With a program packed full of great events, there's a bunch of ways to fill your days at the SXSW Sydney Gaming Festival. Of course, you could also blow off any attempt at constructing a schedule and spend the whole time playing demos of the 150+ indie games featured in the Games Showcase. With that many titles on offer you're sure to find some that speak to the unique gamer within you, but if you'd like a steer on what to see and play we've gathered ten red hot picks from developers both Australian and international. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuD8G9GzOFw[/embed] WINNIE'S HOLE Since tumbling into the public domain, the beloved Winnie the Pooh has been showing up in some odd, often horrific places (notably this childhood-ending horror movie). Winnie's Hole, developed by Melbourne studio Twice Different, is buying into this trend with a rogue-lite puzzle game that sees you controlling a virus infecting the bear. As you conquer more cells you begin to twist your huggable host's body in grotesque ways, choosing mutations that allow you to fight off enemies and spread to more inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood. It's a compelling blend of disgusting and delightful. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJbUXpfAWis[/embed] JANET DEMORNAY IS A SLUMLORD (AND A WITCH) If you're reading this and you live in Sydney, chances are you've lived in rental properties before (and maybe still do *shakes fist at real estate market*). If so, Janet DeMornay Is A Slumlord (And A Witch) will probably hit home for you. This first-person horror comedy from Sydney-based studio Fuzzy Ghost has you moving into a fairly dilapidated terrace house and joining a crew of LGBTQIA+ roommates. Problem is, the house has been transported to another dimension and your interactions with the landlord – who, as the title suggests, is a witch – are becoming increasingly threatening. Featuring real-life rental horror stories, it's set to be a funny and frightening look at what it takes to have a home these days. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m-_bNcnpQE[/embed] THE DUNGEON EXPERIENCE Jacob Janerka might just be the funniest game developer in Australia. In his new project, The Dungeon Experience, you're a visitor to a fantasy-themed experience established by a level 1 mud crab who's packed in being an enemy for a life of entrepreneurship. It's a first-person adventure game that will send you on a quest filled with memorable characters and hilarious dialogue, all the while turning the tropes of the fantasy genre firmly on their head. This is one game you won't want to miss. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp3Uy4CYNJc[/embed] ANOTHER CRAB'S TREASURE If you're into Souls-likes (that's brutally difficult third-person roleplaying games inspired by the Dark Souls series, in case you aren't familiar) but wish they weren't so uniformly dreary, Another Crab's Treasure is the game for you. Developed by the appropriately named Aggro Crab out of Seattle in the US, this underwater adventure features the fiendish combat you know and love in a bright, cartoony aquatic setting. As Kril the hermit crab you'll use a variety of trash from the ocean floor as both shell and weapons during your mission to buy back your repossessed original shell. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDjbZyvvyu0[/embed] WAY TO THE WOODS Way To The Woods is the project of Melbourne-based solo developer Anthony Tan who started working on the game while in his teens. It's been a long road – as it often is with game development – so to get a chance to see it in action at SXSW Sydney is a genuinely exciting opportunity. The game puts you in the cloven hooves of a deer who must guide its fawn through a ruined world to get back to their natural environment. With a beautiful, serene art style and a high chance of touching narrative moments, this title is shaping up to be something special. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHhqezkr5R0[/embed] WOOD & WEATHER If you're looking to recapture the raw, unbridled power you felt while playing imaginary games with toys as a child, Paper House out of Melbourne have you covered. In their new game Wood & Weather, you'll assume god-like control over a city made of wooden blocks, populated by inhabitants that have pleasingly similar aesthetics to old Playmobil sets. As a benevolent deity, you'll tinker with the weather as well as interacting with objects while taking the form of a giant blue hand, all to help the townsfolk solve problems. It's a whimsical, wonderful experience. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNJ87JU4CII[/embed] DARKWEBSTREAMER With the astronomical rise of Twitch and TikTok, streamers have become the new celebrities. But how far is too far when pursuing fame this way? That's the question darkwebSTREAMER by Adelaide's We Have Always Lived In The Forest poses, as you try your hand at being a fledgling streamer looking to rise to the top of an internet culture where the more extreme and dangerous your content, the more famous you'll become. With an eerie 1-bit art style and use of procedural generation meaning no two sessions are the same, this has the makings of a horror game masterpiece. [embed]https://youtu.be/eTfZzwydEWQ[/embed] DEAD STATIC DRIVE The open road. The wind in your hair. The purr of the engine. The eldritch screeching of the monsters chasing you. Dead Static Drive by Melbourne's Reuben Games puts you in the driver's seat on a road trip through 80s-inspired, fading small town America. A journey to visit family turns into a fight for survival as the end of the world arrives, bringing monsters with it. You'll need to scavenge, sneak and slay to reach the final destination in this top-down horror driving game. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp3Tnrl7WOA[/embed] THE DRIFTER The point-and-click adventure renaissance continues with The Drifter, developed by Powerhoof out of Melbourne. Assume the role of Mick Carter, an itinerant who's experiencing the worst day of his life. From witnessing a murder, to returning to life after his own murder, he's got to unravel deepening mystery while trying to keep his wits about him. It's a pulpy thriller that harks back to the guts and gore of 70s Ozploitation flicks, with a focus on fast-paced storytelling rather than finicky puzzles. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9RDPQv_Tyk[/embed] KNUCKLE SANDWICH Starting over in a new city can be hard, particularly when it's Bright City — the setting for Knuckle Sandwich by Melbourne's Andy Brophy. This fictional Australian metropolis has a missing persons problem, and you get tangled up in it as you take on an amusingly over-the-top gang and a cult. It's an RPG of classic lineage, with a vast array of characters to interact with, a plethora of locations to explore, and turn-based combat that utilises over 100 different mini-games. This one has been on the horizon for a while, and with a recently announced release date SXSW Sydney is a great way to try before you buy. The SXSW Sydney Games Showcase is taking place across Eddy Multi Space, Mercure Sydney and Fortress Sydney from October 18-22. To see session times, and the full list of showcase title, check the SXSW Sydney Gaming Festival website for details. For more inspiration head to our full guide to the best of SXSW Sydney.
A hard day of wizarding deserves a fresh pint of butterbeer, and London could soon have just the spot for it. An eager Harry Potter fan is launching a Kickstarter campaign to fund what might just become everyone's favourite magical watering hole: The Cauldron. You can taking the leaking out of the enchanted bar's name, but you can't take the wonder, with the pub promising to use technology to emulate all of the tricks you've read about in JK Rowling's books and watched in the subsequent film adaptations. That includes touch-sensitive magic wands that can be used to light fires, turn on the lights and even pour drinks, plus moving photographs and levitating candles. There's no mention of paying for your drinks in galleons, but that idea sounds right up this place's Diagon Alley. Speaking of beverages, in addition to their own signature brew — the Cauldron Ale, which will be served in a specialty bottom-filling pint glass — The Cauldron will provide wizarding-inspired wines, spirits and soft drinks, as well as "spectacular science-based cocktails that look and behave like potions that are described in fantasy books." There's no word on just how they'll achieve that feat, but we like their confidence. As for food, The Cauldron once again pledges to fill its menu with dishes mentioned in all of those novels you love, with fans also able to make suggestions. Their ambition doesn't stop there, with shelves filled with texts, plug-in listening stations for audiobooks, book clubs, book readings, book signings, games meet-ups and wizarding trivia all on the agenda if the venue gets the go-ahead. It's the latest in a long list of HP-themed fun (including a pasta restaurant, a sleepover wizarding school, yoga classes and a market, plus Toronto already has a bar); however if that floats your objects of choice, The Cauldron's fundraising quest kicks off on June 26. The proposed pub is aiming for a March 2018 opening — for more information, check out their website.
Do you live in a dog-friendly house? Do you have some spare time on your hands? Do you fantasise about taking a pup to the pub with you? The good folk at Guide Dogs Victoria need you. They're always home to pups that'll grow into companions as part of the Guide Dog program, and they're in need of carers to raise them. In other words, they're giving away puppies to folks in Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo — with the people in the latter three locations needed urgently. If you put up your hand, you'll get a puppy for about a year — from its eight-week birthday until it turns 14–16 months. During that time, you'll be responsible for introducing the sights, sounds and smells it'll meet when it starts working as a guide dog (and giving it heaps of cuddles). Of course, it's not all just fun, games — it's a lot of commitment and hard work. You'll have to be responsible enough to take care of regular grooming, house training and exercise, and be available to attend local training days, along with vet checks and Puppy Pre-School. A car and a fenced-in property are mandatory, too. And, you can't be away from home for more than four hours at a time. In return, the organisation provides a strong support network, food, vet care, and prevention of fleas and ticks. "The work we do at Guide Dogs Victoria wouldn't be sustainable without the assistance of our Puppy Raisers," says Guide Dogs Victoria's Puppy Development Team Leader Naomi Wallace. "By volunteering as Puppy Raisers, the community can help us to train and rase our beautiful dogs who go on to ensure Australians who are blind or have low vision lead independent lives." Guide dogs are provided free to those in need, but each costs around $50,000 to raise over two years. If you can't afford to sponsor a pup or donate to the charity, but you've got a bit of flexibility and time on your hands, this could be your calling. Keen? Apply online. And send pics, please. Guide Dogs Victoria is looking for puppy carers now. For more information and to volunteer, head to the organisation's website.
Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau) may sit right next door to Australia's east coast, but it's often overlooked when planning an international escape. If you're craving a true reset—without the price tag or jet lag—it might just be the perfect place. New Zealand offers an array of hotspots to choose from, but Auckland is stepping into the limelight with chic new openings and creative, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. From intimate underground Japanese listening bars to coastal wineries where you can (literally) zipline to the cellar door, we've curated a succinct yet heady list of reasons that Auckland is a destination worth landing for. A melting pot of creativity, rich culture, and otherworldly natural splendour—just a short flight away. Island-Hop to Waiheke for Coastal Wines If you're a wine lover and unfamiliar with Waiheke Island, it's time you got acquainted. Home to over 30 boutique wineries, more than 40 kilometres of beaches, art, produce, and some of the country's most breathtaking, rugged vistas. From pristine, golden beaches—like Oneroa, Onetangi, and Palm Beach—to blissful bike rides around the island and award-winning gastronomy, Waiheke is a holiday haven brimming with natural splendour. Embark on a jam-packed day trip or stay for a few days to explore—and sip—everything the island has to offer. But it's also about the journey, not just the destination, right? Luckily, there's an array of vessels ready to level up your 40-minute voyage across the Hauraki Gulf. Seeking a pioneering thrill? Step aboard Fuller360's Kermadec, the world's first state-of-the-art electric hydrofoiling ferry. Its innovative hydrofoil technology allows you to glide above the waves while soaking up panoramic views of Auckland city's skyline and Harbour Bridge, in an experience that's equal parts sustainable and premium. If cruising or sailing atop the water—not gliding above it—sounds more your speed, jump aboard one of Explore Group's premium cruises or sailing experiences. There's an array of different vessels in the fleet, but all allow you to either kick back in comfort, or get behind the helm—you can even relish a rare opportunity to participate as crew on an actual America's Cup yacht. [caption id="attachment_783521" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] EcoZip Adventures, Waiheke Island[/caption] Soar Over Wineries Then Sip at the Cellar Door One of Waiheke Island's most unique experiences soars above its wineries and lush, ancient native rainforest. Zip through the treetops at your own pace, soaking up the serene surroundings with EcoZip Adventures or Man O' War's Forest Flight—a zipline journey spanning three 200-metre ziplines and scenic boardwalks, ending at Man O' War winery for an exceptional wine tasting and hearty seaside meal. Expect gourmet dishes like cured Akaroa salmon with burnt Zany Zeus labneh, crisp apple, gin pickled cucumber, and chardonnay dressing, and 10 Knots Smokehouse fish pâté, served with pickled red onion and pickled cucumber—washed down with a Flagship Flight of four signature Man O' War wines. Descend Into Auckland's Awesome New Underground Bars When it comes to vibey watering holes and buzzworthy openings, Auckland's list is only getting longer. From the beloved New York-style speakeasy Caretaker to the effortlessly refined Euro-inspired restaurant Bistro Sainé, the city's food and drinks scene is flaunting its confidence. But when the lights dim and the city starts to wind down, the real magic begins underground. Two basement newcomers worth descending for? Kemuri Hi-Fi and Ground Wine Bar. Tucked away in the basement at 1 Queen Street is the meticulously designed and intimate Japanese vinyl bar, Kemuri Hi-Fi. Drawing inspiration from Japan, America, and the UK, co-owners Jason Clarkand Vishal Vasan are bringing their worldly smarts to Auckland with a sophisticated yet fun approach to premium drinks. They can whip up almost any cocktail on request—plus, it's where Dua Lipa chose to ring in her birthday while in Auckland, so consider that a stamp of celebrity approval. Ground Wine Bar delivers a more subdued underground experience. The brainchild of two lifelong wine enthusiasts, Alexs Rasputin and Kaiser Wilmar, Ground is devoted to the perfect pour, serving over 50 wines by the glass from a constantly evolving list, boasting both local and international entries . It's an ideal spot for a pre-dinner tipple—or a space to wind down in after a night out on the town. Dine Among the Clouds Auckland is home to many landmarks, but none stand quite as tall as the Sky Tower. At 328 metres, it's one of the tallest structures in the southern hemisphere. But beyond its sheer height, the Sky Tower is a vibrant hub where panoramic views meet world-class dining. The standout? Orbit 360° Dining. This revolving restaurant offers an unforgettable gourmet experience, letting you take your love affair of fine dining higher than it's ever been before. Expect home-grown dishes like Hawke's Bay lamb noisette with kumara, garden peas, goat's cheese, and chimichurri, or fresh Akaroa salmon served with fenugreek cream, broccolini, mussels, and seaweed. It's all paired with punchy New Zealand wines from iconic regions like Waiheke Island and Marlborough—it's truly a memorable feasting moment to savour. If heights aren't your thing, don't worry. SkyCity boasts an inviting string of revered restaurants along Federal Street, including Samoa-inspired Metita and Huami—a contemporary Chinese restaurant that uses New Zealand's first commercial wood-fired duck oven. Immerse Yourself in World-Class Art A city's art gallery can say a lot about the community that surrounds it. If the walls of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki could talk, they'd say Auckland is a melting pot of ideas and creativity that's become Aotearoa's catalyst for cultural change and progress. Home to some of the country's largest and most inspiring visual arts experiences, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki boasts a collection of 18,000 artworks, spanning historic to contemporary, painting to sculpture—and everything in between. This winter, discover masterpieces by some of the world's most visionary artists like Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Vincent van Gogh in A Century of Modern Art. The exhibition explores how these art pioneers transformed modern art into what we know today. Tip: Always check the current exhibitions before your visit as programming evolves seasonally. Wake up in Style at a Boutique Auckland Hotel Stay Where you choose to rest your head on holiday is just as important as the itinerary—a plush bed and impeccable service can bolster a much-needed break into something more memorable. Fortunately, Auckland is a treasure trove of overnighter options. From five-star luxury to endearingly quirky, there's an abundance of boutique stays, alongside trusted global favourites like SO/ Auckland, Hotel Indigo, and QT Auckland. Carving out a new level of sophistication and sustainability is The Hotel Britomart in the heart of the CBD. Bathed in natural light with floor-to-ceiling windows and dramatic ceilings, it's New Zealand's first-ever 'five green-star' hotel—a triumph for inner-city escapism. If you're seeking a slice of local luxury and want to be close—but not too close—to the city buzz, check into Hotel Fitzroy. Nestled in the personality-packed suburb of Ponsonby, this ten-room manor-style abode radiates charm and is designed to give you the best of Auckland living, paired with five-star luxury. Prefer convenient New York-style studios? Check into the Abstract Hotel, located on Auckland's vibrant Karangahape Road ('K' Road). Designed for travellers who want to capitalise on the city's dynamic culture, this boutique stay delivers efficiency without skimping on style. Alternatively, if you're after something completely different, rest your head in an old nunnery at The Convent Hotel. Steeped in character and quirkiness, this pleasantly paradoxical 22-room Spanish Mission-style building blends history with modern decor and eclectic art. Start planning your winter escape and uncover why Auckland is stepping into the shoes of New Zealand's cultural capital. Find out more at the Tātaki Auckland website. By Elise Cullen
Brick Lane Brewing tapped its very first keg at the Queen Vic Winter Night Market in 2018, and then — almost exactly five years later — the team opened its latest bricks-and-mortar restaurant and bar across the road from that very same spot. Brick Lane already has its brewhouse in South Dandenong and Brick Lane Shed on Queen Vic Market's String Bean Alley, but Brick Lane Market is an altogether bigger and more flash venue set within the former Mercat Cross Hotel. Spread across two floors, the downstairs area is open to everyone wandering around on market days and has more of a bar vibe, while the much bigger upstairs space lends itself better to long lunches and dinners. It's also where you'll find the 16-seat private dining room and huge 150-seat wrap-around terrace overlooking the market itself. And this proximity to the market isn't just about foot traffic and views. The team is set to work collaboratively with vendors, featuring local produce throughout the site. This is notably seen in the Brick Lane Market's raw bar. Here, the team serves up fresh oysters and seafood sourced directly from QVM's newly refurbed Food Hall. Chef Ankit Padmani (ex-Indu, Mejico and Collins Quarter) is overseeing the restaurant's main menu, pushing a market-to-plate ethos, serving up dishes chock full of local and seasonal produce sourced from the market itself. Either pop by for drinks and snacks like the tuna tostadas, sashimi and charcuterie boards, or get around some of the bigger plates. The massive grilled pork belly is an absolute banger, covered in a thick chilli caramel and gochujang, but you can also keep things simple with elevated pub grub — think schnitzels, burgers and steaks. Of course, beer is the star of the show at Brick Lane Market. Thirty-six taps are scattered throughout the venue, pouring the brewery's core range, seasonal specials and one-off Pilot Batches. These more experimental brews are for those wanting to try something a little different and are set to be inspired by Queen Vic Market itself. Don't know your beers but you're up for trying something new? The front-of-house team are there to make things easy for you. Compared to most brewery pubs in Melbourne, Brick Lane Market is offering up one of the most extensive range of food and drinks within some mighty glam surrounds.
What's better than watching a heap of top Australian talent sit around and talk about music? Watching them do all of the above while answering questions, competing for points and just generally being funny, too. That's the concept behind ABC TV show Spicks and Specks, which took a few cues from the UK's Never Mind the Buzzcocks, pit Aussie musos and comedians against each other, and has proven a hit several times over. It was a weekly favourite when it first aired between 2005–2011 — and it will be again from today. As fans will already know, Spicks and Specks just keeps coming back; however, that has meant different things over the years. When the program was first revived back in 2014, it did so with a new host and team captains, for instance. And when it started to make a return with its original lineup of Adam Hills, Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough, it first did so via a one-off reunion special. That 2018 comeback proved more than a little popular. It became the ABC's most-watched show of that year, in fact. So, the broadcaster then decided to drop four new Spicks and Specks specials across 2019–20 and, for 2021, to bring back Spicks and Specks in its regular format. As first announced last year, the show is returning for a full ten-episode season — and, as the broadcaster revealed last month, it'll kick off on Sunday, April 18 at 7.40pm. You'll be able to watch it on TV when it airs, or stream it via iView afterwards. Hills, Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough are all settling back into their old chairs, obviously — and, guest-wise, they'll be joined by music stars such as The Teskey Brothers, Alice Skye, G-Flip, Vika and Linda, and Missy Higgins, as well as comedians including Anne Edmonds, Nazeem Hussain, Luke McGregor, Dave O'Neil and Denise Scott. So, add playing along with the show from your couch to your end-of-weekend plans from tonight onwards. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT5t-G4iGDc Spicks and Specks returns to ABC TV for a regular full season from 7.40pm on Sunday, April 18, with episodes airing weekly afterwards. You'll also be able to stream the series via ABC iView.
When Super Mario Kart first rolled onto Super Nintendo consoles back in 1992, it came with 20 inventive courses and endless hours of fun. Nearly three decades later, the game has become a beloved phenomenon — not just speeding through desert tracks and rainbow roads, but onto Google Maps and mobile phones, and also into reality. The hugely popular game's next stop? Theme parks. Although an exact opening date hasn't yet been announced — and its launch has already been pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic — in 2021 you'll be able to enjoy a real-life Mario Kart experience as part of the first-ever Super Nintendo World. Initially announced back in 2017, the new site is joining Universal Studios in Osaka, with the park revealing this month that it'll open its latest addition early in the new year. Just what Super Nintendo World will entail has been a source of mystery over the past few years, but more and more details are slowly being unveiled. Yes, Mario Kart features as part of a new ride, with Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Creative and Vice Chairman Universal Parks & Resorts, calling the racing component "a new kind of attraction". Exactly what that means is yet to be revealed; however, it's safe to assume that fans will be able to strap into some kind of moving kart. What else could a Mario Kart ride feature? [caption id="attachment_785957" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Universal Studios Japan[/caption] Osaka's Super Nintendo World will also take over multiple levels — fitting for a gaming-themed space — and recreate the brand's popular characters and themes, complete with other rides, restaurants and shops. A certain highlight: the world's first Mario cafe, which is actually launching this week, on Friday, October 16, ahead of the rest of the site. Here, patrons will be surrounded by oversized Mario and Luigi hat sculptures, the whole space will be kitted out with a red and green colour scheme, and Mario Kart-style checkered floors will be a feature. As for what you'll be snacking on, there'll be Mario pancake sandwiches and cream sodas, plus other drinks available in 'super mushroom' souvenir bottles. Basically, in general around the venue, you can expect Mario and Mario-related characters to pop up often — with Universal Studios confirming that it'll boast a Yoshi ride, a Mushroom Kingdom, Peach's Castle and Bowser's Castle. "Think of Super Nintendo World as a life-size, living video game where you become one of the characters," explained Thierry Coup, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Universal Creative. "You're not just playing the game; you're living the game, you're living the adventure." With that in mind, the theme park will introduce wearable wrist bands, called Power Up Bands — which'll connect to a special app and allow patrons to interact with the site using their arms, hands and bodies. That mightn't sound all that exciting, but the bands will enable you to collect coins just like Mario does in the Super Mario games. Like the red-capped plumber, you'll also be able to hit question blocks to do reveal more coins. And there'll be collectible items to gather, such as character stamps, which you'll find after achieving various goals. The stamps will also earn you even more coins — so you really will be basically playing Super Mario in real life. You will have to buy a Power Up Band separate to your entry ticket to enjoy that element of the park, though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKCqJ8llKuA While it doesn't give away a whole lot, Universal Studios previously released a new Super Nintendo World song and music video with Charli XCX and Galantis, which they say "showcases the activities based on the real and interactive experiences available at Super Nintendo World". For now, all other specifics remain sparse; however, given that Nintendo's game stable includes everything from Donkey Kong to Tetris and The Legend of Zelda, there's plenty more to play with. Our suggestions: real-life Tetris, where you move bricks around in person, or a Donkey Kong water ride that uses the game's iconic aquatic music. While no one is travelling far at present, Universal Studios is also planning Super Nintendo Worlds for its other parks in Hollywood, Orlando and in Singapore — if you need to add more places to your must-visit list when international tourism starts returning to normal. The latter was just announced last year, and is set to open by 2025. Super Nintendo World is slated to open at Universal Studios Osaka in early 2021 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced. Top image: Super Nintendo World 'We Are Born to Play' by Galantis ft. Charli XCX.
In 2019, a horrible goose wandered around a quiet village, then chaos ensued — and instigating it became one of the most-entertaining ways to mash buttons. Untitled Goose Game first released in September that year. By the time 2020 hit, more than a million copies had been sold, getting folks controlling a pesky waterfowl with a penchant for trouble. That's honking phenomenal for an indie game out of Melbourne, and it's a feat that the city's Australian Centre for the Moving Image keeps celebrating. After giving Untitled Goose Game the live orchestral treatment back in 2022, the Aussie screen museum is now hosting a world-premiere exhibition dedicated to the title. Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition features different versions of the game from its various development stages that you can play, plus sketches, concept art and design material for attendees to check out. It's going to be a lovely five months in Federation Square from Tuesday, September 17, 2024–Sunday, February 16, 2025, and you'll be an adoring Untitled Goose Game fan. Sorry Mario Kart. Move over Tetris. Forget Wii Sports, Pokémon Go, Street Fighter or whatever other title first springs to mind whenever you think about video games. They're all well and good, but they aren't taking over ACMI like this homegrown hit from House House. If you're new to Untitled Goose Game, it's a puzzle game — and, yes, it's about a goose. You play as the bird, and your aim is to move objects and other characters, and just generally cause mayhem in a small village. No description can really do it justice, though; you just need to play it. While the game has filled oh-so-many hours over the past few years, and gotten its ARIA-nominated original soundtrack by Dan Golding stuck in everyone's heads, Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition isn't just for diehard gamers. No matter if you know every inch of the game or you're only hearing about it now, you'll be plunged into its world in an interactive showcase that's designed to get you playing. How slapstick factors in, plus the form of comedy's history, is also a big feature. We don't expect that running off with keys, socks, glasses, radios and the like will be a part of it, however.
Bushfire-affected communities are doing it tough across Victoria right now. So far, upwards of 700 structures have been destroyed, and more than 1000 agricultural properties have been impacted. With community support needed more than ever, we've put together a list of ways you can donate to leading bodies, fundraise for devastated businesses or dine and shop with those contributing essential funds to the cause. Donate to the VFF Disaster Relief Fund Activated in times of crisis, the Victorian Farmers' Federation (VFF) Disaster Relief Fund provides much-needed financial support to bushfire-affected farmers as soon as possible. The peak advocacy body has just put out a call, asking for the public to dig deep and provide financial support. Head to the website to donate. View this post on Instagram A post shared by YIAGA (@yiaga.au) Show Your Support for Fowles Wines Situated on 300 acres in Avenel, the long-standing winery Fowles Wine has been severely damaged, with the family behind the business losing their home, sheds, vineyards and most of their livestock. While the cellar door and restaurant have survived, Fowles says people can support their recovery by making a wine purchase through the website, joining the wine club or visiting the cellar door now that it has reopened. Moondrop x Mel Hack Bushfire Donations New Shanghai-inspired cocktail bar, Moondrop is hosting Canada-based whiskey specialist Mel Hack for its first-ever guest shift. Having worked at some of the world's best whisky bars, Hack is teaming up with Moondrop's Jesse Kourmouzis to serve four cocktails showcasing Canadian and Asian flavours. Held from 5–10pm on Saturday, January 17, $1 from every cocktail purchase will be donated in support of the Australian bushfires. Head to Instagram for more information. View this post on Instagram A post shared by YIAGA (@yiaga.au) Harcourt Fundraiser at The Victoria Hotel Woodend with Rock & Ranges With the destroyed Harcourt Cooperative Cool Store housing products and produce for over 90 small businesses, Rock & Ranges Brewing Co-operative lost all but two kegs in the blaze. The team is donating these to a fundraiser, held from 12pm on Sunday, January 18, at The Victoria Hotel Woodend, with all beer sales going towards those impacted by the Harcourt fires. Head to Instagram for more information. Donate to Henry of Harcourt Operating since 1994, Henry of Harcourt is a small family-run orchard and cider mill, specialising in top-notch dry ciders and over 40 varieties of apples. With the Harcourt fires devastating the Henry family's home, orchard and much-loved community space for regional traders, a fundraiser has been launched to help secure the business's future. Head to the GoFundMe to donate. View this post on Instagram A post shared by YIAGA (@yiaga.au) Donate to Maison LAPALUS and Maidenii Also found at the Harcourt Cooperative Cool Store were the operations of winemaker Maison LAPALUS and vermouth brand Maidenii. Led by culinary community stalwarts Shaun Byrne and Gilles Lapalus, the businesses lost vital stock, equipment, and raw materials in the fires, including a ten-year-old solera system used to age liquors. Head to the GoFundMe to donate. Donate to A Glass Of Independent wine business A Glass Of was another business decimated by the Harcourt fires. Launched in 2020, it offers a curated collection of wines, hand-picked by restaurant sommeliers and delivered in 200-millilitre recyclable pouches. The business has lost all equipment, wine and packaging, so any support goes a long way. Head to the GoFundMe to donate. Donate to Coolstore Cafe Running alongside the local storage facility, Coolstore is a cherished local cafe serving coffee, cake and light lunches. Opened in August 2024, owners Bonnie and Remy Sowman have lost their business and income, with a fundraiser up and running to help the couple and their three kids get back on their feet. Head to the GoFundMe to donate. Shop with High Country at Home With the bushfires directly impacting crucial tourist numbers exploring rural Victoria, you can lend your support by buying from small businesses through High Country at Home. This digital platform by Tourism North East lists locally made products, including cool-climate wines, handcrafted homewares and premium chocolates, while offering a way to book future stays and experiences. Head to the website to make a purchase. View this post on Instagram A post shared by YIAGA (@yiaga.au) 600 Above 20 Percent Donations Located in Woodend, local wine bar 600 Above has showcased local wineries, breweries, and distilleries since 2023. On Sunday, January 18, the venue will donate 20 percent of all sales to the Harcourt community, helping to support those most impacted by the fires. Head to Instagram for more information. View this post on Instagram A post shared by YIAGA (@yiaga.au) Donate to the Hotel Care Foundation The Australian Hotels Association Victoria (AHA) is accepting donations for its Hotel Care Foundation, with local venues having already raised $50,000 for bushfire-affected communities, emergency services and first responders. AHA members, partners, suppliers and patrons are encouraged to donate. Head to the website for more information. Bushfire Relief Market and Raffle at Hyphen Spaces Head along to Carlton North third space Hyphen Spaces and its neighbour Sleepy's Cafe and Wine Bar from 12–6pm on Saturday, January 31, to catch a bushfire relief market and raffle. Featuring artisan products and baked goods from local creators and makers, all proceeds go towards Sikh Volunteers Australia, whose food van is a common sight during national emergencies. Meanwhile, a winning raffle ticket might score you a $150 dinner voucher for two at Sleepy's, a hand-woven scarf from artist Christy Chudosnik or an original Ying Wang artwork valued at $690. Head to Instagram for more information. BlazeAid Fundraiser at Tallboy & Moose Spend the afternoon sipping on top-quality brews alongside a feel-good sausage sizzle, as Preston brewery Tallboy & Moose hosts a beer and snags fundraiser for BlazeAid from 12–4pm on Saturday, January 24. With $2 from selected beer purchases and 100 percent of sausage sizzle sales going to a great cause, BlazeAid is a volunteer-run organisation that supports families and individuals in rural Australia following natural disasters. Head to Instagram for more information. Maidenii & Maison Lapalus Fundraiser at Gin Palace Much–loved cocktail bar Gin Palace is rallying behind Maidenii and Maison LAPALUS co-directors Shane Byrne and Gilles Lapalus from 4pm–3am on Monday, February 2. Hosting the Pour it Forward fundraiser, all takings are being donated to the pair, whose businesses were destroyed in the Harcourt bushfires. With Byrne a bartending alumnus of the bar, Maidenii's vermouth has been poured at Gin Palace for over a decade. Get down to experience a one-night-only cocktail list and plenty of legendary chicken sandwiches. Head to Instagram for more information. Toorak Cellars BBQ Summer Series 50 Percent Donations As part of its 15th birthday celebration, Toorak Cellars is hosting the second edition of its BBQ Summer Series. With some of Melbourne's best culinary duos taking charge of the tongs every Sunday from February 1–March 15, Toorak Cellars will donate 50 percent of all profits from the series to the Harcourt Relief Fund. Meanwhile, the wine bar will also be showcasing Madeinii-based martinis and Love Shack Brewing Co beers, both severely affected by the fires, throughout the event. Head to Instagram for more information. BlazeAid Fundraiser at Bar Local Drop From the backstreets of Collingwood, newcomer Bar Local Drop is hosting a bushfire fundraiser from 2pm–late on Saturday, January 31. With all proceeds going towards BlazeAid, the bar is putting together a delightful snack menu using ingredients donated by local friends, including Oceanmade, Natoora and JR Foster Meats. Think juicy skewers, pizzettas, tapioca fritti and more. To drink, Stomping Ground has supplied the beers, while Bar Local Drop is pouring Bress Wines throughout the day, showcasing the winery after it was damaged in the Harcourt fires. Meanwhile, there'll be booze, meat and wine raffles to help raise even more funds. Head to Instagram for more information.
In 1999–2001 TV series Spaced, one of Nick Frost's first-ever roles — also, before Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End, his initial screen collaboration with Simon Pegg (Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning) and Edgar Wright (Last Night in Soho) — he played a character who was obsessed with weapons and the military. A quarter of a century later, he's portraying someone that's training dragon fighters and forging armaments as a blacksmith. "I'm just trying to see now if there's a connection between Mike and Gobber," Frost jokes with Concrete Playground. "I mean, I think Mike would be a great Gobber. Maybe Berk is actually where Mike ended up. Maybe there was some awful apocalypse in Spaced that we never saw and he eventually became Gobber." If you'd like to embrace that theory about one of Spaced's key figures, you can. You heard it from Frost, after all. Regardless, the English talent is now one of the stars of How to Train Your Dragon in its latest iteration as a live-action film. British author Cressida Cowell started the all-ages-friendly Viking tale on the page in 2003, sparking a book saga that's spanned 12 novels. In 2010, filmmakers Chris Sanders (The Wild Robot) and Dean DeBlois (the OG Lilo & Stitch) brought her tales to cinemas in animation. The latter also wrote and directed 2014's How to Train Your Dragon 2 and 2019's How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, and now does the same on the newest big-screen visit to Berk. How to Train Your Dragon fans know the story, then, but they haven't seen it unfurled with actors literally stepping into the shoes of its isle setting's inhabitants. Before Mason Thames (Monster Summer) returns to the world of The Black Phone in that horror hit's sequel later in 2025, he's Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the reluctant fledgling dragon fighter who befriends one of the most-feared types of the winged creatures — not that you'd know it from Toothless' appearance and demeanour — and champions living in harmony with rather than waging war against them. Gerard Butler (Den of Thieves: Pantera) voiced Hiccup's chieftain father Stoick the Vast in the animated movies, and now reprises the part in How to Train Your Dragon's present leap. As first given voice by Craig Ferguson (The Hustler) in the previous pictures, Frost's Gobber is Stoick's friend and Hiccup's mentor, plus a source of support for a young man who is struggling with living up to his dad's expectations. The dragons themselves still required visual effects to animate into existence, with life-sized puppets used during shooting for the actors to work against. Everywhere that it can, however, How to Train Your Dragon circa 2025 is immersed in a tangible Viking-inspired realm. For Frost, as Gobber is charged with imparting dragon-battling skills not just to Hiccup but to other young warriors — the determined Astrid (Nico Parker, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy), plus a group of Berk's fellow next generation spanning Snotlout (Gabriel Howell, Nightsleeper), Fishlegs (Julian Dennison, Y2K), and twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut (Mickey 17's Bronwyn James and The Acolyte's Harry Trevaldwyn) — that meant ample days in the film's training-arena set. This part also saw him continue to build upon father figure-type roles that've been joining his resume of late. "It's because I'm getting old," he jests. A jovial "get stuffed!" is Frost's first comment when the passage of time since Spaced and Shaun of the Dead comes up. He's spent that quarter-century-plus since the former kicked off and more than 20 years since the later arrived cementing himself as a beloved actor with a diverse resume. On his filmography, The Boat That Rocked sits side by side with US-set alien comedy Paul — which Frost and Pegg wrote — and also with Attack the Block, voice work alongside Pegg again on The Adventures of Tintin, two Snow White and the Huntsman films, leading rom-com Cuban Fury, TV's Mr Sloane, wrestling flick Fighting with My Family, the Pegg co-starring Truth Seekers and loaning his tones to Skeleton Crew's SM 33. There's more, of course, such as Ice Age, The Boxtrolls and Trollhunters; 2024 horror efforts Krazy House, Get Away and Black Cab; and, in his latest significant news, playing Hagrid in the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series. Frost is responsible for decades of folks asking if their friends want a beer in quite the colourful way, repeating perhaps his best-known Shaun of the Dead line. With that film's Peter Serafinowicz (Wolf King) by his side as How to Train Your Dragon's Spitelout, he's currently in completely different terrain. What appealed to Frost about joining the franchise, and also juggling the family-friendly and definitely not child-appropriate sides of his resume, was equally a topic of conversation in our chat — alongside a range of other subjects, such as adding his own stamp on Gobber, his personal connection to using humour as a shield, that massive training arena, the importance of DeBlois returning as director and Frost never wanting to be an actor. On Taking on the Role of How to Train Your Dragon's Dragon-Fighter Trainer "First of all, it's a massive film. It's part of a really well-loved — I hate the phrase 'franchise', but that's what it is. And apart from maybe Snow White and the Huntsman and stuff like that, I hadn't really done anything perhaps this massive before. And I think being a filmmaker and a writer and an actor, it's like 'let's do this, let's try this — this is different, let's have a go'. I think part of me was aware that obviously Craig Ferguson was Gobber in the past. And people love what Craig did. And I was aware that I didn't want to ruin what he did — I was aware that there was a responsibility on me to make Gobber what people felt watching Craig's Gobber. And I think having a conversation with Dean before I got the job, he was like 'what do you want to do?' — I think once you realise that you have a certain amount of creative freedom, that's really attractive, I think, for me. And to collaborate, that's always a joy. And to know that you have a voice on set and you can say 'hey, is this all right? Can we try this?' or 'do you think this is funny', it's always a lovely compliment to be allowed to do that." On Bringing a New Guise to a Part That's Already Well-Established in the Animated Films "Honestly, I didn't, after the initial few days of getting the job and speaking to Dean, I just left it at the door and then came in completely without that. I didn't want to feel like that was on me for the whole thing, and that I couldn't try anything new or be different because it wasn't what had gone before. I just wanted to try and, as I say, respect what that was, but then let's move on and try to give a different kind of Gobber for a new generation of audiences — but also, I guess, leaving something of what Craig did so people who love the animated ones will enjoy it, too. I think, personally, if I'm going into this with the expectations of what people will think, I think you'd probably just be crushed. You just have to unburden yourself from all of that and just do what you think is right, do what Dean wants, and be respectful of that process and the process of the other actors in the film with you." On What Interests Frost About the Variety of Projects Across His Career, Including Both Family-Friendly Fare and Horror Films Aplenty of Late "I just don't see them as any different, really. It's still all work. I think I'm probably very lucky and grateful that I haven't been pigeonholed in 'oh, well he just does that'. I think that is possible and that does happen. And I'm very pleased that the people who cast things like Harry Potter and this don't think 'oh god, he was cutting someone's head off in a film that he wrote like two years ago. Is that going to be a problem?'. I love the fact that I can do both. I can get away with it all." On Portraying Someone Who Uses Humour as a Shield to Deal with an Uncertain World "I think that's me. That was me for a long time. I think where Gobber and I differ, he just uses it — I think if you live in a society like Berk and where the Vikings are from, I think probably the sense of humour is very dark, because essentially you could be taken and killed in at any moment, day or night. So I think using comedy and laughter as a shield is par for that kind of society. I think where it becomes not so useful is when you hide behind it and not work out what's behind that." [caption id="attachment_1009286" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tyler Curtis/ABImages[/caption] On Stepping Into Paternal-Type and Mentorship-Style Roles "I just think I'm a dad, I've got three children, so I just get it more. I guess when before I had children and if you're going to be a kind of father figure, you're just — as a lot of actors do — you're just imagining what it would be like. And you're drawing on your own father or your grandfather or stepfather. But once you have your own, I think as I act, I always try to get better. Every job I do, every role I play, I just want to be better and better and better. And I think an actor's ageing gives you that opportunity. Every time you do something else, you're slightly older. You've seen a tiny bit more. And what I think, what I'd say about this film, is I know people are saying potentially 'oh, he's quite paternal' — but I actually think Gobber's more maternal in this film. I think he's stepped in to be Hiccup's mum." On the Impact That Immersive Sets Have, Especially How to Train Your Dragon's Training Arena "That was the first thing we shot, and it was really nerve-wracking, because it's massive. It's honestly the size of a small soccer stadium. And there are 200 crew, and there are 500 extras and they're all dressed as dragons. And they all know you, they're looking at you, and you have to give them a little wave. And it's frightening. I think what 25 years in this has given me is you have to shrug that off, and it just becomes about my relationship with the camera and Dean and whoever I'm acting with, and Bill Pope [Unfrosted] the DoP. 'What can I give to you? How can I help you? Should we have a run through our lines?' And I think what helps is making something that massive that small, it helps me cope with it more emotionally, more effectively — because if I were to look around and think 'all these fucking people', it becomes unmanageable emotionally for me." On How Dean DeBlois Continuing as How to Train Your Dragon's Director From the Animated Films Assisted the Cast "Dean, he absolutely loves it. He loves How to Train Your Dragon. He loves Hiccup. He loves Stoick and Gobber and the gang. And he's just passionate about it, and I find being around someone who's so passionate about something, it's really attractive. It makes me love it, too. And I wanted Dean to like me. I wanted him to like Gobber. And I wanted him to, when you're working with someone like Dean, when he just comes up behind you and gives you a little pat, it's like 'oh dad, dad likes it', you know — 'he loves it'. It's nice to be around that kind of passion. It's conducive. It makes me want to be around it, too." On Frost's Journey Over the 25 Years Since Spaced and Two Decades Since Shaun of the Dead "It's not lost on me. It's amazing. I never wanted to be an actor. I never wanted to act. I never knew what I wanted to do. Even, I was like 30 when we did Shaun of the Dead, and that was the first film I ever did. So I just — and this is going to sound like, I don't want to say actor-y bullshit, but I'm just terribly grateful, I'm amazed, and I just love it. I'm so lucky that I found something that I — there's not one day I've ever been on a set in 25 years where I haven't loved it in some way, shape or form. And to get a chance to do that, and then to start getting bigger and bigger things, it feels like a dream to me, really. Like when I got How to Train Your Dragon and you realise the kind of people who have to say 'yes' before you get the role — that was terribly flattering for me that someone, somewhere, had to say 'yeah, he's the guy. We'll have him'. It's not lost on me how lucky I am every single day. I'm sitting here, someone brings me a coffee‚ it's like 'this is amazing'. It's amazing to me. And I love it. I love making films." How to Train Your Dragon opened in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
This time last year, Netflix subscribers were getting excited about a slate of fresh flicks that included whodunnit Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, action-thriller The Gray Man, Marilyn Monroe biopic Blonde, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, the screen version of Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical and a new adaptation of Lady Chatterley's Lover. That's part of 2022's haul. In 2023, the streaming platform has another hefty list — and star-studded, too — of new movies to look forward to. And, to whet viewers' film-loving appetites, it has just dropped a sneak peek at quite the number of them. On Netflix's lineup for 2023, and therefore on yours as well: assassins, murder mysteries, battles at the edge of the galaxy, beloved TV series getting the movie treatment, action sequels, conspiracy dramas, rom-coms and more. And, a massive roster of recognisable faces, too, with everyone from Michael Fassbender and Adam Sandler to Emily Blunt and Reese Witherspoon popping up. Netflix has unveiled initial glimpses as well as release dates for all the flicks featured, which also means updating your calendar now. It isn't arriving first, but perhaps the number-one film to make a date with: David Fincher's assassin thriller The Killer, starring Fassbender (X-Men: Dark Phoenix) alongside Tilda Swinton (Three Thousand Years of Longing), and seeing Fincher return to his fondness for crime (see also: Seven, Zodiac and Mindhunter). It'll drop on November 10. Also instantly intriguing is Pain Hustlers, starring Blunt (The English) alongside Chris Evans (Lightyear) and Catherine O'Hara (Schitt's Creek), and hailing from Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchise filmmaker David Yates. Releasing on October 27, it tracks a woman striving for a better life but soon caught in a criminal conspiracy. [caption id="attachment_885547" align="alignnone" width="1920"] JoJo Whilden[/caption] Or, there's Rebel Moon, the latest from Zack Snyder — and his latest film for Netflix after 2021's Army of the Dead. Streaming from December 22, it focuses on conflict in an otherwise peaceful intergalactic colony, is firmly a space epic, and includes Charlie Hunnam (The Gentlemen), Sofia Boutella (Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities), Michiel Huisman (The Flight Attendant), Anthony Hopkins (Armageddon Time) and Djimon Hounsou (Black Adam) among its cast. And, from December 8, Leave the World Behind also gets well-known stars together — Julia Roberts (Ticket to Paradise), Mahershala Ali (Swan Song), Ethan Hawke (The Northman) and Kevin Bacon (The Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special), for starters — with Mr Robot's Sam Esmail directing. Based on the novel of the same name, the film heads on a family vacation on Long Island, where strangers arrive with news of an eerie blackout. [caption id="attachment_885548" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Scott Yamano[/caption] Other titles reaching the platform throughout the year include Murder Mystery 2, arriving on March 31 and seeing Adam Sandler (Hustle) and Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show) return (and get caught up in another mystery); Luther: The Fallen Son on March 10, with Idris Elba (Beast) back as John Luther after the hit TV show; the Gal Gadot (Death on the Nile)- and Jamie Dornan (Belfast)-led spy flick Heart of Stone on August 11; and Damsel with Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things) and Angela Bassett (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) on October 13. And, there's the Jonah Hill (Don't Look Up) and Eddie Murphy (Coming 2 America)-starring You People on January 27; Witherspoon (The Morning Show) and Ashton Kutcher (That '90s Show) in Your Place or Mine on February 10; Extraction 2, the sequel to the Chris Hemsworth (Thor: Love and Thunder)-led hit, on June 16; comedy A Family Affair with Nicole Kidman (The Northman) and Zac Efron (Firestarter) on November 17; and coming-of-age animated musical Leo, featuring Sandler's voice work, on November 22. Add in Jennifer Lopez (Marry Me) in The Mother on May 12, the Kevin Hart (Me Time)-starring Lift on August 25, and They Cloned Tyrone with Jamie Foxx (Spider-Man: No Way Home), John Boyega (The Woman King) and Teyonah Parris (Candyman) on July 21 — yes, there's going to be plenty to watch this year. The list goes on — and, Netflix usually gives some of its new films cinema runs, too. That means that in addition to a heap of couch time coming up, you'll likely be able to see some of these movies on the big screen as well. Check out Netflix's trailer for its 2023 films below: New movies will hit Netflix throughout 2023— head to the streaming platform for its current catalogue. Top image: Brian Douglas/Netflix © 2023.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas in some parts of the country. After numerous periods spent empty during the pandemic, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, picture palaces in many Australian regions are back in business — including both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. ALI & AVA All plot, all the time: that's how some filmmakers craft movies. Every scene leads to the next, then to the next and so on, connecting the story dots so that event A plus event B (plus event C, event D, event E and more) neatly equals wherever the narrative eventually ends up. Clio Barnard is not one of those writers or directors. Every scene always leads to the next in every film that tells any tale, no matter who's spinning it, but much of what happens in the Dark River and The Selfish Giant helmer's movies doesn't change, shift or drive the plot at all. Indeed, her features often have storylines that seem straightforward, as the tender and tremendous Ali & Ava does. But that uncomplicated appearance — including here, where a man and a woman meet, sparks fly, but complications arise — couldn't be more deceptive. In Ali & Ava, that man and woman are indeed Ali (Adeel Akhtar, Killing Eve) and Ava (Claire Rushbrook, Ammonite), both residents of Bradford in Barnard's native West Yorkshire. He's a working-class landlord — a kind and affable one, noticeably — from a British Pakistani family, and was once an EDM DJ. She's an Irish-born teacher's assistant at the school where one of Ali's tenants' children attends. Frequently, he's on drop-off and pick-up duty, because he is that helpful to his renters. So, when the skies open one day during his school run, Ali offers Ava a ride home rather than seeing her walk to the bus in the pouring rain. They chat, click, laugh, bond over a shared passion for music and slowly let their guards down. But what would a romance be, especially an on-screen one, if the path to love truly was effortlessly smooth? With a lyrical social-realist bent that'd do Ken Loach, living patron saint of British lyrical social-realist filmmaking, proud — see: Loach's I, Daniel Blake and Sorry We Missed You for his two most recent examples — Barnard unpacks everything that roughs up Ali and Ava's tentative courtship. But there's another English director who springs to mind, too, thanks to the way that Ali & Ava can turn from poignant to portentous in a second: This Is England and The Virtues' Shane Meadows. His work finds bliss and joy in ordinary, everyday moments, and also violence and menace as well. One can become the other so quickly that, if it didn't all feel so genuine and authentic, a case of whiplash might be the end result. All three filmmakers possess a commitment to detailing lives that aren't typically fodder for celluloid dreams; all three, including Barnard with The Selfish Giant and now Ali & Ava, make features in the vein that are potent, perceptive, dripping with empathy and as emotionally raw as films come. Ali, friend to everyone, is troubled by more than just regret about no longer hitting the decks. He has a wife, Runa (Ellora Torchia, Midsommar), who no longer loves him or wants to be with him. But he's too proud to tell his family, so they still live together while she keeps studying. That brings judgement his way, with his sister Usma (Krupa Pattani, Ron's Gone Wrong) vocal in her disapproval about his growing closeness with Ava. It makes Ava apprehensive as well, unsurprisingly. She already has enough of her own worries as it is, caring for her five kids — some of which have had kids of their own — as a single mother. One, her son Callum (Shaun Thomas, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children), remains affected by his father's death a year earlier, and also his parents' breakup before that. He's far from welcoming to Ali as a result, terrifyingly so, hating even the idea of him as his mother's potential friend. Read our full review. AFTER BLUE (DIRTY PARADISE) In his 2017 feature debut, French writer/director Bertrand Mandico took to the sea, following five teens who were punished for a crime by being sent to a mysterious island. Sensual and lurid at every turn, The Wild Boys was never as straightforward as any description might intimate, however — and it proved both a tempest of influences as varied as Jean Cocteau, John Carpenter and David Lynch, and an onslaught of surreal and subversive experimentation several times over. Much of the same traits shine through in the filmmaker's second feature After Blue (Dirty Paradise), including an erotic tone that's even more pivotal than the movie's narrative. Mandico makes features about bodies and flesh, about landscapes filled with the odd and alluring, and where feeling like you've tumbled into a dream most wonderful and strange is the instant response. Tinted pink, teeming with glitter, scored by synth, as psychedelic as bathing in acid and gleefully queer, the fantastical realm that fills After Blue's frames is the titular planet, where humanity have fled after ruining earth. As teenager Roxy (debutant Paula-Luna Breitenfelder), who is nicknamed Toxic by her peers, tells the camera, only ovary-bearers can survive here — with men dying out thanks to their hair growing internally. In this brave new world, nationalities cling together in sparse communities, with roving around frowned upon. But that's what Roxy and her hairdresser mother Zora (Elina Löwensohn, Mandico's frequent star) are forced to do when the former meets and saves a criminal called Kate Bush (Agata Buzek, High Life), who she finds buried in sand, and are then tasked by their fellow French denizens with tracking her down and dispensing with her to fix that mistake. If Dune met The Love Witch, the resulting film still wouldn't be as seductive, kaleidoscopic and phantasmagorical as After Blue — a picture that, as The Wild Boys also proved, has to be seen to be truly understood. Obviously, that's accurate of every movie; again, though, Mandico couldn't be more disinterested in making features that can be neatly summarised or unpacked. He isn't fond of holding back, either, and so After Blue dives straight into its maximalist adventure quest, ramping every sight, sound and performance up to levels that'd do This Is Spinal Tap proud. His latest release isn't a mockumentary, but an exercise in excess over and over that's turned up far past 11. Guns are named after designer brands like Gucci and Chanel; Kate Bush sports a third eye between her legs that sparks stirrings in Roxy; pleasure bots are the only masculine presence sighted, and even then they're forbidden; cigarettes wriggle like insects; and goo drips and oozes whenever it can, for instance. As well as pre-empting the current Stranger Things-inspired Kate Bush mania by almost a year (After Blue first premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in August 2021), Mandico doesn't make brief features. With a sizeable array of shorts to his name dating back to 1998's Le cavalier bleu, he seizes his opportunities when he's playing with long-form flicks. That gives After Blue more than two hours to luxuriate in its look, sound and vibe — a 70s-meets-80s sci-fi/western heaven — but also makes its narrative feel slight. Of course, the tale itself isn't the main attraction, but the style-over-story focus also doesn't scuttle into the background. But whenever the plot lags or zips by, aka Mandico's two pacing struggles, tentacles slide into view, nipples shoot metallic balls, a line of dialogue becomes a hilariously absurd gift, and either cinematographer Pascale Granel (Simple Passion) or composer Pierre Desprats (Olga), or both, deliver a piece of sound and/or vision that's trippy and sublime. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in Australian cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on March 3, March 10, March 17, March 24 and March 31; April 7, April 14, April 21 and April 28; and May 5, May 12, May 19 and May 26; and June 2, June 9, June 16 and June 23. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as The Batman, Blind Ambition, Bergman Island, Wash My Soul in the River's Flow, The Souvenir: Part II, Dog, Anonymous Club, X, River, Nowhere Special, RRR, Morbius, The Duke, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Fantastic Beasts and the Secrets of Dumbledore, Ambulance, Memoria, The Lost City, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Happening, The Good Boss, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, The Northman, Ithaka, After Yang, Downton Abbey: A New Era, Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, Petite Maman, The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Firestarter, Operation Mincemeat, To Chiara, This Much I Know to Be True, The Innocents, Top Gun: Maverick, The Bob's Burgers Movie, Ablaze, Hatching, Mothering Sunday, Jurassic World Dominion, A Hero, Benediction, Lightyear, Men, Elvis, Lost Illusions and Nude Tuesday.
What's better: free KFC, or bites to eat other than chicken being double-breaded and fried just like the Colonel's finest? The answer: a place that does both. Australia is getting one, albeit temporarily and only in Sydney. But hit up The Original Crispery, as the two-day-only world-first pop-up is called, and you'll nab a burger without spending a cent — and also get the chance to enjoy an entire menu that's been given the KFC treatment. Have you always thought that vegetables such as broccolini and asparagus would taste better if they were coated and fried just like KFC chicken? Cheesecake, too? Peanut butter and jam sandwiches? They're some of the items on the menu at The Original Crispery — and, like the burgs, they're also free. The place: 118 Crown Street, Darlinghurst. The dates and times: 10am–7pm on Friday, May 17 and 10am–5pm on Saturday, May 18. Everyone who drops by will get one free original crispy burger and one other free item from the menu, as suitably "crispified" as the fast-food chain is calling it. Why? Whenever a pop-up like this happens, it's always to promote something. This time, the brand is spreading the word about its permanent new original crispy burger series being added to the menu at KFCs Australia-wide, where every burger fillet is double-breaded. It hits outlets on Tuesday, May 14. As for what else is on offer at The Original Crispery, you'll have to show up to find out. Until then, dreaming up a list of other foodstuffs that KFC can crisp up will pass the time and make you hungry. And yes, this is the latest pop-up from a brand that's done 11-course fine-dining degustations, Peking Duk-led festivals, a nightclub, weddings, cocktails, ugly Christmas sweaters for humans and pets alike, free international trips, and a soothing playlist of chicken frying and gravy simmering — which is genuinely relaxing. KFC's Original Crispery will pop up from 10am–7pm on Friday, May 17 and 10am–5pm on Saturday, May 18 at 118 Crown Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney. Head to the brand's website and Facebook page for more details.
UPDATE: MAY 15, 2018 — Because you can't really enjoy a cheese board without a glass of time, The Cheese Riot has this week launched a series of cheese and wine hampers. They range from $119–159, feature some top Australian wines, and can be ordered here. Australian farmers put out some seriously delicious cheese, but, if you live in the city, the best stuff isn't necessarily easy to find. Most are made on country farms, several hours' drive away, and don't often make it to major supermarkets. The good news is that a cheese lover by the name of Anna Perejma wants to change all that. She's the founder of The Cheese Riot, a brand new service brings boutique Aussie cheeses to your doorstep. The Cheese Riot is the result of Perejma travels around the country, sampling all the cheese she could get her hands on. Picking the tastiest and boldest varieties, she's now connecting directly with the cheesemakers and producers where possible, then popping their wares into boxes and sending them to subscribers all over Australia. As well as 600 - 800 grams of cheese per box, each shipment also includes a changing range of Aussie-made accompaniments, such as chutney, pastes, honey and matching teas. Two subscription options are available: the Give Me Cheese box for $89, and the Give Me Premium Cheese box for $129, which features harder-to-find cheeses or special batches. They're sent to most places in Australia, with Sydney metro residents receiving same-day delivery "It's like the Dollar Shave Club, but for cheese," explains Perejma. "Every month, you'll get a selection of cheeses delivered to your house, most made by small producers who live in the middle of nowhere. The idea is to unlock products people want but can't get." It's a venture driven by Perejma's love of Australian wares, and her eagerness to share our delicious dairy products. "Our products are just as good as anything you'll find internationally, but don't get enough recognition." And before you start wondering about Perejma's credentials, her resume includes events officer at the Australian Specialist Cheesemakers' Association — yes, the ASCA really exists — where she recently organised the & Cheese event series that included a Young Henrys beer and cheese pairing and a Four Pillars gin cocktails and cheese pairing at Moya's Juniper Lounge. We're pretty confident you can trust her palate. In addition, Perejma wants to "take the wank out of cheese" and encourage a sense of community around sharing it. "You can enjoy cheese any way you like, be that on your own with Netflix and a glass of wine or with a bunch of friends at a picnic in the park." The Cheese Riot will also be hosting artisan cheese appreciation classes in Sydney, through AirBnb Experiences. For more information about The Cheese Riot, visit their website. By Jasmine Crittenden and Sarah Ward.
If you're a fan of northside craft beer haven Carwyn Cellars, then you're probably familiar with the hefty Day of The Dead party it serves up each November. But you've never seen an instalment quite as big as this year's event, which happens this Saturday, November 4. Not only will the party help launch two new Day of the Dead-inspired beers from good mates at New Zealand brewery Garage Project, it also coincides with the debut of the bar's freshly renovated beer garden, giving the al fresco space a fittingly beery baptism. Lubricating the celebrations, a ten-strong Garage Project tap takeover will star a habanero, rosewater and watermelon lager called La Calavera Catrina, and the Day Of The Dead chilli, cacao and vanilla dark lager, alongside a range of the label's more familiar offerings. If beer's not your thing, there'll be Paloma jugs to get you into the spirit instead. Rounding out the fun with some delicious Mexican morsels, Old El Luci will be slinging his famous taco creations, including the El Jefe, with pulled beef rib, corn and chipotle mayo, and the El Pescado, with cured salmon, guacamole and coriander. What's more, you'll get to enjoy it all from the comfort of that brand new beer garden.
It's television's greatest tragedy, and one that's been more than a decade in the making. Watching Better Call Saul, it's impossible not to think about the route its protagonist takes through Breaking Bad. We already know how Saul Goodman's (Bob Odenkirk) story ends, so as we explore his pre-Walter White life — when he was known by his birth name of Jimmy McGill and genuinely wanted to be a legitimate lawyer — the feeling is bittersweet, to say the least. The same sensation applies to former cop Mike Ehrmantrout (Jonathan Banks), whose Breaking Bad fate is also already known. Before getting caught up with Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito), he first crossed Jimmy's path as a car park attendant at the Albuquerque court house — and Better Call Saul tells his tale as much as its namesake's For four seasons since 2015, the Breaking Bad prequel has stepped through the earlier existence of these two characters, as well as others in their orbit — such as Jimmy's successful older brother Chuck (Michael McKean), his girlfriend and fellow lawyer Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn), and Mike's widowed daughter-in-law Stacey (Kerry Condon) and granddaughter Kaylee (Abigail Zoe Lewis). As the episodes pass, the two central figures slowly start inching towards their Breaking Bad lives. Familiar faces, such as Gus and Hector Salamanca (Mark Margolis) also pop up. The result: a series that's as excellent as its predecessor, and one that provides another excuse to spend more time in Breaking Bad's world. After last airing episodes in 2018 — and leaving 2019 to El Camino — A Breaking Bad Movie — it's returning for a fifth season this year. And if you can't wait until February 24 to see what comes next, or you weren't quite satisfied by the season's first couple of sneak peeks, a new trailer has just dropped. This new trailer is still brief, like its predecessors, but it does offer a glimpse at all the familiar players. Jimmy, Mike, Kim, Gus and Hector are all accounted for, as is gangland figure Nacho Varda (Michael Mando). That said, the biggest revelation is the return of a Breaking Bad character who hasn't been seen in Better Call Saul just yet, but was always going to pop up eventually. No, it's not Walt (Bryan Cranston) or Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), but DEA agent and Walt's brother-in-law Hank Schrader (Dean Norris). The trailer follows a big Better Call Saul announcement a few weeks back, with US network AMC announcing that the show will wrap up after its sixth season. Work on the last batch of 13 episodes will begin this month, and will presumably air in 2021 — ending your chances to hear Jimmy tell everyone "s'all good, man". Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLOgEMxt-yM&feature=youtu.be Better Call Saul's fifth season starts streaming on Stan from Monday, February 24.
Vegie Bar's grown-up, super stylish sister Transformer is making a name for itself as being one of the best fine dining vegetarian experiences available in Melbourne. Now they're taking things up an epic notch, with The Harvest dinners — evenings where chefs Luke Florence and Bryce Edwards serve up a specially-designed, seven-course, all-vegan tasting menu with matching vegan wines to impress. For first-timers to Transformer, expect a visual experience as well as a culinary one, with lush green vines wrapped around cages intersecting the walls and video art projected on the screens, cocktails of kombucha and beetroot with gin and mismatched cutlery like your granny might own. It's a little bit fancy, but with a quirky edge. Expect to take your tastebuds on a very pleasing, cruelty-free journey that is sure to impress even the meat-eaters among us. Say what you like about veganism — it still can be delicious.
Melburnians are one step closer to having four different kerbside bins for their weekly waste and recycling, with the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D'Ambrosio announcing that the government will provide over $1 million in grants this week. The money will be used to help get the long-promised program off the ground and includes a range of educational and behaviour change campaigns across 17 local councils aimed at preparing residents for the bin transition. The four-bin system is part of the state government's push to divert 80 percent of waste from landfill by 2030. It'll eventually see all Victorians doubling their previous number of kerbside bins, with new separate units for general household waste (red lid), food and garden organics (green lid), glass (purple lid) and other recycling (yellow lid). Depending on where you live, you might already be the proud owner of one or two of these new bins, with the system in various stages of rollout across different council areas. That said, we'll still be waiting a while before the program is completely up and running — the new glass bins aren't expected to be fully implemented until 2027 and the organics service is slated for completion sometime around the year 2030. The newly announced grant money will assist some local councils in educating their residents on better waste and recycling management. The education campaigns will use communication materials created by Sustainability Victoria, which are based on behaviour change theory and research. Of course, the bin program is just one element of the Victorian Government's planned $515 million overhaul of the state's waste and recycling industry. In April this year, it finally confirmed plans for Victoria's long-awaited container deposit scheme, which is now on track to officially kick off by 2023. To find out more about the four-bin system campaign funding and to check which councils will be receiving it, see the Sustainability Victoria website.
As Melbourne continues to recapture its mojo and rebuild its events calendar following a couple of challenging years, the City of Melbourne has gone and announced a brand-new festival is coming our way — one that's dedicated to creativity, innovation and big ideas. While the name of said major fest is yet to be revealed, we do know that it'll make its debut in August 2023, speaking to the theme 'Now or Never'. It's also set to replace two existing events: Melbourne Music Week and Melbourne Knowledge Week. It looks like we can expect a forward-thinking program that's jam-packed with a diverse array of experiences, art, talks, installations, music, culinary delights and more. And organisers are teasing a bumper lineup of boundary-pushing creatives and innovators from both near and far, set to bring it all to life. [caption id="attachment_876804" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lycheeart, via Unsplash[/caption] With a calendar of events running both by day and into the night, you'll be able to immerse yourself in everything from virtual reality experiences, live tunes and digital exhibitions, to multi-sensory feasts, thought-provoking talks and captivating visual art. In a statement, Lord Mayor Sally Capp hinted at the new event's scale, while putting the word out for any local creatives keen to be a part of it. "This new festival will bring together Melbourne's untapped talent and innovation, and we're calling for the best minds to make history and get involved in this inaugural event," she said. There's up to $50,000 in funding available to help develop and present projects for the new festival, with a focus on concepts that forge connections between technology and art. You can read more about the application process and submit your ideas over on the website. City of Melbourne's new festival will take place in August, 2023. Further details are set to be revealed in the coming months, including the event's name — stay tuned and we'll share more info as it drops. Top Image: Melbourne Music Week.
Mavis the Grocer is the latest addition to the burgeoning Abbotsford cafe scene. Housed in an old shop on the corner of Nicholson and Vere Streets, the quaintly named Mavis has a strong focus on creating connections with the local community. The team are striving to bring people together over nourishing food and great coffee — and by the looks of it, they're succeeding. The renovation of the corner store has been done well. The interior is fresh and light thanks to large windows that look out onto the street. In fact, it feels a little as though you are entering a big old neighbourhood kitchen with its weatherboard walls, wooden crates of fruit and greenery sprouting from pots. The menu has the usual brunch suspects with a few twists thrown in. Homemade muesli and eggs are breakfast menu staples, but a brown rice, steamed greens and tofu brekky bowl ($16) muscles in on the latest breakfast salad trend. Delicious bread is made on the premises and accompanies several of the dishes, including the slow braised spicy beans with a cheesy herb sourdough crust ($15). Citrus-cured salmon with roast and raw beetroot ($18) is a rich, yet healthy dish, and certainly meets the requirement of being photogenic, as did the flashback to childhood pikelets with sweet ricotta, strawberries and honeycomb ($15). As you move towards lunchtime, there is a selection of sandwiches (fresh and toasted), salads, and a specials board with more European-style slow cooked offerings, such as local mussels cooked in a tomato, fennel, chilli and basil broth, a risotto, and polpette. These reappear with more evening appeal when the sun starts to dip, the candles are lit and a glass of wine or a local beer is possible. Coffee is by Seven Seeds, with a permanent house blend and a single-origin blend that are well executed by knowledgeable baristas. There are also smoothies, cold pressed juices, kombucha and organic tea by Tielka. Co-owners Maurice Manno and Dan Zeidan — responsible for Collingwood favourites Lazerpig and The Grace Darling Hotel — are serious about their philosophy of using seasonal, local, sustainable or organic produce. All suppliers are chosen according to their ethical and environmental practices. The Mavis team want to minimise waste, reduce food mileage and keep their overall environmental impact as small as possible. Food scraps are reused as compost, farming and to feed their chickens. And as well as outdoor pavement seating, there's a heated courtyard out the back with a healthy looking veggie patch, which contributes to the kitchen's creations. In keeping with the grocer aspect of its personality, there is a small range of artisan products are for sale. Organic milk, pasta, olive oil, homemade jam and — intriguingly, but patriotically — jars of vegemite adorn the shelves. There are take home meals available too, making Mavis a bit of a one-stop, wonderful destination for your conscience, your belly and your need for community connection.
If the phrase 'cheap beer' is music to your ears on a stinkin' hot day, then the bartenders at the Abbotts Hotel are about to become your favourite musicians in the city. The Waterloo pub has started offering beer prices based on the barometer or 'beer-o-meter' as they're calling it. When the temperature reaches 38 degrees — on the Bureau of Meteorology app, not your dodgy car thermometer — schooners are knocked down from $6 to $3.80. As the temperature continues to rise, the prices keep dropping until it hits 45 degrees (otherwise known as 'hell'). At this point, your beer is free. Yep, that's right, free. You'll never complain about the weather again. Abbotts will be honouring these discounts if anywhere in greater Sydney is sweltering, so keep an eye on your app and keep the bar accountable. The offer will run for the foreseeable future (with whispers of the beer-o-meter swapping in winter to sling cheap stouts when the temp drops) so we'll be crossing our fingers for a steamy March. Abbotts Hotel is located at 47 Botany Road, Waterloo. In the event of free beer, it will be limited to one per person, per day.
Mention the name Weird Al Yankovic and a pop parody song likely slips into your head. Maybe you're now humming 'Eat It' to yourself, or 'My Bologna' — or perhaps 'Like a Surgeon', 'Another One Rides the Bus', 'Smells Like Nirvana' and 'Amish Paradise' are echoing in your brain. They're some of the musical-comedy tunes the singer is famous for, but they won't be getting a workout on his just-announced 2023 tour. First, the exciting news: Weird Al is heading to Australia in March, hitting up Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane on a five-show whirl around the country. Next, the possibly surprising news: The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour, as it's called, isn't about playing Yankovic's satires of other well-known songs. Instead, the musician is swapping his usual parodies for his other musical-comedy standouts across his 14-album catalogue. Clearly, he has plenty of tracks to choose from — and they'll all be played with his original band of four decades in an intimate, stripped-down show. Don't go expecting costumes, props or video screens, either. AUSTRALIA, here I come!!! #TheUnfortunateReturnOfTheRidiculouslySelfIndulgentIllAdvisedVanityTour comes to Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane in March 2023! https://t.co/o0riivPZ37 — Al Yankovic (@alyankovic) November 27, 2022 This deep cut-focused tour follows Yankovic's successful 2018 and 2022 North American Vanity Tours, which featured sold-out performances at The Kennedy Centre and Carnegie Hall. In Australia, he'll be joined by comedian Emo Philips, his The Vidiot From UHF co-star, at gigs at the Palais Theatre, Norwood Concert Hall, Enmore Theatre, Perth's Astor Theatre and QPAC. "I don't very often get an opportunity to tour outside of North America, so it's a huge thrill for me to come back to Australia and play a bunch of songs that most people would rather not hear." Al said, announcing the tour. His trip Down Under follows the release of comic biopic Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, which isn't currently available in Australia — but Yankovic has thoughts on how to see it. WEIRD AL YANKOVIC'S THE UNFORTUNATE RETURN OF THE RIDICULOUSLY SELF-INDULGENT, ILL-ADVISED VANITY TOUR 2023: Friday, March 10 — Palais Theatre, Melbourne Monday, March 13 — Norwood Concert Hall, Adelaide Wednesday, March 15 — Enmore Theatre, Sydney Saturday, March 18 — Astor Theatre, Perth Monday, March 20 – QPAC, Brisbane Weird Al Yankovic is touring Australia in March 2023. Tickets go on sale at 11am local time on Friday, December 2 — head to the tour website for further details.
As part of the 2013–14 Sydney International Art Series and part of an exclusive deal with the NSW government, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) and Destination NSW present, War Is Over! (if you want it): Yoko Ono. Legendary artist, musician, activist and perhaps one of the most controversial figures in the history of rock 'n' roll, Yoko Ono has developed her first solo exhibition made up of five decades worth of art in diverse media. Over the past decade skeptics of Ono and her involvement with the Beatles disintegration in 1970, have let the past go and have started to embrace Ono's musical and artistic endeavours. Ono brings back to life the iconic message, 'War Is Over!' that she and her late husband John Lennon spent years spreading around the world. First appearing in 1969 across billboards worldwide, the message may be the most recognised symbol of public outcry for peace during the Vietnam War. Over the past decade some of those who were once skeptical of Ono and her possible involvement in the Beatles 1970 disintegration, have let the past go and begun to embrace Ono's musical and artistic endeavours. MCA Senior Curator Rachel Kent has worked closely with Ono on the survey. The exhibition reaffirms Ono's belief in a better future. Sydney's MCA will be the only Australian venue for Ono's artwork which includes performances, sculpture, written texts, films, sound compositions, and participatory pieces of art that involve the viewers. The exhibit is to be presented throughout the Level Three Galleries in November of next year. Ono is expected to attend.
'I Miss You' isn't just the name of a beloved blink-182 song. It isn't just a track they'll likely bust out on their 2024 tour Down Under, either. It's also the vibe being felt around Australia right now, clearly, because the band's tour keeps proving a huge hit — and adding new dates. Last week, blink-182 revealed that they were reforming their classic lineup of Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker, then hitting the road — and that Aussie fans would get their chance to see the end result live in February 2024. Then, they added more dates before tickets to the first gigs even went on sale, because the demand was already that huge. Now, another batch of shows is being added again. The first run of dates is already sold out, with tickets to those shows going on sale on Thursday, October 20. Now, one extra show per city has been added in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide — and tickets for those are up for grabs at 12pm local time today, Friday, October 21. Perth residents can now try to score tickets for Thursday, February 8 at RAC Arena, Melburnians can do the same for Monday, February 26 at Rod Laver Arena, and Sydneysiders can have an extra shot in Friday, February 23 at Qudos Bank Arena. As for Brisbanites, they have a new date on Wednesday, February 21 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre to pick from. DeLonge, Hoppus and Barker will play with Rise Against in support, starting their Australian run in Perth, then head to Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane — then back to Sydney and Melbourne. For three decades, blink-182 have been the voice inside punk and rock fans' heads, especially in the late 90s and early 00s thanks to albums Enema of the State and Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. Now that they're back together after DeLonge left the band in 2015, blink-182 are also recording new music together, with single 'Edging' out now. Expect to hear everything from 'Dammit' and 'Josie' to 'What's My Age Again?' and 'All the Small Things' live, though. BLINK-182 2024 AUSTRALIAN TOUR: Thursday, February 8–Friday, February 9 — RAC Arena, Perth Sunday, February 11 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Tuesday, February 13–Wednesday, February 14 + Monday, February 26 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Friday, February 16–Saturday, February 17 + Friday, February 23 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Monday, February 19, Tuesday, February 20 + Wednesday, February 21 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Blink-182 will tour Australia and New Zealand in February 2024. Tickets to new shows in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne go on sale at 12pm on Friday, October 21 local time. For more information, head to the Live Nation website. Top image: Jack Bridgland.
The streets of Sydney are about to transform into a kaleidoscope of colour, charisma and character for the 46th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and we've got two exclusive packages to make sure you're in the thick of it. Whether you're a Mardi Gras veteran or a first-timer, these deals will set you up to have the ultimate Mardi Gras experience. First up, for those looking to add a touch of luxe to their Mardi Gras, we present the Diamond Club Viewing & Boutique City Stay. Priced at AU$1,599 for two people, this deal not only puts you in a premium viewing area for the Parade on Saturday, March 2, but also gives you access to exclusive bars, gourmet food and amenities at Diamond Club — one of the hottest tickets on the festival calendar. And when the day is done, you'll retreat to your luxury room at the Ovolo Woolloomooloo for two nights (March 1–3). This isn't just a place to crash — it's a five-star retreat complete with daily breakfast, unlimited Wi-Fi, self-laundry (because glitter gets everywhere), daily afternoon cocktails, free minibar, gym, pool and in-room Alexa and Apple TV. Alternatively, the Sideshow Viewing & Boutique City Stay starts from AU$1,299 for two people and offers front-row seats to the parade from the Sideshow area. Your accommodation? Take your pick between The Woolstore 1888 by Ovolo or the Kimpton Margot Sydney. Both options are an easy stroll to the parade route and come with all the perks you'd expect from top-tier hotels. So go on, treat yourself. You're not just booking a room; you're securing a front-row seat to one of the most vibrant events on the Sydney calendar. See you there.
After a few wines, fun can get messy. Without any alcohol at all, life always is. Since arriving on Netflix in 2019, grief-fuelled black comedy Dead to Me has always understood this. Just as crucially, it has always appreciated how the chaos that being alive brings is far easier to handle with a true friend by your side. Its key pair: Christina Applegate (Bad Moms 2) and Linda Cardellini (Hawkeye) as Jen Harding and Judy Hale, who started the show as strangers linked by tragedy, and by lies about exactly how deep that connection goes. With Dead to Me finishing with the just-dropped season three, the duo ends the series having changed each other in ways that neither could've initially imagined. Hit and runs, murders, duplicitous connections, secret twins, police investigations, shallow graves, money laundering, incriminating surveillance footage, big coverups: these aren't regular occurrences for most of us. But dealing with life, love, death, loss and disappointment is, and struggling to know how you want to spend your days — and who to spend them with. To navigate all of this, the only-on-TV and the everyday alike, Dead to Me bundles its leads together to help them cope. Sometimes, that involves big glasses of vino. Too often perhaps, leaning on a stereotype. Still, the fact that Jen and Judy need each other, and are better because they know each other, remains as heartfelt as Dead to Me's pile of twists proves tumultuous. When Dead to Me began with heavy A Simple Favour vibes, it was with Laguna Beach real-estate agent Jen left widowed with two kids (Condor's Sam McCarthy and IT: Chapter Two's Luke Roessler), and furious about it, after her husband Ted was killed in an accident. Aged-care nurse Judy comes into her orbit at her grief support group, telling a tale about similarly mourning after the death of her fiancé Steve Wood (James Marsden, Sonic the Hedgehog 2); however, her story is just a ruse to get close to Jen. The chalk-and-cheese women still find comfort in each other's company, with the free-spirited Judy countering Jen's acerbic, acidic, angry demeanour. Then, the revelations start flowing — and the more that their friendship is tested, the more the pair gravitate towards each other. When Dead to Me's ten-episode first season came to an end, it was with secrets being exposed and a growing body count. In season two, which dropped another ten episodes in 2020, Jen and Judy worked through the fallout, and the reality of having Steve's kinder, cornier twin brother Ben (also Marsden) around. This is a show about cycles and circles, so when its second outing finished, it was with another hit and run, this time with Jen and Judy as its victims. That's where season three's ten episodes pick up, with the two women in hospital weathering yet another aftermath to a significant event with yet another round of life-changing consequences. Hanging out with Jen and Judy as they endure several soap operas worth of turmoil — and just as many big life events, complete with romances, kids and health woes — has been one of Dead to Me's drawcards from the get-go. Creator and writer Liz Feldman (2 Broke Girls) perfected the show's lead casting, so much so that even simply putting Applegate and Cardellini together with a bottle of wine has always sparked compelling, touching, insightful and hilarious moments. That's hardly surprising given both actors' prior resumes, and their screen presence. In her first lead TV role since 2011–12 sitcom Up All Night, Married with Children and Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead alum Applegate plays world-weary and just weary with relatable force, while ex-Freaks and Geeks, Scooby Doo, Mad Men and Bloodline star Cardellini knows how to give the positive-thinking Judy both weight and heart. Applegate and Cardellini have deserved their past Emmy nominations — two for the former, one for the latter — and they're each as adept at balancing Dead to Me's dark comedy and rampant dramas in season three. There's a greater sense of what the bond between the show's protagonists truly means this time, though, befitting its final go-around. As even more hardship, heartbreak and law enforcement officers are thrown at its central pair, the series also sees them lean on each other as a constant when little else earns that description. That said, because everything changes including our dearest relationships, it contemplates what Jen and Judy can always draw on from each other even if they're not perennially side by side. Finding solace in complicated bonds, the strength to confront life's challenges, and the savviness to know when to appreciate the small wins and big delights: that's Dead to Me season three's arc. It's the series' in general, and was long before it was announced that it would finish after a third and final run. In fact, that's why all the trauma and twists have worked, reflecting the truth that anything and everything can happen to us all every day, so all that we can do is work out how to soldier on. Of course, now that Dead to Me is bringing its odd-couple tale to a conclusion — a fitting one, that keeps recognising the gifts, shocks, joys and sorrows that greet everyone — farewells and heightened feelings frequently go hand in hand. Accordingly, unexpected diagnoses, meddling cops (returnees Diana Maria Riva, Kajillionaire, and Brandon Scott, Goliath), sleuthing federal agents (series newcomer Garrett Dillahunt, Where the Crawdads Sing), old flames (Natalie Morales, The Little Things) and frustrating neighbours (Suzy Nakamura, Avenue 5) all pop up. So do creepy rooms filled with twin dolls, plus outlaw names: Bitch Cassidy and Judy Five Fingers (who chooses which is obvious). Yes, Dead to Me goes all in on as many more plot swings as it can fit in as it rides off into the sunset. In the process, the show's swansong evokes as many emotions as it can, too. Amid the twists and laughs in tandem, however — and all the murders, mysteries and other doses of mayhem along the way — this show has always been able to make its feelings stick, just like its against-the-odds core friendship. Check out the full trailer for Dead to Me's third season below: Dead to Me's third season is available to stream via Netflix. Images: Saeed Adyani / Netflix.
With a weekly listenership of 1.7 million and a strong following since 1995, the popular weekly hour-long radio program This American Life is due to make its debut in Australian cinemas. Filmed on a stage in New York City, This American Life — Live! is a packed show featuring stories by host Ira Glass, writers David Sedaris and David Rakoff, comic Tig Notaro and Snap Judgment host Glynn Washington, plus live music by OK Go. This live experience will encompass things you could never do on the radio, such as a new short film by Mike Birbiglia, dance by Monica Bill Barnes & Company, original animation, projected illustration and more. Glass is excited to see how it turns out: “We've built this line-up of stories mixed with super visual things," he says. "It's going to feel like the radio show but also totally unlike anything we've done before." A must-see event to be permanent-markered in, This American Life — Live! will screen in select cinemas around Australia.
With the news finally confirmed that Aussies can begin visiting New Zealand shores once again, you're likely to be more than ready to book that holiday to our easterly neighbour. Home to some of the best slopes that the southern hemisphere has to offer, New Zealand is a no-brainer when it comes to choosing a winter vacay destination. No matter which stunning ski region you choose, there's just as much to do off the slopes as there is on them. Between world-class eateries, jaw-dropping hotel views and walks to remember, you're going to want to wring as much out of each place as you can. Together with Ski NZ, we've put together this guide on where to eat, play and stay in New Zealand's best ski regions across both the North Island and South Island. QUEENSTOWN/WANAKA [caption id="attachment_846406" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Little Aosta, Arrowtown[/caption] EAT Queenstown is known for its world-class food and cocktail offering. Yes, you're there for the serious business of skiing but it would be a crime not to indulge. If you're staying in the heart of Queenstown, fuel up early for a day on the slopes with strong coffee and delicious cabinet goods from Vudu Larder — the carrot cake is a particular standout (and a breakfast food, in our opinion). At the end of the day, travel 20 minutes down the road to the charming historic village of Arrowtown to try authentic Italian family-style fare at Ben Bayly's recently opened Little Aosta. Après-ski cocktail hour around the fire starts at 3pm here, so get your spot early. For fancier fine dining, you can't go past Rātā, celebrity chef Josh Emmett's main Queenstown fort, for a taste of the best Aotearoa has to offer in a deconstructed degustation. [caption id="attachment_806669" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Coronet Peak[/caption] PLAY You're down south? You're in luck, because Queenstown and Wanaka are home to some of the best ski fields in the country — even the world. If you're looking for a reliably good run, Cardrona is just a short drive from either side of the valley. For experienced skiers wanting a challenge, ski and snowboard hotspot Treble Cone features the South Island's "biggest vert" (you're going to want to say that to feel like part of the in-crowd) — AKA the longest vertical drop in the region. Queenstown's closest ski field, Coronet Peak, is located an easy 20-minute drive from the town centre, while the unbelievable views from atop the family-friendly slopes of The Remarkables make it worth the slightly longer 40-minute roadie (or just hop on one of the regular shuttles from the city's centre). And if you're in town at the time, don't miss alpine music festival Snow Machine in September, set to turn the slopes into the dance floor of your sub-zero dreams. The following day, reward yourself for all that hard work with a day in the vines: Amisfield and Akarua are our top winery picks. Don't miss a day up the Queenstown gondola for the best views you can imagine — and a thrilling luge ride on the way down, of course. And if you want to restore your body after a day on the slopes, Align, Queenstown's first reformer pilates studio, offers dynamic classes of equal strength and stretch to help get you back in shape for the next day's skiing. [caption id="attachment_846407" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mahu Whenua[/caption] STAY If you're planning on waking up with the sunrise to make the most of your day on the slopes, you're going to need million-dollar views to make it easier. Luckily, you'd be hard-pressed to find a bad view in this corner of the world. For a wake-up as good as it gets, Eichardt's Private Hotel boasts one of the best lakefront positions in Queenstown. If you prefer cosy intimacy and a bold print, notoriously quirky hotel chain Naumi's The Dairy Private Hotel transformed Queenstown's original 1920s corner store into colourful boutique accommodation with a bottomless happy hour between 5pm and 6pm. For an eco-friendly stay without sacrificing on luxury, rest your weary head at Mahu Whenua luxury eco-accommodation. Any of the rustic suites at this luxury lodge will make you feel like the king or queen of the castle, worlds away from the hustle and bustle of Wanaka township (rather than a mere 25 minutes). CANTERBURY [caption id="attachment_846515" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Inati, Christchurch[/caption] EAT Thanks to Canterbury's spot in the central South Island, meat-eaters and vegetarians alike will be in paradise with locally-sourced meats and produce at many a farm-to-table spot. Keen to splurge? Head to Inati for a degustation from head chef Simon Levy who trained under a pretty well-known chef named Gordon Ramsay — you may have heard of him. With a menu split into earth, land and sea, Inati directly translates from Te Reo to mean "to share a portion of food or to be exceptional and exciting". Either sound good to us. If only a giant steak will do, hit up the city's classic steakhouse Bloody Mary's and follow it with a post-dinner cocktail to die for at speakeasy-style bar OGB in Christchurch's stunning old government building (get the name?). Thanks to giant heaters and overhead cover, you can sit out in the courtyard overlooking Cathedral Square year-round, with a few negronis to beat the winter chill. [caption id="attachment_852204" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mount Hutt[/caption] PLAY For an easy day ski trip just outside of the city, head to two of the closest mountains to central Christchurch: Mount Hutt, Canterbury's premier ski field, or Mount Cheeseman. Both are sun-soaked (even in winter), family-friendly and set up for a fun day on the slopes. If you feel like journeying a little further afield, Mount Dobson is just two hours from Christchurch and an underrated jewel with sensational views across Lake Pukaki and Tekapo towards New Zealand's highest peaks, Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. After a day on the slopes, soak the aching muscles away in Methven's brand new Ōpuke hot pools at the base of Mount Hutt. This new wellness destination has adults-only 'tranquillity pools' and family-friendly 'discovery pools', with a swim-up bar that will make you feel like you're in the islands, despite being surrounded by a mountain range. They'll even bring you a cocktail right to your spot in the pool — no slapping around in wet swimwear required. For those staying closer to the city, the He Puna Taimoana hot pools in New Brighton offer views over the beach and can be booked in time slots so you'll never feel crowded. If the weather is playing ball and you want a little greenery after all of that snow, Christchurch's Botanic Gardens are stunning year-round thanks to the hot greenhouse, Wintergarden, which will warm your bones no matter the weather. [caption id="attachment_846409" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Britten Stables[/caption] STAY For stunning boutique accommodation in the heart of Christchurch, Britten Stables is a key piece of Christchurch history that has been lovingly restored into luxe accommodation with an indoor plunge pool, hot tub, billiards room and spacious gardens. For accommodation closer to the slopes, Terrace Downs resort was recently purchased by luxe hotel chain Fable and offers villas nestled below the Southern Alps, only a 45-minute drive to the ski field — or a five-minute helicopter to the top of the slopes. You can recover the next morning with a round of golf right outside your room. RUAPEHU [caption id="attachment_757144" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pinnacles Restaurant[/caption] EAT For lunch with an out-of-this-world view above the dual UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park, ride the Sky Waka gondola up Mount Ruapehu to the award-winning Knoll Ridge Chalet — which, sitting 2020 metres above sea level, is NZ's highest dining experience. With breathtaking views of the Pinnacles, as well as skiers and boarders hooning down the slopes, visitors can choose from a delicious and varied menu that shines with high-quality, locally sourced produce. On your return to town, once you've had a hot shower and dropped off your gear, head to Osteria, a cosy family-run Italian restaurant in the heart of Ohakune. The lasagne al forno and a large glass of red is the perfect pairing to warm the bones after a day on the field. [caption id="attachment_852205" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mt Ruapehu[/caption] PLAY Part of the UNESCO Dual World Heritage Tongariro National Park, Mt Ruapehu has some of the North Island's most rugged terrain, formed by solidified lava. On its flanks, Whakapapa and Tūroa ski areas boast the country's most exhilarating ski runs, as well as world-class beginner slopes and lessons for those just venturing out, across its combined 1050 hectares — no intimidating vibes here. Feel like working your legs even more? Have a crack at one of the area's incredible walks. The 20-kilometre Tongariro Crossing offers views previously only seen in Lord of the Rings, or, if you're nursing sore legs from skiing, the six-kilometre loop of the Taranaki Falls is equally stunning (but takes a quarter of the time). If you've still got the energy for a boogie after nightfall, head to the famous Powderkeg Bar which hosts a series of gigs throughout the winter months, including Ohakune Mardi Gras, the George FM Snowball and a host of others. [caption id="attachment_846413" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Powderhorn Chateau[/caption] STAY Knowing where to look is key to booking luxe accommodation around Ruapehu. For an intimate stay offering jaw-dropping views of the stars, Night Sky Cottage is a five-star, fully self-contained cottage in Ohakune with two baths perfectly positioned to gaze at the celestial wonders above. For an authentic alpine hotel experience, you'll be hard-pressed to beat the iconic Powderhorn Chateau when it comes to both location and winter ambience. The room's wooden interiors will give you Fargo vibes (in the best possible way) — and as a bonus, each room has a drying closet for your ski gear. To start planning your trip to New Zealand's top ski regions, visit the website. Top images: Coronet Peak, Little Aosta, Eichardt's Private Hotel
Hosting pre-drinks can be a lot of pressure. The playlist has got to be on point and create the right vibe. The snacks need to be that perfect mix between 'line your stomach' and 'small enough to eat with one hand while straightening hair'. And the drinks have to be knockouts because they're kind of like the marker for the night ahead; pick a great drink, you're in for an even greater night. And you can't go past prosecco; The dramatic 'pop' will immediately liven up the crowd, and the versatile Italian bubbly can be enjoyed on its own or heroed in a bunch of tasty cocktails. (And no, not just in a spritz.) To make sure you serve up some real humdingers, we've partnered with the prosecco masters at Dal Zotto Wines and crafted five prosecco cocktail recipes to try before your next night out. Bottoms up, bubble lovers. PASSION PIT Let this be our little secret... This cocktail is like a fancy, adults-only version of Passiona. It tastes just like an Aussie summer (read: pavlova and bubbly). — 70g castor sugar — 70ml lemon juice — 70ml triple sec — pulp from 4 passionfruits — 1 bottle of Dal Zotto prosecco, chilled (serves four to six) Mix together the lemon juice and sugar, dissolving it as best you can. Next add the triple sec and passionfruit pulp. Pour the mixture over a couple of ice-filled glasses, then top up with chilled prosecco. Garnish with passionfruit, mint and pineapple. You'll be feeling higher and higher in no time. EL LOCO Forget frozen margaritas — it's all about sparkling margaritas, amigos. This fizzy twist on the classic will send your mates loco in all the right ways. Cocktail: — 90ml blanco tequila — 90ml triple sec — 120ml chilled simple syrup (recipe below) — 240ml lime juice — 1 bottle of Dal Zotto prosecco, chilled — coarse salt — lime wedges Simple syrup: — 250 ml water — 250 ml castor sugar (serves six to eight) First, you need to make the simple syrup which is, well, super simple to make. Grab a medium saucepan and over medium-high heat stir together the sugar and water until all the granules have dissolved. Allow to cool to room temperature and then chill in the fridge. Next, add the tequila, chilled simple syrup, triple sec and lime juice into a cocktail shaker along with a good handful of ice, then give it a good shake. Grab your tumblers — or margarita glasses, if you've got 'em — and run a lime wedge around the rim of each glass before dipping them into a small plate of course salt. Add a handful of ice to each glass and divide the tequila mixture among the glasses. Finally, top with a wedge of lime and a splash of prosecco for that all-important fizz. PRINCESS PEACH Just like everybody's favourite crown-wearing Mario Kart character, this tipple is sweet yet punchy and will always score first place. — 2 ripe peaches, seeded and diced — 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice — 1 teaspoon sugar — 1 bottle of Dal Zotto prosecco, chilled (serves six) Chuck the peaches, lemon juice and sugar into your trusty food processor, and blend until smooth. Pass the mixture through a sieve and get rid of all the chunky peach bits. Place 2 tablespoons of the puree into each champagne glass and top with well-chilled prosecco. Yeah, Peach has got it! LEMON DROP This cocktail is a riff on those zingy, sherbert-filled lollies you probably ate as a kid. And it's got two Italian heavy-hitters, limoncello and prosecco, so you know it's going to be good. — 1 bottle of Dal Zotto prosecco, chilled — 250ml limoncello, chilled — blueberries — thyme — lemon slices (serves four) Pour the prosecco and limoncello into a jug and stir together. Next, press your lemon slices into the bottom of a large highball glass (a hurricane or sling will work equally well), top with ice and fill with the prosecco mixture. For added pizzazz, garnish with thyme and blueberries. PURPLE RAIN Just like Prince, this tipple is kinda strange but, also, utter genius. If it were to change its name to a symbol it would be an exclamation mark, because it's that delicious. Cocktail: — 1/4 cup blackberries — 90ml blackberry syrup (recipe below) — juice from one lime — mint — 120ml light rum — 1 bottle of Dal Zotto prosecco, chilled Blackberry syrup: — 2 tablespoons water — 1 cup blackberries — 1/3 cup granulated sugar (serves two) First, you'll need to whip up the blackberry syrup. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, mash together the sugar, blackberries and water. Once the mixture is thick and the sugar dissolved, pass it through a fine mesh strainer and let it chill. Add the blackberry syrup, blackberries, lime and a handful of mint to a cocktail shaker and muddle well. Next, chuck in the rum and a few ice cubes and shake it like you mean it. Strain the mixture into martini glasses and top with chilled prosecco and fresh blueberries or blackberries. Then, get ready to party like it's 1999. Keen for more fizz? Visit The Osborne, Auburn Hotel, The Cove, Captain Melville, Jimmy Watsons, La Manna or Parkhill Cellars for a glass of bubbly perfection. Plus, as part of Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2019, Dal Zotto winery is hosting an Italian lunch feast on Saturday, March 16. For more information and to book tickets, head this way.
Thornbury locals will know Pastificio Sandro well. The Italian grocer fills its cabinets with its own handmade pasta and ready-made meals, along with stacks of local and imported produce. To enjoy Sandro's cooking prowess in its full glory, you used to have to buy its pasta and sauces separately (or its excellent meat lasagne) and cook it all up at home. But there's now another way. Every Friday and Saturday night, diners who book a seat online can head around the back alleyway and find the entrance to its new secret restaurant p r o v a. Here, you'll either sit at the large table where they make the very pasta you'll be eating or at one of the smaller tables by the pasta cabinet, and tuck into a six-course feast ($125). Head Chef Adrian Bressanutti (ex-Stokehouse and Tipo 00) has created a menu of contemporary Italian eats — of course, featuring plenty of pasta. Bressanutti has worked at some of the best pasta spots in Melbourne, so we have very high expectations. We're also hoping the team's limoncello tiramisu and cannoli make their way onto the plates. Diners can also add wine pairings to the whole experience, curated by Andrew Barry (ex-Gingerboy and Anchovy), or just order as they please from the small selection of wine and beer. And don't worry too much if you can't get one of the 14 seats. You can always settle on Pastificio Sandro's fresh pastas, sauces and desserts while you wait for availabilities. You can find p r o v a at the rear of Pastificio Sandro, located at 822 High Street, Thornbury. It's open from 6pm–late on Friday and Saturday nights. For more information, head to the venue's website.
Whether 2023 has been your best year ever, something far more average, completely life-changing or just cruisy business as usual, it has definitely been missing one thing: Spicks and Specks. Thankfully, 2024 won't have that problem. Announcing its lineup for next year, the ABC has confirmed that the beloved music game show will be back — and with Adam Hills, Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough, of course. Among everything that the ABC has broadcast — news, entertainment, after-school kids shows, oh-so-much Doctor Who and late-night music videos to keep you occupied after a few drinks all included — Spicks and Specks is up there among the favourites. Exactly how many more instalments are on the way in 2024 hasn't been revealed, but watching a heap of top Australian talent sit around and talk about music will be back on the agenda. So will watching them do all of the above while answering questions, competing for points and just generally being funny, too. That's the concept behind the series, which takes more than a few cues from the UK's Never Mind the Buzzcocks, pits Aussie musos and comedians against each other, and has proven a hit several times over. It was a weekly favourite when it first aired between 2005–2011 — and, as it keeps being resurrected. As fans will already know, Spicks and Specks has enjoyed more comebacks than John Farnham, although that has meant different things over the years. When the program was first revived back in 2014, it did so with a new host and team captains, for instance. And when it started to make a return with its original lineup of Hills, Warhurst and Brough, it first did so via a one-off reunion special. That 2018 comeback proved more than a little popular. It became the ABC's most-watched show of that year, in fact. So, the broadcaster then decided to drop four new Spicks and Specks specials across 2019–20 and, for 2021, to bring back Spicks and Specks in its regular format. In 2022, ten new episodes hit. Exactly when Spicks and Specks will start airing in 2024, and who'll be hitting buzzers among the program's guests, hasn't yet been announced. Still, you can add playing along with the show from your couch — yet again — to your plans before 2024 is out. Spicks and Specks will return to ABC TV sometime in 2024. You'll also be able to stream the series via ABC iView. We'll update you when an exact release date is announced.
Sydney is currently experiencing a wave of new hotel openings. From the sleek-as-hell Ace Hotel and the lavish Capella Sydney to exciting upcoming openings like the forthcoming W Hotel, the Harbour City is awash with flash new accommodation providers. On top of all of this, a five-star Sydney favourite has just received a multimillion-dollar transformation with heritage CBD hotel Swissôtel unveiling its new look, Euro-influenced rooftop pool and grand lobby bar. Both the bar and pool are located high in the sky, nestled among Sydney's high rises. Enter the hotel from Market Street and head up to level eight to find Arches On Market, a no-holds-barred dining and drinking experience within the building's pre-existing 1930s lobby. A luxurious fit-out has brought new life to the space, and an award-winning chef now heads up the kitchen, serving up a selection of finger food and bar snacks. Take your pick from intimate booths, relaxed lounge seating and the more formal dining space, or take a seat at the eight-metre-long Calacatta marble bar where you can really analyse the cocktail list with the bartenders to determine the beverage your heart truly desires. On the drinks menu, you'll find the signature martini served straight out of the freezer and garnished depending on your preference, as well as sours, cobblers and a twist on an Old Fashioned. Executive Chef John Giovanni Pugliano has pulled together a snack menu that will have you cancelling your dinner reservations elsewhere. Oysters, finger sandwiches, goats cheese and caramelised onion croquettes, prawn cocktails and pork terrine all make appearances alongside caviar and mandarin cheesecake. These vibrant cocktails and stellar eats are all calling to be enjoyed poolside, and hotel guests are in luck with the Arches fare available at the new rooftop pool. This inner-city oasis now boasts built-in cabanas and sun-soaked day beds, as well as booths set up to accommodate a spread of snacks from the lobby bar. Pristine white pool club-style walls surround the timber deck, giving the sky-high swim spot a sense of privacy without shutting it off from the sun and the surrounding skyline. The new-look 369-room hotel and all of its fresh amenities are open now. Rooms start from just over $350 a night and include access to the Ten Stories restaurant, Arches on Market, the rooftop pool and the wellness and spa facilities, all in the heart of the Sydney CBD. Swissôtel Sydney is located at 68 Market Street, Sydney. Restaurant images: Steven Woodburn
After revealing its December programming last month, Moonlight Cinema has unveiled the next part of its 2021–22 program. As always, one piece of advice bears repeating: pack your picnic basket and get ready to watch a heap of flicks under the summer evening sky. While the outdoor cinema runs until different dates in different parts of the country — till mid-January in Adelaide, the end of January in western Sydney, late February in Brisbane, the end of March in Melbourne and Perth, and early April in Sydney — it's latest announcement focuses on its January films. So if you're keen to catch a movie under the stars over the break, take note. As always, plenty of recent favourites and new movies are on the bill — including No Time to Die, Dune, Spider-Man: No Way Home and West Side Story, as well as King Richard, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, House of Gucci and The Matrix Resurrections. Depending on your city, there's also the new Scream, The French Dispatch, Kristen Stewart playing Princess Diana in Spencer, sing-along sessions of Bohemian Rhapsody and A Star Is Born, and late-90s classic 10 Things I Hate About You. It's also worth remembering that every city is BYO except Brisbane — but, wherever you're settling in for an outdoor cinema session, there'll be food, snacks, a bar and (if you'd like to pay for them) bean bags as well. And, in great news for movie-loving pooches, you can bring them along to all venues except Perth, too. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2021–22 DATES Adelaide: Friday, November 26–Sunday, January 16 (Rymill Park) Brisbane: Friday, November 26–Sunday, February 20 (Roma Street Parkland) Melbourne: Thursday, December 2–Sunday, March 27 (Royal Botanic Gardens) Perth: Thursday, December 2–Sunday, March 27 (Kings Park and Botanic Garden) Sydney: Thursday, December 9–Sunday, April 3 (Centennial Park) Western Sydney: Thursday, November 16–Sunday, January 30 (Western Sydney Parklands) Moonlight Cinema runs through until April 2022. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the cinema's website.
When Kate Reid's cult-famous Lune Croissanterie released its first-ever cookbook back in 2022, it put the ability to make its creative pastries into everyone's hands. But sometimes, you just want someone to whip up the treats for you. And sometimes, you want those bites to be something that Lune does particularly well: mashups of its croissants and other baked goods with fellow beloved foodstuffs. One such favourite is the chain's twice-baked finger bun croissants, which are back in February 2024 as part of its monthly specials menu. So, you've got until Thursday, February 29 to get your hands on Lune's traditional croissants with milk and coconut frangipane, strawberry jam, and with whipped coconut icing and a hefty sprinkle of coconut on top. This is in Reid's recipe book — so you can consider picking up the end result from the brand's Fitzroy and Armadale stores in Melbourne, and South Brisbane and Burnett Lane in Brisbane, research for your future baking endeavours. This month, Lune also wants you to choose between the finger bun option and a cherry ripe pain au chocolat. The latter is available at all venues — so from the CBD in Melbourne as well — and packs the pastry with cherry frangipane, maraschino cherries and chocolate batons. On top: more cherry frangipane, freeze-dried cherry and toasted coconut. Of course, you can always pick both — and also a tiramisu pudding, berry juniper cruffin, and harissa and goats' cheese escargot. The first takes a Lune pudding, then adds coffee caramel and coffee-soaked savoiardi, plus mascarpone cream and powdered chocolate to finish. You'll find it at the Fitzroy, Armadale, South Brisbane and Brisbane CBD venues. As for the cruffin — which is available at the same four venues — it's rolled in juniper sugar, filled with blueberry juniper jam and white chocolate ganache, and features white chocolate drizzled on top as well. And, at all locations, the escargot obviously features harissa paste, as well as goat's cheese, spiced chilli sesame sprinkle, flaked salt and fresh mint. Treating yo'self here can be both sweet and savoury, clearly. Lune's February specials menu runs until Thursday, February 29, 2024, with different specials on offer at Fitzroy, Armadale and the CBD in Melbourne, and South Brisbane and Burnett Lane in Brisbane. From the Fitzroy, Armadale, South Brisbane and Burnett Lane stores, you can also order them online. Images: Pete Dillon.
Do your summer plans involve hanging by the beach? Splashing around in several pools? Enjoying a few games of volleyball on the sand? Watching a movie under the stars? Would you also like to spend your sunny days and starry nights kicking back in a cabana, hopping between multiple restaurants and bars, dancing to DJs and gathering the gang on a rooftop with a view? Sometime early in 2021, Surfers Paradise will welcome a brand new attraction — and it'll feature all of the above in one spot. It's called Cali Beach Club and, yes, it's going to be more than a little jam-packed with things to do. Although an exact opening date hasn't yet been revealed, the new precinct will open on the corner of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Elkhorn Avenue in the coming months — perched four levels about the street, sprawling across more than 5000 square metres, and boasting vantages over both the ocean and the Surfers' skyline. The Gold Coast might be known for its theme parks, but this is shaping up to be the boozy adult alternative, as run by Australian hospitality group Artesian Hospitality. Whether you're a Brisbanite heading down the highway, a Sydney or Melbourne resident enjoying the new lack of border restrictions, or hail from elsewhere in the country, you'll find quite the spread awaiting once you step inside. That includes four pools to swim in, and plenty of daybeds, sun lounges and cabanas where you can while away the hours. There'll also be exercise areas and sports facilities, such as the aforementioned beach volleyball court, and a dance floor as well. In terms of food and drink, you'll have options, thanks to two restaurants and four bars. Exact details of what they'll be serving, and what'll make them different from each other, haven't yet been revealed — but one eatery will sit right by the ocean. Come evening, a moonlit cinema will screen flicks by the water — again, though, no other details have been revealed. Showing Jaws and Point Break seems like a must, however, because everyone like catching movies about the sea while they're literally right next to it. [caption id="attachment_793063" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Map of Cali Beach Club[/caption] All the other questions you're currently pondering — such as opening hours, cost, capacity and social distancing measures — haven't been answered yet either. But, while it looks set to open during summer, Cali Beach Club plans to operate year-round. The Gold Coast does have the weather for it, after all. Cali Beach Club will open on the corner of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Elkhorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise, sometime early in 2021 — we'll update you when an exact date is announced.
If you've been looking for an excuse to eat cake, don't wait around for the next office birthday. Gelato Messina thinks every day is a good day to eat an entire cake by yourself, which is why the frozen treats expert has just launched a new range of its single-serve gelato cakes. Messina Monoporzione (or Monos for short) launched in three Aussie stores on Wednesday October 9. Available at Sydney's Rosebery and Darling Square outposts and Melbourne's Fitzroy, these single-serve cakes are just as gorgeous as Messina's usual creations, but you don't have to share them. The six adorable mini cakes include the brand's signature Dr Evil's Magic Mushroom (dark chocolate mousse with dulce de leche and peanut butter, placed atop edible grass) and the Bombe Alaska (marsala-soaked sponge cake, vanilla gelato, strawberry mousse and compote, wrapped in torched meringue). [caption id="attachment_745192" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ballin'[/caption] There's also a striking bubble tea-shaped number — the white chocolate 'cup' is filled with earl grey and lychee mousse, topped with lychee compote and finished with a red and white striped chocolate 'straw'. Then there's the all-black Lamington³, with milk chocolate mousse, raspberry gel, coconut gelato and almond crunch. For nut lovers, the final two in the Monos range are the spherical malt and peanut praline Ballin' and the Seymour Nuts: a disc of chocolate hazelnut ganache and hazelnut gelato, finished with caramel glaze and cocoa nibs. These beautiful babies will cost you $12 a pop or, if you still have it in your mind to share, you can also nab a box of three or six for $33 and $63 respectively. Gelato Messina's Monos are available in-store at Sydney's Rosebery and Darling Square outposts and in Melbourne's Fitzroy.
Chicken has become one of most talked about topics in the culinary world this year. But unlike other passing fads (Nutella, we're looking at you), the discussion has been in many ways warranted. Because there's been a lot happening with chicken in Australia. There was the free-range egg scandal that saw significant changes to the way free-range chicken products are classified in Australia, and a new interest about where the chicken we eat comes from. Meanwhile, pundits have called out chicken — particularly rotisserie and charcoal chicken — as one of the biggest emerging food trends of 2016. Philippe Mouchel was perhaps the first chef to import and use a French rotisserie in Melbourne in the early '90s. Under the guidance of the three-hatted Paul Bocuse, famous for his contributions to the nouvelle cuisine movement, Mouchel moved from France to Japan and then Australia to open the Paul Bocuse restaurant. It was here that Normandy-born Mouchel first made his mark on the Melbourne fine dining scene. Having now just launched his new restaurant, Philippe, Mouchel has brought his much-loved rotisserie back to Melbourne. And along with it, the rotisserie chicken that shot to stardom at PM24, his previous short-lived collaboration with George Calombaris. So why has rotisserie chicken — traditionally relegated to suburban chicken shops (and always served with chips) — made a resurgence in Australia's fine dining scene? And why now? We have a chat to Sydney and Melbourne's top chook-cooking chefs to find out. IT'S ABOUT TRADITION Having grown up in a relatively self-sufficient family, a Sunday roast of chicken, duck, rabbit or goose — whichever it was that made it first from their garden to the table — was a way of life for Mouchel. "When I moved to Lyon, working for Mr Bocuse, we had a fireplace, and we used to cook the chicken that way as well," says Mouchel. "It is something you cannot forget, I think. And this is what I like to cook." "If you go to the market in France, everyone has their own rotisserie chickens," says Mouchel. "Everything about the process is natural, the potatoes and vegetables served with the chicken cook underneath it in its natural juices. "It is something that is very close to my heart and that I love. It is a fantastic way to eat I think because it really keeps in all the flavour." But it's also unique, Mouchel explains. Each region within France has their own special chicken from that area. "It's very easy to sell chicken," says Mouchel. "You can say, this is a chicken from Normandy, or this is a chicken from Bresse. Different chickens, different breeds, different prices and different tastes as well." For the ex-Momofuku chef who re-launched Sydney's The Paddington late last year, Ben Greeno, the French tradition took a similar hold over his imagination. "I spent a lot of time in France as a kid on holidays and stuff, and you'd always see those big rotisseries," says Greeno. It was these early memories of the French way of cooking and an opportunity to cook chicken a different way in Sydney that saw him install three gas-powered rotisseries in The Paddington's kitchen. [caption id="attachment_555619" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Ben Greeno's chicken at The Paddington, Sydney.[/caption] IT'S A NEW OLD WAY OF COOKING Rotisseries these days are much more widespread than when Mouchel first landed in Australia, but even today very few restaurants use them all the way through the cooking process. But for Greeno and his new team, this was part of the challenge. "We decided we'd do it from nothing, from the raw product all the way through." This is why The Paddington, in Sydney's inner east, is one of many venues ruffling feathers. After undergoing a major renovation by hospo monolith Merivale, Greeno took over as executive chef and made chicken the star of the menu. It's his free-range Bannockburn birds that are drawing a crowd at The Paddington. Henrietta's Chicken Shop in Melbourne have taken a more Australian approach to the chicken shop. But with a former sommelier in Stuart Brookshaw at the helm, there's more than enough restaurant experience at the table. His emphasis, like Mouchel and Greeno, is on local and sustainable ingredients. Which extends from his choice of either Bannockburn or Milawa chooks, all the way through to his use of mallee root coals and native lemon myrtle seasoning. But that's where the similarities stop; Brookshaw uses an entirely different process to the French rotisserie method. Here the chickens are injection-brined overnight, rolled in a dry rub and spit roasted over smoke and fire. By contrast, in Mouchel's kitchen, mushrooms and herbs are stuffed underneath the skin, before the chicken is seasoned only with salt and pepper. "There's no secret," says Mouchel, "People think it's very complicated, it's really very easy. But you need a good quality chicken first." [caption id="attachment_581500" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Philippe Mouchel's truffle chicken at Philippe, Melbourne.[/caption] IT'S RESPONDING TO DEMAND FOR QUALITY PRODUCE The chicken industry in Australia has nowhere near the diversity of France or England, but, as Brookshaw explains, "If you look at where chicken is, it's exactly where [the] beef [industry] was about 13-14 years ago." Which is on the verge of something much bigger. About 95 percent of all chicken eaten in Australia is one of two breeds, says Brookshaw — and around 85 percent still comes from the major suppliers. But the trend is now that people are more aware and interested in where their food is coming from, which means more space in the market for small producers to exist. There are currently only two specialty chicken producers in Australia licensed to breed the famous Bresse birds from France. Prized by top restaurants for their complexity of flavour, the Bresse is a slow growing and much taller chicken, with a larger thigh and leg region than the standard broiler bird. At around $50 a bird wholesale, they're not cheap. But as a more fastidious market continues to prove, there is demand for organic, hand-reared and specialty birds in Australia. Chefs are embracing and taking advantage of the better quality produce available to them, and that's not just limited to chicken. "Like everything else, if you want to cook a nice meal then you need to use beautiful ingredients if you can afford them," says Mouchel. And while Australia may not have reached its peak yet, it's very much on it's way to becoming a more diverse and specialty supplier. "Chicken is the last domain in a lot of ways," says Brookshaw. And it's true — we already know where products like beef come from, so presumably, it's just a matter of time until the chicken industry catches up. And Greeno would tend to agree. "Ten years ago, in England, if you wanted to get a really good chicken you were very limited." Like England, it looks like Australia will get there eventually. [caption id="attachment_572031" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Stuart Brookshaw's chicken at Henrietta's Chicken Shop, Melbourne.[/caption] SO CAN CHICKEN BE A TREND? "Everybody keeps saying, 'why do you think chicken is this new hot trend?' And I probably don't agree with that," says Greeno. "I mean, is it? There're some guys in Sydney that have opened a chicken shop; there are some guys in Melbourne that have opened a chicken shop. But I don't see everybody doing chicken. Dan Pepperell is doing a fantastic chicken down at Hubert, but it's just a chicken. I was doing roasted chickens at Momofuku, I was serving them with fucking witlof and black truffle, but I was still doing chicken." Whether it is a trend or some seriously trumped up charges, some interesting things are happening with chicken right now. Perhaps it isn't the hottest new trend of 2016, but rather a slow growing Bresse that will come into maturity over the next five, ten or even 20 years. [caption id="attachment_567954" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Rotisserie chicken at Mercado, Sydney.[/caption] OKAY, WHERE DO I GET SOME CHICKEN? Get your chicken fix from any of the following good restaurants. Chicken breast rôtissoire at Philippe The dish that started it all. The Belair Club at The Premises Breakfast or lunch with a solid take on the classic chicken and stuffing sandwich. Charcoal chicken at Henrietta's New world charcoal chicken cooked with native ingredients. Don't forget the potato salad. The GLT at Bar Liberty The soon to be cult classic (a chicken skin sandwich) from ex-Attica staff. Rotisserie chicken at The Paddington French-style rotisserie chicken and late night chicken bacon sandwiches. Chicken fricassee at Restaurant Hubert The go-to dish at this bound-to-become Sydney institution. Spit-roasted chicken at Mercado A picture-perfect chicken available in half or whole. Top image: The Paddington.
It used to be said that the kitchen was the heart of the home — these days, though, it's the living room. Whether you're cheering (or jeering) your team, cueing up a playlist or exploring new worlds as you settle in for a movie or gaming marathon, the TV is now the heart of the action. And with a few smart upgrades, you can easily transform your setup into a home theatre that rivals the real thing. Upgrade your screen The foundation of any great home theatre is the display itself, but not all screens are created equal. TCL's new C8K QD Mini LED TV makes a strong case, with ultra-vivid picture quality, sleek border-free design (no blocky borders around the screen, just pure pixels from edge to edge) and immersive Bang & Olufsen sound that keeps the focus squarely on what's on screen. Whatever the occasion, a top-rate screen undoubtedly elevates the entire experience. Layer your lighting Gone are the days of all or nothing when controlling the lighting. Rather than just flicking off the ceiling light, use dimmable sconces or softly glowing lamps, LED strips behind the TV or smart bulbs that shift colour to match what you're watching. Or, go old school — lighting a candle or two also keeps things cosy. Ambient lighting doesn't just set the mood, but it also reduces eye strain and keeps you immersed in the action. Invest in soft furnishings You don't need to be an audiophile to appreciate cleaner sound. Soft furnishings are a simple fix to absorb echoes and stop audio bouncing around the room. And while integrated speakers like the C8K's Bang & Olufsen set do a lot of the heavy lifting, a plush rug under the coffee table or heavy fabric curtains can instantly make dialogue clearer and explosions punchier — not to mention they help dial up the comfort factor. For that authentic theatre vibe, swap out sheer curtains for blackout drapes to block out glare, improve on-screen contrast and give your living room that same feeling of anticipation when the lights lower in a cinema. Set the scene Cinemas have décor, so why not your living room? Frame your favourite movie posters, add a neon sign or even make a mini marquee on a blackboard listing that night's feature. Touches like these make the space feel more intentional and turn a regular movie night into an event. Hide the mess A tangle of cables and remotes can ruin the illusion. While not all TVs can be wall-mounted, hiding cords under cable covers and keeping devices in one console is an easy and surefire way to make the experience more immersive. Some TVs like the C8K have a built-in Google TV interface, meaning you can even cut down on boxes altogether. Level up your home viewing experience with the TCL C8K QD Mini LED TV. For more information, head to the TCL website.
Winter is coming, as Game of Thrones has been telling us for years — but the show's final season is coming first. Before the weather turns cold again in the southern hemisphere, fans of the epic HBO series will be able to discover how the popular series wraps up, so mark your calendars accordingly. After leaving everyone hanging for the entirety of 2018, HBO announced in January that Game of Thrones' eighth and final season will hit the small screen on April 14, 2019, US time — so Monday, April 15 in Australia — nearly two years after season seven premiered in July 2017. And, today — just over a month out from the release date — they finally blessed us with a trailer. There's a lot crammed into the two short minutes, starting with Arya Stark running through the hallways of Winterfell and talking of ticking more names off her list, saying, "I know death. He's got many faces. I look forward to seeing this one". You'll also see the Targaryens on horseback leading the Unsullied, Jon Snow most likely about to fly a dragon, Tyrion Lannister hanging out somewhere not in the north and Cersei happily drinking wine (probably still naively refusing to believe that winter is, in fact, coming) and, ultimately, everyone preparing for one huge war with the White Walkers. But, that's just the start, we'll let you watch it for yourself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlR4PJn8b8I You can also check out the other season eight teasers here and here. If you're eager to get your fix of the series' staples — that is, battles, bloodshed, betrayal, bare chests, family bickering, Jon Snow knowing nothing (including about his long-lost aunt) and plenty of dragons — then you can keep ticking the days off your calendar — there are now 40 to go. Of course, we all know that this isn't really the end of the world created by author George RR Martin — and no, we're not talking about the now seven-year wait for his next book in the literary franchise, The Winds of Winter. A prequel TV series to Game of Thrones is in the works, set thousands of years before the events we've all be watching since 2011, with Naomi Watts set to star. Come next year, you'll also be able to tour original GoT filming locations in Northern Ireland. The first episode of Game of Thrones Season 8 will air on HBO on Monday, April 15, AEDT.
The future is now — or at least the future of hot pot, if Bourke Street's YX Hot Pot has anything to say about it. The first Melbourne venture for Sydney hospo outfit TS Group (whose stable includes the Harbour City's hatted French-Japanese fine-diner, Oborozuki), this neon-soaked venue transports traditional Sichuan hot pot to a vibrant cyberpunk setting. Designed by a top Chinese F&B interior studio, YX Hot Pot channels the high-energy street markets of Chongqing, with reflective ceilings, mythology-inspired murals, neon signage and futuristic finishes. The result is a venue that looks like Blade Runner crossed with a Chengdu night market. The dramatically lit space can seat 125 guests for large-format hot pot, while a ten-seat private dining room welcomes smaller groups and solo diners keen on YX's signature single-serve hot pot. With a kitchen team led by expert chefs from Sichuan province — the birthplace of Chinese hot pot — YX Hot Pot displays a staunch commitment to regional authenticity. The menu features ten soup bases made daily in-house using traditional Sichuan techniques, with ingredients like hand-selected Sichuan peppercorns sourced from centuries-old trees in Hanyuan and a three-chilli, 13-spice broth refined over 127 rounds of testing. From there, you can choose from over 100 à la carte ingredients to tailor your hot pot experience. Highlights include M9 wagyu and premium seafood, but you'll also find many of the usual suspects ready for swirling through your broth. You can level up with cooked entrees and share plates — or go all in with a mini keg of beer, complete with tap, delivered to your table.
As well as collecting 13 Emmy nominations, the largest haul of any Netflix series in 2025, Adolescence is also officially the platform's most-watched TV show from the first six months of the year. If it felt like everyone you knew has been talking about the excellent four-part British series since it debuted in mid-March, that's why, notching up 144,800,000 views. Netflix has just unveiled its January–June 2025 Engagement Report, which outlines exactly what everyone has been checking out on the streamer to within 99 percent of all viewing. Over that time, audiences caught more than 95-billion hours of the service's series and movies. The most-watched title overall: Cameron Diaz (Annie)- and Jamie Foxx (Tin Soldier)-starring action-comedy Back in Action with 164,700,000 views. Back to the small screen, the second and third most-watched shows will come as no surprise if you're a Squid Game obsessive who needed to know how the deadly contest continued after season one, then how it came to an end. Season two ranks second with 117,300,000 views, and season three — which only released on Friday, June 27, and broke viewership and ranking records in the process — is in third place with 71,500,000 views. Season one, from 2021, also made 2025's list so far, sitting 12th with 42,000,000 views. Political thriller Zero Day and Harlan Coben adaptation Missing You round out the top five TV-wise, followed by true-crime docuseries American Murder: Gabby Petito, then Ms. Rachel, Sirens, the second season of The Night Agent and the third run of Ginny & Georgia. American Primeval, Running Point, The Four Seasons and Cassandra also ranked in the top 15. From Netflix's film slate, STRAW, The Life List, Exterritorial and Havoc followed Back in Action in the top five, with The Secret Life of Pets 2, The Electric State, Counterattack // Contraataque, Ad Vitam and Despicable Me 4 all sitting in the top ten. From there came The Secret Life of Pets, Kinda Pregnant, Nonnas, iHostage and La Dolce Villa. And yes, family-friendly fare did particularly well — in fact, The Boss Baby, Minions, Shrek, Plankton: The Movie, Despicable Me 3, Despicable Me 2 and Shrek 2 are also in the top 25. As the fondness for older all-ages flicks illustrates, Netflix viewers aren't just checking out new releases. Across the platform's originals — which doesn't apply to the bulk of those animated movies, though — around half of the titles on the list, TV and film alike, initially debuted in 2023 or prior. Think: Orange Is the New Black, Ozark, Money Heist, Red Notice and Leo, for starters. Also, across new and older series and features, more than a third were titles in languages other than English — so if you caught South Korea's When Life Gives You Tangerines and The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, Denmark's Secrets We Keep, Norway's Number 24 or Colombia's Medusa, for example, you had company. Check out trailers for some of Netflix's big January–June 2025 titles above and below: For more information about the most-viewed Netflix titles from January–June 2025, head to the Netflix website.
Back in 2001, when now-The 40 -Year-Old Virgin, Superbad, 50/50, Pam & Tommy, The Fabelmans and The Studio star Seth Rogen earned a role in Undeclared, his second TV series, Nicholas Stoller (You're Cordially Invited) was one of the show's writers. With the college-set sitcom's creator Judd Apatow (The Bubble) — who Rogen had first worked with on Freaks and Geeks — the pair co-penned an episode together. On-screen, Carla Gallo (Mayans MC) was also among the core cast members. Rogen, Stoller, Gallo: in their professional relationship, this trio was just getting started. In 2010, when Stoller helmed Get Him to the Greek, his second feature, then-Two Hands, The Goddess of 1967, Troy, Marie Antoinette, 28 Weeks Later and Sunshine talent Rose Byrne (Physical) was one of his leads. Gallo also popped up, as she did in the filmmaker's debut Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Jump to 2014 and Bad Neighbours — or simply Neighbours in the US, but renamed Down Under for obvious soap opera clash-avoidance reasons — saw Byrne, Rogen, Stoller and Gallo all join forces. Again, the quartet's collaboration was just beginning. Bad Neighbours and its sequel Bad Neighbours 2 enlisted Byrne and Rogen to play a married couple with a new baby, grappling with the major change of lifestyle that comes with becoming parents while also dealing with living next door to a fraternity. What if Byrne and Rogen instead portrayed pals, not a couple — specifically, past BFFs who've drifted apart due to the complicated balance of attempting to juggle their platonic relationship with their romantic lives (aka: one didn't like the other's spouse and said so), and then reunite? Thanks to Platonic, that's when the Bad Neighbours team became focused on good friends. In a series co-created, co-written and co-directed by Stoller and Francesca Delbanco (Friends with College), Byrne plays Sylvia, a stay-at-home mother when the first season of Platonic premiered in 2023. The setup with her husband Charlie (Luke Macfarlane, Invincible): she put her law career on hold for their children, while he kept his, becoming the family breadwinner. Rogen is Will, who kicked off the show as a beer-obsessive brewpub co-owner whose life couldn't be more different from his old friend from college's suburban existence. The two haven't kept in touch since she was honest about her thoughts on his wife, however — but that changes when Sylvia hears about Will's divorce, reaches out and reignites their chaotic dynamic. When you're making a comedy about messy friendships, including with Gallo as Sylvia's pal Katie, does it help to be making it with friends? "Definitely," Rogen tells Concrete Playground. "I think in this case it did, yeah. For sure," adds Byrne. "I think when you're doing something like this — kind of outwardly comedic, and you're being expected to take swings and try things — the better you know the people, the more comfort there is with all that. And the easier that is to put yourself out there and try ridiculous things," pipes back in Rogen. "I agree. And Nick Stoller and Seth have known each other since Seth was 18, so that's such a wildly long friendship," continues Byrne. "A very long time, yeah," Rogen adds again. "And Nick gave me my first comedic role in Get Him to the Greek. So that, to me, is a very seminal moment for my career. I feel very sentimental about that at this point. So it's nice to reunite," Byrne reflects. "And this show is so fun. It's a really fun job that we have fun on — genuine fun on-set doing." Buddy-comedy gold, and also a deeply relatable and hilarious exploration of what it means to be best friends as life tears you in an array of directions and keeps throwing crisis after crisis your respective ways — personal, professional, family, romantic, the works — was the end result in Platonic's first season. The show's second run begins with almost an inverse of where its predecessor commenced, and proves both funny and thoughtful once more. Will is about to get married, and seems to mostly have it all together in love and at work. Meanwhile, Sylvia hasn't had the success that she was hoping for with her events company, and is also in a rut with Charlie. As it follows where these new starting points take its key duo, Platonic again digs into the complexity, codependence and sometimes-toxicity of Sylvia and Will's relationship, exploring their similarities and differences, and examining what it means to have a fulfilling and supportive friendship — and one that comes with so much history. The series' second season continues another of the show's pivotal elements, too: pondering the fact that no matter if you're married with kids or thinking about it, or where you are in your work realm, no one ever really feels grown up — or, at least, how you think being an adult and in your 40s will feel when you're younger. Among other topics, we also chatted to Byrne and Rogen about that crucial theme, unpacking the impact that a friendship like Sylvia and Will's has on the romances in their lives, Rogen's fondness for examining friendship on-screen and Byrne's physical-comedy prowess. On Stepping Back Into Sylvia and Will's Shoes for a Second Season Rose: "I'm just always nervous. You're just hoping it's going to be funny again." Seth: "Yeah." Rose: "'Is this going to work?'. That feeling of butterflies doesn't necessarily go away. It's just like 'okay, this was good. We got something good last time' — but the stakes are almost higher when you go back again, because 'okay, how do you make it better?'. But I feel it's actually stronger this season. I think they wrote even more to our strengths. And TV takes a minute to settle in — it takes a minute season by season to really enrich the characters. So I was still definitely nervous starting." Seth: "For sure, definitely." On Whether There's Something That Appeals to Rogen About Digging Into Friendships On-Screen Across His Career, Including in The Studio This Year Seth: "I guess so. I think it's people. It's something I just really relate to. I think part of it is probably that my creative partner is my friend. And so I think a lot of our creative output comes through this lens of friendship, and of collaboration and of attempts to communicate things with other people. It's just very relatable. And people, as much as it speaks to my personal life, it seems to speak to other people's lives as well. And I think conflict with your friends is something that I've also found to be very interesting and entertaining subject matter, and trying to reconcile a working relationship with a personal relationship, and things like that. They're just things that are big things in my actual life, so that's always what I'm trying to put into my work. And it's also a bigger source of conflict. I've been in a very happy marriage for like 20 years, or we've been together for like 20 years. And there's not a ton of conflict or comedy that comes from that. Much more comedy comes from the things my stupid friends do — and so we write more about that." On the Importance of Platonic Also Being a Show About the Fact That No One Ever Truly Feels Grown Up, Even When They're Entering Their 40s Rose: "I like that. I enjoyed the fact that they're in their 40s, they're at very different stages of their life — Sylvia's in the trenches with little kids, raising her family, and Will is still trying to capture the heydays of being in his 20s and 30s. So it felt ripe for comedy in that way — getting older, how do you navigate that and how do you have friendships when you're raising a family? It's really hard. How do you figure that out? And again, to Seth's point, I could really relate to that as a mum, as a working mum, and all that sort of stuff." On What's Interesting About Unpacking How Friendships Can Impact Relationships Seth: "To me, what's interesting is, when you're friends with people, is the constant conundrum of 'how involved do you get in their romantic relationships?' and 'how honest do you be about your feelings about their partners and their relationships with their partners?'. And I think that's what the show really gets into. And what I really relate to when I watch it is 'if your friend is in a relationship with someone you don't think they're right for, do you say something? Do you not say something? Do you let it go? If your friend's partner seems to be going through something, do you say something? Do you not say something?'. And to me, it's more of like there's no right or wrong answer that's across the board. I think it's very specific to different situations. But it's a really interesting thing for the show to explore, because it's something that I see a lot of in my real life." On Byrne's Knack for Physical Comedy — and What Excites Her About Getting to Give Those Talents a Workout Rose: "I feel so spoiled. I love it. And Nick and Francesca write me these crazy sequences. I always get nervous. They're often with Seth and I'm falling all over him and being crazy, and in somewhere weird — where were we? Some convenience store last season. Some of my favourite performances have great comedic, physical setpieces. So it's always a big swing, and you don't know if it's going to work, but they're so fun to try to do." On Whether Platonic Is Filling a Comedy Gap on the Small Screen That's Been Missing From the Big Screen in Recent Years Seth: "Maybe. It's a little light on concept for a movie, perhaps. It could maybe use a bit more plot if it was going to be a movie. But I think tonally it captures what our movies capture. But I think what's interesting is, especially when they pitched the idea to me in the first place, that's what was exciting about it — that it was sort of capturing this energy of these R-rated comedies that we made, but more tailored to a television sensibility. Which I think means it is more of a long game — it's more of a marathon and not a sprint, which I think allows the plotlines to be a little more grounded and relatable in a lot of ways. And you're not looking for a hook where it's like 'you've got 24 hours to get a guy to a theatre' or 'you're trying to buy beer for the party that night'." Rose: "Yes, yes." Seth: "It allows them to be a little bit more slice of life, which I think is cool, but it also has the tone of these big raucous comedies we used to make." On What Gets Byrne and Rogen Excited About a New Role and a New Project at This Stage in Their Careers Rose: "I'm the fan. I love seeing stuff and meeting people — and meeting directors and writers. I still don't take for granted working in this industry." Seth: "Yeah." Rose: "I mean, Seth made a whole show about it." Seth: "Yes." Rose: "It's real. I feel like if that feeling goes away, then I should go away. For me, it's still such a thrill to work. Obviously having a family changes things, and you have to prioritise and all those sorts of stuff, but every working parent has to do that. But I still feel like I'm still the fan — when I meet people and I still get starstruck and I still want to work with people, and all those sorts of things. So for me, it's still really a thrill to be doing it." Seth: "Yeah, me too. Exactly." Platonic streams via Apple TV+, with season two premiering on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Read our review of season one.
For 14 years, The Bendigo Hotel (affectionately known as The Bendi) was one of Melbourne's top spots for live metal, rock and punk music gigs, but it was forced to shut in March 2024. Fortunately, it wasn't gone for long, as The Mill Brewery crew decided to take over the pub, promising to bring live music gigs back to the famed Johnston Street spot. And they've done just that. The site reopened in September 2024, and it immediately had a stacked lineup of gigs scheduled for the year. Punk, metal and rock bands still dominate the stage, so loyal fans of the former Bendi need not worry about the new owners changing too much here. But, of course, The Mill Brewery team made some improvements when it took over the pub. First off, you'll now find a great new sound system — a QSC L-Class Line Array PA with some serious subs on either side. TAG and Pink Noise were brought on to make sure everything was tailor-made for the venue. Local booking agent Kit Atkinson (Social State Entertainment) has been brought on to lead the live music revival, bringing their extensive experience with artists and venues both locally and internationally. You'll also find a lightly refurbed front bar, lounge with a fireplace, pool table, 'Altered Beast' arcade machine (a relic making the trip down from The Mill Brewery's former venue), dining room that transforms into a bandroom by night and a sun-drenched beer garden — which is dog-friendly. Food has also been upgraded, with Dingo Ate My Taco taking over the kitchen — serving up casual Tex-Mex eats. The Mill Brewery beer taps were understandably the prime focus in the newly outfitted front bar, lined with dark timber panelling and accented with deep tones of burgundy and black. You'll find a Mill Brewery beer focus here — not surprising — plus all your usual pub drink offerings. By the looks of it, The Bendigo Hotel hasn't lost any of its charm. The Mill Brewery team isn't trying to make it all glam and polished. A local live music pub, The Bendi remains — thank the restoration gods.
Set on a serene peninsula surrounded by Lake Wakatipu, the Queenstown Gardens boasts stunning lake and alpine views as well as a beautiful collection of blooms. Frequented by locals and visitors alike, the gardens' tranquil setting is the perfect refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city. As the gardens are conveniently located a short walk from downtown Queenstown, many community activities are held within the grounds. We suggest taking a rug, a picnic and some friends, kicking back and enjoy the views of the lake through the Douglas Firs. Once you're sufficiently relaxed, stretch your legs and take a stroll around the beautiful lawns. Be sure to check out the water feature and rose garden for an added bit of pretty.
At the intersection of Brighton Road and Chapel Street, St Kilda's historic Trinity church hall has entered a new phase of existence, reborn as a 300-person pub, beer garden, event space and food truck park. The brainchild of third-generation Melbourne hospitality owner Matt Nikakis, pet-friendly Trinity has fast become a St Kilda go-to. In front, an all-weather courtyard is filled with outdoor tables and fringed by that day's food truck lineup. There are always a couple of guests on rotation (think, Nem 'n Nem and Cha Chas Vegan Mexican) joining Trinity's resident kitchen, housed in a shiny 1956 Airstream. This is your pitstop for snacks like fried chicken tenders ($14), mac 'n' cheese bites ($13) and crispy onion rings ($9), alongside a range of things in buns — maybe a double beef and bacon number ($20), a Southern-style chicken burger ($17), or a fried fish roll with dill tartar ($17). The red-brick former church hall building has been converted into a lofty, light-filled beer hall, complete with soaring ceilings and a huge central bar. You'll find roomy booths in emerald velvet, a separate sitting room filled with a curation of vintage furniture, and a suite of elegant Art Deco-inspired finishes throughout. The glass-walled mezzanine level is available for private functions and sports its very own bar. The drinks offering is a hefty one. A 12-strong tap list heroes familiar favourites from Balter, 4 Pines and Mountain Goat, while the beer fridges showcase drops like Colonial's pale ale ($9), the Kaiju Krush tropical ale ($9) and a slew of Saintly seltzers. Wines are largely local — think, Seville Estate's Sewn Chardonnay, or the Wilds Gully Tempranillo out of King Valley — and cocktails celebrate reworked classics. Settle in with one of three margaritas, try the house ode to Four Pillars' shiraz gin ($22), or get into the good times groove with the mezcal-infused Holy Trinity ($25). Images: Nicole Cleary
This spring, Yo-Chi stores across Australia are transforming into a Fun House, filled with games, surprises, activities, and prizes to be won. Taking place from Friday, September 19, through to Sunday, October 12, the Fun House is targeted towards kids and teens on school holidays. At the centre of the festivities is the launch of Yo-Chi's new Bestie Testie card game. Packed with questions from your last Google search to your most regrettable social post, it's designed to spark conversation between Yo-Chi enjoyers. You can play in-store or take a pack home for $12. Each venue will also have its own Chi-E-O, who is responsible for running a rotating lineup of activities, including colouring in and Chi Pong. Then, at random points during the day, a secret song will play across every venue nationally, signalling the ultimate froyo treat: Yo-Chi on the house for whoever's inside at that moment. Yo-Chi is also rolling out a limited-edition strawberry and mango swirl, alongside new toppings like rainbow mochi, sour clouds, wafer discs and choc cone bits. So make sure to try the new flavour and toppings while you explore all that the Yo-Chi Fun House has to offer. The Yo-Chi Fun House runs nationwide from September 19 to October 12. Find out more via the Yo-Chi website.
When the director and lead of one of 2021's best Norwegian films — and best movies from anywhere that year — joined forces again, of course the Scandinavian Film Festival needed to get the resulting picture on its program. Accordingly, Sentimental Value from The Worst Person in the World filmmaker Joachim Trier, once more starring Renate Reinsve (Presumed Innocent), is one of the big highlights at 2025's Australian showcase of cinema from the Nordic region. Stellan Skarsgård (Andor) and Elle Fanning (A Complete Unknown) also feature, and the results won this year's Cannes Grand Prix (the award below the Palme d'Or). At the Scandinavian Film Festival, Sentimental Value is getting the centrepiece treatment. Movies from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland are always in the drawcard at this Aussie fest — so a Norwegian spy drama to kick things off in 2025, then an Icelandic black comedy to wrap things up, are both on the itinerary. This year's national tour starts on Friday, July 11 in both Melbourne and Ballarat, with Scandinavian Film Festival's opening nights staggered as it then heads to Canberra, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, and Byron Bay and Ballina on various dates, wrapping up countrywide on Wednesday, August 13. Launching the fest: Number 24, the latest from The Burning Sea and The Quake director John Andreas Andersen, recounting a true espionage tale from World War II. The aptly named Grand Finale comes in at the other end, spinning a Reykjavik-set story about a struggling chamber orchestra's efforts to endure. Alongside Sentimental Value, Quisling: The Final Days is another of the festival's big-name titles, this time from The King's Choice and Utoya: July 22's Erik Poppe, with the trial of its controversial namesake head of state the film's focus. Cannes favourites, blasts from the past, laughter-inducing fare: they're all on the lineup, then. Add watching Björk's daughter in her first feature role, multiple dates with Danish actor Trine Dyrholm (The Girl with the Needle) and celebrating the 25th anniversary of a Swedish romantic-comedy to the list, too. The first comes courtesy of The Mountain, a coming-of-age and road-trip flick starring Ísadóra Bjarkardóttir Barney. Dyrholm pops up in both the healthcare-centric Second Victims and the David Dencik (Other People's Money)-co-starring Beginnings. And Jalla! Jalla! is marking its quarter-century milestone. Audiences keen to spend Australia's winter feasting their eyes on colder climes from the other side of the world can also look forward to the Faroe Islands-set The Last Paradise on Earth and heading into an Icelandic seafood restaurant with Odd Fish. Nikolaj Lie Kaas (Riders of Justice) leads Way Home, about a Danish father endeavouring to save his loved ones. With heist effort The Quiet Ones, Denmark's biggest-ever robbery makes its way to the screen. Finnish relationship dramedy Sudden Bursts of Emotions, the nation's great Heikki Kinnunen playing 'The Grump' in Long Good Thursday, three siblings returning to the house they grew up in in Everything Must Go, the couch-surfing antics of Live a Little, the beer-brewing sisters of 100 Litres of Gold, My Father's Daughter's focus on a Sámi teenager: add them to your Scandinavian Film Festival list as well. Scandinavian Film Festival 2025 Dates Friday, July 11–Sunday, August 3 — Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Penny Lane, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema and The Astor Theatre, Melbourne Friday, July 11–Sunday, August 3 — Palace Regent Cinema, Ballarat Wednesday, July 16–Sunday, August 10 — Palace Electric, Canberra Thursday, July 17–Sunday, August 10 — Palace Norton St, Palace Moore Park, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema, Sydney Wednesday, July 23–Wednesday, August 13 — Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Adelaide Wednesday, July 23–Thursday, August 14 — Palace James St and Palace Barracks, Brisbane Wednesday, July 24–Wednesday, August 13 — Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and Palace Raine Square, Perth Wednesday, July 24–Wednesday, August 13 — Palace Byron Bay and Ballina Fair Cinemas, Byron Bay and Ballina The Scandinavian Film Festival tours Australia in July and August 2025. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the festival's website.
The game is ending. That the deadly contest at the heart of Squid Game just keeps going, continuing to pit new batches of 456 players against each other in a battle to the death to win 45.6 billion won, sits at the heart of the award-winning Netflix hit — but the show itself is wrapping up. That the series will say goodbye with its third season was announced in 2024, as was the fact that its final run will arrive in 2025. The streaming platform has now confirmed exactly when: Friday, June 27. Mark your diaries — and get ready to see what happens next in Seong Gi-hun's (Lee Jung-jae, The Acolyte) quest to bring down those responsible for the killer contest. If you've watched season two, which dropped on Boxing Day 2024, then you'll know that Player 456 went back in the game with new fellow competitors for company, and also found himself closer to the person pulling the strings than he knew. Season three will see Gi-hun keep at his pursuit to stop the game. It'll also feature more of his nemesis Front Man's (Lee Byung-hun, The Magnificent Seven) attempts to thwart his plan. However their respective efforts pan out, the show's last run is also set to feature a finale written and directed by series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk. Squid Game is now Netflix's most-popular non-English show of all time; in fact, it holds both the first and second spots on the list, for its first and second seasons respectively. Money Heist season four is third, Lupin season one is fourth, while La Palma, Who Killed Sara? and Berlin are also in the top ten. That Squid Game is a smash isn't new news, of course. It proved such a huge success in its first season that Netflix was quick to confirm that more was on the way — even if season two arrived after a three-year gap. In the show's second season, Gong Yoo (Train to Busan) returned as the man in the suit who got Gi-hun into the game in the first place, as did Wi Ha-joon (Little Women) as detective Hwang Jun-ho, but a series about a deadly contest comes with a hefty bodycount. Accordingly, new faces were always going to be essential — which is where Yim Si-wan (Emergency Declaration), Kang Ha-neul (Insider), Park Sung-hoon (The Glory) and Yang Dong-geun (Yaksha: Ruthless Operations) all came in. If you've somehow missed all things Squid Game until now, even after it became bigger than everything from Stranger Things to Bridgerton, the Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning series serves up a puzzle-like storyline and unflinching savagery, which unsurprisingly makes quite the combination. It also steps into societal divides within South Korea, a topic that wasn't invented by Parasite, Bong Joon-ho's excellent Oscar-winning 2019 thriller, but has been given a boost after that stellar flick's success. As a result, it's easy to see thematic and narrative parallels between Parasite and Squid Game, although Netflix's highly addictive series goes with a Battle Royale and Hunger Games-style setup. Netflix turned the show's whole premise into an IRL competition series as well, which debuted in 2023 — without any murders, of course. Squid Game: The Challenge has already been picked up for a second season. There's no dedicated trailer for Squid Game season three yet, but you can watch a teaser Netflix's big returning 2025 shows below — and revisit the trailer from Squid Game season two: Squid Game season three streams via Netflix from Friday, June 27, 2025. Season one and two are available to stream now. Images: Netflix.
