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.

Review: Downton Abbey Christmas Special 2013

The Downton Christmas Special can only be described as 'meh', according to Veronica Heney, but this is still an improvement on the rest of the series

Review: Picture This

Emma Simpson visits the British Library to discover how illustrators over the years have interpreted classic children's tales

Review: Doctor Who Christmas Special 2013

Marcus Balmer finds 'The Time Of The Doctor' a deeply unsatisfying conclusion to Matt Smith's reign in the blue box

Top 20 Tracks of 2013

Matt Broomfield shares his favourite tracks from 2013. What were yours?

Taking The Mask Off Burial

Looking from past to present, Adam Piascik tells us about Burial, a dubstep artist shrouded in mystery, and the new directions of his latest release.

Review: Journey by Moonlight

Antal Szerb's subtle articulacy and sense of wonder turn a novel preoccupied with death into a celebration of life

More Than Just Play?

Emma Hewitt discusses the risks of censorship in theatre

Review: Nebraska

Alexander Payne's latest feature is saddening, hilarious and heart-warming - largely due to Bruce Dern's compelling performance

Interview: Dannie Abse and Hannah Ellis

Haf Davies explores the ferociously Welsh poetic heritage of Dylan Thomas

Review: The Hobbit – The Desolation of Smaug

Though a vast improvement on the first instalment of 'The Hobbit', Peter Jackson's latest Middle Earth offering is still unable to fully capture the magic of Tolkien.

The 5 biggest music baddies of 2013

In descending order of baddiness, Helen Thomas takes you through the lowest points the music world reached this year, and the five villainous artists that made them happen.

The price of pantomime

Georgina Wilson discusses the cost of 'He's-Behind-You!'

Cherwell’s cultural Christmas cracker

If you are at a loss as to what to put on your Christmas list, do not fear! Art and Books have helpfully provided a guide to the brightest and best cultural offerings this Christmas vacation

What does ‘cool’ mean?

Luke Barratt considers our cultural conception of the word 'cool'

Letter from Cowley

Abby Carroll writes home from a far-flung region

Interview – MS MR

Luke Barratt talks music videos, Tumblr and the creative process with MS MR

Introduction to… Lieder

William Pimlott explains the appeal of German classical pop

Review: Blood Orange – Cupid Deluxe

21st-century R&B with the emphasis on blues over rhythm

Review: Kvetch

Hard-hitting, brilliant and very, very, very funny

Live Review: Palma Violets

Palma Violets are too heavy on sweat and too light on passion for Helen Thomas

Follow us