Review – Page 7 of 7

24Nov

By Nebiu SamuelNo Comments

‘Amy’ Documentary Review

Many documentaries struggle to find a cinematic style and voice which warrants it to be released in cinemas however in the case of ‘Amy’, it delivers on giving you an emotional, cinematic and musical experience. The documentary focuses on the rise of Amy Winehouse, through her time in the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and singing in blue clubs in North London to her international success, her problematic personal life and her tragic death. The main feature of ‘Amy’ is how director Asif Kapadia (Senna) and editor Chris King uses Winehouse’s poetic and autobiographic lyrics from songs like ‘Stronger than Me’, ‘I Heard Love is Blind’, ‘What is it About Men’, ‘Rehab’ or ‘Back in Black’ to build the narrative around and is able to make it seem Amy has a voice in the film. Through the documenta...

24Nov

By Beth CarrNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Theatre & Performance

Di and Viv and Rose

Beth Carr reviews The Student Workshop's first production of the term. Upon reading the synopsis for Di and Viv and Rose, it became impossible to resist buying a ticket and heading to see it. Following three girls from the beginning of their friendship at university into adulthood and the changes it brings, the Student Workshop's rehearsal room production brought the story to life intimately. With only 35 seats at each performance, the audience is sucked into the drama and humour of the lives of the three characters, and it is hard to imagine the play being performed in any other way. Putting three unknown first years in the spotlight was a risk that paid off and each reflected the different personalities of the characters with ease. To the women watching, as well as I hope the men, ...

24Nov

By Olivia AtkinsonNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

A Royal Review

Based on the novels by Lily Blake and dramatised by Laurie McCarthy and Stephanie SenGupta, the new television series, ‘Reign’ has stolen the spotlight on The CW - a popular American channel - and, of course, the wonderful Netflix. Following the life of Mary, Queen of Scots and her engagement to the future King of France, Francis; a politically arranged union based on forming an alliance against the English Queen, Elizabeth I, this American, historical, fantasy has proven to be worthy of not just my praise but renowned awards. Examples include the People’s Choice Award and Hollywood Post Alliance Awards, and as Series 3 unravels this month, I am sure there will be many more awards to come. Filming takes place in a variety of stunning locations, some of which include Toronto and Irel...

7Jun

By Harry BrownNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

Mad Max: Fury Road Review

In the midst of a time where the typical action film can’t go a scene without extraordinary amounts of CGI, Mad Max: Fury Road delivers the most exciting film of the summer using practical effects. Directed by George Miller, the film follows Max (Tom Hardy) as he teams up with Charlize Theron’s Imperator Furiosa to steal cargo and escape from villain Immortan Joe. The film plays out as one long chase scene as Max is followed by Immortan Joe and his fleet of maniacal supporters, their conflict growing more explosive by the minute as Max travels through violent sand-storms to darkened swamps. One of the most striking things about the film is the imagination given to world-building. Almost everything is detailed enough to give the audience an understanding of this post-apocalyptic world...

26Feb

By Safi SyedNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Music

Froot – review

The phonetically correct sounding tree offering titled song, Froot, is the latest release from marina Diamandis aka Marina And The Diamonds. Released on her birthday, she uploaded the lyrics to her Instagram a day before , naming the day “Frootmas Eve”. Co produced by marina herself, the song has been described as “dark disco”. Fans of marinas sophomore album effort , Electra Heart (charting top 40 in Americas Billboard Hot 100), will be pleased that in the this introductory song for the new album the upbeat and synth vibes are symonomous throughout. . Electra (her side character) is clearly not dead and her sound can be clearly heard in this song. Songs with hooks to rival We Found Love by Rihanna, Marina has a rare knack for producing brilliant dance music but with profound(i...

28Jan

By Harry CrawfordNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

Tolkien’s Cinematic Hurrah

It’s slightly past Christmas, and the final Hobbit cash-in has arrived. Sadly, this is it people - Tolkien will never reach the big screen again - but you’d be surprised to hear it’s not because this is the final film in The Hobbit trilogy. Alas, the decision lies with the Tolkien estate. His descendants have claimed they hate this trilogy, and that his stories have been modernised beyond recognition. Adaptation is a cruel business indeed. What of the film itself? Well, Sir Ian McKellan will forever make a superb Gandalf (nothing new there), same goes for Christopher Lee as Saruman. There’s nothing special about the rest of the cast however; Martin Freeman continues to be as Martin-Freeman-ish as he can whilst the rest contribute to a potent display of overarching masculinity. Director ...

28Jan

By Rosie Cranie-HiggsNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

I’m A Celebrity: An Experience Regretted

On the 7th December, a most undesirable event befell me. I had the misfortune of seeing, for the first time, the abomination that is I’m A Celebrity. It so happened to be the final, which, helpfully or unhelpfully, provided a recap of the whole series - meaning I was presented not only with the most recent trials, such as the consumption of unappetising parts of both camel and ostrich, but with a horrific past instance of a contestant drinking deer’s blood. I had heard a great deal about this show prior to seeing it, of course. It is extremely difficult to avoid, what with the painful media focus on bikini bodies and jungle flirtations, and the fact that it seems to dominate headlines throughout the few weeks of its run. What I had not realised, however, was the sheer depravity of it. D...

2Nov

By Michelangelo FanoNo Comments

Culture & Literature, Film & TV

Gone to the Movies – Gone Girl

Having sold over 2 million copies, it is fair to say the adaptation of the book 'Gone Girl' was going to come with a fair bit of anticipation. Similar to Fincher's previous film, 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo', there was plenty of pressure coming from fans of a much beloved book to get this story right. As stylish and brilliantly made as 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' was, it lacked the grit that the story, and the original Swedish adaptation, had that made it so good. There was a sense that Fincher didn’t feel truly passionate about the project, resulting in a stunningly made, if somewhat hollow film. In many ways, 'Gone Girl' is similar, with it failing to scale the heights of Fincher's early masterpieces 'Fight Club', 'Se7en' or 'Zodiac'. However, it seems Fincher has had more fun...