Young adult literature is starting to explore death in depth. Erin Farrow, Victoria University The inevitable and universal nature of death has made it a popular topic of children’s literature. While death has appeared in these stories for centuries, death in young adult novels has become much darker and more Continue Reading
The short and the short of it: The delightful hand drawn slapstick of The Inspector and the Umbrella
We’ve all been there on a rainy day. We go to pop up our umbrella, our flimsy but vital protection against a soacking from the elements, and end up in a battle royale to get it to perform the very task for which it was designed. If any proof Continue Reading
What’s life like when you’re Atypical? You’re about to find out
SNAPSHOT Atypical is a coming of age story from the point-of-view of Sam (played by Keir Gilchrist), an 18-year-old on the autistic spectrum searching for love and independence. While Sam is on his funny and emotional journey of self-discovery, the rest of his family must grapple with change in Continue Reading
Archer and Scooby Doo in the same cartoon? Butch Hartman winningly marries up kids and adult cartoons
Unless you want to spend the next month answering awkward questions and/or potentially scarring dear little John, Judy or Millicent for life, you’re likely not to sit them down with you to watch Family Guy, Rick and Morty or South Park. SpongeBob SquarePants or Peanuts? Sure! Archer or The Continue Reading
Game of Thrones: “Stormborn” (S7, E2 review)
SPOILERS AHEAD … AND MORE WINTER, MORE SKULLDUGGERY AND SOME RATHER UNORTHODOX MEDICAL PROCEDURES Another episode, another thrilling game of playing Rearranging Deckchairs on the Westerosi Titanic … Yes ladies and gentlemen, and passing dragons, with the White Walkers, “growing in numbers every day” and the Night King (Vladimir Continue Reading
So long Mr Mayor! Family Guy farewells Adam West
The recent death of Adam West at 88 was justifiably mourned by many, especially those who remember his scene-stealing turn as Batman in the 1960s TV series. But what many people didn’t realise is how active West had remained up to the present day, particularly with voiceover work for Continue Reading
Now this is music #93: Wafia, Snow Culture, Daudi Matsiko, Salute, Kiran Leonard (+ Eurovision news)
You only have to be in this world for a very short time to realise that there a grand buffet of mixed emotions on offer. The ecstatic joy of first love. The crushing loss of a romance gone sour. The breathless anticipation of the new and unexpected opportunities and Continue Reading
Who is more human? Find out in Guillermo Del Toro’s The Shape of Water
SNAPSHOT From master story teller, Guillermo del Toro, comes “The Shape of Water” – an other-worldly fairy tale, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1963. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Hawkins) is trapped in a life of silence and Continue Reading
Movie review: My Life as a Zucchini
You have never witnessed someone so alone in the world as sweet little Icare aka Zucchini (Courgette in European usage) is in the opening scenes of My Life as a Zucchini, a tenderhearted, tremendously moving adaptation by Claude Barras of Gilles Paris’ 2002 novel Autobiographie d’une Courgette. In near silence, Continue Reading
Want to join Grover Singing in the Rain? Of course you do!
Grover is my favourite resident of Sesame Street hands down. He’s lovable, enthusiastic, a little impatient at times but always ready to give anything a red hot go. Like taking on Gene Kelly’s iconic role in the evergreen musical Singing in the Rain. Problem is that while he, and Continue Reading