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No more Mr Nice Guy: Tom Hanks blows up at movie critics

Tom Hanks has taken aim at movie critics in a heated on Conan O'Brien's podcast, calling out the entire review section of the entertainment industry. The Hollywood actor launched into his tirade on the Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend podcast as he looked at how movie reviews and the general audience reception to films has changed over the years. “Now what happened is that time has become one of the metrics for how these things matter, right?” he said. “In the day it was just a fist fight. It was every movie you came out, are you going to make the playoffs or not? Guess what? No, kid, you’re 2 and 12 and you ain’t going nowhere. Or, you got a shot.” “It used to be you had these Rubicons that you crossed,” he continued. “First of all, do you love it or not? That’s the first thing. Yes, okay, you have crossed the Rubicon, right? The next Rubicon you cross is when the movie is completely done a year and a half later, and you see it for the first time, and you might like it. It doesn’t matter if it works or not, you look at it and say, ‘Hey, I think we acquitted ourselves pretty good.’ That’s Rubicon No. 2.” Hanks went on, “Then the critics weigh in, that’s Rubicon No. 3, and that’s always up down. ‘We hate it, we like it. This is the worst thing … Oh hey, oh hi Tom, I saw you in a movie. It was cute.’” “That’s when you ask the wife, ‘Hey, honey, could you take the revolver out of the glove box and hide it somewhere, because I think…,” Hanks joked. Podcast host O'Brien then brought up that Hanks was initially “disappointed” with his 1996 film That Thing You Do!, which marked his directorial debut, but the movie has since become a cult classic in pop culture. “Let me tell you something about these c***suckers who write about movies,” Hanks responded, before asking O’Brien and his co-hosts, “Can I say that?” “Somebody who wrote about it is, ‘Tom Hanks has to stop hanging around with veterans of TV, because this is just like the shot on TV and it’s not much of anything,’” Hanks recalled. “That same person then wrote about the cult classic That Thing You Do! Same exact person. They said, ‘All you need is 20 years between now and then, and it ends up speaking some words.’” Image credits: Shutterstock

Movies

Beloved Friends, Tootsie and Mr Mom star passes away

Teri Garr, the beloved actress known for her iconic roles in classic films such as Young Frankenstein and Tootsie and her appearances on Friends, has passed away at the age of 79. Her death, confirmed by her publicist Heidi Schaeffer, occurred on Tuesday in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and friends. Garr's passing follows a long battle with multiple sclerosis, a condition she publicly disclosed in 2002 to raise awareness about the disease and its impact on daily life. Born Terry Ann Garr in Lakewood, Ohio, in 1944, Teri grew up in a theatrical family; her father was a vaudeville performer and her mother a Rockette. This background set the stage for Garr's early career, which began as a background dancer in Elvis Presley films during the 1960s. Her breakout role came in 1974 when she starred as Inga, the charming lab assistant to Gene Wilder's character in Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. The film became a cornerstone of American comedy, showcasing Garr's unique blend of humour and warmth. Garr further solidified her place in cinematic history with her performance in Tootsie in 1982, where she portrayed the vulnerable actress friend of Dustin Hoffman’s character. This role earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Critics praised her ability to balance comedy with emotional depth, with film critic Pauline Kael calling her "the funniest neurotic dizzy dame on the screen" at that time. Despite her success, Garr faced significant challenges due to her health. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis during the filming of Tootsie, a struggle she detailed in her memoir, Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood. In it, she described MS as a "sneaky disease," one that complicated her life and career but did not define it. “My body had a trick or two up its sleeve," she wrote. "A stumble here, a tingling finger there. I was trained as a dancer and knew better than to indulge the random aches and pains that visited now and then. Being a successful Hollywood actress may be challenging, but little did I know that the very body that had always been my calling card would betray me.” Garr became an advocate for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, using her platform to inspire others facing similar challenges. Throughout her career, Garr appeared in over 140 film and TV projects. She was known for her roles in Mr. Mom, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and various television shows including Friends, where she played Phoebe's birth mother. Her playful spirit and comedic timing made her a favourite among audiences and fellow actors alike. In recent years, Garr had limited her appearances due to health issues but remained an influential figure in Hollywood. Tributes have poured in from fans and colleagues alike, celebrating her legacy as a pioneer for women in comedy and an inspiration for those battling chronic illnesses. Teri Garr leaves behind a rich legacy filled with laughter and heart. She is survived by her daughter Molly O'Neil and grandson Tyryn. Her contributions to film and television will be remembered fondly by generations to come. Images: CNN \ Fox Studios

Caring

Why Mr Bean is being blamed for decreasing electric vehicle sales

Rowan Atkinson has been blamed for a decrease in electric car sales, with a "damaging" article being debunked in the House of Lords. The actor and comedian, who is also a well-known car enthusiast, wrote an article for The Guardian, claiming he felt "duped" by electric vehicles, saying they aren't as eco-friendly as they are often portrayed. Atkinson says the problem with the vehicles' sustainable marketing focuses on just one part of the car’s operating life: what comes out of the exhaust pipes and ignores other elements such as the manufacturing and the mining of rare earth minerals, shipping and building of the batteries. These claims, and the article itself, have been addressed by the UK's House of Lords, with politicians blaming the story for a decrease in electric vehicle sales. UK think tank the Green Alliance says, “One of the most damaging articles was a comment piece written by Rowan Atkinson in The Guardian which has been roundly debunked.” Other deterrents identified by the committee were the high purchase price and insufficient charging infrastructure. Social media users were quick to take Atkinson's side in the debate, with one person writing on X, “If Rowan Atkinson is responsible, then give him a knighthood.” Another user says, “Rowan Atkinson with a degree and masters in Engineering. Knows more than those pushing electric cars.” "Apparently it's Mr Bean's fault for the poor take up of electric cars. Cancel him," another said. For the last 12 months, high power costs in the UK have meant that fast charging your electric car can be more expensive than refuelling a petrol or diesel vehicle. The UK is planning to ban sales of petrol and diesel vehicles from 2035, despite the slip in sales. Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

Russell Crowe and girlfriend denied entry at restaurant

Actor Russell Crowe and his girlfriend Britney Theriot were refused entry at a Melbourne restaurant for not meeting the smart-casual dress code, according to a report. The pair went to eat at Mr Myagi, a Japanese-fusion establishment in Melbourne, wearing outfits they had played tennis in earlier that day, and the staff were quick to deny them entry. “He went there wearing a brand new Ralph Lauren polo, having just played a game of tennis and was turned away,” Crowe’s manager Grant Vandenberg told the Daily Mail Australia. Mr Miyagi describes itself as “casual but fancy” where “work gear, activewear, singlets, and thongs” are forbidden. The restaurant’s management doubled down on their decision to deny the pair service, saying no one is above their rules. “We treat everyone the same. It doesn’t matter who you are or if you are Russell Crowe. We’ve got a dress code that we push across every level,” restaurant owner Kristian Klein told The Herald Sun. “We are consistent with it and I don’t feel like it’s unreasonable," Klein added. “But I know personally if I’m in my thongs and my boardies, I’m not going to try and go to a nice restaurant, because I wouldn’t be dressed appropriately.” Klein said the staff member that denied Crowe’s entry did not know who the Gladiator actor was, and it was a “very unfortunate situation for everyone”. The restaurant had some fun with the situation, posting an updated dress code policy on Instagram. “Dress smart casual, unless you’re Russell Crowe, then wear whatevs,” the sign read. Mr Myiagi also addressed Crowe to clear the air. “Dear Russell, During your last visit it seems we got off on the wrong foot. After much reflection on what occurred, we have made a permanent change to our dress code,” the caption read. “We would love to see you again in the future, you’re always welcome at Mr. Miyagi.” According to the Daily Mail, radio broadcaster Steve Price and his partner were turned away from Mr Miyagi just days later for the same reason. Crowe has now joined the list of recent A-listers who were denied service from restaurants. Talk show host James Corden was banned from Balthazar, Keith McNally’s restaurant in Manhattan, in October 2022 after he allegedly mistreated the restaurant’s staff. Other celebrities that have been turned away from establishments include Ariana Grande, who was banned from a California doughnut shop after being seen on a surveillance camera licking unattended pastries. Image credit: Getty

Food & Wine

3 surprising health and beauty benefits of coffee beans

Ah, coffee - who doesn't love to start the day without a cup! You'll be delighted to hear that coffee beans also have a plethora of beneficial uses. For starters, coffee beans can also improve hair and skin. Hello bright eyes These days, lots of trageted eye creams contain caffeine for its ability to decrease puffiness. Failing buying a new cream, why not try and little beauty DIY. Simply soak a cotton pad, ball or some clean gauze in some cool coffee water and relax with it on your eyes for at least 10 minutes but no more than half an hour. Wake up skin Not only can coffee brighten your comlexion, because of antioxidants and acids it has also been shown to diminish fine lines and tighten skin. Combine filtered warm water, coffee grounds, 2 teaspoons of Epsom salts and a bowl and allow to soak for a little while. Then simply wash you face - not only will you get a brightening clean, but the ground will give you a gentle exofliation too. Colour boost This is one for those with brunette hair. To add shine to your hair, make a paste from mixing coffee grounds with water. Simply apply to damp, clean hair and leave for 10 minutes before rinsing. Image credits: Getty Images

Beauty & Style

Man hides hefty lottery win from wife and child

A Chinese man has kept his eye watering 219 million yuan (AUD$47,068,869) lottery win a secret from his wife and child so they don’t become lazy. Known only as Mr Li to conceal his identity, the man dressed up in a yellow cartoon costume when he accepted the huge win on October 24 at the lottery office in Nanning, in the southern region of Guangxi. “I did not tell my wife and child for fear that they would be too complacent and would not work or work hard in the future,” he told Nanning Evening News. Mr Li confessed that he bought 40 lottery tickets all of which had the same seven numbers, with the lottery company paying out 5.48 million yuan (AUD$1,177,811) for each ticket. Eventually he found out that he had the winning lottery numbers of 2, 15, 19, 26, 27, 29, and 2 and went to claim his prize. After receiving the hefty sum, Mr Li donated 5 million yuan (AUD$1,074,597) to charity and is still unsure of what to do with his fortune. Mr Li has been playing the lottery for a decade and only won minor prizes until this time round. “I regard buying the lottery as a hobby, and my family does not care. Plus, I do not spend much money on it, and the lottery provides a ray of hope for me,” he told the South China Morning Post. Image: Guangxi Welfare Lottery Centre

Money & Banking

World’s Ugliest Dog crowned

A 17-year-old dog called Mr Happy Face has been dubbed the world’s ugliest dog. The Chihuahua-Chinese crested mix has an evil scientist look to it with a long tongue hanging out and boofy white hair. The event was held on June 25, with dog owners from around the US coming together to see whether or not their pet will win the title of the world’s ugliest dog. Mr Happy Face, who was adopted by musician Jeneda Benally in August 2021, was told by the shelter that he only had a few weeks left to live due to being neglected and the tumours he had. She said that Mr Happy Face “chose her” when she found out another dog she wanted had already been adopted. “I saw a creature who was indeed old, needed a second chance and deserved to be loved,” she said. “He came from a hoarder’s house where the conditions were deplorable. He was a survivor of abuse and neglect. “When I first met him, he was the happiest creature that I had ever met. He hobbled up to me and chose me. “I vowed that day, he would be so loved that he would never remember how awful his previous life had been. “Love, kindness and mommy kisses have helped him defy the anticipated short life that we all expected him to have with our family. “I don’t feel like I have the world’s ugliest dog, I feel like I’ve got the world’s most-loved dog who is bringing happiness to everybody.” Jeneda won a total of $US1500 ($A2170) after Mr Happy Face won the competition. Image: Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds Event Center

Family & Pets

Mrs Doubtfire actors 30 years on

The actors who played the children in Mrs Doubtfire have reunited in honour of the movie’s release almost 30 years ago. Lisa Jakub who played the older sister Lydia, Matthew Lawrence who played Chris the middle child, and Mara Wilson who played Natalie posed for a photo at their heartwarming get together. “Siblings” Lisa captioned the photo of her on-screen family, along with a heart emoji, while Mara captioned hers “Hilliard Family reunion”. Since the movie’s release, the actors have gone on to do their own thing, with only Matthew sticking to acting. Lisa, 43, quit acting at 22 and married Hollywood theatre manager Jeremy Jones in 2005. She currently works as a yoga teacher, speaker and writer. She wrote an autobiography called You Look Like That Girl. Last year, she launched Blue Mala, a wellness website to help those in need. Matthew, 42, continues to act and regularly appears in his siblings’ TV shows. Mara, 34, also well known for her role in Matilda, quit acting after tragically losing her mother. She did however, recently star in TV series BoJack Horseman as the recurring black widow NYC playwright "Jill Pill" Philipowicz, and has also released her own book, Where Am I Now? Image: Instagram

Movies

How Mr Bean came to be

We all grew up watching Rowan Atkinson in the much loved Mr Bean television series, animation and movies. But how did it all come to be? Atkinson, who actually has a degree in electrical engineering from Oxford University, came up with the show’s idea while studying. It was his love for acting and performing with the university’s comedy group known as “The Oxford Revue” which helped bring his character to life. The British actor had a stutter which would disappear while portraying a character but he was well received by his peers and eventually by large audiences. Atkinson described the show as “a child in a man’s body” and went on to create his dream which debuted on New Year’s Day in 1990 on ITV to a worldwide audience. Not many actors can boast that. Atkinson worked with fellow actor Richard Curtis, who saw a successful five-year run of Mr Bean which in turn saw the production of several movies. Then in 2002, an animated series of Mr Bean was also created, which saw it enjoyed by millions more around the globe. So how much did this make for Atkinson? Are you ready? An eye-watering $150 million. Not bad when you consider that the iconic character barely even utters a word! Image: Instagram

Movies

Mrs Doubtfire not the only one in disguise

It’s the movie that keeps on giving and almost 30 years later Mrs Doubtfire continues to be a fan favourite. Starring the much-loved Robin Williams as Daniel, an unsuccessful actor who disguises himself as a female Scottish housekeeper to spend time with his children following a messy separation, it's a great movie for a rainy day. And one eagle-eyed viewer has pointed out an unexpected cameo and fun fact. “In Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), the poolside bartender is played by an actor credited under the nickname Dr. Toad,” he wrote on <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/MovieDetails/comments/t4zp0l/in_mrs_doubtfire_1993_the_poolside_bartender_is/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reddit</a>. “But his real name was Robert Todd Williams, and he was Robin Williams’ older brother.” The post includes a photo from the scene where Daniel, dressed up as Mrs Doubtfire, is sitting at a bar while keeping an eye on his ex Miranda and his children, while out on a date with her new boyfriend Stu. The bartender in that scene is Robin’s brother, Robert. That was Robert’s only scene in any movie, as he works as a vintner by trade. Robin Williams was sadly found dead in his California home on August 11, 2014 aged 63 - but of course he lives on through this film and many other brilliant works. Image: Reddit

Movies

Mr Big responds to two sexual assault allegations

Chris Noth has spoken out about recent sexual assault allegations, after two women claim they were assaulted by the 67-year-old. The Sex and the City actor has denied the allegations, saying the encounters were consensual. "The accusations against me made by individuals I met years, even decades, ago are categorically false," Noth said in a prepared statement. "These stories could've been from 30 years ago or 30 days ago — no always means no — that is a line I did not cross. The encounters were consensual. It's difficult not to question the timing of these stories coming out." "I don't know for certain why they are surfacing now, but I do know this: I did not assault these women." Chris has reentered the pop culture conversation recently, as his return to the screen as Mr Big in the Sex and the City reboot And Just Like That premiered last week. The storyline in the reboot between Mr Big and Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, has made headlines around the world, and projected Chris Noth into the pop culture zeitgeist. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/chris-noth-accused-of-sexual-assault-1235063596/#recipient_hashed=b5b85875847e16b6300a5556e2ad9538b4ea3ee614088f601dba287255540194" target="_blank">The Hollywood Reporter</a> has shared a detailed report on the alleged assaults after speaking to the women in question anonymously. The women, who don't know each other, told the publication that the recent airing of And Just Like That brought up painful memories and prompted them to come forward with the allegations against Chris Noth. One of the women claims she was raped by Noth in Los Angeles in 2004, while the other woman claims she was sexually assaulted by the actor when she was in New York City in 2015. The report shares the intimate details of each assault, to which Chris has not responded to other than his sweeping denial of both instances. Image credits: Getty Images

News

Woman’s eyebrow procedure leaves her “looking like Mr Bean”

UK mum Sarah Donnelly has proved that we go to extraordinary lengths for beauty. Sarah took to Tik Tok to share the results of a beauty treatment that she said left her “looking like Mr Bean”. She went to have her eyebrows laminated, which according to <a href="https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/a29030088/eyebrow-lamination-review/">Elle magazine</a>, “is like a lash lift for your brows ... Every hair stands to attention, giving a result very similar to the full and feathery effect of microblading, but without any needling or pain.” During the procedure, eyebrow hairs are “straightened” using a chemical solution that has results lasting for several weeks. As Sarah showed off her new brows to her online followers, she said she “couldn’t stop laughing”. In hysterics in her car after her treatment, Sarah said, “I look ridiculous! What have I done to myself?” “I don’t know whether I want to laugh or cry.” The clip was captioned, “I was trying to keep up with the kids, so I got my brows laminated, and this happened.” Among the 1,600 comments on the video, one follower likened her thick black brows to Mr Bean, to which Sarah responded, “Hilarious! I actually really look like him, don’t I?” Luckily, Sarah was able to find the humour in the situation, as she even referred to her new brows as “slugs” in one comment. While many poked fun at the trendy procedure, one person questioned why the beauty professionals would use such a dark tint colour. They asked, “Why on Earth would they put black tint on a blonde-haired woman?” Despite many in the comments vowing to never risk the procedure themselves, a few people insisted Sarah’s new look would be worth it. “In a couple of days these will look epic,” one person reassured her. “Lamination is the ultimate, trust the process!” We can only pray that Sarah publishes an update for us all to enjoy. Image credits: TikTok @sarahdonnelly5

Beauty & Style

Bean dad sparks internet fury

One of the biggest debates of 2021 so far has sent social media site Twitter into a furious divide – and it all started over a humble can of beans. Earlier this week US man John Roderick was met with fierce backlash after he took to Twitter share his own parenting story that involved making his nine-year-old daughter starve for six hours until she was able to open a can of beans. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.34556574923545px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839375/bean-dad-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/980b37e0a02a4dcfac2916ab7a7a0abb" /> <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.34556574923545px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839374/bean-dad-3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8683226e648c47f98bdd1cc5cc06f112" /> <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.38718173836696px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839373/bean-dad-4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ba7680d19f194a7982b6e88af2fd5ce1" /> The man has since deleted his Twitter account, but screenshots last forever. In a series of tweets, he recounted how horrified he was to discover his young child did not know how to use a can opener. He instructed her to “study the parts” and “study the cans” which left her struggling with the can for six hours in order to open the can. Hours later, Mr Roderick says his daughter had been left defeated. What was meant to be a hilarious parenting anecdote, a number of people did not see it that way. Nicknaming him “Bean Dad”, the father has been slammed for not helping his daughter, and insisting she starve instead of assisting her. The debate became even more heated when a series of racist and anti-Semitic tweets penned by Mr Roderick resurfaced. He promptly issued an apology for his “poorly told” parenting story. “I framed the story with me as the asshole dad because that’s my comedic persona and my fans and friends know it’s ‘a bit’,” he said in a statement. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> still waiting on my dad’s response but my mom’s response is killing me. “he is mean.” <a href="https://t.co/JKqhRpwwhY">pic.twitter.com/JKqhRpwwhY</a> — austin carter 🥨 (@_amcarter) <a href="https://twitter.com/_amcarter/status/1346134461457592327?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2021</a></blockquote> “I was ignorant, insensitive to the message that my ‘pedant dad’ comedic persona was indistinguishable from how abusive dads act, talk and think.” In standard Twitter fashion, a number of users took the odd story and turned the parenting lesson into a parenting test. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://t.co/XZ0VnMSFyW">pic.twitter.com/XZ0VnMSFyW</a> — Arianna Haut (@AriannaHaut) <a href="https://twitter.com/AriannaHaut/status/1346180249231347712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2021</a></blockquote> Writer Caroline Moss shared a screenshot of a text conversation between her and her dad where she wrote: “If I was eight and didn’t know how to open a can with a can opener, how would you suggest I learn. “Take a can, an opener, start the opening, let you finish. Give you another can let you start yourself. Help if necessary,” Caroline’s dad replied. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> This was a sweet answer but also weird bc we never went out to restaurants when I was 9 cuz we didn’t have money. For reference also I am 35 now, Dad is 68. <a href="https://t.co/caaCh99t3y">pic.twitter.com/caaCh99t3y</a> — Leslie (@Leslie_D) <a href="https://twitter.com/Leslie_D/status/1346213277253201922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2021</a></blockquote> Soon others were sharing their responses from their dads, which had a number of hilarious responses.

Food & Wine

Sweet potato, corn and bean salad

This wholesome salad can be eaten as a side or served on its own. Serves 4-6 as side salad Prep time: 20 mins Cooking time: 20 mins Ingredients: <ul> <li>1kg sweet potatoes, scrubbed</li> <li>2 tbs olive oil</li> <li>2 tbs fajita spice</li> <li>3 fresh corn cobs</li> <li>425g can black beans, drained, rinsed</li> <li>2 tomatoes, chopped</li> <li>1 avocado, chopped</li> <li>1/2 small red onion, halved, thinly sliced</li> <li>1 cup coriander leaves</li> </ul> Dressing <ul> <li>3 tbs extra virgin olive oil</li> <li>1 lime, juiced</li> <li>1 tbs finely chopped pickled jalapeño</li> <li>1 tsp caster sugar</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>Preheat oven 220°C fan forced. Cut the sweet potatoes in half crossway then into wedges lengthways. Place onto a large, greased baking tray. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle over the fajita. Turn to coat. Roast 20 minutes, turning once until golden and tender.</li> <li>Combine all the dressing ingredients in a large bowl. Season then whisk until well combined. Remove 1 tablespoon to a jug.</li> <li>While sweet potato is roasting, cook corn on a greased barbecue grill plate, turning occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until lightly charred. Remove to a board, cut kernels from cobs. Add corn, black beans, tomato, avocado and onion to the dressing. Stir to combine.</li> <li>Spoon corn mixture over the roasted sweet potato. Pour over the reserved dressing. Toss gently to combine. Scatter with coriander. Serve.</li> </ol> Recipe by Australian Sweet Potatoes.

Food & Wine

Caramelised onion, bean and corn tacos

Make snack time more special with these tasty tacos. Ingredients: <ul> <li>4 brown onions, peeled, thinly sliced</li> <li>2 tbs olive oil</li> <li>2 tbs brown sugar</li> <li>40g sachet fajita seasoning</li> <li>8 flour tortillas</li> <li>2x400g can black beans, rinsed, drained</li> <li>2 corn cobs, kernels removed</li> <li>375g jar mild thick and chunky salsa</li> <li>2 cups grated tasty cheese</li> <li>olive oil cooking spray</li> <li>smashed avocado, lime wedges, sour cream and coriander leaves, to serve</li> </ul> Salsa <ul> <li>½ small red onion, peeled, finely chopped</li> <li>2 vine-ripened tomatoes, deseeded, finely chopped</li> <li>½ lime, juiced</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>Preheat oven to 220°C fan forced. Lightly grease two large oven trays.</li> <li>Place onions in a shallow microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel. Microwave on High or 100 per cent power for 4 minutes until soft.</li> <li>Heat half the oil in a medium, non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add onions and sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes or until caramelized. Add seasoning. Cook, stirring for a further 1 minute.</li> <li>Divide onions evenly over half of each tortilla. Top with beans and corn. Spoon over salsa and sprinkle with cheese. Fold over to enclose.</li> <li>Place tortillas onto trays. Spray both sides lightly with cooking oil. Bake for 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and tortillas are golden around the edges.</li> <li>Meanwhile, make salsa. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Serve tacos with salsa, avocado, lime wedges, sour cream and coriander leaves.</li> </ol> Tips: <ul> <li>Serve tacos with chipotle mayonnaise instead of sour cream. For a spicy kick, add drained pickled jalapenos to the salsa.</li> <li>For a non-vegetarian option, replace 1 can of black beans with 300g chopped cooked chicken.</li> <li>To serve at a later time, make to the end of step 3 and place on a tray in the fridge. Kids can cook them between baking paper in a sandwich press.</li> </ul> Recipe by Australian Onions.

Food & Wine

Braised beef short ribs with beans

Try this hearty slow-cooked beef to fill you up on a cold winter's night. Ingredients <ul> <li>4 bone-in beef short ribs (about 800g)</li> <li>2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes </li> <li>5 carrots, cut into short lengths, halved lengthways</li> <li>1 onion, sliced</li> <li>4 garlic cloves, chopped</li> <li>1 rosemary sprig, leaves finely chopped</li> <li>325g cooked white beans (140g dried)</li> <li>Salt and freshly ground black pepper</li> </ul> Directions 1. Position rack about 12cm from grill and preheat grill. 2. Place short ribs in a roasting tin and grill for 8–10 minutes until well browned on both sides. 3. Preheat oven to 160°C. 4. Add tomatoes, carrots, onion, garlic and rosemary, cover with foil and cook for 3 hours. 5. Stir in beans, cover and cook for another 30 minutes. 6. Using a fork, shred meat away from bones. Season to taste. Image and recipe from <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/185116/69171/1880?u=http://www.booktopia.com.au/one-pan-roasts-molly-shuster/prod9781760522520.html">One Pan Roasts by Molly Shuster</a>, Murdoch Books, RRP $35.00. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/braised-beef-short-ribs-with-beans.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a>

Food & Wine

Family favourite: Vegetarian chilli beans

Mexican food is often a favourite with the whole family. If your kids are fussy about spice, leave out the chilli powder initially, then add it little by little each time you cook the dish to increase their tolerance. Time to prepare: 15 minutes Cooking time: 4 minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: ½ red onion, chopped (use remainder for salsa) 1 red capsicum (pepper), seeds and membranes discarded, chopped 400g tin chopped tomatoes 1 tablespoon tomato paste (concentrated purée) 2 x 400g tins red kidney beans, drained and rinsed 3 teaspoons ground coriander 2 teaspoons ground cumin ½ teaspoon chilli powder 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 dried bay leaves 125 ml good-quality vegetable stock 85g sour cream 2 tablespoons coriander (cilantro) leaves, coarsely chopped (optional) flour tortillas or steamed rice, to serve (optional) Avocado salsa 1 avocado, peeled and diced 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 roma (plum) tomato, seeded and diced ½ red onion, thinly sliced 1–2 tablespoons olive oil Directions: 1. Place the onion, capsicum, tomatoes, tomato paste and beans in the slow cooker. Add the ground coriander, cumin, chilli powder, garlic and bay leaves. Pour in the stock and stir to combine well. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. 2. Put all the avocado salsa ingredients in a bowl and gently stir to combine. Season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover and refrigerate until required. 3. Spoon the chilli beans into bowls. Top with a dollop of the sour cream and scatter over the coriander, if using. Serve with the avocado salsa and tortillas or steamed rice, if desired. Images and recipes from <a rel="noopener" href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/185116/69171/1880?u=https://www.booktopia.com.au/slow-cooker-vegetarian-katy-holder/prod9781760523589.html?source=pla&gclid=CjwKCAjw3cPYBRB7EiwAsrc-uXW5TMKVsCrkFFQLKgIeqNuUjXagEPhzCuczSMiLwLeWraYFJ3006xoCOBMQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Vegetarian</a> by Katy Holder, Murdoch Books, RRP $29.99 Photography by Alan Benson

Food & Wine

Braised beef short ribs with beans

Serves: 4 INGREDIENTS: 4 bone-in beef short ribs (about 800g) 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes 5 carrots, cut into short lengths, halved lengthways 1 onion, sliced 4 garlic cloves, chopped 1 rosemary sprig, leaves finely chopped 325g cooked white beans (140g dried) Salt and freshly ground black pepper DIRECTIONS: <ol> <li>Position rack about 12cm from grill and preheat grill.</li> <li>Place short ribs in a roasting tin and grill for 8–10 minutes until well browned on both sides.</li> <li>Preheat oven to 160°C.</li> <li>Add tomatoes, carrots, onion, garlic and rosemary, cover with foil and cook for 3 hours.</li> <li>Stir in beans, cover and cook for another 30 minutes.</li> <li>Using a fork, shred meat away from bones. Season to taste.</li> </ol> Image and recipe from One Pan Roasts by Molly Shuster, Murdoch Books, RRP $35.00. Written by Wyza. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/braised-beef-short-ribs-with-beans.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a>

Food & Wine

Mrs Doubtfire stars reunited after 25 years: What they look like now

Mrs Doubtfire has firmly placed its name in the hall of fame with the classic comedy being a favourite of people of all ages. And to mark the film's upcoming 25th anniversary on November 24, some of the stars have gotten together for a reunion. Pierce Brosnan shared a photo on his Instagram of his three co-stars Matthew Lawrence, 38, Mara Wilson, 31, and Lisa Jakub, 39. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BpVP-ryH636/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BpVP-ryH636/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">So this happened. #mrsdoubtfire #reunion #25yearslater</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/lisajakub108/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Lisa Jakub</a> (@lisajakub108) on Oct 24, 2018 at 3:07pm PDT </div> </blockquote> The film was centred around the late Robin Williams’ character who transformed into a woman and played the role of housekeeper, so he can be around his children after an ongoing feud between him and his on-screen wife, Sally Field. The three children were portrayed by Lawrence, Wilson and Jakub, with Brosnan playing Stu, the future stepfather to the kids. Brosnan shared the video to his social media and captioned it, “Love you, love you all so much, so good to be a part of your lives." <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BpWI4ewA2om/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BpWI4ewA2om/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">#MrsDoubtfire 25th anniversary reunion will be on the #TodayShow in early November. Join us!</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/piercebrosnanofficial/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Pierce Brosnan</a> (@piercebrosnanofficial) on Oct 24, 2018 at 11:27pm PDT </div> </blockquote> The reunion was noticeably missing Williams after he tragically ended his life on August 11, 2014, aged 63. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821626/nphfr7b.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d3e6bc48e1e2473da5f43de55484a618" /> Jakub, who also went through mental illness, mentioned previously how open Williams was about his mental health struggles. “I think he thought that was, you know, a prime time to really be open with me and honest,” she said. “And I have dealt with depression, and I have anxiety, and the fact that he was that open, that honest, that willing to talk to me about it was something that was really special.” If you are troubled by this article, experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide, you can call the Depression Helpline at 0800 111 757 or visit <a href="http://depression.org.nz/">depression.org.nz</a>.

Movies

Homemade baked beans

Beans are an excellent source of protein and fibre and cooking them yourself means they are healthier and better for your digestive systems. This recipe makes an old-favourite taste even better, a great option for an after-school snack for the grandkids. Serves: Two to four Ingredients 1 1/2 cups haricot beans 2 onions, chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 (425 g) can whole tomatoes, chopped or mixed in a blender 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 teaspoons basil 1 teaspoon marjoram 1/4 teaspoon thyme 1 cup water Method 1. Boil beans for two minutes with six cups of water. Let stand for one to two hours, then discard soaking water. 2. Add another six cups of water and simmer for 80 minutes before discarding water. This step must be followed or alternatively, you can use canned beans available from most supermarkets. 2. Add oil, onions and garlic to a medium saucepan and cook until browned. 3. Add remaining ingredients, stir until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. If the mixture appears to thick at any stage, add some additional water. 4. Serve as an accompaniment to another dish or as a nutritious snack. To read more of Anne’s recipes you can visit her blog <a href="http://aussie-products.com.au/category/recipes/">here</a> or her Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/buyaustralianproducts?ref=bookmarks">here</a>.

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Braised beef short ribs with beans

Family favourite: Vegetarian chilli beans

Braised beef short ribs with beans

Mrs Doubtfire stars reunited after 25 years: What they look like now

Homemade baked beans