Genre is far more pivotal in our lives than we give it credit for. It is not just a useful tool to help us select a film on Netflix, or to assess which book we […]
Morvern Callar and the refusal of sentimentality
By Lydia Rostant Lynne Ramsay challenges cinema’s obsession with sentimentality in her ecstatic portrayal of loss and desire. In Lynne Ramsay’s 2002 film Morvern Callar, the titular Morvern uses her dead boyfriend as a purse. She […]
Taylor Swift’s evermore is not a triumph – it’s a cash grab
In November, Grayson Perry was criticised for implying that Covid19 would trim “dead wood” from the art world, however, Taylor Swift has proved that it might have done the opposite. A few months ago, I wrote an […]
Supporting local bookshops: The socially conscious alternatives to big chains
Bookshops have been increasingly struggling over the past few years due to big corporations like Amazon’s growth and accessibility – and the pandemic has only accelerated it. As lockdowns continue, bookshops have to find creative […]
Making Christmas: the enduring legacy of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
Movies and Christmas go together like roast potatoes and gravy, and rightly so. It’s cold outside, you’re soporific from all the festive feasting, and the terrestrial telly bigwigs lay on a banquet of old favourites […]
Why the hospitality and retail industries should be closed over Christmas
By Lauren Taylor Having worked in retail for several years I have experienced the festive season from behind a till in a high street clothing store, engulfed in the hustle and bustle of last-minute Christmas […]
What does decriminalising marijuana mean for the USA?
The United States Senate has taken a great step towards decriminalising marijuana nationwide, with some 228 members of the house voting in favour of the MORE Act (2019) last Friday. What does decriminalisation mean? This bill not only legalises the […]
Why a new season of Gavin and Stacey would be a disaster
We are nearing a year since the long-awaited Christmas special that graced everyone’s screens last festive season. For me, many Christmas specials are off my radar with the once treasured Doctor Who and Eastenders now taking a firm back […]
Don’t Hate the Game, Hate the Player: Plans to restructure football put equality at risk
By Sacha Perera ‘Project Big Picture’, a plan put together by established clubs to restructure English football to their benefit, promises to revolutionise our beautiful game – but at what cost? And, more specifically, at […]
COVID has revealed the stark difference between us and celebrities
In the digital age, it can be easy to feel connected with celebrities as they constantly post about their lives online. From sharing their dinners to their favourite outfits, we are able to see into […]