The Meg

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Dress: Trelise Cooper jacquard with embellishments

Wrap: Orange Sherbet wool

Ankle Boots: Wittner patent leather

Clutch: Portmans suede & vinyl

Bangle: Dinosaur Designs malachite resin

Ring: Dinosaur Designs malachite resin

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Anyone who knows me will already be aware of my penchant for horror/comedy/adventure films about oversized & hyper-aggressive animals who suddenly decide to become obsessed with the taste of human flesh & the super-human effort required - usually by one cynical, long-suffering individual - to subdue them... Yes, I know, it's a bit weird, but then again, Jaws is still the seventh highest grossing film of all time in America & Canada & it was released 43 years ago, so clearly there are some other cult classic fans out there. With this in mind, I was determined to experience Jason Statham's new film, The Meg, on the big screen & was delighted when my brother suggested heading to one of Brisbane's best kept secrets, The Elizabeth Picture Theatre before grabbing a bite to eat at Pochana restaurant a few doors down. The theatre is located in the heritage-listed Tara House (best known as the Old Irish Club) originally built in 1879 & currently housing five screens - three of which with luxurious reclining seats & table service & another, the Tara Room, still containing the ballroom ceiling as a showpiece. 

For the occasion, I wore a gorgeous oriental floral midi dress, modelled on a cheong sam & made from sumptuous heavy jacquard with gold flower embellishments from Australian design stalwart Trelise Cooper, a chunky black woolen snood wrap that I picked up from Orange Sherbet at Redcliffe, shiny black patent ankle boots from Wittner & a suede & vinyl roll top envelope clutch from Portmans to carry all the essentials, including the all-important ticket stubs! Jewellery was kept simple in deference to the rest of the look - a chunky malachite resin bangle & matching cocktail ring from Dinosaur Designs for a pop of bright, beautiful colour.

Scroll down for a peek at our experience...

The Verdict?

Personally, I really enjoyed The Meg, although I suppose in some ways I can understand why the critics called it "slow moving" and "formulaic," although sometimes that sort of thing can be quite comforting - you know that the hero is going to (eventually) triumph over the big bad prehistoric shark so you can pretty much just relax & enjoy the ride. The action scenes - more prevalent in the second half of the film - were heart-pumping & high octane as far as I'm concerned, although deep sea diving has always been something that I have considered to be quite terrifying. The comic relief was amusing, not least because of the addition of a jackass billionaire (played by Rainn Wilson who was basically Dwight Shrute from The Office with billions of dollars) & a precocious little girl who really seemed able to play off of Statham's world weary Jonas. In addition, there was the romantic element with clear sexual tension between Jonas & marine biologist Suyin (played by the stunning Li Bingbing) that ended just as you'd hope it would, in a "happily ever after" of sorts.

Satay Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce

Pad See Ew

Pad Thai

Pochana had some of the best Thai food that I've ever tasted in well-sized portions that weren't huge but didn't need to be as they were particularly filling. Moreover, there was live music (even on a Monday night!) & my favourite drink of all, the Thai Pink Milk, which tastes like a tall glass full of coconut ice.