There's a difference between embracing the fantastical and making fantasy. As a book since 2018, then a stage production and now a seven-part Netflix series, Boy Swallows Universe knows how to fly in the first direction without becoming the second. Author and journalist Trent Dalton spins a semi-autobiographical 80s-set story, which surveys his childhood and its challenges with clear eyes, but also brims with hope and zero judgement. That's protagonist Eli Bell's (Felix Cameron, Penguin Bloom) approach to everything, including his recovering addict mother Frankie (Phoebe Tonkin, Babylon), his heroin-dealing stepfather Lyle Orlik (Travis Fimmel, Black Snow), his alcoholic and agoraphobic dad Robert (Simon Baker, Limbo), and his elder brother Gus (Lee Tiger Halley, The Heights), who hasn't spoken since a traumatic incident in the siblings' past. It's also how he sees family friend, babysitter, father figure, and no-nonsense but supportive source of wisdom Slim Halliday, as played by Australian acting icon Bryan Brown in Boy Swallows Universe's leap to the screen. The character is one of Dalton's great inclusions and, as with much in the novel, doesn't merely stem from Dalton's imagination. The name, that he spent decades in the Queensland capital's Boggo Road Gaol for the death of a taxi driver, his multiple escapes from the notorious prison: they're all 100-percent real. So is the fact that the young Dalton knew the convicted murderer when he was a boy growing up in Brisbane's west. Casting Brown is like most talent choices in Boy Swallows Universe: a dream pick. Chatting with Concrete Playground about the part and the Brisbane-made series, he's full of praise about Cameron as 12-year-old force-of-nature Eli. "He's a fabulous young kid and he's done a fabulous job," he advises. But Brown's own inclusion, like Tonkin, Fimmel, Baker, Halley, Totally Completely Fine's Zac Burgess as the older Eli, Talk to Me's Sophie Wilde's as Caitlyn Spies and more, is just as pitch-perfect. To Eli, Slim is a man with answers, encouragement and no sugarcoating — someone who believes in him, wants the best for him, but won't skip over life's realities. Try to picture an Aussie actor who'd nail the role and Brown is alone in springing to mind. Boy Swallows Universe joins his almost five-decade-long resume, at a time when Brown jokes that "someone asking me to do a job now is quite a good thing". In the past five months, he's been on-screen almost constantly — in fellow streaming series C*A*U*G*H*T, the recut of Baz Luhrmann's Australia as miniseries Faraway Downs and in US-produced but Sydney-shot rom-com Anyone But You. His career has followed the same path since the mid-70s, and reads like a history of Aussie film and television. For both 1980's Breaker Morant and 1999's Two Hands, he has Best Supporting Actor Australian Film Institute Awards. In the latter as with Boy Swallows Universe, he was paired with up-and-comer: there, it was Heath Ledger. [caption id="attachment_935699" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jono Searle/Getty Images for Netflix[/caption] Brown's credits also span The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith, Newsfront, The Shiralee, Dirty Deeds, Beautiful Kate, Red Dog: True Blue and Sweet Country. The list goes on. Over in Hollywood in the 80s, after TV's A Town Like Alice was a hit overseas as well as at home, he earned Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for The Thorn Birds, led action-thriller F/X, famously mixed drinks with Tom Cruise (Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One) in Cocktail and starred opposite Sigourney Weaver (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart) in Gorillas in the Mist. In 2004, he featured in the Ben Stiller (Locked Down)-led Along Came Polly as well. With Boy Swallows Universe, Brown was drawn in as everyone who has come across it in any form has been: by the story. Initially introduced via screenwriter John Collee's (Hotel Mumbai) scripts, he found it as astonishing as readers, theatre patrons and viewers keep doing. The series that results is now streaming — and we spoke with Brown about his first responses to Dalton's tale, his eagerness to play Slim, taking on someone with layers both on the page and in reality, mentoring Cameron, why everyone loves Boy Swallows Universe and more. ON BROWN'S FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH THE BOY SWALLOWS UNIVERSE STORY "The scripts. I hadn't read the book, and the producer Troy Lum (Palm Beach) sent me John Collee's — at that stage — eight one-hour scripts, and I thought they were quite wonderful, the scripts. That then led me to go get the book and read the book, and to thoroughly enjoy it and go 'this is a remarkable story this', given it was basically true. And so to be able to be a part of it, I was only too willing." ON WHAT APPEALED TO BROWN ABOUT PLAYING SLIM HALLIDAY "I think the fact that he was a crim, but we don't meet him doing anything criminal. We hear about what a crim he was, and how he'd been in jail for 30 years and how he'd escaped, but we see him as someone that really wants to help the boys not go the way that he did. So I think it's the fact that he's not as you would expect him to be. When someone says 'I've got a part for you to play, it's a crim, love you to do it' — [but] basically I'm babysitter in this." ON HOW TO PREPARE FOR A PART THAT ISN'T JUST A CHARACTER IN TRENT DALTON'S BOOK, BUT A REAL-LIFE PERSON "Basically I can only play the scripts. So if there's something missing in the scripts, then I go 'this conflicts with something else, I need to know more about it'. But the scripts were so well done, the character was so well-outlined, the relationship with the boy was so clear and it felt quite instinctive to be able to play — I didn't have to research his criminal activity. None of that came into the playing of this piece. So it was about trying to understand why he wanted to be with the boy and behave as he did, and pretty well the scenes answered that for me." ON PLAYING SLIM AS NO-NONSENSE BUT SUPPORTIVE, AND A FATHER FIGURE FOR ELI "Once again, I come back to how well something's written. If a character is written well, you're just pulling the glove on and getting on with it. It's where something comes into conflict or it doesn't make sense that you're at sixes and sevens in trying to play something. But this was so well-written on the page that I was able to play it pretty easily. It was a part that was enjoyable to play." ON HOW BROWN SEEES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SLIM AND ELI "I guess it is a bit father-son, but it's better than that. It's like he doesn't have to be the parent and exercise certain disciplines — he just has to be there as someone that appreciates and would always be there for the boy. And just that knowledge that he gives to the boy, there is someone solid here that believes in me, that's the relationship that I think that Slim brings." ON HOW THAT MENTORING RELATIONSHIP TRANSLATED WITH FELIX CAMERON OFF-SCREEN "People would probably say it did. We got on very well. We had a lot of fun together. He's a cheeky little bugger, and I really enjoyed mucking around with him. But behind all that there's a very bright young fella — and there's a fella who, obviously he's got wonderful parents. There's a boy that appreciates pretty well everything that's going on here. He appreciated doing this. It never went to his head in any way. I'm sure there were areas of confusion for him, but he never brought that to the table." ON WHY BOY SWALLOWS UNIVERSE CONTINUES TO STRIKE SUCH A CHORD "I think it is a story of hope. The boys want and hope that their life will be better, and do everything — they don't judge their parents, there's no judgement in this show about people, but there is the boys who just see that there's a life out there, and hope that they can have a life that's different to the ones that their parents are experiencing. I think that there's a joy in that. It's not a dour story. It's not a dark story. There's darkness in things that happen with the characters, but it's not a dark story. It's a story of hope and desire from the boys to have a real life, and I think you can't help but get affected by it." [caption id="attachment_935703" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chris Hyde/Getty Images for Netflix[/caption] ON WHAT BROWN LOOKS FOR A ROLE "It's pretty easy. I read it. I go 'do I like the story?'. If I don't like the story, there's no point even thinking about the part. And if I do like the story, then I look at the character and I go 'how does this character contribute to the story?' and 'can I do something of value with that character that makes that story live?'. It's pretty straightforward. I know pretty well straight away if I don't want to something. But if I'm a bit intrigued, then I have to ask myself more questions as I go through it. Once again, it's instinct. I look at it and I go: 'am I there? Can I be there?'. And if I can, the other side of it is, I like to know who else is doing it, and I like to know who the production company is and who the director will be to make me feel confident about that it can be done well." Boy Swallows Universe streams via Netflix, arriving on Thursday, January 11, 2024. Read our review. Images: courtesy of Netflix © 2023.
Adapting The Narrow Road to the Deep North was always going to require a dream cast and crew. More than that, any attempt to bring Richard Flanagan's acclaimed 2013 novel to the screen was always set to demand a roster of creatives dedicated to doing the book justice, and to honouring the very real history that the work of fiction draws upon. The author didn't spin a true tale on his pages; however, much is shared with reality. Flanagan's text is steeped in the experience of Australian POWs during World War II, specifically those forced to work on the Burma Railway by the Japanese military. IRL, his own father was one of them. A cream-of-the-crop lineup is the aim for every screen project, of course, whether it's destined to grace cinemas or television. Streaming via Prime Video from Friday, April 18, 2025, The Narrow Road to the Deep North's talents should make other TV shows envious, Australian and international alike. For the first time in his career, filmmaker Justin Kurzel plies his skills on the small screen. For the five-part miniseries, he adapts a Booker Prize-winning novel again, as he did with True History of the Kelly Gang. Kurzel collaborates with screenwriter Shaun Grant once more, and unpacks complicated Aussie history again in the process as well, as the pair previously navigated with their take on Ned Kelly, plus Snowtown beforehand and Nitram afterwards. Standing before the lens for the duo: Jacob Elordi (Oh, Canada) on a rare return Down Under, Odessa Young (My First Film) falling into the same category, plus everyone from Irish great and Belfast Oscar-nominee Ciarán Hinds, as well as Japan's Shô Kasamatsu (Tokyo Vice), through to the Aussie likes of Olivia DeJonge (Elvis), Thomas Weatherall (Heartbreak High), Simon Baker (Boy Swallows Universe), Heather Mitchell (Love Me) and Essie Davis (One Day). In one of only five Australian texts to ever claim the prestigious literary award — Thomas Keneally's Schindler's Ark, DBC Pierre's Vernon God Little, and Peter Carey's aforementioned True History of the Kelly Gang and Oscar and Lucinda are the others — Flanagan charts the path of Dorrigo Evans. Before the Second World War, he has a future in medicine calling. Afterwards, he carves out a career as a respected surgeon. The Narrow Road to the Deep North jumps between the two, as well as his ordeal while being held captive as a prisoner of war. Elordi plays the younger Dorrigo in the series' 40s-era sequences. Hinds steps into the character's shoes in its 80s-set segments. The Narrow Road to the Deep North is a character study, as well as an exploration of multiple sides of war. It delves into culture clashes, interrogates heroism and steadfastly stresses the importance of remembering horrors gone by so that they aren't repeated. It's as much a love story, and a portrait of a long-lasting marriage, though — and yet those two aren't quite one and the same. As a young man, Dorrigo's future is also tied to Ella (DeJonge), whose family have ties back to drafting the Australian constitution. Decades later (played by Mitchell), she remains by his side. But before shipping out, before his medical prowess is needed in Syria, before being transported like cattle through Thailand to the jungle and before the compulsory strenuous labour that will claim the life of some of his friends, Dorrigo spends a summer embarking upon a secret affair with Amy Mulvaney (Young), the wife of his uncle Keith (Baker). It's this romance that he thinks of as he endures war's cruelties, and that also stays with him long afterwards. Casting Elordi and Young as the youthful Dorrigo and Amy are the best choices that The Narrow Road to the Deep North's guiding forces could've made for the two roles. For both actors, it also brought them home. Since 2018's Swinging Safari marked Elordi's first film, he's largely been busy overseas, meaning that Australian projects have been rarities his your resume. With Young, since The Daughter and Looking for Grace each made a splash in 2015, the same has also proven true. On the path from there to The Narrow Road to the Deep North, the pair have amassed an array of credits: The Kissing Booth trilogy, The Mortuary Collection, Deep Water, The Sweet East, Saltburn and Priscilla among them for Elordi; Sweet Virginia, A Million Little Pieces, Shirley, The Stand, Mothering Sunday, The Staircase (with DeJonge), Manodrome and more for Young. They also each have Sam Levinson projects to their name; as the world knows, Elordi is one of Euphoria's stars, while Young led the film Assassination Nation. "There couldn't be a better opportunity to come home," Elordi tells Concrete Playground about The Narrow Road to the Deep North. In fact, he responded so strongly to Flanagan's novel when Kurzel sent it his way that he started advising his family that the book was the key to understanding him, a statement that "I kind of regret saying", he also notes now. The Macbeth and Assassin's Creed filmmaker's involvement was crucial for him, too, as "an enormous fan of his work for my whole conscious movie life". [caption id="attachment_1000037" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Graham Denholm/Getty Images for Prime Video[/caption] That's similarly the case for Young, who reteams with Kurzel for the second time in two years, after featuring alongside Jude Law (Skeleton Crew) and Nicholas Hoult (Nosferatu) in the director's excellent 2024 crime-thriller The Order. "I would do anything that he asked me to do. I would love to work with him for the rest of my life, because I believe that he makes me a better performer," she shares. In our chat with Elordi and Young, we also dug into why Elordi felt such a powerful connection to The Narrow Road to the Deep North, and how infrequent that reaction is for him; Kurzel's penchant for difficult stories; and how Elordi and Young built chemistry together, as characters that Flanagan has compared to stars exploding in galaxies in real time. Covered as well: Elordi and his co-stars' commitment to authenticity in the POW scenes, and the sense of responsibility to the real-life men who worked on the Burma Railway that came with it — and what the two make of their respective journeys from starting out at home to overseas success, then coming back for a series they're clearly both proud of. On Why The Narrow Road to the Deep North Was the Right Project to Bring Both Elordi and Young Home After Their International Successes Jacob: "For me, it was Justin Kurzel. I've been an enormous fan of his work for my whole conscious movie life. So it was just the opportunity to be able to work with him." Odessa: "Yeah, me too. Sorry to copy." Jacob: "No, no, no. But of course, then you double down when it's Richard Flanagan's text. It's just there couldn't be a better opportunity to come home and try to make some cinema." On Elordi's Strong Reaction to the Novel, So Much So That He Told Family Members That the Book Was the Key to Understanding Him Jacob: "I kind of regret saying that now, because if you read the book, like it doesn't remind me of myself at all." Odessa: "You've changed." Jacob: "I think there's so many parts, there so many bits of him that are so inherently Australian, that it reminded me so much of a lot of the men in my life and the people that I know, and things like that. But it is a rare thing — but I feel like those things always happen for a reason. The right thing does find you at the right time, and you read it at a moment in time when it speaks to you. And that's always such a great treat." On Young Working with Justin Kurzel on Two Projects in a Row, with The Narrow Road to the Deep North Following The Order Odessa: "I think sometimes you just meet directors who make you a better actor, and he's one of them. I feel like I got a really lovely introduction to him working on The Order, because for me it was a low-pressure environment. I kind of got to be a bit of the relief from the very, very difficult story. He likes difficult stories, does Justin. And it was lovely. We just got to know each other under really low-pressure circumstances. And I just really, really love the way he works. It feels very natural to me. I would do anything that he asked me to do. I would love to work with him for the rest of my life, because I believe that he makes me a better performer." On the Importance of the Series Being Many Things, Including a Love Story, a Character Study, a Look at Multiple Sides of War, an Interrogation of Heroism and a Reminder Not to Forget Past Horrors Jacob: "I think that's what makes for great cinema, is all of those human elements and the minutiae in those moments. I think all of them compounded, especially in a piece about memory — it is what cinema is about. It's a whole life compressed and contained and examined and looked at and explored. And I think having them all is what makes it such a complete piece." On Building the Type of Chemistry That Author Richard Flanagan Compared to Stars Exploding in Galaxies in Real Time Odessa: "I think we just both probably sensed in each other quite early on in the rehearsal process that we were both ready to just put it all there. And, I don't know, we were just going to take it seriously. We're going to give as much as we could. Sorry, I'm using like sports terminology. Leave it all on the field." Jacob: "Full credit to the other side." Odessa: "Yeah, everyone was a great player today. No, but I think we got very lucky. I think we have just a natural understanding and trust in each other. You never know if that's going to work out that way, but it did." Jacob: "Yeah." Odessa: "And I think that for me — I won't speak for you, but I do sense this in you — there's no point in doing it if you're not doing it fully." Jacob: "Yeah." Odessa: "And I think we're both that kind of actor." Jacob: "Which is really just — it's either casting from Justin or just some profound luck." On Committing to Authenticity in the Series' Prisoner-of-War Scenes, and the Sense of Responsibility to the Real-Life Men Who Went Through It That Comes with It Jacob: "It would probably be the most-important thing. We're talking about real men, and we're talking about Richard Flanagan, the writer's, father — and Shaun Grant's grandfather. These are real people and the history, it's still there. And the trauma of it lives on generationally. So it's not about entertainment. It's not about shooting guns and making some great spectacle. It's about telling the truth and immortalising something as best that you can." On What Elordi and Young Make of the Journeys That They've Each Taken Since Their Early Australian Breakthrough Roles Odessa: "It's hard to characterise it. I think it's actually helpful not to think about it, and not to try to maybe intellectualise — at least for me — why I've chosen the things that I have. I think so much of the course of a career happens on instinct, and some of it's also dumb luck. But I feel incredibly proud and incredibly lucky, and I guess I haven't done so bad if I'm here celebrating this." Jacob: "It's an immense amount of luck — and I would say probably shared with a deep love for movies. And if you love movies and you love cinema, it's not so deliberate but you seek out the things that hopefully move you and mean something to you in that moment." The Narrow Road to the Deep North will stream via Prime Video from Friday, April 18, 2025. Images: Prime Video.
It pays to be curious on Clarence Street. By heading down a seemingly unremarkable laneway, you'll arrive in a courtyard where some of Sydney's best drinking can be found. Yet another surprise awaits through an unmarked backdoor and down a nondescript stairwell, where the jazzy, low-lit The Baxter Inn resides. There's also the understated rear entrance of the gin-soaked speakeasy, The Barber Shop. However, the third venue to call this courtyard home has nothing to hide. Named after the fellow who would go on to become King William IV, The Duke of Clarence wears its mock-Tudor heart on its sleeve. Styled as a ye olde British tavern, it's the kind of boozer where Charles Dickens might have penned Great Expectations over a couple of ales and a pork pie. The fit-out is not merely theatrical — it's also authentic. Everything from the floorboards to the leather couches and bar stools have been handpicked and shipped over from pubs and churches in the UK. The result is a cosy drinking den, complete with a library and a roaring fireplace, that feels like you're stepping back in time. Behind the bar you'll find cask ales, an extensive whiskey offering, over 500 spirits, numerous imported and local wines, and (in a rare deviation from the otherwise consummate pub-ness) a list of innovative signature cocktails. Like any gastropub worth its salt, the dining is as impressive as the drinking, with a food offering that is unmistakably British, yet elevated. The fish finger sandwich is a drastic improvement on the stodgy Birds Eye original, with fresh fish in a crisp batter coated in a light tartare sauce and served between pillowy fingers of white bread, crusts removed. Another Blighty classic, the scotch egg, retains a deliciously oozy centre, wrapped in a generous casing of pork and veal mince, spiked with fennel, chilli and punchy English mustard. Coming to The Duke of Clarence and not having the roast dinner with all the trimmings is a crime, especially as it's available every day and slathered in a lip-smacking slick of house-made gravy. Only have time for a quick bite? The ploughman's lunch — a board topped with vintage cheddar, a pork pie, freshly sliced leg ham, grilled bread, crackers and pickles — is a choose-your-own-adventure feed that is as quick as it is tasty. Image credit: Kitti Gould
On a chilly winter's day, it can be mighty tempting to just spend it wrapped up in blankets on the couch. But we've done enough of that recently. Instead, spend that free time exploring friendly pubs with crackling fireplaces, cosy cafes with comforting winter dishes, dramatic sunsets and brisk walks. When the time's right, wrap yourself in your warmest winter coat, crank up the car's heater and escape to the country. If you've only a day to spare, fret not. These ten pretty, winter-embracing towns are only a hop, skip and jump away. For hot mineral springs, top-notch restaurants and cool climate wines, head inland to the Southern Highlands or the Blue Mountains. Or, for whale watching and sparkling ocean vistas — without the hassle of summer crowds — make tracks to the coast. From pristine beaches and bountiful wine regions to alpine hideaways and bustling country towns, Australia has a wealth of places to explore at any time of year. We've partnered with Tourism Australia to help you plan your road trips, weekend detours and summer getaways so that when you're ready to hit the road you can Holiday Here This Year. While regional holidays within NSW will be allowed from June 1, some of the places mentioned below may still be closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please check websites before making any plans. [caption id="attachment_679241" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] BERRIMA, SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS Dotted with sandstone buildings and, some say, haunted by ghosts, this historical village lies a short drive from Sydney in the Southern Highlands. Start with a coffee and baked goodie at Gumnut Patisserie, before heading to Eschalot for hatted fare made with local produce from the onsite kitchen garden. Alternatively, you'll find hearty pub classics and two fireplaces at the Surveyor General Inn. Opened in 1834, it's the oldest continuously licensed pub in Australia. Also worth exploring are the Berrima River Walk (look out for platypuses), Harper's Mansion and Berrima's many independent shops. How far? A two-hour drive from Sydney [caption id="attachment_693681" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peppers Cragieburn via Destination NSW[/caption] BOWRAL, SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS Another Southern Highlands settlement that isn't shy of winter is Bowral: a 13,000-person town on the Mittagong River that's surrounded by rolling farmland and wineries. On arriving, refuel with a coffee at Rush or Flour Water Salt, before strolling around town checking out Dirty Janes' epic collection of antiques and vintage clothing, as well as Browns Bookshop and the Bowral Art Gallery. Come lunchtime, settle in for a feast at The Mill. For an afternoon wine or coffee beside a roaring fireplace, check out Briars, Peppers Craigieburn or Bendooley (home to Berkelouw Books and a massive second-hand book collection). How far? A two-hour drive from Sydney MOUNT VICTORIA, BLUE MOUNTAINS Of the many indulgences that make winter worth enduring, a long soak in hot mineral springs is one of the best. You can do exactly that at the Japanese Bath House in South Bowenfels, a two-hour drive west of Sydney. Once you're completely relaxed, make tracks to Mount Victoria, which is about 15 minutes away. Here, you can catch a film at a 1930s cinema, while slurping up homemade soup (and homemade choc tops), before swinging by Mount Victoria Manor for a craft beer by the fire. This heritage-listed mansion was built in 1876 by John Fairfax, founder of the Sydney Morning Herald. If you're keen to hang around and catch a wintry sunset, drive to Sunset Rock Lookout, which you'll find at the end of Beaufort Avenue. How far? A two-hour drive from Sydney [caption id="attachment_679213" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Carrington[/caption] KATOOMBA, BLUE MOUNTAINS To experience a Blue Mountains winter without travelling as far as Mount Victoria, stop at Katoomba, which is 90 minutes' drive west of Sydney. Make your first destination Yellow Deli, where you can rest among handcrafted wooden furniture and an open fire. Just be aware that the cafe is run by a cult. If you'd prefer to avoid, grab a butterscotch latte and miso pumpkin toastie from Frankly My Dear. Next up, stretch those stiff legs with a bracing walk along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, which journeys along cliff tops taking in incredible views for seven kilometres, before reaching Leura. The best spot in town for lunch is Leura Garage — its warming winter menu includes 12-hour braised lamb shoulder with pomegranate glaze, confit garlic and rosemary. Catch the train back to Katoomba for a fireside wine in The Carrington's grand 19th-century bar. How far? An hour-and-a-half drive from Sydney [caption id="attachment_664841" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Potager Mount Tomah[/caption] BILPIN, BLUE MOUNTAINS Located along the Bells Line of Road, which runs to the Blue Mountains from Sydney's northwest, this idyllic village is famous for its apple-growing powers. They're not the only fruit that flourishes here, however, and if you're keen to get all 'country' you can pick your own fruit at Bilpin Fruit Bowl. Alternatively, find out how local apples taste when transformed into cider at Hillbilly, then grab a burger for lunch from Maggie Lou's Bite. Another cosy spot, ten minutes' drive away in Kurrajong, is Lochiel House, which serves up Asian-influenced creations. Before returning to the big smoke, be sure to take a wintry stroll around Blue Mountains Botanic Garden and grab an apple-charged treat from The Potager Mount Tomah. How far? A two-hour drive from Sydney [caption id="attachment_679302" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mulla Villa[/caption] WOLLOMBI, HUNTER VALLEY This cute village, found two hours' drive north of Sydney, is the gateway to both the Hunter Valley and World Heritage-listed Yengo National Park. Begin your adventure with a comforting brekkie at Mulla Villa in the form of french toast with cinnamon sugar, whipped cream and berry coulis — then take a wander around Wollombi's historical buildings or get your bearings at Finchley Lookout, with 360-degree views over Yengo's rugged wilderness. Meanwhile, at the Wollombi Tavern, you'll find friendly folks and a fireplace. Just seven kilometres down the road is Laguna, where the Great Northern Trading Post serves up generous fare packed with local produce and hosts live gigs to spoken word performances and artisanal markets. How far? A two-hour drive from Sydney [caption id="attachment_769222" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] MORPETH, HUNTER VALLEY In the Hunter Valley's northeast corner is Morpeth, a picturesque 1500-person village on the banks of the Hunter River that's filled with 19th-century buildings. One of the tastiest, winter-friendly brekkies in town is at Common Grounds, where offerings include house-made spicy beans with black sesame crusted avocado. After that, take a relaxing walk along the river bank or check out Campbell's Store, home to 15 independent shops dedicated to various arts and crafts. Among the town's other warming experiences are the Australian Alpaca Barn and Mortels Sheepskin Factory, where you can learn all about the making of ugg boots. Finish up with a fireside brew at The Commercial or venture into the Hunter Valley for wine tasting galore. How far? A two-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney [caption id="attachment_678638" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Settlers Arms Inn[/caption] ST ALBANS, HAWKESBURY Half the fun of day-tripping to St Albans is getting there. So don't rush. For the most part, you'll be travelling along the Old Northern Road, which leaves Sydney at Dural before making its way through rolling farmland and national parks. Next comes the cable ferry crossing at Wisemans Ferry, followed by the twists and turns of pretty Macdonald River. The main attraction at St Albans is the Settlers Arms Inn, a Georgian coaching inn — and pub — built by convicts and backdropped by mountains. While away the afternoon eating and drinking beside the open fireplace before gearing up for the drive home — or stay the night. How far? A two-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney [caption id="attachment_679290" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] KIAMA, SOUTH COAST When cooler weather rolls around, beach-going folks swap swimming, surfing and sunbathing for the wonder of whale watching. From late-May to July and September to November, Australia's east coast hosts a continual spectacle of breaching, blowing humpbacks. For a day trip that involves splendid views of these magnificent creatures drive to Kiama, a 90-minute trek south of Sydney. The best vantage points are Blowhole Point, Bombo Headland and Marsden Headland. Should you work up an appetite, visit Flour Water Salt for coffee and freshly baked goods, Penny Whistlers for cafe fare with a coastal view or The Hungry Monkey for burgers. How far? An hour-and-a-half drive from Sydney PORT STEPHENS, NORTH COAST Another top-notch location for whale watching is Port Stephens, on the mid-north coast. You'll have to get up early for this one, though, as it's a 2.5-hour drive from Sydney. Warm up with a steep, 45-minute walk to the summit of Tomaree Head, where you'll be rewarded with sweeping views — and maybe spot a few whales. To see them close up, book an eco-tour with Imagine Cruises, whose trusty craft Envision holds just 22 people. Re-energise with a feast at one of Port Stephen's many cracking eateries, be it Little Beach Boathouse for premium seafood overlooking Nelson Bay, The Point Restaurant for Asian-inspired bites, or The Little Nel Cafe for its outstanding terrace that's perfect for soaking up winter sunshine. How far? A two-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney Whether you're planning to travel for a couple of nights or a couple of weeks, Holiday Here This Year and you'll be supporting Australian businesses while you explore the best of our country's diverse landscapes and attractions. Top image: Leura Garage, Katoomba
When an Australian actor makes it big, it can feel as if there's more than one of them. Joel Edgerton, who has been on local screens for almost three decades and made the leap to Hollywood with the Australian-shot Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones, is such a talent. He's usually everywhere and in almost everything (such as The Stranger, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Thirteen Lives, Master Gardener, I'm a Virgo, The Boys in the Boat and Bluey in just the past two years), and viewers would follow him anywhere. Dark Matter wasn't written to capitalise upon that idea. Rather, it hails from the page of Blake Crouch's 2016 novel, with the author also creating the new nine-part Apple TV+ sci-fi series that it's based on. But, streaming from Wednesday, May 8, 2024, the show's lead casting leans into the notion that you can never have too much Edgerton by multiplying him in the multiverse. For the characters in Dark Matter, however, the fact that there's more than a single Jason Dessen causes considerable issues. The series' protagonist is a former experimental physics genius-turned-professor in Chicago who's teaching disinterested students about Schrödinger's cat. He's married to artist-turned-gallerist Daniela (Jennifer Connelly, Bad Behaviour), a father to teenager Charlie (Oakes Fegley, The Fabelmans) and the best friend of award-winning college pal Ryan Holder (Jimmi Simpson, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia). And, he's been happy living the quiet family life, although pangs of envy quietly arise when he's celebrating Ryan's prestigious new accolade. Then, when another Jason pops up to pull off a kidnapping and doppelgänger plot, he's soon navigating a cross between Sliding Doors and Everything Everywhere All At Once. Everything is a multiverse tale of late; a mere few examples span superhero films and television shows Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the Spider-Verse movies, Loki and The Flash; TV gems Fringe and Russian Doll; and the interdimensional animated chaos of Rick and Morty. Dark Matter is also a soul-searching "what if?" drama, exploring the human need to wonder what might've been if just one choice — sometimes big, sometimes small — had veered in a different direction. While a box is pivotal mode of transport like this is Doctor Who, as are all manner of worlds to visit, this is high-concept sci-fi at its most grounded. Neither version of Jason wants to hop through parallel worlds in the name of adventure or exploration — they're simply chasing their idea of everyday perfection. The first Jason chose Daniela and Charlie over devoting his existence to his career, round-the-clock work and only seeing the inside of a lab. Drugging and abducting him to reveal what could've eventuated if he didn't chart that path, the second Jason slides into his life to trade places. The everyman Jason unwillingly gets transported to a plane of reality where he's a famous billionaire — as well as the recipient of prizes and kudos, and also the creator of the technology that's allowing tumbling through the multiverse to happen — while the interloper Jason assumes his spot as a husband and dad. Dark Matter ties into the proverb "the grass is always greener", too, as both Jasons face the ups and downs of the road not taken, mostly for worse not better. For Jason One, if only verdant pastures were all that changed as he urgently attempts to return to his Daniela. With Jason Two's psychiatrist partner and colleague Amanda (Alice Braga, A Murder at the End of the World) for company, anything can await behind the infinite expanse of doors in a dimly light corridor that literalises the quantum state of superposition. Again, though, journeying to dystopias and paradises, and through disasters and futuristic havens while they're at it, isn't the point, even if each of the above makes an appearance. If you've ever felt as if you've been wading through copies of the life that you're meant to have, with nothing completely falling into place as it should, that's Jason One's experience as minor details morph from world to world. Edgerton's job, fittingly, contains multitudes. As the initial iteration of Jason, he plays thoughtful, considerate, dedicated to his loved ones and desperate to find his way back to them — all while tussling with the show's high-tech premise, often while stranded within that endless hallway. As Jason Two, he's a calculating imposter endeavouring not to get caught in the dream reality that he's ruthlessly stolen, but also arrogant in his confidence that he's pulled off his existential heist. A click on the soundtrack signals Dark Matter's jump between Jasons, but it needn't: Edgerton conveys their differences alongside their similarities like an artist painting the same portrait in dissimilar styles, and does so in one of the best performances of his career. Grappling with regrets, possibilities, the haunting knowledge that other futures are always possible and the distress of grasping that you mightn't have appreciated what you had until it was gone, Edgerton isn't the only actor excelling at doing double duty. For Connelly, in a show that spirits someone else off on a quest as another of her on-screen alter egos once was nearly four decades back in Labyrinth — a series where frosty climes and trains also play a part, bringing her last small-screen role on Snowpiercer to mind — shifts in body language say everything. And, they aren't the only cast members serving up layered performances. Braga, Fegley and Simpson are no slouches; in smaller but no less pivotal roles, neither are Dayo Okeniyi (Hypnotic) and Amanda Brugel (Parish). With Wayward Pines and Good Behaviour, Crouch's work has ventured from the page to episodes before — and with his involvement. His latest series has echoes within Apple TV+'s slate, too, because the platform's love of science fiction, twists and mysteries just keeps growing, including with Constellation already in 2024, Silo in 2023 and Severance in 2022. There might only be a lone idyllic realm for Jasons in Dark Matter, but that isn't the case for the streaming service's viewers. An absorbing and addictive trip that's also firmly anchored in relatable yearnings and musings, this Edgerton-led series is one to enthusiastically dive into. Check out the trailer for Dark Matter below: Dark Matter streams via Apple TV+ from Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
North Sydney's culinary star has been on the rise for a while, thanks to an influx of excellent venues such as up-market steakhouse Poetica, pretty-in-pink Italian diner Bar Lettera and leafy rooftop retreat Rafi. But if there was any question as to the virtues of heading north of the Bridge in search of a fine feed, the arrival of Walker Street precinct is sure to silence any doubts. Four slick new venues created by Etymon Projects and located on Walker Street — just a few minutes walk from the upcoming Victoria Cross metro station — are set to make North Sydney a must-visit for any self-respecting foodie, with all four venues opening their doors from Tuesday, July 9. [caption id="attachment_964036" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sol Bread + Wine[/caption] You can start the day at Sol Bread + Wine, a bakery and cafe by day and intimate wine bar by night that channels a Mediterranean spirit with design cues from Italy and Spain. A palette of earth tones is accented with geometric tiles and warm timber furniture, creating a space that effortlessly transitions from breakfast bakery to a laidback cicchetteria serving top drops and sophisticated snacks. [caption id="attachment_964037" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Soluna[/caption] A striking presence in Sol Bread + Wine, a bold red spiral staircase delivers diners to the first-floor sister venue, Soluna. Open from lunch through to dinner, this 110-seat restaurant — as well as the attached 60-seat bar and 30-seat, armchair-filled lounge — is another flexible concept that is as much a place for intimate catch-ups with friends over a glass of wine as it is a go-to for larger parties celebrating a major occasion. The room is dominated by a green terrazzo bar, mirroring the verdant planting dotted throughout the space. [caption id="attachment_964038" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Genzo[/caption] At first glance, contemporary Japanese diner and sake bar Genzo is a playful space complete with vivid overhead LED lighting, anime influences and an eye-popping colour scheme. But don't let that fool you — this restaurant takes its offering very seriously. A temperature-controlled sake room, a selection of expertly balanced, Japanese-inspired cocktails and a menu focused on raw dishes and kushiyaki prepared over a traditional robata grill combine for a contemporary izakaya experience that will rival Sydney's best. [caption id="attachment_964039" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Una[/caption] Finally, new priovidore Una, will stock gourmet produce, artisanal goods and pantry essentials as well as house-made pastas and other take-home meals. A considered edit of local and imported ingredients, from cheeses and charcuterie to boutique wines and spirits, will make this luxury grocer a boon for any North Sydney gastronomes hoping to wow at their next dinner party. Executive Chef Rhys Connell, formerly of The Grantry and Sepia, will oversee all four venues of the new Walker Street precinct. "I realise [this is] an opportunity I've been working towards my whole career," Connell said. "The past couple of months have been a creative blur of menus, scribbling ideas down in the middle of the night and tastings for each venue, and we're now in such a great place with it all I just can't wait to open the doors." [caption id="attachment_964041" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rhys Connell[/caption] Find the Walker Street Precinct at 168 Walker Street, North Sydney, open from Tuesday, July 9. Sol Bread + Wine will open daily, 7am–10pm. Head to the venue's website for details. Soluna will open daily, 11.30am–late. Head to the venue's website for details. Genzo will open Tuesday – Sunday, 12–3pm and 5–10pm. Head to the venue's website for more details. Una will open Sunday–Wednesday, 10am–6pm, and Thursday–Saturday, 10am–10pm. Head to the venue's website for details. Images: Steven Woodburn
The Kid LAROI hasn't locked in exact dates for his rescheduled Down Under shows for 2024 as yet, after his first-ever Down Under stadium tour was postponed from February, and will now take place in October instead. You can still spend time with the Australian singer-songwriter before summer is over, however, thanks to the just-announced Kids Are Growing Up — because The Kid LAROI is getting the feature-length documentary treatment. Directed by Michael D Ratner, the film features interviews with The Kid LAROI, obviously, as well as Justin Bieber, Post Malone and more. Fans will know the general story that the doco follows, exploring how Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard became a teenage star with global fame. But, as it charts not just the successes but also the pressures along the way — especially for someone Howard's age — this is a behind-the-scenes story. Arriving on Prime Video worldwide on Thursday, February 29, Kids Are Growing Up started filming before 'Stay' became a huge hit, and also covers Howard navigating his mentor Juice WRLD's death. The path from being an unknown talent to selling out arenas is also covered, as is mental health, love, and getting ready for The Kid LAROI's first studio album The First Time and corresponding world tour — plus the quest for happiness along the way. "I can't wait for audiences to see this behind-the-scenes portrayal of my journey, which perfectly encapsulates some of the most rewarding and challenging years of my life and career so far," said Howard, announcing the documentary. Director Ratner also helmed 2021's Justin Bieber: Our World, and founded OBB Pictures, the production company behind both Bieber's and now The Kid LAROI's films. There's no word yet when the 'Without You', 'Thousand Miles', 'Love Again' musician's Down Under shows will lock in their new dates, after they were postponed so that Howard could confirm a "really big surprise and special guest" — alongside ONEFOUR, who will also be on the bill — and also due to "a bunch of other logistical stuff". In the interim, he's touring Europe in April. Kids Are Growing Up will be available via Prime Video from Thursday, February 29. Top image: Adam Kargenian.
Tucked at the southern end of Cronulla Plaza, Fred's Providore is a local go-to for cafe fare, premium groceries and cuts from its in-house butchery. The space is bright and handsome, with dark timber, brass, fluted glass and exposed brick lending it a distinctly European feel. It's the kind of spot you could duck into for a wedge or two from the gourmet cheese display, or comfortably linger with a pick from the all-day brunch or loaded focaccia menus. Come nightfall, things take a decidedly intimate turn with Fred's After Hours, a moody bistro and wine bar that sees the lights dim and the wine poured generously. Those same timber and brass accents glow warmer in soft golden light, while the exposed brick takes on a softly dramatic edge. The fluted glass, etched with gold leaf, adds to the after-dark shimmer, and makes a fitting backdrop for caviar crumpets, dry-aged steaks and 16 wines by the glass. The menu — available from Thursday to Sunday — puts an elevated spin on the wine bar model. Yes, you'll find anchovy gildas and tuna crudo bites — and, naturally, house-baked focaccia — but also brioche lobster rolls and Black Pearl Oscietra caviar served with mini crumpets. Larger plates showcase the butchery's premium produce, like grass-fed steak tartare with 24-month parmesan and focaccia, MB9+ wagyu skewers and a rotating butcher's cut — for opening, it's a one-kilogram, dry-aged bistecca cooked on a hibachi and served on the bone. Behind the bar, sommelier Jeff Beresford has assembled a tight list that roams through Australia, New Zealand, France and Italy, with a pair of champagnes — Pol Roger and Ruinart, no less — available by the glass. Cocktails are equally considered, from the reimagined passionfruit martini served with a prosecco palate cleanser, to classic serves that can all be paired with a caviar-topped crisp. [caption id="attachment_1018893" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jarryd Biviano[/caption] Top images: Jarryd Biviano.
Tucked along the coast close to the Victorian-South Australian border, and just beyond the westernmost end of the Great Ocean Road, Nelson is a charming country town brimming with incredible outdoor adventures. With its tight-knit local community and hardy surrounding wilderness, this is one spot to put on your list if you're looking for top-notch hiking, surfing, fishing and more. Nelson might not be considered the end of the earth, but its veritable collection of stunning landscapes means you and your pals will struggle to find a place with better access to nature. Whether you get your kicks from underground walkways, remote inland hikes or riding rugged waves, we've teamed up with Wild Turkey to present a collection of experiences in this thriving border town where unforgettable memories are guaranteed. [caption id="attachment_841188" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] EXPLORE THE DRAMATIC PRINCESS MARGARET ROSE CAVE Situated along the banks of the Glenelg River, the Princess Margaret Rose Cave sees daring travellers descend into a subterranean cavern where calcite formations have ebbed and flowed over the last 700,000 years. Opened in 1940 as one of Australia's first show caves, the limestone lair is one of Nelson's standout destinations. Make the most of your time underground with a guided tour, during which you'll have 45 minutes to wander illuminated walkways flanked by crystalline stalagmites and stalactites that have expanded to over six metres in length. If you can't get enough of your surrounds, the Princess Margaret Rose Cave is located next to a picturesque campground, where you can find close encounters with native wildlife among a eucalypt forest. [caption id="attachment_841190" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] TACKLE THE GREAT SOUTH WEST WALK AND SPEND A NIGHT BENEATH THE STARS A staggering amount of rewarding hikes are located along the Great Ocean Road's 243 kilometres, but few are as impressive as the Great South West Walk. While the total distance of this epic journey through Victoria's western coast takes around 12 days to complete — the whole trail is longer than the Great Ocean Road itself — choosing a section or two to tackle is a far more realistic prospect for most. Across full-day hikes and laidback loops, the path meanders from the coastal edge inland through Cobboboonee National Park and side-by-side with the Glenelg River, meaning you'll see both lush forests and idyllic seaside villages. If you're looking to really connect with nature, pack a tent and set yourself up at one of the 14 well-maintained campsites along the way, which provide fitting amenities for an overnight stay. [caption id="attachment_843921" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliot Kramer[/caption] SEE WHERE THE RIVER MEETS THE OCEAN AT DISCOVERY BAY ESTUARY BEACH Exploring scenic beaches is one of the main reasons to cruise Victoria's western fringe. Discovery Bay Estuary Beach is a particularly beautiful highlight, as the meeting point of the Glenelg River and the rugged Southern Ocean. And whether you want to take it easy on the river side or test your mettle on the ocean side, the two kilometres of sandy shoreline means that the swimming and surfing potential is virtually endless. Fair warning: the beach isn't patrolled by lifesavers so be sure you know what you're doing before you set off. Situated about a five-minute drive from the centre of Nelson, this beach is also beloved for its fishing, with local anglers heading out by boat or seeing what they can catch in the shallows. Plus, the surrounding wetlands and sand dunes provide critical ecosystems for hundreds of rare waterbirds and plant species, ensuring you feel that enchanting connection with nature. [caption id="attachment_841194" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] SURF THE SOUTHERN OCEAN AT DISCOVERY BAY COASTAL PARK For even more surfing possibilities, heading further south to the Discovery Bay Coastal Park leaves you totally spoilt for choice. Spanning nearly 26,000 acres from Cape Nelson to the South Australian border, this spectacular national park welcomes you to soak up the diverse landscape from end to end. While you might feel the urge to dive in anywhere, several top-quality breaks present the best waves. Crumpet Beach and Blacknose Point are ideal for newbies, while Descartes is where more experienced surfers test their skills. Meanwhile, Discovery Bay Marine National Park offers outstanding underwater ecosystems, so be sure to pack your snorkelling gear. There's plenty happening inland, too, thanks to soaring coastal cliffs, impressive sand dunes and idyllic freshwater lakes and swamps. Feel free to take your time here — there are several vantage points within the park where you can catch one of the best sunsets in Victoria. [caption id="attachment_841197" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] HEAD TO CAPE BRIDGEWATER FOR OTHERWORLDLY ROCK FORMATIONS Set in an ancient volcanic crater, Cape Bridgewater's otherworldly landscape is perfect for road trippers seeking a unique adventure. Its jagged coastline is home to some of Victoria's highest clifftops, and the countryside beyond overflows with freshwater lakes that are excellent for fishing and water skiing. However, the coast remains the main attraction, with the Bridgewater Blowholes helping travellers get up close to rock formations forged in the basalt and scoria rock over millions of years. The cape is also well-known for its population of fur seals, with a dedicated viewing platform providing a glimpse of this year-round colony situated on the ocean edge. [caption id="attachment_843922" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliot Kramer[/caption] FISH AND PADDLE ALONG THE GLENELG RIVER Spanning 350 kilometres from Nelson's Discovery Bay to the lofty Southern Grampians, the Glenelg River boasts a thriving biosphere that makes for a captivating day on the water. With the waterway considered one of the state's top fishing destinations, you can cast a line for flathead, morwong and silver sweep throughout the year. If you decide to explore the inland reaches of the Glenelg River, Dartmoor is great for a pitstop. Here, Paestan Canoe Hire provides everything you need for a peaceful paddle beneath the shaded banks. For something a little different, tee off for a round at Dartmoor Golf Club or feast on classic pub grub at the Dartmoor Hotel Motel. Find out more about Wild Turkey's Discovery Series at the website. Top image: Visit Victoria
This is a true story: in 2014, Hollywood decided to take on a task that was destined to either go as smoothly as sliding on ice or prove as misguided as having a woodchipper sitting around. Revisiting Fargo was a bold move even in pop culture's remake-, reboot- and reimagining-worshipping times, because why say "you betcha" to trying to make crime-comedy perfection twice? The Coen brothers' 1996 film isn't just any movie. It's a two-time Oscar-winner, BAFTA and Cannes' Best Director pick of its year, and one of the most beloved and original examples of its genre in the last three decades. But in-between credits on Bones, The Unusuals and My Generation, then creating the comic book-inspired Legion, writer, director and producer Noah Hawley started a project he's now synonymous with, and that's still going strong five seasons in. For the TV version of Fargo, the setup mirrors the film. "This is a true story," all iterations of Fargo claim. "At the request of the survivors, the names have been changed," each season of the series goes on, as the movie did before them. "Out of respect for the dead, the rest has been told exactly as it occurred," they also advise. What follows from there is always a twisty tale set in America's midwest, as filled with everyday folks in knotty binds, complicated family ties, crooks both bumbling and determined trying to cash in, and intrepid cops investigating leads that others wouldn't. Hawley's stroke of genius: driving back into Fargo terrain by making an anthology series built upon similar pieces, but always finding new tales about greed, power, murder and snowy landscapes to tell — including the latest, which starts releasing episodes via SBS On Demand in Australia and Neon in New Zealand from Wednesday, November 22. Consider Fargo a Coen brothers remix, too, nodding to its inspiration while existing in the same universe, and also winking at the sibling filmmakers' other features. It's a series where stars from Joel and Ethan's movies have key roles, such as The Man Who Wasn't There's Billy Bob Thornton, A Serious Man's Michael Stuhlbarg and The Big Lebowski's David Thewlis, to mention a few. References to The Big Lebowski's white russians, mugshots that ape Raising Arizona, O Brother Where Art Thou?-esque bluegrass and calling someone "friendo" No Country for Old Men-style also happily pop up. Lines of dialogue, monikers, shots, scenes, character types, plot specifics: from Blood Simple and Barton Fink to Burn After Reading and Hail, Caesar! — and Miller's Crossing, The Hudsucker Proxy, True Grit, Inside Llewyn Davis and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs as well — the links keep coming. Hawley's Fargo adores the Coenverse overall, enthusiastically scouring it for riches like it's the TV-making embodiment of Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter's namesake. That film hailed from Damsel's David Zellner instead, and took cues from the urban legend surrounding the purported Fargo ties to the IRL death of Japanese office worker Takako Konishi; however, wanting the contents of the Coen brothers' brains to become your reality is clearly a common thread. Of course, for most of the fictional figures who've walked through the small-screen Fargo's frames, they'd like anything but caper chaos. Scandia, Minnesota housewife Dot Lyon (Juno Temple, Ted Lasso) is one of them in season five. North Dakota sheriff, preacher and rancher Roy Tillman (Jon Hamm, Good Omens) isn't as averse to a commotion if he's the one causing it. Minnesota deputy Indira Olmstead (Richa Moorjani, Never Have I Ever) and North Dakota state trooper Witt Farr (Lamorne Morris, Woke) just want to get to the bottom of the series' new stint of sometimes-madcap and sometimes-violent mayhem. The events depicted in Fargo season five take place in 2019, after the film's 1987 timing, then season one's 2006 setting, season two's jump back to 1979, season three unfurling in 2010 and season four using 1950 as a backdrop. This is the most current of the franchise's interconnected stories in two ways, with America's recent political climate and corresponding polarisation key to its ten-episode narrative. Indeed, when Dot and her tween daughter Scotty (Sienna King, Under the Banner of Heaven) are introduced in the fifth season's opening scene, it's at a PTA meeting-turned-brawl. After Dot busts out a taser to escape the mob, her presence in the melee ends with an arrest by Olmstead, worry from her car salesman Wayne (David Rysdahl, Oppenheimer), disapproval from his debt collection company CEO mother Lorraine (Jennifer Jason Leigh, Hunters) and the latter's in-house lawyer Danish Graves (Dave Foley, The Kids in the Hall) snapping into action. Similarly a consequence: the dawning realisation by those around her that this stay-at-home mum has secrets. Fans of the movie are in for a treat as Hawley treads in its footsteps more directly than ever, but still cleverly, entertainingly, and while reinforcing the idea that basic human nature sparks tales like this over and over. A home invasion and kidnapping, dispatched criminals doing a job that goes awry, a massive face wound and the line "it's a beautiful day" — uttered here by Olmstead — all feature. As Dot joins Fargo's array of indomitable women, so do Olmstead and Lorraine, offering three stripes on an upstanding, ruthless and caught in-between flag. And the saga's savaging exploration of masculinity? The Trumpian Tillman, who sees the law as a mere guide, is all about boosting his own status, has son Gator (Joe Keery, Stranger Things) following his lead and also sports the Anton Chigurh doppelgänger Ole Munch (Sam Spruell, The Gold) on the payroll, is its primary target. Season five kicks off with a title card in addition to the playful "this is a true story" spiel (it's well-established by now that Fargo trades in anything but, at least where narrative facts are involved). Defining "Minnesota nice" as "an aggressively pleasant demeanour, often forced, in which a person is chipper and self-effacing, no matter how bad things get" gives way to the school riot. In mere minutes, Hawley hammers home the truth that even putting on niceties is a rare occurrence in today's America — and 2019's. The season unpacks this notion, setting its sights on the society, attitudes, leaders and powerbrokers perpetuating self-serving fractures so deep that smiling and pretending to get along isn't possible. Fargo sees the fightback, too, both when class and gender are involved, and especially in the resourceful Dot. She could give MacGyver a run for his money, gets compared to a tiger and, out of necessity, never stops notching up ways to outsmart her foes. Add Temple's lead performance to Fargo's long list of standout portrayals; Frances McDormand received her first of three Best Actress Oscars (before also winning for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Nomadland) for the film, after all. Add Hamm to the franchise's can't-look-away villains, swapping his Mad Men charm for the prickliest of confidence. And, add another delight of a run to the show's pile, this time delivering a striking service station siege, the memorable use of The Prodigy's 'Smack My Bitch Up' and multiple references to The Nightmare Before Christmas along the way. Here's another genuinely true story: Fargo keeps proving one of the best film-to-TV adaptations there is. Check out the trailer for Fargo season five below: Fargo season five streams via SBS On Demand in Australia and Neon in New Zealand from Wednesday, November 22. Images: Michelle Faye/FX.
Hotel William, a historic four-storey hotel on Darlinghurst's William Street, has reopened after a big round of renos as Hyde Park House — and it now boasts a public bar, cocktail parlour and lounge. But we're already heading up to the hotel's top level, where Slims Rooftop offers views across Hyde Park, izakaya-style eats and Asian-inspired drinks. The bright fit-out starts with retro frilly orange and pink umbrellas covering all-white furnishings, which include a mix of low and high tables, along with a few picnic-style benches. Heaps of tropical greenery and potted cacti add to the lush surrounds. It's no secret that cocktail-sipping and rooftops go hand-in-hand, and Slims follows suit with a selection of classics like Aperol spritzes and margaritas ($16–$18), sitting alongside signatures such as the Million Dollar Mermaid (vodka and lychee liqueur) and the Social Call (grapefruit vodka, Cointreau and dragon fruit) for $19. A mostly Australian wine list and local brews by Balter, Modus Operandi and Young Henrys are also up for grabs. The menu focuses on modern Japanese-inspired small plates — think sushi rolls and poké bowls, along with snacks like truffle oil edamame ($9), pan-fried pork or veggie gyoza ($10) and wasabi karaage chicken ($17). If you're looking for larger dishes to share, there's a traditional teppanyaki slinging grilled goods like salmon teriyaki ($30), miso eggplant ($19) and barbecued prawns ($29).
Air guitar enthusiasts will be treated to a garment that makes it even easier to live out their rock star fantasies. Old Navy have collaborated with ThinkGeek to create a shirt that not only features an image of a guitar, but also sounds like one when a button is pressed on the guitar neck and the hand is moved in a strumming motion. Sound is projected through a small guitar amp which can clip to your belt, with adjustable volume depending on how hard you're shredding. But make sure you detach all electronic parts before you throw this bad boy in the wash. Importantly, the design of the shirt also features flames to let everybody know that you're the real deal. See how far you can get into a Jimi Hendrix song on one of these. Wear this under a button-up to work, and only unleash it when you're ready to rock. [via PSFK]
Australia has hurtled its way into the history books, with the successful maiden voyage of its first driverless metro train completed last week. The trial run saw the train cruise along Sydney's new $8.3 billion Metro Northwest railway line in its entirety, a 36-kilometre journey linking Rouse Hill and Chatswood. Once testing has wrapped up, construction is completed and the line is officially opened for business, it's set to be a major win for commuters in the area, with the government promising turn-up-and-go services every four minutes. And this is all expected to happen in the first half of 2019. This part of the Metro Northwest project is in the final stages of completion, with Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance revealing it's expected to be up and running in a matter of months, clocking in at at least $500 million under budget. The Metro Northwest is just one part of the government's overall Sydney Metro project, which will, along with Metro City and Metro Southwest, see a new railway linking Rouse Hill to Chatswood, travelling under the Sydney Harbour to the city, then down to Bankstown. Sydney Metro West will link the city to Parramatta. At this point; however, the final stages of the billion-dollar project — Metro Southwest and West, specifically — are not expected to be completed until 2025. [caption id="attachment_705425" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A map of Sydney Metro Northwest, City and Southwest.[/caption] The line has seen a swag of major rail upgrades, including revamped train stations, new carparks, and platform screen doors installed at all Sydney Metro stations. Further testing will continue over the coming months to prepare the Metro Northwest for its first passenger journeys, which are slated to launch in the second quarter of 2019. You can read more information about the Sydney Metro project at sydneymetro.info.
Australia is home to tens of thousands of species of wildflowers — many of which are grown exclusively in Australia — making it one of the biggest and most diverse collections in the world. While some bloom in seemingly endless fields of brilliant colour, others grow in hard-to-see spots, among trees and grasses. Most get started in early spring, but, in cool environments, like the Snowy Mountains, the real action doesn't kick off until summer. Here's your guide to some of the best places for wildflowers in Australia — from the alpine meadows of Kosciuszko National Park to the wattle-filled picnic areas of Warrandyte State Park, just outside Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_740494" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elinor Sheargold[/caption] NSW: KOSCIUSZKO NATIONAL PARK Once the snow has melted, Kosciuszko National Park transforms into a wonderland of wildflowers. Hundreds of species grow here, including 21 that are unique to the area. One of the nicest ways to see them — while conquering Australia's highest mountain — is along the Kosciuszko Walk, which travels for 13 kilometres from Thredbo to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko. If you're looking for an even more epic adventure, go for the Main Range Walk: a 22-kilometre loop that takes in several glacial lakes. Either way, you'll meet bright yellow billy buttons, pink everlasting daisies, yellow and purple eyebrights and alpine mint bush, among other delights. When to visit: December–January. [caption id="attachment_631474" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pam Goldie[/caption] NSW: MUOGAMARRA NATURE RESERVE Need a wildflower fix, but don't want to travel too far from the city? Make tracks to Muogamarra Nature Reserve, which lies an hour's drive north of Sydney, near the Hawkesbury River. More than 900 native species live here, from brilliant red waratahs and angophoras to pink boronias and native orchids. Plenty of animals enjoy the sights, too, so don't be surprised to come across echidnas, wedge-tailed eagles and lyrebirds. To deepen your knowledge, join a guided walk, be it the Aboriginal Heritage Walk, the Muogamarra Highlights Walk or the six-hour Peats Bight Walk. There's only one catch — Muogamarra is open just six weekends each year in August and September. When to visit: August–September. [caption id="attachment_740505" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Spencer[/caption] NSW: TOORALE NATIONAL PARK If you're up for a road trip, make Toorale National Park your destination. You'll find it at the back of Bourke, around 11 hours' drive northwest of Sydney. Perched on the banks of Darling River, the park is made up of enormous floodplains and waterways, which create ideal conditions for flowers to bloom. See the most spectacular scenery on the Darling River Drive, a 41-kilometre loop that, in spring, passes through fields of teeny-tiny sunray daisies. After rainfall, you'll be surrounded by bluebells, native peas and pigweed. It's also an excellent route for stargazers and birdwatchers, especially those who like baby emus. You can camp by the water, too, at Yapara Paaka Thuru (Darling River Campground). When to visit: September–October. VIC: GREATER BENDIGO NATIONAL PARK Bendigo isn't only an excellent escape for culture vultures, it's also perfect for wildflower watchers. That's because the city is more or less encircled by national park. Begin your escapades at One Tree Hill Regional Park, with a three-kilometre hike to the summit. It's steep, but worth the visual rewards — expect to be immersed, not only in golden carpets of wattle, delicate wax flowers and an array of native orchids, but also by panoramic regional views. Another flowery spot nearby is Solomon Gully Nature Conservation Reserve, which is a 10-minute drive south of town. When to visit: September–December. [caption id="attachment_740501" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julian Kingma for Visit Victoria[/caption] VIC: GRAMPIANS NATIONAL PARK A whopping one third of Victoria's wildflowers are in Grampians National Park. In fact, it was once described as the 'garden of Victoria' and, given that Victoria was once known as 'The Garden State', that's saying something. If you're visiting in early spring, head for Heatherlie Quarry, Mount Zero and Mount Stapylton — all in the Grampians' northern section. Also impressive is Wartook Valley, where acacia blooms from late August. Come spring, the best views are around Halls Gap, where the last weekend of September is dedicated to the Grampians Wildflower Show. When to visit: August–December. [caption id="attachment_703439" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick Carson via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] VIC: WARRANDYTE STATE PARK Want wildflowers without any driving? You're in luck. Melbourne has its very own stash of blossoms in Warrandyte State Park, on the banks of the Yarra, 45 minutes' drive northeast of the CBD. It's the closest state park to the city. There's a diverse and colourful variety of flora to spot, from chocolate lilies (which are purple, not brown) and milkmaids to blue pincushions and pale sundews. Most bloom between September and December, though some, like ivy-leaf violets and common heath, last longer. In between looking down for flowers, look up for koalas. When to visit: September–December. [caption id="attachment_726968" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ben Nott for Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] QLD: GIRRAWEEN NATIONAL PARK The name's a giveaway. Girraween means 'place of flowers'. And they look even more dramatic here than in other spots — thanks to the massive granite boulders and outcrops, which create stunning backdrops. The show starts early, in late July, when thousands of wattle trees turn gold. But it's in spring that things really get going, with pea flowers bringing showers of red and purple, followed by native sarsaparilla, native bluebells and stacks of daisies, in a spectrum of colours. The cornucopia of blossoms is a magnet for flower-loving wildlife, including butterflies, crimson rosellas, wedge-tailed eagles and lyrebirds. Girraween National Park is three hours' drive southwest of Brisbane. When to visit: July–January. QLD: GURULMUNDI Not many people live in Gurulmundi, a locality in the Western Downs located five hours' drive northwest of Brisbane. So you won't be bumping elbows while photographing wildflowers. To help you make the most of the many blooms that grow here, there's a dedicated wildflower trail. Made for driving, this 100-kilometre loop officially begins in the nearby town of Miles and takes you off the beaten track, onto unsealed roads and into out-of-the-way places. Along the way, you'll cross the 5000-kilometre-long Dingo Barrier Fence: the longest fence in the world. Follow the wildflower signs for the most beautiful vistas. When to visit: September. QLD: BIRDSVILLE Birdsville might be best known for its legendary pub and spring races, but there are wildflowers, too. Lots and lots and lots of them. That's because the town is in the Diamantina River floodplains, which means fertile soil. The best time to visit is after spring rain, because it drives the seeds to sprout. And, given the terrain is so flat, the results aren't hard to see. Keep your eyes peeled on the road into Birdsville and, if you're exploring further, into Betoota and Bedourie, as well. Just some of the exotic flowers you're likely to see include poached egg daisies, the hairy darling pea, wild stock and desert nightshade. When to visit: After it rains. Top image: Wildflowers in the Grampians by Christine O'Connell; Barrington River by John Spencer; and Muogamarra by John Spencer.
Name a fictional detective — be it Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, Nancy Drew, Scooby-Doo, Inspector Gadget or Benoit Blanc — and, no matter who they are or which cases they've solved, someone has wanted to follow in their footsteps. Actually, more than a few someones have. We've all done it: watched, read or listened to a murder-mystery, then figured that we could solve a big case if the situation arose. Thanks to podcasts such as Serial, as well as the recent true-crime boom in general, that's become the default reaction to hearing about an unsolved or thorny story. It's also the premise behind returning Disney+ series Only Murders in the Building, which satirises the fact that everyone has wanted to be Sarah Koenig over the past decade. Only Murders in the Building has its own version of Koenig, called Cinda Canning (Tina Fey, Girls5eva). As viewers of the show's first season know, though, she's not the marvellous murder-mystery comedy's focus. Instead, it hones in on three New Yorkers residing in the Arconia apartment complex — where, as the program's name makes plain, there's a murder. There's several, but it only takes one to initially bring actor Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin, It's Complicated), theatre producer Oliver Putnam (Martin Short, Schmigadoon!) and the much-younger Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez, The Dead Don't Die) together. The trio then turn amateur detectives, and turn that sleuthing into their own podcast, which also shares the show's title. In season two, which starts streaming Down Under on Tuesday, June 28, the show returns to the same scene. No time has passed for Only Murders in the Building's characters — and, while plenty has changed since the series' debut episode last year, plenty remains the same. Viewers now know Charles, Oliver and Mabel better, and they all know each other better, but that only makes things more complicated. Indeed, there's a lived-in vibe to the program and its main figures this time around, rather than every episode feeling like a new discovery. Among the many things that Only Murders in the Building does exceptionally well, finding multiple ways to parallel on- and off-screen experiences ranks right up there. That applies to podcast fixations, naturally, and also to getting to know someone, learning their ins and outs, and finding your comfort zone even when life's curveballs keep coming. There wouldn't be another season without another murder, however. This time, Arconia board president Bunny Folger (Jayne Houdyshell, Little Women) has left the land of the living. The OMITB crew were all known to have their struggles with her, so they're all persons of interest. They have media profiles now, due to their first-season success. Canning herself starts a podcast about the podcasters. It's Mabel who finds Bunny, in fact, sparking too many internet theories. And, to the joy of the actual NYPD detective on the case (Michael Rapaport, Life & Beth), all the evidence keeps pointing at her, Charlies and Oliver. Even if you've only watched one murder-mystery before, you know the old cliche about returning to the scenes of crimes. Generally, that's what the guilty do, driven by a need to witness the aftermath of their handiwork, insert themselves into the investigation and enjoy a second round of thrills. But Only Murders in the Building makes a comeback for a different reason, which definitely doesn't involve zapping more enjoyment out of evil deeds. At a series level, there's none of the latter to revel in anyway. The first season was such a warm and amusing gem — and smart and astute, too, whether it was serving up odd-thruple banter, or parodying whodunnits and their obsessives — that it instantly became one of 2021's best small-screen newcomers. What makes season two tick is the same thing that made season one tick, though: the show's fondness for people above all else. They're the only thing that ever truly matters in any murder-mystery, as should always be the case when someone has lost their life at the hands of another. In its first batch of episodes, Only Murders in the Building made a point of identifying its victim's flaws and troubles — explaining why more than a few people wanted him dead, because that's the genre's whole concept — but also took great care to flesh him out as a person, too. It does the same with Bunny the second time around, unsurprisingly. Indeed, diving into the ups and downs, strengths and struggles, and wins and losses that make the Arconia's inhabitants who they are is as crucial a part of the show as figuring out who decides to wield a gun, knife or knitting needle. Only Murders in the Building has been doing exactly that with Charles, Oliver and Mabel from the outset, of course, and keeps digging into its central trio. But new residents and familiar faces alike still get the same treatment during season two, including Amy Schumer as herself and the returning Theo Dimas (James Caverly, A Bennett Song Holiday). Viewers learn more about Charles' past with his father, which may be linked to Bunny — and his connection to Lucy (Zoe Colletti, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark), the now-teenager who was almost his stepdaughter. Oliver's bond with his son Will (Ryan Broussard, Modern Love) gets pushed into the spotlight, as does his need to be the dip-eating centre of attention. And Mabel's distrust of others continues to help drive the narrative, especially after she becomes the key suspect and gets badged #BloodyMabel on social media. Around of all the above, there are blackouts and 70s-style parties, canny commentary about lives lived online and lonely hearts in equal measures, wonderful one-liners and knowing in-jokes, and an impressive balance of comedy and heart. If cracking any case is all about puzzling together the right pieces, then Only Murders in the Building has found its ideal components — more so in season two, which is weightier, deeper, funnier, more insightful and more charming. It's also an even better showcase for its three leads, who just might be the most likeable trio currently gracing any series. Martin, Short and Gomez all such delights together that they deserve their own podcast about why they're so great playing podcast-obsessed podcasters. If you're already a fan of Only Murders in the Building, you know you'd listen to it. Check out the trailer for Only Murders in the Building season two below: Only Murders in the Building's second season starts streaming Down Under via Star on Disney+ on Tuesday, June 28, starting with two episodes, then airing new instalments weekly. Read our full review of the show's first season. Images: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu.
With the sun shining and everything looking just a little bit more beautiful, spring is the perfect time to head out for a day of gallery hopping around Sydney's many galleries. There are plenty of exhibitions currently showing — or set to open in the next couple of months — covering everything from gallery retrospectives and award-winning photography, to cultural explorations and genre-bending performance works.
Walking through stunning lights as far as the eye can see, moseying beneath a canopy of glowing multi-coloured trees, wandering between ribbons of flashing beams, taking the most luminous 2.1-kilometre stroll through nature that you can imagine — you'll be able to do all of this when Lightscape heads to Sydney for the first time in 2023. Already a hit in Melbourne, the after-dark light festival will be taking over the the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney from Friday, May 26–Saturday, June 17, beaming away from 5.30pm each night as part of another dazzling Sydney event: Vivid. While the leafy spot is already extremely scenic, and Sydney's annual lights, music and ideas festival is already vibrant to look at as well, saying that Lightscape will be brightening up both is quite the understatement. Prepare to see the garden illuminated by immersive and large-scale installations scattered along that 2.1-kilometre route, including sparkling trees, luminous walkways and bursts of colour that look like fireworks. A big highlight: large-scale works like giant flowers and glowing tunnels, both of which will make you feel like you're being bathed in radiance. Lightscape first hit Australia in 2022 after first taking over gardens across the United Kingdom and the United States. Developed by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the UK, it's understandably proven a huge success — and more than two-million people wandered along its glowing trails in a season overseas. Fingers crossed for pop-up food and drink stalls scattered throughout Lightscape in Sydney — selling, we hope, mulled wine to keep hands warm during the chilly winter nights. Lightscape sits on a Vivid Sydney bill that'll also see the event host its first-ever food fest, and also feature plenty of other lit-up spaces around the Harbour City. The Vivid Sydney Light Walk is back for 2023, this time with 49-plus light installations and 3D projections along its illuminated eight-kilometre stretch; Barerarerungar from First Nations artist Maree Clarke will be projected across the Museum of Contemporary Art; and Jen Lewin's The Last Ocean will also be a highlight, hitting Sydney after premiering at Burning Man in 2022. Lightscape will light up the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Queen Elizabeth II Gates, from Friday, May 26–Saturday, June 17. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the Vivid Sydney website.
Spooky season has returned, a time of ghosts and ghouls, flirting with lolly-based diabetes and getting into the spirit by bingeing all things horror. Generally the impulse is to line up a movie marathon of monsters and murderers, but why not mix a little interactivity into your goosebump-inducing genre consumption this year? With horror being such a beloved creative territory there's a boundless wealth of frightening indie games around, but to help you dip your toe into the terrifying here's a list of six (aka 1/111th of the spookiest number possible) to try… if you dare. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF3ZIJccpj8[/embed] MUNDAUN Folk horror is not a genre that shows up much in the gaming world which seems to have an overwhelming preference for sci-fi scares and general supernatural gore. Swiss developers Hidden Fields decided to buck trends with Mundaun, a first-person exploration game rendered in hand-pencilled fashion. You play as Curdin, a man visiting a small village in the alpine foothills to pay his post-funeral respects to his grandfather after the old man perished in a barn fire. Only problem is, grandpa's grave is empty. As you delve into the mystery of what happened to gramps, you uncover a historical deal made under the duress of war that has cursed the village, and it's up to you to do something about it by poking around the town of Mundaun and its surrounds, speaking with its inhabitants, and indulging in some light puzzle solving. There's a pinch of survival horror mixed in too, so you'll need to manage limited ammo and weapons to deal with a variety of enemies, from animated straw men to undead soldiers. The game's striking aesthetic lends an uneasy air that feeds excellently into the surreal, foreboding setting, steeped in a confluence of Christianity and Paganism. There's nothing else quite like it, so make sure you play with the lights off for the best experience. Spookiness Rating: 7/10 Available on: PC, Playstation 4/5, Xbox One/S/X, Nintendo Switch [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBuh9afznMg[/embed] YUPPIE PSYCHO If you've ever drawn a salary as a corporate wage slave, Yuppie Psycho is going to speak to you on another level. This survival horror game, developed by French/Spanish team Baroque Decay, puts you in the shoes of Brian Pasternack, a nervous young man on his first day at Sintracorp. His job? Kill the witch that has cursed the company for years. You'll spend your time roaming the 10 floors of the company's headquarters, rendered in gloriously retro pixel art. Almost from the get-go, it's clear that something is deeply, deeply wrong. Most of your coworkers are slack jawed and dead eyed, responding with gibberish when you try to talk to them. Someone keeps painting messages on the wall in blood. There's a cemetery in the woods on the 8th floor, and a spider monster in the archives. Alongside all of this standard horror, the game deftly mixes in the anxiety and imposter syndrome that accompanies starting a new job, as well as the existential despair that comes from mandatory motivational meetings, dealing with the spectrum of irritating co-workers and navigating the forced, two-faced jollity of a professional environment. With multiple endings based on choices you make, and even two vastly different paths to get to the end, it's a game you can pick up and play again and again. Spookiness Rating: 6/10 Available on: PC/Mac, Playstation 4/5, Xbox One/S/X, Nintendo Switch [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe4gVfZ1Q2I[/embed] WORLD OF HORROR 'A little bit of HP Lovecraft, a little bit of Junji Ito' is a great recipe for the vibe of a horror game. WORLD OF HORROR by Polish solo dev panstasz takes place at the cusp of the apocalypse. The Old Gods are awakening, panic and madness are spreading, and monsters are stalking the streets of Shiokawa, the small Japanese town where the action takes place. The primary thrust of the game sees you investigating a series of strange occurrences. It's a roguelike, so the changing raft of cases means no two runs are exactly the same which gives the game great replayability. The turn-based combat leans towards the challenging side (hey, no one said the end of the world would be easy), but an RPG-esque upgrade system will help ease the stress of late-stage runs — provided you make smart choices. Plus it's primarily an adventure game, so if you fear fast-twitch gameplay there's nothing to worry about here... beyond everything else happening. The Junji Ito inspiration comes through heavily in the lineup of monsters, mirroring the manga artist's off-putting creations in throwback 1-bit graphics that look like they came straight off the page. Fans of Japanese horror will definitely want to give this one a whirl. Spookiness Rating: 9/10 Available on: PC/Mac, Console release coming October 26th [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naCeKfdPbTs[/embed] CRITTERS FOR SALE Critters For Sale is weird, man. No other way to put it. Created by solo developer Sonoshee, this blend of point-and-click adventure and visual novel is a heady, paranoid time, as compelling as it is mildly repulsive. Play through five nonlinear short stories linked by broad themes of good vs evil, time travel and black magic, with woozy, grainy 1-bit graphics that help to heighten the general feelings of discomfort and discombobulation. Some feature multiple endings based on choices you make, which encourages multiple playthroughs supported by quality-of-life features that skip you to key story points so you don't have to start at the beginning every time. Others hide secrets that will only make sense once you've explored all the stories. Each tale comes from the perspective of a different character, so you're never quite able to find a stable narrative footing as you navigate between them, boosting your sense of unease. It's a highly-advanced horror game that bucks the modern trend of blood and brutality for an ineffable surrealism, leaving an impression on you long after you've completed its twisted paths. The faint-of-heart need not apply. Spookiness Rating: 9/10 Available on: PC [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrRWb7tFxR8[/embed] DREDGE Oceans are terrifying. Out where the water is an almost-black blue, where anything could be lurking below... that's nightmare territory. This is the niche in which Dredge, by New Zealand's Black Salt Games, floats. You're a nameless fisherman, freshly arrived to the island town of Greater Marrow after a shipwreck left you with no memories. The mayor gives you a boat and a job as the community angler and off you go to complete missions for a variety of characters, some with more sinister motives than others. The crux of the game is its day/night cycle. When the sun is up, you can roam the waves with relative impunity. Once the dark arrives your panic metre starts to fill, which can lead to reality-altering hallucinations and death if you push your luck. That's not to mention the sea monsters that inhabit the archipelagos you'll visit, which will have you navigating coastlines in frenzied fear, searching for escape. Mix all the above with a raft of compelling gameplay mechanics, such as a variety of fishing mini-games, the Tetris-like cargo management system and 128 different types of fish to catch and catalogue, and you've got an experience will truly hook you in. Spookiness Raiting: 6/10 Available on: PC, Playstation 4/5, Xbox One/S/X, Nintendo Switch [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI9zBBTyX-E[/embed] LITTLE NIGHTMARES II The decision to include a sequel over the original game took a lot of soul searching. But ultimately, since the focus here is spooks and scares, Little Nightmares II takes the cake (it's also technically a prequel, but let's not get bogged down in details here). Developed by Swedish team Tarsier Studios, Little Nightmares II is a 2.5D puzzle platformer that is packed with peril. You're Mono, a young boy in a paper bag mask who, along with a mysterious young girl as a sidekick, must make your way through the decrepit, dank Pale City to uncover what lies inside the Signal Tower at its heart. Along the way you'll have a lot to deal with, such as the television-addicted inhabitants who fly into an incoherent rage if you sever their connection to the cathode ray tube. The strength of the game lies in its set pieces, each of which is a polished jewel of terror. Talk to anyone who has played Little Nightmares II previously and they can wax lyrical about the School, the Hospital, or the end sequence, which features a twist that will slap a gasp out of you. The character design is also outstanding, with the adult inhabitants of the world represented as twisted grotesqueries, exactly what you'd expect from the point of view of a child. With a gameplay loop centred on dying, learning and dying again, and an atmosphere that will keep your anxiety levels at a roiling boil, Little Nightmares II is a key addition to the game library of any horror fan. Spookiness Rating: 8/10 Available on: PC, Playstation 4/5, Xbox One/S/X, Nintendo Switch
How does Ryan Coogler do horror? With the supernatural, a blues soundtrack, and blood and gore, and also with evil honing in on twin brothers who are trying to create a new haven for their Black community to let loose in after dark, and to simply call their own, in the Mississippi Delta in the 1930s. Both portrayed by Michael B Jordan (Creed III) — because the only thing better than one version of the actor in the filmmaker's Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is two in Sinners — Elijah and Elias, aka Smoke and Stack, are back in their hometown from Chicago with cash to splash and a dream to bring to fruition. They secure an old saw mill, then set about turning it into a juke joint as speedily as they can. The siblings' young cousin Sammie (debutant Miles Caton), a talented guitarist, is enlisted to assist. So is everyone from other musicians (Unprisoned's Delroy Lindo and The Penguin's Jayme Lawson) and friends (Omar Benson Miller, True Lies) to loves from before the brothers left for the city (Loki's Wunmi Mosaku and The Marvels' Hailee Steinfeld) and the local Chinese American shopkeepers (Based on a True Story's Li Jun Li and The Last Bout's Yao). Not just anyone can enter — but when Irishman Remmick (Jack O'Connell, Back to Black) insists on an invite through the doors after being drawn the bar's way by Sammie's powerful tunes, and is refused, he gets persistent. Remmick also gets toothy. Chatting about the picture back when its second trailer released, Coogler described Sinners as "very genre-fluid". He continued: "it switches in and out of a lot of different genres. Yes, vampires are an element of the movie. But that's not the only element. It's not the only supernatural element". Seeing how that proves accurate in the finished film, and how the man behind the movie has written and directed the hell out of it, is already one of 2025's best cinematic experiences. While marking the first time that Coogler hasn't explored a true story, taken on an existing franchise or brought an already-known character to the screen, there's never any doubting that the flick that results couldn't have sprung from anyone else — and that it builds upon one of the best filmographies in the business over the past decade. Although Sinners is Coogler's debut official and overt entry in the horror realm, in a way he's been stepping into that terrain since 2013's Fruitvale Station. When that feature charted the events leading to the death of Oscar Grant in Oakland, it examined a real-life incident far more distressing than any movie that's predicated upon bumps and jumps. Now, 12 years later, Coogler's path from his first film to his fifth is clear: in both, terrors and traumas can lurk for no more reason than being Black in America. [caption id="attachment_1000420" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marion Curtis / StarPix for Warner Bros.[/caption] Sinners also builds upon Coogler's tried, tested and terrific creative collaborations — with Jordan, yes, and also with cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw (The Last Showgirl), production designer Hannah Beachler (Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé), editor Michael P Shawver (Abigail), and two Oscar-winners in composer Ludwig Göransson (Oppenheimer) and costume designer Ruth E Carter (Coming 2 America), all back from either Black Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever or both. Their sense of connection, of support, of coming together to realise a vision, is evident in every frame. Sinners' cast also gush about it. Indeed, when Coogler, Jordan, Caton, O'Connell, Lindo, Li, Mosaku, Steinfeld, Miller and Lawson chat through their experience making the movie, they talk about the shorthand between the film's writer/director and its two-time lead; first-timer Caton enjoying a spectacular learning experience; the depth at every turn, including for the feature's villain; and the cultural richness and attention to detail. Also covered: the flick's impressive choreography behind its frays, cultivating a sense of place, wanting to be on set on days off and more. On the Shorthand That Coogler and Jordan Have Established Over Five Projects and More Than a Decade of Collaborating Michael: "The shorthand has done nothing but get stronger over the years, especially with this one being my first movies that I've done since I directed my first film — and just having a deeper sense of empathy of what Ryan goes through on a day-to-day basis, all the hats that he must wear, the amount of places that he has to be at the same time. Especially on this one, for me to be able to be an extra set of eyes for him and help where I can or anticipate his movements or needs allowed us to maybe get a little bit more done, especially when time is always an issue on set in general — but it's a just mutual understanding. I can't really explain the nonverbal communication that we have that's only gotten better over the years." On Whether Coogler and Jordan's Working Relationship Evolved After Jordan Directed a Film Himself Ryan: "I worked as his producer on Creed III. It was a lot of times where I would never rub it in his face like that, but he would say 'whoa, man, I see what you're dealing with' — but the reality is, man, our jobs are so different. Even what he did when he was directing Creed III, he was acting in that movie. He was having to go get punched in the face and then go look and check to see how he did, and then go back and get punched again. I'm not on-screen ever when I'm directing. I'm behind the camera. Mike is an empathetic guy. He grew up on film and television sets. What I like the most about working with him is he has an incredible work ethic, but he's also a very kind and family-oriented person. When you're number one on the call sheet — in this case, he was 1A and 1B — you have that culture. Oftentimes, it's going to come from there and it trickles down. People are watching how the lead actor communicates with the PA; with the assistant director, the AD; with the camera operator; with the sound. Do they like to let the sound person mic them, or do they want to complain? All of these things, man. He's such an incredible sport and just kindness is the default. That's just infectious on the set in terms of establishing the tone that everybody's going to work with. It's unacceptable to yell at a PA — Mike had never done that, Mike had never raised his voice." Michael: "That's right. That's right." Ryan: "In an industry where it can get very high stress, it can get very toxic, it's great to have somebody who understands the value of keeping it loving and respectful, so that's what I like about Mike the most. The other piece is, he wants to challenge himself constantly. What was great was I got that with every cast member. Everybody who went through the works and stepped on the set, they were trying to be better than they were on their last movie. I believe that they're going to be better than they were on this movie on their next one. That's the type of people that we hired and that culture starts with Mike, but I was fortunate enough that everybody came with that, and I was very happy with that." On Caton's Journey with His First Film Role Miles: "I started off when I was 16 years old, I got the opportunity to sing background for HER, and we began a tour all over the world. We opened up for Coldplay. Towards the end of that tour, I got a call one day saying, she called me and she said 'little bro, there was somebody in the crowd that heard you sing and they want you to audition for this role'. I took that and I ran with it. I sent a self-tape audition. After that, I got a callback. Then they sent a couple sides. It was a kid, a young kid just playing the guitar. I did that and I sent that off. The next thing I knew, I had went to LA to do an audition, and I got to meet Mike and I got to meet Ryan along with a couple other people. From there, I got to really talk with them about the role and just put my best foot forward. After that, I was able to really learn from them. Just being on this project, I got to grow so much. Every day was a learning experience. From the time I got on set to the end, I really did push myself every day to be better. Being around actors at this level, they all showed me so much love, man, so to be here in this moment, I feel super blessed." On O'Connell's Job Unpacking the Many Layers of Sinners' Unsetting Supernatural Force Jack: "I think villain is a fair description. There's probably an easier way of doing things, but in the film, we do it the hard way for Remmick. He's all about fellowship and love. All he wants is just to bite you on your neck, and then that's everlasting love, just a little bite. He's constantly saying 'I promise I won't hurt you'. It's the easy way, but we end up going the hard way. Listen, there's a real richness, a real depth, I think, to Ryan's writing. What we were striving towards was — it wasn't superficial. It was grounded in something that's rooted in history. That, to me, was the main thing I was loving to latch onto, was the cultural richness that our characters were representing in individual ways." On Lindo Being Tasked with Getting Physical and Fiery Delroy: "First of all, we have such a wonderful team who work on the fights. I had said earlier 'oh, Ryan has a wonderful team that he puts at all the actors' disposal'. I had talked earlier about the fact that when I was younger, I did dance class and fighting on film, and in the theatre — it's like choreography, right? It's choreographed. On some level, the more violent the fights are, the more critically important it is that it be choreographed to a tee. These fights were. I came to the project a little late, because I was working on something else, but when I arrived in New Orleans they were already in the thick of building the moves in the fight. The very first fight rehearsal that I went to, the fight captain showed me what they were working on and showed me very specifically 'okay, this is how you will slot in'. We just worked very methodically to achieve that, so by the time we got on camera to shoot those scenes, we all knew exactly what we were doing, what our responsibilities were. The other thing I would say really quickly, there was an openness which trickles down from Ryan and from Mike in terms of the generosity shown to all of the actors. If something was presented to me, there were a couple of things presented to me in the fight scenes where I said 'can I maybe try this?'. 'Absolutely.' There was always space to incorporate what felt more organic for me as an actor." On the Attention to Detail That Went Into Exploring the Chinese American Experience Li: "I was not aware of the Chinese American community in the Mississippi Delta at all. I had no idea about them. All I knew was that when I was presented with the sides during my audition process, I had no other information other than the fact that she was a Chinese American with a very thick, deep southern accent, which was what really piqued my interest — and also obviously because it was Ryan's project. When we dived into the research, it was fascinating. They were such a crucial part of the world at the time. They were the only people who were able to open up grocery stores specifically for the Black and white communities, but they also endured a lot of prejudice themselves. In a documentary made by a filmmaker named Dolly Li, there were a couple of people that she mentioned. One of the women's names was Frieda Quon, which is whom we used for our dialect inspiration. She always said that as long as we stayed in our lanes, we were fine, but trouble would start if we crossed over. I just love how fascinating it was, how deeply embedded they were in the culture and how you would never think that a person who looks like me would speak that way, and yet they did. They also made southern-style Chinese food and they built their own community. It was really a gift to learn about this." On Why a Sense of Place Was So Important, Especially to Smoke and Annie's Love Story Wunmi: "Annie's shop, her home, is in this picturesque environment with these massive shaded oaks — and what's the other tree, the one in Louisiana with the moss? It's so beautiful and romantic and really adds to the magic of their relationship, their love. It elevates it. I love how, in the scene when we see Annie and Smoke for the first time, is it dandelions you've got blowing behind Smoke?" Ryan: "Yeah, pussy willows." Wunmi: "You say willow?" Ryan: "Yeah, pussy willow." Wunmi: "It's so beautiful. The whole shop itself, I feel like I wish we could see the whole thing because Hannah Beachler, she did such an amazing job." Delroy: "She did." Wunmi: "There's smoke coming up through the floorboards and there were these little cards hanging from the ceiling. This candle's burning in the background. You can't see all of this. There were spiderwebs on these spell books. These are real spiders. It's not even set design. It just felt really magical. It felt like their home. When he comes into the store, he knows where to pick his pipe from. He knows that time has stood still for her and everything is as it was. I really loved their environment. It felt like it really added to the scene, it added to our intimacy, it added to our connection." On Navigating Mary's Journey, and the Night-Time Shoots That It Entailed Hailee: "I think the nights were crazy, and a lot of the nights took place inside the juke, too. We would go in and it would be light — and we'd come out, it'd be light again. What I loved, though, so much about the juke for Mary was that even though it was a new place to her, it was home. There were so many elements within that juke that were created, that were brought to life, that were home. The food; the people, most importantly; the music; just the way, the layout where you'd have Smoke and Stack up above, Annie in her corner, the stage and Mary just moving through and feeling this sense of familiarity having never been there before because of who was around her. I love that so much about this character and how she falls into this story, because she's in a place of not knowing whether or not she, to an outsider, not so much herself — an outsider may not believe that she belongs in that space, but she does, she knows that and she feels it. Being in that juke, being on that stage and even in our exterior location, looking at that structure that was built, it was like it became our home. It became Mary's home. It became her connection to her mother and her past that she'd been away from for so long, living a very, very different life that we didn't necessarily see, but we could only imagine how beautiful it might've been or looked, rather, or how different it might've looked. It wasn't what she wanted. This is home. I loved walking in there and hearing everyone's shoes creak on the wood and the chairs that we see a little bit in the movie of the juke coming together. It's just like you wonder where it all came from and how they got it all together. It was all these people that are in there that made it happen, that brought it together. We had just the most incredible team, some of who you mentioned, bring this to life and make this feel like a safe space that we could call home." On the Collaborative and Creative Vibe That Comes with Working on a Coogler Film Omar: "I've been doing this for a good amount of time now. I've been blessed to work for a long time. Ryan Coogler runs the most-egalitarian set I have ever been on, and I say that in the most-complimentary way. Once we got to set, once everybody came out of the trailers, everybody was equal. For somebody who's had an underdog element to his whole career, I value that so much. To me, that was something that I leave with — leaving that set and always being welcome to return to the set, and always being a part of it with looking forward to return to it, was that I know that we're all being treated equally. Ryan knows everybody's first name. It's 200-something people. Ryan's calling people out: 'Roger Stevenson, how was your weekend?'. It's stuff like that. It's very, very, very impressive." Jayme: "This is hands-down my favourite experience. I think the way Ryan really set the tone, that it felt like we could bring our stories with us as he shared his with us — it made for this collaboration where, I think I can speak for a lot of us, we found a level of freedom that oftentimes you don't get to tap into, because you're being led by somebody that has so much faith in you and trust in you with his brainchild. At no point did he ever feel so precious about it. It was a gift that he was willing to share — every day, like Omar said. I would show up when I didn't have to be at work. Now, I don't know anybody else that would want to do that, but to be able to watch Ryan work, I had to. I just wanted be in that room at all times, and I am forever grateful for that." Sinners releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Film images: Warner Bros / Eli Ade.
"Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?" They're the questions that the full trailer for Wicked poses in its first moments. The rest of the sneak peek, the film it's for, and both the musical and the book that it's based on all explore those queries through the tale of Glinda (Ariana Grande, Don't Look Up) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo, Pinocchio). Film lovers, you're going off to see the witches, the powerful witches of Oz, when Wicked soars from the page and the stage to the screen in 2024. The famous and beloved theatre musical adapts a book that takes inspiration from The Wizard of Oz, and has been a show-going favourite for more than two decades thanks to composer Stephen Schwartz and playwright Winnie Holzman. Now, it's heading to cinemas as a two-part movie. The first instalment, now just called Wicked rather than Wicked: Part One, arrives in November with director Jon M Chu (In the Heights, Crazy Rich Asians) behind the lens. Grande dons pink and Erivo sports the requisite green in both the first teaser trailer for the movie — which arrived amid the annual Super Bowl sneak-peek frenzy (see also: Deadpool & Wolverine) — and also for the just-dropped complete sneak peek. Haven't caught the stage show on its current Australian run, including in Sydney since 2023 and in Melbourne from March 2024 , with Brisbane to come? Defy gravity in your local picture palace before the year is out instead. In the two trailers for the film, Glinda tells Elphaba "don't be afraid". "I'm not afraid," is the fellow witch's response. "It's the Wizard who should be afraid of me." As for why, the second trailer steps through more of the plot — complete with renditions of 'Popular' and, yes, 'Defying Gravity'; Elphaba getting her black witch hat; flying monkeys; hues of pink and green aplenty; and meeting the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum, Asteroid City) in Emerald City. Wicked follows the Land of Oz's witches, with telling their untold tale the musical's whole angle. On the stage, the show has notched up more awards than you can fit in a hefty cauldron over the years. That includes three Tonys from ten nominations, a Grammy, an Olivier Award and six Drama Desk Awards. Joining Grande and Erivo in bringing Wicked to the cinemas is quite the who's who-style cast. Alongside Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh (A Haunting in Venice), Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton), Ethan Slater (The Marvellous Mrs Maisel) and Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) also feature. As for when the second Wicked movie will also get flickering, it's due in November 2025. Check out the full trailer for Wicked below: Wicked releases in cinemas Down Under on November 28, 2024.
What do Borat, Nicole Kidman, Homer Simpson and the creepy 'Red Light, Green Light' doll from Squid Game all have in common? At different points over the past year or so, they've all popped up in Sydney in a big way. First came giant statues and giant billboards, which is all well and good and normal. Now, The Rocks is temporarily home to a 4.5-metre, three-tonne recreation of Squid Game's eerie animatronic figure with laser eyes. If you've seen the hit Netflix series, you'll know why this towering short-term addition to the city is so unnerving. If you've noticed what time of the year it is right now, you'll know why it has set up shop now, too. Yes, it's just your ordinary, everyday, super-unsettling Halloween installation — one that recreates a savage South Korean TV show about people competing in childhood games and getting killed right by Sydney Harbour. Already donning your finest green tracksuit? (Or your best red number, if that's what you'd prefer?) You'll find the doll at Circular Quay W, The Rocks, from today, Friday, October 29, through until Monday, November 1. And yes, this IRL version is animated and moves — its head even turns — for maximum effect. You will need to be double-vaccinated to add some Squid Game chaos to your Halloween weekend, and the pop-up is only for over 16s. Patrons are asked to play safe, not to run and to abide by the one person per two-square-metres density rule — or they'll be eliminated. This isn't really Squid Game, though, so you'll just be asked to leave. Maybe steer clear of anyone playing ddakji in a train station on the way there and back, though. And if you decide to get caught up in a game of tug of war or marbles, that's on you. Find Squid Game's 'Red Light, Green Light' doll at 4 Circular Quay W, The Rocks, from Friday, October 29–Monday, November 1.
There hasn't been much to look forward to in 2021, but we're all eagerly anticipating one big thing. That'd be the moment that 11.59pm on Friday, December 31 passes by, ticking over to 12.00am on Saturday, January 1, 2022. And, because it's actually almost that time of year, plenty of events have started announcing their New Year's Eve plans so you can work out how to spend that long-awaited moment. Here's another one: Annus Finis, MONA's first-ever NYE shindig. Taking place from 6.30pm on Friday, December 31 (obviously), this New Year's Eve party will take over MONA's lawns and main stage with live tunes, food and drinks, and the general kind of end-of-year shenanigans that every NYE get-together needs. Here, that also means an all-Tasmanian lineup, with Indigenous singer-songwriter Denni, hip hop artist Greely and audio visual artist and DJ Dameza helping do the honours. Also on the bill: Medhanit, Too Many Jasons, Scraps, Silver Fleet Ships, and what's being described as "an absurdist, anarchist ensemble boasting some of Tasmania's most talented performers" who'll pair up punk and Japanese influences. So, if a trip to Tassie is now on your NYE agenda — with the state reopening to double-vaccinated arrivals in mid-December, handily — you now know how can say goodbye to 2021. As for what you'll be eating and sipping, MONA's burger bar Dubsy's will be dishing up its diner-inspired fare, and the Moorilla Wine Bar will be doing both food and drinks. "Here at MONA, we love to throw a party, and I think we're pretty good at it," said MONA CEO Patrick Kelly, announcing Annus Finis. "We're excited to see our lawn full of punters again, and hopefully we can cast some MONA magic over New Year's Eve after what has been another challenging year for tourism and events, saying goodbye to arguably the worst year since 2020." MONA has also already announced that it's bringing back Mona Foma in January — so if you can't spend NYE in Tassie, you still have options for a 2022 trip to the Apple Isle. Annus Finis will take place at MONA from 6.30pm on Friday, December 31. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the MONA website. Images: Mona/Jesse Hunniford.
Before the pandemic, when a new-release movie started playing in cinemas, audiences couldn't watch it on streaming, video on demand, DVD or blu-ray for a few months. But with the past few years forcing film industry to make quite a few changes — widespread movie theatre closures will do that, and so will plenty of people staying home because they aren't well — that's no longer always the case. Maybe you haven't had time to make it to your local cinema lately. Perhaps you've been under the weather. Given the hefty amount of titles now releasing each week, maybe you simply missed something. Film distributors have been fast-tracking some of their new releases from cinemas to streaming recently — movies that might still be playing in theatres in some parts of the country, too. In preparation for your next couch session, here are nine that you can watch right now at home. Longlegs Faces carve deep impressions in Longlegs, in both their presence and their absence. As Agent Lee Harker, Maika Monroe (God Is a Bullet) does so with a clenched jaw, permanently on-edge eyes and mere bursts of words, aka the guise of a woman who'll never stop being vigilant in every moment but doesn't always know exactly why. As the movie's namesake, as announced in the opening credits, Nicolas Cage (Dream Scenario) has audiences straining to catch whatever glimpse they can whenever they can — and when a full look comes, it's scorching and haunting in tandem in the stare alone. Blair Underwood (Origin) gives Harker's boss Carter a weary gaze, but with fully rounded life experience beyond his FBI gig evident behind it. Alicia Witt (Switch Up) plays Ruth Harker, mother to Lee, as distance and struggle personified. As she relays a tale as survivor Carrie Anne Camera, Kiernan Shipka (Twisters) demonstrates how disconnected a grim reality can be from a dream. For his fourth feature following 2015's The Blackcoat's Daughter, 2016's I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House and 2020's Gretel & Hansel — the first of which also starred Shipka — writer/director Osgood Perkins has clearly assembled an excellent cast for his unease-dripping, get-under-your-skin, torment-your-nightmares serial-killer thriller. Another face leaves an imprint beyond his actors, however. Bill Clinton's portrait assists with setting the scene as it adorns bureau offices, with the majority of the movie taking place in the 90s. Think the FBI and three decades back, and there's no lack of pop-culture touchstones. The Silence of the Lambs is one. Monroe's portrayal as a newly minted operative tracking a murderer is every bit as layered, complex and unforgettable — and awards-worthy — as Jodie Foster's (True Detective: Night Country) Oscar-winning performance was. Longlegs streams via Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with Maika Monroe and Osgood Perkins. MaXXXine As played as an unrelenting force by Mia Goth (Infinity Pool), even when slasher killers have other plans, Maxine Minx was always going to go big and never go home. To wrap up the horror trilogy with the ambitious actor at its centre (when Goth hasn't also been playing Pearl, its other protagonist, as both an elderly and a younger woman), MaXXXine shoots for the stars as well, including in shifting to new surroundings. Gone is the New Zealand-standing-in-for-Texas production base of X and its prequel Pearl. Absent is the claustrophobic feel of mainly making one spot the franchise's location, whether it was taking place in the 70s in its first entry or in the 1910s in its second. This Los Angeles-set leap to 1985 sparkles with the same scorching drive and determination as its titular figure — and Minx, Goth, writer/director Ti West (Them) and MaXXXine alike won't accept a life, or a swansong instalment in one of the best sagas in the genre in the 2020s, that they do not deserve. From its debut with 2022's X, which turned a porn shoot in a remote farmhouse into a bloody stalking ground, West's big-screen series has always understood that sex and violence so often intersect in the arena that it's paying tribute to: moving pictures. X, Pearl and now MaXXXine also see how censors and the pearl-clutching equate one with the other. Equally, these pictures glean how a woman with a libidinous appetite — or simply the craving to succeed and the unwillingness to settle — can be deemed a larger threat to morality than a murderer. They also spy what a battle it too frequently is for women to chart their own path free of society's expectations, no matter their aspirations. West not only continues splattering these ideas through the Elizabeth Debicki (The Crown)- and Kevin Bacon (Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F)-co-starring MaXXXine, but layering them, plus stacking his latest unpackings of them with X and Pearl. The true target in his current sights, however: what it just might cost to make it in a realm as ruthless and ravenous as stardom. MaXXXine streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with Elizabeth Debicki and Kevin Bacon. The Bikeriders Can a dream ever exist for more than a fleeting moment? That isn't just a question for oneirology, the field of psychology focused on studying the involuntary visions of our slumbers, but also applies whenever tales of motorcycle clubs rev across the screen. Stories of hitting the open road on two wheels, finding camaraderie and community in a group of likeminded outsiders, and perhaps discovering a purpose along the way are stories of chasing dreams — of freedom, of belonging, of mattering, of meaning in a world seemingly so devoid of it if you don't fit in the traditional sense. So it was in TV series Sons of Anarchy and in Australian film 1%, two titles set within the roar and rush of biker gangs in recent years. So it was in The Wild One, 1953's Marlon Brando-starring classic that immortalised the query "what are you rebelling against?" and the reply "whaddaya got?". Now, so it equally proves in The Bikeriders, about a 60s and 70s leather- and denim-wearing, motorbike-riding crew formed after infatuation got motors runnin' when founder Johnny (Tom Hardy, Venom: Let There Be Carnage) saw The Wild One on TV. A family man, Johnny has a dream for the Vandals MC out of America's midwest — and so does Benny (Austin Butler, Dune: Part Two), the closest thing that the club has to a spirit animal. The latter is introduced alone at a bar wearing his colours, refusing to take them off even when violence springs at the hands of unwelcoming patrons. He won't be tamed, the sixth feature from writer/director Jeff Nichols after Shotgun Stories, Take Shelter, Mud, Midnight Special and Loving establishes early. He won't be anyone but his smouldering, swaggering, rebel-without-a-cause self, either. Courtesy of the Vandals, he not only has the space to stand firm, but the assurance. He's a lone wolf-type, but knows that he has the devoted backing of the pack anyway. Johnny has fashioned the gang as a tribe and a place to call home for those who can't locate it elsewhere, and is open about how his fellow bikers need Benny — and how he does as well — to look up to. The Bikeriders streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with Austin Butler. Twisters A cinema plays a key part in Twisters. Frankenstein flickers across its screen, but mother nature proves not only more of a monster, but also an audience member worse than folks who can't manage to spend two hours in a darkened room without their phones. There's a knowing air to featuring a picture palace in this disaster-flick sequel from Minari director Lee Isaac Chung and The Boys in the Boat screenwriter Mark L Smith, reminding viewers how deeply this genre and this format are linked. Almost three decades ago, as co-penned by Michael Crichton fresh off Jurassic Park's mammoth success, 1996's Twister packed movie theatres worldwide to the tune of nearly half-a-billion dollars, doing so with a spectacle. No matter if its sequel reaches the same heights at the box office globally, it too delivers better-on-the-big-screen sights, chief among them Chung and cinematographer Dan Mindel's (Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker) naturalistic imagery. For those unaware going in that the filmmaker behind six-time Oscar contender Minari — a helmer who received a Best Director Academy Award nomination for his gorgeous and heartfelt work, in fact — is also steering Twisters, it isn't hard to guess from its look, including in its opening moments alone. The movie begins with storm chasers doing what they enthusiastically do. It also kicks off with a horror turn of events thanks to a tornado that exceeds their expectations, and with the crew's survivors afterwards struggling with trauma that'll later drive them forward. In these scenes and beyond, this isn't a picture of visual gloss and sheen, as witnessed right down to its lighting. Twisters remains polished, of course. It also can't tell its tale without CGI. But a choice as pivotal as valuing a genuine aesthetic tone over a gleaming one has a massive impact. Twisters streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review, and our interview with Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos and Lee Isaac Chung. Inside Out 2 They're basic: joy, sadness, fear, disgust and anger, that is, the five emotions that swirled inside human heads in Pixar's 2015 hit Inside Out. In nine-years-later follow-up Inside Out 2, that quintet of feelings isn't enough to cope with being a teenager, which is where anxiety, envy, ennui and embarrassment come in. The newcomers arrive with the onset of puberty, literally overnight. They have no time for simple happiness; they've levelled up some of the emotions adjacent to sorrow, fright, dismay and fury, too. Although its now 13-year-old protagonist Riley Andersen (Kensington Tallman, Summer Camp) isn't actively choosing how to manage her feelings because her feelings themselves are doing that for her, Inside Out was always an all-ages ode to mindfulness, as is its sequel — and discovering how to accept and acknowledge apprehension, unease and nerves is here, like in life, a complicated balancing act. In the Inside Out world, feelings are characters, led in Riley's noggin by the radiant Joy — who, with Amy Poehler (Moxie) shining with Leslie Knope-esque positivity in the voice-acting part, is one of Pixar's best-ever cast figures. In an ideal inner world, they all get along. But workplace comedy-style, getting viewers thinking about Parks and Recreation again, that's never the case. Joy, Sadness (Phyllis Smith, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar), Fear (Tony Hale, Quiz Lady), Disgust (Liza Lapira, The Equalizer) and Anger (Lewis Black, The Last Laugh) have their routine down pat when Inside Out 2 kicks off. They can handle everything from high-stakes hockey games, complete with a stint in the sin bin, through to learning that Riley's best friends Grace (Grace Lu, Fight Krewe) and Bree (debutant Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green) will be going to a different high school. Then their status quo is upended by the Inside Out equivalent of new colleagues storming in. Inside Out 2 streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. A Quiet Place: Day One There seems little that could be utopian about an alien invasion film where people are picked off by hulking, spider-limbed, lightning-fast, armour-clad creatures who punish every sound with almost-instant death, but prequel A Quiet Place: Day One makes the opening status quo of horror franchise-starter A Quiet Place look positively idyllic. If you're forced to try to survive an extra-terrestrial attack, where better to be than at your well-appointed farmland home with your family, as the John Krasinski (IF)-helmed and -starring 2018 feature depicted? Most folks, including the third movie in the saga's protagonist Samira (Lupita Nyong'o, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), a terminal cancer patient with just a service cat called Frodo left as kin, can only dream of being that lucky — not that there's much time for fantasising about a better way to be conquered by otherworldly monsters when what looks like meteors start crashing down to earth. Samira is in hospice care as the A Quiet Place big-screen series, which also spans 2021 release A Quiet Place Part II, steps back to the moment that its apocalyptic scenario begins in New York. She hugs her black-and-white feline companion like letting go would untether her from life even before existence as the planet knows it changes forever — when she's sharing surly poems among other patients, being convinced to attend a group excursion to see a marionette show and, when the promise of pizza on the way home is nixed, telling kindly nurse Reuben (Alex Wolff, Oppenheimer) that he's not actually her friend. Written and directed by Pig filmmaker Michael Sarnoski, A Quiet Place: Day One explores the ground-zero experience for someone who feels so alone in this world and connected only to her devoted pet, and also answers a question: how do those on more than two feet react when the worst that humans can imagine occurs? A Quiet Place: Day One streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. In a Violent Nature Again and again, fans of slasher films have seen the one about the unhinged murderer butchering teen victims. They've seen more than one, in fact. It's a horror convention: take a bunch of young adults, then dispense with them person by person as a killer works through childhood trauma. Penning and helming his first feature — his short Z Is for Zygote was included in The ABCs of Death 2, and he did special effects work on Psycho Goreman, too — writer/director Chris Nash knows the basics of his chosen genre as much as any other diehard viewer. He's just as aware of the great, and greatly influential, flicks gone by such as Halloween and Friday the 13th. He's well-versed in their tropes in storytelling and in form alike. Making his full-length debut with a picture called In a Violent Nature, he's also clued up on what happens when someone sinister gets a-stalking in scenic surroundings. Plot-wise, Nash isn't trying to break the mould with his account of Johnny (Ry Barrett, Massacre at Femur Creek) and the folks who are unlucky enough to fall across his path. But the filmmaker asks a question: what if a rampaging slaughterer's terrors came not with a score heralding their every menacing move (even when those tunes can become iconic, as John Carpenter's Halloween music has), but with the ordinary silence of everyday life in nature punctuated only by noises just as commonplace, and then by the sounds of a killer at their insidious worst? In its imagery, In a Violent Nature adds another query: what if the audience wasn't biding its time with those likely to perish, tension dripping from not knowing when and where the murderer would strike, but was stuck at the side of the force causing such gruesome mayhem as the inevitable approaches? There's seldom any escape from a slasher; however, Nash finds a new way to take that idea literally. In a Violent Nature streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. The Promised Land The transfixing terrain of Mads Mikkelsen's face has been cast against formidably frosty and inhospitable climes before, weathering mirroring weathering. Sporting a piercing and determined glint in his eye, the Danish acting great has previously surveyed the Scandinavian landscape, too, seeing possibility where others spot peril. It was true in Arctic, in Valhalla Rising and now in The Promised Land: there's no stare as mesmerisingly resolute as his. When Ludvig Kahlen, Mikkelsen's latest character, insists that he can do what no one else has done — to begin with: settling the heath on the heather-covered Jutland moorland and building a colony for the king, a feat considered virtually impossible in the mid-18th century — doubting him isn't a possibility for anyone in the movie's audience. The BAFTA-nominated Another Round star has danced in historical drama territory for his countryman director Nikolaj Arcel in the past as well, with the pair reteaming after 2012's Oscar-nominated A Royal Affair. A different king sits on the throne in this film, Frederick V instead of Christian VII; however, the regal shadow remains inescapable. This time, Mikkelsen and Arcel tell not of a doctor influencing a monarch and a country, but of a soldier aligning his quest for a better future with a sovereign's wish, and learning what it means to chase a dream only to realise that you need something less tangible. Kahlen's attempt to farm land considered barren is equally a battle against entitlement and arrogance thanks to his clash with Frederik de Schinkel (Simon Bennebjerg, Borgen), a cruel local magistrate who contends that the king's land is his own — and feels far enough away from Copenhagen for there not to be any consequences for his claim. The Promised Land streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. The Taste of Things Cooking is an act of precision. It's also one of feeling. On the movie that nabbed him the Best Director award at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, Trần Anh Hùng (Éternité, Norwegian Wood) helms with the same care, spirit and emotion that his characters display in the kitchen. The Taste of Things' audience has a front-row seat to both, as this 1885-set French picture begins with dishes upon dishes being whipped up and the feature's gaze, via cinematographer Jonathan Ricquebourg (Final Cut), lenses their creation intimately and sumptuously. The film's extraordinary opening 30 minutes-plus, as the camera is trained on the stove and counter with slight detours around the room to collect or wash ingredients, is meticulously crafted and at the same time instinctual. Think: the sensations of observing the finest of fine-dining chefs and being a child watching your grandmother make culinary magic, as nearly every kid has, all rolled into one appetising introductory sequence. In the home of gourmand Dodin Bouffant (Benoît Magimel, The King of Algiers), and in its heart, his personal chef Eugénie (Juliette Binoche, The New Look) is so skilled and fastidious that she'd do small-screen hit The Bear proud; she's clearly a conjurer of the culinary arts, too. Hùng and Ricquebourg — the latter a well-deserving Lumiere Award-winner for his efforts here — are methodical with the choreography of setting the scene, while equally deeply immersed in the flow of the kitchen's tasks. As soundtracked by chirping birds, if this was The Taste of Things for 135 minutes and not just half an hour-ish, it'd remain a mesmerising movie. (A word of warning: eat before viewing, lest hunger pangs not just simmer but boil over.) Adapting 1924 novel The Passionate Epicure: La Vie et la Passion de Dodin-Bouffant, Gourmet by epicure Marcel Rouff as he scripts and directs, Hùng does more than fashion among the most-handsomely staged and shot imagery of a meal coming to life, but his approach to this entrée establishes the flavour. The Taste of Things streams via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. Looking for more viewing options? Take a look at our monthly streaming recommendations across new straight-to-digital films and TV shows — and fast-tracked highlights from January, February, March, April, May, June and July 2024 (and also January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December 2023, too). We keep a running list of must-stream TV from across 2024 as well, complete with full reviews. And, we've also rounded up 2024's 15 best films, 15 best new TV shows, 15 best returning TV shows and 15 best straight-to-streaming movies from the first half of the year. Also, here's 2023's 15 best films, 15 best straight-to-streaming movies, 15 top flicks hardly anyone saw, 30 other films to catch up with, 15 best new TV series of 2023, another 15 excellent new TV shows that you might've missed and 15 best returning shows as well.
Your daily commute isn't something that normally screams festive cheer — unless you happen to board one of Sydney's most extra buses this month. Eight public buses currently doing the rounds have been decked out top-to-toe in Christmas finery, courtesy of some local primary school kids. Filled to the brim with colourful, handmade decorations, the select buses are cruising around on their usual routes, ready to surprise commuters with a whole lotta Christmas joy. It's an annual Christmas tradition for the city's bus operator State Transit, which each year invites different primary schools to pimp out eight buses — one from each depot — with tinsel, stickers, baubles and other shiny things. The eight buses will be parading their festive looks until December 31 — but since they'll be switching up routes regularly, finding one is a bit of a lucky dip situation. To see whether you'll be travelling on a festive bus on any given day, keep an eye on your go-to real-time travel app, where they'll be signified. If you're using NextThere, you'll spy a party and bus emoji next to the bus number (below). The best-looking bus is always judged by a patient from Sydney Children's Hospital — and this year, five-year-old Kai decided North Sydney depot's bus was the most impressive as it had "lots of tinsel and baubles". The whole thing is very wholesome and quite possibly the nicest thing about catching a bus all year. So if you're catching the bus this week, keep your eye out for one on your commute.
Oh springtime, we missed you. Chase away those winter blues and bring back the sunshine. With sunshine comes warm air and warm smiles, festivities and just a great vibe blooming like a bright flower across the city. The springtime is chockablock for Brisbane, especially if you're in town for some of September's several music festivals, aka the Brisbane Music Trail. This eclectic offering combines the strengths of BIGSOUND, Brisbane Festival, Sweet Relief! and Future Art. Quite the offering, no? It's set to be a hectic few weeks for festivalgoers, and you'll need to take breaks. When it comes to accommodation, you can nab a sweet deal of general entry to Sweet Relief! plus a luxury stay for two at Crystalbrook Vincent. Otherwise, we've done the legwork to pick apart the River City for the finest bars and restaurants to rest your feet and ears in between gigs this September.
There have been a lot of Darling Square openings in the past 12 months, but, still, Steam Mill Lane has welcomed a new Japanese izakaya. Nakano Darling is now slinging highballs, karaage and gyoza to CBD dwellers. It's the latest by the team behind the lower north shore's favourite hole-in-the-wall Yakitori Yurippi and tiny standing bar Tachinomi YP, both of which are located in Crows Nest. Nakano Darling is the team's first venture into the CBD and it's keeping things simple by specialising in just a few things — which is typical of the way hospitality venues function in Japan. At Nakano Darling, those specialties include its special recipe karaage chicken and gyoza. To accompany these izakaya favourites, punters can order simple cold or hot sides, including vegetarian fried udon, octopus karaage and stir fried wagyu. Drinkswise, it's all about the highball here. Traditionally made with whisky, soda water and lemon, the drink has expanded to include a variety of flavour profiles — with coke and ginger options specifically present on the Nakano Darling menu. You can also sip a wide range of shochu, sake and umeshu plum wine. The fit-out offers a number of spaces for your eating (and drinking) pleasure, from nibbles at the bar to relaxed vibes in the tatami room, as well as a private space that offers bottomless fried chicken to larger parties. However, the best time to hit Nakano is during its weekday happy hour. When you order a tap beer between 5–6pm Monday to Thursday or 4–6pm on Friday, you'll get a serve of the karaage chicken for free. Yep, free. It'll go down pretty well with your schooner of Orion, Asahi or Suntory Premium Malt.
Presenting Wilhelmina's Liquid + Larder: Starring the food talents of recent MasterChef finalist Jamie Fleming, it’s the third instalment from James Bradey and Warren Burns, the producers who brought you cosmopolitan kitsch at Grandma's Bar and Irish folk fun at The Wild Rover. At Wilhelmina's, there’s no theme or gimmick to get you in the door; it’s just local, fresh, seasonal and sensational. Located on Balmain’s Darling Street, Wilhelmina’s celebrates the local community through food, drink and design. Recycled materials from the timber yard make up the back bar and walls, local pottery hangs from the ceiling, and then there’s the vibrant mural by local artist Anya Brock. While bar menus are typically crowd-pleasing and cholesterol-inducing, Wilhelmina’s opts for fresh and thoughtful selections that change with the daily market offerings. Today, there’s a plate of kingfish ceviche ($14), where twirls of raw kingfish sit with piles of crumbed pistachio and pickled cucumber, garnished with translucent slivers of radish. There’s little resemblance to the traditional Peruvian version — will these fusion flavours spell disaster for Jamie? The music is tense and we cut to an ad break where George Calombaris spruiks Swisse Vitamins. Fortunately, the flavours are inventive, intelligent and it “packs a punch”. Jamie is safe for this round. Cue uplifting music. So there's that. But for a more substantial evening meal, the Newcastle pippies ($23) are a mariner’s paradise. These butterflied beauties swim in a buttery white wine broth, served with a great hunk of sourdough sourced from Sydney's Bread and Butter project. If it's a beer-friendly bar snack you need, don't go past the Berkshire pork cheek croquettes ($8) or a cup of Wilhelmina’s spiced nuts ($5). If you’re sceptical about beetroot’s place on a dessert menu, you’ll be left red-faced after trying the delicious lemon posset ($9.50). It balances with precision a tangy lemon curd with a sweet beetroot gel and it’s finished off with an almond crumb topping for textual crunch. Wilhelmina’s doesn't drop the ball in the drinks department either. There’s an extensive list of local boutique wines, craft beers and inventive cocktails to ponder over. The Thyme Me Up cocktail ($16) mixes rum, banana, apple and thyme into a marvellously herbaceous creation. As this episode draws to a close, it’s time to hold up our scorecards. Wilhelmina's is a winner, and what's more, Balmain’s masterful new bar is sure to score high ratings with the locals.
The race that stops the nation is almost here and this year, Philips is helping you look the part. On Tuesday, November 4, the OneBlade Barbershop will be setting up at the Southbank Spillway for a free pop-up grooming experience ahead of Melbourne Cup celebrations. From 10:30am–6:30pm, the OneBlade Barbershop will be open for walk-ins, with two barbers on hand. Whether you're off to Flemington, heading to a rooftop party or catching the race from a bar, you can swing by for a quick trim, edge or shave using the Philips OneBlade. You'll get to choose from the icons board featuring well-known AFL, Rugby, NRL, UFC, and Cricket stars to inspire your cut, from Honeybadger and Nick Kyrgios, to Bailey Smith and Volk. There's no need to book ahead, just drop by and scan the QR code to secure your spot on the day. While you wait, you can also spin the prize wheel to score giveaways like the Philips Nose Trimmer NT1000, the Philips OneBlade Original Blade, exclusive merch, mini fans and more. If you've been considering trying out a new look but just waiting for the inspiration, this is your chance to try out the OneBlade for yourself and head to The Cup looking sharp (for free)! Catch the OneBlade Barbershop pop-up at Southbank Spillway, Melbourne on Tuesday, November 4 from 10:30am–6:30pm. For more info, head to the website.
Come November, if you're keen on travelling to a galaxy far, far away, you won't need to visit your local cinema. Disney is getting into the streaming game and, when it launches its new Disney+ platform, it'll do so with the first-ever live-action Star Wars spinoff television series, The Mandalorian. One of the most anticipated shows of the year on this (or any other) planet, The Mandalorian follows a lone gunfighter who hails from the planet Mandalore and roams the outer reaches of the universe. His bullet-firing antics happen far from the prying eyes of the New Republic, with the series set after the fall of the Empire — that is, after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi but before Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. If the basic premise isn't enough cause for excitement, then the stacked cast will help — it includes Game of Thrones' Pedro Pascal and Breaking Bad's Giancarlo Esposito, plus Nick Nolte, Gina Carano, Carl Weathers, Ming-Na Wen and none other than legendary director and occasional actor Werner Herzog. Behind the scenes, The Mandalorian also boasts plenty of big names, with The Lion King's Jon Favreau calling the shots (as the program's creator, writer, showrunner and executive producer), and Taika Waititi among its series' directors. Waititi will also voice a new droid, called IG-11. After announcing the show last year, then keeping the details as secret as possible, Disney has slowly been revealing bits and pieces about the series in recent months. If you've been keener than Han Solo in any cantina in the galaxy to get a glimpse, the Mouse House dropped its first trailer for the series back in August, and has just followed up with a brand new second sneak peek. Given all of the above details — the cast, the concept, the place in the Star Wars timeline — plus the fact that the show hits in a matter of mere weeks, Disney isn't being quite as shy this time around. Expect space beasts, spaceship battles, bounty hunter dramas and folks getting frozen in carbonite in the new clip, as well as more of The Mandalorian's number one asset. Yes, that'd be Herzog and his inimitable voice, which once again get a workout in the latest trailer. Check out the new preview below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmI7WKrAtqs The Mandalorian will hit Disney+ when it launches Down Under on November 19.
Boasting boutique accommodation, a poolside bar and an all-day bistro, Paddington's Oxford House added Bubsy's Wine and Record Bar to its offerings in 2023. It landed on Oxford Street with a P&V-curated wine list, Maybe Sammy leading the charge with the cocktails, Automata's Clayton Wells in charge of the food and a rotating list of special guests taking charge of the soundtrack. Soft lamp-lit ambience and velvety red carpets set the mood at the Paddington haunt, acting as a counterpoint to the venue's upbeat next-door neighbours, the bustling El Primo Sanchez, as well as the summer-ready Oxford House pool bar. With an intimate atmosphere and exciting drinks list, we're predicting Busby's will be an ongoing hit on Valentine's Day. Known for making eccentric drops more approachable, P&V's Mike Bennie has helped create an expansive wine list spanning bottles from Australia, France and Italy. [caption id="attachment_924013" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] Maybe Sammy's Paolo Maffietti has similarly ensured the cocktail list isn't too intimidating, sticking to just five signature drinks that are designed to complement the minimal-intervention vino. Sip on an Abbey Road — a combination of citrus gin, vermouth blanco, Davidson plum and champagne — or opt for the tequila, grappa and ginger wine mix of the Megatone. Public Hospitality's Group Creative Culinary Director Clayton Wells rounds out the offerings at Busby's with a snack menu you'll find difficult to turn down. Sydney rock oysters are topped with blackberry vinegar and roasted kelp oil, while the chicken liver parfait is partnered with spiced pineapple and liquorice. Then, there's the other key component of this wine and record bar: the music. Inspired by tuned-filled haunts around the world, Busby's is known to host residencies from beloved figures of Sydney's music scene. Go there with high expectations and be delighted to have them met. [caption id="attachment_924014" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] Images: Parker Blain and Jonny Valiant.
Awarded Unearthed Artist of the Year at the 10th annual J Awards last night, Meg Mac — or Megan McInerney to her folks — is the Melbourne-based soul-pop artist making a serious name for herself in the indie music scene. The 23-year-old singer songwriter has come a long way from recording lyrics on her phone while still in high school. If her fast-growing fan-base, sell-out performances and distinctive, soulful sound are anything to go by, McInerney is definitely one to watch. Here are the top five things you should know about her. She's no one-hit wonder Though you may have already heard her powerful first single 'Known Better' played on triple j in the lead-up to the J Awards, don't overlook McInerney's more recent tracks. These songs showcase her bold, rich vocals – think 'Roll Up Your Sleeves' – as well as her talent for raw, personal lyrics — check out 'Every Lie'. 'Turning' also highlights the soul-meets-electronica sound she's developing, a unique style that has already captivated audiences. She takes cues from Motown, Irish folk and French chansons McInerney recently admitted to triple j Unearthed that, when she was nine, "I could not get enough of Vanessa Amorosi… please don't judge me. 'Absolutely Everybody' was my favourite." Lucky, then, that her dad introduced her to soul, primarily Motown, while her mum would sing her Irish folk ballads from an early age. It wasn't until she was 17 that she started writing her own songs and working on a personal style, inspired by her love of "big voices and a bit of that drama — [artists who] sing because they have to or they would die sort of thing, like Edith Piaf". She also counts Ray Charles and Sam Cooke among her primary influences, and more recently, James Blake and Frank Ocean. She's going from strength to strength It's an understatement to say 2014 has been a big year for the up-and-coming artist. In September she released her first EP, the self-titled MEGMAC, featuring four original tracks plus an impressive cover of a classic Bill Wither's song, 'Grandma's Hands'. The EP launch kicked off a national tour, with Melbourne and Sydney shows selling out in days, and Brisbane and Perth following soon after. Later nominated as Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year, McInerney opened the Australian Indie Music Awards in October. #dogswearinghats A photo posted by MEGMAC (@megmacmusic) on Oct 10, 2014 at 12:11am PDT Her second favourite thing to do is dress up animals in human clothing When she isn't performing or making music, McInerney likes nothing better than to play dress ups with her dog. She told Music Feeds that she and her sister sent a photo of their pet to the Facebook page Dogs Wearing Hats, where "she got more Facebook likes than my whole music page in one hour." Following her knock-out live performances, its safe to say this is about to change. . @megmacmusic @kcrw So very welcome — Jason Kramer (KCRW) (@kcrwkramer) August 13, 2014 An international career is on the horizon While McInerney is gaining a serious fan base here, she's also making waves internationally, with 'Roll Up Your Sleeves' recently played on independent US radio station KCRW. The singer is already considering a trip to the US, where, she told Music Feeds, she'll "catch up with some label type people [who] want to meet me. It is exciting to think I can reach people away from my home." You can catch her at Falls Festival for NYE But before she jets off, McInerney will be taking on her first major festival as winner of the Falls Festival competition. Next to the likes of John Butler Trio, La Roux, Vance Joy and Empire of the Sun, she'll be performing some newly written songs with her sister as backing vocalist. Expect more bold piano sounds, big vocals and electronic elements from this promising young artist with a big future ahead of her.
Not all that long ago, the idea of getting cosy on your couch, clicking a few buttons, and having thousands of films and television shows at your fingertips seemed like something out of science fiction. Now, it's just an ordinary night — whether you're virtually gathering the gang to text along, cuddling up to your significant other or shutting the world out for some much needed me-time. Of course, given the wealth of options to choose from, there's nothing ordinary about making a date with your chosen streaming platform. The question isn't "should I watch something?" — it's "what on earth should I choose?". Hundreds of titles are added to Australia's online viewing services each and every month, all vying for a spot on your must-see list. And, so you don't spend 45 minutes scrolling and then being too tired to actually commit to anything, we're here to help. We've spent plenty of couch time watching our way through this month's latest batch — and, from the latest and greatest to old favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue from September's haul of newbies. BRAND NEW STUFF YOU CAN WATCH IN FULL HEARTBREAK HIGH Teen-focused dramas always reflect the generation they're made for, and returning Australian favourite Heartbreak High is no different. Today's high school-set shows often come with more than a few nods backwards as well, though. Just like Beverly Hills, 90210, Saved by the Bell and Gossip Girl before it — like Degrassi's multiple go-arounds across more than four decades now, including a new take that's set to land in 2023 — Heartbreak High 2.0 knows it has a history and doesn't dream of pretending otherwise. 90s worship is in fashion anyway, so all those Doc Martens, nose rings, baggy jeans, slip dresses and oversized band t-shirts not only could've adorned the initial show's cast. As this revival returns to what worked so well the first time around, takes a few cues from Euphoria, Sex Education and Never Have I Ever as well, and finds its own intensity, that blast-from-the-past aesthetic proves a natural fit. Sporting such decade-crossing attire is a fresh-faced — and fresh-to-the-franchise — cohort of Hartley High students. The years and teens have changed, but the location, like plenty of the outfits, remains the same. When the eight-episode new season begins, Amerie (Ayesha Madon, The Moth Effect) and Harper (Asher Yasbincek, How to Please a Woman) are life-long best friends, but their sudden rift after a drunken night at a music festival changes everything. Amerie doesn't know why Harper has suddenly shaved her head, let alone cut all ties with her. She's just as shocked when the mural they've graffitied in an unused school stairwell, chronicling who's dated, had a crush on and slept with who among the year 11s, is scandalously outed. And their classmates, including the non-binary Darren (screen first-timer James Majoos), their bestie Quinni (Chloe Hayden, Jeremy the Dud), heartthrob Dusty (Josh Heuston, Thor: Love and Thunder), his smug pal Spider (Bryn Chapman Parish, Mr Inbetween), mullet-wearing food delivery driver Ca$h (Will McDonald, Home and Away), and Bundjalung basketballer Malakai (Thomas, Troppo), all get drawn into the resulting (and immediately easy-to-binge) chaos. Heartbreak High streams via Netflix. Read our full review. WE'RE ALL GOING TO THE WORLD'S FAIR "Hey guys, Casey here. Welcome to my channel. Today I'm going to be taking the World's Fair Challenge." So says We're All Going to the World's Fair's protagonist (feature newcomer Anna Cobb) twice to start this absorbing horror film, to camera, in what makes a spectacular opening sequence. Next, an eerie wave of multicoloured light flashes across her face. Watching her response brings the also-excellent She Dies Tomorrow to mind, but Casey has her own viral phenomenon to deal with. She's doing what she says she will, aka viewing a strobing video, uttering a pivotal phrase and then smearing blood across her laptop screen — and she promises to document anything that changes afterwards, because others have made those kinds of reports. Written, directed and edited by fellow feature debutant Jane Schoenbrun, the instantly eerie and intriguing We're All Going to the World's Fair is that record. Schoenbrun's film is more than that, however. It also charts the connections that spring and splinter around Casey just by joining the online trend, where her videos spark others in return — and the spirals she goes down as she watches, which then sparks a response in her own way, too. A portrait of isolation and alienation as well, while chronicling the after effects of playing a virtual horror game, We're All Going to the World's Fair is also a picture of an always-recorded world. Take your lockdown mindset, your social-media scrolling, all that Zooming that defined the beginning of the pandemic and a gamer vibe, roll them all together, and that's still not quite this arresting movie — which keeps shifting and evolving just like Cobb's enigmatic and evocative performance. The entire flick earns that description and, not that it needs an established name's tick of approval, the fact that The Green Knight and A Ghost Story director David Lowery is an executive producer speaks volumes. We're All Going to the World's Fair streams via Shudder. RAMY In the dramedy that bears his name, Ramy Youssef (Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot) is a quintuple threat. He created Ramy, plays Ramy, executive produces, and also frequently writes and directs — and, in a show about a Queens-born first-generation American Muslim raised in New Jersey to Egyptian parents, as Youssef himself is, there's no doubting that the stories he's telling are personal. There's a difference between bringing your own exact existence to the screen and conveying the truth behind your experiences, however, with Ramy falling into the second category as it charts its eponymous figure's struggles as his faith conflicts with his lifestyle. Since its first season in 2019, the series has always been so deeply steeped in the lived reality of feeling torn between two cultures, and so specific in its details, too. And yet, it's also so universal and relatable in its emotions and insights. None of the above changes in season three, welcomely so, in what's one of Ramy's finest moments yet. In this ten-episode third run, the lives of Ramy and his loved ones are rarely blessed with fine moments — and Ramy Hassan, Youssef's on-screen alter-ego, keeps threatening his own heart, mind and soul with his choices. Season two ended with a short-lived marriage and the fallout still lingers, but Ramy has thrown himself into making his Uncle Naseem's (Laith Nakli, Ms Marvel) diamond business a success as a distraction. He has money, his own place and, soon, his own jewellery outfit, although that doesn't herald happiness. For his sister Dena (May Calamawy, Moon Knight), nor has striving hard to take the bar exam, especially when her parents Maysa (Hiam Abbass, Succession) and Farouk (Amr Waked, Wonder Woman 1984) are open about how differently they see her and her future to Ramy. As the elder Hassans also grapple with Farouk being out of work, plus decades of feeling like they're treading water, Ramy remains a stunningly perceptive and engaging exploration of the battle to remain true to oneself — and one's hopes, dreams and religion — while also proving a rich, poignant and devastatingly well-acted comedy. May more come. Ramy streams via Stan from Friday, September 30. DO REVENGE Sequels aren't the only way to get nostalgic, or to thrust a beloved old-school film — or several — into the now. A high school-set comedy about exactly what it's moniker describes, Do Revenge joins Heathers, The Craft, Jawbreaker and Jennifer's Body in charting teens chasing vengeance. Mean girls abound, too, and when 'Kids in America' starts playing, it's a Betty of a Clueless nod (and just one of many, including pastel uniforms that could've been pulled out of Cher Horowitz's computerised wardrobe). Casting Sarah Michelle Gellar as the principal and dropping 'Praise You'? The Cruel Intentions winks keep thrilling like a young Ryan Phillippe. The list goes on, to the never-grow-up delight of, well, everyone — because writer/director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (Someone Great) and co-scribe Celeste Ballard (Space Jam: A New Legacy) clearly know and love the type of movie they're making as much as the rest of us. Unleashing more references than a school library doesn't always play well — in the latest Scream movie, it gets repetitive and fast; in whodunnit parody-slash-homage See How They Run, it's a touch too clever-clever — but Do Revenge radiates pure fun and affection. At its centre: queen bee Drea (Camila Mendes, Riverdale), who climbed her exclusive private school's social ladder, hid her modest background and dated the dream boy Max (Austin Abrams, Euphoria) until a sex scandal tarnishes her reputation. With newcomer Eleanor (Maya Hawke, Stranger Things), who also has her own grudge against one of their classmates, she hatches a Stranger on a Train-esque plan: they'll avenge each other's wrongs and bring down their respective tormentors. Robinson and Ballard have a ball getting savage yet sweet, as does a cast that also includes Game of Thrones' Sophie Turner, 13 Reasons Why's Alisha Boe and Ms Marvel's Rish Shah — and devilish twists come with the self-aware fandom. Do Revenge streams via Netflix. HOCUS POCUS 2 Twist the bones and bend the back, Hocus Pocus has returned for another horror-comedy attack — and there's no doubting that this 29-years-later sequel adores its predecessor. Disney loves reviving and extending its popular past hits, whether as new remakes, followups or ever-sprawling franchises. In the majority of cases, it's committed to sticking to the same already-winning formula, too. So, pushing the cackling Sanderson sisters to the fore again, Hocus Pocus 2 unsurprisingly doesn't overly mess with the tried-and-tested template. Once again starring Bette Midler (The Addams Family 2), Sarah Jessica Parker (And Just Like That...) and Kathy Najimy (Music), it's another family-friendly tale of Salem witches trying to eat children to remain alive and youthful forever. And, it doubles down on everything that the Mouse House thinks made the OG flick such a beloved 90s favourite to begin with — more songs, more OTT siblings, more teens trying to foil their plans to run amok, amok, amok and more Massachusetts-set mayhem, namely That means that Hocus Pocus 2 plays like a greatest-hits do-over as much as a second effort. New movie, same setup, a few fresh faces and an obvious yearning to keep the saga's black flame candle burning: that's director Anne Fletcher (Hot Pursuit) and screenwriter Jen D'Angelo's (Young Rock) film. After adding an origin story for Winnie (Midler), Mary (Najimy) and Sarah (Parker), as well as Billy Butcherson (Doug Jones, What We Do in the Shadows), they're all unleashed upon modern-day Salem by 16-year-old Becca (Whitney Peak, Gossip Girl), her best friend Izzy (Belissa Escobedo, Sex Appeal) and magic shop owner Gilbert (Sam Richardson, The Afterparty) — and nostalgically entertaining hijinks ensue. Hocus Pocus 2 isn't subtle or restrained, or keen to do much more than worship its predecessor, but spells do work more than once. Hocus Pocus 2 streams via Disney+ from Friday, September 30. BLONDE Usually when a film leaves you wondering how it might've turned out in other hands, that isn't a great sign — but Blonde, the years-in-the-making adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates' fictionalised Marilyn Monroe biography of the same name, demands a watch. It's a fascinating movie, including for what works astoundingly well and what definitely doesn't. In the first category: Ana de Armas (The Gray Man) as Norma Jeane Mortenson, the woman who'd become not just a star and a sensation during her life, but an icon across the six decades since. Also exceptional: the almost-uncanny recreations of oh-so-many images that captured Mortensen/Monroe, including a plethora that are iconic themselves. In the second camp, however, falls Blonde's decision to filter its central figure's story through her death, as though that was the most important thing about her — and that it was inevitable. No one ever wants to be defined by one thing. Monroe certainly didn't, as Blonde itself depicts. She fiercely yearned to be known as more than a sex symbol who drew crowds to cinemas and attracted intense media interest — but being objectified was a part of her Hollywood experience, including here from the moment that a first studio meeting ends horrifically. As written and directed by Australian filmmaker Andrew Dominik, in his latest feature to unpack larger-than-life true tales after Chopper and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Blonde reductively sees that awful treatment, her childhood struggles, her tumultuous marriages and romances, her miscarried or aborted pregnancies, and her late-career on-set antics as all leading to the conclusion that's long been a matter of history. Far more engrossing is the movie's efforts to unpack the truth and pain behind all of Monroe's career-defining images, and to plunge the audience into a fraught headspace with her — and that soulful and phenomenal lead performance. Blonde streams via Netflix. NEW AND RETURNING SHOWS TO CHECK OUT WEEK BY WEEK LOS ESPOOKYS In the US, it was one of the best new shows of 2019. In Australia, thanks to a hefty delay in bringing it to our screens, it earned that distinction in 2021. The one silver lining for the latter? The gap between Los Espookys' first season and its second has proven much shorter Down Under — but more of this Spanish-language HBO comedy was always going to be worth the wait. The premise is a gem; the cast is a delight; the cavalcade of horror references is so savvily worked in that it almost puts every other winking, nodding, nudging show or movie to shame; and there remains nothing else on television or streaming like it. Sharp, witty, absurd, affectionate, insightful, charming, oh-so-distinctive, perhaps the best unofficial (and unrelated) successor to The Mighty Boosh yet: that's Los Espookys again and again, even more so in season two, although it's also a must-see that's best experienced rather than described. The same rings true for the Los Espookys gang and their business: horror IRL. It genuinely is a business for genre devotee Renaldo (Bernardo Velasco, Museo) and his pals Andrés (Julio Torres, Shrill), Úrsula (Cassandra Ciangherotti, This Is Not a Comedy) and Tati (Ana Fabrega, Father of the Bride), turning a passion into a line of work with a steady-enough list of customers. In an always-unpredictable affair co-created by Torres, Fabrega and Our Flag Means Death's Fred Armisen, the group stages spooky setups for folks willing to pay — gloriously outlandish and OTT scenarios, always with a tactile and DIY feel, resulting in both impressive and hilarious outcomes. Those installations keep coming, and so does both personal and interpersonal chaos for the crew (plus Renaldo's parking valet uncle Tico, as played by Armisen), particularly after Tati can't quite adjust to marriage, Andrés navigates life beyond the luxury he grew up in, Renaldo keeps being haunted and Úrsula tries to fend off persistent TV offers. Los Espookys streams via Binge. THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER Like knowing that House of the Dragon was coming, and winter as well, it's been impossible to avoid news about The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The stunning-looking series has been in the works for five years, and is already locked in for five seasons, all jumping back to Middle-earth's Second Age. That's a period of elves, men, dwarves and harfoots — precursors to hobbits — and of the lurking evil of Sauron, plus orcs, trolls and more. It's also when the titular jewellery is forged. On the page, it's largely been covered in an appendix to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings books, taking this new series into previously unseen on-screen territory. And, as The Rings of Power focuses on, it's where Galadriel and Elrond's tales truly kicked in, with Morfydd Clark (Saint Maud) taking over from Cate Blanchett and Robert Aramayo (The King's Man) doing the same for Hugo Weaving, with their characters thousands of years younger. The young Galadriel narrates The Rings of Power's explanatory introduction, setting the scene for the show's fight against Sauron — and slowly putting the pieces in place for the compilation of a fellowship to do so. She tells of the dark lord Morgoth and his defeat in wide-ranging wars. She notes that the elf Finrod (Will Fletcher, The Road Dance) was convinced that Sauron, Morgoth's apprentice, still lingered afterwards. And she advises that such a belief and the search to prove it right cost Finrod, her brother, his life. Alas, during relative peace, as Middle-earth has been under since Morgoth was vanquished, isn't a prime time to take up that fight. But she's still scouring far and wide for Sauron, even if High King Gil-galad of the Elves (Benjamin Walker, The Ice Road) wants to bathe her in glory for past victories instead. If that's the path she took, there wouldn't be much of a series — and that's just the start of a thrilling show that also spends time with the dwarves of Khazad-dum, fellow elf Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova, The Undoing) among the humans, and harfoot Nori Brandyfoot (Markella Kavanagh, True History of the Kelly Gang) and her fellow diminutive creatures. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power streams via Prime Video. Read our full review. ANDOR When it arrived in 2016 between Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens and Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi, Rogue One: A Star Wars sent a message in its own spy-slash-heist flick way: it wouldn't be slavishly beholden to the Star Wars franchise's established and beloved universe. It felt earthier and murkier, more urgent and complicated, and far more steeped in everyday reality — within its science-fiction confines, of course — and more concerned with the here and now of its specific narrative than the bigger saga picture. It was certainly and unshakeably bleaker, and felt like a departure from the usual template, as well as a welcome risk. The same proves true of impressive streaming prequel Andor, which slips into its namesake's routine five years prior. The Galactic Empire reigns supreme, the Rebel Alliance is still forming and, when the series opens, Cassian (the returning Diego Luna, If Beale Street Could Talk) is a wily thief living on the junkyard planet of Ferrix. A Blade Runner-esque sheen hovers over a different place, however: the industrial-heavy, corporate-controlled Morlana One, which couldn't be further under the boot of the Empire if it tried. As Monos-style flashbacks to Cassian's childhood aid in fleshing out, he's searching for his sister, but his latest investigatory trip results in a confrontation and the Preox-Morlana Authority on his trail. Back on Ferrix, he endeavours to hide with the help of his friend/presumed ex/mechanic/black-market dealer Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona, Morbius) and droid B2EMO (Dave Chapman, Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker), while keeping his latest antics a secret from his adoptive mother Maarva (Fiona Shaw, Killing Eve). But, even after being told to drop the case, persistent Imperial Deputy Inspector Syril Karn (Kyle Soller, Poldark) and higher-ranking officer Dedra Meero (Denise Gough, Under the Banner of Heaven) aren't willing to give up. Andor streams via Disney+. Read our full review. ATLANTA You can't escape yourself. As Atlanta sent Earnest 'Earn' Marks (Donald Glover, Guava Island), his cousin and rapper Alfred 'Paper Boi' Miles (Brian Tyree Henry, Bullet Train), their Nigerian American pal Darius (Lakeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah) and Earn's ex Vanessa (Zazie Beetz, also Bullet Train) around Europe in the show's third season earlier in 2022, that truth became inescapable, too. Hopping everywhere from Amsterdam to Paris and London, the group saw the daily reality of being Black Americans linger with them at every destination — and their personal ups and downs as well — no matter how wild, weird, bleak or hopeful the circumstances they were in. Arriving mere months later, season four kicks off by also exploring that point, including in a debut episode that sees Atlanta, the city, haunt the show's main players. They're back home and there's no way they couldn't know it, whether they're on scavenger hunts, stuck in carparks or being chased. Just a handful of episodes in, Atlanta's fourth season also examines another truth that's always sat at the core of the show: that for better and for worse, there's no place like home. That applies to the physical location, but also to the homes we make with other people — family, friends and everything in-between. Earn and Van gravitate closer together, but their relationship has always ebbed and flowed. Al keeps pondering what success really means, too. In the process, Glover's superbly smart, blistering and often-surreal unpacking of race relations lays bare the nation it usually calls home, as it did so incisively in its first two seasons, while never failing to challenge, surprise and swing big. That the show's final season also clearly muses on legacies obviously couldn't be more fitting; however it ends, no doubt in a thoroughly unpredictable and yet also ridiculously apt way, it'll always be a great on Glover, Henry, Stanfield and Beetz's resumes. Atlanta streams via SBS On Demand. THE PATIENT In one of 2022's new streaming standouts, Bad Sisters, Brian Gleeson tries to get to the bottom of a suspicious death. In another, The Patient, Domhnall Gleeson plays a serial killer. The two shows have more differences than commonalities, but it's clearly a great time for the Frank of Ireland-co-starring Gleeson brothers and twisty tales about crime. For Run's Domhnall, he co-leads a show about a murderer who enlists a therapist to try to stop his homicidal urges. Sam Fortner does indeed sit in Alan Strauss' (Steve Carell, Minions: The Rise of Gru) office and seek his help, but as well as hiding his eyes and face behind sunglasses, he keeps his real name, the bulk of his personal details and bloody pastime to himself. It's only after Strauss wakes up chained in Fortner's house that the latter feels comfortable enough to come clean and truly ask for assistance, albeit under terrifying circumstances for his captive. Domhnall Gleeson's on-screen resume isn't short on highlights, including Ex Machina and Brooklyn. Carell's has blatantly boasted many, spanning both comedies (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and The Office, obviously) and dramas (including his Oscar-nominated work in Foxcatcher). Accordingly, it should astonish no one that they're both instantly gripping in The Patient, as their characters bounce off of each other in inherently grim circumstances; however, they're each also in career-best form. The psychological-thriller series works as two commanding, textured and high-stakes character studies as Fortner demands Strauss' professional best, and ensures he isn't capable of refusing — and works through their respective baggage cat-and-mouse-style from there. In fact, it hits its marks so well that the show's concise format (each episode clocks in at between 20–25 minutes) keeps viewers wanting more. The Patient streams via Disney+. RICK AND MORTY The longer that Rick and Morty continues, the more it galaxy- and time-hopping mayhem it slings at the screen, aka whatever out-there sci-fi situations that creators Justin Roiland (Solar Opposites) and Dan Harmon (Community) can conjure up. But the more that this Back to the Future-inspired animated hit continues, too, the more that it proves a tragedy about choices made and not — and how even having all the science-fiction gadgetry in this and every other world and dimension can't make everything perfect always, because that's just not human (or alien, animal or Birdperson) nature. Season six of the series was always going to get contemplative given how the past season ended, of course, and because that's been baked into the show since day one. Still, the oft-quoted "wubba lubba dub dub" feels particularly weighty this time around, considering what it really means: "I am in great pain, please help me". Rick Sanchez (voiced by Roiland) has been saved, but that initially tears the Smith family apart — by now, they know (and we know) that Rick and his daughter Beth (Sarah Chalke, Firefly Lane), son-in-law Jerry (Chris Parnell, Archer), grandson Morty (also Roiland) and granddaughter Summer (Spencer Grammer, Tell Me a Story) aren't quite the versions of themselves they once were. Also part of the season's first few episodes: Beth getting close to Space Beth, also with consequences throughout her household; exploring what it means to offload parts of your life you're not happy with; and a good ol'-fashioned "yippee ki-yay!"-shouting Die Hard parody. In other words, it's all quintessential Rick and Morty, just getting deeper with each new run of episodes. Naturally, when Peter Dinklage (Cyrano) voices an alien equivalent of Hans Gruber, it's gold, and yet another classic Rick and Morty moment. Rick and Morty streams via Netflix. Need a few more streaming recommendations? Check out our picks from January, February, March, April, May, June, July and August this year. You can also check out our running list of standout must-stream 2022 shows so far as well — and our best 15 new shows from the first half of this year, top 15 returning shows and best 15 straight-to-streaming movies.
The last time that Patricia Arquette graced the small screen before High Desert, she was icy and commanding, pulling company-controlled strings and overseeing a corporate-styled sci-fi nightmare world. Other than also streaming via Apple TV+, 2022's instant-standout first season of Severance has little in common with the Boyhood Oscar-winner and The Act and Medium Emmy-winner's latest project. Here, she leads a private investigator comedy that dapples its jam-packed chaos under California's golden sun, against the parched Yucca Valley landscape and with an anything-goes philosophy — not to mention a more-mayhem-the-merrier tone. In High Desert, the always-excellent Arquette plays Peggy Newman, who isn't letting her age get in the way of perennially struggling to pull her life together. That said, when the eight-part series opens — streaming from Wednesday, May 17 — it's Thanksgiving 2013 and she's living an upscale existence in Palm Springs, with gleaming surfaces abounding in her expansive (and visibly expensive) home. Then, as her husband Denny (Matt Dillon, Proxima) jokes around with her mother Roslyn (Bernadette Peters, Mozart in the Jungle), and her younger siblings Dianne (Christine Taylor, Search Party) and Stewart (Keir O'Donnell, The Dry) lap up the lavish festivities, DEA agents swarm outside. Cue weed, hash and cash stashes being flushed and trashed, but not quickly enough to avoid splashing around serious repercussions. A decade later, High Desert's protagonist has been sharing Roslyn's house and trying to kick her addictions while working at Pioneertown, a historical attraction that gives tourists a dusty, gun-toting taste of frontier life. Peggy would love to step back in time herself when she's not pretending to be a saloon barmaid — to when her recently deceased mother was still alive, however, rather than to her glitzy post-arrest shindigs. Still angry about being caught up in a drug bust, Dianne and Stewart have zero time for her nostalgia and a lack of patience left for her troubles. Their plan: to sell Roslyn's abode with no worries about where Peggy might end up. Her counter: doing everything she can to stop that from happening. High Desert doesn't just embrace the fact that living and breathing is merely weathering whatever weird, wild and sometimes-wonderful shambles fate throws your way; in a show created and written by Nurse Jackie and Damages alumni Jennifer Hoppe and Nancy Fichman, plus Miss Congeniality and Desperate Housewives' Katie Ford, that idea dictates the busy plot, too. The end result isn't quite in Mrs Davis territory but, as Peggy decides to talk her way into moonlighting as a private investigator for local detective Bruce Harvey (Brad Garrett, Bupkis) after he rips off her best friend Carol (Weruche Opia, I May Destroy You), it repeatedly proves gleefully ridiculous. Instead of a nun fighting AI, this series spans stolen art, an anchorman-turned-guru (Rupert Friend, Obi-Wan Kenobi) whose motto is "everything is stupid!", a missing mafia family member (Tonya Glanz, Hightown), and father-daughter assassins (American Horror Story's Carlo Rota and Tuning In's Julia Rickert) with debts to collect and a penchant for slicing off nipples. Also filling High Desert's frames: blasting people out of canons, a wine- and car-stealing teen (Jayden Gomez, Love) with an all-seeing drone, Denny getting out of prison and chasing new schemes, a talking parrot plucking out its own feathers, and an actor who looks so much like Roslyn (and is also played by the great Peters) that Peggy decides to write a cathartic play around her to work through her mummy issues. For a show taking place in sleepy surroundings — Yucca Valley's IRL population is just over 21,000 — there's nothing placid about the hectic parade of capers it unfurls against the rocky setting. As an illustration of life's non-stop bedlam, though, this happily shaggy ode to sleuthing, hustling and trying to get by always feels authentic. How does anyone navigate their days when there's a lifetime of pain to sift through and just as much baggage to carry, everyone's right choice is someone else's wrong option, and we're all just making it all up as we go along? That's High Desert's vibe — and while it's never afraid to be OTT, it's also wonderfully astute. Adding another memorable role to a four-decades-long resume filled with them, and bringing to mind True Romance's Alabama but 30 years on, Arquette is a key reason that the series plays as engagingly and thoughtfully as it does. She's a committed comic gem as a woman who is never willing to be anything less than herself no matter the costs and consequences, and she's also both a source of pandemonium and a trusty anchor. Arquette is in fine company, with Dillon in There's Something About Mary mode, Friend demonstrating his knack for comedy as the immediately absurd Guru Bob, Garrett adding another interesting part to his post-Everybody Loves Raymond resume and Peters an on-screen treasure as always. Indeed, High Desert's stacks-on feeling echoes everywhere under director Jay Roach's (Bombshell) guidance, from the series' lead performance to its supporting players, and also including its bouncing plot and vivid imagery — brightly, involvingly, entertainingly, and never just throwing more and more hijinks in for the sake of it. With a PI job front and centre, hitmen to avoid and a disappearance to solve, High Desert joins Apple TV+'s packed lineup of mysteries. Severance, Servant, Black Bird, The Afterparty, Bad Sisters, Hello Tomorrow!, The Big Door Prize, Silo, this: they all fit the mould, filling the platform's catalogue with what's clearly its favourite genre. In fact, High Desert's biggest disappointment is that it doesn't lean in further, giving more time and attention to Peggy's no-nonsense detective talents in the spirit of Veronica Mars and Poker Face. Perhaps that's a road for season two to drive down, should another go-around eventuate. With Arquette being a delight at the show's the centre again, more would be welcome. Check out the trailer for High Desert below: High Desert streams via Apple TV+ from Wednesday, May 17.
Andreas Amador's life is a beach, playing in the sand...literally. Although for Amador, 'playing' in the sand proves to be a little more intense than it may sound. A working morning for Amador consists of meticulously carving enormous scaled designs into the sand - all under the time crunch of the ocean tide. Up before sunrise, Amador arrives at his local San Francisco, California beaches around low-tide, creating the biggest possible space for a beach canvas. He then executes his pre-conceived, generally abstract and organic, designs. The sand is contoured with rakes, giving it a multidimensional look that hopefully Amador can capture in a birds-eye photo before tide rushes in. He generally designates about two hours to the process, but there is always the risk of his work being washed away too quickly. Of course, all of his sand drawings are effervescent by nature, only adding to their beauty. Amador sells prints and postcards of his photographed works, and offers other art services as well. He leads team-building workshops, birthday celebrations, and personal transformation journeys; he also creates commissioned pieces, including sand-scrawled marriage proposals. Simon Beck is another artist with a similar technique; his medium, however, is snow. https://youtube.com/watch?v=mP0O4Yu0kYE [via Gizmodo]
Big moments deserve a little something extra — and with American Express Plan It® Instalments, you can make it happen*. Plan It lets you divide your purchase or even your statement balance into three, six or 12 equal monthly instalments — with no interest, just a monthly fee. You can even create multiple plans at once and cancel anytime, so you stay fully in control while building up those sweet rewards points along the way. Even if it's just for a weekend, sometimes the best way to recharge is by checking into a hotel that feels worlds away. Add world-class dining, buzzy rooftop bars or a spa treatment or two, and you've got yourself the ultimate mini-escape. Here are some of our favourite city escapes around the country that tick all the boxes. The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne Rising high above the Hoddle Grid with sweeping views of the city and beyond, The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne, is, in more ways than one, the pinnacle of luxury. There are plenty of ways to take in those views, too, whether from your in-room bathtub, the stunning 24-hour infinity pool or hatted fine-diner Atria. Complete the experience with a visit to The Ritz-Carlton Spa, where tranquil spaces and restorative treatments make it easy to forget you're in the middle of the city. Crown Towers It's big, it's bold, it's flashy — and there's simply nothing else quite like it in Melbourne. Inside, you'll find oversized rooms and suites with marble-accented bathrooms, world-class dining at restaurants like Nobu, Rockpool and Silks (not to mention the long-standing Conservatory, still home to one of Melbourne's very best buffets), and one of the city's most renowned spas. Crown might just be Melbourne's ultimate choose-your-own-adventure — as long as you're in the mood for pure indulgence. Jackalope Set among rolling vineyards on the Mornington Peninsula, Jackalope pairs avant-garde design with a deep sense of place. Dine on hyperlocal produce at on-site fine-diner Doot Doot Doot, sip wines surrounded by vineyards, or unwind with a spa treatment that draws on the property's surrounds. It's a one-of-a-kind experience that will stay with you long after you check out, whether it's a romantic weekend or a solo escape. Capella Sydney Behind a heritage sandstone façade in the heart of the CBD, Capella Sydney brings a new level of contemporary luxury to the Harbour City. The nine-storey property features 192 elegant rooms with Frette linen and standalone bathtubs, alongside destination dining at the opulent Brasserie 1930. The indulgence continues at Auriga Spa, where timber-lined interiors, greenery and a considered menu of treatments will help you truly disconnect. The Eve You might be mistaken for thinking the above pool deck is located on a faraway island — but it's actually in the thick of Surry Hills. And it's the cherry on the very top of The Eve, the 102-room hotel set within the expansive Surry Hills Village. Downstairs, the vibrant Wunderlich Lane precinct is home to a curated (and extensive) mix of dining and bars, from vibey rooftop Mexican diner Lottie to the sleek omakase of R by Raita. The options might feel overwhelming, but don't spend too long deciding where to dine — the pool awaits, after all. Sofitel Sydney Wentworth With its mix of 1960s jet-set glamour and contemporary French-inspired luxury, Australia's first-ever five-star hotel continues to set the standard for luxury city stays nearly 50 years after it welcomed its first guests. Following a top-to-bottom $70-million makeover unveiled in 2024, the 436-room hotel now boasts four new dining and bar venues curated by House Made Hospitality, including the expansive terrace lounge Wentworth Bar, Vietnamese-French fine diner Delta Rue and the elegant Bar Tilda. If you like your stays a little gourmet, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth delivers. [caption id="attachment_973394" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Calile James St, Cieran Murphy[/caption] The Calile, Brisbane There isn't much that hasn't already been said about The Calile, Fortitude Valley's oh-so-stylish resort-style hotel that's twice been named the very best hotel in Oceania by the World's 50 Best. Its 175 rooms and suites combine chic, pared-back interiors with private balconies that overlook the stunning openair pool deck, where poolside cabanas set the scene for weekend lounging at its finest. Beyond the pool, dining options abound — from breezy all-day Greek at Hellenika or punchy contemporary Thai at the impressive sAme sAme — while a curated retail precinct makes for a leisurely shopping experience. If relaxation is on the cards, the Kailo Medispa provides a range of rejuvenating treatments, while the hotel's library offers a serene space to read or work. W Brisbane W Brisbane might just be one of the city's most eye-catching hotels. The design-forward property offers 312 rooms and suites with panoramic views of the Brisbane River and beyond, while the rooftop WET Deck, tranquil AWAY Spa and 24-hour gym are ready and waiting for however you choose to unwind. You won't have to head too far to refuel, either — start with a pre-dinner drink and snack at the sleek Living Room Bar, indulge in caviar bumps and fire-grilled steaks at New York-style brasserie The Lex, and head up to the pool deck for a nightcap overlooking the city skyline. Crystalbrook Vincent With over 500 prints by acclaimed Australian artist Vincent Fantauzzo, Crystalbrook Vincent is a bold, art-infused hotel perched right on the edge of the Brisbane River. This boutique stay fuses sustainability and style with 100-percent waste-free bathrooms and no single-use plastics anywhere on site, while plush king beds and rainforest showers in every room bring the luxe factor. Food-wise, all-day diner Mews offers seasonal menus that champion local produce, buzzy rooftop bar Fiume might just be one of the city's most picturesque spots for a sundowner, while Howard Street Wharves and James Street are but a proverbial stone's throw away. For more information about Amex Plan It, head to the Amex website. A fixed monthly fee and T&Cs apply. *Plan It Terms and Conditions: You can create an Instalment Plan as long as your account is in good standing. We may withdraw this offer, prevent you from creating any new Instalment Plans or cancel any of your existing Instalment Plan(s) at any time if your Card Account is overdue, or if you do not comply with your Card Conditions. The minimum Plan amount is AUD$100. We may also limit the amount that can be transferred to an Instalment Plan. You will be charged a Monthly Plan Fee for each Instalment Plan created. This fee will be charged each month your Instalment Plan is active and will be disclosed to you at the time of creating your Instalment Plan. Each Instalment Plan will begin from the date it is successfully created, as communicated to you in your Online Account. Payment of your first Monthly Instalment will be due in your next payment cycle. You may request to cancel your Instalment Plan(s) at any time through your Online Account or the Amex App. Any billed Monthly Plan Fees will remain payable, but no further Monthly Plan Fees will be billed after cancellation is effective. As cancellation can take 24-48 hours to process ("Processing Time"), you may be charged a further monthly plan fee after cancellation if the Processing Time occurs on your payment date. View the full Plan It ® Instalment Terms and Conditions here. Top image: Jackalope
Dukes Coffee Roasters has been one of Melbourne's best coffee roasters since 2008, and we're lucky enough to have our own outpost down at Barangaroo. The blond timber and smooth curves here mimic those of Dukes' Melbourne store, though this space is bigger, lighter, and brighter than its southern sibling. Brewing from 7.30am every weekday, the cafe brews Dukes' full range of coffee black, with milk or as a filter. Alongside that, it has a tidy selection of sandwiches, pastries and sweet treats. Better yet, the team is committed to supporting both the planet and every one of the communities involved in the coffee's production. Each bag of coffee beans has been ethically traded and can be traced right back to the farm from which it came. Dukes is not the Barangaroo precinct's first Melbourne blow-in, joining fellow southerners Belles Hot Chicken and Shortstop Donuts.
Some museums are filled with art. Others are dedicated to interesting pieces of history. The National Communication Museum in Melbourne, Australia's latest, falls into the second category. It's also a museum with a hyper-specific focus, celebrating the technology that's allowed humanity to interact and, in the process, shaped how we engage with each other. Rotary phones, cyber cafes, MSN Messenger: they all get a nod here. Opening to the public on Saturday, September 21, 2024, and marking the first new major museum in Melbourne for more than two decades — since the Melbourne Museum launched — the National Communication Museum lives and breathes nostalgia, then. Phone boxes, burger phones, the speaking clock that you could call to get the time and only shut down in Australia in 2019: they receive some love as well. But this space isn't solely about looking backwards, with peering forwards also part of its remit. Yes, that means grappling with what artificial intelligence might mean for communication in the future. Emily Siddon, NCM's Co-Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director, calls the two-level Hawthorn site "a trip down memory lane", but also notes how it looks at the present and what might come. "The technologies featured in NCM were developed in response to the innate human need to communicate and connect — yesterday, today and tomorrow," she explains. "It also answers the pressing questions about communication technology today. Things like: how far away are we from uploading our consciousness? How am I tracked and where does my data go? And how can I tell real from fake or human from machine?". Across an array of rooms featuring both permanent and temporary exhibitions — located in an old 1930s telephone exchange building, which includes a working historical telephone exchange — visitors can dive into First Nations storytelling, celebrate the speaking clock, explore a 90s-era internet cafe and check out an interactive display that takes its cues from regional Australia's phone booths. There's also a section dedicated to research, spanning both successful and unsuccessful ideas, plus launch exhibitions dedicated to surveillance, the human-made satellites sent into space to circle the earth and the infrastructure underpinning digital communication. Find the National Communication Museum at 375 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, from Saturday, September 21, 2024 — open 10am–5pm Wednesday–Sunday. Head to the venue's website for more details. Images: Casey Horsfield.
There isn't a trace of the unwashed artist, student or dole bludger in Surry Hills anymore. I say this from my vantage point at a table in Rosie Campbell's on a Thursday night (on the corner of Crown and Campbell street, in case you hadn't figured it out). The idea of Rosie's is to bring a bit of Jamaica via New York to 2010, but despite the cute fit-out, what you notice at Rosie's is that the clientele comprises solely of Surry Hills' new white collar residents, the types who aren't complaining too much about the current real estate prices. Instead, they're sipping on cocktails that seriously nudge a lobster, cooling out to good reggae and hip hop, and getting stuck into some excellent jerk chicken, made with the venue's amply used signature jerk sauce. The venue is the latest from Graham Cordery and The Experience Group, who's other Surry Hills venue, The Soda Factory, has become a solid staple with a passionate following that come for more than just the famous Tuesday Dollar Dawgs. Following a rather life-changing trip to Jamaica, Cordery was inspired to bring home what he loved about the country: "the contrasting bright colours [and] the vibrancy that really makes you feel alive". The dishes on offer centre around three main flavour groupings, all of which are executed nicely. Deceptively smooth cocktails, like the Montego Bay Punch (of Pampero white and dark rums, Don Julio Plata tequila, pineapple, papaya, rockmelon, sugarcane and almond, $19), as well as a moorish Bowl of Corn with jerk mayo ($8), highlight the sweet and coconutty. A beautifully bright snapper ceviche ($20) and a mango-studded Island Jerk Salad ($16) are fresh and herbal, while the ribs ($19), sweet potato fries ($8) and that wondrous jerk chicken ($18) fill the gap with plenty of warmth and spice. Holding onto your crowd for dessert on Crown Street will always be a challenge with you-know-who just a few steps down the road, but Rosie's presents a good case for staying in with the offer of a warm caramel rum cake ($14). You might be in Surry Hills, but as the final sip of that rum-spiked punch hits you while you have a spoonful of caramel-soaked cake in your mouth, you could, maybe, just be soaking up the rays someplace warmer.
Diamond Head Campground lies in the sheltered southern corner of Dunbogan Beach, on the watery edge of Crowdy Bay National Park. There's plenty to do, from swimming in the calm, aquamarine water to exploring spectacular Split Rock. Walkers will be keen to conquer one of the nearby hiking trails, which take in swamp mahogany and paperbark forests, as well as coastal panoramas aplenty. Just check NSW National Parks website first, as some are still closed because of the bushfires. The campground has 75 pitches for tents, but you're welcome to pull up in your caravan or motor home, too. Among the facilities are showers, toilets, barbecues and picnic tables, so you're fully covered here. [caption id="attachment_770660" align="alignnone" width="1920"] National Parks NSW[/caption] Top image: National Parks NSW
CBD bike shop Clarence Street Cyclery has been a go-to bike shop for 45 years. The family-operated store has more than 150 pedal bikes on display in its Victorian-era shop, and you're guaranteed to receive good advice from its team whether you need a new lock, some lights or a whole new set of wheels. [caption id="attachment_777009" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] It stocks Trek Bicycles, as well as Electra cruisers, and if you're unsure which model will suit you best, the staff here will help you make the best decision. It also has a broad range of lifestyle and mountain bike helmets to booties and arm warmers for the more serious cyclist. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
Clear your calendar - Darlo After Dark is taking over Darlinghurst from June 19-29, serving up winter nights packed with live music, street performances, solstice rituals and all the good things that happen after dark. Curated by the team at Arts Matter, this ten-day festival spans ten venues between the Coke Sign and Green Park, encompassing Victoria, Burton and Liverpool Streets, as well as Darlinghurst Road. The neighbourhood will transform into a kind of cultural crawl - part pop-up, part performance, part party. This one's for the night owls, the curious, and the creatively inclined. Expect a sultry solstice performance from Malaika Mflame at The Darbury (yes, there'll be mulled wine). Over at Gino's Trattoria, you can catch live opera while tucking into Southern Italian eats. And if you wander into Ouzo, you'll find James Domeyko on sax, soundtracking your night with ambient jazz while you snack on Greek small plates. There's also limited-edition solstice ice cream from Messina, sake tastings at Nomidokoro Indigo, and tarot readings tucked away inside Dust Antiques. Need something hands-on? Head to Rainbow Studios for lantern-making workshops or craft your own whimsical flower crown at the twilight markets. Cap it off with an intimate screening of The Witches of Eastwick at Govindas Cinema - a dark fantasy comedy that hits that perfect sweet spot between witchy and wicked. This isn't your average winter festival — it's layered, hyper-local and full of surprises. Start early, stay late, or just wander. The fun is in the in-between. For more information, visit DarloVillage and be sure to follow us on socials @darlovillagesydney. Images: Supplied
Sydney has been teased with the prospect of having its own Taco Bell for over a year now. But, after a much-anticipated opening up in Newcastle last month, it's finally here. From 11am, Tuesday, December 17, you'll be able to waltz into Blacktown's Westpoint shopping centre and grab a Cheesy Chipotle Burrito, Crunchy Taco or a big ol' frozen margarita. While it is Taco Bell's third attempted foray into the Australian market — the chain tried to launch here in 1981 (and was then taken to court by Sydney store Taco Bell's Casa) and again in 1997, but both attempts were unsuccessful and the brand withdrew — this time, the US chain seems to be doing things seriously. It launched its first NSW store in Jesmond last month and opened one (and soon a second) in Melbourne — and that's in addition to the seven Queensland locations that've popped up in the last two years. Going by the Newcastle menu, we can safely assume that quesadillas, burritos, Crunchwraps, nachos, power bowls and, of course, tacos (including the Gordita Crunch with both a crunchy and soft tortilla) are all on the lineup. It looks to be affordable, too, with $2.50 tacos, $3.50 mini quesadillas, $3 churros, $4 burritos and $3 cinnamon twists. And there's booze, including frozen margs and Coronas and a bit of local flavour thanks to Coopers Light and Young Henrys pale ale. [caption id="attachment_753094" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Taco Bell Newcastle[/caption] If you manage to make it to Blacktown for opening day, you can snag yourself some limited-edition merch and one person will score free tacos for a year. Keep an eye on the Taco Bell Facebook page for upcoming freebies and limited-edition menus, too. It won't stop there, either, with Taco Bell saying it'll open a minimum of 40 stores across NSW and the ACT in the next five years. We'll let you know when anymore locations are announced. Find Taco Bell at Westpoint, 17 Patrick Street, Blacktown from 11am on Tuesday, December 17. Top image: Taco Bell Robina by Hugo Nobay.
This leafy inner west suburb is home to local artists, students and creative start-ups, and the charming mix of cafes, bars, restaurants and shops along Glebe Point Road reflects the laidback attitude of the people who choose to live and work there. Alongside secondhand bookshops that have thrived in the area for decades, you'll find pocket breweries and cute grocery stores — plus, it's all within a short walk from Sydney's CBD. With so many unusual and distinct businesses along one stretch, it can be hard to know where to start. So with the help of American Express, we've picked out the best places to shop at in Glebe so you know you're supporting the indie businesses that make it such a great place to visit. Follow our locals' guide to Glebe Point Road and shop small with your Amex Card.
Boat Harbour is not your typical beach. Far from offering a lazy day in the sun, this is one of the last beaches in Sydney where you can drive your 4WD. Located on the northeastern side of the Kurnell peninsula, the 150-metre beach is accessible via 4WD-friendly sand dunes which, once traversed, spit you out onto Boat Harbour, with its calm and shallow waters. On weekends, this strip of sand fills up with families bringing their barbecues and gazebos down to set up for the day (driving onto the beach means no gear-laden walks from the car park). The beach is unpatrolled but is known for its calm waters, making it a popular destination for stand-up paddleboarding, line fishing and snorkelling, too. And, if you don't feel like getting wet, check out the sea life in the rock pools that hug the shoreline instead.
A glass of bubbly is always a pleasure, but the return of World Champagne Day provides ample excuse to add a little more sparkle to your upcoming weekend. Taking over QT Hotels & Resorts across Australia from Friday, October 24–Sunday, October 26, the brand's lineup of luxe off-beat stays have teamed up with true-brut style Perrier-Jouët for a cork-popping experience. To mark the occasion, guests are invited to double-down on their love of champagne, as your first flute purchase scores a second pour of top-quality champers on the house. Just swing through any of QT's signature restaurants — like Gowings & Parlour at QT Sydney, Pascale Bar & Grill at QT Melbourne and Yamagen at QT Gold Coast — to toast yourself with a fizzy encore to match.
Road-tripping along the border of Victoria? Mildura's Kar-Rama Hotel probably isn't the kind of stay you'd expect to encounter this far from the big smoke. Yet as the town's newest boutique accommodation, it offers the sleek design and effortless comfort you're likely looking for after a long drive. Whether checking in for work or spending the weekend exploring Mildura's wine and dining scenes, this choice spot is ripe for unwinding. The 34 chic rooms strike a modern interpretation of mid-century design, with pastel tones reflecting the region's sun-drenched landscape. Each offers a plush king-sized bed with premium linen, high-end Leif botanical amenities, Nespresso coffee machine and inviting Bemboka robes, ensuring your stay is a relaxing one. Then, it's just a short trip to the lobby lounge, aka Chill Haven, where you can enjoy a drink and soak up the poolside perspective. That's right – this boutique motel has a heated butterfly-shaped pool, making it easy to cool off with a refreshing dip. Find a spot in the sun on a lounge and suddenly Mildura feels a little more Mediterranean. Surrounded by retro furnishings, this urban oasis in the countryside is the perfect sun-drenched retreat if you're seeking a little serenity on your trip. When you're ready to explore, Kar-Rama is ideally located. Those keen to roam the outdoors will find stellar swimming spots and eco-adventures along the Murray River, just a short drive away. There are also cultural attractions that offer a deeper insight into the local region, such as the Mildura Arts Centre and the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens. Meanwhile, award-winning cellar doors like Oak Valley Estate, Capogreco Winery Estate and Trentham Estate are all easily within reach. Speaking of dining, you're welcome to grab a continental breakfast from Kar-Rama's reception. Alternatively, the team is happy to guide you to the best spots in town. Head to Blk.Mlk Specialty Coffee or Kaffenio for caffeinated goodness, then dine on top-notch cuisine at restaurants like Andy's Kitchen, Brass Money and The Italian Mildura. With the local scene on the rise, you're never far from a stellar feed. "We are excited to see Kar-Rama Hotel open its doors in Mildura, bringing a high-quality accommodation offering to the region," says Andrew Bullock, CEO at 1834 Hotels, the hospitality group behind the property. "We look forward to working closely with the owners to drive its long-term success, strengthening the region's hospitality landscape and providing guests with a seamless and memorable stay." Kar-Rama Hotel is open at 153 Deakin Ave, Mildura. Head to the website for more information.
Imagine sitting under the gentle glow of candlelight, enjoying a live performance of Coldplay's "Sky Full of Stars." Thanks to The Concert by Candlelight series, this could soon be true. Returning for its fourth year, the series will host The Music of Coldplay by Candlelight across three locations, Sydney, Perth and the Gold Coast. While it may not be the band itself, world-class vocalists and a live band from London's West End will honour legends Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion with powerful performances. The performers will kick things off at 7.30pm Darling Harbour Theatre at ICC Sydney on Saturday, September 13. The show will take over The Star Theatre on the Gold Coast on Friday, September 19, before making the journey west to Perth's Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday, September 27. Given that Coldplay visited fans down under relatively recently in 2024, it's unlikely they'll be gracing us with their presence anytime soon. So, The Music of Coldplay by Candelight may be the closest thing to the real deal Aussies can get, at least for a while. Each concert is a one-night-only event, and they're coming up faster than you think. So get in quick; tickets are likely to sell out fast. The Music of Coldplay by Candlelight will be held in September in Sydney, Perth, and the Gold Coast. Performances start at 7.30pm. For more information or to book tickets, visit the website. Images: Supplied.
Hidden underground in the basement level of the new four-storey Sydney venue Hinchcliff House is Apollonia, a cocktail bar with an affinity for negronis and romance. The dimly lit bar is named after a character from The Godfather and looks to embody the stricken nature of Apollonia and protagonist Michael in the film. Whether you're swinging by to grab a drink or heading downstairs for a nightcap after your meal at one of the building's other venues, you're going to want to start and end with the cocktail list. Here you can sip the Love at First Sight, a dry gin, amaro and strawberry gum cocktail, or A Letter Never Sent, a wheat vodka and Italian honey liqueur creation. Further down the menu, you'll find a milk gin, citrus and lavender drink called the Hills of Savoca, or a Wedding Cake made with rye, local coffee amaro and amaretto foam. You can, of course, stray off on your own drinks journey, with an expansive list of spirits and liqueurs to choose from. If you stick around until midnight on a Friday night, you'll be treated to The Thunderbolt. This weekly tradition at Apollonia is a toast to what's important: friends, life, love and negronis. Images: Jiwon Kim Updated Tuesday, May, 1 2023. Appears in: The Best Bars in Sydney Sydney's Best Underground Bars for 2023
Push open the door at Bart Jr and the first thing you'll notice is the welcoming hum of banter. It only takes a quick glance around the room to see that this is a place that lends itself to a long session of good conversations over shared meals, a couple of glasses of wine, or a cocktail or two. Bart Jr — the second Redfern venue from the Scout's Honour crew — has kept it simple when it comes to the wine list. There's one of everything, all served by the glass, and, for the most part, they're all locally grown and often biodynamic. If you're looking for a red or white to bookend a long day, the Vinteloper Watervale Riesling from the Clare Valley ($11) and the Lethbridge Ménage a Noir Pinot Noir from Geelong ($12) are excellent wines to start with. There's also a number of local craft breweries on rotation on tap and in the fridge. You may be sat right alongside other diners or even perched next to them on a communal table, but this isn't a boisterous all-in drinking session — while being inclusive, everyone is engrossed in their own worlds. In this way, Bart Jr epitomises the friendly local, right down to the Redfern-focused photography series by a local artist. This friendliness of sorts even extends to the bar's namesake, which refers to a local and notoriously loose cat named Bart who roams the neighbourhood leaving a trail of lovers behind him. Given that he's inspired genuinely friendly service and food that's made with affection, Bart, we support your lifestyle — and we recommend you down a Dirty Aperol in his honour. Like most of the cocktails on their list, this one takes a classic and adds a Bart Jr twist — in this case, the addition of olive brine brings together the spritz and the martini, giving a new kick to the summer staple. As we've said, the food here is designed to be shared. Adding some glamour to the light and casual vibe, you'll be using a gold knife and fork to tuck into a plate of sheeps' milk haloumi generously topped with burnt honey, rosemary, currants and hazelnuts ($18). And while this may seem decadent, Bart Jr's menu strikes the balance between being rich and flavourful, but not overpowering. Take the gorgonzola dolce on toasted sourdough ($18) — topped with an abundance of greens, radishes, caramelised onion and fennel, this dish has strong creamy flavours while still keeping it fresh. A must-order. We recommend chasing your hit of dairy with the beef carpaccio with anchovy cream, pickled onion, fried capers, chives and pine nuts ($22) and the charred brassica in miso and egg yolk ($16), which, rather than just being a veggie side, is a dish unto itself. It's this next-level bar food, casual seating and dedication to good drinks, that makes Bart Jr a no-brainer for catch-ups with mates. Images: Katje Ford.
