Shaniz Chowdhury

Contributing writer for Arts & Entertainment.

‘Bridgerton’ Season 3: A triumphant return to regency romance

"Bridgerton" recently waltzed right back onto our screens for its third season — this time centring on the love story between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton. In this season, Penelope, secretly the gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, grapples with revealing her true identity while on a mission to find herself a suitable spouse. Colin, on the other hand, returns from his travels with newfound confidence.

6m ago

Curtains close on Cannes 2024

The 77th Cannes Film Festival concluded yesterday, leaving behind a trail of scintillating premieres, captivating performances, and the award-season buzz.

6m ago

Curtains close on Cannes 2024

The curtains have closed on the 77th Cannes Film Festival, leaving behind a trail of scintillating premieres, captivating performances, and awards season buzz. From established titans of cinema to burgeoning talents, this year's edition offered a diverse feast for cinephiles.

6m ago

‘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.

7m 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.

8m 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.

8m 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. 

9m 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.

10m ago
November 17, 2023
November 17, 2023

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.

November 12, 2023
November 12, 2023

‘Loki’ season 2: The God of Mischief proves to be a true saviour

The second season premiere of "Loki" was released on October 5, picking up right where the last season ended, with Loki’s stubborn variant Sylvie outsmarting him.

November 10, 2023
November 10, 2023

‘The Morning Show’ Season 3: Hodgepodge of media politics and superficial connections

Apple’s debut series, “The Morning Show”, began with aspirations of widespread success, by reflecting the cultural revolution. Real-life reflections have long been a hallmark of this show as Season 1 focused on the #MeToo movement, and Season 2 shed light on the beginning of the pandemic. It has also consistently kept a close eye on current affairs, but its efficacy in addressing those problems has been uneven. Season 3 is a two-year shift from where the last season ended, with data breaches, the Russia-Ukraine war, and internal politics being the overarching themes.

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.