If you are expecting an objective review, then I recommend walking away. I am a Cumberbatch fan, often more forgiving of his creative endeavors than others. So, let me begin by acknowledging the obvious – Cumberbatch yet again embodies a hyper-intelligent, narcissistic, apathetic character. He is as in all his previous acting roles, a predictably brilliant protagonist. What’s refreshing is his knack for comic timing. I don’t doubt his talent but maybe play a doofus…
Culture
I heard about the book first, on the many blogs I follow. Intrigued, but not quite convinced, I tried to hunt down a copy at the local library and I failed. So, I settled for the next best thing – watching the movie adaptation. So, What’s it about? “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” is about Guinevere Pettigrew, a middle-aged and unremarkable governess who can’t seem to hold down a job. The movie begins with…
Why L.M Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables Remains A Favorite Let me start with a confession. Writing about classics is daunting. Classics are books that have stayed in print for many years, studied and analyzed and dissected every which way. As a critic, I am nervous about what can I add to the narrative. But as a reader, I simply want to share my personal joy of reading them. What do you think about classics?…
I love a novel based in a boarding school setting. The story can go so many different ways — a mystery (Picnic at Hanging Rock), childish hijinks (St. Malory Towers), horror stories (Never Let Me Go), coming-of-age philosophical novels (The Catcher In The Rye) or even fantasy (Harry Potter Series). The list is endless and as a reader there are endless novels to explore. As a writer, I can only imagine the joy of writing…
During the pandemic, literary guides seemed quite the rage or at least that’s what seemed to be the case in our local library. I discovered a few gems myself, notably Sarah Baxter’s Literary places. A beautifully illustrated book, where Baxter Sarah Baxter, a travel writer, compiles a list of famous books that are defined by the places they are set in. Baxter’s list touches upon both traditional yet global collection of classics, acting as literary…
Directed by Clint Eastwood, the two movies ‘Letters from Iwo Jima’ and ‘Flags of our Father’, the most horrific battlegrounds of WWII from both the American and Japanese perspective. Letters from Iwo Jima” tackles the Japanese perspective and is a deeply thought-provoking film that delves into the horrors and complexities of World War II. As someone who has always been fascinated by WWII, I approached this movie with great anticipation, and it did not disappoint.…
Do we question mortality only when faced with imminent death? A literary memoir by a dying man raises questions on the very meaning of living. Most of us go through life without contemplating about our existence. Death is inevitable, but it doesn’t feature largely in our daily thoughts. We spend our time thinking about what our day is going to be, what our year is going to be, and our hopes and dreams. Paul Kalanithi…
A Woman Deprived Lady Chatterley Lover’s core theme is about fulfillment (or it’s lack of) of the the mind and body. Lawrence appears to make the case that both are essential and having only one can slowly but surely stifle you. Connie, the protagonist, is a fairly liberated soul, who has had her share of flings before marriage. She marries, Clifford, a titled landlord who dabbles in writing. He constantly aims seek only mental fulfillment…
