Long before Australia was plunged into a cost-of-living crisis, German-born supermarket chain Aldi was beloved by budget-conscious shoppers for its discounted groceries. Fans of cheap snow gear love the brand for cheap winter threads, too — and everyone knows someone who has nabbed a bargain bed, TV, barbecue, air fryer, outdoor setting or kettle from the retailer. Next on Aldi's list: $3.25 beers. No, there's no figure missing from that number. Yes, that's a wallet-friendly price for a frothy. In Sydney on Wednesday, December 13, you can also enjoy the cheapest pub visit that you're ever likely to have while still buying a drink. To celebrate its new summery beers, which are called ALD IPA and are brewed by BrewDog at its Brisbane base, Aldi is setting up a one-night-only pop-up pub. Meet Special Brews by Aldi, with beverages costing $3.25 there as well, and the beers on offer from 3–7pm at Hotel Sweeney's on Clarence Street. Head along to Special Brews and you'll get a sneak peek at ALD IPA, because it'll be available at the pop-up before it hits supermarkets on Wednesday, December 20. It's a first-come-first-served setup with no bookings, which means that arriving early is recommended. There'll also be a three-drink limit per person, so you won't even spend $10 on brews. Tucking into some chips while you drink will up your budget, however, with Special Brews featuring Aldi's Blackstone crisps in smoky chorizo (aka smoked paprika, pork, garlic and salt) and truffle and olive oil flavours for $3.49 a pack. Also on offer on the night: limited-edition BrewDog stubby holders and socks. Described as "a fresh, fruity ale with tasting notes of citrus, stone fruits and a hint of toast", made with four different hops and coming in at four-percent ABV, ALD IPA will cost $13 for a four-pack — so, still $3.25 each — at Aldi.
Warm weather, beach holidays and kicking back with a few cocktails all go hand in hand. But thanks to ever-changing border restrictions over the past few months — plus life during a pandemic in general — you mightn't have been able to enjoy this summertime routine recently. If you're the kind of person who can enjoy a few beverages and instantly feel like you're vacation, though, then you'll instantly want to add Four Pillars' latest tipple to your must-drink list. In collaboration with Melbourne venue Arbory Afloat, the highly awarded gin distillery is launching a new Beach House Gin. It comes in a cheery pink hue, and heroes citrus and fruit flavours — think lemon myrtle, grapefruit, orange, lemon peel, sweet strawberry gum, pineapple sage and davidson plums. The idea, as the name makes plain, is to make you feel like you're on holiday by the shore every time you take a sip. Melburnians will know that this isn't Four Pillars and Arbory Afloat's first joint venture, with the two pairing up in 2019 on a different – but still pink — limited-edition gin. This time around, however, the tipple won't just be available onboard at Arbory Afloat. It still will be, of course, including on tap in spritzes and mixed into G&Ts — but folks around the country can also order a bottle. If your gin shrine is screaming for a splash of colour, Beach House Gin goes on sale at 8am on Tuesday, February 9 for $90 a bottle — or you can get it with a four-pack of tonic for $100. While Melburnians can try the new gin at Arbory Afloat, bottles are only available to purchase from the venue's website. To complete the summery feel, Beach House Gin features a label from Melbourne design studio 21-19 and Finnish artist and illustrator Antti Kalevi, which uses shapes and textures to create an abstract beachy landscape. And, gin fans in Melbourne can also head to a launch party for the new drop on Thursday, February 4, with tickets costing $145, and gin cocktails, beer, wine, sparkling, oysters and canapes on the menu on Arbory Afloat's pool deck. Four Pillars x Arbory Afloat Beach House Gin is available on tap and in cocktails at Arbory Afloat, and to buy by the bottle via the venue's website from 8am on Tuesday, February 9.
Time Exposures: 60 Life Portraits, on show in the exhibition space on level two of Sydney University’s Fisher library, is an absolute delight. The exhibition consists of sixty ‘portraits’ of people admired by artist Sharon Zwi. Each work is a composite portrait is made up of twenty-five black and white photos taken throughout the subject’s life, presented chronologically. Not everyone featured in the exhibition is a high-profile Australian, but many are. There are feminists, judges, teachers, scientists, writers, filmmakers, politicians, and many others. Eva Cox, Margaret Whitlam, Shanti Raman, Michael Kirby, John Coetzee, and David Stratton fill out the long list of subjects. "Photographs address my interest in memory, place, identity and history. Each photo was taken in a time and place of different historical events," explains Zwi. "I also find it fascinating to see the changes as people grow up, mature and age; at what stage you see the 'essence' of the person, when their personalities are formed and their faces take on their identity." There is something deeply intimate about these works. It feels like you’re looking through a stranger’s private photo albums (which, essentially, you are). Some of the images have been shot professionally, but many are amateur snaps taken over the course of a lifetime. It’s a lovely reminder that life is peppered with so many happy, important occasions worth celebrating and recording. There are pictures of beaming newlyweds, photos thrilled fathers have taken of their wives holding newborn babies, pictures of graduations, confirmations, school pictures, snapshots of cherished dogs, photos with friends and family, holiday happy snaps, photos of people welcoming new pets into the family and photos of young children excited as they hold their new sibling for the first time. It’s terrifically moving. I only wish that these wonderful works could have been presented in the University Art Gallery. Who knows why they weren’t. I guess there is something nice about being able to stop and look at some gorgeous art while dropping off your library books, but where they’re displayed feels less like an ‘exhibition space’ and more like ‘an available wall’. This is one of the more poignant exhibitions I’ve seen in a long while. Make sure you take a trip (downstairs) to level two next time you drop into Fisher.
If you're like us, you've probably excitedly hummed along to the theme song at the start of every Game of Thrones episode (yep, all 73 of them). Now, you can do just that again, but you'll be joined by a live orchestra, a choir and tens of thousands of other spectators when the internationally renowned Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience finally hits Australia. Having toured North America and Europe, the grandiose musical show will head to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide in early 2020. The immersive show sees Emmy Award-winning composer Ramin Djawadi's emotive scores — from all eight seasons of the HBO show — brought to life with an international cast of soloists, an orchestra and a choir, and accompanied by the equally dramatic footage. Over in the States, according to MTV, the show featured 360-degree stages (designed to replicate locations throughout the Seven Kingdoms), 800 feet of video wall, an 80-piece orchestra and custom-made instruments, such as a 12-food Wildling horn. Expect things to be equally large and OTT Down Under, too. Expect, also, to relive some of the season's most dramatic moments — SPOILERS (if you somehow haven't watched it already) — such as Hodor's sacrifice, Arya's conquering of the Night King, Joffrey's (brilliant) death, the Battle of Winterfell, the Red Wedding and so much more. Pack the tissues, folks. What's more, the show will coincide with a series of 'VIP experiences' that we can definitely get around. These include a pre-show medieval banquet (hopefully without any Freys), the chance to sit on a Iron Throne and a dedicated butler, who'll deliver food (hopefully pies) and drinks (hopefully wine in goblets) to your seat. While you're waiting for the show to arrive next summer, you can re-listen to all eight seasons' scores on Spotify — including the nine-minute epic that is 'The Night King Theme' (we've handily embedded that below). If that's not enough to fill your time, you can also listen to some of Djawadi's other scores. He has created the music for Westworld, Prison Break, Pacific Rim and Iron Man, too. Get ready, winter is coming (back) to Aus. GAME OF THRONES LIVE CONCERT EXPERIENCE 2020 DATES Brisbane — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, February 7 Sydney — ICC, February 9 Melbourne — Rod Laver Arena, February 12 Adelaide — AEC Theatre, February 15 Perth — RAC Arena, February 17 Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience pre-sale tickets are available from 9am on Tuesday, August 13 with general sale starting at midday on Friday, August 16 via Live Nation. Images: Ralph Larmann
At Cyclery Northside, in Chatswood, you can browse a wide range of cycles including gravel and adventure bikes, road bikes, mountain bikes, e-bikes, urban bikes, and bikes for kids, as well as ex-demo models. Carrying a range of brands including Tarmac, Roubaix, Sirrus, Levo and Kenevo, the specialist cycling shop also stocks a range of thermal tights and wool socks for winter riders alongside other riding accessories. Keep an eye out for events, as the store runs guided test rides of special bikes, such as the new Levo SL lightweight e-bike. The store also offers one-day hires of its specialist ranges from $100. Images: Leigh Griffiths
Eastern Sydneysiders won’t have to drive across the city for a little western magic. Brand new cafe The Trail, which opened last Thursday on New South Head Road in Vaucluse, offers a unique blend of Little Marionette coffee and a creative brunch-happy menu, straight out of Marrickville or Redfern. “I live on Addison Road in Marrickville and I love the cafe culture that's around there. We’re spoiled for choice,” says owner Nick Stubbs, who earned his barista stripes from years at Pyrmont's Cafe Morso. “But I’ve also been coming to Parsley Bay for a while. It’s a really nice area, but there aren’t a lot of cafes. From talking to locals, I found out that there’s actually a bit of demand around here for quality and for something different.” Drawing on advice from previous bosses, including Morso’s Andy Webb, Stubbs decided to open his own cafe in The Trail; keeping things simple and as effective as possible. "The layout is minimal and sleek. I wanted people to feel welcome, so I didn’t want clutter. I worked with a great carpenter who loves blackbutt, so we found some pieces with a natural finish — and it’s come up really, really beautifully." The same minimalist principle is applied to the Trail menu, except that it's jazzed up with some fine dining finesse, thanks to head chef Lenny Walker. There are just ten dishes on offer — five breakfasts and five lunches — which are all available all day. We're talking buckwheat porridge with brandied rhubarb, poached quinoa, pecan and honeycomb ($14); roasted pepper and Manchego omelette with jalapeno salsa rocket and pinenut salad ($16); and hot smoked trout with roast cauliflower, picked grapes, almonds, quinoa and kale salad, and celery and verjuice dressing ($16/20). For classic brunchers, there's also braised brisket on a brioche bun served with rosemary roast potatoes ($18), or the more breakfasty option of The Trail’s jamon and egg roll with house pickles and chipotle aioli ($10). The Trail, located at 34 New South Head Road, Vaucluse, is open Monday to Friday, 7am to 4pm, with the kitchen closing at 3pm; and Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 3pm, with the kitchen closing at 2pm. Images: Andy Fraser.
With the sun shining and everything looking just a little bit more beautiful, spring is the perfect time to head out for a day of gallery hopping around Sydney's many galleries. There are plenty of exhibitions currently showing — or set to open in the next couple of months — covering everything from gallery retrospectives and award-winning photography, to cultural explorations and genre-bending performance works.
Mary's has arrived in Moore Park with a set of new venues. The 1200-capacity Liberty Hall and the latest edition to the Mary's collection of burger joints have both opened in the Entertainment Quarter. Formerly Hi-Fi and Max Watt's, the longstanding music venue has been taken under the wing of burger bros, Mary's founders Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham. "We are humbled at another opportunity to take the reins of yet another fallen live music venue and pour energy and hard work into creating an exciting creative space for Sydney's arts community," Graham said back when the venue was first announced. Liberty Hall swung its doors open late last year with a sold-out show from dance music legend Moodyman and an intimate last-minute show from The Killers while they were in town. [caption id="attachment_890283" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moodyman in the Liberty Hall courtyard[/caption] This unlikely pair of acts signposted the genre-spanning variety of performers that the venue is hosting, with gigs from big-name dance acts like Sub Focus and local party collectives like Picnic sitting side by side with Christian hard-rock band Stryper and Norwegian singer-songwriter Aurora on the program of upcoming shows — there was even a pro wrestling event at the venue back in January. Next door you'll find an all-new Mary's dining establishment boasting the classic menu items that Sydneysiders have come to love. The Mary's Burger, the buttermilk fried chicken (which we rate among the best fried chicken in Sydney). veggie burgers, mash with gravy, trash can bacon and plenty of vegan options all grace the menu. [caption id="attachment_890445" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tom Wilkinson[/caption] Next time you're heading to a match at the SCG or the newly revamped Allianz Stadium — or a gig at the Liberty Hall or Hordern Pavilion across the road, you can now stop in and get a juicy burger topped with crisp lettuce, tomato and Mary's famous sauce. Keep your eyes peeled on the Liberty Hall Instagram page for all of the upcoming acts the venue has in store for the remainder of 2023. [caption id="attachment_747997" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] Liberty Hall and Mary's EQ are located at Building 220 Errol Flynn Boulevard, Moore Park. Mary's EQ is open midday–10pm Wednesday and Sunday, and midday–midnight Thursday–Saturday.
The holiday festive season may have passed, but if you think there's nothing on for the first few weeks of January, you're wrong. Loosen your belts and get some sunscreen ready, because Sydney's biggest Greek Orthodox Festival is returning to Carss Bush Park this Sunday. Epiphany Greek Festival, held annually to coincide with the global celebrations of the Greek Orthodox Epiphany, is expected to bring upwards of 40,000 visitors to Sydney's south, making the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia-organised event one of the largest Greek cultural festivals in the country — with food, music, dance and celebrations held by the Georges River for one day only. Starting at 11am and running until 9pm, the festival will see over 80 stalls set up in the park, serving souvlaki, loukomades and other traditional Greek treats. You'll be able to browse a mix of Greek-made goods as well, edible and otherwise, while a busy cultural program takes care of the entertainment. For the families, you'll find a ferris wheel, amusement rides, face painting, children's entertainment — plus plenty of spots to sit down and catch your breath. On the cultural front, there'll be live performances from DJs, musicians and local dance groups, Greek Orthodox celebrations, including the Great Blessing of the Waters, and a fireworks display to close out the day.
UPDATE, June 22, 2021: The National Indigenous Art Fair has been postponed until next year notice due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in Sydney. For further information, head to the event's website. The National Indigenous Art Fair will return to the Sydney Harbour foreshore this July to showcase creations from First Nations artists, designers and makers for its third annual art market. And it's arriving just in time for NAIDOC Week 2021. From 10am–4pm Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4, the Overseas Passenger Terminal will be bursting with art, performances, panel discussions, food, interactive ghost net weaving circles and sculptural installations aligned with this year's NAIDOC Week theme — Heal Country. At the ethical marketplace, there'll be more than 50 stallholders from remote Art Centres and Sydney's Blak Market where you can purchase art, handmade jewellery, homewares, food and more. All proceeds go directly back to the artist and First Nations communities. You can also check out cooking demonstrations, participate in workshops and enjoy the live music and dance performances. The National Indigenous Art Fair will take place from 10am–4pm on Saturday, July 3–Sunday, July 4. For more information, visit the website.
Many of us who grew up in Sydney were lucky enough to spend our summers down on the south coast. We'd head down for a camping holiday or weekend escape and no trip was complete without a stop in at Pilgrims for its super-tasty burgers and nourishing dishes. Now, Sydneysiders don't have to travel quite as far to get their fix, because the beloved coastal cafe has just opened in Bronte. First set up in Milton in 1980, Pilgrims is now a five-branch mini-chain. There's of course the OG cafe and the most recent Bronte one, plus a Pilgrims in Huskisson, Corrimal and Cronulla. The opening of the second Sydney location marks Pilgrims's 40th birthday. The reason Pilgrims does so well is that it takes simple vegetarian staples and makes them tastier than you thought possible and hands them to you in generous serves. For breakfast, you can choose from from acai bowls, avo on Iggy's sourdough toast, haloumi stacks and smoothies. Then, for lunch, its famed veggie burgers — think chilli jam and haloumi, curried lentil patties and mixed grain patties — are a must. On Fridays and Saturdays from 5–9pm, you'll find the menu changes a little, with a Mexican feast on offer. Burritos, tacos, nachos and bowls all come stuffed and topped with the likes of beans, spiced potato, cheese and generous dollops of guac. Cocktails, wine and beers are on offer, too. Whether you pick up your food or dine in, you'll be able to catch a glimpse at the bright, airy interior, designed by local architect firm Lane & Grove. Featuring white-washed walls, wicker chairs, light timber benches and lots of greenery, the space echoes the coastal Sydney location, as well as paying homage to the south coast. Pilgrims is located at 127 Macpherson Street, Bronte and is open from 7am–3pm daily and 5–9pm on Friday and Saturday. Updated June 16, 2020.
Neil Perry’s new venture, the Burger Project has set out to bring the burger from Rockpool Bar and Grill, considered one of the world's greatest to the hungry masses. He's taking the burger of the Gods and bestowing it upon the people, in other words, Neil Perry is Burger Prometheus. Designed by architect Grant Cheyne, the Burger Project's sleek modern interior compliments its World Square location. The walls are raw concrete, brushed metal and mirror, which results in a monochrome colour scheme with only low lighting and a few bold feature walls to soften the space. One would be forgiven for feeling like they're dining in some sort of futuristic Japanese carpark — but enough about the décor, it's not called the Wall Project. Let's cut to the chase. The burgers arrive on a tray in crisp white paper bags, and the first thing you'll notice is that they look super fresh. They're not those shameful late night American style burgers that are currently trending in Sydney. The Burger Project celebrates local and sustainable produce and has created the sort of burgers you wouldn't be ashamed to introduce to your parents. For the adventurous there's the spicy chicken burger ($8.90) or the caramelized pork belly burger ($9.90), both served with salted chilli, crunchy pickled slaw, and lettuce. But really, there’s no going past the classic cheeseburger ($8.90). The chefs at the Burger Project are really serious about creating the perfect burger: the patties are ground in house using a combination of whole Cape Grim grass-fed chuck and brisket steak, which has been aged for 36 months. Yes… you read correctly, these patties have been enhancing in deliciousness for the length of an undergrad degree. Said perfect patties are accompanied with crisp lettuce, sweet tomatoes, onions, pickled cucumber, secret sauce and satisfyingly melty cheese on the softest of buns. Oh, and fear not vegetarians! There’s a grilled confit mushroom burger ($12.50) with all the trimmings and top-secret sauce, which is just as delicious! As for sides, we recommend sharing the golden hand-cut chips ($4.90), which are so legit they still have their skins on. We should also mention they're thrice cooked, because why cook something twice when you can cook it thrice? Don't pass up the crispy hot wings either ($3.50 each), tenderly cloaked in crunchy batter jackets and served with Sichuan salt and pepper or classic hot sauce. To complete the experience, you can wash it all down with a classic shake ($6.50) — the salted dulce de leche was a highlight, and if you have space for dessert there’s an array ice creams ($4.00 single) which are all churned in house and a handsome list of toppings ($1 each). But if designing your own dessert masterpiece is a little overwhelming, play it safe and opt for the Lamington ($6), Valrhona chocolate ice cream served with raspberry compote and coconut, or the Rocky Road ($7), a delectable tower of chocolate ice cream, chocolate sauce, salted peanuts and marshmallow. But be warned, you may have to roll home.
Those incurably collaborative folk at CBD cocktail haven PS40 are continuing their Tuesday Takeover series with a new residency courtesy of Marcelo "Celo" Munoz, co-head chef of Continental Deli's CBD outpost. Celo will be taking over the PS40 kitchen on the Tuesday evenings of May 3 and May 10 with a set menu that celebrates the humble vegetable in a lineup of not-so-humble dishes. Expect beautifully constructed bar snacks big on flavour and technique, and — since this is PS40 after all — come prepared to dig into the cocktail menu for a mid-week dose of the bar's greatest hits. Bookings are essential (and limited) with seatings at 6pm and 8pm. Tickets are $65pp (includes a cocktail on arrival) and available via email at bookings@ps40bar.com. DINNER AT CELO'S X PS40 TAKEOVER MENU - House made shallot focaccia, whipped feta, roasted grape, za'atar - Broccoli lollipop, anchovy mayo, toasted buckwheat (2ea) - Pea tart, buttermilk ricotta, cured egg yolk - Gnoccho fritto, herb jam, onion cream, anchovy - Pine mushroom, Stracciatella, tarragon dressing - Braised leek, taramasalata, brown butter, hazelnut
This article is sponsored by our partners, the Sydney Festival. We all know Hyde Park is much better when conceived as a kind of Midsummer Night's Dream: a magical, atmospheric hub bounded by strings of lights. This Sydney Festival promises a Festival Village in Hyde Park, thrice as sprawling as last year's Festival Garden, stretching along College Street past the Archibald Fountain and housing the Spiegeltent, Circus Ronaldo tent as well as five bars. The Village's free activities, music and nommy nomz will take you from day to night with the laidback, buzzy vibe that's unique to Sydney in January. Gelato Messina, Food Society, Jafe Jaffles and Woofys hot dogs have your voracious stomach's needs completely covered (just behold these custom-built Messina creations). But this is not just about slobbering gluttony, you barbarian. It's also about playtime. Melbourne-based Boxwars will entertain kids with art workshops where they can do neat stuff with reclaimed cardboard. City of Sydney's Lawn Library offers books and workshops by day, and Adult Storytime with comedy by Campfire Collective by night. Bounce on Jeremy Deller's inflatable Stonehenge, Sacrilege, and enjoy intimate serenades care of Folk in a Box. And what is the soundtrack to all this hubbub? The tunes are plentifully provided at the Village Bandstand and Rekorderlig Gazebo in sets by DJs including Captain Franco, Marcus King, Smart Casual, Radge, Tyson Koh, Sweetie, Andy Votel, Jimmy Sing, Gramophone Man, The Laurels, The Crusty Suitcase Band, The Ukes of Today and Saint Tropez All Day. How will you cope, sipping a cold one to the smooth grooves of these soundsters, and sampling all these Sydney summer delights? Festival Village is open 9am-2am, January 9-26 (closed Mondays). For bookings call 1300 668 812 or visit the Sydney Festival website. Image by Prudence Upton.
Finding a spot that appeals to everyone can be tough. Sometimes you're hankering for a pét-nat, but your evening's partner in crime would scoff at the lack of prosecco on the Love, Tilly Devine list. Well, if you're looking to be a little adventurous but you're hanging out with someone who, when asked "do you want an orange wine?", would respond with "I prefer a drop from Mudgee", look no further than Now and Then, Clarence Street's new bar that's serving up new-age drinks and tried-and-true throwbacks in equal proportions. The underground CBD bar comes from Natalie Ng, the mind behind another intimate inner-city fave Door Knock, alongside co-owner Locky Peach. Ng calls her new venue "predominantly a cocktail bar without the wank", basing the offerings around a simple crowd-pleasing concept. The drinks menu at Now and Then is split into two distinct sections. You guessed it: the 'Now' and the 'Then'. On the modern side of the menu you'll find funkier wines — whether that be a skin contact or a chilled red — as well as more boundary-pushing cocktails, craft beers and Mango White Claws for all of the seltzer fans. Over on the more traditional section, you'll discover seasonal sherry cobblers, caipiroskas, Coopers Sparkling Red Ale and a selection of more traditional vinos including sav blanc, pinot noir, rosé and Perrier-Jouët Brut by the glass. "Some people love a buttery chardonnay or a big Barossa Valley shiraz, and some love natural, minimal sulphur/preservatives or orange wines. Here, the choice is broken down easily for you," says Peach. Adding to the experience at Now and Then is a short and snappy list of bar snacks. The lobster and prawn vol-au-vent, the panko-crumbed ham hock croquette and the Moroccan lamb cigars will all hit the spot for anyone looking to treat themselves to a satisfying bite while enjoying the drinks. Ng is even offering personally curated snack and cocktail pairings — ideal for afternoon catch-ups and Friday drinks. Kick off your night with the Manhattan United made with bread- and butter-washed whiskey, sweet vermouth and walnut, partnered with the hot ham hock croquette, served with mustard aioli, all for $30. Rounding out the offerings here is the Now and Then commitment to bringing some fun back to its corner of Clarence Street. Each Friday and Saturday you'll find live music and DJ sets from 9pm–2am. To stay up to date with the venue's nightlife, just follow the bar on Instagram. Now and Then is located at 222 Clarence Street, Sydney. For more information and to make a booking or browse the menu, head to the venue's website.
Funky, vibin', and shaping up to be the small bar and music venue Paddington's been pining for, Easy Tiger seems straight out of an Austin Powers film. Located in the basement beneath The Unicorn, Easy Tiger is decked out with American paraphernalia. Think vintage interiors, retro cocktails and roller-skating waitresses (not even kidding). Open five nights a week, Easy Tiger will host a bunch of regular weekly events with quirky thrills. Those working in the hospitality industry get to set the mood for Monday's True Weekend with BYO vinyl. But even better is Walkie-talkie Wednesdays, where guests retire to The Disco or The Den and order '70s inspired cocktails from walkie-talkies (pause for applause). Upcoming bands score Easy Tiger's weekly live music night, Meow. The Thursday event costs a meagre $5, and includes a complimentary Sailor Jerry on arrival. The live music continues over Friday and Saturday nights with original acts from around the country. And if you work up a thirst, even Easy Tiger's cocktails match the '70s aesthetic with The Marvin Gayetime, Oh No, Yoko! and the Bloody Carrie. A range of punch bowls, including The Grateful Dead, are also available to share with friends. But as far as food goes, I need only tell you that Soft Pretzels with Fondue is on the menu. You're sold already. Easy Tiger licensee Luke Prout reckons he and his team "aimed to create a super-comfortable and often cheeky venue that we would love to drink and eat at ourselves." Sounds like it may be a mission accomplished.
If you thought there was some pretty good drinking to be found here in your own backyard, it turns out you were spot on. Sydney has proven it's delivering some world-class drinks skills, with new entrant Maybe Sammy nabbing a spot in this year's prestigious World's 50 Best Bars awards – the only Australian bar to do so. And as if ranking at number 43 on the list wasn't enough, the cocktail bar also beat out plenty of contenders to be named the awards' Best Bar in Australasia. Not too shabby at all, considering co-owners Stefano Catino, Vince Lombardo and Andrea Gualdi only opened the bar in The Rocks at the start of this year. Catino said he is "blown away" by the ranking, saying a big thanks to the team for bringing their "clear vision" for the bar to life. Referencing the glam hotel bars of the world, while pulling inspiration from the 50s Rat Pack's era, Maybe Sammy has made quite a splash in its first few months of life. Its luxurious styling nods to old-school Vegas glamour, all blush pink velvet banquettes and lush indoor greenery, while the list of theatrical signature drinks pays homage to the classics. [caption id="attachment_744476" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vince Lombardo and Stefano Catino at the awards.[/caption] This isn't Maybe Sammy's first time in the winner's circle, either — it also took out the title of Best New International Cocktail Bar at the revered Spirited Awards in the US earlier this year, and bartender Guali was the Australian bartender of the year in 2017 for his work at sister venue Maybe Frank. And while Sydney might have trailed behind a certain southern city in this year's Global Liveability Index, you could argue it reigns supreme when it comes to drinkability. Melbourne scored just one spot in the World's 50 Best Bars' 51-100 list for 2019, with long-time contender Black Pearl clocking in at number 80. As well as claiming the country's only Top 50 position, Sydney had three other bars in the mix for the Top 100: PS40 ranking at 95th, The Baxter Inn placing 79th and long-running favourite Bulletin Place taking 66th spot. Just saying. The best of them all, though, is New York's all-day restaurant-bar Dante's — it was named the World's Best Bar at the ceremony in London earlier this morning, jumping up from its 2018 position of 9th. The World's 50 Best Bars awards were this year judged by 510 expert voters across 58 countries. If you're in Sydney, you can drop by Maybe Sammy for a celebratory drink — the bar does a $5 happy hour on mini martinis, negronis and irish coffees from 4.30–5.30pm. You can check out the full lineup of the World's 50 Best Bars 2019 here, and see 51-100 here.
Getting paid to do what you love is the ultimate employment dream. Finding a job doing something that everyone loves? That's a next-level kind of gig. When Gelatissimo turned taste-testing new gelato flavours into an actual position, it fell into that category. When Domino's wanted someone to eat garlic bread for cold hard cash, it did too. Now, hospitality group Australian Venue Co has a similar kind of job on offer. Fancy adding 'secret sipper' to your resume? That's the gig that AVC is currently advertising, with 36 positions available across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin. You'll get assigned to cover some of the company's 160-plus bars and pubs around the country, and you'll get paid for dining, drinking and then submitting a review once a month. If you've ever worked in retail and heard about mystery shoppers, then you know the drill. That's how these roles work, but in hospitality. So, you'll be posing as a customer and interacting with the venue's staff to scope out their service — and they'll be unaware that you're on AVC's payroll, like they are. Secret sippers will receive a $30 meal allowance for their monthly visit, plus $200 for each review, which'll cover a survey and a detailed written report. You don't need to have any experience in the field. Obviously, we're all veterans at eating and drinking, but you don't need to have done this type of job before. There are some pre-requisites, though, such as having your own transport, an ABN and access to a mobile device; being passionate about the industry; attentiveness and impartiality; and being able to do 12 visits each year. And if you're wondering which venues you might be visiting, it could be any in AVC's stable — which includes Cargo, Kingsleys and The Winery in Sydney; Fargo and Co, State of Grace and The Smith in Melbourne; Darling & Co, Riverland and The Regatta in Brisbane; The Hope Inn and Brighton Metro Hotel in Adelaide; and Sweetwater Rooftop Bar, The Globe and Wolf Lane in Perth. Find out more about AVC's secret sipper roles — and apply — by heading online.
When Cleveland's opened way back in 2012, the hybrid shop was still a bit of novelty. And, in the case of this teeny space next to the Norfolk Hotel, the hybrid was coffee and a haircut. The joint venture by barista Harry Levy and professional hairdresser Patrick Casey meant you could visit for a Little Marionette coffee and brekkie or a haircut and beard trim — or both. But as more and more 'slash' venues opened across the city (hairdresser/bar, bar/record store, cafe/bike shop), something has become very clear: you have to be committed to doing both things well or it doesn't work. So it's of little surprise that when the original stepped away and hairstylist Kim took control of the scissors, the cafe side of things was wound down. Cleveland's Salon and Cafe is now Cleveland's Hair Atelier, and the focus is 100-percent on hair. Men, women and non-binary folk are all encouraged to pop in for a premium salon experience, be it for a tint, treatment or trim. Refreshments aren't completely off the cards — you'll score a complimentary coffee, tea, beer, wine or whisky on your visit. It's a variety befitting the late operating hours — it's open till 10pm some evenings.
Sometimes, they do still make 'em like they used to: action-adventure rom-coms in this case. Drive a DeLorean back to 1984, to the year before Robert Zemeckis made DeLoreans one of the most famous types of movie cars ever, and the director's Romancing the Stone did huge box-office business — and it's that hit that The Lost City keenly tries to emulate. This new Sandra Bullock- and Channing Tatum-starring romp doesn't hide that aim for a second, and even uses the same broad overall setup. Once again, a lonely romance novelist is swept up in a chaotic adventure involving treasure, a jungle-hopping jaunt and a stint of kidnapping, aka exactly what she writes about in her best-selling books. The one big change: the writer is held hostage, rather than her sister. But if you've seen Romancing the Stone, you know what you're in for. Movies that blandly and generically recreate/riff on/rip off others will never be gleaming cinematic jewels; the good news is that The Lost City is neither dull nor dispiritingly derivative. Cinema has literally been there and done this before, but directors Aaron and Adam Nee (Band of Robbers) are gleefully aware of that fact and don't even pretend to pretend otherwise. Rather, they wink, nod, serve up a knowing tribute to the 80s fare they're following, and repeatedly make it as blatant as can be that everything they're doing is by design. Their tone is light, bouncy and breezy. Their cast, which also spans Daniel Radcliffe and a delightfully scene-stealing Brad Pitt, is always on that wavelength. Indeed, swap out the vibe or The Lost City's four biggest on-screen names and the film would fall apart, especially without Bullock and Tatum's charisma and chemistry. With them all, it remains by the numbers but also terrifically likeable. As penned by the Nees, Oren Uziel (Mortal Kombat) and Dana Fox (Cruella) — based on a story by Baywatch director Seth Gordon — The Lost City's plot is ridiculously easy to spot. Also, it's often flat-out ridiculous. Anyone who has ever seen any kind of flick along the same lines, such as Jungle Cruise most recently, will quickly see that Loretta Sage (Bullock, The Unforgivable), this movie's protagonist, could've penned it herself. Once she finds herself living this type of narrative, that truth isn't lost on her, either. First, though, she's five years into a grief-stricken reclusive spell, and is only out in the world promoting her new release because her publisher Beth (Da'Vine Joy Randolph, The United States vs Billie Holiday) forces her to. She's also far from happy at being stuck once again with the man who has been sharing her limelight over the years, Fabio-style model Alan (Tatum, Dog), who has graced her book's covers and had women falling over themselves to lust-read their pages. Loretta is hardly thrilled about the whole spectacle that becomes her latest Q&A as a result, and that makes her a distracted easy mark for billionaire Abigail Fairfax (Daniel Radcliffe, Guns Akimbo) afterwards. He's noticed her new work, spotted similarities to the ancient riches he's chasing IRL, and gets his underlings to swoop in and snatch her up. His plan: leaning on Loretta's past as a serious historian to help him find his holy grail on a remote Atlantic island. She's given zero choice, but once the puppy dog-like Alan notices she's missing, he calls in expert assistance from devilishly suave and competent mercenary Jack Trainer (Pitt, Ad Astra). Of course, it doesn't take long for Loretta and Alan to be fleeing as an odd-couple duo, attempting to find the treasure, and endeavouring to avoid Abigail and his minions — and stay alive, obviously. 'Obviously' is a word that could be thrown at almost everything that occurs in The Lost City, but there's a gaping difference between being drably dutiful to a well-worn setup and having as much fun as possible with recognisable parts. Case in point: how Radcliffe enthusiastically hams it up in a part that's a simple next step from his TV work on Miracle Workers, but is always a joy to watch. See also: how the movie uses the long-locked Pitt, who clearly enjoys toying and parodying his own image, and is even introduced on the phone, unseen but audibly eating — which immediately deserves its place in the supercuts dedicated to his fondness for acting and noshing. And, another example: the liveliness that accompanies Pitt's big rescue scene, which is equally exciting and amusing. All of this epitomises The Lost City at its best. Well, that and the rapport between Bullock and Tatum. They're game for their tasks, which largely rely upon their familiar on-screen personas — she's sharp, he's a himbo, that contrast sparks screwball banter aplenty — and yet they shine as brightly as any long-lost gems. Also welcome: the fact that the age gap between The Lost City's key couple skews Bullock's way — she's 16 years Tatum's senior — and isn't turned into a big deal. Neither is the idea that a middle-aged writer could be attractive, or that wearing glasses, not always caring about your appearance and being smart don't instantly stop the same outcome. Having a 50-something female lead, treating her like an actual human, letting her intelligence and warmth be her defining traits: these shouldn't all feel as revolutionary as they do, but they're as dazzling as the pink sequinned jumpsuit that Bullock spends much of the movie traipsing around the jungle wearing. The Lost City knows that whole setup is ludicrous, too, in a film that unpacks the cliches that've always come with its chosen genre, updates its tropes for 2022 and still embraces goofy escapism. Bullock is comfortable in her role because she's played brainy rom-com women before; The Proposal and Miss Congeniality quickly come to mind. As for The Lost City itself, it's comfortable all-round because Bullock is its anchor — even with the joyously self-aware Tatum and Pitt, and the eagerly entertaining Radcliffe, always proving just as engaging to watch. Viewers can forgive the Nee brothers, then, for stretching the film out longer than the material genuinely supports. You can excuse the flabby spots because they're rarely flat as well, and because something new and silly tends to pop up seconds later. The movie a little too bluntly advocates for its own modest pleasures, courtesy of a speech by Alan about learning not to be embarrassed about modelling for Loretta's books, but it really didn't need to: Hollywood should still make thoroughly predictable yet still well-executed and gleaming-enough fare like this, and more often.
Detroit chef Kyle Hanley has created a ten-course meal based entirely off Radiohead's classic 2000 album, Kid A. For one night only, a pop-up restaurant will host 36 guests to enjoy the menu, drink pairings and a full stream of the album . Hanley, who studied music before becoming a chef, told Huffington Post when he listens to music he hears "textures and colours" and explained that Radiohead are a very textural and "very visceral band”. "Most people put out CDs, and this is an actual album," he said. "One song flows into the next, and we kind of want to do the same thing with the courses." The menu includes pan seared scallops and Pfalz Riesling paired with opening track 'Everything In Its Right Place', black caprese and a glass of Alto Adige Kerner to accompany the title track 'Kid A' and mousse dou with blackberry pâte de fruit Niepoort LBV port to see out the album alongside 'Motion Picture Soundtrack'. See the full menu below. Everything in Its Right Place: Pan-seared diver scallop, yuzu fluid gel, fried cellophane noodle, lemongrass ponzu, chili oil. With Pfalz Riesling. Kid A: Black caprese. With Alto Adige Kerner. The National Anthem: Pan-seared lamb chops, crispy pig ear, blood orange reduction. With 100 percent Mourvedre. How to Disappear Completely: Oil-poached monkfish, white asparagus, white balsamic vinaigrette, daikon sprouts. With Leelanau Good Harbour Golden Ale. Treefingers: Tomato granita. With cilantro-infused gin, jalapeno syrup, fresh lime, sea salt, chilli oil. Optimistic: Maple sugar-seared duck breast, pink peppercorn gastrique, orange juniper pearls, shredded confit. With Anderson Valley Knez Pinot Noir. In Limbo: Shades of Bouillabaisse. With Cava VallDolina. Idioteque: Arugula salad, sous-vide egg, lardo croutons, manchego crisps, crispy pancetta, smoked sherry vinaigrette, Meyer lemon foam, caper dust. With Mezcal Chartruese sour, dash of Ango. Morning Bell: Meyer lemon sorbet. With gin and tonic. Motion Picture Soundtrack: Mousse dou with blackberry pate de fruit Niepoort LBV port. Via Huffington Post.
Bright lights, fame and the chance to become something special all beckon in The Neon Demon. For small-town teen and aspiring model Jesse (Elle Fanning), they're intoxicating — and to the others she meets in her quest for success, so is her innocence and youth. Still, there's a reason that, when Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn first introduces his wide-eyed protagonist, she's splattered in blood and looking not long for this world. She's posing for a photo, but it's immediately apparent that she has wandered into an oh-so-vicious realm. Refn isn't known for being the subtlest of filmmakers, as the manic intensity of Bronson and the detached violence of Only God Forgives both show. He's also a man fond of ensuring that everything audiences see and hear — every colour choice, camera angle, throbbing beat, telling line and moment of silence — is both powerful and entrancing. Combine that with his fondness for dallying with dark tales of human behaviour, and his output tends to be quite polarising. The Neon Demon certainly fits that mould. In fact, it feels like the movie he's been building towards his entire career. Take that as cause for celebration, or a word of warning, depending on how you've felt about his work so far. It's with a parade of suitably neon-saturated images — and with opening credits emblazoned with his own initials — that Refn recounts Jesse's twisted, violent fairytale excursion to Los Angeles. When she meets makeup artist Ruby (Jena Malone), she's plunged deeper into an industry and a city that seems gorgeous and glamorous on the outside, yet remains shallow, false and all-consuming underneath. More experienced, older, surgically enhanced models Gigi (Bella Heathcote) and Sarah (Abbey Lee) don't quite befriend the fresh-faced wannabe, but they do take an envious interest. The competitive edge to their interactions only grows the more that the eager Jesse attracts attention. Skewering the superficiality of society's obsession with appearances is hardly new or novel. But it's not what Refn is saying in The Neon Demon that makes it so seductive. Rather, it's how he says it. In turning a stars-in-their-eyes story into a moody, psychological horror film, his scathing satirical edge is always evident. Every stylistic choice draws audiences in, then slowly reveals that they should have kept their distance. He's aided by a pulsating score from regular collaborator Cliff Martinez that's both melodic and just the slightest bit unnerving. Likewise the film's images, which could have been ripped from the front page of a fashion mag, yet retain an insidious air. Everything looks pretty, even when the movie's true nature proves otherwise. To put it simply, Refn wants to both lure people in while threatening all the while to spit them out — and he does so in eye-popping fashion, as does his entire cast. Fanning plays the seeming ingenue with pinpoint precision, and, though there's a stilted air to Aussies Heathcote and Lee, that's clearly by design. Keanu Reeves and Christina Hendricks are both memorable in small, well-used parts as a seedy landlord and a no-nonsense agent, but if there's a supporting player that the film belongs to, it's Malone. In The Neon Demon's most subtle performance, she's caught in the middle of the many extremes swirling around her, and she knows it. Viewers will relate, even if they're too busy either loving or hating Refn's latest big-screen effort to appreciate it. For the record, we're well and truly in the former camp.
If you're the type of person that loves getting into heated pop-culture debates with friends, then you'll definitely want to get on board with this Kickstarter project. Part card game, part ridiculous debate, the Metagame asks players to consider questions like 'Which feels like first love: Pride and Prejudice or Hungry Hungry Hippos?' and 'Which should be required in schools: Dungeons and Dragons or the Bible?' The game comes with two decks of cards: one set of discussion cards with questions like 'Which will save the world?' or 'Which best represents America?', and one set of culture cards, which feature various works of art and pop culture, like Helvetica, the Rubik's Cube and 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)'. There isn't really a set way of playing, but the makers include a few game suggestions and encourage players to invent their own. Most of the suggested games involve players choosing culture cards that best answer the question and debating their choices. The Metagame was created by Local No. 12, a game design collective made up of Eric Zimmerman, Colleen Macklin and John Sharp. While the original Metagame focused on video games, the trio decided to release 'Metagame: The Culture Edition' following numerous requests for music and film versions. The game is still in prototype form, but it's already attracting praise from Filmmaker Magazine and Attract Mode, and the original Metagame was also an official selection of the 2013 IndieCade International Festival of Independent Games. The project has raised over $50,000 on Kickstarter — nearly double their original target of $25,000. Potential backers have the option of donating anything from $1 (which gets you early access to a print-and-play PDF version) to $500 or more (which gets you your own version of the Metagame, where you pick the rules).
International travel hasn't returned to normal as yet, but the airline industry has still kicked off the new year the way it always does: by announcing the safest carriers to fly with over the next 12 months. If heading to or from New Zealand is on your to-do list for 2022 — depending upon border restrictions, of course — then this year's rankings come bearing great news, with Air New Zealand earning the top spot. As decided by AirlineRatings.com, the carrier nabbed the number-one positions for a number of reasons, including flying in difficult conditions — "from windy Wellington to the Southern Alps", the publication noted — and having a young fleet of planes. "The last two years have been extremely difficult for airlines with COVID-19 slashing travel and Airline Ratings editors have particularly focused on the lengths airlines are undertaking to re-train pilots ahead of a return to service. Air New Zealand is a leader in this field with comprehensive retraining," said Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas. Air NZ's victory came at the cost of another airline from Down Under — and the winner of the safest airline for the past eight years in a row. That'd be Qantas. Since 2014, the Australian carrier has begun each year by being named the safest airline to travel on for that upcoming year, but that streak has now ended. It still placed in the highly sought-after accolade's top 20, however, from a pool of 385 carriers from around the world. Virgin Australia also made the cut — and, in order, the full rundown of 20 airlines includes Air New Zealand, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, TAP Portugal, SAS, Qantas, Alaska Airlines, EVA Air, Virgin Australia/Atlantic, Cathay Pacific Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, Lufthansa/Swiss Group, Finnair, Air France/KLM Group, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Emirates. [caption id="attachment_823330" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brent Winstone[/caption] If you're a budget-conscious flyer, the website also outlined the ten safest low-cost airlines. Jetstar made the list — which it also did back in 2019 and 2021 — with Allegiant, easyjet, Frontier, Jetblue, Ryanair, Vietjet, Volaris, Westjet, and Wizz also featuring. Factors that influence a carrier's placement on the two lists include crash and incident records, safety initiatives, fleet age, profitability, and audits by aviation governing bodies, industry bodies and governments. No one needs any extra encouragement to dream about overseas holidays at the moment, but this just might be it. For the full AirlineRatings.com list, visit the airline safety and product rating review outfit's website.
In case we didn't have enough endangered phenomena to worry about, what with the encroaching extinction of the Black Rhino, the disappearance of the Barrier Reef, and the centralisation of indie culture, the United Nations has thoughtfully added a new category to the list. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has this week released a fresh batch of the world's endangered 'intangible cultural traditions'. French-style horse back riding, Chinese shadow puppetry, and poetic dueling in Cyprus were amongst the newly endangered traditions added to the 250-strong list compiled last year. The new additions encompass rituals and art forms passed down orally from generation to generation, lacking any formal documentation system. Recipes and food preparation methods can also be found amongst the UNESCO's list of disappearing acts, including the Japanese ritual of transplanting rice, and the ceremonial Turkish meat dish, Keskek. Those recipe books brimming with scrawled post-it notes and hand-written recipes born of the mind of your Great Great Grandmother just got even more precious. These 'intangible' traditions provide the cultural glue for some of the world's smallest communities, encouraging unity in a world of increasing globalization and cultural dilution. Hopefully awareness generated by the UNESCO list will stop these traditions from pulling a Houdini any time soon.
If you ever made it along to one of Donny Benet's dinner-and-show affairs back in 2013, you'll know that the man has an eye for extraordinary talent. Wanting to immortalise the creative collaborations that emerged from those nights, he invited his favourite guests to the legendary Donnyland Studios to write and record an album. Dubbed Weekend at Donny's, it's an epic, multi-dimensional LP featuring some of Sydney's hottest songwriters and performers: Jack Ladder, Kirin J Callinan, SPOD, Geoffrey O'Connor, Isabella Manfredi (The Preatures) and Elana Stone. According to Donny, the album was put together over the course of a year. "Amongst international touring, recording, television appearances and small business openings... love, despair, hope, risk, chivalry, incarceration, marital aids, admiration, love triangles, European fashion and libraries are played out." This Friday and Saturday night, Weekend at Donny's will be launched with a huge show at Brighton Up Bar. The Donny Benet Show Band will lead the evening, with guest slots from Jack Ladder, SPOD, Geoffrey O'Connor and Elana Stone. https://youtube.com/watch?v=6WFOWcqwgH4
Get ready for some action-packed bombastic fun this winter at Australia's hottest new attraction: Monster Jump. The 280-metre-long inflatable obstacle course is set to bounce into the Entertainment Quarter in Sydney over the school holidays on Saturday, July 1. Monster Jump will be running daily up until Sunday, July 16, so book in a session with your crew before the tickets sell out (as they inevitably will). You can bring the whole family to this inflatable wonderland for hours of fun and some healthy competition, whether you want to take your time bouncing your way through the obstacles or racing your mates to see who can finish the fastest. Slide, climb and bounce into school holiday fun with this thrilling family-friendly day out. For more information and to book, visit the website.
Spare a thought for the screenwriters of origin stories. Sure, at first glance, it might seem like they have it made: an enormous built-in audience, a clearly defined universe steeped in history, and pre-existing characters so beloved across multiple generations that all their quirks, mannerisms and catch-phrases are already fully fleshed-out. All the writers have to do is join up a few narrative dots and cue that memorable theme song. But what about tension? How do you place your heroes in deadly peril when the audience already knows they survive? How do you make a character's emotional growth even remotely interesting when the audience already knows who they become? And what possible story can you tell when the audience already knows how it ends? The solution is recalibration, shifting the audience experience from one of wonder and surprise to anticipation. Much like a movie based on real events, origin films focus not on what, but on how, why and when. Back in 1995 director Ron Howard masterfully applied that technique to create the tense final moments of Apollo 13. Now, with Solo: A Star Wars Story, he again shows how waiting for something to happen can be just as exhilarating as wondering if it will happen at all. This is a movie of firsts: the first time Han acquires his surname, the first time he sets foot on the Millennium Falcon, and the first time he encounters his lifelong friend and ally Chewbacca. It's entirely accessible for newcomers, and an even bigger treat for fans. Solo: A Star Wars Story is the second of the Star Wars Spin-offs, and like Rogue One takes place somewhere in between the timelines of the larger, better known chapters (in this case, after Revenge of the Sith but before A New Hope). It is an age of lawlessness, the opening tells us, and nowhere is that more prevalent than the distant planet of Corellia, where the long arm of the Empire is less feared than the gangs that lurk in its shadows. It's here that we meet the young Han (Alden Ehrenreich), a wannabe pilot forced to boost speeders and run errands for a slug-like criminal matriarch and her cronies. Han and his girlfriend Qi'ra (Emilia Clarke) have dreams of escaping to explore the universe. But when their plans fall apart, Han reluctantly joins the Empire to secure his way off planet, vowing to return as soon as humanly possible to liberate his great love. Fast forward a few years, though, and Han finds himself stumbling from one calamity to the next, convinced like all good scoundrels and conmen that his next score will be the big one – the one to set everything right. The beloved nature of the Han Solo character is largely down to actor Harrison Ford and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan – the latter of whom wrote both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The master scribe returns for Solo, delivering a story that's less galactic opera and more small-scale heist movie in the vein of an old school Western. Solo's swagger, the gun on his hip, and even the iconic outfit all fit perfectly with that space cowboy aesthetic, while Ehrenreich makes the wise call to embody the character rather than impersonate. He doesn't begin as Solo, but instead neatly and incrementally becomes him over the course of two action-packed hours. On the other end of the scale, Donald Glover's portrayal of the iconic charmer Lando Calrissian scarcely evolves from his first line to his last, yet is so note perfect that it scarcely matters. Clarke's contribution is equally nuanced, especially in the film's latter stages. The roster is rounded out by fun turns courtesy of Thandie Newton, Woody Harrelson and Paul Bettany as the assorted rogues Han encounters on his travels. Focussed, fun and faithful to the lore, Solo: A Star Wars Story comfortably shrugs off the production woes that seemed destined to leave it in ruins and instead delivers us a fine and worthy expansion of the wider Star Wars universe. Oh, and if you had any lingering doubts, let it be finally laid to rest: Han shot first. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPEYpryMp2s
Eriksson Architects have compiled a proposal for an eco-silicon valley that will revolutionise modern enviro-friendly architecture. They have created blueprints for the Mentougou Eco Valley, an experimental 100 square-metre development with buildings of diverse contemporary design. If and when the Chinese government approves the proposal, the company plans to install the Mentougou Eco Valley about 60 kilometers west of Beijing, in a deep valley surrounded by lush mountains, an ideal haven for eco-friendly living. The city will be self-sufficient in producing water, returning nutrients back to the environment and maintaining its own agriculture because it will be built amidst vast vegetation and small bodies of water. Protected by the surrounding wall of mountains, noise and pollution are also kept out of the Mentougou Eco Valley. The development is designed to include nine environmental research institutes, a city center and small residential neighbourhoods built into the mountains that would house over 50,000. The architects will experiment with new building materials and designs, technologies and floor plans in an attempt to build the most modern eco-friendly city ever created. [via designboom]
Good things happen when the minds behind Peters Ice Cream and Gelato Messina come together, as has proven the case multiple times now. In the summer of 2019 — centuries ago — the dessert experts unveiled a limited-edition line of gourmet Drumsticks. Fast forward to spring 2020, and they teamed up for a range of Messina X Peters gelato bars. Now, with spring 2021 in full swing, they've added a new lamington flavour to its in-supermarket lineup. Yes, next time you're hankering for a frosty sweet treat, you can nab one of Messina's takes on the best chocolate- and coconut-covered cake there is. The new creation, which has just landed in the freezer aisle of your local supermarket, comes filled with chocolate gelato mixed with desiccated coconut, plus raspberry sauce — a mix that might taste familiar if you're already a Messina fiend. Here, all that gelato is placed on a biscuit base, then covered in milk chocolate. The Messina lamington gelato bar joins the existing Messina X Peters choc hazelnut and espresso dulche de leche numbers. The former features layers of chocolate biscuit, cocoa gelato, a hazelnut sauce and a chocolate coating, while the latter pairs espresso gelato and dulce de leche, then covers it in milk chocolate. All three flavours are available at supermarkets around Australia. Each comes in pop art-style boxes of four, priced at $10 per box. On Tuesday, October 19, to mark the new lamington gelato bar's launch, Messina is also giving away boxes of them. To get your hands on one, you'll either need to make a purchase at a Messina store — or order from Messina via Uber Eats from 12pm onwards and tick the 'free box of lamington gelato bars offer' box. Both giveaways are while stocks last, so getting in early is obviously recommended. Gelato Messina X Peters gelato bars are available at supermarkets around Australia.
Uber's really gunning on the whole transportable goods monopoly, huh. Transport's youngest taxi-threatening empire moved to explore the billion-dollar food delivery market, after the recent Messina delivery hootenanny (which didn't actually work for hundred of new Uber — Newber? — users). But that type of gimmicky PR stunt is going one step further into an actual delivery service: lunch delivered by taxi driver, in under ten minutes. UberFresh is the idea, with the plan to make Uber drivers into the ultimate vehicular-based slashie: equal parts taxi driver and delivery person. Planning to take you "happy to hungry in under ten minutes", the service is capitalising on that bout of hanger that sets in when your delivery snail takes an age to show up. But you can't just order any ol' extravagant, slow-cooked short rib for lunch and expect it to show up in ten. UberFresh works on a limited menu, daily specials restricted to sandwiches, salads or soups from local businesses (with a little side cookie thrown in). You'll have to meet the driver on the street to pick up your lunch, but you just skipped a 20-minute lunch line, so hush. The UberFresh program is currently only available in Santa Monica and on weekdays until September 5. Plans to bring the service to Australia or New Zealand haven't yet been announced, but with the rising rates of Uber users (and the anger at Cabcharge's sneaky extra fees) rising, shouldn't be too long before your lunch is just ten minutes away. Delivery.com and Seamless probably need new pants. Via Grub Street.
Greater Sydney's lockdown has now entered its seventh week, and isn't set to end until at least Saturday, August 28. But some of the region's stay-at-home requirements are still changing, with restrictions tightening in areas where case numbers are proving particularly high. Already, eight specific Local Government Areas have been put under stricter requirements — and since 5pm on Sunday, August 8, 12 suburbs in the Penrith LGA have joined them. So far, residents of the Parramatta, Georges River, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, Blacktown and Cumberland have been under tighter rules that only allows them to travel five kilometres from home in general, and only leave their homes for work outside their areas if they're considered authorised workers. Also required: wearing masks whenever they leave the house. At New South Wales' daily COVID-19 press conference on Sunday, August 8, Premier Gladys Berejiklian also added the suburbs of Caddens, Claremont Meadows, Colyton, Erskine Park, Kemps Creek, Kingswood, Mount Vernon, North St Marys, Orchard Hills, Oxley Park, St Clair and St Mary's to the list. "Regrettably, there are 12 suburbs in the Penrith Local Government Area that will now be listed as an area of concern and will be subjected to those harsher restrictions that we've imposed on those eight Local Government Areas," said the Premier. "They are clearly suburbs which are boundaries to those eight Local Government Areas, and we want to make sure that we stem the tide of the virus seeping into those additional communities." The 12 suburbs now under tighter conditions are still bound by the overarching stay-at-home rules that applies to the rest of Greater Sydney, too. So, as has been the case since late June, everyone can still only leave the house for four specific essential reasons: to work and study if you can't do it from home; for essential shopping; for exercise outdoors; and for compassionate reasons, which includes medical treatment, getting a COVID-19 test and getting vaccinated. Also, only businesses deemed "critical retail" are permitted to remain open. Stores that can continue to welcome in customers include supermarkets, grocery stores, butchers, bakeries, fruit and vegetable stores, liquor stores and fishmongers; pharmacies and chemists; and shops that primarily sell health, medical, maternity and infant supplies. Also allowed to stay open: pet supply shops, post offices, newsagencies, office supply stores, petrol stations, car hire places, banks, hardware shops, nurseries, and places that sell building, agricultural and rural goods. Any retail premises that don't fall into the above categories are closed to physical customers, but they can do takeaways, home deliveries, and click and collect orders. If you need supplies, only one person from each household can go out shopping each day to buy essential items — and browsing is prohibited, too. Carpooling is still off the cards, unless you're in a vehicle with members of your own household. And, you can still only exercise in groups of two outdoors — or as a household. The stricter restrictions came into effect as NSW reported 262 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases identified to 8pm on Saturday, August 7, with only 86 cases in isolation for their entire contagious period. As always, Sydneysiders are also asked to continue to frequently check NSW Health's long list of locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited. If you've been to anywhere listed on the specific dates and times, you'll need to get tested immediately and follow NSW Health's self-isolation instructions. In terms of symptoms, you should be looking out for coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste — and getting tested at a clinic if you have any. Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour will remain in lockdown until at least 12.01am on Saturday, August 28. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
We've all been debating the pros and cons of the NSW Government's proposed new liquor licensing laws (mostly the cons, around here) on the bars and nightlife we love. But some of the affected parties are less obvious than others, and one of these is alcohol delivery service Jimmy Brings, who have launched a petition against what they see as the well-meaning but misguided laws currently being debated by NSW politicians. Governed by the same legislation as regular bricks-and-mortar bottle shops in NSW, Jimmy Brings is a phone and online order company that delivers alcohol to homes between 6pm and midnight. Founders Nathan Besser and David Berger believe businesses such as theirs should be exempt from the statewide proposal to close bottle shops at 10pm, a move that would result in their trading hours being cut and their business revenue halved. In a statement introducing their petition to Premier Barry O'Farrell and Vaucluse state Liberal MP Gabrielle Upton, Besser and Berger state that whilst welcoming efforts to quell Sydney’s alcohol-related violence, "we do not believe that the proposed legislation should unfairly penalise small businesses who are promoting safe and dignified drinking within the family home." As a company whose client-base is largely over 25 years old, they make a strong case, particularly considering that only 3.2 percent of their orders are delivered to the CBD/Kings Cross area and that responsible drinking at home arguably prevents people going out into the streets in search of booze. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Mr Berger denied their business could be used by younger drinkers to "pre-load", explaining that their typical consumers are "people [who] have been out to a restaurant and are then going back to a house with friends or they have got friends over or are with their partner and family and they have run out of wine or beer." Of course, the Jimmy Brings duo aren’t alone in their concerned responses to the controversial legislation. Last week we spoke to several of our favourite small bars to hear how they would be affected (read it here). The Greens will be voting against what they believe is a "knee-jerk" reaction to Sydney's violence problem, with Greens MP John Kaye telling the ABC, "We don't believe there's evidence to justify what they're doing ... We don't believe we can justify imposing on responsible late night venue goers measures that are probably going to fail.” The music industry's also getting involved. Today the Sydney Late Night Culture Alliance launched — a banding together of key stakeholders in Sydney's music world, including MusicNSW, FBi radio, SLAM, Goodgod Small Club, Oxford Art Factory, TheMusic.com.au and inthemix. The group’s first campaign 'Keep Sydney Open', aims to specifically tackle proposed 1.30 am lockouts and 3am service cessations, which they believe will negatively affect the heart and soul of Sydney’s musical nightlife. They’re calling on other venues and organisations to join them. To sign the Jimmy Brings petition or just have a read of it, click here.
It's been a busy 12 months or so for Qantas. The Australian airline launched 17-hour non-stop flights from Perth to London, started eyeing off even lengthier trips direct from the east coast to the UK and US, and introduced biofuel into its jaunts from Melbourne to Los Angeles. Now the carrier is kicking off the new year by earning a highly sought-after accolade, being named the safest airline to travel on in 2019. It's not the first time that Qantas has achieved the feat. In fact, the Aussie carrier has topped AirlineRatings.com's list for six years in a row. Entering its 99th year of operation, the airline emerged victorious from a pool of 405 carriers from around the world, with Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand also making the site's top 20. The other 17 airlines — which aren't ranked by number — span Alaska Airlines, All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, EVA Air, Finnair, Hawaiian Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar, Scandinavian Airline System, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic. If you're a budget-conscious flyer, the website also outlined the ten safest low-cost airlines. Jetstar is one of them — and it's joined by Flybe, Frontier, HK Express, Jetblue, Cook, Volaris, Vueling, Westjet and Wizz. Factors that influence a carrier's placement on the two lists include crash and incident records, safety initiatives, fleet age, profitability, and audits by aviation governing bodies, industry bodies and governments. At the other end of the scale, five airlines received the lowest rankings: Ariana Afghan Airlines, Bluewing Airlines, Kam Air and Trigana Air Service. Via AirlineRatings.com.
Two years since opening in Surry Hills, Bar Suze has announced it will be taking part in a well-worn hospitality tradition: pivoting. The small Foveaux Street bar that has been specialising in natural wines and Swedish snacks will shift its focus at the start of July and reopen as B.S. Pasta Palace. To celebrate the venue's time as Bar Suze and mark its evolution, the team is throwing a midsommar party on Sunday, July 2. This walk-in-only celebration will feature plenty of natural wine, signature Bar Suze Nordic snacks and DJs setting the soundtrack. It'll be your last chance to get your hands on some of the beloved Swedish eats from the OG Bar Suze menu before things switch up to more Italian-inspired carby delights. Following the party, the venue will go into a four-day hibernation before emerging as B.S. Pasta Palace on Friday, July 7. Plus, make sure to keep your eye out for the Bar Suze team's next venture, with owners Greg Bampton and Phil Stenvall also opening a new venue in Potts Point. Named Caravin, this 30-ish-seat French wine bar will arrive in the former Dumpling & Beer site next to Piccolo Bar on Ward Street sometime in spring. [caption id="attachment_907152" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bar Suze, Nikki To[/caption] Images: Nikki To.
The Snowy Mountains has long attracted snow bunnies from across the state, nation and even oceans to play. Though these days the area is buzzing with much more than skiing fresh powder to entertain you. Whether you've never so much as seen snow before, or are a seasoned pro, there's plenty to taste, see and do when you're not flying down the slopes. A big draw card during the winter season is the Snowtunes music festival, returning to Jindabyne this year to host an epic snowy weekend. The breathtaking lakeside town of less than 3000 people is set to explode with music from a swag of Australian and international artists. Unzip your puffer jacket and warm up to some fiery sets from Gang of Youths, Safia, Tigerlily, Mashd N Kutcher, Klingande, Royal and Skeggs — just to name a few. This is not a drill; if you're looking to see this winter out dancing it up to some electro tunes, surrounded by some pretty stunning snowy vistas, you'll want to mark this one in your diary for the first weekend of September. The two-day music festival is just the tip of the 'snowberg', if you will. We've partnered with Destination NSW to bring you a Snowy Mountains getaway cheat sheet, so before, after and between sets, you can pack in as many snowbound activities as possible. [caption id="attachment_632818" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wildbrumby Schnapps Distillery.[/caption] EAT AND DRINK From your road trip to the snow and into the wee hours of après ski, the Snowy Mountains region has a bustling food scene that'll keep you going. Make your first stop Ingelara Farm Truck. This bright blue food truck sits just outside of Bredbo and caters to all your stop, revive, survive needs from coffee to homemade sourdough. And once you've settled in The Snowies, there's plenty more tasty goodies to discover for all budgets. Take a culinary journey down the Alpine Way running between Jindabyne and Thredbo. Stop by award-winning Wildbrumby Schnapps Distillery Door and Café for a free tasting of their wide array of schnapps — our picks are the butterscotch and spicy devil's tongue — and stay for the hearty Euro-inspired meals like German smoked sausages, the schnitzel burger and Austrian beef gulasch. Next stop along the way is Crackenback Farm Restaurant. If you splurge anywhere, make it here. The French farmhouse-style cuisine is best enjoyed leisurely by the fireside. And make sure to save room for dessert, because the hot chocolate mousse with vanilla ice cream and marinated mandarins will crack even the most seasoned dessert connoisseur. [caption id="attachment_633133" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Crackenback Farm.[/caption] If you're based Thredbo village way, take a tour through the brimming offering of eateries, bars, pubs and even a nightclub. Stop by Central 2526 for their dumplings of the day, or wander up to The Denman Hotel for the fanciest cocktails in town. Looking for a mid-ski refuel? The classic drive-thru's got nothing on Eagles Nest. Ski in and out of Australia's highest restaurant perched 1937 metres above Thredbo at the top of Kosciuszko Express Chairlift. The show-stopping 270-degree view pairs nicely with some hearty classics such as a rather generous parmigiana schnitzel, loaded waffles and a cold German beer. DO Of course, a trip to NSW's snow capital wouldn't be complete without a bit of shredding — they don't call it 'Shredbo' for nothing. Whether you prefer one plank or two, investing in lessons for those just starting out or even those in need of a refresher will definitely pay dividends. Thredbo runs two-hour group lessons three times a day at Friday Flat. You'll find solidarity in your fellow students as five-year-olds fly past you down the mountain. Many locals and visitors alike have not ventured beyond the resorts into the surreal wilderness, but K7 Adventures opens this world up with their snowshoeing tours leaving from Thredbo resort. On a clear day, you'll be rewarded with awe-inspiring views across the valley. On a snowy day, the hike across fresh snow is well worth the unexpected beauty of snowy gums and staggering rock formations that emerge from the white silence. You'll feel like you've just discovered frozen Atlantis. K7 also hosts cross-country skiing, photography and ice climbing tours. After carving up the slopes, or just making some casual snow angels, slip on your après-ski boots and get ready for the evening's entertainment at Snowtunes. If you're feeling extra celebratory, opt for one of their sweet package deals like the Snow Worries. As the name suggestions, the festival legends organise it all for you, including a two-day admission ticket, express entry, return bus from Central Station in Sydney to Jindabye, accommodation and brekkie at the Snowy Valley River Inn. You'll be sorted for a full weekend in the snow, without a care to dampen those spirits. And finally, a tough day playing in the snow or burning up the dance floor is sure to take it out of you, so the Lake Crackenback Spa & Wellness Centre is the chilled-out cherry on top of an action packed weekend. Book into a facial, massage or go all in with a spa special like their Winter Day package that sees you massaged, exfoliated and completely relaxed. Go on, you've earned it. STAY To fully immerse yourself in alpine luxury, check in to Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa nestled at the foot of the mountains on the edge of Kosciusko National Park. The striking lake view apartments and mountain view chalets cater up to seven mates, while the expansive grounds are a playground for wildlife and visitors alike. Greet the day with the local kangaroos, try your hand at archery in the afternoon, take a dip in the indoor heated pool pre-dinner, then grab a pizza to-go for some in-room dining with a view from Alpine Larder or dine at onsite Cuisine Restaurant & Bar right on the edge of the lake. The resort also offers a complimentary shuttle bus to the Skitube that connects you via rail to Perisher and Blue Cow. It's also only a 20-minute drive along the picturesque road to Thredbo village. Alternatively, you have the option of staying in one of the several ski-in, ski-out chalets on the fields. The big four resorts – Thredbo, Perisher, Charlotte Pass and Selwyn Snow Resort – all offer a huge array of accommodation for all budgets. Though, many of the best value spots can be found in Jindabyne. Round up your nearest and dearest to rent one of the many large guesthouses there. For a splashy stay, split the bill with sixteen mates and enjoy large, private entertainment areas, fancy tubs and open fireplaces. And for a no frills kind of stay, try The Banjo Patterson Inn and take advantage of their pool table, the onsite Kosciusko Brewery and an energetic Tuesday night trivia. Head to the snow to eat, drink and play, then hit the dance floor at Snowtunes, taking place September 1 and 2.
Throughout October, Barangaroo House will transform into a haven for rosé enthusiasts with its free-to-enter, month-long celebration of pink plonk hot on the heels of its martini festival in September. This lively venue features three distinct levels, each offering a unique experience steeped in the rosy-hued drop Sydneysiders cannot get enough of. Smoke, a Barangaroo House's popular rooftop bar, pairs stunning Sydney sunsets with refreshing tipples like the much-beloved Whispering Angel, a crisp French Provence rosé, or the enticing Pink Sunset cocktail—a spirghtly mix of Bombay Sapphire gin, house-made rosé, and rhubarb liquor, crowned with citrus and berry garnishes. For an added thrill, try the Blush and Burn shot, infused with strawberry and creamy coconut, alongside delectable bites like smoked ocean trout on mini brioche. On the middle floor, Rekōdo exudes urban energy with its Japanese-inspired decor and a vinyl soundtrack. Guests can sip Veuve Clicquot rosé and enjoy cocktail specials like the Kyoto Kiss—an effervescent blend starring Aperol and berries. At weekends, the Jukebox Bottomless experience beckons, allowing patrons to request songs while indulging in a lavish menu that includes prawn crackers and strawberry fried ice cream. At ground level, House Bar offers a moment of chilled-out vibes with its waterfront views. Here, Chandon Rosé bubbles and frosé flow freely, complemented by playful dishes like pink Skull Island prawn bao buns. As the sun sets, DJs will be spinning tunes, ensuring that each level pulses with vibrant energy, inviting guests to sip, savour, and celebrate their favourite pink drink all month long.
One of the most poorly kept secrets of the year has finally been confirmed: The Cure, patron saints of bedroom dancing and boys in eyeliner, are officially coming to Sydney as part of the Vivid Live lineup. The legendary new-wave '80s band will be playing two shows, entitled 'Reflections,' at the Sydney Opera House on May 31 and June 1. The shows will see the band play three of their most influential albums in their entirety: Three Imaginary Boys, Seventeen Seconds and Faith. Get out your black trench coats and tease up your hair, The Cure are a-coming. Around for more than thirty years, The Cure have had over a dozen line-ups, but it's their earlier albums which have become their most definitive, with their dark and melancholy melodies treasured by generations of goths and boys who don't, but might, cry. In an almost-original lineup, front man Robert Smith will be accompanied by Simon Gallup and Jason Cooper for the performance of Three Imaginary Boys, while the original drummer Lol Tollhurst will come on stage for the performance of Seventeen Seconds and Faith. Rumours that the band were due to appear at Vivid began last week, but it was only when Stephen Pavlovic, 2011's festival curator, rocked up to FBi Radio and played a Cure track, and then proceeded to neither confirm nor deny the possible appearance of The Cure, that the rumours entered into the realm of the bleeding obvious. https://youtube.com/watch?v=xik-y0xlpZ0
Australia is just getting accustomed to life without single-use plastic bags; however Europe is set to go one step further, backing a directive to ban a number of single-use plastic items within the European Union. The European parliament's plan was drawn up to specifically combat the growing amount of plastic that's clogging up the world's oceans, specifically targeting plastic cutlery, plates, stirrers and straws, as well as cotton buds and balloon sticks. And the target date for phasing out these products is soon: 2021. The EU's highlighted items rank among the top ten products found in the sea, the directive states, with reducing the consumption of food containers and beverage cups also on the agenda. By 2025, all EU members will also be required to collect 90 percent of single-use plastic beverage bottles for recycling, while awareness campaigns will ramp up for the likes of general plastic packets and wrappings, sanitary items such as wet wipes and sanitary towels, and cigarette butts. The draft legislation received overwhelming support, passing 571 votes to 53, although it's not yet law. It is, however, the latest recognition that the war on waste is one that needs serious attention. The British parliament announced plans to go plastic-free earlier in the year, France has banned plastic plates, cups and cutlery from 2020, while the Australian government has pledged to ensure that 100 percent of the country's packaging is recyclable, compostable or reusable in the next seven years. And that's on top of the flurry of supermarkets, big name brands, well-known food chains and furniture behemoths making their own commitments to reduce, recycle or eradicate single-use plastics from their operations.
For the past five years, Josh Niland has been showcasing his seafood prowess to Sydneysiders, with the acclaimed chef first opening restaurant Saint Peter in 2016, then launching fishmonger Fish Butchery in 2018. Last year, he shared his recipes in The Whole Fish Cookbook, letting seafood fiends everywhere follow in his footsteps at home. And now that ocean-focused text has just picked up the prestigious James Beard Book of the Year Award. On Wednesday, May 27 in the US, Niland nabbed the coveted prize — which is considered the top culinary book award in America and worldwide. Handed out by the culinary-focused non-profit James Beard Foundation each year, the James Beard Awards recognise food-centric media across a number of categories, including chefs and restaurants, books, journalism and broadcast media. They also bestow prizes in fields such as restaurant design, leadership, humanitarian work and lifetime achievement. In receiving the Book of the Year Award, Niland became the first Australian to ever take out the prize. And, he scored a second honour as well, with The Whole Fish Cookbook also winning in the Restaurant and Professional field. Niland's debut cookbook, The Whole Fish Cookbook champions his culinary philosophy, with an ethical and sustainable approach to seafood paramount to his cooking. The book's recipes include cod liver pate on toast, fish cassoulet, roast fish bone marrow, and the chef's 'perfect' version of fish and chips. [caption id="attachment_771910" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Rob Palmer[/caption] The Whole Fish Cookbook has been picking up praise and accolades since it was first published last September, with the James Beard Book of the Year Award joining a long list of gongs. It also received the Food Book Award at the 2019 André Simon Awards, was named illustrated book of the year at the 2020 Australian Book Industry Awards, earned photographer Rob Palmer the National Portrait Gallery's National Photographic Portrait Prize 2020 for one of his photos of Niland, and has been longlisted for the Australian Booksellers Association Booksellers' Choice Awards 2020. To peruse the full list of 2020 James Beard Award winners, visit the awards' website. For more information about The Whole Fish Cookbook, head to publisher Hardie Grant's website. Top images: Rob Palmer.
It has been 13 years since Planet Earth, the 11-part documentary series that combined stunning high-definition images of this place we all call home with David Attenborough's inimitable narration. It has been three years since Planet Earth II, the show's six-part sequel, did the same too. A third program, Planet Earth III, is slated to join them in 2022 — but you don't need to wait that long for your next Attenborough-voiced nature doco fix. Four years in the making, Netflix's Our Planet will help fill the gap. Releasing in April, it isn't related to BBC's Planet shows — which also include The Blue Planet and Frozen Planet — but it does still feature Attenborough's informative tones. Across eight episodes, the iconic broadcaster and natural historian will talk viewers through the planet's remaining wilderness areas and their animal inhabitants. The series is made in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, so expect to see plenty of astonishing and majestic critters. And we do mean plenty. Our Planet was filmed in 50 countries across all the continents of the world, heading everywhere from the remote Arctic wilderness to the South American jungles — and to sprawling African landscapes and the depths of the ocean, as well. In total, it took 600 crew members to shot the series, who helped capture a plethora of never-before-filmed sites over more than 3500 filming days. It's also filmed in ultra high-definition at 4K resolution, so should your TV support it, you'll be in for quite the detailed glimpse at the natural world. Check out the full trailer below: Our Planet starts streaming on Netflix on April 5. Image: (c) Ben Macdonald/Silverback Films.
It's time for another madcap, star-studded, pastel-hued adventure with Wes Anderson. Hooray! The follow-up to Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel follows Gustave H (Ralph Fiennes), a manager at the swanky eponymous establishment and his devoted lobby boy, Zero Moustafa. The suave Gustave is a hit with the mature lady guests, and when one of them dies, he is suspected of murder and theft. So he and his precious sidekick make a run for it, and the story unfolds into the whirlwind of adventure, mystery, romance and, of course, comedy that captivate us with Anderson's films. It looks like Anderson won't be abandoning his colourful, dreamy sets; dry, poker-faced humour; and eccentric characters anytime soon. The usual suspects in the cast include Willem Dafoe, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Jeff Goldblum, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman. Tilda Swinton, Jude Law and Saoirse Ronan are also thrown in, making The Grand Budapest Hotel one Anderson's most dynamically cast films yet. The Grand Budapest Hotel is is in cinemas on Thursday, April 10, and thanks to Twentieth Century Fox, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=1Fg5iWmQjwk
In 2013, three women escaped from a home in Cleveland, Ohio, then shocked the world by revealing they'd been kidnapped and kept prisoner by one man for over a decade. It's hard not think that their harrowing tale may have played a part in the conception of writer-director M. Night Shyamalan's latest thriller, Split, which begins in a very similar fashion. Three young girls, all in their teens, are drugged and abducted in broad daylight outside of a shopping mall, only to wake up imprisoned in a bunker with no idea where they are, who took them, or why. That is, until they meet Dennis. Played by James McAvoy, Dennis is a cold, meticulous and physically brutal force. He's nothing like Patricia, the matronly British lady (also played by James McAvoy), who assures the girls they'll not be touched or harmed in any way. Then there's Hedwig (played by...James McAvoy) who's just a small boy who loves to dance to Kanye, and Barry (James McAvoy) a fashion designer constantly reassuring his shrink that everything's under control and…well…you get the idea. Rest assured though, this isn't some sort of Eddie Murphy costume romp where he's playing every character. Rather, McAvoy plays a collective of 23 distinct personalities competing for 'the light' within the body of one man named Kevin. Within this extraordinary case of DID (dissociative identity disorder), some personalities want the girls freed, whilst others appear to be preparing them for the arrival of the yet unseen 24th identity which they refer to only as 'the beast'. The burden of carrying the film, unsurprisingly, sits almost exclusively with McAvoy, whose performance more than rises to the challenge. Shyamalan actually filmed each of Kevin's identities as though they were portrayed by a different actor and the technique absolutely pays off. Each one feels different, and you soon think of them accordingly. Some you fear, others you warm to and none feel at all like the man playing them. The other performance of note comes from Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch). Introduced as a loner from the opening scene, Casey resists the others' suggestions of attempting an escape in favour of befriending the more approachable identities within Kevin, sparking additional conflict within an environment already dripping with tension. Taylor-Joy's a terrific actress with a long future ahead of her, and it's her scenes with McAvoy where Split is at its best. Filmed almost entirely in extreme closeups – a device that leaves audiences wondering what unseen menace might be lurking just off screen – McAvoy's unpredictability keeps the levels of menace high, while Taylor-Joy's enormous, soulful eyes speak volumes when words aren't (or can't) be spoken. Ever since The Sixth Sense, Shyamalan has been plagued by the expectation that his films will feature an unpredictable twist, a promise on which he's been mostly unable to deliver. Depending on your perspective, the finale of Split either sheds itself of that expectation entirely or doubles down and hits you with something even larger. Maybe it's both. Either way, the end result is almost certainly Shyamalan's best film since his breakout; a welcome return to form and an exciting precursor to whatever comes next. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84TouqfIsiI
It seems we can't get enough Robo-Cop inspired tech. The robot exoskeleton that confers superhuman strength is already out there, and now circuit-laden contact lenses are being developed to beam augmented reality straight to your retina. Researchers at the University of Washington have developed lenses embedded with semi-transparent electronics, which most pundits report as an internet accessible contact lens. The reality, at this stage, is much more modest. So far the team have been able to put an 8 x 8 pixel array on a contact lens, and tested it on rabbits for twenty minutes — think Robo-Rabbit playing a quick game of checkers, rather than Minority Report. This article by the lead researcher Babak A Parviz discusses the difficulties with developing an augmented reality contact lens, but shows that we already have the technology to overcome most of the hurdles. The only question is getting it small enough, and safe enough, to fit on 1.5 square centimetres of polymer that sits on your eye. The piece also suggests uses for the tech other than web surfing — being in constant contact with fluids, it would be an ideal place for sensors to monitor health metrics like glucose levels. Being able to bat your eyelids and check your email might still be a pipe-dream, but perhaps we're not so far from having a health bar in the corner of the 'screen' reminding us when to have our next check up. https://youtube.com/watch?v=h1SlPUkC6Fc [via PSFK]
It was the film that forced two beloved superheroes into a fight; however that's not the only battle Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has faced. Critics were far from impressed, and nor were the folks behind the Golden Raspberry Awards. After bestowing eight nominations upon the Zack Snyder-directed, Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill-starring flick, the gongs also known as the Razzies have backed that up with four trophies. At the 37th awards, BvS took out worst screenplay; worst screen combo for Sad Affleck and his "baddest foe forever"; worst prequel, remake, rip-off or sequel; and worst supporting actor for Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor. Still, the movie's clashes are never over, it seems, with conservative political documentary Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party coming out on top — or is it bottom? — in the worst picture, worst actor and worst director fields (and, worst actress, though BvS didn't get a look in there). Kristen Wiig was among those adding an unwanted accolade to their resume, thanks to her work in Zoolander 2. The Razzies also recognise someone whose career has taken a turn in a better direction, with Mel Gibson this year's recipient of the Razzie Redeemer Award thanks to the success of Hacksaw Ridge. The Razzies are held the day before the Academy Awards, giving the industry a moment to consider the other side of the Hollywood filmmaking spectrum before showering the best and brightest of the year in statuettes. For anyone that's been living in a musical rather than in the real world, La La Land remains the Oscars favourite after nabbing a record-equalling 14 noms, but here's hoping there'll be plenty of love for eight-time-nominee Moonlight. Check out our helpful guide before the February 27 ceremony, Australian time. GOLDEN RASPBERRY NOMINEES AND WINNERS 2017 WORST PICTURE Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Dirty Grandpa Gods of Egypt Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party Independence Day: Resurgence Zoolander 2 WORST ACTOR Ben Affleck, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Gerard Butler, Gods of Egypt and London Has Fallen Henry Cavill, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Robert De Niro, Dirty Grandpa Dinesh D'Souza [as Himself], Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party Ben Stiller, Zoolander 2 WORST ACTRESS Megan Fox, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows Tyler Perry, Boo! A Madea Halloween Julia Roberts, Mother's Day Becky Turner [as Hillary Clinton], Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party Naomi Watts, Divergent Series: Allegiant and Shut-In Shailene Woodley, Divergent Series: Allegiant WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Julianne Hough, Dirty Grandpa Kate Hudson, Mother's Day Aubrey Plaza, Dirty Grandpa Jane Seymour, Fifty Shades of Black Sela Ward, Independence Day: Resurgence Kristen Wiig, Zoolander No. 2 WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR Nicolas Cage, Snowden Johnny Depp, Alice Through the Looking Glass Will Ferrell, Zoolander 2 Jesse Eisenberg, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Jared Leto, Suicide Squad Owen Wilson, Zoolander No. 2 WORST SCREEN COMBO Ben Affleck & His BFF (Baddest Foe Forever) Henry Cavill, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Any 2 Egyptian Gods or Mortals, Gods of Egypt Johnny Depp & His Vomitously Vibrant Costume, Alice Through the Looking Glass The Entire Cast of Once Respected Actors, Collateral Beauty Tyler Perry & That Same Old Worn Out Wig, Boo! A Madea Halloween Ben Stiller and His BFF (Barely Funny Friend) Owen Wilson, Zoolander 2 WORST DIRECTOR Dinesh D'Souza and Bruce Schooley, Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party Roland Emmerich, Independence Day: Resurgence Tyler Perry, Boo! A Madea Halloween Alex Proyas, Gods of Egypt Zack Snyder, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Ben Stiller, Zoolander 2 WORST PREQUEL, REMAKE, RIP-OFF or SEQUEL Alice Through the Looking Glass Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: Dawn of Justice Fifty Shades of Black Independence Day: Resurgence Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows Zoolander 2 WORST SCREENPLAY Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Dirty Grandpa Gods of Egypt Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party Independence Day: Resurgence Suicide Squad
How many spider-men is the optimal amount of spider-men? Asking for the best Spider-franchise there is: the Spider-Verse series. Sure, 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home messed with multiverse madness, complete with Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland's versions of the titular character — but the stunning 2018 Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse not only got there first, but topped that first. Now, the animated flick's upcoming sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is going one better yet again. Initially set to release in 2022 — and even dropping a first trailer in 2021 — but now arriving in June 2023, Across the Spider-Verse is the first of two follow-ups to the Miles Morales (Shameik Moore, Wu-Tang: An American Saga)-focused franchise. And, it isn't holding pack on its spider-people. Where the initial film gave us a spider-woman, spider-robot and spider-pig, as well as Nicolas Cage as a 30s-era spider-vigilante, this one has another whole onslaught of Spideys heading Miles' way. This time around, the movie's Brooklyn-based friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man is slightly older, and also faced with a spider-team, who are keen to protect the multiverse's existence. When there's that many Spideys, agreeing on how to handle things — including a new threat — isn't easy. That's how the clash between Miles and his fellow spider-folk comes about, as animated in the series' usual dazzling onslaught of colour and movement in the just-released sneak peek. Also included amid all the spider-alternatives in the trailer: Miles reuniting with Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld, Hawkeye). And, there's Spider-Woman (Issa Rae, Insecure), the Spider-Verse version of The Vulture (Jorma Taccone, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story) and the return of Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac, Moon Knight). (If you're wondering about Isaac's character, he first turned up in the post-credits section of Into the Spider-Verse, and he's an alternate version of Spidey from a specific Marvel Comics imprint.) The voice cast spans Daniel Kaluuya (Nope) as Spider-Punk and Jason Schwartzman (I Love That for You) as The Spot as well, and Jake Johnson (Minx) is also back as Peter B Parker — alongside Brian Tyree Henry (Bullet Train) as Miles' dad and Luna Lauren Velez (Power Book II: Ghost). Expect to see Miles head into other Spidey realms, too, in a franchise that made every single live-action Spidey film pale in comparison to its initial instalment. Once again produced by The Afterparty's Phil Lord and Christopher Miller — and this time co-written — Across the Spider-Verse will be followed by third film Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse in 2024. There's also a female-focused spinoff in the works as well. Check out the new Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse trailer below: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will release in cinemas Down Under on June 1, 2023.
Despite living in cities teeming with exciting events and activities all around us, it seems way too easy to fall into the same old routines when another weekend rolls around. We are, after all, creatures of habit. Given this, we've teamed up with Truly Hard Seltzer to bring you seven weekend activities to try if you're looking to add a little extra flavour to your weekend. Don't worry, we'll never suggest switching up your always-necessary morning coffee. [caption id="attachment_793358" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption] INSTEAD OF SEEING A MOVIE, JOIN A DANCE CLASS Going to the flicks is generally a guaranteed good time — even if the movie isn't great, there are always snacks. Given all the streaming we've been doing over the past two years, why not step away from the screen when you've got some downtime and hit up with a dance class to get your blood flowing? Who knows, you might just unlock a hidden passion and discover you're a natural at the cha-cha. There are plenty of places that offer casual classes in a range of styles and for all experience levels. In Sydney, you could live out your childhood ballerina or Broadway fantasies at Sydney Dance Company; give Bollywood dancing a go via Class Bento; or learn to salsa or cha chat with Move Dance Studios. In Melbourne, give afrobeats a go with The Space; go retro with a jazz class at Dance Factory; or throw on the tap shoes for a class at Dance World. INSTEAD OF A COASTAL WALK, PLAY A GAME OF BEACH VOLLEYBALL OR TAKE YOURSELF TRAIL RUNNING Instead of embarking on your usual oceanside stroll this weekend, try something a little more active by running along a coastal trail. That way you can still get in some of the refreshing ocean air while getting the heart pumping and and your body primed for a post-workout lunch by the sea. In Sydney, try taking on the scenic Bondi to Coogee run or heading inland to do a loop of the Narrabeen Lagoon. In Melbourne, the popular Bay Trail is your best bet, especially when you add in a pit stop at the St Kilda Sea Baths, while inland tracks can be found along both the Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers. If it's a group activity you're after, add some friendly competition to the mix with a game of beach volleyball. In Sydney, you can hire a net at Manly or Maroubra, while in Melbourne you and your crew can dig and spike your way to glory on St Kilda or Altona beaches. INSTEAD OF WATCHING NETFLIX, HIT UP AN ARCADE Put down the remote — your streaming queue can wait another day. Instead, head to an arcade to revel in some nostalgia from your younger years and give your brain (and maybe body) a bit of a workout. It's also a great way to get bragging rights over mates — as long as you win, that is — and enjoy some quality snacks and bevs. Don't know where to start? Archie Brothers hosts adults-only circus and cocktail events once a month in its Melbourne and Sydney locations, while B. Lucky & Son's Entertainment Quarter and Melbourne Central outposts offer some serious prizes — think Google Home speakers, vintage Chanel bags and more. INSTEAD OF THE GYM, GO BOULDERING A good sweaty gym session is a weekend staple, but consider another heart-pumping activity like bouldering — the more strategic cousin of rockclimbing — instead. As a super social activity that's all about cheering each other on, it's a great one to do with your mates, too. Given the sport's increasing popularity, there are plenty of bouldering gyms to check out across Melbourne and Sydney, too. In its Port Melbourne and Marrickville sites, BlocHaus cleans and resets four sectors a week, meaning there's a new wall to tackle on just about every visit. Elsewhere in Victoria, Urban Climb in Collingwood (and coming soon to Blackburn) offers a range of boulder and rope climb experiences, as well as fitness and yoga classes to ensure a well-rounded workout. In Sydney, 9 Degrees has — you guessed it — nine different levels of difficulty to try out at its gyms in Waterloo, Lane Cove, Alexandria and Parramatta. INSTEAD OF DOOM SCROLLING, DISCONNECT IN A FLOAT TANK Unfortunately, falling into a doom scrolling cycle is far too easy to do in the modern day. So, if you want to zone out but avoid the traps of TikTok and Insta, turn your phone off for a few hours and head to a flotation tank instead. Chill out in the saltwater, take a break from the real world and enjoy a bout of meditation while relieving some stress. Sydneysiders looking for some time away from the screen can head to Brookvale or Darlinghurst's Sydney Float Centre, which boasts state-of-the-art zero-gravity tanks, or even book into a private floatation room at City Cave, which has locations spanning from Mona Vale to Minchinbury to Campbelltown. For Melburnians, Northcote's Gravity Float and Wellness offers a range of holistic therapies ranging from flotation tanks to multi-day retreats, while the well-appointed Resthouse Float Centre in Hampton East and Water Temple Flotation in Armadale offer flotation memberships for those looking for regular offline time. [caption id="attachment_659517" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Laura at Pt Leo Estate, Jason Loucas[/caption] INSTEAD OF THE PUB, HEAD TO AN OUT-OF-TOWN CELLAR DOOR Want to get a little fancy this weekend? Press pause on the pub plans (your parma can wait until Wednesday night) and venture a little further to an out-of-town cellar door. Both Sydney and Melbourne are within easy reach of a number of world-class wine countries, so the only question you'll have is where to begin. We've done the research for you though with these excellent cellar doors that are worth the day trip from both Sydney and Melbourne. Before you know it, you could be sipping a preservative-free drop at Hungerford Hill in Pokolbin, or enjoying a degustation at Pt Leo Estate's illustrious fine diner Laura in the Mornington Peninsula. INSTEAD OF ORDERING TAKEAWAY, JOIN A COOKING CLASS After a long work week, it can be pretty tempting to outsource the weekend cooking for a bit of a splurge. This time, get on the tools (tongs) yourself by joining a cooking class, where you can learn some new tricks that you can impress your mates and fam with. Class Bento offers nationwide cooking classes for master chefs and disaster chefs alike, with workshops ranging from sushi-making to cake-decorating. Elsewhere, Sydney Cooking School offers a year-round calendar of classes and state-of-the-art equipment from its Neutral Bay headquarters, while in Melbourne, Moonee Ponds' Gourmet Kitchen offers weekend classes perfect for home cooks looking to add a new dish or two to their repertoire. Add extra flavour to your weekend with Truly Hard Seltzer, available at local bottle shops now in watermelon and kiwi or lime flavours. For more info, check out the website. Top image: Archie Brothers, Zennieshia Butts
If you've been wondering about the story behind today's rainbow Google doodle, here's the low-down. With the Winter Olympics opening ceremony to be held tonight in Sochi, the online giant has put its weight behind the protest against Russia's discriminatory laws. Six stylised athletes are depicted participating in various winter sports, from ice hockey to figure skating to bobsledding. Underneath, a quotation from the Olympic Charter reads, "The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play." Activists all over the world have spoken out against the International Olympic Committee's decision to hold the Games in Russia, where the law bans the promotion of non-traditional sexuality and prevents under-18-year-olds from having access to information about homosexuality. On Wednesday, February 5, protests were held in 19 different cities. Yesterday, UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon acknowledged the issue in his speech to the IOC, stating, "Many professional athletes, gay and straight, are speaking out against prejudice. We must all raise our voices against attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people. We must oppose the arrests, imprisonments and discriminatory restrictions they face."
Name a fictional detective — be it Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, Nancy Drew, Scooby-Doo, Inspector Gadget or Benoit Blanc — and, no matter who they are or which cases they've solved, someone has wanted to follow in their footsteps. Actually, more than a few someones have. We've all done it: watched, read or listened to a murder-mystery, then figured that we could solve a big case if the situation arose. Thanks to podcasts such as Serial, as well as the recent true-crime boom in general, that's become the default reaction to hearing about an unsolved or thorny story. It's also the premise behind returning Disney+ series Only Murders in the Building, which satirises the fact that everyone has wanted to be Sarah Koenig over the past decade. Only Murders in the Building has its own version of Koenig, called Cinda Canning (Tina Fey, Girls5eva). As viewers of the show's first season know, though, she's not the marvellous murder-mystery comedy's focus. Instead, it hones in on three New Yorkers residing in the Arconia apartment complex — where, as the program's name makes plain, there's a murder. There's several, but it only takes one to initially bring actor Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin, It's Complicated), theatre producer Oliver Putnam (Martin Short, Schmigadoon!) and the much-younger Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez, The Dead Don't Die) together. The trio then turn amateur detectives, and turn that sleuthing into their own podcast, which also shares the show's title. In season two, which starts streaming Down Under on Tuesday, June 28, the show returns to the same scene. No time has passed for Only Murders in the Building's characters — and, while plenty has changed since the series' debut episode last year, plenty remains the same. Viewers now know Charles, Oliver and Mabel better, and they all know each other better, but that only makes things more complicated. Indeed, there's a lived-in vibe to the program and its main figures this time around, rather than every episode feeling like a new discovery. Among the many things that Only Murders in the Building does exceptionally well, finding multiple ways to parallel on- and off-screen experiences ranks right up there. That applies to podcast fixations, naturally, and also to getting to know someone, learning their ins and outs, and finding your comfort zone even when life's curveballs keep coming. There wouldn't be another season without another murder, however. This time, Arconia board president Bunny Folger (Jayne Houdyshell, Little Women) has left the land of the living. The OMITB crew were all known to have their struggles with her, so they're all persons of interest. They have media profiles now, due to their first-season success. Canning herself starts a podcast about the podcasters. It's Mabel who finds Bunny, in fact, sparking too many internet theories. And, to the joy of the actual NYPD detective on the case (Michael Rapaport, Life & Beth), all the evidence keeps pointing at her, Charlies and Oliver. Even if you've only watched one murder-mystery before, you know the old cliche about returning to the scenes of crimes. Generally, that's what the guilty do, driven by a need to witness the aftermath of their handiwork, insert themselves into the investigation and enjoy a second round of thrills. But Only Murders in the Building makes a comeback for a different reason, which definitely doesn't involve zapping more enjoyment out of evil deeds. At a series level, there's none of the latter to revel in anyway. The first season was such a warm and amusing gem — and smart and astute, too, whether it was serving up odd-thruple banter, or parodying whodunnits and their obsessives — that it instantly became one of 2021's best small-screen newcomers. What makes season two tick is the same thing that made season one tick, though: the show's fondness for people above all else. They're the only thing that ever truly matters in any murder-mystery, as should always be the case when someone has lost their life at the hands of another. In its first batch of episodes, Only Murders in the Building made a point of identifying its victim's flaws and troubles — explaining why more than a few people wanted him dead, because that's the genre's whole concept — but also took great care to flesh him out as a person, too. It does the same with Bunny the second time around, unsurprisingly. Indeed, diving into the ups and downs, strengths and struggles, and wins and losses that make the Arconia's inhabitants who they are is as crucial a part of the show as figuring out who decides to wield a gun, knife or knitting needle. Only Murders in the Building has been doing exactly that with Charles, Oliver and Mabel from the outset, of course, and keeps digging into its central trio. But new residents and familiar faces alike still get the same treatment during season two, including Amy Schumer as herself and the returning Theo Dimas (James Caverly, A Bennett Song Holiday). Viewers learn more about Charles' past with his father, which may be linked to Bunny — and his connection to Lucy (Zoe Colletti, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark), the now-teenager who was almost his stepdaughter. Oliver's bond with his son Will (Ryan Broussard, Modern Love) gets pushed into the spotlight, as does his need to be the dip-eating centre of attention. And Mabel's distrust of others continues to help drive the narrative, especially after she becomes the key suspect and gets badged #BloodyMabel on social media. Around of all the above, there are blackouts and 70s-style parties, canny commentary about lives lived online and lonely hearts in equal measures, wonderful one-liners and knowing in-jokes, and an impressive balance of comedy and heart. If cracking any case is all about puzzling together the right pieces, then Only Murders in the Building has found its ideal components — more so in season two, which is weightier, deeper, funnier, more insightful and more charming. It's also an even better showcase for its three leads, who just might be the most likeable trio currently gracing any series. Martin, Short and Gomez all such delights together that they deserve their own podcast about why they're so great playing podcast-obsessed podcasters. If you're already a fan of Only Murders in the Building, you know you'd listen to it. Check out the trailer for Only Murders in the Building season two below: Only Murders in the Building's second season starts streaming Down Under via Star on Disney+ on Tuesday, June 28, starting with two episodes, then airing new instalments weekly. Read our full review of the show's first season. Images: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu.
Don't you hate it? You finish carving it up on the black run, having linked together some pretty sweet tricks, only for your buddy to claim his jumps were airier and his landings smoother. If only you had some way of objectively measuring just who was the more extreme… Perhaps you can. Nokia have teamed up with leading snowboard company Burton to develop Push Snowboarding, adding sensors to the board and rider that track your every action. Motion data and biometrics such as heart-rate and skin conductivity are collected wirelessly by the phone sitting in your pocket, allowing you to back up your bragging, or just monitor your progress. The development of 'connected' products can sometimes be an unnecessary gimmick, but in the sports world performance data is priceless for elite athletes. Innovatively, rather than keep the tech in-house and hush-hush, the platform is open to the boarding world, allowing the end-users to hack their own uses for the technology. It's a clever strategy from Nokia, effectively crowd-sourcing their customers to help develop ideas for the product. It could lead to purely entertaining uses, such as loading real runs up to video games, or improved safety features that aid in search and rescue. Whether it ends up as the next must-have accessory for the slopes, or is consigned to the tech junk heap along with the internet fridge, now rests in the hands of the boarders themselves. [via PSFK] https://youtube.com/watch?v=1y8nMUAUeKM
