The Morning Edition

The biggest movie event of the year is finally here. Avatar: The Way of Water, James Cameron’s long awaited follow up to the highest grossing film of all time, has divided critics but audiences are watching it in droves. After 13 years was the wait worth it? Why did Avatar have almost no cultural impact despite breaking box office records? And is the new film worth watching?  Culture reporter Meg Watson and Osman Faruqi discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of the new Avatar. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the end of COVID lockdowns to devastating floods to a federal election that swept Labor to power for the first time in nearly a decade. From Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the death of icons like Olivia Newton-John, Shane Warne and Queen Elizabeth II. 2022 has been an enormous year. Today, writer for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald Tony Wright joins culture editor Osman Faruqi to discuss the year that was.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Iconic is one of Australia’s biggest online fashion and lifestyle retailers. For years, the company has portrayed itself as a champion of the Australian fashion industry and built a reputation as a progressive company focused on diversity and inclusivity. But a recent investigation from The Age and Sydney Morning Herald has uncovered a very different story - a story of underpaid staff, deplorable working conditions, and alleged exploitation of brands the company purports to promote.  Today, national fashion editor Melissa Singer joins culture editor Osman Faruqi to discuss the ugly side of The Iconic and the human cost of online retail.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With much fanfare Tesla and SpaceX executive Elon Musk invested in and took control of the social media platform Twitter, pledging to restore quote unquote free speech. The ride has been anything but smooth. Musk has fired thousands of employees, alienated advertisers, and has still not succeeded in turning the much-loved platform to profit.  And now, just months after his purchase, he’s even promised to step down as CEO after polling the site’s users’ for their views. Today, senior business columnist for The Age and SMH Stephen Bartholomeusz on Elon Musk’s latest moves and Twitter’s future.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, an ambush-style shooting in Queensland left six people dead, including the shooters and two police. As more information has emerged about the assailants - Gareth, Nathaniel and Stacey Train - it’s become clear that they held conspiratorial views of police, power and the world. Views like these are becoming more common and are a feature of the internet. But is the government well prepared enough to respond to them? And is it taking the threat seriously enough? Today, foreign affairs and national security correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Matthew Knott on the Queensland shooting, and what it tells us about conspiracy theory as a motivation for violence.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.