Culture

The legacy of the caricature

That the ‘In Memoriam’ section of the 2026 Academy Awards is going to be a serious tear-jerker was solidified by the passing of Dolly Parton and Tim Curry over two consecutive days.

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.

A fresher’s first forays into Oxford theatre

Christopher Goring reveals his first experiences in the Oxford drama scene

Review: ‘Living With The Lights On’

Izzy Smith is gripped by a play that shines a light on a dark illness

Review: ‘Moana’

Tesni Jones is impressed with this well-researched and heartwarming addition to the Disney Princesses

‘Into the Fire’: how one song defined a decade of Grey’s Anatomy

Jeannie Stanley explores the implications of the Thirteen Senses hit for the critically acclaimed American drama

Holidays: Cherwell Visuals competition

Whether you spent the vac away or at home, send your holiday art to [email protected] for a chance to see it in print

Review: RA’s Abstract Expressionism

William Freeman is moved from scepticism to epiphany by this diverse exhibition

Review: Run the Jewels – RTJ3

Dom Saad is energised by the call for revolution dominating Run the Jewels' third studio release

Review – Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Henry Shalders praises Star Wars' latest addition, which packs both a political and emotional punch

Carrie Fisher: a tribute to the actress who redefined gender expectations in Hollywood

Daniel Curtis and Louis McEvoy remember the actress who transformed Princess Leia into a feminist icon, and pay tribute to Fisher's work outside of the silver screen

George Michael: a tribute to the man of words

Natalia Bus remembers the lyrical genius of the late pop legend

Windy colours

Emma Leech recalls her encounter with Henry the homeless artist and his unexpected colour palette

Post-Christmas ennui: cultural picks for when the inertia sets in

Priya Khaira-Hanks suggests some 2016 favourites to tide you over in those lethargic days between Christmas and New Year

The Oxford Alternotives’ Christmas release: a mingling of warmth and humour

Natalia Bus finds the Oxford Alternotives' Christmas cover both playful and heartfelt

What’s in Cherwell’s (Film and TV) stocking?

Tesni Jones offers some viewing suggestions for a less traditionally festive Christmas period

‘Love Actually’ ten years on: irrelevant ephemera or pertinent modern fairy-tale?

Manish Binukrishnan explores the relevance of this festive classic for our generation

Nativity in art: El Greco, La Tour and Spitzweg

Ewan Davis explores the depiction of the Nativity in 16th, 17th and 19th century art

Review: D@tes

James Lamming enjoys a witty take on 21st century dating at the BT Studio

The return of the epic

Emily Beswick praises epic scope in a culture of brevity

Review: Dreamgirls

Sam Purnell is blown away by this revival of the classic musical at the Savoy Theatre

‘Last Christmas’: a lingering recollection

Emma Leech gets lost in a musical memory

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