Stage
Big mouth strikes again
MICHAEL IDATO Comedian Kathy Griffin is known for her no-holds-barred take on the world, and she's heading this way for the Just for Laughs festival.
Critics' picks
If you haven't seen Gravity yet, Alfonso Cuaron's sci-fi movie is still the pick of the Hollywood movies in cinemas. For something more European, the Italian Film Festival includes that country's selection for the foreign language Oscar, Paolo Sorrentino's The Great Beauty. Centring on a novelist with writer's block, it's a colourful tribute to Rome that pays homage to Fellini's classic La Dolce Vita.
Hopelessly devoted to you
Elissa Blake Rob Mills has been putting in some serious training for his role as Danny in Grease.
Lightning lowdown
Jim Kellar, Peter Vincent Surfer Mark Richards chats with Pearl Jam ahead of their new album launch.
Armed and dangerous
Holidays spent on a farm taught Rhys Muldoon a very harsh lesson about life - and death.
My perfect weekend . . .
Sarah Thomas My perfect weekend is spending time with my family, my daughter Eloise, who is 3½, and wife Lyn.
Riders on the storm
Stephanie Bunbury Metallica turn the concert doco on its head with a 3D apocalyptic thriller.
Force strong in everyone
GILES HARDIE Saoirse Ronan has confirmed that, as rumoured, she has auditioned for J.J. Abrams' Star Wars Episode VIIand in fact if you haven't as well, she's surprised.
Soul survivor brings back the funk
Andrew Drever US singer-songwriter Cody ChesnuTT returns to Australia with a different vibe to his last appearance.
The French connection
Greg Truman In Euro comedy The Family, Robert De Niro returns to the well-trodden path of the mobster.
Margot Robbie
Why love is all about the timing
GEORGE PALATHINGAL Love and relationships have a science-fiction slant in Richard Curtis's About Time.
Soul survivor brings back the funk
Andrew Drever US singer-songwriter Cody ChesnuTT returns to Australia with a different vibe from his last appearance.
When Pearl Jam met Mark Richards: the full interview
Jim Kellar and Peter Vincent Surfer Mark Richards chats with Pearl Jam ahead of their album launch.
Once it was a tradition to head to the hills
Dave O'Neill Once it was a tradition to head to the hills - and not for a burger and fries.
Going with the flow
Andrew Drever Cosmo Jarvis enjoys flitting between various music genres, he tells Andrew Drever.
Doco
Metallica's story of ego and indulgence: Metallica Through the Never
STEPHANIE BUNBURY Metallica turn the concert doco on its head with a 3D apocalyptic thriller.
Sonic splash
Andrew Watt Adalita has upped the ante with her second solo album. ''I really felt like playing loud,'' she tells Andrew Watt.
Stage whispers
John Bailey Eddie Perfect's first outing as a playwright, The Beast, is earning solid reviews.
Sticky Carpet
Mary Mihelakos Cast your votes for your favourite band, artists, song, album, festival and more.
Aaron Pedersen
Tense showdown
CRAIG MATHIESON Aaron Pedersen's new film may be a simple story, but its aim is to empower.
The crate: Wave
CHRIS JOHNSTON Antonio Carlos Jobim was the guy who invented the bossa nova style of Brazilian jazz.
The prophet of possible
CRAIG MATHIESON Tim DeLaughter's 16-strong band is four groups in one, he tells Craig Mathieson.
Shortlist weekly album reviews
This week: Pearl Jam, Tony Joe White, Yuck, Stonefield and World's End Press.
Melbourne film listings
Philippa Hawker and Jake Wilson New releases this week: Diana, 2 Guns, Metallica: Through the Never 3D.
All bases covered amid European chaos
Philippa Hawker Actor Clara Ponsot found the multiple challenges of drama Cosimo and Nicole irresistible.
Q&A
Hunters & Collectors: Kings of the road
Craig Mathieson Hunters & Collectors are back on tour, joined by Something for Kate. Mark Seymour and Paul Dempsey discuss this new chapter for the Hunnas.
Gravity
Life and the final frontier
STEPHANIE BUNBURY The space adventure has a philosophical bent, says Sandra Bullock.
Long-term prospect
Bronwyn Thompson Indie trio London Grammar consider life beyond the internet hype.
My perfect weekend . . .
Sarah Thomas ''Usually my weekends are pretty relaxed. If I don't have a gig, I'm a real homebody. I just love taking a great book and lying on the sand - I live in Cronulla and I love being right down beside the ocean.
No need to pull any punches
Craig Mathieson Regurgitator's new album marks a calmer chapter for the electro-punk outfit.
Screen Grabs
Breaking into movies
GILES HARDIE Breaking bad alumni head to the big screen; from hobbit to vampire; a Cruella twist of fate.
Zeitgeist
Thanks for Sharing throws the spotlight on sex addiction
GARRY MADDOX Director Stuart Blumberg tackles a very tricky subject in Thanks for Sharing.
Comedy in Store: Tom Gleeson, Tommy Little and Dave Thornton
Elissa Blake Three comedians from This Week Live are bringing solo shows to the Comedy Store.
The Shortlist top gigs
Bronwyn Thompson There's nothing like a Grammy-winning player in your band to boost a profile. While Melbourne's the Basics have been kicking around for some time, Wally De Backer has spent three years away from the band, focusing on Gotye. He's back with the boys, on drums, as they head out to support a set of new material, Leftovers.
A stripped-down musical engine
Patrick Emery A new band is taking Tex Perkins back to his primal rock origins.
Just like hanging out with friends
Just like hanging out with friends and we were loving every minute of it.
The Family
Robert De Niro gets back his acting chops in The Family
Greg Truman After a spate of comic duds, Robert De Niro shows his acting chops with Michelle Pfeiffer in support.
From the outside in
John Bailey Melbourne's Outer Urban Projects is exploring how place shapes identity and art.
Kings of the road
CRAIG MATHIESON Hunters & Collectors are back on tour, joined by Something for Kate. Mark Seymour and Paul Dempsey discuss this new chapter for the Hunnas, as Craig Mathieson listens in.
Italian Film Festival
Life in the protest zone
PHILIPPA HAWKER Actress Clara Ponsot found the multiple challenges of Cosimo e Nicole irresistible.
Screen grabs
GILES HARDIE As Breaking Bad leaves the small screen with a big bang, its stars are headed into the films.
Sticky carpet
Mary Mihelakos The full program for Melbourne Music Week (November 15 to 24) is now available.
A family that plays together
Andrew Drever Audego's collaboration rather surprisingly does not strain the duo's marriage.
Hype
London Grammar's popularity in Australia surprises
Bronwyn Thompson London Grammar consider life beyond the internet hype.
Shortlist weekly album reviews
New albums from Brendan Gallgher, Anna Calvi, The Weeknd, Vista Chino and Deltron 3030.
Melbourne film listings
Philippa Hawker and Jake Wilson New releases this week: Gravity, The Act of Killing, Thanks for Sharing and more.
A matter of comic genius
Bronwyn Thompson Two incredible creative forces will come together for the Graphic festival.
Critics' picks
Actress and director Sarah Polley's Stories We Tell is not just one of the year's best documentaries - it's one of the year's best films of any kind. An absorbing, courageous and often funny look at her late mother's life, it's a film about storytelling, role-playing and the nature of truth.
Justin Timberlake: Life in the fast lane
Jenny Cooney Carrillo Justin Timberlake returns to the big screen in slick new thriller Runner Runner.
