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Film & Television
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life Review
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (Jane Austen a gâché ma vie) is not your average rom-com nor your average dose of literary cottagcore. It follows Agathe (Camille Rutherford), an awkward, aspiring writer from Paris invited to spend two weeks at a writers' retreat in England held by Jane Austen's distant relatives, a strange event that she needs to pull her out of her slump — in writing and in life. What could be a basic struggling artist's journey of self-discovery and inspiration has many nuances and idiosyncrasies, making for a thoroughly off-the-beaten-path narrative that provokes thought despite some minor loose threads.
Camille Rutherford brings to life the quirky, fluttery, romantic, and perpetually unsure nature of Agathe Robinson, who works at the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris and writes the beginning chapters of books she never finishes. She just seems to be looking for something more.
Camille Rutherford brings to life the quirky, fluttery, romantic, and perpetually unsure nature of Agathe Robinson, who works at the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris and writes the beginning chapters of books she never finishes. She just seems to be looking for something more.
Sinners Deeper Meaning Explained
Ryan Coogler's Sinners debuted to widespread acclaim, which was no surprise considering its poignant story about so much more than vampires. Leading up to its release, perhaps the biggest draw was Sinners' cast, with Creed and Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan taking on the dual role of twin brothers Smoke and Stack. Of course, Sinners' promise of fresh vampire lore was also a crowd-pleasing element to market, one which the movie certainly delivered with all the most classic vampire strengths and weaknesses incorporated into the story.
Yet the movie goes far beyond this, depicting an overlap of biological and found families standing together to the best of their ability when they are threatened by human and supernatural evils.
Yet the movie goes far beyond this, depicting an overlap of biological and found families standing together to the best of their ability when they are threatened by human and supernatural evils.
Andor Season 2 Review
"The Empire cannot win" has been a line regularly used by the marketing for Andor season 2, indicating the desperation that permeates the entire show. The conclusion of what is still going to be the frontrunner for the best Star Wars TV show (at least of the Disney+ originals) only goes further with its depiction of the brutality of the Empire, showing how people on both sides are beginning to crack, and irrevocably changing the subtext of Star Wars.
Andor season 2 is more about Diego Luna's Cassian Andor than season 1 is, but it still frames his story with a rotating roster of supporting characters who denote that what's happening is bigger than one person, all with the ever-looming threat of the Death Star hanging over them. Intrigue and tension expertly build and boil over into action and catharsis with each arc.
Andor season 2 is more about Diego Luna's Cassian Andor than season 1 is, but it still frames his story with a rotating roster of supporting characters who denote that what's happening is bigger than one person, all with the ever-looming threat of the Death Star hanging over them. Intrigue and tension expertly build and boil over into action and catharsis with each arc.
The Death of Snow White Review
Part Once Upon a Time, part Grimms' Fairy Tales, part gore fest, The Death of Snow White pulls no punches. Sanae Loutsis leads as the charming titular princess in a movie that sticks to the framework of the tale but fills it with death and mayhem. The Death of Snow White is just having fun with a story that has been told one too many times but still offers up some elements that at least make you think about how this narrative could have greater meaning, which is even more pointed in the month of Disney's live-action Snow White debacle.
With my recently published Rumpelstiltskin review, this has been the month for quirky, low-budget fairy tale retellings for me. What I have drawn from the inevitable comparison is that while Rumpelstiltskin is trying to be a serious movie in a lot of ways, The Death of Snow White embraces the camp. There is some great comedy in this, and the performances go hand in hand with the script and production. With early conversations leaning into the goofiness, it permits us not to take everything else too seriously, leading to being surprised by some oddly genuine moments and decent dramatic acting.
With my recently published Rumpelstiltskin review, this has been the month for quirky, low-budget fairy tale retellings for me. What I have drawn from the inevitable comparison is that while Rumpelstiltskin is trying to be a serious movie in a lot of ways, The Death of Snow White embraces the camp. There is some great comedy in this, and the performances go hand in hand with the script and production. With early conversations leaning into the goofiness, it permits us not to take everything else too seriously, leading to being surprised by some oddly genuine moments and decent dramatic acting.
Rumpelstiltskin Review
I absolutely love modern fairy tale retellings, but drawing from this rich well of public domain and creating a new story that actually has something to say and isn't just a beat-for-beat adaptation is pretty tricky. Rumpelstiltskin is a horror-inclined indie project, produced by the intrepid Paranoid Android company, which follows the original tale pretty closely but fills in some empty spaces with additional plot. Compared to Once Upon a Time and Shrek's more sprawling and at times convoluted takes on the titular character, this tight, contained story has the potential to delve into him in a more personal way.
The 5 Best Picture Oscar Winners Of The 2020s, Ranked Worst To Best
Cover image by Ana Nieves. | The 2020s have seen some incredibly tight competition at the Oscars , but there has been variation in the years when there was an obvious Best Picture winner and an incredibly close call. Going into the most recent Oscars ceremony, there may have still been some debate left, but at some point in the evening it became clear that Anora would sweep and win Best Picture. This was similarly the case with the two Best Picture winners before it, which won in several major categories before going home with the top prize.
The early 2020s perhaps saw more disappointing and controversial wins, and the industry coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic likely affected this. The biggest surprises and snubs of the 2025 Oscars cannot compare to some of the shocking turns in recent years. On the other hand, all these movies were driven by their performances, as there is a definitive link between the Best Picture winner and the acting categories. However, each Best Picture winner in the past five years has offered something different in terms of the evolution of cinema, impacting which stories are told and how.
The early 2020s perhaps saw more disappointing and controversial wins, and the industry coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic likely affected this. The biggest surprises and snubs of the 2025 Oscars cannot compare to some of the shocking turns in recent years. On the other hand, all these movies were driven by their performances, as there is a definitive link between the Best Picture winner and the acting categories. However, each Best Picture winner in the past five years has offered something different in terms of the evolution of cinema, impacting which stories are told and how.
Disney's Best Animated Movie Dominance Is Officially Over
Surprisingly (or not, depending on how you look at it), Flow took home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature this year, cementing Disney's losing streak in recent years. The Best Animated Feature category has historically been dominated by the biggest animation studios in Hollywood, which typically turn out animated (and generally good) family films with broad appeal. However, more experimental, mature, and independent animated films have been on the rise. Flow is an entirely silent film, clocking in at only an hour and a half, and an international feature distributed by Janus Films and UFO Distribution.
Flow's protagonist is a cat, who finds itself in the company of a group of various animals forced to depend on each other when their home is flooded. Flow was evidently one of the best animated movies of 2024, but its awards season run still saw it overcome tough odds. Kicking things off with its Golden Globe win, Flow never lost momentum and made it all the way to Best Animated Feature, despite many still predicting The Wild Robot. However, what is most significant about Flow is what it shares with the most recent winners.
Flow's protagonist is a cat, who finds itself in the company of a group of various animals forced to depend on each other when their home is flooded. Flow was evidently one of the best animated movies of 2024, but its awards season run still saw it overcome tough odds. Kicking things off with its Golden Globe win, Flow never lost momentum and made it all the way to Best Animated Feature, despite many still predicting The Wild Robot. However, what is most significant about Flow is what it shares with the most recent winners.
Every Episode Of Helluva Boss, Ranked Worst To Best
Cover image by Simone Ashmoore. | Helluva Boss is a chaotic show from the pilot to its most recent season finale, showing off a wild vision of Hell and the demons who live there through their daily escapades as they strive to rise to the top. Helluva Boss is the other adult animated series from Hazbin Hotel creator Vivienne Medrado, available on her YouTube channel "VivziePop." While Hazbin Hotel's story shows what the devil and his daughter are up to, Helluva Boss follows Blitzø (Brandon Rogers) and his company of fellow Imp assassins, known as I.M.P. (Immediate Murder Professionals), who kill people in the living world.
With Imps being the working class of Hell, Blitzø and his employees — including his adoptive daughter Loona (Erica Lindbeck) and married couple Moxxie (Richard Steven Horvitz) and Millie (Vivian Nixon) — relentlessly fight an uphill battle with vulgar humor and vibrant style. The best episodes of Helluva Boss demonstrate a combination of the show's smartest adult jokes and the underlying themes of classism and troubled relationships, as well as making the most of the typically 20-minute narrative format. Helluva Boss is also more episodic than Hazbin Hotel, with each episode offering a contained adventure, and essentially its own color palette.
With Imps being the working class of Hell, Blitzø and his employees — including his adoptive daughter Loona (Erica Lindbeck) and married couple Moxxie (Richard Steven Horvitz) and Millie (Vivian Nixon) — relentlessly fight an uphill battle with vulgar humor and vibrant style. The best episodes of Helluva Boss demonstrate a combination of the show's smartest adult jokes and the underlying themes of classism and troubled relationships, as well as making the most of the typically 20-minute narrative format. Helluva Boss is also more episodic than Hazbin Hotel, with each episode offering a contained adventure, and essentially its own color palette.
Every Spoof Episode Of Phineas And Ferb, Ranked
Cover image by Ana Nieves. | Phineas and Ferb's signature brand of comedy naturally lent itself to several clever episodes that serve as standalone spoofs or parodies during its beloved four-season run. Phineas and Ferb's constant meta-humor is a staple part of the series' narrative, almost a kid-friendly version of the referential comedy largely established by The Simpsons. The cartoon which is one of Disney Channel's best sitcoms is also highly formulaic, with the same basic plot of the boys building something impossible and their sister trying to show their mother playing out in almost every episode.
The structure is expected to continue into Phineas and Ferb season 5, which will revive the show after a decade. However, especially (but not entirely) in the later seasons, the showrunners veered away from regular days of summer for episodes typically set in a separate universe with parallel characters, with a storyline obviously replicating that of another property (one either in the public domain or owned by Disney). However, Phineas and Ferb's parody episodes, whether telling another version of the regular plot or embarking on a totally new adventure, are some of the best of the entire series.
The structure is expected to continue into Phineas and Ferb season 5, which will revive the show after a decade. However, especially (but not entirely) in the later seasons, the showrunners veered away from regular days of summer for episodes typically set in a separate universe with parallel characters, with a storyline obviously replicating that of another property (one either in the public domain or owned by Disney). However, Phineas and Ferb's parody episodes, whether telling another version of the regular plot or embarking on a totally new adventure, are some of the best of the entire series.
Wicked Queer Docs. Standing On Business.
Wicked Queer in Boston celebrated its 40th anniversary this spring as the fourth longest-running LGBTQI+ film festival in North America; the documentary extension, taking place in the fall, is now in its third year. I practically lived in The Brattle Theatre for a week earlier in 2024 to write about the fiction films at Wicked Queer, making this November weekend a return to a friendly environment in a cosy historic theatre.
Art is one outlet for change, and while simmering in disappointment about the US election, I dove into works of art about groundbreaking figures who lead small revolutions with their own art. I anticipated Wicked Queer Docs to be a community-forward event and I hoped it would be celebratory. And when the weekend came, festival director Shawn Cotter regularly implored audiences to turn to each other for support in their introductions to the films.
Art is one outlet for change, and while simmering in disappointment about the US election, I dove into works of art about groundbreaking figures who lead small revolutions with their own art. I anticipated Wicked Queer Docs to be a community-forward event and I hoped it would be celebratory. And when the weekend came, festival director Shawn Cotter regularly implored audiences to turn to each other for support in their introductions to the films.
The Real Meaning Of The Nightmare Before Christmas' Story & Characters
Cover image by Yailin Chacon. | Tim Burton and Henry Selick's The Nightmare Before Christmas is a timeless, genre-bending classic, yet the message behind the movie and the character arcs require some deliberation. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, is in a creative slump when he sets out to steal Christmas and execute the holiday himself rather than Santa Claus. In the end, Jack sees the error of his ways, returns Christmas to Santa, and goes on being the Pumpkin King. Along the way, he realizes his love for downtrodden Halloween Town resident Sally, who has always loved him in return.
The plot is moderately roundabout, but filled with fascinating character and production design, as well as the masterful musical work of Danny Elfman in one of his first movies. The best lyrics and quotes from The Nightmare Before Christmas are deeply impactful, even if viewers don't completely understand why. It is a goofy adventure and thrilling mix of two drastically opposing aesthetics which wasn't appreciated by Disney when Burton first came up with the idea, perhaps in part because the meaning of Jack and Sally's story is subtle, coming together through many minor plot elements.
The plot is moderately roundabout, but filled with fascinating character and production design, as well as the masterful musical work of Danny Elfman in one of his first movies. The best lyrics and quotes from The Nightmare Before Christmas are deeply impactful, even if viewers don't completely understand why. It is a goofy adventure and thrilling mix of two drastically opposing aesthetics which wasn't appreciated by Disney when Burton first came up with the idea, perhaps in part because the meaning of Jack and Sally's story is subtle, coming together through many minor plot elements.
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Review
The Wizards of Waverly Place revival sounds like it's trying to cash in on one of the ultimate examples of 2000s kids nostalgia, but Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is a hilarious, heartrending, and magical watch. The now-adult Justin Russo (David Henrie), having been fired as the headmaster of WizTech, is living in the mortal world with his wife and two sons, who are unaware of his wizard heritage. That is, until his sister Alex (Selena Gomez) turns up with spunky 12-year-old wizard Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown), with the request that Justin take her in and train her.
Kicking things off is the fantastic guest appearance by Gomez, who steps right back into the role of Alex, portraying her beloved sarcastic personality as well as the ways she has matured in the intervening years. Henrie is basically playing the same character as before and still has a great dynamic with Gomez. However, it is the new cast that impressively manages to all hold their own and endear themselves in a show that is banking on fondness for their predecessors.
Kicking things off is the fantastic guest appearance by Gomez, who steps right back into the role of Alex, portraying her beloved sarcastic personality as well as the ways she has matured in the intervening years. Henrie is basically playing the same character as before and still has a great dynamic with Gomez. However, it is the new cast that impressively manages to all hold their own and endear themselves in a show that is banking on fondness for their predecessors.
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Review
Reviewing Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is an acknowledgment that it is a sequel — when it hit theaters in 1980, Star Wars had already changed the world forever, and expectations were impossibly high. Theaters filled with fans frantically hoping the sequel would live up to it. And miraculously, it was even better. The instantly iconic and beloved trio of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher reprised their respective roles, and Luke took the next steps to become a Jedi while Han and Leia are on the run from the Empire, leading up to a magnificent final act.
The Empire Strikes Back is widely regarded as the best Star Wars movie. The first sequel is the dark and gritty answer to Star Wars' (the subtitle A New Hope was added for the 1981 re-release) optimism, pushing the character arcs to strenuous points with dire new circumstances before ending on a shockingly upsetting cliffhanger. The galaxy becomes bigger with more characters and more of the Force, while behind the camera, the crew continues to push the technical innovation that made Star Wars such a groundbreaking movie.
The Empire Strikes Back is widely regarded as the best Star Wars movie. The first sequel is the dark and gritty answer to Star Wars' (the subtitle A New Hope was added for the 1981 re-release) optimism, pushing the character arcs to strenuous points with dire new circumstances before ending on a shockingly upsetting cliffhanger. The galaxy becomes bigger with more characters and more of the Force, while behind the camera, the crew continues to push the technical innovation that made Star Wars such a groundbreaking movie.
ICYMI: Helluva Boss Is the Grittier (but Still Hilarious) Companion to Hazbin Hotel
Even with the uptake in adult animation in recent years, Hazbin Hotel was an outrageous and wonderful shock to the system when it premiered. Vivienne Medrano is a self-made creative who launched the Hazbin Hotel pilot on her YouTube channel @Vivziepop in 2019. The story of Lucifer’s (Jeremy Jordan) daughter Charlie (Erika Henningsen) attempting to rehabilitate Hell’s sinners was picked up by A24 and went through a long production before premiering on Prime Video in January 2024. But in between, Medrano debuted another hellishly creative series, featuring some denizens of Hell who were originally envisioned as one-off side characters in Hazbin Hotel but spiraled into their own deranged story.
House of the Dragon Season 3 Spoilers
The Dance of the Dragons truly began in House of the Dragon Season 2, despite some of the main characters’ efforts to avoid sending the dragons to war and the subsequent slaughter. Yet more political turmoil and fiery destruction await in Season 3. In future episodes, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen may find herself less inclined to reclaim the Iron Throne with as little carnage as possible when the war has cost her dearly.
The story will again bring her face-to-face with her former friend Queen Alicent Hightower, the mother of King Aegon II, Rhaenyra’s half-brother and her main competition for the throne. While George R. R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood is the most dependable source for House of the Dragon Season 3 spoilers, the changes the show has already made to the source material suggest certain events may play out differently on screen. Last chance to avoid major House of the Dragon Season 3 spoilers as we explain what could happen next season based on the books.
The story will again bring her face-to-face with her former friend Queen Alicent Hightower, the mother of King Aegon II, Rhaenyra’s half-brother and her main competition for the throne. While George R. R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood is the most dependable source for House of the Dragon Season 3 spoilers, the changes the show has already made to the source material suggest certain events may play out differently on screen. Last chance to avoid major House of the Dragon Season 3 spoilers as we explain what could happen next season based on the books.
Sisi & I Review
The fascinating if meandering drama Sisi & I (2023) (Sisi & Ich) showcases the strange and tragic life of Empress Elisabeth “Sisi” of Austria (Susanne Wolff), focusing on her relationship with her lady-in-waiting Countess Irma Stzáray (Sandra Hüller). Irma travels to a remote commune in Greece to be the empress’ companion, escaping her only other options of marriage or a convent. There, Irma is entranced by the carefree environment where Sisi dictates everything. However, the increasing demands of Sisi’s husband, Emperor Franz Joseph (Markus Schleinzer), soon pulls Sisi and Irma out of their haven and tests their bond.
Land of Women Review
The Apple TV+ miniseries Land of Women (Tierra de Mujeres) is an intergenerational drama-comedy that reels you in right away, despite a mildly distracting subplot. Wine connoisseuse Gala (Eva Longoria) has a settled life in New York, until criminals demanding $15 million back from her husband drive her out of the country. Her husband only tells her she needs to flee before disappearing himself, so Gala collects her daughter Kate (Victoria Bazua) and mother Julia (Carmen Maura) and travels to the remote wine town in northern Spain Julia fled decades earlier — with no idea what to do next.
What You Wish For Review
Nicholas Tomnay’s What You Wish For is a thriller from which one cannot look away, even if the overall moral of the story falls just short of flawless. The story follows Ryan (Nick Stahl), a down-on-his-luck chef who travels to South America to meet up with his former roommate Jack (Brian Groh) and escape threats due to his gambling debts. Jack, whom Ryan hasn’t seen in a decade, has everything Ryan could want. However, things take a dark turn when Jack dies and Ryan assumes Jack’s identity, only to discover an ugly truth about Jack’s successful career.
All 48 Songs In Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Movie (Taylor's Version), Ranked Worst To Best
Ranking every song in the Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour movie is no easy feat. The concert movie captures a musical performance the likes of which has never been seen before, showcasing the music of Swift’s 10 albums. Swift's concert was edited into a shorter movie for its theatrical release, but the version now available to stream on Disney+ is three and a half hours long.
The movie’s title is now Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) due to the differences between it and the theatrical version. Using Swift's dazzling lyrics as a starting point, the Eras Tour team created performances to elevate each era. This Swiftie experience is now more widely accessible, and fans can watch every song in the Eras Tour movie multiple times before deciding on their favorite performance.
The movie’s title is now Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) due to the differences between it and the theatrical version. Using Swift's dazzling lyrics as a starting point, the Eras Tour team created performances to elevate each era. This Swiftie experience is now more widely accessible, and fans can watch every song in the Eras Tour movie multiple times before deciding on their favorite performance.
Silver Haze Review
Silver Haze is an appropriate title for writer-director Sacha Polak’s movie, which feels like drifting through a nonsensical but very real wave of emotion. Leading Silver Haze is Vicky Knight as Franky, a nurse who is still looking for answers about the fire that left her badly scarred 15 years ago. Her time is taken up with work, caring for her alcoholic mother, and an unsatisfying relationship with her boyfriend. However, Franky is set on a path of transformation and healing when she meets Florence (Esmé Creed-Miles), a new patient.
Screen Rant
I currently work as a staff writer for Screen Rant, publishing around 12 list-style articles every week. I cover both movies and television in a variety of genres.
The Legacy of Studio Ghibli
Even in the West, where pop culture is dominated by Disney, it seems as though Studio Ghibli films were still a formative part of many people’s childhoods. In my case, my siblings and I went through a phase where we watched Ponyo (2008) on a loop.
Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki (Miyazaki and Takahata are primarily directors and writers while Suzuki acts as a producer). The studio’s films have received unprecedented critical and commercial success and are regarded as some of the most noteworthy contributions to animation as an art form. The Ghibli films often feature themes of endurance during times of hardship, pacifism, environmentalism, and children being forced to grow up before their time while still maintaining their youthful wonder.
Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki (Miyazaki and Takahata are primarily directors and writers while Suzuki acts as a producer). The studio’s films have received unprecedented critical and commercial success and are regarded as some of the most noteworthy contributions to animation as an art form. The Ghibli films often feature themes of endurance during times of hardship, pacifism, environmentalism, and children being forced to grow up before their time while still maintaining their youthful wonder.
Calling All Witches: Justice for The Owl House
Disney has done it again. I forgive them for a lot of things, either out of nostalgic fondness or because I believe that their mistakes reflect broader problems with the entertainment industry. However, there is one thing which I look at and can only think, “Yeah, you messed up”, and that is The Owl House (TOH).
I would argue that TOH (along with Amphibia) represents the proud legacy of Gravity Falls (GF) — both shows are created by veteran GF story boarders and feature the same fantastical vibes and wacky sense of humour, while still being exceptional in their own way. TOH, created by Dana Terrace, is about fourteen-year-old Luz Noceda, a quirky fantasy fangirl who stumbles upon a door to a magical otherworld, where she moves in with a sassy, forty-something witch called Eda and a dog-like demon called King (voiced by Alex Hirsch, the creator of GF). The show follows Luz’s adventures as she learns magic, forms meaningful friendships, and experiences first love.
I would argue that TOH (along with Amphibia) represents the proud legacy of Gravity Falls (GF) — both shows are created by veteran GF story boarders and feature the same fantastical vibes and wacky sense of humour, while still being exceptional in their own way. TOH, created by Dana Terrace, is about fourteen-year-old Luz Noceda, a quirky fantasy fangirl who stumbles upon a door to a magical otherworld, where she moves in with a sassy, forty-something witch called Eda and a dog-like demon called King (voiced by Alex Hirsch, the creator of GF). The show follows Luz’s adventures as she learns magic, forms meaningful friendships, and experiences first love.
Oscars 2023: Predictions
Cover image by @Thank You (23+ Millions) views via flickr, used under a CC BY 2.0 license. | It's "the Daniels" race to lose this year—Everything Everywhere All at Once leads the 95th Academy Awards with 11 nominations, with The Banshees of Inisherin and All Quiet on the Western Front close behind with 9 nominations each. A similar selection of actors and filmmakers were recognized as nominees and winners at the Golden Globes in January, but nothing is set in stone—the Academy has a history of making very different decisions from the HFPA. Without further ado, let's get into my predictions!
"Creativity is overrated, but we do it anyway": Creativity in Cosplay
Fandom communities are harshly judged for their supposed disregard of the fabled concept of “originality.” Some people argue that fanfiction authors are inferior writers because they use other people’s characters and stories rather than devising anything of their own. Cosplay, while not as inherently controversial as fanfiction, raises a similar question: is replicating another’s creation as good as coming up with a “new” idea? Setting aside the argument that all forms of media are ultimately derived and reconstructed from the media the creator has seen, what exactly is the artistic process behind cosplay?
Like fanfiction writers, cosplayers are unbound. There is something freeing in making art which has no commercial value; you don’t have to worry about what will please an editor, producer, corporation, or potential customer, and its only purpose is to bring you joy. Cosplay is also a way to hone your skills; artists often start out by copying other works to practise their technique before trying to break new ground. But don’t underestimate the creative process of recreation, especially in the case of cosplay. Even the ones that are exact replicas from a film, television show, video game, theatrical performance, or another medium, require creative thinking.
Like fanfiction writers, cosplayers are unbound. There is something freeing in making art which has no commercial value; you don’t have to worry about what will please an editor, producer, corporation, or potential customer, and its only purpose is to bring you joy. Cosplay is also a way to hone your skills; artists often start out by copying other works to practise their technique before trying to break new ground. But don’t underestimate the creative process of recreation, especially in the case of cosplay. Even the ones that are exact replicas from a film, television show, video game, theatrical performance, or another medium, require creative thinking.
House of the Dragon: Looking back on Season 1
Cue the Game of Thrones (Thrones) theme music, which once may have made your toes curl with excitement and sent chills down your spine, but nowadays might just make you groan. Yet the feuding nobles seem to have made a comeback with House of the Dragon (House), the prequel to Thrones. This new show is the recent winner of the Golden Globe for Best Television Series (Drama), with Emma D’Arcy scoring a nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Television Series (Drama). After a disappointing end to the most popular show in the world, how did HBO return with such success?
House returns to Westeros 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, when the Targaryen dynasty is at the height of its power. After his queen dies in childbirth, King Viserys I Targaryen names his only living child—his daughter Rhaenyra—heir to the Iron Throne. However, Rhaenyra’s succession is jeopardised when her father marries Alicent Hightower, who gives birth to a son. This leads to a crisis of succession and a civil war which almost destroys House Targaryen, a conflict known in Westerosi history as the Dance of the Dragons.
House returns to Westeros 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, when the Targaryen dynasty is at the height of its power. After his queen dies in childbirth, King Viserys I Targaryen names his only living child—his daughter Rhaenyra—heir to the Iron Throne. However, Rhaenyra’s succession is jeopardised when her father marries Alicent Hightower, who gives birth to a son. This leads to a crisis of succession and a civil war which almost destroys House Targaryen, a conflict known in Westerosi history as the Dance of the Dragons.
From the Screen to the Stage: Moulin Rouge!
Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! (2001) is one of my all-time favourite films. It is therefore no small thing when I say that the theatrical adaptation is even better. The show premiered on Broadway in 2019, won ten Tony Awards (including Best Musical), and arrived in the West End earlier this year. Both Hollywood and Broadway tell the story of Christian, a starry-eyed writer who travels to Paris at the turn of the century and falls in love with a courtesan named Satine, the headliner of the notorious Moulin Rouge night club. Christian and Satine’s romance is jeopardised when Harold Zidler, the owner of the Moulin Rouge, forms a dangerous business deal with a malevolent duke who lusts after Satine. With the duke sponsoring a show at the club which Christian is writing and Satine is starring in, tensions are on the rise, leading up to a fateful premier night.
Remakes and Rip-offs: The battle to be the next Game of Thrones
Cover illustration by Tilly Binucci. | Despite its disappointing final season, Game of Thrones’ impact on the television industry is undeniable. In the final years of the show, major producers started to anticipate a future gap in pop culture and plans for several more fantasy series began to take shape. We have seen the results these last few years, including shows like The Wheel of Time, The Witcher, His Dark Materials, House of the Dragon, and Rings of Power, with several more to come. High fantasy appears to be the reigning monarch of contemporary television—is this only because of the success of GOT? What else in our time could be causing audiences to crave swords and sorcery?
From a business perspective, this phenomenon is not difficult to understand. HBO proved that it was not only feasible to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in a TV production but extremely profitable. With the coinciding rise of streaming services, companies like Netflix and Amazon have been eager to try their hand at epic fantasy. But how successful has the industry been in replacing GOT? Have any of these shows been worth watching?
From a business perspective, this phenomenon is not difficult to understand. HBO proved that it was not only feasible to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in a TV production but extremely profitable. With the coinciding rise of streaming services, companies like Netflix and Amazon have been eager to try their hand at epic fantasy. But how successful has the industry been in replacing GOT? Have any of these shows been worth watching?
Way Out Yonder: Understanding "Where the Crawdads Sing" before You See the Movie
“Way out yonder, where the crawdads sing, the marsh knows one thing above all else: every creature will do what it must to survive.”
The quote above from the first trailer for the movie adaptation of Delia Owens’s bestselling debut novel, Where the Crawdads Sing (2018), already shows that the filmmakers understand the foundation upon which the story is built. After years of saying I was going to read Crawdads, the release of the trailer finally spurred me into action, and I finished the book in two days. With the film’s premiere in July approaching fast, I would like to take this chance to share my thoughts on some of the book’s major themes and motifs.
Crawdads tells the story of Catherine “Kya” Clark, a young girl who raises herself in the marshes of North Carolina. Kya lives alone in the marsh after being abandoned by her family; her mother and older siblings fled to escape her abusive father, who himself later disappears without a trace. Kya gets by selling mussels, fishing, and gardening, and becomes a local legend in the nearby town, known as “the marsh girl” – the wild child who lives alone in the swamp, avoiding social workers, officers, and anyone else who would take her away from everything she has ever known.
The quote above from the first trailer for the movie adaptation of Delia Owens’s bestselling debut novel, Where the Crawdads Sing (2018), already shows that the filmmakers understand the foundation upon which the story is built. After years of saying I was going to read Crawdads, the release of the trailer finally spurred me into action, and I finished the book in two days. With the film’s premiere in July approaching fast, I would like to take this chance to share my thoughts on some of the book’s major themes and motifs.
Crawdads tells the story of Catherine “Kya” Clark, a young girl who raises herself in the marshes of North Carolina. Kya lives alone in the marsh after being abandoned by her family; her mother and older siblings fled to escape her abusive father, who himself later disappears without a trace. Kya gets by selling mussels, fishing, and gardening, and becomes a local legend in the nearby town, known as “the marsh girl” – the wild child who lives alone in the swamp, avoiding social workers, officers, and anyone else who would take her away from everything she has ever known.
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