Culture

Can a script format truly capture the magic of Hogwarts years later? ⚡️ Exploring generational trauma, alternate timelines, and the complex bond between Harry and Albus Potter in The Cursed Child. Read the full review !

Can a classic colonial adventure like Tarzan successfully update its politics for the 21st century? Ape-swinging, historical framing with King Leopold’s Congo, and solid performances make for an interesting watch, but does it rise above a standard action romp? Read the full review!

Is Disney’s Frozen actually worth the record-breaking hype? ❄️ While the Nordic aesthetics and Olaf’s witty lines are high points, the shift from traditional prince-saving tropes to princess-saving-princess feels a bit overstated. Read the full review!

J.K. Rowling’s foray with The Casual Vacancy into adult fiction was surprisingly good albeit a little depressing. I have enjoyed the Harry Potter series for its concept and plot and never from a literary standpoint. This novel on the other hand is stronger on the language and structure whereas the plot is tepid. Image Credit: Author So, Whats The Casual Vacancy About? “Things denied, things untold, things hidden and disguised.” ― J.K. Rowling, The Casual …

For those not familiar with American history, the term Pioneers is used to describe the explorers who moved westwards in search of land and riches from the heavily populated East. Writers like Willa Cather wrote novels and stories to capture the trials and tribulations of this period of exploration. Most of the westward expansion was by settlers who worked on railways which were being built to connect mining towns. Any pioneer’s town population was often …

Both these movies were nominated by the Oscar committee, which largely being American explains the bias towards the “save the world” complex inherent to American psyche. In terms of the pure craft of movie making, both these movies are good, but are they great enough to warrant Oscar nominations? Argo Let’s take a look at Argo. As I was at Warner Bros, I had the chance to get a preview of the movie before the …

The Corner Shop has a lovely cover and that is  probably the nicest thing to say about it. Elizabeth Cadell wrote light romantic comedies in the Britain and her books were fairly popular, so I feel bad about dissing it. When I picked it up I was looking for something similar to the likes of E.F. Benson or Monica Dashwood – light, sharp and witty notes on the quiet country life. Which is why I …

Some plays are a social commentary on the past or the present, then some plays are witty and intelligent using their razor-edged lines to make sharp cuts in your mind and then some plays are just for fun. The play,  Peter Colley’s “I’ll be back before midnight” does not promise to be anything other than your average edge-of-the-seat thriller, and it succeeds in that promise. A remote house, quirky neighbor, nervous wife, incest, and paranoia–are …