Mel Campbell

Mel Campbell is a freelance cultural critic and university lecturer who writes on film, TV, literature and media, with particular interests in history, costume, screen adaptations and futurism. Her first book was the nonfiction investigation Out of Shape: Debunking Myths about Fashion and Fit (2013), and she has co-written two romantic comedy novels with Anthony Morris: The Hot Guy (2017) and Nailed It (2019).

Mel Campbell's Latest Articles

Poet Don Ashby in A still from abc TV People’s Republic of Mallacoota
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People’s Republic of Mallacoota review: beyond the Black Summer bushfires

The six-part ABC documentary follows the Victorian coastal town's efforts to recover following the bushfires of 2019 and 2020.

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Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed review – 'rotting from the head down'

The series builds an image of an organisation tapping vulnerable congregants while evading responsibility for the suffering it causes.

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Downton Abbey: A New Era review: this feels like a farewell tour

Beautiful interiors, romantic intrigue, endless rituals of dinners, parties and balls – nothing lasts forever ...

It's adventure time. Image: Paramount Pictures.
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The Lost City review: it runs on charisma and fun

The film is at its best when it gives Sandra Bullock's Loretta – and by extension us – permission to…

ABC presenter Tony Armstrong poses with a dog.
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TV Review: A Dog’s World with Tony Armstrong

Debunking canine myths and celebrating dogs in all their individuality – this show is a soothing treat for the senses

Jabari Banks plays Will in an edgier retelling of the nineties show.
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Review: Bel-Air – from West Philadelphia worn and grazed

Even as it celebrates the Banks family’s Black excellence, Bel-Air makes explicit that their wealth has eroded their racial solidarity.

Influencers converge in Netflix's Byron Baes. Image: Netflix.
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'I hated it so much' – Byron Baes is upsettingly bad

It's safe to say our TV critic Mel Campbell was less than impressed with Netflix's Byron Bay-set docudrama – but…

'Written by teens, for teens', More Than This is off to a strong start. Paramount+.
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More Than This review: sleek and sunny TV

Olivia Deeble has become Australia's youngest TV series creator with a show written during Melbourne's lockdown.

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Film Review: The Greenhouse is cracking

This queer magical-realist drama is stylish and atmospheric, so why does it fail to impress?

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TV Review: La Brea – primeval LA in regional Victoria

Australians are well represented in the cast and crew of NBC's LA-set sci-fi mystery, shot in Docklands Studios and elsewhere…

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