To be honest, Rhianna could sell us anything. She could sell us a box full of Fenty bees or a Fenty sleeve of Oreos and we would worship her. Thankfully, there are exactly zero bees in her new collaboration with Puma, but it is just as buzzing. And lucky Sydneysiders will be able to get their hands on (and their feet into) Rhi Rhi's latest shoes at a four-day Fenty x Puma pop-store in the CBD. Rhianna's gone for a 'dismantled school uniform' direction for her AW17 collection, which, in human language, means exaggerated varsity jackets and luxe felt creepers. The pop-up will be located on the mezzanine of Foot Locker on George Street from Thursday, September 28 to Sunday, October 1. The pop-up will be styled to look like a college dormitory space and, if you wander down on Thursday, there'll be giveaways to grab. The Fenty x Puma store will pop up from September 28 until October 1 at Foot Locker, 542 George Street, Sydney. You can view the full collection here.
Rarely has a film more perfectly encapsulated the notion of so close, yet so far. Directed by Neil Marshall, whose previous credits include the impressive horror flick The Descent and some major episodes of Game Of Thrones, Hellboy is an absolute mess of a thing, despite boasting a terrific cast, memorable set pieces, impressive CGI and one of the more intriguing and inventive protagonists in recent comic book history. Hellboy, of course, already has two films in his honour, both of them written and directed by Mr Monster himself: Guillermo del Toro. The question that loomed large over this 2019 version, then, was whether it sought to be a rebooted origin story or a semi-continuation of the pre-existing franchise. The schizophrenic patchwork of a story we end up with suggests the studio simply couldn't decide. Timelines leap from the Arthurian legend to modern day to WWII to the 80s, usually for the purpose of dumping massive loads of exposition. The entire film feels rushed and discordant; a fever dream of fight scenes and plotlines that neither link to what came prior nor have much relevance to what follows. In the lead, Stranger Things star David Harbour does his darndest to breathe life into what little script there is, imbuing his Hellboy with an admirable level of angst, sarcasm and unwieldy brawn. Credit, too, to the movie's makeup team, who've managed to wholly transform Harbour into a hulking creature from the underworld despite little to no CGI at play. Opposite him, Milla Jovovich puts in the film's most understated yet compelling performance as Nimue the Blood Queen, whose equal rights for monsters mantra offers a tantalisingly defensible motivation for her murderous ways. Sadly, Hellboy gives little time to ideas, opting instead for as many gory deaths, clanger one-liners and f-bombs that it can squeeze in. And on the gore front, Hellboy certainly makes full use of its R-rating, particularly in the film's final stages when Hell's assortment of nightmarish demons begin crushing, skewering and skinning the hapless inhabitants of London. The demons themselves are spectacularly imagined, as is the infamous Baba Yaga, the Slavic witch with an appetite for small children. Her scene with Hellboy is beautifully designed, genuinely well-written, and appropriately grotesque. But even then, there's one major ingredient missing: terror. It's a phenomenon repeated multiple times throughout the film, and one that's not easily diagnosed. Scenes that should be scary simply aren't, just as jokes that should be funny don't even come close. If you imagine the film as a piece of music, the levels are all out — as if the sound mixer dialled everything up that should be down, and vice versa. Which brings us back to so close, yet so far. Whatever forces were at play to screw this up, the fact remains the pieces were there to produce something great. Hellboy could have been any number of films: a comic book horror movie with genuine scares, a comedy action flick or even a compelling Maleficent-esque drama about misunderstood heroes and villains vying for their right to a place on this earth. Instead, it's an embarrassment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt5g5_1cKVk
UPDATE: APRIL 7, 2020 — Some good news for your social feed: Sea Life Melbourne is now home to two adorable king penguin chicks. And you can meet them via livestream at 10am AEST on Wednesday, April 8. One fluffy baby bird is called 'Sparkie', but the aquarium is looking for suggestions for other the littl'un. Details on how to submit a name will be revealed during the livestream. Melbourne's Sea Life Aquarium is live streaming playtime and feeding time with some of its cutest and scariest sea critters in the lead up to Easter. At 9am AEDT on Saturday, April 4, you can get up close and personal with swarms of jellyfish, learn the ins and outs of their luminous lives and watch them being fed by Sea Life's ocean expert and 'Jelly Queen' Diane. If you haven't had a chance to check out the aquarium's million-dollar Ocean Invaders exhibition, this'll be a good chance for you to have a little virtual tour. On Wednesday, April 8 at 10am AEST, you can watch the gentoo and king penguins at playtime, sliding around their icy home and gobbling many fish. Then, kicking off the long weekend, will be another live-streaming session at 11am AEST on Friday, April 10, which will see keeper Brianna chatting about a bunch of cute (and maybe slightly scary) animals that lay eggs. To tune in, head head to Sea Life Melbourne's Facebook page. Thankfully, these aren't the only live-streams and digital content the aquarium is planning. Keep an eye on future events, including possible shark feedings, penguin hangs and tropical fish tours, here.
The ever-expanding reach of Google has been a contentious topic over the past decade. Though great for reminiscing on an old family home or researching a new one, Google Street View has creepy Big Brother vibes all over it. Their control over our data is unsettling to say the least, and with European privacy clauses changing just last week, many users have opted out of its clutches completely. But some good has finally come from this global panopticon! In a similar effort to Street View, Google is now cataloguing the best street art from all over the world. After its launch today, Google's Street Art Project already has more than 4,000 works available for viewing. The artworks both large and small span all the way from the now defunct exhibition space 5Pointz in NYC to randomly scattered works along the streets of Belgium. As a user of the new system, you can take guided 360-degree tours through graffiti-coated buildings in metropolitan Paris and make your way down a street in Argentina alongside huge murals that may be gone within the month. It's pretty great. Created by the Paris-based Google Cultural Institute, the system works off a combination of images captured via Street View, images from existing cultural institutions and artists, and submissions from random art lovers. Basically, this is what it would look like if Google had an Instagram. Understandably, the project comes with its own problems and debates. With street art still in a legal purgatory, concerns are mounting about such a public endorsement of what is considered by many as vandalism. On the flip side, some artists are known to protest about others benefitting off images of their public work. To quell the latter, Google has ensured its users that if any artists are unhappy with their images being used, they will be removed. Furthermore, any organisations providing images for the project must sign contracts confirming that they own the rights to them. Unlike what's currently happening to Banksy in London, no one will be profiteering off work that was intended for public use. Proponents of the new database include famed street artist Shepard Fairey — the guy behind both Obey and Barack Obama's Hope posters. "I’ve always used my street art to democratise art," he told the New York Times. "It would be philosophically inconsistent for me to protest art democratisation through Google." Either way you look at it, it's undeniably an amazing project for those who love art. Users can search for street art via artist name, location or genre, and there's even a special section devoted to New York walls of the 1990s. Though the real works invariably get painted over or demolished, like everything in Google (for better or worse), these pictures never fade. Get a cup of coffee, cancel the rest of your work for the day and check it out for yourself over here. Via New York Times. Images via Google Cultural Institute.
Love dessert? Not so good at sports? Keen on using the former to help the latter? Well, it could actually happen. In the kind of culinary development that oh-so-many dreams are made of, an Italian cardiologist has invented an ice cream he claims will improve your sporting ability. So, who do you thank? Science, and Professor Valerio Sanguigni from the University of Rome Tor Vergata. He has crafted his own secret recipe for a gelato that has antioxidant properties. And, as anyone that has ever seen an ad for skin care products or trendy supermarket health foods knows, they're so good for you that television commercials won't stop shouting their praises. Sanguigni's three types of ice cream draw upon his own research into the area — into antioxidants, not ways to justify eating more frozen sweet treats (that's just an added bonus, though he is apparently a lifelong enthusiast). In tests, he gave chocolate, hazelnut and green tea-flavoured gelato to groups of volunteers, and then noticed that they subsequently pedalled faster on an exercise bike than those who ate ordinary ice cream. In short, their vascular function and physical performance improved. No word yet as to what Sanguigni's plans are for his sports-boosting dessert, though it sounds like the type of thing he'd want to start selling quick smart. So, just think: if you've ever wanted to be a little more active — and actually be good at shooting hoops, hitting balls or whatever other sport takes your fancy — gelato might help. With a Korean convenience store also selling ice cream as a hangover cure, it seems that your favourite chilled confectionery just might be the sweetest and tastiest super food of them all. Via Munchies.
Winter is upon us, the gloves and beanies are out of storage, and it's time to start loading up on sweets and carbs. That's how every June starts — and, this year, Krispy Kreme wants to help with the latter. How? By giving away an extremely excessive number of doughnuts. You're probably now wondering what constitutes an excessive amount of doughnuts. No, polishing off a packet by yourself doesn't count, at least in this instance. Krispy Kreme's giveaway is going big, with the chain slinging 100,000 original glazed doughnuts in conjunction with National Doughnut Day. Whether or not you're a big fan of food 'days', we're guessing you are quite fond of free doughnuts. To snag yourself a signature glazed freebie, head to your closest Krispy Kreme store around Australia — other than in the Northern Territory — on Friday, June 3. That gives you 33 places to flock to, with Sydneysiders able to hit up 12 stores stretching from Penrith to the CBD, Victorians needing to visit nine locations from the airport to the city, and Queenslanders given eight different doughnut shops to pick from (with the most central in Albert Street in the CBD). And, in Perth, you can head to one of four Krispy Kreme stores. The National Doughnut Day deal isn't available at BP outlets, 7-Eleven stores, Jesters or Woolworths, or via online orders or third-party deliveries. There's also a limit of one freebie per person, and the giveaway only applies to the original glazed variety. The 100,000 doughnuts will be spread across the participating stores, so you'll want to get in relatively early if you want to kick off your Friday with a free sweet and doughy treat. Obviously, whether you nab one or not is subject to availability. Krispy Kreme's free doughnut giveaway is happening in the chain's stores around the country on Friday, June 3. To find your closest shop and check its opening hours, head to the Krispy Kreme website.
Do you often find yourself neglecting your morning run in favour of the snooze button? Or do you define a 'gym session' as the walk between your fridge and couch? If fitness just isn't your forte and workouts feel more like work then these ten awesome fitness apps could be the perfect starting block for refreshing and renewing your fitness regime. Whether you're a budding Olympian or just hoping to slash a couple of excess pounds, this list offers something for just about everyone, with apps ranging from running trackers to fitness games to workout incentives to yoga on-the-go. And to celebrate the release of the new adidas adistar Boost running shoes, where you receive extra energy from the shoe’s boost technology to keep you running longer, we've compiled a list of our top ten apps to help out. So check out The Athlete's Foot, don those fluoro shorts, pump up the Jay-Z and check out the list, because these apps have the potential to transform even those with the most avid of workout aversions into fully fledged gym junkies. 1. Zombies, Run! Oh yes, this is exactly what you think it is. It's your real-life version of 28 Days Later and Shaun of the Dead, transforming the stress and strain of your next gym sesh into a post-apocalypic zombie chase. The story itself is pretty simple: civilisation has fallen into zombie-infested ruin and it is up to you to rebuild society. As you run you automatically collect medicine, food, ammo and other critical supplies to replenish your base, but in order to evade those pesky zombie hordes you have to keep up with your customised zombie speeds. Choose from over 30 different missions, crank up your favourite playlist and the twists and turns of the zombie saga will be revealed to you between tracks. 2. Fitocracy Fitocracy does what many a gym, PT and exercise playlist have often tried and failed to do: taken the 'work' out of 'workout'. By applying the addictive quality of video games — of having to reach the next level and beat your own and your friends' top scores — Fitocracy actually manages to make fitness into the physical equivalent of Call of Duty: fun and strangely addictive. Starting at level one, you are awarded points for completing increasingly difficult workouts, which can then be shared on the Fitocracy social network. 3. Jefit Jefit isn't designed for your casual jogger or backyard footballer, but for the most hardcore and dedicated of fitness freaks: bodybuilders and gym junkies. The app allows you to track your body statistics with everything from fitness graphs to progress photographs, create custom workout routines and discover new exercises and workout techniques with Jefit's massive exercise database. The app's two-way sync technology allows you to sync all this information with an online profile and store all your fitness data on the Jefit server, making this the perfect companion for any trip to the gym. 4. Pocket Yoga Perhaps the most common excuse for giving up on a gym membership or even on the whole concept of staying fit is the simple reason of time poorness. If you are someone who prefers the downward facing dog and the crane pose to chin-ups and dumbbells, then time poorness is no longer a viable excuse, thanks to this super-handy app that allows you to practice yoga anytime, anywhere. The Pocket Yoga app includes on-the-go yoga classes and a comprehensive pose dictionary that shows proper positioning and the benefits of each contortion. 5. Cardiio The Cardiio app allows users to become their own personal GP with the world's most easy-to-use stethoscope. There are no straps, no finger clips and no scary add-ons; simply look into your iPhone camera and the app will tell you your heart rate. From this simple piece of information Cardiio can then provide you with a wealth of information about your health, from raw fitness level to life expectancy to how you compare to the general population — or, if you felt so inclined, how you compare with Tiger Woods or even a horse. Use this app everyday after your daily workout and Cardiio will tabulate your results to show you just how fit you are actually getting. 6. RunKeeper While the purpose and function of RunKeeper is fairly clear from its name, what is less clear is just how awesome this app is. Not only does the RunKeeper app track the distance, speed and times of your morning run, walk or bike ride, but it also provides users with a detailed and interactive picture of their exercise regime and fitness levels. RunKeeper allows you to set and measure goals, keep track of milestones and PBs, get on-the-go coaching and collate and share all this data on runkeeper.com. So make sure you cross off the checklist before you go for your next run: a pair of perfectly fitted trainers from The Athlete's Foot and a copy of the RunKeeper app. 7. Charity Miles If shedding those few excess pounds or tightening up those abs isn't sufficient motivation to get you up and exercising, then perhaps Charity Miles can help you out. This free app encourages you to get off the couch by rewarding every mile you run, walk or ride with a donation of 10c for bikers or 25c for runners and walkers to a charity of your choosing. What's awesome about this app is just how easy it is to make a tangible difference to a worthwhile cause. Charity Miles as well helps you to push through the pain of exercise, with regular updates as to what sort of difference each mile you travel will have for your chosen charity. 8. Obstacles XRT By combining the Obstacles XRT (Extreme Reality Training) app with a little bit of imagination you can transform your living room into a virtual obstacle course complete with tires to skip through, quicksand to hop over and fences to dive under. The Obstacles XRT app is basically a workout video for the iPhone era, replacing Richard Simmons and gratuitous quantities of spandex with army commander voiceovers and high intensity obstacle courses. Every command of "jump as high as you can" and "jab to the left" is specifically designed to workout your major muscle groups, and with the app's Calorie Burn Dashboard, you can watch in real time as you burn off the calories. 9. Endomondo While the app store is rife with sports trackers that can measure the duration, distance, speed and even calorie burn of your morning jog, few of them offer the sort of versatility and all-purposeness of the Endomondo Sports Tracker. Of particular note, the Endomondo app is able to not only track running and cycling but just about any distance-based sport — from skiing to kayaking to rollerblading. The app includes an incredible range of features from heart monitors to audio coaching to route generators, but perhaps most unique to the Endomondo app is its capacity to pit you against your friends by competing with their best times and even sending them pep talks. 10. GymPact GymPact are upping the stakes for those of us who have been known to miss the occasional gym session. Petty excuses are no longer good enough because if you fail to meet your weekly workout targets you have to pay up. And if you meet your targets then GymPact will pay you. All you have to do is make a pact of how many times you'll work out in a week and set yourself a price. If you you fall short of your target, then your wager helps pay everyone else in the GymPact community that had a successful week. Don't think you can cheat the system either, as with GPS tracking and the RunKeeper app, GymPact makes sure you stick to your weekly pact. Get onto GymPact, and thanks to this brilliant little incentive, missed workouts may soon become a thing of the past. Once you've downloaded your favourite app, make sure you get yourself a double boost with a pair of awesome new runners. Check out the adidas adistar Boost available now at The Athlete’s Foot (limited release only).
Avoid the chaos of the CBD come December 31 and celebrate the new decade at a party by the beach. Better yet, make it a mini bar crawl without the hassle of having to trek between venues. This New Year's Eve, Coogee Bay Hotel is hosting two big parties to farewell 2019. You can start the night off with three hours of bottomless drinks (the usual suspects — beer, wine and bubbles are on the menu) plus canapes to line your stomach at a VIP pre-party on the balcony. That means exclusive views of the ocean and Coogee's 9pm fireworks. The party runs from 7pm–10pm and tickets are $149 or $169 for access to the hotel's countdown shenanigans. Alternatively, Coogee Bay Hotel's massive live music space, Selina's, will be a neon haven of tunes and good times from 8pm all the way through to 3am. If you're skipping the balcony and heading straight in for a boogie, first release tickets are $40, so snap them up quick. The music lineup for Selina's countdown party is huge, so get ready for synth harmonies and hip-hop beats from Tassie's Close Counters as well as the techno house jams of Motorik Vibe Council. Then get wild with Gold Coast surfer dudes Cut Snake, before grooving well into the night with tunes by DJ duo The Aston Shuffle. Coogee Bay Hotel's VIP balcony pre-party runs from 7pm–10pm, with tickets available here. The countdown party at in-house venue Selina's goes from 8pm–3am, with tickets available here.
If you're not in a position to invite vertical garden expert Patrick Blanc to turn your apartment into a World Record-breaking botanic wonder, why not try doing-it-yourself? Not quite sure where you might start? Over the next four months, Sydneysiders will have the chance to learn more about creating 'blooms with a view', 'supercharging' their soil and transforming their patio into a mini pesto factory. A series of community workshops, focused on maximising the organic and agricultural potential of matchbox-sized living spaces, are being run in various venues in Redfern, Glebe and Green Square. Forming part of the City of Sydney's Green Villages program, and supported by Environmental Grants, the workshops are entirely free of charge. The only catch is that numbers are limited, so online registration is essential.
This very galaxy's next spell in the Star Wars universe is on its way, and it's teasing adventure, alliances, battling the dark side, and giving warrior, outcast, rebel and Jedi Ahsoka Tano her due. After dropping its first sneak peek back in April, Disney+'s aptly named Ahsoka has finally unveiled its full trailer ahead of its August streaming arrival. The attitude: "once a rebel, always a rebel". Since Disney got its lightsabers out again with Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens, this franchise has rarely been far from screens. That includes at home, where the force has proven particularly strong across three seasons of The Mandalorian, 2021–22's The Book of Boba Fett, and also 2022's Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor. Now, it's Ahsoka's turn to hit the queue, with Rosario Dawson (Clerks III) returning as the limited series' titular figure after playing the part in both The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. If you're new to the character, she was Anakin Skywalker's padawan before he became Darth Vader — and, here, she's an ex-Jedi Knight who is determined to battle a threat to the post-Empire galaxy. "Anakin never got to finish my training," she notes in the new trailer. "I walked away from him." When it hits Disney+ from Wednesday, August 23, Ahsoka will follow animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the TV series it spawned, too, plus fellow animated show Star Wars Rebels — because yes, this saga just keeps spreading far and wide. From the latter series, Star Wars aficionados will spot rebel crew member Hera Syndulla and former bounty hunter Sabine Wren. Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)) plays the former in Ahsoka, while Natasha Liu Bordizzo (Guns Akimbo) steps into the latter's shoes. Also among the familiar characters: fellow Jedi padawan Ezra Bridger from Star Wars Rebels, with Eman Esfandi (King Richard) doing the live-action honours — and Grand Admiral Thrawn, too, as played by Lars Mikkelsen (The Kingdom). Ahoska's cast includes Ray Stevenson (RRR) and Ivanna Sakhno (The Reunion), plus David Tennant (Good Omens). Also, reports have been bubbling for years about Hayden Christensen returning as Anakin, as he did in Obi-Wan Kenobi. This is Disney+'s first series focused on a female Jedi; indeed, as a character, Ahoska has long been one of the few women among the franchise's Jedi ranks, dating back to 2008. Off-screen, The Mandalorian writer/director/executive producer Dave Filoni writes and executive produces Ahoska, with Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Colin Wilson, and Carrie Beck also doing the latter — all seasoned Star Wars veterans. Check out the trailer for Ahsoka below: Ahsoka will stream via Disney+ from Wednesday, August 23. Images: ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd & TM. All Rights Reserved.
Thought bingo was for your nan? Think again. It's also for you — or perhaps, if she's a groovy gran, for the both of you. Hijacking the traditional format of bingo with raves, conga lines and lip sync battles, Bingo Loco is 50 percent one of those strange dreams you get after eating too much cheese and 50 percent just a walloping good time. Comedian Andrew Stanley plays MC, while confetti showers and smoke cannons go off throughout the night (perhaps wear your glasses). Bingo ravers will compete for ultimate glory (and prizes) over the course of three rounds. In between the traditional bingo games, you'll be expected to groove to classic 90s rave bangers, partake in dance-offs, battle others for lip sync queen titles. Basically, be prepared for many high-octane, energetic activities — gone are the days of simply raising your hand when you've got a full sheet of numbers. Doing your stretches and vocal warm-ups first are advised. You'll vie for prizes, which in the past have included Coachella tickets, mobility scooters (nan, listen up), boats and lawnmowers (maybe for your dad), among other goldmines. Bingo Loco has been running across the globe for a few years and now will trumpet its way around Australia once more, with proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation Australia. Bingo Loco will hit Metro Theatre on Thursday, May 30. Tickets cost $45.20 per person and can be purchased here.
Post-pandemic, the remote work dream was simple: ditch the commute, work in pyjamas, maybe squeeze in a midday run or load of washing. But after a few years, it turns out working completely from home isn't all it's cracked up to be. It can be lonely, hard to switch off and, let's be honest, not always that productive. In fact, while 77% of employees say hybrid work improves their work-life balance, many also report the downsides: lack of social collaboration and feeling of disconnection between colleagues. It's no wonder coworking spaces are becoming more popular, and why small business owners and freelancers are trading in the dining table for a more functional, flexible setup. Enter: Servcorp. With 22 coworking spaces across Australia and Aotearoa, Servcorp blends the best of both worlds. The flexibility of working remotely, with the structure, community and premium amenities of a traditional office. The difference? You're not locked into a lease, stuck in a cubicle, or battling your cat for desk space. The Downside of Remote Work Remote work has its perks, but without structure, it's easy to spiral. One minute you're answering emails in bed, the next you haven't spoken to another human in three days. Add in the unreliable internet, lack of proper meeting rooms and the temptation of TikTok breaks, and suddenly "flexibility" starts feeling more like chaos. Coworking spaces fix that. You still get control over your schedule and the option to work from home when it makes sense for you, but you also gain a work environment that's purpose-built for productivity, collaboration and getting the job done. Work Life Balance That's Actually Balanced The biggest coworking myth? That it's just a room full of people on laptops not talking to each other. At Servcorp, it's designed to be the opposite. The spaces are intentionally built to support collaboration and real work-life balance, where you have a clean, quiet space to work and catch up with colleagues, and then can leave it all behind when you walk out the door. Servcorp's coworking packages include access to high-end meeting rooms, breakout spaces, premium espresso machines, and helpful reception teams to make the work day feel fun and restore home as a place you can actually relax in. More Just Than a Desk One thing that sets Servcorp apart is its top-tier infrastructure. You'll get fast, secure internet (the kind that doesn't crash mid-meeting), an in-house IT team that knows what they're doing, and a dedicated support crew to ensure everything runs smoothly. In other words, it's a workspace you can trust to back you up, whether presenting to a new client, launching your brand, or just trying to make it through Monday. A Community You'll Want to Be a Part Of Freelancers, solo founders and remote teams often say the same thing: it's hard to network when you're isolated at home. At a coworking space, you're automatically plugged into a community of like-minded people. There are regular networking events, shared lounges to casually chat with new people, and a built-in support system that doesn't feel forced or awkward. Collaboration is best when it happens organically: over coffee, in the lift, or while trying to work out how the printer works (some things never change). No Long-Term Lock Ins Whether you need a desk once a week, a few times a month, or Monday to Friday, Servcorp's flexible coworking and virtual office packages have you covered. It's ideal for growing businesses, startups and hybrid teams who want access to a professional space without the hassle and overheads of a traditional lease — plus, enjoy your first month free with no deposit. You can even choose your location — from a city-view suite in Melbourne's Collins Street to a harbourside spot in Circular Quay, or central locations in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and more. So if you are looking to level up your work life this new financial year, it might be time to retire the dining table. Servcorp gives you the facilities, community and freedom to take your work setup to the next level, without sacrificing the flexibility you've come to love. Servcorp has 22 premium coworking spaces across Australia and Aotearoa. Explore flexible packages and find your closest location on the Servcorp website. By Elise Cullen Images supplied by Servcorp
Like Crazy is a romantic drama about the hopelessness and heartbreak of love, exploring the challenges a couple faces both by being together and being apart. The film is written and directed by Drake Doremus, and was the winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Best Picture at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. Anna (Felicity Jones), a British college student, falls in love with her classmate Jacob (Anton Yelchin) and they embark on a passionate journey that soon becomes life-changing after Anna overstays her student visa to spend the summer with Jacob. When forced into a long distance relationship are placed in a situation that tests the love they have for each other. Like Crazy opens in cinemas March 1, and Concrete Playground has twenty double passes to giveaway. To win, just make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address through to hello@concreteplayground.com.au by Wednesday, February 29. https://youtube.com/watch?v=r-ZV-bwZmBw
The winner of this year's Cannes Film Fest Palm d'Or is an exercise in movie-going endurance. Written and directed by celebrated Turkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Winter Sleep clocks in at a gruelling 196 minutes long, a figure that makes the most recent Hobbit flick look positively breezy by comparison. Frankly, only the most committed of arthouse nerds should even attempt Ceylan's latest — and even they may find themselves struggling with the picture's slow-as-molasses pace. Indeed, despite his film's epic run time, Ceylan appears committed to keeping actual dramatic incident to a minimum. Concerned, at its core, with the erosion of the marriage between a conceited old hotel owner (Haluk Bilgine) and his miserable young wife (Melisa Sozen), Winter Sleep at times feels more like a stage play than a movie. Characters argue at inordinate lengths about marriage, money, philanthropy, class and the nature of good and evil. Then they argue some more. The topics that Ceylan sets out to explore are certainly intriguing. In its best moments, Winter Sleep calls to mind the likes of A Separation and Two Days, One Night — films in which the dialogue cuts not just to the hearts of the characters, but to the issues facing the society in which those characters live. At other points, however, Ceylan's writing becomes strained, laying out his themes in painfully literal language, as if we can't be trusted to understand them on our own. On a more unequivocally positive note, Gokhan Tiryaki's cinematography is genuinely stunning. Under the harsh, grey-white light of foreboding winter skies, the Anatolian landscape seems almost otherworldly. Equally beautiful are several night-time interior scenes, the flickering glow from the fireplace casting shadows across the walls. Even so, it's difficult to get past that ridiculous three-hour run time, which drags behind the film like a ball and chain. Ironically, most of the truly compelling content can be found in the movie's second half. The problem is that, by the time you get there, there's a good chance that your brain will have already checked out. https://youtube.com/watch?v=P1nQbYtTPQg
For 69 years, the Sydney Film Festival has screened and celebrated the latest and greatest in international cinema in the Harbour City. Since 2009, it has also handed out a prestigious award to the absolute best of the best. The list of flicks that've won the fest's Sydney Film Prize for "audacious, cutting-edge and courageous" movies is impressive, including everything from Nicolas Winding Refn's Bronson and Only God Forgives through to Bong Joon-ho's Parasite. Now, at the 2022 festival, Lukas Dhont's Close has joined them. Fresh from nabbing the Grand Prix at this year's Cannes Film Festival, Dhont's sophomore feature has picked up this year's SFF $60,000 gong from a lineup of 12 contenders. Close dives into a teenage friendship between two 13-year-olds that's tested when they're teased and taunted about their closeness by their classmates — and also marks the filmmaker's second movie to screen at the Sydney fest, after Girl in 2018. "I want to express my incredible gratitude for the recognition that our film Close receives at this year's Sydney Film Festival. Thank you to the festival for expressing its love for the film, the jury for choosing it among all these outstanding pieces, and its first Australian audience for opening hearts and spirits to a film that comes from deep within," said Dhont. "We wanted to make a film about friendship and connection after a moment in time where we all understood its necessity and power. I decided to use cinema as my way to connect to the world. And tonight I feel incredibly close and connected to all of you." This year's Sydney Film Prize was decided by a jury comprised of Australian actor David Wenham (The Furnace), the SFF Official Competition Jury President, plus Jennifer Peedom (director of River and Sherpa), Mostofa Sarwar Farooki (the Bangladeshi filmmaker behind No Man's Land, which screened at SFF 2022), Semih Kaplanoğlu (the Turkish director-producer of Commitment Hasan, also screening at this year's SFF) and Yuka Sakano (Executive Director of Tokyo's Kawakita Memorial Film Institute). In winning the Sydney Film Prize, Close follows in the footsteps of the aforementioned Parasite, the 2019 recipient, as well as fellow past winners There Is No Evil (2021), The Heiresses (2018), On Body and Soul (2017), Aquarius (2016), Arabian Nights (2015), Two Days, One Night (2014), Only God Forgives (2013), Alps (2012), A Separation (2011), Heartbeats (2010), Bronson (2009) and Hunger (2008). Announced as the Sydney Film Prize-winner at SFF's 2022 closing ceremony, Close is just one of this year's award recipients. The street dancing-focused Keep Stepping won the $10,000 Documentary Australia Foundation Award for Australian Documentary, while Filipino doco Delikado nabbed the fest's second-ever $10,000 Sustainable Future Award. Also, the $20,000 Deutsche Bank Fellowship for First Nations Film Creatives went to filmmaker and performer Kylie Bracknell (Fist of Fury Noongar Daa), and film composer Caitlin Yeo (Wakefield, Valerie Taylor: Playing with Sharks) received the $10,000 Sydney-UNESCO City of Film Award. And, in the Dendy Short Film Awards, Donkey won the Yoram Gross Animation Award and the AFTRS Craft Award, while The Moths Will Eat Them Up scored the Dendy Live Action Short Award and the Rouben Mamoulian Award for Best Director. Four shorts were highly commended, too: 2166 in the Yoram Gross Animation Award field, Ghosted in the Dendy Live Action Short Award category, and Stonefish and Yao Yao Goes to Little Bay for the Best Director prize. The 2022 Sydney Film Festival ran from Wednesday, June 8–Sunday, June 19, with the festival screening four days of encores until Thursday, June 23.
In the most mathematical news since boffins discovered a pattern in prime numbers, the cast and crew behind of Adventure Time, the show that straddles generational gaps like it ain't no thing, are coming to town next March. It's going to be live, it's going to be loud and it's gonna be so flippin' awesome. Making quick trips to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, Adventure Time Live will be an interactive, audio-visual festival that includes Q&As with cast and crew, cosplay competitions, live reads of classic episodes and much more to be announced. It's not a show, it's an experience, man. The event hits Australia between March 10 and March 12 next year, which will probably coincide with the largest gathering of adults pretending to be children pretending to be adults that this country has ever seen.
Sydney will become another star in British chef Jason Atherton's culinary constellation when his Kensington Street Social opens in The Old Clare Hotel on January 13. Yep, just when you thought Chippendale's snazziest destination couldn't fit in another eatery, the hotel has managed to loosen its belt for one, final mouthful. The Social is the third venue to open at The Old Clare, and will be keeping the esteemed company of degustation extraordinaire Automata and Silvereye's deluxe open-plan kitchen. Of the three, it'll be the biggest (with 120 seats) and the most casual. An all-day menu will invite diners to eat any way they like, whether they're after a snack and a matching cocktail or a mega, multi-course feast with premium wines. Atherton, who has a Michelin star to his name, will be acting as culinary director, with Rob Daniels (ex-Maze London) taking on the role of executive chef. Between them, they'll be coming up with an ever-changing array of share plates, which will be influenced by British and Mediterranean flavours and to the availability of quality produce. Samples on the opening menu include 'English breakfast tea and toast' (read: wild mushroom tea served in a teapot with relish and bone marrow toast), sea urchin risotto with Moreton Bay bug tail, and Zokoko alto beni chocolate soufflé with macadamia ice cream. Meanwhile turophiles (aka cheese piggies) will be over the moon. Atherton is promising a stack of tasty, cheese-focused morsels, such as Holy Goat La Luna goats' cheese, served with pickled fennel, bitter orange jam and cress. And breakfast will keep health-nuts happy, with dishes like organic seed and grain oatmeal porridge with pineapple, chilli and mint, and a lightly smoked flathead baked omelette with bacon and spring onion. Drinks will be planned by the man taking care of them everywhere else in The Old Clare, Matt Fairhurst, who’s been working with Atherton for years at City Social, London. He's been busying imagining, mixing and testing signature cocktails for every venue in the hotel. Kensington Street Social-ers can prepare themselves for the Fruit Looped Cereal Killer (vodka, Fruit Loop milk, apricot and Aperol served in a milk carton) and the Kahuna Colada (pineapple rum and Batch Brewing's coconut brown ale), which is already served in The Clare Bar. "I'm so excited to be opening my first restaurant in Sydney," says Atherton. "I'm all about sourcing the best produce, and here the ingredients are just incredible – Australian black truffles, the seafood – so I'm looking forward to using them to reinterpret a few of the signature dishes from my London restaurants." "I’ve had many Australian chefs in my brigade over the years, including my executive chef Rob and pastry chef Adrian Crabb, so it seemed like a natural step to come to Sydney and get the team back together." Shanghai's Neri & Hu came up with restaurant's design and Matt Darwon made it happen. It's a split-level affair with a feel that's contemporary, while still acknowledging the building's history as the long-time home of Carlton United Brewery. Kensington Street Social will open in The Old Clare Hotel on Wednesday, January 13. For more information, keep an eye on their website.
As the director of Flickerfest for the past 15 years, Bronwyn Kidd has programmed thousands of short films — and seen many, many more. She's got such a strong eye, in fact, that one more category in the festival has become Academy® Accredited this year, giving its filmmakers a track to the Oscars. She shared with us her top six films to keep a particularly close eye on at Flickerfest. So no getting distracted by the Bondi stars or ducking out for a drink at the bar when you see these titles flash on the screen. 1. Oh Willy A quirky animation about Willy, who needs to go back to a naturist community after the death of his mother. 2. Zimmer 606 A brilliant blend of live action and animation by Peter Volkart, a master of the craft who has screened many other films at Flickerfest. 3. Life Vest Under Your Seat An hilarious short film about a nightmare passenger you hope you never have to sit next to on any flight from Spain. 4. The Captain A quirky film about a man who winds up in the wreckage of an airline crash having to piece together what happened. Directed by Nash Edgerton and Spencer Susser. 5. A Cautionary Tail A world-class animation with the voices of Cate Blanchett, Barry Otto, and David Wenham. 6. A Story for the Modlins An amazing documentary about the star of the film from Rosemary's Baby. They're all part of the packed Flickerfest 2013 program. Details and screening times are on their website.
The incredible and heart-warming music doco Searching for Sugar Man, directed by Malik Bendjelloul, follows the mysterious story behind a '60s musician simply known as 'Rodriguez'. Likened to artists like Bob Dylan for his soulful melodies and powerful lyrics, the Mexico-born musician was relatively unknown in America. Sixto Rodriguez, who was discovered by celebrated music producers in a Detroit bar, sold only six copies of his record Cold Fact in the US. However, in South Africa - nearly 10 years after his record flopped at home - a bootleg copy of Cold Fact quickly became a hit, an anti-establishment anthem for a country suffering under apartheid regime. Rumoured to have committed suicide on stage, Rodriguez vanished without a trace, unaware of his affect on fans in South Africa. Decades later, two fans set out to find out what happened to the obscure artist whose music resonated with them as they were growing up in riotous South Africa. What they uncover is an extraordinary story that has has impressed critics and audiences worldwide, including winning Special Jury Prize and an audience award at Sundance Film Festival. Concrete Playground has ten double passes to giveaway to see Searching for Sugar Man, in cinemas now. To enter the competition, just subscribe to Concrete Playground (if you haven't already) then email your name and postal address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
If you're the kind of traveller who plans entire holidays around your hotels of choice, then you'll want to add Newcastle to your must-visit list. Come early June, the New South Wales city will become home to the latest QT site — a 104-room spot in Newcastle's revitalised East End precinct, housed inside a 113-year-old building, and boasting everything from harbour views to quite the impressive clock tower suite. First, that must-stay room. Yes, when QT Newcastle opens its doors on Thursday, June 9, you really will be able to slumber inside the clock tower atop the heritage-listed structure — and watch the clock mechanism whirring around when you're taking a bath, too. That specific room has been fit out by interior designer Nic Graham to nod to the building's history as well, so expect heritage touches alongside all the usual modern QT amenities. Graham's work on the hotel doesn't stop there. Here, every room is different — in configuration, design or architecture — but the entire site takes inspiration from the city, and from the elements. That means references to the Newcastle coastline, views through floor-to-ceiling heritage windows across eye-catching landmarks, and just big nods to earth, water and light in general. "We have reinvigorated an iconic heritage building, respecting and maintaining the raw shell and layering contemporary life within," explains Graham. "It's a nice reminder of the human spirit, that we all come from something. We have created a cocooning interior through colour blocking and juxtaposing textures, which evoke the history of Newcastle." Equally impressive: spying those views from the rooftop bar, Rooftop at QT, which'll launch on June 9 as well. It'll be Newcastle's highest openair rooftop spot, in fact, and pairs its uninterrupted vistas with a bit of an izakaya feel. While cocktails and local wines will be on the menu, the bar will also boast Newcastle's largest library of Japanese whisky — so you'll be sipping Harajuku Highballs and Tomasu Margaritas while you eat salmon sashimi, yakitori chicken and miso eggplant robata skewers. That food lineup is the product of chef Massimo Speroni, who is also overseeing Jana, QT Newcastle's signature restaurant. It too will open on June 9. A bar and grill, it hews local with its ingredients, heroes steak — with the premium range sourced entirely from New South Wales — and features an an open kitchen and dry-aged meat cabinet. On the drinks list: oh-so-much wine, with Tyrell's the hotel's wine partner. QT Newcastle joins the chain's growing lineup of hotels, which currently includes sites in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Bondi, Falls Creek and on the Gold Coast in Australia — and in Auckland, Queenstown and Wellington in New Zealand. Also in the works, set for a 2023 launch: QT Parramatta and QT Adelaide. Find QT Newcastle at 185 Hunter Street, Newcastle, from Thursday, June 9. For more information or to make a booking, head to the hotel's website.
From stocking fillers to well planned and executed surprises, Christmas gifting is upon us and we again find ourselves searching for the best presents. If the person you've pulled out of the hat this year is a little more hands-on and a little more inclined towards new tech than gig tickets or a bottle of wine, peruse this list with growing joy. We've compiled some of our favourite gifts for exactly that kind of person. From gadgets to classes and big kid's toys (see: BrewArt's swish home brewing kit), we've done all the thinking so you can sit back and use this time to relax before the flurry of Christmas arrives. Whether it's a gift for a co-worker you've only just met, someone you've known all your life or anyone in between, this guide has got something for the tech-minded, urban hobbyist in all of them. SPROUT PENCIL This multipurpose tool is the perfect kind of stocking filler for the avid home gardener who dabbles with a little writing on the side — or for anyone who needs to write anything down at all, really. The Sprout Pencil begins life simply as a humble writing instrument. But when too many memos have been written, and its size begins to diminish, simply stick the end of the pencil in a bit of soil, add some water and the seeds in the capsule on top of the pencil will sprout into a variety of herbs, flowers and even vegetables. Sprout Pencil, $6.95. Available here. TILE MATE People lose things from time to time, sure. But for some people, the regularity at which it happens is a little more than annoying. So for these people, we give you the Tile Mate. For things that are a little harder to locate, like a wallet, for example, this annoyance is greatly reduced, all thanks to this lightweight Bluetooth tracker. Slide this little sucker in your wallet, and you can track it down, wherever it may journey to. There's also the option of a key ring tile, for those who are of the key-losing variety. It's the perfect gift for that friend who would lose their head if it wasn't screwed on. Tile Mate, from $25. Available here. LEGO ARCHITECTURE SET While dreams of building your own shed or, even more lofty, your own home are all well and good, unless you have architectural training or something of the like, these grand design dreams may remain just that — dreams. For the passionate wannabe (or actual) architect, then, consider a LEGO Architecture set, which is essentially just LEGO for adults. Instead of the colourful bricks and smiling little dudes, these sets put the construction of city icons in your hands. Build your very own Eiffel Tower, towering Burj Khalifa or the Sydney Harbour Bridge complete with the Sydney Tower Eye. Your architecture-loving giftee may never build a massive city icon for all to admire, but they can surely build something special for the family to 'ooo' and 'ahh' at around the Christmas tree. LEGO Architecture, from $49.99. Choose a city here. BLACKSMITH INTRODUCTION CLASS Even though technological advances allow building and crafting to become easier as time marches on, the art of creating doesn't necessarily hinge on the newest toys and fancy gear. For anyone who likes to work with their hands and get that pride from a successful DIY project, the opportunity to pick up a few tips on one of the most ancient crafts is precisely what they'd like under their tree this year. Eveleigh Works run regular courses in the basics of blacksmithing, running over a weekend. From the basic theoretical knowledge to learning the tools to practising the trade, the class covers all the bases to help you master one of history's fundamental professions. Or at least have a bit of fun while learning. Sydney: Blacksmith Introduction I, $490; book here. Melbourne: Beginners Short Course, $490; book here. Brisbane: Blacksmithing Basics, $410; book here. BREWART PERSONAL BREWING SYSTEM The ultimate stage of pursuing the dream of self-sufficiency is the ability to brew one's own booze — and doing it well. For many commercial producers, it's a subtle art, perfected over centuries and, while there is a slew of personal brewing options available on the market, and though a lot of them are pretty good, it's never quite the same as it is straight from the tap at the pub. Enter BrewArt. It's the first personal brewing system that is fully automated, making brewing easier than ever before. Using BrewPrints, the corresponding combinations of ingredients inspired by great beers, the BeerDroid controls every aspect of the brew and can be personalised and controlled by an app, available on your phone. It's a matter of pressing a button on the BeerDroid (or the app) and waiting until the app says that the beer is ready. The BeerDroid also has a partner in the BrewFlo, the state of the art keg-meets-beer-tap. Far from the battered metal bad boys that sit out the front of your local, the sleek BrewFlo looks more like a coffee machine with an authentic looking tap handle. While the BrewArt Kegs keep your brew fresh, the BrewFlo then chills your beer when you're ready to serve. BrewArt comes in two parts the BrewFlo ($699) and BeerDroid ($799). Available here.
Iconic filmmakers dropping huge films: thanks Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon, Michael Mann's Ferrari and Ridley Scott's Napoleon, that's the current cinema story. The latter picture also sees the director reteam with Joaquin Phoenix, step into history and make an epic. And yes, the last time they did that turned out well for the pair. Back in 2000, exploring a brutal (and fictionalised) slice of the past brought both Scott and Phoenix both Oscar nominations. Repeating the feat 23 years after Gladiator, they might be hoping for the same outcome — or better. In Napoleon, Phoenix (Beau Is Afraid) is on a campaign to rule France as the movie's namesake, and Scott (House of Gucci) also returns to a period he dived into in his debut feature The Duellists back in 1977. [caption id="attachment_922708" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Aidan Monaghan[/caption] The focus this time is clearly all there in the title, charting Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to French Emperor, then fall from the post. No, ABBA's 'Waterloo' doesn't feature in either the film's first sneak peek or in the just-dropped trailer. Present instead is a whole lot of wars being waged in a quest to first fight for and then to hold onto power, as well an examination of Napoleon's relationship with Joséphine de Beauharnais (Vanessa Kirby, Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One). The hat, the determination, the military and political scheming, battle scene after battle scene: they all get a look in the Napoleon trailers, too, in a movie that's being touted by distributor Sony as boasting "some of the most dynamic practical battle sequences ever filmed". Also accounted for: lines of dialogue, as scripted by All the Money in the World's David Scarpa, establishing Napoleon's arrogance. "I'm the first to admit when I make a mistake. I simply never do," Phoenix notes in the initial glimpse. When Napoleon hits cinemas Down Under in November, Phoenix and Kirby will be joined on-screen by everyone from Tahar Rahim (The Serpent) as Paul Barras and Ben Miles (Hijack) as Caulaincourt to Ludivine Sagnier (Lupin) as Theresa Cabarrus — plus Catherine Walker (House of Gucci) as Marie-Antoinette, whose fate is seen in the two trailers. After a silver-screen date, the movie is also headed to Apple TV+, just like Killers of the Flower Moon. Check out the latest trailer for Napoleon below: Napoleon releases in cinemas Down Under on November 23, 2023. Images: courtesy of Sony Pictures/Apple Original Films.
It might come as a surprise, given Australia's questionable internet speeds, but Melbourne has claimed the ranking of tenth smartest city in the world, with Sydney snapping at its heels in spot number 12. Headed up by international parking app company Easy Park, the 2017 Smart Cities Index analysed 500 cities worldwide, ranking the top 100. Other Australian cities that made the cut were Perth at number 41 and Adelaide at number 61. The key factors used in the study looked at digitalisation (including 4G connectivity, access to Wi-Fi hotspots and high smartphone usage) and knowledge-based mobility and transport (considering the prevalence of ride-share apps, smart parking and traffic sensors). Sustainability, online access to government services, and significant levels of citizen participation were also taken into consideration. Over 20,000 urban planning and technology experts were then asked to provide opinions about their own cities. Melbourne scored highest of all the countries for 4G connectivity, with Sydney and Perth making up the rest of the top three. Melbourne and Adelaide also ranked especially well when it came to citizen participation. Unsurprisingly, no Australian cities broke the top 20 for internet speed. While San Francisco topped the class with a perfect score of 10, Melbourne ranked number 26, with Sydney at 29 and Perth clocking in at 31. See the full table of results for the 2017 Smart Cities Index here. Photo via Wikimedia.
Oh springtime, we missed you. Chase away those winter blues and bring back the sunshine. With sunshine comes warm air and warm smiles, festivities and just a great vibe blooming like a bright flower across the city. The springtime is chockablock for Brisbane, especially if you're in town for some of September's several music festivals, aka the Brisbane Music Trail. This eclectic offering combines the strengths of BIGSOUND, Brisbane Festival, Sweet Relief! and Future Art. Quite the offering, no? It's set to be a hectic few weeks for festivalgoers, and you'll need to take breaks. When it comes to accommodation, you can nab a sweet deal of general entry to Sweet Relief! plus a luxury stay for two at Crystalbrook Vincent. Otherwise, we've done the legwork to pick apart the River City for the finest bars and restaurants to rest your feet and ears in between gigs this September.
When he's not befriending transforming robots or donning an epic rat's tail on the cinema screen, Shia LaBeouf has turned venturing around the world, asking questions of the masses and live-streaming the results into his preferred pastime. Fresh from tasking Sydneysiders with pondering the apocalypse — or whatever else came to mind in response to the phrase #ANDINTHEEND — the actor and activist has set up a new, four-year-long anti-Trump-focused project in New York. A camera mounted on a wall outside the Museum of Moving Image forms the basis for LaBeouf's latest performance piece — and yes, the eager masses are once again the real performers. Above the always-operational lens is a printed statement: "HE WILL NOT DIVIDE US". Participants are asked to stand in the requisite spot and repeat the phrase as many times as they like, and for as long as they desire, with the results available to view at www.hewillnotdivide.us. The project started at 9am on January 20, 2017, timed to coincide with the day of new US President Donald Trump's inauguration, and will be live-streamed continuously 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the next four years — or the duration of his time in office. It's designed to act "as a show of resistance or insistence, opposition or optimism, guided by the spirit of each individual participant and the community." As captured on LaBeouf's Twitter feed, the first participant was Jaden Smith. https://twitter.com/thecampaignbook/status/822443598771785732
It boasts a sole stage across its two nights and three days. Tickets are so coveted that you need to enter a ballot to nab entry. It takes place in regional Victoria, starting off summer with one of the firm festival highlights of each and every year. Fans lock in their date with the event before even knowing who is on the bill. We're talking about Meredith Music Festival, of course, which launched its ticket ballot for 2024 back in July ahead of its always-anticipated December return. Whether you've already put your name in the running to attend across Friday, December 6–Sunday, December 8, or you're keen to try now that the second round is open, the fest has now just unveiled its lineup for this year. [caption id="attachment_969942" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alasdair McLellan[/caption] Jamie xx, Waxahatchee and Genesis Owusu lead the list of acts that'll be helping punters spend a weekend at the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre. For more than three decades now, this event has become a tradition, with 2024's fest marking Meredith's 32nd welcoming music lovers to The Sup. From there, the roster of talent for 2024 includes Mk.gee, ZAPP, Angie McMahon, The Dare and Glass Beams, too — and Fat White Family, Mannequin Pussy, Princess Superstar, BARKAA, Frenzee and Leo Sayer as well. [caption id="attachment_969943" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Molly Matalon[/caption] Variety is always a highlight, with Olof Dreijer, Good Morning, MIKE, Party Dozen and Mainline Magic Orchestra also on the lineup, alongside DJ PGZ, Essendon Airport, Ayebatonye, YARA, Precious Bloom, The Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir, In2stellar, Keanu Nelson, Billiam & The Split Bills and the City of Ballarat Municipal Brass Band. To obtain a pass to the beloved three-day BYO camping festival, you've now got until 10.32pm AEST on Tuesday, August 20 to enter the ballot. Meredith Music Festival 2024 Lineup: Jamie xx Waxahatchee Genesis Owusu Mk.gee ZAPP Angie McMahon The Dare Glass Beams Fat White Family Mannequin Pussy Princess Superstar BARKAA Frenzee Leo Sayer Olof Dreijer Good Morning MIKE Party Dozen Mainline Magic Orchestra DJ PGZ Essendon Airport Ayebatonye YARA Precious Bloom The Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir In2stellar Keanu Nelson Billiam & The Split Bills City of Ballarat Municipal Brass Band [caption id="attachment_969945" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bradley Calder[/caption] Meredith Music Festival returns to Meredith from Friday, December 6–Sunday, December 8, 2024. To put your name in the ballot to get your hands on tickets, head to the festival's website before 10.32pm AEST on Tuesday, August 20. Meredith images: Chip Mooney, Ben Fletcher, Chelsea King and Steve Benn.
Usually when we see a teenage romance at the heart of a film we're watching a film made for teens. Goodbye First Love is no such film. The young lovers Camille and Sullivan do not kiss under the speckled light of a disco ball at prom. Mia Hansen-Love's third film weaves neatly into her emerging lineage of intimate, slow-burn portraits of fractured relationships. Concrete Playground spoke to the very talented young filmmaker ahead of her film's Australian release. Many adults would say there is no such thing as real love between teenagers. Even if they remember the heartache they felt as a teenager, with time they come to laugh at it. For Camille there's no laughing when she looks back. One of my motivations for making this film was a fight I had with my mother when I was a teenager. She would not believe the depth of my love for my boyfriend, the hold it would have on me for the rest of my life. In a way this film is a revenge piece! No, no that's not really true. I made this film for myself. It was a cathartic process. It's interesting you say that because in an interview about your last film (Father of My Children, 2009) when asked about the autobiographical dimension of the film, you said that you made the film to understand why you came to be a filmmaker. Tell me, why did you make Goodbye First Love now? All the themes I have worked with across my previous films can be linked back to the love I felt as a teenager. And so, to continue making autobiographical films without dealing with this part of my life would have been a lie. Honestly, I could only move on, only grow as a filmmaker, if I told this part of my life. In french we have an expression mensonge par omission I guess that would translate to 'Something that you don't tell is a kind of lie'. When Camille and Sullivan see a movie together, Sullivan says, "Really, you liked it? I don't understand you. Come on, it was so French! The actors are annoying. It was talky, complacent. It was awful." What is your relationship with French cinema and how do you see your films settling into this category? I guess I am very French! But that is not something I feel ashamed of. It's so French to not like French films. I think Australians love to hate their films even more! Oh, really? Well, that scene was written not so much to criticise French films but to criticise those who criticise [laughs]. French cinephiles can be so narcissistic. Yes, I had fun writing that scene. But, of course, what it's actually meant to express is that two people might not understand each other but they can still love each other. That sounds very intensive. Directors often refer to their films as their babies. Do you think of your films as your babies? [laughs] My films were my babies until I actually did have a baby — then you realise these things have nothing in common! Like children, do you dare compare them against one another? Oh I really don't like it when people ask me to compare. So, yes, in that way films and children are similar ... I give all that I am to my films. And so the film becomes a part of who I am. At this stage into the process I am in so deep I have no perspective and I don't know if what I'm making is any good. For this reason I have so much empathy for everything I make. I guess that could be confused with defensiveness. But it's not because I am so proud of what I have done but because I know them so well. I spend two years of my life with each film thinking only of them and when the process is over, only then do I realise that the film is something outside of me. That sounds more like a love affair than a mother-child relationship. Yes, exactly. And I really do have such a hard time when the process is over. For maybe one week I am very happy, very satisfied, but then the two or three months between the finish of the editing on one film and the beginning of scripting on the next, well, that is a very painful period. I think George Lucas was paraphrasing Da Vinci when he said, "a film is never finished it is only abandoned." Ah, yes! I know this quote and it's so true. Truffaut said something like "life for me is making films", and since my first film I would say the same goes for me. If I could not make films, I could not go on. Making films is like building a house. With each film I feel I am stacking another stone and at the end there is a space where I fell well, I feel safe. Actually, that's one of the reasons Camille becomes an architect — she wants to take control of the spaces and ways in which she lives. Speaking of the domestic, your films to date seem to be concerned with intimate character portraits set within domestic relationships. Have you deliberately established yourself within this territory or do you plan, at some point, to work beyond these borders? Hmm. Well, my next film is about the electro music scene and a DJ's place in it. Okay, so it isn't domestic but it's centred around the details rather than the big, dramatic moments. Read our review of Goodbye First Love here.
Do you live in a dog-friendly house? Do you have some spare time on your hands? Do you fantasise about taking a pup to the pub with you? The good folk at Guide Dogs NSW/ACT need you. They're expecting more than 60 puppies to be born between now and Christmas and they're in desperate need of carers to raise them. In other words, they're giving away puppies. If you put up your hand, you'll get a puppy for about a year — from its eight-week birthday to when it turns 14 months. During that time, you'll be responsible for introducing the sights, sounds and smells it'll meet when it starts working as a guide dog (and giving your new friend heaps of cuddles). Of course, it's not all just fun, games and cuteness. You'll have to be responsible enough to take care of regular grooming, house training and exercise, and be available to attend local training days, along with vet checks and Puppy Pre-School. A car and a fenced-in property are mandatory, too. In return, the organisation provides a strong support network, food, vet care and prevention of fleas and ticks. "We are looking for people who are home most of the time, who are interested in putting effort into training and socialising the dog. What you will get in return is a fantastic experience," said Karen Hayter, puppy development manager at Guide Dogs NSW/ACT. Every day, 28 people in Australia get diagnosed with vision impairment, nine of whom can expect to go blind. Guide dogs are provided free to those in need, but each costs $35,000 to raise. "With the demand for Guide Dogs' services increasing due to growing numbers of people having trouble getting around as a result of vision loss, we're incredibly grateful for the support we receive from the community," said Hayter. "Our volunteer puppy raisers make a wonderful contribution in helping to transform a playful puppy into a responsible guide dog that will one day change the life of someone who is blind or vision impaired." Keen? Apply here. And send pics please.
In the world of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, fighting for power and glory is a lifelong quest, and one shared far and wide across Westeros. In bringing the fictional realm created by author George RR Martin to the small screen, US network HBO seems to have adapted the same mindset — because this hugely popular franchise is only going to keep expanding in its hands. News about what follows the initial page-to-screen show has been bubbling for years now. Indeed, before Game of Thrones even came to an end back in 2019, HBO was looking at spending more time in Westeros. Of course, House of the Dragon has already aired its first season and been renewed for a second, which mightn't arrive till 2024. Chatter about what else might arrive spans a Jon Snow-focused spinoff with Kit Harington (Eternals) reprising his famous role, novella series Tales of Dunk and Egg and an animated GoT show. Beyond that, another three prequels are also reported to have been under consideration. To farewell 2022, Martin himself advised that there actually may not be as many GoT spinoffs on the way; however, now comes word of a brand-new candidate. Variety is reporting that HBO is contemplating another prequel — and another show to focus on the Targaryens, this time exploring how Aegon I took over Westeros with his two sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys, plus three dragons, then became its first king and the first to ever sit on the Iron Throne. There's no confirmation from HBO so far, and obviously nothing in the way of a title, timing or casting. But Variety also advises that this prequel could even start as a movie, then return to the episodic format. And if there's one thing that HBO adores when it comes to Game of Thrones, it's House Targaryen and their complicated history. Wigmakers, rejoice — if this series gets the go ahead, there'll be an even bigger need for artificial blonde mops. Special effects crews will also get plenty of work creating those dragons. Whether this show ends up eventuating or not, our days of watching fiery fights between famous Westerosi names — and games over who gets to sit on the Iron Throne — are definitely far from over. Game of Thrones was that much of a hit, and House of the Dragon has proven the same so far. Until House of the Dragon season two hits, or any other on-screen dances with dragons are confirmed, check out the season one trailer below: The latest proposed Game of Thrones prequel doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you if and when more details are confirmed. House of the Dragon streams Down Under via Foxtel and Binge in Australia, and SoHo, Sky Go and Neon in New Zealand. Read our full review of season one. Via Variety. Images: HBO.
Apple might be praised for clever design when it comes to its phones, but that sure hasn't been the case for its proposed Federation Square flagship store. In fact, the design for the controversial concept store has been pretty much ripped to shreds, with the ABC reporting that Melbourne City Council has received around 800 community submissions rejecting the proposal. Contention surrounding Apple's plans fired up in December, when the Victorian Government approved the demolition of Federation Square's Yarra Building to make way for the new flagship store. This plan to sell off the public space to a commercial retailer was not widely well met, especially as it would displace the Koorie Heritage Trust. Now, at a city council meeting last night, Greens Councillor Rohan Leppert has moved to lobby the Government to scrap Apple's design and start again, this time in close consultation with the public. The motion was unanimously backed by all of his fellow Melbourne City councillors, with one confirming what we were all thinking and likening the building to something along the lines of "a Pizza Hut" store. And they're not backing down, with plans to take the matter further if the Victorian Government rejects the calls for a redesign. "This is one of the strongest positions we have taken," Councillor Leppert said. "I'm quite sure that if the Government doesn't deal with this that there will be a motion in the Upper House." The proposed two-level flagship store will be much bigger than Apple's other Melbourne stores like Chadstone and Highpoint. The Victorian Government is no doubt keen to secure a space for the store as Apple has been extremely selective about the locations of its global flagships and there are only four others in the world, including Fifth Avenue in NYC and Regent Street in London. The Government will now respond to the Council's proposal — we'll update you when they do. Via ABC.
If you're a fan of Chinese-Australian artist Zhong Chen, here's some good news. As of November 2017, you'll be able to sleep with his works. The Art Series Hotel Group has just announced their latest venture and it's a five-storey, 100-room number dedicated to him. Named The Chen, the hotel is in Box Hill, 14 kilometres east of Melbourne, within Whitehorse Towers, which, at 36 storeys, is the tallest development outside of the Victorian capital's CBD. Architects Peddle Thorp have taken care of the design, inspired by Chen's King Fu series and, as you'd expect, fun, bold, bright colours rule. There's a bunch of digital archival fine art editions of Chen's works, as well as a stack of originals, including Rooster, fitting because Chen was born in the Year of the Rooster (1969) and the hotel will open in the Year of the Rooster (that's this year). There'll be four in-hotel spots for eating and drinking, including a yum cha restaurant, as well as a gym, events space and rooftop pool. You can also count on the Art Series' usual arty facilities and activities, including tours, libraries, television channels and documentaries, as well as Art Series-branded smart cars and Lekker bicycles available for guests. "I have lived and worked in Box Hill for nearly a decade," said Chen. "I am passionate about my community and its emergence as a cultural powerhouse outside of Melbourne. To have a hotel of such significance, opening in the year of my birth sign, is a true honour. I look forward to meeting guests and seeing how they interact with the hotel and my artworks. It is sure to be a surreal experience." The Chen is due to open in November 2017.
Love heading to a scenic spot to dance to live tunes? Adore sipping wine, too? Music and vino festival Grapevine Gathering understands. That pairing is this annual event's entire setup, with the fest bringing a heap of bands to vineyards each year. Yes, that includes 2022, with its October dates and venues now locked in. And if you live in Queensland or South Australia, get ready to experience Grapevine Gathering on your home turf for the very first time. The fest will return to Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, of course — hitting up Sandalford Wines in Swan Valley, Rochford Wines in the Yarra Valley and Roche Estate in the Hunter Valley, respectively. But this'll mark the first time that Grapevine Gathering has made its way to the Sunshine State and SA. Where it's heading: Sirromet Wines at Mount Cotton and Serafino Wines in McLaren Vale. While it's too early for the event's full lineup, it has dropped one key act: Aussie sketch comedians and Instagram celebrities The Inspired Unemployed. As they did at the last Victorian Grapevine Gathering, they're taking on hosting duties in order to keep you entertained between musos — and also hitting the decks as well. If you're wondering what the duo also known as Jack Steele and Matt Ford might have in store, shenanigans-wise, they did shoeys out of punters' footwear, performed an acoustic version of 'Drops of Jupiter' and hosted a segment of The Bachelorette the last time around. If you're also eager to find out who'll they be introducing, aren't we all — but past fests have been headlined by Two Door Cinema Club, Flight Facilities, The Wombats, Tkay Maidza and The Veronicas. Naturally, sipping wine is a huge part of the attraction. As always, attendees will have access to a heap of vino given the fest's locations, as well as an array of yet-to-be-announced food options. GRAPEVINE GATHERING 2022 DATES: Saturday, October 1 — Sandalford Wines, Swan Valley, Western Australia Sunday, October 2 — Serafino Wines, McLaren Vale, South Australia Saturday, October 8 — Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley, Victoria Saturday, October 15 — Roche Estate, Hunter Valley, New South Wales Sunday, October 16 — Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, Queensland Grapevine Gathering will tour Australia in October 2022. The full lineup hasn't been announced yet, but we'll update you when it is. In the interim, you can head to the festival's website to register for further details when it hits.
Sci fi author Philip K Dick died in 1982. A few months later, Blade Runner became the first of his reality-bent worlds to make it to the big screen. He'd left a lot behind him: his books, a trove of stories soon turned into movies and a pretty big family as well. Most in the public eye these days are his daughters Laura Dick Coelho and Isa Dick Hackett, who run a Michel Gondry-friendly production company for Dick's work. But also engaging with his legacy is Tessa B Dick, his fifth wife. For Ms & Mr's new video installation XEROX MISSIVE 1977/2011, Tessa cuts across time to share the screen with her late husband. Ms & Mr (Stephanie & Richard nova Milne) are no strangers to remixing lost moments, regularly raiding their home videos to create eerie intrusions into the past by their present digital selves. For XEROX MISSIVE an interview with a 2011 Tessa B gets dropped into a 1977 speech by Philp K, creating a new conversation thirty four years in the making. Rotoscoping their will into Dick's 1977 life, Ms & Mr will remember it for you now, just as it never happened. Still from XEROX MISSIVE 1977/2011 by Ms & Mr.
Baffled by bubbly? Us too, so we thought it best to enlist the help of an expert to get the fast facts right. To bring you our Bluffer's Guide to Champagne, Concrete Playground caught up with acclaimed journalist and Champagne educator, Champagne Jayne who taught us just how damn special the bubble drop actually is. Let us share with you why ... Champagne 101 Champagne is exclusive to the Champagne region in northern France. Due to the cumulative effects of soil, climate and the cultivation practises, the three types of grapes used (chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meaner) are married together to produce the world-famous bubbly drop. The Champenois (master Champagne makers) use the lengthy and arduous traditional method that involves the bottle going under a second process of fermentation to create the fizz. Champagne first gained world eminence through its connection with the baptism of French kings, and consequently royalty spread the word throughout Europe about this exotic wine, awarding it status of opulence and nobility. Nowadays, it is the natural partner for any event where celebration, luxury and romance are themes. Popping, Pouring and Drinking Temperature plays an integral part in Champagne appreciation. "Bubbles are part of the pleasure. Serving champagne anywhere between 4.5 degrees celcius to 7 degrees celcius is perfect. If it is too cold it will suppress the aromatics and if it is too warm, the wine will froth up and then go flat," says Jayne. To open the bottle with the proper pomp, hold the bottle at a 45 degree angle (preferably aimed away from your compatriots) and keeping the cork still, gently twist the bottle. Pour a little bit into clean glasses to let the foam die down, and then top up leaving adequate space to get a whiff of its excellence. Matching Champagne with Food Champagne is the ideal drink as an aperitif, encouraging conversation that can be somewhat stale at the beginning of the night. However, because it is blended from numerous base wines, Jayne says that it's like an orchestra of flavour in your mouth and matches well with food. "Anything goes, from prawns to pizza!," she says. There are many types of Non-Vintage, but the general rule of thumb is that they're easy on the palate (and pocket), and best to serve with canapés. Vintage Champagnes have a slightly richer and heavier palate weight making them ideal with a more intensely-flavoured dish and are "also an unparalleled match for any cheese and delicate dessert". Is Champagne only for Special Occasions? "Rubbish! It's like a holiday in a glass!" exclaims Jayne. Champagne is most frequently associated with exclusive affairs, but why should we be such scrooges and reserve this esteemed beverage for memorable moments? Jayne believes it is the ultimate icebreaker for any audience and guaranteed to make anyone smile. "It isn't about being snobby, posh or saving up to celebrate a job or a wedding, it's actually the affordable luxury in life! Everyone can afford the small indulgence of enjoying a really decent glass of fizz on a Friday night." Hear, hear. We'll cheers to that. Champagne on the Cheap This is a toughie because unless you're Gina Rinehart, spending your bucks on Vintage champagne might not be so simple. Jayne says that the best value choice on the market at the moment for something exceptional is currently the world's favourite, Moet & Chandon which can be found for around $85. For Champagne at the start of a meal, Jayne recommends Pierre Gimonnet. "The delicious crisp blanc de blanc is approachable in style and accessibly priced," she says. "For everyday bubbles, Lanson or Duperrey are an affordable option at around $40," Jayne adds. For those who want a James Bond themed beverage, don't look past his favourite tipple Champagne Bollinger. The full-bodied classic (much like the man himself) can be spotted for $60. And don't forget to ensure that the label actually says 'Champagne' as well as France. If it doesn't, you've been well bluffed. Famous Champagne Drinkers Madame de Pompadour, King Louis XV's favourite mistress, is credited with bringing champagne to the French royal court in the eighteenth century. She is also famously quoted as saying, "Champagne is the only wine that leaves a woman beautiful after drinking it." We're certainly willing to road test that. Winston Churchill was also notorious for enjoying the tipple. And Napoleon was known to take large stocks for the army wherever they campaigned. Want to get even more serious? If you've got a spare 308 bottle handy, why not simulate Marilyn Monroe's habit of bathing in the bubbly stuff every night? And left we forget to remind you that it was American author and humorist, Mark Twain, who had it right all along. It was he who said, "too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right." Where to Drink Champagne in Sydney Most hotels, restaurants and bars in Sydney are stocked with the big names like Mumm, Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot. Conversely, if you’d like to go all out and grace yourself with boutique grower champagnes, Jayne recommends seeking out obsessive enthusiasts. "Places like Veluto, The Bentley, One Moncur, Monopole and Ananas have the best champagne for a bar situation," she says. After something notably remarkable for that down-on-one-knee occasion, perhaps? Jayne suggests knocking your socks off and booking into Quay, Marque or Est. for the ultimate sensory experience. "These places stock prestige champagne, with perfectly matched food and a refined atmosphere." Champagne Alternatives Crémant: is what you should look out for when after French bubbly on a budget (pronounced ‘cray-mawn’). This sparkling wine is made in France using the same traditional methods, however falls outside the borders of the Champagne region. Cava: this white or pink sparkly number is produced mainly in the Penedés region in northern Spain. Like crémant, Cava is made using the same method, but with different grape varieties. Cava is a part of Spanish tradition and like Champagne is often consumed at special occasions. Prosecco: this is the Italian aperitif of choice. Light and fresh, the aromatic bubbly has an apple-and-pear sweetness. Prosecco is the original base ingredient of the Bellini cocktail.
When the end credits rolled Dune: Part Two when it reached cinemas in February, it clearly wasn't the end of Paul Atreides' story. On the page, in the book franchise started by Frank Herbert in 1965, the tale of sci-fi's spiciest man — and of the planet Arrakis, and the fight to control it — goes on. It will continue on the big screen, too, with a third Dune movie from Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049) now officially in development. As Variety reports, Villeneuve will work on the futuristic saga's next flick, which will follow 2021 standout Dune: Part One and this year's first sequel. That's all that's locked in right now, though — but here's hoping that it has a smoother path to picture palaces, after Part One was delayed from 2020 due to the pandemic's early days, then Part Two was pushed back from 2023 during Hollywood's strikes. When the next Dune movie will release, if it'll be called Dune Messiah like the second of Herbert's novels, whether Timothée Chalamet (Wonka) will be back as Paul, if he'll be co-starring with Zendaya (Euphoria) again: none of this has been confirmed at the moment. There might be a wait for more Dune, however, with Villeneuve also potentially adapting non-fiction text Nuclear War: A Scenario into a feature (and maybe making his own Oppenheimer as a result). Dune: Part One picked up a heap of 2022 Oscars, including for Australian cinematographer Greig Fraser. Although 2025's Academy Awards are still almost a year away, expect Dune: Part Two to at least notch up nominations again. Also featuring Rebecca Ferguson (Silo), Javier Bardem (The Little Mermaid), Stellan Skarsgård (Andor), Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3), Oscar Isaac (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse), Christopher Walken (Severance), Florence Pugh (Oppenheimer), Austin Butler (Elvis), Charlotte Rampling (Benedetta), Léa Seydoux (Crimes of the Future), Josh Brolin (Outer Range) and Jason Momoa (Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom) across the two flicks so far, Villeneuve's Dune films to-date follow in David Lynch's footsteps. They also manage what Alejandro Jodorowsky sadly couldn't (see: excellent documentary Jodorowsky's Dune) in the process. Dune Messiah has only made it to the small screen before now, in 2003 miniseries Frank Herbert's Children of Dune that included James McAvoy (His Dark Materials) and Susan Sarandon (Blue Beetle) among its cast — plus Alec Newman (The Boys in the Boat) as Paul. There's obviously no sneak peek at the third Dune film yet, but check out the trailers for Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two below: The third Dune film doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you when one is announced. Read our reviews of Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two, and our interview with cinematographer Greig Fraser.
Don't be alarmed, but we think super-schmick purveyors of cool Monocle might be staging an artfully curated coup for world domination, with a luxury cafe in the centre of London set to open on Monday. Considering the powerhouse now boasts this, a 24-hour radio station, a formidable online presence, offline stores in London, New York, Hong Kong and Toronto and even an eatery in a Tokyo department store — all in addition to the global affairs and culture print magazine that started the whole thing in 2007 — we're about ready to lie down and submit to Monocle founder Tyler Brúlé's totalitarian regime, inspired by the pursuit of a thoughtful, well-designed approach of life. "We wanted to create a relaxed space for a morning coffee meeting, a lengthy weekend lunch with the papers and a glass of prosecco after work too," said Brúlé of his vision in an interview with Qompendium. Ah yes, all those after-work glasses of prosecco we've been having. The place comes complete with low-hanging industrial lights, enough stark white paint and soothing leafy greenery to rival a sanatorium and embossed napkins that look worth as much as a latte, so who are we to fight it? Via PSFK
Eleven years ago, the biggest small-screen fantasy series of the 21st century so far told us that winter is coming. It repeated it over and over again across its eight-season run, in fact. Now, in a different fantasy franchise's longest trailer yet, darkness is coming. And yes, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power does look like it's taking a few cues from Game of Thrones. On the page, JRR Tolkien's saga obviously got there first — but in your streaming queues, it's following George RR Martin's equally beloved series. Actually, that's the case in two ways, given that Prime Video's new Lord of the Rings show will arrive a couple of weeks after Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon. There's plenty of room in everyone's lives for both — and now viewers as keen as a hobbit for second breakfast can enjoy their lengthiest look yet at Prime Video's small-screen jaunt through Middle-earth. That not only includes the faces that anchor the series, which covers elves, dwarves and harfoots, aka hobbit ancestors, but also the places. This time, New Zealand's natural splendours stand in for the Elven realms of Lindon and Eregion, the Dwarven realm Khazad-dûm, the Southlands, the Northernmost Wastes, the Sundering Seas and the island kingdom of Númenór. It's now been 21 years since the first of The Lord of the Rings movies had everyone rushing to cinemas, obsessing over hobbits and elves, and saying "precious" too many times. Come September, this time at home, get ready for much of the above to happen all over again. After five years of talking about it, Prime Video's new series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is mere months away from reaching eyeballs — and the new sneak peek has an epic feel about it. If you're not up to date on The Rings of Power, it features a young Galadriel (Morfydd Clark, Saint Maud) and a young Elrond (Robert Aramayo, The King's Man). As seen in the show's first and second trailers, as well as this new one, it's also set to include elves catching arrows, humans stuck on rafts on stormy seas, cave trolls, raging fires and orc battles. Amazon first announced the show back in 2017, gave it the official go-ahead in mid-2018 and set a premiere date of Friday, September 2, 2022 back in 2021. In-between, it confirmed that it wouldn't just remake Peter Jackson's movies. Rather, the series spends time in Middle-earth's Second Age, bringing that era from the LOTR realm to the screen for the very first time. According to show's official synopsis, The Rings of Power will follow "the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history," with the action set thousands of years before the novels and movies we've all read and watched. The series will also "take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien's pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness." If you're a little rusty on your LOTR lore, the Second Age lasted for 3441 years, and saw the initial rise and fall of Sauron, as well as a spate of wars over the coveted rings. Elves feature prominently, and there's plenty to cover, even if Tolkien's works didn't spend that much time on the period — largely outlining the main events in an appendix to the popular trilogy. Naturally, you can expect Sauron to feature in the new show, and to give its main figures some trouble. "Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth," the official synopsis continues. "From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone," it also advises. In terms of stars, The Rings of Power features an unsurprisingly large cast — and some impressive talent behind the scenes. Among the other actors traversing Middle-earth are Ismael Cruz Córdova (The Undoing) as Arondir, Nazanin Boniadi (Bombshell) as Bronwyn, Owain Arthur (A Confession) as Prince Durin IV, Charlie Vickers (Palm Beach) as Halbrand and Sophia Nomvete (The Tempest) as Princess Disa. There's also Tom Budge (Judy & Punch), Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones), Cynthia Addai-Robinson (The Accountant), Maxim Baldry (Years and Years), Peter Mullan (Westworld), Benjamin Walker (The Underground Railroad) and comedian Lenny Henry. And, the series is being overseen by showrunners and executive producers JD Payne and Patrick McKay, while filmmaker JA Bayona (A Monster Calls, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) directs the first two episodes. Check out the latest The Rings of Power trailer below: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will be available to stream via Prime Video from Friday, September 2, 2022. Images: Matt Grace / Ben Rothstein.
Cinderella, Mary Poppins and Beauty and the Beast have all taken to Australia's stages in recent years, bringing beloved narratives that everyone associates with Disney movies from the cinema to the theatre. For the next show that falls into that category, no one needs to grow up. The inhabitants of Neverland, where Peter and the Starcatcher is set, certainly aren't known to. A five-time Tony Award-winner for its 2012 Broadway season, the production earned theatre's coveted accolades for its costumes, sound design, scenic design and lighting, and for Best Featured Actor in a Play — but the version that's coming to Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane comes with a twist. For Peter and the Starcatcher's long-awaited Aussie debut, Dead Puppet Society (The Wider Earth, Ishmael) is reimagining the stage favourite, which is a prequel to JM Barrie's Peter and Wendy. Accordingly, from October 2024, expect puppets helping to spin a tale that features more than 100 characters, as well as live tunes. Originally based on Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson's novel Peter and the Starcatchers, then adapted for the stage by Rick Elice (Jersey Boys), the play heads to Neverland before Peter Pan visited — before Captain Hook inspired terror, too. So, it's an origin story, complete with an island, a moustachioed pirate, an orphan without a name and Wendy's mother Molly. "The initial production of Peter and the Starcatcher was a passion project — just a great group of artists and high expectations. To see the play come to life over and over again around the world is a joy I never expected," said Elice. "And to witness the marriage of this humble piece with the vast imagination and ingenuity of Dead Puppet Society is more than a joy, it's a privilege — and, for this playwright, an inspiration." [caption id="attachment_930290" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Scott Barton[/caption] "Nearly everyone knows the tale of Peter Pan, but Peter and Wendy's origin story has been a much more closely guarded secret. Rick Elice's incredible play takes the characters we know and love and charts the course they take to Neverland and into the classics when a group of lost orphans, moustachioed pirates, and Wendy's mother Molly collide over a trunk full of Starstuff, the most powerful substance on earth," added Dead Puppet Society's Creative Director David Morton. "This lightning-paced, whimsical show was a mega hit on Broadway. To have the opportunity to bring an all-new production to Australian audiences, reimagined with Dead Puppet Society's approach to design-led theatre and stagecraft, is both an honour and a dream come true." "Ultimately this is a story of villains finding their heroes, of timeless friendships and fates that can't be avoided. But don't be fooled... this isn't just a show for young people, it's for the young at heart, and anyone else who never wanted to grow up." PETER AND THE STARCATCHER AUSTRALIAN DATES: From Tuesday, October 15, 2024 — Canberra Theatre, Canberra From Friday, November 8, 2024 — Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne From Thursday, January 9, 2025 — Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide From Friday, January 31, 2025 — Capitol Theatre, Sydney From Friday, March 14, 2025 — QPAC, Brisbane Peter and the Starcatcher will tour Australia across 2024–25 — head to the production's website for tickets for Melbourne now, tickets for Canberra from Wednesday, December 13 and to join the waitlist for other cities.
In news as exciting as a slice of Wensleydale cheese, the minds behind the world's favourite dairy-eating man and his dog are coming to Melbourne. With the Australian Centre for the Moving Image hosting an exhibition dedicated to Wallace & Gromit, Aardman Animations, and their broader catalogue of film and TV highlights, company co-founders Peter Lord and David Sproxton are heading our way for a series of events and workshops. If you're keen, make like a chicken and run to grab tickets. In town to launch Wallace & Gromit and friends: The magic of Aardman, the duo will ensure that attendees don't just have a grand day as they peruse more than 350 Aardman items, and celebrate over 40 years of close shaves and wrong trousers — they'll have a grand evening too. The appropriately titled A Night Out with Aardman on June 30 is the main attraction, with the Lord and Sproxton (Aardman's creative director and executive chairman, respectively) taking audiences through their careers, chatting about highlights, showing clips, sharing stories and revealing what inspires them. If you're in the industry, they'll also take part in a claymation-focused masterclass on June 29, hosted by Aussie Mary and Max and Harvie Krumpet animator Adam Elliot, while Lord will also oversee a hands-on workshop for 25 emerging animators on July 1. And, for those that really fancy their chances of following in their footsteps, ACMI is putting together an Inventors of Melbourne event on August 5 for everyone with innovative ideas. Lord and Sproxton won't be there — they'll be back home chasing were-rabbits and mischievous sheep named Shaun by then — but plenty of inventors, entrepreneurs and researchers will be. The four-month exhibition also includes a complete cinema retrospective of Aardman's features, so expect to get Flushed Away, get festive with Arthur Christmas and take to the seas with The Pirates! Band of Misfits too. Lord wrote the former and directed the latter (and wrote and directed Chicken Run as well), and Sproxton produced the lot. Forget popcorn — bringing your own slab of cheddar seems like the right thing to do. Wallace & Gromit and friends: The magic of Aardman will be showing at Melbourne's ACMI from June 29 to October 29. To buy tickets to the exhibition or any of the special events, visit the ACMI website.
Oh bother indeed: Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, the slasher take on AA Milne's honey-loving, walking-and-talking teddy bear, has gotten its sticky mitts on the award that no film wants to win. Each year for the past 44 years, the Golden Raspberry Awards has named the worst movie of the past 12 months. 2023's pick is this horror twist on a childhood favourite, which attracted gongs like flies to, yes, honey. Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey was nominated in five Razzie categories. It won all five. So, according to the accolades that recognise that not all movies are great, good or even particularly watchable, it's the Worst Picture of 2023, as well as the Worst Remake, Ripoff or Sequel. And, it's home to the Worst Director, Worst Screenplay and Worst Screen Couple — the latter for Pooh and Piglet "as blood-thirsty slasher/killers". The film won big at the Razzies in the same month that sequel Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 will release in Australian cinemas, arriving on Thursday, March 28 — just over a year after the first film. The Razzies only gave gongs to four 2023 movies thanks to Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey sweeping every field that it was in. Expend4bles, which picked up the most nominations with seven, won both Worst Supporting Actor and Worst Supporting Actress. Sylvester Stallone received the former and Megan Fox the latter. Fox was a two-time winner herself, also collecting Worst Actress for Johnny & Clyde, which is about serial killers being chased by a demon after they try to rob a casino. Best Actor went to Jon Voight for Mercy, which has just as likely a premise: a battle against the Irish mafia when they take control of a hospital. Always timed to arrive in the leadup to the Oscars, which take place on Monday, March 11 in Australia and New Zealand, the Razzies chose this year's worst of the worst from a heap of other movies, with plenty of big-name flicks in contention but going home empty-handed — happily, presumably. They include The Exorcist: Believer, Meg 2: The Trench, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Fast X, Magic Mike's Last Dance, Ant Man & the Wasp: Quantumania and Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny. The Razzies also give out the Razzie Redeemer Award, recognising someone who was nominated for one of its trophies in the past but is in a far better situation now. This year's winner is Fran Drescher, who was a nominee in 1998, and now the current SAG/AFTRA President. The accolades awarded her "for her brilliant shepherding of the actors' guild through a prolonged 2023 strike with a successful conclusion". Check out the full list of Razzie winners and nominees below: Golden Raspberry Winners and Nominees 2023: Worst Picture: The Exorcist: Believer Expend4bles Meg 2: The Trench Shazam! Fury of the Gods Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey — WINNER Worst Actor: Russell Crowe, The Pope's Exorcist Vin Diesel, Fast X Chris Evans, Ghosted Jason Statham, Meg 2: The Trench Jon Voight, Mercy — WINNER Worst Actress: Ana de Armas, Ghosted Megan Fox, Johnny & Clyde — WINNER Salma Hayek, Magic Mike's Last Dance Jennifer Lopez, The Mother Helen Mirren, Shazam! Fury of the Gods Worst Supporting Actor: Michael Douglas, Ant Man & the Wasp: Quantumania Mel Gibson, Confidential Informant Bill Murray, Ant Man & the Wasp: Quantumania Franco Nero (as The Pope), The Pope's Exorcist Sylvester Stallone, Expend4ables — WINNER Worst Supporting Actress: Kim Cattrall, About My Father Megan Fox, Expend4bles — WINNER Bai Ling, Johnny & Clyde Lucy Liu, Shazam! Fury of the Gods Mary Stuart Masterson, Five Nights at Freddy's Worst Screen Couple: Any two "merciless mercenaries", Expend4bles Any two money-grubbing investors who donated to the $400 million for remake rights to The Exorcist Ana de Armas and Chris Evans (who flunked screen chemistry), Ghosted Salma Hayek and Channing Tatum, Magic Mike's Last Dance Pooh and Piglet as blood-thirsty slasher/killers in Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey — WINNER Worst Director: Rhys Frake-Waterfield, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey — WINNER David Gordon Green, The Exorcist: Believer Peyton Reed, Ant Man & the Wasp: Quantumania Scott Waugh, Expend4bles Ben Wheatley, Meg 2: The Trench Worst Remake, Ripoff or Sequel: Ant Man & The Wasp: Quantumania The Exorcist: Believer Expend4bles Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey — WINNER Worst Screenplay: The Exorcist: Believer Expend4bles Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Shazam! Fury of the Gods Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood & Honey — WINNER Razzie Redeemer Award: 1998 nominee and current SAG/AFTRA President Fran Drescher, for her brilliant shepherding of the actors' guild through a prolonged 2023 strike with a successful conclusion. The 2024 Golden Raspberry Awards were announced on Saturday, March 9, Australian and New Zealand time. For further details, head to the awards' website.
When Yo came out we thought it was totally ridiculous. A single use app that just sends the word 'Yo' to your friends, it seemed like another sign of the world going app crazy — a new age equivalent of the creepy and superfluous Facebook poke. (Seriously, that thing was solely used by your grandparents and first-time flirters). But, despite our cynicism, the app took off in a big way and has now led the way for something even better. Working in exactly the same as Yo, but bearing a different message, Beer?! has been born. Finally saving your text-tired thumbs from making six separate motions on the keypad, Beer?! allows you to assemble your drinking buds with a single effective motion. There's no ambiguity; no unique invitation to be carefully crafted. Beer?! is as simple as it gets. It's about drinking beer. Soon. Possibly with you. With no emojis, no timestamps and no awkward 'seen' messages, single use apps like Beer?! have a strangely alluring appeal. As people become increasingly confounded with their smartphone's latest fandangled features and constantly evolving uses, simplicity like this is looking pretty good. Available now from the app store, it helps that the service is both free to download and free to use. It also comes with a surprising endorsement from Portugal The Man. So, that's something. Of course, to use the app properly you'll have to arrange some details in advance. Your friend is only able to communicate with the word 'Beer?!' so you'll need to figure out if a reply equals confirmation, and if so, where you'll be heading. There's never been a better time to adopt a pub as your local. We'd advise you to just call them, but really, that would defeat the whole purpose. Via PSFK. Photo credit: Daveybot via photopin cc.
In his guise as Benoit Blanc in both 2019's Knives Out and 2022's Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Daniel Craig has pointed the finger at an array of well-known faces. With third film Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery officially on the way, that list is set to grow. The first three folks joining it: Andrew Scott (Ripley), Josh O'Connor (Challengers) and Cailee Spaeny (Civil War). If you weren't already excited about Blanc's next case, which is set to arrive on Netflix in 2025, then you should be now. The news that Wake Up Dead Man is on its way still relatively fresh, with the sleuthing saga's writer and director Rian Johnson announcing it via social media on Saturday, May 25 — and casting details have started arriving mere days later. [caption id="attachment_868527" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of Netflix © 2022.[/caption] As reported by Variety, there's no word yet as to who Scott, O'Connor and Spaeny are playing opposite No Time to Die's Craig. But joining Wake Up Dead Man's suspect pool comes in a big year for fans of all three Down Under, with Scott's All of Us Strangers, O'Connor's La Chimera and Spaeny's Priscilla all reaching screens this year — plus the aforementioned Ripley, Challengers and Civil War, too. With the third Knives Out flick locking in a date with the small screen next year, the series continues its three-yearly pattern. Who else the filmmaker that also brought audiences Brick, The Brothers Bloom, Looper, Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi and TV's Poker Face (which has been renewed for a second season) will get Blanc investigating hasn't been revealed, and neither has much else about the movie. "I love everything about whodunnits, but one of the things I love most is how malleable the genre is. There's a whole tonal spectrum from Carr to Christie, and getting to explore that range is one of the most exciting things about making Benoit Blanc movies," Johnson did note. [caption id="attachment_951454" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Challengers, Niko Tavernise © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc.[/caption] Exactly when in 2025 the flick will hit, and also whether it will reach cinemas before arriving on Netflix, also hasn't been announced. But, the streamer is teasing that this will be Blanc's "most dangerous case yet". So far, Johnson has plunged his detective into a familiar scenario twice, but always ensured that the end result was anything but routine. His trusty setup: bring a group of people together in a family home, mode of transport or lavish vacation setting, then watch on when one thing that always occurs in a whodunnit happens. That'd be a murder, in a formula that Agatha Christie also loved, as book-to-film adaptations Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile and A Haunting in Venice have shown. The author's play The Mousetrap and recent flick See How They Run, which riffs on it, make the same point. And, so does this clearly Christie-inspired franchise. [caption id="attachment_936946" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Priscilla[/caption] The cast across Knives Out and Glass Onion has been impressive. Chris Evans (Pain Hustlers), Ana de Armas (Ghosted), Jamie Lee Curtis (Haunted Mansion), Michael Shannon (The Flash), Toni Collette (Mafia Mamma), Don Johnson (The Collective), Lakeith Stanfield (The Changeling), Christopher Plummer (Departure), Katherine Langford (Savage River) and Jaeden Martell (Mr Harrigan's Phone) all featured the first time around. In the second flick, Edward Norton (Asteroid City), Janelle Monáe (Antebellum), Kathryn Hahn (Tiny Beautiful Things), Leslie Odom Jr (The Exorcist: Believer), Jessica Henwick (The Royal Hotel), Madelyn Cline (Outer Banks), Kate Hudson (Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon) and Dave Bautista (Dune: Part Two) all co-starred. If you saw either — or any murder-mystery involving a motley crew of characters brought together in one location when someone turns up dead — then you'll know how this movie series works from there. There's a standout setting, that big group of chalk-and-cheese folks, threats aplenty and just as much suspicion. Check out the title announcement video for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery below: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will release sometime in 2025 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced. Read our reviews of Knives Out and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. Via Variety. Top image: All of Us Strangers, photo by Chris Harris, courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2023 Searchlight Pictures.
Flicking through channels seems sort of passé, seeing as, y'know, not as many people use an actual TV for watching TV anymore. It's more probable that we're scanning through ABC iView, SBS On Demand, 9Now, tenplay and/or 7 Live, which doesn't necessarily have the same effect (plus, what if you forget to check Channel Ten and don't realise Survivor is on?). Well, to save you from multiple tab hell, Freeview has announced that it will be launching a new mobile streaming app later this year, where you can stream all Australia's free-to-air networks from the one place. Dubbed Freeview FV, this new all-encompassing app will bring 15 or so free-to-air channels together in a beautiful harmony of many, many hours of television. As well as live streaming the networks' broadcasts, they'll also offer catch-up functionality, a guide which will show you everything that's on and reccommendations (much like Netflix) when it launches in November. They're also putting a big focus on watching TV "on the go", so the app sounds like it will be pretty sophisticated on mobile. It's the first time globally that the free-to-air industry has come together to create one unified TV experience, says Freeview CEO Liz Ross. "Freeview FV will deliver fantastic choice and convenience in one place, it is simple and-easy to-use, and it will meet the needs of audiences wherever they may be," she says. "From live streaming news and current affairs during the morning commute to catching-up on a favourite TV program on the way home, Freeview FV will completely revolutionise access to the free-to-air TV offering in Australia." This is pretty huge news for the Australian free-to-air industry, especially after Foxtel just bought out streaming subscription service Presto from Seven West Media and will proceed to kill it at the end of the year. Freeview FV is set to launch in November, with more details to be released shortly.
Crisp harbour air, just-pressed books and freshly ground coffee to carry you through — that's what we go back to the Sydney Writers' Festival for year after year. One of the world's most popular and respected writers' festivals, it presents us with a fine autumnal week of talks, panels, readings, workshops, performances and a boozy hub to end the night in. Artistic director Jemma Birrell doesn't appear to be trying to reinvent the wheel or tweet the wheel or performance art the wheel; the 2014 Sydney Writers' Festival is geared towards solid programming that mixes interesting minds. "Over 400 writers will bring their insight and knowledge, their creativity and contemplation, to help us see life from a different perspective," she says of the festival. Here are our top ten writer combos you'll find at the festival. Vince Gilligan Here's your chance to thank a major enabler of your binge TV habit. The man responsible for bringing you 3720 hours of glee, revulsion, frustration and satisfaction — Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan — is coming to Australia. He'll be making one exclusive appearance at the Sydney Town Hall as part of the SWF (an early part; he's here May 1 while the rest of the festival kicks off May 19). The discussion will zero in on Gilligan's creative process and presumably provide a platform for all your Better Call Saul-related questions. The first event has sold out, but you can still get tickets to the second event, on at 9.30pm, which has Benjamin Law asking the questions. May 1, 7pm and 9.30pm at Sydney Town Hall. Tickets $35/28. Humour and Debauchery with a few manners in between We'd watch Annabel Crabb interview a throw pillow, but here she is interviewing three of the festival's most interesting guests: Irvine Welsh, Gary Shteyngart and Sandi Toksvig. Just imagine the scintillating repartee when sparkling ABC journo meets Super Sad True Love Story writer Shteyngart, who you might know from his work on the back of hundreds of books (he's a famous blurbist), and comedian and broadcaster Toksvig, who's a QI regular and therefore accustomed to bantering with Stephen Fry. Though Crabb might need all her wiles to wrangle rite-of-passage writer Welsh (Trainspotting), who famously spent his 1998 SWF session drinking beer, insulting his host and reading his own book (not out loud; in his head). While you're there: Flit by the Hickson Road Wharf beforehand and you could see the free Curiosity Lecture Series On Living Well or the What's Normal Anyway? panel. Friday, May 23, 8.30pm, at the Sydney Town Hall. Tickets $25/20. People of Letters Michaela McGuire and Marieke Hardy's Women of Letters has been steadily taking over the adorable Sunday afternoon literary readings scene, to the point where it's had recent instalments in the US and the UK. Nostalgia meets healthy oversharing at the event, which sees guests read letters they've written in response to a theme — this time, it's 'A letter to my other half'. Reading at the SWF's People of Letters (slight name change to accommodate the menfolk) is Scott Spark, Ella Scott Lynch, Liam Pieper, Cate Blake, Eddie Sharp, Kristin Williamson, Benjamin Law and Australian playwright David Williamson. While you're there: Check out New Worlds: Digital Storytelling on the same stage at 3pm or the ever inspiring Michael Kirby present the free lecture On What Would Gandhi Do. Saturday, May 24, 4.30pm at Pier 2/3 Club Stage. Free. Literary Friendships: Ben and Michelle Law Not only have Benjamin and Michelle Law survived the ‘shit Asian mothers say’ they’ve also survived their sibship. But only just. As part of the festival’s ‘Literary Friendships’ series, they’ll be revealing how they co-wrote a bestselling book without killing each other. Michelle is an AWGIE award-winning screenwriter who’s worked on the TV adaptation of The Family Law, Flashforward and Slide, and is currently putting together a documentary on suicide for the ABC. Benjamin is the author of books Gaysia and The Family Law and a regular contributor to The Monthly, Qweekend, Good Weekend and frankie. While you're there: See Irvine Welsh discuss his new book, The Sex Lives of Siamese Twins in the Sydney Theatre beforehand. Afterwards, there's nothing for it but closure and a stiff drink. Sunday, May 25, 3pm at Pier 2/3 The Loft. Free, no bookings. Inua Ellams' Black T-Shirt Collection Spoken word poetry always pops its head up at Sydney Writers' Festivals, and this year's star proponent is Nigerian-born, London-based Inua Ellams, who takes the form to the next level. His Black T-Shirt Collection is a deep and developed one-man play in which he tells the story of two brothers — Matthew and Muhammed — who start a graphic tee business in Nigeria, only to find their fortunes swayed by homophobia and global capitalism. Exeunt magazine called Ellams' performance "captivating", with "just enough variation in his physical acting to give credible form to a cast of characters from a middle-aged Egyptian carpet-seller to a mourning Nigerian mother". While you're there: The other SWF events are nowhere near Bondi. So how about stopping by Do Orazio Pizza and Porchetta instead and sating your appetite instead? Wednesday and Thursday, May 21-22, 8pm at the Bondi Pavilion. The Madonna-Whore and Other Fictions A recent post on Tara Moss’s Facebook page reads: “Stranger to my daughter: ‘You are very pretty’. Response: ‘I’m very brave, too’.” On the heels of publishing her non-fiction debut, The Fictional Woman, Moss will get together with Nakkiah Lui, Emma Donoghue and Kate Ceberano for a panel discussion unravelling the common fictions applied to women — from gold-digger to dumb blonde to mother. Versatile journo and Fairfax columnist Tracey Spicer will be doing the compering. While you're there: Hear about The Real Sydney and see An Iranian Talking to an Israeli (true title). Friday, May 23, 3pm at Pier 2/3 Main Stage. Tickets $25/$20. Eleanor Catton: The Luminaries One big international name this year is that other confounding New Zealand prodigy, 2013 Booker Prize winner for The Luminaries Eleanor Catton. Last year, the 28-year-old became the youngest ever author to win the Man Booker Prize with her extraordinary second novel. She’ll be discussing 19th-century gold mining, astrology and the collective unconscious with arts mover and shaker Steven Gale, who has directed in theatres and taught at universities all over the UK and in the US. While you're there: At the Hickson Road Wharf, spend time with the foreign correspondents of Eyewitness the former foreign minister, Bob Carr. Thursday, May 22, 6.30pm at City Recital Hall Angel Place. Tickets $32/$26. Image: Robert Catto. Festival Club Now a fixture of the festival, the Chaser-run Festival Club is where things get relaxed and sweary at the end of the day. (Not so relaxed, however, that you can necessarily saunter in at any hour; line up a bit before 7pm like a good Sydneysider.) Each night from Thursday to Saturday features an instalment of The Chaser's Empty Vessel, with big festival guests like Reza Aslan, Jeremy Scahill, Colin McDowell and Eimear McBride dropping by for casual, sometimes boozy, 'off-the-record' chats. Bookending the Vessel are catch cackle-worthy storytelling endeavours such as Story Club, Erotic Fan Fiction, Mixtape Memoirs and Spoken Four. While you're there: Anything goes with a night at the Festival Club. Thursday to Saturday, 22-24 May, 7pm at Pier 2/3 Club Stage. $15 on the door. No pre-bookings. Exceptional Television If past years have seen a focus on digital writing and journalism, the topic du jour looks to be television, and the extremely high quality of TV writing that is probably luring you away from books, films and reading this article. Should the aspiring writers of 2014 be aiming for the long-form, narratively rich landscape of TV? Delve into the strengths and challenges of the medium with local heroes Peter Duncan (Rake) and Steven McGregor (Redfern NOW) plus American writer A.M. Homes — who as well as being a 2013 Women’s Prize for Fiction winner has written and produced for The L Word. tvtonight.com.au editor David Knox chairs. Show your love for TV by getting off the couch for this one. While you're there: Visit Louis Nowra's Kings Cross or explore further afield with Jacques Roubaud: Writer, Mathematician and Oulipean. Thursday, May 22, 4.30pm at Pier 2/3 Club Stage. Tickets $20/40. Coffee and Papers with Jeremy Scahill and Antony Loewenstein It’s probably a good idea to take a really strong coffee to this early morning chat. After all, Antony Loewenstein’s latest book is titled Profits of Doom: How Vulture Capitalism is Swallowing The World, while Jeremy Scahill has just published Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield. It doesn’t sound like there’ll be any mucking around. Ferocious, outspoken devotees to the great tradition of no-holds barred investigative journalism, Loewenstein and Scahill will be discussing the media’s changing nature with Sydney Morning Herald state editor Sherrill Nixon. While you're there: From here, enjoy all that Friday has to offer. We like the look of Curiosity Lecture Series session On Epicurus, a look at how well the foodies of today are following the lessons of classic Epicureanism. Friday, May 23, 9am at The Bar at the End of the Wharf. Free, no bookings. The Sydney Writers' Festival is on May 19-25. For the full program and to book tickets, visit the festival website. By the Concrete Playground team.
May the force be with your streaming queue over the next few months, with not one but two new Star Wars series heading to Disney+. Both follow the same format, too, taking a character from the films, then spinning a whole show around parts of their backstories — and slotting in either before or between the tales that viewers have already seen. The first such program, Obi-Wan Kenobi, starts streaming today, Friday, May 27. The second, Andor, just dropped its first trailer today as well. On the agenda for the latter: not only a prequel to 2016's Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, but bringing espionage thrills to a galaxy far, far away. As its name makes plain, Andor focuses on its namesake — Cassian Andor, again played by Diego Luna (If Beale Street Could Talk). Star Wars fans have already seen him as a Rebel captain and intelligence agent, and also watched how his story ends, hence the show's need to jump backwards. The focus: following Andor as he discovers how he can play a part in fighting the Empire. Indeed, charting the rebellion, and how people and planets joined in, is the series' whole remit. The moody and shadowy just-dropped first sneak peek ends with telling words, after all: "that's what a reckoning sounds like". In fact, it's filled with statements like that, setting the tone for an intrigue-filled first season — which'll start streaming on Wednesday, August 31. Alongside Luna, Andor sees filmmaker Tony Gilroy (The Bourne Legacy) — who co-wrote the screenplay for Rogue One — return to the Star Wars franchise as the series' creator and showrunner. And, on-screen, Luna is joined by the Genevieve O'Reilly (The Dry) — who is also back as Mon Mothma — as well as Stellan Skarsgård (Dune), Adria Arjona (Morbius), Denise Gough (Monday) and Kyle Soller (Poldark). Oh, and a cute-looking new robot that's seen scurrying around in the trailer, although how big a part it'll play is yet to be revealed. Andor is set to span two seasons, both running for 12 episodes each and adding to Disney+'s ever-expanding array of Star Wars programming. Also on its way: the third season of The Mandalorian, which'll arrive in February 2023; and the just-announced Skeleton Crew, which'll star Jude Law and hit streaming queues sometime next year as well. Check out the first trailer for Andor below: Andor will start streaming via Disney+ from Wednesday, August 31.
A new player is stepping up to bat in the Australian hospitality scene, and in Melbourne. Introducing The StandardX, scheduled to open in Fitzroy in February 2024. The StandardX is the latest brainchild of Standard International, known for its lifestyle hotels in cosmopolitan hotspots like New York, Miami and London. But The StandardX is set to be a new direction for the brand, with the Fitzroy concept acting as "a rebellious younger sibling" of The Standard Hotels across the globe, distilling The Standard experience to its "x factor", and going for a more minimalist and cool approach. It seems that Fitzroy is the perfect location for the new concept. Melbourne's own Hecker Guthrie has infused the hotel's 125 rooms and public spaces with a contemporary yet unpretentious aesthetic. As for the food, don't expect the standard hotel restaurant. Led by Executive Chef Justin Dingle-Garciyya, the rooftop dining area will be exclusive to hotel guests, offering an array of Medellin-inspired dishes, including tacos and ceviche. The rooftop bar will be the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail after dinner, or before a night out, or at 10am — it's a hotel after all. With panoramic city views and the privacy that comes with exclusivity, it's set to be a pretty nice spot to have a sip and take in the majesty of the Melbourne skyline for locals and tourists alike. For those after a more casual bite, the all-day Thai diner and The Box, a retail concept offering on-the-go snacks and drinks, will ensure you're never far from curing a rumbling belly. With room rates expected to hover between $250–350, The StandardX is positioning itself as a premium choice for travellers and Melburnians looking for a unique hotel experience that blends luxury with Fitzroy's artistic and cultural heritage. Nick Cave, Ollie Olsen, Stuart Grant and Rowland S. Howard are even among the hotel's inspirations. The StandardX is set to open in February 2024 at 62 Rose Street, Fitzroy — head to the hotel's website for further details.
Whether you can't get enough of Euphoria, are a Succession stan or adore True Detective, streaming HBO's hits in Australia has meant making a date with Binge since 2020. The platform launched as an offshoot of pay TV service Foxtel — following past platforms Presto — with the slate of shows from the beloved US network as its number-one drawcard. Back then, it was Game of Thrones, Westworld, Chernobyl, Veep and Big Little Lies luring in subscribers; now, it's House of the Dragon, The Last of Us and The White Lotus, too. Whichever HBO series you adore — and how many of them are on your must-watch list — you'll be making a date with Binge for the foreseeable future. Or, with Foxtel if you still prefer. Either way, Warner Bros Discovery, which owns HBO, has just made a new deal with Foxtel and Binge to keep its series on those Aussie services. The Foxtel Group will remain the home of HBO, Max Originals, Warner Bros and Discovery programming as part of a multi-year partnership extension — and the only place you'll be able to see shows like all of the above. Other series involved include set-to-return programs such as Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, Perry Mason, And Just Like That..., The Sex Lives of College Girls and Peacemaker. And, the deal covers newcomers like The Idol, political drama White House Plumbers, the Robert Downey Jr- starring The Sympathizer, The Palace with Kate Winslet and The Batman spinoff The Penguin. Plus, when they make their way from cinemas to streaming, upcoming flicks such as Dune 2, Barbie, Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom and other DC Extended Universe movies will also hit Binge and Foxtel. "This landmark partnership cements our position as the partner of choice to the world's largest entertainment studios. We are delighted Warner Bros Discovery chose us as we continue our long-standing partnership together with optionality at its core. A unique business model like ours that covers multiple platforms and brands means we can partner for the long term and together we will continue to entertain millions of Australians every day for years to come," said Foxtel Group CEO, Patrick Delany, announcing the deal. "Foxtel Group are a long-term, historic partner for Warner Bros Discovery in Australia, and we are thrilled to deepen this strong collaboration with a renewed agreement that reflects the scale and opportunity of Foxtel Group's growing suite of products and customer base," added James Gibbons, Warner Bros Discovery President and Managing Director, Western Pacific. In America since 2020, and rolling out through Latin America, the Caribbean and parts of Europe since, HBO streams its lineup of shows via its own platform, HBO Max, which hasn't yet made it to Australia. Based on the new deal with Foxtel and Binge, doesn't look set to anytime soon. "As we look to drive strategic growth of our business across all platforms locally, this deal also provides optionality for future collaboration, including for our future streaming service, that will ultimately offer Australians greater access to the world-class storytelling and much-loved brands Warner Bros Discovery is renowned for," said Gibbons. The Australian Financial Review reports that HBO Max won't make its way Down Under until at least 2025. For more information, head to the Binge and Foxtel websites. Top image: HBO.
When Iron Man, Thor, Scarlet Witch, Black Widow, Captain America and their fellow caped-crusader pals all cross paths on-screen, they do so within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When it's Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Aquaman's turn, they populate the DC Extended Universe. But these kind of big-screen franchises aren't just the domain of superheroes. In the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters, for instance, a number of Spider-Man supervillains are getting their own interconnected movies. First came 2018's Venom, starring Tom Hardy (Dunkirk) as a journalist who is forced to share his body with an alien symbiote. Next year — delayed from 2020 — Morbius will see Jared Leto (The Little Things) play a figure also known as the "Living Vampire". In-between the two, Venom: Let There Be Carnage is also hitting screens. The initial flick about Hardy's Eddie Brock and his parasitic pal did ridiculously big business at the box office, so it was always going to get a sequel. Due to hit cinemas Down Under in September — and just releasing its first trailer overnight — Venom: Let There Be Carnage signals its other main point of focus in its title. This time around, Venom isn't the only formidable figure that Brock has to deal with, with Woody Harrelson (Zombieland: Double Tap) joining the cast as Carnage. For those who haven't dived deep into Spider-Man's comic book history, Carnage is another of the web-slinger's adversaries. Inhabiting the body of a serial killer called Cletus Kasady, he's also Venom's nemesis. And while Eddie's life isn't all that straightforward when the Venom: Let There Be Carnage trailer begins — as seen during a peek at his attempts to find a way to live in harmony with Venom, including their complicated breakfast routine — things get a whole lot more chaotic when Carnage enters the scene. As these two villains face off, here's hoping that Venom: Let There Be Carnage gives Michelle Williams (Fosse/Verdon) more to do than the first Venom movie did, with the four-time Oscar-nominee returning as Eddie's ex-fiancée. Also seen briefly in the trailer: Naomie Harris (The Third Day) as yet another Spider-Man villain, Shriek, plus Stephen Graham (The Virtues) as Detective Mulligan. And, behind the lens, Lord of the Rings actor-turned-Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle filmmaker Andy Serkis directs. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USAsr2i4jiQ&feature=youtu.be Venom: Let There Be Carnage opens in Australian cinemas on September 16.
If you've ever doubted that racism still exists in Australia, have a look at the toilet doors in Vernon Ah Kee's exhibition Not an Animal or a Plant, currently at the National Art School Gallery as part of Sydney Festival. Scrawled with violent, racist and misogynist graffiti, they are found objects, which Ah Kee took from a disused toilet on Cockatoo Island during the 2008 Biennale and transformed into a work titled Born In This Skin. "They take the breath away," Ah Kee says. "They're up-front in a way that's disturbing yet refreshing…Given that this country has been good at subtlety in terms of expressing racism." Ah-Kee's show, which is a survey covering the past 12 years, compels us to see racism "not as an historical error", but as part of life. "Many people would wilfully set themselves aside from Australia's treatment of Aboriginals and see it as history," he says. "But it's the life I live and the life we all live. Our children and grandchildren will live it, too." Born in January 1967 in Far North Queensland, Ah Kee came into the world as "property of the state". It wasn't until later that year, following a May 27 referendum, that the Federal Government recognised Indigenous Australians as people. 2017 is both Ah Kee's 50th birthday and the referendum's 50th anniversary. [caption id="attachment_604903" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Vernon Ah Kee's I See Deadly People (2012)[/caption] Walking into Not an Animal or a Plant, the first works you see are oversized, charcoal portraits, beautifully drawn and charged with emotion. Looking into the eyes of Ah-Kee's great-grandfather George Sibley, it's impossible to disregard his humanity. Yet, as Ah Kee says, "Politics and atrocities have relegated [our] status to less than human or always to become human." Text-based works Rush to judgement (2016) and Waltzing Matilda (2016) place us face-to-face with racist, yet commonly used, phrases, such as "pure-bred Aussie" and "love it or fuck off", printed in bold, confronting lettering. "What's disturbing is how normalised and popular these are," Ah Kee says. "'Pure-bred Aussie' is available in tourist shops all over the country … As someone who works with text, you can't resist it." Text is used, too, in Authors of Devastation (2016), a stunning installation of custom-made surfboards painted with rainforest shield designs and, more personally, in Many Lies (2004/2016), with verse painted on a 2.4 x 2.7-metre canvas. Ah Kee writes, "I tried to burn the words away, but only burned myself, and now I have deep scars on my skin, and the enduring ache of memory." Not an Animal or a Plant is now showing at the National Art School Gallery, Forbes Street, Darlinghurst until March 11. Find more details here. Top image: Vernon Ah-Kee's Annie Ah-Sam (2008). Shot by George Sibley.
