Not all that long ago, the idea of getting cosy on your couch, clicking a few buttons, and having thousands of films and television shows at your fingertips seemed like something out of science fiction. Now, it's just an ordinary night — whether you're virtually gathering the gang to text along, cuddling up to your significant other or shutting the world out for some much needed me-time. Of course, given the wealth of options to choose from, there's nothing ordinary about making a date with your chosen streaming platform. The question isn't "should I watch something?" — it's "what on earth should I choose?". Hundreds of titles are added to Australia's online viewing services each and every month, all vying for a spot on your must-see list. And, so you don't spend 45 minutes scrolling and then being too tired to actually commit to anything, we're here to help. We've spent plenty of couch time watching our way through this month's latest batch — and, from the latest and greatest to old favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue from October's haul of newbies. BRAND NEW STUFF YOU CAN WATCH IN FULL CATHERINE CALLED BIRDY When you've catapulted to fame as a fierce child queen in the biggest fantasy TV series of the past two decades, and you're next about to play perhaps the best-known teenage girl from a video-game franchise across the same period — so, when you're in-between starring in Game of Thrones and the television adaptation of the The Last of Us, that is — how do you fill the time? You make a magnificent medieval comedy that's also a coming-of-age film, a frank but irreverent look at history's treatment of women, and the third feature directed by Lena Dunham. That's the path that Bella Ramsey has charted, and she's as much of a delight in the marvellous Catherine Called Birdy as she was in the role that made sure everyone with a screen to stare at knows who she is. The energy that made such an impact as GoT's Lyanna Mormont bursts through here, too, albeit in a cheekier, scampier, bawdier and more humorous mode. That's what this version of Karen Cushman's 1994 novel calls for, and gets — and the end result is an utter charmer. The eponymous Lady Catherine, who prefers to be called Birdy, is the 14-year-old daughter of Lord Rollo (Andrew Scott, The Pursuit of Love) and Lady Aislinn (Billie Piper, I Hate Suzie), and is accustomed to spending her days inciting mischief around their Lincolnshire manor — much to her nurse Morwenna's (Lesley Sharp, Fate: The Winx Saga) dismay. But the family is now broke thanks to Rollo's poor handling of their finances, and only marrying off the reluctant Birdy looms as a solution to their money troubles. It's the done thing in the 13th century, but Dunham directs this tale with a firmly 21st-century mindset and spirit as her titular character does whatever she can to avoid basically being sold off to whichever gentleman of means has the most lucrative offer. The movie's thoroughly modern vibe and outlook doesn't just come through in its narrative, themes and lively lead performance, or its witty narration and all-round attitude, but with smatterings of pop songs on the soundtrack — Piper's own 'Honey to the Bee' included. If Girls was set eight centuries back, was about a teen, and also featured Joe Alwyn (Conversations with Friends) as a favourite uncle, this'd be the dream end result. Catherine Called Birdy streams via Prime Video. GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S CABINET OF CURIOSITIES Whether he's dallying with vampires, haunted houses, creepy carnivals, eerie orphanages, rampaging kaiju or romantic amphibious creatures, Guillermo del Toro has thoroughly proven himself an avid collector. You don't amass a resume like his without actively endeavouring to curate an on-screen compendium — with his movies stuffed full of ideas, themes, motifs and images that just keep fascinating the acclaimed filmmaker. So far, the proof has beamed into theatres for cinema-goers to revel in; however, new TV horror anthology Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities is a natural addition to his filmography. Across eight chapters helmed by eight other directors — including The Babadook and The Nightingale's Jennifer Kent, Mandy's Panos Cosmatos, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night and Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon's Ana Lily Amirpour, and Cube's Vincenzo Natali — del Toro keeps compiling, curating and and dissecting the unsettling, unnerving, mysterious and curious, whether Cabinet of Curiosities is getting grim and cautionary, stomach-churningly gory and grotesque, sporting soulful restraint, unleashing a stunning display of phantasmagoria or delighting in being off-kilter. Boasting a cast spanning everyone from Harry Potter's Rupert Grint and I'm Your Man's Dan Stevens to Mythic Quest and Moon Knight's F Murray Abraham and RoboCop's Peter Weller, there are no disappointing drawers in this Alfred Hitchcock Presents-meets-The Twilight Zone series; the tone varies, but del Toro and his colleagues are committed to contemplating what scares us and why. In Lot 36 by Guillermo Navarro, cinematographer on six of del Toro's features, that means a dark rumination on xenophobia — and while Amirpour's The Outside is noticeably lighter than its counterparts, squeezing out a satirical, The Stuff-esque, Christmas-set satire on consumerism, conformity and beauty, it too is sinister and disquieting. Other standouts include the show's two most grisly episodes: Natali's Graveyard Rats and David Prior's (The Empty Man) The Autopsy, both of which have descriptive titles. Or, there's Cosmatos's The Viewing, a wild, dazzling, synth-scored trip in the best possible way — and Kent's The Murmuring, reuniting her with The Babadook's Essie Davis for another stirring and striking haunted-house tale about grief and motherhood. Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities is available to stream via Netflix. Read our full review. THE FIRE WITHIN: A REQUIEM FOR KATIA AND MAURICE KRAFFT The twin film phenomenon strikes again — so if The Fire Within: A Requiem for Katia and Maurice Krafft gives you a hefty dose of déjà vu, there's a reason for that. You may indeed have seen a movie about the French volcanologists already this year, and with a similar title, all courtesy of big-screen release Fire of Love. If you did catch that also-stunning flick, then you've glimpsed plenty of the imagery showcased here as well. Keep it all coming, please. However many documentaries that however many filmmakers want to craft about the Kraffts, their lives, work and impact — and using their sublime footage from decades spent surveying lofty and dangerous peaks, too — audiences should lap each and every one up. Of course, this particular doco hails from the great Werner Herzog (Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds), who already showed Katia and Maurice ample love in 2016's Into the Inferno, so it was always going to be a must-see. Narrated with his distinctive tones and inimitable perspective on existence, The Fire Within: A Requiem for Katia and Maurice Krafft truly feels like the movie that the iconic German director (and one-time Parks and Recreation star) was born to create. Whether undulating hypnotically with red lava flows or inciting gut-wrenching terror with towering, billowing grey explosions projecting into the heavens, the imagery captured by Katia and Maurice is mesmerising, revealing and astonishing — no matter how many times you watch it. It's little wonder, then, that Herzog states from the outset that his aim with The Fire Within isn't to give the world another Krafft biography (because plenty of those already exist) but to do justice and pay tribute to their recorded materials. His voiceover still provides the necessary basic details for first-timers to the pair's story, however, including beginning with visuals from the 1991 Mount Unzen eruption in Japan that claimed their lives. But Herzog knows what anyone who's ever come across the Kraffts before knows, and everyone watching this movie quickly learns: that their otherworldly footage makes a helluva impact all by itself, including inspiring thoughts about nature, humanity, how humbled the latter is by the former, the earth's longevity, life's oh-so-brief run, passion and the importance of doing something you love. Herzog's own observations are a fantastic bonus, though. The Fire Within: A Requiem for Katia and Maurice Krafft streams via Docplay. THE MIDNIGHT CLUB New year, new spooky season, new Mike Flanagan series. Yes, that's as great a tradition as any. It hasn't quite happened every 12 months since 2018's The Haunting of Hill House — 2019 is the outlier — but 2020's The Haunting of Bly Manor, 2021's Midnight Mass and now 2022's The Midnight Club have kept the trend going, serving up a fresh dose of frights from the filmmaker also behind Oculus, Hush, Ouija: Origin of Evil, Gerald's Game and Doctor Sleep. Co-created with Bly Manor alum Leah Fong, The Midnight Club offers a bit of a departure, however, this time going down the teen-centric route. Happily nodding to The Breakfast Club but shifting to a decade later and an evening hour, the series hails from the books by author Christopher Pike, and takes its name from a group of cancer patients getting treatment at a fancy hospice centre. After dark, they secretly meet to share spooky stories, and try to freak each other out. But there's another caveat attached to their tale-telling: whichever one of the terminally ill teens passes away first, they have to promise to try to contact the rest of the cohort from the other side to let them know what it's like. While The Midnight Club's moniker directs its focus away from its setting, another eerie abode is at the heart of the show — so, yes, it's classic Flanagan. Also thoroughly in the writer/director's wheelhouse: pairing chills, thrills, bumps and jumps with fleshed-out characters, and musing on the power of horror, the terrors of mortality and the inevitably of death in tandem. The cast should all use the series as a launchpad, too, especially Iman Benson (#BlackAF, Alexa & Katie) as Ilonka, the newest arrival at Brightcliffe Home. After being diagnosed with thyroid cancer just as she's preparing to go to college, the bright student finds the hospice online, researches its past and is determined to use it as a path to actually having a living future. If the narrative was that straightforward, there wouldn't be a series, though — and if you're hanging out for Flanagan's 2023 effort The Fall of the House of Usher, this'll fill the gap nicely. The Midnight Club streams via Netflix. WEREWOLF BY NIGHT Running for 53 minutes, Werewolf by Night is more a standalone Marvel Cinematic Universe special than a movie. It's the first release of its type for the sprawling comic book-to-screen behemoth, and it makes the case for more like it. In fact, if you've been feeling fatigued by average big-screen MCU releases lately, it also makes the case for more variety and experimentation in the Marvel blockbuster realm in general — because when the usual mould gets tinkered with in a significant way, and not just with a goofy vibe like Thor: Love and Thunder, something special like this can result. The mood is all horror, in a glorious throwback way, complete with gorgeous black-and-white cinematography. The focus: hunting for monsters, which does, yes, involve bringing together a crew of new characters with special traits. Thankfully, that concept never feels formulaic because of how much creepy fun that Werewolf by Night is having, and how much love it splashes towards classic creature features. That monochrome look, and the shadowy lighting that comes with it, clearly nods to the ace monster flicks of the 1930s and 1940s; composer-turned-director Michael Giacchino (who provided Thor: Love and Thunder's score, in fact), must be a fan, as we all should be. His filmmaking contribution to the MCU takes its name from comic-book character Werewolf by Night, which dates back to the 70s on the page — but if you don't know that story, let the same-titled flick surprise you. The plot begins with five experienced monster hunters being summoned to Bloodstone Manor following the death of Ulysses Bloodstone, and told to get a-hunting around the grounds to work out who'll be the new leader (and also gain control of a powerful gem called the Bloodstone). That includes Jack Russell (Gael Garcia Bernal, Station Eleven), plus Ulysses' estranged daughter Elsa (Laura Donnelly, The Nevers). Everything that happens from there — and before that — instantly makes for pulpy and entertaining viewing. Werewolf by Night streams via Disney+. HELLRAISER Horror remakes and sequels are a bit like Halloween itself: even if you're not a fan, they always keep coming. First, a key rule about giving beloved old flicks a do-over or a years-later followup: the originals always still exist, no matter how the new movies turn out. Now, a crucial point about Hellraiser circa 2022: it's never going to be the OG picture, but it's still visually impressive, eager to get gory in bold and inventive ways, well cast and also happy to muse thoughtfully on addiction. And yes, there's a note of warning included in that above assessment of a film that arrives 35 years after Clive Barker's first stab at the series, and following nine other sequels. Directed by The Night House helmer David Bruckner, the new Hellraiser is stylish with its violent, bloody imagery, but it also still loves ripping flesh apart — and serving up a grisly nightmare. For newcomers to the Hellraiser fold, beware of puzzles. The moving box here is oh-so-enticing — that's how it gets its victims — but it's also a portal to a hellish realm. That's where demonic, frightening-looking beings called Cenobites dwell, and they're eager to haunt and terrorise the living. (Yes, that includes the ghoulish Pinhead, whose aesthetic really is all there in the name.) Accordingly, this Hellraiser movie kicks off with millionaire Roland Voight (Goran Visnjic, The Boys) obsessed with the box, and his lawyer Menaker (Hiam Abbass, Ramy) luring in new people to get torn to pieces. Then, six years later, recovering drug addict Riley (Odessa A'zion, Good Girl Jane) and her boyfriend Trevor (Drew Starkey, The Terminal List) find the cube in their possession. When it claims the former's brother Matt (Brandon Flynn, Ratched), she's determined to work out what's going on — and, while never full of narrative surprises, the brutal imagery sears itself into viewers' memories. Hellraiser streams via Binge. MASS Two couples, one church, six years of baggage and two absent children. That's one of the equations at the heart of Mass. Here's another: four phenomenal performances, one smart and affecting script that tackles a difficult subject in a candid and thoughtful way, and one powerful directorial debut by actor-turned-filmmaker Fran Kranz. Best known for on-screen roles in Dollhouse, The Cabin in the Woods, Homecoming and Julia, the latter guides gripping portrayals out of Reed Birney (Home Before Dark), Ann Dowd (The Handmaid's Tale), Jason Isaacs (Operation Mincemeat) and Martha Plimpton (Generation) — and crafts a harrowing yet cathartic drama out of the aftermath of a far-too-familiar tragedy, too. The reason that Richard (Birney), Linda (Dowd), Jay (Isaacs) and Gail (Plimpton) are in the back room at a place of worship, discussing their kids with heartbreak etched across their faces? Richard and Linda's son Hayden was a school shooter, killing Jay and Gail's son Evan in his spree, then turning the gun on himself. What can anyone say in that situation? Kranz, who both writes and directs, keeps his screenplay simple — but as loaded with emotion as the scenario obviously requires. He keeps his filmmaking flourishes just as restrained as well; that's a craft in itself, but the cast rather than the technique is the focus here. At first, they utter loaded lines with weighty awkwardness, aka the kind that fills and silences a room. Then, each in their own way, they unleash the hurt, anger, regret, sorrow, misery and more that's festering inside their characters, and that no amount of talking can ever completely capture. Mass is a musing on that very fact, too: that even the most spirited of dialogues, slinging about both carefully chosen and heatedly spur-of-the-money words, can't fix, explain or do justice to the pain that Richard, Linda, Jay and Gail are going through. The end result would make an exceptional, albeit unshakeably distressing, double with We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Fallout or Vox Lux, or even Elephant or Polytechnique as well. Mass streams via Stan. NEW AND RETURNING SHOWS TO CHECK OUT WEEK BY WEEK THE WHITE LOTUS Lives of extravagant luxury. Globe-hopping getaways. Whiling away cocktail-soaked days in gorgeous beachy locales. Throw in the level of wealth and comfort needed to make those three things an easy, breezy everyday reality, and the world's sweetest dreams are supposedly made of this. On TV since 2021, HBO's hit dramedy The White Lotus has been, too. Indeed, in its Emmy-winning first season, the series was a phenomenon of a biting satire, scorching the one percent, colonialism and class divides in a twisty, astute, savage and hilarious fashion. It struck such a chord, in fact, that what was meant to be a one-and-done limited season was renewed for a second go-around, sparking an anthology. That Sicily-set second effort once again examines sex, status, staring head-on at mortality and accepting the unshakeable fact that life is short for everyone but truly sweet for oh-so-few regardless of bank balance — and with writer/director/creator Mike White (Brad's Status) still overseeing proceedings, the several suitcase loads of smart, scathing, sunnily shot chaos that The White Lotus brings to screens this time around are well worth unpacking again. Here, another group of well-off holidaymakers slip into another splashy, flashy White Lotus property and work through their jumbled existences. Another death lingers over their trip, with The White Lotus again starting with an unnamed body — bodies, actually — then jumping back seven days to tell its tale from the beginning. Running the Taormina outpost of the high-end resort chain, Valentina (Sabrina Impacciatore, Across the River and Into the Trees) is barely surprised by the corpse that kicks off season two. She's barely surprised about much beforehand, either. That includes her dealings with the returning Tanya McQuoid-Hunt (Jennifer Coolidge, The Watcher), her husband Greg (Jon Gries, Dream Corp LLC) and assistant Portia (Haley Lu Richardson, After Yang); three generations of Di Grasso men, aka Bert (F Murray Abraham, Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities), Hollywood hotshot Dominic (Michael Imperioli, The Many Saints of Newark) and the Stanford-educated Albie (Adam DiMarco, The Order); and tech whiz Ethan (Will Sharpe, Defending the Guilty) and his wife Harper (Aubrey Plaza, Best Sellers), plus his finance-bro college roommate Cameron (Theo James, The Time Traveller's Wife) and his stay-at-home wife Daphne (Meghann Fahy, The Bold Type). The White Lotus streams via Binge. Read our full review of season two. THE PERIPHERAL For four seasons on Westworld so far, viewers have been asked to ponder humanity's potential future with robots and simulations. A key question driving the hit film-to-TV HBO series: how might the years to come unfurl if people use mechanics, artificial intelligence and elaborately fabricated worlds as playthings and playgrounds? In The Peripheral, a similar query arises, also musing and hypothesising on what lies ahead — and how flesh, machines, the real and the digital might coexist. The latest question, in another twisty series, as fronted by Chloë Grace Moretz (Mother/Android): what happens if robots and virtual reality become humanity's conduit through time? Bringing Westworld to the small screen and now executive producing The Peripheral, Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy clearly have a niche. Indeed, if you didn't know that the latter series comes from the same minds as the former — adapting a 2014 book of the same name by cyberpunk pioneer William Gibson, and with Scott B Smith (The Burnt Orange Heresy, A Simple Plan) as its showrunner — you'd easily guess while watching this new tech-, robot-, avatar- and dystopia-obsessed effort. When storytellers speculate on what the upcoming years might hold, they theorise about choices and ramifications. The Peripheral has many to ruminate upon. In the process, it also serves up two visions of the future for the price of one, both riffing on aspects of life circa 2022 that could easily evolve as predicted. When the series begins in 2032, 3D print shop worker Flynne Fisher (Moretz) simply decides to assist her military-veteran brother Burton (Jack Reynor, Midsommar) by slipping into his avatar to make cash in a VR game — which she's better at than him, but sexism in the industry still reigns supreme. Then, when he's tasked by a Colombian company with testing a new virtual-reality headset that looks lower-tech, doesn't come with a glasses-like screen but exceeds the competition in its realism, she does the honours again. Flynne hasn't just plugged into a better simulation, though. Via data transfer, her consciousness is time-travelling to the future — to 2099, and to London — and inhabiting the robot body that gives the series its title while on an industrial-espionage quest. The Peripheral streams via Prime Video. Read our full review. INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE When Louis de Pointe du Lac met Lestat de Lioncourt, his life forever changed. His death did, too. That's the story that Interview with the Vampire tells and, by committing it to the page in 1976, Anne Rice's existence was altered for eternity as well — although not quite in the same way, naturally. The author has been known for her Vampire Chronicles series ever since, and its debut entry was adapted into a Brad Pitt- and Tom Cruise-starring 1994 movie before getting a do-over now as a television series. Obviously, the late Rice doesn't share her characters' lust for blood, or their ability to thwart ageing and time. Still, her famed works keep enticing in both readers and viewers — and this latest novel-to-screen version is a gothic series worth sinking your teeth into, especially thanks to its willingness to take on race, to embrace queer themes, to get playful and humorous, and to splash a sweepingly rich iteration of its now well-known tale across streaming queues. If you've seen the film, you'll know Interview with the Vampire's basic gist, although there has been some tweaking. Nonetheless, Louis (Jacob Anderson, aka Game of Thrones' Grey Worm) and Lestat (Sam Reid, The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson) meet in New Orleans, where they're both drawn to each other — and soon the former joins the latter in sleeping in coffins, avoiding daylight and (reluctantly) feeding on people. The series has the titular chatting happen in today's times, however, as a continuation of the movie's first conversation. Yes, this version of Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian, Succession) has been there and done this before. That didn't turn out so well for him, so he's reluctant about a repeat discussion, this time in Dubai. But Louis still has quite the story to unfurl, including covering been a Black man trying to make his way in the bayou at the turn of the 20th century, what it's meant to join the undead, his complicated relationship with Lestat, and the arrival of Claudia (Bailey Bass, Psycho Sweet 16) as part of their bloodthirsty family. Interview with the Vampire streams via AMC+. 2022 CINEMA HIGHLIGHTS WORTH CATCHING UP WITH AT HOME RED ROCKET It might sound crazy, but it ain't no lie: Red Rocket's *NSYNC needle drops, the cost of which likely almost eclipsed the rest of the film's budget, provide a sensational mix of movie music moments in an all-round sensational picture. A portrait of an ex-porn star's knotty homecoming to the oil-and-gas hub that is Texas City, the feature only actually includes one song by the Justin Timberlake-fronted late-90s/early-00s boyband, but it makes the most of it. That tune is 'Bye Bye Bye', and it's a doozy. With its instantly recognisable blend of synth and violins, it first kicks in as the film itself does, and as the bruised face of Mikey Saber (Simon Rex, Scary Movie 3, 4 and 5) peers out of a bus window en route from Los Angeles. Its lyrics — "I'm doing this tonight, you're probably gonna start a fight, I know this can't be right" — couldn't fit the situation better. The infectiously catchy vibe couldn't be more perfect as well, and nor could the contrast that all those upbeat sounds have always had with the track's words. As he demonstrates with every film, Red Rocket writer/director/editor Sean Baker is one of the best and shrewdest filmmakers working today — one of the most perceptive helmers taking slice-of-life looks at American existence on the margins, too. His latest movie joins Starlet, Tangerine and The Florida Project on a resume that just keeps impressing, but there's an edge here born of open recognition that Mikey is no one's hero. He's a narcissist, sociopath and self-aggrandiser who knows how to talk his way into anything, claim success from anyone else's wins and blame the world for all his own woes. He's someone that everyone in his orbit can't take no more and wants to see out that door, as if *NSYNC's now-22-year-old lyrics were specifically penned about him. He's also a charismatic charmer who draws people in like a whirlwind. He's the beat and the words of 'Bye Bye Bye' come to life, in fact, even if the song wasn't originally in Red Rocket's script. Red Rocket streams via Binge and Prime Video. Read our full review. AMBULANCE Following a high-stakes Los Angeles bank robbery that goes south swiftly, forcing two perpetrators to hijack an EMT vehicle — while a paramedic tries to save a shot cop's life as the van flees the LAPD and the FBI, too — Ambulance is characteristically ridiculous. Although based on the 2005 Danish film Ambulancen, it's a Michael Bay from go to whoa; screenwriter and feature newcomer Chris Fedak (TV's Chuck, Prodigal Son) even references his director's past movies in the dialogue. The first time, when The Rock is mentioned, it's done in a matter-of-fact way that's as brazen as anything Bay has ever achieved when his flicks defy the laws of physics. In the second instance mere minutes later, it's perhaps the most hilarious thing he's put in his movies. It's worth remembering that Divinyls' 'I Touch Myself' was one of his music-clip jobs; Bay sure does love what only he can thrust onto screens, and he wants audiences to know it while adoring it as well. Ambulance's key duo, brothers Will (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, The Matrix Resurrections) and Danny Sharp (Jake Gyllenhaal, The Guilty), are a former Marine and ostensible luxury-car dealer/actual career criminal with hugely different reasons for attempting to pilfer a $32-million payday. For the unemployed Will, it's about the cash needed to pay for his wife Amy's (Moses Ingram, The Tragedy of Macbeth) experimental surgery, which his veteran's health insurance won't cover — but his sibling just wants money. Will is reluctant but desperate, Danny couldn't be more eager, and both race through a mess of a day. Naturally, it gets more hectic when they're hurtling along as the hotshot Cam (Eiza González, Godzilla vs Kong) works on wounded rookie police officer Zach (Jackson White, The Space Between), arm-deep in his guts at one point, while Captain Monroe (Garrett Dillahunt, Army of the Dead), Agent Anson Clark (Keir O'Donnell, The Dry) and their forces are in hot pursuit. Ambulance streams via Binge and Prime Video. Read our full review. Need a few more streaming recommendations? Check out our picks from January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August and September this year. You can also check out our running list of standout must-stream 2022 shows so far as well — and our best 15 new shows from the first half of this year, top 15 returning shows over the same period and best 15 straight-to-streaming movies up until June.
Chin Chin's Chris Lucas strikes again with plans to open his second Flinders Lane haunt. It may not yet have a name, but the three-storey, three-kitchen Japanese restaurant is certainly in motion and set to open at 175 Flinders Lane — opposite Supernormal and just down the road from the forever-heaving Chin Chin — in March 2017. According to Good Food, Head Chef Shaun Presland has been lured away from his Sydney digs at Sake (which has also just opened on Flinders Lane) to run this new venture, which is a coup for The Lucas Group. Presland is clearly the man for the job — Japanese cuisine has been his focus for decades, from cheffing in Japan in the '90s (and subsequently becoming fluent in the language), to setting up Sushi e for the Merivale Group back in 2000 and even getting headhunted by Nobu in 2005. The food will aim at high-end without being exclusive — a very Lucas-esqe concept — and the three levels will be distinct and self-contained. At street level will be a 150-seater split-level main dining room with a "serious" sushi bar (sans the train) and a "hot kitchen" in the basement. But we're most excited for the top floor: an eight-seat, omakase-style bar offering traditional kaiseki, which is a delicate and extravagant multi-course display of skill and technique. On the drinks side of things, the restaurant's new wine connoisseur Philip Rich (ex-Prince Wine Store) is flying to Japan in November to create an impeccable Japanese wine, beer and sake list, and the hiring of a "sake master" is also in the works. The building itself is still far from restaurant-ready and, as it currently stands, is part office, part "reptile shop". Luckily, Wood Marsh Architecture (the architects behind ACCA) is on the case. The next twelve months will be a busy one for The Lucas Group, who has also announced a Sydney location of Chin Chin and secretive plans for their recently acquired Smith Street location. This is of course in addition to their other Melbourne eateries, which include the aforementioned Chin Chin, Kong BBQ, Baby Pizzeria and Hawker Hall. Via Good Food. Top image: Chin Chin via The Lucas Group.
Some problems require quick and urgent solutions, as 2020 has demonstrated over and over again. Other struggles prove more of an inconvenience than anything else, and don't really need quite the same fast and strong response. But the latter category is still filled with the types of troubles we've all spent more time pondering than we probably should've — like trying to carry four beers back from the bar in one go, for instance. Yes, there are actually already multiple solutions to this issue. Trays exist, or you can get a friend to help. But if you're not too fond of either of those options, hospitality company Merivale, food and beverage company Lion, and marketing company Ogilvy have teamed up to create 'super schooners'. They look like regular glasses, but bigger — and they're actually comprised of four glasses in one. Basically, when you pull the super schooners apart, they break into wedge-shaped glasses. But they're easier to carry when they're all pushed together — which is exactly what they've been designed for. And, they're coming to one Sydney pub for summer, aka the prime season for sinking cold ones with the gang. The super schooners will launch at Vic on The Park in Marrickville, with brew lovers able to literally pick up a four-in-one-glass from the evening of Wednesday, November 18. Yes, their availability has been timed to coincide with the last State of Origin game. You can choose to have them filled with Furphy or Byron Bay Ale, and the entire thing will cost you $35. Sydneysiders could potentially be able to order a super schooner at other Merivale venues around town down the line, too, although nothing has been confirmed as yet. If you're located in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth and you think this four-in-one glass would make your stints at the pub much, much easier, you'll have to cross your fingers that another hospitality group based in your city gets onboard with the super schooner concept. Sydneysiders can grab a super schooner from Vic on The Park, 2 Addison Road, Marrickville, from Wednesday, November 18. Merivale might roll out the concept to its other Sydney venues in the future — we'll keep you updated if that happens.
Some stories are so wild that they can only be true, and the tale of Australian cult The Family is definitely one of them. That's worth remembering when it finally becomes your next homegrown streaming obsession — in fact, you probably won't be able to forget it — with Disney+ taking inspiration from the sinister Aussie sect for a new eight-part series called The Clearing. If you're new to The Family — and you didn't see the excellent and supremely creepy 2016 documentary that shares the cult's name, or the 2019 series The Cult of the Family, both by filmmaker Rosie Jones — then strap yourself in for quite the story. It was very real, forming in the 1960s around Melbourne, with charismatic yoga teacher Anne Hamilton-Byrne at its head. A cult run by a woman is already extremely rare, but this tale also includes adopting kids who looked identical, dressing them in matching clothing, claiming that Hamilton-Byrne was a living god and, because that's not enough, a lot of LSD. Police raided the sect's Lake Eildon compound back in 1987, all those children were removed from the property, and Hamilton-Byrne and her husband fled Australia, but were arrested in the US in 1993. [caption id="attachment_611844" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Family[/caption] There's more to this tale, which inspired JP Pomare's novel In the Clearing — and that's what The Clearing adapts. The show will step into the fictionalised but still chaotic details by following a woman who starts to confront her nightmarish past to stop a secret cult that's gathering up children to serve its master plan. Unsurprisingly, the mood will be tense, with the Disney+ series firmly a psychological thriller. Cast-wise, almost every famous Aussie acting name possible is involved, or so it seems, including Teresa Palmer (Ride Like a Girl), Miranda Otto (True Colours) and Guy Pearce (Mare of Easttown), as well as Claudia Karvan (Bump) and Mark Coles-Smith (Mystery Road: Origin). Also set to appear on-screen: Hazem Shammas (The Twelve), Kate Mulvany (Hunters), Xavier Samuel (Elvis), Anna Lise Phillips (Fires), Harry Greenwood (Wakefield) Erroll Shand (The Justice of Bunny King), Doris Younane (Five Bedrooms), Miah Madden (Dive Club), Julia Savage (Mr Inbetween), Gary Sweet (Wentworth), Alicia Gardiner (Offspring), Matt Okine (The Other Guy) and Jeremy Blewitt (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart), plus Lily La Torre (Run Rabbit Run) and Ras-Samuel Welda'abzgi (Neighbours). We told you it was a hefty list. [caption id="attachment_862740" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Cult of the Family[/caption] Behind the lens, Jeffrey Walker (Lambs of God) and Gracie Otto (Seriously Red) are on directing duties, with Elise McCredie (Stateless) and Matt Cameron (Jack Irish) creating and writing The Clearing — with help from co-writer Osamah Sami (Ali's Wedding). The Clearing is one of Disney+'s first three newly commissioned local scripted dramas — its first three ever, in fact — alongside The Artful Dodger and Last Days of the Space Age. There's obviously no trailer for The Clearing yet, but you can check out the trailer for The Family below: The Clearing will stream via Disney+, with a release date yet to be revealed — we'll update you with further details when they're announced. Top image: The Cult of the Family.
Lygon Street's northern stretch is dishing up more than few commuter headaches today, as a crew of over 50 firefighters battle a serious blaze at an abandoned supermarket. At around 6am this morning, VicRoads tweeted that the street had been closed in both directions between Albion and Blyth Streets, as the fire continued to burn and smoke spread. It has suggested southbound drivers hit Nicholson Street or Sydney Road instead. Fire crews are still working on Lygon Street after a building fire. Lygon St is closed to traffic in both directions between Albion St and Blyth St. Try Nicholson Street or Sydney Rd to avoid the closure — VicTraffic (@VicTraffic) August 26, 2018 Yarra Trams also took to Twitter to update passengers, announcing changes to the number 1 and 6 routes that operate along this part of Lygon Street. Neither tram was running between Brunswick Road (Stop 120) and Moreland Road (Stop 129), with busses used as replacements. Some Route 6 trams are being diverted along Sydney Road, along Route 19, while shuttle trams are operating between Route 19 stops at East Coburg and the Brunswick Tram Depot. Update - Shuttle trams are running between East Coburg and Stop 27 Brunswick tram depot (on the Route 19) for passengers to connect to diverting trams: https://t.co/37CDHt16y1 — Yarra Trams (@yarratrams) August 26, 2018 Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Fire Brigade has released a statement about the fire, confirming crews have been fighting it since arriving on the scene at about 3.30am. The roof of the sprawling building, which stretches between Lygon and Eddie Streets, has collapsed, and the blaze is being treated as suspicious. At the time of publishing, Route 1 and 6 trams had just resumed, though Yarra Trams confirmed that delays could still occur. Update: Route 1 and 6 trams have now resumed along normal lines following the earlier disruption. Delays may still occur while we work to restore normal frequency. — Yarra Trams (@yarratrams) August 26, 2018
Andy Bull is the definition of a one-man show. The two outstanding singles he has released this year, Keep On Running and Baby I Am Nobody Now, are entirely self-written, self-performed and self-produced. How he is going to pull this off live is uncertain, but we know that we want to be there to see it. Andy Bull’s alt-pop stylings and intriguing vocals create songs that tread a fine line between hope and despair. With a little help from an analogue synthesiser and some catchy choruses, the results are almost cinematic in the dreamscape we get lost in. Think of a David Lynch film in musical form: dark and mysterious, but undeniably beautiful. He has been enjoying radio play on both commercial radio and Triple J this year, and has recently signed to record label Republic Records in the US (who have also signed acts such as Gotye and Lorde). In other words, he’s blowing up. Check him out at the Northcote Social Club while you still can.
So you've made it through another year. And whether it was a slog or not, you are entitled to treat yourself this holiday season. To some that may be a festive getaway; to others, it might be telling your friends you're busy for the night while you hit the couch and get through all those new Netflix shows you may have missed this year — rumour has it Sabrina is coming back this month with a special Christmas episode. Others still may want to embrace the outside world and head out. If that's you, Melbourne is chockers with fancy destinations you've probably got on your 'for a special occasion' list, but we're here to tell you that every occasion is a special occasion. So splash out and remember you only live once and that life should be filled with bubbly wine. But, if your budget only stretches to bubbly water, we hear you and have teamed up with Bank of Melbourne to help you out. While we've rounded up some top-notch, splashy places, we've also figured out how you can head to these and not spend more than $50. ORDER A LOBSTER FEAST AT UNABARA Get some of the aphrodisiacs of the sea (aphroseasiacs, if you will) with a jaunt into Unabara. A Japanese restaurant specialising in lobster and oysters, Unabara has two presences in Melbourne — its Emporium restaurant and a newer ramen house in Melbourne Central. Pop into the Emporium lobster bar for a half South Australian rock lobster grilled and served with fries, salad and your choice of sauces for $39.90 — saving room if possible to peruse the oyster menu (they're served nine different ways). Or, head into the ramen bar for a bowl of Deluxe Unabara Lobster Sapporo Miso Ramen, also featuring half a crustacean for $28.90. GRAB VUE DE MONDE FARE AT LUI BAR Nestled next to ultra-fine dining Vue De Monde, the jewel on Shannon Bennett's crown, is Lui Bar. Also on the 55th floor of the Rialto and with a dress code, Lui Bar gives you the fancy feels that VdM is known for but at a much, much smaller price point. Head up there for a Lui Counter Meal, a chance to sample some of Vue De Monde's fare via a lunch box for $39. You'll get a choice of three dishes, a glass of wine or beer and even have a sweet treat thrown in to finish. Check out the views up from the 55th floor and say "oooh, ritzy" as you figure out you're ascending more floors than dollars you'll pay. Available from Thursday to Sunday, 12–2pm. PAMPER YOURSELF AT THE PENINSULA HOT SPRINGS The Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs has recently copped a big old refurb, meaning it's become even better, just in time for you and your tired bones to go, relax and rejuvenate a bit. The Bath House offers early bird and twilight bathing (weekdays before 9am and after 7pm) for $25 or off-peak (Monday to Friday) for $45. Stay as long as you want — or until they close at 10pm — soak those aching muscles and let your money woes float away. Who needs a fancy organic vegan mud spa experience when you can relax in beautiful mineral geothermal waters for under $50? You can also do a pizza and spa experience, FYI, which is a little more expensive, but we thought you should know. GRAB THE EXPRESS LUNCH AT CECCONI'S Italian restaurant Cecconi's sits up the east end of Flinders Lane and houses a huge reputation, a cellar bar and some truly great bowls of pasta. It also runs a $40 express lunch special, wherein you can nab two courses and a glass of house wine for two lobsters. Cecconi's has been providing the hallmark of good Italian dining in Melbourne since 1998, and it's a critic's darling; this is a great option to get amongst it. Good news for coeliacs, too — there's even gluten-free bread and pasta options. Praise be to the Cecconi gods (the Bortolotto family, helmed by matriarch Olimpia). [caption id="attachment_638855" align="alignnone" width="1620"] Brook James[/caption] ORDER FANCY COCKTAILS AT 1806 If it's cocktails you seek, it's luxe cocktails you'll find at 1806, designated fancy bar in Melbourne CBD. Probably one you've stumbled into late at night on your way up Exhibition Street, 1806 is anything but casual. The long and detailed list of cocktails is categorised by era, featuring cocktails that date from all the way back to 1650 till now. Named after the year the word 'cocktail' was first printed, 1806 offers theatricality, exemplary service and a sureness that you won't be stopping at just one cocktail: there's around 60 to try that range from $17 to $22. DINE ON TRUFFLES AT SAGRA Sagra is a restaurant and bar on Malvern's Glenferrie Road that boasts a couple of levels, a rooftop bar and modern arty decor. They also feature, on the seafood-heavy and comfort-high menu, a couple of dishes where you can sample the culinary world's version of gold: truffles. Sniffed out by animals but dug up by people, truffles are rare (and expensive) because of their difficulty to farm, so, unfortunately for us, they're always found in small doses. But here at Sagra, you can find them aplenty. Opt for the duck liver pâté with truffled clover honey ($18), crayfish roll with truffle aioli ($12), a smoky risotto funghi with white truffle oil ($30), the half roasted duck served with truffle ($42) or the hand-cut chips with truffle pecorino ($13). SPEND A SUMMER'S NIGHT (GIN IN HAND) AT THE ADELPHI POOL DECK The Adelphi Hotel is one of Melbourne's unicorns. Smack-bang in the middle of town, this four-star hotel features a rooftop bar with a pool attached that's also open to the public ($35 per person). Off the back of last year's success, this summer, the Adelphi is again running its Four Pillars-hosted Gin Thursdays and Fridays. Partnering with the gin distillery, guests will be able to head up to the pool deck between 5pm–9pm every Thursday and Friday from January 18 till March 29. Four Pillars cocktails will be served along with snacks from Om Nom Kitchen, but like last year, get in early because there'll be limited capacity. OPT FOR A CHEESE AND SAKE FLIGHT AT MILK THE COW Generally, it's all about the cheese and wine pairings over here, but if you're indulging, why not splash out on something a bit different? Try a cheese and saké flight at licensed fromagerie Milk The Cow, with locations in both Carlton and St Kilda. For $22 or $36, you can have three or four cheeses custom matched to the saké you'll be served. Rest assured it'll be a harmonious pairing, as each cheese choice will be carefully thought out and explained by your cheesemonger. Cheese, of course, is the best of all the savoury things you can eat, and saké is known for its rich and umami flavours. So, 1 + 1 = 2 = good. Quick, delicious maths. ENJOY A LEISURELY WEEKDAY HIGH TEA AT MAMOR CHOCOLATES Mamor Chocolates is a place of good things: chocolate, high teas, chocolate high teas, Champagne brekkies and super lush red velvet couches — all things good for the soul. Though it's definitely the sort of place you treat yourself to, it is possible to do so for under $50; just pick the weekday morning or afternoon tea option. Mamor runs sittings on Wednesdays from 2–5pm and Thursdays to Sundays from 11am–1.30pm — the perfect time to use that 'dentist appointment' excuse at work (or, you know, do the responsible thing and wait until you're on Christmas holidays). The menu ($47) will convince you even if we don't: ribbon sandwiches, scones with jam and cream (of course) and the chef's selection of petit fours. Wash it all down with endless tea, coffee or pink lemonade and you might actually be heading to the dentist the next day after all. Worth it. [caption id="attachment_573639" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Jeff Busby.[/caption] SNAG DISCOUNTED TICKETS TO THE OPERA Nothing feels more high brow than the opera, and Opera Australia is making your 'Madame Butterfly' dreams achievable on a 'Ms Moth' budget. The affordable ticket scheme is a good'un: you can either enter the ballot and try your luck for a chance at $20 tickets or nab the student rush tickets for $47 if you're a full-time studier. The Student Rush tickets are only given to those with a valid ID, and you have to head into the Box Office from 9am on the day of the performance. If you tick all those boxes, however, you'll be sipping prosecco at interval in no time. SIP CHAMPAGNE AT ATRIUM BAR Nothing signifies a celebration like a chilled glass of bubbly (well, one that isn't Passion Pop), and it's worth braving the particular situation that is Crown Casino to make your way to Atrium Bar. A designated champagne bar, Atrium is a swish, shiny lounge that gives you the option of over 20 different champagnes. Some are only by the bottle (such as the vintage Louis Roederer 'Cristal' 2009 that'll set you back a cool $695) but don't panic, others are available by the glass (Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut, $33). And, Atrium are running a January special: two flutes of Piper-Heidseick for $35, available from the 7th - 27th of the month. BOOK A PRIVATE WHISKY TASTING AT WHISKY AND ALEMENT If whisky is more your poison of choice than bubbles, we've got you covered here, too. Whisky and Alement on Russell Street in the CBD is a whisky bar with just a little more. With a perpetually changing menu of around 1000 whiskies at the bar, it also runs private whisky tasting tours for groups of ten to 18. Perfect for a birthday, a work function or a lush way to celebrate the end of the year, tastings run from Thursday to Sunday and start at $35 per person. Groups receive a talk from a whisky expert, then are able to taste the four whiskies on offer. Top image: Adelphi Pool Deck.
Australia's hot springs fiends and bathing connoisseurs have a lot to be excited about — if a trip to Victoria is in your future, or will be now. First, we learned the much-loved Peninsula Hot Springs crew was planning a new wellness and bathing precinct for East Gippsland, the Metung Hot Springs. Then, a proposal for a 900-kilometre trail linking the state's hot springs and other bathing spots was unveiled. And now, it's time to actually start planning those Gippsland-based bathing adventures, because the Metung Hot Springs has announced an initial launch date, with bookings to open in a matter of days. The first phase of the $100-million precinct's long-awaited grand opening is slated for Saturday, October 29 — and you can jump online to book a visit from Monday, September 19. Much like its Mornington Peninsula sibling, the Gippsland site is set to be one giant haven of wellness and indulgence, nestled on 25 acres surrounded by coastal bushland and located within strolling distance of the quaint lakeside village of Metung. Guests will be able to soak in cliff-top barrels overlooking Lake King, let off steam in various architecturally designed saunas (including a floating one), pamper themselves at the day spa and rejuvenate while bathing in pools filled with geothermal water. There'll be bush walks to wander, plunge pools to get your blood pumping, and all-day dining options to refuel in between dips, too. Located four hours out of Melbourne, Metung Hot Springs will also feature onsite accommodation, including safari-style glamping tents each decked out with its own private balcony and geothermal bathing barrel. As announced earlier, the bathing precinct is also joining forces with — and renovating — the nearby former Kings Cove Golf Course, soon to relaunch as the Metung Country Club. It'll have its own resort-style accommodation and facilities, and a revamped clubhouse and restaurant, with 'stay, bathe and golf' packages on offer across the two sites. [caption id="attachment_869322" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Metung Hot Springs glamping[/caption] Meanwhile, those looking to indulge in some 'me' time can immerse themselves in the offerings of the onsite day spa, centred on authentic Larn'wa Aboriginal Lore wellness rituals incorporating native botanical spa products. The hot springs project is being brought to life with the help of $1.5 million in funding courtesy of the Victorian Government's Gippsland Tourism Recovery Package, as well as an additional $1.5 million from the federal and state governments' Local Economic Recovery Program In other related news, Victoria's proposed bathing and hot springs trail is set to start taking shape over the coming summer months, with the latest map and venue updates available to scope out online. Keen on multiple trips south to hit the hot springs? Back on the Mornington Peninsula, Alba Thermal Springs and Spa is on track to open its own doors in a matter of weeks, now taking spa and bathing bookings from September 26 onwards. Metung Hot Springs will open to customers from Saturday, October 29 at 73 Storth Ryes Avenue, Metung, Victoria. Online bookings are open from Thursday, September 19.
Thanks to a certain chest-bursting franchise that first hit screens more than four decades ago, Ridley Scott has long been synonymous with science fiction. So when the veteran filmmaker jumps onboard a sci-fi TV series — featuring androids again, but no aliens this time around — it's definitely something worth paying attention to. That show is Raised by Wolves, which is set in a dystopian future in the 22nd century, when the earth has been destroyed by war. Two androids, known only as Mother and Father, head to the planet Kepler-22b with two human embryos in their care, with the obvious aim of restarting civilisation. While it's immediately apparent that little will go as planned — that's just not human nature — don't go thinking that you'll be able to pick this striking, big-thinking series' every twist and turn.
Can one city have too many burger bars? Melbourne certainly seems determined to put that question to the test. Here to join the party is South Australian cult burger joint, Benny's, opening their first Victorian location on Chapel Street. It's a bold move, especially considering there's competition from Betty's, Hello Sam, Leonard's House of Love and Kung Fu Burger on all sides. Sleepy Adelaide this is not. But Benny's has developed a serious reputation in Adelaide as the go-to for a cheat meal, specialising in juicy, hard-to-hold-in-two-hands, American-style burgers. [caption id="attachment_902425" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Matt Turner[/caption] If this is your first visit to Benny's, start with something simple like the cheeseburger. Then work your way through the menu, up to monsters like the Fat Boy: an Angus beef patty, 8-hour slow-cooked brisket, double cheese, BBQ sauce and onion. All your usual burger friends are here too: mac and cheese, milkshakes you struggle to suck through a straw and chips smothered in gravy. There are over twenty on the menu and Benny's is even giving out 300 freebies on its opening day on Friday, June 2. Mark this one in your diaries, launch day freebies from 5pm will include the signature cheeseburger, a classic chicken burger or a vego cheeseburger, on the house. [caption id="attachment_902426" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Matt Turner[/caption] There are also plans to launch Melbourne's first bottomless burger brunch later in the year, which sounds like a truly incredible hangover cure. Images: supplied. Benny's officially opens on Friday, June 2 at 560 Chapel Street, just opposite Chapelli's. The free burger special is running that day only for the 300 customers who dine-in from 5pm, so get your skates on. After that, it will be open Monday–Thursdays and Sunday 11am–10pm, plus 11am–12am on Friday and Saturday.
Toronto welcomed a new and unique edition to its dining scene last month: Canada's first-ever restaurant tailored for the deaf. Signs, already popular with locals and tourists alike, is the brainchild of Anjan Manikumar, a hearing man who was inspired to learn American Sign Language (ASL) after realising first-hand how deaf customers struggled in restaurant situations that are simply taken for granted by others. The bar-restaurant, serving modern Canadian and international fare, employs a team of waiters who are almost entirely deaf. Choosing from over 200 deaf applicants, Manikumar found none had any waiting experience and some had never had a full-time job at all. He hopes the new venture will encourage the creation of other career opportunities for the deaf, while also promoting sign language among the community. For customers unfamiliar to ASL, the menu handily lists the sign equivalent next to each item, and a 'cheat sheet' (pictured below) translates some longer phrases, encouraging customers to engage with staff and fellow diners in this universal language. Via Buzzfeed. Photo credit: Signs.
Do you like tapas? I often get bored with individual meals and find myself craving variety, colour and whatever is on my dining partner's plate, a trait that translates to my taste in other areas, like art. If you too prefer the share-plate dining approach, perhaps you will enjoy Seventh Gallery’s upcoming exhibition — five spaces, five different artists and a whole lot of symbolism to feast upon. Melissa Menta presents us with an alternate dimension in which she explores the concepts of moving space and home. Adam Stone invites us to throw away our pre-conceived notions of life and death’s symbolism through animal motifs. Danny Digby takes us into uncomfortable corners, referencing the sublime. Hana Vasak looks at intimacy and it’s central role in our connections, and plays with the uncertainty involved. Josh Daniel and the Worker's Library present an information display that celebrates the International Year of the Crow in Literature. Chew slowly, enjoy the aftertastes (and thoughts) and most importantly, remember to pass it on. Image by Danny Digby.
Gone are the days when we would wait with anticipation while the modem be-bopped it’s way on to the world wide web just so we could scam a free song off Napster. We'd have to time it so that we could sleep while the song was downloading and by the next morning, if the line hadn’t dropped due to a phone call, we'd burn it to a CD-R at 2x speed and shove it on our discman. If you yearn to reminisce, head to this Thursday's SmartBar: Retro Futurism event at the Melbourne Museum. Introduce yourself to one of the world’s oldest computers CSIRAC (inter what?) then fast forward and enjoy some of our newest emerging technology in 3D printing. Oh, and did I mention you can also enjoy a stiff drink while CSIRAC sings you an electronic golden oldie? Some of life's greatest joys are still not available for download.
That age-old act of verbalising frustration, anger or in some instances passion, in the form of a swear word is generally seen as a crass act. But artist Theo Olesen has turned this everyday language into illustrations that prove even the most profane words can be beautified with good design. When Olesen was in kindergarten learning four-letter words, he recalls suggesting 'fuck' as a four-letter word beginning with 'F'. Since then, his fascination with profanity has evolved into finely illustrated graphics that he posts on his online blog, Beautiful Swear Words. Barely two months old, his blog has already attracted over 2,000 followers. Not bad for a 17-year-old who cites "fun" as his motivation for illustrating profanities. Olesen updates his blog daily with hand drawn illustrations of swear words ranging from 'boobs' to 'gonads' and has begun making his illustrations available for purchase on t-shirts. Why say it when you can wear it?
Stock characters and clunky, heavy-handed storytelling keeps Healing, the new Australian drama from Peaches director Craig Monahan, well and truly tethered to the ground. Co-scripted by Monahan alongside veteran TV writer Alison Nisselle, the film takes its inspiration from a real-life state prison program, in which inmates in minimum security help rehabilitate injured birds of prey. Despite the unique premise and setting, however, the film soon grows dreary and unfocused — leaving an unfortunate cast of workman local actors with no opportunity to soar. The most interesting thing about Healing is the location in which it takes place. A minimum security jail in bushland Victoria, the facility looks more like a camp site than a penitentiary, and offers an original spin on the traditional prison setting. The men housed here are at the end of their sentences, or have been convicted of lesser crimes. The focus is no longer on punishment, but on rehabilitation. It's in this setting that dedicated prison case-officer Matt Perry (Hugo Weaving), working in conjunction with staff at the nearby Healesville Sanctuary, decides to establish the avian care program. The timing coincides with the arrival of a new batch of prisoners, including sullen 18-year murder veteran Viktor Khadem (Don Hany). Despite the objections of his supervisors, Perry decides to put Viktor in charge of the initiative, in the hopes that caring for the animals will help prepare him for his imminent release. While the birds, particularly Viktor's favourite wedge-tailed raptor Jasmine, are undeniably majestic, animals yearning for freedom is a ham-fisted motif for a prison movie. Sadly, such clumsiness is all too typical of Niselle and Monahan's screenplay, in which plot points seem to vanish and personalities change drastically from scene to scene. Viktor goes from serene one minute to intolerably bull-headed the next, while antagonistic inmate Warren (Anthony Hayes) sneers constantly with one-dimensional villainy. Even worse, the arc of the film's most intriguing character — Viktor's drug-addled bunkmate Shane (a twitchy Mark Leonard Winter) — gets no resolution at all. Hany and Weaving are solid as always, but both have been far better elsewhere. For that matter, so has Monahan. Both Peaches and his debut feature The Interview had a certain edginess. Healing, on the other hand, feels safe to the point of total blandness. https://youtube.com/watch?v=RG7hQuVffOg
On Saturday, October 22, Prahran Market will host the Say Cheese Festival. For uninitiated (or those who didn't attend last year's debut event), it's essentially an entire day of eating cheese (and buying even more to eat later), featuring free cheese tastings, cheesy dish demonstrations, and stalls from cheese providores. Throughout the day, renowned chefs will take over the kitchen to demonstrate cooking techniques using cheese, including mozzarella stretching and how to make Brazilian cheese puffs. Once their demonstrations have your mouth watering, head to the Cheesy Pop-Up Precinct for lunch – perhaps some charcoal gnocchi with gorgonzola from 48 Hours Pizzeria and Gnoccheria, mac 'n' cheese from Meatmaiden or wood fired margherita pizzas from A25 Pizzeria? If none of those tickle your fancy, there will also be offerings from Professeur Crepe, That Arancini Guy, Wicked Spud and Raw Trader, who'll satisfy even non-dairy-eating cheese lovers with their raw vegan cheese. If you're not too full from all of that, the traders are also offering food to take home or eat there. Some of the highlights include Noisette's croque monsieur, twice-baked goats' cheese soufflés from Kook's Kitchen, and Fritz Gelato's four cheese-inspired gelato flavours, including lemon cheesecake. There will also be many, many cheese plates.
Instagram looked rather fetching last week. Hoards of hovering fashion bloggers, well-dressed punters breaking out their most social media-baiting outfits and a somewhat random Gerard Butler all descended on Sydney's Carriageworks last week for Australia's premier fashion event. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia is a tossed salad of the fashion industry's heavyweights, Next Big Things and hopeful scenesters eager to catch a glimpse of the coming season's boldest and brightest looks. Fresh from a long, house music-fuelled week of drooling over impossibly high heels and disarmingly playful outfits we could never comfortably wear into the office, Concrete Playground takes a look at next year's biggest trends. Looks like next year we'll be wearing wetsuits, donning enough sparkles to blind passers-by and asking our mums for style advice. Image: Toni Maticevski, Dion Lee, Ginger & Smart Luxe sports We all know Australia is a sporting nation, but who could have predicted that a fair whack of the MBFWA designers would premiere collections referencing sportswear as a key inspiration? Prominent zips, pockets, mesh panels, racer backs, fabrics that looked totally capable of wicking moisture — sporty detailing was everywhere this year. Dion Lee went varsity track-and-field, Ginger & Smart inserted a hint of streetwise mesh into otherwise romantic pieces, and several newcomers came out looking ready to race. The style reached its zenith, however, with Toni Maticevski, who sent athletics-inflected eveningwear down the runway (and it was stunning and formidable and would be perfectly rocked by Claire Underwood on House of Cards). Style inspiration: Sochi Olympics Image: Gabriel Lee (Raffles showcase), Ciara Nolan (The Innovators), Toni Maticevski Neoprene dreams Although a pedant might say neoprene is just one subset of the sports trend, the textile (you might know it as wetsuit material) was so prevalent at MBFWA that it deserves a mention in its own right. As well as anchoring the athletic collections of Maticevski et al, it made appearances contrasting against floatier, finer fabrics in the girlier wares of Cameo, Alice McCall and Gabriel Lee (part of the Raffles International Showcase), while Ciara Nolan achieved ultimate neoprene-age with her dinosaur-inspired (yes, dinosaur inspired) pieces. Best of all, neoprene should prove surprisingly wearable, particularly in skirts, where it not only makes sculptural curlicues from your waist to your knees but has a hold-everything-in effect. Stay away from any neoprene jumpsuits though; that could well just be a wetsuit. Style inspiration: Surfers. Duh. Image: Yousef Akbar, Alice McCall, Bei Na Wei SO SHINY This season designers are infusing a little celebration in each of their pieces. Accompanying the straight-up party that is Romance Was Born's hootenanny of an exhibition, Reflected Glory, designers like Aurelio Costarella, Alex Perry and Zhivago are making a dance floor out of mere clothing. Basically, the more sequins you can pack into a pair of pants the better. Metallic, rigid tunics and playsuits shone down more than one runway, making appearances everywhere from Alice McCall to Bei Na Wei, while glass beadwork, monochrome sequins and shimmering tassels made an absolute shindig of the Yousef Akbar runway. Day to night has never been easier. Style inspiration: Vince Noir’s mirrorball suit Image: Dyspnea, Alice McCall, Haryono Setiadi OVERLAYS We could see right through this one — overlays are getting serious exposure. Romantic as ever, intricate lace is all loved up by designers like Aje, Alice McCall and Alex Perry, prettying up full-length onesies, sheer business shirts and playful cocktail dresses. Appropriately breezy for her cruise-inspired birthday collection, Alice McCall paired long hemlines with high-waisted ‘50s style undergarments, while Ae'lkemi took sheer to the next level with gowns, shirts and skirts almost whispered on. The best thing about the evolution of sheer into overlays? Odds are you can actually wear it in the street. Style inspiration: Freedom Image: Hayley Elsaesser, Alice McCall, Emma Mulholland LOUD PRINTS Oh, you're thinking of wearing that ditsy floral dress? No. Life is short and this year's designers want you to spend yours not as a wallflower but as a rare, crossbred and likely poisonous orchid. Therefore, those who are working with colour (and not strictly monochrome and structural, which is, of course, also a thing right now) are working in vivid technicolour smashed together in brash prints. We're particularly taken with Emma Mulholland's and Hayley Elsaesser's sweet spins on childhood nostalgia and Alice McCall's mystical and alluring digital pyramid print. Fortunately, mixing prints is the pinnacle of this trend, so: let's wear both. Style inspiration: Ken Done Image: Dyspnea, Aelkemi, RACHELALEX THAT '70s SHOW Hemlines are longer, prints are bolder, sleeves are bigger — the '70s are the season's chosen decade for a runway revamp. Bell bottomed pants, asymmetrical tunics and winged sleeves made appearances in the Ellery, Bianca Spender and Ae’lkemi shows, while the impossibly bright, geometric prints of Desert Designs and tie-dyed designs from Rukshani channel an early '70s post-Woodstock vibe. Zhivago brought out yellow long-sleeved gowns with plunging necklines and Jayson Brunsdon featured super feathered, luminescent collars and one-shouldered numbers, also seen in Haryono Setia's candy corn-coloured tunics. Style inspiration: Studio 54 Image: Hayley Dawson, Yousef Akbar, Dion Lee MIXED MATERIALS Sometimes you need to pair something with its opposite to truly bring out its best qualities. Alex Perry fused rough snakeskin with bejewelled silk, Dion Lee is bringing leather to denim like only the Ramones could and newcomer Hayley Dawson introduced feminine, sheer cotton to hardy industrial uniforms. Yousef Akbar's Francis Bacon-inspired collection ended with floor-length gowns of half neoprene half silver sequins, while Bei Na Wei blended industrial strength synthetic mesh textiles with shiny leather to find a futuristic femininity. Style inspiration: Neenish tarts Image: Cameo, Emma Mulholland, Ellery MORE OF WHAT YOU'VE ALREADY GOT Not everything is a flash in the fashion pan; some trends are showing staying power that's a good two seasons long. Crop tops, bustiers and sheer garments are still around in a big way (layer the two together and you have something approaching modesty), while matchy-matchy monochrome remains a strong look, particularly in statement white. Style inspiration: MBFWA 2013 Top image: Emma Mulholland. Words by Shannon Connellan and Rima Sabina Aouf.
If there's one food experience that's just as good enjoyed on your couch as in any fancy restaurant, it's a good old-fashioned cheese and wine session. A dabble in some gourmet dairy, matched with some crackers and a glass or two of vino — it's a much-loved culinary ritual that not even lockdown can mess with. And there are some Melbourne suppliers that can deliver the whole cheesy, booze-matched situation directly to you, with just a few clicks of a button. Whether you've got a thing for d'affinois, are craving some camembert, or only have eyes for the cheddar, we've found a cheese and wine delivery service to suit. Clear off that coffee table and check out these local spots delivering wine and cheese o'clock to your couch. HIGH CHEESE BY THE WESTIN The Westin's famed High Cheese feasts have been reimagined for lockdown, now available as elegant at-home packs delivered via Providoor. Designed for two ($189), this one's a collaborative, cheese-filled high tea, featuring a selection of Melbourne favourites. There's a pop-up high tea stand, to be loaded up with sweet and savoury cheese creations from both The Westin's kitchen and Prahran's Maker & Monger. Think, oozy baked camembert with crusty bread, gouda scones with caramelised apricot butter and creamy Basque-style cheesecake. And on the drinks front, you've got a 1.5-litre pack of spicy mulled wine from Bar Clara's new side project Scarlet & Clove. The whole tasty haul comes packed in a Maker & Monger tote bag that's yours to keep. How much? $189. Order here. THAT'S AMORE It's one of the best local cheese producers in the biz, but That's Amore is proving it's also got some chops when it comes to pairing libations with those cheesy delights. The company has created a range of gourmet gift boxes available for home delivery, including a handful of drinks-matched options that are primed for lockdown. If vino is the go, you'll find both a classic wine and cheese box, and a premium edition, each showcasing That's Amore signatures like the crumbly buffalotto, a soft-rind caciotta or the aptly named newcomer, Isolation Blue. You'll even get to choose which Italian wine's included in your stash, with options like Il Palazzo's chianti and a Salatin pinot grigio. Gourmet crackers round out the fun. How much? $70–90. Order here. HANDPICKED WINES X MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL This year's Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) has moved to a virtual format, but you can rest easy because it's bringing the cinema candy bar to your place, too. MIFF has teamed up with Handpicked Wines to create two movie-friendly wine and cheese boxes, available for next-day delivery across Melbourne. There's a classic pack ($80) and a luxe edition ($195), each starring vino from top local regions like the Mornington Peninsula and the Yarra Valley. To match, you'll find gourmet crackers and a couple of top-notch cheese options, such as some ashed chèvre from Meredith, a wedge of L'Artisan's Mountain Man, or the cloth-bound cheddar from Tassie's Pyengana. It all comes boxed and ready to devour, with the option of adding on a curated MIFF film bundle. How much? $80–195. Order here. MCCOPPINS HAWTHORN If you've got a penchant for pick-and-mix snacking, consider McCoppins' Hawthorn store a cheese board gold mine. The grocer has an impressive collection of deli goods available via its online shop, featuring cheese, meats, dips, olives and scores of other accompaniments, sourced from Australia and abroad. You'll find everything from crumbly Bay of Fires cheddar and Milawa's goat's camembert through to the grape skin-coated Occelli tetsun de barolo out of Italy. And to match, there's a hefty range of booze, including lots of local and international wines for all budgets. Stick closer to home with something like a chardonnay from the Yarra Valley's TarraWarra Estate, or head to Europe by way of an Italian sangiovese. Select suburbs can score express delivery on their orders, seven days a week. How much? Price per item. Order here. MILK THE COW Veteran of the cheese and booze match-making game, Milk the Cow is a cheese-scoffing destination of choice for many Melburnians. And now, it's bringing all that expertise to your house, with a series of hampers available now for home delivery. For the full experience, opt for one of those featuring paired beverages, based around specific varieties like rosé, dessert wine or even whisky. The Australian Wine and Cheese hamper ($150) is packed with local goodies, like the Yarra Valley's Airlie Bank pinot noir and fermier cheese from L'Artisan. Or, you might be taken by the boutique beer-matched combo ($135), starring a selection of craft brews alongside the likes of Kris Lloyd camembert and a gouda from the Netherlands. And if you live close to either store, you'll even score free delivery. How much? $135–210. Order here. [caption id="attachment_779499" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sarah Pannell[/caption] KING & GODFREE Legendary Italian grocer King & Godfree is basically a one-stop-shop for all your iso feasting needs, handily delivered to your doorstep. Especially if cheese and vino are at the top of your shopping list. The online store has a dreamy collection of deli goods to browse and buy, as well as a couple of antipasto boxes ($75–110) loaded with cheese, salumi, olives, house pickles, fresh baguette and more. Maximum snackage, minimal decision-making. To take it all to the next level, simply finish off your order with a boozy addition from King & Godfree's wine selection. There's an impressive lineup of drops from both Australia and Italy, with varietals to suit every palate. Perhaps a 2017 Monte Tondo valpolicella from Veneto for some Euro flair? How much? Antipasto boxes from $75. Order here. AUSTIN'S X L'ARTISAN Moorabool Valley winery Austin's has combined talents with renowned French-style cheesemaker L'Artisan and Geelong specialty grocer Fresh Food Merchant. The result? A line of lockdown-friendly cheese and wine packs guaranteed to step up your cheese board game and boost your mood. There are five packs to choose from, championing different wine styles and showcasing each drop's best cheese matches. Bunker down with the trio of reds, paired with three wedges of L'Artisan's finest ($130), or perhaps try a broader range of Austin's vino alongside four cheeses and gourmet accompaniments ($199). Whichever pack you choose, you'll be digging into some top-notch local goodies and supporting a couple of great Victorian producers in the process. How much? $85–199. Over here. Top image: Milk The Cow
Do you live in a dog-friendly house? Do you have some spare time on your hands? Do you fantasise about hanging around at dog parks with an actual dog? The good folk at Assistance Dogs Australia need you. They have an abundance of puppies running around the place at the moment, and they're in need of volunteers to raise them. In other words, they're giving away puppies — but you will need to give them back. If you put up your hand to become a puppy educator, you'll get a puppy for about a year — from around its eight-week birthday to when it turns turns between 12–16 months old. During that time, you'll be responsible for introducing the sights, sounds and smells it'll meet when it starts working as an assistance dog (and giving your new friend heaps of cuddles). Of course, it's not all just fun, games and cuteness. You'll have to be responsible enough to take care of regular grooming, house training and exercise, and be available to attend puppy classes. A fenced-in backyard or outdoor area is mandatory, too. In return, the organisation provides a strong support network, all food and supplements, training equipment, and flea, tick and worming treatment. Assistance Dogs Australia is looking for people in Sydney's North Shore and Sutherland shire, plus Wollongong and the Blue Mountains; in Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula area; and in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. You'll also need to be home most of the time — so you won't be leaving the puppy alone for more than four hours a day — and to be able to put effort into training and socialising the pup. Once the pups reach 12-16 months old, they'll move on to their advanced training at Assistance Dogs Australia's national training school in Sydney. And, after they graduate, the four-legged companions will provide support to people with disability. Keen? You can apply online. And send pics please. For more information about Assistance Dogs Australia's puppy educators, and to apply for the volunteer roles, head to the organisation's website.
We have so much to thank the '70s for: P-Funk, The Clash, platform shoes, the advent of modern computing, and, most importantly, the terrarium. Back in the day, you would finish off whatever was in your favourite brandy snifter or plastic bottle, wrap it in your latest macrame creation, throw in a few ferns, and marvel at the fact that you suddenly had a portable piece of nature in your home. During the past few years, the terrarium has come back with a vengeance — and a sophistication with which it wasn't graced, traditionally. An expertly executed terrarium is now considered a work of high art, as demonstrated by the careers of New York's Paula Hayes and Melbourne's Clea Cregan. Even individuals putting together their own "ultimate, low-maintenance garden" at home can create a piece that'd make their mum proud. Whether you're a film buff who wants to see your favourite character immortalised in glass, a nature lover who wants to wear some greenery around your neck or are just looking to add a trendy touch to your home, you're sure to be inspired and surprised by the latest manifestations of the mighty terrarium. It's probably not a bad idea to take Don Burke's advice and keep your creation well-watered. The Hobbit Terrarium Recognise this door? Behind it, you'll find the home of one of fiction's favourite adventurers, Bilbo Baggins. The Hobbit terrarium miniaturises the already teeny-tiny world of Bag End, Hobbiton. The Beetlejuice Terrarium Yes, this really is what you think it is: a one-and-a-half inch model of Connecticut's spookiest house, built to scale. Made of wax, wire, paint and a hairbrush, it perches on a 'hill' of live, growing moss. If genius truly is patience, terrarium artist Rachel Bishop well might qualify. The Star Wars Terrarium Yoda's famous quip "Size matters not" takes on a new dimension here. The 900-year-old Jedi Master stands upon a hand-created 'landscape' surrounded by a glass globe just five inches in circumference. The Australian Open Terrarium CHARD asked Melbourne artist Clea Cregan to create this one for the Australian Open VIP Lounge. Cregan's Miniscapes can be found in all kinds of interesting places in Victoria's capital city. Forensics in the Flora Contemplating inviting friends over for How to Host a Mmurder? This terrarium could be the perfect conversation starter. Surreal Scenes Canadian costume designer Thyrza Segal fills her terrariums with Dali-esque visions. Polymer clay figures — half-human, half-flower — peer out from dreamily arranged, organic foliage. Terrarium in a Tear Drop New York artist Paula Hayes creates scenes of delicate beauty within glass that has been hand-blown into organic shapes. Last year, she installed a large terrarium at Lever House, New York City as part of an exhibition that explored the interaction of human beings with the natural environment. Terrarium in a Light Bulb Blown a light bulb and feeling guilty about throwing it away? Get out your tweezers and devise a world of your own imagining. A Living Necklace Seattle-based artist Courtney creates miniscule universes that you can take with you everywhere you go. Litill Terrariums New York-based artist Lauren Coleman uses succulents, sand and found objects to create unique terrariums of simple, elegant design.
Perhaps you've made 2023 the year of prioritising self care, or maybe you're looking to recharge and recentre as we ease out of summer and into a fresh season. Either way, you'll have the chance to kick some serious weekend wellness goals at the Mornington Peninsula's newest festival, Awaken. As Peninsula Hot Springs' latest offering, it'll take over the Fingal bathing precinct on Sunday, March 26 for a day devoted to wellness, music, culture and art. Designed to reawaken body and mind, the gathering is set to deliver a hollistic program of workshops, bathing, guided experiences and performances. You can fill your day with soothing dips in the precinct's many geothermal pools, stress-relieving treatments in the dedicated massage zone and a whole host of yoga-focused activities. Plus, enjoy live tunes from artists like Kyle Lionheart, Mama Kin Spender (backed by the Macapella Choir), Garrett Kato and Edo Khan. Those looking to stretch their mind can sit in on a whole range of talks and workshops led by experts like celebrated US yoga teacher Shiva Rea, stem-cell biologist Dr Bruce Lipton, Dr Marc Cohen, Wayapa Wellness' Jem Stone and trainer Simone Callahan. William Wong, Uma Spender, Sonja Kyra-Bleau and Maggie Carr are just some of the others who'll be offering expert guidance and inspiration on the day. [caption id="attachment_845455" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peninsula Hot Springs, Visit Victoria[/caption] What's more, the Peninsula Hot Springs amphitheatre and sprawling new 'food bowl' will play host to a good portion of Awaken's program — the pools here offer an indulgent front-row seat to whatever's happening on stage, allowing you to literally soak while you soak it all in. There are multiple saunas, icy plunge pools and even an ice cave to hit in between the performances and workshops. And if you fancy making a weekend of it, don't forget about the onsite glamping retreat where you can spend the night in luxury just metres from all the action. [caption id="attachment_790886" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Glamping at Peninsula Hot Springs.[/caption] Awaken will take place at Peninsula Hot Springs, 140 Springs Lane, Finga,l on Sunday, March 26. General tickets are $110 (or $180 with bathing access), available online.
Another month, another round of Lune Croissanterie specials — aka the tastiest thing about flipping over your calendar. The beloved bakery celebrates all 12 parts of the year with a different lineup of treats, such as lamington cruffins among its January specials earlier this year, bolognese and bechamel-filled lasagne pastries in June, and Iced Vovo cruffins and tiramisu pastries in July. With spring now upon us, it's going pink and floral. On Lune's September menu: finger bun croissants and cherry blossom cruffins. If you like beloved desserts that have been turned into other sweet treats — or mashups, food hybrids and the Frankenstein's monsters of baked goods, all those labels fit — prepare to be in culinary heaven. They're both exactly what they sound like, which is delicious, and you can only get them between Thursday, September 1–Friday, September 30. If the finger bun croissants have your tastebuds in a tizzy, they're an old Lune favourite that's making a comeback in-store in Fitzroy and South Brisbane, and also online at the latter. They're made with traditional croissants that are brushed with strawberry syrup, then filled with a coconut milk frangipane and house-made strawberry jam. On top: a whipped coconut icing, because a finger bun isn't a finger bun without the icing. And yes, they're also dipped in desiccated coconut. Feel like celebrating spring with cherry blossom cruffins? You know how cruffins work by now — the ol' muffin-croissant mashup that they are — and these ones have been piped with whipped cherry blossom ganache and raspberry jam. That's what you'll find on the inside, which definitely counts. On the outside, expect a dusting of icing sugar and freeze-dried raspberry powder, then a cherry blossom meringue on top. And you can nab these from the same spots: in-store in Fitzroy and South Brisbane, and online at South Brisbane as well. The September specials list also boasts an everything croissant at all stores — a new product that's made from strips of herb filled pastry which are twisted into a bun, then covered with Lune's 'everything bagel'-inspired seasoning, and also piped with a chive cream cheese after they're baked. And, all stores are doing choc-chip cookies, too, which sees Lune fill its pain au chocolate with a biscuit frangipane and extra chocolate chips, then add dulcey ganache and chunks of choc chip cookies on top when they're out of the oven. Just at Fitzroy and South Brisbane (including online at the latter), there's coconut Kouign Amanns as well — and as a South Brisbane exclusive, asparagus danishes. If you're on snacks duty for September — in the office or at home — your job just got easier and tastier. Lune's September specials menu runs from Thursday, September 1–Friday, September 30, with different specials on offer at Fitzroy and the CBD in Melbourne, and South Brisbane and Burnett Lane in Brisbane. From the South Brisbane store only, you can also order them online. Images: Pete Dillon.
Much-loved for its waterfront beer garden and sweeping views across the bay, the Portsea Hotel is once again taking on the live music scene this summer — bringing festival vibes down to Mornington Peninsula. Their Summer Music Series kicks off on Monday, December 23, with Jesse James and Carter Walsh supporting Darley who takes to the stage for an early evening performance. New Year's Eve sees Jake Webb hit the Portsea Hotel's stage — helping partygoers dance their way into 2025 — with the help of Ventura and Alex Jozza. Beyond that, you'll find DJ Levi performing on Saturday, January 4, and Jon Stevens and Band on Saturday, March 9. But we are most stoked about The Presets hitting the Portsea Hotel on Saturday, January 25 (on the long weekend). Tickets for this one are expected to sell out fast. Each of the shows will run from around 5pm and kicks on until the sun sets. It's not a bad way to end a big summer's day by the beach.
You're sure to be a little worn out from your Earth Day's tree-hugging and recycling activities, so why not relax with an eco-friendly cocktail? These 100% organic drinks will keep you in the green holiday spirit. Like any cocktail, these begin with quality (and in this case, organic) liquor. Some Earth Day-friendly stand-outs include Square One Vodka from Marin County, California, Del Maguey Mezcal, which imports single-village mezcals from Mexico via Taos, New Mexico, and Kanon Vodka, from Sweden. Each company produces 100% organic spirits. Square One and Kanon focus on sustainable production, utilising wind power in their distilleries. Square One bottles even feature labels made of sustainably grown bamboo and cotton. With the main ingredient covered, all you need are a few organic limes and tangerines and some creativity. Good's cocktail enthusiast Ken Walczak shows you how. So Fresh, So Green 1 ½ oz. Square One Basil Vodka ¾ oz. lime juice ½ oz. ginger-peppercorn syrup* Shake with cracked ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an organic lime wedge. * To make the ginger-peppercorn syrup: Combine 3 to 4 oz. of ginger, sliced thin, 1 tsp. black peppercorns, the skin and core of an apple, 2 cups sugar, and 3 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat; simmer for about 40 minutes or until syrup has the desired flavor and consistency. Cool completely. Strain. El Niño 1 ½ oz. pepper-infused vodka* 1 ½ oz. tangerine juice [I squeezed organic Minneolas] 1 oz.Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal [i.e., mescal with agave syrup added] ½ oz. agave syrup Shake with cracked ice. Double-strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a vodka-soaked pepper or a dried Fuyu persimmon. * To make the pepper-infused vodka: Remove the cores and seeds from a habanero, a jalapeño, two serranos, and an Anaheim pepper—preferably while wearing gloves. (Ripe peppers may be best overall, but firmer, crisper ones produce a “green” taste that is not entirely unwelcome in the cocktail, in addition to the heat.) Chop the peppers roughly. Clean and dry a mason jar thoroughly, place the chopped peppers in the bottom of the jar, and fill with an organic vodka (I used Kanon). Screw the lid on to the jar. Let the vodka infuse for 8 to 48 hours—longer infusion will result in more intense, spicier flavor. When the flavor is to your liking, strain the infused vodka. The vodka-soaked peppers can be retained as a garnish. [via Good]
Plenty of Australian cities boast radiant arts and culture festivals that light up their streets and spaces, from Vivid Sydney and Rising in Melbourne through to Brisbane Festival's luminous displays and 2021 newcomer Illuminate Adelaide. But Parrtjima - A Festival In Light takes the whole concept to several different levels — celebrating Indigenous arts, culture, music and storytelling, including via an eye-catching array of light installations, in Alice Springs and against a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the majestic, 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges. It's the type of event to add to your travel bucket list, and it's bringing its dazzling presence back again in 2022 — between Friday, April 8–Sunday, April 17. And, if you're wondering exactly what'll be brightening up the already striking Red Centre, Parrtjima has just announced its full lineup. As always, the event will take over Alice Springs CBD's Alice Springs Todd Mall, as well as tourism and conservation facility Alice Springs Desert Park Precinct just out of town — and the festival's main annual attraction, aka a huge artwork that showers the MacDonnell Ranges with light each night of the festival, is definitely on the bill. When it comes to staring at the stunning natural landmark, expect a 'desert of light experience, as Parrtjima is dubbing it. If you've seen images from past festivals, you'll instantly spot why that description is accurate. Grounded, which turns traditional and contemporary stories into a projected animation — complete with an immersive soundscape — will return this year as well, after consistently proving a crowd favourite. [caption id="attachment_843423" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Artists' impression: Farron Jampitjinpa Furber (Budgerigar Dreaming)[/caption] Also on the installation lineup for 2022: Water Tree, a piece inspired by the artwork of Karen Napaljarri Barnes that uses acrylic glass to replicate the sight of thousands of budgerigars flocking together, and will be strung across four archways; plus Flight, similarly going with budgies, this time featuring artwork by Farron Jampitjinpa Furber printed on sheer fabric spears to represent the birds' journey along the Lander River. Or, you can look forward to scoping out Eagle's Eye, which takes inspiration from irretye (the wedge-tailed eagle) constellation, and brings a tunnel to life with animation of works by Jeannie Nungarrayi Egan — as well as Wild Wind, by Raelene Ngala Williams, which uses her artwork to celebrate the stories of the whirly whirly through a series of floating and moving structures. There's also the Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists' Energy, comprised of eight static bikes and wheelchairs, which attendees jump on and spin the pedals to illuminate and revolve the artworks. And, the 15-metre-high Night Sky, as created in collaboration with artist Carmen Glynn-Braun and Common Ground, is filled with 1200 glowing orbs that are suspended to look like a blanket of stars. [caption id="attachment_843424" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Artists' impression: Carmen Glynn-Braun (Dreamy)[/caption] From the rest of Parrtjima's ten-night lineup, there'll also be live tunes from Dan Sultan, King Stingray, BARKAA, Black Rock Band and Jimblah. Plus, some of the musicians on the bill will also participate in the talks program, which includes Black Comedy's Steven Oliver, and Parrtjima artists Carmen Glynn-Braun and Raelene Ngala Williams as well. And, film-wise, the work of Sweet Country, The Beach, Firebite and Samson and Delilah filmmaker Warwick Thornton will be in the spotlight. Of course, Parrtjima is just one of Northern Territory's two glowing attractions in 2022, with Australia's Red Centre lighting up in multiple ways. The festival is a nice supplement to Bruce Munro's Field of Light installation, which — after multiple extensions — is now on display indefinitely. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light runs from April 8–17, 2022 around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information or to book tickets, visit the festival website. Top image: artists' impressions: Raelene Ngala Williams (Walpa Pulka – Whirly Wind) / Jeannie Nungarrayi Egan – (Rain Dreaming, Budgerigar Dreaming, Bush Tobacco Dreaming, Native Fuchsia Dreaming and Ceremonial Pole Dreaming).
UPDATE Friday, July 23: Anchovy's dining room might be closed for now, but its pop-up window is open for business, slinging a daily-changing banh mi menu Wednesday through Monday, for as long as lockdown continues and including the week beginning Monday, July 26. Check their Instagram to see what's headlining each day and swing past from 11am to pick up your bahn mi. Recent creations have included Manchurian-spiced roast pumpkin, turmeric chicken and a jungle spice pork sausage number. For more details on Victoria's current restrictions, see the Department of Health and Human Services website. Anchovy is chef Thi Le's baby. With a CV that includes Cumulus Inc., Luxembourg, Supernormal Canteen and Sydney's Universal, it's fair to say that Thi has earned her stripes alongside some of the best in the industry. She's responsible for The Dinner Project, a charity initiative that, after starting in Sydney, was brought down to Melbourne with her. The not-for-profit venture aims to raise money and community awareness for charities through delicious dinners. Passionate chefs donate their time, suppliers donate their produce and all profits go to charitable organisations around Melbourne. But now she has her own place. Describing the food as driven by her South East Asian roots, but still "influenced by contemporary cooking techniques and modern Australian cuisine", the menu is delightfully simple; light bites are followed by more substantial plates and then three mains. Naturally, all are designed to be shared. When every dish that comes out is your new favourite flavour, you know you're onto something good. Welcomed with mint tea to prepare the palate, there were sighs of enjoyment from the first bite of wok-tossed garlic shoots with spiced salt ($5). These were quickly followed by Vietnamese blood pudding: little sausages nestled in hybrid cosberg lettuce and topped with slivers of preserved ginger ($8 each). If ever you've had reservations about blood pudding, now is the time to cast them aside — these viet-style herbed delights are both creamy and also very light. Steamed clams ($23) are served in a turmeric and dill broth, which is both savoury and earthy, and incredible. Drink straight from the bowl kind of incredible. In the upward curve of gastronomic bliss, the shared main dish of braised goat, preserved bean curd, and taro in young coconut sauce ($28) is nothing sort of rapturous. But that's not all — there's dessert. Keeping it simple with two choices, the caramelised pear, toasted rice milk sorbet and ginger seals the deal ($12). Thi Le knows her flavours and she's not afraid to use them. The decor might be sparse — all white walls, clean lines and dropped industrial bulbs — but the staff are welcoming, knowledgeable and heart-warmingly proud to talk about the food and beverages on offer. With a range of local and imported wines and beers and an exotic and inspired cocktail list, it's easy to make a night of it here. Fridays and Saturdays are already busy, so reservations are highly recommended.
Sustainable design company SMIT has been busy developing solar power solutions as simple as putting up some sun protection in your backyard. Tensile Solar Structures are "lightweight, modular systems that produce solar power". And they're not limited to decorating your place. The product has real-world applications: providing shade in car parks by day and generating power to light up at night is just one example. The SMIT design team who created this versatile product were inspired to combine technologies of fabric architecture, composite materials and thin film photovoltaic technology. Designers Samuel Cochran, Teresita Cochran and Benjamin Wheeler Howes have also worked on the Solar Ivy project, a solar energy device attaches to the sides of buildings like ivy vines. [Via Good]
The first of its kind in the country, the Islamic Museum of Australia is a hub of Islamic art and heritage. It showcases a diverse range of works by Muslim artists including architecture, paintings, textiles, ceramics and calligraphy across five permanent gallery spaces and a rotating calendar of events and special exhibitions. Beginning life as a not-for-profit in 2010, the impressive institution provides cross-cultural experiences by highlighting the creative and cultural heritage of Muslims in Australia and overseas. The museum also hosts guided tours as well as professional development and cultural awareness workshops for all ages.
That beloved, giant yellow legend of a floating rubber duck is missing. The 59-foot, one-tonne inflatable sculpture by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman was apparently swept away by furious floodwaters in China's south-west Guizhou Province on Wednesday. The duck's exhibition team saw our giant inflatable hero unleashed from its ten-tonne metal platform on Guiyang's Nanming River, The Wall Street Journal's China Real Time blog has reported. "The duck flopped over and was flushed away really quickly by the torrential flood," said exhibition co-ordinator Yan Jianxin. "It disappeared right in front of me." Touring hasn't been kind to the giant inflatable hero. Popping up everywhere from Sydney to Sao Paulo since 2007, the team of giant ducks have quite the rambunctious tour diary. Just months earlier, one duck exploded in the middle of a port in Taiwan. Collapsing only 11 days after installation at Keelung, the mystery behind the duck's demise was never solved. "Organisers are unsure as to the cause of its demise, but one theory is that it was attacked by eagles," reported the BBC. Another duck then went on to casually deflate in Hong Kong. But now our noble, buoyant adventurer is nowhere to be found. Local radio stations are rallying local citizens to the hunt — "If you live along the river and see an 18-metre tall big yellow duck, please call 5961027." Like looking for a giant yellow duck in a watery haystack, the search could be a tough one. If only the duck was brightly coloured, able to float and unbelievably oversized. Wait. Via BBC, Gawker and WSJ. Images by Trey Ratcliff, Zuma Press, AP Photo, Kin Cheung, Reuters.
Tent? Check. Essentials packed? Check. Good-value booze from the nearest The Bottle-O? Check. The only thing that's missing is coffee… at least that was the case until we asked you, our dear readers. When tasked with providing your best camping spots and hacks, someone promptly stated, "Wacaco espresso maker. Must have." Genius. Now we're ready to go camping. (And here's that caffeine friend, if you need a new camp-ready gadget.) Without further ado, here is a standout list of knock-out spots to camp all around Australia, submitted by you. [caption id="attachment_892839" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Ogdum[/caption] BENDALONG, NEW SOUTH WALES Find your best holiday-self at the edge of the ocean, where a haven of white sandy beaches, consistent surf breaks and towering eucalyptus trees await. Bendalong Holiday Haven is a park with something for everybody — think self-contained cabins, caravan access and plenty of spots to pitch a tent. There's no shortage of activities to enjoy either, say swimming, fishing, surfing, volleyball or checking out the local wildlife on a bush walk. Camping here is nothing if not wholesome, and if you're staying for more than a night or two, do as one of our readers suggests and "take a thick mattress, sleep is so important". Holiday Haven Bendalong, 1 Waratah Street, Bendalong, New South Wales [caption id="attachment_892846" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Leelakajonkij[/caption] PUTTY BEACH, NEW SOUTH WALES Nestled in the lush surroundings of Bouddi National Park on the Central Coast, Putty Beach Campground is a short stroll from the warm sand and calm waters of its namesake shoreline. With a cosy 20 camping sites available for tents (no campervans, FYI), you'll need to book in advance if you want to secure a holiday here. Keep in mind that while there is running water and flushing toilets, you won't be able to have a hot shower here since the campsites aren't powered — it's all part of the authentic camping experience. Putty Beach Campground, Putty Beach Rd, Killcare Heights, New South Wales WYE RIVER, VICTORIA Picture this: the tent gets pitched without a hitch and as the sun is setting your mate hands you a cold one. Breathe in the refreshing sea air of the Wye River beachfront, this is good ol' Aussie camping at its finest. With all the amenities you need to have an epic stay, just pack good booze and good food, as there's a kitted-out camp kitchen and onsite barbecues. And if you're settling in for more than a weekend, consider this tip from one of our readers: "You need two tables: one to relax and eat at and one to store shit on." Sounds smart to us. Wye River Campground, Great Ocean Road, Wye River, Victoria [caption id="attachment_892850" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] On Patrol Photo[/caption] THE GRAMPIANS, VICTORIA With majestic sandstone mountain ranges and world-renowned hiking trails at your fingertips, there's little wonder why one of you shared The Grampians as your fave place to camp. Tents, motorhomes and caravans are all welcome inside the national park, with multiple camping options in the area providing choices aplenty for a convenient home base between your tramping excursions. Or, opt for a more off-grid experience in a forest park spot. Reader's tip? "Grab yourself some Yetis! They keep your drinks cold for hours!" Something you're sure to need as you embark on the many great walks from your campsite. There are several accommodation options in The Grampians region, head to the website for more information. [caption id="attachment_892856" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Stephane Debove[/caption] CHANCE BAY, QUEENSLAND The Whitsundays may be synonymous with Instagram-worthy luxury holidays, but you're as well placed for a fantastically memorable time at the spectacular Chance Bay on Whitsunday Island. The area's only accessible by boat — with anchoring permitted and ideal access during mid or high tide — but undoubtedly worth the mission for the opportunity to immerse yourself in all that the area has to offer (that's turquoise waters, secluded white-sand beaches and a symphony of wildlife, if you didn't know). This particular spot is off the beaten track, so you'll need to bring drinking water along with the usual camping requirements, especially a can of Bushman. Even better, do as one of our readers does: "Bring a hanging mosquito net and throw it over the tent." You can thank us (and them) later. Chance Bay Campground, southeast coast of Whitsunday Island, Queensland GLAMPING AT O'REILLY'S, QUEENSLAND If you're more of a five-star kind of holidaymaker than an under-the-night-sky type, O'Reilly's Campground has the ideal setup for you. Featuring 17 powered safari tents, this is as effortless as camping gets. As one of our readers puts it: "Glamping is easier and you get the camping benefits". Say less. With the breathtaking rainforest of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park on your doorstep, there's an abundance of adventurous attractions for all. Partake in morning yoga before strapping in for the epic flying fox later on, or opt for an e-bike tour first thing and plan for some spectacular stargazing come nightfall. O'Reilly's Campground, 3582 Lamington National Park Rd, Canungra, Queensland NINGALOO CORAL BAY CAMP, WESTERN AUSTRALIA Go on a secluded snorkelling safari, swim above the coral gardens in a marine sanctuary, hop aboard a humpback whale-watching tour, take a relaxing boat cruise at sunset and dive in for a swim alongside manta rays, reef sharks and turtles on the UNESCO World Heritage Ningaloo Reef. Attention: camping-heaven is a place on earth called Ningaloo Coral Bay, the epic campground just metres away from the beach where you'll unwind from your aquatic adventures each day. Complete with both powered and unpowered sites for tents, caravans, campervans and motorhomes, this seaside paradise has it all — including the practical things like a camp kitchen and barbeques, plus shops and amenities nearby. Ningaloo Coral Bay Camp, 1 Robinson Street, Coral Bay, Western Australia ROTTNEST ISLAND, WESTERN AUSTRALIA Imagine camping under the shade of native trees just a stone's throw from the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. A mere 10-minute stroll from Rottnest Campground, you'll find the stunning vista that is Pinky Beach, one of the island's popular beaches known for its idyllic swimming conditions. Too-cute quokkas and nature-soaked activities, Rottnest Island is a winner by anyone's standards. It's also home to events and pursuits on and offshore, from exhibitions and history tours to wildlife spotting and swell chasing. What will you do first? Rottnest Campground, Strue Road, Rottnest Island, Western Australia [caption id="attachment_688400" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Isaac Forman[/caption] KANGAROO ISLAND, SOUTH AUSTRALIA Camping is all about embracing life in the slow lane. S0 if you're clever, you'll make like this CPer: "Have a camping box ready with all your cutlery, salt and pepper and small gear — then you can just hit the road!" No rushing around before you head, or finding out you've left something necessary behind. What better place to head off for some chill vibes than the pristine landscape of Kangaroo Island? Whether you want to wake up with the waves or stay somewhere secluded, there's seven campgrounds to choose from on the island, so you're sure to find the facilities and features you're looking for. Just a 45-minute ferry or quick 30-minute flight from Adelaide, your unforgettable island camping adventure awaits. There are multiple camping options on Kangaroo Island, for more information visit the website. [caption id="attachment_865212" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Danny Lau[/caption] AYER'S ROCK CAMPGROUND, NORTHERN TERRITORY A guide to camping in Australia wouldn't be complete without a recommendation for visiting Uluru — and Ayer's Rock Resort campground, located just 20km away from the sacred site, came out on top — as suggested by more than one of you. Visit one of Australia's most magnificent — and culturally significant — outback treasures by day and hook up at one of the powered sites or pitch your tent to sleep under the stars by night. There's a host of enlightening cultural experiences and tours to fill your itinerary with, too — the hardest part will be finding the time to fit it all in. Ayer's Rock Resort Campground, 173 Yulara Dr, Yulara, Northern Territory Thanks for your participation, dear readers. Now, happy camping. For good value booze on your camping getaway, head to your closest The Bottle-O. To browse the range or find a store, head to the website. Top image: Charlie Blacker.
Turning hit movie franchises into TV shows is one of Warner Bros' current strategies, as HBO's recent and upcoming slate demonstrates. The Batman sparked The Penguin, the recent Dune movies are giving rise to Dune: Prophecy, and IT and Harry Potter are also getting the same small-screen treatment. With Game of Thrones, however, it looks like the company is set to take the opposite path. First came George RR Martin's books. Then Game of Thrones reached television, became a monstrous hit and, when it ended in 2019, sparked more TV. Prequel series House of the Dragon premiered in 2022, returned for season two in 2024 and has confirmed that it has two more runs to go before wrapping up with season four. The third Westeros-set series, called A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, will arrive in 2025. More have been floated, but a stint on the big screen might also be in the works. As per The Hollywood Reporter, apparently a Game of Thrones movie is coming. The publication reports that the film is in its very early stages, and that there isn't any other details so far — "but the company is keen on exploring the idea of Westeros invading cinemas". Accordingly, what the film will be about, who will star, if any familiar characters will return, where it fits in the franchise's timeline, who'll direct and when it might reach viewers are all still unknown for now. But audiences have always known that all things Game of Thrones were never going to simply fade away. Given the saga's love of battles and dragons, and the special effects to bring them to life, making the move to silver screens is also far from a surprise. The latest development in the franchise's fortunes follows news earlier this year that the Jon Snow-focused sequel series that HBO was potentially producing is no longer happening, as confirmed by none other than Kit Harington himself. That show was set to explore Jon Snow's story after the events of Game of Thrones' eighth and final season. You might recall that that last batch of episodes were rather eventful for the character, even more than normal. He found out that he was born Aegon Targaryen, and that he has a claim to the Iron Throne. He also ditched Westeros — after being exiled — to head North of the Wall. Among the other Game of Thrones spinoff rumours, a second new series to the Targaryens has also been mentioned. And as for the forthcoming Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, it is based on the novella series Tales of Dunk and Egg, as has been rumoured for a few years now. The story follows knight Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg as they wander Westeros a century before the events of GoT, when the Targaryens remain on the Iron Throne and everyone still remembers dragons. There's obviously no trailer for the Game of Thrones movie yet, but check out HBO's most recent sneak peek of its upcoming releases, including a glimpse at A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, below: The Game of Thrones movie doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you with more details when they're announced. Via: The Hollywood Reporter. Images: Helen Sloan/HBO.
Windsor's Singapore-inspired Hawker Hall is celebrating Chinese New Year with the return of its weekend yum cha sessions. Every Saturday and Sunday in February, diners can feast on a whole six courses of dim sum for just $38 per person. As yum cha is traditionally a breakfast or early lunch meal, the deal is available from 11am–4pm each day. You can choose six dishes from the many bamboo steamer baskets on offer — think the requisite barbecue pork buns, spring rolls and fried rice, plus five-spiced chicken ribs, shiitake mushroom mapo tofu, fried squid and seafood-stuffed Chinese doughnuts with plenty of chilli oil. Apart from the eats, the venue is slinging four cocktails ($12 each) that have been designed to drink aside dim sum. There's the Enter The Dragon — a tropical concoction of tequila, pineapple, lime, guava and mint — as well as The Green Lantern, with jasmine-infused vodka mixed with peach, lemon and cucumber. Since it's yum cha, the courses will, of course, be on the smaller side, but the price is hard to beat regardless. Hawker Hall's yum cha runs from 11am–4pm. You can book your spot via the website.
Duck inside the South Melbourne Market, where you'll find pastry chef and Parisian expatriate Agathe Kerr, baking fresh, French delicacies in an exposed pastry kitchen behind the market counter of Agathé Pâtisserie. Kerr has been delighting market-goers with authentic, homemade French pastries since 2015. Highlights of the stall include croissants fused with matcha, pandan or cafe au lait; Nutella, salted caramel and peanut caramel custard-filled cruffins; delicately layered millefeuilles and extravagant cheesecakes. Don't be dismayed if you find a line stretching through the markets — the wait is worth it and gives you time to pick from the wide selection of treats on offer. Images: Tracey Ahkee.
In spicy news for animal-lovers, St Kilda's Babu Ji restaurant is about to add an all-you-can-eat vegan feast to its weekly calendar. Every Tuesday from 19 June, you'll be able to settle in for as much curry and cumin-infused rice as you can handle — for just 25 bucks. Babu Ji's plant-based offerings will vary from week-to-week. Among the dishes you're likely to find are dal makhani — a mix of black lentils, ginger, garlic and garam masala that's cooked for 12 hours — and aloo baingan, an eggplant and potato curry with roasted pine nuts and raisins. As well as being vegan, it's all gluten-free — including the naan (just ask for the GF version). Apart from the obvious deliciousness, owner Mani Waraich hopes the vegan menu will showcase a new side of Indian cuisine. "We're launching vegan Tuesdays, not only because we should all be eating less meat, but because Indian food has so many vegan options that are so naturally tasty and nutritious," he says. Your $25 includes all the vegan curry and cumin-infused rice you can eat, as well as a papadum. Plus, all proceeds raised on the first vegan night will go to Sacred Heart Mission.
If a certain pandemic has had you holed up at home getting very well acquainted with the inside of your living room, chances are you've rediscovered that indoor plant obsession. Or at the very least, been inspired to add to your current collection of green stuff. Handy then, that there's a new kid on the plant-slinging block: Prahran's sprawling greenery-filled warehouse, Botanicah. The work of best mates Harris Mashood and Bowen Walker, this plastic bag factory-turned-retail space clocks in at 350 square metres and is stocked to the brim with a hefty assortment of plants, pots and accessories. Everything is carefully chosen by the owners from local nurseries, with new pieces added regularly. And you'll even find a growing selection of locally-made pots and planters in the lineup. [caption id="attachment_775192" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arianna Leggiero[/caption] The duo's selection of greenery has a little something to suit just about every condition and watering habit imaginable, from those sun-loving outdoor plants to cute cacti and hard-to-kill indoor varieties. Fancy a foxtail fern for your bedroom? Maybe a melanthera to brighten up that balcony? Whatever you're vibing, a wander through this soothing green oasis is likely to unearth it. And as well as a wide-ranging selection offering buckets of inspiration, the team's also got your back with expert advice on how to help those new plant babies thrive. There are also plans for the venue to eventually moonlight as a lush events space — stay tuned for that to happen later this year. Under the current stay-at-home orders for metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, some retail stores are allowed to open if they have appropriate hygiene and social-distancing measures in place. Visiting an open retail store to obtain 'necessary goods or services' is considered one of the accepted reasons to leave your home during lockdown. Botanicah will continue to open from 10am–6pm daily, but if you'd prefer to avoid going out for now, you can also virtually plan your indoor garden by scrolling through its stunning Instagram. Find Botanicah at 44 Porter Street, Prahran. It's open from 10am–6pm daily, with only a handful of people allowed inside at a time. Images: Arianna Leggiero
Neither the cash nor inclination to hotfoot it to Byron Bay this Easter? Your folks no longer willing to stash eggs in your backyard? Despair not. Not everything shuts down on this here holy holiday anymore — there's plenty going on in Melbourne, and staying in the city will provide some good ol' hometown fun. Whether you want to get down on your hands and knees and search for those foil-covered treasures, go to a gallery, see a comedy show or just have a few bevs, here's where you can do it on this glorious four-day Easter weekend.
If Four Lions, Nightcrawler and Rogue One haven't already made you a fan of Riz Ahmed, then The Night Of will. The British actor is phenomenal in the tense eight-part mini-series, putting in the type of quietly potent performance that he has become known for across his career, and also winning himself a well-deserved Emmy Award in the process. Ahmed plays Pakistani American college student Nasir 'Naz' Khan. When a young woman is murdered on New York City's Upper West Side, he's accused of the crime — with hardworking lawyer John Stone (John Turturro) enlisted to try to prove his innocence. If someone made an entire series that just featured Ahmed and Turturro chatting, it'd be must-see TV. Based on the first season of UK series Criminal Justice, The Night Of delivers much more than merely its two leads talking, but it also makes the most of its stars.
While it felt like this year's cultural calendar was dominated by bottomless brunches and themed high teas (and there were a lot of them) a lot of other game-changing events were also taking place. From an inclusive music festival — that was fully wheelchair accessible and translated into AUSLAN — to the first national survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander design and an immersive installation that took over the Royal Botanic Garden with 6500 burning pots, Melbourne has seen a influx of events celebrating the city's cultural ecosystem and bringing people together. At Concrete Playground we encourage exploration and showcase innovation in our city every day, so we thought it fitting to reward those most talented whippersnappers pushing Melbourne to be a better, braver city. And so, these six new events were nominated for Best New Event in Concrete Playground's Best of 2018 Awards.
If the end of the world comes, or a parasitic fungus evolves via climate change, spreads globally, infests brains en masse and almost wipes out humanity, The Last of Us will have you wanting Pedro Pascal in your corner. Already a standout in Game of Thrones, then Narcos, then The Mandalorian, he's perfectly cast in HBO's latest blockbuster series — a character-driven show that ruminates on what it means to not just survive but to want to live and thrive after the apocalypse. In this game-to-TV adaptation, he plays Joel, dad to teenager Sarah (Nico Parker, The Third Day), but consumed by grief and loss after what starts as an ordinary day, and his birthday, changes everything for everyone. Twenty years later, he's a smuggler tasked with tapping into his paternal instincts to accompany a different young girl, the headstrong Ellie (Bella Ramsey, Catherine Called Birdy), on a perilous but potentially existence-saving trip across the US. Starting to watch The Last of Us, or even merely describing it, is an instant exercise in déjà vu. Whether or not you've played the hit game since it first arrived in 2013, or its 2014 expansion pack, 2020 sequel or 2022 remake, its nine-part TV iteration — which screens and streams via Foxtel and Binge in Australia, and on Neon in New Zealand, from Monday, January 16 — ventures where plenty of on-screen fare including The Road and The Walking Dead has previously trodden. The best example that springs to mind during The Last of Us is Station Eleven, however, which is the heartiest of compliments given how thoughtful, smart, empathetic and textured that 2021–22 series proved. As everything about pandemics, contagions and diseases that upend the world order now does, The Last of Us feels steeped in stone-cold reality as well, as spearheaded by a co-creator, executive producer, writer and director who has already turned an IRL doomsday into stunning television with Chernobyl. That creative force is Craig Mazin, teaming up with Neil Druckmann from Naughty Dog, who also wrote and directed The Last of Us games. The worst thing that can be said about their new television creation is that fans of the original PlayStation title already know where it's headed, but that doesn't mean that there aren't surprises along the way. As a show, The Last of Us builds in backstories for some game characters only seen or spoken about. It introduces new faces. It toils to create not just one man and one girl's tale — plus the direct figures linked to their quest — but a portrait of life when normality as we all know it ceases to be. It devotes significant chunks of its time to people endeavouring to endure exactly as Joel and Ellie are amid an infestation that's turned the afflicted into not only zombies but monsters. In its 2003-set opening, Joel, his younger brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna, Terminator: Dark Fate) and Sarah try to outdrive the sprawling infection, only to learn swiftly, brutally and heartbreakingly how the earth's population responds when a mass-extinction event is upon them. If The Last of Us enjoys the kind of viewer success that earns a second season and then a prequel, and it deserves to, exploring the immediate aftermath from here would be a smart and gripping move for that jump backwards. That isn't the game or this first season's narrative, though, which then finds Joel with the resourceful Tess (Anna Torv, Mindhunter) in Boston's quarantine zone, making plans to go looking for the absent Tommy. They're in survival mode. Noticeably wearied, they've long avoided anything beyond remaining alive. But escorting the 14-year-old Ellie will require a broader mindset. From the outset, but also episode by episode, Mazin and Druckmann excel at world-building. Many will come to The Last of Us' week-by-week instalments having mashed buttons directing Joel and Ellie through their mission, but familiarity with the game is far from a pre-requisite for being whisked away by the series. Indeed, one of the thrills of the television show is its attention to detail in its rendering of a decaying planet, and also its appreciation for the little things that make persisting and persevering in such difficult times worth it. It revels in greenery and rays of light, in moments and sights that offer a rare cosy blast from the past for everyone who remembers the before times, and in discoveries with fresh eyes for the post-apocalyptic generation. It values poignant exchanges and intimate connections, too. Although firmly made for the small screen, The Last of Us looks and feels cinematic from season one's first frames till its last, as Mazin's Chernobyl also did. Perhaps the second-worst thing that can be said about the series, and an observation that was always inevitable, is that it's plain to see how the story works on a console. That applies to surveying spaces, locating supplies, evading or dispensing with threats, seeking paths forward, navigating the mutated Cordyceps-contaminated creatures known as clickers, making new allies, and moving from place to place — aka completing various chapters. Thankfully, just like fleshing out The Last of Us' vision of tainted life, Mazin, Druckmann, and their fellow writers and directors make the gameplay mechanics feel organic as well, using their source material merely as a starting point. When the show sticks close to the exact reason that it even exists, it recreates the video game's specifics carefully, dutifully, but with watching rather than playing in mind. When it expands further, it turns something that's immediately compelling and engaging into something even more special. To go a level further, The Last of Us is spectacular — as a video game adaptation, instantly becoming the best yet, and in general. A key reason: its devotion to people and their relationships over the dangers that lurk everywhere and anywhere, not that it ever ignores the latter. In its take on life, death, and why living and breathing is worth treasuring, getting to know the determined, fiercely loyal Joel and the curious, outspoken Ellie is of the utmost importance. Understanding how they interact and react, what ties them together beyond their shared mission, and what they come to mean to each other, is what makes their troubles and struggles — and our watching — worthwhile. In varying degrees, the same applies to other pivotal characters, including Boston resistance leader Marlene (Merle Dandridge, The Flight Attendant), Kansas City rebel Kathleen (Melanie Lynskey, Yellowjackets), and brother duo Henry (Lamar Johnson, Your Honor) and Sam (debutant Keivonn Woodard). As fantastic, committed and absorbing as Pascal and Ramsey are, him stoic and protective, her soaking in everything she can experience, and both weighed down by the pain and sorrow that Joel and Ellie each carry with them with on every step, The Last of Us' best first-season episode mostly focuses elsewhere. Murray Bartlett (The White Lotus) plays Frank and Nick Offerman (The Resort) is Bill — one no longer defecating in suitcases in swanky surroundings, the other well-versed in all things survivalist after Parks and Recreation. Their involvement in this tale is as tender as the show gets, and as vital a reminder about what it is that everyone is fighting to live for. To be among the last of humanity should mean cherishing everything you can while you can, and with who you can, and this stellar game adaption wholeheartedly understands that. Check out the trailer for The Last of Us below: The Last of Us screens and streams via Foxtel and Binge in Australia, and on Neon in New Zealand, from Monday, January 16.
If keeping your eyes glued to a screen comes as naturally to you as breathing, then awards season brings plenty of news that you already know. You watched the best movies and TV shows of the past year, and now they're winning awards. Sometimes there's surprises. Sometimes everything that everyone expects to nab a shiny trophy does. Sometimes something deserving misses out, or wasn't even nominated. That comes with the territory, including at the Golden Globes, which usually kicks off the year in gleaming pop-culture accolades — and did again in 2024. Hearing everything that you already know in the opening monologue, though? That's something that no one wants. Were you aware that Oppenheimer is long? That Saltburn includes nudity? That Robert De Niro is an icon? So went the first few jokes from this year's host Jo Koy, amid mentioning that he "got the gig ten days ago" — which isn't too far off the mark. Thankfully, while the ceremony's hosting fell flat, as did Jared Leto's gags about himself while co-presenting the first awards with Angela Bassett, the gongs weren't short on highlights. You just had to look to the award recipients and presenters for the gold. So, let's remember the 2024 Golden Globes for Australia's Margot Robbie, Sarah Snook and Elizabeth Debicki all emerging victorious; Lily Gladstone's historic win and unforgettable speech; and Anatomy of a Fall winning Best Screenplay, a category that rarely goes to films in languages other than English. Succession's Matthew Macfadyen dubbing Tom Wambsgans a "human grease stain", then Kieran Culkin winning over Brian Cox and Jeremy Strong; Ayo Edibiri's excitement, including while thanking her managers' and agents' assistants for answering her emails, when she won for The Bear; Kevin Costner reciting America Ferrara's Barbie monologue; The Boy and the Heron getting the nod for Best Animation: they're all standout moments as well. Also worth sitting through this year's first night of nights for all things film and television: Emma Stone ribbing Australia's Poor Things screenwriter Tony McNamara about her attempts to do an Aussie accent, Christopher Nolan calling Cillian Murphy his partner-in-crime for 20 years and Murphy's just-as-touching acceptance speech. Your questions from here? What'll happen when Oppenheimer and Barbie face off at the Oscars, which doesn't separate dramas from musicals and comedies? Will the TV winners be mirrored when the delayed 2023 Emmys hand out its trophies later in January? How many more shades of pink can Margot Robbie don? And if your biggest query now is "who else won?", here's the full list of winners and nominations — and you can also check out our picks for the eight best winners you can watch right now. GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINEES AND WINNERS: BEST MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA Anatomy of a Fall Killers of the Flower Moon Maestro Oppenheimer — WINNER Past Lives The Zone of Interest BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA Annette Bening, Nyad Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon — WINNER Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall Greta Lee, Past Lives Carey Mulligan, Maestro Cailee Spaeny, Priscilla BEST PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA Bradley Cooper, Maestro Leonardo DiCaprio, Killers of the Flower Moon Colman Domingo, Rustin Barry Keoghan, Saltburn Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer — WINNER Andrew Scott, All of Us Strangers BEST MOTION PICTURE — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Air American Fiction Barbie The Holdovers May December Poor Things — WINNER BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Fantasia Barrino, The Color Purple Jennifer Lawrence, No Hard Feelings Natalie Portman, May December Alma Pöysti, Fallen Leaves Margot Robbie, Barbie Emma Stone, Poor Things — WINNER BEST PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction Joaquin Phoenix, Beau Is Afraid Matt Damon, Air Nicolas Cage, Dream Scenario Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers — WINNER Timothée Chalamet, Wonka BEST MOTION PICTURE — ANIMATED The Boy and the Heron — WINNER Elemental Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse The Super Mario Bros Movie Suzume Wish BEST MOTION PICTURE — NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE Anatomy of a Fall — WINNER Fallen Leaves Io Capitano Past Lives Society of the Snow The Zone of Interest BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN ANY MOTION PICTURE Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple Da'Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers — WINNER Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer Jodie Foster, Nyad Julianne Moore, May December Rosamund Pike, Saltburn BEST PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN ANY MOTION PICTURE Charles Melton, May December Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon Robert Downey Jr, Oppenheimer — WINNER Ryan Gosling, Barbie Willem Dafoe, Poor Things BEST DIRECTOR — MOTION PICTURE Bradley Cooper, Maestro Greta Gerwig, Barbie Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer — WINNER Martin Scorsese, Killers of The Flower Moon Celine Song, Past Lives BEST SCREENPLAY — MOTION PICTURE Anatomy of a Fall — WINNER Barbie Killers of the Flower Moon Oppenheimer Past Lives Poor Things BEST ORIGINAL SCORE — MOTION PICTURE The Boy and the Heron Killers of the Flower Moon Oppenheimer —WINNER Poor Things Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse The Zone of Interest BEST ORIGINAL SONG — MOTION PICTURE Bruce Springsteen, 'Addicted to Romance', She Came to Me Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt, Dua Lipa and Caroline Ailin, 'Dance the Night', Barbie Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, 'I'm Just Ken', Barbie Jack Black, Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Eric Osmond and John Spiker, 'Peaches', The Super Mario Bros Movie Lenny Kravitz, 'Road to Freedom', Rustin Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell, 'What Was I Made For?', Barbie — WINNER CINEMATIC AND BOX OFFICE ACHIEVEMENT Barbie — WINNER Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 John Wick: Chapter 4 Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One Oppenheimer Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse The Super Mario Bros. Movie Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour BEST TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA 1923 The Crown The Diplomat The Last of Us The Morning Show Succession — WINNER BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA Bella Ramsey, The Last of Us Emma Stone, The Curse Helen Mirren, 1923 Imelda Staunton, The Crown Keri Russell, The Diplomat Sarah Snook, Succession — WINNER BEST PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA Brian Cox, Succession Kieran Culkin, Succession — WINNER Gary Oldman, Slow Horses Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us Jeremy Strong, Succession Dominic West, The Crown BEST TELEVISION SERIES — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Ted Lasso Abbott Elementary The Bear — WINNER Barry Only Murders in the Building Jury Duty BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary Ayo Edebiri, The Bear — WINNER Elle Fanning, The Great Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building Natasha Lyonne, Poker Face BEST PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES — MUSICAL OR COMEDY Bill Hader, Barry Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building Jason Segel, Shrinking Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso Jeremy Allen White, The Bear — WINNER BEST TELEVISION LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION All the Light We Cannot See Beef — WINNER Daisy Jones & The Six Fargo Fellow Travellers Lessons in Chemistry BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Ali Wong, Beef — WINNER Brie Larson, Lessons in Chemistry Elizabeth Olsen, Love & Death Juno Temple, Fargo Rachel Weisz, Dead Ringers Riley Keough, Daisy Jones & the Six BEST PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION David Oyelowo, Lawmen: Bass Reeves Jon Hamm, Fargo Matt Bomer, Fellow Travellers Sam Claflin, Daisy Jones & the Six Steven Yeun, Beef — WINNER Woody Harrelson, White House Plumbers BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE ON TELEVISION Abby Elliott, The Bear Christina Ricci, Yellowjackets Elizabeth Debicki, The Crown — WINNER Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso J. Smith-Cameron, Succession Meryl Streep, Only Murders in the Building BEST PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE ON TELEVISION Alan Ruck, Succession Alexander Skarsgård, Succession Billy Crudup, The Morning Show Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Bear James Marsden, Jury Duty Matthew Macfadyen, Succession — WINNER BEST PERFORMANCE IN STANDUP COMEDY ON TELEVISION Ricky Gervais: Armageddon — WINNER Trevor Noah: Where Was I Chris Rock: Selective Outrage Amy Schumer: Emergency Contact Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love Wanda Sykes: I'm an Entertainer The 2024 Golden Globes were announced on Monday, January 8, Australian and New Zealand time. For further details, head to the awards' website.
It's finally going to happen: someone is going to be named as Logan Roy's (Brian Cox, Remember Me) successor, or no one will and this business-magnate family will just keep feuding. Either way, whatever occurs in Succession season four when it arrives this March, that'll be the end of the story, with the award-winning HBO drama ending with this next batch of episodes. In an interview with The New Yorker ahead of season four's arrival — on Monday, March 27 in Australia and New Zealand, airing week to week — the series' creator and showrunner Jesse Armstrong advised that this fourth go-around is the last for TV's current favourite bickering brood. Love all those delicious insults slung by Logan and his adult kids Shiv (Sarah Snook, Pieces of a Woman), Kendall (Jeremy Strong, Armageddon Time), Connor (Alan Ruck, The Dropout) and Roman (Kieran Culkin, No Sudden Move) — plus Shiv's husband Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen, Operation Mincemeat), and Roy-family cousin Greg (Nicholas Braun, Zola)? Of course you do, and you've only got ten more new instalments to enjoy them. "Who knows about the psychological reasons, but the creative ones were that it felt really useful to not make the final, final decision for ages. You know, there's a promise in the title of Succession," Armstrong said. "I've never thought this could go on forever. The end has always been kind of present in my mind. From season two, I've been trying to think: is it the next one, or the one after that, or is it the one after that?," he continued. "I got together with a few of my fellow-writers before we started the writing of season four, in about November, December 2021, and I sort of said, 'look, I think this maybe should be it. But what do you think?'. And we played out various scenarios: we could do a couple of short seasons, or two more seasons. Or we could go on for ages and turn the show into something rather different, and be a more rangy, freewheeling kind of fun show, where there would be good weeks and bad weeks. Or we could do something a bit more muscular and complete, and go out sort of strong. And that was definitely always my preference." All that scheming, all those grudges, that blood pressure-raising tension over who'll run the family company (and that wondering if Logan will just sell the whole thing off and leave his kids high and dry): that's all winding down. Succession is certain to go out with a bang, though. In the trailer for season four, Shiv announces: "this is not about getting back at dad. But, if it hurts him, it doesn't bother me." Shiv, Kendall, Roman and Connor have banded together to form a rebel alliance against their father, a move sparked by the season-three decision to offload the Roy's company Waystar Royco to a tech visionary played by Alexander Skarsgård (The Northman) — who also returns in season four. Unsurprisingly, not everyone is thrilled. When an entire series is about who'll take over the lucrative and powerful family business, removing that option for everyone is going to cause some hefty fallout. It was back in 2021 when HBO announced that Succession would return for a fourth run, after its Emmy-winning third season proved that exceptional — and popular. Now, however, viewers are in for just one more season of power struggles and savaging of the one percent, aka more of what Succession has always done best. Indeed, if you're a fan of twisty TV shows about wealth, privilege, influence, the vast chasm between the rich and everyday folks, and the societal problems that fester due to such rampant inequality, there have been plenty of ace examples of late, including The White Lotus and Squid Game. No series slings insults as savagely as this tremendous series, however. No show channels feuding and backstabbing into such an insightful and gripping satire, either. Check out the most recent teaser for Succession season four below: Succession season four will start streaming from Monday, March 27 Down Under, including via Foxtel, Binge and Foxtel On Demand in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. Check out our review of season three. Via The New Yorker. Images: Claudette Barius/Macall B Polay, HBO.
When International Dog Day rolls around on August 26 each year, there are a few acceptable ways to spend it. All of them involve oh-so-adorable doggos, obviously. If you don't have a pet pooch in your life, looking at cute canine videos and photos is perfectly acceptable. Yes, that's what the internet is for. And if you do have a four-legged, barking companion — or several — you really should be spoiling them as much as you can all day long. Here's a question for this glorious occasion: would your dog look better wearing a bandana? You can apply the same query to your friend's pupper, or your parents', or whichever canine you like to pretend is yours if you need to get your pet joys vicariously. Obviously it's a trick question, because the answer is always yes. Find us a dog that wouldn't look dapper with a bandana and you will have found nothing because it's just not possible. The team at Australian activewear label The Upside clearly agrees, so it has released a doggo bandana for International Dog Day. The name: The Pupside, naturally. And this is a piece of canine fashion that also helps dogs and other animals in need, because all of the proceeds from each $19.99 item are being donated to RSPCA NSW. Blue in colour, covered in a paisley print, lined with soft grey marle jersey and suitable for pooches of all sizes, the bandanas went on sale today — because today is August 26, aka the dog-focused day in question — and they're made from recycled fabric offcuts, so The Upside is doing the environment a solid as well. The brand is aiming to not just support RSPCA NSW, but also to encourage people to adopt animals — including dogs, of course — in need. And if you need more motivation to deck out Fido with some new threads, just look at the brand's images of bandana-wearing pooches. Go on. We'll also remind you that, for NSW residents in lockdown, RSPCA NSW has moved its adoption process online again. The Pupside bandanas ship nationally, though, so dogs across the country can spruce up their outfits. The Pupside bandanas are available for $19.99 via The Upside website.
Reaching its 93rd year in 2021, the Academy Awards has now spent almost a century handing out shiny trophies for filmmaking excellence. But, over that time, it has routinely nominated and awarded its gongs to male filmmakers, to white creatives across all categories, and to folks and films from English-speaking nations. In 2015, the #OscarsSoWhite campaign drew attention to the awards' lack of diversity, in a year where all 20 acting nominees were white. The fact that so few women have been nominated for Best Director — five up until 2020, with only one winning — has rightfully always stood out. And last year's big wins for Parasite, the first film in a language other than English to pick up Best Picture, underscored the fact that the accolades normally barely pay attention to the movies made across much of the globe. This year's Oscar nominees have just been announced overnight, and they've made history — with diversity championed in multiple ways. For the first time ever, two women have been nominated for Best Director, with Nomadland's Chloé Zhao and Promising Young Woman's Emerald Fennell earning recognition. The four acting categories also represent the Academy's most diverse lineup of nominations to-date, including nods for Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal), Chadwick Boseman (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) and Steven Yeun (Minari) for Best Actor, and for Viola Davis (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) and Andra Day (The United States vs Billie Holiday) for Best Actress. Yuh-Jung Youn (Minari) was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress, while Leslie Odom Jr (One Night in Miami), Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield (both for Judas and the Black Messiah) received nods for Best Supporting Actor. Film-wise, it was actually David Fincher's Mank that topped the list, picking up ten nominations — including for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Gary Oldman) and Best Supporting Actress (Amanda Seyfried). Next came The Father, Judas and the Black Messiah, Minari, Nomadland, Sound of Metal and The Trial of the Chicago 7, all with six nods apiece, while Promising Young Woman scored five. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSFpK34lfv0 Other standout nods: Thomas Vinterberg's Best Director nomination for his Danish day-drinking flick Another Round, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm's Maria Bakalova getting recognised in the Best Supporting Actress category, Sound of Metal's Paul Raci doing the same for Best Supporting Actor, and Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross picking up two Best Original Score nods for the vastly dissimilar Mank and Soul. Boseman's nomination for Best Actor — his first ever — was always going to be a highlight, of course. It wouldn't be the Oscars without a few oddities and omissions, though. Kaluuya and Stanfield's supporting nods for Judas and the Black Messiah means that the Academy considered neither to be the film's lead, for instance. And, while two female filmmakers were recognised, One Night in Miami's Regina King — a Best Supporting Actress winner in 2019 for If Beale Street Could Talk — was overlooked, as was her film for Best Picture. Da 5 Bloods' phenomenal Delroy Lindo missed out on a Best Actor nomination, too. As for who'll end up actually clasping a trophy this year, that'll be revealed on Monday, April 26, Australian and New Zealand time. Yes, that's later than usual. Yes, by mid-February last year, not only were the nominees out, but the awards themselves had been held. But, as we all know, the past 12 months have been unlike any other in recent memory. The 93rd Academy Awards will take place on Monday, April 26, Australian and New Zealand time. Here's the full list of nominations: OSCAR NOMINEES 2021 BEST MOTION PICTURE The Father Judas and the Black Messiah Mank Minari Nomadland Promising Young Woman Sound of Metal The Trial of the Chicago 7 BEST DIRECTOR Another Round, Thomas Vinterberg Mank, David Fincher Minari, Lee Isaac Chung Nomadland, Chloé Zhao Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Viola Davis, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Andra Day, The United States vs Billie Holiday Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman Frances McDormand, Nomadland Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Anthony Hopkins, The Father Gary Oldman, Mank Steven Yeun, Minari PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy Olivia Colman, The Father Amanda Seyfried, Mank Yuh-Jung Youn, Minari PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7 Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah Leslie Odom Jr, One Night in Miami Paul Raci, Sound of Metal LaKeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Judas and the Black Messiah, Will Berson, Shaka King, Will Berson, Kenny Lucas and Keith Lucas Minari, Lee Isaac Chung Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell Sound of Metal, Darius Marder, Abraham Marder and Derek Cianfrance The Trial of the Chicago 7, Aaron Sorkin BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Sacha Baron Cohen, Anthony Hines, Dan Swimer, Peter Baynham, Erica Rivinoja, Dan Mazer, Jena Friedman and Lee Kern The Father, Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller The Mauritanian, Rory Haines, Sohrab Noshirvani and MB Traven Nomadland, Chloé Zhao The White Tiger, Ramin Bahrani BEST ORIGINAL SCORE Da 5 Bloods, Terence Blanchard Mank, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross Minari, Emile Mosseri News of the World, James Newton Howard Soul, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste BEST ORIGINAL SONG 'Fight For You', Judas and the Black Messiah (HER, Dernst Emile II and Tiara Thomas) 'Hear my Voice', The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Daniel Pemberton and Celeste Waite) 'Husavik', Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (Savan Kotecha, Fat Max Gsus and Rickard Göransson) 'Io Si (Seen)', The Life Ahead (Diane Warren and Laura Pausini) 'Speak Now', One Night in Miami (Leslie Odom, Jr and Sam Ashworth) BEST FILM EDITING The Father, Yorgos Lamprinos Nomadland, Chloé Zhao Promising Young Woman, Frédéric Thoraval Sound of Metal, Mikkel EG Nielsen The Trial of the Chicago 7, Alan Baumgarten BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM Another Round Better Days Collective The Man Who Sold His Skin Quo Vadis, Aida? BEST ANIMATED FEATURE Onward Over the Moon A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon Soul Wolfwalkers BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE Collective Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution The Mole Agent My Octopus Teacher Time BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Judas and the Black Messiah, Sean Bobbitt Mank, Erik Messerschmidt News of the World, Dariusz Wolski Nomadland, Joshua James Richards The Trial of the Chicago 7, Phedon Papamichael BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN The Father, Peter Francis and Cathy Featherstone Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Mark Ricker, Karen O'Hara and Diana Stoughton Mank, Donald Graham Burt and Jan Pascale News of the World, David Crank and Elizabeth Keenan Tenet, Nathan Crowley and Kathy Lucas BEST VISUAL EFFECTS Love and Monsters, Matt Sloan, Genevieve Camilleri, Matt Everitt and Brian Cox The Midnight Sky, Matthew Kasmir, Christopher Lawrence, Max Solomon and David Watkins Mulan, Sean Faden, Anders Langlands, Seth Maury and Steve Ingram The One and Only Ivan, Santiago Colomo Martinez, Nick Davis, Greg Fisher Tenet, Andrew Jackson, David Lee, Andrew Lockley and Scott Fisher BEST COSTUME DESIGN Emma, Alexandra Byrne Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Ann Roth Mank, Trish Summerville Mulan, Bina Daigeler Pinocchio, Massimo Cantini Parrini BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING Emma, Marese Langan, Laura Allen and Claudia Stolze Hillbilly Elegy, Eryn Krueger Mekash, Matthew Mungle and Patricia Dehaney Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson Mank, Gigi Williams, Kimberley Spiteri and Colleen LaBaff Pinocchio, Mark Coulier, Dalia Colli and Francesco Pegoretti BEST SOUND Greyhound, Warren Shaw, Michael Minkler, Beau Borders and David Wyman Mank, Ren Klyce, Jeremy Molod, David Parker, Nathan Nance and Drew Kunin News of the World, Oliver Tarney, Mike Prestwood Smith, William Miller and John Pritchett Soul, Ren Klyce, Coya Elliott and David Parker Sound of Metal, Nicolas Becker, Jaime Baksht, Michelle Couttolenc, Carlos Cortés and Phillip Bladh BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT Colette A Concerto is a Conversation Do Not Split Hunger Ward A Love Song for Latasha BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM Burrow Genius Loci If Anything Happens I Love You Opera Yes-People BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM Feeling Through The Letter Room The Present Two Distant Strangers White Eye
Fancy an art experience that extends beyond looking at works on a wall? Then prepare to be impressed by Melbourne's new 3000-square-metre, 11-metre-high immersive digital art gallery. Originally set to open in late 2020, then postponed till autumn 2021, and now finally set to launch when the first day of spring hits — so, Wednesday, September 1 — The Lume will make its home permanently at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). The big drawcard: projections of some of the world's most celebrated artworks, which will be splashed across various surfaces. Those luminous displays will be backed by powerful musical soundtracks, too, and even complemented by aromas. The inaugural exhibition at The Lume will celebrate the works and life of Vincent van Gogh. So, you'll be able to walk through artworks like The Starry Night and Sunflowers while listening to a classical music score. If you were lucky enough to make it up to Sydney last year for Van Gogh Alive, expect something very similar. The project is the brainchild of Melbourne-based Grande Experiences, which, for the past 15 years, has hosted immersive exhibitions and gallery experiences in over 130 cities across the world — and is taking Van Gogh Alive around Australia this year, too. The company also owns and operates Rome's Museo Leonardo da Vinci. The Lume will open at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday, September 1. General public tickets go on sale at 12pm on Thursday, June 3 — with wait list pre-sales from Monday, May 31.
Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols should never be far from anyone's ears — but there's listening to the iconic 1977 punk album, the only studio record from Sex Pistols, and then there's hearing it played live in full. Down Under in 2025, Australian music lovers will be treated to that very experience, with the group locking in a tour. Band members Paul Cook, Steve Jones and Glen Matlock are heading this way in April, as part of a project dubbed Sex Pistols Featuring Frank Carter. As the band's moniker makes plain, this is a case of punk figures joining punk figures, as first happened back in August 2024 for fundraiser gigs in London. Clearly the setup worked. This will be Sex Pistols' first trip this way in almost 30 years, since 1996 — this time pairing drummer Cook, guitarist Jones and bassist Matlock with Gallows, Pure Love and Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes alum Carter on vocals. The group have announced seven stops, including at Melbourne's Festival Hall on Saturday, April 5. John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten, the band's well-known former lead vocalist, was last part of their lineup in 2008 — which is when Sex Pistols last toured before 2024. Hearing Never Mind the Bollocks live and in full almost five decades since its original release means hearing 'Anarchy in the UK', 'God Save the Queen', 'Pretty Vacant', 'Bodies', 'Holidays in the Sun' and more. If this feels like an incredibly rare chance to experience a slice of music greatness, that's because it is — and if you need any more motivation, Sex Pistols Featuring Frank Carter's UK gigs earned rave reviews. Top image: Henry Ruggeri.
Tasmania has a lot to offer the world — grass-fed beef, Mary Donaldson, and, not least of all, Neil Haddon. Having exhibited his sharp lines and collaged offerings in solo exhibitions since the mid-'90s, Neil Haddon has been represented by Dianne Tanzer gallery + projects for over a decade, and his most recent exhibition is a celebration of this enduring partnership. At first glance, his latest mixed-media graphic style work, shown in Los Angeles last year, brings to mind the designs of a trendy M83 LP or the current issue of IdN magazine. One only needs to look a little closer to discover that amidst his hand-painted, collaged layers an unexpectedly sombre subject matter is being examined — the complexities of migrant dissonance and dislocation. Once you're aware of this, the pieces take on a whole new, deeper quality that transcends their aesthetic worth.
This month, Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre is turning the big 2-1, and all locals are invited to join in the festivities, with a day of sporty birthday fun on Saturday, August 25. If you've ever fancied checking out the Albert Park site's huge array of sports, health and wellness facilities, this jam-packed open day is your chance to do it for free. Uncover some new talents at a range of sports demonstrations and clinics, have a crack at some hot yoga or a pilates class, and even enjoy a complimentary session in the spa, steam room and sauna. Aussie sporting legends joining in the day's fun include Olympic gold medallist freestyle swimmer Mack Horton, former national netball star Bianca Chatfield, and the entire Melbourne United basketball team. There'll be a host of food trucks, DJ tunes and plenty of kid-friendly activities, even body composition scans for those wanting to kick off some new fitness resolutions. What's more, visitors on the day who aren't already members will each score a free MSAC 21-day pass.
They say that you can't improve on perfection, but the folks responsible for that oft-used quote mustn't have tried rac 'n' mac. It's exactly what it sounds like, it's Smithward's once-a-week special, and it's the pasta and dairy combination that takes a delicious dish and makes it even better. That sound you're hearing? Yep, it's your hungry stomach rumbling. Every Thursday evening from 5pm, the Collingwood wine bar whips up a baked, tasty, four-cheese macaroni and cheese, grills some organic raclette and then combines the two, scraping the gooey latter over the former. If you've tried their grilled raclette with potatoes, cornichons and sourdough, which is available every night of the week, then you're going to want to try this as soon as possible. Getting in early is recommended, with the weekly special only available until it sells out. And given that cheese on cheese on pasta is the main attraction, it's bound to be popular.
If you've ever been on a KFC mission — because you were hungry, hungover, or just hankering for the Colonel's 11 secret herbs and spices — then the fast food chain's latest endeavour will feel a lot like art imitating life. The fried chicken fiends have released a new smartphone game that's all about hunting down buckets of chook pieces. Yes, of course it is. Available for both iOS and Android, the smartphone game is called The Great Bucket Hunt — because what else would it be called? — and it's available to play now via the KFC app. And, as it uses augmented reality, it'll have you wandering the streets looking for chicken buckets. Again, that might feel a little too familiar. KFC doesn't need a reason to get playful with its marketing. Case in point: mindfulness website KFChill, which lets you bliss out to the sounds of chicken frying (and is actually immensely soothing). This time, though, there is a tangible reward. If all that staring at your phone and searching for buckets starts getting your tastebuds in a tizzy, there's chicken to be won — and cash and other prizes. Once you've tracked down buckets near you, you'll give them a spin to see what you've won. Every bucket has a prize, so you're always going to nab something. The big freebies: $50,000 in cash and free KFC for a year. Find three golden buckets, and you can win $5000, too. Yep, it's a bit like Pokemon Go, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and your drunken cravings all rolled into one — all to promote KFC, of course. Other prizes include eftpos gift cards worth between $25–200, free food (15-piece buckets, burgers, popcorn chicken, nuggets and plenty of combos), tickets to the NRL and AFL grand finals, free KFC every Sunday, KFC merchandise and cheap KFC deals. And getting in quick is recommended — once someone finds a bucket, it's out of the game forever. The Great Bucket Hunt is available to play via the KFC app between Tuesday, June 15–Monday, July 12.
