REEL MAG APR 23.

reel magazine issue 6, april 2023

table of contents ISSUE 6: APRIL ‘23 FEATURES (pages 1-3): STAFF: Humanist Cinema (and Football) (1) Financial Crisis on the Big Screen (3) Editor in Chief: Anya Kasuri MOVIES (pages 4-10): John Wick: Chapter 4 (4) Founder & Creative Director: Muhammad All Quiet on the Western Front (5) Siddiqui RRR (6) What’s Love Got To Do With It / WRITERS: Uncharted (7) Aleeza Wajid Julie & Julia (8) Ammar Ali Blood Diamond / Whiplash (8) Kyan Kasuri Marie Antoinette (10) Hamza Rana Amal Mahmud IF YOU LIKE [BLANK], WATCH Celina Peerzada [BLANK], (page 11): Anya Kasuri Muhammad Siddiqui TV (pages 12-16): Sir Hamza Hashim The Last of Us (Season 1) (12) Broadchurch (13) FILM SOCIETY: Chernobyl (HBO) (14) Rukhezainab Rizvi (Social Media) Disenchantment / Outer Banks (15) The Watcher (16)

farewell... This year marks the end of the Batch of ‘23 TNS Film Society. This Society was started learning about a subject that they otherwise may never have learnt above. of all ages. here’s an easter egg. you still reading??

feature Humanist Cinema Directed by Jafar Panahi (and Football) Cinematography by Rami Agami, Mahmoud Kalari Offside, the 2006 Iranian film is perhaps as a simple man who wishes to return to his farm. Iranian director Jafar Pahani’s most popular work. He’s never outright portrayed as inherently misogynis- Shot in the sweltering heat of Tehran, the film unfolds tic, but as someone whose hands are tied. Towards over one tense singular day as a group of young the end of the film, he even makes accommodations girls disguise themselves as men working around for the girls, he buys them water and lets them listen their countries' ban on women from attending football as the final moments of the match close in. At some matches. The girls quickly get caught by guards and point, I found myself sitting there in the living room, find themselves imprisoned in a pen, just out of view “Wait, I’m supposed to hate this guy, aren’t I?” It’s of the stadium. Despite being set against such a around this point that the audience may question vibrant backdrop, Pahani seldom focuses on the their own beliefs and notions on Iran as a whole. match, instead focusing our attention towards the Sure, Iran is by no means a safe country for women, girls, who plead with the guards to let them go. it’s quite the opposite, but perhaps the audience’s Pahani only gives the audience faint glimpses of the judgements about the laws and practices of Iran had match. The camera remains firmly ground on the influenced their judgements of its people. In the girls and the guards. Neither party seems necessari- same way the messy, often outright discriminatory ly happy with the arrangement. The soldiers frequent- policies of our own home country, Pakistan, do not ly try to peer through the stadium, catching faint necessarily reflect the beliefs and values of the entire peeks into the match going on the sidelines, while country. Iran is a country filled with scummy, deplor- the girls plead with the guards to ask them to able misogynists, and yet hundreds of their people describe the match. Both parties seem distinctly came outside last year in protest of their chauvinist bound by the forces of Iranian totalitarianism, the totalitarian government. All this isn’t to suggest Tarbiz girls are restricted from entering the stadium, and the is some saint, but is there as a reminder by Pahani, guards are forced to capture them. It’s through this to confront the own ways our geopolitical notions of a forced antagonism, that Pahani fights against our country reflect our perceptions of its people. assumptions, giving each party their gentle humani- ty. Thus, Tarbiz’s perception of women is reflec- tive of the society he comes from. The oppressive The unnamed guard from Tarbiz (who will be rules of the Iranian government are not explicitly referred to as Tarbiz for the sake of continuity) who created as a form of oppression, they are oftentimes captures the girls, is a character who defiantly goes created as a form of unwanted protection. Tarbiz, against these tropes of “antagonist”. He’s portrayed justifies the girl's ban from the stadium under this

very doctrine, “they’ll be cursing and swearing, a ~ stadium is no place for women!”, he says as if a few cuss words would cause any real harm to these “It’s fueled from the girls. It’s a shallow justification, one put in place to limit the mobility of these women under the guise of core beleif that a “protection.” The audience in this moment may think, Are the young boys in the stadium not affect- woman is not meant ed by this cursing? Why is it that women should be punished for the douchebaggery of men? It’s a to be nessecarily simple, flawed, justification, yet it’s a necessary one; the people of Iran are not inherently bad (as some respected, people may assume based on their geopolitical assumptions of Iran), they’re simply a product of but protected.” their culture. A culture that manufactures these weak justifications of oppression by presenting ~ them through a lens of morality, even chivalry. steps in. As opposed to what certain ‘red-pilled’ When Tarbiz takes one of the younger girls to critics of these ideas may think, the purpose of the men's bathroom, he shoves away bystanders, highlighting this is not to instigate a ‘war on chival- curious about what a woman is doing in a male ry,’ but instead to examine the intentions by which washroom, “would you let us in if it was your these actions are brought out. Jatt and Tarbiz’s sister?”, he says to the men as he shoves them actions are both correct, their reasoning however is away. Tarbiz means well, but his core ideas are not. flawed, warped by his ignorance. They’re fueled by As a result, the girls actively fight against these the core notion that a woman should only be restrictions. However, as opposed to what may be respected due to her relations to a man are inherent- presumed, these young girls shabbily dressed in ly flawed, and again stem back from the patriarchy. the clothes are accidental protesters, they had no It’s from the core belief that a woman is not meant to intention of fighting against the repressive govern- be necessarily respected, but protected. These ment, they’re just fans of football. The girls are not same misguided notions of “chivalry,” can be found fighting for their rights, they’re fighting for their in our Pakistani films. Maula Jatt, our country's very ability to watch a football match. What strikes the own blockbuster, is perhaps the most extreme viewer, is this normalcy. Perhaps if they were protest- example of this. When Jagoo Natt threatens an old ers their fight would seem nobler, more courageous, man for failing to repay him he doesn’t threaten the man directly but instead threatens to ‘dishonour’ his daughter, and it’s only then, at this moment that Jatt- page 1

feature -more out-of-the-ordinary. When people think of isolation behind the closed doors of their homes. In protests in Iran they think of Mehsa Amini or the the same way, the girl is forced to go to the bath- Green movement, they don’t think of football. But room behind the veil of a shabby paper cut out of a instead, Pahani shocks the viewer with a frightening male football player, women in Iran are forced to show of normalcy, the right to watch a football match hide behind these barriers. It’s an outlet for her, an is something so mundane, so ordinary, that most escape. people wouldn’t even think to take it for granted. To the girls, their plan doesn’t seem out of ordinary, nor ~ is it for the guards, who seem to have expected this to happen. As the young girl at the beginning of the “ ‘Is it so important’ film disguises herself on the bus on her way to the match, a man whispers to his friend “Keep cool, he asks. ‘More maybe she’ll get in.” To Western audiences, this may seem like a defiant act of protest, but to the people important of Tehran this is a regularity, a frightening show of the most basic restrictions Iranian women are forced to than food to endure. While I hold the belief that these girls simply just like football, it’s important to recognize how this me’, she responds” sport plays out within the context of the film. When Tarbiz asks one of the young girls (who is bluntly ~ referred to as ‘soccer girl’ in the credits), why she risked imprisonment to watch a game she easily Even imprisoned outside the stadium, this could have watched at home, “Is it so important?” he community is still here. They cheer when their team asks”, “More important than food to me,” she scores, sit anxiously as the match comes to a close, responds. Her love for the sport is so strong, she and eagerly chat football amongst each other. was willing to risk imprisonment just to experience When the match ends, the girls, plastered with paint those faint ninety minutes of euphoria. It’s not just the displaying their country's flag, raucously celebrate love of the sport as it is, it’s the love of the communi- “Iran! I-ran!..Iran! I-ran!..” The girls cheer for their- ty, the culture, the pride. A community that is often robbed of Iranian girls, who are often forced into -

home country, the same country that forbade them -instead of their shared culture and pride, their from watching the match in the first place. The common humanity guards cheer with them and even the young boy who previously called them chicks celebrates with • MUHAMMAD SIDDIQUI them. Pahani’s camera becomes increasingly more focused on the collective. The mid shots and close-ups of before are replaced with communal wide shots. The camera becomes freer as well, carelessly stumbling amidst the mayhem of the procession as if the cameraman himself were cele- brating amidst the chaos. The girls pour out onto the crowded streets of Tehran, fireworks dance in the sky, music blasts from a speaker as the credits close; ‘O Iran, our Jewelled country, Your land is a wellspring of art…” The music seems to play without even a hint of irony, as these very different people, each coming from very different backgrounds, bond together in commemoration of their home countries win. In the same way, these girls, who have every reason to have disdain for the country, celebrate with their faces plastered in face paint of their country flag, you’ll find the most unpatriotic of cricket fans flock- ing to the stadium cheering for their home country whenever there’s a match against India. It’s not that these people are necessarily patriots, these people may cheer for Iran or chant for Pakistan, but these cheers are not in favour of the government or nation- alism, but instead in the pride of their people. Tarbiz, the young boy, and the group of young girls could not be any more different from these young girls, but they all feel this same solace, this same comfort in their country's victory. These people are chanting not in celebration of their government, but page 2

feature Financial Crisis Directed by Adam McKay Written by Adam McKay, Chris Randolph on the Big Screen Cinematography by Barry Ackroyd With the recent failure of Silicon Valley Bank only escaped accountability, but made away with and the Swiss government managed takeover of even bigger paychecks and multi-million dollar Credit Suisse by rival bank UBS, there are fears bonuses. The US government was all too happy to abound in the advanced economies of the world that bail out the “systemically important financial institu- another financial crisis may be in the offing. While we tions” that the bankers had run into the ground with can’t predict what will cause the next financial crisis, their avarice. there has been a lot said (and arguably little done) about the last one. The finance industry – the big investment banks, and the shadow banking institutions, hedge Adam McKay’s The Big Short (2015) is a dark funds and asset managers whose balance sheets comedy that tells the story of finance industry profes- dwarf entire countries’ economies today – rightfully sionals who made a hefty profit by betting against came to be seen by many as villains after the dust big investment banks as the 2008 financial crisis from the crisis had settled. unfolded. The banks’ conduct plunged the United States into a financial crisis, and then the world into The finance industry’s insatiable lust for the worst economic crisis in a century. fatter bottom lines was perhaps captured accurate- ly on film the first time by Wall Street’s (dir. Oliver The Great Recession of 2008, spurred by the Stone, 1987) Gordon Gekko, when the character subprime mortgage crisis in US financial markets, masterfully played by Michael Douglas exhorts led to mass unemployment and economic pain for greed to a room full of shareholders. “Greed, for working people around the world. On the other hand, lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right” the investment banks whose greed had started the acquired almost a mythical status among invest- whole conflagration received chunky bailouts. As ment bankers, becoming a mantra for the financial protestors in the Occupy Wall Street movement industry in the neoliberal era that began in the late chanted “We are the 99%” in the wake of the crisis, 1980s, even as the movie portrays Douglas’ charac- there was a pervasive sense, particularly among ter as a fraudulent trader whose success relied on young people, that the rules governing the economy illegal insider information. were set up to leave them impoverished and precari- ous no matter how hard they worked, as they had The Big Short takes a somewhat cynical, seen their parents’ bank savings and mortgages more satirical view of the financial industry’s greed. evaporate into the economic ether. The banking The dark comedy film is an adaptation of Michael executives who were responsible for the crisis not Lewis’ rather detailed book of the same name, and follows a motley crew of characters in the finance-

~ the financial industry over the last four decades is widely believed to be responsible for economic “Greed, for lack stagnation, declining wages, and a meteoric rise in income inequality. of a better word, The movie is also interlaced with scenes is good. where celebrities such as Anthony Bourdain and Margot Robbie break the fourth wall and explain the Greed is right.” intricacies of financial instruments like collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) to the audience. The ~ explanations are gross oversimplifications, but they are helpful nonetheless for the casual viewer. The industry as they seek to “short” the mort- scene with Margot Robbie in a bathtub is likely to gage-backed securities that were the lynchpin of the delight younger male viewers, but comes across as 2008 crisis. a little contrived. The movie demonstrates brilliant deployment The Big Short does make for a complex of sly humor, and effortlessly switches between the watch at times, with viewers unfamiliar with the three interlaced narratives. However, The Big Short workings of the world of finance likely to find them- only manages to partially convince the viewer that selves rewinding some scenes to make sense of the intricate financial instruments that the greedy the dialog. Therein however, lies part of the film’s bankers concocted were deliberately designed to brilliance: it delivers its full entertainment value only enrich them at the expense of the ordinary person. when the viewer is engrossed in it. If your attention The good guys in the movie are also greedy, with a wavers during the movie, you are likely to find murky sense of morality at best, motivated as they yourself a little confused by what comes next. are to catch the “big boys with their pants down.” The casting in the movie is near impeccable – with In keeping the morality of the narrative vacuous and Christian Bale effortlessly playing quirky hedge uncertain however, the screenwriters are able to fund manager Michael Burry, Brad Pitt playing a accurately portray the world of finance as ruthless, conscientious retired financier named Ben Rickert, with no quarters given. Students of business and Steve Carrell starring as Mark Baum and Ryan economics are likely to benefit immensely from this Gosling playing a composite fictitious character insight, since textbooks teach finance as a relatively named Jared Vennett. The actors rarely miss a benign sector of the economy that seeks to allocate beat, with Pitt’s dismissive moralizing serving as a capital in the most efficient way possible. This compliment to Steve Carrell’s panicked disgust at couldn’t be further from the truth – the behavior of people that work in the same industry. The Big Short owes its success partly to the depth of Michael Lewis’ non-fiction writing and how easily the detail lends itself to engrossing screen- plays; the brilliance of Bennett Miller’s Moneyball (2011) proves this. Everyone should watch The Big Short at least once; it is a compelling tale of how the devil is sometimes in the details. The movie is phenomenal entertainment, and is likely to be profoundly educational for most younger viewers who were infants when the 2008 financial crisis threatened livelihoods all over the world. • SIR HAMZA HASHIM page 3

film is the world-building that takes place throughout the movies. The way the criminal underground has been John Wick: Ch. 4 set up with the High Table dictating all its actions is something I’ve never seen before. John Wick thus has to work around these rules (not always though…) leading to a story with overlapping charac- ter arcs. It's creative and different from other action movies, and people love that. Now enough of the series itself. How was John Wick Chapter 4? Before even watching it, I had reservations regarding this movie. While the first three had been good, I thought it was getting a bit repetitive with the ‘John-Wick-the-indestructi- ble-goes-around-killing-800-men-in-one-movie’ type of deal that the series had become. However, the fourth movie surprisingly had a lot more to it. Firstly, this movie had a good emphasis on John Wick’s character development, and the central plotline revolved around that. I think that the way the directors executed the fight scenes and the writers constructed John Wick's interactions all catered to him changing as a person and slowly realizing his mistakes. The other aspect was that this movie was a perfect way to close the series. If you have seen the third John Wick film, you would know that the fanbase was left with a lot of questions regarding A movie filled with striking visuals, dialogue, and highly complex fight scenes, accompanied by the emotional drive of each individual character, John Wick Chapter 4 is the action movie of the decade. John Wick, for those that don’t know, is about a hitman who is forced out of retirement to seek revenge against the man who killed his puppy, a final gift from his recently deceased wife. This man went on a killing spree because some loser decided to kill his dog. That is where the first movie starts off. The series continues with his development as he returns to his old life, and the challenges he faces with the High Table (the so-called leaders that run and manage everything in the underworld). This series is praised for a couple of reasons. They have a lot of well-choreographed, fast-paced fight scenes which everyone loves. But they’re done creatively, often being set in visually stunning scenes such as nightclubs and museums. The other reason

film what might come next. Hence the directors catered this is a common problem for a lot of action films to their audience to create this fourth film. I would where they fail to find the balance between choreo- say that Chapter 4 did an amazing job at answering graphed action sequences and storyline develop- those questions while also doing that in style. The ment, but when they do find this balance in movies fight scenes and visuals in this movie were some- such as Avengers Infinity War, it is simply beautiful. thing to die for. Like oh my god, they were so beauti- ful. Every single shot and every single fight scene Overall, the movie was beautiful. You get to had a purpose behind it. Everything down to the appreciate the world that this movie is set in and the colors and the music was perfect. It was not only challenges the different characters face. It's guided entertaining to watch but left the audience in abso- by visuals and music that create a lasting impact lute awe. and result in a story that satisfies the end of this series. • HAMZA RANA The acting in this film, more than just Keanu's work, was something I really appreciated. Firstly obviously Keanu Reeves was amazing but even beyond that, the main antagonist, Marquis de Gramont (played by Bill Skarsgård) was brilliant. He’s known for playing psychopathic characters before, such as Pennywise in IT, but his acting in this movie was masterful You can feel his murderous nature throughout the film completely evoking this mutual hatred towards his character from the audi- ence. The only reason I didn’t give this movie a perfect score was simply the unrealistic nature of those fight scenes. I understand that the idea of John Wick is someone who is undefeatable or even unkillable, but this was really taken to an extreme in this movie. The number of cars he gets hit by, or the number of bullets he takes to the chest, nothing seems to kill him or even hurt him in the slightest. In the previous movies you saw him getting hurt, going to the doctor or even patching himself up but in this movie, there was none of that. He was indestructible and I kind of hated that. It made him feel less human and thus created less of an impact on the audience when looking at his character development. The only other slight issue I had with this film was that the fight scenes were wayyyy too long. I understand that is what makes John Wick special but there was no reason for him to fight 20 waves of High Table assas- sins for a fight scene that lasted probably 30 mins of the film. While these were choreographed to perfec- tion with amazing music and visuals, I did not under- stand the need to stretch these out. The 3 hours could’ve been better utilized to delve deeper into the storyline using dialogue (the fact that Keanu Reeves only says 380 words across the entirety of the film still blows my mind) and other elements. I think that page 4

film was just violent. And i dont mean shot-to-the-heart violent, I mean limbs-ripped-apart, bodies-fold- All Quiet on the ed-over-trees and tanks-running-over-troops violent. Western Front But this wasn’t a con of the film, it just added to the realism of the film showing the harsh truth of the brutalities of the ‘Great War’ more accurately t han any other film has before. The work by the lead actor Felix Kammerer was his first acting gig making it 10x more impressive than it already was. He was able to flawlessly convey the emotions and brutalities of war, as well as the loss of innocence that plagues the people through wartime violence. Daniel Bruhl who played Freder- ick in Inglorious Bastards, returned to a war film to play the German Peacemaker and he did an abso- lutely fantastic job. The sets, costumes, and makeup were also executed flawlessly. From the hair cuts that seemed to have been done with knives (how a lot of soldiers cut their hair in wartime) and mustard colored teeth, to the hyper realistic wounds and mud covered faces, every aspect was incredibly realistic depict- ing the harsh conditions these soldiers endured. What I noticed and particularly liked was the clear distinction with the set, costume, and makeup design of the French and the German, each indica- Recently winning 4 Oscars, including Best International Feature film, All Quiet On the Western Front is one of the newest Anti-War films in cinema. Told from the German perspective, the film starts off as Paul Baumer and his classmates excitedly enlist to serve in the army. Very quickly, however, the boys are exposed to the gruesome brutalities of the battle- field showing them the realities of the (at the time) glorified war. As I’ve consumed a lot of the war film genre stretching out from Paths of Glory to 1917, I’d say confidently that this is one of the most accurate and realistic depictions of war time action I’ve seen. In fact, I feel as though this German-language film was dedicated to portraying the truths of the first world war rather than the typical war film that revolved around a war hero and his journey saving and aveng- ing lives throughout the battlefield. The whole film-

tive of their economic status during the war; the having moments of love and joy, the audience French had relatively cleaner trenches, better quali- knew the war wouldn't give them a happy ending ty uniform, and food all over, whereas the Germans and I feel like that was the attitude throughout the had seen disgusting conditions with flooded trench- film. While it was powerful, at some points it was es, dirty uniforms, dead bodies all over, and unsani- hard to watch. In fact this was one of my criticisms tary water and food. In of itself, this cinematic war of this movie, that it was just too depressing. The epic was one to learn from. One to learn the realities happy moments were sad, and the sad moments of war in human history rather than the glorified were even worse. And while that was the reality of image of battle and climatic fight for pride. the first world war, as a person who watches films for thrill - I didn't really get that out of this movie. Another aspect that I think this film did the Definitely more disturbing than any horror movie I best was the cinematography. In cinematography, a watched in 2022. Nonetheless, it was more than rule of thumb is that every shot is supposed to tell a impactful. A true learning experience. And for story - and with the average number of shots being anyone that doesn’t know much about the true 1,045, this is definitely not easy. Many filmmakers nature of war, this is a great piece that highlights the simply aren’t able to do it. But in this movie, there absurdity and pointlessness of war from a German was not one shot that I thought didn't perfectly perspective. • ANYA KASURI encapsulate the story of that split second. Every shot was so symbolic and meaningful, truly inde- scribable. From the shot solely composed of piled up soldier bodies, to The color grading was up to par with the mood of each scene. While the cinema- tography was a major factor in me watching this film, my tipping point was when I heard the soundtrack playing at the Oscars. I switched to Netflix immediately. Again, it was indescribable so just trust me when I say watch this movie for a beautiful mix of visually artistic cinematography and truly exhilarating sound design. It also must be understood that this film wasn't a character centric piece, it was more to communicate the story of the soldiers as a whole rather than one particular character. Baumer’s journey through the war represents those of every soldier that had fought in world war 1, communicat- ing to the audience that by the last few years of the war, soldiers were forced to fight a war with no reason, no motivation, and no justice - a war that was simply driven by a prideful and selfish group of army generals and governments. As sad as it is, the film communicated this truth seamlessly, but audi- ence’s that are sensitive may want to restrain from watching because it was communicated quite brutally. However, there were moments in the film that the directors were able to convey as quite joyous. Receiving little things like geese meat or a poster of a woman evoked joy in these soldiers and made for quite heartfelt scenes. Yet, it was still sad. It was almost like the audience knew their fate. That page 5

film -gles and building up feelings of empathy. This aspect of brotherhood is what stood out to me the RRR most in terms of the main plotline of the film. The other element that really stood out to me was the music. And this music had become widely known due to the numerous awards it gained at the Golden Globes. While there were a lot of songs in the film, all of which guided the storytelling, two songs stood out to me. The first was Dosti and the second was Naatu Naatu. Dosti mainly stood out to me because it plays when the protagonists first interact with each other. I already mentioned earlier how this aspect of brotherhood was already some- thing that was orchestrated well and thus created a huge impact. On the other hand, Naatu Naatu was a completely different story. It was a very strange song at first with some very creative dances, to say the least, and the way the song was framed: it was meant to be a fight scene between the British men at the party and the two Indian protagonists. As a desi person, who has seen thousands of traditional dances at family events and weddings, the dances in this movie were unlike any other. They were creative and new and just overall enjoyable to watch. As for the song, I didn't like it the first time I heard it but after watching it fit into the story of the- I am usually not a huge fan of Indian movies, having only watched a few films in my time, but this one really stood out to me. It had great cinematogra- phy and great character development, a story about brotherhood, friendship, and a fight toward a common goal. The movie starts off by introducing the two main protagonists, in the setting of pre-partition India. The British have been characterized as these ruthless, inhumane rulers who treat the Indians as animals, inferior to themselves. The movie’s main plotline follows the story of an officer in the British forces, and another revolutionary who join forces to fight for their freedom against the British. This story however is not about the British at all. It is about the brotherhood that these two protago- nists develop throughout the movie and how this bond turns into something unbreakable. Forgoing all their own personal beliefs, you see the characters develop on screen, building a relationship with their

film movie, it seemed to make a lot more sense. Also, the song was really catchy and got stuck in my head for the entirety of the day. It was a very creative approach by the filmmakers and it definitely worked because they were able to win an Oscar for best original song, and I think it was well deserved. But Hamza you’ve only given it 3.5 stars”. Well, I will tell you why it failed to gain a perfect rating from me. Firstly was the acting by the British, so-called “white” characters in the film. Their dialogue and acting made it sound like an IELTS exam audio recording. The English dialogue was quite poorly written and was just plain bad. I also had qualms with the length of the film. With my short attention span, I could not sit and watch the entirety of this 3-hour long film, and it took me two sittings to complete it. Usually, other 3 hour long films have a unique plot or a build-up that keep you at the edge of your seat at all times, howev- er, this was simply lacking that. The film wasn’t engaging enoufh to pull me through the entirety of the film. Despite that however, I still found the film to be incredibly enjoying, and satisfying to watch. It’s leagues ahead of any other films in cinemas right now...especially when compared to the garbage Mavel has been putting out! • HAMZA RANA RRR has been the recipient of multiple accolades and nominations. The National Board of Review recognized page 6

film lture kids struggle with embracing both their identi- ties, which is why I feel this is an important subject What’s Love Got for a film to discuss, and the way in which it was To Do With it? done was just exceptional. The film being written by Jemima Khan, a woman of British Heritage who lived in Pakistan for 10 years, (also married to former prime minister Imran Khan) is extremely relatable and portrays both cultures in an incredibly realistic manner. The cinematography of the film was beautiful, encapsu- lating both the streets of London and Lahore in a beautiful manner, and the writing of the film was top-notch, with spot on comedic timing and cultural references. I give it a full 5/5, because it truly is a delight • AMAL MAHMUD Although the film What’s Love Got To Do With It was only released recently, I think by now it's one of my favourite films of the year. It encapsulates the love lives of two neighbours, a British girl and a Pakistani boy in a fun and lighthearted way, all through the lens of their differing cultural viewpoints. The film's portrayal of the love lives of both neigh- bours is both charming and relatable. The chemistry between the two actors is wonderful, and their inter- actions are both humorous and heartwarming. Lily James and Shahzad Latif are both commendable actors and together their performances proved to be outstanding. What I particularly enjoyed about this film, is that it also touches on the cultural differences and prejudices that the boy faces, as well as his strug- gles to reconcile his Pakistani heritage with his British identity. In this day and age, many third-cul-

film Uncharted Drake. His performance doesn’t capture the natural charm of the game’s counterpart. There was a whole I grew up playing Uncharted. I was intro- short film starring Nathan Fillion that proved he was duced to the series when I was around 6 or 7, the right one for the role, too. Regardless, Tom could instantly falling head-over-heels in love with it. Expe- give a better performance as Nate with some work. I riencing the set pieces, which you’d usually see in a can’t say the same for Mark Wahlberg’s Sully. This is blockbuster movie, in a VIDEO GAME was the DEFINITION of a miscast. It’s not even remotely mind-blowing for me. If there was one game that the same character, let alone anywhere near as would make for an amazing film adaptation, it was enjoyable to watch. Even the set pieces suck, some- Uncharted. how. These should be the easiest part to get right, The movie ended up being one of the biggest considering they’re what put the series on the map, disappointments of my whole life. It’s almost impres- but I guess not. sive how it completely misunderstood what made the games so beloved in the first place. The games So just in case you're looking for a great were fun globe-trotting treasure hunts with a focus video game adaptation after that stellar Last of Us on the characters. The movie is a generic heist film TV show, hate to break it to you, but this isn't it with no personality. • AMMAR ALI Let’s start with the characters. The characters were easily the highlights of each game. Simply watching them interact was entertaining because of how well-written they were. Unfortunately, the film doesn’t have any redeeming qualities in this department. I page 7

film -more enjoyable aspects. It is based on 2 true stories of 2 remarkable women, especially Julia Julie & Julia Child, whose book paved the way for many young chefs in a time when cooking was seen as more of a necessity than a pleasure. She made French food accessible to cooks all around the world with her book and show, making her one of the first-ever “celebrity chefs.” This film makes you feel close to the charac- ters by showing their flaws, adding complexity and a sense of realism allowing the audience to truly connect with the film while perfectly blending drama and comedy to create an emotional impact. One of my favourite aspects of the film was Julia’s relationship with her husband, Paul. This is mostly due to Meryl Streep's onscreen chemistry with her husband (Stanley Tucci). Her performance wonder- fully exuberates the riveting flamboyance of the actual Child herself and is a delight to watch. If you are looking for a feel-good film that you can watch countless times with still being as enjoyable as the first, watch this film. • KYAN KASURI Another one of my favourites, Julie & Julia is a 2009 film that takes place in 2 timelines. The first timeline follows Julie Powell- played by the Golden Globe-winning actress, Amy Adams- in 2002, a government worker who decides to cook her way through Julia Child’s cookbook, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking,” and the second timeline follows Julia Child- played by the only 3 times Oscar-winning actress, Meryl Streep, who also won a Golden Globe for her performance in this film- herself in 1949, as we see her discover her love for cooking and we watch the beginning of her career. The use of the 2 timelines helped to show Julia Child’s lasting impact on the culinary world through Julie as she is the perfect embodiment of the struggling adult who is still trying to find purpose. One of the reasons I love this film so much is because one of the central focuses of it is food and cooking, 2 things that I am very passionate about, though, of course, you don’t need to know anything about cooking to enjoy this film, as it also has many

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film scenes and chase sequences are well-executed and thrilling, it is the emotional core of the story that Blood Diamond truly makes it memorable. The relationship between Archer and Vandy is at the heart of the film, as they bond over their shared experiences of loss and desperation. Their journey to find the diamond becomes a metaphor for their quest for hope and redemption. Overall, \"Blood Diamond\" is a powerful film that shines a light on a dark chapter of African history. It is a gripping and emotionally charged story that is both thought-provoking and incredibly entertaining • ALEEZA WAJID Blood Diamond is a 2006 action-drama film directed by Edward Zwick and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, and Jennifer Connelly. Set during the Sierra Leone Civil War in the 1990s, the film follows the story of a diamond smuggler named Danny Archer (DiCaprio) and a fisherman named Solomon Vandy (Hounsou) as they try to find a rare pink diamond that could change their lives. The film's cinematography is breathtaking, capturing the beauty of the African landscape while also show- ing the brutal reality of the war-torn country. The performances are exceptional, with DiCaprio and Hounsou delivering powerful performances that bring depth and emotion to their characters. The film's themes of greed, corruption, and exploitation are handled in an exemplary manner, as it sheds light on the dark side of the diamond trade and its impact on the people of Sierra Leone. It also delves into the issues of child soldiers and the exploitation of African resources by foreign corporations, adding layers of complexity and dilemma to the story. While

film Whiplash screen. By the end of the film, after the exhilarating and masterfully 10 minute long conclusion, I had to Whiplash, directed by Damien Chazelle, is a take a large breath of relief. Whiplash is a movie about an aspiring drummer Andrew Niemen must-watch for everyone. If you haven’t seen it yet, (Miles Teller) who deals with an incredibly harsh you’re genuinely missing out on one of the greatest mentor (J.K. Simmons), who pushes him to both his pieces of media that’s ever been put to the big physical and mental limits. My first time watching screen • AMMAR ALI Whiplash was on a plane. I was pretty bored and noticed it on the in-flight entertainment menu. I knew people really liked the film, and I had recently picked up the drums, so I decided to finally give it a go. What I ended up watching was one of the most expertly-crafted movies of all time. One that com- pletely immersed me from start to end. A movie that gave me more tension than actual horror flicks. Of course, the highlight of Whiplash is J.K. Sim- mons’ portrayal of Terrance Fletcher. I’ve been a fan of Simmons ever since his role in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, but this is easily his best work. He brings this incredibly terrifying energy to the film that I can’t get enough of. Every scene he is in is phenomenal, his presence almost oozes out the- page 9

film -studio funding a project of Marie Antoinette’s scope and vision today, that’s because there hasn’t been Marie Antoinette anything quite like it since. Marie Antoinette still feels like something of a revelation, and is regarded as a cultural touchstone for so many filmmakers and designers that it’s easy to forget just how polarizing it was upon release. It’s fun and fresh even after 17 years - and since, historical pieces have been unable to recreate this opulence of a film. The lavish imagery and its daring soundtrack set this film apart from most period dramas; the style completely takes precedence over plot and character development in Coppola's vision of the doomed queen. • CELINA PEERZADA Marie Antoinette will remain one of the best movies of all time as it portrays a magnificent retell- ing of France's iconic but ill-fated queen, Marie Antoinette. It begins with her betrothal and marriage to Louis XVI and flows beautifully into an anarchistic, apolitical look at the life and death of the infamous French queen. The wardrobe of the movie was extremely historically inaccurate, but that was what made this piece masterful and iconic. In fact it was the movie's study of style and privilege that made it a political statement winning the Academy Award for Best Costume Design. Milena Canonero, an esteemed Italian costume designer, worked on this movie as well as other monumental films like The Shining, The Godfather III, and The Grand Budapest Hotel. With interesting scripting and predominantly handheld cinematography, still, my focus was fully taken by the chic mise-en-scene. Starring Kirsten Dunst as the young queen, Marie Antoinette is a high-fashion arthouse drama costumed as a big-bud- get period piece. If it’s difficult to imagine a major-

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if you like (blank) watch (blank) If You Like “La La land”, watch “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg”: It’s no surprise La La Land director Damien Chazelle cited this as one of his key influences. With The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Jaques Demy creates a truly special film, one that beautifully melds together heartache, music, and beauty into one film. A sure-fire watch for any fan of La La Land, and an instant classic. It’s too bad it didn’t win that Oscar... If You Like “Black Mirror”, watch “Love, Death, and Robots” Love Death and Robots, just like Black mirror, is an anthology series - which means each episode has a different story, therefore it can be watched in any order. Love, Death and Robots also delves into thought-provoking and complex plot lines that make us really question our own perception of technology, society, and overall human condition. Unlike Black Mirror though, this show is animated - still the graph- ics are visually stunning! If You Like “All Quiet on The Western Front (2022)”, watch “Come and See” Come and See is perhaps one of the most harrow- ing films about war put to screen. Through its unflinching use of visual language, and realistic portrayal of both the emotional and psychological effects of war, director Elem Kilmov manages to tell a story that surpasses the relatively tame and simple anti-war messages of All Quiet on the West- ern Front.

if you like (blank) watch (blank) If You Like “Euphoria”, watch “Waves: Euphoria is a show that’s stirred plenty of controver- sy. Some love it…others not so much. That said, with Waves, director Trey Edward Shults, manages to effectively replicate, and elevate the dreamy teenage angst and cinematography of Euphoria, but to greater effect, creating a story that’s both visually stunning and complex. If You Like “Gilmore Girls”, watch “Ginny and Georgia Both shows explore mother-daughter dynamics as well as relationships at both young and older ages. The key difference to note though, is that Gilmore Girls is definitely a light hearted show while Ginny and Georgia is more serious and realistic about relationship problems. However, both are quite comedic and binge-worthy. If You Like “Friends”, watch “Derry Girls”. Derry Girls is a hilarious show that explores univer- sal themes like friendship, family, and coming of age - just like Friends. The show follows a comical close-knit group of friends that go on a number of misadventures. The sharp humour with hilarious one-liners and peculiar plot ideas really parallels the Friends sense of humour. It's a lighthearted show yet each character is portrayed with such complex personalities, which is a combination that is rarely page 11

tv When I heard of the casting, I had expecta- tions for some fantastic acting. With no surprise, The Last of Us Pedro Pascal withheld his esteemed reputation from (Season One) his work in the highly-rated shows, the Mandalorian, Narcos, and Game of Thrones. While Bella Ramsey, whom I didn’t know much about previously, - besides their minor, but the quite impressionable, role of Lady Mormont in Game of Thrones - completely shocked me. They embodied Ellie’s character flawlessly. However, what really stood out in this show was the chemistry between the 2 characters that the actors executed phenomenally. They both showcased terrific character development that coincided with one another making the audience completely attached to their growing relationship episode by episode. Similar to the games, the special effects were undeniably top-notch. While zombies as a concept seem fictional and animated, this show was able to approach the brains-hungry zombie apocalypse idea into a realistic pandemic of ‘infected’ human beings forcing civilization to regress into the true age of ‘survival of the fittest’. Not one episode was predictable at all, and despite how cliche it sounds, the audience was definitely at the edge of their seat waiting for more. Even after I finished the show, I- The latest hit series starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey is one of the most phenomenal video-game adaptations yet. Based on the 2013 hit video game ‘The Last of Us’, this gripping story follows the journey of an (initially) mismatched pair, Joel and Ellie. as they trek across a post-‘infect- ed’-outbreak America battling brutal circumstances and ruthless killers on the way. After binging this series, it definitely made some rank in my top 5 shows of all time. What I thought was so great about The Last of Us is that it appeals to all audiences emphasizing human relationships in a very deep and meaningful way, while simultaneously executing a fantastic action-ad- venture theme through intense challenges and riveting sequences. And of course, while maintaining excellent cinematography (my must-needed up-to-par feature appreciating film).-

couldn’t stop thinking about it. Wanting more content shared screen time between Joel and Ellie (Although about this post-apocalyptic world? I soon found out this could be biased because I am obsessed with season 2 will come at the end of 2024! their chemistry). What I noticed during my after-thoughts of the Overall though, the show was a spectacular show, analyzing what I thought was done terrifically, adaptation of the game and what I felt was really was the fact that the story, of both the game and special about it, was that it reached way beyond its show, interestingly explores how human society fanbase entertaining viewers who hadn’t even heard would persist through tackling such an outbreak of the 2013 game. While I myself did ‘play’ the game rather than just the attack-and-defence aspect of the alongside my dad at 7 years old, there was a nostal- dystopian/apocalyptic trope. In its rather realistic gic and mature feeling about watching it. The charac- portrayal of circumstances, the show explores not ters were mature, they were real - brought to life by only the dangers of the infected but ALSO the the incredible actors and casting work. The visuals dangers of humanity. As Ellie and Joel travel across were gorgeously textured with stunning cinematogra- America, they come across several groups of people phy in quite a few natural real-life sets that captured who have their own unique, (some) intelligent, and the show’s haunting and desolate world. With pure rather realistic methods of adapting to the pandemic moments of human interaction amongst the chaos of which makes the audience really think, is this how the infected world, the emotional storytelling of this we should approach it if we ever face an apoca- piece added a heavy layer of realism that transports lypse? And when film content makes me ask ques- the audience into The Last of Us' own dystopian tions placing myself into its own world, that's when I world. • ANYA KASURI truly think it's completed its task of pure entertain- ment and intrigue. A huge criticism common for video game adaptations is that they don’t achieve the true thrill of the storytelling gaming experience - in fact, most do it horrendously (like Uncharted). However, as most TLOU fanbase has gladly claimed, the series did more than just stay true to the video game. The Last of Us fans were beyond enthusiastic to see identical frames and combatting moves get adapted flawless- ly from the game into the show. Delving deeper into the stories of different characters of the video game other than just Ellie and Joel, the show gave new content to the video game fanbase but also allowed the first-time viewers to learn the experiences of each character and their integral role in carrying the story. One single minor criticism I have for this show though was the 1-2 episodes wholly dedicated to past relationships. While one episode did feature a main character Ellie, the other was about a couple that didn't have that major of a connection to the story. While I understand how it may have been entertaining for hardcore fans of TLOU, I felt that it was slightly missed by those who didn’t play the game. Both episodes were also quite slow, and I suppose that is because they were intended to be emotional rather than action-packed, however, I did feel those minutes could’ve been used for more page 12

tv Broadchurch -tion to some groups of people than others. This unique aspect of the show makes the viewer feel The BAFTA-winning Broadchurch is a gripping like they are part of this town because they learn so murder mystery and an even more compelling family much about it and its residents. This allows you to drama. The first season follows the residents of the grieve with the town, making you feel just as desper- town of Broadchurch as they deal with the tragic ate to have the mystery solved. We also follow death of 11-year-old Daniel Latimer, whose sudden Danny’s grieving family, which consists of his murder is the central focus of the show. The 2 detec- parents, sister, and grandmother, helping to add to tives in charge of solving the case are Ellie Miller, the tragedy of the whole situation as we watch them played by the incredible Oscar-winning actress, deal with more common problems, like an unstable Olivia Colman, and Alec Hardy, played by the Emmy marriage. award-winning David Tennant. One of my favourite aspects of this show was the While Tennant was undoubtedly excellent, along with duo of Ellie Miller and Alec Hardy. Alec is new to the rest of the actors in this show (including Jodie Broadchurch and when we first meet him, the audi- Whittaker, who deserves a special nod as she gives ence learns that his character got Ellie’s promotion an amazing performance as Danny’s grieving while she was away on vacation. Instantly, tension is mother, Beth), the person who stole the show was created allowing for quality entertainment as he and Olivia Colman, whose range and versatility as an Ellie are partnered up to solve the crime. As their actress shone through in her brilliant performance as relationship develops, their eventual friendship Detective Ellie Miller. feels a lot more natural and realistic as we witness Now, onto the show itself. There aren’t any main the respect they build for one another. The incredi- characters in this show- the main character is the ble chemistry between Olivia Colman and David town of Broadchurch itself, with it paying more atten Tennant also really helped to elevate the characters' friendship. If you are looking for a gripping murder mystery with compelling characters and some of the best writing you can find on TV, do yourself a favour and watch this show. • KYAN KASURI

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tv -Soviet Union and the bureaucracy within it. The very idea that the Soviet Union prioritized the idea Chernobyl (HBO) of covering up this disaster over fixing the problems that came with it, should tell you how poorly orga- nized and numb these people were. The show was very dark and depressing, but that's what made it special. The fact that this show was representative of events that happened in real life, made it even more terrifying. Beyond the story, it was also the acting that carried it. Jared Harris and Stellan Skarsgård, along with the rest of the cast were able to play their roles to perfection. This show thus became a combination of an amazing cast and perfect cinematography that showed the true horrors of the nuclear disaster. This was all combined with a dual storyline that accurate- ly represented the Soviet bureaucracy in a way that previously wasn’t showcased on screen before. The show was also nominated for and won countless awards such as the Golden Globe for best minise- ries. It’s truly something else and at just 6 episodes it's something that can easily be binge-watched over the weekend. The series flows nicely and you are never left uninterested, with every episode revealing something new and leaving the audience always wanting more. • HAMZA RANA Based on the 1986 Soviet Union catastrophe in the city of Chernobyl, this mini-series tells the grim story of the accidental nuclear reactor explosion as well as the victims and culprits involved in the incident. Whatever I write in this review, is simply unable to encapsulate the perfect cinematography and storytelling shown in this series. This show had great acting, perfectly written dialogue, and a story that was not only accurate to reality but also terrify- ing in nature. All of this was accompanied by perfect- ly chosen music that made the audience feel fear, terror, and sadness. Sometimes it wasn’t even music but rather a simple low-frequency humming noise used to build suspense. The directors and produc- tion team used every trick in the book to create a storyline that impacted the audience greatly. But the main attraction of the tv show comes not from the representation of the disaster itself but rather the incredibly horrific realism of the depiction of the-

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tv the audience to connect with the characters on a deeper level, as each of them has their different Disenchantment identifiable quirks. The world-building is also impres- sive, with a rich mythology and lore that keeps view- ers engaged. In addition to the excellent writing and character development, Disenchantment’s voice acting is also incredible. Abbi Jacobson, who plays Bean delivers a stand-out performance, which brilliantly captures the character's wit, vulnerability, and rebellious spirit. While Eric Andre adds a mischievous edge to Luci. The rest of the cast is also exceptional, with John DiMaggio, Tress MacNeille, and Maurice LaMarche all voicing memorable, funny characters. Overall, I must say, Disenchantment is a witty, entertaining, and at times poignant show that is worth checking out • ALEEZA WAJID Disenchantment is an animated television series that premiered on Netflix in 2018. Created by Matt Groening, the show is a satirical take on the medieval fantasy genre, following the adventures of Princess Tiabeanie (Bean), her elf companion Elfo, and her demon Luci. The show's animation is impres- sive, with intricate designs and attention to detail in the characters and backgrounds. The script-writing is especially good, with an intricate plot and storyline filled with clever dark humour and witty one-liners. While the show's first season was met with mixed reviews, it steadily improved in its second and third seasons. The character development was more nuanced, with the main trio facing moral dilemmas and making tough decisions. The addition of new characters, such as Bean's mother and the mysteri- ous Arch Druidess, added depth to the storyline. One of the show's strengths is its ability to balance comedy with darker themes. The show touches on issues such as addiction, loss, and mental health, while still maintaining its irreverent tone. This allows-

tv writers are incorporating unrealistic twists in the story to create some suspense. Outer Banks However, what I truly enjoyed was the main Although Outer Banks has always been one characters’ on-screen chemistry. This season has of my all-time favourite teen dramas, as far as the received many positive reviews, and the show new season is concerned, I have mixed emotions. continues to be distinguished by its stunning cine- The series follows a group of teens as they explore matography encapsulating the scenery of the Outer the Outer Banks in search of treasure while navigat- Banks, as well as the feel-good soundtrack. The ing social and personal difficulties while they are cinematography was extremely admirable, as they chased by the law and a wealthy group of ‘Kook’s’ managed to make the outer banks look spectacular from upper-class localities. The group of teens seek while if truth be told, it is not a visually appealing to overcome obstacles such as love, fighting, friend- area. Even though Outer Banks Season 3 may not ship and money. have lived up to the high standards set by its previ- ous seasons, it still has enough redeeming features One of my main issues with the new season is to keep viewers interested. • AMAL MAHMUD that it lacks the excitement that helped the previous season become so popular among teens and young adults globally. Previous seasons were up to par for the standard of the show, however, it seems that the most recent season was quite underwhelming, therefore not able to meet this standard. The current season has been criticized by some critics for being predictable, with rehashed plot lines and cliches that feel worn out and uninspired. I feel that the- page 15

tv embodies any role she gets and makes it so memora- ble. The casting is the best decision Ryan Murphy The Watcher made with this show because they all manage to salvage the lousy and at times predictable script. This would have been a stellar series because of the amazingly talented cast and idyllic cinematography but falls short with the writing, and particularly that disappointing let-down of an ending, which had me almost tearing my hair out in frustration. It truly saddens me because this series has really just become wasted potential. This suburban nightmare sometimes achieves the campy fright of creator Ryan Murphy's best horror fare, but it sprawls into too many ludicrous directions to satisfy. • CELINA PEERZADA The Watcher is based on a true story (loosely) and inspired by the events detailed in a New York Magazine/The Cut article by Reeves Wiedeman, first published in 2018. It tells the true story of Derek and Maria Broaddus, a couple who in 2014 bought 657 Boulevard, a sprawling house in the idyllic New Jersey suburb of Westfield. In my opinion, I didn't expect this series to be that good honestly, and while it did keep me watching till the end, I was rather disappointed. The Watcher could have been a really interesting tv series with a compelling true story plot and a highly decorated cast. While this did bring excitement, the scripting was very mediocre and the dialogue was painful to sit through at times. It was repetitive, robotic and spewed exposition - pushing the plot in the face of the readers. There were too many plotlines that consequently led to a ton of plot holes - the executed story essentially lacked substance. While I was disappointed with these factors,I did enjoy this series solely due to Jennfier Coolidge. She’s such a captivating and fun actor that-

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