Culture

Streaming

Nicole Kidman deserves more than an insipid Netflix romcom

The Oscar winner co-stars with Zac Efron in the sort of formulaic romance that is fast becoming a streaming staple.

by Karl Quinn

Pop culture

What does Michelangelo have to do with Baby Reindeer?

by Jordan Prosser

Andre Dao, Alexis Wright and Gregory Day are all shortlisted for the 2024 Miles Franklin.

Literature prizes

First timers and indie publishers dominate Miles Franklin shortlist

by Nick Galvin

Literature

For years, Michael Robotham was advised not to set novels in Australia

by Susan Turnbull

Celine Dion documentary starts slow, on its way to a cruel ending

★★★

Review

Celine Dion documentary starts slow, on its way to a cruel ending

by Brodie Lancaster

Movies

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F sees Eddie Murphy return to his iconic role.

Cinema

How a first-time Aussie director ended up in charge of Beverly Hills Cop

Mark Molloy had never directed a film in his life. Then he found himself sitting on a couch with Eddie Murphy in Hollywood, pitching a Beverly Hills Cop sequel.

by Thomas Mitchell

Streaming

Nicole Kidman deserves more than this insipid Netflix romcom

The Oscar winner co-stars with Zac Efron in the sort of formulaic romance that is fast becoming a streaming staple.

by Karl Quinn

Pop culture

What does Michelangelo have to do with Baby Reindeer? You’ll never guess

by Jordan Prosser

Pop culture

Long before streaming, video stores offered happiness for hire

by Simmone Howell

If the churro scene in Challengers is anything to go by, Hollywood has found its mojo again.

Cinema

Sex sells: How Hollywood got steamy again

by Nell Geraets

TV & radio

TV Guide

UK dog behaviourist Graeme Hill has brought his training skills to Australia for Ten’s Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly.

Australian TV

Fads come and go, but our faithful friends are always TV gold

Top-rating local series such as Muster Dogs and Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly highlight the enduring appeal of dogs.

by Ben Pobjie

Chris Hemsworth provides a peek into his calorie dense diet while training for the role of Thor on Limitless with Chris Hemsworth on Channel 9 and 9Now. — 0:52

by Stephen Armstrong

Actress Emma Meyers steps up on Stan's new mystery series A Good Girl's Guide To Murder. — 1:22

by Nell Geraets

Beyoncé remade country in her own image.

The Verdict

Country pop has taken over the charts – good god, why?

by Tom W. Clarke

From Dua Lipa miming accusations to Banksy protests, here are the best moment from Glastonbury this year.

Music festivals

Michael J Fox joins Coldplay, and other things you missed from Glastonbury

by Nell Geraets

Troye Sivan and Kylie Minogue will face off at Monday’s Grammy Awards.

Live music

Why it just got harder for Australia to create the next Kylie Minogue or Troye Sivan

by Meg Watson

Inner-city residents say a balance is needed on how late some music venues can stay open.

Live music

The hidden costs that are killing live music festivals

by Karl Quinn

Eric Bana as John Meehan in the Netflix series Dirty John.

Podcasts

The gold rush is over. Now podcasters are picking up the pieces

by Barry Divola

Live reviews

Shane Jacobson, Todd McKenney, Lucy Durack and Penny McNamee in The Odd Couple (c) Pia Johnson

★★★★

Review

Todd McKenney and Shane Jacobson are the dream cast in this hilarious classic

by Joyce Morgan and John Shand

Shubshri Kandiah and Brendan Xavier in Beauty and the Beast.

Melbourne live reviews

It might be a tale as old as time, but this musical is pure delight

by Cameron Woodhead, Tony Way and Jessica Nicholas

Young Woo Kim as Cavaradossi and Giselle Allen as Tosca.

★★★★½

Sydney live reviews

Torture, murder, lust and lies: Don’t miss this thrilling Tosca

by Chantal Nguyen

Celebrity

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 26: Mr Beast, a.k.a Jimmy Donaldson performs with members of the crowd during the MrBeast Feastables launch at Sydney Opera House on June 26, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Opinion

Social media

Do you recognise this man? He has 300 million die-hard fans but isn’t famous

by Waleed Aly

The odd couple. Pamela Anderson and Julian Assange.

Assange saga

The real winner out of Assange’s freedom from prison? Pamela Anderson

by Thomas Mitchell

Prince William

‘We don’t know if we’re allowed to tell you this… ’ Travis Kelce spills on meeting Prince William

by Hannah Furness

Stage

Members of Back to Back Theatre accept the prestigious Golden Lion for lifetime achievement.

Arts

This Australian group revolutionised theatre. Now the world has noticed

by Steve Dow

Ruva Ngwenya is electric as the lead in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.

City life

‘So honest about domestic abuse’: How Tina Turner’s story resonates here and now

by Nick Dent

Zahra Newman (with prosthetic dentistry) is starring in Sydney Theatre Company’s Dracula.

Stage shows

Is Dracula an antihero? Kip Williams prepares to farewell STC with bite

by Louise Rugendyke

Stage

Sister Act to Streetcar: Your mid-year guide to Melbourne stage shows

by Cameron Woodhead

by Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen

Evan Salmon’s Studio interior, reflection (self-portrait).

Opinion

Review

Do we care about the Archibald Prize too much?

by John McDonald

Visual art

Doilies be damned, this ain’t your grandma’s crochet

by Nick Galvin

Lana dressed as Syrnix Runecrest buys some chips at Oporto, Olympic Park. — 5 images

by Nick Galvin

Ghostwriter turned crime author Michael Robotham.

Literature

For years, Michael Robotham was advised not to set novels in Australia

by Susan Turnbull

McCall Smith’s lastest novel explores the things that we want from partners and from love and romance.

Review

Bestselling author’s sweet novel explores the human need for love

by Kerryn Goldsworthy

Trugodor Justin Mansfield wields his mallet at the Footscray Trugo Club.

WordPlay

An Australian mystery – the pie with no source

by David Astle

The Sydney Morning Herald

★★★

★★★★

★★★★½

Opinion

Opinion