Five decades after it was first released, Lou Reed's 'Perfect Day' is still a perfect song. It rarely bodes well when it pops up in movies, TV shows or trailers for either, though. Take the just-dropped first sneak peek at Westworld's fourth season, for instance — where the words "you're going to reap just what you sow" feel especially eerie. Since it first hit HBO back in 2016 — and channels/streaming services such as Foxtel, Binge and Neon Down Under that bring the US network's series our way, too — Westworld has been unnerving from the get-go. It's all there in the concept, which first unfurled on-screen back in 1973 thanks to the Michael Crichton-directed movie of the same name. Here, in the eponymous android amusement park, humans pay to live out their fantasies while surrounded by supremely realistic-looking androids. What could go wrong? Everything, obviously. Across its second season in 2018 and third batch of episodes in 2020, the TV version of Westworld has built upon this premise, twisting in wild, strange, violent and surreal directions. Naturally, with season four set to start arriving from Monday, June 27, that's only going to continue. The first teaser trailer isn't big on plot, but it does set a huge mood — or reinforce the tone that Westworld fans already know and love, to be more precise. While narrative details are scarce, the show is bound to keep wading through the fallout that's been shaping its story from day one, after some of the robot theme park's electronic hosts started to break their programming, make their own decisions and question their creators. What it lacks in plot specifics, Westworld's first look at season four makes up for in atmosphere and recognisable faces, including Evan Rachel Wood (Kajillionaire), Thandiwe Newton (All the Old Knives), Ed Harris (The Lost Daughter), Jeffrey Wright (The Batman), Tessa Thompson (Passing), Luke Hemsworth (Young Rock), Aaron Paul (Truth Be Told) and Angela Sarafyan (Reminiscence). Joining them as a newcomer this season: newly minted West Side Story Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose. If you feel like you've been hanging out for new Westworld for years, that's because the show always seems to bring its android dramas back in two-year intervals. Still, it's worth remembering that the first season of the show arrived 43 years after the Michael Crichton-directed movie that it's based on, and 40 years after the film's sequel Futureworld. If you haven't done so already, both are worth viewing while you're waiting for the TV series to return. Check out the teaser trailer for Westworld's fourth season below: Westworld's fourth season will start streaming via Binge in Australia from Monday, June 27 — and via Neon in New Zealand.
If you're a Sydneysider with a trip to Queensland in your future — or vice versa — the pandemic might've just interrupted your plans. With two new locally acquired COVID-19 cases identified in the New South Wales capital in the past two days, and the Greater Sydney region reinstating some gathering restrictions and an indoor mask mandate, the Sunshine State has announced new border rules. It isn't shutting its borders, but it does now require travellers who've visited an exposure site to undertake 14 days of quarantine. The change was announced today, Thursday, May 6, and has two components. Anyone who is currently in Queensland, or arrives in the state before 1am tomorrow, Friday, May 7, is required to quarantine at their home or accommodation, call the state's 13 HEALTH number (13 43 25 84) and get a COVID-19 test. Folks who arrive after that time won't have the same luxury, though; instead, they'll be sent to mandatory hotel quarantine for 14 days once they enter Queensland. The latter process — sending people who've visited a declared interstate exposure site into compulsory hotel quarantine for a fortnight — is part of Queensland's new Interstate Exposure Venues Direction. It came into effect on April 28, and applies moving forward. So, whenever an outbreak occurs somewhere other than Queensland, anyone who has visited declared exposure venues and then heads to the Sunshine State will be sent to mandatory hotel quarantine. https://twitter.com/qldhealthnews/status/1390171507226136579 The list of exposure sites was first announced by NSW Health yesterday, Wednesday, May 5, and has been growing since. Queensland Health has also been keeping a list, if you're a Brisbanite who has spent some time in Sydney lately, or you're a Sydneysider keen to head north in the near future. Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young also advised that anyone who has been in Greater Sydney on or after Tuesday, April 27 "should be monitoring closely for symptoms and getting tested immediately if they experience COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild." And, if you need a reminder, the symptoms to look out for are coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste. For more information about southeast Queensland's COVID-19 border requirements, or about the status of COVID-19 in the state, visit the Qld COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
Bluesfest has done it again. The annual event up in Byron Bay looks to have another stellar lineup on its hands, featuring artists from around the world across a diverse range of genres. There's truly something for everyone but if you're unable to schlep up the coast for the Easter weekend then there's no need to fret. Some of the biggest names on the bill are making the most of their trip Down Under by putting on gigs in Sydney and Melbourne, too, meaning April promises to be a bumper live music month across the country. With over 19 artists set to do sideshows this year, we've teamed up with Bluesfest Touring to help you decide what not to miss. Read on to discover seven sideshows that you should nab tickets to, then check out the rest of the sideshow lineup — Buffy Sainte-Marie, John Mayall, The Marcus King Band, Walter Trout, The War & Treaty, The Allman Betts Band, Amadou & Mariam, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles and Tal Wilkenfeld — on the Bluesfest website. DWEEZIL ZAPPA Sunday, April 12 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney and Monday, April 13 at The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne Since 2006, Dweezil Zappa has been the driving force behind the touring band whose main aim is to breathe life into the work of his father — avant-garde virtuoso Frank Zappa. Hot Rats, Frank Zappa's 1969 jazz-progressive rock-fusion album, is arguably his best-known work, and Dweezil Zappa is honouring his legacy by touring the record in its entirety. Hot Rats hit the shelves the same year that Zappa was born, so it holds a special place in his heart, and he's said that this is the best version of his touring band that he's ever had. Given previous iterations of his group are Grammy winners, that's some claim. PATTI SMITH AND HER BAND Wednesday, April 15 and Thursday, April 16 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney and Tuesday, April 21–Thursday, April 23 at Forum Melbourne, Melbourne "I really thought that I wouldn't be able to come back, so I'm delighted that I was wrong," Patti Smith told Bluesfest Touring on her impending return to these shores. Smith — poet, author, singer, icon and 'godmother of punk' — has been an inspiration to millions since the release of her debut classic album Horses in 1975 and, despite now being in her 70s, shows no signs of slowing down. Her touring band includes both Lenny Kaye and Jay Dee Daugherty, who have been with her since day dot, plus her son Jackson on guitar. EAGLES OF DEATH METAL Thursday, April 16 at Metro Theatre, Sydney and Sunday, April 19 at The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne Californian singer-songwriter Jesse Hughes and Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme have been recording as Eagles of Death Metal since 1998. The name comes from a literal imagining of what country-rock stalwarts The Eagles would sound like were they a death metal band. In mid-2019, the band released a record of covers featuring classics from artists as diverse as Guns N' Roses, George Michael and Mary J Blige, all played in EODM's own inimitable style. Their live shows have always been known for their raucous, OTT behaviour, and their Bluesfest sideshow promises to be no different. LARKIN POE Wednesday, April 15 at The Factory Theatre, Sydney and Thursday, April 16 at Corner Hotel, Melbourne Sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell celebrate a decade of performing psychedelic blues rock under their Larkin Poe moniker in 2020. Originally hailing from Georgia but now based in Nashville, as any self-respecting Americana outfit would be, Larkin Poe's close harmony take on roots music has earned plaudits from the likes of Elvis Costello and Keith Urban. Oh, and Russell Crowe, apparently. Dragging blues rock into the 21st century, the duo isn't afraid to throw horns and electronics at a genre steeped in tradition and, in doing so, breathe life into it, while simultaneously creating something vibrant and exciting. Be sure to catch them as soon as Bluesfest draws to a close. MORCHEEBA Tuesday, April 7 at 170 Russell, Melbourne and Thursday, April 9 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney Next year marks quarter of a century of Morcheeba, the downtempo duo who were instrumental in bringing trip-hop to the masses in the 1990s. Led by the sweet vocals of Skye Edwards, the London-based band have released nine albums in their career, cracking the Top 20 twice at the start of the century. Morcheeba must love playing over here — they played Bluesfest and a bunch of sideshows back in 2018. Clearly, we love them playing here, too, because those sideshows completely sold out. If you want an evening of warm, enveloping sounds to set your mind at ease, nab tickets to the show in your city. BRANDI CARLILE Monday, April 6 at Hamer Hall, Melbourne and Wednesday, April 8 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney Alt-country vocalist Brandi Carlile is certainly an artist on the up. She was the most nominated woman at the 2019 Grammy Awards taking home three gongs, including Best Americana Album for her latest record, By the Way, I Forgive You. It's been over ten years since she played in Australia, and she's certainly a bigger draw now than she was then. She's also part of The Highwomen, the country supergroup that features Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires, so there's every chance that some tracks from their self-titled debut could also make their way into Carlile's set. [caption id="attachment_753622" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Austin Hargrave[/caption] GEORGE BENSON Sunday, April 5 at State Theatre, Sydney and Thursday, April 9 at Palais Theatre, Melbourne Perhaps best known for the 1980 soft disco hit album, Give Me the Night, soul man George Benson is still going strong after more than 65 years in the business. He can still command a crowd, too — he's had to add a second date to his Sydney and Melbourne sojourns to accommodate public demand. His most recent record, Walking to New Orleans, is a tribute to the music of Fats Domino and Chuck Berry, but surely Benson has now earned the right to be listed among such greats. After all, it's not just anyone who gets their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. To book tickets to these sideshows, and many more — including Buffy Sainte-Marie, John Mayall, The Marcus King Band, Walter Trout, The War & Treaty, The Allman Betts Band, Amadou & Mariam, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles and Tal Wilkenfeld — visit the Bluesfest website.
It's not every day someone asks you to steal their things. Stolen Rum did just that. They posted notices to telegraph poles asking "Is this your sofa?" and kindly let the good people know where to steal them from. You steal it, you keep it; that was the deal, no tricks. On the same day across three countries — Sydney, Australia; Miami, USA; and Dunedin, New Zealand — people lined up for hours hoping to secure a sofa. Needless to say, all 150 sofas were burgled, plundered and nicked in less than seven minutes. Seven. With the average sofa weighing at least over 30kg, that's some speedy thieving. The Stolen Sofas Project generated a gargantuan amount of public interest, with budding thieves nabbing a spot in line hours before kick-off in each city. The first 50 lounge bandits in Sydney, Miami and Dunedin then had one job to do: nick the lounge and get the heck home. Punters scraped together their best burglary getaway vehicles, trucks, cars, bikes, even skateboards. But the purists simply came with ready hands and previous experience in moving house for their mates. The result? Pure, debaucherous international chaos. Stolen Rum, a new drop on the market, has been winning over hearts in bottle shops across Australia, New Zealand and the States. The company’s inspiration is a rebellion against the “tedious existence of work and pay”. “We cannot buy our lives back, nor can we beg them back,” writes the vagabond theorist on their site. “Our lives will only be our own when we steal them back — and that means taking what we want without asking permission.” Want to know where you can taste Stolen Rum? It's on the shelf at BWS Australia wide and in some of your favourite Sydney bars. Check out all the happy couch thieves from The Stolen Sofa Project day below. Sydney Dunedin Miami
Spring has most definitely sprung. It's time to start thinking about how you're going to get the most out of this year's blooming daffodils, fluffy lambs and balmy evenings. One city that's gearing up for a fresh, fun season is Bendigo. Come early October and through to November, it'll be hosting an array of spring happenings — from a vegetarian festival at the biggest stupa in the western world to a ten-day food and wine extravaganza. Situated just under two hours' drive north of Melbourne, Bendigo is an easy-peasy weekender. So, to ensure your weekend is suitably entertaining, we've partnered with Bendigo Tourism and pulled together seven spring-time events to keep you smiling big in Bendigo.
There’s only one place better to show off your smarts than a pub trivia night — and that’s a pub trivia night devoted to art. On that front, Art Month 2016 has you covered with The Bearded Tit and the 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art holding the ultimate art quiz. So if you know more about Van Gogh’s bedroom than its current Airbnb host, can recite Tracey Emin’s top ten quotations and name Ai Weiwei’s five best works — you'd best head along. Reckon eight heads are better than one? You're probably right. Register as a team with up to seven other people. Or go it alone and register as a solo contestant — you’ll either be added to a group or given a spot to stand at the bar. The $35 ticket includes the quiz and a complimentary drink. And you can feel good about spending your cash, because it’s all going to 4A.
Hitting the ski slopes this season? If you're quick, you can be among the first to book a stay in the just-opened Numbananga Lodge — a self-contained, ski-in ski-out snow lodge in Smiggin Holes, with easy access to all the fun of Perisher. With room to sleep six, this cosy, newly renovated pad could be an ideal base for that group snow trip you've been planning. Just keep in mind that you'll need a cool $1500 per night (during peak season) to book it — which works out to $250 each, if you can find five friends. The lodge is perched only a five-minute drive from Perisher Valley, though many will be tempted to take the scenic route: travelling by skis right from the front door, or on the nearby Link T-Bar. The lodge is available to hire out year round, and summertime at Numbananga has plenty of drawcards of its own, boasting primo views and endless opportunities for fishing, bike riding and bush walking in the nearby Kosciuszko National Park. It also costs significantly less to hire out in the off-season, dropping to as little as $350 a night. Owned and operated by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the nature-based accomodation is a pretty rare gem, as the only publicly available, free-standing, self-contained lodge in the area. Book your Numbananga Lodge stay via the National Parks NSW website.
UPDATE, July 29, 2020: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Sharing his name with six live-action films in 16 years, Spider-Man is no stranger to the big screen. Since 2002, he's saved New York from disaster again and again, kissed his sweetheart while hanging upside down, and turned evil and danced down the sidewalk. The friendly neighbourhood web-slinger has ripped off his mask to reveal the faces of Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland, gotten cosy with Kirsten Dunst, Emma Stone and Zendaya, and eventually joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And yet, the best Spider-Man movie doesn't involve most of the above. It's not just about Spider-Man, but spider-men. It also features a spider-woman, spider-robot and spider-pig, as well as Nicolas Cage as a 30s-era spider-vigilante. In other words, it's the animated delight that is Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Returning Spidey to his cartoon roots — his first screen appearance came via the animated 60s TV series with that catchy theme tune — this addition to the fold isn't your regular take on Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's iconic character. Rather, it recognises that a wealth of different spider-figures have swung through the comic book realm, because Spider-Man really could be anyone. Radioactive arachnids don't discriminate. They just sink their fangs into whoever's in their path. In Into the Spider-Verse, it's Brooklyn high-schooler Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) who's on the receiving end of a tiny but monumental bite. When he's not feeling like he's disappointing his cop dad (Brian Tyree Henry) and wishing he could spend more time with his outcast uncle (Mahershala Ali), Miles is also a rather big fan of the established Spider-Man, Peter Parker (Chris Pine). Two people donning the famous red and blue costume? With nefarious crime kingpin Wilson Fisk (Liev Schreiber) tearing a hole through multiple universes using a supercollider, two are just the beginning. The uncertain Miles is soon buddying up with Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson), who's more than a little over being Spider-Man — consider him an on-screen avatar for spider-fatigued audiences. Like filtering all things Spidey through an episode of Rick and Morty, they're joined by other web-slingers, including Peter Porker (John Mulaney), Spider-Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld), Spider-Man Noir (Cage), and Peni Parker (Kimiko Glenn) and her mechanical offsider SP//dr. The fate of several worlds is at stake, and the futures of several spider-people (and spider-animals) too. Arriving at a time when superhero movies (let alone Spider-Man flicks) are no longer a special event, Into the Spider-Verse offers what so few caped crusaders can muster these days: an endless array of surprises. It also serves up jokes about whether Spidey could or should wear a cape, although it's the film's ability to astonish that sticks firmer than Spider-Man's web. Who knew that a character who's been seen on screen over and over again for decades — and one who sports a 56-year history on the page as well — could seem so vibrant, thrilling and fresh? That's not a knock on the various live-action iterations, which have each boasted their own appeal, even if some fare better than others. But in embracing the entire big, bustling and diverse spider-world, Into the Spider-Verse genuinely feels new. In recent years, only Black Panther has bounced through cinemas with the same kind of vibe, feeding viewers' eagerness to finally watch something different. Into the Spider-Verse ramps that idea up a few notches, not only showcasing the first Afro-Lantino Spider-Man alongside a number of other interpretations, but playing with superhero and storytelling conventions. While good-versus-evil plots and coming-of-age themes are engrained in Spidey lore, neither notion bows to formula in the hands of filmmakers Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey (Rise of the Guardians) and Rodney Rothman. Instead, this adventure spins tales upon tales at a mile-a-minute pace — with a healthy dash of irreverence and amusement, ample nods to past comics and flicks, plus a warm-hearted willingness to make fun of the whole spider-shebang. That Rothman co-wrote the script with The Lego Movie's Phil Lord, and that Lord produced the picture with his usual directing partner Christopher Miller, partly explains Into the Spider-Verse's immense charms. Led by the soulful Moore as Morales, and peppered with hilarious work by Cage and Mulaney, the excellent voice cast also plays a part in making this the new high point for Spider-Man films. That said, Into the Spider-Verse could've dispensed with dialogue altogether and it'd still mesmerise. We mean that literally, because the standard and style of animation on display, and the action scenes and sight gags that go with it, resembles nothing else that's been beamed into cinemas before. Fast, bright, imaginative and often even abstract, it blends a hand-drawn feel with the most inventive visuals that computer-generated imagery can deliver. In this vivid, kaleidoscopic world, Spider-Ham's Looney Tunes aesthetic, Peni Parker and SP//dr's anime look, and Spider-Man Noir's dark approach all fit in perfectly. So too does a new plucky school kid who embodies the most important spider-fact of all: that everyone can do whatever a spider can. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbfIIGRfRJg
First, get excited about autumn Down Under. Next, get a sneak peek at the number-one show on your early 2023 viewing list. HBO just has announced when its award-winning family-feud drama Succession will return for its fourth season — down to a three-month period, at least — and dropped a full teaser trailer giving a glimpse at what's in store. Sometime between March and May in Australia and New Zealand, Succession will unfurl its next round of squabbles over a media conglomerate, between a father and his adult children, and likely between siblings as well. So far, HBO hasn't been more specific about timing than that, just noting that season four of the show will arrive in spring in the US — which, yes is autumn Down Under. The American network gave a firmer of idea of what the new batch of Succession episodes will cover, however, following on from an initial sneak peek in a broader HBO trailer in mid-October. As patriarch and business titan Logan Roy, Brian Cox (Remember Me) is still monologuing with the best of them, including about his kids. "I'm a hundred feet tall. These people are pygmies," he spits, as the teaser also shows Kendall (Jeremy Strong, The Trial of the Chicago 7), Connor (Alan Ruck, Freaky), Shiv (Sarah Snook, Pieces of a Woman) and Roman (Kieran Culkin, No Sudden Move) banding together to form a rebel alliance against their dad. All the chaos stems from the season-three move to sell the Roy's company Waystar Royco to a tech visionary played by Alexander Skarsgård (The Northman). Unsurprisingly, not everyone is thrilled. When an entire series is about who'll take over the lucrative and powerful family business, removing that option for everyone is going to cause some hefty fallout. Also included in this sneak peek: Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen, Operation Mincemeat) addressing the aftermath of his own actions at the end of season three, and his betrayal of his Shiv. "Do you want to talk about what happened?" he asks his wife, who — also to the astonishment of no one — does not look impressed. It was back in 2021 when HBO announced that Succession would return for a fourth run, after its Emmy-winning third season proved that exceptional — and popular. Viewers can clearly expect more power struggles and more savaging of the one percent, aka more of what Succession has always done best. Indeed, if you're a fan of twisty TV shows about wealth, privilege, influence, the vast chasm between the rich and everyday folks, and the societal problems that fester due to such rampant inequality, there's been plenty of ace examples of late, including The White Lotus and Squid Game. No series slings insults as savagely as this tremendous series, however. No show channels feuding and backstabbing into such an insightful and gripping satire, either. Check out the teaser for Succession season four below: Succession season four will arrive sometime in autumn 2023 Down Under, including via Foxtel, Binge and Foxtel On Demand in Australia and Neon in New Zealand — we'll update you with exact details when they're announced. Check out our review of season three.
When Sydney Sweeney was in Sydney at a Sydney Swans game earlier in 2023, it wasn't just because she was playing the Sydney version of Pokémon and catching them all. Rather, the Euphoria and The White Lotus star was filming a romantic comedy. And when Boxing Day hits this year, cinemagoers will be able to see the end result. Right now, you can watch a sneak peek at rom-com Anyone But You, too, thanks to the movie's just-dropped first teaser trailer. The setup: Sweeney plays Bea, who had a great first date with Ben (Glen Powell, Top Gun: Maverick), then suggests that they pretend to be a couple when things don't quite work out otherwise. There's more to the story, but that isn't what teaser trailers are for — so why the pair's spark fizzled after their first date hasn't been revealed so far. As for that pretence, it comes while they're at a destination wedding. The location: Australia, obviously. From the first look, this clearly falls into a specific category of Aussie-made movies, aka flicks shot Down Under that can't stop reminding viewers that they're set Down Under. So, the trailer includes multiple shots of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. The latter even features in the background as Bea and Ben are having a Titanic moment on a boat. Anyone But You is directed and co-written by Will Gluck, who has both Easy A and Friends with Benefits on his resume, then the vastly dissimilar Annie and the two Peter Rabbit movies. On-screen, as well as Sweeney, Powell and a whole lot of Sydney — the city — Alexandra Shipp (Barbie), GaTa (Dave), Dermot Mulroney (Secret Invasion), Bryan Brown (C*A*U*G*H*T) and Rachel Griffiths (Total Control) also feature. Check out the trailer for Anyone But You below: Anyone But You opens in cinemas Down Under on December 26, 2023.
If you, like us, are a big fan of cheese, you'll know the tasty hobby can get a bit pricey. From stocking up on wheels of brie to splashing out on truffled gouda and buying legit parmigiano-reggiano, things start to add up. Luckily, one of Sydney's finest providores is selling some of it cheap — real cheap. Two Providores — known for souring quality ingredients from Australia's best artisan producers — usually supplies top Sydney restaurants, cafes, caterers and retailers. But when many of its usual customers closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, it decided to start selling its wholesale goods to you. One of which is two kilograms of smooth, salty, spreadable cubes of Meredith Dairy goat's cheese, marinated in a blend of olive oil, garlic and herbs. Yep, your wildest cheese dreams just came true. The two-kilogram tubs of the award-winning goat's cheese are going for only $60 a pop. To put that price into perspective, the 550-gram jars at Woolies go for $20 each. Better yet, you can get it delivered straight to your doorstep. The catch? You'll have to spend a minimum of $200, but that should be easy enough once you check out everything else Two Providores has in stock. You can also order it here and pick it up from its Marrickville warehouse the next day. Or take a gamble and head there on Saturday, when it's open to the public. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_wG1MDDvAg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Two Providores is open to the public from 9am–1pm on Saturdays, and is offering next-day pick up and delivery to most suburbs when you order online. It's selling two-kilogram buckets of Meredith Dairy goat's cheese for $60 while stocks last. To order, head here. Updated June 22, 2020.
Whether or not you've ever splashed in its wave-filled waters or taken a selfie around its edge, where the pool borders the ocean — or even if you've simply seen images of it everywhere, including sometimes featuring Margot Robbie in Barbie mode — feeling the urge to plunge into Bondi Icebergs is a side effect of watching Ian Darling's The Pool. The yearning to take a dip in your nearest body of water also strikes. Equally radiating from the screen as the Sydney landmark receives a cinematic tribute: the sensation that just by viewing the latest documentary from the filmmaker behind The Final Quarter and Paul Kelly — Stories of Me, you've enjoyed the next best thing to hopping in. Everyone knows Bondi Icebergs, thanks to about as many photographs as there are grains of sand on Bondi Beach, or perhaps more. It's the most-snapped pool in the world, in fact, The Pool notes. Darling's film explores its allure beyond its scenic aesthetic, even if the movie is stunningly gorgeous to look at (how could it not be?) and perfectly set to a 60s-inspired soundtrack. This is a doco about community, and about why one has formed around the haven of blue at the southern end of Bondi Beach that's been welcoming in swimmers for almost a century. Some come to Icebergs to relax. Others come to train and compete. Some head along with friends and/or family. Others arrive solo, knowing that their fellow swimmers are their friends and family. Some do indeed fill their Instagram feeds with photos, and The Pool sees them. But the film spends its time largely observing the immense cross-section of folks who frequent Bondi Icebergs, from daily devotees to casual weekenders, newcomers to veterans, young to old, and lifeguards and swimming coaches to baristas as well, as they congregate, revel in the spectacular tidal pool's gifts no matter the weather and discover a place to belong in the process. That's how Darling overcame what might've been a challenge for other filmmakers: diving beneath the surface of a place that is so instantly recognisable, and for good reason. It's also how he's made a movie that is meditative to watch, mirroring what many of its interviewees say about the body of water. And, it's why The Pool has been getting the love flowing from audiences around the country — not just in Sydney, where it fittingly world-premiered at the 2024 Sydney Film Festival; which "was actually quite emotional, because three of the key characters had died in only the month or two beforehand, and this was the first time that a lot of the audience had seen them again," Darling tells Concrete Playground; not only among swimmers as well. "We've been doing a lot of the film festivals, and so just meeting people all over — after launching at Sydney Film Festival, we went over to CinefestOZ in Margaret River, and then Byron, Sunshine Coast, Adelaide Film Festival. Then we've been doing a few pre-cinema release screenings up at Noosa when the triathlon was on, and Brisbane and Gold Coast," the director notes when we chat in the lead up to the film's release nationwide. "What I'm especially pleased about is that we weren't sure whether it was such a Sydney-centric film that it wasn't going to speak to other audiences, but it it's been wonderful seeing that there are so many common themes in it that it's speaking to people not only all across Australia, but to swimmers and non-swimmers. Which I was surprised about. Coming out of COVID, people are still hurting and yearning for a community, and really putting a greater value on any community they're a part of. And so it's had a much more emotional response than we than we expected." "I was especially pleased at the screening over at the Orpheum, where a number of people came up — and a couple of ladies who were very emotional said 'we don't swim, but we're part of a book club. And we feel that you've spoken the same language in terms of what we do in our book club. And we value it even more, it's about community and it's about a shared language'," Darling continues. "I was asking them exactly what they mean. She said 'well, we talk about a book and we could see here people were just talking about swimming'. And the penny dropped, and it made me realise that's so much about what we look for in a community — whether it's a film festival where we're all talking the same language, or a book club, or even at a pool. It never ceases to amaze me how long people can talk about swimming. But it is a shared language, and everyone comes from all different walks of life and they have this common link." Where inspiration strikes as a filmmaker, the 'I need to make a movie about this' moment with Bondi Icebergs, his own first experience with the pool, choosing interviewees, finding the doco's ebb and flow, the importance of community, what Bondi Icebergs both says about and means to Sydney: we also spoke with Darling about all of the above. On Darling's First Bondi Icebergs Moment "I came up from Melbourne in the early 90s, and my wife and I were swimming in the middle of winter at the beach, and suddenly realised how many people were swimming — and coming from Melbourne, I'd never swim in winter. And I was thinking 'how long does this happen?'. I saw this building down the end — and I wasn't familiar with the Icebergs. And I always was intrigued by it. I actually thought that it was more of a private club. Actually, for the whole of that decade, I never went to it. When someone told me that it was a public pool in the early 2000s, I remember walking in and it just blew me away. I suddenly actually did feel like I was in a 60s film, and it was one of the most-beautiful places and pools I'd ever swum in. There are so many pools I've swum in and I don't have any recall, but I remember walking in and just feeling like I was in this time warp, and it was a very positive experience." On When the 'I Need to Make a Film About This' Moment Came with The Pool "I think it was post-lockdown, and I think when we have something taken away from us — we're social creatures and we all realised that that we do need a sense of community. Also having come out of The Final Quarter and The Department on child protection, I wanted to give myself permission to actually make a happy film and a feel-good film, and a film where people could just meditate and contemplate their own life. I was sitting down at Icebergs with a friend of mine, Marg Simpson-Lee, who's a swimmer. And I was saying 'I'm really looking for something which is a connected story about a community that is uplifting'. And she said 'well, what about here?'. And so it was right under my nose. The more I thought about it, I thought 'actually, it is going to give me a platform to tell these stories about community and connection'. So it was as simple as that. I wasn't sure what it meant. And it took us a while to get a sense of how to make it and why we, in the end, decided to make the pool the central character, and let all the other characters, almost like 30 sets of arms and legs, give us context of to what was in there. But I think I was ready myself as well — I think we often wear the hair shirt as documentary filmmakers, and I had to give myself permission to say 'actually, it's okay to make a film where we just actually sit back and think and observe and hopefully feel happy at the end of it'. So that was the the intent." On Digging Into What Makes the Most-Photographed Pool in the World Special Beyond Its Aesthetics "It's a good question, because I think with the notion of it being the most-photographed pool in the world, with that comes all the connotations of Instagram and body image, and all of that. And we almost wanted the film to be the antithesis of that. One of the things we weren't sure of was how people would feel when we were down there with cameras, because people are perhaps at their most vulnerable when they're just in their swimmers. And we were very aware and respectful of it. So we had signs up everywhere, and we made sure, our producers went around, that anyone who didn't want to be in the film could come and tell us, and we'd make sure that they weren't and absolutely honour that. On the first morning, about three people came up and I thought 'wow, this is going to be challenging over the course of the year'. And then over the the whole year, I think only one or two other people came up and said that they didn't want to be in it. So we gained the trust, but it also made me realise that the people down there were actually very comfortable in their own skin, and all different body shapes and all different, all different types. I think that is very different from the notion of it being the most-photographed pool in the world. It was a very grounded experience, and the pool jumps out as something very beautiful — but I think whenever we were there on weekends, we'd see people doing selfies and everything, and we wanted to reflect that in the film but also highlight that it wasn't the story we were telling." On the Process of Choosing Interviewees From the Bondi Icebergs Community "On the website, we did 100 full-length interviews — because we never wanted to make the film about the history of the club, but we thought 'well, let's grab a time capsule of history and get the full stories'. And from that, we got a lot of clues. It was almost like an audition. A lot of the characters jumped out, and the stories. We didn't want to make it a character-based film. We said 'let's make the pool the central character, but let's define them by themes'. So what we saw was the characters were around things like friendship and routine — there are a couple of friends that get there at 13 minutes to seven every morning, and that's a very important thing about commitment. And then there are stories around mental health and physical sickness and endurance, and volunteering and perseverance and fear. A number of the characters were fearful of the water and learning to swim. So it was more 'how do we represent all those themes?' rather than characters. And so the two went sort of hand in hand. We had so many people that unfortunately we couldn't fit in, more because they told the same story rather than not having a great story. And I think that was the thing, as I was saying before, very few people didn't want to be in it but we I think we upset a number of people who desperately wanted to be in it but didn't make the final cut." On the Film's Crew Swimming at Bondi Icebergs Themselves for 99 Days of the 100 Day-Shoot "I think it was an important part. So the only day we didn't swim was the one when the huge storms were there. And I think people at the start of any film are wary when these outsiders come in, and we just we started very gently, but right from the start, we got in. And we started in May when the water was getting really cold. I think that helped with the locals, when they saw that we were prepared to get in the cold water and that we actually swam ourselves, and that we could speak the same language. I've never really asked them, but I know we were always observed — and I think just in a quiet sort of way that that enabled us to get even closer to everyone. But also, I thought if we're making a film at a place like this, if we don't actually get in and enjoy ourselves — because when we were at the homeless shelter, that was a three-year film shoot and that was all hours of the night. And when we were there at three o'clock in the morning, I was thinking 'hmm, we're certainly earning our stripes as documentary filmmakers here'. So unashamedly, we thought if we're doing a fun film, let's enjoy it." On Making a Meditative Film to Match the Mindset That Bondi Icebergs Can Inspire "I think we had two intents. One, sometimes we'd jump into a scene of a storm or the word of the coach and everything — it's quite bracing when you jump in the cold water. But also, the meditative nature we thought was really important. I think we've forgotten sometimes just to sit when we're on top of a mountain, just to look out and not look at our phone. And I thought it's really important for us just to have a feeling of what it's like just to sit and look at the waves, and that it's actually okay to sort of — bored is not the word I'd want to use in a film, but it's actually okay to do nothing. So we have an unusually long opening-credit sequence, but we wanted to play the whole of the Cream song 'I Feel Free' and just get people into the rhythm. Sometimes, I certainly know at the theatre when I'm there, sometimes I go 'wow, ten minutes has gone and I haven't been concentrating'. It can take us a while to get into it, so we thought let's just try and set up the rhythm of the film so that audiences give themselves permission just to sit and get into that meditative state. It felt like it was in sync with the intent of when you're swimming, because we wanted to make it immersive. But also I think sometimes it is good to let audiences — and a number of them have said during those meditative sort of scenes, the swimming or a storm or the purple tumble turns scene, that that's where they're actually thinking about their own place in a community. Or they're yearning for it. And so people have been doing a lot of self-reflection during the film as well, and that's really pleasing, because that was the intent as well." On What Darling Learned About the Importance of Community From Making The Pool "I think it really is that sense that we all need to be a part of a community and we all need to find people that share a common language — and, as I say, it means we can talk for hours about swimming or films or whatever. That, as a community, we deeply have this yearning to connect. And when it's taken away from us, we really miss it. If we haven't got it, we're yearning for it. It's such an important part of — at a pool, our physical health, but I think the most important thing is around our mental health. And as time goes on, we've got to ensure that cinemas remain open as a shared experience and that pools remain open. So many pools are closing, and we're going to do a bit of a campaign to try to get every mayor and council to come to watch the film, and actually see the importance that a local pool has on a community. As I say, so much of it is just around that connection, a meeting point, the importance of being with others. And I think that was very much the intent of the film, just to show how we do have to keep working hard at creating these gathering points, because the health of the community is very much dependent on them." On What Bondi Icebergs Means to Sydney — and Says About It "It says 'look at me', which is one of the things that, coming from Melbourne, where there are different seasons and everything, Sydney seems to have one season and it's sort of saying 'look at me' — which can be positive, but also I can be cynical about it. So that's on the surface, but I think it also says 'have a look below the surface and you'll find something that's far more profound and grounded — and if you are looking for a community, you'll find people with a common language there;. At the outset, it's a shining beacon and a tourist destination. The amount of times we've heard people go 'oh, I've had that swim. It's been on my bucket list'. People like to go to Bondi Beach. They'd like to go to the Opera House. In Queensland they love to go to the Gold Coast or the Barrier Reef. As a destination for Australians, but also as tourists, I think it's very much an important part of — unashamedly Australia has a strong beach culture, and I think it reflects that as a piece of beach history." On Where Inspiration Strikes for a Filmmaker with Documentaries About Everything From Bondi Icebergs, Adam Goodes and Paul Kelly to Capitalism and the Welfare of Homeless Youth on His Resume "Because I've had so many films that have fallen over, answering this way, typically the films that have fallen over are ones where I haven't had a strong-enough contact or connection with the subject matter. I'm a pretty slow filmmaker, most of the film shoots have been at least a year, and we take a long time in the edit suite. And I think to go on that long journey, I have to have a real interest in it. So with this one, The Pool, swimming's my main physical activity. I'm not a member of Icebergs, but I like cold-water swimming, so that gave me clues. With Adam Goodes, I'm a huge AFL fan and I go out every week — and we were thinking before he retired, actually, because he was one of my favourite all-time footballers, of making a film on him in his twilight years. So it ended up being a very different one, but having been so aware of it and been in the crowds when he was being booed, and being there when he was celebrated, suddenly he retired and I thought 'wow, are we going to' — I was just confused — 'are we going to let history be rewritten?'. So it took a few years but it just never left me, I think because I'd had such an intimate relationship with watching him as a player. I hadn't met him at all until we spoke about the film, but he was certainly present. [caption id="attachment_715066" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 29th September 2012, The Age Sport, Picture by Wayne Taylor[/caption] And then with Paul Kelly, I grew up in Melbourne — and in the 80s, just the Melbourne band scene was just extraordinary, and Paul Kelly spoke to me like no other sort of musician had. And again, I hadn't met him until we sought his approval, but he was my favourite musician — which can be dangerous, making films about your hero, as such. Then with the homeless, I'd spent a lot of time volunteering at this homeless shelter in Sydney and really got to know a number of the street kids, and just saw that homelessness was totally off the agenda, and felt it was really important to bring it back and try and put it into every home. We got a lot of philanthropic funding to present a report to the government. It's those sort of things, where I've had a connection and felt that I was in a place to be able to tell a story." The Pool opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, November 7, 2024.
You may think you have a good handle on David Attenborough docos by now. He waltzes into an amazing natural landscape, dispels an extraordinary amount of knowledge on Everything in the Entire World, and promptly films something incredibly disgusting or depressingly ruthless. I think we're all still trying to forget that time he narrated hermaphroditic slug sex. Nevertheless, his latest venture is set to blow your mind all over again. Returning to Australia in November, this legendary, knighted filmmaker is filming his latest work in 3D at the Great Barrier Reef. Intended as a three-part series, Attenborough is excited about the possibilities of filming underwater in 3D. "People will think ‘for God’s sake not another program on the Barrier Reef. Haven’t we done enough?’ But underwater is a marvellous subject for 3D, I mean it really is absolutely breathtaking," he told The Herald Sun, sporting his trademark British charm. But honestly, we have no idea why Attenborough feels the need to convince us. While we've felt a little tired with the gimmick of 3D in recent years, this is the type of work the technology was made for. Attenborough won't be diving himself — give him a break, he's 88 years old — but he will be exploring the reef with the help of new underwater equipment that renders an incredibly high resolution. Though nothing has been released about the content of the series, Attenborough will more than likely be covering the political and environmental problems the reef has faced in recent times as well as its friendly fauna. It's a topic that has been in the news once again with #fightforthereef emerging on everyone's Twitter feeds earlier this year. Between global warming, the threat of coal ports in surrounding areas, and questionable preservation practices from the state and federal governments, the World Heritage listed site has faced a lot of problems in recent years. Documentary filming begins in November, but we won't know how far off the actual film is for months yet. Regardless, get ready to be transported directly to the heart of all your underwater Disney dreamlands. This is going to be well worth the IMAX money. Via The Herald Sun. Photo credits: ciamabue, stuandgravy, robdownunder, richard ling, richard ling via photopin cc.
In the space of a mere six months across the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024, Godzilla fans have enjoyed not one, not two, but three opportunities to see the now 70-year-old kaiju trample across the screen. Talk about a new empire. Not all of those projects are officially connected. Not all of them unleashed their giant creature upon cinemas. But just like standing at the foot of the lizard-like behemoth, there's been no avoiding the prehistoric reptile's footprint — in Japan's Godzilla Minus One, the film that finally won the Godzilla franchise an Oscar; in American streaming series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, as led by Kurt and Wyatt Russell playing the same character; and now in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, the latest Monsterverse flick, which its TV predecessor also ties in with. Thinking about anything Godzilla-related seven decades into its life brings up a numbers game, then. The Gold Coast-shot Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is the fifth Monsterverse movie and the seventh entry in the US-made saga that started with 2014's Godzilla. It's the 38th Godzilla film overall. Because King Kong is part of the equation, it's the 13th feature in that franchise, too. In other words, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is a flick with a massive history. Director Adam Wingard, who helmed 2021's Godzilla vs Kong first, knows the weight that such a hefty past brings to his second entry in all of the above sagas. That said, the filmmaker behind A Horrible Way to Die, You're Next and The Guest also knows the possibilities that can spring. One such opportunity: having its two titans join forces, rather than do battle. Godzilla vs Kong wasn't the debut picture to pit Japan's scaly icon and the world's most-famous towering simian against each other — that idea dates back to 1962's King Kong vs Godzilla — and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire isn't the first feature to see how Godzilla can benefit from having friends to fight beside. But Wingard's sophomore Monsterverse film values its titular pairing, which arises to try to save the world from new threats. It also enjoys putting its characters in an action-adventure escapade in Hollow Earth, the titans' home world, as much as being a monster movie. And, it appreciates its human cast, such as the returning Rebecca Hall (Resurrection), Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta) and Kaylee Hottle (Magnum PI), plus Wingard's The Guest lead Dan Stevens (Welcome to Chippendales) joining as a veterinarian equipped to do dentistry on Kong. Each of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire's core quintet came to the movie via different paths, and with an array of backgrounds with the fictional creatures they're now linked with. "The origins of my memories of Godzilla and Kong go back as far as I can remember. I think the Godzilla films and the King Kong movies, specifically the original and the 76 one, they've always existed in my reality as far back as I can remember," Wingard tells Concrete Playground. "Specifically, I think that they were playing on daytime television all the time. That's how I would see movies in general, and that's how I got into them in the first place." In contrast, teenager Hottle, who plays Skull Island orphan Jia, is deaf, and made her acting debut in Godzilla vs Kong, notes that "I had heard of them, but that's about it." She continues: "I didn't know much more about either of them. And once I acted in the movie, I thought it was, of course, strange, but a great experience." [caption id="attachment_948230" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Warner Bros.[/caption] Hall's leap into the Monsterverse as "the Jane Goodall of Kong", aka Dr Ilene Andrews, slots in on her resume alongside the vastly dissimilar Vicky Cristina Barcelona, The Town, Christine and The Night House — and Tales From the Loop on the small screen — among other work, but also after featuring in Iron Man 3. Henry, who steps into the shoes of conspiracy theorist Bernie Hayes, boasts an Emmy nomination for Atlanta, an Oscar nomination for Causeway and a Tony nomination for Lobby Hero. His recent flicks include Bullet Train and Eternals. And Stevens has period drama Downton Abbey, playing the second half of Beauty and the Beast's title, superhero series Legion and giving German-language dramedy I'm Your Man its humanoid robot on his filmography. Ask them about their time with Godzilla and Kong, as we did, and Hall mentions always wanting to be in "big, iconic kind of movies", Henry says it's a "a place to have fun" and Stevens advises that having the part of Trapper written for him was "a huge honour". With Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire releasing in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, March 28, we also chatted with Wingard, Hottle, Hall, Henry and Stevens about the sense of responsibility behind any Godzilla or Kong entry, and the kind of preparation required for a Monsterverse team-up flick — plus ensuring that the movie was grounded in its human characters, subverting stereotypes, working together, the film's buddy scenario between its eponymous critters and more. On Swinging Into Godzilla and Kong's Huge On-Screen History Wingard is no stranger to entering well-traversed realms. Before hopping behind the camera with the Monsterverse, he directed 2016's Blair Witch, the third flick in the big-screen horror series that began with the low-budget sensation of 1999. Then, in 2017, he gave Japanese manga Death Note an American live-action adaptation. Still, there's no denying that making a Godzilla and Kong movie, and therefore working with characters that date back seven and nine decades, involves a feeling of duty. "It absolutely does," says the director. "And it's such an honour to be able to carry on their legacy, because they've been around since the beginning of special effects in cinema, to a certain degree. The original Kong was so groundbreaking in terms of its approach to stop-motion at the time." "So I don't take that lightly. And what's cool about Godzilla and Kong, those characters, is that there's been so many iterations over the years, and so many tonal takes and stylisations. Even Godzilla as a character, he's existed as a good guy, a bad guy, a metaphor, a character, all these kind of things and everything in-between, and sometimes multiple things at once. So there's a lot to take in, but there's still somehow so many new possibilities of how you can explore them," Wingard continues. "That's why it was so exciting for me to take on this film. Even though I've even made a Godzilla vs Kong movie myself, I still felt like there was still plenty of untapped potential and ways to utilise these characters to innovate the way movies are made. And to be able to lean into a film that has so many long sequences of nonverbal visual storytelling is something you really couldn't do in any other subgenre than this." On Becoming the Heart of a Coming-of-Age Story Within the Monsterverse In Godzilla vs Kong, Hottle's Jia was in as unique a situation as anyone can be in the Monsterverse: as the last surviving member of the Iwi, the tribe that resided on Skull Island, the adopted daughter of Dr Andrews had a bond with Kong like no one else. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire continues that thread as Jia endeavours to fit in in her new life, and also when she's drawn into Hollow Earth to assist with the ultimate animal pal. "I think that her journey is very tough, but it's a great journey for her," Hottle reflects about Jia's coming-of-age narrative in the new movie. "She grows up, she's older, and she's figuring out how to belong somewhere that she wants to belong — and she's going to get there in the end of her journey." As for what she hopes comes next for Jia, "I think I can see her helping others," Hottle explains. Preparing for her role simply requires "trying to understand the storyline of who Jia is, and what she wants to be as well. So I try to think of that when I'm portraying her character," Hottle also notes. But it's equally crucial that the film is grounded in its humans, especially Jia. "If you watch the whole monster movie, of course that's what we want. But the additive of the human factor, making those connections, and Jia's experience in her journey, that adds more to the movie. It's a great connection to show in this kind of movie," Hottle advises. Ask Hottle what gets her excited about being part of the Monsterverse — and such a pivotal part, too — and she's clear: "my character just being portrayed in a movie — and figuring out who I get to act as, and what I get to act as, as well". On Challenging Damsel-in-Distress Stereotypes in Monster Movies — and Having Fun If you're wondering why Hall initially took on the role of Dr Andrews, "the first time, it was unlike anything I'd done. Also, Adam Wingard pitched it to me as 'the Jane Goodall of Kong', which I thought was such an interesting pitch," she shares. Henry jokes that "he pitched it to me that way too, to get me to come back here" — which is exactly the banter you'd expect about a movie that its three biggest on-screen names, Stevens among them, all describe as plenty of fun. "I wouldn't say that I wasn't a kid that dreamed of being in a Kong or Godzilla movie, but I was a kid that dreamed of being in movie movies — like real popcorn, like entertaining, like big, iconic kind of movies. And this is that opportunity," Hall furthers. "There is so much fun to be had in that." "I am a cinephile sort of snob in many ways, but my snobbery includes good popcorn movies. There are some good, good movies. A good movie is a good movie, is what I'm saying." "So it's everything to me. Plus, there's a history of women in Kong movies that puts them in the damsel-in-distress place, and they're very rarely in positions of authority or capability, or able to call the shots or have any autonomy on some level. And I think that that has been changing over the last few years in this iteration of the Monsterverse. And I think Andrews is a really big step in that direction. In this movie especially, she's really the boss, and that was fun." On Being Able to Further Flesh Out Characters the Second Time Around Henry doesn't just jest about why he joined the Monsterverse. He starts digging into how he prepared for playing Bernie by answering that "channeling my inner neuroses was really fun — to have an outlet to just let it all out, to be able to scream as often as possible, to cry. Oh, were you talking about this movie?". Bernie might be one of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire's sources of comic relief, but he's still a character that's taken seriously, including by Henry. "I signed on to champion Bernie because I really love Bernie. I love everything about him. I love that he was looked at as a crackpot. I love that he has always been right about his theories. I also love that he found a team," he advises. "He was kind of out there on his own. No one really received him in any kind of way. And Rebecca's character, Dr Andrews, really coming to me and being like 'hey, you are valuable; hey, we actually could use you' was really exciting. And really getting a chance to go in and show all of who Bernie can be: that he had dreams of being a documentarian, that he had these wishes to see Hollow Earth. And then watching him immediately regret it the minute that he gets down there. To me it was like 'aaaah, I get this guy very much'." "So, he was a place to have fun. I got to wear leather. Like, that was truly all I really wanted. I was like 'can we put Bernie in leather?'. And Adam was willing to go along with my ride as well," Henry says. Pointing to Hall and Stevens, he also notes that "to be able to play with them" was among the appeal of returning to the character. "To be completely honest, to be able to play with them, to see that Bernie found a tribe and to find a family — it was a no-brainer to come back." On Leaping From Indie Thrillers to Monster Movies with the Same Director When Stevens starred in The Guest for Wingard in 2014, he'd already amassed a decade of on-screen credits. Downton Abbey had come calling by then as well. But the indie thriller was a breakout performance. At the time, reteaming with his director on a movie about Godzilla and Kong wasn't something he could've conceived would arrive ten years later, however. "I could definitely see Adam going on to direct big movies like this. He's steeped in fandom. He's a guy who worked in the video store throughout his adolescence and watched every single movie in that store. He just knows this world so well and is able to transmit that to fans, transmit that enthusiasm through the screen," Stevens says. "I never dreamed that I would be teaming up with him on this. I loved the job he did on the last movie with these two [Hall and Henry], and I just enjoyed that as a fan. So I was giddy when he asked me to join it, really." "And the fact that they wrote Trapper with me in mind was a huge honour — it made it very, very attractive. But also Trapper is a great character to join this world with. And it really embodies the spirit of fun, I think, that Adam brings to these kind of movies, and enables us to just go on a really wild ride with this one." On Letting Godzilla and King Kong Team Up, Rather Than Battle Each Other Hottle, Hall, Henry and Stevens' on-screen alter egos are Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire's human heroes. Their monster equivalents: both Godzilla and Kong. Neither were born into pop culture as villains. Watching them fight it out, including in Godzilla vs Kong, has always felt manufactured. Here, thankfully, they have other foes to deal with — primarily the Skar King, the orangutan-esque enemy that's been throwing his weight around Hollow Earth — in their roles of protectors of humanity and the natural world. Not just because he helmed Godzilla vs Kong, Wingard understands the appeal of having Godzilla and Kong face off. "I can remember as far back as being in maybe first or second grade and having arguments on the playground about who would win a fight, Godzilla or King Kong. That's just how iconic they are, that kids all know and love them," he notes. But with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, he also appreciates that getting Godzilla and King Kong teaming up is a dream scenario. "As a filmmaker, it's just the ultimate stomping ground of being able to play with toys on a creative level. And we're always finding new, interesting ways to explore their realities. These are 300-foot-tall characters, and so it's always fun to try to find things that you can juxtapose onto them that are relatable," he shares. "So, for instance, we have one scene in this film where Kong has some dental work done, and that was something that I was really pushing for right out the gate — because I've also had a lot of dental work done over the years, and had some pretty traumatic experiences. So in a way, I had to work in my own catharsis through Kong's experience of dental work in this movie. But that's just an example of how you're always trying to find relatable ways to re-experience the monsters." Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire opened in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Read our review. Images: courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.
Ignite your imagination at IAC 2025 Space Day as LEGO PLAY transforms Darling Harbour into a free intergalactic wonderland on Friday, October 3. Inspiring adults and kids alike to look to the stars and beyond, expect a free, family-friendly festival of space exploration and curiosity. Equipped with myriad building blocks alongside curious characters, ranging from spacewalking astronauts to shape-shifting mutants, guests can spend the day building rovers, shuttles and space stations primed to take a minifig on an interplanetary adventure. Meanwhile, the program is jam-packed with fascinating encounters. Moonwalk into Martin Place to snap a selfie with a 10-metre-tall inflatable astronaut, then take remote control of Roo-Ver — an Aussie-built rover destined for the lunar surface as part of NASA's Artemis campaign. There's also the chance to meet and greet astronauts, including Australia's first female astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, alongside a host of other international space leaders. With loads more to explore, IAC 2025 Space Day is ripe for all things celestial fun.
We are all well acquainted with the fascinating leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. Shrouded in mystery, marvelously eccentric and either architecturally amazing or atrocious, leaning towers and buildings are simply fascinating structures, which arouse our amazement and curiosity. However, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is far from being the only leaning tower in the world; in fact, it doesn't even top the list for being the oldest, tallest or having the greatest lean. Here are ten of the most stunning, mystifying leaning buildings from around the world that will be sure to make you look at buildings from a new angle. Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi Granted the title of the world's furthest leaning man-made tower, the recently built Capital Gate in Abu Dhabi boasts of a whopping 35 stories, all leaning at an impressive 18-degree slant. This structural wonder is a 520-foot sleek and futuristic design which requires 49 piles drilled 100 feet into the Earth to maintain its integrity. Qianwei Leaning Tower, China In Huludao City in China's Liaoning Province lies the world's first leaning tower. Aside from it's rich historical background, the Qianwei leaning tower is believed by many to also have the largest lean in the world, yet it is not recognized by Guinness World Records. Leaning Tower of Barceloneta, Spain Situated on Barceloneta Beach in Spain, this iconic tower features four cubes stacked precariously on top of each other at varying angles. Scores of tourists and visitors flock to this beautiful part of the country, not only for the sun and sand, but also to take in the view of this unorthodox building. Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan, Malaysia The Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan, formerly known as just the water tower, is one of the major attractions of this small Malaysian town. Shortly after the construction of the tower the building began to tilt due to the stream of water running through the ground below, which made the foundation soil weak. Neuer Zollhof, Germany Part of the redeveloped port in Dusseldorf, this unconventional building was created by renowned architect Frank Gehry. The three buildings curve and lean in varying directions and are made of different cladding, whether that be white plaster, red brick or reflective stainless steel. Leaning Temple of Huma, India The only leaning temple in the world, the Temple of Huma was built in 1670 on the banks of the Mahanadi at an angle of 17 degrees, and is dedicated to the Lord Shiva. It is said that the construction of the temple came about due to enquiries made because of a milkman's daily ritual of crossing the Mahanadi and offering his milk to the rock which cropped out on the bank, and the rock would miraculously consume the milk each time. Tilting Hypo Alpe-Adria Bank, Italy This eco-friendly building is an architectural feat in its own right as, rather than using shading devices to protect the south-facing walls, the solar passive design instead uses its own floors with the 14 degree tilt. The office also features a myriad of sustainable building strategies to provide comfort and save energy. Leaning Tower of Nevyansk, Russia The mysteries surrounding this Russian tower work to make this ethereal building all the more stunning. No-one knows exactly what the tower/prison/science lab for secret experiments is actually for, when in the 18th century it was constructed, by whom, or the origins of its tilt. Although there are bizarre speculations including crying walls or throwing architects off the balcony, this one is better shrouded in mystery. Gate of Europe, Madrid The twin towers that make up the Gate of Europe are named as such for good reason. These foreboding structures, known as Puerta de Europa, lay at the top of a stone staircase and appear to barricade the city of Madrid. The 114m towers have 26 floors of office space and have fittingly appeared in a number of movies, such as The Day of the Beast. Leaning Tower of Suurhusen, Germany Before the Capital Gate was built in Abu Dhabi, this medieval steeple held the title of the most tilted tower in the world. Located in a village in North Western Germany, the 14th century church was built with oak tree trunk foundations, which rotted in the surrounding marshy land.
The murky world of web analytics is usually left to advertising types and businesses who want to know about you so they can sell stuff to you. But the newly launched browser extension and website, Voyurl, aims to enhance your browsing experience through infographics that break down your web habits with real-time recommendations. Founder Adam Leibsohn was one of these advertising types. Having had a successful career in advertising as Group Director of Digital Strategy at a NYC advertising agency, Anomaly, Leibsohn has channelled his expertise in consumer behaviour and developed Voyurl, or what he calls the "anti-social social network." He says while social networking sites bring your social circle to the fore, Voyurl is more concerned with how you browse the web. At this month's NY Tech Meetup, Leibsohn was applauded by the audience when he said: "unlike a lot of services, we [Voyurl] actually don't want you to authorise Facebook or Twitter." Instead, what Voyurl does is collect your browsing information and present it in a series of infographics that lets you see trends, recommendations and comparisons seamlessly. There is an option to share your information through social networking of course, but the focus remains on your browsing habits. A feature that lives up to Leibsohn's claim that the browser extention is the "anti-social social network" is the "anti-me" button that presents information based on your anti-self (in case you were curious about what sort of websites your anti-self would be looking at). Concrete Playground got in touch with Adam Leibsohn in New York and asked about the gap Voyurl fills in the user browsing experience and, yes, the usually murky world of web analytics. What did you have in mind when you thought of the concept for voyurl? So, for a long while, I worked as a digital strategist at an ad agency in New York. After being introduced to countless marketing technology firms and data auctioneers that use an ethical gray area to peddle in user data, I thought it was time for a platform that was open about its data use and put the user first. With that in mind, we sought out to build Voyurl. We want to disrupt the behavioural data marketplace that occurs without most peoples' awareness by putting the control of this behavioral data back into the hands of those who generate it: all of us who use the web. We want empower people through their data. So, we've begun to build a platform that puts all this data to work for anyone who generates it. The best part is that you don't have to do a thing. You just browse the web like you already do; and, we'll do the rest. How does it work? We analyse behaviour, not identity. So we try our best to determine where on the web your behaviour indicates positive preference. Then, we find other people who have behaved like you. And then, we figure out what stuff those folks have looked at and liked that you haven't seen yet... and we recommend those things to you. And since your browsing behaviour powers our content recommendation engine, we'll never recommend something to you if you've clicked on it before... ever. This way every recommendation we make to you is guaranteed to be genuinely new, each and every time. How will this benefit businesses? For us, this is mainly about how it can benefit our members. If our members are empowered through their data, then maybe businesses will be encouraged to figure out a better way to interact with them to get data they need. So really, we're trying to create a dynamic that fosters a positive experience through data for everyone. If both consumers and businesses can get what they want by leveraging data, we think we're taking a step in the right direction. What feedback have you gotten so far? The feedback has been incredible. People are really enjoying the data, the trends, the content recommendation, and the comparisons and fun features we offer. For instance, we allow users to invert our recommendations so that they can get content fed to them that's 180º away from who they are. It's our little way of allowing you to take yourself out of the filter bubble. Folks have been really great with feedback and input. They're already looking for some fun new features to help make things more social. If you want to try Voyurl for yourself, can can access the private beta via invitation at www.voyurl.com/concreteplayground
With the 2014 FIFA World Cup seriously almost upon us, it's time to start your carb loading, vuvuzela blowing and early morning venue planning. Despite the Brazil-based, productivity-dooming early starts for all matches, a number of Sydney venues are finding ways to work with the lockout and open their doors to football-mad patrons, offering up some World Cup specials and screenings to give you the best seats in the house over the next few crazy, crazy weeks. THE ENMORE THEATRE Having proven itself one of the best places to watch the 2010 World Cup, the Enmore Theatre will again be live broadcasting all games involving both the Greek and Australian teams. Boasting a giant 9x6m screen, enormous sound system, warm theatre seating, bar, cafe and — most importantly — wildly passionate fans surrounding you, spots will be sure to sell out quickly. Cost: $15 + booking fee (02 9550 3666) Location: 118-132 Enmore Road, Newtown Website: www.enmoretheatre.com.au/events/2014/06/14/fifa-world-cup-australia-vs-chile THE ROSE One of Sydney's go-to pubs for The World Game, The Rose has proved a solid World Cup venue over the last few instalments. With its openair beer garden and last year's renovated upstairs area perfect for early morning ventures, Chippendale's beloved Rose is a solid pub option if you're after the buzzy vibe without the supercrowds. They’re screening games every morning from the wee hours both inside and out, with bacon and egg rolls ($7), brekkie pizzas ($15), bacon, feta and tomato croissants ($8) and eggs benedict ($16) strolling on out out of the kitchen. The legends are even putting on coffee for all morning games, and giving out wifi codes so you can bring your laptop and work/play multitask. Nice. Cost: Free Location: 52-54 Cleveland St, Chippendale Website: www.therosehotel.com.au WORLD SQUARE Boasting another giant screen and an enormous warmed-up marquee, World Square will be broadcasting the games live, beginning with Brazil vs Croatia from 5:30am on 13 June. Grill'd, Sourdough, Primavera and Gloria Jeans will be open to keep you appropriately nourished, penalty shootout competitions will be on to keep you appropriately entertained and Brazilian dancers will be on hand to keep you appropriately questioning your ability to dance. Repeats of the games will also be run throughout the day in case the dawn starts are as unappealing as your samba. Cost: Free Location: 680 George St, Sydney Website: www.worldsquare.com.au/news_events.asp VIC ON THE PARK Enmore/Marrickville's favourite finger-on-the-pulse pub Vic on the Park are hosting a World Cup brekky on Saturday, June 14, screening the Socceroos vs Chile game in all its false hope glory in the front bar. Opening at 7:30am for an 8am kick off, the kitchen will be cranking out epic bacon and egg rolls ($10), while the always legendary bar staff whip up freshly squeezed voddy OJs ($8) and Bloody Marys by the glass or by the jug ($10/$25). Then they’ll rinse and repeat the brekky goodness for the England vs Italy game the next morning on Sunday, June 15. Cost: Free Location: 2 Addison Road, Marrickville WEBSITE: www.facebook.com/thevicenmore THE LIGHT BRIGADE This World Cup, the Light Brigade in Woollahra isn't taking any chances with its reputation as being the sport-watching pub of the Eastern Suburbs. It's pulling out all stops — extending trading hours through the night and early morning, playing live games through the night (plus replays during the day for those not-so-diehards who value their sleep), and serving up a night menu, hot breakfast and coffee to keep you fuelled no matter what strange hour of the day or night you find yourself there. Expect to see all Australian games, all major group games and selected finals, and expect to see them on a pretty impressive 103" plasma screen. Cost: Free Location: 2A Oxford St, Woollahra (02) 9357 0888 Website: www.lightbrigade.com.au/article/2014-fifa-world-cup MLC CENTRE If you fancy yourself fairly adroit with a foosball table, and need a break from watching actual games (we won't tell anyone), head to the MLC Centre when the rest of the world heads to bed to prove your mad skills on the small field. From June 12 to July 13 there'll be two foosball tables set up in the centre of the birdcage, ready for you to battle it out for your own World Cup glory. There are no prizes here, save bragging rights. That, and the knowledge that you're pretty awesome. Cost: Free Location: 19 Martin Place, Sydney Website: www.mlccentre.com.au BRAZA CHURRASCARIA If you can't make it to Brazil, the next best thing is a straight up authentic Brazilian restaurant — and Braza Churrascaria is the place you're looking for. It'll be screening all the Brazilian and Australian group matches, as well as the Round of 16, Quarters, Semis and the Final. Put another way, they'll be screening a lot of Brazil's matches and three with Australia. They'll also be serving up a massive Brazilian breakfast complete with sausage and rump cap skewers, stuffed cheese bread, Brazilian tortilla and polenta chips. Cost: $24 big breakfast Location: 1/25 Harbour St, Darling Harbour (02) 9286 3733 Website: www.braza.com.au/ NEWMARKET HOTEL Having just installed a two-storey bigscreen in the beer garden, the Newmarket brings the large-scale CBD buzz to your Mascot local. Kicking off at 6:30am for Brazil vs Croatia on Friday, June 13, the Newmarket has been know to put everything on hold for a sporting event — rugby, SuperBowl, league; you name it, the Newmarket's yelled at it. Solid pub food, local brews, enraged locals — sounds like a World Cup go-to to us. Cost: Free Location: Cnr Gardeners Rd and Botany Rd, Mascot Website: www.newmarkethotel.com.au HOYTS If sport really is the last truly unscripted drama, then Hoyts is the pefect place to catch every FIFA 2014 blockbuster. Throughout the entire tournament, selected cinemas will be offering up not only their cinematically enormous screens, surround sound systems and candy bar treats, but also a hot breakfast package included with your ticket. Forget biting your nails and instead sink your teeth into a hot toastie (bacon and egg or ham and cheese), then wash it all down with some OJ as you cheer on your team through the big climax and into the closing credits. Cost: Group matches - $22 per person, Round of 16/Quarter Finals/Semi-Finals - $27 per person, Final - $32 per person (all matches include a $1.10 online booking fee / discounts available for group bookings over 20 people). Location: Selected cinemas Website: www.hoyts.com.au/movies/hoyts_plus/2014_fifa_world_cup.aspx THE STAR From 13 June to 14 July, The Star will be offering two huge venues in which to catch all the games live. Sports Bar will feature all 64 games, along with pre-game entertainment and loads of food and drinks; whilst The Star Event Centre will be transformed into the ultimate fan experience - the 'Hyundai Fan Park' - boasting cutting edge audio visual technology, live entertainment and food offers. And if you don't like Australia's chances in the World Cup, remember: they are still better odds than winning just about anything in The Star. Cost: Free Location: Casino (Level 1): 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont Website: www.star.com.au/whats-on-sydney/Pages/brazil.aspx HOME Let's not kid ourselves — getting out of bed is hard enough at the best of times, and 2:30am in winter is far from the best. The solution? Stay in bed. One of the more amusing characteristics of the past two World Cups since Australia has been involved is the sound of households around your neighbourhood cheering in unison through all hours of the morning (amusing, so long as you're also awake). For those who favour the comfort of your own fridge and couch groove over the roaring shared experience, SBS will be screening every game live, with kickoff times handily calculated by any number of websites, like Fox Sports' comprehensive FIFA breakdown. And remember, if you're calling in sick to work, lie down on your back while spinning flu-ridden lies; it restricts airflow and enhances the effect. Or buy the sick notes in advance. Cost: Free (plus ample Cheezel, beer and questionable-but-barbequable meat budget) Location: Your joint, strewn with television-thrown socks, pencils and other non-commital screenward torpedoes Website: www.facebook.com/dontfuckwithmywallchart Words by Tom Glasson, Jessica Surman and Shannon Connellan.
The Apple iPod has been nipped and tucked since its original version to become the compact, nearly paper-thin music-playing masterpiece that it is today. We now have room for thousands of songs and videos on a piece of metal that's smaller than a playing card and lighter than a feather. Just when we thought there was no more improving the little guys, technology went ahead and proved us wrong. Scientists from Georgia University of Technology, lead by Dr. Zhong Lin Wang, are in the experimental stages of developing nanotechnology that will create self-generated energy that could power portable devices like iPods. In presenting their findings to the American Chemical Society, Dr. Wang explained that the devices would have a microchip made of zinc oxide nanowires (500 of them could fit on a human hair) that generate energy at any body movement, even just the beat of a heart. So far the human-powered technology has been used to power LCD screens and store radio signals. These advances may seem small, but Dr. Wang believes that the team's development of the microchip is a significant milestone in the creation of power that isn't battery-operated or plugged into an electrical outlet. "Their potential is only limited by one's imagination," he said. We're certainly looking forward to listening to beats powered by heartbeats. [via The Telegraph]
Melbourne Cup Day is fast approaching. And while Tuesday, November 5, may not be a state-wide holiday like it is down in Victoria, it's still a traditional 'clock off early' type of day in Sydney. Don't panic if your work is dragging its feet and hasn't booked anything celebratory for the day just yet. Luckily, there are still plenty of spots around town (and close to the CBD offices) you can book into. Our local hospitality legends know what's needed to celebrate the day in style, and there are plenty of venues offering parties with all the bases covered. To help you get things sorted we've put together a list of killer parties going down around town, from a King Street Wharf hot spot to a hidden CBD rooftop bar and a lavish seafood feast in Manly. So get onto your boss, grab your workmates and make something happen already.
Serious food lovers are spoiled for choice in Sydney, but sometimes it's hard to see the wood for the trees with so many great options on the table. There's also the problem of everybody else knowing about them, too, which means looking down the barrel of hour-long (or more) waits to get a seat. And then there's the hole in your wallet some of the city's top bites will burn. Don't despair though, as there are plenty of 'secret' eating spots for those in the know. We've tracked down five of our favourites that are guaranteed to impress — especially any new mates visiting the harbour city for the weekend. These eateries still might be busy and buzzing (it's a big city after all) but each has retained an element of the underground and a focus on innovative, creative deliciousness. And the best part is that none will break the bank.
Girls to the front — Bikini Kill are coming to Australia. The iconic Kathleen Hanna-fronted, Washington-formed band instigated the riot grrrl movement, and will perform their first Aussie shows in more than 25 years on a seven-date 2023 tour. On top of appearances at Mona Foma, Golden Plains and Perth Festival, the trailblazing trio of Hanna, Kathi Wilcox and Tobi Vail are doing a series of headline shows, including appearing in Sydney in March. In the Harbour City, Bikini Kill are headed to the Sydney Opera House on Monday, March 13 — and in good news for the next generation of rebel grrrls and underage rockers, it's an all-ages affair. [caption id="attachment_875442" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Debi Del Grande[/caption] In preparation, either watching or rewatching the exceptional documentary The Punk Singer, about Hanna, should be on your must-do list right now. Fun fact: when Hanna spray-painted "Kurt smells like Teen Spirit" across her pal Mr Cobain's wall, the name of a certain grunge anthem was born. In Sydney, Bikini Kill are also appearing at the Sydney Opera House's All About Women conference on Sunday, March 12 — which you can either head to in-person or livestream from home. Top image: Debi Del Grande.
Young Henrys' female brewers are in the spotlight this month as the Newtown brewery launches its newest beer. Free the NEIPA has been created by brewers Carla Daunton and Michelle Hanrahan — with the help of all the women at the brewery — and has launched just in time for International Women's Day, of course. The small-batch brew will be released on Friday, March 6 in venues and bottle shops all across Australia. In the spirit of IWD, ten percent of profits will be donated to Two Good Co — a Newtown charity that helps victims of domestic violence and homelessness through its buy-one, give-one lunch delivery model. Free the NEIPA has been created as part of the brewery's limited release B-Side Series. It's a hazy New England IPA that uses tropical hops and boasts notes of bergamot orange and other citrus, resulting in a juicy, yet sessionable, IPA. Other B-Side Series brews have included the coral sour, tiramisu white stout, and rum and raisin ale. Be quick if you want to get your hands on this brew — and do some good with your beer bucks — because it won't last long. You can Free the NEIPA at Young Henrys' Newtown brewery, at bars like The Unicorn Hotel and Mary's Newtown, or at bottle shops around town. [caption id="attachment_763908" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michelle Hanrahan and Carla Daunton[/caption] Free the NEIPA is now available at bars and bottles shops across Sydney.
Winter is well and truly upon us. Everywhere you look, Sydneysiders are decked in their downiest puffer jackets and thickest tracksuits. But don't let the oh-so-chilly air stop you, because the city is still in full swing. Winter is a season of warmth, driven by delicious roasts and hot drinks, and you don't need to rug up at home to enjoy that side of the season. Step into the warm sunlight and get ready to browse, because busy markets are popping up across Sydney to fill baskets and bags with all the fresh produce, tasty treats and homemade gifts you'd ever need. Start by pencilling in a visit to the Cronulla Winter Market. This 100-plus stall event is returning to its annual home of Don Lucas Reserve on Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30, from 10am to 3pm. Here, you can get your hands on anything, from swimwear to ceramics. To keep your shopping energy up, fill your stomach with street food, baked goods, healthy choices and everything in between. If time gets the better of you, or if you're looking to get some serious shopping done, make plans for The Ultimate Winter Market EQ. This is being held on Sunday, August 6, from 10am to 3pm, under the Entertainment Quarter's Market Canopy. This is another 100-plus stall market, but it's in the heart of the bustling Entertainment Quarter, so expect live music and entertainment for all ages alongside the goods and food available. You're also within range of the local entertainment venues and can take advantage of two hours of free parking at the Entertainment Quarter. The Cronulla Winter Markets are running on Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30, from 10am to 3pm at Don Lucas Reserve. The Ultimate Winter Market EQ runs on Sunday, August 6 from 10am to 3pm at the Entertainment Quarter. For more information on either, visit the Cambridge Markets website.
There are so many incredible vistas to enjoy throughout the Northern Rivers region, but you don't have to bust a gut to experience some of the best. The easygoing North Head walking track, located on the edge of town in the Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve, is a 30-minute trail guiding you through the coastal rainforest. As you break through the canopy and look down upon the Brunswick River, you'll find several spots perfect for unfurling a picnic rug and basket. Once you're back on your feet, the trail leads you through fascinating wildlife habitats and eventually out to the ocean beach. Head to the website for visitor info. Image: Elliot Kramer
Elton John summed it up perfectly: when Marilyn Monroe died in 1962, her candle burned out long before her legend ever would. Six decades since her passing, the actor remains a Hollywood icon. Like Elvis, she may as well be mononymic. Her face is instantly recognisable, and still everywhere. Ana de Armas just received an Oscar nomination for playing her, after Michelle Williams earned one back in 2012 for also stepping into her shoes. And, the Some Like It Hot, Gentleman Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire star is also the subject of a sizeable exhibition heading to Australia for the first time: Marilyn: The Woman Behind the Icon. This Marilyn celebration will make its Aussie premiere at Sydney Town Hall, in the Lower Town Hall, from Saturday, July 1–Sunday, September 24. On display: more than 200 artefacts spanning Monroe's life, including handwritten notes, personal letters and other possessions. [caption id="attachment_905883" align="alignnone" width="1920"] New York Sunday News via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] This is the largest Marilyn collection of its kind. Indeed, the objects set to grace the showcase stem from Ted Stampfer, owner the world's largest range of Marilyn items. With Marilyn: The Woman Behind the Icon, he's aiming to share insights into Monroe as a person, not just a celebrity — spanning her time in the spotlight, of course, but also back when she was Norma Jeane Mortenson. Stampfer will be on hand on opening day providing a curator's tour, as part of an events program accompanying the three-month memorabilia exhibition. Friday-night sessions will feature music and entertainment, and film screenings will also be part of the lineup, letting attendees experience Marilyn's movie magic for themselves. [caption id="attachment_905881" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joseph Jasgur, Ted Stampfer[/caption] As it celebrates the woman who scaled the heights of fame, became a household name, but received horrific scrutiny for her sex-symbol status and her love life — focusing on her hard work, not the stories spun about her — this'll be the only time that Marilyn: The Woman Behind the Icon will open to the public in this form. "With rare insights and exclusive access to Marilyn's personal belongings, this exhibition offers a unique glimpse into the private world of this cultural icon," said Stampfer. "From humble beginnings to Hollywood stardom, Marilyn Monroe remains an enduring cultural icon, whose life continues to fascinate and intrigue us to this day." [caption id="attachment_905878" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ted Stampfer[/caption] Marilyn: The Woman Behind the Icon will display at Lower Town Hall, Sydney Town Hall, 483 George Street, Sydney, from Saturday, July 1–Sunday, September 24 — head to the exhibition website for further details.
Some shows should always be on TV, and The X-Files is one of them. Across nine initial seasons between 1993–2002, an additional two seasons that aired in 2016 and 2018, and two big-screen movies as well, this sci-fi favourite investigated all manner of weird and wonderful cases — usually with FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny, You People) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson, Sex Education) doing the sleuthing. Anything could happen in The X-Files. Almost everything did, in fact. If it involved the paranormal, supernatural and conspiracies, spanning aliens, psychic abilities, sewer-dwelling man-worm creatures, teenagers who could channel lightning and more, it helped make the series a smash while it was airing, and also a science-fiction classic ever since — as well as a show that might just be making another comeback. Fittingly, there's almost always a rumour about The X-Files popping up again. A few years back, an animated series was floated, going the comedic route to cover investigations considered too ridiculous for Mulder and Scully. Now, the word is that a new live-action TV show could be on its way from filmmaker Ryan Coogler, who has Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever on his resume. The Hollywood Reporter and Variety report that the aim is to reboot the series with a diverse cast. The news came from The X-Files' creator Chris Carter during a radio interview to celebrate 30 years since the show launched, made Duchovny and Anderson into huge stars, and had plenty of folks wanting to be FBI Agents just like Mulder and Scully, There's no word on when The X-Files latest go-around will reach screens, who'll star, if Anderson nor Duchovny will be involved in any way, or any other specifics. If the truth is out there on this, all hasn't been revealed as yet. The X-Files does like to keep on keeping on, though, including the OG show itself's hefty run, its big-screen adventures, the revival, and two spinoffs: 1996–9's Lance Henriksen-starring Millennium, which was set in the same universe; and 2001's The Lone Gunmen, about the three conspiracy-obsessed characters initially seen helping Mulder and Scully. The X-Files' existing 11 seasons are currently available to stream via Disney+ and SBS On Demand. We'll update you with news regarding the reboot if and when more details are announced. Via The Hollywood Reporter / Variety.
Extinction isn't permanent, apparently. Sydney's Night at the Museum-like party, Jurassic Lounge is being resurrected for a one-off event to celebrate Dia de los Muertos — the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead. Returning to the Australian Museum in collaboration with the new Aztecs exhibition, The Festivalists' beloved after-hours event will once again take over the entire museum on Saturday, November 1. Hinged around the epic Aztecs exhibition, the return of Jurassic Lounge ties Halloween-like Dia de los Muertos celebrations to their historic roots. "Day of the Dead celebrations date back to an Aztec festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl," explains programming consultant Lupita Feint. "The festival traditionally gathers family and friends to remember those who have died and unfolds as a costumed fiesta. It has now spread around the world as a colourful cultural celebration." Scattered throughout the shadowy rooms of the museum you'll find Lady of the Dead performances by Pickled Tink and 2014 Miss Burlesque NSW winner Memphis Mae and an exhibition from Mexican photographer Roberto Duran. Mexican artist Sergio Plata is crowdsourcing a traditional ofrenda — a collection of objects placed on a ritual altar for the Day of the Dead — while you can make chocolate skulls and get your Dia de los Muertos facepaint in the arts and craft market. Jurassic Lounge favourites like Silent Disco and Date Roulette will return, alongside papel picado and piñata workshops and a Mexican dance-off — fuelled by the delights from the Mexican cantina. The one-night-only ressurection of Jurassic Lounge is most excellent news from The Festivalists, the Sydney-based, non-profit company who just opened their brand new after-hours night, Hijinks, at Sydney Aquarium. In true Festivalists style, there's sure to be plenty of happenings and Easter Eggs planned for the night. "Jurassic Lounge is back by popular demand for one night only,” says programmer Karina Libbey. "We’re putting together a huge line-up, inviting local artists and audiences to seek inspiration in Mexican culture for what should be a spectacular celebration. Expect lots of surprises on the night!"
In the realm of franchise filmmaking, "to infinity and beyond" isn't just a catchphrase exclaimed by an animated plaything — it's how far and long Hollywood hopes every hit big-screen saga will extend. With that in mind, has a Pixar movie ever felt as inevitable as Lightyear? Given the main Toy Story plot wrapped up in 2019's Toy Story 4, and did so charmingly, keeping this series going by jumping backwards was always bound to happen. So it is that space ranger figurine Buzz Lightyear gets an origin story. That said, the trinket's history is covered immediately and quickly in this film's opening splash of text on-screen. Back in the OG Toy Story, Andy was excited to receive a new Buzz Lightyear action figure because — as this feature tells us — he'd just seen and loved a sci-fi movie featuring fictional character Buzz Lightyear. In this franchise's world, Lightyear is that picture. It's hard not to see Lightyear as a new cash cow — the Toy Story series' cash calf, perhaps. It's also difficult not to notice that the Disney-owned Pixar has made a movie that renders a famed character a piece of film-promoting merchandise, all while also releasing a new range of Lightyear-promoting merch so that IRL kids can have their own Buzz Lightyear toy again, too. In 2049, will audiences be watching a flick about someone who saw this as a child, nagged their parents for a Buzz and developed their own love of animation, space, franchises or all of the above? It wouldn't be surprising. Of course, there's form for making Buzz a movie tie-in toy; the overarching series' other main figure, pull-string cowboy Woody, stemmed from a fictional western TV show called Woody's Roundup. Maybe that's what Pixar will now make next. Or, perhaps it'll release a film or show based on one of Lightyear's new characters, feline robot companion SOX. Yes, you can now buy toy versions of it in reality as well, because of course you can. Buzz Lightyear and a cute cat that talks? The head of Disney merchandising must've seen potential piles of cash stacked to infinity and beyond purely at the thought of it, and director Angus MacLane (Finding Dory) along with him. Thankfully, as calculated as Lightyear's existence clearly is — and it's as blatantly engineered by bean counters as any movie can be — it's still likeable enough. It only slightly feels like a flick that might've actually come out around 1995, though, even if Apollo 13 sat second at the global box office that year (behind Toy Story, fittingly). And, after sending the wonderful Soul and Turning Red straight to streaming during the pandemic, plus Luca, it's also a standard pick for Pixar's return to the big screen. Buzz the live-action film hero — flesh and blood to in-franchise viewers like Andy, that is, but animated to us — also goes on an all-too-familiar journey in Lightyear. Voiced by Chris Evans (Knives Out) to distinguish the movie Buzz from toy Buzz (where he's voiced by Last Man Standing's Tim Allen), the Star Command space ranger is so convinced that he's the biggest hero there is, and him alone, that teamwork isn't anywhere near his strength. Then, as happens to the figurine version in Toy Story, that illusion gets a reality check. To survive being marooned on T'Kani Prime, a planet 4.2 million light-years from earth filled with attacking vines and giant flying insects, the egotistical and stubborn Buzz needs to learn to play nice with others. For someone who hates rookies, as well as using autopilot, realising he can only succeed with help takes time. Time is a slippery concept for Buzz, however, courtesy of his new predicament. To zoom back home, the Star Command mission team must make the right fuel, and test it — and on each attempt, as Buzz zips into hyper-speed in scenes reminiscent of Top Gun: Maverick, time dilates. His flights pass in minutes, but four years go by for his crew while he's in the air. Still, he keeps soaring and trying, and his best friend Commander Alisha Hawthorne (Uzo Aduba, Mrs America) keeps greeting him upon his return. But her life continues, including marrying the girlfriend she falls for among their colleagues, and having a family. She gets older, too. In contrast, Buzz barely ages, or moves on, until he's also trying to fight an alien spaceship piloted by giant robot Zurg (James Brolin, Sisters) with Alisha's granddaughter Izzy (Keke Palmer, Hustlers), plus her fellow junior rangers Mo (Taika Waititi, Our Flag Means Death) and Darby (Dale Soules, Orange Is the New Black). There's a lot that's average about Lightyear, including the pieces it cobbles together from Top Gun and Star Wars, and everything from 2001: A Space Odyssey, Alien, Starship Troopers, Gravity and Interstellar to Pixar's own Wall-E and Up. There are meta twists that make zero sense in the broader Toy Story narrative, too. There's also a jettisoning of early 2000s TV series Buzz Lightyear of Star Command and its take on Buzz's backstory, and a lingering question: what if Andy had just loved a different movie and wanted a different toy for his birthday instead? And, there's a toy chest filled with Pixar's usual go-to themes, including not being afraid to make mistakes. Obviously, in that same vein — and because the animation studio is owned by the same entity behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars, two forever-sprawling sagas — there's room left for a sequel. Great voice casting makes an impact, luckily. While it can't push Lightyear past its limits as an inessential Toy Story spinoff that doesn't add anything crucial to the series, there's liveliness, emotion and plenty of heart in the film's engaging vocal work. Evans doesn't try to shake Buzz's rampant sense of self-importance, but to unpack it, and finds tenderness and vulnerability in the process. And, he gives the character texture even amid such slick and gleaming animation. Aduba and Palmer also shine in their supporting parts, while Waititi perfects his comedic sidekick gig. Peter Sohn — director of The Good Dinosaur, and also a regular-enough Pixar voice actor — goes one better with SOX, however. Friendly, funny, adorable, and able solve scientific problems while meowing and cough up handy tools alike, that robo-cat is a scene-stealer. Still, finding him entertaining and thinking he could fuel an entire future film himself aren't the same thing, although, as Lightyear shows, no one learned that lesson about Buzz.
FBi Radio has been championing Sydney music arts and culture for two decades at this point — celebrating its 20th year on air full-time this year. One of the many ways that the beloved community radio station does this is through its annual Sydney Music Arts and Culture Awards, or SMAC Awards. These awards are back for 2023, celebrating the best this city has offered up over the last 12 months. The categories for the accolades range from Record and Song of the Year to Best Arts Program and Best Eats, with nominees including beloved and boundary-pushing musicians such as Julia Jacklin, Glo, Skeleten and Collarbones through to artists like Billy Bain and Feras Shaheen; events like Swarm, Carriageworks Nights and Soft Centre; and restaurants young and old such as Midden, Yeodongsik, Self Raised Bread Shoppe and Parami. [caption id="attachment_859754" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ziggy Ramo, Emma Pegrum[/caption] The awards are voted on by the public, but voting is now closed. Whether you had your say or not, if you still want to get involved in the awards, the ceremony is open to everyone for the second year running. Head along to the Powerhouse Museum on Thursday, November 9 as part of the museum's Powerhouse Late series and you can watch all of the awards being handed out, as well as performances from some of the nominees and DJ sets from FBi family — all for free. The lineup of performers features Record of the Year nominee Ziggy Ramo; Vv Pete, who's nominated for Song of the Year and Best Live Act; and DIY rock band Carnations, who are gunning for the title of Next Big Thing. You'll also be able to watch all of the nominations for Best Music Video in a separate exhibition area of the museum — plus there will be drinks from Young Henrys, Yulli's, Fellr and Heaps Normal, with Yulli's also in charge of the night's food. [caption id="attachment_909197" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Powerhouse Late, Destination NSW[/caption] Top image: Powerhouse Late, Tim Da Rin.
UPDATE Thursday, August 5: Josh Niland's Take One Fish Butchery Masterclass has been postponed until Monday, October 25. Saint Peter and Fish Butchery's Josh Niland has spent the past half-decade spreading his love for sustainable seafood around Australia. The neighbouring Sydney spots have grown a cult following since opening and built Niland a reputation that landed him on the list of the world's top 50 next-generation hospitality leaders. With a new charcoal fish restaurant set to open next month, Niland is going on tour to preach the benefits of cooking with sustainable seafood. The masterclass will cover the how-tos of preparing, storing and cooking with fish, in support of his new book, Take One Fish. It's the follow-up to his The Whole Fish Cookbook, which snagged the James Beard Book of the Year award. Niland was the first Australian author to win the converted award last year. "I am looking forward to the evening and offering complete transparency around our work and to unpack all that we have learnt to date. I hope that people will leave having enjoyed a great night out, and take away practical solutions for how we can approach fish differently, not just at home but when ordering fish on a menu or in a market," Niland said. Hosting the evening is author and ABC Culinary Correspondent Alice Zaslavsky who is kicking off her new series of 'in conversation' events with acclaimed culinary professionals, dubbed Here's One I Prepared Earlier. The tour is beginning at the Sydney City Recital Hall on Monday, October 25, before moving on to Melbourne's Hammer Hall on Monday, November 15 with each evening running two 45-minute sessions and a short intermission. Pre-sale tickets are on sale now. [caption id="attachment_739656" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fish Butchery[/caption]
Sydney band The Laurels have finally dropped their long-awaited debut record Plains – a patchwork of gritty riffs, lush pop melodies and fuzzy psychedelic hooks. The four-piece recently supported Band Of Skulls on their Australian tour, and after playing with a myriad of other international acts over the last few months – The Black Angels and A Place To Bury Strangers just to name a couple – they are now hitting the road to showcase their latest offering, stopping over at the Annandale Hotel. The dense walls of sound that they create, further amplified by their shimmering drones, make for a mind-melting live show experience. Always upping the ante in terms of delivery, dynamism and musicianship, they have cemented themselves as one of Sydney's best live bands. Supporting duties for the evening go to Melbourne-based Witch Hats and Sydney's East River. https://youtube.com/watch?v=5nMYUwAi5zw
We've known for a while that all is not perfect in the Cross. It's seen some unforgettable tragedy lately, that perhaps could have been avoided, and most of us would rather face torture than its main drag on a Friday or Saturday night. Of course, everyone's got an opinion on what might help — and for many people who live and work in the area, those opinions don't jibe with the actual proposals by the State Government, announced late on Tuesday after mounting pressure from media and community groups. Aside from the mandatory sentencing provisions, which are generally loathed by legal professionals, the proposals include some harsh licensing changes for the bars and venues that fall within the 'CBD Precinct', a designated zone that stretches east from Darling Harbour to Kings Cross and south from The Rocks to Darlinghurst. Exempting small bars with a maximum capacity of fewer than 60 people, venues in this area will be required to impose lock-outs from 1.30am and to stop serving alcohol at 3am. In addition, across the state, bottle shops will be closing at 10pm, and on-the-spot fines for 'anti-social behaviour' are going up — for disobeying a move-on order, from $200 to $1100. In infrastructure news, free buses will be going from Kings Cross to the city every ten minutes. The buses are mostly uncontroversial. But every other aspect of the proposals is being pored and picked over. Most troubling are the lock-outs, which arguably push even more people out onto already crowded streets, all at once, and the ham-fisted, blanket approach to violence that's only being caused by a small minority. More broadly, the question of how we can create a vibrant, international, all-hours city while also making a safe one seems hard to answer. Since we tend to think of our readers as 'people who like to go out at night and not be tossers', we think this affects you. It affects us. Some of the proposals included have value, and certainly the intention is good. But does it come at too high a cost for the cosmopolitan culture we've all being building in this city? Is it even effective? We thought we'd ask some of our friends who know best — those who run the bars we love, where we retreat for nibbles at 9pm, a nightcap at 1am or a dance at 3am. Here's what a few of them had to say about what the proposals will mean for their businesses and the culture around them. Frankie's and The Baxter Inn Anton Forte co-owns the Shady Pines Saloon, The Baxter Inn and Frankie's Pizza together with business partner Jason Scott. Shady Pines, which opened in 2010, is often thought of as a leader in Sydney's small bar revolution. How do you think your bars would be affected by the proposed legislation changes? The Baxter Inn shouldn't really be affected at all — we close at 1am, so no sweat with this little guy. I don't have much hope for our extended hours getting approved. We're waiting for a response from OLGR [The NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing]. I thought it would be neat if we had a little extra time to trade. There are a lot of folk who are keen for a late-night tipple before bed. There are a lot of humans that keep different hours to the social norm — hospitality industry staff, and just regular folk who come to the city to watch theatre/shows. These people might only arrive just in time for our last drinks. t would be swell to give a little extra service to those folk. But alas! If the proposed legislation gets approved it would affect one of our bars, Frankie's Pizza, a ton. We keep our doors open until 4am religiously, and have a super positive clientele enjoying local live music, delicious hand-rolled pizza and icy cold craft beer. The atmosphere is electric! We get all sorts of people coming into the venue — travellers who have just landed, hospitality crew winding down and grabbing a bite to eat after a hard night, and lots of punters who have just seen gigs or shows in the locality. It would be such a bummer to not be able to service these people. It would be a real shame! What about the area as a whole? Obviously, it would be detrimental to the late-night economy of the City of Sydney. Part of what makes Sydney such a fantastic place to live and visit is, its thriving after-midnight scene. Within a five-minute drive you can have such a diverse set of experiences after 2am. A quick drag show on Oxford Street, followed by Peking duck and pinot at Golden Century, a short walk down the road takes you to Good God where you might run into an International Breakbeat DJ, and finish off with a high-end Martini at Palmer & Co. All these things make the city dynamic and interesting! That's what makes a place special: people being creative and putting together products with substance and soul ... So many human beings are connecting after 1.30, and that's what makes for a truly international city — the ability to do all those things listed above, and the facility for people to go out on a whim and attempt to succeed in the concepts they believe in. What, in your experience, would be an effective measure to curb alcohol-related violence? There are some positive measures that this proposed legislation had put foreword, but I don't agree with all of them. I think we should focus on increased police presence, transport and working on 'dangerous venues' instead of placing a blanket ban on the City of Sydney. The Hide and The Flinders Hotel Jason Ryan is the owner of The Flinders Hotel, a classic late-night destination in Darlinghurst. They've just opened The Hide wine bar upstairs, which we love and which was looking like the chill antidote to any rowdier influences in the area. How do you think your bar would be affected by the proposed legislation changes? We have already begun the awful task of reworking rosters and cutting back staff in preparation. The effects on our business will be dramatic ... The Flinders is a safe and well-established late-night venue. We have also just invested large amounts of money into trying to develop The Hide, our new bar upstairs. At the moment we are reliant on the cash flow from late-night business to support and pay for this investment. Now that late-night trade is being severely compromised, it's a real worry as to whether we can sustain cash flow over the next few months whilst developing the rest of the business. This may ultimately jeopardise the future of The Hide. We hope people we still turn out in force at The Flinders for the lock-in! What, in your experience, would be an effective measure to curb alcohol-related violence? Venues and pub owners already do so much to ensure the safety of patrons. I think the government should look at more socially responsible programs. In Denmark they’re really progressive. There’s a national voluntary organisation, called Natteravnene (Night Owls). This is a concept where volunteers work locally across the whole country to increase safety for young people in the public arena. Police are not the answer and neither are lock-outs. It’s an infringement of civil liberty and an impingement on trade. Hinky Dinks Dan Knight is a co-owner of Hinky Dinks with Jeremy Shipley. It's a sweet slice of the '50s just off William Street, and one of our enduring favourite date spots. But just because they close at the wholesome hour of midnight, doesn't mean it's smooth sailing for the future. How do you think the area around Hinky Dinks would be affected by the proposed legislation changes? Undoubtedly it will change the area and the entire city. There are a lot of businesses in the Cross that make their money early in the morning and for them business is going to suffer. You will see a lot of places closing if and when this legislation comes into effect. And the trickle-down effect will eventually see our city lose some of the vibrancy we have all worked so hard to cultivate over the last seven years. Will we see a drop in violence? Probably not. Since neither incident that has inspired this legislation actually happened on a licensed premises, and since both incidents actually happened before midnight, I can’t see how this legislation moves to address an issue that is far more social in its scope than the government is willing to acknowledge. In my opinion forcing entire precincts of drunk people out on the street at taxi change-over and two hours before public transport resumes is more likely to increase alcohol-fuelled violence. What, in your experience, would be an effective measure to curb alcohol-related violence? Perhaps if we stopped glorifying violence in our society people wouldn’t see it as an heroic or powerful act. If I grow up idolising boxers, cage fighters or even thuggish and bullying politicians, then when I am out (with my inhibitions and my self esteem at an all-time low) why wouldn’t I start a fight in order to try and feel better about myself? Beyond that, just running public transport 24 hours a day would also make a huge difference by taking drunk people off the streets and delivering them to their homes. This is something the O'Farrell government could implement immediately, but I doubt it would make them look as tough. Just like the guys throwing the coward punches, this government is more concerned with looking tough than actually being part of the solution. The Old Growler Jack Brown is the owner of Old Growler, just a really great bar in an area with a troubled reputation. The bar closes at midnight so will only be looking at flow-on rather than a direct impact. How do you think your bar would be affected by the proposed legislation changes? For us and our locals we believe it's likely to have a positive affect. If it alters peoples perceptions of the dangerous nature of the Cross then that can only be positive. What about the effect on the local area? Again I think its about perception more than any genuine impact. The proof will be in the pudding but it's unfortunate that an international city like Sydney is forced to introduce such drastic blanket measures. What, in your experience, would be an effective measure to curb alcohol-related violence? It's a very difficult one as many of the serious incidents which were the catalyst for this legislation were actually drug-related; they just happened to be in a high density of alcohol venues. Tougher sentencing for alcohol-fuelled crimes will help but mostly its a cultural issue and thats a generational thing and will take time to alter. Goodgod Jimmy Sing, Adam Lewis and Hana Shimada are owners and operators of Goodgod Small Club. They made their impassioned opposition heard on Faster Louder yesterday. "When we started Goodgod three years ago we wanted to create a late-night environment that was music centric, fun, welcoming and safe. We were inspired to create experiences where people felt entertained, understood and cared for. It’s something that we’ve cultivated week-to-week, hosting thousands of incredible bands, DJs and performers for a community that’s as engaged and passionate as we are. And in doing so, it’s become very clear that Sydney wants to be engaged with something much more than just drinking ... These new measures present a challenge to our ability to nurture this late-night culture. They risk forcing major events away from the planned lockout zone and into nearby precincts, reduce the opportunities available to musicians and music promoters, and wear down the viability of venues that strive to go beyond simply facilitating drinking for drinking’s sake." Read the whole statement over at Faster Louder. Palmer & Co Palmer & Co is a CBD favourite in classic speakeasy style. It's part of the Merivale empire along with the likes of Mr Wong, El Loco, the Beresford and, of course, ivy, so they're all governed by the word of CEO Justin Hemmes in Tuesday's press release: "Justin Hemmes ... strongly welcomes and commends the Premier for these tough measures to combat drug and alcohol fuelled violence. Without doubt, these measures will create a safer environment for all."
For Melburnians, this long weekend is a little different to most. Lockdown might be over, but a number of restrictions still remain. Heading to a big music festival isn't on the cards, for instance — but, because we now live in a time where virtual fests are becoming the norm, The Long Weekender is bringing six hours of Victorian music highlights straight to your couch. The latest event in the Victoria Together initiative — aka the online program that delivered plenty of things to watch during 2020's lengthy stay-at-home periods — The Long Weekender will stream a heap of past festival sets from plenty of the state's big events. Falls Festival, Meredith Music Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Golden Plains and Yirramboi Festival are all covered, as are Summersalt, Share The Spirit, Brunswick Music Festival, Roots Picnic and A Day On The Green. You'll just need to head to ACMI's streaming service, Cinema 3, between 12pm–12am on Monday, June 14, and turn your volume up loud. Myf Warhurst is on hosting duties and, if you're wondering who'll be belting out tunes, it's a hefty lineup. Everyone from Courtney Barnett and Archie Roach to You Am I and Frente! is on the bill — with no clashes, no queues and no worries about rushing between stages. THE LONG WEEKENDER LINEUP: Adalita Alex Lahey Alice Skye Allara feat. Culture Evolves Archie Roach Cable Ties Courtney Barnett Djirri Djirri Dancers The Black Sorrows The Cat Empire The Dirty Three Frente! Hachiku James Henry King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard Loose Tooth Magic Dirt The Meanies Mo'Ju Sampa The Great Spiderbait Simona Castricum Sleep D The Teskey Brothers Total Giovanni You Am I Top image: Falls Festival.
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 this October — after being delayed from its September release date — 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 as seen in both the original Venom: Let There Be Carnage trailer and the just-dropped new sneak peek — living in harmony with Venom is about as easy as it sounds — 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 trailers: 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 latest trailer below: Venom: Let There Be Carnage opens in Australian cinemas sometime in October — we'll update you when an exact date is announced.
Everyone's going wild these days, at least as far as films are concerned. Cameron Diaz caused chaos in the classroom, Seth Rogen and Zac Efron demonstrated how not to be neighbourly on two separate occasions, and now the one group you probably thought was immune to displays of errant behaviour has joined in on the inappropriate fun. Yes, Bad Moms shows just what happens when some over-stressed, under-appreciated mothers let loose. It's as raucous as you might expect, and as formulaic too — but thanks to its warm message and committed cast, it has both heart and spirit. With a happy family and a cool job at a coffee company, on the surface it looks like Amy (Mila Kunis) is the type of woman who has it all. She doesn't quite view it that way, though – in fact, she sees her life as a constant struggle. When she's not looking after a husband (David Walton) who doesn't appreciate her, she's appeasing her younger boss (Clark Duke), ferrying her kids (Oona Laurence and Emjay Anthony) to their extra-curricular activities, and attempting to avoid the wrath of the bossy PTA president (Christina Applegate) at their school. But after one particularly hectic day, she decides to stop trying to be everything to everyone. Instead, with fellow outsiders Carla (Kathryn Hahn) and Kiki (Kristen Bell), she determines to unleash her own kind of mothering. As written and directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, Bad Moms is mainly an excuse to make a party flick about ladies trying to find a way to cope with their considerable responsibilities. That the pair also helmed 21 & Over and wrote the script for The Hangover is telling. Thankfully, while giving Kunis, Hahn and Bell an excuse to act like teenagers, the film also unpacks the many expectations placed on women who have children – and women in general for that matter –, including the standards they impose on themselves and the scathing judgments they level at each other. The combination makes for a movie that's funny, thoughtful, and offers the kind of non-schmaltzy ode to motherhood that the interminable Mother's Day showed no signs of mustering. Though it trades in a few too many stereotypes and straightforward situations, the film does at least manage to subvert the former on occasion, while finding plenty of jokes in the latter. Like women-centric comedies Sisters and Bridesmaids before it, it's the cast that keeps Bad Moms moving. The rapport between the three leads brightens up every scene they share. That said, as she has repeatedly in television series such as Parks and Recreation and Transparent, it's Hahn that really steals the show. Not only does she nail the blend of irreverence and affection Lucas and Moore are aiming for, but she also makes the movie's most outrageous character more than just the source of laughs. The end result is a film that, although outwardly about the kind of behaviour your own mum might not encourage, ends up playing as an amusing and empowering tribute to being the person you really want to be.
When a big tour is announced, it's always worth paying attention to the dates around the shows in your city. Has whoever is taking to the stage spread out their gigs? Is there room to add more concerts? If you're worried about a huge demand for tickets, that's handy information to notice. When Drake announced his next trip Down Under for early 2025, for instance, the gaps between his visits to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane stood out — handily so, it proves, with more shows now added to the tour. Here's the latest headlines: Drake has added an extra gig in each of the New South Wales, Victorian and Queensland capitals, and before general ticket sales even kick off. It'll be his first trip this way since 2017 — and yes, you're still going to have 'Hotline Bling', 'Too Good', 'Passionfruit', 'Nice for What', 'In My Feelings', 'One Dance' and 'Laugh Now Cry Later' stuck in your head, as you have since the tour was first revealed. The Canadian artist is bringing his Anita Max Win tour Down Under, and is now playing ten shows in four cities across Australia and New Zealand. Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland, this is what's next. The five-time Grammy-winner will head this way in February and March, kicking off at Rod Laver Arena in the Victorian capital for three nights. The following week, it's the Harbour City's turn at Qudos Bank Arena, again for a trio of gigs. After that, Drake will play two nights at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, then another two at Spark Arena in Auckland. The Degrassi: The Next Generation star last hit the stage in this neck of the woods on his Boy Meets World tour, and eight years will have passed between those shows and his 2025 visit. The platinum-selling singer is fresh off his 2023–24 It's All A Blur Tour, which saw him chalk up over 80 soldout shows in North America. On that last visit, Drake had four studio albums to his name: 2010's Thank Me Later, 2011's Take Care, 2013's Nothing Was the Same and 2016's Views. He's doubled that since, so expect tunes from 2018's Scorpion, 2021's Certified Lover Boy, 2022's Honestly, Nevermind and 2023's For All the Dogs, too. The Anita Max Win tour's announcement wasn't new news if you've been paying attention to Drake's social media, where he's been teasing details — but now consider it all officially locked in and even bigger. Drake's 'Anita Max Win' Tour 2025 Australian and New Zealand Dates Sunday, February 9–Monday, February 10 + Wednesday, February 12 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Sunday, February 16–Monday, February 17 + Wednesday, February 19 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Monday, February 24–Tuesday, February 25 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Friday, February 28–Saturday, March 1 — Spark Arena, Auckland Drake is touring Australia and New Zealand in February 2025, with various ticket presales from Tuesday, December 2, 2024 at various times — and general sales from 12pm local time on Friday, December 6, 2024. Head to the tour website for more details. Images: The Come Up Show via Flickr.
What is the one thing better than something excellent? Two excellent things merged into something incredible. That is the beauty of the mash-up, providing the best of both worlds inside a brand new world. We should all say a deafening thank you to all those inspired enough to say 'por qué no las dos' when confronted by the dilemma of choice, who create something ingenious for us all to enjoy. Now, inspired by Red Bull Flying Bach's (think Bach meets breakdancing) forthcoming tour of Australia, we've gathered the top ten mash-ups of anything ever for you. Some you may be pretty familiar with; others may blow your mind. BRUNCH When someone suggests brunch, I get exactly this excited. While this list is not hierarchical, brunch is the greatest mash-up ever. Combining the best elements of breakfast (the food) and the temporal qualities of lunch (that it isn't early), there is no greater meal in culinary history. Brinner deserves an honourable mention here, but given brunch's ability to cure any hangover and save your Sunday, it has to win, hands down. Whoever decided to put the likes of pancakes, bacon and a cheeky bowl of Coco Pops on the menu after a much-deserved sleep-in deserves all of the Nobel prizes. https://youtube.com/watch?v=yfG94k41MrI GIRL TALK When most people think of a mash-up, their brain takes them to the musical kind. In fact googling 'mash-up' returns page after page of remixes. Some are awful, others aren't too bad, and then there are those that excel, and they are made by artists such as Girl Talk. Having sampled songs for over a decade, Girl Talk (otherwise known as Gregg Michael Gillis) knows what he is doing, seamlessly blending around a dozen songs per track into his own musical masterpiece. While hip-hop in the 1970s brought sampling to the fore, artists such as Girl Talk really laid the foundation for the modern mash-up, allowing songs that shouldn't belong together to fuse perfectly into songs such as this. RED BULL FLYING BACH This is a serious clash of cultures, a performance where Bach meets breakdancing and produces brilliance that "turns the international classical world upside down". It is really no surprise it has been so successful; it features music from arguably the greatest composer of all time (who happens to be German) expressed physically by four-times breakdancing world champions Flying Steps (also German). No coincidence, just a collaboration that shatters the suggestion that breakdancing and Bach don't blend and thrusts the cohesion of the classic and the contemporary into the present. The best part? It's coming to Australia, visiting Sydney September 10-12, Brisbane on September 24-26 before heading south to run in Melbourne from October 1-4, so grab your tickets now. SLAMBALL In a nutshell, Slamball is basketball that includes full contact and, most importantly, TRAMAMPOLINES! That's right, while the court remains much the same dimensions as a regular basketball court and retains a hoop at either end, there are also four trampolines at either end of the court for players to gain as much air as possible to dunk spectacularly. Dunking (or 'slamming' in Slamball) is pretty crucial as it scores three points compared to your usual two for non-dunks inside the arc. (You still get three-points shooting from deep as per normal basketball.) I don't know about you but I'm asking my local council to install some trampolines at my local court. Check out some Slamball highlights here. GLAMPING For those not in the know, glamping is glamour camping. It's just like camping, only comfortable, warm and something you want to do regularly. Still trying to paint a picture in your mind? Just imagine that you are in your bed, only the roof is now a nice canvas and you can hear the soothing sounds of nature right on your doorstep. Glamping has taken off in the last few years across the nation as it's removed almost all of the reasons that people use to avoid camping. It's basically an alfresco hotel and no matter where you are there's bound to be a five-star tent pitched nearby. HIP HOP SHAKESPEARE Bach is just a baby compared to old man Will. Joining Red Bull Flying Bach in the classic-meets-contemporary mash-ups are hip hop 'ad-rap-tations' of Shakespeare's classics. It's a perfect fit. After all, Shakespeare was the original lyricist and excellent at smack-talking: "A knave; a rascal; an eater of broken meats; a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy, worsted-stocking knave; a lily-liver'd, action-taking, whoreson, glass-gazing, superserviceable, finical rogue; 1090 one-trunk-inheriting slave; one that wouldst be a bawd in way of good service, and art nothing but the composition of a knave, beggar, coward, pander, and the son and heir of a mongrel bitch; one whom I will beat into clamorous whining, if thou deny the least syllable of thy addition." Building on this wit and transforming it into modern urban classics are troupes such as the Q Brothers, whose Othello: The Remix is about an artist who rises out of the ghetto and wins the respect of the music industry, only be taken down by hip hop purist Iago. SWISS ARMY KNIFE The ultimate mash-up, the Swiss Army Knife is a must-have for general life. Need a knife? Done. Need a screwdriver? Done. Need a corkscrew? Done. Need a warm hug at night? I'm sure it can find a way to do that too, because they can do just about anything. If you don't have one and are now scrambling out the door to buy one (which you can do once you've finished reading this article all the way to the end), then spend the extra cash on a good one that will last as it could end up saving your life. TURDUCKEN A turducken is a deboned chicken stuffed inside a deboned duck, which is then stuffed inside a deboned turkey, which is then stuffed in the oven, cooked and then stuffed into your mouth with absolutely no regrets. Whether you know it as a turducken or a chuckey, this is something that you must try if you enjoy these three birds. Apologies to our vegetarian friends out there, but this really is delicious. If you're really into your meats, you can also wrap bacon around your turducken, but have 000 pre-dialled into your phone just in case you pop. CHESS BOXING If you laughed at the concept of chess boxing, then I don't blame you. It may sound absurd, but once you actually watch a match, you realise the mental and physical strength needed to take part and find yourself having a lot of respect for those who can cop a barrage of punches and then sit down and play chess so well. They do this for 11 alternating rounds of chess then boxing, for a total of six chess rounds and five in the ring. Victory either comes in the form of a knockout or checkmate. (PS Okay, after watching more matches this sport is ridiculous. The players wear headphones while playing the chess rounds in order to not hear the live chess commentary. I find this sport dreadful and yet feel weirdly compelled to play.) THE MEAN GIRLS OF EUROPEAN HISTORY Finally, we have arguably the greatest (and possibly only) Tumblr mashing up the classic Lindsay Lohan film Mean Girls with European history to create The Mean Girls of European History. Words are useless here, just visit the blog and soak in all of it's uncannily appropriate use of Mean Girls quotes and accept that it may have won the internet.
A staple in Brisbane since 2019, BrewDog opened its inaugural Sydney facility in 2022. Settling into the vital South Eveleigh precinct that already hosts the likes of Lucky Kwong and Re, the $3.2-million venue is literally huge, spanning a large indoor dining space, a bar and a beer garden. The multi-space bar can seat 720 beer aficionados inside and 190 outside, pouring 40 brews through its taps. Those beverages cover the brand's own beers, of course, as well as 'BrewDog & Friends' guest tap takeovers and collaborations with local breweries. The less beer-inclined is covered, too. Cider, wine, spirits and cocktails are all on offer, alongside a range of non-alcoholic options. All of the above is accompanied by a food menu that features burgers and pizzas, and all-you-can-eat wings ($30) every Wednesday. It's embracing vegetarian and vegan dishes in a sizeable way, too, dedicating half of its range to plant-based bites — including two-for-one vegan eats on Mondays. Pub mainstays like the classic chicken parmy ($28.95) is available in both meat and plant-based varieties, while highlights of the pizza oven include the prawn and bacon Gambino Pizza ($26.95) and the Hero Pizza ($23.95) featuring wild mushrooms, zucchini ribbons, pine nuts and smashed Napoli tomatoes. Rounding out the BrewDog experience is the space's pared back industrial design of steel bar tops, timber benches and exposed pipework and brick that pays respects to the site's history, courtesy of acclaimed space-making shop Studio Y who designed the venue around the original workshop machinery collection. Inside, a massive bar sits in the middle of two seating sections that hosts both low and high tables, as well as couches you can sink into as you sample the brews.
Across the last few months of 2021, and spilling into 2022, there'll be something strange happening in Australian cinemas. This'll be the case in places where big screens have still been showing new movies over the past few months, and also in Sydney and Melbourne when they're permitted to reopen following the two cities' respective (and long, and ongoing) lockdowns. The flicks that'll be playing? Many will be films we've been hearing about for a few years now because they were meant to release in 2020, and were then pushed back a few times due to the pandemic. But, there'll be something different going on Down Under, because a heap of these already-delayed movies have just been postponed again — only for Aussie viewers. Been waiting for No Time to Die, Dune, The French Dispatch, Halloween Kills and Ghostbusters: Afterlife? You'll now be waiting a bit longer. They're just some of the movies that've delayed their Aussie releases because cinemas in our two biggest cities have been closed due to lockdowns. Instead of hitting the silver screen in places around the country that are open, then perhaps being fast-tracked to digital — as In the Heights, The Suicide Squad and a range of other titles have lately — these movies have been pushed back nationwide to wait for projectors in Sydney and Melbourne to start whirring. So, if you like your spy movies shaken, not stirred, you'll now be holding out until November 11 to see the latest Bond flick. Fancy sand worms and seeing Timothée Chalamet follow in Kyle MacLachlan's footsteps? Mark December 2 in your diary for your date with Dune. Wes Anderson's suitably star-studded latest movie, The French Dispatch, will now arrive on December 11, while Michael Myers will get slashing again in Halloween Kills on October 28 (because this horror sequel was always going to stay in October, at least). And, wondering when there really will be something strange in your neighbourhood again? That'll come with Ghostbusters: Afterlife on January 1, 2022. Venom: Let There Be Carnage will also releasing later than expected, hitting on November 25 this year — and, like all of the above movies, it'll arrive locally after it releases in the US. So, you might see your social media feeds filled with chatter about flicks that you've been looking forward to, are out overseas, but haven't yet opened in Australia. Aussies will also be waiting longer to see a few films that haven't been pushed around for a year or so — movies that've only dropped their first trailers in past months — such as Malignant (October 21), The Many Saints of Newark (November 4), Last Night in Soho (November 18), The Last Duel (November 18), Dear Evan Hansen (December 9), House of Gucci (December 26), The Matrix Resurrections (January 1) and King Richard (January 18). There's also Zola, which'll now hit on November 18 after being delayed everywhere until 2021, releasing in the US midyear, then having its Australian debut pushed back. And, some long-delayed flicks have kept postponing their releases worldwide, too, such as the Spider-Man-related Morbius, featuring Jared Leto (January 20); The King's Man, the next instalment in the Kingsman franchise; and Top Gun: Maverick (May 26), because it doesn't feel the need for speed just yet. If you're living somewhere where picture palaces have been shut for months, you're probably just keen to see whatever you can whenever you're allowed — understandably. In Sydney, that's due to happen when New South Wales reaches the 70-percent fully vaxxed mark, which is expected in mid-October. In Melbourne, no timeframe has been given for reopening cinemas just yet, or easing out of lockdown in general; however the travel radius will expand to ten kilometres and outdoor exercise will be allowed for three hours once 70 percent of Victorians have had their first jabs. Of course, moving release dates around was a regular part of movie-going life before the pandemic, too. More often than not, big blockbuster titles had been hitting Aussie cinemas at the same time as overseas, though. New films are still releasing in cinemas Down Under each week at the moment, where they're open, and will continue to do so; however, you'll just be waiting longer for some movies, including a number of big-name flicks, in some instances. To check out the new releases screening in Australian cinemas each week, check out our weekly rundown, complete with reviews. Image: Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2021 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved
Following 14 months of restrictions, postponements and cancellations, Australia's arts sector is in need of support. Arts institutions have struggled with capacity caps, and with restrictions on dancing and singing — as well as snap lockdowns and continued last-minute cancellations. In response, the Federal Government has announced nearly $300 million worth of financial support for the arts sector as part of the 2021–22 Budget. As announced last night, on Tuesday, May 11, the government will direct funds to the art, music and film industries through several programs across the next two years. The Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) fund will receive $125.6 million over the next two years. So far, RISE has helped fund an array of the country's major COVID-era arts and entertainment events including Summer Sounds, Jurassic World by Brickman and Synthony. The fund is also helping to support upcoming cultural events like Rising Melbourne, Next Exit, Fresh Produce, Moulin Rouge! The Musical and Dark Mofo, plus some yet-to-be-announced events including a new mini festival from the team behind Laneway Festival and the return of The Tivoli's Open Season this winter. The $125 million investment is expected to help fund around 230 new projects. Mental health and crisis relief organisation Support Act, which works with artists, crew and music workers, will receive $10 million — alongside the landmark $2.3 billion investment in mental health services included in the rest of the Budget. [caption id="attachment_779827" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Golden Age Cinema, Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] The film industry is set for a boost as well, with $20 million dedicated to supporting independent cinemas, $50.8 million set to go to the local film and television sector to fund productions, and $3.3 million allocated to Ausfilm in order to continue to attract international film productions to Australia. And, regional arts and tourism will be supported through an $11.4 million investment in the Festivals Australia's Regional Arts Fund and the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program, plus an additional $5 million towards performing arts touring through Playing Australia. Head to the Australian Government's website for more information about the 2021–22 Federal Budget and the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand fund.
Much has happened on Sydney's Cockatoo Island/Wareamah, which has housed a prison, ship-building facilities, a reform school and a wartime boat repair port in its time. In recent years, the patch of land in the middle of Sydney Harbour has also hosted a film festival and haunted history tours — and now Haus of Horror is combining elements of both for its next immersive cinema screenings. The movie-loving outfit has been popping up around the Harbour City for over a year, screening The Exorcist and the OG Scream in a haunted prison with sessions at Parramatta Gaol, taking Beetlejuice to Camperdown Cemetery in Newtown and more. Next comes two evenings of A Nightmare on Elm Street on Cockatoo Island on Friday, February 16 and Saturday, February 17, with attendees catching a themed ferry over, then exploring the site. When sunset hits, Freddy Krueger will start stalking. If you believe the stories about Cockatoo Island's ghosts, you'll be in a particularly eerie place for this date with the horror-movie villain created by the late, great Wes Craven. You'll also be watching the film in its 40th-anniversary year. And, as is Haus of Horror's custom, pressing play on the film in a notable — and notably disquieting — spot is only the start of it. These folks take the immersive part of the setup extremely seriously. Whether or not you choose to don a striped jumper for the occasion, your ticket includes the chartered ferry to over and back, departing from Barangaroo; moseying around not only the island but the unsettling installations that the Haus of Horror crew sets up around the Turbine Hall and Bolt Wharf; listening to a live DJ as part of the pre-show entertainment; and special guests roaming around, and also a photobooth to immortalise your memories. A bar will be serving drinks, and there'll be snacks on offer — but you'll be paying for those separately.
Sydney's Hollywood Quarter is the super lush set of streets between Central, Darlinghurst and Surry Hills that are home to some of our faves: Pellegrino 2000, Alberto's Lounge, NOMAD and Poly (to simply name a few). The micro-precinct is ramping up the good times while Vivid Sydney rolls into town — and Ace Hotel Sydney is set to host a stellar lineup of art-powered events. From Friday, May 26 till Saturday, June 17, a whole range of installations, culinary pop-ups and live music performances curated by Arts-Matter will be taking over all levels of the Wentworth Avenue digs. First up, let's chat lobby parties. Here's where you can hang out and soak in the power of music into the wee hours. On Wednesday, May 31, Derrick Gee is making the music community minded with All Together Now, an event that spotlights a Spotify playlist that can be curated by attendees. On Wednesday, June 7, Music in Exile is joining forces with Kerfew to deliver beats from members of the Australian South Asian diaspora, the venue's ground-floor space setting the stage for talents from our music industry with a unique lens of culture and language. And on Wednesday, June 14, Kids in the Cut (with the support of Yuth2Yuth) are DJing. Throughout June, record label Finer Things is bringing the vibes and taking up residence in the lobby space on Fridays. On the visual side of things, a whole bunch of artistic talents are adding to the Hollywood Quarter's pull. A neon flourish is added via Rel Pham's vivid technicolour works which will be projected onto the walls in Foy Lane at the rear of the hotel. The works of other artists will grace the walls here too. There's Wendy Yu (pictured at top; work pictured above), Mia Forrest, Phil James and many more. On Saturday, June 17, Justin Ridler's multifaceted works, which fuse photography and technology, will make for a brilliant finisher to the series. [caption id="attachment_843879" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] The Ace Hotel Sydney's sleek rooftop spot Kiln, helmed by Mitch Orr (pictured above), is getting in on the Vivid action too. Joining forces with Jeremy Fox — of LA faves Birdie G's and Rustic Canyon — the Kiln team will hero stunning-yet-simple plates at a series of five-course share-style dinners. Bookings are absolutely essential, so if you want one of the $150-a-head spots, you better be quick. And, on Saturday, June 17, a hip hop party is getting Sydney grooving into Sunday. The lineup of DJs is yet to be announced, but you'd be silly to miss a late-night dance fest in this special setting — so keep an eye on the website. Hollywood Quarter's Ace Hotel Sydney will be hosting a range of exclusive events during Vivid 2023. For more information and to plan your trip, head to the website.
It's almost that time of year when Sydney Festival takes over this town and spoils us with fascinating, thought-provoking and straight-up stunning art and culture from all over the world (and plenty from right here at home). As always there are some amazing international musicians, and we've picked out ten of the best to help you decide what gets included in those precious festival multi-packs. From underwater music and concept concerts about nuclear war to protest punk operas and politically charged cabaret, there won't be a dull moment. But of course, this is just a snapshot of the massive lineup, so go check out the full program at the Sydney Festival website.
A monster vintage sale is set to kick off today. Tonight, a novel pop-up store opens its doors for two short weeks. With prices $20 and under, Love Your Face believe they can occupy the a similar gap in the market to that previously held by the (now price-agnostic) Oxford Street Design Store. The new-look space, decked out with vintage wears that draw their "inspiration from London fashion over the years", has something extra special to entice punters in on opening night as well. "Why are we doing it? To bring affordable vintage fashion to Darlinghurst," explains co-founder Careen Redman. "It's somewhere you can pop into in your lunch hour and get something really quirky, for $20." Love Your Face launches tonight, and is open for two weeks ('til November 15). Bears with Guns — the Parkes band whose anthemic hit, Taken for a Fool, has been praised by audiences and critics alike (this one included) — will perform an intimate live set from 6pm, to help get the party started. https://youtube.com/watch?v=KcEAlHPr5Pg
The charming suburb of Rozelle has truly found itself in the spotlight recently. The soon-to-open Fabbrica Bread Shop and Totti's third Sydney outpost settling into the area have labelled the burb as an upcoming hotspot. The next exciting addition to the Rozelle culinary scene is Chez Blue, a delightful French bistro on its way to Darling Street. Due to open at the Sackville Hotel in late October, the 90-seat venue hopes to become a beloved neighbourhood staple by offering up a French take on casual dining in the Inner West. And, with ex-Bistro Moncur chef Mark Williamson leading the charge in the kitchen, you can expect top-notch French fare. Expect to find an array of flavourful Parisian dishes, from famed classics to personal favourites from Williamson's repertoire. "We'd love for Chez Blue to become somewhere locals happily dine at a couple of times a week because it's approachable and always delicious," said Williamson. [caption id="attachment_914647" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chez Blue's Head Chef, Mark Williamson (ex-Bistro Moncur)[/caption] Chez Blue's venture into the Inner West comes as part of Solotel's plans to expand into newer but familiar territory. The neighbourhood's newcomer is the hospitality crew's first-ever solo restaurant endeavour, setting up shop at the beloved stalwart The Sackville Hotel. "We want to bring back fond memories of dining on the streets of Paris, with warm service and an authentic French approach to relaxed dining," said Solotel's CEO Elliot Solomon. "Chez Blue is designed to be just as comfortable for a relaxed midweek dinner as a special weekend-long lunch catch-up with friends and family." Currently, the site is undergoing work in preparation for its upcoming launch in late October. Chez Blue is set to open in October at 599 Darling Street, Rozelle.
It's been a few years now since Westfield Miranda unveiled its renovations, including its brand new food court and fresh food precinct. And one of the best additions to the area was The Grocery Store, a grocer overflowing with fresh produce and quality goods. The store is run by veteran grocer Charlie Evripidou and his two sons At the entrance of the store is a cafe that serves coffee, freshly squeezed juice, fruit salads, yoghurts and cakes, if you're looking for a place to refuel during a shopping marathon. Venture into the spacious store and you'll find more fresh fruit and veg, plus a deli and shelves packed with pasta, sauces, canned goods, nuts and more. And the refrigerated section features ready meals, Fresh Fodder dips, kombucha and yoghurt. The store offers delivery across the Sutherland Shire and St George areas (free for orders over $50) via its website, with same-day delivery available in some cases, too. Images: Leigh Griffiths
Today marks the last day of Dark Mofo and, for those of us on the mainland, this means today is the last day our social media news feeds are bombarded with Tasmanian whimsy. Over the past few days you may have asked yourself what this congregation of lights and bearded men actually is. You may have wondered what kind of wizardry has conjured all this neon and Hogwarts-esque feasting, and how you can become a part of it. Well, we've scoured our Instagram feeds and compiled a handy outsiders' guide for you. Organisers may declare the festival a celebration of "large-scale art, food, music, light and noise," but we feel it's best summed up by the following. Here's what went down at Dark Mofo 2014: People spent their time washing ice This was probably the most confusing thing that's popped up in your feed over the past few days. In an act of — let's face it — supreme futility, Mofo-goers have been caught this year scrubbing a large tower of ice (although we guarantee they didn't keep it up for long once the photo had been uploaded). Watching this ice slowly, slowly erode into separate smaller blocks has been like a deeply unsatisfying game of Tetris played in reverse. Explanation: It's actually an artwork by Chinese artist Yin Xiuzhen. After freezing water from the Derwent River, Xiuzhen asked festival patrons to scrub the dirty water clean. It's a symbolic act that she terms an artist's solution to pollution. This radioactive bunny made its way down from Sydney Tasmania has stolen Sydney's giant neon bunny rabbit! How rude. You probably recognise this critter from your jaunts down to Vivid Sydney earlier this month. It's the kind of thing that definitely sticks in your mind (and your Instagram feed, for that matter). Because of this, Sydney-siders really can't be too jealous of its presence at Dark Mofo. But, for everyone else across the country, this is the holy grail of public art and the number one cause of jealousy. I maintain that if I got one hug from this amazing bringer of joy, at least half the problems in my life would be solved. Explanation: The bunny is the work of Tassie artist (and Sydney expat) Amanda Parer. We can neither confirm nor deny that it's radioactive, but we can say that it's maybe the greatest thing we've seen for awhile. There was a cat shooting laser beams from its eyes We can't even. This needs all of the explanations. Explanation: Disappointingly, we can't find out much about this little treasure. From the almighty power of hashtags we can deduct it has something to do with Dj Kiti playing at the festival club Faux Mo on Saturday night. We don't know how big the cat was. We don't know how strong its powers are. We don't know what it wants from us. We do however know that it's maybe the most mesmerising thing we've seen since Hypnotoad and we feel strangely compelled to obey it. If you know more, please get in touch! It's a good place to be if you like to feast From all the photos of mood-lit dining halls and opulent dinners, we can only reasonably deduct that Dumbledore and/or representatives from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry have made their way to Tasmania. Sure, there are no ghosts flying around, but the twigs cascading from the ceiling do look suspiciously like broomsticks and the feast speaks for itself. Explanation: This is more or less right. The Winter Feast is one of the hallmarks of the festival and consists of a "three-night Bacchanalian banquet of feasting and fire, drinking and celebration, music and performance". Apparently there were some problems with capacity this year, but with the amazing spread on offer it's easy to understand why. Everyone got naked for some reason It's a strange thing to wake up to as you check your phone, but this morning we were treated to the sight of hundreds of bums along a beautiful beach at sunrise. Accompanying them (on what looked like a freezing morning) were a couple of old men in beanies shooting orange smoke into the air because, hell, why not? Explanation: This nude run into the water was in fact to commemorate the winter solstice. It's an annual event at Dark Mofo that's now in its second year. And, despite the unpleasant temperature, this year saw 700 people get on board! We're going next year Confusing art, giant animals, laser beams, opulent feasts, and reckless nudity — why is it that we don't live in Hobart, again? Photo credits in order of appearance: jackjesta, melfiddles, angela__g, katesaunders002, chdaku, rosiehastie.
Endings have always been a part of Succession. Since it premiered in 2018, the bulk of the HBO drama's feuding figures have been waiting for a big farewell. The reason is right there in the title, because for any of the Roy clan's adult children to scale the family company's greatest heights and remain there — be it initial heir apparent Kendall (Jeremy Strong, Armageddon Time), his inappropriate photo-sending brother Roman (Kieran Culkin, No Sudden Move), their political-fixer sister Siobhan (Sarah Snook, Pieces of a Woman), or eldest sibling and now-presidential candidate Connor (Alan Ruck, The Dropout) — their father Logan's (Brian Cox, Remember Me) tenure must wrap up. He's stubborn, though. He's proud, too, of what he's achieved and the power it's brought. Whenever Logan has seemed nearly ready to leave the business behind, he's held on. And if he's challenged or threatened, as three seasons of the Emmy-winning series have done again and again, he shows no signs of ever letting go. Succession has always been waiting for Logan's last stint at global media outfit Waystar RoyCo, but it's never been about finales quite the way it is in its fourth season, which starts streaming from Monday, March 27 Down Under (including via Foxtel, Binge and Foxtel On Demand in Australia, and on Neon in New Zealand). This time, there's a ticking clock not just for the show's characters, but for the stellar series itself. In late February, in an interview with The New Yorker a month out from season four's premiere, Succession's creator and showrunner Jesse Armstrong advised that this is its last go-around. Nothing can last forever, not even widely acclaimed hit shows that are a rarity in today's TV climate: genuine appointment-viewing. So, this one is going out at the height of its greatness — yes, its final batch of episodes begins out that strongly — which is how Logan should've always wanted to as well. That Succession won't be tearing into its ultra-rich squabblers again after these ten episodes casts a shadow over the new season, unsurprisingly. That said, given that it commences with the Roys as fractured as ever in the aftermath of 2021's season three — with Kendall, Roma and Shiv all estranged from and actively working against their dad, who has badged them "rats" with his usual venom — there's a higher sense of tension, greater stakes and a firmer feeling of finality anyway. This bickering brood has split, backstabbed, betrayed, undermined and reunited many times before. They've overcome health scares, accidental killings, high-strung weddings, legal troubles, hostile attempted takeovers, dark scandals, political scrutiny and more. Armstrong and his writing team could've kept the cycle going, but there's an unshakeable sense of hurt to this round of tussles that feels like the last the Roys can endure. In season three, Waystar went from trying to buy streaming service GoJo to entertaining a buyout from it — and from its tech visionary Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgård, The Northman) — instead. And, as Kendall, Roman and Shiv kept trying to lock in their futures, Logan found a way to cut them out that couldn't have cut deeper. Accordingly, when season four kicks off with Logan's birthday just as season one did, a party that he's characteristically miserable at, only Connor shows up among his kids. The other three are busy trying to secure financing for The Hundred, the new media venture they're pitching as "Substack meets Masterclass meets The Economist meets The New Yorker". What they really want to do, of course, is stick it to their old man above all else. Money, which the Roys have much more of than most, aren't afraid to splash about and are always chasing, sure can't buy a reprieve from good old-fashioned pettiness. That's always been a glaring truth at the heart of the series, just like its fantasy equivalent Game of Thrones, because boasting immense control and hefty fortunes can't make anyone a decent person. No one watches this takedown of unfettered power, wealth and entitlement for hugs and smiles, but for Shakespearean dramedy and tragedy that rips brutally and ravenously into the one-percent. However it concludes and whoever thinks they've won — make no mistake, Succession is always a battle — no one is likely to be living happily ever after, or even managing to be content enough with where things wind up. Still, Roman will probably be smirking, Shiv shooting a steely glare and Kendall wearing the intense gaze that never wholly masks his inner sadness. They all sport exactly those expressions to begin season four, all while building their plans to simultaneously cement their next step and topple Logan. As sycophantic grins beam noxiously around his birthday, he's as caustic as ever even in just his eyes — more so with Shiv's husband Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen, Operation Mincemeat) playing middleman in a crucial deal, and when cousin Greg's (Nicholas Braun, Zola) love life taints the festivities. Yes, the more that things change in Succession, the more that they stay the same, including with general counsel Gerri (J Smith-Cameron, Fleishman Is in Trouble), CFO Karl (David Rasche, Swallow) and vice-chair Frank (Peter Friedman, She Said) hovering around while looking like they'd rather be anywhere else. Family malaise is a dime a dozen on TV, and workplace struggles as well. Succession is so sharp and scathing — so devastatingly well-cast and delicious with its incisive insults, too — that it's in a stratosphere of its own. With this compelling ensemble and the cracking dialogue they're gifted, the show's directors could just point cameras at the former in glass-walled rooms as they spout the latter and the series would gleam from every angle. That isn't how the handsomely staged and executed effort fills its episodes, but both its actors and writers remain at the top of their games. Indeed, watching Succession in such savage vintage form in everything from Strong's concentration to Culkin's way with witty slights, plus Braun's cluelessness and episode-one helmer Mark Mylod's (The Menu) tonal mastery, viewers will never want it to end. There'll be much to miss when the show severs its final ties at the end of May, glorious episode titles included (the fourth season's opener is aptly called 'The Munsters'). It's going out how it's always gone on, though — without losing its bite, or its taste for blisteringly dark, pointed and funny family-feud chaos. Logan is pondering farewells again, too. Succession hasn't lost its ability to astonish, and its fearsome white-haired patriarch waxing lyrical about whether death is just an abyss over a diner dinner with his chief security guard is one such delight. There'll certainly be a chasm left in the show's wake but, like its most formidable figure won't stop doing, audiences will just have to make the most of it while it's here. Check out the full trailer for Succession season four below: Succession season four starts streaming from Monday, March 27 Down Under, including via Foxtel, Binge and Foxtel On Demand in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. Check out our review of season three. Images: Claudette Barius, Macall B Polay / HBO.
