Shaniz Chowdhury

Contributing writer for Arts & Entertainment.

‘Baby Reindeer’: The unconventional show people can’t stop talking about

“Baby Reindeer” plunges viewers into the chaos of Donny’s life. His relentless pursuit of success leaves him vulnerable, exposed, and surprisingly naive to readily avoidable situations. Gadd’s performance is the heart and soul of the show. He portrays Donny with a complex mix of vulnerability, frustration, and dark humour. While Donny can be unlikable at times, Gadd manages to evoke empathy for the character, showcasing the emotional toll of his situation.

2w ago

‘Scoop’: Tedious film about tenacious journalists and a tactless royal

“Scoop” dramatises the events surrounding the BBC’s “Newsnight” team securing a highly anticipated interview with Prince Andrew in 2019. During this time, Andrew faced mounting pressure to address his controversial association with notorious sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. In an effort to address the situation, he agreed to an exclusive interview with seasoned broadcaster Emily Maitlis.

1m ago

‘3 Body Problem’: A simpler narrative of complex scientific discourse 

“The solitude of the mind” is described as humanity’s greatest weapon by a character in the show, but Liu’s writing highlighted how solitude might also be humanity’s greatest detriment. If someone is allowed too much authority to carry out any plan, they may unintentionally turn against their own kind. The extraterrestrial species leave no room for misunderstanding as they operate through groupthink and communicate instantaneously.

1m ago

'Poor Things': An extravagantly peculiar film 

The movie seemed to throw in every cinematic trick in the book– the black and white to colour transition, the fish eye lens, the peephole, the title cards, the hackneyed steampunk aesthetic. As an audience, I was impressed by the detail, coordination, passion and planning behind this movie – all of which made it impossible to be distracted. The surreal and vibrant world of “Poor Things” earns your attention. 

2m ago

Top 7 unforgettable TV show couples that made our hearts skip a beat

Television has given us countless memorable characters, storylines, and relationships over the years. The yearning, angst, and eventual romantic connection between fictional couples weave our daydreams of one day finding true love like theirs. These on-screen pairs have not only entertained us but also inspired us with their love stories. We have curated a list of the seven most favourite TV show couples that have left an indelible mark on our hearts.

3m ago

Why does Netflix keep cancelling its best shows?

The issue, in the case of Netflix, is that binge-watching a series over its premiere weekend feels practically required, lest unfavourable reviews cancel a show you would otherwise enjoy. If it released episodes on a weekly basis like other streaming platforms, it would give the audience more time to watch each episode and decide whether they want to continue watching the whole series.

3m ago

'The Crown' finale: Blurring the lines between fact and fiction too much

The season was released in two instalments: four episodes centring on Diana’s last moments were released on November 16, and the next six episodes about the events following her death were released on December 13.

4m ago

The Killer: A formulaic and slow-paced thriller

The movie incorporates surprising comedic moments and intensely suspenseful scenes to counterbalance its slow pace. In contrast to the film’s heavier themes, "The Killer" injects dry humour and a fondness for pop culture, providing a welcome element of levity that keeps the audience engaged.

6m ago
November 4, 2023
November 4, 2023

‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ as an enthralling second-hand serenade

“Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” concert film is a kaleidoscopic montage showcasing Swift’s evolution as a singer-songwriter. The film invited us into the sweeping, mesmerising time machine that travels each impassioned chapter from Swift’s artistic discography, all while maintaining sonic cohesiveness. It was shot throughout the three nights she performed at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

October 7, 2023
October 7, 2023

Wes Anderson’s contemplative renditions of four Roald Dahl stories

The eclectic director, Wes Anderson returned to narrate four more of Roald Dahl’s stories with Netflix, since his critically acclaimed movie “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (2009). He uses his distinctively eccentric directorial approach to fuse fun with deep introspection.

September 29, 2023
September 29, 2023

Turning the tables on social conventions

This year “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” did not become ‘just another glamorous Karan Johar film’. It turns the tide on hard-hitting themes of patriarchy, alpha male stereotypes and traditional norms by embodying ways in which two South Asian families better themselves in necessary ways.

September 24, 2023
September 24, 2023

Pink Era: The reign of Beyoncé, ‘Barbie’ and Taylor Swift

This summer, the influence and earnings of women have taken the world by storm. The stars at the forefront of this narrative are Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and the “Barbie” movie. These three icons showcase the rising power of the “female dollar” and work as a harbinger of the long-overdue recognition, acceptance and fulfillment of women’s interests.

September 14, 2023
September 14, 2023

‘The Nun II’: A sequel that conjures more menace and demons

“The Conjuring” universe comprises nine movies and even then, the creators have managed to present a unique and horrifying movie experience with “The Nun II”. It is not only an impressive addition to the existing canon but is also a movie that stands on its own.

July 22, 2023
July 22, 2023

‘Barbie’: A fearless plunge into the neon pink abyss

Even though Gerwig occasionally uses the film as the vehicle for what seems like a gender studies lecture for undergraduates, it is evident that the movie was created by professionals who understand how children’s imaginations develop while playing with Barbies.

July 18, 2023
July 18, 2023

5 movies to watch before Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie’ release

We have curated 5 films which evidently has parallels to the new “Barbie” movie so watching them would paint a clearer picture of what inspired and influenced it.

July 14, 2023
July 14, 2023

Prohelika: An ambitious yet underwhelming mystery

With a menacing and sombre mystery at its core, "Prohelika" has you in its clutches, anchoring you down to its bitter moments.

July 3, 2023
July 3, 2023

‘The Witcher’ Season 3: Henry Cavill final bow as Geralt

"The Witcher" novel series by Polish fantasy author Andrzej Sapkowski is as densely layered and narratively complex as it gets. The storyline skillfully shifts from intensely personal difficulties to national war stratagems while maintaining its marvelous high-fantasy element at its core. It boasts a string of infinitely interesting, profoundly flawed characters. Netflix too did a pretty fantastic job so far trying to adapt this series on to the screen.

June 18, 2023
June 18, 2023

‘Black Mirror’ returns with unnerving stories in its sixth season

Every episode is a standalone tale, so you don't need to catch up on previous seasons or episodes to enjoy them.

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