Film
White Riot, 2019 [Review] – Rubika Shah
A contemporary reflection on a cultural movement, Rock Against Racism. Resurfacing this topic empties Britain’s racist closet, along with its problematic skeletons; Eric Clapton; Rod Stewart and David Bowie. Co-founder Red Saunders details how the comments made by these musical heroes spurred on action to fight against the increasing grip the National Front held over…
Read MoreGood On Paper, Great on Film, Real in Life.
Kimmy Gatewood’s mostly true story, based on a lie; Good on Paper is funny in a sadly real way. The film is based on a horrible event that occurred in Iliza Shlesinger’s real-world dating life, whereby a dude she dates for a year turns out to be a compulsive liar, having lied from the…
Read MorePalm Springs [ Review] Time loop in Palm Springs? Yes Please!
On a grey, British July day in the midst of the supposed ‘freedom era’ of the COVID-19 pandemic…I came across Palm Springs with Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti. The trailer looked wacky but just what I needed when feeling a little…out of sorts. We wake up with Andy’s character, Nyles and his annoying girlfriend, with…
Read MorePoly Styrene: I Am a Cliché [Review] The Woman Behind the Persona…
A documentary with value; this film celebrates the magnetic charm of anglo-Somali frontwoman of X-Ray Specs, whilst journeying through the effects of fame, drug use and a misdiagnosed mental health disorder. Created by Bell Sng and Poly’s own daughter Celeste Bell, Poly Styrene: I am A Cliché delves into the woman behind the persona; Marion…
Read MoreDon Letts: The Rebel Dread in Bedford
It was May 16th 2021 when I scrambled through the upcoming socially distanced gigs in my area, namely at my local music venue – Bedford Esquires. I saw a familiar name pop up on the upcoming events section of the website – Don Letts, on tour to promote his new book. A name I had…
Read MorePromising Young Woman
Promising Young Woman tells the story of med-school drop-out, Cassie who turns thirty whilst living at home, working at a coffee shop with no social life or aspirations of one. Her sole mission is avenging her life long friend, Nina who experienced every woman’s worst nightmare. Every week, Cassie goes to a bar, acts extremely…
Read MoreThe Love Witch, 2016
Elaine is a young, beautiful woman who has uprooted her life from San Francisco after the death of her husband, (which through flashback montage, is heavily implied to be her fault). She is hyper-elegant and has perfected the sixties mod/hippy vibe. She moves into this fabulous apartment which is decorated by Trish, the local interior…
Read MoreCinema Paradiso
‘Toto’, played brilliantly by Salvatore Cascio, is a mischievous young boy with a passion for the movies, spending hours at the cinema he wriggles his way into the heart of the beloved projectionist, Alfredo who shows him the ropes in the projection booth and then convinces him to leave the small town of Giancaldo to…
Read MoreThe Glorias, 2020 A Glorious Biopic [Review]
Julie Taymor directs an intricate biopic that delves into the several stage of Gloria Steinem’s life that shaped her as a human. The writer, activist and organizer for women’s rights worldwide is explored in a humane way that focuses on childhood and into a women’s experience in a heavily male dominated landscape. The constant in…
Read MoreOphelia, 2018. The Shakespearean Heroine
This reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet is taken from the novel by Lisa M.Klein and adapted to screen by Semi Chellas. It takes the so-called ‘mad’ lover of Prince Hamlet; Ophelia, played by Daisy Ridley and transforms her into a full character with a backstory. The story begins with the small motherless child who is…
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