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Movies

“Black Bag”: A Spy Thriller That Keeps It Smart and Intimate

When you think of modern spy movies, you probably picture big-budget action, impossible stunts, and a CGI-enhanced world of espionage. But “Black Bag” does something rare: it keeps things grounded, proving you don’t need explosions to make a spy film gripping. Steven Soderbergh’s latest thriller is a masterclass in slow-burn tension, with sharp dialogue, powerhouse performances, and a focus that’s less on government secrets and more on the secrets between two people in a marriage. A Marriage Disguised as a Spy Story At its core, “Black Bag” is really about trust, and not just in the professional, intelligence-agency sense. The…

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Academic

Understanding Magical Realism

Let’s dive into magical realism, one of the most enchanting and genre-blurring movements in literature. You know that feeling when something surreal happens in a story, but everyone acts like it’s totally normal? That’s magical realism in a nutshell. It’s the blend of the mundane and the mystical, where the magical becomes part of everyday life without anyone batting an eye. What Is Magical Realism, Exactly? Magical realism emerged in the 20th century, largely from Latin American writers who sought to express the complex realities of their cultures, histories, and politics. It combines realistic settings and events with fantastical elements,…

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Books

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

The Invisible Legacy: Memory, Magic Realism, and Erasure In this blog, I’m trying something a little different. Instead of a standard review, I diving deeper into the heart of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue to explore the big ideas beneath the surface. V.E. Schwab’s writing isn’t just beautifully crafted, it’s full of rich themes that deserve to be unpacked with the same seriousness we’d give to classic literature. From questions about memory and legacy to deeper issues of power and erasure, this novel has a lot in common with concepts found in critical theory. So, I’m taking a closer…

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Books

The Rise of Afrofuturism and Black Authors in Sci-Fi and Fantasy

In recent years, speculative fiction has been electrified by the growing presence of Black authors, particularly within the realms of Afrofuturism, science fiction, and fantasy. This movement is not simply about increased representation, but about radically reshaping narratives and perspectives that have long been overlooked or marginalized by mainstream publishing. Much like the surge of East Asian voices redefining fantasy and sci-fi, Black authors are doing more than adding cultural “flavour” to established genres. Rather, they are creating works that challenge systemic biases, subvert stereotypes, and explore the realities and futures of the African diaspora in deeply imaginative ways. Afrofuturism:…

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Books

A Literary Revolution: The Rise of East Asian Authors in Fantasy and Sci-Fi

In recent years, a remarkable shift has occurred in the literary world. More and more East Asian authors are making waves in the fantasy and science fiction genres, captivating global audiences with their distinct storytelling, deep philosophical themes, and richly imagined worlds. This influx is not a fleeting trend, it’s the result of a confluence of historical, cultural, and literary factors that have allowed these voices to flourish. What makes these authors stand out is not just their cultural background but their ability to craft stories that defy the typical “Eastern mysticism” lens that Western media has long imposed. Instead…

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Books

Babel: How Language and Violence Shape Imperialism

R. F. Kuang’s Babel is a powerhouse of a novel—dense, brilliant, and unapologetically critical of empire, language, and resistance. At its core, the book argues that language is never neutral; it is wielded by those in power to maintain control, and breaking free from that system often requires violence as uncompromising as the oppression itself. It is the kind of book that grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go. It’s not just a story—it’s a sharp, unflinching commentary on power, colonialism, and language as both a weapon and a battleground. Kuang makes this argument not just through…

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