I am a lone vessel in this vast void of nothingness. One man stranded on Mars with only his wits, spirit and science skills to accompany him. The Martian (directed by the one and only Ridley Scott) is a very unique film, and it delivers on so many levels. As a science-fiction action-adventure film there are plenty of jaw-dropping and intense moments in which the … Continue reading Review: The Martian
Billed as ‘a buddy comedy heist movie,┬áClerks meets Dog Day Afternoon,‘┬áConvenience┬áis one of the best British comedy films in recent years. Ray Panthaki, perhaps most known for co-producing instant cult hit┬áKidulthood, presents us with a film undoubtedly in the leagues of Shaun of the Dead and Four Lions. Convenience – of which director Keri Collins won the Bafta Cymru Breakthrough Award for┬á -┬árevolves around Ajay … Continue reading Review: Convenience
Solace? More like boring. I donÔÇÖt understand this film. ItÔÇÖs meant to be a mystery thriller but I didnÔÇÖt find any mystery and little to no thrills. Solace has an interesting concept: a series of murders take place that all share a similar method of killing, which leave no trace of the killerÔÇÖs presence, and FBI detectives named Joe (Jeffery Dean Morgan) and Katherine (Abbie … Continue reading Review: Solace
ÔÇ£So, did you ever hear the story of the Johnstone twins? As like each other as two new pins, of one womb born on the self-same day, how one was kept and one given awayÔǪÔÇØ A complex question that is thrown back and forth in the world of theatre is ÔÇÿWhat makes a good show? The answer, though it may seem somewhat ambiguous, usually … Continue reading Review: Blood Brothers, New Theatre.
Editor’s Note: This article was published in the September 2015 edition of Quench as part of the Cardiff issue. In the print edition, Phil Terrett of Oyster World Games was incorrectly named as Chris, and Finger Punch’s game Tracks and Turrets was incorrectly named Tanks and Turrets. These have been amended for the online edition. Wales Interactive’s Soul Axiom. ItÔÇÖs a sunny summersÔÇÖ day and … Continue reading The Wales Game Dev Show 2015
Zenn Wong investigates the claims and risks of all-you-can-eat buffets. With the rise in popularity of vegetarianism, as well as a general increase in health-consciousness (see: trendy-yet-dubious juice cleanses and paleo diets, organic-all-natural-low-fat-no-artificial-additives-no-everything groceries, the inescapable cult of ÔÇÿcourgettiÔÇÖ ÔÇô faux spaghetti made from spiral-cut courgette) itÔÇÖs a small wonder that all-you-can-eat buffet restaurants still seem to be doing reasonably well, or even thriving in … Continue reading All-You-Can-Eat Buffet: Worth the Money?
In todayÔÇÖs society, the concept of privacy seems to go amiss as social media, publications and news all focus in some way on the human form and how ┬áit appeals to audiences. Lucy Kirkwood (best known for her stunningly observed work as a writer on gritty teen drama Skins and Sky OneÔÇÖs The Smoke) writes NSFW. Kirkwood┬áprovides a┬ásnappy and shocking insight┬áwhich solely focuses on the … Continue reading Review: Not Safe For Work, Chapter Arts.
Welsh actor Craig Roberts (Submarine, Comes a Bright Day, Bad Neighbours) makes a very strong directorial debut in Just Jim, a film in which he also writes and stars in. The black comedy follows un-cool Welsh teenager Jim, played by Roberts, leading a seemingly boring teenage life who longs to catch his crushÔÇÖs attention and become popular in school. This is where Emile Hirsch (Lords … Continue reading Review: Just Jim
So youÔÇÖve slogged your guts out through A-Levels, managed to miraculously survive results day and found yourself as a budding Cardiff University student. The world is your oyster; youÔÇÖre flown away from the nest and are ready for the time of your life. And while you are more than likely to be ecstatically excited, you may also be, quite frankly, shitting yourself. With those endless … Continue reading Back to School: Let us jog your memory as to why Cardiff could be the best place in the world.
Never has a biographical film impressed me in the last decade than Straight Outta Compton. This film follows the start of ÔÇÿÔÇÿgangsta rapÔÇÖÔÇÖ and its popularisers: Dr Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy-E, MC Ren and DJ Yella, who in all formed the group N.W.A. (ÔÇÿÔÇÿno, it doesnÔÇÖt mean ÔÇÿNo Whites AllowedÔÇÖÔÇÖÔÇÖ). From their tough beginnings in Compton, California to performing ÔÇÿÔÇÿBoyz n the HoodÔÇÖÔÇÖ in sold-out … Continue reading Review: Straight Outta Compton
Irrational Man is the new film directed by Woody Allen, a light black comedy about Abe, a philosophy professor (Joaquin Phoenix), who is at a low point in his life. He is not fulfilled by teaching and he sees his actions as unimportant, having no effect on the world. He is having what might be defined as a philosopherÔÇÖs midlife crisis. Abe takes a teaching … Continue reading Review: Irrational Man
Gore, heavy metal, guns and more gore! That pretty much sums up Killing Floor 2; the highly anticipated sequel to the original gore-fest. The game is currently in ÔÇÿEarly AccessÔÇÖ on Steam, with the full release coming later in the year for Windows, Linux and PlayStation 4. Consequently not all features are showcased in its current form, not that it makes playing it now any … Continue reading Review: Killing Floor 2
To say that Kevin Bridges is anything less than a comical genius would be an understatement. His┬álatest tour titled A Whole Different Story, reveals the Scottish comedianÔÇÖs feelings towards life twelve years into his career. His material had a hilariously nostalgic tone to the childhood days of sleepovers, old gaming devices and internet connection. He brought to attention that the days of PlayStation 1 and … Continue reading Review: Kevin Bridges- A Whole Different Story, St David’s Hall
The plot of The Bad Education Movie follows incompetent teacher Alfie Wickers (Jack Whitehall) and his mischievous yet beloved History class as they embark on a school trip to Cornwall; a treat promised by Alfie as a celebration for finishing their GCSE exams (after the schoolÔÇÖs budget and the parentsÔÇÖ trust wonÔÇÖt stretch to a bender in Las Vegas). One mother isnÔÇÖt pleased with the … Continue reading Review: The Bad Education Movie
The Norman constructors of the historic Chepstow Castle probably didnÔÇÖt have Newport slice of life, comedy rap ensemble ÔÇÿGoldie Lookin ChainÔÇÖ in mind as future guests when they laid its first stones in 1067, but they didnÔÇÖt seem out of place in front of a busy, if not packed, crowd on August 26th. Performing as part of the Castell Roc Music Festival that evolved out … Continue reading Live: Goldie Lookin Chain – Castel Roch – 26/08/15
With Inside Out Pixar have staged a triumphant return to form. Directed by Pete Docter the film tells the story of Riley, a young girl, struggling to adjust with her familyÔÇÖs relocation from Minnesota to San Francisco. However, Riley is actually the filmÔÇÖs setting rather than its main protagonist with the majority of the action taking place inside her mind. This is where the film … Continue reading Review: Inside Out
Playing out as almost Lynchian in its twisted dream-like reality, Buttercup Bill is a unique film from directors Remy Bennett and ├ëmilie Richard-Froozan billed as a “Southern Gothic Romance.” The film is a psychosexual drama in which two childhood friends reconnect, prompted by the imaginary Buttercup Bill. It convinces Pernilla (Remy Bennett) to leave her reality and return to Patrick (Evan Louison) in a familiar … Continue reading Review: Buttercup Bill
ItÔÇÖs the 1st of September, AKA first day of school at Hogwarts, so obviously weÔÇÖre bringing you exciting news on the Harry Potter front and no, itÔÇÖs not memorabilia but a product of actual use!┬áDrum roll┬áplease – enter LA SplashÔÇÖs new┬áHP inspired liquid lip stains that have taken the fandom with storm. Interested on how to turn your muggle life around and feel a little … Continue reading LA Splash x Harry Potter
Toronto Mens Fashion Week, which ran from August 19th to the 25th, was the first of many fashion weeks that are upcoming next month. In its 3rd edition, the menswear collections for Spring/Summer 2016 made our hearts flutter and wish for spring to hurry up already to see┬áthe trends in action, even though we are just starting fall! Editor Jamila Gandhi brings you an overview … Continue reading TOM*FW: A Review
Described by Richard Linklater as the ÔÇÿpatron saint of independent filmmakers,ÔÇÖ Orson Welles stands as a formidable figure in the pantheon of all-time greats. As a director he changed the rules of filmmaking in a time when cinema was still a fledgling art form. In the golden era of Hollywood he was funding his own films and passionately fighting for creative control. Tragically, for many … Continue reading Orson Welles at Chapter Arts Centre
