven't announced plans to expand the system beyond the United States, which means for the time being we're stuck using the call function on our telephones like a bunch of neanderthals. Via Gizmodo.
Ōtautahi Christchurch is a nature lover's dream. As soon as you arrive you'll notice the crisp air, and you'll soon find out that you're surrounded by scenes of otherworldly, serene natural beauty that changes with the seasons but is ever-present. From some of the world's darkest winter skies without a hint of light pollution to the deserted beaches of the Akaroa Peninsula, you will no doubt find something that will take your breath away. Lean into the naturally cooler climate of Christchurch and visit during winter to experience the full extent of the region's charms. Venture just outside of the Christchurch city centre and it's almost as if you're in another world. Drive for ten minutes in almost any direction and you'll discover something unexpected. Adventurous souls and nature lovers will relish the chance to get in touch with the great outdoors — perhaps by peeling off the layers and relaxing in a natural hot pool or barrelling through the hills on a mountain bike. It was incredibly hard to choose, but here are our favourite cool weather experiences to take on when you're in Christchurch. [caption id="attachment_986567" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Miles Holden[/caption] Look Up at One of the World's Darkest Skies Mackenzie is home to one of the only International Dark Sky Reserves (IDSR) in the world — land which usually surrounds a park or observatory and is home to exceptional views of starry nights. The darkness of the sky in this region of New Zealand is almost unbeatable, and it's the perfect place for a bit of stargazing. At Big Sky Stargazing you'll sit down for an astronomy lesson at the planetarium and take a short drive to an outdoor stargazing area where you'll use telescopes, astronomy binoculars and your own eyes to look up at constellations and enjoy spectacular, peaceful views. Soak in Hanmer Springs' Geothermal Pools When the air has a crisp bite to it and you wouldn't want to be caught outside without being bundled up, that's how you know it's the perfect weather for getting into your swimwear and making a beeline for a hot spring. Don't settle for any run-of-the-mill hot spring either. Located just outside of Christchurch is the alpine village of Hanmer Springs, where 22 natural thermal pools sit surrounded by dramatic snow-capped mountains. If the prospect of a soothing soak isn't sufficiently appealing, there are also spa treatments and massages to really kick your relaxation up a notch. [caption id="attachment_986614" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Miles Holden[/caption] Wander Christchurch's Natural Landscape Lush rolling hills are surrounded by a crystal blue expanse of water on the edges of Christchurch. If you venture slightly out from the town centre, you can explore deserted beaches and dramatic landscapes that have to be seen to be believed. In the small town of Akaroa on the water's edge, you'll find a beautiful cluster of old English-style buildings. Whether you're after a short stroll or a day-long hike, the idyllic beaches, rough bush and winding tracks of this quiet little area will keep you more than occupied. If you need more convincing, take another look at the above photo. Paddle Through Pohatu in a Kayak Head to Akaroa and jump into a 4WD for a spectacular scenic safari that stuns year-round. Travel for just over an hour through the highest passes of the Banks Peninsula with Pohatu Adventures until you reach Pohatu Marine Reserve. When you arrive you'll discover the Christchurch region's most abundant wildlife ecosystem up close via kayak. Get ready to paddle alongside blue penguins, seals and Hector's dolphins. Depending on the timing of your trip, you might even catch a glimpse of the circle of life of the region's wildlife. As temperatures dip, you'll see penguins at their most social as they build homes, find mates and head out and about. If the water is calm, get ready to lose your breath — not because of the brisk air but because of the scenery — as you paddle out to Flea Bay Island where you'll discover a mass of land characterised by desolate beaches, sheer sea cliffs and mysterious caves. Find your very own Aotearoa New Zealand here.
Huge news for Australia's bar and restaurant scene, Keystone Hospitality Group has been place in receivership. The sprawling empire behind Australia's Jamie's Italian restaurants, Sydney's The Winery, Gazebo, Manly Wine, Cargo Bar, Bungalow 8, alongside multi-city venues Kingsley's and Chophouse, will sell their collection of venues after being unable to settle on their financial structure with lenders, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. Keystone's venues, including 17 bars, pubs and restaurants across the country and six Jamie's Italian joints, could be sold as a whole package or individually. Cargo Bar, Keystone's very first venue opened in 2000, has been up for sale since March, but now the likes of Kingsley's, Manly Wine, Sugarmill Hotel and Sweethearts Rooftop and The Rook and the rest of the portfolio will go on the market — and SMH puts the value at more than $100 million. Keystone also has over 1000 employees nationally, according to news.com.au, who'll be sitting tight until more details come through. So, what about that elephant in the room? Lockouts. Have NSW's controversial lockout laws had anything to do with this? We don't have solid data on Keystone's venues and their takings pre- and post-lockouts, but many of their venues like Cargo Bar, The Winery, The Sugarmill, Sweethearts Rooftop, Gazebo and Bungalow 8 all sit within the lockout zone in Sydney. And in a statement published on news.com.au, Keystone executive Richard Facioni and managing director John Duncan included the lockout laws in a host of pressures on their businesses. "Two years ago the Keystone Hospitality Group undertook a major expansion program, including acquisitions, to become a significantly larger, national group," they said. "However, the debt raised to undertake its expansion, combined with changes to the local market, including lockout laws, have placed significant financial strain on the business." It'll be business as usual for the Keystone venues until the receivers assess each business's assets, takings and brand for the sale. Receiver Morgan Kelly told SMH they expected selling the portfolio to be easy peasy. "Given the current buoyant hospitality market, we anticipate a lot of interest in the sale of the venues," he said. Via SMH and news.com.au. Image: Cargo Bar/Keystone.
Your Christmas lunch will soon be soundtracked by Bill Murray. We squealed about it back in October 2014 — Hollywood's quirkiest legend has teamed up with Sofia Coppola for a festive TV special involving him singing a variety of Christmas carols and decking the halls with one heck of a cast. Murray and Coppola's new project will be undoubtedly somewhat different to their last collaboration, Lost in Translation. The synopsis? The trailer came with a little peek: "This winter, Bill Murray brings an extra-special dose of holiday cheer to Netflix with the premiere of an all-star musically-driven holiday special, A Very Murray Christmas. Set inside New York City’s iconic Carlyle hotel, A Very Murray Christmas opens with Murray preparing to host a live, international holiday broadcast. After a blizzard shuts down the production, he makes the best of the situation by singing and celebrating with friends, hotel employees and anyone else who drops by." Dropped this morning, the trailer's a pretty quick look at a pretty damn big cast. Set to Murray's 'Let It Snow' duet with Miley Cyrus, the trailer revealed one heck of a lineup: Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, George Clooney, Michael Cera, Jason Schwartzman, Maya Rudolph, Chris Rock and Paul Shaffer. Watch it here and try not to squeal: 'A Very Murray Christmas' is coming to Netflix on December 4. By Meg Watson and Shannon Connellan.
Virtual reality may finally be about to hit the mainstream, with Sony announcing that PlayStation VR will be on the market by the end of the year. Compatible with the PS4, the long-awaited virtual reality headset will go on sale in October, and is now available for preorder from the PlayStation website for the surprisingly accessible price of AUD $549.95. Expensive gimmick or the future of gaming? Suppose we'll have to wait and see. The company made the announcement at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco this morning. According to Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Andrew House, more than 230 developers are working on VR games, including a VR version of Star Wars: Battlefront. House expects there will be more than 50 games available by the end of the year, many of which will incorporate both the VR headset and a TV screen, allowing for multiplayer experiences that don't require multiple headsets. While there are still some doubts about the mass marketability of VR technology, Sony's announcement undoubtedly marks a significant step forward — not least because of its relative affordability. When accounting for shipping, both the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift — which both require a high-powered desktop computer to operate — are expected to cost more than double that of the PlayStation headset. Although, as the guys at Lifehacker have predicted, to use PlayStation VR to its full capabilities you'll probably need to purchase a PlayStation Camera and a Move controller or two, which will bring the price closer to $700. Those after a bargain basement alternative can always go with Google Cardboard, but we suspect that won't be compatible with your PS4. Via Wired.
Žalec, Slovenia just jumped right to the top of the list of our must-visit holiday destinations. Located roughly an hour outside of the capital of Ljubljana, the small town of just under 5000 people is known for its natural wonders including an underground waterfall, and historical sites such as an ancient Roman necropolis. And yet we kind of suspect these attractions will be somewhat overshadowed by the local government's latest plans to bring tourists to the area: Europe's first ever public beer fountain. The €340,000 fountain, which currently has no set completion date, will reportedly spout a variety of Slovenian beers. For six euros, visitors will be able to try three 300mL samples, served in a commemorative mug. The project was apparently inspired by a drinkable mineral water fountain in the nearby town of Rogaska Slatina (whose own local government members must be kicking themselves for not having thought of this clear improvement first). The fountain did face some opposition from people who thought that taxpayer money could be put to better use. Thankfully, common sense prevailed, and a motion to cancel the project was defeated in a two-to-one vote last week. Democracy wins again! Via Fox News. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Spotify had best watch its back, because there's a brand new music streaming service in town. Launching this week, BitTorrent Now is an Android and soon to be iOS and Apple TV app that lets users stream ad-supported music and video, with a special focus on curated content that might otherwise fly under the radar. While BitTorrent is probably best known as a way of sneakily pirating TV shows, the company has actually been helping artists distribute their work for years. Since launching their BitTorrent Bundle service in 2013, they've worked with Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, comedian David Cross and countless other lesser-known filmmakers, musicians and miscellaneous creatives. Artists who make their work available via BitTorrent Now can choose whether or not they wish to participate in the ad program. If they opt not to, they can instead make their work available for purchase, or upload it for free without any ads whatsoever. According to the company, artists will receive 70 percent of revenue generated by ads on their videos, and 90 percent of revenue if they chose to place their content behind a paywall. BitTorrent will also make a concerted effort to curate content on the app, in order to help artists find an audience and vice versa. The app includes trending and new release sections, and allows users to build a list of favourites. Nothing too revolutionary — perhaps the most interesting thing about it is the focus on smaller artists, who'll hopefully be able to use the platform to make a name for themselves. No word yet on if/when BitTorrent Now will be available in Australia. Via Engadget.
In 1978 Robert Redford helped oversee the first Sundance Film Festival, an event originally designed to attract the cinema world to Utah. Four decades later, and that aim has well and truly been achieved. Come the end of January each year, the who's who of filmmaking rush to Park City for a feast of film surrounded by wintry snow. And, with good reason. Over the decades, Sundance has helped launch everything from Reservoir Dogs, The Blair Witch Project and Donnie Darko to Boyhood, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Manchester by the Sea. In 2017, two movies that we were excited about after their Park City debuts — Call Me By Your Name and The Big Sick — ended up on Concrete Playground's best movies of the year list. So did Get Out, which premiered at Sundance as a secret screening, wowed viewers around the globe afterwards and recently picked up four Oscar nominations. In short, the fest's lineup usually offers a reliable roster of the flicks to look out for in the months afterwards. With 110 feature-length films on Sundance's 2018 program, as selected from 29 countries, including 47 first-time filmmakers and culled from 3901 full-length submissions, there's plenty to tempt cinephiles on this year's bill. One of them, the amusing National Lampoon insider effort A Stupid and Futile Gesture, is already screening on Netflix if you're keen to jump right in. Another, Australia's own stellar Indigenous western Sweet Country, just opened in local cinemas. As for the rest, here's our picks of the flicks we're hoping to see on our shores soon. SORRY TO BOTHER YOU Earning more than a few comparisons to Get Out thanks to its smart social satire, Sorry to Bother You marks the directorial debut of The Coup frontman Boots Riley. A workplace comedy set in the world of telemarketing, it's the tale of a black salesman (Lakeith Stanfield) who suddenly discovers magical selling abilities. As his career takes a turn for the better, his artist girlfriend (Tessa Thompson) has some concerns. Acclaimed for its distinctive voice, its no-holds-barred humour and its provocative absurdity, it's one of the most talked-about flicks of the fest, and also features Call Me By Your Name's Armie Hammer in a memorable supporting role. Also watch out for: Blindspotting, the hip hop-style comedy co-written by and starring Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs, who play two Oakland pals trying to get their lives on the straight and narrow. DAMSEL Two of cinema's best current trends combine in Damsel — everybody's making westerns, and Robert Pattinson is making, well, everything. Trust the folks behind Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter to bring them both together; if brothers David and Nathan Zellner can turn a Fargo-inspired urban legend into a thoughtful and intriguing film, then they can remake the Old West in their own comedic way, and take Pattinson along for the ride. The former Twilight star-turned-indie darling features opposite Aussie actress Mia Wasikowska, veteran Robert Forster, and the writing, directing and producing Zellners themselves. Also watch out for: The latest effort from Aussie filmmaker Claire McCarthy, Ophelia takes on Hamlet in a fresh, female-focused way, with Daisy Ridley, Naomi Watts, Clive Owen, George MacKay and Tom Felton among the cast. THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST You have to admire Desiree Akhavan's Sundance record. The writer/director's second feature marked her second stint at the festival, and it picked up the US Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic for its troubles. Starring Chloë Grace Moretz, American Honey's Sasha Lane and The Revenant's Forrest Goodluck, and adapted from the novel of the same name, The Miseducation of Cameron Post follows a high schooler sent to a gay conversion centre. She might be stuck in a place of oppression and repression, but a sense of community springs among her fellow attendees. Four years ago, Akhavan's Appropriate Behavior proved astute, insightful and amusing, so expect good things. Also watch out for: Bisbee '17, the latest documentary from Kate Plays Christine's Robert Greene, this time exploring a different historical chapter: the Bisbee Deportation of 1917, where 1200 striking miners were taken from their home, banished from the town and left to die. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbiakAVaXgU TULLY After completely hitting it out of the park on their first collaboration, Young Adult director Jason Reitman, writer Diablo Cody and star Charlize Theron join forces again with Tully. Where their last effort was steeped in arrested development — the state of not quite growing up, not the TV comedy Theron once appeared on — this time around they're wading into the womb of motherhood. When Theron's stressed mother-of-three Marlo welcomes the titular night nanny (Mackenzie Davis) into her life, a bond blooms, as does an empathetic dark comedy anchored by two of today's best actresses. Your usual mum-focused movie, this is not Also watch out for: Laura Dern stars in The Tale, writer/director Jennifer Fox's handling of the tough topic of sexual abuse, following a journalist and professor forced to delve back into her childhood relationship with two adult coaches. KUSAMA - INFINITY Yayoi Kusama is everywhere. The Japanese artist's work is splashed across the walls of Australian galleries, she now has her own Tokyo museum, and she also features in a documentary at Sundance. Kusama - Infinity seems an apt title for many reasons, not only due to Kusama's famed mirrored 'infinity rooms', but also because the singular creative's adaptability, innovation and influence seems like it will go on forever. Understandably, writer, director and producer Heather Lenz spent years charting the course of Kusama's seven-decade career beyond the dots and pumpkins. Whether you're a fan or a newcomer, you're in for an informative ode to an artist like no other. Also watch out for: U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Filmmaking winner Mind the Gap, the personal documentary not only made by Bing Liu, but interweaving his return to Rockford, Illinois to reconnect with his childhood skateboarding buddies with archival footage of their younger heyday. LEAVE NO TRACE It's been eight years since filmmaker Debra Granik made one of the first great films of this decade, won Sundance's Grand Jury Prize and unearthed a star in the process. In Winter's Bone, the movie-watching world was gifted a tense family drama, as well as a career-making performance from Jennifer Lawrence — and Granik might've just done it again with Leave No Trace. Ben Foster features opposite acclaimed newcomer Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie, playing a father and daughter living off the grid until their cover is blown. If you're thinking that it has been too long between fictional films for the exceptional writer/director, then you're right. Also watch out for: In Shirkers, Sandi Tan hunts down her own film — one she penned in the '90s, was shot on 16mm, but disappeared along with her mentor, friend and director Georges Cardona. THE GUILTY Winner of the audience award in Sundance's World Cinema Dramatic section, The Guilty is the latest Nordic noir effort exciting cinema-goers. And, following in the footsteps of Alfred Hitchcock, recent films such as Buried, Locke and more, it's the latest single-setting flick as well. From first-time Swedish helmer Gustav Möller, the movie finds its story in the police emergency dispatch department, as a cop takes a call from a kidnapped women. Starring Jakob Cedergren (The Killing, Those Who Kill), it's a claustrophobic ticking-clock thriller that has already started buzz about an inevitable English-language remake. Also watch out for: Idris Elba steps behind the camera with Yardie, a gangster effort that's also a tense coming-of-age film, as split between Kingston and London in the '80s. SEARCH Another favourite with the Sundance crowd, this time winning the audience award in the festival's Next section, Search gives viewers what we've always wanted: a decent online-focused thriller, and a showcase starring role for John Cho. Sure, other films have unfurled their content via on-screen computer screens, but this debut effort from 25-year-old writer/director Aneesh Chaganty has been pegged as a potentially huge hit — and it's likely a case of when, rather than if, it'll make it to Aussie cinemas. Cho plays a father worried about his teenage daughter when she doesn't come home one night, and doing what everyone would do in that situation these days, aka taking to his computer and phone to look for answers. With that in mind, Search also won Sundance's Alfred P. Sloan Prize, which is awarded each year to a film focusing on science or technology. Also watch out for: Pity, directed by Greek filmmaker Babis Makridis, and co-written with Dogtooth and The Lobster's Efthimis Filippou, about a man who proves happy when his wife falls into a coma. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6wWKNij_1M HEREDITARY If it already sounds like this year's Sundance lineup has been doing what the festival always does best — that is, uncovering ace new talent — then Hereditary isn't going to change that perception. The first film from writer/director Ari Aster has been earning rave reviews for its take on haunting, grief-fuelled, despair-ridden horror, particularly in regards to its emotional depth and fleshed-out performances. Given the feature boasts an applauded turn by Australia's own Toni Collette, the latter is understandable. As for the story itself, it centres on a family's reaction after the death of their grandmother. Also watch out for: Nicolas Cage is back in the vengeance-driven Mandy, which sees Beyond the Black Rainbow director Panos Cosmatos dive head first into the pulpy genre realm. LIZZIE The story of Lizzie Borden has fascinated the masses for more than a century. Being accused and tried for the murder of your father and stepmother, but ultimately acquitted in a case that was never solved — well, that'll do it. Ballets, songs, operas, plays, novels, musicals, TV shows and films have all examined her story, with Lizzie the latest. Set in 1892 and starring Chloë Sevigny, it focuses on Borden's bond with her live-in maid, played by Kristen Stewart, while working towards the scandal that's now a matter of history. And if that doesn't intrigue you enough, it's billed as a psychological thriller, as well as a film that champions feminism and sexuality. Also watch out for: Four-time Independent Spirit Award-nominee The Rider, about a rodeo star yearning for the ring after suffering a head injury, from Chinese writer, director and producer Chloé Zhao. Images: courtesy Sundance Film Festival.
Born back in 2008, when Melbourne was just discovering its burgeoning coffee scene, Padre Coffee now has four locations across Australia including two in Melbourne, one in Sydney and another in Noosa. It's the Brunswick store that started it all, though, and to this day it retains the excitement and heady atmosphere of those early days of coffee explorations. The interior is fresh, light and airy with plenty of indoor plants offering up a welcome splash of green here and there. The vibe is bustling in, as its reputation stretches far and wide, and sitting back watching the coffee roasters and baristas work their magic is a big part of the charm. In terms of the coffee, there is a lot to choose from at Padre, with blends including its Golden Rule Espresso Blend with beans from Guatemala and Papua New Guinea and flavours of plum, dark chocolate, peach, macadamia, apricot and maple syrup. Another blend worth discovering is its Daddy's Girl espresso blend from Columbia and Brazil with notes of mellow caramel and sweet milk chocolate. If filtered coffee is more our thing there is a wide range here including the Hey Buddy blend with origins in Brazil and Ethiopia and hints of berries, apricot, caramel and hazelnut in the cup, as well as Gachatha AB Single Origin from Kenya, with intricate acidity and flavours of lemon, blueberry, brown sugar and blackberry. Padre Coffee also has a weekly Espresso 101 course, which runs for three hours and teaches you an understanding of espresso recipes, as well as a working familiarity with the equipment involved in making the perfect espresso. By the end of the day, you'll have expanded your knowledge of coffee and gained the skills to make it at home. Its website is also a handy resource for all things coffee, with special attention given to the sustainability and ethical side of the industry. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Coffee in Melbourne
Whenever Vivid takes over Sydney to kick off winter, the city instantly gets brighter. Unleashing a huge festival of lights and vibrant installations, live music, food and talks will do that, of course. Mark Friday, May 26–Saturday, June 17 in your calendars for 2023, with the annual festival returning with a typically massive program. One headlining event is an appearance from Mike White, creator and writer of HBO's The White Lotus alongside the hit show's star and entertainment icon Jennifer Coolidge. The duo is coming to the Harbour City's Aware Super Theatre at the ICC Sydney for an exclusive in-conversation session moderated by Benjamin Law as a part of Vivid Ideas. Lights-wise, more than 50 installations will be bringing bursts of colour to the Harbour City, with public installations, 3D projections and ticketed events all part of the lineup. The Vivid Light Walk is back with free public works inspired by nature popping up from over 100 light collaborators and 26 international light artists from 13 countries. First Light will also return, celebrating Australia's original custodians and opening the festival with a performance from Yolngu supergroup Yothu Yindi. Other notable installations include Written in the Stars, which will see over 1000 drones light up the night sky and a huge Tumbalong Park activation called Dance Together, which will have you shaking your hips underneath three giant floating rings suspended above your head. Plus, the previously announced Lightscape will also be a part of the program. The after-dark light festival will be taking over the Royal Botanic Garden from 5.30pm each night. 2023 marks the first time the festival has introduced Vivid Food, a dedicated lineup of culinary events, to the program. The next-level eats are headlined by a two-week residency from New York chef Daniel Humm f the three Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park at Matt Moran's Aria. There will also be a range of collaborations as part of the Vivid Chef Series, a dedicated barbecue pop-up featuring Firedoor's Lennox Hastie, Chefs on the Harbour, a view-heavy overwater dinner on the luxury superyacht The Jackson with Nel's Nelly Robinson, plus popular chefs Khanh Ong and Mark Olive, and Mary's Group's one-day HERE NOW food, wine and music festival. Music is always a huge component of the festival, and this year's lineup does not disappoint. The Sydney Opera House has rolled out a predictably showstopping and diverse mix of artists, starting with Devonté Hynes (also known as Blood Orange) performing selected classical works with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. The bill also features José González celebrating the 20th anniversary of his album Veneer, Cat Power recreating and reinterpreting a 1966 performance by Bob Dylan, and appearances from the likes of Thundercat, Yaeji, Ella Mai, Weyes Blood, Hiatus Kaiyote, Ethel Cain, Sleaford Mods, Squarepusher, Iceage, Kimbra and Budjerah. Outside of the Sydney Opera House, Vivid's music lineup will include A Bend in the River: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Archie Roach at the Sydney Town hall with Paul Kelly, Emma Donovan, Dan Sultan, Kutcha Edwards and Becca Hatch among the friends, collaborators and contemporaries that will perform during the tribute. Tumbalong Park will again host 12 nights of free live music featuring Yothu Yindi, Hatchie, Kaiit, A.Girl, Ziggy Ramo, Cornelius and a celebration of 15 years of triple j's Unearthed High competition. And, Carriageworks has curated a genre-spanning lineup with the like soft Desire Marea, Flying Lotus, Molchat Doma, Liv.e, Floodlights and Soft Centre. [caption id="attachment_892843" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption]
Aussie craft beer lovers might be feeling it in their livers this week. They've just gone through two weeks of craft beer glory around the country, starting with from Melbourne's Good Beer Week and the Australian International Beer Awards and culminating in the Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular, the epic two-day beer festival held in both Melbourne and Sydney. A record number of 27,600 people attended the events, which showcased over 400 types of local craft beers and ciders. That's a lot of tasting notes. And since it all started to get a bit hazy by the end, we've put together a list of the best, weirdest and most controversial new Australian beers we discovered at GABS 2016. Let's just hope these make it to market. THE BEST BACCHUS BREWING CO. (QLD) Festival beer: Peanut Brittle Gose The Queensland brewery was a clear favourite of the festival, taking home the GABS People's Choice Award for Best Festival Beer in both Melbourne and Sydney. The Gose style originated in 14th century Germany, but their version is not sour and salty like the classic — it packs a peanut butter and caramel toffee punch. This creative and delicious combo made for a true standout. WAYWARD BREWING CO. (NSW) Festival beer: Funky Pineapple Hand Grenade Brett IPA Fans were calling this drop the second best beer of GABS — and for good reason. The beer bursts with tropical pineapple, mango, peach and citrus, making it a great homage to the warmer weather. This is not to say it's a simple one to make, though. Fermenting with 100 percent funky Brettanomyces yeast, the beer has a distinct flavour which is balanced by a silky finish. HOP NATION BREWING CO. (VIC) Festival beer: The Kalash Russian imperial stout Despite the brewery's name, Hop Nation didn't win us over with a hoppy beer this year. Instead, they went the Russian imperial route, and The Kalash is just so damn good. Aged in oak puncheons for five months, the beer has bitter chocolate, coffee and toffee notes that are perfect for this winter chill. The smooth, roasted finish might fool your tastebuds, but the 10 percent alcohol value catches up fast. AKASHA BREWING CO. (NSW) Festival beer: Iago's Revenge black IPA Since opening in Sydney last year, Akasha always seems to be on Australian craft beer watch lists. This dark brew is Akasha's hoppiest yet, while still holding to its roasted malt backbone. Rested on American oak and whisky barrels, the IPA gives off citrus, pine and resin aroma — and at a massive 9.8 percent, this complex beer will just as readily knock you on your ass as well as your nose. THE WEIRDEST COLONIAL BREWING COMPANY (WA) Festival beer: Project #21 - The Reuben Sandwich rye IPA A collaboration with fellow West Australians West Winds Gin, Colonial Brewing refers to this one as "an iconic sandwich in one hand, a martini in the other". It's a complex — and weird — concept for a beer. Brewed using gin botanicals, the beer is spicy, fruity and a bit tart. And while we didn't get much of the Reuben flavour off it, it sure did make us hungry for one. BATCH BREWING COMPANY (NSW) Festival beer: Marrickville Pork Roll Described as a "spice, herb or vegetable beer", Batch went all-out with the ingredients on this one — coriander, chilli, cucumbers and carrots all went into the brew, as did pork broth and a citrusy hop called Sorachi Ace. Fashioned after a bánh mí thit in Sydney's inner west, there's no denying the pork roll flavours. But, nonetheless, it's still a really tasty, well made beer. PRICKLY MOSES (VIC) Festival beer: Faulty Towers basil IPA Better known for their ace ciders, Prickly Moses gave patrons an unexpected dose of herb this year. There is no doubt that fresh basil went into the brew, as it hits you both on the nose and palate — a bi-product of it being used both in the mash and during fermentation. Hoppy, bold and herbal, this beer really works and is one of our favourite wackier brews. THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL 7 CENT BREWERY (VIC) Festival beer: Belly Button Beer If you're hoping this isn't what it sounds like, stop reading here. The beer was fermented using yeast found hiding out in the brewer's belly button — for how long we do not know (nor do we want to know). Belly Button Beer received global curiosity and disgust well before its appearance at GABS, and most couldn't help but give it a try. It's a weird one — the kind of funk orange zest and coriander seeds can not disguise. DOCTOR'S ORDERS BREWING (NSW) Festival beer: Mutagenic Cephalopod Gose The name alone means you simply must try this one, and the ingredients are a truly bizarre combination. Infused with seaweed, smoked mushroom salt, chipotle oil and — wait for it — squid ink, we're not sure how the brewers dreamt this one up. The beer is tart and also tinged green in colour — making it a seaweed green, squid ink beer. Despite the controversy, many still thoroughly enjoyed the brew and the novelty behind it. SHENANIGANS BREWING (NSW) Festival beer: Sabotage oatmeal stout Nothing polarises quite like a chilli beer — folks either love them or absolutely hate them. In Shenanigans' case, the divide was evenly split. While we personally loved it, a lot of patrons had a hard time with the chilli, either claiming it was way too spicy or that they couldn't taste it at all. Brewed with organic coconut sugar, cacao and coffee beans, and then aged on bourbon oak, the controversial chocolate jolokia ghost chilli was unforgivable to some and praised by others. HONOURABLE MENTIONS We have to give a big shout out to Bucket Boys and Stockade Brewing Co., whose beers absolutely killed it. We're expecting to see big things from both of these brewers in 2016. Want to know more? Check out the complete list of the Festival Beers
The team behind South Melbourne's Park Street Pasta & Wine have some serious street cred when it comes to crowd-pleasing Italian food. And they expanded that fan base even further when they opened the doors to their new restaurant Osteria Renata in 2022, just a quick hop east in the heart of Prahran. Co-owners Alex Ghaddab and Gus Cadden (Head Chef) have delivered High Street a warm, modern take on the classic osteria and named it in honour of Ghaddab's Polish-Ukrainian grandmother. There's a sense of generous hospitality throughout, with a comforting, yet imaginative food offering matched by inviting interiors sporting soft olive accents and natural timbers. An onsite pasta lab steers the menu's carb component, as Cadden embraces both the traditional and the innovative. A strong lineup of antipasti features the likes of crisp gnocco fritto paired with 36-month-aged Iberico jamon, freshly shucked oysters with amaro mignonette, and brussel's sprouts with gorgonzola, pecorino and lemon. Otway free-range pork belly with grilled witlof starts off the mains, and the market fish stars Cloudy Bay clams and prosciutto XO. And the limoncello syrup cake is as summery a dessert as it sounds. [caption id="attachment_859748" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] Euro-inspired signature sips rule the cocktail selection at Osteria Renata, and Italian vino is celebrated alongside drops from Australia, France and Spain. A handful of rotating wine taps also offer a taste of what's happening with Italian varietals in the local winemaking game. The aforementioned pasta lab isn't just be whipping up fresh pasta stocks for the Osteria Renata and Park Street kitchens, but will eventually play host to a program of pasta-making workshops. [caption id="attachment_859749" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thom Mitchell[/caption] Top Image: Parker Blain Appears in: Where to Find the Best pasta in Melbourne for 2023
Billionaire entrepreneur and possible mad scientist Elon Musk is one step closer to making his Futurama-style transportation system a reality. After first proposing the high-speed, compressed air-powered Hyperloop back in 2012, the Tesla, PayPal and Zip2 cofounder has just put down a lease on a warehouse in downtown Los Angeles, establishing the headquarters for Hyperloop Technologies Incorporated. Described by Musk as a "cross between a Concorde and a railgun and an air hockey table," the proposed Hyperloop system would consist of a long route of elevated vacuum-sealed steel tubes, through which pressurised capsules ride cushions of air at speeds of up to 1220km/h. Designed to transport both freight and brave human passengers, Musk’s first proposed route would run from LA to San Francisco, cutting the roughly six and a half-hour drive time to just 35 minutes. If you think that this idea sounds awesome, then you’re right — it's straight-up awesome. There are however still a few small details to work out. Despite Musk’s initial assertions that the project would cost a 'mere' US$6 billion to complete, several economists have put the price tag closer to ten times that, if not more. There’s also the possibility that people might be a little reluctant to seal themselves inside a windowless metal pod travelling at breakneck speeds through the desert — although if the proposed US$20 ticket price holds true, it may be a preferable alternative to flying. For those of you who geek out over science, Gizmag published a pretty comprehensive breakdown of Musk’s 2013 proposal over here. The next step in the system’s development will involve an 8km test track, with Musk identifying Texas as a possible location. Hyperloop Technologies CEO Dirk Ahlborn last year estimated that a commercially operable Hyperloop “can be built within the decade.” Via LA Times.
Not sure if you're aware of this, but we're actually in the middle of the Olympic Games. True story. Rio 2016 has been stirring affair so far, full of incredible wins, heartbreaking losses and one incredibly well-lubricated Tongan. https://twitter.com/Deadspin/status/761740659577544704 But in addition to the incredible sporting prowess on display, we're also seen the competitors rocking a whole bunch of wearable tech — on the field, during training and while hanging out around the Olympic village. Below, we've put together a list of our five favourite innovations, to help us all get in shape ahead of Tokyo 2020. SOLOS SMART EYEWEAR Google Glass may have proved a bit of a bust, but the US national cycling team made us of similar technology in the lead-up to this year's games. This lightweight pair of sunnies features a tiny display screen that allows cyclists to keep track of their speed, heart rate and the distance left in the race. They're not actually permitted in races as of yet, but the good news is that the public can preorder a pair of their own. Who knows, this could actually be the things that finally motivates you to leave the car in the garage and try cycling to work instead. INFRARED LIGHT THERAPY Utilised by U.S. athletes to help treat joint and muscle concerns, the LumiWave Infrared Light Therapy Device flat out sounds like something out of science fiction. Made up of eight small pods, each of which contains 200 infrared LEDs, the device can be placed or strapped on a part of the body in order to provide short-term pain relief. Insanity. The device has already been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and can be preordered online this very second. HALO SPORTS HEADPHONES Listening to music while working out is pretty common, but in future you might want to swap your iPhone buds for a pair of these. Created by Halo Neuroscience, these headphones send pulses of energy into the wearer's brain in order to stimulate motor neurons. The benefit? According to the designers, accelerated strength and increased skill acquisition. Yes, these headphones actually (supposedly) make you stronger, and Olympians from the US to Sierra Leone have been giving them a go. The headphones are already commercially available, although according to the Halo website they're currently out of stock. Netherlands beach volleyball women playing in full skins-type suits.Way more sun safe&comfy too I'd think. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/Nj3M7pYDYa — Bri (@briiilliant) August 10, 2016 UNDER ARMOUR SPACE AGE UNIFORMS Dudebros on the internet chucked a big old tizzy during the women's beach volleyball after the Dutch pair team walked out not in bikinis but in neck-to-ankle bodysuits. Turns out there was a very good reason behind this decision – aside from not wanting to be objectified by random dickheads, of course. The Dutch pair were two of more than 200 athletes at the games this year – in sports from rugby to gymnastics – to be outfitted by Under Armour, in uniforms that use NASA spacesuit technology that help keep body temperature in check. VISA PAYMENT RING While not everyone gets to go home with a medal, at least 300 athletes were sporting sweet new rings. As part of their continued push into wearable payment technology, VISA designed prototype payment rings, which could be used to make purchases on any NFC-enabled payment terminal with the flick of the wrist (or fist bump). VISA also produced payment wristbands and watches, but only the rings let you run around like you're a member of the Planeteers, which is obviously half the fun.
Lighthouses have been the guiding beacon of lonely seas for centuries. Although nowadays we are blessed with GPS technology and automated glowing lights, these romantic towers guided fisherman, shabby sailors and new migrants safely to the rocky shores around Melbourne, a city that was then only just finding its feet. Visiting and climbing the steep spiralling staircases of these historical lighthouses is a romantic and windy experience that is best combined with a picnic or some quality local fish and chips on the lookout or a nearby beach. Here are ten of the best to visit near Melbourne. Recommended reads: The Best Summer Day Trips From Melbourne The Best Coastal Walks Near Melbourne The Best Beaches in Melbourne The Snorkel Spots in and Around Melbourne [caption id="attachment_564228" align="alignnone" width="1280"] bryce.muchow via Flickr[/caption] Cape Otway Lightstation, Great Ocean Road Need a little bit of light in your life? How about a beacon of hope? Sending glowing rays out into the ocean off the Great Ocean Road, the Cape Otway Lightstation was the first thing migrants saw when arriving in Australia. The oldest lighthouse on the grizzly-looking cliffs on the mainland, the lighthouse is also a choice whale watching spot, conveniently located on the migration path of 20 types of whales. Koalas are also known to roam these parts. [caption id="attachment_564247" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Paul Carmona via Flickr[/caption] Queenscliff High Light, Bellarine Peninsula What's this? A black lighthouse? Yes, they exist — but only as a minority. The Queenscliff High Light is one of only three black lighthouses in the world. It stands together with the white Queenscliff Low Light to guide ships into the entrance of Port Phillip Bay. After having fish and chips in town, take a squiz at these majestic constructions at Fort Queenscliff. [caption id="attachment_564220" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Jorge Láscar via Flickr[/caption] Cape Liptrap Lighthouse, South Gippsland Navigating the turbulent washing machine on high-speed seas over the Bass Strait was made easier in the 1800s by this joyous octagonal structure. Close to Wilsons Prom and nestled between Waratah and Venus Bays, visiting Cape Liptrap Lighthouse also means you can take a stroll along the sandy beaches, swim in the ocean or stay for a few nights at one of the nice little bush camps. Eastern Lighthouse, Mornington Peninsula Behold the tallest lighthouse on mainland Victoria. This 34-metre steel tower of a beast with 120 spiral steps lives on the foreshore reserve at McRae, between Dromana and Rosebud. No longer operating (but forever in our hearts as one of the best of its time), the Eastern Lighthouse guided ships on the South Channel on the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay. These days, you can stay at the McCrae Lighthouse Retreat and take in its magnificence from your dwelling. Split Point Lighthouse, Great Ocean Road Have you ever, ever felt like this? Yes, finally, here is the lighthouse of our childhoods. Known to some as Spilt Point, but to many others as the 'White Queen', this popular tourist mecca in Aireys Inlet is the lighthouse from every '90s kid's favourite show, Round the Twist. Prior to its TV fame, the lighthouse prevented shipwrecks along the coast, where ten occurred. Now, it's great for 360-degree views of the Great Ocean Road area and offers tours for Round the Twist fans. [caption id="attachment_564235" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Jorge Láscar via Flickr[/caption] Lady Bay Lighthouses, Warrnambool These two red and white lighthouses, still in working order, sit side by side atop of the historic Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in Warrnambool. As well as directing ships, these twin lighthouses have overlooked the building of the Garrison and cannons — a response to the perceived threat of foreign forces to the British Empire in 1880. Although the cannons still work, these days, the lighthouses are more of a relaxing lookout spot for tourists. [caption id="attachment_564236" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Robyn Cox via Flickr[/caption] Cape Schanck Lightstation, Mornington Peninsula They say good things come to those who wait. And Cape Schanck knows that better than anyone — they waited a good long 18 years before this limestone baby was built. Praised by lighthouse enthusiasts as one of the best original lighthouses, it's a beaut history lesson and glimpse into the life of a keeper with the on-site museum. Look at old relics and abandon the wistful dream of light keeping — the poor sap had to rewind the lamp every hour on the hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. [caption id="attachment_564237" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Ian Cochrane via Flickr[/caption] Wilsons Promontory Lightstation, Wilsons Prom If you fancy strapping on all your food and camping gear for a steep stroll from Tidal River and heading into the native wilderness for 18 kilometres, you'll discover the most southerly (and most remote) lighthouse in Australia. The Wilsons Promontory Lightstation is a granite tower with three keeper's cottages (which can be booked for accommodation) close by. The spectacular view over the coastline is ideal for spotting seals. [caption id="attachment_564244" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Stevage via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Point Hicks Lighthouse, East Gippsland In 1770, Captain Cook wrote in his diary: "With the first daylight this morn the land was seen, it made in sloping hill covered in part with trees and bushes, but interspersed with large tracts of sand." He was writing of Point Hicks, which, located in the rugged beauty of Crajingolong National Park, is now known historically as Cook's first landfall in Australia. The Point Hicks Lighthouse marks the spot where the Endeavour came to shore. The surrounding land is untouched and unchanged, and looks as it did hundreds of years ago. Isolation and ancient beauty doesn't come easy though — it's over four hours drive to the national park from Melbourne and some bush bashing in your car may be involved. [caption id="attachment_564245" align="alignnone" width="1280"] trilia2013 via Flickr[/caption] Timeball Tower, Williamstown What exactly is a timeball? Is it a futuristic device created by our ancestors to predict the apocalypse? This doomsday-esque tower sits in the southwestern Melbourne pocket of Williamstown. Originally built for use as a lighthouse in 1849, the structure was later used as a timeball tower from 1861 to 1926, where the ball dropped every day at 1pm to allow shipmasters anchored offshore to correct their chronometers. What is a shipmaster? And what is a chronometer? It's all very mysterious. Top image: Cameron Murray for Visit Victoria.
Tickled is, to put it mildly, pretty bloody weird. Brilliant and fascinating, sure, but also bloody weird. Directed by New Zealand journalist David Farrier along with fellow first-time filmmaker Dylan Reeve, the documentary purports to be about a strange and some would say rather homoerotic subculture that the pair discovered after stumbling across an online ad — an ad offering to fly young, fit men out to Los Angeles where they would be tied down and tickled on camera. In truth, however, the tickling is merely the tip of the iceberg. Indeed, Farrier and Reeve had barely started their investigation when they began receiving threatening emails from Jane O'Brien Media, the company responsible for the ads. Before long, the filmmakers found themselves neck deep in a story of bullying, intimidation, sexual fetishes and a search for the truth — one that is still very much ongoing, despite the film being out in theatres as we speak. Prior to the documentary's release, we sat down with Farrier at the Melbourne International Film Festival, where we spoke about everything from his first run-in with Jane O'Brien media, to being sued for defamation, to the moment when the film's villain crashed a Q&A screening in LA. Like we said… bloody weird. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOBXuCYB4jQ WELL THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY "All I've done for the last ten years are these two minute whacky subculture stories, and I just thought this would be one of those," says Farrier, when we ask about the origins of the project. "But that response I got back was so strange. I just remember being so blown away by it. And it happened very quickly. Within the first week I was getting legal threats." The threats weren't just legal, but personal too, attacking Farrier for being gay and even going after Reeves' wife and children. "I got quite upset," admits Farrier. "It was really stressful. It's hard to get across how non-stop all those emails were. It was unrelenting." Of course, the irony is that, had the company not reacted so viciously, Farrier would have probably dropped the whole thing. "If they'd responded like normal humans, there would have been no documentary. Even if they'd just said, 'We're a bit busy,' I probably would have just moved on to something else," he says. The other tipping point was when the pair found upwards of 50 websites featuring videos of former tickling competitors, complete with their names and personal information. "It was just a really clear example of doxing, where you suddenly had people's cell phone numbers and addresses, and all their tickling videos, mixed in with a whole bunch of lies about them," says Farrier. "Once Dylan found those domain names, that [existed] purely to bully people, we thought that a film was what we could use to expose this." A QUESTION OF ETHICS One of the challenges of making Tickled was the fact that many of its subjects — the people who worked for O'Brien, if she even existed — didn't want to be filmed. "When you're making a film about people who don't want a film made about them, there's going to be ethical questions," says Farrier. "If someone says, 'We don't want to be on camera, we don't want to give you an interview,' then of course you have to [ask], 'Okay, is there no film? Or do you proceed on and record them anyway?" Watching the film, you get the distinct sense that Farrier wanted to give his subjects a taste of their own medicine — that after exploiting and publicly humiliating so many people, it was high time sometime turned the camera on them. Ultimately, Farrier stands by the decisions he and Reeve made, saying that they were conscious of "the bigger picture, of what we wanted to expose," adding that he feels "very comfortable about the direction we took things." When asked to speculate on the motivations of the person who (the film purports) sits at the centre of the conspiracy, Farrier smiles before offering a carefully worded response. "I've already been sued twice for defamation, so I can't talk on my opinion on any of the characters in the film," he says. "I'd like to. I've got a lot of theories." THE STORY CONTINUES As strange as the content of documentary may seem, what's happened since the release has arguably been even stranger. Not only have the filmmakers been sued, but a website has appeared — www.tickledmovie.info — that aims to discredit the film. But the most surprising moment came at a screening in Los Angeles back in June, when two of the major players from Jane O'Brien media showed up unannounced and got into a heated discussion with Reeve. The film's US distributor posted footage of the confrontation on Facebook and, like everything else in this story, it is absolutely bizarre. "It's publicity for us, to the level where people think we've hired actors to do it," says Farrier. "I don't know. We're dealing with people who aren't fully grounded in reality, and who don't fully understand how the online world works… I genuinely don't think they were expecting us to have cameras there, but I'm sorry, you can live stream from your cell phone." Fittingly, Tickled is very much a film about that online world, and how it has become a breeding ground for harassment. "I think people respond to the film because we're super aware of online bullying at the moment," says Farrier. "It's always existed, but it seems to have reached a kind of extreme, whether it's Gamergate or this hate campaign against females because they're in a Ghostbusters film. We're at this peak level of harassment, and I think this is just another crazy reminder of that." Tickled is in cinemas now. Read our full review here.
How much is too much to pay for a movie, particularly when you're watching it on your own couch? Film lovers have been asking this question since the days of VHS rentals; however the streaming revolution keeps bringing it up again and again. If you've spent the last year trying to work out whether forking out for Netflix, Stan or Presto is worth it, here's another service — and expense — to consider. No, we're not talking about the much-discussed Screening Room, which wants to charge a premium to stream first-release films at the same time as they're in cinemas. Instead, Sony's finally getting in the game, with a brand new service that's causing us to ponder our bank balances. Called Ultra, due to land in the US on April 4 on Android-compatible Sony 4K TV sets (yep, already niche), and kicking off with 40–50 titles such as The Walk, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Ghostbusters, the streaming platform will enable viewers to watch 4K-quality films in their own homes (something Netflix is already doing). But — and this is a very big but — it'll cost $30 per movie. Yes, if and when it comes to Australia (with details of local availability unknown at the time of writing), you'll need to lay down three tenners for every single flick — or the same amount it'd cost two people to see a film on the big screen. That's not much of an incentive to sign up, particularly given that cheap Tuesday tickets continue to excite cinema-goers in droves. On the other hand, $30 is the same price you'd pay for a new release DVD, and you do get to keep a copy on Sony's UltraViolet cloud storage solution. So, the real point of contention is: do you really want to pay extra for better streaming quality? As always, waiting and seeing is the only real answer, though we're not optimistic that anyone will rush to Ultra given the price. 4K content is already available on Netflix for $14.99 per month, after all — and even if you've lost your sneaky access to the US version of the service, their local range is still much larger than Sony's planned catalogue. Via The Next Web.
Your everyday wine drinker probably knows popular Victorian wine regions like the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Rutherglen — but what about Beechworth? Few folks know that this part of the state has a stack of stellar wine producers, and the crew at Bridge Road Brewers is keen to change that by holding a massive one-off wine tasting at its brewery bar in Brunswick East. From 2–5pm on Saturday, November 30, vignerons from across the region will spend the afternoon pouring tastings of their own drops to curious wine lovers. Who's going to be there? You can expect to find a selection of wines from A.Rodda, Baarmutha, Castagna, Fighting Gully Road, Granjoux, Indigo Vineyard, Juliard, Little Frances, Sentiõ, Schmölzer & Brown, and Willem Kur. It's a truly stacked lineup of Beechworth winemakers, many of which don't have their own cellar door. That means this is your only chance to sample drops from a bunch of these folks. Tickets to spring Tasting in the City are going for $65 per person, and include all your tastings as well as a bunch of snacks. And if you rock up the night before, on Friday, November 29, you can join the team's Beechworth Wine Pairing Dinner — $150 for six shared dishes and six paired wines. Both of these events offer up a brilliant opportunity to explore a lesser-known Victorian wine region without leaving Melbourne.
Foodies, pay attention, because have we got news for you. Chef Rene Redzepi, the man behind Noma and its super expensive, impossible to get into Sydney Harbour spinoff, is organising a day-long symposium featuring some of the biggest names in food. Set to take place at the Sydney Opera House on Sunday, April 3, MAD SYD: Tomorrow's Meals will welcome a number of world renowned chefs and culinary professionals for "a day of talks and ideas exploring the future of food". Confirmed speakers include Redzepi, David Chang (Momofuku), Kylie Kwong (Billy Kwong) and Massimo Bottura (Italy's Osteria Francescana), as well as food activist Chido Govera and social researcher Rebecca Huntley. MAD is heading down under! On April 3rd we will present our first large scale public event at the Sydney Opera House - visit madfeed.co for more info #MADSYD A photo posted by MAD (@themadfeed) on Feb 5, 2016 at 9:40am PST Founded by Redzepi, MAD (the Danish word for 'food') is a non-profit organisation that, according to their website, "works to expand knowledge of food to make every meal a better meal; not just at restaurants, but every meal cooked and served". They've hosted similar symposiums in Copenhagen since 2011, but this is the first time they've held one outside of the Danish capital — and the first one that will be open to the public. "Back when we started MAD in 2011, we found ourselves on a field, in heavy rain, in a tiny circus tent that ultimately collapsed during lunch,” says Redzepi. “MAD has been on an incredible journey since then, but the culmination of our long relationship with Sydney and Australia taking place in one of the world’s most iconic spaces is the greatest privilege. We cannot wait to share this day with everyone - friends and family, old and new." Anyone interested can register for pre-sale tickets through the Sydney Opera House website, and tickets will go on sale to the general public at 9am on Monday, February 22. We can only hope they don't sell out as fast as bookings to Noma Australia did. MAD SYD is happening on Sunday, April 3 — one day after the last service of Noma Australia. Register for tickets here, and keep your eyes on MAD's Facebook and Instagram for additional info. Updated: Monday, February 9. Image: Daniel Boud
One of the most buzzed about titles of this year’s Cannes Film Festival has just dropped its first official trailer. Adapted from Shakespeare’s seminal play, with Michael Fassbender in the title role and Marion Cotillard as his ambitious wife, Macbeth has been described in early reviews as “towering,” “haunting” and “intensely compelling.” If this first glimpse of footage is anything to go by, the critics appear to be right on the money. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgH_OnrYlCk Turns out when you take two of the greatest actors in the world and give them one of the best scripts ever written, the results tend to look pretty impressive. Getting a definite Game of Thrones vibe from this one, although to be fair, when it comes to sword and sorcery scheming, William S. pipped George R. R. Martin by a margin of about 400 years. Still, what’s perhaps most impressive about this trailer are the visuals. Australian director (represent!) Justin Kurzel has made just one feature film prior to this — in the form of 2011’s highly disturbing true crime thriller Snowtown — but his work here looks extraordinarily polished. Directors that have previously tackled the Scottish play include Roman Polanski and Orson Welles. Talk about big shoes to fill. Macbeth is yet to receive an Australian release date, but should hopefully be in cinemas by the end of the year.
We thought Pikachu-themed pop-ups were the pop culture pinnacle for Japan. But once again, the country's beating us all at the cool, novelty shit game. This one truly levels things up, with a new pop-up inspired by Super Mario Bros.. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the immortal video game, Tokyo is getting an adorable Mario-themed pop-up restaurant. Running June 22 to July 5 and run by Tower Records, the pop-up will serve up a menu inspired by our plumbing video game hero and his crew (yep, even that dastardly Bowser). Punters can chow down on Peach Panna Cotta, a Piranha Plant Soda, Bowser Castle Drink or Ground Stage Waffle, all of which are guaranteed to double your size and allow you to jump on Goomba heads like a boss. But no giant mushrooms to eat? Come on guys. Anyway, let's peruse the menu shall we? First, pick up your Super Star Omelette (and run madly around the pop-up for ten seconds): Slam a cap with Mario latte art: Give it back to the Koopa Troopas with whatever comes out of this Question Block Tiramisu: You could battle it out with Bowser Taco Rice: And finish things up by rescuing the Peach Panna Cotta from going uneaten. The Mario-themed pop-up restaurant runs June 22 to July 5 in Tokyo. Via Grub Street and Rocket News24. Images: Tower Records.
Sometimes our creative souls need a little encouragement. As children being arty was as easy as drawing on the walls with crayon or making mud pies for the neighbours. But in adulthood we need a way get involved with crafts that won't get us evicted. That's when it pays to look to this list of ten great arts and crafts classes in Melbourne. Come with us and try your hand at splattering paint Pollock-style, creating crocheted blankets to give your gran a run for her money or perhaps even learning how to stuff a dead animal. CREATIVE COMMUNE Located in the busy hub of Hawthorn, this gem follows the mantra that "creativity is contagious". But it is also damn trendy, with short evening courses ranging from terrarium-making to memoir-writing, fascinator creation, indie photography and even marshmallow-making. Prices range from $15 – $30, so perfect for those who want to dip their toes in but not sure whether they're ready to commit and settle down with craft just yet. Community Arts Space, Hawthorn Arts Centre, 360 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Artwork by Klara. NO VACANCY GALLERY Think life drawing is only for experts in photorealism? Think again. Every Tuesday and Wednesday night a large group of art enthusiasts gather at the hidden gallery in QV to sketch the human form in a laidback, untutored environment. All art materials and supplies are included in the class fee of $12 (cash only), with artists’ drinks of choice (cheap red wine and ALDI beer) available for purchase. Arrive early to avoid disappointment; these drop-in classes fill up quickly. Tuesday and Wednesday, doors open at 6.30pm, class runs from 7pm – 9pm. 34–40 Jane Bell Lane, Melbourne. THREAD DEN Whether you’re a well-seasoned seamstress or an all-thumbs newbie, Thread Den offers small classes and courses to cater for all in a friendly, lounge-style studio teaching vintage glamour, sewing classes, dressmaking and how to sew up those pesky hems. Thread Den offers one-off workshops as well as longer courses, with prices ranging from $48–$200. There’s no need to BYO sewing machine, but some additional materials are required. Sewing machines are also available for general use for $10 per hour. 3d/26 Wellington Street, Collingwood, 03 9486 9821. LANEWAY LEARNING Holding classes in bars, cafes and pubs in the craftiest suburbs in Melbourne (Brunswick, City, Northcote and St Kilda), this creative organisation is leading the way with cheap and interesting classes, costing just $14 a pop. Laneway Learning has no fixed classes but regularly covers the classics — embroidery, jewellery-making and cross-stitch — as well as going off the beaten path with mindfulness, Spanish and card-tricks. Other classes of theirs aren’t even A Thing yet. Think balloon art and shower-singing. Various locations. PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT Being crafty is not always about the end product; it can be about slowing down and enjoying the moment as well as learning some new skills in sustainability and becoming more environmentally conscious. Put Your Heart Into It runs evening and weekend workshops focusing on organics and gardening, eco-focused photography, styling and wellbeing classes geared for beginners and creative businesses. Classes cost $55–$125 and are taught by an expert in the field. Big Bang Studios, 1/177 Beavers Road, Northcote. REST IN PIECES Science class dissection lovers unite in this intensive workshop focused on the rare art of taxidermy. Attendees are taught to stare death in the face and stuff it, by embracing the step-by-step process from skinning to preserving and standing a specimen over a 10-hour period. At the end of the day you get to take home your own self-stuffed mouse, perfect for your mum’s birthday gift. The course will set you back $500, but get in quick because these classes book out sooner than you might think. 1B Westfield Street, Northcote, 0487 933 828. Photo by Grande Dame Productions. CLASSIE Who said knitting is just for little old ladies? Classie offers pub crochet and knitting classes for beginners. It's the perfect combination of creating, socialising and drinking. These three-hour classes cost $39 and include all the materials to get you started — chief among them, your ball of yarn. Classes are small, making it easy to get help from the teacher, and run on weeknights and weekends. Various locations. HANDMAKER'S FACTORY Most of us know that the love of cheap textiles is detrimental to the planet and contributing to landfill. One way to help reduce our carbon footprint is to reunite with traditional crafts and learn how to make our own clothing. The Handmaker’s Factory offers eco workshops in screenprinting, mending and natural dyeing. Workshops range from $22–$165. Level 2, Suite 206, 10 Elizabeth Street, Kensington NORTHCOTE POTTERY SUPPLIES Demi Moore and Patrict Swayze and that pottery wheel. Need I say more? Re-enact the famous scene at Northcote Pottery Supplies’ ‘Try the Wheel’ class and impress your friends with lopsided tea mugs. There are also porcelain bead classes and workshops on creating the human form through sculpture. Classes range from one-day workshops to over six weeks and cost $50–$140. 142–144 Weston Street, Brunswick East, (03) 9387 3911. CRAFTERNOON CAFE Cake, coffee and craft. The perfect three combo of three c's and a perfect way to spend an afternoon in a hybrid cafe/art classroom. Relive your childhood curiosity by playing with playdough, painting or pasting things for only $10. Lose yourself in your own world without teachers and lessons telling you to colour within the lines. It’s a kid-friendly environment, so feel free to bring any sprogs along. Or not. 718 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 03 9995 2861; and 531 Nicholson St, Carlton North, 03 9077 6998. Top image: Dollar Photo Club.
The Melbourne International Film Festival has teased some of the highlights of its 2015 program fresh off the hype train from Cannes. With less than six weeks to go until Australia’s oldest and largest film festival gets underway for another year, the programmers have spilled the beans on 26 titles from the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, including new films by some of the biggest names in international cinema. Standouts include multiple Cannes award-winners. Acclaimed Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos won the Jury Prize for his English language debut, The Lobster, an absurdist rom-com starring Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, Ben Whishaw and John C. Reilly about single people under threat of being turned into animals. Low-key medical drama Chronic won Best Screenplay and also earned major plaudits for leading man Tim Roth, while Taiwanese filmmaker Hou Hsiao-hsien took home Best Director for his sumptuous martial arts picture The Assassin. Hou’s film is one of a number of exciting Asian titles in the mix, alongside Jia Zhang-ke’s Chinese migrant drama Mountains May Depart, Takashi Miike’s slapstick gangster/monster movie Yakuza Apocalypse: The Great War of the Underworld and Hirokazu Kore-eda’s low-key domestic drama Our Little Sister, as well as the latest dreamlike rumination from Thai master Apichatpong Weerasethakul entitled Cemetery of Splendour. Other hot tickets include Love, the new film from Irreversible director Gaspar Noe featuring several explicit 3D sex scenes, as well as all three parts of Miguel Gomez’s ambitious Arabian Nights trilogy, a scathing critique of modern-day Portuguese society which, despite missing out on a prize at Cannes, took home the top honours at the Sydney Film Festival this past Sunday. Notable Cannes titles not featured in the MIFF announcement include Jacques Audiard’s Palm d’Or winning Dheepan, Todd Haynes’ widely acclaimed Carol starring Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett, and the hotly anticipated Macbeth adaptation led by Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard. The latter omission is particularly disappointing since director Justin Kurzel is Australian. The good news is that all three films already have domestic distribution deals in place, so hopefully we’ll get to see them before too long. The 26 Cannes titles join a number of films already revealed in a sneak peak last month, including Alex Ross Perry’s psychological drama Queen of Earth, David Foster Wallace biopic The End of the Tour starring Jason Segel, and Sean Baker’s outrageous transgender comedy Tangerine ,shot entirely on an iPhone. The Melbourne International Film Festival runs from July 30 to August 16, with the full program set to drop on July 7. For more information, visit the MIFF website. Image: The Lobster
UPDATE, May 22, 2021: Black Panther is available to stream via Disney+, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. There is one dull moment in Black Panther. Exactly one. And the fact that it comes courtesy of Stan Lee's now-inevitable cameo speaks volumes about this rich and electrifying instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When the man who ostensibly founded the franchise shows up, it feels like a predictable, obligatory inclusion in a film that runs from those labels every other chance it gets. Lee's presence nods to the usual formula that's been deployed for 17 big-screen chapters — but, coming in at number 18 in a series that shows no signs of slowing down, Black Panther refuses to stick to that template. It's one of the few comic book flicks in living memory that doesn't spend its time setting up the next movie or shoehorning in links to past titles. The film stands on its own merits, and it's absolutely glorious. Although viewers first met Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa, aka Black Panther, back in Captain America: Civil War, his debut solo outing is still something of an origin story. Despite this, in exploring who the newly crowned Wakandan king is, where he's from and the struggles he's facing, the film prowls down its own path. After the death of his father, T'Challa finds himself at a crossroads about the future of his nation — a place that has long chosen to hoard its considerable technological advancements, close its borders and hide its true nature from the world. Some close to him, such as his head of security W'Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya), support the insular status quo. Others, including his ex-girlfriend turned secret special forces operative Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o), advocate for helping those in need. A Marvel movie that weighs up the merits of isolationist policies versus social responsibility, all while grappling with race and class as well? With its eyes firmly on current world affairs, Black Panther certainly isn't afraid of getting topical. Directed and co-written by Ryan Coogler, the film blends the rousing politics of his debut, Fruitvale Station, with the earnest spectacle of his follow-up, the Rocky-spinoff Creed. It's a superhero flick with something to say and no qualms about saying it. At the same time, the ambitious effort nods effectively to Shakespeare in its family dynamics, and offers up smart spy action complete with its own gadget guru (Letitia Wright, a scene-stealer as T'Challa's younger sister Shuri). Packed to the brim (although it never feels overstuffed), the movie also makes a stand for formidable women through General Okoye (Danai Gurira), the king's loyal, lethal and highly memorable bodyguard. Marvel's last title, the wonderfully distinctive Thor: Ragnarok, successfully carved its own niche within the MCU's usual confines. While that film proved an impressive feat, Black Panther goes one step further, effectively smashing the standard mould to pieces. This shines through in two areas in particular. The first is in the film's treatment of its primary antagonist, with unruly weapons dealer Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) a mere distraction on the road to the determined Erik 'Killmonger' Stevens (Michael B. Jordan). Villains aren't typically Marvel's strong suit, but here the fight between opposing forces feels refreshingly astute and even-handed. Casting assists considerably in this regard, with both Boseman and Jordan bringing considerable gravitas to their roles. Coogler also demonstrates an exceptional command of tone, delivering a film that serves up a few well-earned laughs, but takes its overall task seriously. In a picture positively teeming with highlights, however, Black Panther's greatest quality is its all-round embrace of African culture. In every aspect of its look, sound and feel, this chapter is like nothing else in the Marvel universe, and that's clearly by design. Twice during the film, outsiders enter Wakanda and try not to let their jaws drop to the floor — and it's easy to understand their reactions. Frankly, it's the same one we had as the end credits rolled. Coogler has crafted an entertaining, engaging and impassioned movie that is both proud of and confident in its differences, and is also committed to shining the spotlight on the people that blockbuster cinema so often ignores. What could be more awe-inspiring than that? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph9_oITIefE
Nearly 400 films reached cinemas in this part of the world in 2017. That's not going to change in 2018. Whether you're the kind of cinephile that heads to the movies several times a week or you'd rather save your big-screen viewing for the flicks you're most excited for, the result is the same: you're spoiled for choice. Indeed, whether you've worked through all of last year's great movies or you're still playing catch-up on some you might've missed, a new annual calendar means a whole new batch of must-sees. In the twelve months ahead, that includes the usual onslaught of sequels, remakes and ongoing sagas, plus plenty of movies that have been winning awards — including recent Golden Globes recipients The Shape of Water and Lady Bird. And then there's these, our ten picks for 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89OP78l9oF0 ANNIHILATION No longer one of the sci-fi big-screen highlights of 2018, the second film from Ex Machina writer/director Alex Garland is heading straight to Netflix in this neck of the woods. And while it's incredibly disappointing that audiences won't get to see this journey through an environmental disaster zone in a cinema as it was meant to be seen, it still looks like it'll be a thrilling, unnerving, immersive treat no matter how you watch it. Based on the novel of the same name, the movie follows a biologist, Lena (Natalie Portman), who goes searching for answers when her soldier husband (Oscar Isaac) returns injured from his own jaunt. Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez and Thor: Ragnarok scene-stealer Tessa Thompson also feature, and we're guessing Isaac probably won't tear up the dance floor in this. On Netflix in early March. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhZ56rcWwRQ A WRINKLE IN TIME After giving quite the inspirational Golden Globes speech, everyone's talking about Oprah. Expect it to continue come March. She mightn't take acting roles all that frequently, but playing a celestial being in the long-awaited adaptation of 1962 science fantasy novel A Wrinkle in Time seems the perfect part. As directed by Selma's Ava DuVernay, and also featuring Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Andre Holland, Zach Galifianakis and Aussie Levi Miller, the film focuses on Meg Murry (Storm Reid), who has to save her astrophysicist father (Chris Pine) from a distant galaxy. Sure, there's another Star Wars movie out this year — but notch this one up as a different type of space story. In cinemas March 22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt__kig8PVU ISLE OF DOGS Wes Anderson making a stop-motion animated movie about a dystopian future where dogs have been quarantined on their own Japanese island? Shut up and take everyone's money. Four years after The Grand Budapest Hotel, the American filmmaker is back with what might be his cutest flick yet — and given how gorgeous his general aesthetic is, including his previous animated effort Fantastic Mr. Fox, that's saying something. A high-profile roster of Anderson regulars and other famous names voice canines and humans alike, such as Greta Gerwig, Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton and Frances McDormand. And as for Isle of Dogs' story, it centres on a boy who makes his way to the island in search of his beloved pet pooch. We can already hear you saying awwwwwwwwwwwww. In cinemas April 19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLjLbl4G1wA OCEAN'S 8 Most franchises, as the chapters roll on, aim for bigger and better. Don't mistake Ocean's 8 smaller number for doing the opposite. This all-female heist flick doesn't need 11, 12 or 13 folks to pull off the ultimate job: at the Met Gala. Leading the formidable gang of law-breaking ladies is Sandra Bullock as Debbie Ocean, while Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Paulson, Mindy Kaling, Helena Bonham Carter and none other than Rihanna are also among the cast. And, given the setting, expect more than a few high-profile cameos. Given the gender-swapped premise, expect an entertaining new instalment in the series as well, as directed by The Hunger Games' Gary Ross. In cinemas June 28. [caption id="attachment_653695" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Juno Temple in Vinyl[/caption] UNSANE Steven Soderberg mightn't be sitting in the director's chair for the latest Ocean's effort, but the ever-prolific filmmaker has something else up his sleeves. For part of last year, it was his iPhone — which the Logan Lucky and The Knick director used to shoot his latest flick, a mind-bending psychological horror flick. Called Unsane, it's unsurprisingly set in a mental institution, though that's probably the last part of the movie that'll play to your expectations. As for everything else, it was filmed in secret so much is clouded in mystery, although The Crown's Claire Foy and Vinyl's Juno Temple star, and the narrative revolves around a patient forced to face her greatest fear. Release date TBC. [caption id="attachment_529773" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Rachel Weisz in Yorgos Lanthimos' The Lobster[/caption] THE FAVOURITE If Yorgos Lanthimos knows just how to press your buttons — and if The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer managed to do exactly that — then pencil his 2018 release into your diary. With The Favourite, the acclaimed Greek filmmaker appears to be in new territory, though you can bet his biographical drama about Anne, Queen of Britain won't be the usual monarchy-focused effort. Joining him in this exploration of the 17th- and 18th-century sovereign are The Lobster's Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman, plus Emma Stone and Nicholas Hoult. With Lanthimos proving a director that's continually fascinated with the transactional nature of our society, setting his sights on royalty seems an absolutely natural fit. Release date TBC. [caption id="attachment_629012" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Robert Pattinson in Good Time[/caption] HIGH LIFE 2018 is shaping up to be a great year for sci-fi fans. Case in point: High Life. It's not what you'd expect from almost everyone involved — other than Robert Pattinson, who has well and truly been filling his post-Twilight resume with interesting and downright excellent choices. He's among a group of criminals sent towards a black hole, all as part of a quest to find an alternative energy source. And, he's starring alongside French great Juliette Binoche, A Cure for Wellness' Mia Goth and Outkast's Andre Benjamin, under the direction of iconic filmmaker Claire Denis (35 Shots of Rum, Bastards, Let the Sunshine In), who is making her first English-language feature. Release date TBC. [caption id="attachment_653679" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Suspiria (1977)[/caption] SUSPIRIA Horror remakes aren't always met with excitement, particularly when a classic of the genre gets the second go-around. Suspiria, however, shouldn't earn your caution — thanks to Call Me By Your Name's Luca Guadagnino sitting at the helm. The original is the darkest dance-related movie you're likely to see, as well as a wonder of Italian giallo cinema, delving into the sinister secrets behind a prestigious dance academy. Living up to it is quite the task, but the I Am Love and A Bigger Splash director has been on a very impressive streak of late. On-screen, Dakota Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz and Tilda Swinton are among the stars sashaying (and screaming) their way through the end result. Release date TBC. PSYCHOKINESIS There's no shortage of superhero films due on our screens this year, including Black Panther, Venom, Aquaman, a couple of X-Men-related efforts, Daredevil 2 and more. Yes, the list goes on. And yet, a Korean black comedy about a man who discovers he has superpowers might be the one to beat. Seeing something other than the fiftieth instalment in a cinematic universe is always welcome, and director Yeon Sang-ho already turned his take on one busy genre — zombies — into an engaging thrill ride courtesy of Train to Busan. Fingers crossed Psychokinesis make the big screen on our shores, but if not, look for it to stream on Netflix. Release date TBC. [caption id="attachment_653694" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The Happytime Murders concept art[/caption] THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS There aren't enough movies about puppet private detectives. Really, there isn't. This adult-centric film comes with quite the pedigree, however, with Bill Henson — son of The Muppets puppeteer Jim Henson — in the director's chair. A comedy and a thriller all in one, it's set in a world where people and puppets live (and kill) side-by-side. Only one can hunt down a serial murderer targeting the cast of a famous '80s TV show, and that'd be ex-cop Phil Phillips (Bill Barretta). Amongst the mountains of felt, Melissa McCarthy stars as his ex-partner, Maya Rudolph as his secretary, Elizabeth Banks as a former flame and Joel McHale as an FBI agent. Release date TBC.
Chef Yong Hyun heads up the kitchen at Kew's Sushi On, bringing his twenty years of experience in Tokyo and his time at Melbourne's Komeyui and Kisume to the rolling mat. His philosophy is all about the beauty of balance — with creativity, appearance, consistency, taste, innovation and heritage all concepts given equal footing. Yong's skills are applied at Sushi On in the form of omakase. If you don't know what omakase is then you must have been living under a Mount Fuji-sized rock for the last few years. It translates roughly as "I leave it up to you," and it's a Japanese dining experience that is guided by the masterful hands of a sushi chef. The gastronomic journey involves entrusting the chef's expertise to craft a memorable, multi-course meal. The ingredients tend to reflect the season's freshest offerings, aiming to create a harmony of flavours, textures, and aesthetics. Each dish is a surprise, showcasing the chef's creativity and the essence of Japanese cuisine. At Sushi On, it offers a twenty-two-course meal, which includes sixteen pieces of sushi for dinner, while the lunch offering is sixteen courses with twelve pieces of sushi. The courses change every night, so it's impossible to know what you're in for, but think scampis with bento butter, sardines with pickled kombu, King George whiting nigiri and Tasmanian oysters. With so many unique flavours all wrestling for a place on your palate, finding the right drink to pair with your omakase experience can be challenging. Suitably, the wine list here is heavy on white and sparkling, which pair better with the flavours you'll experience. Whites include a Clare Valley resiling and a Gippsland chardonnay by the glass or bottle, as well as a stunning French chablis by bottle only. There is a large range of prestige sparkling, too, as well as more affordable options for those who just want to give it a try.
Superheroes are taking over Brisbane — and if you're a fan, it's marvellous. Between May 27 and September 3, Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe brings caped crusaders, their costumes, props and the artistry that makes them soar — both on the page and on the screen — to the entire ground floor of the Gallery of Modern Art. Featuring more than 500 objects (including more than 60 costumes), the exhibition provides a peek behind the scenes of one of the biggest film franchises ever made. In fact, it's the largest amassing of Marvel movie artefacts of its kind in the world, ever. You could dub it a blockbuster, and you'd be right. Launching the exhibition, QAGOMA director Chris Saines was eager to explain that some of the items on display have Chris Hemsworth's DNA on them; however getting up close to objects touched and worn by Thor — including on the forthcoming Thor: Ragnarok, which was shot on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane last year — is just part of the fun. Casting your eyes over original and concept artwork, exploring the interconnected realm that has been splashed across cinemas for the past decade, and playing with the pre-and post-production techniques behind the movie magic are also on offer. Indeed, Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe endeavours to show that popular mainstream entertainment and art can be one and the same, especially given the level of detail that goes into both comic books and their movie adaptations. Walking through areas dedicated to the exhibition's three key themes — 'The Cinematic Assembled', 'Decoding the Universe' and 'Behind the Scenes' — delves into both individual and interconnected narratives, and highlights the creativity involved on a movie as well as an overall cinematic universe level. Along the way, you'll say "I am Groot" to giant humanoid trees, pretend you're a smart-talking racoon, peer into a yet-to-be-seen planet and star in your own Marvel poster too. Discovering the full collection is something best experienced for yourself, and, if you can make it to GOMA before September, here's five things to look out for. THE ASGARDIAN THRONE ROOM The eagerly anticipated Thor: Ragnarok mightn't hit cinemas until October; however Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe offers a glimpse of just what's in store (don't worry, there's no plot spoilers). You can't miss the giant, gleaming throne room that takes centre stage in the exhibition, and nor would you want to. Just look at it! Costumes and weaponry from 2013's Thor: The Dark World also feature. HULK'S BED Speaking of Asgard and its famous warrior, he's not alone in his next cinema outing. The giant green mass of muscles that is the Hulk is set to tear things up on screen — and, as you'll see here, take a rest as well. What kind of bed does the Hulk sleep on? This one. Saying that it's huge is an understatement — this photo really doesn't do it justice. Also on display are his weapons, which make Thor's mighty mjolnir seem absolutely tiny in comparison. IRON MAN'S SUITS He's the reason the Marvel Cinematic Universe even exists, and, in typical Tony Stark style, he gets his own room. It was back in 2008 when Iron Man demonstrated that the world wanted more superhero movies, and one of the suits from that pioneering flick lines GOMA's walls — alongside versions from 2010's Iron Man 2 and 2013's Iron Man 3. As you can see, over the years he's had quite a few upgrades. THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF SPIDER-MAN Spider-Man just keeps slinging his way into cinemas, but 57 years ago, he was only starting to crawl his way across paper. With the initial movie in what will be his third film series in the past 15 years due to drop in July, checking out the first piece of artwork to feature his image proves quite a timely experience. It might seem amazing now, but these kinds of things were usually thrown away back in the day — no one knew just what a big deal they'd become. DOCTOR STRANGE'S MIND-BENDING WORLD Every one of the 15 films that comprise the Marvel Cinematic Universe to date is represented in the exhibition — and, thanks to the forthcoming Spider-Man: Homecoming and Thor: Ragnarok, the 16th and 17th flicks too. Doctor Strange mightn't get quite as much space as some of the bigger titles, but the GOMA folks sure know how to make the movie's costumes stand out. With Inception-like visuals playing a bit part in the flick, expect to witness them in person thanks to some mirrored fun. Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe is on display at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art from May 27 to September 3. For more information, visit the exhibition website. Images: Sarah Ward and Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe' Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, 2017 / © 2017 MARVEL.
When you picture a summer cocktail, you'll often picture a big, colourful jug filled to the brim with summer fruit and citrus. But more often than not, this grand idea doesn't become a reality. It's hot in summer. Who can be bothered to devote time to complex cocktails? You want something simple — something light and refreshing, in a cold glass with condensation rolling down the sides. At Grey Goose's Boulangerie Bleue waterside mansion party this summer, one of the summery drinks served was the Le Grand Fizz — a refreshing combination of vodka with soda water, elderflower liqueur and lime. We asked Grey Goose's lively global ambassador Joe McCanta to show us how to make this variation on the classic vodka soda combination we know and love — so we can whip it up the next time a cocktail craving strikes us on a summer afternoon. It's simple to make. Just pop some ice into a glass, then add vodka and sweetness (in the form of St Germain elderflower liqueur). Top the drink with two wedges of fresh lime, and stir with freshly opened, fizzy soda water. The result is an easy, refreshing cocktail with citrus and floral flavours. If you've never used elderflower in a cocktail before, St Germain has a bouquet of soft, sherbet lemon notes, with pear and passionfruit. It's a floral liqueur that easily spices up a simple drink. Follow Joe, and learn to recreate the Le Grand Fizz for yourself this summer. LE GRAND FIZZ 45ml Grey Goose Vodka 20ml St Germain Elderflower Liqueur 3 lime wedges 3 wedges of fresh lime chilled soda water Build in an oversized cabernet wine glass with lots of ice. Add Grey Goose Vodka and St Germain. Squeeze two of the fresh lime wedges into the drink and discard. Top with chilled soda water. Stir and garnish with fresh lime wedge. Grey Goose Vodka's 'discover' function will tell you what cocktail you're perfectly suited for — answer four simple questions and start stirring. Dive into the luxury that your city has to offer — check out our Luxe Guide to Sydney and Melbourne. Food, spas, glamorous hotels and extraordinary experiences are waiting. Image: Steve Woodburn.
Whether you're heading to the cinema with friends or curling up on the couch with your significant other, a night watching movies remains a fantastic source of entertainment, enjoyment and escapism. Sitting in the dark, switching your mind away from your regular worries and slipping into another world — if you're catching the right flick, few things can top it. Cinema-wise, 2018 has thrown up plenty of films that tick all of the above boxes — and now we're just past the halfway mark, it's time to look back. Maybe you missed one of this year's hits when it was in theatres. Perhaps it's still showing and you haven't made it yet. Or, there could be a few gems that just slipped your attention. Of course, there's always the ace movies you saw, loved and want to see again. Whichever category fits, here's 12 films from 2018 that you you need to catch up on. Head to the cinema and grab a choc top or organise your streaming queue and cook up some popcorn, as we've sorted out your viewing for the near future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQH3jqetJoY THE SHAPE OF WATER What our critic said: A sea of perfectly assembled elements, The Shape of Water truly feels like a film that no one else could have made. Working from a script co-written with Vanessa Taylor (Divergent), director Guillermo del Toro is operating at the top of his game, and his fingerprints can be seen in every exquisitely detailed image. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKbjnLpxv70 FACES PLACES What our critic said: If everyone looked at strangers in the same way as French New Wave icon Agnes Varda (Cléo from 5 to 7, Vagabond), the world would be a much kinder place. Roaming through small yet lively villages, Varda makes new memories while reminiscing about older ones — about love, work, times passed, friends lost and past moments immortalised in earlier photos. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCYB28iknIM PHANTOM THREAD What our critic said: Every textile metaphor you can think of applies to Phantom Thread. It's a film that's carefully woven from the fabric of human urges, teeming with hidden layers and positively bursting at the seams with emotional detail. It's also one made by the finest possible craftspeople, with Anderson and his three stars fashioning the cinematic equivalent of haute couture. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzgTHyEv5Ng LADY BIRD What our critic said: As impressive a list of plaudits as Lady Bird has amassed, they pale in comparison to the movie itself. While it can seem like high school coming-of-age films are more common than actual high schoolers, Greta Gerwig gets everything right with her entry into the genre. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJHex4ZitgA A FANTASTIC WOMAN What our critic said: It can't be overstated how wonderful it is to see transgender representation on the big screen (no offence Eddie Redmayne, but this is how it should be). Vega's performance as Marina feels authentic, in no small part because it is authentic. Every movement, every delivery is subtle, considered and real. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNtLIcyjsnI GAME NIGHT What our critic said: At its best, Game Night is laugh out loud funny, subverting some classic comedy tropes and delivering scores of killer one-liners. It's probably one of the better Hollywood black comedies we've seen in the last few years, and ultimately entertains enough to justify the price of admission. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqy27Bk0Vw0 A QUIET PLACE What our critic said: John Krasinski's stripped-back use of sound reflects his entire approach, crafting a masterfully sparse movie from start to finish — and a downright masterful one too. Forget questions about why the monsters are there and where everyone else is: they couldn't matter less in this taut, fast-paced thriller, and they shouldn't even cross your mind. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9iVra2kdD4 TULLY What our critic said: Tully's motherhood scenario inspires rich performances from a particularly raw Charlize Theron and a suitably sparkling Mackenzie Davis — the former committed to conveying the hardships of maternity in all of its unglamorous glory, the latter calm and kind as Tully brings Marlo back from the brink of desperation. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4_79dnJeNU BPM (BEATS PER MINUTE) What our critic said: Set to a soundtrack that flits from electronic beats to sorrowful piano, to the pleading chants of ACT UP taking to the streets, what emerges is a movie that's both intimate and expansive. Just as BPM's first scenes leave a definite imprint, so does the cumulative effect of its 143 minutes, weaving personal tales into a sprawling snapshot of a real-life movement. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3__y-uPwbe8 HEREDITARY What our critic said: Ari Aster plagues the movie's protagonists with weird occurrences, including strange words etched into walls, odd flashes of light, upsetting strangers and alarming seances. He is making a horror film, after all. But more than that, the writer-director doubles down on tragedy, stretches the characters' emotional limits and heightens their psychological strain, Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEnRNIvEKu8 UPGRADE What our critic said: Bone-crunching, blood-splattered revenge is a dish best-served with an AI sidekick in Upgrade. Although the concept might sound more tired than wired on paper, it makes for a sharp, sleek and savage wander into genre territory. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6o5WPcCgT0 FOXTROT What our critic said: Foxtrot asks the audience to stare at its main cast harder than most films; to feel their aching hearts, to dive into their despairing minds, and to experience their unshakeable sorrow. Writer-director Samuel Maoz doesn't just call upon his actors to attract attention, though, but ensures that every meticulous shot reflects the characters' internal states. Read the full review.
It's the yearly exhibition that leaves us with jaws on the floor; the 59th annual World Press Photo exhibition is coming to Australia for another year. Beating 97,912 submissions by 5692 photographers from 131 countries, Denmark's Mads Nissen took out the top spot for 2014 Photo of the Year for his intimate, poignant portrait of Jon and Alex, a gay couple in conservative St Petersburg, Russia. After almost six decades of beautiful and devastating photojournalism, the WPP contest continues to be one of the world's most important platforms for art, journalism and humanising the headlines. The World Press Photo exhibition can be seen at Sydney’s State Library of NSW, May 23 - June 21; WA Museum in Perth, July 4 - 26; and Brisbane Powerhouse, August 8 - 30. Before the exhibition makes its way to Australia, take a look through some of the landmark images that caught the eye of the WPP judges; from an orphaned rhino in Kenya to Lionel Messi at Brazil's World Cup, Istanbul's anti-government protests to a young Kamilaroi girl in Moree, New South Wales. With many of the photographs documenting the more saddening news headlines, they're often not easy images to look at, but it's the work of these photojournalists that wakes up an otherwise ignorant world. Jon and Alex (St Petersburg, Russia) — Mads Nissen 2014 Photo of the Year and First Prize Contemporary Issues, Singles "Jon and Alex, a gay couple, share an intimate moment at Alex’s home, a small apartment in St Petersburg, Russia. Life for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people is becoming increasingly difficult in Russia. Sexual minorities face legal and social discrimination, harassment, and even violent hate-crime attacks from conservative religious and nationalistic groups." Istanbul Protest (Istanbul, Turkey) — Bülent Kiliç First Prize Spot News, Singles "A young girl was wounded during clashes between riot police and protestors after the funeral of Berkin Elvan, a 15-year-old boy who died from injuries suffered during anti-government protests. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons at protestors in the capital Ankara, while in Istanbul, crowds shouting anti-government slogans lit a huge fire as they made their way to a cemetery for the boy’s burial." Laurinda (Moree, New South Wales, Australia) — Raphaela Rosella First Prize Portraits, Singles "Laurinda, a young Kamilaroi girl, plays with her dress as she waits for the bus that will take her to Sunday school. Many disadvantaged communities in Australia face entrenched poverty, racism, trans-generational trauma, violence, addiction, and a range of other barriers to health and wellbeing." Monkey Training for a Circus (Suzhou, Anhui Province, China) — Yongzhi Chu First Prize Nature, Singles "A rhesus macaque cowers as its trainer approaches, while training for a circus act, in Suzhou, eastern China. Performing animals in circuses and zoos are enormously popular in China. After years of pressure from animal-welfare groups, the Chinese government has banned animal circuses, and implemented regulations to stop abuse at state-owned zoos, but many trainers say they have not heard of the ban, nor have any intention of stopping. Authorities in Suzhou, which with its 300 troupes is known as the hometown of circus in China, have announced plans for developing alternative circus entertainment, without performing animals." The Final Game (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) — Bao Tailiang First Prize Sports, Singles "Argentina player Lionel Messi faces the World Cup trophy during the final ceremony at Maracana Stadium. His team lost to Germany 1-0, after a goal by Mario Götze in extra time." Mindsuckers (Santa Barbara, California, USA) — Anand Varma First Prize Nature, Stories "When a male sheep crab (Loxorhynchus grandis) is infected by Heterosaccus californicus, a parasitic barnacle, it stops developing fighting claws, and its abdomen widens, providing a womb for the barnacle to fill with its brood pouch. Nurtured by the crab, the eggs hatch. Thousands of baby barnacles disperse to infect anew. Many parasites not only feed off their hosts, but appear to manipulate the host’s behavior in a way that is advantageous to the parasite’s life cycle." The Beckham Catch (East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA) — Al Bello Second Prize Sports, Singles "Odell Beckham (#13) of the New York Giants makes a one-handed touchdown catch in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium." Blue Sky Days (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA) — Tomas van Houtryve Third Prize Contemporary Issues, Stories "People exercising in central Philadelphia. Drone operators may consider such ‘signature behaviors’ as evidence of the existence of a training camp. Since 2002, the United States has used unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, or drones) to collect intelligence and carry out airstrikes in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. The aircraft are guided via satellite by distant operators. The attacks have resulted in a large number of fatalities, including hundreds of civilians. The photographer bought a small drone, fitted it with a camera, and flew it in the US over the sorts of gatherings that have become habitual targets for airstrikes abroad—weddings, funerals, groups of people praying or exercising. He also used it to photograph settings in which drones are used to less lethal effect, such as oil fields, prisons, and the US-Mexico border." Orphaned Rhino (Kenya) — Ami Vitale Second Prize Nature, Singles "A group of young Samburu warriors touch a black rhino for the first time in their lives, at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, in northern Kenya. Black rhinos are almost extinct in Kenya. This young calf had been orphaned when poachers killed its mother, and was hand-raised at Lewa. Most people in Kenya never get the opportunity to see the wildlife living around them, especially at such close quarters. Attention is often given to the effect of poaching on wildlife, but there is little focus on indigenous communities, who are on the frontline in the clash between poachers and armed game wardens. Birthday Chocolate (Baroncea, Moldova) — Åsa Sjöström Second Prize Daily Life, Singles "Igor whispers into his friend Renat’s ear, at school in northern Moldova. It is Igor’s birthday, and his grandmother has given him chocolate to hand out to his classmates. Moldova is Europe’s poorest country. In the past ten years, one third of the working population has gone abroad in search of better-paying jobs. Children often find themselves looked after by elderly relatives, or left in orphanage boarding schools. Igor has a twin brother. They do not know their father and their mother died soon after leaving to work in Russia, when they were two years old." Cadets (Koninklijke Militaire Academie (Royal Military Academy, Breda, the Netherlands) — Paolo Verzone Third Prize Portraits, Stories "Portraits of cadets in some of Europe’s most prestigious military academies." Rescue Operation (Mediterranean Sea, Italy) — Massimo Sestini Second Prize General News, Single "Refugees crowd on board a boat some 25 kilometers from the Libyan coast, prior to being rescued by an Italian naval frigate working as part of Operation Mare Nostrum (OMN). The search-and-rescue operation was put in place by the Italian government, in response to the drowning of hundreds of migrants off the island of Lampedusa at the end of 2013. The numbers of people risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean Sea rose sharply in 2014, as a result of conflicts or persecution in Syria, the Horn of Africa, and other sub-Saharan countries. OMN involved the Italian Red Cross, Save the Children, and other NGOs in an effort not only to rescue lives, but to provide medical help, counseling, and cultural support. Naval officers were also empowered to arrest human traffickers and seize their ships. In its one year of operation, OMN brought 330 smugglers to justice, and saved more than 150,000 people, at least a quarter of which were refugees from Syria. The operation was disbanded in October, and replaced by Triton, an operation conducted by the EU border agency Frontex, focusing more on surveillance than rescue." The Bull Market (Niuniuba, Sichuan, China) — Cai Sheng Xiang First Prize Daily Life, Singles "Yi villagers hold a cattle market in a forest outside the town of Niuniuba, near Liangshan, in Sichuan. The Yi ethnic minority live largely by agriculture, livestock herding and hunting. There are around 7.5 million Yi in China, concentrated principally in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces." The 59th annual World Press Photo exhibition can be seen at Sydney's State Library of NSW, May 23 - June 21; Perth's WA Museum, July 4 - 26; and Brisbane Powerhouse, August 8 - 30. Check out all the 2015 winners and runners up here.
You might be familiar with Lululemon from that one time you were convinced to give bikram yoga a go, and its logo on that super fit girl’s yoga pants was in your line of sight while you were swearing this would be the last time you touched a yoga mat, and then you went straight home and had a drink. Next time that happens, take comfort in the fact that your beverage can be Lululemon too. Step out of downward dog for this one: news has dropped that the yoga giant is brewing its own craft beer. In addition to their frequent, high-profile publicity gaffes (like the time its CEO said making yoga pants for plus-sized people was too expensive), Lululemon is well-known for the cult-like devotion of its inner circles and weird in-lingo. (They also do a bunch of wacky brand promotions, which is why this new ‘Lulu goes to the brewery!’ thing might not seem so bizarre to the initiated.) Called Curiosity Lager, the beer is a “crisp, bold session lager” (4.6% ABV), featuring lemon drop hops and chinook hops — but you’ll have to plan a trip to Canada to get a taste. It’s the official beer of SeaWheeze, a half marathon and yoga festival produced by Lulu that happens in Vancouver in August, and just 80,000 cans will be sold in liquor stores around the city. But the question still stands. Why? Speculation is that it’s a move intended to draw in a larger male crowd. But who knows if that will work, as Lululemon doesn’t believe in market research. They’re very future driven, you see, and apparently interviews and focus groups draw too much on the past. Which leaves us wondering, how did they come up with this one? You can almost see the thought process. "Big Manly Men not buy Lulu. Manly men want beer. How get them?" … "Lulu beer!" Good. Via Yogadork.
May 5 isn't just May 5 — it's Cinco de Mayo. That's when the spotlight shines on Mexico; however, despite beliefs to the contrary, it isn't the country's Independence Day. Instead, the celebration marks the nation's 1862 victory against French forces in the Battle of Puebla. Back then, the day was declared a holiday. These days, the occasion is actually a bigger deal in the US. That said, it's still a great chance to appreciate Mexico's culture and heritage. There are plenty of ways to do this, although we suggest taking the traditional path: a party. So just how do you throw your own Cinco de Mayo gathering? What should you eat, drink and listen to? Follow our guide, and you'll be having a fiesta in no time. AVOID STEREOTYPES Starting on a serious note, Cinco de Mayo should celebrate Mexican culture, not stereotype it. Avoid the easy route when it comes to theming — so that means no sombreros, no fake moustaches and no Day of the Dead (which actually happens in October, so the timing doesn't work anyway). In fact, just discourage people from dressing up altogether. You'll be more likely to avoid accidental cultural appropriation. Focusing on the colours of the Mexican flag is one good option, with splashes of green, white and red certain to look festive. Or, you could champion the country's creative talents. Frida Kahlo deserves many parties in her honour, with her paintings considered iconic for good reason. Mexican cinema is among the world's best (think: Del Toro, Inarritu, Cuaron, Rodriguez), so if you have screens or projections going, look to these guys. Or just bring a splash of summer to your bash — grey, late-autumn Australia will thank you. FIND YOUR HERO FOOD This might be the easiest part of the party-planning process, but you don't just want the food to be good — you also want it to be authentic. That means tacos made with corn tortillas, chorizo, guacamole, salsa, onions and coriander, and quesadillas filled with stringy Oaxaca cheese. Put your focus into the central component of the dish and no one will notice if you go with store-bought stuff for the rest. A good option is always to take your cue from Neil Perry — his chicken (or pork) adobo for tacos sings with chipotle, honey and vinegar. You might also have time to try making your own churros for dessert. Yum. You can also get your guests in on the action (and take the heat off yourself) by asking them to bring their own homemade guacamole or salsa. Add a competitive element, and call it a guac off. The chef behind the best wins bragging rights, and everyone else wins by getting to eat it. Just stock up on corn chips beforehand, because there's going to be plenty of dipping to do. THREE DRINKS TO COVER ALL BASES When it comes to Mexican beer, it's an easy choice. Chill some Coronas in as big a bucket as you can find, and make sure you have plenty of extra lime slices lying around for people to pop in the tops. If you want something stronger, it wouldn't be Cinco de Mayo without margaritas making an appearance. Just combine 2 parts tequila to 1 part Cointreau (or another triple sec) and 1 part freshly squeezed lime juice. Choose a silver tequila, and look for the words '100% agave' on the label. That means it's the real stuff. Pour over or blend with ice, but don't forget the glass rimmed with salt. For a non-alcoholic option, agua fresca is your beverage of choice. It couldn't be easier to make or tastier to drink. Watermelon is a popular flavour, and all you need to do is blend cubes of the fruit then mix it with the juice of four limes, three quarters of a cup of castor sugar and a cup of mint leaves. Stir, stand for an hour, strain and top up with sparkling water. GO TO CONTEMPORARY MEXICO WITH YOUR PLAYLIST A party isn't a party without a soundtrack to match the occasion. Here you have multiple options, but we're only going to recommend two. Acoustic guitar fans need look no further than Rodrigo y Gabriela (fans of nuevo flamenco, rock and heavy metal too). The duo's sound is certainly diverse, which isn't surprising given that they mix traditional Mexican music with European influences over their five studio albums and three live records. For a more unpredictable playlist, there's always Spotify. Any one of their hundreds of Mexican playlists will spit you out a party-ready concoction of mariachi music, contemporary Latin songs and questionable Ricky Martin numbers. HIT THINGS WITH STICKS There's one party staple that never gets old, even as you get older. That'd be the piñata, something that the Spanish brought to Mexico, and also links in with Mayan culture. You know how it works: you wear a blindfold, swing a stick and try to break open a suspended, decorated container filled with goodies. That's the fun part — but making your own is just as fun, too. Papier mache away using newspaper scraps and a paste made from equal parts flour and water, plus a tablespoon of salt. Balloons work well as a sturdy base, as you might remember from primary school. Once everything has dried, decorate it with paint and crepe paper, and then stuff it full of goodies. Lollies are fine, but you might want something a bit more age-appropriate. We were thinking mini bottles of tequila or hot sauce, individually packaged T2 teabags, discs of pour-over hot chocolate, playing cards or obscure Mexican lollies — or a combination of the lot. Top image: Dollar Photo Club.
You may bear the daily grind of 9-5 working life and deal with the responsibilities that come with being a fully-fledged adult, but your inner-child, however hidden, still remains inside you. They're always in there, just waiting for a jumping castle or an ice cream cake or a big green hill to roll down. So let them out for a while. Reunite with that childish enthusiasm and joy of life by treating yourself to the awesomeness of theme parks, novelty games and creative curiosity — this time without Mum and Dad in tow to limit your sugar consumption. Now, who said being an adult doesn't have its perks? DO SWEET FLIPS AT BOUNCE Remember the hours and hours spent jumping on the backyard trampoline doing sweet flips and tricks? Bounce sure hasn't forgotten, and offers a colourful urban playground to reunite with the joy of anti-gravity and the rush of being airborne. With over 100 springy trampolines, enjoy aerial manoeuvres, slam dunking, wall-running, jumping into a foam pit and dodgeball — and create enough static electricity to zap your nearest and dearest and create an '80s electrified up-do. You'll find Bounce in Blackburn North, Glen Iris and Essendon Fields. DO SOME COLOURING AT CRAFTERNOON CAFE Lose yourself in your own world without teachers telling you to colour within the lines at Carlton North's Crafternoon Cafe — with the added bonus of treating yourself to coffee and cake. For only $10, you can get your hands stuck into some play dough, pasting or finger painting and create to your little heart's content. CUDDLE LAMBIES AT COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN'S FARM Set on seven hectares of lush green paddocks and gardens, escape the city surrounds and reconnect with the rustic joy of simple farm life at this urban farm. For $10 entry you can play farmer for a few hours by taking part in milking the cows, feeding chooks, bottle-feeding lambs, stroking guinea pigs, donkeys and horses. For fresh farm-grown goodies, check out the farmers' market on every second Saturday of the month, and make sure you stop by The Farm Cafe for lunch. GO ROCK CLIMBING AT HARDROCK While some climb Everest, others conquer the tough vertical wall at Hardrock. Challenge your upper body strength and test your Spidey talents by tackling the six- or 16-metre climb. Donning safety harnesses and climbing shoes, grip and twist your body like a pretzel to get to the top. Your reward will be bragging rights and abs of steel. Hardrock have locations in the city and Nunawading. LEARN A THING OR TWO AT SCIENCEWORKS Who said museums were boring? Sure, it's an educational activity — but with a planetarium, a lightning room and a race against Cathy Freeman, it's a lot of good, clean fun. You may not have paid the Spotswood museum a visit since you were in primary school, but it's well worth a re-visit. The culturally rich experience will be good for your brain — and useful for excelling at pub trivia. GO ICE SKATING IN DOCKLANDS Find bliss while gliding in this Olympic-sized rink while singing "ice, ice, baby" — or attempt to beat your mates in a skate-off without comically slipping over. Docklands' Medibank Icehouse is now the O'Brien Group Arena, and free lessons are offered most days to help skating novices transform from stumbling Bambi into the next Bradbury. It's a chilly environment at 16 degrees, so rugging up is highly advised. GO NUTS ON THE FAIRY FLOSS AT LUNA PARK The big-toothed giant of St Kilda has been freakishly smiling since 1912 — and while many things have changed over the century, the love of sticky pink fairy floss and the thrilling obsession with rollercoasters remains strong. Thrill seekers should aboard Pharaoh's Curse or the Great Scenic Railway while classics like the dodgem cars and the mighty Ferris wheel are still going strong as theme park favourites. PLAY LASER SKIRMISH AT TECH ASSAULT Is there anything more enjoyable than hunting down your friends with a laser gun? It's humans vs. humans in this urban battleground, where the only thing that can save you is skill, your plastic laser gun and good eyesight. Located in Thornbury, Tech Assault offers a perfect indoor-outdoor landscape for shooting your mates (and strangers) with lasers and saving the world. Plus, the experience has been designed by gamers — so you know it's going to be legit. WATERSLIDES! AT FUNFIELDS Ah, this is where childhood dreams truly come true. More than just a water park, Funfields, located 40-minutes out of Melbourne, has alpine tobogganing, go karting and more amusement rides than you can poke a stick at. Once you've had enough of being on dry land, try the Blackout, with its 120m drop into darkness, and the Wipeout, a mix of rapids which may or may not result in losing your togs. Or just go up and down the good old-fashioned waterslides. Top image: Dollar Photo Club
After a year full of lockdowns and restrictions, travelling around Australia is finally possible again. Now, the bumper-to-bumper summer season of the country's top galleries is within reach to out-of-town art lovers too. We've pulled together a taster of major exhibitions that span both new and recognisable art and will encourage reflection on this crazy year. Each state is offering something unique, from an expansive all-women artist exhibition in Canberra to shows revealing the diversity of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art from across the country. Join us in celebrating culture and open borders with an Australian summer full of art, performance, community talks and tours.
Running. Running away from responsibility. Running away from your stalker. Running to keep fit. I love running in all its forms. I love discovering new paths and leafy trails. I love seeing other runners toiling along and feeling like I'm in some kind of elite pack or club dedicated to pummelling the pavement and beating the hills. Best of all, running means exploring new suburbs and secret parks, of the kind collected below. ABBOTSFORD CONVENT The garden and grounds are accessible via pathways that are mostly bitumen, although some are dirt. You can run right past the Collingwood Children's Farm and see the resident donkey named Mickie before you've had breakfast. The paths wind along the river and there are no active nuns on site. It's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of running route. PRINCES PARK Perfectly flat and phenomenally popular, Princes Park is ridiculously close to the city and Melbourne University. This is the place to run if you wan to check out sports teams playing in the park, as the 3.2km running circuit loops right around it. It's well lit at night, walker friendly, and you can even race the trams whiffling up Elizabeth Street. THE CAPITAL CITY TRAIL The Capital City Trail provides an uninterrupted linear link around Melbourne's existing parks and river corridors. The furthermost point on the Capital City Trail is only 5km from the city's centre, and it's a shared-use path for cyclists and pedestrians, so sprint with care — the path is mainly concrete. THE TAN TRACK This running trail had to make the cut, right? The Tan used to be a horse carriage drive for the well-off in Melbourne and sits just south of the Yarra River. It's shaded for its entire length by the most beautiful trees. You can follow it to Kings, the Old Melbourne Observatory, and the Shrine of Remembrance and tell everyone you've run it over your morning coffee. TREASURY GARDENS/FITZROY GARDENS This is one of Melbourne's prettiest (and easiest) running routes, with soft grass and gentle slopes. The 3km outer circuit is bitumen paved and the gardens themselves are crisscrossed by paths. It's across the road from the MCG, contains Captain Cook's Cottage and a fairy tree, and you can use the nearby stairs at Parliament to warm up. Princes Park and Capital City Trail image by Mat Connelly, Fitzroy Gardens image by edwin.11.
James Murphy is by no means losing his edge. The former LCD Soundsystem frontman is delving into Sophisticated Grown-Up territory, opening his own wine bar in the Brooklyn suburb of Williamsburg (where else?). To be dubbed Four Horsemen (although The New York Times reports Murphy was going to call it 'the Worst Idea Ever'), Murphy's new 40-seat bar will open at 296 Grand Street, Williamsburg. Teaming up his wife Christina Topsoe to create the bar, Murphy told the Times the bar is a deliberate challenge to his regular music escapades. "I need something with really low margins, high risk, brutal hours and which I have no experience at," he said. Design-wise, Murphy is predictably focused on the sound of the bar; bringing in his acoustics expertise to creat the perfect atmosphere. Think "mounting noise-soaking burlap on the walls and cedar slats, and sound absorption panels along the ceiling so that conversations can proceed at a civilized cadence." Civilised cadence. Murphy, you grown-up. Set to stock 160 wine selections (eventually growing to 350), there's going to be a strong focus on natural wines. Murphy has enlisted the help of wine consultant and buddy Justin Chearno (from Williamsburg's UVA Wine Shop and former guitarist for Pitchblende/Turing Machine) to help stock the bar with goodies, and Australian natural wine advocate Katrina Birchmeier as general manager. There'll be food too, with Murphy bringing in head chef Nick Curtola (from Franny’s in Brooklyn). "We keep calling it a wine bar because we want to underpromise and overdeliver," says Murphy. The former frontman's seen quite the smorgasbord of gastronomy and fine dining in his LCD touring times, from Copenhagen to Paris, Tokyo to Sydney, so he's working with Curtola to conjure up an apocalyptic menu of snacks and meals for the bar. Four Horsemen is set to open in early June. Via NY Times and Grub Street. Images: NY Times and Grub Street.
Chef Matt Stone wants to you to make a bar out of your own backyard. Really. Melbourne's young gun head chef of Victoria's Oakridge winery, Stone made his industry name as head chef of Joost Bakker's Greenhouse, Silo and Brothl, then as the culinary brains behind IconPark's Sydney pop-up Stanley Street Merchants and a MasterChef regular. At his core, Stone's a stickler for ethical and sustainable cooking, so he's just released his first cookbook The Natural Cook to help fuel some of that philosophy in everyday Aussie kitchens. The (extremely well photographed) cookbook's brimming with recipes meant to make you rethink food, bring you back to basics, try traditional techniques, adopt new sustainable cooking habits and make the best of the bounty of native ingredients Australia's got going on (one of the most sustainable ways Australians can cook). Of course, the book champions Stone's infamous 'zero-waste' philosophy, whether you're making yoghurt, pickling things or making a Bloody Mary. We've taken a couple of recipes out of of Stone's book, to show you how easy it is to incorporate native Australian ingredients into your everyday — well, into your cocktails in particular. Here's a little humdinger of a recipe for a Bloody Mary using native Australian spices — a truly homegrown breakfast of champions. Once you've crafted this gem, try making Stone's ant-rimmed Aussie South Side too (recipe over here). NATIVE SPICED BLOODY MARY "For a fresh kick, you can also add finely chopped veggies such as tomato, cucumber, celery and chilli. Hangover be gone!" INGREDIENTS Serves one ice 3 dried bush tomatoes 60 ml (2 fl oz/¼ cup) vodka 15 ml (½ fl oz) lemon juice 6 dashes of Worcestershire sauce 5 dashes of Tabasco sauce (or other hot sauce) 2 large pinches of ground pepperberry, plus extra to garnish 2 large pinches of Australian Seven Spice (recipe below) (see page 211), plus extra to garnish 1 pinch of pink salt, plus extra to garnish 125 ml (4 fl oz/½ cup) tomato juice celery stalk or cucumber slice, to garnish Fill a serving glass with ice and let it stand. Muddle the bush tomatoes, and any other vegetables you feel like, in your cocktail shaker. Add all the other ingredients except the garnishes to the shaker and fill with ice. Slowly 'roll' your shaker end over end to mix and chill the ingredients without frothing things. Taste-test with a straw and add additional Tabasco if you'd like it spicier. Discard the ice from the serving glass and replace with fresh ice. Single-strain the liquid into the serving glass. Add the celery stalk or cucumber slice and finish with a pinch of salt, pepperberry and Australian seven spice. Note: Online bush food specialists offer a variety of Aussie fruits, herbs and spices, including bush tomatoes and pepperberries. HOW TO MAKE MATT STONE'S AUSTRALIAN SEVEN SPICE This is my version of Chinese five spice and it's perfect on barbecued meats, vegetables and fried bugs. If you don't feel like eating bugs with your beer then perhaps try it rubbed into barbecued chicken wings or slow-cooked beef ribs. The individual spices can vary due to season, availability and personal taste, so think of this as a rough guide. Use double the amount of mountain pepper if you like your spice mixes hot. 1 tablespoon ground bush tomato 1 tablespoon ground lemon myrtle 1 tablespoon ground wattleseed 1 tablespoon ground pepper leaf 1½ tablespoons ground mountain pepperberries 2 teaspoons ground aniseed myrtle 1 tablespoon ground mangrove myrtle Note: While most of the Australian ingredients used in this book can be substituted with something non-native, this is the one recipe I urge you to stick to (otherwise it will become 'mostly Australian seven spice'). Mix all ingredients. Store in an airtight container or jar. Recipe and image from The Natural Cook by Matt Stone (Murdoch Books). Photography by Mark Roper RRP $39.99 available now in all good bookstores and online.
For many moons, there’s been a secret passed around the ranks of students and young adults: Aldi sells $5 wine that’s actually not awful. In fact, those who’ve sampled it would know that ‘not awful’ isn’t strong enough. Now an official ruling body has declared what we young bohemians have known for a while now: Aldi’s $5 wine is objectively good wine. The Sydney International Wine Competition has announced its winning wine list for 2015, judging the top 100 wines from an entry pool of nearly 2000 and Aldi’s $5 bottle of 2014 South Point Estate rose has picked up a Blue Gold award in its blend category (just FYI the Blue Gold award is official proof that Aldi wine drinkers actually have good taste and aren’t just peasants). Aldi also won awards for their $12.99 bottle of Tudor Central Victorian shiraz and a $14.99 Blackstone Paddock “The Player” Barossa. So ner. So what do the judges look for in a good wine? Well firstly, the competition acknowledges that not all wines are created equal so they divide the plonk into categories according to palate weight – lighter, medium, fuller bodied dry whites (lol at wine terminology sounding like a sick burn) and dry reds. The wines are judged solo, then judged against other wines in each category. Then they pair each category with appropriate food and score on how well each variation complement the flavours of the meal. Then, and only then, do they aggregate the scores and hand out awards in each category. Check out the website to scope out the rest of the results and figure out the best and cheapest wine for your taste. But how do Aldi manage to sell an award winning wine for only $5? Aldi’s buying director told The Huffington Post that the secret is in the low overheads, a simplified range to cut distribution costs and understanding the young consumer. Oh Aldi, you do understand us. All we want in this life of sin is a $5 bottle of award-winning wine. We're just gonna leave this link to Aldi Liqueur online here, along with the fact that they deliver a case of 12 wines to metro areas for only $7. Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals. Via The New Daily. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
For a city with such a huge Greek population, Melbourne has a woefully small Greek restaurant scene — especially when you look around and see so many Italian, Chinese, French and Japanese diners across the city. But thankfully, Melbourne just scored a new Greek restaurant down in South Yarra thanks to hospo veteran Nik Pouloupatis (Grossi Florentino, Attica, Vue de Monde). He's worked in the industry for a good 35 years, but is only now striking out on his own by opening Astoria Bar Kè Grill in the former Shadowboxer venue on Toorak Road. If you're familiar with Shadowboxer, you'll see that the space's design has not changed much. The Victorian terrace house got a good lick of paint and new furniture, and that's about it. Most importantly, the front terrace remains, which is best for chill sip-and-snack sessions or long lunches in the sun. And what will you be feasting on? Here, classic Greek fare gets a contemporary twist — without straying too far from tradition. You'll tuck into familiar small dishes like house-made spanakopita, zucchini fritters with tzatziki, pan-seared saganaki, prawns with oven-baked tomatoes and feta, and pickled Freemantle octopus. Then you've got the mains, which are really easy to share. Get around a seared snapper with asparagus, mussels and avgolemono, the youvetsi (a lamb stew with kritharaki), and a vegetarian Moussaka. Greek and Aussie wines and beers are up for grabs as well, plus all your usual cocktails and mocktails. There aren't too many surprises here — just good Greek eats in a laidback setting. You don't need more than that.
Losing a live music venue in your city is always sad. With it goes a platform for art, a source of revenue for local musicians and nights out watching your favourite bands. That seemed to be the case when Melbourne music venue The Spotted Mallard closed down last year. Fortunately, the spirit of The Spotted Mallard lives on with the space transformed into not one, but two new venues. Downstairs at 314–316 Sydney Road, Brunswick, the Brunswick Artists' Bar has been open since late 2020, serving drinks and showcasing artwork and acoustic sets from local musos. Now, the picturesque upstairs concert hall has been refurbished and reimagined as the Brunswick Ballroom. The space takes inspiration from the 1990s Melbourne spot The Continental Cafe, with stunning stained glass domes embedded in the ceiling and a balcony with views of the Melbourne city skyline. [caption id="attachment_802255" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nicole Cleary[/caption] Brunswick Ballroom opened its doors in late February with an eclectic lineup of artists set to take stage over the next few months. Rising local musicians D'Arcy Spiller and Girlatones will perform during the ballroom's opening month as part of the Brunswick Music Festival (March 6–11) and Aussie comedians, including Tripod and 'Southern Hemisphere's best fake genuine Russian folk choir' Dustyesky, will take to the stage as part of this year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival (March 24–April 18) lineup. Dinner and a show is encouraged, with a menu that spans far beyond your typical pre-gig snack. Mains including slow-roasted beef brisket and grilled cauliflower steak will be on offer alongside pretzels, vegan buffalo wings, grilled saganaki and a variety of club sandwiches. The Brunswick Ballroom is the venue's latest iteration of the building, which has a history stretching back to the 60s. It has previously been a hat factory, a nightclub, a wedding reception centre and a French restaurant, before it was transformed into The Spotted Mallard in 2012. Find Brunswick Ballroom and Brunswick Artists' Bar is located at 314–316 Sydney Road, Brunswick. For more information and to book tickets, head to brunswickballroom.com.au. Images: Nicole Cleary
Instragram has launched their first official account dedicated to music and musicians. The new, internally-run @music account will post on a variety of music-related content, and feature profiles of emerging and established musicians from all around the world. The move marks an interesting new direction for the photo-sharing service, which for the first time appears to be actively cultivating a community based on the specific interests of its users. Operated by Instagram music editor Alex Suskind, the newly-minted account will post six times a week, with content divided between a series of designated hashtags. #LocallySourced will shine the spotlight on unsigned acts, #DoubleTrack will cover musician’s interests outside of music, and #15SecondLessons will feature video tutorials on "everything from riffs to drumbeats". Posts so far include brief interviews with social media-fiend DJ Questlove and up-and-coming Japanese rock band Tricot. The account will also feature the work of music photographers, album illustrators, instrument makers and fans. An official music account does seem like a good fit for the service, with many of its most popular accounts belonging to famous musicians. According to a statement by Instagram founder and CEO Kevin Systrom, "For the past four years, we have become the home for artists big and small — a place where people across the musical spectrum come to share stories, reveal their creativity and connect directly with fans." Assuming the account is successful — and 27,000 followers in less than a day suggests that it might be — it could potentially open the door for a whole range of official channels covering things like food, movies, fashion and of course, cat photos. It also seems like a smart way for the service to attract targeted advertising — although according to coverage at TechCrunch, there are currently no plans to include ads in the @music account.
When you're a mask-wearing superhero, you've made an active choice. Everyone's favourite friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man wanted to keep his web-slinging identity a secret, for instance, which is why he started covering up his face long before the entire world began doing the same during the pandemic. But, in Spider-Man: Far From Home, that decision was taken out of Peter Parker's hands — leaving the Tom Holland (Chaos Walking)-starring, Marvel Cinematic Universe version of the character exposed to the world. Set to arrive two-and-a-half years after that big — and literal — revelation, Spider-Man: No Way Home will pick up with Parker struggling to deal with the fact that everyone now knows who he is, and that he can't now just be an ordinary high schooler when he's not acting the hero. So, as the just-dropped first trailer for the new film shows, he calls in some help. Cue Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch, The Courier), a time- and space-twisting spell, and the beginnings of some multiverse chaos. Wong (Benedict Wong, Nine Days) is also on-hand to warn against messing with the status quo, but obviously if that advice was followed, the movie wouldn't have a plot. Two important things to remember: one, the MCU will keep spinning its interconnected web forever (or so it seems); and two, in March 2022, a little film called Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is set to drop. It's the next movie in the franchise after No Way Home hits on Boxing Day Down Under, in fact, so expect the two to link closely together. Also popping up in the No Way Home trailer: Zendaya (Space Jam: A New Legacy), Marisa Tomei (The King of Staten Island) and Jacob Batalon (Let It Snow). Behind the lens, Jon Watts returns after previously helming both Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home as well. And, there's another familiar face that'll make you think not just about this current iteration of Spidey, but also of past versions that've graced the big screen over the years — because that's what tinkering with the multiverse is all about. No Way Home isn't as likely to get as playful as the phenomenal animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, though, if that's what's just popped into your head. In a nice piece of symmetry, when Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness does hit cinemas next year, it'll be directed by Sam Raimi — who also directed the Tobey Maguire-starring Spider-Man movies in 2002, 2003 and 2007. Check out the No Way Home trailer below: Spider-Man: No Way Home opens in Australian cinemas on December 26.
Somewhere at the intersection of old-school and new-school Chinese lies Flinders Lane newcomer Tian38, the latest venture from Nic Soon (Sydney's Ms. G's) and Masterchef's Kha Nguyen (Jamu Dining). The stylish space pays homage to the traditional, while wholeheartedly embracing the contemporary, sporting a assembly of neon, fish tanks and luxurious banquette seating courtesy of Elvin Tan Designs. Sticking to a similar approach, the menu offering is considered with a touch of playfulness, starring creations like a prawn toast-inspired sando stuffed with minced prawn, black tobiko and citrus mayo ($12), and a flavour-packed Hainan chicken rice ($32/$52). Cheesy jaffles loaded with chilli crab are destined for cult status ($15), while traditionalists are sure to lap up classics like the signature laksa (from $17), dan dan noodles ($16) and peking duck ($39/$69). There's an express lunch menu and a solid choice of banquet options, though weekends were made for Tian38's boozy yum cha brunch. This one's just $69 a head (or $49 sans drinks) for 90 minutes of free-flowing yum cha plates, espresso martinis, mandarin mimosas and rosé, on offer from 11.30am–3pm Saturdays. Created by Diageo World Class Top 100 bartender Kane Clayfield, the drinks list is packed with gems of its own, reworking classic cocktails with an Asian-inspired twist. Team those dumplings with the likes of a lychee-infused Maotini ($18), or the Tian Sling: a blend of chilli and shiitake vodka, Grand Marnier, pineapple and bitters ($18). Images: H. Trumble
