NIFF 2018: The Silent Child screening and Q&A with Julie Foy

Things got up and running on the second day of Newcastle International Film Festival with a matinee screening of the Oscar-winning short film The Silent Child, and an enlightening Q&A with associate producer Julie Foy. IÔÇÖm certain the extended queue outside the Cineworld screen was buzzing with excitement, although you couldnÔÇÖt hear it as most of the audience were communicating their excitement (I hope) through … Continue reading NIFF 2018: The Silent Child screening and Q&A with Julie Foy

NIFF 2018: Get Carter screening and Q&A with Mike Hodges

Newcastle at the moment isnÔÇÖt quite a city known for its film moments. Sure there have been occasions; Transformers filmed some blockbuster-style action on Grey Street last year, I, Daniel Blake gave a harrowing account of the UKÔÇÖs benefits system, but otherwise, a Northern representation is lacking. The kicking off of Newcastle International Film Festival last night (29th March) seemed to suggest this was changing. … Continue reading NIFF 2018: Get Carter screening and Q&A with Mike Hodges

Sunflower Bean Twentytwo In Blue Album Review

Brooklyn trio Sunflower Bean first burst onto the scene in 2016 with their debut full-length record, Human Ceremony, which gave us an abundance of starry-eyed and jangly psych-pop gems, boasting a myriad of retro influences. Now they return with sophomore album Twentytwo in Blue, released March 23rd on Mom + Pop Records. Whilst each band member is still only twenty-two (hence the album title), their … Continue reading Sunflower Bean Twentytwo In Blue Album Review

Review: Downsizing

Alexander Payne embarks on his latest cinematic journey in a transformative tackling of ever-present social, moral and political issues through an accessible, entertaining, bitesize medium. At a first glance, the film would appear as a standard Hollywood comedic throwaway with an interesting twist; Norwegian scientists have created a manner through which the human body can be shrunk down to a mere 5ÔÇØ, the process of … Continue reading Review: Downsizing

Review: God’s Own Country

God’s Own Country is the film Hollywood forgot about. Move over Jon Snow, thereÔÇÖs a new brooding protagonist in town. Meet Johnny, (Josh OÔÇÖConnor) the son of a disabled sheep farmer (Ian Hart), living a rather monotonous life in the rural moors of Yorkshire, consisting of drinking, puking and casual hook-ups with random men. But this is all turned upside-down with the arrival of Romanian … Continue reading Review: God’s Own Country

Review: The Shape of Water

Guillermo Del ToroÔÇÖs latest escapist fantasy tells a familiar fairytale of freak love between human and creature. However the director’s fastidious eye for the darkly fantastical, juxtaposed with an even darker reality, along with intelligent, era-specific social commentary which helps contextualise and ground its narrative, and nuanced, expertly written characters make this tale more akin to the esoteric lovechild of Amelie and Creature from the … Continue reading Review: The Shape of Water

Review: I, Tonya

Everyone thinks they know what happened when figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was attacked and injured right before the 1994 Olympics. Turns out, not even the people involved really knew what was going on, least of all volatile opponent Tonya Harding. Supposedly. Based on ÔÇÿirony-free, wildly contradictoryÔÇÖ interviews conducted by director Craig Gillespie, I, Tonya is a darkly humorous biopic that just keeps throwing punches. Literally. … Continue reading Review: I, Tonya

Review: Phantom Thread

Phantom Thread is a portrait of the dissatisfied artist whose work can never be done; an exploration of desire and a boyÔÇÖs enduring love for his mother (but not a boyÔÇÖs desire for his mother); and an exhibition of a lot of beautiful dresses. ┬á The film is situated in 1950s high-society London, concerning the life of Reynolds Woodcock, head of the esteemed dress-makers ÔÇÿThe … Continue reading Review: Phantom Thread

Scandinavian singers putting a new spin on the pop music we know

Recently there seems to be a huge number of Scandinavian popstars bringing out some absolutely great music. They seem to have put their own spin on pop and we love it. We have had our eye on Sigrid for a while now and she has now go the title of ÔÇÿBBCÔÇÖs Sound of 2018 number oneÔÇÖ. Could they be taking over the music indursty? HereÔÇÖs … Continue reading Scandinavian singers putting a new spin on the pop music we know

New Year, New Las Iguanas – A Relaunch Review

Last week Las Iguanas, Mill Lane, re-launched their restaurant, with a new look and a tweaked menu, and here at Quench we went to check it out! We were greeted by a bustle of people, food, colour, and energetic girls clad in feathers, and a waitress who seated us. From the minute we sat down, we were well-looked after, with our cocktail order taken almost … Continue reading New Year, New Las Iguanas – A Relaunch Review

Gassy’s: The Relaunch.

It’s back! New name (RIP “JackÔÇÖs”), new image (hellooooo sexy purple), and a new menu (donÔÇÖt worry, not all your old favourites are gone) ÔÇô welcome to the sparkly new GassyÔÇÖs. Still situated on that busy Salisbury Rd corner, you will be unable to miss it as you walk by, with its bright purple and rainbow design! Step inside and youÔÇÖll be welcomed by our … Continue reading Gassy’s: The Relaunch.

Film Review Episode One: Star Wars – The Last Jedi

So you may have heard about this little thing called Star Wars and the recent instalment The Last Jedi. With a wide range of different opinions and reviews, we thought it best to ask what our Quench contributors had to say about the galaxy far, far away… (oh and there’s spoilers ahead) Star Wars has been a part of my life for as long as … Continue reading Film Review Episode One: Star Wars – The Last Jedi

Film Review Episode Two: Star Wars ÔÇô The Last Jedi

So you may have heard about this little thing called┬áStar Wars┬áand the recent instalment┬áThe Last Jedi. With a wide range of different opinions and reviews, we thought it best to ask what our Quench contributors had to say about the galaxy far, far awayÔǪ (oh and thereÔÇÖs spoilers ahead) The one feature I personally value over all else in a film is the story: what … Continue reading Film Review Episode Two: Star Wars ÔÇô The Last Jedi

Quenchmas Countdown: Day 25 – ‘The Snowman’

The Snowman is iconic, synonymous with Christmas. Pure unadulterated happiness is all that exudes from this animated film. Based on the best-selling childrenÔÇÖs book by Raymond Briggs, The Snowman has been engrained in British Christmas culture from the very moment it aired on the BBC in 1982. The renowned Walking in the Air song, sung by choirboy Peter Auty (commonly mistaken for Aled Jones) which … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 25 – ‘The Snowman’

Quenchmas Countdown: Day 24 – ‘Harry Potter’ series

I solemnly swear I am wishing you a Merry Christmas It was impossible to pick a single Harry Potter film for this countdown, so IÔÇÖve decided to look at the entire series. What better time of year to sit down and watch the boy who lived and the Gryffindor gang prepare to fight ÔÇÿYou-Know-WhoÔÇÖ? ThereÔÇÖs just that Christmas feeling you get when watching the films … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 24 – ‘Harry Potter’ series

Quenchmas Countdown: Day 23 – ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’

Merry Christmas ya filthy animalÔǪ and a happy new year! Love it or hate it, it cannot be denied that Home Alone has earned its place as one of the most iconic Christmas movies. What sums up Christmas better than watching little Kevin McCallister completely destroying the lives of burglars Marv and Harry? Well, Home Alone 2 of course! Home Alone 2 sees the return … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 23 – ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’

Blanche, The New Vegan Bakery- A Review

Over the past couple of years, the vegan scene around Cardiff has really expanded, and Blanche Bakery is the new kid on the block, having opened its doors this weekend on Mackintosh Place, Roath. Owners Amy and Rem have been supplying local coffee shops around Cardiff with their delicious cakes for about a year, before deciding to take the plunge and open up their very … Continue reading Blanche, The New Vegan Bakery- A Review

Quenchmas Countdown: Day 22 – ‘Black Mirror’s White Christmas’

Black MirrorÔÇÖs White Christmas is something of a unique entity in the endless stream of Christmas television. It doesnÔÇÖt fall into any of the usual categories that encompass Christmas┬átelevision; your Love ActuallyÔÇÖs or any other show that makes you feel all warm and giddy on the inside. As a result, you are left with a feeling of dread about what may happen with humanity’s constant … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 22 – ‘Black Mirror’s White Christmas’

Quenchmas Countdown: Day 21 – ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’

ÔÇ£Can I refill your eggnog? Get you something to eat, drive you into the middle of nowhere, and leave you for dead?ÔÇØ National LampoonÔÇÖs Christmas Vacation ÔÇô Making you feel a whole lot better about your impending dry turkey, minor electrical tree fire, and extended family festive chaos! Christmas Vacation is definitely up there as one of my favourites for this time of year because … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 21 – ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’

Quenchmas Countdown: Day 20 – ‘Trapped in Paradise’

The movie follows the story of three brothers trying to escape from ParadiseÔǪthe town. This low-key great Christmas-themed comedy crime film is absolutely hilarious, and I am always shocked when I find out that not many people have watched it. The film follows Dave and Alvin Furbo, portrayed by two SNL greats: Jon Lovitz and Dana Carvey, as they trick their older brother Bill, played … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 20 – ‘Trapped in Paradise’