Being named the world's best gin producer for two years running, selling half of its business to beer behemoth Lion and opening a Sydney bar in the middle of the pandemic — they're just some of reasons that Four Pillars has had a big couple of years. The Australian gin company is in for a hefty 2021, too, especially at the Healesville site it calls home. Over the next 12 months, it's undertaking a $6 million redevelopment, which'll enable twice as many juniper spirits-lovers to head to the Yarra Valley and enjoy its tipples. Come December 2021, you'll be able to visit Four Pillars' Lilydale Road address and check out a much larger setup. New hospitality, production and bottling facilities will be part of the revamped site — including the company's sixth German-designed Carl still — as will an events space. The latter will be able to house 250 guests, and there'll also be a retail space and something that Four Pillars is calling 'a special sensory surprise', should you want to do more than just taste its gin. Giving the site an eye-catching new facade designed by Breathe Architecture, the new works are taking place adjacent to Four Pillars' existing distillery, and are designed to blend the two together seamlessly. So, if you're fond of the current setup — as around 100,000 people were in 2019 — it's sticking around. When the new addition opens, however, the Healesville facility will be able to welcome more than 200,000 visitors per year. [caption id="attachment_799170" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Artist's impression of Four Pillars' distillery redevelopment. Breathe Architecture/Neverstop.[/caption] "When we began making Four Pillars, the Yarra Valley was always intended to be our home — and when we found our original site, we couldn't believe our luck," said Four Pillars co-founder Cameron Mackenzie. "When the opportunity came to buy the land next door, we simply had no choice but to roll the dice and back our Yarra Valley dream to the hilt." Four Pillars' current distillery and hospitality space will continue operating as normal while the new works are taking place, and continue serving up the brand's award-winning range — which includes barrel-aged, bloody shiraz, rare dry, spiced negroni, Christmas, overproof, olive leaf and summer-inspired gins. And, if you've made the visit since the Healesville spot reopened over the summer, only to find queues snaking outside, that's one of the things the big revamp is designed to address. Four Pillars' revamped distillery will open at 2–6 Lilydale Road, Healesville, in December 2021. The company's existing site at the same address is still open as usual during the redevelopment.
Prepare to say "accio remote!" and get comfier than Hermione Granger in a library. In news that'll keep you glued to your couch this winter — timely news given that Sydney is currently in the middle of a lengthy lockdown — everyone's favourite boy wizard is now working his magic on Netflix. You won't need the Marauder's Map to find these enchanting flicks. Today, Thursday, July 15, all eight movies in the Harry Potter series have hit the streaming platform, bringing their Hogwarts-set adventures to Australian subscribers. If you've watched your DVD copies from the 2000s so many times that they're showing a little wear and tear — or your laptop no longer has a disc drive — this is butterbeer-worthy news. Yes, everything from Harry's (Daniel Radcliffe) first visit to Platform 9 and 3/4, the Yule Ball and the Triwizard Tournament to many a fluttering snitch and He Who Must Not Be Named are now at your fingertips. It's prime viewing for wizards, witches and muggles alike — all 19 hours and 39 minutes of it. The Fantastic Beasts films haven't joined them, though with wizarding journey keeping its focus on the original franchise. If you're thinking that a time-turner might come in handy over the next few months, we completely understand. And if this sounds like familiar news, that's because all eight movies were also available on Netflix back in 2019. They jumped to Binge after that, too, because the thing about streaming services — unless they're making and funding a movie or series themselves, films and shows can switch platforms as the rights deals behind them change. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG37G--drDs&list=PLnpIp0ksj4UlQWQlPaRd6WrI9XSmS6B4u Find Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber Of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Part 2 are all now streaming on Netflix.
You have to hear Noisy Jelly to believe it. This science project-esque game, imagined by Raphaël Pluvinage and Marianne Cauvard, allows you to create your own musical instrument out of jelly. Using water, agar agar powder and a set series of molds (contained in Noisy Jelly's mini chemistry lab) players can create their own set of jellies. The jellies are then placed on the included game board, where they may be touched and manipulated to create sound. If you don't quite get the jelly-to-music correlation either, Noisy Jelly includes a scientific diagram to explain what is actually happening. The game board functions as a capacitative sensor, and the final sound it produces all depends upon the shape and salt concentration of the jelly. The distance and strength of the finger-to-jelly contact can create different sounds, as well.
If your idea of a cracking Sunday session is one that involves a gorgeous rooftop, some BYO bubbles and a tasty high tea dished up by some of Sydney's most-loved bakeries, your spring is looking very fine indeed. Every Sunday, from October 28 until December 2, the cacti-filled rooftop — part of Surry Hills' wellness hub Paramount Recreation Club — will play host to a high tea headed up by the Flour Market crew. Dubbed Higher Tea, the series will see some of the city's finest pastry masters team up to deliver an eight-course tasting menu of sweet and savoury delights, to be enjoyed with stunning CBD views as the backdrop. Pick from two weekly sessions (11.30am-1.30pm or 2-4pm) and venture on up with at least three mates, to enjoy eight courses of scones, cucumber sandwiches and a parade of sweet treats from favourites like Bakedown Cakery, Shortstop, Grumpy Donuts, Brickfields and Treat Dreams. Vegan and gluten-free options are available on request, too. There'll be coffee by Supreme and tea from Byron Bay's Mayde, or you can really step up the celebrations and bring along your own bubbly — corkage is included in the $55 ticket price. Higher Tea runs from 11.30am–1.30pm and 2–4pm every Sunday.
It can be assumed that whoever started the old wives' tale warning against pairing whisky and oysters just wanted to keep the secret to themselves. The Wild Rover — and those who have ventured through the bar's green door — know better. The Surry Hills bar is so into oysters it's rolling out an entire week of celebrations dedicated to them. Its famous lamb sausage roll will be forgotten for the week with a special menu that gives oysters the limelight — and from Monday, October 30 through to Thursday, November 2, you'll be able to slurp down some freshly shucked oysters for just $1 each. Get adventurous with po' boys and chowder pie alongside a variety of paired drinks. There will be plenty of action throughout the week. Defy the myth in style with a whisky and oyster masterclass ($50) on Wednesday, November 1, hosted by Laphroaig Whisky Ambassador Michael Nouri. If you're up for working that elbow grease, Shane Buckley from oyster farm Wapengo Rocks is running oyster shucking masterclasses ($35) on Thursday, November 2. You will also receive your very own shucker to impress friends with this newfound skill. Concerned about the extensive oyster shell carnage from the week of celebrations? All shells will be donated to Ocean Watch to sustain Sydney Harbour marine life.
No doubt you've heard about western Sydney's multibillion-dollar development Parramatta Square, which is transforming the CBD into a thriving retail and dining hub. While there's some way before the project is completed, you can now dine at several new restaurants and takeaway spots, including new outposts from already popular burger and salad bowl chains to newbies from restaurateurs Maurice Terzini and Ibby Moubadder. In partnership with Parramatta Square, we've picked out seven dishes you should order when you're there — whether you're booking in for a feast or in need of a fast feed. [caption id="attachment_788544" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] CLAM FREGOLA AT CICCIA BELLA One of the most exciting additions to Parramatta Square is Maurice Terzini's second Ciccia Bella. Chef Nic Wong (The Apollo and Cho Cho San) oversees the menu at both the Bondi and western Sydney restaurants, which takes inspiration from southern Italian cooking. We suggest starting with a serve of the woodfired house bread and LP's Quality Meats mortadella, before opting for the Sardinian fregola with prawns, calamari and clams ($28). Make sure you leave room for a slice of the banoffee pie ($15), too. CHARCOAL WAGYU BEEF SKEWER AT LILYMU We could just as easily picked the tom yum prawn dumplings or the egg-topped mi goreng with black garlic at Lilymu, but our favourite dish at the new half-indoor, half-outdoor diner from Ibby Moubadder (Nour and Henrietta) has to be the charcoal wagyu beef tongue ($11). It's beautifully soft, has a delicate texture and works surprisingly well with one of Lilymu's spicy margaritas. And, as the menu here is designed to share, you can easily order all three dishes between two and still have room for a slice of tres leches cake to finish. [caption id="attachment_790073" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] A BENTO BOX AT SUSHI YUZEN This is the first Sydney outlet from head chef Hiroshi Shimizu, who has two Melbourne-based Sushi Yuzens and nearly four decades of experience under his belt. Sushi Yuzen does exactly what you'd expect: fresh, precisely prepared nigiri, plus bento boxes with options including chilli chicken and teriyaki salmon, all served with house-made sauces. As Parramatta Square is smack-bang in the middle of its financial district, with a university on its doorstep, there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy a quick feed al fresco. Sushi Yuzen makes a speedy lunch even easier with its online ordering system, too, so you can place your order at your desk and pop down when it's ready to takeaway. [caption id="attachment_790077" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] BEEF DIP SUB AT HARVEY'S HOT SANDWICHES Fluffy white bread, grilled beef fillet, horseradish mayo and grilled onions, with provolone cheese and gravy dipping — the beef dip sub ($16) is our top pick at newbie Harvey's Hot Sandwiches. The American-style diner makes its sambos thick, meaty and saucy, and any one of the subs, including the philly cheesesteak, buttermilk fried chicken, mortadella, slow roasted brisket and pastrami sandwiches are day makers. And, as it's open daily, you'll have every reason to sample them all. [caption id="attachment_788514" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] CRISPY CHICKEN CAESAR AT BETTY'S BURGERS Brisbane-born burger shack Betty's has been serving up handheld feasts in Sydney since it first opened up in Darling Harbour in 2017. There are now ten locations across the city, including a new diner at Parramatta Square. You'll find Betty's Burgers in the walkway from Parramatta train station, and you can grab a burger to eat in or take away to the ample outdoor dining areas nearby. Our pick is the new crispy chicken caesar ($15): panko-crumbed chicken topped with a parmesan wafer, bacon, egg, fresh lettuce and dijonnaise sauce. Add one of Betty's famed frozen custard thick shakes and you'll be fuelled for the rest of the day. [caption id="attachment_790074" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] ANY TWO SCOOPS AT RIVARENO GELATO Whether you're craving sweet mango and strawberry, tart Sicilian lemon, dairy-free pistachio sorbet or piña colada granita, you know the intense flavours at Rivareno Gelato are thanks to the gelateria's commitment to making its icy treats in-house, every day. Owner Kieran Tosolini opened his third outlet of the Italian-style gelato shop in Parramatta Square knowing he'd be bringing scoops of joy to new and returning customers throughout the year. As all 26 flavours are seasonal, made using only natural ingredients, our tip is to seek out the specials board and start working your way from top to bottom. [caption id="attachment_788651" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] PUMP-IT-UP AT FISHBOWL You know the format by now. Select your base (rice, noodles or cabbage — or a combination of two), then select your toppings, from salmon and tuna sashimi to free range chicken, tofu and braised brisket. The beauty of Fishbowl, whether you're in Bondi, Chatswood or Parramatta, is that each Japanese-style salad bowl is freshly prepared using the same quality, minimal intervention ingredients you've come to expect from the fresh fast-food chain. When ordering at the Parramatta Square's outpost, we suggest ordering the roasted pumpkin as your protein, or the Pump-It-Up bowl. It comes with tofu, cabbage, beetroot, radish, chilli and coriander, lemon oil and almonds ($14.90). It's earthy, textural, and best enjoyed while sitting in the sunshine. Find out more about Parramatta Square's new dining options, here. Top image: Lilymu
To swim at the beach is to enjoy pure, natural beauty, but swimming at the pool allows for something else: the appreciation of nature and the human-made together. Whether driven by landlocked location, the presence of healing hot springs, or just a fear of waves, people have built stunning public swimming pools all over the world. These are ten of the best. Gellert Baths - Budapest, Hungary One hundred and eighteen thermal springs produce 70 million litres of warm water in Budapest every day. It's little wonder that the Hungarian capital is otherwise known as the 'Spa City'. Of the many pools found there, the Gellert Baths are the most visited. Built during the First World War, they are famous for their majestic, art nouveau architecture and the healing powers of their springs, acknowledged since medieval times. Badeschiff - Berlin, Germany As part of a 2004 public art project, Berlin based artist Susanne Lorenz transformed the hull of a 32m-long ship into a swimming pool and set it afloat it on the River Spree. Known as the Badeschiff, meaning 'bathing ship' in English, it is now one of Berlin’s primary summer attractions and includes table tennis tables and DJs for year-round fun. Montjuic Municipal Pool - Barcelona, Spain If you're a Kylie Minogue fan, you might recognise this view. She and a crowd of rather statuesque divers spend her video clip 'Slow' rolling around on beach towels next to the Montjuic Municipal Pool. Located on a hill high above Barcelona, this one offers spectacular scenery and Olympic diving boards. The Blue Lagoon - Reykjavik, Iceland The silica- and sulphur-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon are believed to possess powerful medicinal qualities. Whether or not you're one of the faithful, you're bound to be seduced by the mystical surroundings and the year-round 37-39°C water temperatures, especially if you're visiting during one of Reykjavik's icy winters. Having appeared in The Amazing Race 6, Hostel: Part II, and Britain's Next Top Model, the Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland's star tourist attractions. Yrjonkatu Swimming Hall - Helsinki, Finland This one is a must for skinny dipping enthusiasts. Up until 2001, you weren't even allowed in the Yrjonkatu with your clothes on. These days, nudity is still popular, but not obligatory, and men and women must visit at separate times. Established in June 1928, Yrjönkatu is Scandinavia’s oldest indoor public swimming pool. Its stunning classical-style architecture conjures up an atmosphere reminiscent of the ancient Roman baths. Barton Springs Pool - Austin, Texas For thousands of years, the Tonkawa Native American tribe used the springs that feed into Barton Pool during sacred rituals. Acquired by settlers in the 19th century and then by the City of Austin during the 1920s, the springs have been transformed into a public pool, which now lies inside Zilker Metropolitan Park. The water temperature is never much lower than 20°C and rarely exceeds 22°C, so you can take the plunge in comfort at any time of year. Pocas do Gomes - Madeira, Portugal The Pocas do Gomes lie on the idyllic southern edge of Madeira, a Portugese archipelago located 400km north of the Canary Islands. Naturally formed from volcanic rock, these pools enable expansive views over the Atlantic Ocean. A nearby restaurant offers fresh seafood and Portugese-style culinary delights. Piscine Molitor - Paris, France The Piscine Molitor, after which Yann Martel's increasingly famous fictional hero is named, may not be considered one of the world’s most beautiful pools right now. Built in 1929, but having closed in 1989, it became a favourite haunt for hoodlums and graffiti artists throughout the 1990s. However, a 2014 reopening promises the reconstruction of the pool in all its art deco glory. If Ang Lee's imaginative depictions are anything to go by, the Piscine Molitor will soon be vying for top of the list. Krapfenbaldwad - Vienna, Austria Situated just outside of Vienna and surrounded by vineyards, Krapfenbaldwad affords sweeping views. Given that Austria is landlocked, this pool provides some welcome cool relief for both locals and visitors and is often packed during the summer months. The old-fashioned changing rooms add an olde worlde charm to the bathing experience. Bondi Icebergs Baths - Sydney, Australia Finally, we'd be doing ourselves a disservice were we to forget that some of the most beautiful scenery on Earth is on our doorstep. The Waverley Council recognised this back in the 1880s, when they built the Bondi Baths at the southern end of Australia's most popular beach. Since 1929, the Baths have been home to the famous Icebergs, the only licensed Winter Swimming Club in the world. To be a member, you must be willing to swim at least one length of the 50m pool on three Sundays out of every month, all winter long. Any attempts at an excuse will only see your membership relinquished. If that’s not quite your style, take a dip at your leisure for $5.50 (adults) / $3.50 (children/Seniors).
Pokemeow Cafe in Rosebery opened in late March 2020. For those that aren't good with dates, that was just before the state government imposed strict lockdown measures in relation to COVID-19. Despite opening in one of the toughest periods that Sydney's hospitality scene has ever faced, Pokemeow has proved resilient and captured the hearts of locals, likely thanks to its interesting business model. As Concrete Playground reader @mauricio.f90 explained, "I love having lunch at Pokemeow Cafe, watching their cats. It's so relaxing. Also, great food". They're hugely popular in Asia (particularly in Japan), but if you've never been to a cat cafe before, here's the deal: like all other cafes, you sit and enjoy a coffee and a meal — but here you do so while watching little kittens play in an adjoining room through a glass wall. For a small fee, you can also enter the cat playground to cuddle and play with some new furry friends. At Pokemeow Cafe, it's $10 for a half-hour session, which needs to be booked in advance. The shop also offers grooming services for both cats and dogs. In terms of the food offering, it's mostly standard cafe fare — think smashed avo and a poached egg on sourdough, a brekkie burger and an acai bowl — though there are some outliers, like a crab and prawn gribiche croissant.
At beachside hotspot Coogee Pavilion, the final piece of the puzzle is about to click into place — and in a big way, too. Five years in the making, the middle level of this historic building is set to finally be unveiled in January, joining the multi-faceted ground-floor offering and much-loved Coogee Pavilion Rooftop. The hotly-anticipated Coogee Pavilion Middle Floor will actually play host to three distinct venues — cocktail bar Will's, restaurant Mimi's, and a wine and tapas bar by the name of Una Más — combining to mark one of Merivale's most ambitious projects yet. While each venue has its own personality and design DNA, the whole level is an homage to the idyllic coastal location and is guided by the same Australian-accented take on modern Mediterranean cuisine. Executive Chef Jordan Toft (Bert's, Bar Topa) is taking the reins for this lot of newcomers, just as he's helmed the rest of the building's food offerings over the years. Boasting sweeping ocean views through its large arched windows, Mimi's pairs drops off a 500-strong wine list with fresh seafood, top-quality meats and market-fresh vegetables grilled on the kitchen's josper. Don't expect any foams, gels or smokes here — Mimi's is all about letting the produce shine. "What you order from the menu is exactly what you see on the plate," said Toft in a statement. "No smoke, no mirrors, no pomp. Just great produce, an amazing setting and the slowing of time". [caption id="attachment_753879" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dimitri Tricolas[/caption] Wine and tapas bar Una Más is the lively, playful sibling, where you'll happily spend a session straight off the beach. Fresh and fun, it's designed to be a modern locals' haunt, offering an approachable menu spiked with both Spanish and Australian influences. Toft says to expect "chilled chablis or vermouth, with an oyster just shucked, seafood off the plancha and anchovies on fresh bread". Meanwhile, cocktail bar Will's will embrace a European charm, promising good time vibes and a drinks list inspired by the Italian coast. Mimi's, Will's and Una Más are set to open on Coogee Pavilion's middle floor in January 2020. In the meantime, you can visit Coogee Pavilion and Coogee Pavilion rooftop at 169 Dolphin Street, Coogee.
The Northern Rivers' food scene has got a new kid on the block, and it's bringing more than a little of the Big Apple with it. Tucked inside a newly renovated community business precinct in Byron Bay, Baloney's is a New York-Italian-style deli and cafe that's serving up nostalgia, deli meats and loaded sambos — no baloney. It's been brought to life by founder George McFarlane as a passion project that puts a breezy Byron spin on Italian-American food culture. And while the two-hander sandwiches might be the initial drawcard, the space itself — designed by Northern Rivers studio Happy Hour — is full of character. Inside, you'll find black-and-white checkerboard tiles, a standing espresso bar and a restored vintage church bench that serves as a nod to old-school delis, while outside, a sun-soaked, 40-person deck sets the stage for relaxed al fresco hangs. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Baloney's Deli (@baloneys_deli) If you reckon the name sounds playful, that's exactly the point. Inspired by the Americanisation of mortadella — a meat banned by the US government during the Italian migration waves of the late 19th and early 20th centuries — 'baloney' became both a regulation-friendly substitute and, in time, slang for 'nonsense'. And McFarlane is actively leaning into the word's double meaning, too: "I am not Italian or American, however I am passionate about Italian and American food so I'm a phoney baloney," he tells Concrete Playground. As for the menu? Expect stacked sandwiches with a personal twist. Each one is named after someone close to McFarlane — like the Spicy Gabita, a tribute to his partner — who, according to McFarlane, is "a little bit spicy" — that sees eggplant, mozzarella, rocket, fermented chilli and balsamic layered on fluffy focaccia. You'll also find other creative combinations like the Alt Tayo, which features lemon-spiked cannellini beans, roast capsicum and vegan basil pesto, alongside the likes of a classic Reuben and, of course, a loaded mortadella, stracciatella and green olive number. If that's not enough to get you road tripping, there's also java juice by Coffee Supreme, artisan deli goods and a rotating selection of sandwich specials. Baloney's also carries the influence of McFarlane's time cutting his proverbial teeth at Mortadeli in Torquay, Victoria, and Byron's much-loved Pixie Food & Wine. Baloney's is another feather in the cap for the burgeoning Byron food scene, which continues to evolve far beyond açai bowls and organic smoothies. Baloney's is located at 10-12 Shirley Street, Byron Bay. It's open Tuesday–Sunday, 8am–2.30pm. For more info, head to the venue's Instagram page.
Compared to the likes of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, the Central Coast may not come to mind as a specialty coffee destination. Yet, away from the city crowds, close to the water and without the urban dwellers, are a number of local cafes serving freshly roasted brews in a sustainable and ethical manner. The best Central Coast cafes have not only brought the community together through a shared interest in specialty coffee and honest food, some have even helped revitalise certain parts of the coast.
It's made from pickle relish, mustard, soybean oil, egg yolk, onion, garlic and vinegar, has been slathered on burgers for more than half a century, and boasts as passionate a following as any condiment can have. Yes, we're talking about Big Mac Special Sauce, which goes mighty well with two beef patties, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions and a sesame seed bun — and, for McHappy Day, it's being bottled up and sold separately. If you're keen to squeeze the famous sauce on your own homemade burgers — or whatever other everyday meals it happens to go well with — then head along to a McDonald's eatery ASAP. A 500ml bottle will set you back $12, and there'll be more than 144,000 available. That seems like plenty; however, folks tend to go a little overboard when it comes to the condiment. Case in point: back in 2015, when limited-edition bottles were put up for auction on Ebay, one sold for more than $20,000. This isn't the first time that Maccas has packaged its famous sauce and put it up for sale, with the chain doing so in 2018 to celebrate the Big Mac's 50th anniversary. Still, it's not the kind of condiment that you can buy everyday. And, while there's plenty of recipes online that explain how to whip up a version at home, your tastebuds can probably tell the difference. Profits from all sales will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities, which McHappy Day raises money for each year. If you're buying an actual Big Mac with your bottle of Big Mac Special Sauce, $2 from your burger will also go to the cause, with other merchandise on offer and gold coin donations also accepted. Bottles of Big Mac Special Sauce are now available to purchase in store at McDonald's stores nationwide. For more information, visit the McHappy Day website. CORRECTION: OCTOBER 28, 2019 — This article previously stated that the Big Mac Special Sauce would be available from Saturday, November, but it is actually available now (Monday, October 28) until sold out. The above article has been updated to reflect this.
Eleven years ago, the biggest small-screen fantasy series of the 21st century so far told us that winter is coming. It repeated it over and over again across its eight-season run, in fact. Now, in a different fantasy franchise's longest trailer yet, darkness is coming. And yes, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power does look like it's taking a few cues from Game of Thrones. On the page, JRR Tolkien's saga obviously got there first — but in your streaming queues, it's following George RR Martin's equally beloved series. Actually, that's the case in two ways, given that Prime Video's new Lord of the Rings show will arrive a couple of weeks after Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon. There's plenty of room in everyone's lives for both — and now viewers as keen as a hobbit for second breakfast can enjoy their lengthiest look yet at Prime Video's small-screen jaunt through Middle-earth. That not only includes the faces that anchor the series, which covers elves, dwarves and harfoots, aka hobbit ancestors, but also the places. This time, New Zealand's natural splendours stand in for the Elven realms of Lindon and Eregion, the Dwarven realm Khazad-dûm, the Southlands, the Northernmost Wastes, the Sundering Seas and the island kingdom of Númenór. It's now been 21 years since the first of The Lord of the Rings movies had everyone rushing to cinemas, obsessing over hobbits and elves, and saying "precious" too many times. Come September, this time at home, get ready for much of the above to happen all over again. After five years of talking about it, Prime Video's new series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is mere months away from reaching eyeballs — and the new sneak peek has an epic feel about it. If you're not up to date on The Rings of Power, it features a young Galadriel (Morfydd Clark, Saint Maud) and a young Elrond (Robert Aramayo, The King's Man). As seen in the show's first and second trailers, as well as this new one, it's also set to include elves catching arrows, humans stuck on rafts on stormy seas, cave trolls, raging fires and orc battles. Amazon first announced the show back in 2017, gave it the official go-ahead in mid-2018 and set a premiere date of Friday, September 2, 2022 back in 2021. In-between, it confirmed that it wouldn't just remake Peter Jackson's movies. Rather, the series spends time in Middle-earth's Second Age, bringing that era from the LOTR realm to the screen for the very first time. According to show's official synopsis, The Rings of Power will follow "the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history," with the action set thousands of years before the novels and movies we've all read and watched. The series will also "take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien's pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness." If you're a little rusty on your LOTR lore, the Second Age lasted for 3441 years, and saw the initial rise and fall of Sauron, as well as a spate of wars over the coveted rings. Elves feature prominently, and there's plenty to cover, even if Tolkien's works didn't spend that much time on the period — largely outlining the main events in an appendix to the popular trilogy. Naturally, you can expect Sauron to feature in the new show, and to give its main figures some trouble. "Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth," the official synopsis continues. "From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone," it also advises. In terms of stars, The Rings of Power features an unsurprisingly large cast — and some impressive talent behind the scenes. Among the other actors traversing Middle-earth are Ismael Cruz Córdova (The Undoing) as Arondir, Nazanin Boniadi (Bombshell) as Bronwyn, Owain Arthur (A Confession) as Prince Durin IV, Charlie Vickers (Palm Beach) as Halbrand and Sophia Nomvete (The Tempest) as Princess Disa. There's also Tom Budge (Judy & Punch), Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones), Cynthia Addai-Robinson (The Accountant), Maxim Baldry (Years and Years), Peter Mullan (Westworld), Benjamin Walker (The Underground Railroad) and comedian Lenny Henry. And, the series is being overseen by showrunners and executive producers JD Payne and Patrick McKay, while filmmaker JA Bayona (A Monster Calls, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) directs the first two episodes. Check out the latest The Rings of Power trailer below: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will be available to stream via Prime Video from Friday, September 2, 2022. Images: Matt Grace / Ben Rothstein.
More than once during Why Are You Like This, aspiring drag queen Austin (Wil King) attempts to shut out the world by scrolling through memes on his phone. Although the six-part ABC sitcom he's in isn't doesn't show him looking at any of the images that give the series its title, you can bet that he'd stumble across them. He'd have to. It's the internet — they're unavoidable. And, he'd likely do one of two things when he did find the memes on his screen: either flick past hundreds without giving a single thought to how they might relate his life, or keep viewing one after the other until he melts down because they hit a little too close to home. Irreverent and astute, honest yet hilarious, drawn from reality but also willing to poke as much fun as possible: that's Why Are You Like This' niche. Focusing on characters that can hardly be described likeable but are instantly recognisable, the series takes aim at the minutiae of 21st-century life. Witheringly funny, it knows that simply existing right now involves constantly being online, and also navigating the never-ending onslaught of expectations, information and opinions that comes with it. And, without flinching, it's also aware that just getting through the day in this non-stop environment can feel relentless and hellish. That's the situation that the show's three main figures, each in their early 20s, all find themselves facing in every one of Why Are You Like This' episodes. The days tick by, and the personal and professional problems just keep coming. It's a familiar laundry list, including getting fired, battling with colleagues, money troubles, hiding boyfriends, losing moon cups and trying to spark a workplace revolution but ending up getting other people sacked. So, yes, this trio is just like the rest of us — and they're just as glued to their phones while they're weathering everything from sudden social media backlash to dealing with frenemies. Penny (series co-creator Naomi Higgins, Utopia) wants to be an ally to everyone, a commitment that exhausts anyone who comes into her orbit. Her bestie Mia (Olivia Junkeer, Neighbours) matches that determination with both self-assurance and a self-serving mindset; if she's sticking up for anyone, it's always herself. Rounding out the trio is Penny's housemate Austin, the aforementioned fan of distracting memes. Alas, his glittery outfits, super-sized personality and blistering cynicism can't always hide his internal crumbling. Across the show's first season, these three friends keep trying to stand out in their own ways. They also routinely demonstrate both their best and worst traits in the process. In one episode, Penny goes overboard while trying to prove that she's Mia's closest friend. In another, Mia helps a new work colleague turn her cosplay hobby into cash — to take advantage of the sad men objectifying her — with creepy repercussions. And, when Austin gets tired of Penny's Marie Kondo obsession, it doesn't end well for her beloved belongings. The result: a must-see comedy that's as satirical as it is candid and relatable. Why Are You Like This knows that everyone and everything is awful at all times, leans in, and finds both the humour and the insight in that realisation. And, in terms of the series' style of comedy, the fact that Higgins created the show with lawyer and illustrator Humyara Mahbub and Aunty Donna's Mark Samual Bonanno says plenty. Indeed, like 2020's standout Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun, Why Are You Like This is ridiculously easy to binge in one sitting, then start re-binging again. Check out the trailer for Why Are You Like This below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw_iVa6bZgs Why Are You Like This is available to stream via ABC iView.
As you've no doubt heard by now, there is a worldwide shortage of kale. The leafy green that until recently was just cabbage's little known and even less popular cousin is suddenly in hot demand, and we're all to blame. We love us some kale — and the innovative cafes, restaurants and bars of Sydney insist on feeding our obsession by doing interesting things with it. If we thought we'd reached peak kale before, it's nothing compared to now that the no-nonsense vegetable has jumped from health-food trend to all-food trend. Green smoothies and superfood bowls are great, to a point. But kale entered a new, embraceable era when it landed in our daiquiris and next-day bacon and egg hangover cures. Kale, for all its sensibleness, has never been so fun, and here's the delicious, delicious evidence. Crunchy chip and kale sandwich at Scout's Honour Don't ask how or why, but this sandwich of chicken, carrot, kale, alfalfa, hummus and crunchy potato chips (like this style of potato chip) is actual heaven. Slightly salty, slightly bitey, slightly gooey and mostly healthy, it's the lunch you feel like almost every day of the week. Beyond this one Holy Grail of handheld food, Scout's Honour keep kicking goals with their rotating menu of sandwiches (all $10), salads of the week and soups of the day. oKale and Ginger Daiquiri at Freda's Kale daiquiri? Seriously? We didn't come here to spend a Freda's Friday night being all healthy. Hold up there, haters; this green-hued kaletail packs more punch than a Long Island Iced Tea (without the throbbing, next-day Headache of Regret). A subtle blend of kale, Mount Gay Silver rum, King's Ginger liqueur, real ginger, lime and apple juice, Freda’s latest winter cocktail cleanses the palate and gets you pretty tipsy pretty damn quick (pace yourself on these vert-coloured babies). It’s the ginger-kale balance that rounds this refreshing bev out, proving the leafy superfood's not just for early morning power smoothies. Kale, bacon and egg roll at In the Annex Kale as the main ingredient and bacon as an extra? Surely that’s the equivalent of Hoyts showing the movie 'Robin' and making people pay extra if they want it to include Batman. Not so — the kale, rather than awkwardly hanging around outside the bacon and egg friend circle, actually fits in and gets along with everyone. It gets along so well, in fact, that this greenified B&E held its own in our Bacon and Egg Roll Road Test. That's by no means where the kale journey ends at In the Annex; consider pairing your roll with a kale, banana, coconut and chia smoothie ($8) for a taste of suburban Tropicana. Wagyu Bresaola, crumbed eggs and kale at Nook NoOk Urban Fresh Bar in the CBD is a celebration of fresh produce. The menu is divided into all-day brekkies, hearty winter salads, burgers, soups, sandwiches and a specials list so innovative we just can't go past it. Their wagyu bresaola and crumbed eggs ($20) take brunch to an entirely new place. Thinly sliced wagyu meets the sweetness of spiced poached pears, crusty sourdough, masses of fresh and crispy fried kale, goat's curd and perfectly oozy eggs coated in a crumb. It's devilishly delicious, and if you're a real kale fiend, you can wash down with a kale and pineapple juice garnished with, yes, kale. Paleo Brekkie at About Life Simply walking into About Life will make you feel healthy. Obviously this organic wholefoods space positively crawling with post-yoga brunch-ers is going to have kale. We recommend the Paleo Breakfast, which features an indulgently tempura-like sweet potato and kale hash brown. On top of that are perfectly poached eggs, fresh spinach and a hearty side of bacon. Slow roast lamb shoulder and kale at SoCal From the team that brought us Bondi Hardware and The Botanist, SoCal in Neutral Bay is inspired by the sunny sights and flavours California, and as everyone knows, Californians love them some superfoods. Apart from the perennial favourites (sliders and tacos), the menu also features a series of share plates. The standout is one of rich, slow-roasted lamb shoulder on kale and fellow superfoods faro, freekeh and quinoa. Green Brekkie Bowl at Porch and Parlour Ultimate Bondi, ultimate breakfast. With a short and sweet breakfast menu, Bondi's Porch and Parlour does serious health food that doesn't make you feel like you're missing out on culinary excitement. Though the Green Brekkie Bowl really couldn't get any greener — sauteed kale and spinach is generously served with herby quinoa, two soft-boiled eggs and half an avocado — the five-star delicousness rating of this dish will well and truly put those childhood veggie phobias to rest. Breakfast with Gwyneth at Bread and Circus With fresh fruit and veggies on display and pot plants on every table, the 'earthy-goodness' vibe of Bread and Circus Wholefoods Canteen is hard to miss. Named after the official Queen of Kale, their Breakfast with Gwyneth would no doubt make the actor-turned-Goop-guru proud. The breakfast plate features two fried biodynamic eggs atop sauteed kale with chilli and white quinoa. Missed breakfast? For lunch, they also do a bonza salad of shredded cabbage, kale and sprouts with a yuzu pomegranate dressing. By the Concrete Playground team.
Regardless of whether you find the block-sized World Square in the CBD more of an eyesore than shopping hub and apartment block extravaganza, you'll be interested to know the six or so-week-old addition, Kingswood Coffee, not only has your coffee needs covered but also offers a little nod to Sydney's past that might just keep those in the former camp happy. In a nutshell, back in the '80s, World Square somewhat controversially took the place of what was once the largest department store in Sydney (and at one point, the world), Anthony Hordern & Sons. Fifty-two acres of retail space, this back-then gargantuan commercial epicentre sported aesthetics of heritage-listed proportions that sadly went the way of many a lost architectural treasure. Fortunately, Kingswood's owner Mikey Jordan (ex-Manly's Barefoot Coffee Traders) isn't one to let beauty be forgotten. With an interior designed by Tamsin Johnson (Mr. Moustache, Mr Tipply's), Kingswood is a polished brass and wood delight, offering a small area inside to order from the two-man La Marzocco coffee machine, lit by four dimple-tipped opaque globes all above royal blue hexagonal tiles. Contemporary elements aren't forgotten either, with Sydney-invented Juggler taps automatically pouring out milk quick sharp, as well as saving approximately 80 percent on plastic waste. But of course, the main attraction here isn't the fit-out but the coffee. It labels itself as a 'specialty coffee shop', and the speciality here seems to be collaboration. The smooth and delicious house blend for dairy-based coffees is from Melbourne's Sensory Lab and uses one Columbian and two Brazilian beans (available to purchase by the bag at $50), while black coffee drinkers can savour the tastes of monthly rotating concoctions: this month is Melbourne-based Proud Mary ($60 per bag), while next month sees Sydney's Sample step up to the plate. Tea drinkers have a number of Tea Craft bags to choose from, Chai-lovers can enjoy an eight-hour brewed homemade creation and, according to Jordan, cold drip will be making its way over in time for summer. If you're looking for something a little naughty, opt for a mocha, combining milk and espresso with melted Belcolade Belgian chocolate, which, thankfully, is just the right level of sweetness not to overpower the underlining yummy coffee taste. But of course, if chocolate is more your thing, there are milkshakes and waffles all just waiting to be smothered in the stuff. Food-wise the selection is limited, but again collaboration reigns supreme, with pastries sourced from Leichhardt's Penny Fours, cronuts from Brewtown Newtown and sourdough from Brickfields in Chippendale. Filling for said sourdough sarnies comes from Alexandria's Salt Meats Cheese. All in all, while this place might only be a tiny takeaway joint tucked away in a monumental modern Sydney icon and surrounded by countless clothing giants and heartless chains, it's this appreciation of the past and, more importantly, a decent cup of coffee that has already made Kingswood a local for residents and business folk alike. Not bad going at all, we say.
While an airport's not usually the kind of place you scramble to spend time in, Singapore's Changi Airport has a knack for making the whole transit thing a little more fun. And right now, the major transport hub — which welcomes a cool 65 million visitors each year — is embracing the festive season, unveiling a new immersive Frozen-inspired winter wonderland pop-up. Running until January 5 in celebration of Disney's soon-to-be-released Frozen 2, the installation will see various parts of the airport transformed into snow-dusted fantasy worlds, evoking all those white Christmas feelings. The airport's new nature-themed retail and entertainment precinct Jewel will play host to a program of dazzling themed light and sound shows, splashed across its Rain Vortex: the world's tallest indoor waterfall. There'll also be a festive market selling a wide array of handmade goodies for last-minute Christmas present shopping, as well as an offering of workshops covering crafty endeavours like terrarium-making and ukulele-painting. Meanwhile, the T3 Departure Hall will feature an immersive enchanted forest pop-up, with four challenge zones inspired by the four elements of nature. Sure, it's a total kids' paradise, but there's also plenty to charm the young at heart, from jolly stilt-walkers to larger-than-life installations and roving carollers. The faux snow will be a-flying at regular intervals and Changi will even be graced by its biggest Christmas tree ever – a 16-metre-tall stunner, decked out head-to-toe in full festive finery and lit-up dramatically at 6.30pm each evening. Keep an eye out for it at the Jewel entrance near Terminal 1. Changi Airport sure knows how to keep a travel-weary person entertained between flights. During last year's Christmas period, it hosted an immersive Harry Potter-themed world, while earlier this year, it unveiled its new 14,000-square-metre Canopy Park, complete with mirror and hedge maze, topiary walk (which is currently filled with snow) and slide-filled sculptural playground. A Frozen Wonderland at Changi is located in Terminal 1-3 at Changi Airport until January 5, 2020.
Tumbarumba, with Snowy Mountains peeking in the distance, gurgling streams and picturesque greenery, is a wine lover's fairy tale with crisp days, beautiful sights and remarkable wines. Thanks to its cool climate and pure mountain air, the region produces some standout chardonnays (2016 was a good year) and pinot noirs — the two key grapes for good sparkling wines. Though the fine Tumbarumba grapes are often sold to bigger wineries, there are still some producers keeping things local and opening their own cellar doors at the foot of the mountains. Courabyra Wines is a favourite, winning best small cellar door in Gourmet Traveller Wine's 2019 awards. Courabyra was established in 1992, but didn't open its cellar door and restaurant until 2014. Here you'll find cool-climate chardonnay, pinot noir, reisling and sparkling alongside more Euro-style varieties such as grüner veltliner and pinot meunier. The cellar door has a roaring fire in winter and you can match your vino tasting with a ploughman's board ($26 per person). Otherwise you can get some seasonal dishes likes homemade gnocchi ($26), slow-cooked beef brisket ($30) and a pot pie ($22) from the onsite restaurant. Bookings for the cellar door and restaurant are recommended, particularly for groups. Images: Destination NSW
Bunnies are believed to be the luckiest of the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac and a symbol of elegance, beauty and good fortune. So it stands to reason that Willoughby City Council's Lunar New Year celebrations, from Wednesday, January 18 to Sunday, February 12 will be particularly prosperous. If you enjoy music, markets and unmissable (and very 'grammable) artworks, Chatswood's Year of the Rabbit Festival is set to deliver on all fronts. Previous Lunar New Year celebrations have seen the suburb's streets filled with food stalls, floats and fiery dancing dragons. This year, in addition to all that, visitors will also be invited to spot a series of spectacular figurines floating across the CBD in the form of eight giant inflatable bunnies. Other program highlights worth hopping to include the Lunar New Year Comedy Festival featuring a fantastic lineup of comics, Asian-Australian R&B artist Milan Ring performing her signature smooth jams, free orchestral concerts, art exhibitions, markets, lantern workshops, parades and the list goes on. The Chatswood Year of the Rabbit Festival will run for four weeks across January and February 2023 . For more information you can visit the website.
Those incurably collaborative folk at CBD cocktail haven PS40 are continuing their Tuesday Takeover series with a new residency courtesy of Marcelo "Celo" Munoz, co-head chef of Continental Deli's CBD outpost. Celo will be taking over the PS40 kitchen on the Tuesday evenings of May 3 and May 10 with a set menu that celebrates the humble vegetable in a lineup of not-so-humble dishes. Expect beautifully constructed bar snacks big on flavour and technique, and — since this is PS40 after all — come prepared to dig into the cocktail menu for a mid-week dose of the bar's greatest hits. Bookings are essential (and limited) with seatings at 6pm and 8pm. Tickets are $65pp (includes a cocktail on arrival) and available via email at bookings@ps40bar.com. DINNER AT CELO'S X PS40 TAKEOVER MENU - House made shallot focaccia, whipped feta, roasted grape, za'atar - Broccoli lollipop, anchovy mayo, toasted buckwheat (2ea) - Pea tart, buttermilk ricotta, cured egg yolk - Gnoccho fritto, herb jam, onion cream, anchovy - Pine mushroom, Stracciatella, tarragon dressing - Braised leek, taramasalata, brown butter, hazelnut
If you are thinking about planning a really big trip in the next couple of years, the sky may no longer be your limit. Space tourism has long been touted as the new frontier for the seriously adventurous traveller, and it looks like it may become more commonplace in the not-so-distant future. Orbital Technologies, Sierra Nevada Corporation and NASA have collaborated to develop the Dreamchaser Vehicle, a multi-purpose commercial space craft which will primarily be dedicated to scientific research and tourism. The Dreamchaser, which will also act as an emergency station for passing space craft, will include a space hotel with four hotel cabins to accommodate seven guests. And while guests will not be able to expect all the conveniences of home (internet access may prove a bit tricky), they will have access to zippered sleeping bags, waterless flushing loos, shower facitlities and gourmet meals —a little more luxury than your average astronaut is afforded. And, no doubt, the views from the hotel portholes will be entirely out of this world. Five nights in the space hotel will set you back about $165,000, and the transfer to and from your hotel another $826,000 - a pretty penny for an experience that gives a whole new meaning to sleeping under the stars.
As part of the Opera House's recent haul-in of contemporary acts, indie-rock veterans and virtuosos, Yo La Tengo, will be performing a unique two-part show that divulges the 'soft' and the 'loud' on March 13, 2014. Labelled "the quintessential critic's band", they have remained versatile yet reliable: an institution of high-calibre indie. For this performance, the seminal trio will draw from a catalogue spanning 30 years. Their repertoire spans immersive bossa nova lullabies through to clanging punk-rock freakouts, not to mention an encyclopaedic repertoire of covers, heralding a generation's love of the classic mix-tape. Lately, it seems the sleepy romance of their softer tracks has taken precedence with the recent release of Fade. The 2013 album is serenely melodic, dipping into surfer rock, motown, and '60s soul. It is a cohesive and beautifully melded arrangement of sounds, bespeaking a band that has truly come into its own. Yo La Tengo will also be swinging down Victoria way for Golden Plains Festival in March, performing alongside hip hop legends Public Enemy. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, November 1, from the Sydney Opera House website. https://youtube.com/watch?v=GRyeTCibkbE
We've found your next weekend getaway. Experience the magic of the Murray River region at Wildergreen, Moama. The new hospitality and lifestyle precinct focuses on food, drinks and gathering, and is unlike anything else in the region. The garden-filled, nature-led precinct has been designed to invite exploration, celebrate life's simple pleasures, encourage playfulness and fun, and draw stronger connections to the natural world. Wander the garden paths, sip spritzes in the sun, and enjoy the out-of-town, fresh-breeze feeling. At the heart of Wildergreen is Embr, a fire-led Italian restaurant where Neapolitan-style pizzas and handmade pastas take centre stage. The menu is built on the experiences of Sardinian-born chef Daniel Girau in Michelin-starred kitchens across Europe and Australia, and features native Australian ingredients such as Davidson plum, wattleseed, pepperberry and lemon myrtle. Girau says, "At Embr, fire is at the heart of everything we do. It shapes the flavour, pace, and personality of the dishes, bringing simplicity, honesty, and a sense of theatre to the table." Head out of town for a long leisurely lunch, or linger over a romantic dinner, and enjoy dishes shaped by local ingredients and seasonal produce. Menu highlights include the likes of burrata with chargrilled nectarines, Amatriciane supplì and fish crudo with finger lime. The wood-fired pizzas are crunchy and charry, with bold toppings including fennel sausage, truffle cream and bush honey. If you're here to celebrate, try the luxe fire-roasted, one-kilogram Fiorentina steak for two and finish with a limoncello tiramisu or lemon myrtle panna cotta. Paul Barnes, CEO of Moama Bowling Club, says, "With Embr leading the way, Wildergreen becomes more than a precinct; it's a destination for dining, connection, and everyday good times." Images: Supplied.
We've been waiting for this one — Barangaroo's first rooftop venue has officially opened. It makes sense, really; with a direct view over Darling Harbour, it feels like a small crime for all the bars and restaurants to be relegated to ground level. And so it's with open arms that we're sure the people of Sydney will welcome Untied, the latest opening in the waterside foodie precinct. With a location on level four of 400 Barangaroo Avenue, Untied opened on Wednesday, January 25. Channelling the tropical northern Queensland rainforest, the indoor-outdoor bar features lots of lush greenery, vivid colours and room for 260 people all up. The menu follows the Australian theme with a combination of Australian-inspired dishes, including bar snacks, a selection of BBQ share plates and even a raw bar with all the oysters you can handle. After you've shucked and sucked, chase it with one of their cocktails — preferably the Flamin' Galah (with gin, ginger syrup, watermelon and lime) or the Hills Hoist, a mixture of rum, fresh kiwi puree, bitters and egg white. Untied comes from Dixon Hospitality, the group that owns The Norfolk, The Forresters, and, just recently, six of the now-defunct Keystone Group venues. It joins the likes of Belles Hot Chicken, vermouth bar Banksii, sushi fave Zushi, Bentley-run restaurant Cirrus and the new Ume Burger, along with a whole heap of others. Exterior images: Alana Dimou.
Gather on the Green is the sort of place where one could write a great novel, or at the very least read a great novel. The mismatched leather furniture, dark floorboards, exposed brick and full length windows looking out over Camperdown Oval make for a perfect place to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon. Plus, all the food is ethically sourced and sustainably produced from local suppliers, and if that’s not a good excuse to eat two sandwiches for lunch I don’t know what is. The bacon and egg roll ($6.50) is definitely the champion of the breakfast menu. The combo of crispy bacon packed four or five rashers deep, runny egg and the most perfectly spiced tomato relish makes this puppy one of the best B&Es in the inner west. Add in a Mecca coffee ($3.50); you don’t even have to break a $20 (though you may break a meat sweat). For the hungrier individuals, there’s the golden corn fritters with sauteed spinach and homemade relish or poached eggs with field mushrooms and goat’s cheese on toasted sourdough. For the food architects there’s the Build Your Own, where you select ingredients to adorn your toast and fashion your own breakfast delights. It’s kind of like a Choose Your Own Adventure novel but the chapters are bacon and avocado and you don’t die at the end. Gather on the Green is child- and pooch-friendly, and on sunny days you can borrow a picnic blanket and eat your bacon-themed delights across the road in the park whilst watching people play sports. What’s not to love?
Need to zhuzh up a spare room? Perhaps your new space needs a full makeover? Whatever your vision might be, the poised staff at Orient House can help select excellent interiors for your home. This rather fancy warehouse ships antiques, furniture and home decor from Africa, China and Southeast Asia right to the Bridge Road bend in Glebe. You can colour a room with African textiles, splurge on vintage furniture from far-flung Chinese provinces and peruse a huge collection of handwoven lampshades and baskets. Pieces come with a pretty hefty price tag, so budget-conscious shoppers might want to stick to just one or two statement pieces. Images: Elise Hassey
Thirteen years ago, Korea's cinema standouts scored their own showcase Down Under, with the inaugural Korean Film Festival in Australia debuting in 2010. Since then, the festival has kept returning to celebrate both the latest and greatest flicks that South Korea has to offer. It was playing Bong Joon-ho films before Parasite swept the Oscars. It was revelling in Korean thrillers prior to Squid Game becoming an international success, too. It loved Korean genre fare before Train to Busan as well. And, KOFFIA will keep the nation's must-see titles in Sydney this winter. 2023's festival has a date with Event Cinemas George Street from Thursday, August 24–Tuesday, August 29. Across six days, it'll endeavour to give audiences a new Korean favourite, or several, from a selection that spans everything from murder-mysteries and detective dramas to revenge thrillers and musicals. There's no such thing as a standard Korean film, which is true of every country's movie output; however, this national cinema is mighty fond of twisty tales. Accordingly, it should come as no surprise that Confession and Gentleman are both on the 2023 bill. The first is a locked-room mystery with an IT company CEO suddenly finding himself the prime suspect, while the second involves a private detective agency's head honcho being falsely accused of a crime. Also on the lineup: The Devil's Deal, which sees a political candidate disqualified, then out for revenge; and The Night Owl, about an acupuncturist who is blind in daylight, can see clearly at night, and witnesses a tragic event one evening. The latter opens the festival, and the directors of both films — The Devil's Deal's Lee Won-tae and The Night Owl's An Tae-jin — are coming to Australia for KOFFIA. Elsewhere, comedy 6/45 hits the Korean Film Festival after proving a box-office smash at home, focusing on soldiers from both North and South Korea finding a windfall; Hero heads back to 1900s Korea to hone in on independence activist Ahn Jung-geun's plight battling Japanese colonial rule; musical drama Life Is Beautiful sees a husband trying to locate his wife's childhood sweetheart; and Next Sohee, which played Cannes 2022, is all about an exploitative work situation. Or, the standouts also include Switch, where a celebrity wakes up one morning to discover that he's living a completely different life — and romance Nothing Serious, about an aspiring novelist who writes a sex column.
Spandex leotards and feathered hair at the ready: it's time to get active, 80s-style. Longtime Sydney favourite Retrosweat is giving its throwback aerobics classes a summer twist, jumping out of the gym and into the pool with a special series of aqua aerobics sessions. Transporting its fluoro fun and energy to the Ashfield Aquatic Centre as part of Sydney Festival, Retrosplash! will deliver three days of workouts, throwback fashion and killer 80s tunes. Find your favourite set of retro swimmers and get your body moving to the likes of 'Let's Get Physical' and 'Club Tropicana'. If you're new to the concept, Retrosweat was founded by Shannon Dooley, who studied at the Fitness Institute Australia and also at NIDA (training under Baz Luhrmann's official choreographer John 'Cha Cha' O'Connell, among other teachers). The vibe really is all there in the name, combining bending, stretching and all the usual aerobics moves, and soundtracked by 80s tunes — aka a fitness-fuelled step back in time. The 40-minute aerobics workout is designed for people of all ages and fitness levels. There will be extra instructors in attendance ensuring that everyone in the pool is being attended to. You can also expect colourful themed inflatables on-site, as well as a grassy section by the water in case you fancy a photo shoot in your outfit.
French composer Jean-Philippe Rameau was one of the most enduring musicians of his time, but also one of the most enigmatic, with little known of his life. While his style was initially considered an affront to the establishment, his unorthodox approach to harmony became increasingly influential and eventually de rigueur in the French court. Intriguingly, while his music was pretty and ornate, he was known as a headstrong, volatile character. Rameau's music lends itself particularly well to dance and forms the starting point for the new work Project Rameau, the first collaboration between the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Sydney Dance Company. The latter is headed by Spanish born Rafael Bonachela, who will provide choreography for the 17 dancers, while the 22-piece chamber orchestra, led by the ever-prolific Richard Tognetti, will bring to life selections from Rameau's operas, as well as interludes from Bach and Vivaldi. Image by Justin Ridler.
Beloved camping music festival Beyond the Valley returns to its regular programming this year, set to ring in the new year at Barunah Plains, west of Melbourne, from December 28, 2022–January 1, 2023. And it's got a stacked lineup to celebrate, too, headlined by none other than the legendary Nelly Furtado — the Canadian singer behind 'I'm Like a Bird', 'Turn Off the Light', here for a one-off Aussie-exclusive performance. Joining her on the eclectic bill: Denzel Curry, Dom Dolla, Kaytranada, BENEE, Yeat, Flight Facilities, Honey Dijon, Lime Cordiale, Patrick Topping, Charlotte De Witte, Diplo and more. That includes Bicep, which'll come as no surprise if you saw the video earlier in the year announcing the fest's return, which was set to the sounds of 'Glue'. The fest's sprawling new Barunah Plains home comes complete with a 100,000-square metre-natural amphitheatre, playing host to its three usual stages (main stage, dance tent and multi-level dance spot Dr Dan's), as well as a new podcast stage featuring live and interactive recordings. The 2022 instalment will also include a beach club for swims; a small space that's only accessible via secret entrance called Schmall Klüb; and the Poof Doof 'pride patrol'; plus speed-dating, yoga, pilates, meditation, open mic sessions and a fortune teller. Beyond the Valley has released a range of ticketing options, including single-day passes and multi-day entry — though you'll want to be quick as they're all expected to sell out. [caption id="attachment_866660" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mackenzie Sweetnam[/caption]
It's the 32nd year for Australia's largest folk art and music festival. And like a vintage wine, the artistic line up gets more and more complex and impressive as the years go by. This year there'll be over 2000 artists in 400 acts across visual, performance and spoken word formats. Catch folk, rock and pop musicians including John Butler, Kate Miller-Heidke, The Beautiful Girls, Husky, Holy Holy, Canadian band The East Pointers, Timberwolf and Montaigne. Personalities such as Dr Karl, Tracey Spicer and Noel Pearson are among an exhaustive selection of speakers, presenters and comedians doing what they do best and you'll be mesmerised by at least 20 dance and performance acts. You can also try your hand at artisan crafts from pottery to tattoo art to Maori basket weaving — or even just go on a bush walk with a professional nature enthusiast through Woodford's beautiful surrounds. And as usual, you'll welcome in the new year alongside thousands of others with an epic fire display. The crowd is expected to reach over 132,000 this edition, so get your name on a ticket before they become scarce.
After heading our way for Laneway Festival earlier in 2023, Japanese Australian singer-songwriter Joji is finally giving his Aussie fans the chance to catch a glimpse of him at his own headline gigs when he returns for a run of arena shows. The viral hitmaker is making his way Down Under fresh from a US run of gigs, including bringing the Pandemonium tour to Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on Thursday, November 16. Joji's debut headline Australian shows have been a long time coming. After fostering a cult following on YouTube, he pivoted his talents to music in 2017, releasing three studio albums across the following six years. The entire trio of albums has spawned Top 40 hits in Australia, New Zealand and the US, and Joji is one of only a handful of artists that can claim to have multiple songs with over a billion streams on Spotify — with 'Glimpse of Us' and 'Slow Dancing in the Dark' both passing this impressive milestone. Concertgoers can expect the heartfelt emotions of Joji's ballads alongside a sprinkling of humour, with his live shows receiving online notoriety for the performer's onstage hijinx between and during songs. Scottish dance producer and singer Sam Gellaitry is on supporting duties alongside rapper SavageRealm, who also opened for Joji on his North American tour.
Whether or not you believe that time is a flat circle — and everything we've ever done or will do, we're gonna do over and over and over and over again, too — watching new True Detective episodes is about to become a reality again. January 2024 will mark ten years since the HBO series first started, and five years since it dropped its third season. So, there's clearly no better point for True Detective: Night Country to arrive. This six-episode fourth season will focus on a new cop duo: detectives Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster, The Mauritanian) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis, Catch the Fair One). In the show's two trailers so far, this pair isn't happy to be working together; however, they've got an icy mystery to solve. Set in Alaska, True Detective: Night Country follows the aftermath when eight men working at the Tsalal Arctic Research Station in Ennis disappear. Cue calling in the police, and also ample complications, with Danvers and Navarro endeavouring to ascertain what has happened and why. When it hits Down Under on Monday, January 15 — via Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand — True Detective: Night Country will also feature Finn Bennett (Hope Gap), Fiona Shaw (Andor), Christopher Eccleston (Dodger), Isabella Star LaBlanc (Long Slow Exhale) and John Hawkes (Too Old to Die Young) in front of the camera. Behind the lens, every one of the series' six new episodes is written and directed by Tigers Are Not Afraid filmmaker Issa López, with Moonlight's Barry Jenkins an executive producer. Each season of True Detective tells its own tale, so there's no need to catch up on past chapters if you watched the Matthew McConaughey (The Gentlemen)- and Woody Harrelson (White House Plumbers)-led first season in 2014 — as everyone did — but didn't keep up from there. Taylor Kitsch (Painkiller), Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin) and Rachel McAdams (Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret) starred in season two, while Mahershala Ali (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) and Stephen Dorff (The Righteous Gemstones) took over in season three. Check out the two teaser trailers so far for True Detective: Night Country below: True Detective: Night Country will stream in Australia Monday, January 15, 2024 via Binge in Australia and Neon in New Zealand.
Life has been a cabaret for one of the world's inimitable designers since 2018, when Jean Paul Gaultier's Fashion Freak Show first premiered in Paris. Couture, colour, flair, excess, passion, a larger-than-life attitude: they're all channelled into this fashion show-meets-musical revue that steps through its namesake's career and promises a time at the theatre like nothing else. More than 200 original Gaultier pieces feature. His 50 years making threads are in the spotlight. Unsurprisingly, the whole thing also plays out like a party. So far, London, Tokyo, Munich, Porto, Lisbon, Milan, Barcelona and Osaka have also revelled in the Jean Paul Gaultier's Fashion Freak Show experience. Next, it's Brisbane's turn. The River City will welcome the Australian debut of the show — and the Aussie-exclusive season, too — during Brisbane Festival 2024. Donning attire that Gaultier would approve of isn't a prerequisite of attending the production, but you know that you want to dress the part if you're heading along. Jean Paul Gaultier's Fashion Freak Show will kick off with Brisbane Festival itself, starting on Friday, August 30. The Australian season runs until Sunday, September 15, taking over the South Bank Piazza — which forms part of the Festival Garden for the duration of Brisbane Festival. Of course Jean Paul Gaultier's Fashion Freak Show emphasises its titular figure's boundary-pushing work, his focus on individual expression, and his championing of queer aesthetics and LGBTQIA+ causes. Alongside the hefty range of outfits, it also features a suitable genre-defying soundtrack of disco, funk, pop, rock, new wave and punk tunes as actors and dancers — plus circus artists as well — take to the stage. The diverse cast of faces bringing the show to life spans even further, too, with celebrities and other special guests filming cameos that play during the production.
Sebastian Goldspink was born and raised in Kings Cross, Sydney. In 2011, he opened ALASKA Projects in an abandoned mechanic's office in the basement of a Kings Cross Car Park. In its first year of operations ALASKA Projects has shown the work of over 100 artists, and is committed to showcasing emerging art in disused or under-utilised spaces. In December 2012, ALASKA Projects will tour its first exhibition internationally to artist run space Good Children in New Orleans, USA. In 2011, Sebastian was asked to speak as part of Creative Sydney's lecture series of Australia's most influential image makers. He regularly contributes to panels as a speaker, most recently as part of the SAMAG panel ‘Thinking outside the white cube’. As an administrator, Sebastian has worked for various organisations including the Biennale of Sydney, MCA, MoNA, and now, in his current position, Art Month Sydney. We asked him to tell us about his five favourite spots in Sydney that are a little off the beaten path: the hideaways that have always been just around your corner. 1. Garden Island Board the Watson's Bay ferry from Circular Quay and casually tell one of the ferry guys that you wish to get off at Garden Island. The ferry will make a stop just for you and chances are you'll be the only person getting off. On Garden Island you'll find a cafe and some of the best views of Sydney Harbour, and there is also a strange little naval history museum. Great to take visitors to Sydney. 2. 21 Espresso Double Bay Since 1958 this Double Bay Jewish soul food emporium has been serving up amazing Hungarian food to homesick Eastern Europeans and their children, grand children, great grand children… I like the gypsy platter for two, the lemon pancakes, the mish mash coffee, the sides of creamed spinach and, when I'm sick, the matzo ball soup dusted in paprika. 3. Domain Car Park Travelator The longest moving walkway in the Southern Hemisphere is hidden underground between St Mary's Cathedral and the Domain Car Park. Super scary at night. You can pretend you're in Luc Besson's film Subway. 4. Woollahra Library, Double Bay/Bellevue Hill Amazing library in Bellevue Hill with beautiful gardens and grounds right next to the glamourous Seven Shillings beach and Redleaf pool. Wander around the gardens which are filled with great hidden areas. Fantastic for kids. Take a swim at Seven Shillings beach or year round at Redleaf pool. 5. Alaska Projects Hidden within the Kings Cross car park, Alaska Projects is a contemporary art space built in a disused mechanics workshop. The space has a busy program of exhibitions of Sydney's top emerging artists as well as interstate and international artists. Alaska also holds regular music nights and film screenings and is embarking on a theatrical program. Upcoming at ALASKA: Anything, Everything and One Other Thing (Parts 1-5)Curated by Tom PoloFeaturing Dan Bell, George Egerton-Warburton, Leahlani Johnson, Kenny Pittock and Kate Smith.Exhibition Opening: Wed 25th Jul 6-8PM. Continues from Wednesday 25th July to Sunday 5th August.alaskaprojects.com
Going to the theatre used to be a ceremonious occasion. Gloves were worn, bow-ties were tied in bows, and monocles were skillfully balanced on noses. Now there are jeans, mixed demographics trying to pull off various fashions, and well, there are still glasses but some of them are filled with cleanskin wine. It can be expensive to see a show, so here’s a guide of when and where to go to get some culture into your life, without having to eat noodles for the remainder of the week. Belvoir St Theatre Where: 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills Who: Belvoir has been nurturing Australian works and artists for 25 years, with a rich history of outstanding plays under its belt. They have two theatre spaces — Upstairs and the smaller, cosier Downstairs. How: Both Upstairs and Downstairs have student rush tickets — they're on Tuesday evenings and Saturday matinees — to be purchased on the day. Upstairs Theatre is a touch more expensive, costing $42 for previews/concessions, and student rush is $29. Downstairs, however, is only $32 for previews/concessions, and student rush tickets are $25. Griffin Theatre Where: SBW Stables, 10 Nimrod Street, Kings Cross Who: Nestled on Nimrod St in Kings Cross since 1979, Griffin offers fantastic new Australian works and contemporary theatre. How: You can still get a ticket for a mere $15 on Monday nights from 6pm. The only catch is that you have to line up to get a ticket — and people start lining up at 5:30pm, so get there early. Sydney Theatre Company Where: Pier 4/5, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay Who: STC has been a major force in Australian drama since its establishment in 1978, staging an annual 12-play program. How: STC offers Under 30 tickets for all mainstage productions for $35 and, if all seats are sold out, standing room tickets for $30 available two hours before the show. Old Fitzroy Theatre Where: 129 Dowling St, Woolloomooloo Who: The Old Fitz, home to one of Sydney’s first independent live theatre companies, the Tamarama Rock Surfers, has been staging independent Australian theatre since 1997. How: Tickets to previews or 'cheap Tuesdays' throughout the season are just $21. Their famous 'beer, laksa and show' deal has been superceded by the 'beer, meal and show' deal with the opening of the new bistro. It comes in at $34 on ‘cheap Tuesdays' and $41 on all other nights. Darlinghurst Theatre Where: 19 Greenknowe Avenue, Potts Point Who: They've staged over 120 shows since starting producing diverse artistic visions in 2001. How: Darlinghurst Theatre has 'Wallet Friendly Wednesdays' for artist and industry folks, when all tickets are $21 but must be purchased from 10am on the day of the performance. Throughout a production's run students pay $33. Bell Shakespeare Where: Often but not always at the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre. Who: John Bell’s company that has been breathing new life into Shakespearean plays since 1990. How: Youth Under 30 tickets for all productions are less than half the price of a full ticket; however, their availability is dependent on each production so it's best you call up (02 8298 9000) and enquire before heading out. CarriageWorks Where: 245 Wilson St (cnr Codrington St), Eveleigh Who: CarriageWorks is a wonderful and unique space that puts on great contemporary theatre from local and international artists from various cultures and communities. How: With previews and concession prices varying depending on the production, they do have $20 student rush tickets for some performances, to be bought from the box office one hour prior to the show, generally on a Tuesday or a Wednesday within the season. New Theatre Where: 542 King Street, Newtown Who: Working under the mantra "Always real. Always raw. Always New", Newtown’s New Theatre is a visceral theatre experience, full of heart and driven by passion. How: They have a student rush ticket price of $17 every night. During the run they also have Pay What You Can nights ($10 min). Usually this is the first Sun after opening for New Theatre shows and every Tuesday for their Spare Room season (independent companies). They also have normal student pricing $20 for recognised Acting Schools, Universities and Colleges and SUDS (Sydney University Drama Society). Finally, if your wallet is too light and your fingers are click-savvy, get onto the HalfTix website for theatre tickets that are on offer at 30-40 percent off full price. Want to know what's on these stages right now? Check our performance section.
For the past 30 years, the Terminus Hotel, a 177-year-old pub in Pyrmont, has been an enigma to passersby, its facade overgrown with vines, its windows boarded up and its doors bolted. Yet, back in the 1840s, it was one of the city's most boisterous drinking spots. Situated at the very end of the tram line (hence the name), the pub was a favourite stop for workers keen for a beer — or several — after a hard day's yakka. In 2016, business partners David Mathlin and Binu Katari decided to bring the old girl back to life. Downstairs, drop an elbow on the marble-topped Tram Bar and order a craft beer, such as a signature Terminus Lager or a French sparkling wine. Alternatively, head into the cosy courtyard. Either way, you'll be able to watch the open glass-walled kitchen in full flight. Upstairs, there's a classy cocktail bar named after Vera Dempsey, a tough, buxom woman who ran the Terminus in the 1930s. The light-filled space spills out onto a roomy, sun-dappled terrace, with a retractable rooftop, for when those all-too-familiar Sydney downpours suddenly hit. And, should you just so happen to find yourself partying like it's the 1840s, you can stay the night in one of the Terminus's cute boutique budget rooms, bookable via Airbnb. Heading up the kitchen is Turkish-born chef Bektas Mustafa Ozcan, who's worked at Anason, Chiswick and Jamie's Italian. His menu features both fancied-up Aussie pub classics and moreish Mediterranean share plates. There are three ways to eat at the Terminus. If you're peckish, go for a bar snack, such as a rolled cigar 'borek' (pastry filled with mushroom and three cheeses) or grilled sumac-cured calamari with chickpeas and sorrel. If you're starving — but don't want to share — choose a poshed-up pub classic, like fried flathead with chips and aioli or the mighty Terminus burger. And, if you're ready to settle in with some friends, order share plates. The slow-roasted, oyster-cut lamb shoulder with smoky eggplant caviar and pickles is hard to go past. Meanwhile, the cocktail list is made up of creative takes on classics. The Terminus Sour, for example, is Chivas 12 Whisky and Pernod Absinthe, shaken with fresh lemon juice and house-made thyme syrup, then strained over ice. Then there's the Blood Orange Margarita: Altos Plata tequila, Solerno Blood orange liqueur and Campari shaken with fresh lime juice and a dash of agave syrup, then strained. You're welcome to drink your favourite cocktail wherever you like, but, if you're looking for the best spot to linger and chat, climb up the staircase to Vera's. Images: Kitti Smallbone
So much to see, so little time. If hitting the couch is one of your favourite ways to unwind, that'll be a familiar refrain. Now that there are far more streaming services to choose from than we each have fingers and toes, finding something to watch is never a problem — and in 2022, there's been a lengthy list of excellent shows worthy of your attention. Some have tapped into our struggles with work-life balance in chilling and thrilling ways. Others have made hearts soar and swoon several times over. Also on this year's must-see list: multiple shows that dance with exceptional movies, a behind-the-scenes television great doing what he does best, porn for women, spectacularly lifelike dinosaurs and murder-mysteries. And, they're just some of 2022's standouts. Haven't been able to watch all of the year's ace new arrivals thanks to life getting in the way? Not quite sure where to start? With 2022 now at its midway point, here are our picks of the year's 15 best new television and streaming shows — consider it your catch-up list over the next six months. SEVERANCE It's the ultimate in work-life balance, an antidote to non-stop after-hours emails and Slack messages, and a guaranteed way to ensure what happens at work stays at work. In mind-bending thriller series Severance — which plays like Black Mirror meets the Charlie Kaufman-penned Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, with Wes Anderson's aesthetic if he designed soulless office complexes, plus sprinklings of everything from George Orwell to also-excellent 2020 TV effort Devs — switching off when clocking off at Lumon Industries is easy. There's a brain implant for exactly that, and it's a condition of employment on "severed" floors. Accordingly, when quittin' time comes for Macrodata Refinement division employee Mark (Adam Scott, Big Little Lies), he physically steps into a tiny, shiny elevator to re-enter his after-hours life; however, the version of him that works for Lumon won't recall anything beyond the company's walls. The instant that the lift starts moving, it goes back to the office for Mark's "innie", as his work-bound consciousness is dubbed. Voila, it's clocking-on time once more. Severance's attention-grabbing premise springs from creator Dan Erickson, a TV first-timer, and understands how most folks feel about the nine-to-five grind. The show is knowing in its lead casting, too, given that Scott is best recognised for two workplace comedies: the joyous hug that is Parks and Recreation, as well as the acerbic, astute and soon-to-return Party Down. But as savvily and evocatively directed by Ben Stiller in its first three season-one episodes (and again in its last three, with Kissing Candice filmmaker Aoife McArdle helming three in the middle), Scott's new series dwells in 'be careful what you wish for' territory. For the part of Mark's brain that blanks out work, Severance initially seems like heaven. For the half that only knows the office, it's hell. For everyone watching, soaking in its twisty mysteries — and enjoying Patricia Arquette (The Act), Christopher Walken (Percy vs Goliath) and John Turturro (The Plot Against America) as fellow Lumon employees — it's a surreal and riveting must-see. Severance is available to stream via Apple TV+. Read our full review. IRMA VEP One of 2022's most magnificent new shows, and a cinephile's dream of a series, Irma Vep requires some unpacking. The term 'layered' has rarely ever applied to a TV program quite as it does here. French filmmaker Olivier Assayas (Clouds of Sils Maria, Personal Shopper) retraces his own footsteps, turning his cult-favourite 1996 movie of the same name into an Alicia Vikander-starring HBO miniseries. And, in this series itself, a director is also remaking one of his own past flicks as a television project. In all versions of Irma Vep, the movies and shows being made are also remakes of 1915–16 French crime effort Les Vampires. It was a ten-episode, seven-hour cinema serial, and it's supremely real. Indeed, by first helming a feature about remaking Les Vampires, and now a series about remaking a movie that remakes Les Vampires (which, IRL, is also a remake of a movie that remakes Les Vampires), Assayas keeps remaking Les Vampires in his own way. It all sounds exactly as complicated as it is — and Assayas loves it. Viewers should, too. The nested dolls that are Irma Vep's meta setup just keep stacking, actually. The 1996 Irma Vep starred Maggie Cheung, who'd later become Assayas' wife, then ex-wife — and the 2022 Irma Vep haunts its on-screen filmmaker René Vidal (Vincent Macaigne, Non-Fiction) with visions of his ex-wife Jade Lee (Vivian Wu, Dead Pigs), who, yes, led his movie. If you're a fan of word puzzles, you might've also noticed that Irma Vep is an anagram of vampire; that said, Les Vampires isn't actually about bloodsuckers, and nor is any iteration of Irma Vep. To add to the list, while Cheung played a version of herself, Vikander (Blue Bayou, The Green Knight) plays fictional American star Mira — a name that's an anagram of Irma. You can also take that moniker literally, because mirroring is patently a pivotal aspect of the brilliant Irma Vep in every guise. Irma Vep is available to stream via Binge. Read our full review. WE OWN THIS CITY For the past 20 years, we've all fallen into two categories: people who've seen, loved and haven't been able to stop raving about HBO's Baltimore-set masterpiece The Wire; and folks who don't tick any of those boxes but have been told by everyone who does that they really need to watch it ASAP. We Own This City deserves to spark the same response — and shares many of its predecessor's key pieces. It too takes place in Maryland's most populous city. It also follows a law-and-order battle, complete with time spent within the Baltimore Police Department. It springs from former Baltimore Sun police reporter-turned-author, journalist and TV writer/producer David Simon as well, and sees him reteam with writer George Pelecanos, a veteran of not only The Wire but also Simon's Treme and The Deuce. Oh, and as it tells a compulsive crime tale, it's packed with phenomenal performances. One of those astonishing portrayals is among the first thing that viewers see, in fact, with We Own This City opening with Sergeant Wayne Jenkins lecturing new recruits on the BPD Gun Trace Task Force. Chatting through how to legally do the job — how to get away with what he deems necessary, that is — Jon Bernthal (The Many Saints of Newark) is hypnotically unsettling as Jenkins, who'll become the focus of a corruption investigation for his methods. He isn't the only "prime example of what's gone wrong in Baltimore," as viewers are told. So is Daniel Hersl (Josh Charles, The Loudest Voice), who is initially glimpsed pulling over and terrorising a Black driver for no other reason than that he can. Department of Justice Civil Rights Department attorney Nicole Steele (Wunmi Mosaku, Lovecraft Country) is charged with tracking the force's bad eggs, and that's just one of this complex, revealing and arresting six-part miniseries' layers. And if it feels so detailed that it could only be true, that's because it's based on a non-fiction book by Justin Fenton another ex-Baltimore Sun reporter. We Own This City is available to stream via Binge. MINX When home video, the internet and mobile phones with inbuilt cameras each arrived, six words could've been uttered: get ready to look at dicks. HBO comedy Minx is set the early 70s, so before all three, but the same phrase also applies here. It's true of the show itself, which isn't shy about displaying the male member in various shapes and sizes. It also stands tall in the world that Minx depicts. When you're making the first porn magazine for women — and, when you're making an ambitious, entertaining and impeccably cast The Deuce meets Mrs America-style series about it, but lighter, sweeter and funnier (and all purely fictional) — penises are inescapable. Also impossible to avoid in Minx: questions like "are erections consistent with our philosophy?", as asked by Vassar graduate and country club regular Joyce Prigger (Ophelia Lovibond, Trying). Idolising the magazine industry and unhappily working for the dispiritingly traditional Teen Queen, she has long dreamed of starting her own feminist publication — even penning a bundle of articles and making her own issues — but centrefolds splashed with male genitalia don't fit her ideal pitch. No one's buying what Joyce is selling, though; The Matriarchy Awakens, her dream mag, gets rejected repeatedly by the industry's gatekeepers. Only one is interested: Bottom Dollar Publications' Doug Renetti (Jake Johnson, Ride the Eagle), but he's in the pornography business. Minx is available to stream via Stan. Read our full review. OUR FLAG FLAG MEANS DEATH In the on-screen sea that is the never-ending list of films and television shows constantly vying for eyeballs, Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby have frequently proven gem-dappled treasure islands. When the immensely funny New Zealand talents have collided, their resumes have spanned four of the most endearing comic hits of the big and small screens in the 21st century so far, aka Flight of the Conchords, What We Do in the Shadows, Wellington Paranormal and Hunt for the Wilderpeople — and now, with pirate parody Our Flag Means Death, they've given viewers another gleaming jewel. This show was always going to swashbuckle its way into streaming must-see lists — and into comedy-lovers' hearts — based on its concept alone, but it more than lives up to its winning idea and winsome casting. Come for the buccaneering banter and seafaring satire, stay for a thoughtful and sincere comic caper that's also a rom-com. The inimitable Darby stars as Stede Bonnet, a self-styled 'gentleman pirate' and a great approximation of Flight of the Conchords' Murray if he'd existed centuries earlier. Meanwhile, Waititi dons leather, dark hues aplenty, an air of bloodthirsty melancholy and an eye-catching head of greying hair as Edward Teach, the marauder better known to the world as Blackbeard. The two real-life figures eventually cross paths after Bonnet leaves his life of wealth, privilege and comfort to rove the oceans, captains a ship staffed by a motley crew to end all motley crews, and initially gets captured by Blackbeard — or Ed, as he calls him. As these two opposites bond, riding the waves from adversaries to co-captains to potentially something more, Our Flag Means Death truly and gloriously opens up its warm heart. Our Flag Means Death is available to stream via Binge. Read our full review. THE AFTERPARTY Only Murders in the Building isn't the only new comic murder-mystery series worth streaming from the past year or so. Joining it is The Afterparty, which also sports a killer cast — this time Sam Richardson (Detroiters), Ben Schwartz (Space Force), Zoe Chao (Love Life), Ilana Glazer (Broad City), Ike Barinholtz (The Mindy Project), Dave Franco (If Beale Street Could Talk) and Tiffany Haddish (The Card Counter) — and a savvy spin on an oft-used gimmick. Rather than skewering true-crime podcasting, this quickly addictive comedy from writer/director Christopher Miller (The Lego Movie) toys with the reality that every tale differs depending on the perspective. Whodunnits always hinge upon that fact, and Miller has also clearly seen iconic Japanese film Rashomon. And, considering that its big murder takes place after a school function, there's a touch of Big Little Lies at play, too. With his directing partner Phil Lord, Miller has made a career out of getting smart and funny with familiar parts, however, and that doesn't change here. The setup: at the afterparty following his 15-year high-school reunion, obnoxious autotune-abusing pop star Xavier (Franco) winds up dead on the rocks beneath his lavish mansion. Enter the determined Detective Danner (Haddish), who starts grilling his former classmates one by one to find out who's responsible. Her interrogations start with the sensible Aniq (the always-great Richardson), who was hoping to finally make a move on his schoolyard crush Zoe (Chao) — and after his version of events, Danner hears from Zoe's macho ex Brett (Barinholtz) in The Afterparty's second episode, then from Aniq's best bud Yasper (Schwartz, riffing on Parks and Recreation's Jean-Ralphio without being quite as ridiculous), and so on. The cast is top-notch, the writing is clever, there's much fun to be had with its genre- and perspective-bending premise, and the throwaway gags are simply glorious. The Afterparty is available to stream via Apple TV+. Read our full review. HEARTSTOPPER It only takes minutes for British newcomer Heartstopper to explain its title — showing rather than telling, as all great shows should. A year ten student at Truham Grammar School for Boys, Charlie Spring (first-timer Joe Locke) finds himself seated in his form class next to year 11 rugby player Nick Nelson (Kit Connor, Little Joe). Sparks fly on the former's part, swiftly and overwhelmingly, with the eight-part series' graphic-novel origins inspiring a flurry of fluttering animated hearts on-screen. But Charlie has a secret boyfriend, Ben (Sebastian Croft, Doom Patrol), who won't even acknowledge him in public. He also hardly thinks of himself as sporty, even after Nick asks him to join the school team. And, while a friendship quickly solidifies between the two, Charlie is initially unsure whether anything more can happen — and anxiety-riddled in general. As well as writing Heartstopper's source material — which initially started as a webcomic — Alice Oseman pens every episode of this perceptive teenage-focused gem. From the outset, it bubbles with heartwarming charm, while its coming-of-age story and central love story alike prove wholly relatable, aptly awkward but also wonderfully sweet and sensitive. In short, it's a series that plunges so convincingly and inclusively into its characters' experiences that it feels like its heart is constantly beating with affection for Charlie, Nick, and their fellow high-schoolers Tao (fellow debutant William Gao), Elle (Yasmin Finney), Isaac (Tobie Donovan), Tara (Corinna Brown, Daphne) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell). First crushes, young love, the swirling swell of emotions that comes with both and also figuring out who you are: all of this dances through Heartstopper's frames. Also, when Oscar-winner Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter) pops up, she's glorious as always. Heartstopper is available to stream via Netflix. Read our full review. PREHISTORIC PLANET Five episodes, one comforting voice, and a time-travelling trip back 66 million years: that's the setup behind Prehistoric Planet, an utterly remarkable feels-like-you're-there dive into natural history. Having none other than David Attenborough narrate the daily activities of dinosaurs seems like it should've happened already, of course; however, now that it finally is occurring, it's always both wonderful and stunning. Filled with astonishing footage on par with the visuals that usually accompany Attenborough's nature docos, all thanks to the special effects team behind The Jungle Book and The Lion King, it truly is a wonder to look at. It needs to be: if the Cretaceous-era dinosaurs rampaging across the screen didn't appear like they genuinely could be walking and stalking — and fighting, foraging for food, hunting, flying, swimming and running as well — the magic that typically comes with watching an Attenborough-narrated doco would instantly and disappointingly vanish. Welcome to... your new insight into Tyrannosaurus rex foreplay, your latest reminder that velociraptors really don't look like they do in the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World flicks, an entertaining time spent with al kinds of animals, and your next favourite dinosaur project with an Attenborough attached. Each of Prehistoric Planet's five instalments focuses on a different type of terrain — coasts, deserts, freshwater, ice and forests — and chats through the creatures that call it home. Set to a spirited original score by Hans Zimmer, fresh from winning his latest Oscar for Dune, there's a formula at work. That said, it's no more blatant than in any David Attenborough-hosted show. Viewers watch as some dinos look after their young, others try to find a mate, plenty search for something to eat and others attempt not to be eaten. The same kinds of activities are covered in each episode, but the locations and dinosaurs involved all change. Prehistoric Planet is available to stream via Apple TV+. Read our full review. LOOT Aptly given its title, new Apple TV+ sitcom Loot doesn't look cheap — or sound it. It's partly filmed in one of America's biggest private homes, an enormous mansion with 21 bedrooms, five pools, a bowling alley and a cinema. It's filled with well-known needle drops that come quickly and often, with one episode featuring three Daft Punk tracks alone. It couldn't scream louder or drip harder with excess; the series is about a mega-rich tech whiz's wife who gets $87 billion in their public and messy breakup, after all. And, it is inescapably made by a company that's a big technology behemoth itself, and has been splashing stacks of cash to build its streaming roster (see: The Morning Show, Ted Lasso, Severance, Physical, Prehistoric Planet, Foundation, The Shrink Next Door, Shining Girls, Slow Horses, Lisey's Story and more). Loot is also clearly a satire, however, and a canny, warm and funny one at that. The premise: amid being gifted a mega yacht for her birthday, then jumping to a party in that aforementioned sprawling home, Molly Novak (Maya Rudolph, Big Mouth) discovers that her husband John (Adam Scott, Severance) is cheating on her. Post-divorce, after that huge settlement and a stint of partying around the globe with her assistant Nicholas (Joel Kim Booster, Fire Island), she gets a call from Sofia Salinas (Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Pose), the head of the foundation she's forgotten bears her name (and even exists). With Molly's drunken decadence all over the news, the charity is finding it difficult to do its work. So, the organisation's namesake decides to ditch the revelry — and her married moniker, becoming Molly Wells — and put all that dough to better use. She also commits to playing an active role in how her funds can truly help people. Loot is available to stream via Apple TV+. Read our full review. TOKYO VICE Seven years after making his most recent movie, aka 2015's Chris Hemsworth-starring Blackhat, one of America's best directors is finally back behind the lens. Thief, Heat, The Insider and Collateral filmmaker Michael Mann only helms Tokyo Vice's pilot, but what a tone-setting debut episode it is — as stylish and gritty a piece of television as you're likely to stream any time soon, in fact. Mann also serves as the eight-part book-to-screen series' executive producer, which explains why its slice of neon-lit Japanese-set noir always feels like it bears his fingerprints. Of course, the show isn't shy about its links to the director, who also executive produced the original 1980s TV series Miami Vice, and wrote and directed the 2006 big-screen remake. That said, Tokyo Vice's moniker actually stems from Jake Adelstein's memoir Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan, about his years writing for Yomiuri Shimbun as a non-Japanese journalist. Nonetheless, everything about the HBO-backed program feels as if it was always fated to end up in Mann's hands. Adelstein was Yomiuri Shimbun's first foreign staff writer, with Tokyo Vice exploring his quest to cement himself inside the publication from the bottom up. As played by West Side Story's Ansel Elgort, Adelstein always stands out, as does his dogged determination to chase the stories he's explicitly instructed to ignore. Murders don't happen in Japan, he's told. What he's witnessing screams otherwise, though. So, he starts spending his own time investigating, befriending Tokyo organised crime division detective Hiroto Katagiri (Ken Watanabe, Godzilla: King of the Monsters) for guidance, and also getting close to club hostess and fellow American-in-Tokyo Samantha Porter (Rachel Keller, Legion), plus jaded Yakuza enforcer Sato (Shô Kasamatsu, Love You as the World Ends). Elgort is the weakest part of the series, but that also suits the overall narrative and its focus on the city's underworld — and everything around him, including Rinko Kikuchi (Pacific Rim: Uprising) and Hideaki Itô (Memoirs of a Murderer), is stellar. Tokyo Vice is available to stream via Paramount+. Read our full review. PACHINKO When novels are turned into movies, there's usually a sense that's something is missing, no matter how fantastic the film proves. That's understandable; when you compare the time it takes to unfurl a story on the page with the usual running time of a feature — even a lengthy one — not everything can make the leap from book to screen. Named for the gambling machines that fill Japanese arcades, Pachinko turns author and journalist Min Jin Lee's award-winning text into an eight-part series instead, and it's a canny and clever move. So too is getting filmmakers Kogonada and Justin Chon to direct four instalments apiece, both coming off fantastic work via After Yang and Blue Bayou respectively. And, adding to the smart and savvy choices made by this immediately engrossing series, which unfurls a sweeping, 20th century-set, multi-generational tale about struggle, resilience and endurance: casting always-wonderful Minari Oscar-winner Youn Yuh-jung — as well as newcomer Kim Min-ha as the younger version of her character. Youn and Kim play Sunja (and, as a child, first-timer Yuna does as well), who anchors a story that's both impressively sprawling and devastatingly intimate. As a girl, she grows up in Japanese-occupied Korea, a fact that shapes every part of her young life. When she's older, she moves to Japan — and by the time that she's a grandmother, that's where the bulk of her existence has unfolded. Jumping between different periods, Pachinko charts how the shadow of colonial rule has lingered over not just Sunja but the family she's brought into the world, including in the 80s where her grandson Solomon (Jin Ha, Devs) works in finance in New York and her son Mozasu (Soji Arai, Cobra Kai) has made his way thanks to the titular game. Splashing an epic story told with emotion, resonance, insight and elegance across the screen, this is at the pinnacle of novel-to-screen adaptations. Pachinko is available to stream via Apple TV+. SLOW HORSES One of several espionage-themed efforts hitting streaming this year — see also: the returning The Flight Attendant and movie All the Old Knives — Slow Horses gives the genre a pivotal switch and entertaining shake up. It's still a tense thriller, kicking off with an airport incident and then following a kidnapping, but it's also about the kind of spies that don't usually populate the on-screen world of covert operatives. Stationed away from the main MI5 base at a rundown, clandestine office called Slough House, Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman, The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard) and his team are the agency's rejects. They haven't been fired for a multitude of reasons, however, including boasting ties to influential past employees, being great at their jobs but also a drunk and having impressive hacking skills yet proving impossible to get along with. Given the nickname that gives the show its moniker, usually they do little more than push paper, too, until they get caught up in a high-profile case. Oldman goes big and broad as Lamb, and he's also ceaselessly absorbing to watch, but Slow Horses isn't short on stars. In a six-episode first season adapted from Mick Herron's 2010 novel of the same name, Kristin Scott Thomas (Rebecca) plays MI5 Deputy Director-General Diana Taverner, Lamb's supremely competent head-office counterpart — although it's Jack Lowden (Fighting with My Family) and Olivia Cooke (Pixie) as young operatives River Cartwright and Sid Baker, and their efforts to chase down a lead they're not meant to, that's at the forefront. Behind the scenes, executive producer and writer Will Smith (not that one) brings a sly and witty way with dialogue from his past work on The Thick of It and Veep, making Slow Horses both crackingly suspenseful and tartly amusing. The slinky theme tune by Mick Jagger also helps set the mood — and season two is already in development. Slow Horses is available to stream via Apple TV+. THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH Who'd want to try to step into the one and only David Bowie's shoes? Only the brave and the bold. Two people earn that description in The Man Who Fell to Earth, the new TV sequel to the iconic 1976 movie that starred the music legend in the role he was clearly born to play: an alien who descends upon earth and ch-ch-changes history. Bill Nighy (Buckley's Chance) is charged with taking over the character of Thomas Jerome Newton and, thankfully and with style, he's up to the task. Chiwetel Ejiofor (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) slides into the same kind of part that Bowie owned in the original, however, as fellow extra-terrestrial interloper Faraday. He's this follow-up's newcomer to the planet, and he's just as destined to do big things. That's not a spoiler — early in the first episode, Faraday addresses a massive crowd like he's Steve Jobs announcing Apple's latest product, and The Man Who Fell to Earth's tech success uses the occasion to spin his origin story. Who'd want to try to pick up where one of the best sci-fi films ever made left off? That'd also be the brave and the bold, aka Clarice creators Jenny Lumet and Alex Kurtzman. Drawing inspiration from silver screen gems is obviously the pair's niche of late, but it's worth remembering with this new effort — which takes its cues from Walter Tevis' 1963 novel of the same name, too — that Kurtzman was also behind exceptional 2008–13 sci-fi series Fringe. Indeed, The Man Who Fell to Earth 2.0 feels like the perfect use of his talents, with the series thinking big and brimming with urgency in its vision of a world that might only be able to be saved by a spaceboy who truly cares about stopping climate change's damage. To follow through with his mission, though, Faraday also needs the help of former MIT physics whiz Justin Falls (Naomie Harris, No Time to Die). The Man Who Fell to Earth is available to stream via Paramount+. OUTER RANGE Some shows commence with a dead girl wrapped in plastic. Others begin with a plane crash on a spooky island. With Outer Range, it all kicks off with a void. On the Abbott family ranch in Wyoming, in the western reach that gives the show its name, a chasm suddenly appears. A perfect circle swirling with otherworldly mist and resembling an oversized golf hole, it's just one of several troubles plaguing patriarch Royal (Josh Brolin, Dune), however. There is indeed a touch of Twin Peaks and Lost to Outer Range. A dash of Yellowstone, The Twilight Zone, The X-Files and whichever family-focused prime-time soap opera takes your fancy, too. As a result, while Royal is visibly disconcerted by the unexpected opening staring at him in an otherwise ordinary field in this intriguing, quickly entrancing and supremely well-acted eight-part series — a show that makes ideal use of Brolin especially — he has other worries. His rich, ostentatious and increasingly madcap neighbour Wayne Tillerson (Will Patton, Halloween Kills) suddenly wants a parcel of the Abbotts' turf, claiming mapping inaccuracies. One of Tillerson's mouthy and entitled sons, Trevor (Matt Lauria, CSI: Vegas), ends up in a bar spat with Royal's sons Rhett (Lewis Pullman, Top Gun: Maverick) and Perry (Tom Pelphrey, Mank). And there's also the matter of Perry's missing wife, who disappeared nine months back, leaving both her husband and their young daughter Amy (Olive Abercrombie, The Haunting of Hill House) searching since. Plus, into this sea of faith-testing chaos amid such serene and dreamlike scenery, a stranger arrives as well: "hippie chick" backpacker Autumn Rivers (Imogen Poots, The Father). She just wants to camp for a few days on the Abbotts' stunning and sprawling land, she says, but she's a key part in a show that's a ranch-dwelling western, an offbeat enigma, an eerie sci-fi, a detective quest and a thriller all at once. Outer Range is available to stream via Prime Video. Read our full review. THE DROPOUT Dramatising the Theranos scandal, eight-part miniseries The Dropout is one of several high-profile releases this year to relive a wild true-crime tale — including the Anna Delvey-focused Inventing Anna, about the fake German heiress who conned her way through New York City's elite, and also documentary The Tinder Swindler, which steps through defrauding via dating app at the hands of Israeli imposter Simon Leviev. It also dives into the horror-inducing Dr Death-esque realm, because when a grift doesn't just mess with money and hearts, but with health and lives, it's pure nightmare fuel. And, it's the most gripping of the bunch, even though we're clearly living in peak scandal-to-screen times. Scam culture might be here to stay as Inventing Anna told us in a telling line of dialogue, but it isn't enough to just gawk its way — and The Dropout and its powerful take truly understands this. To tell the story of Theranos, The Dropout has to tell the story of Elizabeth Holmes, the Silicon Valley biotech outfit's founder and CEO from the age of 19. Played by a captivating, career-best Amanda Seyfried — on par with her Oscar-nominated work in Mank, but clearly in a vastly dissimilar role — the Steve Jobs-worshipping Holmes is seen explaining her company's name early in its first episode. It's derived from the words "therapy" and "diagnosis", she stresses, although history already dictates that it offered little of either. Spawned from Holmes' idea to make taking blood simpler and easier, using just one drop from a small finger prick, it failed to deliver, lied about it copiously and still launched to everyday consumers, putting important medical test results in jeopardy. The Dropout is available to stream via Disney+. Read our full review. Looking for more viewing highlights? Check out our list of film and TV streaming recommendations, which is updated monthly. We also keep a running list of must-stream TV from across the year so far, complete with full reviews.
Eye. Aperture. Descender. Spine. A weird collection of words, but for a typographer (or a publication nerd like me) they make perfect sense together. Every letter of the alphabet can be split into components which can be moulded and shaped, cut and stretched to create unique typefaces. Having been exposed to so many for so long, we don't actually realise how much of an impact fonts have on our perception of the world around us. For those of us too busy to enrol in a graphic design course but still passionate about learning more there is Typography Insight. The iPad application allows you to get up close and personal, and thereby understand the amazing cratsmanship that goes into making ordinary letters into extraordinary fonts. The resource is encyclopedic in depth, You can be guided through font terminology, compare fonts, or just admire the intricacies that only a super close-up can offer. The designer Dong Yoon Park ask: "How can the cold and rigid design approach of many top-notch technologies be turned into warmer and friendlier interfaces?" https://youtube.com/watch?v=wkoX0pEwSCw [via Gizmodo]
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas across the country. After months spent empty, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, Australian picture palaces are back in business — spanning 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, comedies, music documentaries, 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0UbkJD2KDY FRENCH EXIT "My plan was to die before the money ran out, but I kept and keep not dying — and here I am." When asked about her strategy as she faces financial ruin, that's Manhattan socialite Frances Price's (Michelle Pfeiffer, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil) frank response. Her fortune has dwindled, the banks are about to repossess everything she owns and she doesn't know what her now-precarious future holds; however, she's most annoyed about having to answer her financial advisor's exasperated questions. Conveying Frances' reply with little else but spikiness otherwise, Pfeiffer turns this early French Exit scene into a deadpan masterclass. The character's candour, irritation and sharp edges are all personality traits, rather than specific reactions to her current predicament, and Pfeiffer makes it clear that she'd still be spitting out acerbic retorts with the same poker face if Frances had been queried about absolutely anything else. She frequently does just that afterwards, in fact, and she's a caustic delight in this wry exploration of a familiar topic: weathering life's many disappointments. Widowed for a decade, and happy to keep cultivating an eccentric reputation as the years go on, Frances hasn't dedicated even a second to tangibly preparing for her present lack of funds. That said, she soon has another plan. Surreptitiously selling off her belongings as her accountant advises — and viciously haggling over commission rates in the process — she rustles up what cash she can and absconds to Paris, where a friend's empty apartment awaits rent-free. There, she reverts to her old approach. Once her remaining money has been frittered away on wine, coffee, and oversized tips to anyone and everyone, she doesn't see the point of going on. But her dysfunctionally codependent relationship with her twentysomething son Malcolm (Lucas Hedges, Waves), his on-and-off romance with his secret fiancée Susan (Imogen Poots, Black Christmas), and a new friendship with the lonely and besotted Madame Reynard (Valerie Mahaffey, Dead to Me) all add unexpected chaos to Frances' scheme, as does a cruise ship fortune teller (Danielle Macdonald, Unbelievable) and a runaway cat who just might be her reincarnated husband. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP2MlPwflX4 SAINT MAUD If humanity ever managed to cure or circumvent death — or even just stop being despairingly afraid of our own mortality — the horror genre would immediately feel the difference. Lives are frequently in peril in films that are meant to spook and frighten. Fears of dying underscore everything from serial killer thrillers and body horror flicks to stories of zombies, ghosts and vampires, too. Indeed, if a scary movie isn't pondering the fact that our days are inescapably finite, it's often contemplating our easily damaged and destroyed anatomy. Or, it's recognising that our species' darkest urges can bring about brutal and fatal repercussions, or noting that the desperation to avoid our expiration dates can even spark our demise. Accordingly, Saint Maud's obsession with death isn't a rarity in an ever-growing genre that routinely serves it up, muses on it and makes audiences do the same whether they always realise it or not. In an immensely crowded realm, this striking, instantly unsettling feature debut by British writer/director Rose Glass definitely stands out, though. Bumps, jumps, shocks and scares come in all manner of shapes and sizes, as do worries and anxieties about the end that awaits us all. In Saint Maud, they're a matter of faith. The eponymous in-home nurse (Dracula and His Dark Materials' Morfydd Clark) has it. She has enough to share, actually, which she's keen to do daily. Maud is devoted to three things: Christianity, helping those in her care physically and saving them spiritually. Alas, her latest cancer-stricken patient doesn't hold the same convictions, or appreciate them. Amanda (Jennifer Ehle, Vox Lux) isn't fond of Maud's fixation on her salvation or her strict judgements about her lifestyle. She knows her time is waning, her body is failing and that she needs Maud's help, but the celebrated ex-dancer and choreographer does not want to go gently or faithfully in that good night. Instead, she'd much prefer the solace that sex and alcohol brings over her palliative care nurse's intensely devout zeal. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=794vlC_wKJQ WHITE RIOT In 2020, as the world faced a crisis unlike any other in living memory, Gal Gadot led a bunch of fellow celebrities in an Instagram sing-along to John Lennon's 'Imagine'. The aim: to inspire a planet full of people grappling with suddenly living under lockdown. As no one could avoid (especially when we all had so little else to do and spent so much time glued to the news), the result was actually awkward and cringe-inducing. Perhaps punk rockers should've been trying to lift our spirits instead. Or, they could've used their talents and instruments to draw attention to a plethora of worthy causes — as Rock Against Racism did in the mid-to-late 70s. When right-wing views began to spread across Britain, a group of music lovers including Red Saunders, Roger Huddle, Jo Wreford and Pete Bruno decided to take action, waging a campaign to battle prejudice and discrimination. They didn't just choose to fight back via their favourite art form as an excuse to host gigs, though. From Eric Clapton to Rod Stewart, many of the country's music megastars of the era had all offered support to extremist views, and publicly. So, corralling a lineup of bands to help counter anti-immigration rhetoric became RAR's number one task, with the aim of bringing music fans together and discouraging them from adopting racist attitudes. Combining contemporary interviews, archival chats, a lively soundtrack, and a wealth of footage and photographs of its efforts in action nearly half a century ago, documentary White Riot chronicles RAR from its formation through to its 100,000-attendee 1978 national carnival — where The Clash, Tom Robinson Band, X-Ray Spex and Steel Pulse all played. Despite the movement's name, everything from reggae and soul to jazz and funk was also welcome. Britain's music lovers responded in a big way, travelling across the country to attend its gatherings and show their support for RAR's inclusive anti-hate message. Fluidly directed by first-time feature helmer Rubika Shah, White Riot steps through the grim reality of life in Britain at the time, to provide context to RAR's emphatic response. The film shows the abhorrent viewpoints uttered by politicians and their proponents, and the way in which Nazi imagery was worked into the far-right National Front party. Dense with detail, it also demonstrates how standing up to fascism was an almost-revolutionary act. If the footage had allowed it, Shah and co-writer Ed Gibbs could've made an entire docuseries about RAR and would've kept viewers glued to every second. In just 80 minutes, however, White Riot delivers a vital history lesson on a crucial piece of activism — as well as a reminder that inflammatory rhetoric always demands a response. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQaIf-Erj94 CRISIS Crisis examines America's opioid epidemic by piecing together three individual, occasionally overlapping tales. It also hits cinemas two decades to the month that the film it strongly resembles took home four Oscars. At the turn of the 21st century, Steven Soderbergh's Traffic focused on illegal narcotics rather than prescription pills, but the similarities between it and this pensive thriller from Arbitrage director Nicholas Jarecki are both striking and inescapable. Here, undercover DEA agent Jake Kelly (Armie Hammer, Rebecca) has been working to bring down a fentanyl smuggling operation. His sister Emmie (Lily-Rose Depp, The King) is an addict, so yes, it's personal. Also struggling is architect Claire Reimann (Evangeline Lilly, Avengers: Endgame), who has been hooked on oxycodone since an accident, attends support meetings but finds herself tested when her teenage son goes missing. Then there's Dr Tyrone Brower (Gary Oldman, Mank), a university professor who funds his research by testing new products for pharmaceutical companies. After his colleagues let his lab's trial of a new, supposedly non-addictive painkiller run a few days longer than asked, they discover that it can be fatal in mice — which company employee Dr Bill Simons (Luke Evans, Angel of Mine) is eager to keep quiet. Michelle Rodriguez (She Dies Tomorrow) also plays Jake's boss, Greg Kinnear (Misbehaviour) gives Tyrone a hard time as his disapproving college dean and Kid Cudi (Bill & Ted Face the Music) pops up an FDA employee on the latter's side — with Crisis lacking in neither stars nor good intentions. Writer/director Jarecki can't shake the familiar feeling that lingers throughout the film, though. Viewers have seen everything peddled here before, and with far more surprises and subtlety. If you've paid any attention to news headlines over the past few decades, you'll already know how insidious opioid use has become, and how ruthless and destructive the industry behind it is, too. Still, as well as evoking a been-there, seen-that sensation, Crisis often hits its emotional marks. A movie can connect easy-to-spot dots, hit obvious points vehemently and repetitively, and follow a predictable narrative — or narratives, in this case — and still offer up stirring moments and engaging performances. No one will be mentioning Crisis in another 20 years if another crime-thriller attempts to follow in Traffic's footsteps, but as 2021's take on the topic, it's watchable albeit unshakeably generic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hfUomtqljs THE GRIZZLIES When newly graduated teacher Russ Shepherd (Ben Schnetzer, Saint Judy) is sent to Kugluktuk, in the frosty Nunavut in Canada's north, he has two self-serving aims. By working in a remote area as part of a program that rewards anyone willing to take such postings, he's able to to pay back his school tuition fees. He's also hoping to use his time to secure a permanent spot at a prestigious private school down south. But Russ is still unsettled when he realises how few of his students are eager to engage in his lessons. Principal Janace (Tantoo Cardinal, Stumptown) doesn't enforce attendance, in fact, knowing that the school's pupils have chores to complete at home, families to provide for and traditional ways to uphold. She doesn't like to push the teens out of their comfort zones either, with the town's youth suicide rate the highest in North America, and dealing with intergenerational trauma also part of life in the community. Already a lacrosse devotee, Russ decides to try to start a school club to get his students motivated — a task he's instantly told will fail. But while the popular Zach (Paul Nutarariaq, Iqaluit) is initially apprehensive, as is hunter Adam (feature first-timer Ricky Marty-Pahtaykan) and the reserved Kyle (Booboo Stewart, Let Him Go), their involvement in the sport has an impact. Directed by feature debutant Miranda de Pencier, and scripted by Moira Walley-Beckett (Anne with an E) and Graham Yost (Justified), The Grizzlies draws upon the the true story of the team that gives the film its name. While steeped in reality, it also leans heavily upon the inspirational sports underdog playbook — but this rousing movie is never weighed down by its tropes or predictability. Strong, complicated performances from Nutarariaq, Marty-Pahtaykanv, Stewart and Emerald MacDonald, who plays the school's most conscientious student, all help immensely. Their characters wade through familiar beats, but they're never one-note. Indeed, The Grizzlies doesn't shy away from complexity on multiple levels, including in depicting the lack of hope blighting Kugluktuk's teenagers, as well as the path their lacrosse journey takes. And, while the role of Russ could've played into white saviour cliches, the film stresses his naiveté, his mistakes and the fact that he has as much to learn, if not more, from his students and the broader community. Icily scenic cinematography that roves over the area's arresting but harsh terrain, and a sensitive yet never mawkish approach also add texture to feature that earns its heart, spirit and warmth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c85aXHth_uQ&feature=youtu.be UNSOUND In Unsound, Finn (feature first-timer Yiana Pandelis) and Noah (Reece Noi, When They See Us) meet by chance. When the latter wanders into the club for Sydneysiders with hearing impairments that the former runs in the city's northern beaches, a connection springs, although both enter the relationship with other things on their mind. Attendance at the neighbourhood centre has been waning, and the locals complain about Finn's weekly dance parties. Tucking his long hair up under a cap while he stands behind the DJ decks by night and helps children learn Auslan by day, Finn is also slowly taking steps to cement his identity as a transgender man. As for the British-accented Noah, he's just arrived in Australia after touring the UK with his pop singer mentor Moniqua (Christine Anu), and his mother Angela (Paula Duncan, Neighbours) has hardly given him a warm welcome. So, Unsound follows Finn and Noah's romance, but that's just one of the things the film is interested in. While both lead characters receive ample screen time, Finn's experiences as a person who is deaf and with his transition are frequently thrust to the fore. That's a welcome move — not because Noah's efforts to step out of his absent father's shadow, take his career seriously and cope with his often-dismissive mum don't deserve attention, but because inclusive movies about trans men and people who are hearing impaired are rarely this thoughtful (and rarely exist at all, really). Directed by TV veteran Ian Watson (Heartbreak High, Home and Away) and penned by Ally Burnham (Nice Package), Unsound might bring both 52 Tuesdays and Sound of Metal to mind, which are excellent movies to even remotely resemble; however, this small feature with big ambitions and a heartfelt impact is always its own film. Absent touristy Sydney shots that constantly remind you where it's set, and favouring a low-key, lived-in aesthetic instead, it dedicates its running time to plunging into Finn's life and portraying it authentically, a task that it doesn't lose sight of even for a minute. The texture and detail in Burnham's script, especially in fleshing out the movie's characters, isn't just admirable but essential. It's little wonder, then, that Pandelis always makes Finn feel as if he could walk off the screen — although the performer also deserves ample credit. Noi also more than does his part justice, in a well-cast film all-round (see also: scene-stealer Olivia Beasley as one of Finn's colleagues, and a grounded turn from The Boy From Oz star Todd McKenney as Finn's father). And, the use of sound to convey the joy that Finn and his friends feel at their Saturday night dance parties is one of the picture's many astutely calibrated touches. Unsound opened in Sydney and Brisbane cinemas on March 18, after screening in Melbourne from February 11. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on January 1, January 7, January 14, January 21 and January 28; February 4, February 11, February 18 and February 25; and March 4. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as Nomadland, Pieces of a Woman, The Dry, Promising Young Woman, Summerland, Ammonite, The Dig, The White Tiger, Only the Animals, Malcolm & Marie, News of the World, High Ground, Earwig and the Witch, The Nest, Assassins, Synchronic, Another Round, Minari, Firestarter — The Story of Bangarra, The Truffle Hunters, The Little Things, Chaos Walking, Raya and the Last Dragon, Max Richter's Sleep, Judas and the Black Messiah and Girls Can't Surf.
Everything is a multiverse these days, or so it increasingly seems. Marvel has one, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is currently in cinemas to remind us all of that fact if we somehow forgot after Spider-Man: No Way Home. Rick and Morty loves them as well. Even if the term isn't mentioned explicitly, everything from French delight Petite Maman to The Matrix franchise flirts with similar territory. And yes, the list goes on — but nothing else is quite like Everything Everywhere All At Once. Don't know why that's the case? There's a vast array of reasons, including star Michelle Yeoh getting to play multiple versions of the same character, earning a far worthier showcase of her talents than the likes of Boss Level and Gunpowder Milkshake have provided of late, and also working in a nod to her Crazy Rich Asians-era IRL self as well. Plus, there's the wonderful return to cinema by Ke Huy Quan, aka Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom's Short Round and The Goonies' Data, who makes a fantastic double-act with Yeoh. Also a highlight: a world where everyone has hot dogs for fingers; another where Ratatouille is real, but with raccoons; and another still that's a sparse realm where life only exists in sentient rocks. Weird, wild and wonderful from its first frame to its last, Everything Everywhere All At Once stands out in a heap of ways — and, if you haven't seen it yet or you're keen to give it a revisit, you can now watch one of the best films of 2022 so far from your couch via digital platforms from Thursday, May 26. Fast-tracking flicks big and small to digital is our new pandemic-era reality, and this gem is the latest to make the leap — while it's still showing in cinemas, too. It looks fabulous on the big screen, but if the ease of checking it out at home suits you better, that's also now an option, as it also has been with The Batman, West Side Story, Dune, The Matrix Resurrections and more in the past few months. Written and directed by the Daniels, aka Swiss Army Man's Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All At Once really does take its name seriously. Here, almost anything that can happen does, all while laundromat owner Evelyn (Yeoh) just wants to get the tax office off her back, save the family business and make the most of her dad's (James Hong, Turning Red) visit from China. In the middle of a punishing audit by IRS inspector Deirdre Beaubeirdra (Jamie Lee Curtis, Halloween Kills), and already feeling chaotic after her daughter Joy (Stephanie Hsu, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) brought her girlfriend Becky (Tallie Medel, The Carnivores) home, Evelyn learns that the fate of the universe is at stake. Of course, only she can save everything — and while that setup might sound familiar, this funhouse of a feature never takes the expected path. Check out the trailer for Everything Everywhere All At Once below: Everything Everywhere All At Once is currently screening in Australian cinemas, and is also available to stream online via video on demand — including via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review.
The Crown has reached that part of its story: the details that everyone knows no matter how invested you are in Britain's royal family, headlines about them or Netflix's regal drama. With its sixth and final season, the series will step into the relationship between Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed, including the tragic events of their trip to Paris — all of which will be the focus of its four-episode first half. As the just-dropped trailer for the opening part of the show's goodbye demonstrates, heartbreak is on its way. Australian Tenet, The Burnt Orange Heresy and Widows star Elizabeth Debicki earns the bulk of the spotlight as Diana, including the frenzied attention she received from the media. Also seen in the sneak peek: the news arriving of Diana and Dodi's car accident, and the Palace's reaction. Start practising your royal wave: it's time to bid farewell to the hit drama in two sittings, with both arriving before 2023 is out. The first four episodes will stream from Tuesday, November 16, and then the second from Saturday, December 16. As well as saying goodbye to the series overall, viewers will also be moving on from The Crown's time in the 20th century in this sixth and final season. After covering Diana's death and the aftermath, the hit show will embrace the 21st century in its latest run. Accordingly, The Crown will cover the early days of Prince William and Kate Middleton's relationship, and focus on the man currently second in line to the throne after Queen Elizabeth II's passing in 2022. Screen debutant Ed McVey takes on the role of Prince William, while newcomer Meg Bellamy is slipping into Middleton's shoes. The show's sixth season will follow the IRL pair's first meeting at university in St Andrew's, starting the story that's played out in plenty of headlines and a ridiculous amount of worldwide media coverage since 2001. This dramatised take on history's last season will also cover the Queen's (Imelda Staunton, Paddington) Golden Jubilee and Charles' (Dominic West, The Pursuit of Love) marriage to Camilla (Olivia Williams, The Father). When The Crown began, it kicked off with Queen Elizabeth II's life from her marriage to Prince Philip back in 1947. The first season made its way to the mid-50s, the second season leapt into the 60s, and season three spanned all the way up to the late 70s. In season four, the royal family hit the 80s, while season five hopped to the 90s. Just like in season five, Game of Thrones and Tales from the Loop's Jonathan Pryce wears Prince Philip's shoes — and Princess Margaret is played by Staunton's Maleficent co-star and Phantom Thread Oscar-nominee Lesley Manville. News around the show's fifth and sixth seasons has changed a few times over the past few years. At the beginning of 2020, Netflix announced that it would end the royal drama after its fifth season. Then, the streaming platform had a change of heart, revealing it would continue the series for a sixth season after all. Check out the trailer for the first part of The Crown season six below: The Crown's sixth season will hit Netflix in two parts, with the first four episodes streaming from Tuesday, November 16, and then the second from Saturday, December 16. Images: Daniel Escale, Netflix / Leftbank.
To those whose days don't truly start until there is caffeine in their system, take note. Kickaboom, a cheery cafe in Glenbrook, lives up to its quirky name putting a pep in your step with premium brews and tasty bites. On appearance alone Kickaboom is a far cry from the 'greasy spoon' eateries that populate the lower Blue Mountains area. The venue is sleek and modern, with polished concrete floors, white tiles and indoor greenery. It would not look out of place in a trendy inner west suburb. The similarities don't end there, either. The drinks menu is a lengthy affair featuring Mörk hot chocolate; a turmeric, ginger and honey latte; and a Speculatte (a hot milk beverage made with a Dutch spiced biscuit). But coffee is the main game here. For milk-based coffees, expect the OG blend by Reuben Hills. Meanwhile, black, filter and single origin offerings change regularly, often featuring roasts from Seven Seeds, Wood and Co and Sample. The cafe also hosts regular events for coffee fiends including Aeropress tutorials, latte art competitions and talks on coffee sourcing and farming. And with an award-winning barista at the helm, you'd expect nothing less. Kickaboom owner Dylan Johnson has been in the coffee game for 15 years. Most recently, he was head barista at Paramount Coffee Project during which he nabbed the Australian Aeropress Champion in 2014. A lifelong Blue Mountains resident, Johnson chose to stay local for his own venture but he brought with him the boundary-pushing energy from the city. And, in fact, even further afield, with inspiration from his travels dotted throughout the menu. Herein lies another element that sets Kickaboom aside — the food is not your run-of-the-mill cafe fare. Southeast Asian influences are evident in the black sticky rice bircher and sticky pork bibimbap. The fried chicken waffle brings the American vibes (via Paramount Coffee Project). There's plenty of choice for vegan and gluten-free diners, too, with the miso eggplant toastie with vegan béchamel and house-made harissa proving to be one of the most popular menu items. The quality is there too — the kitchen staff have lengthy stints at fine-dining establishments, such as Darlinghurst's now-closed Onde and Ester, on their resumes. Produce is locally sourced from the Hawkesbury region and many ingredients are made from scratch, including soft serve, syrups, butter, almond and macadamia milks and baked treats. Whether you're a local or day-tripper, Kickaboom will certainly set your day on the right track.
"We can all see the same night sky, but we impose different interpretations on the elements we see within it," says Cara Pinchbeck, senior curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and co-curator of Under the Stars — a free exhibition that brings together artworks with a shared fascination of the night sky. "Here in Sydney, the Dark Emu exists within the dark spaces between the stars. In a predominantly European perspective, people look to the stars and don't see the emu. So even though we can be looking at the same thing, we might see things completely differently," says Pinchbeck. The exhibition marks 250 years since Captain Cook landed at Kamay (Botany Bay), in which one of his missions was to document the transit of Venus. Co-curators Pinchbeck and Jackie Dunn took inspiration from this stargazing mission to create an exhibition that highlights the "deep knowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have of the night sky that predates Cook by tens of thousands of years." The exhibition honours the way First Nations farmers, sailors, scientists and storytellers have looked to the night sky for centuries. By bringing together artworks by Indigenous artists with those made in many different eras by many different cultures, Under the Stars seeks to question what we know — and to celebrate what we share. Here are five artworks to seek out on your next visit. [caption id="attachment_778109" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Katie Paterson, 'Earth-Moon-Earth (Moonlight Sonata reflected from the surface of the moon)' (2007) Photo: AGNSW, Felicity Jenkins[/caption] A SONATA REFLECTED FROM THE SURFACE OF THE MOON One of the first pieces you might notice is a piano, seemingly playing a ghostly tune all by itself. Though the piano itself is not the artwork. "We don't actually own the piano as part of the work," says Pinchbeck. "Because it hadn't been displayed yet within the Gallery, we thought it was a really exciting moment to realise the work within the Gallery's space." The 2007 artwork 'Earth-Moon-Earth' is a sonic work by Scottish artist Katie Paterson, who translated Beethoven's Moonlight sonata into Morse code before sending it to the Moon. "It is such an evocative idea — this sonata is sent to the Moon, received back, and a loss of sound, or shift in translation, happens in that process," says Pinchbeck. As messages are received back to Earth via a radio-like transmission, information is 'lost' in the Moon's craters, which, when re-translated back into music produces a gap in sound. [caption id="attachment_778116" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boyd, still from video 'History is made at night' (2013), courtesy of the artist and Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney © Daniel Boyd[/caption] A PORTAL OF DOTS DESIGNED TO QUESTION WHAT WE KNOW 'History is made at night' is both a video artwork and series of paintings by artist Daniel Boyd. The artwork looks at recent science relating to dark matter to question if our understanding of history can ever be fully understood — as our knowledge of space and time is constantly changing. "He's looking at the fact that we will never really know the truth about what has happened historically, because so much is lost over time," says Pinchbeck. The paintings refer to artefacts that show how people in the Pacific navigated using the stars and knowledge of the currents. "It points to connections between people from Australia to other locations that aren't widely spoken of. So, in some ways, it's questioning why we always go back to Cook and we don't also talk about these other connections that people within Australia had to other places around the world." [caption id="attachment_778974" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gail Mabo, 'Tagai' (2020), courtesy of the artist, with thanks to the staff of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences & Microscopy Australia, The University of Sydney © Gail Mabo[/caption] A NEW ARTWORK WITH INTIMATE HISTORY Renowned artist Gail Mabo created a new artwork for the exhibition; 'Tagai', commissioned for Under the Stars, is an intricate star chart made using bamboo grown by her father — land rights pioneer Eddie Koiki Mabo — at James Cook University. It also uses 3D-printed stars to define the shape of Tagai, a constellation that is important to Torres Strait Islander people and is used for navigation and harvesting. When his spear points to the horizon, it's time to harvest. "Gail planned the work and made the work in the Gallery space, so she only saw the work herself when it went up onto the wall the day before the exhibition opened, which was pretty amazing," says Pinchbeck. "Gail's generosity in embracing many ideas across the exhibition led to the creation of 'Tagai', which is an extremely personal work, but it also refers to a bigger idea about how we all have our own journey in life, and Tagai is there to guide us, but we're all going to see him and be guided by him differently." [caption id="attachment_778104" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shaun Gladwell, video still of 'Planet and stars sequence: Barrier Highway' (2009), Art Gallery of New South Wales, gift of Peter Lin and Harry John Wilson 2015. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program © Shaun Gladwell[/caption] A CYCLICAL VIDEO WORK OF CREATION AND DESTRUCTION Sydney-born artist Shaun Gladwell created a series of works in 2001, and one part of that series is 'Planet and stars sequence: Barrier Highway', which takes up an entire wall in the exhibition. You watch as Gladwell kneels beside the highway in remote New South Wales (80 kilometres east from Broken Hill), ready to create an image of planets and stars using an aerosol can and a white card, only to destroy it with a layer of black paint. "For me, it speaks to that constant cycle of the world, how things are appearing, disappearing, being created again," says Pinchbeck. "It has some connections with other works nearby that relate particularly to the Moon, and how it is constantly reborn each month, and then goes through its phases until it disappears and comes to life again. [caption id="attachment_778972" align="alignnone" width="1920"] An installation view from the exhibition 'Under the Stars' at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Photo: AGNSW, Felicity Jenkins[/caption] SEVEN SISTERS THAT SHOWS CENTURIES-OLD CONNECTIONS Artist Gulumbu Yunupingu lived and worked in North East Arnhem Land, and there are two bark paintings of hers within the exhibition. "She used to speak about how we all look up and see the stars and so we're all connected as people," says Pinchbeck. There is also a series of prints that Gulumbu created with her six sisters. "There's a narrative connected to her country, which relates to the [star cluster] Seven Sisters, also known as Pleiades. It tells of the travels of a group of sisters to various islands off the coast of North East Arnhem Land, and one of those islands is Djakapurra (Singapore). It's really interesting because it points to people navigating and travelling via the stars. But it potentially speaks of connections between Aboriginal people and people in Asia that may go back centuries — and we don't necessarily appreciate that as much as we could." 'Under the Stars' runs until 2021 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. It is free to attend. Top image: An installation view from 'Under the Stars' at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Photo: AGNSW, Felicity Jenkins.
Giant food art installations and a pair of cooking demonstrations from beloved celebrity chefs are coming to Chatswood as part of a new two-week food event. Between Friday, September 16 and Friday, September 30, the Chatswood Food Trail will take over Westfield Chatswood with a range of activations. Headlining the event will be two free celebrity food demonstrations from Dan Hong and Adam Liaw. Beloved MasterChef alumni and SBS presenter Adam Liaw will be appearing from 6pm on Wednesday, September 28, while Dan Hong of Mr. Wong, Ms G's and MuMu will be running his demonstration from 6pm on Thursday, September 29. Other cooking demonstrations for both adults and kids will be on the program between Monday, September 26–Friday, September 30. Throughout the two weeks, fantastical, larger-than-life art installations resembling bubble tea, noodles, eggs and other food and drink items will also be popping up at the centre. Visitors can collect a Chatswood Food Trail Passport and visit all six of the installations to go into the draw to win a $1000 Westfield gift card. Plus, retailers around the centre will be offering special offers throughout the festivities. Check out the full schedule at the Westfield website.
Experienced the irresistible flakiness of the French pastries at Loulou Bistrot Boulangerie & Traiteur in Milsons Point? Getting your hands on them just got easier with the arrival of a second location in Martin Place. Swinging the doors open to pastry lovers on February 10, it's set to become one of the best spots in the city for freshly baked croissants and viennoiseries like petite tarts. Yet Petit Loulou's new digs is more than just a boulangerie; it's also a choice spot for bistro cuisine. On the menu, rotisserie chicken baguettes, Niçoise salads, and crunchy pork and herb sausage rolls. While Petit Loulou is intended mostly for takeaway, there's also a laid-back outdoor space for al fresco fun in the sun. Close your eyes and you might just experience the magic of Paris for a moment. "We wanted to offer Sydney locals an authentic French experience, whether they're returning guests or visiting us for the first time," says Loulou head baker, Brendon Woodward. "Our ethos is to share the joy of traditional French baking with the city, and what better way to celebrate the opening of our new CBD location than by introducing them to the essence of Loulou through our signature croissants." That all sounds incredibly exciting, but it's only half the story. In March, Loulou Bistro and Bar will open right next door, with a new 130-seat venue split across two levels. With the vibes extending onto Elizabeth Street, this Parisian-style eatery will bring that leisurely streetside atmosphere that makes dining in the City of Light so special. Drawing culinary inspiration from the south of France, this big sister offers a lighter take on contemporary and classic French cuisine. Whether you're seeking a takeaway croissant or a salad inspired by the Midi, reminiscing about your French adventures is made easy with Petit Loulou. Guided by renowned hospitality group Etymon, their latest sophisticated venue follows on from the likes of Loulou Bistro, Boulangerie & Traiteur and North Sydney's Poetica Bar & Grill, alongside a host of other upscale eateries. Petit Loulou opens at 1 Elizabeth Street, Martin Place on February 10. Meanwhile, Loulou Bistro and Bar is set for a March opening – check back for more information soon or head to the website.
We're all going on a Japanese holiday. If you were gearing up to vacation somewhere else across the rest of 2024 or first half of 2025, change your plans. That's the only way to react to Jetstar's latest flight sale, which is bringing back the airline's popular 'return for free' deal with a focus on one country only. Your choice of destinations: the Japanese cities of Tokyo and Osaka. Whichever spot that you decide to fly into, the Australian carrier's new special will bring you home without bothering your bank balance. One caveat: you've got just three days to snap up tickets, with the sale running for 72 hours from 12am AEST on Tuesday, August 6–11.59pm AEST on Thursday, August 8, unless sold out earlier. It really is as straightforward as it sounds. Whichever flights you opt for as part of the sale, covering direct flights from Cairns, Brisbane or Sydney, plus connecting flights out of Melbourne (Tullamarine), Gold Coast and Adelaide, you'll get the return fare for nothing. You do need to nab one of Jetstar's starter fares, and you'll then get a free return starter fare for zilch. Also, you'll have to fly in and out of the same arrival and departure port — either Narita in Tokyo or Kansai in Osaka. Plus, as is usually the case with Jetstar, checked baggage is not included. Still, expect the flights to get snapped up quickly when they go on sale. If you're a Club Jetstar member, you'll get the jump on the special via access from 12pm AEST on Monday, August 5 until midnight. Wondering when you'll be travelling? Dates vary per route, but the windows cover from September 2024 through to late June 2025. Jetstar's Japan 'return for free' sale runs from 12am AEST on Tuesday, August 6–11.59pm AEST on Thursday, August 8 — unless it's sold out earlier. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Phil Wood, an ex-Executive Chef of Rockpool for eight years and previous Culinary Director of Mornington Peninsula's much-loved Pt. Leo Estate, has opened a new venture in Paddington. Initially announced back in May, Wood's first independent restaurant is named after one of his family members who lived in Paddington. Ursula's is a bistro that showcases Wood's exciting approach to dining while centring staples of modern Australian cuisine. Highlights from the bistro include snapper, dressed with a Keen's Curry vinaigrette; margra lamb rump with brussel sprouts and mint sauce; a strawberry and coconut flummery; and golden syrup dumplings, served alongside a rum, raisin and malt cream. You'll also find beef carpaccio on the menu. The dish, served with makrut lime and parmesan, is a tribute to a beloved menu item from Darcy's, the famed Italian restaurant that occupied the site of Ursula's for nearly 40 years. The venue looks to pay homage to Australian dining and the storied history of the building it occupies. 92 Hargrave Street has housed several other chefs throughout its lifetime. The building was originally built in the late 19th century as a house and shop, and in its first half-century, it was run as a pub and a grocer. D'Arcy Glover was the first restaurateur to take up residency with a Swiss eatery in 1968 before Attilio Marinangeli and Aldo Zuzza took over in 1975 with the opening of Darcy's Restaurant. The most recent restaurant to occupy the corner building was Guillaume Brahimi's flagship Sydney restaurant Guillaume. Brahimi made the dramatic move to Paddington in 2013 after running Guillaume out of the Sydney Opera House for over a decade. While the restaurant didn't last on Hargrave Street, Brahimi went on to take over fellow Paddington venue Four in the Hand and opened a Guillaume in the CBD. "It is an honour to be opening in a building with such a strong dining history that goes back over 50 years. These corner sites dotted throughout Paddington are so special and part of what makes the suburb a vibrant part of Sydney's story," Wood said when the venue was first announced. The restaurant is the work of Wood and his wife Lis Davies who will be joined by John Laureti (Pt. Leo Estate, Rockpool) and Luke Cawsey (Saint Peter, Rockpool) in the kitchen, and Restaurant Manager Emily Towson (Fred's, Kepos & Co, Sixpenny). Inside the building, you'll find a classically fitted and welcoming dining space created in collaboration with Melbourne-based designer Brahman Perera. "Lis and I are absolutely thrilled to finally share our little restaurant with our neighbours and Sydney," said Wood. "We can't wait to see people enjoying long lunches in the beautiful dining room, and families and friends celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and just the joy of once again being together." Ursula's Paddington is open at 92 Hargrave Street, Paddington. It's open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday–Saturday. Images: Nikki To
The posters for what's tipped to be Lars von Trier’s masterpiece — his upcoming five-hour sexual epic, Nymphomanic — have been unleashed, with the likes of Charlotte Gainsbourg, Willem Defoe and Stellan Skarsgard showcasing their best 'O' faces. The squirm-inducing effect of the promotion, shot by photographer Casper Sejersen, is only a taster for what's to come. Doubtless, the film will not shy away from unflinching portrayals of erotic ecstasy. In a typical von Trier rejection of cinematic convention, reportedly the genitals of porn actors will be spliced onto the bodies of the cast in the production process. Although it's not the first film to use unsimulated sex, evidently the avant-garde provocateur is continuing to uphold his reputation for revelling in a taboo style of filmmaking and subject matter. For example, according to Shia LeBeouf, a disclaimer at the top of the script reads: "Everything that is illegal, we’ll shoot in blurred images." Indeed, producing audience discomfort and sparking controversy is not new terrain for von Trier. Take, for instance, his grotesque tour de force Antichrist, a hard-hitting arthouse horror film that caused uproar for its scandalous depiction of genital mutilation. (If you haven’t eaten lunch yet, perhaps don’t read up on it now.) Although his films strongly divide audiences and critics, he is without question a major powerhouse of contemporary avant-garde cinema. His work is thought-provoking, technically assured, aesthetically radical and forever pushing boundaries. It is the dream of actors and cinematographers alike to work with this enigmatic artistic visionary. Nymphomaniac is due to be released in December of this year. Via Fast Co.Create
Of all the new TV shows that are heading to streaming in 2023, only one has a groove and a meaning. Well, only one is based on a movie with a theme song that claims that, at least. And yes, you now have that tune stuck in your head — because 'Grease', the track, is that much of a catchy and persistent earworm. The entire Grease soundtrack is, and perhaps the tunes that come with Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies will be as well. This new prequel series steps back into the 70s-made, 50s-set musical rom-com's world, giving its titular girl gang an origin story. Based on both the initial teaser and the just-dropped full trailer, Rise of the Pink Ladies is hopelessly devoted to taking that task seriously. Here, in a ten-episode series set to stream via Paramount+ in Australia from Friday, April 7 — with New Zealand airing details yet to be revealed — it's the 1954–55 school year. It's also when the eponymous young women are given words of warning about appropriate behaviour. "Ladies, you must be careful with whom you associate," Assistant Principal McGee (Jackie Hoffman, Only Murders in the Building) tells them in the first trailer. "A girl's reputation is all that she has." Welcome back to Rydell High, clearly, but before Danny (John Travolta) and Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) walked its halls. If the OG Grease and its tale about an Australian transfer student falling in love with an American high schooler in California is the one that you want — always — then you'll know that this franchise hasn't ever just been about the hit 1978 movie anyway. Before it became a silver-screen classic, it was a popular stage musical. After the first film's success, it spawned a 1982 Michelle Pfeiffer-starring sequel, too. Pink jackets, T-Birds, dance scenes (including while wearing mechanics' overalls), a new take on a familiar track advising that Grease is indeed the word: they're all included in show's two sneak peeks so far. Cast-wise, Marisa Davila (Love and Baseball), first-timer Cheyenne Isabel Wells, Ari Notartomaso (Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin) and Tricia Fukuhara (Loot) play the four teens who start the Pink Ladies, and are joined on-screen by Shanel Bailey (The Good Fight), Madison Thompson (Emergency), Johnathan Nieves (Penny Dreadful: City of Angels), Jason Schmidt (FBI: Most Wanted) and Maxwell Whittington-Cooper (The Photograph). This isn't the last time that all things Grease will pop up again, either — not including the stage musical and OG movie's enduring popularity, of course — with a Danny and Sandy-focused prequel flick Summer Lovin' also in the works. Check out the full trailer for Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies below: Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies starts streaming via Paramount+ in Australia on Friday, April 7. New Zealand release details haven't yet been revealed — we'll update you when further information comes to hand.
