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Film reviews – Kidnapped, Red Island, Four Daughters, The Disappearance Of Shere Hite and Network
To read these reviews, please click on this link to my Substack: film reviews – Kidnapped, Red Island, Four Daughters, The Disappearance Of Shere Hite and Network. Dariush Continue reading
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Monster review – Hirokazu Kore-eda; 2023
At its start, Monster would seem to be the story of a young boy, Minato, being mistreated by one of his teachers. His single-parent mother reports the matter to the school and demands appropriate action. She faces a barrier of unflappable social conventions — the Headteacher endlessly states that her concerns are being taken seriously,… Continue reading
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Postcards From The Edge – A Review Of Madonna’s Celebration Tour Concert
She appears through a cloud of dry ice, dressed like a Gothic, sci-fi geisha in a shiny black kimono, the sleeves of which feature large, round holes. On her head, she wears what could be a crown or a halo. Above her, a huge, circular lighting set-up tilts and turns, alternately turning her into a… Continue reading
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As The Evening Draws In – Chapter Two Of My Novel
When I open my eyes to the sight of the clock and realise I’ve managed to beat the alarm, I allow myself a smile. A few moments to myself, while the house is still in silence — a chance to steal some time, before the day starts. The light enters through a gap in the… Continue reading
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The Taste Of Things review – Tran Anh Hung; 2023
It would be easy to find fault with The Taste Of Things. For one thing, its romanticised vision of 19th century life is bound to offend those seeking greater levels of social realism. For another, its dreamy, sensuous aesthetic will be criticised by many as a case of style over content. But it would be… Continue reading
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Trigger Warnings And Trauma — Aiming At The Wrong Target
I think I’m starting to get triggered by trigger warnings. A little while ago, the Divine L and I were at the theatre, settling in to a performance of Othello. Before the lights went down, a portentous voice made an announcement, asking us to note that the play we were about to watch contained themes… Continue reading
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Fundraiser For Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital
I am raising money for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital in London, partly to say thank you for looking after a very close relative of mine, and partly to help the amazing team there do all the things they do, every single day, to improve the lives of thousands of children. My aim (after I’ve prayed for… Continue reading
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Dune: Part 2 review – Denis Villeneuve; 2024
There’s nothing wrong with indulging in excess as long as you also offer something to offset the exorbitance. But sadly, there’s no restraint to be found in Dune: Part 2, the follow-up to 2021’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi classic. The film’s mood is portentous throughout. The performances are grimly, determinedly intense, which of course… Continue reading
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A Very Public Convenience — Bedrooms, Toilets And Frightening Floor Plans
Here’s a potentially sensitive subject, so if you don’t fancy reading about water closets, bowel movements and privacy, you might want to skip this post and wait for the next one. I won’t hold it against you. Still with me? Okay, I’ve got a question. Have you noticed this rather worrying architectural trend? There’s something… Continue reading
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The Zone Of Interest review – Jonathan Glazer; 2023
If Jonathan Glazer’s Under The Skin was a study of what makes us human, then perhaps his latest release, The Zone Of Interest (a loose adaptation of the Martin Amis novel), is an examination of the defining features of inhumanity. In the former, an alien drives around various Scottish towns, seeking victims for some unknown… Continue reading
About Me
I am a writer and award-winning perfume critic currently living in the south of England and working on a novel. For my perfume-related writing, please visit Persolaise.com.
Recent Posts
- Film reviews – Kidnapped, Red Island, Four Daughters, The Disappearance Of Shere Hite and Network
- Monster review – Hirokazu Kore-eda; 2023
- Postcards From The Edge – A Review Of Madonna’s Celebration Tour Concert
- As The Evening Draws In – Chapter Two Of My Novel
- The Taste Of Things review – Tran Anh Hung; 2023
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