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Arrival, directed by Denis Villeneuve, came out four years ago in 2016. I thought it was a magnificent film. Years later, during quarantine, I read the short story it was adapted from, Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang, and it made me see it from a new perspective. Continue reading The Twist in Arrival: A Lesson in Storytelling
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At the start of June BBC One aired Sitting in Limbo, a factual drama about the consequences of the Windrush scandal of 2018. Despite the programme flying largely under the radar, nearly two months after I watched this important piece of television, I still reflect on it and the way it made me feel. Continue reading Politics on Screen: Sitting in Limbo
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The Kissing Booth, directed by Vince Marcello and starring Joey King, Jacob Elordi and Molly Ringwald, caused a bit of a stir in the rom-com genre when it was first released on Netflix in May 2018. Not least because it was based off a published Wattpad series by Beth Reekles, written when she was just fifteen years old. As someone who used to frequently read (and occasionally attemptto write) Wattpad stories, I maintain that it is a valuable platform for creating and consuming content in its most preliminary form; though I do wonder if there were other less damaging narrative that Netflix could have picked up and transferred to the big screen. Continue reading Review: The Kissing Booth 2
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Chewing Gum is a TV series both written and staring Michaela Coel. Originally airing on E4 in 2015, I first heard of it a few weeks ago when it was added to Netflix. The programme’s debut on Netflix comes after Coel’s new drama I Will Destroy You was released on BBC in June. This led to one of my housemates suggesting we watch it because … Continue reading Reviews in Retrospect: Chewing Gum
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Michaela Coel’s masterpiece deserves your attention.
Social media has been ablaze with rave reviews of Michaela Coel’s latest work for weeks. From the moment the first episode aired in early June, my Twitter feed was awash with people declaring it a masterpiece, and its creator ‘the new Phoebe Waller-Bridge’. My interest was piqued. Still, I was hesitant as I hit play, not quite sure whether the show would live up to my expectations. Fast-forward a couple of weeks and you’d find me lying on my floor, trying my best to contemplate what I’d just seen in the show’s finale. Subversive is too soft a word for the twisted, confusing, uncomfortable, incredible half hour I’d just experienced. I was fully ready to declare I May Destroy You a work of genius. Continue reading Review: I May Destroy You
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When I first learned about Phyllis Schlafly and her battle against the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) during my history lessons at school, I couldn’t even begin to comprehend why somebody would be in opposition to the legal affirmation of their own rights. Mrs America (BBC 2/FX on Hulu) offered me a more in-depth insight into the historical narrative of the motivations behind her activism. This … Continue reading Review: Mrs America
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Da 5 Bloods (2020) is Spike Lee’s latest release after his critically acclaimed BlacKkKlansman (2018), which won him his first Academy award. Lee’s constant stream of provocative and profound pieces has proven time and time again that he has “his finger on the pulse of modern America” (Mark Kermode). The plot follows four ex-GIs who return to Vietnam to recover the remains of their fallen comrade, the almost mythical, Black Panther-esque Stormin’ Norman. At least that’s their cover. In reality, they return to retrieve bars of gold that the American army stole from the North Vietnamese all those years ago. Continue reading Review: Da 5 Bloods
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Julia Ducournau’s directorial debut Raw follows 16-year-old Justine as she attempts to navigate the complexities of becoming a woman alongside her newfound and unconventional desires. Coming from a high-achieving family of entirely vets and vegetarians, Justine is ready to start her first year at vet school, where her older sister, Alexia, also studies. During some time-honoured and intense hazing rituals, the ‘rookies’ are drenched in pigs’ blood (Carrie, anyone?) and forced to eat raw rabbit kidneys as a form of initiation. After eating meat for the first time, unexpected consequences emerge as Justine is overcome with an all-consuming craving for human flesh. Continue reading Flesh and Femininity: How Body Horror in Raw Externalises Female Sexual Awakening
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When it comes to the Eurovision Song Contest, I would not class myself as the ‘average viewer’. If anything, I am a huge fan of the wonderfully wacky contest. So I, along with tens of thousands of people from all over Europe and around the world, was ready to head to Rotterdam this May to enjoy its week of spectacular weirdness. However, COVID-19 has put these plans on hold. I do not want to in any way diminish the awful effects the current crisis has had on every aspect of life. I just find that it is unfortunate, but understandable, that the contest had to be postponed. Continue reading Review: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
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Content Warning: Sexual Abuse Netflix’s new documentary Athlete A is undoubtedly a must-watch, regardless of whether you are a fan of gymnastics. I’ve always loved the sport. For a few years, I participated in gymnastics from a young age and, while I was never that good, I enjoyed it immensely and found training on all the different apparatus exciting. I still like watching gymnastics when … Continue reading Review: Athlete A
