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.

November 14, 2021
November 14, 2021

The best lassi in Dhaka

There are lots of eateries and restaurants in Dhaka that serve delectable lassi, and within these are some places that one must visit. Thus, we set on a hunt down town for the best lassi available!

October 5, 2021
October 5, 2021

A taste of Hello Dhaka

Occupying a space that is big enough for a typical family-style restaurant in Dhaka, this diner is located in the midst of crowded inlets going into commercial spaces and convenience stores, a true hive of activity in the heart of Gulshan 1.

July 24, 2021
July 24, 2021

Willow’s “lately I feel EVERYTHING” Is a Manic Masterpiece

Listening to this album is a dangerous thing.

June 27, 2021
June 27, 2021

Not the Satyajit Ray Tribute Fans Were Hoping for

Has Netflix done enough to please fans of Ray and his stories?

June 14, 2021
June 14, 2021

The Conjuring 3: What the Devil Really Made Them Do

Did the third instalment of the horror series live up to its hype?

November 4, 2017
November 4, 2017

16th Amendment: Govt may seek review of SC verdict this week

The government may file a petition with the Supreme Court this week, seeking a review of the verdict that scrapped the 16th

May 5, 2016
May 5, 2016

SC scraps Nizami’s review plea, upholds death

Supreme Court upholds death penalty awarded to war criminal and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Motiur Rahman Nizami for his wartime crimes, dismissing his review plea against the gallows.

April 19, 2016
April 19, 2016

Malaysian govt urged to review decision

Suffering a severe shortage of manpower, many Malaysian industries have been appealing to the government to review the

March 20, 2016
March 20, 2016

Not so SWIFT

Two engineers of SWIFT have come to Bangladesh to review its servers with the central bank -- 38 days after a band of hackers breached the payment system in an attempt to steal about $1 billion.

March 15, 2016
March 15, 2016

PM urges UK for cargo ban review

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday wrote back to her British counterpart David Cameron and requested a review of the ban on direct air cargo from Dhaka to London.