Hey Netflix, Whom Is This For?

Words by Alex Daud Briggs So, Netflix has made another Netflix live action adaptation. This time of the Italian magical girl series Winx Club, known for its light-hearted adventure plot of six fairies fighting the forces of evil all the while talking about fashion, boys and friendship.  But with Fate: The Winx Saga, Netflix has decided theyÔÇÖd like to go after more ÔÇÿmatureÔÇÖ demographics and … Continue reading Hey Netflix, Whom Is This For?

The Femme Fatale in Literature and Film

by Eve Davies. Literature is saturated with femme fatales: mysterious, seductive female characters whose charms ensnare men into their grasp. Her overt sexuality is her chief weapon, greed is her underlying desire, and her fate is bleak, without redemption. ItÔÇÖs a misogynistic archetype; some would say a product of the male crime writerÔÇÖs anxiety about his diminished standing in the literary landscape. To name a … Continue reading The Femme Fatale in Literature and Film

Review: Doctor Who – Revolution of the Daleks

By Katherine Wheeler ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà After a nine month wait, the Doctor Who festive special had a lot to answer for: Why is the Doctor in prison? What are the newest Dalek designs truly capable of? Where did Captain Jack hide that Vortex Manipulator? The episode begins with the Doctor (played by Jodie Whittaker) imprisoned. From the tally marks, it looks like decades since sheÔÇÖs seen … Continue reading Review: Doctor Who – Revolution of the Daleks

No More Wings Interview

by Borte Tsogbadrakh Abraham AdeyemiÔÇÖs directorial short-film debut, No More Wings, won the award for Best Narrative Short at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival. The film tells the story of two lifelong friends, Isaac (Ivanno Jeremiah) and Jude (Parys Jordon), who meet at their favourite South London fried chicken shop. They touch on both their shattered dreams, success and the importance of home.  I had … Continue reading No More Wings Interview

Behind The Lens: Biopics

by Suraya Kazzuz Biopics often garner a lot of attention especially during Oscars season. The genre of film can often be seen as tacky or unsubstantial but in many cases, biopics introduce us to real-life individuals in different ways. One of the most notable biopics of late has been Bohemian Rhapsody which has introduced a whole new generation to Queen and their music. With a … Continue reading Behind The Lens: Biopics

Unorthodox Christmas Movies

Gremlins┬á┬á by Luke Hinton Gremlins, the 1984 comedy-horror executive produced by Steven Spielberg, may have all the hallmarks of a conventional Christmas movie ÔÇô presents, snowy landscapes and a soundtrack stuffed with holiday classics; but its style and message make it stand out  within the genre. The premise is simple: Billy (Zach Galligan), a down-on-his-luck teen, receives a mogwai for Christmas ÔÇô an adorable hamster-like … Continue reading Unorthodox Christmas Movies

Is 2020 The Worst Dystopian Film?

by Lottie Ennis When I watched Contagion during the first England lockdown, I was shocked at the similarities between the film and the real life ongoing pandemic. Contagion features a mystery illness which spreads around the world causing absolute chaos. The illness in Contagion is spread through respiratory droplets and fomites as is Covid- 19 and also brings the world to a halt. The virus … Continue reading Is 2020 The Worst Dystopian Film?

The Asian Silver Screen: Anime

Digimon Adventure by Alex Daud Briggs For years Digimon has been accused of being a knock-off of Pok├®mon and yet the 1st Digimon Anime: Digimon Adventure far exceeds any of Pok├®monÔÇÖs animated attempts. The story is simple; seven kids in summer camp are transported to an alternate world inhabited by strange creatures called Digimon. Each child gets a partner Digimon and must fulfil a prophecy … Continue reading The Asian Silver Screen: Anime

Review: A Christmas Carol (2020)

By Luke Hinton ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà┬¢ Any adaptation of Charles DickensÔÇÖ A Christmas Carol needs to do something very different to get noticed. Aside from the original 1843 novel, countless retellings of the classic story have found incredible success, with The Muppet Christmas Carol and Robert ZemeckisÔÇÖ 2009 animation springing to mind, making it almost impossible to find a niche in telling a story thatÔÇÖs been done … Continue reading Review: A Christmas Carol (2020)

The Asian Silver Screen: Martial Arts Edition

by Soyal Khedkar Martial arts is a combination of various sports all used as a form of self-defence or attack, and are often associated with East Asia. One might even think of Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan when they hear of martial arts. Kung Fu, Jujutsu, Judo, Karate, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu, and many more are all forms of martial arts. Its in-depth spiritual and … Continue reading The Asian Silver Screen: Martial Arts Edition

Review: The Crown Season 4 (Netflix)

By Georgia Glenn ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà┬¢ The long awaited season 4 of The Crown has finally hit our screens, and my gosh was it a rollercoaster. We start in 1977 and end on Christmas Day, 1990. The problem with a historical show such as The Crown means that we know everything about every event because it is living history; bearing in mind, the timeline for this season … Continue reading Review: The Crown Season 4 (Netflix)

Review: The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special (2020)

By Luke Hinton ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà┬¢ The curse of the first Star Wars Holiday Special has lasted an awful long time. Released the year after 1977ÔÇÖs Star Wars to bridge the gap between that and the upcoming The Empire Strikes Back, the special primarily follows Han Solo and Chewbacca ÔÇô played by Harrison Ford and Peter Mayhew ÔÇô as they meet with ChewieÔÇÖs family on Kashyyyk to … Continue reading Review: The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special (2020)

The Jurassic Man v. Nature Debate

By Pui Kuan Cheah ÔÇ£Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didnÔÇÖt stop to think if they shouldÔÇØ – Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park (1993) They say some things are better left as they are, and this arises as one of the central debates of the famed Jurassic film franchise. For those unfamiliar with the franchiseÔÇÖs premise, it is set … Continue reading The Jurassic Man v. Nature Debate

The Manic Pixie Dream Girl in Literature and Film

by Megan Evans. The ÔÇÿManic Pixie Dream GirlÔÇÖ is that character that every teenage girl idolises (well, I for one can certainly say that this was the case for me). She is so effortless and carefree, and itÔÇÖs a well-known popular term that resembles the woman that ÔÇÿexists solely in the fevered imaginations of sensitive writer-directorsÔÇÖ. These young women aim to teach men to embrace … Continue reading The Manic Pixie Dream Girl in Literature and Film

Friendship Flicks

Brooklyn Nine-Nineby Sarah Mason If you need some enlightenment this lockdown then sitcoms are the way to go, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine should definitely be the top of your watch list. If youÔÇÖre not familiar, the show is based around a New York detective squad, making up the most unlikely yet hilarious group of friends in any sitcom today. The show is truly heart-warming, not only … Continue reading Friendship Flicks

Bee Movie: More Than A Meme?

by Alex Daud Briggs I remember watching the 2007 DreamWorks production Bee Movie. I didnÔÇÖt think too much of it back then, but I would never have imagined that ten years later it would have joined the ranks of Shrek and Johnny Test as the pinnacle of internet memes.  ItÔÇÖs kind of understandable though, I mean itÔÇÖs a movie named ÔÇÿBee MovieÔÇÖ – something that … Continue reading Bee Movie: More Than A Meme?

Nurse Ratched Will See You Now

By Chloe Chapman Welcome to Lucia State Hospital, whatÔÇÖs your poison? Amphetamines? Lobotomies? Adultery? Lesbianism? Well, whatever your vice is, Nurse Ratched will know. And she will use it for what she wants.┬áNetflixÔÇÖs latest thriller has taken audiences by storm, with 48 million unique accounts streaming the series in the first 28 days ÔÇô making it NetflixÔÇÖs most successful original series in 2020. Based on … Continue reading Nurse Ratched Will See You Now

It’s A Spooky Time At The Movies

The Shining (1980) By Leona Franke When it comes to ÔÇÿreal-life horrorÔÇÖ, many would regard being stuck with your family in your own home for months on end as a tortuous ordeal. 2020 has been the year for us all to experience it. The Shining is a horror film I always watch around Halloween. However, this year it is even more frightening, it brings up … Continue reading It’s A Spooky Time At The Movies

Review: Over The Moon (Netflix)

by Soyal Khedkar ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà + half  Over the Moon is a musical adventure film filled with fuzzy family moments and positive spirit. Based on the legend of Chang’e- the Chinese goddess of the Moon- a little girl named Fei Fei (Cathy Ang) puts all her love and passion into building a rocket ship to meet Chang’e (Phillipa Soo).  The story starts out with a rather … Continue reading Review: Over The Moon (Netflix)