Each year, James Beard hands me some fresh FOMO on a silver platter. The USA’s most prestigious culinary institution works similar to Michelin but is generally broader in criteria. In the past, I’ve been much more satisfied with something that’s been James Beard-approved rather than just Michelin-approved. Now, that’s not to say Michelin isn’t reliable,…
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We’re celebrating the long weekend by adding eleven new tracks (an Easter bonus) to our Discovery Playlist on Spotify and Apple Music. This week’s Track of the Week is “What’s That You Say” the new single from English rock band Fat White Family. “What’s That You Say”, which dropped on Monday, is the latest single…
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Celebrating its 22nd year, Queensland’s most exciting celebration of cinema is back, from April 17th to 28th 2024, with the Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF) at its Gold Coast home, HOTA (Home of the Arts). As guests prepare to immerse themselves in the glamour and discover the new stories the festival has to offer, the…
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There’s just something about a romantic comedy. They’re comfortingly predictable, often laugh out loud funny, and there’s that deeply satisfying feeling of being able to race through a book in a single day because you’re so absorbed in what you’re reading. Enter Karina May’s second novel, Never Ever Forever, the follow up to her debut Duck…
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With dozens of attractions across two parks – the OG Disneyland Park and California Adventure – not to mention the wealth of dining and immersive experiences to be had, there’s good reason to book in at least a few days at the Disneyland resort in Anaheim, California. Just take a look at some of the…
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Though it’s less of a shock practice now, the idea of a classic literary figure that became a household name under the umbrella of Disney being transformed into something adult and horrific rightfully broke – and angered – the internet when it was announced that Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey would be made off the back…
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A film like Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire is what one might call “critic proof”. I mean, it’s ultimately a near-2 hour over-indulged CGI fest based around two giant creatures and their evident animosity towards each other. But, rather ironically, these two titans are battling each other at the tail-end of a cinematic universe…
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We’re already a quarter of the way through the year and the AU Books Team are getting excited for the next round of upcoming releases. Here are some of the upcoming releases that have caught our attention. April No Church in the Wild – Murray Middleton Pan Macmillan Australia | Pub Date: 26th March | Order…
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Director Matteo Garrone has often flirted between reality and fantasy when telling his stories on screen. His 2008 mafia drama Gomorrah and the crime-infused Dogman (2018) were steeped in a violent truth. His English-language fantasy Tales of Tales (2015) and a live-action adaptation of Pinocchio (2019) allowed him to delight in the whimsical. For Io…
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Australia’s Aspera Mobile has announced that its newest smartphone, the Nitro 2, is now available for purchase. In a bid to combat the rising cost of living, Aspera Mobile’s follow-up to the Nitro smartphone aims to pack in as many premium features as it can, for the low price of A$179. The Nitro 2 will…
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We’ve reviewed a few OPPO phones over the years, and have enjoyed most of them for their sleek design and decent performance. While they’re great value for money, the train seemingly keeps rolling with new solid options on the market each year. Enter the OPPO A79 5G. Its predecessor, the A78 5G, might have been…
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Full of murder, greed and that oh so seductive razzle dazzle, Broadway’s longest-running musical has found its way back to Australia for a limited season. Chicago tells the story of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, two strong individuals with big aspirations who find themselves locked up and on trial for murder. When they learn of…
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Splendour in the Grass, which was scheduled to take place at North Byron Parklands from July 19th to July 21st, has been cancelled. Yes, not postponed. Cancelled. It’s been a wild few years for Australia’s most iconic multi-day festival, from pandemic delays to mudslides. Plus, there was a whopping 30% decline in attendance last year….
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Longing for a brighter future, two Senegalese teenagers embark on a journey from West Africa to Italy. However, between their dreams and reality lies a labyrinth of checkpoints, the Sahara Desert, and the vast waters of the Mediterranean. And much like the characters at the centre of Io Capitano, director Matteo Garrone experienced a case…
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Yep, WFH is still a thing and we’re constantly having to design our own work station so we can be as efficient as possible. One of the keys to this is a good laptop stand, so we got in touch with our mates at TwelveSouth and figured we’d do a little reader giveaway. We’ve for…
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Kaylee Hottle made sure she announced herself in the grandest way possible when she made her feature debut as Jia in 2021’s monstrous success Godzilla Vs. Kong. Returning to the series for Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, the actress reunites with her on-screen bestie (that would be one, mighty Kong) as they face a…
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Having survived the spectacle of Godzilla Vs Kong, Rebecca Hall and Brian Tyree Henry were no strangers to the atmosphere of Adam Wingard‘s wrangling of the titanic cinematic beasts that are Godzilla and King Kong. But what about Dan Stevens? As Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire storms into theatres, Peter Gray spoke with the…
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The epic battle continues! Legendary Pictures’ cinematic Monsterverse follows up the explosive showdown of Godzilla vs. Kong with an all-new adventure that pits the almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence – and our own. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire delves further…
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As a frequent traveller, and co-host of the podcast Jetlag (you can listen to both seasons HERE), I’m often asked how to best avoid the dreaded repercussions of international travel. As part of an ongoing series on the AU review, I’m going to be sharing my tips and tricks to do just that. If you’re…
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“I knew that band before they were famous” Does anyone have that friend who seems to say this constantly? For the people in my life, I was that friend. In my 20s, it was my life’s mission to discover every fantastic band before anyone else. I wanted to be the guy who always had an…
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Earlier this month, Melbourne’s Angus Legg released the poignant and moving “Drugs With My Friends,” a song inspired by the need to move on from past relationships and heartbreak. Today, we’re thrilled to premiere the video, which brilliantly captures the emotion of the track. Angus has packed in some sweet guitars, catchy lyrics and vocals that…
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It’s that time of the year once again. PAX Aus 2024 badges are now officially on sale as you read this, with Early Bird 3-Day and Single-Day badges for Friday, Saturday and Sunday ready to snap up. The event will take place from October 11-13 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and highlight all…
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Ring has been responsible for a range of doorbell iterations and cameras alike over the past few years, best known for their reliable quality and ease of use. While there are many ways to work around a security setup for your home, the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro takes many previously exclusive premium features and packs…
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Coming from new author Rhianna King, Birds of a Feather is an utterly charming – and very Aussie – debut novel. A little funny, a little poignant, it makes for a wonderfully relaxing read. Beth, our protagonist and the first of our two viewpoint characters, is a very practical and unsentimental young woman. This puts…
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Montell Fish is hitting the road this May for his Intercession Before Charlotte tour in Australia, and it’s shaping up to be something special. If you’ve seen an edit on TikTok filled with nostalgia, longing or heartbreak recently, chances are you’ve encountered Montell Fish’s music. Much as is the story these days, the 26-year-old Pittsburgh-born…
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Whilst it was a film that saw a critical slaughtering at the time of its release – it currently holds a 3% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is oft-considered now one of the worst films ever made – there’s no denying that Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, a low budget horror recount of A.A. Milne’s classic…
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We recently took the time to review the Tineco Floor One S5 Combo and were pleasantly surprised with the results. The next iteration, the Floor One S6 Pro Extreme takes every opportunity to bolster the multiple features of its predecessor, ultimately making it a success for anyone looking to pick up a vacuum and mop…
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The winners of the Indie Book Awards 2024 have been announced this evening. The awards, which are picked by indie booksellers, celebrate the best Australian books from the last year across six categories, including fiction, non-fiction and young adult. An overall “Book of the Year” is then selected from the six category winners. This year…
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Thanks to Warner Bros. Pictures Australia we have 5 double digital in-season passes (Admit 2) to see the epic monsterverse battle continue in Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, an all-new adventure that pits the almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence –…
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Have you tried the new menu at Jana? Picked through the fresh seafood at Thermidor, had a nightcap at Vecina, or experienced the just-as-good-as-Totti’s offering at Alfies? If you’ve eaten your way around Sydney’s big-ticket restaurants, it’s time to get the drive on up to Newcastle. Because this sunny seaside town, fast climbing the ranks…
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