Nativity is the perfect example of a family Christmas film in my opinion, because it embraces the key magic ingredients which make Christmas such a special time of year as a child. In the wonderful motion picture starring Martin Freeman, we re-learn about friendship, the love from those close to you and bringing joy to the world. Being part of the school Nativity was always … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 10 – ‘Nativity’
Hello Quenchers, it has been great hearing from you! Christmas is close upon us and I hope you have a wonderful time during the festive season. Make sure you take some time to relax as well as writing your essays and studying for your exams. You deserve a break after eleven weeks of university. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you! Here are … Continue reading December Agony Aunt Questions
Three years after his last album, ÔÇÿÔÇÖMultiplyÔÇÖÔÇÖ, Grammy winning artist Ed Sheeran is back with a bang with his much awaited third studio album Divide. The album consists of a collection of upbeat songs as well as ballads. The overall feel of the album is a very easy-going ÔÇô ÔÇÿÔÇÖman in loveÔÇÖÔÇÖ sort of vibe. Songs like ÔÇÿÔÇÖWhat do I know?ÔÇÖÔÇÖ talk about simple gifts … Continue reading Musical Advent Calendar #9 Ed Sheeran – Divide
I didnÔÇÖt think I couldnÔÇÖt love James McAvoy anymore, until I witnessed the wonder that is Arthur Christmas. With Christmas becoming a military mission, Arthur, the youngest of the Claus clan is one of the few working elves who just wishes for everyone to have a Merry Christmas, away from the hustle and the bustle of modern festivities. Young Arthur tries with all his might … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 9 – ‘Arthur Christmas’
Morrissey has come a long way since his days with The Smiths. ‘This Charming Man’ has become a little, wellÔǪ cranky. As an artist who is known for having an (often controversial) opinion on anything and everything, itÔÇÖs not an entirely unexpected evolution. Morrissey has never been one to shy away from political comment, but it becomes harder to take seriously when he comments on … Continue reading Low In High School- Morrissey Album Review
I havenÔÇÖt always been a fan of Harry Styles, but ever since the launch of his solo career, this ÔÇ£Sweet CreatureÔÇØ has surely made me one. The Directioner fangirl culture has always been something I found cringe-worthy and irritating; young girls screaming and crying at a bunch of young men who had songs handed to them on a plate by producers. So, naturally, when I … Continue reading Musical Advent Calendar #8 Harry Styles – Self Titled
by Becca Moody ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿåÔÿå 7th December 2017, The Other Room Ever wondered how our good old tradition of Christmas might look to someone who isnÔÇÖt familiar with planet Earth? Flossy and Boo (played by Anja Conti and Laura Jeffs) are ÔÇÿnot from around hereÔÇÖ, and in light of their lack of knowledge of Christmas, the pair has devised a play, The Alternativity,┬áall about their research … Continue reading The Alternativity review: Flossy and Boo explore Christmas at The Other Room
Maybe not the most famous festive film of the season however, guilty pleasures donÔÇÖt always have to be the most well-known or the most acclaimed. The 2006 movie Deck the Halls is one of my top essential viewings of the season because of its endless comic stunts, one-liners and hilarious on-screen chemistry between Mathew Broderick (Steve) and Danny DeVito (Buddy). Or maybe I just love … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 8 – ‘Deck the Halls’
On the blistering first song of SATURATION II ÔÇÿGUMMYÔÇÖ, Dom McLennon laments ÔÇ£They hate me when IÔÇÖm myself, I canÔÇÖt barter with thatÔÇØ.┬á This is essentially the mission statement of Brockhampton. Producing music from their shared house (The Factory) at a rate of knots, the 15 member boyband preach self acceptance over truly ingenious and self produced instrumentals. Likely the only band with 2 entries … Continue reading Musical Advent Calendar #7 SATURATION ÔÇô A look at Brockhampton and what they represent
ÔÇ£Will you please tell Santa that instead of presents this year, I just want my family back.ÔÇØ Home Alone is probably the most iconic family Christmas movie I have ever seen. It follows adventures of Kevin McCallister after, by mistake, he is left home alone at Christmas. He faces incredibly incompetent robbers and protects his home while getting to know the neighbour heÔÇÖs always feared. … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 7 – ‘Home Alone’
by Andrea Gaini 6th December 2017, Pulse ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿåÔÿå Cardiff UniversityÔÇÖs drama society, Act One, has been building over the years a tradition of putting on a pantomime around Christmas time. This yearÔÇÖs panto is a snappy and quirky reinterpretation of Snow WhiteÔÇÖs fairy tale: Mirror, Mirror, for the second time in a row taking place in the magical venue which is Pulse. Directed and written … Continue reading Mirror, Mirror review: The Act One panto takes over Pulse, again!
ÔÇÿWeÔÇÖre Marley and Marley ooooÔÇÖ or is it just me singing along to yet another absolute banger from The Muppets? The season of Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas. Whether youÔÇÖre religious or not, Christmas gives us an opportunity to refresh our lives with peace, joy and forgiveness – a message central to DickensÔÇÖs A Christmas Carol. But just when you thought Dickens … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 6 ‘A Muppets Christmas Carol’
by Ilona Cabral ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå 5th December 2017, Sherman Theatre Step into the Sherman Theatre and enter a magical realm of fun, adventure and a touch of craziness.┬á The ShermanÔÇÖs latest production ÔÇ£Wind in the WillowsÔÇØ is a feel-good seasonal treat which appeals to first time viewers, as well as those who have a special place for GrahameÔÇÖs classic novel. Where others have failed, director Lee … Continue reading The Wind of Willows review: ‘visually impressive and seasonably moralistic’
I See You, is the third album produced by The XX, made up of 10 songs, and is certainly their most accomplished album yet. Whilst the band retain their usual charming vulnerability and at times shyness, their sound is richer, more atmospheric and uplifting than their previous albums. The name of this album then corresponds to the bands own ability to ÔÇÿSeeÔÇÖ themselves for what … Continue reading Musical Advent Calendar #6 The XX – I See You
by Andrea Gaini ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå 5th December 2017, Wales Millennium Centre The Vietnam War, also known as ÔÇ£the biggest mistake the U.S. has ever madeÔÇØ, represented the fight against the spread of communism in the East and the promotion of Western democracy. Such a morally rightful objective instigates to forget the outrageous number of people who died in the mud, fighting for one side or the … Continue reading Miss Saigon review – Love at all costs
“What is it you want Mary? You want the moon? Just say the word and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down.” It’s a Wonderful Life is, simply put, essential festive viewing. Frank Capra’s 1946 classic encapsulates true Christmas spirit and goodwill like no other and is bound to warm your cockles on the frostiest of eves. If you don’t know the … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 5 – ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’
Taylor Swift’s sixth studio album Reputation is a career defining record, expertly tackling issues of both Swift’s reputation and her rewriting of the public’s narrative of her persona. Fifteen tracks long, Taylor swiftly progresses from the biting and sarcastic narrative in tracks such as “I Did Something Bad” and “Look What You Made Me Do” to professions of vulnerability and a desire for romantic connection … Continue reading Musical Advent Calendar #5 Taylor Swift – Reputation
ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå Laura Pergolizzi, LP for her fans, is one of the most unique and astonishing voices the panorama of American rock music has ever seen. Her break-through album Lost on You was a big success around the globe and particularly in Europe where it reached peaks of 100,000 copies sold in France. In an interview with Quench last Wednesday, we talked with Laura about her … Continue reading LP- Interview and Review
Before there was ÔÇÿThe OOZÔÇÖ, Archy Marshall laid down his foray into multiple genres and creative explorations within his various artistic pseudonyms. These have ranged from the jazzy hip-hop experiments with his monikers DJ JD Sports and Edgar the Beatmaker, to the subdued and dark post-dubstep of his project ÔÇÿA New Place 2 DrownÔÇÖ, released under his real name. However, none of these projects have … Continue reading Musical Advent Calendar #4! King Krule – The OOZ
ÔÇÿI feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes. Christmas is all around me and so the feeling growsÔÇÖ are the recognisable tones of Bill Nighy in the jolly, heart-warming Christmas classic that is Love Actually. And when I hear this song on TV, I know that Christmas is just around the corner. Love Actually has become a staple of the Christmas … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 4 – ‘Love Actually’
