Like karaoke? Fond of singing along to well-known songs, especially with a drink in your hand? Happy to belt out a tune in a crowd? If you answered yes to all of the above questions, then it's time to up your crooning game during Pub Choir's new Australian tour — aka the boozy sing-along that's all about giving your lungs a workout between sips. Since early 2017 in Brisbane, Pub Choir has been amassing brew-loving music fans in venues around the Queensland city. The regular event asks its attendees to learn a particular song in three-part harmonies, with talented professionals on hand each time to show everyone the ropes and lead the way. Every evening then culminates in a big boozy singing session, with the event making its way to bigger Brissie locations over the years, as well venturing around the country. Now, it's hitting up every Aussie capital across January and February 2022. The vibe: a far more organised version of exactly what happens whenever someone puts 'Wonderwall' or 'Weather With You' on the pub jukebox. And, now that communal singing in public is back after all the various pandemic-related restrictions that've come our way over the past two years, you can expect this tour to feel particularly celebratory, too. Pub Choir was a big hit during lockdowns, and as life started to return to normal as well; you might've taken part in Couch Choir in 2020, or watched the Australia's Biggest Singalong special on SBS earlier in 2021. Run by Astrid Jorgensen and Waveney Yasso, its IRL events are mighty popular, too — unsurprisingly — with tickets getting snapped up very quickly each time. So if you're keen to sing and drink with a theatre full of people, you'll want to book asap. PUB CHOIR CHEAP THERAPY 2022 TOUR: Tuesday, January 11 — The Kambri Precinct, Canberra Wednesday, January 12 — Enmore Theatre, Sydney Monday, January 17 — Astor Theatre, Perth Tuesday, January 18 — Freo Social, Fremantle Wednesday, January 19 — Adelaide Town Hall, Adelaide Thursday, January 20 — Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin Tuesday, January 25 — Odeon Theatre, Hobart Thursday, January 27 — The Palais Theatre, Melbourne Tuesday, February 1–Wednesday, February 2 — The Tivoli, Brisbane Pub Choir's Cheap Therapy tour runs from January 11–February 2, 2022. For further details or to book tickets, head to the Pub Choir website. Top image: Jacob Morrison.
The Sydney Comedy Festival is back for its ninth year with a program chock-a-block full of artists ready to leave you rolling on the floor laughing. This year's festival, running from Monday, April 22, until Saturday, May 11, features more than 150 side-splitting shows. This has been made possible by the addition of new venues including Harold Park Hotel, the Concourse Theatre and a Container room at the popular Factory Theatre. Filling all this space is an eclectic arrangement of solo shows and showcases that dish up an extra large serving of both international and local acts. Gracing our shores for the first time is Tracy Morgan, star of Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, who will be at the Enmore for one night only. Also premiering at the festival are Jarred Christmas, Alex Williamson of YouTube fame, and the masked Mexican wrestling marvel El Jaguar who will try to (metaphorically) powerbomb you into laughter. Sons of Singapore, Singapore's best new comics, continue the celebration of comedy from around the world and feature alongside Two & A Half Lebs and a multicultural lineup at the Ethnic Comedy All-Stars. Australians abound, with the Pajama Men bringing their unique physical comedy to the Seymour Centre in Pajama Men: Just the Two of Each of Us. Everyone’s favourite purple comedian Randy will be gracing the festival, this time sans Sammy J, in his first Sydney solo show. Our festival favourites are also back, with musical wizards the Axis of Awesome, handlebar-moustache-toting comedian Chopper, Canada's comedy crusader Arj Barker, and the dapper Stephen K. Amos all returning. The ever-popular showcases including the literal laugh a minute Sixty in 60, and Cracker Night is back, as is the Yalumba Wine Bar in the Enmore Theatre, a place where you can casually bump into your favourite acts and tell them that great joke you have. There are always hidden gems amongst the headliners as well, and that is the case once again this year. Steen Raskopoulus is ready to take this year's festival by storm, appearing in his excellently titled solo show Bruce SpringSTEEN Live in Concert as well as in The Bear Pack. MotherFather, the reigning Cranston Cup Champions, present their debut show PartyDinner whilst also competing for the TheatreSports National Championships, and Tom Ballard puts a face to the Triple J voice we all know in Tom Ballard: My Ego Is Better Than Your Ego. Gen Fricker is also back with her guitar and Michael Hing continues to storm up the comedy ladder with Michael Hing: Occupy White People. The laughs are back Sydney. Get your happy faces ready and check out the full program at the Sydney Comedy Festival website.
From family classics like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to hard-hitting documentaries in the league of Camp 14 – Total Control Zone to black comedies such as Invasion, this year's Audi Festival of German Film promises the bravest, brashest and most bizarre in German film. All in all, the event will include 45 movies (presented via 234 screenings) and 54 events. There'll be panel discussions, Q&As, special cultural programs and parties. The selection for opening night, Georg Maas' Two Lives, makes it clear the festival is seeking the cutting edge, new generation of German filmmaking. It's a 2012 post-Berlin wall spy thriller about the exercise of state control over individual identities. With over 20,000 people expected to attend, representing a 37 percent growth in popularity over the past six years, this year's festival is set to be the biggest on record. Here are our picks of the top five films to see at te festival. 1. Camp 14 - Total Control Zone Described as "one of the most confronting documentaries you'll ever see", Camp 14 - Total Control Zone focuses on Shin Dong-Hyuk, who was born in a North Korean concentration camp. Until escaping at the age of 23, he knew nothing else of life apart from unimaginable deprivation and cruelty. This is his story, recorded on camera for the first time by Marc Wiese. 2. This Ain't California Winner of Best Documentary at Cannes 2012, This Ain't California explores the development of skateboard culture in East Germany during the 1970s and 1980s. 3. Invasion In this thriller, director Dito Tsintsadze brilliantly blends character-driven drama and black comedy with bouts of paranoia. It's definitely one for film connoisseurs who like to be kept on the edge of their seats. When widower Josef Mendel receives a surprise visit from his wife's cousin (who he never knew existed) and her rather peculiar relations, his life takes a bizarre series of twists and turns. 4. Forgotten This psychological horror flick, director Alex Schmidt's debut feature, is one of the only genre films on the festival program. Upon reuniting after 25 years, childhood friends Hanna and Clarissa decide to visit a holiday house where they spent time as children, unleashing a host of forgotten memories and terrifying spectres. Not recommended for the faint-hearted. 5. Two Lives A contemplative spy thriller set in the dying days of the Berlin Wall. What's not to dig?
When Timothy Conigrave wrote Holding the Man, it was clearly a work of great personal significance. The year was 1994, he was 34, and his memory was fading as a result of HIV-related complications. The narrative he committed to paper wasn't just his own memoir, but his way of recalling his life-long lover, John Caleo. Alas, Conigrave would succumb to his condition before his book was published, but his words, their romance and their plight have persevered to touch the hearts of many. In fact, after more than two decades of reader devotion plus several stagings of theatre productions based on the text, Holding the Man comes to cinemas with the weight of considerable history. Others, including Walking on Water director and Conigrave's friend Tony Ayres, have previously tried and failed to bring the tale to the screen. That filmmaker Neil Armfield and writer Tommy Murphy — who also wrote the play — succeed is no mean feat. That they do the story and their subjects justice in a tender and touching film isn't, either. Conigrave (Ryan Corr) and Caleo (Craig Stott) first met as Melbourne schoolboys in the late '70s, the former an aspiring actor treading the boards in a class version of Romeo and Juliet, the latter running around football fields as an emerging Aussie Rules star, and both raising more than a few eyebrows for pursuing their relationship. Weathering the many storms wrought by the disapproval of their respective parents (played by Guy Pearce and Kerry Fox, and Anthony LaPaglia and Camilla Ah Kin), Australian society's intolerant attitudes, and the outbreak of the AIDS epidemic, theirs was not an easy romance, but until health issues cut short their time together, it was an enduring one. Making his first film since 2006's Candy, Armfield doesn't take the linear approach to Conigrave and Caleo's love as he flits from their early to later years. He jumps between important moments with the affectionate recollection of someone assembling their thoughts — which is how Conigrave's experience is framed. Sometimes the feature is clumsy and clunky as a result, particularly in trying to relate teenage antics and in spouting dialogue that sounds a little too theatrical. Sometimes, it hits the mark perfectly; just witness the hospital-set scenes, and try to keep your eyes from misting over. Of course, much of the emotion springs not from the warm colours the movie is painted in or from the period-appropriate rock soundtrack — both often overdone — but from the two lead performances. Even though they struggle with selling the characters' younger guises, Corr and Stott shine in conveying their opposites-attract pairing, as well as in showing the necessary growth and change as they traverse the trials, tribulations and troubles of being gay men in the 1980s. Indeed, the central duo's efforts in embodying the real-life figures they play with authenticity and intimacy is what makes the film linger long after viewing. Holding the Man's outcome might be known, but its lasting impact in telling one of Australia's great tragedies still offers many a surprise, perhaps none more so than its heartbreaking combination of the sweet and the sorrowful.
It's the ethos of the Urban Theatre Projects to breathe a new and unique life into Australian stories, and Home Country promises to be no different. Director Rosie Dennis presents this story of identity and place in a triptych, spread out across three levels of a car park in Blacktown. The play is a collaborative effort between Urban Theatre Projects and Blacktown Arts Centre, bringing the issues of home faced in a multicultural society to fore, all set against the sunset over the Blue Mountains. This is one of 15 next-level events to see at Sydney Festival. Check out the whole list.
David O. Russell clearly knows when he's onto a good thing. Over the last few years, the writer/director has found a formula that works and it seems like he's sticking with it. He casts actors Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro, tells stories of ordinary folks trying to escape dysfunction and chase better lives; and adopts a tone that shifts between harsh reality and fairytale. First Silver Linings Playbook. Then American Hustle. Now, his latest effort, Joy. This time around, Russell offers up a fictionalised account of the rise of a real-life home shopping network star. In the early 1990s, Joy Mangano (Lawrence) was a Long Island divorcee coping with caring for her two young children while living in a house with her daytime TV-loving mother (Virginia Madsen), ailing grandmother (Diane Ladd), singer ex-husband (Edgar Ramirez) and thrice-married father (De Niro). Then, while cleaning up spilled wine, she came up with the idea for the first-ever self-wringing mop. Enter an Italian investor (Isabella Rossellini), and, eventually, a television executive (Cooper). Yes, Joy is a rags-to-riches tale of a battler trying to improve herself and her situation; however it's also something more. It wrestles Russell's current patterns and preferences into a canny character study, watching on as a woman fights for agency and control, despite constantly being told that she should take care of others and reign in her go-getting ways. Weaving in surreal soap opera segments — and at its best when it's following its protagonist on the small screen or in the studio — the film becomes an astute and engaging dissection of the power of selling a fantasy. Of course, the latter works so well because that's exactly what the movie does, with Joy's success never in doubt (the film notes at the outset that it's inspired by stories of brave women, including one in particular). Indeed, Joy sells its namesake's journey from domestic unhappiness to business domination by making everything seem equally authentic and fanciful. The movie casts a dream-like sheen over crumbling interiors, proceeds at a lively pace through tough moments, and favours an upbeat soundtrack, all to create a purposefully wavering mood. In doing so, it manages to remain sincere, not satirical. That's where Lawrence proves pivotal too. When the going gets tough, she's determined rather than defeated; when everything appears to be coming together, she never patches over Joy's struggles. Her co-stars mightn't all fare as well, particularly De Niro's disapproving dad. Still, Madsen and Rossellini have their comic moments, and Ramirez and Cooper benefit from less chaotic roles. Besides, such a mix of performances feels fitting. Joy pairs a filmmaker's usual tricks and tendencies with a mostly-true tale of tenacity, serving up amusement and insight in the process.
If you've ever been stuck with the job of throwing away perfectly good food at the end of a hospitality shift, it probably won't shock you that Australian retailers are turfing over three million tonnes of food each year. Or that 80 percent of it is being chucked out simply because it wasn't sold. Thankfully, folks across the country are tackling the issue of unnecessary food waste head-on, with groups like OzHarvest and SecondBite built around the concept of redistributing unused food to the needy. And now, you can help fight the issue and save money on grub simultaneously, thanks to a new locally born app called Y Waste. Currently operating in Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, the app helps you locate businesses in your area that have surplus food to offload at the end of the day. You can then purchase it at a discounted price, paying via your smartphone and picking it up from the venue at the allocated time. Depending on which city you're searching in, you might find sandwiches and salads from the local cafe, unsold pastries from that nearby bakery, or even freshly made pizzas, all going cheap. The only restriction is that you have to take what's left — so if you're a picky eater or have dietary restrictions, this may not be for you. Sydney's offering includes Newtown's The Pie Tin, which is serving up a box of unsold pies for $2.90, Sol Coffee Bar in Campsie, serving up a mix of sandwiches and salads for $4, and Neutral Bay's Tonic Lane, which has mixed bags of cold and hot dishes going for $5. In Melbourne, you'll find venues like Coburg's Falafel House, serving up two falafels for $7, and Richmond's Fruscolino Pizza, with a large pizza going for only $9.90, in the lineup. In Brisbane, you can snag $5 pizzas at South Brisbane's Presto Pizza and $2.75 breads, sandwiches and muffins from 3Js Cafe in Woody Point. Now you can nab a budget-friendly feed and feel good about your efforts. The Y Waste app is available to for iOS and Android. Image: The Pie Tin, Newtown
Uber, you sly geniuses. In a bold marketing move, Uber have launched UberKITTENS, a service with actually brings kittens to your office for 15 minutes of cuddles. Launching today around Australia in six locations (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane included), you'll be able to front up $40 and Uber will drive a rescue kitten to your home or office as part of an Australia-wide fundraiser. GET GOING. NOW. Uber posted on their blog today: "Following the huge success of UberKITTENS in the US, we were inundated with requests from riders and some amazing local shelters to bring it to our shores so we could share the kitten love and spread the word about the importance of finding much needed homes for our furry friends." How can has kitten? 1. Download the Uber app. 2. Request the 'KITTENS' option in the app TODAY between 12pm and 4pm within the Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane CBD and surrounding suburbs. 3. If kittens are available, you will get to enjoy 15 minutes of furry cuteness delivered to your office, your sweetheart, or even your favourite cat lady. 4. Pro Tip: Demand for #UberKITTENS will be off the charts so please be patient in your quest for kitten playtime. All the funds go to the participating shelter and you can even adopt the little guy. Looks like cat lovers have a lot to celebrate after yesterday's announcement for Sydney's very first cat cafe. Via Mumbrella.
If you've ever sat down to play Mario Kart on any of the various devices that the beloved game has popped up on over the years — Google Maps, mobile phones and reality also included — then you've likely learned two things. Firstly, rainbow roads are truly something else. Secondly, you can never have too much Mario in your life. The folks at Universal Studios clearly agree on the second point, as everyone should, and they gave us an IRL Nintendo-themed amusement park in 2022 to prove it. Open for the past year, the globe's first Super Nintendo World is part of Universal Studios in Osaka, and it looks glorious — thanks to life-sized recreations of both Bowser's Castle (complete with spiked fences and heavy iron doors) and Peach's Castle, plus Mario Kart rides as well. [caption id="attachment_804547" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nintendo and Universal Studios[/caption] Super Nintendo World was never going to be an Osaka exclusive, though. The Japanese theme park isn't losing its latest attraction, but more were always planned for Universal Studios in Hollywood, Orlando and Singapore. And, come 2023, you'll definitely be able to live out your IRL Mario Kart dreams in Tinseltown, because that's when and where the next Super Nintendo World is opening. Exactly what Universal Studios Hollywood's version will include hasn't yet been confirmed, and neither has an exact opening date — but if a trip to the US is on your agenda next year, it now has a new stop. In a press release announcing the 2023 launch, Universal Studios advised that the new Super Nintendo World will be "a visual spectacle of vibrant colours and architectural ingenuity located within a newly expanded area of the theme park, featuring a groundbreaking ride and interactive areas, to be enjoyed by the whole family", although that's obviously still quite vague. Unsurprisingly, themed shopping and dining will be a big part of the experience, of course. #SuperNintendoWorld is opening in 2023 at Universal Studios Hollywood! Level up with exclusive merch at the Feature Presentation store, opening soon. pic.twitter.com/4qh0bDACGN — Universal Studios Hollywood (@UniStudios) March 10, 2022 If you'd like to try to glean some clues from Osaka's Super Nintendo World, it lets you enter via a warp pipe — naturally — and there's simply no mistaking its Nintendo-themed space for anywhere else. And, Osaka's Mario Kart fix comes courtesy of Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge, where patrons race through familiar Mario Kart courses that've been brought to life. Yes, as you steer your way along the track, you're surrounded by characters such as Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. You can also throw shells to take out your opponents, because it wouldn't be Mario Kart without them. If you're wondering how it all works, it's a blend of physical sets, augmented reality, projection mapping and screen projection, all designed to make you feel like you're really in the game. Also a highlight in Osaka: Yoshi's Adventure, which lets you climb on Yoshi's back; the world's first Mario cafe, as kitted out with a red and green colour scheme; and wearable wrist bands, called Power Up Bands, which connect to a special app and allow patrons to interact with the site using their arms, hands and bodies (and enable you to collect coins just like Mario does in the Super Mario games). Fingers crossed that they all make the leap to Hollywood, too. Super Nintendo World will open at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023. For more information, keep an eye on the theme park's website. Top image: Nintendo and Universal Studios.
After the craziness of the festive season, your calendar is probably looking fairly clear now. But the Art Gallery of NSW is determined to fill it, for the next week at least, with a slew of Lunar New Year-related events. Head there after work on Wednesday, February 6 to catch a traditional lion dance at 6pm before writer-raconteur Benjamin Law chews the fat with foodie Adam Liaw about art, travel and cuisine for an in-conversation event at 6.30pm. Later in the evening, kick back with a drink while you listen to singer-songwriter Sophie Koh's jazzy pop tunes inspired by Chinese poetry. There'll also be calligraphy demonstrations (make sure to pick up an auspicious phrase to take home for good luck), and you can catch gallery's new blockbuster exhibition Heaven and Earth in Chinese Art: Treasures from the National Palace Museum, Taipei. But that's definitely not all. You can also celebrate the Year of the Pig with a special dinner on Friday, February 8 ($220 per person), take in a traditional Chinese tea ceremony on Saturday, February 9 or dress in your brightest duds and go on an auspicious symbols tour — where you'll learn about the words and symbols that will bring good fortune, prosperity, happiness and longevity — on Sunday, February 17. And, if you're there on Sunday morning, keep an eye out for Caishen, the god of prosperity, who'll be roaming around and giving out red packets filled with auspcious messages for the year ahead. We're guessing that calendar is looking a little busier now, right? For more information on the Art Gallery of NSW's Lunar New Year program, visit the website.
If American bourbon is your drink of choice, one of the finest distillers in the business, Maker's Mark, is giving you a feel-good reason to raise a glass until Sunday, August 31, 2025. The Kentuckian bourbon distiller has collaborated with Australian honey producers Beechworth Honey for a delicious rendition of The Gold Rush: a cocktail that celebrates the brilliant flavour pairing of honey and bourbon served with freshly squeezed lemon juice — a sweet and sour combo served on ice that can brighten up any cool evening. In addition to a focus on craft, sustainability is one of the pillars of the Maker's Mark brand. In fact, it is the largest distillery in the world to achieve B Corp certification. And in a bid to further its efforts to make bourbon that's better for the world, Maker's Mark is teaming up with some of Sydney's best bars to donate $2 from every Gold Rush cocktail sold to the Wheen Bee Foundation. Next time you're heading out for cocktails, make your way to one of these venues and order a Gold Rush, and you'll be making a contribution to a foundation dedicated to protecting and conserving the Australian honey bee simply by enjoying a very good drink. Participating venues: Fortunate Son in Newtown Palomino Lounge in Enmore Old Mates Place in the CBD The Roosevelt in Potts Point The Duke of Clarence in the CBD Earl's Juke Joint in Newtown Double Deuce Lounge in the CBD Charlie Parker's in Paddington Bar Demo in Newtown J&M in the CBD Chuck & Sons in St Peters The Cumberland in Manly If you're down in Canberra, you can hit up Hippo Co, or if you're in Wollongong, Howlin' Wolf, La La La's and Black Cockatoo Bar are also participating
If all you wanted for an early Christmas gift this year was for the Matildas to put on a spectacular show at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, Australia's national women's soccer team didn't disappoint. If all you're now hoping for this actual festive season is to hear three of the squad's stars chat about their experiences — and their careers in general, as well as what's brought them to this point — then the first-ever Open Air Live event is going to deliver there, too. Taking place at 5pm on Thursday, December 21 at Sydney's Commbank Stadium, Open Air Live will feature Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, forward Mary Fowler and defender Alanna Kennedy, who'll be back in Australia to get talking. All three impressed on the pitch in July and August, and cemented their place as Aussie sporting heroes, even if the semi-final loss to England meant that the Matildas didn't end up with the ultimate prize. On offer as well: a live masterclass where Arnold, Fowler and Kennedy will show off their skills; and a match-day vibe thanks to four stages and ample use of the stadium screens. "I'm excited to be part of the Open Air Live event in Sydney this December. Mackenzie, Alanna and I will be taking the field at CommBank stadium for a huge night of entertainment; you won't want to miss this!" said Fowler. "I can't wait to join Mackenzie and Mary on the pitch for an incredible night of entertainment. Everyone is welcome, and we look forward to putting on a great show," added Kennedy. "Bring your families along and join Alanna, Mary and I in sharing our stories. It will be a great night of entertainment. We can't wait to see you there," advised Arnold. There's obviously plenty for the three Matildas players to discuss. Their Women's World Cup efforts enraptured the entire nation, including breaking viewing records to become the most-watched program on Aussie TV since 2001 when current records began, and likely ever. They had Nikki Webster sing to them in Brisbane afterwards, and are getting a team statue in the Queensland capital. And, of course, the campaign was the result of years of hard work both as a squad and on the individual level to get the Tillies to this point. Arnold, Fowler and Kennedy will be back in Australia for the event from the UK, where all the trio play in the Women's Super League. Arnold is West Ham United's captain, while Fowler and Kennedy remain on the same team at Manchester City. The full Matildas squad will also return to home turf for three games at the end of October and beginning of November, for Olympic qualifying matches in Perth. They play Iran on Thursday, October 26; The Philippines on Sunday, October 29; and Chinese Taipei on Wednesday, November 1. Open Air Live with Mackenzie Arnold, Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy will take place at 5pm on Thursday, December 21 at Sydney's Commbank Stadium, 11–13 O'Connell St, Parramatta — head to the ticketing website for more details and tickets.
Break out the waffles: Amy Poehler is coming to Australia. If you're a Parks and Recreation fan, nothing less than eating breakfast foods non-stop between now and the end of May will do to celebrate. The actor behind Leslie Knope — and Saturday Night Live legend, and voice of Joy in both Inside Out and Inside Out 2 — has a date with Vivid Sydney, heading to the Harbour City for an in-conversation event that'll see her chat through her career. Inside Out 2 releases in cinemas in mid-June, so it'll receive plenty of focus when Poehler gets talking — so much so that the Sydney Opera House evening that'll be moderated by Zan Rowe will include a 30-minute first-look at the film. But her work spans far and wide beyond the animated Pixar franchise, including to films such as Baby Mama and Sisters, writing the hilarious Yes Please and unforgettable Golden Globe hosting gigs with Tina Fey. [caption id="attachment_793108" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo by: Chris Haston/NBC[/caption] Poehler's session will take place on Monday, May 27, making it one of the early highlights of the festival. It comes after 2023's Vivid Sydney also featured a massive screen-focused in-conversation session, welcoming The White Lotus' Jennifer Coolidge and Mike White.
Back in 2010, Ryan Gosling starred in a crime drama called All Good Things, playing a real estate heir suspected to be behind his wife's disappearance, as well as other murders. It isn't a highlight on his resume, but you'll see the feature very differently once you've watched six-part HBO docuseries The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst — because Gosling's character is based on Durst, and because filmmaker Andrew Jarecki directed both the movie and the series. True crime isn't a new genre, but The Jinx proved one of its big hitters when it was initially released in 2015. While it was originally airing, Durst was arrested on murder charges, with the criminal proceedings still ongoing to this day. Jarecki's series draws upon more than 20 hours of interviews with Durst, conducted over a number of years, and it'll drop you right into the middle of a twisty case. The minutiae is best experienced by watching, but the show's finale isn't easily forgotten.
It was a year of gun-toting racoons, talking Lego and trying desperately to catch a glimpse of Ben Affleck’s junk in the shower. Yes, the last 12 months saw the release of some truly terrific movies, from Hollywood hits that dominated the box-office to startling foreign and indie films that only a handful of people bothered to see. But enough about the past. January is already well underway, and a whole crop of new releases are on the horizon. This promises to be another huge year for cinema, with the latest instalments in blockbuster franchises including The Fast and the Furious 7, Mission: Impossible 5 and The Hunger Games Part 3B, not to mention perhaps the most hotly anticipated sequel of them all: Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2. Of course the above titles only scratch the surface. Presented in the order they’re due to be released, here’s our list of the 12 motion pictures we’re most looking forward to in 2015. You’ll be pleased to note that there isn’t a single Hobbit movie to be found. FOXCATCHER The latest film from Moneyball director Bennett Miller tells the unsettling true story of reclusive millionaire John DuPont, whose sponsorship of the US Olympic wrestling team coincided with a spiral into madness. A cast that includes Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo is enough to pique our interest, but it’s comedian Steve Carell who has been kicking up Oscar buzz for his against-type dramatic performance as DuPont. Out January 29 ROSEWATER Comedian Jon Stewart took time out from hosting The Daily Show in order to shoot this film about Maziar Bahari, a Canadian-Iranian journalist imprisoned by the Iranian regime. Not exactly the barrel of laughs you might expect from Stewart’s directorial debut. Then again, it’s only fitting that he be the one to tell the story, given that the “evidence” the Iranians used to justify Bahari’s detention included an interview he gave on Stewart’s show. Out February 19 TOP FIVE Speaking of comedians in the director’s chair, Chris Rock’s Top Five sees the funny-man working three jobs as writer, director and star. In a foul-mouthed takedown of the media and entertainment industries, Rock plays Andre Allen, a popular movie comedian who wants to be taken seriously. The film looks hilarious, and has a seriously stacked cast — including Rosario Dawson, Tracey Morgan and Kevin Hart — as well as cameos from Whoopi Goldberg, Adam Sandler and Jerry Seinfeld. Out March 5 INHERENT VICE Joaquin Phoenix heads a host of enviable Hollywood talent in Paul Thomas Anderson’s strange adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s novel. A stoner crime thriller, Inherent Vice looks like the spiritual cousin to The Big Lebowski, and not at all like Anderson’s previous films, which include The Master and There Will Be Blood. Reviews out of the States have been divided, which really only makes us want to see it more. Out March 12 MOMMY The best film of last year’s festival circuit, this masterpiece of melodrama from Quebecois wunderkind Xavier Dolan is a movie you can’t afford to miss. An emotional roller coaster presented in 1:1 aspect ratio, the story follows a brassy single mother whose teenage son suffers from violent mood swings as well as ADHD. Seriously, if this film doesn’t make you cry buckets, you flat out haven’t got a heart. Out March 26 AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON Avengers assemble! The red-hot sequel to Marvel’s superhero phenomenon reunites all your favourite costumed heroes, including Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk and Thor. The most important returnee, however, is writer-director Joss Whedon, whose witty dialogue and knack for ensemble character dynamics was a huge part of why the first film was so great. Out April 23 MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Australia’s most iconic action hero is back for round four. Tom Hardy replaces Mel Gibson as Road Warrior Max Rockatansky in this sequel-cum-reboot 30-odd years in the making. From the insane visuals in the trailer, it would appear that original director George Miller hasn’t lost his touch. Hard to believe this is the same guy who made Happy Feet. Out May 14 INSIDE OUT The latest film from the geniuses at Disney Pixar looks like one of their most original yet. Directed by Pete Docter of Up and Monsters Inc. fame, Inside Out takes place inside the mind of young girl, as Joy, Anger, Disgust, Fear and Sadness steer her through life as best they can. Out June 18 SPECTRE Daniel Craig returns as Britain’s most deadly secret agent, with a supporting cast that includes Monica Belluci, Dave Bautista and Christoph Waltz. If the title is anything to go by, the latest Bond film will see 007 go up against his most notorious enemy, the international crime syndicate SPECTRE. We’re calling it now: Waltz is playing Blofeld. Out November 19 STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Yes, we’ve been burnt with new Star Wars films before. But come on, how can you not be excited, or at least curious, by the prospect of returning to a galaxy far, far away? And without the influence of George Lucas, we’re hopeful that The Force Awakens might actually be good, or at least not bogged down by the politics of trade negations. Now excuse us while we re-watch the trailer for the 5000th time. Out December 18 THE HATEFUL EIGHT Two words: Quentin Tarantino. The script for his latest Western leaked online last year, leading to fears that he’d scrap the project altogether. Thankfully QT got over his little temper tantrum and is moving ahead with production. The Hateful Eight is being shot on glorious 70mm film with a cast that includes Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Michael Madsen and Bruce Dern. Release Date TBA MACBETH Australian director Justin Kurzel made serious waves with his debut film Snowtown. For his follow-up, he’s put together a lavish adaptation of Shakespeare’s iconic play, with Michael Fassbender starring as the ambitious Scottish soldier and Marion Cotillard as his conniving lady wife. Release Date TBA
Rise up, Hamilton fans — whether you're a Sydneysider counting down the days until the biggest musical of the past decade finally makes its way to our shores, or you're an aficionado elsewhere in the country that's been spending the past couple of months streaming the filmed version on Disney+. Whichever category you fall into, you won't want to throw away your shot at glory at Totally F*ct Trivia's Hamilton night. You don't need to be young, scrappy and hungry to succeed at this trivia evening. You don't need to have seen oceans rise and empires fall, either. You will need to know plenty about Hamilton, though, of course. And, there are two ways to get some skin in the game: by heading along in-person and taking part in the room where it happens, or by live-streaming the fun when push comes to shove. As hosted by The Chaser's Julian Morrow, Totally F*ct Trivia: Hamilton Edition will next take over the Giant Dwarf Theatre in Redfern from 6.30pm on Tuesday, October 20. Yes, it was a such a hit when it last took place in September that it's coming back — like that oh-so-catchy King George III song told us. Tickets to attend physically cost $20, or $30 with two drinks included. Connect virtually for $10 for one person, $15 for a couple and $20 for a group of three or more if you want to get involved from home. And if you need a refresher, check out the Hamilton Disney+ trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSCKfXpAGHc Totally F*ct Trivia: 'Hamilton' Edition takes place from 6.30pm on Tuesday, September 8 — live at the Giant Dwarf Theatre in Redfern, or you can play along via live-stream from around the country as well. Top image: Hamilton filmed version courtesy Disney+. Updated September 26.
Same-day succulent delivery service Little Succers is bringing back its build-your-own terrarium bar in Chippendale for a the Queen's Birthday long weekend. Book in for a morning, afternoon or night session between Friday, June 8 and Monday, June 11 and you'll be given the tools to build the terrarium of your dreams. The pop-up will stock a variety of succulents and plants of all shapes and sizes ready for you to take home. With custom-made pots and soil, crystals and other decorations, you'll have everything you need to create a masterpiece — and, aside from the $20 booking fee (which goes towards your materials), you'll be charged only for what you use. This time round there will be night sessions from 6–9pm on the Friday and Saturday, which will include an added bonus of free drinks (for you, not your green baby).
Small businesses are doing it tough in Sydney right now. As the city's latest COVID-19 lockdown rolls on, many businesses have been forced to close and sole traders have lost work. Last week, the NSW Government rolled out support for small businesses that have experienced a decline in revenue by 30 percent or more as a result of the current lockdown. But, COVID grants are only available to businesses with a turnover of more than $75,000 per financial year. This has left some of the city's smallest businesses and sole traders without support. In response, a petition started by Deputy Lord Mayor Jess Scully has been submitted to the NSW Government to lower the threshold for these grants and to include businesses that have been operating for less than 12 months. The petition states that many businesses in the creative sector and sole traders including musicians, lighting and sound technicians, fitness instructors, caterers and photographers, "live from gig-to-gig on freelance contracts or earn client-to-client, and many commonly earn below the $75,000 threshold, but they are essential contributors to the NSW economy" often with no paid leave entitlements and without an ability to work from home. It also states that, "in the City of Sydney local government area alone there are around 20,000 businesses with a turnover of $50,000 per annum or less". We talked to two Sydney creatives who have lost work due to the lockdown but are unable to access government grants. Huck Hastings is a self-funded musician who supports himself and his art mainly through touring. Hastings has had to cancel a series of headline shows, his first tour of Melbourne and his band Hacky Sack's debut show due to the latest COVID-19 outbreak and the subsequent restrictions and lockdown. "I've felt the lockdown pretty significantly, but it feels a bit like just the latest in a series of blows," says Hastings. "You see a lot of artists and musicians giving up at the moment. It's a really tough environment for everybody, but I think often pursuing a career in the arts is seen as a frivolous endeavour and as a result it isn't given the same support as a lot of other industries." "I have spent so much time and money on my small business and since Jobkeeper ended it's a scary feeling trying to navigate how I might be able to keep it afloat," he says. [caption id="attachment_818451" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Huck Hastings and Sachin Burns of Hacky Sack[/caption] Zoe Hyland is a photographer and videographer who doesn't qualify for the grant but has lost the majority of her work because of lockdown. "I've had cancellations up to November," Hyland says. "The threshold should be lowered to include the smallest businesses, and definitely an industry that has taken the biggest hit — the events industry." Hyland, who qualified for her permanent residency last September, also believes support should be offered to Sydneysiders on temporary visas. "I was one of the lucky ones," she says, "[there are] lots of people now heavily in debt as they were trapped in Australia with visas that did not qualify them for help". While Concrete Playground isn't known for taking sides (unless it's about the west vs. east), this is an issue that involves the industries, businesses and individuals that are crucial to the culture of our cities. They inspire the stories, events and venues that we cover every day. So, we're encouraging you to take a second to sign the petition and get the state government to help these industries hang on during what continues to be a time of uncertainty. Head to the Parliament of New South Wales website to find the 'Lower the threshold for the Small Business COVID-19 Support Grant' petition. Top image: The Buoys by April Josie.
If you're a fictional movie or TV character facing a towering kaiju, any amount of Godzilla is usually too much Godzilla. If you're a creature-feature fan, however, there's no such thing as too much Godzilla. And, with Japanese film Godzilla Minus One and American streaming series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters both on their way, screens big and small are embracing that idea right now. There's no such thing as too many Godzilla-related trailers at the moment, too, with the first Japanese Godzilla feature in seven years dropping its sneak peek and now Monsterverse series following in its giant footsteps. The latter ties in with 2014's Godzilla, 2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters and 2021's Godzilla vs Kong, plus 2024's Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, a sequel to the latter. Expect Monarch: Legacy of Monsters to stampede onto Apple TV+ from Friday, November 17. Yes, everything is a pop-culture universe these days. Yes, spreading from cinemas to television is all part of the process (see: Star Wars and Marvel, and also upcoming The Conjuring and Harry Potter shows). In this case, the Monsterverse is going the episodic route via a story set across generations and 50 years, and also with Kurt Russell (Fast and Furious 9) and Wyatt Russell (Under the Banner of Heaven) playing older and younger versions of the same figure. The father-son pair take on the role of army officer Lee Shaw, who is drawn into the series by a couple of siblings attempting to keep up their dad's work after events between Godzilla and the Titans in San Francisco in the aforementioned 2014 film. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters also involves unpacking family links to clandestine outfit Monarch, events back in the 50s and how what Shaw knows threatens the organisation. So, there'll be monsters and rampages, and also secrets, lies and revelations. Giving audiences two Russells in one series is dream casting, as the just-dropped first teaser shows. Also appearing on-screen: Anna Sawai (Pachinko), Kiersey Clemons (The Flash), Ren Watabe (461 Days of Bento), Mari Yamamoto (also Pachinko), Anders Holm (Inventing Anna), Joe Tippett (The Morning Show), Elisa Lasowski (Hill of Vision) and John Goodman (The Righteous Gemstones). Behind the scenes, Chris Black (Severance) and Matt Fraction (Da Vinci's Demons) have co-developed Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, while Matt Shakman (The Consultant, Welcome to Chippendales) helms the opening pair of episodes — and all three are among the series' executive producers. Check out the first trailer for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters below: Monarch: Legacy of Monsters will start streaming via Apple TV+ from Friday, November 17, 2023.
Fall in love with movies Italian style, at the latest glamorous edition of the Lavazza Italian Film Festival. Hosted once again in Palace Cinemas around the country, this year's festival features more than 30 features and docos, plus a breathtaking restoration of one of Italy's all-time classics. The 2014 festival opens with Marina, a light biopic about singer, songwriter and world-famous accordion player Rocco Granata, produced by Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne. Other exciting titles include impressionistic Cannes Jury Prize winner The Wonders and Asia Argento's semi-autobiographical new film Incompresa. But the best of the fest will be saved until last. This year's closing night film is none other Marriage Italian Style, beautifully restored in time for its 50th anniversary. Sophia Loren is dazzling as the mistress of a wealthy Italian businessman determined to lock down a marriage proposal. A quintessential comedy about the battle of the sexes, it puts most modern-day rom-coms to shame. The Lavazza Italian Film Festival is on in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in September and October, and thanks to the festival, we have ten double passes to give away (valid at any festival session of your choice) in each city. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.auMelbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=IeD7rBVAQQo
Move over Hamilton, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Come From Away, Jagged Little Pill the Musical, The Phantom of the Opera and Girl From the North Country — another huge hit musical has just announced an Australian run. This time, it's Broadway and West End smash An American in Paris that's heading our way, with the four-time Tony-winner kicking off its Aussie shows in Brisbane in January 2022. From there, An American in Paris will sing and dance its way to Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, bringing its vibrant adaptation of the 1951 film of the same name to Australian stages. Yes, if you're a fan of classic movies — and classic big-screen musicals starring none other than the inimitable Gene Kelly at that — then that's why the show's name sounds familiar. Story-wise, the musical follows an American soldier in Paris — because its moniker is that straightforward. Set at the end of the Second World War, it charts US GI's Jerry Mulligan's exploits as he falls for a French woman. Well, he is celebrating the end of the combat in the notably romantic city, after all. Bringing the Oscar-winning 70-year-old film to the stage, this version of An American in Paris is directed by acclaimed contemporary ballet choreographer Christopher Wheeldon — and adapted for theatre and choreographed by him, too. The Aussie run is also being staged in collaboration with the Australian Ballet, so expect to see some of their dancers helping to bring the musical to life. George and Ira Gershwin's songs make the leap to the theatre as well, including 'I Got Rhythm', 'S Wonderful', 'But Not For Me' and 'They Can't Take That Away From Me'. Initially, An American in Paris debuted in Paris — where else? — in 2014, before hitting Broadway, Boston and West End. [caption id="attachment_828888" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Johan Persson[/caption] 'AN AMERICAN IN PARIS' AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2022: January 8–30 — QPAC Lyric Theatre, Brisbane From February, dates TBC — Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide From February, dates TBC — Crown Theatre, Perth From March, dates TBC — State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne From April, dates TBC — Theatre Royal, Sydney An American in Paris will tour Australia from January 8, 2022. For more information or to register for the ticket waitlist, head to the musical's website. Top images: Tristram Kenton.
The only two things I love in this world more than my iPhone are Post-it Notes and nice watches. Doriane Favre has taken these two separately awesome things and created the Post-It Watch. The Post-It Watch is shaped like a watch and can quickly be written on at the drop of a hat, thought or idea, then strapped around your wrist for easy reminding later on. It is a wonderful solution and much more adult alternative to writing notes on your hand - something not everyone can fully grow out of. The Post-It Watch comes in pads of 100 sheets and can be purchased online from the Parisien boutique, PA Design. [via PSFK]
Over the past decade, Sydney Film Festival's opening-night movies have included Goldstone, The New Boy and We Don't Need a Map, all Australian titles from Indigenous directors. It's too early to say what 2024's fest will launch with to mark the cinema celebration's 71st year; however, First Nations filmmaking will firmly be in the spotlight via a brand-new cash prize that joins the event's slate of awards. SFF will now be home to the world's largest cash accolade for Indigenous cinema: the $35,000 First Nations Award. Set to debut at the 2024 festival, which runs from Wednesday, June 5–Sunday, June 16, the prize will be handed out in Sydney but is open to films from around the world — shorts as well — as long as it is featured in Sydney Film Festival's annual First Nations program strand. "The First Nations Award is more than a celebration of unique storytelling; it's a crucial investment in the future of Indigenous cinema. By offering this level of support, we hope to encourage more First Nations filmmakers to share their stories, enriching the film industry with diverse perspectives and voices," said SFF's long-running Festival Director Nashen Moodley. "This award aligns seamlessly with Sydney Film Festival's long-standing commitment to fostering cultural diversity and amplifying Indigenous narratives." "It is entirely fitting that the Sydney Film Festival, which for so long has been a champion of First Nations stories and storytellers from around the world, now offers the largest single cash prize for First Nations film globally," added SFF Chair Darren Dale. "This prize will inspire, motivate and reward established and emerging First Nations filmmakers with the promise that their art is important, is valued and will be seen." The First Nations Award is supported by Australian production company Truant Pictures, and joins SFF's annual gongs alongside the annual $60,000 Sydney Film Prize, the $40,000 Sustainable Future Award, the $20,000 Documentary Australia Award and the range of Dendy Awards for Australian Short Films. If you're a First Nations filmmaker with a movie that you'd love to be considered to screen at this year's SFF, and to go in the running for the new award, you have until Friday, March 1 to submit. Sydney Film Festival 2024 takes place from Wednesday, June 5–Sunday, June 16 at various cinemas and venues around Sydney. For more information, head to the festival's website. Images: Tim Levy / Luke Latty.
Sydney cinephiles, February 14 in 2024 doesn't just mean watching romantic movies. If you'd like to show your love for one of the city's favourite picture palaces for one of the last times, that's also on this year's agenda. The cinema: Palace Verona, which is shutting up shop after almost three decades, and celebrating one of its final evenings with a closing event on multiple screens featuring delightful Finnish comedy romance Fallen Leaves. Back in 2023, Palace Cinemas announced that it'd say goodbye to its Oxford Street digs this year, with the company's lease on the site finishing and the building that the theatre is in is then set to be redeveloped. The venue's projectors will stop whirring towards the end of February, on Wednesday, February 21 — but the special event that will include a glass of sparkling, a heart-shaped chocolate and a Palace Verona tote bag as part of the ticket, plus an invite to a free screening at Palace's next venture, is its big last hurrah. While Verona is calling cut on its time showing arthouse films, Palace Moore Park will open on Tuesday, March 5. Accordingly, Sydney movie lovers are swapping Paddington for Entertainment Quarter. If you'd like to think of this as a relocation — or a reboot, if you prefer — you can. Entertainment Quarter already has Hoyts onsite, but Palace's venue will be solely devoted to arthouse and international cinema, rather than blockbusters. Indeed, Palace Moore Park is launching with this year's Alliance Française French Film Festival. "As we bid farewell to Palace Verona, we want to express our sincere appreciation to all of our patrons who have shared in the magic of cinema within its iconic walls. The passion and enthusiasm you have shown over the years have truly made Palace Verona a cherished community landmark," said Palace Cinemas CEO Benjamin Zeccola when Verona's closing was first announced. "We are committed to preserving the arthouse ethos that Palace Verona is renowned for and having that live on at Palace Moore Park," Zeccola continued. "Moviegoers can expect an enhanced experience with an expanded range of films, more immersive events and, of course, our unwavering commitment to excellent hospitality". The Verona building will fall under new management once Palace departs. Over at EQ, the chain names parking and public transport options among the new drawcards — and dining options as well. Find Palace Verona at 17 Oxford Street, Paddington until Wednesday, February 21, 2024, and Palace Moore Park at Entertainment Quarter from Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
If you've noticed a shortage of high-cut, neon leotards around the vintage shops of Sydney of late, here's your answer: Retrosweat — an aerobic workout taking the music, moves and fashion of the '80s as its inspiration — has been rising up the ranks of the city's most popular niche exercise sessions, and its fans have been hogging the best lycra. Like something of an antidote to all that CrossFit, Retrosweat encourages laughter, levity, your flailing attempts at co-ordination and a fat-burning, bun-firming workout. Founder Shannon Dooley studied at the Fitness Institute Australia but also NIDA (where she learnt from, among others, Baz Luhrmann's official choreographer, John 'Cha Cha' O'Connell), so she knows how to wield a bit of drama in her hour of power. Taking Jane Fonda as her spirit animal, she started Retrosweat three years ago in the rustic mirrored dance hall of Redfern PCYC, where the class still runs — only now it's bigger and twice weekly (Tuesdays and Thursdays). It also makes appearances around town at institutions such as Work-Shop and the Bondi Feast festival, where it includes a special cocktails-and-canapes post-sweat package. We asked Dooley for her favourite places in Sydney that provide her with inspiration both retro and sweaty, and learnt about some surprising new spots. "I love theatrical places, places that let you feel like you're on a little holiday," she says. "Even if only for an hour!" Waverley Cemetery As morbid as this may seem, it's so beautiful to see the angels casting their shadows in the late afternoon, and the waves below crashing on the headland. It's so peaceful. I go there to get some perspective. I love the ocean and am pretty happy to stay living in Clovelly until the end of my days — for eternity if I can get a plot at the cemetery! Yeah Hair Baby on Illawarra Road, Marrickville Not enough people know that the greatest hairdresser in Sydney is Teri Richards. As the name suggests, the interior of her salon looks like a tangerine 1970s acid trip. You enter Yeah Hair Baby and just feel happy. She's an amazing colourist and boy does she cut a rad mullet! Bus Stop Cafe on Clovelly Road, Randwick I live at this cafe. The coffee is so good, so are the smoothies. I'm gluten intolerant and they are one of the gluten-free friendliest places in Sydney! Jose, Gus and the rest of the crew know every customer's name and it almost feels like you're in an episode of Cheers when you're in there. The same friendly faces are always in there having a laugh. It doesn't get much local than at the Bus Stop. The Lord Dudley Pub, Paddington I only found this place a month ago! I've lived in Sydney for ten years, that's how hidden it is. It's the cosiest place in winter, it feels like you are suddenly in England in the 1800s. There's a big fireplace, and the menu is all about simple comfort food — chicken pies, eton mess, steak frites. They have board games, too. You can really settle in here for hours. There's an elderly man who loves to sing Barbara Streisand songs at you if you're lucky enough to run into him at the bar. I love a good serenade. The Seagull Room at the Bondi Pavilion With its arched windows, it looks like a set from one of Jane Fonda's VHS workouts. I walk in the room and can feel the ghosts of freestyle aerobics past. There's nothing like walking into an empty space and just feeling the possibilities. This one is definitely magical. If I'm ever alone in there I just leap from wall to wall and corner to corner like a four year old. Retrosweat is on at the Seagull Room during Bondi Feast on Saturday, July 11.
"Will there be kangaroos?" That's Liv's (Jessica Henwick, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery) main question when she's offered a job in the Australian outback with her best friend Hanna (Julia Garner, Ozark). They're Americans backpacking Down Under, they've run out of cash and, yes, they make the stereotypical query about heading to a mining town for a live-in gig at a pub. After the pair make their temporary move, parched landscape as far as the eye can see awaits, plus drinking goon and serving copious amounts of brews to the locale's mostly male population. That's the tale that The Royal Hotel tells — and, if you've seen documentary Hotel Coolgardie, which inspired this thriller, you'll know that Liv and Hanna aren't in for a blissful time. In the just-dropped trailer for The Royal Hotel, weathering the blazing heat is nothing compared to dealing with the bar's men. Among their new acquaintances is a host of of familiar Aussie faces, including Hugo Weaving (Love Me) as the watering hole's owner, plus Ursula Yovich (Irreverent), Toby Wallace (Babyteeth), Daniel Henshall (Mystery Road: Origin) and James Frecheville (The Dry). The storyline, the real-life basis, the cast, the fact that this is the latest film from Australian director Kitty Green: thanks to all of the above, The Royal Hotel should already be high on your must-see list. The trailer only amplifies that anticipation, with the filmmaker in tense and unsettling mode as she explores gender dynamics and Australia's drinking culture. This is the Casting JonBenet helmer's second movie in a row with Garner, her current go-to star. Both turned in a stunner in with The Assistant — another picture about power imbalances, the everyday threats that loom over women and problematic workplaces. Green's second fictional feature and fourth full-length effort overall, The Royal Hotel premiered at the 2023 Telluride Film Festival on the way to making its Aussie debut at SXSW Sydney in October. How do you open the first-ever SXSW Screen Festival Down Under (and outside of Austin)? With this homegrown effort. Next stop after that: launching the 2023 Adelaide Film Festival just days later. The Royal Hotel doesn't yet have a general release date, but expect it in cinemas afterwards. Check out the trailer for The Royal Hotel below: The Royal Hotel will open 2023's SXSW Sydney on Sunday, October 15 and Adelaide Film Festival on Wednesday October 18, but doesn't yet have a release date Down Under otherwise. Images: Neon / See-Saw Films. If you're keen to make the most of Australia's first SXSW, take advantage of our special reader offer. Purchase your SXSW Sydney 2023 Official Badge via Concrete Playground Trips and you'll score a $150 credit to use on your choice of Sydney accommodation. Book now via the website.
A perfectly made cocktail is one of life's simple pleasures, though the process of whipping up creative beverages is far from simple. A moment on the lips is the result of minutes of hard work at a minimum, not to mention the time spent concocting recipes, perfecting them and shopping for ingredients. In short, unless you're a professional mixologist, it's not always something you can replicate at home. Enter The Mixery, the new Australian service that knows we all like drinking cocktails, and that we all often have the plonk, but not the rest of the requirements or the know-how. Delivering everywhere across the country, the subscription-based outfit brings monthly boxes to your door, filled with almost everything you'll need to mix up 12 delicious beverages. We say almost, because they're stocking you up with the items you won't have — including three recipes, plus enough bits and pieces for four drinks of each — while relying upon you to provide your own alcohol. To make things simple, each delivery focuses on one type of tipple, with The Mixery's first box showering the love on gin. Cocktails such as the spicy Earl the Grey, herb-infused The Basilisk and refreshingly floral Rosed Up on the menu, aka stellar spring drinks. Those eager to imbibe can order boxes on a one-off basis, or sign up for an ongoing shipment for $40 per month plus a $5 monthly delivery fee. A party box is also on offer, with prices starting at $70. It features a big enough stash of ingredients to make either eight or 15 of each cocktail — as well as an 'easy mix' option, which means you can just throw everything into a jug, add booze and stir. For more information about The Mixery, visit their website.
Nearly one-third of the artists scheduled to exhibit in the 19th Biennale of Sydney have written an open letter to the board of directors, urging them to "act in the interests of asylum seekers" by withdrawing from "the current sponsorship arrangement with Transfield". Transwho? Detainees who've been dodging bullets and knives on Manus Island know the name all too well. It's an "operations, maintenance and construction services business" that, in the 2013-14 financial year, made millions out its involvement with the Nauru Regional Processing Centre. Since early February, Transfield has taken over welfare responsibilities on both Nauru and Manus from the Salvation Army (because a construction company is just so well-equipped to provide education, recreational facilities and emotional support to traumatised individuals). Though the 28 artists acknowledge that the increasing dependence of public institutions on private funding is complex, they are clear, that "in this particular case", their involvement risks "adding value" and "cultural capital" to the Transfield brand. The letter states, "We appeal you to work alongside us to send a message to Transfield, and in turn the Australian Government and the public: that we will not accept the mandatory detention of asylum seekers, because it is ethically indefensible and in breach of human rights; and that, as a network of artists, arts workers and a leading cultural organisation, we do not want to be associated with these practices." The problem is that Transfield isn't just another name on the sponsorship list. Transfield Holdings actually established the event in 1973, and Transfield Foundation board member Luca Belgiorno Netti is the Biennale's current chairman. While the open letter does not overtly threaten boycott, a separate statement hints at the possibility. "We are taking this very seriously," spokesperson Gabrielle de Vietri said. “Some artists are reconsidering their participation, and others organising different forms of protest from within ... Still other artists have proposed to join with the Biennale team in an effort to develop alternative modes of fundraising." A Boycott the 19th Sydney Biennale Facebook page is gathering support. With the Biennale due to open on March 21, the board members, the 90 participating artists and Sydney's art-loving public have some quick decision-making to do. Here's the full text of their open letter: An open letter to the Board of Directors, Biennale of Sydney 19 February 2014 To the Board of Directors of the Biennale of Sydney, We are a group of artists Gabrielle de Vietri, Bianca Hester, Charlie Sofo, Nathan Gray, Deborah Kelly, Matt Hinkley, Benjamin Armstrong, Libia Castro, Ólafur Ólafsson, Sasha Huber, Sonia Leber, David Chesworth, Daniel McKewen, Angelica Mesiti, Ahmet Ö?üt, Meriç Algün Ringborg, Joseph Griffiths, Sol Archer, Tamas Kaszas, Krisztina Erdei, Nathan Coley, Corin Sworn, Ross Manning, Martin Boyce, Callum Morton, Emily Roysdon, Søren Thilo Funder, Mikhail Karikis all participants in the 19th Biennale of Sydney. We are writing to you about our concerns with the Biennale’s sponsorship arrangement with Transfield.1 We would like to begin with an affirmation and recognition of the Biennale staff, other sponsors and donors, and our fellow artists. We maintain the utmost respect for Juliana Engberg’s artistic vision and acknowledge the support and energy that the Biennale staff have put into the creation of our projects and this exhibition. We acknowledge that this issue places the Biennale team in a difficult situation. However, we want to emphasise that this issue has presented us with an opportunity to become aware of, and to acknowledge, responsibility for our own participation in a chain of connections that links to human suffering; in this case, that is caused by Australia’s policy of mandatory detention. We trust that you understand the implications of Transfield’s recent move to secure new contracts to take over garrison and welfare services in Australia’s offshore immigration detention centres on Manus Island and in Nauru. We have attached for your information, a document that outlines our understanding of the links between the Biennale, Transfield and Australia’s asylum seeker policy. We appeal to you to work alongside us to send a message to Transfield, and in turn the Australian Government and the public: that we will not accept the mandatory detention of asylum seekers, because it is ethically indefensible and in breach of human rights; and that, as a network of artists, arts workers and a leading cultural organisation, we do not want to be associated with these practices. Our current circumstances are complex: public institutions are increasingly reliant on private finance, and less on public funding, and this can create ongoing difficulties. We are aware of these complexities and do not believe that there is one easy answer to the larger situation. However, in this particular case, we regard our role in the Biennale, under the current sponsorship arrangements, as adding value to the Transfield brand. Participation is an active endorsement, providing cultural capital for Transfield. In light of all this, we ask the Board: what will you do? We urge you to act in the interests of asylum seekers. As part of this we request the Biennale withdraw from the current sponsorship arrangements with Transfield and seek to develop new ones. This will set an important precedent for Australian and international arts institutions, compelling them to exercise a greater degree of ethical awareness and transparency regarding their funding sources. We are asking you, respectfully, to respond with urgency. Our interests as artists don’t merely concern our individual moral positions. We are concerned too with the ways cultural institutions deal with urgent social responsibilities. We expect the Biennale to acknowledge the voice of its audience and the artist community that is calling on the institution to act powerfully and immediately for justice by cutting its ties with Transfield. We believe that artists and artworkers can—and should—create an environment that empowers individuals and groups to act on conscience, opening up other pathways to develop more sustainable, and in turn sustaining, forms of cultural production. We want to extend this discussion to a range of people and organisations, in order to bring to light the various forces shaping our current situation, and to work towards imagining other possibilities into being. In our current political circumstances we believe this to be one of the most crucial challenges that we are compelled to engage with, and we invite you into this process of engagement. We look forward to hearing your response and given the urgency of this issue, hope that we can receive it by the end of this week. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Gabrielle de Vietri, Bianca Hester, Charlie Sofo, Nathan Gray, Deborah Kelly, Matt Hinkley, Benjamin Armstrong, Libia Castro, Ólafur Ólafsson, Sasha Huber, Sonia Leber, David Chesworth, Daniel McKewen, Angelica Mesiti, Ahmet Ö?üt, Meriç Algün Ringborg, Joseph Griffiths, Sol Archer, Tamas Kaszas, Krisztina Erdei, Nathan Coley, Corin Sworn, Ross Manning, Martin Boyce, Callum Morton, Emily Roysdon, Søren Thilo Funder, Mikhail Karikis NOTES 1. Please note that in this document we use the name Transfield to refer to three branches of the Transfield brand: Transfield Holdings, Services and Foundation. Please refer to our information sheet for our understanding of how these are linked. Image: Henna-Riikka Halonen, Moderate Manipulations, 2012 (video still).
When Taika Waititi directed both Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder, he brought a touch of New Zealand's sense of humour to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Now Marvel is bringing an exhibition showcasing its hefty history to Aotearoa. Making its public debut, the brand-new Marvel: Earth's Mightiest Exhibition will world-premiere in Wellington in December. MCU fans of NZ and Australia: if you're keen, you'll need to head to Te Whanganui-a-Tara this summer and autumn. On offer across a huge five-month stint is a big celebration of Marvel's 85-year run so far, from its days on the page only to its current big- and small-screen domination. Running from Thursday, December 14, 2023–Sunday, April 28, 2024, this is the type of showcase that's bound to be filled with costumes — on the walls and on attendees. If you live and breathe all things superhero, a visit is a must. If this sounds familiar, Australia hosted its a massive Marvel exhibition, Brisbane's Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, back in 2017 — but Marvel: Earth's Mightiest Exhibition is its own new thing. It'll display at Tākina, Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre for its first-ever unveiling, and as an exclusive. If there'll be any future stops down the line hasn't been announced. MCU aficionados can look forward to a hefty array of original comic art, props from the films and rare artifacts. Designs, memorabilia, those costumes: they're all included as well. So are behind-the-scenes glimpses that'll span space, New York City and everywhere in-between, plus chances to get up close to Marvel's characters — although exactly what the latter means also hasn't been revealed. Whatever you're looking at while wandering through Marvel: Earth's Mightiest Exhibition, you'll be surveying more than eight decades of caped crusaders — and, because the exhibition arrives after The Marvels will hit cinemas, the MCU's 33-movies-and-counting run to-date, too. "We are very excited to welcome comic fans and film buffs to the capital," said Warrick Dent, tourism body WellingtonNZ's General Manager for Events and Experiences. "Our small but mighty city is home to a thriving film industry that's behind some of the biggest-ever movie blockbusters; the countdown is on until the world's newest Marvel exhibition opens its doors." Marvel: Earth's Mightiest Exhibition will run from Thursday, December 14, 2023–Sunday, April 28, 2024 at Tākina, Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, 50 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand — head to the venue's website for further details and tickets.
You probably took it once. Headed for the Powerhouse Museum on a single rail loop, careening across Pyrmont Bridge and taking in some shitty elevator-style 'Girl From Ipanema'-stylin' on the crackly speakers. I remember my last monorail trip, I really do. I jubilantly boarded a Star Wars-themed monorail toward the 2002 exhibition Star Wars: The Magic of Myth, cranking the 'Imperial March' through Haymarket. The days. But those transport times are over. The Monorail is long gone from Sydney's mid-skyline, closed in June 2013, now with only abandoned stations to trigger the probably vague and halfhearted nostalgia Sydneysiders have for the thing. But you could drive the Sydney Monorail back into your life, with a few measly G's. According to Junkee, the Sydney monorail is up for sale on Gumtree (of all places). Advertised just a few days ago, the monorail carriages are apparently being sold for an extremely doable fee. Guessing that means $3000 per carriage. Here's the inventory and they've even created a promo vid: Whether this is a Real Thing or not remains to be seen, but if you're one of those people throwing $3000 down the pokies every week, why not take a different kind of gamble? The gamble that could pay off in obsolete travel devices and sweet, sweet nostalgia. Here's the description by seller Harry Tsoukalas, which absolutely doesn't look like the kind of copy written by one Mr A. Nonymous, 123 Fake Street, Notting Here. Via Junkee. Image: Hpeterswald, CC BY-SA 3.0.
A lacklustre vehicle for two fine actors, Diane Keaton and Brendan Gleeson are wasted in Joel Hopkins' Hampstead, a light-on-charm plod-along which harbours not much more than a giggle every now and then, some pretty scenery, and a particularly nice looking veggie patch. Keaton is Emily, a recently widowed woman who lives in an upmarket block of apartments in London's Hampstead, neighboured mostly by other rich women her age. Her days involve throwing her hands up in the air about her debts while wandering around with her peers signing petitions and having brunch. Unsurprisingly, she feels as though something is missing from her life. Enter Gleeson as Donald, a gruff Irishman who lives in a ramshackle hut on the heath, in perfect binocular-spying distance from Emily's attic. He grows his own food and fishes in the lake. One thing leads to another, there's some perfunctory plot development, and the two meet and strike up a romance. The only problem is that there's so little chemistry between the two that at one point, during a scene where they're kissing in bed, I found myself wondering whether it would rain tomorrow and if I had washing to put on at home. The two actors do their best with the cloying, Richard Curtis-wannabe script, which aims for whimsical and lands on limp. Turns out Donald has built a cottage on the Heath without permission, doesn't pay rent or taxes, and is being evicted by the council who plan to build apartment blocks in place of him, leaving him homeless without any relatives to rely on. Emily, on the other hand, is worried about whether she's going to have to sell her super lush apartment because she's bad at accounting. Naturally the two bond over their "similar" circumstances. Based on the true tale of Harry Hallowes, who did actually live on Hampstead Heath in a DIY shack, the story itself is quite interesting. But the romantic comedy angle feels as though it's being squeezed out of a nearly-dry sponge. Hampstead isn't bad. It just isn't, in the grand scheme of things, particularly good either. If you want to feel warm and fuzzy, there are plenty of better, sweeter and more charming British films worth watching. Also, if fishing and cheese picnics are someone's idea of "trampy" dates, then line me up. I'd swipe right on that any day of the week. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsJv_bJBHSY
Having enough clean drinking water may not be an issue that plagues you day-to-day. But it is an issue that plagues billions of people around the world and has been at the forefront of news with Cape Town, South Africa, reaching its final 90 days of water. In a scientific breakthrough, Australian scientists have just discovered a way to easily purify water using an ingredient found in vegetable oil — and they tested it using the iconic Sydney Harbour. CSIRO scientists created a small filtration device, a tiny membrane dubbed Graphair, that can quickly purify water in a single step. As it's made from soybean oil, it's also cheap to make. To test the effectiveness of the device, the group of scientists purified water from the Sydney Harbour (which, while known for its beauty, certainly isn't known for its cleanliness). And it worked so well, the resulting water was safe to drink. The scientists published their results overnight in Nature Communications, an open-access journal, and plan to take the product overseas to developing countries next year. Source and image: CSIRO
Is your aesthetic still stuck in the pastels and neons of summer? Well, you should hotfoot it to Precinct 75 — its upcoming design fair will help you transition into winter. On Saturday, July 7, the fair takes over the St Peters creative precinct to celebrate local independent labels. Both Precinct 75 tenants and guests will be there, including The Society Inc, Design Twins, Inartisan, Watertiger, Quercus & Co, Garlands Florist and Burgg. The event is pairing up with the local foodies and farmers markets to keep you fed, while Rice Pantry, Sample Roasters, Willey the Boatman Brewery and Buttercream Bakery will be serving up their wares as well. And, if you want to take something green home with you, The Jungle Collective will be onsite with its latest pop-up plant sale — and you know they always popular. Plus, with free entry for you, your mates and the pooch — yes, pets are welcome — you'll have plenty of money to spend on some new wares.
Food trucks have taken over Sydney in a big way. Redefining culinary culture, food trucks combine quality food with decent prices in a portable automobile of fun. Inside these trucks sit total legends who said hell no to paying exorbitant rents, cooks who enjoy mixing up their menus and entrepreneurial types who refuse to stare at the same scenery every day. Eat Art Truck is one of Sydney's most sought-after food trucks. Inspired by the food truck culture in the States, the team saw a gap in the Australian market for portable American street food. More than just tasty, tasty food (we'll be making and devouring their blue cheese sauce in just a few moments), the team have also provided a blank slate for local artists to decorate one side of the EAT truck. With the demand for food trucks like EAT increasing, entire food festivals dedicated to the humble food truck popping up as well as apps to locate these portable feasts in your area, it was only a matter of time until someone compiled a book dedicated to them. That someone is Erika Budiman, a photographer and graphic designer from Melbourne who understands the simple joy of the food truck. She has sought to translate this joy into a book of recipes, photos and stories from the diverse array of food trucks making their way around Australia. "For me, food trucks make total sense here. They suit our outdoorsy lifestyle, our climate and our landscape," she says, citing their omnipresence as changing not only her eating habits, but also those of the Melbourne community. "If the weather is good, we can spontaneously get together with family and friends, grab a picnic blanket, some drinks and games and head to the nearest truck jam for an easy and guaranteed delicious picnic. And with several trucks to choose from, everyone's tastes and sizes of hunger can easily be catered for." Hungry now? Let's get cookin'. Tender Chicken Bites with Blue Cheese Sauce Recipe Serves 4 1 kg free range chicken thighs Marinade: 850g red onions, sliced 280g garlic, crushed 580g jalapenos 580g shallots 50g fresh ginger 25g fresh thyme 50g ground cinnamon 10g salt 100g chilli paste 6 cups pineapple juice 1 cup buttermilk Light blue cheese sauce: 250ml (1 cup) buttermilk 50g white pepper 50g (1/4 cup) caster sugar 300g blue cheese 300g egg-based mayonnaise Flour mixture: 500g readymade pancake mix (that's right, pancake mix) 500g rice flour 50g white pepper 50g salt Remove the excess fat from the chicken thighs and dice them into approximately 2 cm × 2 cm cubes. Rest in the refrigerator in a container or on a plate covered with plastic wrap. To prepare the marinade, place all the ingredients, except for the pineapple juice and buttermilk, in a blender or food processor. At a low speed, blend until well combined. In a separate bowl add the pineapple juice, buttermilk and the blended mixture. With a whisk mix them together until they are all well combined. Add the chicken thighs and marinate overnight in the refrigerator. To make the light blue cheese sauce mix the buttermilk, white pepper and sugar in a bowl until well combined. Use your hands to crumble the blue cheese into the mix. Add the mayonnaise and mix with a spatula, folding carefully (don’t blend the mixture or mix it too vigorously because the mayonnaise will heat up and may split). Remove the chicken from the refrigerator. Strain it to remove the excess marinade. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and coat well with the flour mixture. Preheat oil to 180ºC in a pot or deep-fryer and fry the chicken in small batches to avoid cooling down the oil. Serve warm, with the blue cheese sauce on top. Via Food Truck Feasts, published by Explore Australia Publishing, RRP $34.95, www.exploreaustralia.net.au.
Sydneysiders get short-changed when it comes to winter. Sure, its perfectly pleasant, but we miss out on actual winter, when temperatures plummet into the minuses. Waking up to a blanket of fresh white snow outside your window. Strolling around quaint European Christmas markets, clutching a comforting mug of gluhwein to your chest as you try to absorb all the heat that you can get. There's something special about feeling so cold that you're not entirely sure if your toes are still attached to your feet. Now we can have the best of both worlds with the Sydney Winter Festival at Darling Harbour. As of June 13, we can appreciate all that is winter without having to worry about the potential frostbitten feet that accompany it. Options are numerous. The event is a smidge bigger than winter festivals past — there's an ice-skating rink, food stalls from the likes of Eat Art Truck, an après skate lounge and beer garden, a giant inflatable 'Thredbo snow' slide and floating Lindt zorb balls. Finally, a way to eat all the Lindt chocolate you can handle and then float around in a giant plastic bubble in Darling Harbour. So, fellow winter enthusiasts, don your warmest beanie, down a gluhwein (or three) and go wrest Darling Harbour back from the tourists.
Wearable technology has been around for a few years now, but hasn't really taken off. Google Glass tried to get everyone to stick a computer on their face, while the Apple Watch attempted to move smartphones onto everyone's wrists; however, as cool and suitably futuristic as both are, they're hardly must-have gadgets. Enter Snapchat, their first foray into the hardware realm, and the pair of sunnies everyone's going to want. We'll let you ponder that concept for a few moments, because sunglasses that record 10-second bursts of video sound both amazing and familiar, and not just because there's been a rumour that Snapchat has been working on something like this floating around for a while now. Called Spectacles and revealed by The Wall Street Journal in an interview with Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel, they're basically a cheaper version of Google's eyewear with one specific function; but hey, letting everyone do something they already could in a slightly different way has worked out pretty well for them so far, hasn't it? As well as turning the act of taking photos into a mostly hands-free task (unless you can press buttons with your mind, you're still going to have to lift a finger to the frames to start each clip, sadly), Spectacles boast two major drawcards. Firstly, they look like regular glasses, rather than Robocop-like attire, complete with black, teal and coral styles. And even better, they're going to be affordable, at US$130 a pair. Other features include a 115-degree lens designed to mimic the human field of vision, as well as the ability to capture circular images to approximate our natural perspective. And yes, everything you record with your new toy will then upload to your Snapchat account, after connecting to your phone via wifi. No word as yet regarding an Aussie release date, but a limited number are due out in the US sometime over the next couple of months. Via The Wall Street Journal. Image: Business Insider.
As a kid, did you ever dream about getting to roam around your favourite store after hours? As a fashion-loving adult, would you adore nothing more than being surrounded by your go-to label on an overnight stay? Thanks to House of Sunny, the latter is now becoming a reality — but for just two people for one night only, at its Hackney showroom and to celebrate London Fashion Week. The good news: this collaboration with Airbnb looks like the ultimate fashion fantasy, and it's also free. The trickier news: getting to slumber in a space that's basically House of Sunny's latest collection turned into a pop-up hotel means needing to be in London this week, because the stay is for Friday, September 22. If you've seen news of Airbnb's past one-off listings — think: Barbie's Malibu DreamHouse, the Ted Lasso pub, the Moulin Rouge! windmill, Gwyneth Paltrow's Montecito abode, Hobbiton, the Bluey house, the Paris theatre that inspired The Phantom of the Opera, the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine, The Godfather mansion, the South Korean estate where BTS filmed In the Soop and the Sanderson sisters' Hocus Pocus cottage and Japan's World Heritage-listed Suganuma Village — then nothing about this situation should come as a surprise. Just like previous extremely short-term themed stays, this one is only up for reservations at a set time, too, with bookings opening at 3am AEST on Wednesday, September 20. With what's been dubbed Sunny's House, you'll kick back at a spot that's been given a stunning makeover — and you'll also get to improve your own style. The digs include an entrance that's all about greenery, taking its cues from the Hockney dress; a red and orange bedroom designed to look like the sundown cardigan; a crimson bathroom that splashes the colour all over the room, this time paying tribute to the La Belle dress; and hanging out in the cloud-adorned "wardrobe of dreams". Sunny Williams will be on hand to give you design tips one on one, and your time in the wardrobe of dreams will involve trying on House of Sunny threads. Also, due to the showroom's location, you'll be able to head beyond Sunny's House for brunch on Broadway Market, visiting the Columbia Road Flower Market and grabbing dinner. "House of Sunny's design and ethos has always been inspired by the intersection of culture, architecture, interior, and our community's love for travel, home and aesthetics. I am excited to welcome you to my house; this immersive Airbnb is unique, crafted and eye-catching, the perfect partnership of fashion and special stays," said Williams. As always, whoever scores the booking is responsible for their own travel, including if they have to get to and from London. Money literally can't buy the overnight stay, however — so best of luck to your busily clicking fingers. For more information about the Sunny's House sleepover on Airbnb, or to book at 3am AEST on Wednesday, September 20 for a stay on Friday, September 22, head to the Airbnb website. Images: Alix McIntosh. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Ian Fleming's James Bond feasted on more than vodka martinis. Photographer Henry Hargreaves, the brains behind the No Seconds photography series (in which he recreated and photographed the last meals of famous death row criminals like Ted Bundy), is back with another series of snapped meals — this time from the literary adventures of 007, dubbed Dying to Eat. While the James Bond films like to focus more on cocktails, explosions, car chases and Daniel Craig walking slowly and triumphantly out of the surf, author Ian Fleming spent a great deal of time articulating the dinners, breakfasts and midnight snacks of Bond. But he didn't do this just to create some form of James Bond cookbook. It was a form of escapism for a postwar audience. "Ian Fleming wrote for the 1950s Englishman, whose everyday experience of the world was coloured by the devastating consequences of war," says Hargreaves. "The ‘50s post-war man could read Fleming’s Bond books and dream not only of adventure and villains in far-off lands, but of an exciting lifestyle of fast cars, beautiful women, finely tailored clothes, and exotic gourmet meals from around the world. Sadly these meals were missing from the cinematic adaptations." Dying to Eat is a collaboration between art director/food stylist Charlotte Omnes and Hargreaves, alongside graphic designer Will Vink, in which one scene from every Fleming title has been recreated detail for detail. Hargreaves' grandfather actually served with Fleming during the war and consulted on some of the tailoring details of the Bond books, so it's a project surprisingly close to home. From the eggs benedict of The Man with the Golden Gun to the spaghetti bolognaise of Thunderball and silver dishes of crab claws in Goldfinger, it's a visual essay into the 'exotic' meals only available at the time to a worldly, travelling human — one who stayed everywhere from a Swiss hotel room to a Miami beach club. But you'll notice there's a few Bond-like elements in the frame; a cufflink, a woman's purse, a ----. Hargreaves describes each meal as "more than just a detail contained within a sentence. It’s a story unto itself." “The trouble always is,” [Bond] explained to Vesper, "not how to get enough caviar, but how to get enough toast with it." Images: Henry Hargreaves.
That's it. December. It's summer now and there's no excuses for staying curled up inside, rain or no rain. Aside from that, Sydney's foodies and mixologists have been working hard: experimenting with ingredients, concocting new combinations and opening up a whole swathe of new places for you to visit. So get scampering around this town! Concrete Playground has your checklist ready to go. Here it is, Sydney's top new bars and restaurants for the summer season. Neild Avenue Where: 10 Neild Avenue, Rushcutters Bay Ahhh, Sydney, you can officially exhale. For all those who are desperately seeking an unpretentious dining/drinking experience that doesn’t involve having to choose between a wine bar the size of a studio apartment (in New York) with a shave of glorified ham and a lick of pâté masquerading as a meal, or a pub with sticky carpet and $10 steak: your search has ended. The duo that could turn battery acid into Beaujolais, Maurice Terzini and chef Robert Marchetti, recently unveiled their brand new slice of the Mediterranean-meets-Brooklyn, Neild Avenue. For full review and details, click here. Freda's Where: 107-109 Regent Street, Chippendale Finding Freda’s is like stepping through the back of a magic wardrobe. Walk down an unassuming, dingy alley behind Central, past the sashaying salsa dancers and through a black door with a small, hand-drawn placard and suddenly you’re in a softly lit room, easy music playing and a kindly man at your side ready to whisk you to a table. Once settled in, peruse the cocktail list, which is a pleasing mix of classics and reinventions. Of the former they do a perfectly balanced Midnight Negroni ($16) and I can imagine the Fresh Fruit Cocktail will be a sell-out this summer. The wine list has a good selection of up-and-comers, with a super smooth Pinot called Giant Steps from the Yarra and a full-bodied tempranillo/grenache called La Vendima ($10). I’m a big fan of the beer choices, which includes one of my favourites, Murrays, as well as two amber ales that are caramel flavoured and quite hoppy – choose the Sierra Nevada ($9.5) to have with food or Atomic ($9.5) for sipping solo. For full review and details, click here. Jester Seeds Where: 127 King St, Newtown 2024 Jester Seeds has only recently opened, and marks the last drinking establishment on King Street before you hit the no-man’s land of City Road and the University of Sydney campus. So a lot of people haven’t stumbled across Jester Seeds yet. It’s not especially noticeable from the street – just a collection of curious couches framing a doorway and the shadow of a bar behind. In fact, a man had to yell at me from the pavement to get my attention, but I’m very grateful that he did. The bar is a haven of recycled furniture, dark wood and shabby student chic. A room at the back is filled with sofas and intimate tables, and the couches at the front could easily keep you sitting there for hours. Essentially, it looks like they’ve transported the contents of a ramshackle vintage shop from the lower end of King Street then artfully rearranged it, and prettied it up with some lampshades and mood lighting. The staff are lovely, with many recommendations and plenty of chat, and were infinitely tolerant of my inability to make a decision. For full review and details, click here. Honeycomb Where: 354 Liverpool Street Darlinghurst 2010 Perched on a corner in Darlinghurst, Honeycomb has wide windows running down the length of one side so that from almost any seat you can see the street. It makes it feel as if you could lift the roof off and you’d have a little Italian piazza. However, it isn’t the best place for a date (eating at the 6.30pm, family-time sitting probably doesn’t help either) as the small tables are very close - it’s a little hard to be romantic while speaking to your dining partner as if they were hard of hearing. Saying that, when the sun sets and the lights dim, it definitely becomes more atmospheric. If you follow food news, you’ll know this is Andy Bunn’s (former chef at Café Sopra) project, and if you’re a regular at one of the Fratelli restaurants, don’t expect any surprises. This is far from being a criticism though: the Fratelli restaurants do some of the best relaxed, Italian food this side of Leichhardt. For full review and details, click here. Hemingway's Where: 48 North Steyne, Manly 2095 The atmosphere of a writer's den, insanely long opening hours, fun and flavorsome food, a drinks menu that will keep even the most inspired drinker guessing, and not even the slightest degree of pretension. In short, Hemingway's must be one of the best spots in town right now. And it's perhaps not where you would expect it to be. A far cry from the back lanes of Darlinghurst or even the fame of King Street, this bar is firmly situated on Manly's main strip, right across from the beach. Despite this, it's about as dissimilar from a tourist trap as you can imagine. For full review and details, click here. Dry Land Bar Where: 92 Redfern Street, Redfern 2016 The thing about Redfern is, although it has a reputation as being the ‘next big suburb’, there’s also not a lot there yet. Enter Dry Land Bar, the first small bar to open in Redfern. It possesses the kind of local, relaxed atmosphere that would make you seriously consider moving (unless of course you already live close by, in which case accept my jealous commendations). The lovely thing about Dry Land Bar is that they really know what they’re doing, bringing together folk who’ve done stints in Love, Tilly Devine and Grasshopper. On top of this, they serve the kind of drinks that cause me to do a kind of happy-wiggle dance in my chair and the best food I’ve had at any small bar in Sydney. It’s technically bar food, but I’d be quite happy to come here for dinner once a week: try the Mushroom, Jerusalem Artichoke and Fennel Tart or the Gruyere Cheeseburger. And if you’re in any way fond of after-dinner treats, the Chocolate Mousse with Poached Pear is enough to cause a very indelicate scramble for spoons. For full review and details, click here. Cantinero Where: 18 Sydney Road, Manly 2095 Something about Cantinero feels a little bit... illegal. It could be the fact that this is a coffee house by day, occupied by this underground crowd only in the late hours. Or it might be the makeshift film projector, which shows Mexican gangsters flickering across the back wall. Either way, we like it. The bunker atmosphere and a relaxed courtyard combine into something that feels like an Alice in Wonderland-style rabbit hole in the Manly landscape. That said, there's no chance of wandering in by accident. While Cantinero lies on the main strip, you need to know what you're looking for to find this dimly lit restaurant slash bar. And once you do, there's no going back. For full review and details, click here. Nourishing Quarter Where: 315 Cleveland Street, Redfern 2016 It all started with a group of friends, a handful of nutrition books and a collective desire to heal through food. Now Nourishing Quarter - barely in its second year - has attracted a serious cult following. NQ is a vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurant dedicated to the wheat, gluten and dairy intolerant among us. But it’s also much more than that. The affable owner Lam Dinh (banker turned restaurateur, following his own health scare) describes his team’s work as contributing to the growing awareness about the importance of diet for general health and well-being. ‘We’re not about preaching’ he explains, ‘we’re about producing consistently high-quality, healthy and tasty food that’s accessible to all.’ For full review and details, click here. The Island Bar Where: Cockatoo Island, Port Jackson 2090 Key Largo, Montego, baby why don’t we go… When the Beach Boys penned those lyrics, they probably weren’t thinking of an industrial island smack-bang in the middle of an antipodean metropolis. Cockatoo Island may not have sandy beaches and swaying palm trees, but its newest resident, The Island Bar, is adding a touch of beach to Sydney Harbour. This brand new bar by renowned Sydney mixologist Marco Faraone surprises with its striped deckchairs and sunbrellas alongside the site’s antique shipbuilding machinery, a reminder of the island’s heritage past – over the years, it was an imperial prison, a shipbuilding yard, reformatory, Commonwealth naval base and industrial school. The design of the bar – it’s constructed from recycled shipping containers – picks up on this theme. For full review and details, click here. Former Glory Where: Corner of Liverpool and Palmer Streets, Darlinghurst 2010 Prostitutes and razor gangs seem to be all the rage in Darlinghurst right now. References to Tilly Devine abound. But Former Glory has a little something the other bars don't: a real dark and dirty history. Situated right across the road from what was once Devine's main brothel, this pub, formerly known as the Tradesman's Arms Hotel, was dubbed the Bloodhouse in honour of its violent scenes. Sounds like the kind of place I'd like to visit. You're likely to find that you're already familiar with the location of this pop-up bar. The East Village Hotel is, after all, a familiar marker on the Darlo drinking landscape. Duck inside and take the stairs, winding up two levels past the fading conviction notices on the walls. You'll emerge into a resuscitated space, filled with round wooden tables and white tablecloths, leather chesterfield armchairs and a tastefully subtle assortment of vintage paraphernalia. For full review and details, click here. Caffe Sicilia Where: 628 Crown Street, Surry Hills 2010 While Crown Street certainly has its attractions, it's a pleasure to duck into this slice of 1940s Sicily, take a deep breath and sip a coffee as you watch the crowds pass you by. The theme is clearly stated in the marble, tiles, polished wood and mirrors of the interior, as well as in the numerous references to Italian film icons. Relaxed Italian glamour is the order of the day. The menus are expansive, with breakfast, lunch and dinner - as well as drinks, desserts and takeaway - on offer. Opening hours are surprisingly long, stretching from 7 in the morning until midnight most days. We popped in for a lazy Sunday lunch, which is a great time to make the most of the outdoors seating. For full review and details, click here.
The fight to keep Sydney's Sirius building is far from over. On Thursday, November 3, the Millers Point Community Association launched a legal challenge against the NSW Government. And it's being paid for by crowdfunding — to the tune of $50,000 provided by 600 citizens. Now, that's some serious people power, right there. The building, which was designed by architect Tao Gofers, is not only an important part of '70s history and a great example of Brutalist architecture, but also public housing. For years and years it has helped to even the score in this expensive, property-obsessed city of ours, by allowing people on low incomes to live in the centre, with harbour views. But back in September, the NSW Liberal Government under Premier Mike Baird floated plans to smash Sirius up and replace it with luxury apartments. A big public rally ensued, in which 1500 people — including the likes of Anthony Albanese, Tim 'Rosso' Ross and Lord Mayor Clover Moore — attended and the CFMEU, in collaboration with Unions NSW, coordinated a green ban. This latest challenge calls on the NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage Mark Speakman to appear in the Land and Environment Court. His and the Government's wrong-doing? Their refusal to list Sirius on the State Heritage register, despite the unanimous advice of the Heritage Council. "This building is a symbol of community values that still exist — values like inclusion and respect for diversity," said Anthony Albanese MP. "Such values are still important to millions of Australians who take pride in living in a nation that cares about all of its citizens, not just those with big bank balances." Lord Mayor Clover Moore pointed out that the Minister's decision sets a "dangerous" precedent. If the challenge is successful, it could "create a valuable new precedent that will confirm the objectives of heritage legislation and discourage the government from acting this way again". The action is just one element in the Save Our Sirius campaign. In addition to the rally and the green ban, twenty ambassadors have been appointed to support the heritage listing of Sirius and the maintenance of social housing in The Rocks. The legal action is currently in progress. Images: Katherine Lu.
From October 4-5 at The Rocks, you will feel like a kid in a candy store. The two-day Festival of Chocolate will see The Rocks transformed into a sea of market stalls, as dessert chefs from all over the country try to win you over with an array of chocolate-inspired concoctions in every mouth-watering form possible. Bar, pastries, ice-cream, crepes, cakes — we're just scratching the surface of the goodies on offer. 2014 is the debut of this festival, featuring as part of Good Food Month. Though some of what we might think of as the big guns of Australian dessert are staying home for this one, Rocks residents Ananas Brasserie, Baroque Patisserie, Bar 100 and La Renaissance will be spruiking their tasty, melty wares, alongside wider NSW choco-talent Sweetness the Patisserie, Chocolarts, Le Pain Quotidien, Adora Handmade Chocolates and Danieli's Fine Foods. Watch the people who have dedicated their life's work to making chocolate — heroes, really — demonstrate on the Chocolate HQ stage. There's also a live music stage, but since this is a Smooth FM-presented event, we wouldn't so much recommend it. Instead, gravitate to the pop-up bar with dessert cocktails, including a chocolate martini and chocolate beer. In celebration of The Rocks transformation into a chocolate haven, restaurants around the Rocks will be showcasing their dessert talents with special menus for the entire month of October. The Smooth FM Festival of Chocolate is on from 10am – 5pm each day.
It's all about the fermented hops, grains and apples on Saturday, September 13, at inner west favourite the Vic in Enmore. The third annual Craft Beer and Cider Festival will be radiating a golden glow over early spring. Last year's event focused on the stellar concoctions that have been brewed locally. This year they have expanded their horizons to include world beers and ciders alongside these local favourites, including 70 unique craft beer varieties from New Zealand, America, Japan and Italy. While you sample the great range on offer, the crafty guys (sorry, had to be done) at the Vic are also including a spit roasting of an animal to be decided. Live music will be played throughout the day. Doors open at noon and entry is free (free!), meaning this great range of unique liquid happiness can be tested without paying a single cent. Because you're worth it.
In the low-budget prison drama Rise, an innocent young man is sentenced to six years in jail after being falsely accused of rape. It's a troubling tale inspired by the real life experiences of first time writer/director Mack Lindon, who himself was incarcerated for more than 18 months before being completely exonerated on appeal. Lindon's lingering sense of outrage is palpable throughout the film, and justifiably so. At the same time, it's difficult not to feel uncomfortable with the way that his screenplay, intentionally or not, plays into false myths about sexual assault. For the record, I have nothing but sympathy for Mack Lindon. Ultimately though, a film has to exist separately from the events on which it is based. To that end, Rise totally fails to acknowledge the fact that, in a vast majority of rape cases, the accused party actually did it. It's perfectly reasonable for Lindon to want to publicly reaffirm his innocence. Yet by dramatising his story for the screen, he has ended up perpetuating the commonly held belief that phony rape complaints occur more frequently than they do. Gone Girl copped flack for a similar issue, admittedly, but there you could argue it was part of a broader social critique. No such defence can be mounted here. Even without the dodgy gender politics, however, Rise is fairly atrocious. Once in lock-up, Lindon's onscreen surrogate Will (Nathan Wilson) learns to navigate prison life, doing his best to stay out of trouble, and eventually bonding with a number of inmates. These secondary characters hold some dramatic promise, particularly hardened criminal Jimmy Cove (Martin Sacks). But the dialogue, though earnest, sounds painfully forced, and frequently lapses into melodrama. When one inmate tells Will he's been in prison "in here" while placing his hand on his head, there's little you can do to suppress a snigger. The self-righteous Christian overtones don't exactly help matters, either. Lindon attempts to inject some additional gravitas via his directorial choices, including an angst-ridden soundtrack and a handful of instances of "arty" slow-motion. Sadly, it's all pretty cringeworthy, particularly when you take into account the movie's strange tonal imbalance that neuters any stabs at dramatic weight. While Will languishes in prison, his bumbling lawyer attempts to recruit the services of Queen's Council Julie Nile (Erin Connor), in a strange comic subplot has no place in such a (supposedly) serious film. That said, it's not nearly as bad as the unintentional comedy of the climax, a contrived courtroom scene with the most ludicrous 'eureka!' moment since the finale of Legally Blonde. At the end of the day, Lindon obviously had some things that he needed to get off his chest. If nothing else, Rise is clearly an intensely personal story, and under the circumstances, perhaps its questionable content can be partially forgiven. But it's a lot harder to overlook the film's basic technical ineptitude. If Lindon has any desire to keep making movies, there's a lot he needs to learn. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Jiq2NTjut8c
Australia's undying affection for Bill Murray has been shown through film tributes the country over— at Sydney's Golden Age Cinema, Brisbane's Catchment Brewing Co. and, most recently, Melbourne's Howler — but now the man himself is set to visit the country. But the actor, comedian and all-round good guy won't be emulating Peter Venkman or Carl Spackler or even Steve Zissou — he'll be performing classical spoken and musical works alongside distinguished German–American cellist Jan Vogler. The show's called New Worlds, which comes from an album of the same name the pair released last year. In it, Murray takes a different turn to how you my have seen him on-screen — he performs vocals to classic American music, and excerpts from American greats like Mark Twain, Walt Whitman and Ernest Hemingway. This will be accompanied by classical scores (think Bach, Schubert and Ravel) by Vogel and his ensemble. The shows will be held at the Sydney Opera House on Friday, November 9, and Saturday, November 10. Image: Peter Rigaud.
How often do you get to dress up all fancy, choose a unique tea from an overwhelmingly extravagant selection and eat delightfully tiny cakes and sandwiches? It's a beautiful thing. Every weekend in September and the first weekend in October, Colonial High Tea will be served in three historic Sydney venues: Elizabeth Bay House, The Governor's Table at the Museum of Sydney and Vaucluse House. For $49 per person you get a selection of cakes and sandwiches, endless amounts of tea (or coffee if you are so inclined) and a glass of Australian sparkling wine. The menu is designed in the style of the colonial era. Food offerings include cauliflower and truffle tart with samphire and parmesan crisp and smoked salmon on brioche with lemon creme and caviar. And the cakes, oh the cakes: chocolate and earl grey macarons, brioche doughnuts with lemon and lavender sugar, scones. The Colonial High Tea series is on from September 6 to October 5. Bookings can be made through
Has anyone had a better year so far than Taika Waititi? Likely not. 2022 hasn't even officially hit its halfway point yet and he's already been everywhere, doing everything, and has more to come. He was the subject of the Archibald's Packing Room Prize-winner, with his likeness now an award-worthy piece of art. He has that little Marvel movie called Thor: Love and Thunder in the works, set to hit cinemas in early July. Oh, and he went and co-starred in one of the best new TV shows of the year so far — and that series, Our Flag Means Death, has just been renewed for a second run. No, Taika's time playing a pirate isn't over yet, in supremely welcome news for everyone who sailed through Our Flag Means Death's glorious first season. His latest team-up with fellow New Zealand comedian Rhys Darby (after also working together on Flight of the Conchords, What We Do in the Shadows, Wellington Paranormal and Hunt for the Wilderpeople), it's a swashbuckling comedy that satirises the buccaneering times of the 18th century. As its first season unfurled, Our Flag Means Death also proved to be a sweet and warmhearted romance, as well as essential viewing. HBO clearly agrees, greenlighting the show's second season for its streaming service HBO Max. Exactly when it'll return has yet to be revealed, but fingers crossed that it'll cruise back into your queue — via Binge and in New Zealand via Neon — sometime in 2023. "We felt the show was special while we were making it, but fans' open-armed embrace of the inhabitants of the Revenge makes heading into a second season all the more sweet," said writer, showrunner and executive producer David Jenkins (People of Earth), who conjured up Our Flag Means Death. Based on its concept and cast alone, his series was always going to cement its spot on streaming must-see lists — and speed into comedy-lovers' hearts — and now it'll make a return voyage. If you haven't hopped aboard already, Our Flag Means Death stars Darby stars as Stede Bonnet, a self-styled 'gentleman pirate', a great approximation of Flight of the Conchords' Murray if he'd existed centuries earlier, and a man determined to bring a bit of kindness and elegancy to the whole swashbuckling game. He's based on an IRL figure, who abandoned his cosy life for a seafaring existence. The show is a loose adaptation of Bonnet's tale, though. As for Waititi, he dons leather, dark hues aplenty, an air of bloodthirsty melancholy and a glorious head of greying hair as Edward Teach — the marauder better known to the world as Blackbeard. Also featuring among the show's impressive lineup of supporting characters: Lucius (Nathan Foad, Bloods), Bonnet's righthand man and official scribe; Buttons (Ewen Bremner, First Cow), a seasoned seafarer and source of advice; Black Pete (Matthew Maher, Marriage Story), who constantly claims to have worked with Blackbeard; the fire-obsessed Wee John Feeny (Kristian Nairn, aka Game of Thrones' Hodor); and the initially secretive Oluwande (Samson Kayo, Truth Seekers) and Jim (Vico Ortiz, The Sex Lives of College Girls). Check out the full trailer for Our Flag Means Death below: Our Flag Means Death will return for a second season, with a release date yet to be announced. Our Flag Means Death's first season is available to in Australia via Binge and in New Zealand via Neon. Read our full review. Images: Aaron Epstein/HBO Max.
We don't quite have a poet laureate here. In the UK they get two, one for children, one for grown-ups. The USA has one, and a staccato history of employing poets at presidential inaugurations. While Canada too has a laureate, when it came to get a poet front and centre for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, it chose to bring out local slam champ Shane Koyczan. Koyczan will bring his rattleshot delivery to the Sydney stage, headlining the evening at Outspoken's evening of beat poetry at FBi Social. Beat poetry is a form that never really died, living on in the music of Tom Waits and the Twitter bot that rebroadcasts lines from Allen Ginsberg's Howl on the hour. Accompanying Koyczan in bringing this faded form to Sydney will be the rhythmic Jive Poetic, host at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and the Denver-lurking Ken Arkind. They'll be backed by local poets Alana Hicks, Alia Gabres and Randall Stephens, with visuals by collective Optic Soup. So whatever your poetic roots, the Social offers you a night to leave you lost in fast words.
Say goodbye to your childhood. Then, say hello to a beloved favourite slicing and dicing on the big screen. As announced back in 2022, the usually adorable literary critter that is Winnie-the-Pooh has been given the horror-movie treatment, in what's instantly one of the most intriguing flicks of the past few years. And, in great/cursed news for Australians, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey is hitting cinemas Down Under in 2023. This isn't the AA Milne creation that you grew up with. Instead, it's a slasher film about the Hundred Acre Woods' famous inhabitant and his pals. And, if cuddling up with your significant other while watching a horror movie is your idea of a prime Valentine's Day date, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey will bow locally on Tuesday, February 14, hosting sneak-peek sessions before a four-day season between Thursday, February 16–Sunday, February 19. Take every horror movie staple, every expected line and all the usual eerie settings, then throw in a favourite figure that's stopped being friendly and turned savage instead: yes, that's what's in Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey's pot. And yes, based on the trailer, it looks as creepy as the whole concept sounds. "Oh bother!" is definitely the mood, after Christopher Robin returns to the Hundred Acre Wood as an adult, years after leaving his pals Winnie, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Kanga and Roo behind. All that time alone hasn't turned out well for those animals, and there's about to be a body count to prove it. No, the idea that Pooh might turn murderous hasn't ever crossed anyone's minds before this film. Gracing pages for almost a century — plus screens big and small for decades — Winnie-the-Pooh has done many things in his time, but getting grisly hasn't been one of them. Ever since Milne first conjured up the honey-loving, walking-and-talking teddy bear back in the 1920s, Pooh has enjoyed plenty of adventures involving his human and animal friends, and tried to eat as much of his favourite foodstuff as possible. We've all seen the cartoons and toys, and also watched films such as Goodbye Christopher Robin and Christopher Robin in recent years. To director Rhys Waterfield, however, Pooh is no longer cute and cuddly, even if he's a honey-fiending teddy bear who normally doesn't wear pants (although he appears to here). And if you're wondering about the tone of Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, other than horror, the filmmaker's other upcoming titles include Firenado, Sky Monster and Rise of the Loch Ness. Clearly, Pooh breaking bad all falls into B-movie territory, which the premise makes plain as well. The setup: after seeing their food supplies dwindle as Christopher grew up, Pooh and Piglet have spent years feeling hungry. They've turned feral, in fact, even eating Eeyore to survive. So when Christopher returns, it sets the pair on a rampage, which leads to them a rural cabin where a group of university students are holidaying. From that summary, it's obvious what'll happen from there. The trailer cements that fact, and throws in more horror tropes than you could fit in a pot of honey in the process. Now all that's left is to see the end result in Aussie cinemas, with Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey also hitting screens overseas around the same time. Wondering why something that's usually so sweet and innocent is being given the creepy, bloody, eerie horror treatment — turning Winnie-the-Pooh into a killer, no less? It's because the character has just entered the public domain in America. Disney no longer holds the copyright, and no one can now hold the exclusive intellectual property rights over the character, opening the door for wild interpretations like this slasher flick. Check out the Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey trailer below: Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey will screen in Australian cinemas on Tuesday, February 14, then from Thursday, February 16–Sunday, February 19. Images: Jagged Edge Productions.
