As grunge’s mainstream popularity started dying out in the mid 1990s, a new and happier ’90s emerged, one that laid the groundwork for the TRL bubblegum pop and Y2K fashion of the later part of the decade. There are many explanations for why the ’90s eventually turned out this way, but the one that seems the most obvious is that it was a happy time: the Cold War was over, the American economy was good, and 9/11 had not yet come to harsh the public’s mellow. Romy and Michele

BAR REVIEW Bar Paradox Where: downstairs at Supernormal, Flinders Lane, CBD When: until April 24 Bar Paradox is a pop-up venue adding to the many attractions bringing people back to the CBD during the second half of the Comedy Festival. Open from April 11 to 24, the project is spearheaded by Orlando Marzo, crowned World Class Bartender of the Year in 2018. Paradox is an intimate and pensive venue. The low lighting and quiet sound create a delightful space for conversation to

A large cast is one of the film’s shortcomings. FILM REVIEW Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore Run time: 2h 20mins Who: David Yates (director), Jude Law, Eddie Redmayne, Mads Mikkelsen Where: In cinemas now After delays, controversies and a global pandemic, the third entry in the divisive Fantastic Beasts series has finally arrived. This instalment focuses on a younger Dumbledore and his attempt to stop the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald from seizing control of

In today’s world, it would be rather difficult to find anyone who is not digitally connected in some way. The term “digital detox” is often used, and it signifies the underlying issue with digital connectivity – is it good or bad for humans? Connection in the present-day world The internet is everywhere in our lives, from schools, workplaces to even relaxation. And that was even before the COVID-19 pandemic swept in and changed the way we perceived digital media. People u

Australian UFC featherweight king Alex Volkanovski has defended his title by knocking out “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung in the fourth round at UFC 273 in Jacksonville, Florida. This victory marks three successful title defences for the Australian since capturing the title from Max Holloway in 2019. Volkanovski appeared calm and in control as he set the pace of the bout and brought the fight to his opponent, in a bout UFC commentator Joe Rogan described as his “finest per

Genevieve Nardella savours the spinster vibes of the highly-anticipated B2 - but not without a warning for the history buffs among you.

After two years of remote learning, Swinburne students are finding aspects of the return to campus a struggle. Although the return to face-to-face learning is a welcome change, adjusting to life back on campus has presented a range of challenges. Mental health and anxiety One of the most prominent issues is the impact on mental health. Design and media and communications student Steph Henderson said being back on campus took some getting used to. “There’s the social anxiety

Batman films have always been a good gauge of the West’s big social problems of the day. This was explicit in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, grounded in a post-9/11 America that defined itself with fear and paranoia. But the Dark Knight films were made more than a decade ago, with the final instalment, The Dark Knight Rises , released in 2012. Nolan’s brand of fear is specific to the Bush era and its politics – fear of the foreign with Ra’s al Ghul and his League

MUSIC REVIEW BAND: Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever When: March 25 Where: The Forum, Melbourne. Duration: 1h 25m The cruellest of ironies has been lifted from the shoulders of Melbourne five-piece Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. The crowning achievement in their nationwide tour was originally set for May 14 in 2021 but was rescheduled three times. Their homecoming gig, supporting the album that was inspired by their unrelenting stints overseas, had been postponed because of

Eighty years after his first appearance in Detective Comics, Batman has become an icon of the superhero genre. Just this month, Gotham’s caped crusader made a new and critically acclaimed entry into theatres and cinemas across the globe. How we have come to see Batman, and how he fits into society, owes a lot to the Christopher Nolan trilogy and the Arkham Series video games, produced by Rocksteady Studios. Nolan said he was inspired by the 1989 Batman movie starring Michae

Fashionable cinematic men come in a variety of forms, but one kind that never goes out of style in Hollywood is the slick guy in an equally slick suit. Reservoir Dogs, Goodfellas and Steven Soderbergh’s Oceans series are just a few examples of this look over the last few decades. While all are masterclasses in cool clothes, one giant looms over them: The Godfather . Set in the decade after the end of WWII, it tells the story of the Corleone family, headed by Vito (Marlon B

Prominent Australian women have come together to launch a new social media campaign in time for today’s International Women’s Day, putting pressure on the Morrison Government for reform on issues of violence and harassment. With a federal election to be called in the next few weeks, a dozen female leaders led by former Australian of the Year Grace Tame released a video on Sunday addressed to Australians and demanding an end to injustice and inequality. Tame was joined by form