MAKING THE CUT

We’ve scanned the zeitgeist for what to watch, wear, listen to and drink now.

Movie

Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen making mischief in Italy and a plot as thin as gaberdine might not sound like blockbuster material but the original Book Club, which rolled into cinemas in 2018, grossed more than $155 million worldwide (against a budget of $21 million, that’s a profit as serious as high blood pressure).

Book Club: The Next Chapter sees a betrothed Fonda having one last, elongated hens’ party in the romantic cities of Venice and Rome before tying the knot with Arthur (played by Don Johnson, the father of Dakota Johnson, who starred in 50 Shades of Grey, the book the women studied in the first

Book Club – in case you were wondering). Out on 11 May.

Podcast

The antidote to true-crime podcasts that produce insomnia or nightmares (and sometimes both) has arrived in the form of gentle, funny storytelling from stand-up comedian, writer and actor Joe Pera. Drifting Off With Joe Pera is designed to lull you to sleep and the stories – about everything from soup to the history of clock chimes – are made even more benign by Pera, who has a voice like a weary cartoon bear. Just the nightcap you need after listening to My Favourite Murder on 2.25 speed.

Style

For the past 35 years, denim has been largely confined to jeans and jackets (and shorts for the bold). But the demure dresses from Chloe, Stella

McCartney and even Valentino appear to be quietly colluding with the best-selling skirts at Aje (its midi denim skirt, above, is $425, ajeworld.com.au) to take us all back to circa 1988. But put the hair crimper down – today’s pieces are adorned with gold buttons, tailored as well as a suit and are elegant enough for work.

Beauty

Cheers had Frasier Seinfeld had Curb Your Enthusiasm

– spin-offs that were darker and a touch edgier than their originals. Cult fragrance-makers Le Labo are following suit by launching a spin-off to its beloved classic, Another 13. This one is called Ambroxyde 17 because it contains the synthetic version of amber, that musky, vaguely sweet scent that made

and

the original fragrance and its creators so successful for the past 17 years. The difference here is that the new version comes in candle form so you’re adding a little smoke to the mix. Available online for $120 at lelabofragrances.com.au.

Drink

The Yarra Valley is not the first place that comes to mind when you think of Italian-style liqueur. But the folks at Zonzo Estate are hoping to change that with the release of their zingy Zoncello Limoncello Spritz and Zoncello Limoncello liqueur (above). Already known for its small-batch wine, beer and spirits, the brand’s liqueur is the result of a family recipe and peeling 32,000 lemons. Find them both at zonzo.com.au.