Film
Film reviews, festivals, special screenings and more
The final Fantastic Beasts trailer is here
Attention Potterheads... the final trailer for the movie you've all been waiting for has landed, with a complete glimpse of the prequel world to JK Rowling's Harry Potter series of books and films.
Stanley Kubrick Film Festival
Kubrick crafted some of the most best films of the 20th century: from the poetic sci-fi puzzle 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) to the proto-punk dystopia A Clockwork Orange (1971) and the unsurpassed psychological horror of The Shining (1980). This October, the Orpheum will screen every Kubrick film...
Mark your diary: Moonlight Cinema returns December
Great news for fans of summer in Sydney. Your annual opportunity to catch up on all the movies you missed this year in the chilled-out surrounds of Centennial Park returns on Thursday December 1. Yes, it’s nearly Moonlight Cinema time again – one of our favourite things to do in Sydney over summer. The Belvedere Amphitheatre will once again be the stage for that curious inflatable cinema screen, those comfy bean bags (always worth the cost of hire), the food truck and bar, plus a line-up of the latest movies, exclusive previews and a few timeless classics (what’s the bet they play Breakfast at Tiffany’s again? And so they should). As always, you can BYO food and drink and make a picnic of it. The season extends all the way through to April 2, 2017, and the first announcement of movies will be soon – check back here for details and critics’ picks.
Lavazza Italian Film Festival
New Italian movies and must-see classics feature in the 17th celebration of cinema from the Boot
Guides for Sydney movie lovers
Read reviews of all the latest films
Get expert opinions on the films currently in Australian cinemas
Upcoming film festivals in Sydney
Attention movie buffs: add these film festivals to your diary
The best outdoor cinemas in Sydney
Enjoy a movie alfresco with Time Out's guide to all the outdoor cinema seasons
The top ten Aussie films to scare off tourists
A sweaty handful of movies making Tourism Australia's job that little bit harder
Films in cinemas now in Sydney
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Tim Burton's new dark fantasy has way too much going on
Captain Fantastic
Living off the grid has its pros and cons in a domestic drama touched by a wayward spirit
Nerve
A shy student gets drawn into an online reality dare game in this cyberthriller based on the 2012 young-adult novel
Film events in Sydney
Lavazza Italian Film Festival
Ciao, bella... At 17 years old the LIFF is looking better than ever
Louis Theroux Live on Stage
Everybody's favourite documentary maker will share stories about his fascinating body of work in an Australia-wide speaking tour
Art After Hours
Head to AGNSW after work on Wednesdays for free films, live music, art lectures and celebrity talks
Stanley Kubrick Film Festival
My mind is going, Dave... The Orpheum is playing every movie Kubrick ever made
The best cinemas in Sydney
Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace
Without doubt the grandest cinema in Sydney, Cremorne’s Art Deco picture palace is a stunning step back in time. Built in 1935 by George Kenworthy, the top theatrical architect of the period, today’s version is even glitzier than the original thanks to a $2.5-million restoration some years back by owner and local TV celeb Mike Walsh. Each of the six auditoria has its own colour scheme and decor, but the 744-seat Orpheum is the true star of the show. It even has a genuine Wurlitzer cinema organ, which rises out of a stage pit on weekend evenings complete with flashing lights and a grinning organist. Expect a mix of mainstream US, British and Australian fare, with some art-house, special presentations and the occasional cabaret show.
Ritz Cinema Randwick
With a distinctive Art Deco design restored to its former 1930s glory and an impressive sound system, the six-screen Ritz cinema is both a local landmark and an excellent venue for catching the latest mainstream releases. Signs explain the regulations – no alcohol, bare feet, smoking or skateboards – which make sense if you hit the place in the afternoon after school’s out. In the evening the place attracts a different crowd, including film geeks who seek out the Ritz for its great acoustics and old-fashioned flair. Upstairs the inimitable Bar Ritz boasts a marble bar and balcony – perfect for pre- and post-film drinks. Bus 372, 373, 376, 377.
Palace Norton Street Cinemas
Leichhardt's Palace Cinemas were fully refurbed in 2013 and now have eight auditoria, all licensed, and an impressive foyer with a lounge bar and café on site. Palace Norton Street plays host to some of the best annual film festivals such as the French, Spanish, Greek, German and Italian. It is also in close proximity to the eateries and vibrant culture of Norton Street.
Palace Verona Cinemas
Paddington’s intellectuals, gays and art-house crowds are always seen milling about the Palace Verona with glee. The four screens are on the small side, the seats are snug and the pre-show commercials... well, they tend to go on forever. But we're forgiving film lovers, especially since this oft-buzzing venue screens an expertly curated line-up of arthouse releases from name directors (Woody, the Coens, PT Anderson...), world movies, quirky Australian indies and special one-offs, like screenings of overseas stage productions and concerts. There's a licensed café, wine and espresso bar on the premises – good for a pre-movie drink, a post-movie chat or even just a day date, since you don't have to purchase a ticket to enjoy what they're pouring and brewing. And if you're a frequent moviegoer, you'll want to check out Palace's great-value membership schemes, which are more than worth the investment if you see flicks on the regular.
Chauvel Cinema
Named after the Australian film pioneer Charles Chauvel - of Jedda fame - this much-loved local cinema is part of the Palace cinema chain. Its proscenium arch brings true grandeur to the art of film and the staff really know their stuff. Screenings tend to be seriously arty and the place also holds Cinemateque screenings. Be sure to seek out the lovely upstairs bar. Bus 333, 352, 378, 380. Screens 2. Tickets $16.50; $9-$12.50 reductions; $8 Tue.
Upcoming film releases in Australia
Hacksaw Ridge
Mel Gibson has returned to directing after a ten-year absence with a brutal war film
Julieta
Pedro Almodóvar returns to female-focused filmmaking with a darker than usual drama
Elle
Dutch provocateur Paul Verhoeven has an ace up his sleeve in the form of an Oscar-worthy performance from Isabelle Huppert in this rape-revenge thriller
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Sydney's local favourites
Stellar service and optimum convenience is the order of the day at these local favourites. It doesn't matter if you're ducking in for a quick fix solution, or you don't even know what you're looking for, they're going to help out. And when it comes to the cash register, they're savvy enough to let you pay the way you want to, with no worries and no minimums.
Sunday Tex-Mex Brunch at El Camino Cantina
Tex-Mex food has put zing into café menus Australia-wide. Now Tex-Mex experts El Camino Cantina in the Rocks have a brunch special that will perk up your Sunday like a proverbial jumping bean. From 11am to 2pm every Sunday, $29 gets you a breakfast item plus unlimited beverages (Bloody Marys, Margaritas, draught beer and soft drinks) for an hour. Those brekky selections include a Breakfast Burrito packed with scrambled eggs, chorizo, diced potatoes, bacon and cheese with arugula salad; Huevos Sopes, namely poached eggs on fresh corn and chilli fritters with smoked pork and chipotle hollandaise; and Huevos and Chorizo – build-your-own tacos with flour tortillas, chorizo, scrambled eggs, pico de gallo, crema, black beans and guacamole. And if you’re lucky, there might even be a mariachi band playing. El Camino Cantina is a big, bold venue at 18 Argyle Street (right next to the Argyle) that also offers Happy Hours Sunday to Friday (with free chips, salsa, queso and drink specials), Ghost Chilli Mondays (a burger and a beer for $20) and Wing Wednesdays (with a dozen wings for $15). Book your visit at the website.
The Bank held a backyard barbecue party and we bet you're sorry you missed it
Can you think of a better way to send off winter and let the spring come in than with a Latin American barbecue cook out in a freshly re-done beer garden? Neither can we, and neither could the Bank, which is why on the 31st of August, they invited DJ Gonzo to take over the decks, and held a good old fashioned cook off, with barbecue corn, pinto beans, and plenty of charcoal chook to go around. They invited the whole neighbourhood down to celebrate and sample the new menu, and there was much feasting, drinking, and even a spot of dancing. Sorry you missed out? Don't be. That party may have been a good one, but it was just a warm up to what'll be happening at the Bank every day this spring and summer. The Bank in Newtown has been a drawing crowds to the Inner West for decades. With a famous beer garden, live music at Waywards bar where entry is always free, and craft beer bar Uncle Hops, the Bank is a one-stop party shop. Now the Bank has unveilied a new charcoal barbecue in pride of place in the venue’s famous beer garden. It's operated by a new head chef, Zac Smart (SoCal in Neutral Bay), who has devised a fresh menu based around the flavours imparted by barbecue techniques. But don’t expect the American style of barbecue that’s all too familiar to Sydney pub goers. Smart is more interested in the Latin American side of the equation, with flavours like house-made chimichurri and romesco sauce, chancaca and chillies. The menu features dishes such as cauliflower an
Liveworks
Liveworks festival is the main event in Performance Space's annual program, showcasing local, interstate and international artists pushing the frontiers of art and performance. In 2016, artists include dancer/choreographer Kristina Chan, who offers a meditation on impermance in the era of climate change, 'A Faint Existence'. Mish Grigor (of the collective post) will give 'The Talk' – in which she re-enacts awkward conversations about sexuality she had with her family members. Visual artist Ross Manning will transform CarriageWorks' public spaces into a psychedelic landscape with his installation 'Melody Lines'. Meanwhile Indigenous acoustic outfit the Stiff Gins will give a music-based performance about Indigenous artefacts held in museums.Experimental musician and composer Jon Rose will showcase his extraordinary collection of hand-built instruments for 'The Museum Goes Live'. Taiwanese performance artist River Lin will ask visitors to nominate 'unclean' parts of their bodies in a work titled 'Cleansing Service'. And there's more besides: check the website for the complete line-up. For a limited time CarriageWorks is offering an Earlybird discount of 20 per cent off all tickets for Liveworks.