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.

“Staying in the trouble” at Oxford

“Staying with the trouble”. This was a quote from feminist geographer and all-round academic queen Donna Haraway (2016), cited in Elwood and Leszczynski’s (2018)...

Before Midnight: ‘Linklater manages to paint a picture of love that feels real, without sacrificing any sense of beauty or magic’. 

'Before Midnight, then, beautifully and honestly draws Linklater’s Before trilogy to a fitting conclusion. As a meditation on love and relationships it reminds us that it’s not always plain sailing, but that this doesn’t erase or dampen our past experiences.' Josh McGrane evaluates the final instalment of Richard Linklater's beloved 'Before' trilogy.

The Duchess of Malfi: A Review

"Evocative performances, convoluted script, limited visual resources"

Narcissus : a review

"It is perhaps unsuprising that a play names after a boy who falls in love with himself should be as self-indulgent as ...Narcissus is."

A rogue Vogue cover: Drake and 21 Savage’s IP gamble

What appears to have happened here is a calculated risk – a legal roll-of-the-dice for a (potentially larger) commercial gain.

‘Women You Know’: Review

"I laughed, I tried but failed to cry, and had an overall nice time spending my Wednesday evening listening to these two women."

No guts, no glory : the Bones and All premiere

"Bones and All...will undeniably spark conversation, introspection and philosophical debate"

‘Blithe Spirit’: In conversation with A-squared Productions

'Blithe Spirit', running at the Keble O’Reilly theatre from the 9th – 12th November will be A2 productions final Oxford show after successes such...

Breakwater : Oxford’s first student feature-film in forty years

"Recently, our primary filming location burnt down"

I Hope You Fall In Love And I Hope It Breaks Your Heart

"Pasoori is more than just a catchy hit which broke out of Pakistan; it’s a beautiful and progressive statement of social and cultural values."

Things Forough Farrokhzad taught me 

"She taught me never to be ashamed of living a bold life"

‘Maurice’ : A review

"It is the perfect choice for the start of term with the potential for all of us to find a piece of ourselves"

Don’t Worry Darling – Review

'You get the impression that is was intended to be a feminist statement - but a statement of what ?'

Why Isn’t Dystopian Fiction Fun Anymore?

"I wonder if the dystopian novels that we read...are really so far off from our own reality"

Muse ‘Will of The People’ Review : My expectations were low, and yet…

"Well done to the boys for trying to write about such a serious subject. I just wish the music didn’t sound like it belongs on Scooby Doo."

Scenes With Girls : A Review

"The play as a whole was beautiful to watch. It is funny, relatable and well-delivered."

Flora’s Fringe Guide

I went up to Fringe in the first week and saw as much as I possibly in order to recommend to you lot what’s worth seeing and what’s not, so please read on for my top recs! 

The Economics of Pride

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” The...

Vessel : A Review

CW : mention of disordered eating, fat phobia, body dysmorphia Have you ever wept in a toilet stall—maybe during a particularly rough school day,...

Copyright or copywrong: the Shape of You case and its implications

We can only hope the decision results in a further backlash against the culture fostered by the Blurred Lines decision and a reduction in the number of frivolous lawsuits against musicians. They are bad for artists, bad for all genres of music, and fundamentally, bad for creativity.

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