First, the bad news: if you've been hanging out to see The Kid LAROI take to the stage on his first-ever Down Under stadium tour, you'll now be waiting longer. Now, the better news: part of the delay is due to trying to lock in a "really big surprise and special guest", the Australian singer-songwriter advised on Instagram, who couldn't be finalised before the planned February dates. "We've had to push back the Australian leg of the tour to October," Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard noted. "The tour will now end off in Australia." The Kid LAROI also named "a bunch of other logistical stuff" as a reason for the delay, while saying that he wants to give audiences the best show he can — and "make everyone back home proud". The tour is in support of The Kid LAROI's debut studio album The First Time, and was originally set for a five-city Australian run. New dates haven't been announced as yet, but the star was due to play Melbourne's AAMI Park, Perth's HBF Park, Adelaide's Coopers Stadium, Sydney's Commbank Stadium and CBUS Super Stadium on the Gold Coast. The First Time might be a new 2023 arrival, but The Kid LAROI has been releasing music since 2018 — solo, and also teaming up with everyone from Juice WRLD and ONEFOUR to Justin Bieber. Accordingly, fans can look forward to hearing 'Stay', 'Without You', 'Thousand Miles', 'Love Again' and more next spring. The stadium tour follows The Kid LAROI's first headline Australian tour back in 2022, which sold out arenas across the country, sparking the addition of more dates. On his postponed 2024 dates, the artist has confirmed that ONEFOUR will still be on the bill. As for who else will join them, "we're working on the details including some new additions to the lineup and will let you know ASAP," the singer said. THE KID LAROI THE FIRST TIME TOUR 2024: October 2024 date TBC — AAMI Park, Melbourne October 2024 date TBC — HBF Park, Perth October 2024 date TBC — Coopers Stadium, Adelaide October 2024 date TBC — Commbank Stadium, Sydney October 2024 date TBC — CBUS Super Stadium, Gold Coast The Kid LAROI is touring Australia in October 2024, postponed from February 2024 — head to the Australian ticketing site for more information. Top image: Adam Kargenian.
Did you wake up this morning with a pounding headache, a few Instagram selfies of you and a beardy blur that looks like Zach Galifianakis, and a strange number in your phone? Good news! Your horrible life decisions are actually not your fault at all — it's science! Or at least that's what we'll tactfully choose to deduct from the latest research out of Spain. Researchers at the University of Granada have recently published a study that scientifically proves the existence of beer goggles. Proving that the eye actually suffers a significant deterioration in optical quality after alcohol consumption, these boozing brainiacs figured out that ethanol from the alcohol you consume makes its way into your tear ducts and clouds the outermost layer of your tear film. This affects the quality of the image you see and, when drinking at night, it increases the perception of luminous circles — halos — around the objects you view. Giving an entirely new meaning to a certain Beyonce song, this new phenomenon manifests itself best at night and ends up looking a little something like this: Pouring various quantities of prize-winning Spanish wine into their 67 subjects — who knew science was so glamourous? — the researchers deducted that these halos were most prevalent in the volunteers whose breath alcohol limit exceeded the legal driving range of 0.25mg/litre. As if we needed more evidence that you shouldn't drive under the influence, this gives some physical proof to why drunk drivers are dangerous behind the wheel. But it also has important implications for your romantic life. Picture this: you're in a dim-lit underground bar with romantic candles perched around some snug booths and a dance floor. You've partaken in a certain 2-for-1 cocktail special and followed it up with a selection of shots named after 1950s movie stars (because, what can you say, you're classy like that). A man approaches, all bearded and stylish with an effortless Joaquin Phoenix-style strut. The music's too loud and you can't really hear what he says, but you feel somewhat compelled to mush your lips on his face, slip him your number, or some smooth combination of the two. With scientific fact in hand, maybe now you can think twice before trusting your Grey Goose-laden eyes. Via Science Daily. Photo credits: katie coleslaw via photopin cc and Juan Castro/University of Granada.
In King Richard, Will Smith does more acting than expected with his back to the on-screen action. He does more acting in general — while the Ali and Concussion star can be a transformative performer, here he feels like he's overtly playing a part rather than disappearing into a role — but the way his eponymous figure handles his daughters' matches instantly stands out. Richard Williams is a tennis parent who despises the usual tennis parent histrionics. At the time the film is set, in the early 90s, he has also coached Venus (Saniyya Sidney, Fences) and Serena (Demi Singleton, Godfather of Harlem) since they were four years old, and penned a 78-page plan mapping out their futures before they were born. He's dedicated his life to their success; however, he's so restless when they're volleying and backhanding that he can't bring himself to watch. These scenes in King Richard are among Smith's best. He's anxious yet determined, and lives the feeling like he's breathing it, in some of the movie's least blatantly showy and most quietly complex scenes as well. The Williams family patriarch has wisdom for all occasions, forged from a tough childhood in America's south, plus the hard work and hustle of turning Venus and Serena into budding champions, so he'd likely have something to say about the insights gleaned here: that you can tell oh-so-much about a person when they're under pressure but nobody's watching. If he was actively imparting this lesson to his daughters — five of them, not just the two that now have 30 Grand Slam singles titles between them — and they didn't glean it, he'd make them watch again. When they see Cinderella in the film, that's exactly what happens. But his courtside demeanour is teachable anyway, recognising how all the preparation and effort in the world will still see you tested over and over. King Richard mostly lobs around smaller moments, though — still life-defining for the aforementioned trio, matriarch Oracene (Aunjanue Ellis, Lovecraft Country) and the rest of the Williams brood, but before Venus and Serena became women's tennis superstars. It unpacks the effort put in to even get them a game, set or match and be taken seriously in a sport that's whiter than the lines marking out its courts, and the chances, sacrifices and wins of their formative years. From cracked Compton courts and homemade hype videos to seizing every hard-earned opportunity: that's the tale that King Richard tells. But, despite making a clear effort to pose this as a family portrait rather than a dad biopic, it still shares an approach with Joe Bell, director Reinaldo Marcus Green's prior film. It bears one man's name, celebrates him first and makes him the centre of someone else's exceptional story. In screenwriter Zach Baylin's debut script, Richard's aim is simple: get Venus and Serena to racquet-swinging glory by any means. His DIY tapes are bait for a professional coach, but attracting one is easier said than done for a working-class Black family without country club connections facing America's inbuilt racism and class clashes, and tennis' snobbery — even if Richard knows his daughters will reach their goals. A turning point comes when, after strolling into a practice match between Pete Sampras and John McEnroe, Richard convinces renowned coach Paul Cohen (Tony Goldwyn, Scandal) to watch his kids play and take on Venus for free. While she's swiftly impressing on the junior circuit, her dad becomes concerned about her psychological and emotional wellbeing, so he next works his persuasive act on Florida-based coach Rick Macci (Jon Bernthal, The Many Saints of Newark) — with a strict no-competition rule. One of the keys to King Richard, as witnessed in its namesake's decisions about his daughters that he unyieldingly makes alone, also proves an ace when he's looking away courtside. This is a movie about how Richard put Venus and Serena on their path to becoming two of the greatest sports women ever, but it's also about imperfections, struggles and contradictions in the pursuit of excellence. That said, it's an authorised account with the tennis legends and their sister Isha Price as executive producers, so it only dives as deep as that whole situation allows. When it focuses on difficult instances where the overbearing and stubborn Richard blazes ahead but Oracene, Venus and Serena call him out and demand their say, it's a better film, although that happens less often than it should. There's texture, weight and complication here, but also a crowd-pleasing smoothing of rough edges that undercuts the feature's power. The Williams sisters deserve multiple movies about their extraordinary achievements, obviously. Their careers stress that inherently. The standout scenes they're given here — including Serena's unhappiness when put second to her sister; today, she's the one that's considered the greatest of all time — also dynamically make the case for more of their tale to reach cinemas. While always in Smith's shadow, both Sidney and Singleton are phenomenal, but the film has been designed to be the former's show. With a hunched posture and pronounced Louisiana accent, Smith is an inescapable force surrounded by far more naturalistic portrayals, including from the terrific and grounded Ellis; however, he grows into a rhythm that matches the film's message. He calls upon the charm that's been a part of his game since his Fresh Prince days, too, and pushes because Richard had to to succeed "in the champion-raising business," as the character describes it. For all the sunny hues splashed around by cinematographer Robert Elswit (a veteran of Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Inherent Vice and more), King Richard doesn't opt for gloss with the clashes working against the Williams' dream. Although Venus's professional debut in 1994 at the age of 14 and her pivotal match against then-world number two Arantxa Sánchez Vicario provides the picture's climax, it's sparing with its tennis bouts, but the battles of race and class in Venus and Serena's way are in the draw from the get-go — discussed, and also made so visible that no line calls are needed. It took a flawed yet dogged king to navigate such relentless serves of engrained prejudice and disadvantage and ensure that the world received two queens, the film posits, and does so convincingly. King Richard is still an easy win, though, rather than an all-timer.
UPDATE, September 24, 2020: Arctic is available to stream via SBS On Demand, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Whether stranding Sandra Bullock in space in Gravity, casting Robert Redford adrift in All Is Lost or pitting Liam Neeson against wolves in The Grey, survival thrillers rise and fall on the strength of their performances. You can now add Mads Mikkelsen to the list of actors testing their mettle against the elements — and add him to the ranks of stellar near-solo portrayals as well. His character, Overgård, is trapped in the Arctic Circle. Snow and rock stretch out as far as his weary eyes can see, the remnants of a crashed plane provide his only shelter, and greeting each morning relies on his wits and will. As a result, much of Arctic involves looking at his weathered, determined face, and it paints a compelling picture. Details are hard to come by in Arctic, which thrusts viewers into the thick of Overgård's plight from its opening frames. He's first spied scraping away at the ground to create a giant SOS sign, then tending to his icy fishing holes, and then cranking the transmitter he hopes will attract the attention of any aircraft that happen to fly nearby. The specifics of his situation — why, when, how — aren't offered, and they aren't important. All that matters is his dogged fight to survive. Before long, however, he's not the only person trying to endure oppressively frosty climes. A helicopter appears like something out of Overgård's dreams, but then it swiftly crashes, leaving an injured and unconscious woman (Maria Thelma Smáradóttir) in his care. While the scenario might sound familiar, The Mountain Between Us this isn't. Arctic is concerned with survival and nothing more, with no rosy backstories or blossoming romances. Writer-director Joe Penna and his co-scribe Ryan Morrison understand the most crucial aspect of their chosen genre: that there's nothing more powerful than watching a tale of life and death play out in the actions and expressions of a desperate protagonist. Faced with challenge after challenge — finding food, abiding the cold, attending to injuries, contending with polar bears, staving off frostbite and more — Overgård becomes the ultimate everyman. The circumstances he's navigating might be nightmare fuel for most, but the mechanics of soldiering on when the world is sparse, conditions are harsh and a disaster could wipe you out are both potent and relatable on an existential level. The key, unsurprisingly, is Mikkelsen. The Danish star has played a grimy drug dealer in crime franchise Pusher, a suave Bond villain in Casino Royale, a persecuted teacher in The Hunt and a cannibalistic sociopath in TV series Hannibal, amassing a hefty resume and becoming one of the finest actors working today. Monopolising the screen in Arctic, he's at his best as a man confronting his worst experience and persevering by any means necessary. His performance is one of loaded silence and telling physicality; of saying more by saying nothing. The exertion as Overgård battles the inhospitable conditions, the care as he treats a stranger's wellbeing like his own, the desolation as he thinks his quest will never end — Mikkelsen ensures that viewers always share the ride on his character's emotional rollercoaster. Indeed, when there's a talent like Mikkelsen leading the charge, it's easy to overlook Arctic's generic moments. Much about the film fits the survivalist playbook, yet it never feels routine — just recognisable. And when the movie's star isn't stealing the show, Brazilian first-timer Penna and his cinematographer Tómas Örn Tómasson have the ideal substitution, with Iceland's frozen vistas telling their own intricate tale. As lensed with an awareness of the landscape's stark beauty as well as its evident dangers (and often viewed in wide and aerial shots that emphasise its enormous size), Arctic's vast expanse of ice and snow perfectly reflects Overgård's inner state. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjlJm_SJc3Y
The Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) has been given the green light by the NSW Government to go ahead with its $344 million expansion, dubbed the Sydney Modern Project. Kicking off in early 2019, the multimillion-dollar project is the gallery's bid to better compete with its interstate counterparts. While it was the country's most visited gallery in 2007, AGNSW has since dropped to fourth position behind Melbourne's NGV and ACMI and Queensland's GOMA. It's predicted this expansion will double the number of visitors to the Gallery. The ambitious plans, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architecture and design practice, SANAA — who is also behind New York's New Museum of Contemporary Art and the Louvre's satellite museum in Lens — would double the current exhibition space, incorporating an entirely new building and an outdoor public art garden. The new building, set to cover 7,830 square metres, will include a gallery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and a contemporary art space created from an old WWII oil tank. The expansion will also make the AGNSW Australia's first six-star Green Star rated public art museum, with the new building decked out with solar panels, rainwater tanks and an energy efficient method of air conditioning. The State Government already agreed to drop $244 million on the project back in June, with the gallery raising the remaining $100 million from private donations. Construction on AGNSW's Sydney Modern Project will begin in early 2019 and is slated for completion in 2021. The Gallery will remain open during this time. Images: Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizama/SANAA, courtesy of the AGNSW.
Sydneysiders have always liked writing obscurely profound things on the walls of the city. Sydney's the kind of city that breeds people like Arthur Stace, a reformed illiterate alcoholic who spent thirty-five years writing the word 'Eternity' in chalk all over the streets of Sydney in copperplate script, which can still be seen inside the bell of the GPO clock tower. And you still see street writing everywhere, from the scrawled messages on bus stops and railway underpasses, to the 'I have a dream' mural on King Street and heartfelt declarations like 'hands held violently onto words that meant nothing' on the back of St Stephen's Church in Camperdown Memorial Park. Now we can add to this list the moss poetry which has recently popped up in Sydney's own version of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Paddington Reservoir Gardens. The walls of the reservoir are currently covered in growing poetry, as part of a typographic installation entitled ''Modern Day Mossages. Created from locally sourced mud and moss, the words and phrases have been contributed by emerging Sydney poets paying tribute to John Thompson, founder of the resident action group The Paddington Society, after whom one of the Reservoir's gardens is named after. The moss poem is the product of a collaboration by members of Popperbox, a collective of Sydney-based artists, designers, illustrators and software engineers, who have been making experimental and accessible pieces since their formation in 2007. The installation aims to make you think about growth, nourishment, rejuvenation and the future, and was attached to the sandstone walls of the historic reservoir using a pungent mixture of heavy clay soil, beer and yoghurt. The artists are monitoring the growth of the moss daily in the hopes that it will continue to grow, although that shouldn't be a problem given the deluge which appears to be sticking around for the rest of the month. Modern Day Mossages is a short-term installation, one of three projects commissioned by the City of Sydney for the Paddington Reservoir Gardens in 2012. [Via D*Hub]
Winter is not traditionally ice cream weather. However, when that ice cream is being served up by Gelato Messina — voted best gelato in Australia, officially by Good Food Guide and unofficially by our taste buds — seasons no longer matter, only the taste and the chance to devour as much as you can, and that chance just became a whole lot easier thanks to UBER. The on-demand private driver service has teamed up with the gelato giant for Friday, July 19, only to deliver their deliciousness directly to your door. UBER Ice Cream Trucks will be transporting specially prepared packs of Messina around Sydney from 2pm to 10pm and you can enjoy this service with the simple flick of a finger. To order, download the UBER app, then just open it, move the slider to the 'Ice Cream' option and request a delivery to your door in minutes — $20 will get you a 500ml tub and some UBER merch. It's easier than serving your own ice cream at home, and definitely more delicious (no offence to your ice cream, but this is pretty much the best there is). You can keep up to date with all of the action on Twitter and Instagram if you want (@Uber_Sydney and #UBERICECREAM) whilst devouring your mouthwatering treat but remember, this is for today Friday, July 19, only (or as I like to call it, ice-cream Christmas), so take advantage of this offer whilst you can. Heck, buy an extra freezer and order all of the ice cream. Whilst that may seem rash to the uninitiated, Gelato Messina fans know that this would be a wise move — to avoid the queues at least. Concrete Playground readers get an exclusive offer when they join Uber. Use the code CPVIP and get $20 off your first ride. The offer is available to new users only and is valid for all Black and Lux car services.
Blue might be the colour of all that the big screen wears at the moment, sloshing across cinemas in Avatar: The Way of Water, but movie theatres will be thoroughly thinking pink when mid-2023 arrives. That's when Barbie will bring its dolls and dream houses — and its toy chest filled with costumes and different characters, too — to picture palaces. Can't wait? Showing in front of The Water of Water IRL and now dropping online, the first teaser trailer for the figurine-to-film adaptation is here to provide a playful and glorious glimpse. Marking Greta Gerwig's third solo stint behind the camera after Lady Bird and Little Women, and scripted by the actor-turned-director with fellow filmmaker Noah Baumbach — her helmer on Greenberg, Frances Ha, Mistress America and White Noise, and real-life partner — Barbie follows in the footsteps of fellow toy-to-movie flicks like the Transformers series, Trolls, The Lego Movie and its sequel, Battleship and the GI Joe films. Playing the central parts: Australia's own Margot Robbie (Amsterdam) as the feature's namesake and Ryan Gosling (The Gray Man) as Barbie's paramour Ken. But, just like the toys, there's rumoured to be more than one version of each figure. Of course, when it comes to playthings like Barbie dolls, the Mattel toys blazed their own path, as this first look at the film nods to. In an entertaining 2001: A Space Odyssey parody, the trailer notes that most girls' dolls were originally babies. Add an 'r' and you get the adult-bodied line that debuted in 1959 — with a look that Robbie is seen sporting as the kids in the teaser fling around and smash their old infant dolls. The full film hits cinemas on July 20 Down Under, complete with a cast that also includes Will Ferrell (Spirited), Issa Rae (Insecure), Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Michael Cera (Arrested Development), America Ferrera (Superstore), Ncuti Gatwa (the incoming Doctor Who), Emerald Fennell (The Crown), Rhea Perlman (Poms), Kingsley Ben-Adir (One Night in Miami), Emma Mackey (Sex Education) and Jamie Demetriou (Catherine Called Birdy). In the initial trailer, there's zero in the way of story detail provided; however, as well as that 2001 riff, the sneak peek includes dream houses as far as the eye can see, Ken rocking a fringed leather vest and bandana combo, pink outfits aplenty and a shimmering dance number. Life in plastic, it's fantastic here — even without any sign of Aqua's 'Barbie Girl' on the trailer's soundtrack. Check out the first teaser trailer for Barbie below: Barbie releases in cinemas Down Under on July 20, 2023.
Turning a movie into a TV show can be a tricky prospect, but add What We Do in the Shadows to the list of series that completely nail the task. Crucially, it doesn't remake Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement's hilarious New Zealand mockumentary. Instead, it expands upon it — peering inside a different share house, this time in Staten Island in New York, that's filled with completely different vampires. The television sitcom is set in the same universe as its predecessor, too, so keeping your eyes peeled for links and familiar faces is 100-percent recommended. And yes, both Waititi and Clement have been involved behind the scenes, so it all has their stamp of approval. Also, and we cannot stress this enough, getting the great Matt Berry to play a pompous bloodsucker ranks among the best TV casting moves ever made.
Power your house with a bottle of water. It's a claim reminiscent of the glory days of cold fusion. Like cold fusion, creating an artificial leaf and hacking the natural process of photosynthesis has long been a scientific holy grail. Unlike cold fusion, it seems someone has attained it. Daniel Nocera, a professor at MIT, has created a 'leaf' of silicon and a proprietary mix of cobalt and phosphate, which when placed in a jar of water can produce electricity more efficiently than modern solar panels. The yet-to-be-published findings will be a major scientific breakthrough, and a game-changer in the question of global power supply. India's largest business conglomeration, the Tata Group have bought the tech and plan to develop it to serve the "bottom of the pyramid" — being small, cheap, and able to run on even waste water, it is hoped that this will provide a clean and affordable way to power the developing world. Homes without access to power will be able to generate their own, foregoing the need to develop large power stations and electric cable infrastructure. As well as powering the development of the "bottom of the pyramid" the technology could change the face of power production and consumption worldwide. Nocera estimates that it will be possible to meet the world's power demands with little more than a swimming pool of water every day. [via Fast Company] https://youtube.com/watch?v=WD9yr-Bf-Kw
Being a film and television fan in 2018 means two things. Firstly, your viewing choices are seemingly endless, as anyone with a hefty streaming queue knows. Secondly, many of those viewing choices involve remakes of, sequels or prequels to, or other continuations of already existing hits. Just this year, we've learned that Veronica Mars and Daria are coming back to the small screen, The Lord of the Rings is being turned into a TV show and Game of Thrones is definitely getting a spin-off once the original series ends. Now, we can add Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead and Deadwood films to the ever-growing list of properties that just keep on keepin' on. This week, news hit about all three popular series and their new feature-length additions. All three are being turned into movies in some shape or form, but it's a safe bet that those films are all still headed to a TV screen. Prepare to exclaim "yeah, science!" like Jesse Pinkman thanks to the return of Breaking Bad — which, as Better Call Saul diehards are well aware, has never completely gone away since the OG show wrapped up in 2013. As reported by Variety, creator Vince Gilligan is working on a two-hour film with the working title of Greenbriar, which will begin shooting this month. Bryan Cranston has confirmed the news, but just whether he's in it or what it's about is still the subject of rumour. Slashfilm advises that the movie will focus on Jesse, showing what came next for Walter White's former student and protege after Breaking Bad's finale. As for The Walking Dead, the long-running (and still-running) show is set to release a number of films about Andrew Lincoln's Rick Grimes, who led the series from its 2010 debut through to the fifth episode of the show's ninth season. Deadline reports that the movies will form part of The Walking Dead Universe, alongside other films, specials and series, plus digital content and more. The Walking Dead already has its own small-screen spin-off, Fear The Walking Dead — and the first Rick Grimes flick is expected to go into production in 2019. Finally, in news that'll make lovers of Deadwood want to down a celebratory shot of whisky, the three-season western series is coming back as a movie. Ever since the show was cancelled back in 2006, a film has been rumoured, but The Hollywood Reporter notes that it started filming this week. It'll be set ten years after the final season, with the story exploring a reunion of the show's characters. Original stars Ian McShane, Timothy Olyphant, Molly Parker, Paula Malcomson, John Hawkes, Anna Gunn, W. Earl Brown, Dayton Callie, Brad Dourif, Robin Weigert, William Sanderson, Kim Dickens and Gerald McRaney are all reuniting for the series. Via Variety /Deadline / The Hollywood Reporter.
Australian grime fans have been dealt a disappointing blow: Stromzy has announced he is cancelling his highly anticipated upcoming tour. The UK sensation was set to grace Australian shores later this year on the much-delayed H.I.T.H World Tour alongside a run of festival dates as the headliner for Spilt Milk, but has confirmed in a statement released through the festival that he has pulled out of all of his international tour dates for the remainder of 2022. "It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to inform you guys that due to circumstances beyond my control, I must cancel international commitments for the remainder of the year which includes my Australian and New Zealand tour," said Stormzy. "You guys have waited so patiently and I am so sorry that this has to happen after all these ups and downs. I love you guys and I promise I will be back as soon as I can with a show that's bigger and better than ever." Originally scheduled for 2020 before being pushed back multiple times for pandemic-related reasons, the run of dates was finally supposed to kick off in Perth on Wednesday, November 23, before hitting Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Wellington and Auckland, as well as Ballarat, Canberra and the Gold Coast with Spilt Milk. While losing Stormzy is a huge blow for the festival, Spilt Milk has come through with another exciting international headliner in his place. Highly influential Grammy-nominated indie-pop singer and one of 2022's biggest breakout stars Steve Lacy has been added to the lineup for all three Spilt Milk dates. An original member of the popular funk and soul group The Internet, Lacy has worked with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Solange and Tyler, the Creator. Following solo success with his debut album Apollo XXI as well as singles like 'Dark Red' which you've almost certainly heard on TikTok, the Californian singer-songwriter has found huge mainstream success this year with the release of his album Gemini Rights and its lead single ' Bad Habits' which currently sits at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. Alongside his appearances at Spilt Milk, Lacy has also announced a run of headline dates across the east coast of Australia. He'll be popping up at Melbourne's The Forum on Tuesday, November 22, The Tivoli in Brisbane on Tuesday, November 23 and Sydney's Enmore Theatre on Monday, November 28. Due to the lineup change, Spilt Milk will be offering refunds for anyone who requests one via Moshtix before 5pm Thursday, October 4. After that, you can also pop your tickets up for sale on the festival's resale facility. Those that want to head along to catch Lacy alongside previously announced acts like Flume, The Wombats, Spacey Jane, G Flip, Fisher and Peach PRC can access tickets via the Moshtix resale. Tickets for Steve Lacy's solo shows will go on sale via the Frontier Members pre-sale at 9am local time on Tuesday, October 4, before the general public tickets go on sale on Wednesday, October 5. [caption id="attachment_851188" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] Stormzy has cancelled his run of Australian and New Zealand shows including his appearances at Spilt Milk. Refunds for Spilt Milk are available via Moshtix until 5pm, Thursday, October 4.
Finding the right New Years plans can be tricky — especially in a city as lively as Sydney, where hectic crowds can swamp your dreams of clinking champagne flutes and catching the fireworks. If you're after an elegant night out with good food, delicious cocktails and uncompromised views, you'll be happy to hear that tickets have been released for NYE at Watersedge at the iconic Campbell's Stores at The Rocks. Taking place from 7pm to 1am, the event is a surefire way to see in the new year in style. Expect a complimentary cocktail on arrival, bottomless wine and beer throughout the night, plus bubbles at 11:30pm to toast the new year while taking in the iconic Harbour Bridge views in front of you. The food menu is equally as exciting — a steady flow of canapés such as spicy tuna sushi and peking duck crepes will be making the rounds, while angus beef sliders and lamb ragu gnocchi will see you through the night — along with live performers and DJs curated by Rodd Richards Presents bringing you tunes on the dance floor. If you're after a more intimate affair, you can hire your own fully furnished VIP igloo for you and up to ten of your mates. It includes bottle service, a private entrance and cuisine from award-winning Japanese restaurant Bay Nine Omakase. First-release NYE Gold tickets start at $475. You can book your tickets here.
UPDATE, March 30, 2021: Raya and the Dragon is currently screening in Australian cinemas, and is also currently available to stream via Disney+ with Premier Access (so you'll pay $34.99 extra for it, on top of your usual subscription fee). It'll hit Disney+ without any extra fee on June 4. Featuring a vibrant animated spectacle that heroes vivid green and blue hues, a rousing central figure who is never a stock-standard Disney princess and lively voice work from an all-star cast, Raya and the Last Dragon boasts plenty of highlights. The Mouse House's new all-ages-friendly release also embraces southeast Asian culture with the same warm hug that Moana gave Polynesia and Pixar's Coco sent Mexico's way — and it's always detailed, organic, inclusive and thoughtful, and never tokenistic. But perhaps its biggest strength, other than the pitch-perfect vocal stylings of Awkwafina as the playful, mystical half of the film's title, is its timing. Disney first announced the feature back in August 2019, so the company can't have known what the world would suffer through from early 2020 onwards, of course. But a hopeful movie about a planet ravaged by a destructive plague and blighted by tribalism — and a feature that champions the importance of banding together to make things right, too — really couldn't arrive at a more opportune moment. COVID-19 has no place in Raya and the Last Dragon; however, as the picture's introductory preamble explains, a virus-like wave of critters called the Druun has wreaked havoc. Five hundred years earlier, the world of Kumandra was filled with humans and dragons living together in harmony, until the sinister force hit. Now, only the realm's two-legged inhabitants remain — after their furry friends used their magic to create the dragon gem, which saved everyone except themselves. That's the only status quo that Raya (voiced by Star Wars' Kelly Marie Tran) has ever known. Her entire existence has also been lived out in a divided Kumandra, with different groups staking a claim to various areas. With her father Benja (Daniel Dae Kim, Always Be My Maybe), she hails from the most prosperous region, Heart, and the duo hold out hope that they can reunite the warring lands. Alas, when they bring together their fellow leaders for a peaceful summit, Raya's eagerness to trust Namaari (Gemma Chan, Captain Marvel), the daughter of a rival chief, ends with the Druun on the rampage once again. Directors Don Hall (Big Hero 6) and Carlos López Estrada (Blindspotting), co-directors Paul Briggs and John Ripa (both Disney art and animation department veterans), and screenwriters Qui Nguyen (Dispatches From Elsewhere) and Adele Lim (Crazy Rich Asians) mightn't have had much of a tale to tell if Raya and Namaari had gotten on without a hitch from the get-go. But the latter's early betrayal of the former, and her quest to steal the dragon gem, serves more than a key storytelling function. This is a movie about believing not just in yourself, but in others, and it doesn't shy away from the reality that trusting anyone comes with the chance of peril and pain — especially in fraught times where the world has taken on an every-person-for-themselves mentality and folks are dying (or being turned to stone, which is the Druun's modus operandi). If the narrative hadn't been willing to make this plain again and again, including when it picks up six years later as Raya tries to reverse the devastation caused by Namaari's actions, Raya and the Last Dragon wouldn't feel as genuinely affecting. Rolling around desert wastelands on her giant armadillo-meets-pill bug Tuk Tuk, Raya's mission involves collecting every part of the now-fractured gem — which has been scattered across Kumandra — as well as investigating a legend about Awkwafina's Sisu. It's rumoured that the aquamarine-coloured dragon still lives, and Raya is as intent on finding it as she is on piecing her homeland back together. Tracking down the perennially optimistic Sisu actually happens quickly (it's right there in the movie's buddy-comedy moniker, after all) and the film is all the better for it. So giddily buoyant that she's like a teenage girl, the friendly creature becomes the supportive, exuberant cheerleader encouraging Raya to be her better self and to see the best in others, and their match-up — and the meeting of stellar vocals behind them — works a treat. That said, there is an episodic feel to the pair's jumps from place to place, as they enlist the help of a baby pickpocket, plus orphaned ten-year-old and boat restaurant proprietor Boun (Izaac Wang, Good Boys) and lonely warrior Tong (Benedict Wong, The Personal History of David Copperfield). If you're cynical or even just practical, you can also see how all these characters and settings could give rise to their own toys, other merchandise and spinoffs, too. And yet, this is always a deeply moving feature, thanks to its commitment to recognising the risks as well as the rewards of placing your faith in others, its warmly beating heart, and the complexities of Raya and Namaari's relationship — which is never straightforward, and puts the one-note rivalries between young women so often seen in live-action high school-set movies to shame. A familiar Disney formula is at work underneath, and noticeably, but those easily spotted aspects provide Raya and the Last Dragon with its skeleton rather than driving every detail into well-worn territory. Also hitting the mark: the film's comic notes, especially through Awkwafina's voice performance; its balance of world-building fantasy and epic adventure, and of both hopeful and melancholy tones; and the way it equally plays like a fable and also feels ideally suited to the current moment. Tran, Chan and the rest of the movie's cast, including Sandra Oh (Killing Eve) as Namaari's mother, are just as wonderful, and the feature's finale leaves an imprint. Amid these fine-tuned elements and the always-breathtaking imagery also lingers another message, and one that's just as important as the flick's missive of unity. Clouds of familiarity linger over Raya and the Last Dragon, but they never hide the movie's many charms — because judging something based on its most obvious traits is ill-advised within this touching tale, and when it comes to the film as a whole as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T4GIqEYyNk&feature=youtu.be Top image: © 2020 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
What happened to Carriageworks? Lisa Havilah is what happened. It would appear that this fine lady just stretches out, touches and all turns to gold. Very, very quickly. After only twelve months as Director at Carriageworks Havilah has taken that sprawling mess of boundless potential and turned it into something that appears to have the semblance of an artspace, with an actual exhibition program, and no less, one that is engaging and relevant. Thank you, Lisa, thank you. And 2012 looks set to be a jam-packed year for the former railway yard site. In February we will have the chance to delve into the thirty year career of Bronwyn Bancroft. Bancroft has never been one to limit herself and is known for her diverse talents from artist to fashion designer, illustrator to activist. As a high achiever of the boundless energy type Bancroft was amazingly the first Australian fashion designer to be invited to show her work in Paris in 1985 with her fashion outlet, Designer Aboriginals. She was also one of the founding members (together with Fiona Foley and Tracey Moffatt and others) of the Boomalli Aboriginal Co-operative which marks its 25th anniversary this year. So if you, like me, are in need of a little inspirational get-up-and-go to fire you into start of the first official work week of 2012 (that’s January 30 in case you were not aware, yes, I have been putting it off) I well recommend diving head first into the story of Bronwyn Bancroft.
Gotta love this grass-roots, crowd-sourced internet art project. Corpus Libris is an ongoing photo essay on books and the bodies that love them, in which participants create visually quirky creations by superimposing images of the human body found on book covers over their own bodies. Creator of the project Emily Pullen says "It began as a fun little photo essay on a Thursday night while working at Skylight Books in Los Angeles. As we kept going and going, I realized that many, many more people could enjoy and create similar photographs. The possibilities are practically endless!" The most successful images strike a balance of perspective, positioning the book so the image is the same size as the human holding it – check them out below: [Via Flavorwire]
Dying to grow your own food but failed to take the agriculture elective in high school? Been green with envy, eyeing off new apartment blocks' vertical gardens, yet don't know where to start when it comes to greening up your own home? You've come to the right place. As increasing the flower, fruit and foliage content of our urban lives becomes more and more desirable, so too does the technology enabling it. Read on to discover five systems for apartment gardening that'll have your place biodiversify-ing like the Amazon in no time — even if you've never planted a seed or picked out a weed in your life. SproutsIO If you're handier with your smartphone than you are with a trowel, SproutsIO could well be for you. Consisting of a network of pods, each home to a separate plant, it functions according to the commands of a mobile app, which works through both Android and iOS devices. There's no soil involved. Instead, oxygen and nutrients are delivered via mist, with special censors ensuring that light, humidity and temperature remain at optimum levels. According to creator Jennifer Broutin Farah, SproutsIO's productivity levels are up to six times higher than those generated by traditional soil-based methods. Currently nearing production; on-sale date TBC. Windowfarm This vertical, bioponic solution does exactly what its name suggests — transforms your window into a farm that would do Old McDonald proud. A reservoir at the base of the Windowfarm pumps nutrient-filled water upwards, feeding each plant's roots, which are protected not by soil but by a 'nest' comprised of clay pellets, coconut hair and rice hulls. US$199 for a one-column starter bundle at store.windowfarms.com Aqualibrium This isn't just an apartment garden: it's a fish tank and farm, combined. Made possible by a successful Kickstarter campaign, Aqualibrium works according to the principles of aquaponics. The fish create nutrients, which are cycled upwards to feed the plants, while the plants soak up the nutrients and send fresh, clean water downwards. If fish aren't your thing, you can replace them with pre-bottled nutrients, thereby transforming Aqualibrium into a hydroponics system. From US$300 at shop.aqualibrium.com Bitponics Want home-grown vegetables but simply don't have time to attend to them? At all? Bitponics is a fully automated hydroponics system that can run an entire season of gardening via the Cloud. Everything — including pH, light, water, temperature and humidity — is measured and regulated by wi-fi responsive sensors. $9/month per garden. Sign-ups coming soon at bitponics.com. String gardens They might not be as productive or automated as some of the fancy systems already discussed, but they have plenty of other advantages. They're cheap; they look cool and you can make them with your own two hands — from scratch.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we hop aboard PS Emmylou on the Murray River. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? According to the PS Emmylou team, this is the world's only accommodated woodfire paddle steamer. You'll slowly float along the Murray River in this newly kitted-out boat, stopping off at small towns and natural sites to do some light exploring. It has to be one of the very best ways to see this part of Australia. THE ROOMS There are just eight luxe cabins on board the PS Emmylou — it's a proper small-group cruise. You can either opt for the twin cabins with two single beds or one of the double or queen cabins. Each of these is above deck and comes with its own ensuite bathroom, wifi, aircon and windows to let the fresh country air right into your room. There's also one larger suite (that you can book on the Concrete Playground Trips website) with double doors opening directly onto the verandah, where you can relax with a drink in hand and take in the ambience as you cruise the Murray River. This is for those wanting the full luxury experience. FOOD AND DRINK At the back of the paddle steamer, you'll find a covered deck that's set up for meals every day. Whenever you dine, stunning views will surround you. And there are stacks of great meals included. In the morning, you can fill up on a full English Breakfast or go continental — tucking into pastries, cereals and fresh fruit. Your caffeine fix is also sorted with barista-made coffee included. The onboard chef also makes a daily morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea for all the guests, ensuring your belly won't grumble at any part of the trip. Then there are the special multi-course dinners celebrating local produce (with house wine and beers also included). And depending on the itinerary you choose, you can experience gourmet picnics and riverside barbeque dinners under the stars — with live entertainment. [caption id="attachment_894062" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kayaking on the Murray River, Barmah National Park. DNSW.[/caption] THE LOCAL AREA There are two itinerary options available to those who jump aboard the PS Emmylou, taking you to the same parts of the Murray River region but spending more or less time at each. The three-day cruise starts at Echuca and stops off at Layfield Lane, Deep Creek Marina and Torrumbarry Weir. You'll be taken for tastings at Morrisons Riverside Winery and get a tour of the lush Pericoota Station gardens. Plenty of nature hikes are also available. There's also the seven-day cruise. This begins and ends at Torrumbarry Weir. It hits the same spots as the shorter cruise but takes more time to explore each part — that means you can go deeper into the remote areas on guided tours and hikes (and sneak in a few more cultural experiences and winery visits). THE EXTRAS This is an all-inclusive cruise. Return V/Line train fares to Echuca and local transfers to and from the boat are included as well as all your meals, coffee, alcohol and local guided tours. You'll also save about $500 when you book the three-day cruise through Concrete Playground Trips in the spacious Queen Suite. This deal gives you a pretty great reason to jump on board PS Emmylou and explore the mighty Murray River region in total comfort. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world. Images: DNSW
If you can't choose between spending your spare time hitting up a music festival or enjoying a Sunshine State getaway, then Queensland Music Trails likely became your favourite event when it first held a trial run back in 2021. This statewide festival turns heading to see live music into a massive road trip, with different legs sprawling through different parts of the state — and it'll be back in 2023. The fest's big return this year was announced back in 2022, which was already excellent news. Now, event organisers are getting to the even better stuff, aka lineup details. Among the first contingent: Lime Cordiale, CW Stoneking & His Primitive Horn Orchestra, Hatchie, Emma Donovan & The Putbacks and Sycco. [caption id="attachment_814672" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Queensland Music Trails' bill so far covers trails in the outback, Scenic Rim and southern Queensland, including stops everywhere from St George and Charleville to Canungra and Jimbour. While the full details for each leg haven't yet been unveiled, each route varies in length — the outback trail running for nine days from Thursday, April 13–Friday, April 21; Scenic Rim's for three days across Friday, April 28–Sunday, April 30; and the southern leg for three days from Friday, May 5–Sunday, May 7. Keen on heading to Queensland's west? Then you can choose between Hussy Hicks, Karl S Williams and Jem Cassar-Daley at Oasis Afternoon in St George — or Emma Donavan & the Putbacks and Alice Skye at the Outback River Lights Festival in Cunnamulla. There's also C.W. Stoneking & His Primitive Horn Orchestra, Everybody NOW! and The Pacific Belles at The Big Base Party in Charleville; Harry James Angus and The Barleyshakes Duo at The Sundowner in Tambo; and a whole on-the-road series of gigs with The Barleyshakes Duo, too. So far, the Scenic Rim trail will welcome back The Long Sunset for a second year, hitting up Canungra on Saturday, April 29 with Lime Cordiale, Hatchie, Sycco and Tia Gostelow — and more to be announced. And, on the southern trail, there's the also-returning Opera at Jimbour for three days, featuring talent from Opera Queensland, Ensemble Q and the Griffith University Conservatorium of Music Orchestra. Still on opera, an entire festival dedicated to it — the Festival of Outback Opera, in fact — returns from Tuesday, May 16–Monday, May 22. At present, it features a long lunch and dark-sky serenade in Winton, plus an evening of singing and an opera ball in Longreach. This fest within the fest hasn't been put in a specific trail, but journeying to Winton and Longreach (and between them) works as its own route. More details, acts and events are still to be announced, as part of a fest that was initially slated to cover huge music gigs and festivals held at 25 locations around Queensland — also heading to Quilpie, Toowoomba, Roma and Blackall, Longreach and Winton. Now expected to arrive further down the road, with no further specifics so far, are trails in the far north, along the reef, in Brisbane, and through both the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. If 2022's plans stick, the first will span Paronella Park, Yarrabah, Cairns, Barron Gorge, Kuranda and Mossman/Port Douglas, while the second will hit up Mackay, Proserpine, Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island, Bowen and Townsville. And, the Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast trails are obviously self-explanatory. [caption id="attachment_857800" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mitch Lowe[/caption] An initiative of QMF (Queensland Music Festival), Queensland Music Trails is returning thanks to a $20-million investment by the Queensland Government over the first three years. "The Queensland Music Trails are a key step to building Queensland's cultural events so we are ready to host the world in 2032 for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe. "It's exciting to see QMF partner with key Queensland artists and arts organisations to collaborate on signature cultural events that will be integrated into Qld Music Trails, including a visual arts tour with Arts Queensland funded Flying Arts Alliance, and Festival of Outback Opera and Opera at Jimbour with Opera Queensland who are also supported through the arts portfolio," added Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch. [caption id="attachment_887098" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Big Red Bash[/caption] Queensland Music Trails return for 2023 from April — head to the event's website for more information. Images: Katrina Lehmann / Mitch Lowe.
Forty years ago, fresh from making one of the greatest sci-fi/horror movies ever made in Alien, Ridley Scott gifted the world another futuristic classic that helped define and reshape science fiction on-screen. It's almost impossible to name a movie or TV series in the genre that's popped up over the past four decades and hasn't owed a huge debt to Blade Runner — and, soon, that list will include a new Blade Runner TV series. Philip K Dick's 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? has already given rise not just to Scott's iconic Harrison Ford-starring adaptation in 1982, but also to exceptional 2017 sequel Blade Runner 2049 and recent animated series Blade Runner: Black Lotus. Of course, if Ford's other huge sci-fi franchise can just keep popping back up, including on both the big and screens — see: The Force Awakens, Rogue One, The Last Jedi, Solo, The Rise of Skywalker, The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett — then clearly this one can as well. The Blade Runner series obviously has some catching up to do to get to Star Wars-level continuations, and quantity isn't the same as quality, but spending more time in its vision of the future is definitely welcome. The OG film was set in 2019, so we're now well past then — and the new series has been dubbed Blade Runner 2099, which means we'll be jumping quite a ways forward in time. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Amazon Studios is behind Blade Runner 2099, once again bringing a small-screen favourite to streaming given that it's doing exactly that in September this year with the eagerly awaited The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. When it leaps forward to 2099, the new Blade Runner show will act as a sequel to both the initial film and Blade Runner 2049 — but who'll be starring and directing hasn't yet been revealed. That said, busy The Last Duel and House of Gucci filmmaker Scott has confirmed his involvement, Variety reports, noting that the pilot for the show has already been written, and that it's envisioned as a ten-hour series. There's obviously no sneak peek at Blade Runner 2099 yet, but you can check out the trailer for the original 1982 Blade Runner below: Blade Runner 2099 doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when more news is announced. Via Variety / The Hollywood Reporter.
In an attempt to reach the key demographic of 'women aged 14-400', The Place Beyond The Pines opens with a three-minute shot of Ryan Gosling topless. When he does eventually put on a shirt, it's only so that he can ride his motorbike with casually reckless abandon, thereby expanding that key demographic to... 'women'. Thankfully, though, this is not just another 'Ryan Gosling is nice to look at' movie, and as a result we're able to enjoy a far more nuanced and layered performance by the actor. Gosling plays Luke Glanton, a soulful carny whose heavily tattooed body (complete with dripping dagger beneath the eye) alludes to a troubled past that's never spoken of aloud. When an old flame (Eva Mendes) resurfaces and reveals they have a one-year-old son, Glanton quits his job and turns to robbing banks in an attempt to provide for the child. His accomplice and mentor is the reclusive mechanic Robin, played by Ben Mendelsohn — an actor who appears to have cornered the market in two-bit crims who drink, smoke and speak with protracted drawls. Eventually his and Glanton's activities lead to a run-in with the law, and it's at this point that the movie takes quite a turn. Instead of following the traditional three-act structure, The Place Beyond the Pines plays more like three chapters, each with their own distinct stories and characters. It's almost like an anti-Forrest Gump, in that instead of one man telling his story to three strangers at a bus stop, it's three strangers telling their separate stories to one man — the audience. In that respect, 'chapter two' follows Bradley Cooper as the earnest but ambitious cop Avery Cross. Like Glanton, he's a father of a one-year-old boy and, also like Glanton, his colleagues (Ray Liotta, Bruce Greenwood) and wife (Rose Byrne) seem to complicate, rather than complement, his life. Eventually Cross's story moves onto a third protagonist, at which point The Place Beyond the Pines attempts to reconcile all three vignettes into one neat, all-encompassing resolution that's either masterful or impossibly convenient, depending on who you listen to. The film was directed by Derek Cianfrance, whose last (and essentially plotless) film Blue Valentine was a far cry from the myriad of fateful encounters and interwoven acts of providence that take place in The Place Beyond The Pines. This is very much a film about fathers and sons, cause and effect and — some might argue — karmic destiny. It's an ambitious project (and, with a run time of 140 minutes, also a long one); however, Cianfrance and his actors manage to achieve enough drama and tension to maintain your interest right through to the end. https://youtube.com/watch?v=G07pSbHLXgg
A smokejumper stationed to a Montana watchtower, plagued by past traumas and forced to help a teenage boy evade hired killers, Those Who Wish Me Dead's Hannah Faber actually first debuted on the page. Watching Angelina Jolie bring the whisky-swilling, no-nonsense, one of the boys-type figure to the screen, it's easy to assume otherwise. The part doesn't quite feel as if it was written specifically for the smouldering movie star, though. Rather, it seems like the kind of role that might've been penned with Liam Neeson or Denzel Washington in mind — see: this year's The Marksman for the former, and 2004's Man on Fire for the latter — then flipped, gender-wise, to gift Jolie a new star vehicle. On the one hand, let's be thankful that that's not how this character came about. Kudos to author Michael Koryta, who also co-writes the screenplay here based on his 2016 novel, for conjuring up Hannah to begin with. But on the other hand, it's never a great sign when a female protagonist plays like a grab bag of stock-standard macho hero traits, just dressed up in a shapelier guise. It has been six years since Jolie has stepped into a mere mortal's shoes — since 2015's By the Sea, which she wrote and directed — and she leaves no doubt that Hannah is flesh and blood. There's still an iciness to the firefighter, and she still has the actor's cheekbones and pout, but Maleficent, she isn't. She's bruised, internally, by a fire that got away and left a body count. After hanging out with her colleagues, parachuting out of cars and brooding in her tower, she's soon physically in harm's way as well. As Those Who Wish Me Dead's plot gets her to this juncture, it also cuts back and forth between forensic accountant Owen Casserly (Jake Weber, Midway) and his son Connor (Finn Little, Angel of Mine), plus assassins Patrick and Jack (The Great's Nicholas Hoult and Game of Thrones' Aiden Gillen). Thanks to a treasure trove of incriminating evidence against important people that no one was ever supposed to find, these two duos are on a collision course. When they do cross paths — while Owen is trying to take Connor to stay with Ethan (Jon Bernthal, The Peanut Butter Falcon), his brother-in-law, a sheriff's deputy and one of Hannah's colleagues — it also nudges the boy into the smokejumper's orbit. As he demonstrated with his scripts for Sicario, Hell or High Water and Wind River, actor-turned-writer/director Taylor Sheridan (12 Strong) favours a patient approach. His narratives frequently boast an entire forest's worth of moving parts, and he's never in much of a rush to piece them all together. Accordingly, he takes his time bringing Hannah and Connor into each other's lives, and unfurls their ordeal from there with the same unhurried air. Those Who Wish Me Dead isn't interested in fleshing out its characters any more than the plot demands, however. The audience spends ample time with the film's central duo, yet can't claim to really get to know them. They're both haunted by what they've seen and lost, and neither is keen to spill too many words talking it through — but, although both Jolie and her young Australian co-star Little do exactly what they're asked, and even impart as much soulfulness as they each can on top, these characters could've been shaken out of any western-leaning, action-infused crime-thriller. They could equally walk right out of this flick and into the next formulaic entry in the genre. Also just as familiar: the cat-and-mouse games that ensue as Hannah and Connor try to reach the authorities, Patrick and Jack attempt to track their every move, and Ethan and his pregnant wife Allison (Medina Senghore, Happy!) become entangled in the drama. Naturally, an encroaching blaze fuels a significant part of the narrative — which proves inevitable from the very first frame, but does at least give Sheridan and cinematographer Ben Richardson (Mare of Easttown) a smokier visual palette. As its score keeps stressing, this is meant to be a tense film. It isn't; ticking boxes so dutifully is rarely suspenseful, as the otherwise vastly dissimilar Spiral: From the Book of Saw has also demonstrated recently. Still, Those Who Wish Me Dead does possess its own distinctive look. While texture and urgency are largely absent from the story, all those leaves and flames do their best to approximate the same sensations. Your eyes will register the difference, but your blood pressure will remain undisturbed. Occasionally — not enough, but occasionally nonetheless — Sheridan, Koryta and co-writer Charles Leavitt (Warcraft: The Beginning) don't make the obvious choice. When the feature allows Hannah and Connor's melancholy moods to linger, or does the same with a shot that doesn't immediately thrust the plot forward, it toys with being a more interesting film. The same applies to the way that it lets Allison play the hero, albeit after first putting her through a violent ordeal while she's literally barefoot and pregnant. Patrick and Jack are also curious inclusions. They're so one-note, it's hard to see what actors of Hoult and Gillen's calibre saw in the parts, but they'd also likely make a great double act in an In Bruges-esque Martin McDonagh flick. Jolie is tasked with anchoring this melange of elements, which she does; however, this isn't a feature that star power can bolster. Instead, Those Who Wish Me Dead is a generic movie that flirts with more, led by an impressive lead who's capable of more. It wants to burn bright, but usually only flickers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV6VNNjBkcE
Cyclists, for a long time considered well behind the peloton in the fashion stakes, seem to be catching up. Leading designers are decking them out in fashionable threads, and now the helmet is even starting to look good. Perhaps fuelled by the rise in cycle chic, designers are now rethinking the humble lid and giving it a new look — after all, what’s the point of looking sharp in your $650 jacket if you cap it off with a Stackhat? Designboom have gathered together some of the more interesting takes on the humble helmet. Some simply add some quality materials to the traditional design, others take inspiration from the military, or nature. The more radical ideas start with a blank slate, and end up with something foldable that can be slipped in your handbag or back pocket. They might look great and suit your new outfit perfectly, but many of them wouldn’t meet Australian safety standards. Which is a shame, as it seems that a lot of cyclists would rather be a traffic-victim than a fashion-victim. [via Designboom]
You mightn't usually be the kind of person who yells at the TV when you're watching something. In fact, you may have never exclaimed aloud during a streaming binge. But all bets are off when Curb Your Enthusiasm is on — because Larry David, playing a heightened and fictionalised version of himself, constantly behaves in a manner that'll make you shout an exasperated but still amused "Larry!?!?!?!" more than once. Across ten seasons since 2000, the series has followed the Seinfeld co-creator's life after that huge hit, including both his personal and professional ups and downs. Over that time, he's gotten the Seinfeld gang back together for a reunion, fallen asleep during Hamilton and starred in a Broadway production of The Producers — all within the show, that is. Larry isn't particularly fond of following social conventions, which is the source of much of Curb Your Enthusiasm's awkward comedy. There's no one better at it, actually, and much of the dialogue is improvised, too.
Since 2011, DJ Tom Loud's travelling dance party Hot Dub Time Machine has ripped up stages the world over, offering a rolling crossfade of the last six decades of pop-music. And three years ago he launched Wine Machine, a series of al fresco get-togethers on some of the country's most-loved wine regions. The Wine Machine events were a success and the tour will be returning to Hunter Valley's Roche Estate for a second year on Saturday, March 14. The boutique event will run from early afternoon through to after dark. Leading the music will be one of Hot Dub's signature sets, which will see audiences dancing their way from 1954 to today, as the DJ mixes best-known songs from each year. He'll be joined on stage by NZ alt-rockers The Naked & Famous, indie four-piece The Jungle Giants, Aussie dance legends Bag Raiders and Brisbane DJ Young Franco. You can check out the full lineup below. Backing up the tunes, there'll be a tasty lineup of eats, craft beer and, of course, some sensational vino from these Australian wine regions. Safe to say, it's probably the rowdiest event these wineries will host all year. WINE MACHINE 2020 LINEUP Hot Dub Time Machine The Jungle Giants The Naked & Famous Regard Northeast Party House Bag Raiders Young Franco Alice Ivy Don West Danny Clayton Updated January 17, 2020.
Soon, Sydneysiders in search of the perfect wave won't have to sit in summer traffic to get to the coast. URBNSURF, a developer of man-made surf parks, has just announced that the development of Sydney's first-ever proper wave pool has gained approval from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment today, December 20. It's to be built in Sydney Olympic Park, across a 3.2 hectare area known as Pod 5B. The idea is to give the Australian surfing team, who are preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, a place to train. But that won't be the surf park's only mission. The park is just as much for amateur surfers and families — you can expect a variety of events throughout the year, including both amateur and pro surfing comps, as well as festivals dedicated to music, art, film, food, drink, culture and more. The complex will host a beach club, restaurant, bar, cafe, pop-ups and a concept retail space, in addition to the wave pool, which will take up two hectares. "URBNSURF Sydney will be capable of generating up to 1000 surfing waves, of up to two metres in height every hour, and will provide customised surfing experiences to suit all ability levels and board types," said Andrew Ross, founder and chairman of URBNSURF. The company expects to start construction in late 2018 and see surfers in action by late 2019. Two other surf parks are in development in Australia — one in Melbourne and the other in Perth. URBNSURF has plans to complete ten altogether by 2027.
Maggie Gyllenhaal and Hugh Dancy head up a stellar cast in Tanya Wexler's offbeat comedy Hysteria, based on the true story of Dr. Mortimer Granville — the man who created the world's first vibrator, back in 1880. In a search to cure the baffling female medical condition of the day, 'hysteria', the young doctor (played by Dancy) and his new boss Dr. Dalrymple (Jonathon Pryce) create the 'feather duster', offering women intimate manual relief from their condition – and, by chance, generating a surprising increase in business. The film is a joyful and light-hearted take on the birth of the sex toy, likely to put a knowing smile on a few faces in the audience. Concrete Playground has ten double passes to give away. To be in the running to win a pair of tickets to Hysteria, make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
A few weeks ago, The Basement's future was looking seriously shaky. In a Facebook post on April 3, the venue's management explained the current site was no longer suiting their needs and that they were looking at finding a new home. But yesterday it was announced that musical entrepreneur Albert Dadon will ensure The Basement won't be lost forever. Dadon — who runs Melbourne's Bird's Basement — snapped up both the name and assets of the long-running Sydney jazz club, and is now on the hunt for a new CBD location to house it. He's even taking suggestions from the public. ''I was saddened to see The Basement close its doors," Dadon said. "It was a loss to the cultural health of the city and Australia. I hope that with the help of those who are committed to retain and reinvigorate Sydney's music scene we will find an ideal new location of The Basement." It's not the first time this guy's flown to the rescue of Australia's jazz scene — back in 2000, he played a major role in the resurrection of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, wrangling government funding and then growing audience numbers by 195,000 in just nine years. Dadon, who also happens to be a leading jazz guitarist himself, opened Bird's Basement in Melbourne's CBD in 2016. He's aiming to create a similar venue with this latest project, saying he "would love to provide Sydneysiders with a wonderful 21st century experience" similar to his Melbourne venue. The Basement is now closed. We'll let you know when a new location has been confirmed.
We're going back ... back to see Back to the Future, this time as a musical on the Sydney Lyric's stage. First floated 20 years ago by the big-screen trilogy's screenwriter Bob Gale, then finally premiering in 2020, the song-filled take on Marty McFly and Doc Brown's exploits has proven an award-winning success in London's West End and on Broadway. In 2025, the DeLorean has finally arrived in Sydney. The power of Back to the Future isn't really a curious thing. As viewers have known since 1985, the Michael J Fox (The Good Fight)-starring sci-fi/comedy is a timeless delight. But as well as making film lovers weep with joy for almost four decades, the iconic movie has been making other folks sing — the casts of the Olivier Award-winning Back to the Future: The Musical, that is. Aussie audiences can now experience the award-winning musical at the Sydney Lyric. Exclaiming "great Scott!" is obviously the only fitting response to this development, and to the production in general — and there's clearly plenty to get excited about. Since initially racing towards clocktowers onstage in the UK since early 2020 (around a pandemic hiatus or two, of course), Back to the Future: The Musical has picked up the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, and then was nominated for two Tony Awards in 2024. And yes, the show does indeed follow the Marty McFly and Doc Brown-led story we all know and adore, but with songs, including renditions of Chuck Berry's 'Johnny B Goode' and Huey Lewis and the News' 'The Power of Love' and 'Back in Time', naturally. [caption id="attachment_1049421" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption] Australian fans will now want to speed at 88 miles per hour towards the Harbour City, given that it is the only Aussie city where a season of Back to the Future: The Musical has been announced so far, so bookmark a trip to the Harbour City to see it — or pop on your own white lab coat, start tinkering around with electronics and whip up your own time machine to try to make it happen. Also featuring music and lyrics by OG Back to the Future composer Alan Silvestri and acclaimed songwriter Glen Ballard (Jagged Little Pill the Musical), plus a book by Gale — who co-penned all three Back to the Future film scripts with filmmaker Robert Zemeckis (Here) — Back to the Future: The Musical was nominated for seven Olivier Awards. It only won the big one, but emerged victorious over heavy-hitters and fellow screen-to-stage shows Moulin Rouge! The Musical and Frozen. Tickets are on sale now. For more info, head to the website. [caption id="attachment_1049422" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption]
Move over Matt Damon, French acting icon Alain Delon, the great Dennis Hopper, Lawmen: Bass Reeves star Barry Pepper and John Malkovich: there's a new Tom Ripley in town. Actually, Malkovich hasn't gone far. Netflix's upcoming limited series Ripley stars All of Us Strangers and Fleabag favourite Andrew Scott as its namesake, but he's joined by an actor who has also played the Patricia Highsmith-penned part, as the just-dropped first teaser trailer for one of 2024's most-anticipated new TV titles shows. An eight-part effort arriving on Thursday, April 4, Ripley isn't short on drawcards, then — Scott chief among them. He's stepped into iconic characters' shoes before, and suave yet scheming folks that can't be trusted, thanks to his stint as Moriarty in Sherlock. Now, one of the internet's boyfriends is taking on the fictional con artist that debuted on the page in Highsmith's 1955 book The Talented Mr Ripley. That novel has reached the screen twice before, as 1960 crime-thriller Purple Noon starring Delon, then as the Damon (Oppenheimer)-led The Talented Mr Ripley in 1999. Where the latter also featured Gwyneth Paltrow (The Politician) as Marge Sherwood and Jude Law (Peter Pan & Wendy) as Dickie Greenleaf, Dakota Fanning (The Equalizer 3) and Johnny Flynn (One Life) are doing the honours this time. As seen in the initial sneak peek at Ripley, Malkovich (Billions) also pops up in the series, which follows its eponymous figure to Italy. Tom's gig: being paid by a rich man to persuade his son to come home. Steven Zaillian, who has excellent fellow miniseries The Night Of on his resume alongside screenplays for Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York and The Irishman, plus an Oscar for Schindler's List, scripted and directed all eight episodes. He takes his cues from the novelist who also gave the world Strangers on a Train and The Price of Salt — with the first brought to cinemas by Alfred Hitchcock and the second adapted as Carol. And if you're wondering about Malkovich's time as Tom Ripley, he played the character in 2002's Ripley's Game, the second adaptation of Highsmith's third Ripley novel of the same name after 1977's The American Friend with Hopper. The author also wrote Ripley Under Ground, which was turned into a 2005 Pepper-led film, plus The Boy Who Followed Ripley and Ripley Under Water. Check out the first teaser trailer for Ripley below: Ripley streams via Netflix from Thursday, April 4, 2024. Images: Lorenzo Sisti / Netflix.
Lightning Ridge might be best known for its enduring opal mining history, but the community's collection of bizarre museums is definitely a close second. Beer Can House is one such structure, which does what it says on the proverbial tinnie. Others not to miss are the Bottle House Museum, the Astronomers Monument, Amigo's Castle and the Kangaroo Hill Complex. Image: John, Flickr
If you've never attended a big community Syrian barbecue, Almond Bar is giving you the chance to get in on one. Head down to the laneway behind the Darlinghurst restaurant on Sunday, April 14, and you can load up your plate with Syrian-style lamb skewers and pumpkin kibbeh, and enjoy the accompanying music and dancing. All for $20. This successful event has been a staple in Darlinghurst for the last five years. The scent of grilling meats sends a siren call throughout the area, bringing people together to celebrate cultural diversity and togetherness. Syrians love a feast, and they love a party — their cooking traditions are among the oldest in the world and the government itself produces two varieties of beer, Al-Shark Beer and Barada Beer. There's no need to book, but space will be limited — so get there early.
A new boutique wine shop has opened in the North Shore with an outstanding selection of 1000+ bottles representing some of the world's most acclaimed and emerging wine regions and producers. Hunters Hill Wine Room is the brainchild of Adrian Filiuta, one of just six Australian's to have earned the Master Sommelier rank. Adrian has made the move to in-store curation after a lengthy career in-venue as the Group Sommelier for Merivale across the group's myriad restaurants and pubs for over decade. Consequently, he knows better than most the range required to adapt to price, palate and occasion of wine-drinking Australians, and the selection at Hunters Hill Wine Room has been curated with that range in mind — whether you're after a drop to go with a weeknight dinner or you're a hardcore aficionado after a collectible vintage. Regardless of what you're after, the best thing to do is take advantage of Adrian's expertise and just ask him for a recommendation. We recently hit him up with a few questions in the lead up to Hunters Hill Wine Room opening its doors. CONCRETE PLAYGROUND: What wine regions seem to be surging in popularity? I feel like there's more Greek wine on restaurant wine lists than ever before... ADRIAN FILIUTA: "That is definitely the case at Le Foote. They have an amazing selection of Greek and Mediterranean wines. Island wines are definitely becoming more popular, as I think consumers are linking it to experience and travel. I've also seen Italy going through a big resurgence from north to south." "In our back yard [I'm seeing] heaps of excitement with lighter shiraz, and grenache from old bush vines in SA — higher toned, elegant, perfumed, delicious. Lastly, I feel there is a growing consumer awareness of natural/organic/bio wines, and not so much how it tastes but more about how is it farmed and who are the people behind the label." Wine is still a bit of an intimidating category - particularly for younger drinkers who are just starting to get a taste for it. What's the best way for burgeoning wine-drinkers to ask you about what to drink if they're still finding their feet? "Yes it is, even so when you dine at a nice restaurant with a big wine menu. But here's the exciting part. Sommeliers love to geek about wine and flavors. I suggest be open/clear about your personal taste, what you like to drink. Do you usually like a spritz, a Bloody Mary or a martini…this helps understand your palate profile." What's a bottle in the shop that you're reaching for if there's a particularly special occasion? "Champagne for sure, and if is a grower champagne even better... something like A. Levasseur or Chartogne-Taillet punch above their weight in terms of value. Otherwise Ruinart Blanc de Blancs is my go-to." Hunters Hill Wine Room is now open at 35 Alexandra Street in Hunters Hill. Open seven days, the trading hours are Sunday and Monday from 11am-7pm, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11am-8pm, and Thursday to Saturday from 11am until 9pm. For more details visit the website.
Catering to our fierce love of seafood over the holiday period, Sydney Fish Market is once again pulling its annual all-nighter so you can get your hands on the freshest ocean treats for Christmas lunch. Each year, the Fish Market — which will be relocated to a $250 million new site come 2023 — capably serves over 100,000 buyers looking to snag a deal. Between 5am on Monday, December 23 and 5pm on Tuesday, December 24, the market is yours to scout out the most sumptuous fish, king prawns, oysters and calamari. The best news is that it's all Australian-sourced, with half of it from New South Wales. It's not only fish here, though. You can also peruse cold meats and cheeses at the deli for a grand charcuterie platter or stop by the on-site bakery and greengrocer. Or, if you're more of a Northern Hemisphere traditionalist, you can even pick up a turkey from the butcher. They sell basically everything here. If you're stuck for gifts, there are plenty of opportunities for that last-minute find. Head to the gift shop, florist, bottle shop or even grab a voucher for a cooking class at the popular Sydney Seafood School.
UPDATE, September 7, 2020: Emma is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Happiest when she's playing matchmaker, experienced at meddling in the affairs of others and accustomed to a comfortable level of standing in her village, Emma Woodhouse withholds judgement on no one. Since first popping up on the page 205 years ago, Jane Austen's heroine has always been a picture of youthful hubris. Case in point: the 20-year-old member of the upper class wouldn't dream of letting a friend marry a mere farmer. She eventually learns the error of her well-meaning arrogance, of course. That's the journey that Austen's Emma charts, following the titular character's evolution from unthinking snobbishness to genuine compassion. But if the fictional Miss Woodhouse was somehow asked to survey the latest film to tell her story, we're certain that her opinionated tendencies would still shine through. Renowned for eschewing the average and ordinary in the hope of a more romantic option, she'd at least arch an eyebrow at this dutifully faithful, perfectly palatable yet hardly spectacular adaptation. Emma may be stylised on its marketing materials as 'Emma.', as though it's putting a full stop on all big-screen iterations of Austen's novel; however it's unlikely to become the definitive book-to-film version of this tale. That title continues to belong to Clueless, a movie that modernised the details, played fast and loose with certain specifics, and turned Austen's comedy of manners into an even savvier delight than it already was. Devotees of the original text might consider that statement blasphemous, but Emma's musings on love, life, social status and human nature thrived under a bolder spotlight. Indeed, Clueless outshone the more traditional Gwyneth Paltrow-starring adaptation of Austen's novel that came out just a year afterwards, and did so easily. The difference a quarter-century ago, and now as well: Clueless engages with and re-interrogates the narrative and its insights, rather than just reverently recreating it. They all tell the same general story, though. For those who haven't committed the broad strokes to memory alongside Alicia Silverstone's 90s outfits, Austen's tale revolves around Emma (played in this 2020 iteration by Anya Taylor-Joy) and her current matchmaking mission. Her friend Harriet Smith (Mia Goth) receives a marriage proposal from local tenant farmer Robert Martin (Connor Swindells), with whom she's clearly besotted, but Emma is convinced that her pal can, should and must do better. So, she nudges Harriet towards seemingly kindly vicar Philip Elton (Josh O'Connor). As well as earning the disapproval of her neighbour George Knightley (Johnny Flynn), who she treats like a brother, Emma's interference causes significant ripples throughout the village. It doesn't help that the rich, handsome and vain Frank Churchhill (Callum Turner) has just returned to town, and the quietly accomplished Jane Fairfax (Amber Anderson), too — with the former considered a potential match for Emma herself, and the latter the target of her palpable jealousy. Well-heeled chaos ensues — as much chaos that can ensue within stately and sprawling country manors, while compliant, silent servants are always on hand, and amidst polite conversation constantly tinted with gossip (although as Downton Abbey keeps demonstrating, that's plenty). Emma circa 2020 does everything it's supposed to, including using its sumptuous production and costume design to paint a vivid picture of Regency-era England, but it adds little of its own personality. Austen's prose, here shaped into a screenplay by The Luminaries' author Eleanor Catton, still sparkles with wit. Making her feature filmmaking debut, photographer and music video director Autumn de Wilde retains the novel's playful mood, and pairs it with a sweeping sense of visual symmetry that'd do Wes Anderson proud. And yet, this adaptation feels mostly indistinguishable from the many other unchallenging film and TV versions of literary classics that've reached screens over the years. In fact, the end result is fine, but in the passable rather than excellent sense of the word. It can be a strange sensation, watching a movie that hits plenty of marks and still feels just standard, but that's this iteration of Emma. The film's various parts boast a variety of charms, and yet they never manage to leave much of an imprint. The main outlier: The Witch, Split and Glass' Taylor-Joy. There's little in the way of purposeful contemporary parallels in this take on Austen's tale but, in Taylor-Joy's hands, Emma herself seems like she could easily be passing judgement on her peers and their love lives via Instagram. As the overly chatty, far less wealthy Miss Bates, Miranda Hart (Call the Midwife) also stands out, especially when her character becomes the target of Emma's withering comments. But it might be Bill Nighy, playing Mr Woodhouse, that encapsulates the movie best. He's as reliable as ever, trots out all his usual moves, and inspires more than a few laughs and smiles — but you always know exactly what you're in for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llt7-EQP6dg
UPDATE, October 2, 2020: Official Secrets is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. When Keira Knightley came to fame kicking a soccer ball in Bend It Like Beckham, her steely determination played a considerable part. The English actor does purposeful and plucky with aplomb — earning Oscar nominations in Pride & Prejudice and The Imitation Game — and they're traits that keep serving her well nearly two decades after her big break. In fact, they're perfect for her latest role. Stepping into Katharine Gun's shoes in Official Secrets, Knightley is the epitome of dedicated and purposeful, as a British security services agent-turned-whistleblower needs to be. That focus keeps shining, too, as her version of Gun weathers the personal, professional and legal repercussions for her actions in trying to thwart the 2003 invasion of Iraq, including breaching the United Kingdom's Official Secrets Act. Yes, there's no doubting where Official Secrets found its title. Even if you weren't across this fairly recent incident, there's no guessing where the film is headed, either. But, working in the same tense mode as he did with 2015's Eye in the Sky, director/co-writer Gavin Hood still treats Gun's rousing true tale like a thriller with good reason — the ins and outs are stirring and gripping. His clear-eyed procedural also proves riveting because it remains immensely relevant, as do the reasons behind Gun's leak of classified documents to start with. While it was once rightfully considered scandalous, politicians, governments and leaders routinely lying to the public has become a regular part of life today; but daring to speak truth to power — and to force those in power to speak the truth — is still rare. It's an ordinary day for Gun when, during her usual translation and analysis duties for British intelligence, she receives an extraordinary email. Sent from a National Security Agency chief, the communication requests help gathering information about United Nations diplomats, in the hope of convincing the seven non-permanent members of the UN Security Council to vote for military action. Her superiors say that nothing is amiss, but using blackmail to send the world to war doesn't sit well with Gun. Once she sends the document to a friend, who then passes it on to a journalist, it doesn't sit well with Observer reporter Martin Bright (Matt Smith) either. After his front-page story hits newsstands, global outrage naturally follows. So does a spiteful investigation by Britain's powers-that-be, who'd rather attack Gun than admit any wrongdoing. As pieced together with workmanlike precision by Hood, who clearly understands the significance of the story, Gun's plight has many moving parts. Her Turkish husband Yasar (Adam Bakri) is seeking asylum in England, something that's unsurprisingly used against her. After she enlists a veteran human rights lawyer (Ralph Fiennes), she's told that she's not allowed to discuss her work with anyone, including legal counsel, or she'll face further charges. When Bright convinces his pro-war Observer editors to run with the story, an innocent internal error gets conspiracy theorists on the attack as well. Gun is an average Brit calling out wrongdoing in her workplace — wrongdoing with worldwide consequences — and she faces her government's wrath for doing so, but she's steadfast in standing by her actions. Gun is tenacious, courageous and committed — and yet, crucially, she's just a regular person. That's another reason that Official Secrets resonates so strongly. The film's subject is employed by British security services to gather intelligence, so on paper she's a spy, but she's really just someone sitting behind a computer, doing her job, and daring to challenge the status quo when it conflicts with her sense of right and wrong. Indeed, for all of Knightley's skill at playing insistent, dogged and earnest, she also captures this truth, as does Hood's polished yet never slick direction (a Bourne or Bond-style flick, this isn't). Official Secrets lurks in nondescript offices and watches everyday folks go about their work, while managing a delicate balancing act in the process, ensuring that Gun is a flesh-and-blood figure rather than a simplified martyr. This is also a movie with a clear outcome in mind and an overt emotional path, although that comes both with the territory and with telling this tale today. Many of the film's supporting players are tasked with underscoring the story's importance — Smith, Fiennes, Matthew Goodes and Rhys Ifans as other journalists, and Jeremy Northam as the public prosecutor eager to put Gun in her place — however Knightley utters the line that couldn't sum up Official Secrets better. Her character is yelling at the TV while watching the news and, yes, it feels relatable as it sounds. "Just because you're the Prime Minister, it doesn't mean you get to make up your own facts," she notes as Tony Blair talks about Iraq. Try not to injure yourself nodding forcefully in agreement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IVuxnXFrl8
USB sticks are stripped back to basics with Flashkus, an innovative design by Russian company Art Lebedev Studio. Reflecting on the disposable nature of electronic storage, the design team foresaw a near future in which "all electronics will be contained on the tip of a detachable cardboard module." Each Flashkus is created from thin strips of recyclable cardboard, allowing for easy disk-labeling and the potential to recycle the body of the disk once you're done. The Flashkus is eco-friendly, no-nonsense and minimalistic. The team behind its creation predict it "is going to be an even more convenient storage device than the floppy disk was back then."
While La Niña may be threatening hot vax summer, no doubt you still intend on living it up over the warmer months. After all, you've got mates to catch up with, new bars to check out and a swathe of live gigs to see. And, with all these social occasions coming up, you're probably keeping an eye out for some new summer threads. Lucky for you, top seltzer brand White Claw has teamed up with local fashion brand Barney Cools to bring you the ultimate wardrobe to cruise around in this summer. The brands are basically the epitome of summer, so the collab makes sense. And the best news? You can score it for free. The White Claw x Barney Cools all-white capsule collection includes three epic items: a terry cord party shirt, a breezy vintage-style tee and corduroy cap. Each limited-edition piece is designed to be genderless, too, so they'll suit anyone and everyone who's keen to make the most of summer. Oh, and did we mention that the prize also includes one White Claw variety pack? The new-release pack includes four flavours: watermelon, mango, lime and grapefruit. There are ten White Claw x Barney Cools packs to be won around the country. Should you win, you'll score some White Claws and all three clothing items, so you can don them to the beach, pub, park and just about everywhere else you plan to hit this summer. Keen to win some new summer threads? Enter your details below to go in the running. [competition]836217[/competition]
UPDATE: MARCH 25, 2020 — While DOC Surry Hills is not currently open for dine-in customers, it is open for takeaway Monday–Saturday. Call (02) 9211 1507 to order. The name might not mean much to a lot of Sydney folk, but we promise it's one you'll soon come to love. For our neighbours to the south, DOC is known for its crisp pizzas, commitment to timeless Italian simplicity and collection of delicatessens, espresso bars and pizza and mozzarella bars spread across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. Now, the group has expanded to Sydney, opening the doors to a DOC Pizza and Mozzarella Bar on Campbell Street in Surry Hills. Long-standing DOC Restaurant Manager Andrea Colosimo has made the move from Melbourne, too, to ensure the eatery retains the same fun vibes and quality food as its siblings. On the menu, you'll spy plenty of top-notch imported Italian ingredients, which are all displayed on a map — so you know exactly where each tasty morsel has come from. Many of these you'll find atop crisp and springy bases in the 14-strong pizza offering. Chianti truffle oil is splashed on the pizza ai porcini — with wild mushrooms, mozzarella and pecorino — san daniele prosciutto from Friuli-Venezia Giulia is paired with buffalo mozzarella on the pizza san daniele and the napoletana stars San Marzano tomatoes from Campania, Ligurian olives and anchovies. Once you've eaten your way through all of these, you still won't get bored — two new specials are set to grace the menu each week. DOC's Italian-made buffalo mozzarella is the star of its extensive antipasto offering, though pasta fiends will likely be tempted by the group's much-loved lasagne, available here in both classic and gluten-free vegetarian format. The menu also features a few salads and sides for breaking up the meat, cheese and dough feast. There's a rocket, pear, honey and pecorino number that you can add buffalo mozzarella to, and the riso nero: golden beetroot, Italian kale, pomegranate, shaved almonds and dill, drizzled with a maple syrup citronette. It's all backed by a considered mix of local and Italian vino, including some natural wines and a prosecco made by third-generation winery Cester Camillo in Treviso, Italy. Or you can BYO wine for $10 per bottle. Like its siblings, you'll also enjoy an abundance of spritz, aperitivi and hearty 'ciao' greetings, followed by a classic Italian dessert of sweet goat's cheese tiramisu and a shot of grappa. The Campbell Street outpost reflects a similar aesthetic to its Melbourne counterparts, with the group using the same architect, Studio Ström Design, to create a space designed to welcome hungry diners and make them feel right at home. There are plenty of natural stones, warm-toned timber, steel and brass, as well as commissioned artworks by Kate Florence, which have become a bit of a signature for DOC. Not only is DOC's new Sydney home just a stone's throw away from that of fellow Melbourne import Chin Chin, it'll soon be around the corner from the first Aussie outpost of the USA's Ace Hotel, which is slated to open next year. DOC Sydney is now open at 78 Campbell Street, Surry Hills. It's open 5pm till late Monday–Wednesday, and midday till late Thursday–Sunday.
Saying that a particular actor could read the phone book and make it sound great has long been deemed high praise. It's now a cliche, but like many over-used expressions, it still remains accurate. Ask Emma Thompson to utter any words on screen, for example, and it'd likely prove enthralling. Playing a family court judge in The Children Act, she reads legal judgements in a complicated case, keeping her emotions in check when few others can. Her character gives firm, sober answers both in her professional and her personal lives — and when the justice lets her guard down on one rare occasion, Thompson literally sings. Indeed, regardless of what the two-time Academy Award winner is doing or saying, she's utterly riveting. Thompson's Fiona Maye spends her days adjudicating difficult cases involving the welfare of minors, with the 1989 U.K. law known as the Children Act her guiding light. It's a job that she approaches with the utmost care, and often under significant scrutiny. Fresh from decreeing the fate of conjoined infants in an affair that's been splashed across the newspapers, another thorny matter comes before her court. 17-year-old Jehovah's Witness Adam Henry (Fionn Whitehead) is dying from leukaemia, and refuses to have a blood transfusion because it's forbidden by his faith. His devout parents (Ben Chaplin and Eileen Walsh) support his choice, but his doctors are seeking legal intervention to administer the life-saving treatment. The decision facing Fiona might rank among the most complex of her career, weighing someone's right to life against their right to their beliefs. Crucially, she's charged with deciding whether a boy who's almost a man can make a choice between the two for himself. Thompson is a powerhouse when Fiona is quietly considering all of the details, often with a pensive yet penetrating look adorning her face. She's just as mesmerising when she's exercising the character's wit, too. But when The Children Act truly cracks Fiona's facade — in fights with her unhappy husband (Stanley Tucci) about their childless marriage, in tender moments when she flouts protocol to visit Adam on his sickbed, and when she just can't hide the stress of the situation — she's nothing short of astonishing. When Adam feels as if he's being drawn to Fiona, his reaction to her presence is easy to understand. Thompson turns in a soulful performance in a film that also earns the same description, which is hardly surprising given the movie's pedigree. The Children Act isn't just the second novel by Ian McEwan to reach the big screen this year, after On Chesil Beach. It's also the second that he has written the screenplay for himself — something that he hadn't done for nearly 25 years beforehand. On the page and in the cinema, the result is another of the writer's mature and thoughtful works, with the picture sensitively handled by director Richard Eyre. The filmmaker is no stranger to complicated matters himself, as previously seen in book-to-film adaptation Notes on a Scandal, but there's a blend of deep emotion and calm subtlety to The Children Act that borders on devastating. Credit is also due to Whitehead, best known until now for his work in Dunkirk, who ensures that Adam is as multifaceted and fascinating as Fiona. It's a portrayal that makes viewers wish for another life for his character, and certainly keeps the audience invested in Adam's fate. As an acting showcase for both the young talent and for Thompson, The Children Act couldn't be better, however the patiently shot drama also succeeds as a probing and empathetic look at a difficult topic. Like this year's festival favourite Apostasy, it ponders faith and medicine among Jehovah's Witnesses to stunning effect — and with heart-wrenching delicacy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWOfsnxcD3s
From its awe-inspiring scenery to its hefty brew tours and the 200 sprawling wineries that call it home, the Margaret River region has become one of Australia's top destinations for those looking to escape the city in style. Situated about three hours from Perth, this bustling coastal setting offers surf beaches, lush forests and ancient underground cave systems all in one spot — which is especially exciting if you're looking for a bit of variety on a weekend trip this winter. With a landscape as diverse as this, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Margaret River is also home to incredible outdoor experiences that are ready and waiting for you to enjoy. There's a lot to choose from, but who doesn't love being spoilt for choice? To help, we've put our heads together with Virgin Australia to come up with the very best activities to make your getaway unforgettable. There'll be wine. There'll be beaches. And, of course, there'll be adventures. [caption id="attachment_719648" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Phil Whitehouse via Flickr[/caption] EXPLORE THE LIMESTONE CAVES OF LEEUWIN NATURALISTE RIDGE When you're viewing it from ground level, the Margaret River region is rather spectacular — but heading underground also reveals incredible sights. Formed around a million years ago, there are over 100 limestone caves throughout Margaret River. They're considered some of the most extraordinary in Australia. The Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge is where you'll find many of them, with this expansive system featuring alluring crystal formations aplenty. Across a variety of guided and self-led tours, you can follow staircases and boardwalks that'll take you right into the depths of the earth. And if you only have time to visit a select few caves, don't miss your chance to see Lake Cave's imposing entrance or Jewel Cave, with its collection of stalactites that are over five metres tall. ABSEIL DOWN THE SEASIDE CLIFFS WITH MARGARET RIVER CLIMBING CO Rising 40 metres above the Indian Ocean, the Wilyabrup Sea Cliffs are among the most picturesque in the Margaret River region, stretching along the rugged coastline for a half-kilometre. If you enjoy a bit of death-defying action to go with your holiday, hook yourself into these towering red granite cliffs with the Margaret River Climbing Co — and step off the edge as you abseil your way down the sheer rock face. There's no need to worry if it's your first time. There are plenty of sections that are suitable for beginners, while experienced abseilers will still find a difficult challenge. Hanging from the cliff face presents you with pretty unbeatable ocean views, naturally. Our tip: keep an eye out for the pods of whales and dolphins that are often seen swimming amid these coastal currents. TREK THE CAPE NATURALISTE TO SUGARLOAF ROCK WALK The Cape to Cape Track is one of the most impressive treks you can complete in the Margaret River region. While you'll likely be a little busy indulging in the local food and wine to make the entire 140-kilometre journey, the Cape Naturaliste to Sugarloaf Rock section offers a pleasant introduction to the outstanding landscape. Setting off from the popular Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, this relaxing three-and-a-half-kilometre stretch will have you stepping along a mix of gentle walking paths and timber boardwalks as you soak up the peaceful coastal views. To get the ideal experience, aim to reach Sugarloaf Rock just as the sun begins to set. Sitting just off the coastline in the Indian Ocean, this majestic rock formation is lit up daily by quite the striking colours as the sun dips below the horizon. TAKE A SUNSET CANOE RIDE ALONG THE MARGARET RIVER Sticking with the sunset theme, the Sunset Canoe Tour is your chance to float down Margaret River in complete serenity as the day draws to a close. You'll drift upstream flanked by wildflowers and forest — and it won't be long before you spy soaring limestone cliffs. Next, you'll watch as the late afternoon light sets the rock faces alight with a radiant glow, before continuing onwards in search of a secluded beachfront. Once you hit the sand, listen out for the chorus created by the local wildlife. It'll provide the perfect soundtrack as you rest on the beach with a glass of wine, a delicious canapé and a view of the last light as it disappears over the Indian Ocean. SEE THE REGION FROM ABOVE DURING A SCENIC HELICOPTER FLIGHT Make the most of your time by getting high above the Margaret River with a scenic helicopter ride. This part of the world provides a wealth of amazing natural wonders, so why not encounter the vast ocean and coastal landscape from the air? From farmland to forests to golden brown cliffs, you'll also hover above the boutique wineries and their seemingly endless rows of grapes — the ones that have helped put Margaret River on the map. Among the highlights, you'll also get to see Rivermouth, Surfer's Point, the Ellenbrook House and Cape Mentelle Vineyards, one of the oldest and most attractive wineries in all of Margaret River. If you're now eagerly planning a visit to Margaret River, check out Virgin Australia's holiday packages — which offer everything from chilled-out cottages to massive resorts.
The age of anything and everything available online is extending its reach to even the most humanitarian of acts: charity. Lending a hand to New Zealand's earthquake victims has been made simple with the development of the Christchurch Cafe, a virtual coffee shop that donates 100% of its profits to survivors suffering from severe income loss. The inspirational site was created by the workers at Crafted Coffee, a Christchurch shop that was fortunate enough to escape the wrath of the devastating quake in February. The virtual cafe aims to aid business owners that were not so lucky by offering a menu of virtual coffee beverages, beans and equipment, priced from $2 to $300, that can be purchased in the form of a donation by a mere click of the mouse. Each item is linked to a Paypal site, making the process that much easier. Victims in need apply for aid online and Christchurch Cafe offers $200 per month, per person for as many as they can support with the money raised. Although you may not get the kick of caffeine that comes with any other flat white at a cozy coffee shop, every dollar contributed to the Christchurch Cafe helps the struggling New Zealanders afford food and housing that is difficult to come by in the horrific aftermath of the earthquake. Now, let us not rule out boxing up unwanted clothes or extra canned goods to help out victims of natural disasters, but hopefully skipping your morning brew and donating a virtual flat white instead will catch on as a means of giving aid, and the altruistic buzz should more than make up for the missed caffeine kick.
Some days you feel like putting together a vaguely cohesive outfit and getting dressed to leave the house; others, not so much. If you're more familiar with the latter, let us introduce you to Willa & Mae, the New Zealand label that's attempting to make it acceptable to wear your pyjamas in public. Well, your designer pyjamas, anyway. This winter, the sleepwear-turned-lifestyle label makes its foray into Australia with ultra comfortable, effortlessly elegant pieces that are designed to be worn out of the house. Having landed in Australia in February, Willa & Mae's winter 2017 collection is available to purchase from March 31, and fundamentally functions as your new excuse to wear PJs in public and not look like a grub. Creative director Jane Mow brings her background in menswear tailoring and styling to the brand, creating an androgynous line of highly elegant jammies. Navy, cherry and suiting stripes take shape in the old-world style of men's silk pyjamas, while long slip dresses, buttery camisoles and billowing robes recall the halcyon days of elegant women's loungewear. As piping, notched collars and cuffs evoke a certain masculinity, the luxurious silk satins maintain sensual femininity. The foundation of Willa & Mae lies within "taking opposing ideas and asking them to play together" – like wearing your sleepwear out of the house, and still looking great. The label is guided by the unexpected through materials and patterns used, and the way its styles not only suit the bedroom, but also a night out. There's a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde relationship happening; on the one hand you have the sharp, feisty trendsetter Willa, and, on the other, there's Mae, keeping things grounded as the elegant, subdued yin to Willa's yang. Willa & Mae's price point may sit a bit high for your pyjama budget — between $300 and $700 — but the dawn-to-dusk-to-dawn versatility, quality silks and promised longevity means that, arguably, you don't ever need to wear anything else. And if you need one last nudge to jump on this pyjamas-in-public bandwagon, everything is made locally and ethically. Tick, tick and tick. Willa & Mae's winter 2017 collection is available online from March 31. Shop the collection here.
International sportswear label Adidas continues its efforts to save the world's oceans, announcing it will contribute $1.5 million USD to the Parley Ocean School Program. The catch? It will donate $1 for every kilometre run, so grab your joggers and pound the pavement for a good cause. Runners can clock their kilometres by joining the Run for the Oceans group within the app Runtastic, which is free to download on iPhone and android. There are also a slew of Adidas and Parley running events happening across Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, New York, Paris, Berlin, London, Barcelona, Milan and Shanghai, which you can also partake in. The initiative is running globally from June 8–16, 2019, and is capped at $1.5 million USD. Last year, 12 million kilometres were run and $1 million USD were raised for the same initiative. https://www.facebook.com/adidasAU/photos/a.614311325637497/779507399117888/?type=3&theater Parley Ocean School Program is a branch of environmental charity Parley for the Oceans that educates and empowers the next generation about the importance of the ocean, the dangers of plastic waste and what we can do to protect the ocean and its marine live. Together with Parley, this is just Adidas' latest campaign to help save the ocean and reach its 2024 goal of eliminating the use of virgin polyester from all products. The 2019 Parley apparel range will also see the the company produce 11 million pairs of shoes made from recycled plastic pulled from the beach. The planet-friendly range features the new slick Alphabounce+ running shoes, water bottles, training tights and backpacks. Adidas' Run for the Oceans initiative runs from June 8–16, 2019. To find out more info and to signup head to adidas.com.au/runfortheoceans.
Environmentalists from the Sierra Club teamed up with Pact underwear brand to form a bare-skinned project to lessen the use of coal, especially on university campuses where green-minded students are trying to be friendly to the environment. Beyond Coal is the resulting collaboration that sells a collection of comfy underwear with the goal of educating the public about the negative effects of coal on the environment, with hopes of changing the habits institutions that overuse the harmful substance. The ash released into the environment from coal is one of the leading causes of acid rain, smog, global warming and air toxins. 10% of the proceeds from the purchase of Beyond Coal undies goes to protests and petitions to convince universities to reduce their ever-increasing carbon footprint by minimising the supply of coal to power campuses. This generation of students is more conscious of the human impact on the environment, and the project simply points out that it is quite hypocritical for schools to be using so much coal power for students who are constantly searching for green alternatives. Help Beyond Coal prevent the dangerous effects of coal emissions by rocking a pair of pollution-fighting panties, starting at $20 for both men and women.
Pop quiz: what's 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, became breathable 2.4 billion years ago and is the focus of an upcoming exhibition at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art? If you guessed 'air', you'd be right. Over a delightfully lengthy five-month tenure — from Saturday, November 26 until Sunday, April 23 — Air will be transforming the ground floor of GOMA into an interactive exploration of the "cultural, ecological and political layers" of the air we breathe. It's not easy to make physical art from something invisible. Still, the collection works of Ron Mueck (the staggering In Bed), Jonathan Jones (the feathered and multifaceted Untitled (giran)) and Anthony McCall (the beaming Crossing), plus new (and floating) commissions from Tomás Saraceno and Jemima Wyman alongside a monumental chalk cliffscape by Tacita Dean and dozens of other prominent artists will do so. [caption id="attachment_878453" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Anthony McCall's 'The Crossing'[/caption] The exhibit has been organised around five key themes, each focusing on details we can take for granted: atmosphere (the space between us and the cosmos), burn (the mortality and vulnerability of clean air), shared (the collective need of humans, plants and animals for the element), invisible (an exploration of the unseen) and change (the nature of our vulnerable, ever-evolving world). What's certain is you're set to leave this cultural outing with a more concrete understanding of the ethereal and vital element. 'Air' will be open daily at GOMA from Saturday, November 26 till Sunday, April 23, 2023. Entry to last session is 4pm. Head to the website to secure your ticket. Top image: Ed Mumford
Held at The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre, Lucky Prawn's monthly yum cha sessions are already pretty special. But if you're celebrating Mardi Gras this year, you might be interested to learn it's undergoing a fabulous twist. Transforming into Mardi Cha for one session only, the divine Jackie Daniels and pals will give this occasion a vivacious lift. Following on from the height of the celebrations, this Sunday afternoon session should serve as an appropriately colourful hangover recovery if a hefty yum cha feed is up your alley when you're feeling dusty. This recovery Mardi Cha comes with $12 Bloody Marys and a vinyl DJ keeping the mood pleasantly light, with lo-fi tunes from 4pm till late. As Daniels and her troupe roam the space, serving cocktails and ice-cold tinnies from a squeaky trolley, you'll be dining on prawn crackers, pork dim sims, steamed pork buns, scallop wontons and more.
UPDATE, December 9, 2020: Yesterday is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Binge, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Dreaming of music stardom but spending a decade gigging around seaside Essex pubs, Jack Malik (Himesh Patel) is nobody's John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison or Ringo Starr. No one's except his lifelong friend and dedicated manager Ellie (Lily James), who thinks he's the fab four all rolled into one, and has remained by his side with a devotion that can only be explained by romantic affection (although Jack, of course, is blissfully unaware). Then, after a disastrous festival appearance, the aspiring singer-songwriter is hit by a bus during a global power outage. It's chaotic, and yet it's also a stroke of good luck. When he next whips out his guitar among friends, strumming and crooning The Beatles' 'Yesterday', he discovers that no one recognises what he's playing. "It's no Coldplay," one pal remarks. A lack of music knowledge doesn't explain his mates' obliviousness. As a quick internet search shows, the world knows nothing of John, Paul, George or Ringo (or Oasis, understandably). So springs Yesterday's terrific concept, as well as Jack's clearcut path to fame and fortune. Passing off The Beatles' work as his own, all his troubles seem so far away — if he's ever had a ticket to ride, this is it. Ed Sheeran (playing himself) hears his tunes, takes Jack under his wing and unleashes him on the public. A gleefully amoral Hollywood record executive, Debra (Kate McKinnon), helps capitalise upon his growing popularity. Releasing tracks like 'Let It Be' and 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand', he's soon bigger than, well, the band that no one has ever heard of. Arriving in the same year that has seen The Twilight Zone make a comeback and Black Mirror keep kicking on (and taking on pop music, too), Yesterday's premise is rife with smart satire, not to mention commentary about how the times are a-changing and cultural history along with it. The key word there is 'premise'. It's worth remembering that this jukebox musical is written by Love Actually's Richard Curtis, who has made feel-good romance a staple of everything from Four Weddings and a Funeral to Notting Hill to About Time. As a result, all his latest film and protagonist really need is love, apparently — and Jack and Ellie's will-they, won't-they dance is the least interesting part of Yesterday. It's easy to forgive the script for thinking that today's listeners could hear 'She Loves You' and 'Hey Jude' at basically the same time and think they're equally excellent, as unlikely as that would be. It's much harder to overlook the fact that the film just uses its promising gimmick (and excellent soundtrack) for nothing more than an average rom-com. Patel, playing the latest in Curtis' long line of flustered everyman characters, radiates genuine charisma. He's a joy to watch — and the fact that Yesterday embraces diversity, unlike the writer's previous work, is a pleasing development. James, nowhere near the star of the show as she was in the similarly music-driven, nostalgia-dripping Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, is less convincing, but her chemistry with Patel is enough. It's telling, though, that both are outshone by McKinnon. Watching the SNL star upstage everyone she's working with has become a regular occurrence, and she's operating on such a zany comic level here that you can be excused for wishing the movie took her lead. Indeed, in a film about a man first squandering his potential, then finding an opportunistic way to make the most of an incredibly strange situation, Yesterday seems all too content to stay in the first category. None of these issues make Yesterday a bad movie — just a blandly pleasant, overly sweet, happily lighthearted and hardly memorable one. It's the cinematic equivalent of tapping your toes to an ace playlist that you know is trying to entice you onto your feet, but just never being inspired to get up and dance, let alone scream, twist and shout. But perhaps the picture's most perplexing element is its choice of director. Or, more accurately, the lack of impact that the usually vibrant and energetic Danny Boyle has. Only in swift scene transitions, large titles splashed across the screen, upbeat montages and a few instances of recreating Beatlemania does the filmmaker behind Trainspotting come close to making his presence felt. Boyle has dallied with love and music before in both A Life Less Ordinary and Slumdog Millionaire, and they're each vastly more vivid and lively. His skill with the soundtracks to his prior movies, including the pulsating drug-fuelled film that brought him to broader attention, is worlds above his work here. If Yesterday slots into his usual oeuvre, however, it's because it's a heist flick of sorts. The director keeps making them, focusing on characters who take what isn't theirs for their own gain, and pull the wool over someone's eyes in the process. And while this alternative-universe piece of Beatles worship blasts the same kind of tune, clearly, it's also guilty of playing just as fast and loose with the audience — selling them a quirky 'what if?' caper, but delivering a corny, business-as-usual romance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6jfp78Ho3k
Growing up is hard to do, many a movie tells us, but often that glimpse at youthful perils comes with the male experience in mind. Girlhood's name gives away the fact that that's not the case here; however, what it doesn't clearly convey is how intimate and organic its look at its titular state is. A mere female-skewed take on Richard Linklater's Boyhood, this isn't. Sixteen-year-old Marieme (Karidja Touré) lives life on the outskirts of Paris, with her future looking as bleak as her present. Choice, control and agency are sorely lacking in days overseen by her hotheaded older brother (Cyril Mendy), so when she sees a chance at freedom through some newfound pals, she takes it. Soon, she's flirting with teenage trouble alongside fast friends Lady (Assa Sylla), Adiatou (Lindsay Karamoh) and Fily (Marietou Touré), including all the usual fun of partying, shoplifting and drinking, as well as dances with even darker territory. That the movie's French-language moniker actually translates as 'gang of girls' gives an indication of the kind of existence Marieme embraces. If such a coming-of-age tale sounds familiar, don't let the appearance of a well-worn plot temper your expectations. In her previous two films — Water Lilies and Tomboy — writer director Céline Sciamma came close to perfecting pictures of adolescence that not only felt genuine but also reached worlds away from the usual mainstream fare. In Girlhood, she achieves that feat. As Marieme attempts to carve out her identity and cope with the path she has chosen, Sciamma is more concerned about expressing her mindset and reflecting how she sees the world than documenting her actions. Accordingly, as the film tackles maturity on the margins by showing the harshness of the situation but never wallowing in it, Girlhood becomes as complex a look at a girl becoming a woman as cinema has seen, and as simultaneously energetic and patient too. It helps that newcomer Touré is the perfect vessel for the filmmaker to fill with age-appropriate angst, and then watch as the young actress paints a portrait of pubescent pain and problems on the screen. The remainder of the inexperienced cast also brings the same sense of authenticity, but the camera and the audience are always drawn to Touré as she works through Marieme's good and bad decisions. Consequently, prepare for a ride through the reality — not the cinema fiction — of coming to terms with the ups and downs of life from the perspective of a teenage girl. Prepare to get Rihanna's 'Diamonds' stuck in your head, too, with the track setting the tone for one of the film's most memorable scenes. For a few glorious minutes, Marieme and her friends shimmy away to the song in a blue-lit hotel room, blissfully escaping their troubles. In the midst of this moving film, that's what you'll want to do as well.
