Shaniz Chowdhury

Contributing writer for Arts & Entertainment.

‘Baby Reindeer’: The unconventional show people can’t stop talking about

“Baby Reindeer” plunges viewers into the chaos of Donny’s life. His relentless pursuit of success leaves him vulnerable, exposed, and surprisingly naive to readily avoidable situations. Gadd’s performance is the heart and soul of the show. He portrays Donny with a complex mix of vulnerability, frustration, and dark humour. While Donny can be unlikable at times, Gadd manages to evoke empathy for the character, showcasing the emotional toll of his situation.

12h ago

‘Scoop’: Tedious film about tenacious journalists and a tactless royal

“Scoop” dramatises the events surrounding the BBC’s “Newsnight” team securing a highly anticipated interview with Prince Andrew in 2019. During this time, Andrew faced mounting pressure to address his controversial association with notorious sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. In an effort to address the situation, he agreed to an exclusive interview with seasoned broadcaster Emily Maitlis.

2w ago

‘3 Body Problem’: A simpler narrative of complex scientific discourse 

“The solitude of the mind” is described as humanity’s greatest weapon by a character in the show, but Liu’s writing highlighted how solitude might also be humanity’s greatest detriment. If someone is allowed too much authority to carry out any plan, they may unintentionally turn against their own kind. The extraterrestrial species leave no room for misunderstanding as they operate through groupthink and communicate instantaneously.

3w ago

'Poor Things': An extravagantly peculiar film 

The movie seemed to throw in every cinematic trick in the book– the black and white to colour transition, the fish eye lens, the peephole, the title cards, the hackneyed steampunk aesthetic. As an audience, I was impressed by the detail, coordination, passion and planning behind this movie – all of which made it impossible to be distracted. The surreal and vibrant world of “Poor Things” earns your attention. 

1m ago

Top 7 unforgettable TV show couples that made our hearts skip a beat

Television has given us countless memorable characters, storylines, and relationships over the years. The yearning, angst, and eventual romantic connection between fictional couples weave our daydreams of one day finding true love like theirs. These on-screen pairs have not only entertained us but also inspired us with their love stories. We have curated a list of the seven most favourite TV show couples that have left an indelible mark on our hearts.

2m ago

Why does Netflix keep cancelling its best shows?

The issue, in the case of Netflix, is that binge-watching a series over its premiere weekend feels practically required, lest unfavourable reviews cancel a show you would otherwise enjoy. If it released episodes on a weekly basis like other streaming platforms, it would give the audience more time to watch each episode and decide whether they want to continue watching the whole series.

3m ago

'The Crown' finale: Blurring the lines between fact and fiction too much

The season was released in two instalments: four episodes centring on Diana’s last moments were released on November 16, and the next six episodes about the events following her death were released on December 13.

4m ago

The Killer: A formulaic and slow-paced thriller

The movie incorporates surprising comedic moments and intensely suspenseful scenes to counterbalance its slow pace. In contrast to the film’s heavier themes, "The Killer" injects dry humour and a fondness for pop culture, providing a welcome element of levity that keeps the audience engaged.

5m ago
June 12, 2023
June 12, 2023

‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ gives fresh take on franchise

The seventh and latest film, “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” is a prequel to the original 2007 Transformers movie, as well as a sequel to “Bumblebee” (2018).

June 4, 2023
June 4, 2023

‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ : weaving a web of wonder and vibrancy

Once again, the song choices perfectly complemented the spine-tingling reveals as well as the poignant moments, which only immersed us further into this extraordinary world.

May 27, 2023
May 27, 2023

‘The Little Mermaid’ –a better real-life adaptation than hoped for?

Much thought has gone into capturing the reality in each scene, starting from the way Ariel’s hair and Ursula’s tentacles move, to the way Flounder’s nose twitches and Sebastian’s legs float or scurry.

May 6, 2023
May 6, 2023

‘Queen Charlotte’: an aching prequel of the dramatic ‘Bridgerton’

the show steadfastly remains a fantasy that only pulls from history occasionally while trying to balance various storylines.

April 3, 2023
April 3, 2023

Murder Mystery 2’: A lackluster and unamusing sequel

Four years on, inspired by their accidental victory, they become private investigators but the duo is not as good at solving mysteries as they claim to be.

March 17, 2023
March 17, 2023

Shadow and Bone Season 2: a proper adaptation of character dynamics

One of the most fascinating aspects of this season is the costume design. The ‘keftas’ are not only beautiful but enlightening as the embroidery is based on which magical order the character is in. Jesper’s stylish coats and hats, Inej’s hooded tunic in dark shades and the Darkling’s elegant cloak are all well-designed

March 14, 2023
March 14, 2023

The Versatility of Christian Bale

In his entire filmography, there are several roles for which he exploited his artistic agency to transform his body, mind and soul. He does not just spin the roulette wheel when an acting job comes his way.

March 8, 2023
March 8, 2023

Sex Education: No Need to be Shy

Bangladesh needs to develop age-appropriate, inclusive, system-backed sex education

January 2, 2023
January 2, 2023

Top 6 movies to revisit in 2023

As the new-year has started to unfold, we can definitely count on old stories told, to make the transition smoother from old to new. From heartfelt rom-coms and inspirational musicals to bone-chilling thrillers, there is no end to the list of movies you can watch to bring in the New Year. The ones on this list can motivate you to work hard and stay positive or it can stir a passion in you to broaden your horizons.

December 25, 2022
December 25, 2022

Netflix Christmas specials to get your festive spirits on

Netflix is the ultimate destination to give you a diverse range of Christmas movies to get into the festive spirit.

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