It's a nice story that Flickerfest had its humble beginnings 22 years ago at Balmain High School, but its new home on Sydney's most Instagrammable beachfront is a way more awesome place to sip some brews before your screening time. Sunset Bar is this 2013's on-site watering hole, setting up inside the iconic Bondi Pavilion. Besides panoramic sunset views you can enjoy tasty organic food from partners including misschu and a daily 5-6pm happy hour. Crystal Head Vodka are doing the drinks, including a cocktail of vodka, Charlie's Feijoa Quencher, and Phoenix Honey Ginger Beer. It's the perfect way to enjoy a sunset dinner and drinks overlooking the beach without getting sand stuck to your rice paper rolls. Weekends will also feature acoustic sets from some of our most talented local musos, including Wes Carr's Buffalo Tales on Saturday 12th.
Concrete Playground is proud to present Trilogy as part of this year's Sydney Underground Film Festival. One way to respond to an entertainment phenomenon like Star Wars is to go for the throat, three times. Trilogy, a film by the interdisciplinary artist Kostas Seremetis, takes all the operatic action, humanoid life-forms, intergalactic futurism and helicoid rivalry of the Force, collaging and cutting the images to produce a cinematic experience of excess and spectacle. The actual facts of the film are as follows: arranged as a salad of sight and sound, Seremetis has siphoned the images from the Star Wars trilogy, displacing the action across three screens. Look to the left and you'll see a scene from first Star Wars, look to the middle and you'll find Empire Strikes Back and, glance to the right, sure enough, Return of the Jedi. This remodelled vision of the franchise asks us to question our normal visual experience with the moving image, offering a spliced and fractured account of this epic legacy that perches half-way between abstraction and pop. https://youtube.com/watch?v=1t3gM4PC-RA
When 2023 sweeps in, it will have been two decades since composer Stephen Schwartz and playwright Winnie Holzman took a book inspired by The Wizard of Oz, put it to music and turned it into one of Broadway's biggest hits of the 21st century. When next year arrives, it'll also mark Australian musical theatre fans' latest chance to see that very show right here at home — because Wicked is flying into Sydney next August. Even if you haven't seen the blockbuster show before, including on its past Aussie run from 2008–11, then you've likely heard of it. Following the Land of Oz's witches — telling their untold true tale is the musical's whole angle, in fact — Wicked has notched up more awards than you can fit in a hefty cauldron over the years. That includes three Tonys from ten nominations, a Grammy, an Olivier Award and six Drama Desk Awards. Also huge: its worldwide footprint, playing in 16 countries around the world since its 2003 debut. And, when it makes its way to Sydney Lyric for its latest Aussie run, it'll do so after enchanting itself into fourth place in the list of longest-running Broadway shows ever — even surpassing Cats. Story-wise, Wicked starts before The Wizard of Oz and continues its narrative after Dorothy Gale lands, adapting Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The text itself has sold 5.5 million copies, including five million since the musical first opened. Here, before Dorothy blows in, two other women meet in the Land of Oz: Elphaba and Galinda. One will later be known as the Wicked Witch of the West, while the other will become Glinda the Good Witch. Exactly why that happens, and how, and the pair's relationship from rivals to unlikely friends to grappling with their new labels, fuels the show's tale. Wicked is being brought to Australia by John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia, Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B Platt and David Stone — and will also take to the stage again before the in-the-works two-part film adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo (Pinocchio) as Elphaba and Ariana Grande (Don't Look Up) as Galinda, and directed by Jon M Chu (In the Heights, Crazy Rich Asians), is due to start reaching cinemas in 2024. Back to the stage show, it's too early for cast announcements — and so far, only a Sydney season has been locked in. Pop on your ruby slippers and click your heels three times in hope that Wicked will tour the country — and defy gravity in Melbourne, Brisbane and more — afterwards. View this post on Instagram A post shared by WICKED in Australia & NZ (@wickedinoz) Wicked will play Sydney Lyric from August 2023, with exact dates yet to be announced. We'll update you with further details when they're revealed. For more information or to join the ticket waitlist ahead of sales starting sometime in November, head to the production's website. Images: Joan Marcus.
Lebanese-style charcoal chook in Sydney has long been synonymous with El Jannah. Yes, there's northern Sydney chain Chargrill Charlie's, but its sauces — Greek Island, Portuguese Piri Piri and Thai Fresh Herbs — are notably missing toum. Frango has firm Portuguese roots and Red Rooster is, well, Red Rooster. Today, though, another player has flown into the proverbial coop. Henrietta is the new restaurant by Nour's Ibby Moubadder and Jorge Farah specialising in Middle Eastern charcoal chook — and it's not too dissimilar to its Crown Street sibling. Both restaurants celebrate traditional Lebanese cooking techniques, but aren't afraid to stray from the straight and narrow. Nour's falafel comes in crumpet form and its halva is served alongside pumpkin cheesecake. Henrietta's baba ghanoush gets an umami hit from miso, its beef brisket is served atop tacos with zhug (a Yemeni hot sauce) and its chicken tawouk comes, not as a kebab, but inside spring rolls. But the newcomer's focus is not the rule-breaking sides, it's the charcoal chook. Henrietta's take comes with a glistening layer of smoky, spicy sauce, the requisite char and juicy flesh. It comes with the requisite garlic toum, too, as well as zingy pickles and Lebanese bread. It's suggested sumac chicken salt-covered chips are ordered, too, and rolled using that bread — together with the chicken, toum, chilli sauce and pickles — to create a DIY chicken sandwich. Just how you do this is illustrated in easy-to-follow steps on the menu. Sound like too much work? You can order one, pre-rolled, for $14. Alongside the charcoal chook, you'll find three Lebanese-ish desserts — chocolate mouse with rose, baklava sundaes and rice pudding with halva — as well as seven fun cocktails. A slushie machine is pumping out frozen takes on a Pornstar Martini, while a bartender shakes the likes of spicy passionfruit margaritas and hibiscus sours. Walking a fine line between casual-night-out-with-the-crew and date-night, the 65-seater restaurant has been designed by creative agency DS17 and is filled with neon signs of 'Henrietta', concrete walls and terrazzo bars. While dining out is allowed in NSW — and has been since mid-May — some Sydneysiders are still dining in. Henrietta is catering for both with its takeaway window selling its charcoal chooks for $18 a pop. Henrietta is now open at Shop 1, 500 Crown Street, Surry Hills. It's open from 11.30am–late daily.
Sometimes, time doesn't fly. If you're a Melburnian who has been waiting for a local El Jannah outpost, the past 14 months have probably felt like a drag, in fact. The Sydney-favourite Lebanese-style charcoal chook joint announced back in February 2021 that it was finally expanding into Victoria; however, it has taken a while for that poultry dream to become a reality. Come Saturday, April 30, your tastebuds will finally officially get what they've been clucking for — or, if you're new to the chain, you'll find out why it has become one of the Harbour City's beloved chook go-tos. First, there's the chicken, of course. But there's also the chips and garlic sauce that've similarly been earning Sydney fans since 1998. The place to head to: 600 High Street in Preston, with the chook chain taking over the old Hungry Jacks site. Originally, it was hoped it'd be up and running late in 2021 — but we all know how last year turned out. El Jannah's charcoal chicken comes in halves or quarters, on rolls and burgers, as part of a platter, on skewers and in salads. It also does fried chicken, too — in mixed pieces, tenders and wings, and also in boxes and on burgs. You'll also find shawarma on the menu, falafel rolls as well, plus tabouli and fattoush salad. And, among the sauces, the chain's own chilli version, hummus and baba ganoush sit alongside its coveted garlic option. Thanks to the new Preston digs, El Jannah now boasts 14 stores to its name, including 13 in New South Wales. When it revealed its plans to head south, the chain advised that it was planning to expand to include 30-plus venues in total across both Melbourne and Sydney, with at least five Melbourne stores operating over the next five years. Fingers crossed that all comes to fruition. And yes, if you're a Sydneysider already enamoured with the brand's dishes, you can now rest safe knowing you've got somewhere to get your fix on your next Melbourne trip. Find El Jannah's first Melbourne store at 600 High Street, Preston — open from 19am–11pm daily. For further details, head to the El Jannah website.
In 1985, Agostinho Ferreira and his family moved from Lisbon to Sydney and brought something truly remarkable with them — an original recipe for Pasteis de nata, also known as Portuguese tarts. It didn't take long for word to spread and, eventually, thousands of the flaky, silky pastries that Agostinho had crafted years ago were being sold across the city. Fast forward over three decades, and Agostinho's wife Lucia and son Diogo now manage the business, hand-making and selling the same tarts from Tuga Pastries in Clovelly and Alexandria. Diogo is also the owner of Village on Cloey, a classic European-inspired cafe a few doors down from Tuga. And now he is bringing the best of both worlds together in Tuga x Village, an update and rebrand of the Village on Cloey space that is now aiming to deliver the most authentic Portuguese food in Sydney. Now a combined bakery and cafe, Tuga x Village will still be selling the beloved pasteis de nata and will also be baking traditional Portuguese recipes like Pão Alentejano (a crispy sourdough-style bread), Bolo do caco (a sweet potato bun) and Torricado (chargrilled sourdough rubbed with garlic and olive oil and served with toppings). Beyond the baked goods on offer, you can also tuck into breakfast and lunch options aplenty. The classic bacon and egg roll isn't going anywhere. In fact, it's being joined by gourmet sandwiches and toast with decadent Portuguese toppings. None of the qualities that you love about Tuga or Village on Cloey are changing. It's just a mixing of the old and the new at Tuga x Village. This isn't the only thing exciting on the horizon for Tuga either. A little birdy told us that a huge flagship store will be opening somewhere in Sydney's southwest but you'll have to wait a little longer for the full story on that. Watch this space... Tuga x Village can be found at 231 Clovelly Road, open seven days a week from 6am - 2.30pm.
Nestled in the leafy back streets of Paddington, Bellevue (formerly The Bellevue Hotel) has been trading since 1880, but it's been renovated and reinvented with a smart new menu that leaves behind pub stables for more contemporary fare. The restaurant is now a light space with booth seating and an airy dining room complete with hanging ferns and twig-like lighting fixtures. While there are still the likes of burgers, oysters and cheese plates available in the pub, the restaurant's six-course tasting menu ($80) is an ideal way to taste a range of the creativity and interplay of textures on offer from head chef James Metcalfe, formerly of hatted restaurant Becasse. The tasting menu opens with snacks, such as a novel, bite-sized artichoke skin with taleggio and walnuts as well as an indulgent arancini-like ball of goat's cheese in a honey vanilla syrup. You'll also snap up the salt and vinegar kale, a crunchy treat that wisely infuses a lot of strong flavour into the fashionable but often barely palatable lettuce. The tasting menu is going to be an evolving affair, but currently includes Queensland spanner crab with a light dusting of wasabi, microherbs and thin strips of celery intermingled with a mild apple gel. Paired with a 'Tinja' Chardonnay from Mudgee ($10/$48), which has strong notes of apple, it's a winning start. A prettily plated tuna, scallop and broccoli dish continues the theme of small but finely detailed and flavoursome offerings, while a caramelised pig's head with a paper-thin slice of house cured coppa, beetroot puree and toffee-infused apple ticks a lot of flavour boxes, from the saltiness of cured meat to the fleshy richness of the pig's head. There's also a tender wagyu brisket, perfect for washing down with a hearty Argentinian Catena Malbec ($11/$52) before the menu concludes with a rich slice of spiced caramel chocolate tart, which is served with a dreamy dollop of earl grey ice cream. It's a delectable finish to the meal. You'll notice that this review so far only pertains to the Bellevue's restaurant experience, which is excellent for the price and a nice addition to Paddington, where the beloved Pinbone has recently closed its doors. Why it's located at the back of this pub, however, is less than obvious. Sterile and soulless, the freshly renovated front bar comes less recommended.
Originally greenlit back in 2017, construction on URBNSURF Sydney's massive man-made surf park is currently underway, with the finished site set to arrive in autumn 2024. The $50-million development will hit a 3.2-hectare site in Sydney Olympic Park next year from the team behind Australia's first surf park, featuring perfect waves year-round and a new outpost for one of the best restaurants on the North Shore, RAFI. The 200-capacity RAFI 2.0 will arrive in Sydney Olympic Park next year with the same dedication to fresh, seasonal produce and quality wines as its OG counterpart. Crowd favourites from the North Sydney menu will grace the RAFI URBNSURF menu, while a new cocktail menu is being rolled out especially for the Western Sydney opening. Joining RAFI will be a surfside cafe and all-day diner called Sandy's, facilitating more casual meals and takeaways. Sandy's will be open 6.30am–8.30pm daily and will be serving up morning coffees, bacon and egg rolls, pancake stacks, fish tacos and beef barbacoa burritos. There will also be a summer-ready selection of booze, including beers, cocktails, to-go gin and tonics, and wine on tap. [caption id="attachment_927898" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] Both venues come courtesy of Applejack, the hospitality group behind Forrester's, The Butler and Bopp & Tone. And to round out the offering will be a private event space that can facilitate 120 guests, a cabana lawn that can host up to 800 people and an outdoor events space that will host live music and sporting events. As for the actual surf, Sydneysiders can expect a diamond-shaped lagoon pumping out waves up to two metres in height. Thanks to LED lighting illuminating the man-made waves after dark, visitors will also have the option of an evening swim. The lagoon will be capable of churning out waves every eight seconds, with surfers set to catch about a dozen waves per hour. URBNSURF Sydney will also feature a wellness studio, skate park, hot tubs and a surf academy for those looking to take their surfing to the next level. URBNSURF Sydney is expected to open in Sydney Olympic Park in autumn 2024. Head to the surf park's website to read more about the opening.
Your phone doesn't always need to be glued to your hand, but that's often easier said than done. Your nights out don't need photographic evidence to prove that they occurred, but that's also rarely the case anymore. This Never Happened is rallying against that status quo, however, via the Lane 8's record label's dance parties. The distraction-free This Never Happens Presents gigs first arrived in Australia in 2023 — and in 2025, they're returning for two more evenings of shenanigans without phones and cameras. Pics or it didn't happen? Not here. You won't have a screen in your hand — or face. You won't be swiping, texting or doing anything else with the gadget that we're all addicted to, either. Attendees will have their phones taped upon arrival, because these dance music get-togethers are all about connecting IRL and in the moment. [caption id="attachment_979217" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Megan Burch[/caption] French house producer Massane and Dublin-based DJ EMBRZ are headlining the two parties, with support from Samantha Loveridge — following in the footsteps of Le Youth, Sultan & Shepard and PARIS in 2023. Whatever their sets bring, you'll just have to rely upon your noggin to remember all of the highlights afterwards. This Never Happens Presents' 2025 shindigs will first hit 170 Russell in Melbourne on Friday, January 17, then move to Sydney's Liberty Hall on Saturday, January 18. While Brisbane was included in 2023, that's sadly not the case this time around. When it last made the trip Down Under, This Never Happened held its first shows in this part of the world, after launching in 2016, signing artists who've toured with producer and DJ Lane 8, and initially hosting parties in 2017 and 2019 elsewhere around the globe. Clearly, its Aussie visit was a hit, hence the return tour. In 2025, Massane and Embrz will also be making their Australian debuts. This Never Happened Presents 2025 Dates Friday, January 17 — 170 Russell, Melbourne Saturday, January 18 — Liberty Hall, Sydney This Never Happened Presents 2025 Lineup Massane EMBRZ Samantha Loveridge This Never Happened Presents hits Melbourne and Sydney in January 2025, with ticket pre-sales from 11am AEDT on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 and general sales from 11am AEDT on Thursday, November 14, 2024. Head to the tour website for further details. Top image: Megan Burch.
Late in January, the Alliance Française French Film Festival confirmed the news that Australian movie-goers wanted to hear: not only that the annual cinema showcase would be back this year, notching up its 33rd round of fests, but that it had set its dates and first ten movies. Now, the event has freshly unveiled its full program — so get ready to watch your way through more than 40 flicks that'll whisk you off to France while you're munching popcorn in your cinema seat. There's no shortage of highlights from this year's complete lineup — including the festival's opening night pick, the 19th-century Paris-set Lost Illusions, which had already been announced — but Claire Denis' Fire is easily one of the most exciting films on the bill. It'll play AFFFF straight from the Berlinale, and marks the acclaimed French filmmaker's first release since 2018's exceptional High Life. It also stars her Let the Sunshine In lead Juliette Binoche, with the romantic drama pairing the latter up with French actor Vincent Lindon (Titane) for the first time. Also a standout: Happening, winner of the 2021 Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, which adapts Annie Ernaux's autobiographical novel about the rights of women in France in the 60s. It just nabbed filmmaker Audrey Diwan a BAFTA nomination for Best Director, and follows a bright young student who gets pregnant, then sees her options — for her future, and regarding what to do about her situation — quickly dwindle. When AFFFF tours Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart — and in Byron Bay and Parramatta, too — from Tuesday, March 1–Sunday, April 24, the exceptional Petite Maman also sits at the very top of the fest's must-see list. The latest film from Portrait of a Lady on Fire's Céline Sciamma, it already made a few Australian festival appearances in 2021, and channels the director's trademark sensitivity and empathy into a sci-fi-skewing tale of mothers and daughters that's instantly among Sciamma's best. Other top new picks from its complete lineup include the latest film in the OSS 117 spy spoof series, OSS 117: From Africa With Love, once again starring The Artist Oscar-winner Jean Dujardin; François Ozon's Everything Went Fine, which sees the Summer of 85 filmmaker tackle the right to die with dignity; Paris, 13th District, a love story from A Prophet and Rust and Bone's Jacques Audiard; and Murder Party, a murder-mystery with big Cluedo vibes. Or, there's also Anaïs in Love, a rom-com about a woman having an affair with a married man but then falling for his wife; biopic Authentik, about French hip-hop duo Suprême NTM; World War II drama Farewell, Mr Haffmann, as based on the play; and friendship drama The Braves, about two twentysomething women following their dreams to become theatre actors. And yes, the list of French cinema treats gracing the fest's full bill goes on — so don't say you don't have anything to see at the cinema in March and April. ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL 2022 DATES: March 1–April 6, with encore screenings from April 7–10: Palace Central, Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinema and Hayden Orpheum Cremorne, Sydney March 2–April 6, with encore screenings from April 7–10: Palace Electric, Canberra March 3–April 6, with encore screenings from April 7–10: Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Como. Palace Westgarth, Pentridge Cinema, The Kino and The Astor Theatre , Melbourne March 9–20: State Cinema, Hobart March 9–April 6, with encore screenings from April 7–10: Camelot Outdoor Cinema, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX, Palace Raine Square and Windsor Cinema, Perth March 16–April 13, with encore screenings from April 14–18: Palace Barracks and Palace James Street, Brisbane March 24–April 24, with encore screenings from April 25–26: Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Adelaide, plus Victa Cinemas, Victor Harbor March 30–April 14, with encore screenings from April 15–16: Palace Byron Bay, Byron Bay April 7–10: Parramatta Riverside Theatres, Parramatta The Alliance Française French Film Festival tours Australia from Tuesday, March 1–Tuesday, April 26. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the AFFFF website.
Since September 2022, Enmore Road has been classified as a Special Entertainment Precinct under a trial from the New South Wales Government and Inner West Council. The classification grants businesses a range of special allowances to encourage live music, al fresco dining and nightlife. It's also the same classification that was first given to Enmore Theatre in 2021. While the trial has already been extended once, and was now set to end in July, the Inner West Council has just voted unanimously at its latest meeting on Tuesday, March 15 to make the precinct permanent. A report released by the council showed that 100 percent of Enmore Road businesses that completed its survey about the precinct classification were in favour of it coming on full-time, while 91.3 percent of visitors indicated support and 63 percent of local residents were in favour. [caption id="attachment_850746" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ben Sanford[/caption] The biggest issue that residents had with the precinct, especially those on streets directly off Enmore Road, was its impact on street parking — one of a few speed bumps that the council addressed at the meeting. "As with any new pilot and any new idea, there are hiccups, there are things to be ironed out, and it's critically important that we are proactive in our response and continue to engage with affected members of the community to bring them along with us," said Inner West Councillor for the Stanmore-Damun Ward Chloe Smith. "If we want this to be a success, it's not just dependant on having the support of the local business community or having the support of visitors, but also having support of residents who live in and around the SEP [Special Entertainment Precinct]." If the precinct classification does become permanent, the Inner West Council is pushing for amendments and concessions that will address any issues with curbside and resident parking, noise, litter and accessibility. This includes a parking impact study that will be brought forward from 2026 to this year, encouragement of public transport use and the 'Good Neighbour' policy — a strategy that the council has previously implemented in scenarios like the recent noise complaints surrounding The Great Club. Under the program, venues that host at least 45 minutes of live music can extend their trading hours by 30 minutes on nights when the music occurs; all noise complaints are being handled by the Inner West Council, which is looking to make the process as streamlined as possible in order to minimise disruption to venues; and footpath dining is permitted until 11pm. "The extended live performance and trading hours is like a stamp of approval, which gave us confidence to keep our shows on for more people to enjoy later into the night," Jacquiline Cunningham, the owner of Secret Garden Bar, said when the precinct's extension until July was announced. "We hired more artists, and with great live bands, drag shows and comedies free of charge, our bar has been ever more popular among punters. This trial has been a win for all." Enmore Road has continued to hold its status as one of Sydney's most exciting streets across the program's early run. Alongside top-notch live music programs from stalwarts of the Inner West street like Enmore Theatre, The Midnight Special and The Duke of Enmore, the thoroughfare has also seen even more vibrant venues open across including Bar Planet, Enmore Country Club, Bar Lousie and Irene's. Find out more information about Enmore Road's Special Entertainment Precinct trial via the Inner West Council. Top image: Enmore Country Club, Angus Bell Young
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced artists and musicians to come up with even more innovative ways to make money, as well as keep us beloved fans entertained. Despite all the live-stream festivals, fun merch and unexpected new albums, though, there is no substitute for seeing your favourite bands and solo performers in the flesh — even if we can't all be crammed shoulder-to-shoulder in a sweaty venue for the foreseeable future. Enter Great Southern Nights, the NSW Government-led initiative aiming to kick-start the live music industry by putting on 1000 COVID-Safe gigs across the state this November. Sydney might be the state capital, but that doesn't mean it's where all the action is. With summer fast approaching and no prospect of international travel on the horizon, there's no better time to explore our own backyard. We've partnered with NSW Government to bring you eight gigs we think are worthy of a road trip. So, load up your bags, put on your ultimate playlist and hit the road.
When your nine-to-five plays out like a well-oiled machine, it can sometimes feel like each week is a little same-same. But Sydney is brimming with a fine bounty of things to experience and explore each and every day. So aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing some adventure and spontaneity into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to help you celebrate the little things that bring a sense of adventure to life. Shake things up, as we give you seven different detours to take each week in Sydney. From Monday to Sunday, enrich your everyday with one completely achievable activity that inspires you to take the scenic route as you go about your daily routine. This week, practice your downward dog in the Botanic Gardens, go for sunset bowls by the sea and try the world's oldest burger. Plus, we've got your future detours sorted for the next few weeks here. All require no more effort than a tiny break from the norm — what's your excuse for not trying them all?
Artist-run MOP Projects has been lauded since its early days, while Galerie Pompom has just turned up — newly nestled in what was once MOP's tiny front gallery. With some pretty obvious cross-over between them in staff and cement, the competition between the two galleries is unlikely to be too rancourous. But still, as the Art & Australia Collection 2004-2012 and Galerie Pompom's first Group Show inaugurate a new era of synergy and dissonance, a question arises: how do the two spaces stack up? Galerie Pompom is just big enough for a desk, three walls and glass doors. Within, Isabella Pluta's Untitled #2 (sham ruin) duplicates rustic awe of rural outskirts by drowning a natural arch in ethereal colour, Sarah Mosca applies binoculars to a similar scene and and Rochelle Haley's Diamondback lays out a prostrate turtle, echoing its natural symmetries with an encrusted gem. The space may be small, but there's a huge selection of art here considering its size, boding well for future solo shows. If Pompom is primarily a best-of, so is MOP's current offering. Its roomier premises are occupied by artworks originally featured on Art and Australia's back cover, having gone on to win the Art & Australia/Credit Suisse Private Banking Contemporary Art Award. Emma White's the Plastic Arts is a surprisingly effective claymation loop, Grant Stevens' the way combines a working car stereo with three glossy panels of forest scene and contemplative music and Archibald winner Del Kathryn Barton draws an eerie, hawk-like girl holding a bird, keen stares whipping back from the canvas. But Christian de Vietri's 2nd Law steals the show. A meditation on basic thermodynamics (in short, things get messy) it is a life-size, melted fridge. Rubber seals stay intact and rear radiator panels stretch, leaving it to ooze away like half a white scoop of vanilla ice cream. It's an unique front-runner for this gallery face-off, the disfigured fridge winning it for MOP. But despite the overwhelming power of a single whitegood, Pompom remains a new space with plenty of promise. Galerie Pompom is open Wednesday—Saturday, 11-5, MOP opens 1-5 Sunday & Monday, 1-6 Thursday—Saturday. The Art & Australia show closes March 25, the Pompom's group show on April 1.
Let's face it, we're all in need of some good ol' fashioned fun. This summer, Barangaroo will be filled with exciting experiences for everyone to enjoy. From cultural tours, markets and dining offerings to match all budgets, the CBD precinct has plenty of ways to enjoy summer right through till Friday, February 28. Want to welcome the new year from a prime harbourside position? Secure a spot at Barangaroo Reserve to catch all the colourful action at the spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks. You can also freak yourself out on a Cultural Ghost Tour, catch one of the incredible events happening at Sydney Festival and discover a plethora of world-class dining options. Getting there is also a breeze with a direct tunnel link from Wynyard Station, many bus links and the Barangaroo Ferry Wharf. So, round up your crew and get yourself to Barangaroo for some sweet summer fun in the sun. Want to see in the new year from Barangaroo? Book your spot online. For more information on other events happening at Barangaroo this summer, the website.
Before the pandemic, when a new-release movie started playing in cinemas, audiences couldn't watch it on streaming, video on demand, DVD or blu-ray for a few months. But with the past few years forcing film industry to make quite a few changes — widespread movie theatre closures and plenty of people staying home in iso will do that — that's no longer always the case. Maybe you've been under the weather. Perhaps you haven't had time to make it to your local cinema lately. Given the hefty amount of films now releasing each week, maybe you simply missed something. Film distributors have been fast-tracking some of their new releases from cinemas to streaming recently — movies that might still be playing in theatres in some parts of the country, too. In preparation for your next couch session, here are 13 that you can watch right now at home. BONES AND ALL To be a character in a Luca Guadagnino film is to be ravenous. The Italian director does have a self-described Desire trilogy — I Am Love, A Bigger Splash and Call Me By Your Name — on his resume, after all. In those movies and more, he spins sensual stories about hungry hearts, minds and eyes, all while feeding his audience's very same body parts. He tells tales of protagonists bubbling with lust and yearning, craving love and acceptance, and trying to devour this fleeting thing called life while they're living it. Guadagnino hones in on the willingness to surrender to that rumbling and pining, whether pursuing a swooning, sweeping, summery romance in the first feature that put Timothée Chalamet in front of his camera, or losing oneself to twitchy, witchy dance in his Suspiria remake. Never before has he taken having an insatiable appetite to its most literal and unnerving extreme, however, but aching cannibal love story Bones and All is pure Guadagnino. Peaches filled with longing's sticky remnants are so 2017 for Guadagnino, and for now-Little Women, Don't Look Up and Dune star Chalamet. Biting into voracious romances will never get old, though. Five years after Call Me By Your Name earned them both Oscar nominations — the filmmaker for Best Picture, his lead for Best Actor — they reteam for a movie that traverses the American midwest rather than northern Italy, swaps erotic fruit for human flesh and comes loaded with an eerie undercurrent, but also dwells in similar territory. It's still the 80s, and both hope and melancholy still drift in the air. The phenomenal Taylor Russell (Lost in Space) drives the feature as Maren, an 18-year-old with an urge to snack on people that makes her an unpopular slumber-party guest. When she meets Chalamet's Lee, a fellow 'eater', Bones and All becomes another sublime exploration of love's all-consuming feelings — and every bit as exquisite as Guadagnino and Chalamet's last stunning collaboration. Bones and All is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. THE MENU Getting "yes chef" bellowed his way as Julian Slowik, the head chef at exclusive fictional restaurant Hawthorne, Ralph Fiennes (The Forgiven) is a sinister delight in the vicious and delicious The Menu. With his character terrorising staff and customers alike, but similarly trapped with his employees in the hospo grind, Fiennes is also visibly having a ball in an entertainingly slippery role. He plays the part with the instant presence to make a room of well-paying patrons snap to attention just because he's there, and his facial expressions — his eyes in particular — are a masterclass in passive malevolence. There's a cruel streak in Slowik, as there is in the movie, but The Menu is a black, bleak, vengeful comedy as well. Director Mark Mylod (What's Your Number?) and writers Seth Reiss and Will Tracy (The Onion) know the best thing to eat, aka the rich, and turn their fine-dining factory into a savage, savvy and scathingly amusing satire about coveting $1250-a-head meals but letting the workers behind them slice, steam, stir and sweat through upscale kitchen drudgery. Babbling snootily about mouth-feel before even getting to Hawthorne by boat, Tyler (Nicholas Hoult, The Great) doesn't spare a passing thought for the restaurant's workers. A self-confessed foodie who can't abide by the eatery's no-photography rule for a single course, he's in fanboy heaven after finally scoring a booking — and doesn't his companion Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy, Amsterdam) know it. She's less enthused, and her lack of fawning over her surroundings, Slowik, each plate and the theatre of it all rankles her date. She's the least-excited diner of the evening's entire list, in fact, which also spans status-chasing finance bros (The Terminal List's Arturo Castro, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series' Mark St Cyr and The Now's Rob Yang), a cashed-up couple (Mass' Reed Birney and Julia's Judith Light) who attend regularly, an arrogant food critic (Janet McTeer, Ozark) and her editor (Paul Adelstein, The Greatest Beer Run Ever), and a movie star (John Leguizamo, Encanto) with his assistant (Aimee Carrero, Spirited). The Menu is available to stream via Disney+, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. MISTER ORGAN A single tweet has sparked many things for many people; however, the chaos started by a social-media missive from New Zealand journalist and filmmaker David Farrier has few parallels. In 2013, he commented on Twitter about a friend parking their car at Auckland's now-closed Bashford Antiques, then weathering an unpleasant experience: the threat of towing, instant abuse, and an immediate demand for $250 in order to be allowed to leave. Farrier next began writing articles about it all, and what seemed like a clamping racket, in 2016. In his first piece, he covered being asked by his employer three years prior to delete his tweet, too. But his own ordeal was only just beginning, because his ordeal involves Michael Organ. "You pay a soul tax for every minute you spend with him," Farrier notes in the documentary he's made about all of the above, complete with far more twists than anyone can imagine going in — and watching Mister Organ, the feeling behind that observation is starkly apparent. As well as helping impose onerous conditions on folks parking outside an antiques store, and becoming the owner's constant companion in the process, claiming to be royalty is also part of this tale. Organ has defended himself in serious court cases, and assisted with bringing legal proceedings against others, including Farrier. His web of interpersonal dealings, as fleshed out through discussions with ex-housemates and acquaintances, brings bewildered and infuriated interviewees into the doco. Finding someone to say a kind word about him is almost impossible, other than the endlessly talkative Organ himself. For newcomers to this situation, it's best to get the ins and outs by watching, stolen boats and all, because no description does them justice — but Farrier's time with Organ, as he tries to get to the bottom of his story, never fails to surprise. Viewers of filmmaker's Tickled and Dark Tourist will easily glean why he was drawn to tell this tale, though; for starters, it's another disturbing, perplexing, so-messy-it-can-only-be-true slice of life. Mister Organ is available to stream via DocPlay, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. SKINAMARINK Age may instil nocturnal bravery in most of us, stopping the flinching and wincing at things that routinely go bump, thump and jump in the night in our ordinary homes, but the childhood feeling of lying awake in the dark with shadows, shapes and strange sounds haunting an eerie void never seeps from memory. Close your eyes, cast your mind back, and the unsettling and uncertain sensation can easily spring again — that's how engrained it is. Or, with your peepers wide open, you could just watch new micro-budget Canadian horror movie Skinamarink. First-time feature filmmaker Kyle Edward Ball has even made this breakout hit, which cost just $15,000 to produce, in the house he grew up in. His characters: two kids, four-year-old Kevin (debutant Lucas Paul) and six-year-old Kaylee (fellow newcomer Dali Rose Tetreault), who wake up deep into the evening. The emotion he's trading in: pure primal dread, because to view this digitally shot but immensely grainy-looking flick is to be plunged back to a time when nightmares lingered the instant that the light switched off. Skinamarink does indeed jump backwards, meeting Kevin and Kaylee in 1995 when they can't find their dad (Ross Paul, Moby Dick) or mum (Jaime Hill, Give and Take) after waking. But, befitting a movie that's an immersive collage of distressing and disquieting images and noises from the get-go, it also pulsates with an air of being trapped in time. It takes its name from a nonsense nursery-rhyme song from 1910, then includes cartoons from the 1930s on Kevin and Kaylee's television to brighten up the night's relentless darkness. In its exacting, hissing sound design especially, it brings David Lynch's 1977 debut Eraserhead to mind. And the influence of 1999's The Blair Witch Project and the 2007-born Paranormal Activity franchise is just as evident, although Skinamarink is far more ambient, experimental and experiential. Ball has evolved from crafting YouTube shorts inspired by online commenters' worst dreams to this: his own creepypasta. Skinamarink is available to stream via Shudder and AMC+. Read our full review. BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER Black Panther: Wakanda Forever isn't the movie it was initially going to be, the sequel to 2018's electrifying and dynamic Black Panther that anyone behind it originally wanted it to be, or the chapter in the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe that it first aimed to be — this, the world already knows. The reason why is equally familiar, after Chadwick Boseman died from colon cancer in 2020 aged 43. At its best, this direct followup to the MCU's debut trip to its powerful African nation doesn't just know this, too, but scorches that awareness deep into its frames. King T'Challa's death starts the feature, a loss that filmmaking trickery doesn't reverse, no matter how meaningless mortality frequently proves when on-screen resurrections are usually a matter of mere plot twists. Wakanda Forever begins with heartbreak and pain, in fact, and with facing the hard truth that life ends and, in ways both big and small, that nothing is ever the same. Your typical franchise entry about quick-quipping costumed crusaders courageously protecting the planet, this clearly isn't. Directed and co-written by Ryan Coogler (Creed) like its predecessor — co-scripting again with Joe Robert Cole (All Day and a Night) — Wakanda Forever is about grief, expected futures that can no longer be and having to move forward anyway. That applies in front of and behind the lens; as ruminating so heavily on loss underscores, the movie has a built-in justification for not matching the initial flick. The Boseman-sized hole at Wakanda Forever's centre is gaping, unsurprisingly, even in a feature that's a loving homage to him, and his charm and gravitas-filled take on the titular character. Also, that vast void isn't one this film can fill. Amid overtly reckoning with absence, Coogler still has a top-notch cast — returnees Letitia Wright (Death on the Nile), Angela Bassett (Gunpowder Milkshake), Danai Gurira (The Walking Dead), Lupita Nyong'o (The 355) and Winston Duke (Nine Days), plus new addition Tenoch Huerta (Narcos: Mexico), most notably — drawing eyeballs towards his vibrant imagery, but his picture is also burdened with MCU bloat and mechanics, and infuriating bet-hedging. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is available to stream via Disney+, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. BLUEBACK Films about humanity's affinity with animals are films about our ties to the natural world — and doesn't Blueback splash that truth around. Plunging from The Dry into the wet, writer/director Robert Connolly reteams with Eric Bana for another page-to-screen adaptation of a homegrown book; this is another movie inseparable from its landscape, too, again exploring the impact people have upon it. This time, however, Bana isn't the star. He's memorable as larrikin abalone diver and fisherman 'Mad' Macka, and this Tim Winton-based feature would've benefited from more of his presence, but the Dirty John actor is firmly in supporting mode. Set against the enticing Western Australian coast as the author's work tends to be, this is a picture about the sea's thrall, existential importance and inherent sense of connection — as filtered through the bond between a girl and a wild blue groper, plus the evolving relationship between that same child and her eco-warrior mother. Mia Wasikowska (Bergman Island) plays Blueback's fish-befriending protagonist as an adult, with the text's Abel becoming Abby here. Radha Mitchell (Girl at the Window) shares the screen as Dora, her widowed mother, early in the film's year-hopping timeline. Still, in their second of three movies in succession — arriving before upcoming The Dry sequel Force of Nature — Connolly and Bana dip back into familiar territory. Obvious swaps are evident, including a beachside rather than a farming community, and atrocities against the planet and its wildlife instead of crimes against people, but it's easy to see Blueback's appeal as a reunion project. Among the key differences as Abby and Dora fight to save their town and its aquatic treasures, still battling wrongs to strive for what's right: this is an overtly and eagerly family-friendly affair. Blueback is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. SISSY Thanks to everything from The Saddle Club and I Hate My Teenage Daughter to Sweet/Vicious and The Bold Type, Gold Coast-born Australian actor Aisha Dee knows what it's like to live life through screens. She's been acting since she was a teenager, and she's charted the highs of her chosen profession — all in front of a lens. In Sissy, she hops in front of a camera again, naturally, and not only once but twice. In this delightfully savvy and funny Aussie horror film, Dee turns in a wonderfully layered performance as the titular Instagram influencer, whose soaring follower count, non-stop flow of likes and adoring comments, and online fame all stems from her carefully poised and curated wellness videos. Also known as @SincerelyCecilia, the character's sense of self springs from that virtual attention too; however, when she reconnects with her childhood best friend Emma (co-director/co-writer Hannah Barlow), gets invited to her bachelorette weekend and finds old schoolyard dynamics bubbling up, that facade starts to shatter. If Mean Girls was a slasher film set in a remote cabin in rural Australia, it might look something like Sissy — and that's a compliment multiple times over. Every horror movie wants to be smart and savage on multiple levels, but Barlow and fellow co-helmer/co-scribe Kane Senes (reteaming after 2017's For Now) weaponise everything from influencer culture and pastel, rainbow and glitter colour palettes to toxic friendships, all while spinning a clever, cutting and comedic take on the impact of bullying. They also fill their feature with as gloriously diverse a cast as Australian cinema has boasted, and with one helluva lead performance. If Carrie was set in today's always-online world, amid cancel culture and plentiful praise at the press of a button, it'd look like this, too, but this instant Aussie horror classic takes its own bold stab at plenty of genres. Sissy is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. ARMAGEDDON TIME What's more difficult a feat: to ponder everything that the universe might hold, as James Gray did in 2019's sublime Ad Astra, or to peer back at your own childhood, as the writer/director now does with Armageddon Time? In both cases, the bonds and echoes between parents and children earn the filmmaker's attention. In both cases, thoughtful, complex and affecting movies result. And, as shared with everything he's made over the past three decades — The Yards, The Immigrant and The Lost City of Z among them — fantastic performances glide across the screen, too. Here, in a portrait of a pre-teen's growing awareness of his privilege, the world's prejudices, the devastating history of his ancestors, and how tentative a place people can hold due to race, religion, money, politics and more, young stars Banks Repeta (The Black Phone) and Jaylin Webb (The Wonder Years) manage something remarkable, in fact, more than holding their own against a reliably excellent Anthony Hopkins (The Father), Anne Hathaway (Locked Down) and Jeremy Strong (Succession). Repeta plays sixth-grader Paul Graff, Gray's on-screen surrogate, and Armageddon Time's curious and confident protagonist. At his new public school circa 1980, he's happy standing out alongside his new friend Johnny (Webb), dreaming of being an artist despite his dad's (Strong) stern disapproval and disrupting class whenever he can to his mum's (Hathaway) dismay — and outside of it, he's happiest spending time with his doting grandfather (Hopkins). But Paul will start to understand the luck he has in the world, hailing from a middle-class Jewish family, compared to his black, bused-in friend, even if that comfort is tenuous, too. And, he'll keep seeing the way the world has Johnny at a disadvantage in every way possible, from their instantly scornful teacher to Paul's own parents' quick judgement. As lensed with the look and feel of a memory, Armageddon Time is clear about the small moments that leave an imprint, and the small deeds left undone that cause craters. It's a powerful work from a filmmaker surveying happy and sorrowful slices of the past, and doing so with unflinching eyes. Armageddon Time is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. THE VELVET QUEEN "If nothing came, we just hadn't looked properly." Partway through The Velvet Queen, writer Sylvain Tesson utters these lyrical words about a specific and patient quest; however, they echo far further than the task at hand. This absorbing documentary tracks his efforts with wildlife photographer Vincent Munier to see a snow leopard — one of the most rare and elusive big cats there is — but much in the entrancing film relates to life in general. Indeed, while the animals that roam the Tibetan plateau earns this flick's focus, as does the sweeping landscape itself, Munier and his fellow co-director and feature first-timer Marie Amiguet have made a movie about existence first and foremost. When you peer at nature, you should see the world, as well as humanity's place in it. You should feel the planet's history, and the impact that's being made on its future, too. Sensing exactly that with this engrossing picture comes easily — and so does playing a ravishing big-screen game of Where's Wally?. No one wears red-and-white striped jumpers within The Velvet Queen's frames, of course. The Consolations of the Forest author Tesson and world-renowned shutterbug Munier dress to blend in, trying to camouflage into their sometimes-dusty, sometimes-snowy, always-rocky surroundings, but they aren't the ones that the film endeavours to spy. The creatures that inhabit Tibet's craggy peaks have evolved to blend in, so attempting to see many of them is an act of persistence and deep observation — and locking eyes on the snow leopard takes that experience to another level. Sometimes, pure movement gives away a critter's presence. On one occasion, looking back through images of a perched falcon offers unexpected rewards. As lensed by Amiguet (La vallée des loups), Munier and assistant director Léo-Pol Jacquot, The Velvet Queen draws upon hidden cameras, too, but so much of Tesson and Munier's mission is about sitting, watching and accepting that everything happens in its own time. The Velvet Queen is available to stream via Docplay, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. GLORIAVALE Exploring the story of the religious community that shares its name, New Zealand documentary Gloriavale makes for stunning, gut-wrenching and infuriating viewing. It's been a booming time for NZ films that earn that description over the past few months — see also: Mister Organ above — but this true tale was always going to stand out and leave an imprint. Given that it involves chatting to survivors of the cult-like organisation, particularly excommunicated members relaying their heartbreaking experiences, being aghast at their ordeals is a natural reaction. Feeling angry that this can happen is, too, including as the film charts legal proceedings to bring Gloriavale's horrors to light. What has gone on behind closed doors, in a closed community, in the West Coast-based sect heartily requires this type of exposé — and with brother and sister John and Virginia as their key interviewees, filmmakers Fergus Grady and Noel Smyth (reteaming after 2019's Camino Skies) are up to the task. The specifics date back to the late 1960s, when the organisation was founded and started drawing in members, who were soon living under the sect's strict beliefs. Here, for instance, women are expected to work all through their waking hours to keep Gloriavale running — not even sitting down for meals — and cramming the group's many families all under one big roof is the norm. Also, when sexual abuse claims arise, including with children as victims, blame is directed everywhere but the accused perpetrators. As Gloriavale steps through details like these again and again, it's unsurprisingly harrowing from the outset. Archival footage from within the community only adds to the distressing mood, and charting the legal cases ups the drama, but the accounts of what's gone on at the titular place would be damning and gripping as is even if Grady and Smyth only had talking-head interviews at their disposal. Gloriavale is available to stream via SBS On Demand, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. WHITNEY HOUSTON: I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY In the decade since her death in 2012, Whitney Houston has proven one of filmmaking's greatest loves of all. No fewer than five movies have told her tale, including documentaries Whitney: Can I Be Me and Whitney — and that's without including a feature about her daughter Bobbi Kristina, a miniseries focused on her ex-husband Bobby Brown and dramas clearly based on her story. All of that attention echoes for obvious reasons. Houston's mezzo-soprano voice, which earned her the nickname "The Voice", soared to stratospheric and literally breathtaking levels. Still holding the record for the most consecutive number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, which she took from The Beatles and the Bee Gees, her career zoomed skyward as well. That swift rise from New Jersey church choir member to one of the biggest bestselling music artists ever was matched by tabloid-fodder lows, however, and that tragic, gone-too-soon passing — and Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody charts it all. Taking its name from one of Houston's most exuberant singles isn't just music biopic 101 (see also: Bohemian Rhapsody, also penned by this film's screenwriter Anthony McCarten). Kasi Lemmons' (Harriet) feature follows the standard Wikipedia entry-like genre template, but the filmmaker wants those titular words to reflect how Whitney (Naomi Ackie, Master of None) just wanted to be herself, to be loved as such, and openly be with Robyn Crawford (Nafessa Williams, Black Lightning), the girlfriend-turned-creative director that her gospel singer mother Cissy Houston (Tamara Tunie, Cowboy Bebop) and stern father John (Clarke Peters, The Man Who Fell to Earth) disapprove of. Instead, after being signed to Arista Records at 19 by producer and executive Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci, The King's Man), Whitney becomes America's princess next door. Ackie turns in a commanding, multi-layered performance as the conflicted singer — even while lip-synching, with the movie smartly using Houston's own vocals — in a film that's impassioned, wisely filled with electrifying performance recreations, yet is happy to just hit every expected note. Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. LYLE, LYLE CROCODILE The Paddington movies did it better. That's a general catch-all statement that can apply to almost anything, zero context required, and it's also the prevailing feeling while watching Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. Instead of a marmalade-coveting bear, a singing crocodile is trying to win hearts — and the similarities don't stop there. The page-to-screen leap from a children's favourite? Tick. An adorable animal winding up in a family of humans who need its unique presence to make their lives complete, bring them together and show them what truly matters? Tick again. The strait-laced dad, creative mum, nasty neighbour and kindly kid? Keep ticking. Also present in both: the titular critter donning human clothing and craving fruity foods, warm colours aplenty, a vintage look and feel to interior spaces, a tense and traumatic capture, and an accomplished star having a whole lot of fun going big, broad and cartoonish (Javier Bardem here, and worlds away from The Good Boss, Dune or Everybody Knows). Bardem's playful turn as magician Hector P Valenti is the best thing about Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, which is breezily watchable but so indebted to Paddington and its sequel — so desperate to be an American version of the charming English franchise — that orange conserve might as well be smeared across the lens. As directed by Office Christmas Party's Josh Gordon and Will Speck, and scripted by Johnny English Strikes Again's Will Davies (adapting from Bernard Waber's books), the film is also a musical, with the eponymous croc (voiced by Shawn Mendes) able to sing but not speak. Those forgettable songs pad out a slight story, after Valenti discovers Lyle, hopes to get famous as a double act and loses his New York City brownstone when his gambit fails. Then the new residents, the Primm family, find the reptile in the attic, son Josh (Winslow Fegley, Come Play) finds a friend and his parents (Hustlers' Constance Wu and Blonde's Scoot McNairy) find their own reasons to get snapped up in the critter's singing-and-dancing vibe — although Mr Grumps (Brett Gelman, Stranger Things) downstairs obviously lives up to his moniker. Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH Since arriving in cinemas in 2001, Shrek has inspired three more ogre-centric flicks, a heap of shorts and TV specials, and a stage musical for the whole family. It's also the reason that green-hued burlesque shows exist, plus all manner of parties and raves — none of the last three of which are appropriate for kids, obviously. But beyond the Mike Myers (The Pentaverate)-voiced titular figure himself, only Puss in Boots has become solo big-screen fodder from among the franchise's array of characters. Like much in this series, the shoe-wearing feline hails from fairy tales, but the reason for its ongoing on-screen popularity is as simple as casting. Who doesn't want to see a kitty swashbuckler voiced by Antonio Banderas (Official Competition), basically making this a moggie Zorro? Based on the 2011 Puss in Boots' $555 million at the box office, that concept is irresistible to plenty of folks — hence, albeit 11 years later, sequel Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Pairing the right talent to the right animated character doesn't instantly make movie magic, of course; however, The Last Wish, which literally has Puss seeking magic, is among the best films that the broader Shrek saga has conjured up so far. The eponymous cat begins the picture being his usual swaggering self and caring little for the consequences, including his own dwindling lives. One raucous incident sees him realise that he's died eight times already, though, and knowing this ninth go-around is his last according to feline lore suddenly fills him with existential woe. That's a thoughtful premise for an all-ages-friendly flick, and one that's never dampened by the film's plethora of fairy tale nods, high-energy vibe and usually amusing gags. So, Puss, Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek, House of Gucci) and their new canine companion Perro (Harvey Guillén, What We Do in the Shadows) attempt to find a famed wishing star that can make avoiding death a reality — but Goldilocks (Florence Pugh, The Wonder) and the three bears (Black Widow's Ray Winstone, Mothering Sunday's Olivia Colman and Our Flag Means Death's Samson Kayo) are also after it, as is a no longer 'little' Jack Horner (John Mulaney, Big Mouth). Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Looking for more at-home viewing options? Take a look at our monthly streaming recommendations across new straight-to-digital films and TV shows — and fast-tracked highlights from January, too. You can also peruse our best new films, new TV shows, returning TV shows and straight-to-streaming movies, plus movies you might've missed and television standouts of 2022 you mightn't have gotten to.
There's a new ladies night in town, but it's a far cry from the sessions of budget bubbly and trashy tunes you've encountered elsewhere. Instead, Camperdown's Lady Hampshire is launching a monthly pub session sans-stereotypes, promising a safe, fun and inclusive space for all female-identifying and non-cis bodies. Proudly dubbed See You Next Tuesday (it runs the second Tuesday of each month), the event taps into the pub's laidback vibe, yet offers a program of kickass, female-friendly activities to boot. We're talking beer yoga, dancehall classes, clothes swaps and drives for local women's shelters, intergenerational trivia and workshops with the likes of cake queen Katherine Sabbath. It all kicks off with a launch party on Tuesday, November 14, featuring chats with City of Sydney councillor and founding Vivid Ideas curator Jess Scully, and MTV presenter and DJ Flex Mami. Sydney's all-girl Bad Bitch Choir will deliver a special performance, followed by more great tunes from DJ Nes. The launch will also see a lineup of free tacos, along with complimentary Pimm's cocktails and Frank Strongs boozy lemonade, while the legendary Ab Fab ladies throw down words of wisdom from the big screens. You'll also catch the gloriously named Vadge Draw — $5 will get you entry into the monthly prize pool and your very own bronze clam keyring. Image: Steven Woodburn.
You don't have to go far to feed that yearning for adventure. Just a short drive from Sydney and you're in the great western playground of Penrith. And there's the perfect activity for every and any kind of thrill-seeker. Maybe you'd like to hit the water with a day of wakeboarding, battle against wild whitewater rapids or experience the wonder of flight with an actual, real-life jetpack. Perhaps roaring along bitumen is more your wheelhouse? Take to the highways on a genuine Harley Davidson or race go-karts on a pro track. Or take fun and games to a more grownup level, hurling weaponry at targets in a mate-against-mate tournament; or, strap on a VR headset for an immersive digital experience of fighting, exploring and puzzle-solving against the clock. Whatever gets your blood pumping, you'll find it in Penrith.
Australian fashion house and boutique store Aje is officially branching out with a new sub-brand of activewear called Aje Athletica. Launching with a line of sportswear featuring everything from sports bras to shoes, Aje Athletica promises high-performance activewear with a focus on sustainability. 70 percent of the material used in the debut sportswear line is consciously sourced, including a 100 percent recycled material puffer jacket. The commitment to sustainable practices is clear, with consciously sourced products across the line made from a mix of recycled, organic and eco-friendly materials. "With a respect of our environment, Aje Athletica embraces sustainable practices and local expertise to deliver quality product[s] with a minimal footprint. Informing the design process with 70 percent conscious fabrications from the ground up, impacting the foundations at elemental phase – has been very fulfilling," Co-founder Edwina Forest said. Edwina Forest started Aje in 2008 with her friend Adrian Norris as a women's clothing line all about effortless style. Norris brings an artistic background from his time at Liceo Artistico Venezia, and Forest brings her knowledge of fashion publishing from her time at RUSSH magazine. Head to Aje Athletica's website to browse the range of leggings, sweatpants, tees, tanks, socks and windbreakers, all designed for both your trips to the gym and your days hanging around the house. The products are designed to fit a wide range of women, with sizes available in Australian four through 18. Aje Athletica is available as of Wednesday, May 26 throughout Australia and New Zealand online and in-store. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
If you're heading to the South Island of New Zealand for a vacay, people are going to have some questions for you. "Was it gorgeous?" Duh. "Was it cold?" Only a little. "Do you now have a whole album of photos of you standing in front of crystal lakes, rugged mountain ranges and glorious plains that you'll cherish until the end of time?". Well, obviously. They'll also expect you to have visited vineyards and know your way around a bottle of wine. So you can study up, we've collated a list of the absolute best wineries on the South Island. Hit them up if you want to learn a thing to two about your pinots and rieslings. TERRACE EDGE WINERIES, WAIPARA Once you touch down in Christchurch, there are a few great reasons to head north first. Mostly wine. Head up the scenic coast and only an hour out of Christchurch you'll find Waipara, which is home to many iconic wineries. We recommend Terrace Edge. They won Vineyard of the Year at the NZ Organic Wine Awards 2018, so you can go ahead and raise your expectations sky high. Head to the tasting rooms and try some of their famous pinot noir and riesling. Hot tip: make sure you phone ahead so they know you're coming. They're a small, family-owned and -run establishment and can give you tiptop service and tasting notes if you only give them some notice. Near the tasting room, their picnic tables overlook the lush vineyards and, with the mountain backdrop, are the perfect place to enjoy a glass or two. While you're there, grab a bottle of their olive oil; they make it from olives grown on the site. FRAMINGHAM WINES, RENWICK While you're in the north, set your sights on Renwick, a little town east of Blenheim in the Marlborough region of the island. Here you'll find Framingham, a winery that does away with snootiness and replaces it with live music and good times. You won't find any winery cliches here — except for the views, of course. Plan ahead so you can enjoy the spectacular panoramas before dusk (they are particularly glorious in autumn when the first snows start to dust the distant mountains) and grab a glass while watching a local band. They have some of the oldest riesling vines in Marlborough so we definitely recommend tasting what they produce, as well as the Sauvignon Blanc. The other interesting thing about Framingham is they are accredited as environmentally sustainable and practice organic estate viticulture, which is the future of winemaking. Snaps for Framingham. SAINT CLAIR FAMILY ESTATE, BLENHEIM While you're in the region, you'd be a fool to miss Saint Clair Family Estate, one of the north's best wineries. This winery is a little more what you're used to — a classic set-up with stunning views, a tasting parlour, grounds aplenty and a menu that will make your mouth water. Their staff will talk you through their best drops. We recommend trying a sauvignon blanc, pinot gris or chardonnay as, in a line-up of many (and we mean many) award-winning wines, these varieties boast the most awards. If you're peckish, grab a table among the vines and order one of the local plates. Options include fresh produce from the sea, land or from their winery gardens. From land to plate, right before your eyes — what could be better? RIPPON VINEYARD, WANAKA Once you've made your way back down south, Rippon Vineyard is only a short drive west of Lake Wanaka (another must-do on your NZ itinerary) and boasts spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The grounds are steep and, in spring and summer, blooming with glorious wildflowers. You can partake of generous tastings in the parlour or enjoy a glass on the lawn overlooking the grapevines and catch a glimpse of Ruby Island in the middle of the lake. Rippon doesn't charge a tasting fee, but they do take donations for a Habitat Restoration programme so if you have a taste, give generously. If you're a larger group (seven or more), you can book in a private tasting with a knowledgeable host to educate you on half a dozen wines. And if you get a moment, take a looky-loo around the building itself. It's a gorgeous old space with high ceilings and abundant fireplaces. CHARD FARM, OTAGO While you're in Otago, head south from Wanaka to Chard Farm, just east of Queenstown. The drive along Lake Dunstan is pretty special, and you'll be rewarded with one of the most rustic wineries you ever did see. Chard Farm is nestled at the base of a gentle mountain and alongside the deep trench of Kawarau River. In winter it's covered in snow, but the rest of the year, the blocky, peach buildings are surrounded by wildflowers and shockingly lush vineyards. It's run by a sweet family and their cellar door is open seven days a week. We recommend the pinot noir (their speciality), but the riesling and pinot gris are also great. If you're a larger party, six or more, be sure to call ahead so they can accommodate you. Otherwise, just turn up and enjoy a quality drop while overlooking the pretty countryside. Start planning your trip to New Zealand's south with our guide to the South Island journeys to take here.
These bite-sized Spanish morsels are a cure-all for many situations. Not quite dinnertime? Eat tapas. Have a later-than-usual restaurant reservation? Hunt down tapas. Trying to avoid entering a full-blown carb coma? Tapas. They're perfect for staving off hunger and for pairing with a carafe of sangria or a glass of refreshing manzanilla sherry. And, luckily, you don't have to jump on a plane to Europe to find quality tapas, either: Sydney has an impressive ever-growing collection of Spanish restaurants. You'll find pintxos (skewered bites from northern Spain) in Surry Hills, tapas paired with cava in Bondi and Moorish (and moreish) bites underground in the CBD. Here's a list of our favourite tapas spots around the city.
You may be acquainted with Nick Stathopoulos via his recent Archibald entry, Ugly, which controversially didn't make the 54 finalists. The portrait of author Robert Hoge, who was born with a tumour on his forehead and distorted facial features, wasn't chosen as a finalist, but did take out the People's Choice Award at the Salon des Refuses. The work in Stathopoulos's new exhibition, Anthropocene, is of a decidedly less photorealistic bent. This collection of paintings and sculptures was born out of hundreds of the artist's sketchbook doodles — and the result is a hodgepodge of the bizarre, the ethereal, the surreal and his previous toy obsession. It's easy to see why Stathopoulos also does science fiction cover art. There are skeletal things and giant balloon-like heads floating like clouds in the sky and desolate post-apocalyptic-type landscapes. An afternoon spent here would probably leave you feeling like you'd entered a strange other universe. Go on and drift away.
Wiseman's Ferry is a teeny, tiny village perched on the banks of the mighty Hawkesbury River, surrounded by national park and with a population of just 220. The settlement gets its name from one Solomon Wiseman, an ex-convict who, in 1827, organised the first river crossing by ferry. And his service still runs today. A weekend at Wiseman's usually involves hours lolling by, on and in the river; pretty walks through nearby Dharug and Yengo National Parks; a beer or two at Wiseman's Inn and perusing paintings by local artists. On top of that, the annual Return To Rio rolls into town in November for three days to add even more reason to make your way to the idyllic village. This year, electronic music big name Sasha will be taking the stage alongside Lee Burridge and Hoj, who come from sets at Burning Man. In the mood for disco? Be sure to check out Greg Wilson and Late Nite Tuff Guy as they create a tropical dance town by the pool. Plus, when you're not furiously making shapes, you can take a break with crazy golf, water skiing and speed dating. Camping costs an extra $70, but you can turn things up a notch — both glamping houseboats are available for the weekend.
Nosferatu. The Wolf Man. Frankenstein. All three names are icons of classic horror cinema. All three are headed back to the big screen in 2025. The entire trio are also making a comeback with impressive directors leading the charge, with Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse, The Northman) giving Nosferatu a new spin, Leigh Whannell moving from The Invisible Man to Wolf Man and Guillermo del Toro behind the latest iteration of Mary Shelley's masterpiece (to the surprise of no one who has seen the Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, Nightmare Alley and The Shape of Water helmer's past movies). Nosferatu will hit picture palaces first — and, in true Eggers fashion, it's keen to unnerve. So, what happens when the acclaimed filmmaker directs his attention to the second-most famous name there is in vampire tales for his fourth feature? If both the initial teaser trailer and just-dropped new sneak peek for Nosferatu are anything to go by, embracing a twist on Bram Stoker's Dracula is set to turn out chillingly. More than a century has passed since the initial Nosferatu flickered across the big screen, a German Expressionist great that adapted Stoker's story with zero authorisation, hence changes such as its count being named Orlok. The film has been remade before, with Werner Herzog (The Fire Within: A Requiem for Katia and Maurice Krafft) giving viewers 1979's Nosferatu the Vampyre. Now, Eggers is sinking his teeth in — and visibly loving it. The new Orlok: Bill Skarsgård, fresh from action-star mode in Boy Kills World but pivoting back to creepy villains, just swapping IT and IT: Chapter Two's Pennywise for another insidious pop-culture figure. In the two looks at Eggers' Nosferatu so far, the writer/director plays coy with his monster, but not with Orlok's impact. "My dreams grow darker," cries Lily-Rose Depp in the initial trailer, trading the nightmare of The Idol for the gothic horror kind as Ellen Hutter. Joining Skarsgård and Depp is a stacked cast of fellow big names, including Willem Dafoe enjoying another stint in gothic mode after Poor Things and returning to Nosferatu after his Oscar-nominated performance in 2000's Shadow of a Vampire, where he played Max Schreck, the IRL actor who played Orlok back in 1922. Nicholas Hoult jumps from dancing with Dracula in Renfield to more undead eeriness, and Emma Corrin (A Murder at the End of the World), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (The Fall Guy) and Ralph Ineson (The First Omen) all also feature. In the US, audiences have a silver-screen date with Nosferatu on Christmas, but viewers Down Under will see the film from Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Check out the full trailer for Nosferatu below: Nosferatu releases in cinemas Down Under on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Images: courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.
For many years, Banksia Hotel sat firmly in the category of non-descript roadside pub that you didn't pay too much attention to if you didn't like in a 100m radius of. Not anymore. After buying the venue in 2015, Monarch Hotels Group got to work — starting with a visual overhaul, then setting its sights on the kitchen. Once home to a Thai restaurant, the space is now the Banksia Bistro with pub-food maestros Colin Fassnidge (4Fourteen) and Leigh McDivitt (3 Weeds) at the helm. With high wooden tables, strip and pendant lighting and polished cement floors, the space has a modern Scandi vibes. A wooden wall divides the bistro off from the bustling bar. At first glance, the menu reads like standard pub fare — beer battered fish and chips, chicken schnitzel, bangers and mash. But followers of Fassnidge will recognise his influence and Irish heritage in the braised lamb shoulder, colcannon, and pie of the month. And, of course, the quality produce and guidance by McDivitt elevates the food beyond everyday pub grub status. The result is a dining experience that is rare, not just for a pub, but for the suburb, which is otherwise quite sparse with finer culinary options at present.
Easter comes early at Ashfield's Polish Club, where the European Easter Markets will be hosted on Sunday, March 25 from 10am to 4pm. Stock up on Easter treats, Polish smallgoods and bespoke artwork — or just peruse it all with pączki in hand. Stalls will sell a range of Polish products for take away, from chocolates, pierogi and doughnuts (that's the pączki) to vodka and beer, along with skincare items, handmade scarves and jewellery. Australian products on offer include locally made honey and Hunter Smokehouse salts, cheeses and jerky. Traditional paper cut artwork and hand-crocheted items will also be for sale and ornate Easter eggs will be on display, with attendees encouraged to hand-paint their own. You might need to put down the dumplings first, though. Image: Piviso via Flickr.
UPDATE, August 21, 2022: Cyrano is now available to stream via Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Love can spring quickly, igniting sparks instantly. Or, it can build gradually and gracefully, including over a lifetime. It can be swift and bold like a lightning strike, too, or it can linger, evolve and swell like a gentle breeze. In the sumptuous confines of Cyrano, all of the above happens. The latest adaptation of Edmond Rostand's 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac, this time as a musical via playwright Erica Schmidt's own song-filled on-stage version, lends its attention to two men who've fallen for the plucky Roxanne (Haley Bennett, Hillbilly Elegy) in opposite ways. Charming soldier Christian de Neuvillette (Kelvin Harrison Jr, The Trial of the Chicago 7) gets the fast-and-infatuated experience, while the movie's namesake (Peter Dinklage, I Care a Lot), a poet also handy in battle, has ached for his childhood pal for as long as he can remember. Roxanne's two suitors make a chalk-and-cheese pair, with their contrasting approaches to matters of the heart — specifically, to winning her heart and helping ensure that she doesn't have to marry the rich and ruthless De Guiche (Ben Mendelsohn, The Outsider) to secure her future — driving much of Cyrano's drama. Also present and accounted for, as all takes on the tale have included (see also: 80s rom-com Roxanne with Steve Martin, the Gérard Depardieu-starring Cyrano de Bergerac, 90s rom-com The Truth About Cats & Dogs with Uma Thurman and Janeane Garofalo, plus recent Netflix teen flicks Sierra Burgess Is a Loser and The Half of It): insecurities about appearance, a way with words and a ghostwriting gambit. Short in stature given Dinklage's casting, Cyrano can't even dream that Roxanne could love him. But he wants her to be happy above all else and knows that she's smitten with Christian, so he secretly lends his romantic rival his letter-penning abilities to help woo her by lyrical prose. This Cyrano may have a different reason for not believing that Roxanne could reciprocate his feelings, even as she gets giddy over the correspondence he scripts for Christian — traditionally, a large nose gets in his way — but his slow-and-steady affection is especially apt in this particular film. The latest period piece from Joe Wright, it slips into the British director's resume alongside Pride & Prejudice, Atonement and Anna Karenina, and initially seems as standard a silver-screen staging of Cyrano as a musical as he could reliably muster. But all three of those aforementioned movies are stunning in their own ways, especially the gutsy Anna Karenina. Unsurprisingly, his newest feature is as well. Doing his best work since that Tolstoy adaptation, and clearly back in his comfort zone after Pan, Darkest Hour and The Woman in the Window, Wright lets Cyrano take its time to bloom and blossom. And, when it flowers partway through, it makes viewers realise that it's been a gorgeous gem of a film all along. Like on-screen love story, like surrounding flick, basically. That said, the routine air that initially seems to float through Cyrano's first act can't have been by design. Rather, the film winds up to its full heart-wrenching powers so patiently that it appears a tad too expected while its various pieces are being put into place — a fact hardly helped by how often this exact narrative or variations of it have made it to screens — until it's just simply and unshakeably wonderful. Wright doesn't change anything in his approach, helming a handsome, detail-laden, rhythmic piece of cinema from the outset, but the emotions that truly make the movie sing strengthen minute by minute. And yes, when it all clicks in just so, it's with its three main players literally crooning, conveying so much about their huge, swirling, all-encompassing feelings that normal dialogue couldn't have done justice to. That swooning sensation — because this is a feature that it's easy to tumble head-over-heels for — helps answer the obvious question that needs asking whenever a famed tale gains songs. That query: why? Wright and screenwriter Schmidt, the latter of whom is married to Dinklage and wrote her crooning-heavy stage version for him in 2018, reply by making it rousingly plain how much yearning and desire resides in each musical number. The movie's tunes come courtesy of The National's Aaron and Bryce Dessner, fresh from their efforts scoring C'mon C'mon, and prove worlds away from big, barnstorming Broadway numbers. Emotionally sweeping, they survey the full range from longing to heartache, while also navigating an immensely tricky task: relaying what simmers inside each character that not only goes unspoken, but isn't inked in the feature's back-and-forth love letters. Thank goodness for not just Wright's finessed handling of these musical scenes, which lets those sung-about feelings echo with weight and heart-swelling resonance, but also for his clear passion for the musical genre. This marks his first entry, although both rhythm and music have been key to so much of his back catalogue — not the least of which being spy thriller Hanna with its melodic Chemical Brothers score — and he whirls properly into the fold like he was always meant to dance there. Even when no one is singing, Cyrano has the soul of a musical in its lush staging, Seamus McGarvey's (Bad Times at the El Royale) fleet-footed cinematography, the pace instilled by Valerio Bonelli's (The Woman in the Window) lithe editing and its performances. It has its own beat and vibe, and every element drums and hums along in time. Also trilling the right tune, regardless of whether they're singing (which they each do well): Dinklage, Bennett and Harrison Jr. Australia's own Mendo still gives exceptional villain, and darkly and cunningly so; however, being enamoured with Cyrano's main trio is inescapable. The decision to cast Dinklage and Bennett straight from the stage production is a winner. He imparts melancholy, wit and spark into his romantic lead, as he so consistently did in Game of Thrones, too, while she ensures that Roxanne's quest for a big and fulfilling life — and love — cuts deep. And, as much chemistry buzzes between the two, enlisting Luce and Waves' standout Harrison Jr as the man between them is another masterstroke. Indeed, Cyrano adores Roxanne and Christian's romance as much as it feels its eponymous figure's pining, loves his rhapsodic words and wants his heart's desire to come true — and sharing it all comes, gradually but still overwhelmingly, with the cost of admission.
Whether you're a total baller who lives and breathes hip hop, or the fair weather type to throw your hands up in irritation each time triple j features another hip hop take on Like a Version; it's hard to deny Australia’s hip hop culture has gained almighty momentum in recent years. Whether you're digging on homegrown heroes or American gems, hip hop culture is growing rapidly in Sydney; a rare combination of creativity, expression and individuality. But where can self-professed hip hop heads find likeminded fiends, solid beats and All The Beers? United by a passion for the craft, love of the hip hop community vibe, or perhaps just a need to get turnt up come weekend; we've come up with the five best ways to celebrate hip hop in Sydney. Halfway Crooks at Phoenix Bar The most bangin' of Sydney hip hop parties, Halfway Crooks is the rap throwdown for party people. Originating in 2009 within the depths of Sydney's dingy Phoenix Bar, the Crooks have since expanded to include packed-out nights at Goodgod Small Club, boat parties, their own radio show and a spot on the bill for Vivid LIVE 2014. Each monthly party at Phoenix welcomes a new crop of local and international artists, with resident DJs and Halfway Crooks founders Elston, Levins and Captain Franco taking to the decks between each set. Expect copious amounts of sweat, gratuitous grinding and new rap handraisers alongside forgotten East/West coast classics. First Saturday of the month at Phoenix Bar, 34 Oxford Street Sydney. $10 entry. Check the Crooks' website for upcoming parties, but if you can't wait until the next throwdown tune into their gem-filled radio show on FBi Click. One Day Sundays at The Vic on the Park Australian hip hop has come a long way in recent years, making an international name for itself and moving away from the stereotypical idea that hip hop is all 'bitches', 'hoes' and affluent whiners venting about their so-called problems. This new era of Australian hip hop has solid roots in Sydney's inner west, home to many of the country's biggest acts and One Day Sundays — the hugely popular, monthly block party at Enmore's Vic on the Park. The last Sunday of every month sees hip hop collective One Day Crew (made up of Horrorshow, Spit Syndicate, Joyride and Jackie Onassis) take over the decks for a chilled afternoon of beats, basketball and live graffiti. ODS kicks off at 1pm and runs until you're coming up with excuses for a Monday sickie. Last Sunday of every month; The Vic Hotel , 2 Addison Road, Enmore. Free entry. Speech Therapy at Work-Shop Australia's premier spoken word hip hop event, Speech Therapy is designed by rappers, for rappers. Curated by Sydney rap establishment The Tongue, Speech Therapy is a night of spoken word, rap and poetry, with some of the country's finest lyrical talents sharing their craft over past months. Snuggled within the walls of Redfern's Work-Shop, audiences are treated to intimate, slam-style performances; previous guests among the likes of P Smurf (Daily Meds, Big Village), Urthboy (Elefant Traks, The Herd) the charismatic Ellesquire (Loose Change) and Horrorshow's unmatchable MC Solo. Seating space at Work-Shop is strictly limited, so buy up early and get amongst some of the best in local hip hop talent — raw and unplugged. Work-Shop is located at 80 George Street, Redfern. Check Speech Therapy's Facebook page for upcoming events. Joyride and Friends at Lo-Fi If you’re trawling for Sydney’s hip hop scene, chances are you’ll come across Joyride. One of Sydney’s most celebrated hip hop DJs, Joyride is best known for being part of the One Day Crew (cranking One Day Sundays at The Vic, deets up above), DJing with Spit Syndicate for an age and collaborating with Horrorshow, Hermitude, Drapht, Illy and pretty much every Australian hip hop name you could muster. Cranking beats and cheap eats every Thursday at Darlinghurst’s Lo-Fi, Joyride invites his buds to team up for one of Sydney’s best weeknight escapades. With $5 Young Henry’s, an $8 cocktail dubbed Romance Potion and $10 duck pancakes, this is a solid Thursday night option for both hip hop fans and General Good Time lovers alike. Every Thursday from 6pm at Lo-Fi, 383 Bourke Street Darlinghurst. Free entry. Hustler Fridays at Hustle & Flow Hustle & Flow is Redfern's answer to all things hip hop. Cranking everything from Tweet to Aloe Blacc to Ice Cube, this is a venue with a strong concept, committed crew, welcoming space and (most importantly) an excellent soundtrack. Most impressive is the almost scholastic commitment to theme — cocktails are all named after hip hop classics, with Thug Passion ($11), and Hurricane ($15) notable mentions. Beers include South Sydney brews Green Star Lager and Cinnamon Girl Spiced Ale (both $10); you can share an actual litre of Sol with friends ($16) or down a 'poor man's Mimosa', the Brass Monkey ($7). Every Friday the Dream Soundz crew crank tunes from 7pm for Hustler Fridays, hosted by MC Shaba. Hustle & Flow's calendar also marks toastworthy dates in hip hop, so watch out for drink deals on Biggie's birthday. Every Friday from 7pm at Hustle & Flow, 3/105 Regent Street, Redfern. Free entry. Words by Mairead Armstrong and Shannon Connellan.
Yellowjackets wants viewers to be its bloody Valentine in 2025 — and more cannibalism, more haunting reminders of what it takes to survive in the wilderness after a plane crash, and more hunting in both of the hit thriller series' timelines are in store. In November 2024, not only was a Friday, February 14, 2025 return date locked in for the show's third season, but fans scored a first glimpse. Now comes a proper trailer, complete with chases, the faces of the dead popping back up and pondering who should be eaten (or should've been by now). Two years after its second season, Yellowjackets will make is comeback on Valentine's Day to kick off its latest round, again following its characters both in the immediate aftermath of their traumatic accident and when the past keeps intruding on their present after decades have gone by. As viewers discovered when it debuted in 2021 and became one of the best new shows of that year, the instantly intriguing (and excellent) series follows a New Jersey high school's girls soccer team in the 90s after their plane plummets into the forest, and also checks in with everyone that's made it out alive 25 years later. Across two seasons so far, life and friendship have proven complex for Yellowjackets' core quartet of Shauna (The Tattooist of Auschwitz's Melanie Lynskey as an adult, and also No Return's Sophie Nélisse as a teenager), Natalie (I'm a Virgo's Juliette Lewis, plus Heretic's Sophie Thatcher), Taissa (Law & Order's Tawny Cypress, and also Scream VI's Jasmin Savoy Brown) and Misty (Wednesday's Christina Ricci, as well as Atlas' Samantha Hanratty). The latest trailer for season three puts it this way: "once upon a time, a bunch of teenage girls got stranded in the wilderness — and they went completely nuts." The full setup: back in 1996, en route to a big match in Seattle on a private aircraft, Shauna, Natalie, Taissa, Misty and the rest of their teammates entered Lost territory. The accident saw everyone who walked away stranded in the wilderness — and those who then made it through that ordeal stuck out there for 19 months, living their worst Alive-meets-Lord of the Flies lives. Thanks to the new sneak peek at what's to come, get ready for howling, masks, more fighting, ghosts and the present-day crew trying to work out who is after them. After swiftly getting picked up for a second season because its first was that ace, Yellowjackets was then renewed for a third season before that second group of episodes even aired. In Australia, viewers can watch via Paramount+. In New Zealand, the series streams via Neon. In season three, the returning cast — which includes Simone Kessell (Muru) as the older Lottie and Lauren Ambrose (Servant) as the older Van, characters played in their younger guises by Australian actors Courtney Eaton (Mad Max: Fury Road) and Liv Hewson (Party Down) — will be joined by Hilary Swank (Ordinary Angels) and Joel McHale (The Bear). And from season two, Elijah Wood (Bookworm) is also back. Check out the latest trailer for Yellowjackets season three below: Season three of Yellowjackets will start streaming from Friday, February 14, 2025 via Paramount+ in Australia — and streams via Neon in New Zealand. Read our review of season one and review of season two, plus our interview with Melanie Lynskey. Via Variety.
If you've yet to nab your outfit for Mardi Gras parade night, London clothing brand Sparklebutt has you covered. The fabulous design label, which — if you haven't worked out from its name — makes sparkly pants, shorts, shirts and accessories, is taking over The Forresters on Saturday, March 2 from noon–7pm. This Surry Hills pop-up costume market is guaranteed to get you all sorted for one of Sydney's biggest nights out. Full-on makeovers will be on offer, from eco-glitter and braid bars to bedazzling workshops and threads aplenty. Apart from Sparklebutt, some of NSW's most colourful creators will be selling their wares, including Day By Day The Label, A Beautiful Weirdo Glitter Bar, Trash Vintage, Holosexual Wear, Kirgis Creations and Kat Margarita Designs. DJs will set the vibe while you get all dolled up, and they'll keep the partying going until 1am — with plenty of booze and food from the bar crew, too. Looking for more events to attend during Mardi Gras? Check out nine of our favourite here. Image: Mardi Gras, DNSW.
Ever since the world initially watched Squid Game in 2021, Netflix has been obsessed with bringing everyone's favourite South Korean streaming series into real life. First came pop-up stunts. Then arrived reality competition show Squid Game: The Challenge, obviously without a body count. Experiences that let everyone play the show's games without appearing on TV are also part of the IRL fun. As the show's second season approaches, dropping on Boxing Day 2024, Australia keeps welcoming Squid Game activations — starting in St Kilda, where 200 pink guards relaxed on the Melbourne suburb's beach to kick things off. Three years back, however, Young-hee made its eerie presence known in Sydney. The Red Light, Green Light doll has now returned to the Harbour City, crossing the famous waterway by ferry with 300 pink guards as an escort to get to Luna Park Sydney for Squid Game: The Experience. On Thursday, December 12, 2024, a towering sight joined the harbour alongside the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House — and, as the pictures show, it was quite an image to behold. From Saturday, December 14, you can head to Luna Park to be in the doll's company. Just in time for the Christmas holidays and Squid Game season two's release, Squid Game: The Experience will get everyone playing with Young-hee. Call it Red Light, Green Light. Call it Statues. Call it Grandmother's Footsteps. Whichever name you prefer, how good are you at the game that involves folks a-sneaking, ideally without being caught? Now, how would you fare trying to creep forward while avoiding being spotted when Young-hee is lurking? Squid Game: The Experience lets you find out. Get your green tracksuit ready. Front Man will be there to dare you to take the Squid Game challenges IRL. Busting out your marbles skills and walking over the glass bridge are also on the agenda. Some games are inspired by the Netflix program. Others are brand new. You'll only know if Squid Game: The Experience takes any cues from the thriller's second season, though, if you drop by after Thursday, December 26. Players can take part individually, or in groups of up to 25. As you work through the challenges, which get harder as you go along, you'll earn points. Another difference from the series: if you get eliminated from a game, you'll still be able to take part in the challenges that follow. Squid Game: The Experience arrives at Luna Park Sydney, 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point, from Saturday, December 14, 2024. Head to the venue's website for more information and to buy tickets. Squid Game season two streams via Netflix from Thursday, December 26, 2024. Season three will arrive in 2025 — we'll update you when an exact release date for it is announced.
Since opening in 2006, the Parramatta Artists' Studios has been a hub of creativity. Hundreds of artists have sketched, painted, sculpted and photographed here resulting in scores of exhibitions. Headquartered near Parramatta Town Hall, the Studios also recently gained a second home in the form of six warehouse studios in the nearby neighbourhood of Rydalmere so you can check out both if you have time. Get your culture fix by attending an exhibition opening or by joining a workshop. If you're a budding artist, there are six- and 12-month studio tenancies on offer, too. You can learn more about the program here or check out what's coming up over here. Image: Kalanjay Dhir by Andrew Vincent
Chances, you'll smell Maverick before you see it. Tucked away behind a car dealer and Ulladulla Macca's, this isn't just a cafe, but a microroastery, too. Owner and obsessive barista Andrew Gibson worked his way around Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Europe before setting up shop on the South Coast. He knows his beans inside-out, including where to source those that are both ethical and tasty. Sink into a couch in the light-filled industrial space and order your brew of choice — be it a house blend or one of the ever-changing single origins, like the Blue Bianca from Indonesia, which has notes of grapefruit and tobacco. And, in case you're travelling with your best mate, puppaccinos also on the menu. Feeling a bit peckish after your drive? Take your pick of sweet treats – from vegan donuts and hand-crafted chocolates to fresh pastries. Also, back in the centre of town, Maverick has a sibling cafe called The Sunday Life, which is open seven days a week from 6am.
Sydney gets a lot of things right. The harbour? Check. Charcoal chicken? Check. Bottomless Brunch? Check. But one thing that sometimes flies under the radar is our world-class collection of breweries. And while Marrickville remains the epicentre of Sydney's brewery scene, there are craft tap rooms across the city. One such addition to the Sydney craft beer scene is Village Days Brewing Co., which opened in Gladesville in late 2023, bringing a classic spread of craft brews and a breezy taproom to an area that was once an early trailblazer in Australian brewing. Founder Dan Smith, Head Brewer Patrick Menschik and the Village Days team are currently churning out a range of 12 beers. Menschik joined the team directly from Germany, where he was trained as a German Brew Master and worked at Weyermann in Bavaria. This German influence can be spotted throughout the varieties Viallge Days is producing, but there's still a uniquely Australian touch to its lineup. The classics are infused with local pride, sporting names like the 2111 Lager and Glades Pale, while a few European varieties and funkier creations can be found. Dark beer fans can opt for the oatmeal stout, while those looking for a light, refreshing sip can enjoy a couple of Czech pilsners. Located just off Victoria Road, the simple open-plan Village Days warehouse taproom invites you to sample your way through the roster alongside a guest tap or two. Open Wednesday–Sunday, Village Days is sure to be a hit on weekends over summer — but keep in mind, if you visit on a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon, you can snag yourself a deal. Take $3 off every pint and $2 off every half-serve from 4–6pm on Wednesdays and 3–6pm Thursdays. After-work beers, anyone?
For thousands of years, humans have had a contentious relationship with a certain neighbouring apex predator. As long as we've turned to the sea for food, leisure and new horizons, we've had to contend with sharks — predators that have ruled the seas for over 450 million years — far, far longer than we have even pretended to rule the land, let alone the sea. Throughout recorded human history, shark attacks have been infrequent, but consistent occurrence. Sadly, thanks to rising water temperatures, shark attacks are on the rise in Australia, with our island home recording the most fatal shark attacks of any country in 2025. Experts like Emily Best, Curatorial Supervisor and Senior Aquarist at SEA LIFE Sydney, believe it's more important than ever for people to be shark-safe in Australia. "The likelihood of someone encountering a shark whilst in the ocean is statistically very low, on average around ten people per year are fatally attacked by sharks," Best explains. "One statistic suggests there is around a one in 300 million chance of being attacked by a shark — you're more likely to be killed by a bee sting or lightning. Unfortunately, with the population of people that live on the coast in Australia and with the lifestyle we all enjoy, this predisposes us for that number to be higher." [caption id="attachment_1077163" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Bull shark[/caption] So, how can we all stay safe in the water without further disrupting the oceanic environment we all know and love? The first step is to know the basic risks. According to the Australian Shark Incident Database (ASID), of the 180 species of shark in Australian waters, only 21 have bitten humans, and just three are responsible for the most fatal incidents. In the last 235 years, White Sharks (aka Great Whites), common in cooler waters across southern Australia, have been involved in 81 fatal unprovoked attacks. Bull Sharks, which live in saltwater and freshwater estuaries (aka where rivers meet the sea), are common in areas like Sydney Harbour and have been behind 63 fatal attacks in Australia. Then the Tiger Shark, common in tropical and subtropical waters around Australia and identifiable by its prominent white stripes, has been involved in 56 fatal attacks. [caption id="attachment_1077162" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] White Shark[/caption] But as Best explains, none of these animals are bloodthirsty killers, "contrary to popular belief, sharks don't actually choose to hunt humans or actively seek them out — we simply aren't in their food chain — and most attacks are that of mistaken identity". "Juvenile and sub-adult sharks are more likely to be the culprit of an attack, due to their changing diet preferences. For species such as Bull, White and Tiger sharks, they will transition from fish to mammals, such as seals, as they mature. During this time, they'll be figuring out how and what to hunt. People swimming and surfing, especially in darker coloured wetsuits, look exactly like a seal from underneath." "Sharks also have very poor eyesight, [they] see in grayscale and rely on their other senses to hunt. They have small, jelly-filled pores on their snouts called Ampullae of Lorenzini that pick up the electrical impulses given off by muscle movements in both humans and animals. This is why swimming or surfing at dawn and dusk is riskier, lower light conditions only increases the chances of a shark mistaking a human for food." [caption id="attachment_1077161" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Tiger Shark[/caption] It needs to be remembered, then, that the likelihood of an attack is often determined by the conditions of the water, not the sharks swimming in it, and Best elaborates that "when the water is more murky is the prime time for a shark attack to occur." "[The chance] increases after particularly heavy rain events over the summer, as species like Bull Sharks will move out of the river systems when they open to the sea. Warmer waters also leads to an increase in fish activity, and in turn, sharks, as well as the amount of people in the ocean — this combination creates a more likely chance of encounter." [caption id="attachment_1077171" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Mihtiander via iStock[/caption] Best offers five simple rules to limit your risks of encountering a shark. Don't swim or surf around dawn or dusk, this is prime time for sharks to be more active. Don't swim after heavy rain — rain brings increased nutrients into the water that attracts fish, and subsequently sharks. It will also be more murky, increasing chances of mistaken identity. Don't swim or enter areas where there is high activity of sea birds or fish, especially bait balls. Always swim with a buddy where possible, and in patrolled areas between the flags. Don't swim or surf in popular recreational or commercial fishing areas, or near boat ramps and jetties. Should the impossibly unlikely worst happen, and you do find yourself in danger from a shark, you likely won't see it coming unless you have a SCUBA mask on. If divers or spearfishers, the latter of which might attract more attention by carrying fish, see a shark coming, Best advises looking for signs of hunting behaviour like "erratic swimming, darting around, pectoral fins angled down slightly, and approaching and swimming away multiple times, generally hanging around the area." [caption id="attachment_1077178" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Divepic via iStock[/caption] The best thing to do is establish and hold eye contact while backing away. "If the shark approaches," Best adds, "keep your arm straight in front of you, lock your elbow and push off the top of their nose and over the animal. Most species can move sideways and down faster than they can upwards. Targeting the gills or eyes is also a potential method to deter the animal if it does bite, these are sensitive areas and will likely cause it to move off." Most importantly, we should all maintain a healthy respect for sharks, remembering that they're important for healthy oceans and that we're guests in their territory. Besides, Best makes a point that "we don't actually taste very good, we are land animals and not in their food chain," but all oceangoers should "have a decent amount of trepidation for sharks, we shouldn't fear them, but they have evolved over 400 million years to be the perfect hunter." For more advice and up-to-date information on NSW shark reports download the Shark Smart app; For Australia-wide sightings, download the community-operated app Dorsal. Images via iStock
Running off to a tropical island is one of the ultimate getaway dreams. When the beach surrounds you — and plenty of greenery, too — how can everyday life's troubles cause any bother? On Hook Island in The Whitsundays in the near future, cabin stays will do their part to help you escape your normal existence. So will dining atop a cliff, hanging out at a beach club and swimming in forest pools. A yoga pavilion will assist as well, as will a lounge telling the island's history. If everything goes to plan, come 2027 you'll be able to head to the Great Barrier Reef to relax at the just-announced Hook Island Eco Lodge. More than a decade has passed since the landmass in the Coral Sea boasted its own place to stay, with the former Hook Island Wilderness Resort closing in 2013 after weathering damage from 2011's Cyclone Anthony. A group led by Epochal Hotels' CEO Glenn Piper is setting out to change that. Both sustainability and luxury will sit at the heart of the new eco lodge; indeed, setting a new standard for luxe sustainable travel for Australia is one of the venue's goals. After nabbing the leasehold in 2022, Piper and his team — working with design firm Luxury Frontiers — are also keen to revive the locale following several cyclones, and get visitors enjoying its 9.3-hectare expanse again, including by using Hook Island's natural features as the resort's inspiration. To slumber in, there'll be 39 cabins spanning six different types of accommodation (some at the beach, some in the forest). Multiple eateries will also be part of the site, including a fine-diner atop a cliff that'll pair dishes made with local produce with views out over Stingray Bay. For ocean swims, that's where the beach club will come in — complete with all-day dining, a bar, a pool, a lounge deck peering across Hook Passage and, for evenings, an outdoor firepit. Or, opt to take a splash in leafy surrounds thanks to the eco pools, which'll be among a forest spa. When travellers hit the island, they'll be welcomed at the arrival pavilion. For finding out more about the destination, the Explorer's Lounge will be your go-to. It's obvious what's on offer at the yoga pavilion — and there'll also be a family-friendly lounge, plus an adventure club for kids. Drawing from experience working on the Four Seasons' Naviva in Mexico, Nayara Tented Camp in Costa Rica and Madwaleni River Lodge in South Africa, Luxury Frontiers is set to deck out the eco lodge's interiors with brown, blue, green and coral hues, alongside other tones, that match the island — and design cyclone-resistant buildings made with sustainable materials. Ensuring that the resort settles in harmoniously with the landscape, including its plants and habitats, is also a key component of the plan. "Hook Island is a truly spectacular part of the world — its raw beauty deserves a sanctuary that both preserves and celebrates every facet of its charm. Our vision is bold: to create an experience that redefines luxury travel through a deep, authentic and wild-spirited connection to nature," said Piper. "This project has been a labour of love; we've poured our hearts into blending thoughtful design with a profound respect for the island's heritage and delicate ecosystem. After being closed for more than a decade, we can't wait to soon welcome overnight guests and day visitors alike to experience its magic firsthand." [caption id="attachment_807810" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] [caption id="attachment_604486" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Pierre Pouliquin.[/caption] Hook Island Eco Lodge is expected to open on Hook Island in The Whitsundays sometime in 2027 — we'll update you with more details when they're announced.
Sydney's first theatre, opened in 1796, was the brainchild of released convict Robert Sidaway. Three shillings and sixpence would buy a front box, and those out of cash could swap flour, meat or spirits for a seat. By early 1800, Sidaway, who'd been transported to Australia for life for committing grand larceny, was presenting Shakespeare's plays. A few months later, the colonial authorities shut the theatre down for its perceived "corrupting influence". A hundred years later, the arts are perceived as playing a key role in deepening connections between officialdom and the public. In the eyes of the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority CEO, Catherine Gallagher, "The Foreshore Authority is always looking for inventive ways to interpret history, and the arts offer us a way to think and look at the world differently." The SHFA's latest project is one of its most ambitious and exciting yet. On April 12, a four-storey windmill will pop up in The Rocks, operating for one month as both a wheat grind and an arts venue. The extravaganza of events focuses on The Rocks' history and physical surroundings, incorporating music, art, food, architecture, history, storytelling, science, and technology. Highlights include Bell Shakespeare's scenes from Henry IV, Penguin Plays Rough's presentation of Rocks-themed stories from new writers, and audio shows from both FBi Radio and artist Jane Ulman. For a hands-on experience, visitors can attend workshops with the likes of The Rizzeria, Make-Space for Architecture, and Craft NSW. Green thumbs will have the opportunity to learn about wheat cultivation with Gardening Australia's Costa Georgiadis and get their hands dirty with the windmill's sustainable garden. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Nearly all events are free; however, spaces are strictly limited. Online registration, available from March 11, is essential.
Not all that long ago, the idea of getting cosy on your couch, clicking a few buttons, and having thousands of films and television shows at your fingertips seemed like something out of science fiction. Now, it's just an ordinary night — whether you're virtually gathering the gang to text along, cuddling up to your significant other or shutting the world out for some much needed me-time. Of course, given the wealth of options to choose from, there's nothing ordinary about making a date with your chosen streaming platform. The question isn't "should I watch something?" — it's "what on earth should I choose?". Hundreds of titles are added to Australia's online viewing services each and every month, all vying for a spot on your must-see list. And, so you don't spend 45 minutes scrolling and then being too tired to actually commit to watching anything, we're here to help. We've spent plenty of couch time watching our way through this months latest batch — and, from the latest and greatest to old favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue from December's haul of newbies. BRAND NEW STUFF YOU CAN WATCH IN FULL RIGHT NOW LANDSCAPERS In 2013, in an ordinary backyard in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, UK police excavated the bodies of Patricia and William Wycherley. The elderly couple was last seen 15 years prior, with their librarian daughter Susan Edwards and her accountant husband Chris telling neighbours that the Wycherleys had moved — before Susan and Chris fled their own bills and chased their own love of Gallic cinema to France, that is. In 2014, the younger duo were convicted of the Wycherleys murders, despite willingly returning to England to face questioning and offering their own version of events in the process. To the police, the crime was a premeditated act motivated by money. In their tale, Susan and Chris spoke of multiple layers of abuse, of a heated night that ended badly, and of poor decisions inspired by a lifetime of fear. With Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter) playing Susan and David Thewlis (I'm Thinking of Ending Things) as Chris, Landscapers unfurls the Edwards-Wycherley saga, digging into the story's details across a four-part true-crime miniseries. But as its irreverent name makes plain, this isn't the usual dive into real-life crime — and not just because its two leads turn in phenomenal performances that rank among their very best. As he's done in both TV series Flowers and recent feature The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, filmmaker Will Sharpe brings his whimsical style to this experimental retelling. On paper, such a tone and the visual flourishes that come with it might seem ill-suited to the material, but it's all a part of the show's interrogation of how its central pair — and everyone in general — navigate life by spinning their own version of reality. It's an inspired touch, and makes Landscapers one of the most distinctive and engrossing additions yet to a ridiculously busy, ever-popular genre. Landscapers is available to stream via Stan. ENCOUNTER Excellent casting can't save all films. Ambitious directors can't, either. But with Encounter, it's easy to see how the sci-fi thriller would've turned out if anyone other than Riz Ahmed was leading the show — and if a filmmaker other than Michael Pearce was at the helm. Across the last three years and his past three movies, Ahmed has turned in a trio of stunning performances that lay bare struggling men battling to reclaim a sense of normality. Indeed, arriving after Mogul Mowgli and Sound of Metal, Encounter couldn't be better placed on his resume. As for Pearce, he jumps into this slippery story of a father, a road trip and a possible alien parasite invasion after making a tremendous feature debut with 2017's Beast, and serves up the same commitment to telling thorny tales without needing to explain away everything. When Ahmed's ex-soldier Malik Khan kills a wasp in his motel room with intense determination, it's clear that he's unusually passionate about eradicating insects — and, believing that a meteorite crashed into earth not so long ago, brought extraterrestrial invaders with it, but hardly anyone else noticed, he has good reason for his entomophobia. His mission: to rescue his two young sons (Heartland's Lucian-River Chauhan and first-timer Aditya Geddada) from the bug-sized aliens, even if it means whisking them away from his ex-wife (Janina Gavankar, The Morning Show) in the middle of the night. Co-written with Joe Barton (Girl/Haji), Pearce's film isn't quite the mystery he thinks it is, but it doesn't need to be to relay its weighty character study. Whenever Ahmed is on-screen, which is often, this is a tense and moving examination of trauma, stress and endeavouring to cope with chaos both everyday and extraordinary. Encounter is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video. THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS Here's a great way to know whether a new TV comedy is worth watching: check whether Mindy Kaling is involved. After stealing every scene she could in The Office, then turning The Mindy Project into a smart, funny and adorable rom-com sitcom made with oh-so-much love for the genre, she just keeps adding new shows to her resume as a co-creator, writer and producer. The Sex Lives of College Girls is the latest, and quickly thrives thanks to the kind of savvy, authentic, honest and highly amusing writing that's always been a hallmark of Kaling's work. If you didn't know she was behind it going in, you'd easily guess. It also sports an immensely descriptive title, following four college freshmen — strangers to each other, but now roommates — as they navigate the move from high school to the fictional Essex College in Vermont. Because three movies currently in cinemas starring a member of Chalamet family just isn't enough (aka Dune, The French Dispatch and Don't Look Up), The Sex Lives of College Girls features his Timothée's sister Pauline (The King of Staten Island). She plays Kimberly Finkle, who heads to Essex as valedictorian of her small-town school, is more excited about the classes than the parties, but still wants to have the full college experience. And, she's thrilled to find herself rooming with aspiring comedy writer Bela Malhotra (Amrit Kaur, The D Cut), star soccer player Whitney Chase (first-timer Alyah Chanelle Scott) and the wealthy Leighton Murray (theatre star Reneé Rapp) — even if the latter in particular doesn't initially return the enthusiasm. The quartet's exploits from there navigate all the usual kinds of relatable college antics, but do so with a warm-hearted vibe, a great cast, insightful humour, and a shrewd focus on friendships and figuring out who you want to be. The first season of The Sex Lives of College Girls is available to stream via Binge. SWAN SONG It took Mahershala Ali a mere two years to back up his first Best Supporting Actor Oscar with a second one, initially winning for the sublime Moonlight before again earning the nod for being the best thing about Green Book. He won't add a third Academy Award to his mantle for Swan Song, but he gives it two tries — playing a terminally ill illustrator who doesn't want to put his family through the pain of losing him, and also playing the clone his character has secretly had made to replace him without his loved ones ever knowing he was even sick. That's the futuristic sci-fi premise behind this poignant drama, which tussles with life, love, loss and two inescapable realisations. This isn't just a movie about facing your own mortality, but about confronting the fact that everything that's important to you — everyone that's important, to be specific — will still continue on after you say goodbye. Not to be confused with the Udo Kier-starring film of the exact same name that's just reached cinemas, Swan Song ruminates on Cameron Turner's (Ali, Alita: Battle Angel) moral quandary after enlisting Dr Scott (Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy) to replicate him before he succumbs to his illness. Even after seeing how fellow patient Kate (Awkwafina, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) and her clone fare, it's a decision that weighs heavily on his mind — especially given his wife Poppy (Naomie Harris, Venom: Let There Be Carnage) is expecting their second child. So much of Swan Song's power stems from Ali's ability to wade through such a difficult choice, and to convey its emotional ramifications often without saying a word. In this thoughtful directorial debut by writer/director Benjamin Cleary, Ali also unpacks the flipside as Jack, who'll replace Cameron, and sees the possibilities his existence brings with literally fresh eyes. Swan Song is available to stream via Apple TV+. THE NORTH WATER When ex-army surgeon Patrick Sumner (Jack O'Connell, Seberg) secures a gig on a whaling expedition to the Arctic working as the ship's doctor, he's clearly running from something. His new colleagues are instantly suspicious of his story, bloodthirsty harpooner Henry Drax (Colin Farrell, Voyagers) among them — although Captain Brownlee (Stephen Graham, Venom: Let There Be Carnage) and whaling company owner Baxter (Tom Courtenay, Summerland) are mostly just happy for his cheap services. That's the setup for The North Water, the 19th-century-set, five-part miniseries that takes to the seas, to the cold and to a brutal world, and proves grimly mesmerising with its Moby Dick-meets-Heart of Darkness vibes. Charting a survivalist tale not just of the physical kind amid all that unforgiving ice (and on those treacherous waters), but also of the emotional and mental variety as well, this is one of the most relentlessly intense shows to hit screens in 2021 — and it's also gripping from start to finish. The first episode sets the scene in a slow-burn fashion, culminating in sights so searing they're impossible to forget — and the story, as well as the vast chasm between Sumner and Drax, only grows from there. Writer/director Andrew Haigh adapts Ian McGuire's novel of the same name, but this series has the Weekend, 45 Years and Lean on Pete filmmaker's stamp all over it. He finds as much empathy here as he has throughout his stellar big-screen projects, and once again demonstrates his extraordinary eye for detail, exceptional sense of place and winning way with actors. With the latter, having O'Connell and Farrell lead the charge obviously helps. They're not only reliably phenomenal; they each put in some of their best-ever work, and their performances seethe with complexity. So does the entire miniseries, which is never willing to pose easy answers or provide straightforward interpretations when ruminating over the minutiae is much more riveting, fascinating and realistic. The North Water is available to stream via Binge. MACGRUBER They can't all be The Blues Brothers or Wayne's World — films based on Saturday Night Live sketches, that is. Eagerly silly, as you'd expect of any MacGyver send-up, 2010's MacGruber definitely doesn't belong in the same category as the two best SNL-to-cinema flicks. That hasn't stopped an action-parody TV series hitting streaming 11 years later, however. And, with Will Forte once again donning a Richard Dean Anderson-style mullet and wearing plenty of flannelette, this MacGruber revival is the satire's finest moment yet. You could easily think that it only exists because Forte had a gap in his schedule, or because even television skits-turned-movies never die, and both are likely true. Still, when it comes to making fun of all the action cliches that'll never leave screens either big or small, this series knows its unashamedly ridiculous niche. The setup: after spending a decade in prison, the eponymous hero is given a reprieve by his pal General Barrett Fasoose (Laurence Fishburne, The Ice Road) when the president's daughter is kidnapped. He's part of the ransom demand, but his long-term foe Brigadier Commander Enos Queeth (Billy Zane, The Boys) also has other plans. Cue a cavalcade of amusingly over-the-top gags about action-flick machismo and every other trope the genre keeps throwing at viewers, all with Forte and his co-stars as committed as ever to the concept, tone and non-stop jokes. If it wasn't so self-aware — and if both Forte and Kristen Wiig (Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar) weren't so pitch-perfect in their parts — it might just be stupid rather than stupidly funny. Thankfully, MacGruber knows what it is, knows how to do it well, and knows the difference between being dumb and serving up gleefully dumb fun. The first season of MacGruber is available to stream via Stan. NEW SHOWS TO CHECK OUT WEEK BY WEEK STATION ELEVEN Add Station Eleven to the pile of post-pandemic movies and shows that ponder that very subject — a topic that'll continue to grace our screens for years and decades to come. It's unfair to clump this haunting end-of-the-world miniseries into the same group as opportunistic flicks such as Locked Down, though. Instead, like Y: The Last Man, it predates COVID-19, arrives after garnering a devoted following on the page, and taps into something far deeper than obvious observations about being stuck at home with your significant other and having to scramble to buy toilet paper. The focus of this excellent show, and of Emily St. John Mandel's 2014 book before it, is how art and community all play immeasurable parts in helping humanity process and navigate existence-shattering traumas — and to find a path out the other side. That's a sentiment that might sound mawkish and self-evident when described in a mere sentence, but nothing about Station Eleven ever earns such terms. It all starts with a flu that swiftly proves more than just the usual sniffles, coughs, aches and pains. For eight-year-old Shakespearean actor Kirsten (Matilda Lawler, Evil), the chaos descends during a tumultuous opening-night performance of King Lear led by Arthur Leander (Gael García Bernal, Old), the aftermath of which sees her traipsing around snowy Chicago with Jeevan (Himesh Patel, Don't Look Up), who she has just met. That's really just the beginning of this multi-layered narrative, which also jumps forward 20 years to experience Kirsten's (Mackenzie Davis, Happiest Season) life with a travelling theatre troupe as the planet adjusts to its new normality — and keeps fluttering backwards into her younger exploits, and into the experiences of others connected to her story in various ways. This is a dystopian disaster tale not just about merely surviving, but about truly enduring, and it's a lyrical, heartfelt and character-driven apocalyptic musing with an immediate difference. The first five episodes of Station Eleven are available to stream via Stan, with new episodes dropping weekly. FIREBITE Trust Warwick Thornton to rove his eyes across Australia's sunburnt landscape, imagine vampires prowling the outback and cast those predators within a narrative that hails back to the First Fleet's arrival. The Samson and Delilah and Sweet Country filmmaker co-created new Aussie fantasy-horror series Firebite with Mad Bastards' director Brendan Fletcher, so the credit isn't his alone; however, given that he's spent his career exploring the nation's treatment of Indigenous Australians, it slips easily into his filmography. His third TV project in short succession following the second season of Mystery Road and stunning docoseries The Beach, Firebite also carves out a place for Indigenous tales within the undead genre. Indeed, seeing the colonisation of Australia as the act of ruthless bloodsuckers is an idea so smart and shrewd that this new streaming delight deserves to span on for several seasons. Making glorious use of Coober Pedy's dusty expanse — and its underground dugouts, which help locals escape the heat — Firebite follows two black vampire hunters, aka bloodhunters. Tyson (Rob Collins, The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson) doesn't really like the label, but he's determined to keep his hometown of Opal City free of vampires, and he's teaching his teenage daughter Shanika (Shantae Barnes-Cowan, Total Control) the trade. But then The King (Callan Mulvey, High Ground) arrives, and more bloodsuckers follow. As a century of vampire fare dictates, this doesn't bode well for humans. Thornton and Fletcher — and fellow director Tony Krawitz (Secret City) — never merely follow in anyone else's footsteps, though. In fact, they don't just sink their teeth into a familiar concept, but tear into it to tell their own standout tale, and do so with a devil-may-care attitude that drips through Firebite's style, story and performances. The first two episodes of Firebite are available to stream via AMC+, with new episodes dropping weekly. EXCELLENT RECENT BIG-SCREEN RELEASES TO CATCH UP WITH IMMEDIATELY THE POWER OF THE DOG Don't call it a comeback: Jane Campion's films have been absent from cinemas for 12 years but, due to miniseries Top of the Lake, she hasn't been biding her time in that gap. And don't call it simply returning to familiar territory, even if the New Zealand director's new movie features an ivory-tinkling woman caught between cruel and sensitive men, as her Cannes Palme d'Or-winner The Piano did three decades ago. Campion isn't rallying after a dip, just as she isn't repeating herself. She's never helmed anything less than stellar, and she's immensely capable of unearthing rich new pastures in well-ploughed terrain. With The Power of the Dog, Campion is at the height of her skills trotting into her latest mesmerising musing on strength, desire and isolation — this time via a venomous western that's as perilously bewitching as its mountainous backdrop. That setting is Montana, circa 1925. Campion's homeland stands in for America nearly a century ago, making a magnificent sight — with cinematographer Ari Wegner (Zola, True History of the Kelly Gang) perceptively spying danger in its craggy peaks and dusty plains even before the film introduces Rose and Peter Gordon (On Becoming a God in Central Florida's Kirsten Dunst and 2067's Kodi Smit-McPhee). When the widowed innkeeper and her teenage son serve rancher brothers Phil and George Burbank (Spider-Man: No Way Home's Benedict Cumberbatch a career-best, awards-worthy, downright phenomenal turn, plus Antlers' Jesse Plemons) during a cattle-run stop, the encounter seesaws from callousness to kindness, a dynamic that continues after Rose marries George and decamps to the Burbank mansion against that stunning backdrop. Brutal to the lanky, lisping Peter from the outset, Phil responds to the nuptials with malice. He isn't fond of change, and won't accommodate anything that fails his bristling definition of masculinity and power, either. The Power of the Dog is available to stream via Netflix. Read our full review. THERE IS NO EVIL The death penalty casts a dark and inescapable shadow over There Is No Evil, which is just as writer/director Mohammad Rasoulof intends. The Iranian filmmaker has spent his career examining the reality of his homeland, as previously seen in 2013's Manuscripts Don't Burn and 2017's A Man of Integrity — so much so that he's actually been banned from his craft, not that that's stopping him. With There Is No Evil, Rasoulof doesn't simply continue the trend that's guided his cinematic resume thus far. Rather, he interrogates the most severe form of punishment that any society can enact, and doesn't shy away from horrors both obvious and unplanned. To call the result powerful is an understatement, and it's won him Berlinale's prestigious Golden Bear in 2020, and now the 2021 Sydney Film Festival Prize as well. An anthology film that unfurls across four segments, There Is No Evil explores capital punishment, its impact and the ripples that executions have upon Iranian society. Even the mere concept of state-sanctioned killing rolls through the feature like waves, changing and reshaping much in its wake. It touches a stressed husband and father (feature first-timer Ehsan Mirhosseini), a conscript (Kaveh Ahangar, Don't Be Embarrassed) who can't fathom ending someone's life, a soldier (Mohammad Valizadegan, Lady of the City) whose compliance causes personal issues and a physician (Mohammad Seddighimehr, The Sad Widows of the Warlord) unable to practise his trade. While some sections hit their mark more firmly and decisively than others — There Is No Evil's introduction sets a high bar — this meticulously crafted movie, both visually and thematically, has a lingering cumulative effect as it ruminates on the threats and freedoms that come with life under an oppressive regime. There Is No Evil is available to stream via SBS On Demand. Need a few more streaming recommendations? Check out our picks from January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November this year — and our top new TV shows of 2021, best new television series from this year that you might've missed and top straight-to-streaming films and specials as well. Top image: Ian Routledge/AMC+.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas in some parts of the country. After numerous periods spent empty during the pandemic, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, picture palaces in many Australian regions are back in business — including both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION When Jurassic World Dominion was being written, three words must've come up often. No, they're not Neill, Dern, Goldblum. Those beloved actors reunite here, the trio appearing in the same Jurassic Park flick for the first time since the 1993 original, but the crucial terms are actually "but with dinosaurs". Returning Jurassic World writer/director Colin Trevorrow mightn't have uttered that phrase aloud; however, when Dominion stalks into a dingy underground cantina populated by people and prehistoric creatures, Star Wars but with dinosaurs instantly springs to mind. The same proves true when the third entry in this Jurassic Park sequel trilogy also includes high-stakes flights in a rundown aircraft that's piloted by a no-nonsense maverick. These nods aren't only confined to a galaxy far, far away — a realm that Trevorrow was meant to join as a filmmaker after the first Jurassic World, only to be replaced on Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker — and, yes, they just keep on coming. There's the speedy chase that zooms through alleys in Malta, giving the Bond franchise more than a few nods — but with dinosaurs, naturally. There's the plot about a kidnapped daughter, with Taken but with dinosaurs becoming a reality as well. That Trevorrow, co-scribe Emily Carmichael (Pacific Rim Uprising) and his usual writing collaborator Derek Connolly (Safety Not Guaranteed) have seen other big-name flicks is never in doubt. Indeed, too much of Dominion feels like an attempt to actively make viewers wish they were watching those other movies. Bourne but with dinosaurs rears its head via a rooftop chase involving, yes, dinos. Also, two different Stanley Kubrick masterpieces get cribbed so blatantly that royalties must be due, including when an ancient critter busts through a door as Jack Nicholson once did, and the exact same shot — but with dinosaurs — hits the screen. What do Star Wars, Bond, Bourne and The Shining have to do with the broader Jurassic Park film saga, which started when Steven Spielberg adapted Michael Crichton's book into a box-office behemoth? That's a fantastic question. The answer: zip, zero and zilch, other than padding out Dominion as much as possible, as riffs on Indiana Jones, The Birds, Alien, Mad Max: Fury Road, Austin Powers, the Fast and Furious movies, cloning thrillers, disaster epics and more also do. In nearly every scene, and often at the frame-by-frame level, another feature is channelled so overtly that it borders on parody. And, that's on top of the fact that recycling its own history is just Dominion 101. There's no theme park, but when it's mentioned that dinosaurs are being placed in a sanctuary, everyone watching knows that the film's human characters will get stranded in that spot, trying not to be eaten by a Tyrannosaurus rex and the like. From all of the above, a loose narrative emerges — an overstuffed and convoluted one, too. A few years on from 2018's Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, people are endeavouring to co-exist with dinosaurs. Unsurprisingly, it's going terribly. Run by Mark Zuckerberg-esque entrepreneur Lewis Dodgson (Campbell Scott, WeCrashed), tech company BioSyn owns that safe dino space in the Italian Dolomites, although palaeobotanist Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern, Marriage Story) and palaeontologist Alan Grant (Sam Neill, Rams) also tie the firm to giant dino-locusts wreaking existence-threatening havoc. Plus, ex-Jurassic World velociraptor whisperer Owen Grady (Chris Pratt, The Tomorrow War) and his boss-turned-girlfriend Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard, Rocketman) head BioSyn's way when the adopted Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon) — who links back to the first Jurassic Park thanks to Forbidden Kingdom's ridiculous storyline — is snatched. Oh, and mathematician Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum, Search Party) works there, as does cloning whiz Henry Wu (BD Wong, Mr Robot). Read our full review. A HERO With apologies to Bonnie Tyler, cinema isn't holding out for a hero — and hasn't been for some time. The singer's 80s-era Footloose-soundtrack hit basically describes the state of mainstream movies today, filled as screens now are with strong, fast, sure and larger-than-life figures racing on thunder and rising on heat. But what does heroism truly mean beyond the spandex of pop-culture's biggest current force? Who do we hold up as role models, and as feel-good champions of kind and selfless deeds? How do those tales of IRL heroism ebb, flow and spread, too? Pondering this far beyond the caped-crusader realm is Asghar Farhadi, a two-time Oscar-winner thanks to A Separation and The Salesman. As is the acclaimed Iranian filmmaker's gambit, his latest movie is intricately complicated, as are its views on human nature and Iranian society. As Farhadi has adored since 2003's Dancing in the Dust — and in everything from 2009's exceptional About Elly to his 2018 Spanish-language feature Everybody Knows as well — A Hero is steeped in the usual and the everyday. The 2021 Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix-winner may start with a sight that's the absolute opposite thanks to necropolis Naqsh-e Rostam near the Iranian city of Shiraz, an imposingly grand site that includes the tombs of ancient Persian rulers Xerxes and Darius, but the writer/director's main concerns are as routine, recognisable and relatable as films get. One such obsession: domestic disharmony, aka the cracks that fracture the ties of blood, love and friendship. A Hero sprawls further thematically, wondering if genuine altruism — that is, really and wholeheartedly acting in someone else's interest, even at a cost to oneself — can ever actually exist. But it charts that path because of the frayed and thorny relationships it surveys, and the everyman caught within them. When A Hero begins, calligrapher and sign painter Rahim Soltani (Amir Jadidi, Cold Sweat) is no one's saviour, victor or ideal. While he definitely isn't a villain, he's just been given a two-day pass from an Iranian debtor's prison, where he's incarcerated over a family financial feud. Owing 150,000,000 tomans to his ex-wife's brother-in-law, he's stuck serving out his sentence unless he can settle it or his creditor, copy shop owner Bahram (Mohsen Tanabandeh, Capital), agrees to forgive him. The latter is unlikely, so with his girlfriend Farkhondeh (debutant Sahar Goldust), Rahim hatches a repayment plan. She has stumbled across a handbag filled with 17 gold coins, and together they hope to sell it, then use the proceeds to secure his freedom — except, when they attempt to cash in, they're told that their haul won't reach anywhere the sum they need. Instead, with a mixture of guilt and resignation — and at Farkhondeh's suggestion — Rahim decides to track down the coins' rightful owner. Cue signs plastered around the streets, then an immensely thankful phone call. Cue also the prison's higher-ups discovering Rahim's efforts, and wanting to cash in themselves by eagerly whipping up publicity around their model inmate's considerate choice. The media lap it up, as do the locals. Rahim's young son Siavash (newcomer Saleh Karimaei), a quiet boy with a stutter that's been cared for by his aunt Malileh (fellow first-timer Maryam Shahdaei), gets drawn into the chaos. A charity that fundraises to resolve prisoners' debts takes up the cause, too. Still, the stern and stubborn Bahram remains skeptical, especially as more fame and attention comes Rahim's way. Also, the kind of heroism that's fuelled via news reports and furthered by social media is fickle above all else, especially when competing information comes to light. Read our full review. BENEDICTION To write notable things, does someone need to live a notable life? No, but sometimes they do anyway. To truly capture the bone-chilling, soul-crushing, gut-wrenching atrocities of war, does someone need to experience it for themselves? In the case of Siegfried Sassoon, his anti-combat verse could've only sprung from someone who had been there, deep in the trenches of the Western Front during World War I, and witnessed its harrowing horrors. If you only know one thing about the Military Cross-winner and poet going into Benediction, you're likely already aware that he's famed for his biting work about his time in uniform. There's obviously more to his story and his life, though, as there is to the film that tells his tale. But British writer/director Terence Davies (Sunset Song) never forgets the traumatic ordeal, and the response to it, that frequently follows his subject's name as effortlessly as breathing. Indeed, being unable to ever banish it from one's memory, including Sassoon's own, is a crucial part of this precisely crafted, immensely affecting and deeply resonant movie. If you only know two things about Sassoon before seeing Benediction, you may have also heard of the war hero-turned-conscientious objector's connection to fellow poet Wilfred Owen. Author of Anthem for Damned Youth, he fought in the same fray but didn't make it back. That too earns Davies' attention, with Jack Lowden (Slow Horses) as Sassoon and Matthew Tennyson (Making Noise Quietly) as his fellow wordsmith, soldier and patient at Craiglockhart War Hospital — both for shell shock. Benediction doesn't solely devote its frames to this chapter in its central figure's existence, either, but the film also knows that it couldn't be more pivotal in explaining who Sassoon was, and why, and how war forever changed him. The two writers were friends, and also shared a mutual infatuation. They were particularly inspired during their times at Craiglockhart as well. In fact, Sassoon mentored the younger Owen, and championed his work after he was killed in 1918, exactly one week before before Armistice Day. Perhaps you know three things about Sassoon prior to Benediction. If so, you might be aware of Sassoon's passionate relationships with men, too. Plenty of the film bounces between his affairs with actor and singer Ivor Novello (Jeremy Irvine, Treadstone), socialite Stephen Tennant (Calam Lynch, Bridgerton) and theatre star Glen Byam Shaw (Tom Blyth, Billy the Kid), all at a time in Britain when homosexuality was outlawed. There's a fated air to each romantic coupling in Davies' retelling, whether or not you know to begin with that Sassoon eventually (and unhappily) married the younger Hester Gatty (Kate Phillips, Downton Abbey). His desperate yearning to hold onto someone, and something, echoes with post-war melancholy as well. That said, that sorrow isn't just a product of grappling with a life-changing ordeal, but also of a world where everything Sassoon wants and needs is a battle — even if there's a giddy air to illegal dalliances among London's well-to-do. Benediction caters for viewers who resemble Jon Snow going in, naturally, although Davies doesn't helm any ordinary biopic. No stranger to creating on-screen poetry with his lyrical films — or to biopics about poets, after tackling Emily Dickinson in his last feature A Quiet Passion — the filmmaker steps through Sassoon's tale like he's composing evocative lines himself. Davies has always been a deeply stirring talent; see: his 1988 debut Distant Voices, Still Lives, 2011's romance The Deep Blue Sea and 2016's Sunset Song, for instance. Here, he shows how it's possible to sift through the ins and outs of someone's story, compiling all the essential pieces in the process, yet never merely reducing it down to the utmost basics. Some biopics can resemble Wikipedia entries re-enacted for the screen, even if done so with flair, but Benediction is the polar opposite. Read our full review. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in Australian cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on March 3, March 10, March 17, March 24 and March 31; April 7, April 14, April 21 and April 28; and May 5, May 12, May 19 and May 26; and June 2. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as The Batman, Blind Ambition, Bergman Island, Wash My Soul in the River's Flow, The Souvenir: Part II, Dog, Anonymous Club, X, River, Nowhere Special, RRR, Morbius, The Duke, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Fantastic Beasts and the Secrets of Dumbledore, Ambulance, Memoria, The Lost City, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Happening, The Good Boss, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, The Northman, Ithaka, After Yang, Downton Abbey: A New Era, Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, Petite Maman, The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Firestarter, Operation Mincemeat, To Chiara, This Much I Know to Be True, The Innocents, Top Gun: Maverick, The Bob's Burgers Movie, Ablaze, Hatching and Mothering Sunday.
It might located right in the heart of North Sydney's buzzing city centre, but the newly opened Green Moustache feels far from it. Instead, this fresh-faced bar and restaurant has embraced Mother Nature, and is filled with an abundance of greenery and plant life. It's a well-executed lushness that's not all too surprising given this is the latest venture from Andrew Utiger and Matt Erby — the minds behind fellow North Sydney foliage den, Treehouse. Sporting primo rooftop views, the pair's new light-filled venue is destined to be a bar of choice for Sydneysiders looking for a warm and lush hideaway this winter. A roll call of hospitality guns are managing the spot, including co-owner David Maisey (Treehouse, Merivale, The Palisade Hotel), who oversaw the menu, which will be executed by chef Peter Fitzsimmons (Chin Chin) and pastry chef Alfredo Jr Peralta (Nomad). Wines have been chosen by sommelier Julien Perrimond (Bambini Trust Restaurant and Wine Room) and bartender Aby Dedej (Ivy Pool Club) will be shaking, mixing and stirring a drinks list that packs a punch. The food menu runs from breakfast through dinner — six days a week. Mornings might mean the likes of haloumi-topped bruschetta with pesto or a loaded brekky bowl, while later visits promise caramelised sticky pork with shredded coconut and snake beans — or a pasta starring hand-picked blue swimmer crab, chilli and lemon. Those heading here in winter will find comfort in the scotch fillet paired with artichoke chips and duck fat-roasted potatoes. Find Green Moustache at 100 Miller Street, North Sydney. It's open Monday–Friday, 7am–10pm, and Saturday, 2pm–late.
If Bluesfest is a regular part of your Easter plans, then the Byron Bay event's team has wrapped up 2025's festivities with some excellent news for you in 2026: the long-weekend fest will still be on the calendar next year. In fact, dates are locked in and early-bird tickets are on sale. If you haven't already, put Thursday, April 2–Sunday, April 5, 2026 in your calendar. The announcement comes after a massive year for the long-running fest, which notched up its 36th in 2025. Organisers have advised that this year's festival saw more than 109,000 attendees, "making Bluesfest 2025 the biggest we've seen in years, and the third-largest event in our history". [caption id="attachment_867505" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lachlan Douglas[/caption] This year's lineup drawcards included ten-time Grammy-winner Chaka Khan, rains-blessing rock group Toto, 'Sailing' and 'Ride Like the Wind' singer Christopher Cross, plus Crowded House, Ocean Alley and Vance Joy — and also Hilltop Hoods, Budjerah, Kasey Chambers and The Cat Empire, as well as Xavier Rudd, John Butler, Tones and I, Missy Higgins, George Thorogood & The Destroyers and many more. It wasn't just the roster of acts that saw Bluefest earn such a strong showing, however. Back in 2024, before the festival began revealing who was on its next bill, it advised that it would bid farewell with its 2025 event — marking the end of an era. That news came after Groovin the Moo and Splendour in the Grass had cancelled for 2024, neither of which returned this year. Within months of Bluefest saying that it was calling time, however, reports that discussions were underway about the festival's future — and also that artists are already being booked for 2026 — started circulating following widespread community support. Accordingly, Bluesfest making a 2026 comeback shouldn't come as a huge surprise. The festival is one of five New South Wales events newly named as recipients of backing from the first round of the state's Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund, alongside Lost Paradise, Your and Owls, Listen Out and Field Day. [caption id="attachment_969990" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joseph Mayers[/caption] [caption id="attachment_969989" align="alignnone" width="1920"] LD Somefx[/caption] [caption id="attachment_969987" align="alignnone" width="1920"] LD Somefx[/caption] [caption id="attachment_867504" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kurt Petersen[/caption] Bluesfest 2026 will run from Thursday, April 2–Sunday, April 5 at Byron Events Farm, Tyagarah. Early-bird tickets are on sale now — for further information, head to the Bluesfest website. Top image: Roger Cotgreave.
Tenth birthdays are a big deal, especially when you're an Australian music festival that's been navigating a pandemic and the resulting difficult time for the industry for half of your run, and also grappling with the impact of La Niña. Yours and Owls has been on quite the rollercoaster ride across the past decade, clearly, so of course it's celebrating its milestone birthday with a massive lineup. Fontaines DC, Denzel Curry, The Kooks and Goo Goo Dolls lead the roster of talent taking to the stage in Wollongong across Saturday, March 1–Sunday, March 2, 2025. Orville Peck, Hockey Dad, The Jungle Giants, Peach PRC and The Veronicas are also on the bill, as are Elderbrook, Honey Dijon, JPEGMafia and Salute — and plenty more. When Yours and Owls revealed that it wasn't going ahead in 2024, joining the long list of music festivals scrapping plans for this year, it thankfully only put its fun on hold for 2025. Returning in 2025 was always the intention — and this is a lineup worth waiting for. Yours and Owls didn't completely sit 2024 out, however. Earlier in October, it held a pre-party, aka the event you put on when you can't put on the full festival experience at your usual time of the year because it doesn't work for your headliners' calendars. So, a tunes-filled shindig still took over the University of Wollongong campus — complete with Golden Features, Peking Duk, Alice Ivy, Anna Lunoe and more — to keep things warm for next year. Affectionately labelled "Gong Christmas", Yours and Owls 2025 will feature four stages across its two-day run, plus a feast of local arts — and food and drinks — beyond the tunes. [caption id="attachment_976058" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Theo Cottle[/caption] Yours and Owls Lineup 2025 Fontaines DC Denzel Curry The Kooks Goo Goo Dolls Elderbrook Hockey Dad Honey Dijon JPEGMafia The Jungle Giants Orville Peck Peach PRC Salute The Veronicas Allday Babe Rainbow Coterie Cyril Dice The Dreggs Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn Grentperez Isabel Larosa Magdalena Bay May A Mark Blair Pond Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners Sam Tompkins San Cisco Slowly Slowly Sycco Wunderhorse Battlesnake Bean Magazine Bodyjar The Belair Lip Bombs C.O.F.F.I.N Crocodylus Keli Holiday Kitschen Boy Le Shiv Miss Kaninna Nick Ward Ra Ra Viper Satin Cali Total Tommy Y.O.G.A Top Yours and Owls image: Ruby Bowland.
What's better than a road trip through the epicurean delights of Tasmania? Undertaking the unforgettable road trip all the way there from Sydney, stopping to feast along the way. Long gone are the days when the culinary offerings on the road were limited to Maccas and 24-hour servos, and it mightn't be obvious from behind the wheel, but the route along the Hume Highway is dotted with foodie adventures — from rolling vineyards to 19th-century pubs serving up seasonal produce. Here's where you should plan a pit stop between Sydney and Melbourne (before you board a ferry to Tassie). From pristine beaches and bountiful wine regions to alpine hideaways and bustling country towns, Australia has a wealth of places to explore at any time of year. We've partnered with Tourism Australia to help you plan your road trips, weekend detours and summer getaways so that when you're ready to hit the road you can Holiday Here This Year. Under current COVID-19 restrictions in Australia, there are limitations on where you can go on a holiday. Bookmark this for when you can explore once again. [caption id="attachment_773485" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Clonakilla via Destination NSW[/caption] MURRUMBATEMAN After a 3.5-hour drive south from Sydney, take the Barton Highway exit and drive for 15 minutes to reach this cute village in the Yass Valley; it's a gateway to wineries, restaurants and cute shops, including Robyn Rowe Chocolates, whose sweet treats are inspired by local produce, including walnuts from a backyard tree and coffee beans roasted in Canberra. If you're not the designated driver, drop into Helm Wines, afterwards, where you get to wine taste in an 1888 public schoolhouse; and Clonakilla, where some of Australia's best-reviewed wines are made. If you happen to be passing by on the second or fourth Saturday of the month, then have a wander through the Murrumbateman Village Markets, which are packed full of local produce and cooked goodies. [caption id="attachment_773499" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Long Track Pantry via Destination NSW[/caption] JUGIONG After another hour cruising south, turn off to Jugiong, a pretty village on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. At the Long Track Pantry, you'll find good coffee, hearty brekkies and lunches, and a delicious collection of homemade jams, chutneys, oils and sauces. From there, pop into the Jugiong Wine Cellar to sample up to 18 drops from the surrounding wine regions of Gundagai, Tumbarumba, Hilltops and Murrumbateman. Also worth a visit is the Sir George, a warm and welcoming pub. Built in 1852, it also houses an artisanal bakery, a restaurant and, in winter, an open fire. On the menu are share plates of lamb croquettes and cauliflower fritters, as well as pub classics like beer battered fish 'n' chips, sausage and mash, and free range parmas, all taken to the next level with premium-quality local ingredients. [caption id="attachment_773479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Borambola Wines via Destination NSW[/caption] BORAMBOLA WINES, NEAR WAGGA WAGGA This idyllic winery lies just 15 minutes' drive from the Hume along the Sturt Highway, which travels to Wagga Wagga. It's a relaxed spot, family owned, and where you can take your time working your way through several drops while soaking up the views of rolling vineyards. Plus, there's an apple cider and a lager, both named after the Dog on the Tuckerbox. If you've time to spare, continue to Wagga Wagga, where you can try more wines at Eunonyhareenyha Winery and Cottontails and locally brewed beers at Thirsty Crow Brewing Co. [caption id="attachment_773482" align="alignnone" width="1920"] River Deck Cafe, Albury via Destination NSW[/caption] RIVER DECK CAFE, ALBURY Perched on the banks of the mighty Murray River, Albury is surrounded by lush farmland. Numerous local eateries take advantage of this fact, and one of the best is the River Deck Cafe. You'll find it right on the water, in leafy Noreuil Park. The French-inspired menu changes with the seasons, with dishes varying from steamed Murray cod with seasonal greens, lobster bisque and zucchini flowers to kangaroo loin served rare with white and black-eyed peas, cos lettuce and game jus. If you're wondering where the produce comes from, it's usually written on the menu, and one of the River Deck's favourite suppliers is RAD Growers, a small, independent farm that lies 20 kilometres west. [caption id="attachment_665497" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Milawa Cheese[/caption] MILAWA Handmade cheeses, spicy mustards, locally grown olives and wineries: there's enough deliciousness in Milawa, a tiny town near Wangaratta — just ten minutes' drive from the Hume — to keep you going all day. If you're keen to stretch your legs, grab a free bike from Brown Brothers Winery and go exploring on two wheels. Whichever way you travel, stops should include Milawa Cheese for cheese created with traditional European methods (book ahead for a tasting); Milawa Mustards for mustards and condiments; the Olive Shop for olives, tapenades and dukkah; and finally back at Brown Brothers Winery for a tasting and lunch at the onsite hatted restaurant Patricia's Table. Just six kilometres south of town is Hurdle Creek Still, a distillery where you can sample small-batch spirits and learn all about the gin-making process. THE WEEKEND LOCAL, EUROA Every single product in this friendly shop is made, grown or created within 150 kilometres of Euroa, a little town just off the highway, about an hour's drive southwest of Wangaratta. There's coffee from Mansfield Coffee Merchants, sourdough from Strathbogie, pasta sauces, oils and pastes from the Yarra Valley, pastries from Salus Bakery and so much more. In fact, you could pretty much do your week's shopping here. It doubles up as a cafe, serving up excellent coffee and dishes driven by local produce. Another spot worth visiting in Euroa is Fare Enough, which offers light, fresh dishes, including pad thai and wombok salads. [caption id="attachment_773687" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blue Tongue Berries via Visit Victoria[/caption] BLUE TONGUE BERRIES, NEAR SEYMOUR Take a break from driving with a bucolic frolic at this 20-acre blueberry farm, close to the Hume on Seymour's northwestern outskirts. This organic paradise is dedicated to growing the juiciest blueberries possible without harming the environment. To that end, the entire shebang is off-the-grid and self-sufficient, via a mix of solar and wind power. If you're passing by in berry season — November to February — call in advance to book a tasting session. On top of berries, the farm grows loads of seasonal fruit and veggies, as well as producing free-range eggs and lamb. Swing by the farm gate any time to grab some supplies or settle in at the cafe, which overlooks the Tallarook Ranges. You can even stay the night in one of the four homestays, all listed on Airbnb. That way you can time your visit with one of the farm's live music sessions before heading to Melbourne the next day. You're only an hour and 15 minutes' drive to Port Melbourne, where you can board a ferry to Tasmania on any day of the week. Whether you're planning to travel for a couple of nights or a couple of weeks, Holiday Here This Year and you'll be supporting Australian businesses while you explore the best of our country's diverse landscapes and attractions. Top image: Borambola Wines via Destination NSW
Sure, you know Dracula. But what do you actually know? If we brass-tacks this, you've got a deathly pale, rake-thin Eastern European guy with a black cloak, high collar, high cheekbones and low voice. "I vont to suck your blooood." So, next to nothing, in other words. If you want to change that, this is where you start. Shake and Stir have been cranking out literary adaptations for a decade now. Past productions include 1984, Animal Farm, George's Marvellous Medicine and Endgame.Last year they tackled Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte's unsettling, romance-y trek over the English moors. Mr Stoker, one imagines, is in very good hands. When Jonathan Harkness, an up-and-coming lawyer pays a visit to Castle Dracula, he is intrigued by his host, an odd gentleman with a rather macabre fascination for… well, you know the rest. But you don't, do you? Book a ticket here. Image: Dylan Evans.
This popular Chinese restaurant serves up regional flavours from China's far northwestern Xinjiang province, which is home to the Uyghur ethnic group. You won't find your typical westernised Chinese meal here, so don't go looking for a bowl of classic chow mein or pot of steamed xiao long bao. Expect a fusion of Central Asian and Turkic flavours influenced by the many cultures that surround the Silk Road. Indulge in lagman — traditional handmade noodles served with diced meat, sichuan pepper and cabbage — and cumin-spiced meats. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
A band whose lyrically deft and jangly pop sound saw them propelled into worldwide minds after just one album with movie and TV soundtracks, the Shins are returning to Australian shores for the fifth time, with a visit to Sydney's Hordern Pavilion. Formed in 1996, the Shins, whose style knows no restrictions by genre, released their debut album Oh, Inverted World, along with the seminal single 'New Slang', to critical acclaim, and have since gone on to create further soundtracks to seasons, with songs that reflect the mood, ambition and startling ability of frontman James Mercer. Back with new material off the five-years-in-the-making Port of Morrow album, the Portland quintet will be supported by Melbourne's Husky. https://youtube.com/watch?v=fweNLKBCh5A
Crowd-favourite Tokyo Lamington has expanded its dessert empire with a concept bakery in Marrickville. The mission of this new branch is more than just dishing out the cubed desserts the brand is known and loved for; it is to expand its offering into all sorts of new savoury ground with a full roster of artisanal baked goods, all paying homage to the local melting pots of Asian and Australian culture. But don't panic, lamingtons are still on the menu. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tokyo Lamington (@tokyolamington) The dessert slingers have introduced new additions, like a Vietnamese coffee lamington. This cubed delight is a tribute to Marrickville's migrant communities, featuring a gluten-free sponge soaked in Vietnamese coffee and filled with a coffee cream made from rich Vietnamese coffee beans and condensed milk, finished with a coating of white chocolate. But there are plenty of its classics on the menu, including its iconic raspberry jam and vanilla cream, the yuzu curd and blow-torched meringue, and the colourful fairy bread and popcorn. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Tokyo Lamington & the Bakery expands the offering beyond delicious sponge cubes to include a wide spectrum of baked delights, including pastries, cakes, breads, savoury pies, quiches and even sausage rolls. The cultural fusion is plain to see when looking at the ingredients — quiches made with savoury custard, miso and mushroom, pies with Japanese chicken curry and sausage rolls with pork, ginger and katsu curry sauce. It's all in the spirit of fusion, a direction that the Tokyo Lamington team takes to the tastiest levels.
Recently to point-and-click was our primary mode of interacting with devices; now it's being usurped by the tap, swipe and pinch. What will be next? The Haptic Interface Pop-Up Exhibition is a chance for the public to experience a type of technology that, right now, is still largely unknown and experimental — and can take a lot of googling to understand. The exhibition is held at Hong Kong House and is part of this year's Vivid festival. Essentially, the user interacts with haptic technology through touch, usually in the form of something you wear that translates your movements or pulses into some kind of effect. Things like hats that light up and move when someone speaks, or shoes that allow you to feel someone else walking, or cuffs that read pulses and allow you to sense another person's presence even if you can't see them — they even come with stylish ostrich feather plumage. A lot of the ideas are in pretty early stages. It's hard to imagine a situation where you'd think, "Wow, I wonder what walking feels like?" Though one practical item might be the wearable pillows that tell you when you're snoring — just think how many arguments between couples it would settle. Haptic Feedback is open 9.30am - 4.30pm on the Ground Level Function Room of Hong Kong House (right next to the QVB).
Situated between Collaroy Point and the northern base of Long Reef Point Headland is Fishermans Beach, a quiet and picturesque spot largely sheltered from the wind. Fishermen have used the beach since the 18th century, and while line fishing is permitted at the beach, these days most fishers use the boat ramp to launch and head out to the nearby reefs. Head here to tuck into crunchy fish and chips by the ocean and go for a wander to explore the sea life — the area forms part of an aquatic reserve. And, if you've got time, venture up to the top of Long Reef Headland and take in the panoramic coastal views. Fishermans Beach is unpatrolled, so if you'd like to go for a swim but prefer to do so safely, it's best to head to nearby Collaroy. Image: Mel Koutchavlis
