Date

Film Review: The Call

The Call stars Halle Berry as ‘Jordan Turner’, who works as a 911 call operator. It seems to be a normal day until she receives a distress call from a girl whose house is being broken in to. Jordan does what she can to help calm the girl while the police are on their way. You quickly find out that the intruder is there to kidnap her. Due to some wrong decisions by Jordan the girl is taken. Jordan is left with the last words of the intruder down the phone.

It is 6 months later and due to her trauma and guilt, Jordan is now a 911 call trainer. Soon though she finds herself taking a similar call from Casey played by Abrigail Breslin. This time Casey and already been taken!

Halle Berry as always puts in a solid performance. I have only previously seen Abigail Breslin in Zombieland so it was good to see her in a lead role. Both characters connected well together.

I thought that the film was fast paced and the tension constantly built as the police were getting closer to find casey. There were a couple of times where I thought the film could be near the end but then it turned a new corner. Much of the movie is Casey on the phone to Jordan from the trunk of her car. It did remind me a lot of the movie Buried. But luckily not as claustrophobic.

To be honest their isn’t much to The Call and it did seem rather short at 96 minutes. I am not sure if I would have liked the film as much if I didn’t see it in the cinema. But I did enjoy it. The Call has been released at similar times as some big budget films like Star Trek 2, Iron Man 3, Hangover 3 and Oblivion. I think it may get lost behind these.

SydneySocial101 give ‘The Call’ 6/10. Syrus Wynne reviewed the movie on behalf of Sydney Social.

What’s New: YEBISU IZAKAYA OPENS IN SYDNEY’S J-VILLAGE

Yebisu, Sydney’s funkiest new izakaya bar and restaurant, has opened in Regent Place, George Street, just opposite Sydney Town Hall. Dubbed Sydney’s ‘J-Village’, the revitalised Regent Place and surrounding neighbourhood is home to a number of Sydney’s best Japanese food and drink destinations including authentic ramen soup shop Tenkomori and Sydney’s first specialist matcha teahouse Chanoma Café.

Izakaya dining is fast becoming the go-to way of eating in Sydney with Yebisu’s extensive menu covering yakitori and other grill items as well as a huge roster of other Japanese classic hits such as sushi, sashimi, hot pots, noodles and fried dishes. Specialised chefs are assigned to each style of cooking with Yebisu’s yakitori master sending out signature dishes such as chicken skewers (breast, thigh, giblet, meatball, wing or skin) plus pork belly, whole whiting or maybe baby squid. Vegetables are covered too with shiitake, water spinach and zucchini.

Leading the way in new-age restaurant technology, Yebisu also offers diners a fully integrated iPad ordering system with each table featuring its own iPad menu for customers to browse and order from. This state-of-the-art system and one of the first in Sydney allows diners to see what stage their order is at, from ‘order placed’ to ‘cooking currently’ to ‘on its way to the table’. Diners also have constant access to a running list of what food and drink has been ordered and a total cost of the bill. Interaction with waitstaff is up to you.

As well as food, you can also choose from Yebisu’s specialised sake list, several Japanese craft beers, wine and cocktails from your own personal iPad. A bespoke sake trolley also circulates the room with a specialist on hand to help navigate the extensive list. Once ordered, the sake is poured ceremoniously at the table with much fanfare, in true izakaya style.

Yebisu’s funky fit-out is boldly ‘east meets west’, reflecting the old and the new face of Japan. Traditional and obviously Japanese in its detail, the modern street art, courtesy of Coffs Harbour-based graffiti artist Ash Johnston, adds a truly urban edge. The exterior of the restaurant features brightly lit neon signage running alongside glowing paper lanterns traditionally found outside izakaya bars in Japan. Sydney-based Giant Designs are responsible for Yebisu’s impressive interiors as well as the fit out of its J-Village neighbours, Chanoma Cafe and Tenkomori.

Yebisu Izakaya is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week at Regent Place on George Street.

Yebisu Izakaya

Regent Place

501 George Street, near Bathurst Street

Sydney

http://www.regentplace.com.au

Opening hours:

Lunch seven days from 12-3pm

Dinner Sunday to Thursday from 5-11pm, Friday to Saturday from 5pm-midnight

Social Spy** Rebirth of the Marly, Hotel Marlborough launches Garden Bar

1May 2013 Hotel Marlborough, Newtown

The Marly invites you to come play in its garden

Last night, Sydney Social was invited to the VIP opening of Hotel Marlborough’s new Garden Bar in Newtown.

As the name suggests, The Garden Bar is an outdoor courtyard (heated during the chillier months) that has been opened up and transformed, showing off an indoor/outdoor hangout like no other in Newtown. The interior hosts a wild mash of styles, from feminine and romantic, green and organic, to edgy exposed brick and providing a stark contrast to the Marly’s classic exterior.

Fun, fruity cocktails were served alongside tray after tray of backyard classics by new Head Chef, Ernie Priestley. Having previously worked at the Abercrombie Hotel, Norfolk Hotel, Keystone, Merivale and Universal, Ernie has packed the menu with classed-up pub favourite, heaps of vegetarian offerings and old school Aussie classics such as fish fingers and a cheese platter. We highly recommend the fried scallops!

The new refurb plays up the garden theme with lush greenery, a sweet assortment of candy colours and a whimsical love seat. Touches of exposed brick and pops of lipstick are part of the overall re-launch of the Hotel Marlborough. “We have respected the heritage of the venue on the exterior, restoring heritage cream tiles and specially hand blown green tiles – but new venue like the Garden Bar will sit a long way from what the old Marly offered,” said Paddy Coughlin, CEO of the Riversdale Group.

The Iconic establishment has a rich history with more than 150 years of trade. “I love the history of the Marly, and it’s a great looking pub. It lost its way in recent years though so we’re going to give it a fresh new focus, and the timing couldn’t be better. Newtown is undergoing a massive resurgence in terms of pubs and clubs and as biggest and one of the best positioned in the area we’re looking forward to leading the charge for change,” adds Paddy.

The night could not have been more perfect for a night in the new Garden Bar. A full house of media and VIPs and celebs including Roy Billing, Michelle Leslie and Adam Zammit, Sally Singleton, Callan Ward, Jon Giles, Stephen Coniglio, Dom Tyson, Phil Davis, Toby Greene, Stephen Gilham (AFL Players, GWS Giants) partied with Singo, Paddy Coughlan, Ned Kelly, Mark Carnegie and Geoff Dixon in celebrating the re-birth of the Marly.

The Garden Bar at the Hotel Marlborough is open from 12PM – very late seven days for a cheeky backyard bevvie and burger

Hotel Marlborough – 145 King StreetNewtownwww.marlboroughhotel.com.au

SOCIAL SPY** Toi et Moi Sydney & Le Super Shop Launch

French women have always been seen in a league of their own when it comes to elegance – they invented chic, their accent alone can turn mens legs turn to jelly and they take the fashion world by storm, so with the launch of the Toi et Moi Sydney’s latest summer collection you can now capture the magic of Parisian style right here Down Under!

Last night, the Parisian-inspired fashion label launched their cool new ‘Une Romance Moderne’ summer and ‘Metropolitain’ Resort 2013 collections at Paddington’s L’etoile Restaurant, owned by ‘My Kitchen Rules’ celebrity chef Manu Feildel.

Set against a romantic leafy backdrop, guests were ushered into the court at the back of the restaurant, decorated with flowers by Ashleigh Stewart for Clemetine Posy, for a sneak peek of the new range. Fancy hor d’oeurves and Jacob’s Creek wine made the rounds, as attendees waited with anticipation for the show to start.

Models sported Bardot-inspired hair, created by Scott Sloan of Sloans of Lane Cove, and took to the catwalk wearing statement dresses with bold print, bright colours that oozed a European style.

Guests were then wished ‘bon apetit’ as they were treated to an intimate candle-lit dinner, and big brown gift boxes were filled with goodies, including a one-off vintage vinyl frame directly from Paris itself!

Toi et Moi first entered the fashion world just over three years ago, and has since evolved from casual T-shirts to a sleek, classic women’s wear which now reaches fashionistas on a global scale, as the brand is available in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and now America – apparently items have been flying off the shelf quicker than you can say ‘oui’!

The owner, and mother of four, Gill Lawrence frequents Paris twice a year, for inspiration and in January the brand celebrated its introduction into superstore Myer.

Coinciding with the event, was the announcement of the launch of Le Super Shop, the online home of Toi et Moi Sydney and the marketplace for other cool, unique French finds, curated by Gill and her French husband, Thierry Lavirotte.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get your hands on this über cool collection which infuses French soul with a laid back Aussie twist.

For more information on Le Super Shop visit http://shop.lesupershop.com/

Sydney Social’s roving reporter Jennifer Fletcher attended the launch yesterday.

What’s on: Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge to be illuminated as part of major Vivid Sydney expansion and world-first

One of my all time favourite Sydney Events is Vivid Sydney! Every year it takes my breath away! The stunning light installations and ‘can’t believe my eyes’ moments leave you wanting more!

If you’re in Sydney during the Vivid activity In May and June I can’t stress highly enough how much this should be on your agenda!

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Stoner, has today announced that Sydney Harbour Bridge will be the centrepiece of a new interactive light installation for Vivid Sydney, extending the Vivid Light Walk across the harbour into the North Sydney precinct for the first time.

Vivid partner, Intel Australia, has teamed up with Sydney-based lightwork innovators 32 Hundred Lighting to create a world-first immersive projection onto the bridge’s western face which will be controlled by the public from an interactive touch screen located on the Luna Park boardwalk.

From 6.00pm to midnight every night, between 24 May and 10 June, spectators will be able to choose the scene and colour of the projection beamed along the upper and lower arches and the road deck of the western face of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

32 Hundred Lighting will design the installation including 100,800 individual programmable LEDs and a state-of-the-art custom-designed software program with an interactive touch screen interface.

Mr Stoner said the extension of Vivid Light to a Sydney icon in collaboration with Intel is an exciting and ambitious expansion of Vivid Sydney in 2013.

“This year Sydney’s famous Harbour Bridge will come alive during Vivid with a spectacular display of light,” Mr Stoner said.

“In a world-first, the Harbour Bridge will become the centrepiece of an interactive light projection, allowing the public to play and interact with the bridge for the first time in its history.

“Last year Vivid attracted record crowds of more than 500,000 people. With the Sydney Harbour Bridge installation set to be visible from Balmain, North Sydney and a multitude of Harbourside vantage points on the Western side of the bridge, the event is now accessible to more people than ever before.

“In only few short years Vivid Sydney, which is owned and managed by Destination NSW, the State’s major events and tourism agency, has grown to be the largest festival of light, music and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere, and in 2013 we will raise the bar once again to showcase Sydney in its best light to attract more visitors from overseas and interstate, and promote Sydney’s world-class creative industries.”

Intel Australia’s Managing Director, Kate Burleigh, said Intel was delighted to be involved with Vivid Sydney for a third consecutive year to bring the lights of Vivid to North Sydney and one of Australia’s most internationally recognisable landmarks.

“Intel is excited to be partnering with Vivid Sydney and 32 Hundred Lighting to create an installation that will cast new light on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and showcase the amazing things that are made possible with Intel technology inside,” Ms Burleigh said.

“Technology is the digital paintbrush that makes installations like this possible. We look forward to presenting one of the showstoppers of this year’s event together with 32 Hundred Lighting and the thousands of ‘artists’ who will interact with the bridge every night.”

Intel has a history of innovative partnerships with Vivid Sydney. In 2012, Intel’s Director of Creative Innovation will.i.am visited Sydney to create a unique interactive lighting collaboration on the façade of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia with Sydney artist Justene Williams.

Destination NSW CEO, Sandra Chipchase, said that in 2012 rising audience numbers demonstrated Vivid Sydney’s appeal to Sydneysiders, as well as interstate and international visitors.

“Vivid Sydney provides a truly global canvas and audience for our artistic, creative and business communities. The evolving 2013 program, including the spectacular installation announced today for Sydney Harbour Bridge with Vivid partner Intel, will be our most exciting to date,” Ms Chipchase said.

“Vivid Sydney is continuing to capture the attention of the global creative industry generating visitation from within our key tourism markets, and reinforcing Sydney’s position as Australia’s true global city and creative hub of the Asia Pacific.”

North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson said the extension of the Vivid Light Walk into North Sydney was a coup for North Shore residents, offering new opportunities for locals to participate in one of Sydney’s largest and most spectacular public events.

“North Sydney Council is a proud supporter of this extension of the Vivid Sydney footprint. North Sydney will host an artisan and food market at Bradfield Park, directly beneath the spectacular Harbour Bridge structure,” Ms Gibson said.

“Vivid Sydney festival goers will be able to absorb some of the best views of Sydney Opera House and the city from this northside park. Other key vantage points will include Luna Park and Blues Point Reserve at McMahons Point.”

The full Vivid Sydney program is available at http://vividsydney.com

ARRAS Matches The Best In Food And Wine For Aussie Wine Month

Image: Arras – co–owners/head chefs Adam and Lovaine Humphrey and sommelier Alon Sharman.

I was invited to sample Arras’ menu a few months ago, let me just say that you will not be disappointed! So I’m more than happy to let you all know about the exciting plans that the owners have for Aussie Wine Month.

On Friday 19 April, modern European restaurant ARRAS will be teaming up with family-owned local producers, Freeman Vineyards, for a beautiful four-course dinner with matching wines in celebration of Aussie Wine Month.

One-hatted ARRAS is run by young British chefs Adam and Lovaine Humphrey. The husband and wife duo bring with them a wealth of experience from top restaurants across Europe and Australia including the three Michelin-starred Michel Bras in France, Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck and the Castle Hotel in England.

The seasonally changing menu features an innovative interpretation on European dishes, served in the colourful surrounds of unique design features including a graffiti mural by Sydney graffiti artistAz One, aka Andy Steel, and bespoke Paul Smith suit-fabric dining chairs.

Freeman Vineyards is located in the Hilltops region of New South Wales. This small, specialist family wine company is run by Dr Brian Freeman, along with his daughters Marcelle and Xanthe. It is best known for its Italian inspired wines – Secco, Fortuna and Rondo Rose – that have been produced by the family since 2002.

The one-off dinner will include four courses and ARRAS’s famous petit fours matched to the Fortuna, Rondo and Secco wines for just $120 per person.

Friday 19 April, 7pm start
ARRAS
204 Clarence Street
Sydney, NSW 2000

For further information or to make a booking, call 02 9283 1922, email reservations@restaurantarras.com.au or visit http://www.restaurantarras.com.au

Social Spy** Ivanhoe Hotel Sneak Peek

Last night Sydney Social was invited to the exclusive launch of the Ivanhoe Hotel for an exclusive sneak peek inside the local landmark.

For decades, the Ivanhoe has been a bar, restaurant, and nightclub staple on the Manly Corso, and the new transformation is truly impressive.

Lucky guests were able to witness the transformation inside, party on the outside decking, try the new sweet vodka mixers served in funky glasses and sample the mouth-watering pizza, lobster soup, burgers plus other treats off new menu too!

The first floor is inviting with plenty of cosy seating and hosts a decedent staircase. There are open areas tucked away and interesting art ties the space together. The second floor’s spacious veranda is perfect for daytime people watching and an after-hours drink. Dance floor junkies can congregate on the spacious third level dance floor, overlooked by a DJ booth.

Whilst the former Ivanhoe offered a damn fine $10 steak and plenty of locals for a game of pool, the new nautical digs, inventive cocktails and classed-up menu selection will leave you wanting to explore each of the three levels.

According to Bar MD, Grant Collins, the highly anticipated grand re-opening has left Manly locals and Sydneysiders alike, all eager to see how the renovation would take a modern approach to a classic seaside pub.

The iconic hotel, based in Manly has been closed for refurbishment and the official grand opening for the public will be at the end of March!

Next time you find yourself on the Northern Beaches, we highly recommend popping into The Ivanhoe for a bite and a drink.—you won’t be disappointed!

For more info check out http://www.ivanhoehotelmanly.com.au

Movie Review** THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE REVIEW

I had seen the same trailer for this film a number of times, each time I got more excited to see the final product. I hoped this would be a funny film that reached the same level of comedy as Anchorman or 40 Year Old Virgin. Did it live up to my hopes??

The film is about two lonely young boys who become best friends over a love of magic. Years later they grow up to become Burt Wonderstone, (Steve Carell) and Anton Marvelton, (Steve Buscemi).

Their shows become bigger and bigger until they finally have centre stage in the grandest casino in Vegas. All is not well as they two start to drift apart over their repetitive boredom of the same tricks each night and Burt’s big headedness. In the meantime there is a new street magician Steve Gray, (Jim Carey), who is performing daring street magic. Soon the friendship breaks and they need to find a way back to the top.

It is obvious that Burt and Anton are taking off Siegfrid & Roy, while Steve Gray is meant to be Chris Angel. There are other nods to magicians like David Blaine. Carell and Buscemi are a great double act even if they don’t look like a great pairing. Carey is back to the Carey we all know, and some may love, with other the top acting, after all that’s what he is best for. He does steal the show with some outrageous over the top tricks, which I wont spoil. The first one will turn a few stomachs. The main characters are back by Olivia Wilde, Burt & Anton’s assistant (Amazing), and Alain Arkin, Burt’s magician mentor. Both characters add a lot of humour outside of the main three.

A lot of the film is predictive but most are in this genre. It is the constant jokes that you would expect from comedians of this calibre that keep the film going. I’ve noticed with a lot of comedy films recently that the jokes start to slow down about half way through as if they are out of steam, not here!!

If anyone is a fan of Steve Carell or Jim Carey, then this is them at their best and you wont be disappointed. No its not an Anchorman or 40 Year Old Virgin, but this is definitely a film I would love to see again for an abundance of funny stand out moments. I haven’t heard a cinema audience laugh out loud for so long.

Sydney Social 101 gives The Incredible Burt Wonderstone 8/10. It was reviewed by Syrus Wynne, Sydney Social’s resident critic!

SOCIAL SPY** Rekorderlig Cider at Taste of Sydney

Last night Sydney Social was invited to sample Rekoderlig Cider’s brand new flavoured drink, which was launched at the first day of the 2013 Taste of Sydney Festival.

The Swedish mega brand, which is also the exclusive sponsor of the event, debuted its Passionfruit beverage in their swanky cider bar tent, and this refreshing concoction is the latest in the range added to their already exotic line.

The other flavours available are Apple, Pear, Strawberry-Lime, Wild Berries, Apple & Blackcurrant and Mango & Raspberry.

These fun flavours served in pint glasses appeal to men and women and the fruit alternatives make a great afternoon brew – especially in the Sydney sun!

“We are excited to part of this year’s Taste of Sydney,” Rekorderlig’s Marketing Manager Nikki Langford said.

Loyalty cards are on offer at the food festival, and those who purchase five drinks will get a goodie bag containing a bottle of their choice to take home, as well as a collectors glass and bottle opener.

The Rekorderlig bar is situated smack bang in the middle of the event, right next to the entrance, so it’s a perfect place for attendees to quench their thirst.

Taste of Sydney is an annual occasion, held in Centennial Park and celebrates the Sydney food scene, and the festivities this year will be running from March 14 to March 17.

Don’t miss your chance to head to the Swedish cider bar and for more info visit http://www.rekorderlig.com.au

What’s On: THE BIGGEST STARS JAM PACKED INTO THE BIGGEST SYDNEY COMEDY FESTIVAL EVER!

The ninth annual Sydney Comedy Festival has announced its full program with over 150 amazing shows that will take place throughout Sydney and beyond, making it the biggest festival ever!

“With an overwhelming amount of applications and the addition of new venues including the iconic Harold Park Hotel, the Concourse Theatre, Chatswood, and an innovative new Container space at the Factory Theatre, Festival organisers have taken the plunge and rolled out 50 per cent more shows than ever before,” said festival director Jorge Menidis.

Continuing the expansion to new places, the Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase will visit regional New South Wales and Queensland for the first time ever with a line-up of some of the funniest and freshest acts from the Festival.

Following the first and second announcement of stellar headlining shows, the complete Sydney Comedy Festival 2013 program has now been unveiled and includes both Festival debuts and the return of crowd favourites.

Making his Enmore Theatre debut is the irrepressible David O’Doherty, pitching their tent at the Seymour Centre is the masters of physical comedy the Pajama Men and everyone’s favourite felt-faced raconteur Randy, will complete his first Sydney solo show at The Metro Theatre.

Performing at the Sydney Comedy Festival for the first time is UK-based Kiwi Jared Christmas, YouTube sensation Alex Williamson and the masked Mexican wrestling marvel El Jaguar.

Celebrating comedy from all over the world, the program also includes Singapore’s hottest new comics in The Sons of Singapore, a United Nations line-up of comedians including Angelo Tsarouchas and Tahir in the world famous Ethnic Comedy All-Stars and from the creators of ‘From Lebanon with Love’, Two & A Half Lebs.

Alongside the seemingly endless array of solo shows, the Festival’s much-loved showcases and special events will return bigger than ever before including the Secret Show, 60 in 60 and a re-vamped Festival Awards. Due to popular demand, Sydney’s biggest night of comedy, Cracker Night, will expand from one night to two and include a second Enmore show.

Rounding out the program is the return of the Festival’s Late Night Club at the Enmore Theatre’s Yalumba Wine Bar, where every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Festival guests can rub shoulders with their favourite comedians over a delicious beverage or two.

WHAT: The ninth annual Sydney Comedy Festival
WHEN: 22nd April to 11th May 2013
WHERE: Various venues across Sydney
TICKETS: On sale now
COST: Prices are varied. Visit http://www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au or call the Sydney Comedy Festival Box Office: 02 9020 6966