Culture

The problem with Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’

Nolan had all the tools for greatness. Instead, to my eternal frustration, his 'Odyssey' will always only be just alright.

‘One Night Only’ (2026) and the death of romance

Romance movies are, on the whole, my favourite movie genre. But good romance movies, like good romantic relationships, are hard to find, and easy to mess up.

Caught between grief and hope: ‘On Some Far Shore’ reviewed

Fresh off the back of 'Our House' and 'Macbeth', Cross Key Productions presents an original three-hander focused on the complexities of grief and young love.

The road to reckoning: ‘The Slip’ reviewed

Sharp, unsettling, and emotionally intelligent, 'The Slip' is a striking showcase of the ambition and talent behind Wide Eyes Productions, while establishing Wyatt as a writer-director to watch.

Strange creatures: monstrosity in Kafka’s ‘The Metamorphosis’

The world of literature is abundant with monsters: physical monsters, psychological monsters, benevolent monsters, evil monsters. However, there is hardly a monster as puzzling...

The appeal of method acting

Many actors go to great lengths in pursuit of an authentic performance

Talaash interview – a fusion of dance, poetry, and identity

A discussion of the cultural significance and community spirit of Talaash

Normal People Review – ‘a novel that speaks to the current climate’

Jenny Scoones discusses the portrayal of masculinity and friendship in Sally Rooney's second novel

The walls that stare – what college portraits tell us about Oxford

They say a picture paints a thousand words. So what do the thousands of portraits hanging around Oxford colleges tell us about the University, and the...

Mojo Preview – ‘gloriously worded script but male dominated’

Cesca Echlin finds this rendition of Jez Butterworth's play hits comic targets, but also reflects on its male-dominated narrative.

Merlin: The magic of kindness

Exploring the continuing relevance of BBC's Merlin

The Band Review – ‘heartwarming and nostalgic fun’

The new Take That inspired musical a great testament to the great British boyband.

Journey’s End Review – ‘powerful commemoration of the centenary’

Adam Radford-Diaper is deeply moved by Cosmic Arts' marking of the centenary of the 1918 armistice

Overlord combines fun, gore, and flaws galore

An entertaining yet terrifying film that will keep you on the edge of your seat

Sufjan Stevens: Saying is believing

Everything about Stevens’ work is an attempt to love right, and to believe right

Journey’s End preview – a play about brotherhood

Bessie Yuill finds an emphasis on WW1's individual soldiers and their relationships in this Remembrance Day production

‘I just try to see the world clearly’: An Interview with Louis Theroux

Louis Theroux speaks to Abby Ridsdill-Smith about politics, popularity, and participating in a sensual eating party

The weight of inheritance

Cultural pilgrimages give us access to the inaccessible

Loveable rogues: why we love a good villain

The old proverb that a hero is only as great as their villain is a valid concept. In order to understand a villain, we...

How To Save A Rock With A Circle Review – ‘centres a sense of community’

Taiwo Oyebola finds Pigfoot Theatre’s work-in-progress play about the environment funny and oddly optimistic

Factfulness review: On the importance of truth

Dr Hans Rosling's final book reminds us of the enduring importance of truth, says Harry Lloyd

Enchanted by the power of on-screen magic

Serena Arthur explores how our perceptions of magic transform throughout life

Perceptions of the monstrous

Molly Innes looks at artistic representations of monstrosity and self

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