The best movies, TV, music, podcasts and books of the year (so far)
As a sort of mid-year stocktake, our critics have picked their favourite pieces of pop culture from the first half of 2022.
- by Debi Enker, Garry Maddox, Melanie Kembrey, Barry Divola and Robert Moran
Latest
Updating Elvis: how Baz Luhrmann brought the King’s music into 2022
As well as faithful versions of Presley songs, the director “decoded” the classics.
- by Garry Maddox
Vacant seat at screening an emotional tribute to a beloved grandmother
The documentary Everybody’s Oma, about a woman struggling with dementia, had a warm-hearted world premiere at Sydney Film Festival.
- by Garry Maddox
Captured on camera: The poisonous plot to murder Alexei Navalny
A new documentary shows the Russian opposition leader tricking a confession out of the secret agents who tried to kill him almost two years ago.
- by Garry Maddox
The Sydney Film Festival has begun. Here are 10 movies you can’t miss
With more than 200 features, documentaries and shorts screening over 12 days, here are 10 of the best to book right now.
- by Garry Maddox
‘I’m used to that’: Baz Luhrmann on polarising critics and his next project
The director of Elvis talks about reviews, what he’ll do next, and why it’s time for Australia to become a republic.
- by Garry Maddox
Behind-the-scenes stars transform Moulin Rouge into a musical
The creatives behind the film’s iconic costumes and make-up have pivoted to theatre, helping bring Paris to life for the musical version of Moulin Rouge!
- by Garry Maddox
The Castle for a new generation, one that will be stuck in share houses forever
Director Rowan Devereux came up with the idea for his new film, Evicted, after being turfed out of a rented home yet again.
- by Garry Maddox
‘Jillian is here tonight’: Aaron Sorkin reaches out to his lost Australian love
The creator of The West Wing reconnected with a woman he had neither seen nor spoken to for 35 years.
- by Garry Maddox
Aussies feel the need for more speed as Top Gun: Maverick takes off at the box office
The Tom Cruise sequel has taken almost $350 million around the world on the weekend, and is on track to be Tom Cruise’s biggest release in Australia.
- by Garry Maddox
Who’s the bad guy? What happened to Meg Ryan? Top Gun: Maverick questions answered
Why no Kelly McGillis or Meg Ryan? Does Val Kilmer really speak like that? And did the filmmakers delete the Taiwanese flag?
- by Garry Maddox