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
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’
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’
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 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’
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
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’
During my time at the Iris Prize Festival I was lucky enough to be able to see a few of the competition winners, which includes ÔÇÿBest British ShortÔÇÖ, and ÔÇÿBest International ShortÔÇÖ, to name a few. We Love Moses Until last yearÔÇÖs astonishing ÔÇÿMoonlightÔÇÖ, it is safe to say that black, gay masculinity was a subject rarely explored in film. At least, not with the … Continue reading IRIS PRIZE SHORT FILM REVIEW: We Love Moses
Hi itÔÇÖs Molly the Elf, whatÔÇÖs your favourite colour? It must be said (and I will festively fight to the death on this), that Jon FavreauÔÇÖs Elf is one of the best Christmas films ever, and if not, one of the best films ever. To exist. Ever. If you havenÔÇÖt watched Elf at least 7 times before Christmas Day, then you are not doing Christmas … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 3 – ‘Elf’
The early signs are strong for Fickle Friends, a pop group from Brighton who are getting the kind of early buzz which could see them break the mainstream with the release of their debut album next year. Together since 2013, they started out in the music breeding ground of Brighton, responsible for the likes of Royal Blood, James Bay and Rizzle Kicks in recent years. … Continue reading Are Fickle Friends about to break the mainstream?
During my time at the Iris Prize Festival, I was lucky enough to be able to see a few of the competition winners, which includes ÔÇÿBest British ShortÔÇÖ, and ÔÇÿBest International ShortÔÇÖ, to name a few. One Summer The pastoral to gay narratives is what waterlilies were to Monet; inseparable and unimaginably beautiful. ÔÇÿOne SummerÔÇÖ is the quiet, sun-drenched story of two sheepshearers wiling their … Continue reading IRIS PRIZE SHORT FILM REVIEW: ‘One Summer’
This film has everything you love about Christmas. Carol singers, snowmen, tinsel and most importantly, elderly women being shot out of windows. Fun for all the family. Gremlins is a bit quirky. Released in the Summer of 84 to rival against Temple of Doom and Ghostbusters, the film mocks the commercialisation of Christmas as well as tell a story which is particularly dark at times, … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 2 – ‘Gremlins’
The power couple that gave us Forrest Gump reunites once more to rejoice our screens with a Christmas classic. ‘The Polar Express’ directed by Robert Zemeckis and voiced by Tom Hanks, among others, reimagines the 1985ÔÇÖs children book written by Chris Van Allsburg. The animators have attempted to preserve the look of the original illustrations of the book using state-of-the-art motion-capture technology, the result is … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 1 – ‘The Polar Express’
The LGBTQ+ narrative in cinema is one that comes with a rather complicated history. From ÔÇÿBrokeback MountainÔÇÖ right up to this yearÔÇÖs most lauded romance, ÔÇÿCall Me by Your NameÔÇÖ, LGBTQ+ stories in film have repeatedly been dominated by drama, tragedy and, more often than one would like, death. How refreshing it is, then, as a huge fan of queer narratives, to come across Christopher … Continue reading IRIS PRIZE REVIEW: Prom King, 2010
Ever since the Autumn of 2016, and under the administration of Donald Trump, countless groups of people have been vilified, scrutinised, and scapegoated by the very government that is supposed to represent them. From the announcement of TrumpÔÇÖs decision to campaign to become the president of the United States onwards, much conversation in America has revolved around the rights of minorities, and much of it … Continue reading IRIS PRIZE REVIEW: Signature Move
As a meat eater, I was sceptical about reviewing Milgi, as it is so well known throughout Cardiff for being the veggie and vegan hub. But let me say right now that I was wrong for being so narrow-minded and I was very happily surprised once I arrived and tried the food. I walked into this quaint and cosy little restaurant on a rainy and … Continue reading Vegan Roast Dinner- Milgi’s A Winner.
It is often difficult to track the moment when you move from being a great admirer of an artist too when you completely fall in love. Often this will take the form of emotional significance if a particular artist or particular song holds values because they remind you of a particular time of your life or a particular person. However, sometimes the moment you fall … Continue reading Lucy Rose Review
At the O2 Academy Bristol, the notorious Bristol gig goer, Big Jeff was front row for Wolf AliceÔÇÖs first date on their first UK tour since the release of their second record. Anyone who knows of Big Jeff, knows that this is a sign of a good gig. Superfood opened the show in the best way possible, with the enormously catchy boom-chica-boom of ÔÇÿWhereÔÇÖs … Continue reading Wolf Alice Gig Review
