review

Movies / Snow White and the many missed opportunities

If you’re a big Disney fan or simply curious, you might still want to give it a watch. It is, however, advisable to go in with low expectations.

Daredevil: Born Again shows the MCU can deal with real-world issues

Despite a few weaknesses, like the pacing issues and inconsistent episode quality, Daredevil: Born Again is a fantastic show with compelling characters, a narrative that strays away from the standard superhero fare in favour of realistic world building.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a timeless masterpiece about the passage of time

The passage of time can be cruel, but there is so much beauty in the little moments shared with each other as you live. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End encapsulates and explores this very idea – and it does so masterfully.

Video Games / Silent Hill 2 remake: A love letter to an already perfect game

Silent Hill 2 is a fruitful amalgamation of powerful, atmospheric storytelling and entertaining puzzles and riddles.

Uzumaki: A faithful but flawed adaptation of Junji Ito’s classic manga

After years of anticipation, the long-awaited anime adaptation of Junji Ito's Uzumaki has finally arrived. While it largely adheres to the unsettling source material, it unfortunately carries some notable flaws.

Pachinko Season 2: Mostly lacklustre, sometimes effective

The story resonated with audiences, from this part of Asia in particular, because the resilience and struggle of first-generation settlers portrayed in the series are things most of us can relate to as they are reflected in most of our parents or grandparents.

ESSAY / Manufacturing praise

Sometime ago, a writer reached out to me with a request. His debut novel was being published later in the year and he was wondering if I would be open to reviewing it. I was aware of the book, having read it when it was still only a draft. The author was not someone I only knew, either, but a mentor who had supported my writing in many ways, even through monetary means. Refusing him, then, felt tantamount to betrayal. But I had to in the end, and though he understood, I still came out of the exchange feeling guilty of being unhelpful or, worse, ungrateful.

Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department is still a confusing mess

Revisiting this album months after its release, I take away even less than when I initially listened to it front to back.

October 6, 2022
October 6, 2022

Poetry review: Moon’s madness

Protiti’s poems are mostly ‘bare’ conversational musings exploring ‘selfhood, separation, exile, love and longing’.

September 17, 2022
September 17, 2022

The Café Rio inaugurated at Section 12, Mirpur

The Café Rio is a unique buffet restaurant in the capital that began its journey from a small food court located in Dhaka’s 60 feet area in 2016. Later in 2017, the restaurant was turned into a buffet restaurant, which became a popular destination for its 45 types of food items within Tk 500.

July 25, 2022
July 25, 2022

A guide to kalai ruti of Chapai Nawabganj: Recipe, accompaniments, and where to eat

If you are going to Chapai Nawabganj, you must try out kalai ruti. That's what everyone said when I was planning a trip there. And so, I did, and I didn't regret it. The question of regret comes from the premise that kalai ruti is, after all, a ruti. I mean, how magically delicious can ruti be? My expectations were not that high. With that almost arrogant low expectation, I tried out this Chapai Nawabganj specialty, but it left me pleasantly surprised.

June 14, 2022
June 14, 2022

High Tea Splendour at The Mumbai Express!

High tea parties have always looked fun and fascinating from the outside; I have been longing to experience one as such for ages. This is where ‘Mumbai Express’ came to my rescue, with not just any ordinary ‘high tea’ delicacy, but a full-fledged three course snack meal with a unique twist — ‘The Deshi High Tea!’

June 8, 2022
June 8, 2022

“Sundarer Taane Mongol Shotru”: Not just a passion project

Over the turn of pages, readers will realise how the Sundarbans have become a muse for the author from being just a mere passion project of documenting the lives of the region’s people.

May 29, 2022
May 29, 2022

What’s extraordinary about the ordinary?

In Pathak’s book we see instances of how the distinctive ordinary tendencies of everyday life are dipping and are capitalised under different industrial markets.

May 26, 2022
May 26, 2022

Book Lovers: A relief in the barren wasteland of rom-coms

Book Lovers treads a fine line between subversion and indulgence of the tropes of small-town romance and enemies-to-lovers.

May 9, 2022
May 9, 2022

Did Pett Kata Shaw reinvent the Bangladeshi horror genre?

The genre has been woefully under-explored, until now.

April 7, 2022
April 7, 2022

The Hive: The new restaurant sensation in town

The term food court has become synonymous with the food culture in Dhaka City. From open places to closed corridors, many have tried and very few have succeeded to survive. With the ever-growing fascination and demands of the young city dwellers, restauranteurs are always on their toes to keep their patrons engaged with their hospitality, quirky marketing strategy and succulent food!

December 23, 2021
December 23, 2021

The best places in Dhaka for Christmas delicacies

The essence of Christmas in all of its delicious sweets is celebrated by many cafes, restaurants, and hotels in Dhaka.