Better Man, the biopic of Robbie Williams directed by Michael Gracey in cinemas now is an absolute blast from start to finish. It follows the tale of Williams’ rise to stardom, joining the boy band Take That in the 1990s, his departure from the band and his subsequent rise to fame as a solo artist. The film doesn’t shy away from exploring Williams’ struggles with addiction, self-doubt, and fame. It dives deep into the toll that stardom took on his mental health and relationships, portraying these moments with raw honesty and emotional weight…and oh yeah, he’s played by a CGI…
Author: Caroline Duncan
I don’t know about you but I still have several litres of Christmas trifle in the fridge here and can’t even think about 2025 yet. But for some people the day after Christmas has become the first day they can snare hot cross buns from the supermarket. There’s an added bonus for those looking for their HCB fix this year – as Coles’ hot cross buns hit shelves today, 20 cents from every six and nine pack of Coles brand hot cross buns sold donated to Redkite in a delicious mission to make a difference and help support families facing…
After a whirlwind of legal drama, Raygun: The Musical – a show about Australia’s Olympic breakdancing performer/meme Rachael Gunn is set to go ahead in 2025 under a new title. The show by comedian Steph Broadbridge faced cancellation due to legal threats from the Olympian. It will now debut as Breaking The Musical: A Completely Legal Parody Musical with performances scheduled in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney from February to May 2025. The controversy erupted when Gunn, also known as Raygun, claimed the original show misused her intellectual property and demanded $10,000 in legal costs. The backlash was significant, with Gunn…
Melbourning had the pleasure of attending the launch event for Patron’s new prestige El Alto Tequila at Electric in Prahran. From the moment I took my first sip of the drink I was handed on arrival – served neat in a flute – I was captivated by the aroma from its blend of fresh herbs, maple, cinnamon, and a hint of sesame oil. I was struck by both the smoothness and complexity. The flavours unfolded beautifully, starting with a rich caramel and vanilla base, then moving to subtle notes of fresh fig and a hint of white pepper. The balance…
In a move to enhance public safety and accessibility, the Yarra City Council has introduced a ban on e-scooter parking on narrow footpaths. The decision comes after numerous complaints from residents about e-scooters blocking pathways, posing risks particularly to visually impaired and disabled pedestrians1. Starting in January 2025, the council will geofence all footpaths narrower than two meters across the municipality. This measure aims to prevent e-scooters from being parked inappropriately and ensure that footpaths remain accessible to everyone1. The council has also requested detailed data from e-scooter providers on complaints and usage patterns to better enforce the new regulations.…
We’ve had some crazy weather in Melbourne over the past few weeks. With a strange mix of heat and humidity, sometimes you’d think we were in far north Queensland, instead of down the bottom of the continent where the humidity is usually none of our business down south. And so I found myself with frizzy humidity hair, makeup sliding my face, at the mercy of a sweltering replacement bus to get into the city on a muggy Saturday afternoon. None of it was pleasant. But I had a mission: I was invited to spend some time drinking Bombay Sapphire gin…
The return of A Christmas Carol to Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre for the 2024 holiday season brings an immersive and emotionally rich take on Charles Dickens’ iconic story. This is a heartwarming theatrical experience that has become a festive tradition for many. This critically acclaimed Old Vic production of the timeless tale is back in Melbourne for its third year, adapted by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and directed by Matthew Warchus. At the heart of the production is Erik Thomson’s portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge, a role demanding a delicate balance between cold-hearted bitterness and transformative vulnerability. Thomson…
The Australian Venue Co. has landed in hot water over its approach to Australia Day 2025, igniting a heated national debate. The hospitality giant, which operates more over 200 venues across Australia – including 70 in Victoria – has reportedly instructed its locations to avoid framing the January 26 celebrations explicitly as “Australia Day.” The company operates some of Victoria’s most prominent and iconic pubs such as The Espy in St Kilda, the Anglers Tavern in Maribrynong, Beer DeLuxe at Fed Square and the Duke of Wellington in the CBD. Instead, Australian Venue Co. has emphasised inclusive messaging, aiming to…
The Offspring’s one-off concert on Sunday night (24 November) at Melbourne’s iconic Forum Theatre for Always Live 2024 was a night of pure punk rock magic. This was the only concert they played on their trip to Australia – and it attracted fans from all over the country. From the moment the Californian legends took the stage, the energy was electric, with front-man Dexter Holland and guitarist Noodles leading the charge in a setlist that spanned decades of the group’s hits. Opening with the crowd-pumping anthem “Come Out And Play” the band quickly set the tone for the night, delivering…
The much-anticipated film adaptation of Wicked (2024) -released in Australian cinemas on 21 November – delivers a magical cinematic experience, and will enchant fans of the beloved Broadway musical and newcomers alike. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the movie dazzles with its stunning visuals, rich performances, and faithful adaptation of the source material. Wicked tells the untold story of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the green-skinned girl destined to become the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda (Ariana Grande) the bubbly and ambitious Good Witch. Set in the magical land of Oz in a time some years before Dorothy and Toto…
TISM’s Death to Art tour at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday 9 November brought the band’s signature eccentricity to a whole new level and solidified their legacy as one of Australia’s most enigmatic acts. TISM – joined by Machine Gun Fellatio, Eskimo Joe, Ben Lee and The Mavis’s – delivered a chaotic mix of comedy, satire, and cutting-edge rock, giving fans an unforgettable night of Australian music. Known for their satirical and often biting commentary, TISM delivered not only classic hits like “Saturday Night Palsy”, “I’m Interested in Apathy”, “Greg! The Stop Sign!” and “(He’ll Never Be) An Ol’ Man…
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT), the beloved characters are coming to Melbourne in an exhibition that opens on Friday 8 November at the District Docklands. The TMNT: Heroes in a Half Shell Exhibition is an immersive experience that boasts five individual galleries that take visitors on a journey through the rich history of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. Director of Licensing and Consumer Products at Paramount Australia, Christie Scandura, said: “Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is an important milestone for us, and we are thrilled to present an exhibition that not only…